“Human weapons cannot penetrate our armour”.
“Huh, tell that to the soldier who is concussed. If you hadn’t carried him he could have been captured” Jo argued.
He loomed over her and Jo forced herself not to be afraid of him, and stood her ground.
Shaking his head he said, “It’s no good, you’ve forced me into this action”. Then grabbing hold of her he pulled her to him and kissed her hard and with such passion she felt herself falling, luckily he had hold of her tightly. When she felt as if she’d never breathe again he released her lips, although his mouth stayed very close to hers and he whispered “Thank you my lady. You saved a bad situation from getting worse. I was wondering how I could avoid killing your policemen. That was something I was loath to do, as I didn’t think that you would be very pleased with me”.
“I hoped that you would realise I had only done my best” Jo whispered back, breathless at his hold.
“One thing, why destroy the factory?”
“You see, they’ll think it was terrorists building bombs or something, and hopefully will forget how big you all looked. After all, no one will want to talk of monsters” she explained.
“We are not that big” Acorus said, nibbling Jo’s ear, “Well, maybe in one area!”
“We must make sure, none of the girls need to go back to Earth” Jo said, then suddenly “I’m sorry Acorus, but I feel a bit funny”.
As she slumped in his arms, Acorus rushed to the door, shouting for his guards. As they opened the door he ran through carrying her in his arms “Get a doctor, now” he ordered hurrying towards the hospital wing.
A guard ran fast ahead of him, and as he entered the hospital Jeksa was waiting for him. He laid her gently on a trolley and held her hand as Jeksa examined her. When Jeksa said that she needed Jo’s armour off, it was Acorus who did it, covering her with a white sheet. Her eyes fluttered and she tried to sit up but he held her down, saying “Lie still my love, you are quite safe”.
At that moment Tchu and Tjai rushed in. Tchu took Jo’s other hand and ‘said’ Jo, my Jo don’t worry. All is alright, I can tell. You are just fatigued; you need food, fluid and complete rest”.
Jeksa having completed her tests, agreed with Tchu and giving Jo an energy drink said that she must go straight to her quarters and rest for twenty four hours. Acorus insisted on carrying her to the hangar deck where they got on a fighter ship and were transported to Acorus’s star ship. Having laid her on their bed he wanted to stay with her, but she knew he had a lot to do so told him she was fine in Tchu and Tjai’s hands.
“Jo you are right, I must organise the females and my soldiers. Are you sure you are OK no pain or anything?”
“No honestly I’m good. It’s been a very busy day. Lots of pregnant women faint, so please don’t worry”.
Kissing her gently he left, telling Tchu not to leave her alone and to call him if anything was wrong. Hustling him out of the door Tchu said frowning “She do too much, too much of everything!”
Going back to Jo she said “This is a warning, you must rest and eat more. I have sent Tjai for food so you must eat first, then if you are steady on your feet we will shower you and Tjai will give you a massage to make you sleep. Your mind is too busy”.
Doing as she was told Jo lay back on her pillows, however her mind would not rest. How many girls exactly, were there? How many rejects? Where would Acorus have the rejects taken? She really should be helping.
Lying there worrying she suddenly gasped, her stomach felt as if something was trying to get out. Grabbing herself she called for Tchu, who was there in an instant asking if she was in pain. Not in pain Jo told her but feeling about to burst.
Pulling the covers down Tchu examined her stomach. Then she smiled “That is good, Jo. The baby is changing position, ready to be born”.
“But I’ve got another three or four weeks to go” Jo said anxiously.
“Yes, but now your baby is fully grown. From now on all the goodness you give it will feed its brain. That is what happens with a Sceriae/human baby. Probably this is why you fainted. The baby is taking all your energy, so it could move. Now it will be quite still, no hard kicking, as its brain power increases to the Sceriae intelligence level”.
As Jo lay back feeling even more exhausted Tjai came in with a tray of food. When Tchu told her what had just happened she smiled with relief and said that Jo would feel a lot better when she’d had a good sleep. To her surprise Jo made short work of the food and drink. She hadn’t realised how hungry she had been. She must remember that her body was no longer just her’s, but nurtured another.
Telling Tchu and Tjai about what had occurred during the night, Jo felt excited about meeting the girls when they were allowed to wake up. What the Sceriae were doing now felt so much better, because they would be giving those girls a happier life than they would have had on Earth. Knowing that Jo would not be able to sleep naturally Tchu persuaded her to let them shower her. Standing in the shower with Tchu washing her back and feet Jo had to admit to being exhausted. In fact if it hadn’t been for Tchu’s help she wouldn’t have managed. Once dry Tjai helped her to the massage table and under the influence of the special oils and Tjai’s amazing hands she fell fast asleep.
When Jo fell asleep, Tjai, once again, picked her up in her arms and carried her to her bed. Pulling the covers up gently, Tjai left Tchu by Jo’s bed and silently left the room. Jo slept for the remainder of the night, through the next day until early evening with Tchu and Tjai taking it in turns to sit with her. Acorus had looked in on her three times, even though he had been reassured by Tchu’s explanation for Jo fainting.
The three star ships were making their way through the asteroid belt. Then Acorus and Belain would take over another ship and with two others return through the belt to take up position behind the moon. These three ships would be filled with girls, then they would swap with the last three.
The last three ships would be used for the prostitutes and once they were full the fleet would head back to the wormhole and then back to Scerior. It would mean that Acorus and Jo would be separated, but both would be busy. Since Jo had fainted Acorus had decided that it would put too much strain on her body to pass back and forward through the asteroid belt. He had also been told in no uncertain terms, by Tchu, to leave Jo alone. Deciding that if he was with her that might prove to be impossible, being separated by the asteroid belt might be a good idea.
He was leaving his star ship with her as she needed its luxury quarters, which he’d had built for her. The captain’s quarters on the other star ships were much more basic.
When Jo woke up, Tchu was sitting by her bed. Looking at Jo she said “That is better, no longer are you exhausted, either mentally or physically”.
“I’m starving” Jo exclaimed, “What time is it?”
“It’s early evening” Tchu told her “Food will be here shortly. Do you want to get up?”
“I’m desperate for the loo, so I’d better”, and Jo got up and going into the bathroom asked Tchu to get her a kaftan.
After cleaning her teeth and washing her face and hands Jo felt better than she had for days. As she put on the clean kaftan that Tchu had handed her Tjai appeared with a loaded tray.
“Gosh, I don’t think even I could eat all that” she laughed as Tjai filled the table.
“We wondered if it would be alright for us to eat with you. All is hustle and bustle; all our sisters are waking the females up. They ate early and we didn’t feel hungry then” Tjai explained.
“Of course you can eat with me, that would be lovely, I hate eating alone. I gather Acorus won’t be joining us?” Jo said, then she exclaimed, “Did you say that the girls are being woken up? Have we passed through the asteroid belt already?”
“Yes safely through a while ago”.
“Well once I�
�ve eaten, I’ll have plenty to do; I suppose the sensible thing would be to start on this ship. But aren’t the girls being transferred to an empty ship?”
As they ate Tchu explained to Jo what Acorus had decided. Seeing that Jo was disappointed at not being where the excitement was, Tchu told her that she must now think about the baby’s well being. Reluctantly Jo agreed, thanking god that she had got the birth control pills. She knew that she wouldn’t be happy, pregnant all the time. Once they had eaten Jo put her armour on, once again it had to stretch to cover her stomach. It hadn’t got bigger but with the baby moving it was a different shape. When she could move comfortably, she put on her helmet and with Tchu in attendance went in search of Acorus. He wasn’t on the flight deck but Belain was, pleased to see Jo recovered he told her that Acorus was on the hangar deck, where he had been sorting out the fighter ships and crews.
Passing the girls quarters she was itching to go in, but thought better of it. She knew that she must only act as she was ordered when dealing with the girls. When she got to the hangar, fighter ships were hurrying back and forward between all nine star ships. Acorus saw her immediately and hurried over to her “Are you feeling better? Should you be out of bed?”
“I’m feeling great and I have Tchu’s permission to be here” Jo smiled, delighted to see him, “by the way Tchu has told me that I must stay here”.
“It’s best for your health Jo” he said anxious that she wasn’t too upset.
“I know, at least I’ll get more sleep”, she teased him “But please talk to me regularly. I worry about you when I’m not there to look after you”.
“Once our daughter is born I intend to look after you constantly” he said with that certain glint in his eyes.
They both heard Tchu tut, and both laughed then changed it into a cough.
“When are you going back to Earth?” Jo asked.
“Tomorrow, I need to make sure that all is organised here. We will be together tonight”.
Seeing that Tchu was shaking her head in despair, he went on to say that they must discuss how she dealt with the girls. Needing his advice Jo said that she didn’t really know how to start. Assuring her that she’d get plenty of help, but also stressing that she must not go in with them without at least two guards, Acorus looked at her sternly. About to tell him that that was unnecessary, she changed her mind and agreed with him. Surprised at her agreement, he told her that if she disobeyed him on that matter, he would stop her dealing with the human females.
Changing the subject Jo asked what was happening with the fighter ships. He told her that he was putting more fighters on the star ships that were going to Earth. The last raid had shown him that the more fighters he had watching over them the safer they would be. Also he had learned not to underestimate humans, they had seemed to be very well organised.
Jo said, boastfully that at least in her country they were and he agreed that they seemed to be more organised than a lot of countries. The hangar had slowly cleared and calm had descended. An officer approached Acorus and they talked for a while, then nodding his approval Acorus said that he was finished here and asked if Jo had eaten. When she said that she had he asked if she’d like to go and have a look at the females.
“What now?”
“Yes, while I’m with you and you’ve got your armour on. First they need to be afraid of monster aliens. Then when they discover that we are good looking they’ll be pleasantly surprised!” he said laughing.
Jo slapped him and said “You are so big headed, whoever told you that you’re good looking? I was more afraid when you took your armour off!”
“Yes, but that was on observing the size of my cock” he grinned defending himself.
“It’s not funny” Jo said frowning “Fear is awful”.
“Don’t you want to go and see them, then?”
“Of course I do. OK let’s go”.
Calling two guards to join him, Acorus led the way to the girl’s quarters. When they got there he asked Tchu to find out what was happening. She went to a small plain door further down the corridor and went in. She returned very quickly and reported that the girls were in the main chamber apart from one who was being very difficult.
Thanking her Acorus told Jo to stay next to him then he flung the large doors open. Striding in he stopped and stood just looking around. Jo followed his example and also just stood looking around. A lot had screamed at the sight of them but most just stood or sat, mesmerised by their appearance. They were so traumatised by what had happened to them that they seemed stunned. Acorus spoke, his voice sounding harsher and more alien than usual.
“I am Lord General Acorus, overall commander of the army of Scerior. You have been well treated by us, better than the scum who owned you on Earth. Do as you are told and you will do well, disobey and you will wish we had left you with the white slave traders” looking round Jo could see that most of the girls were very young.
Even while Acorus was speaking, a lot of the girls were still eating, so starved they were almost beyond fear.
Then Acorus said, indicating Jo, “This is my mate, Lady Jo-Anna. You will treat her with great respect at all times. Whatever she tells you to do, you will do it immediately. If you upset or annoy her you will answer to me, and I am a cruel Lord. She is here to help you to understand what your life will be. It is up to you whether it is a good life or not. Obey the Escorii, treat them with respect and they will look after you as if you are their children” then turning to Jo he asked her if she wanted to say anything.
Nodding her head and thinking hard she said “What my Lord has told you is true, behave well and you will have a happy life. I and the Escorii are here to help you. In a few days you will feel and look better than you ever have. I will be here tomorrow to talk to you all. If you have any worries or problems you will be allowed to tell me about them.
When Jo stopped talking Acorus then asked where the girl who was being difficult was. As he spoke in Sceria the other girls didn’t know what he had said. Two Escorii came out of a cubicle and said that she was there. Indicating that his guards stay with Jo. Acorus strode to the cubicle where the girl was. Coming back out he had her in one hand. Jo worried what he might do, went to step forward but at a look from Acorus stayed still.
She was a wild looking child, sobbing, she was screaming in a strange language.
Carrying her out of the chamber, Acorus told Jo to follow him. Once the doors were closed, Acorus spoke to the girl in her language. Then he carried her in his arms to a closed room. When the door was opened by a guard it proved to be a single bedroom. Still speaking to the girl Acorus indicated that Jo and Tchu follow him. Dropping the girl on the bed he took off his helmet. When that caused the girl to scream louder he asked Jo to take her helmet off, which she did. The girl said something to Acorus and he spoke gently to her pointing at Jo and Tchu. Tchu was distressed and spoke in the same language that the girl was using. The girl’s eyes were moving from one to the other, then nodding at Jo she asked a question.
Tchu answered her and then the girl said in halting English “Is true? You are English... human? This man not hurt me?”
Jo knelt down next to her “Yes it’s true, I am English, a human girl and this man would never hurt you”.
The child, for that was all she was, said “No more fuck, no more beat, no more no food?”
“No, my dear, you will be treated like a princess. Just do as the Escorii ask and they will be like a mother to you, like this Escorii is to me”.
“I wished I died, too much bang, bang, hit, hit” the girl sobbed and Jo took her in her arms and cuddled her.
Once she was calm, Acorus called for the girl’s Escorii and told them to take her to her cubicle, but to keep her separate for tonight. The child went off calmly with her Escorii and Jo asked Acorus if he’d asked how old she was, and he said that sh
e hadn’t known in years but he could tell that she wasn’t of mating age yet”.
“What can we do with her, I wonder if there are any others so young” Jo said worriedly.
“The only thing we can do with the poor child and any others that young, is to take them to Scerior. They will live at the nursery until they are old enough to take a mate” Acorus said with anger in his voice.
“To think what those evil men have done to a child so small, it is a wonder she survived” Jo was almost crying with anger.
“Don’t get upset, Jo. They will never hurt any more children” Acorus growled.
“If we can only save a few, it will be a good thing”.
“We will save more than a few. Osega knows of many places where females have been gathered. Also Ghera and Octpa had heard of two places where children are collected to service bad men. I forget your name for that “Acorus shook his head in disgust.
“The name is paedophiles, but I prefer scum of the Earth. I did hear on the television news, that there are sites on computers that talk about paedophilia” Jo told him.
“Computer, is that called internet?”
“Yes, that’s right. You know about computers then?”
“Mmm”, Acorus said thoughtfully “I believe that some of Osega’s officers are interested in your computers. They say they have learned a lot about your world from them. Not all good... I’m afraid!”
“There is a lot on the net to help the Sceriae understand Earth, but also there is a lot of bad on it too” Jo sighed “Have we finished for today as I’m feeling hungry again?”
“Our daughter will be as big as me, if the amount you eat is any guide”, Acorus laughed “Yes we’re finished and can rest for the rest of the night. I’ll head back to Earth tomorrow, so tonight is our last night together for a while”.
Turning to Tchu, Jo asked her to arrange for food to be prepared for them. Putting his arm on Jo’s shoulders Acorus walked with her back to their quarters, his guards trailing along behind. Suddenly remembering they were there he turned and dismissed them. Saluting they peeled off and headed to their quarters.
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