His to Command (Alien Masters Book 1)
Page 1
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Additional Books in the Alien Masters Series
More Stormy Night Books by Kallista Dane
Kallista Dane Links
His to Command
By
Kallista Dane
Copyright © 2015 by Stormy Night Publications and Kallista Dane
Copyright © 2015 by Stormy Night Publications and Kallista Dane
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published by Stormy Night Publications and Design, LLC.
www.StormyNightPublications.com
Dane, Kallista
His to Command
Cover Design by Korey Mae Johnson
Images by Jenn LeBlanc, Bigstock/Leonid Tit, and Bigstock/Johan JK
This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults.
Chapter One
2715 AD on the planet Neodyma
Night had fallen. The city lay spread out before me, like a fantasy kingdom from the Arabian Nights. A feast for the senses.
Flickering torches illuminated ancient carvings on the massive stone pillars of the Citadel, making them dance and sway. A soft breeze caressed my skin, still tingling from the unfamiliar physical contact I’d been subjected to earlier in the day. The air carried the scent of exotic night-blooming flowers adorning the grounds, unlike any found on Earth. I could hear the faint crackle of incense burning in the braziers that lined the walkway leading to the center courtyard outside the door.
It was hard to believe that such beauty could be the home of so much misery and pain.
They would be coming for me soon. Dragging me into the courtyard of the Citadel to be stripped naked in front of the crowd, tied to the wooden bench that stood ready on the platform, then publicly spanked with a wooden paddle as punishment for my crimes. And later, still bound, I’d be privately disciplined in ways I couldn’t even begin to imagine by whatever man was awarded the privilege.
It wasn’t the outcome I’d expected when I signed on for this mission.
* * *
Star Portals have existed since the beginning of time. Doorways between worlds in this galaxy—and others. They have been found on Earth at the convergence of ley lines, those invisible electromagnetic paths crisscrossing our globe. Earth’s ancestors discovered them thousands of years ago.
Flourishing ancient civilizations didn’t die out and disappear. Once again, history was wrong. The people of Atlantis, the Sumerians, the Mayans—when tragedy struck their homelands, they simply migrated through the Portals to places where fresh water flowed, crops grew abundantly, and the climate was nearly perfect.
Human beings descended from our common ancestors have been living on a trio of planets thousands of light years away. Islands of stability in the universe, with vast quantities of precious metals and rare minerals.
Iridia. Gadolinium. And the blue planet, Neodyma.
* * *
“Neodyma, Sir?” AJ sounded puzzled. “Isn’t that the planet where people refuse to accept modern technology? I thought it was populated by a handful of rough savages.”
“Compared to us, they are,” Admiral Stevens replied. “And I fear the behaviors you’ll witness there will shock you. But we need your unique talents on Neodyma, Commander Norris.”
AJ tried to imagine what sort of behaviors the stern-faced admiral would deem shocking. Gladiators fighting to the death for the amusement of the citizens, as in ancient Rome? Human sacrifice? Her face reflected none of her wild thoughts. True to her military training, she stood there, her back ramrod straight, waiting for him to continue.
Stevens folded his arms behind his back and gazed out the wall of glass in his office. Situated on the 321st floor, it offered a dizzying panorama of all of East Metropolis.
“It seems a band of outlaws has taken over an ancient fortress in the Outlands of Neodyma, deep in the Crystal Mountains. Their charismatic leader, General Tok, is recruiting young women to come to Petra, claiming they can escape their dull lives and be loved, even worshipped, as women once were. But according to sketchy reports we’ve gotten in, once she arrives, the unlucky female becomes a sex slave, forced to submit in every way to whichever man is rich enough to buy her or powerful enough to win her in battle.”
Sex slaves? No wonder the admiral called the behavior shocking. AJ had never met any humans who actually engaged in sex with each other. Physical forms of intimacy disappeared long ago on Earth, replaced by electro-holographic stimulation, performed either alone or in group settings. Modern technology guaranteed a satisfying climax every time, without any of the distracting emotional trauma early humans had to endure in their quest to feed their ceaseless sexual hungers.
Long ago, science learned to suppress the body’s production of estrogen and testosterone through regular, minimal doses of synthetic hormones. The primitive erotic cravings that led men and women to behave rashly disappeared, as did the threat of unwanted pregnancy.
AJ had her own holographic partner, an attractive, muscular male she designed. Her image of the perfect man, he came complete with an ultrasonic wand sized to bring her to orgasm swiftly and efficiently. But she’d learned about the ancient practice of sexual intercourse between humans. It sounded like a messy and uncomfortable way to handle procreation. She considered herself lucky to live in modern times.
One day, far in the future, she’d be assigned a life partner based on shared goals. Her marriage contract would include a timetable to achieve them. If they chose to procreate, she and her mate would design and conceive the child artificially, in a sterile lab, where the infant would spend its first months of life closely monitored by the latest equipment. After two years, they’d be presented with a healthy toddler free of genetic defects—a far better system than leaving a child’s fate to the old-fashioned rolling of DNA-laden dice known as intercourse.
With a start, AJ realized Stevens was still talking. She put aside the images her imagination had conjured up and forced herself to pay attention.
* * *
Stevens began pacing along the glass wall, staring down through artificial clouds at the bustling city below.
“Keeping order on these distant outposts is an on-going problem. Frankly, Commander, the Interstellar Federation isn’t concerned about some cult indulging in obsolete sexual practices in the mountains on a faraway planet. Rumor has it that this rogue band is mining vast quantities of rare minerals and selling them to planets outside our Federation. With them, terrorists hold the key to building superweapons capable of taking the entire universe hostage.”
With a sigh, he turned and met AJ’s eyes.
“We’ve already sent out one undercover team. But as you know, modern communication devices can’t survive the bombardment of electromagnetic forces unleashed in the Portal. We’re limited to receiving live reports from our scouts or antiquated devices like sheets of paper bearing written words. There’s been no word from the team for three months. The Minister fears they’ve been captured or killed. Frankly, I’m inclined to agree with him.”
He paused, sizing up the slender wo
man in front of him. Shoulders back, head held high, she stood strong and proud in her dress whites. She wore her chestnut hair longer than most. However, per regulations, it was drawn back into a severe knot at the back of her head. Wide amber eyes regarded him steadily, displaying no hint of emotion.
“Command Central has decided that rather than risk the lives of another full team, this time they’ll send in a single spy. A female, more likely to be kept alive, if the rumors of sex slavery are true. Because of the danger, we’re reluctant to order anyone to take on this mission. So, Commander Norris—we’d like you to volunteer.”
She didn’t disappoint him. “Certainly, sir. It is an honor to be of service to the Interstellar Federation.”
“We’ve prepared a cover story for you. Although you’re average in height here on Earth, women on Neodyma do not grow to six feet tall. There’s no chance of disguising yourself as a local wanting to join his cult. Instead, you’ll pose as a reporter eager to score the first intergalactic interview with General Tok. Appeal to his vanity. You’re going to make him a superstar, bring his amazing new concept in social structure to the entire galaxy. Assure him that women everywhere will want to know how they too can be worshipped as goddesses.”
His expression grew somber. “But your real mission is to get as much information as you can about what’s going on in General Tok’s mountain fortress—and then get back here alive to tell us.”
* * *
She’d been on Neodyma for three weeks now. The assignment started out well. Although she’d been warned about the effect the Star Portal would have on her body, she ignored the advice to take a few days to recover and immediately set out to find a way to get to Petra.
Shortly after she crossed through the Portal, AJ hooked up with a caravan traveling one of the trade routes from Alexandria on the coast across the mountains to Olympia. They welcomed her eagerly. Not only did she offer a large fee for her passage, she also provided a continual source of entertainment, telling stories of life on Earth around the campfire at night.
Before leaving Earth, she’d been fitted with a Tellex chip that rendered her fluent in any language after five or six hours of exposure to it. With it, her brain made the shift seamlessly from one language to the next. She could regale her diverse audience with tales in Sumerian, Aramaic or any one of a dozen other obscure dialects spoken here that had long ago died out back home.
AJ found the scenery fascinating. She knew modern inventions were forbidden, but she hadn’t realized just how different things would be on Neodyma. The villages and towns were frozen in time, perfect replicas of what daily life had been like in the civilizations from which they came. When they traveled through the Portals, the settlers brought camels and goats, sheep and cows, seeds for growing corn and rice and wheat. But they tilled their fields with teams of oxen and moved trade goods by camel across desert and mountain or by ships sailing across the vast Sea of Atlantis.
As a consequence, the environment was pristine. Earth had long ago surrendered the name of Blue Planet to Neodyma. No carbon emissions here meant no air pollution. With no sludge from coal processing, no oil spills, oceans and rivers flowed sparkling and clear. Endless forests teemed with wild game. The sky an incredible shade of blue, reflecting the huge deposits of azurite that rose up to create the range of mountains that split its land mass in half. The jagged crystal peaks thrusting into the sky looked like giant glaciers advancing into the fertile green fields.
AJ spent seventeen days traveling across the planet with the caravan, the longest time she’d ever spent outside of an artificial environment. She thought Neodyma was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen.
* * *
The puppy did her in.
Had it not bolted, the little girl would never have been in danger. And AJ was certain she’d have completed her initial reconnaissance mission without a hitch.
It was to be a quick trip. Two merchants from the caravan had been to the market in Petra a year ago. For a hefty bonus, they agreed to let her tag along when they headed for the city. Young and impetuous, they suffered from the raging, unregulated testosterone she’d learned about that made them foolhardy in their eagerness for adventure and excitement, as well as sexual thrills. She thought that might be why they were the only ones willing to risk taking a woman in disguise into the heart of the city.
Josiah, the grizzled old Bedouin trader who led the caravan, pulled her aside, trying to talk some sense into her.
“Do you understand how dangerous this is?”
She reached out to put a hand on his arm. While on their journey, she’d seen that, as most of the inhabitants of Neodyma, his people still engaged in physical contact, sometimes using it when they wanted to emphasize a point during a conversation. “I do, Josiah. And I thank you for your concern. But I am trained in the art of self-defense.”
Josiah shook his head. “Petra was founded over two thousand years ago by immigrants from Earth. Tok and his men took over the city. He bought off or drove out the previous inhabitants; no one is quite sure which. Then he moved in with his band of soldiers and a crew of miners recruited from some of the roughest men on Neodyma. He keeps them in line with the promise that their service will be rewarded not only with great wealth but also with unlimited access to beautiful young women eager to serve them in every way. They say all the women there are his slaves.”
“That’s why I must go, Josiah. If there are young women in Petra being held against their will, I need to bring this story to the attention of the Interstellar Federation.”
The old man tried again, his eyes dark with worry.
“None of the men in the city will speak freely with strangers. The only place in Petra we are allowed to go is the central market, to buy and sell our goods. Foreigners are not allowed to remain in the city overnight. And females from our caravan are forbidden to set foot anywhere in the city, not even in the market. Women who live in Petra rarely appear out in public. No one I know has ever spoken to one of them. I cannot vouch for your safety if you go.”
“I understand the risks, Josiah. But this is my job.”
The old Bedouin sighed and laid a hand on her head, murmuring what she thought was a blessing. Another arcane concept she’d learned about in preparation for this journey.
Josiah provided her with a striped wool djellabah like the one her traveling companions wore. Similar to a caftan, it covered the wearer’s body from head to toe. Everyone on Neodyma recognized the djellabah as the uniform of a Bedouin merchant. It provided protection from the heat of the sun during the day and the chill winds that might spring up at night. She tossed a flap on the front over her shoulder to cover her nose and mouth and pulled the hood up around her face, leaving only her golden eyes peeking out.
A guard stopped them at the entrance to the city. Mohzan, one of AJ’s companions, opened the bags strapped to the camel they were leading, showing their trade goods—black sea salt gathered on the shores of the island of Namuba and rare spices grown along Alexandria’s tropical coast. The guard nodded, motioning them to proceed.
A long, narrow passageway wound through the cliffs ahead. Before arriving on Neodyma, AJ learned that Tok chose this site because, like the city it was named for, Petra could only be accessed through this mile long canyon protected by towering six-hundred-foot high cliffs on either side. Easy for guards stationed above to pick off any intruders long before they reached the heart of the city.
Mesmerized, AJ couldn’t help reaching out to touch the smooth polished walls of azurite in the canyon. Undulating bands of sapphire, cobalt, and aquamarine towered over her in a dazzling display, the colors flowing into each other to create new shades she didn’t even have names for.
The canyon walls were so beautiful, she was anxious to see the city itself. She’d seen photographs of the magnificent ruins of Petra on Earth. According to her research, the newcomers built this city as a replica of the one they left behind. Except these stone dwellings were ca
rved from mountains made up of layers of azurite, a mineral ranging in color from the lightest shade of crystal blue, nearly transparent, to a rich indigo.
They had been instructed to proceed single file through the passage. Mohzan went first, followed by AJ, then Abram leading the camel. AJ’s neck prickled and though she was careful not to look up, she knew they were being watched every step of the way.
After about half a mile, the passageway suddenly opened onto a wide central square, flanked by enormous buildings carved into the living rock. Small lanes here and there led to other buildings on side streets. Abram headed down one of the lanes, set up as an outdoor market.
AJ towered over the majority of the people in the market, including her companions. Tall enough to see over the heads of most of them.
That’s how it happened. They wandered up and down the crowded aisles, past tables covered with exotic fruit and pottery, metal tools and beautifully woven rugs. Customers jammed the market. AJ noted that very few of them were female. The women walked behind their men, swathed head to toe in shapeless dark garments, heads down, careful not to make eye contact with anyone. The men on the other hand wore all types of dress, from djellabahs to Greek togas to loincloths covered with cloaks made of animal skins she couldn’t identify. She felt like she’d stepped into one of the holographic museum displays of ancient times back on Earth.
One woman had two children with her, one on each side. The boy, about six or seven, wore leather sandals, loose white trousers and a multicolored sleeveless vest, reminding AJ of a young Aladdin. The lad chattered nonstop, touching all the sharp knives for sale, begging for a cluster of sweet dates from one stall or a clay whistle from another. His weary mother pulled him along, trying desperately to keep up with the male figure striding along ahead of them who sent angry glances her way every time he had to slow down to wait for them.