Chapter 18

Louis waited. The longer he sat alone, the more he began to worry. It was the same thing she did at school; letting the parties stew until they confessed. Louis wondered what he had done. That made him even more nervous.

"Hobson, what is Leslie doing?" Louis heard the crack in his voice, betraying his nervousness.

There was no reply. Hobson ignored his inquiries.

Sitting in the chair, Louis leaned his forehead on the desk. Pounding lightly against the surface, he tried to jar his memory. When that failed to work, Louis began massaging his temples. Nothing he did brought forth any idea of what transgression he had perpetrated.

How much time whittled by he lost count, Louis sat and stewed. He developed an idea.

"Hobson, I gotta piss." It was a theatric long shot, how many cheesy movies with gullible guards had Hobson seen? Seconds passed. Louis even crossed his legs a bit, trying to fake the need. It worked in every spy movie he had seen.

"Your health nanites report your bladder is only seventeen percent full." Louis thought Hobson sounded smug.

He finally just sat back down in the chair, and waited.

A sigh pulled Louis back to the present. He had never heard the door open. Turning, he saw both of his former teachers. For at least the next twelve and a half months, they would be his parents.

Mr. Jenkins stood silently. He was naked. Louis glanced at the man standing before him. What caught his attention was the shiny coating on Mr. Jenkins' dick.

"Louis, we need to have a conversation."

Louis looked down at his feet. That sentence brought with it a bit of dread. Usually those words were a hint to admit your mistake and hope. What was the issue?

"About what, Mr. Jenkins?"

Pulling a chair next to Louis, Mr. Jenkins sat down. Eye level contact; Louis whispered 'fuck' internally.

Leslie came in through the door, closing it behind her.

Leslie started speaking. "Louis, you know that I am in charge of the household for Bill."

Louis nodded in affirmation. He felt suddenly hot.

"I'm glad you've kept your journal writing up to date." She moved forward between Louis and Mr. Jenkins. "I still read the journals. You don't get grades anymore, but it lets me monitor your feelings."

She sat down, straddling Mr. Jenkins' right thigh. Moving his free leg over, Mr. Jenkins lightly trapped her left leg. His hands moved around her hips giving his fingertips access to her labia.

"Your entries show you enjoy watching others engaged in sex." He could see the large fingers probing in the slit. Slowly they stroked up and down.

"Everybody has sex in the open." Louis knew his best tactic was to be truthful. "I didn't think I should interrupt."

"That's commendable." Louis could hear soft squishy sounds in response to the finger movements. "At my request, Hobson has evidence of several times when you watched."

The wall to Louis's left showed five separate scenes. In each one, he was jacking his dick while watching others engaged in sex.

Leslie slipped off Bill's leg. She sat on the floor between his legs. He spread them wider, letting her nestle back toward his crotch. She lifted his cock and balls over her shoulder. Bill moved her red hair to the other side. The images winked away.

"Louis," Mr. Jenkins started talking. "Watching people is permitted as long as they are aware."

Leslie's hand reached up, lightly grabbing Bill's cock.

"Everyone needs to be open and accepting of the sexuality expressed."

Louis cocked his head to the right, shrugging his shoulders.

"Louis, the little kids watch you older kids. If sex is something you treat as an experience to be secretive or cause shame, it could warp the kids."

The cock in Leslie's hand began to enlarge. She avoided looking up at Bill and Louis. As the organ filled with blood, Leslie turned her face and began licking it clean.

"I can see that you're becoming excited, Louis." Bill tilted his head forward.

Looking down, Louis noticed his own stiffy. Once his conscious mind became aware of his predicament, his cock screamed for attention.

"Leslie told me you are a bit embarrassed about your physical development."

Louis only nodded again. The differences between him and Mr. Jenkins weighed heavily on his mind. Mr. Jenkins' had been modified. How much bigger his penis was now, Louis could not remember. Louis was more enthralled by how it was different from his.

The doctors at the Peabody Children's Center had assured him and his mother that he on was the normal physical developmental scale, just near the bottom. Louis had looked it up. He was still at a Tanner Stage Two. Research on the medical sites that summer told Louis the truth; he was stunted.

August thirtieth was the first day he had produced real cum. The hair that clung to the base of his cock and balls still appeared to be light blond in color. It in no way matched his deep brown locks.

Mr. Jenkins had hair down his chest. It thickened as it covered his abs. Watching Leslie worshiping the cock framed by that hair caused Louis to begin stroking his own. She never engulfed it but ran her lips and tongue lovingly over the surface.

"Hobson has been monitoring your health and development as you use one of the sleep trainers." He moved his leg, letting Leslie have more access toward the base of his cock.

"Even Gino and Ethan are bigger there than me." It surprised Louis a bit that he was able to admit that aloud.

"If you want a cock like mine, your best option is to tackle the sponsor education track."

Louis looked back at Mr. Jenkins' cock. A large drop of clear precum gathered at the tip.

"Take this." Looking up, Mr. Jenkins held a cloth.

Grabbing the material, Louis wrapped his cock with it. The sensation of the friction combined with the show pushed the boy over the edge. Grunting four times, Louis held the cloth, catching the ejaculate.

"Wasn't that better?"

Louis looked back up.

"Yes, I think I understand more."

"Good, we need to keep our family together."

"Uh huh," Louis looked back at Leslie. She had just started to lick the clear nectar at the head.

A tapping on his arm caused Louis to look up.

"Why don't you go upstairs and ask Eve to come down here."

Nodding, Louis stood. He moved the chair back a bit to ease past Leslie's legs to the door.

Once the door closed, Bill touched Leslie's temple. "Stop please."

She pulled the cock clear. "Why?"

"Cause I want to put it somewhere warmer and wetter."

As Leslie stood, she dragged her tongue up Bill's stomach. She stopped after she tasted his neck. The contact ended in a kiss.

"So, Bill," Leslie brushed his hair to the side. "Do you think I might be right?"

"I will admit to playing a little grab ass, back when I was eleven and twelve," Bill tweaked her left ass cheek. He looked up at the ceiling, "Still not allowable?"

"Louis will turn thirteen during the first week at Wayward. At that time, the actions and activities you have described as 'grab ass' will be available for him to participate in."

Bill rolled his eye while lifting Leslie onto the desk. He lowered his mouth to pay homage to her breasts.

"Eve is at the door." Every adult in the pod wondered at least once daily if Hobson enjoyed interrupting people.

Guilt is a great motivator. Twenty-year-old Corporal David Leibnitz paid for the time he spent in the Nez pod. He and privates Yoder and Brady had moved temporarily into their pod.

Standard procedure created a new set of problems. Maria and her weaving circle had abandoned their husbands and significant others in Atlanta. Granted a temporary CAP score for transport purposes, Maria gave each woman carte blanch on their body modifications.

The result wasn't all that radical. Reductions in BMI, removal of scars, elimination of stretch marks, topped with accentuation of proportions. The women gravitated more toward a pear shape over the hourglass.

To many of the military males on board, this difference proved exotic. The AI increased the libido of the women even without any functioning males in the pod.

Delayed by a scuffle in Yellow Sector Mess, Corporal Leibnitz was asked to pull two volunteers from his detail, for a pet project of the new governor. He picked his friends who had let the situation in the Yellow Sector Mess escalate. The rule of thumb about 'special projects' foreshadowed a menial task. This task was different. If he had known that his temporary 'duty' called him to serve as sexual relief for a group of horny women, then he would have willingly volunteered, as would have most of the command.

Today, he was taste-testing snacks. The role of sex toy had morphed a bit into a surrogate father figure. The corporal had a toddler and a nursing infant back on Prik. Helping with several two to eleven year olds did give him and his fellow 'boy toys' a chance to practice some parenting skills under the watchful eye of some strong women. After the second week, the corporal started thinking the 'old man' had done this to him on purpose.

The Lookers, as the girls called their Mind Meld team, had maneuvered him into this situation. Not that he would have refused, but promises were made, assurances given, and now this was a matter for the Corps' honor. Next to him sat Lieutenant Spencer, the man who had placed him in the pod.

A sub-vocal command broke his train of thought. <'Whatever this tastes like, we are going to like this.'>

<'Understood, sir.'> Corporal Leibnitz decided that he would never tell the lieutenant about batch six.

"Welcome to the first taste-test of the Wayward Oorah Snack." Edith Jenkins served as the group's spokesperson. She was a fixture in the pod, best friend to the acting sponsor's daughter. "These snack packets being placed before you have three hundred calories and one hundred fifty milliliters of water." Several of the girls wore mock Marine Camouflage Fatigues, pink replacing the tans in the pattern. "They are separated into four adult bite-sized pieces."

The packet given to the marines looked liked standard ration packaging. Having 'Oorah Bar' in block letters next to a dark brown pair of feminine eyes was the best clue to tell that this was not standard issue.

Edith held a package herself. "Each bite of the Oorah Bar is sealed separately to keep it fresh." Edith tore the top of hers. The two marines followed her lead. She eased the snack out of the packaging. Dull and non-reflective, the olive green confection slipped into the open. "I need to warn you to take the entire bite-sized section into your mouth." She smiled and gave a wink. "The center is liquid."

Everyone began to chew. David Leibnitz braced for a repeat of batch six, a partially hardened lime jelly. Instead, a cooling spray of watermelon entered his mouth. The pliable outside dissolved away. They were surprisingly good.

<'Damn Leibnitz, these are good.'>

Edith continued with her presentation. "If possible, please take time to fill out our survey. It is registered with the Kon Tiki's AI under Oorah Bars. The Lookers Team wants to thank you for participating in our demonstration today."

All five of the girls bowed.

Dave joined his superior in clapping for the girls.

"Are there more samples, ladies?" Spencer could work any crowd. Having been a retired Army Major, he had served as a JROTC Commanding Officer at Cedar Creek High School near Russellville, Alabama.

"We have additional samples, sir." Edith, even at nine, would be able to keep pace with him. "Just ask those who you share it with to read the directions and fill out a survey."

The corporal and the lieutenant became swamped by hugs, first from the Lookers and then from the remainder of the pod's women. The celebration evolved into a sit-down dinner. That night, Maria Nez arranged for the Lookers to stay in the Jenkins' pod. The women had decided it was time to reward Lieutenant Spencer for the loan of the three marines for the last five weeks.

Eve slipped into to the study. Hobson confirmed that the second sleep trainer was scheduled for her use in twenty minutes.

One of the side effects of her pregnancy had been waves of horniness. Eve enjoyed more than just rubbing her clit. The sensation of penetrating her vaginal opening with her fingers met that need.

Several times Hobson had warned her to stop. She did each time. Even in her sleep, evidently she stimulated herself. Leslie and Mr. Jenkins had talked to her about the situation.

The answer came in the form of a dildo, four inches long, and the size of three of her fingers. Eve kept it in the study, not because she was ashamed, but more from the fact that she didn't want anyone else to mess with it.

Slipping the powder pink phallus from the drawer, she entered Mr. Jenkins' bedroom. Grabbing a towel, she spread it on the corner of the bed. Sitting down, she began urging her body to provide lubrication. In moments, she could feel heavy moisture and hear her fingers making soft sucking sounds emanating from her pussy.

Eve worked the phallus slowly with her left hand. Using the dildo, she pressed into the opening, the sense of penetration addressing her need. The fingers on her right hand played with her clit. Over and over, Eve plunged into her vaginal opening; sensations began to build into a growing need. Eve switched the dildo to pulsate.

Pushing the curved tool deeper, Eve sought out her the inner place that her body wanted stimulated. Suddenly, she exploded. If this little tool could do that, what would it be like when the cock was real? Eve lay enveloped in her afterglow.

"Your scheduled time begins in three minutes." Hobson pulled her back into the present.

Wiping the dildo clean with a convenient wipe, she then dried the tool on a clean towel. Dropping the towel into the recycler, she felt the curve of her belly. Her hips had widened a bit and her boobs were tender.

Eve put the dildo back into the drawer for safekeeping. She felt having Hobson control access kept the others from experimenting and violating the penetration rule.

Once Tiffany cleared the trainer, Eve took her place. Today, she chose follow-up training to Applied Newtonian Physics with respect to Sublight Navigation. Mr. Jenkins and Leslie -- who in her heart would always be Ms. Howard -- expressed their faith that she was sponsor material.

"Eve Jenkins, are you ready for the cycle to begin?" Hobson inquired.

Eve smiled, "Yes, Hobson." Being allowed to take Mr. Jenkins' name had helped her decide to show that their belief in her was justified. Eve had almost a year and a half until she would blow the top off her CAP score. "Hobson, can I have an image of the baby?"

"Still or video image Eve?"

"Could I have both?" Eve realized she had no real chance to charm the AI. Treating Hobson as an entity seemed to make his rejections of her requests easier to tolerate, though.

"Both types of images will be accessible at any terminal."

When she was able to negotiate and win, it made the experience sweeter.

Gino Corrado pulled at his collar. Tiffany had insisted that he wear the team colored, red and black polo. The tee shirt would have been more comfortable. He waited outside the pod. He had discovered a design flaw in the pods. There wasn't a discernible doorbell.

"Anita Klein will be with you momentarily, Gino Corrado." The deepness of the voice startled Gino. She was one of the concubines assigned to Mr. Rey the blacksmith. Her boyfriend had been the one to attack Tiffany.

A short time later, the door opened. "Hello, you must be Gino."

Gino stared at the woman. This was the tech genius. A little boy stuck his head out from behind her left hip. He appeared to be about Tina's size.

Gino was struck by the fact that Anita wore jeans and a smiley face tee shirt. Hobson wouldn't lie, would he?

"I'm a member of the Weapon Express." He fought closing his eyes while recalling the reason he was here. "We are competing in the Mind Meld Competition." Anita nodded. Gino liked the curvature of her hips. "We are working on a radio controlled supply delivery module. We are allowed to ask experts specific questions to assist us, as well as request," he forgot how to pronounce the word, "an anal anal-list-less." He shut up before he really embarrassed himself.

"What is it that I can do for you?" Anita sounded interested. She motioned Gino inside.

"Hobson, our AI, told us you worked at RC Power Force, a hobby shop back on Earth."

Anita smiled; she had a knack for fine-tuning flight stabilization modules in radio controlled planes and helicopters. She led Gino to a table by the kitchen.

"Can't the AI replicate a module for you?"

Gino tried to keep a straight face. "That is the problem. We are not supposed to provide new technology."

"That has been Earth tech for almost thirty years."

"Our AI, Hobson, said that no evidence of such technology exists with the Swarm. It is new to them."

Her face twisted. Anita was stunned. Gino waited.

The AI broke the silence. "According to the parameters of the Mind Meld Question, the self stabilization module is a technology unknown to the Sa'arm."

"Then, what is it that I can do? I just fine tune the modules." The tone bordered on bemusement. Anita tapped her fingers on her forearm.

"Sorry, we need to have you check our version made from Swarm tech."

Anita smiled, then giggled. "You're planning on using their own technology against them."

"Hobson said reverse engineering Earth tech using Swarm components was not against the rules."

"Do you have something for me to look at?"

"Hobson has our file and simulation set for your AI to access." Anita nodded. "We would like you to respond with an assessment in three to five days."

"I can't promise how good my assessment will be, but I'll try my best." Her little boy was looking at Gino past her leg again.

Gino smiled. "Thanks." He noticed that the little boy frowned a bit.

"Bye now." Anita walked Gino to the door.

"Does your son have a play mate?"

Anita looked at her boy, then at Gino. She caught Gino's eye and shook her head no.

"I'll ask Tiffany to call you. We might have a rim-e-dee for that."

Anita returned his smile. Gino slipped away.

The hard foam pillar stood in the corner of the gym. Taller than a marine, it represented a Swarm Trooper, as the ship's AI called it. Kurt whistled like his dad did when he saw something impressive.

"Mr. Ship AI, could you show us how wide and long the steps are for a Swarm Trooper?" Lilly looked up at the ceiling.

A green looking 3D butterfly shape enveloped the dummy. "This shows all possible permutations of leg articulations during movement and combat."

Kurt circled the hologram. "This is big, Lilly."

She didn't answer quickly. "You're right."

"Mr. Ship AI, could we see how long a bolas is for catching a cow?"

A blue, seventy-five centimeter, three-string bolas appeared floating before them. Lilly held up the one she and Kurt made; it was about six centimeters shorter.

"Based on a cow, how long would one need to be to wrap around the three legs?"

Next to the blue bolas, a one-hundred-twenty centimeter red bolas sprang to life.

"Yes!" Kurt leaped in the air. "I was afraid it would be too big."

Lieutenant John Spencer caught a glimpse of a pink one-and a-half meter tall Swarm Trooper. He altered his jogging path. He heard an audible oomph.

"Lieutenant Spencer, jump!" The AI announced.

Why jump? Two steps later, his feet stopped working and the floor of the gym smashed his face.

As the tube opened, John heard crying. He opened his eyes, sitting up slowly.

"Look, he is sitting up." A man's voice spoke calmly.

Sounds of nasal passages clearing caused him to turn his head. He could see a colonist holding a girl. He smiled.

"Papa, I swear we didn't mean to hurt him."

Hurt him? This little thing looking at him had put him in the tube?

"Lilly, the AI showed us what happened. You did rush to help him."

"I heard the crack and thought about Tiffany." Her lip quivered. Her eyes grew very large. She started shaking. Her father brought her into a calming hug.

"I understand, but you were testing a weapon in the gym. The lieutenant was injured because you didn't think ahead."

Something this girl had fired at him had taken him out? <'What happened to me?'> He asked to any AI out there.

The response was quick. That let him know the act was captured on video. <'A bolas was launched at a proportional hologram of an enemy combatant. Your feet were entangled and your own momentum caused you to fall and break your nose.'>

Tapping on his forearm refocused his attention. Next to him, a red-eyed girl stared at him.

"I'm sorry for not being careful."

"Save the attacks for the Swarm." He smiled. She returned a grin.

"Hobson said that misfires might be used against our guys." The girl blanched white, a bit.

"That is why you test ideas." He hoped she wouldn't cry again.

"We're going to work with Karl and Ben on hooked snare nets."

<'I want to know when they are testing.'> He swung his legs off the tube bed.

"Lilly, we need to go." Her father called her away. She blew him a kiss.

<'There is a virtual test scheduled for eleven hundred hours.'>

Watching the girl walk away with her dad, he started thinking. <'Can I work that into my schedule?>

'Yes.'

'Make it so.'