Cutlass Sharpened

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “But what about his armor? It’s still inside right? How does he get it out?”

  Stephanie smiled to her wife. “I have just one more test in this theory. Oliver, since the armor is organic and showed it can move fluidly like your multi-tool, try wearing it.”

  Ripples traveled the length of the vambrace and before their eyes white began creeping like rushing water past it’s edge. It crept faster and faster, spreading a comfortable warmth as it flowed further and further all over. Oliver couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable by how Stephanie’s blue eyes moved. And he didn’t sense anything wrong when she suddenly backed off and looked down to find his clothes Renee supplied seemed to stretch too far. Strands ripped apart as white armor built up from beneath. The clothes were tight to begin with, but the added thickness wasn’t much, but it was enough to rip and tear some.

  Oliver stood and the clothes had to be ripped off. There was no other alternative other than cut.

  Four sets of jaws dropped as they took in the sight of Oliver. He was already extremely tall and muscular, but the armor seemed to highlight him. It didn’t have any plates or spikes. It looked similar to a skintight flight suit, but it was so much more. White combat boots encased his large feet and rugged gloves covered his hands. Falling down wide shoulders was a pale cape which came down to just above his ankles. And seemingly attached to his hip was an empty sheathe made exactly to be a home for the Star-saber. The only thing black remained on his left arm.

  “Whoa.” Renee didn’t realize it had come from her mouth as she took in how much more a change had occurred. Her heart sped into overdrive and wild thoughts of having him between her legs, ravishing her, ran amok again and she couldn’t stop them. The only thing keeping her pussy from getting her into trouble again was how alien he looked still with so little hair he looked like a hairless octopus… with eyes like a star and a jaw that could cut steel and lips I could kiss till I left an permanent indent… no. Damn it, Renee. Get a hold of yourself! She mentally scolded her own libido. I need a cold shower stat!

  “You look amazing, Oliver.” Jessica commented first.

  “Thank you.” He commented absently. He was engrossed by how it covered every inch up to his neck. His eyes followed how it accentuated everything and hid the bulge of his groin in an aesthetically pleasing way.

  “A scabbard?” Stephanie focused elsewhere. “That and the boots, gloves and cape weren’t there when I had them… Oh! Oliver, I think your armor modified it so you can carry your sword and it won’t slice through. I think any other sheathe touching you would not be capable of holding it. Normally its weight alone would cut through.”

  Immediately upon first touch it came alive with stars and he figured how best to slide it in and it slid home with a metallic ‘shkt’ ‘ting!’ sound as it locked in place. To the further surprise of everyone the hilt and pommel continued to sparkle in its sheathe without touching.

  “How does it feel?” Stephanie asked.

  “More comfortable than what Renee offered me, no offense.”

  “None taken.” She admitted, unable to take her ogling eyes off him.

  “Warm too. Wearing it feels comfortable… like when I awoke no longer feeling a pain in my neck.” He balled his fist and the others expected a sound akin to leather gloves creaking, but got nothing. “I like it.”

  “Can you change styles? I’m afraid you’ll stick out even more walking around in a white cape and bright white to boot.” Jessica commented, always having a keen eye for fashion. “You know, make it look like what you wore before?”

  He thought about it and barely the tiniest movements in the multi-tool showed it was working. Before their eyes the suit started fading back to an earthy brown. The cape and gloves retracted and the skintight quality loosened. In a few seconds it appeared he wore a long sleeved shirt, pants with boots and a sword still at his hip. The vambrace lay hidden beneath the sleeve.

  “Well that just took care of his wardrobe problem.” Jessica sighed fondly. “What I wouldn’t give to have one item that can change my clothes at a whim. I’d never need to again decide what not to wear.”

  Stephanie got up to begin pacing back and forth with a thumbnail between her teeth. “Uh oh, I know that look.” Jessica lightly laughed and Renee joined her.

  The man with amnesia didn’t require a long wait for someone to explain what was wrong with Stephanie as she came to a decision. “Renee, is Oliver cleared from medical?”

  “Auntie, did you do as I asked?” Renee turned to her aunt.

  “Like I ever procrastinate in anything my two girls ask. I’m offended. Not.” She laughed. “Everything’s squared away. Oliver’s quarters are right across the hall as requested. Jake understood why and the room’s been empty for years. There was no issue keying the room to Oliver’s biometrics you gave me to input. He’s neighbors with Sparky and Rose.”

  “Good. Then yes, Stephanie, I’ll clear him, but not for the whole ship. Until I’m certain what you said” Rubbing her cheek to make a point that could be understood. “is limited, too much interaction won’t be good… especially with the female persuasion. If any situation arises, anything concerning my experience, get me.”

  “Understood. Just remember what I said too.” Stephanie said seriously to the medic and turned to the newest crewman. “Oliver, please come with me so we may begin your studies.”

  “I would appreciate it very much.” He smiled.

  “I’m coming as well. I do not wish to miss anything.” Sparky invited himself and since the Drake was always partial to all females, the wives held no objection.

  Renee sighed as the door shut and found herself alone in her med bay. Her mind was a mess, but one thing stood out. Oliver in armor and his baby making shaft. “Damn. Cold shower it is.” She got up and hurried to her room to strip and found the cold water didn’t help so she masturbated to climax and after the sexual release she could think more critically. Still, she very much missed having wild sex with a real man. But she’d not take that path anytime soon, Especially not with Oliver. She told herself.

  Only she didn’t know if she truly believed it.

  Chapter 4

  Outside the med bay area the walls and floor of the Dorgenox were made of rustic planks of wood like most sailboats, but was more than it appeared. The wood was hard and has artful darker brown lines running through their grains with dark eyes randomly in them. A hallway ran left to right and was plenty large enough for ten people, arms stretched, to reach one wall to the other.

  Opposite of where Oliver carefully stepped out he found a sliding door with the number six nineteen painted on it. Jessica told him it was his now and only he, the captain, the first mate and Renee had access to enter. It opened for him and inside was a spacious cabin with a large bed covered in soft sheets. Beside it was a nightstand. In the middle of the room was a plush, spacious sofa sitting in front of a wooden table with an inactive holographic television crystal that would cover the entire room in a display for whatever personal program he’d prefer. Jessica promised to teach him how to use later. Also on the table was a drink dispenser, but food would be eaten in the ship’s mess. Another corner led to a door which connected to a bathroom which prompted him to ask “Soap, is it possible to get what I had in the shuttle? I’m not partial to what I used earlier.”

  “You don’t like lavender? You do not like smelling like a flower?” Jessica teased.

  Politely he said “No thank you. I do not like removing one odor and exchanging it for another. It smells nicer on Renee, not me thought I do not know why it is different.”

  Jessica shrugged and they were leaving. “Girls like smelling flowery or like fruits. I like apple and Stephanie is partial to cinnamon.”

  “I’d rather smell like food than a flower.” Stephanie commented absently. “Men like spicy smells usually, but since you’re likely a Hunter… Stone, Deegen and Steven wash with unscented soap too. They don’t want their prey to smell them.”

&nb
sp; “Don’t worry. When we get to Stephanie’s office I’ll show you how to find what soap you’ll prefer to lather up with. Oliver, why are you walking like that?” she suddenly noticed now that they traveled the halls. He walked with great caution, but not falling behind.

  “I’ll hit the ceiling if I do any more than this. It is not easy for me.”

  “Lower gravity is normal around the ship. I’m sorry, but this is about all I can handle until I save enough money to have a Splicer make it so I can live on stronger gravitational fields. I was born in space a hundred and thirteen years ago and have been too busy to live on-world. Soon I’ll have enough saved.”

  “What would happen if you did increase gravity?” he asked.

  “All the blood in my body would drop to my feet and my heart would not be strong enough to pump it back up into my brain. It would kill me. But I’d go unconscious first. When Stephanie told you she was fragile, I’m even more.”

  “Is there any other way to do it? And what are Splicers?”

  “I could gradually adapt, but it would take me a decade and a lot of pain. Splicers can alter my genetic makeup and trick my cells into adjusting to heavy planet survivability within a few days. Increase the strength of my heart to pull from my feet and increase muscles in my legs. They can do many other things if you got the credits. You’ll learn soon enough. Renee and Stephanie were born on worlds with a heavy gravity four times where our race evolved on Earth. The best Hunters live on planets with four, five or six times Old Earth gravity.”

  “I grew on a six gee planet.” Said a deep voice up ahead.

  “Stone! What a pleasant surprise.” Jessica greeted the Hunter still in beaten armor that had been recently cleaned up nicely from a bit of charring.

  “Good morning Mrs. Menann and Mrs. Menann and Sparky.” He replied taking a critical look at the transformation of the man between them. “Ms. Dorgen sure filled you out, Brother.”

  “Brother? But we are not related, Stone.”

  “Only a fellow Hunter could have done as you. You saved my ass and we are in the same brotherhood. Calling you my brother is an honor.”

  “But I didn’t save your ass, Stone. I saved your entire body.”

  Few had ever heard the man laugh. This was one of those times as his onyx skin split into a wide smile a moment before a deep masculine belly laugh boomed out of the massive Hunter. “Brother, hasn’t anyone taught you men are also called an ass? Saving my ass is saving me.”

  “He has yet to understand all the nuances of our language, Stone. We are actually going to my study to address that very situation.”

  “Then my arrival is most fortunate.” He reached behind his broad hatchet and down into a sealed pocket of the armor. He then grabbed hold of an object and took it out. A sharp orange spike four centimeters long was threaded through a leather string. “This is for you, Brother.”

  Oliver’s curiosity got the better of him and he took it to examine. He then sniffed and licked it to say “This was part of the Salamander I killed.” He said with absolute certainty.

  “It is. I cut off a spike from its leg before running into my fighter. In my village it is custom that we keep a small piece of the first Beast we slay.” Stone hooked a thumb underneath a hidden string and showed a similarly shaped piece of ivory with a violet hue. “My first kill was against a tunneling Viper that did devour me, but I cut my way out as its many fangs just missed delivering a potent venom. Only five Hunters’ first kills as a youth can claim to have slain a Beast more deadly than a full grown Salamander. It reminds us of where we began so we stay grounded.”

  “Thank you, Stone.” Oliver took Sparky’s silent advice and slid it over his head.

  “It is I who came to say thank you and to pay honor. You will do the same for any Hunter that does the same for you, Brother. It is our way…”

  “Spit it out, Stone. I can see you want something.” Jessica read his uncomfortable body language.

  Stone only confirmed it as he unconsciously rubbed his shiny bald head. “For two days have I struggled with my brothers on what to do with Oliver. Ms. Dorgen prohibited any visitation unless medically relevant, but Hunter law states Oliver must be seen by the Hunter Elders… especially since we saw him seek the Salamander’s brain before its meat. He must be ordained and taught our ways… our ways have no room to compromise in finding a lost Hunter. The only benefit that I am not detaining him right now is he is not a registered rogue. I checked.”

  “Right now it is out of the question.” Stephanie said with as much tact as she could muster. “Archeological discovery trumps Hunter law until all necessary facets are catalogued in triplicate. I will make a compromise with you though.”

  “I’m listening.” This calmed his hidden rage. The only one to noticed was Oliver and Stone saw how he started reaching for the sword at his hip. Oliver relaxed as Stone did and it only confirmed the experienced Hunter’s instinct he needed to be trained in discipline immediately.

  “Oliver’s existence is nothing short of the find since the Geo Record in my opinion. I will allow you to observe and come to your own understanding without influencing what I’ve witnessed thus far. He needs to first learn as all children in math, science and history. While he learns, I’m going to be researching everything I can about his original gear, which I might add is all currently on him. The other two conditions you must swear by is the Hunter peoples do not share our research as they will demand it as soon as they see him. And the last is for his own well being to not threaten him in any way till he can fully comprehend his actions. As soon as he is mentally capable of interacting in a civilized society he is to remain onboard the Drogenox and blind to the empire and Hunters alike. When he is ready, then you may speak with him.”

  “I’ll agree on the amendment my other brothers and I get full disclosure on everything thus far and they can sit in with me.”

  Stephanie looked up, thinking about what space she had added with four well above average sized men and a Drake to say “Alright, but I’ll need some muscle on rearranging my office to fit everyone.”

  “Muscle I got. Thank you Mrs. Merann.” He tapped his com. “Deegen, Steven, meet me outside the archeology room.”

  Along the way down the hall Jessica brought up a map of the Dorgenox once stepping inside an egg-shaped elevator and he memorized it in the time they rode up a single floor. The Dorenox had ten floors, crew rooms numbering four hundred and fifty though only two hundred and thirteen were occupied by a crew of four hundred and sixty two, Oliver now included. Each person had a role and function aboard the starship. No freeloaders. Only the Hunters were hired on for free since the Dorgenox often strayed outside empire space.

  As they stepped off they spent ten more minutes in relative silence walking down the hall till spotting two Hunters lounging against the wall chattering amongst themselves. It came to an end as the group was spotted.

  Stephanie’s presence opened the room to her private study, filled with rare and ancient artifacts both domestic and alien in origin. The room was four times larger than Oliver’s spacious bedroom, he noticed, but was more packed. Only one table with many specialized instruments lay empty-ish. It was where she likely worked on his items for two days with little rest. Every object had some sticker with a number only she would know exactly how to bring up the information.

  She began directing the men, Oliver too, on how to best rearrange the room to maximize what space was available. She made sure nothing broke. It would be far from cramped, but not by too much. Extra chairs were ordered and sat in a corner where Sparky curled up as well. Stephanie then went to her table’s primary holographic display crystal, waved her hand over it to light up and said “Stone, as agreed, here are my findings as well as Renee’s medical results. I’m also going to need time to record my findings… ah, Renee was recording the whole time. Good girl.”

  Their helmet visor screens lifted in their Hunter armor. They began studying with one eye while the other train
ed on Oliver. What they watched would leave even Steven speechless and sit still.

  “Oliver, this is my old data screen.” Stephanie said as she pulled out a square piece of pure crystal that would be difficult to break. She sat it down on the empty table she had him sit at to say “To activate it you must touch it. It isn’t connected to the ship’s psionic energy supply. It can work so long as you touch it with one hand. The other will get a keyboard you can use to work the holo-screen about to appear. It is also voice capable of taking commands. I’ll get you started.”

  He rested the right hand, palm flatly atop the crystal clear item and did as instructed saying “Tablet start. Password: Lost treasures.” Stephanie lived for artifacts. It was her passion. Lights made an adjustment for a left-handed user. A keypad of sorts. In front though his vision filled with a white screen. “Start sequence on tablet functions for maximum efficiency.”

  A woman’s soft voice asked “Would you like audio, written or both?”

  “Written please.” A confirmation chime rang out.

  Oliver knew how to read and write so at first he was slow in understanding diagrams and all uses the devise was capable, but within ten minutes he had learned how to read multiple screens simultaneously and let his left hand type and scroll without needing to keep looking down to keep things on track. Like gamers who can control a character without need to look down. A pilot who doesn’t need to see their feet to know where the accelerators and brakes are. A writer who doesn’t need to see the keyboard to type.

  In another ten minutes Steven said “By the stars! You guys seeing this shit?”

  “The screens are moving so fast I cannot tell when one screen changes. It’s a blur. And not just one screen, he’s doing fifteen separate… simultaneously.” Admitted Deegen with a headshake. Then pinched the bridge of his nose, needing to look away.

  Stone felt the need to tap his com. “Ms. Dorgen, I request you do a scan of Oliver’s brain.”