Dirt

Poor Little Rich Boy

Chapters 8-9

Chapter 8
Psi Battles

"Trouble, is that you?" Boyhard's voice was weak even if the emotions behind it were strong.

"Yes master," an unabashedly crying boy replied. "They say I gotta have clothes on. To be here that is."

Feonty was avoiding the topic uppermost in his mind. He looked back to Yaro Kwarto's friend, who had brought him there, for a measure of support. He then approached his master with trembling limb and tremulous heart. He climbed onto his master's hospital bed and began bawling. "Master, I thought I killed you. I'm sorry. I promise never to cause any trouble ever, ever again."

Boyhard Hughes took a hold of his boy with his recovering limbs and moved his boy tight to his body, holding on with more passion than strength.

"No boy. Please don't change. I want and need you exactly as you are."

"But master, I sh… I shot you!" Feonty was almost inconsolable. The one thing that mitigated his feeling of guilt was the fact that his master was going to be OK."

"Boy, you might actually have saved my life." Boyhard was near the limit of his strength. He was desperate however to console his slave: "Who knows what would have happened if those men continued to fire. Even if for only seconds more."

Though when first transported to the Emergency Treatment Center, he'd been in near critical condition, Boyhard Hughes was now stable and conscious. His condition had since been downgraded to serious, hence the visitation of non-family members was now allowed.

Feonty, however, was considered property. In fact, the only way he had access to his master was because he was in the company of Yaro Kwarto's friend Mank K'renk.

That Boyhard Hughes was alive at all was due to the fact that he'd been wearing at the time of the attack, a fully functional 'safe-suit,' a nearly invisible energy shield adequate against most hand held weapons. Feonty hadn't known about any of this. All he had seen was what he thought of at the time, as he spied the room place from the estate's security complex, was his master being shot point blank by the leader of four men who had just invaded the residence of his friend's master, Yaro Kwarto, and then falling to the floor.

Feonty went berserk. In a fit of extreme desolation, he disobeyed his master's orders – but orders from a dead master were no longer applicable. Or if still alive, he was determined to do what he needed to rescue him.

Feonty ran to their extensive luggage, retrieved a special case, and entered the code on the keypad. His master had at one time shown him this weapon and told him it was very dangerous to use and even illegal on some worlds.

Feonty remembered his master's words: "But who cares about illegal when one's life is on the line." A conclusion very much in line with what Feonty would have made. Feonty looked at the relatively large hand weapon, and its several touch pads and two semi-circular hand-grips, and asked: "Master, which end do you aim with?"

Boyhard laughed. "You barely need to aim. But that sort of ball there should be pointing away from ones self. Triggering mechanisms are in both grips but only one need be squeezed."

Of the two touch pads, Feonty touched the one which had activated the weapon, and the other he touched until a light went from green to orange to red. Feonty was also reassured also by the barely audible high-pitched hum.

Twenty seconds later the ball end was aimed at the leader of the men, the guy who had shot his master. By the time Feonty had returned, another three strangers had suddenly appeared and had become engaged in a firefight with the four he'd come after. Feonty, the only one without some sort of protective shield, walked right through the worst of the firefight in total disregard of all the discharging weapons and aimed. And squeezed. And screamed as he realized that just beyond the four who had threatened his master, was his master himself who had been struggling to rise.

Six people were caught in the wide angled discharge and fell to the floor in varying states of physical disability.

All that had happened several hours ago. As the slaveboy Feonty was being comforted by his thankful master, in a hospital room in a facility about 29 km [18 mi] from the Kwarto's (not so unscathed) residence, their attention was redirected to a large flat HD screen, with over 500 channels of news and entertainment. It was attuned to the news program which Boyhard had been watching just before his boy had entered the room. Seeming from all directions, the high fidelity sound filled the room. And a quite beautiful news anchor was reading from a prompter invisible from the opposite direction.

The equally beautiful voice, full of timber and sincerity, announced the lead story: "A naked white boy thwarts a kidnapping! Stay tuned for this breaking story live from a residence left in a shambles just north of the town of Pern."

Both slave and master, along with the good friend of the owner of that 'in a shambles' residence, waited for the continuation of the story. Soon, from another talking head, and a simple 3D camera showing a near demolished building behind it, began the recap of the story:

"Trouble visited the residence of businessman Yaro Kwarto this morning, where one person was killed and four others seriously injured by the discharge from a neural disruptor. As you know, all such weapons have been outlawed since…"

At the word "trouble," the small slave gasped and his master chuckled. Boyhard, with amusement in his voice, along with a touch of concern, squeezed his boy and agreed: "They have that right. 'Trouble' was definitely a visitor."

As Boyhard's hand surreptitiously wandered its way inside his slave's short-legged chinos, and began a tender fondling of his boy's dusky genitals, he wondered just how much money it would take to get out from under this legal predicament. That he was not actually under arrest was due to the fact that his slave had been defending themselves, and that he himself did have a Federation (military) permit. (Apparently, he was a Colonel in Salinus II's Naval Reserve. Though the weapon still was not legal on P'rernk).

As Feonty felt one of his master's favorite toys being manipulated – his own rigid penis – he wondered about how soon it would take his master to completely recover. (And get his ship back now that he sort of 'loaned' it to Nu's [Kalli's] master). But those thoughts faded into the background as his normally rigid 5 inch [12.7 cm] boner achieved an even greater turgidity and sent its messages of pleasure throughout his body.

A short time earlier, at that "shambles" of a residence, as the dust (figuratively speaking) was settling, there were two main protagonists seething with emotion.

Gumper Snike was nearly apoplectic as he contemplated his advanced team's incompetence. Their previous reconnaissance had failed to discover that the two people who had remained at Kwarto's residence were not in fact Kwarto and his boy. And they had not discovered their mistake until Snike (and the rest of Jakempsky's team) had made rendezvous. Their belated message to him, just before he was about to reach the boy's residence was still able to curdle his stomach if not also his thoughts.

The small pulse message, unencrypted, had spoken only six words into his nearly invisible earpiece: "Smaller image is wrong boy. Investigating."

And one of the seriously injured men in the midst of that "shambles" – one of those with Tempy and the only one of those caught in Feonty's discharging weapon remaining conscious – was able to apprise Snike concerning their failure to make sure the two leaving did not include their all important quarry.

With equal measures of fear and consternation, the man informed his boss: "Can't understand it. For the longest while, we simply didn't see any importance in making sure. Can't understand it."

This man had been the only one to eventually 'succumb' to his injuries. That it came from Snike's own energy weapon as it was discharged against the man's head in a fit of temper, would not come to light in the original investigation.

Fortunately for Snike, Jake was attending to his own fallen comrade, Jamal Chan, who'd been at the periphery of the widely encompassing energy pulse. Cam had remained at a strategic position immediately outside the residence, while Hister had taken possession of the weapon that the now nearly comatose slaveboy numbly relinquished.

Jake too was seething, but for different reasons. He had made a disastrous assumption. Having received the message from X that the guest and his boy had left, and also having intercepted the message sent by Tempy to the Snake, he'd assumed that this information was correct. He could only console himself with the fact that he did at least have Big Sue stay behind for several reasons. One of which was to note the arrival of whom they thought would be Boyhard Hughes and his boy. Boyhard's ship, the Nomad, was being prepared for separation from the station and deep space flight.

And so intent on the firefight between himself and Tempy's team, Jake had not noticed one small boy who had advanced into the mayhem from the next room. Until he had brought a sudden calamitous end to that fight.

Jake had looked across the nearly destroyed room and noticed a small naked boy with a weapon in his hand that even made Jake cringe. The very disconsolate slave boy then dropped the weapon and knelt over his master's prone form, crying. The boy, whom he would soon learn was a slave boy named Feonty, almost hysterically announced that his master wasn't waking up. Jake was eventually able to reassure the boy that his master would eventually recover.

Jake was thankful that there had been only one casualty. Of course that did not mean that he was happy about everything else. Or even anything else. Even more so when he easily made the connection that it had to have been Yam Kwarto and Kalli (hopefully) who had actually left the premises several hours earlier.

So after all the dust had settled, and emergency vehicles had taken the injured to the nearest medical facility, Jake was most intent on discovering the whereabouts of Kalli Menhare Risenhour, presumably on his way in the aircar which had been engaged by Boyhard Hughes to take them back to the planet terminus of the Rolihlahla Sky-hook.

He had one injured man, (thankfully he had advised his own son – the mysterious X – to vamoose right before the firefight), and no boy! At least not the right boy. Except that he now knew for certain that both Tempy and the Snake had been working for someone who wanted the boy themselves, probably to completely disappear. And have the blame fall on him!

Jake was just about to have Cam inform Big Sue, who had been left behind at the ground station for the Rolihlahla Sky-hook, to be not just on the lookout for the of the occupants of the skycar from Kwarto's estate, but that those passengers where most likely the very people they sought. With The Nomad being prepared for flight, it was quite obvious to him where the boy and his master were headed.

And Jake's team was also soon able to determine that they could be 100% positive that the boy was THE boy. His Majesty had done a DNA analysis on several tissue samples found around the area.

"It's definite boss. The boy who was here is most definitely Kalli Menhare Risenhour."

The confirmation of the boy's identity brought no real comfort. In fact the opposite. It was now absolutely imperative that they catch up with the boy before anyone else did.

That was when Cam announced a call from an excited Big Sue herself. Who never got excited. Her seemingly booming voice, even when it was not, announced: "Jake, we've got the boy!"

The buoyant security expert continued in nearly breathless shout: "And you won't believe this. It was the boy himself who approached us! And he kept yelling: 'Umak! Umak!' And then Keng Yam's slave started shouting back, something about something 'new,' it was only after…"

It was at this point when a now thoroughly impatient man interrupted and asked: "Sue, take in a deep breath and then tell me exactly where you are right now and where is the boy?"

"We are at the terminal awaiting the scheduled Sky-hook cabin time-slot, reserved by Boyhard Hughes, to return us to the station. It can easily accommodate all of us. At extra cost of course. And it seems they consider both slaves as 'occupants' rather than property now that an extra fee is involved."

Jake further inquired: "And the boy and his master trust you enough to allow you to accompany them?"

"That's what I was trying to tell you. It seems that Keng Yam's slave knows Kalli! He called him 'Nu.' Spelled 'n' 'u'. There is no doubt. When their respective masters gave them permission, they nearly assaulted each other with their wild reunion. Isn't it quite amazing? Who would have thought that such a coincidence could possibly have occurred? Keng Yam's boy and Kwarto's having been sold from the same facility on the same day?"

Jake thought about it. And he didn't believe in such coincidences. Only cause and effect. There was more going on than he had suspected. Than everyone had suspected. But for now, he'd not look a gift horse [or rather slaveboy] in the mouth.

"Sue, take them directly to the ship and engage all security measures. And absolutely no communications. Not even to Joan. Absolutely nothing. There is obviously more going on than the Snake and his treachery. I'm also still trying to figure out just how this Kwarto and his slave had fooled Tempy, an experienced agent with all his sophisticated equipment. We should be back in a few hours. And when we get there take the Snake into custody. And take no chances – sedate him immediately."

Jake was wondering what he was missing. He found it nearly impossible to believe that Keng Yam's boy knowing the slave he knew as 'Nu,' namely Kalli Menhare Risenhour, was merely a fortuitous coincidence.

That the Boyhard Hughes along with his slave were visiting was easily explained. The slaves knew each other, which in turn led to the invitation for the visit.

But Kalli and Keng's boy? He learned that Kalli had called him Umak.

As they were about to depart on their own aircar, Jake took His Majesty aside and asked politely in a very even voice, one which Hister knew was catamount to a royal command.

"Hister, I want to know everything there is to know about Tan Keng Yam."

Hister knew well when not to question his boss in this kind of mood. "Yes boss. Shouldn't be too hard. Our own office should have an extensive file on him."

"Perhaps not extensive enough," Jake thought.

Jake added to Hister: "Farm it out if you have to. I think our own files may not tell me what I want to know. Be creative."

Hister was for once curious. Evidently his boss was thinking that this Tan Keng Yam much more than what he seemed. "I'll have it for you yesterday boss."

As they made their way towards the Mandela Station in synchronous orbit above the planet P'rernk, climbing the seeming gossamer cables of the Rolihlahla Sky-hook, now more that 10,000 feet [3000 km] below, Kalli was holding onto his master with the grip of one uprooted from much of the stability he had recently known and needed. It was in the nature of those capable of being so conditioned, and in the conditioning itself, which made such slaves so absolutely dependant on the stability given them by their masters and by their slave protocols. And with all the upheaval now swirling about Kalli and his life, he was in need of his master and the stability he offered, more than ever before.

"Master, please hold me tight." Kalli almost pleaded.

Yaro saw the anxiety and need in his boy's eyes. And felt it even more so in his fierce grip. A boy who had seemingly projected such steel and determination just hours ago, was now in his master's arms seeking strength and solace. (And a boy also struggling to accommodate himself to the uncomfortable clothes he'd been required to wear).

Yaro Kwarto was thinking back to what had precipitated their strategic skedaddle earlier that day.

Earlier that day, just before the light of dawn, Kalli's master had brought them both to the aircar leased by Boyhard Hughes the evening before. Kalli had convinced his master that only by escaping both their residence, and their planet, could he see any favorable outcome for himself and his master.

Yaro Kwarto had been too often cognizant of his boy's prescient abilities which at first had only concerned the boy himself, but which had most recently also included himself. He was so convinced that he'd been able to convince Boyhard Hughes to swap places.

Boyhard, having been convinced of the danger that his newly acquired friends were in, assured Yaro that he could easily maintain the fiction of who was left in the residence. Boyhard had also taken the precaution of wearing his 'safe-suit' and arming himself just in case he needed to defend himself and his slave. And although he had miscalculated just how dangerous Yaro's enemies could be, he was fortunately saved by his own slave.

Though he still looked and even felt like a 12 year old, and a small one at that, Kalli was coming to recognize that his psi-abilities had been developing over the past year. It had been relatively easy to make the subtle adjustments to the electronic spying devices of those spying on them, and to project feelings of jobs well done to the people themselves, so that when he and his master had fled the estate, they'd convinced those spying on them that they were indeed the departing guests. Kalli had finally recognized that his best 'future' lie in this course of action. And he even surprised himself when he had been able to effect both instruments and people at such a distance.

The evening before, Kalli had become convinced that there were two things they had to do. He had spoken and acted with resolve and confidence. And persuasion. His master had followed his slave's recommendations. And it had been Boyhard Hughes who had provided them the means to do just that.

As he and his slave approached their destination, namely the space station above, Yaro Kwarto was noticing that his boy had become increasingly agitated. What he at first had attributed to the normal reaction to their haphazard flight and deviation from his normal regimen, Yaro was starting to believe that something much more serious was afflicting his normally carefree boy.

While Umak was attempting to engage his friend in a detailed reminiscence of their times in what they both called 'the facility,' and subsequent events detailing his own life with his new master, Kalli was becoming ever more distracted.

Umak was trying his best to engage his friend in a detailed account of just how his master had always taken him simply everywhere! Umak spoke with the breathlessness of a boy in an exciting adventure: "… And isn't this all so amazing, Nu? I bet before you became a slave, never in your wildest dreams would you have imagined living in such a fancy place, or riding into the sky on a Sky-hook, or flying in a space ship! Only the super rich travel from planet to planet! I bet you've never could have imagined such…"

Unfortunately, Kalli had difficulty right then in engaging in a conversation which under normal circumstances would have held his rapt attention. And provided him with the opportunity to describe his own tales of his life with his own master. And he thought with equal parts irony and humor, the revelation of just how Umak would have lost all those bets.

That was when Kalli, with his attention more on another conversation across from he and Umak, was brought to an even deeper disquiet. There was a subdued but heated disagreement between that scary woman, whose name he'd been told was Big Sue, and Umak's master, and it seemed to revolve around their specific destination.

Sue Ndamukong spoke with reason if not passion: "Look, Jake Jakempsky only wants to make sure the boy is safe. And he said to take the boy and his master to our own ship for an excellent reason. You know as well as I, that the Explorer IV would be a far better haven, and much more secure, than the Nomad."

Tan Keng Yam replied: "You know that, and I'm willing to be persuaded, but I am pretty certain that the boy and his master would be a hard sell. Yaro Kwarto has no reason to believe that this Jake Jakempsky can be trusted or that the Explorer IV is any better a haven that the Nomad. Besides, he does know that Boyhard Hughes, and the crew aboard his ship who are expecting them, can be trusted. How about using both ships? We can board the Nomad and the Explorer can accompany us to whatever destination we both believe to be safe?"

Sue added: "But we do know that our ship is better provisioned and better equipped to keep the boy safe, especially when we get to whatever destination we eventually head."

Keng Yam countered: "And you can be certain of this because? We now know that somehow there has been a leak. Someone knowing our destination at P'rernk has turned traitor or been bought. How do we know that traveling back in the Explorer IV is safe for anyone?"

Big Sue was not going to be deflected. Jake gave her his orders and she saw no compelling reason to disregard them.

Both Yaro Kwarto and his slave had no difficulty in listening in as the disagreement had gotten louder.

It was Yaro who was the first to interject a resounding veto. "It's all moot. Unless you force us at gunpoint, neither myself nor my slave will go anywhere but to Boyhard Hughes' ship. We know for certain that no one there is our enemy. And just why should we wait for this Jakempsky? My boy convinced me that you Keng Yam could be totally trusted. But Sue Ndamukong, just why should we trust you, and your judgment in this matter? It is quite evident that your team's mission has already been compromised."

Big Sue replied with calm assurance: "And we know just who has compromised it. I assure you that the situation is being rectified. The culprit will be dealt with."

Both boys had been listening to the debate. Umak, quite anxious, needed reassurance from his own master that all was well. He'd never before had known his master not to be in control of any situation. And he walked over to his master for both physical and verbal reassurances.

In a small voice, Umak asked: "Master, we going to be OK?"

Keng Yam, for once in his life, was a bit apprehensive. But wanted to reassure his boy. "Don't worry boy. We will go where your friend goes. And if Nu insists on the Nomad, that's exactly where we will go."

Big Sue again tried to reason with both Keng Yam and Yaro Kwarto, but was having little success. She was now contemplating using force to hold the boy Kalli captive to coerce compliance. That was until Kalli himself seemed to go ghostly pale and tightened his hands on his master's arms.

Yaro was suddenly alarmed. "Boy, what's the matter?"

"Master, no." A very frightened boy turned to face his master. "It's all bad if go with the big black woman. We can't go there!"

Pandemonium reigned for a while as everyone tried to have their say, and as Yaro had tried to explain just why they should listen to his slave.

Finally, Big Sue, who was more than physically imposing, but who had not risen to her rank and position with out having equal intelligence and an instinct for seeing what information could be critical, recognized that it had been Kalli's instincts which had so far kept he and his master safe. She also was considering the fact that Jakempsky's mission had already been compromised. And now she was bringing to mind that Kalli and his master had avoided the confrontation and possible disaster at his residence.

Big Sue inquired: "Please. We have only 20 minutes to resolve this impasse. Yaro Kwarto, please explain."

Yaro Kwarto did. All about his slave's psi-abilities and especially his ability for precognition when it involved his immediate future well-being.

Big Sue was almost ready to credit the validity of the slave's insistence on the nature of his gift but was still held up by one seemingly glaring obstacle.

Big Sue addressed the slave. "Boy. I mean Kalli, or Nu, or whatever name you go by. If, as you say, you have been guided by this ability, and if your psi-ability has been so accurate, then how come you are now a slave? It didn't seem to be able to have you avoid this eventuality."

Kalli looked to his master. "Master, may I reply?"

"Certainly boy."

The small slave stood, and with a small secretive smile announced not only to Big Sue, but also to all who were listening.

"Why do you assume that my being my master's slave is something that good fortune would have had me avoid?"

Big Sue was momentarily confused. It had never occurred to her, being from a planet which had vehemently outlawed all manner of slavery, under any guise, that the boy being made a slave could have been a positive event in the boy's life.

Before she could reply, the boy added: "I am totally happy with my situation and with my master. And with my life."

Big Sue, after a moment of deep reflection, and an instinct which had served her in the past, made a decision.

"OK. We head for the Nomad. Once aboard, having made all possible measures to ensure the boy's safety, I will then inform my boss. We will then decide whether we will wait for his return."

There were no objections. Even though Yaro Kwarto's initial judgment was for the Nomad to depart immediately upon their boarding.

Jake Jakempsky was not as phlegmatic over this decision as his security officer, Big Sue was.

"You what!? My express order was to…"

"Boss, you know as well as I that given new information, you would want me to use my best judgment. And this is it. And how about the Snake? Why not just dump him?"

Jake simmered for a while and then replied. "That bastard I personally want to see 'decommissioned'." [An expression in this context with a meaning similar to being 'dismissed with extreme prejudice.'] "We are already in cabin." [On their way up in the Sky-hook.] "And the Snake is under control. He will make no more trouble. But I still need to find out who his boss is. I want you to persuade this Yaro Kwarto to wait for our arrival."

Big Sue replied: "Understood boss."

Perhaps understood, but not necessarily achievable.

Jake was not a happy person. It would seem that even his most trusted allies seemed to be balking him. Even Cam was arguing Big Sue's cause.

"Look boss. We know that no one else knows about the Nomad as a possibly conveyance for the boy and his master. And I can assure you, after discovering this eventuality, the Snake sent no new missive to anyone off planet. Of this I, and my instruments, are certain. Can you say that absolutely no one else knows about the Explorer and its mission?"

Jake, flipped his mental coin, and gave out a much exasperated sigh. And asked His Majesty for his input.

Hister then made the observation: "Will the Nomad actually wait for us? It's all moot otherwise."

Jake, with still another hour before he and the remaining two members of his team could make station, made his decision.

"Hister, when we arrive on station, you will take our unconscious guest here [Gumper Snike] to the Explorer IV, make sure he remains sedated and secured, and bring him back to Salinus II. Only after both you and the Nomad have departed the station, will you contact Joan Dafne. And until you receive explicit instructions from me, you will make no reference to the Nomad. And you mention the whereabouts of Kalli to absolutely no one. Not even if the president of the Federation Alliance threatens you with the Abhore Mining Asteroid." [The Abhore Mining Asteroid was a maximum security prison in the Salinus system. And most feared even by career criminals.]

"And you boss?"

"I, and Cam, will board the Nomad. Hopefully."

Jake looked over to Cam: "Cam, get word to Big Sue now. And let's hope that this Yaro Kwarto can be persuaded. Otherwise we must be content on merely following the Nomad in the Explorer IV." And in a strained voice, Jake added: "And Big Sue had better have an overriding reason for her decision."

Perhaps he could salvage his mission after all. Jake again flipped his mental coin and sighed. He started to wonder if he'd have any career left by this time tomorrow.

He would, but he should have flipped that coin one more time. The Snake had several unusual abilities, and changing the chemical that he had been inoculated with was one of them. He had been conscious and listening the entire time. And planning.

It was a near thing. And only because Kalli's psi-lobe seemed not to offer any resistance to accepting Jake's plan. It was also a very good thing that the Nomad had not immediately disembarked.

The Nomad's crew, having been in contact with the owner of their ship, welcomed the party aboard and asked about time of departure. They then made plans for departure as soon as the additional two passengers, still mounting the Sky-hook, were aboard.

Both masters and slaves were soon ensconced in a nearly palatial stateroom – more a suite than a room – where all four were relaxed enough to actually engage in frivolous conversation.

Both Yaro and Keng Yam were detailing their experiences, and comparing notes on just how they had obtained their slaves.

It was Yaro who had also found the appearance of both Keng Yam and his slave Umak, at this time and place, too much for coincidence.

Yaro opined: "That your Umak and my Kalli, or the boy known to Umak as Nu, were in the exact same facility and sold on the exact same day, well that's a bit much!"

While Umak and Kalli, having shed every article of clothing so to make themselves more comfortable, were engaged in their own tête-à-tête, Keng Yam began explaining away the seeming coincidence.

"Besides being an occasional agent for the Omega Block, I am from time to time, also one of many 'lesser' agents put into commission by the Intelligence Branch of the Aligned International Navy which serves the world of Salinus II."

"They also had an overriding interest in the whereabouts of the missing heir. After all, his family controls more than 20% of the assets on that planet, not to mention their holdings on other worlds. And they were investigating a tenuous lead. Not one considered very probable, but a lead nonetheless. The Intelligence Branch decided to follow it up. It just so happened that a former shipmate of a not-quite properly licensed cargo vessel, which we later discovered had left Exilic III at just the right time frame and in the right location, had traded information to the authorities to help his own cause. He'd been arrested on an unrelated charge and had divulged that his ship had taken on a special 'human cargo container' which absolutely no one was allowed to get near. On penalty of loosing a very important portion of their anatomy. This person was trying to get out of his own mess with the law."

"But how does that lead to your role in all this?"

Keng Yam reached for his boy and interrupted his boy's conversation, as he fondled his boy's butt crack and jutting boner. The boy's sudden squeals seemed to lighten the mood.

Kalli then positioned himself onto his own master's lap and he too was rewarded another hand playing with his own boner.

Kang Yam continued: "A number of us were sent to investigate the boys who had been brought to the various slave conditioning facilities on Calfon II where that ship had landed and offloaded that very cargo container."

Yaro inquired: "But why should that have led them to even consider looking for a conditioned slave?"

"Well, under questioning, this worker mentioned that the cargo crate was destined for one of the slave conditioning facilities. But he knew nothing more. Naval Intelligence considered it a long shot but still decided to send several of us to investigate all six of the facilities on Calfon II."

Kang Yam pulled his compliant boy tight into his arms. His boy lost all interest in any conversation as he felt his master's finger seek out his poop hole.

But Yaro prompted him to continue.

Keng Yam pulled his attention back to his story and continued: "Just so happened I was sent to the place where indeed as it now turns out, Kalli Menhare Risenhour indeed been sent. Even if I never knew it until recently. Did you know that no one at that place actually knows the provenance of the boy's they sell, except noting their planet of origin? I had only coincidentally arrived there about four weeks before one of their boy sales. And as part of my cover had registered as a bidder. Do you know that they had me investigated? And I even had to go through a very invasive memory scan by one of their psychologist. They even discovered who I really was. But it didn't seem to matter to them. They only cared about discerning if I would be a good prospect as an owner of one of their boys."

At this acknowledgement, it was Kalli who exclaimed: "You mean that you didn't actually go there to get Umak?"

With a finger up his boy's butt, and several more on his engorged penis, Kang Yam made short work of bringing his precious boy to climax. A boy who seemed more interested in the wonderful feeling that was going through his body, than the news from his master that his becoming his master's boy was almost an accident.

Keng Yam continued: "That was the only part of this which was a coincidence. I had toyed with the idea of getting a boy for my own for quite some time, but up to then had done nothing about it. It was when I saw Umak in the catalogue and seen his resume, I decided that I couldn't pass up the opportunity. And later when our personality profiles indicated a great match, I gave the highest bid I could afford."

Umak, being patched back into the conversation, now hugged his master with energy. "My master couldn't resist me." And with a smiling laugh, he addressed his master. "Right master?"

"Right boy."

Keng Yam continued his expostulation: "And I had been gradually investigating every boy there who had arrived at about the right time. And when Jake Jakempsky offered me this commission, knowing that he wanted an expert in Conditioned Slaves, which I was even before buying my own boy here, I figured it might just dovetail with my own ongoing investigation."

At that moment, Big Sue gained entry into the stateroom and mentioned that she just received a message from her boss. They had just gained security passage into the station.

And at almost this same moment Kalli suddenly sat up and almost in a trance, intoned the letters and numeral: "XRT 2."

He then looked to his master and exclaimed with fear in his eyes. "Master, what's an XRT 2?"

It was Big Sue who was alarmed: "Boy, where did you get that missile designation?"

Kalli was now even more alarmed: "Missile? I don't know anything about missiles."

Big Sue walked to the boy and demanded: "Where did you come up with that designation?"

Kalli, not sure himself, spoke to his master: "Master, something's really wrong. I don't know why. But it has something to do with XRT 2. But I don't know what that means. I just know it."

Big Sue, however, did know exactly what that meant. It was the Omega Block's designation for the missiles it had in readiness aboard their Explorer class ships, but it was so secret, possibly only a dozen people knew of their existence. Which certainly should not have included a small slave boy.

With grave insistence, Big Sue addressed the boy's master. "Do you know how your boy knew that designation? This is of paramount importance."

At that moment both Jake and Cam entered the room. Big Sue hurriedly clued in her boss about what the boy had spoken. It was Jake who became immediately alarmed and took up the interrogation.

Yaro asked his boy to explain.

"Master," the boy was now almost in tears, "I don't know. I think I just heard that in my mind. Like someone was thinking it very hard. But I've never ever heard something from anyone's mind before. But I did now."

At that moment, Kalli trembled with a very uncharacteristic foreboding. He cried out almost in pain: "Master, it's all mixed up. There's something really bad happening…"

Then, as if his psi-talent had suddenly developed into an imposing presence, with a shudder, Kalli shrieked: "Master, help me! He's…" And then Kalli's body went rigid. Before he totally collapsed, he was able to whisper into his master's ear: "You have to cut off the snake's head."

Aboard the Explorer IV, things were not going so well for the good guys. And Snike was enjoying his moment of triumph. He could not stop his gloating even if only Hister Majensky was its recipient.

Hister Majensky, who had just moments before, brought Gumper Snike into the forward cabin of the Explorer IV, was suddenly alarmed when he discovered that his prisoner was no longer sedated. But his hand was never able to reach either his weapon or the control on his communicator which would have sounded the alarm.

Snike gloated: "You have all been fools! No one ever gave me credit but I am the most accomplished psi in the Federation! That sedative? I changed it into a harmless chemical. And now I'm blocking your own neural transmitters. And I will soon take control of the Nomad. You thought I didn't know of that ruse?"

Hister tried to give the Snake his most withering stare but he simply could not make his body respond. He was even having difficulty breathing.

Gumper Snike turned to the Captain of the Explorer IV, who had just entered the cabin, and who, unknown to Jake's team, was also unfortunately a part of the nefarious conspiracy.

Snike gave orders: "You will disembark when the Nomad does. And when that ship reaches minimum distance for a null-time jump, fire the missile. Then return to Salinus II with the prepared story. I have my own ship awaiting me. And this idiot I will have fun with. By the time I'm done with him he will parrot off any story I want."

"But commander." The captain of the Explorer IV addressed Gumper Snike. "What if the Nomad does not leave the station? The missile can only be fired safely in deep space, but before they engage null-time."

Snike smirked: "Idiot. You think I have not prepared for all contingencies? The Nomad's controls have been slaved to my own ship. I will be there in 10 minutes. I will make sure that the Nomad separates and departs a minute later. Follow. Before it gets to minimum distance for the null-time jump, fire the missile."

Snike then bound the unfortunate Hister onto a grav-sled and exited the Explorer IV for another ship which the leader of the conspiracy had provided him for such a contingency.

Meanwhile on the Nomad some unfortunate circumstances were soon revealed. Hister could not be hailed. Nor could the crew of the Explores IV itself. Jake had decided that what the boy had uttered, namely the company's designation for the missile, was dire enough not to allow the Nomad to disembark and try for null-time space.

He addressed the crew of the Nomad. "I have to believe that Snike somehow has gotten control of the Explorer IV. And the Nomad has no armament, nor any defense for the missiles aboard that same ship. Our only hope is to somehow stop the Explorer from leaving its mooring."

While various parties aboard the Nomad were discussing how best to proceed, it was Yaro who was totally concerned about his slave who seemed to be in some sort of coma.

He finally interrupted the heated discussion: "Kalli is not responding. If he dies, it's all for nothing. Isn't he the purpose of your mission? To keep him safe?"

A bewildered Umak was crying as all his coaxing for Nu to wake up failed. The only thing Yaro could ascertain was that somehow this Snike, whom he was informed was also a psi, had somehow caused what was happening with Kalli.

He continued: "No one seems to be considering what my boy whispered to me just before he collapsed. It had to mean something. What did he mean by us 'cutting off the snake's head'?"

It was Jake who replied: "The snake must mean Snike. Cutting off his head? I can't see how that can be accomplished."

Yaro commented: "It can't be meant literally. But you say this Snike is a psi. I would suspect we must somehow stop his interference with both this ship and specifically with Kalli."

This was discussed and the best anyone could come up with was somehow shielding the boy from any continuing psi-attack by Snike.

It was the ship's captain who made a suggestion. "The best shielding in the ship is along the conduit from the captured singularity and the engines. Maybe…"

Everyone almost acted at once. Yaro carried his boy into the shielded conduit at which time Kalli opened his eyes and started crying.

Kalli whispered to his master: "It was so terrible. I couldn't stop him. I had to close myself up. He tried to make me do things."

A relieved master clutched his boy with fierce passion. And his heart filled with retribution.

As Kalli explained what he'd discovered as the horrible other mind tried to control him, a plan was formulated.

Twenty minutes later, Gumper Snike had gained access to the other ship provided for him by his co-conspirators. After securing his captured enemy in a hold, he went to the bridge to confer with the captain.

"Commander Snike, the Nomad has separated and is ten minutes from entering null-time. The Explorer IV is tailing just behind. Any instructions?"

"No. Just keep passive sensors on both ships. I want to confirm the destruction of the Nomad."

About nine minutes later, long range sensors were just able to note the relatively small detonation. And only seconds later there was a much larger one.

"Commander, our sensors have picked up two detonations. I do not understand. Nor can I raise the Explorer IV."

Snike almost simpered as he addressed the captain. "We can't afford loose ends. I determined that we no longer needed it. Fewer mouths mean fewer leaks. Get clearance to leave the station and make best speed back to Salinus II. I would have liked to have attended to the boy and the insufferable Jakempsky personally, but I will have to content myself with contemplation of their deaths. And of course the torture of one of his men."

Fortunately for Jake Jakempsky, the boy Kalli had been able to determine exactly where this Gumper Snike had taken Hister Majensky and with his attention so focused elsewhere, was able to shield both Jake and Cam so that they could enter the ship unawares.

Jake decided that he could not take any chances. The Snake had proven himself entirely too capable. Before the Snake could entertain another thought, simpering or otherwise, Jake acted. Snake had taken no precautions against any energy weapons. He had considered himself invulnerable. Even as the small energy weapon in Jake's hand ended his life.

Jake and Cam then entered the small bridge. Only two more to handle. The Captain was not quite fast enough. Moments later the only member of the bridge crew still alive was easily persuaded to follow Snike's last command. But he would be taking Jake back to Salinus II instead of the Snake.

Later Hister was released and was quite grateful to be alive and well. Anxiously, Hister asked an all-important question: "Jake, please tell me that this had not been all for nothing."

"Not to worry, the boy is quite safe, and I suspect that by now he and his master are celebrating their survival."

Both Jake and Hister conjured up an image of a small naked preteen boy with a smile and a willing body. And a master who was quite possessive of his willing property.

Jake Jakempsky finally had the leisure to inform his superior of what had transpired. His message to Joan Dafne was short and concise, and to her ill-tempered dismay, missing entirely too much information.

The pulse message was quite concise: "Dear superboss. Some difficulties. Jamal still on P'rernk recovering from an injury sustained in firefight on P'rernk. Gaius Temper there in custody. Gumper Snike deceased. Both Temper and Snike involved in some conspiracy to kill the boy. The crew of the Explorer IV also complicit in same conspiracy. The boy is precisely whom you believed him to be. And he is definitely the conditioned slave of one Yaro Kwarto of P'rernk, in spite of having retained his full memory. He is safe for now. Will give full report upon my own arrival. Have fun dealing the B/R/D Board."

Slightly further outward from P'rernk, two very excited boys – lying side by side in their naked glory – were far along in their exchange of life stories.

The totally astounded Umak asked Nu (Kalli) in a high pitched voice: "You mean to say that you were rich? You even had your own servant?"

Kalli laughed as he elaborated: "I had more servants, tutors, aides, body guards, and other attendants than you can ever imagine. I had rooms full of clothing, and possessions. I was probably the richest boy on Salinus II."

"Wow! So now you're going to go back and be rich again?"

"Umak, would you swap your master for all the riches on Salinus II?"

Umak took only a moment to consider. "No."

An emotional boy looked momentarily towards his master as he gave a very heart felt affirmation. "Well neither would I."

And an only slightly drunk Tan Keng Yam was regaling Yaro Kwarto of his former exploits dealing with the seamier side of humanity as they sampled the better stores of the luxury ship.

Finally, after a good repast and an even better cognac, a very relaxed Keng Yam observed: "Just look at the oh-so proper Kwarto. A white slave boy, and now two trips off planet." In jest he added: "Your countrymen will disown you."

"All I need is my boy. I will perhaps use a new motto: 'Have boy, will travel'."

Both men smiled entertaining thoughts of just how they would soon be celebrating with their slaveboys.

Umak looked up as his master stood. With a running jump, Umak landed in his master's arms, his black skin quite prominent against his master's barely light brown.

Yaro Kwarto remarked to Kang Yam: "Strange isn't it? You are the master with the black slave."

A short while later, after retiring to their own stateroom, Umak tittered as his master made a valiant effort to stop the metronome that was now the boy's 3 inch [7.6 cm] penis. He addressed his master: "I told Nu that I'd be makin' my master have more 'gasms tonight than he could make his master have. I bet I can beat him."

Kang Yam smiled at his boy's presumption.

In another stateroom, Kwarto grabbed his own boy by his stiff 4 inch [10.1 cm] appendage and remarked more to himself than his boy: "Tonight is my boy's night. I plan on breaking his previous record."

Kalli wondered if he were really up to it. His record was really big!

Kalli also thought about his increasing psi-abilities which had allowed him to discover just what had been tampered with in the Nomad, and had later 'fixed' the missile fired at them to explode harmlessly in another area of space. And had allowed the other missile to explode while still in the Explorer's missile bay. And with a new understanding of mind shields garnered from his enemy's own mind, he had equipped Jake with a shield which allowed him to take the Snake unawares.

And with his somewhat strengthened abilities, Kalli aimed a good hearted parting mental smirk at his friend: "Umak, you will loose." And he smiled quite ingenuously, and added: "But probably not by much."

Big Sue Ndamukong was thinking about the parting instructions from her boss. "Don't allow that boy out of your sight. His well being is in your hands."

As she heard the high pitched squeals from the boy as his master was carrying him into the next stateroom, she decided not to take her bosses' words too literally. She was into men a little older. And when possible, even bigger than herself.

Chapter 9
The Law is Not Blind, It's Just Stupid

In a certain relatively modest office in a luxury suite of offices, in an equally lavishly constructed bock of office buildings on Salinus II, a very secure null-time com had received a nano-pulse, too short to allow any possibility of interception.

The furious but outwardly well controlled recipient of the message refrained from hurling the instrument of bad news over the balcony where it would have crashed to its destruction 98 stories below. Paused in thought for some time, plan B took shape in the convolutions of her brilliant mind. But this time she would have a full-proof contingency plan, which she thought of plan C. All it had taken was a little research. And she laughed aloud in her sound-proof, spy-proof office, as she contemplated the ramifications of her 'plan C.' And the irony that in its entirety it was all legal! They would allow the 'law' to win the day for them if plan B were not successful. As she continued to think about it, she even started to hope that 'plan B' would fail.

This time, a secure real time voice-only call was made to her principal. This person made several comments and a slightly modified plan B was approved, along with plan C in the event that plan B did not succeed. His reply came along with a very subtle threat if this time both proved unsuccessful. Just in case he would have to activate plan C, he sent a secure message with instructions to a confederate who had infiltrated the upper echelons of what remained of the Menhare Risenhour clan.

As the contact was closed, the woman could only envision her successful future. Her immensely wealthy and power-hungry future. The only thing which had disturbed her complete equanimity was the fact that somehow a superior psi in her personal service had somehow been thwarted.

At an extravagantly expensive private resort in the White Towers back on P'rernk, Boyhard Hughes was continuing his recuperation. Along with that of his cute slaveboy.

Feonty had not been quite as much fun during his I-will-never-again-cause-trouble phase. Boyhard truly enjoyed the battle of wills and wits which usually played out between them. This had been somewhat missing while his boy had been making a concerted effort to quell his 'rebellious' streak. But fortunately, over just the past couple of days, Boyhard was very happy to note that his irascible 'Trouble' was nearly back to normal. (Or as normal as he could get).

It was now a full 10 days since 'Trouble' had made himself known to the P'rernk media, and he had made himself known to the P'rernk justice system. And although he was in fact quite impressed by the usually quite forthright system of laws governing the provinces and countries of this enlightened planet, he was also happy to note that even on P'rernk, sufficient money can make some legal problems 'go away.'

Although he was quite surprised when he eventually discovered that his proffered bribe had in fact been 'legal'!

He remembered the somewhat strange repartee between himself and the judge's assistant just four days ago. He had made sure that said assistant was well acquainted with his wealth, even if mostly off-planet, his resources, his contacts, and his willingness include the judge in his vague plans of including the judge in any of his future remunerative investments on P'rernk itself.

Umak was squirming a bit on the seat next to him, totally clothed and even with face and hands 'out of sight.' Even his mocha brown coloring was not enough to offset the racial bias in this culture. Boyhard too had dressed quite conservatively, and did what he was quite good at, imply things without every actually saying them.

He addressed the surprisingly unpretentious and forthright assistant. "And the invitation to the judge's gathering tomorrow evening?"

"Of course Mr. Boyhard. And in fact, I will also make certain that bringing your…boy, will be absolutely no problem. But you will be on your own once you gain the judge's ear."

As the assistant spoke, two small electronic data cubes exchanged hands. The one from Boyhard contained the number of an unregistered credit account. The bribe was generous but not profligate. The cube which he himself acquired had the electronic confirmation of his invitation.

Boyhard spoke: "It has been a pleasure Mr. Samuel (the name of the assistant) doing business."

"Think nothing of it, Mr. Hughes. I assure you that everything is well within the bounds of legal propriety."

Immediately upon gaining their leased aircar, Feonty gladly divested himself of his uncomfortable garments – with permission of course.

"Master," a bemused Feonty addressed his mostly recovered master, "what does 'legal propriety' mean?"

As Boyhard sifted through his conversation with the judge's assistant, he started wondering himself.

With a bemused expression on his own face, Boyhard replied: "Trouble, in this case I am not quite sure."

And as the automated vehicle returned them to their temporary residence, Boyhard grabbed his now naked boy and added: "Boy, how about pretending that you are my sex slave?"

Feonty regarded his master with a slightly puzzled look, but nonetheless, he most willingly 'obeyed.' He even momentarily disregarded the prospect of again wearing those stifling clothes during their upcoming 'visit' to the judge's house that next evening.

Thus it was just three days ago when Boyhard found himself in the only slightly more than modest home, sitting on a comfortable chair in the well appointed study of the very judge who was to hear the case of his ownership of an illegal weapon and of his slave's use of said weapon.

After the usual civilized blandishments, both judge and 'accused' got down to 'business.'

But it was the judge who started off with a surprising admission.

"Mr. Hughes, I find it unfortunate that legally, you would find no place in the everyday business dealings on our beautiful planet. If not for your most unfortunate racial heritage, I believe that you would have fit in admirably. My assistant was impressed by both yourself and your boy. He stated that your bribe was both graciously offered and perfectly sized."

Boyhard took his hand away from his boy' anatomy, and regarded his host with a different respect. He adjusted his 'approach' accordingly.

He now spoke bluntly for such a situation. "It would greatly facilitate my dealings on this planet if I did not have the burden of this unfortunate charge against me."

"No doubt. And I definitely commiserate. Let me elucidate. One, there is the actual presence of the weapon, and two its discharge. By law you are responsible for your slave's actions in this case."

Feonty looked at his master with a real measure of anxiety. The judge, a perceptive individual, noticed this immediately.

"May I address your boy?"

"Of course, your honor."

The judge chuckled. "Under the circumstances, just call me Sam."

He shifted a bit towards the boy who was trying his best to sink into the recesses of the huge overstuffed chair. "Don't worry boy. I am quite certain that your master will leave here tonight in cheerful spirits."

To Boyhard he continued: "I have made myself sufficiently familiar with your history and business acumen. Twenty thousand Federation credits should be enough. Along with the assurance that any future investments you may make on P'rernk, you will give me an option to be included."

Boyhard smiled. "I am very happy to have done business with you. I will be now in a mind to truly enjoy the remainder of the evening and you continued hospitality."

It was only later, when Boyhard Hughes made himself better acquainted with P'rernk 'law,' that he came to recognize that this kind of 'business' was quite the 'rule' if not specifically spelled out in the 'law.' And in fact most of the 20,000 will have even fond its way into several funds to help the less fortunate in the judge's district.

Back to the present and from the high balcony in his opulent quarters, Boyhard Hughes was looking out at the glaciers and mountain crags marching up the deeply incised valley below the majestic Mt. Zen'nik. The spectacular vista quite captured Boyhard attention and momentarily deflected it away from his own delectable boy for moments at a time. Especially after Feonty had yielded himself to his master's own spire quite a few times since coming back from their delicious repast at the resort's formal dinning room. Feonty only complained a few times about the necessity of his actually wearing clothes when venturing forth from their rented quarters.

The boy, who was also recovering, but from a different kind of attack, climbed onto his master's ample lap and engaged in his usual past time – testing the bonds of his servitude, and making sure that his master was truly enjoying life.

"Master, we going up in the big tram tomorrow?"

Several of the towers holding aloft the cables of the tram could be seen as they dwindled into the distance on the southern ridge.

"Absolutely. It travels all the way to the top. These are possibly the most magnificent mountains in the Federation."

"Possibly, Master?"

"Well, the Thrones of the Gods of Ponder III can rival them in some respects, and I've only seen holos of old earth's Himalayas, but I suspect that one's memory can never do justice to the actual sight."

"Yes master."

Boyhard knew his boy very well. And allowed him lapses in strict slave protocol that other master's might have taken him to task for. But he didn't care. Both he and his boy were enjoying life. And Boyhard was starting to feel a measure of caring for other people he'd not given much thought to before. His boy gave of himself almost entirely. He decided that he too could start giving.

But as he remembered some specifics of their past day, Boyhard gave expression to a devilish smile and without preamble, picked up his squirming boy by a foot and dangled him over the sill of his force-screen window. Feonty screamed as he suddenly felt the icy cold of the blowing snow against his naked body. And he tried to remember just what offense he had been guilty of this time. Or more precisely, which one his master had remembered. He hoped it was only one.

Feonty shrieked: "Master please, I won't be able to pee for a month."

"Boy, what exactly did you say to that waiter this morning that had him so annoyed?"

"Please master, my mouth is too cold to answer."

Boyhard smiled at his boy obvious subterfuge. "Trouble, my hand is starting to slip."

Feonty looked down, and though the porch extended a good 10 feet [3 m] outward, immediately below him was about a five foot [1.5 m] drift. Enough to engulf his entire body. And snow was very cold.

"Master, nothing important. Just that if he didn't service us better, you would buy the place and fire him. I was only trying to help."

Boyhard pulled in his boy through the screen and tossed the mound of shivering boy onto the warmed bed.

"No fair master, I was within my slave protocols." Well sort of.

"And what did you do to that other boy, the one in line for the tram?"

Feonty smiled at the memory. "But he told his mom that we should be at the back of the line. 'Cause we weren't black. And the snow ball I threw wasn't that big."

"Trouble, I was thinking. I wonder if I can get my money back. A defective slave boy."

Feonty gasped and started to beg profusely. "I promise master, I promise. No more trouble ever again."

Boyhard started laughing. His boy had been so meek and well mannered for far too long since the little 'trouble' at Kwarto's estate. Finally he was getting back to his normal 'trouble' self. Boyhard was pleased to have his boy back.

As his master gained the bed and took control of his small body, Feonty realized he'd been had. "Really mean master."

"Trouble, I just wanted my old boy back. Please don't change one speck."

Feonty made real sure that night to ride his master's prong exactly the way he liked, and to lick all the places which really turned his master on. Later that night, as he was about to fall to sleep, snuggled up to his own mountain, Feonty was wondering just how he could finagle a trip to old earth's Himalayas. It was only for his master's benefit after all. So his master could match the White Towers to earth's highest mountains to gain a real comparison. He sure hoped his master would be getting his ship back soon.

Boyhard himself, only after a long and satisfying congress with his portion of the universe's 'trouble,' thought about the several recent slights he and his boy had encountered because of this society's racial bias. He decided to look into the legal aspects of extracting a certain measure of retribution. Of course, a retribution softened by his new outlook on life. Certainly, he would do nothing his boy would not approve of. But what's the point of being a billionaire of you could not have fun now and then?

Boyhard also wondered just what could be happening aboard his ship, the Nomad.

At that exact moment, aboard the small but luxurious craft called the Nomad, there were several discussions underway among, and concerning, the varying members of the three man crew, the one 'cabin boy,' and its five passengers.

The passengers currently included Yaro Kwarto and Tan Keng Yam, their slaveboys, Kalli [Nu] and Umak, along with Sue Ndamukong, the remaining member of Jake Jakempski's team. All of whom had been making good use of the respite afforded them by the leisurely (and lavish) travel to Salinus II. Although the ship could easily have made the trip in a much shorter time, their planned trip would take 19 days. Communications with Jake Jakempsky and Cam aboard the much smaller and slower ship, The Turbulent, having taken control of the ship from the Snake [Gumper Snike] and her crew, allowed a plan to be devised which would hopefully provide Kalli a reasonable chance of survival, at least for the foreseeable future. A major portion of this plan was only conceived after the small (and rested) slaveboy had convinced his master that his psi-precognitive ability seemed to indicate this to be the best strategy for their immediate future.

Neither liked it very much, but it was the only viable plan that they could come up with.

Kalli was quite mournful as he foresaw the loss of freedom.

"Master I know this may sound somewhat strange, but I feel like I can't be me anymore if I have to stay with my family and their entourage on Salinus II, but I can see no other immediate future that has a better outcome."

Yaro sort of chuckled at his slave's use of the word "freedom."

"You're a slave, you know boy? I've been ordering you about for over a year. And I like doing it. Perhaps you meant something different?"

The naked boy cuddled into his master's currently naked body. "Master, I think it may be counter-intuitive but that's what it feels like. That me and you won't be as free to be who we are. And what we are to each other."

Yaro looked with infinite fondness at his naked boy. A boy who engendered within him the greatest measure of lust and an equal measure of affection.

Yaro had to admit that it was the idea of having a boy for sex which had first attracted him to the prospect of owning a boy on a permanent basis. The idea of having an actual slaveboy, one who would thrive with a master, and with that master as a sex partner, had struck a chord in his heart when he'd first seen an advertisement about such, while in university. And though the practice on his home planet was legal in all of its sovereignties, it had stayed only a fantasy until he'd become quite wealthy in his occupation. He was basically an architect, but with his partner, his company also owned several businesses and manufacturing real estate which flourished almost in spite of his own lack of skill in regards to business. He had handled the architectural and even the on site restructuring, while his partner had handled the business aspects. And though he and his partner were not close friends, they worked very well together.

But now, ten days after their precipitous exodus from P'rernk, Kalli and his master were again discussing was the two billion credit reward concerning the boy's safe return.

Yaro expressed his opinion as he almost reflexively fondled his boy' immature genitals, lightly fingering the small stiff shaft.

"I'm still somewhat skeptical. I know that this Jakempsky person claimed that the way the reward had been worded and filed with the Federal Over-governmental Attorney General's office, that a short hearing before one of the Federal judges on Salinus II should allow me to make a perfectly valid, even if only partial claim, to the two billion reward. But it all still seems too improbable. Though I have to admit I have thought about it a time or two."

Kalli was now starting to understand exactly why he'd have that momentary flash of psi-precognition back at that resort in the White Towers.

Barely able to control his building arousal to think coherently he was finally able to respond: "But master, why improbable? You are in fact doing exactly what the reward addressed. Even more. You're returning me." And with a small giggle, Kalli added: "Just wish I could walk out in front of the entire Board totally naked!" "And with my boner leading the way," he thought to himself.

Yaro still had serious misgivings. The law on Salinus II, as well as that of the Federal Alliance, was quite different from that back on P'rernk. It had very little to do with justice, and usually favored those with the larger bank account. It was largely an adversarial system with the emphasis on adversaries. He knew that Salinus II was a full member of the Federal Alliance and was thus required to adhere to Federal law concerning the possession of slaves. And although no government on Salinus II would be required to automatically accede to the legalities binding both owner and slave on P'rernk, there was binding precedent allowing the laws of an owner's home world to be used if and when any slave-owner 'association' would happen to be referred to Civil Court.

Yaro was also a bit worried about his boy's safety in spite of the precautions being made by that Jakempsky along with his Omega Block. He broke from his musings when Kalli gave out a sharp yelp. He had almost subconsciously inserted several fingers well into his boy's rear entryway.

"Just remember boy. You might still consider yourself my slave, but I'm quite certain that no member on that Board, nor any member of your family, even if they are only distant relatives, will consider you as such."

Kalli was also not quite as sanguine with the plan as he made out. But it seemed the only way he could be kept safe. There was still someone out there wanting him gone. And most likely being backed by his cousin who still held some sway with many members of the Board even if he was relegated (for the time being) to the background. And most notably, every other plan which was discussed and considered seemed to be warned off by his psi-ability.

The somewhat relaxed atmosphere aboard the ship as it now made its last null-time jump into the Salinus system seemed to belie the seriousness of the mission itself.

Though the crew of the Nomad officially included three commissioned and duly licensed individuals who handled the ship, its navigational computers, along with all communications and other necessary duties required to run such a vehicle, – though truth be told, the computers did most of the real 'work' – it fell largely to the 'cabin boy,' to see to the needs of any passengers. And although all meal prep and most of the clean up was all automatic, there was still enough to keep the boy suitably 'out of trouble' as he catered to the needs of the those now currently enjoying the remarkably luxurious passenger habitat areas – three suites of rooms, two dinning rooms, three entertainment areas, and indicative of just how sybaritic the ship was, a full water bathing facility available to all guests on a daily basis.

Though members of the crew had their normal duties to perform, large portions of their time was free to pursue their own private concerns as well as mix in with the passengers. There was little formality. Though the crew got along quite well with the unusual 'guests,' they admitted amongst themselves that they were looking forward getting back to their normal routine. And even though their boss was eccentric enough to boarder on 'bonkers,' he was at least a very accommodating and generous boss. They all agreed that they would be very happy to see (figuratively speaking) Salinus II in their rear viewport.

That is not to say that interaction among crew and passengers were at all 'uncomfortable' for either crew or passenger. Or cabin boy.

It was on the first full day after the Nomad had left orbit around P'rernk, when one of the passengers, notably Sue Ndamukong, noted that there was something definitely very 'different' about the ship's cabin boy, as he quite cheerfully went about his 'chores' making sure that all the passengers were well provided for. Now that she was well rested and back to her normal observant self, she started observing. All of the crew had been quite accommodating even if their association with the ship's passengers more formal and somewhat limited. But Coffe (pronounced like the rare drink) the name he used to introduce himself, made himself quite available and useful. He was also a continual source of anecdotal information, enlivening all discussions.

And to Big Sue, he seemed entirely 'too much.' Exactly how he was 'too much' Sue was trying to figure out. For one thing, the boy seemed much too competent and mature for a mere 12 or 13 year old – the boy's apparent age. And although Sue had been wondering about the boy for much of the previous 24 hours, it was when the boy replied to her in an almost perfectly unaccented dialect of her native Bantu, a language almost no one today spoke, when she became fascinated. The boy, about 5 feet [1.5 m] nothing, and perhaps less than ¼th her own weight, had the features and skin color of a fairly typical member of one of today's out-planets. His light brown skin and even delicate features showed almost nothing of an old earth black African. And although 'dusky with even duskier highlights,' he seemed perhaps more Oriental than anything else.

Sue addressed the boy: "You speak Ngemba? You have family from old earth North Africa?"

The boy laughed, out of delight rather than disparagement. "I'm from the Bright Colony on Ponder III. Never been to earth, though perhaps I might get to see it sometime. Especially if I stay with my current master."

By this time even all eyes – which included Kalli and Umak along with their master's – were on the boy, when Sue burst out with: "Another slave!? What's this universe coming to?"

Then a voice from the entryway, added a startling detail: "Not a slave; you have to be legally a human to be so considered."

All heads swiveled to the crew member who had joined in the discussion. It was the youngest member of the crew, the one from Ponder III.

Sue looked back to the cabin boy. "Not human!" Then things clicked. "Oh Triumphant Discord! Bright Colony! You're a cyborg!"

The boy smiled. And interjected: "I prefer to think of myself as an augmented human."

It was Umak who interjected a question which helped to lighten up the atmosphere: "You do sex stuff too?"

The boy seemed never to take offense at anything: "I will let my owner reply."

Kalli started to ask: "How can…"

But he was interrupted by then young officer, who had been previously introduced as the ship's computer/communications expert, explained.

"It's because of the crazy legal system on Ponder III. The Bright Colony, more than 200 years ago started experimenting with human-computer interfaces. After many decades, through gene-splice and eugenics, they produced kids whose brains could be interfaced with a computer. But it had to happen very early on in their childhood."

The boy spoke up. "My first interface occurred when I was 4 years old. My final augmentation occurred when I was 12. There is a very sophisticated computer fitted into my skull. I can access over 200 languages and dialects, and information available to earn more than 30 doctorates. I am also quite knowledgeable in the histories of most of the Federation Alliance worlds. But it takes time and effort to be able to access all this information. It took me several hours last night to learn Bantu. Most of my education consisted of sort of learning what's already in my memory. My schooling lasted more than 14 years. But there's still a lot of information in me that I can not yet draw upon yet."

"But you can't be more than a teenager."

Coffe laughed: "Because of my genetic background, I will never look much older than I do now even though I'm 21. That's 22 earth years."

It was Yaro who asked the obvious question: "But so what? How can you not still be considered human?"

The officer replied: "I said not legally a human. In almost every measurable way, Coffe here is indeed human. But the political, and more importantly, the religious leaders of Ponder III found themselves quite challenged by the relatively few successful augmented humans and more importantly, they feared them. You see, because of how they learned as they matured, Coffe here, along with the other successful cyborgs, grew up without any belief system. At an early age, they were totally immune to any kind of propaganda. In this respect they are almost totally rational."

At the still confused faces fronting them, it was Coffe himself who explained. "They feared any of us becoming any part of their political system which in all cultures so totally depends on being able to sway the beliefs of those whom they would want to control. So soon after the first cyborg was raised, the law on Ponder III classified them as non-human. We became the property of those who had produced us. Technically I'm on a long term lease to Officer Macaully here as a certified 'Companion-Catamite.' It's the most fun I've ever had."

Yaro then asked: "So now you can be declared human, away from Ponder III?"

"Well no. Not so long as I stay within the Federal Alliance sphere of influence. Legally, Macaully is responsible for anything I do, nor am I legally allowed out of his control. There is a chip in the computer in me which makes me incapable of making any significant decision which countermands my legal constraints. So in effect I'm more a slave than even your boy."

"And before you ask the next obvious question, I would not be able to function without the computer to which I am connected."

It was Umak who asked the next question: "Master, what's a catamite?"

Sue exploded, even if in a sort of friendly way: "Damn! I'm among a bunch of pedos and their sexslaves!"

It was eventually discovered that Macaully and Coffe had been childhood friends. And the long term lease was one way where members of the Bright Colony were able to at least partially do an end-run around the oppressive laws of Ponder III.

It was later that night when Coffe snuggled up to his 'owner' and offered: "So I'm your sexslave, huh? I can translate that into 200 languages of you want."

Macaully pulled the slight body of Coffe into his strong grasp. "Enough of your erudition. Get to the slave part."

After more than two weeks of travel, and another day to coordinate with arrangements being made (hopefully, since there was an absolute communications black out) by Jake Jakempsky, two of the passengers made ready for their debarkation onto a small shuttle which would take them to the secure roof-top shuttle pad of the tallest building in the ultra secure section of an ultra modern city in a tax haven city on the southern continent of Salinus II.

Though the planet boasted two Sky-hooks, allowing for much cheaper and statistically safer transportation on and off planet, than a private or public shuttle, it was decided for the sake of security that Kalli and his master would make 99.9% of the trip via a near space shuttle. Direct from the Nomad to the roof of the building, and then down two floors to the Board Room of the Bandenburg-Risenhour Dominium. Their arrival was timed to coincide with a scheduled meeting of the full Board. All necessary security codes had been obtained and Joan Dafne had arranged for extra security personnel to make sure the boy and his master made their way without incident to the meeting unannounced.

Gladno Partup, still the head of the Board, would be getting much more than an audio pip from his ear bud, or an icon lighting up on his virtual com screen.

The morning before the meeting, a tearful Umak had made his temporary goodbye to his friend, who he kept insisting on calling by his slave name, Nu. Their respective masters allowed them a considerable time alone of course with one proviso, neither could touch the other's genitals. Strictly the property of their respective masters.

And though Kalli recognized the necessity to be fully clothed as he addressed the Board, he chaffed at the necessary concession to propriety.

Their landing was made without incident. Several security personnel expedited their entry into the building and the small entourage made their way to the large portal of the elevator which would take then down to the Boardroom. This portal was in fact a quite sophisticated security measure, containing a complete sensor array to detect all manner of weapons or other unwanted contrivances. Both Big Sue and Jake Jakempsky, whose ship had rendezvoused with the Nomad the day before, had preceded Kalli and his master through the portal when Kalli stopped short and gave out a near breathless moan.

"No. Something's very wrong! There's something very bad here!"

Joan Dafne, along with two other member's of Jake's team, who were bringing up the rear, were instantly on the alert. Joan turned to a technician and inquired: "You swept the area?"

"Yes boss. I can guarantee there is nothing here. Totally safe."

Joan, with exasperation written on her face, attempted to urge the boy on. "Kalli, I assure you there is no danger here."

Kalli, however, was quaking in fear. He pointed to the portal. "It's that thing. Of I go past it, I see no future."

Jake, thinking furiously, turned to his own people.

"Sue, you and Cam, take Kalli and Kwarto back to the shuttle. Take them to our alternate destination. Hister, you get whoever and whatever you need, and take that portal apart down to the molecular level if necessary."

Joan tried to intervene but Jake would brook no interference. "Boss. There have been too many leaks. I will not put the boy at further risk."

After much confusion and contention, eventually events proceeded at Jake's directions. Joan finally acquiesced to the logic and persuasion of Jake's position and allowed him to proceed.

Four hours later, Kalli and his master were ensconced at the main residence of the Risenhour family. Kalli was barely able to feel at 'home' in his former abode. Fortunately, after all the doting and fawning, Kalli was able to escape his former coterie of care givers. And found a measure of safety and contentment as he barricaded himself with his master in his former apartment.

"Master, it's worse than I imagined. I am no longer the boy who lived here more than a year ago. I so want to leave."

Kwarto did his best to distract his slave. "Tomorrow will take care of itself. For now you will attend to your master's needs."

Kalli smiled: "Yes master."

Jake received the call in his office. Hister gave him some very disturbing news. "Jake, we found a very sophisticated weapon integrated into the sensor array. It was in fact attuned to a very precise body conformation of the boy. Only he would trigger the device. If he had passed through the portal, he would have received a lethal dose of gamma radiation. He would no doubt have been dead within 36 hours. This had to have been the work of someone with access to the area, knowledge of our arrival, and a whole lot of money."

Jake tossed his mental coin again and seethed with anger. There was only one person who could have arranged this latest attack. But he was powerless to do anything about it.

"Hister, I am sure you know who had to nave been responsible. For the time being, only security personnel, personally vetted by myself and our small team, will be given access to the boy."

"Boss. You as well as I know there will be another attack. I'm not sure there is a place on the planet where we can keep the boy safe for any length of time."

"As much as I am loathe to depend on something as erratic and inconsistent as psi-ability, I suspect we must now depend on the boy himself to alert us to potential dangers."

Unknown to many of the principals involved, Plan C was put in motion that very evening. And even though Kalli and Yaro would now have powerful allies in the guise of Jake Jakempsky and his team, they would seem powerless under the circumstances. And unfortunately, for both Kalli Menhare Risenhour and Yaro Kwarto the very next day they will become fully cognizant of the forces aligned against them.

Upon awakening – Kalli in the arms of his master and lover – a very loud intrusion made it way into the interior of the haven of Kalli's bedroom. The first person they saw was Sue Ndamukon, part of Kalli's now ongoing security team, who appeared to be livid with both anger and even worse, total frustration.

"Sorry boss, I have to warn you. Though what we can do, I do not know. There are officials from the Federation Over-government at this very moment making their way here. We could not stop them. Apparently they are here to take possession of Kalli."

At this pronouncement, Kalli stood, and seemingly in the throws of some kind of heightened awareness, he faced his master and very quietly but with feverous emotion spoke: "Master, I must be separated from you for now. This must happen. But you must follow, and you must do so in the Nomad."

At just that moment it was Joan Dafne who led two Federation officials into the inner chamber. Jake Jakempsky, in a barely containable furor, trailed behind.

One of the officials was the first to speak: "We have a warrant to take possession of one Kalli Menhare Risenhour who will be taken to Exilic III where he is to be presented in the Inter-governmental Superior Court of the Honorable Glenda Burnside for adjudication of a Civil Tort presented to said court concerning the illegal conditioning of one Kalli Menhare Risenhour and consequent illegal purchase of said boy by one Yaro Kwarto of Pern, Mendala Province, P'rernk."

Yaro stood there totally stunned. He looked toward his boy with a questioning look. "Kalli, you didn't see this coming?"

A furious Jake turned to his boss and exclaimed in a low threatening voice: "It's been you all the time! Hasn't it? It could only have been you. All along. Why? I respected you."

Joan Dafne smiled, her face seemingly contorted in a rictus indicative of her cruel treachery. In a voice filled with triumphant satisfaction, she replied: "Poor Jake. Of all people you should know. There are only winners and losers. I aligned myself with the winners."

Sue looked to her boss: "We can fight our way out of this Jake. The Nomad is still in orbit."

It was now Kalli, who seemed too calm considering the circumstances. "No! I must go with them." He then hugged his master and quietly spoke to him. "Master, you must follow in the Nomad. That is critical."

Sue wanted so much to physically remove the smirk of triumph from the face of Joan Dafne.

Yaro Kwarto stood and faced the two officials. "I know of no Civil Tort."

The other official presented Yaro Kwarto with a thick legal document: "You have been officially served." She then elucidated: "Either yourself, or a lawful representative, must present themselves to the Superior Court of the Honorable Glenda Burnside on Exilic III, if you wish to present a defense in this Civil Tort."

Yaro barely looked at the papers presented to him. To see an actual written document, instead of an electronic missive, was a rare occurrence.

Yaro, still in shock, asked the official: "Who is making this accusation?"

The official replied: "Kako Menhare Risenhour the fourth. He has been correctly deemed to have standing before the court."

Five weeks later, (amazingly fast for such cases), the Honorable Glenda Burnside made her determination. One Yaro Kwarto was legally stripped of the ownership of the slave, one Kalli Menhare Risenhour. Boykind, Inc., operating from a license obtained on Exilic III, forfeited all moneys obtained in the boy's sale. The boy himself, still deemed a slave and thus property, was confiscated by the courts.

The Honorable Glenda Burnside then made a final pronouncement. "It is deemed by this court that one Kalli Menhare Risenhour be transported to the National Police holding facility in Demarkus Province, Exilic III, where he will be prepared for auction. Any moneys raised will first be used to defray court costs. The remainder will be distributed in accordance with the laws of Exilic III."

A shocked Yaro Kwarto watched in total shock and despair as his boy was marched out of the court in the company of the court officials. A triumphant Kako Menhare Risenhour the fourth was looking on.

Chapter 10
Good vs. Evil

No participant may benefit from a felonious departure from law and/or legal custom.

Since the Tort brought against Boykind, Inc. of Exilic III (and naming Yaro Kwarto as a co-defendant) by Kako Menhare Risenhour in behalf of his 'beloved' cousin, originated in one of the Superior Courts of Salinus II, but involving a breach of law on Exilic III, and since both were signatories to the current Federation Alliance of Worlds, the case was by custom referred to the Over-government of that Alliance. Who (with unusual dispatch) re-assigned the case to the Superior Court of Exilic III, where the alleged breach of law and custom had originated.

Kalli Menhare Risenhour, aka Nu, former slave to Yaro Kwarto, was immediately placed into the usual transport belt and restraints. If an outsider had been allowed to have witnessed the concluding moments of the proceedings, he would have been quite shocked at the incongruity of seeing a small boy being led away in chains while a malevolence-visaged man freely looking on with glee.

Kalli's boy-slender wrists were placed into cuffs attached to the back of a wide belt and locked down. Shackles, joined by a short attached chain, encircled his slender ankles. And much to his dismay, it was the clothing he was forced to wear which caused him his greatest discomfiture. Tears streaked his young face as his heart was close to breaking seeing the misery on the face of his (former) master. He dearly wished he could send his (former) master a mental message: "Be brave master, we will be reunited."

Now if only he could be brave himself. But it was so very hard with his 12 year old emotions.

Yaro Kwarto could not understand how such an outcome be called justice. Supposedly, the case had been based on the fact that Kalli had been wrongly kidnapped and wrongly forced to have undergone the modifications, conditioning, and training in becoming a life-long sex-slave.

Yaro Kwarto had hired the best legal talent available on both Salinus II and Exilic III. (Quite fortunately his petition to the B/R/D Board for the reward money concerning the "information leading to the safe return" of Kalli Menhare Risenhour had been honored (he was deemed worthy of a 0.55 % share of the 2 billion offered) and the lawyer whom he had hired to make the claim and expedite the financial arrangements had only taken a 0.05 % share, leaving Yaro Kwarto a billionaire. And fortunately, this money was received soon enough to retain the services of the above legal talent.

Unfortunately, the legal talent had not been able to either allow Yaro Kwarto to retain possession of his slave, nor, with this eventuality, been able to persuade the court that then the boy, one Kalli Menhare Risenhour, should regain his full Salinus II citizenship. It had been argued that although Kalli had been kidnapped illegally, the case before the court did not have jurisdiction in that matter. Only in the boy's illegal conditioning and consequent sale. And although it had been proven to the court's satisfaction that Kalli had indeed been illegally conditioned and sold, the ONLY matter before the court was the fact if the boy's illegal conditioning and sale.

"OK, what can we do now?" The grief stricken Yaro Kwarto balefully inquired of his high priced lawyers.

Yaro Kwarto and his small coterie of distinguished lawyers and paralegals were ensconced in the opulent law offices of the firm, Bish, Bash, Bash, and Clash, one of the most honored and revered of the old, OLD, law firms of Exilic III. Accompanying Yaro, was his newly acquired friend, Keng Yam and one Boyhard Hughes, who had eventually 'caught-up with' his ship The Nomad.

Of course, also in attendance were the ever attendant (and inquisitive) slaves of those two aforementioned individuals, namely Keng's boy (aka Umak) and Boyhard's Feonty (aka Trouble). And both slaves, even if daunted by the crushing determination of the court and the subsequent failure to get back their friend Kalli, were still quite in thrall of all the new adventures both aboard the Nomad and then the weeks long occupation of the nearly palatial suites rented by both Boyhard Hughes and Yaro Kwarto. Boyhard Hughes had decided, upon seeing the tears of his precious Feonty, to remain for the duration.

But this was the very first time both boys had the occasion to actually visit the law offices of Mr. Earnest Bash, Sr.

Of the many exclamations made by one or the other of the excited boys concerned the very strange arrangement of leather bound objects literally covering the shelves of cases surrounding the inhabitants of Mr. Earnest Bash's inner office. And with the full length and outer wall width windows maintained for the time being at zero opacity, the unfiltered light brought out the gold plated margins and spines of the entire array of those strange objects.

It was Feonty who tugged on his master's sleave (having been given permission to so claim his master's attention when necessary) and inquired in his high pitched and high toned voice: "Master, what are all those things surrounding us?"

At first Mr. Bash was puzzled at the boy's antics and question and then finally smiled as he understood. He so very proudly announced: "Those, my boy, are called books. They are in fact a full set of Law Books dating back to the very foundation of the Unified Law Code of Exilic III, almost three hundred years ago. That was before all law codes were subsequently rendered in only electronic format." At the boy's still frowned face, Mr. Bash added: "Electronic format means like how you read things on your comps."

Feonty was still curious: "But master, why use books when comps are so much easier?"

The adults had a good laugh and tried to explain. Mr. Bash even turned off the environmental controls of one of the enclosed book cases, and took down for perusal one of the very valuable rare books.

Though they were not allowed to actually touch the item, both boys were suitably impressed by the actual written pages of the heavy tome.

Mr. Bash made one further statement concerning those magnificent books. "No one actually reads these any more. No reason to. All Law Codes are now in electronic format. Besides, the law in these books are centuries out of date. I seriously doubt if anyone has even read any of these books for at least two hundred years."

Even Kwarto was momentarily distracted by the history and awe-inspiring look and feel of such antiquarian objects. In fact he himself had never before laid eyes on the written pages of any book as such. In fact the only actual printed documents he'd ever seen were the papers served him recently by the court.

Kwarto was determined not to ignore for any length of time, the plight of his beloved slave, and matters concerning his sure return. The two slaveboys were eventually ushered into an adjoining room while Kwarto and the legal team could get back to the task at hand. Getting back Kalli was their number one priority.

Argument and discussion continued throughout the afternoon, and even the sumptuous repast later brought in by the two slaveboys was largely ignored.

Mr. Bash finally summed up their case: "Look, we've been all through this. All measures of law have been proven useless.* I would suggest our best efforts at this time would be to repurchase the boy from the State when he is finally put up for auction."

* Though the Law on Excilic III was somewhat different in text, its actual code was quite similar to that concerning Slavery and Enslavement back on Salinus II. And it was that law, and its interpretation, which would eventually concern those fighting over the disposition of one Kalli Manhare Risenhour.

The part of the Code most applicative in this case was as follows:

(From the latest and most current codification of law of Salinus II)

Section

76) Slavery and Enslavement:

76 – 1, A) Under no circumstance may a citizen of Salinus II (no matter what age or condition) be enslaved.

76 – 1, B) If a citizen of Salinus II has been involved in the enslavement of a citizen of Salinus II (see provision A above), he or she will then be subject to the following criminal codes:

…

76 – 1, C) If no other provision of law under the section above (Slavery and Enslavement) directs or effects the disposition of individuals (either the enslaved or the enslaver) then the following codes and conditions apply:

76 – 1, C, 1) Subsequent to the application or renderings of the Laws and Provisions of the Over-government of Federation of Alliance Members (see Code of Legal Determinations, Renderings and Definitions), the following provisions and precedents apply:

76 – 1, C, 1, a) If there has been a legal rendering of law in another officially recognized Court of a Full Alliance Member, whether Judicial or Civil, the adjudication(s) of that Court are to be upheld, in law, by the Courts of Salinus II, unless another provision of the articles of law under Slavery and Enslavement, renders them moot.

Back onboard a small privately owned Null-time Ship owned by the Risenhour family, one Kako Menhare Risenhour was also ensconced with his team of lawyers while they traveled back to Salinus II. They too had come to a very similar conclusion. Kalli's fate rested with his future purchase at auction. And Kako was determined that he would soon possess and control that particular member of his extended family. But even at this prospect he was not entirely happy.

Kako looked to one of his most important lieutenants, Grant Blantoff. (Though even DNA sensors and other identity detection equipment could have sussed out his former identity. Even his own mother would not have recognized him. But he had been a too important part of Kako's team of co-conspirators not to have taken this important measure).

Kako addressed the man under his current name: "Gondo, please explain to me precisely why you were not able to see to it that our supportive members of the B/R/D Board could not delay the awarding of this insufferable blot on humanity, this Yaro Kwarto, his billion credit reward? You understand the implications I would hope."

An only slightly cowed subordinate replied: "Sir, in this highly volatile and emotional situation, even those members of the B/R/D Board who fully support you could not stem the tide. The measure was introduced as a Document of Acclamation, needing only a majority of the Board to ignore the usual mandatory review time."

Kako rued the fact that his command of the Board had diminished since it had been rumored that he was an actual participant in Kalli's kidnapping and subsequent conditioning as a sex-slave. (Kako ignored the fact that it was in fact true).

Kako lamented: "A billion credits! The bid I will now make on the boy will have to take into account that this Yaro Kwarto will have at his disposal nearly a billion credits!"

Gondo (aka Grant Blantoff) replied: "But sir. This Kwarto is not legally allowed to make any bid."

Kako glanced at his minion as if he were cognitively challenged. "Moron! Quite a naïve assumption. Someone will be bidding in his behalf."

A sure voice at the other end of the table chuckled. "Kako. Forget the amount, and concentrate on the outcome. You will have within your possession, the boy. And his conditioned submission. With that there will be nothing stopping you from reclaiming your preeminence with the B/R/D Board and will soon again be its de-facto leader."

Kako smiled in his usual 'oily' manner. "Dafne, so right."

Kako also fully understood how he had obtained the complete support of the new head of the Omega Block. Which has been a significant political force on Salinus II.

Back on Exilic III, in an adjoining room to where the legal team of Yaro Kwarto was making plans, Feonty and little Umak were engaged in their own serious discussion. And it had eventually revved up to its current verbal conflagration.

A very heated Feonty spoke with extreme fervor: "Well MY master makes me do everything! All the time! And lots a' times all day long I hafta make sure my sex holes are ready for him!"

Umak was not to be outdone: "Well MY master has fun with me at a moment's notice. An' I hafta be ready forever! An' he said my butt hole was the very cutest in all the world!"

Feonty could not allow any such admission: "Oh yeah? Well my master says MY butt hole is the very best in the entire universe!"

The entirely naked boys twisted about to put their own butts on full display to one another. (And in fact neither could refrain from an inspection of his friend's butt and hole. Even if both holes were partially obscured with their respective plugs).

It was shortly after this tableau rendered the two slaveboys perhaps slightly less than fully and totally obedient, when their masters entered the room to collect their respective charges. And confronted two boys looking at a 360-holo mirror of their respective butts and butt holes.

"Trouble!" Boyhard inquired. "Just what are you doing?"

To Tan Keng Yam it was only too obvious. He tried to stifle a laugh. He addressed his own slave: "Boy, can you explain just why you two needed to render yourselves in a 360-holo?"

Umak looked up at his master in alarm and tried to deflect any remonstration. "Master, I promise. We were just lookin'!"

At what the boy were "just lookin'" was quite obvious.

It was Boyhard who decided to use this occasion as a point of rule over his sometimes less than perfectly obedient boy. "Trouble. I will accept your word. Have you touched any of Umak's sex parts?"

"No master, honest! We were jus' lookin'."

Boyhard continued as Keng Yam, trying not to smile, looked on. "And I will also accept your word. Have you touched any of your own sex parts? You know they belong to your master."

This time Feonty was totally serious. "No master. You know I would never touch my sex parts. They belong to you!"

Umak made a similar protestation.

Both masters were satisfied that neither boy had touched their own sex parts. And in this case, their respective butt holes, although it was admitted that at times their respective faces were merely inches away.

It was Feonty who remarked: "Master, that's why we used the holo-mirror. I was trying to prove that my butt hole was the cutest! You said so yourself many times!"

Keng Yam picked up his now squealing boy and fingered that same cute hole, surrounded with its near black folds of boy flesh. "I certainly believe you boy."

It was Boyhard who made the obvious observation. "Feonty." (Serious when he used the name Feonty rather than Trouble). "Just where is your plug?"

The two boys looked with crestfallen faces at the two plugs now on the floor nearby. (They had also been obviously cleaned).

It was an abashed Umak, and a suddenly guilt ridden Feonty who simultaneously replied.

Umak: "Master, you never said I couldn't take out my butt plug."

Feonty: "Master, it was important. I had to show that YOU were the best master. And that I had the cutest butt hole."

As he sounded the words, Feonty realized just how lame was his excuse for removing his plug. And except under emergency situations, Feonty knew most definitely he'd done something forbidden. And even though Umak had never explicitly been told, he understood instinctively that his master was the only one who may remove his butt plug.

Umak started crying.

Feonty tried his best to plead with his master with his look and manner.

It was Keng Yam who buckled first. He could not countenance his boy being so grief stricken. "Ok boy. One week wearing your chastity tube."

Umak was so relieved now that punishment had been pronounced. But then he realized the consequences. "Master, even during sex stuff?" He'd never actually been required to wear the thing except for its original fitting, but he'd been informed it really makes 'gasms feel so different.

"Certainly boy. Especially then."

"But master, I can't get a good 'gasm if my peepee can't get a boner."

Feonty also recognized the true nature of his punishment. But he was not about to object.

Boy butts were replugged and the two slaves were led away. Feonty was still adamant that he had been justified in claiming that his own assets, especially his butt hole, was at least to his own master, the cutest around. He would accept his punishment of course as was his proper place.

Umak was wondering just what it would feel like to have his master use his boy butt hole while his peepee was so constricted.

But it was when the boys noticed the sad face of Kalli's master, when making their way to their respective suites, that both boys recognized that their 'problems' were hardly problems at all.

It was later, after a whole lot of 'sex stuff,' when Umak started wondering how come Kalli's master was so glum. After all it was Kalli himself who had told everyone that everything would be OK.

It was while Keng Yam was replacing the set of belts along with the very restrictive chastity tube and ring on his slave – after their big soak in the room's big water-whirl tub – when Umak asked about both Kalli and his master.

"Master, I don't understand. How come everyone seems so sad even though Kalli said no one should worry?"

Kang Yam sighed. It was a very complicated legal issue that his boy would have no ability to understand. Or would he be able to adequately explain.

But he tried. Umak kept nodding, but was anxious to have his own say.

Eventually he got his chance. "But master, everyone is ignoring what Kalli said."

Keng Yam inquired: "And what did Kalli say?"

"Master, he didn't say anything about being in the court here. Or even buying him back. He only said one thing. He said to make sure everyone came here in the Nomad. He only talked about the Nomad."

Keng Yam thought for a moment and finally understood. "Boy, you are a genius!"

Keng Yam noticed the very late hour, but still decided to contact Yaro Kwarto. The sleep deprived visage of his new friend was soon displayed on the room's com holo dislay.

"Yaro. Sorry to bother you."

"No problem. Couldn't sleep anyway. I don't…" Yaro looked at the small black boy making faces behind his master. "Keng Yam, I thought you said you never put your boy in chastity!"

Keng Yam looked back at his own boy, and pulled him onto his lap. He took a hold of the small silver genital attachment and wiggled it about as his boy squealed.

He replied: "I think the boy here even liked the novelty of it, at least for a while. But my boy's punishment isn't what's important right now. I need to know exactly what Kalli said to you just before he was taken into custody. Please humor me. I need the exact words if possible."

A greatly sighing Yaro spoke with deep emotion: "Kali said: 'Master, you must follow in the Nomad. That is critical.'"

"Nothing else? Nothing about any court or your buying him?"

A seemingly perplexed Yaro replied: "No. Nothing else. Why this question?"

"Keng Yam was getting excited. "I think Kalli's psi was indeed kicking in. It's what my boy said. We all seem to be ignoring what Kalli wanted us to pay attention to. The Nomad! He wanted us aboard the Nomad! What is so important or so different with the Nomad? That Kalli thought of this and ignored everything else?"

The two men discussed this and then engaged Boyhard Hughes in a conference call. They all decided to take the fastest shuttle to the sky-hook servicing the orbit-stationary-base where the Nomad had been docked.

"And make sure your Mr. Bish comes too."

"Bash, not Bish. Bish is the old man. No longer an active partner. My lawyer is Mr. Ernest Bash, Sr. And just in case we need it, I'll have him bring his paralegal with the full law library. Maybe there is something we're missing."

Though in truth, Yaro Kwarto held out little hope in that regard. But he was thinking about the only thing that was most unusual about the Nomad. And her crew.

Just before Feonty was about to fall asleep in his master's embrace he asked: "Master, we going to your ship again?"

"In the morning."

Feonty thought about several things he heard his master talk about to the other two masters. "Master, what's so important about Officer Macaully's friend?"

Boyhard wondered himself. And hoped that Yaro's hope was justified. Though the boy Coffe, and his amazing encyclopedic knowledge, had proven so helpful in the past, he wondered just how the boy might be important in this case.

It was almost 12 hours later, as masters, slaves, and crew were eating an early luncheon aboard the Nomad, when Feonty had casually mentioned about all those books which no one had read for hundreds of years.

Coffe, who had been pouring coffee (the real thing imported from old earth) for Macaully and several of their guests, inquired. "You mean Law Books?"

It was Mr. Bash who explained. "Not just any Law Books. The originals! The first of the Unified Code of Exlic III!"

Coffe declaimed, reciting a small portion of the old law text, and then added: "I've not only read a good portion of them but of course have all I've read committed to electronic memory. It just might take a bit of trouble to access some of it." He also explained that he'd read much of the oldest law of all the Alliance worlds.

Coffe explained: "It was a small project during my days at university. To help give me some insight into the customs and mores of the societies back in the pre-Alliance days. Boring mostly but a few gems here and there."

Eventually, as much as possible, Coffe was brought up to speed with the case involving Kwarto's slave.

It was then lamented by Kwarto himself: "Too bad you don't know anything that could be helpful."

Coffe then held himself quite still for several moments and finally announced: "Sorry, but nothing in the old Exilic Law. But maybe the oldest of Salinus II Law."

It was one of the paralegals, who upon researching his own computer rendition of Salinus Law opined disappointingly: "Sorry to remind everyone, even if there was something in the old law about slaves and slave law in the old written codes, it would all be superseded by now.

But Coffe contradicted what they had just heard. "Not necessarily." He paused just a few seconds and then intoned:

"Any provisions of this Collection of Law (and any of the subsequent Amendments to this Collection of Law), including any sections, articles, or sub-articles, must be specifically addressed and/or revised, or be struck down, to be considered either voided or considered superseded in any future rendition of Laws concerning the citizens of Salinus II."

Coffe explained: "That's one of the Summary Codes in the last Section of the 2435 AD Code of Unified Law of Salinus II."

The paralegal, quite excitedly, used his own computer. "I have none of that. By the gods of all law, that could be important. But my compendium of all Salinus Law does not include that provision!"

It was Kwarto who inquired: "You mean this could be helpful? And if so, how?"

It was Mr. Bash, who was even himself getting excited, who explained: "It means that IF that old law, and apparently old law which someone decided long past need not be included in the computer rendition of the Unified Code of All Jurisprudence of Salinus II, has something on Slave Law never voided or changed, and somehow allows for us to get Kalli from the clutches of Kako and his minions, then damn it all, it may just be what we need!"

Mr. Bash asked Coffe: "Coffe, you have anything in your memory banks from that Old Code about Slave Law?"

Coffe paused a moment to access his memory. "Sorry. I've no memory of reading that portion of the old code. But that does not mean it doesn't exist."

The ensuing verbal mêlée was finally ended when Boyhard Hughes brought a semblance of order to the previous chaos. "Gentlemen. My ship. My orders. We return to Salinus II, where we will endeavor to find the full written text of the original Unified Code of Law for Salinus II. There must be a set of texts somewhere. Maybe in some museum."

The pros and cons were weighed and that course of action was undertaken. Kalli, however, insisted that he at least go back to the planet's surface (of Exllic III) and attempt to contact his (former) slaveboy. At least he now had a glimmer of hope.

Kalli spoke with emotion: "After all, he is up for auction. There must be some manner in which communication with the boy be possible."

In fact it 'be possible'. But only for those who could legally bid on the boy. In a small but not uncomfortable room a now naked boy pondered his fate. The cuffs and connecting chains were off along with his clothing. No one stopped him so he divested himself at the earliest possible moment. And truth be told, the guards who conducted him to the place he discovered was called the Demarkus National Police holding facility, were ten times more curious than intimidating. The big one even started asking questions.

"Boy, you're a real slave?"

Kalli, feeling for reassurance with his totally 'un-pinging' psi sense, tried to relax. At least as much as he could having been separated from his master all these weeks. He couldn't believe it was barely three weeks in all.

"Yes sir. I am a conditioned slave. My master was the one in court trying to get me back. His name is Yaro Kwarto and I miss him terribly."

"How can you say that? You were his slave."

Kalli looked at the man, with tears he couldn't quite repress. "Yes. And I only can survive this time without him in the secure understanding that he will have me back soon. You know who I was don't you?"

The other guy laughed. "Yeah. I've heard the rumors. But No one can believe them. Something about being the heir to the Risenhour fortune."

Kalli deliberately pulled on his cuffs and rattled his chains. "Yes. The richest boy in the Federation, or so the media claimed. And now I don't even own myself." Kalli laughed at the irony. "I think it's quite funny."

The first guy asked: "You really are that boy?"

"Yes. And about being my master's slave? I've said this before and can not mean it strong enough. Given a choice of being that rich boy again, or my master's slave. No contest. And I am quite happy to believe that I will again be back with my master."

The two guards couldn't quite figure the boy out. He was quite small for his purported age of almost 14. And he had to be lying about his not being the richest boy in the federation. Hell, he could almost own his own planet they said.

But it was the first guard who watched closely when the boy spoke of his master. That was the only time the boy seemed to smile. And there was even more than just the smile. The guard wished his current girlfriend felt as much for him.

Eventually the aircar alighted in a well secured courtyard, and Kalli was passed through a series of security points and locked into his own 'cell'. That was what the guard called it but fortunately it was more like a very small low scale hotel room. With even a holo multi-com. Incoming only of course. And he was even relieved of his security belt and cuffs.

"Remember kid. You are constantly on camera. Do nothing that may injure yourself. At even the slightest hint the room can be flooded with narco-fix. In less than a second you will feel the effects. You may even stay conscious but you will wish you hadn't."

"Don't worry. I'll behave."

"Your controller will be with you shortly."

It was more than a second, but with dispatch Kalli divested himself of those terrible clothes. No one said he couldn't. And apparently no one watching cared. Kalli gave out a really big sigh. He only hoped that he would be back with his master soon. He also wondered if his master would be bidding on him. He sardonically smiled when he realized that he could get quite expensive. Quite worthy of a Risenhour. But his psi-ability now seemed to see his eventual redemption back on Salinus II. He also got a 'feeling' that there he would confront his (evil) cousin along with the two people who participated in his kidnapping.

He also wondered about one thing that eluded him. What really would happen to him after he was returned to his precious master and what would then happen to his cousin?

He looked at the corners of the room and imagined someone watching him on 360 holo-feed, with his boner sticking out so flagrantly. He gave a small heart felt chuckle.

And damn! The holo unit even had games. He wondered if someone had programmed it just for him. Maybe there really were good people in the universe.

He tried to imagine just what his master was doing. Along with his other friends. He hoped that Feonty's master had totally recovered. And that little Umak was smiling.

Coffe, sexually, was the perfect submissive. And with his personality and vast wealth of information, made the perfect Companion-catamite. During the night he was the most accommodating of sexual submissives, and during other times, with his life long friend Macaulley, it was a near perfect match of leader and 'side-kick.' It was almost reminiscent of the pairs now only watched by the aficionado of the old time celluloid. But to those rare few, the names of Batman's Robin, or the Lone Ranger's Tonto, or Zoro's Bernardo, would come to mind.

After a period of nearly acrobatic sex, Coffe snuggled his naked young teen body into that of his young 'owner.' He then came near to apologizing. "Sorry I don't have any more information about the old slave laws on Salinus II. I suppose I never got that part read."

Macaulley pulled the slender boy with his not so slender teen boy sex parts into his own accommodating body and reassured his 'companion.'

"But Coffe, without the information you had concerning that old law, Kalli's owner would not have anything to even start with. I think you're the hero in all this.

At about this same time, in one of the guests' staterooms aboard the Nomad, now beginning its fast passage back to Salinus II, it was Keng Yam who was praising his own boy's actions.

"Just think boy. You may very well be the real hero in all this. You made us all think about what Kalli had said. I think you deserve a big reward."

The small 9 year old looking body of young Umak squirmed under that of his master. And squealed quite loudly when several fingers found their way into his accommodating butt hole (definitely his master reassured him, the cutest in the entire world), while his other hand was removing the chastity tube from the boy's 3 inch [7½ cm] boner. Umak really liked it when his master felt him all over. And especially his sex parts. And this time his master even started using his own tongue on his small (cutest of all) butt hole. Alternating from boy boner and boy butt hole, Keng Yam brought his boy to a succession of strong boy 'gasms. It was only after Umak had recovered sufficiently when Umak was happy to swallow his own master's raging member. His master must have been really 'excited' this night. Three more times he came. And twice it was in his so very accommodating (and cute) butt hole.

Just before Umak fell to sleep laying atop his master's body, he heard his master say: "Boy, as a further reward, your period of punishment is over."

Umak was almost disappointed. That thing on his penis was somewhat interesting. But he had not been so sure how he could have stood the entire week.

Boyhard, now that he had fully recovered from his previous injuries (he was careful not to let Feonty know just how serious they had been), and now that he was again in charge of his own world, and his own version of reality, his mood became quite expansive. Of course a significant part of that good mood was now his share of the universe's 'Trouble.' A quite rambunctious and superb bundle of fun. He kept being surprised at just how this boy had finally made him recognize that true fun and true happiness was found not in acquiring things, but in giving. Just how his boy gave of himself. This thing with the chastity tube Boyhard did not consider true punishment. As far as his boy was concerned, his boy would never deserve any punishment. He would somehow figure out how to greatly minimize his boy's negative experiences with the thing. Maybe make a true game out of it. He wondered even about 'turn about.' There was a similar object, albeit much larger, among his possessions that couls fit his own genitals. He wondered how it would feel with his slave 'punishing' his master.

Boyhard shook his boy awake. "Boy, I require your services. Which hole is ready, butt or mouth?"

Feonty was instantly awake. Damn that tube encasing his penis was suddenly a distraction. But he felt quite reassured that he was indeed his master's slave – something which comforted him immensely. "How about letting me settle down onto your big peepee?" (He liked the expression his master made when he used such a word describing his master's really big boner). Feonty ingenuously added: "I hope that metal cage on my own peepee doesn't cause problems."

Boyhard chuckled to himself. Slave vs. master. Feonty made it so much fun. He'd see how much he could get his boy to complain or at least mention about his chastity tube and ring.

Feonty 'settled down'onto his master's penis several times that night. And swallowed a considerable portion of his master's cum. And recognized right away the battle of wills. He realized that his master wanted him to complain about that tube. He would 'win' this battle, he assured himself. Quite some time later, Feonty wondered if indeed he'd 'won.' Maybe he needed a different strategy. A whole week of only the poorest rated 'gasms, …geesh!

As far as Kalli was concerned, his auction had been an almost non-happening. Kalli did not even know of it happening until he was in the company of his (beloved) cousin and a myriad number of guards.

The final meeting with his cousin Kako wasn't nearly as harrowing as his imagination had rendered it. Of course it helped that his cousin had not the slightest idea of what a true 'Conditioned Slave – Vetted Master' bonding was all about. And that subsequent to his original bonding with Yaro Kwarto, no serious slave-master bonding or relationship could really exist.

So Kalli had to pretend. Only the consequences of his cousin finding out his 'slave attitude' was all a sham, kept the smile on Kalli's face.

Only after his cousin grabbed him by the arm, as they entered the ship's cabin from the air-lock, did his cousin deign to speak to his newly acquired slave.

"Well over a billion credits you cost me you [censored] brat. When we get back to Salinus II we will see how a true master commends his slave!"

Kalli had all he could do to feign submission if not outright delight at having a master again.

"Yes master. Its strange. All I can bring to mind is how best to serve you master." Kalli forced a smile.

Kako was surprised and delighted. Perhaps if he didn't revel in his new mastery of his cousin he would have been the slightest suspicious. This was going to be easier than I had even hoped.

"Boy, you will do exactly as I say and say exactly what I want said before the Board. Exactly."

"Of course master. Exactly."

Kalli made valiant effort not to allow his inward shudder be felt outwardly. He was quite relieved to note that his cousin had not the slightest command of any psi-ability. But it took all his own ability not to flinch when he was confronted by another of his kidnappers.

It was Lady Bismark Garfon who came into the spacious cabin from an adjacent room. It looked nothing like her when she had been his guardian. But he knew nonetheless. Kalli only acknowledged her presence as if she were a total stranger.

Kako was delighted. The boy didn't recognize the woman who had been his actual kidnapper. Well, it was probably better that he never did recognize her.

"This is Lady Sheffield; she will be your mistress. You will obey her absolutely."

Kalli grimaced internally, hoping his true reaction didn't show. He replied: "Yes master. Whatever you wish."

It was Lady Sheffield (aka Lady Garfon) who exclaimed: "THIS is the indomitable Kalli Menhare Risenhour?" She laughed explosively. "Come little one. We will have a great time together."

Kako smiled. Everything was going as planned. Lady Sheffield had, over the past months, insinuated herself with the remaining members of the extended Risenhour family. She had eventually made herself 'indispensable.' Kako laughed himself as he pictured how his cousin would suffer at the hands of the Lady Sheffield.

Lady Sheffield smiled evilly as she considered that it was this now emasculated toady, who had the effrontery to challenge her almost two years before. She thought: "And I will most definitely enjoy all the fruits of my treachery little one."

A week before, as the Nomad orbited Salinus II on a false (and unbreachable) transponder, it was both Jake Jakempsky and Sue Ndamukong (currently unemployed) who were engaged in providing the security measures that Boyhard Hughes and the other faithful members of the 'Kalli conspiracy' that would soon be underway.

"Absolute security. Nothing must be allowed to alert Kako Risenhour of what will happen soon after he brings Kalli back to Salinus II. In fact, the order to bring Kalli back into Civil Court – this time to the Superior Court of Salinus II – would not even be petitioned for until the boy is ensconced into his family's lair where he would be attended to (and virtually imprisoned) by his loving family, in the guise of his 'loving cousin.' Kako must be assured that he has 'won.'"

There was full agreement about the need for absolutely security but it took some measure of discussion to hammer out the particulars. The first order of business was to locate a full set of Legal references to Salinus II's first Unified Code of Law. And without raising the slightest hint of suspicion. It would actually be Coffe himself, posing as an avid collector of Legal tomes and documents. A very wealthy collector. A good thing that both Boyhard and Yaro were now multi-millionaires. But he was the only one who had the knowledge which could pull this off.

Coffe smiled. "Just how rich should I pretend to be? Enough to get a suite at the Calais Emperor Resort? And perhaps have my own servant?" He smiled at his 'owner.'

It was finally decided. The two slaveboys hovered in the background (in flagrant display). Both had solicited a promise from their respective masters of a good 'vacation' of their own on their planet of choice, when this was all over with.

It only took two days, and a whole lot of money, but the necessary volume of law lay on the very table where the conspirators were enjoying another delightful repast and several bottles of Jonesey Imperial tawny port. (If you had to ask about its cost, you most definitely could not afford it). And there was a delightful late harvest white wine for those with that preference.

Feonty swore to his master the next day that neither he nor Umak had been even the slightest inebriated. (He wasn't quite certain what inebriated meant so he couldn't have been prevaricating). And peeing in the pot containing the Captain's treasured bonsai tree was certainly only a mendacious rumor.

But they were all delighted to learn just what the old law spelled out.

From the original old code:

Section 21) Slavery and Enslavement

21 – A) Circumstances under which citizens of Salinus II may be enslaved:

21, A, 1) …

…

21 – B) If a citizen of Salinus II has been enslaved for any reason, and under any circumstance, then this slave must be subject to the following regulations:

21 – B, 1) If the enslaved was a minor at the time when enslaved, this slave must subsequently be subject to the following provisions and circumstances:

21 – B, 1, a) If the enslaved is ever removed from his initial owner, then said enslaved must be afforded the following rights and privileges:

21 – B, 1, a, 1) If the enslaved had been subjected to full conditioning (see definition of full conditioning under Codes of Legal Determinations, Renderings and Definitions), and at the time of his initial enslavement and sale had been bonded to a vetted owner (see Codes of Legal Determinations, Renderings and Definitions), then upon any circumstance in which this enslaved individual has been unconditionally separated from his original owner, either by death, an Act of God, or consequence of a legal rendering in a Court of Law recognized under the law of Salinus II at that time, the enslaved, if under the purview of the Courts of Salinus II, must be allowed the choice of either freedom under the current laws together with full citizenship, or to remain the enslaved of his new owner, if such circumstances admit to such a condition.

…

Mr. Bash explained. "Section 21 B has absolutely never been revised, struck down, or superseded in any of the known future law of Salinus II. Even though I am most certain of this, I will engage other researchers to make most certain. We can inform Yaro Kwarto, who is still now enroute to Salinus II himself, that his boy will most certainly be his again as soon as we can prevail upon the Superior Court of Salinus II to hear this case."

Epilogue

A celebration was taking place in the formal restaurant of one of the largest of the resorts in the White Towers, the highest mountain range on P'renek. Everyone was there.

Feonty was trying his best to lead his friend, the shy Umak, into trouble.

Boyhard Hughes and Tan Keng Yam were looking on with a great portion of delight and an even greater portion of forbearance.

Yaro Kwarto was barely able to contain the exuberance of his slave Kalli.

"Master, imagine owning your own mountain!"

Yaro Kwarto looked at his most precious boy with all the love in his heart.

"Hardly boy. The mountain is in the Public Domain. With all the other investors, we own only 28 square miles [73 km²] of Zen'nek Valley, and the main tram which can bring people to the top of the world, namely Mount Zen'nik."

Kalli laughed. He looked over towards Feonty who was parading about as if HE were the actual owner. He wondered if that flute in his hand actually held the expensive wine they had imported all the way from old earth in celebration of the deal that made much of the narrow valley and most of its resorts, the property of the newly formed Umak Cartel. (The name in honor of the boy who had redirected the attention of Yaro's legal team to where it was supposed to be directed).

"Master, I told you, you would own this resort."

Yaro jibed: "You call me master? According to Salinus law you are a totally free citizen of that planet."

"Of course master. Anything you say. But I am still the 12 year old you originally purchased. I am still 'conditioned' to be your slave, and P'rernk law still considers me your property with special considerations. And now that I was sold for over a billion credits, how much was the slave tax on me last month?"

Yaro laughed.

Boyhard Hughes, who had been listening in on the last part of the conversation, replied. "Good thing that P'rernk law didn't recognize the validity of that sale. Or little Kalli here would be out of the price range of almost everyone."

Umak, resisting the urge of pulling on the chastity device currently imprisoning his little 3 inch [7½ cm] boner and marble sized testicles, laughingly added: "Well, he could afford himself!"

Poor Umak had once again been influenced by Feonty to do something not quite within his slave protocols. And they both were again being 'punished.' This time for two weeks. It seems that both boys had coerced an otherwise respectable patrolman to make sure all non-blacks were allowed to cue up for the tram to the top of Mount Zin'nik, right along with the black natives of Pr'ernk.

The patrolman, had already known of just who these two scoundrels were. And that it was their respective masters who now owned this very tram, and for all practical purposes paid the man's wages. He had been convinced this was the only way to save his job. Yaro Kwarto had made profuse apologies.

As for who was the richest among the new owners of most of the resorts in Zen'nik Valley, it would be by a technicality. When back on Salinus II, it was Kelli who would be, without contest, the richest person of all those currently partying it up in the resort in which his master was now a part owner.

Kalli of course, now an impecunious slave since he was back on P'rernk, was reveling in not only in parading about naked in the exclusive resort's dining room, but parading about in his (near) white skin, amongst the mostly black crowd.

It had been Boyhard Hughes who had actually brokered the deal, of course with the necessary collaboration and partnership of (the former) Judge Palling (the judge who had been 'legally' bribed to dismiss Boyhard's weapon's charge), whereby Boyhard Hughes, and Yaro Kwarto, became majority owners. Coffe could not by law own anything (so long he was on an Alliance world), but HIS owner, Macaulley, along with several other people including Jake Jakempsky, Sue Ndamukong, were minority owners.

Jake, though offered the chairmanship of the Omega Group upon the indictment and incarceration of Joan Dafne*, eventually declined in favor of being the head of the security team for the Umak Cartal.

Note:
* Joan Dafne is an anagram for Jane Fonda. A person who in her day, should have been tried and convicted of treason.

It had taken the services of one of the Federation's Over-government's top psi's to confirm the identities of both Lady Bismark Galfon, and Grant Blantoff, the official records of their former retinal and DNA scans having been so thoroughly tampered with. And their looks so changed.

It was near the end of the evening's celebration when an exuberant Kalli shouted out: "Master, there's the guy! The one who threw us out! Please! Can we go over to him?'

By this time so many eyes were on Yaro and his naked white slave.

"Certainly boy. Let me do the talking."

Kalli was only a little disappointed not to be allowed to speak.

The man was in fact a valued and very proficient member of the resort's staff. The man at least did have the sense to be embarrassed. A former maitre de of the resort's restaurant and who had insisted that Yaro and his slave leave his establishment, had been quite recently given a promotion. He was not only quite efficient, he was known to treat his workers well and with respect – so long as they were black.

Yaro himself was having fun with the man. "Good day, Blather Henchman, I hope you are doing well."

The former maitre de spoke with civility but not servility. "Good day Mr. Hughes. I understand that you now own this place?" He made it a question.

"Part owner. Are you following the resort's new guidelines?"

Yaro could see a bit of dismay in the man's demeanor. "Certainly. So long as I find my guidelines within civilized restraint I see no reason to challenge them. And if you are here to fire me, I will not so easily be sent away."

Yaro smiled. "Of course you won't. And that is in part why I recommended you for promotion. To help usher in a new era."

The man was visible surprised. "You, … you recommended me?"

"Yes. You are a valued employee. Have a good day."

"Master, that was fun! But you even promoted him?"

Yaro chuckled. "He is a product of the society in which he was raised. But I believe he can learn. And you question MY business decisions?"

Kalli knew exactly what this was about. He replied to the unasked question. "He was the only person who was qualified. But the new rules of engagement and workers' rights will keep him somewhat constrained. And there's the new Board with significant additions and subtractions. And I DID need a chief-officer-in-charge. And I like the fact that he now must take orders from me!"

Kalli's master picked up his slave and kissed him in front of all the remaining guests.

Kalli then added: "And Kako, who must work from house arrest, only tried to have me killed once, and that was Joan Dafne's decision."

That night, Kalli and his master long celebrated in a manner long instituted by nature.

The next day Kalli asked his master for permission to use a small cushion while seated.

The End