“Sir Crawford, please wake up.” Julian’s voice was quietly insistent.
“Hmm? Wassup, Julian.”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Sir, but the others are becoming quite concerned at your absence.”
“Oh, Lord. Thank you, Julian. I’d forgotten about them. Tell them I’ll be there in a minute.”
“What’s the matter?” Triss asked sleepily as I scrambled out of bed.
“I forgot I’d left everybody in the dining room. Apparently they’re getting worried.”
“Let them.” She stretched sensuously then winced. “Ouch. I’m sore.”
I leant over and kissed her cheek. “You just stay where you are while I go a talk to everyone. Would you like something to eat or drink?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ll bring something back with me.”
“Am I forgiven?”
I stroked her sleek flank. “You are. Mind, if you act up again…”
“I won’t.” Then she smiled sensually. “On the other hand…”
I pretended to frown. “Next time I won’t be so gentle.”
Her eyes flew open. “Gentle! You beast.”
I touched her cheek. She really was a beautiful girl.
“I’d better go.”
“Hurry back.”
I almost flew down to the lounge. I caught myself in time just before the door and managed to wipe the smirk off my face.
“I don’t think Triss will be any more trouble,” I said as calmly as I could. “She’ll be coming with us.”
“That’s good. What happened?” Lashak’ka asked.
“We had a, er, discussion and sorted it out.”
Lorca was openly grinning.
“I knew you were man enough to sort it out,” she said. There was a subtle emphasis on the word ‘man’ that the others missed.
“Are you sure?” Jarmasin said doubtfully.
“As sure as I can be. I’m going to take her something then she’ll be joining us.” Jarmasin looked decidedly unhappy. “It’ll be all right, I promise you.”
“She scares me.”
“If Crawford says he’s taken care of the problem then that’s fine by me,” Hermes said firmly.
I shot him a grateful glance. It probably wasn't fine by him but he was pointing out to the girls that I was the boss.
“It’s fine by me, too,” Lorca added.
Triss had showered and was lying, face down, on the bed. She got up as I came in and stood respectfully. I put the tray down and took her in my arms. She came willingly but I sensed a reserve.
“What’s the problem, Triss?”
“There isn’t…” she started.
“If you’re going to lie to me we aren’t going to get very far.” She chewed her lower lip. “Come on, Triss. You’re walking on thin ice here.”
She refused to meet my eye. “This is difficult. I love you, truly I do. You’ve proved your strong and virile and… everything. And I’ll do as you say and be good. But it’s wrong.” Her voice was a wail. “I shouldn’t feel like this. You’ve no chavis. You’re kind and gentle and caring and a man shouldn’t… shouldn’t be like that. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry but it’s how I feel.”
I sat on the settee and pulled her down on my lap. She winced as she sat but didn’t demur. She still wouldn’t look at me,
“Thank you for being honest.” Her head jerked round in surprise. “Why do you find that surprising?”
“You’re not angry? I thought you might beat me again?”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“I insulted you. I said you had no chavis.”
“You didn’t. You can only insult someone if they feel insulted. This chavis of yours means nothing to me so the fact that I have none bothers me not a bit. I think some cultures on Earth have a similar concept called machismo. Such people can be strong and physically brave but, more often, are simply sadistic bullies. But there’s other sorts of bravery, as I think I’ve said before. There’s emotional bravery and spiritual bravery and, I’m sure, many more. I don’t claim to be brave. I haven’t been put in a position where I’ve been really tested. Perhaps I’d come through, perhaps I’d fail. Who knows? The important lesson you have to learn is to see behind the mask: to look past the bravado and see the people’s inner worth. I hope, in time, you’ll find me worthy.”
She looked up at me. “I’m all confused. I know you’re a good man. I can feel it but…”
“But you’ve got to overcome your background.”
“How do I do that?”
“I’ve no idea. I think we spend our lives fighting our prejudices. You know, that was the first time I’ve ever hit a woman. I was brought up to believe that a man who hit a woman was scum.” I could sense her disapproval. “However, you weren't. You were brought up to accept it. That’s not your problem, it’s mine. If I want your respect I need to learn to overcome my upbringing and learn to enjoy spanking you just as you need to overcome your upbringing and learn to see me as a complete man.”
She wore a pensive frown. “I like that idea. We could learn together.”
“We could, indeed. Are you willing to do that?”
She nodded, a sly smile on her face. “I think so.”
“Then we have a deal?”
“We have a deal.”
“I think we should seal it with a kiss.”
We did. It lasted some time. We were both breathless when it finished. I reluctantly pushed her off my lap.
“Eat up and get dressed and come downstairs.”
When I returned to the dining room, everyone had gone. We found Hermes was in the control room.
“How are we doing?”
“I’m cross with you. I wanted to monitor us as we emerged from the F-point but your shenanigans with Triss made me miss it.”
“I didn’t ask you to hang around. You could have come down here.”
“What, and miss all the fun? How is she, anyway?”
“Confused.” He raised an eyebrow. “But safe.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
And I was. Whatever else was going on in her head, I knew I could trust her.
“Fair enough.”
The girl in question came running in to the control room. She was quite distraught.
“There you are. I thought I’d lost you. Where is everyone?” She noticed Hermes and stopped short. “Hermes. I… I owe you an apology. I’ve behaved badly and was rude and impolite. Will you forgive me?”
Hermes swivelled his chair round and stood. He seemed oddly formal. He put his hands on Triss’s shoulders and stood for a moment, looking down into her upturned face.
“Yes,” he said solemnly. “I forgive you.”
She released her pent-up breath. “Thank you,” she said humbly.
“To go back to my original question; how are we doing?” I said.
“Well, I’m doing fine though I can’t speak for you,” he said and winked outrageously at Triss who giggled.
“Oh, very funny.”
“We emerged from the F-point several hours ago and are inside the orbit of Uranus, heading for Saturn.”
“Why Saturn? Why not Jupiter?”
“Wrong side of the sun. I told you that on the way out.”
“Can we see it yet?”
He gave a wry smile. “We can but you won’t see much.”
“When can we see it properly?”
“In about an hour.”
“Make sure you call me.”
“What’s so special about this Satin thing?” Triss said.
“Saturn,” Hermes and I said simultaneously.
“It’s amazing,” I added. “It’s a huge gas giant with these rings that glitter and dozens of moons.”
“It’s just a planet,” Hermes said disparagingly.
“Maybe to you but I’m the only human ever to have seen it with his own eyes.”
“I know. I was teasing. It’s actually quite
an interesting planet.”
“Let’s have an official Saturn viewing.”
“If you want,” he said with a laugh. “Come back in an hour.”
“I need to find the others,” Triss said as we left. “I need to apologise to them to. Will you come with me?”
“Certainly. You may not believe it but what you’re doing is brave.”
“It is not.”
“It is. Owning up to your mistakes takes courage.”
“Oh.”
The others were in the lounge. They looked round in surprise.
“I wish to apologise,” Triss said a trifle stiffly. “I have behaved very badly. I have upset you, who have done me no harm, and I have abused Crawford’s hospitality.” She stopped and drew a deep breath. “When I thought you might all go off and leave me here it made me realise that… well… how much I valued your company. I… I can only hope you’ll forgive me.”
Lorca stood, looked at Triss for a moment then folded the younger girl into her arms. Triss burst into tears. Jarmasin and Lashak’ka joined them in a group hug.
“Am I forgiven?” Triss asked when they parted.
“Welcome back,” Lorca said and kissed her on the cheek.
I cleared my throat. “You’re all invited to a wee celebration in the control room in about an hour,” I said.
“What are we celebrating?” Jarmasin asked.
“The return of the prodigal.”
They had no idea what I was talking about.
“Wait up,” Lorca said as I turned to leave.
“So, what did he do?” I heard Lashak’ka say as the door swished shut.
I didn’t hear Triss’s reply.
In the corridor, Lorca pulled me into her arms and gave me a scorching kiss.
“Well, was I right?” she said.
“Partly?”
“Only partly?” Her tone was arch.
“You heard her. I might have been forced to do it anyway but she needed to realise she wasn't quite as self-sufficient as she thought. Our departure plans speeded things up.”
“What did you do?”
“I beat her bottom with a leather belt.”
I felt the small shudder that ran through her. I suddenly realised she found the idea of being spanked arousing. It hit me that I was turned on by the idea, too. An image of her magnificent arse raised to receive a spanking flashed across my eyes and went straight to my groin.
“I think I might keep the belt handy in case it’s needed again,” I said, looking her straight in the eye.
“Good idea,” she murmured. She pressed herself against me. Her nipples showed I was right. “You’re my man.”
“And you’re my woman.” At least temporarily, I added silently.
Flerrionna replaced Lorca in my vision. I must have reacted for she pulled away,
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” I sighed, “I’d never have believed I would enjoy hitting a woman, that’s all.”
“You still have a lot to learn, lover.”
She kissed me on the cheek and went to join the others, leaving me even more confused than ever.
Where Hermes had obtained it, I have no idea, but, when we gathered in the control room an hour later, he had a bottle of champagne. Triss made a face but didn’t demur when I handed her a glass.
“I suppose I should say something,” I said. “Um, I apologise again for involving you in my private affairs and I thank you for your support and understanding. I hope it won’t take too long to see to the cats. Also I think we should… aw, hell, I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m a bit choked at being nearly home again.”
“Understandable,” Hermes said.
He did something with the controls and Saturn, in all its glory, appeared on the screens. There were gasps from the girls and I admit I had tears in my eyes. Although we were several million million miles from Earth, it felt like home. We sipped our champagne and watched in awe as the giant planet rushed towards us and Hermes answered questions about what we were seeing. The outward flight in the steegee had seemed fast but this was almost precipitous. Just as it seemed certain we would hurtle headlong into the whirling maelstrom of the planet’s atmosphere, it swung away and the grey ball of Rhea filled the screen. The screen went dark.
“You really don’t want to see this,” Hermes said with a chuckle. “Stopping with an inertialess drive tends to be upsetting.”
“It is,” I agreed. “I nearly lost my lunch the first time and that was in a steegee going much slower than this.”
Hermes busied himself at the control panel for a moment.
“Sirs and Madams, we are now in orbit around Rhea,” Julian announced.
“What now?” Lorca asked.
I took a deep breath. “Now I need to contact Fiona, my sister. What happens then depends on what she says. Julian, can you see if I can contact her?”
“I have analysed your communication system and now have access to it,” Julian said.
“How do I make a call?”
“Use your communicator to call the number.”
“What time is it?”
“Ten thirty pm.”
“That’s Earth time?”
“Daylight Saving Time for The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as you requested.”
I looked at my watch. Amazingly it was showing the right time.
“I hope she’s still up,” I muttered as I entered Fiona’s number.
She was. To say she was surprised to hear from me would be an understatement.
“Crawford,” she squealed. “What a surprise. How are you? Where are you? Are you all right? What are you doing? Why are you calling?”
“Fiona.” I couldn’t keep the laughter out of my voice. “It’s wonderful to hear your voice but slow down. I can’t answer all these questions at once.”
“You’re okay?” Her tone was suddenly suspicious. “You’re not in any trouble.”
“I’m fine. Honestly. I’m not in any trouble, I promise you, but I need your help.”
“Where are you?”
“Not too far away.” Well, it was true, relatively speaking.
“If you’re not in any trouble, why do you need my help?”
I was aware of the Hermes’ grin.
“I’m not in trouble but I have a problem. Look…” I rushed on before she could ask more questions, “…I’m coming back for a few days. I’ll be arriving early tomorrow morning. Could you pick me up? I’ll explain everything then, I promise.”
“I suppose I could. When?”
“I’ll call you about seven and tell you where to meet me.”
“Seven?”
“I know it’s a bit early…”
“A bit early? It’s the middle of the night.”
Fiona was not an early riser.
“I could make it earlier if you prefer.” She made an unintelligible noise. “Please, Fiona. I really would appreciate it.”
“Where?”
I told her.
“You want me to meet you half way up a cart track at seven in the morning? Crawford, you’re either insane, drugged to the eyeballs or in deep, deep trouble.”
“Fee, I promise you I’m none of these things. There’s a very good reason for the time and place but I can’t tell you what it is just now. Please, please, pretty please with ribbons on will you do as I ask? Pink ribbons. And a cherry.”
She sighed loudly. “Well… I suppose… since you ask so nicely… but you’d better have a damn good story.”
“Oh, I have. I have.” Everyone was grinning now. “I have to go. Fiona, I love you madly. You’re my favourite sister. I really appreciate it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’m you’re only sister so I’d better be your favourite one. Actually, I can hardly wait, even if you’re making me get up in the middle of the night. Love you, too, Crawford. Bye.”
“Don’t say a word,” I snapped at Hermes as Fiona rung off.
“Wouldn’t
dream of it, old boy.” He was fighting to keep the grin off his face.
Lorca wasn't bothering to hide her grin though the others looked puzzled.
“I’m quite looking forward to meeting your sister,” Lorca said innocently.
“Hmph. Why do I have the impression I’ll regret it,” I said huffily.
Her grin broadened.
“I wish we could go tonight,” Lashak’ka said.
“It’s too late. I can’t ask Fiona to find us in the middle of the night. How long will it take to reach Earth, Hermes?”
“I’d allow at least three hours; maybe three and a half.”
“We want to be there just before dawn so we should probably leave about half past one.”
“It gets light that early?” Jarmasin said.
“It’s quite far north. In midwinter we get about seven or eight hours of daylight but in midsummer it’s only dark for three or four.”
Triss was nodding. “It’s the same where I live.”
“We need to get ready. Come on, girls,” Lorca said.
Chapter 25
We managed to land in the quarry. It was quite hairy for a while. The quarry wasn’t that large, at least the usable bit wasn’t. Part of one side had collapsed and there was a large pool at the foot of the resulting rock fall. Gorse, alder and birch had marched in from the open end and now occupied the other side. That left a small space towards the back. Plenty room enough for the steegee but tricky to land in. After two unsuccessful attempts by Julian, Lorca insisted on taking manual control and landed us successfully.
We stepped out into the cool of pre-dawn. It was quite a shock to find it was dark. The steegee’s vision screen had made everything as clear as day. I drew a deep breath of the air of Earth and shuddered with pleasure. I was home. I stood for a long time savouring the feeling of being on familiar soil, breathing the familiar air and hearing the familiar sounds, even if all I could see was the dark outlines of trees and bushes. A faint light began to suffuse the air and the dawn chorus started.
I Won A Spaceship Page 51