It was also nice that they seemed to like her and she found the attentions of the mainly male complement had been flattering. While they understood her role as Commander and respected it, it seemed relationships between crew and command on a passenger liner were much more relaxed than on Earth; in fact she rather enjoyed the familiar attentions of the males. She made it clear she had no intention of interfering with their work or that of Lucas as ship AI - provided everything flowed smoothly. They knew their work and their responsibilities and it was understood that Lucas would monitor everything on her behalf. They relaxed at that and had embraced her; it was good.
"Charlie, if we're going down to the flight deck we could take a route that takes in those refuse corridors." Hilary's voice came gently and with it a route map appearing in the upper left vision, her preferred side.
"No point in delaying then." She stepped to the door which opened with a swish.
The moving traffic was considerably thinner than usual with many having left for the flight deck early to secure the best vantage points. Charlotte allowed herself to be swept along before diverting off toward the refuse area on Hilary's prompt. Suddenly she found herself alone and she slowed, looking back toward the doorway which had closed. A slight shiver passed through her and it occurred that this was the first time she had been alone since arriving onboard, other than when in her cabin.
"Are you there Lucas?"
"Of course ma'am - always."
The voice had a slight servile tone with unnecessary emphasis on the 'ma'am' so she chose to ignore it, instead scanning the corridor for lenses. "Camera's Lucas - how do you record things and where from?"
"The makeup of the base material for the ship abounds with something like your fiber optics but operating at a molecular level. This allows for two way flow of information at the nano level so I can follow everything happening on ship and around the outer hull at times, and from any angle. It also means I can display information on any surface of the vessel. I – am - omnipresent." He said it with a flourish.
"But not in the areas around refuse," she replied, ". . . at the time of the murder."
There was an embarrassing pause.
"No." Lucas was crisp.
She frowned, looking around at the walls and ceiling and imagining how many potential views there should be. "How can that be possible, I mean, do your systems show anything has been deleted; or are there faults in your memory perhaps?"
"Well of course there's a gap, I have nothing for that whole period, from the hour before and after the discovery of Commander Juno's body. There is nothing for this corridor or the two others into this area or the refuse area itself . . ." the voice trailed away.
"But . . . Lucas, I sense you're holding something back?"
There followed a long hesitation during which Charlotte resumed her walk toward the end of the corridor. When he finally spoke his discomfort was obvious.
"Commander, all I can say is that while I have no records, I retain the sense that I was there; it's an embarrassing blank."
"Hmm, well maybe together we'll be able to fill in those blanks; it couldn't just be denial could it?" But she didn't wait for him to reply, leaving him to think about it. "I'd like to view the refuse area please Lucas; I'll just pop my head in at this stage then head to the flight decks for the game, could you guide me?"
"Of course." and immediately lights appeared on the floor disappearing under the doors at the end of the corridor. "And Charlotte, you called it murder; I'm sure the official position is that it was suicide."
She paused in her step considering his comment before continuing on. "Suicide, yes, I suppose it could be that too."
The doors at the corridor end swished open and she strode forward confidently following the floor lights, oblivious to the watcher following her every step.
Standing in the refuse area Charlotte scanned the room comparing the files she had reviewed earlier with what she could see. Most refuse on vessel was consumed by the furnaces and only the little that remained was dispatched to space. Difficult to burn objects would be ejected via the tubes and although it was theoretically possible to climb into one, it remained unclear how anyone could then trigger the ejection on their own. Of course, as Lucas retained no record of the period when Juno made the great leap it is possible that the Commander had somehow preprogrammed the ejection himself. Charlotte felt this was unlikely however, given the Commander’s skills were hardly up to outwitting a ship Mind. So what did happen?
Continuing on to the only other door, which was opposite, she hesitated again with a thought coming to her.
"Lucas, I'm going on to the football match now, I should be seen to be there. For my review later could you gather all visuals of the other corridors leading to and from this area please? The ones you have I mean; I'd like them from one hour before your recordings stop and for one hour after."
"It shall be done Commander."
"And for the period this area is blanked out I'd like the visuals from the next corridors on. Have them for that whole period too."
"Charlie, that's a lot of visual to review don't you think?" The words came via her earpiece and so gently they were more an intrusion on her thoughts than anything spoken. Charlotte hardly missed a beat.
"What are your thoughts Hilary?" She whispered through her teeth.
"We could do with some help perhaps?"
"You have someone in mind?"
"This is a large ship, there are a lot of young people here with entertainment provided, and perhaps we might bring in another, Regan's son Jared perhaps?"
"Are you serious? Isn't he only thirteen? I hardly think he would add anything and I'm not interested in babysitting."
"Hmm, you haven't met Jared yet have you?"
Charlotte waited a moment thinking, if Hilary was suggesting it then probably it was a good idea. "I take it you do think he would add something?"
"He is not unlike you in that he tends to see things others miss - and he carries with him . . . other strengths."
She continued her walk toward the flight decks pondering the thought. "Well, I guess Regan will be here for the match; I'll ask her about it when I see her."
She could hear the roar of the crowd well before entering the flight deck proper, and the queue to enter did not look promising. Charlotte wasn't exactly short but compared to the Coran's she felt a midget. Shuffling forward with the stream it quickly became clear there was no way she would be able to see anything over or between the bodies gathered around the pitch. In fact it was only possible for her to look up and in doing so she noticed a gantry walkway that was perched high up the walls surrounding the deck. Squeezing her way across to the wall and then sidling along it she came to a ladder giving access - and a sign - 'authorized personnel only'. Well, I am the Commander, she thought.
Jumping to grasp the bottom rung she pulled down a lower section and began the long climb to the gantry. It was higher than it looked and by the time she had reached the top then pulled herself gingerly through the small opening she was shaking like a leaf. Standing up, another problem immediately presented itself; the walkway had a solid barrier that was taller than her and would prevent seeing anything below. Looking to her right she saw a crate and judged it could be perfect to stand on. Picking up the box she walked left about halfway along and stopped where two pillars, about half a meter apart, soared through the deck and up to the ceiling. Pushing between them she placed the crate carefully and climbed up. It was perfect, giving her an ideal view about half way along the pitch. Already others had followed her lead, climbing up and shuffling along the walkway to find the best elevated positions. In no time the gantry was full - and still they kept coming.
Charlotte could feel bodies shuffling behind her with more and more squeezing into the confined space that ran the length of the deck until eventually there was nowhere else to go. At that point she became aware of a body pressed up behind her, and warm breath on her neck.
"I'm s
o sorry mistress, I can't move, there is too much weight around me." The male voice was warm and friendly but clearly embarrassed.
She could feel arms squeezing between her and the pillars on both sides, and she could tell the person was attempting to brace himself on the barrier, trying to give her space with room in front. It proved a fruitless exercise once the game commenced as with play surging back and forth the crowd on the gantry began to shift constantly from side to side, backwards and forwards, forcing the man forward into her back - and she suddenly she could feel something familiar, hardening between the mounds of her buttocks. Oh my god!
He felt her tense and knew immediately that she noticed. "I'm so sorry mistress."
He didn't elaborate but she could feel him shift uncomfortably, a move which only seemed to make the problem more obvious. Despite her alarm, it felt good and she smiled at his dilemma. A wicked look came to her face and she gently shifted to reposition the bulge between her buttocks. He groaned. Then she began to shift, regularly timing her moves with the roar of the crowd and delighting to feel the by now hard member stretching up her back. This continued for some time with her own excitement building until she looked skyward, took a moment to think, and then worked one hand back behind her to cradle the man's length as if she was trying to shield herself. Instead, with each surge she massaged until it was obvious what she was doing. He could stand it no more. One arm left the railing and she could feel it wriggling between them, undoing the front of his ship suit until there was nothing between her hand and his body. With her other hand she reached up to the nub of her suit, loosening the button and opening it to the waist. Immediately she felt his hands reaching inside to stroke her breasts, all attempts to brace now gone and all pretence abandoned. His weight pressed hard against her, clamping her to the railing and then she felt him wriggling the hands higher, grasping at the suit collar and peeling it downward. She considered struggling but by now was swept up in the eroticism of the moment instead allowing the suit to drop and assisting him in the limited space by pushing it down with her hands until it puddled on the floor leaving her naked. With the pillars on the sides, the barrier in front and the man wedged behind she was completely invisible to the crowd behind and below, other than her head and the top of her shoulders which would still be visible above the railing. She abandoned herself now, raising one leg to brace it on a cross piece as she felt the man dipping slightly, probing gently, and then without any hesitation, entering smoothly. Oh my god!
Below, on the centerline, Marin nudged Regan and pointed upward to the gantry where they could see Charlotte's head and occasionally her bare shoulders bobbing up and down.
[Isn't that Charlie?] He subbed.
[It looks like her, but what on earth is she wearing, it looks like some kind of off the shoulder number?]
[Does she know how this game is played?] Marin was confused.
[I think so.]
[Well if she does its very strange; she just cheered that opposition goal as if she was delighted.]
Then another roar from the crowd drew their attention back to the game; they would catch up with the new Commander later.
The pressure from behind relaxed, with a shift in the crowd creating some room and Charlotte leant her head forward on the railing as she could feel the man withdrawing. She felt weak at the knees and wobbled slightly, the twenty minutes of frenzied coitus having left her sated and drained. The enormity of what she had just submitted to hit her and for the first time she considered Hilary, and what she must have thought. Was she even aware?
"Are you there Hil?" she whispered through her lips.
"Of course I'm here, what was all that about? My only view was of the floor."
"You mean you weren't aware . . ." Charlotte's voice trailed off but the sheepish sound was obvious.
Hilary missed nothing. "Hmm, aware of the fact you disrobed with assistance, aware of your increased and fluctuating heart rate building to a rather obvious peak - of the regular grunting from behind and your squeals that seemed to be timed perfectly for the crowd action. Or are you referring to your limited conversation during the last twenty or so minutes . . . mainly occasional 'Oh my god's!"
"Enough Hilary, I'm sorry to put you through that - I don't know what came over me and it won't happen again." Bending forward as much as she was able in the confined space she stretched down to reach the suit at her feet, the action causing her buttocks to again press back into the person behind her. It was a struggle and it was soon made more difficult by the sensation of being entered again from behind as the crowd roared. "Oh shit . . . oh my god . . ."
She could feel her head bumping rhythmically on the railing as she surrendered and then Hilary, with a sigh in her voice asked tentatively, "Is this even the same male?"
Charlotte tensed briefly and thought before answering. "Oh shit . . . I have no idea."
* * *
Charlotte was one of the last to descend from the gantry as Regan and Marin waited. She appeared disheveled and for the first time Regan considered how frightening it might have been crammed up there with the hundreds with nowhere to go. Walking forward to help her down the last rungs Regan steadied her as she dropped to the ground and they could see she seemed flushed and wobbly on her legs.
"Are you okay Charlie, it must have been so hot and cramped up there?"
Charlotte gathered herself quickly, turning to face them with a hard to read smile. "It was fine thanks Regan, good to be among the crew for such a great match and very entertaining I must say."
Marin looked doubtful. "Do you know much about football?"
"Oh, I know a bit, but women's rugby and roller hockey were my games." She carried on quickly before they could probe further. "Might I suggest we retire to my cabin, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you in private if that's okay?"
Regan nodded and they began the walk toward the elevators.
"What rugby position did you play?" Marin asked.
"Oh it was in the forwards mainly, the front row, I was in the middle of the action all the time, that's the way I liked it." And she laughed.
Marin smiled, always eager to show his knowledge of Earth affairs. "Oh, so you were the hooker."
She didn't reply and the doors swished closed behind them.
As Regan and Marin settled in to the sumptuous chairs Charlotte could tell what was going through their minds. Their eyes were roving the room taking in the luxury and no doubt comparing the surroundings with what she knew to be their much more modest accommodation.
"I didn't choose this room you know, it came with the job." She smiled an apology.
Regan laughed. "Don't even think about it Charlie, I was only admiring the room, and Marin? Well, let's just say if you ever see the inside of his bedroom you will know that given a couple of weeks in here no one would even notice it had been luxurious."
Marin reached across to thump her leg, a half hearted act which Regan easily dodged.
"You wanted to talk with us?" Regan continued.
"Yes . . ." and Charlotte tapped her collar, then her nose. It was a simple gesture but enough to indicate that the request was at least in part from Hilary. Regan nodded, message sent and received.
"It occurred to me," Charlotte continued, "that Jared might like a break as I understand he's coming with you to Rigel. On the Fair Passage there will be quite a few young people and there's entertainment here probably not available on the Behemoth or the Ascendant. Perhaps he might like to journey with us? He may even like to work alongside me a bit, like a holiday job, and perhaps we might work on some puzzles together?" Charlotte hesitated, just looking at Regan, and waiting.
Regan remained neutral, very hard to read. "Hmm, it's an idea, and I'd have to run it past him but I think he'd jump at the chance. Charlie, he's just had a simple operation, it's nothing serious but I'd like him to have a few more days to recover. If he's interested, how about we transfer him after we go through the first portal, he can be working
with you from then. Then it's a week before we reach our second jump point and another day after that before we make the last. How does that sound?"
"Take it." Hilary's voice came firm and fast in Charlotte's earpiece.
"That sounds perfect Regan, and I'm sure he'll have fun. Now, when do we get underway? I'm eager to see the other side of this galaxy."
"We leave tomorrow babe, all the preparations seem to be complete. Ham is liaising with Lucas as we speak and all the colonists and crew are onboard. And by the way, congratulate them for their fine win today will you, they were magnificent."
"Oh - did we win? I was just - enjoying the experience." She smiled guiltily. "And I guess it was more about relations with crew than winning or losing." At the words Charlotte shifted uncomfortably, she meant to say crew relations.
"It certainly was that!" Hilary laughed in her ear.
Regan stood. "Well, we have a lot to get on with Charlie, and you seem to have everything in hand here. I know it's too early for you to report anything at this stage so we'll leave you to come to grips with the task. Not long now and we will be underway. Other than in the portal space which is only a brief jump we will always be close by should you need us." Regan looked sideways at Marin [We're off babe.] He reluctantly peeled himself from the soft chair and straightened his suit.
Charlotte was still blushing at the Freudian slip but quickly recovered. "I'll have one of the crew take you back to the flight deck."
"Oh there's no need," Marin chipped in, "we didn't come by shuttle." He winked, took Regan's arm . . . and they disappeared.
Regan's Reach 4: Avarice Page 12