Chapter 8
Lidon sat at the computer station in the clan’s quarters, frowning as he ran decoding program after decoding program on the Earther transport’s records. Thanks to a crewmember’s newly enhanced interpreting design, he was finally making some headway on the Earther systems. It hadn’t gotten him far yet. After hours of work, all the Nobek had deciphered were safe handling instructions for transporting hazardous materials, codes of etiquette for dignitaries who hitched a ride, and instructions on how to service the ship’s ventilation system. He snorted at the paranoia that drove Earthers to encode everything. Even before the war they’d been a highly suspicious lot.
Tranis and Degorsk were currently in the containment unit with General Hamilton, where the chief medic was performing a full physical on the Earther. Captain Bigger’s unexpected death was making everyone cautious when it came to interrogating Hamilton. Tranis had decided it was imperative they make sure no other ugly surprises awaited beyond the explosive heart implant. No doubt the invasiveness of a complete workup would be a form of torture for the uptight general. Lidon’s lips curled in a ruthless smile.
The computer beeped at him, and he peered at the monitor. Another bit of information had been decoded. Lidon studied the data, his heart beating a little faster.
Unauthorized entrance into Earth’s atmosphere by way of the Triangles will result in Armageddon.
“Finally,” Lidon breathed. He hoped this tantalizing tidbit about accessing Earth meant he’d discovered something to do with breaching the planet’s security.
“Concentrate decoding on one hundred cipher groups surrounding last decoded entry,” he ordered the computer. He added, “Separate command: define ‘Armageddon’ as the term relates to Earth.”
A new readout appeared next to the first. Armageddon. Exact translation: Mountain of Meggido, which is located in the province of Israel, Middle Eastern Bloc. More popular use: final battle between prophet Jesus and the antichrist as depicted in Earth’s official religion.
Lidon swore under his breath. “Another damned code. Location and geography of ‘the Triangles’ on Earth.”
No geographic correlation for any location named ‘the Triangles’. The notation may refer to areas known as the Bermuda Triangle and the Dragon’s Triangle.
The screen displayed two areas on the enemy planet, one off the North American coast and the other off the Asian coast. The locations were in the two largest seas of Earth.
None of it made sense to Lidon. As part of a spyship crew that targeted their efforts against Earth, he had some understanding of his enemy’s religion. He’d spent many an evening studying the belief system along with taking a training course. Even with the knowledge the Nobek had gained, he couldn’t imagine how entering the planet’s atmosphere could set off a fight between good and evil religious entities.
At any rate, they had to access the security grid before the Kalquorians could get near Earth’s atmosphere. “Close second readout,” he sighed. The maps winked out.
At least it was something new to question Hamilton about. Lidon had no doubt that by using the computer he would eventually be able to expose all the secrets the Earther transport carried. Yet getting the enemy general to spill his guts would be much faster. And more satisfying.
A soft snore interrupted his thoughts. Lidon turned to smile at Cassidy, well into her second hour of sleep. She curled on the billowing sleeping mat, her lovely pale body shimmering against the dark blue linens. She looked ethereal, like a magical creature that could disappear with the slightest breath of air. Despite her exhausted slumber, tension creased a line between her brows.
Poor child, the Nobek thought, a stab of sympathy slicing into his heart. Despite feeling sorry for her plight, it did not quite calm the instant erection he got from looking at her. He wished there was some way of helping her see that the clan was putting her through hell so she might realize paradise in the end.
Cassidy’s stubborn resolve impressed Lidon. She refused to be intimidated by the three men’s size and strength, perhaps discerning they could never cause her real harm. Had they given her the means to attack with blaster or blade, Lidon had no doubt the little Earther would do her damnedest to eviscerate them. She had strength, all right.
Yet sometimes Cassidy broke as exhaustion and her natural sexual urges gained the upper hand. When her resolve crumbled, it usually meant tears would soon follow. Seeing the young Earther cry was harder than Lidon had anticipated. It made something in his chest ache.
Lidon had killed enemies in the line of military duty and never lost a moment’s sleep over it. Nobeks were the fiercest of Kalquorians, and Lidon was one of the deadliest of his breed. But his little Matara’s tears hurt his heart. He’d rather cut off his good leg than make Cassidy suffer any emotional anguish. It felt wrong that he, the man sworn to protect her from all harm, was seen as her greatest enemy.
Lidon checked the chronometer on the computer readout. According to Degorsk’s orders, he was moments away from waking Cassidy from her exhausted rest. It was nearly time to ply her cooperation with more persuasive lovemaking.
Lidon would tell Cassidy she’d had a full sleep cycle, helping to confuse her sense of time and making her doubt her senses. According to what the psychological board reported, fatigue would exacerbate the uncertainty the clan tortured the girl with. It would make Cassidy more susceptible to losing her conviction that sex with the Kalquorians was a sin.
Lidon wasn’t sure brainwashing Cassidy in such a way was ethical, but he knew she had a skewed idea of evil as it related to lovemaking. Most Earthers did, tyrannized by their Church-led government. The Nobek snorted at the idea of normal biological needs being held as evil. He thought such dogma was the real evil. One only had to see how confused and upset Cassidy became over it to know the extremism had done terrible damage. His little love was traumatized and programmed by Earth’s insane strictures. Was it really so awful what they were doing to her and the other women?
Degorsk seemed to think so. Lidon’s Imdiko was finding it harder and harder to have his team coerce the Mataras into sexual play. The medic was trying to find a gentler solution to the problem, searching for some way of convincing the women of their worth and right to pleasure.
Lidon looked at Cassidy and thought ahead to what was about to happen. Her lush body beckoned him, and heat trickled into his cocks. He’d noted that this wondrous being destined to be his lifemate seemed to respond to both tenderness and a firm hand. The latter suited him quite well. Cassidy would soon find his methods were nowhere near as gentle as Degorsk’s. It was time to discover if she liked rougher use as much as he suspected.
Lidon looked at the blank wall where the restraints he’d planned had still not been installed. No matter. The anti-gravity cuffs would work well enough for his purposes this time. Cassidy would be just as vulnerable to his inducements. Using physical means to secure her obedience didn’t bother the Nobek as much as the mental games. She’d already shown some enjoyment of such play. With Degorsk’s blessing to incorporate punishment into her re-educat
ion, Lidon was ready to find out how rough she liked it.
He stood and stepped to the bedside. Cassidy’s sweet, round face surrounded by the cloud of almost-white hair was the loveliest thing he’d ever seen. Looking down on the soft curves of her body, knowing it was his to enjoy for the rest of their lives made Lidon’s groin throb. He swallowed, thinking of all the pleasurable acts he would perform with her in the years to come. One day she would welcome them with all her being.
At his command, a drawer over the bed slid soundlessly from the wall. Lidon took four cuffs from the drawer, and it retracted to blend seamlessly into the wall once more. He strapped the anti-gravity shackles on the girl’s wrists and ankles. Cassidy moaned in her sleep but didn’t wake as he worked.
As soon as he had her properly cuffed, he ordered, “Elevate prisoner three feet, vertical X-formation.”
Cassidy slowly rose into the air, pulled upright by the wrist cuffs. Her eyes fluttered for an instant before closing heavily once more. Her head lolled until her chin came to rest on her chest. Exhaustion owned her, but not for long.
Lidon pulled her body away from the bed so it hung suspended over the floor. Then he went to the workstation where a hypo of stimulant waited, left by Degorsk. It would wake Cassidy without negating the effects of the extreme weariness on her mind, leaving her vulnerable to suggestion.
Lidon injected her and tossed the hypo away. He counted down the seconds it took for the stimulant to work its way through her body, admiring her pale, lush figure as the shackles held her spread-eagle in the air. He walked around her, drinking her in from every angle before stopping at her side.
His breath warming the delicate cup of her ear, Lidon whispered, “Time to wake, my pet.” His hand swung and connected with one fleshy cheek of her buttocks, making a satisfying smack.
* * * *
Cassidy cried out at the sharp pain that came out of nowhere, jerking her out of sleep. Heat radiated from her hindquarters. She pried her weighted lids apart to see Lidon standing over her. She was shocked to find herself upright and hanging in mid-air.
Lidon pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Good morning, Cassidy. Did you have a good night’s sleep?”
She stared at him, her brain foggy. Had she really slept the night through? It felt as if she’d only just closed her eyes. Her head throbbed with heaviness.
Lidon moved, and three explosive slaps warmed her bottom. Cassidy yelped in surprise at the sudden, unexpected hurt. Dear God, was the alien spanking her?
The Nobek kissed her cheek again. She stared at him, exhaustion bringing tears to her eyes. That and something else upset her to the point of weeping. For some reason, Lidon was displeased with her. He must be annoyed or he wouldn’t be swatting her backside like a disapproving father.
She didn’t like that. She also didn’t like that Lidon’s unhappiness felt like a bad thing. Anger joined her distress.
Whatever made him put out with her enough to warrant this punishment wasn’t readily apparent. Fighting the irrational urge to apologize for making him dissatisfied, Cassidy yelled in the Nobek’s face, “Don’t hit me! You have no right!”
At odds with his actions, Lidon’s expression was patient though his purple cat eyes were intense. In a gentle voice he said, “I asked you a question, pet. It is impolite to not answer your mate. Such disrespect warrants punishment.”
In her dazed state, she couldn’t remember his question. Cassidy’s lip trembled as the hot sting of her rump spread. She bit back the pathetic sobs that wanted to escape, pulling her lips back in a snarl. “You are not my mate,” she whispered.
Lidon smiled. He caressed her breasts, his hands rough and achingly pleasing. Her sex clenched, adding to the heat down below. Cassidy caught her breath.
Stop wanting him. He’s a monster.
“I think it would be nice to start our day with lovemaking,” Lidon said. “You would like that too, wouldn’t you?”
Cassidy ignored the heady combination of fear and desire his words incited, concentrating on her moral duty. “No.”
The Nobek’s smile grew, as if he’d hoped for her disagreement. The next instant he started spanking her again. His heavy palm smacked her buttocks hard and fast. Cassidy jerked in her bonds, writhing to escape the punishment. There was nowhere to go.
“You bastard! Stop!”
He didn’t stop. No part of her soft backside was left untouched. Lidon’s spanking was thorough, and her rump turned roasting hot under his attention. The sharp whacks and her enraged screams filled the room.
Even as hurt consumed Cassidy’s ass and fury filled her mind, the heat of the blows radiated and transmitted delicious sensation to her sex. Knowing Lidon could end the spanking and take her anytime he wished compounded the arousal, making her wet with need.
When he stopped, Cassidy hung limp in the shackles, sobbing as much from fury as the ache throbbing from her hindquarters. Humiliation was there too, in large quantities. What was wrong with her to find pleasure in pain?
“The correct answer to my question is ‘yes, please.’ I will ask again. Cassidy, would you like me to make love to you?” Despite the vulgarity of his words, Lidon’s tone suggested he was the most reasonable man in the universe.
Her soul was at stake. Nevermind the agony her body was taking perverse delight in. She had to be strong. She had to deny the innate evil of her nature as a woman.
“No. You can rot in Hell.” Cassidy tensed for the coming punishment.
Lidon spanked her again. Her buttocks clenched in agony against his open-handed blows, but her devil flesh responded to the harsh use with renewed desire. Honey crept down her inner thighs.
The spanking lasted longer this time, and Cassidy’s cries were ragged with combined pain and want. A part of her sluggish mind conjured the fantasy of Tranis taking her while Lidon continued the discipline. Her secret flesh flexed, thrilling to the vulnerability of her captivity.
Lidon ended the punishment, and she hung limp in the cuffs. Wanton whore a voice whispered in her mind. Depraved slut. Like all other women. Like HER.
No.
“Cassidy, would you like me to make love to you?” The Nobek’s voice was as gentle as someone who would never hurt a fly, much less punish a helpless girl.
She couldn’t answer, because she was afraid of the consequences of her response. Saying yes was a sin. Saying no would prolong the delicious chastisement and make her desire Lidon all the more. Heat throbbed all over; her ass, her pussy, deep inside her gut.
Cassidy’s yearning for more discipline at the big alien’s hands was as shocking as the desire to say yes so he’d bury his sex in hers, relieving the need that drove away all sense and principles. Either way damned her soul. So Cassidy hung in the anti-grav cuffs, groaning helplessly as craving warred with ethics.
When she didn’t answer, Lidon resumed the spanking. She no longer struggled against the blows, though she couldn’t help but cry out at each painful crack of his hand. Her being was centered on the luscious feeling of being at the gorgeous alien’s mercy. Arousal swelled in her lower regions, growing with every sweet strike on her hot flesh. The feeling intensified as the punishment continued, the demand for release about to be realized. As insane as it seemed, Cassidy thought she might achieve climax from the spanking.
Before pleasure overw
helmed her senses, Lidon again halted the discipline. This time when she sobbed, it was from loss. She had been so close…
“Cassidy, would you like me to make love to you?”
She gasped for air, trying desperately to calm the intense arousal. “Stop doing this. If you beat me black and blue, I will never be your Matara.”
“I have no intention of bruising your beautiful white flesh, my pet. However, it is a most delicious red right now. I suppose I could turn it a deeper shade, since you insist on being so disagreeable.”
Lidon spanked her again. Cassidy noticed he was hard, his erection straining his formsuit. Her orgasm loomed, the first tickle of completion tightening her sex.
Just one more strike from Lidon’s big, wonderful hand…
He stopped. “Answer the question.”
She groaned, the sound a bereft exhalation. She’d been right there, and she actually hurt from need. Cassidy never knew desire could become painful. Her head throbbed in tandem with her nether parts.
“Last chance, pet. Yes or no?”
“Yes, damn you.” She couldn’t remember what she was agreeing to. All she knew was the terrible need would be satisfied by any touch Lidon gave her.
“I’m so glad to hear you want me as I want you.”
Instead of giving her that last sweet blow on her throbbing cheeks, Lidon’s fingers brushed her engorged clitoris. It was all Cassidy needed. She arched with a delighted scream as the orgasm finally crashed against her. She rubbed frantically against the Nobek’s calloused hand, the pressure ripping spasm after spasm from her overwrought body. After a moment’s startled hesitation Lidon took over, capturing her straining bud between his fingers to bring her anew. His arm circled her waist, holding her still while he massaged her wet flesh. His gaze riveted on her face as she gave in to the sweet shattering cataclysm.
Alien Conquest Page 14