Rose Rico never believed the rumors that the government was secretly selling human beings to the Alphas in exchange for advanced alien technology. The idea that human sex slaves were a luxury item throughout the galaxy was just too ridiculous to take seriously - until Rose found herself, along with hundreds of other human captives, bound for the far reaches of space, and compelled to cater to the depraved desires of her new alien masters. As a rule, pleasure slaves don't live very long, especially the stubborn ones. But Rose refuses to give up. Someday, somehow, she'll win back her freedom - or die trying!

Originally published by Pocket Books (2003) as part of the Slave Trade trilogy including Slave Masters (2004) and Slaves Unchained (2005). www.susanwright.info

Chapter 17

Gandre Li's sanctuary is invaded

            Gandre Li had one goal that drove her relentlessly from Canopus Regional Headquarters to Starbase C-4 in the Archernar sector, and that was keeping Rikev away from Trace. For an endless decnight she bore up under the pressure of having Rikev Alpha invade her precious ship. She no longer felt safe in the place she had designed to please her on every level.

            The Solace was more than her livelihood; it was her own private domain. Over the years she had upgraded the interior; installing thin layers of colored marble on the walls, pleasant tinted lighting in the corridors and rooms, and a delightful assortment of furnishings that were both elegant and unique. Her command center was cleanly efficient and arranged so that one person could operate the ship.

            But for the first time, Gandre Li felt as if she had exposed herself when Rikev took note of the unusual amenities. He could see that she had a lot to lose.

Before leaving Regional Headquarters, Gandre Li quietly told her crew that Trace was "not feeling well" and would stay confined to the captain's cabin. So far, Rikev had not said a word about the Solian slave on board, though he must know about Trace from Gandre Li's file. She waited on edge as the days passed without any inquiry from Rikev. Some Alphas wouldn't poach a Beta's Solian, but Rikev was a Senior Alpha. He could do anything he wanted. But it looked as if he hadn't considered using Trace.

            The Solace went to Starbase C-4 first to drop off supplies. They spent one day in dock while Rikev cracked down on the staff who were renovating the old ore processor. Gandre Li enjoyed the brief break while Rikev was not on her ship.

Then Rikev re-boarded the Solace along with a forlorn Solian slave and a Gamma named Horl who was going to be in charge of organizing the repairs on Spacepost T-3. Gandre Li again ordered her crew to stay out of the lounge at the top of the ship, leaving it to Rikev's exclusive use. Not that it kept Rikev from invading the crew galley or command center whenever he felt like it.

Rikev was a real piece of work. The Alpha geneticists should be proud of themselves. He terrorized everyone around him into producing more than was reasonable to ask. He somehow inspired fear by his very presence.

"Course laid in for the aWasc slip," Jor told her.

"Five more slips to go," Gandre Li said. "That's another nine days by my estimate. We'll arrive at Spacepost T-3 right on schedule."

Jor's dark face was sympathetic. "I can't wait to get the lounge back. It's always cramped when we have passengers."

Gandre Li stiffened, aware that Rikev could be listening to their conversations. With his rank, Rikev probably had the most advanced surveillance devices available for his use. She only spoke to Trace when the Regelian EM baffler was activated in her cabin.

"It's an honor to be able to transport the Senior Alpha of the Sirius sector," Gandre Li said flatly.

Jor nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, I agree." He concentrated on his scanner, while Gandre Li frowned. She didn't like slapping him down that way, especially when she needed the crew to cover for Trace. But it was very possible Rikev had bugged her command center. He knew too much about ship's operations. Or maybe he had slipped a tap into her computer.

She had to get a grip on herself, or the next decnight would last an eternity. At least today she had a distraction - her lust would hit this evening. Since it only happened once every decnight, it was something she and Trace usually celebrated. Tonight she would be haunted by the thought of Rikev Alpha curled up in her lounge like a spider waiting to snatch Trace from her.

Rikev's voice came over the internal comm. "Captain Gandre Li, report to the lounge."

Jor looked up, startled. Gandre Li didn't say a word as she got up and left the command center. When the master spoke, they jumped.

The decor in the lounge included all the best things she had acquired during her career. Every piece was made of organic compounds which made the eclectic mixture exotic yet harmonious. Comfort was also important since the lounge was their recreation area. But now that Rikev had taken it over, Gandre Li was never invited to sit down. He had also adjusted the tinting to nearly a pure white light, not the most attractive choice in her opinion.

Rikev's Solian, Dot, wasn't anywhere in sight. Gandre Li glanced at the closed door to the small berth next to Rikev's cabin. She was probably hiding in there.

Gandre Li worried about Dot, a constant reminder of what Solians must be suffering throughout the Domain. Since she had run into Ash and the escaped slaves, her concern for Trace had blossomed into fear for every Solian she saw. Rikev tortured Dot, even when he wasn't in lust. There were livid bruises on her neck and arms the last time she had seen the poor slave, huddled in a corner with her head on her knees.

There was nothing Gandre Li could do about it, but it tore at her. She kept wishing she could help. Dot was plump and docile, and had never raised her dark head once since coming onboard. Gandre Li had known many slaves called Dot - it was a common name - but she had never considered what they went through every day. Right this moment, throughout the Domain, Solians just like Trace were being hurt and abused.

The Gamma, Horl, was working at the terminal. He didn't look up when Gandre Li came in, so she ignored him as usual. They had exchanged perhaps a dozen words since he had boarded. He wore a hooded flightsuit that left only a protruding circle of his face exposed. She wasn't sure what kind of alien he was, but his eyes and mouth were very small and close together.

Rikev was seated on the old lounge she had picked up in the Antares region. A dataport was in one hand. His brown Fleet uniform was belted with a sleek cartridge unit that Gandre Li envied. She wondered when the lower ranks would be able to get hold of that new technology. It was said that the forcefield was polarized so that it could also protect against blunt force trauma.

"That datarod holds a change in course. Implement it at once," Rikev ordered, gesturing to a black rod on the table in front of him.

Gandre Li picked it up. "We're not going to Spacepost T-3?"

"We're taking a different route. By using the Panthy-Sipur route, we save six hours."

Gandre Li shut her mouth and pocketed the rod. As irritating as it was to be told how to fly her own ship, she would do anything to get to the spacepost faster.

"Yes, Senior Alpha." Gandre Li summoned up a winning smile. "Is there anything else you would like?"

 "Yes, I require the services of your Solian. Clean her up and send her here immediately."

Gandre Li's smile froze. "Excuse me?"

Rikev stared at her. "Must I repeat myself?"

"No," Gandre Li said. "No, you just surprised me. I thought you had your own Solian."

Rikev looked back down at his dataport, clearly dismissing her. "Immediately."

Gandre Li knew what to do. She had planned for this contingency. But she had been lulled into thinking it wouldn't happen.

"Trace is sick. She's been sick since we left Regional Headquarters. I should have taken her to a medic at the starbase, but I thought it was nothing serious."

"You're telling me that your Solian is too sick to service me?"

"She was feeling bad this morning. Let me find out how she's doing now," Gandre Li offered.

"That won't be necessary." Rikev ordered, "Comm to slave: This is Rikev Alpha. Report to the lounge immediately."

            Gandre Li hid her stab of fear, feeling vindicated that she hadn't been overreacting when they had laid their plans. But it was frightening how deeply Rikev was penetrating her defenses.

            There was no reply, as Trace had agreed.

            Gandre Li knew she already looked concerned. "Comm to Trace: Answer me. Rikev Alpha needs you in the lounge."

            There was still no reply. Gandre Li could picture what was happening in her cabin. Trace was grabbing the injector and administering a dose of a potent Denebian drug. It was up to Gandre Li to dissuade Rikev if possible. At best she needed to delay him so the drug could take affect.

            "She probably isn't feeling well. Sometimes nothing can wake her when she's sick," Gandre Li told Rikev. "I apologize for not letting you know about her illness sooner. I sure it's Yynta virus - I just found a reference to Yynta in the beacon we just stripped. The bio-pod can prepare inoculations for everyone on board, but as you know Yynta can only be spread through very close contact. If you would like-"

            Rikev stood up. "Take me to her."

            From that moment on, there was no stopping him. It was like Rikev knew what she was trying to do. He didn't wait for her to show the way but went straight down to her cabin. He tried to open the door, but she always took the precaution of locking it.

            She dawdled as much as she could on the way down from the lounge, knowing Rikev would be stopped at the door. Even he couldn't get through that lock. With the kind of InSec people she regularly transported, she had learned a long time ago that she needed to keep some secrets.

            "Oh, did I lock it again?" she called out, strolling down the corridor.

Rikev crossed his arms, waiting for her. Gandre Li entered the code and opened the door, hoping she had bought Trace enough time.

            Her day cabin was tinted aqua today, with blanched spots falling on her favorite chair and the curved sofa in front of the portal. Rikev glanced around the day cabin, no doubt noting the luxuries that Gandre had not made available to him.

Gandre Li got to the doorway of her private cabin before Rikev. The light slanted in to show Trace lying on a pallet tangled in sheets. Her thin tunic was plastered to her wet back and her copper hair straggled over the pillow.

            "Trace! You're burning up!" Gandre Li exclaimed, feeling her forehead. She grabbed the inhibitor and gave Trace a dose. It would work slowly against the drug that induced the fever, keeping it from going too high.         

            Trace was trying to lick her lips, unable to focus. Her bio-systems were stressed by the sudden high fever. She was flushed, with her lips swelling and cracking. Sweat poured off her. Gandre Li desperately hoped she hadn't killed Trace in her effort to save her.

Trace was shifting on the pallet as if she couldn't get comfortable. "I tried... I tried, Gandi..."

Gandre Li shushed her, not sure what Trace would say. She was truly out of her mind.

            Rikev was holding his dataport over Trace, scanning her. "Temperature has fallen point zero one degrees since you administered the inhibitor."

"She's very sick." Gandre Li's voice quavered with real panic. She stood up, hoping to move Rikev away from Trace. "Yynta is a terrible virus."

Rikev shut his dataport. "Her symptoms appear to correlate with Yynta virus."

"I'll notify you when the inoculations are generated." Gandre Li couldn't tell him to leave, as much as she wanted to. "I apologize again if my delay in informing you has caused offense."

Rikev snapped his dataport shut, and simply looked into her eyes. Gandre Li silently repeated "it's Yynta virus" over and over to herself as she met his gaze. Some InSec people had gossiped that Alphas were developing mind-control and mind-reading technology. Rikev was one Alpha who seemed capable of doing it.

"My Solian is preferable to this one," Rikev said coldly. He turned and left the cabin.

            Gandre Li relaxed in relief once she was sure Rikev was gone. First she re-locked the door and activated the baffler to conceal any noises emanating from her cabin. She would leave the jamming device on from now on. Every precaution she had taken had been necessary. Since Yynta virus could last for decnights, Trace could still be too sick if he asked for her on his next cycle.

            "You did it, Trace," Gandre Li whispered, stroking her silky hair. "You're safe."

* * *

            Gandre Li stayed in her cabin until Trace's fever dropped another full degree. It was still very high, but heading slowly downward. Trace was hydrated and had been physically prepared for this possibility, so it shouldn't cause lasting damage.

            While she watched over Trace, Gandre Li realized she would have to lie to the crew that she had contracted Yynta virus. She hated that, especially since they would suspect the truth that Trace wasn't really sick. She could only hope none of them mentioned their doubts out loud to each other. Now she was certain Rikev had surveillance on them.

Or, even worse, one of the crew could decide to gain points with the Alpha by telling Rikev that Trace wasn't really sick.

            It was sad to think that she might not be able to trust her own crew, but there was a distance between them. Gandre Li's involvement with InSec required that she conceal a great deal of information about their assignments and the identities of their passengers. If she got friendly with the crew, they would naturally ask her things. So instead she maintained a formal atmosphere on board. She didn't like it, but it worked. Still she would have preferred to be able to relax in the lounge with the others instead of avoiding casual interactions.

            Once Trace was out of danger, Gandre Li locked the Solian inside the cabin and went to the crew galley. It was a long narrow room between her cabin and the crew quarters on the other side of the ship. There she programmed the bio-pod to make the inoculations. No one was in the galley, though she knew Takhan and Danal were off-duty. Danal would be taking over the command center shortly, so he wasn't likely to be asleep.

            Gandre Li stepped through the opposite door into the hall that ran along the crew berths. She knocked on Danal's door. "Danal, can I talk to you?"

            "Yes?" Danal called out.

            Gandre Li opened the door to lean in. "I wanted to-"

            She broke off when she saw Takhan and Danal in bed together. Both of them were naked. Danal was sitting up, baring his shiny yellow skin and slender shoulders. Takhan was leaning over trying to pull on a jumpsuit.

            Gandre Li jumped back and closed the door. "Sorry!"

            Danal and Takhan? Together? Takhan Delta was an Aborandeen so she cycled once every few decnights, while Droi had sex about once a year. Could a Droi like Danal could have sexual relations with an Aborandeen?

Not that it was any of her business.

"I didn't mean to interrupt," Gandre Li said through the door, feeling embarrassed. If they wanted her to know, they would have told her.

Danal opened the door. "My duty shift is about to start anyway."

Takhan's square jaw was firm, inviting no comment to the fact that she was in Danal's berth and bed.

Gandre Li took a deep breath. "I wanted to tell you that it looks like Trace has Yynta virus. I'm replicating an inoculation for each of us. It should be ready soon."

"That is unfortunate," Danal said. His flightsuit was open at the collar. Some people liked it that way but Danal was usually such an immaculate, indecipherable man that it took every bit of Gandre Li's effort to not stare at it.

"Since you haven't been in contact with Trace, you should be fine," Gandre Li babbled on. Ever mindful of Rikev's bugs, she smiled at both of them. "I'll let you know when the inoculation is ready."

"Sure," Takhan said flatly.

Gandre Li was too uncomfortable to follow Danal to the command center even though she needed to input Rikev's new grav plot. Instead, she went into the galley and sat on the plush sofa that Jor and Takhan had moved down from the lounge. It was their favorite seat, covered in thick soft cloth with large cushions. Gandre Li enjoyed the optical illusion of the fabric that shifted from fish to spaceships to humanoid faces. They had positioned it directly in front of the screen where the information stripped from the beacons played on a loop. The Yynta virus warning came on, the bold red slash of a health alert making it stand out from the rest. She had seen the warning in the Sirius sector so she knew Yynta was in the area. It was the perfect cover for Trace.

She found herself thinking about Takhan and Danal in bed together, and the familiar tingles of her impending lust surprised her. After the day she'd had, it was a wonder her hormones weren't thrown out of whack. She almost wished her lust wouldn't come. Trace would be in no condition to enjoy it with her anyway. She felt bad for some reason even thinking about it.

By the time Gandre Li reached the command center, Jor was gone and Danal was seated at the Comm. Gandre Li worked for some time in silence, inputting Rikev's slip plot. The computer provided information on each pocket that she needed to review. The course change would take affect after their next slip.

"This will save a few hours," Gandre Li admitted to Danal. The plot was finally accepted by the navigation computer after the various debris and particle hazards were duly acknowledged by her.

"It takes us out of the shipping lanes," Danal pointed out. "The less-popular routes have a twenty-four percent increased risk of an attack by raiders."

            "True," Gandre Li said, hoping Rikev could hear him. "But Rikev Alpha must have a good reason for the course change."

            Danal didn't seem to mind her rebuff. He was so bland that Gandre Li couldn't imagine him with a proud woman like Takhan. Maybe opposites did attract.

            "I'm done here," she finally told Danal. "I'll relieve you at the end of the shift."

            "Affirmative," he replied evenly.

            Gandre Li had one more stop to make before she could go back to Trace. She went down the crew corridor and stopped by Jor's berth. She knocked on the Gamma's door, but this time she didn't open it. She had learned her lesson.

            When no one answered, she called, "Jor, I need to talk to you."

            After a moment, Jor opened the door. He was wearing a robe instead of his flightsuit, revealing his dark chest. Takhan Delta was seated cross-legged on his bed, looking up defensively.

            "Oh. Hi, Takhan," Gandre Li said pointlessly. She shouldn't jump to conclusions, but Takhan's boots were off and the covers on the bed were rumpled as if Jor had been lying next to her.

            "I'm not on duty for another hour," Takhan told Gandre Li defensively.

            "I know," Gandre Li assured the Delta mechanic. "Danal's got the maintenance check list."

            Jor motioned to Takhan, and she relaxed back. His soft voice was reassuring. "Takhan told me about the Yynta virus. I hope Trace isn't too sick."

            "Her fever spiked very high this afternoon." Gandre Li wanted to lie to her own crew as little as possible. "I'm going back to her now."

            "Anything we can do to help?" he asked.

            "Yes, there is something," Gandre Li agreed. "The inoculations should be ready by now. Could you distribute them from the bio-pod?"

            "Fine," he said soothingly. "I'll take care of it."

            "Thanks." Gandre Li started to withdraw.

But Takhan leaned forward, holding out one hand as if to stop her. "There's something else." Takhan looked at Jor, urging him on silently.

            "Trace is sick, this isn't a good time," Jor told the mechanic. Takhan's eyes flashed as if she was ready to argue.

            Gandre Li wanted to shut them down, ever aware of the Alpha listening in. But she couldn't risk antagonizing her crew, either. "Yes, go ahead," she said cautiously.

            Jor gestured one hand to the confining walls of the berth. "It's this... we want to open up the three berths and the hallway to make one big room. You could still go between command and engineering through your hallway."

            "You want to live in the same room?" Gandre Li asked.

            "Yes, the modular walls can be stored in the cargo bay without taking up much space."

            Gandre Li smiled. In the midst of her worry and constant battles with the upper ranks, these three had managed to make a family out of themselves. Good for them!

            "Do whatever you want with this section," Gandre Li told them. "It's your space."

            Takhan looked surprised, as if she had expected Gandre Li to refuse. "You don't mind?"

            "Make yourself at home," she assured them. "I'm happy for you. Just wait until after we drop off our passenger before you start moving walls around."

            "Perfect," Jor told her, grinning. "We thought it would be okay after we saw what you did with that transport-"

            Gandre Li made a quick hushing motion with her hands, then she tapped her ear and pointed up to the lounge. Jor and Takhan understood immediately. They looked at each other, obviously trying to remember if they had said anything incriminating.

            It dampened up their happy mood, reminding them of the danger. Gandre Li wished she had warned them more thoroughly before Rikev came on board. But how could she have guessed he would be so invasive?

            Takhan and Jor didn't seem to be panicked over anything they might have said. Gandre Li wished she could talk to them about it, but that would have to wait until after Rikev left. Their lives would start again when he was gone.

            "I prefer to be more formal," Gandre Li said to smooth over the silence. "But I don't mind if you choose to break rank protocol among yourselves."

            Jor nodded slowly, understanding her meaning. Somehow he would tell Takhan and Danal that she was always talking to Rikev's listening devices. Now, at least they knew to watch their tongues.

            Gandre Li smiled at them both, genuinely happy that their ménage was working out. They made sense as a triad; Jor, Takhan and Danal balanced each other perfectly as her crew. She could understand how they worked well together as a family.

Takhan appeared to be so relieved by Gandre Li's reaction that the Delta hugged Jor even before the door was fully closed.

* * *

            Gandre Li returned to her love on the other side of the Solace. When she entered, the first thing she heard was the sound of Trace's windreed. She was sitting on the bench in the darkened bedroom, playing a lilting tune on the reed. She was wearing a white shift that barely covered her.

            Gandre Li quietly closed the door, and locked it. Automatically she looked at the baffler to be sure it was on.

Trace hadn't heard her come in, so Gandre Li was able to listen for a moment, watching the way she rocked with the flow of the music. Her freshly washed hair was the brightest spot in the room. The pallet against the wall was still mussed, but that didn't matter because Trace slept in her bed. The pallet was only for show.

Gandre Li went closer until Trace looked up and broke off her playing. "Oh Gandi, you're back."

"You're feeling better?" Gandre Li touched Trace's hair.

Trace smiled up at her. "Much better. I was out of my mind for a while. His lust must be over by now, right?"

"Over for another six days." Gandre Li put her arms around Trace, hugging her tightly.

"I'll probably have to do it again," Trace said bravely. "It wasn't that bad."

"Anything is better than the alternative," Gandre Li assured her.

They sat there together with Trace leaning against Gandre Li, who cradled her precious girl in her arms. Trace played very softly, surrounding them with a whispery sound. By the time she finished her song, Gandre Li was feeling better. They would survive this intact. She had happy visions of going about their rounds again, with the Solace a tranquil bubble, separate from the rest of the galaxy. Then they could be happy.

A wave of lust washed through her, making Gandre Li sigh, deep and heartfelt. It was coming, in spite of everything. She wouldn't be able to hide it from Trace.

Gandre Li was so confused; she wasn't sure why she wanted to run down to the fresher in the cargo bays and get herself off where Trace couldn't see her. It had been a long time since she had felt guilt or shame over sex. The most memorable was right after she had gotten Trace - Gandre Li refused to use such a young girl for her own pleasure. Bariss females were much more mature when they came into lust, and for her Trace still looked like a child. So she had kept their relationship playful and platonic for well over a standard year. Trace continually made advances towards Gandre Li during her lust, trying to please her master as she was taught to do, making it very hard to resist her.

The first time Gandre Li had given in, driven by her lust and Trace's sincere desire for her, she had been filled with guilt. But Trace was hard to resist, and she grew up fast, making it clear that she enjoyed everything she did with Gandre Li.

Trace put down the windreed, turning to look up at her. "I'm been neglecting you, Gandi. You didn't think I forgot, did you?"

Uncomfortable, Gandre Li shook her head. "I can take care of it myself this time, Trace."

Trace looked shocked. "Why would you do that?"

"You've been sick, and I don't want to..." Force you, she wanted to say.

"Are you worried about how I feel? I'm fine, Gandi. When I was cleaning up, I hoped you'd want to play tonight. I was thinking we haven't done the enforcer one lately."

All those games they played, variations on the hierarchical roles that surrounded them, were usually a way to free herself from the restrictions in life. Gandre Li reveled in being able to pretend she was an aspiring holo-star in "casting couch" and the next lust could switch to being the teacher seducing her pupil. It was fun, a way to shake up the status quo in ways she really couldn't.

But tonight, she kept thinking about Rikev and Dot, and she couldn't bear it. It reminded her of her early experiments in playing with Trace. It fascinated her how Trace could get such pleasure from intense sensations, things Gandre Li would have considered painful. But Trace's repeated orgasms didn't lie, so Gandre Li had gotten into the habit of pushing her limits.

Until one day when Trace burst into tears after she climaxed. Gandre Li realized she had hurt Trace, really hurt her. She had been hitting Trace with a rubber tie-down, enjoying the petal-shaped outlines it left on her skin. But when Gandre Li hit her own thigh with it, she cried out from the searing pain. She asked Trace why she didn't say it hurt, but the idea was foreign to the pleasure-trained girl. So Gandre Li had insisted that from then on Trace tell her when something was too much, emotionally or physically. Trace had used her safeword a few times over the ensuing years, and it gave Gandre Li more confidence to push their boundaries together when she was sure Trace wouldn't be hurt again.

"Where are you, Gandi?" Trace asked softly, stroking her arm. "You're so far away."

"I'm thinking about you. I don't want to hurt you again."

Trace blinked. "You don't hurt me. Not ever."

Trace had been with her nearly half her life. For her, this was normal. "I keep thinking about Dot. Up there with him."

"Gandi, you're nothing like him."

Trace pulled her face down and gave her a long, sweet kiss. Gandre Li's lust caught fire feeling her slender body leaning against hers, sparking a passionate return. They kissed until she was on fire, burning with the need, and all of her dire thoughts were banished.

Her failed attempt at denial made her sexual response even stronger, taking her so intensely so fast that the room seemed to spin around them. Trace helped her off with her flightsuit, and the glimpses of her body through the flimsy white shift inflamed Gandre Li even more. She pulled Trace down onto the padded bench and rolled on top of her, squeezing her thigh between her legs, riding her as they kissed, drowning in each other. Trace clung to her, moving her body against hers, straining to take them even higher.

Gandre Li's climax hit her like a starship at full speed. She almost crushed Trace in her arms, but Trace was also crying out in release. It was the first of several that Gandre Li would get during her lust, but it was certainly the most memorable she'd had in a long time.