by L. M. Brown
“There are,” Purdi replied. “However, they aren’t for sale. Our new line of humans has proved most popular. You’re welcome to purchase the services of one or more for the night.”
“How many do you have?” Halor asked.
“We welcomed our ninth human just yesterday, though she is not yet ready to work. She needs a little persuading, if you know what I mean?”
Logan glared at the feline and Kit placed his hand on his arm, warning him to remain quiet and leave the talking to Halor.
Halor gave Purdi one of his winning smiles. “May I speak to the owners?”
“Whatever for?” Purdi asked.
“To see if I can persuade them to part with one or more of the humans,” Halor replied, in a tone that made it clear he thought this should be obvious. “As an avian prince, I’ve found that everything is for sale, if you have the funds to pay.”
“The owners aren’t here right now,” Purdi said. “I can set up a meeting for you, but it’s unlikely they’ll agree to sell. They’re more likely to want to buy from you.” Purdi nodded at Logan and Kit. “While they wouldn’t want to be saddled with a pregnant feline, they would be happy to take him after he’s given birth. They’re also working hard to increase the stock of humans, and this one is a fine specimen.”
Kit tried to contain his hiss of annoyance, and for the first time in months, he wished Logan had worn his flight suit. He could see the lascivious gaze of the feline judging his lover’s body and he didn’t like it at all.
“My Prime Beak and the human aren’t for sale,” Halor said.
“But didn’t you say everything has a price?”
Halor gave an annoyed caw. “It’s a shame your humans aren’t for sale. My Prime Beak here has discovered the intoxicating pleasures to be found when he drinks from the cock of a human.”
“Ah, yes. We had noticed similar reactions from felines who fed from our humans.”
“Then you can understand why I wish to expand my nest to include more. One human simply isn’t enough to slake his appetite. He is voracious, which is, of course, why he has the highest rank within my nest.”
Kit gave a loud purr and whined. That was his cue.
“What is it, Kit?” Halor asked.
“I’m hungry,” Kit said. “I’m feeding for more than one. Remember?”
Halor smiled and waved Kit towards Logan. “I’m a little busy right now. I’m sure our human can oblige you, if you can’t wait until we’re inside.”
Kit smiled and dropped to his knees. He pushed Logan’s kilt aside and took him into his mouth. Logan’s flush at what they were doing spread over his entire body.
“Um, you can’t do that here,” Purdi said. “Please stop that.”
Kit ignored her as he sucked on Logan’s cock.
“Your Highness, please order him to stop. It’s simply not acceptable for him to do that here in the reception. We have standards to maintain.”
“You’re feline yourself,” Halor pointed out. “Surely you’ve fed in public before?”
“Yes, of course, but the bosses don’t like it. They prefer our customers pay for their pleasures with our stock, not engage with each other in the reception.”
“Well, if you think you can stop him, go ahead,” Halor said. “I’ve learnt not to come between a feline and a cock.”
Purdi grumbled as she stepped away from the desk and approached Kit and Logan. “Please stop that. Really, you mustn’t do that here. I know you’re probably hungry, but if you can just wait a moment, we’ll find you a room with one of our people. Please!”
From the corner of his eye, Kit saw Halor give him the nod. He pulled off Logan and lowered his kilt before turning to Purdi. “Human cocks are so delicious, don’t you think?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Purdi replied, seemingly thankful that her orders had been obeyed. She returned to her desk and the monitor. “Now, where were we? Ah yes, human males. According to the system, we have one free at the moment. He calls himself Ricky.”
Logan tensed beside him. Kit had a feeling it might be someone he knew.
They hadn’t intended to actually buy the services of any of the humans. The mission was to get the information they needed and get back to the Jupiter.
“Can we play with another human,” Kit asked, “just for a little while?”
Halor gave him an indulgent smile. “I don’t see why not.”
“Excellent,” Purdi said. “If you’ll follow me, please.”
Unlike the lavishly decorated reception area, the corridors were plain and bare. Purdi arrived at a door and opened it with a flourish. Halor stalked past her, with Kit and Logan at his heels.
“I’ll be back shortly with the human,” she assured them before disappearing, closing the door behind her.
“Did you get it?” Logan asked.
Halor raised his fingers to his lips.
“Cameras?”
“Yes,” Kit said. “Anything that happens in these rooms is recorded and the holo-films sold in the station shops.”
“Oh. Then how are we going to… You know?”
“Later,” Halor said as he sat down in the centre of the bed. “Logan, perhaps you’d like to rest on the cushions in the corner. Kit you should kneel at my feet.”
“My favourite spot,” Kit replied.
Logan went where Halor directed him, making an effort to appear relaxed, though, in Kit’s opinion, failing quite badly. Logan’s spot was out of sight to anyone who had just entered the room, so there wouldn’t be any awkward and hard-to-explain reunions in front of Purdi.
When the door opened again, Purdi stepped in with the human in tow. He didn’t appear particularly thrilled to be there.
“Excellent,” Halor said. “He appears to be… What was the phrase you used earlier? A fine specimen? He will do us fine. We won’t wish to be disturbed, and do turn the cameras off.”
“Cameras, Your Highness?”
Halor pointed at the devices. “While I am aware of the custom of filming your customers, I’m sure you understand that someone in my position cannot be party to such things. Your discretion would be appreciated.”
“Very well, Your Highness.” Purdi pulled out a device and pointed it at the camera over the doorway, turning it off. “Will there be anything else?”
“And the other cameras,” Halor said.
Purdi sighed and did as he’d asked.
“You may leave now.”
“Are you sure she turned them all off?” Kit asked.
“Yes,” Halor replied, “I believe so. Or at least I hope so. Let me get in touch with Darcy and have her check.”
Halor used his communication device to speak to Darcy in a tone that was barely more than a whisper. Kit, standing right next to him, could barely hear what he said. He was sure the others, as well as any cameras or recording devices, wouldn’t be able to hear anything. “Darcy, did the transfer of the information come through?”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Darcy replied.
“This is Halor,” Halor said. “Captain Farraday is still on the Jupiter.”
“Sorry. I was trying to be funny,” Darcy said. “It means yes.”
“Oh. Darcy, can you find us on the map?” They had all swallowed tiny trackers that would dissolve in their stomachs but would last long enough to monitor them during their visit.
“Yes, I see you. You’re right in the middle of the station.”
“Can you access the security system of the Pleasure Station and find our room? It’s a symbol that looks like an eye.”
“Got it,” Darcy confirmed.
“Great. Now can you see the camera feeds for the room?”
“Yes, but they seem to be switched off already.”
“None are on?”
“No. It doesn’t look like it.”
Halor sighed and nodded at the others. “Good. Thank you. We’ll be back within the hour.”
“See you soon.”
“Looks like we’re sa
fe from the cameras and Purdi turned them all off as requested,” he announced in his regular voice.
Ricky gave a snort. “If you’re going to visit a place like this, Your Royal Highness should be prepared to pay the consequences with a royal scandal.”
“My name is Halor,” Halor said. “Won’t you take a seat?”
“Let’s just get this over with, shall we?” the man snapped.
Kit smiled and gestured to the sofa across the room. “I’m sure you’d be much comfier sitting down rather than standing around for the next hour.”
Ricky took Kit’s advice and sat on the sofa. He stared blatantly at Kit’s stomach.
“I’m Kit,” Kit said as he stepped aside and pointed over at the pile of cushions directly behind him, “and over here is Logan.”
“Logan?” Ricky echoed, turning to where Kit pointed. “Oh my God. Logan?”
Logan jumped up and pulled the man into a hug. Kit tried to stifle his hiss of jealousy. “Ricky, it’s good to see you.”
“You, too,” Ricky replied. “What the hell are you doing with these aliens, and what are you wearing?”
Kit hissed again and Logan extricated himself from Ricky’s embrace to go to his side. “Come on, Kit. There’s no need for that.”
Kit leaned into Logan and purred contentedly.
“Logan?” Ricky asked. “What’s going on?”
Logan sat down, tugging Kit to sit beside him and wrapping him in his arms. “You’ll have to forgive Kit. He’s a little possessive of me.”
“Especially at the moment,” Halor added.
Kit whimpered and rubbed against Logan, who rested a hand on Kit’s bump before he spoke again. “I assume you know what happened to the Mercury?”
“Not exactly,” Ricky said. “I woke up here on this space station, along with several others from the ship. There are eight of us here altogether. I’ve no idea what happened to the rest of the crew, the passengers, or the ship itself.”
“According to Purdi, a ninth human was brought here yesterday. The Mercury violated restricted air space while travelling through this region. The ship was commandeered and everything and everyone on board was sold at auction. From what we’ve been told, one of you was bought at the auction and has proved popular with customers, so they have been making efforts to acquire more humans.”
“Slavery,” Ricky said. “A barbarous practice that has no place in civilised society. Were you purchased by the station, too?”
“No,” Logan replied. “I was bought by Kit here.”
Ricky glared at Kit with such venom that Kit shrank back into Logan’s arms, hissing and swearing in response.
“Kit thought he was buying an autopilot for Halor’s ship,” Logan explained. “I was still in my pod and they had no idea what they had bought until their random button pushing woke me from cryo. I’m not their prisoner.”
Ricky gave them a dubious look.
“I’m not,” Logan insisted. “Halor and Kit are my family now, and they’re doing everything they can to help track down everyone from the Mercury. The Jupiter is close by, as is the Neptune. We have a plan to get all of the humans on the station safely to those ships.”
Ricky sneered. “Logan, listen to what you’re saying. These aliens are not your family. They aren’t even human. How can you trust them with our lives this way?”
“I know what they are,” Logan said. “I love them, and I plan to spend the rest of my life with them.”
“You’re an idiot,” Ricky snapped. “They’re aliens. I don’t know what they’ve done to convince you otherwise, but I’ve seen more than I want to of their kind over the last few months. There are more felines working here than I can count and they’re all dirty little whores with a complete lack of morals. I doubt that one is any different to the rest.”
Logan eased Kit out of his arms and stood up. “Now just a minute… I won’t let you talk about Kit like that.”
Ricky sneered at Kit over Logan’s shoulder. “Do you know what the felines live on, Logan? They suck cocks to survive. How more whorish can you get than that?”
Logan punched Ricky on the jaw, sending him to the ground.
Halor, who had been watching the exchange quietly, stood and stepped over to Logan, pulling him back before he did anything else. “Logan, go to Kit. He’s upset.”
Logan stared at Kit and his face fell. “Kit, are you okay?”
Kit nodded, though he felt a little shaky at seeing Logan lose his temper. He let Logan gather him up in his arms and only then did he realise he was shivering.
“It’s okay. It’s okay,” Logan whispered.
Kit let Logan comfort him while Halor took charge of the room.
“Ricky,” Halor said, “it’s our intention to provide Captain Farraday with information about this station and the humans who are here. The captain will be sending in a special team to rescue you and the others. Whether you believe me or not, can you at least trust that your own people want to do everything they can to get you out of here?”
“And I suppose you want me to provide you with this information?” Ricky folded his arms over his chest. “Well, pal, it’s not going to happen. I don’t know how you’ve brainwashed Logan, but you’ll find I’m not so easily convinced.”
“We already have the information we need,” Halor said. “All you need to do is be ready for rescue and, if you can, let the others know, as well.”
“And why can’t you just get us out of here now?” Ricky asked. “If you’re so eager to help us, what’s stopping you?”
Logan huffed. “You know I’m not trained for such missions any more than you are. Captain Farraday wants to make sure that everyone is extracted with as little trouble as possible, by people who know what they’re doing.”
“And your aliens don’t know, either?”
“No. Halor is a courier and Kit is his co-pilot.”
Kit smiled at Logan’s description of him. Co-pilot was something of a stretch. He rarely took the controls and didn’t do a great deal to help on board at all. These days he barely managed to stay awake for more than a few hours at a time.
Logan stroked Kit’s furry spine briefly, leaving his palm over the small of his back. “As you can no doubt see, Kit is also pregnant, and as such, we have no intention of putting him in danger.”
“No more than we have this evening, anyway,” Halor added.
“Distracting Purdi while you got what you needed from the computer was hardly dangerous,” Kit said.
“It would have been if I’d got caught,” Halor reminded him. “Thankfully, we didn’t.”
“Just trust us,” Logan said. “Or if you can’t trust Halor, trust me.”
“You’ve lost your mind,” Ricky sneered. “I’m not taking orders from some mutant.”
Halor gave a long-suffering sigh. “My species evolved from birds. Your kind evolved from apes. We are not as different as you might believe.”
“Logan, can’t you see they’ve brainwashed you? What do they call it when prisoners fall for their captors?”
“Stockholm Syndrome.”
“Yeah, that,” Ricky said. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Logan glared at Ricky again and this time it was Kit’s turn to calm him down. Kit closed his eyes and curled up against him. He didn’t like it when Logan was upset. He rubbed against him and Logan took a hint and began stroking the fur on his head. He purred happily as Logan relaxed, the tension in his limbs easing.
Ricky swore under his breath. Logan didn’t hear him, but Kit’s ears picked up the insult, this time directed at Logan rather than him or Halor. He hissed at Ricky, baring his teeth.
“Kit,” Halor warned.
Logan continued to stroke his fur, trying to calm him. “Hush, darling. It’s okay.”
Kit had a feeling it was going to be a long hour until they returned to the Bastet.
* * * *
A bell sounded to indicate that their time was up, waking Ki
t from his nap in Logan’s arms. “What did I miss?” he asked.
“Nothing much,” Logan replied. “Ricky’s being an arsehole and doesn’t want to trust us. I guess it’s a good thing those doing the rescue mission will be humans, otherwise he’d be stuck here the rest of his life.”
Halor sighed. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. Ricky will tell the other humans—or he won’t. We can’t force him. Thankfully, their knowledge of the impending rescue isn’t essential. It will happen regardless.”
Kit let Logan help him to his feet and they left Ricky in the room to be escorted back to his own quarters after they had departed. He didn’t like the idea of leaving anyone on the Pleasure Station when they were clearly there against their will, but right now they had no choice.
Hopefully it wouldn’t be long before Ricky and the others were back amongst their own people.
* * * *
Back on the Jupiter, Captain Farraday immediately set a team to work on forming a plan for the rescue of the humans from the Pleasure Station.
Logan had no doubt that Ricky would have done his best to get a message to the other humans trapped there with him. Even if he didn’t trust Logan and the others, he would want them to know that something was going to happen.
Ricky’s reaction to Kit and Halor had been disappointing but not really a surprise. Nate hadn’t been particularly supportive of Logan’s relationship at first and Nate had known him a lot longer. Ricky had also been bought as a slave and forced into prostitution. He had far more reason than Nate to be suspicious of other species.
Logan watched Kit as he slept in their bed, one hand protectively placed on his bump. He knew Ricky’s venom had upset Kit and he wished he could have made Ricky see Kit for the sweet man that he was.
He wondered how many of the other humans would react in a similar way as Ricky. The knot in his stomach seemed to grow. He didn’t want anyone else upsetting Kit but he suspected that they would, and there was nothing he could do about it.
“You look troubled,” Halor whispered as he came into the room. “I’m sure the mission will go without a hitch. Your people appear very competent and are trained in such matters. With access to the security system, they should have Ricky and the others rescued in no time.”