This ongoing sci-fi series will contain non-consensual elements.
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Finger nails glided gently up and down my back. It was a wonderful feeling to be woken up by.
I turned to see Lilly, smiling at me.
"Morning." She whispered.
I smiled back at her.
My quarters were much brighter than before. There was sunlight coming through the window.
"We've just landed." She said, happily. "We're home."
The way she said 'home' brought back feelings of despair. I wasn't home, I wasn't even sure what planet we were on.
Her fingers slid further down my back over my rear. I winced as she stroked a finger over one of the welts I had gotten from Orton's cane.
"I have some cream." She said.
I was about to thank her, but she leaned forward and gave me a lingering kiss. It was a lovely way to be interrupted.
"Come on, lets get dressed, I want to show you around." She said, cheerfully.
I would have rather stayed in bed.
She dressed herself in a little skirt and loose top. There wasn't anything practical for me to choose from. Lilly laughed, when I suggested that I wear my uniform.
"We can do better than that." She said.
Her choice consisted of a very tight pair of shorts and an equally tight halter top. Both were white. Thankfully they weren't as revealing as her outfit.
There weren't any shoes. Lilly told me that we would be okay barefoot. I tied my hair into a loose ponytail. It felt a bit softer between my fingers. The showers on board were excellent, much better than I was used too. All the products were top notch too.
"The servants will bring the rest of our clothes." She assured me and took my hand.
As we left my quarters we nearly bumped into some servants carrying handfuls of boxes. There were more people about now. It looked like they were unloading.
I wasn't used to having my legs exposed like this, and certainly not my midriff. No one seemed to be paying an attention though.
"Come on." Lilly said joyfully. She pulled me quickly though the ship almost skipping as she went. I was dragged along as we dodged past the crew getting on with their work.
I would have liked to have seen more of the yacht. Especially the bridge and the communications room. Lilly had filled me in on some of the yacht's details. For one there was a gym onboard, which was a real luxury. There were two shuttles in the cargo hold as well. That was something I made a note of.
It wasn't long before we were at an exit ramp. It was the middle of the day and the sun shone brightly in the sky. Before me was a large complex of buildings. Not officious or business like, more like a expensive hotel complex. There was a mixture of architectural styles. Smaller buildings led into larger ones, the bigger ones seemed open and airy with balconies and uncovered walkways. There were large courtyards full of trees and ornamental gardens.
Beyond the buildings was a lush green forest, and further into the distance, snow capped mountains. At any other time it would have looked breathtaking.
The air was warm and sweet. Lilly stood next to me breathing it in. It was such a stark contrast to the recycled air aboard a starship.
"What planet are we on?" I asked.
"It's called Mexor." She said.
I asked what system we were in as I wasn't familiar with the name. She told me not to worry, and went on to say that the planet was very exclusive and that only the wealthiest people got to live here.
"And us." She said, squeezing my hand.
As we walked down a ramp and further into the complex I started to understand why all those outfits had been so skimpy. Mexor was a hot planet, although no uncomfortably so.
I took a look back at the ship we had arrived on. I hadn't seen it properly before. It looked very sleek. It's white hull glistened in the sunlight. It was a good size, about five or six decks, but not something that couldn't be piloted solo. I wondered if there were any other ships nearby.
The docks themselves were on a large raised platform. The yacht stood proudly on the top. Underneath, it looked like an area for maintenance equipment.
Lilly showed me around a large pool area. It looked like it could easily accommodate a hundred people. There was a rustic feel to everything. Like a grand villa from days of old.
I asked her how many other people lived here, and she told me it was just Orton and about fifty staff. She went on to tell me he did lots of entertaining, and business meetings.
"Lots of parties." She said, happily.
She told me there were areas I wouldn't be allowed in, but they were clearly marked with a red line on the floor, the collar would make a noise as a warning. I had almost forgotten I was wearing it. It was thin and light, and not something I was always aware of. I think that was the point of it, to make me forget my situation.
"How many of the staff are slaves?" I asked.
"Most of them, but not all." She went on to say that the ship's crew were all employees and that we wouldn't see much of them.
It made sense that everyone wouldn't be a slave. Orton wouldn't want the people in charge of his safety to bare a grudge.
Already knowing the answer I asked her if we were allowed to leave the property. She shook her head gravely and told me not to even try.
After the pool, she took me into a large hall. It was surrounded by balconies. The floor was marble with intricate patters. It was very grand and impressive like the rest of the complex.
We climbed up a staircase. At the top there were two servants polishing the floor. They kept their heads down.
"If you ever get lost. Just ask someone." She said, gesturing towards them
I nodded.
As we moved out of earshot, I asked Lilly why they ignored us. She just waved her hand casually. "They know not to bother us."
It was all very strange and new. I was used to rules, I just wasn't used to being this powerless in my choices.
"I'll show you, your room." She said, leading me out onto a walkway.
I noticed a large grey pillar standing on its own.
"What's that?"
She shrugged. "Something to do with security. It protects the buildings, I think."
I hadn't seen anything like it before. From what Lilly had said, it could be some sort of defense system.
I wondered what other security measures I wasn't being told about.
"We are neighbors." She said, pointing at two doors.
They were wooden, without locks. It seemed I could come and go as I pleased.
She showed me into mine. It was large and airy. There were a pair of doors that led onto a balcony.
"You'll be able to decorate it anyway you wish." She said. "Make it feel like home."
Like the rest of the buildings, it was all tastefully decorated. A rustic country house feeling.
It did look nice, but I couldn't forget why I was here. I wasn't here willingly, and as soon as I could I would be leaving.
