THE NEW EARTH - 6
Copyright 2007 by Carl Mason
All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for strictly personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. "The New Earth" is strictly fictional. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. As in real life, however, sexual themes unfold gradually. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author at carl_mason@comcast.net
If you would like to read additional stories by this author, please turn to the "Authors/Prolific Authors" link at the beginning of the Nifty Archive or in the left margin of the Gay stories index.
This story contains descriptions of sexual contact between males, both adults and teenagers. As such, it is homoerotic fiction designed for the personal enjoyment of legal, hopefully mature, adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, if those in power and/or those whom you trust treat it as illegal, or if it would create unresolvable moral dilemmas in your life, please leave. Finally, remember that maturity generally demands safe sex.
CHAPTER 6
(Revisiting Chapter 5)
Ah, politics...the art of the possible," he added lightly. "I fear this will not be the only change around here, but as they say, 'The only constant is change itself'. If you decide not to come downstairs for breakfast, by the way, just ring. My personal chef will prepare something suitable...for the two of you." Justin had bowed again - even lower this time - and slipped back into his room before he blushed as he realized the import of the Prince's last words.
(Continuing Our Story: The Attian Compromises)
The golden-haired one laughed merrily as Justin prepared to insert another piece of toast into his mouth. With one gulp, it was gone. (Had Justin failed to move quickly he might have lost one or two fingers!) "Please, Master," he begged. "Read what that piece of paper says...just one more time." After thoroughly cleaning the butter off his fingers, Justin unrolled the parchment document. "Here's the important part," he said, and began reading aloud (for, perhaps, the tenth or eleventh time): "Know that ownership of the slave 'Danny' is hereby transferred from Attianmeur VII, Seznich of Attia, to Justin Lawrence of the Terran Federation." "Wow..." Danny exclaimed softly, his eyes wide with wonder. "Wow..." With that he flung himself on his new master and began passionately kissing and licking the prominent quads in his smoothly muscled thighs. "Enough, beast, enough!" Justin cried. "You're trying to win a contest this morning that you lost last night!" When Danny looked up, smirking lecherously, he slapped him on his muscular rump and yelled, "It's shower time! Let's move it!" Let it be known that the golden-haired one achieved in the shower that which he had failed to ignite in bed!
Negotiations went on for over a week. The Allied delegation learned that the bulk of the Prince's slaves, including all those in the Palace, were Terran. Furthermore, the population control measures he had so emotionally broadcast before the welcoming dinner were completely accurate. It was also the case that he had paid heavily for those slaves captured by the Canmutons who met his eye. Needless to say, the gold paid for those identified on the various Attian trading trips was far more reasonable. Also, most of the planet's slaves had been purchased long ago and, thus, new expenditures were few - the occasional spectacular specimen such as Izzy who caught the Seznich's eye, and that sort of thing. There were, of course, difficulties. The Allies desperately wanted to restore some stability in the galaxy, and that wasn't going to be easy without the Canmutons. Their leaders fully realized that their military forces had been exhausted by the Canmuton campaign - and, at least at that time, they were probably as resistant to adding to the horrible bloodletting as were the troops. On the other side of the coin, Attia's economy - and, to a great extent, its culture - depended on slavery. That is, slaves did all of the heavy work associated with their commercial ventures, some of the commercial record keeping, and provided most of the other labor demanded by a small but stable population. The native Attians were neither inclined to do this work - and, more importantly, that was no surplus indigenous population that could be paid to do it. Finally, the leading Attians fully realized that surrendering their slaves would markedly change their way of life - and the prospects of doing so were unpopular across the planet.
The document to which they finally agreed was interesting - somewhat Machiavellian... but interesting. Briefly, those slaves who were twenty years of age and older could choose to remain on Attia. They would, however, be freed and employed. (If, however, they did not want to continue to work in the jobs they had held, they would have to leave the planet.) A price was set on all slaves under the age of twenty. A loan from the Intergalactic Council allowed them to be purchased and repatriated to Terra. The Allies agreed to help establish a hiring program that could bring needed workers from other planets to Attia as employees. (Several of the delegates had some biting things to say about the prospects for 'wage slavery,' but that was not a problem with which they felt able to deal at that time.) Finally, an extensive trade agreement was signed between Attia and Tacia, something, of course, that the Tacians had desired well before the outbreak of hostilities.
True, no one was particularly happy with this set of compromises...the Attians due to the costs and the cultural changes they knew would be entailed...the Terrans because they shuddered at the problems they faced in incorporating more destitute and ignorant citizens in their society. Terra was still far too destabilized by the costs of overcoming a two-century occupation, a destructive liberation, and a terrible war. Also, frankly, it failed to satisfy the bloodlust that had arisen on Earth when their armed forces so totally smashed a despised enemy. As in so many other situations throughout history, however, neither of the principals had much choice other than to agree.
Oh, yes, one more note: When the Terran light cruiser Hennessy returned to Canmuto with the Allied delegation, it carried one additional Earthman. You may be happy to learn that it was a manumitted (i.e., a person freed from slavery) golden-haired midteen named Danny who had worked his way into the affections of everyone on board. Needless to say, he was accompanied by his erastes, Justin Lawrence.
(Startling News from Tacia)
Field Marshal Alexios hadn't been at the Allied headquarters on Canmuto for three days before a coded personal communication came through for him from Tacia. Business interests with which he had been involved for years reported that there had been startling developments in a scientific project that would revolutionize many aspects of galactic life. They requested that, if at all possible, he return to Tacia for consultations. Knowing what was involved, he agreed immediately and asked Justin if he would like to join him. (There was no argument from that quarter!) Naturally, Danny was initially quite unhappy about being away from his erastes for a week or so, but when the Captain of the Orestes graciously invited him to bunk with four Tacian marines (in their new larger cabin one deck above their former coop), he responded with an unfathomable smirk and said that he guessed he could "make do". (He had met Justin's buddies shortly after reaching Canmuto.) On the fourteenth of September, Earth time, the Field Marshal and his Adjutant boarded the Tacian Battlecruiser Pormach and left for the distant planet.
Those on the Pormach, a relatively new and advanced craft, had a short and comfortable trip in hyperspace. Soon they were docking near the Tacian capital and making their way to a nearby city where the laboratories of Alexios' associates were located. A distinguished gentleman, bearded and in a white coat, greeted the Marshal and his Adjutant not ten minutes after they had arrived. He was accompanied by a teen who was evidently ready to leave for school. Lorenex seemed much taken with Justin, for, after all, he was a Terran fighting with the Tacian marines...a young man of his own age who had been captured and was being prepared for sacrifice before being rescued. After a short, but animated conversation just outside the laboratory, he had to leave for school, but after bumping fists, they promised to meet again later that day.
"Where must we go to see this galaxy-shattering project?" Alexios asked impatiently. "Oh," replied his white-coated host, "you've just seen it...or him, I know not which." "You mean...?" the Marshal gasped. "Yes," his colleague chortled, "we have finally succeeded in building a robot so advanced that it appears to be human, unless subjected to an Alpha brain scan, of course. Admittedly, gaps in its knowledge appear suddenly and unexpectedly, but it's still marvelously knowledgeable and skilled for all of that. Think of it, Alexios...an inexhaustible source of labor, a source of companionship for those citizens who have tastes unsanctioned by their own peoples, a source of military manpower possessing skills that no flesh and blood creature possesses, yet unlimited by the normal ethical restraints...just think of it! Why don't we see what your young assistant thinks of Lorenex?" As Justin rejoined the pair inside the building, the Marshal asked if he had enjoyed meeting the scientist's nephew. "Oh, sure, sir," Justin laughed in pleasure. "We're going to get together when he gets home from school. Lorenex said there are some people I had to meet." "I'm delighted," Alexios replied casually. In the meantime, you might like to see our capital city with one of the young scientists who works here. Unfortunately, I must attend to meetings and what I am sure will be endless conversations." "Sounds great, sir!" Justin replied with enthusiasm.
Justin did not catch up with the Field Marshal until early the next morning over breakfast. He had had a fascinating tour of the city and then had been with Lorenex until all hours. While they had missed the friends that he wanted Justin to meet, they had had a super time. In fact, he had accepted the young Tacian's invitation to stay over at his apartment only two blocks away. "Hell," yawned the Terran youngster. "They drink some weird stuff on this planet!" "And did you have fun otherwise?" Alexios asked, a twinkle in his eye. "Well sure, boss!" Justin replied with a grin. "Hormones, you know... Man, that guy never stops. I remember an old Terran advertisement I once saw in one of our libraries...about a creature called the 'Energizer Bunny'." He grinned again, then stopped and asked seriously, "Sir, do you know if Lorenex was ever in a serious accident?" "No, I don't," his mentor answered. "Why do you ask?" Obviously dog-tired and ready for bed, the Terran youth tried to gather his mental faculties and describe a strange incident to the Marshal. "Well, you see, it was real dark in his room, and we were really going at it when he asked me to push on a spot on his hip. I couldn't see a damned thing, but I pressed where he asked me to. I think something like a cover popped up. Inside there were what felt like wires...and all kinds of other shit. (Pause.) Sorry, boss... Anyway, he put my fingers on one of the wires and asked me to rub it. When I did, he began moaning and trembling. I asked him if he had had an operation. He said sadly, 'Yeah, an operation...too many operations.' Then we moved on to other things, and I never had the chance to get back to the strange compartment. Is he ok, sir?" "Yes, I believe he is, Justin...quite ok. Now hear this: You're going to have to catch up on your sleep in space. We'll be heading back to Canmuto in just a short time. Stand by." Justin was obviously disappointed, but he said that he'd be ready.
After talking at some length with his colleague, Alexios gave him several pictures and a tape before returning to the apartment, picking up Justin, and heading for the spaceport. On the return trip, he did tell his Adjutant that he had asked his colleague to relay his apologies to Lorenex. Further, he had approved his colleague's request for a young relative to visit Canmuto in the near future.
(Eddie's Visit)
About two weeks later, Alexios told his charge at supper that Eddie (the young Tacian nephew of his colleague) would be arriving on a troop carrier on the morrow. Unfortunately, he was completely bogged down in negotiations with Serium, the last of the Canmuton vassal states to hold Terran captives. He could not, therefore, make the arrival. Were Danny and Justin comfortable meeting him at the spaceport or would he like one of his staff members to accompany them - or even meet the boy alone? Not surprisingly, both boys seemed delighted that Eddie was arriving and said that they had no problems handling the arrival themselves.
The two young hunks arrived at the spaceport a good hour before Eddie's arrival...which was fine. They had time to look around, relax over a coffee, see what was new in the shops, and the like. Keeping their ears open, they learned that Eddie was arriving on a brand new troop transport bringing marine replacements to Canmuto. (Those marines being rotated would leave for home one day hence - after the ship had been cleaned and reprovisioned. There was, of course, no need for additional fuel after so short a trip.)
The new troop transport was huge! At first, Justin didn't see how it could conceivably fit into the slip, but some fine piloting brought it in...with no more than inches on either side to spare! Having arrived early, there was room in the arrivals lobby for them to watch the passengers as they disembarked. First off - OF COURSE! - were the officers, their luggage carried by Adjutants and shipboard personnel. At this point, both young men were settling down for a long wait. That ship had to carry several hundred men! Even though they managed their own gear that had been packed into large duffle bags carried on their shoulders, the line would take some time to clear various checkpoints. Here was the first surprise: The very next person off the ship was a vibrant, markedly handsome, blond-haired midteen, about 5'5" in height, dressed only in cargo shorts and a white tank top. (Oh, yes, he wore a pair of sunglasses with an air that said he knew exactly how hot they looked.) The tank top was fitted so tightly that you could see every quiver in every muscle in the youngster's torso. There was plenty to see. For a midteen, he sported a relatively thick torso surmounted by excellent shoulders and well- developed arms. The pronounced bulge in the cargo shorts suggested . . . "HEY, HOLD IT!" Danny choked, far too loudly. "Justin, what the hell?" he continued, "I'm 'here'; I CAN'T be 'there'...but I AM both here and there!" Justin put a steadying arm around his thoroughly confused and increasingly upset charge and murmured, "Take it easy, Danny. Let's just look for a few more minutes."
Obviously, the fourteen or fifteen-year-old was very popular with the troops, for as the smiling youngsters gathered near the entrance to the lobby, there was constant forearm grasping, excited conversation, exchanging of contact information, and the constant pounding of shoulders and backs that indicated friendship among teens in so many galaxies. At that point, Danny saw Eddie lift his duffle bag onto a heavy shoulder, say goodbye to several of his fellow passengers (probably his favorites), and literally jog towards his hosts!
"Hey, Dudes!" he exclaimed in delight as he held out a hand, first to Justin and then to Danny, vigorously shaking their hands in welcome. "I'm Eddie - or at least that's the Terran form of my name. Both my uncle and Lorenex say hello," he babbled excitedly. "And, damn...Danny! My uncle was sure right. Do we ever look like twins! That can't be. Even though I don't have blue skin, I was born on Tacia of Tacian parents. You were born on Attia of Terran parents! Glad to meet you anyway, bro, and I'm sure glad to be here. I wasn't allowed to do much at home My uncle insisted that I lie down with earphones and listen and listen and listen. Field Marshal Alexios isn't that way, is he?" Pausing for the first time (for oxygen?), he grinned impishly and whispered, "Maybe we can stir up a little hell together!" As arriving marines passed by the trio, there were open mouths and whispered comments as they spotted Danny and Eddie standing together. Justin's mouth was still somewhat open, too, but he was beginning to put two and two together. The Field Marshal and he really had to talk!
"Sir, I'm not sure that I'm putting it correctly...but was Lorenex 'real'?" Justin asked. In answer to Alexios' question about the meaning of 'reality', Justin asked whether he was 'human' or 'humanoid'. The Marshal responded by asking him if by 'humanoid" he meant the strange creatures called 'Gastreppi' who lived on a planet that circled the furthest sun thus far reached in space exploration. "Not really, sir," Justin retorted, becoming just a bit irritated by the Field Marshal's evasiveness. "I THINK I'm asking whether he is a machine made in a laboratory...like the one in Attia...or a creature born of parents who looked generally like we do. I know there are other life forms such as the Gastreppi, but I'm restricting the term 'human' to those creatures who look and function more or less like we do. So is he a machine manufactured to look and act like us or a creature born of parents who generally look and function like we do?"
"I still see some problems with your formulation, Big Stuff," Alexios retorted. To mention a couple, where do 'cloned' creatures fit into your system? All things told, however, I think my bottom line goes something like this: If you can't tell the difference between a creature created by human parents and one created by machines built by humans, why even be concerned about whether Lorenex...or Eddie... is real? There surely doesn't seem to be much difference in their ability to fuck...like Energizer Bunnies, or to provide friendship to the young marines like Eddie, and on and on. Why destroy the enjoyment of the ways in which you can enrich their lives or they, yours, by pointing a finger at them and saying, 'You're not really human; you're only a machine."
In no little frustration, Justin growled, "On Terra, I've heard people say that Man, i.e., the human being, is higher than the other creatures because God created him in His image." "Ok," the Field Marshal said reasonably, "then where are we to place Eddie on your scale of 'importance' when he was created in the image of Danny who, in turn, was created in the image of God? I repeat, if it doesn't make a difference, why get all hot and bothered about what's 'real'...or 'human'...or worthy of being valued?"
The discussion didn't get much further, but Alexios noticed that Justin always treated Eddie the same way that he treated Danny...that is, with love and concern. The "boy" blossomed like a complex flower when around him...and, of course, the four Tacian marines. Eddie and Danny? They couldn't be separated...figuratively or (perhaps, all too often) literally!
(To Be Continued)