Jo said sternly “Quiet. Sit down, all of you.
As Jo and the guards frowned at them, the girls sank down onto the chairs and sofas and became extremely quiet.
“I am Lady Jo-Anna, mate to Lord General Acorus. You have been abducted by a race called the Sceriae. If you behave yourselves, do as you are told and are polite to the Escorii, you will be well treated. You are being taken to a planet called Scerior, where you each will be given as mate, or if you prefer, wife, to a Sceriae male. Let me make this absolutely clear, you have no chance of escape, no choice but to accept your fate. Scerior has need of females, and humans are the only other race genetically close to the Sceriae. You are lucky to have been chosen to save an old advanced race from extinction. I hope you will be as happy with your mate as I have been with mine”.
As Jo stopped speaking there were gasps and sobs from the girls, Cries of ‘Oh my god’ ‘No’ and ‘daddy’ came from various girls. Some were quiet and sat staring at Jo in disbelief, unable to take in what she had said.
Jo called for quiet and continued, “I understand how shocked and terrified you all are. I also was abducted, was terrified and railed against my fate. However, once I realised that there is no escape, I decided to do my best to live a happy life. Forget all the horror stories of hideous aliens, doing hideous things to people, the Sceriae are no different to us. They are decent and honourable, and have a wonderful society. You will not be raped but treated as a respected wife. The path your life takes will be up to you. Now, I am happy to answer any questions you may have, only remember this, there will be no shouting, no bad language. Behave as the ladies you have been taught to be at your academy”.
With that Jo asked for a chair to be brought for her. Two of the guards moved forward to get it, and the girls nearest to it drew back in fear. Once the chair was in position Jo sat down admitting to herself that she was weary, and she wasn’t surprised when an Escorii brought her a drink. Smiling her thanks she took it and sipped it gratefully. Then calling the girls to gather round, she took notice of the braver ones, for future reference. One of these asked the first question which was how could they be expected to accept those monsters as husbands.
Jo laughed and told them that, firstly they had no choice, but more importantly they weren’t monsters, just men. Granted they were bigger than human men, but the same in every other way. Indicating two of the guards she ordered them to take their helmets off. Pleased that they obeyed immediately she watched the girl’s faces, noting the surprise and relief on most of their faces.
A girl said “It comes off, but it looks like their own skin!”
So Jo explained that, yes it came off because it was armour to protect the wearer in space. In fact she had one herself.
The usual questions came quickly after that, the why us, why do they need girls, will children be born normally etc. What was Scerior like, what was life like there and finally, would they ever be allowed to return home. As the girls were all behaving sensibly, Jo decided to eat with them as she had with the slave trade girls. When food was brought she told the remaining guards to remove their helmets and eat lunch with the girls.
It was obvious that the girls were surprised at how good looking the Sceriae were. Also their armour accentuated their muscles and physique. The young males quickly relaxed and soon were talking and laughing with the girls, telling them about Scerior and other planets they knew. A very pretty girl, who had been one of the quiet ones, approached Jo and asked if she could talk to her.
When Jo nodded, the girl who introduced herself as Naomi asked Jo what would happen if they refused to have sex with a Sceriae male.
“You have to understand, Naomi, the Sceriae are trying to avoid the extinction of their race. No female Sceria have been born for many years. Before that their female birth rate had fallen dramatically for the last three hundred years. If you don’t allow your mate to seduce you, he will have no choice but to rape you until you become pregnant. They don’t want that, they want a girl who will be a good mate to them. If you are, your life will be fantastic. Let me tell you, the Sceriae male is a fantastic lover, sex with one of them is mind blowing” Jo laughed “And if you allow yourself you will easily fall in love with him”.
“But I had decided that I didn’t want all that. I want a career, not to be looking after babies. You don’t understand, my life is ruined and I might as well be dead” Naomi cried passionately.
Jo laughed harshly, “That is how I felt, until I realised that I could do more with my life on Scerior than I ever would have been able to on Earth. You know as well as I do that it is very difficult for women on Earth to get to the top in their field. For everyone who makes it there are thousands who don’t. No matter all the talk of equality, it is usually the woman who looks after the children while trying to work as well. On Scerior it is mostly females who are doctors, scientists, inventors, bosses of business’. Some males do that too, but every male is in the army. Some full time, but most part time as Britain’s TA is. A Sceriae/ human baby only takes four and a half months from conception to birth. While pregnant, as I am now, we are looked after like princesses by the Escorii. We only feed the baby for a few weeks, then they go to a large nursery, as the Sceriae have always done, and are looked after by two Escorii. No one has money worries or any of that kind of thing, and if you want to work you are helped in every way possible. Give it a chance, Naomi, I tell you that if women on Earth are ever shown Scerior, they will be queuing up to go there!”
Naomi had listened to Jo attentively and when she had finished talking, sat thinking for a while. Then she said “What happens if we categorically refuse to have anything to do with this breeding programme?”
The way she said breeding programme was so contemptuous that it infuriated Jo. Standing up Jo glared at her. The guards saw that she was angry and all came to her side, all replacing their helmets.
Then Jo said “We are currently collecting high class call girls, to teach young males, who have never mated, how to treat, human females. But I am sure the males on this ship will enjoy practising on a body like yours!”
Knowing what she was doing, the six Sceriae advanced on Naomi, eyes gleaming through their armour.
“No, no. I didn’t mean I wouldn’t. I just wanted to know what would happen to anyone foolish enough to refuse” Naomi cried backing up.
“Now you know. A fulfilled happy, comfortable life or prostitution!” Jo snapped, then quietly in Naomi’s ear, “If you ever speak contemptuously again about the Sceriae’s attempt to save themselves from extinction you will wish I’d had you killed at this moment. Take care Naomi, you will be watched”.
Then turning to the guard nearest to her Jo said “Put her across your knee and slap her bare bottom a dozen times. Not too hard, don’t mark her, just let her feel your power”.
Jo stepped away as he grabbed Naomi by the hair and reaching for a seat, sat down, and laid her across his knee. As she screamed and tried to kick, he easily kept her still with one enormous hand, and pulling her kaftan up to expose her bare backside, he commenced to slap her slowly. As her cheeks turned red Naomi’s screams and kicks turned to sobs. When he had administered the dozen slaps he caressed her bottom and said to Jo “Are you sure this is enough? She would certainly be welcome in our mess!”
The other guards laughed and Jo said “Enough for now. Let us see how she behaves in future”.
Standing up the guard tumbled Naomi to the ground. She was so terrified she didn’t even attempt to cover herself, but her Escorii came forward and helped her up so her kaftan covered her.
Jo looked round the room “In the past, before I was put in charge of your welfare, Naomi would probably be dead now. I will say this once more, if you do as you are told you will have a great life, if not...” and Jo shrugged and turned away. As she left the room there was complete silence behind her.
Once outside the room with the door closed behind them Jo turned to the guard who had smacked Naomi, “I apologise if you found that distasteful. But if we hadn’t shown her how easily she could be punished, I am sure that she would have eventually caused trouble”.
“I am at your service Lady Jo-Anna. It was not distasteful at all, I hardly touched her”.
From his tone Jo could tell that he was grinning to himself. Smiling at him she said “That is as much strength as you will ever use with a female while I am responsible for their welfare”.
“Yes, my lady” he answered saluting her.
Heading back to the hangar deck Jo decided that she would visit the star ship that Natalie and the fourteen other girls, who had been returned to Earth had been on. The girls on that ship must already be terrified after seeing the fourteen stripped naked. They had been left with the thought that the girls were going to be multi raped, and as they hadn’t returned they probably assumed that all fifteen were dead. Sitting in the fighter ship that was ferrying her and her escorts, Jo tried to decide what to say. She couldn’t tell them that the fifteen had been returned to Earth but surely she needed to reassure them a little?
Frowning to herself she admitted that although it, hopefully, wouldn’t be a violent painful rape, it would be forced intercourse. If only they had only taken girls from the slave trade, it would make her conscience much easier.
Then shaking her head she told herself that no matter what she did, girls would still have been taken from Earth. The Sceriae were determined that their race would survive. At least Jo could try to make some things better for both species, human girls and Sceriae males.
The captain who had taken the star ship over from Acorus greeted her on his hangar deck. He was very polite and deferential to Jo and happily informed her that there had been no further trouble from the human females. They had been very quiet and subdued since the fifteen had been taken away. Jo thanked him and with her four guards, Tchu and Tjai made her way to the girls’ quarters. The two guards at the door saluted her and opened the door.
Walking into the room, Jo noted how quiet it was. The girls were sitting close together, not eating or talking, just staring into space. When Jo walked in with her guards there were muted gasps, immediately quietened. The girls tried to make themselves invisible, and not draw attention to themselves. As the guards fanned out on either side of Jo the girls’ Escorii came into the room. Seeing Jo, Tchu and Tjai came forward to greet them. Jo bowed and asked why the girls were in such a bad way.
The Escorii elder told Jo that the shock of the fifteen being taken away had really affected the girls. They were certain that they would suffer the same fate. They would not believe the Escorii, that they would be well treated and had refused to separate into their individual cubicles. So they hadn’t had a shower, massage or a decent rest. The Escorii hadn’t wanted to call in a lot of Sceriae soldiers to manhandle the girls as they felt that would traumatise them more. Some were even refusing to eat or drink and were dehydrated.
Furious Jo asked why she hadn’t been told about this. The elder took a step back; such was the force of Jo’s anger. Then she told Jo that the star ship’s captain had been told, but he had ignored the Escorii’s concern. He just wanted the girls to be kept quiet. Sighing, Jo told the Escorii to fetch fresh food and drink. Then making a difficult decision she turned to all her guards and told them to leave.
The two who usually guarded her shook their heads and said that General Acorus had given strict instructions that she was not left unguarded.
“Look, these girls are petrified by you. They might listen to me if you aren’t here. The Escorii can easily handle these girls. Do as I tell you and I will deal with General Acorus” Jo said sternly.
Still looking unconvinced, the guard told Jo that they would stand outside the door but with it slightly open, so they could intervene if worried about her safety. Realising that this was a reasonable concession Jo agreed. The guards filed out and Jo moved further into the room. Tchu and Tjai stood very close to her ready to act if needed. When she reached the corner where the girls were huddled, some dared to look up at her.
Smiling she said “Hi, I’m Joanna Collins from Leeds. Why don’t you sit on the chairs, you’ll be much more comfortable, and we can have a chat. I’m starving so food and drink is being brought. I hope you’ll join me in eating it”.
A few of the girls went to move but others pulled them back, warning them not to trust these aliens.
Sitting in a chair Jo carried on talking “I know that you are all frightened to death.
And the reason I know how you feel is because I was abducted in the same way. I had such plans for my life and in one split second it was all gone. However I was determined that I would live. So look at me now. I am Lady Jo-Anna, mate to Lord Acorus, second lady of Scerior, one day to be first lady. I’m happy, living a busy, fulfilled life on the beautiful planet of Scerior. Waited on like a princess and looking forward to the birth of my daughter. It will take you some time to adjust. No one knows that better than me, but if you let yourselves, all of you will have a good life”.
Some of the girls actually looked up at Jo and two actually moved closer. One of the two said “You say you are human, yet you order those monsters about. And you say you are pregnant, by the chief monster. How can you live with that? It won’t be a baby, it’ll be a monster, and it’ll probably kill you!”
Jo burst out laughing, not completely naturally, “You are so typical of how I felt, but unless you trust someone you will not survive. I have been appointed to care for your welfare, to make sure you are healthy and happy”.
As the Escorii came in carrying trays of food and drink, Tchu went to fetch some for Jo. Seeing Tchu getting the food for Jo the other Escorii in the room urged their charges to eat.
Taking the plate from Tchu and thanking her, Jo told Tchu and Tjai to fetch food for themselves. Seeing this the girl’s Escorii took food for themselves and sat down to eat with Jo. The smell of the food, and seeing Jo and the Escorii eat drew many girls to the table. Once they had their plates full and their beakers full of liquid these girls sat on chairs and not back on the floor.
The girls still on the floor one by one gave in to their hunger and thirst, and soon all were sitting eating.
Jo talked to the Escorii about different things, the animals and vegetation, the shops and her new baby. Then she told them about the music, books and films she had collected on Earth to take back with them. Slowly but surely the girls started to ask questions about the Escorii, the Sceriae, why they had been abducted and finally about the fifteen who were taken away. Were they dead, raped or being tortured? Why was Natalie taken, she hadn’t been causing trouble?
“Oh” Jo thought “it’s not the fourteen trouble makers being taken that’s upset them. It’s the thought that ‘one not causing trouble’ had been taken. It could be any one of them next”.
Making a decision Jo said “I will tell you honestly about Natalie and the other fourteen”.
Then she proceeded to tell them why Natalie had been sent home and also why the fourteen had been returned to Earth. She told them that the trouble makers would never have given life on Scerior a chance, also as they were still so close to Earth it was easier to just get rid of them. And before they asked, she told them that, no, they would not be going back, Scerior needed them. Then she told them to let the Escorii look after them, and they would be like mothers to them. Saying that she was sorry as she knew how hard it was, but it was survivable, and hopefully one day they would be as happy as they were on Earth, maybe even happier.
“Happy, being raped by monsters” one of the braver or more foolish ones said.
“Firstly” sighed Jo “They are not monsters. Secondly they don’t want to rape you. Think of it as an arranged marriage and let them seduce you, believe me they are great lovers!”
/> “Lovers!” another girl said “They’re monsters!”
“Right” Jo said “Let us show you what monsters they really are” and she sent Tchu for the guards.
As they came in the girls drew back in fear once again. On Jo’s order they all took their helmets off. There was a combined gasp from the girls and many questions. The guards answered many questions until one girl had the courage to say “Well, their faces are normal but what about their bodies?”
Jo smiled and said “Their armour only covers their muscles, it doesn’t enhance them”.
The guard nearest the girl turned to her and said “Take me to your cubicle and I will show you what my body is like!”
The girl went red and stepped back, but her body language said that she was attracted to him. Another girl asked “What if we don’t like the man we are married to?”
“That is what I am going to be doing, trying to make sure you are compatible”, Jo told them “Look I will do my best for you, but you have to try too. You have to accept what has happened to you. I hope you will react as I did, determined to survive and have a fulfilled life. Now I must go as I am very busy and as you can see, pregnant. So please excuse me”.
Jo stood up and the guards joined her pulling on their helmets. Heading back to the hangar deck, Jo decided that she would have a close watch put on the captain of this star ship.
Maybe he was decent and thought that as long as the girls were quiet they were alright. All the same Jo felt a distrust of him.
Asking Tchu to speak to the Escorii on this ship, to ask them to send regular updates on the girls’ welfare, she decided just to report the captain to Acorus. In the meantime she would have him watched. On the fighter ship back to her star ship she had to admit that it was getting harder to keep going, she was extremely tired. When they got back to her quarters, Tchu insisted that she got straight into bed, which she was happy to do. Once again, in minutes she was fast asleep.
Scerior Page 46
