Danger Money

by John Van Stry

  The other lady was a Gazelle of all things! She was pretty kinky too. Most leaf eaters don't associate with us predator types. Especially ones who’s genetically based ancestors were prey of my ancestors. I think she had a pretty good suspicion of what kind of work I did for the company too.

  But the strangest part was that she wanted to be tied up and dominated. She claimed afterwards that the more fear I gave her, the more helpless that she felt, the more excited she became.

  So I jumped her in the bathroom on the night before I was to leave and dragged her bound and gagged back to my room. It was strange and a little fun, and she went absolutely wild. I had a hard time getting her to leave when morning came, and an even harder time understanding why she like it so much. It was okay, but I prefer my women more aggressive. Her quivering with fear could only excite me for so long, and the master/slave bit got a little too strange as well, even for me.

  But it gave the Captain a fit 'cause I made sure he found out. I was all cleaned up and waiting for my 'ride' back to my base to show when he pounded on my door.

  At least he knocked.

  "Enter," I said calmly waiting for the fireworks.

  "You've gone too far Mister!" He said loudly as he stepped into the room. "Rape is a serious offense on this ship!"

  "Rape?" I inquired casually glancing up at him from the chair. "Who's saying anything about rape?"

  "That crewmember you dragged bound and gagged into your quarters last night!" He exclaimed hotly. "That's a capital offense here in space!"

  "Funny, I didn't know bondage was illegal," I replied smiling. "Captain, I can see you don't know very much about sex. True what happened here last night was a little perverted, well maybe a lot, but she agreed. Nothing illegal about that!" I chuckled.

  I really like the way Human faces can change colors. They're so expressive! Whiter shade for fear, a clammy ruddy for disgust, and right now a truly remarkable red of anger. It was really quite fun to watch. I wondered if I could get him to turn green? I'd never really seen it, only read about it.

  "And I thought I told you not to fraternize with any females onboard my ship!" He was gaining volume now. "I was willing to overlook your behavior among your own people, but not among my crew! That is a direct challenge to my authority! I'll have you broken for this!"

  About this time Azelett showed up outside the door looking worried. A moment later Rieselle showed up looking mad, and Shotoon who was obviously trying very hard not to go into a fit of laughter. He always seemed to appreciate my antics.

  "Oh really now Captain," I smiled and took out a file and started to work on my claws. "Do you really think the company is going to take the side of a sexually repressed highly frustrated old man, who suffers from feelings of inferiority?"

  "You can't talk to me like that, you unnatural, test tube spawned, perverted bastard. I'm Human! I'm your master!"

  He not only was red, he was starting to foam a little now as well.

  "You obviously didn't read the equal pay statues or the recently passed Created Species Act." I smiled showing all my teeth. "Tell us the truth though. Doesn't it bother you that your wife sleeps with one of us animals when you aren't at home?"

  Shotoon lost control at that point and started laughing hysterically. Rieselle clipped him one, and Azelett just looked scared and lost. I can be a real shit sometimes, usually right before going back to the palace.

  "You filthy, lying, piece of trash! I'll skin you myself and nail your filthy pelt to my cabin door!" He hit the intercom on the wall, "Security! I want an armed detachment here right away!"

  They came, made me spread eagle, chained my legs and arms up, and carried me down to the brig. Once there I was manacled to the bars at the Captain's insistence. He was holding my knife the whole time, babbling about the best way to skin a cat. The security guards were getting more and more nervous as this went on. Azelett was looking more and more desperate. And every time the Captain looked at me I had this huge shit-eating grin. Which is no mean feat when you consider that as an animan morph I have a Leopard's head. But then practice makes perfect.

  I think that bugged him the most. I must have hit on his private fears with that last remark and now he wanted to scare me. I of course wasn't afraid, if he started skinning me he'd lose everything. They'd stop him before he could do anything anyway.

  "You know, I never have skinned anything before." He smiled at me, "I hope you like it!"

  And then the bastard actually started cutting me open!

  It hurt like a bitch, as he started to cut from just below my neck to above my crotch, right down the centerline using only the tip of the blade. I looked at Rieselle and she had a hand on Shotoon's chest holding him back. No help there. Azelett was starting to gag, and the two security officers were getting antsy.

  I just kept smiling, I wasn't having fun anymore, in fact it hurt like hell, but I wasn't going to give in now. And I sure wasn't going to let anybody see me squirm or beg.

  "Oh you like that huh?" said the Captain. He was starting to get a little messy from my blood. And I didn't think he was all there anymore. "Let's see how you like this." He smiled back.

  The guards started forward then, but Rieselle stopped them! I gave her a glance, but couldn't figure out what she was up to.

  He started peeling back the skin next, starting up by my neck. I can't begin to describe the pain. I could barely keep from crying out, it was so bad. But I didn't want to give the Captain or even Rieselle the pleasure. The Captain was up to his arms in my blood, and I could see it starting to pool on the floor. I was hanging from the bars at this point, the restraints on my wrists being all that was supporting me. Azelett was busy being sick in the corner. He had more than six inches peeled back when my ride showed up.

  "What in the name of God are you doing!" shouted Holt. He was Human and one of my 'Handlers'. What he was doing here was a little strange, usually he never got off the shuttle. But I guess they told him I was locked up and he thought he'd check it out himself.

  I know one thing, it was the first time in my life I was actually happy to see my ride home show up.

  "What?" The Captain seemed surprised. "I'm disciplining this animal!" He said. "I found him guilty of mutiny and this is his sentence!"

  He was waving the knife around in front of my face during all this, and was no longer watching me. So when he got really close, I bit him.

  "What the?" He looked at me shocked and stunned. I started to growl. He reached up then with his free hand to grab the knife.

  So I crushed his wrist, driving my fangs deep into the bones. He dropped the knife and screamed. I wasn't feeling too well myself, as I held on and started trying to free my left arm. They must have grabbed him shortly after that, 'cause he only hit me a few times. I was having trouble seeing, from both lack of blood, and from that which was splattered in my eyes from his struggles.

  Somebody started trying to pry my mouth open then, but I wasn't having any of it. I tried jerking my head around but smashed it instead into the bars behind me. They tried again, but I wasn't letting go of that wrist. Somebody plugged up my nose next and I was starting to have trouble breathing. But I wasn't letting go of that wrist dammit! I guess that it was shortly after that I passed out.

  I awoke suddenly, I was in pain, and I didn't know where I was. I opened my eyes and tried to roll to my feet.

  I got my eyes open, but that was about it. Somebody had tied me to a table. I looked around, Rieselle was standing next to me, I was in the ship's Medical unit.

  "Untie me." I stated simply.

  "Against doctors orders," She smiled.

  "Rieselle," I said quietly trying not to get mad, or whine. "Will you please untie me. I'll forgive you not stopping the Captain. But I can't forgive this."

  "Threatening me now?" She was looking a little mad herself.

  "Hey what did I do?" I replied while testing my bonds. My left shoulder hurt bad. "I was the one being turned into a coat!"

/>   "I warned you not to mess with the Captain, didn't I?"

  "So that was reason enough to stop anyone from interfering with his skinning me alive? That's a little petty for you isn't it?" I was getting mad now and my ears folded back angrily as I tried my legs.

  "Stop thrashing or I'll pop you one," she said exasperated.

  I noticed she was holding an injector, probably a tranquilizer.

  "You wanted him fired, well then, the only way you'd get him in enough trouble was if somebody important caught him skinning you." She paused while this sank in. "I just gave you what you wanted." And then she smiled sweetly at me.

  I thought about that a moment. It made sense I guess.

  "Next time," I said quietly, "Don't."

  "But you're the big hero now. You got the Captain fired, isn't that what you wanted Jotun?"

  "Why should I care about these people?" I snarled, "I don't know them, I don't owe them! You know why I do this."

  "I'm not so sure anymore Jotun," she replied sighing. "But you're getting worse. Usually you just get in a little trouble, this time you got in a lot and almost got yourself killed."

  "Yeah, it was pretty stupid wasn't it." I looked around to make sure we were alone. "I really do like Azelett you know."

  "I guessed as much."

  "Well I guess I wanted to do a little showing off, and let her see what she was letting herself in for."

  "So you acted like a total shit?" She said with a little venom.

  "I am a total shit!" I admitted exhaustively, "Look at what I do! How I live! I wouldn't wish this on anybody."

  "Oh it's not that bad. Really Jotun." She said soothingly.

  "They pay you to say that, so please don't," I sighed. It was true too and we both knew it. "Untie me please Rieselle. If you care anything for my sorry ass. Please?"

  She sighed and undid the straps, "You are a shit."

  "Yeah," I smiled lamely, "but you love me anyway." I rubbed my wrists, my left shoulder hurt like hell. "Thanks, I'll try to listen to you next time."

  I looked at the sloppy bandages on my chest, "Where's the Doc?"

  "Taking care of the Captain," she smiled. "You're still only second class Jotun."

  "How bad is he anyway?"

  "The wrist is pretty well crushed, but he's sedated now. The security guys tranked him."

  "Where's Holt?"

  "On the radio to HQ, Probably discussing your fine."

  "He would!" I growled.

  Just then the doctor showed up.

  "Who removed those restraints?" He asked looking at Rieselle.

  "I did" I lied. "It's in my training, sorry."

  "That's right Doc, I had nothing to do with it," Rieselle covered.

  Hey, it's my team, even if I'm not always in charge. I take responsibility for everything.

  "Well alright," he eyed me. "Let me get a sedative."

  "No."

  He paused, "I insist," he said looking at me.

  "No, nothing that will make me drowsy," I responded adamantly. "I can't afford it where I'm going."

  He raised his eyebrows, "It's gonna hurt then."

  "I earned it," I said simply.

  "Okay then," and he peeled off the bandage with one quick pull.

  "Ahhhhh!" I gasped and grabbed the edge of the table, sinking my claws right through the hard plastic. It hurt a lot!

  He sprayed the wound with something and it helped a little, but not much.

  "You still sure?" He asked again.

  "Yes Doctor," I gasped between clenched teeth.

  He went to work then, pulling the skin back, cleaning the wound and then sealing the whole thing up. It was half an hour of the worse torture I had ever been through, especially when he cleaned it out! He then looked at my shoulder and X-rayed it.

  "Some cracks and a partial dislocation. From the marks on your wrist's I'd say it happened while you were chained up." He got an injector out from a cabinet. "A little glue and a healing agent and it'll be fine in two or three days."

  "Thanks."

  "Sure, that's what they pay me for," he said giving me the shots.

  "Can I ask you a question Doc?"

  "What?" He looked up.

  "Did he really deserve what I did to him?" I was curious.

  "Who?" The Doc looked startled.

  "The Captain, who else?" I asked tilting my head.

  "I don't think it's my place to say," he dodged.

  I reached over painfully and grabbed his arm lightly, "Say it anyway."

  "Why? So you can feel justified in destroying his career? So you can strut around and feel tall?" He spit back knocking my hand down and heading for the door.

  "No, that's not why," I said.

  He turned and looked at me.

  "I won't say I didn't deserve this," I motioned to my chest. "I just want to know that, well, that he did too."

  "The crew thinks so, isn't that enough?"

  "No."

  "Well then, what do you think?" And he left.

  "I don't think, that's the problem." I whispered.

  "You can say that again!" Said Rieselle from behind me.

  She walked around the table and helped me up.

  "They didn't give me any blood, did they?" I felt pretty light headed.

  "Nope, so be careful. You're going to be a little weak for the next few days."

  "Great, I guess I really outdid myself this time!"

  She gave me a kiss, "Yep. Now come on, you have a shuttle to catch."

  I groaned tail dragging as we headed out the door. "Holt's gonna bitch all the way back!" I looked at her, "Where's Azelett?"

  "In her cabin I guess. She's pretty upset and blames herself."

  "Great," I sighed. "Tell her I'm sorry okay? Explain things to her. I don't think she knows yet."

  "I'll tell her you're sorry. But the rest is up to you."

  "Good enough I guess."

  She led me down to the shuttle lock. This ship was too small to have any kind of a bay.

  "See ya' later!" And she gave me a quick buss.

  "Bye," I grumbled.

  I got in, sat down, and strapped in. The pilot looked back from up front and waved back, I nodded and closed my eyes trying to sleep. Or at least fake it. It was about a ten minute wait, then Holt showed up. He closed the lock and told the pilot to go, then closed the cabin door and sat across from me.

  And waited.

  For once I didn't open my mouth. Of course I'd never been skinned before either. Usually it was small stuff, like stealing the Captain's coffee mug. Or breaking some bully's arm. Just proving I was somebody special, somebody above the rules. Somebody better than the rest.

  Sometimes I even believed it too.

  "Nothing to say?" He said eventually.

  "Why did you put me on that ship?" I asked him eyes still closed. I knew Holt, I could judge him by his smell I knew him so well. Sometimes I thought I liked him. I had stopped hating him years ago.

  "It was convenient."

  I opened an eye and looked at him, "Bullshit."

  "It was in the right place at the right time."

  "This corporation owns hundreds of ships. Anyone of them could have been sent." Suspicion dawned, but then I'm a very suspicious person by nature.

  "You used me? Didn't you?"

  "Why would we do that?" He looked surprised.

  "If not the company, than somebody," I closed my eye. "Anyone who knows my file, knows I would get into a confrontation with that idiot. Maybe you got used too."

  I could hear him pausing and considering it. The idea had merit, even if I was making it up.

  "You're still in trouble though," he resumed.

  "I expected as much."

  "No visitor's for a month."

  "Make it a week," I sighed, "I learned my lesson."

  "This isn't negotiable," he warned.

  "I won't go back then," I said opening my eyes and looking down at the floor. I meant it too.

  "You don'
t have that option."

  I looked up and stared him in the eye. "There are always options."

  "Okay," he said after a minute, getting my point. He looked away, "Two weeks."

  "Ten days."

  "Fine, ten days."

  I had nothing more to say so I leaned back and closed my eyes. I could smell the sweat on Holt, I had really made him nervous that time. I was surprised that I didn't smell any fear though. Maybe I had underestimated him. True it was a veiled threat, but it was a threat all the same.

  3

  The rest of the ride back was quiet, I didn't debrief beyond my initial report to Rieselle anymore, just filed one word reports now-a-days. 'Succeeded' was all I felt they needed to know. If they wanted the gory details they could either ask my team or watch the newscasts.

  We docked at the Palace some four hours later. I felt better for the rest, and despite being sore I dumped the sling on the shuttle. I walked out through the shuttle's lock, past the first set of airlock doors, past the receptionist, past the pair of company marines, then up to the security door. I put my hands on the scan plates and after the blast door opened I walked into the man trap.

  After the door closed behind me I put my eyes up to the retinal scanner. A brief 'confirmed' from the computer and the second blast door opened. Anyone getting this far who didn't belong would have heard 'Good Luck' and the door would have waited twenty seconds before opening. During those twenty seconds those who were inside would have heard an announcement about the unauthorized visitor. It didn't happen often, but it did break up the monotony.

  I looked at the 'Welcome Home!' sign that some joker had put up years ago. Brand I think, he was dead now anyway. Got caught trying to hit some corporate V.P. somewhere, still managed to get his target, but vaporized himself in the process. The resulting explosion took out three large buildings and a church however. Brand had always been a showoff.

  As I walked down the hall towards my quarters I ignored those I passed in the halls. They were all newbs and I refused to acknowledge anybody here less than two years. Half would probably be dead by then so why bother? I hated losing friends anyway.

  I opened the door to my rooms and went in. A careful search didn't turn up anything. I could tell a lot of people had been through in my absence, boredom makes everyone nosey. I didn't own anything anyway, everything in my room was standard issue, right down to the pictures on the walls. Possessions are both a key to your personality and a burden to carry. I couldn't afford either of those liabilities.