by Jay Toney
"Doc and Jane, stand by on guns."
"I'm taking ventral this time." Doc said.
"I'll still beat you with the dorsal guns." Jane said cracking her knuckles and sitting at the weapons station.
"Cappy, its no use, their sensor web went active before I could hack it."
Natasha came over to the command chair and sat in my lap. "Cappy, i'm so sorry, how can I make you happy?" She started kissing me deeply. As she kissed me, Amber, Tanya, and I could feel her sexual excitement rising as she became even more aroused. As soon as I was able to get a couple of breaths in, I said, "Natty, not now, a little later, after the battle is over."
"Okay."
She reluctantly got off my lap, pouting, and took her seat at the helm controls.
"Cappy, I'm not wearing any panties." she said giving me something to think about other than the oncoming engagement with the enemy fleet.
"Randolph raise shields."
"Doc and Jane fire on anything in our path, were punching through the web."
"Natty, bring active sensors online, and tactical data on main the screen."
As we approached the sensor web, energy beams shot forth from our dorsal and ventral particle beam weapons, reducing the satellites in our path to scrap. Their weak shielding did nothing to stop our weapons. The fleet passed through the hole in the sensor web, ready for battle. The enemy fleet was alerted to our presence, with the damage to their sensor web. They started scrambling to their posts, in an attempt to defend their outpost.
"Natty go to max burn, lets take this battle to them."
We accelerated out running our fleet to close the gap with the alliance fleet. Their ships started organizing as we came within weapons range.
"Natty, target the nearest ship, and fire."
Four missiles launched from our missile tubes streaking towards the nearest frigate. Green and blue lances of energy joined in as Doc and Jane fired their weapons.
"Incoming missiles." Amber warned.
"Natty, Evasive action!"
Our ship swerved and twisted trying to avoid the incoming fire. Teams of ships swept by us to engage the fleet, while others teamed up to attack us. The battleship maintained its position between us and the orbital outpost, outside of our weapons range.
"One hit, on the frigate, damage to starboard side aft." Amber reported. Its Icon turned to yellow on our view screen. Natasha let loose another salvo of missiles. Doc and Jane divided their targets each firing at different destroyers, trying to fend them off. I watched helplessly as one of our Icons, representing a torpedo boat, started flashing yellow, then disappeared. Our PDC fired sporadically, engaging missiles that were still a threat, passing through our ECM.
"I've got control of one of their missiles." Amber said. She redirected the missile to one of the nearby destroyers. The destroyer unaware of the threat, with the missiles IFF identifying it as friendly, was struck amidships. Its Icon flashed yellow. The Hedgehog, captained by Red was quick to take advantage, and brought all its weapons to bear on the destroyer, disabling her.
Natasha fired another salvo, at an approaching destroyer, as our shields deflected a series of shots aimed at our ship. Doc and Jane both fired at the destroyer, temporarily blinding the ship as the particle beams discharged against the destroyers shields. This allowed two of our tracking missiles to get through the destroyers PDC and detonate against its bow, breaching the hull.
A series of warning lights flashed as we took hits from the alliance cruiser. It had joined the battle, and we were its primary target.
"Shields down to 70%", Randolph reported as he frantically tried to balance and divert more energy to the shields.
Doc and Jane targeted the enemy cruiser and fired a full barrage of their weapons at the cruiser. Natasha maneuvered the vessel, twisting and dodging, while trying to line up for a missile shot. She made an abrupt turn to port and fired two missiles from our stern tubes before resuming her evasive maneuvers.
We were taking out many of their smaller warships, but they still maintained a 3:1 advantage over us, and that advantage started to grow as our numbers dwindled. Doc jumped back from his console as it showered him with sparks.
"Automation is out on the ventral guns, they will have to be fired manually." Doc reported.
Tanya informed the gunners that they were now on manual control. A lucky missile got through our defenses and took out one of our engines. Our icon changed from green to yellow. Nearly half of our fleet was represented by yellow icons, or destroyed, things were starting to look hopeless. Our guns continued to rain fire on the cruiser, but the shots were less accurate, and less effective. Natasha was unable to get a missile solution on the cruiser, while trying to evade a missile lock on our ship.
Red came in firing his weapons on repeated attack runs. His attacks were ignored by the cruiser as it inched its way closer to victory. More annunciator panel lights flashed warnings as we took hit after hit from the relentless cruiser.
"Shields down to 40%." Randolph announced, "We need time to recharge." There was no way to break off from our attacker, now that they had the advantage, they were closing in on us for the kill. There was no tactic or trick I could think of. It was only a matter of time before our ship would join the other lifeless hulks, drifting in this system.
Chapter 51
Several new Icons appeared on our tactical display, these were represented by blue icons, being unknown.
"Captain, we are being hailed by Shree'tek." Tanya reported, transferring his image to a secondary screen.
"Captain Roberts, we owe you a great debt, allow us to repay one of our many debts by assisting you."
"Shree'tek my friend, you are a welcome sight. Your assistance would be most appreciated."
The blue icons now turned to green as the Iniguar joined the battle. The advantage was now ours.
The cruiser attacking us broke off its attack as two Iniguar cruisers fired a full barrage of missiles and energy weapons at it. It was reduced to a lifeless hulk in minutes, its Icon disappearing from the screen.
More and more Iniguar vessels appeared on our tactical screen.
"Captain Roberts, you shame us by battling the enemy yourself, as we gathered our fleet."
"Shree'tek, they are our enemy too. They broke a long standing treaty with the border worlds. This is one of many battles yet to come, i'm afraid it may even come to war."
"As we share a common enemy, we shall battle them together as friends. The names of our new allies will be sung in our halls for all Iniguar to hear."
"Thank you Shree'tek, it is an honor I hope to earn."
It wasn't long before we were able to mop up the rest of the fleet. It was time to take out the battleship. While our shields recharged for the next engagement, Kim worked furiously to repair the ventral weapons automation.
As we closed, Natasha let loose a salvo of missiles, followed by other missiles from the fleet. The battle ship responded by firing missiles of its own, and firing its main guns.
The battleships main guns were ship killers. Only another battleship or dreadnaught could hope to survive its firepower. Our ships dodged and weaved making it difficult to hit us. When hit, our ships either took severe damage or were destroyed. Natasha fired another salvo, then another as the tubes were reloaded.
"Cappy, that was our last missile, our magazines are empty."
More missiles were fired from other ships in the fleet, and energy weapons converged on the battleship. It easily destroyed our incoming missiles with its many PDC, and continued firing randomly into our fleet.
Its guns were taking a toll, and we had to destroy her soon.
It was our turn to be hit. The weapons discharge took out our aft shields, starboard armor, and another engine. The Icon for our ship started flashing yellow and black. It was now or never for the Queen Anne's Revenge.
"Natty, Target the bridge with our laser, and cut that ship in two."
Our guns silenced as the laser drew energy from the weapons system. A red beam of light shot toward the battle cruiser, and began slowly slicing its way through the ship. Iniguar ships surrounded the Revenge using their ships as a deflective screen as Natty cut through the battleship.
Its weapons stopped and escape pods, and lifeboats launched from the doomed vessel.
"Natty, cease fire. We've one."
There was one more obstacle to take care of. Their base had to be destroyed, and the Revenge was the only ship that stood a chance of doing it.
"Tanya, ask Red to dock with us."
"Randolph, I need you and Kim to remove Natasha's core memory, and get it aboard the Hedgehog."
"Doc, I need a two minute delay on the ships hyperdrive."
"I think I know what your planning, I can make you a remote detonator that will work."
"Tanya, as soon as Red docks with us, sound abandon ship. Randolph and Kim get Natasha safely aboard the Hedgehog."
"Natty, your twin sister is going to be quiet for a while. We are moving her aboard Red's ship. She's going to be alright."
"I know Cappy, she already told me. I'm prepared this time. I promise I won't collapse like I did the last time."
"Natty, I need you to set a course for the Alliance base. Slow speed ahead, and lock our course into the auto pilot. I need to ram the base without destroying the Revenge."
"Aren't you coming with us Cappy?"
"I'll be right behind you. I need to stay close to the ship, so I can destroy the base."
"The ship isn't big enough to do that."
"The ship isn't, but its hyperdrive is."
"How will you get out?"
"There is an assault shuttle in the aft cargo bay. I'll be taking that."
Randolph signaled that he and Kim had Natasha's AI aboard the Hedgehog.
"Signal abandon ship, its time to go."
"But, we can help." Amber begged.
"We want to stay with you." Tanya sniffled.
"We won't leave you." Natty said defiantly.
"Go! I'll be with you shortly."
I followed them to the airlock, to make sure they left, then made my way to the aft hold.
The shock of impact came earlier than I anticipated. I was thrown from my feet and pinned to the deck by collapsing cargo containers, blackness overtook me.
**********
"I've found him, over here." Mike called.
He began lifting the crates from my limp body.
As soon as I was free, he and Beverly carried me to the waiting airlock. When the hatch was sealed, she contacted the bridge, and told the Sultan, to get us out of here. I had regained enough awareness, to press the switch on the remote, Doc had given me.
I faded back into blackness, as the Lucy raced home, with my injured body. The Queen Anne's Revenge was wedge into the bases structure, it continued firing its remaining engines sporadically, causing the base to spin wildly as it continued to orbit the planet. When the two minute delay expired, the Revenge's hyperdrive engaged.
The Revenge could not escape into hyperspace, being close to a source of gravity, the hyperdrive instead momentarily created a gravitational singularity. Both the Revenge and the orbiting base were destroyed instantly, vanishing into the black hole, then the singularity was gone.
Chapter 52
Beverly and Sultan were given a hero's welcome as they boarded San Paulos' orbiting Space Station, while I was whisked away to the infirmary. My concussion was long healed as well as my broken bones. Doc wasn't going to release me until I had undergone his scrutiny. He performed test after test. He finally removed the splints that Beverly used on me while my bones mended with the nanobots I was infused with. It was really killing Doc, to give me a clean bill of health.
Finding no reason to keep me here, he said, "I suppose I will have to keep you around here for a few days under observation. If you promise to behave yourself, I will allow some visitors."
The first to visit was Amber. Seeing me she balled up her fists and started hitting me in the chest crying. "You had us so scared. We thought you died in the bases destruction. Red got us clear just before the Revenge collided with the station."
"None of you joined me in the afterlife, and I don't recall seeing any pearly gates, so I guess that couldn't have happened. However, your sister nearly killed me, by starving me to death. For the first few days she didn't allow me to eat anything but chicken broth, which she spoon fed me. After that, if I behaved, I got to eat chicken soup. If I was really good she allowed me some jello for desert. You didn't by chance bring some real food with you? I'm hungry enough to share a dish with Natty."
"How cute, that's just how mother used to care for us when we got sick."
Next Tanya and Natty came to visit. Natty said, "Tanya and I aren't wearing any panties." She hiked her dress up to show me, before climbing onto the bed with me. Doc was quick to escort them out saying, "Nathaniel needs rest. He's in no condition for any hanky-panky." Then he glared at me.
Red came next. "I got a surprise waiting for you, when you get out. That was the craziest thing I ever saw, when the station imploded into nothingness. I was sure you were a goner. The girls may be a little mad at you now, but the forgiving part is well worth it."
Shree'tek was my final visitor. "Captain Roberts, I am glad to see you whole. I was afraid I might be visiting a vial of subatomic particles. Even now ballads are being written about your sacrifice, and your fortunate escape."
"Shree'tek, I am glad to see you made it uninjured yourself."
"Our people are going to open up regular trade with this station, and we will be sharing our technology with your friends. It is a small gesture for the kindness you have shown us. We have towed your trophies here, as a gesture of good will. The Alliance survivors have been enslaved, to pay back their debt. We have spoken to the one you call Red. It is agreed that part of our fleet will remain here to help patrol against further Alliance incursions, while your fleet is rebuilt."
"Thank you Shree'tek."
"It is we that owe you much thanks Captain Roberts. When you are well, we hope to see you grace our halls again. We have much to celebrate."
After my visitors left I asked, "Dad, how long do you plan on keeping me here?"
"Nathaniel, there isn't anything keeping you here, you are free to go." I looked at my personal possessions. All I had left was my gun belt, blaster, and sword. There was nothing else left. If I wanted to walk out of here, I would do so naked. There was no choice but to wait for my wives to free me, and get me out of here.
It was two days before they came to get me. Doc chuckled as they walked into the infirmary. "Nathaniel, you have been a very bad boy." Tanya said. "We have been trying to think of a way to punish you for leaving us behind."
I tried to explain that it was their safety that I had in mind. But they wouldn't listen.
"All of the clothes we had were destroyed with the ship's destruction," she continued.
"But what about the set I was wearing when I was rescued?"
"We burned them."
"You did bring me some clothes, didn't you?"
"We haven't had time to go shopping for you, but we did manage to find you something to wear."
Natty kissed me deeply, caressing my body. Her desire for sex
echoed in my mind, arousing me. Then she performed a seductive striptease further rousing my sexual excitement. Slipping off her panties, a thong I could floss my teeth with, she said, "You can wear my panties. She slowly dressed, taking care to fondle her breasts. "But I don't think they will fit.
"It's this, or would you prefer one of Amber's nighties?" Tanya said.
"Amber doesn't wear nighties."
"Precisely."
"Perhaps... I can wrap myself in a sheet."
"Not if you want to get out of here anytime soon," Tanya said, and meant it.
I tried putting the panties on, as I thought, they were much to small. Then Natty offered her mini dress, putting her panties back on. I already felt the humiliation that was to come. Amber took my gun belt, blaster and sword strapping them on herself. "You won't be needing these," she said. Finally Tanya handed me a package containing bunny ears and a tail. Amber put them on me adjusting them, then admiring the way they looked. Tanya and Natty pinched and tugged the dress here and there, making small adjustments and further increasing my excitement.
Beverly came into the room, "Am I too late?" She added some lipstick, a bunny necklace and a spritz of perfume to my humiliating attire. She called Sultan in. "Now you see first hand what will happen to you, if you ever step out of line."
"Yes ma'am." he said sounding sorrowful.
The girls walked me out into the waiting crowd. It looked like the whole station turned out to get a look at their hero. I walked across most of white section in a daze, before Amber asked, "Where are you going?" I stopped. I had no idea where I would be staying, now that my ship was gone. They turned me around and marched me back the way I had come and back into the crowd of people. We walked until I was standing in front of the Lady Luck. "We have a suite above the restaurant. If you're naughty enough this evening, we will let you dress tomorrow, and show you a surprise."
My ego may have been deflated, by what the girls did to humiliate me, but I was ready to show them just how naughty I could be. I slipped off Natasha's dress saying, "before I show you how naughty I can be, I need to thank you for allowing me to wear this." I slipped Natasha's thong off her body and I took her, making love to her on the floor of our suite."
