Chapter 22 - Unowned Concubines

Eric's two concubines turned as we entered and one reached out to turn off the game. I could see a bit of fear in their eyes, and so stepped over to the couch to sit down while looking them over.

They were both attractive and young. The closer one was in her mid-twenties with long brown hair and large breasts. Her eyes followed me cautiously as I sat down, but she said nothing. The farther one might have been eighteen, but most likely was sixteen. She was boyishly slender although her firm breasts gave her some curves. Her hair was ragged, and appeared to have been in a boyish cut before the pickup and have grown out without the benefit of regular care. She seemed even more frightened, and moved to back away until I sat down. She stopped her feet at that point, but the near panic remained in her eyes.

Tamara saw all this and spoke. "Sorry James. Bethany and I knew that Eric had not treated them well, but we thought Christine would be fine here."

"Is that her name?" I asked as the other woman looked on quietly.

Tamara nodded. "Yes, the older concubine is Lisa, the terrified girl is Christine. I think Lisa should tell their story though."

Lisa nodded, but before she could say anything Christine gave a small sob and ran into her arms. She clutched her like a drowning man grasps a piece of driftwood and held on as Lisa began to speak.

"Sorry, it was worse for Christine," Lisa said as she began. "Eric chose us during a pickup at a restaurant in Iowa. He seemed like a charming guy, but he was afraid, always afraid. He actually was interviewed by some marines while we were on the ship that picked us up. I guess someone wanted to verify his scores. The next thing we knew our pod had separated from that ship and was transferring to the Wisp."

Christine gave another cry of fear and clutched harder, causing Lisa to gasp. Meiko seemed to realize the problem because she walked over and with gentle gestures, managed to get Christine to free Lisa and throw her arms around Meiko, who retreated back to the wall, half carrying the terrified girl.

Lisa watched this with a surprised look in her face, but then turned to continue. "Well, after the transfer things got worse. First the briefing left Eric feeling lost and alone. He came back bitter about being abandoned by his friends and left to dwell like a mole. He tried to call some of his friends who were picked up at the same time. Most were far too busy settling their own households in to talk, and he became convinced that he had been abandoned by all his friends and had no one to support him. After that the nice man we first knew slowly faded out."

"I'm sure the antics of Ruth and her friends didn't help," I said.

Lisa laughed bitterly. "He was convinced they were going to kill him. And his fear and anger grew. Sex became painful as he stopped caring about Chrissy and me, and soon I was just trying to shield the poor girl. She was a virgin when we were picked up and enjoyed the first few days, but as Eric became less and less outgoing, he started to hurt her.

I could see that Meiko had gotten Christine calmed down, but the girl almost stared forward and flinched as I spoke. "Well, that explains some of his hostility when we arrived. I guess he had been unable to handle the stress."

Lisa nodded. "He failed completely at that. And Dennis made sure his paranoia only got worse. That's part of why Christine is so scared. Dennis would call and taunt us, telling us all about the tortures he loved to put concubines through. Near the end of the voyage here we were forced to listen as one concubine died from the play of Dennis and some others."

Brittany gasped, but then sighed. "I shouldn't be surprised. I watched Larry beat my mother to death, and heard him and others bragging about hurting their concubines. They think it's great sport."

Lisa turned to look at Brittany. "Wait! You belonged to Larry?"

Brittany smiled. "No, I became James' concubine on my fourteenth birthday, the happiest birthday I've ever had. His love is the greatest present I'll ever receive."

"Except for the baby I'm going to make with you someday," I whispered unconsciously.

Brittany gave a cry of joy that had Tina and Janice covering their ears in surprise. She rushed forward to jump in my lap and look me in the eyes. "You mean it! I can? You aren't just teasing me!?" Brittany blurted in a rush.

I smiled and kissed her forehead. "I wanted you to be ready when it came, but yes. Someday you and I will make a baby inside you."

Brittany gave another trill of joy and kissed me before shifting over to the leg of the couch and stretching her legs across my lap where I started to caress and massage them. Lisa looked on bemused as Christine stared in shock.

Lisa seemed lost for words for a moment. Finally she nodded and continued. "Things seemed to get better once we were on the ground. Dennis stopped calling and Eric could walk about outside the pod, but the damage was done. Eric trusted no one and feared Ruth and her friends too much. It was surreal when he did come back from events like your welcome meeting or the incident where Ruth tried to break in. He was full of praise for what you accomplished and yet bitter that it had to be done. By the time of the "Landing Day" party he was convinced that the situation couldn't get worse. But then, he never came back from that party."

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "The hit he took was instantly fatal."

Lisa just shrugged. "At least it means I have a few nice memories left. He wasn't bad the first few days. And during the last few days the fun-loving man who impressed me at the pickup was starting to return, but he was a hurting and bitter man in many ways."

"He was hateful!" Christine spat out. "He wanted too much control. And he wouldn't let us be together. What harm did we do? I just need someone to hold on to!" She started crying again, and Bethany moved over to add her comfort to Meiko's. She looked over at me and suddenly I got an idea.

"Bethany, if Tina and Janice got it filled, take Christine and drop her in the hot tub. The warm water should help relax her a bit. In a moment we'll let Lisa join her."

Bethany nodded and with Meiko's help they led her from the room, removing her concubine shift as they exited. Lisa watched in surprise and then turned back to me. "What...?"

"Is going to happen to you?" I finished. "We need to make a decision, but for now I promise that you and Christine will stay together. It's pretty clear she needs you. Now go and give her some of the love you have for her. Let her know that you love her despite all that Eric did."

Lisa gasped and looked at me. "How did...?"

Tamara giggled. "That's why he's in charge. He knows things."

Lisa then gave a small cry of happiness and dashed out of the room. Janice jumped up to show her the way to the hot tub as Tina came over to sit next to me.

"Darn, I wanted to get to use the hot tub first," she whined, even though she had a big grin on her face.

"You and Janice will be the first to get into it wearing negligees" I smirked. "I wanted something extra sexy for our fun and a bikini wasn't quite enough."

Tina gasped and looked at me. I waited as I could see her mind playing out a scene. At first she tried to hide it, but as the movie played in her head she started blushing, and then gasped with surprise. "Oh my," she moaned. "You're right. That will be sooooo hot!"

Tamara just giggled again. "You realize I now need a hot tub in our pods for Tiffany and me. But, what will we do about Lisa and Christine?"

I sighed. "I won't let them be separated for now. Christine needs Lisa, and Lisa will heal faster if she has Christine with her." I could see Meiko, Janice and Bethany return as I continued. "The AI reported that the concubine dorm section of the hydroponics pod is ready for use. I think they should move there, to get out of that pod and away from any lingering bad memories. Then let's put them in the nursery working with the younger kids, age six and younger. It will keep them busy and together while letting them meet others."

Bethany smiled and gave me a kiss. "Once again, James gets it all correct! Master, if I wasn't already pregnant with your child, I'd demand that you make me pregnant just so I'd always have part of you with me."

Brittany joyfully laughed. "I'm going to get my own baby, Bethany! He promised! Oh James, you are my life."

At this point Tamara smiled and stood to leave. "Let me know when the ladies in the hot tub are done, and I can have Paula lead them their new home. She remembers her first times and can perhaps help Christine, especially by convincing her that just because she's had a bad experience with one man, it doesn't mean she only likes women."

I smiled. "She's turned around then?"

Tamara was at the door, but smiled. "Oh my, she's working on draining Craig dry it seems, but it's not just Craig. She just wants sex with any of us. I'll admit she's an inspired pussy-licker."

I couldn't resist. "Going to go get cleaned up by her?"

Tamara just winked and walked out as Bethany laughed. "Oh you are bad, James."

I sighed and gave each of my concubines loving hugs. We wanted to be available when Lisa and Christine were done, so my ladies teased me out onto the dance pads and initiated a series of dance contests on the console; the prizes always seeming to be kisses from me. The competition did prove to be rather spirited and fun.

It was about an hour later that a much relaxed Lisa and Christine stepped out of the room with the hot tub. Lisa was smiling and I was surprised when Christine ran up and kissed me. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Just keep healing and being happy," I said with a laugh. "Meanwhile, one of Tamara's concubines, Paula, is going to guide you to your new home."

"New home?" Lisa said, stiffening again.

"Yes," I replied. "I'm sure the pod you've been in has some bad memories, and we have a small dorm for concubines as part of the hydroponics pod. You will stay there together for now, and work in the school. I don't want to separate you and there are no sponsors needing two concubines at the moment."

It was Lisa's turn to run up and kiss me, throwing her arms around me. "Thank you," she whispered. "You have given us back our respect. We'll do you proud."

The two ladies headed out and were met by Paula at the door. I could hear cheerful chatter as they disappeared down the passage heading for the hydroponics pod and their new home. They were just about out of sight when I felt a tug on my arm.

"Come on James," Tina said. "Its time for you, me and Janice to visit the hot tub."

I turned and gave Tina a kiss, picking her up to carry her to the hot tub and toss her in before joining her and Janice for an hour of sex and passion.