Realms of Eden: B4 - First Battle

She paused ensuring that everyone was listening before she delivered it. "People, relax and catch up on some loving. Train and be prepared while we have the time. The enemy is fully awake and soon there will be little time for any of it. More help is coming and new friends are on the horizon." She looked around and saw some of the faces filled with concern and a few smiles and then she delivered the last part. "He will be up and bossing you all around soon, so make the most of it while he is out of action."

Richardson saw a dramatic change come over the room and calls of "Thank goodness!" and "Can we go see him?" and "Righto!"

Suddenly the room stood and feet slammed into the floor as the entire group came to attention. Richardson and his men were in open mouthed shock as the group, as one, slapped their right hands to their chests and yelled "We hear and obey!" The two women at the front copied the movement and returned "To Victory!" which was echoed by the standing people in a deafening roar.

The room cleared as people moved off to make plans and attend to duties, though Keith wasn't certain what they would be. However, he observed their animated faces and the happy discussions as people cleared the room and had no doubt that these people were a well organised and capable crew.

From the vids and discussions he had with Ian and Kelsey last night he knew that they had seen more action in the past six weeks then most of the men under his command and again he marvelled at their durability and cheerfulness.

He suddenly found that he and his men were the only ones in the room with Jennifer and Serenity calmly watching them as they stood as a nervous group towards the back of the room. Even Penny was gone, carried out off to sick bay by the twin amazons that had entertained his two privates through the night.

Keith found himself unconsciously standing to attention as the women appraised them and was not surprised when he glanced sideways that the rest of his small team held themselves in a similar position.

His arm began to move to salute the two women as they approached and it was Jennifer's lilting voice that stopped him and what she said froze him with it half raised. "Look at my shoulders Keith, are there any epaulettes there?"

"Jenny?" he asked shocked.

She nodded and held her arms out to the disbelieving man. "Go see ducks," she said in a little girl voice and in two strides the big man picked her up and swung her around as she giggled.

Serenity was as puzzled as Richardson's men as the couple held each other tightly and babbled almost incoherently at one another. With the man repeating "don't believe it" and the woman's "oh so good to see you again!" Serenity coughed drawing their attention back to her.

Corporal Simon Kinsdale was in love, again. His heart was thumping as he watched the pretty woman in front of him give an amused chuckle at the antics of his commanding officer and the woman he held tightly that Anne-Marie had told him last night was their queen.

She is gorgeous, he thought to himself letting his eyes feast on her figure that was accentuated by the cut off T-shirt she wore and the tight short shorts that did nothing to hide her firm strong legs. The woman gave her long curly brown hair a little shake and turned delightfully twinkling brown eyes towards him and her full lips curved upwards into a smile. She coughed again, Simon's eyes widened as her breasts jiggled and her flat stomach tightened. The couple turned to her and she flicked her head towards the waiting men.

Keith and Jennifer stood hand in hand in front of the soldiers and he spoke, "At ease boys. This lady here," and he turned slightly towards her, "was five years old the last time I saw her. She used to sit on my knee and tell me all about Sydney's ducks especially," and his face creased in a frown as he tried to recall something.

Jennifer smiled and whispered to him. "Oh yes," he continued. "A few of them called Two-Ways, Mack and Old Mary who apparently were the wisest creatures on earth according to her."

Serenity giggled. She had been told all about these ducks and could not help but ask, "And why was that Captain Richardson?"

The man looked at her quite sincerely and spoke, "Because they told Jenny that I would meet her again when she was grown up and I would once again be protecting their friend, Sydney."

A voice spoke from the back row of tables that the group had just been eating breakfast at startling them all. "I always thought Two-Ways was making that up just to sound wise and important."

Ben and Wilbur whipped around their weapons coming up as they sighted on the dark haired man sitting comfortably sipping tea watching them. "You even think about pulling those triggers gentlemen you will be dead before you hit the ground!" came the deadly whisper of Serenity.

Simon Kinsdale barked, "At ease soldiers! That's your fucking commanding officer sitting there!"

The two guns slapped back down to the men's sides and sheepishly they apologised.

"No problems gentlemen," spoke Cue Ball and he beckoned the group over and invited them to take a seat.

"Ronnie can we have some more cups and probably another pot or two of tea?" asked the man directing his voice towards the kitchen.

"Coming up!"

The men stood nervously around the table and Serenity said, "I suggest you sit fellas he's not going to kink his neck looking up at you."

Serenity and Jennifer sat either side of the powerfully built man and the rest of the soldiers sat opposite them with Keith Richardson sitting directly opposite Cue Ball.

"One more to come, if you don't mind being a little patient please boys," the man said softly. Shortly afterwards Ian Creighton appeared through the entrance and took up the last seat beside Serenity.

Big Suzy delivered tea pots, cups, milk and spoons to the centre of the table while Ronnie placed two large trays of sandwiches and biscuits beside them. She gave the dark haired man's hair a ruffle, said, "Yes their Kelsey's." The big woman guffawed as the man gave her bottom a playful swat as he reached for a handful of the biscuits.

"So gentlemen, how do you like our floating palace so far?" he asked around a mouthful of biscuit and indicated for them to help themselves.

"Simon, Ben and Wilbur you look like you haven't slept a fucking wink!" Waving a finger at the three blushing men warned them, "Don't use up all your energy bouncing around on beds, they are very understanding about being told no. Aren't they Keith?"

It was the turn of the captain to be a little flustered which he tried to hide by busying himself with stirring sugar into his teacup.

Jennifer and Serenity looked at each other then a knowing smile passed their lips as the women both appraised the captain in a new light.

Serenity spoke into the little silence, "Keith don't knock her back too many times though, she doesn't offer very often."

The man shifted a little uncomfortably at her words and then smiled as he examined her face and saw that she was being totally honest with him. He nodded accepting her advice and waited.

Something unspoken passed between himself and the man opposite him and he said softly to the group, "I am not Sydney."

Jennifer smiled, "No, but for now you are the leader of our army until he gets back on his feet. There are certain responsibilities that come with that position and looking after our Mum is one of them."

Ian Creighton cleared his throat and taking in the four men opposite him said, "There is a structure here that you need to understand boys otherwise you are going to feel pretty much useless. Kelsey Gilroy is the mother of this boat and what she says is basically law. Kelsey's Laws we call them. There is a list posted somewhere and I am sure they are in the cabins so I suggest you learn them."

Cue Ball laughed quietly. "Keith, don't countermand her either in anything that happens aboard this boat. She will cut you down better than any Drill Sergeant you have ever come across!"

"Jennifer," continued Ian, "is our queen. It is she whom we fight for, it is she whom we will die for."

The man said it so matter-of-factly that the four soldiers stiffened in offence and the woman herself sat a little straighter. Steadily returning their gaze she spoke, "I make no apologies gentlemen, if you don't wish to follow our creed then I suggest you say so now."

Wilbur Donnelly tightly commented, "This is treason! We fight for and obey the president of Oceania!"

"Who is fully aware of us and what we are doing," replied Cue Ball softly.

His dark-blue eyes engaged Keith Richardson's across the table as he spoke and for Keith it suddenly made sense. Why else would he be rousted out of bed and sent off on missions that he was given the briefest details of. Who else would be game to force the Dean of a hospital away from his dinner and family on a minute's notice. The whole organisation here was backed by the highest authority and he found himself chuckling.

His men looked at him in disbelief at his reaction and he said, "Gentlemen meet the power behind the power." Pointing at the people across the table he added, "They tell Gregory Weir what to do and he tells us. Not treason young Donno, hear and obey!"

The soldiers relaxed and Keith asked, "So where does Thelma fit into the picture?"

Ian answered, "She is scout team leader, she finds the trouble and the rest go in and fix it."

He was pleased that the captain was getting it because he would have hated to lose any of the men opposite just because they couldn't deal with the dynamics of what he was rapidly considering his team.

Conversation turned to military matters and with the aid of some vids Ian showed the rest of the military team what the group aboard Majestic had been up to for the last six weeks.

"Fuck me!" whistled Jonesy as he watched the team battling the huge sharks with ruthless efficiency racking up kill after kill.

"Me too," whispered Donno his eyes glued to the screen.

"What the fuck are you using there, Serenity?" he asked. He was watching her craft weaving in and out around the sharks that were leaping in rapid progression snapping their huge jaws shut perilously close to the woman's green machine as it ducked and weaved.

The woman grinned. "My version of twin swords," she replied. "I have two beam swords mounted on the starboard and port sides and I twirl them much the same as I would as if I had them in my hands."

The man was impressed and said so. Serenity blushed prettily and told him that she would show him her moves later on if he liked.

Keith found it hard to suppress his chuckle as he picked up the double entente that went completely over the lad's head.

The men cheered and clapped as the scenes shifted showing different team members in action. Keith stiffened as he watched Kelsey Gilroy swoop down behind a red craft with the label Hope that appeared to be about to swamped by two massive sharks that had appeared from nowhere as the man concentrated on another pair that were rushing headlong to meet him.

He pumped his fist in jubilation as her craft labelled Mum's Baby opened up with a burst of shell fire that had pieces of sharks blown all over the place as she raced perilously close to Hope.

Jennifer grinned at him and giving the man beside her a hot look said, "See Mum also looks out for you as well!"

A voice spoke from the doorway, "Mum will always look out for her babies! No matter how fucking smart and big they think they are!"

The heads of the people at the table turned towards the sound. Cue Ball arose from the table and walked towards Kelsey as she slowly headed towards the group carrying what looked like a pile of clothes in her arms. He met her lips softly and patting her on the bum he disappeared before their eyes. The four military men gasped but Serenity, Jennifer, Ian and Kelsey just shrugged.

"Get used to it boys that's his mode of entry and exit," said Jennifer a little sadly.

"Can I have them now?" asked Kelsey smiling.

Keith Richardson sat up straight in his seat, his movement caused all eyes to shift towards him. "Something wrong Captain?" asked Ian.

Pointing at the screen that had still been showing battle scenes he found that for the moment he could not find his voice. Kelsey grinned. "Oh I see you haven't yet met our other protectors, Keith," she said with a tinkling laugh.

Keith's reaction had been echoed by his men as they too took in the sight of three gigantic beasts that looked like a combination of spider and scorpion flying in and around the attacking craft. Giant claws and deadly tails caused a trail of destruction as the swooped on wide spread wings.

"Ladies you are wanted," called Serenity.

Three brightly glowing balls materialised in the room behind Kelsey. The balls swelled until they were the size of medium sized dogs before the glows faded. The military men found themselves eye-balling the three creatures they had seen on the screen. "Meet Marmess," said Jennifer softly. The magenta form of the Zygotian drifted from the floor and came to rest on the shoulder of her mistress. The creature shrunk even further in size until she could comfortably settle on the small woman's shoulder.

Ben Jones began to chuckle as the creature purred as it rubbed against the curly brown rings of Jennifer's hair.

"Orial," said Serenity and the little indigo glow scurried across the floor and slipped up the right leg of Serenity before transforming into the tattoo high on the firm thigh. Simon Kinsdale found his eyes locked on to the delicate limb and was almost envious of the tail of the tattoo that disappeared under the leg of the short shorts.

"You can see all of her later if you want," Serenity told him huskily as she noted the almost burning gaze that Simon gave her when he lifted his head to meet her eyes.

The aqua glow left in the middle of the floor seemed to appraise the four military men before it left the floor and drifted silently towards them. Keith watched entranced as it came towards him. A soft click came to his ears shortly followed by an accented voice in his mind. "You are the leader?" it asked.

"Yes," he spoke out loud.

"Good, then I will watch your back for now until my lord returns," the voice said softly.

The small scar on Richardson's chest, a wound received in a knife fight with one of the Messiah's spies, tingled. He reached a hand towards it and rubbed it gently. A soft purring filled his mind as he touched it. "Where did it go?" asked Wilbur in amazement.

"Open your shirt Keith," Kelsey said softly.

Keith opened the buttons on his shirt and revealed the small scar on his left breast. The scar glowed a dull aqua. "She likes to reside in scars from battle," said Jennifer. "With Sydney she lives in the scar on his thigh where his mother stabbed him."

"She's inside me!" exclaimed Richardson worriedly.

"Do not worry, leader," came a voice in his mind. "I will not hurt you and you will not even know I am here until you need me." The soft voice was full of reassurance and the captain found himself grinning foolishly at this strange mode of contact.

Kelsey grinned at Keith's foolish expression. "She is a very powerful lady Keith. Also she recognises good leaders, otherwise she would not take to you so quickly. Just remember though that she is Sydney's, she would die for him," the last was delivered with a soft smile to take the bite from her words.

Keith nodded his understanding and gave the scar a soft understanding rub. The purr grew in his mind then stopped. Puzzlement crossed his features. "She must like you. She has gone to sleep!" exclaimed Jennifer.

Delighted laughter came from all the women and Ian. "Esmeralda, the little lady now so comfortable in your chest," explained Jennifer, "has not slept one second since we first encountered the sharks."

"And now she feels safe enough to do so," continued Serenity. "You will be a fine leader for us here Keith."

The captain nodded and waited to see what else this strange world on the boat was going to throw at him and his men. What happened next was not exactly what he had in mind.

Ian nodded before he rose from his seat and collected up his equipment. Turning to the men he said, "Fellas I will leave you in the ladies' care and let you relax and explore the boat today. Tomorrow however, is going to be a work day." With that Ian gathered up his computer and headed for the lifts.

Kelsey plonked her pile of garments down on the table and asked the men to stand up where she could see them properly. They complied with a little trepidation and Jennifer said, "Don't worry fellas we don't bite!"

Serenity gave a cheeky grin and winked, "Unless you ask us too!"

Again Keith shook his head as his three young charges failed to get the insinuation and he looked helplessly at the two young women.

"Fuck me," said Serenity, "do we have to hit them with tits, Keith?"

He smiled at her. "Instructions were, unattached males. Nothing was said about dirty minds and sexually educated!"

Jennifer burst into laughter and commented that there are a few teachers on board that might fix that up. She bid farewell to the men saying that she would catch them later and skipped off towards the stairs leading down to the lower decks.

"Ok gentlemen, strip," said Kelsey when the men were standing in a line in front of her in the open space of the dining area.

Keith finished undoing his shirt buttons and peeled it off. Turning to the younger men he said, "Gentlemen I think you were just given an order, nicely, but still an order. Get your kit off now!" he finished with a bark.

Shortly the four were naked, including boots and underwear that Serenity gathered up and dumped into various baskets that Suzy and Ronnie had quietly produced.

The younger lads were quite obviously embarrassed as the two older women stood with Kelsey and Serenity appraising them in the bright lights. Suzy grinned as she took in the marks on the two privates bodies and said, "I see my daughters have already taken you two for a spin." She traced her fingers over the teeth marks around the men's chests.

The two were horrified and Keith had to sternly instruct them to "Fucking relax."

Simon Kinsdale was happy standing naked in front of the women. He knew that despite is relatively diminutive height he was blessed, or so he believed, with sizeable equipment between his legs. His pride was quickly shut down as Serenity, in a stage whisper, to Ronnie said, "Looks like Lex and Paul keep top spot!"

Jo, who had walked in unnoticed behind Serenity, said, "Hmm, you not noticed Sydney lately? He makes even them look small and he's still growing!"

"Fuck I hope he doesn't grow much bigger," whined Bonnie as her happy face appeared at her Aunt's elbow. "He is stretching me as it is! He and Paul together make me walk funny for days!"

The women erupted into fits of laughter and Keith joined them. The three young men tried to find a place to hide and finally Ben said, "Are we likely to get any more visitors while we stand here naked."

At the same time as Donno spoke up, "Are we just standing here naked for your amusement or is there a point to this?"

Kelsey saw the boys getting quite flushed and eyeing them up began throwing T-shirts and shorts at the men and asked them to try them on. Simon noticed that he hadn't received any clothing and Kelsey and Bonnie looked at him closely. Suddenly Bonnie stripped off her T-shirt revealing her medium sized breasts and threw it at him, "Try that Simon."

He slipped the shirt over his head and found that it was a good fit. When Kelsey dropped her shorts and passed them over he hurriedly pulled them on as his cock began to inflate in reaction to the partially clad women.