Crineal Chronicles 1: In Hera's Service

by Raymond L Jennings

  “Good morning, General. Another early start I see?” the admiral said in a friendly tone.

  “Good morning, Sir. As you’re answering my call I guess the same applies to you.”

  The admiral chuckled. “Can’t argue with you there. Now, I see you’re scheduled to go out with Ares in four days’ time on a standard local patrol?”

  Crineal nodded. “Yes, Sir. A short tour around the back yard.”

  Ken’Rathel’s face became serious. “Not now, I want a deep patrol. Head out about a parsec in the direction of Larahope and see what you can find. Take a flight from Hermes with you, too. They can be your outriders. Do a wide sweep, sensors on full. I’ve no idea what you’re looking for; but after last week I want to know what’s out there, even if it’s nothing.”

  Studying the admiral’s face told him that Ken’Rathel was worried. “Very well, Sir. I’ll get it done. You think Fleet Intel might have something on this Larahope sector base?”

  “I really don’t know, General. I wish I did. If you find nothing then I’ll stop worrying, but if you give me a sniff of anything out there I’ll be able to get some probes launched. See what you can find for me.” With that the admiral signed off.

  Punching the comm unit again, Crineal called the Ares second in command to set up a meeting in two days’ time at oh nine hundred and followed this up with a request to the Hermes squadron leader for a flight to be allocated to him for the patrol and to notify the assigned flight leader that he would be required to attend a briefing in two days. With that done, he got to work pulling up star charts for the area the admiral wanted him to scout. What was out there? he wondered.

  Cyndora left the med bay after chatting to Lieutenant Feldea for about an hour. As she strolled happily towards the Rec dorm with her new purse over her shoulder she failed to notice an officer following her at a discreet distance. Arriving at the door to the Rec dorm areas, she took the card out of her purse and slid it into a slot in the door panel. The door opened and she entered. The figure in the corridor stood and watched for a few seconds before turning around and going back the way he had come.

  Cyndora managed to find the dorm room she had been allocated to initially and stepped inside, looking around to try and locate her friend. A shout from the far side of the room made her task easier.

  “CYNDY!!!!” and flying towards her was Jaydea, her black hair streaming out behind her. She reached Cyndora and practically tackled her, sweeping her up in a huge bear hug “Oh my god!! You’re ok! I’ve been so worried.” The raven-haired woman stood back and surveyed her with intense blue eyes. “Wow, you look good. What are you doing here?” She started to pull her back to the bunk she had come from.

  “Slow down,” Cyndora laughed at her friend’s intensity. They reached Jaydea’s bed and sat facing each other.

  “You’re doing ok? You’re not hurt? Have you been assigned back here?” The torrent of questions battered at Cyndora.

  “Slow down, Jay. I’m fine. And no, I’m not hurt and no, I’m not assigned back here.” Her friend’s face fell at the last answer.

  “Everyone said you were in for a hard time. Apparently, Crineal is one of the big shots around here. Word is he hates Rec area and stays away, so people figured that if he wanted someone it wasn’t gonna be good for that person.” She eyed Cyndora, looking for marks and bruises.

  Smiling at Jaydea, she tried to calm her fears. “He’s nice, actually. He hasn’t hurt me and he even gave me this.” Cyndora held up her purse and Jaydea examined it with a touch of jealousy.

  “Damn, girlfriend, looks like you fell on your feet. I was sure that we would hear you’d had an ‘accident’ or get sent back here all cut up.”

  Shaking her head, Cyndora opened her purse. “And I got these for you.” She reached in and pulled out the foil wrapped bars.

  Jaydea looked at them uncertainly. “You didn’t steal them, did you?”

  “No, the general said it was ok for me to bring them,” Cyndora said reassuringly.

  Her friend took the bars and unwrapped one. “Oh My God! Chocolate!!! Are you kidding me? He really said it was ok?”

  “Yep, why? Is it a problem?” Cyndora looked around worriedly.

  “Oh no, girlfriend, far from it.” Looking around she gestured for two other women to join them. Cyndora thought that one of them was the same dusky skinned black-haired woman that had given the welcome speech on that first day. They came to stand by the bed. The second woman had an oriental look, long straight black hair, yellow-tinged skin and a moon-shaped face with almond-shaped eyes. However, Cyndora guessed from her six foot four inch height she was probably a Galactic. “Marshalla, Xianing, This is my friend, Cyndora, the one who got assigned to Crineal.”

  The tall, dusky one who appeared to be Marshalla looked her up and down. “Looking good, thought ya’d be dog meat by now.” She eyed the purse. “Presents, too, huh?” Cyndora clutched the purse protectively and Marshalla give her a disgusted look. “Told ya, we don’t steal from each other.”

  “Marsh, Xian, look what Cyndy brought us.” Jaydea handed Marshalla the opened foil wrapped bar and gave one to the sallow-skinned woman, too.

  Taking the bar, Marshalla sniffed at it cautiously and then, with her eyes widening, she took a small bite “Mmmmmm.” Her eyes closed in ecstasy. “Girl, ya just became my best friend.” Xianing was nibbling her bar in delight as well.

  Jaydea looked at Cyndora’s stunned face. “They say we get a small piece of chocolate once a year to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. This is like gold dust. We can eat some and trade the rest for some good stuff.”

  Xianing had eaten maybe a third of her bar and then rewrapped the remainder. She bent forward and hugged Cyndora. “Thank you, Cyndy, I owe you.”

  Marshalla hugged her, too. “I do as well. Ya ain’t even been here in the dorm and ya already learned the big lesson. Share what ya got. So, this Crineal’s one of the good ones? Treating ya right?” she asked curiously. Jaydea was busy savoring one of the remaining bars.

  “I guess. He hasn’t hurt me. I eat the same as him. Well, he lets me choose what I want, but you know what I mean.” Cyndora held up her purse. “And he gave me this this morning.”

  Jaydea piped up. “What’s his place like? I’ve only seen the enlisted quarters so far. Most are double bunk rooms, but some of the senior chiefs have single rooms.”

  “It’s pretty nice. There’s a lounge with space for a dining table, kitchen area, bedroom with double bed and a bathroom with a shower. The lounge also has a wall replicator and an entertainment unit that he lets me use.”

  Whistling with her rosebud lips, Xianing looked impressed. “Nice, a regular palace. You’re doing good. Make the most of it.”

  Marshalla looked sad. “Gunna be a hard bump for ya when ya get back here. Takes a bit to get back used to the dorm. But ya go whilst ya got it, girl. We’re happy for ya,” and with that she patted Cyndora’s shoulder and headed back to her own bunk, carefully cradling the rest of her chocolate. Xianing gave her another hug and followed Marshalla.

  Finishing the chocolate bar, Jaydea looked at her redheaded friend. “Girlfriend, if he ever wants extra entertaining you’ll mention my name, right? We can treat him good.”

  Blushing, Cyndora hung her head, nodding.

  “So... is he, you know, good?” Jaydea asked curiously.

  Cyndora looked blankly at her for a moment before catching the drift of her question. “Oh… er, I guess.”

  Cocking her head to one side, Jaydea studied Cyndora. “You guess?” Then her eyes opened wide with surprise and she lowered her head to within inches of Cyndora’s, so no one could overhear, “You haven’t slept with him yet?” amazement dripped from her voice.

  Cyndora shook her head. “Jay, you can’t tell anyone,” she said desperately. “Not even Marsh or Xian. I want to tell you what’s going on, but I can’t. I promised. Please, don’t ask me anymore.”

  Jaydea looked dumbfounded. “Wow, he t
reats you good, gives you stuff, and he doesn’t want to bed you? Alright, girlfriend, I won’t ask. Just promise me that it’s nothing bad?”

  “I didn’t say that he didn’t want to bed me; but no, it’s nothing bad, I promise.” Jaydea looked thoughtful at her words. “He did say that I could bring small presents if I wanted to. Is there anything else you want?”

  Looking closely at Cyndora’s face Jaydea suddenly realized something else. “Is that make-up? It is! Lipstick, eyeliner, blush. Ok, now I’m even more confused. He likes that you look good and he still doesn’t…” Cyndora held up her finger. “Ok, ok, no questions, I got it. You got any of that stuff left over? It’s worth as much as the chocolate. Hides blemishes, helps you look a little prettier and maybe get someone nice.”

  “I’ll ask Crin. But I’m sure he’ll say it’s ok.”

  “Crin, huh? You actually like him. I know, no questions.” She held up her hands at Cyndora’s look. “Really, girlfriend, I’m just glad you’re doing so well, but sheesh, trip the guy and fall under him already.”

  They talked for a little more before Cyndora hugged her friend goodbye and made her way back to what she was starting to think of as home.

  Crineal arrived back to find Cyndora sitting on the sofa wearing a new outfit, long, pale blue, silk shorts and a matching sleeveless top. It was a far cry from the baggy pants and tops she’d worn during the first week. He noticed she looked a little upset, too.

  “Hey, Cyndy. Feldea said that she likes you and hopes you’ll visit her again. Did you have a nice chat with your friend?” Crineal looked on in amazement as she burst into tears, jumped up and hugged him. He patted her back comfortingly. “Alright, take it easy. What happened?”

  Brokenly, she started to explain. “She was really pleased to see me. I gave her the chocolate and she went nuts over it. She gave some to a couple of her friends and they were really grateful, too. They hugged and kissed me. And then Jay said to give you her name if you ever wanted extra ‘entertainment’,” she was still sobbing. “Jay was such a nice, quiet person back home, she didn’t sleep around or anything and there she was offering to make up a threesome just because you let me take her some chocolate.” She sniffled and hiccupped. “I mean she wasn’t a prude, either, and she dated, but…”

  “Shuuush, I know,” he tried to calm her. “And does this have anything to do with the new outfit?”

  Cyndora looked a little guilty. “No! Well, not really. I just wanted something a little more comfortable and those pants and tops are pretty stupid clothing for the inside of a ship, aren’t they?”

  “Makes sense to me. The other stuff did look a little warm, I have to admit.”

  “She also said I should trip you and make sure I was waiting underneath when you fell.” Her tears were subsiding a little.

  “I like her already. Ow!” he said as Cyndora thumped his chest with her fist.

  “You’re a brute.”

  “That’s me. I had a hard day at the office pillaging.” That remark got a smile out of her, as intended.

  “Would it be ok if I took her some make-up? A small lipstick and a little blusher?” she looked at him hopefully.

  “Sure, but let’s keep it small. We don’t need anyone asking why the Rec dorms are suddenly overflowing with goodies.”

  She kissed his cheek. “They all said that you’re a good man and they’re right.”

  “Yay for me. Can we have dinner now? I’m starving.”

  Chapter Eight

  Commander Del’Tarim stood leaning against a wall a few corridors down from the Rec dorms towards the direction of the flight crews’ quarters. He couldn’t believe it yesterday when he saw the redhead in the short toga dress exiting the med section on her own. From the descriptions he’d heard it had to be Crineal’s slut, and here she was, roaming around the ship like she owned it. Del’Tarim had followed her down to the Rec area and saw the woman use a key card to enter before disappearing inside. Who the hell did Crineal think he was? Giving a slave the run of the ship? As the commander had made his way back to the flight bays, a plan had begun to form in his mind and he had made a quick stop at medical section. This morning he’d got a call from the med tech he had slipped some credits to, informing him that Crineal’s bitch had departed from the med bay. Del’Tarim had given her thirty minutes and then left the flight bay he was working in to position himself here to wait for her. The corridor section was quiet and not well used. Perfect for what he intended. The commander held a data pad and worked on some files to give him a cover as well as to keep busy. His wait was longer than he wanted, but now he saw her coming down the corridor, purse over her shoulder, looking very content with the world. His lips curled in a silent snarl, he’d soon change that. As she reached him he put his data pad away and straightened up. Then, without warning, his right arm shot out and he grabbed her by the throat pinning her into the corner of the corridor.

  “Hello, slut,” he growled as she choked and fought him. “If you don’t stop struggling I’m going to snap your scrawny neck right now,” and he tightened his grip.

  Cyndora went limp and stared at him in fear. The man was tall and had exquisitely handsome features, but the cruelty and hate etched into his face at that moment robbed them of any attractiveness.

  “If you try to scream or attract any attention, I’ll kill you. Nod if you understand me, whore.” Cyndora gave him a tiny nod and she felt his grip loosen a little and he moved in a little closer. “Now, I’m going to tell you what’s going to happen,” the man said menacingly. “Tomorrow morning a little after nine I’m going to come to your quarters and you’re going to let me in.” As he said this, his left hand pushed aside the top of her toga to expose her right breast. His hand curled around it and squeezed hard, pinching her nipple painfully. “Then we’re going to have some fun and you’re going to take care of me. You understand?”

  “But I’m assigned to General Crineal,” she managed to croak out. He pinched her nipple even harder and she whimpered.

  “I know who’s fucking you, slut, and I’m not scared of him. If you tell him about this, I’ll make sure you die in the most painful way I can think of.” His hand dropped from her breast, lifted her skirt slightly and slid inside the waistband of her panties. “If you don’t let me in or aren’t there waiting for me, I will find you and hurt you.” His fingers began to probe her roughly, her panties now pushed down to the top of her thighs and she squeezed her eyes shut. “Don’t cross me you bitch or you’ll regret it. Now, do you understand me?” She nodded, hurt written across her face. “Good.” As he said this last word he forced a finger inside her and she moaned with pain. He let her go and she slumped into the corner. “Better be waiting for me, tomorrow,” he threatened before turning and leaving Cyndora curled up in tears.

  The next day, Del’Tarim took up a watching position a little ways down the corridor from Crineal’s office. He took out his data pad and checked the general’s schedule once more to confirm that the bastard’s meeting was still on. The tall noble nodded in satisfaction, it was. The time was oh eight forty five. Crineal was always in his office by oh eight hundred at the latest. He just had to wait until the two pilots the Earth scum was meeting showed up and then he’d head for his ‘date’. The commander smiled viscously; now he’d pay Crineal back for the humiliation he’d suffered on the first day. He’d fuck his whore until she screamed, and then make her clean up. He’d leave and Crineal would never know, never realize that he’d be screwing Del’Tarim’s leavings. And with a little forethought, he could keep doing it, picking times when Crineal was on patrol or tied up in meetings. He’d be able to have his revenge on the midget and the shit would never know. What a great story it would make to tell his friends. Grinning happily to himself he waited. A few minutes later two pilots appeared and one of them keyed the panel on Crineal’s door. There was a pause and they both entered. Del’Tarim put away his data pad and smiled as he felt the outline of the key card he’d picked up ye
sterday just in case. He’d got it from a bridge tech he had heard of and it was uncoded. It would open any door in the ship and not leave a trace of who had entered. The card was highly illegal, of course, and he hoped he wouldn’t have to use it, but better to be prepared, Del’Tarim thought. He checked his cover story in case he was discovered. He’d met the slut in the corridor yesterday and she’d invited him over this morning, being taken with his obvious good looks. If she denied it, it was his word against hers, and who would believe a criminal over a noble? He nodded to himself, reassured, as he made his way to Crineal’s quarters.

  Del’Tarim stopped outside the door and checked the corridor both ways to make sure it was empty then he keyed the door panel comm.

  A few seconds later a scared female voice answered. “Y-y-yes?”

  “It’s me, open up,” the commander ordered impatiently. He waited a few moments and when nothing happened he keyed the comm again. “Open up, you bitch. Did you forget what I told you yesterday?” he snarled, his cultured voice ugly with hate and lust. Still nothing. Del’Tarim keyed the comm one last time. “Ok, you slut, now I’m going to have to hurt you.”

  With that he reached into his breast pocket, pulled out the grey card and, with a last check of the corridor, fed it into the access slot. There was a second’s delay and then the door slid open. He retrieved the card and strode into the room. The bitch was cowering in the corner behind a dining table. The door hissed shut behind him.

  “I warned you what was going to happen if you disobeyed me. You’re going to pay for making me wait. I hope you like pain, you whore,” and he started to move around the intervening table.

  At this point, two things happened. A figure in a security uniform rose from concealment behind the kitchen counter, leveling a pulse rifle at Del’Tarim and the door to the bedroom opened.

  Crineal stood in the doorway with two other figures behind him in the bedroom. “Good morning, Commander. A little lost, aren’t we?” Turning his head to the guard in the kitchen, he said. “If the commander moves so much as a muscle, be so kind as to shoot him. My responsibility.”