Chapter Three

Hal woke them all before breakfast. "Liz and John, you are both required to wear uniforms today. They are hanging in your closet. Keren and Ken, you must be in shifts and collars. Breakfast will be in the main hall followed by a briefing. Attendance is mandatory for all."

There were a lot of very embarrassed naked people at breakfast. The two Civil Service assistants, Sonia and Anne, were setting up a play area at the back of the hall to keep the children amused during the briefing.

Soon after the meal the Sub-Decurion, with Signifer Brooks following, entered for the briefing. "There will eventually be over half a million people in Copernicus Station so we have to be very clear in letting you know what you can and what you can't do. This will come across as abrupt and rude. My apologies for that but it is necessary.

"We are now enforcing the dress code. Sponsors will be in uniform. All concubines will wear their collars. Assigned concubines, both male and female, will wear the standard smock. Unassigned concubines will be nude. Dependants stay in ordinary clothes. Your AIs have already told you this and I am telling you again. Infractions can be punished very severely.

"Sponsors, you will be given individual training schedules via your AI. Follow them. That is an order. I am the equivalent of a Lieutenant so I am senior to everyone else in this room. Signifer Brooks here is the equivalent of an Ensign, but she has more seniority than any of the other Ensigns here. Orders are to be followed.

"Concubines also have training classes arranged. Attend them, they are very important. They can literally mean the difference between life and death for you. Yes that is frightening, and it is intended to be. Everyone's training schedules are relatively light for the first few days to allow you enough time to mingle and sell yourselves.

"No plan survives contact with reality. We had intended to have all of you through medical before today. However, due to some teething problems, that was not possible so there are still a few of you concubines who are scheduled for medicals this morning. You will not be allowed to test drive until after your medical, though you can talk to potential sponsors. Just talk.

"Unassigned concubines, you need to start selling yourselves. You cannot sell yourself huddling in your apartment. Get out here in the main area when you are not in classes. Many others are also naked so it won't be just you. You need to find yourself a sponsor. Just like in an extraction on Earth you can say no to a potential sponsor. Of course that means he's going to pick someone else. If you say no too many times we will want to know why. If you carry on saying no then we'll assign you to a Civil Service Brothel where you won't be able to say no to anyone.

"Sponsors, you need to find yourselves concubines. Get yourselves out here and talk to people. Again, don't just sit in your apartments watching vids. You can arrange interviews and test drives with unassigned concubines through your AI interface. Some of you have already done so, which I am pleased to see.

"At first we will keep the group of you together to select concubines among yourselves. You all know each other, even if just in passing, and are not complete strangers. When it becomes evident that selections are dropping off we'll put all remaining unassigned concubines into the general pool. That will give sponsors a wider range to pick from, and concubines a wider range to be picked by. The disadvantage is that the people will be strangers.

"As some of you may have guessed, this room is not what it appears to be." He snapped his fingers and the ceiling dropped to half its previous height. "That was actually a hologram to make the room look taller. There are sports facilities, Jacuzzis and other amenities available elsewhere. The AIs will guide you. There are also a small number of interview suites." At his gesture some previously hidden doors appeared along one wall. "They are available for sponsors if you don't want to use your apartment for a test drive. Book them through your AI.

"You will be here at Copernicus Station for three or four weeks to let your new families settle down. You will then transfer to a colony ship for the voyage to you new home. Sponsors who have not filled all their slots before departure may have someone assigned from the pool to fill any remaining empty slots.

"Unfortunately most of the time neither I nor Signifer Brooks will be available to answer your questions. The vast majority of questions have been asked before and the AI's have the answers. In summary, do what you are told and ask the AIs if you want anything."

And with that the two Civil Service officers walked out leaving a stunned silence behind them. As the buzz of conversation started up Liz grabbed Ken's hand. "We have a booking to see Marina soon. Let's see if she can start early. I'll use our apartment if that's OK John?"

"Yeah, fine Liz. I'll stay here for a bit." He was just about to tell Keren that she could go and talk to Deb when he saw the young lady in question coming towards them accompanying Elena. Both naked and both looking very embarrassed.

"Hello sir," Elena started nervously. "I thought I could talk to you a bit before my medical. That way I could get to know you before... Well, you know."

John smiled at her, "Sit down Elena, I'd be happy talk for now." He turned to his concubine. "Keren, you and Deb can talk as well but do try to keep the level of squeal down so the rest of us can hear."

Poor Deb. She has to go around naked like I used to. I enjoyed it once I got used to it but she's much shyer than I am and she's really embarrassed and it's still only her first day. She practically glowed red. Her cousin Elena was the same -- bright red. I suppose she's Catholic as well. Deb says that her cousin was asking about John 'cos he's booked her for a 'Test Drive' (that's 'fuckfest' really). She has a baby so I suppose he's interviewing her for the mother slot. I still hate John for not picking Deb. Elena looks a bit like Deb, so that might be good or bad. Deb says Elena is nice and thinks we should get on fine. I hope so. I wonder if John will pick her?

Deb worries her boobies are too small, not like my floppy things. I tried to reassure her that her sponsor can have them made as big as he wants. (Hey John, when do I get my buff bod with nice big tits?) She just thinks boys will take one look and reject her. One thing she could do to help, she needs to shave. Her bush was like, everywhere. (gross!) I told her she needed to trim it back some -- like Elena has. Elena has small tits as well, despite having a baby. I thought babies made your boobs blow up like balloons. She seemed to get on pretty well talking with John.

Deb's mum and dad and one of her brothers went back to Earth. Oskar stayed 'cos has a 6.4 CAP so he hopes he can get to be a sponsor when he retests. That Civil Service woman told him that there was special training for high scoring concubines. It'll be a lot easier for him to retest up here for sure. I never did get to France, did I dad!! Deb's big sister Zosha stayed as well, and Elena of course. Deb misses her mum and dad. I miss mine a bit too, but mine are up here. She won't ever see hers again. (sad)

I still hate John (a bit), and I'll have to get back at him for his comment about me and Deb squealing. We don't squeal, we (posh accent here) 'converse in ladylike tones'. (grin)

I did have another one of my ideas about Deb.

"Thanks John," Elena said, "It's been great talking to you and I'm still ready for our interview after my medical."

"You're welcome, Elena. I'm glad I haven't completely put you off. I'll see you later then."

As Elena left Deb began to get up to go with her, but Keren grabbed her hand. "Don't go Deb, I've had an idea." When she saw that Deb would stay she turned to her sponsor. "John, I know you won't take Deb as a concubine but could you train her? You trained me, and you were really good at it. It helped me a lot. If you trained her as well she would have a better chance to be picked. Please John."

"Deb?" John asked, "You'll have a lot to learn in a short time."

"Well..." she began uncertainly. Keren nodded fiercely. "I suppose I could try it. I can always back out if I don't like it can't I?"

"Of course Deb," John reassured the nervous girl. "What have you done so far?"

Keren began to speak. "No Keren! Let Deb talk," John said sharply. Keren shut up, abashed.

"Well I've kissed a few boys and I felt Keith outside his pants once. I haven't done much really." She was embarrassed admitting her lack of experience.

"So you're a virgin then?"

"Yes, of course!" Deb said vehemently.

"I won't change that," John assured her, "It might help you sell yourself to a sponsor. Remember to tell any sponsor early on so he knows. You don't want to lose it accidentally to a finger, do you."

"Oh no. I can see the point of telling people first. It'll be very embarrassing though. Talking about that."

"I'm afraid it will get a lot more embarrassing Deb," John told her. "Now come and sit on my lap."

Deb gasped and exclaimed, "What, right here in public? With everyone watching? I thought we'd go off somewhere to learn." It didn't seem possible but she blushed an even deeper shade of red.

John was firm with her, "You heard the Sub-Decurion. You need to be out here where people can see you. If you are hidden away nobody is going to pick you are they?"

Deb swallowed and sat gingerly on John's lap. He put his arms round her waist, keeping clear of any sensitive areas for the moment. "Very good, Deb. Now show me what you know about kissing boys." She was tentative at first, though did know how to use her tongue. John let the kiss continue while one of his hands began to move over her back. As she got more into the kiss his other hand approached a small breast. Almost automatically she moved to block it, though she did maintain the kiss. It was John that broke it. "Deb, who's who here?"

"I'm the concubine and you're the sponsor John."

"Correct. So who says who can touch this lovely pair of breasts?" John asked.

"I do, they're mine."

"Keren?" John brought in some assistance from Deb's friend.

"No Deb. He decides. Like you said, he's the sponsor and you're the concubine. If he wants to play with your boobies you have to let him." Keren felt sorry for her friend having to perform in public; John had surprised her by doing that. But if Deb was going to find a sponsor she needed to learn.

"Just like that Keren? With all these people around?"

"Yes Deb. He's in charge, so you have to go along with what he wants. If you say no then he'll pick someone else." Keren didn't leave her with any escape.

Deb looked at John, who nodded to confirm what Keren had said. "Do I have to?" John stayed silent, waiting for her to come to her decision. Slowly she reached for John's hand and put it on her breast.

"Very good Deb," he whispered, "Now let's get back to that kiss." At first he kept his hand still, just cupping her titty. Very very slowly he began moving it, stimulating her gently and rubbing over her nipple. He could feel her twitching on his lap as she reacted to his unfamiliar manipulation.

"We don't have a lot of time Deb, so I'm going to have to go faster than I would really like. You can ask me to stop and we can pick up again later. OK?"

"Yes John," Deb answered quietly.

"So where does my hand go next?"

Deb was so ashamed she couldn't look at either John or Keren. She looked down and moved her thighs apart. She had no idea how she managed to do it. Part of her wanted to run screaming from the room and hide.

John put his hand on her knee. "How far has a boy got before? Move my hand to show me." Silently she took his hand and moved it a few inches. John could feel her thin thigh trembling under his fingers. He resumed their kiss to help distract her. Very slowly his hand crept up her thigh towards her pussy. He felt her move as if to stop him, but she halted herself before her hand touched his. He stopped his hand anyway and she relaxed a little. "Well done Deb. I know it's difficult, but you're learning quickly."

"I'm just so embarrassed. Nobody has ever got that close before."

John removed his hand completely. "Let's try something else. What can you feel under your bum?"

"Your thing."

"Deb!" Keren burst out. "You can do better than that."

"Your prick. It's stiff."

"Correct. Why is it stiff?"

"Because you're excited," Deb said shyly.

John corrected her with a smile, "Because I've been kissing a very pretty girl." He kissed her again briefly and turned to his concubine, "I'll need your help for this next bit Keren. Both of you get under the table." Keren moved quickly to kneel between John's legs. She had a good idea what was coming and was looking forward to it. Deb had a good idea as well, but she was much more apprehensive. This was going a lot further than she had ever gone before. At least now she was hidden, crouched under the table next to her friend. John managed to work the unfamiliar fastenings on his Navy uniform and extracted his stiff cock. "Keren..." She jumped in and had him in her mouth before he had finished speaking. Soon she had him right down her throat. Deb gasped. Her friend had talked about deep throat but she had never ever seen it done.

She looked up at John, "Do I have to..."

"No Deb," John assured her, "Keren took a long time to learn to do that. You won't be able to take me that deep today." Much to Keren's disappointment, John pulled her off his dick and made her move aside for her friend. Deb knew very little about how to stimulate a man. With Keren's help she got the basics of jerking him off, licking him and giving a shallow blowjob. She almost balked at the blowjob, but Keren persuaded her to let John into her mouth. It really was basic stuff for a test drive she explained. John enjoyed it, despite a little worry before Deb got the trick of keeping her teeth out of the way. Her tongue did feel very nice on the head of his cock. To Keren's obvious delight he let her take over at the end to swallow his load. He didn't think Deb was ready for that yet.

"OK girls, back in your seats." When Deb made to sit next to Keren he stopped her. As she sat back in his lap his hand reclaimed its previous position on her leg. He waited silently until she reopened her thighs; they had closed automatically when she felt his hand there. After a word of praise he resumed their kiss and his hand resumed its slow progress up her thigh. He stopped moving his hand once it reached her pussy and let her trembling die down. "Very well done Deb. That is further than I expected you to let me go."

"Oh God! It was so difficult holding still and not stopping you. Did I do OK?"

"Yes, you did very well," John reassured the teenager as he removed his hand from her pussy, "I know you're nervous, but now you've done things once it will be easier the second time. You've been a very brave girl. Now just one more thing to do." He moved her off his lap and sat her on a chair. "You've made me feel very happy Deb so now I'm going to do something for you." He turned her chair so he didn't have to fit his six-foot frame under the table. Squatting, he gently parted her knees and dove into her hairy pussy. She was already very aroused and got excited quickly. He paused to tell Keren to keep her quiet. Keren took her opportunity and Deb screamed her orgasm into her friend's mouth.

As Liz, with Ken in tow, approached Marina's table she could see that Marina was comfortable being naked in public while her daughter was less so. Sandy blushed as Ken approached whereas Marina just greeted them with every appearance of normality.

"Do you have anything else to do now Marina?" Liz asked. "I know our appointment is in twenty minutes but we could make an early start?" Soon the three of them were settled in the Romirov's living room. "Marina," Liz explained, "I get four concubines. Ken here is my stud. I'm looking to you for the experienced mother and boss concubine roles. I will also have two younger women, fuck bunnies if you like. You would be in overall charge of both the general household and child raising. The others will need you to supply the childcare experience. You would have to fuck me and Ken definitely and probably the other two as well sometimes."

"I can do all that," Marina responded. "I prefer men to women, but you already know that I can deal with both. Would I get some input into the choice of the other two women?"

"I'll listen to your advice, but I make the final decision," Liz said. "Obviously I won't want two of my concubines fighting. That would just be stupid." She paused momentarily before continuing, "There's one I'm pretty much set on, though I haven't tested her yet. The other one is completely open. If you have any ideas you can let me know."

Marina immediately responded, "Sandy needs a sponsor."

"I'm sorry Marina, not Sandy. She and I don't get on well enough. It just wouldn't work. No blame on you for trying though."

Marina shrugged, "Not unexpected, but I had to check for Sandy's sake. So, what about John? You know he and I don't gel in bed. Would I have to fuck him as well?"

"We've decided to merge our households so John will definitely be around," Liz explained. "I won't say you'll never have to fuck him but it won't be often. He feels the same way about you as you do about him. I may ask him to father some of your kids, rather than have Ken do them all. Say about once every two or three years just enough to get you pregnant. Is that OK?"

"If John can put up with it then so can I. He's not that bad, just no spark there between us. We get on fine otherwise. I know he already has Ken's sister." Marina glanced at the young man who was sitting quietly, waiting for his role in this to begin. "I suppose his second concubine will be another woman."

"Yes, he's looking at mothers. Keren doesn't have the experience. You may have to do his two as well. We're not quite sure yet how this joint household thing will work. This is all new to us. Anything else Marina?"

"If I think of something else I can always ask. I suggest we adjourn to the bedroom."

"Excellent idea. Ken, lose that grey monstrosity you're wearing and follow us." As Liz led the three of them into the master bedroom she put an arm round Marina's waist, "I think you'll like Ken. He's thicker than John and he's a real energizer bunny. Very quick recovery time too. I'd forgotten how nice that was with John slowing down."

Ken followed them, naked, his erection twitching at the prospect of Marina's perfect arse.

John entered the interview suite to find Elena already there. He thought she might be more comfortable in a neutral venue rather than in his apartment. "Hello Elena, how was medical?"

"Nothing to it John. It seemed like no time at all, though they said I was in the tube over fifteen minutes. Apparently I'm very healthy."

John sized her up. A plain face, apart from her cheekbones, with her blonde hair tied back. Her breasts were small, though bigger than Deb's, and she didn't have much of a waist. She had trimmed her pubic hair. He should have remembered to tell Deb about that, it was something she needed to do.

He asked how Deb was after her lesson. "She was completely confused. She was overwhelmed by her orgasm and horribly embarrassed about what she had done in public. You two put on quite a performance. I could never ..." Elena thought better of what she was going to say and rephrased it. "I can't understand how you were able to do that in public yourself."

"I've performed in front of an audience before," John explained, "My wife, Liz, and I were swingers when we were younger. I imagine Deb told you that we're here together, though legally Liz is no longer my wife. We got a quickie divorce courtesy of the Confederacy when we were transported up here."

"That means I got an automatic divorce from my husband then?"

"Everyone does, there aren't any marriages up here. Will you miss him?"

Elena paused, considering her reply. "I miss the man he was, the man I married. He lost his job and started drinking and then he wasn't that same man any more. I'd just left him which is why I was staying with uncle Stanislav on Monday night. I won't miss the man he became."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Hold on to the good memories and try to forget the bad ones."

"Thanks John. It's an old wound."

John got back onto the subject, "Liz and myself will be sharing our households. She'll have four concubines, one man and three women, while I will have two, Deb's friend Keren and one other. You saw Keren at my table earlier." Elena nodded. "I want a mother with experience who is also able to act as a mentor and guide for Keren. Liz won't be there all the time."

"I can do the mother bit. Peter isn't even two yet so I don't have a lot of experience with older children."

"That may not be a problem. Liz is testing a mother who has a daughter of seventeen. She'll be around to help you with advice." John thought of a new question, "How good a cook are you? I should warn you that Keren is a disaster in the kitchen."

"I like to think I'm pretty good. I can do standard stuff as well as Polish and Irish. No Cordon Bleu though."

"Sounds good enough. We can always fall back on the replicator for Cordon Bleu." John paused before moving on to a more sensitive subject. Elena was obviously embarrassed at her nakedness, though covering it well. "You're here to have babies so you'll be having sex with me obviously." Elena nodded. "You'll also be having sex with Liz's male concubine, Ken. We decided that we want to mix up the genetics a bit."

"He's Keren's brother?"

"That's the one. Liz tells me he's great in bed, very vigorous. Liz will also want to have sex with you and we may want you to go with the other women as well. Have you done anything with women before?"

"Deb warned me you'd probably ask that." Elena suppressed her embarrassment, "All I've done is some light experimentation as a young schoolgirl while I was still working up the courage to talk to a boy. I'm prepared to try my hardest."

"That's what these test drives are for," John advised. "Best we both know beforehand rather than find out too late." He subvocalised to the AI, <Hal, please tell Keren to come in.>

When Keren arrived John introduced them to each other. Earlier Deb had monopolised Keren as John had Elena so they hadn't had a chance to talk. They all adjourned to the large bedroom off the interview room. John had them start with Keren eating Elena's pussy. He figured that it would be easier for Elena to lie back and enjoy it at first, given her lack of Lesbian experience. John was careful to pace himself. He had noticed some improvements since his visit to medical but he could still only manage one shot per session. Elena was skilled with her mouth and after he watched her eat Keren he finished in her tight pussy. Very tight for a mother. She said she did her Kegel exercises regularly and it showed. He didn't try anal with her; he had expended his shot, and he didn't think it fair to push her so far this first time. There were other arses available if he needed one. He had the two women sixty-nine for a grand finale, Keren eagerly lapping his cum from Elena's cunt.

"How did she do Keren?" he asked once his concubine had emerged from the heap of exhausted female flesh.

"I love her tongue, John. And she'll get even better with practise."

"Elena?"

"I still prefer men, but that was a pretty good second. Keren knows a lot of tricks. Do I qualify?"

Keren nodded her acceptance to John. "Congratulations Elena. Do you want to be my concubine?"

"Yes please."

The AI interrupted, making Elena jump, "Elena O'Connor is now registered as the concubine of Ensign John Romirov. A shift is available in the replicator by the bathroom door."

After a much needed shower the three of them made their way to Elena's apartment to pick up her baby.

Deb was there, babysitting young Peter. She turned pink as soon as John appeared and rushed into a quick huddle with Keren. Deb was really pleased that Elena had found a sponsor. It gave her confidence that she didn't have to look like a model to get selected. She went back to join her brother and sister in the main hall, where they were both looking for sponsors.

As they carried on to number eleven at the end of the passage, Keren noticed that number nine, where the Devonshires were, had disappeared. The walls here had a strange habit of moving when you weren't looking. The mystery was solved when they arrived home. Marina had moved in as Liz's concubine and Sandy, though still unassigned, had moved with her. The two apartments had been merged into one. Liz explained that Hal thought it was an inefficient use of space to have Sandy living on her own so she was staying with her mum temporarily. Keren could understand that, it was like when she had been unassigned but still staying with her parents. Elena was introduced to everyone. She blushed when meeting Ken, thinking of what they would be doing later. The women all made a big fuss of baby Peter, while John and Ken took a back seat for that part.

"Sandy," Liz said, once the fuss over the baby had died down, "shouldn't you be back out there selling yourself to sponsors?"

"I'll be out there soon, but it's useless at the moment. The men are trading their mothers, sisters and daughters between themselves so they don't have to have sex with them. It looks like I'll have to wait for the second wave."

"Are any of them keeping their family?" Liz enquired, "It's legal now so they wouldn't have to hide it. I'd wondered about Diane and Dave. Some mornings she had that freshly fucked look with no obvious man around. He never seemed to have any girlfriends."

"You hit the nail right on the head Liz," Sandy responded. "He's keeping her. The rumours at school were like you said, either he was gay or he was boffing his mum."

"The little motherfucker! Good luck to him. Fancy your chances of being number two there Sandy?"

"Not really. I'd be stuck in a corner while they fucked each other's brains out. I'd never be more than a third wheel."

"Probably right. Well, good luck Sandy."

"Thanks Liz."

Liz joined John and Marina for a short discussion and then called everyone together. Liz explained what they had decided, "I think we need to make arrangements clear for all of you. Some of you have heard part of this before but it is a work in progress so we want all our concubines to know what is going on. Marina and Ken belong to me, and there will be two more joining us once I have chosen them. Elena and Keren belong to John. However, John and I are combining our households so effectively you all belong to both of us. If either of us says frog then you jump. Understood?" She got a series of nods from the four concubines.

"Marina is boss of my household and is available for advice on child raising. Elena is boss of John's household and can also offer advice. The rest of you will defer to both of them in day to day household things. Marina, Elena, if you can't resolve a problem between yourselves then bring it to one of us." The two women nodded their understanding.

"Sex. Obviously John and I can fuck any of you in any combination. With us you don't get a choice. We won't stop you having fun with each other but both of you have to agree. You can ask but the other person can always say no. No fucking outside this household unless John or I say so. You can ask us for permission if you want. Does that seem fair?" Again there was general agreement. "I can think of one exception. If we want to set up a specific pairing then her pussy may be off limits to the other male for a time until she gets pregnant. OK Ken?"

"Seems reasonable Liz." He thought of a question, "What about Sandy? She's not actually one of the family though she's living here now."

Liz passed his question to Marina to answer. "Sandy needs to be out there finding a sponsor. She won't do that on her back in a bedroom here. I've agreed with Liz and John that she can fuck any of you, if you both agree, but during the day it has to be out in the main hall. At night you can do her here, but she does need to get some sleep as well. She's sort of part of the family so she is allowed for the moment."

Elena is really nice, and baby Peter is just adorable. He's going to be spoiled rotten for a bit. Once the rest of us start popping out babies he won't be quite so special I suppose. Make the most of it little fella, it won't last forever. The baby bit I'm not looking forward to. I know Confederacy medicine is good, but pushing out a watermelon!! Ouch! Still it can't be all that bad, mum did it twice.

I had a very quick talk with Deb when we picked up Peter (and we didn't squeal!). I think she's going to forgive me. (cross fingers) I hadn't expected John to do all that with her right out in front of everyone. I thought he'd take her back to the apartment. She was sooo embarrassed. She did enjoy her cum though, and I got to kiss her properly!!! We didn't talk about that bit so I'm not sure what she thought about it. I hope she comes back for more (if John lets me, she's off limits now). (sad) I like John's dick (sorry Ken) but I like some pussy as well. Elena picked up basic pussy licking very quickly so I'm all right there -- she has a nice long tongue!! I think Deb was right when she said we'd get on. Ken says that Marina knew what she was doing with Liz so I may try asking her next. I'm not sure I want to do Sandy out where everyone can see us. Marina was right, she needs to find herself a sponsor. I wonder who Liz will get for her last two concubines?

"Deborah Zamoyski," the AI spoke through her collar, "a sponsor has requested an interview with you. Go to Interview Room Two immediately."

"Who? Which sponsor?"

"The sponsor wishes to remain anonymous for now. Proceed immediately to Interview Room Two where the sponsor is waiting."

Deb entered timidly as the door slid open at her approach.

"Come in Deb. Sit down. You already know Ken don't you?" Liz smiled at the nervous fourteen-year-old.

"Hi Liz. Hi Kenny."

"I'm Ken now Deb," he reminded her.

"Sorry Ken," she apologised, "Keren did tell me but I forgot. I'm a bit on edge right now."

"That's OK Deb," Liz said. She could see that Deb was very nervous indeed. She started on the non-controversial areas first, hoping to let Deb calm down a bit. She outlined the role she expected Deb would play, though she didn't call it 'fuck bunny'. Deb already knew Marina so that was not a problem for her.

"John said to tell you I was a virgin," Deb burst out once Liz had finished.

"I'd assumed that you were," said Liz, "When did John tell you that?"

As Deb was explaining her earlier public lesson with John, Hal broke in on Liz's interface. <There is video available.>

<Show it Hal.>

Deb took one look at the display and buried her face in her hands. "Ohhh No!" Liz and Ken watched the show while Deb just tried to make herself disappear.

Liz asked, <How come the sound quality is so good Hal? That's a noisy room with all those people.>

<Sounds from other tables have been masked out.>

After the show Liz reassured the embarrassed teenager, "Deb, that was very helpful. Seeing you do those things with John means you don't have to do them all over again with Ken. Like John said, you did very well."

"So I'll have to wait till later then?" Ken asked sadly.

"I'm afraid so Ken. You stay here for a while." Gently Liz led Deb through to the bedroom, leaving a frustrated Ken alone in the interview room.

"Hello Colin, Marie, glad you could both make it." John led them into the apartment and introduced them around. "You already know Marina, she's with Liz now. Sandy's around somewhere as well, though she might still be out hunting a sponsor. I don't think you've met my concubine Elena O'Connor yet. She's Stan Zamoyski's niece. She was staying with him on Monday night and got picked up with the rest of us. If you see a rug rat around he's hers. Marie may want to go and coo over him a bit."

Marie and Elena disappeared in search of the baby while John thanked Colin for triggering the extraction of the whole building. "Don't thank me," Colin replied, "I should be thanking you. I was frantic with worry about who would select Keren with you out of the picture. I'm afraid Signifer Brooks got rather tired of me pestering her. Still, it all ended well. We even got Kenny, Ken now, settled as well which was an unexpected bonus. Colin paused. "There is one problem though. How easy is it picking new concubines? Marie is finding it really difficult. She's uncomfortable enough being demoted from wife to senior concubine. I don't want to force someone new on her if I don't have to."

John thought for a bit. "Well, Keren wasn't my wife so I don't have that problem. I didn't know Elena before we were extracted, but she pleased Keren on our test drive and they are getting on well together. I did ask Hal about their compatibility beforehand so you could try that. Obviously both Liz and I already knew Ken, Keren and Marina."

"I think that's part of the problem," Colin responded. "The people in our concubine pool are from my work so Marie doesn't know them at all well. To her they're strangers. It makes her nervous about picking one of them."

"I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Maybe if Marie could talk to Liz or Marina?"

"Great idea, I'll see if I can drag her away from the baby."

Sandy came in and went to talk to Marina. "Mum, is it OK if I join the party? It's too late for anything tonight. There aren't any sponsors left out there, just concubines."

"You can stay, but pop out every half hour or so just to see." Marina wanted her daughter to be picked soon, before to pool was thrown open to anyone and everyone.

Colin was back talking to John, "Good to see Sandy here. Lovely bum she has. I've not had the chance to see it naked before, though some of those tight shorts she wore last Summer..."

John grinned, "Second best in the room."

"Second best?" Colin was surprised.

John waved Marina over to join them, "Show Colin your arse Marina. He needs convincing."

"I have a very convincing arse Colin." She turned her back to him, slowly raising her shift while smiling back over her shoulder. Not that Colin noticed her smile, his eyes were focused lower down. "Convinced?" she asked after he had gazed his fill.

Colin managed to recover his wits. "Thanks Marina, I'm thoroughly convinced. Your daughter only has the second best bum in the room."

"Poor Sandy, she'll be so disappointed. Where's she got to?"

"She's talking to Marie over in the corner," John told her.

Marina glanced towards her daughter. "They always did get on well together."

Colin and John looked at each other, both having simultaneously had the same thought. They quickly established themselves in a quiet bedroom. Being the host, John led off. "Hal, the idea of keeping pools of concubines separate initially is to allow people who know each other to have first pick of concubines, isn't it."

"Correct," Hal replied. "Statistics show that such relationships last longer on average with fewer concubines rejected or recycled."

"Colin is a resident of our building," John pointed out. "If he had not been extracted already he would be in our pool."

"Correct. Are you suggesting that Ensign Savary be permitted to select from your pool."

"I am. How high do you estimate the compatibility between Colin and Sandy Devonshire and also between Marie and Sandy?"

"Those would both be good matches," Hal replied. "Ensign Savary will be allowed to select from both pools because he is related to one by work and to the other by residence. This precedent has been noted. It does not apply to any other sponsor in either pool."

Colin smiled. "Hal, could you tell Marie to join me here and ask Sandy if she wants a test drive."

"Concubine Sandy agrees to a test drive. Both are on their way."

"I'll leave you to it Colin," John said as he left.

Liz called the room to silence. "When I organised this gathering it was going to be a surprise party. It is now a double surprise party because I have been surprised as well." Everyone laughed at that. Liz continued, "For the first surprise, the one even I wasn't expecting, I'll ask Marina to make the announcement."

Marina stepped forward, "I almost messed up this surprise by telling my daughter to go back the main hall to look for a sponsor. Luckily she didn't. Some of you may have noticed Colin and Marie's temporary absence. I'm very glad to announce that Sandy is now Colin's concubine." The happy couple entered, followed by a smiling Marie, to a general round of applause.

Liz waited for things to settle down. "This second surprise is the one I had actually planned. I warn you that it's going to be noisy, so I've asked Hal to dampen the sound in order to preserve your ears. Now if you can all close your eyes and keep them closed until I tell you to open them."

After a brief wait they heard Liz's voice again, "I would like to present my newest concubine to you all. You can open your eyes now."

Hal activated the sound dampers.

DEB!! Deb! Deb. Liz picked Deb!! Thankyou thankyou Liz. I'll do you any time you want. (Well I'd do that anyway, but now I'll do it even more!) I'm so happy I might even let Ken fuck me again (but only once). Liz, I'm gonna lick your pussy until my tongue wears down to a stub and when it grows back I'll start on your bum. (or maybe Marina's!!)

I don't even hate John any more. I'm sure he had something to do with it. He had this smug look on his face before the party started.

It's great for Sandy as well. Dad is much nicer than Jim, he was soo boring going on about politics and stuff all the time. Sandy's a lot prettier than Ken -- much more fun for daddy. (grin) Mum likes her too, so that's good.

Deb! Oohhh, now she belongs to Liz she's not off limits any more so I can do her. Deborah my dear, you have no idea how much fun we're going to have together.