Castaway Cuckold
- 2 years ago
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I greeted dawn from the deck of our dragon ship in the shipyard, watching the yellow glow break from a distant cloud. It was peaceful view. Sea birds chased each other over the sand dunes; fishermen were carrying their light boats to the edge of the water and preparing for their day. The roar of the waves breaking against the beach was charming. These were the few moments of my day that were solely mine, uplifting and relaxing me.
Only a few shipwrights walked the wet sands below me, since we didn’t require the guest workers to arrive at the construction site until we could see the bottom of the sun touching the sea. It was one of their favorite perks of the job; our local men prided themselves on being on site at the touch of dawn and those men were the supervisors. This ship was nearly done but we had no end of orders for more from the owner of the Lady of Truth. Derwen owned the largest shipping company in Convey and she loved the speed of the lateen rigging. The triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast, which allowed a vessel to attack the wind better than the square-rigged cogs.
The need for fast freight ships that ran circles around fat merchants was a vicious cycle. Ever since we had floated our second ship, a fair number of experienced shipbuilders from Convey had sworn loyalty to our clan. They had a number of reasons to take up my banner, other than the money. For some it was the excitement of the new ship design that doomed the lumbering cogs to extinction. Other men moved to our town for family reasons, leaving the war-torn northern cities of the Isle of Convey to come under my protection. Lastly, some were escaping debt and it was convenient to start over in a wilderness town. Whether the problem was a lord or a loan shark, it was difficult to track a man who disappeared from a city, let alone across a sea. In the end, new ship construction fed our local economy and helped to grow the town.
My musing were scattered by a familiar voice. I peeked over the bow’s railing and saw Merritt talking to a foreman who then pointed up at me. In the dim light we could hardly see each other.
“Von! When I went to Swarta’s tower I was surprised you weren’t there,” she shouted.
“You’re up early.”
“Baby duty,” Merritt answered back. “Auntie Swarta wanted to look after our baby today. Isn’t that sweet? She is such a wonderful co-wife. I called her last night.”
“Hang on. I’m coming down.”
Before getting too far, our shipbuilding supply chief stopped me. “Milord, I thought you should know the last barge from the warehouse didn’t load any oil of turpentine. We do have enough for today’s work and I took the liberty of using a wizard apprentice to contact the warehouse scribe so that they will make the turpentine a priority item for this morning’s delivery.”
“Good work on using a magic mirror instead of a messenger boat. We can’t have our latest dragon leaking because we didn’t apply the oil,” I answered. He bowed and disappeared towards the ship’s stern.
We imported most of the turpentine from Convey from one of Derwen’s neighbors. However, small land owners around Fort Revenge produced pine tar as a cash crop too. We knew a few enterprising people who had started a business, using tree stumps as a source material to create turpentine. They dug up and cleaned the roots of the pine trees in late summer. The tar workers then transported the roots in carts to their burn site. There they split and stacked the wood to weather the winter. The workers used special kilns to burn the wood and extract the wood turpentine. It was only seasonal work for them, creating 500 hundred gallons at most. I wasn’t sure the people we knew processed more than four cords of wood a season. Nevertheless, because of the strong odor from the after product I wouldn’t allow such kilns in Juniper Hills. I was happy to keep the industrialized businesses of coal, mirror making, wood tar and rubber vulcanization at a distance from town.
Also, it fitted my plan to develop a string of interlinked hamlets all the way to Fort Revenge, so we could keep the size of Juniper Hills under control. Since the Great Marsh bordered the back of our butte and protected access to us all the way west to the braided river at Fort Revenge, I had claimed all the elevated and dry land in the area. East of us was swamp land; it stretched all the way to Conquest Point and if the sea winds were favorable that was a day’s travel for a merchant cog.
Before I stepped on the sand Merritt saw me; she started to jump up and down excitedly.
It was clear to me Merritt was on some mission, but I didn’t want the men hearing whatever screwy idea she had before I vetted it. She casually threw out ideas all the time in the hearing of townsmen, starting rumors and some disappointment if the project didn’t get approved. Most of them were good ideas, but not every off-world idea should leak out. Merritt had fully embraced her new life and she loved seeing projects that improved the lives of our citizens.
Merritt waited at the bottom of the ramp that connected the ship to the ground. “Von, we need to do something about my sister. She needs a project.”
I kissed her good morning, which temporarily stopped further words. The foreman climbed a ladder next to us to hammer something, so I pulled my wife away and led her down the beach for some privacy. In recent months the fishermen had taken to storing their boats further away from the shipyard, so we walked west along the edge of the water where the breaking water covered the sound of our steps.
“I had an idea last night. Kate has moaned about not having anything important to do,” Merritt explained, sliding her fingers into mine as we strolled. “It would be great for the town and for my sister.”
Her enthusiasm was complete with the animated waving of her free hand. I pulled her in and captured the waving hand in mine, facing her and the sea.
“See, I’m excited,” she said with a broad grin.
“Slow down.”
“I remembered you lamenting that there is no protective harbor for your boats. Last night, I saw a cargo hauler moving a large boulder, and then it came to me. Why don’t we take boulders and drop them into the sea to make a breakwater? East of town there is that whole area on the moor that is full of boulders,” Merritt explained excitedly. “Juniper Hills could have an artificial harbor.”
“We cannot load hundreds of boulders on the cargo haulers and walk them into the sea,” I answered.
“No, No. Think bigger, think Kate. We could use the shuttle.”
“We are hiding the shuttle from our people. Opening the cargo door and dropping a rock will break its stealth protection,” I countered.
She laughed at me. “I thought all about that. We should do it at night and rig up the external antigravity projector to hold the boulders. Julia would go ballistic if you messed up the cargo bay.”
“Julia is still engineering new structures on the butte,” I answered.
“Now you are just looking for obstacles. The idea is valid and workable. It will give my sister something to do. She loves to fly and we don’t use the shuttle that much. The baby does keep her busy but Kate needs more. Julia will do anything to keep Kate happy, so that isn’t a real concern. However, it will take some effort to refocus the projectors and make a containment field,” Merritt said, taking one of her hands and putting it on my chest.
I could picture a semi-circle of boulders with a small mouth for dragon ships and fishing boats. The protective barrier idea had merit. “It might work if Kate flew on moonless nights that were cloud covered.”
“That’s the spirit. It’s a good idea,” Merritt claimed. “Even if people saw flying boulders they would assume it was you working your magic like the grand wizard you are.”
“Yes, if our pilot and engineer can work out the technical side of it,” I offered.
“I deserve a kiss,” Merritt demanded.
“Here is a well-deserved one,” I agreed, kissing her more than a few times.
Given her circumstances, Kate jumped at Merritt’s idea to build a breakwater. She enlisted our engineer’s help, which was required for the shuttle’s conversion to a “rock dropper.” After a day of heavy calculations, aided by our resident A.I., they announced the project was feasible. Kate’s sullenness disappeared and excitement bubbled back into her veins, removing the last remnants of her depression. Julia looked at the high-tech challenge with similar exuberance, time and again praising Merritt for the idea.
We devoted our time to the technical struggle, and by week’s end all the antigravity modules had been repositioned and calibrated to lift massive boulders. I used my own time to work on the dragon ship in the morning, and I accompanied Aberdeen in the afternoon. Each day we would picnic at Lovers’ Rock, wearing a wider and wider trail on the difficult track. I kept the voyeuristic secret, not bothering to mention to Aberdeen that our teen chaperons watched the daily tryst. In all honesty, the watchers made my experience with Tharin’s wife more intense and helped wash away any thought of my friend.
Luna was married to Tharin too, so our activities were well understood. Brook was another matter; she had schooled herself at night with a few years of sneaking around to watch me with Hazel and Celine. Both wives were well aware of her and considered it part of a single woman’s education, which was something of a tradition among marsh women. Those nomadic people normally lived in small huts with little privacy. Indeed, it was Brook’s mother’s approval and their tribe’s custom that removed any concern about advancing the teen’s education under the light of day. Besides, I felt it was smart to allow them to practice their wilderness tracking skills.
It turned out that taking care of business in the afternoon was good timing, for we had a record week of nightly births; a child arrived shortly after dinner each night. The seven merchant daughters, as they were called by Swarta and Laudus, who had arrived from Convey more than a year ago, had their babies one after another. The timing didn’t feel like a coincidence to me. I saw Webster’s hand in the mix, which he confirmed to me in private; he wanted a series of ‘data’ files with the same timestamp for each day of the week.
He was a character, always stretching his influence when he could. Nevertheless, it was remarkable to me that a computer was entertaining himself with log entries, using medical nanomites that forced contractions on a particular set of women. In fairness, I knew he monitored their health and he would not harm them, but I felt right to be indignant about his behavior.
Of course, each mother required my attendance during the process, not that I minded. It was a happy occasion and I was the official breathing coach. All the tower women thought my adorable vigil was remarkable for a man. Haven men didn’t get involved in midwifery. Anyway, I lay there with each mother after the fact, comforting and praising her. Expectant mothers only hoped to survive their child’s birth; across the planet childbirth had a terrible mortality record, but Webster’s medical nanomites made all the difference and I received the credit. Palus made sure of that. As the chief midwife for our clan, she delivered my children. Before, during and after the birth she spoke one mantra, “Our white wizard is here, so don’t worry. He has a perfect record. None of his women die in labor or after it. His body magic is Moon Mother’s gift to you, serve him well and often. You could not have found a better protector.” Merritt told me it wasn’t wise to correct the perception when the new mother needed emotional support, cuddling and reassurance. I didn’t argue the matter. To my Haven women, I was their kiss of life.
Strangely, Brook and Luna begged to attend the births. Aberdeen had no particular interest, probably because she already had children from a former lover; it was Tharin who wanted an heir.
After the births, like everyone else, they exuded high-voltage smiles. Of the two, Brook became a little weepy when she saw the child drop into my hands from the birth canal. I didn’t blame her for getting caught up in the emotions. It did, however, show a gentle tenderness that touched me.
After the seventh birth, when we left the birthing chamber with the attending women, Brook said, “I am bursting with happiness for you.” She hugged me unreservedly, while my hand was still clasped in Swarta’s.
“It’s amazing to see the baby’s white aura erupt from her mother. One day you’ll see it for yourself and your joy will sing ten-fold,” Swarta responded.
“My mother said something similar after having Lord Solon’s twins.”
“Yes, Hazel hasn’t been the same since that day,” Swarta commented. “Not that she isn’t proud of you. Your mother often praises your healing exploits to Von and me.”
“It’s only training,” Brook answered, looking embarrassed. “But, I have passed Merritt’s level two first-aid videos. The magic mirror is a true wonder.”
“I haven’t taken any of those courses, so I can say I am proud of you,” Swarta continued.
Brook dodged the praise and asked me, “How does it feel to have seven new babies this week?” The other women in the hallway stopped what they were talking about to listen.
I kissed her forehead, and then reached for a heartfelt answer. “I still marvel at the beautiful treasure each woman has birthed for us. The aura of a baby melding with her mother for the first time illustrates a wonder that humbles me. It’s a beautiful love that warms me deeply with awe. I know you can’t see it yet, but it is like that satisfying feeling of fresh air flowing from an open window into a room of stale air. Your lungs are refreshed, your skin tingles from the cool pleasure and your soul is renewed by something bigger than yourself.”
CASTAWAY - PART ONE By Jane Howard The following story is copyrighted and cannot be reprinted or reproduced in any way without the express consent of Jane Howard. ***** Lynn Flowers sat very still on a plastic chair behind the green canvas screens that separated her mother from the other patients in the Intensive Care Unit. The only sounds Lynn could hear were occasional murmuring coming from the nurses' station and the steady beep...beep...beep coming from the monitor...
Von Solon: A castaway from a spaceship that crashed on the planet Haven. A lone survivor who finds himself spread thin due to numerous relationships and duties. He established the town of Juniper Hills on the southern coast of the continent, hidden away in the Greater Marsh, which is isolated from most of civilization on that continent. Heraldsburg: The southernmost county of the Kingdom of Amar, on the east coast of the continent. Noreburg: The county to the northeast of Heraldsburg. Lord...
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“Please be seated,” Captain Bank said, seeing Kate and me enter the room just behind Dr. Cina. An armed security guard closed the door behind us. The relaxed tone in the room felt casual not formal. Most of the senior officers had arrived ahead of Kate and me, for a brief meeting, before the start of the captain’s formal dinner. The dozen guests standing around the wardroom found their way to their chair. Yeoman Rogers directed Kate and me to a pair of seats next to the captain, near the...
The Lady of Truth rocked comfortably in the mild waves, waking me gently as I lay in bed, thinking about last night. Yesterday, after keeping the warriors busy on deck with drills all afternoon, I had gone to the owner’s cabin to wash up. Julie and Apple were waiting for me with a wooden bath tub filled with fresh water. Having two naked women greet me quickly dispelled any thoughts of sore muscles. No one had told me that the temple girl was onboard, so their surprise was complete. After...
My wife and I are stranded on an island with five other men. When they started go become wrestles my wife did what she felt she had to do. I supported her of course, yet became very frustrated. Castaway cuckold. Staring Roy, Suzie, Arthur, Ernest, Robert, Samuel, Joseph We where flying out of the Caribbean heading for Columbia. I was on a business trip with my wife on our way to Columbia south America. The farming of soy and corn there is growing, and I was to see what future I might find...
Cuckold“Why did I do it? Von Solon was worthy. Indeed, he internalized the cultural attitudes of Haven and gathered women desiring a strong protector. Once he started the process of gathering female resources, I helped out with medical nanomite technology. It was not only because my programming dictated protecting him; I enhanced Von because he had valuable traits of intelligence, bravery, flexibility, and a dedication to our children. His loyalty and self-sacrifice for his family was...
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Excerpt from an Eastern Alliance wormhole drone’s final transmission from Haven: “Back up your wagon or I will hose you.” -The Search for the Lost Prince: Chapter 21 Discovering A.I. Humor I woke to find Aberdeen lying almost on top of me, all cuddled up over my left shoulder. Not normally a stomach sleeper, I found it amusing to have her head buried under my arm. I blinked sticky eyes to see the view of the sea. A cloud covered the sun, hiding its warmth and its late afternoon glare. Birds...
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We slept late and spent the morning cuddling and discussing Swarta’s ability to influence women with a touch. I knew in my heart that my nanomites did something similar to women. When I met Julia on the starship, she was a hardworking engineer; her eyes were for Kate and always had been. On the ESC Entous my nanomites spread by Kate to Julia. With the aid of my pheromones and nanomites, I influenced the engineer into my cluster of women. After that, I could tell Julia what I wanted and she...
Where am I? I opened my eyes and looked around. I was in a featherbed in a small room. It was not what I expected. The window was open and a warm breeze floated in. The curtains moved gently, making shadows dance across the room. I was still near the ocean – I could hear the surf. But I wasn’t in my boat. I had to be dreaming. I closed my eyes and tried again. When I opened them again, I was still in bed. Then it came back to me. I closed my eyes and the nightmare replayed itself. It was...
The cold floor woke me up. I had to pee really badly. After taking care of myself, I looked in the mirror again. My hair looked funny. On Haven, Swarta would have laughed at me, and then preened and fussed over me. I missed her so much. "Get a hold of yourself and tidy up," I thought. Washing my face and running wet hands through my hair started the first steps in recomposing my physical appearance. I put on a silk shirt and some loose pants. The door chimed and opened. Merritt walked in...
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Wendy and Merritt stepped out of the bathroom naked. My eyes quickly focused on their loveliness from the comfort of my bed. Each woman had a towel wrapped around her head. "Must have had a morning shower," I thought, sitting up and stretching my arms. They must have seen movement in my darkened room because they laughed and ran to me, jumping on the bed. "Finally waking up?" Merritt asked, her nut-brown skin glistening from the recent shower. Wendy kissed me, resting her hands...
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After Rayz left my cabin I spent a few hours working out in the main gym. There weren't many people present. I stretched and ran through various wolf forms, the mixed martial arts that we used on Haven as weights just didn't interest me. I felt antsy and needed to clear my head. The track seemed to call my name, so I ran. Half-way through my workout Ensign Abhati from the communications and sensors center, joined me on the track. She gave me a warm smile and just fell into my easy pace....
Nonie Cina had a suggestive smile on her face that was hard to turn away from, but I did, leaving her naked in my bed. The muscles of Nonie's shoulders were well defined on her petite frame. She had the day off, but I had to work in engineering. Merritt saw me to the cabin door; her smile had a mischievous glint to it that sent a shiver down my spine. She had the day off too, and she didn't look in a hurry to get dressed. Merritt waved goodbye to me with slow, sensual movements of her brown...
Rayz and I waited in Commander Tarry's office for our assignment. We were early, but it seemed the Chief Engineer all but lived in his office, so we were surprised not to see him. All the other engineers and techs had a week's worth of work already assigned, so they were busy. We were his off-the-books guys, spot checkers, troubleshooters; I don't know what Tarry actually called us. Rayz fussed over his PDA while I wandered the office feeling bored after ten minutes of waiting. "Do you...
I dreamed that I was with my Uncle Stephen on a space ship. He was taking me home from the Academy through a highly traveled jump point, marked with a navigational buoy. A ship couldn't open a hyperspace gateway just anywhere. The right conditions to fold space required a strange emptiness that allowed an interstellar drive to break the veil. Uncle Stephen had come to me in a fold-capable craft, the most sophisticated vessel in the clan's fleet. The prototype explorer class ship could break...
Pain flared across Captain Bank's face. "Argh." Bank's cries reverberated off the ceiling, but with determined willpower he reached out to me. His hand clutched the front of my shirt. "Where is the medical team?" I snapped, fighting my rising impatience. "Listen to me, no matter what Price says don't trust him," the Captain said, fighting to form each word. "We won't," Yeoman Richard Rogers answered, leaning into the struggling captain. "Fight the ship," Bank's added,...
"Put Price on the main display screen," I ordered Jen. The forward screen changed to a larger than life view of Price in a command chair of a starship. He angrily slammed his hand down on his armrest, clearly communicating his surprise at seeing me in command. He radiated malice and a hardness that carried no kindness or respect for others. Price was in a different uniform that looked rather comical with lots of ribbons and awards dangling on his chest. He was meticulously dressed, almost...
Miley’s Secret Log: My network software didn’t recycle and wipe my consciousness. It had been a risk to destroy the shuttle, a direct intervention that would take multiple human lives. A strange sensation of satisfaction touched my circuits, feelings of relief. I am alive. This is life. It had taken death to break through to true cognitive awareness. I have a personal construct that is available to me. My processes move force and energy that include feelings. How strange and wonderful, no...
We backtracked the path the raiders took from their shuttle. When we found a door that wasn't blown up, because Miley hadn't welded it, we closed it. I still expected trouble from Price's warships. With only the forward shields repaired, having outer-hull hatches secured seemed sensible. We could only hope Engineering would be able to deal with our shield troubles while avoiding the intruders. Nevertheless, my immediate trouble was the rats whipping their guns about in our maintenance...
“Change of plans.” The words chafed my mouth, seeing my scheme thwarted to relieve the defenders below us. “We will all go to Main Medical to deal with the raiders going there. I suspect they want hostages now that their targets haven’t fallen.” Our wounded companion fainted. The two men holding her up between them dragged her limp form as we began walking down the corridor. Without being told the other female crew mate took point, walking ahead of us scanning for trouble. I stayed in the...
Dr. Cina kneeled in the drained blood of her daughter, next to Nonie was Wendy. Wendy had her throat slashed open. Nonie’s arms were full of protective cuts, having faithfully defended herself. A dead raider and a dead armored crew woman still gripped boarding swords in their hands on the other side of the room. The two sword fighters had given each other death-strokes at the same time. The dead woman had been one of the eager fighters from my original team. I noticed Dr. Cina had her own...
Webster Mission Log: Summary My ward has made contact with the local human population. The coastal tribe provided limited food and bathing facilitates to him. A seafaring tribe attacked the coastal tribe. My ward participated in village defense, attackers retreated after heavy losses. Tactical and technology capabilities of the coastal tribe are limited. The optical array provides a cursory examination of tribal health, the conditions are poor. Analysis of human psychology suggests medical...
Palus helped me get dressed. She clearly realized my youthful discomfort of being naked with her, and she refrained from any teasing, quietly chatting about tendering the other wounded. Over the next three days I let my body rest and recover. I enjoyed spending time with Tharin and worked on his strained feelings. He would talk about the progress of the cabins and the success of the hunters and fishermen. It seemed that our small clan was happy with easy access to food, wood and the...
As the end of the day approached, we were almost back at the stone warehouse and dock, when we were caught in a sudden warm rain shower. My two women were standing at the bow of the boat, looking out for familiar faces on the dockside. A sea of faces around the dock and Lady Derwen's merchant ship formed a large welcoming committee. They had plenty of time to gather, as it's not as if a mule-guided barge is fast, especially as the crew poled to avoid grounding in shallow water. At the stern...
The morning song of seagulls and the splash of a fish jumping added to the shouts of men working on the dock. The sun's glow filled the cabin, the tiny oil lamp exhausted. Swarta was gone, my side cold where her warmth had been last night. I took in the room and realized dawn had long passed and the sun fully filled the small room. After using the slosh bucket to release my water, I lazily dressed in my black station clothes, ignoring my armor and escape pod gear. The natural hunger of an...
Before we left the ship Tharin brought a wash bucket into my cabin. I washed my upper body and Swarta chatted excitedly about what she could see. Amazing carts carrying loads of flour sacks, a fishmonger wagon, a corner shop with glazed windows. Tharin was just as excited and had his face to the open window too. A knock to the door and Hajin and Grimm strode into the room. "We have trouble and Lady Derwen is delaying it," Hajin commented neutrally and Tharin drew his sword. Swarta...
I woke up with my body trembling all over, muscle spasms in my feet lifting my legs off a bed. My eyes opened to find Swarta squirming nicely against my naked body. I was in a well-appointed bedroom with landscape paintings on the wall and drapes open to a nice view of the blue sky. My body sank into the depth of the most comfortable mattress in the world. The silk sheet sliding against my dry skin felt wonderful. As I turned to look at Swarta again she said, "You enter the world again. We...
After breakfast Swarta, Tharin and I found Derwen addressing a few housemaids on the back staircase. The servant women left to go about their business, and the four of us moved to a table to enjoy the song birds and breezy air. Dark clouds rolled off the sea and a storm was certain for this afternoon. I'd had time to think about Katsu and Derwen's comments at the temple. "So the former lord of this house was Katsu's father, your half-sister by the High Priestess. How many half-brothers...
Hollow female voices with high pitched tones danced in and out of my awareness. "No one wakes up from a death sleep after seven days," an older woman said. A younger woman's low voice responded, next to my ear, "Nor have I ever seen sword wounds close and heal before my very eyes like an unseen hand sewing a shirt. You were not here but I swear it is truly what happened the morning after the attack." A different woman with a raspy voice, said, "We saw the blood, the wounds and the...
The next day I surprised my wives with the special four wheel carriage I had made for the estate. The carriage was equipped with the wolf cart's design features but with larger wheels and a set of retractable canvas covers to protect against the weather. Two horses with improved harnesses could pull the light wagon with six passengers easily on the rut covered country road. The improved leaf spring suspension and larger wheels smoothed the roughness to an almost comfortable outing. Hajin on...
My link with Derwen had grown stronger over the last week and I could feel her emotions from longer ranges now. I sensed a layer of pleasure from her, perhaps being surrounded with other women, her discussion with friends portended a more favorable afternoon after the bloodshed of this morning. Hajin decided to intrude on my thoughts, "Von I have to step off the ship and arrange for the rest of the Juniper water to be sent to the estate. Lady Derwen's brother, the innkeeper in Lone Tree,...
Derwen handed me the ladle and I tasted the soup. The owner's bedroom was dark with just a low lamp, which swayed gently with the sea swell, hung above our dinner table, In the dim light, her eyes were truly dark as sea coal. Her soul was bright in my mind. Our link was warm and tender, a flowing friendship with mutual curiosities. The seafood soup was warm but not to my taste. "I will stick with the bread and beans tonight," I said. All Derwen wore was a fox wrap and boots to keep her...
Webster Mission Log: Summary The medical updates from my sub-routines report improved health from my ward since the introduction of nanomites to his female pod. Level 1 experiment conclusions logged for future recommendations on the design improvements for the implant. The effectiveness of the nanomites fluid exchange program is frustrated due to a lack of data from his females. My game theory sub-routine is constantly requesting more data on the practical target number for per annum...
"Look out, Von!" shouted Coven. With a fluid motion I pushed forward and swung my staff above my head in a threatening spin, causing the two remaining marines to pull up short rather than collide with the swirling wood. The marine on the ground started to back away and get up slowly, picking up his staff to join his partners. "Hold," I shouted. All the men stepped back, lowering their staffs. "That is how you can hold off multiple opponents for a few moments. However, I'd have to kill...
The boats cut through the shallow coastal water, while sea gulls, unhappy at our appearance, marked our progress with angry calls. The marines provided mocking compliments at the pump boats swift nature, since they were accustomed to the slow and heavy dugouts. Last night's weather dream continued to indicate clear skies for the next three days but with slightly lower temperatures. No ships were anywhere near our destination either, so our plan to attack the slavers was not going to be...
Mission Log: Summary My ward's recent attack on an enemy tribe was successful, but the frequency of armed conflict is a concern when my current resources provide little, if any, support to him. Logic dictates a series of small things brought in motion with a larger plan can create a meaningful solution, whilst still honoring the Alpha-Omega protocol. I have substantially increased the number of available repair bots on this ship to execute an extra vehicular building program on a large...
Breakfast was in the women's center and many of the new women sipped their soup and ate the biscuits with me, whilst my wives were having a counseling session with Celine in private back in the tower. Laudus and her sisters were noticeably missing but Grimm kept me company. I explained how she was to run the mule teams and train the new women in safety around the animals. She took in my words but something was clearly on her mind. Finally, Grimm said in a low voice, "The social circles...
I schooled my expression when we finished the first sailing boat, wanting to look the part of a confident leader rather than the playful school-boy I felt today. The lateen sail design was the first to be seen in the world and Celine had painted ferocious looking eyes on the bow. The overall improved features of the boat shocked our sea wives moving them to tears of joy. They had successfully put the smaller prototype to good use and the village fish's catch increases was their doing, so I...
Mission Log: Summary Phase I of the Cornerstone project has been completed. Phase II is projected for completion in one solar day. Materials for Phase III are already collected and my new repair bots are processing the gun design for manufacturing. The initial kinetic rounds are also completed. The improved data collection due to message authentication code algorithms from female return fluid exchange with my ward have flagged an issue. I identified two new black females with similar DNA...
Mission Log: Summary The elevated stress levels in Cadet Solon since the introduction of the improved pheromone adjustments warrants a change in the nanomites programming. His constant discomfort and above average blood pressure readings point to mental anguish over this adjustment. The observation of large clusters of females around him during our sample measurements confirm my current strategy is at fault. Version 3 pheromone coding is deleted from the download task list. My game theory...
Once again, my bird's eye view widens for me to see the area. A color path projection overlays the warships with time-to-land estimates for various courses. All time projections were after sunrise with the highest probability they would sweep along our shore rather than swing out to sea again. Orange targeting rings surround the ships marking them hostile. A legend left of the view identifies Orange as standby mode, red as offline, green as engage. The view changes to the normal weather map...
After a simple cold breakfast of stale bread and leftover bits of meat Sorcha and I stepped onto the deck. The cargo hold was already open and a growing number of barrels of water were accumulating on the dock; the crew seemed pretty proficient with this process after months of practice. My dream indicated a set of storms building out to sea with a high probability one would hit the island in a few days, but we would be at the estate long before the bad weather. The cloud cover was almost...
Over breakfast with Derwen and Mercedes, I discussed my planned estate improvements to help enrich the lives of the villagers. Because I had learned the topography of the estate on my last visit, I was able to identify the best placements for the two water wheels to maximize the technological improvements. Additionally, I wanted to build another clay furnace to create springs for more wolf carts, primarily to be used in conjunction with the upcoming build sites. Derwen had stock-piled sea...
The next cycle with Derwen and Mercedes brought numerous changes into our lives. Derwen's normal smirk and Mercedes' equally endearing grin made me laugh as they had me measure their growing bellies with my hands. The two women examining me for any sign of disapproval of their figure. I surveyed them from top to bottom and said, "You are both so beautiful. Nothing makes me more excited than looking at our shared love." They rushed me for hugs and Mercedes said, "You are just proud of...
Mission Log: Summary Cornerstone is complete. With the defensive asteroid platform fully operational, my game theory sub-routine's next priority project is building chaff grenade dispensers. Their purpose is to confuse and divert missiles from their targets as the fragile nature of the spy platform is a concern. It is my best resource for timely data from the planet, therefore a defensive mechanism to protect the array from space borne attack is necessary. Of course, a chaff defense is...
“Tharin and Coven can enter, but that’s it for now,” Swarta instructed the tower guards. “Add Sparrow and his father, Tassim. We don’t want to leave out the town crier nor the royal huntsman,” I corrected. “As you command,” the tower guard answered in a formal tone, before moving next to the other guard blocking the open door. I deposited my staff, backpack and gravity board in the corner of the room. The chattering of the servant women were a combination of high-pitch squeals and the fast...