Waves lapped at the hull of the cruise liner as it made its way sedately across the ocean. On the main deck, leaning against the rail, she stood; breathing in the fresh sea air with her hair blowing gently in the wind. Long, curly and brown it flowed down the back of a flowery sun-dress which outlined a very shapely feminine figure.

“Good evening ma’am, may I get you anything?” Jason, part of the cruise staff, approached behind her, admiring his view. He quickly looked up as she turned around, and smiled politely. He himself was nothing special, but since he had started this job a few years back his ordinary frame had grown more toned from the lifting and running around below decks.

“A glass of wine would be lovely, thank you” She replied courteously. Jason inclined his head, before turning back to the kitchens. He always liked talking to her. Of course his job had him making polite small talk with all the guests and getting to know them slightly, but he couldn’t help noticing his tendency to spend much more time around her than with some of the other guests. Her name was Rachel; she was out on the ship with her aging mother and father, a present from them to her.

She had this gracefulness about her, and a warm and pleasant personality which he found intoxicating. Also she so happened to be the most beautiful girl he’d ever laid eyes on. Jason briefly entertained the idea of asking her to dinner next shore-leave, but he dismissed this as fanciful thinking; neither would he be allowed to anyway by his boss nor would she likely want to spend time with a mere cruise ship attendant. As day turned to night the passengers made their way slowly back to their rooms, their cares and worries left far behind in the land they had sailed from.

Jason was below decks when he felt it. Or rather, didn’t feel it. The boat had stopped moving. Not just in the direction they were headed but it had also stopped bobbing up and down on the waves. He climbed curiously up the metal stairway to the deck and, passing a colleague, he enquired,

“do you know what’s going on?” Upon seeing his curiosity and concern mirrored in the man’s face he continued up the stairs. It was dark, the waves like black ink stained the side of the ship.How is that possible? Have we hit a reef?Many passengers had not noticed anything was the matter, but a few had come up and now leaned over the railing, looking below, puzzled.

A great crash shook through the ship. A couple of those unwary tourists who were leaning over the rails were sent overboard. Shouts and screams sounded from those on deck, calling for aid. Another shudder, and the liner started listing to the port side. Jason frantically scanned the sea beneath, looking for telltale signs of rock or even ice, but he could see nothing, only blackness. The screeching sound of metal tearing resonated through the floor as something smacked into the starboard side of the ship, piercing straight through the hull and ripping into the holds and engine rooms. The call to abandon ship came shortly after over loudspeakers all over the vessel.

People ran, screaming, to the emergency points while Jason and the other staff tried to calm them, telling them everything would be OK. He could see it in the eyes of the other sailors; nobody knew what was happening, or how much danger they were potentially all in. The first of the three larger lifeboats had been filled, it was being lowered off the port-side as the ship leaned precariously in that direction. The ship suddenly lurched, causing an immediate wail of panic from those on the life boat. Movement, in the corner of his eye, out at sea on the starboard side caused Jason to turn from fussing with frightened passengers. He strained his eyes and squinted hard against the dark horizon. What is that? He could barely make out a black tendril, making it’s way slowly out of the sea, arcing into the sky and towards them. It was hard to make out its exact shape – at one point he even thought it was just a cloud or his imagination. Then with alarming speed the tip dove, like a hellbent kamikaze plane, and speared straight through the middle of the main deck, top down. Jason felt his heart jump into his mouth as it gaped open, in a voiceless scream. From the aft of the ship, where he stood, he felt the tremor as the ship recoiled from the impact.

“Hurry! Run to the lifeboats! Run for your lives!”

There was no more ordered evacuation, there was just chaos. Jason tried to get a better look at the black tentacle, which had wrapped over the side of the ship and impaled itself through the centre, but streams of people kept bumping into him all of them fleeing as far away from it as possible.What is it?

“Sir! Please sir, oh my god please!” Jason turned quickly. Rachel’s parents stood next to the second main lifeboat, next to a pack of scared tourists pushing each other and trying to jam on board.

“Sorry ma’am and sir but you need to leave, artvin escort immediately, it’s not safe” He tried to placate them with, seeing the distress written openly upon their faces. Tears streamed from their eyes as they shook their heads, shouting above the din,

“It’s Rachel! She’s not here! I think she might be stuck in her room!” He looked back at them blankly for a moment. The amount of damage caused to the ship already could easily have trapped some people in their rooms with broken debris and water flooding in. Out of the side of his eye he saw the lifeboat. He wanted nothing more than to jump aboard, shove his head between his knees with his eyes shut and wait it out, relinquish all responsibility and just pray for safety. Gritting his teeth he clenched his fists, tore his gaze from the lifeboat, and sprinted towards the passengers’ rooms.I can never just take the easy option can I?

As he shoved open the door and stepped through he gasped aloud. His foot had landed in ice-cold water. Taking a deep breath and pushing aside the paralyzing wave of fear which had suddenly seized his heart he dove, swimming with broad powerful strokes down into the corridor. Wistfully he remembered the previous week, turning up at her room following a request from Rachel for some new towels. Jason had stood awkwardly in the open doorway, arms outstretched with the fresh bundle as she stood partially concealed behind the door, wearing only a top, which revealed the glowing colour of her lightly tanned sleek and long legs, up to the thighs. She had taken the towels, winked at him, then closed the door. The memory had remained burned into his retinas for the remainder of that day and all of the next.

Jason angled up, swimming across the ship but skyward, as the liner listed. He could see her room now. A large riveted metal beam had collapsed from the ceiling, or been torn through the hallway he did not know, and lay betwixt the door and the opposite wall, one end stuck on each, barring it from opening. The tiniest of bubbles escaped his mouth as he started to feel the strain of holding his breath. He could hear her banging and screaming through the door, and felt a small surge of confidence. The water level was rapidly rising but for now the hallway with her room was not submerged. Jason surfaced, spluttering a little for air, then wasted no time in clambering up.

“Rachel can you hear me? Are you alright?” He shouted into the door.

“Yes! Yes I’m fine! The door is stuck I can’t get out!” She replied, panic edging into her voice.

“I’m going to try and open it; stand away from the door, and get ready to hold your breath!”

Jason turned back to the beam, and, placing both hands on it, he tried to shove it to the side, so that it would fall unstuck to the ground. It held fast. Strain showed on his face as he leaned into it, grunting slightly with effort. He felt the water reach his feet as the level rose. It slithered silently up his leg, whose muscles were taut with his exertion. As it reached his waist he yelled out, and the bar budged slightly, the sound of metal scraping across metal perforating through the echoes of distant screams and cries. He kept pushing, as the water reached his chest the bar edged more and more. The water crept over his mouth nose and sealed his precious airway shut. With a final effort the bar gave way completely, and the door fell open. He took Rachel’s hand and pulled her out of her room. Together they dove into the water and he lead her out. Arms aching, chest already heaving with effort, barely containing that life sustaining oxygen, he swam, checking every now and then to make sure Rachel was behind him. Emergency lights had activated some time ago and bathed them in an eerie green glow from the walls. Jason could feel his vision clouding, red spots arising at the corners of his vision. Finally they rounded the corner, up the stairwell, and onto the deck.

Gasping for breath they cheered and hugged out of pure relief, allowing themselves that brief moment of victory and adrenaline induced euphoria in amongst the panic and chaos which was splayed out on deck.

“Where are my parents? Are they safe?” Rachel was quick to ask after they pulled apart.

“They’re on the second lifeboat, it will have been lowered into the water by now; we’ll need to head to the last one. They’re fine,” Jason reassured. The third lifeboat was being filled, most of the passengers had already boarded it; only a handful were still queuing up. For a moment, Rachel slumped her shoulders and relaxed as they headed over, and started to feel safe again. Just then water erupted beneath the lifeboat, a cascade rising in a ring as another huge tentacle rocketed from the deep, tearing through the smaller boat and everybody in it, then slammed onto the deck, this time horizontally across it. Wood splintered beneath it as the already wounded aydın escort deck gave in, metal snapping from it’s weight.

“Rachel! Take my hand!” As the ship split slowly in two, Jason grabbed onto the railing with his right hand, the left clutching onto a struggling Rachel, who was scrabbling at the deck as it tilted inwardly. Next to them, strapped to the side of a wall, was a dinghy designed for a small group of people to sit in. Jason hoisted himself up onto the rail, and reached down to help up Rachel. Climbing over he unhooked it from the wall, and it fell to the deck, sliding down to the sea.

“You ready? We have to go, now!” Rachel nodded, face tight with exertion.This is a stupid, stupid idea.Jason smiled inwardly, winked at Rachel, then jumped.

Crashing into the freezing clutches of the ocean, Rachel fought to the surface, looking around frantically for Jason. He rose moments later, coughing up water.

“Come on!” He encouraged, before swimming towards the dinghy which floated a few metres away. Rachel followed, slower; her tight jeans had saturated with water and were hard to swim in. Panic set in and she whimpered a little, arms flailing. She could feel her strength fading. She stopped swimming with technique, the fear causing her to flail violently, splashing and crashing on the ocean waves. Her head went under and she couldn’t breathe.This it it. This is how I die. Her arms felt too heavy, her chest bursting. Desperation coursed through her mind. Then a strong arm submerged from above, reaching under her shoulder, and lifting her up. She broke the surface, choking on water, as Jason pulled her onto the dinghy. She lay there, for a moment, too shocked to move. Then she sat up, slowly, taking in her surroundings. Jason was already busy rowing with the small one bladed paddle that was strapped to the side of the dinghy before. In the distance she could see the two other lifeboats. They were heading towards them, but angling slightly towards a group of people treading water, more survivors who hadn’t made it to the first two emergency vessels in time.

She turned around. Dark pillars slowly slithered up and around the ship, which had now split in two. They encircled each piece, and started to drag them down into the depths. She only had a moment to cry aloud before being brought back to their current situation. The dinghy had started to sink back towards the ship, sucked in by the void of the liner. Then everything went crazy. The arms pulling down the ship suddenly accelerated, as if they had found their grip and remembered their strength. Just like that the ship disappeared beneath the surface, sucking their dinghy in dangerously close, and slightly submerging them, but then just before they were lost in its current, a giant spout of water exploded into the sky from where the ship had been, sending them flying, scattering all the swimming survivors, and lifeboats and the other few dinghies. Losing consciousness Rachel was barely aware of huge monster waves crashing over them time and time again and of Jason shouting, fighting against the sea itself to keep them afloat. Then everything went dark.

The sun, its rays heating the bright orange dinghy, woke Rachel; its warmth sapped the moisture from her hair. Hesitantly she sat up, muscles complaining, and bare feet stinging from the hot rubber floor. She had discarded her shoes the previous night before swimming from her room. It felt like a lifetime ago, already. Jason was awake, fiddling with a compass with a concerned look on his face. He was topless, his wet shirt laid out on the wall of the dinghy. He was by no means ripped, but his abs were toned and his chest was broad and strong. She felt some colour go to her cheeks as she looked at him, and turned away. She wondered if he had even rested. It was strange, but the fear she felt when she woke faded a little when she looked round and saw he was still there, watching over her. He made her feel… Safe. Taking in her surroundings, as she twisted round and round, she had a horrible realisation. There were no other lifeboats, no other survivors, no land, nothing. Just water, as far as the eye could see.

“Ah, good afternoon, did you have a nice sleep miss?” Jason remarked, humouring the tone he used to take on board the cruise ship when talking to a passenger. She flashed the makings of a smile, before returning to that state of hopeless silence. Looking at her, Jason felt this overwhelming urge to look after her. He knew then in a heartbeat he would do anything to keep her safe. It wasn’t just his professional need to care for guests either, he pondered to himself. It was more than that. He took himself back to the situation. He needed to get her talking, keep her spirits up, and get her out of those wet clothes before she caught something. He coughed a little, awkwardly, then began,

“Ehhh I’m a little worried about you being balıkesir escort in cold wet clothes. Tonight it’ll get chilly and if you’re wearing them you might catch pneumonia… I – I won’t look if you’re not wearing anything underneath, I’ll just sort of stare out to sea over here. Ehh… Yeah.”

She decided to relieve his torment,

“It’s OK I’m wearing my swimsuit underneath still, luckily. I didn’t have time to change out of my jeans last night when everything… Happened.” She stripped off her top and her jeans, draping them on the side of the small boat. Jason was rewarded with a lovely view of Rachel twisting around in her seated position and contorting, wearing only her bright red bikini. Her tanned white skin seemed to glow underneath it, and he abruptly turned away before any obvious signs of his arousal surfaced. He started talking to keep his mind busy,

“Good news and bad news I guess: good news is these dinghies are packed full of emergency dry food, designed to get a small group of people through several weeks, so we should be fine. Also we have a Solar Still, which is used to convert salt water to drinking water, so no worries there too! Bad news is I have absolutely no idea where we are, or where everyone else is. There was a fierce storm last night after…. After that thing attacked… We’ve been blasted leagues away.” Turning back to her, he asked,

“How are you, though, are you hurt?” She looked tired as she replied,

“I’m fine – just a little worn out.” She moved to stand, and as she leant down and put weight on her right arm, she gave out a sudden yelp of pain, and fell to the floor. Jason rushed over, supporting her, and lifting her a little. He lightly examined her shoulder, noting the slight bruising.

“I don’t think it’s broken, which is good, but don’t put any strain on it anyway – then it should recover quickly,” he said after moving it a little, seeing Rachel wince as he did.

“No tennis this afternoon,” he continued sarcastically, and getting rewarded with that faint hint of a smile returning to her face. Jason grinned and strode to the back, fetching some food and drink for her. A thought occurred to Rachel,

“What’s your name? I’m so sorry I just realised I never asked before.”

“Jason. Jason Gordon, pleased to meet you,” he said offering his hand, “and don’t worry – really – I was just some unimportant guy working on your cruise ship,” he joked.

“Well you’re certainly important now,” she grinned back, shaking his hand, before a sudden awkward silence set in.

“Oh – not that I meant – I mean that -” Her embarrassment was cut off by Jason as he chuckled, rubbed her non injured shoulder, and went back to check on the rations.

As the afternoon turned into evening they swapped stories and chatted. Jason noted her mood was still slightly sombre but it was far more positive than it had been that morning. She even laughed a couple of times. She told him about her family, living in Scotland; her parents had surprised her with this cruise as a present halfway through her university degree. She was 20, and had always wanted to go travelling around the world and see different countries and sights. She smiled fondly as she remembered her parents explaining to her,

“We know you’ve always wanted to go and experience the world, but we’re a little old now to be running from place to place, so we’ve found a happy medium! Your father and I will sit on this nice boat whilst you go seeing the sights. And the best part is we’ll still have family dinners in the evening.” A small tear pooled in the corner of Rachel’s left eye as she said this. Jason, sitting in front of her, moved beside her, putting his arm around her and letting her rest her head on his shoulder.

“Do you think they’re OK, my parents?” She asked softly, barely a whisper.

“Well, they’re on a nicer boat than us surrounded by crew from the ship, chances are they’re already back on land,” Jason said, giving her a slight friendly squeeze as he did. He then added, nodding to their wet clothes spread out around them,

“They’ve got a roof on their boat too.”

They stayed like that as the sun set, its red glow casting a mood which starkly juxtaposed with the previous night’s panic and dread. Jason sat behind her, his attention back on her injured shoulder, rubbing it gently with experienced hands, easing out the pain.

They sat in silence for a while, being swept into the moment, when Rachel spoke up,

“I never said thank you.” She turned to face him, Jason’s hands stopping their work, his right falling to her waist and his left alighting lightly on the side of her injured arm. She continued, softly,

“I owe you everything… You saved my life multiple times,” then with a gentle smile and a short, empty, laugh added,

“And you’re still saving me.” She looked up into his eyes as she said this. In that moment all those feelings of him protecting her, standing over her, surfaced. Jason pulled her into his firm embrace, wordlessly, wrapping his arms around her, her C – cups pushed against his chest. He was definitely enjoying that feeling.

“You don’t owe me anything, I was just doing my job,” he murmured into her ear. She smiled, her right hand trailing lazily down his back.

Calleslyn waited and watched nervously as Vardala fiddled with the lock on the door; they really didn’t want to be caught by anyone while doing this. She and Almandar were standing in the alley behind the house that Sashjant had rented in the city. There was no sign of life inside, although she knew that the demon was at home, along with, at the very least, two of his female companions, and probably all of them. Except, of course, Mei-Xing, and they did not yet know whether he had worked out what had happened to her,

Hopefully not, because that would give them the element of surprise. Sashjant was expecting Ornejirhs, and doubtless had warding spells in place to warn him of the approach of a dragon, whether in human form or not. But, with any luck, he had no idea about the adventurers, allowing them to quickly get inside and deal with him.

To her surprise, the lock on the back door to the house had not been enchanted, so it had nothing to do with the magical key they had stolen. That had to be for something, but evidently it wasn’t just for accessing the building, which used a standard Haredil lock on all of its doors. Which meant that Vardala should not be much longer.

The gnome nodded, pocketing her picks, and quietly pushing the door open. Almandar beckoned to Dolrim and Lady Tarissa, standing guard at either end of the alleyway, and the two warriors quickly joined them, before they all stepped inside and pushed the door closed behind them. They were in, apparently without being spotted and suspected of burglary by the city watch… now they just had to deal with a demon and up to four of his mind-controlled slaves.

They were standing in what was obviously a kitchen, but had no cutlery, utensils, or supplies of food on display. Calleslyn wasn’t sure whether Sashjant needed to eat or not, but his servants certainly did, which made their refusal to use the kitchen rather odd.

One door led to a pantry – also suspiciously empty – and the other to a corridor that led through to the front of the house and to some stairs leading upwards. The corridor was as bare as the kitchen, totally lacking in any decoration, but simply with blank plaster walls and wooden floorboards. However, it was instantly obvious that something was wrong with the layout.

There were too many doors. Aside from those that obviously led to front rooms, there were two doors under the stairs, despite the fact that there was no space there for anything more than a small cupboard. One of the doors was made of rune-marked black metal, clearly out of place. A quick spell confirmed that the door definitely radiated magic, and strong magic at that.

Almandar motioned to the others, and stepped up to the metal opening. It had a slot just the right size for the unusual key he had taken from Mei-Xing, and when he pressed the device to it, the portal swung open silently to reveal a long stone corridor beyond. It clearly could not fit within the physical space of the house, and surely explained why the building proper looked unused. Doubtless the door, and whatever lay beyond it, was portable, allowing the demon to carry his home about with him while travelling, and making it difficult for any intruder to break in.

He had evidently not counted on one of his slaves falling for Almandar’s charms, thought the elf, with a hint of amusement. Not, of course, that he had mentioned to the others how he had acquired the key, but Callesyn knew him well enough to guess, and the less said to Tarissa and Dolrim about it, the better.

Moments later, they were in. Vardala shut the door behind them, evidently realising that its presence gave them more freedom to act than they had suspected. Surely sounds did not emanate from within, allowing them to destroy the demon without waking the whole street and having a lot of awkward questions to answer. Swiftly, the party moved down the corridor.

It looked to be made of plain stone flagging, although when Dolrim brushed his hand over it, he frowned, and shook his head disapprovingly. Most likely, the entire structure was magical, or made from something extra-planar, not real earth and rock. The bright lamps set into the wall were probably fake too, since they did not seem to give off any smoke or heat, making the whole place seem a little otherworldly.

They were just about to examine the first door along the side of the corridor, when they heard a sudden shout of alarm. The red-headed slave had just turned the corner at the end of the corridor, and seen them. There was a flash of light as Almandar cast a sleep spell, striking the woman before she could dart back round the corridor, and she slumped heavily to the floor. For a few moments, her yell seemed to echo around the place, as the adventurers prepared to rush forward. The element of surprise had gone, and now they had to move swiftly.

“Let’s…” Tarissa began, just before everything went black and Calleslyn felt herself being whirled round like a spinning top.

She regained her balance as the spinning stopped. It was still pitch black, but now ominously ardahan escort silent as well. Calleslyn raised her hand, casting a light spell into the gloom. It surged briefly, and then went out again, plunging her back into darkness. She could feel something fighting back against her magic as the spell failed, but, more importantly, the brief glimpse it had given her showed that she was alone, and not standing in the same corridor that she had been moments before.

She stood still for a second, wondering what to do. The others could be anywhere, and she could not see in complete blackness… something that presumably did not hinder Sashjant. Her keen hearing picked up a sound. She felt sure it was Tarissa’s voice, calling out, but it was too faint to make out the words. Nonetheless, she moved towards it, hands trailing along the stone wall beside her to feel her way.

This was not going as well as they had planned.

Her fingers reached an archway, and a wooden door beyond it. The wood felt slightly odd to the touch, unnaturally regular in form, so doubtless it was no more the real material than the stone walls had been. Heart beating, and unsure what she would do if the demon were standing behind it, she pulled the door open.

Light spilled into the corridor, and she heard a sudden yelp of surprise from the illuminated room beyond. Darting in, her experience as an adventurer allowed her to instantly take stock of the chamber and evaluate its only visible threat. Before the woman standing there could even react to her presence, she had hurled a sleep spell in her direction.

With a flash of blue light, the spell deflected from its target, sputtering out without effect. She was protected, and the only spells that Calleslyn knew that might penetrate that barrier would harm the woman; an innocent victim of Sashjant’s mind-altering powers.

The room itself was a study or office of some kind, the walls clean and white, decorated with exotic tapestries in an artistic style that Calleslyn didn’t recognise. There was a small desk with a stool against one wall, covered with parchments, and three heavy chests arrayed against the far end of the room. The remaining wall, the one that did not hold the door she had just entered through, held a divan sumptuously upholstered in red and purple. Otherwise, the room was empty, save for the woman facing her.

She recognised the woman, of course, for the adventurers had been following Sashjant’s harem over the last few days. They had determined she was a secretary or clerk of some kind, perhaps a merchant who helped the demon buy the goods he needed for a life of material luxury. She was also, as with all of the women, a beauty, and, Calleslyn thought, the most exotic of the five. Mei-Xing was obviously from the distant east, the redhead and the blonde from the south, and the tall brunette from the Wild Lands, but she had no idea what part of the world this woman came from. For all she knew, it was the distant northern hemisphere, where Sashjant himself was said to have entered the physical plane.

Her skin was rich brown, lighter and more golden than that of the Jalibians, yet much darker than anyone from Haredil. Her hair was straight and jet black, cascading around her shoulders, and her features fine and exquisitely carved, with dark, dark eyes that were presently glaring at the elf intently.

Her clothing was exotic too, reminiscent of some of the Haredil styles, yet clearly belonging to none of them. Her skirts were long, draped to the ground, made from a brilliant pink fabric decorated with gold thread and sequins. However, unlike most local dresses, the upper part of her clothing, although matching, was an entirely separate garment. It was short-sleeved, leaving her arms bare to show off a number of golden bangles, and high cut beneath a decorative necklace. It was remarkably short, however, ending just below her full breasts to leave her narrow waist and belly bare, a diamond stud glittering in her navel. The outfit was completed with a long shawl of similar fabric to the dress, draped over her shoulders, and dangling silver earrings.

Any of Sashjant’s followers could turn heads, but, at least to Calleslyn’s mind, this woman was the most beautiful of them all, and the rich splendour of her clothing enhanced that all the more. It was, of course, a pity that her opponent was unlikely to hold the same opinion of her.

These thoughts and impressions, already formed by her earlier sight of the woman, flashed through the elf’s mind even as the human’s fingers began to move in a complex, yet very familiar fashion. Instinctively, Calleslyn’s own hands moved to counter the coming spell, and when the flash of glowing energy burst towards her just seconds later, she deflected it harmlessly to the side.,

The woman was a magician, then. Although, Calleslyn thought, not a strong one, perhaps only just entering on that path of study, and she would be no match in a true duel of magical power.

Perhaps having the same thought, adıyaman escort and realising that her petty spells would have no effect on the stronger elven magician, the stranger lunged for the desk and, almost too late, Calleslyn saw the handle of a dagger there, protruding from beneath the parchments, where the blade itself was hidden.

She cast another spell, and the foreign woman’s feet whisked out from under her, spilling her in a cartwheel, arm still outstretched to grab for the dagger. Her fingers were just inches away as her body lurched up into the air, the levitation spell leaving her nothing to grab onto. She flailed about, legs and arms in a blur as she wailed in frustration, hair in disarray, shawl fluttering to the ground beneath her as it fell from her shoulders.

“You bitch!” she shouted, once it had become clear to her that she was not close enough to any solid surface to reach out for it. She was helpless, at least until the spell ended.

Calleslyn took a step back, closing the door firmly, and ensuring she was out of reach of the woman’s hands, and looked into those fiercely glaring eyes.

“So, you’re one of Sashjant’s slaves?” she said.

“I am not a slave! I serve my master willingly – and he will destroy you for this affront!” Her voice had a sing-song quality to it, a strange accent that befitted her oddly foreign appearance.

“Do you really?” asked Calleslyn. It was possible, she supposed, although that was not what she had heard from Ornejirhs. “Why would that be?”

“He is magnificent, a giant among lesser beings! He is full of splendour, inspiring devotion in my heart, and that of my companions. To see him is to be in awe, to know that nothing he does can be wrong, and we must all strive to please him. You will see, elf woman! You will see what a privilege it is to be near him.”

The words struck something of a chord with the magician. Ornejirhs had almost certainly been right, for this kind of mindless devotion could easily be induced by powerful enchantments. There were spells that could make anybody befriend you, treat you as their best confidant and companion, so that they would do almost anything you asked them. Such spells were generally forbidden, at least in civilised society, because of the misuse to which they could be put, but when they worked, they created much the kind of fervour that she saw now in the woman before her.

It made her all the more determined to free the woman from her enthrallment, just as Almandar had freed Mei-Xing. But how could she do that if her spells kept failing, as both the light and sleep spells had done? No… there was something odd there. The human woman had had no difficulty casting her own spell, and it had not even been a particularly strong one. If there was any dampening effect, it would not be able to discriminate between friend and foe, so this woman should be even more handicapped than she.

That she was not meant that something else was going on. Calleslyn’s eyes strayed to the light. Like those they had initially seen when they entered this place, it appeared to be a lamp, yet gave off no smoke. Outside, in the corridor, the magical lamps had all gone out, yet this one was still burning. Which meant that the effect that had dampened her own light spell was only outside in the corridor, not in here, and what had caused her sleep spell to misfire had to be something else entirely.

She could not cast many more spells today, not if she wanted to be able to face Sashjant should he turn up, but a detect magic was simple enough. Once cast, that told her all she needed to know. Yes, the entire place was magic, but, more importantly, so was a ring on the human woman’s finger. That had to be what was protecting her… if Calleslyn could remove the ring, she could cast the anti-enchantment spell that had freed Mei-Xing, and the demon would have one less ally.

But that might be easier said than done.

“Have you not noticed,” she asked, “that Mei-Xing has not returned to you? I am sure the other woman told you that she went away with a man, and I can tell you that that man lifted the enchantment that was on her, freed her mind from Sashjant’s compulsion.”

“Lies! Mei is as loyal as I!”

“Not any more. My friend was evidently quite persuasive.”

“I do not believe you.”

“The fact that he could do that would suggest that you still have your normal desires, that everything about you is normal, except for this slavish devotion that you feel.”

“If you are suggesting that she was lured away by some physical attraction, then I can assure you that we need no more satisfaction than our master can provide. So I know you are lying.”

“The suggestion I have heard that you five are a ‘harem’ is a literal one, then?”

She had suspected as much, for any spell that could create an unreasoning devotion in the subject could be misused for sexual purposes. Anyone under such a spell would willingly have sex with its caster if they were asked to do so, and, karabük escort if the spell was potent enough, would enjoy it regardless of their prior preferences. But… such spells usually lasted for mere hours, days at the most, and trying to cast and recast it on five different people so often had to be difficult. There had to be something more to it, some way that Sashjant made the effect more permanent than it should have been.

“I would not use such a crude term. But we are his companions, and we give ourselves willingly to him, as any woman would do.”

“Any woman? So how does that work…” Seeing that got not reply, she tried a different tack. “What happened when your most recent companion joined?”

The woman frowned, perhaps wondering for a brief moment if her desperation to prove Calleslyn wrong meant that she was giving away too much. But then she ploughed ahead anyway, perhaps reassuring herself of her master’s inevitable triumph over all.

“Kara was like you at first – she said that she would not bow to our master. But when she came into his presence, he gazed into her eyes and spoke calming words to her, and we could see the shadows fall from her face as she beheld his true form. She fell to her knees in awe, and promised to do anything to help him.”

Well, that sounded like a regular spell, and only the clouding of the foreign woman’s own mind could be preventing her from seeing that. It did not explain, however, why the effect was so long-lasting. “And then what happened?” she pressed on.

“Our master took human form, and rewarded Kara for her newfound loyalty.”

“And how exactly did he do that?”

“He made love to her, of course, until she begged that she could take no more pleasure. It is how he always rewards us, a glorious experience unlike anything you can imagine.” Her eyes shone with a strange fervour as she spoke, her voice becoming softer, more reverent. The spell had certainly taken its hold on her. “We all watched, pleased to have a new sister.”

“It didn’t make you jealous?”

At last, uncertainty crossed the dark-skinned woman’s face, “I… I… no, of course not… we… that is, I… I know that nothing that the master wishes can be wrong. I was pleased for her. Yes, I was.”

“And that was it?”

“After she had been pleasured as much as any mortal can be,” her strangely accented voice had become more confident again, “Kara showed her gratitude to him. He returned to his true form, and she took him in her mouth until she drank him dry. As she has many times since, as have we all, for he says it is a sign of our undying devotion.”

Calleslyn nodded to herself. There was obviously something in the demon’s semen that extended the spell, although he probably still had to recast it from time to time. A nasty trick, indeed. Interesting though the information was, it also gave the elven woman an idea for how to take the magic ring from the trapped human. She was fairly sure that something similar had worked for Almandar, and she did not even need to go that far.

“More pleasure than any other mortal can grant?” she asked, “I rather doubt that, especially when he is in human form. Mei-Xing obviously did not think so, for, if I know my friend at all well, he pleasured her at least as much as your master has.”

“Impossible!”

“Prove it.”

The woman opened her mouth to say something, then paused, a look of confusion on her face. After a long and uncomfortable silence, she at last spoke again, “what do you mean? How could I prove it? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Could a mortal man satisfy you now, after having experienced Sashjant?”

“No.”

“Could a woman?”

There was another long silence. The human’s face flushed, a blush evident even beneath her coppery skin as she took in the import of the elven woman’s words.

“That’s ridiculous,” she said at last, her voice wavering.

“Prove it.”

“What?” Her voice had risen an octave, as her dark eyes became rounder and rounder.

“Prove to me, here, now, that I can’t make you climax. Because I think I can.”

“That’s… that’s preposterous. The idea is ridiculous.”

“Then you won’t object to the challenge.” There was no reply except another burning glare of animosity from the woman. Well, at least, Calleslyn thought, her eyes were focussed on the right place. Now to take advantage of that. “Like what you see?” she asked, “perhaps you’d like to see more?”

The elf moved over to the desk, eyes still fixed on the dark-skinned human, and half perched herself upon it, kicking her shoes off as she did so. She placed a bare foot on the velvet upholstery of the stool, and slowly slid her skirts up, exposing a long, slender leg. Once her skirt was hitched up almost to her waist, she slowly slid her hands along her shin and up to her thigh.

“You want to feel me, taste me, don’t you?” she asked the woman, her voice dropping to a purr.

“No,” said the human firmly.

But Calleslyn noticed that these deep dark eyes had not left her, and that the human looked flushed, even nervous, perhaps, but not truly frightened or revolted. In any event, as long as she could hold the woman’s attention long enough to remove the ring, that was all she needed. She had no particular intention of forcing her into having sex; she had been through enough of that already, even if she didn’t know it. She only had to be distracted.

RUFUS- First the tragedy

It was quiet at first, inside the 2nd class section of the E.S.S.D T.T.S type-12 shuttle. The twelve was how many shuttle crashes there were in order to perfect the model we were all in. One hundred twenty men and women, all had been in space for almost a year, some even longer (longest was three years out in the cramp trenches on the moon, mining various metals, shortest was a three to five day business trip in the colonies in Norman)

But outside of the businessmen and technicians throughout the entire shuttle, mostly in coach were a group of soldiers, Eagle and swords troopers from all over the moon given shore leave or, or rather before discharge.

Oh who am I? How sweet but unfortunately this has nothing to do with me.

No, the story I’m speaking is about the man sitting three rows down five seats across, wearing black and grey business suit, black sunglasses, Rufus Unklugeseele, for appearances you’d think he was a regular yes-man, your average trader who was riding home to see his wife and kids, although he looked young, probably late teens early twenties.

In truth he was…Nah I won’t spoil it yet, maybe later.

The inside of the ship began to get hotter; I began to sweat a small bit as well as everyone else. It was Hot but it was livable, we weren’t suffocating or nothing like that. Then the captain turned on the signal before he spoke through the intercom.

“This is your captain speaking, were heading through the atmosphere of earth as you may have guessed, we will experience slight turbulence but nothing to worry about. We will be landing at our destination in approximately four hours thank you… éste es su discurso del capit-“

The message was repeated in Spanish by a robotic voice, and then repeated again in German. Although it wasn’t much of a problem, the captain seemed to delay information to the last minute. The only exceptions being take off.

Rufus kept reading his newspaper, not even breaking a sweat or saying a single word. The man next to him, a worker from the lunar mines judging by the grey overalls whipped his forehead with a napkin. “Hot enough for you?” The workers voice indicated kastamonu escort that English was a second language carrying a thick German dialect. “Do you think…”

Rufus only looked back at his newspaper, ignoring him along with a cold shoulder, turning from the business section to the current news.

Civil conflict continues throughout Terra on the united Colonial Martian Republic leaving the total casualties now to 100,000, many of the deaths caused by starvation due to harvest recall by UCMR Premiere Foster Bunhelm. “This uprising is being subdued as we speak, and I assure you this is a contained situation and will not be a threat to the people of earth” Says UCMR Public relations officer Alvin Grobyc during a public hearing on the subject.

Rufus sighed as he read the rest of the articles. Most of the articles dealt with the subject of problems and conflicts of/on/or dealt with the UCMR and/or its allies all the way from the civil war in Terra, mars. The explosion in West Africa due to a power plant that belonged to the UCMR, all the way to a Martian immigrant gunning a store owner down was included. After all, ever since mars became a socialist nation, the Earth Solar System Defense forces (Or E.S.S.D for short) its roots from the United States, which had fought against communism since the 1950’s, despised the thought of the mars being independent and above all trying to be a People’s republic left the Earth and Mars locked in a shaky neutrality.

Unklugeseele adjusted the frames of his sunglasses with his thumb, thinking about what he was going to do when he came to earth.He then thought about the girls back on earth, especially the beach girls in Miami.

Rufus on a beach at night, sitting on the sand in his black trunks, his Caucasian skin tanned to a nice gold, although he once said “I’d look better with a one-piece” but with his medium build and firm muscles, he looked good in any swimwear Coming towards him, a large breasted petite French girl walking towards him, wearing a bikini two sizes too small, Her D cup breasts about to break out of the top. At the angle he was kayseri escort laying he knew that she was shaven. Rufus could almost taste the French girl’s clit as she kneeled down next to him.

“Hey bebe” Rufus whispered.

She smiled down at Rufus, without saying a word, she undid her top. The ribbons that were called a top fell down on Rufus. He could feel his lips pressing against hers as they kissed. Using his free hand he undid her panties, His other hand pulling down the front of his trunks. After that he pushed the girl into a sixty-nine position. He licked up and down her clip as she moaned with her tongue around the shaft of his dick. The cross between fish and disinfectant filled his nose while he used his tongue to explore her pussy and asshole. As he probed his tongue through her anus all he could hear was a gargled “Hey” fallowed by a clearer “Hey.”

Rufus returned to reality after the man next to him replied “Hey my friend?”

“What, what you want?” Rufus asked impatiently, almost angrily.

“I was going to ask for you to move.” The worker began to get up but Rufus rolled up his paper using his right arm to sit the worker back down. “I’m going to the bathroom now.” Rufus replied angrily.Payback for ruining a good dreamHe thought to himself as he unbuckled. The heat began to die down and the buckle-up light turned off, it seemed the best time to use the restroom.

No one said a thing as Rufus passed by, nor did Rufus care much about the erection he had that was standing out. It was only when the first woman in line looked back at him. She looked down and then strait at him. She blushed as she tried to avoid saying anything. It was a silent signal to Rufus. He then threw his hands in his pockets, covering his member from prying eyes. Although embarrassed, he didn’t show any sign.

By the time he was able to get into the coffin of a restroom he actually felt like urinating. Although it wasn’t something he planned on at the time. It was just q ploy to piss someone off.

This is when everything went south.

Without warning, as he was about to finish his business, a kıbrıs escort large amount of force threw him back and fourth, causing to slip on his own fluids, taking the door of the lavatory with him as he fell.

He quickly picked himself up as he noticed the huge dent in the hull of the ship, along with the chaos and panic with the people. The sounds of screaming and rambling ran through the rows from coach to the cockpit. The captain spoke on the intercom.

“There is no need to panic, but for your safety please leave your seats in an orderly fashion and enter your designated escape pods located to your exits-“

that was all the people needed to hear, like a swarm of angry ants they rushed to the ladder, climbed down to the escape floor on the final floor of the shuttle. It was just pure anarchy to Rufus. He quickly got up and pushed his way towards the exits. As Rufus passed the coach section towards the ceiling, all he could hear was the screaming and shrieking of those around him.

It was just as chaotic on the escape floor. It reminded Rufus of the crowded streets of Hong Kong. Rufus pushed back the people until he found the hatch to the escape pod.

Rufus thought it couldn’t be worse, that nothing could have made the situation more chaotic, the opposite half of where Rufus was exploded or what seemed to be an explosion through the shades Rufus wore. He was thrown into the escape pod alone; he could hear the sounds of the hatch locking and the sounds and buzzing of mechanics around him.

Rufus pounded at the door. “Hey wait!” He yelled but it was no use. The computers of the escape shuttle had already decided to detach from the shuttle. A robotic voice began to speak through a small speaker above Rufus’s head.

“Detach in 5…4…”

“Holy Shit” Rufus bucked himself in, unaware that his shades had been knocked off during the shuttle revealing his crimson red eyes. Bracing himself he tightened his muscles.

“3”

He could hear the sound of those who had survived the explosion claw at the hatch before being sucked out in vacuum. But all that ran in his head was oddly enough “why couldn’t I have been on the type 13?”

“1…blast off!”

The feeling Rufus had was hard to describe. Like being on a rollercoaster ride, the one that slowly pulls you up several stories then without warning jolts you down. The feeling of you not being in control of your fate. That feeling according to Rufus would have been classified as… unsure.

To be continued… if you wish.

For those that want to know

Solar time unit = year

planetary time unit = day

———————————————–

Thantas’ mouth was still hanging open. Sam had healed all of them, then without really thinking about it, had gone after the Tetricons. Shaking her head she tried to retrieve her memories. So many were there though, she couldn’t reach them.

Almost nothing of her time on her home planet, her family, friends hardly anything was there. Her capture, her orders, the last fight all seemed fresh, standing out. Her rescue by Sam, the help she’d given him, were the only recent memories she had.

Thantas buried her face in her hands trying her best to bring them to the surface, to no avail. Taking a deep shuddering breath, she reached inside feeling her healing power. It was there though weak, very weak compared to Sam’s.

“I can’t believe that I can remember about you, though nothing else from home. There is hardly anything I can recall at all. I can feel them there, I just can’t seem to reach them.” Thantas told Tynco.

Tynco patted Thantas on the shoulder, “I am not experienced in that field my dear. My mate Cyan, and the other female Triann, are both doctors. I am afraid that, they are more bio-engineers than anything else.

Thantas was nodding almost understanding though, it was causing her head to start aching. Worse yet after a few moments it also started to throb slightly, steadily increasing.

“I think I need to lie down,” Thantas stated as she stood, then started to float back to the bed she’d been in. She barely made it when her eyes rolled back into her head as she fell.

Tynco started to yell as he caught Thantas. A moment later both Mellos and Raydy, were there to help Tynco, get an unconscious Thantas back in bed.

“I am afraid we need Sam, to heal her more, she was dangerously depleted when he brought her here.” Here Tynco looked at Mellos and Raydy. “Can either of you contact him? Her own healing isn’t active enough, it’s barely keeping her alive. If you can, tell him we need him here as soon as possible.”

Mellos and Raydy looked at each other with great concern. “Sir, I haven’t gotten that far as of yet. I know that you have had over a solar time period, I’m sure you can.” Raydy said to Mellos.

Mellos’s face screwed up in anger, then was just as suddenly calm. “I have had the few abilities that I have, for a shorter time than you think, Raydy. I am not sure if I can though, I will try.”

Mellos closed her eyes as she tried to ‘see’ where Sam was. She’d managed to do this once, though not at a great distance.

{Sam? Can you hear me? Come on Sam I didn’t think I was that weak. Damn it Sam! Answer me! If you don’t come back soon Thantas might expire, SAM!} Mellos’s thought seemed to scream in desperation.

A few systems away, Sam, was heading back to Queen Triada’s world, when Mellos’s thoughts hit him like a wall. {Damn it Mellos! What the hell is wrong? He tried to tune in her thoughts, only getting {— back — Thantas — expire!}

When he got nothing else, a worried expression crossed his face then a worm hole opened. A mere two minutes later another opened near Queen Triada’s world, Sam streaking out of it.

Sam landed with a large thud, he then hurried to Thantas. Laying a hand on her head, the other on her chest he concentrated feeling her breathing ease up. Good he thought, reaching further he felt that she was more depleted than he thought she had been. Growling, he put more into the healing feeling her start to grow stronger. Shaking his head he felt she wasn’t strong enough yet.

The sound of several pairs of feet almost distracted him. Then he felt two males, try to pull him away they were thrown several feet away from him.

“He’s going to deplete himself again, if he doesn’t stop,” Tynco stated getting off the ground.

“What can we do? There’s no way we can get through that healing shield!” Fino said, as he was also getting off the ground.

“Can I try?” A tall blonde female asked as she slowly limped to beside Tynco.

Tynco was about to speak, then his mouth snapped shut as he nodded. “Sam? Sam can you hear me? Sam talk to me.”

Without turning, answering in an almost whisper Sam said. “I’m busy you’ll have to wait your turn.”

The blonde female sighed as she closed her eyes. {Sam, are you trying to die? You know by now that you haven’t that much energy yet. We need you, Thantas needs you, if you continue this then all hope is lost.”

Sam was shocked a moment the energy he was infusing into Thantas almost stopping. “She’s a lot smarter than the both of us thought, I suggest you listen to her. I think I have enough for right now, a lot more than the last time.” Thantas whispered up to him.

“Thantas?!” Sam said as he pulled his hands back from her head göztepe escort and chest.

Stumbling back he was caught by three males. A startled look came to his face as he recognized two of them though, not the third.

“W… wh… who the hell are you?” Sam said to the much older male with gray and black hair.

“Ah! I am sorry I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself. Rycon, first class engineer, I worked with your mother on the project.” Rycon said. “Also, I am Raydy’s father.”

“Uh huh,” Sam said as he stumbled again. At least it wasn’t as bad as before.

“Really Sam,” a now familiar behind Sam stated. “One would think that you were trying to end your life.” Sam turned to see Thantas sitting up on the bed looking a hell of a lot stronger. “I have to admit your osmosis healing is indeed stronger than I have ever felt. My own is nowhere near what yours is.”

“You,” Sam swallowed hard as the world started to slowly spin. “You have to use it, then it gets stronger. I am sorry I didn’t do more. Had I just done a minute more, you might not have been in peril.” Sam said to Thantas.

This time Sam’s legs gave way, sinking to the floor. Breathing a little hard from the effort of staying up as long as he had.

“I think he needs this more than I do,” Thantas said as she rose, with Sam placed on the bed.

“Try it Thantas, try it, it won’t at first but soon after a few tries, it will get stronger.” Sam said, then his eyes closed.

Thantas shook her head, “He is far more stubborn than leader Concof was. He is strong, the strongest I have ever seen, even among the planetary guard.” Turning to Fino and Triann she bowed, “I know that you are very proud of him.”

Triann and Fino nodded then Triann was running a small box across Thantas head. “It appears that this latest healing has rejuvenated well over half your memory.”

Thantas was nodding, watching what Triann was doing. As soon as Triann finished, Thantas grabbed Triann’s hand, looking over the black box. “This confirms it,” Thantas said, releasing Triann’s hand. “An advanced Cliveastone bio-metric medical scanner. I’ve only seen one of these before.”

A shocked look came to Triann’s face as she slightly nodded. “Not many outside the medical and science fields know that. How is it that you do?”

“I… I’m not sure, it’s there at the edge of my memories, the ones Sam just released. I can feel that I am missing a great many things, I just can’t seem to find them long enough to grasp them. I lost a lot of my self, Sam gave me a great deal back though, I am still missing a great deal.” A slightly shaken Thantas said.

Again Triann, started to run the black box across Thantas’s head. Triann nodded, as she looked toward Fino slightly.

Fino’s eyes were wide a moment then he also nodded.

“I suggest that you not push the memories Thantas. You have slightly more than fifty percent restored, pushing them might cause irreparable damage.” Triann advised.

Thantas whirled to stare hard at Triann, something in what the female said had triggered… something. Again, it was an irritating tickle at the edge of the memories she had just gained.

Thantas turned back to look at Sam, she thought about what he’d said. [“Try it Thantas, try it, it won’t at first but soon after a few tries, it will get stronger.”] Shrugging she decided what the hell? Walking over to the newest resurrected male she tapped him on the shoulder.

“It was suggested by Sam that, I try to use my osmosis power.” She was about to ask permission when, a glaring malady appeared on the male’s chest. Shaking her head it didn’t go away. “I am sorry to impose, it seems that there is something wrong with you, in this area.” Thantas indicated an area of the male’s chest.

The male’s eyes got large then he nodded. “So the rumors were true, you are an osmosis healer.” Extending his hand the older male shook Thantas’s. “First class engineer Rycon at your service.”

“You are Raydy’s father, it is indeed an honor to meet you. So, as I asked what is this malady that I am seeing in this area?” Thantas asked again indicating the area of his chest where she was seeing it.

“That I am afraid, was the result of an industrial accident a few solar time units before the end. The medical staff had managed to arrest it, though had no way of repairing or regenerating the damaged tissue.” A sad Rycon said. “I just hope that, I get a little more time with my mate before it takes me.”

Thantas was nodding, then said, “As I said before, Sam said that, I was an osmosis healer also. He said I needed to use it so I could grow stronger. I thought that I might begin with you, if I may sir?”

A small, sad smile, crossed Rycon’s features as he nodded. “I don’t think you can do more damage, than has already çorlu escort been done.”

A slightly shocked Thantas, placed a hand on the male’s chest. At first nothing happened no matter how hard Thantas tried. Sighing, her whole body seemed to relax as she shook her head. She was about to remove her hand when she felt the oddest sensation. It almost felt as if, something was flowing from her hand into the male’s chest! What the hell? Then she looked at the male, the large area that covered the entire right side of his chest was slowly shrinking.

Thantas eyes got wide as did the male’s! “I never thought I’d ever feel it get smaller!” Rycon said, even as Thantas felt a small twinge, then swiftly removed her hand staring at it.

Tears started to fall from his eyes as he hugged Thantas. “I think I need to sit a moment; I see now why it takes so much out of Sam.” Looking at Rycon as she sat Thantas said. “I am sorry that I am not as strong as Sam or didn’t do more.”

Triann walked up a moment later running the small black box over Rycon’s chest. A small smile crossed her features as she gathered readings.

“Whether you believe it or not, you healed far more than you think. I am reading at least forty percent of the damage is gone. Those areas, show complete regeneration, the new tissue is healthy. He is not completely healed, though he isn’t in as great of danger than he was.” Triann advised Thantas.

Both Thantas and Rycon were staring at Triann with their mouths agape.

“I am not in as great of danger? Forty percent?” A stunned Rycon could only state as he looked at Thantas with a new respect. “Thank you so much, at least now I have a chance.” He was about to say more when there was another pneumatic hiss not far away.

Rycon and Triann quickly moved away toward the regeneration Chamber. Thantas watched as slender redhead was helped to sit up in the chamber.

{I told you, you just need to rest. Use it again, though, well, I guess you already have a way of knowing how far NOT to go.} Came the thoughts of Sam shocking Thantas.

{Well, that’s easy for you to say.} She thought back. {You have a hell of a lot more control than I have.}

{Really? You think so huh? Here’s a little secret, I’ve only done a total of seven, maybe eight. The thing is I want to help as much as I can. You have to decide if you want to or not, I know it was hard, you can do it, you just need to use it more. I can already feel your osmosis power has increased twenty five percent. Damn good if I say so myself.} Sam’s thoughts returned to a shocked Thantas.

{For all that you have done and given me Sam, I’d follow you to hell to pay back those damn Tetricons!} Returned the thoughts of Thantas.

________________________________________________________________

The Lord Doctor was still shocked that the Sam creature had gotten as close as he had. With the new body, the Doctor, should have felt him before any.

The doctor cursed himself, then flexed out his eight tentacle like appendages. The transfer had been far more painful than he thought it would be. Then again, he felt as powerful, as he did five centuries ago. Then, he and the other seven had taken humanoid bodies to hide amongst them.

At first, it had been almost too disgusting to inhabit those weak bodies. He had to admit the first fifty solar rotations, had been the worst, after that they all managed to live through it.

The doctor pushed himself up on his four legs, he scanned all around feeling for any danger. Thinking back he could have sworn that he’d felt more than one pure Cliveastone. Going through all he’d felt, he was almost sure he’d felt four, no five of the goody goodies.

He shook what resembled a head on the large body, he felt a bit of fear for only the second time. Five fully powered Cliveastones could easily take them. He remembered the one that they had held captive all that time. She wasn’t even one of their elite, yet it took the collective, himself, plus the last three elite Tetricons.

The doctor shook his head he remembered the three elite took control of her. They mistakenly thinking she was safe, she lashed out destroying the three. The sheer power she’d used had surprised him as he and the others finally got her restrained. They were going to destroy her when, he felt their planet explode a mere half a planetary time unit after the Cliveastone world.

The doctor was glad they had hesitated, especially when he discovered that her body fluids, could sustain them. Every time they took a dose it added at least a hundred solar time units. He growled a bit when Triot and a few of the council almost destroyed her.

It had taken almost all his patience to keep from destroying Triot and the council. Reaching out he stretched himself out to the ümraniye escort galactic edge. He could still feel the two powerful members of his race. He just had to delay a few planetary time units.

He turned toward the direction he’d felt the Cliveastones, he hoped what he’d felt was wrong. Reaching out he drew closer to Queen Triada’s planet.

The Doctor slowed he gasped as he felt a total of nine pure Cliveastones! Then he felt two others that, felt as if they more than three out of four parts pure Cliveastone. Looking closer he could swear that the last two felt familiar.

He reached out as hard as he could, he felt Thantas, Mellos, Sam, another one that he’d gotten a report on not long ago. Then he felt five others! Trembling a moment the doctor nodded, only two there felt as if they had their full power.

The doctor breathed a sigh of relief, then looked again at the partial two. Why in the world did they feel so familiar? He was as close as he could get when he gasped again. It was Drivas and Thellus, how in the hell had they been changed to almost pure Cliveastone.

It seemed impossible what he was feeling. He himself, had worked on something like that, only to discover that their DNA was far too complicated to mix and change other races, into them. Then he thought of that idiot Triot’s claim that he’d done just that. He’d claimed that he’d used his own DNA to get a humanoid with child not once but twice.

The doctor shook his head he’d demanded proof, Triot had laughed stating it was an experiment. He’d refused to give up the children so the doctor could dissect them. At first the doctor thought Triot was growing soft. Then he thought of the possibilities, he decided to let it be for then. Now the doctor could see that Triot had been speaking the truth.

The doctor was going to look even closer to see if his suspicions were correct, when he was hit. The force, was led by Queen Triada herself, as thousands of minds tried to crush him. Using all his power at first worked, then thousands of more minds were added. It felt as if all three triads, were fighting him. Finally, he withdrew not making any headway against them.

He then retreated all the way back to the IP homeworld, the doctor sat to think a moment. They had lucked out with only two of the Cliveastones at full power. That wouldn’t last long though, if Sam did a full osmosis healing on them, they wouldn’t have a chance.

The doctor extended his power again toward the two he’d felt at the galactic edge. He wasn’t sure, it seemed as if they were finally moving toward his location.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips as some of his confidence returned. Two elites could wreck major damage, especially as powerful as the two he felt. Now, he just had to stall somehow ’til they appeared.

_________________________________________________________________

Triot was seething he was so pissed. As powerful as he felt he was nothing should have stopped him. On the far side of a distant moon Triot felt his jumbled thoughts slowly starting to right themselves.

He was about to go at the council again when his thoughts suddenly gave him pause. Though he didn’t have the osmosis aspect like the Cliveastones, he could increase it like the elite had been able to.

The fight against the damn council had seriously drained him. Even so he could feel his power rapidly returning, far faster than he thought possible. A smile crossed his features, returning with a slight boost.

Triot reached out, he soon felt, the Lord doctor as he was seeming to search the cosmos. What in the hell was that decrepit piece of filth looking for.

Triot turned in the direction that the Lord doctor was, I don’t feel anything… shit! He thought. Withdrawing as fast as possible, Triot sat back down with a thunk.

If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d felt the faint energy signatures of two elite Tetricons. Two extremely powerful elite Tetricons! Shaking his head, Triot had to again resist the urge to go against the council once more.

He needed something to… what was that he thought as his power seeking drifted near Triada’s world. Reaching further he was sure of what he felt. I have to get closer he thought, he was almost able to see what was going on, on Triada’s world when he felt a powerful push that stopped him.

Triot tried to push through, only to be surprised when it felt like he’d been smacked, then punched backwards. What in the hell was that he thought.

Sam jerked awake when he felt, what he could only be described as almost pure evil approaching him. Reaching out he felt a strong power still approaching, then he felt Triada and what seemed like thousands. He felt them meet the power both stopping.

It was when he felt the strong power much closer, he realized it was Triot. His face screwing up into a mask of hatred Sam started yelling as he also started to push then formed his power into a fist, driving it into all of Triot’s power.

A smile crossed Sam’s lips as he felt Triot flying backwards from where he’d been. About time the ass got a taste of his own medicine. Then again Sam thought, knowing that ass he’d most likely enjoy it.

It is the belief that utopia does not last. Either internal factors such as the reduction of the quality of people that created such a place, external factors like greedy foreigners coming to take the wealth of this nation, or supernatural factors like He Who Is Everything mandating that his shards not allow a place to exist without him, for he is pain and without pain he cannot be. The Astoria Empire would reject the first cause, the lessons of the Outsider and their other education making sure that all their children would grow to learn of the world as a challenge to be faced, not a luxury to be enjoyed. They have defied the third since James was utterly unyielding before that corruption and extended that protection to his people, leading to much better humans. But they have yet to defy the second through more than refusing refugees.

Year 2398 After Arrival. The megastructures were completed and just a couple of the bigger projects were still ongoing, though the empire knew this was just a show of force, a luxury… they spent significant resources just to keep those things running and by comparison, planetside operations were producing far more. It was a time when they had everything. Not just the food to feed everyone in abundance, not just a great amount of consumer products to entertain and reward the hard work of people… but also a good society in which they may work.

Schools still focused on the 24 subjects that the Outsider had given them, with thorough research backing this basic education. People learned self-mastery from a young age, they learned their strengths and how they worked and could pursue further education to specialize in a role fitting not just their focus, but fitting their desire. From there, one could opt into the many jobs that each allowed a comfortable living, from which they could either settle into their position or shine above the rest and go further.

There have been many subversive attempts to destabilize the empire through diverse means… propaganda, youth conditioning, bribery, temptation, intimidation, political action, and outright raids contracted through the pirate clans. It never worked. People questioned the foreign information until its naked truth was shown, their children knew to ignore any attempt at demolishing their education, you could offer no bribe matching what the empire paid you to do your job properly, nor could any forbidden fruit entice them with any worthwhile success, the aliens’ threats fell before a defiant people, their delegates outright dominated the Galactic Forum through even better maneuvers, and their unyielding defenses barely considered the pirate fleets worthy of an alert of any kind.

It almost tempted the empire people to applaud the defiance of the aliens. They had become the force to be defied. But their philosophy spoke of “defiance with reason”, and so their reasons would be scrutinized and come short. Understandable from their position, but nothing to make Astoria rethink their course. They were doing nothing wrong. But James knew why defiance should be allowed. Why one needed means to correct something’s course through other channels. Because when you take all other options away, there is only one left, one that is always there, and to some, it was the first option, to the wiser, it was the last. And the galaxy had one last chance.

And something else would help them.

*

Being the delegate of the empire to the Galactic Forum had never been an easy job. Jessica was the newest in a long line of people in this position. Women did it better, if only because they had such a good focus on the social subjects and could keep so many plots straight. Dozens of plots included her, most by her design, and there were hundreds of them ongoing just in this forum. But now she was faced with a much more difficult challenge.

She was having a cup of tea with her assistant, the silence in this well-decorated room noticeable, or at least the lack of conversation since there was a low, jazzy tune playing. And since Martin had yet to notice one fact, she brought it to his attention.

“Can you feel that?”

“You’ll have to be more specific, Jess.”

They were both in their early thirties and had been here for years. While working in the Assembly had reduced physical contact with aliens, it did mean that they could be far more open about their customs with the crew. These two had fucked plenty of times, as they have done so with most of those in this structure.

“The void. That gap of activity from our opponents in the Forum that shows something is up and we don’t know about it.”

“Ah, I… didn’t. I mean, there are still a lot of things we know about and are developing.”

“True.” She took another sip of the warm beverage. “We could always rely on them not doing anything else when we knew of existing plots. But by now we have a good account of their resources and I can sense that not all are being used.”

“We don’t use all our resources, tuzla escort but that’s because there is nothing more to use them on. Yet they don’t have that luxury. Hm. You’re right. I’m missing something. I don’t feel it.”

“Can’t expect you to shoulder the galaxy. What would be my point, then?” A smile from her. “But I cannot help but worry of what we might be missing.”

A slowdown might show that things were better, but they knew it was not the case. The aliens were plotting something and somehow they managed to evade their spies, their listening devices, and their many sources of information. Astoria was exerting more pressure on the Forum than the other empires combined. They had a lot of secrets to exchange for votes, a lot of resources to buy those secrets or the votes directly… even with the highest-desired prize of a welcome into the empire. Life here was just so damn good that people would betray their governments for it, especially if those governments were abusing them.

“Guess we just have to see what it is. I’ll send word to raise our stakes. Someone’s going to talk. The more people in a plot, the more holes things can leak out of.”

“Mmm-hmm. Which makes me think that they have kept a small and closed circle. Distrusted even their closest advisors. It would be as if I would not tell you everything.”

And she did tell him everything. The man knew her intimately. One might even compare them to lovers with the lengths they knew each other, but they were just friends and very close work colleagues. The same you could find in a lot of empire businesses.

“Then it must be important. But… it doesn’t mean it has something to do with us.”

“Oh, I can disagree with that. Not with fact. Just my shivers telling me it is.” Beat. “And I suppose we are the biggest target. Like our titans. Who else but us?”

“Maybe they’re finally going against the Imperium and they kept us out because we refused the previous calls to war. Might be about time.”

There have been wars, but Astoria had none since the Raff. They were invited to wage it on others in the forum citing animosity and the desires of territory from their neighbors, an invitation declined as they had nothing to gain and far too precious things to lose. A few empires had disappeared… the Brig were wiped out, the Chir finally annoyed too many empires and faced a joint operation against them, Gehenna were finally taken over by their neighbors, and the Xen were bombed into oblivion in retaliation. But there were also new empires, those that came as pre-FTL species were no longer such, stepping into the galactic stage with very little territory to their name, there were nations formed out of rebellion against others, the Magoor having a vast amount of their bio-trophies escaping through violent means and setting up their own planets, the Al’tar split into two over ideological differences and the Zynn formed a few subject empires to increase delegation with the amount of territory they had.

“And perhaps we might have been tempted to help. Or it would make no difference for us to find out. No, I think they are after us. Let us hope we have enough to pass this challenge.”

Still, the woman could not help but worry. Being in control of these external factors, even at least by knowing what was happening… was her job. And she was failing at it. Once, but it could mean more than the rest of her career. Later on, she could enjoy dinner before the planned meeting. Nobody was making their schedule around you and the next Forum meeting was set to be at 2:38 AM… not even an exact time because the aliens don’t use the same system.

Dressed in her work clothes, ones to show a good deal of dignity and intimidation, riches and promises… she stepped toward the Forum chamber… a place that would contain only her and her “decorative” assistants, the rest of the view a hologram as if she was in the Forum proper. Those at the other end also had a hologram of her appear to keep the appearance. A few more balconies in this circular chamber, the empires of the galaxy now counting 32. Jess felt the coldness of the room aimed at her even through the simulated view. She was right… this was about them and here they come to show the result.

After the official mark of the meeting start, the count and such other bureaucratic traditions… the third-most powerful empire in the galaxy had their representative speak. The Zynn had expanded not just their territory, but also their military, their worlds producing a lot of resources… but James was right… quantity over quality over there. They were not keeping up.

“To address the subject of this meeting that we have discussed already… Astoria. You have refused all requests to share your wealth with the rest of the galaxy. This is a cooperation, not a tool to be used for your betterment. Will you support the other members of the forum and our efforts for a galactic pendik escort unity or should we consider your adherence to this forum a lie?”

“Funny how you say that now, seeing as your empire at the time when it was first place was telling everyone to hold their own and not expect a handout. Rules for me, but not for thee? We have complied with all the resolutions passed in this forum. I believe such a conversation is more fit for a private diplomatic channel. Which we would still refuse.”

“You forget yourself and your place. This…!” He was interrupted.

“My place is here as an equal with us. But you don’t want that, do you? You want what’s on the other man’s plate and to not give of your own. No doubt you want to propose something along the lines of giving proportionally of your production, just enough so that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

“Equal. You have forced every resolution in this forum for the past three hundred years, you have dismantled everything you did not approve of and trivialized the participation of other delegates. Do not speak to me of equality!”

That was another delegate, the one from the Orian. And it was true… they have pretty much dominated the forum through their influence. Nothing even approached the table unless they wanted it and if they were against it, the galaxy could unite against them and still fail.

“Correct. So perhaps we should instead pass a new resolution, one to turn this community into a much bigger empire. If you want assistance, you serve. That is how it works.”

Well, they might need to go through a few more resolutions for that, but the woman was not serious. Similar communities could instead lead to an empire turning the rest of the community members into de facto subjects.

“No.” That was the simple reply of the Zynn. It seemed they were calling the shots for now. “Instead, I propose a new resolution. And one which I believe it is warranted to exclude you and your influence from it.”

“Ah, so this is where you were going.”

If you can’t beat your enemies, take them out of the game by any other means.

“I propose that the Astoria Empire be declared a galactic crisis and all the community members declare a war of correction on them, for the greater good of the galaxy.”

She did not have such an ambition and he knew it just as well. That last sentence was not believed. But she could sneak in one more thing.

“Oh, making others fight your wars? Over here we only send to battle those who vote to do it. Are you going to just say your vote counts for everything and everyone else should fight for you? Do you believe the community to be your subjects?”

“Can someone shut her up?! You will not disrupt these proceedings!”

There was a thorough attempt to block her signal, one that failed, but the woman stood quiet only because excess words would indeed be a disservice. She had to weigh them carefully, even as her heart was racing. Many who came here thought this was where you could start a war, but this was not how they imagined it. Her words did come through and that idea was supported… only those who voted would fight, even if on the surface the rest might claim to do so. Small victories… and important ones.

“Oh, we’ve been waiting for this! The Raff are with you all the way.” A vote from the Junta.

“The Nex will not approve of this course. Consider us in opposition.”

“Of course you are, useless tin heads. Maybe we should come for you too since you support them. Your worlds can fall easily to our efforts.”

“You are welcome to test that hypothesis at your convenience.”

A very slight show of amusement from Jess, the faceless visage of the Nex delegates turning to them as a show of emotion. Just a bit. There were far more votes in favor than opposition, with many simply abstaining, which might as well count as opposition. Up until this point, the Empire might have considered having other allies, but even the Cylla voted to fight, as did the Republic… and even Voor, the backstabbing fuckers. Minor empires pretty much stayed out because they could not give much and they knew that their one planet was easy pickings for an empire that had a planet killer, even if there were three other empires in the way.

But there was a very important vote done that day. A vote that that delegate did not realize had saved her species from extinction. As the turn came for the blue women of the Tan’a Hierarchy to show if they would wage war on the empire…

“The Tan’a… will not support this war.”

“How dare you?! Do you stand with the heretics now?”

“Do not presume to speak for my people, counsel. Just because we share a method does not mean we are your tools. And we shall not. End of conversation. Move on.”

Jess looked with curiosity at the Tan delegate. She had assumed all the spiritualist empires to want them fucked into submission. maltepe escort Why was she not doing what every other empire with at least three planets and a strong state religion was doing? It was not fear… these people were now reinforcing each other, the more voting in acceptance emboldening others to even change their vote and go to war. That mob mentality. But they didn’t.

The Tan never had good relations with the Empire, but neither did they have bad ones. There was no territory to fight over due to the distance between them, there were the ideological differences between an empire that questions everything and one that expects faith, there were many interactions between their delegates, and there was the bleeding of Astorian culture into the rest of the galaxy, from which the blue space babes could learn of them.

Astoria had been a curiosity because despite on the surface looking like they had no faith, almost every interaction showed in them a determination in that faith that not even their people could claim with as much prevalence. There were always deviants, but the astorians seemed to have such faith in their “Outsider” that it might humble even one of their praetors. And at this moment, one where this woman was being ganged up by forces greatly above her in number, the Tan delegate noticed that fear, but she also noticed that faith shining, holding her there like a shield against the storm, as if their god had his hand on her shoulder telling her that it would all be alright and that these forces are nothing before them. It was both scary and admirable.

“Then we have our majority. Consider yourself expelled from this community and a target for this corrective action. You would do best to submit or things will get worse.”

“We have been taught to defy and defy we shall. You will need to put some substance behind your threats. And you can’t expel us because we quit. The Outsider did say that this effort was nothing but your attempt at subjugating others by proxy. Ran out of options, have you?”

She might have faced further words, but the woman cut the line and took a moment to hold that before her image broke down. No more need to hold it. Her heart was racing and the temptation to fall apart was on her. Breathe and it will be over.

“Fuck. Well, that’s that, I guess.”

As with all wars, it would not immediately go into full annihilation. The conflict escalation ladder was only on the first step, on the step of them hoping just the formal declaration was enough to make the other side fold. But they would go through the steps and get even worse.

They were ready.

*

In this meeting room atop Hope’s Landing, the atmosphere was tense. Not even a piss party might make it better. THE most important figures in Astoria were together in person… the ministries, the overseer, the delegate… you only needed James to also show up but his chair was empty. Sometimes that was a good omen, the god thinking they have this. And he was right. He was usually right.

“Let me first start by saying Jess here did her best and you couldn’t get an AI to do better. I think Mina here has our proof.”

The overseer was an older man, his seventies treating him well due to modern medicine. John had served for decades and had the trust of just about everyone that he had the best in mind for Astoria and its people. He gave the word to the Gull girl in a dark blue uniform, the fleet admiral and minister of defense indeed having proof.

“Yep! Though, I guess this is something Kelly also can talk about.” That was the minister of espionage to her left. But the Raff fox-girl let her shorter friend talk. “Those that stayed out aren’t mobilizing anything. Claiming a lack of resources but… well, they said they’d fight, but might be persuaded to give up just with a show of force.”

“Might just be waiting for an excuse. For us to show up and them to fold immediately. But, here… something to show Jess did good.”

“Thank you.” The woman felt terrible and that was a much-needed boost. “I have tried to dissuade some other actors after the fact, but they denied any call. Even the few we have in their ranks seem to be unable to approach the subject.”

“I think that might be down to their reason.” The chief of research was in her clean-white uniform. “Perhaps we can talk on the subject of what they hope to achieve. I doubt it is what they have presented.”

More voices came together. The minister of state, the chief of production, the planet governors, the megastructure oversight chiefs… not too many. But they all had something to say.

“True. This is not correction. We aren’t threatening them in any other way. We’ve declared our intentions to not expand for over a thousand years and held to it.”

“Actually, there is a threat. We are doing too well. From what I could gather from their planets, our success, even if it is independent of their own, is causing a thorough rebellious sentiment in their people. Either because they can’t come here or because it’s not as good.”

“Makes sense. When another does better than you while not using your methods, those necessary measures begin to look like ill-thought and oppressive ones. Why are they doing better when we aren’t? I assume there is tremendous propaganda on the effort.”

Author’s note: Now let’s have fun. Feel free to toss out your own wishes for pairings and situations and we’ll see what our couple can get up to.

*

Aiden unlocked the door to his apartment and stepped into a place he did not recognize.

It was an apartment, but larger, with furniture that he recognized, but wasn’t his. A large sliding glass door opened onto a balcony looking over a city lit up far brighter than the one he was used to. Standing in the doorway, was his genie, Holly. Except her hair was black as the night, falling straight down her thighs, which were exposed with the tiny red mini skirt she was wearing. Her ample bosom strained against the skin tight sailor top she wore, though they were partially hidden by the big blue bow at the end of her red collar. Long white gloves reached up to her elbows and a gold headband could be seen behind her bangs. A red choker and red earrings completed her look. She was the picture-perfect recreation of Sailor Mars.

“Fancy meeting you here, Tuxedo Mask. Or should I say — Mamoru Chiba?”

Aiden looked down to see that he was indeed dressed in a flawless black tuxedo, with a black billowing cape attached. This wasn’t what he expected. “What do you want, Sailor Mars?”

She entered the apartment, her red heels clicking on the hardwood floor while the red miniskirt swayed tantalizing over her hips and round, perky ass. She placed a white gloved hand on his chest. “You saved us out there. I hate having… debts.”

Before he could respond, she knelt down and unzipped his pants. White gloved hands soon fished out his rapidly hardening cock, then deep red lips parted and her tongue ran the length of his shaft. Mamoru moaned as his body shuddered with pleasure. Her soft, gloved hands held his balls with tenderness as she kissed his tip. “I do hope this expresses my gratitude,” Rei said before taking him into her mouth. Her tongue maltepe escort caressed his underside as she sucked as hard as she could, pulling back until his head was almost past her lips, then diving back onto him. His knees buckled from the sensation and he steadied himself by placing his hands on Rei’s head. That’s when he realized he was still wearing his gloves and tugged them off with his teeth before running his hands between strands of her silky, jet black hair. Rei’s other, soft-gloved hand wrapped around the base of his cock and with a gentle tug, guided his hips in sync with her motions. With an animalistic grunt, Mamoru grabbed her hair and thrust forward, ejaculating into the back of her throat.

Rei stood up, wiping a bit of cum from the corner of her mouth. “Not bad. I hope Tuxedo Mask can help us again, someday.”

He grabbed her waist, and pulled her to him, pressing his moist cock against her thighs and skirt. Surprised, Sailor Mars reflexively raised her arms and felt them hit lean, well-muscled chest just under his black suit. “I nearly died out there,” he said before spinning around. Leaning in to whisper in her ear he said, “You think that was enough?” Grabbing her by the hips, he carried her to his couch and bent the sailor scout over the back of it. He lifted up her bright red skirt and ripped apart her soaking white panties.

“Take what you need from me, Mamoru,” moaned Rei as she shook her dripping pussy in front of him. Grabbing handfuls of her skirt, he positioned his still hard cock in her waiting opening, then drove himself in as far as he could go. “Oh fuck, me!” she screamed as her pussy clenched around him. This time it was Rei’s knees that buckled and she whimpered as Momaru pulled his cock nearly out of her, before driving it in again. She tried to brace herself against the couch but every time he hit her manavgat escort depths her arms were made jelly. She was nearly falling out of her sailor suit, her perky round breasts nearly spilling out as he pounded her again and again, but she didn’t care. Her entire world had been reduced to the sensation of the velvet iron rod wrecking her womanhood and she never wanted it to end. “Make me your queen, Momaru,” she begged. “Mark me yours!”

She felt his balls tighten up a split second before he lifted her hips and drove himself into her as deep as he could go. His semen spilled out into her, causing her own orgasm to erupt, and they cried out in tandem.

Trembling with aftershocks, Rei slid over the back to collapse on the couch. She lay there a minute before she sensed him standing over her. He had taken off his own clothes and was now standing stark naked over her, his cock again erect and glistening in the Tokyo night lights. She raised a hand as if to push him away, but it fell lightly onto his thigh. She knew she needed to refuse, but her body betrayed her as she licked her lips.

“That was for gratitude,” he said before bending over and ripping off the front of her sailor suit, exposing her hardening nipples to the cool night air. “This is for fun,” and with that he began kissing along her body, eliciting a squeal of pleasure from Rei every time he touched her skin…

***

Aiden lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling of his tiny apartment as Holly cuddled against his left side. He ran his fingers through her long black hair, enjoying the sensation. “Well. I didn’t expect that when I got home.”

She giggled as she nuzzled him. “I thought a little cosplay would spice things up.”

“I never thought a genie could take a cosplay so far. I guess you’ve been enjoying the show?”

“I finished the classic şişli escort series, the live action one, and started on the latest release,” said Holly.

“Nice. Though you know the dating status of Sailor Mars and Tuxedo Mask was only an invention of the first–“

“Yeah, but you like Sailor Mars the most.”

He chuckled. “The hair does suit you. Maybe tomorrow you can conjure copies of yourself as all the scouts for a little orgy?”

She playfully pinched his sides. “You’ll have to use a wish for that. Besides, it wouldn’t work as well as you think.”

“Would your other selves fight over me?”

“That’s not…” Holly pulled him up into a sitting position. “This,” she said as she summoned a sandwich into thin air with a gesture, “is a sandwich I assembled from the real ingredients in your kitchen. This,” she said, gesturing for a second, identical looking sandwich, “is exactly like the first, but I conjured out of nothing. Try them.”

Aiden, feeling hungry after the session they just had, took a bite out of the first sandwich. It was good, by now she had learned what he liked. Then he bit into the second. “Ugh. It tastes… empty?”

“Exactly. Anything a genie makes from nothing is… less real. I may not quite be the equal of a real woman,” she said, “but this is a kiss from me.” Holly leaned over and demonstrated with a long, passionate kiss. “And this is one from a copy…” Another Holly, this time with long blonde hair pulled into pigtails was suddenly on Aiden’s right, pulling him in for an equally long kiss.

“She’s… colder than you. The touch…”

“Like trying to hold mist?”

Aiden nodded.

“Sex would be even more unfulfilling,” Holly said as she climbed into his lap. Wiggling her perfect ass against his thighs and abs, she summoned a plate and some chips to go with the sandwich.

“I see your point,” he said, eating voraciously.

“Still… you played my favorite today,” she said, turning to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Even dominating like I enjoy sometimes. So tomorrow…”

“I get to pick?”

Holly nodded.

Aiden looked over at the shelves and shelves of movies and tv series he had along his wall, and tried to imagine what scenario he would enjoy next.

Gaelira, the forest elf, moved with a grace that made her seem one with the verdant tapestry around her. As she meandered through the underbrush, her bare feet padded silently against the carpet of moss and dew-kissed leaves. She was attuned to the heartbeat of the forest, resonating with the rustling melody of the trees and the harmonious symphony of the hidden creatures.

Her slender form was cloaked in a dress of translucent silk that caught the golden dappled sunlight, making it shimmer with an almost otherworldly luster. Strands of sun-kissed hair, lighter than the bark of the ancient trees surrounding her, fell in loose waves around her shoulders.

She tilted her head towards the sun as its radiant warmth seeped into her freckle-marked skin. A sigh escaped her lips as she drank in the earthy scent of the soil, the tang of pine sap, and the heady perfume of blossoms. The forest was her sanctuary, her refuge, but today, it was also a path leading to her beloved.

Brice, a figure of quiet strength and allure, clung shirtless to the gnarled bark of an elder tree. His bare torso was bronzed by the sun, revealing a topography of sinewy strength that told tales of hard labor and endless days under the sun. He looked less like a man from the realm of humans and more like a creature carved from wilderness.

The wind ruffled through his mop of chestnut hair. The sun caught in his curls, lighting them up with a halo of copper and gold. His face, weathered and roughened by time, was adorned with a stubble that added a rugged appeal to his strong jawline.

He was oblivious to the elf maiden’s admiring gaze. Every ripple of his muscles, every bead of sweat trickling down his skin, every shift of his posture painted a mesmerizing picture of masculinity in its rawest form.

As Gaelira watched Brice, a flush of desire painted her porcelain skin, bringing a rosy hue to her cheeks, making her translucent dress cling to the soft curves of her body. Her nipples hardened beneath the soft fabric, the subtle friction sending jolts of pleasure coursing through her. An ache began to throb within her, an intimate yearning that made her lower belly tighten and a pulse of warmth to pool between her thighs.

As he jumped the final distance to the forest floor with a fruit bundle in hand, his blue eyes lit up with recognition as he spotted Gaelira. His face broke into a wide grin, the sight of his forest elf erasing the fatigue from his body and igniting an excitement that was impossible to ignore.

His heart leapt with joy as he approached her, his strides confident and purposeful. He could see the rose-tinted flush on her cheeks, her eyes mirroring the same desire he felt thrumming in his veins. He closed the gap between them, dropping his payload of fruit in the shade. His large, calloused hands moved to her waist, pulling her into a hug.

The feeling of his strong arms encircling her waist sent an electric thrill coursing through Gaelira. His warmth seeped through her thin dress, the heat of his bare skin making her shiver with anticipation.

Brice could see the desire mirrored in Gaelira’s verdant eyes, a silent invitation that fueled the fire within him. In a swift, fluid motion, he scooped her up into his arms. As he backed her against the sturdy trunk of a tree, a gasp escaped her lips. But it wasn’t şişli escort one of surprise or alarm; it was a gasp interwoven with a playful smile, a tangible manifestation of her own desire and anticipation.

Arousal pulsed through Brice, a wave of desire that was both overpowering and thrilling. His hands began their exploration of Gaelira’s body, tracing the silhouette of her through the thin fabric of her dress. His fingers danced along the contour of her waist, the soft swell of her hips, the supple strength of her thighs, the touch eliciting waves of pleasure that echoed his own desire.

Gaelira responded with an encouraging moan, her body moving into his touch. Her fingers found purchase on his shoulders, nails pressing into his skin, a silent plea for more. With every brush of his fingertips, every shared breath, every heartbeat, they were dancing a timeless dance of desire, their bodies and souls intertwining under the dappled sunlight filtering through the emerald canopy.

Brice’s hands moved to the delicate straps of her dress as he eased the fabric down over her shoulders, revealing more of her to his eager gaze. His heart pounded in his chest, the sight of her half-exposed body stirring an intoxicating mix of arousal and awe within him.

In a smooth shift of movement, Brice lifted Gaelira’s hands above her head, pressing them against the rough bark of the tree. His grip was firm, leaving her held captive in the prison of his embrace. Yet, there was no fear in her eyes, only a sparkling anticipation, a surrender to the delicious helplessness that his touch invoked.

His lips brushed feather-light kisses along her bare shoulder, trailing up the column of her neck. As he kissed a path along her collarbone, working his way up to the underside of her jaw, Gaelira tilted her head to give him better access.

And then, he was there, at her lips. He paused for a beat, their shared breaths mingling, the anticipation palpable. With a gentleness that belied the raw desire coursing through him, Brice claimed her lips with his, an intimate union that promised so much more.

Their shared desire had reached a fever pitch, the sexual tension between them sparking like a live wire. The moment Gaelira broke free from Brice’s firm grip, an animalistic growl rumbled in his chest. Her fingers deftly worked on his pants, pulling them down and revealing his hardened arousal.

A gasp escaped his lips as her slender fingers traced the length of him, the electric sensation sending a jolt of pleasure up his spine. Her touch was teasing, feather-light, exploring him with an intoxicating blend of innocence and seduction. His breath hitched as her touch became bolder, the sensation pushing him to the edge of control.

However, Brice was not yet ready to lose himself. His desire for Gaelira was mirrored by a deep yearning to see her unravel under his touch. Dropping to his knees before her, his large hands found the curves of her thighs and buttocks, his grip firm yet gentle.

A soft sigh escaped Gaelira as he leaned in, his warm breath fanning against her most intimate area. The feeling of his face buried against her sent a shiver up her spine, her fingers tangling in his hair, urging him closer. His mouth began its exploration, his lips and tongue tuzla escort dancing over her in a rhythm that had her gasping for breath, her body swaying to the primal melody of pleasure.

His tongue glided over her sensitive folds, each stroke drawing a gasp of pleasure from Gaelira. He explored her with a slow, deliberate tenderness, each flick and caress designed to stoke the fire of her arousal. His fingers gripped her thighs, holding her steady as he lavished her with attention, his mouth and tongue working in concert to drive her closer to the brink.

Gaelira’s breath hitched in her throat, her body trembling under his skilled touch. She could feel the tantalizing tendrils of her climax building, a crescendo of pleasure that threatened to consume her. Through half-lidded eyes, she glanced down, catching sight of Brice’s engorged length. It throbbed with his own arousal, a bead of precum glistening at the tip, a testament to his own simmering desire.

Just as she was on the brink of climax, Brice pulled away, leaving Gaelira panting and desperate. A mewl of protest escaped her lips, but before she could voice her craving, his mouth was on her again. A teasing flick, a tantalizing swirl, each movement was calculated, designed to drive her wild with desire. His fingers dug into her hips, holding her steady as his mouth worked her towards release.

The climax took her with a force that left her breathless. It surged through her like a torrent, a mind-blowing rush of pleasure that shook her to her very core. Her body arched off the tree, a silent scream of pleasure echoing in the stillness of the forest. She clung to Brice as her world shattered, the waves of her orgasm washing over her in a powerful tide.

As her body slowly came down from the overwhelming orgasm, Brice took hold of her once again, lifting her higher up against the rough bark of the tree. Gaelira barely had time to catch her breath before she felt him position himself at her entrance.

With a firm thrust, he penetrated her, pushing into her warmth in one fluid motion. A gasp escaped her lips at the sensation, her inner walls pulsating around his hard length. Brice began to move, grinding his hips against hers in a slow, tantalizing rhythm. Gaelira arched against him, her fingers clawing at his back, as she matched his rhythm, moving in sync with his passionate thrusts.

As Brice continued to move within her, Gaelira’s hands started their own exploration. She ran her fingers down his chest, tracing the contours of his muscles, the hard ripples of his abs under her touch igniting a thrill of desire within her.

In response, she felt him intensify his rhythm, his thrusts growing more forceful, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Encouraged by his reactions, Gaelira wrapped her legs around his waist, allowing him to penetrate her even deeper.

There was an unmistakable hunger in Gaelira’s eyes, a wild need that echoed her physical desire. And Brice, so attuned to her every nuance, saw it and reveled in it. Her want, her need for him, was a powerful aphrodisiac, pushing him to take her with an intensity that matched her own desire. It was as if their very souls were intertwining, merging into a bond that was deeper than the physical. Their bodies were merely the vessels, pendik escort a conduit for this profound connection that transcended the physical plane.

As if sensing her acquiescence, Brice’s movements shifted gears. His thrusts grew faster, harder, his hips grinding against her in a rhythm that drove them both to new heights of pleasure. To steady herself, she reached out for the branches above, their sturdy forms offering some semblance of balance as Brice moved within her.

The forest around them seemed to echo their heightened arousal, the rustling leaves and the soft chirping of the birds creating a soundtrack to their sensual dance. The outside world ceased to exist, replaced by their world of shared pleasure, of mutual desire, where their bodies moved in a symphony of passion and lust.

The moment Brice’s body began to shake, Gaelira knew he was close. A feral growl escaped his lips, each heavy breath in sync with the hard, deliberate thrusts that marked his impending climax. Her body responded instinctively, her inner walls tightening around him in anticipation.

As Brice tensed, Gaelira could feel every ridge, every pulsation of him inside her. The sensation was overwhelming, each throb of his cock sending out a ripple effect, igniting tiny sparks of pleasure that made her own body quiver in response. His orgasm hit him like a wave, the force of it causing him to thrust deeply into her one last time.

Then, he was releasing, his cock spurting rhythmically, each pulse hot and potent within her. It was a sensation unlike any other, a primal testament of their shared desire that drove Gaelira to the brink once again. Every spurt sent a jolt of pleasure through her, the feeling of him filling her evoking a sense of intimacy and satisfaction that was both erotic and profoundly emotional.

As the intensity of his climax subsided, his body still intermittently twitching with aftershocks, Brice collapsed against her. His face nuzzled into her neck, his hot breaths sending a shiver down her spine as he murmured soft, incoherent words against her skin. The lingering sensation of his release within her was a delicious reminder of their shared passion, a memory etched deep into the very core of her being.

As their breathing gradually returned to normal, Brice slowly loosened his grip on Gaelira. His movements were careful, his hands gentle as they moved to support her descent from the tree. The bark, still warm from their shared heat, grazed against her skin, adding another layer to the myriad of sensations she had just experienced.

Once her feet touched the ground, Gaelira found herself instinctively reaching out for Brice. Her hands moved up to circle his neck, her fingers tangling in the sweaty strands of his hair. She drew him down for a kiss, their lips meeting in a deep, passionate embrace. The taste of him was intoxicating, a heady mix of their shared passion and the lingering sweetness of the forest fruits he had been gathering earlier.

As their lips parted, Gaelira rested her forehead against Brice’s chest. The warmth of his body seeped into hers, a comforting presence that grounded her. The forest around them resumed its symphony, the creatures singing their late afternoon melodies, creating a soothing backdrop to their shared moment of intimacy.

They remained like that, locked in their embrace, as the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky. The day had been one of discoveries, of shared pleasures and profound connections. And as night fell, they knew that they would welcome the dawn together, forever bound by the love that had blossomed amidst the emerald leaves and golden sunlight of the forest.

Me:I have an idea for a role play encounter that involves a harness above the floor that allows me to hold you in any position I choose, a vibrating butt plug, and the ability to cut off any clothes you are wearing. Is that an option?

Izzy:* blushes * Yes, that is an option.

Me:Ok what is your safe-word again?

Izzy:Hm… * thinks for a moment *

Me: Tell me

Izzy:* blushes and takes a deep breath before saying it * I-I don’t know what my safeword is.

Me:I think you said Paxia?

Izzy:* giggles * yup.

Me:Ok making sure.

Izzy:* smiles * good.

Me:You say you want me to be your master yes?

Izzy:* smiles * Yes master

Me:I must be a fair master though and yesterday you forced me to do something unjust to you

Izzy:Oh, I’m sorry about that master

Me:You made me cum without the opportunity to reciprocate

Izzy:* smiles * I know, it was a punishment.

Me:Well that invites a debt that must be repaid

Izzy:Heck yes it did.

Me:*Put your hands in the harness above your head and I will pull you up ’til just your toes touch the floor*

Izzy:* puts hands on the harness *

Me:*I take scissors and start cutting off your shirt*

Izzy:* eyes widen *

Me:After your shirt is off I kiss both your breasts

Izzy:* gasps and shivers *

Me:*I take the scissors and cut your skirt off*

Izzy:* my legs shake as I blush deeply *

Me:Are you wearing panties?

Izzy:* smiles * N-no…

Me: So you’re naked?

Izzy:* nods * Y-yes…

Me:Good

Izzy:*nods* I-I like it

Me:*I take my fingers and start circling your clit slowly*

Izzy:*bites my lip and shivers*

Me:I kiss your lips, your cheek, and your neck, and start massaging you pussy harder

Izzy:*moans loudly, breathing heavily* oh..

Me:*I keep kissing parts of your body and stick a finger into your pussy*

Izzy:*moans loudly, cumming* oh god..

Me:That was quick. I don’t think I have paid my debt yet

Izzy:*giggles* izmir escort I want more.

Me:Hold on and I modify the harness to hold you over the floor your hands are secured next to your bottom and legs spread out in a position that is useful facing down

Izzy:*sighs happily* This is so perfect.

Me:I walk behind you so you can’t see me

Izzy:*whimpers a little*

Me:*You hear clothes coming off*

Izzy:*tries to hide my excitement*

Me:*You feel lube on your ass* and I ask if it is ok to put something in there

Izzy:*nods and bites my lip*

Me:You feel me gently put something in your ass and it starts to vibrate on low

Izzy:*gasps and bites my lip hard*

Me:You can reach it and move it in the position for the most pleasure

Izzy:*gasps and moans* oh yes!

Me:*You then feel my penis at your vagina*

Izzy:*gasps and moans, getting wet*

Me:*I shove it in*

Izzy:*moans and squirms* oh yes

Me:*I give you hump and start circling your clit with my fingers*

Izzy:*moans and moves my hips* oh god yes!

Me:Hump

Izzy:*moans louder and my pussy starts to drip* oh god yes

Me:Hump hump hump

Izzy:*moans and my pussy drips even more* oh god! I am ready!

Me:I take my other hand feeling your breasts while I continue to thrust

Izzy:*moans loud and my breasts bounces* Oh god!

Me:Circling your clit while I thrust

Izzy:*my legs shake as I feel my climax start to build* Oh god!

Me:I thrust harder

Izzy:*my climax takes over* Mmm! *feels my walls tighten*

Me:Mmm I’m sure that feels good huh?

Izzy:Yes, it feels amazing *breathing heavy*

Me:I set the vibrator on medium now

Izzy:*my body starts to shake and I bite my lip*

Me:I move to the front of you to change your position

Izzy:*bites my lip and moves my hips*

Me:I move your head to hip level and my erect penis is just out of range

Izzy:*licks my lips kahramanmaraş escort and looks at you* Mm..

Me:What are you looking for

Izzy:*grins* I wanna taste you..

Me: You should know if I cum before you say my debt is repaid this session would be worthless and I would have to do it all again tomorrow

Izzy:*smirks* Oh yeah?

Me:Yes

Izzy:*smirks* I bet..

Me:Is my debt repaid?

Izzy:*smirks and nods*

Me:You sure it means this may not happen again?

Izzy:Oh, it may happen.

Me:Let me rephrase if my debt is repayed I might decide this is the only time we do this

Izzy:*nods* Alright.

Me:So do you want me to continue or is my debt repaid

Izzy:*whispers* Continue.

Me:I flip you over lying on your back and move back between your legs

Izzy:*bites my lip*

Me:I make sure the vibrator is working

Izzy:*squirms a bit*

Me:I thrust my penis back in your pussy

Izzy:*gasps and moans, cumming again*

Me:Hump hump hump

Izzy:* smiles * I-I’m so close!

Me:I thumb your clit while I thrust

Izzy:* moans as I reach my climax * Ahh, fuck!

Me:Do I continue or is my debt repayed?

Izzy:* moans a bit louder * You should continue!

Me:I get a second vibrator and put in on your clit with my penis inside

Izzy:* moans louder * Fuck me!

Me:I start circling the vibrator on your clit while keeping my penis still

Izzy:* moans louder* I am going to cum!

Me:I start humping into your pussy

Izzy:* moans louder* Ahhh! More! * cums hard *

Me:Do I continue or is my debt repayed?

Izzy:* moans louder* Please continue!

Me:I turn the vibrator on high

Izzy:* moans * Fuck…

Me:The one in your ass

Izzy:* moans again * Fuck yes…

Me:I start thrusting into your cunt

Izzy:* moans loudly, my hips jerking upwards *

Me:Have you had enough?

Izzy:* nods, my pussy dripping *

Me:I manavgat escort start rapidly thrusting into your pussy

Izzy:* throws my head back in pleasure, my pussy throbbing with need *

Me:I grab your hips for leverage

Izzy:* tightens around you, my pussy tightening more *

Me:Do I continue or is my debt repaid

Izzy:* smiles * I think you can continue… I want you to keep going

Me: And if I cum?

Izzy:* smiles * Then I want you to cum.

Me:I start fucking hard

Izzy:* moans softly * Fuck..

Me:I keep a vibrator on your clit

Izzy:* moans softly * Fuck.. I’m close..

Me:It looks like I am struggling

Izzy:* nods as I start to squirt * Fuck!

Me:I keep thrusting to make sure you finish

Izzy:* moans as I finish, cumming hard*

Me:I haven’t gotten off yet

Izzy:Oh, my God! * I whimper as I feel my body collapse*

Me:I lower body down and release you

Izzy:* I breathe heavily, my body shaking*

Me:My erect cock is currently at your face

Izzy:* I lick it hungrily *

Me:Thank you that feels good!

Izzy:* I smile and lick it more, licking the tip of your cock*

Me:Keep going

Izzy:* I start to suck on your cock, swirling my tongue around it*

Me:Ooohhh yes

Izzy:* takes your cock deeper into my mouth, sucking harder*

Me:Yes

Izzy:* takes it even deeper into my mouth, bobbing my head faster*

Me:Your mouth feels good

Izzy:* licks around the tip, then deep throats it*

Me:God yes

Izzy:* moans softly as I deep throat it, bobbing my head fast *

Me:Yes

Izzy:* moans and starts to suck it hungrily *

Me:Moan and hum on my cock

Izzy:* moans and hums on your cock, moving my head up and down *

Me:Precum leaks from my cock

Izzy:* hums and sucks the precum into my mouth, moaning *

Me:Keep going

Izzy:* sucks harder, swirling my tongue around your cock *

Me: I start cumming hard

Izzy:* swallows it all, licking the tip clean *

Me:I think I might still owe debt.

Izzy:* looks up at you with innocent eyes * What?

Me:You may find out later

Izzy:Now I’m really looking forward to it.

Me:Was that encounter more to your tastes than usual?

Izzy:Oh, goodness, yes, yes it was.

Me:Good hopefully I will be more creative in the future.

Authors note: When I first started reading the works of one of my pulp fiction favorites, John D. MacDonald (Travis McGee, et al), I was fascinated with his ability to construct plots that were convoluted, and yet still not beyond the realm of possibility. Although he was known for his mystery/adventure stories, he wrote several other books, including an early fantasy: The Girl, The Gold Watch and Everything. It is with unashamed admiration that I stole the concept for this story. R.I.P. J.D.!

As always, my thanks to ErikThread for his skillful and insightful editing. Any errors or omissions are mine alone.

Part One: The Inheritance

I learned of the death of my uncle, Darby Morton Hanswatter, by letter from the law firm of Bindle and Snipe. A certain Mr. Felix Bindle, LLB, wrote advising me that I was the only living heir of the deceased, and would I kindly respond so that they might effect the reading of the will and proceed with probate of the estate. I was shocked and surprised that I had been named in his will, but I supposed it was a case of being the last one standing.

My name is Oswald Charles Hanswatter. My friends call me “Ozzie” or sometimes just “Oz.” I am forty-one years old and once again a bachelor. It would appear that whatever inheritance would fall to me from my uncle’s estate would end with me since my ex-wife and I had no children.

It set me to thinking. I wondered what the old man could possibly have that would enhance my life. He never appeared to have much money and he lived in such modest circumstances that it was unlikely he had squirreled some substantial nest-egg away in secret.

I too lived modestly. I was the county assessor for Tinsley County, Idaho. As such, I was one of the most misunderstood people in town. It was my department that determined just how much property tax landowners should be responsible for each year. Default, and the county would seize property to resolve the tax liability. I had a number of other responsibilities, chief of which was to cover my boss’s ass, Revenue Commissioner Milo Selwind. It was a job that neither boosted one’s ego nor made one popular in your own community.

I believe I am a rational, methodical type personality. Perhaps boring to some, but it helps me keep perspective with what’s going on around me. I don’t tend to over-react in a crisis. Then again, my job seldom presents crisis situations.

My personality was, I believe, the principal reason for my renewed bachelorhood. My wife ran off with a somewhat questionable land developer in the thought that he could provide her with a better, more exciting life. Perhaps he has. I have neither seen nor heard from her in four years. The divorce had been quickly finalized.

As is common with lawyers, you are expected to go to them rather than they come to you. The letter was quite specific that I should meet Mr. Bindle on his turf. It would mean almost a day’s drive to Paramount, my uncle’s hometown, and I certainly hoped it would be worth the time and expense. I telephoned the gentleman, and together we set a time for our meeting and the reading of the will. It was to be on the following Wednesday, five days hence.

Mr. Bindle offered to make a motel reservation for me, a service for which I am sure his firm would charge the estate. I agreed and spent the brief balance of the call trying to wheedle more information from the man about the inheritance. I got nothing for my efforts. I would just have to wait for the Wednesday meeting.

I hadn’t been in Paramount since my teenage years and my arrival on Tuesday afternoon reminded me why. It was a lifeless little settlement, with nothing whatsoever to recommend it. There was no dominant industry, and thus there was nothing to support growth. It was just a place to live. It had the requisite grocery store, gas stations, hardware and building materials stores and two old-fashioned motels, one on each end of Main Street.

I checked into the Paramount Arms Motor Inn just before the supper hour. Despite the upscale name, the fifteen units were nondescript and quite dated — the nightly rate of $29 reflecting that. I looked about the town for a likely restaurant, but found only a pair of small diners, one at each end of the street. I wouldn’t be spending any extra hours in Paramount once the will had been read, that was certain.

I appeared at the front door of Bindle and Snipe promptly at nine the next morning as requested. I was greeted by a middle-aged woman with 1950’s attire and a hairdo to match. I began to wonder if I had accidently stepped onto the set of some low-budget movie. She courteously showed me into a large, paneled office, and a tall, thin, balding man rose from his outsized leather chair and held out his hand.

“Mr. Hanswatter, I assume,” he said in a deep, rumbling voice.

“Yes … you must be Mr. Bindle,” I replied.

“Yes indeed. Please have a seat, Mr. Hanswatter. I’d like to get this underway as quickly as possible. I have a very busy day gümüşhane escort ahead of me,” he smiled without humor.

I sat down and we began. He handed me a copy of the will and we went through it line by line. I thought I might nod off if he didn’t get to the point of the whole exercise soon. His voice had an almost hypnotic effect. I wondered if this was his principal tool in the courtroom; numbing the jury.

When he got to the meat of the issue, I nearly fainted dead away. My uncle’s net worth was something on the order of thirty-seven million dollars. For a brief moment, I had a vision of me swimming in dollar bills, wondering what ridiculous excesses I could spend them on. That all came to a crashing halt when he read the next sentence. The man had left every last dime of it to charity; specifically shelters for the homeless in a variety of cities around the country.

I sank back in the chair. I had driven all the way from home to Paramount to listen to the unctuous blatherings of some lawyer playing this enormous prank at my expense. I was beginning to get angry.

“Mr. Bindle, do you mean to tell me I spent all this effort to come here to find out I am to receive nothing?” My voice was rising as I went along.

“No, no, of course not, my dear man! Nothing of the kind!” he exclaimed. “Your uncle has left you this letter and this small carton. Perhaps the letter will explain his actions more clearly. I can tell you that when he wrote this will some years ago, he thought it would be very controversial, but he assured me that it wasn’t some cruel hoax being perpetrated on his heirs.

“He changed the will on the death of your mother, the only other remaining Hanswatter besides yourself. He was very serious about this, I can tell you as a certainty. He was sure you, of all people, would recognize the significance of this gift.”

I looked at the tall, gaunt figure of Felix Bindle and saw nothing but clear-eyed sincerity. I was reasonably convinced that he was giving me the straight goods. I accepted the letter and the carton, shook his hand and left the office, not a little mystified at what had taken place.

Thirty-seven million dollars, dangled briefly in front of my nose and then snatched away in an instant. I wondered vaguely if I should contest the will. Even if I could pry loose only a few million, I would be set for life. A very happy and luxurious life at that.

When I returned to the motel, I sat down at the aging desk and carefully opened the letter. It was hand-written very nicely in ink with an old-fashioned script. I turned on the desk lamp and began to read.

My dear nephew Oswald.

It’s been quite a long time since I’ve seen you. I know that you have had a busy life in Little River, but I miss the happy times your mother and I shared with you those lovely summer days so long ago.

I’m sure you must be shocked at the choice I have made in the distribution of my wealth. It took me some time to know what I could do with all that money that would actually benefit people who truly needed my help. I hope I have chosen wisely, but I will never know. Perhaps you can check up on the recipients and see for yourself if I have helped make their lives better.

As for you, I am handing you a puzzle. You may do with it what you wish. I do hope that you think about it very carefully before you either discard it or use it. If you choose to take advantage of this gift, I ask sincerely that you do so carefully. You will understand my admonition as you attempt to solve the puzzle.

Just one final thing to remember. What you hear may be more than you understand, but it is worth listening to.

With love, respect and best wishes,

Uncle Darby

I sat looking at the flowing penmanship of the old man. I was conscious of the curiosity he had now kindled in me. What had he left me in that small carton that might solve this puzzle? What puzzle? I reached for the carton and broke the seal on the top flap and peered inside. I reached inside with my fingers and extracted the contents.

I appeared to be an old transistor radio. It was housed in a pale blue plastic case with a small chrome aerial and a tacky fabric cover over what presumably was the speaker. The case was the shape of a medium sized pocket book and I guessed the radio’s age to be at least forty years.

I was reasonably confident of its age because it had only an AM band on the simple rotary dial. Aside from a small volume control which probably included the on-off switch, it was as basic as it could be. I looked to see if it had any batteries installed, but on cursory inspection, I was unable to find any hatch or opening that would contain a power source. In addition, there was no AC cord or receptacle for a DC transformer. Was this the puzzle?

I looked at the device carefully, but could see nothing that indicated frequency numbers or a manufacturer’s brand name. Perhaps it wasn’t a radio. hatay escort Perhaps it was some other type of receiver; short wave or CB or … what? Only one way to find out. I turned the small black knob clockwise. Hearing a click, the sound of static was immediately forthcoming. I raised the aerial and turned the radio in several directions, but still heard nothing but static.

I began to turn the tuning dial slowly clockwise. When I had moved it only slightly, I could hear a voice. It was a man’s voice. I turned the volume knob and the voice came clearly through the speaker.

“President Barnaby has signed the controversial housing bill that narrowly squeaked through Congress. The signing ceremony was held on the White House lawn in brilliant late winter sunshine in the presence of the Secretary of Urban Housing, Elijah Mellor and a host of advocates for low-cost urban shelter and homes. The landmark legislation will provide ten billion dollars per year for the next twenty years to fund construction of thousands of houses in the poorest sections of America’s largest cities.”

I set the radio on the desk in front of me, barely able to concentrate on that simple act. Who the hell was President Barnaby? What Urban Housing bill? Two hundred billion dollars dedicated to housing? This must be some kind of hoax … or have I been living in a cave for the last few years?

“In other news, pitchers have begun reporting to the World Champion Washington Nationals at their new training facility in Sarasota, Florida. The defending champs are expected to field an equally strong lineup this year with the addition of free-agent veteran reliever Tom Lumpkin and perennial all-star, slugger Mort Sidle.”

Now, this was getting crazy. I knew baseball like I knew my own family. I had never heard of “reliever Tom Lumpkin” or “slugger Mort Sidle.” I’d heard of Sarah Sidle, but not Mort. Could I be that out of touch with my all-time favorite sport? No … no way! And, on top of that, the Washington Nationals! Who are they trying to kid? The last I looked at the standings, they were over twenty games out of a wild-card, much less the division title.

Someone was playing a joke on me. I stopped to think for a moment. There was another issue that suddenly hit home. My meeting with Mr. Felix Bindle was held at nine in the morning on Wednesday, August 12, 2007. The housing bill was signed in “late winter” and the baseball report was about pitchers reporting for spring training — a mid-February event. I reached for the little black knob and turned the radio off.

I leaned back in the chair and stared at the little device. “What the hell was going on?” I asked myself for the fourth or fifth time. Was this the puzzle? It seemed like it, but what kind of a puzzle? Why did Uncle Darby think I was suited to solving this puzzle? I got up from the desk and walked around the motel room aimlessly as I tried to think what was going on.

It was a waste of time. My mind wouldn’t comprehend what was happening with this “radio.” It was talking about a fictional president, a fictional housing bill, and just as equally fictional, the World Champion Washington Nationals! I sat looking out the window of the dreary motel room and promptly made a decision. I carefully placed the little blue radio in its carton and prepared to leave for home.

I was packed and checked out within fifteen minutes and on the road toward Little River. I’m not absolutely sure why, but I had a sense of urgency about my return home. It felt important that I get there as quickly as possible. In the confines of my modest little bungalow I could dedicate myself to unraveling the puzzle of the powder-blue machine. As I drove, I began to plan my method for solving the unexplainable message the radio delivered.

I wondered if this radio may have been a source of Uncle Darby’s wealth. In some way, he may have been able to use the device to make money … a very large amount of money. Although there had been no outward signs of his financial wellbeing, the money was real enough and Bindle made no bones about the fact that the money and the radio were somehow tied to each other.

I arrived at my house just after ten that evening. I was weary from the long drive, but excited about solving the mystery of my inheritance. I dropped my bag in the bedroom closet and returned to the kitchen table where I had left the carton on my way through. I sat looking at it for a few minutes as I tried to organize my thoughts into a coherent plan of action.

My first decision was to investigate the radio more closely. What was its power source? How many stations would it receive? My hands shook slightly as I extracted the little plastic device from the carton. I turned it over and over, looking at all sides and edges. There was absolutely no sign of any opening for batteries or any other power source.

I went to my “junk drawer,” took out a small magnifying glass, and revisited ısparta escort my examination of the case. It appeared to be seamless. I briefly thought of removing the tacky fabric cover over the speaker, then changed my mind. The last thing I wanted to do was to damage the little machine before I understood it.

I sat staring at it once more before I reached tentatively for the little black knob and turned it gently clockwise. Again, only the sound of static. I carefully moved the tuner dial clockwise and soon found a station. I turned up the volume.

“In local news, Saddlebrook County Zoning Chief, Carlton Shambles, was arrested this afternoon on charges of accepting bribes and breach of trust. Also arrested were local property developers Burk Dunkley and Martha Lashem. Both have been charged with offering bribes. An anonymous tip from a well-placed source led to police undercover operations, revealing the illegal activities. The trio will be arraigned on June 19th in County Court.”

I was in shock. My wife … my ex-wife, Martha, was arrested with that scumbag she ran off with. But she was no more a property developer than I was German royalty. She was nothing more than a pincushion for Dunkley. This didn’t make sense. Nothing coming out of that radio made sense. And, once again, the timing didn’t make sense. It was August and they wouldn’t be arraigned for ten months? And since when did that little shit Shambles get to be the head of Zoning? He’s nothing more than a file clerk.

I had to get control of this somehow. I had a hunch what I might be hearing, but it was so bizarre, so preposterous, I couldn’t get my head around it. I had to find a way to figure out what was going on with this radio. My thought was to revert to my original plan formulated on my way home. I would get one of my big legal pads and start writing down what I was hearing. Then, I would systematically tune the radio to various stations in sequence, noting what I heard as I went along.

I started with what I could remember from this morning’s broadcasts, then the one I had just heard. I listed all the names and specifics I could remember on the pad. When I had written what I could recall, I sat looking at the pad and wondering what next? An idea that came to mind was to Google some of this and see if anything came up.

I took the pad into the office that I had created from my second bedroom. I sat in front of my computer screen for a couple of minutes with my mind wandering in twenty different directions. I had to start somewhere, so I began with typing in Elijah Mellor. It was the only complete name I could remember from the housing story.

It was a minor item on page three of the Google listings, but it caught my eye.

“Elijah Mellor tosses hat in ring,” the headline read. “Elijah Mellor, well known local builder and philanthropist, has revealed he will stand for election to the State Senate in Sacramento. Mr. Mellor cited his desire to promote the concepts of urban renewal through low-cost housing and low-cost lending to first-time buyers.”

The story went on to describe Mellor’s activities and political leanings, although the story made it clear he would stand for election as an independent.

I leaned back in my chair. It fit. It was a perfect fit with the radio news story, but …! I checked the date of the story and found it was published May 20, 2007, only three months ago. Not much time to launch a campaign and still have a chance to raise the funds necessary to get elected.

-0-

Little River, Idaho, was my hometown. I was born here and I suppose I’ll likely live here for the rest of my days. There are 4,883 people living here at last count, almost one thousand of them property owners. I like this town and I like Idaho. If my wife hadn’t run off with that greasy asshole Dunkley, I’d have a damn nice life.

Martha and I had been married just over ten years when she surprised me with her departure.

“Ozzie, I want you to know that I think you’re a fine man and a caring husband, but I’m afraid that just isn’t enough. I’m leaving you. I’ve found someone who can give me all the things that you are unable to. I’m sorry if this is hurtful, but I’ll never be happy with this life the way it is. It just isn’t exciting enough for me. I wish you well.”

She said all this as she stood in the kitchen one morning, wearing her coat and holding two suitcases. She turned and left without saying another word. I was dumbfounded. She had never hinted that she was unhappy or unfulfilled in our marriage. It would be several days later that I discovered the truth.

Martha worked part time at a local real estate office and met Burk Dunkley when he was looking for some property for a small housing development. Burk was nothing if not self-confident and he gave Martha the impression that he was a substantial “wheeler-dealer” in the property world in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. In fact, he was a small-time hustler with a reputation for shady land transactions, often featuring elderly widows.

Burk was a handsome man in his late forties, with wavy black hair and a big toothy smile. He wore expensive suits with flashy ties and drove a fancy car. In Martha’s eyes he oozed success. She found out later that it was all an illusion. As the local saying goes: “Big car — big cigar — no gas!”

It was nearly evening by the time that Suzanne left the city. She glanced back to where a few Purveks hovered by the edge of the buildings, watching her go. As predicted, they made no attempt to follow. She pushed off between the trees, letting them disappear from sight.

It had been several hours earlier that she and Cliff had been allowed to get dressed and sent to join Lola and the Professor in another cell. The four travellers had been pleased to see each other alive and well.

“Gramps!” said Suzanne, going over to give the old man a hug.

A few feet away, Cliff and Lola had a more diffident reunion. “Sorry I ran off like that,” said Lola.

“I’m glad you’re all right,” replied Cliff, a little stiffly. He noted that she had re-pinned her hair and put her glasses on. She was, of course, still just in her bra and slip, showing off the magnificent bosom which he had so enjoyed nuzzling. “Here,” he handed over her blouse.

Lola took it, gratefully. “Thanks.”

“Now we just need to get out of here,” said the Professor, rubbing his hands together, “and then off planet. I assume none of us have had sex yet,” he added, casting a slightly suspicious glance at Cliff and his grand-daughter.

“Nope.” “Absolutely not,” said Suzanne and Cliff, making sure that they weren’t standing to close to each other. Suzanne’ stomach gurgled, as if to remind her that her teacher’s cum was in it.

She smiled at the memory as she walked on through the still, silent jungle. The light had changed since the morning, and it was hard to keep her bearings. Occasionally something would look familiar, and she hoped that she was heading back towards the Pisspot, rather than around in circles.

She and her grandfather had rapidly updated each other with their conclusions about the Purveks. “They seem frightened of these Cleats,” he concluded.

“Yes, there was some kind of war. The Cleats spread poison, killing much life on the planet, and the Purveks retreated into hibernation for many years. I’ve offered to get the Spacial Anomalator from the Pisspot.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“To help them find the Cleats.”

“Is that a good idea?”

“That’s not all I’m doing. If the Purveks agree to send me, that means they can’t go themselves.”

He thought for a moment, and then twinkled at her. “… And so they can’t leave the city!”

“Exactly.”

The Professor looked around. “So they get their power, maybe from the walls or the floor.”

Suzanne smiled, and he smiled back. Sometimes, they didn’t need to speak to understand each other perfectly.

“Just one thing,” interjected Cliff. “If these machine monsters are scared of these Cleats… just what must they be like?”

It was an uncomfortable thought as she picked her way through the darkening forest. Her grandfather had been uncomfortable with letting her return on her own, but it was clear that the Purveks were not about to let their other hostages go. In fact, when they took her out of the cell, they made it understood that her companions’ lives depended on her return. All in all, it was a relief when the Pisspot appeared through the undergrowth in front of her.

Suzanne opened the door. Getting back to the light and warmth inside was a relief, but there was no time to hang around. Suzanne gathered up what she needed, and headed back out into the jungle. Dusk had fallen, and she was just thinking about going back into the Pisspot to get a light, when something moved out of the undergrowth in front of her.

Suzanne yelped, and jumped, but one of her long heels had got jammed in between two tree roots, and she ended up falling backwards, slumping onto the floor with her legs wide apart. She looked up to see a figure step out in front of her. Looking between her knees, all she could see was an outline, even before the shape switched on a light illuminating her. She shaded her eyes. “Who… Who is it?”

“Sorry,” said a masculine voice, “sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you. Wait.” The figure adjusted his torch to illuminate himself. Tall and bare-chested, he was about the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He wore a large cloak over his shoulders, and on his lower half a pair of tight shorts, with a conspicuous bulge at the front. “My name is Alpen,” he said, “the leader of the Cleats.”

The sight of him made Suzanne’s heart beat a little faster, but he seemed to be trying not to look at her. Then she remembered her undignified position with legs akimbo. Then she further remembered that she wasn’t wearing any knickers. Her wide open pussy was on full display.

Suzanne did not embarrass easily, but now she felt some warmth moving up her cheeks. She moved one hand delicately over her crotch. “I wonder,” she said, “if you could help me up?”

***

There was no day or night visible from inside their cell, but the prisoners were aware that it was getting late, and tension was rising as they waited for Suzanne to return. The Professor didn’t say much, but Lola knew he felt guilty for sending his grand-daughter out alone to face giresun escort a potentially dangerous quest. She put a hand on his shoulder, and he acknowledged the human contact with a smile.

Finally, the door cycled open, and a Purvek glided in. “FOLLOW – ME,” it ordered.

They all exchanged nervous glances, and then followed it down featureless corridors. Cliff reached out and took Lola’s hand, which she accepted gratefully. Another door opened in front of them, and they were taken into a much larger space, somewhere between a laboratory and a control room. Several Purveks glided around, following sinister tasks. Right in the middle of the room stood Suzanne, apparently unharmed.

The Professor rushed over. “Are you all right, my dear?”

“Yeah Gramps, don’t worry. I brought the Spacial Anomalator.”

“And that will help these things find the Cleats will it?” asked Lola disapprovingly.

“Maybe,” said Suzanne. And then she winked.

Now the Purveks burst into increased activity, whirling around each other in apparent excitement. “THE DEVICE IS ATTACHED.” “PREPARE TO SCAN.” “WE WILL DEFEAT THE CLEATS.”

They buzzed around, activating systems, while Suzanne stepped back. The Professor placed his hands on her shoulders protectively. Power built up, and the device from the Pisspot began to glow. It reached a peak, and there was a bright flash.

The Purveks simultaneously spun around and then slowed to a halt. “WHAT IS… HAPpen…ing…” they burbled, and then fell silent.

The Professor chuckled and removed his property from their jury-rigged wiring, while Cliff went over to a Purvek and kicked it. It remained motionless. “What just happened?” he asked.

“Suzanne and I theorised that these machines need to continuously draw their energy from the city,” said the old man. “That’s why they can’t leave.”

“When I took the Spacial Anomalator from the Pisspot,” explained Suzanne, “I installed an EMP generator. It’s disrupted their connection.”

“EMP?” asked Lola.

“Electro-Magnetic Pulse. Knocks out their electrics.”

“So we can leave?”

“Indeed,” said the Professor. “So long as we’re quick.”

“This way,” said Suzanne, heading for the door.

Professor Wot stopped Cliff by the exit. “One moment,” he said.

“I thought we were in a hurry,” protested Cliff.

“Please, indulge me.” The Professor walked over to one of the stationery Purveks, and buzzed it with his multitool. A panel popped open. “Give me a hand, here.”

Both men prised the machine apart until they could see inside. The sight made Cliff gasp. “That’s… a creature.”

“Yes,” said the Professor, grimly.

“Is it dead?”

“Just in stasis, I think.”

“It’s horrible… and covered in dicks.”

“Come on,” said the older man. “Let’s get out of here.”

***

Suzanne updated them while she led them all back through the silent, dead city. “I met the Cleats, or at least their leader. He was a man. A normal man. Well, better than normal. You know. He was hot. Smoking hot. In fact…”

“Get to the point, please,” snapped the Professor.

“Sorry. He says that generations ago, the Cleats were the Purveks’ slaves. You know, sex slaves… everything. Then they led a revolt, and broke free.”

They reached another junction, apparently identical to the last three. Suzanne looked back and forth, before picking a direction.

“This way, I think. Anyway, that’s when the jungle died, from some kind of weapon that they released. The Purveks weren’t in those machines, then. They were like normal people.”

“Fascinating,” said the Professor. “I would like to meet these Cleats.”

“They said they’d help us. Here.” Suzanne led them into a lift. “This leads to the surface.” She depressed a control, but nothing happened. “Oh dear, EMP.”

“Now what?” said Cliff. “These guys don’t seem like the type to use stairs.”

Before the others could answer, the power came back on, and the lift doors swung silently closed. They all rocked on their feet slightly, as the lift moved upwards. “How did you do that?” gasped Lola.

“We didn’t,” said the Professor. “That means the EMP is wearing off already. They’ll becoming after us, any minute. Get ready to run.”

The door cycled open, revealing another corridor. The travellers wasted no time, heading down it to where another door led outside. It was a relief to be in the open air. Cliff sniffed at it gratefully. It smelled fresh and clean and the early morning daylight almost blindingly bright to his eyes. He grinned across to Lola, who smiled back at him, obviously feeling the same. The smile lit up her face, and she looked so lovely that Cliff’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at her. He stared into her eyes for slightly too long, causing her to look away, but she was still smiling, and he knew that they had Shared A Moment.

“We’re not safe, here,” said the Professor. “Let’s keep moving.”

They wound their way back through the maze of narrow yalova escort “streets” that formed the city’s upper layer, staying alert, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary – until, that is, they turned another corner.

In a small plaza in front of them was a group of beautiful young men and women, carrying packs and bags and the occasional piece of farming equipment, while looking around themselves in wonder. They were astonishingly physically perfect. The men wore shorts, showing off tanned, well-muscled torsos, but Cliff couldn’t help noticing that they were significantly out-numbered by the women in the party. Like the men, they were in amazing shape and scantily clad in little strapless dresses which hung down from just above their breasts to mid-thigh. All their garments had large square holes down the sides. In the case of the girls, these swished about just enough to suggest a complete lack of underwear, as Cliff caught the occasional glimpse of buttock or upper thigh.

Now they were all looking at the travellers with wide, innocent eyes.

A young man in a cloak stepped forwards. “Greetings, my name is Alpen. We came to meet you.”

“This is the one I told you about,” said Suzanne.

Professor Wot nodded. “And I’m pleased to meet you my boy, but we can’t stay here, we-“

He was interrupted by a loud bang and a flash of light. Smoke billowed across the plaza, and Purveks rolled out of it, firing their guns. Cliff threw himself to the ground, joined by Lola and, a short distance away, Suzanne. The Cleats just stared, open-mouthed as the machines swept in and grabbed their comrades, blasting them off their feet, or entwining them in long, flexible cables. The victims were bound onto the Purvek’s outer casings, and in most cases, their clothes were simply torn away, leaving them helpless and naked, bound to the side of the machine. Many of the girls Cliff had been admiring were dragged away, their tits and pussies on full display.

“Why don’t they do anything?” muttered Cliff as the Cleats stood around in confusion, making no moves to prevent themselves being taken one by one. Lola just shook her head.

Seeing an opening, the Professor now jumped up. “This way!” he shouted. “Follow me!” Then he charged off down an open street. Cliff, Lola and Suzanne all followed him, and when Cliff looked back, he saw Alpen and many of the more alert Cleats following. They kept running, not stopping until the safety of the jungle appeared before them and they charged into its welcoming embrace.

***

Once they were safe, Alpen called a halt, and the variegated party took stock. Professor Wot and the other travellers sat to one side, catching their breath, relieved to have made it. After a moment, Alpen came over, shaking his head. “We lost 14 people,” he said. “Why would they do that?”

“You say you were descended from slaves?”

“Yes, but that was all ancient history. I mean, it has shaped my race. Even today, three-quarters of our children are female, and a man must take multiple wives, but…”

“I could get to like this place,” said Cliff. Unfortunately, he was sat between Lola and Suzanne, both of whom now applied a sharp elbow to his midriff.

“And the Purveks?” asked the Professor. “What were they like?”

“Legend says they were like us, but… smaller,” admitted Alpen. “Were they inside those machines?”

“We’ve seen one,” said Cliff. “They’re not like you.”

Alpen nodded, and was joined by a strikingly beautiful young woman with olive skin and long, dark hair. “This is, Irina, my intended,” he said. Cliff swallowed. Irina was stunning, the simple dress clinging seductively to her ample curves. Square holes down the sides showed off additional skin. From their seated position he could almost see tight up her skirt.

Irina greeted them, and then put her arms around Alpen. “I’m so relieved we made it,” she said.

“Yes, but the others… what can be happening to them?” Alpen looked to the Professor, who shrugged.

“I think…” said the old man slowly, “that they haven’t given up on possessing slaves.”

“Please help us,” said Alpen, radiating simple honesty. “We don’t know what to do. We gave up war generations ago, after our weapons killed the jungle.”

“I’m sorry,” said Professor Wot. “I don’t see how we can help.”

They trekked on through the woods. Everyone was slightly despondent, although the Pisspot came as a welcome sight.

“Well,” said Suzanne to Alpen, “I’m afraid that this is goodbye.”

“I’m am sorry for that,” said Alpen, taking her hand, “for many reasons.” He seemed unaware of Irina stood behind him, looking daggers at the back of his head.

“Just stay away from those Purveks, eh?” added Cliff.

Alpen nodded. “We will.”

Their goodbyes were interrupted by the Professor emerging from the ship. “The Spacial Anomalator!” he stuttered.

“What about it?” asked Lola.

“I dropped it somewhere! It’s back there. In the city.”

***

The yozgat escort search went on for many hours, with everyone taking part, but the following day, they called it off. Several Cleats had retraced their steps through the forest, but the Professor’s original instinct proved to be correct: whatever had happened to the Spacial Anomalator, it was not somewhere accessible. It had to still be in the city. Already convinced of this, the old man took little active part in the hunt, instead spending much of his time with Alpen and Irina, studying their history.

He made one thing clear: without the missing equipment there was no way the Pisspot could take off.

While the Professor educated himself, the other travellers were getting to know some more members of the tribe. Friendly was Gaytus, a tall, slim and rather pale young lady. Now she looked across to where the old man sat in conference with their leader and arched an eyebrow, saying “I wonder what they find so interesting?”

“Don’t you follow history?” asked Lola. She had found that she liked this sardonic Cleat woman.

“I’m more interested in the possibilities presented by the future,” said Gaytus, favouring Lola with a big smile. Somehow, she made the word ‘possibilities’ sound filthy.

Lola laughed. “Perhaps the past can help us find that future,” she suggested.

“Now you’re talking,” smirked Gaytus, which for some reason made Lola blush.

Another tall, rather pretty but heavily muscled woman approached them. “What’s so funny?’ she asked.

“Oh,” said Gaytus, “this is my sister, Amanpus.”

“Hello,” greeted Lola, “I’m Lola McGovern. This is my pupil Suzanne, and my colleague, Cliff Stone.”

Amanpus looked Cliff up and down, apparently not liking what she saw. “Are you the best male your tribe can find?” she asked.

Cliff found himself slightly flustered. “I do the best I can,” he said, defensively.

“That must be disappointing,” sneered Amanpus. She casually reached out and snapped a substantial branch from a tree.

“Ahuh,” muttered Cliff. He guessed that these petrified trees weren’t all that strong, and reached up to pull down his own branch. Unfortunately, it didn’t budge, even when he applied all of his strength. The four women were all giving him looks ranging from amusement to pity, and he suddenly found a need to be somewhere else.

He wandered over to where the Professor was now getting into a heated discussion with Alpen.

“I tell you,” said the handsome tribal leader, “there’s just no possibility of that.”

“But don’t you see?” said the Professor. “One day, those Purveks will work out how to leave that city of theirs. Your only chance is to strike now!”

“What you say makes sense, but it is impossible! Since the revolt half-destroyed our world, we have renounced all violence!”

“But-“

“No,” said Alpen, with an air of finality. He turned away.

“Everything all right, Prof?” asked Cliff breezily.

“Well, assuming you want to get off this planet, it could be going better!” snapped the Professor. He sighed heavily. “I’ve one more thing to try. Follow my lead, but don’t interfere.”

“Ooookay.”

The Professor walked up to Alpen. “You say nothing could return you to your violent past?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Suppose I was to take your woman.”

“I… Irina? You wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t I?” the old man reached out and pulled Irina to him with surprising strength. Then he clamped his mouth over her ample lips, to her evident shock.

Alpen stood by. “I see what you’re trying to do, Professor,” he said. “It won’t work.”

The old man didn’t reply. Instead, he snogged Alpen’s woman, sucking at her mouth, forcing her to respond. Her eyes were wide, but she seemed unable or unwilling to resist and push him away. Slowly, against her will, she was starting to kiss him back. He ran his mouth over hers, making horrible slurping noises.

Cliff should probably have been less surprised when the Professor now thrust his hands up Irina’s skirt, and began to mould her bottom between his bony fingers. His mouth went dry as he watched her entire arse come into view. Remembering the others, he glanced back to where they were standing with Gaytus and Amanpus. Lola looked stunned and had opened her mouth to speak, but he shook his head at her, and she stayed silent.

“Professor,” said Alpen, helplessly. “Please stop.”

Leaving one hand on Irina’s bum, the Professor now reached up with the other one, and pulled down the front of her dress. First one, and then the other perfect brown boob popped out into the grateful air. It was a beautiful sight. Irina broke away from the kiss to gasp as he kneaded one tit, painfully tweaking and pulling on her long nipple. The Professor ignored her reaction and bent down to suckle on her other one, gobbling and slobbering at it greedily.

Cliff was finding the sight distressingly arousing, as the tent in his trousers evidenced. He was sure that Alpen would have intervened by now, and found himself wondering how far the old man was going to take this.

“Alpen…” he said. “You’re a strong man. You could… stop him.”

Alpen looked at him angrily. “It is against my beliefs.”

“In that case you need to decide what is more important to you – your beliefs, or preventing your girlfriend having sex with another man right in front of you.”