Chapter 5. Chris
The group was again assembled in the bedroom. When James appeared to give them
their afternoon tasks he was scowling. Immediately he sat down he turned on
Sheila. "Spitfire, who gave you the authority to countermand my orders?" His
voice although quiet was menacing and full of anger."
Sheila was taken aback and unprepared for the outburst and could only stutter
without no real words coming out.
"I've just been talking to the chief engineer. Who gave you instructions to take
Harry there? You exceeded what little authority I gave you. You changed my
orders."
Sheila's quick wits recovered quickly and decided to go on the offensive. "On
the contrary, Mr. James, I evaluated your orders. This morning you told me Harry
had been punished for what he did to me and that was the end of it. You also
said we were to work together as a team. Putting Harry alone in the room in
which he was punished last night was not only cruel, it went against your
rehabilitation principles. He was not allowed to mix with anyone. He was
sentenced to solitary confinement. As supervisor of this group I felt it my duty
to amend your decision in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time.
I believe I was right in what I did. Did the Chief comment on the work Harry
did? Did he say it wasn't good enough? Harry did seem to fit in with the two
engineers he was assigned to. So Mr. James, I didn't countermand your orders, I
just tweaked them a little. You were not available for consultation. I made a
decision I thought was right and in the best interest of the group. I still
stand by that decision but if you believe it was wrong, Mr. James, then I
apologise. I am sorry. Perhaps when you gave me some authority you didn't expect
me to use it. Once again, if I made the wrong choice, then, I am sorry."
For a few moments there was a stunned silence. Everyone stared at the half-pint
sized bundle of fire as she leaned with the fists on the bed in front of her.
She glared defiantly at James.
The attack took James completely by surprise. He was just going tell her off and
take her down a peg or two but she had turned the tables on him, making him
appear in the wrong. He didn't know what to say.
Surprisingly it was Harry who spoke. "I still hate that little bit of rotten
camel shit," he said, "But I appreciate what she did. It was much better working
there than being on my own and I lost some of the anger and resentment building
up inside me."
"Okay," James said, "I get the message." His attitude began to soften. "Spitfire
you are a born politician!" He addressed them all, "For now I think it will be
best if you all return to what you were doing this morning and we'll change
round again tomorrow." Turning again to Sheila, "I'll phone the Chief. For some
reason he thought he would be having you over his knee when you returned."
********
The Chief was in a good humour when they arrived. "So you wormed you way out of
a spanking then? Pity. Still there may be another time. While the others got on
with their work she showed the Chief the note from Mr. Ralph. She said she was
sorry it was on a napkin. Ted laughed. "That's how I know its from him. He often
gets ideas and jots them down on whatever is handy. Only when they have been
through the design office do I get a proper drawing." Ted instructed a young
female engineer to change the battery and then insert the card into Charles and
sent them up to Research Test II. On the way they had to pass through several
air locks and decontamination filters. The effect of the last one was to make
Sheila's hair stand straight out from her head and pubic area. All dust
particles from between the follicles were then removed. It was a scary minute or
two before it returned to normal.
An elderly woman greeted her. "Hello, I'm Mandy. I see you're not used to the
decon filter," she laughed at Sheila trying to push her hair back down. "You've
brought Charles for testing. Ralph said you were coming. Chris is going to do
the tests. Few work on a Sunday afternoon."
Chris turned out to be a boy around 26 years old. He was somewhat shy and very
much engrossed with his work. At the moment he was testing a very natural
looking hand which was a prototype for a new range of robos. "Hello, Spitfire,"
he smiled at her, "Sorry I don't know your real name but I've seen you on the
monitor and in the cafeteria."
"It's Sheila but I don't mind people using my nickname."
"I like Sheila. How come you have this old robo? And why didn't the engineers
see to it? We generally only test new models here."
Sheila told him the story while Chris finished his tests on the hand. She was
amazed and fascinated at the way the fingers opened and closed and the wrist
moved. Chris then opened panels in Charles and connected leads to and from
various pieces of test equipment. He made Sheila help. At one point Sheila was
lying on the floor, her gown rucked up above her waist, holding a part steady
and Chris was similarly on the floor with his head near her arse. "Sod me!" he
exclaimed, "They really did cane you! I saw it on video but I didn't think it
was as bad as this. Have they given you a pain injection?" He very tentatively
touched her warm flesh.
"No. They spray us and that relieves the pain a bit but they think we need the
pain to remind us of why we are being punished. Part of what they think is a
rehab programme."
"Well, I hope it works after what you have been through. What did you do?"
They chatted all through the testing. Chris found a part that needed replacing
but hadn't one in stock. It was an old part they didn't use. Chief Ted will
probably have one and can replace it.
"Would you do it if I get the part from the Chief?"
"If you like but it is really a simple plug in job but, yes, I would like to see
you again. I'll say I need the part before I can complete the testing. How would
that suit you, Sheila?"
"As it is Mr. Ralph's baby, I think you had better do it." Sheila gave him a
smile as she said it. "I'm supposed to do my rounds of the group now and collect
the laundry, in fact I am already half an hour late so can I come back when I've
done that? Is Charles still in a usable state?"
"Yeah, sure. I will still be here. Not too many actually work on a Sunday
afternoon even here but some of us get engrossed with our work and forget to
leave off."
Chief Ted, thought the excuse to return to Research Test II pretty feeble and
said so but gave her the part. She spent just a few minutes with Bertha and
checked on her groups just before they were due to finish. All seemed to be
getting on quite well. Even Horny Harry was containing his erection somewhat
although the fact the engineers on duty at his end of the workshop were all
male, might have had something to do with it. He seemed to be fitting in, if a
little reluctantly, with the two he was assigned to. They made him actually help
with their work rather than just clean up after them.
It was gone 4 o'clock when Sheila returned to Research Test II and found Chris
alone. "Sorry, it took longer that I thought," she said, "And you should be off
duty now."
"That's alright. I'd only be working on a video game or thinking about some
other project. It's nice to have you around and it's especially nice to have
someone about my own size." For the first time, Sheila noticed he was shorter
than most others. Only a little taller than she. It created a bond between them.
Chris fitted the part and tested it. He asked Sheila to lay on the floor to hold
a lead although it wasn't really necessary. They lay side by side, face to face
when they finished. Suddenly Chris stutteringly blurted out, "Can I kiss you
Sheila?"
She nodded, yes. He did. Soon they were tightly clasped in each others arms.
Sheila could feel the erection that tented Chris' overalls pressing against her
thighs but he made no move to go further. They lay like this for some time until
Sheila burst into tears.
"What is the matter?" Chris asked in a very concerned voice, "Have I hurt you?"
"No. No, nothing like that. I am getting used to pain now. Its being held like
you are loved that is difficult for me to take in. I'm not used to that. Usually
I'm kicked in the teeth or I am forced into fucking." Her sobs continued.
"You're hard and yet you are just holding me. You don't seem to want to force
me."
"Sheila, we have only been together a few hours and I would like to make love to
you but I am not going to force myself on you. For one thing, in a month you
will be gone and it would be difficult for me to see you ever again. I don't get
to Earth very often and then where I go is monitored. I would like us to be
friends, more than friends but in the end we would probably have to part. That
could be very traumatic for both of us."
"Chris, you don't know what traumas I've been through already. One more will
make little difference. I too would like to be more than a friend to you but for
now it is just so nice to be held in your arms and feel loved that I don't want
to go any further. Can you understand that?"
"Sheila, let's just take one step at a time."
They kissed passionately again and lay still until Sheila noticed it was
approaching dinner time. "Oh God, I will have been missed and will probably be
in more trouble. They may think I've tried to escape."
"Unlikely. They'll only have to look on the central computer to know you are
here. But you had better go now and get cleaned up, I'll see you in the
Cafeteria about six."
James wasn't around when she arrived at the bedroom but the others were and
questioned where she had been for the last two hours. "Just getting Charles
fixed," she replied.
"He must have been real poorly if he made you cry like that," stated Sarah
looking her straight in the eye, "Or did the Chief get you in the end?"
"No, nothing like that." Sheila flounced off to the showers. She was under the
dryer when Becky came to her.
"You're our supervisor, right?"
"Yes, I guess so," Sheila was very hesitant with her reply suspecting she might
not like what was to come.
"You are our link with the boss, right?"
Again a hesitant, "Yes."
"And for that you get special privileges?"
"Yes, and a few extra hidings it seems." Becky nodded knowing that was true as
well.
"Look, Spitfire, could you ask Mr. James if we or at least I could phone home. I
know my mum and dad will be worried sick especially after the news. I know James
said they had all been informed we were here but still, I wouldn't mind talking
with my mum."
"I just wish I had a mum I would want to talk to," replied Sheila, "But yes, I
will try and find out if it is possible and whether you will be allowed to. No
promises mind."
She rushed around to finish drying and put her gown back on. "Oh, I do wish I
had something better to wear," she said to herself. The cafeteria had only just
opened and Chris was not inside so she waited in the foyer area. Sarah and Ben
came by and asked why she was waiting. She told them she had a dinner date and
Sarah laughed and said she was certainly dressed for the occasion. They enquired
who the unlucky fellow was but Sheila kept it a secret till later.
Chris arrived soon after carrying a bag. Sheila was curious but was told it was
sort of a present but one which she couldn't have but could use. The bag felt
soft but Chris wouldn't let her peek inside. They got their meals and went to a
table. Chris then opened the bag and placed it contents on a chair. "Try sitting
on that," he suggested. Very cautiously Sheila did as her requested and found
she could sit without too much pain. "It's an air cushion," Chris told her, It's
mainly for hospitals when people are burned and such." Sheila thanked him. It
made her much less conspicuous than standing. She enquired about phoning Earth
and Chris told her it was possible but all calls went through the communications
room and a card may be needed for access.
Sitting being such a luxury these days, Sheila was reluctant leave and sat
chatting animatedly to Chris. Seeing James stand to leave the room, she
remembered Beck's request and went to him. "Mr. James, can I have a meeting with
you sometime soon please?"
"Is it important and urgent?"
"Yes, I believe it is and I have no other way of communicating with you apart
from catching you when I see you."
"I have a meeting in my office at seven, that's in a quarter of an hour. Give me
five minutes and then come there. It will have to be brief."
She went back to Chris and told him and asked if they could meet later. He said
he would be in his room and told her the location. "Just tell Charles to take
you to 3-103, I'll be there."
"They might not let me out of the area, but I will see if I can get there."
"If you can't make it by nine, I'll come down here, and maybe Jackie will loan
me her room if she is with John. She's usually a good sport," Chris said.
******
Sheila arrived at James' office and put in her request. He surprised her by
agreeing to her request almost immediately. He had to add conditions. They would
be given a ten minute card and could only phone close relatives and only from
one phone. They couldn't phone police or members of parliament or any
organisation that might cause them trouble. As the calls would all be routed
through the communications centre, the numbers would be vetted and the calls
monitored and recorded. Get all the group together in the bedroom at eight and I
or somebody will go through it with you."
After thanking James she turned to leave when James stopped her. "Spitfire, I
don't want to interfere but you should know any affair with Chris is doomed. You
will be returning to Earth in a few weeks and Chris cannot leave here. If it is
only a short term fling, fine and I won't do anything to stop you. Don't though,
think it can continue after you leave."
"Chris told me that but perhaps it is better to have loved than not to have
loved at all. Is there no way round it?"
"Spitfire, I know I have been harsh with you but under it all I do like you and
I respect what you have done here in the last day or so. I wouldn't do anything
to permanently hurt you, that is why I am telling you this now. Chris cannot
leave here except for short, monitored breaks. You cannot stay."
"Why not?"
"It would mean giving up the whole of your life on Earth. Your friends, seeing
the fields and villages, the changes in the weather. There is so much you would
miss. All of you will I expect start to miss those things very soon now. So far
you have been more concerned with pain but soon that will go and your thoughts
will return to home even though you may not have had the best of home life."
"At the moment I am not looking forward to going back. Here I feel I am among
friends, even you. Every where I have been there is a friendliness I have never
known before. So please let me consider it an option to stay and please let me
see Chris when work permits. Can I go to him tonight please?
James thought for a few moments until there was a knock on the door and Yvonne
entered and apologised for disturbing him. He signalled her to stay and turned
to Sheila, "No, that would mean your leaving the designated area in your free
time and then the others would want to as well. How about I ask Chris to deal
with Communications and sort out the phone cards. Remember there will only be
one phone line and each will have ten minutes so that's two hours of talk time,
probably three hours with dialing and arranging. As supervisor it will be up to
you to sort out who goes first. It doesn't all have to be done today, some can
use the phone tomorrow evening if they wish. Either way they will be cut off
after ten minutes, just like a pay phone. If there is any time left you can
spend it with Chris but you know the curfew hour is 11 p.m. and you should be
back in the bedroom area by then."
"Thank you Mr. James," Sheila said as she left the office, "I am sure the others
will appreciate your gesture to allow them a phone call."
Back in the bedroom, Sheila rounded up all the group and told them of the
arrangements, emphasizing the rather short length of time each had and the
conditions on who they could phone and that everything they said would be
recorded. A couple of the group started to object to this form of censorship
others at the length of time suggesting Sheila could have done better. Sheila
was furious and it showed, "Look," she said, "I risked my arse again. I got you
a ten minute phone call when it could just as easily have been yet another ten
whacks across my backside!"
Becky came forward and said, "Spitfire, you did great. Thank you. Don't let
those moaners put you off. Without you we wouldn't have any phone time at all.
None of them nor I, would have dared ask. Thanks."
"We now have to work out an order. Because she asked me first I am going to let
Becky use the phone first. Is there anyone who doesn't want to use the phone
today?" Two raised their hands. "That leaves eight. Chris is supposed to arrive
with the phone and cards at eight. I don't know how long it will take to set up.
Shouldn't be too long."
"Depends on how much snogging you two do first," laughed Sarah which brought
giggles from the rest.
Sheila blushed but said they would leave that till later. "She asked if anyone
needed a special time because of when their folks would be out. Jenny said her
parents always went to bed at ten so could she phone before then. She agreed to
follow Becky. Ben doubted his mum and dad would be home before ten so he was
last. She asked the rest to form an orderly line and after some pushing around,
they did. She inserted the line between Jenny and Ben and decreed that was to be
the running order.
Chris arrived early, and set the phone in a corner while Sheila handed out the
cards he brought. Most didn't believe it was a phone at first. It resembled a
transparent motor cyclist's helmet. He also brought the air cushion so they
could sit and talk in relative comfort. Placing the helmet over Becky's head he
explained that pushing the button at the front would put them through to
Communications. They would be ask for a number and would check it. When the call
was connected, the card should be swiped through and the ten minute conversation
could begin. No one outside the helmet would hear what was said although it
would all be listened to by Communications and recorded. Through a microphone he
asked Becky a question but although the onlookers could see her lips moving they
heard nothing. Chris again ran through the instructions with Becky, asked if she
knew the number she wanted and after she nodded, yes, left her to it. She
turned, faced the wall and gingerly sat down.
Ten minutes later, a very tearful Becky took off the helmet phone and came
crying to Sheila. "They want me back," she said, "After all I've done." Sheila
held the girl for a while, without asking what she had done, and then said,
"Maybe you'll be a better person when you go back. At least they want you. I
doubt if my mother will even be sober enough to pick up the phone." Mary came
over and the two walked around the room and then went off to the drinks machine.
Jenny was also tearful when she returned from her call and Sheila began to
wonder whether she had done the right thing. The two girls were much less happy
now than before talking to their parents. Jenny though, had Martin to comfort
her. They lay together on a bed holding each other tightly.
The queue for the phone seemed orderly so Chris and Sheila lay on a bed
together. Ignoring catcalls from various of the boys, they kissed and fondled
each other but Sheila's sore arse put severe restrictions on what they could do.
Communications were very quick in getting through to most numbers although there
was no reply from two and an answer machine on one. They allowed the boy to
leave a short message to say he would call again the following evening without
charging anything from his card. By 10.30 all those who could or wanted to, had
finished their calls and Chris collected the equipment and the air cushion. "We
have just half an hour before James wants you back in the bedroom area," he
whispered to Sheila as he led her to Jackie's room. Carefully positioning the
air pillow on the bed he lay Sheila down on it. For the first time in what
seemed ages she was able to lie on her back. Trying to keep his weight off her
as much as possible, Chris leaned over and kissed her. She kissed back and
inserted her tongue in his mouth and French kissed for a while. Chris' hand
slowly worked up her gown and massaged her small breasts and when the nipples
stood hard and firm he took them into his mouth and gently suckled them.
"Ooohh!! Chris, that is soooo nice." Sheila moaned under his ministrations. Her
hand slid down between and felt his hardness. Gently she massaged that too "Oh
Chris, do it! Fuck me!" Sheila was by no means a virgin but previously all
intercourse with men had either been necessary or for some sort of gain,
monetary or position. Now she wanted it for love. She wanted Chris to make love
to her. This was just not to be a bog standard fuck.
Chris slipped his cock in her and gently plunged back and forth. He knew she
could still feel pain although it was reduced by the air cushion and tried not
to cause further unnecessary suffering but Sheila cried out, "Harder Chris,
harder!" Lust and love became intermingled as they drove themselves towards a
climax.
"Tap, tap, tap." A soft knock on the door. It opened a few inches. "You have
five minutes." James' voice came through the opening.
"Damn the bastard," muttered Sheila, "He always puts his foot in at the wrong
time." She looked at the digital clock, 23.10. He'd already given them an extra
ten minutes.
******
Sleep wouldn't come to Sheila that night. She lay awake and restless. She
thought about Chris and leaving him to go back home. And where was home? Not
with her mother. Not on the streets or in hostels or in someone's apartment for
a few nights or sleeping with a man just to find a warm bed. She thought about
how being here had already changed her. She now seemed to have a purpose. She
had authority and everyone seemed to help her even though she was only a
prisoner; a captive. Quietly calling Charles, she had him take her in his arms
and go to the observation deck. Looking at the stars in all their brilliance and
the Earth now bathed in moonlight tears came to her eyes and flowed silently
down her cheeks. From where she was Earth looked a small ball, peaceful and
serene but she knew from bitter experience there was much suffering and realized
too she had caused some of it. She vividly remembered the old woman whose face
she had cut with the knuckle-duster type rings she'd worn. At the time she was
just an object to be overcome, someone who was preventing her from stealing her
handbag, a handbag which contained only a few pounds of her pension. Tonight the
face haunted her.
A bleep woke James. It was his night on duty. The monitoring system had noted an
unusual movement for that time of night and woke him. He looked at the screen.
No Spitfire. Had that girl gone and made her way to Chris' room? Her keyed in
her name and did a search. Puzzled he saw her on the observation deck and she
was crying. He made his way quietly to her, sat on a nearby bench seat and
offered her a tissue. "Do you want to talk?" he asked. At first she said nothing
but gradually opened up until a flood of words came pouring out. She told him
about her life on Earth and here, of Chris and particularly of the haunting face
of he old woman and how she now regretted what she had done. At the time it was
all a game but having been here, she knew something of the horror the woman must
have felt. "Do you know if she is alright?" she asked.
"I don't know but I can probably find out but that might make you feel worse
rather than better. I'll get Communications on to it in the morning." James was
surprised she was even thinking about her victim.
"Could I use my phone card to ask Kate and Jayne to see her?"
"No. I think Communications would block that. They are reporters."
"But you can phone them. James?" she used her wheedling tone of voice, "If I
give my card to Becky, would you phone Jayne for me please?"
James laughed, "You conniving hussy! But I will phone Jayne and you don't have
to give up your card. Why Jayne rather than Kate?"
"Jayne is more down to earth, Kate is tarted up, a showpiece and not what she
seems on the surface. I like Kate but am more in tune with Jayne."
"Go back to bed now Sheila. Try and get some rest for what is left of the
night."
"Can I come in with you like last night? I need to be held."
******
Jayne visited Sheila's victim, a Mrs. Janet Mayhew, and disked an interview. The
woman was out of hospital but still traumatised and frightened from her ordeal.
She had seen the report and pictures of the canings on TV but hadn't linked any
with her assault. Her emotions became very confused when told the girl who had
the extra caning was the one that had hit her. On the one hand she thought she
had gotten her just deserts and on the other hand was sorry for the amount of
punishment she had been given. She was even more confused when Jayne told her
she had come to do the interview because the girl wanted to know how she was and
was very sorry for what she had done. At first she just said, "Its amazing how
quickly a sore backside can make your mind sorry," but later, after Jayne had
put down her camera and had related some of her experiences on Molly
Spacestation, and had told of the girl's plight, she began to show some sympathy
towards her. "It seems as if she has a very apt nickname," Janet said, "Pity she
cannot use her talents for good as did her namesake."
Later that day, James called Sheila to his office ostensibly to discus the work
schedules but when the door was closed he opened a video link to Jayne and not
only was the interview shown to her but she was able to chat with Jayne and talk
about what wasn't on the film and the chat Jayne had with Janet. Tears again
flowed from Sheila's eyes. Her tough exterior broken once again, to fragile
female emotion. Kate popped into the picture to say, "Hi," and chatted for a few
moments before they had to break the link.
"Thank you, Mr. James. Is there anything I can do to make up for what I did to
the old lady?"
"Probably not, at least not now. Who knows what may happen in the future." He
handed her a tissue. "Now dry your eyes and get back to work," he added with
mock sterness.
******
The next three days fell into a routine of P.E., work, eat, work, free, eat,
free and sleep. Chris visited each evening and they made love on the air cushion
openly but Chris was never allowed to spend the whole night with her. Curfew was
still fixed at 11 p.m. Gina and Clive, and Jenny and Martin followed their
example but without the air cushion found it more painful although they could
spend the whole night in each other's arms. Sarah and Ben seemed to be hitting
it off especially when there wasn't too many others around.
On the fourth evening, Sheila had to forgo Chris' company as Ralph asked her to
come to his room. He made tea and treated her with old fashioned courtesy while
they talked and chatted on a wide variety of subjects. During the conversation
he probed into her life and she managed to find out more about his. Sheila tried
to find out about her chances of staying on Molly but he too was sceptical. "It
will be difficult for a young person like you to accept the lifestyle and
conditions here. The five days so far might be like a holiday. You will know
better at the end of the month or better still after you have been back a month
or two." They discussed what she might do when she went back but really she had
no idea. Sheila now didn't want to return to her former ways but had no
qualifications or training. Ralph said he would see what he could do and
promised to keep an eye on her after she left. The evening passed quickly and
before long she had to return to the bed area. Her talk with Ralph had been
thought provoking but exhausting and she was soon asleep.
