Chapter 7 – More Lessons

For the next three days, the lessons I taught did not change too much. I did bring Tanya to one class and discussed some childcare, but my emphasis was still on improving the atmosphere in the pod by making sure the others were happy. Some of the girls fought against this idea, particularly Erin who liked to brag about how good the sex was in her pod. Monica, Maxine and Rose were soon the star pupils. They enjoyed the interaction and their excited conversations made it clear that life in their pods was improving. Theresa even stopped by and decided to show the class just how much she appreciated my work at home by giving me a kiss that reduced me to a puddle on the floor. I can still remember struggling to my feet as she addressed the class.

"Ladies, I do hope you are listening closely to David. I know that what he is talking about sounds strange, but it does work. And the results are more than worth it."

It was Erin who had to respond back. I had managed to get my knees under me, but was still trying to restore strength to my legs when the girl snorted. "Ha! You're both just acting for us. Its all about power and control in the pod. If I control George with sex, I have the power over the other girls."

Theresa reached down to help me back to my feet and just shook her head. "And yet, you are in this class. Look, I'm not going to lie to you. I probably don't understand your situation perfectly, but I am a sponsor. David did not get to volunteer to come with me. Instead, I selected him during a pickup. I could have taken a woman, which was my first choice, or one of the other men there, but I approached him and we came to an agreement."

Maxine giggled. "Yeah, a no-sex agreement. He was just there to get Traci pregnant. I've heard the story."

Theresa smiled as the rest of the class gasped. Erin looked almost white with shock. I wanted to speak but Theresa squeezed my hand and waited for the ladies to calm down. Once they did she looked at Maxine. "I forgot just how much you and Traci talked. But it wasn't a no-sex agreement, although at the time I wasn't too happy with the idea of having sex with men. However, the point is that David accepted the position fully. He didn't come along just to be a sex toy, but to fully be part of my life. It makes a huge difference."

Monica was the next to speak. "But it all seems too hard."

Theresa nodded. "Has David ever said it was easy? He probably works harder than I do in our home, but he makes it a home. I haven't been there much, and yet during my last tour I spent a lot of time wishing I was back there in his arms. That's the biggest gift he gives me. I have a place I want to come back to. I have people I'm protecting not just because it's my duty, but because they are important to me. That kiss I just gave wasn't just for show. David treats me like a queen and I don't mind paying him back occasionally. I don't do it often enough."

I kissed Theresa on the cheek. "You never promised me you would, so I appreciate the times you do even more. And I prefer helping you."

Theresa giggled and I noticed most of the class smiling. "See?" Theresa said. "You'd think after being together for over a year that David and I would not be happy together, but we are probably happier. That's what he's trying to show you."

Most of the girls looked thoughtful. I smiled slightly because it seemed we were finally getting through when Nadia appeared in the doorway and walked over to give Theresa a kiss. She had been on a quick visit to the medical pod to verify if she was pregnant, and even if the brilliant smile had not given it away her whispered "Yes" to both of us made it clear that our newest concubine was expecting.

Theresa was turning to hug Nadia when Erin gasped out. "You! George dumped you. What are you doing here?"

Nadia looked over Theresa's shoulder. She just stared quietly and then sighed. "Erin. I shouldn't be surprised, but isn't it a bit fast for George to be so bored? Weren't you promising him endless blowjobs?"

Maxine was looking back and forth between the two and asked. "Wait, I'm missing something. Do you two know each other?"

Erin's spoke up, her voice dripping with venom. "Oh, we do. We spent five weeks together. My George selected her as one of his six concubines, but the stuck-up bitch never would work with him, so he dumped her with the Civil Service shortly after we landed. The barracks is far from here, Blondy. How did you escape?"

I expected Nadia to get upset, but instead she burst out laughing. "Erin, do me a favor tonight. Thank George for dumping me."

"What?" Erin screamed. "Why should I do that? You were an ungrateful bitch to him."

Nadia looked sad for a moment. "No. I don't deny that I felt intimidated by his brain, but I was never ungrateful or a bitch. I would have done just about anything to make him happy, but I never got the chance. The funny thing is that if he had given me more of a chance, I might not be where I am now."

Maxine looked at us and noticed that Theresa and Nadia were holding hands. "Wait! Does that mean that you are with Theresa now?"

Nadia blushed and nodded. "That's part of how David ended up teaching the class. Theresa brought her whole household to the barracks. While she was interviewing candidates David started entertaining a whole bunch of children and I approached him to ask about Theresa. I ended up telling him my story."

Theresa giggled. "And I was standing right behind her to hear the whole thing. After that, my decision was simple to make."

Rose looked at us. "But it looks like you've been together for ages. Has it really been just a week or so?"

Nadia paused to think. "Almost two. But it's been a very comfortable time. David makes it very easy to be part of the household."

One of the other girls, who had been joining in the conversations more and more, spoke up. "I just wish I'd seen most of this earlier. I envy you; you have found something special already. I have a bit more work to make mine special."

I looked at the woman. "So it's working for you…"

The woman seemed to blush; it was hard to tell, as her skin was a deep chocolate brown. "Yolanda. Yes it is working. It's not happening quickly as Stella and I both seem to want to be the top concubine in the household, but once I stopped fighting with her, things got a lot better. I just wish that James was home. He's in the marines and they are off training for a major offensive."

I smiled. "Well, don't give up. Do you have children?"

Yolanda nodded. "Six. I'm really thirty-four and Stella is thirty-two. Stella and I worked at a bar, and James was a customer when there was a pickup. He let us bring the children, but they have so much energy sometimes. How can I help with that?"

Nadia giggled. "Soccer works. Get the kids a ball and some kind of goal. The replicators can make a nice plastic one. I kind of want to try football, but Alex isn't big enough yet."

Erin looked like she might have swallowed a lemon, but Maxine giggled. "Its nice to see the kids outside. So many of the households just stay in their pods and never come out at all. I just wish I knew more people."

I nodded at that. "Yolanda, I do have one suggestion, if things continue to improve between you and Stella. I'm sure that with so many children, it's hard to find private time with James. Try to find someone nearby who can watch the children the night James returns, so both you and Stella can reward him for being your master."

Erin looked even more upset. "Reward him? Why should any of us reward our masters? We are their sex slaves."

Theresa shook her head. "But no sponsor has to keep you or take you. It's funny, but having David made me realize that truth. In a way, he gave me a great gift but I also gave him a greater one. I could have left him on Earth. He would have been stuck waiting for another chance to escape, and was possibly going to fail. Instead I gave him a chance to escape the near certain death and start anew. Yes, he made a gift of himself to me. He is, in theory, my slave, but I don't treat him as one because he rewards me for that gift to him every day."

Nadia surprised me by giggling. "Ladies, I spent time in the unattached concubine barracks. There you'll find lots of time to talk and listen. David has unearthed a few truths for concubines. Don't let yourself get caught in the trap of thinking of yourself as just a sex slave. Just about every concubine who gets returned to the barracks and swapped out believed only that of herself. It's the ones who make being their master's concubine a privilege who stay for a long time with one sponsor."

Monica seemed thoughtful. "I never saw it that way. I guess Larry wasn't the best master on the way out and I forgot."

Maxine giggled and turned to Monica. "Hey, my mother is my mistress, and she doesn't have a bisexual bone in her body. Worse, when she does go on missions I get left behind while she takes her male concubine along, so I end up with months of being mostly alone. I know your pain."

I could hear a murmur of surprise from the ladies.

The class broke up at that point although Maxine, Monica and Rose waited in the room. Once everyone had left the room Maxine walked up to me and stood in front of me. I silently waited for her to speak, as she fidgeted in front of me.

"David? Can we… Well… David, we'd like to ask a huge favor, which Theresa probably has to approve," Maxine said.

I looked over at Theresa who shrugged. "I need to know what it is," I said.

Rose giggled. "We'd like, if its permitted to visit your pod tomorrow after class and have you cook a barbeque. I'd bring the children from my pod, and…."

Monica sighed. "I think I can get Vera and Lacey to come. Wanda will refuse, but it would be nice for the other two to see another pod."

I looked at the trio. "And your masters won't have a problem with this?"

Maxine giggled. "Mom will probably show up with some chip dip and her new boy-toy. She loves barbeques and Zack has already admitted he doesn't know how to cook. It's an opportunity for her to participate."

Monica smiled. "Larry never forbade us when it came to going out. And I know that the pod is open to us. It shouldn't be a problem."

Rose just shrugged. "It's just me and the kids, and like Monica I'm allowed to enter and exit freely."

I looked over at Theresa who smiled. "I love the idea. It would be nice to have visitors. I only wish we could have the sponsors there."

Rose and Monica both nodded sadly, before rushing off. Maxine watched them and shrugged. "It will be good for them. Both of those girls have been pretty hurt by the situation, and something to make them smile might help."

She followed the others out and then Theresa dragged me home. Sophie heard about the planned barbeque for the next day, and despite my protests the whole pod began planning various activities and foods for the next day. The new soccer field was still in the process of being installed, so other activities were actively worked on.

"Too bad we can't have a beach and swimming," Nadia said with a sigh as she gathered a couple of Frisbees from the replicator.

"A beach?" Theresa said with a happy scream. "You mean sand, waves, water and volleyball type beach?"

I smiled. "I'm thinking girls in thong bikinis, nice tans, and a chance to spread oil over the back of a pair of beautiful blond ladies until they are so hot they drag each other home and leave me to gather the kids up."

Theresa gasped, but Nadia jumped at me and wrapped me up in a hug. "Only if you come home fast to shove that cock in my pussy and get me to scream with pleasure again!"

I looked over at Theresa. "I believe our mistress gets to decide if you get to cum," I said with a wink.

Theresa giggled and came over to give me a scorching kiss. As she released me she looked me in the eyes. "David, I haven't said this enough, and I know I won't say it right. Yes, you are my concubine, but you've become a whole lot more than that. This pod here, is more of a home than anyplace I've ever lived and you made it that way. The tribute you created for Traci the night we brought Nadia home was touching and melted the final chains on my heart. I look at the four children we have and hope they can find half the happiness I have. Sex with you is special. Its not the same as sex with Traci or Nadia, and I'll never want another man, but I now burn for your touch. If we do get a beach, we'll sneak out there one night and I'll take you out there. We'll put a blanket down and you can love me for hours."

I stood there speechless. Nadia waited a moment and then smiled. "She means it, David! While you are teaching, she and I usually spend the hour together, and we talk. I love her. God do I love her. But you complete her and us. This home is special because you make it so."

The rest of the night was quiet. Nadia and Theresa spent the night proving that their words from the afternoon were not hot air and I could barely drag myself from the bed the next morning when Tanya started crying because she was hungry.

The next day during class I noticed that a few of my original students were gone and Tribune Octavian had brought some new students and was watching as I led the class through an exercise in listening and working with others. The new students seemed unsure, but Monica and Maxine cheerfully led the others, and by the end, even a few of the older students who rarely participated were smiling and nodding as I wrapped up the class with a few words. It was a rather upbeat group that filed out of the class at the end of the day.

Maxine waved and pointed off towards Theresa's pod as she led Rose and Monica out the door. I would have followed, but Octavian asked me to wait.

"Sorry," he said. "I just have to know, what is your CAP?"

"Three point nine."

"What? There is no way your score is that low!"

I shrugged. "I have no reason to lie. I'm sure the AI will support my statement."

"Affirmative," the AI said in my support. "Concubine David Tolvin has a registered CAP of three point nine. His only test was almost four years ago. Recent events suggest that a retest would return a different score."

The tribune looked at me. "Do you want to retest?"

I shook my head. "Perhaps I'm being a bit selfish, but I like where I am now. I love Theresa completely. Right now I have a wonderful family that I'm part of, and something to work towards. Yes, I could end up with a higher score and an opportunity to volunteer, but I'm happy where I am."

I could sense the disappointment from the man next to me. "The Confederacy needs every man it can get. The Sa'arm are winning. How can you deny the Confederacy your services?"

"I'm not really denying my services though. I support Theresa, who obviously has impressed the high command sufficiently if she already has received two promotions, and I wouldn't call my classes unsupportive. I just don't see myself in any role that takes me away from my family now." The room had cleared out and I led the Tribune to the door.

"What family?" the tribune replied. "Families don't really exist in Confederacy law."

I stopped at the doorway. "I know, but humanity still does better if there is a family to belong to. I belong with Theresa, and Nadia. They are my family, even if it's not a traditional one. And right now, I promised to hurry home for a barbeque."

To my surprise Tribune Octavian nodded. "Think you have room for another? I knew about the party since Rose and Monica checked in before they brought the rest of the households here. I'd like to see your family together. Your family works, and I need more working families on this planet."

I shrugged. "Theresa might ask you to leave, and it's her party, I'm just the cook."

The tribune followed me out of the administration pod and on a quiet walk through the township. As usual, the pods were all quiet and it was a lonely walk until we could hear the cheerful cries of Amber and Alex in the distance. Octavian looked up in surprise. "Wow, just hearing that makes this place seem…."

"Like a friendly neighborhood rather than a prison camp?" I answered with a smirk. "That's probably the biggest problem I see. But that needs the sponsors to get involved. Most want their concubines to stay at home, like the good sex slaves they are supposed to be, and as a result the sense of community is lost."

The tribune returned to silence as we turned a final corner and could see the gathering in the distance. As soon as we came into sight, there was a joyous cry from Amber and a soccer ball came bouncing our way. I calmly trapped it and then pushed it over to Octavian.

"Give it a boot and then come and see the setup," I suggested. He looked down in surprise and then gave the ball a rather tentative kick, which sent it skipping along the ground. I buried my laugh and dashed after it, giving it another kick to speed it along.

A man I did not recognize trapped the ball and used some kind of heel kick to shoot it above his head. He then headed the ball along. It must have been aimed at the goal, but Amber's loud cry of "Missed!" made it clear that the flashy move had not put the ball into the net. The man just shrugged and stood waiting until Octavian and I finally reached the gathering.

"This is the strangest barbeque, I've ever been to," the man said as I walked up. "All these babes, only three men, and no booze. It's quite a change."

I paused to look over man. He had the body of a professional body-builder, and an outfit of bowtie; a vest and very tight fitting swimsuit briefs enhanced the appearance. He noticed my loincloth and smiled. "I guess I'm not the only concubine with a mistress who likes to show him off."

I laughed. "You must be Zack. Maxine said a bit about you, but not that you were this much of a hunk."

The man shrugged. "I know, I feel like I should be working at some strip club on ladies' night. But Martha is good to me, even if that grill scares me."

Before I could reply, Sophie ran up. "David, everything is ready. I think the sauce is right, we gave the replicator your recipe, but I'm not sure what it's supposed to taste like. It's surprisingly tangy, is what Nadia said."

"Good," I replied. "I'll be there in a moment to wash up and get the food started." I turned to Zack. "Sorry, let me wash my hands and get the food on the grill, but if you want to come over and chat you can."

Zack nodded, and I hurried to the sink and the hand wash unit that Theresa had set up just outside the door to the pod. It took only a moment to rinse off and then approach the grill where Sophie and Amber now waited. They had become my very willing helpers for cookouts and both were interested in the new sauce I had decided to try. I gave it a taste and had to smile. Sophie was correct that it had a slight citrus tang underlying the other flavors, but that had been the idea when I gave the replicator the recipe and I hoped I'd impress Theresa.

Zack and Octavian came over as I was slathering some chicken breasts with the sauce and I could see Octavian's surprise. "You really cook?" he asked. "But the replicators can do it all."

Zack coughed. "Try drinking the replicated horse piss that passes for beer. The replicators seem to miss some flavors and complexity."

I shrugged as Octavian rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me about the alcohol situation. Most of the Civil Service has heard about how little anyone likes the taste, although it still gets people drunk. I guess I never thought about something like this. It's almost like a block party cookout back home."

"Almost?" Nadia called out. "It is one, although I don't remember my father ever standing at the grill in a loincloth."

Everyone laughed at that. I had finished prepping the meat and had loaded the grill. With that task complete, and with a few minutes before I needed to turn the meat, I glanced around.

Zack had taken a moment to watch me, and was standing at my shoulder along with Sophie and Amber. Alex had grown bored and was sitting at the table, making faces at two children who had to be about two years old. Rose was nearby and it was easy to identify the children as being from her household.

Theresa and Martha were involved in a quiet discussion with Maxine. I could not tell what the conversation was about, but the trio was relaxed and smiling.

The big surprise was seeing Nadia virtually holding court with Monica and two more young ladies who must have been Monica's sister concubines, Vera and Lacey.

I smiled at the very cheerful atmosphere and was turning back to start turning the meat when one of the concubines with Nadia giggled. "Oh, I shouldn't admit this, but its nice to see the clothing those two men are wearing. I feel so exposed, but those tight outfits show off nice bulges."

Maxine shouted back. "Those bulges? You might be disappointed. I've heard many men…"

Maxine trailed off and it was the other female concubine who nodded. "Oh, Larry went with a bit of enhancement down there."

Zack gave a snort and before I could react started singing out a limerick. "A short- organed fellow named Kevin / Used a vacuum to stretch it to seven / then to eight and to nine / and though ten was divine / there will be a film at eleven."

I could hear the gasps from all the women, but then I remembered the second verse that went with that one. "And if you think our boy's now a stud / You've been fooled by the size of his pud / although twelve inches soft / when it rises aloft / he faints from the sheer lack of blood."

At this point Theresa and Martha fell over laughing, while Monica and her sister concubines stared at Zack and I. I quietly held my hand out and accepted a handshake from him. Monica just glared at Zack and me for a moment. "God, that's just dumb," she muttered.

Nadia only laughed more. "Oh, I think it's rather good. Especially since it covers why some men are so dumb. After all, there is only enough blood to run one head at a time."

I could tell that Monica and her sisters were confused, but before I could react Theresa came to the rescue. "Oh, calm down! It's funny to us older ladies because it plays on one of the patterns you notice in college. Guys are easy to manipulate through their cocks, and if you can get them hard, you can make them act stupid. Also too many men have self-image issues over size. Obviously, Zack and David don't."

I smiled at Theresa. "You don't complain, I'm not worried about the size."

Theresa just smiled. "And I won't because you make it special."

Once again one of Monica's sister concubines looked puzzled. "But, I always thought if the man had something big down there, the sex was supposed to be better."

Martha just shook her head and held up a hand. She vanished into our pod for a moment and returned with a hand behind her back. "Let me guess Larry has upgraded to one of the super cocks."

The girl blushed. "Well it's…."

Martha pulled the hand from behind her back revealing an oversize beer can. I remembered these cans on Earth having twice the capacity as a number one can and smiled as the girl's eyes opened in shock. "Let me guess," Martha said. "When hard, it's about this size."

I could hear Zack mutter. "I'd hate one that big. It would be just too damn uncomfortable when I wasn't using it."

I nodded at Zack as the girl gasped. Theresa merely shook her head. At that moment I noticed that Sophie was missing. A moment later Sophie appeared behind Martha and she held up the strap-on that Theresa liked to use most nights, it was just a bit smaller than I would be when fully aroused, so it was considerably smaller than the beer can.

Sophie just shrugged. "I do know that Theresa and Nadia are happy with this. It seems to hit all the right spots."

Tribune Octavian coughed. "And how would you know that?" he asked. "I believe you are a bit young for that kind of contact."

Sophie lowered the strap-on and blushed. "Its never been used on me, but I'm not blind. Theresa is a very sexual lady, and sometimes, she enjoys playing outside the bedroom. I've watched, which I haven't been told I can't do."

Theresa giggled. "Then I'll make it a new rule. Sophie can only watch if I know she's doing it."

The Tribune glared at Theresa. "You're not helping."

Theresa shrugged with a smile. "I'm helping Sophie. She's already said that she wants to become my concubine after testing, and I don't think hiding anything from her is going to help. The more she knows the more confident and relaxed she'll be once she becomes a concubine. And that confidence will matter."

Monica was looking around confused. "How do you use one of those? I've never seen one, and wouldn't know how."

Nadia giggled. "Its not that complex, and I'm sure you'd adjust quickly. But I can't show you. I don't have permission to touch you in that way."

"And you never will!" a nasty voice cut through the gathering. We all turned to find a handsome and well-muscled man in a marine uniform standing a short distance away with a scared looking woman behind him. From the gasps that came from Vera, Lacey and Monica, it was clear that these were Larry and Wanda.

Immediately I decided to try to defuse any potential conflict. "Should I throw a couple pieces of chicken on the grill for you?"

Theresa caught my intention regarding the newcomers and took over. "Oh, please, come and join us. We don't get to entertain often. We'd love to hear about your experiences."

The man's eyes wandered over the group. He seemed to lock onto the Tribune's uniform and stormed up to him. "What is this?" he asked.

Tribune Octavian shrugged. "I believe that I'd call this a cookout. Hosted by Commander Theresa over there."

The man glanced at Theresa and then looked over at Monica and the others who looked away. "And why are my concubines here, and not at home?" he growled.

Monica ran over and threw herself at the man's knees. "Don't blame Lacey or Vera. It's my fault. I wanted things in our pod to improve and the tribune told me about a class being given about making life in the pods better. While there I met Nadia, Rose and Maxine, and was invited to this cookout. We have done nothing except talk."

The man looked around. He seemed to be counting people and then turned to the Tribune. "Where are the sponsors?"

Theresa laughed as she and Martha held up their hands. As the man looked over at her, she spoke. "Martha and I are the sponsors here."

The man looked at her. "That explains the man doing the cooking, but what is this?"

Martha shook her head. "Its just a gathering of friends. Theresa and I served together on our first two tours and are both on maternity leave right now. My daughter Maxine was in the class, and has become a friend to Monica and Rose so when Theresa thought of this, I asked if they could join."

The man looked at Octavian. "And you knew about this?"

Octavian nodded. "The class was my idea. I see too many concubines returned. I was hoping this class would improve that. So far it has helped a few households."

One of Monica's sisters surprised me by speaking up. "It's helping in our household too. We were always competing, and now we are working together. It's nice to be able to say that Vera and Monica are my friends. I just wish that Wanda had been more open."

The man paused. "Was it really that bad Lacey?"

The girl nodded. "Larry, you are a decent man, and a caring one. I have no regrets that I accepted your offer to become a concubine, but it has been bad in the pod. Since Monica started taking the class, and sharing the results with us there's been less fighting."

Larry looked annoyed. "Because she taught you all about stuff I didn't want! You are supposed to wait for me!"

Monica shook her head. "No, I never did anything like that. Its not about sex, it's about respect and trust. It's been about learning a new way to look at what my life is."

Larry actually seemed thoughtful and looked at Wanda. "You said they were doing something bad. How is this bad?"

The girl appeared confused, but glared at Monica. "We are supposed to be following you. And she never got your permission to go to this class. She just did it."

Monica actually smiled. "I couldn't exactly ask Larry about it when he was off with his unit. I found out about the classes when Tribune Octavian had to visit next door after Latoya had another breakdown. He stopped to talk and told me about the class when he heard one of our near constant arguments going on. Have you noticed that we haven't had many of those in the last three days?"

Larry looked over at the tribune. "Latoya again?"

The tribune nodded. "I had to remove her from the pod. We took her back to the barracks and gave her back her original appearance, but it was too late. She committed suicide two nights ago. Devon will be offered an opportunity to select a replacement when he returns from his tour."

Larry nodded. "I guess the cosmetic changes can be a bit much. But I guess I need an answer. Lacey, Vera, Monica, have I really been that bad a master?"

"No!" the trio shouted, followed by a nervous giggle.

Larry smiled but then looked thoughtful. "Do you want to stay with me?"

Vera and Lacey immediately nodded, but Monica knelt quietly. Everyone waited for her to respond, but she remained motionless until Larry knelt and put a hand under her chin to raise her eyes to his. "Tell me the truth. I'll understand."

I noticed tears in Monica's eyes as she sniffled. "I'm sorry… I like you… And I owe you so much… It's just… I hate these big tits you gave me… and I want… I want…" she paused, and blushed a deep red before looking directly at Theresa. "I'm sorry. I have to admit it. I'm more lesbian than straight, and you don't like your girls pleasuring each other. I need that."

Larry looked confused. "But you were a virgin at pickup."

Monica nodded sadly. "I know, but the touches that turned me on the most were Lacey's, not yours. And now that I've met Theresa, I want her touch more than anything."

Larry whirled to glare at Theresa who looked shocked. "I never touched her, and neither have my concubines. The closest to sex would be the kiss I used on David during one of the classes that left him gasping on the floor."

Monica giggled. "I wished you were kissing me. I envy Nadia and David, you have something special, and I guess I wanted that."

Larry seemed thoughtful once again and I looked over at the tribune. "This doesn't seem right," I remarked. "You have all those unattached concubines, and I'm sure that Larry could find one or two who would be happy to join his harem, and then Monica could join in here. Its not like anyone would be hurt by that."

Silence fell over area, broken only when Tanya started to cry. Sophie dashed over to check on her as the Tribune stood there quietly. He seemed to be involved in a muttered argument with himself, but finally he looked up. "You, David, clearly are mis-scored and if I can figure out a way to force you into a testing unit I will." He turned to Larry. "He's right though, I do have plenty of concubines available and can offer you a two for one trade if you want."

It was Larry's turn to be silent as he looked over his concubines. All of them were trying to appear disinterested, but it was clear they all wondered what his decision would be. Finally he looked Monica in the eyes and gave her a gentle kiss. "I'll miss your red hair. But if it will truly make you happy, it's worth it. Remember me and think of me."

Monica gave a scream of joy and threw her arms around her former master as the emotionless voice of an AI acknowledged the transfer of concubine Monica Trafant to Theresa. "Oh god! Thank you!" She gave Larry a huge kiss before jumping up and dashing to Theresa and hugging her new mistress.

Vera and Lacey ran over and gave Larry huge hugs of their own. The man appeared confused but pleased. As the girls relaxed he looked over at me. "What just happened? These girls have always been willing, but never this enthusiastic."

Zack and I laughed, but it was Nadia who answered him. "If a concubine knows you really care, it's that much easier to put emotion into it. Vera and Lacey have seen that you want them to be happy, and will now work that much harder to make you happy in return."

I laughed. "Nadia, I think you should teach the class from now on."

Nadia walked over and gave me a huge kiss as everyone laughed. I think she was going to answer when Larry coughed. "Sorry, but I was wondering if I can go and look at possible concubines today. I only have a two day pass and then my marine unit is heading out on Sir Ector, some kind of big offensive."

"Should you be telling us?" Maxine asked with a giggle.

Larry actually smiled. "I don't think the Sa'arm have spies here. So the old saying 'loose lips sink ships' doesn't really apply."

Everyone laughed and I could see the Tribune nod. Before they could leave I called Larry over, and offered some finished food to him and his harem, as a parting gift. He happily accepted the offering. After that he turned to leave, but before he'd walked far he called back. "Hey! If this class is still going on, can my concubines continue to attend? It did wonders for Monica."

Theresa laughed for a moment. "Are you sure? You just let Monica go."

I could hear the smile in Larry's response. "That was more the factor that I never knew her well. I knew from her sub-scores that she was very bisexual, but at the time none of the other girls felt right. I know now these other girls want to stay with me!"

I had to smile. "If they want to come, I'm happy to listen and teach. I promise to do my best to teach them to make your pod a happy home."

The girls gave a final wave at that and then the group vanished in the direction of the teleport unit for the township.