“Nanotechnology? In your fingers?” I ask.
“Throughout our entire bodies,” Briette clarifies. “All of our people have them. They serve a nearly infinite number of functions. Transmitting information, regulating bodily functions, communicating with computers and machines… So much more.”
“Most important, they arrest our aging process,” adds Kest. “They make us practically immortal. It’s the technology that has allowed us to dominate the galaxy for eons.”
Wow.
Immortal? Can it be true?
“I can’t believe you’ve been speaking English with her this whole time,” says Briette.
Kest shrugs. “I’ve gotten used to it.”
“You haven’t given her any nanites?” she asks, glancing at me with pity.
“Maybe I don’t want any,” I say, wanting to smack her pretty blue face. “Why would I want machines inside me?”
“They come in handy,” says Kest. The telerings suddenly move, forcing me to turn in a full circle.
I growl, angry at being toyed with.
“Think about it, pet,” he says. “I can’t give you nanites able to do everything, but they’d teach you our language instantly, among other things.”
“I’ll pass,” I growl. “Stay out of my head.”
Briette laughs. “Are all humans as smart as this one?”
“No,” says Kest. “Haley’s exceptional in many, many ways.”
“Then she’s a good choice.” Briette winks at me. “Come, let’s not keep the Council waiting.”
The Council?
Kest nods, his expression souring. He allows the telerings binding my wrists to widen apart, easing the strain on my body, but he doesn’t free me entirely. “Haley, I expect you to be silent while I give my report. I can’t even begin to express how important this meeting is, and how many lives count on it. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” I say, appreciating the seriousness and enormity of his warning.
Briette leads us through the station toward a tram. At first I feel a downward momentum, but after a time it changes, and I realize we’re moving laterally. The transition was so smooth, I barely felt it. A holographic display shows us our position on the Dominus, and from it I sort out where we are and where we’re going. Despite the station’s immense size, we’re apparently moving very, very quickly. Along the way, Kest gives me a short briefing on the Council, and how it offers representation to Dominars throughout the galaxy’s many regions.
Soon we reach the station’s central orb, and exit the tram into a small anteroom. Lined with cream-colored couches that look as comfortable as they are modern, the room is empty save for a series of displays. Briette rushes us past them, taking us straight to our destination: the Council chamber.
Shaped like a massive bowl, the chamber has seating for thousands. Surrounding a central podium in concentric rings, the seats span the color spectrum. However, right now only a small fraction of them are filled: a single group, located at the front of the podium in a specially separated section.
I count eighteen individuals as we get close; composed of both men and women, they’re all as perfect as Kest and Briette. Their dress would make Earth fashionistas collapse in pure bliss; impossibly chic, flattering, and unique, they look like a royal procession, from kings and queens to sultans and emperors. They watch us approach with an intensity that makes my bones tingle; there’s a disdain on their pursed lips, like they’ve been greatly inconvenienced by this whole ordeal.
Hey, at least you’re not prisoners.
Kest presses his finger to a panel on the podium; the Council members do the same. Lord knows how much knowledge has just passed between them, but it seems significant.
“Esteemed Councilors, thank you for answering my call for an emergency convention,” Kest begins in English. “I assure you, I would not have made the request were the need not immediate.”
“We understand,” says one of the Council members, a woman with bright pink coloring, from her skin to her short ombre hair.
“I thank you for speaking in Earth’s most common language, for the sake of our specimen,” Kest continues, indicating me. “We both appreciate the gesture.”
I nod deferentially, remaining quiet despite my repulsion at being called a specimen. Even Chadwick Thorpe’s attempt on my life was less insulting.
“I come before you today, far ahead of my scheduled return, with unfortunate findings. The planet Earth is on the verge of collapse. Environmental degradation, political instability, and social strife have all reached dangerous, unprecedented levels. I nearly ended my mission decades sooner, during a period of global conflict in which nuclear armaments were used, but the species recovered. However, I now fear the relative peace is coming to an end, and this time it will not return. Should the situation go unchecked much longer, I fear a total loss in our investment.”
Investment?
Is that how the Dominars see Earth, or is he referring to something else?
“What about the Conra Filter?” asks another Council member. “Have you calculated their chances of passing through?”
Kest nods. “I have,” he replies, voice grave. “It’s now less than twenty percent. I kept hoping for a reversal, but it’s declined steadily throughout the past half-century. And it was only fifty-five percent at its zenith.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about, but whatever it is, it can’t be good: the Council members shake their heads, scowling and blanching at the news.
Kest waits for them to process his findings, then concludes, “For this reason, I recommend an immediate planetary intervention, to guide Earth through its turbulent times and set it on a course for prolonged stability.”
The Council members turn inward, speaking among themselves.
Kest turns to me and flashes me a weak smile. “Speaking personally,” he continues after they quiet down. “I enjoyed much of my time on Earth, and would like to see it saved. It is my belief, and hope, that it can be accomplished with minimal human bloodshed.”
As soon as he says it, my stomach lurches, threatening to spill. Following his report has taken so much concentration that I never considered what ‘intervention’ would really mean, but now it clicks.
They’re talking about an invasion.
Chapter Seven
“Hey!” I shout, glaring at Kest. “You can’t invade Earth! It’s not your world, you have no right!”
Kest returns my stare, shooting daggers back at me, but he doesn’t interrupt.
“If Earth is really in trouble, tell us how to fix it!” I argue. “Taking it over is just wrong.”
The pink Council member looks at me, then turns to Kest. “Tell us about your specimen,” she says. “Is it brave or just stupid?”
It?
The telerings pull my wrists outward, holding my arms straight and level, and my ankles spread slightly. Kest gathers my hair in one fist and pulls it back. I seethe in his grip, but am helpless to fight against my restraints.
“She’s hardly stupid, Councilor. But it’s possible she’s too brave for her own good. When I met her hardly a day ago, she was running from agents who intended to execute her. Apparently, she had crossed a very powerful man. I took her with me because I didn’t want to come before you without a specimen, and if I’d left her, she’d now be dead. This has been a lot for her to process.”
“Interesting,” the councilor says.
“From what I have seen so far, this specimen, known as Haley Feyn, is an outlier among her species in both intelligence and courage.” His hands travel down to my hips and then up my stomach, rising to cup my breasts from below. “Her physical attributes are also quite pleasant, as you can see.”
I want to spit and curse, but the way Kest’s hands toy with my body make me groan blissfully. The watchful eyes of the Council burn into me, observing my every reaction. I feel like I’m being studied, and for some reason it’s scrambling my circuits. When I dare to open my eyes, th
e Council is indeed watching, men and women both, with great interest.
“She’s a lot shorter than optimal,” one of the males points out. “But their facial symmetry has more than reached standards.”
“Indeed, their race is capable of extraordinary beauty,” Kest agrees. “This one was not a model on her world, but she is certainly beautiful. She hasn’t received any cosmetic surgical augmentation that I can detect, and has not benefited from nanite therapy. This is an all-natural human.”
The pink councilor chuckles softly. “You sound rather smitten, Agent Kest.”
“I am,” he replies, not hesitating a moment. “In fact, I’d like to claim her.”
“A claim? No. We need her for testing,” says another Council member, a female with deep purple skin and platinum hair reaching down to her waist.
“I will make her available for testing, but I would claim her nevertheless,” Kest responds, squeezing my shoulders. I should be nervous about what they mean by testing, but I’m too lost in his touch to think. “In fact, it would be our pleasure to administer whatever tests you require. Isn’t that right, pet?” he asks, unbuttoning my blouse and revealing my plain white bra. The telerings raise my arms so Kest can easily remove both garments, leaving me topless and on display for the aliens.
Oh God oh God oh God!
“Yes, sir,” I mumble, panting deeply. Maybe I’m an idiot, but trusting Kest comes easily. I don’t think he’d make a point of ‘claiming’ me, only to subject me to tests that would cause harm.
“Very well,” says the pink councilor. “We can grant your claim. But, your human has breached Council etiquette with her outburst. We assume you warned her in advance not to interrupt, meaning a proper punishment is now warranted. Discipline her for us now, Agent Kest, and if her response meets our expectations, we shall certify your claim.”
The other councilors nod in agreement, eyeing me with interest. I blush, humiliated by the lust in their eyes.
Kest stands up straight and nods. “With pleasure, Councilor.”
I moan, hardly believing what’s happening. The telerings pull my ankles back together, planting my feet firmly, and then the collar around my neck pulls downward, forcing me to bend over. As this happens, Kest slowly draws down my skirt and panties, revealing my ass to everyone in attendance and stripping me completely.
Shock and disbelief inject me with adrenaline; my heart races in my chest. When Kest runs his hands over my bare bottom, the sound that comes out of me is throaty and raw. It turns into a shriek very suddenly, as Kest spreads my cheeks and examines me. Sweat runs from my temples as my face burns, mortified by the alien’s treatment.
“You… bastard,” I mumble, thrashing against my bonds, but to no avail.
“I warned you not to interrupt the meeting, Haley,” Kest replies, stern and regretful, like a teacher who just flunked his student. “Ready, pet?”
“Yes… sir,” I say, chest heaving in anticipation.
He slaps my ass softly with an open palm, though I yelp anyway, wriggling in my bonds. The next smack is harder, and the meaty sound echoes a little through the chamber. I force myself to breathe steadily, attempting to hide the pain coursing through me with each successive spank. I try not to scream or shout too loudly, but I don’t let myself be silent either, lest the Council or Kest not think I’m being adequately disciplined.
Kest works my cheeks one at a time, and it doesn’t take long before they burn savagely. The councilors laugh quietly as my resilience begins to break and I howl openly in pain. My legs wobble in place, and if not for the telerings, I might not be able to stand.
When Kest pauses, my body tenses with an unbidden need for release; even though the Council is watching, I wish he might finger me until I come. Instead, he resumes the spanking, with slow, deliberate slaps that send pain shooting throughout my body. My arousal fades in an instant, replaced by the torment of throbbing welts and bruises.
“How do you feel, pet?” Kest asks, again pausing from the barrage.
“Please,” I gasp. “I’m sorry… Please have mercy.”
“You want me to stop?”
I hate to appear weak with all the aliens watching me, but I can’t take any more.
“Agent Kest,” says the pink councilor.
We both turn to look; in her hand is a keera stick with intricate, metallic designs. She tosses it to Kest.
“You came prepared, Councilor,” he says, winking at the woman.
Her lips lift in the barest of grins, and only for a moment, but we both see it. “Continue,” she says.
“Yes, Councilor.” Kest steps around in front of me, so I can see him. He holds the keera stick aloft, and it drifts out of his palm and over my head. Slipping his hands behind his back, Kest’s gaze drills into me. Then I feel it: a sharp smack from the stick. I howl, stunned by the acute, sudden pain.
Groaning, I manage to put together what I’m seeing and feeling: Kest hasn’t moved a muscle, and yet I just got caned. This stick must use the same materials as the telerings, allowing it to move seemingly of its own volition.
Of course, without a hand to grip the stick, its range of motion is much less inhibited. Sure enough, it begins to strike my throbbing rear, rotating back and forth on an imaginary axis. I try moving my hips to dodge the stick, but Kest’s aim is impossible to fool, causing me to scream in frustration as much as the pain.
“Stop trying to avoid your punishment, human,” he scolds. “You’re making this harder on yourself, not me.”
He’s right, which only makes me angrier.
With each half-swing, the stick punishes one cheek or the other. It even lifts and lowers, making sure to paint every inch of my flesh with harsh smacks. Maybe I’ve been hardened by the previous spankings and caning, but I maintain my composure much better than I expect, holding back my tears. My cries in pain are still plenty loud, ringing throughout the vast chamber, but I know I can endure it, and that I’ll be okay afterward. Kest might be strict and exacting, but he’s not needlessly cruel. This thought gives me an ounce of comfort until the harsh caning finally stops.
When he finishes, Kest opens a palm to collect the floating stick. As he sets it down on the chamber floor, the room is so quiet I can hear it tap lightly on the hard surface. My bottom smolders like molten steel. I’m actually glad I can’t move, because if I could, I’m sure it would compound my pain even worse
“Apologize to the Council, pet,” says Kest. He steps back around me and traces his fingers over my punished cheeks. The slight contact feels like electric pinpricks, causing me to whine and cry out with every touch.
“I…”
My mouth opens, but I can’t get it to do anything more. Rage and bliss swirl through my body; sexually frustrated and humiliated, I want to erupt in tears, but I refuse to let them see such a display. More important, I don’t want them to know about the desire that’s grown within my warming core. I can’t deny it much longer—I can always feel it. Sometimes the pain overwhelms the odd sensation, but I’m sure it’s still there.
“We’re waiting,” Kest grunts, giving my ass another quick spank. Tendrils of pain curl through my cheek.
“I… I’m sorry,” I mumble, a single tear rolling off my cheek.
“For?”
“I’m sorry… for… interrupting.”
Kest sighs, drawing a single finger across my swollen pussy. The touch kicks off an avalanche of needful spasms. All I can think about is him, and what will get him to satisfy my desires.
“What about the things you said?” he asks.
“Huh?”
“You defied me—us—in regard to invading Earth. Are you sorry for that?”
Oh, God. Earth.
It feels so far away, even though I’ve only been gone a bit more than a day. Yet, it’s still my home.
“No.” I clear my voice, then repeat it. “No. I’m not sorry for that.” I don’t care what Kest will do to me, it’s the truth.
“Your
honesty is appreciated, Haley,” says Kest. “But we’re going to have to work on your attitude.” He holds out a hand for the keera stick, but it doesn’t come; instead, it floats back to the pink councilor.
“That’s enough, Agent Kest. You may conclude your specimen’s punishment in private.”
“Yes, Councilor,” he replies, bowing his head.
“Please, tend to her while we discuss the matter of Earth.”
Kest helps me get dressed, then takes a seat. He directs the telerings to lay me down on his lap; though I’m not pleased about the degrading way my ass sticks out in the air, I imagine it’s better than trying to sit on it right now. The welts still burn; even the light brush of my panties keeps the fire going. The only thing that keeps me from mewling in agony is the bigger distraction coming from my pussy, which still aches for Kest’s powerful cock. Lying across his lap, I can feel it straining against the fabric of his suit. He’s no doubt just as eager to finish what he started.
After a few minutes of whispered conversation, the Council quiets. Kest taps my shoulder, helping to lift me to my feet, rather than using the telerings.
“Thank you for your preliminary report, Agent Kest,” says the pink Council member. “Though many of us were moved to action by your presentation, we did not reach a unanimous decision. If Earth is no longer viable at this stage of growth, then not all of us are convinced it’s worth saving. We have plenty of other worlds to oversee, as you know.”
“I understand, Councilor,” Kest says, though the disappointment on his face is unmistakable.
“The value of Earth, versus its projected viability, is also too unclear to be determined by the emergency body,” the councilor continues. “It will require thorough study and analysis. Therefore, it is our decision to put the matter to a full Council vote, which will be held six weeks from now. In the interim, intervention plans shall be prepared, should the vote decide in favor of taking action to preserve humanity.”
Kest nods politely. “Of course. Thank you, Councilors. I am certain that between my reports and an examination of my specimen, you will be convinced that full intervention is the only way.”
His Human Captive Page 5