Cosimo: A Families of the Empire Story

© 2024, Charlie Foxtrot

 

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U. S. copyright law.

 

Cover Photos: © 2024, Charlie Foxtrot

Ebook ISBN: 979-8-9901755-0-1

 

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

 

Warning: This work contains frank and graphic sex scenes between the characters. While the primary plot is not about sex, the characters do have a varied and fulfilling sex life that is portrayed within the context of the story. If works of this nature offend you, don’t read this book. Consider yourself warned.

 

Follow & Learn More: Subscribe to my blog at charliefoxtrotwriter.blog to learn about upcoming releases or background on my writing. Checkout my website at charliefoxtrotwriter.com for special features and updates related to my books. You can also follow me on Amazon, GoodReads, or Facebook.

 

Acknowledgements: Parts of this work were first published by the author in serial format online, at storiesonline.net. A great many readers and proof-readers helped polish the story over time with their feedback and comments. I appreciate all of those who helped make this a stronger tale. Special thanks to Leo who took the time to challenge my thinking and make the story stronger. -Charlie

 

 

Table of Contents

Prologue

Inception of Empire

Humble Beginnings

Legacy of Shadows

In the Red Wing

Light of a Gray Dawn

Sixth Day

Seventh Day

The Season (part 1)

The Season (part 2)

The Season (part 3)

The Season (part 4)

Into Autumn (part 1)

Into Autumn (part 2)

Into Autumn (part 3)

The Cold Blade of Winter (part 1)

The Cold Blade of Winter (part 2)

The Cold Blade of Winter (part 3)

The Cold Blade of Winter (part 4)

The Cold Blade of Winter (part 5)

The Cold Blade of Winter (part 6)

Appendix: The Imperial Constitution

 

 

Prologue

Ayako watched as Kgosi, her husband, descended from the side hatch of the shuttle. The crew was bustling around them, unloading cargo with a sense of urgency that echoed through the hangar bay. She understood the gravity of their task: the seeds they carried were the key to the survival and future prosperity of their human colony on a distant planet. But her concern went beyond the importance of the cargo. The sweat on Kgosi's brow, the weariness in his eyes, testified to the immense struggle they had faced on Earth. The cold climate of Norway had only added to their challenge.

 

The fight against the artificially intelligent machines had been more brutal than anticipated. The raid on the Svalbard Global Seed Vault had been a last hope to secure greater biodiversity for their new home. The mission's success came at great cost, as they knew all too well. Kgosi had left her with a kiss that mixed both farewell and determination. Ayako had listened to the decoded transmission from the mission, her heart heavy with the knowledge that this was the end for the crew on Earth.

 

The New Horizon, their spacecraft, had been moved to the Apollo asteroids to complete its loadout and prepare for the final battle against the home world. The dinosaur killers they had launched from the belt were already enroute to Earth, leaving no chance of rescue or salvation for those left behind. Free men of this generation would never touch foot on their birthplace again.

 

Ayako knew that Kgosi carried a burden far greater than the physical one he showed. As the future leader of the colony, he had been at the forefront of the debates and discussions about their actions. The decision to destroy the machines had weighed heavily on him, a cold calculus of saving a select few while condemning the rest to a fiery end. It was a burden no man should bear, yet Ayako trusted that Kgosi would help them build a new world based on wisdom and compassion, free from the hate and prejudice that had led to the weaponization of technology in the first place.

 

Kgosi turned to look back at the shuttle, his eyes meeting Ayako's. His smile gave her hope. Despite the weight of their decisions and the sacrifices they had made, he believed in their future. And with that belief, she knew they could build a better world, one where mankind learned from its mistakes and created a new home filled with peace and prosperity. Together, they would face the challenges ahead and ensure the success of their colony.

 

 

 

Chapter One

Inception of Empire

"Do you think the captain is wrong?" Ayako asked as I slipped into bed behind her.

 

I sighed. "I don't think he's right, but I can't say he is wrong, either. I think he's struggling with his own sense of guilt at what we did."

 

"The machines would have come after us," she replied. "It was the only way."

 

"I agree. We all did, or at least most of us agreed. But ordering the destruction of our home world, and all those people still fighting and trying to live, it has to weigh on your spirit."

 

"Only if we don't strive for a greater future," she said as she turned over to face me. "It is done, and behind us. We need to do better in our new world. Abandoning our knowledge and technology will only doom our descendants to repeating our ancestor's mistakes. I want our children to grow and live in a better world."

 

A mother's instinct, I thought.

 

"So, what should we do?" I questioned.

 

"The captain is in charge until we begin setting down on Dawn. Once we are on the planet, you are the designated colony leader. We must have a plan to save our people, knowledge and heritage, husband."

 

Her tone was resolute. If only it were as simple as she made it sound.

 

"Some will call it rebellion," I whispered.

 

"Perhaps," she conceded. "Others will think it is justified. How many of the colonists signed on to abandon technology on a strange new world? How many assumed they would have the knowledge and support of the ship's crew to get established and build a thriving future?"

 

"How many will change their minds after realizing how hard the life they think they want actually is?" I asked. "It's easy to agree with the captain now, but what will happen when there is bad weather, a crop failure, and famine?"

 

"Exactly. Kira in medical is worried about what will happen to all of the med-tech and bioscience if the captain gets his way."

 

"I imagine your own passion projects would be at risk as well," I said with only a little teasing escaping into my voice. My wife was a neuroscientist. Her entire life was spent learning about the complex electrical and chemical processes within the brain and how those fields affected the body and psyche of an individual.

 

"They are already at risk, husband. Many don't understand the limitations of my models and believe I'm trying to recreate man's mind in a machine. The pilots in particular seem fearful of my work."

 

"They fought AI opponents during the evacuations. They know how bad it can be if we let AI spread. Our own biological imperatives were passed on to our creations, and they took preemptive action to protect themselves." I fell silent, remembering the last trip up for Mother Earth.

 

We had been tasked with retrieving the seed stores in Norway. The planet killers were already on their orbital path to impact. The machines wanted to capture the shuttles. The orbital fighters were less maneuverable than the machine-controlled drones attempting to stop us, but our stand-alone area defense grid had leveled the playing field. We needed the seed banks. They wanted our ships to attempt to stop the asteroids coming their way. Our pilots and crews wanted to live. The machines did not seem to care. It had been a grueling, bloody mission.

 

"The fears of many on this ship are real and warranted love. We need to try and remember that," I said finally.

 

Ayako wrapper her arms around me, hugging me. "We will, husband, and I will stand by your side regardless of our decisions. We are bonded for now and all time."

 

"I love you," I said softly before kissing her.

 

 

"What can I do for you, Kira?" I asked as the head medical officer came into the small cubicle that was my office. Since I was not technically a member of the ship's crew, I had to make do with a spare single stateroom that had been left vacant following that last mission to earth.

 

"Have you seen this order?" she asked, knowing I hadn't since I was not in the ship's chain of command.

 

I looked at the comm pad with the message on its display.

 

"It looks to be well thought out. Shouldn't the colonists be given a health check and longevity booster before planetfall?" I asked.

 

"It has one extra word in it, Kgosi," she said. "Why does it say 'final' health check? Is the captain going to drop them and abandon them? The plan has two medical centers and roving medical teams."

 

"A lot of the colonists think that is for the best. They are tired of our technology and memory of what that technology wrought on Earth."

 

"Then why the longevity boost? Is that to prolong their suffering on a new world. You know even the most primitive farmer we have in cold transport relies more on technology than the captain will admit. Is he ready to tell every woman and man that they no longer can control if they will conceive a child? Is he going to tell everyone of his crew that they will lose the simple tech they rely on to communicate with each other? Is he ready to tell everyone that they can't use electrical based devices or technology? You know he has the mini generators being inventoried?"

 

"What?" Colony landing supplies fell within my purview, not shipboard operations. "Who told you that?"

 

"Decker in shuttle operations. He's worried about what it means. If the mini generators are damaged, shuttles may become one-way trips to the surface."

 

"We need a lot more than one-way trips. Those generators are supposed to go down in the first wave to allow refueling."

 

"That's what I mean," she said. "Someone at the top is changing the plans for the colony. I'm worried."

 

"Let me look into it," I said.

 

She nodded and left. I stood and went to find Decker to confirm what he was doing, and then to see the captain directly.

 

 

Decker confirmed what Kira had told me. He also told me a few more odd orders. Off-loading plans were being changed with more small disbursements rather than two main sites for redundancy. The fact that I was being kept out of the loop angered me as well. The colonists were my responsibility once they were landed. We had spent most of the journey preparing team assignments and organizing work to ensure we were able to establish a base and drive to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. There would be no resupply. There was no second ship coming with additional people or resources. We were the last, only hope for humanity.

 

I went to the executive officer before approaching the captain.

 

"I don't have to agree with him, Kgosi," the XO said. "But I can't countermand his orders while we're underway. I can support you in finding out what he is thinking, but at the end of the day, he is the captain of this ship."

 

"Is he the captain of you, as well? If this plan is what it looks like, you won't have a city to be mayor of."

 

Talia Dennison was my first choice to head up the secondary settlement. She had the leadership, administrative experience, empathy and charisma to help form a vibrant colony.

 

Her face, usually expressive and open, was tightly controlled.

 

"We have fourteen days to orbit," she said softly. "I'll ensure no irreversible actions are taken by the crew. We can't confront him without a viable plan. If your guesses are correct, most of the crew won't stand for it. The colonists, maybe, but the crew did not fight as hard as they did to condemn their children to savagery. Come up with a plan," she said.

 

I nodded. I was good at planning.

 

 

 

"There are several die-hards that will not agree with this," Kira cautioned as she and Ayako sat in our small cabin and read the handwritten document. "We'll be forced to fight as soon as we tell them."

 

"Maybe," Ayako said. "I may be able to influence them," she added. "With your support, Kira, we can make them accept."

 

"How?"

 

It was a part of the plan we dared not put in writing. It would be the conspiracy behind the conspiracy, behind the coup. I had come to realize the captain would consider this either mutiny or a coup, for that is what it would be.

 

"Your final checks," Ayako said. "We add one factor to the mix, during the resuscitation. If we combine it with aural conditioning, it should make them amenable for long enough."

 

"For the crew? I can see it helping with the colonists, but how will you get him to prioritize the crew?"

 

This was my part of the subversion. "You're going to report degraded software in your daily readiness report tomorrow. Then, you can reference it to ask the captain to prioritize crew longevity boosts over colonist boosts, just in case you must stop delivering them for safety reasons. You'll copy me on that message, since it impacts colonial operations. After the crew is treated, I'll have to force a conversation with him and the XO."

 

Ayako was nodding. "The treatment won't hurt them, but it will ensure their true feelings on the matter surface more easily, and with a secondary agent, it can reinforce loyalty once a path is forged."

 

Kira looked at Ayako sharply. "Mind control?" We had been talking softly, but this was nearly a whisper.

 

Ayako shook her head. “It’s more a commitment to a belief. It will be their own decision, but they will not likely change their mind once the second agent is delivered."

 

"But if the captain is already committed to his decision, how can this help us? It won't sway him."

 

"If he is committed to renouncing technology, he can join the colonists that agree with him. We, on the other hand, can choose to thrive and grow instead of simply existing and surviving."

 

"A lot of the crew believe in democracy," Kira said. "What if a majority vote with the captain?"

 

"A greater percentage believe in independence and freedom to make their own choices. They will side with us, and their children not yet born," I said.

 

"If we start our colony with a mutiny, how will we ever recover a rule law?"

 

"That's what that document is for. It lays out how the government of the colony will be run. It won't be a monarchy or a pure democracy," I said.

 

"Replace your 'feudal republic' with 'empire'," Kira said. "Don't sugar coat what you plan. The crew that supports this will be the aristocrats of the colony and elect a tyrant to rule them with limited control. The colonists that stick with the crew will be plebes with no voice in how the colony is run. Do you really think they will join us?"

 

"It's easy to renounce technology when machines are killing your friends and families. It's very hard to renounce it when it means all your daylight hours are spent trying to survive. We can paint the picture of both futures. I think many will seek our safer comfort than ideology when they think about it."

 

Kira looked at us. "If we do this, we cannot be part of the ruling class," she said finally. "We will be the only checks on the rulers becoming tyrants and enslaving us all."

 

Ayako nodded. "You control the longevity and rejuvenation processes. I can control the mental conditioning to adhere to our plan. For Kgosi and I, ensuring the survival of mankind is enough reward. We don't need power or control in the future. Do you?"

 

Kira sat silently for several minutes. "Me and mine will agree. If we are to do this, we will need to think longer term. I need zero-gee for the crafting of certain compounds required for longevity. Me and mine shall remain in orbit, only visiting the new world. You and yours will need to be among the colony to ensure there is no sign of rot or corruption amongst the crew."

 

Ayako looked at me. I nodded agreement.

 

"We have a plan," I said. "Now let's get all of the pieces on the board."

 

 

Our Rubicon was reached seven days later, the third day spent in orbit around our new home world, Dawn. The planet was larger than earth, and slightly further away from its sun, but spun on its axis at a marginally faster rate. This resulted in a four-hundred-day year and close to a twenty-four-hour day. Prior seeding missions over the past centuries ensured the biosphere was ready for us. Shuttles had performed surveys and key landing sites were mapped in detail. More importantly for our plans was the fact that all the crew had received their checkouts and boosts.

 

"What’s the issue?" the captain asked as I, Kira, and the XO entered his cabin.

 

"It's the revised landing plans you've sent out, sir," I said respectfully. I still clung to foolish hope.

 

"Yes, we need to disperse more, and I don't want all that excess equipment landed. What of it?"

 

"Kgosi and the other colony leads have spent a lot of time sequencing the landing, captain. Why change plans now?"

 

He waved his hand. "That presumed two main colonies with a technology base. The colonists and crew no longer desire that level of tech. This will let us all get back to a simpler lifestyle and leave our tumultuous past behind us. Don't tell me you're afraid of some honest work, XO," he said in a tone of forced joviality.

 

"The crew and the colony leadership does not agree with you, Captain," I said. "If you and some others want to run away from technology, we'll make accommodations for you, but you don't get to decide how we establish our new home."

 

His face reddened. "And I suppose you do?" he nearly shouted. "What gives you that right? What makes you think you can tell me how to unload my ship?"

 

"Article twelve of the International Cooperation Agreement of Earth that paid for and chartered this ship," I replied. "'Once a suitable destination is reached, authority for the establishment of mankind's colony shall pass to the duly appointed chief of colony development.'" I quoted. "That would be me."

 

"I won't stand for it, you smug bastard!" he shouted. "Do you know what I've done for these people? Do you know what I've sacrificed to get them here safely?"

 

"Do you know what they've done to seek safety?" I shouted back. "Do you know the mothers that left husbands behind to give their children a new opportunity? Have you felt the anguish of a little girl crying as we left her mother behind since we could lift off with two children or one adult? Have you pulled the trigger on a man struggling to climb into an overloaded shuttle? Don't you dare tell me your issuing commands from a clean bridge is even close to the sacrifices I and these people have made!"

 

I did not try to think or the dozens of evacuation missions I had participated in, but I knew he had not left the safety of the ship in the years leading up to our departure.

 

He looked at the XO for support and seemed to notice her hand resting comfortably on the grip of her holstered sidearm. His eyes went wide. During that moment of distraction, Kira darted closer and pressed the auto injector against his leg. He snarled and reached for her before collapsing into my grip.

 

At least it would be a bloodless coup, I thought.

 

 

"These traitors want to enable the rise of the same technology that forced us from Earth!"

 

I was regretting agreeing to let the captain speak to the crew. Ayako felt her treatment would hold them resolute in their prior decision. I loved my wife but was less certain of the incredibly complex chemistry of our brains.

 

"And you want us to return to our Cro-Magnon origins!" Talia Dennison fired back. "This isn't about enabling the rise of machine intelligence; it's about ensuring the survival of our children. I for one, as a future mother thanks to the efforts of Dr. Kincaid, do not plan on being turned into a baby factory just so a quarter of my children will reach adulthood. Eliminating all our technology base would revert us back to the dark ages of mankind. That is not what we signed on for."

 

Applause filled the small cafeteria space we were crowded into. The women seemed to be the strongest supporters.

 

"He just wants the power for himself," Captain Calvari said. "He wants to set himself up to be the ruler of a new technocracy," he was pointing at me.

 

I stepped up. "My job is to see that the colony is established. I will not take on any leadership role in the governing of the colony. I have shared the proposed structure with the crew and will not take a role if that structure is approved. I will also state that no member of the crew is required to join us. If you disagree with retaining the planned technology base, we will deliver you to alternative locations. The planet is big enough for us all to establish our own cultures and ways of living without interference. I simply refuse to let one man's fear of the past drive everyone's future."

 

"Let's put it to a vote," someone from the back of the room called. I thought it was Decker but could not be sure.

 

Most of the people present echoed the sentiment.

 

"Very well," I said. We were prepared. "A registered vote is being sent to your personal comps now. All crew are invited to vote. All adult partners of crew are invited to vote. This will be a crew decision. Colonists will be able to choose which type of colony they will join later. This is to determine if we will have more than once type of colony."

 

Talia issued the ballot via the comms system. Chirps filled the room announcing the priority message arriving. People read, then tapped one of the two buttons. Talia called up the live readout on the display in the room. The tally was available to everyone in real-time.

 

"The aye's have it," Talia called when the count showed that seventy-one percent approved of the proposed structure. Why wouldn't they, I though, since it made them the ruling elite of our new colony?

 

"The motion passes," I said. "This vote also establishes those who do not wish to settle with the technology basis originally planned. We will leave it up to you as a group to select a leader, and what seed stock and materials you'll be requesting from the manifests. I will review and approve those requests."

 

That caused a murmur. I knew the captain would be pushing for leading the non-tech parties, and I knew he would underestimate how much technology was needed to thrive. Those people would have a difficult life, but I was not going to start a new civilization with a large group of malcontents.

 

 

"Fuck that," a young woman said as she read the options. "I'm not going to condemn myself to live in squalor. I'd rather be a plebe in the tech colony than a 'freeholder' with you."

 

"Dara!" her mother said. "You'll be coming with us."

 

I shook my head. "She's of age. She can make her own choice." The young woman smiled at me while the mother attempted to grab her wayward daughter.

 

"None of that," I cautioned. I sent them out opposite doors.

 

"That's the last of them," I said.

 

Captain Calvari scowled, and Talia smiled. The colonists had split nearly evenly between the options offered. The technology colony had about five thousand colonists coming with them. Of the forty-six crew families, fourteen including the captain had opted for a low or no-tech settlement. Six of them had refused the no-tech option and were not following the captain. They had elected a spokesperson from the colonists, who had extensive low-tech knowledge. They would be taking some limited technology equipment with them and had roughly two thousand colonists. The remaining three thousand had been swayed by the captain to eschew technology. They were taking only rudimentary tools and materials. They would have a difficult time, so I allocated them the most favorable landing zone.

 

"Captain, we'll be landing your group on the temperate sub-continent starting tomorrow. Please make sure your people have everything you've requested. Decker will be your embarking agent ensuring nothing is missed."

 

They had stupidly decided that they would take what they could carry individually, as well as one shuttle load of building supplies and one shuttle of seed stocks. They had opted for modern arms suitable for hunting and self-defense but had not requested any materials that would allow them to effectively maintain those items or even reload ammunition.

 

"You bastards will regret this," he said. "People will see what a peaceful colony we build and tire of your autocratic bullshit soon enough."

 

Talia just smiled.

 

 

"Will we be able to trade with the other colonies?" Ekantika Boyan, the leader of the low-tech colonists asked.

 

"Trade? Probably no time soon," I replied. "You'll be fairly separated from the other landing zones. There is a fair-sized ocean crossing between your zone and ours, and multiple crossing to reach the no-tech zone. We'll retain shuttle flight capability, but we won't have capacity for large volume trade using the shuttles. So long as your comms batteries last, we can provide limited emergency assistance."

 

She frowned at my statement. "Then let's double check our lists of supplies. I think we may need to add several kettles for brewing," she said. "We can use those for purifying water, at least."

 

We got back into her list of equipment and the loading and delivery schedule. She was well organized. It would be a shame to lose her focus and expertise on low-technology cultures, but I was not about to force her to change her mind. I thought she was the best chance the low-tech colony had for surviving more than a few years.

 

As we finished the final review of their debarkation plan, I decided to give her a lifeline.

 

"Ekantika," I said. "We will have some folks remaining in orbit for a while. Maybe permanently. Take this comm with you. If you become desperate, use it to reach them. They can get a message to me or the tech colony leaders. If we can, we'll help."

 

She looked at me with her serious brown eyes and then took the palm-sized device without comment.

 

 

"Are you sure this is the best plan?" Talia asked Ayako, Kira, and I as she stood at the hatch of the shuttle.

 

"We are," Kira said. Ayako and I nodded.

 

"We'll eventually land on the west coast," I said. "Kira and her folks will remain in orbit. They need zero-gee for some of their work. Ayako will need to finish synthesis of her compounds up here, then get a lab established wherever we build a home at. You'll win the first election by the crew easily, and we'll be ready to support you as you establish the empire," I said.

 

"I'll be setting up the main landing port closer to the center of the continent and then building transport east and west simultaneously. Let me know where on the west coast you want the linkages to end, as soon as possible so we can adjust the route."

 

"Will do," I said. "It shouldn't take us more than a half-year before we are moving planet-side. Good luck to you, Talia."

 

"Good luck to us all," she replied.

 

 

 

Chapter Two

Humble Beginnings

 

"She's coming around," Kira said as she looked down at Talia Dennison, first Emperor of the new empire.

 

"Talia, do you hear me?" Ayako asked softly, leaning toward her long-time friend's ear.

 

"Uhmmm," Talia mumbled.

 

"Can you move your right hand?" Kira asked.

 

The patient's hand twitched.

 

"Good. Now your left."

 

Her left fingers fluttered.

 

"Excellent. You're past the worst of it," Kira said. "Now it's just going to take time for your body to shake off the affects and for you to get some strength back."

 

Ayako sat back and then glanced at the tube feeding nutrients and medicines into the emperor. She held up a small syringe and looked at Kira, the former chief medical officer of "Man's Hope" while keeping it out of Talia's sight.

 

Kira nodded.

 

Ayako slipped the needle into the socket on the tube and slowly pushed in the plunger. Kira leaned close to Talia's ear and whispered. Ayako handed Kira a plastic and metal band which the doctor slipped onto Talia's head. Two pads rested on the patient's temples, and she pushed an activation switch. Talia's eyes fluttered and then closed.

 

Kira and Ayako sat back and exchanged a look.

 

"We were lucky," Kira said. "If I hadn't gotten my team here as quickly as I did, we would not have been able to revive her. I can't imagine what would have happened if Darius had succeeded. We would have a short-lived empire then."

 

Ayako nodded. "We would have dealt with him, but the trust built with the people since landing would have been broken."

 

Kira rubbed her temples and sighed. "How will Talia react when she learns that her loving son-in-law tried to overthrow the emperor? How will her daughter react?"

 

"Her daughter will be spared but cannot be trusted with any power. I'll take her away with me. Her grandson will come to the capital to be with his grandmother. He will inherit the mantel of the Dennison line when Talia does finally pass. Hopefully she'll have enough time to get him trained."

 

"Barring an accident or another attempt on her life, she should be good for twenty or so more years. Of course, once she recovers and understands the depth of her family's betrayal, she may step down."

 

"No, we can't allow that," Ayako said. "Maybe in a decade, but not in the short-term. Our culture is starting to solidify with the academies and collegium. People are generally happy. The other colonies are faltering, as we expected. We have to remain strong, or the world will devolve, and our race will be at risk."

 

"What will you do to Laura?" Kira asked, curious how Talia's daughter would be treated.

 

"My son needs a suitable mate. She will be tamed and used to benefit the empire," Ayako said.

 

Kira looked up sharply. "Your research?"

 

Ayako nodded. "Laura Dennison will be my final test subject. Her husband's life is forfeit. I'll not waste resources on him. For our friend’s sake, her daughter will be indentured and bound to my son. My family will continue through the bloodline of my friend's daughter, but she will have no power to threaten us ever again."

 

Kira nodded. "I'll take genetic samples from Darius. We don't want to lose any bloodlines."

 

"Take them yourself, today, Kira. Tomorrow, Ksogi will do his duty in closed session with the Senate as witness. We will then reinforce their oaths to the empire."

 

"It seems barbaric, but I understand. I'll bear witness as well."

 

Ayako nodded; her lips set in a grim tight line. “Barbaric, yes, but required. We need to remember so many of our shipmates who have slipped into barbarism. Might makes right in their world now. We must be better, to strive and stabilize our culture and world,” she said passionately.

 

“Our civic institutions will survive, since we stopped this plot,” Kira said.

 

“But the plot was born because we do not yet have firm social structures and norms,” Ayako said. “We need accepted social interactions that will prevent the aristocracy from only interacting amongst themselves. If we did not hear from Conner about Talia’s health, we would not have been in position to act. A simple conversation based on a random observation tipped their hand. It was happenstance and luck. We need to create social structures that will tip the odds of that sort of luck in our favor.”

 

“What are you thinking? It’s hard for my people to monitor the empire from orbit with the communications restrictions we’ve adopted. How will you manage random conversations across millions of people?”

 

“I may have an idea,” she said. Ayako considered their world. Perhaps she had an idea. She wished Kgosi was still alive to provide his counsel. Maybe it was just a dream. She would not know if she did not try.

 

“I think I’ll open a very special club here, and in my hometown. We will cater to the rich, ambitious, and powerful. I will create the social scene needed for us to watch from the wings and be prepared. Can I count on your support?”

 

“Always, my old friend. Now tell me more about this idea and the vision for your club.”

 

“Less of a vision than an idea at the moment. It will be exclusive. It will be private. It will be both where people want to be seen and where people know they can meet for a private rendezvous. It will be discreet. It will cater to people’s senses and desires.”

 

“And be filled with your eyes and ears?” Kira asked.

 

Ayako nodded.

 

 

Chapter Three

Legacy of Shadows

Fireworks lit the night sky over the harbor town of Cardino as two old friends sat on the balcony of a house perched close above the quays and wharves.

 

“Your clubs are doing well,” Kira said as the display paused. The noise of the town’s crowd was distant enough to not intrude, but loud enough to prevent their conversation from being overheard by the family members each had with them tonight.

 

“Three so far,” Ayako said with a smile. “Here, the capital, and San Mateo. We will expand slowly, as I get staff trained to my standards.”

 

“I was surprised by some of the entertainments you offer,” Kira said. “And I was surprised by how crowded those parts of the club were. I thought better of our crew and people.”

 

Ayako gave a tight-lipped smile. “We have un-shackled much of the repressions we had on Earth. The clubs give people a chance to explore different aspects of themselves in a safe environment. Our society is very open if you compare it to what we had back then.”

 

Kira sighed. “I don’t think my people have kept pace with the freedoms and safety you all enjoy down here.”

 

“How could you? You must be cautious. Living in orbit has different risks, just as living outside the empire does. People here have had a century of stable, safe growth and relative prosperity. We’ve created a society that stresses individual responsibility and accountability while providing a social safety net. I like to think that my clubs provide an emotional safety net and a societal pressure relief valve. People that feel an urge can find ways to express it safely.”

 

Kira snorted. “I suppose, but it seems strange. Watching people parade around naked is one thing. Seeing them have sex is a different story.”

 

“Is it?” Ayako asked. “Voyeurism has been an aspect of human sexuality for ages, as has exhibitionism. Other sexual preferences were driven underground for ages and the repression of them causes documented psychological harm. We allow consenting adults to express themselves as they want, to explore, and to experience in a safe environment. If it was happening in the club, the participants were all willing. We insist on consent.”

 

Kira shook her head. “I suppose, but is it really in societies best interests? Some would say you will foster a generation of misogynists or sadists. I worry we will descend into decadence. You and I know where that can lead a society.”

 

“Did you spend time outside our red wings?”

 

Kira nodded. “Yes, and they were pleasant.”

 

“But you fixate on the red? Perhaps you are suppressing some desires.”

 

Kira stated to say something, but the resumption of the fireworks interrupted her. A little later, during another pause, she said, “I don’t think I would want to parade around naked, or have my ass spanked for sport, or do that to someone else,” she said.

 

“Then why did you go into the red? Simple curiosity?”

 

“I suppose so.”

 

“Then the experience taught you something you could not learn elsewhere. It is the same for people that return to those parts of the club on a regular basis. They either feel a need to be satisfied or want to explore parts of themselves that they can’t in a normal club. Only a small percentage of our membership regularly venture into the red wing, but nearly all our members have visited at least once. Knowing what is available is not the same as being required to partake.”

 

Kira thought about the statement. “Why couple those parts with your main operation? Why not provide them separately?”

 

“We started that way. Curiosity of our members drove us to combine efforts. We also have seen many more frank exchanges amongst members in the blue and red wings. Remember my mission and purpose. People in power, or seeking power are more likely to let their guard down after an intense sexual experience. Mankind has always been wired that way, sharing secrets after intimacy is well established.”

 

“And have you discovered much?”

 

It was Ayako’s turn to nod. “And acted where needed. We work closely but discretely with the judiciary and imperial security.”

 

“What of my family’s role?” the aging doctor asked. “You’ve not called on me.”

 

“So far, we haven’t needed to ask you to change any policies or refuse treatment to any aristocrats. Your fee structure has limited how may rejuvenations a family is willing to pay for.”

 

Kira snorted. “We’re hardly self-sufficient on orbit. We need those fees to keep operating and sustaining our capability. Soon, we’ll have some relief but for now, we need the income.”

 

“I’m the same way. That is why I’m taking a measured approach to expansion of the clubs. I would prefer to not ask the empire for money to grow. Edict zero is tenuous protection right now. The shadows can only offer protection if we stay in them.”

 

The finale of the fireworks lit the sky and prevented further conversation. Once the final peels of man-made thunder signaled the end of the show, both women stood and clapped with the small crowd on the balcony.

 

“You spent quite a bit on this social spectacle,” Kira said as they stood at the balustrade and watched the throng along the wharves below.

 

“It is a centennial celebration, Kira. I wanted to do it up right for everyone. We’ve survived the first century. Do you think the other colonies have fared as well?”

 

“No. It’s been a decade since we made our last aid run outside the empire. People are surviving, but not thriving. They hide when a shuttle lands. They know we’re people, just like them, but are so fearful of approaching us. Who knows what traditions they’ve passed down.”

 

“And what of your watch?” Ayako asked as they moved back inside. The younger family members were disbursing, but they sat at a small table and Ayako motioned for a maid to bring tea.

 

“We’ve seen nothing. I want to believe we stopped the machines, but we must remain vigilant. Most of the biosphere would not survive the asteroids we sent their way, but they don’t need organic material to survive, just power.”

 

“Wasn’t the plan to use five asteroids to ensure cloud cover would prevent solar collection while the damage would eliminate terrestrial power plants? Surely, we killed them all.”

 

“You can’t kill something that is not alive, Ayako. Who knows what they might have come up with. I hope they were destroyed, but I worry. We’re considering sending the ship back to gather observations from a distance.”

 

“Do you have the skills to do that?”

 

Kira nodded. “We will train a crew up here, in orbit and in system. It may be beneficial to have someone from your family participate.”

 

“My family or someone with my family’s knowledge?” Ayako asked with a small grin.

 

“Both. You know I worry your knowledge will be lost and both our families will be at risk, as well as the empire. I have the same fear for the rejuvenation processes. We need to have some back-ups of the knowledge and data.”

 

“You need access to orbit for some of your work,” Ayako mentioned. “Do we need to safeguard our space flight capability as well? That leads to the need for incredible repositories of knowledge that would prevent any specific secret from remaining safe. The guilds and the families segment the knowledge while also safeguarding specific techniques and secrets. We need to follow that model.”

 

The two had debated this approach nearly every time they met. Neither was likely to budge.

 

“But,” Ayako conceded, “I will send someone to you for this mission. We cannot afford to give such an important effort anything less than our all.”

 

Kira smiled. “And I’ll arrange for a secure data storage unit to be sent to you for safe-keeping, friend. If there is a catastrophe in orbit, I’ll sleep better knowing we have a backup of our data and records. You may find some of our latest’s research interesting as well.”

 

Ayako smiled. “Perhaps. I feel that I won’t have too much longer to enjoy the sense of discovery I’ve had in my past, Kira.”

 

The doctor’s eyes widened. “You need to rejuvenate again,” she said.

 

Ayako shook her head. “I’m over one hundred and fifty years old, my friend. I’ve spent the past nine decades forging a family business and a secret legacy for our people and the empire. I’m tired. I’m ready to pass the reins to a younger generation.”

 

Kira looked at her friend, her oldest friend. Her well-worn features still glowed with vigor, but her eyes looked profoundly tired. The realization that they were possibly the only two people left in the world who remembered old earth, and the trials and tribulations they faced to reach this new world saddened her. Knowing there was nothing left to say, she reached out and patted Ayako’s hand.

 

“Your legacy will remain, my friend. I’ll make certain of that.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

 

 

 

Chapter Four

In the Red Wing

"This is a bad idea," I said softly as we walked toward the grand entrance of the Amorperdita Club.

 

Elaine squeezed my hand and gave me her shy smile. She was the reason I had agreed to this visit. We had been dating for most of our senior year and while we were not yet what I would consider lovers, she clearly thought we were. I knew she was going to be disappointed soon and had decided to give in to her request.

 

Lexi and Trevor walked in front of us with the arrogance of high-school royalty. They were the reason I thought this was a bad idea. Elaine nearly worshiped Lexi and would do almost anything the tall blonde asked just to stay in her good graces. Trevor was a typical jock boyfriend of the prettiest girl in school. They both looked down on Elaine and me when they thought we would not notice, or maybe they just did not care if we knew what they thought. I just shook my head.

 

Elaine had guessed that my family were aristo. Normally, her guess would have had repercussions, but my parents had simply shrugged and said I only had two more months until graduation, to not directly confirm anything until I was eighteen, and then try to get Elaine to keep it quiet. I understood their thinking.

 

In our stratified society, aristos were near the top of the hierarchy. We had reasons to pretend to be guilders. It was part of our family's special status. I had been raised mostly as a commoner. My first school years were in a distant city, interacting with plebes and guilders as my parents lived the humble life of a plebeian couple. By year five, we moved and they became guild members and I learned the social norms for low and high guilders as I developed a new collection of school friends. Year eight had us moving again and taking up the facade of high guilders in a much nicer neighborhood in the capital city. I knew once I enrolled in a collegium, we would take our rightful place in society, and mother and father would move back to the house in the district that we had visited infrequently over the years.

 

They had carefully explained why I was raised as I had been. I now understood why it was important that I be able to move across the levels of our society. I also knew that graduation would be the end of many friendships and relationships, including that with Elaine. Father had suggested ending it when she guessed our real stature. Mother cautioned against that, suggesting instead that we let the summer separation be the break we needed. By waiting a few more weeks, no other classmates would learn and try to take advantage of our status.

 

Of course, Elaine had her own ideas.

 

She wanted to show Lexi up, I think. She'd made a few comments in school. Nothing obvious, but hints that I could get things and go places most of our classmates could not. Then I think she became a little jealous when I was whisked away for my birthday weekend by my parents. Last week, Lexi had decided to call her bluff.

 

"If you really are what Elaine claims," she had said haughtily, "Take us to the Amorperdita Club. Guilders and plebes are only allowed as guests. If you take us, I'll believe Elaine's whispers."

 

I was surprised Elaine had said so much. I must not have been paying attention closely enough since my birthday. It was a lesson to consider. Lexi also did not really know what she was talking about. Guilders with enough money could buy membership in the club she wanted to visit.

 

Lexi leaned into me in the school hallway. "And if you can't take us, I'll know she is just a jealous low guilder and her life in school will reflect that station."

 

Lexi was vindictive enough to do it. For a moment, I considered ending my relationship there and letting the chips fall where they may. I might have done that smart thing if Lexi had kept quiet, but she didn't.

 

"And everyone knows what happens to pretty low-guilder whores. Trevor's team would like a new plaything, I'm sure."

 

I had arched my eyebrow at her and then gave her my best cold stare. That had been on second-day. Now on the evening of eighth-day, we were walking up the marble steps of the club as slave doormen hurried to open the heavy wooden door for us.

 

I guided Elaine around Trevor and Lexi as they stopped and stared at the towering statue that filled the entryway. It was a beautiful sculpture of a naked man and woman, embracing with hands and arms entwined above them, kissing with abandon. Elaine looked up in awe as well but kept moving as I spotted the concierge and guided her toward him.

 

"Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?" he asked.

 

I handed him a small chip of silver and onyx. He smiled and nodded.

 

"Very good, sir. You and your guests are expected. If you would collect them and come with me."

 

Lexi and Trevor had arrived just in time to hear him call me 'sir' in his deferential tone.

 

I motioned them forward to follow the man into a small alcove that hid an office door. The office was just as luxurious as the entry hall, but on a smaller scale. He moved behind a desk and motioned me into a chair to his side. The others stood before him.

 

"You are aware of the rules, correct?" He asked me.

 

I nodded. It was hardly my first time at the Club. Also, my parents had made clear their expectations when I told them of this evening’s plans. We had a station and a quiet reputation to maintain.

 

"And do your guests understand?" He asked, looking at my schoolmates and girlfriend.

 

"Perhaps you would review them," Elaine said softly. She looked nervous. Lexi on the other hand was eyeing me suspiciously.

 

"Your patron tonight is responsible for you, and you will be here at his discretion only. As guests, you do not have any rights, except what he allows. Is that understood?"

 

The three nodded.

 

"Also, as guests, you will place yourself at the disposal of members and other patrons. If they direct you to do something, you will do it, unless your own patron intercedes. Understood?"

 

Trevor and Lexi looked nervous now but nodded.

 

"Very good. Now, part of his intercession for you will be to determine your own limits and levels. We will then ensure you are attired correctly, so other members and patrons know what is permissible for you."

 

"I don't understand," Lexi said. "What do you mean by limits and levels?"

 

"Are you a virgin?" he asked coldly.

 

Lexi blushed but shook her head. Trevor smirked while Elaine became a little paler.

 

"Pity. If you were, and wished to remain so, we would place a limit protecting that gift unless you wanted to leave here without it. I will question you each to determine the limits and levels and then we will get appropriate attire for you, so others know your station."

 

He glanced at me, and I nodded. I had undergone the same questioning when my mother first brought me to an Amorperdita Club.

 

"Very well, my dear. We'll start with you. You've said you are not a virgin, but we like to be clear here. Oral, vaginal, or anal?"

 

Lexi's blush deepened. as she replied, "I've done all three."

 

The concierge nodded and made a note on his tablet. "And during your visit, what areas will you be exploring?"

 

"What do you mean?" she asked.

 

I raised a finger. "We'll stroll past the white, green and blue wing, but most likely end up in the red wing," I said. My mother had given me an assignment for the visit.

 

The Concierge nodded.

 

"Very good. Any limits?" he asked.

 

"We have school next week, so nothing that would prevent attendance."

 

"Very good. And you, sir," he asked looking at Trevor.

 

"What?"

 

"Are you a virgin and do you wish to remain one?"

 

Trevor smirked and glanced at Lexi. "No. I've done it all as well," he said.

 

I suppressed a smile. Trevor was an athlete, and attractive, but not always the smartest. He answered what he thought the question was. I decided not to correct his mistake.

 

"Very well. And you, my lady?" he asked Elaine.

 

"Um, yes and maybe?"

 

"Yes, you are a virgin?"

 

She nodded. "I've done oral," she said softly. "But that's it."

 

"And do you wish to remain in this state?"

 

She glanced at me. "Maybe?"

 

The Concierge gave her a moment and then nodded before turning to look at me. "Black and Gray for these two," he said as he waved toward Lexi and Trevor, "And blue and gray for her?" he asked.

 

"I think so."

 

"Very good. This weekend is Bacchanalia. I would suggest traditional garb for your guests. Your attire is suitable as is," he said.

 

"What's he mean?" Trevor asked. We were dressed similarly in slacks, shirts and blazers, though mine was of a finer cut and finish. The girls were in fashionable dresses, suitable for a cocktail party or a regular Guilder club.

 

"Only members and patrons wear street clothes, here," the Concierge said. "As his guests, you will wear the appropriate costume to let other members and guests know your status, limits and levels. Did you not explain this to them, sir?"

 

"It might have slipped my mind," I admitted. "If you don't want to follow the rules, we can always go somewhere else," I said.

 

"No," Lexi said. "I may never get another chance to see an Amorperdita Club."

 

I glanced at Elaine. She smiled and nodded. I shrugged and nodded to the concierge.

 

"Very well, sir. If your guests will disrobe, I'll fetch appropriate accoutrements."

 

"What?" Elaine asked in shock.

 

I nodded. "You'll find hangars for your dresses and clothes over there," I motioned to the wall of the office. "Along with cabinets for your other belongings. It is quite safe. I'll be leaving my phone and wallet as well. No electronics are allowed inside."

 

"I'm not stripping while we wait for him," Trevor said.

 

"He won't return until you are all nude," I said. "If you want to leave, we can."

 

Lexi straightened at the implied challenge.

 

"You've got nothing to be ashamed of, Tre," she said. "And neither do I."

 

She walked to the wall as she reached behind her to undo the clasp of her dress and work the zipper down. Trevor watched her with lust as she stopped and pushed the dress off her shoulders, baring her well-toned, and lightly tanned back and panty clad ass before stepping out of the dress and reaching for a hangar. She looked over her shoulder to make sure she had our attention before pushing down her panties, stepping out of them, and then bending straight legged pointing her ass at us as she undid the buckles of her pumps.

 

"Come on, Elaine. I don't want to stand here all alone in my all-together," she said as she kicked off her shoes. "You too, Tre."

 

Elaine walked over to her friend and began undressing, though not as provocatively as Lexi. Trevor moved to join them. I kept my eyes on Elaine. I had seen her nude exactly once, while she was changing into a swimsuit. She was shorter than Lexi, and not as lean, but had flawless olive skin and dark black hair that contrasted nicely with the light tan of her and Lexi's back and Lexi's blonde hair. Both young women had tan lines where their panties had been, though Lexi's were not as prominent.

 

"Give Cosimo a good look," Lexi said as she turned slowly and pushed Elaine's shoulder to turn as well.

 

I smiled as Lexi's thin strip of blonde pubic hair was revealed but licked my lips when I saw the neatly trimmed thatch of Elaine's dark mane of hair. Her breasts were rounder than Lexi's, with darker, larger nipples. They were both beautiful.

 

Trevor finished stripping as well, and stood nervously, trying to hide his hardon with his hands. I smiled and crossed the room to give Elaine a quick kiss on the lips and then put my wallet and phone in one of the cubby holes which closed automatically as I withdrew my hand.

 

The others finished putting their things away as the concierge returned.

 

"Very lovely, all of you," he said as he handed them each a handful of fabric. The ladies quickly determined the cloth to be dresses while the concierge had to instruct Trevor in the wearing of the kilt-like wrap. Trevor blushed as the man adjusted him and tugged at the waistband until it met with his approval. He then stepped back to examine the ladies.

 

The shifts were a matched pair in a shear, thin tan fabric, with different colored piping. Lexi's was black and gray at the hem and shoulder, matching Trevor's. Elaine's was azure blue and gray. The dresses had a single shoulder with a twist in the draped fabric, that both women found difficult to cover their breasts. The concierge tisked at them and then stood in front of Lexi.

 

"The cloth is cut to drape like this," he said as he adjusted the twist at the shoulder and exposed her left breast. "It's not intended to cover." He made another adjustment at the waist, lifting the hem higher on her thigh. "With these legs, dear, you should walk proudly. Catch the right eye, and you may find yourself in our club more frequently than you imagine," he said.

 

After stepping back to judge his work, he made similar adjustment for Elaine. He finished their outfits with soft sandals, that seemed to be perfect fits for them all. The ladies had slight heels on theirs, but nothing extravagant.

 

"Now, there is one other thing. Since your Patron is responsible for you, you must be able to locate each other as needed." He pulled out four wrist bands of dark, soft plastic. They looked solid but adjusted to each wrist he placed them on. Lexi and Trevor's had a black and gray pattern on them while Elaine's was blue and gray. Mine was all black.

 

"These are keyed to you and your patron. If you tap them, they will activate a private communication channel. You, sir," he said to me, "can locate them as well." He pointed at the display on mine, and I saw small arrows pointing at my guests.

 

"Finally, let me welcome you to Amorperdita." With solemn precision, he lifted a dropper to my mouth and placed a single drop of liquid on my tongue. Mine was water. He repeated it with Trevor, Lexi and Elaine, but not with water. I doubt they noticed it was a different bottle for them.

 

"Do you have any questions, sir?" He asked.

 

"No, thank you," I replied.

 

"Very good sir. Do you know your way?"

 

I nodded.

 

We went out the main door of the office, back into the towering entry hall. Lexi and Elaine seemed to want to hurry away from the main doors, but I kept my pace a little slower, enjoying the sight of their exposed, pointy nipples. Trevor seemed to agree, looking as much at both girls as at the artwork lining the grand circular stairway leading up to the promenade.

 

Elaine tried to hold onto my right arm, and let it cover her breast, but I moved her to my left as we climbed the stairs.

 

"What was the drop?" she asked softly.

 

"It's a secret. It will help you relax and enjoy yourself. Don't think anything of it," I said even as I knew it was lowering her inhibitions. As a patron, I had the option of taking the drug or not. My family had warned me to not indulge. While a dropper had entered my mouth, only water had touched my tongue.

 

We reached the top of the stairway and passed through a large arch way to enter a long gallery. I pointed out the windows of the Promenade.

 

"That's the White Wing," I said with a wave. Outside the glass, a mixture of people lounged at widely spaced tables as men and women wearing simple kilts like Trevor's waited on them. All the staff wore only white while performing their duties. The people they were waiting on wore a variety of outfits. Three women were dressed in black cocktail dresses, while another table had one man in a suit surrounded by four women dressed as Lexi and Elaine were.

 

"Why do they call it the White Wing?" Elaine asked as we stopped to watch the people.

 

"No sexual contact is allowed there," I replied. "Think of it as a 'look, but no touch' area. If you want something private, you retire to one of the cabanas or suites over there." I pointed at the far wall. Gauzy tents were visible, with doorways behind them.

 

"Cabanas? Why not just rooms?" Lexi asked.

 

"Some people like a show. Others like to be seen. Look there," I said as the three women in black dresses all stood and finished their drinks. They held hands as they strolled to a cabana, and all went inside. While you could not see clearly, you could see the outlines of their figures as they all stripped off their dresses and then embraced in a three-way hug. Trevor grinned as one silhouetted head dropped down to the chest of another.

 

"Looks like fun," he said before adjusting himself unconsciously.

 

Lexi elbowed him lightly. "Come on," she said, as she appeared to regain some of her confidence.

 

"There are also a couple of dance clubs and nice restaurants in the White Wing," I said. "You can bring guests in there without going through all the rigmarole we did."

 

"Then the White Wing isn't that special, is it?" Lexi asked with a superior look before taking the lead to move us along.

 

"I can't believe Cosimo here is an aristo," Trevor said as we moved further down the glass-lined hallway. "You could have been bringing us here for ages."

 

I laughed and said, "Hardly. You must be eighteen to bring guests. I just turned a couple of weeks ago. And, you do know that guilders can buy memberships, as well, right?"

 

"What I don't understand," Lexi said, "Is why you are in our school if you're an aristo. Why don't you go to one of their schools?"

 

"My parents wanted me to live in the real world while growing up. Aristo's are pampered and shielded. They wanted to make sure I understood and appreciate what most of my peers never will." It was at least part of the truth.

 

"I'm just glad you could bring us this weekend," Elaine said with a smile.

 

"What's this?" Trevor asked as we passed through an arch and were now overlooking the lush gardens of the green wing.

 

"The green wing is perpetual summer," I said as we looked out on the lush, domed garden. Since we were above most of the foliage, we could see the winding paths and small glades. "There are open areas and even an amphitheater there. I'd guess that a lot of folks from the White Wing will make their way here sooner or later."

 

As if on cue, a couple appeared on the path. She was the patron, dressed in a loose green skirt and white blouse. She was dragging a young man dressed like Trevor by the hand. We watched as they turned off the path and into a glade below us. She wasted no time freeing herself from her clothes before lying back on the grass and spreading her legs. Her lover dropped to his knees and then knelt between her thighs as she grabbed the back of his head and guided him in his task.

 

"That looks like fun," Lexi said with a smile for Elaine and Trevor.

 

Trevor shook his head. "Maybe later. I'm sure there is more to see."

 

"Aside from the gardens, why do they call it the Green Wing?" Elaine asked.

 

"Out there, the slaves are only for waiting and safety. Contact between patrons, members and guests is allowed, but not with the slaves," I explained.

 

"Why not?" Trevor asked.

 

"I don't know," I lied. "It's one of the rules of the house."

 

We walked on, pausing to look at different couplings of lovers. A small group of men and women, all nude lounged at one pond, eating fruits and sipping from silver cups. A pair of house slaves waited on them. Once again, the workers were in white kilt-like skirts, regardless of their gender.

 

We passed through another large arch way and the promenade opened out on both sides. The walkway continued, but without walls or windows. On both sides, it was obvious we were walking above a Romanesque bath area.

 

"This is the blue wing," I said. "Here, slaves can fulfill some of the desires of members and guests."

 

I motioned them toward the side and pointed at the stairs going down. "We can go down and have a refreshment or take a dip if we want."

 

Trevor was staring at the small group of women playing tag in the pool below. Suits were not allowed in the water. Lexi was watching the two male attendants massaging a patron. She was lovely with mocha skin. The oil from the slaves' hands made her shine. Lexi watched with rapt attention as one slave worked her breasts and the other stroked her pussy. Elaine gave a small gasp and I turned to see her staring at a male house slave sucking a male patron's member. While I was hardly surprised, she seemed shocked. I knew she would see more, soon.

 

"Do you want to stay here and watch a while?" I asked.

 

Trevor caught sight of the male-on-male action and shook his head. "There's more to see, right?"

 

"Yes. I thought you might want to take in the Red Wing. It's just ahead."

 

"Is that the last one?" Lexi asked, tearing her eyes away from the oiled woman.

 

"No. There is one more, but guests aren't allowed."

 

"Why not?"

 

"It's called the black wing. There are no limits there." I made my tone as cold as possible. The city gave over those people and slaves with no chance at reeducation to the Black Wing. Patrons took care of them, letting their basest fantasies play out. Some of my training had been in the Black Wing.

 

Elaine shivered against me. "So, what's the Red Wing?"

 

"Our next stop," Lexi said.

 

I nodded. "Remember the rules. You'll probably interact with other patrons and guests there. Be careful and ask me if you have questions. Understand?"

 

The ladies nodded, but Trevor smiled. "I'm sure it can't be that much more than what we've seen," he said.

 

I shrugged. He would learn. His looks and the black and gray piping would see to that. We continued along the walkway until we came to an archway with a door in it. I led them through without pausing.

 

We entered a very well-appointed lounge or library. The carpet was plush to dampen sound and rich leather furniture was placed around the room. A bar was along the wall to the right while bookshelves and doorways lined the walls. A dozen people were there, most of them guests.

 

"Let's get a drink," Trevor said as he spotted the bar. The ladies followed him, and we soon found ourselves seated on a love seat and two chairs. Elaine and I were on the love seat. I gave them all a toast with my glass and then let my eyes wander the room.

 

"This looks pretty tame," Trevor said.

 

I smiled. "Go take a look through that door," I said with a tip of my head. "But come right back."

 

Never one to shy from a challenge, Trevor stood. Lexi followed him. I kept Elaine with me, taking the opportunity to give her a slow kiss and trace my finger down her bare shoulder and across her nipple. She shivered as our friends returned.

 

"Holy shit," Lexi said as she sat and took a long pull from her drink.

 

"What was it?" Elaine asked.

 

"A full-on orgy. Is that happening in all the rooms?" she asked. Trevor's grin was irritating me.

 

"No. There are other entertainments in other rooms."

 

"Like what?"

 

"Go see. Just don't get in over your heads," I cautioned. They looked at each other and then linked arms to go look around.

 

"Do you want to go as well?" I asked Elaine.

 

She blushed. "I don't know what I want. I hope you're not mad at me for telling Lexi. Coming here was actually her idea, not mine."

 

"I know. I'm more interested in how you want to leave, than your desire to come."

 

"What do you mean?" she asked, blushing.

 

"What state do you want to leave in? Will you still be a blushing virgin by the end of our stay?"

 

She looked me in the eye. "Do you want me to be?"

 

I smiled. "That needs to be entirely your decision. As my guest, your virtue is safe until you state unequivocally that you wish to surrender it. You have set your limits and levels. I must protect them."

 

"What is all the limits and levels? I get that I'll remain a virgin if I want to, but what about Lexi and Tre?"

 

"They both said they were not virgins, so they are obliged to surrender such favors if asked by a member or patron."

 

Elaine gasped. "You mean you could fuck Lexi right now and she would have to?"

 

"She could decline. If she did so politely, or deferred the decision to her patron, me, she would not have too. But if she is rude, she may not have a choice. In the green or blue wing, 'no' means 'no'. Here, 'no' may only be for show."

 

"So, you could take me, even if I said no?"

 

I shook my head. "You are wearing the blue. Blue tells others that you are not allowed penetration below the waist. Green would indicate no oral sex as well."

 

"So black means anything goes?"

 

I nodded.

 

Elaine's eyes widened. "Trevor is wearing black."

 

I nodded.

 

"So, someone could do that to him? I mean, what we saw in the blue wing?"

 

"He said he was not a virgin. He said he had done it all. He just didn't listen to the question. Doing it is different from having it done."

 

Elaine blushed, but then grinned, realizing what might be in store for our classmate.

 

"What about the gray?"

 

"No permanent damage. We all have school again in two days."

 

A woman walked by, dressed identically to Elaine, but with black and red trim. She had her raven hair pulled back into a ponytail. A matching ponytail protruded from the back of her skirt. I smiled at the symmetry.

 

"What does the red mean?" Elaine asked, without seeming to notice the second ponytail.

 

"Blood. That one is willing to bleed and possibly scar. Whoever she is here with, needs to keep a close eye on her."

 

"So, you could order her to do something with you?" Elaine asked after sipping he drink.

 

I nodded.

 

"Would you?"

 

"Do you want me to?"

 

She looked away for a moment and then returned my gaze before nodding.

 

"What would you have me do?"

 

She blushed and looked away again for a minute. "Ever since your birthday, I've thought you seemed less interested in me when I...." her voice trailed off.

 

"Give head?" I asked with a smile. Her shyness was one of the things I found attractive in her. The fact that she seemed to enjoy giving me pleasure with her mouth had been one of the reasons our relationship had lasted as long as it had. While she had yet to allow me to return the favor, the night did seem to have promise.

 

"You came here on your birthday weekend?" she asked with more surety than she should have.

 

I chose to agree with her. It was close enough to the truth.