The Space Freighter Libereco - Filling Jars and Planting Seeds - Chapter 23

 

She wakes you up with a kiss. You feel her hand on your hard shaft. “You are ready this morning.”

You roll onto your back, not removing her hand. “You said it was yours. Do you want to use it this morning?”

She kisses you again, gives you a playful squeeze, and gets out of bed. Her sleep shorts hug her curves in a way that would get you hard if you weren’t already.

“Get dressed. We are needed in Med Bay. Remember?” she says as she takes your folded grey coveralls and tosses them at you. “I don’t know if you want to wear anything underneath them.”

You debate “going commando” and decide to pull on underwear. “To protect from chaffing.” You tell her with a smile.

She takes your hand, and you walk together. Kurgio sees you. “Good you’re up.”

He glances at your crotch, and notices that you softened after you got dressed. “I guess you brought Navs to help you get ‘fully up’.” He says with a wink and a grin.

She smiles and blows him a kiss. “I can help you too, but only if I know it will make him jealous.”

He smiles. “No need. I already filled a container. I’m the kobajo to test it. I had to make sure that the storage would be the correct temperature so as not to damage the sperm.”

“Kurgio, are you as big as a kobajo or as small as its penis?” She playfully jokes.

“Big enough to satisfy all I’ve had so far. And I’ve examined Helm many times so I know..”

“Doc, doesn’t that violate doctor/patient privilege or something?” you ask cutting him off.

He smiles playfully, “But Navs is your wife and I should tell her my medical opinion concerning your…”

“Just tell me what I need to do and where to go.” You grab Navs’ hand again. “And I’ll use her assistance to ensure you get all you need.”

He hands you a small jar, a pair of surgical gloves, and a small tube of lube. He hits a button and a privacy screen drops down from the overhead. “I need you to give me as uncontaminated a sample as possible. So, no saliva. From either of you. Use the lubricant. It is sterile and designed for this. I’ll go down to the Galley for a cup of tea. If you finish before I return, put the lid on it and set it on the shelf.”

You hear his footsteps walk away, and the hatch close. Navs opens your jumpsuit, kisses you, and pulls your soft cock from your shorts. “Should I stand here and stroke you, or step away and tease you?”

The idea of seeing her slowly get naked hardens you in her hand. “You like something I said.” She says in a seductive tone.

“Step back and slowly undress.” You say. As she takes a step back, you drip some lube along the shaft, then stroke up and down. She opens her coveralls and slowly caresses her firm breasts. She rubs the fabric of her bra in small circles around her hardening nipples. You lick your lips and continue stroking. Your hand feels good going back and forth. Then you rub around the tip, using your fingers like a pair of lips.

“That’s it. Stroke it for me.” She says as she uncovers her nipples and pulls them. Then, with one hand, she reaches down and pulls the front of her panties. The nicely trimmed bush looks so soft as she rubs it and then down along her damp pussy lips. “Don’t you wish you were rubbing it against me?” she asks seductively. “That hard, slick cock, ready to enter my warm, wet cunt.”

She slides two fingers into herself. You see her wetness on her fingers and smell her desire. That feeling of excitement moves through you. Quickly you grab the jar and pump semen into it.

You continue stroking as she says “Yes. Stroke it. Fill it. Show me how much you have.” She fingers herself faster and deeper as you get every last drop off the tip.

You put the lid on the jar, then set it on the shelf.

“Oh. You’re done?” she says in a teasing tone. “I thought you had more than that.” She lets out a mock bored sigh. “I guess I’ll stop too. Unless you have more in you?”

You get to your knees and put your face right up to her pussy. “We can’t have saliva on mine, but Doc didn’t say anything about mine on you.”

She places her wet fingers in your hair as you lick her lips, then suck her clit. You grab her hips and pull her cunt tightly against your mouth. As you lick her deeply, she moans and pulls your hair. You move to her clit, suck firmly, and hum. You know that trick drives her wild. You feel her pulse against you as she orgasms. You are so hard again.

Standing up, you open the lid, and stroke at the mouth of the jar. “I want to cum for you again.”

“Yes.” She gets on her knees and opens her mouth, moving closer. “How badly do you want to cum in my mouth?”

Seeing her like that, and tasting her on your mouth, you stroke faster and harder until you spurt again.

She smiles and winks as she stands and fastens her coveralls. “That’s a good boy. That should be enough for now.” She hands you a disposable cloth to clean yourself as you hear the hatch open.

“Are you done, or do you need more time?” You hear Kurgio ask.

Navs hits the button to raise the screen. “He’s done. And I’m satisfied too.” She says with a playfully seductive tone.

Kurgio sips his tea. “If you ever want sex for recreational purposes, and he’s not around, I can always help you out.” He says in an almost professional tone.

“Are you sure about that Doc? You’re getting to be an old man, and she knows how to wear me out.” You say with a grin.

“I’m not that much older than you. I’ve worked out with you.” He says in a light but slightly defensive tone.

Navs takes your hand, “Maybe I should get a really good workout with both of you one day.” She says with a seductive but playful tone. “But not today, I’m hungry. Let’s get some matenmango.”

Kurgio sips his tea, “Sounds like a good idea. I have the feeling you both worked up an appetite.” As you leave, you hear him say to himself, “And now I need to get ready for ‘customers’.”

In the Galley, Cookie is grilling up a fresh bifsteko, and she has ovoj waiting to be fried. She comments “You must have made a good impression. We were gifted with these thinly cut pieces, and some fresh fruit.”

“Really?” you ask as you fill a mug with coffee.

“A small woman dropped these off this morning, saying she’d be back to see Doc. Something about Doc planting your seed in her.”

Navs grabs a plate, and waits for Cookie to finish preparing the bifsteko. “Dani must be sweet on you.”

You feel your face flush with embarrassment. “She’s a nice girl who’s had a difficult life. I don’t think she’s met many nice men.”

Navs kisses you. “She’s met you, you’re a hard act to follow.”

Cookie puts the sizzling bifsteko on a serving plate. “Get a piece while it’s hot. How many ovoj do you want?”

“Just one. This meat is delicious, I think Dani said they butchered it only a rotation ago.”

Cookie cracks the shell and you hear the ovo fry on the hot pan. “Navs, do you want one or two ovoj?”

“Just one.” She says as she cuts a piece of meat. “Cookie, what do you think of Dani?”

“The little woman who dropped off the food? She’s cute. A little short for my tastes. I like someone I don’t have to bend down to kiss.” She flips the yellow and white frying blob before adding another. “Though, if they keep building things they way they want, I could see comin’ back and being a freeholder.” She slides the fried ovo onto your plate.

Navs takes another bite of meat then asks, “Would you practice the Faith?”

Cookie purses her lips as she thinks about it. “I donno. The way they’s seem to be here, I could do it. Grana and Gramp read scriptures, until the Uggos took everythin’ and removed us. Uggo S&T school didn’t want us to practice any faith. Just follow rules and learn.” She pauses and flips the ovo in the pan. “Ma an’ Pa were so beat down, they lost all hope and faith.” You notice Cookie slipping back into her Hill Country accent. 

“Luckily, this group doesn’t have issues with who pairs with whom, so long as they’re consenting adults.” You comment.

“Yeah, I noticed that too. The folks I was with yesterday, seemed happy with their pairings and how they’re treated. ‘Course they’re shunned from Ciono, but Najran seems like it could be somethin’ special.”

“And it should be many jaros until Unification and Civilization pushes out this far.” You comment. You finish eating and help clean up.

 In the walkway, you see a number of colonists lined up by Med Bay. Dani and Susanna are among them. Dani waves you over. “Good mornin’. Are gonna help the doktoro?”

“We hadn’t planned on it. By the way, thank you for the bifstekoj and fruit. Cookie had some ovoj to go with it.

Susanna asks “Kokino ovoj?”

Navs answers “I didn’t ask, but either that or ansero ovoj. I don’t remember what she last bought.”

A couple of the ladies comment about how they miss raising kokinoj, anseroj, and anasoj.

“Maybe Skipper will make a deal to pick some up. We’ve delivered them to other colonies.” You say.

You and Navs go to leave, but Dani stops you. “Can you wait for me?”

Navs walks closer and places a hand on her shoulder. “We can. Would you like us to have some coffee or tea ready when you finish?”

“Coffee?” Some of the ladies ask.

You smile, remembering that in the colony, they only have the herbal tea they grow. “Yes, ladies, we have real coffee in the Galley for anyone who wants.”

Kurgio opens the hatch. “I’m all set in here. Who want’s to go first?”

Dani places her hand on Navs. “Tea sounds good.” She faces Kurgio. “Can I go first?”

The ladies in line all seem a bit nervous too. 
 “Ok. Please come in here.” He directs her, leaving the hatch door open, but you notice they go behind a screen.

“Helm, why don’t you wait for her to come out, then bring her to the Galley?” Navs suggests. She then turns to the rest of the ladies, “You are all welcome, when you are done, to come to the Galley for food and drink.”

They all give a friendly but still somewhat nervous smile. You stand there, while Navs leaves, and Susanna asks “How long will this take?”

Dani comes from behind the screen, fastening the leather belt around her waist. “That wasn’t bad at all.”

“Now, we won’t know if it worked. I may have to repeat this procedure again in a few rotations or longer if you want.” Kurgio explains. He then turns to the women, “Who’s next?”

You lead Dani to the Galley without seeing who went in. “Are you sure you’re okay?” you ask.

She nods. “Your Doktoro’s gentle like you. Lying on the table with my legs up was strange, but he didn’t thrust nor hurt me. I didn’t know you could make a baby without pain.”

In the Galley, Navs hands her a mug of tea. “I’ll go lead the next one here.”

Cookie is standing by the cooker. “Can I make ya’ anythin’?”

Dani sits at the table, sipping her tea. “No thanks. I’ll just have fruit. I had matenmango afore I came.” She puts her hand on yours. “So that’s your seed Doktoro put in me?”

“I guess so. He had me fill a jar. I guess he and Meko did the same.”

She picks up a persico and bites into it. “Now you gots me wonderin’, if we didn’t do this artificial thin’, would you a been soft an’ gentle?”

Before you can answer, Navs brings in one of the ladies. She wants a mug of coffee with kremo and sukero. A small sound of pleasure leaves her lips as she sips it.

“Navs, I’ll get the next one. Why don’t you sit with them for a moment?”

“Okay, we’ll do round robin shuttles.” She replies.

A woman steps from Med Bay. “Hi, and you are?”

“I’m Eunice. That was easy. Can I have some coffee now, too?” You smile as you escort her.

Navs, or you bring back each woman. Cookie is swapping recipes and tips. It’s the most animated you’ve seen her in a while. You chuckle to yourself as you note that her accent is getting heavy again, almost matching some of the women. Soon, there are almost a dozen women in the galley, sitting or standing, drinking and eating, and all happily chatting.

Skipper and Joannas come in. “Ladies did everything go well?”

Kurgio enters too. “Of the 10 women whom I inseminated, there were no complications with the procedure.” He looks to Joannas, “I will need to have them available for links every five to seven rotations. Do you have a midwife or doctor among you?”

She shakes her head. “In Ciono there’s a midwife, but we can’t ask for her help. Can you train us?”

“Skipper, if we do a regular link, I could remotely train while we do runs. Any problem with that?”

She thinks about it for a moment. “I don’t have any issues. Joannas, do you have a volunteer?”

“I’ll go and ask. I’d like to have more than one. Can I tell you in a few hours?” She says as she leaves.

Skipper and Kurgio nod.

“When do we want to take off?” you ask.

Skipper checks her minividi. “Let’s wait a few more hours. I have a few more things to negotiate.” She then looks to the women in the room. “Ladies I pray that you get what you want. If you are done, we should prepare the ship for travel.” Then she leaves.

You and Navs lead the ladies out. Kurgio asks “Can I see their Comms Center?” Susanna agrees to take him.

With just you and Navs standing on the ramp, she puts a hand on your ass. “So would you have been gentle with Dani?”

You’re shocked by the question. “What?”

“She asked me if you are a gentle lover. I told her I had no complaints.”

You kiss her. “I have no complaints about you either. Shall we ready the ship?”

She takes your hand and heads for the Con. “I’d rather head for our cabin. But that can wait.”

You squeeze her hand lovingly. “Yes, it can.”

(Here is the final chapter. This took longer than I planned. If you like this story, Like, and Leave me a comment. If you enjoy my writings, Follow and Subscribe. If you have an idea for another story, tell me in the comments or in the Chat. I’ll be seeing you.)

The Space Freighter Libereco - Returning to Ciono- Chapter 21

 

“We better take you back to your ship.” Joannas says turning to you. “Can you ride?” 

You shake your head. “I’ve never had to.”

She looks to Deliliah, “I need you to monitor the Comms center, and on your way up, if you see Susanna or Maria, have them come down to the corral. We’ll saddle up the cevaloj.”

Shaded by a group of trees is a large wooden shed. Inside are racks of saddles, halters, and ropes. Joannas has you take a saddle, a halter, and something called a ‘lead rope’. Then she leads you to an area under a rock overhang next to the slow-moving river, where you see a number of cevaloj walking, eating herbo, and drinking.

“Stay here. Hand me your halter.” She says as she sets down two saddles and ropes.

You give it to her, then set your saddle down. She slowly walks to the small herd. You watch as she softly speaks to the animals, placing a halter over the head of one, then another, and a third. Grabbing the halters of each, she gets them walking towards you.

She shows you how to saddle one and then connects the lead. Susanna arrives with a saddlebag over her shoulder. Joannas explains that the three of you need to ride to Ciono.

The ladies help you on the saddle and make sure you are balanced. “Hold onto the reins, but don’t pull them unless we tell you to.” Susanna ties the end of the lead rope on her saddle horn. “Helm, I’ll lead. You just keep balanced and relax. We won’t go too fast.”

Joannas stops at her place, and grabs a minividi. “Najran Communication Center, I’m bringing my minividi to keep in contact. If you lose the link, be ready to send others to retrieve us.”

You look at Susanna, “Do you really expect trouble?”

She pats the saddlebags. “We have protection if we need.”

You slowly shake your head. You are trained to use weapons, but on the Libereco, you hadn’t needed to use them. Skipper picks good clients and isn’t afraid to call in Maristos if we need. You haven’t really fired a projectile thrower or a firearm in jaros.

The three of you leave the shade of the mountain and trees. You see rolling herboj-covered hills. The land is dotted with wooly safoj. Looking carefully you see a person here and there, minding them. From atmos, it would just look like a random gathering of animals. No real roads or fences, just hills and herbo.

“I see the safoj, but where are the bovinoj?” You ask.

Without turning her head, Joannas answers, “We rotate which animals go where. The bovinoj are on the other side of the colony. If we keep them too bunched up, then they tear up the land and eat everything down to the root.”

Your only experience with livestock is what you have transported, and then only in pens, so you don’t really see them moving around. You nod at her explanation.

You continue looking at the landscape. There are a few landmarks; outcroppings of rocks, trees on hills, the edge of the river dipping where you enter it. You try to make a mental map of it. The only thing you remember from the wagon ride is moving down a road, along the river, then onto hard ground. The cevaloj walk calmly as if this is routine for them. Soon, you leave the river and get on a dirt road. There are visible cart tracks and hoof prints. Joannas takes her minividi, “Najran Communication Center, we have left the river and entered Ciono territory.”

You hear the response, “Loud and clear. Link if there’s trouble.”

But before Joannas can respond, the minividi goes dead. “What in the Creator’s name is going on?” she says, the first time you have heard her using a frustrated and angry tone.

“I wasn’t sure back at Najran, but I suspect that Ciono has an EMP generator or a power siphon.” You comment.

Both ladies look at you, confused. You take a few minutes explaining in general how an electromagnetic pulse generator will block all Tech from working by sending repeated bursts that prevent electronic devices from working, including everything on the Libereco. Or they could be using some sort of power dampener, either way, it’s a guess on your part, but it would explain why they couldn’t link to anything in Ciono.

Susanna gives an exasperated sound. “And of course those following Patro’s teachings don’t be using Tech because ‘they weren’t made by the Creator’.” She pulls the pistol from her saddlebag. “Will this be affected?”

You glance at it. It’s an old-style firearm using chemical propellant. You shake your head, “It’ll work just fine. If you had a projectile thrower, it might have zapped the circuits, but firearms are immune to EMP or power siphons.”

Joannas puts the minividi in her pocket and continues down the road. Susanna puts her pistol back, and follows, pulling you along.

You ask Susanna, “Don’t the Sleepers in general have a prohibition against Tech?”

She shakes her head. “No, that’s just how some have tried to hold on to ‘traditional values’. There’s nothing in the Book against machines, or Tech. It’s all about how we treat each other, and sharing what we have with those who need.”

“Sort of like the vespermango the other evening. Everything was there for those who wanted. Take what you want, but leave enough for others?” You ask

She turns her head to you and smiles. “Yep, that’s the way of the Book, and we Sleepers do what we can to follow it. Are you different on the Libereco?”

You shake your head as you think about it. “No, we pretty much share things evenly. Skipper makes sure of that.”

“Sounds like you have a good understanding of Faith even if you don’t practice it.”

You want to respond, but she holds up her hand just like Joannas, and they stop. You pull on the reins too and stop.

A farmer comes walking up carrying only a walking stick. “Joannas, is that you?”

She nods, “Yes, Ishmael, it’s me. It’s been a couple Jaros since I last saw you.”

He grips his stick, thumps it against the ground, and leans on it. “You was cast out. You ain’t supposed to be livin’.”

“But I am, thanks be the Creator. Can we continue on to the Temple? I have a man from the Ship. I think they are looking for him.”

“They is.” He says “But the ‘Shunned’ ain’t allowed back.” He takes off his hat and scratches his thick hair.

“We aren’t coming back, we are simply escorting him back to his ship. You can escort us, to make sure we don’t do any harm, can’t you.” She says in a calm, almost relaxed tone.

He puts his hat back on, grabs his stick, and says “Get off your beasts an’ walk. I’ll lead ya.” He walks closer to her and says “I never could tell ya ‘No’.”

As you walk, you realize how sore your thighs are. Your muscles and crotch feel tender. Susanna tries not to laugh. “You’ll be okay. I forget that you hadn’t ridden before.”

You try to smile, “Nope, not like that. It sort of reminded me of how my wife rides me.”

Susanna chuckles, “Oh, she rides you ‘cowgirl’?”

“I hadn’t heard it called that. We call it ‘cycle style’ like when you’re straddling a land cycle.”

“Maybe she’d enjoy riding a cevalo.” She says with a wink.

The road continues past farms and ranchs. You see fences separating various plots. Some raise animals, and others grow crops, some do a little of both. It is all similar to many of the freeholder communities you’ve seen, only a lot less Tech.

Coming over a hill, you see the Temple and a series of buildings around it. The Libereco is still on the same landing field.

“Ishmael, who are these strangers?” someone calls out.

“I found the missing, and two o’ the Shunned. They was on my land.”

Groups of people come out of the buildings. “Where are you taking them?”

“We wish to see Patro Dionis.” Joannas says loudly. “We are going to the Temple.”

There is a gasp from the crowd as she starts boldly striding towards the Temple. You follow, along with the newly forming crowd.

As you get closer, the doors of the Temple open and out walks Patro Dionis, Kurgio and Cookie.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Patro asks in a booming voice.

“We are returning a lost safo.” Joannas answers loudly.

“How dare you, speak as such. You were cast out. You have no voice and no place here.”

You notice that the crowd is moving closer and there are harsh murmurs.

Stepping to the front, you loudly proclaim, “They have returned me as they said they would. I have been treated fairly and honestly, as it says in your Scriptures.”

“But you’re not of the Faith. You haven’t read the Book. You only know what these women tell you.” Patro says in response.

“What you say is true. But it is also true I haven’t been harmed, and I’ve been returned. Let them leave as they came.” You turn to Joannas and Susanna. “Thank you. I wish I could have helped more. Tell Dani, I hope she gets what she wants. Maybe someday her prayers will be answered.”

Joannas hugs you tightly, as does Susanna. “May the blessings of the Creator be with you Matthew.” 

“Yes, Creator be with you Helm.”

The crowd starts to close in, but Patro Dionis yells, “Stop. The outsider is right. The Shunned didn’t come here for help or to cause trouble.” He then looks at them, “Take your cevaloj and be on your way. No one will speak or help you, nor will they hinder you. Creator be with you. Leave.”

A voice from the crowd yells, “Patro Dionis, Ishmael talked and walked with them. Did he do right?”

Low murmuring moves through the crowd. Kurgio and Cookie move next to you. They quietly whisper, “Are you okay?”

You nod as you watch Susanna and Joannas leaving, as Ishmael is pushed through the crowd to face Patro. “Ishmael, is what was said true? You spoke to the Shunned?”

You interrupt loudly, “He only asked who we were and where we were going. There was no discussion along the road, between him and the ladies.” You move closer to Patro, but still continue speaking loudly so the crowd hears. “He provided escort and watched so that we only did what we said, returning me to my ship. They said Temple was the center of Ciono and that’s where I needed to be returned.”

There is a lot of heads nodding and commenting, until Patro Dionis raises his hands. “I shall take Ishmael into the Temple for prayer and meditation. Return to your duties. The outsiders will now leave.”

You quickly ask, “Patro Dionis, You’ll turn off the dampener so our ship will have power, and we can leave?”

Kurgio and Cookie move in front of you. Kurgio interjects “Patro, my friend means, that you and the rest of the Pelj Aguloj will pray in the Temple and power will be restored, so we may be on our way. As we had agreed earlier.”

“Of course Doktoro. While we are in the Temple, you should take your young friend and examine him to ensure he is healthy. Creator be with you.” And with that, the group of elderly men in broad-brimmed hats move almost as one heading, to the Temple, bringing Ishmael with them.

Cookie whispers, “We’ll talk inside. Let’s go.” As she leads you to the ship.

Once inside, Cookie uses the manual hydraulic pump to raise the ramp, and close the doors. “That’s my workout for the day.” She says as she rubs her shoulder. The cargo hold is lit by lanterns.

“Hopefully, they turn that damn thing off. I have tried everything from backup generators to storage batteries, but soon as I connect ’em, they’re dead. We can’t get enough power to fire up the engines.” Meko says, as he closes a maintenance panel.

“Where’s Navs?” you ask.

Meko answers, “She is trying one of the escape pods to see if she can use the shielded emergency power to do something.”

But before you can go, Kurgio grabs your hand, holding a lantern in the other one, “Let’s go to Med Bay. I want to check your vitals.”

“Why. I wasn’t drugged. They kidnapped me at pistol-point, and after I helped out, they released me.”

“Tell me all about it, while Doc checks you out,” Skipper calls from the catwalk, heading towards Med Bay.

Kurgio uses the oldest medical equipment you have ever seen. A stethoscope, pneumatic blood-pressure cuff, and a glass thermometer. “Why do you have these?” you ask as you pull off your shirt and he checks you.

“It is all part of an emergency survival kit. Designed for use when there isn’t Tech available. I haven’t had to use it for jaros but I still remember how.”

As Kurgio checks you out, in the glow of the lantern, you explain to Skipper what happened. How they traded for Tech but needed someone with knowledge to help set it up. “They also wanted my ‘seed’.” You say with a cough.

Both Kurgio and Skipper ask “What?”

You explain that Dani wants a baby and she was to be the first you were to have sex with. You don’t know who the other two were supposed to be.

Kurgio finishes his exam. “Well, you’re healthy enough. You can give them what they want.”

He and Skipper grin at you. But you quickly explain that when they heard you were married, they changed their minds. “It’s a little weird. If I had been unmarried, they would have used me and sent me on my way, but because I was married, they honored that commitment.”

Skipper chews on her bottom lip for a moment, “So they didn’t want you to stay and be a member, but they wanted your genetics added to the colony?”

You nod as you pull your shirt back on.

There is a rumble through the ship, and the lights come on. Kurgio blows out the lamp.

“Go and make sure all the lamps are out and collected. Work with Cookie to pack them back in the emergency kits.” Skipper says, then she grabs you. “Let’s go to the Con. Show me where Najran is.”

(Come back tomorrow for the final part of “Helm Taken Prisoner”. I hope you are enjoying this story. If you are, Like and Leave a Comment. If you enjoy my writings, Follow and Subscribe. See you next time.)

The Space Freighter Libereco - Fixing Comms- Chapter 20

The warmth and weight of Navs’ body on yours feels so good as you lie on the small, hard Academy bunk. “I love you.” She whispers and hugs you. “We’ll get married someday.”

Your hand rests on her short blonde hair, cut in the style worn by female cadets. But you are confused, “Aren’t we married?”

“If we were, I’d be with you.” She says, and kisses you. “Wake up. Matenmango.”

You realize the voice isn’t Navs’, but Dani’s. The hard bunk you’re on isn’t an Academy bunk, but a bunk in Dani’s prefab home. You are still in Najran. Still away from your wife.

“Get up, sleepy-head.” Dani says as she takes some strips of lardo, from a pan and on a large serving plate. “You must a had a good dream, Navs must make you happy.” She says.

You realized that while you were dreaming, you got hard and made an obvious tent in your shorts. You pull the blanket across your lap. “Excuse me. I need to use the washroom.”

She nods and focuses on the cooker.

You grab the work trousers and shirt, go into the washroom, use the toilet, then clean up and change.

When you step back into the room, Dani asks “Did you sleep well?”

You nod, “I must have been tired after everything yesterday.” You make the bunk and place your sleep shorts and shirt under the pillow. “Is there a place I can wash my coveralls?”

She finishes cooking a couple of thinly sliced bifstekoj, then places one on each plate. There is a bowl of fresh fruit in the center of the table. “I’ll wash ‘em. Now we have power, I’ll use the washer/dryer. Eat up, then we’ll talk to Joannas about work.”

You cut up a piece of bifsteko and slowly chew the freshly cooked meat. “This is real good.”

“I’m pleased you like it. It’s one of the bovinoj we butchered the other day. Make sure you have some fruit too. We have totmatoj an’ persikoj. Later in the jaro, we have orangoj an’ piroj. But they aren’t ripe yet.”

“You’re in a better mood this morning.” You say.

“Today’s a new day. I prayed, an’ I got my answer. You’re a good man, an’ I should help you. If the Creator sees fit, I’ll be blessed.”

You nod at her comment and continue eating. “I wish we had some ovoj to go with the lardo.”

“I’m sorry. I hadn’t hunted up any.” She says with tone of disappointment.

You smile. “No. It’s okay. It’s just when Cookie makes lardo, she normally fries up some ovoj too.”

“How you get ovoj on a spaceship? You trade for ‘em?” She asks.

“Sometimes. Other times, when we transport kokidoj or anseroj, we negotiate keeping some or all of the ovoj.” You smile and then start laughing, as you think about the dozens of ovoj that Cookie and Meko collected when you were taking a whole flock of kokidoj to a remote colony. So many that Cookie used ovoj in every mango.

As you tell Dani, she smiles and says “I wish Najran had kokidoj. That would be easier than hunting ovoj from wild birds.” She takes another bite of bifsteko, then says “Cookie sounds like a good woman. She’ll make a good wife.”

“Maybe, but it probably won’t be to a man.” You quickly respond.

“Oh. She prefers women?” Dani asks in a matter-of-fact way.

“Yes, is there anything wrong with that?” you ask in a hesitating tone.

“No. We has lots of women like that here. There’s nothing in the Book against it an’ they’re happy. If I didn’t want a baby, I’d find a woman to live with.”

You get a confused look on your face. “I thought that was against the Faith? A man with a man or a woman with a woman.”

“The Patro at Ciono says there is, but he says lots o’ things that aren’t in the Book. The Book says that ‘if a man marries a woman, he belongs to her and she belongs to him. They’re to give to one another in love.’ It don’t say nothin’ about two men or two women. But it’s not right for a man to marry a girl or a woman to marry a boy. It says ‘Children are loved by the Creator an’ be protected at all costs’.”

As she says this, you remember some of her comments yesterday. You ask softly. “Dani, were you a child bride?”

She puts her fork down, bows her head, and silently nods. After a moment she says “My people married me to a man when we got to Ciono. I was real young, when we got to the Rim. My folks bounced a few different colonies until Papa got deeper into the Faith. It took time getting valutos to get to Ciono. When we got here, Papa said he found me a man. I was fourteen. The man I married was old like Papa.” A tear slowly runs down her face. “I’m a good girl. I do what I’m told. He shouldn’ta wanted what he wanted.”

It strikes you what she’s describing. “Oh, Hell.” You get up, walk over, and kneel next to her. You place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “None of that was your fault. You were right to run.”

She wipes her eyes, and gives you a weak smile. “I know. Joannas helped me an’ I help others.” She places her hand on yours. “You’re a good man. Let’s finish an’ get to work.”

After eating, you help wash dishes. “Dani, how old are you?”

She answers after thinking for a moment. “I’m nineteen according to Core Calendar.”

“How long were you with your husband?”

“About 2 or 3 Jaros. Almost as long as I’ve been here.”

As you finish washing the last plate, you ask, “Why haven’t you found a new husband? There are a few men here, like Jorje and Andrew.”

As she takes the plate from you, she answers, “The men here already have mates. Either they were quickly hitched to a new woman, or they hitched to a man. An’ I’m not sure I want to be a wife again.”

That very confused feeling comes over you again. “But you want a baby, and you were disappointed to find out I’m married.”

She smiles and nods. “That’s the truth of it. I wanna be a ma so badly. Wanna raise a child by the Book, with love an’ understanding, teaching ‘em the way Joannas taught me.”

“But doesn’t the Book say that you’re supposed to be married before you have sex and have a child? I’m not a Follower, but that’s what I heard.” You say.

She picks up your coveralls, puts it into the laundry unit, adds soap, and starts it. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be. ‘A man an’ woman, come together, an’ have kids’. But Joannas showed me where in the book it talks about Widows an’ unmarried women. How they, ‘after fasting an’ prayer, should find a loving partner who gives themself to you as you give yourself to them. Honestly an’ openly, not defrauding one another for selfish use or gain.’ Words I never heard from any Pelj Aguloj .”

You think about that as you pull your boots on to leave, “So you would rather be alone, than be back in a bad marriage?”

“Yep” she says as she winds her braid around her head, then puts on her hat. “Let’s go.”

The star is on the horizon and the sky is lightening up. While walking through the colony, you see that people are already busy. Some are leading animals, hanging out laundry, or heading to the large storage cavern where the Tech was laid out yesterday. There is a mixture of power lights and lamps glowing from the dwellings. You notice that Dani nods and waves at various people. Some smile at you too.

In the storage cavern, Delilah is talking to Joannas, pointing to something on the minividi.

“Good Morning, Helm.” Delilah says, “The solar collector has already augmented our power needs. We can recharge storage batteries now. Something we never had power to do.”

Joannas nods. “Yesterday you mentioned that you could help with Comms. Do you also know about jamming?”

“I learned a few things in the Academy, but I never used it. On the Libereco we are more worried about keeping links open than blocking them.”

She thinks about this for a moment. “Do you know about breaking jams?”

You smile, “The best way is to take a hammer to the jammer and smash it. But to punch the signal past a jam, I can try a few things if we need. Why?”

Delilah answers “Maybe Ciono used a jammer to blow our system. They don’t use much Tech. But the Pelj Aguloj have some in the Temple. That’s where they keep their Comms and minividis. Theirs only work in the Temple or when the Patro allows it.”

“Can I borrow yours for a moment?” you ask.

Delilah looks to Joannas, who nods. You try to send a link to Libereco. “Navs or Skipper, this is Helm”. But the message doesn’t connect. You try to see if Libereco’s beacon is active, but you don’t see it. “Damn it.”

“They couldn’t get your link?” Delilah asks. You shake your head as you return the minividi.

“I was worried about that. This morning, I tried to message them. You did well yesterday and wanted them to get you.” Joannas says.

“I thought you need more help.” You ask.

She and Delilah both grin, “You did your part, and said that other members of your crew had skills and knowledge. Maybe if we get you back to your wife, then the others might be willing to help.”

You look at the three women, “What my seed?”

Dani walks closer to you. “Matthew, you been honest an’ true. I thought about trickin’ you, but the Book talks about honesty an’ truth. As much as I wanna baby, I wanna do right too.”

You nod. “Like you said earlier, ‘together honestly, not defrauding for gain’.”

The ladies all smile. “Understanding is a valuable thing.” Joannas says.

Deliliah and you gather the parts for the Comms Center, as you do you ask, “Is there a reason that Ciono might be holding the ship and crew?”

Joannas places a hand on your shoulder, “I can think of many reasons. It depends on Patro.”

“Can we find out?”

“I already sent scouts. We have some who can get info from the outlying ranches.” Joannas says. “ Go focus on the Comms repairs.”

You and Deliliah head to the Comms center. In a cave near the top of the mountain is a Comms Pod. It’s the standard model used by terraformers. You smile seeing it. It’s older Tech, but reliable and easy to repair with standard parts. The antenna line goes up through a borehole in the cave ceiling.

When Deliliah opens the pod door, you notice storage cells are recharging, at a slow rate. You follow the power lines to see where the main power cable connects. “Does the line run directly from the power converter or go through the cells first?”

Deliliah looks at it. “I don’t know. I’m not the one who set it up. It was already set when I joined.”

Deliliah uses the minividi to pull up the recommended layout after you read off the model number from the dataplate. Slowly you follow the line coming into the cells, then from the cells to the main unit. The auxiliary unit is not connected, but still in storage configuration. “Ok. Whoever did this got some things right and a few things wrong. I take it you don’t often use it.”

Deliliah shakes her head. “We don’t really have a need to. Most of the time we can make do with what we grow and craft. It’s only when we need something we can’t get, that Joannas or someone will send a link.”

Using the layout directions, after a few minutes, you reroute the power so the cells are still charging with the main power coming from the line. You replace a couple of the boards that were old and fried from age. The main unit powers up and you run complete diagnostics. While it’s running, you help Deliliah set up the auxiliary unit. She seems comfortable configuring it.

You learn about Deliliah’s past, how she came from the Core as a Believer, practicing the Faith, finding a hard time in the Core because of different values. Making her way to Ciono and being cast out for reading and knowing Tech. 

She fires up the auxiliary unit, and the vidi glows brightly. She runs a diagnostic check too. The main unit diagnostics finishes and it’s ready to transmit. “Use the minividi to link to it.” You recommend.

“It connects.”

“Can you get a link to the Libereco?” you ask.

She tries. “I don’t see it or Ciono either.”

You walk to the main vidi. “Want to see if we can get offworld?”

She shrugs, “Try. We can’t seem to find anything onworld.”

You tap the screen and put out ‘Comms Test Message — Najran Colony’. You ensure the image and audio inputs are configured correctly.

“This is SG Freighter Provizado, we receive you loud and clear, but don’t see your registration code. Is your colony registered with the Shipper’s Guild?”

“Thank you Provizado, we are a break-away from Ciono, and checking our comms station. Please pass a message to Station 059 that you have a confirmed message from Najran. We appreciate it and sorry to disturb you on your route.”

“No problem Najran. Will do, Provizado Out.”

“Thank you, Najran Out.”

Deliliah puts a hand on your shoulder, “Thank you. We know we aren’t jammed. We can link others.”

“Yeah, but we got a SG Freighter. The rest of the ‘verse will know about you.” You say as you switch the system to ‘auto respond’. “The Guild will tell the UGA at 059 that you exist. Confirming Joannas’ earlier message asking for Tech and help.”

Daliliah looks a little surprised, “I knew that Joannas had sent something but didn’t know she asked for help. Is that why your ship landed?”

You nod, “Station 059 asked Skipper to check out your colony. They only know about Ciono. With the way you’re built, you’re hidden from scans.”

She looks a little shocked at this. “We built into to mountain because the caves were already here and good year-round. Some of the other things we partially hid, just in case there are husbands or families looking for runners.”

You nod at this. “Ok, Let’s tell Joannas. Someone should man the Comms Pod from now on. I put it on Auto, to record any messages.”

She holds up her minividi, taps it, and switches it to receive. “I’ll get any links until she assigns someone. Blessed be, it might even be me.” She says with a smile.

At Joannas’ dwelling, Deliliah shows her the minividi, the link that was sent, and explains things are working. You stand there and just listen. When they get to the part about the link to the SG freighter, you add “We tried both the Libereco and Ciono, but neither showed on the vidi.”

“I was afraid of that. Patro must have a jammer or something, and turn it on or off according to their needs.” Joannas says.

Then you ask “Any luck from your scouts?”

Joannas shakes her head, and loose strands of white and dark hair fly up. “No, I am expecting to hear something shortly.” She leads you both to a corral. 

In a bit, you see a young boy ride up. He slides off of the saddle and says, “S-ono Joannas, my geatroj told me they’re locked down. Looking for a missing stranger.” He then looks at you.

“Thank you Kaleb. Want to take anything back to your folks?”

He looks around a little nervously, almost like a shy school boy. “Is Sari in the spinning house or with the flocks?”

The ladies all smile, “She is with the flocks, go ride down, tell her to get you a few skeins from the spinning house to take back to your folks.”

“Thank you S-ono Joannas. I’ll do that.” He says as he climbs back in the saddle and points his cevalo down one of the stone roads.

“Sounds like we need to go to Ciono.” Joannas says.

The Space Freighter Libereco - Taken to Najran - Chapter 19

 

Your hands and feet are tied and you hear soft, feminine voice say, “I’m sorry about this but we was told to bring one o’ you back. To help with Tech and Seed.”

You try to say something but the rag gagging your mouth prevents you from forming words. 

A more masculine voice, behind you says, “Dani, hush up. Joannas will tell him his role.”

“Jorje, I’ve read Scriptures. We’s equals now, and don’t have to wait for Patro or Patrino to tell us the way of it.” She responds. But then is silent.

‘Dani’ might be a woman or a young boy. You didn’t get a good look before the sack went over your head. ‘Jorje’ was the man who was helping to load and unload the wagon. He was probably the one with a pistol of some sort, while Dani had a longer-barreled projectile thrower.

The trip is mostly silent. You listen to the wagon wheels as you travel over dirt, along a river, and then on stone. At one point ‘Jorje’ gets out and you hear a sweeping or raking sound behind the wagon.

You wish you could see. Then maybe you might have an idea of how far you are going or better yet, are there any landmarks that you can tell the Libereco, if you can send them a link. You feel ‘Dani’ checking the knots at your wrist to ensure they aren’t too tight. 

You wiggle your fingers and try to move your wrists. They are secure but not too uncomfortable.

After the raking sound stops, ‘Jorje’ climbs back in. “What are you doing to him?”

“I was checking his wrists. It don’t do us good if we bring him in hurt.” She replies.

You feel him sit next to you again. “Just move away from him and let him be. We’ll be there soon.” It gets quiet inside of the wagon again. 

Soon you hear voices outside of the wagon. Male and female voices “Do you have it?” “What all did you get?” “Did you get some new seed?” You hear people walking along and behind the wagon until soon it stops.

You hear the items at the rear of the wagon being removed and then you are led out. The jupo sack is removed from your head. Around you see dwellings carved into a mountain side with stone roads and walkways leading to them. There are a few prefab, wooden, and stone outbuildings but they are under the cover of taller trees. From overhead the roads might be visible but the color of the stone blends in with the land.

An older woman wearing a loose fitting robe approaches. “Did you have any problems?”

“No Patrino Joannas.” Both ‘Dani’ and ‘Jorje’ reply.

She smiles but shakes her head, “Please release him.” She then turns to you. “I must apologize for this, but we couldn’t think of another way to get what we need.”

You remove the gag and angrily reply, “Lady, I don’t want to be rude but kidnapping is not a great way to get help.”

There is a small gasp and murmurs from the crowd at your tone.

She raises her hands to quiet everyone. “It’s okay everyone. He’s correct. Why don’t you lay everything out in the caverns, and I will assist our guest.”

She focuses on you again and extends her hand. “I’m Joannas.”

You quickly look around, as you see everyone carrying the boxes and cases into the carved dwellings. You then shake her hand. “I’m Matthew, but everyone calls me Helm. Would you like to tell me why I’m here?”

“Of course, please follow me. Would you like something to eat or drink?” She asks as she walks towards a simply carved structure. It reminds you of a bunker or a small hanger carved into the mountain with a leather curtain for a door and a few wooden chairs around a table. There’s also a stone and metal oven and stove producing heat, and you notice a durosteel kettle off to the side.

While sitting in her home, Joannas has tea and explains that everyone there is an exile or runaway from Ciono. They found tools where they could and traded with Independents when they could. She’s an exile because she could read, brought Scriptures with her and taught those who needed. She also explained you were taken to help with Tech. They have some knowledge but need more. Also they want you to have sex with up to three women to impregnate them. They want to add you to help diversify the colony, then return you to your ship.

“Isn’t it against your Faith for a married man have sex with a woman who is not his wife?” You ask.

“It is, but you said that you aren’t a man of faith. Don’t people back in the Core have sex for pleasure with whoever they want, regardless of marriage? And the Scriptures tell of ‘man giving his seed to a barren woman, in time of need’. We have women who have that need.”

You stand up, almost defiantly, “I love Navs, my wife. I don’t want anyone else. I’ll help you with the Tech, but then I’m going.”

She stands up and sighs. “As you wish. It might take a couple of rotations to do, so I have asked for a volunteer to provide for you while you are here. Please follow me.”

When you step outside the door, Joannas points to a person wearing a wide brimmed hat and a long coat. “Dani volunteered. She doesn’t have a mate, and has space in her shelter.”

“Is he ready, Patrino Joannas?” asks a voice you recognize from the wagon.

“Show him around. If he gives you any trouble, call out. And just call me Joannas. Patrino and Patro were the old way, we are building something new.” Joannas says and then walks to where they took the Tech.

Dani extends her hand. “Hi, I’m Dani. I appreciate you helping us out.”

“I don’t really have a choice, do I?” You shake her hand, “You can call me Helm.”

“Helm, that’s not in the Book.” She says with a confused look on her face.

“I’m a pilot so the crew of my ship calls me Helm. My given name is Matthew.”

She brightens up at that. “Matthew is a name from the Book.”

You chuckle, “Matthew or Helm is fine, I’ll answer to either. So tell me more about this place.” Her dark hair is pulled up under the hat, and her dark eyes complement her dark tanned skin. Her long coat hides the rest of her, except for the fur-lined leather boots.

She points to a small prefab structure at the edge of the forest. “Follow me. Let me show you where you’ll sleep. As you walk with her you notice that she’s half a head shorter than Navs. She’s about Meko’s or maybe Skipper’s height.

She points to the pump station, the schoolhouse, storage buildings, and other homes. As you look around, you notice that the majority of the people around you are women and girls.

“Dani, are most of the people in Najran, female?”

She nods. “Yep. Some were shunned by families, others ran from bad husbands, and some just heard the Truth.”

“Which are you?” You ask genuinely curious.

“I fled my husband. I was a girl when I married, and he wanted things that weren’t right. I asked Patro about it, but was told ‘A wife’s duty is to obey and not question.’ I asked where that’s in the Book, but Patro laughed and told me that I had to trust him because women can’t read.”

“In the wagon you said you read the Scriptures.”

She smiles at that. “Yep. When I ran, I found Najran, and Patrino took me in. She taught me to read and write. All o’ us here can, now.”

“So why don’t you go back to your husband?” you ask.

She shakes her head. “Never. What he wanted was wrong and against the Book, and women in Ciono ain’t supposed to read. I’d rather be shunned and with people here, than go back.”

She stops before a plasteel shack that is deep in the shade of the forest. “Here’s my place.” She opens the sliding door, and inside you see simple layout with camp stove, bunks along opposite walls, a small table with chairs, and a door to an area in back.

“What’s behind the door?” you ask.

“Shower and toilet.” She answers as she opens the windows then activates a couple of power lamps. She points to a small bunk. “That’s where you’ll sleep.”

Hanging up her hat and coat you see her dark hair is braided and wrapped around her head. Her plain blouse and trousers show a more feminine shape, but not what you expected. “You don’t wear a dress?”

She shakes her head. “It’s easier to work the fields and herds wearing pants.”

“When do I help with the Tech?”

She looks at you a little surprised. “I thought you might wanna rest and maybe eat first. Then maybe get to know me.”

“No, Dani, I want to do what’s needed and get back to my wife and ship.”

She looks shocked. “You have a wife? Does Joannas know?”

“I told her. She said after a rotation or two the Tech will be set up and then you’ll take me back to my ship.”

She grabs her hat again, and heads for the door. Moving at a quick pace she says, “Come on.”

“Did I say something wrong?” you ask as you catch up to her.

“No. You was truthful. That’s the right of it. Let’s get you to work.” A tone of irritation is in her voice.

In the large cavern, the cases are all opened and everything is laid out. A serious looking woman is using a minividi to record and catalog each item. You hear her say. “This will help. The power converter will plug into the existing water turbine, and the comms unit can be repaired. I’m not familiar with some of this.”

“Can you send a link to my ship?” you ask loudly.

“Not currently. Our comms unit flatlined the last link we cast out.” She answers.

You walk closer. “I’ll help were I can, but the people you really need are Meko and Cookie. They’re part of my ship’s crew and know Tech better than I do.” If you can get your hands on the minividi, you can send a link yourself.

You help by identifying a folto-style solar collector for her, then point to the repair parts for the Comms set, “Maybe I could start there? I should be able to get your comms system back up.”

Joannas comes up behind you. “Maybe later. Why don’t you help Delilah with the solar array. Getting power to the system will be more useful.”

You shrug and walk closer to the woman with the minividi. As you do, you overhear some of what Dani and Joannas are saying behind you. “You said if…But, I’m in season….my choice…..not supposed to have a wife.”

You glance over your shoulder and see Dani walking away in frustration. Maybe when you return to the shelter at the end of the day, you’ll ask her about it.

The woman with the minividi is Delilah. She asks how to best set up the collector. After explaining that direct light is best, and cables are the most reliable method of connection to whatever grid they have, she has a man, Andrew, and a woman, Susanna, help carry it, along with a couple of spools of cable.

Delilah walks in the lead as you climb the path up the sheer face of the mountain. You look around and notice defensive positions. They currently aren’t manned. “Delilah, what are those?” you ask, pointing to the concealed sites.

“Just guard posts. Don’t need them most of the time, but it’s good to have them when we do.” She says in a relaxed tone.

You think more about it. Guard posts, weapons, hidden buildings. “Do you have anything to worry about? It seems like a lot of defensive planning for folks following the Faith.”

Andrew, behind you says, “We’ve had problems with Independents, and there are those in Ciono who might be looking for those who fled.”

“Ok, but what little I saw, things there looked quiet, if a little guarded.” You comment.

“Helm, that’s the face they show to the few outsiders they let land. Don’t be fooled.”

You sort of shrug as you continue getting closer to the top of the mountain.

At the top, you realize it is more of a plateau than a mountain, with meadows and trees visible. All of you walk around the plateau as Delilah talks about how the star travels across the sky.

As a group you talk about the best way to set it up. Finally Delilah comes up with a plan. Using the heel of her boot, she marks off where she wants set up the collector. She has you unfold and set it up as Andrew and Susanna unspools the cables down the mountainside. Soon everything is connected and running. You notice the star is getting low in the sky. “Damn it, the Libereco should have been looking for me by now.” You mutter to yourself.

“Hopefully Patro Dionis isn’t delaying or holding your friends.” Andrew comments in a low tone.

“What do you mean?”

He moves closer, “I don’t want to alarm you, but if Patro Dionis sees something or someone he wants, he might find a reason to detain them.”

“But that’s against SG rules and if they do that to Independents, no one will trade…”

Andrew slowly nods as you realize that ‘Sleepers’ Colony’ doesn’t trade with outsiders.

“Oh damn.”

“There are some of us in Najran who joined because they disagree with how things run in Ciono.”

Delilah used the minividi to confirm power is working, so you can leave. “Delilah, can I use your minividi, to see if my friends are okay?” you ask with a tone of concern in your voice.

She shakes her head. “No. Not until Joannas says so.”

You are lead to a dwelling carved into the mountain, but there is now power and light. They show you were to clean up. After washing up, you are handed a ceramikajo mug full of hot herbal tea. You sniff it, and it smells like the same floral scent of what Joannas was drinking. Andrew takes a mug and sips it. “It’s okay. We aren’t poisoning or drugging you. It’s just we learned that boiled water was safer until we can get a filter unit at the pump house.”

You take a tentative sip. It reminds you of tea that Kurgio drinks.

They lead you through a corridor that connects multiple rooms until it comes out into a large room with smooth polished walls. The lights from the ceiling gently reflect off the walls. There are long tables with benches arranged in lines. There are bowls and platters of food.

“Do you always eat like this?” you ask Andrew.

He smiles, “No, this is in your honor. While we set up the solar collector, others connected to the river turbine, so there is now power to all the homes. We are thankful for it.”

You find an empty seat by Dani. Andrew, Susanna, and Delilah also sit at the same table.

Once you are seated you notice that no one has filled their plates yet. You sip your mug and wait.

Dani asks you how things went, and you and Andrew answer her questions.

Soon the benches are all full, and Joannas asks for silence as she leads in the blessing of the food. As part of the blessing she mentions the blessing of Tech and knowledgeable people, then finishes with “Amyn”.

The food is warm, fresh, and flavorful. You say that your ship’s cook and your wife would love the food.

Delilah and Susanna both look surprised hearing that you are married, but don’t comment.

After vespermango, Dani guides you back to her dwelling. She tells you that you can clean up and that she has clothing you can change into. It’s just a simple pair of woven cloth shorts and a loose pull-over shirt, along with a set of trousers and long sleeved shirt for tomorrow. There is almost a coldness to her tone.

“Dani, have I done anything wrong?”

“No Matthew. You’re doin’ what’s asked of you. That’s all there’s to it.”

She turns her back to you. “Go get cleaned and change. Do you want some more tea?”

“I’m not thirsty.” You say as you take the shorts, shirt, and walk into the washroom. The shower water is hot. Yes, the water heater is working. There are a couple of towels hanging up. You use one to dry off and then hang it back up. The shorts and shirt have drawstrings to fasten them. As you step out you, Dani is on her knees praying. When she finishes she wipes her eyes. “Say your prayers and get some sleep.” There is sadness in her voice.

You walk close to her. “Dani, why are you crying?”

“I’m praying for a baby. I thought you was an answer to that prayer.”

“Oh.” You softly say.

“Just go to bed. Tomorrow’s another day.” She says as she turns off the lamps.

You lie on your bunk. “Dani” you ask softly, “Andrew mentioned that my friends may be in danger. What’s the truth to it?”

In the dark room you hear her answer. “Pray for their safety. Some of us fled danger. Some were cast out. None of us think Ciono is a safe place.”

“Do you know how to use Comms or a minividi?” you ask.

“I ain’t had the schooling for that. I can read but I’m not good with Tech. Go to sleep. We’ll ask Joannas in the morning.” She says with sadness still in her voice.

“Goodnight Dani” you say as you pull a woven blanket over you and fall asleep.

The Space Freighter Libereco - Going to Sleepers' Colony - Chapter 18

 

Once Navs has the Nav Point and the Autotrack on, she sits down next to you in the galley. Skipper called this meeting to brief everyone about what happened on 059 and why you are going to ‘Sleepers’ Colony’.

You hand Navs a cup of coffee with lakto and sukero, just how she likes it. She smiles and sips it.

“Ok. The reason I called everyone here, is I want you to understand what UGA asked of us.” Skipper starts off. She paces around the galley as she talks. “What do you know about ‘Sleepers’ Colony’?” she asks.

“They are a colony of religious conservatives, founded so they could express their ‘religious freedom’ against what they view as Uggo corruption of society and traditional values.” You respond.

“Yes. Has anyone ever visited it?” She asks.

You shake your head and notice that everyone is doing the same thing.

“Damn, I was hoping to get some ‘on the ground’ intel before we send them a link.”

Navs leans forward on her elbows “What’s all this about Skipper? And why is UGA asking us to go instead of sending a Maristo?”

Skipper walks over to the vidi, taps it, and plays a recorded transmission. You hear a female voice. “This is Joannas of Najran trying to reach out to any ship willing to sell us Tech. We don’t have many valutos but we’ll trade agro goods. We are not part of the main colony. We fled and set up our own settlement. Please help us”

Kurgio scratches his head, “Skipper I hadn’t heard that ‘Sleepers’ Colony’ had expanded beyond the farms and ranches that surround the Temple of Ciono.”

She taps the screen again, and a visual of the planet appears. “That’s why I’m asking what you know.” She taps the planet and it zooms in to what is probably a Maristo-made orbital scan. There is a large temple in the center of a town, with many farms and ranches spreading out. Dirt roads seem to connect everything. There doesn’t appear to be a landing pad, but there is a level clearing with multiple roads leading away from it. “That’s the colony.” She spins the image. “According to the Uggos, the transmission originated from beyond the colony farms, close to the coastline.” She zooms in. “But orbital scans didn’t detect anything. They could be well camouflaged, or they might be in caves or caverns.”

Meko raises his hand, “Skipper, how do we find someone who wants to stay hidden but also wants help?”

She extends her arms wide, “That’s part of what I want from all o’ you.”

Kurgio leans back in his chair, “The Komandanto of 059 recommended that I drop a link to the Temple and ask if they need any medical attention. We can also offer to trade some of what we have in the holds.”

“That’s good for Ciono, but how do we find this ‘Najran’?” Navs asks.

Skipper nods to Cookie. “Skipper and I have been thinking about that ever since she mentioned ‘Sleepers’ Colony’. Part of what they believe is that men run and control things. So Kurgio, Meko, and Helm will have to be the ones who do all of the talking and negotiating.”

Navs nods “Which leaves us ‘poor simple womenfolk’ to listen and see what we can find. Got ya.”

Skipper taps the vidi again. “According to what the UGA has on the colony, they all dress conservatively. Men are in slacks and shirts, with coats and hats, while women wear long skirts, modest blouses that cover everything, and a headscarf or bonnet to cover their hair.” Images of the colony fill the screen. Farmers and ranchers dressed very simply.

“Skipper, does that mean we have to dress like that? I mean coveralls are conservative. They don’t show anything.” Navs comments.

Skipper taps off the screen. “We don’t want to cause trouble and we need information. If we can blend in, then we might learn what we need.”

Meko raises his hand again. “Skipper, why don’t the Maristos just land and search?”

Before she can answer, you respond “These people fled the Core and government for their religious freedom. If Maristos or any Uggos show up, these people will either be non-responsive or worse, hold up until the government leaves.”

Cookie chimes in “You know why they are the Sleepers?”

Meko shakes his head.

“My Grana and Granp told me the story of the “Seven Sleepers”. It goes back many eons, where there was seven faithful who were persecuted by a pagan government, so they hid in a cave, which the soldiers sealed up. Many years passed and the old government fell. When the cave was opened, the faithful woke up as if they had just slept for a night. They left the cave and freely practiced their religion.”

Meko looks a little shocked, “But that’s just a myth right?”

Skipper walks over and fills a cup with coffee. “Meko, does it matter? It’s what they believe. They believe they are the faithful and will outlast the ‘pagan government’.”

He looks to Cookie, “You don’t believe that?”

She shakes her head, “Naw, the Uggo schools took all that away. My grans even stopped going to church. But before, in the hills, as free holders, they tried to teach me the Faith.”

Kurgio gets up and fills a cup with hot water for tea “Too bad you’re a woman. I’d prefer you talking to them. You at least know Faith.”

She nods. “I’ll stand with you, be your nurse or your assistant. Do what I can to help.”

Skipper takes a sip of coffee, nodding. “Do that. Find a long skirt, and cover your hair. Navs and I will stay on the ship while you and the menfolk handle things.”

You follow Navs as she heads back to the Con. “Are you going to be okay?” you ask.

She stops, turns and hugs you. “I’ll be a little lonely while you bunk down.”

You put your arms around her. “No, I meant not being able to be part of the trades and negotiations. You always enjoy doing that.”

She shakes her head. “I’ll be fine. Not having to deal with bigoted idiots who think the only value of a woman is the children that she can produce will be a relief. I haven’t been there before, but they aren’t the first religious group we’ve dealt with.”

“True, but most of those were more ‘spiritual types’, and not so strictly defined by their beliefs.” You say, thinking back to previous missions on other colonies where folks were wearing robes, Gis, or other strange uniforms. “These folks don’t like ‘outsiders’, except when they really need something.”

“We’ll be okay. You had a long shift, and we were interrupted. Why don’t you rack out. We have a few hours until we get there.” She says kissing you. “I have a ship to fly and comms to check.”

You kiss her again and head for your cabin. You are more tired than you thought because once you lie on the bed, you are asleep.

You are woken by a kiss and something tickling the tip of your nose. “Time to get up sleepy head.” Navs says as she tickles the tip of your nose with the end of her braid.

You get up, shower, dress in the grey coveralls that Navs pulled out for you, and then head for the main cargo hold. Skipper, and Cookie are wearing long black skirts, and grey blouses, with grey head scarves. Meko is wearing a set of grey coveralls, similar to yours, while Kurgio is dressed in a black coat and tie.

Skipper looks at you. “Good, Navs told you to wear the greys. It will be easier to tell them that grey is our standard uniform.” You nod, not mentioning that Navs just pulled them out and left them on your bunk. 

A masculine voice rings through the ship. “Skipper, we are about to enter orbit. I’ll request landing clearance, or do you want Kurgio to do it?”

She taps the screen. “That’s good use of the voice modulator. Make the initial request. If they need convincing, I’ll have Kurgio submit a follow up.”

Skipper and Cookie go over the plan, pointing out which pieces of cargo should be offered for trade. Kurgio nods while holding on to his medic bag.

A few minutes later, Navs’ augmented voice comes over again, “Everyone strap in, we are cleared and about to enter atmos.”

Everyone heads for the bulkhead seats in the cargo bay. Once everyone is strapped in, Skipper nods and taps the vidi, “We’re set. Let’s do this.”

The main engine cuts off and you hear the maneuvering thrusters kick on. At this point all you can do is wait for the ship to land. You hate when you aren’t at the controls. Navs is as good a pilot as you, but you feel useless strapped in the cargo hold instead of helping in the Con. A few minutes later the shaking stops and the ship is in lower atmos.

The vidi kicks on again, this time a strange voice says “Welcome to Ciono, I am Patro Dionis, can I speak to your Doktoro before we allow you to land?”

Kurgio taps his minividi, links it to the ship, and answers, “This is Doktoro Ion Novak, UMP certified, and ready to offer medical services to your colony.”

“Thanks be, Doktoro, but what brings you to our quiet gathering?” Patro Dionis asks. “We hadn’t sent out any emergency links.”

“We are an Independent Medical Transport. We checked in at Station 059, asking if they knew of any medical needs. They mentioned that your colony hadn’t had a UMP member visit in a while. I thought it was my Faithful Duty to see if there were any in need.”

Patro Dionis’s tone changes a bit. “Be ye a follower of the Faith?”

Cookie taps the vidi and chimes in, “Pardon, Patro, he is not a follower, but he respects your ways. His Calling is to aid those in need. Isn’t it against the Faith to prevent such a blessed mission?”

“Who is this woman, to speak such to a man, without proper introduction?” He responds.

Kurgio chimes in “This is Cookie, my nurse and assistant. She was raised in the Faith and helps me, Patro Dionis.”

“Greeting to you, Cookie, and to you too Doktoro. You have our blessing to land. We will put out the word for those who have a need to come to your ship.”

“Thank you. We also have some trade goods and tech, so if you wish to look. Maybe there is something you need?”

There is a pause, and then he responds. “Thank ye, Doktoro, I’ll have a few members of our council take you up on your offer.”

“You are welcome. Doktoro out.” Kurgio says as he switches off his minividi.

Cookie looks at him and shrugs, “I thought you needed my help, so I just jumped in.”

He smiles. “I know and appreciate it.”

A few minutes later, the Libereco has landed. As the cargo ramp drops, you enjoy the warm feeling of a fresh late spring day. You have no idea if this planet even has seasons, but fresh air beats the refreshed and recycled air you usually breathe. You hang back as Kurgio and Cookie walk down and meet with the locals. Tapping your minividi, you check on Navs. “Is everything good up there?”

Her smiling face fills the screen in your hand, “Yeah, I’m doing passive scans for any comms outside of the colony.”

“I’d love to help, but…”

“But Skipper needs you to be muscle down there.” She finishes with a wink.

You hadn’t thought about it until now, yes, you are physical muscle, to move, carry, and deliver trade goods, but you also, as a male member of the crew, provide a physical presence in case anything goes wrong.

“I’ll check on you later.” You say, then tap off your minividi and stand there at the top of the ramp as they negotiate. You and Meko watch as Kurgio does all the talking, with Cookie and Skipper making suggestions to him, but not addressing the men of the colony directly.

Soon, the meeting ends, with Kurgio and Cookie following a bearded man with a wide-brimmed, black hat that might be Patro Dionis. Skipper walks back up the ramp and points out various pieces of tech and some frostviando and frostlegomoj that Cookie pulled out of the ice hold prior to landing.

Wagons drawn by cavaloj or bovoj pull up to the bottom of the ramp. Meko and Skipper meet them. Once again, Meko talks directly to the men, while Skipper only tells her comments and suggestions to him. You shake your head. “Not letting our women talk or negotiate is just stupid.” You mutter to yourself.

Meko points to which items go on which wagon. Skipper silently records everything on her minividi, checking off each item as you help load. Meko receives transfers of valutos onto his minividi.

The last wagon is drawn by two cavaloj, with a canvas covering, and loaded with furs and hides. As Meko negotiates with the driver, you overhear Skipper saying “Sir, I didn’t think the Doktoro agreed to trading goods for tech. I thought everything was to be paid, not traded.”

Meko and Skipper talk back and forth quietly while the wagon driver looks nervous and impatient. Two people climb out of the back and begin offloading the hides onto the ramp. You walk closer and ask “What do you want to do?”

Meko points out “This is the tech that Cookie and I brought onboard for trade. I don’t care if I make a profit on it or not. Besides, hides and furs can be very useful and profitable in other parts of the Rim.”

Skipper shakes her head. “This looks to be the last wagon, so do what you want. I’m going up to the Con.”

Meko smiles and points to a few large carry cases. “Helm, grab those.”

You carry one at a time, while Meko is focused on counting and moving the hides and furs.

When you help load the last case into the wagon, you feel a cold circle of metal press to the back of your head. “Mister, don’t say nothing. Drop your minividi and climb into the wagon.”

Pulling your minividi from your pocket, you drop it on the ground, then climb in. You see another person holding a projectile thrower pointed at you, then a rag is pulled across your mouth and a jupo sack over your head. You feel the wagon rumble down the dirt road.

(Come back next week for the next part of “Helm Taken Prisoner”. I hope you are enjoying this story. If you are, Clap, Highlight, and Leave a Comment. If you enjoy my writings, Follow and Subscribe. See you next time.)