War of the Worlds 2030 (11 page)

I came across three defensive tackles preparing to use Bobby as a ball. I intervened.”

“Against three football players?”

“After I broke the chair over the first one's neck there were only two to deal with. Surprise can be quite an equalizer. Although Janis never believed I got the black eye from walking into a wall. Bobby and I have been friends ever since.”

A hostess met them at the door and led them to a table in front of the stage.

“Richard.” A pale-skinned, rotund man with a round, red face pushed his way through the crowd that had gathered to await the first act.

“Bobby,” replied Richard.

Bobby stopped. “So good to see you. My friend, the man who cured cancer. Looks good on you. Who is this?” He indicated Ashley.

“Miss Ashley Hinkly, please meet Bobby Pennyworth.”

Ashley held out her hand and Bobby caught it up and kissed it. “The pleasure, my lady, is all mine. Richard always had an eye for beauty.”

Ashley blushed and Richard took her hand reassuringly.

“I must dash. The band is absolutely mad. Performers, always wanting the moon and expecting me to give it to them.” Bobby moved off through the crowd.

“Don't mind Bobby, he fancies himself a lady's man,” explained Richard as they took their seats.

Soon the band came on. Music rolled over the crowd. Taking her hand, Richard led Ashley onto the dance floor.

Much later they left the club and walked to his car.

“Happy?” he asked.

“This whole thing has been wonderful, but it's not me.”

“It's not meant to be, Love. I love you, everything about you. This is a treat. Tomorrow we'll go back to being ourselves.”

Ashley snuggled in under his arm for the rest of the walk to the car. The drive home was pleasant.

They stepped into Richard's apartment.

“I'm stiff from all that dancing,” remarked Ashley.

“I'll draw us a bath,” offered Richard, with a twinkle in his eye.

“Hmm, sounds nice.”

Ji-Yeon's consciousness fought to break free.

* * * *

Stop it! I know it's a bit much but the emotional intensity is essential to lock the memory loop,
snapped Ashley's thought.

* * * *

Richard went upstairs and Ashley peeled off the evening gown and removed her jewelry. She traced her hands along her sides and massaged her small, perfect breasts. She climbed the stairs, stopping only long enough to pull several condoms from Richard's drawer, before moving onto the bathroom. Richard was bent over the tub. He'd removed his jacket and tie. She tossed the condoms on the counter and embraced him from behind, trailing her fingers over his bulge.

“Guess who?” she whispered.

Richard turned in her embrace. “Beauty.”

“Maybe.”

“Love.”

“Hmm.”

“Ashley, and I was right on all three.”

She kissed him and their tongues intertwined. Her fingers fumbled with his shirt buttons. Breaking the kiss, he quickly threw the clothes into the hall.

Ashley ran her fingers through the warm water in the tub and slipped in. “This is delicious.”

Richard slipped in behind her and she leaned back into him. His arms embraced her and they lay like that for a long time, enjoying the closeness.

Bending her knees Ashley shuffled forward and dunked herself. Her hair flowed around Richard's penis. She kissed its head before surfacing.

Ji-Yeon's mind was awash in emotion not her own: Warmth, contentment, love, security, and a growing passion.

She sat up. “Wash my hair for me?”

Warm lips kissed the nape of her neck. “Shampoo.”

She passed him the bottle. Strong fingers massaged her scalp; soothing and exciting at the same time. Lather built and soon those hands were spreading it over her shoulders. They stroked her breasts, using the suds as a lubricant. She closed her eyes, allowing the hands free reign as they caressed her. A bar of soap was drawn over her torso. A finger stroked her clitoris, eliciting a small moan. She turned her head and a languid tongue-entwining kiss followed.

Reaching behind herself she grasped Richard's erection.

“Ah,” a voice sounded in her ear.

“Like that do you?” She kissed him then dunked herself removing the shampoo and soap.

“Your turn,” she added after surfacing. She stepped out of the tub while Richard dunked himself then she climbed in behind him.

His back was solid muscle and she couldn't help but scrape her fingernails along the line of his shoulders.

“You don't even know the meaning of the word fair, do you?” remarked Richard.

“Would you want me to?” She reached around him and grasped his erection.

“Gods no!”

Grabbing the shampoo she poured out a generous portion and began rubbing it into his scalp. Soon her hands were running over his body. The act of pleasuring him excited her almost as much as when she had been the recipient.

“Stand up,” she ordered.

Richard stood and with meticulous care she washed his genitals and lathered the anal cleft. She gently masturbated him using the soap as a lubricant.

“Your turn.” Richard helped her to stand and they fell together kissing. They parted and he soaped her lower body, caressing stimulating. The water started draining from the tub and Richard turned on the shower. Warm water beat down on them, washing away the soap. Richard stood caressing her then lifting the shower-massage off the clip he set it to beat. At first he only played it over her skin then he slowly made circles around her vulva before directing the spray against her clitoris.

“Haaa huuu ahhhh, Richard. Oh, Goddess, ha ha ha.” Richard directed the spray away.

“Liked that did you?” His smile was pure lust.

“Oh, Richard.” She kissed him, her body pressed tight against his, their arms entwined. Somehow the water was turned off. Richard took a towel from the rack and began drying her. The roughness of the towel became a caress. He drew it over her sex then knelt using his tongue. She bent her knees, allowing him wider access. He embraced her slender leg, bringing his fingers to her slit. As his tongue massaged her clitoris his fingers probed her vagina.

“Stop, unless you want me to come here and now,” she gasped.

“Not done teasing yet!” Richard stood and passed her the towel.

“You.” The single word carried a thousand promises and a thousand threats. She began patting him down. She ran her tongue over his nipples, eliciting a gasp. His hands ran through her damp hair. She went lower, pulling back his foreskin. She licked the head of his penis then kissed its back lovingly.

“Comb my hair?” she asked.

Richard was leaning against the sink counter.

He picked up a comb. She moved in front of him, pressing her backside into his groin. He gently pulled the comb through her damp hair with one hand, while the other stroked her vaginal cleft.

She could feel her juices building. Richard threw the comb down, spun her around and kissed her hard.

She grabbed a condom and pushed away from him. Putting it in place took only seconds then she threw her arms around his neck and hopped, wrapping her legs around his waist. His lips crushed hers, and she felt the head of his penis at her opening. The kiss broke.

“I love you. Gods, how I love you,” he whispered, as he carried her into the bedroom and lay her on the bed.

“Come to me, my love. I need you,” whispered Ashley. Richard entered her. The teasing already had her on edge. They drove against each other, panting. Ashley gasped, her orgasm rolling over her like a tidal wave. Her mind exploded and lights danced before her eyes. She gazed up at Richard and her heart filled to bursting.

* * * *

Ji-Yeon wanted to feel guilt. In a sense she had cheated on her husband but the sense of contentment, satisfaction, joy was too absolute. Ji-Yeon wanted to weep, in part for the sheer beauty of what she felt, in part for this most wonderful and intimate of gifts Ashley, a stranger, had shared with her.

Now I have to leave,
Ashley's thought echoed through her mind.

That was beautiful. Thank you.
In the physical world tears welled in Ji-Yeon's eyes.

I'll try to update you before the repetition drives you mad,
promised Ashley.

Ji-Yeon stood in front of a strange condo's door. A pale hand turned the knob, and she stepped in.

“Richard,” called Ashley's voice.

“Down in a moment, Love. Are you ready to go?”

* * * *

Edwin forced himself to a steady pace as he walked from the old embassy.

“My God, he took Ji-Yeon,” said the tall woman.

“Be happy he didn't take you,” he whispered.

“Mayor. How are you going to meet quota?”

“Pull workers off the farms and the smelters. Lengthen the workday for all remaining slaves. Lower the working age to three.”

“Sir, the workers are already dropping from exhaustion. The farms are understaffed. If we remove workers there won't be enough to handle the harvest. We'll starve this winter. The smelters are barely keeping quota as it is. Next quarter we'll be short of metal and…”

“Be bloody quiet! I can't bleeding afford to care about the next bloody quarter. I'm too smegging busy keeping my skin intact through this one.” He led the way into the old city hall. It was almost deserted. A single man in a collaborator's coverall moved down the corridor, a bundle of papers in his arms. Edwin entered his office with the woman in tow.

“Come here, lovey. I need relief,” he half-snarled.

“My husband,” objected the woman.

“Could be in the bio-mind tomorrow, with one word from me!”

With a face filled with despair she untied her blouse and moved towards the mayor.

“It was awful! I feel so guilty and…Oh, God, Kate. It…she was pretty but…I didn't even like it. How am I going to tell Jerry I cheated on him, with a woman! A cheap, one-night stand I picked up in a gay bar. Oh, God; I've never even done one-night stands with men.” Mary sat on the cyber couch in the upload chamber. Kate stood beside her.

“Listen to me. I didn't realize things were so bad. It's the upload monitoring. It's not your fault.” Kate put a companionate hand on the plump woman's shoulder. Mary flinched then accepted the comfort.

“I didn't like it. I swear it. She was so. I like how men feel.”

“It's just the upload.”

“What am I going to tell Jerry?”

“Nothing!”

“What? I can't keep this secret. I betrayed him.” Mary looked up astonished.

“You got confused. Zane got into your head. You're not going to go back to the bar and pick up another floozy are you?”

“No. Definitely not! The, yuk! I don't know how men can stand to do things. The taste, yuk!”

“You see, you're heterosexual. Now don't punish Jerry for an accident.”

“He has a right to know.”

“Mary, you're his, he's yours. Knowing won't make him any happier or mean it never happened. Love him enough to keep him in the dark. Don't let this ruin your marriage.”

“After the uploads I'm taking some leave. Jerry always wanted to see the great pyramid. I think it's time we went.”

Kate nodded in agreement. “Good idea. Forget it ever happened. It was Zane, not you, in that bar.”

“I can believe that. If all men's eyes wander like his do it's a wonder they don't walk into things.”

“He's a sweet man though.”

“Very. I better get to work.” Mary stared at the calendar. “It is March eighth, twenty-thirty-seven.” She pushed the cyber interface home.

* * * *

Upload monitoring/ Zane Hinkly /Index 18:17/ 11/9/2032

* * * *

“Put it right there, Zane.” Janis indicated the corner of her living room farthest from the door.

Zane carried the oversized lounger to the spot and let it sink to the floor. “That thing weighs a ton.”

“I appreciate your help with it. Since Richard and I separated I haven't had anyone to help with the heavy lifting.”

Zane collapsed into the chair and gazed at her. Her shoulder length, brown hair bordered on black, while her T shirt and jeans hugged a figure that reflected a combination of good genetics, and regular trips to the gym. His eyes drifted to where her nipples dented the fabric of her T-shirt.

“Any time, Mrs. Green.”

Janis sank onto the sofa that filled the wall by the entry door opposite the lounger. “Zane, come on, you're Richard's student and you call him by his first name. I'm Janis, stop trying to make me feel old. By the way, you should look a woman in the eye when she's speaking to you. The other is rather tacky.”

Zane blushed as he realized where he'd focused and looked up. Her face was easily a match for the rest of her. A young thirty-six with a strong chin, well-defined cheekbones and a high forehead. Her blue eyes held an amused twinkle.

“Sorry. I didn't mean to. I…Oh boy!”

Janis laughed. “It's actually a little faltering. Would you like something to drink?”

“Sure.”

Janis moved into the kitchen returning a minute later with a couple of bears. “Did you watch the
Darmuks
land?”

“Who didn't? I almost got to go in person, but they cut back Richard's invites to two.”

“He took your sister.”

“Better for appearances.”

“Come off it. Old dog had a thing for her since she was fifteen. I would have been jealous if she hadn't been jailbait.”

“In a way it's too bad their ages get in the way,” said Zane.

“Would age matter to you?” A smile toyed at the edges of Janis's mouth.

Zane looked at Janis an inquisitive expression crossing his face. “Not really, but I think it does to Richard, and I know Ashley would be afraid of how it would affect her doctorate.”

“Zane, I heard about those undergrad girls. Richard doesn't care about age in the bedroom.”

“That's different. That was just the prof playing. I think he really cares about Ashley, that might stop him.”

“Well…at least he has some scruples.”

“You seem pretty okay with things?”

“Zane, I like Richard, always have. Just because I fell out of love with him, it doesn't mean I stopped liking him.”

“I guess I can see that.”

“How about you?”

“What?”

“How important is age to you, Zane?” Janis tilted her head slightly and smiled as she waited for an answer.

A knot formed in Zane's gut and his blood thundered in his ears as he looked at the woman sitting across from him. He swallowed in a dry mouth. Marshaling his courage, he stood and moved to sit beside her. Tentatively his hand reached up and he ran his fingers though her hair before slowly bringing his lips to hers. They kissed and it was better than his fantasies.

“It's not,” he said when the kiss broke.

“I'm glad. You've become quite a man.”

* * * *

Upload monitoring/ Zane Hinkly /Index 17:03/ 2/11/2032

* * * *

“You're dating who?” gasped Zane. He sat in the office chair in Ashley's dorm room.

“Tannal. We met at the landing celebration. I've been his escort to all the official functions since.” Ashley sat on her bed and watched Zane's face.

“God. Tannal. Wow. Um…you hitching a ride off-planet or anything?”

“Zane, I've only known him two months.”

“Wow, my sister's dating a space alien, sounds like a title for a comedy.”

“What do you think?”

“Wow, sis. I think you better keep a level head. What does Doc have to say?”

“He hates Tannal.”

Zane shrugged. “Big surprise there.”

“What?” Ashley looked confused.

“Never mind. Wow, this makes my news pretty tame.”

“What is it?”

”Ash, I got a problem.”

“So shoot. I'm still your big sister.” She reached out and took his hands.

“Ash, you know how I've been kinda' helping Janis. Fixing things around the house, moving furniture, things like that.”

“You aren't back with Betty again? I didn't even know she'd come into town. You know she won't stay. Some corporation will want to drill an oil well someplace and off she'll go.”

“Betty isn't back in town, and I'm so over that.”

“Good! What is it then?”

“I've, well…” Zane blushed. “Janis and I are dating!”

“What!” Ashley sat back eyeing her brother.

“We're taking it slow. We haven't done more than kiss yet. I don't know what's going to happen, but I know I feel something for her. Ash, what do you think?”

“Zane, suppose Richard finds out, or Betty? I mean, it's not often a girl ends up calling her first love step-dad. I don't even want to guess at the mother daughter talks. Ewe. This is kinked!

“I mean, she's what? Fourteen years older than you.”

“I don't care about that.”

“How about this. Richard is your faculty advisor. I mean, are we talking Oedipus complex here or what?”

“At least she was born on this planet.”

Ashley shook her head. “Cheap shot, bro.”

“Sorry. What am I going to do? She's the first woman I've actually felt something for since Betty. I don't want to give that up, but how can I tell Doc? What will I do if he cites conflict of interest and refuses to continue on my masters?”

Ashley shook her head. “Bro, you never picked the easy ones and really, talk about keeping it in the family.

“I'm pissed with the Doc right now, but I'll tell you one thing. He's a good man, he'd never let his own feelings ruin someone else's life.”

“Thanks, sis.”

“Maybe we can double date sometime.”

Zane's mood brightened. “Um…about that, Janis had an idea.”

* * * *

Upload monitoring/ Zane Hinkly /Index 10:23/ 21/11/2032

* * * *

“Doc you've got to help me get her away from him,” Zane pleaded. He sat in a folding chair facing Richard across his desk.

“You're dating Janis.” Richard clutched a cup of cooling tea in a white knuckled hand.

“Doc, please, focus.”

“You're dating my ex-wife.”

“Doc, Ashley's dating a space alien. Worse, she's dating an arrogant prat who has no respect for her intelligence.”

“Zane, why is it you always drop bombshells on me?”

“Doc!” Zane's hands clutched into fists.

“Oh, Gods!” Richard extracted the bottle from his desk and poured a hefty shot into his tea, downing it while Zane watched.

“Doc, I wasn't going to tell you, but I didn't know how to avoid it and still tell you how Tannal treats Ashley. That double date was—”

“Zane! I usually hate euphemisms, but, from this point onward, let us refer to it as a gathering. Gods, first my daughter, now my wife. What is this strange fascination you have with the women in my life?”

“Doc, it just kinda' happened.”

“Nothing just happens!” Richard rolled his eyes.

“You prove that don't you.”

“What do you mean by that?” Richard looked annoyed.

“Come off it. If you weren't so afraid of being honest with yourself, and her, Ashley would never have started dating Tannal in the first place.” Zane glared across the desk.

“You're mad. You date Janis, now you wish to excuse your actions by…”

Zane stood moved to a bookshelf and pulled a photo album out from behind it.

“That's private,” snapped Richard.

“It just went public. Ash is my sister! I can't just let her stay with that off world jackass. If I have to twist your arm to make you help, I will.” Zane threw open the photo album. Picture after picture of Ashley filled the pages.

“It proves nothing. Ashley and I are friends. I'm her doctoral advisor. It would be inappropriate.”

“Shut up!” Zane stared into Richard's eyes. “You are a complete ass. I've watched the both of you dance around it for years. Hell, after they broke up I went to talk to Stanley. Try and fix things for Ash. You know what finally made him choose Wendle over Ash. She called your name. She didn't even know she'd done it.”

“The age difference…”

“That's bull crap and you know it. Ashley is an adult and you at least pretend to be. She's not the fifteen-year-old babysitter anymore. She can make her own choices.”

“She has. She is seeing Tannal.” Richard slammed his fist down on the desk.

“Only because you never made a move. Doc, I'd let you ruin your life, it's your choice, but I can't let Ashley ruin hers. She's my sister and I owe her. Pull your head out of your ass and go after her. Get her away from that alien bastard.”

Richard flipped idly through the photo album. Ashley smiled out at him from each page. “Perhaps you are right in that I am afraid. I thought Janis and I would be forever.”

“Doc, I think Janis is great. Hell, she's the most amazing woman I've ever known, but for you, no. If you'd stop trying to build something that was never there to start with you might find she could be a hell of a friend to you, but not a wife. I'm no expert when it comes to relationships, but I can see that. You would have been like Betty and I, if it weren't for Betty being born. On the other hand, Ash and you were made for each other, any fool who knows the two of you can see that.”

“Zane, I will not help destroy a relationship that Ashley chooses to be in.”

“Doc…”

Richard held up his hand. “I have a code of ethics, but I have been and will continue to be Ashley's friend, and I will say this much. If fate offers me a chance again, I will explore the possibilities you have brought to my attention.”

“Great, just great! Mean while she's with the jerk from Mars.” Zane thumped his fist on the desk.

“Ashley is a smart girl. I think she will soon tire of being called an idiot.”