Chapter
4
Days
turned into weeks, as we waited for some sign that we could leave. Nevin never made a move at me unless I invited it. Then one
day an alarm sounded in the room. Nevin was just
about to go to the storage rooms across the hall. We both moved to stand near
the door so that we could hear. Then I heard HIM yelling at the top of his
lungs. I heard Quillan too, but I couldn’t make out
what they were saying, until they got closer. Nevin
had lowered the lights and retrieved a stunner from a drawer. The Captain was
getting closer. “You have them here, I just know it! Where are they? When I
find them…. You know harboring a thief can get you into trouble!”
“There
is no one here, Osric. I don’t know what you're even
talking about!” Quillan said back as calmly as he
could.
“I
was told that you had some unseen guests down here. Guests
that stayed in the storage area and used up all your goods. You have to
have them! You wanted to buy that bitch from me after you fucked her! And don’t
tell me you didn’t help get to her because you’d want her for yourself so you
wouldn’t have to pay for her.”
Nevin and I just stood there. He did move a little closer and placed
and arm around my shoulder. We heard doors open and close on the other side of the
hall. The Captain was searching the storage rooms. We just stood waiting.
Finally, Quillan managed to convince HIM that there
was no one in the storage rooms and led his “friend” out of the area. I turned
and leaned in to Nevin’s shoulder and shook with fear
as he just held me. After what seemed like forever Nevin
led me to the edge of the bed, had me sit, and then got me a drink to calm my
nerves. Quillan finally showed a few days later. “Osric searched the whole estate. He’s 100% positive that I
helped you escape. I think we may need to get you out of here sooner than we
were thinking.”
“He’ll
expect us to run for it now. That’s why he came here.” I stated with just a
hint of fear.
“She’s
right. He’ll be watching to see if anything leaves here or the docks.” Nevin added.
“He’s
lost half his crew and is so obsessed with finding you, that he's turned down
any work that comes his way. I was told something else. Our new government has
ordered all human slaves to be freed or offered a respectable wage. There are
even rumors that this may happen to all slaves. He’s not the type to give back
anything.” Quillan continued. “What now do we do?”
“We
wait, see if he either loses interest or gets a cargo
he can’t refuse.” I replied.
“How
far is it to the scout?” Nevin asked.
“An
hour's run. Why?” Quillan answered.
He
looked like he was doing some calculations in his head. “If his ship is cold it
would take him over 45 minutes to take off. The scout is faster, but he might
be able to get us. We would need at least 3 hours head start. He wouldn’t be
able to do anything then.”
“3
hours. Might as well be three years.” Quillan
complained.
“Get
someone to take him to a bar, get him drunk and when he passes out we make a
run for it.” I supplied.
“That
could work, if he hasn’t been kicked out of most of them for fighting already.”
replied Quillan
“Get
Ivar to arrange a party and make sure there are lots
of women and lots of booze.”
Quillan just looked at Nevin. “Ivar hasn’t been happy about the whole thing. But I might
be able to get him to do it. I’ll try anyway. It may take a lot of time. How
are you both holding up in here?”
“A
little stir crazy at times, but nothing we can’t handle.” Nevin
answered.
“Good,
I'll try to get back to you in a few days.” He turned and left.
Several
days later found us still waiting but we knew it could take time. I was in the
shower and feeling much improved. I was also feeling the need for something
else. I knew Nevin was too but he was not going to
make a move until I did. I came out of the shower but didn’t take up the towel
that was on a hock for me to use. I walked straight out of the bathroom and
over to Nevin. He had his back to me. I placed a hand
on his shoulder and slowly had him turn. He was surprised to say the least. As
he started to say something, I put my finger to his mouth and took his hand and
led him to the bed. By the time we were on it, we were kissing very
passionately. He moved to cover me. Breaking the kiss long enough to ask,
“Yes?” my reply of course was “Yes.” I spread my legs and he slowly pressed
himself in. It had been a long while and he must have guessed that I would be
tight again. In and out he move in a slow pace, kissing all the while until
finally he could no longer hold back and with one final hard thrust he came and
dropped to the side. I didn’t give him to much time to
recover, for I threw my leg over him and brought myself up to straddle him. I
reached down and played with him to get him hard again and then slid him in. He
felt so good in me; I never wanted him to stop. He began playing with my clit
as I moved up and down on him. I came before I wanted to and he moved his hands
to my hips to help me to move faster. To my surprise I came a second time and
let out a cry of release just as he came. I lowered myself into his embrace and
we just stayed that way for along time.
The
two men were watching a monitor. “So she’s doing much better I
see.” said one.
“Yes,
indeed. So now what do we do?” replied the other
“We
know they have to leave the planet but I want to have her again before she
leaves.” said the first one again.
“She
may not be willing to have anyone but him.” the second replied.
“Don’t
worry about that. When we get everything ready for them to leave, you’ll bring
her to me for a private farewell and that will be that, though I may try to
convince her to stay with me.”
“Ya, and
what happens if she doesn’t want to have you? What then?”
“Don’t
worry, I told you, I have it all worked out.” He had a strange look in his eye
and his friend decided not to push the issue.
Quillan came to us, five days later, and told us that Ivar
had agreed to hold a party and make sure the Captain was drunk and out cold by
On
the morning of the third day, we had everything packed and waiting. We spent
the rest of the time in each other’s arms. Quillan
came to get us and took us up to the main house.
“Andy,
Ivar would like to say good by to you, I need to talk
to Nevin for a few minutes about the papers I have
for him.” He pointed me to a small room and took Nevin
off with him.
I
walked in to find Ivar sitting in a chair waiting.
“Andy, I’m glad you agreed to meet me.” Then before I could do anything he was
behind me, trying to open my top.
“Ivar, No. I’m grateful for your help in rescuing me but I
can’t.” I complained and tried to fend him off.
“You
owe me, and this is a way for you to pay me back.” he was trying to sound
sincere. But I could hear something else just under that.
“Please,
no.” I begged.
“You
have to. If you don’t, I'll tell Osric where you are.
Nevin will, most likely be killed outright. And Quillan will be arrested for harboring a thief and a
run-a-way slave. He’ll lose everything. You don’t want that to happen. Do you?”
While he was talking, he had managed to get the jumpsuit top open and was
playing with my breast. He had me trapped. I couldn’t let any of what he said
happen. I turned slowly as if I was going to comply. But as I looked up into
his face, he knew something was not right. I didn’t give him time to react,
either. I struck him hard in the face with my fist, then
brought my knee up into his crouch. I was still hitting him in the face when Nevin and Quillan came running back in. Nevin
grabbed me and pulled me off of him. Ivar was
amazingly out cold.
“He
wanted me! He wanted me to…. He told me if I didn’t he
was going to tell the Captain and have Nevin killed
and Quillan arrested! He even said he was going to
take everything that Quillan owned because he would
be ruined and he could get it all cheap.” The last I had added just to make it
sound better.
Nevin looked to Quillan with knowing eyes.
“You knew he was going to do this. Why? You know what she’s been through!”
“I
… He told me he just wanted to talk to her, ask her for one last… He truly said
he was going to turn us in if he didn’t get it.” Quillan
looked ready to be sick.
“Yes.”
I had calmed down. Then I turned into the arms of Nevin
and started to cry.
“When
he wakes, he’s going to turn us in, all of us. He’s your friend; I don’t know
how you’re going to deal with this, but I'll leave it to you. My mate and I are
leaving!”
Quillan moved to check his friend, and we began to leave the room and
close the door, but just as the door was nearly closed I heard Quillan say, “I’m sorry, Ivar.” I
knew what happened after the door closed.
We
left the house in a flitter that was just at the back door and made all speed
to where the scout ship was. When we got there, we went strait to the bridge. Nevin strapped me in one seat, then took the pilots seat.
We were well out to space when Nevin got up and
helped me back to the little eating area. There wasn’t much there to eat but a
lot of the ration bars. I hated ration bars. Nevin
was talking, but I couldn’t hear him, I couldn’t move. My brain had just
realized that I had almost been raped again, but I had fought back. And I was
responsible for getting that man killed, killed to keep him from causing more
trouble, but still. I started shaking and couldn’t stop.
Nevin picked me up and put me in a bed, not knowing what else to do. He
waited until the shaking had calmed and kissed me on the head and went back to
the bridge. Poor Nevin didn’t know what to do. He was
looking through the navigation computer for somewhere to go. That was when he
had remembered the impenetrable planet called Botany. He found that Botany was
closer than going to Earth or to any of the other human planets now
established. He altered course and made as much speed as possible.
That
was when I woke screaming again. I was in a dream and I couldn’t get out of it.
The Captain had found us and I was having to watch as
he was having Nevin tortured. Then he would stop and
have me tortured and violated in some way while Nevin
was forced to watch.
Nevin didn't know what to do and tried everything he could; he even
gave me a full dose of the sleepy drink to try to put me out. It helped but
only taking my screams down to whimpers.
We
got to within a day or two of Botany and Nevin
started to call a mayday to see if they would help. Of course, this was done in
his best English.
“Catteni scout ship to Planet Botany. Come in Botany. Catteni scout ship to Planet Botany. Come in Botany. We are
declaring an emergence! Please respond!” He waited. Was he still too far out
for them to get a message. He could hear me in the back. The drug was wearing
off. He repeated the hail and again waited.
“This
is B.A.S .4 of the Botany space fleet. State you emergence.” Someone finally
responded.
“B.A.S.
4, Am I glad to hear you. My mate is in trouble and I don’t know how I can help
her.” replied whoever was speaking.
“Our
planet is not equipped to help Catteni females. Your
best bet would be to turn and head to Cattan.”
“My
mate isn’t Catteni, she’s human. Please, I need help!
She has had a very traumatic encounter. Then when we were in space, she started
shaking, and it took almost an hour before it stopped. Now she will not wake
but lies in bed screaming! Please! Can you help her?”
“Catteni ship. Keep this course, we’ll be along side you
in two hours, I’ll call ahead to Botany and have medical personal standing by.
B.A.S. 4 out.” The man sounded genuinely concerned.
“Thank
you. Catteni scout ship out.”
Two
hours later as promised a cargo ship came along side and led the way in to the
planet. Nevin had to slow his ship and that made him
just a little upset, but the cargo ship was not as fast, so he had no choice.
As he neared the planet, he could tell right away it was beautiful, but that
was all he allowed himself for the moment. The planet command had called him to
give him landing instruction and told that medical personal would be ready and
waiting.
He
landed the ship, took the barest of time in shutting it down and ran to the
entryway and hit the control to open the door, but he didn’t stop as he then
ran back to me. He was unbuckling the sleeping straps when I started fighting
again, screaming even louder than before. He picked me up and was turning
around when he came face to face with a human male and a stunner. The man took
one look at Nevin and one look at me put the stunner
away and told him to follow. Several others, 1 man and 2 women met us at the
bottom of the ramp. The man came and looked me in the face, took my wrist to
check my pulse, and took something from around his neck and listened to my
chest in several place. “Her heart’s racing, how long has she been like this?”
“For
13 days. When she would calm I would give her something to, I hoped, help her
to sleep. Her body kicks drugs out of it. So, she wouldn’t stay calm. When it
first started, it was worse than it is now. I was barely able to hold her
then.” Nevin answered.
“What
happened to start this?” He was asking Nevin all of
these questions as he was leading us to a flat-bedded vehicle.
“Please,
just help her.” He pulled me to him and rocked me gently as my screaming became
louder.
The
man leaned closer but Nevin could see no malice or
condemnation in his eyes. “I need to know what happened to her, and how she got
in this condition. I can assure you, we’ve seen everything here.”
So,
he started at the beginning and told everything. Nevin
gave the man credit. He only turned colors a few times. He came to the end of
the story, telling how I had fought off the last attack and we were fine until
after take off.
The
man said nothing but was taking notes. Just as he was looking like he would
have said something, they came to a building. The vehicle stopped and he guided
Nevin off of it. The man continued to guide Nevin into a set of rooms and told him to put me on the
bed. He was given no chance to stay at my side but was gently moved back so
that others could get close to me. The room filled up fast, with people.
Someone took Nevin’s arm and was moving him to the
door. “I won’t leave her! She needs me!”
“We
would like to have you talk to us but the room is too full. If you would step
out into the hall we could talk easier.”
Nevin let himself be led from the room by the
calm voice. “What happened? And how is it that you came to be together?”
“She
woke when we were taking a load of slaves to a distant mining planet. Sleep
drugs don’t work on her for long. She made a deal with the Captain of the ship
that as long as she worked, she lived. I was a crewman and ordered to take care
of her. We fell in love. I spent all the time I could with her. She taught me
English, as you can tell. Then the government changed and we weren’t getting
the work we needed. The Captain became mad and blamed her because she was
human, I think. Things got worse after that. He started selling her services to
make money. Sometimes she had to be carried back she was hurt so bad.” Nevin couldn’t help that his voice was betraying his anger.
“I couldn’t take it any longer. I got her off the ship and we hid at a
friend's. But someone I…. we though was a friend
turned out to be something else. The day we were to leave that
"friend" attacked her, threatening her, but she fought back and
kicked his ass." Nevin let a smile cross his
face then. "I took her and left. We were in space for several hours, even
getting ready to eat. When she started shaking and didn’t stop for an hour. She
was fine for a few hours, and then the screaming started. Nothing I did made
her stop. Not even giving her a full dose of the sleep drug. Can your people
help her?” Nevin never took his eyes way from me in
the room.
“She
is probable suffering from what we call traumatic stress syndrome. If we can
get her to wake up, I know we can help her.” said a woman standing to his other
side. Nevin didn’t even know she was there.
Just
them I let out a scream to bring the room down. Then started calling for Nevin, who came running in.
“Andy,
I’m here. I’m here. It’s all right you're safe now, Andy. You're safe.”
I
could see him but I couldn’t do anything, I started crying and couldn’t stop. Nevin just held me. No one seemed to know what to do other
than a woman who came to the other side of the bed, but chose to sit in a chair
next to it. I guess I started mumbling but eventually I could hear myself
making sense. “He killed him. He killed him because of what I said… He killed Ivar because of me…I should have just let him have…”
“What
is she saying?” The woman asked.
“I
don’t know. Ivar is the one who attacked her last.
She kicked his ass but he was alive, if unconscious, when we left.”
“No
Quillan went into the room. He stayed in the room
after we left. I heard him. He told Ivar he was
sorry!!!” I started crying again. It took forever for me to stop. I was
exhausted but I didn’t want to sleep. Nevin kept
telling me that it wasn’t my fault. The lady beside me kept saying the same. Nevin told me he loved me and we were safe. The doctor came
back and wanted to do a full exam but after taking one look, ordered me to get
some rest. I looked to Nevin. “I don’t want to sleep.
I don’t want to see the dream again. I don’t want to get stuck in it again.
Please! Nevin don’t let them make me sleep!” I
wailed.
The
lady moved in closer. “Why don’t you and I talk about this dream and we can
have someone take Nevin down to the mess hall and get
some food for the two of you. I’ll stay right here. I’m Dorothy. Dr. Dorothy Dwardie. I’d like to help if you’ll let me.”
“Nevin, Please don’t leave! Don’t leave me alone! Please
don’t!” my voice rising higher as I became more frightened and grabbing at Nevin.
“I
won’t leave you. Not till you're better. And then we can go together.” He gave
a look to Dorothy that was very plain. He wasn’t leaving.
“It’s
all right. He doesn’t have to leave. It's all right. Why don’t we start with
this dream you said you had that wouldn’t let you out?”
I
looked to Nevin and he nodded his head to tell me it
was ok. “HE had found us, the Captain that is. I don’t now where we were. All I
knew was he had us. I was at one end of a room and you were at the other.” I
looked up to Nevin at that moment. “He had men, lots
of men all taking a turn at me. Then he would take his turn, telling me that I
was never going to run away again. I wouldn’t be able to. He made sure though
that I could see Nevin. He then started ordering the
men to do other things to me. They used broom handles, metal pieces, and other
things. And of course, this would make Nevin fight
back and try to get to me. They would start to beat him, use the nerve whips on
him. They brought in a long piece of metal that had an end that was glowing hot
and put it to him. All of this the Captain would make me watch. Then he would
have his men take me again stopping the torture so that Nevin
was made to watch. Then the hot metal was brought to me…” I started crying
again and Nevin just held me. Telling
me that it never happened, that none of it happened. When I was able to
I continued. “But it did happen. HE put another training collar on me. Several
of the men liked it when I was being shocked. One even used a nerve whip…”
“If
I ever find him, I’ll kill him! I swear it! Andy, I will make him pay for what
he did to you!!” Nevin's voice shook with rage.
“Is
there more in the dream? Does anything else happen.” The woman asked calmly.
“Haven’t
you got enough?! Andy, you don’t need to say anything more.” Nevin barked.
“She
needs to get it out. Or the next time she has this dream she may not be able to
get out at all." The woman placed a hand on his arm. "Andy, Is there
more to the dream?” She looked me straight in the eyes. I nodded my head yes.
“Nevin was fighting back more and more as the torture be
came worse. Then the Captain started having parts of him removed, first a
finger, than a hand, then a foot. I was made to watch as Nevin
bled….” I buried myself in Nevin’s arms. This time I
cried myself to sleep.
Dorothy
got up but stopped and looked at Nevin. “She does
love you very much. She’s going to need help to get over this. You both are
going to need help getting over this. I’ll send someone to the mess hall for
food. There is a nurse at the desk at the end of the hall if you need anything.
We do have a drug here that will put her out for about 24 hours. Do you think
we should give it to her? Sleep right now would be best for her.”
Nevin looked up at Dr. Dwardie, then down at
me. “I love her more than words can say. But no, if she wakes screaming or has
some other troubles then I’ll think about it. But for now, we’ll just let her
rest.”
Dorothy
nodded once and left the room. Nevin stayed right were
he was and held me to him. Food was brought in on a tray and table so that it
was right next to him. He did take some meat and some of the drink that was
also on the table.
I
woke sometime later, feeling better. Nevin was still
holding me. “Nevin.”
“Right
here, Love. How are you? Would you like to eat something? They have some roast
meat that’s really good. And I know you don’t want any ration bars.”
I
weakly smiled up at him. Just as I was going to say yes, to the food, a man
walked in. Fear filled my face as I clung to Nevin.
“Hello, how are you feeling? I know your first instinct is going to be to go
straight to the meat but we would like you to start with the tea and broth. So
your body can get back a bit of strength.” As he was talking, he was taking a
cup and filling it with something. He turned and began handing it to me. Nevin intercepted it. Took it from the man, smelled it then
took a small sip. When he was satisfied, he handed it to me. “Someone gave her
tainted ration bars one time. I've been careful ever since.”
“I
can well understand with all you both have been through. By the way, I don’t
believe I introduced myself to you the other day. I’m Dr. Leon Dane. I know you
have been through a lot but I think it would be a good idea, and so does Dorothy,
that you get a full exam; inside and out. Dorothy told me about the dream and
we just want to make sure that nothing was done to you like that. But if it was
done, we want to make sure that you are healing and that there is no infection.
If you think you can handle it, that is. If not, we can wait for a short time,
although I don’t want to wait too long.”
Nevin looked to me to give an answer. “I don’t know. Does Nevin have to leave me, can he be with me?”
“He
can be right there holding you hand through the whole thing. But I was thinking
while we were taking care of the exam, he could go and get some rest. There are
extra beds down the hall.”
“I
can manage. I had a small nap while Andy was sleeping last time.”
“I
want him to stay, but let’s get the medicals over with. Then we can both rest.”
I managed to say.
“So how bad?” Nevin asked when it was all over.
“There’s
a lot of scare tissue and what looks like old burns. I don't think you'll be
able to conceive. There’s just too much damage. I’m sorry. I don’t know if
anyone has ever told you but Catteni and humans can’t
procreate.” The Doctor looked to me.
“I
knew that back on Earth before I was picked up.” I said with sadness.
“I
need to go look at the EKG and see to the blood work. You,”
and he turned to Nevin, and then pointed to the bed
next to me, “get some rest. You’ll do neither of you any good if you don’t.”
And with that he left. Nevin moved to join me on the
bed. The bed groaned as he slid himself under me, with my head resting on his
chest, and his back to the wall. We both fell asleep.
When
I awoke, Nevin was still behind me. I moved to sit
up. Oh, did I have to find a bathroom soon. As I turned to wake Nevin, he met my eyes with a smile. “I need to find the
bathroom. Did anyone tell you were one was?”
“No,
but someone did tell me there is a nurse just down the hall. Are you ok to walk
or do you just want to sit here and I’ll go find out?”
“Let’s
both go.” I still didn't want to be alone.
By
the time we were standing, the nurse was at the door of the room. She said she
though that information would eventually be needed and told us both. We
returned to find Dr. Dane waiting and talking to the nurse.
“Good
morning. I see your up, that’s good. Let's just have you get back into the room
so I can give you a quick check. Then I think it would be good for you to go up
to the mess hall for breakfast. I’ll even take you and introduce you to some of
the people that might be there.” He was leading Nevin
and me back into the room. He had me sit on the bed; he listened to my heart
and lungs, looked into my eyes and took my pulse. “I had a chance to check some
of the blood work and everything looks good, there. When you came in, I was
very worried about your heart. It was racing so fast. The first EKG, I took,
did show some abnormalities but the second looked fine. Later today, I’d like
to repeat it again just to be safe. There now, all done.” Just then, the nurse
came into the room. “Oh, thank you, Mavis. I thought you two would like to have
a change of clothes. They're just jumpsuits, but they serve.” He put the
clothing on the bed. “Yours will be washed and returned later, of course.” He
turned and left the room, to give us privacy to change.
“Do
you want to go to this mess hall? You don’t have to. I can get you the food.”
“As
long as you’re with me, I think, I can. I don’t want to be alone at all. Let’s
get changed.”
When
we had finished, we went to the door, opened it and stepped out into the hall.
I held Nevin’s arm all the way to there. The mess hall
was big and to my surprise, there were races there other than human. Dr. Dane
laughed at our surprise and told us that other races were dropped onto the
planet at the same time as the humans and race was only a matter when it came
to having kids. It seemed none of the species here could cross breed. That was
when several women came up to me and asked me how I was doing? They were glad
that I was getting better, but they evidently had work to do and hurried off.
Another came over and introduced herself as
I
guess I ate more than I should have because I became very tired after. Dr. Dane
said that was normal. As we walked back to the Hospital wing, Nevin had to carry me. I was asleep before he put me down
on the bed.
We
had a routine of sorts after that; we would get up, and then get checked out by
the doc. Go for breakfast. A walk around the settlement, then
lunch and a nap in the afternoon. After our nap, we would take a trip to
the lake or the library, then dinner, finishing with a visit with Dr. Dorothy Dwardie. I was
feeling better every day but I knew there was something up with Nevin. On the night of the third day, after our visit, Nevin was very quiet. We had been moved to a different room
in a barracks of some sort, but there was a double bed. I lay down but Nevin just stood looking at me. Finally he spoke. “You are
safe here. Your people will protect you.” His eyes were dull and his expression
sad.
“Nevin. What are you thinking? Why so ….” I had
no words to describe how he was.
“They
have accepted you, but they will not accept me. I think it would be best if
I….”
“Nevin! No! You can’t leave me here, alone with
all these strangers! You can’t!!” I jumped up and grabbed at him.
“They
will not accept me. They do not accept that you are with me.”
“Where
did you ever get that idea from?” Dr. Dane was standing in the doorway. Then he
continued, “Yes, there are some people that will have trouble accepting, but
they are growing to be few. Zainal and Kris get the
same looks even though much is owed to them. I know you were hoping he was
here. It would make things easier. I think it would be good for people here to
get used to other Catteni. Dorothy asked me to look
in on you, Nevin, because she said that you looked a
little off and wouldn't talk to her.” He laughed, “This is her area not
normally mine. You don’t have to worry about anything. Once Andy is better and
you both start working and helping the community, they will change their minds.
Some of the people here have had just as hard a time of it as Andy has. There
are some here that will never recover. You should talk to Dorothy. Talk to the
people here, I think you'll be surprised. Now get some rest, both of you.”
Dr.
Dane turned and left the room. “Nevin if you think
your going to just leave me." I paused, "If my mate thinks he can
just leave me, he has another thing coming. I will try with all I have, with
all my might, to go with him, if not I will not be able to go on. I would not
want to go on. I would go out to the fields at night and just lay down.”
“NO!!!
No, No, No! I won’t let that happen!” Nevin pulled me
into is arms. Even though he couldn't cry his eyes were certainly full of
fluid.
“Then
you can’t leave!” I said as I wrapped my arms around him.
“If
I were not in love with you already, I would be now.”
“Then,
I think, its time you showed me just how much you love me. I…” He stopped my
next words with a long passionate kiss. I rolled him onto his back and mounted
him. Sliding his willing dick into me with a sense of joy.
We made love several times that night, and slept in the next day.
Two
days later, we were having lunch in the mess. The stew was very good and Nevin had offered to get me another bowl. I let him take
Dorothy’s advice about letting him leave me alone for small segments, even if
it was only to refill a drink or a plate of food. Today would have been a good
day not to start. I was alone for only a few seconds when a man came up and was
standing beside me. “Hi doll, you’re new here. How about some
company?”
“Leave
me alone! Get away from me before you get hurt!” I said while not looking at
him.
“I
just thought you’d like some quality company." He continued, "I don’t
think a beautiful woman should be hanging around with a nasty…”
I
gave him no chance to finish that statement. I pulled back and hit him right in
the face as hard as I could. “I said get!! And Don’t talk about my mate that way you dirty son of a...” Just
as I would have landed a kick to his ribs someone grabbed me. Then Nevin was there and about to beat the man to pulp. I looked
to see who had me and found it was
“Nevin, it’s alright.
“Aarens has no sense! He could see for himself you were not
available. Why does he have to be such an ass?”
Dr.
Dane came over to me. “Are you alright? That was one great punch.”
“Andy.
What happened?” Nevin was now there and looking at me
with concern.
“You
went to get the food. He came up behind me. He acted like he had the right to
be there. I told him to leave or he’d get hurt. He tried to sit down next to
me, I think. He was also starting to say something nasty about you. I gave him
no chance to finish.” I turned and buried my face in Nevin’s
chest as I shook with fear and shock. Nevin closed
his eyes and just held me. After a moment we heard others coming towards us. We
both looked and saw Dorothy, and two men we had only met briefly. One was named
Ray Scott and the other Pete Easley. As they drew near to us, Scott asked
first. “What’s going on? Is everyone all right?”
It
was Dane who spoke up. “Aarens.
Do I have to say more? He just thinks that every new woman to the colony is one
that he can have first. She decked him good, too. Oh, I’m sure he’s going to
say he was just walking by and said hello and that Andy here, just turned on
him for no reason. But I saw all of it. I couldn’t hear what she said first but
he didn’t take the hint and leave.”
“I
thought you said this place was safe!” Nevin said
before any one else could say anything. “She has been through enough! Does she
now need to guard herself here too?”
“She
is safe. One would have thought that Aarens would
have gotten it through that thick skull of his not to bug women when they're
with someone else, especially when that someone else is a Catteni.
Zainal even decked him once. You’d think he’d have
learned that big hands, mean big damage.”
“Don’t
worry about Aarens, he won’t bother you again, ma'am.
I think I should send him down to the Maasai camp for
some reeducation. Actually, that sounds like a good idea. I’ll call and see if
the Chief will take him and I'll tell him why. Pete, would you see if Lenny
Doyle, Joe Lattore, Joe Marley and Jay Green would march him down to the camp? Let them
know why too.”
He
looked at Nevin and me with a twinkle in his eyes. I
couldn’t help it, I smiled back. He took his communications unit off his belt, turned
and walked off to talk to whoever was on the other end. Pete smiled too, his
eyes sparkling even more and went to find the men, he was asked to find.
We
all sat down again at the table. Someone went and got both Nevin
and me more of the stew. The talk was about what Nevin
knew of Catteni affairs. He did tell them that the
new government had ordered all human slaves released, but many would be sick
and ill, if they survived where they had been sent to at all. We were told that
Zainal was on a run to earth and would be back as
soon as he was done setting up some ideas that he had. We had been there for
near an hour when all the comm. units in the place went off or at least it
seemed so. There had been a cave in at one of the mines and a mayday called. Everyone
got up and made for the door. Nevin got up, too. “I
can help, I have more strength than three of them
together.”
“I’m
going with you.”
We
followed everyone to a waiting cargo ship, loaded in, and took off. It didn’t
take long for us to get to the mine. Several people had been hurt but we soon
found out that there were at least 10 people still trapped.
I
stayed and helped the Docs. as Nevin
pushed his way to the front to see how he could help. As Nevin
was stronger than anyone, no one argued. Nevin found
that he was the one in the tunnel moving the biggest of the rocks that had come
lose. He also was the first to hear a noise coming from the other side of the
rocks and that gave everyone heart. He came to the last big rock that was in
the way of getting everyone out. The rescuers were able to talk to and see
those who were trapped but the opening was too small to get out. Nevin told everyone to get back on both sides of the rock.
When he thought everyone was a safe distance, he pulled back his hand and hit
the rock with all he had. After Aarens attack of his
mate he had a build up of energy to use, and the rock was a better target than
a person any day. The rock couldn’t with stand the hit; it broke into three
large pieces and fell out of the way. Those behind him were stunned. Some
wondered were he got the strength, others who knew what had happened earlier
were glad that he was stopped from hitting Aarens.
Those
of us outside of the cave helping others, heard what
could only have been called an explosion and then the cheering started, as
those that were trapped were now free. That night in the mess hall, there was a
feast and Nevin the man of the hour. Only one man had
died in the collapse, but all the others were now treated and resting in the
hospital. Everyone wanted to have Nevin tell them how
he had moved the last rock that was in the way. But someone beat him to it by
shouting out that he hit the thing and it broke. Nevin
tried play it down by saying he saw a fissure and by hitting it there he figured
it would break, freeing the people and really that was all that mattered.
Two
bones in the hand and a finger were broken but nothing was out of alignment. So
the hand was wrapped and Nevin was given a bottle of
something for the pain. Nevin said to everyone that
it was nothing and there was no pain. I knew better but there really was
nothing I could do.
Two
days later found us having lunch again when Scott found us. He had a request.
“The geologist and miners have found signs of the same thing in three other
mines, two on this continent and one over on the big one. They’re reinforcing
them now, and they would like to offer you a job. They could use you with so
many down, and you seem to know what you're doing in a mine.”
“I
have uncles that work in mining. I listened to them talk when I was younger.” Nevin replied.
“Would
you be willing to work in the mines, here?” Scott asked.
“Where
would we live? Andy, I know would still be uncomfortable in staying here by
herself.”
“There
are quarters at Iron Clad and the Rock. But, I think, I have a better idea. Not
too far is a closed valley that we used with some other guests that were here.
It would only be an hour or so walk to work. There are several others that I
think would like to have more privacy. I could give you one of the
air-cushioned vehicles; it would be safer and take less time that way to get to
work. Would that work for you?”
“I
think it would be good. That is, if you want to Nevin.”
I put in. I had seen Nevin's excitement.
“Then
you have your answer. I’ll take the job, but let’s see the closed valley first.
If it doesn’t seem like what we want we could think of something else.”
“Good
I’ll have someone ready a cargo ship.”
“Why
not just take my scout. It uses less fuel, unless there are other reasons to
make a run.”
“That’s
an even better idea. I’ll have someone ready it for you and I’ll tell you how
to get there.” And with that, he left.
“Is
this really something you want to do?” Nevin asked,
turning to look at me.
“Only if you do. I saw your face as he was asking. It’s too crowded here for me
right now. But if some of those that work the mine do have mates that would
come and live in this valley. We could grow a garden,
raise some of those rock squat thing that taste so good. I think it would be
good for me to work with others, but not too many at first.”
“Did
I happen to tell you today that I love you?” He took me into his arms for a
strong hug.
“Yes.
And I love it when you do.”
The valley was the loveliest I had ever seen.
There were several cabins that were completely finished. I picked out one that
was a two-room cabin with a loft. From there, we went to the mine. Walter Duxie was in charge of the mining system and told them that
there were 6 guys that had wives or lady friends that they wanted to be closer
to, who were willing to move to the valley, three had kids. Two Rugarians were planning to start work in the mine and were
very happy to hear that a small community was to be started for families and
wanted to bring theirs.
The
next day would be very busy and we would not see much of each other. Nevin had volunteered to help move families; he was going
in the scout to get the women of the first families in the morning. Then he’d
go back to help move their belongings. That meant that I wasn’t going to be
alone for very long. That evening Nevin and I stayed
in the cabin, I had picked out. We didn’t get as much sleep, as we should have
because we were too happy and were busy showing each other just how happy we
were.
We
were awakened in the morning by the sound of a ship landing. We dressed quickly
and found that the first of the women were disembarking from one of the cargo
ships, as well as
“Andy,
we just couldn’t wait. These ones haven’t seen their husbands for several
weeks. They were waiting at the ship when the sun came up. We’ve brought
breakfast as well. So come eat and then we can unload what we have.”
“
“Yes
I did. How else am I going to make sure this place is set up right? Carol,
Judy, Karen, come meet Andy and her mate Nevin.”
After
we had unloaded the ship, Nevin and the other men
left to get the other women and their belongings. There were no men in the area
for several hours, just the women. This had given me a strange feeling. As I
worked along side of the women, I had no fear of what they might want or ask of
me. I had no fear what so ever as we worked. By the
time the cargo ship came back, the community center was set up and half
stocked. We all helped unload and by the time we were through, it was
lunchtime, also provided to us by Retreat’s mess hall.
Evening
found all the families in their new homes with husbands, fathers and boyfriends
all very much happier. More of the wall
had been removed and an air-cushioned vehicle given to us, to use and was left
on the outside of the wall. Nevin's scout ship was
parked just behind our cabin. Two days later saw all the women kissing their
men as they went off to work and began to make plans for the day.
It
was almost one year that we had come to live on Botany. The valley had grown
some as new workers came and brought their families. Nevin
and I were awake as it was just past sundown. We talked about what the next day
was going to bring. We turned in early so to have private time with each other.
And as far as the rest of the settlement was concerned we were still newlyweds,
and that meant lots of sex of course. That night was no different. Sex with Nevin was always good. It never mattered whether I was on
top or he was, we both would find joy in it. We went
to bed that night tired and happy.
That
didn’t last long, however. I woke with a strange feeling; one I hadn’t had for
some time. There was something wrong. I got out of bed and cautiously went to
look out the window. It was dark but that didn’t keep me from seeing movement
as someone was coming over the wall and down into the valley. I practically ran
back to Nevin to wake him. He went to the chest that
held the stunners and I took the communit.
“This
is Miner’s valley to
“This
is Retreat Command. What seems to be wrong that you’re calling at 3 in the
morning?”
“We
have invaders coming into the valley. We need help, please send back up. I
don’t know how many there are or who they are, but I don’t think many of the
miners have weapons other than arrows and slingshots. Please send help.” I said
franticly into the mic.
“We’ll
have someone there as soon as we can. Call your people, most will have some
kind of weapons, and can at least defend their homes,
I
started to call some of the others in the area when Nevin
came back with a stunner for me. Then we went to the window. It didn’t take
long to figure out who was invading their home. But I still called as many of
the neighbors as I could, before we saw HIM. He was standing at the far end of
the compound, just outside of stunner range. “Come out Thief and bring my slave
with you!!” He yelled in Catteni, and then waited. “I
know you’re in one of these dwellings. If you don’t come out I’ll be forced to
look through every one of them.”
I
was frozen. I knew he would do anything to get to me. I started to get up but Nevin grabbed me. “My mate is not going to give herself up
to that ass. You’re stronger than that. Don’t you leave me now.”
He
kissed me on the head and held me for a moment. Then he yelled out one of the
window. “If you think you’re going to take my mate you’re very much mistaken.”
Just at that moment, we both saw movement that was far too close. Nevin let off several stunner bolts and hit the two men
that were trying to creep up. “As you can guess Osric
we're not giving up without a fight.”
I
saw three more coming from the other way and let off stunner bolts at them but
only hit 2 out of 3. The third ran back the way he had come.
“Don’t
be foolish. There are others here in this valley. I have seen them. There are
even several nice young girls. May-be I should just take them with me. They
might even make the same deal that you did.” He started to laugh.
I
was trying to call Retreat again, but there was nothing but static on the line.
“Don’t bother with your comm. unit, it won’t work. Now get out here before I
get even more upset!” I couldn’t move. “Oh and by the way, if you don’t come
out, some of these lovely little buildings are going to go boom. You see, my
men have just finished placing explosives on them. Now, come out here or I just
might have to push this little button right…”
I
jumped to my feet and ran out the door. “NO!!!!!!!!!”
“My
you look even better than you did before. Now where’s the thief who took you.
Come on out.”
Nevin came out of the house to stand by me, taking me into his arms.
“How
touching. Now throw down those stunners and have her walk to me. Don’t think I
won’t push this.”
I
closed my eyes. “I’m sorry Nevin. I love you. But I
can’t let the others get hurt.”
“I
know.” He gave me a quick kiss on my forehead.
He
started to drop his stunner and as I turned and walked away from him, I raised
mine and put it to my head. “If you want me. You can
have me Osric, but all your going to get is a
corpse!” I closed my eyes and made to pull the trigger. Zainal’s
timing was always just right. As I started to pull, lights came up from
everywhere.
“Don’t
move. You’re surrounded. Drop you weapons, Now!” Zainal yelled.
Nevin ran to me and took the stunner from me.
Osric was livid. “No!!! You can’t do this! She is mine! I will have her
back!”
“She
is not yours! You have invaded Botany and you will be arrested for it. And
don’t think to use the detonator we found all of the bombs and have disarmed
them." Zainal finished.
Captain
Osric could no longer contain his anger and came
rushing towards Nevin and me. Nevin
raised the stunner and fired. So did over a dozen others. All hit him; some hit him in the head. By the
time Zainal had come down from his roof perch, Osric was dead. I collapsed to the ground, Nevin too. Nevin was babbling
something about never scaring him like that again. I just knelt there and
rocked. My dream had almost come true. But I wasn’t going to let it come true.
The dream would never come true. Nevin started
calling my name and shaking me. I had to put both hands to his arms to stop
him. “Andy, it’s over, we're free. Osric is died and
we’re truly free.”
“He’s
dead? We’re free.” I repeated.
“Yes,
he’s dead. But if you ever scare me like that again I will have to withhold
love making from you for a whole week.”
“A whole week. You wouldn’t last that long.” I said weakly with a smile and then
passed out.
Nevin stayed with me in our cabin. Dr. Dane and Dr. Dorothy came the
next day to see me. It was as they were leaving that they told us that a
meeting had been called and was going on right now. Nevin
and I both knew what it would be about. We had brought danger to Botany. The
settlement was taking a vote to see who would tell us to leave. Dr. Dane and
Dr. Dwardie left. Nevin and
I just held each other for a long moment then started packing. We were about
half way through when there was a loud knock on the door. Nevin
opened it. Half the community came pushing their way in. “We have come to a
decision.” Then he stopped and looked around. “What are you doing?”
“You’re
going to tell us we have to leave. So we though we’d get a head start on the
packing, unless you're not going to let us take our belongings?” Nevin replied.
Everyone
in the room started to laugh. “The decision that was made was that the trouble
was not caused by you, and that we weren’t going to let you leave. This is your
home and has been your home for almost a year. We just thought you should know
how the whole community feels. How could we ask someone to leave that was going
to kill herself to save the rest of us? That was the bravest thing any of us
had ever seen.”
It
felt like everyone in the room was trying to give me a hug at the same time. I
couldn’t help it. I started crying again but this time for joy. Nevin took me into his arms, “I love you, and this is our home.
Yours and mine and we don’t ever have to run or do anything we don’t want to
ever again.”