Harvest: A Dark Sci-Fi Reverse Harem Romance

by Piper Stone

  “How dare you react that way. You know how important this is to all of us! You know how much we need to finally win.” My mother was shaking, almost in tears. Granted, our particular colony was considered unlucky. Not a single girl had been selected in almost five years.

  Win. I wanted to be shocked at the single word alone, but I wasn’t. Every parental unit in the colony was prepping their precious daughters for tomorrow’s lottery event, as if more festive clothes and prim and proper actions had anything to do with the random selection.

  “Mama! Let Felicity alone. You know how she feels about this.”

  Hearing my sister’s now lilting voice created a string of spider-like shivers, more like tentacles trickling down my spine and the backs of my legs. I adored Winter; would protect her with my life. She seemed so fragile where I was a tomboy and always had been, preferring climbing trees to learning anything about being a woman. I frankly couldn’t give a shit that I was a hot commodity, a beautiful young woman destined to mate with a Centurion or three. Even the extra rations provided to the families during the event including the finest chocolates and spirits, actual meat and poultry, and clothes and money had no effect on my piss poor attitude.

  But the delicacies were highly coveted by everyone else.

  Thank God Winter had yet to reach the age requiring her to join in the fun and games. I, on the other hand, was ripe and ready, nearing almost twenty-two. This would be my second spectacular event. Fuck it. Bile rolled into the pit of my stomach. I could recite the proclamation by heart.

  You will be required to submit to your masters in every manner, no matter what is asked of you. You will be used sexually over and over again, every hole taken brutally. You will be punished for any and every infraction severely, sometimes in a humiliating fashion. And you will bear their children.

  How could I forget the rules? I’d signed my acknowledgment and acceptance on the dotted line the day of registration, the very day when the chip was implanted in my arm, the one that would glow bright red if I’d been oh-so fortunate enough to win.

  “I know the regulations, Mother, but I refuse to allow any of the marauders to set foot in this camp. You know what will happen if they do. Then where will we be?” I adored my mother’s name, Lily, like a flower I’d never seen, except in what few books hadn’t been destroyed.

  Lily exhaled, her eyes darting back and forth and her emotion uncharacteristic. “I’m so afraid when you do this. I’m terrified I’ll lose my little girl.” She cupped my face, trying to smile even as tears formed in her eyes.

  I wanted to tell her that if her wish came true, that she’d lose her little girl forever, but I couldn’t be cruel to her. She’d endured so many years of pain and worry already. I wanted to hate her for all the harsh words, but everyone survived on hope alone. “Don’t worry, Mama. I’ll be back before dark and you know I’m very good at what I do. I can take care of myself.” At this point, my mother knew better than to try to stop me. I was hardheaded as they came, even more so than the majority of boys in the colony.

  I was taking a significant risk, but I was ready to take on the assholes who terrorized us. The marauders had never set foot inside the compound, but they continued to try, getting closer every time they attacked the security system. That’s why I wanted to put the fear of God into them. However, if any of the Centurion foot soldiers found me outside the walls, I’d be disqualified as well as punished in front of every member of the colony, and my family stripped of its ranks. Then my entire family would be tossed into the general population to fend for ourselves amongst murderers, rapists, and thieves, praying one of the factions of marauders would take us under their wings.

  I knew the direct consequences better than most. The vicious memory of becoming lost in the forests remained fresh in my mind, leaving my stomach full of jitters. I was smarter now, and much more cunning.

  The thought of being caught weighed heavily on my mind, but if the marauders breached our security, they would do much worse. I raced toward the furthest perimeter of the colony, to where I knew was the weakest area, allowing me to escape to the shadows of the forest. Even though I was terrified of the dangerous men who ruled the dark and treacherous cities, I craved the limited peace allowed by being outside. By myself. I’d yet to kill a Centurion, but it wasn’t against my capabilities. I was prepared for anything.

  I often wondered why the marauders picked this time in particular to hunt closer to the colonies. Perhaps it was because the Centurions were always scarce. However, I knew the Demons of the Forest, as they’d been called as long as I could remember, enjoyed the game. Catch and release. Or what I’d heard as catch, fuck, and release. Sullied girls could never be selected after that. The game enraged the Centurions and any human caught participating was executed on the spot.

  There was no trial, no witnesses. Only death.

  The Centurions had no other method of breeding. The majority of their women were infertile, what few were left. They were a species of mostly male warriors, fighting to reclaim what they believed they owned; the entire universe. I’d seen only two Centurion females in my life, both frail, their skin translucent as if their bodies were riddled with disease. I knew there were at least a few more, kept in secret locations and used to prepare human females after selection in the lottery.

  I’d detected the single weak spot located in one of the far walls when I was a child, a slip in the alien’s defense system. The breach was away from the prying eyes of the Centurions’ surveillance system, as well as the electric shock mechanisms wired to instantly incapacitate any human attempting to escape. While the Watchers patrolled the perimeter, they were regimented in their actions, just like clockwork.

  The area of departure was very small, requiring my footing to be perfect lest I set off the alarms. I eased the crossbow around my shoulder before attempting to climb over the wall, holding my breath as I teetered just near the top. The Watchers were far too busy with the threat of marauders to notice one misguided human.

  I was certainly no longer a child, able to climb like a monkey, whatever that was. My father’s saying. The only animals I knew were deer and the occasional bear, creatures I hunted for food and pelts. Another activity for which I could be punished. After dropping to the ground, I scanned the perimeter, listening for any sounds of approaching marauders or Centurion soldiers for that matter. I was free.

  At least for now.

  Chapter Three

  Voltar

  Escape.

  The little human had managed to find a way out of the colony. I watched the surveillance camera, homing in on the moment she’d dropped out of sight. I’d known about her weekly departures for over two months. I found her activities amusing. The weapon she held was primitive, but certainly had proven to be useful in previous adventures. Her hunting skills were very good, killing animals no doubt for food for her people. Admirable, at least to a point.

  She’d scaled the wall with seemingly no issue, her voluptuous body obviously trained. By all rights, I should barge into the colony, searching for any other weapons, and hold the entire colony responsible for such blasphemous actions. However, I had a feeling she was very much on her own in her actions. She was fascinating to study.

  She would also be fascinating to break and mold into the perfect slave.

  I clenched my fist, my cock aching. I’d had the same recurring dream night after night. That I’d fucked her, punishing her as she deserved then fucking her in a relentless manner. The visions left in the morning had kept my shaft hard, my mind reeling. I honestly had to wonder whether or not I had been dreaming at all.

  What I did know? She was destined to be mine.

  My adrenaline was running high, spreading through every cell and muscle. Even my balls were swollen to the point of anguish. I wanted her spread wide open, her wrists and ankles in shackles, waiting for her master to feast and fuck. I could envision the tendril portion of my cock slithering deep inside her sweet pussy.

>   But only after I’d licked every drop of her cream.

  Get it together. Snarling, I tried to pull myself away, knowing I would never be allowed even a taste. Warriors were forbidden to touch the protected humans. Our only allowance was the females trained to serve Centurions, unable to be considered as contestants. I’d sampled a few out of need.

  I heard the sound of the door opening as well as heavy booted footsteps. What little peace I’d garnered was about to be shattered.

  “Captain, there is significant marauder activity moving closer to the colonies, much more than usual. There have even been reports of bomb scares, one almost making a direct hit. There are no reports of damage, but the colonists are rattled. We’ll need to report this to the High Council.”

  “Which colony?” The last thing I wanted to do was report any issues to members of our government. We had enough rules and regulations as it was.

  “Fifty-seven,” he said quietly.

  Ah, the very one from which the girl had escaped. Perhaps her very reason for running away was to chase down the perpetrators. She was formidable. My mouth watered at the thought.

  “And the unit attacking Colony 57?” I asked almost casually, anticipating the answer.

  “The same one we’ve hunted before, only with the addition of at least four more men. Heavily armed.”

  Certain factions of the marauders were not only well equipped with laser guns and other forms of weaponry but were organized as well as trained and capable of disappearing very easily. Catching one away from his or her particular unit was difficult enough. Several banded together was almost impossible. This particular unit appeared to have been on an assignment, perhaps from their leader. I had an instinct they were preparing for a much larger fight.

  No one else seemed to share my belief.

  “You know what those assholes are doing, I assume, Captain.” Kodroth cocked his head, his fist clenching.

  “Preparing an attack in order to prevent the Feast. Perhaps only scare tactics, but we’ll remain on high alert.” Suspicions had been raised days before. I’d had no advance knowledge of the attack being so close, but their actions were not unusual.

  “They’re getting bolder and more aggressive.”

  “They’re getting hungrier, their food supply running out.” This much I knew to be true and so did everyone else. However, I knew that some of the marauders were more interested in fighting than survival of the human race. Still, there were no farmers, no one creating new food supplies, which allowed those in command to garner continuous volunteers.

  Kodroth snarled. “Then they are even more dangerous.”

  “Yes, I suppose they are.” Rubbing my eyes, I grasped the inevitable; we’d need to capture as many as possible for transport back to Skars.

  I remained quiet until she disappeared from the telescan lens, moving into the protective shadows of the forest. The image of her gleaming red hair would forever burn in my mind. I closed my eyes briefly, willing the vision to pass. My lieutenant and second in command peered over my shoulder, a disgruntled noise erupting from his lips. Kodroth Kul was a true warrior, magnificent with any weapon, eager to conquer every world. I valued his verve even though reining him in was also part of my leadership. He was also a romantic at heart, softer and gentler with the humans than I could ever be.

  “Sadly, we must go after her. This isn’t her first attempt at escaping,” Kodroth stated. “She may even know something vital to our cause.”

  “Sadly? Are you going soft on me, my friend?”

  Kodroth only rolled his eyes.

  “Don’t worry. She can go nowhere,” came my answer. Our cause. I’d begun to question just what that was, but I was still a warrior through and through, considered one of the most dangerous soldiers in the territory.

  “She could very well find herself in danger. You know how the marauders respond to finding human women. You can’t want her injured or worse.”

  I knew of their reputation and had seen firsthand their unscrupulous actions, even with regard to one of their own kind. Their affinity for human females was well known. “She’s much stronger and more resilient than you realize.”

  He laughed. “It seems our commanding officer is quite taken by the female,” Kodroth murmured. “I mean no disrespect, of course.”

  “None taken and yes, I am... curious about her, but obviously not as much as you are.” I was forced to adjust my cock, the ache biting. Yes, I’d enjoyed studying the way she moved, appreciating her tenacious attitude as well as her skills. Few human females ever went against the rules in any regard. They’d been taught since children that punishment for disobeying would be harsh. This female had no issue possibly risking her freedom or stern discipline.

  Leaning further over, he shook his head. “As your second in command, I will remind you of our rules. You know our requirements, Captain. She must be disciplined, possibly disqualified.”

  “As if you should question me,” I said, allowing an edge in my voice. The thought of spanking her naked ass was appealing, forcing my two hearts to beat in rapid succession. I’d envisioned more than once capturing the female, forcing her to do anything that I commanded. However, playing with her was out of the question. I was the leader of a specialized containment center, the secure compound home to almost four hundred Centurion males and a handful of our females. My soldiers were expertly trained, capable of annihilating any group of marauders, no matter the size or level of weaponry skills.

  But initiating another war wasn’t our best option.

  Yes, the female had become a concern, one that would finally require my attention.

  “Yes, Captain. I’m well aware. I apologize for my arrogance.” He shrank back, hesitating before speaking again. “She’s not a toy, Voltar. Besides, we must eradicate any chance there will be difficulties for the upcoming Feast. She may be beautiful, but she could bring shame to her colony.”

  I chuckled at his words. I’d never had a toy in any regard, other than the weapons placed into my hands at the age of eight. Our entire planet of Skars was full of warriors ready to expunge our enemies. Fighting and war is all we’d ever known. We’d come to Earth with significant reservations, but after three years, I’d grown used to the environment as well as the constant danger. I decided to ignore his comment. Whatever my decision would be regarding the female was my choice completely. “Are the colonies secure at this point?”

  “Yes, Captain. There are a handful of human soldiers as well as Watchers surrounding them. Trust me, a marauder will not be able to breach the outer perimeters. They were run off from 57, but I honestly suspect they are merely lying in wait.”

  The Watchers were relentless, their only duty to make certain there were no escape attempts from the various colonies. Securing the candidates of the bi-yearly Feast was merely one of my duties and not one I appreciated in any manner. I had far more important things to do than babysit breeders, the majority of which were docile in every manner.

  But not the sensual redhead. She had a mind of her own.

  I’d allowed this particular female’s antics to go unchecked for far too long. “No, she does need to be dealt with, Kodroth.” I rose from the chair, scanning the telescan one last time, my cock twitching yet again. Having this kind of reaction to her was troublesome.

  Groaning, I turned off the monitor before reaching for my favored weapons, checking the various gauges in order to make certain there was enough firepower. I could feel the heat of Kodroth’s stare.

  “Are we planning a war, my friend?”

  “We will do what is necessary to keep the colonies safe. Have the soldiers ready in ten minutes. I plan on hunting down these fucking humans once and for all.”

  Kodroth nodded, moving toward the door. “Sending a message is a very good idea.”

  “And long overdue.” I waited in my quarters as Kodroth walked out, planning how we’d overcome the marauders. Surrounding them was the best option and we could easily do so without bei
ng seen or heard by any of them.

  I took long strides down the dank hallway, cognizant of the musty odor that would forever permeate the concrete walls. The building was ancient, certainly not of our design, but the thick walls and partially underground location served its purpose, adding to our level of security. We would transport to the last known location in our method, instead of using human-designed vehicles.

  A smile crossed my face. We would beam to their exact location, catching the marauders by surprise. The group of soldiers were already waiting, armed as required, their faces beaming given the new assignment.

  “Our mission is to hunt, secure, and bring them back here alive. They will be transferred to the arriving ships after the conclusion of the Feast. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Captain.” Their unified voices didn’t necessarily mean they were in agreement with my choice. They’d been born and bred as killing machines. Being on Earth was a compromise to their personalities.

  “And the girl, Captain?” Kodroth asked so only I could hear.

  “I will deal with her. She will be punished as required.”

  “Will she be brought here?”

  I gave him a hard look. Seeing the twinkle of desire in his eyes, I knew what he was thinking. “As protocol requires, she will be disciplined in front of her peers.”

  “Yes, sir.” As Kodroth instigated preparations for our departure, I couldn’t get her face out of my mind. Perhaps one day she would be mine.

  * * *

  Felicity

  I dropped onto the earth, staying low as I scanned the perimeter. There was no sign of any of the soldiers or the marauders for that matter. I hadn’t heard a bomb or any other disturbance since the initial blast. Still, I could smell the fuckers lurking in the distance. I had an affinity for detecting scum of the earth.

  In fact, the only noise were the calls of various birds, their beautiful voices lifting up to the sky. I glanced at the tops of the trees, all swaying as if a storm was approaching. Fucking fantastic. The marauders could use the storm as a smokescreen, the colony targeted with additional explosives. If they were able to take out the security system, the entire colony would be vulnerable, not just the contestants.