slackywacky wrote: 1 week ago
Things are moving ahead. Slowly and not always as expected or wanted, but at least they move. Good to see you adding chapters to your story again.
Thank you
@slackywacky, I am reposting as you suggested by PM. Chapter 107 is in the works.
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You have kindly posted comments on my story. That is appreciated very much. Please continue to tell me what you think about
The Bandit Scout on Newhome. If you would like your tag removed from this list, you can send me a PM to that effect. Or, you can post your request in the story.
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Chapter 106 – Lou Meets Morgana
Stella was fascinated to learn that Carol could participate in Rita's mind meld and had greeted her brother, Aaron Johansson. Stella was a scout, and Rita's task seemed like scouting. Stella would not be jealous of Rita, but that did not mean that Stella would not like to have the talent to travel herself. Stella planned to seek her mate's counsel when her afternoon session with Rita finished.
Rita greeted her warmly. Stella knew that subbing for Rita had brought the women on the Argonaut closer to Rita. Rita acted appropriately and did not let her temporary authority over the women go to her head. To put it simply, Rita was both a nice and beautiful lady. That didn't mean that it wasn't time to waylay Rita and give her a good dose of bondage. A smirk crossed Stella's face as she thought of capturing Rita.
This was to be a serious mind meld. All of the Argonaut's crew were concerned about Gloria and Morgana. Both of these ladies were being abused. Stella was surprised that Rita did have her strip down. Rita tied Stella's arms and legs together and reclined beside her on the bed, embracing her. Rita said, "Strict bondage facilitated my development as a traveler. Jeeves says that I have surpassed Sam Bresco's capabilities. Now, think about traveling to Aurora to see Gloria Swann."
Stella closed her eyes and thought of her previous mental encounters with Gloria. Suddenly, they were there. Rita and Stella sensed that Gloria was in a painful, suspended hogtie. They could feel the strain on Gloria's shoulders, wrists, and legs as the pulley lifted Gloria's shoulders and knees above the bed. Only a little of Gloria's weight was supported by her belly.
Gloria stopped her mantra, which she used to stay sane on these too-frequent occasions. Her mind rejoiced, "Rita, you are back!"
"I am," thought Rita, "and I have Stella with me this time."
Stella said, "Greetings, Gloria. We regret to find you in such distress."
Stella had communicated in a mind meld previously conducted by Sam Bresco. She was delighted to discover that she could now communicate in Rita's melds. Stella wished she could mind meld herself. Thinking about that must wait. Gloria deserved their full attention now.
In her mind, Gloria said, "Rita, I am glad you came. I'm happy to talk to you again, too, Stella. I did not understand that you could travel with Rita. Your visits are all that keep me going. Even though I'm unsure how you might be able to help, you represent my only hope. Without it, I would consider killing myself."
Stella asked, "What is the status now?"
Gloria answered, "Sam is under the thumb of Chief Councilor Senusret. The Chief measures Sam's loyalty by his torture of me. The Chief knows Sam likes me and doesn't want to hurt me. We are under constant surveillance, and there is no respite for me."
"I can feel your body's pain," Rita said. "You are exhausted, your muscles are cramping, and your bondage doesn't allow you to sleep. What would you like to happen if we had the magic to make it so?"
"My dream," replied Gloria, "is to have Sam bring me before Senusret in a private audience. Of course, I would be bound and helpless. But Sam will have tied me in a way that allows me to effect a quick release of the bonds. I will have a knife and will kill Senusret."
"But wouldn't you be killed immediately by his guards?" asked Stella.
Gloria said, "There wouldn't be any guards in a private audience. Senusret would also have communication equipment to allow us to contact the other councilors and inform them of what transpired. The Councilors would be glad to be rid of Senusret. They might insist on punishment for me, but I think there's a good chance they wouldn't. I would take the risk."
Rita said, "But you can't talk to Sam because of the constant surveillance. You do have a conundrum. Stella, we need to push into Sam's mind now and make him see the right thing to do."
"Gloria," Stella said, "I can sense you have had extensive martial arts training. But you are not in good condition for a fight. Also, if we cannot positively influence Sam, he may retaliate against you. You need to consider these things. Rita, I have only had a little experience with the mind meld. You have had only a little more. But I am a fighter. Being a successful fighter is as much a mental as it is a physical endeavor. If Gloria wants to take the risk, I think we should give it a try."
"I am of like mind," answered Rita.
"My friends," Gloria said, "if Sam makes things worse for me, then I won't have to think about killing myself. And I am not in that bad of a physical condition. I admit to a low point tonight. But Sam makes me exercise regularly. If you can do something, please do."
Rita said, "Stella, I can feel Sam's presence, his mind. I don't know what to tell you to do."
"I can feel it as well," replied Stella. "Let's approach as friends. We will have to play this by ear."
Unexpectedly, Jeeves spoke, "Stella and Rita, what you are doing is correct. Your two minds, together, should be able to determine a change in Sam's thinking. I will support you in every way possible. I can add extra drive and push. You will also find support from Gloria. Stay coordinated and move into Sam Bresco's mind."
Gloria thought, "Damn right, I will help!"
By its very nature, the mind meld is inexplicable to those who have not experienced it. Rita and Stella merged with Sam Bresco, with Gloria only seconds behind. Yet those words fail to describe the reality. Based on debriefings held later on the Argonaut, we can say that Sam slowly awoke from his sleep, aware that he was in a mind meld that he did not instigate. At first, he attempted to push the intruders out of his mind. Stella, Sam knew from his previous mind melds with her. He knew of Rita but had barely touched her mind in the past. Sam was astonished to sense the presence of Gloria. Gloria did not have the capability to be in his mind uninvited.
Sam had extensive experience with mind melds. There had been crowded situations, i.e., unwanted entities in melds. It had always been trivial to eject such. Sam could not eject even one of those in his mind this time. Unknown to all, Jeeves was providing substantial, if hidden, support.
Stella took the initiative, saying, "Sam, you have been in my mind many times. You know that I am not a threat to you, nor are Rita and Gloria. Please remain calm and let us speak with you. Gloria has wanted to speak with you about important things for a long time but has not because of Senusret's surveillance."
"Rita," Sam said, "I sense you are the traveler instigating this meld. How did you learn to travel?"
"I will tell you," Rita answered. "During your last meld with Stella, I sensed the meld. That triggered my capability, and I have been improving since then. Stella has been helpful in many ways. She will share all of the details of her encounters with you."
Sam said, "Gloria, yes, we can converse. A meld is private to the participants. Senusret will agree that you have been tortured long enough tonight and won't punish me if I let you have some relief." Sam lowered the pulley that partially suspended Gloria and untied the ropes holding her.
Gloria asked, "Sam, Senusret makes you torture me?"
"He does," replied Sam. "Senusret is terrified of all of you on the Argonaut. Because Gloria was sympathetic to Stella and Carlos, he wanted to destroy Gloria but was afraid to kill her because most of the other Councilors supported her. They still do! I am required to punish Gloria without leaving long-lasting visible signs."
Rita asked, "Why don't you refuse?"
He said, "As bad as it is for Gloria, she is still alive. Senusret lets her live for the Councilors and also for me. I believe that if I fell from his grace, he would go ahead and kill her, accepting the wrath of the Councilors."
"What do you really feel about all of this?" asked Stella. "Do you think Aurora would be better off without Senusret?"
"I detest Senusret," answered Sam, "but he has all the power."
Stella continued questioning Sam, "You reacted negatively to Jeeves when you learned he was an AI. Can you talk reasonably about him now?"
Sam said, "Yes, I can. I know I overreacted at first. You must understand that AIs destroyed Aurora, and we are brought up to hate them. But intellectually, I know it is possible that an AI could be benevolent to humans. Everything I have heard about Jeeves from my mind melds on Newhome and the Argonaut indicate that Jeeves is supportive of people."
"Then why haven't you contacted me again?" Stella asked.
"I-I have been a coward," Sam admitted.
Stella said, "Medico Stevens would say that you have taken the first step toward no longer being one."
"It is time to focus on plans for the future," Rita said. "Gloria has a plan to overthrow Senusret."
Gloria said, "One thing first. Sam, you have caused me a lot of pain and humiliation for many years. I can't make you sorry for that. But if you help depose Senusret, I will forgive you."
Sam replied, "You can't make me sorry because I am there already. From the moment we met, I was infatuated with you. What we have had is not the relationship that I wanted. If you have a plan that can work, I will help you."
"Then here is what I propose," Gloria said. Sam listened carefully and made a few suggestions, which Gloria immediately adopted. Stella also improved the plan. Stella suggested a way for Sam to tie Gloria up so she would appear helpless but could free herself quickly when the time to attack came.
After the plan was finalized, Rita said, "This has been my longest mind meld. I am feeling the strain of maintaining contact. I will return in about twenty-eight days. Goodbye, Sam and Gloria. It is good to know you are still on the same team."
Rita and Stella returned to the Argonaut. Stella said, "That was amazing, Rita. I feel as though I could almost travel on my own. How did you develop your abilities?"
Rita answered, "I truly do not know, Stella. I just keep practicing. Certainly, I could not have done this without you and the other ladies of the Argonaut."
Rita had a few minutes at the end of her meld with Stella to talk to Sam Bresco. He shared some important tips about traveling in a mind meld. Based on Sam's comments, Rita wondered if it was still necessary for her to restrain her meld partner.
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Time, as time does, moved ahead. On the Argonaut, a year had passed since they started deceleration. Deceleration began on 02/09/2697, Argonaut time. That was 06/23/2761 Earth time—the time difference due to the incredible velocity of the Argonaut. Now, on the Argonaut, the date is 02/09/2698. On Earth, however, the date was March 25, 2780, only some three months shy of nineteen years.
Thanks to longevity drugs, our friends on Earth, Morgana Rains and Carter Spade, appeared as young as ever. Unfortunately, that also meant that Morgana continued to endure the brutality of her husband, Edgar. She was willing to endure his torture because staying with him gave her access to the intelligence needed by the Earth resistance and by the crew of the Argonaut.
During the past Argonaut year, Rita had become highly expert at traveling with the mind meld. All of the women of the crew had traveled with her to Aurora and Earth many times. Shortly, Rita will take Lou with her to Earth to visit Morgana. Most likely, they would meet with Carter Spade. Carter was as dedicated to the resistance as he was to tying up Morgana.
For her part, Morgana loved to be tied up by Carter. It centered her, constantly reminding her that being helpless at the hands of a man could be a relaxing pleasure instead of the pain and horror she endured from Edgar.
Lou Chang would be arriving soon for the planned afternoon travel with Rita to see Morgana. Did she dare try with Lou? Lou's meeting with Morgana was critical. The entire Argonaut crew thought Lou needed to meet Morgana. After all, Lou was the only one of them that had ever been on Earth.
Rita had decided to try this travel without tying up her partner. After all, if it didn't work without putting Lou in bondage, it would only take a few minutes to find out. Then, she could tie Lou up very thoroughly and proceed with the meld. Lou entered the travel room and embraced Rita as had become their custom.
The travel room was a corner of the Argonaut's gym. While a meld was underway, none of the crew other than the travelers would enter the gym.
Lou stripped down rapidly, saying, "Rita, I am so very excited to travel with you to visit Morgana. Tell me how you want to tie me up."
"We are going to try an experiment," Rita said. "It may not work, but we will start without restraining you. If the meld doesn't work, we will revert to our tried-and-true methods. Okay?"
"You are the boss, Rita," Lou said. "You know that I and the others are perfectly happy to sub for you to facilitate your melds."
"I know. But let's try this. Lie on the bed and hug me. Think of Mother Earth!"
And, in moments, they were in the mind meld and were drawing near to Morgana. Once more, Morgana was naked and tightly bound. But this time, it was different. Morgana was happy to be tied up by Carter Spade, her lover.
Sensing the traveler's presence, Morgana spoke with her mind, "You are back, Rita. It is fantastic that you arrived just now. A few minutes earlier, and it might have been awkward. My love, Carter Spade, has me bound and gagged most effectively. You caught me at a time that is most appropriate. Just a little earlier, I was gripped with a powerful orgasm because of Carter's good works. Can you give me a moment to catch Carter's eye and signal him to remove my gag?"
Rita responded, "Yes, catch his eye. While you are catching his eye, Lou is with me."
"Hi Lou," said Morgana. "I'm so pleased you are back."
The first time Rita brought Lou to Earth was most different. Rita had said, " I would like to introduce you to Lou Harriman. You may know of her from your history books."
Morgana was starting to spend much of her time in Carter's ropes. They could spend most of their workday together in complete privacy. Although firmly tied, Morgana began shaking and turned pale. Carter said, "Morgana, what is wrong?" as he frantically removed her gag.
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At this first meeting with Lou, Morgana, who was usually unflappable, calm, and collected, stammered, "C – Carter, she's here. Truly, it is her. Lou Harriman is here with Rita in a mind meld."
Carter rushed to untie Morgana. But Morgana said, "Yes, Carter. Do untie me. But there is no rush. It makes no difference to these people.
Nonetheless, Carter did not delay his efforts. While he was working on the knots, Lou was conversing with Morgana. Lou said, "Morgana, Rita has told us that, of the humans on Earth, you are the most knowledgeable about the disposition of the machines. My knowledge of old Earth is no longer of value. Will you help us by updating my information?"
"Of course, I will," answered Morgana. "Tell me what you want to know."
Even though Carter was untying Morgana as fast as he could, he had used a lot of rope, securing her in total helplessness. Rita decided not to delay and proceeded to merge into Carter's mind. Rita spoke to Carter mentally, "Hello, Carter, I am Rita. I am in a spaceship traveling from the Earth colony we call Newhome to Earth. I am speaking to you, mind to mind, utilizing a process that we call a mind meld. May I continue?"
"Please do, Rita. Morgana told me about you, and I have been hoping to meet you personally. Is it true that you are with Lou Harriman and that she is talking to Morgana?"
"It is true," was Rita's answer. "You know that we are coming to destroy the sentient machines. I thought it best to let them speak privately."
Carter said, "That is fine. Is there anything that I can tell you?"
Rita answered, "I can see that you used an unusual amount of rope to secure Morgana. I am wondering why you used so much. It must enhance the pleasure that you give each other?"
"We started by using much less. But Morgana was always able to wiggle out of the bonds. That left me feeling inadequate. Morgana would let herself remain tied, but I knew she was doing that and still thought I was lacking. Talking to Morgana about our experiences, she told me that part of her pleasure was struggling against the ropes. With more experimentation, I finally discovered that by virtually mummifying her, I could secure her adequately."
Rita asked, "But touching is such a desirable part of making love. Doesn't all of that rope get in the way?"
"Well, yes," Carter said. "I can't pet Morgana the way we would both like when she is tied up that way. Additionally, it takes a considerable amount of time to tie and untie her. Time is difficult for us. If Edgar Rains, Zeus, or any of the thinking machines caught wind of our affair, our fate would be much worse than death."
"You know, I think I can help you with this," Rita told him. Rita formed a mental image of a nude Carmen and projected it into Carter's mind.
"Amazing," said Carter. "That is one beautiful blonde. Her hair is amazingly long. Women on Earth keep their hair much shorter."
Focusing on the image, Rita had the image of Carmen turn its back to the viewers. Then Rita made the image place its hands behind its back. She slowly, so that Carter could easily follow her movements, tied the image's wrists together using a two-column tie.
Carter exclaimed, "The trick is cinching the loops! I can do that."
Rite continued, "For a secure tie, you must always tie the elbows. How tight you pull the elbows together is optional and depends on the flexibility of your partner. But you cinch just as with the wrists." Rita applied two loops of doubled rope above the elbows of the image. I have not pulled the elbows close, even though Carmen is more flexible than most. As it is, she can move her elbows closer by herself." The image did this, and the loops fell off. Rita returned the image to the loops above its elbows.
"We must be careful cinching. We apply the cinch until it extends from one arm to the other." After demonstrating, Rita said, "The cinch is now a convenient handhold for you to move and position your partner. We have replaced tightness with firmness. And now, if the image moves its elbows closer, the cinch will sag, but the loops around its arms above the elbows will not slip."
Rita found that she was enjoying instructing Carter on some of the finer points of bondage.
Lou had been concentrating on the things Morgana was telling her. She felt bad for not telling Morgana about the Argonaut's plans. Lou knew that if Zeus or any of the thinking machines learned of their plans, the machines would be able to dispose of the Argonaut or circumvent their plans for sure. They had to get close to a thinking machine for Jeeves to plant his worm in the machine's system. Within minutes, the worm would be integrated with the machine's thinking core. Within hours, the worm would propagate to every thinking machine on Earth. For now, maximum stealth was necessary.
Lou was now acquainted with Morgana and had begun to understand the current status of Earth. There were volumes left to learn, but they would get that one dose at a time.
Carter said, "We do, Admiral Harriman. If our opponent got any inkling of what we are up to, they would tear us apart physically while using drugs. We would sing like birds, and they would learn everything we know. No, you can not let us know anything. Knowing of your existence is potentially harmful enough."
Rita said, "Lou is married now. Her name is Lou Harriman Lee. And, she no longer uses her military rank."
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Back in the present, Rita and Lou formed a foursome with Morgana and Carter. Lou was after some specific data.
Jeeves was with them on this meld, so it wasn't required that the person questioning Morgana have a perfect memory. However, Lou was pleased to have an eidetic memory. By the end of their exchange, Lou knew the location and daily routine of all fifty of the Earth's sentient machines. And she knew the standing orders, table of organization, disposition, and plans of Zeus' Earth Militia, commanded by Edgar Rains, Morgana's husband.
This trip had been a fruitful mind meld. Tomorrow, on the Argonaut, there would be an all-hands council of war. To all present, Lou said, "Thank you for this exchange. I think you understand why we must keep our plans secret."