by Jay Toney
"... Separation complete," Natasha said.
"Natasha, set an intercept course, engines to max burn."
Over the next few minutes we closed on the freighter. It prolonged the chase by running its engines at overdrive levels trying to evade.
"I have confirmation on Reds stolen weapons, still no transponder signal," Tanya reported.
"Tanya sound condition red, battle stations." I ordered. "Doc and Jane on guns, shoot to disable, we want the cargo intact."
"Coming into optimal weapons range," Natasha reported.
"Tanya, hail the freighter."
"On screen Captain."
"This is the Dread Pirate Roberts, you are ordered to shut down your drives and surrender!"
"No response from the ship, Captain," Tanya reported.
"She's firing on us," Natasha said.
"Hit on forward shields, stabilizing, shields at 93 percent and holding Captain," Randolph reported.
"Doc and Jane, return fire!"
Energy bolts from our particle beam weapons streamed toward the freighter, repeatedly striking their rear shields. The freighter continued to fire on us hoping for a miracle shot.
"Our shields are at 87 percent and holding, the freighters shields are down to 35 percent and failing," Randolph reported.
"Continue firing, and target their weapons too."
We continued to exchange fire for a few minutes longer before Jane announced, "Freighter disabled."
"All hands, form a boarding party, port side airlock," I said.
"Tanya, sound condition yellow."
"Natasha, dock with the ship, port side."
"Amber, you have the con."
We all assembled at the port side dock. Doc and Jane form your teams, I want the ship searched from bow to stern, and all prisoners assembled in the forward cargo hold. Tanya and Natty, your with me.
"Randolph, maintain a rear guard here with your team."
As soon as we were docked, we entered the ship. Doc and Jane took their teams in search of prisoners. Tanya, Natasha, and I headed toward the bridge, with our weapons drawn.
The main corridor was empty. We continued forward cautiously, near an intersection we had our first engagement. Without warning, we were suddenly under heavy weapons fire. Bolts or energy filled the corridor. We were Ambushed without cover. We returned fire as best as we could, without being able to see our enemy. Smoke filled the passage, making it more difficult to see, or be seen.
Tanya, yelled as she took a glancing hit to her side. Natty let out a battle cry, and using her lance as a shield, sprinted toward our attackers deflecting shot after shot. I called Doc on our comlink, "Doc Tanya, has been hit. Hurry!"
In her fury, Natasha was oblivious to oncoming fire. She nearly cleaved her first attacker in two, slicing him from his right shoulder to his left hip. She continued her swing changing the trajectory of her downward slash into an upward arc. The next attacker was instantly beheaded. The last attacker dropped his weapon surrendering, but it didn't matter. Natasha was furious, they hurt Tanya and must be punished. She swung her lance across his mid section eviscerating him, spilling his intestines to the deck. Then she continued to the bridge.
Doc arrived in minutes, with a trauma team. He examined Tanya's wound, "Its not serious, but I bet it hurts like hell."
"Doc, that is an understatement," Tanya said groaning in pain.
Doc, gave her a mild pain killer to ease the pain. "Sorry, I can't give you anything stronger until I know the full extent of your injuries." His team gently eased Tanya onto a stretcher, and they took her back to the Revenge's sickbay.
I continued making my way toward the bridge, hoping Natasha was okay. I came upon several bodies on my way, most of them cleaved into two or more pieces. When I entered the bridge, Natasha was throwing the ships captain around the bridge.
"Natty, stop."
I checked the captain, he was dead.
"The bad men hurt Tanya, they needed to be punished."
"Its okay. Are you alright?"
"I am unharmed. How is Tanya?"
"Doc is treating Tanya, on the Revenge. She is going to be okay."
"Jane, the bridge is secure. I'll meet you in the forward cargo hold," I said using my comlink.
It wasn't long before all the prisoners were gathered in the forward hold. More than half their crew was dead. I told the prisoners to strip. Naked, they were marched to one of their ship's life boats.
"Jane place our prisoners in the life boats cyrosleep chambers, and put them to sleep."
"Aye, aye Captain."
She made sure each prisoner was placed in suspended animation.
"Jane, take a team and search the ship for any valuables. Doc is busy treating Tanya."
We made our way back to the Revenge.
"Natty, sound all clear, condition green."
She and I hurried to sickbay checking on Tanya.
"Doc, how is she?"
"She received third degree burns from that blaster bolt. I have started tissue regeneration, and I placed her in a medically induced coma, to spare her the pain. She will be my guest in sickbay for a couple of weeks."
"Natty, tell the Lucy to return to San Paulos."
"Message sent, Cappy."
We headed to the bridge where Amber and Randolph were waiting to hear news about Tanya. I gave them the details, and sat on the command chair, in silence. After a several minutes of collecting my thoughts, and grieving for Tanya, I told Natty to take us home.
Chapter 33
Jane had her crew dispose of the dead bodies, before we entered hyperspace. She found 50,000 credits, four gold bars, and an assortment of gems. All of which was added to our personal stash. I would sell the gold and gemstones when we arrived on the station.
We came out of hyperspace in the Buenos Aries System, and made our way toward San Paulos.
"Natty, hail Red."
"Aye, aye, Cappy."
"Red is standing by"
"On screen, Natty."
The image of a large muscular man with flowing red hair appeared.
"Red, the mission is complete, your cargo is secure."
"I knew you were the man for the job."
"I have some of the ships crew as prisoners. I had them placed in cyrosleep, aboard one of their lifeboats. Unfortunately all the ships officers are dead. Natty personally killed the captain with her bare hands."
"Their will be a bonus for you and Natty. I'll deal with the prisoners. Thank Natty for killing the captain for me," he said ending the transmission.
"Amber, do you think we should tell Red about Beverly?"
"Not yet."
I suggested to the girls that we go to our cabin and rest. We still had nearly 12 hours before reaching the station. After entering the cabin, I filled the tub, undressed and got in. Amber and Natasha quickly joined me.
"I miss Tanya," Natasha said. "It is just not the same without her."
"She will still be in a coma for 10 to 12 more days, she was hurt very bad. "When she is well again, we will have to show her how much we missed her."
"Cappy, are you well again?"
"Yes, I believe I am."
Amber and Tanya gently caressed and massaged my body, as I relaxed in the hot water. Their desire to please me was welcome. I felt myself relax as they continued their gentile massage.
"I think he is ready," Amber said while getting out of the bath tub. She toweled herself off, then retrieved two heart shaped p
ills. She ground these into a fine powder which she added to an energy drink. "Drink this Nathaniel," she said offering the drink.
Natty and Amber helped me out of the bath tub and led me to the bed. They were both eager to satisfy and be satisfied. I spent hours making love to them, before falling asleep.
When I got up, we showered playfully, before getting dressed and heading toward the bridge. On the way, we stopped by the galley for a quick meal. Doc was kind enough to have left us some open faced sandwiches. They had grilled chicken, cheese, and a variety of shredded vegetables topped with a creamy sauce. I brought the platter of sandwiches to the table, then got iced coffee with sugar and vanilla creamer for all of us.
I didn't realize how famished I was. I made short work of my meal without really tasting it. Amber ate much slower, savoring the flavor. Natty was holding two sandwiches in her hands alternately taking a bite out of each.
With her mouth still full of food Natty said, "These sandwiches are very scrumptious and crunchy too."
Wait until she tries the Iced coffee, I thought, taking a sip of mine. When Natty finished her sandwiches, she took a large gulp of her coffee. Her face lit up with delight, and she drained the rest of her drink in one huge swallow.
"That drink was very yummy, can I have some more?"
I showed Natty how to make the drink so she could make one anytime. She jumped on lap, bouncing with excitement, and kissing me passionately.
"Thank you Cappy, I love you."
"Natty, you should get down now, or we won't make it to the bridge."
Amber, found this to be hilarious. She fell to the floor, rolling with laughter. Once she composed herself, at least enough to stand we made our way to the bridge with her giggling and smiling as she led us along the corridor.
"Natty head to the repair docks, we will release the freighter there."
"Aye, aye Cappy."
"Amber open a hailing frequency."
"On screen Captain."
"This is Captain Roberts, of the Revenge, requesting permission to dock."
"Captain Roberts, the maintenance chief has a team waiting to grapple the freighter. Red is waiting for you in green section. You are cleared to dock green section dock 5. End transmission."
We maneuvered the freighter to the repair docks, where we released her. The repair crew grappled her and with the assistance of a couple of tugs, maneuvered her to a docking port. Then using our ships thrusters we slowly swung around the space station. We finished docking, when green section dock 5 swung into view.
Chapter 34
Amber, Natasha, and I entered the station. Red was there to greet us.
"Where is Tanya?" he asked, noticing she wasn't with us.
"She took a hit from blaster fire. Doc is treating her in sickbay."
"Is she gonna be okay?"
"Yes, she is in a medical coma, while Doc is regenerating her burned tissue. She will be there for another 11 days."
"I'm glad she is going to be alright," Red said. "I was starting to grow fond of her."
"We targeted the freighters engines and weapons, disabling her. All the cargo aboard her is intact."
"I've transferred your payment to your account, and a little extra for taking care of the crew."
We made our way to the repair section, where chief mike was waiting to greet us.
"I got my crew working on a damage assessment. She doesn't look to badly damaged from here," Mike said. "Red I got some cargo handlers on the way over to help with your weapons."
"Mike, I've noticed you still have the cruiser, do you have any plans for it?" I said.
"A lot of her plating was damaged, on her port side. The superstructure is still relatively intact, less what we salvaged. She still has good legs. I was thinking about converting her to something different. I am waiting on the right parts. With you around, that won't be a long wait."
He showed me some rough drafts he was considering on his comp.
"Very impressive," I said as I looked over the designs, one of which caught my attention. It looked totally different from her original design, meaner, stockier, and faster.
"This is what I would do with her if I had the chance."
He made a quick note of this on his comp.
"What are your plans for the freighter?"
"I haven't really thought about it," I answered truthfully.
"Give me a couple of days, and I'll make you an offer."
We left to see the sites. The station was busy now. A lot of shops had opened with merchants plying their goods and services. The shops catered to anything that a spacer may need, or want. There were clothing shops, weapons shops, outfitters for mining and exploration, restaurants, and bars.
It was long past time for De Tomcat to do something stupid, so I led my ladies into a bar. I ordered spiced rum, being a favorite of mine. Natasha chose to do the same, and Amber chose a pitcher full of Sangria with lots of fruit in it. Natasha could not get drunk from the alcohol, but she could still experience the flavor of her choice of drinks.
Natasha took a tentative gulp. Her face scrunched up and she tried spitting out the drink.
"That tastes yucky!"
She stopped a server and gave her the yucky drink. She also confiscated my unfinished drink, and giving it to the server too.
"Cappy, you there is no need to punish yourself drinking anything so yucky," she said displeased.
The surrounding patrons in the bar roared with laughter. One of them said, "You don't let your lady friends make all of your decisions, do you?" This generated even more laughter from our growing audience.
Amber laughed, "Ignore them. I have plenty to share." She signaled for two more glasses, then poured us each a drink from her pitcher. I had to admit that the Sangria had a far superior flavor. It was ice cold, and was sweet and fruity. This time Natasha took a small sip. "This drink is much better, it tastes yummy." Then she emptied her glass gulping it down.
"Now that's the way I like to see a lady drink," said a spacer, taking a seat next to her, drinking from his pitcher of beer.
"I wouldn't try out drinking her," I warned.
"Not to be bested he made a wager, "I will pay for her drinks, if she out drinks me. If I out drink her, she spends the night with me."
"Agreed," I replied.
They drank round after round. Her wine cooler against his beer.
"Lets make this interesting he said, "If I out drink her, I get both of your ladies tonight. If she out drinks me I'll pay your bar tab."
I quickly agreed, knowing there was no way he could win. We had gathered quite an audience by now, with plenty of side betting going on. They both had completed two more pitchers before the unfortunate spacer collapsed to the floor unconscious.
"Amber come with me, I've got to go pee really bad," Natty said.
When the girls returned, I stood up. That's when the alcohol decided to hit me. I had way to much of the Sangria, and I also devoured he alcohol laden fruit. I didn't realize how badly the Sangria would affect me until it was too late, most days I could hold my liqueur.
I woke with a pounding headache the next morning. It was deja vu. I was naked and in a strange bed. I turned to my left and right looking to see who I had been with last night. The bed was empty except for me. I heard the sound of people showering and muffled voices. All I could do was wait to see what I had done.
The sound of water running in the shower stopped. I squinted trying to look through the slits in eyelids.
"He's finally awake," said a female voice.
"Cappy was a naugh
ty boy last night," said another.
I forced my eyes open to see Amber and Natasha standing alongside the bed. Thank the creator, I thought.
"You don't get out of it that easily," Amber said. "We had to carry you to this hotel, and put you in bed. We tried everything to get you up, but couldn't. That left Natty and I by ourselves, without you to give us pleasure. Natty tried several times to get you aroused.
"Cappy was a bad boy, he wouldn't stay up for me," Natty pouted.
"We had no one, but each other to satisfy our needs, and we were looking forward to making love with you."
"Cappy, we had to kiss each other like this." Natasha embraced Amber kissing her deeply as she caressed her body and squeezed her breasts. Then she moved to other parts of her body, caressing, kissing, licking, and nibbling as she went.
"I'm sorry I missed it," I said, aroused by seeing a sample of what I missed. "Let de Tomcat make it up to yous."
I reached for them and pulled them both onto the bed with me. "Now what exactly was it, that you two naughty girls did without me last night."
Amber started to answer, "We cuddled, kissed, then we..."
I interrupted her before she could finish, "Let me show you what I would have done with you and Natty, had I been up to the occasion." I kissed them, caressing their bodies, massaging them as I explored their bodies, before finally making love to them.
"I told you we should have kept trying to wake him," Natty said. "Look at what we missed last night. "Then she started kissing and caressing Amber and I as we cuddled together.
Chapter 35
The Lucy was back, docked in white section. No doubt Beverly was plotting another scheme. I had to work out the small details in my plans, to turn her off from me. Red was trying to keep her occupied, and away from us. Amber told her brother what Beverly had been doing to us, explaining how she was trying to break up our marriage He had her inventorying the reclaimed weapons taken from the freighter, to keep her occupied.
