Chapter One - The Refugees

    Security Officer Thomas Zane often thought of the classic movie "Casablanca" when he saw the passengers disembarking at Lord Byron Airport.  They were like the refugees in that film, all wanting desperately to escape their pursuers and make a new life.  However, while the people in the old movie had been trying to get to America, a fair number of these passengers were from America.

    It had been that way for more than two decades.  Ever since the Republic of Jocasta had declared its independence and became the only nation on earth that permitted both incest and pedophilia.  The resulting international boycott led by the United States, had made travel to Jocasta difficult, especially for Americans.  Anyone wanting to visit Jocasta had to make their way to one of the few countries that had established diplomatic relations with her.  And any parent traveling to one of those countries in the company of their child was sure to detained.  But a few hundred persisted each year and now they were almost there.

    Officer Zane sat down and opened a dossier.  In some ways it was a typical case, a man and his daughter at the end of a very long and roundabout journey.  Zane noted that they had changed planes five times and had used the railroads twice in making sure that they weren't arrested.  "Jim Paulson," he called out.

    A tall man of about thirty-five came forward, holding the hand of small girl.  "That's me, Officer," he said.  The man was good looking and strongly built.  The girl was pixie cute, with long, straight hair, as black as her father's.

    "Have a seat, Mr. Paulson," Zane said.  "I presume that this lovely little lady is your daughter Jessica."  When Jim nodded Zane continued.  "And how old are you, Honey?"

    "Uh, why do you have to know that?" Jim asked.  "I thought.."

    "I know what you think, Mr. Paulson," Tom interrupted.  "You were led to  believe that Jocasta is a 'no-questions-asked' sexual playground.  Well I'm afraid that you were mis-informed.  We have a number of questions because despite what you've heard, there are rules here.

    "For a start, while we believe that children have a right to consent to sexual relations, we want to be damn sure that when a little girl takes a lover, it is because she wants it.  So, I'm going to be asking her whatever questions I think need answering.  And I want her to answer, so no coaching."

    He turned back to the little girl and repeated the question.  "Eight, going on nine," Jessica said.

    "That's a nice age," Tom said.  "Do you know why you and your daddy came here?"

    "Well," Jessica said, "Daddy said that if we came here we could get married and I could be a mommy."

    "And do you want to marry your Daddy?"

    Jessica blushed and shyly nodded.

    Turning back to Jim Officer Zane asked, "Is that your intent, Mr. Paulson.  Do you intend to marry Jessica?"

    "God, yes," Jim breathed.  "It's why we came here."

    Officer Zane nodded and said, "Did you bring a copy of her birth certificate?"

    "Yes," Jim said.  "Is it okay if I ask why I was told to bring one."

    "Of course, Mr. Paulson," Zane replied.  "Look, I'm sorry if came on a little harsh a minute ago.  It's just that with our way of life, we have to careful.  There are people who want to exploit us to abuse kids and we won't permit that.  I don't think that's the case with you, but I have to be sure.  But you should feel free to ask any question you want during this interview.

    "Now as to why we want the birth certificate, it's simple.  Age of consent for a girl to marry outside her family is 10.  Marriage within the family can be at any age as long as you can demonstrate that the child is aware of what she is entering into.  So, I need to see her birth certificate to prove that she is your daughter.  Otherwise, she is too young."

    He turned to Jessica again and asked, "Do you know what it means to be married?" 

    "Well, it means that Daddy and me will always stay together and we will sleep in the same bed, and one day I will have babies."

    Officer Zane glanced at Jim as whispered to him, "I have to get kind of graphic here.  Don't get too upset by what I ask her."  Then he turned back to Jessica and asked, "Do you know what it means for you to sleep with your Daddy, especially when you are married?"

    Jessica was clearly embarrassed by the question and she let her head drop.  "It means we will do sex."

    "Don't be embarrassed," Zane said.  "It's okay to do sex with your daddy if that is what you want to do.  Is it?"

    "I don't know," Jessica said.  "I love my daddy a whole, whole bunch, but I don't know what sex is."

    Zane looked at Jim with raised eyebrows.  Jim shrugged and said, "It didn't seem right to do her before we got here.  I don't want to have to sneak around and grab a quick fuck in secret.  That wouldn't be good for her."

    "Well, I think that is a point in your favor, Mr. Paulson.  But you don't seem to have told her much about it either."

    Jim gave a little laugh.  "I chickened out.  I thought I would wait until, uh, well, until it was absolutely necessary.  I don't suppose that works in my favor."

    "No, it doesn't," Officer Zane replied.  "In fact, it makes it look like you think she may be too young to understand, and if that is the case we can't permit you to enter into a sexual relationship at this time.  Do you think she is too young?"

    Jim gulped and said, "I'm not sure."

    Officer Zane nodded and said, "Well, the best way to find out is for you to tell her what you want to do with her and we'll see how she handles it.  To make it easier on you I'll step into the observation room for a while.  Just wave when you're ready for me to come back in."

    Officer Zane sat down in the observation area and watched as Jim Paulson explained to his daughter what he wanted to do to her.  He couldn't hear what was being said, but he could see the little girl's reaction.  He watched as her initial fear turned to amazement, then curiosity, and finally excitement.  Then a beaming Jim Paulson waved him back in.

    "I see it went well," Zane said, "but for the record I have to ask.  Jessica, do you know what sex means now, and do you want to do it with your daddy?"

    The little girl giggled this time and said, "OH YEAH!"

    "Do you have any questions?" he asked.

    She giggled again, "I just wonder if Daddy can really fit his thing in me."

    Officer Zane smiled at her and said, "Don't worry, every little girl wonders about that.  I'm sure you'll be fine."  Then he turned to Jim.  "Did you folks bring a wedding gown?"

    Jim jumped up, "You mean it?  We can get married?"

    "Sure," Officer Zane said.  "So did you?  Bring a dress?"

    "Uh, no.  I didn't want anybody to get suspicious."

    "That's okay.  We have plenty of shops that carry pre-teen bridal gowns.  If you like I can have one of my staff take Jess here shopping," Officer Zane said.  Then he looked carefully at Jim and said, "After all, you and I have a few things to talk about."

    A few minutes later Jessica left, clutching the credit card her father had given her.  He waved to his daughter and then turned back to the Security Officer.  "Well, Officer Zane, what is it you want to talk about."

    "First off, call me Tom.  I hate all that 'Officer' crap.  Makes me feel like a nark."

    Jim laughed.  "Okay, Tom.  What's up."

    Tom opened the dossier again.  "Well, you may have noticed that we have file on you and Jessica already.  It's mostly about you, of course.  We assemble dossiers on all our visitors, but you definitely caught our attention.  It's a little unusual to have a man of your reputation come to Jocasta.  Award winning software designer.  CEO of the most successful start-up company since Microsoft.  Ph.D. in astrophysics and in economics."

    "So?"

    "Well, Jim, the first thing I noticed in your file is that you have booked a return flight.  You're plans seem to say that you'll be leaving us in a week.  Are you sure you want to do that?"

    Jim grunted.  "What are you?  The official welcome wagon?"

    Tom grinned.  "No, but I am somebody who cares what happens to you.  I am also a bit of patriot.  Jocasta can use men of your talent.  I think you should stay, and if you'll listen to me for a while, I know you'll agree with me."

    "Okay, Tom," Jim said, "you can make your pitch.  But I do have a lot to go back to, so it will have to be good."

    Tom smiled and said, "Here it is then.  First off there is the danger.  You may not know it, but there are people watching every plane that flies to or from Jocasta.  It's quite possible that you and Jessica were spotted boarding you flight.  If so, it is a cinch that you will be arrested as soon as you return to the U.S.  Do you want Jessica to see you being dragged away in handcuffs.  Do you want her to be brainwashed into thinking that what you and she feel for each other is sick and ugly?  That is what will happen if you are seen coming or going."

    Jim was shaken, "How sure are you that we were seen, or will be seen when we leave?"

    "Truthfully, I can't say for sure.  But I know of thirty such cases in America last year."

    "Hey!" said Jim, "I know that more than thirty Americans who came here last year.  Shit, we had almost that many on the plane today!"

    "Twenty-three Americans to be exact," Tom said, "including you and Jess.  Most of them were adult brother/sister couples, none of them well known.  They will probably be safe because nobody is looking for them or will recognize them.  And to tell you the truth, your government doesn't really care what adults do here.  But they are sudden death when it comes to children being involved.

    "But I don't want to scare you into staying.  I think there are better reasons for you to stay.  Let me tell you a story.  It's a true story, even though it hasn't happened yet."

    Jim looked at him blankly.  "Huh?"

    Tom smiled, "It's about you and Jessica.  Mostly, it's about you.  In a little while she is going to call you from one of our wedding chapels where she will be waiting in her new white wedding gown.  I'll take you over there, and you are going to be absolutely floored by how beautiful she is.

    "Then after the ceremony you'll take her to a fine hotel, where I've taken the liberty of booking you the honeymoon suite with a wonderful view of the bay.  Don't worry, you can see it from the bed.  And there, sometime this evening you and your daughter will make love.  Take it from one who knows, it will be the most sexually fulfilling moment of your life.  And when she comes while you are fucking her, you will feel like a god.

    "And in the morning you will wake up and want to feel that way again.  And you can.  All you have to do is make love to your little girl again.

    "And finally, after a day or two, maybe after your fifth or sixth time together you are going to realize that you can't think of her as just your daughter anymore.  From then on, every time you think of her it will be as your daughter and your wife.  How are you going to give that up after only one week?"

    Jim listened to the words and in his mind he saw it all so clearly, and he was shaken by the intensity of the emotions that ran over him.  He looked at Tom, almost pleadingly, hoping that some solution could be found.

    But Tom's next words just drove the message home.  "You said you didn't want to sneak around and grab a quick fuck in secret.  That's the best you can hope for if you go back.

    "And what about Jessica's feelings.  Your marriage will be legal here and nowhere else.  But she will know that she got married.  How will you explain to her that it was all a sham and she can't be your wife anymore.

    "And don't forget, you promised her children.  What are the neighbors going to say when she starts to show.  What will her mother say?  Will you deny it?  Will you stand in front of your daughter-wife and say that you are not the father of her child?"

    Jim stared at the floor.  "I hadn't thought that far ahead, I guess."

    Tom gave a cynical laugh.  "Sometimes the little girls are better prepared to take the plunge then their daddies.  You're lucky.  We want you to stay and we will do everything we can to help you out.  Look, I don't want to spoil tonight for you.  You don't have to decide anything right now.  Let's just get you ready for the wedding.

    "I don't suppose you thought to bring a tux either."