Chapter 40 - The Final Breach

The good mood created by the successful repair and relaunch of the Wolf attack force lingered throughout the next week. Admiral Himmel was extremely verbose in his praise when we reported that all ships had boosted for Borneo after only six days, and General Montgomery added his own words of praise after our detailed report crossed his desk.

Our promised spares arrived, and while it was not a full shipload, half of one container had been filled with a variety of whiskeys, vodkas and beers, which brought a cheer to the men of the colony who had long expressed distaste for the flavor of the replicated alcohols. Yvette and the other female sponsors did request and receive a promise that we'd save some for the pregnant female concubines, but the night after the AKF Dogsled left there was a wild party in the Recreation hall.

After that things had settled down, and while I continued to serve time at the various stations I found myself spending considerable time in my pod, massaging and relaxing my concubines who were uncomfortable with their near-term pregnancies. It was during one afternoon as I was giving Tina a slow foot massage that the alert began to ring out.

"The colony ceiling has been breeched. Acidic atmosphere is seeping in, the breech is currently expanding and acid will begin pouring through in five minutes," the AI reported dispassionately.

"Damn!" I shouted. "What happened?"

I was scrambling to get clothing on as the AI reported. "During a fight at the far side of the colony a grenade launcher brought down a section of the ceiling. The atmosphere has found the breech and is now flowing into the colony."

"Are we safe?" I asked.

"The acid cannot penetrate the heavy pressure doors separating this section of the colony from the area with the breech, but the pod doors over there will not hold. The colony power supply and AI are protected, but all citizens and concubines outside the pressure doors will die before the breech can be sealed and the acid neutralized," the Ai reported.

"Fuck!" I cried as I struggled into my clothing. "AI, give me the entire enclave."

There was the now familiar ping and I started shouting as I dashed towards the pod door. "Everyone, the barbarians finally brought the ceiling down! I'm going to offer them refuge, but that means I need all citizens and concubines at the pressure doors and prepared to handle any problems. Terrence, get to the armory and start handing out guns. Debby, Xavier you two are the fastest getting into battle armor, get it on just in case. Leave any pregnant concubines at home for this one!"

I was rushing out the door and found Brittany and Kitty following me. "We'll help!' Brittany cried as we passed through the outer door of our double pod.

I didn't even nod as I saw Tamara, Tiffany, Claire and Craig appear from their passage. The twins looked scared, but Craig proved to be rather calm. "Let's go, its just crowd control," he cried.

We continued towards the command post and I called out. "AI, give me the entire colony!"

This time there was a longer wait and we had arrived at the command post doors when I finally heard the ping. Brittany dashed past crying. "I'll get you a weapon," as I took a breath.

"Everyone," I called out. "The ceiling in the colony has been breeched and the atmosphere is pouring in. If it touches you, it will kill you, and it will eat through any pod doors. We do have protection behind our heavy pressure doors on this side of the colony. If you run to us we will allow you to enter, but be prepared to face justice if you do. AI, open all pod doors on that side of the colony, they won't protect them, and this might allow the concubines to make it here."

I paused and then remembered something. "One last thing, anyone who attempts to carry a weapon into our enclave will not survive the experience. If you have one, drop it while you run."

Brittany handed me a flechette gun and I dashed to the crossing where I found our first door open and Yvette already giving orders. "All right, we all know the score. Brad! Timothy! Get halfway up the passage and shoot anyone who is carrying a weapon. Barbara, Mike! You'll be handling any women who arrive, route them down the new passage and have them wait against the wall. Men get routed to the left, Tyson you take charge of that, grab people as you need them."

Yvette nodded at me as Shawna dashed up. "I'll get the medical pods up. I expect we might get a few abused concubines," Shawna told us. "I have David bringing a pair of gurneys over."

I nodded and called to Yvette. "Let's get two more gunners into the hallway for now. Hopefully Debby and Xavier can break the fifteen minute suit up record."

I heard a giggle and turned around to see Debby striding forward in her armor. "I was practicing aiming with Linus and was already in my armor," she said unnecessarily.

"Thank god!" Yvette said.

I nodded. "Debby, get up to where Brad is and watch for weapons. No one with a weapon is to pass our middle door without dropping it. Shout to warn if you need to, but do not let anyone past that point with a weapon."

The girl nodded gravely and strode forward, her armor moving smoothly.

At first there was no movement in the hallway. Yvette and I watched the monitors and listened for sounds, but other than the occasional short burst of gunfire the hallways remained quiet. I was about to ask the AI for status when we heard a faint, but gut-wrenching scream of pain and terror that all too quickly cut off.

We looked at each other but the scream was faintly followed by a cry of. "Fuck! That green fog does kill!"

We tensed and then heard a female wail of terror echo for a moment before dying out in a faint gurgle of pain.

"Well, we've confirmed that it's coming," Yvette said.

I nodded. "It doesn't sound good. Hopefully at least some have started running this way."

As I said this a pair of young woman, gaunt and naked appeared in the hallway and rushed past our forward sentries. Brad and Timothy barely glanced at them before turning back to the front and watching the passage again, but I ended up catching one of the girls as Tiffany snared the other.

Barbara was immediately at my side. "Gina, take the girl from James and bring her over to the wall, let's get them checked for injuries and calm them down. Where is Robert! He was supposed to bring some tea to help calm people!"

Yvette snorted. "Calm is going to be in short supply around here for a while."

Just then we heard Debby cry out. "Drop the gun!"

We looked up to see Brad and Timothy tense. There was a moment of silence and then Brad brought his flechette gun up and fired a short burst. I glanced over at the viewscreen to see a man slumped against the wall just outside our walls still clutching an assault rifle."

"Damn! AI, give the colony again!"

The wait for the ping seemed even longer and the AI reported. "Acid flows have cut off some sections of the colony already. I am losing many of my speakers."

I nodded as Yvette hissed. "Everyone, we've only got two refugees so far. And one idiot decided to test the no weapons policy. You don't have time to argue, some sections of the colony are blocked off and anyone in those sections is as good as dead. Get over here now, we have to close the doors when the acid gets too close!" I called out.

I leaned back as Yvette looked up. "AI? What about our ventilation system, can the acid reach us through that?"

"No," the AI responded. "The Enclave is on a separate system with the terraform air exchanger. No outside air can enter your enclave."

I could hear Amanda snort. "Oh good! I haven't had to breathe the same air as those monsters."

I could hear her mother hiss, "Amanda!" but a shout from the hallway focused my eyes back down the passage.

There was a bit of commotion and a series of five figures appeared in the hallway, running for their lives. Three were naked females, but the other two were clothed males, although this time both paused to throw guns to the ground next to the fallen body. As they did the three women pulled ahead, screaming in terror.

The women reached us and collapsed to the ground. One, a slim dark haired woman, had huge cuts on her back and I turned to find David pulling up a gurney. "We'll get her to a pod and get those checked!" he cried.

I stepped aside to let them lift the woman into the gurney as the two men finally arrived at the door. The smaller actually collapsed just short of the door itself, and was pulled inside by Linus and Nathan. The other stopped and looked around at everyone with a superior, smug expression.

"So the mice let me in," he growled.

I pointed to my right. "Wait over there. Once we have saved all we can, we'll talk."

The man laughed. "Oh, I'll wait, but the talk will be about how you'll be kissing my ass!" he crowed. "None of you can stop me!"

He strutted over as I glanced at Linus. "This man has been beaten," he replied. "I get a feeling he was no longer a willing participant."

The man just groaned. Linus and Nathan carefully shifted him down the side hallway and laid him down on the floor, checking him for injuries.

I was looking back down the passage, and noticed another pair of women racing towards us when a burp of a flechette gun firing caused everyone to look to the right. The man who had been strutting only a moment before was sliding down the wall, his chest a bloody, ruined mass.

"But you're my Kitty," he whispered at my young concubine as she stood impassively, still holding the weapon which had ended his life.

I was about to ask her why when she snorted. "Dennis does not walk inside these tunnels."

The hiss from Yvette and Terrence matched mine and Yvette sighed. "I think we'll go with no punishment on that count."

A nervous laugh went through the assembled crowd. I looked over at the screen so see three more figures dash past our outdoor door, but as they did a green haze entered the picture and began oozing across the screen.

"Damn!" I shouted. "Brad, Timothy, we're out of time, come back. Debby, your armor can take the acid, as you know, but we'll need to close this door, so don't wait too long."

Brad and Timothy turned and ran for the crossing. I could see that the three figures were past the middle door and shouted. "AI, close the outer and middle doors, and if you can start a breeze to keep the acid away from this door."

There was no response from the AI, but the two doors began to close. Yvette watched and worriedly commented. "With how strong that acid is, won't it eat the seals on the doors and be able to seep in?"

"Negative," the AI as two of the three runners passed Debby and she started to walk backwards to exit the hallway. "Both doors use a metallic sealing system that is resistant to the acid and can be renewed constantly by the repair systems."

I sighed and looked back at the last runner screamed in agony and fell into Debby's arms. 'Debby! Grab the girl and run!" Terrence shouted.

Debby turned and used the boosted muscles of her armor to start a fast run. I watched for a moment and shouted when she was about twenty feet from the room. "AI! Start closing the door!"

The green haze had slowed its advance, but Debby was just barely outdistancing it as the door started to close. Everyone held their breath as she paused for a moment and then used a mighty leap to pass through the closing door opening and sprawl on the floor, sending the woman she had been carrying tumbling down the hallway.

Jacques immediately jumped to check on the woman. He turned as if to call for a gurney, but then looked back at the woman and sighed, gently closing the woman's eyes. Now that the door was closed I was able to take a closer look and both of the woman's legs had been stripped of their flesh, I did not require the sad nod from Jacques to realize that she had not survived.

Silence reigned in the passage as I looked around. Robert and Philippe were in the process of removing the body of Dennis, but there still was nine figures huddling against our walls. I was about to say something when David returned pushing a gurney. The woman who had collapsed just inside our door was sitting up in it, awake.

"Sorry," he said as Yvette and I watched him turn the gurney around. "The lady insisted on only minimal treatment until she could talk to everyone."

I just stood there in shock, but one of the women huddling against the wall gave a gasp of recognition and then jumped up to throw herself on the gurney while crying. "Lexy! I never thought I'd see you again!"

The woman in the gurney gave the girl a weak hug and smiled. "When the announcement came and the doors opened I ran," she said. "I guess I escaped."

Yvette smiled. "We all escaped from the monsters," she said. "Welcome to the true Ishtar."

The woman groaned, but held out her hand. "Sponsor Alexis Larson, happy to report for duty, although..." she looked around and I shrugged.

"I'm afraid we have no spare male concubines. However, I'm sure one can be loaned, or that one of our sponsors will help if you are desperate," I said.

"Except for my master," I heard Brittany mutter as she came to stand by me. Her gentle hand on my arm made me smile.

Alexis smiled. "I understand, and I thank you. Manuel had me captive in his pod, but when the door opened, I ran for it, along with his concubines. Did they make it?"

Two of the girls sitting against the wall came over and offered Alexis smiles. "Thank you," one of them said. "You had listened to Manuel's complaints and knew the route. We made it out thanks to you."

Alexis appeared tired so I looked over at David. "I know she wants to talk, but get her to a pod and get that back looked at. After that she can take one of our empties."

David nodded and started to roll the gurney away, with the three female concubines accompanying him on foot. I realized I'd have to make a decision regarding Manuel's two former concubines, but left the situation alone right then. Instead I looked over where the man had been dragged to see that he was struggling to sit up. As the gurney started to roll away I stepped forward and looked at the man.

"Hello," I said as his gaze fell upon me. "I guess I should ask if you are okay."

The man blinked. "Somewhat, but I hurt. Near the end Ruth took to beating on her followers who she felt were not to be trusted."

I nodded. "Considering the paranoia she displayed the few times I talked to her that isn't a surprise. I guess I just need to know if you will fit in."

The man pushed himself up to a sitting position and looked around. "Where's Dennis?" he asked.

Terrence snorted. "Let's say that he's no longer worried where he will lay down to rest," he said dangerously.

The man paused and then smiled. "I guess I can't argue with that. He was a nasty customer. But, what about Meg and Karen?"

"Who?" I asked.

The man sighed. "No, you don't have to look for them. They were my concubines, but Ruth and Dennis started to get frustrated that we weren't defeating Manuel. They would take our concubines and abuse them until they died. I hoped they might have made it, but..." the man started sobbing. I looked over to see Barbara bringing over the five women.

"James," she began. "I've confirmed that these women are all concubines that belonged to Manuel's men originally. What do we do with them?"

I looked at the woman as a group looked scared and completely cowed. Not one showed any hope for the future. I sighed. "Well, I can see we have a couple of things for the future. For the concubines, set them up in the hydroponics dorm and have Janet and Edith introduce them around. With all the pregnant concubines around, I'm sure they will be welcome in the school shortly. We need to help bring back their confidence and self-respect a little."

One of the concubines gasped as Barbara and Yvette laughed. "That's perfect!" Yvette said. "They need time to heal."

The man just stared at me. As he did I signaled Terrence to start collecting the guns and returning them to the armory. Debby saw this and strode off, saying she was going to get out of the battle armor. Watching the armored woman stride away, the man sighed. "What is this? And what happens to me?"

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Brittany and Kitty hand their guns over to Terrence and dash off down the hall, I turned back to the man, but Tiffany knelt down to look him in the eye. "This is the real Ishtar. We aren't going to be bold and brash, but we are a caring community that values every member, even the concubines. As for you, we have an empty living pod you can take over for now while we get you trained and healed in spirit. When you are ready, hopefully we'll have concubines who are ready to belong in a household again."

I nodded at Tamara and Tiffany got the man to his feet and gently led him from the crossing as the crowd started to disperse. I was going to head to the command post, but Yvette grabbed my arm. "I have a message to send you home, immediately," she whispered.

She let go and walked away, leaving me standing silent in the hallway. A number of possibilities ran through my mind, but none came to mind, so I walked through the tunnels heading to my pod.

What I was expecting, I don't know, but the sight of my six concubines, wearing the simple gray shifts that were suggested long ago as their only outfits, kneeling on the floor, stopped me in my tracks as I entered the front room of the pod. I tried to speak, but Bethany held up a hand.

"James," she started. "Please, we have something to say. We've spent a lot of time and thought on this statement, and request that you just stand and listen."

I stood there silently and looked over my household. They had set up in a line with Bethany on the right, regal despite her growing pregnancy. Traveling toward the left I found Tina, still looking a little afraid, but radiantly smiling as she rested her left hand on her belly. Janice was next, her ponytail swung around to fall between her breasts where she fidgeted with it as she stared at me. Meiko was smiling as tears ran down her face, looking on me with the love I had grown used to seeing. Next was Brittany, no longer shy, laughing as she swung the end of her red ponytail in circles in front of her body. Last was Kitty, blushing a little, but gazing at me with her own worshipful gaze. I took this all in and then turned back to Bethany who smiled again.

"Yes James," she said quietly. "Today is one of celebration. We all have heard the late night sessions planning and worrying. The hours you spent on the ship reviewing things with Yvette, Terrence, Donna and the twins. The timely foresight you displayed in requesting the doors that protected the colony. And even the patience you have had with others which helped make this group a real community."

Tina continued. "You never asked for much. Your original request was that we trust and respect you. You gave us all the trust and respect any woman could want, and you did it not because you were trying to win us, but because you cared about us as people."

"And you never seemed to understand just what you created," Janice said with a sigh. "You are always there for us. You listen, you care, but most important you showed all of us that you love us. You've given all of us a great gift and asked nothing in return."

Meiko blushed but joined in. "You really have no idea how blessed we feel every day. You protect us, watch over us, and give us what we needed most, a place we can call home - not just because it's a roof over our heads, but because our hearts reside here with you."

Brittany giggled but continued. "And you didn't stop there. When I needed protection and a place to heal, you not only opened your arms, but you opened your heart, showing me that being a concubine could be something of wonder, rather than of pain and fear."

"And you helped bring me back from my own despair," Kitty said tears pouring down her eyes. "All I could imagine was that being a concubine would be painful sex and humiliation for the rest of my life. Instead you gave me back my dignity, my hope and my life. Everything Dennis tried to do to me you have slowly erased because of your heart and care."

There was a pause and Bethany struggled to her feet, walking over and putting her arms around me. "James, less than a year ago, I was a lonely schoolteacher needing a new life. You gave me that, and I have to say I will love you forever." She gave me a gentle kiss on the lips and then slipped her hands down to my waist and stood to my right as Tina rose to her feet.

Tina walked over and put her left hand behind my head. "You know that I've had lovers before you. I was a slut, but you never asked if you were bigger or fatter. Instead you tried to love me and care for me and during that time I discovered something. I don't wonder if you are the biggest or fattest I've ever fucked, or even what technique you use. I just realize one thing. You love me and sex with you, gentle, rough, just you and I as a couple, or an orgy with all your concubines, never fails to be what I need. I love you, and give my life to you." She also gently kissed me and then moved to stand next to Bethany, her left hand shifting to rest on my shoulder.

Janice then stood up and came forward tentatively. She stopped just in front of me and took my hands. "God, I really don't know how to put this into words," she said. "James, you own me. I'm your concubine. But I've never felt like a slave or the least bit unhappy. You made a promise that first day and it barely scratched the surface of all you'd do for my sisters and me. Life with you has been more than I could have imagined in my wildest most erotic and wonderful dreams and I never want the dream to end." She bounced up to kiss me and then knelt at my feet, putting her arms around my legs.

Meiko walked up and just looked at me for a moment. Instead of speaking she put her arms around my neck and pulled me in for a long, slow kiss. There was a fountain of endless passion and love concealed in that kiss which seemed to last for hours. Finally she released me and walked around to hug me from behind. Tears from her eyes fell onto my back and I fought to clear my own eyes and watch Brittany stand.

She came forward with a confidence and smile I had rarely seen and quickly gave me a light kiss. "James, you could have left me in the medical bay after my testing and let Larry or another of the monsters have me. Instead you accepted the responsibility and stood up to them. You waited for me to be ready and then showed me that the words you speak so freely are not lies, but a gateway to the endless love you hold in your heart. Now I find myself with five sisters I adore and a man I can no longer live without. I shall never leave you, my heart and my master."

She was putting her arms around my left arm when Kitty jumped up and ran to me, putting her arms around my waist. "I don't know what to say," she whispered mournfully. "I can't put my feelings into words."

I could no longer see clearly as tears fell freely from my eyes. "There is nothing to say, kitten," I said as my right hand stroked her hair. "You all say that I've given you nothing but gifts, but it is I who right now am the richest person on Ishtar. The future still must play out and the Sa'arm might someday find a way through our atmosphere, but we will face them as a family. Together."

My ladies gasped, but then nodded and as one replied. "Together!"