“Yes, once you hear a language spoken for a short while, you will be able to speak it. Of course you need to practise. Young Escorii and Sceriae are taught how to do it as soon as they can talk. As you are an adult human it may be more difficult for you but, practise, practise, practise” Tchu told her.
“I will. What a surprise Acorus will get. Talking about him, I wonder what he is doing. They must have formulated their plans by now. He ought to eat and rest before the raid tonight” Jo said.
“Would you like me to find out what is happening Jo?”
“If you wouldn’t mind, I’m tired from our lesson so I think I’ll lie down for a while” and Jo got into bed and lay back.
“I’ll make sure you are not disturbed” Tchu said going out of the room.
Jo closed her eyes, thinking about the language lesson, but dozing off quite quickly.
Acorus and Belain, deep in conversation entered the room, accompanied by Escorii, carrying food. Seeing Jo asleep on the bed they stopped talking and went to the table. When they were seated Belain said “No wonder you are so crazy about her. She is the most beautiful female I have ever seen. Her beauty could send a male mad with lust”.
“Not lust brother, love. She is so much more than just a beautiful female. I hope that one day you will learn what it is like to love”.
“My needs are different to yours Acorus. Which is why Julie suits me when she didn’t suit you. I enjoy giving her an occasional beating and then taking her, hard.
She enjoys that too. Continuous gentle mating bores her, we are good together”.
Belain explained helping himself to food.
“Jo does not respond well to harshness. If you beat her you’d find yourself dead one night” Acorus laughed.
Belain laughed too and told Acorus that he was braver than him, to have such a dangerous creature in his bed.
Although Jo looked as if she was fast asleep, she had just been dozing, and even though they spoke in Sceria, she heard and understood what was being said. Pleased at how well her lesson had gone she almost said something. Then she thought that it might be to her advantage for them not to know that she could understand Sceria, so she continued to feign sleep. Eventually she started to stretch and pretend that she was waking up, and Acorus went to her and asked if she was hungry.
Laughing she said that she was always hungry and sat up in bed. Faking surprise at seeing Belain she got up and went into the bathroom to freshen up, then joined them at the table. Filling her plate she asked how the plans for tonight were going. They told her that there were going to be three simultaneous raids. One just outside London, one in Poland, and another in Serbia. The one in London was on a large, mostly derelict industrial estate, and the ones in Poland and Serbia were out in quiet countryside.
Obviously the one in London would be the most difficult, but they had information that there were a lot of girls there, temporarily, before they were moved in small numbers to other cities. When Jo asked how they could accommodate so many Acorus told her that on his orders, another star ship had joined them. To fill three star ships in two nights was more than they had ever hoped for.
“Gosh, it’s going to be so busy” Jo commented.
“We’ve got enough Escorii to handle it though. Two to each girl instead of three. It’s you I’m worried about though, Jo. You’ll have three star ships to visit as soon as they’re through the asteroid belt. You must make sure you get plenty of rest” Acorus told her.
“Don’t worry I make sure I rest plenty. I have no choice; your daughter wears me out”.
“Oh she’s my daughter, when she’s being a nuisance, your’s when she’s quiet” he laughed.
Belain looked back and forward at them as they joked with each other. It seemed that they could say what they liked. Shaking his head he marvelled at the change in his brother. Before Jo, he took a female as he wanted. Didn’t think of them as equals, just an itch that needed scratching. Now, Belain knew, he would die for Jo.
Strange thing this love, that he talked about. It was a disease Belain had no desire to catch. When Belain had lusted after Julie, Acorus had shrugged, and told him to give her a go! When he saw Jo on the star ship, when he had killed that stupid girl, Acorus had said, to Belain’s jest that she was sexy, “When I tire of her, she’s yours”.
Now Belain knew his brother would kill him if he touched her. A dangerous spell, this love thing! Suddenly aware that Acorus had asked him something Belain shook his head and said “Sorry, I didn’t hear that”.
“I’m not surprised; your brain seems to have got lost”.
“Yes, I think I need to sleep, especially if we are up all night again. I’ll see you later” Belain said as he got up and took his leave.
Saying that he wouldn’t mind a nap, Acorus asked Jo to help him with his armour.
As he stepped out of it he turned quickly and pulled her towards him “I think you need a shower” he said carrying her towards it.
“Oh you do, do you. I don’t suppose you need one too, do you?”
“Well it wouldn’t hurt” he laughed, pulling her kaftan over her head and throwing it aside. Carrying her into the shower he said “You wash my back and I’ll wash yours”.
Turning away from him Jo asked “You’ll wash my what?”
When he pressed her back against him and cupped her breasts she said “Behave yourself”.
“Oh I will” he said tweaking her nipples and nuzzling her neck, causing her to catch her breath “At least I can get close to you this way round” he whispered pushing his erection between her legs and moving his fingers down to her groin.
Teasing her with his thumbs he manoeuvred until he was just inside her. As she gasped with surprise he lifted her slightly and slid further into her, ignoring her gasps of “No don’t” he moved gently in and out until she started to moan with desire. Making sure that he didn’t hurt her or the baby he took them both to the heights of passion. Climaxing together they stayed joined together until her muscles started to complain. Acorus kissed the nape of her neck causing her to tense and Acorus to rasp “Don’t do that or I will have to have you again!”
“Oh you, you sex mad alien, get off” Jo giggled.
“It is you who needs to get off, or haven’t you noticed” he replied lifting her up and letting her go. As they washed each other, laughing and teasing in turn, Acorus said “We are good together Jo. I may be a big scary Sceriae, but don’t ever be afraid of me again, please. I may get angry, but I will never hurt you, unless you want me to”, then laughing lasciviously he defended himself from her slaps.
Climbing into bed together they quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter 36
Once again they were woken by Tchu who knocked, then opening the door slightly called out to them “It is late afternoon, almost evening on Earth, Lord Acorus. I have been asked to wake you”.
“Thank you Tchu, can you organise food?” he asked.
“Certainly, I’ll go and hurry it up”.
Getting out of bed Acorus went into the bathroom, leaving Jo to wake up slowly. Walking back into the bedroom he pulled the covers off her and said “Up sleepy head. Go put your armour on. Tchu will be back shortly with food”.
Grumbling gently Jo did as she was told and disappeared into the bathroom. Quickly cleaning her teeth and splashing water on her face she to put her armour on. Going to join Acorus at the table, a thought struck her “Acorus, where are Kheta and Khala? I haven’t seen them on the ship”.
“Khala is learning how to interrogate prisoners. His father is our chief interrogator and wants Khala to follow in his footsteps. Anyway I don’t usually have assistants when away from Scerior”.
“What about Kheta? What’s he doing now?”
“Kheta is busy mating” Acorus said nonchalantly.
“Mating?” He’s been absent for weeks. Actually the same as Tsu” Jo said thoughtfully.
“Yes they are mating together” came the answer.
“Why didn’t Tsu or one of the others tell me? I would have been pleased for her”.
“The thing is, Jo, they keep all that very private. Mating for them is difficult because of the power of their minds” Acorus explained “They have to have their minds in tune, before anything physical can happen. Then the female stays secluded, only seeing her mate until after the birth”.
“Is that why the males practically ignore the females, most of the time?”
“As I said, to them it is a completely private thing. To enquire about it would be very impolite. They view us as strange because we mate freely and openly” he said laughing ruefully, “Especially me, because you are already pregnant. I don’t think mating for them is comfortable or pleasurable”.
“Oh” Jo went red thinking what they must think of her.
At that moment the door opened and Tchu and Tjai entered carrying trays of food. As Tchu carried the tray to the table she suddenly paused, looked at Jo and tutted. Which caused Jo to go even redder. Turning her gaze on Acorus Tchu wagged her finger at him, and said “I am ashamed of you Lord, you are very indiscreet”.
Bowing his head Acorus said “I apologise unreservedly for any inappropriate behaviour, Madam Tchu. It is only that my Lady asks so many questions”.
“Questions do not always need answers” Tchu replied gravely “Eat. You have a busy night ahead” and with that she turned, nodded to Tjai and left the room.
“You coward, putting the blame for your indiscretions on me” Jo said.
“I told you she terrifies me” Acorus laughed “I’d rather take on ten Xenorii than
Madam Tchu”.
“I can’t believe it. The fearsome Lord General Acorus treated like a naughty boy”.
“You forget, the Escorii raised me, at least the females did. They are kind but able to make us males, squirm when they tut at us. That’s all they ever had to do even to Belain, who was always naughty. My nurse just had to say, Acorus you disappoint me, and it would be worse than being beaten”.
“I can’t imagine the Escorii beating anyone” Jo laughed.
“No they wouldn’t but the Sceriae males would. Especially my language teacher. He always said that my mind was too full of rubbish, for me to pick up languages” he was laughing too now.
Having eaten their fill, carrying their helmets they hurried up to the flight deck, the officer in charge while Acorus and Belain rested, told them that the star ship that had joined them had finished changing the cubicles in the girl’s quarters, and their captain was on his way to join them for the briefing. Going over to one of the viewing tubes, Jo looked through it. She could see the surface of the moon clearly. It looked totally barren, but the rocks, plains and mountains were interesting as shadows caused by the sun moved across them.
Going to Acorus she asked if there was anything she could do tonight, as she had enjoyed her jaunt last night. As he shook his head she was disappointed, she so wanted to visit Earth again. She didn’t argue, but sat in her seat and watched what was happening around her. Then a thought struck her, “Remember talking about Earth’s music, books and films, it would be an ideal opportunity tonight to collect some. We could visit a library, or Waterstones, then Blockbusters and a music store. If we leave it until another night, the authorities might have become suspicious, and there might be more police patrols”.
“Jo are you aware how pregnant you are?” Acorus asked “Surely you should be resting, not going on adventures?”
“I feel really well, I’m still not big and I’m resting plenty. If you let me have Ghera and Octpa again, we can be down and back up in no time” Jo argues.
Shaking his head, he agreed to discuss her idea with Osega Ghera and Octpa. However if they thought it would be difficult it would not happen. Crossing her fingers that they would have no objections, Jo agreed.
The captain of the third star ship entered the flight deck with his officers and Acorus greeted him, calling him Pengha and greeting him as a friend.
“Jo-Anna, this is Pengha, Pensus’ brother”.
Pengha saluted her and said “When I last saw my brother, he raved about your beauty. I thought it couldn’t be true, but it is”.
Glad of her armour, as only her face went red Jo smiled and said “Thank you, pleased to meet you”.
Once Belain, Osega and his men joined him Acorus got down to the briefing for that night’s raid. They would hit each location at exactly the same time, twenty soldiers to each raiding party. Each party would have six fighter ships in attendance as they didn’t know how many females there would be to pick up. The fighters would station themselves well above the cloud cover once they had dropped the raiders off. Then when called they would zoom down one by one to pick up the females and finally the soldiers.
Serbia and Poland would be easy, but London was another matter, because as far as their spies reported, London was never completely deserted. However as there were so many females there it was worth the risk. Even if they were seen, it would take a while for the authorities to respond. After all what policeman would take the report of aliens seriously!
Then, which pleased Jo immensely, Acorus brought up the possibility of Jo, Ghera and Octpa raiding libraries and shops. Osega thought it was a good idea, Belain like Acorus, was worried about Jo, and Pengha was astonished at the idea of allowing Jo to go to Earth. Bridling Jo asked what was so astonishing about her going to Earth.
Pengha looked at Acorus for help, but he held up his hands and said “Don’t look at me you’re on your own”.
Pengha hesitated then said “Lady, you are female and carrying young. Also you are not trained in battle”.
Acorus muttered “Oh my stars” and he and Belain shuffled out of the line of fire.
Looking anxious Osega stepped back after them. Smiling sweetly Jo turned to Pengha “You patronising male chauvinist, my ancestors took on the wild tribes of Earth, dangerous animals and awful climates in long skirts and almost always pregnant, because men couldn’t keep it in their pants. We are not going into battle; we are simply going shopping, which women have excelled in since birth. I will be the safest of you all on Earth because I am human”.
Pengha frowned, opened and closed his mouth, then turned to look at Acorus who was gazing at him in amusement. Then taking pity on him he said “We discovered last night that Jo, Ghera and Octpa are a good team. Once we have set off to pick up the females, Tachus will take you where you decide” then leaning close to Jo he whispered “Don’t get into any trouble. I’d hate to have to rescue you after that speech!”
Jo grinned at him and said “Pretty good wasn’t it?”
Laughing he turned back to his officers and said right let’s get down to planning”.
Jo listened for a while, practising her Sceria, then decided she’d better make plans of her own with Tachus, Ghera and Octpa, so left the flight deck and sent a soldier to find them. Thinking that it wasn’t done to have them in her quarters, she said she’d meet them in the officer’s wardroom. Tchu met her as usual and accompanied her to meet them. They were waiting for her, talking and joking together, but when she entered they went quiet and saluted her. She felt comfortable with them and soon they were all putting forward ideas.
As Jo pointed out all large cities were busy at night, most had police patrols because of the clubs and the trouble that occurred around them. They needed a quieter town, but some small towns didn’t have bookshops or libraries. Pouring over Tachus’s map Jo ruled out a lot of places. Thinking of places that would have books, music and films, she suddenly said “A supermarket!”
“What?” Tachus asked.
But Ghera and Octpa knew what she was talking about
and agreed it was a good idea. Thinking of the hospital in Devon, Jo said that, that was a lovely quiet place, so Tachus declared that they could hover over Devon and pick a likely spot. Jo told them that some supermarkets were open all night but others closed at ten o’clock. If they planned for say eleven thirty, then there would only be shelf stackers working over night. What to do with them was a problem though. Ghera said that they had the stun guns but Jo vetoed that as they didn’t know where they all would be. It would be great if they could find a supermarket which didn’t have staff working at night.
Jo said that the only way to do that would be to go early and ask, while shopping, so they picked out some likely spots and decided in which order to visit them. Jo was so excited at the thought of visiting different shops and talking to other humans, she wanted to set off immediately. Tachus said that they couldn’t do that as he must have Acorus’s permission to go, so they went back to the flight deck to get it.
Acorus, Belain and the others had finished their plans and Pengha had returned to his ship. Osega had gone to organise his spies, who knew Earth, as two or three would go with each party.
Jo was worried that Ghera and Octpa would be disappointed at missing the action but Ghera told her that they were much happier dealing with decent humans rather than the scum they’d had to live with recently. Telling Acorus of their plan she was worried in case he wouldn’t allow it, but he had decided that he must trust her judgement or stop her doing anything. Drawing her away from the others he leaned towards her and said “Just don’t decide that you prefer Earth to Scerior and me. Because I will seek you to the end of your world!”
Gazing into his eyes, serious but loving eyes, she replied “I’m afraid that you are stuck with me forever”.
“It’s at times like this I could curse my helmet, I want to kiss you until you faint!”
“Just as well then, your men would be amused” Jo laughed
“You are right; I have lost enough credibility because of you, already. I’ll have to start making you obey me, or my men might think I’ve gone soft” Acorus moaned “I think I could pretend to obey you, in public only mind, if that would help your image”.
Scerior Page 39