The Making Of A Survey Service Captain
By Gary L.M. Martin
[Note: This Science Fiction story is an
intense character study
with occasional sex scenes.]
Jennifer was seated at Ankara's side at dinner that night. When Taylor asked for her to be seated next to him, a stone faced guard told him no. He was about to protest further when Jennifer said, "It's all right, Michael."
What was Ankara up to?
Ankara's attention seemed to be focused on Jennifer during dinner. But her conversation with Jennifer was all about Taylor. "Tell me, Little One, is Captain Taylor a good lover?"
Jennifer cast a nervous glance at Taylor. "Uh, yes, he is."
"You are so beautiful. How is it he has not planted a baby inside of you?" Ankara asked.
Jennifer flushed. "My... master has not decided that the time is right."
"Perhaps he favors another," said Ankara. "Captain Taylor, you told us that you serviced all fifteen women on your ship, is that correct?"
"Fourteen," said Taylor, grinning tightly. "That's correct, Emiri."
Ankara turned back to Jennifer. "Does your master favor any of the other women of the crew more frequently than you?"
They continued talking. And then Ankara clapped her hands, and a glass of amber liquid was brought before Jennifer. "Drink, my dear."
"What is it?" Jennifer asked.
"Cactus wine," said Ankara. "You'll love it."
Jennifer gave Taylor a glance. He shook his head minutely.
"No thank you," said Jennifer, giving a nervous smile.
"I insist," said Ankara, her voice as hard as stone.
Jennifer took a deep breath. She raised the glass, and took a sip. "Bitter," she said, giving a false smile.
"It gets more palatable as you drink it. Finish it, dear. All of it," she said, her voice again hard.
Jennifer looked at Taylor. She gave him a look, a look that said she had to do this. She saw the reluctant acquiescence in his eyes. She took the wine glass, and gulped it down. It burned her throat, and she coughed slightly.
But she didn't feel any different.
They talked some more over dinner. Jennifer started to feel... warmer. She started to relax. She found herself talking without thinking. It was as if she had lost the ability to edit herself.
"Michael? Yes, he's a great fuck!" Jennifer said, laughing hysterically. Taylor gave her a hurt look.
"So he satisfies you then?"
"Oh, very much so," said Jennifer, giving a goofy grin. "After he's been inside me, I feel wonderful. I feel like dancing!"
"By all means," said Ankara. "Dance, then. Show us how you dance for him."
Jennifer saw Taylor mouthing 'no'. "All right, I will!" said Jennifer, giving a drunk smile.
And suddenly Jennifer found herself standing in the middle of the tent and dancing.
But it was like no other dance she had ever done before.
Someone was playing a lute, and banging a snare drum softly. Jennifer's body started to sway to the music erotically. Jennifer was very conscious of her thighs, her hips, her breasts, her ass, all moving melodically back and forth, left and right, up and down.
Jennifer smiled as she started to grind her ass in a circle, as if she were pleasuring a man underneath her. She raised her hands above her head as she danced and looked down at herself, self consciously absorbed in the details of her erotic dance. She felt detached, not actively in control of her own body. It was as if she was watching a holofilm starring herself, and it was unrolling without her active involvement.
Suddenly she looked up, and locked eyes with Taylor. She saw the shock and surprise on his face. She smiled at him, self consciously rubbing a hand through her long, luxurious dark hair while she wiggled her hips at him.
Taylor's mouth dropped open. He had never seen his first officer like this. Yes, Jennifer was a terrible flirt. But this was a side she had never shown him before. It was a side she had only shown her husband. The other Michael.
Jennifer made a face at Taylor as she brushed her own cheek. Then she put a finger in her mouth and her smile only grew wider as she saw Taylor shift uncomfortably in his seat.
Ankara whispered in Taylor's ears. "You seemed surprised, Captain. Surely your woman has danced for you before?"
"Oh... of course," said Taylor. "It's just... the music is different here."
"I see," said Ankara, smiling. She watched Taylor's reaction as Jennifer continued to expose her sensual side to everyone in the room. As she continued to wiggle her hips sinuously, Jennifer started to rub her breasts and lick her lips. Then she started to mouth words. "I want you," she said silently, looking at Michael. She stared at him with hard eyes. "I want you," she mouthed again.
Taylor shifted uncomfortably again in his seat.
"Is it getting too hard for you, Captain?" Ankara asked.
Taylor's face looked red. "What do you mean?"
"The chair. Is it too hard? Perhaps a soft pillow would ease your distress," said Ankara.
Taylor shook his head quickly, and Ankara smiled again.
Ankara clapped twice, and yelled. "Done!"
Jennifer stopped dancing.
Ankara went to her and put her hand on her shoulder, giving her an appraising look. "There is more to you than it seems. Come back to my tent with me, Little One, where we can talk more, in private."
"No!" said Taylor, jumping up. Two guards surrounded him, with drawn swords.
Ankara looked surprised. "We're just going to talk, Captain." She caressed Jennifer's cheek. "Is the big, bold Survey Service Captain really afraid if I talk to one of his many, many women?"