All That Glitters Ch. 33

The final group of guns was the twin gun (improved) Mk-48's on the Ventral Gun Deck, which matched the other guns for cleanliness and readiness.

"What does 'improved' mean," Hellene asked of James.

"For the Mk-48's it means an additional 82% power increase. For the Mak-10's it means an additional 54% power increase. The 48's have as much power as a standard Mk-30, while the Mk-10's are now the Navy's most powerful guns," James informed her.

Hellene was shocked. That much power increase made the ship one of the most formidable in the Navy.

"And the other refits? Do they have the same upgrades to their weapons?" Hellene asked.

"All of the refits made at Pallanders have improved guns, improved sub-light engines, improved jump capability, improved command and control systems, and the new M/A generators, all designed by Aruna laboratories," James replied. "All of those new systems were initially trialed on this ship.

"Most ships going into refit come out with the same capabilities they go in with. Pallanders has been given an exclusive contract to refit many of the upcoming work to be done, because of their speed, efficiency, and their contracts with Aruna labs.

"HD-115153 Punarjanm system will soon be doing the work for all Navy refits. The shipbuilding station was confiscated from the same pirates that hit Liramor-23 platform, twice. They even had a mining station in the system to provide material for the shipyard.

"The shipyard is now Pallanders-4, and the mining station will soon be Liramor-30 once it is completed. It was poorly built and had to be completely rebuilt, taking it back to the core from what I understand. They are working on it and will be for another six or seven months," James said.

"And Capt. Noor is off to Punarjanm system today to claim her new ship in refit, NS Dewfall. I've been on her, that is one monstrous ship, bigger than The Wanderer," she affirmed.

"Yes, ma'am," James agreed. "She has been here on a number of occasions, acting as the support ship to Sector Forty-Two JAG, while pirates were being processed."

"I'm impressed by what I have seen so far, EX O. We will keep the same pace of work as to what has been established. Why break something that works. What's next on my schedule?" she asked.

"Breakfast, ma'am. And we'd better hurry or the chef will close the mess down and we will get whatever is in the fridge," James groused.

The pair made their way to the combined mess, arriving while breakfast was still being served.

"You're late," said an angry chef.

"Captain, may I introduce MCPO Siobhan Riley, Master Chef, Gourmet Chef, and the best damn chef in the Navy," James said.

Hellene raised an eyebrow at the EX O, who just smiled at her. As she watched, Riley began to make a crêpe right in front of her eyes. She poured the material on round a stone oven designed specifically for making crêpe.

Mon Dieu! C'est pierre vraiment! (My God! It's real stone!) Hellene thought as she watched Riley work.

Riley waited the exact amount of time then flipped the crêpe for a time. The crêpe then went into the ingredients necessary for a Crêpe Suzette. She skillfully folded over the edges of the crêpe and returned it to a warm serving plate, adding pieces of orange to the crêpe at the end.

Riley took hold of the Captain's elbow, bringing her to a table which already had a place setting. She placed the plate on the setting and pointed deliberately to the chair, raising her eyebrow to the Captain, as if to say; 'go ahead, see if I'm a gourmet chef or not'.

There were a selection of toppings for the crêpe on the table, but Hellene ignored them and took up fork and knife. She cut a piece of the crêpe and brought it to her mouth.

The first bite told her everything. This crêpe was made perfectly, with the appropriate proportions of fresh squeezed orange juice, orange zest, milk, salt and other ingredients. Hellene rose and kissed Riley on both cheeks.

"Mon Dieu, c'est magnifique! (My God, its magnificent!)" she told Riley. "I apologize for my earlier silent comment, Master Chef. There is no doubt that you are the Gourmet Chef you were promised to be."

Riley smiled. "Now that's the way I like my boss, ready to kiss my cheeks for good food," she laughed.

"For food this good, I will kiss any of your cheeks Riley," Hellene admitted getting laughter from those in the mess.

"I see you've met Riley," said a male voice to her right. Hellene turned to see Raymond Clark with several ladies with him. She recognized Liea Samson.

"May I introduce to you the two most formidable ladies in unarmed combat in Union space," Raymond said. "Oshiiru Kimiko, known alternately as Kim or Ninja, her crew nickname, and Lt. Ululla Mbibo, a.k.a. Crash, the nickname reflects what happens to her opponents. They are responsible for all physical and combat training on this ship.

"Everyone, and I mean everyone, goes through their training sessions. It has saved lives. You missed gym this morning, and they are disappointed, Captain. That means they will be extra hard on you tomorrow," Raymond said with a smile.

"Couldn't be helped," Hellene told them. "But I have free time at 14:00 today, if that is good for you?"

"We'll be there, Captain," Mbibo acknowledged.

"What's your next appointment?" Raymond asked.

"Thimble for my crew uniforms," she told him. "Then you for two hours this morning."

"Good, you can meet me on the Battle Bridge. I will show you the ship's full capabilities. You will be surprised," Raymond told her.

"From what I have seen so far, surprise will likely be a mild form of swear word for the next few days," Hellene quipped, getting a laugh from those at her table.

"What's this I hear about kissing Riley's cheeks?" Liea asked getting more laughter.

* * * * *

Hellene was right on time to see Thimble.

"Good day Captain. This is for your fitting for your personal armour, specialized PPE, and your upgraded EVA suit," Thimble told her. "I will also use the measurements I make to create appropriate dresses for you for the many functions that we hold on this ship.

"As far as other's know, this ship is the personal vessel of Liea Samson and Raymond Clark, two billionaire philanthropists and party people. Nothing could be further from the truth; however, we need to keep up appearances from time to time in order to keep our cover," Thimble explained. "That means we dress in a ship's uniform and not in Navy uniform even though the rank structure is identical."

She had the Captain strip and told her to stand against a white wall. Thimble employed her specialized scanners to take true measurements of the Captain.

"You have a good body, Hellene," Thimble told her. "I envy you that. I am always fighting bulges breaking out on my body."

Hellene laughed. "Me too, Thimble. This body is high maintenance."

"Speaking of my nickname, has the crew come up with one for you yet?" Thimble asked.

"Not that I have heard, so far," Hellene admitted. "Though I am sure it will come out soon enough. I just hope it will be a good one. 'Boss' or 'Frenchie' seem just too trite."

"Boss was already used, and dropped almost as quickly, it belonged to Liea Samson before. She is now known as 'Model' because of a nude stint in the gym during exercise period.

"You don't have to worry, you will match up to her with that body," Thimble told her with a smile. "You can get dressed now. I will call you when I have your personal armour ready for a fitting."

Hellene smiled and dressed. She then moved up to the Battle Bridge where she met Raymond and got to know the capabilities of the ship. To say she was shocked was putting it mildly. The ship was as capable as the NS Dewfall, and was deliberately built as a blockade ship, a purpose that she could still be used for. The ship's capabilities and current missions frightened her near to death and she was now her Captain!

Ship's Gym, The Wanderer, Parking Orbit, Liramor-23, Piscium System

Hellene was right on time, dressed for gym, not wanting to piss off her two combat specialists. Kim came right to the fighting mat and threw two combat sticks at the Captain. As soon as they were in her hands, Kim attacked unarmed. The fight was brief, fast, and furious, with Kim throwing a flurry of kicks, punches, and strikes of various kinds, Hellene hard pressed to block them even while using the sticks.

Kim stepped back, and suddenly Mbibo was there, sticks in her hands. She attacked the Captain using basic Marine stick combat techniques. Hellene was working hard to block her attack; they came at her fast and with enough power to run the shock of the impact all the way up her arms.

Damn, these two are good! Hellene thought as she fought off Mbibo.

Kim came back onto the mat and engaged the Captain again, this time faster than before. The Captain was straining to fight her off but blows were getting in on her arms and body.

All of a sudden, a foot was in her face that she hadn't even seen coming. If this had been a real battle, Hellene would have lost.

"Enough!" snapped Mbibo. "Five times around the track, as fast as you can. You have twenty minutes to complete this."

Mbibo turned and led the Captain out onto the track, setting a blistering pace that the Captain was hard pressed to meet. She stuck it out though and made the time that Mbibo set.

"That was five Kms in fifteen minutes," Mbibo informed her. The ship's standard is eighteen minutes."

Merde! Hellene thought. That means I have to do that every fucking day!

Mbibo then had her hit the weight machines to assess her strength. Hellene was happy that she appeared to impress Crash.

Kim was waiting for her. She had Hellene go through a series of combat forms, both armed with sticks and unarmed, to see where she was in them.

"OK, not as bad as some starting out on this ship but definitely room for improvement," Mbibo stated. "You have at least kept up your combat forms so we only have to work on power and speed. Your conditioning is a little better than ship's average. However, you are the Captain, that means you have to push a little harder as you set the standard for the ship.

"Kim will work with you on other combat techniques and help you improve what you already know. I will work on your physical conditioning and Marine combat techniques. Good job, Captain. You are not a Marine, but I will follow you," Mbibo finished.

Hellene knew that was high praise indeed, coming from a Marine. She also knew she would be bloody sore latter. Maybe her next stop should be the infirmary?

Marilon Regional Hospital Shuttle Port, Harn City, Green's World, Harn System, Twenty Light Years from Terra

Ayesha stepped out of NS Julia Thenton after having kissed her husband good-bye for the next six months. Her time here was going to be brutal and having Sean around would have made it worse as he would definitely have been a distraction. She was of two minds having to be separated from him for the next six months so soon after their wedding.

She thanked FAdm. Thenton and Lt. Palid for getting her here so swiftly, said good-by to Henadi and stepped down from the little ship. Ayesha presented her papers and her bags to the customs officer and then moved out into the shuttle port to find transport to the hospital itself.

She was looking forward to seeing old friends again and looking forward to finally becoming a full medical doctor. The next six months would be brutal but she knew she would survive it.

* * * * *

Sean watched as his wife stepped out of the tiny ship, disappointed that he could not be with her this time but understanding why. He did not look forward to being away from her. At least he had work ahead of him that he would find enjoyable and take his mind of his loneliness.

He took his seat as the little ship lifted off and resumed it's course for the Punarjanm system.

The Wanderer, Parking Orbit, Liramor-23, Piscium System

Hellen had received a notice that her personal armour and other items were ready for fitting. The note indicated that they fitting would be in Liea's stateroom. Hellene was surprised at the number of people who were in the room.

Present were Lea, Raymond, Kim, Mbibo, Gillaya, Katanya, Lissette, Lynne, MCPO O'Neil the Boatswain, Thimble, Lynnette -- Liea's personal dressing maid, and Hellene.

Currently, Raymond and Mbibo both appeared to be naked, though Hellene noted they were wearing something around their waists. Thimble was checking the fit of the items and declared them good. Both Raymond and Mbibo stayed naked and slipped onto Liea's large bed.

Thimble called the Boatswain and Kim next, checking the fit on their personal armour.

"The new personal armour is something that was made for us by Michelle Laundray of Les Armuriers Laundray," Raymond explained from the bed. "They include both passive and active armour systems to stop projectiles and electro/plasma weapons.

"They need to be checked for fit every six months or so and replaced every five years or when major physical changes occur for the wearer. The armour is made specifically for each person. You wear it close to the skin. It will stop a bolt from a plasma rifle at point blank range and will stop repeated hits from stun rods or stunners. It will also stop rounds up to 12mm in size, however, you will feel the impacts, so the more fit you are, the better you will be able to take those impacts from solid shot," Raymond finished.

Thimble then called on Hellene, who stripped off without hesitation. Thimble placed the first of her armour on her, a waspy style that left her breasts bare. Kim picked up a stun rod and shocked Hellene with it, or tried to, as the armour did what it was supposed to do and stopped the shock from hitting Hellene.

Hellene was surprised.

Thimble showed her how to open it and gave her another model to try on, this one covered her breasts completely and was meant to be used under a uniform or a full blouse. It fit perfectly.

The last version of the armour only covered a portion of her breasts and was meant to be used with formal evening gowns that did not have a sever plunge to the neckline. Like the other two, it fit perfectly.

Thimble then pulled out a series of expensive looking dresses and had Hellene try all of them to the comments and praises of all those present. When thimble pulled out some rather risqué clubbing outfits, the comments became downright ribald bringing a smile from Hellene and laughter from the group.

Thimble then had her dress in the long body armour and then gave her the Personal Security Suit. That's when Hellene knew that things were very different on this ship. The PSS was an amazing piece of equipment. Part Emergency Escape Suit, part personal armour, it was designed to protect the wearing in all conditions and circumstances.

Hellene couldn't believe the outfit she now was wearing. It could stop solid shot and plasma bolts by itself. When combined with the personal armour, it was truly an amazing piece of technology.

They then opened a large ready pack, showing Hellene an EVA suit with her rank on it. Three of them helped her into the EVA suit. It fit perfectly. She worked the controls and found that they suit was able to do all that she expected of it and a lot more.

"This suit is made to Marine Combat standards," Raymond told her. "That means you could technically lead the Marines in a fight; however, you are more valuable to me in the Captains chair and that is where I expect to find you.

"Unlike a lot of Navy vessels, in a firefight, we will be wearing either the PPS or the Combat EVA suit. That is not an option, that is ship ROE.

"The PPS is designed so that you can wear it while inside your EVA combat suit. That will offer you yet another level of protection. Three layers, your EVA suit, your PPS and your personal armour.

"We plan for all contingencies on this ship, that includes the possibility that you will be in a fight in space. Your personal armour is for self-protection in unexpected situations. You will wear your personal armour at all times, even if you are in your party dresses.

"If I ask to see your armour and you are not wearing it, there will be hell to pay. All personnel that could be involved in direct combat and the ship's senior officers, have personal armour that is tailor made to them.

"All other members of the ship have standard armour, that is personal armour that is not tailored to them. However, all ship's crew are required to wear their armour at all times.

"We, as the senior members of the crew, must set the example, so we will wear that armour everywhere except to shower or to bed," Raymond finished.

Hellene was helped out of her EVA suit and it was placed back in the ready pack. Since everyone who had been through Thimble's checks had stayed naked, so Hellene did the same.

She slipped over to the bed and watched as Thimble completed the checks on the remaining people, Katanya receiving her first fitting of her own equipment.

"Katanya is acting as the ship's doctor for the next six months while Ayesha Seito is off finishing her medical degree. As a senior officer of the ship, even if it is a temporary position, she will get a full set of equipment, including party dresses," Liea stated.

"We are filthy rich, Hellene, so we can afford the items that you are receiving," Raymond added. "We don't skimp on protection for this ship, in any form."

Hellene sat on the bed near Raymond and felt his hand slid up and down her back. It had been a while since she had been with anybody so she enjoyed the touch of his hand.

Hellene noticed his cock resting against his leg. Even flaccid, it was impressive. Liea's hand suddenly slid up and down his leg and Hellene watched as his prick began to wake up.

Hellene turned her head to watch Liea at work as she reached over and gripped Raymond's manhood, stroking it gently.

"Would you like a taste?" Liea asked, giving her a knowing look.

Hellene raised an eyebrow in question, looking around the room.

"It's alright," Liea stated. "We share him."

Hellene wasn't sure how many 'we' was.

"What? All of you?" she asked.

"At one time or another, he has been with every woman in this room. Our armour fittings and checks can get rather interesting," Liea told her.

Hellene could see the other women smiling and nodding their heads.

"Is he that capable?" Hellene asked, unimpressed.

"He is," Mbibo stated. "He could satisfy every woman in this room with ease."

Hellene starred in shock at Mbibo, who just smiled back at her.

"Yes, he is that good," Mbibo told her boss. "However, you do not have to participate if you do not want to. Raymond would never force a woman to do participate in something that she wasn't ready for."

"Oh, you needn't worry, I am definitely ready for this," Hellene purred.

She leaned over and licked her way up his still hardening cock, kissing the tip of it and then taking it into her mouth. She closed her lips around it and sucked hard, feeling it pulse several times in her mouth as blood rushed into it, making it longer, wider, and harder.

Hellene smiled around the cock in her mouth as she relaxed the suction. She then sucked hard again, getting another solid pulse in return. She relaxed once more and, this time, when she sucked hard again, she took as much of the lengthening cock into her mouth as possible.

Hellene felt it touching the back of her throat. She left it there while she relaxed the suction, then sucked again. She could feel Raymond's cock expanding into her throat.

Mon Dieu, she thought, c'est une bite de bonne taille!

Hellene relaxed the suction and relaxed her throat muscles, letting the head of his monster slide deeper into her throat.