by Jay Toney
Chapter 19
The next morning I had my crewmen packing our belongings, for the move back to my cabin. The packing included most of Amber's personal items, and all of her newly purchased clothing. We arrived back at Revenge and went to my cabin. The maintenance chief was there waiting for me to sign off on his work. True to his word everything looked great. I gladly signed off on his work and paid him.
The Vargus still needed a few more days work before it would be ready. Randolph assured me that he and Kim would have the software integrated with the Vargus's weapons automation ready on time.
The bathtub was more like a hot tub with room for about 10 people. It was nearly full of hot water, when the girls walked into our cabin. I slipped into the bath, luxuriating in the hot water and bubbles, while the girls started putting away their clothing. Natasha noticed the top of my head sinking below the bubbles. "Cappy is drowning!" she yelled, diving into the water to rescue me. Tanya and Amber stood there watching and laughing, while Natasha, still wearing her dress, tried to pull me from the hot water. After realizing that I was in no danger of drowning, she joined in the laughter and undressed. Tanya and Amber also removed their clothing and joined us, in the bath.
Tanya, Amber, and Natasha splashed each other mercilessly while giggling. The hot water soothed the tension in my muscles, relaxing me. I drifted off into sleep. I hardly noticed the water lapping at my chest, as I slowly slipped below the surface. I woke as soon as l was submerged. Instead of going immediately to the surface, I decided to see what the view was like from down here. Between the black stone and the weak light diffused from the bubbles, I could hardly see anything.
Suddenly I was pulled from the water by Natasha. I feigned unconsciousness while the girls lowered me gently to the floor. Doc burst in having been summoned for a medical emergency. He was in time to see Tanya giving me mouth to mouth resuscitation. I would have probably gotten away with it, if I didn't slip her a little tongue while she was trying to save my life.
Tanya rewarded me with a slap across my left cheek yelling, "Nathaniel, you beast!" Doc busted out laughing, "Nathaniel will you ever learn? l'm afraid your beyond my help." He left me to suffer my fate, with three angry women.
At first the girls were furious, then realizing that I really did fall asleep and slip under the water. They became sympathetic, then apologetic trying to make it up to me. Amber asked, "Nathaniel, If you woke when you slipped underwater, why didn't you come up right away?"
Embarrassed, I answered, "The view, I wanted to sneak a peek."
"Why? You can look anytime."
"Its not the same. I get excited thinking about the possibility of being caught, while doing something risky."
"Did you like what you saw?"
"It was to dark to see very well. I have a good imagination, thinking about what I might see underwater, without your knowing about it, was kind of fun and exciting."
"We are going to have ourselves a little fun. Tanya, and Natty tie him to the bed, and blindfold him.
I laid spread eagle on the bed without resisting while Tanya and Natasha tied me in place using Amber's scarves. Then Amber blindfolded me with one of her scarves. Never having done anything like this before, willingly anyhow, I didn't know what to expect. It was very exciting. For a while there was nothing but the sound of my ladies whispering and giggling. Then their tickling started, I tried to twist and squirm, but I couldn't move, being tied in place. Then the tickling was mixed with other pleasurable sensations. "It was going to be a long joyous night for de Tomcat."
The girls awoke before me and had already showered and were selecting their outfits, when I finally got up. Seeing me, they told me they were sorry that I missed showering with them. Natasha said, "l had fun showering with Tanya and Amber, we were naughty."
Amber asked, "Did you enjoy last night?" All three girls started giggling.
"l found it to be very erotic."
I stepped into the shower, and put on a show for the trio while they stood there watching and giggling. Amber went through my wardrobe saying, "We really need to get you some more clothes. I can't imagine who does your shopping." She selected an old pair of well worn jeans, that I had forgotten I still had, and my lizard skin vest. "These will have to do she said handing them to me."
They finished dressing, Tanya and Natasha wearing pink dresses, tails and ears. Amber selected her sheer pink harem pants, showing her legs from bottom to top. She also put on the matching bikini top. All three ladies belted on blasters, and Natasha added her energy lance to her belt. Gorgeous and lethal, I thought. I put on my outfit selecting brown hiking boots, and belted on my blaster and sword. The girls scrutinized my looks, they unbuttoned and opened my vest, before Amber said, "It will have to do."
We walked into the galley, still early for the meeting. Doc was there finishing his breakfast. "l expect none of you have eaten yet, so I made plenty for all of you. There was a selection of eggs, toast, potatoes, pastries and fresh coffee. "Dig on in." Amber, Tanya, and I, served ourselves and sat with Doc. He eyed me inquisitively and asked, "A knew look? I see Amber is dressing you now." Before I could say anything Doc continued, "I see you survived last night. I hope you learned your lesson."
"Doc, de Tomcat came out on top. I had a very enjoyable and exciting evening, aside from nearly drowning in my own bathtub."
"l guess you didn't."
"Doc, can you stay for the meeting? You have a lot more experience dealing with other rogues and mercenaries."
"I'll stay. Do you remember the golden rule Nathaniel?"
"Sure Doc, do unto others as you wold have them do onto you."
"Excepting Amber, that doesn't usually work out here, in the border worlds. The further away you get from the Alliance, the worse it gets, becoming the lawless sector. People tend to work alone or in small tight knit groups. A better philosophy would be, do unto others before they do unto you."
Chapter 20
Amber was right, I needed to rethink my clothing. I just barely fit in. The men before me were mercenaries, and looked the part. My only saving grace was that the ladies proved to be a welcome distraction. All eyes were on them instead of me.
The meeting started.
"Red what makes this newbie qualified to be our commander?" one of the captains asked.
"He's done more to get rid of the scum, that is the Crimson Tide, than any of you. He has taken out two corvettes, two frigates, and captured one of their freighters."
"l saw how he took off from the landing field and took out those two frigates," another captain said, "Even if they had their shields up in time, they wouldn't have lasted long with the way he was blasting them apart. Either he's crazy, or he's one hot pilot."
"Yeah, heard how he busted nearly every window in town with that take off," another laughed.
Still another recalled, "l saw how one of his lady friends took on three of the gang. She left them dead in the street, without so much as breaking a sweat. They still had their blasters in their hands when the bodies were picked up."
Red joked, "He also took out a bunch of those scumbags on the tarmac. Heard they had clean up what was left of them with a bucket and sponge."
The group all laughed at that.
"Will he fighting with us, or stay safe in arrears, like our last commander?" another asked.
I answered that one, "No Dread Pirate Roberts, has ever backed out of a fight, fair or
otherwise. We lead by example, never allowing others to fend for us."
Silence filled the room, undoubtedly some have heard that name before.
"Who's going to be your second?" asked one of the group.
"Red," I responded,
unless you have someone more qualified?"
"Then its agreed!" They said clapping.
"The next order of business is determining their probable fleet strength. Do any of you know what types of starships we may will be facing?"
They all talked amongst themselves comparing information to come up with a possible fleet size. Most of the their fleet consisted of bulk freighters which they used for looting their victims. They wouldn't be a part of the battle and were of no concern. They also had a cruiser. It was newer and more modern than mine which meant it had lighter armor, but better weapons. We could also be facing up to four destroyers, and at least one frigate that I already knew about.
"We have a few advantages," l explained to the group, "We have the Lucy and Vargus, modified into gun ships. Anyone getting too close to them will find themselves in a lot of trouble with all those guns. We also have the element of surprise. We will be bringing the battle to them, they won't be expecting that. So far they have been the hunter, now they will be the prey. They also don't know that they will be facing a fleet this time. So far they have faced me alone, in every prior encounter. They expect a quick and easy kill, which I'm not going to give them. Lastly they fear me, and the legacy that is my namesake."
A few nodded appreciatively. Red said, "l told you he was smart."
"The Crimson Tide will have to gather their fleet, and start searching the systems surrounding Nueva Zelanda. That is the last system they know I visited. They no longer, have any intelligence about my current location, so they will have to start their search from there. This time though, they won't make the mistake of sending a small task force. They will amass a fleet. So, we have some time on our side, as we have already begun preparations for our attack."
"Nathaniel is right," Doc asserted. "I've lived by the motto, do unto others before they do unto you, and it has served me well, all this time."
"Who are you?" asked one of the assembled captains.
"l am the previous Dread Pirate Roberts, and I've plundered the border worlds for over 50 years," he boasted gaining their respect.
I continued, "We have two destroyers inbound. They should be in system anytime. We will give them a few days to resupply and take some leave, then we attack. All booty will be brought here, counted and inventoried then divided equally, amongst every captain." The group burst out in applause and cheers.
Red stayed behind, after the meeting broke up. "Nathaniel, I expect you to keep my sister looking proper. Not looking like one of her working girls, strutting around naked." he said, showing me a video clip with Amber walking alongside Tanya and Natty. She looked nearly naked wearing bunny ears and a tail and little else.
Amber chastised Red, "You are my brother, and I love you dearly, but I am not going to continue looking prim and proper, wearing jump suits, to keep me covered. I am going to dress how I want, when I want, If I dress at all. It makes me feel sexy when I dress like that."
A look of shock came over Red. "Amber, you've never spoken to me like that before."
"Sorry Red, she's been hopelessly corrupted by Tanya and Natasha."
Amber removed her outfit in front of her brother saying loud clear enough to be heard by everyone still present, "Come on Cappy, we have much to discuss." Amber took me by my hand and led the way back to our cabin.
Natasha removed her dress and said, "I want to get naked too." Then hurried to catch up to us. Amber didn't need to say anything. I knew she felt victorious standing up to her brother. She was excited from her demonstration. She didn't say a word letting her body do all the talking, as she pulled the Tanya an I onto the bed with her.
"Don't forget me!" Natasha said rushing into the cabin and jumping onto the bed with us.
Chapter 21
We departed San Paulos' space station. Our fleet heading out system, away from the effects of gravity, where we would be able to safely jump to hyperspace. Amber docked with us as soon as we were clear of the station. True to her words, she was not going to let me leave her behind regardless of the danger we faced. She would rather face a superior enemy than be left behind, in safety, worrying about the fate of her friends.
For a change everyone was on the bridge, at their stations. Tanya and Natasha were wearing gold dresses today, still wearing their bunny ears and tails. Amber joined us dressed in a white baby doll. I thanked the creator that Red wasn't here to see her dressed like this. Kim joined Randolph at his station. She looked every bit like the geek that she was, spoiling my inspiration. Mental note... I thought, have the girls do something with Kim. I don't care if they cover her up or uncover her, she was spoiling the view, and in need of a complete makeover. I would sneak a look at Amber, Tanya, and Natasha fantasizing about them, then I would catch a glimpse of Kim and have all my dreams instantly vanish.
When we were clear of gravitational effects, Natasha linked with the ships of our small fleet, for a synchronized jump. "Natty," I said, "Engage the hyperdrive." In hyperspace there isn't anything to see, and not much to do but wait. I've looked through unshielded view ports into the nothingness that is hyperspace. There is literally nothing to see, everything looks pure white. There was an absence of any color, even of darkness. At one time, it was said that if you stared out into the vastness of hyperspace you would go mad. I only got bored with nothing to see. Jump time would take longer with the slower moving freighters and support craft. We had to slow our ships to match the speed of our slowest vessels.
Tanya and Natty entertained themselves doing their bunny hop routine. "Natty play some dance music, something slow," Amber requested.
"l never thought about playing music, it will make dancing with You and Tanya much more fun."
Amber came over by me and started moving to the music seductively. I can see your panties, and a lot more through the sheer fabric, I thought.
"Dance with me."
l joined her swaying and moving to the music. She whispered, "To bad you can't see my panties from this close."
Caught again, l thought. Doc and Jane watched as we danced. Randolph and Kim were in deep conversation about computer theory and other nerdy topics.
"You know... If we touch, you will have to marry me," she whispered, giggling. We managed to bump and touch in all the right places. "Now you will have to marry me Cappy," she said teasingly.
Tanya and Natasha clapped and whistled at the conclusion of our dance, even Doc and Jane joined in.
"Its time to head back to the Lucy. we will be coming out of hyperspace soon."
"Red has his pilots and gunners aboard. l would just be a distraction, so I am staying here with you."
"But you may be hurt or killed. We will be in the center of the attack."
"l would rather die amongst my friends, than watch as they are harmed or killed."
We undocked, with the Lucy in the Nueva Zelanda system, with Reds crew manning her. She was no longer the freighter, converted into a pleasure craft, that she once was. The lines were crossed, blurring her distinction between being a ship providing pleasure and a ship of war, with gun ports bristling all over her hull.
"Long range scan is clear. We will have to wait for the Crimson Tide to appear." I reported to the fleet.
Red came on screen saying, "l see Amber is starting to have a bad influence on you." Spotting Amber in her white baby doll, he said, "The captains a good man, don't be like your sister Amber."
"Red just let it be. I'm happy now, and so is the Nathaniel. We've been good for each other, the short time we have been together."
The transmission ended.
"Nathaniel, my sister is a lot like you. She is very beautiful, a thief, a scoundrel, and a pirate by heart. You would like her. Some day you may have the opportun
ity to meet her. She didn't want to be my partner in the entertainment business, so she is out freelancing somewhere. I miss her."
There was nothing to do but wait. Amber suggested we go back to our cabin, where I could tie her up this time. We hurried to the cabin where I promised to give as well as I had received, while slowly undressing her and tying her to our bed.
"That was so much fun, i'm next." Tanya said before falling asleep.
Chapter 22
We waited three days before the Crimson Tide made their appearance in the Nueva Zelanda system. "Tanya, announce to the fleet, condition red, battle stations."
l joined Natasha slipping into the pilots seat, beside her.
"Doc and Jane I need you on guns."
"Shields are up, and bulkhead hatches are sealed," Randolph reported.
"Natty, set an intercept course."
"Tanya, Long range scan."
"Aye, aye Captain... sweeps indicate a cruiser, five destroyers, and two frigates, in a V formation. They are changing course to intercept us."
Tanya, make a fleet wide announcement. I want Red and our destroyers to form up on our flanks. Have the Vargus and the Lucy bring up the rear, and have our torpedo boats take dorsal and ventral positions.
"Captain the enemy commander is hailing us," Tanya said.
"On screen."
The image of a dashing pirate formed before me. I had been outclassed again. I needed to have the girls upgrade my wardrobe, I thought.
"Captain Roberts, l offer you this one chance to surrender. I may even let you live, as my slave... once properly neutered and broken of course."
"You are a bad man," Natasha shouted, shaking her fist at him.
The commander, noticed the girls dressed in jump suits and wearing their bunny ears and tails, roared with laughter before ending his transmission.