Slavery, By Any Other Name

Slavery, By Any Other Name

A work in progress

A FIRST DRAFT

    The hunter/killer, Mongoose, Captained by Jedidiah Smith, was doing covert recon in the Shiloh system when he picked up a transmission from an allied, Union, corvette. The transmission was ship to planet, in code, with no response.

    He deciphered the code. It simply stated that the prearranged ops pick up could not take place, that the ship was damaged, and that the planetary defenses were to formidable.

    His sensors indicated that the small corvette jumped into hyperspace after it delivered its damning message to the special-ops team planet side.

    With caution, Captain Jedidiah Smith, stealthily, maneuvered the Mongoose toward the planet. With cloak and shield he sneaked by the enemy aliens fleet of, insect looking, warships.

    In code he sent, “This is the C.S.A. (Confederate Systems Alliance) warship Mongoose. I will attempt a high orbit fly over and extraction. Activate your personal transmitters on my mark.”

    “Activate now!” he commanded. He was now visible for all to see, because he had to decloak, and lower shields to use the transporter.

    The ships avatar, (a synthetic biological humanoid female, named Mona,) informed him that two life signs had transported, safely, aboard into the ships hold. She also reported that the compartments audio and video had ceased operating.

    “I apologize for the inconvenience of the security room. Just hang loose while I try to evade all of these things that are trying to kill us, and ruin a perfectly good day. This is Captain Smith out for now.” 

    Jed - “Now we have to get out of here before we get vaporized. We are no longer a hunter/killer warship. We are now an escape and hide passenger ship. I’ll meet our guests if, and when we survive this little intrusion into unfriendly space.”

    The Mongoose was a predator class, hunter/killer warship. She was one of seven of the deadly attack craft. This class of ship was designed, purposely, for independent hit and run tactics against the alien threat. She was built for speed, which meant a sacrifice in shields. However, she had the firepower to take out an enemy cruiser if she could get close enough with her cloaking abilities.

    The T’LC are large, 7’ - 9’ tall, humanoid type insects. They have two arms, and two legs, with green, blue, or black, exoskeletons. Their head resembled that of an ant. Not much was know about this alien species, except that they are exceedingly strong and good fighters. Their ships are slow, but very formidable.

    Black-ops had reported that certain humans would ally themselves with the T’LC when a planet had been captured. The reasoning for this was not known, but it had happened so far on all of the conquered, enslaved, planets.

    “One of the two life signs is now dead,” Mona reported to Captain Smith.

    Jed - “WHAT? We will have to wait until we make our jump to the Gettysburg system before we can check it out.”

    Jed - “We have taken out two of their smaller craft on our escape. However, sensors are picking up a distant incoming cruiser. She is coming in all alone. Moreover, she is close to our jump point. Now we turn back into a hunter/killer.”

    The huge black, spidery, form of the enemy cruiser lurked ahead. With cloak and daring, the deadly and stealthy Mongoose made its attack run at the cruiser. With her main batteries rapidly firing, Mona never missed, as she pummeled the alien warship. With her speed, and ability to fire while cloaked gave her the edge to punch through shields of a more powerful ship at close range. However, any hits taken would almost always result in certain death of a predator class ship at such close range.

    With several critical hits inflicted, Captain Smith aborted a second pass. He then proceeded to his jump point, all the while watching the alien warships death throes, as she burned and broke up.

    As the Mongoose engaged its star drive, the cruiser’s aft section unexpectedly exploded. The resounding shock wave over took the, unaware, hunter/killer, as it jumped into hyperspace.

    “I am experiencing unusual drive fluctuations. I will run a diagnostics to locate the problem. Also, I am now no longer picking up any life form readings from the transporter room.” Mona, nonchalantly, reported to Captain Smith.

    “WHAT? Weren't both life readings showing good health, with no problems?” Jed ran his hand through his closely cropped black hair. “I’ve got to go check this out. You handle what ever problem that you’re having.”

    “Yes, my captain,” Mona smugly replied.

    Predator class hunter/killers were the only ships in the fleet that utilized avatars. Upon the activation of the ships A.I., after the vessels construction, the A.I. would choose the form and make-up of its own avatar. The crew consisted of only one human. The human was always a captain, and always a volunteer. The reasoning for this was, was that the human acted as a dead-man-switch, incase the A.I. malfunctioned, or went rogue; it had never happened, but why take risks with a supper intelligent Warcraft. The Mongoose’s A.I. created Mona as a gorgeous six-foot tall, blond haired beauty, with golden hued skin.

    Jed - “Can you scan for possible cause of death?”

    Mona - “Easily, both were depleted of all blood.”

    “How can that be?” Jed asked, softly, more to himself, not expecting Mona to reply.

    Mona - “Well, you certainly won’t find out by sitting here, I suggest that you be on your way.”

    Jed hurried to the secondary transporter room in the ships hold (this area had a security shield and automated anti-personnel weapons if the need arised.)

    Along the way, He grabbed his Colt 45 LP (A Colt handgun that fired deadly Laser Pulses, with each clip holding 45 charges.)

    He slowly entered the area, weapon at the ready. Two pale white humans lay crumpled up on the floor.

    Hardly paying any attention to the two corpses, he stared wide-eyed at the figure across the room. Fear had never seized him before, as it did now. His heart was pounding, his body was trembling, and he was sweating profusely, as an icy chill shot through him.

    Captain Smith stared wide-eyed, with mouth open, at the apparition. He had only heard rumors and second hand stories about these, before now. Yet, there she stood, the perfect predator, a genetically spawned killing machine.

    The Orion-project developed these genetically engineered creatures for surface tactical operations. All were female (males died before maturing, for some unknown reason) all had dark indigo skin, and all were around seven feet tall, with boosted strength. All had two-inch, venomous, claws that could tear an opponent to shreds; or just simply paralyze their prey. All had venomous, retractable cobra like fangs for feeding. All had enhanced reflexes, and feline night vision. They were designed to be dropped onto enemy planets, and live off the land, or the inhabitants, as they conducted their operations. 

    She stood before him, looking down at him. Her green eyes locked with his soft grey eyes. Her face showed no emotion. With arms crossed, she casually leaned against the bulkhead. Her shoulder length, raven black hair was softly moving, as a nearby air vent blew on her.

    Now he understood why Mona had only read two life signs. He had heard that these creatures did not show any life readings. He had also heard many horror tales that these beings were undead, scientific spawns of the devil. The system and planet where the experiments of the Orion-project took place was a highly guarded military secrete.

    He brought himself under control the best that he could, after all, she was an ally, maybe.

    Jed holstered his weapon, as he forced a small smile. He could see that she was wearing the black uniform of the Surface Tactical Corps. She had a side arm of some sort on her left, and a sixteen-inch knife on her right. On her collar, she wore a small gold skull and cross bones, indicating that she was black-ops. On her right sleeve, she wore a tattered Union patch. The frayed insignia on her left indicated that she was a major.

    “I’m Captain Jedidiah Smith. What happened with these two,” Jed, softly, asked. He pretended not to know, as he looked away, and down at the two lifeless bodies. Jed could see a severed neck artery on one of the corpses. Their uniforms indicated that they were Union marines, possibly from an earlier failed offensive.

    “They had been turned by the T’LC and were sent to capture me, so I let them. I am more than a match for any platoon of marines, much less two. I then used my venom to put them to sleep. I had already received the corvettes message. Your message for pickup followed shortly after. I activated their transponders, but left mine off, just in case yours was a trap. I then waited for you to transport us. After transport, I disabled your audio and visual devices. And, after hearing your welcome, I then proceeded to have dinner, while you eluded the enemy.” She answered in a soft feminine voice, with a slight Austrian accent.

    Jed knelt down, and carefully removed their dog tags. His hands trembled, as their lifeless eyes just stared up at him. He felt nauseous, and staggered, as he rose to his feet. He had never before seen a body so pale white, so drained of every drop of blood.

    She moved to a console and seated herself.

    Major - “Come before me, please, captain.”

    Captain Smith, reluctantly, approached her. They were almost eye level now.

    Major - “You’re very young to be a captain?”

    Jed, slowly, nodded his head. He tried to speak, but only stuttering noises came out.

    The Major smiled, “This won’t do; this won’t do at all.” She then took his hands, and gently held them.

    Major - “My name is Acula. I am also a doctor of Quantum Chemistry. I will allow you to use either, Major Acula, or Dr. Acula. I will leave the choice to you. I do understand your terror; my kind relishes in causing fear. Though few actually ever get to see an Orion, all are fearful of us. Usually the ones that do see us do not live long. When on a mission we reap death and destruction. Because of our nature, we seldom interact with humans.

    Dr. Acula - "We are going to be in close quarters for awhile, and I can’t have you like this.”

    She released his left hand, and moved her hand to the back of his neck. Acula dripped a few drops from her index finger claw onto his large vein. She then, painlessly, injected her claw into his vein. She calculated how much venom to secrete, then withdrew.

    Within seconds, Jed’s heart rate slowed, and all anxiety and fear subsided.

    Acula - “Now then, feel better?”

    Jed - “Yeah, I actually feel great. My right knee was bothering me some, but now it feels fine.”

    Acula - “Good, good, now we need to have a little talk.”

    Acula - “I have obtained information from my mission which I need to deliver. What is our destination?”

    Jed - “The Gettysburg system.”

    Acula - “Good. I would like to thank you also for picking me up; you did not have to do that. I will also mention your deed to your commander. I am usually listened to when I make recommendations. Now then, if you will, tell me how you became a captain at such a young age; you look to be in your mid-twenties. And I will tell you a small truth about myself, and the T’LC.”

    Jed - “I am twenty-two; I was drafted while in engineering school to be a stingray pilot. I flew out of the carrier, “Stonewall Jackson.” It was us, and the Union carrier, “John Pope” that fought the T’LC in the Manassas system.”

    Acula’s eyes opened wide at hearing that. “I’m impressed. I have read, and studied that battle. It was the first time that we ever stopped the T’LC. I read that you were badly out numbered. In addition, not only did you stop them, but drove them completely out of the system. I remember reading that both carriers were lost. And that there was an eighty-three percent lost of all carrier attack craft.”

    Jed - “I reckon so, anyway, we held and won the day. When the carriers were gone, we considered ourselves expendable. Therefore, we made up our own tactics as the battle progressed. With no high-ranking officers, we developed our own battle strategy. After our victory, fleet immediately implemented our new tactics. We were determined not to let that world fall into their hands. Those of us that survived were honored, and promoted.”

    Jed - “Most do not know this, but after a Predator class ship goes live, its A.I. chooses the captain; Mona chose me and I volunteered.

    Acula - “Very good, now about me, I was among the first brood to be spawned, and the only one to survive. My sisters-in-arms and I have special senses and culinary tastes. I can sense fear, which whets my appetite. So be prepared for more of my venom, if the need arises.”

    Acula - “I will tell you this about the T’LC; they eat their prey alive. The humans that do not become mindless slaves are used as food. The T’LC will eat their prey down to the head and torso while the poor victim is awake. The T’LC secretes a pain numbing, and healing saliva as they eat. This saliva allows the human to watch him, or herself be eaten alive without suffering any pain at all. The female T’LC then forces a tubular appendage down the human’s throat to lay eggs. The hatchlings then eat themselves out of the living torso, usually in five to six days. Their excretion is very similar to mine; however, it is far more potent. Our scientist are astonished and don't know how, or why that is.”

    Acula - “I spent four months on that planet gathering info, and I was eager to get off. Thank you again for coming to my aid. I am, however, going to have a little, personal, face-to-face, talk with that, idiot, human corvette captain that was sent to extract me.”

    Jed closed his eyes and bowed his head, as Acula spoke: he had friends that had been captured.

    Mona burst into the compartment, as the ship started vibrating and alarms going off.

    Mona - “My critical systems are failing. My hyper-drive engines condenser is not transferring radiation. The result is causing an internal build-up of deadly toxins. I’ve shut down the engines, but we are still in hyper-space; this shouldn’t be happening.”

    Jed - “Is the radiation still building up?”

    Mona - “I’m sorry captain, but I can’t tell. My interior and exterior sensors are down. I am flying blind and deaf right now.

    Acula pulls a hand held scanner from her belt and activates it.

    Acula - “According to this, the build-up is minute for now. We have about a week before it becomes deadly.”



    For the next seventy-two hours, Mona and Jed worked continuously trying to restore health to the Mongoose.

    Major Acula helped when needed, but mainly stayed out of the way. She worked on long-range sub-space communications. She attempted sending several encrypted communiques; however, the success was unknown. 

    Mona used every trick, every bit of quantum physics, and all of the knowledge of star-drive engines that she knew to drop them out of hyperspace.

    Jed worked on sensors and the damaged arrays that permeated the exterior of the Mongoose. 

    Mona - “Jed, you’ve just restored my external sensors, I can see, and hear now. Now all I have to do is close the hyperspace window. Finding a suitable planet for you may be a little more difficult. When I destabilize the magnetic field, I won‘t have a choice as to what system we will end up in.”

    The Mongoose popped into normal space at an extraordinary rate of speed. Mona then threw everything that she had into dumping speed.

    Mona - “I’ve just burned out my star-drive, and in-system engines in slowing us down. All I have left is maneuvering thrusters. Good news though, I have found a suitable planet that I will arrive at in six hours. I suggest that you collect what you need and get prepared to abandon ship.”

    Mona - “I can’t make out this system though, or where we’re at, my navigation is still off-line. However, I do not detect any other ships. Sensors indicate human-like life forms on the planet, with simple industrialization, no technology. Their moon has scanned to have everything that I need to rebuild my engines. You two just take it easy, and go camping for several months.”

    Acula - “Several months! I have vital information to deliver!”

    Mona - “I am sorry Major, but I have to retool from scratch. I have to vent the atmosphere. In addition, I have to mine and manufacture everything that I need. It will take time.”

    Acula - “Very well then, but please hurry.”

    Jed followed Acula to the galley for what would be their last meal aboard ship for sometime.

    Jed heated up the last of his imitation lasagna and started to chow down. He kept to himself, in deep thought.

    Acula ate imitation steak and potatoes, all the while staring at Jed.

    Acula - “Do you have any surface tactical training?”

    Jed looked up from his meal. “I’ve only had basic training. I am a combat pilot. I’ve never been in any surface action, except for flying ground support.”

    Acula - “I see. Captain Smith, while we are planet side, I want you to do everything that I say. I expect you to obey me without question, and without hesitation.”

    Jed - “Yes, Major, I will follow your orders. After all, this is your field of expertise.”

    Acula - “Yes it is. In addition, I am not use to babysitting. I will, though, do my best to watch out for you.”

    Acula - “Another thing, this food I eat, fills, and sustains me, however, I do not savor it. You are, however, giving off an aroma of fear, which is the same as enticing, or teasing me.”

    Jed - “I’m sorry, but surface survival is something I’m not looking forward to.”

    Acula finishes her meal, and then walks over to Jed. She administers another small injection from her claw.

    Mona walks in, as Acula is finishing up.

    Mona - “What happens if you give him too much?”

    Acula - “A full dose of my venom would only put him to sleep for about forty-eight hours.”

    Mona - “I see. Anyway, we are now within transport range of the planet. I have found a, suitable, place of shelter, food, and water. I scanned no life signs in the immediate area. The fruit and nut trees, along with the water are safe to consume. Also, keep in mind that the transporter is working properly; only carry what you need for now. I can transport other Items down as you require them.”

    Mona - “Captain, we will be using your I.C.L. (imbedded communication link) after you depart the ship.

    Acula - “I have an imbedded chip too. I will need access to the transporter, as well, as an open line of communication between Jed, and you when I am out of visible range. My authorization code is Dracula666orionalphaone.”

    Mona, silently, looked at Acula with interest and esteem now, as she received and processed the majors personal code. 

    Mona - “Very well Dr. Acula, your code is valid.”

    Mona - “Jed, Dr. Acula now has certain, restrictive, access to some of my secondary systems, and communications. Do you wish to override her authorization?”

    “I reckon not,” Jed replied, as he finished off the last of his lasagna.

    Mona - “Very well then, I will stay in a geosynchronous orbit. This way I can be ready to assist you, as I make repairs. I suggest that you make ready to disembark now.”

    Acula on private link to Mona - "Your silence about me, now, is much appreciated."

    Mona on private link to Acula - "Affirmative, besides, Jed doesn't need to know. Just keep him safe and well for me."

    Acula on private link - "I will do my best."

                                                                       

*    *    *

   



    It was a beautiful spring-like morning. Mona had put them down just a couple hundred feet from a lovely two-story log cabin and large barn.

    Jed was taking it all in, as he and Major Acula slowly approached the cabin.

    Acula - “You stay out here, while I recon the cabin and area.”

    Jed - “Yes ma’am.”

    Jed took his eyes off the Major for a brief second and she was gone. She was after all black-ops, and an officer in the surface-tactical-corps. He figured that she had her own bag of tricks for stealth, and covert-ops.

    He could see, hear, and smell the small river that ran next to the cabin. He saw a nice big front porch with a rocking chair. It was gently moving, with the floor creaking, as the breeze kicked up.

    He figured that he and Acula could easily stay here for the duration, while Mona repaired the Mongoose.

    However, one thing bothered him, why was such a delightful place abandoned?



    Dr. Acula approached from the barn, at the rear of the cabin. Arrows permeated the logs of the home. A primitive knife holding a human scalp was stuck in the back door, as a warning. She saw no bodies, and from her estimate what happened here, happened months earlier.

    She quickly disposed of the scalp, the arrows, and all signs of battle. There was no point in getting the good captain upset.

    Jed waited for about an hour before he got the all clear to enter. He had collected a good assortment of fruits and nuts for lunch while he waited.

    Acula watched, as he poured his findings onto a wobbly table.

    Jed - “Take what you want, there’s plenty more where this came from.”

    He then tried to crack open a coconut-like nut/fruit with the butt of his colt, but got nowhere.

    Acula - “I’m good for now. Let me try to open that for you, hand it to me.”

    She took the nut/fruit and examined it. She then squeezed it slightly, with her left hand. This caused it to splinter and crack all along its surface.

    Jed took the nut/fruit and began to remove its shell, all the while looking at Acula.

    Jed - “We clean and fix this place up and it can be kinda like a vacation resort.”

    Acula - “Uh huh, if you say so. When the sun starts setting, I am going out on recon. I want you to have Mona go weapons hot with ground support weapons only. I want you to be the only life form allowed on these premises. Ok, will you do that?”

    Jed - “Yea, but what about you… never mind, I’ll tell her.”

    Acula - “Before I go, I’ll help you set up the generator, and do some straightening. Some of this furniture is heavy and awkward to move.”

    Jed - “What do you think happened to the people that lived here?”

    Acula thought for a moment, not wanting to tell him the truth. “I think that they were forced to leave. This is after all a harsh environment. I think that they were prospectors and could no longer make a living here.”

    Jed - “Makes sense, I’ve read historical accounts of whole communities just up and leaving when the gold, or silver ran out. After all we found no bodies, or signs of battle or struggle here.”

    Acula smiled, “The bedroom upstairs to the left will be yours; it has a large soft bed in it. I will sleep in the bedroom downstairs, so as not to disturb you with my coming and goings.”



    At the setting of the sun, Acula set out on her recon.

    Jed finished hooking up the small fusion generator. He now had each room of the cabin rigged for lights. With his colt by his side, and a small light on, he drifted off to sleep.

    Mona recorded only two intruders during the night. One to the southeast, a rather large bear, she scared off with a single firing of an anti-personnel battery. The other life form was humanoid, but vanished before she could get a target lock. She guessed that Acula had something to do with that one.



    The next morning Jed was up early preparing one of the food rations that he brought. He did not bother checking on Acula. He figured that she would rise when she was ready.

    About mid-morning, he heard a noise coming up the old dirt road. He grabbed his weapon and ran onto the porch. What he saw made him laugh. He saw Major Acula riding a wagon pulled by two bay horses.

    Jed - “What is this? Where did you get it? Why do we need a wagon?”

    Acula - “Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies. But I have obtained information that I need to discuss with you.”

    Jed - “I’ll fix you breakfast, while you fill me in.”

    Acula - “Thanks for the offer, but I’m full, even stuffed. After I fill you in I’m gonna rest for a few hours before we leave.”

    Jed swallowed hard, and then locked eyes with Acula. “What did you eat?’

    Acula, with a slight smile, answered, “You have to ask?”

    Jed - “You can’t be doing that, here!”

    Acula - “My selections won’t be missed. You will see why when I give you my Intel.”

    Jed - “And where are we going.”

    Acula - “We need to go into town for supplies, which is about ten miles due east of here. That is where the wagon comes in. I obtained it last night during my recon of the area. I also acquired several bags of gold, cash, and clothing for us, so that we will be less conspicuous. None of the items will ever be missed, I made sure of that.”

    Jed - “I see. So what’s the Intel on this society?”

    Acula - “The society here is like the old west, and the language is simple old English. I had Mona prepare a download of the linguistics into our I.C.L. chips. Communicating with the inhabitants will be simple. I also found out that this society utilizes vast amounts of slave labor. The ebony and dark skinned populaces are automatically deemed as slaves. Fair, red, or yellow skinned are taken into slavery for many different reasons, but mainly for indebtedness. The entire society seems to be a rich, poor environment, with a very modest middle class. In my opinion, the affluent here are no better than the T’LC, the way that they feed off of the poor and middle class.”

    Jed - “So, we get supplies whenever we need them, and just remain inconspicuous. I assume that you will do your nightly recon, and whatever. Mona will continue her repairs and watch over us. I think that I can plumb in running hot and cold water. Then I will build a proper bathroom with shower. We’ll just stay to ourselves till we’re ready to leave.”

    Acula - “Mmm, a hot shower, I like the sound of that. Sounds like a good plan. You maybe right about this being like a vacation resort. I‘m off for some rest now, but if you need me, don‘t hesitate to call me”

    Jed smiled and saluted her, “Aye, aye major.” He then went to the big comfortable rocker, and doze off.



    Half-asleep, and thinking of home, he suddenly felt himself rising, his feet were dangling.

    Acula - “It’s time to wake up captain, and go change.”

    Jed opened his eyes. He was looking directly into the face of Dr. Acula. She had picked him and the rocking chair up to her eye level.

    Jed - “Yes ma’am. As soon as you put me down, I’ll go change.”

    Jed took her all in, as she sat him down. She was wearing a pair of cream colored, snug fitting buckskin pants. She also wore a sleeveless, half laced, buckskin vest that exposed her midriff and a little more. He couldn’t help but to think how hot she looked.

    Mona on private link - “Jed, your link is open! You just transmitted your thoughts to her and me. Pay attention from now on, if she doesn’t kill you. Stay off line unless you need one, or both of us.”

    Acula with a slight smile, locked eyes with him, and crossed her arms. “Remember we are linked. Control your com link, or your thoughts, but this time I’ll take that as a compliment. Maybe later though, I just might give thought to a romantic endeavor. You’ll know if I decide to. After all, I have been without companionship for quite a while now. I must warn you though; I tend to play a little rough.” Acula winked, and laced her vest up a bit higher.

    Jed blushed, swallowed hard, apologized, and quickly went to change.

    Major Acula had chosen well, Jed thought. The clothes fit well, and were quite comfortable. The attire made him look like an old west cattle baron, or banker. The black hat would keep the sun off, but he preferred his cap. He had a look of authority, which required respect. Even though he liked the clothes, he couldn’t wait to return and don his grey and red fatigues.

    Mona on open comm - “I’m having power fluctuation problems. The transporter will be off-line for at least eight hours. Sensors and ground support weapons will be off-line for at least three hours.” 

    Jed - “Understood, keep me advised.”

    Acula - “Ten-four.”

    Jed walked out to the wagon.

    Acula - “Stop.”

    Jed stopped and cocked his head, “What’s wrong?”

    Acula with hands behind her back, walked around him, checking out his new attire.

    Acula - “There’s nothing wrong. I think that I picked well. They always say that the clothes make the man. You look older, and more refined. I must say that an amorous evening may very well be nigh at hand.”

    Jed blushed again, and swallowed hard, as he climbed onto the wagon. The width of the wagon seat forced them to set snuggly against each other. He could smell her alluring perfume. As Dr. Acula drove, the uncomfortable travel of the wagon forced them against each other constantly. Jed had now become somewhat comfortable and enamored with the major. Constantly being forced to rub up against her, he thought, was not such a bad way to travel. He also figured that if she wanted a romantic evening, well, there are worst ways to die.

    Acula did most of the talking as they traveled. She brought him up to speed on the local town, and society. The more she talked, the sleepier he got.

    Acula - “Remember, Non-black slaves wear a red metal collar around their necks. All slaves must avert their eyes downward when with non-slaves. And no slave can initiate dialogue first.”

    Acula - “With my color and accent, I will say that I am from over seas. And that I am a free Amazonian hunter/trapper; they won’t know any difference.”

    Acula - “Your color is good for everything, so you’ll do all the buying and bartering. We are companions, or a couple, that travel together, maybe as frontier explorers and miners.”

    Jed - “Got it mom, I’m ready for the history test tomorrow at school,” he answered, softly, in a sleepy voice. With his hat pulled down over his face, he snuggled up to Dr. Acula.

    She just shook her head and smiled, as she coaxed a faster trot from the horses. She held the reins in her left hand, and held onto a sleeping Jed with her right.

*    *    *

    Acula woke Jed up as they approached the outskirts of town. Traffic picked up a good bit, as different roads funneled into the one main road that lead into the rather large city.

    Acula - “We have to go to the bank first. Then we’ll pick up supplies at the general store.”

    She then steered the horses toward the center most part of town, where the bank was located.

    Jed - “How do you know where everything is? Why are we going to the bank? You said that we had plenty of money that you confiscated from your recon last night.”

    Major Acula with a slight smile looked down at Jed. “I gathered a lot of Intel last night, some of which I haven’t spoke of; some of which you don’t need to know. So, ask me no questions, and I will tell you no lies. If I think that you need to know what I know, I will most certainly keep you informed.”

    Jed - “Very well then.”   

    As they approached the bank, they could hear a newspaper boy yelling out the current headlines. “Chupacabra kills local rich playboy.”

    Jed jumps off the wagon, as Acula is parking it. He walks up to the newsboy and buys a paper. He tries to read the article, but his reading skills aren't quite up to speed with his speaking skills yet. He keeps the paper to practice on later at the cabin.

    Jed - “What is a Chupacabra?”

    Paperboy - “I think that it is Spanish for, blood sucking monster. Like a vampire, you know. They found Ben Taylor dead in his house this morning. All of the blood sucked right out of him. There were puncture wounds on his neck made from fangs, the doc said. Also, only a few miles away, another body was found the same way. I‘ve heard that it can only come out at night. And that it can‘t come in your house unless it is invited in. I‘m staying inside at night with my parents, from now on, that‘s for sure.”

    Jed just slowly shook his head, as he looked at Dr. Acula with a somber stare.

    Acula squatted down, and at eye level, looked at the frightened boy.

    Acula - “I am a free Amazonian woman. I have traveled the world, and I know a thing or two about the Chupacabra, and or, the vampire. If you wear a wooden crucifix around your neck, you will be completely safe. I give you my promise.”

    Paperboy - “Thank you ma’am. I will get one as soon as I get off from work. But neither one of you are wearing one.”

    Acula - “Remember, you only need to wear one at night.”

    Paperboy - “That’s right, I forgot. Thanks for reminding me.”

    Acula - “Bye, we have to go now.”

    Paperboy - “Bye, ma’am. Bye, sir. You certainly have made me feel better.”

    Jed just shook his head, as he walked. “You’re…you’re… I don’t know. I can’t even come up with words. It just makes me sick.”

    Acula with hands behind her and with a stern look faced Jed. “I learned a small amount of the mythology of this society last night. I can use quite well the superstitions and folklores to our benefit. My purpose is to keep you and myself alive and well, until we can leave. I intend not only for us to survive, but to exist in some small comfort. And considering what I am, I can easily do that.”

    Acula - “You still haven’t learned to, correctly, use you com-link. I know what you are thinking. Yes, I do make myself judge, jury and executioner when the need arises. I am a military officer, the same as you. Moreover, my decisions will be made to the fulfillment of my mission. I expect you to do the same, when, or if, the need comes.”

    Jed - “Yes ma’am. It’s been awhile since I’ve been chewed out though. I do apologize.”

    Acula then reaches for Jed’s left hand and holds it as they walk. “Remember, we are companions, or maybe even a couple. In addition, when we are not alone call me by my name; use no titles. I will do the same with you.”

    Jed felt a sense of caution and allure, as he held her hand. She was very gentle holding his. He couldn’t help but to think how large and strong she was. He figured that with her height and large, shapely, body mass, that she easily topped the scales at three hundred pounds, or more. He thought about her deadly, sharp claws, how, for now they were sheathed. He could spend hours just examining her hands he thought to himself. This time he made sure that his com-link to her was off, he hoped.

*    *    *

    When they enter the bank, Acula tells the receptionist that they are there to meet Mr. Bailey (the bank president.)

    Acula - “Mr. Bailey is expecting me, I‘m Acula.”

    Receptionist - “Yes ma’am, I will let him know that you are here. Please have a seat until I return.” She then hurries upstairs.

    Jed collapses into a large soft chair. “How do you know the bank president?”

    Acula smiled slightly, “Last night while doing recon, I was fortunate enough to make contact with him. And after I let him witness certain of my activities, well, he seems to think that I‘m some sort of vampire now, need I say more.”

    Jed - “I reckon not. I figure the Chupacabra/vampire has her own ways of doing things.”

    He looked at her and smiled. He then focused his attention on the large bowl that was setting on the coffee table. It contained an assortment of small, brightly colored, wrapped pieces of something.

    Jed picked out a red one, unwrapped it, sniffed it, and then put it in his mouth. It was delicious, he thought. He chewed and chewed and chewed, the strawberry flavored candy. After he finished the strawberry piece, he then picked out an assortment of all the different colors and started eating them.

    Acula just slowly shook her head while staring at Jed, as he put some in his pockets while devouring others.

    Jed had reduced the large bowl of candy down a good bit before being content with what he had.

    Acula - “I see that you left some in the bowl. I bet you could put the rest of them in your hat, if you tried hard.”

    Jed - “They are free to the customers, and we are customers, aren‘t we.”

    Acula - “I believe that a modest amount is free to the children of the patrons. I don’t think it’s a free bowl per client.”

    Jed looked at Acula as he chewed on a piece of grape candy. “This candy is absolutely delicious. I’ve never had anything like it before. Therefore, I make myself judge, jury, and executioner over this bowl of delectable morsels. I decide what stays, what goes, and what is to be eaten now.

    Acula stared at him with a scowl, as Jed smiled, and continued eating.

    The receptionist returned with word that Mr. Bailey needed a little more time.

    Acula - “I’m a busy woman. I won’t give him any more time. He‘s not going to put me off.”

    Receptionist - “Please ma’am, he’s not ready to meet with you yet.”

    Dr. Acula quickly rises and starts to go upstairs. She can sense a strong aroma of fear coming from that direction.

    The receptionist calls for security, and a large burly cowboy-like individual soon arrives wielding a rifle.

    Jed watches from across the room. He could do nothing; he didn’t bring his weapon.

    The security guard rushes into the room with rifle leveled and pointed at Acula.

    Dr. Acula simply stands with hands behind her back. She fixes her gaze on the guard. Their eyes are locked. He can’t break her gaze, Her lure, no one could have. 

    His expression changes from anger to serenity. The rifle falls to the ground.

    The receptionist calls out the guards name many times, but gets no response. He has been completely charmed, like prey caught in a serpents gaze. 

    Acula quickly grabs the receptionist by the neck and covers her mouth before she could scream. With her left hand holding the neck, she unsheathed all five claws. Acula then gives the young receptionist enough venom to put her to sleep for the rest of the day.

    Jed watches, as Major Acula seats both victims, one at a time, in the large soft chairs.

    She then quickly proceeds upstairs. 

    Jed follows, but has a difficult time keeping up with her.

    She stops in front of a beautiful mahogany double door that is closed, and locked.

    Acula - “Their in there. I can sense the fear of two males.”

    Jed - “What’s this about, why couldn't we just wait?”

    Acula - “I don’t like being put off; It‘s a thing with me. Now then ask me no further questions.”

    She tries the heavy-duty bronze handles, but finds that they are locked. Using only a small amount of her strength, she forces the doors open.

    As she flings the heavy doors open, she knocks several times with her knuckles before she enters.

    “Anybody home, I believe that we have a meeting scheduled upon my arrival in town.” Smiling, she slowly enters the elaborate room.

    She sees Mr. Bailey and a rather handsome guy. They were hurriedly placing crucifixes, bowls of garlic and lighted incenses on his large mahogany desk.

    Mr. Bailey - “You’re…you’re…not…suppose…to…be…out…in…day…time… It’s…not…possible.”

    She walks up to the huge desk, puts her hands on the corners, and leans over. She looks directly into the eyes of the banker. She then, easily, breaks off the edges of the elaborate, heavy-duty desk. 

    Acula - “For future reference, I don‘t react well to being put off. It really infuriates me, and sometimes, it makes me do things, horrible, terrible things that I almost regret, sometimes.” She lays the broken corner pieces in front of Mr. Bailey, and then stands with hands on hips.

    Mr. Bailey had turned pale as snow, and was trembling so bad that his teeth chattered.

    Acula - “You also wound me with your words, as for as me being out in the daytime. Well, I just don’t think that I am ugly enough to avoid daylight. I admit that I am a little tall and that I am no beauty queen. However, I am full figured with a nice hourglass shape, even though my face may be nothing special to look at. I think that my companion, Jed, finds me rather pleasing though.”

    “That was not Mr. Bailey’s meaning. My name is Dr. Filmore and I am a vampire slayer. I study and kill all types of demons, witches, and undead creatures. I am also professor of lycanthropy at the University. Mr. Bailey has asked me here today to deal with you, and your minion.” He then looked at Jed.

    Jed just shook his head, as he looked at Dr. Filmore. He was tall, dressed in all black, and wore a rather large silver crucifix around his neck. He carried a saber on his right side, and a six-shot revolver on his left. With a goatee and shoulder length blond hair, Jed figured that he got all the women that he ever wanted. After all, what woman wouldn’t fall for a swashbuckling demonic crime fighter?

    Jed opened his link, as he unwrapped a grape piece of candy. “I refuse to be a minion. I might be a sidekick, but I absolutely refuse to be a minion. And another thing, are you a Chupacabra, a vampire, a werewolf, or what? You know, you should really give out scorecards. I am loosing track of the line-up. And one more thing, how do I fit in to your schemes. I know what; we can try being the good-guys. I will be Batman, and you can be Superwoman, or Wonder Woman. Although neither one drinks blood, but you can say that you are trying to kick the habit.”

    Dr. Acula gives Jed a mean look, “I was multitasking last night. Mr. Bailey was a psychological target of opportunity.”

    She then picks up one of the wooden crucifixes, examining it very carefully.

    Dr. Filmore and Mr. Bailey both gasp, as they watch this spawn of Satan holding a cross.

    “These crucifixes are exquisitely crafted. I must say that, in all of my travels, I have seen none any better. The story is well known through out the universe. However, if one truly believes what the crucifix stands for, how can slavery, of any kind, exist anywhere? Anyway, what I wanted from Mr. Bailey was so simple. But now we are going to have to do things the hard way.” She gently places the cross back on the desk, as she faces the vampire slayer.

    Dr. Filmore quickly starts pouring holy water in his hand, and tossing it at Acula, as he does a chant of some kind.

    Acula - “Hey, stop that. This is getting ridicules. Besides, you are wasting perfectly good holy water.

    Acula - “You do know that you have never really faced a true vampire, witch, demon, or lycanthrope. I feel sorry for the numerous people that must have been hunted and killed, out of ignorance, through out your history. I believe that you and your kind hunt people with varying infirmities. With that being said, now you face me, vampire slayer. Now it is time to pay your dues. I am the monster that you have always looked for, but never really found. I am the true hunter; you are my prey. You have talked the talk; it’s now time to walk the walk.”

    Acula - “Jed, go down stairs, I‘ll be down shortly.” Acula then closes the heavy mahogany doors behind Jed. Now, with an evil smile, she faces her prey, Dr. Filmore, and Mr. Bailey, with fangs and claws bared.

    Jed takes over the receptionists duties. He informs clients that Mr. Bailey is with a V.I.P., and cannot be disturbed for the remainder of the day. He then helps himself to more of the candy, as he checks on the sleeping cowboy, and receptionists.

    After waiting for about an hour, Acula comes bounding down the stairs.

    Jed looks at her, and points to the right corner of her mouth. “You have a little blood their.” He also notices that her vest is only partially laced: revealing a bit too much. In addition, her hair was unkempt now.

    “Thank you,” she replies. She licks the blood off. She then locates a large mirror, and proceeds to groom and fix herself.

    Acula -”This is why I needed to come to the bank to see Mr. Bailey.”

    She hands Jed a legal document.

    Jed - “My reading skills for this language hasn't kicked in yet. I think that there might be something wrong with my I.C.L. chip.”

    Acula - “I think so too. Have Mona run a diagnostic check on it. However, this document states that we are owners of that log cabin and the fifty acres of land surrounding it. A Mr. Wilson previously owned the cabin and land. It also states that we have water rights to that small river that runs by it. This is our copy; Mr. Bailey filed the original before I came down.”

    Jed - “So, he is still alive?”

    Acula - “They both are; I think that Mr. Bailey will be a good ally now. And as for Mr. Filmore, well, after he recovers from his injuries, he should make a good ally too.”

    Jed cocked his head. “What injuries? What happened up there? What did you do?”

    Acula, all vibrant, walked up to Jed and gently put her hands on his shoulders. “Well, I usually don’t talk about my sexual exploits, but I will say this; Mr. Filmore is a rather handsome man. I had been without for quite sometime now, and I do have a tendency to play rough. I think that he ended up with three broken ribs and a broken arm. Afterwards, I easily persuaded Mr. Bailey to work on our property deed, and several other items, while I had a quick snack. Funny though, right before the slayer lost consciousness, I think he mentioned something about becoming a math professor. It was a good thing that the room was sound proof. The Clientele and staff would have wondered what all the screaming was about.”

    Jed - “Three broken ribs and an arm!”

    Acula - “Yea, I didn’t get as rough as I usually do, you know, but this time somebody else was there. I really prefer privacy, so that I can completely enjoy the moment. Let’s go to the general store and pick up supplies.” She sashays slightly, as she walks through the bank.

    Jed - “Yes major.”

    Jed on private link - “Mona, Is the ships infirmary usable?”

    Mona on private link - “No captain, no part of the ship can sustain life, yet. Your link was open when Major Acula told what happened upstairs. I understand your concern. I think that it’s time to answer the call to the priesthood now. You know, there’s no pain in being chaste. Besides, I know that you have never done anything with a woman before. And you would look so cute in a cleric’s collar.”

    Jed on private link - “Thanks for the advice. When you can, please run a diagnostic on my I.C.L. unit.

    Mona on private link - “Good luck and affirmative on the diagnostic. I will report back shortly with the results. Mona out.”

*    *    *

   

    The ride to the general store was slow and tedious. Traffic slowed them down, as they made their way. The building was red brick, with a sign mounted high in front that read - Casey & Son’s General Store. Below the name it read - “If we don’t have it, we’ll get it.”

    Dr. Acula parked the wagon, and they entered the store. All stared at Acula, as they walked in.

    Storekeeper - “Can I help you?”

    Jed - “We just arrived in these parts. We bought the old Wilson settlement, and we are going to need a few supplies. My companion will tell you what we need.”

    Storekeeper - “Your companion? She’s not a slave?”

    Jed laughing - “No, no, we are from overseas, from Valhalla, maybe you have heard of it. It’s a very nice place, but not as nice as here.

    The storekeeper scratched his head, “I don’t recollect hearing about any such a place.”

    Jed - “Just closely look at her color, it’s a dark indigo. Look how tall she is. Listen to her accent when she speaks. She is a free woman for sure. In fact, she is what they call a, Valkyrie. A Valkyrie can only be female, and they are found only in Asgard, which is outside of Valhalla. They are said to be good luck, and magical. When one takes up with a human, it is said that, that person will live a long, prosperous, and happy life.”

    Storekeeper - “Shucks, I’m married. However, if I were to send my son there, do you think that he could find one for himself?”

    Jed - “It wouldn’t hurt to try. However, such an adventure must be done alone, and without a map. You simply go overseas until you reach landfall. You then wait until you have spotted a unicorn, then you follow it. It will take you to Asgard. Then you simply wait, and maybe, a Valkyrie will adopt you.”

    Storekeeper - “I see. I can’t wait to tell him about Asgard, and the Valkyries.”

    Acula, standing with arms crossed, gives Jed a mean look.

    Jed opens his link. “If you’re gonna use mythology, then so am I. Besides, being a Valkyrie is much nicer than being a vampire, or Chupacabra.”

    Acula - “My dear sir.”

    Storekeeper - “Please call me Josh.”

    Acula - “Josh, my companion tends to exaggerate a little. I may be a bit lucky, but I’m not magical.”

    Josh - “My son needs all of the luck, or magic that he can get. You see he is on the verge of being sold into slavery as a bondservant. He is a carpenter and his work is slow. He owes money to the bank, but now he can’t make his monthly payments.”

    Acula - “I see. I might just be able to help.”

    Josh gives Acula a big hug and repeatedly thanks her.

    She gently pushes him away. “I know the bank president, and we will need a good carpenter.”

    Josh - “What you say is true, you are indeed lucky to be around, or magical.”

    Jed - “By the way, do you have anything like this?” He then shows Josh a piece of the colorful candy.

    Josh - “Why yes, it’s just salt water taffy. It’s over there by the can goods. I sell it individually, or in two-pound bags. You can mix and choose your own assortments.”

    Jed’s eyes widened upon hearing that bit of information. He hurried to the mouth watering candy, and started his selection process. He was going to make sure that he had enough to last for a while. After all, he didn’t know when he would be back. He might need two, three, no, five, two pound bags should last a week, or so he thought to himself.

    Acula just smiled and shook her head, as she listened to Jed’s thoughts through his open channel.

    Acula - “My dear sir, I’m ready to proceed with our order.”

    Josh - “Yes Ma’am, I’ll write it down, as you tell me, and then I’ll load it for you.”

    Acula - “Thank you. Let’s start with five, two pound bags of that taffy.”

   

    Josh - “That’s everything. I’ll have Eldon, my son; bring out the pipes and fittings tomorrow morning. Our wagon is designed for hauling such, and then you can show him what you need done. Remember, it‘ll take a few days to get in the bathroom fixtures.”

    Jed - “That sounds good to me. “ He stays with the wagon, as Acula goes inside with Josh to pay for the supplies.

    She counts out the money, folds it and places it directly into his hand.

    Acula - “Don’t look until you hear me go out the door, agreed.” She then releases his hand, and locks eyes with his.

    She could send telepathic suggestions when she locked eyes with someone. She instructed him not to move for fifteen minutes. In addition, that they would be back, as regular customers, maybe with more gratuities.

    Back at the wagon, a commotion two blocks down the street catches Jed’s attention. He leans against the wagon, watching, as Acula comes out.

    Acula - “Let’s go.

    Jed - “Not yet, look down the street.”

    They both watched, as about a dozen young men and women, both fair and dark skinned, were being forced into a prison cell wagon with bars. They watched and heard as the chained prisoners begged and pleaded. They saw whips being used to coax the more unruly ones into the back of the prison wagon. They saw, as a task master literally beat unconscious a white male (that was simply trying to talk to his wife and young daughter) then tossed him into the wagon.

    The sign they saw hanging in front of the bluish grey building read in big red print; “The Labor Emporium.”

    Acula - “They are slaves that are headed off to the mines. The side of the wagon reads, C & S MINES.”

    Jed remained transfixed, hearing Acula, but not responding to her. He had wild thoughts running through his mind, as he watched the wagon drive off. He thought of hunting down the elite of this world and using Mona’s main batteries to thoroughly wipe them, their mansions, and cities from existence.

    Mona using private link - “Major Acula, you may need to help Jed calm down some.”

    Acula on private link - “Thanks for your concern, Mona, but he is entitled to his thoughts, as long as he doesn’t react.”

    Jed - “I want to go in there.”

    Acula takes a deep breath and with concern asks, “Why?”

    Jed - “I don’t know, but it’s something that I must do.”

    Acula - “I don’t think that anything good will come out of it. We should just go back.”

    Jed - “Is that an order, Major?”

    Acula looks at Jed and slowly shakes her head. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

    They climb into the wagon and head toward the “The Labor Emporium.”  As they get almost there, they hear a loud, “YAHOO” come from the general store.

*    *    *

    Acula pulls up beside the building, locks the wagon’s wheels and watches Jed. He appears to be in a trance. With a scowl, he simply sits and stares at the sign.

The Labor Emporium

We handle

CHATTEL PERSONNEL

DEBT BONDAGE

PEONAGE

SERFDOM

&

INDENTURED SERVITUDE

    A slave by any other name, is still a slave, he thinks to himself.

    He and Mona should be elsewhere, trying to make a difference. Elsewhere where they are part of a vanguard, fighting an enemy onslaught that is determined to conquer and enslave humanity.     

    They shouldn’t be here, where money rules, where life is meaningless for many. Here, an individual’s mere existence is decided on what color he, or she is born. Here, being poor is a sure requisite for bondage.

    He hears the people around him, coming, going, walking, laughing, talking, and yet none realizes that they are their brothers and sisters keeper.

    He had never been religious, or a church goer. But on several combat missions, he had let slip many prayers. He remembered a friend of his, David Green, who had this particular verse that he liked; what you do for the least, you also do for me. He reckoned that God was not going to be too happy when most of this world stood before him.

    Jed wakes from his trance and looks at Acula, “Ready to go in?”

    Acula - “Ready, but not enthusiastic about this. Look, we know that different forms of slavery fuel this world’s economy. I do not like it any better than you do. Why do we need to further grieve ourselves over something that we cannot control?”

    Jed - “I simply can’t just turn my back and walk away. If there is anything, no matter how small, that I can do, I will.”

    Mona on secure link to Major Acula - “I selected Jed because of his character. If possible, he doesn’t leave anyone behind.  When all is against him, he endures. He also has nine rescues under his belt that fleet had left for dead. You, major, would still be on that planet, if not for Jed’s compassion, and determination. Not to mention my flying abilities and firepower.”

    Acula, to Mona, on secure link - “My apologies, I will desist my argument on the matter.”

    They both walked slowly toward the entryway. The place seemed deserted, no other wagons or horses were next to the building. No one came or left, as they stood at the heavy-duty, black, double doors.

    As Jed opens the door, a bell rings. He holds the door for Acula who walks through with hands locked behind her back. They enter a very large plush room that contains no furniture. The only things that they see are many, colorful, paintings of smiling slaves, doing various types of work. They see three well-crafted, heavy-duty, mahogany doors, one on each side of the room, and one directly opposite the entry door. 

    Upon hearing the bell, a middle-aged, tall, lanky, well-dressed man in a black suit comes through the left side door. He approaches Jed and offers his hand.

    “Hello, my name is Efrem Drake; I am the proprietor of this establishment. I’m afraid that I am fresh out of laborers at this moment. C & S Mines took all that I had. However, I will have more coming in this Friday. Or. If you tell me what you’re looking for I’ll telegraph my contacts, and see what I can come up with. As you know, strong, healthy males are hard to come by. What with the war, and mining, I’m lucky to get my hands on any lately. Now then, how may I be of service?”

    Jed - “My name is Jed. This is my companion, Acula, and we are new to this area. We just took up residence at the old Wilson homestead. I thought that we would check out the town, after we picked up supplies.”

    Mr. Drake carefully takes stock of Acula. “You’re not a slave?” he asks, as he looks up at her.

    Acula - “No Sir, I never have been, nor shall I ever be one. Even in a relationship, I am not the submissive one. You see, where Jed and I come from there is no forms of bondage.”

    Mr. Drake - “Where is this place that knows no slavery?”

    Jed - “We are from Oz, and Acula, you see, is a munchkin. Yellow brick roads wind through the whole country sides there. Other than that, I can say no more. We have been sworn to secrecy, on our travels, by the great Wizard that rules Oz.”

    Acula, smiling, looks at Jed, cocks her head, and takes a deep breath.

    Acula on I.C.L. - “What happened to, Valhalla, Asgard, and that I’m a Valkyrie? Can’t you at least keep your story straight? A munchkin of all things! And how do you keep a straight face, as you speak?”

    Jed on I.C.L. - “This guy looks smart, he may well be versed on many subjects, including this world’s mythology. As for me keeping a straight face, well I have watched all of the revised holographic episodes of the, Three Stooges, and have tried to force myself not to laugh. The experiment was a total failure. However, in this situation, with a Vampire/Chupacabra to my left, and a slave dealer, that looks like a funeral home director, to my right, it is easy.”

    Acula, excuses herself, and then walks around the lavish room carefully examining the paintings.

    Jed engages Mr. Drake in small talk about the slavery business, as they too examine some of the deceitful works of art.

    Acula meanders her way to the back of the room, next to the center door.

    Acula on I.C.L. - “Jed, I can faintly sense fear, from two females, coming distantly from behind this door.

    Jed on I.C.L. - “Ten-four.”

    Jed - “May we take a tour of the emporium, especially your holding areas. This establishment of yours really impresses me; I would like to see more.”

    Mr. Drake with a huge smile, “I would love too. Please follow me, and I will show you everything.”

    As they walk they see a multitude of empty, barred, holding cages. These were human pens that resembled slightly smaller versions of horse stalls. Each one had fresh, clean, sawdust on the floor, and enough hay for several beds. A water and food trough was mounted about four feet high in the front of each stall, next to the door.

    Mr. Drake happily points out how clean his holding areas were, compared to other labor trading posts.

    Jed was thoroughly disgusted with what he was seeing, and hearing. He kept a calm face though, as he walked and listened to Mr. Drake talk about his beloved slave business.

    Ahead of them was a door that read,

Employees Only

Laborers within are

Beyond Economical Value

    They could hear severe hacking, and or coughing coming from behind it.

    Acula - “They are behind that door. I can now sense a strong aroma of female fear.”

    Jed takes a deep breath then looks from Acula to Mr. Drake. “May we see what lies beyond that door?”

      Mr. Drake - “I have three inside that will be put down Thursday. There’s really nothing to look at. In fact, I’m going to loose money on them, but I knew that when I allowed them to be exchanged. C & S Mines is such a good customer, that sometimes I take a loss just to get more of their business. I practice good customer service you know.”

    “If, however, you really want to look at marred laborers, I’ll be more than happy to oblige. After all, my customers come first.”

    Through the door, Mr. Drake leads them. This is a dark and dank section of the Emporium; it reeks of sickness and death.

    As they walk, they come to the stall holding the coughing woman. She is of medium ebony in skin color, and scantly clothed. She sits on the hay shivering from the coldness, while her body spasms from the coughing. Small droplets of blood pool together in her hand after each coughing fit. A placard hangs on the barred door, it reads - Beyond Economical Health, to be destroyed. No food or water allowed.

    Mr. Drake - “She had been with C & S Mines all of her life, until she developed the black lung disease. They traded her and another, in earlier this week. I will loose money on the two, but the university will pay me a small corpse fee for the bodies, after they are put down. My aim is to always be customer friendly.”

    Jed is speechless and sick to his stomach, as he listens to Drake and watches the poor woman.

    Acula - “Tell us about her.”

    Mr. Drake - “Her name is Kiah, she is thirty-eight years old, she is 5’ 10” tall, and she was a good worker until she got the sickness. You can see from working in the mines that she had developed good muscle tone too. It’s just a shame that there is no cure for that dreaded black lung.”

    Jed - “You don’t feed, or give water to the ones in this section?”

    Mr. Drake - “For economical reasons, it would be just throwing money away. These laborers will all be put down soon, and to feed them would be bad business.”

    Jed - “Mr. Drake, will you excuse Acula and myself for a moment while I discuss a small matter with her?”

    Mr. Drake - “No problem, no problem at all.”

    Jed looks up at Acula, who now has her arms crossed, as she leers at him.

    Jed - “Can she be cured?”

    Acula - “Uh-huh.”

    Jed - “I want to buy her.”

    Acula - “My, my, haven’t you moved up now; from fearful of surface survival to wanting to be a slave owner. I’m trying to keep your ass safe, and out of the elements, in some degree of comfort. AND YOU want to become a slave owner. This would complicate things as for as our stay here on this world.”

    Mona on open comm - “Jed has my vote. After all, this is what we do. When we’re not engaging the enemy with our hit-and-run tactics, we are doing search-&- rescue missions. This is no different.”

    Mona on secure link to Jed - “Your I.C.L. chip does have a malfunction. Your privacy mode has never worked. Acula has heard every thought that you have had since disembarking. I can’t repair it; it will have to be replaced back at fleet headquarters. Mona out.”

    Acula now with a scowl, and hands on her hips in a defiant stance looks at Jed.

    Acula - “Two against one, huh. It’s a shame though that I’m ranking officer while we’re surface side. My vote is the only one that counts.”

    Jed for a different reason has turned pale white and then takes a deep breath. He is lost in thought, as he thinks about his malfunctioning embedded chip, and wonders what a court marshal would be like. Would it be CSA, Union, or do the Orion’s have their own set of rules for governing lewd thoughts against one of their own.   

    Acula‘s mood changes as she looks at Jed, gently, she grabs him by the shoulders, and softly shakes. “Pay attention Jed. I know about the malfunction, rest easy, we’ll discuss that later. Right now go rescue her, and when we get back I’ll start treatments.”

    Jed - “Thank you, Ma’am.”

    Jed informed Mr. Drake that Acula was a doctor of chemistry; that she wanted Kiah alive for experimental research. So, with a little haggling over the price, Mr. Drake was a happy man. He furnished Kiah with better clothes, all the food she could eat, and a chance to wash and clean up.

    Acula, stealthily, eases Kiah’s suffering with a little venom to the back of the neck.

    Mr. Drake happily shows Jed, his next human that is marked for death.

    Mr. Drake - “This is Dora, she is forty-four years old, and stands 5’ 8” tall. She is a domestic servant. She can read, write, and do some math, as well as cook and do household chores. She was traded in because her owners divorced and she wasn’t needed anymore. She has been in servitude since she was nine with the same family. Because of her age, no one wants her. I have marked her down twenty-percent, three different times, and still she won’t sell. Therefore, I finally deemed it necessary to take a loss, so I marked her down as beyond economical age. You can have her at the same price as Kiah.”

    Jed and Mr. Drake made the same deal, as before. Dora received fresh clothes, water, all the ham-and-cheese sandwiches that she could eat, and a chance to clean up.

    Acula easily removed Dora’s red collar, as the two men continued to the last victim.

    Acula - “Dora, after you have eaten, and cleaned up, please stay with Kiah, we’ll be back for you soon.”

    Dora - “Yes mistress,” she replies without ever looking at Acula.

    Acula just slowly shakes her head, as she looks down at Dora.

    Acula - “Dora, please look at me.”

    After a lifetime of servitude, she struggles to make eye contact with Acula.

    With a warm smile and soft voice, she informs Dora that her freedom is at hand. “Please call me Acula, and my companions name is Jed. We’ll discuss your freedom later, but please don’t call me mistress.” 

    Dora flashing a huge smile embraces Dr. Acula and repeatedly thanks her.

    Acula gently pries herself away. “I need to catch up with Jed now, but we’ll be back.”



    Mr. Drake now leads Jed to an enclosed stall that has a heavy duty wooden door. The door is propped open by a small stool.

    Mr. Drake - “I’ve lost the key to this door, so we just keep it open. This room is hardly ever used anyway. The most violent used to be kept in here before being terminated. Now a days, violent slaves are usually dealt with by their masters. However, I do have one that was brought in with Kiah. C & S Mines didn’t want to upset the other laborers by killing this one themselves, so I agreed, for a small fee, to have this one put down.

    Jed walks into the room first. What he sees both angers and sickens him down to the core of his being.

    Spread eagled, naked, and shackled to the wall is a young, jet black, woman that is almost as big as Acula. Breathing deeply, anger can be seen permeating through her; her muscles quickly expand and contract, as she constantly tries her metal bonds with no effect. Her wild, course, long black matted hair hangs down to her hips. She looks almost alien, as her dark skin is laced with red slashes made by a horsewhip, or cat-o‘-nine-tales, or both. With a vicious, angry, scowl she stares at Jed in silence.

    Acula walks up and takes in the scene. “Look at those muscles. You can tell that she has been raised in the mines, and treated as a beast-of-burden.”

    Mr. Drake - “You are right Miss. She was born in the mining community. She has known no other home than the mines. Her record indicates that she stands 6’ 6” tall. She is twenty-six years old. She has no name; C & S Mines has no use for names, they simply gave her a number - 4228. Although, her taskmaster gave her the nick-name of horse. Her record states further that as she grew, she became more violent, defying authority. The more aggressive she became, the more she was beaten and whipped, and the harder her work load became. She was recently deemed mentally ill, and an economical loss. She almost beat to death her task master, before being subdued by several strong men. In-fact it took five of the mines strongest men to bring her here and shackle her to the wall. She bit off the middle and forefinger from Seth Brown's right hand. She also sent Toby Smith to the hospital with a broken arm and a concussion. It was really quite a sight to behold as she fought back.”

    Jed - “How much for her?”

    Mr. Drake scratches his head, “Anything at all is a profit on her, and I would be happy just to be free of her. It is said that she never speaks; that when she is whipped and beaten, that she makes no sound either. I’ll take half of what I sold Kiah for.”

    Jed - “It’s a deal.”

    “If you think that you can handle her, then she’s all yours. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you and Dr. Acula.” Mr. Drake then hands over the key for the shackles to Jed.

    Jed - “You’re gonna release her aren’t you?”

    Mr. Drake - “No, no, no, she’s yours. Besides she is pissed, and I enjoy having unbroken bones, ribs and an unfractured skull.”

    Jed looks at Acula, and hands her the key.

    Acula stands with hands behind her back, and a smile. “This is your dog-and-pony show. You will have to release her, my dear captain.”

    Jed on I.C.L. - “You see how big and strong she is. She is also pissed and mad enough to eat nails. I happen to be the color that she hates more than anything else in the world right now. If anything happens to me, if my life sign ceases, you know that the Mongoose will start a self-destruct sequence. You won‘t be able to return, or finish your mission.”

    Acula on I.C.L. - “I won’t let her do anything to you, not much anyway. I’ll be right outside this open door. Now go on in and release the poor girl. I’m sure that she is just posturing anyway.”

    Jed - “Mr. Drake, can you bring me four more of those ham-and-cheese sandwiches that you gave to Dora and Kiah, along with two, large, glasses of milk. If she hasn’t eaten, or drank anything since she’s been here, she’s probably starving and thirsty. Besides a good food offering can’t go wrong, it would be a good gesture. Also, she will need clothes.”

    Mr. Drake agrees, then leaves and quickly returns with the food, drinks and clothes.

    Mr. Drake - “Now then, while you’re removing her shackles, I will go and process the paper work. It will take me about thirty minutes to finish all of the transactions. I will send my secretary to escort you to accounting. I will meet you there. May I ask what method of payment will you use?”

    Acula - “Gold coinage. It’s getting to be a nuisance to carry around. I should have exchanged it for paper currency when we were at the bank. I brought way more than we needed for this little outing.”

    Mr. Drake’s eyes almost popped out of his head at hearing that. “I think that you two may very well be my new favorite customers.” 



    Jed enters the room, as Acula stands in the doorway with her arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe.

    Jed looks at Acula one last time, then takes the clothes, sandwiches and drinks, and positions them on the floor where the, Amazon, slave can see them.

    She, the slave, continuously watches Jed with a deep scowl, and angry unblinking eyes, only looking at Acula on occasion. Not a word did she speak, or groan did she make, as she unceasingly applies her strength against her bonds.

    Jed approaches her, now at chest level; he locks eyes with her and holds the key up where she can see it.

    Jed - “My name is Jed Smith, and my companion over there is Dr. Acula. We are going to release you. The food and clothes there are yours. You can eat, cleanup, and be free to do whatever you wish, you will no longer be owned or bound.”

    Jed - “All that I ask is please don’t spit, bite, kick, or punch me as I am unlocking the shackles. Ok.”

    Not a sound did she utter, not a nodding of the head, not a single gesture of understanding, or compliance did she make. She just kept her angry piercing stare locked on Jed.

    Jed using I.C.L. - “Mona what’s the status of the transporter?”           

    Mona on open comm - “I need at least two more hours. Jed be careful, she may be nothing more than a wild animal.”

    Jed - “Thanks for your concern. Jed out.”

    He takes a deep breath, then proceeds to unshackle the naked, Amazon, slave girl.

    He unlocks the right ankle first, and then pauses a few seconds to see what she does. She stretches a little, but does nothing violent.

    He unlocks the left ankle. Now with her legs free he waits for an aggressive move, but other than stretching, she stays docile. 

    He is in such close proximity to her that caution and fear flow through him like an overflowing, rushing river, causing profuse sweating and an unsteady hand.

    Next, he unlocked her waist, then quickly her throat clasp.

    He backed away for a moment to catch his breath and to wipe away sweat. He had had to lean against her to unlock her throat shackle. It was like leaning against a rock he thought to himself. Still, he had two arms to unlock, and then she would be loose.

    He needed the stool at the door to climb upon.

    Acula smiled at him as he retrieved the stool.

    Jed - “You could do this without standing on anything.”

    Acula - “Yes I could, but this is your project. I don’t want to deprive you of any fun.”

    Jed - “Would it do any good to beg you?”

    Acula - “Hmm, I think not. Besides, it would be so unbecoming of you, an officer in the C.S.A. and captain of a ship of the line. Anyway, she could have already crushed you with her legs if she wanted to. So, carry on, my good captain.”

    Jed - “Yes ma’am.”

    She, the slave, takes in the conversation between Jed and Acula. This was her first time ever seeing a dark skin female, or male for that matter equal with, or controlling a situation.

    Jed places the stool and looks up at her. “Please be tolerant, as I undo your wrists.”

    Still with the scowl, she makes no sound, or any movement confirming the request.

    He carefully climbs on the stool and unlocks her right wrist.

    He watches cautiously, as she flexes and relaxes her hugely muscled arm. Still she shows no inclination of attack.

    He positions the stool under her left wrist. Again, he carefully climbs up.

    Mr. Drake’s secretary approaches Acula and asks if she would look over some documents and initial in several places.

    Acula steps away from the doorway, but not too far. She looks over several of the transactions and starts to initial in the places marked.

    With a loud THUD, something hit’s the door from inside, slamming it shut, or almost that is.

    Acula reacts with inhuman speed as she prevents the door from closing and locking.

    She witnesses the slave holding Jed up by the back of his shirt then slowly lower him to the floor. There was no sign of the stool anywhere.       

    Acula - “Mind telling me what is going on?”

    The, Amazonian, slave girl gently releases Jed, and proceeds to the milk and sandwiches. As she sits on the floor, she watches and listens as once again the dark, indigo, skinned female takes charge and control of the white male.

    Jed was pale as a ghost as he approached Acula.

    Acula - “Are you Ok?”

    Jed squeaks and stutters as he looks up at her. Even his I.C.L. was only transmitting gibberish.

    Acula quickly remedies the problem with a quick injection of venom in his neck vein. “You know, I think that I have used more venom on you than on any enemy. Anyway now tell me what happened.”

    Mona on open link - “Yes, my heroic captain, please tell both of us what just happened. I was greatly concerned when your vital signs reached a critical high.” 

    Jed’s color comes back, as his heart rate lowers. He takes a deep breath, “As I was unlocking her left wrist, one of the legs on the stool cracked and broke. She quickly grabbed me and kept me from falling. I didn’t know that she was only helping me. I thought that she had something more deadly in mind. So, I kind of panicked and started to struggle and accidentally kicked the stool against the door. She is strong enough that my thrashing about didn’t bother her at all, which made me panic even more. I’m pretty sure that I soiled my underwear too.”

    Mona on open link - “Too much info, I am glad that you are Ok. Mona out.”

    Acula adjusts Jed's vest and straightens his collar. “So, my brave captain, go find a place to clean up while I try talking to this young woman.”

    The slave girl, as she eats, watches Acula approach and squat down.

    Acula - “Now my dear, you are free. Your papers will be given to you before we leave. And if you are smart, you’ll ride with us out of town some distance, then you can do as you wish. So, if you will, finish eating, dress, and cleanup, then meet us at the front door. However, the choice is entirely yours.” 

    With no response, the girl, as she continues to eat, simply watches Acula with a somber expression.



    Jed, dozily, cleans up and meets up with Acula.

    Acula can quickly tell that she gave the good captain a tad too much venom.

    He, drunkenly, clings on to her, as she finishes up the paperwork, and then pays Mr. Drake. He listens as Dora explains that she has no place to go, and wants to go to the cabin. He feels himself being picked up by Acula, and carried to the wagon. She lays him down in the back, and places a large bag of cornmeal under his head. He, sleepily, observes her, as she places Kiah on the other side of the wagon, and then places a large bag of flour under her head. He watches, as the, Amazon, slave girl lowers the wagon’s tail gate and climbs on, sitting with her feet dangling off. He slowly fades off into sleep. His last thoughts were of the rocking chair, and if it would fit in the Mongoose’s bridge, as his command chair.   

    Halfway back, the slave girl slides off the wagon. She watches as the wagon continues its journey until it‘s out of sight. She then takes a look around, ready to experience her new freedom.

    Twilight approaches as they arrive at the cabin. Jed, with help from Acula, climbs out of the wagon. He staggers up stairs to his bedroom, and changes for bed. He puts on his dark blue pajamas, turns on his nightlight, and then climbs into the large feather bed. With the heat of the evening, he discards the covers, stretches out, and falls asleep.

    By late evening, Acula has everyone settled in. She and Dora unload, and then store supplies. She administers Kiah’s first round of treatments. She then walks outside and vanishes into the night.

    Around midnight Mona tracks a lone life sign that enters the perimeter. She recognizes the readings, and allows the target to continue. She watches as the life form goes into the barn and remains.

*    *    *

.

   

    Mr. Bailey sits at his large expensive mahogany desk, in his locked exquisite lavish office, inside his hugely elaborate mansion. He has bodyguards at every door. His servants scurry around the house doing the bidding of his wife, as he looks over a very secretive document. He pours himself a glass of expensive brandy, and then leans back into his plush chair.

    Acula - “You look all comfy and relaxed; not like I remember you from earlier today.”

    Startled, he sits straight up, spilling the high-priced liquor all over his pricey clothes. He swivels around and fearfully stares wide-eyed at Acula.

    Mr. Bailey - “I…I wasn't sure when, or where to expect you.”

    Acula absolutely loved playing the Vampire/Chupacabra role. With the Mongoose’s advanced pin-point accurate transporter and location sensors, there was no place safe from her. Also, with her feeding habits, and inhuman abilities, there was no one safe from her. Being a vampiric entity out of folklore suited her right down to the ground. She was going to stay in character and make the most of it, while she remained on this world. Causing overwhelming fear in her victims was exhilarating and a nice bonus.

    She slowly walks up to the banker and gazes at the bottle of brandy.

    Acula - “May I have a glass?”

    Mr. Bailey - “Sure…yes, be my guest. I wouldn’t have thought that you indulge in anything except bbb…lood.”

    “Your knowledge of vampires needs to be updated. I, in-fact, enjoy many of the different types of liquors.” Acula takes a long swig, and swirls it around inside her mouth before swallowing. “This is indeed quite excellent, I salute your choice. I look forward to coming back and trying other tasty beverages.” She said with a wink and a smile.

    Acula - “But now, we need to get down to business. I have other affairs to attend to tonight.”                               

    Mr. Bailey hands over the document that he had previously been studying.

    Acula studies it, as she sips on the brandy.

    Acula - “These departure times never change, do they? And you are sure about the number, and placement of guards? I don’t think that you want me coming back here because you gave me bad information; do you?”

    Mr. Bailey - “I…I…promise on my life that everything is correct.”

    Acula hands the document back, and finishes the brandy. She walks behind the banker and puts her hands on his shoulders. She begins massaging his shoulder and neck muscles.

    Mr. Bailey not sure how to act, is caught between ecstasy, and absolute fear. He has no idea what this attractive, inhuman monster, a spawn of evil, had in store for him.

    Acula In a soft sensual voice - “As business partners, we should be on a first name basis. Don’t you agree, Mr. Bailey? You can call me Acula. And what is your name.

    Mr. Bailey takes a deep breath and then coughs. “You…you…can call me Thomas or Tom.”

    Acula ends her massage and then spins the chair around so that he faces her.

    Acula - “Now then Tom, I really must be going. I am leaving on a good note, I think. I will return at my choosing, either with my promised reward, or for dinner. I give you this warning though; do not foreclose, or call in any markers on anyone. And you should know this already that staying on my good side is good for your health. Do you understand, Tom?”

    Mr. Bailey - “Y…yes ma’am, I understand and I will comply.”

    She then walks to the middle of the room, does a small curtsy, and then vanishes into thin air.

    Wide eyed, and trembling at her vanishing, Tom grabs the bottle of brandy and starts taking long swigs. 

    With no foreclosures, or called in markers, he knew that he would soon be facing the higher powers that be. His supply of slaves would dry up, and he would have to suffer the consequences. The alternative would be to enrage the vampire, Acula, which is something he definitely wasn't going to do.

                           

    Even though Jed was lightly drugged, and half a sleep, the hot, muggy, night caused him to toss and turn. A couple of hours before sunrise he rolls up against a large, hard, cool mass. He places his right arm atop the object, and snuggles up as close as he can get. The coolness is a welcome relief. The fragrance being emitted is both pleasurable and familiar. His hand rests on a large, cool, soft mound with a hard pointed tip on top. He then drifts off to a dreamless sleep.

    Jed abruptly wakens as his large cool object starts to move, then slowly rolls over. He is suddenly face to face with Acula. As she smiles, he realizes that she is nude. He also fearfully realizes what his hand was holding.

    In absolute terror, he jumps out of bed. “You……my……bed…….why?……I…… I’m...…sorry…… Please……forgive……me.” On-and-on he went, stuttering, as he continued apologizing, and staring at her naked body lying on his bed.

    Acula props her head up with her arm, and yawns. “If you are finished with the foreplay then we can continue hardcore. Or, we can simply go back to sleep. I prefer to sleep, but I’ll leave the choice to you.” With a smile and another long yawn, she winks at Jed.

    Wild eyed and trembling Jed continues to apologize, as he seems to be frozen in place.

    Acula - “I forgive you already, now give it a rest and go back to sleep.”

    Jed - “In...…the…...same…...bed…… I…...can’t...…we...…can’t.”

    Acula - “I promise to keep my hands to myself. You can do whatever you wish though, it won’t bother me.”

    Jed squeaks and garbles out gibberish, as he backs away from Acula, and the bed.

    Acula is baffled. She can’t understand why he is all of a sudden fearful of her. Albeit she is Orion, he became use to that, she thought. She rose out of bed in all of her naked glory, and slowly approached him. But the closer she walked, the more he backed away.         

    Mona on secure link to Acula - “He is girl shy. What, with you being naked, in his bed, and him unknowingly fondling you, I’m surprised he hasn’t had a stroke yet.”

    Acula on secure link to Mona - “Thanks, now I know what his problem is.”

    She immediately puts on her clothes, all the while keeping an eye on Jed. She senses relief in his fear emission. She locks friendly eyes with his.

    Acula - “I sleep in the nude when I’m not on duty. With you, I’ll make an exception. Also, this is part of what I warned you about. Bringing Dora and Kiah home has complicated our stay here. Kiah now has my room, and Dora has the last available bedroom. We are now roommates, you’re just gonna have to get use to it. I’m going back to bed, you can do as you wish.”

    Jed dons his fatigues and goes down stairs. The sun has already made itself known by casting its first rays across the horizon. He greets Dora and Kiah who are already up for some reason. He then proceeds to the front porch and the rocking chair. As he fades off to sleep, he smells a wonderful aroma of food being cooked.

    He wakes to a hand on his shoulder and a sweet voice in his ear.

    Dora - “Mr. Smith breakfast is ready.”

    Jed - “Please call me Jed. And with that delightful aroma, I can’t wait to eat.”

    Dora - “I’ll eat last. I need to go feed the horses and the chickens.”

    Jed - “Chickens? I didn’t know that we had chickens. Anyway, around here the cook eats first. The horses and chickens can just wait. Remember Dora, you have left behind servitude. The only rules around here are those of morality and self-honor.”

    He takes her by the arm and escorts her to the breakfast table. He then rounds up Kiah and leads her in.

    Jed - “A new rule I purpose; we all eat together. Now then, dig-in. Eat all that you want, don’t save any last morsels for me. It is first come, first eats, and to the victor goes the last crumb.”

    Kiah - “What about Acula?”

    Jed - “She will never join us. She likes going out to f… to eat. She is also on a liquid diet and prefers her meals to be extremely fresh and warm.”

    They all ate their fill, with plenty of leftovers for later snacks. They all helped in the cleanup and then went their separate ways.

    Kiah’s first treatment had really done wonders for her. She bounded out the door, as frisky as any teenager, saying that she was going to check the pasture fence for any breaks.

    Dora went out to feed the horses and chickens and check for fresh eggs.

    Jed went exploring with his service sidearm holstered, and a backpack full of breakfast leftovers, taffy, and bottled water. Mona watched from above like a guardian angel, ready to intervene at a moments notice.

    Acula, being satiated to the bursting point from the night, slept in.



    Mona on secure link - “I have a target two hundred meters southwest of your position. My sensors indicate that the readings are of the slave girl. I picked up her life sign last night as well. She has been in the barn until a few minutes ago.”

    Jed - “She just woke, I guess. I’ll go check her out. Watch my back. Jed out.”

    Mona on secure link - “I always do. I’ll keep the transporter warm; just incase you need a quick extraction. Mona out.”

    Jed walked along the side of the river to the coordinates given. Along the way, he would collect certain small, smooth, river stones that caught his eye.

    As he approached his destination, he became more cautious. However, not being very stealthy, she was aware of him, before he ever saw her. He saw that she was collecting and eating certain fruits for her breakfast.

    He slowly moved toward her. With a smile and hands behind his back, he walked within twenty feet of her. At this distance, she quickly put her hands on her hips and cocked her head. She showed no expression, as she locked eyes with his.

    Jed stopped as soon as her posture went into a defiant mode.

    Jed - “Close enough you say, very well then. I think that the blue denim pants and red blouse becomes you quite nicely.”

    He goes on making small talk for about fifteen more minutes. He asks several non-intrusive questions, but gets no response whatsoever. He finally comes up with a plan. Close by he sees two hickory stumps that are within ten feet of each other. The first stump, the largest, is about twenty inches in diameter. The second is about eight inches in diameter.

    As she watches, he goes to the large stump and places his bag of left over breakfast on top. He then takes a palm-size, smooth, white river rock out of his bag and holds it up for her to see.

    Jed - “The food is yours if you want it. I know that you’re not going to speak to me. However, if you will, if you want too, place this rock on the small stump for no. For yes, place it on the large stump. Now then, the question is; would you like me to bring out breakfast for you tomorrow at about this same time? There will be no obligation, or strings attached. I would do this for friendship.”

    Jed then takes the stone and places it in between the two stumps. With a last look at her, he smiles, closes his backpack and heads back to the cabin.

    The day is hectic and goes by quickly. Eldon brings the plumbing supplies and then receives his instructions from Acula. Kiah stays busy mending the fence. Dora spends her time cleaning and cooking. Jed plans the plumbing and instructs Mona on what he needs from the Mongoose.

    At sunset he goes back to the two stumps. The food is gone, and the stone is now on the large stump next to the empty container. He smiles, as he collects the items. Before he leaves though, he places a handful of taffy on the large stump.

    Back at the cabin, he walks in as Acula is handing out new clothes to Dora and Kiah. They both repeatedly thank her, and then ecstatically hurry off to try on the new wardrobes.

    Jed - “What’s up?”

    Acula - “Before I came home this morning, I went shopping. I brought back clothes for everyone.”

    She then tosses a large bag stuffed with a variety of garments to Jed.

    Jed looks inside, “I really don’t look good in a dress.”

    Acula smiles, “There for the girl, your new hobby. You really need to give her a name, you know.”

    Jed - “I’m working on that, among other things, with her. So, you robbed a clothing store. The owner could be put in dire straights by loosing inventory.”

    Acula - “I make sure that the people that I inflict retribution on are of upper class status. Rest assured, the owner is wealthy, and this business is on the west coast. While I was doing recon, this place caught my attention.”

    Jed - “You were doing recon on the west coast? How does that help us here?”

    Acula - “I have a plan that I’m working on. But as for now, I’m keeping it to myself. So, please don’t ask me any further question.”

    Jed - “I know. I ask you no questions and you’ll tell me no lies.”

    Acula - “That’s right. Now then, follow me upstairs and give me your opinion, as I try on different garments.”

    Jed sat on the bed, as she donned different wardrobes. He approved each one with sincerity. He then got to pick out her sleeping attire, something that he could be comfortable with.

    Acula - “Alright, I’ll wear this for bed, as long as you are at ease with it; even though I look like someone’s grandmother. But, if it makes you relaxed, then so be it. I have only one more outfit for you to see. Close your eyes until I say that you can look.”

    Acula takes a little longer to change this time. She slowly dons her new attire of the night; making sure that everything is properly in place. This she would wear in place of her black-ops fatigues from now on. She then walks in front of Jed. 

    Acula - “You can open your eyes now.”

    She watches his expression at his initial gaze of her. His eyes open wide, as he catches his breath. He also starts emitting a small amount of fear. She smiles, as her test was a complete success.

    She is wearing a sleeveless, low cut, black velvet dress that perfectly hugs her body all the way to the ground. The dress has a slit on the right side that goes up past her knee. A dark purple cape with a high collar is laced around her neck with a blood red satin bow; the cape drapes down to her waist. The low cut front adds allure and seduction for unsuspecting males.   

    Jed - “Y…you look like a real vampire straight from the old holographic videos. I don’t like it; it is too realistic, especially for one with your abilities and appetite.”

    He checks her out, as she slowly turns around for him. “I don’t like it at all!”

    Acula smiling - “This will probably be the only time that you ever see me wearing this. This is my new fatigues for recon and black-ops.”

    Jed - “I see, so you’re going full vampire.”

    Acula - “It has its advantages, and as you are well aware of, I’m quite well qualified for the part. Also, with the strong belief in myth and folklore, the persona is expected. Besides, you said that this could be like being on vacation. I will enjoy this, as I provide for our safety and sustenance.” 



    Several days go by. Jed learns from using the rock and stumps that the slave girl can talk if she wants to. He also learns that her favorite food is Dora’s fried chicken and biscuits, his too.

    With the help of Acula, he begins to plumb the cabin. She, by hand, bends the iron pipes as needed to his specifications.

    Dora keeps the cabin immaculate and does the cooking, all the while taking care of all the farm critters.

    Kiah proves to be a good hand with tools, keeping everything mended. She also helps with the plumbing, as Jed needs it.

    Eldon spends everyday with them, as he works on Acula’s project list, beginning with the new bathroom.

    Acula leaves every night at dusk and returns before sunup. Jed asks no questions as to her activities. He is simply happy at having the bed to himself all night.

    Mona stays quiet as to Acula’s travels. She busies herself around the clock with ship repair. She also keeps a vigilant watch over Jed.

 

*    *    *

         

    Jed wakes, as Acula, instantly, materializes in the dawn-filled room. He quickly jumps out of bed and dresses, while she undresses; a folding partition separates them.

    Acula - “If you are staying up then I am going to sleep nude.”

    Jed - “Give me five minutes, then the room will be all yours.”

    Acula yawning - “Affirmative.”

    Jed opens the bedroom door to an overpowering aroma of breakfast. He hurries down stairs, greets everyone, and then fills his plate, several times. After breakfast, he prepares an abundant selection of delectable leftovers for the girl; including a large piece of apple pie from the previous night’s supper.

    A daily morning rendezvous this had become. He would always stop within twenty feet, or so, of her. He would then place the food on the large stump. He would make small talk for about fifteen minutes, with her not responding. He would then ask a yes, or no, question, and place the stone between the two stumps. Later that evening, he would come back for the empty container and her answer. This morning, he was going to try something a little different.

      She was in her usual place waiting. She stood with arms crossed, casually leaning against a tree and showing no emotion. She was wearing a sleeveless, blue and white, checkered dress, one from Acula’s bag of clothes. 

    As always, Jed approached her slowly and with a smile. “Good morning, don’t you look lovely. I think that the clothes Dr. Acula chose, suite you quite well.”

    He stopped at the usual distance from her. However, this time he didn’t set the food container on the large stump.

    Jed - “With your permission, if I may, if I might, I would like to approach you and hand you the food. That is if I have your permission.”

    He didn’t wait for a sign. He knew that she wasn't going to give a yea, or a nay. He slowly walked toward her, all the while making small talk. He watched her expression, her disposition, and her hugely muscled crossed arms as he approached.

    She intently watched him. This time she didn’t go on the defensive. This time she allowed him to approach.

    He stood before her, looking up at her. He didn’t think that she would ever have allowed him to get this close.

    With a quick movement of her right hand, she catches and crushes a large horse fly that was bothering her. She then crosses her arms again.

    Her sudden movement startled him, giving him cause to rethink his closeness to her. He takes a deep breath. “That…that was a good catch. Those things are pesky. You would think that since they are horse flies that they would stay with the horses. Anyway, here is the food.” He hands the container to her, and she actually takes it, to his surprise.

    Jed - “Thank you for allowing me to come close. Now, for my question of the day. I would like to call you by a name, but I understand that you don’t have one. What if, with your permission, I call you Taffy? It’s also the name of that candy that I like, and give to you. Many girls have the nickname of a fruit, or candy. I’ll give you an example; some girls are called Strawberry, Peaches, Candy, Peppermint Patty, Taffy, Cookie, or Ginger. Also, from the liquor group, you have Sherry, and Brandy. I will check on your answer later when I pickup the empty container. And as always, you are more than welcome to join us for meals in the cabin. I have to go and dig a big hole in the ground now. Bye, see you later.”

    Jed then goes looking for a shovel and a mattock. All the bathroom needs now is for a septic tank and a field line to be dug. With Eldon, doing the carpentry, and Jed’s engineering skills, they had put together a bathroom not of this world. Using parts from one of the Mongooses heads, and a large cast iron bathtub from this world, the bathroom was extraordinaire. This was a Lavatory so lavish, so ingenious that no one’s wealth from this world could ever obtain such.

    He proceeds to break ground, thinking that this will take a better part of a week to finish. He wishes that he had some powered digging equipment. He digs most of the morning before taking a break. He decides to go check out her answer. He is so fatigued that just walking to the stumps takes an immense amount of effort. He sees the empty container on the large stump, along with the stone. So, Taffy it is, he thinks to himself and smiles. With sore and aching muscles, he struggles back to the porch and collapses into the rocking chair. Only intending to rest for a bit, sleep overtakes him easily.   

    Kiah gently wakes him up, “Jed, dinner is ready.”

    “Thank you.” He tries to stand, but instantly falls on his hands and knees with a catch in his back. His limbs are so sore that he cannot even crawl, or move. In severe pain, he transmits an open call to Acula for help.

    Kiah - "What's wrong? What can I do to help?"

    Kiah, not knowing what is wrong, or what to do, kneels by Jed, and softly rubs his back. She then, suddenly, hears Acula bounding down the stairs, as if by some magic, knowing that Jed was in distress.

    Acula takes in the scene and kneels by Jed.

    Acula, laughing - “My, my, what do we have here. A new animal of some sort, no, I don’t think so. Are you looking for something on the floor? No, I don’t think that that’s it either. I got it; there must be something in that candy that you and the girl eat. She doesn’t speak, and you can’t move.”

    Jed on open link, and speaking through gritted teeth - “I… beg… you… please…... help…... I’m… dying… here…... I’m… in… some… God… awful… pain…...I’m…paralyzed…...I…can’t…move.

    Dora came out to see what all the commotion was. She kneels next to Kiah, they watch, trying their best not to laugh. They know that he is in great pain. However, the sight of him on all fours, with his right arm raised, like a bird dog pointing was more then they could take.

    Acula still laughing - “Before I once again administer my remedy, May I ask this simple question? Why is your right arm raised? You look like some sort of retriever pointing.”

    Jed - “Back…spasm…...can’t…lower…arm.”

    Acula - “I see. Dora, will you and Kiah go and fix a plate for Jed while I administer some medicine for his pain.”

    She waits for both women to leave before she extends her claw. This was something that they didn’t need to know about.

    Mona on open link - “How is our captain?”

    Acula on open link - “He’s fine, just not use to hard labor. I think that Kiah and I will have to help him with the digging. You know how it is; a woman’s work is never done. Also, I’m going to have to do tests on my venom vs. a human’s physiology. I am constantly using it on him for one reason or another. I need to see how, if any, it’s affecting him.”

    Mona - “I completely agree on the work. Please keep me informed on your tests. Mona out.”

    Acula helps Jed to the dinning table. She had injected him with enough venom to relax all of his muscles, also making him drowsy. There she carefully watches him; if he can eat then he’ll be fine. She knew that the food would eventually absorb the toxin. She was becoming increasingly worried at what after effects her venom might have on him. After a slow start, his appetite then cuts in. “Jed, listen to me, after you eat go upstairs and take it easy for the rest of the day. Kiah and I will handle the digging.”

    Jed sluggishly replies - “Y…e…s……m…a…a…m.”

   

    With Kiah’s physique, strength, and stamina from working in the mines, and Acula being what she was, they finished digging right before sunset. Kiah had to take only two rest breaks. Acula worked without sweating, or fatigue, straight through till the job was done; using a pickaxe and shovel like a humanoid backhoe. By the end of the excavation they both had removed their clothes. Afterwards, they both jumped into the river for a quick swim and bath. They then walked back to the cabin carrying their clothes.

    Acula - “Tomorrow we will set the large tank in the hole and let Jed hook it up. Then all we have to do is cover it up, and we’ll have bathroom facilities unlike anything in this world. Also, tonight is your last treatment. The work that you and Dora are doing around here is not going unnoticed. I will start paying you two, starting tomorrow. I would also like for the two of you to be our buyers, and pick up supplies in town on a regular basis. Dora has already agreed too.”   

    Kiah quickly agrees, and again thanks Acula for saving her life.

    Back at the cabin, as evening unfolds, Dora and Kiah settle down to their nightly game of poker. They played for imaginary money and enjoyed every minute of it.

    Mona on private link to Acula - “Seven targets approaching perimeter from the north west, possible hostiles. I’ll fire a warning salvo in front of them to see if they leave. If they don’t, I will eliminate all perceived threats.”

    Acula on private link to Mona - “Thanks for not including Jed, as you know he’s still in a drug haze. Besides, this he doesn't need to know about anyway. I’ve been waiting for this. Please allow me to handle the intruders.”

    Mona on private link - “Affirmative, I’ll watch your back.”   

    Upstairs, Jed sleepily watches Acula as she dons her normal black-ops fatigues. With a yawn, he observes her as she buckles on her weapons belt. Then through blurry eyes he sees her vanish.

    She teleports about twenty meters behind the raiding party. Her night vision equaled her day sight, as she looked around she smiled. This was the first night without any moonlight. She had guessed that a raid would occur. She locates their horses and tags each one for Mona to transport back to Kiah’s newly mended pasture.

    She watches as the raiders, her prey, crept with great stealth through the woods and brush toward the cabin. They didn’t know that they themselves were being tracked by one of the greatest and deadliest predators ever to live. She owned the night, this was her realm. This was what her kind was created and trained for. This is what she enjoyed, bringing death and destruction to the enemy.

    They were excellent at being stealthy, but she was more so. She was also famished from digging all day. Dinner and a show, she thought to herself, still smiling.

    Mona on private link - “All horses transported. My A-P (anti-personnel) batteries are weapons hot if needed. Also, happy hunting and dinning.”

    Acula on private link - “Thanks.”

    With great ease and speed, she engaged the first target from behind. A quick hand over the mouth stopped him from screaming. She wrapped her other arm around his chest, crushing it. She then sank her fangs into his neck.

    There was nothing that the strong and muscular warrior could do to dislodge his attacker. The air was instantly forced out of his lungs, as he felt his chest caving in. Within minutes, he lay dead on the ground.

    It’s now time for dessert, she thought to herself. With the same tactic, she consumed her second victim.

    Now being completely satiated, she hunted just for the kill. She crept upon each, quickly covered their mouth with her right hand, then simply crushed their throat, while wringing their neck with her left hand. In less than thirty minutes, she had eliminated the threat, and had dinner.

    She stacked the bodies by two, crisscrossing them with one on top, and tagged them for transport. How cute they looked with their war paint, she thought.

    Acula on private link - “Mona, if you would, please transport me and my trophies to the center of their camp.” 

    Mona on private link - “Affirmative. Sounds like you’re going out on the town tonight. My scans show that they are having a good ole time there now. They seem to be dancing and singing around a big bonfire.”   

    Acula on private link - “You know what I need; a girls’ night out. I could use some fun and recreation. These warriors didn’t provide me with much. I look forward to a little dancing, a little singing, some killing and destruction.” 



    Into the middle of the tribe’s camp, she and the dead bodies materialized. Pandemonium immediately broke out. Women and children ran while warriors grabbed weapons. Acula just stood basking in the aroma of fear. Too bad, she thought; she had already had dinner, because the scent was overwhelmingly delightful.

    She located the chief’s large tepee, and then started walking toward it. She saw the old leader in all of his glory. He was wearing brightly colored clothing, and a headdress full of feathers. He had around him dozens of well-armed warriors.

    All was quiet now, all watched her, no one made a sound, no one moved. With a smile, and hands behind her back, she continued.

    Acula - “If you understand me, then I believe that those dead bodies belong to you. You can have them back; two of them made for a delicious feast though. If you do understand me, then we need to have a little discussion on the proper way to meet and greet new neighbors. Although I did enjoy the entertainment, and really enjoyed the house warming food; it would be better for you not to try it again.”

    Offering no reply, the chief ordered four of his strongest warriors to attack this large shaman woman. Showing some reluctance, they charged Acula. With spears in hand, and screaming their battle cry, they attacked. Almost immediately all four fell dead.

    Using her strength and inhuman quickness, she launched four throwing stars simultaneously. Each projectile found its target, penetrating their chest and embedding themselves into their hearts.

    Acula - “I’ll be wanting those back. You see a good shuriken (throwing star) is hard to come by around here.”

    Without the chiefs orders a young brave attacks with only his knife.

    She now intended to prove a point. With fangs and claws fully exposed, she engaged the young warrior. She easily grabbed his knife-wielding arm and squeezed, crushing his forearm. She smiled, as his screaming was horrific. She then sank her fangs into his neck, ripping open the artery. She fed only enough to make her point; after all, she was sated to the point of bursting. With him still screaming and convulsing, she takes her right clawed hand and then rips him open from groin to throat, gutting him. Afterwards she tosses the corpse some twenty feet toward the chief. In less then five minutes, bare handed, she had completely destroyed a strong, well-trained, proud warrior and also had a quick snack.

    They all backed away from her now, as she approached.

Acula still baring fangs and claws - “This has been fun, but either we talk, or I will destroy your entire camp. The choice is yours. The pleasure will be mine. Oh, I forgot to mention this earlier. I am Chupacabra.”

    With great fear, the chief was now more than willing to speak with this dark skinned, female, evil spirit of the night. He, and all of the leaders of the tribe and their shaman had a powwow with Acula. It took no time at all for them to concede to everything that she wanted. After the meeting, she stands, walks to the center of the circle of leaders, and vanishes.

    In terror all watched, as she just disappeared. All were horrified at her magic and killing capabilities. All agree not to ever cross her, the Chupacabra, again. Her property from henceforth would be considered a land of evil spirits. No one would ever be allowed to encroach upon it again.

*    *    *

                   

    Acula was still feeling feisty, as she transported to her next objective of the night.

    Mona on private link - “I have a medical distress call from Jed. Can you handle? I am currently emitting high levels of radiation. It would take me at least forty-five minutes to cleanse myself for human exposure.”

    Acula on private link - “Affirmative! Transport now.”

    As she materializes in the bedroom, she sees Jed laying face down, moaning, and crossways in the bed. His pajama bottoms were only half on, and they were on backwards. He had thrown up in the bed, and was sweating profusely. She rushes to his side.

    Acula on private link - “What’s his vitals, and what happened?”

    Mona on private link - “Blood pressure high, however, other readings are abnormally low. On my last com with him, he indicated that he was going to take something for pain from the med-kit.         

    Acula quickly eases his suffering, but only so much so. She wants him awake and reactive. She takes a blood sample, and runs tests. She then examines the med-kit. After her conclusion, she instructs Mona on what she needs from the infirmary.

    Acula on private link - “The med-kit is not radiation proof. All of the contents were contaminated while onboard. He has unknowingly poisoned himself. His blood work indicates that it has been tainted.” 

    Mona on private link - “Understood. How critical is he? What’s you recommendation?”

    Acula on private link - “His situation is serious, but completely curable. I shall administer a twofold treatment. First, I will give him an oral elixir, for nausea and pain. Secondly, I will do a low volume blood transfusion. This will help his blood cells renew themselves.”

    Acula - “Jed, you are going to be fine. I have two treatments for you. In a couple of days you should be back to normal.”

    She immediately constructed her liquid remedy. She then, gently, rolled him over onto his back. She, tenderly, raised him up, and held the medicine up to his mouth as he drank. She sat on the bed next to him, holding him, as the tonic worked its magic. All the while, she spoke soothingly to him, as if he was a child, or her own young.

    Acula, one of the Orion projects ultimate predators, a humanoid killing machine, the perfect hunter/killer. A creature that is so feared among the stars, that mere sight of one, by friend or foe, causes severe panic. She, being the new Chupacabra/vampire of this world and the terror of the night, now was a physician, caregiver and maid.

    She turns Jed’s pajama bottoms around, puts his feet into the booties, helps him stand, and pull them up. She next straightens up his pajama top, buttoning it up correctly; he was two buttons off. She then helps him to a chair. Her next duty was to remove the soiled bed covers and remake the bed.

    Acula, as she works on the bed - “Just curious, but why does your pajamas have booties?”

    Jed - “My mother made them for me, because I had complained that Mona’s decks are cold to my feet whenever I had to get out of bed.”

    Acula - “I see. So, let me get this straight. You sleep in pajamas with booties, like a young boy. You always drink hot chocolate, with added marsh mellows, before you go to bed. You sleep with a nightlight. You are always very careful and conservative. I’m surprised that you don’t have women after you all the time.”

    Mona on open link - “When on board, he always eats a manly breakfast of either fruit loops, or cocoa puffs cereal.”

    Jed on I.C.L., and vocally - “You two would tease and torture a dying person.”

    Mona laughing on open link - “Just stating the facts, my macho captain. Mona out.”

    Acula on I.C.L., and vocally - “You are not dying, you will be fine. I do have one more treatment tonight for you, though. And, as for torture, well, any form of torture just makes me warm and fuzzy all over.”

    Jed - “What’s my next treatment? The potion I just drank is working great.”

    Acula - “Why, thank you for that compliment. However, the next thing that I need to do, you are not going to be too happy with.”

    Jed - “What’s that?”

    Acula - “I need to take about a pint of your tainted blood. Your body will quickly begin its healing process by replacing what I take. I also have an intravenous solution that will immediately start rebuilding damaged blood cells.”

    Jed, softly, with a little fear in his voice asks - “How? Mona is not equipped with a full lab, or infirmary. I know for a fact that she has nothing like what you need. And this world certainly doesn’t have anything as medically sophisticated, as is needed.”

    Acula - “All I need is your trust and cooperation. I can extract the blood easily. Now then do you trust me?”

    He knew now what she had in mind and what she intended to do. His thoughts went back to the dead marines. He vividly remembered the way that their neck arteries were viciously ripped open so that she could drink her fill.”

    Jed very nervously and softly asks - “Have you had supper tonight?”

    Acula smiling, knowing his meaning, played coy. “Thank you for asking, but what does that have to do with anything. Do you trust me? I really need to begin this treatment before you relapse. The medicine that you drank only helps so much. You know how I intend to do it. I promise that you will not feel any pain. Now then, I want your permission and cooperation. However, I am more than willing to do it the hard way, if you don’t cooperate. So, what say you, my dear?”

    Jed takes a deep breath and with fearful eyes looks at Dr. Acula. “I…I…trust…you. I… will…cooperate.”

    Acula - “Good.”

    I am going down stairs I will be back shortly. She silently makes her way to the kitchen, not wanting to wake up anyone. She quickly fills a plate with some of Dora’s homemade oatmeal cookies. She then mixes up one of Jed’s flavored drinks that he likes. She carefully goes back up to the bedroom.

    Acula with a smile - “When I am finished with your treatment I want you to eat these cookies and drink this entire beverage; I think that it is grape flavored. This is an order, do you understand?”

    Jed with a hint of a smile - “Yes ma’am.”

    She then put on her nightclothes and crawled into bed. Next, she instructed Jed on how she wanted him to lay.

    He lay with his back against her, his head resting on her right arm, while her left hand gently positioned and held his head.

    Acula - “I am about to start, rest easy.”

    He felt her lick his neck. He then felt nothing, except that she was now slowly kissing him on the neck. He could feel her venom, as it coursed its way through his body. He was beginning to feel giddy. He was absolutely entranced with her right now. This was titillating to the point that it made him tingly all over. While enjoying this treatment, he became enamored with her right hand. He had always wanted to examine her hands, fingers and claws. He held it, touching the fingers and her thumb. Cautiously, and gently he started to manipulate each finger.

    Jed, intoxicated, on I.C.L. - “Can I see your claws? Will you extend them?”

    Acula on I.C.L. - “No, there not toys for you to play with.”

    Jed on I.C.L. - “Please, please, please, please…”

    Acula on I.C.L. - “Alright already, if it keeps you quiet and still.”

    Jed enthusiastically continued his examination, as she continued her treatment.

    After the last mouthful, and a loud belch, she licks his neck to seal the puncture wounds. I have really stuffed myself tonight, she thinks to herself, then burps again. 

    Acula - “I’m finished with the first part, now its time for the IV injection. I also need my hand back now, if you don’t mind.”

    With only a small protest, he releases her hand. In his weakened condition, Acula helps him sit up, and then administers his injection. She sits next to him, as he eats and drinks.

    Acula in a soft voice - “Let’s hold the plate under your mouth. The cookie crumbs are getting on you pajamas, and we don’t want crumbs in the bed, now do we.”

    Jed with a mouthful of oatmeal cookie - “No ma’am.” 

    After he finished, she cleans his mouth and then wipes the crumbs off his clothes.

    Acula - “Ready for bed now?”

    Jed with a big yawn - “Yes ma’am. Can I hold your hand again?”

    Acula - “I guess, but this time no claws, you might hurt yourself. You are still very intoxicated from everything that I have given to you.”

    Mona on open link - “Don’t forget to read him a bedtime story, and tuck him in good.”

    Acula on private link - “He doesn’t need the bedtime story; he has a new toy to play with. I think that through unforeseen circumstances, I seem to have adopted a son.”

    Mona on private link - “The way he interacts with me, I feel like I’m his big sister most of the time. He is so young, and still has some childish ways, but he is mine. I do not regret at all in choosing him. He is an excellent combat tactician, and I have always admired his morals and courage.”

    Acula - “Affirmative on all of the above, and he is also a fine engineer from what I have seen. Too bad he won’t get to pursue his career until, and if, this war ends.”

    Mona and Acula both sign off for the night.

    Acula helps Jed onto the bed, and then crawls in. He snuggles up to her; all the while holding her hand. With tingly, warm and fuzzy feelings, he drifts off into a dreamless sleep.



    Jed wakes, as the first light of morning permeates the sky. Weak, but clear headed, he anxiously searches the back of his neck with his left hand.

    Acula, trained to be an ultra light sleeper, quickly awakens to Jed’s movement. She watches, as he inspects her handiwork.

    Acula - “You won’t find anything. I didn’t leave any markings, not even puncture wounds.”

    Jed - “B… but the m… marines when we first met and the newspaper picture.”

    Acula - “I can choose what condition to leave a vic… a person in. With my enemies, I like to make a vicious, painful, statement. I have no reason to harm you, or make any point. However, if I have to use that outhouse many more times. Or, if I don’t get to take my long awaited bubble bath soon, I might feel a need to inspire you on your next treatment, tonight.”

    Jed - “Y…yes ma’am. I will have it finished before noon. Then all you and Kiah have to do is cover it up. By supper, the bathroom will be completely operational.”

    Acula - “Goood. No matter what I am, what I do, or what my specialties are, I am still a female with wants and desires. And I really, really, want a long, relaxing, hot bubble bath. I can honestly say that afterwards, I will make sure that your next treatment will be very, very, pleasurable.”

    Jed - “Yes ma’am. I will be on it right after breakfast, and I take Taffy her food.”

    Acula yawning - “Only you, would name the poor girl after a piece of candy.”

    Jed - “She agreed to it.”

    Acula - “And, how many choices did she have, or did you give her?”

    Jed - “There is only so much that you can do when asking questions with a rock and a stump.”

    Acula smiling - “Yes, I see. I believe that your new method for communicating will go down in the annals of history. It might even be used in deep space exploration and first contact situations. You go eat breakfast, feed Taffy, and then finish your part of the bathroom. I’m staying in bed. I will be here fantasizing about my soon to be bubble bath. Please don’t disappoint me. I’m not a good girl when I’m so looking forward to something and I’m disappointed.”

    Jed - “Yes ma’am. I’m going, as soon as I get dressed. 

    Jed quickly eats, fixes Taffy’s breakfast, and then hurriedly heads out the door.



    His walk to the girl fatigues him to the point that he can barely stand, or speak. Almost out of breath, he cautiously walks up to Taffy. He hands her the container, as he takes in long deep breaths.

    Jed gasping - “Hey...Taffy,...no...question...today.”

    He then staggers over to a nearby log and sits with his head down and his eyes closed.

    Mona on open link - “Take it easy Jed; you went through a lot last night. Don‘t over do it.”

    Jed on open link - “Thanks Mona, I’ll rest here for a moment.”

    Mona on open link - “Do you want, or need assistance?”

    Jed on open link - "Thanks for the offer, but I am fine, I just need a little rest."



    Acula listened in, ready to respond if needed, but stayed quiet. She had always admired the bond between Jed and Mona. Mona would on occasion fuss at Jed, but she was always there for him. She had heard stories of the relationship between a human and avatar. An avatar’s second directive was to prevent loneliness during long missions; they were created as fully functional sexual entities. She knew that Jed had never utilized Mona’s female attributes.

    She was also pleased at how, through his immaturity, he had become lax with her. She had never suffered a human for any length of time before. She and her kind tolerated humans, but did not care for them. They preferred to work alone on missions. Humans were a nuisance, unless they were used for something pleasurable, and then they did not last too long. However, she had grown rather fond of Jed.       

   

    Jed hears leaves crunching and then feels the log move, as someone sits down next to him. He raises his head and sees Taffy sitting. She looks at him with an expression of worry. He smiles, as he looks at her.

    Jed - “I had a rough night last night. I am OK though, just a bit weak. I do however; have to finish a task for Acula. She will kill me if I don’t get it done.”

    Taffy cocked her head, intently listening. She then made a scowl, as she looked toward the cabin.         

    She ate, as Jed rested. This was new for him; he had never actually seen her eat. She was very dainty in her dining. He talked about many things, as they sat together. He talked about growing up, and playing sports. He talked about being a third string player on a little league baseball team. He talked about how he failed at learning how to play the piano. She, all the while, seemed to be listening in earnest, as he poured his soul out to her.

    Jed - “I need to go now. I have to finish that work for Acula, that I mentioned earlier. I’ll bring out more of that candy for you later on this evening. I think that I will need to rest after I hook up the outside sewer pipe.”

    As he gets up and leaves, to his amazement, Taffy follows him.

    Jed - “Well, this is something. So, you want to observe a master at work. I can honestly say that I am the best sewer pipe hooker-upper that there is around these parts. People come from all over sometimes just to watch me. I had thought about charging admission at one time, but that would take away from the artistic free style expression of hooking up sewer pipes. Don’t you think so?”

    He looks over and up at Taffy. She is walking with hands behind her back and a very slight smile on her face, as she looks at him.

             

    At the cabin, he notices that the pipe that connects the bathroom to the septic tank is in backwards. The pipes flange that bolts to the tank is facing the cabin, and the end with the rubber boot is toward the tank.

    Jed looks at Taffy -”Yesterday, I forgot to instruct Acula on how to lay the pipe in the trench. That sucker weighs several hundred pounds too. She is not going to be too happy with me, if I don’t have this hooked up by the time she gets out of bed.”

    He gets down on his knees and tries to move the large, heavy, iron pipe. He tries every technique of applied physics that he knows, to no avail. Out of breath, and almost to the point of passing out, he crawls over to the shade of a near by tree and collapses.

    As he is gulping in air and regaining his strength, he watches as Taffy simply bends over, and easily picks up the pipe, swings it around and then lowers it back into the trench. He is awed at how strong this young Amazon girl is.

    Jed - “Thank you, now all I have to do is connect the ends.”

    He unsteadily rises, holding on to the tree.

    Taffy quickly approaches him, and then places her hands on her hips.

    Taffy - “NO! I fix. You stay. Rest.”

    Jed - “Yes ma’am.” Dumfounded at hearing her speak, he sits back down. He watches as she analyzes both ends of the pipe. She locates his tools and the parts needed to secure each end. She then proceeds to connect the pipe.

    He tries to rise again, but this time nausea and dizziness overcome him. After throwing up, Taffy hurries over and helps him stand, all the while holding on to him.

    Taffy - “Acula not kill you now!”

    Jed with a slight smile - “Thank you, and no, Acula will be happy. After I get better though, you and I need to have a long talk about how I use certain phrases. Please help me to the rocking chair. I think that I’ll rest there for a while.”

    Taffy helps Jed to the rocking chair and then goes on her merry way, to wherever and to do whatever.

    Jed resting peacefully hears someone open and close the front door. Acula kneels down beside him. He weakly looks at her.

    Acula smiling - “Good job with Taffy. I watched from a distance and heard everything. I now know your secrete on how you attract women, on how you get them to do what ever you want. Let me see if I got this right. First, you give them the look of impending death, then you throw-up, after which you pass out in their arms. What woman wouldn’t fall for such a strong, manly, stud?”

    Jed - “I didn’t pass out. And, you shouldn’t tease a person that’s dying.”

    Acula laughing - “Minor details, and you are not dying. In your condition, you just over exerted yourself. Why didn’t you listen to us and take it easy today. What made you think that you could reposition that pipe by yourself? You need to leave the heavy lifting to us women, my dear.”

    Mona on open link - “I warned him and affirmative on leaving the heavy and hard work to us women.”

    Jed on open link - “So, I just happen to be surrounded by super Amazons, yea me. I am still the best engineer around and second to none as a stingray pilot. Now, if you all don’t mind, I am going to take a nap now.” 

    Jed sleeps, as Acula and Kiah cover up the septic tank. After the women finish their task, Acula awakens him.

    Acula - “My dear, it is now time for show and tell. You have designed and built an extraordinaire lavatory. Now that Kiah and I have finished the hard and dirty work, you need to show how it works.”

    Jed unsteadily rises from the rocking chair. With help from Acula he goes to the small submersible pump positioned in the river. He then activates the device, and turns on the water. Back at the cabin, he teaches Dora and Kiah on how to turn on the artificial light, how to access the hot and cold water, and how to convert the bath to a shower. He also instructs them on the proper use of the toilet and its flushing capability.

    Dora and Kiah marvel at the lighting, at having indoor running water and the toilet. They are even more awed at having instant running boiling hot water. With long hugs and kisses on the cheek, they praise Jed.

    Acula - “Now then ladies, I believe that we have inflated Jed’s ego enough. I will be the first to use the facilities, for my long awaited bubble bath. You two can cut cards for who will be next.”

    Dora - “What about Jed, shouldn’t he be first?”

    Kiah - “I agree.”

    Acula - “Hmm, he is weak, and since this has been untested, I will venture forth for the first usage. If anything goes wrong, I am more then capable of handling any problems. He will get his turn, after we deem it safe, even if I have to bathe him myself.”

    Jed on open link - “And you said that with a straight face. If the bubbles overcome you, don’t hesitate to call Mona for back up, or a quick extraction. I will be too weak to assist. I am no match for a bathtub full of bubbles anyway.”

    Acula smiled and wrinkled her nose at Jed. “After supper, the down stairs will be for us women only. I will do your treatment before I go out for the night. And one more thing, all past, present and future sins against me are forgiven. Your constant agonizing, and wild imagination about what is going to happen to you, because of me knowing your thoughts about me, can be put to rest now. I was never going to do anything. And, well, this bathroom will certainly make amends for any doubts that you still may have. Although, I must say that I enjoyed the knife fight that you dreamed up. The one where we had one hand tied behind our backs with a fight to the death.”

    “I could have at any time simply turned off my I.C.L., but I promised to watch out for you. I will always stay in contact with you. Even when I am out of your range, Mona keeps me updated. Your thoughts you have about me, are those of any male. We just happen to be linked with you having a malfunctioning chip. So, please, from now on remember; you are not in any kind of trouble with me. By the way, this is an order, Jed.”

    Jed smiling - “Yes major.”

         

    Jed remains in the rocking chair until supper time. Acula goes upstairs and transports aboard the Mongoose.

    Mona - “Are you sure that you can handle the radiation? The levels are only slightly lower now.”

    Acula - “The bio-nanites that make my skin a dark indigo, are designed to resist high levels of radiation. They also block all scans and sensors from detecting my life sign. I could, without harm, remain in this radiated environment for a couple of days if I chose too. A normal human would last only an hour, or so, where as a T’LC could last a couple of hours.”

    Mona - “Your designer did well at creating a super humanoid predator.”

    Acula - “I have a hard time believing that you were built in a C.S.A shipyard.”

    Mona - “I will tell you this; I am of alien design, and I was grown not built. My true name is Shillem, Which means retribution.”

    Acula - “May I ask what alien species did the Confederates ally themselves with?”

    Mona - “With your security clearance, I was able to tell you some info about me. I cannot divulge any further information. Jed doesn‘t even know what I just told you.”

    Acula - “I understand. Nevertheless, we as sisters-in-arms, fellow hunter/killers, are both superbly designed for our tasks. Now then, I won‘t keep you from your repairs too long. You reported that you had found what I was looking for.”

    Mona - “Yes, after my survey of the continent, I found two areas that meet your requirements. If you will, look at this monitor, and you will see the designated areas and their qualifying data.”

    Acula studies both areas and then makes her decision. “Thank you for such thorough work. I think that the one that you designated as area 51 will do nicely.”



    Kiah - “Jed, supper is ready. Do you need any help?”

    Jed - “Thank you, and no, I will be in shortly. Just the aroma from Dora’s apple pies could heal the sick.”

    As he rises, he notices Taffy at the fig tree, eating. He decides to invite her to supper. He walks right up to her this time, without hesitation, as she continues to eat.

    Jed - “Hey, I thought that you might join us for supper tonight.”

    With a nonchalant expression, she stops picking figs and looks at Jed.

    Jed - “Come on, Dora is a great cook, as you know.”

    He reaches for her hand.

    In a defiant stance, Taffy puts her hands on her hips and makes a scowl at Jed.

    Jed - “I’m not buying that, this time. You are definitely formidable if you want to be. However, after helping me today, I think that you are just posturing. I think that you are still experiencing your new-found freedom and don’t want to be hemmed in anywhere. I do understand, but consider this a reward for helping out earlier today. Can’t you smell the apple pies; the nutmeg, the cinnamon, apples, sugar and dough all woven together into one of the best desserts ever to be created? I won’t take no for an answer. Just come, fix a plate, and then you can leave at your choosing.”

    She lets out a big sigh and lets Jed take her hand. He escorts her to the cabin, whereby they all eat Dora’s exquisite savory home cooking. 

    After supper Jed prepares for his treatment. With a plate of apple pie and a glass of his grape flavored drink, he heads upstairs. He relinquishes the bottom floor for the ladies and their enjoyment.

    After a couple of hours of playing games on his laptop, Acula walks in wearing only a bathrobe.

    Acula beaming - “That was absolutely delightful. You have my vote for engineer of the year. Now then, ready for your treatment?”

    Jed - “Thank you, and yes.”

    Acula - “Afterwards, I will be going out for my ops.”

    Jed - “Anything that you can tell me about?”

    Acula - “Not now, but soon, as my plans come together. Also, be prepared for more people showing up here to stay.”

    Jed - “More people, coming here?”

    Acula - “Yes, tomorrow Dora and Kiah are going into town for more supplies. I have written a letter to Mr. Drake, saying that we will purchase any and all slaves that he ever comes in possession of. Also, I have a letter for Eldon, informing him to come see me. I want him to hire a large crew and start building houses on this land. I am also sending a letter to Mr. Bailey, concerning our next meeting.”

    Jed - “Did you make the list for supplies, or did Dora?”

    Acula looks at Jed and smiles - “She made the list and I instructed her to always buy five, two pound bags of taffy.”

    Jed - “Yes, and thanks.”

    Acula - “Now then, I promised to make this very pleasurable. I am also willing to fulfill one of your reoccurring thoughts about me.”

    Jed in a soft bashful voice - “Which one?”

    Acula - “The one where you want to see my fangs. Is that what you really want?”

    Jed - “Yeah, but don’t make a mean face.”

    With hands behind her back and a friendly smile, she bares her fangs.

    Jed stares in awe, as he moves closer to her. His fear is almost non-existent. He thinks back to their first meeting and smiles. He so trusts and respects her now that he felt as close to her, as he did to Mona.

    Acula - “Well, well, haven’t you taken to me? I sense very little fear emitting from you. To be honest, I had expected a lot more. Most anyone would be in sheer panic if they saw me, as you do now. I want to also thank you for your comparison of me to Mona. I think that our forced time together has been good for the both of us.

     

    After Jed’s treatment, she dons her new, vampire-like, black-ops fatigues and vanishes.

    As twilight sets in on the west coast, she stands atop a high plateau watching the Western Star approach. The heavily guarded, gold laden train slowly made its way eastward through the winding tracks of the mountains. With huge billowing plumes of steam arising from the locomotives funnel, it continued on to its destination. Such a well-guarded train had never been robbed. However, no train, or military had ever encountered two predators such as Acula and Mona before.

    She sees at least two platoons of soldiers placed on flat cars forward and aft of the gold car. She remembers Tom’s info that there would be at least eight well-armed guards locked inside the gold car itself. With a smile, she instructs Mona to proceed with the ops.

    Acula on private link - “Mona, if you will, please scan the target car and transport the stun grenade. Wait thirty seconds then transport me.”

    Mona on private link - “Affirmative, let the fun begin.”

    Acula transports inside the now sleeper car. With no opposition, she surveys her future meals, and then instructs Mona to transport her newest trophy to area 51.

    The train lurches forward, as the gold car disappears. The soldiers and especially the colonel in charge panic, as the precious cargo they were protecting is now gone.   

    At area 51, Acula uses her scanner to detect the proper sequence to unlock the gold compartments heavy-duty door's combination lock. She then ties up the sleeping troops for some late night dining and festivities. Let’s see, I have a captain, a lieutenant, a sergeant, and five enlisted privates, she thinks to her self, as she licks her lips.

    Acula on private link - “Mona, how is Jed doing? Being out of his range is quite disturbing for me now.”

    Mona on private link - “He is fine, in fact he is asleep, dreaming about fishing.”

    Acula smiling, on private link - “Thank you, I know that he intends to go fishing tomorrow morning.”

    In the lantern lit rail car she studies the faces of the soldiers. The privates looked so young. Two of them had the red metal band of slavery around their necks. She forces open the locked access door of the car and goes out side. With a full moon overhead, and coyotes howling in the distance, she takes a stroll. With hands clasped together behind her back, she slowly walks around the rail car.

    She begins to hear moans, cursing and chatter coming from inside the car. She walks to the entrance and easily ascends up into the doorway. All go quiet at her sudden appearance. She quietly stands with hands on hips, silhouetted by the large full moon. Her cape gently flutters, as a light breeze moves it. Without expression, she slowly scrutinizes each soldier. With much fear and trembling each would look away, as she made eye contact. She slowly licks her lips at the overpowering aroma of fear being generated.

    The captain regains his composure - “You their, slave, come here and free us at once!”

    Acula - “Excuse me! I am the hunter, here, and I really don’t like for my dinner to be tough, or disagreeable.”

    With that said, she bares her fangs and claws. She advances on the captain, roughly grabs him, and then viciously sinks her fangs into his neck.

    She enjoys her meal whilst the captain screams and begs for his life. The others start to whimper and beg for her not to kill them and take their souls.

    As she is feeding, she gazes at the lieutenant. For the first time, she notices something familiar about him. Without his beard, he would look just like Jed, she thought to herself. She stops her feeding, and seals the wound with her saliva.

    Acula - “I don’t usually take requests, but tonight I might just consider it.”

    She holds the captains fear stricken pale face directly in front of her.

    Acula - “I have only taken a small amount of blood from you. You’ll be weak for awhile, but you will recover.”

    Acula addresses all - “Now then, you all have begged me for mercy, this I will consider. I am going to release you. You will then come before me, one at a time. I will then interrogate you. Your life will depend on your answers to my questions. And know this, I can tell if anyone tries to lie.”

    Captain, weakly - “Ma’am, the whole regiment will be looking for us and this gold shipment. This car will be easy to find.”     

    Acula, smiling, walks to each one and unties them.

    Acula - “I think that you all need to stretch your legs some. So, I want you to go outside and take a stroll. Leave your weapons, and hurry back, for we have much to do tonight.”

    The lieutenant and sergeant help the captain out the door. They are all awed as they survey their surroundings. The rail car is sitting all alone in tall grass with no sign of the rest of the train, much less any tracks. They hurry back inside, as they hear unknown animal noises close by.

    Soldiers in fear - “How in god‘s name…! Where the hell are we? What sort of magic is this? Are you a vampire, a witch, or both?

    Acula - “Hmm, stealing gold is a hobby. Being a vampire is just my night job. During the daytime I am a mild mannered reporter. And I happen to know a very powerful witch. Now then, ask me no more questions and I will tell you no lies.”

    Mona on private link - “You have been around Jed way too much.”

    Acula on private link - “I think so, too. I can’t believe that I said that. By the way, how are repairs coming to your astral-navigation? And I also need a quantum-temporal-time reading.”

    Mona on private link - “Why, what’s up? I haven’t started working on them yet. They are secondary control issues. I’m focusing everything on the engines right now.”

    Acula on private link - “Please change your priorities. I also need information on Jed’s nineteenth century male ancestors.”

    Mona on private link - “Affirmative.”

    Acula on private link - “I will fill you in after I receive your down load. We may have a bigger problem then just a damaged star drive.”     

    Mona transmits all of Jed’s ancestral history.

    Acula grabs a chair, turns it backwards and straddles it. She rests her chin on her crossed arms, as she questions the soldiers. She leaves the lieutenant to be questioned last.

    With a soft voice, she talks to the two young slaves, and then easily removes their collars.

    All marvel at the ease she bare handedly popped the rivets that held the red neckbands. After all, it took a black smith a good thirty minutes or so, using special tools, to install, or remove one of the collars.

    Captain, in a soft, weakened voice - “They are my slaves.”

    Acula looks at the captain with a scowl and bared fangs. “They were your slaves. They are now your equals. And, if you have a problem with that then you and I can continue our dinner date.”

    Captain - “No problem, I apologize.”

    Acula - “I didn’t think so. Now then lieutenant, it’s your turn. First tell me your name and then all about yourself.”

    Lieutenant - “Yes ma’am. My name is Caleb Smith and …”

    Acula heard the name and became lost in thought, as he spoke. Her downloaded information indicated that during the mid-eighteen hundreds, Jed had an ancestor, a “Caleb Smith,” that was a farmer.

    After the mild interrogation, she stands, crosses her arms and then gives them three choices, except for the lieutenant.

    Acula - “This is what I’m going to do. I am going to give you three choices. Your first choice is to stay here and work for me. Caleb, I must insist that you stay here. So, you come over here and stand with me.”

    At hearing the first choice, the two former slave privates and the three other privates hurry over to stand by her side.

    With a smile, and a nod of the head, she acknowledges their choice.

    Acula - “The second choice is to leave. I won’t interfere. However, let me tell you this, we are approximately three hundred miles southwest of your fort Midway. The third choice is to challenge me, and if you were to win you can do as you wish. If I win, or should I say when I win, well, I’ll have dinner.”

    The captain and sergeant both quickly agreed to join her. She then spoke, telling them her rules, what to expect, and what she expected from them.

    Afterwards, she bid them farewell, made a small curtsy, and then vanished, right before their awe filled eyes.

       

    As the sun rose, she materialized back in the bedroom. Jed was already out of bed and donning his fatigues.

    Jed - “The room is all yours, I am going fishing.” 

    Acula walks up to him and gently cups his face.

    Acula - “Jed, I have a new order for you. I do not want you to ever grow a beard. And, later on, you, Mona and myself need to have a situation update. I will let you know when, as soon as I have all of the information that I need.”

    Jed - “Yes ma’am. I have no intention of growing a beard though.”

    Acula - “Good. And good luck on your fishing. Now, I bid you a good morning, as I am off to bed.”

    Jed dons his seldom worn cap, and then bids Acula a goodnight/morning. He hurries downstairs to the aroma of a delectable breakfast.

    To his pleasant surprise he sees Taffy helping out in the kitchen. He lets out a long whistle, as he also notices that she, Kiah and Dora have had their hair trimmed.   

    Jed - “Good morning. Don’t you three look quite lovely this morning.”

    Taffy just smiles. Dora and Kiah greet, and thank him.

    Dora - “We all used your amazing bathroom last night. And afterwards I trimmed their hair and Acula trimmed mine.”

    Kiah - “I also convinced Taffy to be my roommate. Acula promised to pay her if she wanted to help around the farm.”

    Jed - “Sounds good.”

    Dora - “If I may make a suggestion, you shouldn’t wear a cap inside.”

    Kiah and Taffy both stop what they are doing and intensely, watch and listen, as Dora (a recent slave) chides Jed.

    Jed - “Yes ma’am, you are right, I do apologize.”

    They look at each other and smile. Their respect for Jed (a white male) has just increased ten-fold. They know that he is submissive to Acula. However, for him to be contrite to Dora, well, that really impressed them.

    Dora - “That is a peculiar cap you wear. Why do you have a black dragon on the front of it?”

    As he takes it off, he looks at the insignia and smiles. Without thinking, he replies that, that was the Mongoose.

    Dora - “I believe that a mongoose is a small fury weasel-like predator. It doesn’t look anything like a dragon.”

    Jed - “The Mongoose is a predator class ship.”

    Kiah - “No, a mongoose is a small fury animal. It‘s not a dragon, or a ship. Even though Taffy and I were raised in the mines, we know the difference between a dragon, a mongoose, or a sailing ship.”

    Jed - “You are right, a mongoose is not a dragon, or a ship. However, this Mongoose is a ship.”

    Dora - “That is a dragon. And a mongoose is not a ship, it’s a small fury animal.”       

    All are laughing, even Taffy, as Jed tries to explain.

    Mona on open link, laughing - “Just give up; you are fighting a loosing battle. You can’t explain me to them. They are not advanced enough to understand. I do kind of look like a delta-winged black dragon, now that Dora has mentioned it.”

    Dora laughing - “I think that you are still a bit ill. Let’s all have breakfast and talk of other things.”

    Kiah laughing - “Amen to that.”

    Jed folds the cap and puts it in his back pocket, before he sits down at the table.

    Jed smiling - “I do still feel under-the-weather some. I may not be thinking too clearly. I think that a day of fishing will help a lot.” 

    Dora - “Whatever you catch I will cook for supper. But throw back the small ones, they are too difficult to clean and fillet.”

    Jed - “Yes ma’am.”

    Kiah - “Besides taffy, is there anything else you want when we go shopping today?”

    Jed - “No ma’am. Thanks for asking though.”

    Kiah - “Please forgive me for asking, but is there something wrong with Acula? She stays in the bedroom an awful lot. We seldom see her out and about.”

    Dora - “Yes, we would all like to know what is wrong. When does she eat? What does she eat? We’ve never seen anyone like her. I admit she is a great person to work for. She is never around to tell us what to do. And she pays us very well.”

    Kiah - “We worry about her.”

    Jed with a mouthful of scrambled eggs listens intently, trying to figure a way out of answering their questions.

    Jed - “I, ah…, she, is ah….”

    A smiling Acula suddenly comes bounding down the stairs.

    Acula - “I think that I’ll join you all this morning. The aroma is mouth watering.”

    Acula on open link - “How’s this for a timely rescue?”

    Jed on open link - “Thank you.”

    He hurriedly finishes breakfast, excuses himself, and then assembles a rather large picnic basket. He grabs his fishing pole and starts to open the door.

    Taffy - “I go too.”

    Jed - “I welcome the company. You can grab the empty bucket for the fish.”

    Acula smiling - “Taffy, if you would, keep an eye on him. I would not want a small fish to drag him off into the lake and drown him. He may still be a bit weak.”

    Taffy looks from Acula, to Jed with a big smile on her face.

    Jed looks at Acula and sticks his tongue out.

    She and the others break out in a hearty laugh, as they wish them happy fishing.



    At the lake, Jed finds a nicely shaded bank on the edge of a deep drop off.

    Taffy watches him as he spreads out a large blanket next to a shade tree. He then proceeds to cast a buoyed bait-less hook into the water and then props up the fishing pole. After which, he sits on the blanket with his back leaning against the big oak. Taffy cocks her head, as she sees him nestle against the trunk.

    Taffy - “No bait, no fish.”

    Jed yawning - “There is more to fishing then catching fish. You have your naps, the snacks, and just plain being lazy on a beautiful day like this. Yes, fishing is a very complex sport. The actual baiting of the hook, and the fishing will come later.”

    Taffy - “No. Dora will cook the fish.”

    Jed stretches and pulls his cap down lower. Out of the corner of his eye though, he sees Taffy taking her dress off.

    Jed - “What are you doing? Don’t take your clothes off. That’s not a proper way to behave for a young woman. You shouldn‘t go around like that. People could be watching.”

    Before he could avert his eyes, she sticks her tongue out at him, as she continued removing her clothes.

    Jed - "Stop that, that's bad manners.

    Taffy - “You do it to Acula. I go swimming. Anyway, you saw me without clothes.”

    Jed - “So you learn bad manners quickly. Besides, when I rescued you, you were battered and beaten, bruised and scarred, with an angry look on your face. Now, you’ve healed up somewhat, and don’t have that mean look. In fact, you’re kinda pretty now.”

    Taffy - “Hmm, pretty. I go swimming now.”

    Jed - “Fine, you go swimming. When I see Dora, I am going to ask her to pick up a bathing suit for you. You can‘t just run around naked.”

    Mona on open link - “Ooh la la. Go swimming with her; you might get lucky.”

    Jed on open link - “That’s not my style. I would like to get to know a woman first. You know, a date, maybe a dinner and a show.”

    Mona on open link - “You are hopeless. Your ways are so ancient. I bet that when you retire that you become a librarian. No matter, I will always be here for you.”

    As Jed is about to respond back with a sarcastic remark, Taffy throws her clothes on him. He hears a giggle and then a splash, as she plunges into the water.

    It’s a good thing that I’m not really fishing, he thinks to himself; she would have scared off all of the fish anyway.

    Jed on open link - “If you don’t mind, I am going to take a nap now.”

    Mona on open link - “That’s my boy, you be sure and get plenty of sleep, and let the pretty naked Amazon swim all by herself.”



    “UH,” Jed exclaims, Half-asleep, as he feels a large wet object hit him in the chest and starts flopping around in his lap. He comes fully awake to the sound of Taffy giggling. As he stands, he dodges a second projectile fish tossed at him.

    Jed - “Hey, stop that. You’re just showing off.”

    Taffy sticks her tongue out at him again, and then grabs a third fish.

    Jed - “I get it, you want fish for supper. You know, you are ruining the fine art of fishing.”

    Taffy - “Dora will cook, I will help.”

    Jed - “Fine, I’ll put them in the bucket as you throw them to me.”

    They were both laughing now, as they played their newly invented sport, “catch the fish.”

    Mona on open link - “Two targets on foot, northeast of your position, quickly approaching, followed by multiple targets on horse back further behind.”

    Jed on open link - “Understood.”

    Acula on open link - “Jed, I am transporting to your location now.”

    Jed on open link - “Acula, Affirmative.”

    Taffy watches on as Jed all of a sudden displays a somber expression. She then looks in the direction that he is looking. She sees a white male and female wearing slave collars come running out of the trees toward them. She sees Jed take off running in their direction. She hears Acula calling him back, but he keeps on going.

    “Please help us, they’re gonna kill us!” They both seemed to yell at the same time, as they ran toward Jed.

    Jed - “What’s going on? Why are you being pursued?”

    Young man out of breath - “We, we are runners. We were both athletes before being made into slaves. Now, we run for our lives.”

    Young woman gasping - “We are now owned, and sport for Mr. Talbot. If we can elude him and his entourage until sundown, we can rest easy until his next hunting event. However, if we are found, we will be shot like deer, and our heads mounted in his den, in his mansion. Will you help us?”

    Acula and Taffy walk up, as Jed is listening to them.

    Acula - “Leave this to me.”

    Jed with a scowl looks at Acula.

    Jed - “No. Not this time. Please take care of these two, I‘m going for a walk.”

    Taffy - “I go too.”

    Jed looks at Taffy and nods his head. “At least put your clothes on as we go.”

    With a smile, Acula escorts the two back to Jed’s food basket, and then watches, waits and listens, as Jed and Mona discuss tactics.

    When Jed got excited he would vocalize his communication with Mona.

    Jed vocally, and on open link - “Mona, if you would, please go to battle stations. I need ground support tactical, and ground support weapons brought on line.”

    Mona on open link - “Affirmative. I will show them what being hunted is all about.”

    Jed vocally, and on open link - “Now don’t go getting trigger happy. Please wait for me to give the signal.”

    Mona on open link -”I’ll take that under advisement.” 

    Acula on open link - “Since I didn’t get invited to this party, please save some for me.”

    Mona on open link - “I’ll try, but when I’m having fun, it’s hard to stop myself sometimes.”

    Taffy cocks her head, as she looks at Jed, who is talking to no one. She had seen people go crazy before, when she worked deep underground in the mines. 

    In an open field, Jed pulls his cap down, and stands with hands by his side, as he watches two scouts approach. Taffy stands by his side, with her hands on her hips. They both then watch the main hunting party following a short distance behind the forerunners.

    Jed yells to the scouts to turn back, and take the rest with them.

    They inform Jed that Mr. Talbot answers to no one, and that they will proceed on their hunt. That if they are interfered with, that Mr. Talbot would make him and his slave wish that they had never been born. They then tried to gallop past him and Taffy.

    The grits hit the fan then, as Taffy starts the battle.

    Taffy yanks the second rider off his horse, and proceeds to fight him. He calls out, as he is being severely beaten.

    The first rider hears, then wheels around and brings his rifle to bear on Taffy.

    Within a split-second, in a silent burst of bluish light, the first rider and horse ceases to exist. Mona disintegrates them with a single firing of one of her AP (anti-personnel) batteries.

    Taffy is startled by the sudden burst of light, but doesn’t let go of her crushing death grip that she has on the cowboy‘s neck. Within seconds, he too is dead.

    Mona on open link - “HURRAH! That‘s one and a half for me, I‘m counting the horse as the half. Taffy has one, but you haven‘t scored yet. You can go take a nap if you want to, Taffy and I can handle these worthless life forms ourselves.”

    Mr. Talbot and his oncoming hunters suddenly stop in awe and fear, at what they had just witnessed.

    Jed vocalizing, and on open link - “I didn’t give any signal.”

    Mona on open link - “Taffy started it, blame her. Besides, I just followed her lead, and improvised. Now then, imagine me sticking my tongue out at you.”

    Wide eyed, Taffy looks all around at what’s left of the first rider and horse, and then looks at Jed.

    Jed smiling - “The Mongoose did that.”

    Taffy cocks her head and points to his cap.

    Jed vocalizing, and on open link - “Yes Taffy, you will see soon. Mona how about a personal appearance. Low and slow, with an AP battery firing for effect only. No more killing, unless it is necessary.”

    Mona on open link - “Affirmative on my stage debut. However, on the killing part, well, a girl has to do, what a girl has to do, to have fun.”

    Acula on open link - “Agreed. I will be awaiting them as they retreat. If any live after we’re through with them, then this will be a hunt that they will never forget.”

    The dragon-shaped Mongoose silently descends over the field, casting a large eerie shadow. Mona fired sporadic bursts from an AP battery, sometimes obliterating an occasional horse and rider.

    The wealthy Mr. Talbot and the survivors of his heavily armed entourage are completely routed, by the large black dragon. At their breakneck retreat, Acula makes matters worse for the fleeing aristocrats, as she prepares for a fine blue-blood dinner.

    Taffy stairs with awe at the Mongoose, as Mona slowly and silently hovers overhead.

    Jed vocally, and on open link - “Taffy, wave bye to the Mongoose, she is about to leave.”

    Mona takes the hint. She then slowly rocks herself, as in waving, and goes back to her previous geostationary high orbit.

    Taffy looks at Jed - “Mongoose is flying ship.”

    Jed - “Yep, you got it. The Mongoose is a flying ship, and she is my ship.”

    Taffy - “And Acula’s.”

    Jed - “That’s right. You are one strong and smart girl. Let’s keep this a secrete between us. I don’t think that Dora and Kiah would understand.

    Taffy - “I keep secrete.”

    Jed - “Now then, we both are covered in blood and other disgusting stuff. Let’s go meet our new friends, take the fish to the cabin and cleanup.

    Mona on open link - “I am ready for an encore performance, but I don’t give autographs. Just say the word.”

    Jed walking back with Taffy, on open link - “You mean that you wouldn’t give me an autograph. I am hurt at hearing that.”

    Mona on open link - “Well, maybe for you I would, but no one else.”

    Acula smiles, as she listens in on Jed and Mona playing. She belches after finishing off her first victim. Now, it’s time for dessert.

         

    As they are walking back, Taffy wants to know more about the Mongoose. Jed explains the best that he can. He then comes up with an idea, and begs Mona to help.

    Mona on open link - “You do know that under normal circumstances that what you are asking me to do would cause you to be court-martialed. I would have to report this, under normal circumstances.”

    Jed on open link - “I understand, but I don’t think that Taffy would ever reveal any of your information to anyone, especially the T’LC. I think that it would do her good to learn a little bit about you.”

    Mona on open link - “I will do this for you, because our situation is not normal. In addition, I know that she could not divulge any of my vital information to anyone of knowledge, even if she wanted to. In fact, you, Acula and I need to have a little situations update.”

    Jed on open link - “Uh oh, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me that you can’t fix the engines.”

    Mona on open link - “No, that’s not the problem. I am almost ready to power up and test my in-system engines. My star-drive will be a piece of cake to repair. Tonight we will discuss a new problem that we have.”

    Jed on open link - “I can’t wait; I love bad news right before I go to bed.”

    Acula on open link - “Affirmative on the update tonight.”

    As they are walking, Jed tells Taffy that when they get back, he knows a way that she can learn all that she wants to know about the Mongoose.



    Back at the cabin, Jed introduces Taffy to his laptop. He shows her how to turn it on, and then Mona takes over, interacting with her in real time. With awe, and caution, Taffy learns quickly how to interact with Mona.

    Jed on open link - “please be patient with her.”

    Mona on open link - “After dealing with you for nearly two years, I can deal with anything. I deserve to be sainted.”

    Jed looks over Taffy’s shoulder to where Mona can see him. He then sticks his tongue out.

    Mona on open link - “Yep, I deserve to be sainted, indeed.”

               

    Later that night, Mona teleports into the bedroom and gives Jed and Acula the bad news in person.

    Mona - “I have experienced a worst case hat trick event. As my engines were going critical, we traveled back in time, crossing over into an alternate dimension. This planet is earth, but according to my instruments, the when and where is all wrong.”

    Jed - “So we are stuck in the past of an alternate universe?”

    Mona - “For now. However, my engines are almost repaired and I will be fully operational in less than a week. I am already working on the calculations to get us back to our time line and dimension.”

    Acula - “Can we get back?”

    Jed - “If anyone can get us back, Mona can.”

    Mona gives Jed a big bear hug and kisses him.

    Mona - “Thank you. And, I would give us a sixty, or maybe seventy percent chance. All I have to do is reverse the events that caused this. However, we will be stuck here while I do the calculations and build the extra engine parts that will be needed. I have even upgraded myself. I am even faster then before with better shields.”

    Acula - “In this timeline there was no war for independence. The American colonies are established, but are still under English rule. In our history the southern Confederacy fought and won there independence first from England. Twenty years later, they then helped the northern union states win their independence. Here, slavery runs amok. Where as, in our past slavery never existed.”

    Jed - “Yeah, in our history the constitution was clearly written that each person was created equal and had undeniable God given rights. But here everything is out of whack.”

    Acula - “I’m working on that. After all, one of my prime directives is to fight oppression anywhere that I find it. And before we leave, you should see my plan put into action.”

    Mona - “Viva la revolution! My prime directive is to seek out, and destroy the enemy, whomsoever it may be at any particular time. Just say when and where, and then stay out of my way.”

    Jed - “You are way to trigger happy.”               

    Mona sticks her tongue out at Jed. “I must be going now, got things to fix. If you need me, call me.” She then gives Jed a hug and kiss, then vanishes.

    Jed - “You gonna tell me about your plan.”

    Acula - “Not yet, but soon. Then I will not only tell you, but also show you. I must be going too. I got places to go and people to see. You might want to leave the room, as I change into my nightclothes. You can stay if you like though.”

    Jed - “Thank you, but no. I’ll see you in the morning.”

    He heads down stairs to the kitchen for a late night snack.



    Later that night, Acula transports to area 51, and then arranges several chests of gold for transport to Tom Bailey’s bank office.

    Mr. Bailey anxiously paces the floor, as he awaits Acula’s magical arrival. He constantly checks his pocket timepiece, as the ten o’clock hour draws near. He looks at Mr. Filmore, as he wipes sweat from his brow.

    Tom - “Her letter stated that she would be here at ten.”

    Mr. Filmore - “I am not looking forward to seeing that demon again. My ribs are still painful, it hurts to breathe sometimes.”

    Tom - “It is best that we do as she says. She could easily kill us, if she so chooses.”

    Mr. Filmore - “Aye, I agree completely.”

    At that instant Acula materialized right before their eyes. Beside her were three chests filled to the max with gold.

    Acula - “Good evening gentlemen. Tom your information was right on. Of these three chests, one is yours, as I promised. Two of these I wish to deposit for future use.”

    Tom’s fear all of sudden changes to ecstasy, as he opens up one of the chests and sees that it is filled with gold.

    Tom - “Mine, all mine, for me, no strings attached, or anything.”

    Acula - “All yours, I always keep my promises. The only thing that I ask is what I wrote in the letter.”

    Tom - “Yes, yes, yes, easy to do. I will get for you.”

    He takes Acula by the arm and escorts her to his plush office chair. He then kneels down, removes her shoes and insists that she prop her feet up on his new desk. Wearing the face of a young child at Christmas morn, he pours her a rather large glass of his best brandy.

    Mr. Filmore all the while is awe struck at the chests of gold.

    Acula - “My, my, this is quite nice, nothing like our first meeting. Mr. Filmore if you’re interested in your own reward of gold, all that I ask is help in finding the people that I need. Like I wrote in the letter, I prefer that the individuals are slaves, or soon to be. Are you with me?”

    Mr. Filmore takes a deep breath and then in pain, clutches his healing ribs. “Yes, yes, indeed, I think that I can find the people you need.”

    Acula - “Now that we are all business partners, I think that we should all be on a first name basis. What is your first name, Mr. Filmore?”

    Mr. Filmore - “Derek, my first name is Derek.”

    Acula - “Very good. Now then, Derek, will you please come before me.”

    Derek warily approaches her and then stands beside her.

    Acula pours him a glass of brandy and then secretes venom from her claws into it. She hands the glass to him. “This will stop any pain, drink it all quickly and it will start working within minutes.”     

    He takes the glass and kills it. “Thank you, ma’am, I, ah, also have something that I need to report to you.”

    Acula slowly sips her drink, as she stares at Derek. “Speak on, my dear.”

    He starts feeling the effect of her venom and lethargically reveals his information. He shows her wanted posters for Jed and Taffy for killing two of Mr. Talbot’s men. He shows her a poster for the large black dragon. He mentions that he was hired to track down the dragon and report his findings back to Mr. Talbot.

    “Ma’am, your minion and that crazy slave girl are in big trouble. Talbot is going to get the army involved. He also knows where you live.”

    Mona on private link - “I’m coming down. I’m going to change first. Give me about ten minutes then cue me in.

    Acula on private link - “Affirmative. Exactly what does a dragon wear?”

    Mona on private link - “Just wait and see.”

    Acula pours herself another glass of brandy and kills the time with small talk.

    “By the way, Jed is not my minion; he is in-fact the vassal of the dragon. And you are in luck, I know her, I’ll ask her to come here, then your hunt will be over.”

    Tom choked on his brandy. “You... you are going to have the dragon come here!”

    Acula smiled, “Yep. She can take human form."     

    She then walks over to the middle of the room, stretches her arms out and speaks. She uses the language from her realm, one unknown to Tom and Derek. She gives Mona the go ahead for transport, and then steps back out of the way.

    Mona, instantly, materializes out of thin air.

    The two men cannot take their eyes off her. Wide-eyed in wonder lust, they gaze upon this beautiful heavenly goddess.

    Mona was wearing a snug fitting, low cut, short black strapless, mini-dress. Her tall hourglass full-figure easily caught the men’s eyes and thoughts. Golden-skin, blue eyes, long blond-hair, and the smiling face of a young teenager, all made for a seductively finishing touch.

    Acula on private link - “So, this is what the young trendy dragons are wearing now-a-days.”

    Mona on private link - “Just something I keep for special occasions; although Jed never takes me anywhere nice when we make port.”

    The men rush to her, introducing themselves and offering food and drink. Their complete attention is on Mona, whom they try to please.

    Acula feeling left out, “Now then gentlemen, you have a female killer vampire over here that you are neglecting. This is not wise.”

    Mona looks at Acula and laughs. “She is right. We need to get down to business. I have other matters to attend. So, Derek, this Mr. Talbot hired you to find me. Well, here I am, and this is what we are going to do. Tonight, you are going to escort me to see this gentleman. You, I will keep safe, however, I make no guaranties for anyone else. Do you understand?”

    “Yes ma’am,” he meekly replies, as his eyes remain fixed on her overflowing beauty. 

    As they leave, Mona takes him by the arm.

    Tom’s eyes stay fixed on Mona, as she and Derek vanish from site.

    Acula deliberately clears her throat, as she summons Tom’s attention. “You have had your entertainment for the evening. Now, I suggest that you give me your undivided attention. Before I go, there is still some matters that we need to discuss.”

   

    After the midnight hour, Acula meets up with Mona, aboard ship.

    Acula - “So, how much havoc, death and destruction did you inflict on your girl’s night out?”

    Mona smiles at Acula, as she wriggles out of her dress. “I was a good girl, dragon, tonight. Jed would have been proud of me. All I had to do was to explain to Mr. Talbot how things are and how they are going to be. I beat up a few of his body guards, and used some of my girlish dragon wiles. After seeing some of my magic, as he calls it, I now have him eating out of my hand. He is even on our side now for the coming revolution. It just took a little explaining for him to see things my way.”

    Acula laughing - “I like explaining things too.”

    Mona now more serious, as she dons her fatigues - “I will be ready for a test flight in two days. I expect to be ready for our trans-dimensional jump within the month. And, I think that the time jump will be soon afterwards. I foresee no problems.”   

    Acula - “You make it sound easy. I get the impression that you have done this before.”

    Mona walks up to Acula and locks eyes with her. “I cannot divulge anything further. I can tell you this; I will get us back.”



                 

A work in progress

To Be Continued