Chapter 39

To her surprise Jo slept soundly until Tchu touched her shoulder and said “Good morning Jo”.

“Hello Tchu, I slept like a log” Jo said stretching.

“Breakfast is ready, then Lord Acorus will talk to you. Today we need to go to the other star ships. One this morning and one this afternoon. Tomorrow the ships that are collecting now, will be here” Tchu rapidly told her.

“Well then, I’ll eat then have a shower and massage, put my armour on and I’ll be ready” Jo pulled her kaftan on as she moved to the table.

She was as good as her word and in a very short time was on her way to the flight deck. Once there she was quickly put through to Acorus. He had his helmet off and smiled when he saw her. Smiling back at him she assured him that she was well. Quickly she told him about her visit to the girls, and he asked her about the trouble makers, when she told him what had happened and how she had dealt with the trouble makers, he looked worried and asked if she was comfortable with her decision. When she said that it had to be done he nodded his head and said that he was proud of her.

Asking why the three ships he had with him would be back tomorrow, he told her that they had been lucky. They had been guided by Osega’s spies to a large complex that was full of girls. Questioning him Jo realised that he had raided an exclusive ladies academy in America. He told her that in one night they had collected about two hundred girls. About forty had been the wrong colour or race. Some black, some Spanish and some Asian girls had been returned to Earth as their genes would be too strong to allow any daughters to look Sceriae. But with so many taken in one night, tonight they would need to take hardly any, so he would be with Jo tomorrow night.

Jo’s plans to go to one star ship this morning, then one this afternoon, worried him. Asking if this would not be too tiring, he cautioned her once again to take care of her health. Assuring him that she was fine and saying that that she looked forward to seeing him again, Jo said goodbye and he told her that he too, looked forward to seeing her.

For the rest of the day, Jo was too busy to feel tired. There were no trouble makers on either ship, although both had underage girls. Quite a few of the girls were happy to be going anywhere as long as it was away from their hell on earth. Jo answered all their questions to the best of her ability and was pleased that they were reacting so well. It was evening by the time she got back to her quarters, and Tjai insisted that she have a massage, so by the time she’d showered, been massaged then eaten, she once again got into bed and fell asleep immediately.

Tchu let her sleep until she woke naturally as there was nothing for her to do until the new girl’s ships arrived from Earth. Waking from a dreamless sleep, Jo was pleased that what she had done the day before hadn’t haunted her. She didn’t feel guilty as Talia had been awful. Catherine would have told the other girls what had happened and no doubt some would hate her for it. Deciding that she would visit them later, for damage limitation, she sat up in bed. The baby was moving slightly and putting her hands on her stomach Jo talked to her quietly, telling her of the life that lay ahead of her. As Acorus’s daughter she would be high up in Sceriae hierarchy and could choose what she wanted to do with her life. One day she may even be able to visit Earth, for as far as Jo could see, nobody noticed any difference in the Sceriae when they visited Earth. Osega’s spies lived on Earth quite happily for months at a time. It was fast becoming Jo’s dream that Scerior and Earth could come together and maybe trade with each other. Lost in her daydream Jo didn’t hear Tchu and Tjai come in until Tchu spoke to her.

Saying good morning Tchu asked if Jo was ready to have her shower and massage before breakfast. She was more than ready as she felt really rested, better than she’d felt for a while in fact. Commenting on this to Tchu, she was told that it was because the baby had stopped growing so wasn’t taking anything from Jo.

“That’s great” Jo said “It means I’ll have enough energy to see the new girls. They will be a different problem to the girls we rescued. I think they may cause problems if they are the kind of girls I think they are. Privileged from wealthy families, they won’t be pleased to hear about their fate. Oh dear, I hope Acorus hasn’t made a mistake with them. Their parents will kick up a fuss and so will the authorities. If America thinks they have been taken by terrorists they could start a war!”

“It is rather a lot to take from one place” was all Tchu would say.

Showered, massaged and enjoying her breakfast Jo was pleased when Hersha paid her a visit. He was as usual deferential towards her, but when she offered him a drink, he took off his helmet and joined her. Soon they were chatting like old friends and Tchu and Tjai also joined them, once they had tidied the bathroom and made the bed. Jo smiled to herself to see how well chaperoned she was. The Escorii were old fashioned in that way and didn’t think that a female should be alone with a male unless they were mates. They talked about how the girls were behaving and Hersha reported that there had been no problems at all. They seemed to have accepted the fate of Talia without any upset.

Once they had finished eating Hersha departed to go about his duties, telling Jo that Acorus hoped to be with them early that afternoon. Pleased about that Jo decided that she would go and see the girls on this ship once again. She wanted to see how Catherine had settled down. She had dressed in tunic and trousers as she knew that Acorus preferred her that way, also the girls would accept her better dressed that way. With her guards following she walked to the girl’s quarters and was pleased to see that there were only two guards outside the room. She entered quietly with Tchu by her side and her guards behind her. All was quiet, some girls were still eating, others were in groups, talking, and some were doing each others hair.

When Jo was seen, everyone went quiet, except for little Maria who shrieked and ran to her. Laughing Jo hugged her and taking her hand led her further into the room. Katy and Molly joined them and Jo found a seat and sat down with them sitting close to her. Jo was pleased to see how much better they all looked. The beautiful eleven year old was looking less dull eyed but the gypsy girl’s appearance hadn’t improved at all. Even with the Escorii’s care she still looked slatternly.

Calling the girl’s Escorii to her she asked them what was wrong with her. They told her that the girl didn’t like showering, hated being massaged, indeed they had to ask a third Escorii to help them, and wouldn’t have her hair washed or brushed. They thought that the girl was mentally disabled. Both Escorii were upset as they had never seen anyone like her before.

When Jo asked if anything could be done for her they both shook their heads. Deciding to think about it for a while Jo asked where Catherine was. In her cubicle, one of the other girls told her, and she wouldn’t come out.

“Oh dear”, Jo thought “This is why I am here. Before the difficult would just be killed and got rid of. I’m beginning to understand why. In an operation as big as this there really isn’t time for the Sceriae to bother with difficult girls”.

Going in to see Catherine, Jo was pleased that she didn’t have her armour on, that would just have scared her more. She found the girl lying on her bed, dry eyed but patently terrified. Introducing herself Jo was sad to see the girls fear increase, but she took hold of her hand and explained why Talia had been killed, while an Escorii translated. Jo also told her why she had not. As she spoke, Catherine turned and looked into her eyes, then she spoke and the Escorii translated.

“Yes it is true; Talia was one of the slave traders. I have thought hard about her and I know I never saw her ill treated, like the rest of us were. Still, to throw her into space, that shocked me. How do I know that will not happen to me?”

“You have my word; I want you to be happy. Life on Scerior is good, better than anything you have known so far in your life”. Waiting for the Escorii to translate, Jo smiled into Catherine’s eyes.

“Although I did a bad thing, I have not been beaten. There are many men on this ship, but none of us has been raped. To survive, I believe I must trust you, Lady Jo-Anna, so I will do my best and try to behave well” and she half smiled.

“Good now you should join the others and let yourself be pampered. I’m pleased that you have decided to trust me, as your welfare is my only concern” and with that Jo got up and left her.

Deciding that she’d talk to Acorus about the gypsy girl Jo said goodbye to the rest of the girls and left. Heading towards the flight deck Jo discussed the gypsy girl with Tchu. She wouldn’t be any good for breeding from as although she had blue eyes, she could produce a baby looking dark and Romany. Jo shuddered at the racism of that fact, people on Earth, at least quite a few, would be disgusted. However, on Earth, if a species were in danger of being extinct, they wouldn’t cross a tiger with a lion, for example. The way Jo had been brought up, was to consider all races as equal. Humans, as aliens would say, but to the Sceriae, their genes must remain as pure as possible. Tchu shook her head sadly, knowing that before Jo, girls like the gypsy girl would have been euthanised, not something the Escorii approved of. What to do with her was a major problem. Shelving the problem for the moment Jo entered the flight deck. Enquiring where Acorus’s ships were, she was told that they were almost through the asteroid belt. About another hour and they would be with them. Excited at seeing Acorus, Jo went back to her quarters to freshen up and rest for a while. She must have dozed off because she was awoken by Acorus’ voice.

“Wake up sleepy head, your Lord and master is home” and he was in front of her, hauling her to her feet and into his arms. Holding her tightly he kissed her, passionately at first, and then gently on her eyes and nose.

Jo was laughing and said “Can I take it that you missed me?”

“No, of course I didn’t” he said kissing her again “Miss a mere female? Did you miss me?”

“I hadn’t even noticed you’d gone!”

“You’ve been so busy, I’m not surprised. Have you thrown anyone off the ship today?” he joked.

“That’s not funny, I feel terrible about that” Jo said pulling away from him.

Pulling her back into his arms he said “I’m sorry. I forgot how hard that must have been for you. You’re not used to making such difficult decisions. But, Jo I’m proud of you, I hear all the other females are much more settled than usual. In fact I hear that they are happy, you’ve helped a lot of them to become pleased that we took them. Although I hear that two of my soldiers are traumatised, without their helmets in a room full of females”.

Jo laughed and said “They were quite safe as they had Tchu to guard them. I’m pleased that the girls have settled down well and the children are doing well”.

“Those children” Acorus said shaking his head, “How could an adult male treat a child like that? They are worse than the Xenorii. At least they don’t molest their own young”.

“Sometimes I’m ashamed to be human” Jo said sadly.

Changing the subject Acorus said “You should see the new females. All clean and healthy. Some are as good looking as you” then laughing “Or as good as you looked before you blew up like a whale”.

“A whale!” Jo said, whacking him on his head “It’s your fault I look like this. That’s it, no more sex ever for you. Once this whale pops out, I’m turning celibate” then she pulled away from him, sniffing and putting her hands over her face.

“Jo. I was joking, you are still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen” he said worriedly “Please don’t cry, I can’t bear to see you cry!”

Head still in her hands, her shoulders shaking Jo cried “I knew you’d get tired of me. I’m just another broodmare to you”.

“No, no. You are my mate forever, I love you, you taught me how to love. No other female could ever take your place”.

Turning back to him Jo took her hands from her face to show she was laughing and said “Ha, got you, just joking. By the way, if you do even look at one of those girls, I’ll chop your willy off”.

Grabbing her he shouted “That’s it, l have to beat you”.

Squealing, Jo tried to get away but she was laughing so hard she couldn’t fight.

“You don’t even fear me! You have no respect. Once this daughter is born you won’t be able to sit down for weeks” then holding her tight he kissed her hard, then coming up for air he asked “What is willy?”

They were laughing so hard they didn’t hear the knock on the door until whoever was there hammered hard. Letting go of Jo Acorus shouted “Come in”. Tchu entered with Tsasha close behind. Surprised to see Tsasha, Acorus offered her a seat and Jo asked if she’d like a drink of something.

Taking a seat Tsasha said that she would like a cold drink, so Jo went to ask the guards to arrange for some drinks to be brought. Sitting opposite Tsasha, Acorus asked what he could do for her. She said that she was concerned about the girls he had just abducted. They were coming round from the drugs the Escorii administered when they were first captured. From what her Escorii reported they were from well to do families, and one was the daughter of an American senator.

All of them thought they had been abducted either by terrorists or for ransom. A lot were threatening that America would never stop looking for them. Tsasha was worried about what havoc the Americans might wreak on Earth. Tjai brought in the drinks and handed them out. As Jo took hers she said “That worries me too. So many girls from highly placed families going missing, could cause the Americans to start a war. They could pick one scapegoat country and find evidence to blame them. We could cause the deaths of thousands of innocents!”

Acorus frowned and asked “What do you want me to do? They are perfect for us, I won’t take them back”.

Jo recognised his stubborn voice and knew he wouldn’t change his mind. The girls were going to Scerior and she could do nothing to help them. She couldn’t tell them what a good life they would have as they already had a good life on Earth.

“We can’t treat them like we have the slave trade girls. Their life on Earth would have been very good. You will only be able to control them by fear”.

Tsasha agreed. The girls were being very difficult. Swaying between arrogance and blind fear. Some of her Escorii were quite put out and didn’t know how to handle them. Jo could tell that Acorus was getting irritated, so tried to calm him down saying “Tsasha, I’m sure you can manage them tonight. Lord Acorus will I am sure, find a good solution, and will sort it all out tomorrow, once he has rested”.

“Yes you are right Lady Jo-Anna. Tomorrow we will find a solution. Tsasha said, getting to her feet.

Tchu saw her out then said that she’d go and see about food for Jo and Acorus. Jo sat down next to him and cuddled into his side.

“Do you still hate me Jo?”

“No I don’t hate you, I love you. But what you really want to know is, will these girls hate the Sceriae, and the answer is, definitely”.

“Don’t wrap it up to spare my feelings” he laughed.

“They will all hate the Sceriae to start with, but if we get it right they will be an asset to Scerior. They will mostly be, intelligent, healthy, well educated and cultured. That is what those fancy academies produce. The perfect political or high business wives. A few might plan to work but most are programmed to be the perfect wife and housewife. First they must be so frightened that they submit the way I did”. At that Acorus went to protest but she shushed him saying “You know that’s true and I hated you for it. But given time that can change, and we must make sure that these girls are given to males who will treat them well”.

Acorus nodded “You are wise for a human”.

Jo didn’t even bother to hit him; she just said “Ha ha, the problem of how the Americans will react is a bigger problem. We don’t want to start a war on Earth”.

“No, that would not do” Acorus agreed “But how to prevent it?”

“How about if we let them know that aliens took them, and why”.

Acorus looked at her open mouthed, “Let the humans know who we are?”

“Yes, after all they can’t come into space to get us. It’s better than a war”.

“You really think that they’d go that far?”

“Oh yes, in the last century the Americans have become paranoid about their security. They tend to strike first, then ask the questions. They are the only country ever to have used an atomic bomb” Jo told him.

“So first we terrify the girls as horrible aliens, then take one back to Earth, to tell the humans about us. You’re sure we have to terrify them?” Acorus asked.

“The ones who are staying, yes. But the one who goes back to Earth should see you as you are, without armour. Then it won’t be so horrific for their families. Bad enough to think of them being abducted, raped even. But by monsters?”

At that moment Tchu and Tjai appeared with their food and Acorus and Jo moved to the table. Thanking them, Acorus dismissed them for the day, saying he had a lot to think about and needed rest. Tchu gave him a look and shook her head before she left the room. Acorus sighed in exasperation and Jo had to smother a laugh as she knew how frustrated he was. But at least, she thought, he won’t mind me not wanting to get pregnant again.

Over their meal they discussed how to handle the new girls. Once they had eaten they moved to sit comfortably on a sofa, and decided that they would take the girl, whose father was in the American government, away from the others. Dragging her out between two guards with their armour on should make the others suitably terrified. Then they would show the senator’s daughter that they weren’t monsters, tell her why the girls had been taken and return her to Earth.

Knowing how sceptical the authorities were about aliens, Jo pointed out that they may not believe her. This exasperated Acorus as he wasn’t in the best of moods anyway.

“Are they stupid? Who on Earth could take all those females so easily?”

Jo didn’t answer him but cuddled up to him more. He groaned and pushed her away, “Don’t Jo, you drive me crazy”.

“Let me love you for a change” Jo said sliding onto her knees in front of him.

Pleased that he was in his kaftan and not his armour Jo pushed herself up between his legs and up his body taking his kaftan with her. Pulling it over his head Jo kissed him on his lips while she rubbed her stomach over his groin and already engorged shaft.

Groaning he said “Don’t Jo, my control is not this good”.

Pressing him back into the sofa Jo continued trailing kisses over his stomach until finally she could take him in her mouth. Taking him in her hand she moved him in and out of her mouth. His breathing coming in short gasps he put his hands on her head and held her captive. As he climaxed, he shouted her name and pulling her up his body kissed her passionately. Forced to swallow, she was pleased to discover no taste at all, like fresh water, not at all unpleasant.

“Oh Jo my love, You never cease to amaze me” he said nestling his face into her neck.

Feeling frustrated herself Jo was happy to sit cuddled into him. After a while Acorus stirred and said “We will think overnight about how we convince the humans that the girls have been abducted by aliens, not terrorists. Let’s go to bed”.