Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Day 9

9 Section 81 -- Surplus female concubines

The remaining Day 1 unbound concubines -- now all women -- were concentrated into two neighborhoods. The male concubine prospects had gone home the day before.

Few Day 1 sponsors still needed concubines. Those sponsors, almost exclusively men, had personality traits that ensured that the lives of their concubines would be terrifying and painful.

The choices for the unbound concubines were both unappealing: they could allow themselves to be sponsored by a beast, or wait until arrival on the colony before being sponsored. No one knew what the latter meant, except that they had been informed in the early orientation sessions that the sponsors on the colony would most likely be fourteen-year-olds or men who had already killed or rejected concubines. Most of the women were arriving at the conclusion that being owned by a fourteen-year-old boy was not the worst thing that could happen to them. The women at least hoped that they could influence the young men to become good lovers and thoughtful 'husbands.' But arrival on the colony was still nearly two weeks away. Assignment to a colony brothel was known to be a distinct possibility. Even though the women had made themselves sexually available to prospective sponsors -- strangers all -- the prospect of actually becoming whores was wrenching.

The libido of the unsponsored concubines had been enhanced when they reached the moon and had not been scaled back. Opportunities to relieve their urges with men had been scant. Some sponsors roamed the women's neighborhood, knowing that the women's urge to mate was powerful. The sexual sessions they inflicted upon the unwary were appalling. The stewards did nothing.

There being an acute shortage of cock in the neighborhood, many of the women turned to each other for comfort. Off-duty stewards made an effort to make themselves available, but there weren't enough male stewards who were willing to make such a 'sacrifice' to go around. A whole lot of the women were climbing-the-walls horny.

"Settle down, please," said the Fleet Auxiliary representative with an amplified voice. As the women found seats and became quiet, she continued. "There are about twelve hundred of you unsponsored concubines in this and one other neighborhood. This meeting is to discuss with you how you would like to proceed. There remain five days until the cube ship transporter arrives, and a week of transit before you arrive in the colony. Almost none of you are going to find a sponsor before you arrive at the colony, and it is unknown how long it will take after arrival before you are sponsored.

"The Confederacy would like you to become pregnant as soon as possible. I know many of you are anxious to at least practice your baby-making skills." That brought the chuckles she sought. "There are maybe three alternatives that have been considered to help you get some satisfaction and, hopefully, get a bun in as many of your ovens as possible. We would like your input.

"You were extracted on the first day of our "new and improved 'office building' procedure". One office building in each of two cities was evacuated on that day. Some of you were in the building; the rest of you were extracted as 'dependents' of office workers. We used the same procedure in four cities each over the next three days. As you know, unsponsored male concubine candidates from your two cities were sent home yesterday. Unsponsored male candidates from the four second-day cities are going home today. Unsponsored male candidates from the third-day cities go home tomorrow, and fourth-day cities the day after that.

You are from Charlotte or Dallas. On the second day, people were extracted from Manchester and Glasgow in the UK, Phoenix, Arizona and Edmonton, Alberta. On the third day, people were extracted from Melbourne and Sydney, Australia and Mumbai and Indore, India. On the fourth day, extractions happened in Anchorage, Alaska, Honolulu, Hawaii, Osaka, Japan and Seoul, South Korea.

"The second-day people have pretty much formed their families. The unsponsored concubines are about in the position you were in yesterday. You remember your own circumstances two days ago and three days ago.

"The first option is for you to be transferred to one of these areas, and you can try to be sponsored. Your best chances -- which are still quite limited -- are with the fourth day groups, but only half of them speak English as their native tongue. If you are transferred to one of those areas, you will have to share living quarters and will compete with the unsponsored concubines who are already there.

"The second option that we can think of is that we would ask sponsors to open their homes and take you in. We have not discussed this option with the sponsors, and we do not know what the response will be. We do not know what will be the response of the sponsors' existing concubines. The concubines do not have a vote in the matter but, as you know, their acute displeasure could easily disrupt the harmony of the entire family unit. You could stay as long as you wanted and as long as the sponsor wanted. You could come back to this neighborhood as often as you like. You can go to another sponsor if you wish and if the sponsor wishes. The sponsors will not be allowed to keep you. We do want you to become pregnant. We think it will be good for you to be in a family situation, albeit temporarily.

"The third option is for you to remain where you are. You are free to leave the neighborhood and use any of the abundant entertainment and recreation areas. Regrettably, there will be little opportunity for you to become pregnant or even to practice that art.

"Now I want to answer your questions and open the discussion." There were a lot of questions and a lot of discussion.

"We've had quite an ordeal this last week," one woman said. "I'm older than most. I have a lot more fat and a lot less hair than when I was younger. I have been humiliated and oppressed for a week. I don't need to become a Barbie Doll, but I sure would feel better about myself if I had a chance to have my body improved a little bit. Do you think we could get some modest changes done before we go looking for a mercy fuck?"

The steward considered for a moment with a thousand-yard stare in her eyes. Presently, she recovered and faced the woman. "Technically, you presently belong to the Civil Service until you are permanently sponsored. Yes, we will allow modest changes to your bodies: fat reduction, hair changes, correction of any disfigurement, and the like. We will not roll back your age. When you are eventually sponsored, your sponsor may make any additional changes he or she wants."

There was interest in all three of the options. The steward promised an update as soon as she could.

"Your attention, please," announced the AI. "As you may know, family formation is all but complete for those of you extracted from Charlotte and Dallas. From each of these two cities, some twenty-two hundred sponsors have formed family groups representing about eighteen thousand men, women, and children.

"There remains something of a problem. The number of female concubines extracted exceeds the number allotted to sponsors by approximately six hundred for each of these two cities. These women will be sponsored by residents of the colony after transport. The cube ship transport will arrive in five days. The transit will last for a week. Sponsorship remains about two weeks hence for these women.

"The unsponsored concubines, and their children, are presently housed in two neighborhoods. There are no adult males resident in the neighborhoods. The women have endured the concubine selection process and have been repeatedly passed over or rejected. Their humiliation and shame is now compounded by the sense that they have been abandoned. Importantly, substantially none of the women have become impregnated, a high priority for the Confederacy.

"It is thought that these women -- and their children, in some cases -- will be far better off if they are temporarily integrated with sponsors and their families. The assignments are voluntary on the part of the sponsor. The concubines will remain the property of the Civil Service. The concubines will be removed from the sponsor family groups before arrival at the colony in preparation for permanent sponsorship by a volunteer already on the colony. Accordingly, the maximum duration of the temporary assignments is less than two weeks.

"Either the concubine or the sponsor are allowed to end the temporary assignment at any time, for any reason. If the temporary assignment is not mutually beneficial, then the concubine will be returned to the unsponsored concubine neighborhood and may later be assigned to the family of another sponsor.

"If you are willing to volunteer as a temporary family for one of these concubines, or if you have questions, please say so."

George, Jenna and Andie looked at each other, nonplussed. "Well," allowed Jenna, "there is a semi-vacancy in your bed, George. Even with my libido juiced, I'm not carrying my share of the load."

"You're carrying your share of the load for our family," giggled Andie, "right in your tummy. Seriously, though, you have shared your man with me. I can't really refuse to share our man with someone who needs our help."

"Andie," Jenna reproved, "George is not 'my man' anymore. We're a family now, and you're every bit as much a member as I am."

"I know, I know," said Andie. "Still, I think we could temporarily add another woman without either of us having to go without. George, what do you think?"

"I don't want to do anything that will interfere with our family formation," he answered.

"Oh, we're definitely a family now," said Jenna. "Andie is pregnant with your baby. We both love you with all our hearts. If you are inclined to volunteer, George, it's okay with us. It's only temporary, after all."

"AI," said George, "I'm willing to consider the proposal. Can you elaborate a bit about the woman -- or the type of woman -- who would be assigned to our family?"

"For your particular family," replied the AI, "a woman would be selected from those who have been preyed upon by her fellow concubines. You and your two concubines are deemed well qualified to help such a woman recover her dignity, her sense of self-worth, her confidence and her trust. Many of the women among the unsponsored concubines would not be considered attractive to most human males. The woman will be granted some limited body modifications before she arrives. The modifications will not include age regression and will be more in the nature of weight loss and correction of any disfigurement."

That shocked both Andie and Jenna. "Do it, George," said Andie. "Self-esteem is something we can help a woman rebuild."

"Okay," said George. "I have reservations, but we will try and see how it goes. AI, when will the woman arrive?"

"Jill Imhoff is presently enroute to the medical bay, where she will undergo some body modification. She and her child will then proceed to this location. You should expect her in about three hours."

"Can you give us any more information about Jill or her child?" asked Jenna.

"Jill Imhoff is twenty-six years old. Her son, Asa, is four years old." Both women tittered in happy surprise. "Jill Imhoff is about to undergo weight reduction. She will not be made slender but will shed considerable weight. Jill Imhoff...."

"Can you drop her last name, please?" George asked plaintively.

"Acknowledged. For the past three days, Jill spent as much time as possible in her room with her son. Other concubines resident in the same living unit used every opportunity to torture Jill, both physically and emotionally. Her present emotional state might best be described as 'cowed.' She is being escorted to the medical bay by a steward, who will supervise the child while Jill is in a med tube. It was clear that Jill would not or could not make the trip on her own."

"Jill and her son Asa are at your door," intoned the AI.

The three raced to the front door. "Open the door," George said as they approached from the inside. As the door slid open, both Jenna and Andie greeted Jill with excited chatter and hugs. Jill recoiled at the physical contact. That brought Jenna and Andie up short and they toned down their own displays.

George also had observed Jill's reaction to the physical contact. He opted for a more reserved offering of both of his hands. Jill hesitated momentarily and then accepted George's hands with a grateful smile. "I'm pleased to meet you, Jill. Welcome to our home. Please come in."

Andie's four-year-old twin girls and Jenna's three-year-old son were already in a corner of the living room. Sally and Lonnie were 'finger painting' on whitened rectangles on the wall. There were circles of color nearby on the wall. The children changed color by touching a new colored circle. Molly had a storybook on her lap. The AI was reading the story. The people and animals in the pictures were mobile and Molly was paying close attention.

Jill's four-year-old Asa followed his mother into the living unit. The Carters noticed that either Jill must have shielded Asa from the worst she had suffered or Asa was very resilient. It didn't take him long to join the other children. No introductions were needed. The children didn't bother to exchange names. The AI quietly invited Asa to join in finger painting and he happily agreed.

The adults migrated to the 'U' shaped sofa-loveseat-sofa configuration in the middle of the room. There was some hesitation as to where to seat themselves. "We don't want to crowd you, Jill, but we also don't want you to feel left out. Will you please let us know how you would like us seated?"

"Thank you," blushed Jill. "Maybe at first I could have the love seat to myself so I can see all of you?"

"That would be fine," said Jenna. "I would like some iced tea. Can I bring a beverage or a snack for the rest of you?"

"I would also like some iced tea," said Jill.

"How would you like it?"

"Jill's preference is known," the AI intoned.

Jenna collected the remaining beverage orders and retreated to the kitchen. The replicator began on the beverages as soon as the requests were voiced. Jenna was back before the silence could become uncomfortable.

"We understand that you had a session in the med tube," said Jenna. "I haven't experienced that yet," and she patted her distended tummy. "Do you feel a lot different?"

"I do," blushed Jill. "I lost about forty pounds. It's strange getting used to all that weight gone instantly. I'm still not svelte, but I think I look a lot better. I feel a lot better, for sure!"

George looked away in consternation. "Jill, I feel like I'm walking on egg shells with you. I'm almost afraid to say that you look very nice, and that I'm glad for you. I understand that it would be hard for any woman to immediately feel at home and a member of our family -- even temporarily. We understand that you have had an ordeal this past week. Can I please carve out a safe haven for our language and actions? We mean to not make you uncomfortable in any way. If you wonder about anything we say or anything we do, will you ask me or Jenna or Andie?"

"I will," she smiled. "I have had a hard time, but it isn't your fault. I'm very grateful for your hospitality. I'm sure that my being surrounded by normal people in a healthy family will help me a lot."

"George is very considerate," said Andie. "He isn't at all mean. Sometimes what he says comes out wrong. He stumbles all over himself when he realizes his mistake. But do ask if what he says -- what any of us says -- is hurtful to you."

"There," smiled George, "now I feel better. Jill, you look very nice. I'm glad you feel better, too. If you want more modifications done, I hope your sponsor will grant them."

"Do you know very much about us?" asked Jenna. "All we learned about you were your names and ages, that you just got a modest body modification, and that you were pretty much hiding in your living unit room for the last three days. You can be private about yourself and your son if you want to. We'll tell all about yourselves until you get bored."

"No," answered Jill, "all I was told about you were the names and ages of you and your children and where to find you. I would like to know some more about you, and I'll gladly share my own history."

Andie and Jenna looked expectantly at George. With a shrug, he began. "I was married to Jenna for five years. You know, it doesn't feel right saying, 'was married to Jenna.' As far as I'm concerned, Jenna is still my wife." George turned to face Andie. "Andie is my sister. The three of us have come together as a family beautifully. Jenna and Andie have always gotten along. Jill, you and I are the same age. Andie is twenty-four but she wanted to be eighteen again."

"You look beautiful," breathed Jill.

"Thank you," said Andie as she preened. "I'm newly pregnant, thanks to George. Twenty-four isn't old, but being eighteen is even better." She pranced around behind George and reached in, unbuttoning his shirt. "George, why don't you show off your enhancements?" Looking up to Jill, she said, "I can't believe how strong he is. It makes love-making even more fun!"

As she rubbed her tummy, Jenna said, "This bump kept my desire in check. Poor George. When we got here, George finally got some relief, thanks to Andie. They've been insatiable. The AI told me that my own libido was juiced, but I didn't believe it. But after two days, I was glad for his attention -- and Andie's attention, too. They double teamed me pretty good.

"Jill, you're not burdened with a basketball on your tummy." By this time, Andie had succeeded in getting George's shirt all the way off. She came back around and began to remove his shoes and socks. "I noticed that you flinched when Andie and I first embraced you. I imagine there must be an internal battle in you between the abuse and neglect that you have suffered on one side, and your urge to mate on the other side. Have I misinterpreted?" Andie was just then pulling down George's pants and underwear, revealing his nice, very hard cock. Jill's eyes were locked on George's crotch. She unconsciously licked her lips.

"I had a quickie earlier this week, before I holed up in my room," she said softly without moving her eyes. "I guess the guy liked it but it didn't do much for me. So, yeah, you've about hit the nail on the head. There I was, ready to take any man in any hole. Now, when I am in a safe environment, I'm afraid."

Jenna moved and sat beside Jill. "I have a request of you and Andie. I would like to hear George ask for mercy, ask you not to fuck him anymore." Andie's laugh was musical. She nodded vigorously. "It may take all night and all day tomorrow. Tell George how many babies you want him to put in you. Tell him whatever you want, boy, girl, twins, anything. Go in there knowing that, tomorrow morning, you'll be pregnant."

Jill's eyes were like saucers. She stifled a moan. "What about Asa?"

"I can easily handle four children aged three to four. I don't have to cook. The AI is already making another bed in Lonnie's room." Jenna smiled a huge smile. "Go make babies, Jill. Go take care of yourself. Go let George and Andie take care of you."

9 Section 82 -- Media

The return of the males sent the worldwide media into frenzy. Copernicus Station was described -- based on the males' recollection -- in great detail. None of the returnees knew exactly where they had been within the station. The false projections of levels beyond count both above and below the viewer were taken at face value and it was widely assumed that the station was even more vast than it really was.

Speculation -- sometimes wild -- surrounded very aspect of the station. 'Experts' were dredged up to opine about elements such as the manner of generating artificial gravity, the creation, entrapment and circulation of atmosphere, the creation and delivery of water, waste water handling, distribution of raw stocks to feed to the replicators, and myriad other subjects. Some of the speculation was reasonably close to the truth and the rest was wildly distorted.

Earth First types were insatiable consumers of all this news and information. Small groups everywhere began putting their heads together in a valiant effort to plan how to sabotage, disrupt or even end the entire extraction process. Fiendish plans for all manner of mayhem were bandied about. The easy part, they thought, was for EF agents to infiltrate the businesses located in a large number of downtown office buildings and simply wait for a pickup to occur. The trouble was, no one could figure out how to bring explosives through the transporter pads without detection. It was well known that the Confederacy could detect firearms, no matter how well concealed.

It would have been easy to combine a few chemicals to produce a mixture that was explosive or poisonous. The hard part was trying to concoct a plausible reason to carry enough of any one ingredient through the transporter pads, much less how to meet up with a co-conspirator once on the moon. Five gallons of bleach, or fifty pounds of fertilizer, or any one of dozens of such ingredients was by itself of no use to an individual on the moon, and very unlikely to get there.

Some of the Earth First groups focused on simply finding out whether two or more individuals could reliably even find each other. Their efforts were hobbled by the inability to forecast the locations of office building pickups. The very few who DID get themselves picked up, and DID manage to meet up with their co-conspirators, STILL had the omnipresent AI surveillance to contend with. Most of the EF moles in the moon did not survive their week in the meat market. The few who did survive went back to try working out a set of innocuous-sounding code words and phrases.

Other groups attempted to get even small amounts of potentially hazardous materials to the moon. Only the most minute quantities made the transit. This information was of little or no use. The EF commanders did not solve the problem of how to transfer useful quantities to the moon.

Still other groups settled for ambush attempts in office buildings, hoping to pick off a few marines during a pickup. But the office buildings were seeded with drones days before an extraction occurred. The drones found the office suites with occupants packing firearms. These people were simply stung by the drones a moment before the pickup commenced. The smug marines collected innocent employees from among the staff and let the would-be assassins sleep off their punishment.

9 Section 83 -- Diane

"I'm leaking!" shrieked Diane. Droplets of milk hung from both of her nipples before falling onto her thighs.

"Lactation has commenced," intoned the AI. "A small quantity of colostrum is now available to the infant, but he is asleep."

The twins rocketed into position on each side of Diane. "Can we taste it?" Emma begged.

"Not a chance!" laughed Diane.

"Please!" pleaded Erin. "Just one drop! Please!"

A smiling Diane scooped a bit from each nipple with her index fingers and fed it to the twins, who eagerly sucked her fingers clean. Their exaggerated expressions showed that they were trying to evaluate the flavor.

"There wasn't really enough for a good taste," sighed Emma. "Can we have some more?"

"You can have whatever leaks out," giggled Diane. She swatted away the twins' hands and settled back on the sofa. Diane wasn't leaking very much. After a couple of more droplets each, the twins got bored and abandoned their efforts.

A beaming Laura brought little Adam in. She knelt in front of Diane, her eyes sparkling. "Baby Adam is hungry, Diane," she said softly. "Would you feed him, please?"

Diane was frightened and excited at the same time. She had held Adam several times but now she felt 'all thumbs' as she accepted the child from his mother. Laura had the grace to wait patiently while Diane got situated. As she had been trained, Diane rubbed her nipple across Adam's upper lip. He eagerly opened wide and latched onto the nipple as it was pressed into his mouth.

Diane's entire universe was narrowed to the distance between her eyes and his. He seemed to watch her intently as he fed. Diane was flooded with intense love and devotion for this baby, her son.

14 Section 84 -- Embarkation

The embarkation drills had become absolutely routine. There were no visual cues to let the passengers know that they were now aboard the transport ship Valhalla. Everyone moved promptly to their assigned living unit.

Once inside, the AI welcomed the family aboard Valhalla. The AI offered to create a 'window' on one wall to see the moon, the Earth and orbiting spaceships. The adults watched for a few minutes but soon lost interest. The older children spent more time observing.

The families found that the living units aboard Valhalla were nearly identical to their accommodations in the moon. As a result, there really was no settling in required. All were accustomed to embarkation drills and, when those were finished, the families went on with their lives.

"You are invited to join in celebration," said the AI, "of your transfer to the cube transport ship Valhalla, which will break orbit in an hour. The celebration is getting under way in the center of the neighborhood. Food and drink, music for dancing and many other entertainments are being provided. The occupants of this neighborhood will be your neighbors for the foreseeable future. You are encouraged to participate in the celebration."

"Let's go meet people!" trilled Vickie and Muriel.

"Let's go celebrate the beginning of our new lives," smiled Lisa.

And so they did.