Cygnus Five

Lenny flashed a group photo of the four of us from a previous beach trip on his portable. Silvia and Vera were in matching bikinis.

"That's bad.' said Joel as he whistled softly."These two will set off a battle royal. Stag Warriors only respect strength and aggression. Men will get very bloody for the right to bed your wives. I hate to ask this but have you men considered leaving without them?"

"No!" Lenny and I said right after each other with equal vehemence.

Joel stared at us and said. "You may have to. I hope that you understand that. Every planet fears the Stag Warriors. Think the Fellowship of Planets is going to intervene? Guess again. All the Stag Warriors have to do is threaten to invade Fellowship Prime and every diplomat on that planet will wet himself. It is nearly impossible to find a citizen of any inhabited world who did have ancestors killed by the Stag Warriors. The various planetary systems simply do NOT forget over a billion deaths. The last thing any politician is going to do is stick his hand in the scorpion nest that is Cygnus Five. If that means writing off a citizen or two or a thousand citizens for that matter. It is a small price to pay."

Lenny and I sipped our drinks nervously and stared at Joel while we contemplated his words. After a long silence, Joel rose from his seat and said,

"If you boys are serious. I suggest you get a good night's sleep. The slave market opens mid-morning. I WOULD write about your upcoming adventure but I fear that I already know the ending and my editor detests it when I turn in downbeat endings."

With that Joel excused himself and Lenny and I, very disheartened, had a second drink in total silence and then left the bar for our room. I turned to Lenny and poured out my heart.

"We CAN'T let the girls be manhandled and raped by the thugs on this planet!"

"I agree with you Kent but there is very little we can do about it until tomorrow. The men on this planet may be large but I am a skilled fighter. If the man I have to fight for Silvia is a simple brawler I have more than a decent chance to 'win' her. But what are you going to do Kent?"

"Maybe you could fight for Vera as well?"

"Look Kent I love you like a brother but there is a limit to my abilities. I MIGHT be able to take out one of those gorillas IF I get lucky, but two? I'm not fucking Superman!"

"But Lenny!"

"Kent your best strategy is to trail whoever bests you for Vera and liberate her when he is asleep or drunk. I have an extra space phone in my luggage. You can use it to call me when you free Vera. Then the two of you should lie low for a few days and I'll sneak under the planetary defense system and pick the two of you up."

Lenny wore the most sincere expression I had ever seen.

"I MIGHT win." I replied

"Yeah, and the speed of light MIGHT be repealed! Look Kent, you can't out fight the dullards on this planet but you CAN out think them. You'll get Vera back, not soon enough to prevent ... but you WILL get her back. We can speed back to earth and will never have to think about this unpleasant detour ever again."

My eyes teared up and my voice caught in my throat but Lenny continued to talk to me calmly, reasonably, friend to friend. At last I saw the wisdom of his words.

"I'm really scared, Lenny."

"So am I pal, so am I. The best thing for us is to get some rest and save our energy for tomorrow. What ever happens I will be right beside you."

The two of us ordered dinner and ate in silence. The food was very good. Halfway through my burger, I realized that the meat had not come from a synthesizer. Nothing could have demonstrated more just how barbarous this planet actually was.

Before turning in Lenny and I opened the window in our room and gazed at the darkened communal lockup. We could just make out the outline of a hooded man with a whip in his hand. When we heard the cries of several women we closed the window and dropped the blind. I have never had a more troubled and difficult night of sleep. Lenny slept better than I did.

While I had come to loathe Cygnus Five, I have to say its sunrises were quite marvelous. The astounding pink sky gave way to a purple dawn. Under any other circumstances I would have found the place amazingly beautiful. From the time Lenny awoke he began to psych himself up. I had not seen him so focused since he stopped fighting competitively. I tried to prepare myself as best I could. All too soon it was time for us to leave.

Lenny and I walked up to the enormous cage and presented our receipt.

"Oh so you two were with the earth women? The brunette is scheduled for the fifth sale and the blonde is scheduled to hit the rack for the seventh sale."

The large ugly man then looked at each of us in turn.

"Those two will be in high demand. Are you prepared to fight if necessary?"

"Lenny and I said"Yes." The shaggy warrior looked at Lenny soberly but almost laughed when he focused on me.

"OK. When the time comes, you will be summoned to defend them."

In a way, Lenny and I were please that there would be women sold ahead of our wives. It gave Lenny and I a chance to get the lay of the land, as it were. The plaza in front of the communal cage was teeming with men. All of them were at least a head taller than myself. They wore tight pants of some dark material I could not identify and open leather vests that exposed their muscular arms and chests. I felt extremely inadequate.

A series of chimes resounded over the plaza and a man stepped forward. That he was an official of some kind was obvious by his dress.

"Good morning, warriors!"

"Good morning, Sir" the crowd shouted back.

The man continued,

"I'm sure most of you know the rules but at every one of these events is someone's first. As each woman is brought forward, if there is no claim against her, any man may bid on her. If there are competing bids, final dispensation of the woman is resolved by conflict. If there is a prior claim on the woman, those with conflicting bids upon her will fight until there is one challenger. Challenger and claimant will then fight for final dispensation of the female. As always gentlemen, best of luck to you."

I watched slack jawed as the first woman was brought forward. I did not know what to expect but I certainly had not pictured the vista before me now. A beautiful woman with long light brown hair and huge tits was drawn forward on a padded metal frame by two hooded, shirtless men. The woman was naked and tied spread eagle to the frame. The masked men then rotated the frame, exposing the woman from all angles. Her tear filled eyes seemed enormously sad as every eye drank in her loveliness. All that remained of her pubic hair was the thin band like those on the dancers Lenny and I had seen at the hotel bar. My mind filled with sudden range as I thought about some strange man shaving Vera's pussy. I wanted to hold onto that rage. I knew that I would need it.

While we were watching those proceedings were were surprised by the appearance of the reporter Joel. "I'm glad I caught up with you." he said "Even though I know how this will end I just have to see it unfold. It will make a great anecdote for my story."

At first Lenny and I were pissed at Joel's arrival but as he had witnessed several of these events he began to fill us in on the subtleties of what we were watching.

"The Stag Warriors see these events as a substitute for war. It keeps the men sharp and prepares them for conflict. It is a needed safety valve on a planet of hot-headed, musclebound, aggressive ..." Joel fell silent, looked around quickly and finished with "assholes!" just above a whisper.

As it transpired, there was no claimant for this woman so various bids were yelled out by the crowd. Lenny and I quickly deduced that outbidding each other wasn't necessarily the goal. The men bid each other up to a level that seemed right for the "merchandise" until there were between six and eight competitors at the same price level. In a sawdust circle off to one side, the competing claimants drew lots to see who would challenge who. Then they went at each other with their fists, feet and large wooden dowels provided by a referee. The fighting was beyond brutal. I was terrified. Lenny seemed taken aback as well and I have seen Lenny break limbs during tournaments.

Aside from the brutality, the other big surprise of the combat was how quickly most matches were decided. Most of the men were so skilled that they could vanquish an opponent with lightning speed if their opponent made even a slight mistake. Lenny was busily noting the fighting styles. I began to wonder if I would even live to see tomorrow.

In short order there was a single victor. The guy was as large and as any of his opponents but he was much faster. The referee retrieved the wooden dowel, handed the victor a collar and a brief red robe. The woman was freed from her restraints and immediately collared. She threw herself at the feet of her "'owner" and then stood while he draped the robe over her nude form. The crowd cheered and parted for the man as he led off his prize. For the briefest of moments the woman became Vera in my mind and I struggled to gain control of myself.

The next two sales progressed in much the same manner. Four the fourth sale there was a prior claimant. He was an older guy who still seemed to be a tough customer. The woman he held claim on was bit pudgy but still sexy. The crowd gave her an appreciative roar. Five counter-claimants emerged from the crowd and squared off. Lenny and I quickly realized that having a prior claim on a female was a tremendous advantage. After battling four other men the last man standing was beaten and weak from his conflict. In what was the longest battle so far, the older guy kept advancing but could not strike a disabling blow. The counter-claimant was severely battered but too tough to go down. Finally the older guy managed to force his younger challenger to the ground and knocked him senseless with his stick. The appreciative roar he received from the crowd was positively deafening.

When Sylvia appeared upon the frame, blind panic was in her eyes. I gazed up at my best friend's wife and felt positively dirty as I eyed her nearly naked sex, fantastic legs and ass and very nice chest. I realized that I had known Sylvia for a long time and had not really appreciated just how beautiful she is. I took a closer look and realized that her wedding and engagement rings were missing as were the gold hoops she never eft the house without, somehow that made her seem even more naked. Her eyes brightened when she spied Lenny striding up to the claimant's spot. He looked up at Sylvia and mouthed "I love you." before putting on his war face.

Sylvia attracted many bids. I could tell just by the tenor of the crowd that the Stag warriors were not overly impressed with Lenny. Joel confirmed this when he said in my ear. "Off worlders have a lousy reputation on this planet. That could play to your friend's advantage."

Sylvia watched horrified as the eight counter claimants to her began to battle for the right to "own" her. She must have been briefed as to the proceedings because she obviously understood exactly what was going on. Faster than I expected. Lenny was removing his shirt and preparing to battle for the right to keep his wife. The man he faced was wider than Lenny but he had been badly beaten by his previous opponents. There was a nasty gash on his head that sent a constant rivulet of blood into his eyes.

Despite his considerable skills, Lenny took a pounding. As the battle raged both men bled on each other. I could not believe that Lenny was standing after some of the blows to the head he took. Silvia screamed encouragement after encouragement and Lenny at last drove his dowel into the patella of his foe. The bigger man went down and Lenny clubbed him on the skull until his eyes closed for good. Instead of cheers, Lenny received a stunned silence. I realized the terrible cost to my friend when it became clear that he was barely coherent. Still, he defiantly slid the proffered collar around Sylvia's neck and draped her in the short red robe. Never have I seen a kiss as appreciative as the one Sylvia graced Lenny with. Sylvia helped Lenny stagger to a bench where he collapsed. So much for my plans to have Lenny win Vera for me. I was all alone on an alien world with my chances standing somewhere between zero and minus one.

Even though I was prepared for it, the arrival of my very frightened and very naked wife was still a shock. When I took my place at the claimant's spot the crowd howled with riotous laughter. I gazed up at Vera. I wanted to remember every detail. Her large green eyes registered fear but also love for me. I saw her being rotated before the crowd and remembered how often I had stroked her fantastic ass. I looked at her nearly bald pussy and remembered how sweet it tasted. I gazed at her fantastic legs and recalled how fine they looked in sheer black nylon. I saw the lighter flesh on the third finger of her left hand where her rings used to reside and I thought to myself, "It can't end this way."

Vera set off the biggest bidding war yet. Apparently blondes are a rare commodity on Cygnus Five. A grand total of ten very determined, very large men had all bid an outrageous price for my wife. As claimant I didn't have to bid on Vera myself, I just had to win her. "Yeah," I thought to myself "I just have to win her." as though I were proposing something very simple to myself. The large number of bidders meant that whoever faced me would be quite pummeled. A faint hope illuminated my soul.

The men fought hard for Vera, these were the bloodiest matches yet. I hoped that all of them would batter each other so severely that a neophyte like myself could bring them down. While focusing on this fantasy I must have briefly zoned out because suddenly the referee was handing me my wooden stick. To describe my opponent as large would be an understatement. I gazed up his heavily bruised torso to focus on his harsh face. I suppose under ordinary circumstances some would find him attractive but all he did was terrify me. His shaggy brown hair sat over piercing black eyes and a nose that had been broken several times and was still issuing blood. His jaw was wide and he wore a vicious snarl. The referee signaled for us to start. Somehow or other, I got my staff up in time to parry his first strike. Then I heard Vera's scream, felt a massive thud, saw fireflies, and the world disappeared.

I came to back on my bed in the hotel. Sylvia's lovely face wore a look of concern as she stared down at me. She still had the collar around her neck but now she was wearing one of Lenny's dress shirts.

"Thank goodness, you're awake, Kent, you've been out for hours!"

"Vera?"

"You lost, Kent." I was surprised to hear the voice of the journalist, Joel. He was sitting on the other bed in the room. Lying next to him, his head swathed in bandages, was Lenny, who moaned softly and said,

"Welcome back to the land of the living, pal. If you can call this living."

I made a move to sit up but Sylvia pushed me down gently. "We have to find Vera!" I croaked.

"Listen, Kent," said Sylvia soothingly, "Neither you nor my Lenny are in any kind of shape to track her down just now. Besides you need a plan or you will just get yourself killed."

"But that gorilla, he's going to..." I spat in reply

"Vera is an intelligent girl. She will do whatever she needs to survive." stated Sylvia matter of factually.

"How can you be so calm about this?" I asked incredulously.

"Kent, Vera and I had a very long talk last night in that horrid prison. We promised each other that if only one of us escaped that we were to take good care of both you and Lenny. The guards were VERY thorough in detailing what would happen to us if we were sold. No, that does NOT mean that it is any easier for Vera, wherever she is, but her main concern was for you."

I stared numbly at Sylvia and my mouth opened and closed a few times, like that of a fish out of water.

"I've got bead on the man who has Vera," began Joel. "He is a real tough character named Kellen Schwartz. He is a Captain in the reserves and a dairy farmer. His place is located about twenty kilometers west of the capital. He has a few neighbors but he prefers isolation. He has a very nasty reputation and is said to go through slaves like water. I sincerely hope your wife can handle herself around him. He's the type who prefers the lash to the gentle stroke."

"Oh my God!" I said in abject horror.

"Shut up, Kent!" yelled Lenny. "Panicking yourself helps no one, least of all Vera. Your best hope is the plan we spoke of earlier. You are a smart guy Kent, and you have to call on all of your resources. Joel and I have worked out a plan. Unfortunately, all we can offer you is the plan."

Lenny sat up, moaned, stared down at me, and continued "Sylvia and I are leaving just as soon as my ship is repaired. I have made myself a persona non grata by defeating a local at their own game. It was rather starkly explained to me that if I stayed even three hours after the repairs on my ship are completed, the police will put a bounty on my head and Sylvia ends up back where she was. Obviously, I can not allow that to happen. Now here is the plan ..."

I listened to the plan twice. It was not overly complicated. Joel could get me to within two kilometers of he farm were Vera was being kept. From there I could walk. It was rumored that Schwartz liked to tie one on, especially in the first few days after he had won a new slave. Weapons were relatively easy to find on a planet of warriors. Simply enter his house while he was drunk or distracted, blow his brains out and send an SOS to Lenny. Lenny would risk the rescue so long as Sylvia was safe. I thought that a thousand things could go wrong, but I wanted Vera back, no matter what she had been through. Killing a bastard like Schwartz would be a pleasure.

I wanted to go charging after Vera immediately but, Joel and Lenny patiently explained to me that instituting the rescue plan would take at least a few days of preparation. I thought again of my sweet Vera at the beck and call of the odious pig that was Kellen Schwartz and my emotions seethed. I knew exactly what Schwartz would make her do. The thought of him repeatedly using her sweet, supple body caused something deep inside me to shatter and I broke down in tears.

Sylvia held me while I cried. Her nearness, the firmness of her breasts under Lenny's shirt and the gentle strokes of her fingers through my hair reminded me of all of the wonderful times Vera and I had shared in the past. In Sylvia's embrace I also sought a promise of a future where I was reunited with the only woman I had ever loved. Sylvia kissed me on the forehead and said,

"Hold on to your love for Vera. That will see you through every obstacle you encounter. I have faith in you, Kent and I KNOW that Vera does as well."

About two the next afternoon, the four of us were at the spaceport. Sylvia was once again clad in her skimpy red robe. Owned slaves could wear clothes but nothing in public that hid their body from inspection. I felt sorry for my friend's wife as the steady breeze kept forcing open the garment, exposing her fine body and succulent pussy to the eyes of every passer by. Several cops arrived at the spaceport to ensure that Lenny left. They stared at Sylvia with naked lust. I realized that it was best that Lenny not tarry in getting her home. Lenny made sure that the quantum infuser was functioning properly before we paid the mechanic the rest of his fee.

My best friend gave me as much money as he could spare. I also collected various valuables that could be pawned and converted to cash. There was so much to say that Lenny and I ended up saying almost nothing to each other. Less than an hour after our arrival at the spaceport, Joel and I watched the smart, shiny ship vanish into the stratosphere.