Scorch

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Scorch Copyright  2003 Master Nage ISBN: 1-55410-040-2 Cover art and design by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books, a division of Zumaya Publications, 2003 Look for us online at: www.zumayapublications.com www.Extasybooks.com

Dedication: For dana, who serves me well.

Scorch

Chapter One

B

efore I met Lady Jacqueline, I had never taken a human life. Knowing my reputation, this might surprise some of you, but it’s the truth. There are those who say M'lady was worth killing for, and no doubt, they are correct. But it didn’t happen like that, at least not for me. And before I killed, I died a thousand deaths that will continue to haunt me till the end of my days. My name is Scorch, at least that’s how the history books will remember me. My real name is not important, nor was I, until I became Lady Jacqueline’s bodyguard. But I’m getting ahead of myself. If you are to understand the nature of our relationship, you must first understand its beginning. It began, like all things, with a big bang. I will never forget the first moment I saw her. I suppose most men wouldn’t. I had heard tales of the Heiress to Baron Ceston’s throne and fortune. I suppose everyone had. But nothing could have prepared me for actually meeting her, for she was so much more—and so much less than I’d expected. Tales of her beauty were almost certainly exaggerated, for though she was attractive, she was

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Master Nage not beautiful in the classic sense of the word. Yet she had a certain undefinable quality about her that made men want her. It was obvious from the first moment you met her and remained obvious forever after. She was one of those women who brought men to their knees and that’s all there was to it. But I wasn’t one of those men. I was young, proud, untamable. I have often wondered what it was that first drew her to me, for though I had long ago ceased being modest about my looks, I realized I had little to offer a member of the nobility. It was certainly true my black hair, green eyes, olive skin and muscular body consistently drew women to my bed. But I also knew that would not be the case with her. She was an Heiress and I but a lowly guard, and a new one at that. I worked for Baron Ceston and life was good. I enjoyed some small amount of respect, certainly as much as my breeding would allow, I got to carry a fancy sidearm, or one I thought was fancy at the time, and I was still young and full of hope for the future. I didn’t realize back then, all futures end in death. Only blind sighted optimists say otherwise. My story begins in the Baron’s main gardens, which, strangely enough, was the place the Head of Internal Security asked us to meet with him. I didn’t know why at the time, and it would be a long time before I learned. Still, when the Head of Security summons, you don’t question, you go. Jack Warner was a tall man, and built like a mobile infantry unit, even before the surgeons had gotten

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Scorch hold of him. He’d been in the employ of Baron Ceston for many long years. He was old enough to be my father, but I doubt I could have defeated him in combat with any weapon, even while he was sleeping. What the surgeons can do to a man is beyond belief, as you will soon find out. But I didn’t know any of it at the time. All I knew was my Commander, Jack Warner, had asked to meet several of the newer guards in the Baron’s gardens after our shift was done. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t think I’d done anything wrong, nor did the others when I asked them. There were three of us. John was twentyfive, a year younger than me, and Tom two years older. Both had short dark hair and beards, but in spite of that similarity, they had nothing in common. John was heavier, slower moving and rather quiet. Tom was slim, energetic and loquacious. Despite their differences, they were good friends, closer to each other than I was to either of them. Lord Warner also had dark hair and a dark beard, but he was so large and dangerous looking, it was hard to even think of him as human. The machine parts built into his body must have brought his weight up to around two hundred kilos. At least one leg and one arm were independent devices made of black corundium, and some say his heart had been replaced as well. I sort of doubted it. It had probably just been removed.

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Master Nage So at the end of my shift, I set out for the gardens, accompanied by two guards almost as new as I. We didn’t speak as we made our way through the large dome, passing all manner of flowering bushes and trees. The gardens were empty at that hour, which was possibly why he chose it as a meeting place, though I could think of many other places that would have served better. At least that was my theory at the time. The Baron’s gardens were the envy of everyone on Ballista, even those technically above him. I say technically for though Baron Ceston was not as powerful as some of the high ranking clergy or the Emperor's other appointees, his guile and power allowed him to get away with much that no one else seemed to be able to. He was a brilliant man, our Baron. Probably the smartest I’d ever met. Such were my thoughts as we approached the area for our rendezvous. Lord Warner was already there, looking as dangerous as ever. He appeared almost surreal against the lush green backdrop. The pastel wildflowers sprinkled about only added to the incongruity. Lord Warner waited for us to arrive and said nothing as he looked us over. We did a fair job of pretending not to be terrified, but it’s hard to remain calm in the presence of a man who has the right to discipline you any way he chooses. Our very lives were his for the asking.

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Scorch As I watched him, I wondered what sorts of weapons might be hidden in the cyborg portions of his body. It wasn’t long before I found out. When he finally deigned to speak, we still didn’t know if we were in trouble or not. Lord Warner’s voice was as unpleasant as the rest of him. “Gentleman, if you’re ready to begin.” “Yes, Sir,” I said, just a moment before the other two. I didn’t actually know I was ready, but I strongly suspected Lord Warner didn’t care. I never found out what he was going to say, for the next sound we heard was a woman’s scream. I leapt into action, running in the direction of the sound. The one thing that had not occurred to me beforehand was that this was some sort of training exercise, or perhaps even a test. If that were the case, it explained why he’d called us to the gardens. I must have come to the conclusion before John or Tom, for I had quite a head start on them. Another scream allowed me to pinpoint precisely where the sound was coming from. But it wasn’t until I leapt over a hedge that I realized this was no drill. Lady Jacqueline lay on the ground, her white shift dirty and half-ripped. There was a man astride her. He seemed familiar, but I couldn’t identify him from my position. The explosion deafened me. My hands instinctively sought my ears, though they were too late to do any good. My head rang like a bell. I looked to my left and Lord Warner stood there, cyborg arm pointed at what was left of the attacker. He moved toward Lady

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Master Nage Jacqueline and I did the same. She was breathing heavily, but she seemed otherwise uninjured, at least physically. “M'lady, are you hurt?” asked Lord Warner. She stared at him, then glanced at me. “I’m okay. Just shaken. I can’t believe it.” Only then did John and Tom show up. John was breathing heavily, but Tom hadn’t even broken a sweat. They both stopped as soon as they saw the scene. Tom turned away, but John stared at the halfcharred corpse, apparently fascinated. Lady Jacqueline slowly found her feet and I got my first good look at her. Tall and slender, hair as black as mine, worn as if a crown. Dark eyes like pits, easy to fall into if you weren’t careful. Thin lips, pouting slightly. At first I thought she was holding back tears, but I now know she looked like that often. And her body, no longer truly covered by her torn and stained white shift, was to die for, or to kill for as the test of time would prove. Lord Warner didn’t look particularly winded either. Certainly he wasn’t breathing heavily when he spoke. “Would you like to tell me just what happened?” The Heiress dropped her head. “I wish I knew. I decided I needed some peace and retired to the garden, alone but for Carson.” As soon as she named him, I knew who her assailant had been. He had been Lady Jacqueline’s personal bodyguard. At first I wondered why he had done it, but a second look at the Heiress, even

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Scorch disheveled as she was, answered my question. To what lengths would a man go if he had to follow her around every day? To be constantly in her presence, without being able to have her? It might be more than any man could bear. Which was no excuse. Carson had gotten what was coming to him. He might not have, had Lord Warner not requested our presence in the garden. Lord Warner didn’t approach any closer. Perhaps he was scared of his own reaction, seeing her there like that. I was too, but was younger and didn’t have his experience. I walked right up to her. “You’re sure you’re all right, M'lady?” She smiled, and I almost shuddered. That one young woman should have such power didn’t seem right. Worse still, I could tell from her expression, she knew just what power she had. Lord Warner spoke and I turned my attention to him, happy for even that distraction. “My Lady, I apologize for this unfortunate incident. I will select another bodyguard immediately." “You will do no such thing.” “Lady Jacqueline, surely you realize your father will not allow you to go unguarded.” She looked him dead in the eyes. “I didn’t say I would go unguarded. I said you will not select a bodyguard for me. I will choose my own.”

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Master Nage A dangerous and thoughtful look entered Lord Warner’s eyes. I took an involuntary step backward. “You have someone in mind, I suppose.” Her smile was somewhere between angelic and demonic. “Of course, I do.” She whirled and pointed at me. “This one.” “Absolutely unacceptable. He’s too new and doesn’t have the knowledge a bodyguard would need.” Her smile never faltered. “Then train him.” Without another word she walked past me, but Lord Warner was not through. “And where, precisely, do you think you’re going?” She turned back and arched a single eyebrow. “I am going back to my quarters to bathe and rest. I will remain there, until my new bodyguard is trained. If you try to send another in his stead, you will find me most uncooperative. Am I clear?” I thought Lord Warner would continue to argue the point, but he didn’t. I suppose even the Head of Security must obey the wishes of the Heiress. I had not, until that moment, realized just how much power she enjoyed. “Yes, M'lady.” She smirked and walked quickly away. Lord Warner gestured to Tom and John and they set off after her. They would accompany her back to her rooms. When we were alone, Lord Warner glared at me.

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Scorch “I’m sorry, Sir, but I had no hand in that. And I’ll do my best to protect Lady Jacqueline, even if it means surrendering my life.” “Oh, I’m well aware of that, Mr. Aston. But I am not overly worried about Lady Jacqueline. It was you I was trying to protect.” I stared at him for a long time before I decided he wasn’t joking. *** The next day, I was awakened early by a royal messenger and guided to the Baron’s private medical facility. Lord Warner was waiting for me along with a woman in her late thirties or early forties. Short blonde hair framed her face, and the blue eyes behind her eyeglasses were intelligent and alive. She didn’t need the glasses, of course. No one did. The glasses and the way she wore her hair made her look somewhat severe, which was no doubt her intention. She wore a white lab coat that disguised her body completely. The overall effect was to make her look somewhat sexless, which I thought was a waste. She would have been damned attractive. Both rose when I entered and the woman made no secret of studying me. It was the Head of Security who spoke. “Good morning. I trust you slept well after last night’s excitement.” “Yes, Sir.” “Lose the Sir. This isn’t military and I’m not your father.”

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Master Nage “Yes, Sir...Lord.” He rolled his eyes. “Look. You’re going to be reporting to me directly after your procedure, so the formality is useless. Formality is for show, Mr. Aston. Since you’ll be talking to me sans witnesses, you can call me Jack.” I nodded. “And you can call me Frank.” “Good. Now, this is Dr. Naran. She’s in charge of you for the next two to three weeks. During that time, you’re going to go through a lot and you’re going to hate it. But when it’s done, you’ll thank me, believe me.” I didn’t like the sound of that, but I wasn’t going to be given a choice. The Heiress had told them to train me, whatever that meant, and her word was as close to law as anyone’s but the Baron’s. I forced my nervousness down and smiled. For the first time, the doctor spoke. “You won’t be smiling for long. It’s time.” She extended her hand and Lord Warner took it. “Try not to have too much fun with him. We need him in one piece when this is done.” Her smirk did nothing to reassure me. “Don’t worry, Jack. I have my orders and I know how important this is. He’s in good hands.” “Yes, I imagine he is.” He turned to me. “Good luck, Frank.” “Good-bye Jack.” And just like that, he was gone, leaving me alone with Dr. Naran. “Come.”

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Scorch She turned and entered the inner office. I had never been here before and I didn’t like the look of the place at all. The room wasn’t very large. Off to the side was something that looked like a cross between a bed of nails and a clam. There were obvious protrusions on both the top and the bottom, suspended in some sort of gray cushion. The other side of the room consisted of a large panel, hosting number of buttons, levers and dials, which obviously controlled the table. “Get undressed.” Slowly, I began to unbutton my shirt. She watched, focusing on me completely in a way that made me most uncomfortable. I shrugged the shirt from my shoulders and pulled it off. Her eyes never wavered. I wondered if this is what women felt like when they stripped for me. Of course, this woman was a complete stranger. I didn’t know her at all, had never seen her before our recent introduction. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been embarrassed undressing in front of a woman. I had thought those days were behind me, but apparently I was wrong. She must have sensed my mood, for she spoke. “There is nothing to be embarrassed about, Frank. During the next couple of weeks, I’m going to be working with your body and your mind, inside and out. You will have no secrets from me. I will share your darkest nightmares and your most intimate experiences. I will know you better than you even know yourself. I will surf your most secret thoughts and mold them to my will. When I am done with you,

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Master Nage you will be exactly what I want you to be, no more, no less.” I didn’t say anything, but noticed my hand shaking as I placed it on the strips that held up my pants. It amazed me that after all these years, men’s trousers were still fastened in this manner. I jerked suddenly and the sound of my fly coming undone tore through the room. It was the only act of defiance I would be allowed. I let my pants drop to the floor and stepped from them.” “All of it.” I shrugged, bent over, and slid off my briefs. Then I rose and stood before her, the very act almost a defiance in and of itself. I would not cower or act embarrassed. Nor would I simply allow her to make me her toy. I had a will and would use it. “Now what?” I asked. She gestured to the machine. “Make yourself comfortable.” I turned to regard it. I had a feeling this would be horribly unpleasant, but then, disobeying a direct order would likely be worse. I approached it and reached out a hand. The foam was comfortable and even the protrusions were softer than I’d thought they would be. Without wasting any more time, I sat on the edge of the table, then lay down. I felt my naked body sink deeply into the foam. Dr. Naran walked to her control panel and pressed a button. Slowly, the top half of the machine closed over me until my body was completely engulfed. I wondered how I’d breathe. I certainly couldn’t speak.

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Scorch I felt a moment of profound claustrophobia and fought it down. I soon realized I could feel nothing, see nothing, hear nothing. I had once been in a sensory deprivation chamber and it was much like this. I seemed to have no trouble breathing, which was something of a relief. Still, I felt anything but relaxed. Then Dr. Naran’s voice entered my mind, apparently directly. “Hello, Frank. Ah, good, I see you can hear me. I’m going to run a few tests on you. Primarily responses to different stimuli. I need to know what makes you react and how. Some of this will no doubt be painful. At other times you may feel pleasure. Just relax and let yourself go. The more you fight, the longer this session will last.” It found myself holding my breath and released it. What seemed like a long time later, I felt the temperature drop suddenly. An icy wind passed through my entire body, starting with my toes and working its way up. It was as if someone had decided to pull a sheet of frost over me. Then, just as suddenly, it was gone. Then it grew hot, horribly so. Perspiration coated my body. I wanted nothing more than to withdraw from the sensation, but that wasn’t allowed and in fact, after a short while, the heat increased in intensity until I could no longer stand it. My muffled screams didn’t alter the level of pain, but I was powerless to struggle. Even if the machine didn’t hold me in place, it seemed I had no control over my muscles. I

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Master Nage mentally writhed in agony, until, many minutes later, the heat faded, leaving me gasping and sobbing. For a long time, nothing happened. Then I felt tiny electric shocks touch various portions of my anatomy. My fingers, toes, nipples. Here and there, as if some tiny flying insect was circling my body, irritating me each time it landed. Then the charges increased in both frequency and power and it was more than just irritation. The back of my neck, behind my left eye, my right knee, my left testicle. The sensation grew more unpleasant, bordering on painful, still the intensity increased. Each new shock took me to a higher level of pain, until I thought I would die from it. This time, however, I found I could not scream. I had to lie motionless and endure it. I had no way to measure the passage of time, but I was sure it went on for hours. When it finally stopped, I was no longer certain I was comfortably within the boundaries of sanity. Suddenly, I felt my body shudder and felt my cock begin to harden. I didn’t want it to and fought the sensation. It was horribly uncomfortable, considering it was pointing in the wrong direction. I could feel it pushing up into the foam. But as it grew harder, I felt my desire grow until I couldn’t think of anything but release. I found myself gasping for air and uselessly tried to grab it. I had never known such desire and when it ended, I wept as I’d never wept before. But this was only the beginning of the torment.

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Scorch “I can see your thoughts, Frank. You’re angry with me. You want to hurt me, but you can’t. You’re powerless to do anything against me.” The next voice that spoke was that of my mother, who had died when I was ten. “Frankie, you know better than that. Behave yourself, young man.” Then I heard a new voice, belonging to one of my teachers. She had taught Interstellar History and I’d barely been able to concentrate, as I’d been distracted by her large, firm breasts and narrow waist. Her long brown hair reached almost all the way to her nicely rounded ass. I couldn’t even remember her name, but I recognized her voice immediately. “I know you want me, Frank. Why don’t you come here? That’s a good boy. Suck on my tit, Frank. Suck! Suck hard! Ohhhhhh yes, that’s good. Suck it, boy. Suck my tit!” In my altered state of consciousness, I almost didn’t recognize this as one of my own adolescent fantasies. My cock grew hard again, as hard as before and I sucked and sucked, as she bade me. On some level I knew I was still in the machine, but that no longer mattered. I finally had my tutor exactly where I’d always wanted her. I sucked even harder, hands sliding down over her curves. Her own hands responded, touching me lightly, trailing down my cheek, neck, chest, lower and lower, until I thought I would die from anticipation. She touched my cock lightly and I felt it jump. I moaned and tried to fight the sensation. I was still in the clam and Dr. Naran was still watching. I wondered if she

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Master Nage was doing anything else. I wondered what her body looked like, beneath that white lab coat. Then my teacher’s hand grabbed my cock more firmly and I was returned to the moment. She grasped me tightly, insistently. Her eyes glazed over as she stroked, up and down. I clenched my teeth, but couldn’t stop myself from thrusting into her. “That’s very good, Frank. Soooo good.” Her hand moved harder and faster, until I was panting. I could barely think anymore. I could barely see. The only sensation in the world was that of her fingers on my cock, stroking and squeezing. Suddenly, I needed to cum more than I’d ever needed anything in my life. “What do you think you’re doing!” My father was there and the tutor faded away. My excitement was gone an instant later, and I cowered in fear. His first punch struck me in the midriff and then again on the back of my neck. I went down hard. “You know better than that. You’re going to learn if I have to kill you!” Then there were no more voices and I was left alone with murderous thoughts I hadn’t embraced in years. That was all for a long time, and it occurred to me, Dr. Naran might be giving me a chance to recover. I didn’t exactly sleep, but I wasn’t awake either. As I lay there, floating in nothingness, I thought more than I had in a long time. I embraced ideas as what they were—the only thing in my world. In the days to

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Scorch come, the isolation would be the hardest thing to deal with. My father had been a guard like me, but my mother’s sudden death left him taciturn, bitter, angry. He had no one to take it out on but me and he had. I never knew what killed my mother and after being beaten for asking, I learned not to care. It wasn’t an idyllic existence, but I did learn to defend myself and later managed to parlay that into a career. But being a guard in some border town was a far cry from working for Baron Ceston. The list of coincidences that had brought me here are too long and too numerous to go into. Suffice to say, I hadn’t expected the opportunity, but when it was presented, I jumped at it. And for a brief while, it had been everything I thought it would be. And then last night, it had all changed. I thought then about Lady Jacqueline and found myself aroused. I fought the reaction, as I knew I had to. She was completely out of reach. Many guards, I’m certain, would be jealous of my new position, but I was just as certain the job wouldn’t be easy and I’d gladly have traded with someone else had it been permitted. Alas, I had no control over my destiny. Dr. Naran would do what she wanted to me and afterwards, I would have to serve the Heiress. In spite of my resolve, I allowed a fantasy of what was to come to carry me away, until my excitement almost reached the level it had under the doctor’s control.

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Master Nage

*** I don’t remember much of those weeks. I ran through just about every emotion in existence and every memory of importance. I relived old relationships, refought old battles and relearned old lessons. I was subjected to every extreme I could name and quite a few I couldn’t. I later learned Dr. Naran had directly stimulated the pleasure and pain centers of my brain and that not all of it had been necessary. Apparently, she took great pleasure in making others jump through her emotional hoops. Hours were spent screaming in pain, fighting impossible sensations that under other circumstances my mind would have blocked out. There were days filled with such sadness, I could think of nothing but crying and had I been allowed the reaction, I would have drowned in my own tears. There were rages that left me panting and embarrassments that made me wish I were dead, or had never been born. After only a short time, I knew more about the nature of Hell than any priest. And still it continued, not for hours, not for days, not for years, but for an impossible length of time: centuries, millennia, aeons. When it was done, I didn’t have a reaction of my own left. When the clam finally opened, I wasn’t surprised. In truth, it was more like being born than awakening. I had never been to this world, not in my current form.

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Scorch At first, the light blinded me, but as the room grew into focus, I realized I wasn’t alone. Dr. Naran was there and, to my great surprise, so was the Baron. I had never met Baron Ceston personally, though I was too disoriented to be nervous. Regardless, I couldn’t help but be aware of my nakedness. Nor could I fail to notice my senses, which had been dormant for too long. Colors were brighter, sounds were louder and scents more clearly defined. In that harsh light, I could only barely make out the Baron’s pale hair and clean-shaven face. If I ran into him at a later time, I might not recognize him. I tried to speak, but my tongue was not yet my own. The Baron held up a hand. “It will be a while before your speech center comes back online. I don’t mind telling you, I followed your progress with great interest.” I was stunned by this revelation, but in my current state, was fairly sure it didn’t show. “You have been part of a great experiment, and are to be commended on your reactions. You are a strong man. Of course, in the hands of Dr. Naran it was only a matter of time.” I still couldn’t speak, but managed a shudder as some of the past days returned to me. “Soon, you will be guarding my most precious possession—my daughter. Her last bodyguard betrayed me and died for it. I understand you were there to witness it. I cannot tolerate the idea of a servant of mine attempting to harm my daughter. She is the heir to my throne and I would not see her

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Master Nage harmed. “So, you have been programmed as one might program a machine. Dr. Naran has made it impossible for you to harm her in any way. You can’t even ask anyone else to harm her. The idea of anything happening to my daughter is abhorrent to you, as you will soon find out. Because I can’t be there to protect her all the time, that task falls to you. I’m now sure you’ll be perfect for the job.” I felt a wave of anger surge from deep inside me. I tried to speak, but couldn’t, which was fortunate. The Baron was not the most patient man and his power over me was absolute. I fought my temper down as best I could. The Baron, apparently finished with me, spoke to Dr. Naran in a whisper. Even with my hearing accentuated, I couldn’t make out what he was saying. Finally, he turned back to me. “There’s a party tonight and I’d like you to be there. I’ll have a servant collect you at eight. Nod if you have something formal to wear.” I nodded once and he nodded back. “Excellent. I’ll see you tonight.” Without another word, Baron Ceston left the room. I turned to Dr. Naran. “Lie down for a bit. You’re probably tired.” She was right on that count, but the only place to lie down in the room was inside the machine. She must have caught the thought for she smirked. “Don’t worry. Your programming is quite complete. I shall enjoy viewing the recordings for a long time to come.”

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Scorch I forced words out of my mouth, though they were barely intelligible. “You...enjoyed...it.” “Oh yes. I did very much. Quite an imagination you have. I think everyone should enjoy their work, don’t you?” I didn’t answer. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. Just to show her I wasn’t scared, I sat back on the machine and lay down. I closed my eyes and in spite of the fears, soon fell into a deep sleep.

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Master Nage

Chapter Two

I

was awakened much later and given enough time to return to my quarters and prepare for the party. Dr. Naran was nowhere in sight, which was fine by me. I was escorted to the home I shared with about a hundred other guards. In past incarnations, I had shared barracks with rougher soldiers, but in the Baron’s employ we each had our own room. If it wasn’t spacious, it was at least mine. Not much room for anything but my bed and a chest of drawers, but it was more than I could have afforded on my own and I was thankful for it. I wondered if I would be keeping these quarters, or moving. There was still so much about the job I didn’t know. There were no messages for me in my comp terminal, which surprised me a bit, but not overly so. I didn’t have time to message anyone myself, so I shut down and turned my attention to the matter at hand. I opened my wardrobe. Most of the clothes in it were comfortable and casual. Five identical uniforms hung to one side, comfortable, skintight and russet. Up either side, across the chest and down the arms, trailed pale blue squares, like a racing stripe with a

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Scorch stutter. The uniform fit me perfectly and would continue to do so, if I didn’t gain more than a kilo or so. It had probably been designed more for style than function. Nobles were funny that way. Then, in the back of the closet, I spotted my only formal outfit—the suit I’d bought to wear to my father’s funeral. It wasn’t much really. Just a black jacket and matching straight-legged trousers. The plain white shirt closed with a magnetic strip. I didn’t own a tie, but then, I don’t think anyone on Ballista did. Ballista is a mining world. The formalities observed on Earth are more casually observed here and while the nobility likes to play at formality, it’s all for show or perhaps an attempt to deny just how much of a frontier world we still are. Yet even the Baron dressed casually when not attending official functions. I’d never been to Earth, but then, it’s a big Empire. I was born on Ballista, in one of the borderlands, and lived there until my father’s death. They say he died of consumption, but I think they were wrong. He died of not wanting to live and I was happy for him finally getting his wish. I didn’t attend the funeral and the suit, until today, remained unworn. Only in retrospect do I realize how appropriate my attire was that night, dressed in a suit purchased to celebrate death. In a sense, I was already dead, no longer the Frank Aston who had taken a job at the palace. I was, quite literally, a different person. A person created by Dr. Naran. I tried not to think about it as I dressed and left my room. The party would be

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Master Nage starting soon and I didn’t know enough back then to be fashionably late. So it was I arrived at my first royal party, held in the very same garden in which I’d first met Lady Jacqueline. I had never been to a party like this before and didn’t know what to expect. I was glad I my speech had improved, though it was still far from perfect, for my throat was still sore from much recent screaming. At least I could make myself understood. Many people were already there when I arrived, mostly lesser nobles in their finery. Men wore suits in a startling variety of colors. Women wore dresses that ranged from full-length formal affairs to short light colored things that looked more like undergarments. Certainly there was enough exposed cleavage and bare legs around to keep a man like me happy. I had been told I wasn’t on duty yet and was there to enjoy myself. Still I found myself watching Lady Jacqueline from the moment she arrived. Her tight dress was black, low cut and slit high enough up the side to make a statement. Her hair was down on her shoulders and as far as I could tell, she wore no makeup—not that she needed any. There wasn’t a man who didn’t keep tabs on her and that annoyed me. If nothing else, her being the center of attention made her a much harder person to protect. I wandered around, watching. I didn’t drink, which was odd for me, but I wanted to stay alert. I wasn’t going to make a fool of myself in front of the entire nobility of Ballista. I did help myself to a few of the tasty hors d’oeuvres being offered by passing

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Scorch liveried servants. I had no idea what any of them were, for which I was grateful. Nobles eat some strange things in the guise of delicacies. I never strayed far from Lady Jacqueline, though I didn’t get close either. I suspected I’d soon have all the closeness I could handle. A few times, I tried to move away from her, testing the limits of my programming. It was during one of those attempts that I noticed something unusual. It was half-hidden in a niche made of hedge and covered with a white cloth. I looked around, but no one was watching me. I lifted the cloth and looked. Beneath was a metallic orb, resting on a very fancy pedestal. I had no idea what it was, or why it was there. I decided not to bother with it, and dropped the edge of the cloth I’d been holding. I looked around. When I realized no one was paying me undue attention, I sighed relief. Not that I thought I’d get in much trouble, but one never knew with nobles. It was then I noticed a suspicious bulge on one of the nearby guests. Naturally no sidearms would be allowed at such parties, not even mine, so when I saw him, I stayed nearby. Followed him. Watched his eyes. Several times I saw him look across the garden and I followed his gaze more than once until I finally saw who he was looking at. Were they security? His partner was too close to the Heiress for comfort, so I made my way in her direction, not caring who I shoved out of the way. When he reached for his gun, I was close enough to go for him. It didn’t

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Master Nage matter that I was unarmed. I wasn’t going to sit by and watch the Lady die. I grabbed his wrist and twisted, pointing the pistol away from her. It fired several times, but hit nothing other than bushes and trees. The second man pulled his own weapon and dropped to the grass. I kept the pistol pointed away from me, fighting for control of it. Little blue energy pellets strafed the ground. Nobles scrambled away to safety. I kicked the wouldbe assassin hard in the back of his knee and he went down. I dropped with him, continuing to fire. I managed to aim it in the direction of the second assailant. Somehow, I hit him first and though the pellet left no mark, it did its job effectively. The man beneath me clawed at my face, but I pulled my head back and flipped over him, still holding his right hand. He hadn’t expected the maneuver, nor did he expect my elbow to impact his face just after. I knew from the blood that I’d broken his nose, but I didn’t stop there. The pain was enough to make him lose his grip on the pistol. I wrenched it from his hand and pointed it directly at his heart. I heard several people yelling for me to stop, but no one tried to interfere as I pulled the trigger. An autopsy, had it been necessary, would show both men had died of heart attacks. Weapons like this were designed to leave the cause of death uncertain, which had no doubt been their plan. In a party like this, no one would have noticed a point-blank shot.

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Scorch Fortunately, they hadn’t been able to get close enough to Lady Jacqueline without arousing my suspicion. When it was done, I looked around, only then realizing what I’d just done. Much to my amazement, the crowd began to applaud and stopped only when the Baron walked over and held out his hand. Dumbly, I handed him the weapon. He took my left hand and raised it into the air. The crowd’s response was even louder this time. I pulled my hand away and looked at him. “I killed two men.” “Yes, you did. An excellent job, all around.” “You set them up, didn’t you?” He smiled. “Of course. I had to test your abilities. You’re going to be protecting my daughter, after all.” I didn’t have anything to say to that. I was still riding the adrenaline high, which was even more dangerous than being drunk, but just this once, I controlled my temper. “You sent your own men to their deaths to test me.” He laughed. “My men? Hardly. Let’s just say the competition will be looking for some new help.” There was much laughter from those assembled and it fueled my anger, but before I could speak, the Baron did. “What kind of pistols were they using?” I replied, almost without thinking. “D3 pulse charge. They’re illegal on Ballista.”

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Master Nage “Yes,” he agreed, “and in most of the civilized galaxy. For how long have you been studying martial arts?” I looked confused. “I’ve never studied martial arts.” “Ah, I see. That was a fairly impressive display of hand-to-hand combat, though. Where did you learn to fight like that?” The question startled me and I thought back. I had never learned to fight like that. “Tu Me,” the Baron snapped. Immediately, I assumed a completely defensive posture. “Kine tai.” I leapt in the air and performed a complex aerial kick. The Baron shouted several more commands and I performed each move with a skill I had not possessed weeks ago. The Baron smiled, then looked over my shoulder. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, our very own Dr. Naran.” The reaction of those assembled far surpassed the ovation they’d given me. I turned and she was there, but her white lab coat was not. The burgundy gown she wore wasn’t much more revealing however. She didn’t even spare me a glance as she stood beside the Baron and bowed. “I know martial arts,” I said, stunned. Only then did she turn to me. “Oh, not just that. You have knowledge you don’t even know you have, and won’t, until you actually need it. Impressed

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Scorch directly onto your cerebral cortex, along with your prime directive.” “To protect the Heiress.” “Of course. You’re a killing machine, one of the most dangerous ever designed. But you will never try to hurt Lady Jacqueline, or allow anyone else to. The perfect bodyguard.” I wanted to growl at her, but was still recovering from the shock of finding out I was a black belt. And the surprises that evening were only just beginning. Lady Jacqueline approached, a hint of a smile playing about her lips. She looked me over and moved closer. “I’m impressed.” “Yeah, so am I.” “Is it true you can’t hurt me?” “I believe so. Why?” She splashed her drink in my face. I stood and did nothing. “Can’t hurt me at all?” I didn’t answer. She slapped me, hard. Then did it again. Finally her father stepped in. “Enough of that, darling. This man just saved your life.” She scowled. “I don’t see a man. I see a machine. He might have been a man before Dr. Naran got hold of him, but that condition has passed.” “You sound like you don’t approve,” said the Baron. “I did this for you. To protect you.” She turned and favored him with a tight smile. “Yes, I’m sure you did. Always so solicitous of my well-being, aren’t you, Father?”

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Master Nage There could be little doubt her comment was sarcastic and several people moved away. They were all familiar with the Baron’s temper. I, however, moved closer, interposing myself between the two of them. I wouldn’t let even the Baron strike her. When he saw what I was doing, he laughed. “You win this round, my dear, but I think you might want to concede the war.” Lady Jacqueline looked surprised that he might even think about suggesting such a thing. “Now why would I want to do that?” The Baron clapped his hands twice. The guests, already well entertained this evening, turned expectantly. Many craned their necks to see what would happen, but no one could have expected what was to come. A servant, standing beside the cloth I’d investigated earlier, became the center of attention. It only then occurred to me I wasn’t the only one who had noticed the thing. He pulled the cloth from the orb and stepped back. Nothing happened at first. Then the sphere rose about a meter and a half into the air and floated noiselessly toward us. It was about ten centimeters in diameter and almost mirrored. No one said a word as it hovered briefly before drifting toward the Heiress. Once again I moved to protect her, though from what, I didn’t know. “Don’t worry,” said the Baron. “I have no intention of allowing my daughter to come to harm. This is part of her new protection.”

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Scorch She looked at her father, then back to the ball. “What is it?” Dr. Naran whispered a word and suddenly, an image of Lady Jacqueline appeared in my head. At first I was confused, but then I knew. I was seeing her from the perspective of the sphere. “The surveillance sphere will follow your every move. It will stay with you always. And it will project an image of you directly into your bodyguard’s mind. He will monitor you at all times.” “What about when he sleeps?” she asked, both fascinated and appalled. It was Dr. Naran who answered. “Frank Aston no longer needs to sleep. He can shut himself down periodically in place of sleep, but even then he will still see you in his mind’s eye. If the need arises, he can wake instantly and respond immediately. I have left nothing to chance, you see.” “That thing, is not going to follow me around!” Her father was no longer smiling. “That thing will follow you around, until you sit on the throne, at which time you can do what you want.” The Heiress whirled and stormed from the gardens, the ball following immediately behind her and me immediately behind it. We made our way through the stunned nobility, followed only by the sound of the Baron’s laughter.

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Master Nage

Chapter Three

L

ong before we reached Lady Jacqueline’s chambers, I could see them in my mind. It was just like the martial arts, or being able to easily identify the assassins’ firearms. The information was just there. Lady Jacqueline had a suite of rooms at the palace, which was no surprise. The word, palace, however, is somewhat euphemistic, as the structure is entirely underground. The Baron had decided such a structure would be far easier to defend against siege or attack and he was no doubt correct. The palace is powered by heat from nearby magma streams, which keeps the temperature comfortably warm. This is necessary on a planet like Ballista, where the surface temperature plummets at night to far colder than most humans would gladly tolerate. Lady Jacqueline’s chambers consisted of seven rooms, three of which were bedchambers, one of which turned out to be mine. There were two doors in my bedchamber, one that opened into the main corridor and a second directly connecting my room to

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Scorch Lady Jacqueline’s. I strongly suspected I’d have little use for the latter. The other four rooms were a dining room, a kitchen (though she seldom ate in her rooms), an entertainment room and a rather beautiful spa. The last bedroom was for houseguests, but was located on the opposite end of the suite from Lady Jacqueline’s room. The lady, apparently, liked her privacy. Which is why, I suppose, as soon as we’d entered the entrance foyer, followed by the floating sphere that would accompany her until she took the throne, she rounded on me. “I can’t believe he would do something like this!” Her eyes flashed fire and I remembered her slap. I had to stop myself from taking an involuntary step backward. It was ironic. I could defend myself against virtually any aggressor, except for a spoiled, nineteen year old Heiress. If it weren’t such a disturbing situation, it would have been funny. I said nothing, since she had not asked me a question. This apparently enraged the girl even more. “Well, what do you have to say for yourself?” “Nothing, M'lady.” She frowned, then threw herself at me, fists flailing. I made no move to defend myself. She wasn’t strong, but her anger was fierce and several of her punches were well placed. Still, I did nothing but stand there, ignoring the pain, as I now knew I could. Finally, she wound down and looked at me. “Is that all you can do, stand there?”

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Master Nage I smiled, because I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of anything else. “No, M'lady. Do you feel any better?” She looked as if she might attack again, but instead sank to her knees and started sobbing. It was a bit confusing at first to have two images of the girl, one from my own eyes and one projected by the sphere, but only a few days later, it would seem natural to me. Dr. Naran knew her work. Strangely, in spite of her anger toward me, I wanted to comfort her. But I didn’t. I just stood and watched, waiting to see what would happen next. Like so much that had happened recently, it wasn’t what I expected. Her sobs gradually eased and she finally rose, entering the apartment proper. Only now did I realize, though I had the layout for the place, most likely from the palace blueprints, I had no idea how it actually looked. I took it all in, amazed I’d actually be living here. The entertainment room was tastefully colorful. The rug was a multicolored impressionist work of art, and the paintings on the walls were not only beautiful, but originals. Several large, comfortablelooking chairs were scattered about and two rather large divans rested against conjoining walls. There were drapes in the room, which I thought odd, considering we were underground. I walked to them and peeked out. Beyond was the spa, all done up with green plants. The ceiling was painted with blue sky and clouds, of the type we’d left behind on

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Scorch Earth. I found it odd so many people craved the blue skies of Earth, when they had never before seen them. Yet I had seen holos of it and had to admit, it did call to something deep within me. I followed her right to the door of her room. Only after she entered did I open the door to mine. This was the first time I’d been apart from her since the introduction of the surveillance sphere and I was bemused by the fact that I could still see her. Follow her every move. Which meant, of course, I would see her dressing and undressing, not to mention the fact I would be a voyeur when she was with a paramour. I then understood her anger too well, but there was nothing I could do about it. My own room was far more spacious and better appointed than what I was used to, but I didn’t care. It was hard to concentrate on my room with the image of Lady Jacqueline moving about in the corner of my mind. I imagined she was only too conscious of that hovering sphere, watching everything she did and transmitting it to me. My suspicion on that count was verified only a moment later, when she turned to the sphere and smiled. “Hello, Frank. You can see me, can’t you?” I didn’t answer, because she wouldn’t have heard me. I, on the other hand, could hear and see her as if she were in the room with me. “Yes, you can. It’s going to be awfully hard on you, I would think, having to watch me all day, every day. I wonder how that would be. To see me always in

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Master Nage your mind, but never be able to have me. I’d think it might finally drive a man insane, don’t you?” With those words, she reached behind and deftly undid the magnetic strip that held her dress closed. I watched as it slid off her shoulders and all the way to the floor. She wasn’t wearing any undergarments. Just like that, she was completely naked before me. “Do you like the way my body looks? I bet you do. I bet you’d love to slide that thick, hard cock inside me. You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Frank? But you can’t, can you? You can’t risk hurting me. In a way, it’s too bad. I think you’d make a splendid lover, even if you are only a commoner.” I felt my cock harden, but refused to touch it. If I didn’t react, maybe she would grow tired of the sport. She walked to the door that separated our bedrooms and stroked it, gently, then leaned close to it and her tongue emerged. She licked down the length of the door, eyes closed with pleasure, hands only now beginning to explore her body. My breath caught in my throat, but I still did nothing. She continued to lick down the door until she was on her knees. Then she looked up at the sphere, up at me, supplicatingly, eyes wide and filled with lust. I wanted her then more than I’d ever wanted anything in my life. It took every ounce of control to not touch myself, but I knew if I gave in, if I did what she no doubt wanted me to do, I would be helpless against her forever after. That single thought gave me just enough strength to resist. But she wasn’t through with me yet.

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Scorch She rose slowly, gracefully, eyes never leaving the sphere. “Music,” she said. “Selection One.” At once, an unseen orchestra began playing. The piece was rather nice, slow, rich with simulated horns and deep mellow tones. I’d have liked it at any other time. She moved to the bed and sat on it, then lay back, eyes unfocused. She put her feet on the edge of her mattress about a meter apart. Had the sphere been on the other side, I’d have been able to clearly see her pussy. As it was, I had a perfect view of the neatly trimmed patch of pubic hair atop it. Her hand slid over her breasts, pausing only to pinch her nipples gently before continuing down, over the flatness of her belly, down through that neatly trimmed black triangle, down between her parted legs. She gasped and closed her eyes as her fingers slowly worked her clit. Then her hand descended lower still and her thighs parted even more. I couldn’t actually see them enter her body, though I could tell by the way she was writhing she had inserted them. Her body undulated, as she moaned and twisted on the bed, the waves of ecstasy building within. And I watched, unable even to close my eyes, unable to ignore her as she brought herself closer and closer to the euphoric moment of climax. But still, she wasn’t done. She raised her hand and I could see her fingers, slick with juices. The image was so vivid I could almost smell her. My head spun and I reached for my

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Master Nage now throbbing cock. I touched it, then released it, still not willing to sell my soul. If only I could close my eyes, or even turn my head, but I couldn’t. Dr. Naran had seen to that. She brought her hand to her mouth and slowly, catlike, licked herself clean, her tongue moving tantalizingly slowly over each sweet, sticky finger. Then she inserted her right index finger into her mouth and started to suck the sweetness, eyes still closed, legs still parted, body still squirming to the growing sounds of her moans. Her other hand was now busy, stroking and rubbing her wet pussy, while she sucked the juices from her fingers. Her eyes opened and she thrust against the heel of her hand, while she sucked even harder. Her moans grew throaty, then turned to gasps as she came hard, bucking like something untamable against her eager hand. I bit my lip until blood flowed from it, but didn’t touch my cock again. When she was done, she turned lazily onto her side and looked back at me. “Goodnight, lover.” She rolled onto her stomach and turned out the lights with a single command. But even then I could see her sleeping naked on her sheets, for the surveillance sphere was equipped with infrared capabilities. I shed my formal attire and left it in a heap on the floor. I ignored my throbbing cock as best I could and crawled into bed, but I couldn’t sleep. Over and over again, the images of her writhing, panting body returned to torment me.

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Scorch Finally, when I could stand it no longer, I reached for my cock and squeezed and stroked it. She was there again in my mind, fingers working furiously, eyes closed, working her body, as I worked my cock. I realized the image was more like a holo than a memory, that I was actually seeing it again, replaying it in a way no normal human mind could. As my hand slid up and down, I could feel the precum oozing down my shaft, making it slick, driving me closer and closer to my own orgasm. I bit my lip again, but this time to keep from crying out. She’d like to hear that. It would so entertain her to know she had won. Instead I whimpered and stroked harder and faster. And when I came, only moments later, it was like a geyser, shooting hot cum into the air, coating my flat stomach and even some of my chest. As I lay there, panting, I vowed I would never allow her to take me that way again. She might play her games, but she wouldn’t win. It was the only way I could maintain my sanity. I didn’t actually sleep that night. Sleep was something I no longer did. Instead I placed myself into an almost-trance, completely unaware of all but the sleeping form of my charge. I was awakened from that trance too early the next morning, when the door buzzer sounded, interrupting my waking dreams of Lady Jacqueline sleeping. ***

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Master Nage Screening visitors was part of my job as Lady Jacqueline’s bodyguard. I was alert instantly, as Dr. Naran had said I would be. It was more like switching on, than waking up. It was an odd feeling, but like the rest of the changes, I would soon be used to it. I threw on the same clothes I’d worn the night before and moved toward the front door, but the outside camera, apparently, was wired into me. A new window opened in my consciousness and I clearly saw Jack Warner standing outside. He had been at the party too, the only person dressed informally. There were few suits that could easily fit over his metal arm and leg. Not that he couldn’t have had one made, but he was intimidating enough that no one would mention the breech of protocol. I found my voice was also hooked into the security system, so I spoke before I actually reached the door. “Morning, Jack.” “Frank.” I realized I didn’t have to go to the door to open it, I could have just let him in, but he was still my superior and I would display proper etiquette, even if we were on a first name basis. When I opened the door, moments later, he grinned and walked past me. “Lady Jacqueline is not awake yet.” “Nor did I expect her to be. It is you I came to speak with.” “Oh.” I hadn’t expected that, but should have. As the Head of Security, he had to make certain my programming was sufficient.

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Scorch “Got any coffee?” I was about to say I didn’t know, when suddenly I did. I had never tasted coffee before. It was too expensive, imported all the way from Earth. Many Earth plants don’t grow on Ballista, including coffee, or so we had been told. But I suspect that was just a way to keep it exclusive, so the rest of us couldn’t afford it. “Follow me,” I said and I led him to the kitchen. “Two coffees,” I said, aware the food processor would prepare it well. “Cream and sugar in mine,” he said. “Mine too.” I had no idea what cream was, but if it was good enough for Jack, it was good enough for me. He watched me, amused as I took my first sip. It had an interesting flavor, one that would take a bit of getting used to, but I thought I could learn to like coffee. “Tell me what you know of evacuation plans,” he said, after his first sip. “Down the corridor, about a hundred meters to the right, is a two man, R-50 Cruiser, big enough for Lady Jacqueline and a pilot. The cruiser is stocked with food rations, medical supplies and weapons, all of which I know how to access. I have the complete inventory in my head.” “Do you know how to fly it?” I didn’t even have to think to know I did. “Of course I do. Anyone could fly it.” Lord Warner raised an eyebrow. “That’s not precisely true, though it might seem that way to you

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Master Nage at this point in time. I must admit I’m impressed. Dr. Naran has done an amazing job.” I didn’t answer. He couldn’t possibly know what it had cost me. Or could he? “Have you ever had the dubious pleasure of working with, or being worked on, by Dr. Naran?” He shook his head. “I was worked on by her predecessor, who was probably far more of a sadist than she. The technology has since improved, I would think.” I didn’t know how to answer that, so I sipped my coffee and wondered at my new abilities. What else did I know that I wasn’t aware of? We spoke for a while longer, but nothing else of import came up. I was to report directly to Lord Warner and no one else, and he gave me a secure channel to do just that. By the time he left, Lady Jacqueline was just waking up. I had watched her the entire time Lord Warner was there, of course, but as soon as she stirred I was ready for action. She was still naked and still on top of her sheets. She rose and made her way from the room, followed by the surveillance sphere. After last night, I was certain nudity didn’t bother her, so I was afforded a wonderful view of her ass as she made her way down the corridor. She found me in the kitchen on my second cup of coffee. In the days to come, I would learn to appreciate the beverage as I did little else. She didn’t even glance at me as she ordered herself up a cup, while the sphere hovered in the doorway.

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Scorch She didn’t say a word as she took the steaming mug with her to the spa. I had the dubious pleasure of watching her bathe, which she did with agonizing thoroughness, though none of last night’s teasing was evident. Perhaps she had tired of the sport already. I could only hope so, but doubted it. When she was done bathing, she dressed. She wore a short, white skirt and a matching sleeveless top. The black panties and bra worn beneath showed quite clearly through them, obviously the effect she was going for. She also wore a pair of white sandals. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, which she somehow braided herself. The outfit made her look younger than her years. She looked too young to bed, which didn’t make her any less desirable. Finally, she returned to the kitchen. “Are you going to wear the same clothes as yesterday?” “Ummm, I hadn’t planned to.” “Well, go shower and change, I want to be out of here in five.” “May I ask where we’re going?” “Yes. But I won’t tell you.” She turned and left. I downed my third cup of coffee and headed straight for my quarters. I showered in the sonic stall and dressed quickly, the effects of the caffeine not lost on me. Coffee was indeed a marvelous invention. She ate a light meal, while I showered. I was ready before her and had to wait, not that I minded. She was, after all, nobility and I was her bodyguard. I had

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Master Nage a feeling I would be doing a lot of waiting in the weeks to come. Our destination turned out to be the private quarters of Sir Edgar Liston. Sir Edgar was the chief advisor to the Baron and a man I had a lot of respect for, though I had never met him personally. He too had been at the party last night, but had always been surrounded by dignitaries and so I didn’t get to speak to him. Not that I had a lot to say to such an august presence. Sir Edgar was tall, slim and fatherly. His face was clean-shaven, his hair completely gray. Yet he had a sprightly step and intelligent blue eyes. What Lady Jacqueline wanted with him, I couldn’t imagine. I was left to wait outside in his anteroom, while she entered his inner chambers. The sphere was still with her, of course, so I could see and hear what was going on. There was a holo unit in the room with me, but I didn’t turn it on. I had no doubt what went on between the Advisor and the Heiress would be more interesting than anything I could find on holo. She entered casually, as if she’d been here before, perhaps many times. Sir Edgar watched her through slitted eyes. I thought he might be suspicious, though he never said anything to give me the impression. “Good morning, m'dear, what brings you here?” She smiled a smile that would stop most men’s hearts and sat across the desk from him. “You knew about it before my father unveiled it.” She didn’t bother to conceal the accusation in her voice.

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Scorch “Yes.” The brief exchange told me a lot. For one thing, she expected the Baron’s closest advisor to give her information. I wondered what she had on him. “You didn’t say a word.” “I couldn’t. Too much risk, don’t you know.” She rose and walked around the desk. He followed with his eyes and licked his lips nervously. “What else can you tell me?” she asked. “There is nothing to tell.” She slowly sank to her knees before him. My heart skipped a beat as she reached for the stickstrip that held his trousers in place. She slowly pulled it apart, revealing blue-striped boxers. “The sphere will record everything,” he said nervously. “Yes.” She removed his cock from his pants. It was fatter and longer than I thought it would be. She touched it gently and it began to grow firm. “Tell me. What other surprises does my father have in store for me?” “I can’t tell you. I mustn’t.” And I knew they had played this game before. She would work him and work him until he gave her what she wanted. As she would do with me, if she had her way. She stroked his cock slowly, looking up at him from her knees. “Come on, Sir Edgar. I know you have something you want to tell me.”

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Master Nage Her head descended and her tongue emerged. I watched fascinated as she slowly licked his cock from the balls all the way up to the tip. And slowly, but surely, it grew harder. “Please. Stop. I have nothing to tell you.” She laughed and pulled her head back. “Don’t you?” “No.” I had never pictured Sir Edgar that way, so helpless and vulnerable. Apparently, I had misjudged him. For a few dalliances with a younger woman, he was risking it all—or was he? Perhaps there was some deeper plot afoot I didn’t yet understand. Lady Jacqueline smirked and lowered her head again. Her tongue lashed out, back and forth as she moved her head up the length of his thick, hard cock. Down and up again, tongue moving constantly, making his cock wet and hard. I didn’t want to watch, but had no choice. I felt my own cock hardening at the thought of those lips. She pulled away again and looked up at him. “Come on, Sir Edgar. I know you know something. You want to tell me, don’t you?” “No.” She laughed again, a deep throaty sound, then bent down, engulfing his cock with her mouth. My own labored breathing matched the advisor’s as her head moved up and down, up and down. Her hand moved to hold his cock, stroking in rhythm with her lips. Up and down. He was panting now and whimpering. His eyes were pleading and I didn’t think he could last

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Scorch much longer. She reached out and clamped her fingers around the base of his cock. She didn’t stop sucking though. “Please, no more. I can’t tell you.” She pulled her mouth off his cock just long enough to speak. “Yes you can. And you will. You’re no match for me, Sir Edgar.” Her mouth descended again, but her hand did not loosen. “Please, I beg you. I don’t know anything.” Up and down, tongue swirling within, building his hot cum, but not allowing him release. Over and over she licked. Her eyes shone with power and amusement and I thought I had never seen anything as desirable. Up and down, over and over. “Please, no more. I can’t stand it.” She stopped and pulled away. “Okay. That’s enough for you then.” The poor fool was almost in tears. “No...please.” “Beg me.” “Please, I beg you.” “For what?” “To cum. I need to cum.” “Do it yourself, old man.” She rose to her feet. “No, please...I need you.” “You have something you want to tell me, Sir Edgar?” “Yes.” She was started to lose patience. “Well?”

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Master Nage “The sphere submits your movements to your bodyguard. He can see everything. He knows all. He can hear us right now.” “I know that. If that’s all you have for me...” She turned toward the door. “It’s being recorded. The Baron can read it out and plans to do so every six months.” Lady Jacqueline’s eyes widened. “That son of a bitch!” She fell to her knees and started sucking furiously. Sir Edgar moaned, but was done speaking. She licked and sucked until he started to cum, then she took her mouth away and jerked him off, spraying hot cum everywhere. I watched, fascinated in spite of myself. “That’s a good boy. You do what I say and you’ll cum so hard!” She continued to work and squeeze his cock, until there was nothing left. Then she rose as if she were going to leave. Sir Edgar, to my surprise, rose to his feet. He fixed his shirt and trousers. “Young lady, you stay right where you are!” She stopped and turned, looking surprised. “Yes?” “You’ve been a very bad girl.” “Yes, Sir Edgar.” “Pull down your panties.” The night before she hadn’t been wearing any, but today, she was. Thin, black, they barely covered anything. She reached up under her short, white skirt and pulled them down, until they were just above her knees.

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Scorch “Now bend over.” She spread her legs as far as her panties would allow and leaned across the desk, looking back at him over her shoulder. “You’ve been very naughty, girl. It’s time for you to be punished.” “Yes, Sir Edgar.” I realized he was going to spank her. Part of me wanted to go to her aid, and yet, it was clear they had played this game many times. She was in no danger. Still I couldn’t help but wince as his hand came down that first time. She yelped and moaned. I could see the red mark on her ass. I rose and moved toward the office, then stopped myself. My cock was rock hard by then, but I was too distressed over her spanking to do anything about it. Slap! His hand came down again. I watched helplessly while he spanked her, all the while the lust building in her eyes. Only when I realized she really liked it, did I relax a bit. He spanked her until both her cheeks were red, then slid two fingers inside her pussy, working them deeper and deeper. She moaned and squealed and thrust against him like some wild animal and I watched spellbound, wondering just what a man would surrender to have her that way. I felt I understood Sir Edgar then, for he was like all of us. We all had our weaknesses. His had just been discovered. His fingers moved in and out and the juices flowed down her thighs in rivulets. I actually tried to turn my

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Master Nage head away, but the image stayed with me, of Sir Edgar fucking the young Heiress, her cheeks still crimson from his punishment. With his other hand he grabbed her hair and jerked her head back. Her eyes were wide and breath came in ragged gasps. “Yes, fuck me. Fuck my cunt, Sir Edgar. Fuck it hard! Make me cum!” His hand moved faster and faster, his own breathing a match for hers, and she was cumming, gushing, juices spilling from her wet pussy, coating his fingers, bathing her thighs. His eyes were glistening as he knelt and licked her clean, his tongue slowly painting every inch of her inner thighs, then sliding inside her. She came again, all over his tongue, and he licked and sucked as much of it as he could get. He was still kneeling there, when she pushed herself away from the desk and bent to pick up her panties. “Good-bye, Sir Edgar. Thank you so much for your time.” “No trouble at all m'dear. Any time.” She didn’t even put her panties on before joining me in the waiting area. She held them out. “For you. A souvenir. Enjoy them. It’s the closest you’ll ever get.” Then she was gone and the sphere and I followed her out of Sir Edgar’s quarters and into the palace proper. I stuffed her panties into my pocket before someone saw them.

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Scorch

Chapter Four

L

ady Jacqueline’s next stop was a lunch appointment. After her morning activities, I wasn’t sure what to expect and found myself relieved her lunch companions were two noblewomen, both older than her. As with Sir Edgar, I didn’t actually sit with them, but remained in Lady Remington’s parlor, while the women retired to the garden. The design was startling. Though the garden was underground, the view from the surveillance sphere made it look as if they were sitting outside. The effect was heightened by the artificial sunlight provided for the live plants, which seemed to grow everywhere. I didn’t bother turning on the holoviewer. Even had I wanted to, I was still shaken by what I’d just witnessed. I needed time to think, but wasn’t going to get it. Lady Jacqueline’s companions would have been interesting enough to draw my attention, even if they weren’t being transmitted directly into my head. Lady Remington was over thirty and very attractive. Her wavy, red hair was cut short, as was her light blue

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Master Nage skirt, revealing a pair of very nice legs. Her cleavage was also out on display, as the white blouse she almost wore did little to hide her most obvious attributes. She sat straight and thrust them out, as if they weren’t prominent enough already. The second woman, Lady Collingwood, was about five years older than Lady Remington, but no less interesting to look at. Her blonde hair was long, straight and held back from her face by a jeweled headband. Her blue eyes were intelligent and very large. Her body was somewhat more concealed than either of her companions, by a pair of black slacks and a red, sleeveless top. But for all that, there was a look in her eye that was both dangerous and seductive at the same time. The early part of the meal consisted largely of small talk and was not particularly interesting, though the view was. I felt myself relax when I realized nothing like this morning’s encounter was going to occur. Not that it would have bothered me to see the three of them together in that way, but after recent events, I needed time to cool down, particularly because the memories of the experiences I’d witnessed thus far were so vivid. About halfway through the meal, the conversation took an ominous turn. “So how is your new bodyguard?” asked Lady Collingwood. “He’s fine.” Lady Remington smirked. “You can say that again.”

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Scorch Lady Jacqueline laughed and actually blushed. I wasn’t yet sure what game she was playing, but whatever it was, I didn’t want to be a part of it. As if I had a choice. “Would you like to meet him?” asked Lady Jacqueline. Lady Remington’s face lit up and her lips parted. She moistened them and nodded, eyes already looking in the direction of the door. Lady Collingwood looked interested as well, but didn’t respond. I supposed, since they were sitting at a table in Lady Remington’s garden, it would be her decision. I felt an odd sensation in the pit of my stomach I once would have associated with indigestion. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but had a feeling I wouldn’t like it. Lady Jacqueline looked up at the surveillance sphere. “Frank, would you come here please? There are two ladies who are dying to meet you.” She giggled like a schoolgirl. I rolled my eyes and rose, walking in the direction of the garden. When I emerged, I schooled my expression. I walked up to the table and stopped. I didn’t sit, of course. That would have been a breach of etiquette. Commoners do not sit with nobles. “Frank, I’d like you to meet my friends. I’m sure you already know their names.” “Of course. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

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Master Nage Lady Remington made no attempt to disguise the hunger in her gaze. I knew she was married, but also knew Lord Remington was much older than her and often away on business. Lady Collingwood was a much harder woman to read. If she were looking for something to spice up her sex life, she was certainly more discreet. It was Lady Remington who addressed me. “I’m pleased to meet you, Frank. I’ve heard a lot about you.” “And you saw me in action at Baron Ceston’s party.” I had, in fact, seen both women there, though I only now recalled the fact. “Yes, indeed. You were most...impressive.” Lady Collingwood nodded in agreement. “Thank you, M'lady.” Lady Jacqueline leaned forward and spoke as if I wasn’t there. “I heard Dr. Naran put him through absolute hell. She had him completely under her control.” I tried not to blush, but don’t think I succeeded. It was still very recent and the scars were still fresh. If it had been anyone else, I’d have silenced them, but there was nothing I could use to threaten Lady Jacqueline—and she knew it. Again it was Lady Remington who addressed me. “Frank, is that true?” “It was an ordeal, M'lady.” But Lady Remington was not going to take that as an answer. “I heard she could read all your thoughts,

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Scorch your fantasies. That she could look right into your soul. Was it exciting, Frank? How did it feel to have her inside you? What did she make you do?” I shuddered, then cursed myself for it. I hadn’t wanted to give away that much. “I don’t remember much...” Lady Jacqueline cut me off. “Oh come on, Frank. Don’t be like that. Lady Remington is just... interested. Surely you can remember something that would pique her interest.” I was beginning to grow angry. “Well, yes, there is something.” All three women leaned forward expectantly. “Dr. Naran taught me by directly placing information into my mind. Like the knowledge of martial arts, for example, and various emergency procedures I needed to know, but that’s not all she taught me.” All three women stared, waiting for me to reveal something juicy. Little did they know just how juicy it was going to be. “And one of the things I had to learn about was Lady Jacqueline. It’s well known Lady Jacqueline doesn’t have any suitors at the moment. Many people believe the reason for that is Baron Ceston, but that’s not what Dr. Naran told me.” Lady Jacqueline met my eyes, but didn’t say anything. There was a warning there I chose to ignore. “The real reason Lady Jacqueline has no suitors, is she’s not interested...not in men, anyway. However,

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Master Nage Lady Remington, I have it on good authority she’s had her eye on you for some time.” Lady Remington blushed for what was likely the first time in many years. Lady Jacqueline jumped to her feet. “How dare you?” “I’m sorry, M'lady. You did ask.” Lady Collingwood tried to conceal her mirth. Lady Remington had recovered and considered the Heiress. It was suddenly hard to tell what she was thinking. Lady Jacqueline was incensed. “That’s a lie, Frank, and you know it.” “Of course. I must have been misinformed. I sincerely apologize.” Keeping my face straight wasn’t easy, but I managed it somehow. Lady Jacqueline turned back to her friends. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why he said that.” She made no attempt to retake her seat. “It’s okay, dear,” said Lady Remington, “it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We all have our little secrets.” Lady Jacqueline fought back her rage, then turned and walked to the door. She glared at the sphere as it began following. I winked at the two women behind her back and hurried to catch up. I knew I would soon have to pay the price for my folly, but was certain it had been worth it. I had shown Lady Jacqueline I wasn’t going to allow her to take me without a fight.

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Scorch Lady Jacqueline didn’t say anything right away. In fact, she didn’t say anything until we were back in her chambers. We were in the entertainment room, but I think only one of us was entertained. I finally had an enjoyable memory to play back. It was a strange memory though, for in this instance, I was part of the scene recorded by the sphere. It was odd to review a memory of my own actions in third person. Lady Jacqueline still hadn’t spoken and I was beginning to think it would stay that way. She was sitting on one of the divans. When she finally spoke, she didn’t say what I thought she would. “That was very clever, Frank.” I didn’t answer. “You realize, I’m going to have you now.” I was sitting in a nearby chair, fairly certain I was still smiling. “Have me?” I wasn’t certain what she meant by it, but it sure sounded like fun. I had a feeling it didn’t mean what I thought it did. I could tell from her reply I had revealed more in my facial expression than I’d intended. “Don’t get too excited. You’ll never lay a hand on me. Do you understand me? Never. No, I meant something completely different. I’m going to own you, Frank. Make you mine. Make you pay for what you did to me today.” “What I did to you? You did that to yourself. How does it feel, M'lady?” She laughed. “I don’t mind. Maybe it’ll give the old girl something to fantasize about.”

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Master Nage “You seemed pretty angry at the time.” “Not at what you said, Frank. At your defiance. You obviously haven’t learned yet, but you will.” “Haven’t learned what?” “That I own you.” I chuckled. “You’re so sure of yourself.” “Yes, I am. I want you to do something for me, Frank.” “And what would that be?” “Jerk off for me.” I met her eyes. She looked at me from her seat on the divan. I rose to my feet, though I didn’t know why. “Excuse me?” “I want to watch you jerk off.” I laughed. “No.” She raised an eyebrow. “No?” “I’m sorry. No, M’lady.” She grew angry and I braced myself for an assault. Fortunately, she still wasn’t done talking. “I told you to jerk off. When I instruct you, you obey.” “M'lady, I am your bodyguard, not your personal toy.” “You are whatever I tell you to be! Do you hear me?” I laughed again, and she leapt to her feet. “How dare you?” I sighed. “Not the first time you’ve used that today. You need to get some new lines.” She didn’t say anything, but I felt the storm approach. Perhaps I even feared it.

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Scorch “Listen to me. My job is to protect you and it’s what I’ve been programmed to do. It’s not to entertain you, or masturbate for you or anything else. I’m here because your father wants you protected and for no other reason.” “Remember how I licked Sir Edgar’s cock? You had to watch that whole time, didn’t you?” I growled and turned away. It was her turn to laugh. Worse still, I could still see her and she knew it. She licked her lips slowly, deliberately. I shuddered. “M'lady, I am not going to jerk off for you.” She laughed again, eyes bright with the thrill of the hunt. “Oh you will. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll do anything I tell you to, and I mean anything.” I growled again. She came up behind me and pressed her breasts against my back. I stiffened, but didn’t speak. “Come on, Frankie. Stroke your cock for me.” “My mother called me Frankie.” “Did you want to fuck her?” I whirled as if I was going to strike her and she laughed and danced away. “I’m sorry Frankie, but you can’t hurt me, remember?” I felt my anger grow, but had no way to release it. “Don’t call me that!” She circled me. “Jerk off for me, Frankie. Frankie! Frankie!” “No!” I started from the entertainment room toward my own quarters. She didn’t even attempt to follow.

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Master Nage “Music, Selection One,” she said. I entered my room and locked the door behind me, but couldn’t escape the image of her body as she moved to the music. Her dance was slow, seductive and it tempted me horribly. I collapsed on the bed and shut my eyes tightly, for all the good it did me. Her hands slid up the sides of her body and down the front. She was still wearing the same outfit she’d put on this morning, sans panties of course. Those were still in my pocket. I removed them and hurled them across the room. Her nipples were hard under the thin, white material of her shirt. She lifted her skirt as she danced, then bent over facing away from me as she flipped it onto her back. She spread her legs and I could see how wet she was. She looked back over her shoulder at me, the way she’d looked at Sir Edgar. I shuddered and gripped the sides of my mattress, holding tightly. She slid her hands down her sides again, then between her legs. She parted her lips for me and I moaned in spite of myself. She inserted two fingers inside and moved them slowly in and out. I tried to control my breathing, but found the more I resisted, the hotter I got. If only she weren’t so damned desirable. “Are you watching, Frankie? Can you see me? Can you see my fingers sliding in and out of my wetness? Do you want to smell it, Frankie? Do you want to taste it?” “Leave me alone!” I screamed.

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Scorch She laughed and I knew she’d heard me. “You don’t really want me to leave you alone, do you? You want me to keep stroking myself, until I cum sooooo good. You want to watch and when I cum, you want to drink it and taste it and clean me with your tongue. That’s what you really want, isn’t it? Look at it, Frankie. I’m going to do this every night, until you give in. Every single night. I’m going to torture you, Frankie, until you crawl to me and beg to taste my cum. I’m going to make you so hard you won’t be able to think about anything but sliding that cock inside me. Into my cunt. Into my mouth. Into my ass. But I won’t let you. The only thing I’ll ever let you do, is jerk off for me. You say you’re not my toy, but you are. You’re as much a toy as any man, and I’ll use you just the same. It’s only a matter of time, Frankie.” With those words, she plunged her fingers deep inside and screamed, a note of pain or pleasure in the sound. Her thumb moved to her clit and circled it slowly. I continued to grip the bed, my throbbing cock crying out to be stroked, but I resisted. And I knew she was right. Sooner or later I wouldn’t be able to hold back, but for now, I had to. It was all I had left. Her juices were running down her thighs, coating her fingers. She was panting too hard to speak, for which I was thankful, though it didn’t give me much relief. My cock, still thick and throbbing, rubbed against the fabric of my pants. It was almost enough to make me cum.

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Master Nage She screamed again when she came, hot cum oozing out and dripping onto the floor. She continued to rub, until she finally slowed and lay down on the divan. She fell asleep there and I continued to watch her for the rest of the night. *** Every day was the same. Each night she played her favorite music and taunted me, trying to get me to jerk off. And each night I’d resist, waiting until she slept to satisfy myself, but always to memories of her orgasms. The only thing that prevented me from thinking about sex, was when she was in danger, which didn’t happen all that often. The rest of the time, I was like a walking sexual bomb, ready to explode at any moment. I knew the day was rapidly approaching when I would no longer be able to resist her. I feared that day as I feared little else. I kept thinking about Sir Edgar, and how she had so easily manipulated him into revealing her father’s secrets. I thought also about what he’d told her. I knew the images picked up by the sphere were recorded, because my own playback of the memory was perfect. But it had never occurred to me the Baron could read it out at will, or that he planned to in six month’s time. It shamed me to think another might bear witness to my loss of control, for surely I couldn’t hold out that long. I could almost see the Baron smirking at my weakness or at his daughter’s

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Scorch conquest. Or would he be angry with me for either resisting or yielding. I had no idea what to expect. The possibilities filled me with a sense of dread I had never before experienced. But the true stakes of the game didn’t become clear to me until the fifth day of my service. That morning began as any other. Coffee and a hard on. I think I liked one as much as I was beginning to hate the other. Mornings were better for me though. M'lady wasn’t much of a morning person, so I had a small reprieve, though I had to watch her while she bathed and prepared herself for the day. Still it was infinitely better than the evenings. That morning, however, her routine was different. She paid far more attention to details than she usually did, even putting on a dab of makeup and perfume for the first time. I watched as she meticulously trimmed her pubic hair. I didn’t know what was coming, but felt it was something big. She was in the kitchen, working on her second mug of coffee, when the door chimes rang. I was most surprised when she rose and moved to get it. I checked the security cam even as I rose to follow, but I had nothing to worry about. Lord Warner was certainly no threat to the Heiress. By the time I’d reached the door, he was just entering. To my surprise, she slowly lowered herself to her knees and dropped her head. “Greetings, my Lord.” I was stunned to speechlessness. “Hello, girl.”

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Master Nage Lord Warner looked at me and smirked. “Good morning, Frank.” “Ummm, good morning.” He laughed and walked around her, but she didn’t move a muscle. My curiosity, I’m afraid, got the better of me. “Would someone mind telling me what’s going on?” To my surprise, it was Lady Jacqueline who spoke. “Permission to speak, M’lord?” “Oh, by all means. This should be interesting.” I looked at her expectantly. She still didn’t move or even raise her head.” “Lord Warner is my Master. I obey him in all things. I will do anything he says.” I have to admit, it was the last thing I expected to hear from her. I looked at Lord Warner with renewed respect. How did he do that? “So now you know,” said Jack. “There’s still a lot you don’t know, but it would be hard to keep this from you, all things considered.” His eyes wandered to the floating sphere before returning to me. “Yes, well this is a bit much. I had no idea.” “Of course you didn’t.” I wanted to say something but couldn’t think of anything. At length, Lord Warner turned to her. “You may rise, girl and fetch me a cup of coffee.” “Yes, my Master.” I shook my head, completely unable to reconcile the docile creature serving coffee and the temptress

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Scorch who tormented me each night. Something wasn’t adding up. “Aren’t you worried about the Baron finding out?” I didn’t mention the six-month reading. I wasn’t sure if Lord Warner knew about it. Again, it was Lady Jacqueline who answered. “No, my Master is not worried about it, and neither am I.” “But what if your father disapproves?” She laughed, but Lord Warner answered. “I am certain the Baron, if he ever did find out, would have me executed on the spot. But I have little fear of that, Frank. You see, Baron Ceston will be dead long before he has the chance to find out about us.”

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Master Nage

Chapter Five

I

didn’t speak for a long time. Both Lady Jacqueline and her Master were content to let me work things out on my own. Finally, I had to ask. “You’re plotting against the Baron?” They both answered at once. “Yes.” “I have a bad feeling about this.” “As well you should,” said the Heiress. “But I trust you implicitly.” “You do?” Her laughter was more reminiscent of the temptress than the slave. “Of course, silly. You can’t do anything to harm me, remember? If anyone found out about this, I’m pretty certain I would come to harm.” The blood drained from my face. I looked from one to the other and back again, but Lady Jacqueline was absolutely correct. I couldn’t report her any more than I could strike her. And I couldn’t report Lord Warner, for fear an investigation might reveal her involvement. I bit my lip.

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Scorch Lord Warner laughed. “Don’t be so glum, Frank. After she takes the throne, she’s still going to need a bodyguard.” I felt physically ill. While I might not have been the most honorable man in the world, I had certainly never considered treason. The word echoed in my head, until I could think of naught else. If I didn’t report it, I was an accessory, but there was nothing I could do to report it. Not without hurting Lady Jacqueline, which my core programming wouldn’t allow. “But why?” Both looked surprised. “Because my Master wants me on the throne,” she said. She was even willing to betray her own father for him. It was the most horrible thing I could think about someone and I hated that it had to be about her. Still, I already knew what she was. Why it should bother me, I couldn’t imagine. “We have to move up the time schedule,” said Lord Warner. Lady Jacqueline nodded. “As you wish, M’lord.” “There’s no choice. I’d have waited longer, but we absolutely can’t wait until your father reads out Frank’s memory. It’ll be our undoing. There’s only one problem.” The fact popped into my mind before either spoke of it. “She’s only nineteen. She’s too young to sit on the throne.” I clung to the fact as a drowning man might grasp a piece of driftwood.

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Master Nage Lord Warner studied me, surprised, then turned his attention to his slave. “He’s right. You cannot legally take the throne until you’re twenty-one.” “He’s almost right,” she said. “If there are mitigating circumstances, special dispensation can be granted by the Bishop.” It was my turn to laugh. “The Bishop is a servant of the Emperor. There’s no way he’d do such a thing.” Lady Jacqueline smirked. “The Bishop is a man and all men have weaknesses. I think it’s time I go to confession. It’s been quite a while.” Lord Warner raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure you can pull that off?” “Yes, Master. I’ve seen the way he looks at me.” “That’s good enough for me. Do what you have to.” “Yes, Master.” Lord Warner rose. “I believe this calls for a celebration. Come, girl.” He moved off toward the entertainment room. “You too, Frank.” I followed, still trying to deal with what I’d learned. Surely there had to be some way to stop them, yet I could think of nothing. Even hinting something was going on, could possibly endanger Lady Jacqueline and I couldn’t bring myself to risk harm to her. Dr. Naran had done her job all too well. I cursed the doctor then and swore to myself, somehow, someday, I would have my vengeance, though at the moment, I didn’t see how it would be possible.

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Scorch When we reached the sitting room, Lord Warner took one chair and I another. Lady Jacqueline knelt beside him on the rug. I shook my head again at the thought of it. How could she lower herself so, considering her position? Lord Warner leaned forward and grabbed a handful of her hair with his cyborg hand, jerking her head backward. She yelped and I almost rose, but forced myself to remain sitting. This was her choice and, apparently, she received some pleasure from it. I sat and watched as the Head of Security lowered his mouth to her neck and started to suck. She tried to squirm, but he held her tightly by the hair, forcing her to remain in position. Each time she tried to move, he jerked her head back again. “You don’t need me here, do you, Jack?” Lady Jacqueline answered, through clenched teeth. “I think Frankie should stay. Let him see how a real man treats a woman.” Lord Warner laughed and continued to kiss down her neck, nibbling and biting as he moved lower and lower. Lady Jacqueline squirmed, even though he never loosened his hold on her hair. The pain must have been excruciating, but apparently, she couldn’t control herself. Lord Warner started on her left breast, kissing and licking all around the nipple. I watched it harden, in real life and via the sphere. Having two images to focus on was no easier than one. This was something I didn’t need to see in stereo. He moved from one firm breast to the other, sucking, licking, kissing, mouth moving constantly

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Master Nage over every inch of those perfect breasts, though he avoided contact with the nipples. Lady Jacqueline’s moans grew louder. “Please, my Lord, lick my nipples. Suck them. Bite them.” But Lord Warner did no such thing. Instead he kissed back along her neck, then up to her ear and finally along her jaw line until his mouth sought hers. I watched him rape her mouth with his tongue. Even from where I sat, I could smell the juices flowing from her. My cock grew hard and I longed to touch it, but wouldn’t do so in front of Lord Warner. Still I squirmed in my seat, trying desperately to think of something, anything else. Finally, he pulled away and jerked her hard to her feet. She screamed in pleasure/pain and clutched at him so she wouldn’t fall. Roughly, he pushed her down so her cheek rested on the divan. Both her legs were straight and parted. He grabbed the back of both of her thighs, then dropped to his knees and thrust his tongue hard inside her. Again she screamed, but this time, she didn’t stop. Lord Warner fucked her hard with his tongue, only occasionally removing it to lick down her slit to her clit. She moved wildly, uncontrollably, unable to stop herself from writhing against his tongue. I watched in horrid fascination as he made her his, wishing I was the one doing it. I hated myself for wishing it, knowing what she was, but it didn’t matter. And I realized I’d do anything to own Lady Jacqueline. The thought disturbed me, but didn’t dampen my desire.

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Scorch Lady Jacqueline bucked and writhed and squirmed, but he held her tightly and continued to fuck her with his tongue. Over and over he plunged it into her. When she started to cum, he only fucked her harder, driving into her with more force than I’d have believed possible. I found myself wondering if his tongue was also made of metal. There were tears on her cheeks, but he didn’t stop. He kept thrusting, harder and deeper with each thrust. She came again and again, and still he kept thrusting. She was trying to talk now, but I couldn’t hear her through the gasps and sobs of pure pleasure. Finally, I realized she was begging, begging him to keep going, begging him to stop, begging him to take her. And I watched, all the time wishing it could be me, knowing it never would be. Finally, she dropped exhausted to the divan and I slunk away to my room, completely unnoticed. I didn’t jerk off though. Instead I lay on the bed and wondered if I’d somehow died and ended up in Hell. *** It was a long time, before the door to my room slid open. Only then did I realize I hadn’t locked it. Lady Jacqueline stood in the doorway, wearing a lazy smile. I didn’t look at her, which didn’t make a difference. “You see, Frankie. That’s how a man takes a woman.”

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Master Nage I laughed. “I saw you. Kneeling to him. You’re his slave.” I tried to make the word sound as derogatory as possible. Her voice, when she answered, was the voice of the woman I’d come to know and hate. “Is that what you think? You really don’t get it, do you?” “No, I don’t.” She walked over to me and sat down on the bed, running a hand lightly down my chest. “I’m not his slave. He’s mine.” “That’s not what I saw.” She ran her hand down under my shirt and then up through my chest hair. I wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go. “Of course not. As I said earlier, every man has his weakness. Lord Warner’s weakness is known to few but me. You know he went through something like what you went through with Dr. Naran.” “Yes.” “When Dr. Spaurro was done with him, he left Lord Warner unable to perform as a man. It’s one of the reasons Lord Warner hates my father. The Baron felt sexual attraction was a weakness and certainly he was right. He didn’t want a woman to be able to compromise his Head of Security. Fortunately for me, there’s more than one way to control a man. In exchange for the illusion of power, Lord Warner works to put me on the throne. The funny part is, he thinks this is his plan...his vengeance against the man responsible for his impotence.”

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Scorch She laughed. It was not a pleasant sound. I remained mute. “I need Lord Warner, so I give him what he wants. I assure you, it’s no hardship to allow him to service me with his tongue. And I won’t always need him. Once I’m on the throne, I’ll have my vengeance.” The look in her eyes was most unpleasant. “I’ll tell him.” She laughed and continued to stroke my chest. “Do you know what he’d do to me, if he found out? I should think I might come to some harm.” She leaned all the way down until her mouth was just inches from my ear. She kissed it gently, whispering, “You’re not going to tell him, are you Frankie?” The smell of sex was still on her. “No. I won’t.” “I know you won’t. Now, jerk off for me.” “No.” She kissed me again, then rose and moved to the door that led to her room. “Have it your way.” As she stepped from my room to hers, she spoke. “Music, Selection One.” And touched herself as the music started and I lay in my bed and watched as she once again pleasured herself. Toward the end, I reached for my cock and started to stroke it. By the time I came, I was crying like a baby. *** Lady Jacqueline fell asleep, but I, of course, did not. Even that escape was denied me. Instead I rose and

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Master Nage walked to the comp terminal in my room. If only I could send a message to someone, anyone about what was happening...what was going to happen... Three times I composed missives to different people and three times I deleted them without sending. I couldn’t do it. Not if there was a chance Lady Jacqueline might come to some harm. And I knew what would happen. She would play her game and I would be her pawn, willingly or unwillingly. Was there a difference? If I continued to fight her, I would be like this always, in constant pain. But if I gave in, would it be any better? If I did what she asked, if I jerked off for her, if I became her willing creature... My mind recoiled from the thought. No. She didn’t own me. No one owned me. It was true I had constraints, but they were not of my doing and I couldn’t be blamed for them. My mind and body had been tampered with in ways I would never understand, but I couldn’t control any of that. All I could control was my own reactions, for as long as I was able. I didn’t think it would be much longer. I had too many constraints and she was too powerful. I cursed my fate and watched her sleep for a while. How could anyone be so perfect and so flawed at the same time? I suspected I would never be able to answer the question.

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Chapter Six

L

ord Warner returned the next day, though his mood was far more businesslike, which suited me fine. Lady Jacqueline knelt before him. The thought of it was enough to make me hard, but he told her to get up and, sensing his mood, she kept the conversation to the matter at hand. I didn’t know what was troubling him, but suspected I would find out soon. Nor was I incorrect. As soon as we were seated in the kitchen, he spoke. “I’ve just found out General Richards is returning to the palace.” Lance Richards was the head of the Baron’s Armed forces and possibly the only man I was more scared of than Lord Warner. I didn’t know the Head of Security was scared of him until that morning. Lady Jacqueline looked puzzled. “So?” “So I don’t want him around. He’s trouble. I’ve told you that before. You were supposed to keep tabs on him through Sir Edgar.” She dropped her head immediately. “I’m sorry, Master. The news of the readout last time, took me by surprise.”

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Master Nage He raised a hand as if to strike her, and I was on my feet, ready to interpose myself if necessary. He looked at me, shook his head and cursed. “That’s no excuse. You know how important this is.” “Yes, Master.” I could almost hear her voice break and marveled at her acting ability. “We need to get rid of him.” “What about the rebels, Master?” Lord Warner looked thoughtful, then shook his head. “It’s too soon. Too much activity will be revealing. The rebels, presumably, don’t have the resources for so many actions, so close together. Another attack so soon might spark a different kind of investigation.” I didn’t say anything, but couldn’t hide the surprise on my face. “What’s wrong, Frankie?” asked Lady Jacqueline. “You didn’t realize Lord Warner is responsible for the rebellion?” “We’ve always beaten them, “ I said, softly. “Of course we have!” Lord Warner snapped. “They’re a distraction, nothing more. Something to keep the good General busy.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Lady Jacqueline smirked. “I can think of a couple of ways to keep the General busy.” “Enough!” I had never seen Lord Warner look so angry. Without thinking, I leapt between him and Lady Jacqueline. He backhanded me out of the way with his metal arm. I was fast, but not fast enough. Even

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Scorch that glancing blow sent me flying across the room. However, I didn’t lose consciousness. Lord Warner ignored me and looked at Lady Jacqueline, while I struggled to regain my feet. “You are not to go near him, do you understand me? I won’t risk you.” “I can take care of myself, Master.” “No, you cannot. You’ve never been able to take care of yourself. That’s why you need me. Believe me when I tell you, General Richards would see through you in a second.” I rose to my feet, barely able to stand, but ready to defend Lady Jacqueline if necessary. She didn’t answer him, but I learned something from the exchange. Lord Warner was scared to let Lady Jacqueline near the General, because he was worried he might lose her. It was a weakness I never expected, and I wondered if she really did own him, as she claimed she did. It was something I would give a lot of thought to in the weeks to come. *** Later in the day Lady Jacqueline bathed, while I endured every graceful movement. Her hands slid over every inch of her body with agonizing thoroughness. Unlike my own sonic shower, Lady Jacqueline bathed in hot water, a great luxury in an underground palace. She also used some sort of clear gel that immediately seeped into her skin. I had never seen her use it before and wondered what it was. I guessed I would soon find out. I tried to think about

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Master Nage something else but couldn’t and realized each day, I was more and more lost. Soon, I would be past the point of no return. Not long after she emerged from the spa, I was immediately taken by lust. I took a step toward her. These were feelings on a level I’d never before experienced, except perhaps in Dr. Naran’s machine. She laughed and pushed me away. “Come on. We have work to do.” I was so turned on, I could barely think. “Work?” “Yes, Frankie. We have work. I’m going to confession today.” “I want you.” I couldn’t stop the words from coming out. “Of course you do. I doused myself with pheromones to make certain the Bishop will cooperate. I’m not for you, Frankie. You’ll never have me.” She pushed me away again to make her point and walked to the door. I remained several steps behind as we made our way from her quarters. I tried, several times to clear my head, with mixed success. Finally, to take my mind off the Heiress, I thought of what I knew so far. Lady Jacqueline and Lord Warner were planning to usurp the throne from Baron Ceston. Lord Warner believed this to be his idea, but Lady Jacqueline claimed to be using him. She was also using Sir Edgar, who advised the Baron. I was relatively certain Sir Edgar knew nothing of her ambitions though. The plot was initially supposed to be long term, but the rape attempt on Lady Jacqueline by her

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Scorch previous bodyguard had ruined their carefully laid plans. The Baron, responding to the threat against his daughter, implemented the surveillance sphere to keep tabs on his daughter at all times, a recording of which would be read out every six months. This didn’t figure in with their plans, since Lady Jacqueline couldn’t take the throne for another two years. Not without the backing of the Church, which she would somehow procure now. The only one who knew about the plot, besides the two of them, was me and I couldn’t say anything. I had to admire their planning. The problem was, I couldn’t see any way to stop it. My programming was too strong and, though I hated to admit it, Lady Jacqueline’s nightly games were working on my psyche better than she could ever imagine. I wondered how much time I had left before I would do what she said without question. The very thought haunted me. The chapel was a congregation of rooms sectioned off from the palace proper. Perhaps it might seem strange to you, to have a palace of subterranean rooms and corridors, but it’s the most efficient way to manage underground. Naturally there are some large public areas for ceremonies and festivals, but they are above ground, in the domes set up for such purposes. The palace itself is completely submerged beneath the barren rock of Ballista, burned by the sun during the day and chilled by its absence at night. The chapel was just another corridor, leading to another set of rooms. This is where Bishop Reginald

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Master Nage Whetfield took confessions from the nobility. It was a setup I had cause to question more than once. The Emperor still lives on Earth, even after all these years. Only government officials and high-ranking church leaders live on Earth and those who serve them. It’s the most exclusive neighborhood in the galaxy—a neighborhood most of us will never see. The Emperor grants Dukedoms and Baronies to those he feels worthy, as long as they do as told. The problem being, as always, if you give a man too much power, sooner or later, he wants more. At least that’s how it is with most men. How far can the Emperor trust his own, hand-selected nobles? Not well enough apparently. That’s where the Church comes in. The Church and the Emperor have a sort of symbiotic relationship. The Emperor supports the Church, because they have their own hierarchy, which is useful to him. The Church places Bishops in larger holdings and Cardinals in smaller ones, both of which enforce Church Doctrine, which has to be approved by the Emperor. The Church, by arbitrating all disputes, has huge power. Even Baron Ceston had to kowtow to them, at least publicly, for when Church came out in support of something, the Emperor always backed them. I would think the Emperor would be relieved to be rid of Baron Ceston, in favor of Lady Jacqueline, who he might see as a weaker presence on Ballista. Baron Ceston’s domain spanned a single continent, the largest on the planet. Other land masses on Ballista

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Scorch were ruled over by other nobles, who outwardly pretended to like the Baron. What they really thought, only God knows. The real irony of the situation was not lost on me. As powerful as the Baron was, I now considered his daughter both more ambitious and more dangerous. The Emperor might celebrate Lady Jacqueline’s ascension to the throne, but it wouldn’t be long, I felt, before he discovered his mistake. When we arrived, I preceded her into the chapel. Almost at once, an alarm started blaring in twosecond bursts. The noise put me immediately on guard. The Bishop stormed toward me, trying to make himself heard over the noise. “Your weapon! You can’t bring your weapon into a place of worship. Get out it out of here, now!” Chastened, I turned and entered the outer room leaving the Bishop and Lady Jacqueline alone. I didn’t panic however. Bishop Whetfield couldn’t harm anyone. And, of course, I could still see them. As I had never before been here, I took a moment to study the tableau. A red line of carpet divided the room in two. On either side, three rows of benches allowed about twenty people to worship, as long as they didn’t mind sitting real close to the person next to them. Imitation candles burned in holders on the walls, spouting hologram flames that never grew hot and never went out. At the front of the room rested a golden altar bearing several holy symbols and accouterments,

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Master Nage some of which I didn’t recognize. Religion was almost completely lost on me. I could understand it in political and intellectual terms, but could never feel that way about a God who so obviously didn’t care much about me. I just hoped I wouldn’t end up worshipping Lady Jacqueline. Bishop Whetfield was still glaring at the doorway through which I’d departed. I had seen him before and each time I did, I was surprised. The man looked too young for the job. He was just into his early thirties and fairly good looking, considering he was a man of the cloth. His sandy hair was short and he sported a neatly trimmed goatee, but no mustache. His green eyes were intense and a single look at his slender body led me to believe he exercised regularly. I wondered why a guy like that would choose a life of celibacy. Then I recalled Lady Jacqueline’s pheromones and wondered for how much longer that celibacy would last. She knelt, then rose gracefully. “Greetings, Your Grace.” “Hello, my child. It has been a long time.” She dropped her head and looked at him through lowered lashes. “Yes, Your Grace, I’m sorry.” She looked uncertain, almost as if she were about to cry. “Is something wrong, my child?” “Your Grace, may we talk in your office... privately?” The pheromones hadn’t hit him yet, but it wouldn’t be long before they did. Apparently he trusted either her or himself enough to acquiesce, for a moment

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Scorch later, he held the door for her and motioned for her to enter. The Bishop’s office was almost austere, resembling more a monk’s cell than what I expected. It had a small desk and a chair, but apparently the Bishop sat on a worn woven mat most of the time. At the far end of the room was a sofa, which was old and almost tattered. He sat there now and motioned Lady Jacqueline to sit beside him. She looked at the hovering sphere behind her and actually winked at me before lowering herself into the proffered seat. “Now, my child, what can I do for you?” She raised her tear-stained eyes to him, and told a story I was sure was complete fabrication. While she spoke, I could tell the pheromones were having their desired effect, for the Bishop kept changing positions to hide his hardness from her or perhaps himself. “You heard about Carson? He tried to rape me in my father’s gardens. He grabbed my wrists and held me. He kissed my lips and my throat. I tried to get away, but couldn’t.” “I had heard. You must have been terrified.” She shook her head. “That’s just it, Your Grace, I wasn’t terrified. I was excited. When he touched me, I felt my body respond. I grew flushed, then wet. I wanted to give myself to him...” “But you didn’t, child. You screamed. There is nothing to be ashamed of.” “But Your Grace, since that day, I’ve thought about it every waking moment. The feel of his body pressed against mine, mashing my breasts down, while his

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Master Nage thigh forced its way between my legs. I could feel my juices leaking out onto the ground, while he fondled my breasts. I was so hot, I wanted him to take me so much...” She stopped and started to sob. “Now, now, my child, none of that.” He actually put his arms around her. I winced. It wouldn’t be long now. She buried her face into his shoulder and pressed herself hard against him. I could see her hand 'accidentally' brush his cock under his white robes of office. I had to admire her technique, even as I felt myself responding. Remarkable didn’t begin to describe Lady Jacqueline. She rose and lifted her black skirt. She wore no panties underneath. The Bishop’s face was almost buried in her pussy already. “Can you smell it, Your Grace? Doesn’t that smell sooo good?” “What...what are you doing?” “Come on, Your Grace. Don’t you want to lick it? ” She ran her fingers through his short hair, pulling his head closer. “Just sniff it, that’s all.” I could see him breathe in and heard him whisper. “What are you doing to me?” “I’m not doing anything, Your Grace. Now be a good boy and lick my pussy.” I saw his holy tongue emerge and ever so slowly part her lips. “Ahhhhhh yes. That’s a good boy. Lick it good for me, Your Grace. It’s sweet, isn’t it?”

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Scorch I saw tears rolling down his cheeks as he moved his tongue up and down her slit. She pulled him closer and threw back her head, laughing triumphantly. “Yessssssss. Lick my hot cunt, Your Grace. Lick it good. So sweet it is. So helpless you are. Look at you!” She laughed again and I shuddered at the malice in the sound. “Now, show me your cock.” “Please, no...” “Now!” He slowly reached down and freed his cock from his holy robes. It was already dripping cum and I thought it might have been a long time since he’d last taken matters into his own hands. “Stroke it for me.” “No.” “I said stroke it.” He didn’t respond. She pushed his head back and stepped away from him. He fell from the sofa, onto his hands and knees. “Please...” She backed away. “Crawl. Crawl to me.” On his hands and knees, crying the whole time, he crawled. “That’s a good boy. Crawl, Your Grace. Crawl to me. You remember how good my pussy tastes, don’t you? What do you think your God is doing right now? Can he see you?” That almost stopped him, he actually paused for a moment, before continuing forward. “You’re pathetic and weak, Your Grace, aren’t you?”

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Master Nage “Yes.” No hesitation. I actually felt sorry for the poor bastard. “You don’t deserve to be a Bishop, do you?” “Please...“ “Please? Please what?” She placed her foot on his shoulder to stop him from getting any closer. I could see her juices running down her legs. How her power excited her. “Please...don’t do this to me.” “Grab hold of your cock.” He touched it. “Stroke it for me.” Slowly his hand began to move and he started to pant. “Don’t cum, Your Grace. I wouldn’t want to have to punish you.” “Please...” “Please?” She laughed. “You weak, pathetic fool. Please what?” “I need...” He never finished the sentence. “You need? What do you need? Do you need to put it inside me? Do you want me to suck it? “Yes.” “Then beg me.” “Please, I beg you. Let me put it inside you.” He half rose, but she pushed him back down with her foot. “Did I tell you to stop stroking? Stroke your cock for me!” He started stroking again. “Please.” “Beg me in the name of your God.”

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Scorch “No, don’t ask me that!” She licked her lips slowly and lowered her head until she was looking him right in the eyes. “I don’t want to have to repeat myself. Beg me, in the name of your God.” “God have mercy!” She laughed. “I don’t see God here. I see only you on your holy knees. And me, with my dripping cunt, standing before you. If you’re going to beg for mercy, you’re probably begging the wrong deity.” “That’s blasphemy!” “Worship me! Beg me in the name of your God.” He moaned then lowered his head all the way to the ground. “Please, I beg of you, in God’s name. Let me enter you!” “No. Finish yourself off. Now.” Tears in his eyes, the Bishop rubbed his cock, until, only moments later, he shot a load of cum on the floor at her feet. She smirked and pushed his head down with her foot. “Now lick it up!” “Please...” “I said lick it!” He lowered his head slowly and lapped up his cum from the ground. My own cock was straining against the fabric of my pants and I was horny enough to jerk off, even where I was, but didn’t. Still, I felt this would be the last time I would be able to resist.

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Master Nage She wasn’t done with him yet. She walked away and sat back on his couch, her juices staining the antiquated fabric. “Your Grace, do you see the surveillance sphere?” He nodded, unable to speak. “Do you know what it does?” He nodded again. “Did you know it records images as well?” He looked up sharply, realization lighting his eyes. “No...” “Yes. And each six months, the Baron will go through the recordings. You have that long.” “Oh God. What am I to do?” She smiled. “Do? Nothing at all. Well, one small favor.” He stared at her, but didn’t ask. He didn’t have to. She was perfectly willing to volunteer the information. “If something should happen to my father, you’ll give your blessing for my ascension to the throne, won’t you?” He didn’t respond right away and a sliver of hope entered my soul. “Your Grace. In six months, when my father reviews that recording, your career is over. In fact, I don’t know what the penalty for such blasphemy is, but I’m certain you won’t like it.” “You tricked me.” She shrugged. “It’s your head. Will you give your blessing to my ascension to the throne?”

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Scorch Then he dropped his head and I knew she’d won again. “Yes, M'lady.” “Good boy. Oh and one more thing. Never call me child again, okay?” He nodded. She looked down at the stain on his couch, between her legs. “Now crawl to me and lick up my juices.” He dropped to his hands and knees and crawled to her. I watched in horror as he obediently followed her instructions, wondering if that would be me in a next few days.

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Chapter Seven

T

hat night, we had an unexpected visitor. Lady Jacqueline had already started her nightly taunting, when the security system chimed. I didn’t recognize the visitor, or thought I didn’t, until his name popped into my head. So much I didn’t know I knew. “General Richards?” He seemed surprised. “Yes.” “I’ll be right there.” I looked at her and she shrugged. If she had arranged this meeting, she’d found a way to do it without my knowledge. Lord Warner was going to be furious. The door slid noiselessly open and I stepped aside. “Please, come in.” “Thank you.” “Lady Jacqueline is in the sitting room. If you’ll come this way.” I started to walk, but sensed he wasn’t following. I stopped and turned back to him. “Actually, I wasn’t here to see Lady Jacqueline. I’m here to see you.”

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Scorch “Me?” I should have been used to surprises by now. “Yes. You’re quite a work of art, you know.” I had never been called a work of art before and wasn’t sure I liked it. Lady Jacqueline, her curiosity apparently getting the better of her, joined us in the entrance foyer. I didn’t want to introduce them, but didn’t have a choice. I was fairly certain they’d met already anyway. “Lady Jacqueline, General Richards.” He bowed low and her eyes flashed. I shook my head slightly and she smirked. I could see why a woman would like him, and perhaps why Lord Warner would be jealous as well. The General was a man in his forties, powerfully built, but not muscle-bound. His face was cleanshaven, his jaw prominent. His brown hair was short, his brown eyes, intense. He looked far more affable than I’d pictured him, and his smile, when he rose from his bow, would have attracted many a lady of the court. I believe Lady Jacqueline saw him as a challenge. I remembered Lord Warner’s warnings and thought furiously. I had to stop her from playing her games with this man, or she might come to some harm. I needn’t have worried. The General had something else in mind. “To be direct, I’d like to spar with you.” “Spar?” “Yes, I saw the holo of your...trial run, if you would, and was most impressed. I wanted to see what you’d be like in the arena.”

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Master Nage “I’m not sure...” Lady Jacqueline cut me off. “That’s a great idea. I’d love to watch, if I can.” I shook my head. “I don’t know...” The General looked at me. “Young man, if you are as good as I think you are, you represent the next evolutionary step in soldiering. This is very important.” Lady Jacqueline was already propelling me toward the door. I finally gave up resisting and allowed her to usher me out, followed by the General and of course, the surveillance sphere. “I suppose I’m outvoted.” “Excellent,” said the General. We followed him to one of the transport corridors and stepped into a waiting travelator, essentially a moving room. Unlike a lift, travelators could travel up, down or sideways, anywhere a t-corridor was laid. In a large, underground palace, where more common modes of transport were impractical, this made a lot of sense. There were two wide exits, the one we entered through and one directly opposite. The adjacent walls were lined with comfortable looking leather seats, ten in all. Four slender metal poles formed a line down the center, providing hand holds for people who had to stand. The doors on both sides descended simultaneously, then the walls came alive with shifting colors, like an epileptic rainbow. If you had the right codes, you could call up a variety of themes, almost anything to suit your taste. Apparently this

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Scorch knowledge was something I didn’t need to know, for I didn’t have it. So I watched the colors dancing and didn’t say a word. I wanted to sit, but, as the General and Lady Jacqueline remained standing, I didn’t. My legs felt weak when I thought about what I was about to do. Still, when General Richard’s eyes met mine, they made me forget my fear. I hadn’t expected the man to be quite so charismatic. When the travelator slowed to a stop, we emerged into what most of us called the Fort, though like the rest of the palace, the area consisted of corridors and rooms. I had never been here before but, true to form, a layout of the place appeared in my mind as soon as we exited the travelator. The area was used to house soldiers staying at the palace, but wasn’t used often. Lord Warner was in charge of palace security, even when soldiers did stay here. A century ago, the Fort enjoyed more use. But in the last five years, since the rebellion began, there were less and less soldiers here, and more and more on the front line. I wondered if the rebellion had begun independently and Lord Warner had simply decided to use it, or if he’d started it in the first place. If that were the case, he’d been planning this coup for a long time. We left Lady Jacqueline in a completely secure area, monitored by palace security, military security and, of course, me. Then we headed for the changing rooms. I had never sparred before and wasn’t looking forward to it. I hadn’t planned on speaking to the

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Master Nage General, certainly not in confiding in him, but he had other plans. “So, what’s it like working for Lady Jacqueline?” I didn’t know what to say. Certainly I couldn’t tell him the truth. “It’s not what I thought it would be.” He smiled. “Things are seldom are. The Lady has a nasty temper.” “That’s not the half of it,” I muttered, immediately sorry I’d done so. “No?” I wanted to tell him to mind his own business, but didn’t think I could get away with it. Not with this man. “M'lady is...cruel.” He nodded, but didn’t slow his pace. “I’d expect she would be.” “You would?” He laughed, good-naturedly. “Of course. Look at her father. Do you really believe this girl has been shown an ounce of love or support in her entire life?” I had never thought about it before and that I hadn’t disturbed me. “I know her father loves her. Look at what he went through to protect her.” He paused and turned to face me. “What did he go through?” “Well he...” And I thought. He hadn’t actually gone through anything. People who worked for him did. People like Dr. Naran...and me.” “Frank, she is a possession to the Baron, nothing more. The man is not capable of love.” “But you fight on his behalf!” I felt this was getting awfully close to treason.

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Scorch “Yes, I do. The Baron maintains order and we need order. In the old days, people starved, but today, they don’t. In the old days, people died of horrible diseases, but today they don’t. The Baron, flawed as he might be, has done some good, if unwittingly.” “I see.” I hadn’t expected anything like this, particularly from the highest-ranking officer in the Baron’s army. He chuckled and kept walking, until we arrived at the changing room. Inside, he punched a code into a locker and the door slid open. He turned to punch one in mine, but before he could do so, I entered the number myself. He looked surprised. “I didn’t know you were privy to this sort of information.” I shrugged. “Neither did I.” He shook his head and chuckled again. “A work of art.” Uncomfortably, I started removing gear from the locker. I didn’t recognize any of it. He glanced at me, saw the look on my face, and explained. “The sensor suits have repulsor units built into them. When you score a hit, it doesn’t cause your opponent any damage. But the area does light up and does keep a point tally of how well you’re doing.” “Oh.” It was all I could think to say. We dressed in silence, but before we left, I placed a hand on his arm and stopped him. “Let me ask you a question.” He raised an eyebrow.

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Master Nage “You said Lady Jacqueline was the way she was, because no one had ever shown her love.” “Or any kind of support for that matter.” “Okay, suppose someone did. Suppose she met someone and he showed her what love really was. What do you think would happen?” The General looked thoughtful, then shook his head. “I think it’s too late for her. A girl, raised like that respects nothing but power. She might yield to a more powerful force, but I doubt love would have any real meaning to her.” “It’s sad.” “Yes, it is. Do you know what happened to her mother?” “No.” “She was murdered when Lady Jacqueline was eight.” “That’s horrible.” “By the Baron.” I stopped walking. “You’re joking.” “I wish I were. That’s not the worst of it though. She was there.” “He murdered his wife in front of his own daughter?” The General nodded. I grew suddenly suspicious. “Why are you telling me this?” “Because I think you have a hard and thankless job and this information might help make it easier.” I breathed a sigh of relief and started walking again. “Yes, it does.” “I would imagine she really hates you.”

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Scorch “Why? I’ve done nothing to her.” “Well that’s true, but you can see her every moment of every day. That’s an invasion of her privacy I’m sure she doesn’t enjoy. And while the Baron is responsible, she can’t well take it out on him. Therefore, she has to take it out on you.” I didn’t say anything else, nor did General Richards. At length, we found ourselves in a padded sparring room. Through a viewing window, Lady Jacqueline watched with unconcealed interest. The General crouched down in a combat stance, while I stood and waited for his attack. He moved forward carefully, testing me. Before I even knew what was happening, he stuck a blow to one arm and one leg. The respective pieces of my suit lit up, displaying point totals. Embarrassed, I tried to return the attack. The entire experience was more than a little humiliating. Each kick or punch he landed scored points, where as my own clumsy rebuttals seem to do little damage. After only a short time, he broke it off. “I don’t understand. I watched those holos several times.” I shrugged. I didn’t understand it any better than he did. He didn’t speak for a couple of minutes then started to remove his armor. “I’m sorry.” “Take off your suit. I want to try something.” I complied, not sure I liked the sound of this. Almost before I was done, he lashed out with his foot. I leaped over it and punched him hard in the side of

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Master Nage the neck. He dropped down and rolled away. When he rose, he didn’t attack again and I relaxed. “Interesting.” I had to agree. “The knowledge comes to you when you need it, but not before. You realized you were in no danger wearing the suit, so you didn’t have to defend yourself. But without the suit, you might be damaged which would make protecting the Heiress harder, so you knew what to do. I’m amazed.” “Yeah, me too.” We didn’t spar again after that. Perhaps he had all the information he needed or maybe he didn’t want to get punched in the neck again. The real problem was, because I wasn’t consciously in control of my powers, I had no way of stopping myself from going too far, even in a friendly contest. Once again, the General seemed to read my thoughts. “Don’t worry about hitting me. I didn’t understand before, but I do now.” “Does it hurt?” “Like the Devil. But you’ve answered my questions.” I nodded. When I looked at Lady Jacqueline, her own thoughtful expression mirrored the General’s and I was scared. There was one benefit of my trip to the Fort though. I no longer felt particularly bad about being involved in a plot to depose the Baron. There was little talk on the way back to Lady Jacqueline’s quarters, which suited me fine. I certainly

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Scorch had enough to think about. When we bade the General goodnight, it was already late and I was hoping to go to bed. Lady Jacqueline, however, had other ideas. “Jerk off for me.” The evening’s events left me in a pensive mood and for once, I wasn’t horny. “I don’t think so.” She smiled and called up that infernal music again. Almost from the first notes, I felt myself harden. The reaction unnerved me and I knew then at least part of her game. She was training me, as one trains an animal. I grew angry at the thought, though I couldn’t strike out at her. And again, she began to touch herself, but differently this time. More slowly. Hands lingering. Up and down her body, only pausing briefly to tease her breasts before moving on. Somehow, seeing her doing this completely clothed was far more erotic than watching her naked. I made no effort to hide my growing excitement and my resignation ignited her. “I know you want to. Go ahead. Touch it for me.” Images bombarded me. Memories replayed in perfect detail, displaying the depths to which M'lady could sink, but also the power she enjoyed over men, even powerful men. And I too felt myself falling under her spell. Still, I resisted. I watched though, mesmerized, breathing hard while she slid her hands slowly up and down her body, touching herself as if she were a lover. Her eyes grew glassy, her breathing more unsteady and she

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Master Nage was moving to the hidden rhythm of the music. I wanted her so bad, I almost couldn’t move. “Come on, Frankie. Touch it for me.” I wondered why I wasn’t angry with her for calling me that. Perhaps, after my conversation with the General, I felt I finally understood her. I’d been forced on her; she didn’t ask for me. Well, maybe she did, but she certainly didn’t ask for that infernal sphere. She was vulnerable and only by controlling others could she feel truly secure. I found I had no fight left in me. I slowly undid my pants and let them drop to the floor. She threw back her head and laughed at my weakness, but that only ignited me more. “That’s right. Jerk off for me, Frankie. Stroke that hard, thick cock for me.” And I did, slowly, eyes never leaving her. She hitched up her skirt a bit at a time, revealing more and more of her thighs as she did so. And I stroked slightly faster, as the skirt rose higher, the blood pounding in my ears to match the music and her writhing. I could feel my balls tightening as I stroked and I knew I couldn’t hold back much longer. I thought she might try to stop me, but she didn’t. Just as she revealed her pussy, I came, shooting hot cum all over her raised skirt and pubic hair. She moaned with pleasure and came herself, excited by the sense of power. I stood there afterwards, panting, drained, yet alert, wondering what would happen next. “Kneel.”

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Scorch I didn’t want to obey, but my body no longer felt like my own. I lowered myself until I was on my knees before her. “Look at the mess you’ve made. Clean it up...with your tongue.” Her voice was calm, yet it was unquestionably a command. I leaned forward closer to her wetness, wanting only to taste her juices. “How dare you!” She slapped my face hard. The blow was more than physical and stunned me. “Lick up your cum, now!” I leaned closer and slowly licked my cum, humiliated, but turned on as well. When I looked up at her again, there were tears in my eyes. She laughed at me. “Now go to bed, boy. I’m sick of looking at you.” Wordlessly, I rose, turned and went to my quarters. Behind me, Lady Jacqueline laughed. Even after I closed the door and locked it, I couldn’t drown out the sound. “Goodnight, slave.” I cringed at the word, and wanted to deny it, but was no longer sure I could.

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Master Nage

Chapter Eight

I

might have expected a visitor early the next morning, but I was too wrapped up in my own problems to think that far ahead. Lady Jacqueline was still asleep when Lord Warner arrived, so I dressed quickly and allowed him entrance. He was not in good humor and I made certain to stay to his left, where if he hit me, it would be with an arm made of flesh. He ignored me, walked past and down the hallway to Lady Jacqueline’s bedchamber. I hurried after him, well aware I had to protect her, even from my own superior. He reached her first however and jerked her from bed by the hair. I moved forward, but Lady Jacqueline, immediately awake, stopped me with a harsh command. I froze and Lord Warner looked in my direction. “A wise move. Never get in my way, Frank. The first time you do, will be the last.” I didn’t respond, and he didn’t wait. He turned back to the Heiress. “General Richards was here last night. Tell me about it.”

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Scorch He was still holding her hair and I could see the tears in her eyes. “He was here to see me,” I said. There is more than one way to defend someone. He released her and approached, until he stood right before me. I stood my ground. “Why?” “He wanted to test out my martial arts ability.” “And you agreed?” Now admittedly, I’d only done so at Lady Jacqueline’s urging, but I certainly wasn’t going to tell him that. “Yes, of course I did. The General is not a man lightly dismissed, as you no doubt know.” He looked like me might strike me, but didn’t. “No, I suppose he isn’t.” He moved away from me and plopped down on the bed. Lady Jacqueline was quick to kneel at his feet. When he spoke again, his voice was calmer. “I don’t like this at all. Not one bit. He knows something.” Lady Jacqueline didn’t say anything, so I felt compelled to. “I don’t believe so. He had some idea that my martial arts training could be used successfully on soldiers in his squad.” “Sure, that’s what he told you, but I’ll wager he had another reason for coming. Did he talk to you? Ask you anything?” I thought back to our conversation last night and decided not to mention it. Not doing so wouldn’t threaten Lady Jacqueline and I was tired of bowing to everyone. It was bad enough I’d knelt to her. The

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Master Nage thought of it made me horny and I forced the memory from my mind. “We spoke about my training and what I remembered of what Dr. Naran had done to me.” The comment startled him and he looked thoughtful. It started me thinking in new directions. What if my own weakness had been implanted by Dr. Naran? What if subservience wasn’t in my nature, or hadn’t been until recently? I’d already seen evidence of what she could do, but how much had she done that I had no idea about? The thought did nothing to calm me. Lady Jacqueline looked from Lord Warner to me and back again. “Do you really believe he knows something, Master?” “Yes, I do.” “But how did he find out?” He looked at me, and I shrugged. He had to know I couldn’t say anything. He must have come to the same conclusion for he turned away. “I don’t know, but the man is a menace.” “Let me work on him then. I will learn what he knows.” “No!” His response was so loud and so sudden, I leapt toward him. With a speed I wouldn’t have believed possible, Lord Warner struck me with his metal arm. I found myself airborne, until I slammed into the wall behind me. I dropped immediately to my knees and didn’t even try to stand. The momentary panic on Lady Jacqueline’s face turned to a smirk I couldn’t

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Scorch help but notice. Yet I was sure the panic had been there. Did that mean she had feelings for me? Or was she worried she’d have to explain how I was damaged to her father? I knew I couldn’t assume anything. “Would you mind leaving us?” asked Lord Warner. I shrugged. It wasn’t as if I couldn’t see and hear them anyway. I rose unsteadily to my feet and left the room. Lord Warner smiled and removed something from his pocket. At first I thought it was a weapon and almost turned, but then I knew. It was an electronic writing tablet. His body was positioned to block its surface so I couldn’t see what he was writing. Lady Jacqueline got the idea immediately and soon the two of them were conversing and I couldn’t hear a word of it. The fact they were keeping it from me made me very nervous, but I couldn’t do anything about it, so I lay down on my bed and shut myself down. *** Lady Jacqueline and Lord Warner didn’t play that day. I couldn’t tell if she was disappointed or not, even after she’d entered my room. I hadn’t locked the door again. There was no point to it. What difference did keeping her out of my room make, if I couldn’t get her out of my mind? “Get up.” I sat up immediately and rose. “What can I do for you?”

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Master Nage She growled. “When you address me, you address me as Mistress.” “I do?” She flew at me and raked her nails across my chest. It burned for a moment, before I set the pain aside. Of all my new abilities, I found this one most handy. “I said, you will address me as Mistress.” I thought about arguing, but decided against it. Considering everything else, that was certainly the smallest indignity I would have to suffer. “Yes, Mistress.” “Good boy.” I winced inwardly at the term, but didn’t allow it to show. “Strip.” “Yes, Mistress.” I did so, removing my clothes quickly, not allowing myself to be embarrassed. After last night, this was hardly an imposition. She studied me carefully, even raising the lighting to do so. “Turn around.” “Yes, Mistress.” At first I didn’t understand what she was about, then I realized. She was looking to see if I’d been damaged by Lord Warner’s blow. “May I ask a question, Mistress?” She looked surprised. “Yes.” “Carson, your old bodyguard...he was set up, wasn’t he?” “Why do you think so?”

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Scorch “It just seems strange that Lord Warner asked us to meet him in the garden at the same moment you were being raped.” She smiled. “Yes, Carson was set up.” “Lord Warner knew you would pick me for your bodyguard.” “Well, he knew I would pick one of you three. Carson was close to my father. I won’t say he was a friend, because my father has no friends. But if he did have one, it would have been Carson. My father trusted Carson implicitly, and so made him my bodyguard.” “And you took control of him, as you’ve taken control of me.” She seemed pleased by the comment. “No, he was too strong and too dangerous. He could hurt me, so I had to tread carefully. But I did seduce him and tell him about my fantasy.” “A rape fantasy?” “Yes. He was only too happy to oblige. He wanted to please me any way he could.” I closed my eyes. “And we were there to witness it, so when Lord Warner killed him, there could be no question of his guilt. It was the only way your father would accept what had happened.” “You’re a very clever slave.” “Thank you, Mistress.” She smiled. “My father is a brilliant man, but he made one mistake. Your core programming will be his undoing.” I was surprised by this. “Mistress?”

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Master Nage “Don’t you worry about it.” “You had no idea Baron Ceston was going to do what he did.” “None at all, but I can improvise as well as anyone I know.” I nodded. “Yes, Mistress. I take it you’ve come to a new plan.” She grinned. “Yes, we did. We’re going to move up the timetable. The Baron only has another week to live.” I couldn’t hide my surprise. I doubt I could have hidden anything from her. “Don’t worry. You’ll be there with us to witness the event. It should be quite an occasion. Once he’s gone, the recordings will show me guiltless, a young woman completely taken over by my Master, a very experienced soldier with an ax to grind. They’ll have no choice but to execute him.” “But M'lady, what of your own involvement?” “I’ll be exonerated by the Bishop, of course. With what I have on him, he can’t do otherwise.” “You are a shrewd player, Mistress. But where do I fit into all this?” She laughed again. “I have a very special place for you, my slave.” “Mistress?” “You’re going to be the one to pull the trigger. You’re going to assassinate my father.” “Please...no…” My own words unconsciously echoed Sir Edgar’s and the Bishop’s.

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Scorch “See, you even beg like a slave. Believe me, Frankie, by the time this week is over, you’ll kill for me.” Part of me wanted to deny it, but I wasn’t sure I could. It did seem entirely possible that after another few days of training, I would in fact kill for Lady Jacqueline. *** I knew from our conversation my training would soon be intensified. She was risking her entire plan on my involvement, thus had to be completely certain of me. I suppose one of us had to be. After recent events, I was no longer certain of myself. She didn’t play with me that night and to my chagrin, it disturbed me. I realized I had been looking forward to it and felt rejected when she didn’t. She did however, do all sorts of casual things that were designed to make me hot, without letting me get beyond that. Nor could I, as a slave, bring up the matter. All I could do was wait on my Mistress. That I now thought of her that way bothered me immensely. The next morning, however, she rose early. I exited my room at the same moment she did. “Good morning, Mistress.” “Good morning, slave.” I followed her to the entertainment room, instead of the kitchen. She sat on the divan and motioned to the floor at her feet. I knelt there, perfectly straight, already feeling the effects of not having cum the night before. She was indeed training me.

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Master Nage The door chimed and I automatically checked the security system. Outside was one of her maids. Her information immediately came up in my database, displayed in a window in my mind. I released the door and allowed her entrance. She was a young woman, no older than the Heiress herself, perhaps younger. She was slim, with small breasts and shapely legs. She had short red hair and hazel eyes. Her nose was small and her lips lush. She didn’t look like a servant, but then, many palace servants were attractive, since they had to be on display for the nobility. Why fill your house with ugliness when you can have beauty? The woman started cleaning the entertainment room, which seemed clean to me already. Still, it was her job, I suppose. She looked at me several times, kneeling at Lady Jacqueline’s feet. I could see the question in her eyes, but she was a servant and dared not ask. Lady Jacqueline seemed amused by my obvious embarrassment, which was, of course, the entire point of the exercise. I dropped my head and felt myself blush for the first time in memory. Lady Jacqueline laughed, but said nothing else, until the girl was almost finished. “Good morning, Amy.” “Good morning, M'lady.” “How are you feeling today?” This seemed to trouble Amy for a bit, who obviously wasn’t used to pleasantries from the Heiress.

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Scorch “I’m fine, M'lady.” “Yes, of course you are. Tell me, do you think my bodyguard is attractive?” “Yes, M'lady.” “Would you like to see him naked?” I opened my mouth to protest, then closed it again. Amy looked surprised, but I could see she was also excited. “Yes, M'lady.” “Rise, slave.” I rose and stood motionless, though I was too nervous to be hard. Lady Jacqueline fixed that with her next words. “Music, Selection One.” At the first notes, I felt my cock harden. “Take your clothes off, slave.” Slowly, in time to the music, I removed my shirt, then my trousers. I had yet to put on shoes. I continued until my briefs were lying on the ground beside me. I would have liked to turn away, to disguise my excitement, but I hadn’t been given permission to, so I stood there, my body betraying my need to a mere servant. I grew angry at the thought, but fought it down. This was a no win situation for me. Lady Jacqueline smiled. “Good boy, now stroke yourself.” “Please...Mistress.” “Stroke your cock, slave. Stroke it for Amy.” Angrily I grabbed my cock and squeezed it. Amy looked on hungrily. That surprised me. Still, the situation had to be a turn on for her. I was so horny

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Master Nage already, it didn’t take long before precum was oozing from my cock. Amy stood motionless, eyes focused on me, breathing heavily, lips parted. “Do you like it, Amy?” “Yes, Mistress.” Amy, unconsciously, had copied my own form of address. Irrationally, I felt jealous. I wondered what was happening to me. “Come closer, Amy.” “Yes, Mistress.” She moved closer, eyes never leaving my hardness. I continued to stroke it and my cum continued to leak. Amy was panting now and Lady Jacqueline, eyes hard, turned to me. “You will beg Amy to suck your cock.” “She’s a servant.” I thought she would slap me for that, but she didn’t. “Yes, she’s a servant. Beg her to suck your cock.” Some of my earlier anger returned and this time, I couldn’t fight it down. “No, Mistress.” She laughed. “No?” She reached out and grabbed the base of my cock, squeezing it as I had seen her do to Sir Edgar. At once the flow of precum stopped. The pressure built as I continued to stroke. It built until I was half insane with lust. I wanted to stop stroking, but my Mistress hadn’t given me permission to. “Beg Amy to suck your cock.” I still didn’t speak, but kept stroking, building the pressure, bringing myself closer to inevitable

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Scorch submission. Lady Jacqueline didn’t speak again. She just waited, knowing sooner or later I would have to yield. Stubbornly, I refused. Yet I couldn’t stop stroking. The pressure grew, until I couldn’t stand it anymore. My body tensed, wanting to cum more than anything, but release was denied me. “Please...” Lady Jacqueline smirked. “Please?” “Please Amy, suck my cock.” The girl moved forward, but my Mistress held up a hand. “Not good enough. Beg harder.” “Please Mistress...” “Not me. Beg Amy.” “Please, Amy, I beg you...” “Call her Mistress.” “Ahhhhhhhhh.” “Call her Mistress.” The words were spoken quietly, but I couldn’t deny the force behind them. “Please, Mistress, suck my cock.” Lady Jacqueline nodded. The girl leaned over and took my cock into her mouth. But even though she sucked, my Mistress didn’t release her hold on the base of my shaft. My cock felt like steel and the pressure built until I wanted to die, but I didn’t. And still Amy sucked hard, driving me to the very edge of sanity. “Beg Amy to let you fuck her.” “Please, Mistress, let me fuck you.” I had no fight left.

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Master Nage Lady Jacqueline laughed. “Beg harder!” “Please Mistress, Please. I beg you. Let me fuck you!” Roughly, Lady Jacqueline pulled Amy’s head from my cock. Amy turned around, apparently too hot to care about anything but feeling me inside her. Lady Jacqueline sat back on the divan to watch. Amy leaned all the way down, raised her black skirt, legs straight and parted wide. Almost before she was done, I thrust into her, hard. My hands gripped her hips as I thrust like a madman, driving her face closer and closer to my Mistress’ cunt. Amy was too hot to resist anything. She screamed and her tongue flicked out, licking wildly. I wanted to be down there doing it, but wasn’t allowed. “Fuck Amy hard, slave. Fuck her until she begs to cum herself.” From the sounds of her moans, I didn’t think it would be that long. “Don’t stop licking me, Amy. Lick me good. If either of you cum before I do, I’m going to punish the both of you.” Suddenly, Amy was licking furiously, up Lady Jacqueline's slit all the way to her clit and circling it, lashing it with her tongue. Her own orgasm was building, but she fought against it. Still she was too hot to stop slamming her pussy onto my cock, and we fell into a rhythm that was impossible to resist. “I’m going to cummmmmmm!” I screamed. Amy must have taken Lady Jacqueline’s threat seriously for she reached back between her legs and

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Scorch grabbed my cock, just as she’d seen my Mistress do. I screamed in frustration and fucked harder, or tried to. It was difficult with her hand there. “Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee...” “That’s right boy, beg a servant. Beg her hard.” “Please, Mistressssssss, I need to cummmm.” Lady Jacqueline started to laugh, but it was cut off by her own screams of pleasure. Amy lapped her pussy again and again, drinking as much of my Mistress’ cum as she could. I envied her that. Then she released my cock and I could hold back no longer. “I’m cuuuuummmmmmming!” My scream, I was certain, could be heard throughout the palace, but I didn’t care. As soon as I started to shoot, Amy came with me, hard, all over my cock. I kept thrusting and she kept cumming, until finally, I could barely stand. Exhausted, I collapsed across her, pushing her face deep into my Mistress’ pussy. Lady Jacqueline came again and dutifully, Amy licked her until my Mistress grabbed her by the hair and pulled her face away. “Clean up this mess,” she said. Then she rose, left us alone and went to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. I followed her into the kitchen and knelt beside her, but didn’t order a cup for myself. Lady Jacqueline didn’t say anything, until she was almost done with her second cup. Finally, she spoke. “Tilt your head back, slave.” “Yes, Mistress.” “Open your mouth.”

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Master Nage I complied, but didn’t speak. She poured what was left of her coffee down my throat. “That’s all the coffee you get today.” I swallowed. “Thank you, Mistress.” “How do you feel, slave?” I stopped. I didn’t know how I felt. Not at first. She didn’t seem to be in any rush for my answer so I thought about it. “I feel alive, Mistress.” “Good boy.” Those words, coming from Her lips, brought me a pleasure I had never known before.

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Scorch

Chapter Nine

E

ach day was more of the same. Each day she pushed the bar higher and by each night, I’d cleared it. It soon became obvious that I’d long ago left any will of my own behind. My Mistress owned me, and, even if I never had actual sex with her, I would still serve her as what she was. My Mistress. She owned me completely and that was that. Part of me still hated the idea, but a larger part of me was excited by it. Lady Jacqueline’s depravity seemed to know no bounds and by the end of the week, I was completely pliable. And then I realized what was happening. Somehow I had overlooked the fact, though it should have been as clear as day. I was in love with Lady Jacqueline. The idea of loving such an evil woman was abhorrent and attractive at the same time. As with everything else, I couldn’t help myself. I even stopped wondering if this was my own feeling, or if it had been put there by Dr. Naran. What did it matter? No matter the origin, it was what I felt. As soon as I

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Master Nage realized it, I knew I would do her work, even if it meant assassination. She knew it too, though she hadn’t mentioned it at all. Part of me, the wiser part, knew she was setting me up and still I didn’t care. She wanted the throne and I would give it to her. And then I would likely be incarcerated, perhaps even executed for my part in the plan. And I would go to my death without complaint, for even if Dr. Naran hadn’t impressed her well-being onto my cerebral cortex, I couldn’t implicate my Mistress. The days blurred together, each new depravity demonstrating anew how much I loved her. Each new humiliation proving my adoration tenfold. No, they are not for you to know. My humiliation during the rest of that week was a horrid and wonderful thing, but it will remain between me and my Mistress until the day I die. Toward the end of the week, a thing happened for which I was completely unprepared and for once, my Mistress was not directly responsible for it. Early one morning, I grew suddenly alert. At first, I had no idea why. Then a newscast appeared in my head. Just like that. I had not known such a thing could happen and wondered what other surprises might be in store for me. Then the meaning of what was being said reached me and I had no further time for speculation. The world as I knew it was about to change. “Rebel fighters seized the Landrian Power Station in the Northern Territory and held it for three hours

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Scorch before armed troops managed to oust them. The damage, however, was done. Before meeting their death, the rebels managed to sabotage the station, killing power to the dome-city Gregaria. Now it’s a race against time to bring the power back online before night falls. It’s estimated that if the power is not restored by midnight, eighty percent of the population will die of exposure.” As I continued to listen, a feeling grew in the pit of my stomach that wouldn’t go away, for I knew Lord Warner had somehow arranged this. My feeling was confirmed a short time later when I learned General Lance Richards led the force that took back the power station and that he would stay in the area to hunt the rebels and protect the station until power was restored. In the meantime, evacuations had begun, but they only expected to be able to remove ten percent of the population from Gregaria before people started dying. I knew on some level, I was party to what was going on and that knowledge burned me to the core of my being. If I could have found a way to stop them, the people of Gregaria would not be about to die. I wondered how extensive the damage was and, more importantly, if the power would come back in time. I felt guilt as I’d never felt before, for I knew I should have done something, but couldn’t think what. The door opened and Lady Jacqueline entered. Without thinking I was on my knees. “Good morning, Mistress.” “It has begun.”

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Master Nage I didn’t say anything. Her words only confirmed my responsibility in this. I may not have disabled the power station myself, but my own ineffectiveness was as much a cause for what was going to happen as anything else. I couldn’t get the thought out of my mind. How many would die, due to my weakness? I could only pray the power would come back on. Lady Jacqueline watched me, face tense. Finally she spoke. “Get up.” I rose. Her hands were in the pockets of her robe. She removed them and in her right hand was an illegal handgun, one that would certainly be up to the task of killing the Baron. I reached for it, but she pulled it away. “You can’t have it here. You’ll be searched before entering the Baron’s presence. We have an audience with him today, where I am going to officially protest this surveillance. As fate would have it, The Head of Security is directly involved in this and I suspect Sir Edgar will be there too. The weapon will be concealed in the audience room before you ever get there by Lord Warner himself. You’re to shoot both the Baron and Sir Edgar, since he’ll never go along with things, once my father is dead. Once you shoot them, Lord Warner will incapacitate you and take you into custody. You are not to fight him. Am I clear?” My throat felt impossibly dry. “Yes, my Mistress.” “Good boy.”

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Scorch I couldn’t take pleasure from the words this time. She was sacrificing me in her game and I wasn’t sure I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t have long to wait before Lord Warner showed up. I allowed him entrance remotely, as my Mistress had not given me permission to move. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me kneeling, then nodded approval. Lady Jacqueline, to my consternation, knelt beside me. I felt something akin to rage, but controlled it. I knew she was only a playing a game with him, if a dangerous one. At least, I assume she’d told me the truth about it. She certainly had no reason to lie. I felt decidedly odd kneeling next to my Mistress, instead of before her. It was disturbing on a level I had never known existed. But then, I’d only been a slave for a week and during that time, I think I’d made marvelous progress. I know I’d made my Mistress proud, because she told me so and somehow that made things almost okay—or would have, if thousands of people weren’t about to die. As for killing the Baron, I had mixed feelings about it, but after what I’d heard, I didn’t really mind. My feelings about killing Sir Edgar were more mixed, but again, my Mistress wanted the throne and I had no choice but to help her obtain it. I would say my prayers on Sir Edgar’s grave later. I did little that day but fret and follow the emerging catastrophe of Gregaria’s power outage. Riots had to be put down by force and I knew Lord Warner had planned his distraction well. By the time

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Master Nage General Richards could make it back to the palace, there would be a Baroness in place of the Baron he’d left behind. Somehow I didn’t think it would particularly bother him. As the time of our audience approached, I felt my stomach churn. My Mistress had allowed me a full cup of coffee today and though I enjoyed it, it probably did nothing to help my nerves. Soon, I realized, it would all be a matter of history. Time passed too slowly and I was left to kneel there, waiting, hoping, wondering at the future. The number and intensity of emotions I experienced that day, rivaled my experiences in Dr. Naran’s machine. And then, finally, it was time. I had already been told the location of the handgun. It was in the pull out drawer of an antique table, upon which rested a bouquet of purple flowers. I knew I wouldn’t have trouble finding it and knew also, I’d have no trouble performing the task set for me. In fact, the only way I could protect Lady Jacqueline was to get it right. The thought made my head spin, but I knew I would do it. Lord Warner was going to meet us there, so I was alone with Lady Jacqueline in her chambers. She made me repeat the instructions twice to make certain I got them right. I felt wound up like a spring and wanted release, but didn’t bother begging for it. Today was for more serious matters. The trip in the travelator was silent and I could see the tension in my Mistress’ face. Indeed I could almost feel her every thought. With a word of

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Scorch command she blanked the walls. Without the images, they were a rather drab off-white. Their starkness reflected my mood perfectly. I wondered if everything would go as planned. And if I did end up in prison, how would I continue to protect her? That thought, more than any other, kept returning to me. Yet I knew the immediate threat, the Baron, would have to be handled first. I only hoped the priests were wrong, for I didn’t relish going to Hell. Strange how I’d never thought about it before. The travelator stopped and we disembarked. It was only a short walk from there to the audience room and, as predicted, both Lady Jacqueline and I were searched before we entered. Admittedly my Mistress wasn’t searched as thoroughly as me, but that’s to be expected. The room was as I knew it would be, with the table precisely where I would be standing. Naturally I didn’t kneel here. I stood behind Lady Jacqueline, just to the left of the table. There was a desk in the room, behind which the Baron would sit and a chair across from him for his daughter. Everyone else would stand, which did not surprise me. Baron Ceston showed up on time. Both Sir Edgar and Lord Warner followed him into the room. I returned Lord Warner’s nod. Sir Edgar and the Baron ignored me. Nothing was said until the Baron was seated across from his daughter. “Now what is this about?” asked the Baron. “It’s about this thing following me around. It’s not fair, Father. Look at it. Do I really need my every

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Master Nage action reported to a mere servant? You well know I’m no virgin. Should one such as this be allowed to even look at my nakedness?” The Baron looked like he might laugh, then grew serious. “Jackie, because he is a servant, it doesn’t matter if he sees you. A man like this could never aspire to you. He is there for your protection, because that is my will and for no other reason. If he sees you bathing, or having sex, so what? Would you have sex in front of a pet dog?” “That’s different!” “No, it’s not different. Servants are without rights, without wills of their own. This particular servant even more so. He is what I want him to be.” “No, Father, he is what I want him to be.” I knew the time had come. I pulled open the drawer and reached for the gun. It was inside, as planned. My first shot struck the Baron in the chest. He pitched forward onto the desk and remained motionless. I had no doubt my shot was perfect. Baron Ceston was dead. Lord Warner was already moving toward me, but I ignored him. I had just enough time to shoot Sir Edgar before he was on me. The Head of Security hit me solidly in the midriff and I crumpled like paper. I felt the pistol ripped from my hand. The door opened and General Richards entered. Lady Jacqueline rose as Lord Warner turned the weapon toward the newcomer. He raised his arm to fire, but the General, who already had a weapon ready, was faster. A red bolt of energy burned a hole

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Scorch in Lord Warner’s chest. He continued to stand for a moment, as if he could survive even that. Then he crumpled to the floor. Two guards entered and placed my Mistress in manacles. I tried to rise, actually managed it, but Lord Warner’s blow had been perfectly on target. In my condition, though I could block out the pain, General Richards was able to take me easily. As I went down for the second time in as many minutes, I wondered why he hadn’t shot me. I was going to ask when the Baron, without warning, sat up. “Bravo, bravo. An excellent performance.” I almost fainted, would have if recent modifications to my body hadn’t made that impossible. Lady Jacqueline looked at her father, then at his advisor, who was also rising to his feet. “He shot you.” The Baron nodded. “Indeed he did. He shot me with a prop. The kind of things they use in holos. Not very hard to procure, even on short notice.” “You knew!” “Of course I knew. Was I born yesterday?” She turned to look at me. “You. You betrayed me.” “No, Mistress, I didn’t. I could never betray you. I love you.” She spat in my face and I dropped my head. “Don’t be so fast to blame your bodyguard,” said the Baron. “It was your own foolishness that backfired. Didn’t you know Sir Edgar would tell me

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Master Nage how you used him? Did you think I would really wait six months to see what you were up to? The surveillance sphere sends images to a dedicated computer that checks to see if anything said poses a threat to my well-being. Surely you didn’t think I trusted you. Once you had Carson killed, I knew something was up. I knew he’d never harm you, you see. So I planted the information with Sir Edgar I’d be reading out your bodyguard’s memory in six months, thus forcing your hand.” Lady Jacqueline dropped her head. In my current condition, I could do nothing to help her. “So what happens now?” she asked. The Baron smiled. “Well, for one thing, I’m going to disown you. Seems the least I can do. Your accomplice has already paid, of course.” She gestured toward me with her head. “And what about him? He was actually the one who pulled the trigger.” I didn’t raise my head. I had done it for her and she didn’t care. I was a pawn, nothing more. She no longer had any use for me. The pain of this realization crippled me more effectively than Lord Warner’s blow. The Baron nodded. “But he had no choice in the matter. He was manipulated from the very beginning. Remember, I saw everything that went on. He never had a chance. You used him like you used Sir Edgar. Like you used the Bishop. Like you were using Lord Warner. In a way, his death was most merciful, since he never got to learn of how you were going to betray

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Scorch him. Oh it was a wonderful plan, worthy of my progeny. But it failed and now you must pay.” “What will happen to me?” “I’m giving you as a gift to Sir Edgar. He’s an older man after all, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind having you at his beck and call.” Her eyes widened in horror. “No.” “I hardly think you’re in a position to bargain. From this point on, you are a slave, nothing more. You will own nothing. Have nothing. And you will obey Sir Edgar in all things. Your life depends on it.” I never raised my head, but could still see her clearly. The two guards that had manacled her dragged my Mistress away. Even then, she never dropped her head or lost the fire in her eyes. Perhaps that was why I loved her. I almost rose, but General Richards placed a firm hand on my shoulder, holding me down. Didn’t he understand that I had to protect her? It didn’t matter Dr. Naran had planted the idea in my head. It was how I felt. I suddenly realized the surveillance sphere had stopped following her. Soon, I couldn’t see her at all for the first time in weeks. I burst into tears. The Baron looked at me, shook his head and gestured. “Get him out of here.” General Richards pulled me up and led me from the audience room. I trudged along behind him, no longer caring what happened to me. And I knew despair as I’d never known before. He took me to a holding cell and told me to enter. When I did, he activated the energy field behind me.

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Master Nage He gave a sad smile before he walked away. I lay down on the bare floor and cried again. Lady Jacqueline was gone from my world. Whatever else happened, my life was over.

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Chapter Ten

I

don’t know for how long I lay there. I tried to shut myself down for a while but without Lady Jacqueline in my mind, it was even worse than being awake. It was as if a hole had opened up in my existence...a hole I’d never be able to fill again. I spent hours crying, and more hours feeling dead inside. I had never known I could feel like this. I loved Lady Jacqueline and would never see her again. The thought nearly killed me. I wondered where she was now and what was happening to her. I wondered if Sir Edgar was making her pay for her betrayal. I wondered what would become of me now. I know a long time must have passed, for I was brought a few meals, none of which I ate. I didn’t exactly want to die, but I certainly couldn’t go on living. Not without Lady Jacqueline. At some undeterminable point in time, the barrier opened and General Richards entered. “Get up, Frank. We have to go.” “Go?” I had no idea what he was talking about, but I wasn’t going anywhere. “How long have I been here?”

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Master Nage “Two weeks.” I stared at him. It didn’t seem possible. “What happened to Gregaria?” He looked surprised, then laughed. “Oh, I’d forgotten about that. That was a bit of deception on our part.” “There was no rebel attack, was there?” “Of course there was. But once we knew of the late Lord Warner’s involvement, we were able to eavesdrop on his communiqués and prepare beforehand. We had soldiers in place inside the power station when the attack began. At which point, we turned off the generators, knowing we could turn them on at any time.” “You scared a lot of people.” He nodded. “Unfortunately, there was no helping it. Lord Warner had to believe the attack successful, or he’d have changed plans again. We wanted to force his hand.” “But if you knew, why not arrest him?” “There is a difference between plotting an assassination and an assassination attempt. The Baron might have gotten away with killing Lord Warner, but his daughter was another matter. Her involvement in the affair would have fallen under the auspices of the Church. Considering her hold over the Bishop, that was too risky to allow. Everything that happened in the audience room was holoed, so we’d have evidence of not just planning, but an actual attempt. If we locked up every noble that plotted

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Scorch against every other, we’d have no nobles left, including the Baron.” I nodded, realizing this was the first I’d spoken to anyone in a long time. It was an odd feeling. “What will become of Bishop Whetfield?” The General grinned. “Nothing at all. Well, almost nothing. I’d say the Baron wants to keep him just where he is, particularly because he now has something on him.” “The holo.” “Just so. I believe the Bishop will work quite willingly for the Baron now. It’ll be nice having a spy in the Emperor’s court.” “It’s all so convoluted.” The General smiled. “You get used it, but again, come. We have to go.” “Where?” “Dr. Naran’s office. Let’s see if she can’t fix what she’s broken.” That office and that infernal machine was not exactly the first place I had intended to visit upon obtaining my freedom. General Richards must have sensed this. “Would it help if I told you you’ll be able to see Lady Jacqueline again?” I was on my feet before he finished the sentence. “Lead on.” He kept talking, but I didn’t hear a word of it. He had told me I would get to see my Mistress again and nothing else mattered. ***

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Dr. Naran was wearing the same hairstyle and the same lab coat when we entered her office, but her manner was much changed. She wasn’t exactly apologetic, but she was certainly more respectful. I wasn’t sure it was an improvement. “Come right in, General Richards. Mr. Aston, so nice to see you again.” I didn’t reply, but I did follow the General into her outer office. “You know why we’re here,” said the General. “Yes, I had a long talk with the Baron about it. Come, Mr. Aston, let’s see if we can’t make some modifications.” I grew afraid. “You're not going to take away my feelings for Lady Jacqueline, are you?” As abhorrent as our separation had been, the idea of losing my feelings was even worse. Perhaps that doesn’t sound sane to you, and there’s a good chance it wasn’t, but it was a feeling I couldn’t escape even if I would never see her again. “No, Mr. Aston, I couldn’t do that if I tried.” “Why not?” asked General Richards. I thought I detected a note of anger in his voice. “You put it there in the first place.” “The human mind is a not a holocube. The cerebral cortex can’t be erased without serious damage. It is quite easy to add feelings about a new person you’ve never met, since they are not truly part of your psyche. It helped here that the Heiress is an attractive girl. But once a person has imprinted themselves on

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Scorch you, you can’t just hit delete. You have to adjust it gradually, or the mind won’t be able to understand the change. We can certainly take the edge off Mr. Aston’s emotional pain and there may be one or two other things we can do, but without wiping his mind completely and starting over, there are severe limitations.” I was appalled at the thought. General Richards placed a calming hand on my shoulder. “No one is going to wipe your mind.” “I thought you said I can see Lady Jacqueline.” “And you can, but not yet. First you must be reprogrammed to whatever degree Dr. Naran can manage.” “I don’t trust her.” “It’ll be okay. I’ll be here for the entire procedure.” I drew a deep breath. “I thank you for that.” General Richards nodded. “It’s the very least I can do.” Of all the high-ranking officials I’d met in my brief time at the palace, General Lance Richards was the finest. *** The procedure was far shorter than my first, probably because Dr. Naran was only modifying what had already been done. Still, there were painful moments, if not as extreme as the first time. For one thing, I had to relive my entire time with Lady Jacqueline. Every delicious, humiliating moment. I saw her teasing, taunting movements to

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Master Nage music that still had the same effect on me and would continue to for the rest of my life. I relived her domination of the Bishop, her game with Sir Edgar and the way Lord Warner had taken her in the only way left to him. Finally, I relived the incident with the maid, my own desire swelling in direct proportion to the hardness of my cock. But I was allowed no release. Still, just seeing Lady Jacqueline soothed me somehow and made the rest of it seem not so bad. “Impressive,” said Dr. Naran’s voice in my mind. “Not only did you resist for longer than I thought you would, even with my programming, but when you did finally surrender, it was a choice on your part. She didn’t conquer you, as she was supposed to.” I thought about that as I lay there in blackness. I had chosen. Of course, had I not had that particular weakness put into me in the first place, I might not have submitted at all. The thought angered me and I held onto that. Fed it. Let it take me. I wanted it to burn the poison from my mind. But I knew it wasn’t over yet. The true test was what would happen if I ever saw Lady Jacqueline again. Part of me was no longer looking forward to it. Dr. Naran spoke again. “We’re almost done, but before I let you up, there’s something I’d like you to see.” I wondered what that could be, but didn’t ask. I had the feeling I’d find out soon enough. I was completely unprepared for what was to come next.

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Scorch A room faded into existence all around me, rather like watching a holo from the inside. In the corner of the room knelt Lady Jacqueline, head bowed, completely naked. “Look at me.” I recognized Sir Edgar’s voice immediately. She raised her head and I got my first clear look at her. It was hard to reconcile the beaten girl kneeling in the corner with the woman who had been my Mistress. I felt myself grow angry, though I wasn’t sure whether the emotion was directed toward those who had placed her there, or at her, for allowing herself to fall so far. Perhaps both. Her eyes, once full of fire, were now lifeless. Her complexion was sallow, her hair disarrayed. She seemed to have trouble focusing. That Lady Jacqueline could come to this was completely beyond belief. A tendril of sympathy for her rose in my mind. It vanished almost as quickly. Then I knew. Dr. Naran was fine-tuning my reactions to her. I would no longer feel sympathy for the girl. Perhaps it was for the best. “Crawl to me,” said Sir Edgar. There was no fight left in her. She crawled slowly, a beaten woman, just another slave to be used by nobility. “You thought you were so strong, so smart, didn’t you?” There was a hard edge to Sir Edgar’s voice I hadn’t heard before. He raised his hand and struck her. There was blood on her mouth. Even had I wanted to

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Master Nage interfere, I couldn’t. This wasn’t a live image, but a recording. In any event, one cannot protect a slave from nobility, unless they wished to become a target themselves. “You used me, then tried to have me killed. Do not think your service will be an easy one. Never again will you get anything from me, but I will take from you whatever I wish. Do you understand me, girl?” She nodded once. “When I ask you a question, you will address me as Master.” Her head jerked up and, just for a moment, some of her old fire returned. “I will not.” “Won’t you? Turn around.” Still on her hands and knees, she turned. I thought he would rape her then, but not Sir Edgar. He was smarter than that and he’d been hurt by her. He had every intention of having his revenge. I saw him as he approached her, though the view was from over his shoulder. He lowered himself to his knees behind her. I could see his right index finger glistening, as if it had been oiled or lubricated in some manner. Slowly, he slid his finger from the very top of the crack of her ass, all the way down, past her anus, down over her already glistening pussy, stopping just short of her clit. She bit her lip and moaned, but said nothing. He did it again, starting at the very top and slowly moving lower, finger teasing, making her wetter, but stopping before he touched her most sensitive spot. Again and again he repeated the motion, but she

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Scorch didn’t say anything, though after the fourth time, tears began to fall and I knew he had her. Over and over his lubricated finger slid down. At some point I realized the lubricant now came from her, for I could hardly ignore her increasing wetness. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, and probably seemed even longer to her, he slid his finger slowly inside. He didn’t thrust or even move it. Just left it there, occasionally flexing it. Lady Jacqueline bit her lip until I could see blood on it, but finally she could take it no longer and cried out. Sir Edgar didn’t comment, but continued to work on her, slowly, inexorably building her need. I held my breath, waiting for what I knew had to come. It didn’t take as long as I thought it would. “Please,” she begged. “Please.” “You want something of me?” “Yesssssss, please…“ She panted as he continued to occasionally flex his finger, but do nothing else. When she tried to back up onto it, he pulled it out. She whimpered. “Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.” “How does it feel, girl?” “Oh gooooooodddddd, pleeeeeeeeaseeeeeeeeee.” “Please what?” “Please, Master!” “That’s better.” Again he inserted his finger, coating it well with her juices, but this time, he had other plans for it. He

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Master Nage removed it and started to tease her asshole. She whimpered. “No,” she pleaded, “not that.” “Oh?” Sir Edgar looked surprised. “Why not?” He continued to tease her and she moaned, but didn’t try to move away. Slowly he inserted just the tip into her. “Ahhhhh, stoooppppp. Pleeeeaaase.” He pushed it in a bit more, then left it there. I could see her gyrating on it, circling her hips, moaning, pleading. She might have been saying no, but it was clear she wanted more. Sir Edgar obliged. “Noooooooooo, please, stop.” “Why? Why should I stop?” She didn’t answer for a long time. By the time she did, I could only barely make out her answer over her panting. “Never did that before.” “Do I care?” He rammed his finger hard into her ass and she screamed then came, juices gushing from her pussy, forming a puddle on the floor below her. But Sir Edgar wasn’t done. Slowly, rhythmically, he fucked her ass with his finger. Lady Jacqueline’s screams soon grew to sobs of pure pleasure as she bucked against him. Finally, she could take it no more. “Please Master, please. Let me suck your cock. Please.” Sir Edgar stopped and removed his finger. “No.” She fell flat before him and crawled on her stomach, until she’d turned to face him. Then she

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Scorch kissed his feet. “Please, I beg of you. I need to taste you.” “Do you really think I would let a lowly slave touch any part of me?” He slapped her from him and she fell to the ground in tears. “Good-bye, slut.” She tried to crawl after him, but by the time she reached the door he’d already left. Needless to say, he’d locked it behind him. There, alone, where no one could see her, Lady Jacqueline placed her fingers inside her pussy and fucked herself, the whole time crying out for her new Master. *** I woke suddenly, surprised to find myself staring into light. I closed my eyes quickly, but the pain wasn’t as bad as it has been the first time. Of course, a few hours in the machine couldn’t compare with the three weeks I’d originally spent. Again I was immediately conscious of my nakedness. The first voice I heard was General Richards’. “How do you feel?” “I don’t know.” My voice sounded okay to me. “Well, when you’re ready to move, get yourself dressed. I’ll take you to see Jacqueline.” Not Lady Jacqueline. That more than anything else said volumes about her fall. I shook my head. “Thank you anyway, but I’d rather not.”

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Master Nage It wasn’t that I didn’t have feelings for her, for I still did. But I didn’t want to see her that way, kneeling and naked, deprived of the power that had once been hers. No, that was not the way I wanted to remember Lady Jacqueline, and I knew for me, no matter what happened, her title would remain intact. General Richards didn’t speak again until I was dressed. When we left, saying our respective farewells to Dr. Naran, I found I didn’t hate her as much as I once did. I wondered if that was her doing or just a sign of my own growth. Probably a bit of both, I decided. “So, when do you think you’ll be ready to return to work?” The question caught me off guard. “Work?” “Certainly. You don’t think you can sit around forever and get paid for it.” “Paid?” “Of course. Your guard’s salary has been accumulating the whole time. It’ll be a long time before you pay off your indenture fee, but I have a few ideas about that as well. So, are you up to it?” “Given the choice, I’d much rather be a guard, than a bodyguard, that’s for sure.” He chuckled. “Well actually I was thinking of somewhat of a promotion for you.” “A promotion?” “How would you feel about being Captain of the Guard?” At first I thought he was putting me on. When I realized he was seriously waiting for an answer, I

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Scorch gave him one. “What makes you think I’m qualified for that?” “Well, my strange friend, you are rather uniquely qualified. What you lack in experience, you make up for in sheer knowledge, even if you don’t know you have it. That was one of the things Dr. Naran corrected. You can now access certain areas of memory just by thinking about them.” I remained silent, analyzing my mind for anything that shouldn’t be there. I came up blank. General Richards must have mistaken my silence for reticence, for he continued talking. “It’s a great job and you’re already wired into the security circuits. And you wouldn’t be alone. I’m taking over Lord Warner’s job for the time being.” “What about the rebellion?” We reached a travelator and boarded it. “Without Lord Warner, they’ve proved far less of a problem. With no real leadership, I’m less worried about them and more about getting you settled in your new position. If you want it.” What could I say? This man just offered me the type of job I’d never have dreamed about before. Certainly without my current modifications, I’d never be considered for such an honored position. And it would get me back to work. “I’ll do my best, Sir.” He smiled. “You’ll be compensated for the extra responsibility, and that means you can have your own apartments as well, instead of a room in the guard’s

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Master Nage quarters. I was thinking of Jacqueline’s old suite, which is now vacant. I turned to stare at him. Was he suggesting what I thought he was? “You know what I went through there.” “Yes, I do. How do you feel about it now?” I thought about it. About everything that had transpired since I became Lady Jacqueline’s bodyguard. I thought examining the feelings would hurt, but it didn’t, at least not the way it should have. It was almost as if it had happened a very long time ago, or perhaps more like a story I’d heard about someone else. I could sympathize with the poor bastard who had been me, but wasn’t. “Yes, that will do nicely.” “Then I’ll drop you off there now.” He spoke a command and the travelator suddenly changed direction. We paused a couple of times to allow other travelators to pass, then continued until we reached the t-corridor closest to Lady Jacqueline’s—no, my chambers. He clapped me on the back, but didn’t follow me out. “I have work to catch up on. I’m sure you can find your way there on your own.” I didn’t need the map that popped up in my head for that. I nodded, extended my hand. He took it. “I’d like to thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” I said. “Trust me. It’s been my pleasure. I’ll see you in a few hours.” “Right.”

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Scorch I turned and started down the corridor, my mind reeling from all that had happened. Was I really Captain of the Guard? What had happened to the old Captain? In all the excitement, I hadn’t thought to ask. It wasn’t long before I was standing before the doors to my new apartment. I had once been amazed I was living here. I could hardly imagine doing more. I knew the first thing I’d do when I got inside. At the thought, I entered and made my way toward the kitchen, the aroma of coffee tickling my memory. It would be so good to have a couple of cups, a celebration drink of sorts. However I didn’t make it to the kitchen. There was noise down the corridor, coming from the direction of my old room. Cautiously, I moved down the corridor, only now realizing I hadn’t yet been issued a new firearm. I cursed silently and stood before the door. Just before I gave the mental command to activate it, it slid open itself. Almost before I knew what was happening, I grabbed the intruder’s arm and performed a neat flip. I raised my hand to strike, but stopped when I saw who it was. “Please, Sir, don’t hurt me. It wasn’t my fault.” Lying there on the floor, pale and trembling, lay Amy, the servant I’d once had to beg as if she were nobility.

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Chapter Eleven

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backed away and let her up. She trembled, but didn’t move. I wasn’t sure what she expected. “What are you doing here, Amy?” “I’m sorry, Sir, but I was ordered to report here with all my things. I was told I would be the personal servant to the Captain of the Guard.” I took a deep breath, then started laughing. “That son of a bitch!” “Sir?” “I’m the Captain of the Guard, Amy.” She looked at me, still scared, perhaps even more so. “Sir, before anything else, I want to apologize. I had no choice, Sir.” “Amy, what are you talking about?” “You were made to beg me, Sir. Please, don’t hurt me.” I almost laughed again, but saw the look in her eyes. “I’m not going to hurt you, Amy. I know it wasn’t your doing.” She seemed relieved and slowly climbed to her feet.

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Scorch “May I ask what you were doing in my room?” She looked at me as if I were daft. “These are servant’s quarters, M’lord. I would imagine the Master bedroom is yours.” I knew it as she said it and the realization came to me, I had a lot to learn about being a somebody. At this precise moment, being a nobody seemed far more appealing. “Amy, have you ever had a cup of coffee?” “No, M’lord.” “Rule number one. Stop calling me that. I may have the right to the title, but I’m too new to it to be comfortable in the role. How about you call me Frank?” “Would you prefer Excellency?” “Umm, no thank you. Frank will do.” She looked a bit confused. I was certain it wouldn’t be the last time. However, calling someone by a title, doesn’t automatically change who they are, and I would be damned if I was going to let it change me. “Come to the kitchen, let me show you how I like my coffee.” “Yes, Frank.” Even when she didn’t say it, I could hear M’lord. Oh well. I supposed I’d get used to it. I walked to the kitchen and had my coffee. I let Amy have a taste, but she hated it. All to the good. The stuff didn’t come cheaply. She stood in the kitchen, clearly uncertain of what I expected of her, which made two of us. “Sit down. Tell me about yourself.”

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Master Nage “At the table, Frank?” “Yes, sit at the table.” She looked around as if she were doing something wrong, then pulled out a chair and sat. “What would you like to know?” “How long have you been a servant?” “Eight years.” “That’s a long time. You must have been quite young when you started. How much longer do you have to work to pay off your indenture?” “I’m not indentured, Sir. I’m owned.” I was going to caution her about calling me Sir, but figured I’d let this one slide. Her answer surprised me. Unlike me, or most of the servants, Amy was actually a slave. No one used the word anymore, except in cases where servitude was a penalty for a serious crime, but the fact is, someone, while she was still too young to make decisions on her own, had sold her to the Baron. I personally found the practice appalling, though I had been aware of it, of course. “I see. What about your parents?” “I never knew my father. My mother couldn’t afford to feed me, so she had to sell me. There were too many children in the family.” “That’s awful.” She looked at me strangely. “It’s reality, Frank. It’s not an uncommon story.” I supposed she was right. She looked at me uncomfortably and I wondered what she was thinking. I thought it might be interesting to ask her. “Is something troubling you, Amy?”

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Scorch “No, Frank.” “Maybe you’d better go back to M’lord. Seems you don’t have this name thing down yet.” “Yes, M’lord. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.” “You haven’t offended me, Amy. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? I have everything I need right now.” She looked upset, but managed to speak without breaking down. “Yes, M’lord.” Then she was gone, leaving me alone with my coffee and my thoughts. *** General Richards came by later in the day, as promised. Amy moved to answer the door, but I still had control of the system and let him in myself. Amy looked even more upset than the last time I saw her and returned to her room. I reminded myself to ask her about it later. “So how’s the Captain of the Guard?” asked the General. “If I may be frank...” “You are Frank.” I rolled my eyes. The General laughed. “It’s all a bit much, Sir.” “You’ll get used to it.” “Maybe. I also meant to ask, what happened to the old Captain of the Guard?” “He’s been arrested for treason. Seems he was in with Lord Warner, though how involved he was, we

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Master Nage don’t know. But I’m sure we’ll find out. It’s been an interesting day thus far.” “Sir?” “Trying to find out as much as I can about the rebellion by going through Lord Warner’s records. Nothing we’ve used so far seems to be able to break the encryption scheme he used to store records. But something will at some point, and then, we’ll have all the knowledge we need to wipe out the rebellion, once and for all.” I nodded. It had nothing to do with me. I was in charge of the guard, which had to do with internal security, and still had no idea what that entailed. So... “What exactly am I supposed to be doing?” “At the moment, learning. You’re going to be in charge of assigning guards to follow up specific leads or possible threats. You’re in charge, ultimately of guards’ schedules and rounds. You’re in charge of surveillance and intelligence gathering, reporting only to the Head of Security, who, at the moment, is me.” My mind reeled. How could I possibly handle all that? General Richards wasn’t finished yet. “Tomorrow I’ll take you to meet your men, then we can get you up to speed on everything else going on.” “Sounds good to me.” I didn’t often lie, but this once I thought I could get away with it. ***

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Scorch The General didn’t stay long and so, after he left, I decided to check out the spa for the first time. It was truly a beautiful room, with two smaller rooms off it, a steam room and a sauna. The pool itself was nice and hot and the water within it circulated constantly. I stripped and lowered myself into the pool, surrounded by all manner of green growing things, topped by a mural of a sky far more real than it had any right to be. The water caressed me and I relaxed, truly relaxed for the first time in recent memory. I heard a sound and opened my eyes. Amy stood just within the doorway, looking at me through redrimmed eyes. “Amy?” “I’m sorry, M’lord, if I’ve displeased you. I didn’t mean anything. If you just tell me what I did wrong, I can do better, M’lord.” I blinked. “Amy, you haven’t displeased me.” “I haven’t?” “No, you haven’t. Why on Ballista would you think you did?’ She took a couple of steps closer to the pool and lowered herself to her knees. “I apologize for my presumption, M’lord.” “Amy, stop apologizing and tell me what’s going on!” She dropped her head. “I thought, because you sent me to my room, I had displeased you. And now I see you bathing, knowing full well I should be washing you and rubbing you down with oil afterwards.”

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Master Nage “You should?” “Yes, M’lord. I used to do it for Lady Jacqueline quite frequently.” I pushed that image from my mind before it had to the chance to take hold. “I was only trying to be nice, Amy. Give you some time to get adjusted.” “I’m only a servant, M’lord. You don’t have to be nice to me.” There was a lot I didn’t understand about being in authority. I almost asked her what she wanted to do now, then realized she was waiting for me to direct her. “Very well. Bathe me.” She looked suddenly happy. “Yes, M’lord!” She jumped up and ran from the room. She returned a short time later in the very skimpy red outfit, part swimsuit, part lingerie. She pushed a rolling table filled with all sorts of toiletries and several towels of different sizes into the room. She knelt down and ladled water onto my chest with a cupped hand. I turned my head to the side. The neckline of the garment hung down, clearly revealing bare breasts beneath. They weren’t large enough to hang, but her nipples were already erect. I felt my cock stir for what must have been the first time in weeks. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized how horny I’d been. She didn’t need to be psychic to sense my mood. I didn’t say anything however. She cleaned my body thoroughly with a soft cloth, her breath tickling my skin wherever she happened to be leaning at the moment. Then, to my surprise and great pleasure, she

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Scorch leaned all the way down, submerged her head in the water and took my cock into her mouth. I watched as she bobbed her head up and down, wondering how long she could keep doing it. It seemed to me almost as if she could stay under indefinitely. I could feel the cum within me as if it were rising all the way from my balls. Finally, out of breath, she jerked her head from the pool, sending a spray of hot water into the air above her. “May I enter the pool, M’lord?” I could only nod. She rose, removed the garment slowly and let it fall to the floor. Then she stepped from it, turned around and bent over, revealing her wetness for me to see. I didn’t understand why she was doing it, and at the time, didn’t care. I now know something about men in power and how those beneath them must please or perish, but at the time, I was blissfully ignorant. She slid her hands down her sides then let them drift forwards as if her pussy were a magnetic pole attracting them. She spread her lips for me and played with herself, all the while moaning. I could see all of her. Her rounded ass, her wet slit, her breasts, her face looking back at me over her right shoulder. I could see all of her and wanted her. Without warning, she rose and turned to face me again. She walked gracefully forward, slowly submerging herself in the pool. Once again her head was below the water and she took my cock into her mouth. This time, however, she only sucked it for a few seconds then popped out of the water and turned

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Master Nage around. She was offering herself to me, as she had once before. I wondered if she thought often of that coupling. I know I did. I moved behind her, sliding my cock into her, all the time the water raging around us. Hands on her hips, like the last time, I forced my cock deeper. She was so wet, it was almost as if she were sucking me into her. I didn’t move it though. I kept it pressed all the way in. She began to try to move against it, but I held her pressed up against the side of the pool, using my hands to soften her thrusts. She cried out in frustration and tried again. But I had another idea in mind. “Amy, have you ever taken it up the ass?” “No, M’lord.” “Would you like to try it?” She looked frightened. “As M’lord wishes.” I slowly withdrew my cock, teased it over her ass, then, in one hard movement, thrust it back into her pussy. She screamed and came all over me, the current washing her juices away as fast as they poured from her. My own need had built now to where I almost couldn’t stand it. I didn’t stop thrusting, but moved faster and faster. I could feel the muscles in my ass contract and expand with each thrust, until finally, I shot my load deep inside her to the sound of her screams. Then we both sank back against the wall exhausted. I was half asleep, when she spoke to me. “M’lord?”

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Scorch “Hm?” “Why didn’t you take my ass?” “Because you didn’t really want me to.” “You’re kind to a girl, M’lord.” She snuggled up next to me and I put my arm around her. I didn’t answer her, but instead fell asleep. Much later, I would have reason to ponder her words.

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Chapter Twelve

I

was supposed to meet my men the next morning, but it didn’t happen like that. Several hours before morning, I received an urgent message from General Richards. Renewed terrorist activity in the north drew him from the palace, which left me to deal with matters on my own until he returned. I couldn’t think of much to do, because no one had given me a clue. But I did know one thing. The old Captain of the Guard, a man with the unlikely name of Menzer Schoon, was being held in custody. He was our last living link to the rebels. If I could get him to reveal something, anything, I could possibly be of some service to the General. There sure wasn’t much else I could do. Amy had, to her amazement, spent the night in my bed. We had sex twice more that night before I finally felt satisfied. I lay beside her while she slept and, though I didn’t need sleep, I powered myself down. Now that I didn’t have the image of Lady Jacqueline, I was able to dream. Oddly enough, it was her I dreamt about. I must have cried out, for when I opened my eyes, Amy was looking at me.

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Scorch That morning, after a light breakfast and two cups of coffee, I left Amy to take care of the place, kissed her on the lips, which also astonished her, and left. As I walked from my new residence, I realized this new feeling was very different from the feeling I’d had with Lady Jacqueline. It was pleasant in a more normal sort of way, but didn’t contain any of the excitement or danger inherent in the other relationship. I wondered if over the course of time, I would miss it. I took a travelator to the area of the palace that in the old days would have been referred to as the dungeon. Since I was wired into the system, I knew exactly where Menzer would be found. As I drew closer I actually found myself getting excited. It was not every day I got to interrogate a prisoner. I just hoped I wouldn’t say anything stupid. The prison block was guarded electronically. Only a person with the right access codes could enter. A person like me, for example. I found Menzer in a cell locked by an energy screen. I used the code and it faded. He looked expectantly at the door. He was a short, clean-shaven man, with wiry brown hair and green eyes. He’d lost weight since the last time I saw him. I’d always thought of him as plump. Now he was almost thin, yet it didn’t look good on him. He looked like a man wasting away, which wasn’t far from the truth. “Hello, Frank.” “Menzer. I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised and more than a little confused.”

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Master Nage “About?” “I always thought you were a stand up guy. I just don’t get all this.” He scowled, then seemed to think better of it. “How did you get in here?” “Didn’t anyone tell you? I’m your replacement.” He studied me, perhaps to see if I was kidding. “No way.” I shrugged. “Right place at the right time and all that. What’s the deal with you anyway?” “I can’t talk to you. You’re working for the enemy now.” I sighed and leaned against the wall. “Who’s the enemy?” “The nobility. The Baron. Are you fucking blind, man? Don’t you see what’s going on around you?’ I smiled. “A while ago, I’d have said no. I’m not so sure anymore. I’m not really sure about anything.” “Look at what the Baron did to you—what he did to his own daughter. The fucking nobility, they think they’re better than the rest of us. They’re not. They’re richer, but that’s it. What I don’t get is you.” It was my turn to scowl. “What don’t you get?” “You’ve been down here in the dirt with the rest of us. You’re not theirs. You never were. They bought you. How did they do it?” I thought about what he said, but didn’t answer right away. “I don’t know that they did. But that’s not why I’m here.” “Okay, why are you?”

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Scorch “The rebellion’s attacks hurt innocent people. It’s not the way. Do you have any idea of how many people are killed in rebel attacks each year?” “Nobody is more aware than I, but you want to know something?” “Sure.” His face took on an intensity I’d never seen there before. “The entire population of this planet is enslaved. If I kill you, I’m just killing the Baron’s henchman. You don’t have a life. Not one of your own. If you did, you wouldn’t be here.” “Tell me about the rebellion.” “Fuck you. If I’m not telling the Baron, I’m surely not going to tell you. You can take your shiny ass sheriff's star back out with you the way you came in.” “They’re going to get the information from you, one way or another.” “I know, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t know that much anyway.” I shrugged and rose. “Then I guess we have nothing to talk about.” “You’re right. We don’t even talk the same language anymore.” I walked from the cell and called the sequence to reactive the energy field, thinking furiously. Was I really a sell out? I thought back to my conversation with the General. He supported the nobility, even if he didn’t like them. The Nobility kept order, was what he had said. And we needed order—or did we?

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Master Nage I was so lost in thought I almost walked right by the t-corridor. Menzer’s words would continue to bother me for a long time. *** I returned home. I didn’t know where else to go, and I knew Amy would be waiting to satisfy my every need. How had they bought me? Had it been with her? With Lady Jacqueline’s apartment? With a higher paying position, one that might eventually let me pay off my indenture? Amy seemed happy to see me. I looked her over and smiled. It was nice that someone looked forward to seeing me. I could certainly get used to it. Yet another part of me, the nagging voice that lives in the back of my mind, had some questions. Most of the time, I don’t pay any attention to him, but today wasn’t one of them. “Amy, can I ask you a question?” “Yes, M’lord.” “How do you feel about me?” She licked her lips nervously and shifted from one foot to the other. “M’lord?” “I asked you a question.” “Yes, M’lord. I think I’m in love with you.” She flinched, as if I might hit her. “Amy, have you ever been to see Dr. Naran?” She looked confused, as if she didn’t understand the leap of logic that had brought me to the question. “Yes, M’lord, just recently, in fact.” “I see.”

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Scorch And I felt a terrible anger build inside of me. They used people any way they wanted. They made Amy love me, as they had made me yield to Lady Jacqueline. We had both been used in the same way. We were people. We had rights, didn’t we? “Amy, I don’t know if I can do this.” “M’lord?” The way she looked at me broke my heart, but she wasn’t really in love with me...or was she? Just as I had been completely captivated by Lady Jacqueline, she was captivated by me. Would do anything for me. Anything at all. But it wasn’t real. Yet what could I do? If I walked away, her pain would be unbearable. “Come with me, Amy.” “Where are we going?” “We’re going to pay a visit to Dr. Naran.” “Yes, M’lord.” I could see she was confused, but there was no help for that. I wasn’t going to live a lie. I was going to have Dr. Naran set her right, as she has set me right. At least that was the plan, but something else happened instead. The door chimed and I looked to see who was there. To my surprise, the Baron stood before my door, a pair of guards behind him. I opened it, even as I made my way to meet them. By the time I got there, they had already entered. A look at the Baron’s face told me he wasn’t in the best of moods. His words confirmed it. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” “Highness?”

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Master Nage “Do you think we’re imbeciles?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “You know exactly what I’m talking about!” His face turned several shades of red and I thought he might die of apoplexy. He didn’t though, mores the pity. “Your Highness, I really don’t understand.” “You’ve been part of it all along.” “Part of what?” I was rapidly losing my patience, which was stupid, but I was tired of being the last one to know everything. “The conspiracy. The rebellion.” I’m sure I must have looked as confused as I felt. “Why would you think that, Your Highness?” He looked like he was about to have another outburst, but forced himself to calm down. When he spoke again, his voice had regained some semblance of control. “Menzer Schoon has escaped, or more accurately, was released.” “What?” “You never sealed his cell after your visit.” “Impossible!” But I wasn’t sure that was the case. I had been lost in thought. Had I actually checked to make certain the energy screen was back up? “You’ve managed to lose our very last link to the rebellion. If he’s not found, I’ll have your head on a platter!” I didn’t say anything. It was all too new. “Well, what have you got to say for yourself?” “The commands to close are automatic. I don’t even have to think about them. I barely have control

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Scorch over them. If that field didn’t come on, I’m not the one at fault.” “Then you’d better find out who is. I’m giving you twenty hours. If Menzer Schoon is not back in custody by then, you’re going to feel my wrath. If you did it intentionally, you’re an enemy. If you fucked up, you’re incompetent. Either way, you’re going to pay.” “Yes, Your Highness.” He didn’t say another word. He turned and walked out, followed by two sneering guards. I looked behind me and found Amy on her knees, in tears. “What are you going to do, M’lord?” “Do? I’m going to find Menzer Schoon, that’s what I’m going to do.” “But how?” I thought about it. How indeed? I thought back to our conversation. I left. I was certain I’d locked the door behind me, but supposed I didn’t. There still shouldn’t have been any way for him to escape. Which meant someone else had been helping him. I reviewed everything I knew about the situation and it suddenly occurred to me there was one possibility. Slim as it was, I had no choice but to follow it. “Wait here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” “Yes, M’lord.” “And don’t you worry. Everything is going to be all right.” She ran to me and I embraced her. “Yes, M’lord.”

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Master Nage I kissed her gently on the lips and left the apartment, accompanied by the sounds of Amy’s sobs.

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Chapter Thirteen

T

he travelator sped along at twice the normal speed, thanks to my security override. Other vehicles were rerouted so I could get to my destination as fast as possible. This would be my second stop of the day. My first had proved most interesting. I didn’t even wait for the room to stop moving before I jumped onto the platform. Given my deadline, I had little time to spare, so I would not walk when I could run. A few passersby in the corridors of the medical area looked oddly at me, but no one tried to stop me. It would have been bad for them if they had. Dr. Naran was surprised to see me. She was about to become more surprised. She almost smiled, until she realized I had a pistol pointed in her direction. “Let’s go. Inside.” “What are you going to do? Shoot me?” “Yes, but not all at once. Do you want to test my resolve?” She studied me, shook her head once and entered her inner office. “You’ll never get away with this.”

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Master Nage “Get away with what? I haven’t done anything yet.” “I operate under the Baron’s orders.” “All the time?” She looked stunned. “Of course.” I pointed the weapon at her head. “Strip.” She considered arguing, but didn’t. She turned way from me instead and started to unfasten her lab coat. Beneath, she wore black panties and nothing else. “All of it.” “If you’re doing this to get back at me...” “Just shut up and take them off.” The funny thing was, she had a great body, but chose to hide it from the world. A lot of women would kill for a body like hers. Large, firm breasts, wide hips and a narrow waist. She could have been a holostar had she wanted. I walked over to her, removed her eyeglasses and flung them across the room. She took the opportunity to try to run, but I was far too fast. I caught her by the hair and jerked her toward me. She cried out and stopped struggling when she realized she couldn’t escape. “What are you going to do to me?” I gestured to the machine. “Lie down.” She backed away until her ass was pressed against the side of her machine. Then she pushed herself up onto it, and lay back. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized how short she was. I moved to the control panel and looked at it. One button was clearly labeled begin. The rest of them had

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Scorch labels too, but I couldn’t figure out any of them. N2. G4. U8. I pressed the begin button and the top of the clam closed over her. As soon as it did, the entire room darkened, until I couldn’t even see the control panel. Dr. Naran’s voice entered my head. “So what will you do now?” This startled me, for I didn’t know she had the ability to do that. “I’m going to find out a few things, or rather, you’re going to tell them to me.” “What things?” “When I was last here, you made a few unscheduled alterations, didn’t you?” “It’s hardly possible not to, all things considered. Much goes into the adaptation of new circumstance. Unless you had something specific in mind.” The darkness disconcerted me. I wanted to see her and suddenly I did, lying there naked floating in midair as if nothing existed but her. Only then did I realize the entire room was part of the machine, that I could actually see, hear, feel and experience all that she did. “I didn’t come straight here.” “Oh?” “I went back to the security block and found an interesting anomaly.” “And what might that be?” “My control codes for re-locking individual prisoner cells were wrong. They check out right, but they’re not.” “That is distressing.”

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Master Nage “You’ve been doing it since the beginning. Playing the system. Taking liberties. And because no one truly understands what you do, you can get away with it. You did it deliberately. Why?” She smiled. “I might as well tell you, since you won’t remember anything after we’re done.” “I won’t?” “The machine allows our minds to mesh, but believe me, I’m far more powerful here than you. I know how to control this environment. You don’t.” To make her point. Lady Jacqueline appeared before me, naked, kneeling. I immediately fought my reaction to her. A moment later, that hated music began to play. Dr. Naran laughed in my mind. “I know you, Frank. I know your every thought. Your every weakness. How can you hope to compete with me in this arena? You’re in my world now, Frank.” I watched, wide-eyed as Lady Jacqueline crawled to me, eyes pleading, pussy dripping. I could not only see and hear her, but smell her as well. There was only one problem. It was all in my mind. “No!” I threw my anger into it and turned that anger toward Dr. Naran. She yelped in pain and Lady Jacqueline vanished. Her scent, however, lingered in the air. “You may have a few tricks,” she said, “but I know all the tricks. And I know you. You can’t win.” Lady Jacqueline was back and this time Amy was with her. The two crawled to me, eyes filled with lust,

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Scorch bodies swaying. My own body responded against my will. But this was one battle I couldn’t let myself lose. I walked over to Dr. Naran, realizing she couldn’t move physically while in the machine. I grabbed her legs and wrenched them apart. “What are you doing?” she gasped. “When was the last time you had your cunt licked, Doctor?” I laughed and lowered my head between her legs. “I’m not going to respond.” “Okay.” I licked slowly up her inner thigh, closer and closer to her already wet pussy. I knew it would be wet, for she enjoyed the power struggle. She enjoyed the game. She’d just never lost it before. There’s a first time for everything. I licked higher. Dr. Naran didn’t move. She controlled her breathing. It occurred to me, as I slid my tongue inside her, she probably had quite excellent control of her own body. Then I remembered something Lady Jacqueline had said. Everyone had a weakness. All I had to do was locate hers. Unfortunately, she already knew a good portion of mine. I licked slowly, thoroughly, covering every inch of the area with my tongue and lips from the very top of her slit, to the skin between her ass and her pussy. I took my time, deliberately building her up and the scent of her flowing juices filled my head. “Ahhhhh yesssssssssssss,” she moaned suddenly and I knew I had her.

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Master Nage I licked harder and faster, drinking her juices, tongue moving deeper, stroking her inner walls with all the skill I could muster. “That’s sooooo good, Frankie. Don’t stop.” Anger briefly passed over me at the use of the name, but I pushed it aside and kept licking. I felt my cock engulfed in a hot mouth. I looked down and there was Lady Jacqueline kneeling before me. Amy was beneath her, licking her pussy. Their eyes gleamed with excitement and I actually stopped licking. “Feels so good, doesn’t it, Frankie?” “Yesssssss.” Dr. Naran laughed. “Now lean down and smell my cunt.” I bent at the waist and sniffed, the scent driving me mad, the mouth on my cock pulling my precum easily. I could barely think, I was so horny. I knew if I came, she would win, but my body betrayed me, even if I wasn’t here. “Nooooooo!” I sank my teeth into her leg and she screamed at the sensation. I did it again, just to make my point. Just like that the pressure on my cock was gone. When I looked down neither Lady Jacqueline nor Amy were there. But Dr. Naran still was. I looked down at her. Helpless. Writhing. Eyes wide with lust. And then I knew how to take her. I leaned all the way forward and bit her left tit, hard. She bucked against me and I knew she was a masochist.

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Scorch I took my hand and started spanking her pussy, harder than I’d have dared with anyone else. "Aaaahhhhhhhhhhnnnnnnooooooooo!" Her scream filled the room, I wondered if anyone outside were close enough to hear. It wouldn’t matter anyway. I was certain such screams came from this room often enough to be ignored. I spanked her pussy harder, mashing her clit beneath the heel of my hand. I could smell her juices clearly, but I was in control. “Now, you’re going to answer some questions.” “Pleaassssssse no!” I slapped her cunt again. “You placed the wrong codes into my memory didn’t you?” She didn’t answer. I slapped her again and again. “Pleaseeeeeeeee no more.” “Beg me.” “Never!” “Have it your way.’ “Slap!...Slap!...slap!” She screamed, but I didn’t relent. “Did you change the codes?” “Yesssssssss, I fucking changed them!” She was on the verge of orgasm now and I knew I had to stop. It wouldn’t do to let her cum yet. I still had much more to learn. I pulled my hand from her and she cried out. “Why? Why did you change them?” “Please....” “I thought you weren’t going to beg.”

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Master Nage The music started playing again and Lady Jacqueline was there, tall, goddess-like, dressed in leather. She held a whip in her right hand. She wore thigh-high leather boots. I’d never seen a sight scarier, or more of a turn on. She flicked the whip lightly, by way of warning. “Get away from her, slave.” I almost backed away, but another image of Lady Jacqueline, kneeling and begging to suck Sir Edgar’s cock popped into my mind. She flicked the whip again. “I said get away!” Slowly I backed away from the table. “Turn around.” I complied. “Now, do you have anything to say, before I punish you?” “No.” I heard the whip crack one more warning, then it struck full force across Dr. Naran’s body. Dr. Naran screamed her pleasure and pain and I turned and walked back to the table. I took the whip from Lady Jacqueline. “I have no more need of you.” She faded from existence. Then, in one fluid motion I thrust the handle of the whip deep into Dr. Naran’s ass. “Why? Why did you change the codes!” “I was instructed to do soooo, please no more!” I thrust it again and again, building her orgasm, as she had built mine so many times. “By who?”

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Scorch “My superior.” “You’re one of them, aren’t you?” “Yes!” “Tell me. Who is your superior?” “I can’t. I’ll die before I betray my brothers.” “That’s likely true.” I rotated the whip handle, pulled it out and thrust it in again. “PLeeeeeeeeeeaseeeeeeeeeee.” “What’s wrong, Dr. Naran? Do you need to cum?” “Yes, pleaseeeeeeeeeee.” “Who is your superior?” “Don’t...can’t tell you...” Thrust! “I asked you a question.” “Pleaseeeeeeee.” “Answer me. Now.” I realized my voice had the same tone Lady Jacqueline had used to command me. “Lady Jacqueline.” I shook my head. It made no sense. Or did it? “Are you saying Lady Jacqueline is in with the rebels?” “Yes, yes, please anythingggggggg.” “What about Lord Warner?” She shook her head. “Not him. We used him.” And suddenly it all made sense. “How bad do you want to cum?” “So baaaaaaaaaaddddd. Pleeeeeeassssseeee.” “Do you beg it?” “Yessssssss.” “Will you do what I say?” “Yesssssss anythinggggggggg.” “Good girl. Cum for me then. Cum now. Hard.”

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Master Nage I kept thrusting the whip handle in and out. Dr. Naran came, flooding the table with her juices. In and out, over and over, I kept thrusting until she could cum no more. For a long time after, she lay sobbing. I didn’t say anything. I was aware time was wasting, but wasn’t worried. Entering Dr. Naran’s machine is almost like transporting yourself to a dimension where time travels faster. Hours of subjective time, translated to minutes of actual. When it became clear she wasn’t going to say anything, I spoke. “We have a lot to talk about.” “No.” “No? Do you wish me to prove again I can take you?” “No.” Her directness made me uncomfortable. “Do you have anything you want to say to me?” “I have always known this moment would come and I have prepared for it. I can not allow myself to be taken.” She uttered one final word before I could think of anything to say. “Transference.” The pain struck me at once, battering against the doors of my sanity as nothing ever had. It felt as if someone had opened my head and forced someone else’s mind in to it. Every thing that had ever happened to Dr. Naran became a part of me. I saw it all, from her earliest memories, to her abusive childhood. From her first lover, to the day she learned

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Scorch she enjoyed pain. And how she became involved with the rebellion. It was a brilliant maneuver on her part for when it was done, I understood, more clearly than I’d ever understood anything, just how evil the system was. How it corrupted and destroyed lives. How it condemned millions to living a life of servitude. The lights came on and I was sitting behind the control console. I wondered if the switches and dials had any function at all, or if they were just there for show. I thought I would never know, and then I did, for all Dr. Naran’s memories were mine. When I turned my attention to the clam, it was already open. I ran to it, but I already knew she would be dead. It was part of the final command to her machine. Dr. Naran, rather than live with me knowing her secret, had committed suicide, but in doing so, had struck one final blow against the system she hated so much. For now that I knew what she knew, I couldn’t possibly stand idly by and serve nobility. It hadn’t even been a calculated risk on her part. She knew me well enough to know I was close, and had given me more than enough to push me to treason. I checked for a pulse anyway and when I didn’t find one, I leaned down, kissed her forehead and closed the machine. She was a brave woman and had deserved better. The only thing I could do now, cliché as it was, was make sure her death wasn’t in vain. I hoped it would be a long time before the body was discovered, for I had much to do and little time to do it.

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Master Nage When I checked I had less than eighteen hours until the Baron’s deadline. I hoped it would be enough. *** Twelve hours later, with time running out, I returned to my apartment. Amy was there waiting for me, would always be waiting for me until the day she died. I knew I could no longer accept that. Unfortunately, that meant taking a huge risk, but I had no choice. My conscience would not allow me to sacrifice yet another victim. Thus, I made the decision to take Amy to Dr. Naran’s office. Even as we made our way to the travelator, I questioned the wisdom of my actions. Reprogramming Amy would take precious time. Time I needed. I was risking everything for a woman I barely knew, a mere servant at that. And while it was true I had enjoyed the pleasures of her body only recently, I knew also that wasn’t the reason I was taking the risk. I had only recently spent two weeks apart from Lady Jacqueline, knowing it was unlikely I would ever see her again. Two weeks of pure Hell. I had wanted to die, but couldn’t allow myself to, because there was always a chance, however small, that I was wrong. Logic told me she was gone from me forever, but the depth of my emotion gave me a small bit of hope—a hope so acutely painful, death would have been a mercy.

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Scorch I knew exactly how Amy felt and could never knowingly allow another to suffer that way. Not on my behalf. Even if it meant failure, and I was all too aware of just how possible that was, I still couldn’t walk away. I suppose, somewhere along the way, I had developed a sense of honor. I could only assume I didn’t get it from Dr. Naran. I didn’t speak at all during the trip. Amy hadn’t used a travelator before and spent the time watching the walls shift. The intensity of my thoughts kept me from talking, but Amy, distracted by the patterns, didn’t seem to notice. In fact, she was fine, until she saw Dr. Naran’s body. “What happened?” She stared at it both horrified and fascinated. “Do you love me?” “Yes.” “I need you to trust me then.” I lifted Dr. Naran from the machine and placed her gently on the floor. I motioned for Amy to lie down. She hesitated, but her love for me won out over her squeamishness. I closed the top of the machine over her. Strangely enough, it no longer looked like a clam, probably because Dr. Naran’s memories of it predated my own. I worked the controls as if I’d worked them for years, which, of course, I had. It took three precious hours of my remaining time, but it was worth it, or would be if the rest of my plan went well. Amy’s new programming wouldn’t start until I spoke a command word, which would have to

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Master Nage wait for later. I had one more stop to make before I could do that. “Where are we going?” “To find a friend.” “Okay.” She seemed happy enough just to be with me, which, considering her programming, was understandable. I even put my arm around her. It didn’t cost me anything and it made her feel good. There was no reason not to. But I knew I didn’t love Amy and never would. I didn’t knock when we reached our destination, but opened the door using my security clearance. Lady Jacqueline was naked when I entered. Apparently they didn’t allow her clothes or at least Sir Edgar didn’t. The expression on her face changed from hope to fear within seconds of me entering. “Hello, Frankie. If you’re here to take your vengeance on me, you’re going to have to wait in line, I’m afraid.” “Is that why you think I’m here?” “Isn’t it?” “No, it’s not. I’m here to rescue you.” This was news to Amy and she looked at me oddly. I smiled and kissed her. “I’ll explain when we get home.” Lady Jacqueline rose and walked over to me, looked me in the eyes and smiled. “You’re a fool. You’re going to get yourself killed.” “Since when are you so worried about my wellbeing?”

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Scorch “There were circumstances you know nothing about.” I chuckled. “You might be surprised how much I know. I don’t have time to argue with you. You have to come with me. Now.” “Why?” “Because if you don’t, Dr. Naran died for nothing.” I had seldom seen Lady Jacqueline speechless, but she was then. I didn’t have time for this so I grabbed her hand and led her into the corridor. She didn’t resist and soon the three of us were on the way back to my rooms. We passed few people at that hour, and I was fairly certain no one recognized her. At least I hoped they didn’t. It’s difficult to remain inconspicuous in the presence of a naked woman. In the travelator, Lady Jacqueline asked the question. “How did she die?” “She died in the line of duty and that’s all I can say about it right now. I swear to you, if you trust me for another hour, I’ll tell you everything.” I sincerely hoped an hour would be enough. She nodded. When the travelator stopped, we took off at a run and didn’t stop until we reached my quarters. Amy didn’t know the specifics, but I was certain she knew that rescuing Lady Jacqueline would put me in trouble. She hadn’t said much since the rescue, which suited me fine. I had enough on my mind. When we reached my rooms, I asked Lady Jacqueline to wait in the foyer, while I took Amy to

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Master Nage her room. Once we were inside I embraced her, kissed her gently and spoke a single word. “Confusion.” She collapsed immediately, as I knew she would. Fortunately I was holding her. I carried her to the bed and laid her down gently. She would sleep until something woke her, at which point, she would remember everything that had happened as a dream, which would fade from memory within minutes of her waking. As for her love for me, I couldn’t completely remove the feeling, but I managed to tone it down considerably. It would take her months to get over me, but she would eventually, which was better than the alternative. I left her sleeping and rejoined Lady Jacqueline in the foyer. “Now where?” “The escape ship.” She looked at me. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” “We have something in common then.” She shook her head, laughed and joined me on the short sprint to the ship. I’d been here earlier making modifications, but I didn’t say anything about it. Instead I settled her in, reminded her to pull the crash webbing tightly over her body and did the same myself. Then I performed several quick system checks, largely automatic, and initiated the launch sequence. Within five minutes of boarding, we were on our way. “So where are we going?” she asked.

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Scorch “North,” I said. “There are some friends of yours I’d like to meet.”

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Chapter Fourteen

W

e flew low, avoiding detection as best as possible. I changed course several times, just to make certain we wouldn’t be followed. Only when I believed us to be safe, did I make a landing in a rocky area, in the middle of nowhere. “What are you doing?” “Hiding. Pursuit can’t be far behind. By killing the engines, we’ll be almost impossible to detect.” “I can’t believe this ship doesn’t have a tracker.” “It had one. I removed it and installed it onto a travelator.” She laughed. “That’s brilliant. So now what do we do?” “We wait until they’ve done their short range search. The odds of them finding us are minuscule. Then we head north.” “What do we do until then?” “We wait.” She studied me and licked her lips nervously. “I guess I treated you pretty badly.” I shrugged. “It was a masquerade you felt was necessary.”

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Scorch “That’s very understanding of you.” “We all do what we feel is necessary.” There was something in my tone that warned her, but I didn’t do anything and she seemed to relax. “I need to stretch,” she said after a while. She tried to release the safety webbing, but nothing happened. “Hey, this webbing is stuck.” I nodded, she looked at me, eyes wide. “I took the liberty of making a few modifications to this ship.” “I see.” She tried to struggle out of it, but the webbing was too tight. I had no doubt it was already irritating her naked body. But I was not done with Lady Jacqueline. “You are after revenge!” “On the contrary, M'lady. It’s peace of mind I seek. You’ve used me badly and I find it difficult to trust you. That will change soon.” “What are you going to do to me?” “What was done to me.” I didn’t say anything else and she didn’t ask. I didn’t move a muscle, but lay back in my chair with my eyes closed. I heard her struggling against the webbing, trying to squirm out from under it, but knew it was futile. After a while, so did she. “You can’t do this to me.” I leaned forward and pressed a button on a device that sat on the floor near my feet. She watched, eyes widening. “What did you do?” “You knew Dr. Naran very well, didn’t you?” “Yes.”

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Master Nage “I do too, now. In fact, all of Dr. Naran’s knowledge had been preserved, safe inside of me.” A look of realization crossed her face. She started to struggle harder. “Let me out of here at once!” “You are no longer in control, M'lady. The device I’ve activated will work on you slowly. I’m sure you already feel tingly, but that sensation will continue to grow, until you writhe in uncontrollable desire. Do you know what it feels like, to want someone that badly?” “Oh God. Don’t do this to me.” “Can you give me a good reason why I shouldn’t?” She didn’t say anything and I lay back and closed my eyes, content to allow the machine to do its work. As it was calibrated to females, it affected me not at all. I listened to the sounds as they emerged, beginning with her frantic struggles, then her heavy breathing, which became panting, finally turning to moans and whimpers. I could smell the juices flowing from her, but still said nothing. “You bastard!” “Is that what I am? It must be hard for you, considering your arms are trapped down at your sides. You must want to touch yourself very badly.” I reached down and flicked another switch on the instrument. “What...what did you do?” “An interesting device, I think. The new field I’ve just activated will make it impossible for you to reach

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Scorch orgasm. It won’t, however, interfere with the first field. You must be getting very horny.” “Go fuck yourself.” “You know, I think I might do just that.” I rose and stood before her, unfastened my trousers and exposed my cock. Her eyes locked onto it and she struggled fiercely, to no effect. My cock was already hard from listening to the sounds of her struggles. I started to stroke it, right in front of her, taunting her with my body as she had once taunted me. She watched, eyes filled with desire, lips parted, neck straining to get closer. Her tongue emerged trying to get a taste of my hardness, but I kept it just out of reach. She sobbed and redoubled her efforts. The heady aroma of her juices filled the small compartment. I stroked harder, squeezing precum onto the deck. She whimpered when she saw it. She was breathing so hard now, I was beginning to fear for her. Finally, her desire grew stronger than her will. “Please...” I laughed. “How does it feel, M'lady?” “Please, let me suck it.” “Beg harder.” “Please, I need to suck it. I need it so bad.” “I don’t think so.” “Oh God, please. I’ll do anything.” “I know you will.” I brought my cock closer till it rested just above her mouth. She still couldn’t reach it, which was what I had in mind. My next drops of precum fell on her lips. She gasped and licked it up as quickly as it fell.

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Master Nage “Please, Master, please. Let me taste you.” “Do you deserve to taste me?” “Ahhhhhhh, pleaseeeeeeeeee.” “You told me I would never feel your lips on my cock, didn’t you?” Realization lit her eyes and she started to cry. “Please, please, I beg of you. I’ll do anything you say. Please, let me taste it.” Finally I relented, sliding my cock into her mouth. She started to suck, slowly at first, then harder, tongue swirling over my head and around it. I felt the pressure build in my balls and knew I would soon cum. She pulled her lips away. “Turn it off.” “What?” “Let me cum. Turn it off and I’ll suck the cum from your cock. I'll suck it sooooo good for you. Just turn the machine off.” I smacked her face with my cock. “You don’t seem to be in a position to make deals.” “Please...” She reached again for my cock with her tongue, but this time, I didn’t replace it. “No. You don’t get it now. If you try to take me, you get nothing. But I’ll let you watch me cum.” “Oh God, no. Please, Master, I’ll do better. I’ll do anything you say.” “If you can prove that to me, next time, I might let you taste it.” I lay back down on my seat, well aware she had a perfect view. I stroked my cock slowly, until more precum emerged from the tip. I used a finger to smear

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Scorch it around the head, then slowly brought my hand all the way down my shaft. She was almost screaming by the time I came, shooting hot cum into the air. Finally, when I was done I turned off the machine, but didn’t release her. “Please,” she whimpered. “Please don’t leave me like this.” “Go to sleep. If you’re a good girl tomorrow, I might let you cum.” “I’ll be good, Master. I’ll be good for you.” “See to it you do.” I was slightly troubled when I lay back in the pilot’s chair, for I didn’t truly understand what drove me. Was I trying to get revenge? I didn’t think so, yet I had done to Lady Jacqueline what she had done to me, using a machine to accelerate the process. I knew it was wrong when she did it, how could it be right for me? No, I told myself, it wasn’t revenge that motivated me. Had more of Dr. Naran been transferred that I’d initially guessed? That was always a possibility. If so, what else might I do in the future and how much responsibility for it should I accept? I shook my head. I could not deny responsibility, even if Dr. Naran did place these ideas in my head along with her knowledge. The truth was, I would never know just how I had been altered, and couldn’t allow myself to sacrifice what small integrity I might have left. That way surely lay insanity. Then my mind seized upon something I’d forgotten. I had been in the kitchen with Lady

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Master Nage Jacqueline and Lord Warner. My implant allowed me to picture the scene in vivid detail. “I can take care of myself, Master,” Lady Jacqueline had said. “No, you cannot. You’ve never been able to take care of yourself. That’s why you need me.” She had wanted to try out her charms on General Richards, and Lord Warner had balked. At first I thought he was jealous, but after meeting the General in person, I believe he was correct. The General would not fall for Lady Jacqueline’s charms. Any attempt in that direction would have been far too dangerous. I thought about the conversation for a long time and knew Lord Warner was right. In spite of her sophistication, Lady Jacqueline was young, impetuous, reckless, certainly incapable of keeping herself safe. The only way I could truly protect her was to control her actions, as Lord Warner had claimed to do. With that realization, I knew I had finally found a way to overcome my programming. What better way to protect someone as selfdestructive? And I loved her. Even after all that had happened, I couldn’t deny it. I loved her, but knew she couldn’t be allowed to make her own choices. Dr. Naran had done this to me...to us. But I would not shirk my responsibility. As long as she was under my control, she would be far easier to protect. With that realization, I finally allowed myself to relax.

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Scorch I closed my eyes and fell asleep in the chair, confident in the ability of the webbing to hold her until I woke up. *** She spoke as soon as I opened my eyes. “Good morning, Master.” “Good morning. How are you feeling?” “I have to piss.” “It would be very humiliating for you to have to piss here, wouldn’t it?” “Please, I beg you. Don’t do that to me.” I thought about it and decided the smell of urine wouldn’t make the waiting any easier. I removed a pair of manacles from one of the storage compartments. “Is that necessary, Master?” “Yes.” “I’ll be good. Please don’t bind my hands.” I released the webbing and she moaned. “Sit up.” She sat. “Hands behind your back.” “Master...please.” I jerked her hands behind her and manacled them together. She was certainly too weak to stop me. “Don’t you know that you own me?” I shrugged. “I remember how you knelt to Lord Warner and also how you betrayed him. You’ll betray me just as fast.”

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Master Nage “No Master. Lord Warner was like the rest of them. Like my father. I would never do that to you.” “You were willing to sacrifice me once.” “For a greater cause.” “How noble.” I pushed her into the small rest room. It was a tiny room like the ones found on public transports. But there was a toilet and that was what she needed. I guided her to it, turned her around and pushed her down. I didn’t turn my head as she did what she had to. When she was done, she looked at the toilet paper. “Stand up.” She rose. I think she expected me to undo her manacles, but I chose not to. Instead I took a piece of toilet paper, folded it and shoved my hand between her legs. She moaned loudly and writhed against my hand. I didn’t take it away immediately. I felt my cock hardening as I watched her, hands restrained, humping my fingers. Her eyes closed and her lips parted. “Ahhhhhhhhh, need to cum.” “Do you beg it?” She didn’t answer. I pulled my hand back. “Please, I beg it, please, in the name of God let me cuuuuuuummmmmmm.” I laughed and put my hand back. “Such a helpless little slut.” “Yes, Master.” She ground her pussy into my hand and I flicked her clit with my thumb. She screamed and cum exploded from her, covering my hand, the floor and

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Scorch the toilet seat. She kept rubbing and screaming until she came again. After the third time she knelt before me, as I had seen her kneel before Lord Warner. “Please, Master. Don’t restrain me again. I’ll be good. I promise.” I looked at her, studied her carefully. She seemed to mean it, but then, I knew the kind of actress she was. “Back in the chair, girl.” I thought she would argue, but she didn’t. “Yes, Master.” She sat, pulled the webbing over herself and locked herself in. *** We remained another day in the vicinity before I felt secure enough to travel. Twice more I used the machine on Lady Jacqueline. Both times I allowed her to cum, after she begged. She referred to me as Master constantly, which was nice, but considering her past performances, I couldn’t take that at face value. Still, I felt more secure having the upper hand, which is all I cared about at the moment. It took the best part of the day to reach the mining sector, where most of the rebel activity had been centralized. With the absence of an effective agent in the palace, I wondered who was leading them. I was about to find out. Fortunately, Lady Jacqueline had all the codes necessary to gain access to the rebel camp. At first I couldn’t figure out why the Baron had been unable to

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Master Nage locate them, until I realized they had friends in the palace. Records had certainly been lost or changed, or this base, at least, would have been discovered long ago. The rebels lived in an abandoned mine, heated by underground magma currents. With Twilight rapidly approaching, I was keen to get to safety before another night passed. Not that we didn’t have enough power to heat the ship for that long. We did. But I wanted to keep the power levels as high as possible in case I needed to make a quick getaway. We landed on a rocky plateau, not far from the mine. This area was endomed, so we didn’t need protective suits, though I was again amazed the Baron didn’t know of this place. Several unsavory looking characters were on hand to greet us. I landed where they told me to and opened the airlocks. The reception committee wasted no time, nor did Lady Jacqueline. She stepped from the craft before I did and ran into a crowd of what I hoped were friends. There were about a dozen, who seemed more than happy to see her. I started down the small ramp to join them. “Seize him!” yelled Lady Jacqueline. Before I could react, pistols were drawn and aimed in my direction. Even with my greatly enhanced combat skills, there was no way I could survive this kind of engagement. One of them, a large man with a shaved head and bloodshot brown eyes, walked up to me, motioned for me to turn and place my hands behind my back. I complied, pushing aside my anger.

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Scorch I felt the manacles close around my wrists and a powerful hand on my arm turning me back to face Lady Jacqueline and her friends. “There you are,” said Lady Jacqueline. “Consider him a gift.” I was about to respond when something hard impacted the back of my head. If I ever got Lady Jacqueline alone again, I’d do more than make her yield.

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Master Nage

Chapter Fifteen

I

didn’t lose consciousness. It hadn’t occurred to me before, but if you can’t sleep, you can’t be unconscious either. I closed my eyes and kept them closed, hoping someone would let something slip while they thought I was out. “Pox, you can fly the ship?” A woman’s voice, crisp and strong. “Of course.” The man who responded was behind me, no doubt the one who had struck the blow. “Take it. We have to be out of here before the General’s troops detect our presence. Jackie, you ride with me. I have a lot of questions for you.” “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Lady Jacqueline was clearly among friends. The woman spoke again. “Let’s move out people. Someone grab the guard.” I didn’t mention I’d recently received a promotion. I didn’t think it would be of great help in my current situation. I felt myself lifted and carried some distance to a vehicle which might have been a hovercraft. It certainly wasn’t a t-ship, considering how quiet the

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Scorch engines were. Which meant we weren’t traveling far or out of the dome. The conversation didn’t resume until I’d been restrained and the craft had started moving. The only two voices were that of Lady Jacqueline and the woman who’d issued the orders. It was the latter who spoke first. “What were you thinking?” I had not often heard Lady Jacqueline sound defensive and admit I took some pleasure from it. “I had no choice. He had me trapped.” “I thought you had him under control.” “I did, but the situation changed.” “Perhaps. I can only think of one reason he would rescue you.” “I can think of others. Revenge tops the list. You have no idea what I endured in the last day.” “You don’t look worse for the wear. In fact, I’ve seldom seen you so radiant.” “Fuck you.” Lady Jacqueline was clearly not amused. “Jackie, this is serious. They found Dr. Naran’s body at the palace. They’re looking for this man in connection with the murder. If I find out he’s responsible for her death, I’m going to serve him his own balls.” “You’re welcome to them.” I felt it might be time to speak in my defense. “I didn’t do it.” I opened my eyes and two surprised faces turned to regard me. The leader of the rebellion was a blonde

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Master Nage woman, about thirty, with tired but intelligent blue eyes. Her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, but I couldn’t see more from my current position. “How did she die?” “She took her own life. She knew they were on to her. But she transferred everything she knew to me. That’s how I was able to use her technology on the ship.” “If you have her memories, you can tell me her father’s name.” “She never knew her father. She barely knew her mother. But she knew me. Well enough to know with just another shove, I would sympathize with the rebellion. That’s why she did it. She believed enough to give you a gift. I’m worth more than you know.” “Perhaps.” “I have all the security information about the palace programmed into me. Any successful attempt against the Baron would have to involve my help.” It was Lady Jacqueline who answered. “How very convenient. I assure you, you won’t be helping anyone do anything. I am so going to make you pay for what you did to me.” “Oh? What about what you did to me? Anyway, you didn’t seem to mind it at the time, slave.” I heard the other woman chuckle. “What did go on in that ship?” “Go ahead, Jackie, tell her.” “Silence!” I laughed. She turned in the seat and struck me. Because of the awkward angle, her blow didn’t hurt.

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Scorch “Stop it, Jackie. We’ll decide what to do with him later. For now, no more talking until he’s out of range.” Lady Jacqueline looked as if she might strike me again, but she nodded and turned away. I didn’t speak again for the remainder of the trip. *** I eventually found myself in a holding cell. Admittedly it was lower tech than my cell at the palace had been, but it restrained my movements just as effectively. An energy door is no harder to get through than a metal lattice. I remained alone for a long time, without even a guard for company. I was brought no food or water. My stomach had stopped complaining several hours before and my throat felt parched. I rested as long as I could, before I decided to do something constructive. I decided to go through Dr. Naran’s memories. There were a lot of them, far more than I’d originally guessed. Not surprisingly, my own mind was unable to absorb such a large info dump. It would probably be a very long time before I knew even most of what she’d gone through in her life. Which wasn’t a problem since what I did need to know, I knew. I knew, for example, approximately where I was. I also knew there was a combination pad outside the cell from which I could open it if I had the number. Had I been in the palace, I’d have had no

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Master Nage trouble releasing myself, but I couldn’t possibly know the code for this door. I reviewed most of her childhood memories and found myself in tears more than once. Dr. Naran had not had a pleasant childhood. The more I learned about her the more I could empathize and the more I was able to forgive her for what she had done to me. I was reviewing a particularly nasty beating when the door opened and Pox stepped into the cell. He was armed and taking no chances. I wondered if I might be able to take him, before I decided I didn’t want to. I wanted these people to trust me. I was led a fair distance away through natural stone tunnels, until I reached a door. Pox pressed a button beside it and after a few seconds it slid open. I was shoved inside, where the blonde woman awaited me. My vantage point on the ship hadn’t done her justice at all. She was clad only in a short, black robe. This was clearly her bedchamber. She was smoking something, though it wasn’t tobacco. I had a feeling it was a narcotic, but wasn’t sure. Scents, apparently, didn’t appear in my database. Her breasts were large, firm and her large nipples completely erect. Her legs were long and silken. She had a lovely shape, emphasized by the sash she used to keep the robe closed, though it wasn’t completely closed, affording me a delicious view of her assets. I wondered why she had chosen to meet me like this and couldn’t think of a reason. Certainly she wasn’t about to seduce me.

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Scorch “Hello, Frank.” “You seem to have me at a disadvantage.” “I prefer my men at a disadvantage.” A silence fell between us. I was the first to break it. “I’m not one of your men.” “Of course you’re not.” And again, silence. I took the opportunity to look around the room. Aside from a bed with fur covers and a chest of drawers, there was little to show anyone lived here. After what I’d been used to, it was almost spartan. Of course, most of the world lived this way. Only the nobility had the luxury of works of art and fancy apartments. “So, Frank, do you want to tell me about it?” “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” “You can start by telling me why you did what you did to Jacqueline.” “You can’t be serious. Do you know what she did to me?” “Only in the most general terms.” “She tortured me. You didn’t expect me to trust her, did you?” She thought about it before answering. “Jacqueline claims you did it for revenge.” “Is she scarred? What did I do to her? Turn her on? Give her pleasure?” The woman shrugged. “It wasn’t consensual, was it?” “No more than what was done to me.” “Point taken. I’m going to be straight with you Frank. We can’t trust you.”

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Master Nage “I see. That’s too bad, for ultimately, without me, the rebellion is doomed to fail. You have no one left in the palace now and General Richards is determined to stamp you out.” “That’s true, but we’ve survived before, against greater odds. We will survive this too.” I nodded. “So what is to become of me?” “We can’t take any chances. You’ll be executed tomorrow at dawn.” “Why?” She looked surprised. “I mean why wait? Why is it always dawn? Seems like an awful waste and frankly, I’d rather not spend the night dwelling on it.” She laughed. “Oh you are delightful. I can see why Jackie was taken with you.” This was news to me. “What?” “She really likes you. That’s why she’s so angry with you. She prefers to be in control and you took that from her.” “And you’re telling me this why?” “I thought you might want to know before you meet your demise.” “That’s awfully considerate of you. I don’t suppose there’s some way I could prove myself.” She looked thoughtful for a long time. When she spoke, she considered each word before releasing it. “Perhaps there is one thing you can do. I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll take you to a combat quadrant and let you go there. Kill one man, bring back one enemy head, and I’ll reconsider.”

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Scorch I was stunned by the proposition. She wanted me to kill a solider, who was no less a servant than I had been. A simple, misguided peasant who had no real idea of what he was fighting for. I didn’t answer right away. When I did, my voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m sorry. I can’t do that.” “Why not? You claim to be on our side. You want to show your loyalty. This is the perfect test, don’t you think?” “If that’s what you think, you’re no better than the Baron and I’m better off dead. It’s time for the killing to stop.” She sighed. “Well, you’ve had your chance.” Just like that, there was a disintegrator in her hand, pointed in my direction. I was too far to take her and I didn’t trust my reflexes to avoid getting hit, particularly since I didn’t know how good she was with it. “Any last requests?” “Tell Lady Jacqueline I’m sorry.” She looked surprised. “Good-bye, Frank.” I swallowed. “I still don’t know your name.” “Where you’re going, you won’t need it.” She pulled the trigger and a red beam emerged and struck me in the chest. I didn’t flinch. I didn’t disintegrate either. “What the fuck...” She laughed. “Okay I’m not going to kill you.” “You’re not?” “Correct. If you’d been working for them, you’d have thought nothing about taking the life of some

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Master Nage nameless solider, to prevent your cover from being blown.” “Oh.” It was all I could think to say. “What about the disintegrator?” “It’s a slightly modified version. I had to make sure you were truly willing to sacrifice yourself. And now, you’re going to need a new name.” “I already have one.” She raised an eyebrow. “Do you?” “Yes. You can call me Scorch.” She leapt from the bed and flung herself at me, fists flailing. “How dare you!” I grabbed her wrists and held her away from me. I kept expecting the door to open, but it didn’t. “Easy there. Just calm down.” Her eyes were wild, but seemed to grow calm. I wondered if it was the drug that had elicited the reaction. “You are an asshole,” she said at last. She pulled away from me and turned toward the bed. “I don’t understand.” She stopped and whirled. “Like Hell you don’t.” “Look, Scorch was the founder of the rebellion, at least he was credited for that. And since his disappearance, the rebellion has suffered. I’m predicting the return of Scorch will give your people morale they desperately need, considering recent events. And virtually no one part of the rebellion

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Scorch today would recognize him. It’s perfect. And it’ll give the Baron something to think about too.” “Scorch didn’t disappear. He died.” This was news to me, and apparently Dr. Naran as well. “I didn’t know that.” “No one knows. Only me. He died saving me in a battle to the south. He was my lover.” I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t have possibly known. She must have realized. “I’m sorry. I see now you meant no ill by the suggestion.” “Well it wasn’t quite my suggestion. The thought was in Dr. Naran’s mind. She believed the reemergence of Scorch would give the rebellion some kind of advantage.” “She was probably right.” I walked to her and touched her shoulder. “I’ll understand if you want to pick a different name for me.” She sat on the bed and turned. “No. I can’t put my feelings in front of the rebellion and if Dr. Naran thought it was a good idea, I won’t dishonor her memory by refuting it. Scorch it is.” She touched my hand and pulled me down on the bed beside her. Surprised, I allowed myself to be guided. “You know there’s no going back for you.” Her eyes glistened. “Yes.” “It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a man in my bed.”

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Master Nage “You really loved him, didn’t you?” “Yes, but I think it’s time for me to start getting over him. It’s been many years and I fear I’ve allowed circumstance to dictate my actions for too long.” She pulled me down on the bed, I lay on my back, while she straddled me and leaned all the way down until her breasts were pressed against me. Her lips sought mine and we kissed, teasing at first, then deeper. This was quite different from the battles I’d experienced with Lady Jacqueline. We were two world-weary veterans sharing a moment I suspected would never be repeated. It was something I think we both needed. Her kisses grew more forceful and she began to undulate on me. Her robe fell completely open. She shrugged it off and removed it, without breaking the kiss. Neat trick that. I stopped wondering how she did it when her hand slid down my chest and reached for my hardness. I tried to push her off, but she slapped my hands away and I let them fall back to the bed, above my head. Her hand worked my cock, squeezing and pulling on it gently. Her fingernails lightly scratched my balls, sending shivers up my spine. I moaned and tried to squirm away, but she moved with me, continuing to apply pressure. Soon I was gasping for breath and precum ran from my cock head, lubricating her fingers. She stopped and rose slightly, guiding my cock inside her. She was already wet. She lowered herself and bit her lip. She leaned all the way

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Scorch forward and began to circle her hips, jerking me off with her pussy. I had never felt anything like it and could barely control myself. I reached up and rubbed her breasts, lightly pinching and pulling on her nipples as she rode me. She leaned all the way down and kissed me again, hard, then pulled up and arched her back, changing the pressure on my cock as she did so. I cried out and grasped her waist, thrusting into her, pulling her down on top of me. She squirmed and writhed, bringing me closer and closer to orgasm. I told myself I wouldn’t cum until she did, but she was making it awfully difficult. She must have seen the expression on my face, for she smiled, sweetly. “Just let go, Scorch. Let go.” “No.” She kept riding me, never losing that easy smile. In some ways, she wasn’t all that different from Lady Jacqueline. But I had changed. “No!” I threw her from me and forced her legs apart, burying my face in her pussy. I licked her, slowly at first then harder, determined to make her cum before I did. She moved against me, trying to squirm away, but I held her thighs tightly and redoubled my efforts. She thrust up against my mouth and I licked and sucked and stroked her pussy with my tongue. Then she bent all the way to the side and took my cock into her mouth.

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Master Nage The harder I sucked, the harder she sucked, until I was humping her mouth, thrusting all the way into her throat. Her muscles massaged me, pulled the cum up from my balls. I threw back my head and screamed, then reached down and pinched her clit, hard. I don’t really know which of us came first, but suddenly I couldn’t hold back and she sucked the cum from my cock as it spewed forth, swallowing it all. Her own cum coated my tongue and lips and I lapped it up as fast as she gave it, drinking her juices until I could barely think but for desire. When I collapsed, I was completely spent. Not for the first time, I cursed the fact I couldn’t sleep. Still I didn’t move for a long time. Only then did something occur to me. “You know...I still don’t know your name.” She remained just conscious enough to answer. “Cynna.” “Glad to meet you.” She didn’t answer and soon I heard her breathing ease into the gentle rhythm of sleep. I chose to relive the experience, replaying it as I had previous sexual encounters. There could be no doubt I was like Lady Jacqueline. I too liked the game. But how could she ever trust me after what I’d done to her? It was probably for the best anyway. She was as far out of my league as Cynna. Though she had called me Scorch. That surprised me. The alarm bell that began to ring surprised me even more.

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Chapter Sixteen

“A

ttention! Attention! This outpost is under attack.” She was off the bed, dressing at about the same time I was. Fast for someone who was asleep. She seemed to come awake instantly. “Control room. What’s going on?” “Military approaching from the west and south.” “How the hell did they find us?” “I don’t know, Commander.” She looked at me. “Well, Scorch, what about it? Are you a Trojan horse?” “If I am, no one told me about it.” She eyed me suspiciously. “Look, I took a tracker out of the ship, but maybe they have another way of tracking it.” Cynna shook her head. “I wasn’t fool enough to bring the ship here. It’s not far, but they wouldn’t find this place, even if they could track your ship. Which means, they’re tracking you. Control room, how many are we up against? What’s coming?” “Looks like ground troops, Commander, but there are a lot of them.”

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Master Nage “Ground troops? No ships?” “Nothing our scanners are picking up.” “That doesn’t make sense. Why send ground crews?” “I don’t know,” I replied, “but if they were tracking me, they’d certainly do it by ship. Unless...I wonder.” I had assumed the surveillance sphere was transmitting information to the Baron, but suppose it transmitted it to me, and the Baron had somehow been reading my mind. The range would have been fairly limited, which meant tracking it by ship would likely yield no results. And General Richards could have easily obtained the frequency. Surely they knew I’d stolen the craft. The idea I might have seriously cost the rebellion did not sit well with me. Cynna was pulling on her clothes, obviously not certain what to do with me. “Ask your people if they look like they know where we are, or if they look like they’re searching.” She looked at me oddly, but relayed the question. “Hard to say, but if they do know where we are, they’re moving awfully slow.” “Son of a bitch! You’ve got to get me out of here.” Briefly, I explained my theory about my mental transmissions. Cynna cursed, then told me to follow. I ran after her, hoping I could be gone before they zeroed in on the exact location of the installation. As we moved, she spoke.

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Scorch “They must have picked up your ship when we first rendezvoused or more likely, while we were hiding it. We left it in a large cavern not far from here, but far enough away to make it unlikely they would casually stumble onto this place. But if they have your transmission to zero in on, we’ve got problems.” I could only agree. Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be anything we could do about it. Unless... “Wait, don’t you have some sort of transmission jammers? It wouldn’t require a strong one.” “Do you know what frequency you broadcast at?” “No, but I can find out, using the ship.” “We can’t get to the ship.” “I can.” I stretched out with my mind. I could clearly see the inside of the ship and knew I could control it remotely, one of the side benefits of being wired into the system. Even if they changed codes within the palace, they wouldn’t have been in time to change these. I used both inner and outer scanners to get a clear picture of the place. Then I used my control to lift off. “What are you doing?” Cynna saw I had stopped, but didn’t know why. “I’m going to give those ground troops something to think about. Can you get me a fix on them? I mean approximate coordinates?” “Control room, center coordinates for the approaching troops.” “They’re in quadrant four, C8 r32.” She looked at me, I nodded.

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Master Nage “Stand by, control.” “You’re going to have to evacuate anyway.” “I know.” I was too busy flying to talk again. It was a heady feeling, almost as if I existed both inside the installation and outside at the same time. It felt as if I were flying, something I hadn’t expected. I felt like some giant bird of prey, scanning the surface of the world for my next meal. Then I saw them, hundreds, being led by a few men with scanners. I flew low over them, fired a few shots and called out, though I couldn’t pick up direct audio transmission. I examined the onboard arsenal and decided the ship had been designed as much for a fight as for a quick getaway. I aimed two energy missiles and fired. We heard the sound of exploding rock even this deep beneath the ground. The soldiers realized their peril as the avalanche began. Their sudden panicked flight told the story. I flew the ship toward them again and swept low, though this time, they were too busy to fire. I had control of the external speaker system and spoke, as if I were in the ship. “You can tell your General you won’t take us that easily. We are better prepared than you think. Tell him to take his men and leave this place—or he’ll have to answer to Scorch.” I’d have given anything to be able to eavesdrop on the conversation they would later have, but I’m certain the soldiers on that mountainside, the ones who survived, would tell the tale of this attack for the

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Scorch rest of their lives. Scorch, the founder of the rebellion, long thought dead, was back, taking from them their certain victory. “What did you do?” “I got rid of the soldiers, for now. But I’ve only bought us time.” “Control room, what’s the situation?” “I’m not sure. Seems we’ve received air support from someone, but we can’t tell who.” Cynna smiled. “I have a pretty good idea of who, though I’m still not sure how. Prepare to evacuate.” “Commander?” “They’ll be back and next time, it won’t be foot patrols.” “Yes, Commander.” A different warning klaxon soon sounded and the race was on. I received permission and landed my ship nearby. Cynna had much to see to during the evacuation, which left me the time to do what I needed to do. I found the ship, boarded it and scanned for transmissions using only least used, lowest power channels. I wasn’t at all surprised when I found a transmission. I was somewhat more surprised when I displayed it on screen. It showed everything I had just seen and heard. The delay was minimal, which made for some surreal viewing, in effect an echo of reality. I didn’t think they had actually picked up the signal, but if they had, they’d gotten a good shot of Cynna and a rather candid one at that. I was quite sure they didn’t know she was in

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Master Nage charge, so if they did see it, it would be a blow to the rebellion. I didn’t dwell on it, but instead looked through the storage compartments for something that could be used to jam transmissions. I didn’t find anything right away, but was sure I’d figure something out. Then the outside cameras flicked on and I saw two people approaching. Cynna and Lady Jacqueline. After they boarded, it was Cynna who spoke. “You can fly this thing I take it?” “Sure can.” “Remotely?” “Yes.” “Good. Jackie and I are going to take this ship, but I’d like you to take another, while flying this one remotely.” I blinked. “That makes no sense.” “Maybe. But this will show us, more or less, who’s being tracked, since neither of us will be going to the rendezvous point.” “I see. Sounds daft, but it might at that.” “Look, we don’t have a lot of high tech equipment and we certainly don’t have the time to figure you out. This is what I’ve come up with.” I held up a placating hand. “Okay, okay. Give me the coordinates I’ll be flying you to and tell me where to get the other ship and let’s test your theory.” She nodded. “Ready, Jackie?” Lady Jacqueline looked tired and not very happy, but nodded.

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Scorch “Pox is waiting down by the other ship. He’ll be flying, so you can concentrate on us. Good luck.” “Likewise.” I didn’t waste any time. When I looked again through the ships internal sensors, Lady Jacqueline was already seated in the pilot’s seat. I suppose she felt about the other seat much as I had felt about Dr. Naran’s table. I could understand her feelings on the matter. I watched them both pull the crash webbing over their bodies, though this time, Lady Jacqueline was fully clothed in a skintight mesh suit. Not that she looked more clothed in it, but the webbing certainly wouldn’t be as irritating. In sharp contrast to Lady Jacqueline's utilitarian outfit, Cynna wore red shorts and a very short white sleeveless shirt. I had wondered at the choice when she was dressing, but then, she had probably selected the first items of clothing on hand. She’d obviously not been back to her quarters to change. By then I saw Pox, standing beside a rather oddshaped cruiser. It didn’t look like much, but I recognized the model from somewhere in someone’s memories and knew it was built for speed and maneuverability. I’d always thought crafts like that would look sleeker. This one looked like a big, black, oval bubble. I was interested to see how it handled. He waved to me, an odd gesture coming from such an evil looking character. There was quite a bit of activity going on elsewhere in what served as a hangar deck. A number of people were making their

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Master Nage way, in a more or less organized manner, to one ship or another. I crossed the open area and joined him in front of the ship. “Are you ready?” He didn’t sound very friendly, but at least this time, he didn’t hit me in the back of the head. “Sure.” He touched his palm to the plate by the side of the door and a section of the oval slowly descended, forming a ramp after it touched the ground. He motioned for me to go first and I did. I had a feeling he still didn’t trust me, but I couldn’t do anything about that. The interior of the ship was also black, as if the designers decided a hint of color would slow the thing down. It was all style of course. I was surprised the rebellion even had a ship like this. It was no doubt useful to them, though hardly inconspicuous. Probably why it looked newer than many of the other ships I’d seen in passing. Pox was busy with a number of system checks and so didn’t speak until we were away. Just after, Cynna contacted me and told me they were ready as well. I powered up the engines and took off, enjoying the view from inside the cockpit. They looked quite the pair, trapped in their crash webbing, faces slightly tense. They were blonde and brunette, fair and tan, both slim and rather tall. At the moment, they could have been sisters, despite the differences in their appearance. The brief fantasy of having them both together, was soon quashed by rational thought. It

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Scorch would never happen. Probably better for me if it didn’t. I let the ship fly itself, only making occasional course corrections. Thus, I was able to eavesdrop on their conversation. I was certain neither knew I could do so. “So, did you sleep with him?” asked Lady Jacqueline. “As a matter of fact, I did.” There was a long silence. To my surprise, Lady Jacqueline seemed rather angry. I hadn’t expected the reaction. “I take it you enjoyed yourself.” “Oh God, yes. It had been too long, and he’s as good as he looks.” “Yes, he is.” The way she said it alerted her friend to her mood. “You have something you want to say?” asked Cynna. “I think you should stay away from him.” Cynna smirked. “Oh? And why is that?” “Well for one thing, I had him first.” Cynna almost choked. “Yes, I heard about that. What were you doing?” “It wasn’t my fault.” “No, of course not. It never is.” “Dammit Cynna, you know I wouldn’t do that to someone.” “But you did.” “Of course I did. Dr. Naran programmed me to be that way. And I was fairly sure he liked it too. And

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Master Nage then, out of the blue, you come along. Tell me one thing, Cynna. Why?” “Aside from the obvious?” Lady Jacqueline’s smirk wasn’t intended to reassure. Cynna took the hint. “For one thing he’s the first man around that I didn’t directly command. Everyone else here looks up to me and I didn’t want to enter into that kind of relationship with men...or women, under my command. And there was Frank...handsome, intelligent...dangerous... “And what about my feelings?” Cynna sighed. “Dammit, forget your feelings. If he could help us, help the rebellion, I needed to do whatever I could to get him on our side. To assure a bit more loyalty. It isn’t as if you had given him reason to trust you.” “I had a relationship with him. Only the situation prevented it from being more. I love him, Cynna.” “So what are you going to do about it?” Lady Jacqueline smiled. “Do you really want to know?” She unlocked her crash webbing, and retracted it. Cynna tried to do the same, but of course couldn’t. I’d rewired the controls to my chair. “You look very vulnerable like that, Commander.” Cynna panicked and started to struggle. To no avail. “Do you want to know what I’m going to do?” Lady Jacqueline reached down and turned on the field. I was a bit confused, since the field would affect

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Scorch both of them. I could already see the excitement in Cynna’s eyes as she continued to twist and strain within mesh webbing. Lady Jacqueline laughed. “Oh struggle, by all means. It will only make you hotter.” As I watched, my breath grew harder. I was thrilled I was sitting back to back with Pox, rather than beside him. I wondered if he had even a clue of the drama unfolding just behind him. Cynna was struggling harder now, but I had designed the trap well, as Lady Jacqueline knew. She stripped her suit off quickly. I almost warned her to sit down, as the craft was still in motion, but didn’t. They didn’t know I could see them and I wanted to see the drama unfold. Lady Jacqueline reached between her legs and began rubbing herself. Cynna watched, eyes wide. “What are you doing?” “It hasn’t been that long for you, has it dear? I’m pleasuring myself. Ohhhhhhhh. I bet you wish your hands were free.” “Fucking let me go!” “Ahhhhhhhh, yessssss. Such a temper you have, Commander. You must be awfully horny right now.” She squirmed and each breath came quicker than the last. Then Lady Jacqueline came hard, while Cynna watched helplessly, her own wetness apparent even from my own odd perspective. Lady Jacqueline leaned down and switched on the second field. “There. Now you can’t orgasm. Your

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Master Nage cum will build and build inside of you, but there’ll be no release.” “Why? Why are you doing this?” “I thought it was obvious, Cyn. You’ve invaded my territory. I’m going to take it back. An old warrior like you should be able to understand that.” “Do you think just because you’ve made me wet, I’m going to relinquish my hold on him?” Lady Jacqueline laughed. “Of course not. But I’ll bet that sooner or later, when you realize you can’t cum without my consent, you’ll be willing to do just about anything. Can’t you feel it already? I know you’re weakening.” “Shut up!” Lady Jacqueline knelt by Cynna’s feet and slowly slid two fingers between the holes in the mesh. She used this to push Cynna’s shorts aside, until her wetness was clearly visible. I felt myself reaching for my cock. I didn’t want to, but I did. I started stroking, even as Lady Jacqueline began to rub the Commander’s clit in a gentle, circular motion. “Ohhhhh God!” “Don’t you want to cum, Cynna?” “Leave me alone.” “Don’t you need to cum?” “Yes, I do. I fucking need it.” “Then beg me.” “I won’t beg you. Ever.” Lady Jacqueline never stopped moving her fingers. Never stopped rubbing, stroking, gently, relentlessly. Tears rolled down Cynna’s cheeks. She sobbed

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Scorch noiselessly, but Lady Jacqueline never stopped moving her fingers. “Oh God! I can’t take it.” “I know. Beg me, Cynna. Beg me now.” “Nooooooooo!” Lady Jacqueline smirked, then leaned closer and slid her tongue between the mesh squares. Cynna screamed. “No! Don’t do this to me!” “Beg me.” “Stop it.” “Beg me!” “Please. Please Jacqueline.” Her tongue continued to flick while Cynna begged, fast and wet, never stopping, until she spoke. “You’ll call me Mistress, before I let you cum.” “No. Noooooooooo! Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee.” “Call me Mistress.” “Yes, Mistress, pleaseeeeeeeee. I need to cuuuuuuuummmmmm.” “Oh, I know you do dear. All in good time.” Cynna screamed in frustration and struggled as hard as she could, but the webbing held and she was helpless. “Now, you’re not going to fuck Frank anymore, are you?” “I hate you.” “I don’t care. You’re not going to fuck Frank anymore are you?” “No, I won’t. Please let me cum.” “He’s mine, isn’t he?”

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Master Nage “Yes, yes. You can fucking have him. Just let me fucking cum. Pleaseee. I beg you.” “Poor Cyn. Always so strong. Always so confident.” “Please, Mistress!” Lady Jacqueline reached back with her foot and switched off the machine. Then she bent and started licking again. Cynna squirmed and cried out until she could barely make a sound as she came again and again. And Lady Jacqueline kept licking until she was certain Cynna could cum no more. My own cock was hard as a rock, but I did manage to stop short of cumming. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, but I didn’t want to have to explain that kind of wet spot to Pox. I vowed if I ever got Lady Jacqueline alone again, now that I knew how she felt about me, I was going to make her mine, once and for all. But much had to happen before I would get that chance. I was reminded of this a few minutes later when Pox announced we would be landing shortly. I had, before we set off, been interested in how the craft handled. Yet during the course of the flight, I hadn’t even noticed. I thought about Lady Jacqueline and smiled. I would beat her at her own game.

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Chapter Seventeen

T

he piece of ground on which we landed was barely larger than the ship and Pox put us down perfectly. My respect for the man increased just watching the red rocky spires rise around us on all sides. Finding us here would be difficult indeed. Yet our own position was perfect for scanning. Thus began our long wait to see if someone would come for us. If they did, it would be up to Pox to get us out. In a not too distant location, I landed Lady Jacqueline and Cynna. Lady Jacqueline hadn’t freed Cynna and still subjected her to Dr. Naran’s machine at odd intervals. I was happy for the distraction they provided and Lady Jacqueline seemed to be happy as well. Strangely enough, I believe Cynna was starting to enjoy it too, and even when the machine wasn’t on, she’d taken to calling Lady Jacqueline Mistress. I had no doubt of the effectiveness of Dr. Naran’s machines, having been subjected to them myself on more than one occasion. Which brought me to an interesting point I had never considered. I had always assumed Lady Jacqueline was a bitch, because she was Baron

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Master Nage Ceston’s daughter. She represented the portrait of nobility I had come to expect, wretched as that sounds. However, she claimed Dr. Naran had made her that way. I sought the memory and soon located it. Dr. Naran felt she would be far less likely to be taken as a rebel spy if she acted the part of a spoiled noble. What she had done to me was no more her fault, than my own submitting to her. If ever there was a case of star-crossed lovers, we were it. And that was the thing. We did love each other—I was sure of it. It was how we expressed that love that bordered on insanity. We waited and they waited, occasionally playing a game which Cynna could only lose and the more I watched, the more I wished I’d stowed away on the other ship. Yet when the news finally came, it was all bad. The message was actually for Cynna, but, having the proper codes, we were able to eavesdrop. “Commander, this is Jupiter from the rendezvous point.” “Go ahead, Jupiter.” I had to admire her calm, in spite of what she had suffered already and was still suffering at Lady Jacqueline’s hands. I’d have thought her desire would show in her voice, but not Cynna. “A large military contingent has been identified and is closing fast.” “How large?” “At least fifty ships of varying sizes.” “Goddamn it. Scatter the fleet. Do not engage. Repeat, do not engage.”

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Scorch “We have to fight back at some point, Commander.” “This is not the time, Jupiter. You can’t take on fifty ships. You have your orders.” “Jupiter reads you, Commander. We’ll contact you if we make it.” “God speed.” Lady Jacqueline turned off Dr. Naran’s machine and hit the release button. Cynna sat up in the chair and massaged her arms and shoulders. Lady Jacqueline spoke first. “This is it.” “Looks like it.” “Some of them will get away though.” “Yes, Sis. Some of them will. But not enough. We both know that.” I spoke in the craft for the first time. “There is another way, but it’s a long shot.” Both women looked around confused, then expectantly. “Go ahead, Frankie, tell us your idea,” Lady Jacqueline was going to give up using that name if I had to beat her to make her stop. “Not Frankie. Never again. Call me Scorch.” Lady Jacqueline looked shocked, but she glanced at Cynna who nodded. “Go ahead. We need all the help we can get right now, even if we have to resurrect dead heroes to do it.” “I read you, Scorch. What have you got in mind?” “Cynna, can you get Pox to take orders from me?” “Tough job, but probably. Why?”

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Master Nage “There’s only one hope for the rebellion now. The Baron would have to call off his dogs.” “And what are the chances of that?” “Depends on who sits on the throne, I’d say. You’ve lost already if this doesn’t work. Lady Jacqueline clearly can’t sit on the throne, she’s been charged with treason and sentenced. But I still might be able to work something out.” “Yes?” “That’s all I can tell you right now. You’re just going to have to trust me.” Cynna looked at Lady Jacqueline, who nodded once. “Okay, I’ll contact Pox, but you’d better listen to me. I’ve already lost one Scorch, so you’d better be damned careful.” “As much as possible. By the way, you two put on quite a show.” Both women blushed, but Cynna spoke. “You saw us?” “And heard you. Wouldn’t surprise me if you left me behind and ran away with each other.” Lady Jacqueline laughed. “Hardly.” “Oh good. Then we'll talk about things when I get back.” “Good luck, Scorch,” said Cynna. “Good-bye, Cynna. Good-bye, Jacqueline.” For the first time I didn’t use her title. If either girl noticed, neither mentioned it. ***

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Scorch Six hours later, I was alone, standing on a rocky plain, unarmed and waiting. The rebel fleet had scattered, but most of them didn’t make it. The military, however they had done it, had found a way to track them after all. That it cleared my name was small consolation. I think then I’d have gladly died, if I could have brought the rebellion to a satisfactory conclusion. The small scoutship landed nearby and a large, single figure emerged. I had seen him before, and he had seen me, under far different circumstances. “Hello, General.” “Frank. Or should I say Scorch.” He was more than a bit shaken to see me there. “Scorch. I’ve taken the name, and I’m carrying on the fight.” “Which puts us on opposite sides of the game board, I’m afraid.” “Perhaps.” He didn’t say anything for a long time. When he did, it was with a note of resignation. “You asked for this meeting, Scorch. Let’s get this over with.” “I want you to stop chasing rebels.” “Oh do you? Well I’ll just run out right now and recall my men. Can’t imagine what I was thinking.” “I’m serious.” He studied me. “I thought you were an intelligent man.” “You were right. I heard you talking about the Baron. I heard how you didn’t agree with him

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Master Nage personally, but he did what you called incidental good.” “Yes, I did say that. What of it?” “If the right man were on the throne, he could do a lot to set things right.” “Yes. I believe you’re correct. But I can’t imagine who the right man would be. Certainly not you.” “Of course not. I’m far too inexperienced to run a country. I know that and you know it. No, the man on the throne would have to be beyond reproach and would also have to be ratified by the Bishop. There’s only one man that could solve the Emperor's problem and the rebels.” “And he is?” “You.” General Richards raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I am not going to side with the rebellion, Scorch.” “Nor am I asking you to. I’m asking you to delay. Just a couple of days. If, during that time, the Baron meets his untimely demise, you take the throne. If that happens, the rebellion will stand down.” “Tempting.” “All you have to do, is recall your troops for two short days. If the Baron survives the encounter, you lose two days and you can hunt rebels, what’s left of us, until you die. But if he dies, think of the good you could do.” I saw the look in his eyes and knew I’d gotten to him. He smiled. “I was right the first time. You are an intelligent man.”

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Scorch “Just give me the word General. The throne can be yours.” He gave it more thought than I thought he would, but in the end, I knew he wouldn’t refuse the offer. Nor did he. He stuck out his hand and I shook it. “Forty-eight hours,” he said. “Forty-eight hours.” We returned to our respective ships and took to the skies. Pox had a thoughtful expression on his face, but never said a word to me again. *** I didn’t need two days to kill the Baron. In fact, I didn’t even need five minutes. But the timing was imperative. In two days time, either the Baron would be dead, or I would. It was as simple as that. I found myself outside the Dome in an environmental suit, for the first time since my training. The suit was from Lady Jacqueline’s escape ship, which I was happy to be back inside. Lady Jacqueline and Cynna both wanted to come with me, but I forestalled them. They’d both be needed with the rebellion if I failed. What I planned was a long shot, but I was the only one alive who could pull it off, if I could pull it off at all. Moving in an environmental suit is not easy, it’s all a matter of moving slowly. The main thing is, temperature extremes won’t affect you. Technically, you’re not moving the suit, the suit is moving you. Knowing just where to put pressure to get the suit to move ahead is of prime importance.

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Master Nage I found the cave where I knew it would be, though only a handful of people knew of its existence. Ironically, it was the egotism of the nobility that would bring about the Baron’s downfall. I could think of nothing more appropriate. The natural stone corridor ran several hundred meters before I encountered the obstacle I knew would be there. It was an airlock. Slowly, I punched in the code, sure this particular keypad had not likely been changed over. I doubted anyone had used it in a century or more, but it had to be there for reasons that would soon become apparent. I entered and closed the lock behind me, waiting only for the chamber to pressurize, before entering the city proper. I removed my suit and left it there. I never expected to return for it. This was going to be a oneway trip. I think both Lady Jacqueline and Cynna knew it as well. Yet I was the best hope the rebellion had. I knew General Richards would be as good as his word. Therefore, I had to succeed. What happened to me after was of little consequence. I was able to move more quickly without the suit. I would be early. That was okay. The only thing I couldn’t be was late. The corridors, which had been natural stone, now turned to some man-made material. I had no idea what it was and didn’t care. Only one thing was important. I was in the one place in the world that I could use to enter the city, pretty much undetected. I was in the catacombs, where the bodies of nobles were laid to rest.

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Scorch The rest of the population could be disintegrated, but not the nobles. They were far too important. Anyone with any amount of wealth, when they died, would find their way down here, to the catacombs. There were several maintenance entrances, since the graves of nobles needed to be maintained. But there was another entrance, one used when someone died, from the chapel. The services were held in the chapel, after which the body was taken directly into the catacombs. Families were placed together, theoretically for eternity. Naturally Dr. Naran had placed the entire layout of the palace into my mind, including the catacombs. So all I had to do was successfully navigate them and get to the chapel, at which point, I would be in the Palace proper. Which brought me to my next problem. Bringing any kind of firearm into the chapel would set off an alarm, as had happened the first time I wandered in there. So I was unarmed. I was certain I could take the Baron unarmed, but if his guards were just outside and entered the chapel, guns and all, it wouldn’t matter if they set off the alarm. They wouldn’t even be reprimanded, if it meant defending the Baron. So the real question was, how could I kill him before the guards came to get me? And I had an answer, though I wasn’t certain it would work. I did have a laser saw with me, but I had plans for it other than assassination. I had no trouble finding the section of the catacombs reserved for the Warners. In fact, it was conveniently on the way. I had a bit more trouble

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Master Nage finding Lord Warner’s drawer, but I found it and slid him out. I had never thought of myself as a grave robber before, but now I had no choice, nor, for that matter, did the rebellion. It was a gory job, cutting off his arm, even if there was no blood. It took me quite some time to cut through that heavy metal arm and liberate the blaster housed within, but I eventually got it, and, more importantly, was able to figure out how to activate it. It was the only firearm in existence that wouldn’t set off an alarm when brought into the chapel. A necessary evil that would serve me quite well. My plan was coming together. Now only one item remained. I had to get to the chapel proper, on the day the Baron offered confession each week, preferably before he arrived. I thought I’d have enough time. I’d certainly left myself enough. As it turned out, I was three hours early, but the time wasn’t wasted. In addition to assassinating the Baron, I had one other job to do. I had to have a talk with the Bishop and let him know who he’d be placing on the throne, in the name of the Emperor. I had no doubt he’d do it, as I had a copy of the recording of his doings in my pocket. I’d managed to read my own memories out in the ship and make a copy of them, for his benefit, of course. I was sure he’d see things my way. It wasn’t a foolproof plan. Any of a number of things could go wrong. The blaster, which I didn’t dare test down here, might have been discharged

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Scorch before Lord Warner was laid to rest. The Baron might not show up on time, a thing which happened rarely, but did happen. Someone else could be in the chapel and see me. Or I could have set off some alarm when I opened the airlock I hadn’t been aware of. So many things that could work against me. I decided I was better off not thinking about any of them. I’d just do what I had to, and improvise if it came to that. Probably the wrong way to do things, but I was new at the assassination game. I found the Bishop in the Chapel, pretty much as Lady Jacqueline had left him, a nervous, beaten man, who had every reason to question his own faith. “Remember me?” I said, as I stepped out from behind the curtain into the chapel. His face paled, as if he’d seen a ghost. Knowing my situation and seeing me come from the direction of the catacombs must have added to the effect. “Lord Aston. What a pleasant surprise.” “Call me Scorch. It’s my name.” He looked stunned by this revelation, then nodded knowingly, as if he’d guessed it long ago. I wondered how many people would think I was the original Scorch. Probably quite a few. I’d heard rumors that even those in the rebellion were toasting my return, though after the recent defeat at the hands of General Richards, the tidings didn’t quite raise morale as much as I’d hoped. Still, it was something for the rebels to hold onto, for they had little else.

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Master Nage “Greetings, Scorch. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?” He eyed my weapon nervously, no doubt stunned at the alarm’s silence. I handed him the recording and made him watch it. It was all there and it had the same effect on me it had had the first time, but quite the opposite affect on him. Well, not quite the opposite. He was just as compliant after the showing was over. “What do you want from me?” “If something should happen to the Baron, let’s say during his confession today, you’ll be ratifying a new Baron.” He sighed. “Who will I be placing on the throne?” I think he had grown used to people telling him what he’d be doing. But I don’t think he was ready for my answer. “General Lance Richards.” A modicum of hope entered his eyes. “It would be my pleasure.” I nodded. “Only one thing remains.” “You’re not going to kill him here, are you?” “Yes, I am.” He managed to conjure a bit of outrage. “But this is hallowed ground.” “Yes, I watched as you consecrated it with your own seed.” The blood drained from his face and he didn’t protest again. There was nothing to do now, but wait. The Baron arrived at his usual hour, with his usual pomp. His entourage waited outside and he entered alone, just him and the Bishop. And me, carrying the

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Scorch remains of Lord Warner’s arm, hiding behind the curtain that lead to the catacombs. “Greetings, Excellency.” “Your Highness.” I stepped out from behind the curtains. I like gossip as much as the next guy, but I wasn’t about to wait until he’d confessed. If there was a God, I wanted the Baron’s soul to reach Him complete with mortal burdens. He looked astonished, first at me then the Bishop. “What is this?” “Hey, if you’re going to have a funeral, you’re in the right place. Saves the labor of carrying you here.” I didn’t wait for his response. I put pressure on the button that activated the blaster and, for the second time in my life, heard the explosion that accompanied it. But this time, I was closer. I wasn’t prepared for the recoil. The force of the shot lifted me from my feet and smashed me hard into the wall behind me. I rose slowly, aching, just as the guards were coming through the door. The alarm remained silent, as if the presence of my weapon were somehow jamming it. There wasn’t enough left of the Baron to identify him, though I was pretty certain they could match the dental record, or find one of his fingers for a print. The guards, of course, saw what was left of his royal robes, the outfit he always wore to Church, recognized me and did a double take. I recognized them too, at least one of them. It was John, who had been there the first time I’d seen Lord Warner’s

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Master Nage blaster activated, when he’d used it to assassinate Lady Jacqueline’s bodyguard. He went for his blaster anyway and I had no choice. I fired again, the single blast taking out both guards and most of the chapel. Since I was against the wall, I wasn’t driven backwards, though I couldn’t be sure I hadn’t broken a rib. I looked at the Bishop kneeling in the splattered blood, praying. I shook my head. “Remember.” He didn’t respond and I was out of time. I forced myself to my feet, certain more guards would soon be on their way. Unfortunately there was nothing I could do about it, but hobble back through the catacombs the way I had come. Whether I died or not, my job was done. General Richards would sit on the throne. I had wanted to be around to enjoy it, but hadn’t considered it likely. It was far less likely now, since I could barely walk. I used my abilities to block out most of the pain, but even then my speed was severely hampered. So, for that matter, was my ability to defend myself. In these close quarters, I couldn’t risk the blaster without taking the chance of collapsing the ceiling on me. Which meant they could shoot at me, but I couldn’t return fire without more risk than I was willing to assume. Odd how the two biggest problems I had were ones I hadn’t anticipated. I hobbled faster and prayed a bit, though considering the fact I’d just committed three murders in a chapel after blackmailing a Bishop, I didn’t think

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Scorch I was a candidate for Sainthood. The road to Hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. It seemed entirely likely that was where I’d be going, sooner, rather than later. It wasn’t long before I heard footsteps behind me. The only hope I had was that the guards would become lost in the catacombs, a fairly easy feat. Then I realized something as I looked over my shoulder. I had been tracking blood behind me. There was no way I could avoid them. It was something I should have noticed, but the concussion from the blaster had stolen my wits long enough to make the mistake that would be the death of me. They came fast and furious, following the blood trail. I was fairly sure it wasn’t mine. I had just stepped in it. Thinking thus, I took three steps down a side corridor removed my boots and, holding them, recrossed the original corridor I had been in and went down a different passage altogether. It was a more roundabout way to the airlock and there was still a chance they would catch me, but I’d diminished it. Hopefully they’d stay in either the original corridor or the one I’d tracked blood into. I suppose it depended on how many followed. I didn’t see or hear another guard until I was almost at the airlock. Then I again heard footsteps behind me. It was a straight shot from here to the exit and I knew I wouldn’t make it. Wouldn’t even have time to put on my suit. I had to make a stand here, and risk the consequences. I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised that the one guard to make it all the

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Master Nage way to the end of the maze was Tom, John’s friend. He had that kind of mind. Like John, he’d been with me the day Lord Warner had assassinated Carson in the Baron’s gardens. He stopped and stared at me amazed, with only a single question on his mind. “Why?” “If you have to ask, you won’t understand.” “That’s no answer.” He had his gun pointed at me, I had the blaster pointed at him. “The Baron was an evil man, Tom.” “He’s your liege man!” “No. He was my liege. Even Baron Ceston can’t rule from the grave.” This seemed to anger him. “And what did John do to you? What was his crime?” This saddened me, for I really had nothing against the man. “The same as all of us. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” “You’re scum, you know that. Ballista is better without you.” I knew I was out of time. I fell to the ground and fired. As bad as the first two blasts had been, it was far worse from ground level. His own shot came nowhere near me, which was a good thing. That it hit the airlock door and punctured it was a bad thing. Without a seal, I was fairly certain I couldn’t open the outer lock. I made my way to my feet, not certain what to do. I walked the rest of the way to my suit, and put it on slowly, painfully. I was almost certain now I’d broken a rib. I opened the inner airlock door and entered. I

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Scorch punched the code for the outer door, but nothing happened. I looked at the blaster, then the door. If I shot it out, assuming I survived my fourth blast of the morning, I would open the palace to Ballista’s atmosphere, which is not very friendly to the human lungs. Yet somewhere, when the pressure leak was found, emergency seals would activate. No one would die from a door blowing down here. At least, I hoped that would be the case. Finally, I could delay no longer. I aimed the blaster, braced myself as best I could and fired. The force of it nearly knocked me over, but I remained standing. I was sure I was deaf in at least one ear though. It didn’t matter. I was going home. I returned to the ship and boarded, programming in return coordinates as if I were on autopilot myself. Then I pulled the webbing over me, and lost consciousness.

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Chapter Eighteen

I

was awakened by voices. I didn’t know where they were coming from. I barely knew where I was. Then I realized, I was receiving a transmission. I was fairly certain there had been happiness in the voice when I’d originally heard it, but as it continued, it became concerned and finally frantic. “Scorch, are you there. Come in, Scorch. Come in. Answer me, dammit!” I managed to grunt. “Scorch is that you?” “It’s what’s left of me.” “Scorch, you’ve been hovering there a long time. Are you okay?” Only then did I realize it was Cynna’s voice. “Dandy.” “Land, Scorch. You have to land.” I nodded, not realizing she couldn’t see me. How I managed to bring the ship down I have no idea. I even managed to open the hatch, but there was no way I’d be able to stand on my own. Both Lady Jacqueline and Cynna were there to help me. “Go away. I want to die in peace.”

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Scorch “You aren’t going to die, Scorch. You’re a hero,” Cynna couldn’t hide the worry in her voice. “Yay me.” “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.” It was an ordeal, the two of them getting in each other’s way more than doing me any good, but finally, after something that would have been far more pleasant had I not been injured, they managed to extricate me from my seat and from the ship as well. There were quite a few people on hand to greet me, even Pox, who smiled for the first time in my presence. I returned a halfhearted grimace, which was all I could muster. Then he too was helping me and from somewhere a stretcher was brought. Had we been rich, it would have been a stretcher with an antigrav unit, but this was something that needed to be carried. I didn’t mind at all. Let someone else do some of the work for a change. I was brought to what passed for a medical facility and I was fixed as best as the equipment there could handle. Which meant they gave me painkillers and told me to sleep. I did. And when I woke, I was sorry for it. The painkillers had worn off. In the palace they’d have been administered constantly on an automatic basis. Here, they had to wait for someone to do it. Someone hadn’t done it and I wasn’t happy. Lady Jacqueline entered, and I found the painkillers didn’t matter that much. “Hello, Scorch.” “Lady Jacqueline.”

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Master Nage “Just Jacqueline these days. You have a visitor if you’re up to it.” “Oh sure. I thought we’d go out dancing first.” She looked at me as if she thought about poking me, but decided against it. “I really think you’ll want to see this one.” I shrugged, winced and nodded. Everything hurt, except for my head, which did more than hurt. She left the room and a moment later, General Richards entered. “Good morning, Scorch.” “General.” He laughed. “You mean Baron, don’t you?” “Oh, yeah. I guess I do.” I smiled in spite of the pain. “I wish you’d hurry up and heal already. I have a job all lined up for you.” “For me? I’m the leader of the rebellion.” He frowned, then laughed. “Don’t you watch the news? You’ve been magnanimously pardoned by the new Baron. All the rebels have. The rebellion is over my friend.” “But surely you couldn’t pardon me for assassinating Baron Ceston.” He laughed. “You know, because confession happens there, the inside of the chapel is one place never holoed. Moreover, there is only one person that knows the identity of the assassin and somehow, I get the feeling, he’s not going to mention it.” “Bishop Whetfield.”

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Scorch “Just so. I had a little talk with him anyway. You’re just another rebel, Scorch. Whoever assassinated the Baron escaped. We have no way of identifying him, though I’ve launched a complete investigation of course.” It was my turn to laugh. “Of course. What’s this job?” “Head of Security with no indenture. That’s all been taken care of.” “Has it now?” “Yes.” I looked to the door where Jacqueline waited. “I don’t know.” He followed my gaze. “You can bring her back too. She’ll still be a slave, but she’d be your slave, to do with as you please.” The thought certainly had merit. “Can I give you my answer when I can stand on my own?” “Well if you give it to me now, we can transfer you to the palace and get a real med machine to look at you.” “Oh. Then I suppose I’ll take the position.” “I always said you were an intelligent fellow.” I tried to sit up and didn’t quite make it. “I might be intelligent, but I can’t figure out for the life of me how you located the rebellion. First I thought you were tracking my ship, then I thought you were tracking me, but that wasn’t it at all, was it?” “No, it wasn’t. We finally managed to break the encryption on Lord Warner’s system. That gave us a good idea of where the base was located though we

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Master Nage also knew it was screened from aerial observation, hence the troops. On a less successful note it seems whoever killed Dr. Naran...” I started to say something, but he raised a hand. “I’m not asking who did it, the investigation has been closed. Dr. Naran will be missed, but more to the point, every bit of research with her name on it, has disappeared from our systems. All her experiments, her entire legacy, gone forever. The loss to science is staggering.” I didn’t say anything. If Dr. Naran had arranged for that at the time of her death, then it would remain lost. I didn’t believe Baron Richards would use the information as his predecessor did, but Baron Richards wouldn’t live forever. It was a science better left dead. “That’s horrible,” I said. “No more can the rich and powerful alter the minds of people at random. What a blow!” The Baron looked at me, then broke out laughing. “Point taken. Though there were some legitimate uses for that same technology, including handling psychological aberrations, even treating certain psychoses. Still, you’re right. Some technology is just too tempting for a ruler to use. Perhaps it’s best that it's gone.” I nodded approval, but didn’t say anything. I was starting to feel fatigued again. But Baron Richards still had something left to tell me. “By the way, you can keep the name. I won’t be needing it again.”

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Scorch “What?” I was fairly certain my disorientation at the moment had nothing to do with the pain. “Scorch. That was the name I used to wear, when I first started the rebellion.” I looked at him. “Okay, I don’t get it.” “There’s nothing to get. I was horribly injured saving Cynna’s life. She thought I was dead, left me for dead in fact and I almost was. But a young doctor found me and saved my life. The surgery to rebuild my face was quite complex, but she was going for her degree and did it free of charge. That was how I met Dr. Naran.” “Do you know how long Cynna’s been waiting for you?” “That couldn’t be helped. You see, without my leadership, the rebellion turned more violent. It did things I’d never consider doing, at times even resorting to terrorism. So I had to slay the demon I’d summoned in the first place. Cynna doesn’t know I’m still alive, and I think it would be best to keep it that way.” “What? Why?” “Because I’m not the same man I once was. I love Cynna. I always will. But we’ve been on the opposite sides for so long, there is no way she’d ever accept me again. Remember, I was the enemy. Do you know how many of her friends I’ve killed?” “I can imagine.” He rose. “So, that’s it. I just wanted you to know, you were a better Scorch than I ever was.”

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Master Nage “That’s okay. You’ll be a better Baron than I’d ever be, so I guess we’re even.” “I’ll send a ship for you.” “Do that and send in Jacqueline please. I need to talk to her.” He smiled and left. Jacqueline entered a few minutes later. “I’m going back to the palace.” “Oh?” There was fear in her eyes. “You know, you can join me if you want.” “As a slave.” I nodded. “Yep. Pretty much all you're good for, but you are a winsome lass.” She giggled. “Am I now?” “Rather. And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have kneeling before me.” “Sure, you say that now, when you’re too hurt for me to do anything about it.” “Well, the sooner we get me to the palace the sooner I get me fixed up and the sooner I can show you just who owns who.” She grinned. “It’s a date.” Then without warning, she knelt and her eyes took on a completely different look. “Please, Master, let me come with you to the palace and be yours.” I was surprised by the gesture, but pleasantly so. “Yes, I think I’d like that. And your new name will be Jackie. Jacqueline is far to pompous a name for a mere slave.” She looked rankled for a second then broke into laughter. “Yes, Master.”

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Scorch I motioned to her and she came and sat on the edge of the bed. “But don’t think you’ll get me without a fight.” The challenge in her eyes was undeniable. It was my turn to grin. “If that ever happened, I think I’d be disappointed. What about Cynna?” “She has her hands full. It seems the Baron has asked her to liaise between the common folk and nobility. A fairly prestigious position that requires much travel.” “Oh, he’s good.” She laughed. “Yes, the perfect choice for the throne.” I was going to agree, but before I could say anything her lips were pressed against mine. I had a feeling even after my wounds healed, I’d be spending an awful lot of time in bed.

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Epilogue

I

t was my first cup of coffee in weeks, and it was so much better than I remembered. From that first sip, I knew I’d come home and indeed I had. Jackie’s old quarters were still mine, though I’d taken the liberty of having Amy reassigned. She’d already suffered too much on my behalf. A day earlier, I’d walked out of the Medical Sector with a slight limp, the final souvenir of my convalescence. Jackie was being kept in custody, waiting for my release. It wasn't that she'd done anything wrong, but rather, I think, she'd pissed off enough people to warrant the protection, until I could protect her myself. I didn’t summon her right away. I spent some time alone, looking about the place, changing it so it wouldn’t be quite the way it was when I’d been her bodyguard. Later that night, I had her brought to me. I could tell she was both happy to see me and happy to be home. She was no longer naked, but she was still a slave, at least in the legal sense of the word. I supposed I would soon find out just how much of a slave she truly was.

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Scorch While the guards were there, she knelt and addressed me as Master. I’d expected no less. But as soon as they left, she rose and smiled. I kept my face passive, waiting to see what she would do. “Thank God you’re all right,” she said. She moved toward me, arms extended. “I don’t believe I gave you permission to rise.” We were in the entertainment room and I was feeling relaxed and rather pleasant. My words must not have carried any conviction, for she chuckled and continued to approach. My next command was issued in a firmer voice. “Kneel, girl.” She stopped and studied me uncertainly. “And if I don’t?” “Then I’ll make you.” “Oh will you? Do you forget how good it felt when you knelt before me?” I laughed. “Will you kneel, or do I have to punish you?” She met my eyes, licked her lips slowly and spoke. “Music, Selection One.” She paused when nothing happened. I smiled. “I rewired the circuits. That command no longer plays music.” “What does it do?” I walked to her and looked her right in the eyes. “Do you remember that little machine I had installed on the escape craft?” Her eyes widened. “No...”

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Master Nage “Yes. You’ve just turned it on. It shouldn’t be long before I have you just where I want you.” “Music off!” “I’m sorry, Jackie, but it’s been reprogrammed to my voice. All except that one command. I thought you might try to use it.” She moaned, bit her lip and started swaying. “Please, don’t do this...” “Please what?” “Please, Master.” I laughed and took a step backwards. “Good girl. Now kneel.” “Yes, Master.” She slowly lowered herself to her knees, eyes lowered, hands on her thighs. I had expected more of a fight from her, but then, she already knew what the machine could do. I didn’t do anything else. I just waited. It didn’t take long to see the pool of juices forming on the rug beneath her. Still I remained silent. “Please, Master. Please. I need your cock.” “Do you?” “Please. I’m so hot for you. Take me.” “Crawl to me.” She lowered herself to the ground and crawled. My cock, already hard, started throbbing. “Remove my clothes.” She did so slowly, as if in a trance. Her breathing grew heavier and I could see the sheen of sweat on her forehead. She was breathing in my scent, moaning, aching for me. I’d have made her wait, but I couldn’t. I had waited for this as long as she had.

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Scorch I grabbed her hair and jerked her around, forcing her to turn her body, then I entered her from behind. My cock was like steel as I thrust it deeply into her, leaning over her, hands fondling her breasts. I fucked her harder than I would normally fuck anyone, but I wanted her to know who was in charge. She screamed and moaned and begged, slamming against me hard enough to match my own wild thrusts. “Does it feel good, slave?” “Yes, Master!” I threw back my head and laughed, the feeling of power almost overwhelming. “Does Master need to cum?” she asked. “What?” Suddenly, her muscles gripped my cock, forcing my precum from me. I almost screamed from the pleasure of it. “Does Master need to cum sooooo good?” “Ahhhhhhhh!” I thrust even harder, barely able to think. “Is Master going to be a good boy?” She almost had me. I could feel my balls tighten and her own laughter filled my ears...and angered me. “No!” I took my right hand from her breasts and slapped her hard on the ass. She cried out in pleasure. I struck her ass again and again. “Do you need to cum, slave?” “Oh God! Yesssssss, Master!”

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Master Nage “Beg me.” “Please, Master. I’ll be good. Let me cum.” I slapped her ass again. “Beg me harder.” “Please, oh God, I can’t hold on. Please, Master, I beg you!” “Cum for me! Hard! Now!” I’d have made her wait longer, but could barely hold on myself. I felt her body stiffen as the spasms of orgasm took her. I could hold off no longer. I came hard, shooting my hot cum inside her. Her entire body convulsed and she came again immediately after, her pussy muscles milking every last drop from me. After, I lay across her on the floor, panting into her ear. It was a moment we’d both waited for and it had lived up to every expectation. I could feel her contentment as she lay beneath me, but it wasn’t enough. “What are you?” “A slave, Master.” “Who owns you?” “You do, Master.” “Will you ever try to take me again?” She chuckled. “Every night, my Master. Every night.” I kissed her and laughed, for I knew she spoke the truth. From that moment on, though she was only a slave, I would show her that same respect. But there was one lie, already told, I would never correct. Dr. Naran’s machine, the one that had dominated her so effectively, was still in the escape ship. In the

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Scorch end, Lady Jacqueline had yielded to me of her own accord.

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About the Author

M

aster Nage is a real life D/s Master, living in Hobart, Tasmania with his slave (and wife) dana. He's practiced BDSM since 1992, both online and in real life. Master Nage, unlike many Dominants, is into psychological domination and sexual combat. Many of the situations from his books are taken from real life BDSM scenes.