Chapter 18: Meeting the Neighbors

The next morning the AI reported that the tunnel to the colony center was still thirty hours away from completion, but that power reserves were holding strong. The fighting had resulted in some power being redirected to conceal the point where our tunnel would meet the colony center, and progress had halted until that section of wall was secure. The AI was showing a high degree of interest in the health of our little enclave and almost no concern for the rest of the colony, which surprised and worried me. We were still being warned to refrain from unlimited use of the video consoles, but producing a few rabbit sized leashes was not a problem and soon Brittany and Janice were merrily giggling as they followed a couple of rabbits in exploring the various tunnels and passages. For protection Tina traveled with Janice while Bethany supported Brittany. Meiko insisted on staying with me as I visited the various sponsors to listen to any issues they might have.

My first stop was to visit Tasha. The twins had called in the morning and reported that she seemed unhappy, but they could not determine why. I figured that a visit might give me some perspective on the situation. She met me at the door to her cubicle and led me into an elaborately decorated sitting room. There Meiko and I found her two concubines waiting. One was a young African American man with a very toned body. He nodded as Tasha introduced him as Jay before he disappeared into the back as the other concubine, a middle-aged woman of mixed ancestry shook her head. Meiko quickly managed to drag the woman aside for a quiet conversation while I sat with Tasha.

The discussion with Tasha was eye opening and disappointing at the same time. She was completely disinterested in participating in any colony defense or activities. In fact most of her time was spent with her spinning fantasies of becoming Dennis' favorite fuck toy. She feared him outside the bedroom, and complained bitterly of his habit of wanting more women than just her. I tried to give her an idea that the colony could use her help and that she would benefit as well, but she dismissed my concerns and finally asked me to leave.

Once we set foot outside, Meiko grabbed my hand and looked back to make sure the door was closed. "Tasha is going to cause trouble," she warned emphatically.

I just stood silently for a moment. "How can you be sure?" I asked. "I mean, that's the feeling everyone has, but you seem rather sure."

Meiko frowned. "Zenita told me. She wanted to warn someone and I was there. Tasha selected Jay because of his looks and reputation. I guess he was some kind of big sports star in her town. But he's got absolutely no technique in bed, so Tasha has been comparing him to Dennis. Zenita is sure that Tasha plans on seeing Dennis as soon as she can make it happen."

I sighed. "Well, she doesn't have permission to open those outer doors yet, so we should be fine for now," I replied as we started to walk down the tunnel. Ahead we could hear some giggling and found Tina and Janice standing in a doorway chatting with Reggie and his concubines as one of the concubines held the white rabbit that Janice had taken for a walk. Janice smiled as we walked up.

"The poor rabbit needs to go home soon, I think," she said. "He's tired, but you forgot to give us the ability to open the main door to our double pod setup."

I must have looked shocked because everyone started laughing. "You're right," I said. "AI, please allow my concubines to return to our home when they are tired from the wandering today."

Reggie's concubines gave gasps of surprise. "You let them... ?" one asked.

Tina laughed. "He trusts us and respects us. And we'd never do anything to hurt him." She turned to Janice. "Wasn't there one more young male rabbit that we could exercise? If we hurry we can probably sneak back out before James returns to ravish us."

Tina started off down the corridor and a moment later a blushing Janice followed, holding the rabbit gently. I watched them rush off and shook my head as Reggie's concubines stood there with their mouths agape.

"But, is it safe to go out?" the one concubine asked.

I turned to Reggie who shrugged. "I've tried to tell them that the corridors are safe, but they haven't accepted it yet."

Meiko squeezed me around the waist where she had been holding on and then waved to Reggie's concubines. They looked at each other in surprise. "But, if she's with you, than what about... ?" the more vocal one asked again.

I turned to Reggie. "Your one concubine likes to ask questions!" I said.

He paused for a moment, looking at me and then laughed. "Go ahead and answer, please - if you don't she'll just keep asking me once you leave until I tell her."

I looked over the two ladies. Both looked to be around thirty and clearly had previously held jobs requiring minimal exercise. Neither was unattractive, but after my encounters with so many young and nubile women the impression from these two was less than stellar. However, I turned back to Reggie. "Shouldn't I know them first?"

Reggie laughed in surprise. "Darn, I forget that I know you, and I recognize the girl holding you, although I don't think you introduced her. It helps that the two who stopped by were the ones meeting people at the door yesterday, so I remembered them." He turned to the older appearing of his concubines. "This is Brenda Appel."

She gave a curtsey and I was about to protest the last name when Reggie turned to his more vocal concubine. "And this is Brenda Barlow,"

I found myself looking at them for a moment. "So you have Brenda A and Brenda B as concubines?"

I could feel Meiko giggle into my back, but then she stepped out to stand beside me, giving my hand a squeeze. Suddenly I remembered my manners. "Oops, sorry. This quiet one is Meiko, one of my concubines." I turned to Brenda B. "I have five right now."

The woman gave a snort of disbelief but her sister concubine nodded. "It makes sense B, some people are going to score seven or higher, and higher scores mean more concubines."

The lady grumbled. "But why is it always men with the high scores?"

Reggie gave his own snort. "I told you that one of the three highest CAPs in the colony belongs to a woman."

"Second highest," I said without thinking. "Yvette's a seven point one, and the man outside our enclave is only a seven point zero."

But ladies turned to look at me. Brenda B was obviously quick in her thoughts cause she immediately observed. "That means you are the highest."

Meiko was hugging me, but I just smiled. "What's important is making sure that my ladies are happy, healthy and..." I paused and looked down at Meiko, who noticed the pause and looked up just in time for me to plant a loving kiss on her lips. "not complaining about a lack of affection," I said as I ended the kiss.

Brenda B actually giggled. "Wow, your other concubines seemed to happy and now I understand why. You don't consider them property do you?"

I looked at Reggie who smiled at me. "Don't worry, I don't treat them badly," he said. "But they were at that first briefing where that one woman told the marines to terminate one of her concubines and they've been frightened ever since. I can't get them to understand that I would never do that to them."

Meiko's arm stiffened against me and then she threw her arms around my neck. "But I do belong to James," she said in a forceful whisper. "He is my life, my light and my delight."

The faces of Reggie's concubines were almost comic as they gazed upon Meiko. Finally the older one sputtered. "But you're just a kid, and he's older and now owns you. How can you be so joyful at that?"

Meiko just smiled and leaned into me as Reggie shook his head. He could see his concubine ready to say more and raised his hand. "Wait, Bren. I didn't talk to all of James' concubines, but I remember that this one was caring for the rabbits when I arrived. She seems to be a lot less outgoing than Tina and Janice were, since they were wandering together."

"You're right," I replied. "Meiko is by far the most shy of my concubines, which is why she's with me. One-on-one she can handle conversations, but if there is going to be a crowd, I'd ask Janice or Bethany to handle it."

Brenda B seemed puzzled. "I haven't met either of them, I don't think."

I was about to speak when a redheaded body ran up and grabbed me in a fierce hug. I turned and could see Bethany following, carrying a dark gray rabbit in her arms. "Sorry, Sir! Brittany wanted a hug," she said as she approached.

Reggie nodded to me and then turned to his concubines. "Bren, Rene, meet Bethany." He turned to Bethany. "You said twenty years of high school science, correct?"

Bethany laughed. "Mostly science, but some history. After all of the budget cutbacks many teachers at my school had to teach multiple subjects."

This time Rene appeared flustered. "But, you're younger than me!"

Bethany laughed as Brittany gently accepted the rabbit from her. As soon as Bethany's hands were empty she posed and spun slowly. "Yes, I look so young! I love it! James gave me my youth back as a gift!"

I could see the two concubines appear more than a little confused. "It's not complex," I said. "Every sponsor can request and receive cosmetic upgrades on his concubines. Nanotechnology is used to maintain the body in any form requested. If Reggie wanted you to both look like the latest Playboy centerfold he could request it and it would be granted."

The ladies both stiffened, but then looked at Bethany's smiling face. Rene looked her over and asked. "So James ordered such changes made to you? He..."

Bethany giggled girlishly. "Not so much. Most of what he did was remove all of the blemishes and flaws that age brings. I think the only significant change was to firm up and enlarge my breasts. I was only a B-cup, but at forty-four they still had started to sag a bit."

Bren was obviously not convinced because she spoke. "But you are wearing that outfit!" she said, pointing to the green miniskirt and halter-top that Bethany was wearing proudly.

I could hear Brittany cough to cover a giggle as Bethany preened. "Oh, but I love it! It's sexy and flattering, and James makes sure I never regret wearing it. She leaned over to give me a kiss and then grabbed Brittany's hand. "We'll head out to find others to visit, James. See you back at the pod!"

The two ladies dashed off, vanishing as they came to a bend in the tunnel. Reggie was shaking his head, but smiling. "Your concubines are so confident," he said.

Meiko was still next to me and nodded. "We know he cares deeply for us. That makes all the difference." Once again I felt her arm around my waist and returned the caress by putting my arm over her shoulders. I could see both of the Brendas looking thoughtful as Reggie gazed upon them.

I wanted to say more, but Reggie turned back to me. "Can I continue this conversation with you later?" he asked as he hand snaked out to caress Rene's shoulders. He drew her in close as she gasped and I nodded.

"We have plenty of time," I responded. "Just don't forget the big party once the recreation hall is ready."

Reggie laughed and was promising to attend as the door closed. I turned with Meiko and laughed seeing that her eyes were fighting to stay open. "I should have known you had too much excitement last night," I whispered. "Home my lovely. Lead the way."

Meiko giggled, but let go of me and dashed ahead of me. I had to jog to keep up as she followed the twists and turns of the corridors until we arrived at the crossing to ours, and the twin's pods. Yvette was standing there and waved as I caught up to Meiko.