Chapter 27: The Girls are Playful

The next few days seemed to be carrying a heavy burden. The simulations were easier, but no less intense. My officer corps had finally solidified. I was not thrilled by Herb, the engineering officer, but the others were solid.

My issues with Herb were mostly centered around his seeming inability to relate to anyone within the ship’s company. He was diligent and paid close attention to his duties, but he struggled to break out of an almost robotic detachment when in meetings and counseling sessions. I ended up having Luther and one of his lead damage control techs Todd taking over most of the personnel control duties while I trusted Herb to run his department during battles and simulations. It was not perfect, but the other potential engineering officers showed signs of being overwhelmed in the few simulations they had participated in.

This struggle to bring him fully into the crew was still concerning me after another successful simulation. He immediately logged out leaving me with Luther, Este, Tilly and Philip. Philip was the first to sigh.

“I know there is no one else ready, but it would be nice if Herb stuck around. I worry that in a battle he’ll freeze up,” Philip said.

“I’ll be calling him later,” Luther said. “He’s trying, but he is extremely introverted and is not good with people. I’m trying to break him out of his habit of not sticking around, but it’s a struggle.”

“The fact that you are trying to convince him to stick around is the problem. I can see he’s an excellent engineer and, in the simulations, he has the engines working perfectly, but the man seems incapable of accepting any authority over others,” I said.

“True,” Este said with a sigh. “I like him, and he’s definitely a good engineer, but he’ll never fit in with the rest of the officers.”

“Won’t really fit in with his teams either. He’s very detached from everyone,” Luther said with a sigh. “But hopefully we can make it work until we find a way to transfer him out and bring in someone who fits our ship’s personality better.”

“On that note,” Este said slowly. “Did Catherine arrive at your pod safely?”

“What?” I responded.

“She headed over to your pod,” Este said. “Something about a class on pleasing owners through exotic dance. I thought you were aware.”

I started laughing. “Jade,” I said feeling a smirk forming. “I approved the creation of a class, but my concubines like to surprise me and it appears they have managed it again. I’ll have to check once I leave the training room. I do promise she’ll be unmolested. Well, mostly.”

Este giggled girlishly. “Oh, I won’t mind if she’s hot and ready. She’s a wonderful sweet girl, but I can’t get her to be as openly loving as your two.”

“Her two what?” Luther asked. “I’m missing something here.”

“Have you met Tanya’s concubines? Or seen them with her?” Este asked.

Tilly interrupted with a giggle. “Its better to listen to them and just watch how hard they work to help Tanya relax. Its so much fun and they are so loving.”

“I’ve met them,” Luther said. “When I accepted the position of Damage Control Officer I met Tanya at her pod. Her concubine Jade was wearing some little black dress. I remember her, but I never met her other concubine.”

“Bryn was probably taking a nap,” I said. “How are your concubines, Luther? I remember that Tiffany said she’d do anything to help you survive. That girl worshiped you.”

I heard a sigh. “She still does. She tries so hard to make sure that I can relax after these simulations. She also has started keeping records for me. Its helped me identify who needs special training and who to put in charge. We’ve got a good mix of people now. I just need to find one more good team lead for the wiring and antennae. It’s a complex repair every time and we just don’t have the right people to handle it.”

“And we lose our antennae just about every time we take damage to the forward half of the ship,” I said with a nod. “Well, hopefully we’ll find someone to move to that posting. Este, quick question, how are we on gunners?”

“I have thirty-seven good gunners. Add me in and we have thirty-eight you can count on in a fight,” Este said.

“And before you ask, we’ve rotated more than fifty people through those last two positions. No one is ready. The closest was that one girl Madwyn, but she lacks confidence in herself and regularly froze in the middle of simulations,” Tilly said. “I’d rather not have her on the team for now. The angry shouts that occur when she locks up on the grid are a problem.”

“Ouch,” I said. “I’ve heard a few of the arguments when people run into each other. Agreed, we don’t need someone who isn’t always ready to keep moving on the grid. If she’s freezing in simulations, she’ll really struggle in a real battle.”

“That’s nice, but what’s this about Catherine visiting?” Luther asked. “Is Jade teaching classes? What kind?”

“Pole dancing,” I said. “Probably erotic dancing and entertaining in general. She loves demonstrating how to attract attention.”

“And you can promise that any student will be unmolested?” Luther asked.

“Jade and Bryn know that I will punish them if they do anything that causes a problem with another citizen,” I said firmly. “And knowing them, they don’t want my punishment for them molesting someone else’s concubine.”

“They do talk to Cecile,” Tilly said. “And its had a beneficial effect. I wouldn’t get too upset if they convince her to try a little...” Tilly’s voice paused. She resumed talking in a near whisper. “I want Cecile to try dining at the Y.”

“Oh,” Este said. “Yeah, that can be a bit of a problem. My Catherine is willing, but I can tell she’s not truly bisexual. Or at least she hasn’t fully accepted being bisexual.”

“I’m not going to get in trouble with any of you should your concubine become traumatized,” I said firmly. “However, if you want, I can talk to Jade and Bryn about providing a bit of immoral support for their students.”

“Wouldn’t that be moral support?” Philip asked.

“They’ll be working to corrupt the female concubines and convince them to become enthusiastic pussy lickers. I can’t really see that as being a moral position. Or at least not for the girls they will be corrupting,” I said.

Este started laughing over the communications system. “Please. I would even accept them performing a few hands-on demonstrations on Catherine. I’ve met both Jade and Bryn and they are very caring women. I would have no issues if they worked to give Catherine orgasms.”

“Not going to happen,” I said. “Although I imagine that Catherine has watched Bryn and Jade enjoy each other’s company. Or will in the future. Is this the first time they’ve offered the training?”