Rough Play and More

Chapter One

The Captain engaged the cloaking shield. Now the ship’s presence was invisible to any overt monitoring, or even to the human eye had there been anyone out there to look for it. The Jerez was on a routine patrol in the Auriga system and was not anticipating any trouble, but it never hurt to keep their movements unpredictable. Ion thrusters allowed the ship to glide through the vast space, quiet and unnoticed.

The Jerez was a class P108 military vessel. Although most spaceships were crewed by both men and women, there were still several specialised military vessels which were single sex, the P108 and P112 with men and the M394 and M401 with women. It was considered more effective when crew were placed in combat situations where they risked their lives.

"Mayday!" the vid com on the bridge sprang into life. A gray haired woman in a dark green singlesuit appeared on the screen. Her face drawn with worry, she spoke rapidly as if afraid she was going to be interrupted at any moment. My name is Jamison, Second Manager at Oriell space station, in orbit above M- 1106 in the Capella star system. We have been attacked by pirates. I estimate twenty are down here on Oriell, perhaps ten more aboard their vessel. We have four fatalities so far. If there are any Patrol ships hearing this, please—

The transmission ended abruptly.

First Lieutenant Hendriks was already entering the co-ordinates, even as he heard the Captain give the order, Let’s move it. Sanchez, you’re in charge of the response team.

Second Lieutenant Sanchez left the bridge, speaking on his wristcom as he went. Alpha team, prepare for immediate deployment, then stand by at Bay 2. The men of Alpha team strapped on their weapons belts, belts permanently stocked with stunners and gas grenades. They replaced their soft-soled shoes with heavy boots and were ready to go in moments. Sanchez met with them in Bay 2 where six stealth pods were waiting for departure as soon as the Jerez reached its target.

Anyone here been on Oriell recently? asked Sanchez, getting their immediate attention. No one had. It’s a small space station above the mining planet of M-1106, known locally as Burra because of the copper, I’ve been told. They are under attack by pirates, and we are going to assist. Khan and Nayak, Jaffrey and Chen, you four will take control of the pirates’ vessel. The rest of us will clean up the space station.

The four men chosen to take control of the pirate vessel donned close fitting spacesuits and carried their helmets under their arms. They would flood the whole ship with paragas which would totally immobilise the crew. Then they could enter and take over at their leisure.

Now they just had to wait for the faster-than-light drive, or FTL as it was more commonly known, to get them to Oriell.

The Jerez came out into normal space on the far side of the space station, cloaked once again so that the pirates couldn’t detect them.

On the bridge, they could see the pirate ship, hovering close to the station, and Hendriks smiled, this was going to be too easy.

Down in Bay 2, the response team loaded themselves into six stealth pods, two men in each. The Jerez’ navigator used the tractor beam to move two of the pods towards the pirate vessel and then, once they were on their way, moved the remaining four toward Oriell station. The stealth pods had no engines or method of moving independently themselves, which meant they were very hard to detect until they attached themselves to their destination and disgorged their highly trained cargo. By then it was usually too late.

Once the pods reached their target, the Jerez navigator activated the magnetic force field on the pods. With minimal impact, the pods attached themselves to the outside of the ship’s cargo bay. The men were ready to disembark in less than a minute.

Silently infiltrating Oriell space station, the two smallest men climbed into the maintenance hatch and crawled through the service ducts behind the walls. The electronic surveillance system inside the goggles they were wearing, showed them the layout of the station and they made their way as quietly as they could toward the ventilation control room. If they had to, they would reduce the level of oxygen being produced throughout the station, rendering everyone on board unconscious, hopefully only for the ten minutes or so it would take for the rest of the team to locate and neutralise the intruders. It was often the best way to avoid further civilian casualties, although there was always a risk that people with health problems might be damaged or even killed by such a tactic.

The rest of Alpha team used heat detecting devices to scan through each room, making a note of where people were located but moving as quickly and invisibly as they could, their primary goal to take control of the command centre. Sanchez led the way, a short heavily-muscled man who could break someone’s back if he had to.

They stunned four men who had been posted as guards before they reached the command centre, without raising an alarm. Then their luck changed. Sanchez scanned the room with his heat sensor and discovered a large group of people inside, evidently a mixture of pirates and hostages. There were also five bodies on the floor.

He motioned to his second-in-command, Fourth Lieutenant Ferris, to hack into the command centre’s comunit so they could get a visual.

A few moments later, they were both looking at the scene inside the command centre.

At least ten men with heavy assault weapons were positioned amongst the group of civilians, holding them at bay. Ferris and Sanchez exchanged glances. Sure they could take them out, but probably not without heavy civilian casualties. Confident that his team’s breathing devices were already engaged, Sanchez gave a signal to his two men waiting in the ventilation room, and in seconds the station’s oxygen was cut. The effects however, were gradual, as everyone—intruders and civilians alike—slowly lost consciousness and fell to the floor.

Sanchez, followed closely by a couple of crewmen, entered the command room and quickly began securing everyone who was carrying a weapon. At the same time, Ferris and the other men from Alpha team deployed through the rest of the station, clearing rooms as fast as they could. The intruders were disarmed, restrained and locked up for the Space Station staff to dispense justice. After ten minutes, Sanchez signalled Private Peters to return the air supply to normal.

The entire operation had taken less than thirty minutes.

Chapter Two

The eight members of the patrol team gathered in the docking bay of Oriell Space Station. The four stealth pods were still where they had left them and the team quickly doubled up to squeeze themselves inside the tiny capsules, ready for the return trip to the spaceship Jerez. Fourth Lieutenant Matthew Ferris cast a surreptitious glance sideways at Private Daniel Peters and just caught the slightest hint of a nod. He stepped up smoothly after Peters and they packed themselves into the nearest capsule, Ferris reaching behind himself to pull the cover hatch shut and engage the locking device.

He was still pumped from the recent operation, revved even higher by the anticipation of what was to come. There was not much room to manoeuvre inside the capsule. There were two miniscule seats that the occupants could use if they sat down at the same time, knees to one side of the other person, otherwise they could just stand there for the twenty minute journey. Usually the men stood back to back. Unless they were close friends, and even then it made most men too uncomfortable to stand face to face, pressed up against each other. Others, of course, took advantage of the intimate environment.

There could be no argument that Peters was a beautiful young man, his high cheek bones, wide blue eyes and silky blond hair had aroused interest in more than a few men. What was slightly less clear was whether Peters was interested in any of his admirers. Lately however, he had been responding to Ferris’ delicate overtures, a smile here, a sidelong glance there, and today a nod.

The Fourth Lieutenant unfastened his weapons belt and let it fall to the floor. Then he reached around Peters and did the same for him, letting his hands roam a little over his body. Ferris put his arms around the other man, pulling him back tightly against him, so he could feel how ready he was.

He bent his head and licked the back of Peters’ neck, where his uniform gaped invitingly. The smooth golden skin tasted slightly salty after his exertions on the space station. Then he bit him, just under the ear, careful not to leave a mark, nipping his way down the warm curve of his throat to his bared shoulder. Peters quivered. Ferris felt even more aroused if that were possible, his breathing audible in the small space. He brought his hands up and started to unfasten Peters’ singlesuit and then he heard it.

No. It was almost inaudible, No, don’t, please.

Ferris stood stock still. What’s wrong? he asked, his voice still a little hoarse.

Peters bowed his head. Don’t. It seemed to be all he could say. Ferris withdrew as far as it was possible in the cramped conditions and looked closely at the bowed head of the man in front of him. It dawned on him that he was bracing himself as if for a blow. That quiver had not been a sign of anticipation but of fear, the boy was terrified.

I’m sorry, Ferris apologised quickly, I thought you... He broke off. It wasn’t as if he had not been encouraged. Why had Peters given him the nod if he didn’t want to? What’s going on here?

Peters looked even more tense. I’m sorry, I just can’t.

It’s all right, Ferris sought to reassure him. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.

Peters’ tension didn’t reduce one iota. Ferris felt a bit impatient with him. What did the boy think he was going to do, rape him? Right here? Come to think of it that was probably exactly what he did think. The evidence of his own arousal was still pressing against his lower back in the close quarters.

Well this is a bit awkward, he said cheerfully, seeking to break the tension. He was rewarded by a sound from Peters, half a laugh, half a sob. Don’t panic, I’m just going to turn around, so we’re not standing quite so... close, Ferris warned him, twisting his body about so that he faced the door.

What’s going on? he asked again, over his shoulder. Did you change your mind?

There was a long pause. I’m not an om, Peters spoke softly. I can’t help how I look, everyone thinks I must be an om, but I’m not.

Ferris made a big effort to keep his voice calm. Then why on Earth did you let me think you were interested in me? This... what just happened... wasn’t all my fault you know.

I know, I’m sorry.

Ferris thought he wasn’t going to say any more, but then Peters continued in a low voice as if he was frightened of being overheard.

I was told that was what you have to do, if you want to stay on this ship.

What?

If an officer wants you, you have to say ‘yes’, he spoke as if it was a well known fact, not something that had just turned the world on its head.

Who told you that? Ferris still couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Some of the other men, those who don’t look as... as masculine as the rest of you.

"I’m sorry, I’m having difficulty understanding. You’re telling me that men on this ship have been forced to have sex?"

Peters nodded.

With officers? Who? Who’s been doing this?

Silence.

Ferris felt obliged to defend himself. As far as I am concerned personally, I’m homosexual, an om and I thought you were too. I thought you liked me, that’s the only reason I asked you to join me in here, not some sick sort of power play!

He continued, Believe me, this sort of intimidation is totally unacceptable. Tell me who the hell’s been doing this and I’ll take it to the Captain. A nightmarish thought crossed his mind. The Captain’s not part of this, is he?

To his horror, Peters hesitated before he replied. Not that I’ve heard. I’ll ask around. It may not be easy to get anyone else to talk about this, you know. Most men like to pretend it never happened.

Ferris felt sick. How long had this been going on? How widespread was the abuse? And he had nearly been part of it, without even knowing. He thought he was going to throw up. If Peters had not said no he would have gone ahead and had sex with him. Sure, he’d thought he was consenting, but it still would have been rape. He made a vow to himself then and there, that he would never, ever again seek a relationship with anyone of a lower rank, never. How would he ever know if they were saying yes because they wanted to or because they thought they had to?

He shut his eyes. Let me apologise again, Peters. I am so thankful you stood up to me. It would have been a nightmare... for both of us, if I had... had... he faltered to a stop.

I admire you, you know, confessed Peters. I thought if it had to be anyone, I’d rather it was you.

Thanks... I think! said Ferris, feeling rather as if he had been punched in the stomach.

I’m glad you’re not part of it, sir. I thought it didn’t seem like you but I didn’t really know, not until now. You’re right. This abuse can’t continue, we have to put a stop to it. I’ll talk to the other men and then come and see you. Peters squared his shoulders, looking more like a soldier instead of a scared boy.

Yes, Ferris agreed, then thought of something else. Do you think, if we take it in turns, we could squat down and pick up our weapon belts? It might give the wrong impression if they’re both on the floor when the door opens.

Chapter Three

It took Peters a week to gather the information he needed to take to Lieutenant Ferris. He sought him out one evening when he was off duty and brought a crewman with him. Lieutenant? Have you got a moment, sir?

Come in, Ferris looked from one to the other. Is it okay with you if I set the privacy seal?

The two men nodded and he shut the door behind them and set the privacy seal, so no-one could come in unannounced. Both men were standing uncomfortably in the middle of his cabin and he gestured to them to take a seat. They took the two chairs, leaving him to sit awkwardly on the edge of his bed, wondering if this was really an appropriate venue given the nature of what they were here to discuss. I’m sorry about this, he smiled apologetically. I don’t warrant an office until I reach Second Lieutenant.

Peters smiled back and for a second looked older than he normally did. We’ll be fine, sir. I thought you’d want to hear this from Lin first hand.

Ferris looked at the other man and saw a slight, wiry figure, of decidedly Chinese ancestry. He had joined the ship at the last point of intake and he didn’t know him very well yet, but he remembered hearing he was an excellent shot. Yes? Ferris asked invitingly.

Firstly sir, I am not an om, but I was told when I arrived that on this ship you have to act like you are, if you want to stay. Lin spoke hotly, not even trying to suppress his anger.

Ferris tried not to look at him too sceptically. As far as he was aware, he was the only om amongst the officers, and there weren’t that many amongst the crew either.

What were you told, exactly? Can you remember?

"I’ll never forget it! The exact words were, ‘If an officer asks you to bend over, just do it. Otherwise they’ll use Rule 158 to transfer you. You’ll end up a guard on a prison transport if you’re lucky.’" He stared defiantly at Ferris.

But they can’t do that, Rule 158 is supposed to help people. It says quite clearly, ‘an om will be transferred without any penalty’, the Lieutenant protested. Both men stared at him as if he’d just said something incredibly naive. "I’m sorry,