The Queen then stood up and said “Now we must vote. Firstly do we make Jo-Anna, Acorus’s official mate?”
All but two said ‘Yes’.
“Then that is decided” the Queen said. “Next, do we accept Acorus as our future King?”
The same two were against that as well.
“That is decided also” the Queen said “Next, do we accept Lady Jo-Anna as our future Queen”.
The two who had voted against everything sighed deeply as that was passed too.
Then Acorus stood up and said “As you know I had reservations about being your King, mainly that I enjoyed being a soldier. Once again Lady Jo-Anna pointed out that there was no reason I couldn’t do both. For the first time in my life I have experienced the thing that earthlings call love and let me tell you it is not something to deride even though I am still not sure what it is” Acorus laughed and the Queen joined in.
Then he turned to Jo and said “My Lady, thank you for honouring me by agreeing to be my mate. And now ladies, Jo-Anna wants to discuss some matters with you that I consider for females only. So please excuse this cowardly male if I make myself scarce” and with that he kissed Jo’s and the Queen’s hands and left the room.
As he left a babble of voices in Sceriae broke out, each female having something to say about the meeting, apart from the two who had voted ‘No’ to everything. The Queen turned to Jo and quietly told her that she had done well, impressing the Council with her outspokenness, not hiding her strong personality. Jo told her that she had been very nervous but could not hide the things she felt strongly about.
Then the Queen clapped her hands and there was silence “I have ordered food and drink as I am sure we are all ready for refreshments. While we are eating we will listen to what Jo-Anna has to say in an informal way, but I must insist that you let her have her say. Remember also that she is pregnant with a half breed, and that makes human females very tired”.
Food and drink was brought in and everyone helped themselves, the two Escorii being treated like everyone else.
When everyone had taken what they wanted they settled down in their seats and waited for Jo to speak “As our Queen has said, being pregnant with a Sceriae/human baby is very tiring because they grow so quickly. It saps a girls energy, so the first thing I want to talk about is contraception”, Jo could feel herself blushing, but determinately went on, “If I am going to be Queen, and I must say I hope it doesn’t happen for a long time, I cannot be permanently pregnant. Unfortunately, unlike the Sceriae, humans can become pregnant any time. There is one thing that is certain; Acorus will not allow me to deny him sex, um mating. He has discovered why humans do it for enjoyment and will not be denied” Jo could feel her voice getting squeaky and her mouth was dry, but she was determined. “So the solution is contraception. On Earth we have discovered things to prevent girls having babies. Unfortunately you have had no need of that here, but I am sure that if some of the pills are brought here, you could copy them. Then the girls who are happy having babies can have them and the ones who only want a few babies don’t have to be permanently pregnant, which while I am learning to be Queen includes me”.
Jo gulped and took a long drink. She knew that she should eat something but felt that she couldn’t swallow a thing.
“Are you suggesting that we allow the human females to only have the babies they want to have? That is ridiculous, it will put back the saving of our race by generations” snapped one of the Sceriae who had voted no.
Jo snapped back “It will reduce the suicides and deaths, and make the girls useful citizens instead of slaves!”
There was a concerted gasp at the word slaves.
“Oh, I’ve shocked you! Then imagine what it is like for a sentient being to be kept prisoner and constantly raped, no matter how luxurious their prison” Jo was unable to stop herself.
The group were whispering among themselves, including the Escorii.
The Queen held up her hand for quiet, “Ladies, we have asked Lady Jo-Anna to tell us how we can improve things in our regeneration program. She is being extremely courageous by telling us things we don’t want to hear. Would you have been as brave if you were held captive on her planet? If we don’t learn to do better we will not survive, so let her talk”.
Jo continued, “The next thing that must change, and Lord Acorus agrees, is the killing of the girls who do not pass your medical tests. I have suggested that the tests are carried out while the girls the girls are still unconscious from their abduction. Then they can be returned to Earth thinking that they had simply fainted”.
There were murmurs and nods of agreement. One of the Sceriae females said that she had been worried about the girls who had not passed their tests, and that the solution was so simple, they should be ashamed that they had not implemented Jo’s suggestion already
“Next” Jo carried on “I feel that a human should be on the ship, to explain to the girls why they had been abducted”.
Many shook their heads at that, and the Sceriae who was against everything said that it would serve no purpose, the girls didn’t need to know anything because they had no choice anyway.
Jo exploded angrily “How dare you sit there talking about intelligent, caring beings in such a way. You are showing one of the bad traits of the Sceriae. Thinking that you are the only important and needed species in all universes” shaking all over Jo sat down and lowered her gaze so that they couldn’t see her eyes full of tears.
There was complete silence in the room, then Ileya spoke “Your attitude is what has made our extinction loom so closely. We must realise that humans are highly developed, and feel things very deeply. Perhaps if we had allowed ourselves to have more feelings we would not be in this horrific situation. Humans make beautiful art, music, architecture, materials, gardens. I could go on and on. Your problem is that you are so closed minded you have not learned anything from either the Escorii, who have lived with us for thousands of years, or the humans who will save our race!”
As Ileya sat down, the Queen asked Jo if she had anything else she wanted to say, so taking a deep breath she said “While we are talking about uncomfortable things, there is one thing that was pointed out to me by a girl who has been here for over six years. Your young males have no mates, and you have not allowed them to have any of the girls you have brought here in case they damaged them. You think that they can’t control themselves.
When I questioned the Chomanay female about the young soldier, she told me that he was nice and kind and didn’t hurt her. I don’t know if you all know about the Ghorans and also what your males get up to on other planets. It was suggested to me, by the girl I talked about, that you should bring here, human females who have the same profession as the Ghorans. She pointed out that professional prostitutes would quickly teach your young men how to treat a girl, I think that we should look into that possibility”.
All the females sat open mouthed in complete silence. Then one asked what were the Ghorans, so Ileya stood up and explained. There were gasps and some said that it couldn’t be true, how disgusting, and males are the weakest creatures ever known. Ileya banged on the table and told them all to stop pretending they knew nothing about a male’s desires.
Then the Queen stood up and they all went quiet, “It is time to admit that this council is out of step with the needs of our planet. Myself, I would do and allow anything that will save us. Jo-Anna is new to our planet but she has recognised our weak points, and bravely pointed them out. She has spoken fluently about how it feels to be kept prisoner and raped but has shown her strength of mind by forgiving us and wanting to assist us in our endeavour to avoid extinction. I think that the matters she has raised should be approved and it should be left to Lord Acorus how he implements these orders when he returns to earth. Now we vote on contraception”.
All but the usual two raised their hand
s.
“Next, a human to travel on our star ship”.
Again the two voted no.
“Lastly the setting up of human prostitutes to teach our young men”.
All but two voted yes!
“Now I declare this meeting closed, thank you for attending”.
Turning to Jo and Ileya, the Queen asked them to accompany her to her private quarters. Jo walked beside the Queen and Ileya followed on her scooter. As they walked the Queen tucked an arm into Jo’s and said “Jo-Anna we are sisters now so in private I would like you to call me Andea. You have impressed me and I am looking forward to teaching you all you need to know about Scerior. We will have fun together; tell me was it Kylie who suggested the prostitutes?”
Hiding her surprise Jo answered “Yes it was her idea. Do you know her and how did you know it was her?”
“I don’t know her personally; I believe she is very nervous. Acorus told me about her terrible life on Earth”.
“Do you think it’s a good idea?” Jo asked.
“Yes I do, although I think it might be tricky to organise”.
“The idea is that they will organise themselves. They will be better off doing that here than working for some pimp on Earth”.
Andea frowned “Pimp? I do not know that word”.
“It means a man who promises to protect them if the girls give them money” Jo explained “Quite often they beat them up and get them on drugs, so the girls will do anything to get them. Surely your authorities must stop this”?
“They try to, but it is so widespread, all over Earth. Sometimes they are sold into what is called, the white slave trade and then, they just disappear” All the bad points about Earth suddenly hit Jo and she sighed sadly.
“Well, it would never happen here. Our world is run so that everybody has a good life. Any problems are placed before the Council and immediately sorted out” Andea couldn’t understand the dark sides of life on Earth.
“You have to remember, here you are all one people and are counted in millions. On Earth there are numerous races counted in trillions. Not so easy to manage especially as neighbour can hate neighbour” Jo pointed out.
“Why would neighbours hate each other?” Andea asked in surprise.
“Oh dear, a lot of it goes back centuries, and now a lot of it is about religion” Jo was getting out of her depth now.
“I have heard about religion. But what I can’t understand is why you have so many gods” Andea was now out of her depth in her understanding about Earth.
“I think you need to talk to someone a lot cleverer than me” Jo sighed.
Pausing before a beautifully carved door Andea waited for the, Escorii escorting them, to open it. Entering the apartment Jo was amazed to see Acorus taking his ease on one of the luxurious multi cushioned couches. When they were seen Acorus and another Sceriae male stood up.
“Oh good, you’re still here” and going to Acorus, Andea kissed him. Seeing Jo frown, Andea laughed and said “Jo-Anna, I think I ought to tell you that Acorus is my brother. That is why I called you sister!”
Jo looked at them in surprise; cross that he hadn’t informed her that he was royal. Andea turned to the other Sceriae and said “Pensus, my dear, may I present you to Acorus’s mate, Lady Jo-Anna. Pensus is my mate and my rock”.
Pensus moved towards Jo, bowed and taking her hand kissed it saying “It is a great pleasure to meet you. Acorus has told me much about you” his eyes twinkled with delight at her blush.
“Come sit down, have some refreshment” Andea pointed to the couches “Ileya, do you need help? You look very tired”.
Ileya bowed from the waist, not getting off her scooter “If you will excuse me, Andea, I would be grateful to return to my quarters. I am very tired; some on the Council attack my patience and wear me out”.
“Of course Ileya, you must not push yourself so much” Andea went to Ileya and kissed her cheek.
Acorus immediately went to her and said that he would escort her. To which Ileya answered that he must stay as they had so much to discuss. Turning to Jo she asked if they could meet the next day, to which Jo answered, of course. Then she said that she would send the vehicle and the guards back for Jo and Acorus.
When she had gone Acorus pulled Jo down next to him and Andea and Pensus sat on the other couch. Refreshments were laid out on the table and Pensus poured a drink for Jo and Andea. Acorus asked what had happened when he left the meeting. Andea told him what Jo had said causing Pensus to choke on his drink. Andea slapped him on his back and continued talking to Acorus saying “Your Jo-Anna is very forceful and all her suggestions were passed”.
“All” Acorus raised his eyebrows “They agreed to the pills?”
Pensus laughed and said “I must put my order in fast. My girls become pregnant so quickly I hardly ever get to mate with them!”
Jo’s mouth dropped open, and Andea laughed loudly “You two disgusting walking penises have shocked our new sister. Shame on you, get your mind back into your heads and out of your pants!”
Jo was so shocked she didn’t know what to do or say. Acorus was laughing at her but he said “You two behave yourselves. Jo doesn’t know you well enough to understand your wickedness”.
Pensus was doubled up with laughter and when Andea slapped him it made him even worse. Pulling her to him he buried his face in her hair. She said to Jo “Excuse us please. As you must realise Pensus is still a child. I only keep him because he amuses me”.
Pensue chuckled “And because I mate well!” Acorus held up his hand and told him to stop; Jo had had enough stress for one day.
“You are looking very surprised Jo. Did you not think we Sceriae can joke about mating? We take each other for life, although our females find that we do not want to mate very often in fact only to have young. Our males can persuade us to mate for their enjoyment; it really depends on the female and how much she likes the male. As I am barren, I never want to mate, but I enjoy Pensus’s company and try to make him happy, because he makes me happy all the time” Andea turned and kissed Pensus’ nose.
Speaking slowly Jo said” I’m not surprised at what you said, but in Britain our royal family are very correct and careful about how they behave. Of course, I don’t know how they are in private, they probably do joke with each other. Actually I like it that you are so human” Then realising what she had said, she laughed, “I never thought I’d say that about the ‘monsters’ who abducted me!”
There was silence for a second, then Andea asked “You thought we were monsters?”
“I’m afraid so. The Escorii were shocking enough, but when I saw Acorus and his soldiers in their body armour, they looked just like the monsters that we watch in our horror films. When I thought I was being brought here to mate with one I honestly thought I would die first” Jo looked at Acorus, laughed and said “Then he took off his armour and frightened me even more!”
It was Acorus’s turn to choke and Andea and Pensus teased him mercilessly. Then they settled down to work out how to go about all the things that Jo had suggested. The main thing Jo wanted to sort out was having a human on the star ship to help lesson the girl’s fears. The question came up about who would be suitable, and that was Jo’s opportunity. She put forward that she would be the perfect choice.
Acorus immediately vetoed the idea, pointing out that she was pregnant and easily tired.
Jo argued that she would be able to rest on the ship, exactly as she could on Scerior.
She would have the Escorii to look after her, and as one day she would be Queen, she could talk to the girls with authority as well as sympathy.
To her surprise Pensus backed her up, as well as Andea. She could see that Acorus was furious and knew that he would take her task later, but she was adamant that she wanted to go to Earth with him. She also point
ed out that as he was leaving the day after tomorrow there was no time to find the perfect human, At least she had met the Queen and Council and promised that she would be guided by Acorus and the Escorii. After all the Escorii had more to do with the girls than any of the Sceriae.
Pensus crudely said that he doubted whether the Escorii knew the girls more than the Sceriae males.
“I’m not talking about sex with a girl who has no choice” snapped Jo “I’m talking about how they think about things and nothing can be hidden from the Escorii as you should know”.
Pensus held up his hands “Whoa, I surrender. Remember, I am on your side” then in an aside to Acorus “I’m glad that you got this one, I fear she would be too much for me!”
Andea stepped in telling him to behave himself or she would send him to Earth with Acorus, that should calm him down, no mating for a month!
Then she told Acorus that Jo was right. She was the obvious choice. Acorus was furious, but sighed and bit his lip glowering at Jo “If I am overruled then I must insist that you do exactly as you are told at all times. If I think that you are tired you will rest”.
Smiling sweetly at him Jo said “Don’t I always do as you tell me?”
Andea burst out laughing, saying “You asked for this female, Acorus. It is your own fault”
“Sister, as always I bow to your command. It is time Jo retired, it has been a tiring day Thank you for your hospitality” and Acorus stood up pulling Jo with him. Kissing Andea on the lips, he saluted Pensus and said “I will have my revenge on you, at our next training session”.
Pensus saluted, lifting his eyebrows mockingly. Acorus led Jo out of Adea’s apartment, and as they got into the black vehicle, he bent over her and said “I will sort you out at home!”
Scerior Page 26
