The majordomo escorted Kaster through the hallways of the palace and down the broad staircase to the first floor.

Kaster couldn’t help but keep thinking of the Gythian slave that had served him. She’d distracted him from observing Indy-Ra’s torments. Her skills were exceptional, but then he supposed that was to be expected among the slaves of the ruling class. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d been a slave all her life or had been acquired in the same way that Indy-Ra had. The stories of Coalition pirates raiding Federation ships for slaves were endless.

Thoughts of her dark blue lips, whispering in his ear, while she rode him slowly, played in his mind. The feel of her engulfing him, squeezing him, milking him, was distracting even after the fact. Her fingers on thighs, massaging him before loosening his trousers, had felt sublime. He was already thinking of returning with another bounty as fast as possible, just for a chance to sample her again.

“The Gythian slave… what was her name?” Kaster asked as they descended the grand staircase.

“K’rra,” the majordomo replied with a glance back, “Did she serve you well?”

“She did.”

The majordomo stopped on the last step and looked back up at Kaster, “That is good. She was the bonus my lord spoke of.”

Kaster stopped and stared down at him. After a moment of thought he explained, “I’d hoped for monetary compensation.”

The majordomo began walking again, “My lord has taken a liking to you, he sees great potential in our business partnership. It is not every man who receives a bonus such as this.”

“I’m honored by Hol Vydon’s esteem, but I have no room for a slave on my ship.”

“Oh?” the majordomo acted surprised, “Is there other crew that we did not know of? Your ship is the Outlander? A Haccin Starskipper that was built for a crew of four. The Hol was under the impression that you operated the vessel alone.”

This time Kaster stopped. The majordomo turned to face him. Kaster did not want to become entangled in this warlord’s domain. He simply wanted to sell bounties and remain his own man. “The Outlander is my ship, and I man her alone.”

The majordomo paused a moment then bowed, “Of course. Not many receive such a lavish gift from my lord, to refuse would be a grievous insult.”

Kaster wondered what game was being played. A slave would divert his attention, but what he really worried about was her reporting every detail back to Vydon. It would raise questions and confirm answers to others. He could feel the strings entangling him already. He considered just leaving without pay, but that would have nullified several months of work capturing Indy-Ra.

Reading the conflicting thoughts in Kaster’s mind the majordomo continued, “You probably do not care that she also has skills beyond those you’ve presently tasted. A keen mind for one. What you do care about is her spying on you. She would have no access to communications on your ship. You could restrict that entirely. And while my lord would expect to see her again on your return… she is just a slave. Accidents do happen.”

Kaster reeled at the thought. She was just property, and owners could do with slaves as they pleased, including torment and harm them. Exactly as he’d seen Vydon doing to Indy-Ra. The thought of killing others didn’t repulse him, but to do so to a being in his charge purposely, it seemed grotesque.

“I’ll be working in Federated space. Slavery is illegal there. She adds… complications.”

“Of course, I understand the concern. She will however report that she is a travelling companion to Federated authorities. Even if questioned alone and under… duress.”

“That’s an awfully big risk that I might have to take.” Kaster replied.

“I assure you. She is very well trained. The implants guarantee that.”

One thing was certain, he would be leaving with the slave if he wanted his pay.

“And the credits?” Kaster asked.

“Delivered to your ship already.”

“I’d feel better seeing them now.”

“A hundred and fifty thousand credits in coin takes up considerable space. Two large trunks have been delivered to the Outlander.” The majordomo said, then paused before adding, “Perhaps you think the Hol means to cheat you? Why would he offer a slave as a bonus if he wasn’t already planning long term business with you?”

Kaster considered a very careful reply, “My apologies. In my line of work, a suspicious nature often aids in the apprehension of those with bounties. Please thank Hol Vydon for the pay and the bonus, I am most gracious.”

“There is one other thing.” The majordomo said, “My lord insisted on installing an Overseer on your ship as well. It was installed when your pay was delivered.”

Forcing back his anger Kaster asked, “An Overseer?”

“Of course. Slave implants without an Overseer work very rudimentarily. You would need to manually control the pleasure or pain a slave receives through a control wand. The Overseer is a control unit that monitors the slave at all times, can reward them with pleasure when they act in accordance with their owner’s wishes, without the owner having to do anything at all. It also monitors a number of bioactivities, releasing hormones to make them more compliant, reinforce training principles, and generally help aid in maintaining a proper subservient attitude. It’s already been wired into your power subsystems. The Overseer is itself quite valuable, worth more than the slave. Also, a gift from my lord.”

A trickle of anger rippled through Kaster. Vydon had ordered people into his ship, tinkered with it, without his consent. He struggled to keep the anger from boiling up out of control. He wanted nothing more than to ignite his WaveBlade and run the man through.

“Thank the Hol again for his foresight.” Kaster said through grinding teeth. While he was thinking of severing all ties with Vydon considering everything that occurred since his landing a mistake. He knew if he did not ask it would raise suspicions, “And what of the next target?”

“Ah yes. The Fury Jae. A Federation peacekeeper. Young, she’s only passed her trials recently according to Fed news sources.”

“A new Fury? How has she crossed the Hol?”

“Normally I would not ask the Hol for his motives, in this case however it was quite public. A few weeks ago, she robbed one of my lord’s casinos. She killed his employees, damaged his property, and stole a hefty sum of credits. The Federation has refused all extradition requests, proclaiming her innocence. But such a grievous crime can not go unpunished. My lord wishes her brought to him to answer for her crimes. A datapad with all the details has been left in your ship.”

Curious, thought Kaster. Why would a Fury rob a casino? Fury’s foreswore material things, living spartan lives in service to their dead religion. Nor were they assassins sent to kill under the cover of dark. What motive could a Fury possibly have to commit such an act?

“There are recordings of this robbery?” Kaster asked.

“Of course. On the datapad in your ship.” The majordomo glanced up the stairs, “And here she is, your bonus pay.”

Kaster turned to watch K’rra descend the grand stairs. She wore see-through silks and high heels. She moved gracefully down the stairs keeping her eyes averted to the ground as she approached the two men.

“Master,” she said to Kaster with a small curtsey.

Unsure what to say Kaster asked, “Do you have any bags? Personal effects?”

“Master, I am just a slave, I own nothing but my service to my lord.”

“Not even a change of clothing?”

“Master, I have no need of clothing. Do you not wish to see your property fully?”

Flummoxed Kaster replied, “Umm, very well.”

The majordomo spoke, “My lord would insist, that you keep us informed of your progress on a regular basis. A communications encryption key is included on the datapad.”

More strings, thought Kaster. “I will. Thank Hol Vydon for his hospitality and many… gifts.”

The majordomo bowed and ushered the two to the front door were armored guards lounged looking very much like they’d rather be shooting things.

An air car waited outside, the driver holding open a back door and frozen in a deep bow. Kaster gestured for K’raa to enter the vehicle.

“Master, a slave follows her lord. It would be inappropriate of me to enter before you.”

“I see…” Kaster felt silly, the gesture had been a remnant of his childhood, showing difference and courtesy to women. A slave wasn’t really a woman, was she? More an object. He could see others as lesser beings, but he’d never been in a position where a sentient was considered an object. He climbed into the car and held a hand out for her.

She stared at his hand a moment and blushed a deep blue. She took it with a shy smile and climbed into the car with him. Immediately she went to her knees on the floorboard in front of the seat.

“Oh, you can sit next to me.” He said, knowing in an instant it was probably the wrong thing to say.

“Master! I couldn’t. I am a slave. I belong at your feet.”

“What if I insisted?”

“You are my Master and I would obey any command you gave. But it is against etiquette for a slave to sit as an equal with her lord. Other slaves would think my behavior atrocious. Free people, might take offense and demand punishment.”

He let the issue drop as the car lifted off. Watching the city drift by Kaster wondered how things had gotten so complicated in the space of a few hours. If nothing else, he tried to convince himself that if K’rra was with him she’d be spared the torments that Indy-Ra suffered. He knew he shouldn’t care, but he never imagined how bad slavery could be for those in the Coalition.

When the car landed at the starport, K’rra waited for him to exit before she climbed out. She was a head shorter than Kaster, fit with an hourglass shape and long scarlet hair. She wore translucent silks, that became see through when they brushed against her blue skin. This left the body parts that were in constant contact with the fabric always visible. Her shoulders, hips, and nipples were on constant display, with other curves hidden depending on how the silks fell. Walking was a constant peep show with things revealed and hidden with each movement.

At the customs desk inside the starport lobby a bored agent glanced up, “Papers for the slave and ship.”

“I have the ship papers, but the slave is a gift… just acquired.”

The agent cocked an eyebrow and took the ship registration, after a quick glance he immediately snapped to attention standing and handing the papers back. “I’m sorry Captain Kaster, I didn’t realize I was speaking with an employee of Hol Vydon. Please go right ahead to your ship.”

Kaster nodded and walked past the agent into the empty starport. Private ports with docking facilities only catered to the private crew, and so there were no crowds.

“Have you travelled off world?” Kaster asked K’rra.

“Yes, Sir. I’ve travelled a great deal, mostly in Federated space.”

“Oh? Are you from the Federation?” he asked, a nibble of concern gnawing at the thought of taking an enslaved Federation citizen back to her home territory.

“Yes, Sir. I am from Gyth. A Federation world.”

Kaster stopped and turned to look at the slave, “Are you fucking with me?”

She stopped and looked down at his feet. “I’m sorry, Sir, if I said anything that offends.”

“I can see that you’re Gythian, were you captured in the Federation? Or did you enter a slave contract willingly?”

“I understand now, Sir. I was a Federation citizen when I was captured. I voluntarily entered formal slavery, however. I also know that while in Federated space, if asked, I am a travelling companion. My status as a slave is no one else’s business.”

“How were you captured?”

“By pirates. Please, Sir, I’d prefer not to discuss the details. Its personally embarrassing.”

Kaster considered what she’d said. Taking her into the Federation would be a huge risk. She could simply tell any authority that she was enslaved, and he would be arrested immediately. He wondered how she could be both willing and captured by pirates at the same time. Right now, he had other things to worry about.

There were two points he had to follow up on in the future. First, he wanted more information about her slavery terms. Whether it was contractual, like debt slavery, or full loss of rights as spoils of war. Next, he needed to test her somewhere. He’d have to visit a small world where his escape would be easy and see if she did indeed report to the authorities that she was a companion.

“How do you feel about being a slave?”

She looked up at him suddenly, her face smiling and joyous. “Sir, it is so liberating. I have only one purpose, to care for my Master. Nothing else matters. My worries are focused completely on the well being of another. This is the closest I can ever come to motherhood. To goddesshood. I wouldn’t trade my service for anything else in the galaxy, including freedom. I am a slave wholeheartedly. Let me show you.”

Even using his Focus, Kaster detected nothing but a sincere eagerness to please radiating from her. There was no hint of duplicity or deceit. He nodded, “Very well. Let’s go.”

They entered his small ship, and he gave her a quick tour. “Common room here, it also has a cooking station. Cockpit through that passageway. A fresher there, no water shower, I hope sonics work for you. And there are three rooms. You can take the one on the left side.”

K’rra looked wounded, “I won’t be staying with you, Master?”

“I’m used to having my own space.”

She stepped up to him, pressing her body to his. He felt her warmth and soft curves as she looked up into his eyes. “How will I attend to your needs?”

He stammered trying to think of a reason to deny her. Deep down he knew, he’d be able to use his Focus to read her, to provide her with exactly what she needed when fucking. She’d orgasm climatically and become clingy, a bore. He’d experienced just that multiple times.

“I’d prefer separate sleeping arrangements for now.”

“Please, Master. Allow me to sleep on the floor of your cabin. Don’t send me away.” Her hands slipped up to grasp his shoulders and press her body harder against his.

“Let me think on it.” He said irritated while gently pushing her away. “Right now, I only want to leave this voidforesaken world.”

K’rra looked around the common room, “I’ll clean while you pilot, Master. Is there…”

“Clean. Perfect. Yes, do that.” Kaster interrupted her and fled to the cockpit.

As he powered the Outlander up, he cursed under his breath. His ship now had a crew, of sorts. She was already making demands, a slave, he was supposed to be in charge. Grumbling, he powered up the engines and went through his preflight checks. All the ship needed now was a pet to make it perfectly unbearable.

“Void!” he swore to himself. She’d been such a huge distraction he hadn’t even thought to review the datapad. Or inspect the Overseer unit that had been installed. Or look for tracking devices.

As he ran through the flight checklist, he used it as a kind of mantra to settle himself. She was a slave, not a person, he would have to get used to telling her exactly what he wanted and stop her from changing his mind. He resolved to do this as the Outlander lifted off the starport landing pad and rocketed skyward.

Minutes later the ship lurched into hyperspace. He rose from his crash seat and went to the door. Having had time to adjust himself to the new realities of the situation he was determined to go back to the common room and inform the slave how things were to be. If she tried her manipulations, he pledged to beat her.

First:

Rogue Fury – Part 1