Chapter 01, The Voyage Of The Damned
Prologue
Winston Energy Development of Atlanta sounded more like an oil company when I applied. It isn't. They are working on future tech and their big project is fusion energy. The founder and CEO, William Winston is one of the smartest people on the planet and the brains behind the outfit. They are working on bringing fusion energy to the world.
I graduated in the top ten percent of my class, but what got me the interview was William Winston himself calling two of my professors and asking who was the smartest. The interview was insanely easy except at the end when he asked me ten extremely difficult physics questions. I got two right and one about half way. I thought I had failed. William smiled and told me I was the first person in three months he had interviewed that had answered any correctly. He talked about his company being the future of western world if not mankind. He showed me a black notebook where he sketched ideas on how to achieve the many complex ideas bouncing around his mind.
I started two weeks after that as a junior scientist working in the fusion research department. Twenty five hundred a week starting pay... Not bad for a twenty two year old. My masters was on hold as it was too good an opportunity to pass up.
My wife Madison is a solid nine and I don't believe tens actually exist. She has shoulder length dark brown hair, a beautiful face, perfect D cup boobs and a vagina that responds very well to my touch. I did better than average with women, but Madison was the prettiest I had ever dated. I was delighted when she said yes to a date and more delighted that she wanted to 'try me out' on our third date. What can I say? We married two years later, right after graduation.
A month later in Early July, there was a company dinner with spouses. I did not realize it then, but once I was there for twenty minutes with my wife, Madison, my life was going to take a giant turn. William was on the hunt and even Madison had no idea that night.
Winston Energy was a very strange place to work. William's assistant was naked as were most of the other assistants. Some were clothed but most were not. I didn't have an assistant. Madison hated the thought of naked women in the office, but I was a person without a naked assistant so what could she do. William liked it and it was his company.
A month later I was 'invited' (as in told to) attend a conference meeting on fusion energy. The trip would take ten days to go across the Atlantic on William's five hundred fifty foot long yacht followed by another ten days in Rome. Appropriately the yacht was named 'The Conquest'. I and my wife were one of eighteen couples to go from Savannah, Georgia to Livorno, Italy, then on to Rome. I was one of three young junior scientists going. Hindsight is twenty twenty, and I never saw it, but all three of us started getting 'the look' as in 'you poor bastard.' My wife asked for a three week leave at her job at another company and it was granted immediately without fuss. That was arranged by William I presume. Of course, of the three invited, William liked Madison the most.
Monday August 20, 2021
We arrived at Savannah and were greeted at the airport by a limousine which took us directly to the yacht. I must say, not dealing with anything was a welcome change. Luggage, passport checks, everything was taken care of. I was in a good mood and as a bonus, my wife Madison was extra affectionate the past two weeks.
We got on board and found our luggage already in the room. We decided to explore The Conquest and watch as the yacht headed out to sea and Savannah disappeared.
Dinner was great with a choice of Filet Mignon, Lobster, or vegetarian. William spared no expense. After dinner, my world crashed. I was asked to come to a private conference room with my wife and I. I knew things were not good when there were two giant goons standing behind William and my wife took the seat next to William, not me.
It was an out of body experience when my wife said, "Andrew. I love you more than anything, but William has asked me to spend the next several months with him including this conference, and after that, his travel companion for several months. I will come back to you and I love you, but this is the chance of a lifetime."
The goons were ready for any violence on my part.
William said, "Madison. Why don't you head to my stateroom in the front and I will join you shortly. Your luggage has already been moved and I have something special for you to wear."
I almost got my ass kicked when I said, "Not with MY rings, you dishonorable slut."
Madison was stung but was stubborn, not consoling."
She said, "No."
William intervened and said, "Perhaps to avoid drama, you should give him the rings. I have bigger ones for you anyway."
Nice touch asshole. He could afford rings that cost more than my salary. Then again, she was not fucking him wearing my damn rings. I was a motherfucking newlywed losing his motherfucking wife.
Madison gave me a dirty look then slipped her engagement and wedding rings off then handed them to me and said, "See you later, Andrew."
I took off my ring in front of her and said, "Goodbye Madison."
She gave me another stubborn look then walked off down a corridor presumably leading forward to his cabin.
William said, "I take what I want, and I want Madison, at least for a while. I am not going to leave you with an empty cabin. I have arranged a substitute."
Suddenly my wife giving me more sex before the trip made too much sense.
I asked helplessly, angry and with my heart being torn to literal shreds, "How long has this been going on?"
William said, "She has known for sure about a week or a bit more, and I broke her down in three weeks or a bit more, call it a month. Seducing a woman with my intelligence is pretty systematic. The methods I used, mostly anyway, on your wife are the simple ones, "power, money, and alpha. I call them 'keys.'"
I said, "So you are taking my wife and life away and leaving me with nothing."
William said, "Oh good heavens no. Your companion for the remainder of the trip is actually quite charming. Cute as a button, sweet, and ironically, I have no ability to get her into my bed without force. She cares nothing for those exact things I used on your wife."
I glared at him and said, "You are destroying my life and offering me a substitute." It was half question and half accusation.
William shook his head and asked, "Do you remember all those days long psychology tests I had you take after all the IQ tests?"
I nodded
William said, "Your substitute is named Lissy. I had her tested. She is eighteen years old and applied for a low level job. She was living in her car and was homeless. I wanted to bed her for a quickie, but nothing I did worked. I knew then I had an amazing substitute, even before I had settled on Madison. I had both your tests compared, she is literally perfect for you and... should you both decide I am correct and I believe I am. She will love you for the rest of your life. You could put her in the VIP room of a male strip club with all the hunks in the world and she would only stand up and walk away. I offered her substantial advantages like a private apartment to become one of my mistresses. I tried and failed with her. Wealth and power mean nothing to her. She desperately desires a few things and should things work out, I will tell you all of Lissy's keys. All of the things that will keep her desperately in love with you for the rest of your life."
William sighed, "Well. It is getting late and I want to start my evening. Head to your cabin now. Another of my large friends here will be in front of your door until morning. I do not need more drama tonight. We start the first conference tomorrow morning at eight and you will be there. Don't lose your job over this. At the end of this, everyone on this yacht is getting a very nice bonus, including you."
I said, "Buying my cooperation."
