Chapter 77

0001 - Tempro
0003 - Conner- Thomas
0097 - Ace - Zimmel
0098 - Lucy
0101 - Shelby (mother ship)
0125 - Lars
0130 - Gillese
0200 - Ellen
0250 - Tendra
0301 - Rodrick
0403 - Johnathon
0778 - Jan
0798 - Celeste - Shelby (human)
0805 - Toran
0808 - Radella
0881 - Handrax
0908 - Tara - Mara
1000 - Sherry

Ungrown - unnumbered

0100 - Derry (father ship)
Rescued from Tendraxians
so far

4 on Shelby 2 in re-gen
8 on Lucy

Known and OR numbered

0501 - Thaddeus
???? - Lena

missing - 0667 - Marco
0999 - Zan - still lost

Kimon sighed as once again, both Jimison and Difina were flying across the room. He himself hadn’t even started to teach them.

Kimon’s thoughts were interrupted as Captain David Greeson’s voice snapped out. “Get up, you worthless flotsam. If you can’t learn this, then there is no use trying to teach you more!”

A small smile crept to Kimon’s lips. Though not quite to master level, Greeson was an excellent teacher.

A look out the door to the training area, showed that there were more than a few of the male cat crew. when they had first arrived, the Emperor had announced who they were, to more than a few scoffs.

As the four of them had made their way to their quarters, Kimon had incapacitated quite a few. This of course hadn’t stopped many more from also trying. They also hadn’t fared much better.

Once they had reached the training room, no one had dared to enter. This all of them knew would be a death sentence. Well, one had dared, he of course, Kimon, had nearly decapitated. That at least had deterred the rest to remain outside the room.

Kimon watched as Greeson rapidly advanced on the two. “I said on your feet! You have only been going twelve hours, we have barely started!”

Both stood, both of their legs were wobbly as they took their stance. Greeson was about to start again when Kimon spoke. “Hold Greeson!”

Greeson turned to Kimon bowed then sat in meditation. Both Jimison and Difina stayed alert expecting an attack at any moment.

“You have done well my student.” Kimon stated to Greeson who did not move. “As for the two of you, I expect much from the both of you, unfortunately neither of you have ever trained in the art. Go, eat, rest I expect the both of you here at the same time tomorrow.” When neither relaxed their stance, Kimon nodded, then slightly bowed. “Go, expect more tomorrow.”

Both bowed to Kimon, though neither relaxed much at all. “Thank you master.” They said as they exited the room.

Kimon was about to speak when there were several screams. Looking out, Kimon could see several of the males that had been standing there, on the deck writhing in pain.

Kimon smirked, he had warned all the crew. The couple might be only half as good as Jimison, they were still deadly in their own right.

A small chuckle escaped his throat as, he saw the rest of the males rapidly part, then get as far from the couple as they could.

So far, the both were actually starting to get faster though, they would have to get much faster quick. All that he wished to teach them, would definitely help them survive far better.

The problem is that they only have three weeks, possibly four. He wasn’t sure even with as fast as the two seem to be progressing, if it was enough.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he sat in front of Jimison. “You must remember Gakusei kyōshi (student teacher), they have not trained most of their lives as we have. This first week will be nothing but expanding their bodies. Then, we will commence the real training.”

“Hai Shujin,” Greeson stated bowing his forehead to the deck. “I will do my best to improve their bodies for you. I will also remember that they cannot take true training as of yet.”

Kimon nodded to Greeson then stood. “I suggest that we train a bit.” Greeson nodded, bowed then assumed a defensive stance.

All the males near the door way watched in surprise as both males seemed to disappear. No one dared to step inside, though they couldn’t see them they could still feel them. The amount of power they felt made more than a few tremble as the moved away.

Jimison and Difina went to a door that he thought was their quarters. When the door refused to open Difina turned to Jimison. “I am sorry my mate to be. We cannot be together in the same room, ‘til we are joined. I do not wish this though; we do have to abide by traditions. Your room is there,” Difina pointed to a doorway across the hall. “Rest well.” Then she stepped into her room the door closing rapidly.

Jimison stood there in the hallway blinking a moment then nodded. Walking into his room, he started to search for anything out of the ordinary. An hour later he’d found over a hundred small bombs, several gas cylinders. Over twenty needle projectiles, plus several spring-loaded knives set to come out when he laid down.

With a flip of the communicator, Jimison called Kandra. “I was wondering if you wanted all of this that I found.”

Kandra looked then shook his head no. “Dispose of them as you see fit. There is a space shute in the wall if they are dangerous to the ship.”

Jimison looked over what he had showed to Kandra, then started to rid himself of the explosives’, the gas plus the needles. The knives he kept for possible use later.

“I am glad that I was able to make the ship safer.” Jimison told Kandra who just nodded his head then clicked off. Well, Jimison thought, this is going to be interesting.

Try as he might he couldn’t remember the commands for the door. Grabbing several of the knives Jimison placed them in such a way that, no one who entered could survive. Laying with a groan Jimison thought about the training as his sore muscles screamed in protest. This is going to be far harder than I thought.

Across the hall, Difina smiled when she saw that her mate had found all of the things that were in his room. A small chuckle escaped her lips when her mate tossed all but the weapons. Her smile growing larger when she saw the configuration, he had placed the weapons on the door. Lying down she sighed, soon she thought they would no longer be apart.

Hartwell awoke with a jerk. What in the hell was going on he thought, his mind and thoughts jumbled a few moments?

As he sat there, he looked around his room, something had stirred him though what he was unsure. Getting out of bed, he almost stepped on Bee, who was asleep on the floor next to the bed.

Trying to remain quiet he cursed to his self when he saw that he’d awoken her.

“I am sorry Bee; I didn’t mean to wake you.” Hartwell said.

Briefly looking up then her eyes falling to the floor again she said, “I am sorry that I was not awake before you. Please forgive me for sleeping, not attending to your needs.”

Hartwell almost growled out at her comment then stopped his self, no sense in scaring her again. “There is no need to apologize. As my sister and I have told you and the others, you are not expected to perform all these duties that you think you have to.”

Bee looked astounded a moment, then she thought of how she could put into words, what she was thinking.

“Lord sir, if I and the others have nothing to do, then what good are we? We are after all just here for our lords to serve. Can you perhaps, tell me what I can do if, I am not serving my Lord sir.” Bee said with all sincerity.

Hartwell was taken aback, damn if Bee didn’t actually make sense at times. The problem was what in the hell could he tell her? He’d been in the military so long he himself had no idea how to answer her. The harder he thought about the less he could come up with.

“Bee,” Hartwell started, “I am afraid that at this moment I have no answer for you. I will but not at this moment.”

This of course seemed to confuse Bee a moment then she smiled. “Thank you, Lord sir, I know that you will provide.”

Hartwell could only shake his at this. He still hated that Bee and the others, considered themselves to slaves. Again, Hartwell had to hold his anger back, he still wanted to kill most of the males of Bee’s people.

A look of fear came to Bee’s face when she saw her Lord sir’s muscles tense up. The brief look of anger on his face also scared her. What had she done wrong? Throwing herself at his feet, she said, “I am sorry Lord sir, please let me know what I can do to placate your anger.”

Bee was expecting anything violent though not what next happened. At first, she was unsure as she felt her Lord sir’s hand gently caressing her face.

“I am not angry with or at you Bee. My people don’t like the thought of slaves, well, most of them. I am honored to have you with me though at this time. I have so much to do that, I can’t even begin to consider this bonding you spoke of.” Hartwell told her as he continued to caress her face, noting just how soft her skin was. Shaking his head, he quickly pulled his hand away from her.

None of this was lost on Bee, a smile starting to dominate her features then was rapidly replaced with a serious look. An idea quickly formed in her mind, an idea that she could only see benefits for all.

“That was why I had suggested you take all of us as yours.” A stern look crossed Hartwell’s face as Bee quickly continued on with her head still bowed. “Many of the females from my planet are taught to do many menial tasks that the males feel are beneath them. My sister is very good with numbers as am I.”

“Menial!?” A startled Hartwell said.

“Yes, Lord sir, the males of our planet are taught this, though most consider it to be beneath them. Very few use it in their homes. There is also organizing many of the events that we have. Many things that deal with the planet not dealing with overall leadership we females do.”

Hartwell eyes opened wide at that comment. They considered everyday math among other, everyday thinking to be menial? A small smile crossed Hartwell’s face, they ought to be fairly simple to defeat then. Then again Hartwell thought as he looked at Bee, the females were obviously smarter than they ever let on.

A sudden thought crossed Hartwell’s mind as he nodded, “alright Bee, we need to test you. Then I can glean a better idea as to what you can do. Remember to the males of my people, we do not consider these thinking tasks as menial.”

A slight look of shock came to Bee’s features. “I believe I see why all the females think that they are equal to the males. My people have had proof that, the males and females are not equal. I am sorry Lord sir; it is just how we have been taught for a very long time.”

Hartwell was nodding his head at everything that Bee was stating. It was a wonder that they had made it to then stars, let alone advanced as a society. He was obviously going to research a hell of a lot more about her people, before he made a final decision. Briefly looking at her he nodded, especially concerning this ‘bonding’ that Bee spoke of.

The both of them left his quarters making their way quickly to the med bay. A small smile on his face as he could already hear his sister. “I told you i am fine! Let me go Johnathon.”

The holo-gram of the ship Johnathon answered, “I am afraid that I cannot do, until all your bio readings have returned to normal, I am afraid that you have to remain here. Well miss, as normal for you, I have already been updated with the odd bio signature that you possess.”

“Odd?” A stern and slightly upset look came to Lucie’s face. “I have not been told this, what is so odd about my bio signature?”

Johnathon was quiet a moment, it was this moment that Hartwell and Bee made their appearance. “I believe that it has something to do with the fact that like the Emperor, you can ‘hear all the ship’s AIs. Especially when they are weak, something that even he cannot do. Therefore, you are one of the most valuable persons in the empire.”

Lucie could only stare at her brother with her mouth hanging open. Then a slight look of anger crossed her features.

“Why in the hell wasn’t I TOLD!” She said in a huff.

“Really Lucie, would you have believed anyone, had they told you this? No, I think not, so be a good girl and let the bio-bed finish.” Hartwell said as he crossed his arms a smirk on his lips.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you ass! You are going to...” Lucie started.

A look of almost abject horror crossed Hartwell’s face, which startled Lucie. “No, I am not enjoying this. I remember the horror of being stuck in that damn thing, as quite a few of have. I am enjoying the fact that for the first time in a very, very long time, you have to do as I say.”

Lucie started to open her mouth to deny what he’d said, then snapped it shut. A slow smile crossed her features as she finally nodded her agreement.

“Alright, I’ll give you that one, but I need to get out of here. We have a multitude of ships out there to find, I can’t do it if I am trapped here.” Lucie said.