STAR BASE: THE ROCKETS
By: J.T. Starr
* * * * * * * * * *
Copyright J.T. Starr 2010
Published by www.jtstarrbooks.com at Smashwords
CHAPTER 1 – LIFT-OFF
NASA, Houston, Texas…
I can’t believe I got talked into this, Suzie thought, standing with the others just inside the cargo entrance of the space freighter. “Cassie, I can’t do this.”
“Suzie, we’ve already been through this. You’re coming with us,” said Cassie. “Lighten up. You worry too much.”
“Suzie, you’ll be glad you came along when we get to Star Base - and you have your pick of all those horny, love-starved men,” said Charlie. “Lots of women for us, too,” he whispered in Cassie’s ear, winking and smiling at her.
“How can you even think about sex at a time like this?” Suzie said to Charlie.
Charlie counted suitcases and noticed one too many. “Hey! What the hell? Who brought this extra carry-on bag?” he asked, picking it up and opening the cargo door of the space freighter.
“Charlie, no!” screamed Vanita, as Charlie tossed out her extra bag. “You motherfucker! That’s mine! I’m not leaving Earth without that bag!” she yelled, heading to retrieve it.
Charlie put a hand over Vanita’s mouth and pulled her away from the open doorway. “Shut up!” he said firmly, but quietly. “Someone will hear you.”
“Let go, damn you!” continued Vanita, in muffled screams, trying unsuccessfully to get away from him. “You son of a bitch! Let go of me!”
“Not ‘til you get quiet! You gonna be quiet?” asked Charlie, as Vanita finally, and reluctantly, nodded yes. “OK,” he said, releasing a quieter, yet still fuming, Vanita. “I told you girls – there’s only room for one suitcase for each of us.”
Eyeing the open doorway, Suzie made a run for it to jump out.
“Suzie, no!” said Cassie, grabbing her and pulling her from the open doorway, as Charlie quickly closed it.
“Y’all haven’t thought this through,” said Suzie.
“There’s no time for second thoughts, now. We’re about to lift off. Follow me,” said Charlie, carrying his and Suzie’s suitcases, as Cassie and Vanita grabbed theirs and got on either side of Suzie, taking her by the arms and moving her along. Charlie and the girls ran across the big cargo bay area of the space freighter with little time to spare, as lift-off was only minutes away.
The space freighter, on which the group was stowed away, was a top secret NASA project. Therefore, the lift-off took place at 3:00 a.m. without any media coverage. The U.S. government had never released any information about the freighter – or Star Base.
“We’ll hide in here,” Charlie said, as they approached what appeared to be a U.S. space shuttle docked in the cargo bay. However, the shuttle had writing on it of some unidentifiable language. Charlie opened the door to the shuttle and hurriedly got the girls and the suitcases on board. “Hurry! We’ve got to get strapped in. Cassie, you and Suzie sit here,” he said, assisting them with the harnesses and seatbelts of the two front seats in the shuttle’s cockpit. “Vanita, you sit here,” he motioned, as she took a seat behind Cassie and he helped her get harnessed in. Then Charlie took a seat behind Suzie, and next to Vanita, and situated his own harness.
Ten… nine… eight… seven… six… said a soft feminine voice over the freighter’s intercom.
Reality was now setting in for them all, not just Suzie – sitting white-knuckled, gripping the armrests of her seat so tightly it would have cut off circulation had she been clutching someone’s arm.
Five… four… three… two… one…
The thundering sounds of engines and rockets firing was intense, but couldn’t match the almost unbearable pressure of the G-force as the space freighter lifted-off. The stowaways were on their way to another universe as Earth was fast becoming a distant star in their rearview mirror. The freighter was traveling at an incredible speed, as it approached the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere. Finally, the freighter entered space and the weightless state, relieving the pressure of lift-off.
“Well, now we’ve done it,” said Suzie, her bottom lip starting to quiver.
“It’ll be all right, Suzie,” said Cassie, raising the armrest of her seat and putting an arm around her sister. “I wasn’t about to leave Earth without you. Now, come on - don’t start bawling.”
“I can’t help it, Cassie! I’m scared,” Suzie said, wiping her teary eyes. “We’re probably all gonna get arrested and put in jail for this!” freaked Suzie. “And y’all act like it’s no big deal - like we’re just going to the mall or something.”
“If we get arrested, I’ll just say I kidnapped you. Don’t worry about it.”
“Suzie, nobody’s gonna get arrested,” said Charlie. “All we have to do is get to Star Base, and then we’re home free. Trust me.”
“Well, all right, Charlie - if you say so,” said Suzie, calming down a bit. “I guess it’s too late to turn back now, anyway.”
“That’s the spirit!” smiled Charlie. But noticing Vanita’s icy stare in his direction, he asked her, “So, what’s your problem?”
“Charlie, I’ll never forgive you for tossing my bag of shoes out!” snapped Vanita.
“Well, get over it!” said Charlie. “Who needs a hundred pairs of fucking shoes in outer space, for crying out loud? Anyway, we needed all the room we could get for our musical equipment, CDs, and karaoke machine. You have to understand that there are weight limits and guidelines that have to be followed. This took me weeks of scientific planning.”
“Since when do you know anything about scientific planning?”
“Since I’ve been working at NASA.”
“OK. What kind of spaceship are we on?”
“This is a super–atomic stratoblaster.”
“You made that up - which means you don’t know shit about this spaceship we’re on - or how much weight it can carry.”
“Oh, my God, we’re being hurled into outer space on a flying death trap! I don’t know why I let y’all talk me into this,” sobbed Suzie, starting to hyperventilate.
“Here,” said Cassie, pulling a paper bag out of her jeans pocket and handing it to Suzie to breathe into. “I thought we’d be needing this.”
“‘Stratoblaster’, my ass!” Vanita said to Charlie. “I’d like to hear all about your so-called ‘scientific planning’.”
“Well,” said Charlie, “we just happen to be hiding in the cockpit of an alien spaceship that was recovered from a crash site in Roswell, New Mexico back in the 1950s.”
“Yeah, right”
“He’s not gonna tell us,” Cassie said to Vanita.
“No, really! And this space freighter we’re on was developed from studies of an alien freighter that crashed in Roswell, too,” he said. “We’re on a mission to take this space shuttle to Star Base.”
“And next, you’re probably gonna tell me how you and the little green men built it out in your backyard,” said Vanita, dripping sarcasm.
“Never mind. I would explain it to you girls, but you wouldn’t understand it anyway.”
“Give it up, Vanita. He’s not going to tell us,” said Cassie.
“I know that’s right,” said Vanita. “’Cause he don’t know!”
“I don’t feel so good,” said Suzie, as she pulled the paper bag away from her face.
“Just keep breathing into the bag, Sis,” said Cassie, holding the paper bag back up to Suzie’s face.
As the group hid in the cockpit of the shuttle, the freighter was traveling faster than they ever thought possible, going deeper and deeper into outer space.
Charlie released his harness and seatbelt. “Look at me,” he smiled, as he floated weightlessly.
“That looks like fun,” said Cassie, joining him. “Wow!” she said, smiling and laughing. “Come on! You gotta try this,” she said, floating over to Vanita and Suzie and releasing them from their seats.
“Holy shit!” screamed Vanita, as she floated out of her seat.
Suzie screamed and giggled, “Oh, my, this is fun!”
“Stick with me, girls. We’re gonna have the time of our lives,” promised Charlie.
With a thud, the foursome abruptly stopped floating and landed on the floor of the shuttle.
“Looks like the artificial gravity kicked in,” said Charlie. “You girls OK?”
“Yeah,” answered Vanita.
“I’m OK,” said Cassie.
“I’m fine,” Suzie answered, as everyone got up slowly, feeling gravity again.
“I don’t know about y’all, but I’m getting hungry,” said Vanita.
“Me, too,” said Cassie.
“All right. Let’s see what we got,” said Charlie, rummaging through refrigerated compartments, located below foldout sleeping bunks, just behind the cockpit. “I stocked enough food here to last for weeks. And we’ll get where we’re going in a few days.”
“Then why the fuck wasn’t there room for my shoes?” bitched Vanita.
“Food is a necessity. We have to be prepared for emergencies. You can’t eat a goddamned shoe. Get over it all ready! You gonna have a pity party all the way the Star Base, or what?” he shouted and sighed.
* * *
After breakfast the next morning, the stowaways began looking out for the freighter pilots, waiting for a chance to go shower in the big bathroom in the cargo bay of the freighter. Charlie knew the pilots’ schedule and when they would be milling around, because he had a computer printout of the two-man crew’s daily assignments. Charlie, Cassie, Suzie, and Vanita were able to roam freely in the cargo bay of the freighter when the pilots weren’t around.
Sitting in the bunk area of the shuttle three days later, the group was hiding out from the freighter pilots. Cassie and Vanita were on one side, sitting next to each other, while Charlie and Suzie sat next to each other on the other side. They were discussing how they had met in a bar, formed their rock band, and how they would soon become the “USO Show to the Stars.” Cassie rocked on lead guitar and drums, Suzie played keyboards, Vanita picked a mean bass, and Charlie played drums and bass. All four of them sang quite well.
“Charlie, you keep promising us girls all these loved-starved men on this ‘Star Base.’ What’s in it for you?” asked Vanita.
“There are two planets close to Star Base,” said Charlie, as he lit a joint, took a hit, and passed it to Vanita. “One is called Tyre – you know, like tear drop, but spelled T-Y-R-E - and the other is called Thorr. Both planets are about seventy percent bisexual or gay women - that’s what.”
“Say what? How do you know that?”
“I have my sources.”
“But what’s in it for you?”
“What can I say - I like a challenge,” answered Charlie, thinking, I can’t wait to get a girlfriend that’s got a girlfriend. “On Star Base, half the women working there are bi or gay. That leaves a lot of lonely, straight men for you girls.”
“That works for me,” said Vanita. She turned to Cassie and Suzie. “Girls, looks like the odds are stacked in our favor.” She took a drag off the joint. “Here, Suzie,” she said passing the joint to her.
“No thanks. I’ll pass,” Suzy said and handed the joint to Cassie. “Just how high do y’all need to be? We’re already in outer space.”
Cassie took a hit off the joint and took in several quick, little breaths. “Well,” she said, breathing out the smoke. “I have a confession to make. I’ve already told Charlie and …”
“And I’m way cool with it, Baby,” interrupted Charlie.
“What, Cassie?” asked Suzie.
“I’m gay,” answered Cassie.
“That’s a good one, girlfriend,” said Vanita, almost busting a gut laughing. “Don’t you be fuckin’ with me way out here in the middle of nowhere.”
“I’m not kidding,” said Cassie.
“You gotta be shittin’ me?” said Vanita, as her mouth dropped open - totally shocked. “We’ve been best friends for over two years, now … and all those men we’ve gone out with. I ain’t believin’ this.”
“It’s true. It’s taken me a long time to even admit it to myself.”
“You’re my sister. I love you anyway,” said Suzie, hugging her.
“Me too, Baby,” said Charlie, smiling and winking at Cassie.
Cassie and Charlie had dated, off and on, for a little over a year – since the time they had met and formed their band. Charlie had come to expect that every time they had a fight, Cassie would break up with him and eventually come back and make up. Charlie hadn’t yet grasped that Cassie’s admission of her sexual preference meant that she was through dating him. Charlie just assumed that he and Cassie would continue dating, and that she would bring a girlfriend along for a threesome.
“I’ve suspected this for a while, now,” said Suzie.
“Say, what?” said Vanita, turning to Suzie. “How could you suspect something like this and not tell me?”
“Guess it wasn’t my imagination - the way Cassie looked at pretty women.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“I thought you two were an item when we first met at the bar,” Charlie said, pointing at Cassie and Vanita.
“Say what?” Vanita yelled at Charlie. “Me and Cassie are just friends – period!”
“I’m just kidding. Don’t get all bent out of shape,” laughed Charlie.
“We are just friends, Vanita” said Cassie. “Just like you were friends with that gay guy, Paul, that would come into the bar.”
“Yeah. I loved to go shopping with Paul,” Vanita said. “I’m sure gonna miss him.”
“So, Vanita’s a fag hag.” said Charlie, cracking up laughing.
“Fuck you, Charlie!” said Vanita.
Cassie got a concerned look on her face. “Vanita, are we OK? I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me now that you know I’m gay.”
“Cassie, you just took me by surprise. I don’t have a problem with gay people.”
“That’s a relief. I couldn’t take it if I lost you as a friend.”
“Girlfriend, you couldn’t run me off with a stick. Come here,” said Vanita, reaching out and hugging Cassie.
Hugging her back and then pulling away, Cassie said, “And I assure you, Vanita - I’m not attracted to you in that way. I really love you – but just as a friend.”
“Me too,” said Vanita, relieved by Cassie’s statement. Then Vanita got a curious, contemplative look on her face and said, “Now, wait a minute. What’s wrong with me?”
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you,” said Cassie, laughing and smiling at her. “You’re one of the most beautiful people, inside and out, that I’ve ever met. You’re just not gay.”
“Oh.”
About that time, they felt the space freighter go into a sharp descent.
“Something’s wrong!” worried Charlie. “The schedule’s off. It’s too soon to be descending for Star Base. “Hurry! Get everything stowed and get strapped in!”
* * *
When the freighter finally docked, the two freighter pilots, dressed in navy flight suits and entered the cargo bay. As the girls and Charlie watched, in horror, out the porthole of the shuttle, three armed soldiers, uniformed in red jump suits, boarded the freighter. Apparently, the two pilots were being arrested.
One of the soldiers asked the two pilots, “Is there anyone else on board?”
“No,” answered one of the pilots, as two of the soldiers took the pilots away.
Then the third soldier started a search of the freighter.
“Everyone hide! He’s coming this way!” whispered Charlie, as they all started to back away from the porthole.
But it was too late. The third soldier just happened to look their way and spotted them looking out. “Come out with your hands up,” ordered the soldier as he opened the door of the shuttle, pointing at them a hand-held weapon with pulsating red lights.
“Don’t shoot!” said Charlie, as he and the girls exited from their hiding spot with their hands in the air. “Don’t shoot. We’re unarmed. We come in peace.”
“This way,” the soldier motioned with his weapon, taking them away.
“See!” said Suzie. “I told you so. I told y’all we were gonna get arrested.”
“Hey! Shhhh,” Charlie said to Suzie. He turned to the soldier and asked, “Where are we?”
“Capital City, Tyre,” answered the soldier. “When we get to the throne room, you will only speak to the Czar when spoken to. Do you understand?”
“Yeah,” Charlie said to the soldier, as he grinned and winked at Cassie, knowing that Tyre was one of the planets heavily populated with gay and bisexual women.
When the group finally reached the entrance of the throne room, Cassie got a glimpse of the beautiful Czar.
Wow! Cassie thought. She is smokin’ hot.
Julia, the Czar of Tyre, was a gorgeous redhead. She was wearing a long, white, off the shoulder gown, accentuating her voluptuous breasts. Her diamond earrings and necklace couldn’t match the sparkle in her beautiful green eyes.
“So, what have we here?” said the Czar to the pilots that stood before her. “State your names,” she ordered.
“I’m Captain Lewis - and this is Lieutenant Shaw - of the U.S./Republic,” answered one of the pilots.
About that time, Charlie, Cassie, Vanita, and Suzie were escorted into the room.
“What the hell?” said a stunned Captain Lewis, as Charlie and the girls joined the two pilots before the Czar.
“Charlie Berardi? You son of a bitch! What the fuck are you and these women doing here?” asked Lieutenant Shaw, realizing that they were obviously stowaways.
“You’re all under arrest,” said Captain Lewis to the stowaways.
Charlie just smiled slyly and gave Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Shaw the thumbs up sign, since he had been told not to speak until the Czar spoke to him directly.
“So you came alone,” the Czar said sarcastically to the two U.S./Republic pilots.
The Czar was seated on her elevated throne with marble pillars on either side, looking down on the group. The floor of the throne room was made up of black and white checkerboard terrazzo squares. Brass railings lined the steps up to her majesty.
“Why are we being held?” asked Lieutenant Shaw.
“You drifted into Tyrian orbit space,” answered the Czar, as her eyes met Cassie’s.
“That’s impossible,” said Captain Lewis. “We’re perfectly in line with our coordinates!”
“You Earthlings don’t have enough sense to understand that the universe is expanding,” said the Czar. “And the section of the universe that you’re in, right now is in a time warp.”
“As officers of the United States Air Force, and of the Republic, we demand that you release us immediately.” said Lieutenant Shaw.
“I demand that someone introduce me to these people,” ordered the Czar, pointing at the four stowaways. The Czar was much more interested in the three pretty women and the handsome young man, who had just appeared before her, than in speaking with the two pilots. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of Cassie.
“I’m Charlie, and this is Cassie, Suzie, and Vanita,” said Charlie, pointing out who was who.
“I’m Julia - Czar of Tyre. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” said Charlie, flashing his sexy Italian smile.
“Why are you here?”
“We’re entertainers headed for Star Base.”
“You’re criminals headed for jail,” yelled an angry Lieutenant Shaw, glaring at Charlie and the girls.
“Silence! One more word out of either of you two pilots, unless I ask you a direct question, and I’ll have you gagged,” said Julia. “So,” she said, turning to the entertainers. “What kind of entertainment is this?”
“We play and sing pop and rock tunes,” blurted Suzie, who had been quiet for so long that she was about to burst. “But we do a few blues songs too.”
“Well, aren’t you the perky one,” said Julia.
Suzie was the classic perky, blue-eyed blond.
Julia turned to Vanita. “What instrument do you play?” she asked, gazing at the gorgeous and sexy African-American woman.
“Bass, madam Czar,” answered Vanita, bowing nervously.
Julia’s glance returned, again, to Cassie. The Czar sensed that Suzie and Vanita were straight, but she was getting strong vibes of interest from Cassie.
“Would you like a concert?” Charlie asked the Czar.
“Yes, I would,” said Julia, making eyes at Cassie, as Cassie smiled back at her. Julia thought Cassie was one of the most beautiful women she’d ever seen - with her tall, slender, yet curvaceous body. She found Cassie’s long, dark curly hair and big, light brown eyes extremely intoxicating.
“Our equipment is on the freighter,” said Charlie.
“Comrade,” ordered Julia, to one of her soldiers. “Get several men and help the entertainers get their belongings from the freighter - and set up, here, for a concert.”
“Everything on that freighter is the property of the U.S./Republic,” said Captain Lewis.
“You’re not taking anything from our freighter,” Lieutenant Shaw yelled at Julia’s soldiers.
“That’s it. They were warned. Gag them both - and restrain them to the brass railing,” ordered the Czar. “I don’t want my concert to be interrupted by any outbursts.”
About an hour later, the equipment was set up and the band was ready to perform.
The band played several songs, much to the delight of the Czar. “That was wonderful,” said Julia. “I think you have a bright future here.”
“I have one more song I’d like to sing for you,” said Cassie, finally getting up the nerve to speak to the beautiful Czar.
“All right,” said Julia, as she continued making eyes at Cassie.
The band started into the final song. Cassie put down her guitar, took her remote microphone from the stand, and began singing “Come Be My Lover,” while dancing seductively towards the Czar. Cassie was even so bold as to climb onto the landing, where the Czar was seated on her throne, and sing the song directly to her. Julia loved every minute of it. So much so that all she could do was stare at Cassie in silence as the song ended.
“Comrade,” said Julia, breaking the silence, while continuing to gaze flirtatiously at Cassie. “Remove the gags and restraints and send the pilots on their way to Star Base.”
“That crate is not theirs,” said Captain Lewis, as the gag was removed and he could finally speak. “It’s the property of the U.S./Republic.”
“We’re not leaving without that crate!” said Lieutenant Shaw, pointing at a large box about six feet wide and four feet tall that was sitting next to the band’s musical equipment and suitcases.
“You’re leaving right now!” Julia said to the pilots, irritated that they were diverting her attention from Cassie. “But the entertainers are staying here with me. And so is that crate - until I decide if it’s safe in your hands.”
“I demand that you release these people into our custody. They’re prisoners of the U.S./Republic,” said Captain Lewis.
“You are in no position to be making any demands! I decide who comes and goes, here,” said Julia. “Everything has a price. I’m letting you off easy this time. I keep the entertainers for three months, to entertain me, and you get to be on your way to Star Base. They’ll be free to go to Star Base in three months. Comrades. Escort Lieutenant Shaw and Captain Lewis out of the palace and out of Tyrian orbit space.”
“Yes, Madame Czar,” said one of Julia’s soldiers, taking the pilots away.
Julia turned to the entertainers. ”Turn off your equipment and gather your suitcases.”
“I could get used to these digs,” mumbled Vanita, under her breath, looking around the palace.
I think I’m in love, thought Cassie, staring at the beautiful Czar as she made her decent from her throne.
“Cassie, that was great, Baby,” Charlie said, as he turned off their equipment. “I can tell - the Czar wants you bad!”
“Shhhh, Charlie! The Czar’s coming this way,” whispered Suzie. “You and Cassie better behave yourselves. I hope she wasn’t offended by your trashy performance, Cassie.”
As the group gathered their belongings, Cassie found her suitcase sitting next to the crate that the U.S./Republic pilots didn’t want to leave behind. She noticed that there was also a gold key lying on the floor next to it. So she picked it up and put it in her suitcase.
“Follow me,” Julia said to the group.
Suzie grabbed her suitcase and joined the Czar. “Y’all come on,” she said to Charlie, Cassie, and Vanita, trying to hurry them along – not wanting to keep the Czar waiting.
Julia stared curiously at Suzie. “Y’all?” she repeated, not understanding the southern drawl.
“She meant to say you all,” said Charlie, as he and Cassie and Vanita approached them.
“Oh, I see,” said Julia.
As the group proceeded down the hallway, Charlie whispered to Suzie, “Jesus, square-dancing Christ, Suzie. Tone down the southern accent.” Then he whispered to Cassie, Vanita, and Suzie, “Just say you guys here, not y’all. We don’t want Julia to think we’re a bunch of stupid hicks from Texas.”
CHAPTER 2 – JULIA
“You’ll be staying in guest suites in my private wing of the palace,” said Julia to the group as they walked down a long hallway. “Suzie and Vanita will occupy this suite,” she said, opening a door.
“Holy shit!” said Vanita, as she and Suzie entered their suite and set their suitcases down. “Can you believe this?”
Suzie was almost speechless. “Wow!” she said, blown away by the lavish furnishings and the size of the living room. “This is, like, better than a five-star hotel,” she said, walking towards a roaring fire in the fireplace and noticing a bar and kitchenette just around the corner. “Thank you, Madame Czar.”
“Please. Call me Julia,” the Czar said to the group.
Suzie and Vanita’s decadent two-bedroom suite also came with two young, handsome, scantily clad, gay men to wait on them hand and foot.
“Get settled in. Your attendants will show you the way when it’s time for dinner,” said Julia. Then, she and Cassie and Charlie continued down the long hallway.
“Charlie, this will be your suite,” said Julia, opening another door.
Charlie was given a single bedroom suite, which had the same amenities as Suzie and Vanita’s suite and also came with two hot, topless, bisexual women to attend to his every need.
“Very nice,” said Charlie, smiling at his attendants - who were wearing nothing but smiles, heels, and thongs. “Thank you, Julia!”
“You’re welcome,” said Julia.
“Hello, girls,” Charlie said to his attendants, as the two young women took him by the arms, pulled him into the suite, and closed the door.
Julia and Cassie continued down the hallway and stopped at another door. “This is my suite,” said Julia. “There’s another guest suite down the hallway – or you could stay with me, if you like?”
“I’d like that,” said Cassie, as she followed the Czar into her private suite.
Julia’s suite was bigger than the suites that Suzie, Vanita, and Charlie occupied - combined. The living area of the Czar’s suite had a fireplace and full bar. Beyond the bar area was a full kitchen. Off to the right of the fireplace and sitting area was an oversized hot tub big enough to hold six adults comfortably. To the left of the fireplace were double-doors that opened out onto a balcony, which overlooked the palace grounds and swimming pool.
“The master bath is this way,” said Julia, leading Cassie through her bedroom which included a queen size bed and a fireplace. “Would you like to take a hot bath?”
“Yeah, that’s sounds great,” said Cassie, as they entered the lavish bathroom which featured gold and brass fixtures, a wet bar, and kitchenette.
“The closet on the left is mine,” said Julia, showing Cassie into the dressing area of the master bath. “You can put your things in the closet on the right. While you’re bathing, I think I’ll change into something a little more casual. I’ll let you know when it’s time for dinner. Enjoy.”
“Thanks,” said Cassie, as Julia left her alone in the bathroom.
Cassie unpacked her suitcase, got undressed, and settled into a nice hot bubble bath in a king-sized tub. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and drifted into total relaxation…
“Do you mind if I join you?” asked Julia, a few minutes later.
“No, not at all,” Cassie said, pleasantly surprised, as Julia slipped out of her formal gown, exposing her gorgeous naked body. Julia stepped into the bathtub, climbed onto Cassie’s lap, facing her, and started kissing her passionately. The beautiful Czar grabbed a bar of soap and lathered up Cassie’s breasts. She ran the bar of soap down Cassie’s stomach, and then dropped it, as she ran her hand up one of Cassie’s inner thighs - arousing her and immediately finding her spot. Julia continued pleasuring Cassie and was about to bring her to a climax when… “What?” Cassie said, startled awake by a knock on the bathroom door. “Who’s there?” she asked, with one of her hands in her crotch and the other holding one of her tits.
“Are you OK in there?” Julia asked. “Do you need anything?”
“No!” replied Cassie, grabbing the brass railing so she wouldn’t slip under water. “I’m fine.”
“We have about half an hour before dinner.”
“OK. I’ll be out soon.”
A few minutes later, Julia led Cassie out of her suite to join the others for dinner.
“With your talent and looks - and my connections - your musical group will go far here,” said Julia. “The women in this section of the universe are going to go crazy over you.”
Dinner was served in the party room of the palace. The party room was equipped with a kitchen, bar, stereo, StarTeli (their satellite television network), stage, dance floor, and tables and chairs. An extravagant buffet was set up along the wall next to the kitchen. Servants opened wine and champagne and kept the glasses filled, as the group and Julia ate dinner and got acquainted.
“Julia, you look different,” said Suzie, noticing that the Czar had changed into slacks and a sweater. “You had on such a lovely gown, earlier - not that you don’t look nice now. But I was afraid we’d need to dress for dinner, and we didn’t have room to bring any dress clothes.”
“That’s all right. I much prefer the casual look when I’m not attending to Tyrian business,” said Julia.
“Casual is all we brought – mostly jeans and tops.”
“We can remedy that situation. Are your accommodations satisfactory?”
“Yes. Thank you, so much. This is, like, the best vacation I could ever dream of. And the ‘cabana boys’ are just precious,” answered Suzie, as Vanita, Charlie, and Cassie just nodded in approval - not being able to get a word in edgewise.
“I’m glad you like it,” said Julia. “However, the vacation part of your stay could be a short one. I’ve invited my ambassadors to come and hear you in concert - day after tomorrow. That just gives us tomorrow to find you costumes and get ready.”
“That sounds great, Julia,” said Charlie.
“But, right now, I’d like to hear the story about how you managed to stowaway on a U.S./Republic freighter,” said Julia.
“My stepdad is the head of security at NASA,” said Charlie. “I worked there for years, during the summer, while I was going to college. And after I graduated - up until now. I just called in some favors from the right people to look the other way so we could stowaway.”
“But how did you find out about this section of the universe?” asked Julia. “I know for a fact that the U.S. government doesn’t acknowledge our existence - and flat out denies the unending contacts being sent to Earth from here.”
“That’s true. But my stepdad has top secret security clearance - and he tends to drink a little too much whiskey. One night I found him passed out in his office with information about Star Base, Tyre, and Thorr up on his computer screen. To make a long story short, we needed a change of scenery - and here we are,” said Charlie.
“Well, a change of scenery is putting it mildly,” said Julia, wondering, what could the Earthlings be hiding, or running, from?
“Then Charlie talked us into coming with him,” interjected Suzie.
“Well, I’m glad he did,” said Julia, gazing at Cassie.
“I’ll tell you one thing,” said Vanita. “I’m not going to be able to eat like this and get into any costume - that’s for sure.”
“Me, too,” agreed Suzie.
“You can eat and drink anything you want here and not gain an ounce,” said Julia. “We’ve developed a pill that allows us to eat whatever we want and stay at a desired weight. I never work out, and I eat like this all the time. Also, we’re in a time warp here. The second you entered this section of the universe, your aging process stopped.”
“Sell my shoes - I’ve gone to heaven,” sighed Vanita.
“Julia, you mentioned something earlier about ambassadors coming to hear us play? What can they do for us?” asked Charlie.
“They’ll book you to play concerts at some of their festivals, allowing you to gain exposure,” answered Julia. “If everyone’s finished eating, let’s go to my suite for a nightcap. Oh, by the way, your meals will be served here unless you’re notified to the contrary. From now on, don’t wait for me to begin. I never know when I’m going to be detained. I’ll join you as often as I can.”
* * *
Cassie and Julia sat next to each other on Julia’s sofa, facing a roaring fire in the fireplace. Charlie, Suzie, and Vanita sat in chairs next to the sofa, also facing the fire.
“Does your musical group have a name?” asked Julia, lighting a substance in a large, elegant pipe, taking a hit, and passing it to Charlie.
“No. Not really. We’ve gone by ‘Just Us’ at gigs on Earth,” said Charlie, taking the pipe from her.
“Well, that won’t do. You need something a little flashier.”
“We haven’t given it much thought,” said Charlie. He took a drag from the pipe and passed it to Suzie.
“What is it?” asked Suzie, nervously taking the pipe from Charlie.
“It’s hoomana. But we just call it hoochy mama here. It’s similar to a combination of your hemp and opium plants on Earth. It’s all right, Suzie. Try it,” said Julia, not understanding Suzie’s apprehension. “Recreational drugs aren’t illegal on Tyre, like they are on Earth. Anyway, you’d think your government would have figured out, by now, that it’s a complete waste of time and resources to try to police it.”
“Oh,” said Suzie, reluctantly taking a hit - not wanting to offend the Czar - and passing it on to Vanita.
“Now, back to a name for your musical group. Let’s think about this… How about … ‘The Stowaways,’” said Julia, brainstorming. “No, that’s not it.”
Vanita took a hit from the pipe. “Here,” she said, passing the pipe to Cassie.
“How about the Earthlings?” said Suzie, recommending a name for the band.
“No, that’s not it, either,” said Julia. “What about… ‘The Rockets!’”
“I like it,” said Charlie.
Cassie took a big drag off the pipe and let it out. “Yeah, that’s good,” she said, as she and Vanita nodded their heads in agreement.
“That is kinda catchy,” said Suzie.
“This is going to be a fun project for me, for a change,” said Julia. “Usually, I just deal with the mundane chore of running the planet Tyre. You’re going to have a busy day tomorrow. So, I guess it’s time we called it a night. Oh, here are the pills I told you about,” she said, motioning to two bottles of pills on the marble and gold table between the sofa and the fireplace. “The red ones are for weight control - one pill to maintain, two to lose weight. The green ones remove alcohol and drugs from your system while you sleep. Therefore, no hangover. So feel free to indulge as much as you like while you’re here.”
“This is just too good to be true,” said Vanita, filling her pockets with the red and green pills, as Suzie, Cassie, and Charlie did the same.
“Good night,” Julia said to Suzie, Vanita, and Charlie.
Suzie, Vanita, and Charlie said good night and started for the exit of the Czar’s suite.
Cassie reached out and put an arm around Julia’s shoulders. Julia put her arms around Cassie’s waist, pulled her close, and kissed her. Then she pushed Cassie down on the sofa and climbed on top of her. The kissing grew more intense, as they rolled around on the sofa. Completely aroused, Julia stood up, took Cassie by the hand, and led her towards the bedroom. As the two women entered Julia’s bedroom, Julia noticed that Charlie was following right behind them.
Julia firmly put her free hand in Charlie’s chest – stopping him cold. “I will call you when I desire you to pleasure me. Good night, Charlie.”
“Good night, girls. Have fun,” Charlie said, as he turned and left the Czar’s suite.
When Charlie got back to his suite, he initiated sex with his attendants for the second time that day. Charlie loved to watch the two bisexual women have their way with each other. Then he would join in. The two young women were there to pleasure Charlie in any way he wanted. What he really wanted was Cassie and Julia.
* * *
“Have you ever been with a woman, before?” Julia asked Cassie, as they stood making out at the foot of the Czar’s bed.
“No,” answered Cassie, in between kisses.
“Just relax. You’re a woman. You know what makes you feel good. Just follow your instincts and throw out all of your inhibitions.”
The two women undressed each other and fell into bed, kissing and caressing each other all over their bodies. Cassie rolled Julia over on her back and proceeded to kiss her chest in-between her breasts. She sucked one of her nipples while massaging her g-spot – pleasuring her until she brought Julia to a climax. Julia climbed on top of Cassie and pulled a vibrator out from under her pillow. It was a model that they could both enjoy at the same time. They came to orgasm several times.
As they lay on their backs exhausted and satisfied, trying to catch their breath, Julia said, “Are you sure you haven’t done this before?”
The next morning, Julia and Cassie joined Charlie, Vanita, and Suzie in the party room for breakfast. After breakfast, Julia kissed Cassie bye and headed out to tend to the business of running the planet, Tyre, leaving the group alone to rehearse.
“Way to go, Cassie,” said Charlie, as they set up their musical equipment. “You just bagged your first broad - a Czar of a planet, too. Impressive.”
“Charlie, that’s degrading! You should be ashamed of yourself - as nice as she’s been to us,” said Suzie, referring to Julia.
“Yeah, Charlie. Don’t call her that,” said Cassie. “I think she’s ‘the one.’”
“Go for it!” said Charlie, thinking, I could get used to living here.
As soon as the band finished rehearsing, racks and racks of clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories were brought into the party room for the group to pick from. There was also new luggage provided in which to carry all of their selections.
The following evening at the palace…
The ballroom was set up for The Rockets concert for the ambassadors and invited guests. The group was stunned by the positive reaction they received from the Tyrians. They couldn’t get enough of The Rockets’ music.
“They love you, just as I predicted,” Julia said to the group, as they came off the stage to take a break. “It’s not going to take any pressure from me at all to get you bookings.”
* * *
“Cabana boy,” called Vanita, as she soaked in a hot bubble bath in her private bathroom.
“Yes, ma’am,” answered the young hunk, as he entered wearing nothing but a loincloth.
“Would you grab a wash rag and come wash my back?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, retrieving a wash cloth from the linen cabinet.
“Hit me again on the champagne, first,” she said, holding out her empty glass to be refilled.
The half-naked young man refilled her glass and proceeded to wash her back, as instructed.
“That was nice,” replied Vanita, as he finished. “Thank you, sweet thang.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am. Anything else?”
“Yeah. Suzie’s in her tub, taking a bubble bath too. She’s waiting for you to come wash her back. So, you better move along now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said the young man, as he headed for Suzie’s private bathroom.
About a minute later, Vanita broke into hysterical laughter as a blood-curdling scream rang out from Suzie’s bathroom. She could hear Suzie yell, “Don’t come in here I’m naked! What are you doing?” Vanita couldn’t help herself. She knew Suzie would freak out as soon as the young man entered her bathroom. Suzie was having a little trouble adjusting to such an open lifestyle. However, Suzie did enjoy the no-strings-attached pampering by the handsome, young, gay men.
A few days later, Cassie, Suzie, Vanita, and Charlie were having dinner in the party room.
“Where’s Julia?” Suzie asked Cassie.
“I don’t know,” answered Cassie. “I haven’t seen her since breakfast. Guess she’s been detained, as she says.”
“We need to get our song list together for those festivals we’re playing next week,” said Vanita.
“Yeah, that’s right,” said Suzie.
“Whatever you girls wanna play is fine by me. I gotta go. Julia fixed me up with a couple of girls, for the evening,” Charlie said, getting up from the table, grabbing three bottles of champagne from a chiller, and heading for the door. “See ya in the morning.”
“OK. Have fun,” said Cassie.
Cassie, Suzie, and Vanita visited and worked on the song list until bedtime, but still no Julia. So they finally decided to call it a night.
* * *
“Excuse me!” said Cassie, as she entered Julia’s living area - startled by the presence of Julia and a pretty, young blond, who were making out on the sofa.
“Cassie!” said Julia, obviously drunk. “There you are!”
Jealous and irritated, Cassie felt used by Julia. “Don’t let me interrupt,” she said and turned to leave.
“Wait!” said Julia, jumping up from the sofa and preventing Cassie from leaving. “Where’ve you been? I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Cassie said sarcastically. Cassie couldn’t help but be skeptical that Julia was looking for her, unless she was looking with her tongue somewhere in the vicinity of the other woman’s tonsils.
“Come and join us,” said Julia.
“Join you?” Cassie asked, confused – thinking that Julia must be drunker than she looked.
Julia took Cassie by the hand, led her over to the sofa, and sat her in-between herself and the young woman. “Sasha was here for your concert the other day. She wants to get to know you better.”
Sasha put her arms around Cassie’s neck, kissed her, and began fondling her breasts. “I think you’re so hot,” she whispered in Cassie’s ear.
Julia doesn’t seem jealous at all by that woman touching me, Cassie thought, becoming extremely aroused by the touch of the other woman.
“Let’s go to bed,” said Julia, as she stood up and pulled Cassie and Sasha off the sofa.
“You two have fun,” Cassie said, trying to regain her composure – a bit apprehensive at the idea of a threesome. She’d never done that before. And she was still somewhat jealous because Julia had brought home another woman.
Julia put her arms around Cassie’s waist, pulled her close, and said, “It’s Tyrian custom to share a girlfriend with a lover.”
Sasha walked up behind Cassie and pulled Cassie’s spandex halter top off of her. “You don’t find me attractive?” she asked, wrapping her arms around Cassie’s neck and hugging her.
“No! I mean...” Cassie said, losing her train of thought as Sasha kissed her back and neck, while Julia kissed her breasts. Too aroused to put up a fight based on some moral high ground, Cassie grabbed the two women by the hand and led them to bed.
The threesome kissed and caressed each other all over their bodies - and pleasured each other with various sex toys. As soon as Julia was satisfied, she passed out for the night. That left Cassie alone to have more sex with Sasha. Cassie was starting to like the idea of having more that one woman interested in her at the same time. It was at that time she realized that she had only been infatuated with Julia.
The next morning, Cassie entered the party room with Julia and Sasha hanging all over her, and the hugging and touching continued through breakfast. Suzie looked at Cassie, disapprovingly, whenever she could get her attention. Vanita just laughed, under her breath, and shook her head. Charlie couldn’t stop grinning, winking, and giving Cassie the thumbs up sign, which earned him disapproving looks from Suzie, too.
The following week, The Rockets played several concerts at festivals on Tyre. From the overwhelming response of the Tyrians, you would have thought The Rockets were rock legends like The Beatles or Elvis. The Rockets were an overnight success.
* * *
“There’s only one problem with your instant success,” Julia said to Cassie, as they lay in bed in each other’s arms after having sex.
“What?” asked Cassie.
“You have no recordings to sell – or for the broadcast stations to play.”
“Oh, I didn’t think about that - this has all happened so fast.”
“Since it would be improper of me to invest Tyrian government money to front recording expenses, we’ll have to find another way to come up with some quick cash. Maybe we could raffle you off for a night?” Julia suggested slyly.
“What?”
“We’ll run a contest in one of the Tyrian tabloids. We’ll sell just enough raffle tickets to cover recording expenses. And I know these two voluptuous twins. I’ll have the contest rigged so they win, and then you can bring them back to the palace for a foursome.”
“That sounds like a fun way to make some quick cash, to me.”
The morning after, Cassie joined Suzie, Vanita, and Charlie in the party room as they ate breakfast. Cassie was dressed in a bathrobe, her hair wet from a quick shower. She hadn’t gotten more than a couple of hours of sleep the night before and was just exhausted – from all the kissing, fondling, and pleasuring. She had enjoyed the attention of three horny women, while stoned off her ass on hoochy-mama and hallucinogens.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” laughed Vanita, as Cassie approached their table.
“Vanita, this isn’t funny,” said Suzie.
“What’s the matter, Baby - nympho-czar and the twins wearing you out?” teased Charlie.
“Charlie!” said Suzie, not wanting Charlie to encourage Cassie’s extremely promiscuous behavior. “That’s dirty.”
“Sex is only dirty if it’s done right,” said Charlie.
“Charlie, we’re eating!”
“Can I get you something, Baby?” he asked, as Cassie took a seat next to him at the table.
“Orange juice would be great,” she answered.
Charlie got up from the table to get the orange juice. “You got it.”
“Can I go down to you guys’ suite and take a nap on your sofa?” Cassie asked Suzie and Vanita. “We’ve got to rehearse later for the recording session tomorrow and I’ve just got to get some sleep.”
Sighing and giving Cassie a disapproving look, Suzie said, “I guess so.”
“Sure. Be my guest,” answered Vanita, grinning and shaking her head.
* * *
The Rockets’ first recording went straight to the top of the charts. They were getting lots of air-play on Tyrian broadcasts. Music stores sold out of the recordings as fast as they could stock the shelves. Manufacturers couldn’t make them fast enough.
Star Base was keeping tabs on the stowaways through press releases. There was always something written about The Rockets in the Tyrian tabloid magazines. They advertised, heavily, that Cassie preferred women and that she was more than available.
* * *
As Cassie entered the party room, she noticed that Charlie was watching a television over the bar. “Charlie, isn’t that American football from Earth?” she asked, taking a seat next to him at the bar.
“Yeah,” Charlie answered, putting her off - really getting into the game. “Throw the flag. Are you refs blind, or what?”
“How did you manage that?”
“All I have to do is tell Julia you like something, and she makes it happen. We’re tapped into satellite television from home.”
About that time, Cassie noticed an exceptionally large soldier, standing off to the side of the bar area, dressed in a green camouflage uniform. “Hi, I’m Cassie,” she said, introducing herself to the soldier.
“Hi, Cassie. I’m Rocko,” said the soldier.
Rocko was a hybrid clone - half man and half bearcat. He was six-foot five and had a human-looking body, mostly covered with fur. His facial features were comprised of a bear nose and teeth, cat whiskers, and human-looking eyes. Julia had assigned the clone to protect The Rockets – her new toy.
“Rocko, would you like some lunch?” offered Cassie.
“Yes,” answered Rocko.
“Help yourself.”
“Thank you,” said Rocko. He grabbed a couple of large dinner plates from the buffet and loaded them up with as much food as they could hold.
Noticing that the hybrid-clone had sat down at a table and started eating, Charlie said to Cassie. “Julia won’t like you fraternizing with the help.”
“What?” asked Cassie.
“Him,” said Charlie, pointing at Rocko, who was consuming massive quantities of food. “Julia’s assigned him to be our bodyguard. You know - to protect us from all those over-exuberant fans.”
“You mean to protect you from all those groupies you guys pick up,” said Suzie, as she walked past the bar, headed for the buffet.
“That’s all the more reason to be nice to him, Charlie,” said Cassie. “I don’t want somebody watching my back that would like to see a knife stuck in it. I think he looks like a big ol’ teddy bear.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Charlie said, turning his attention back to the game. “Go! Go!”
“Do you mind?” yelled Vanita, from her and Suzie’s usual table - away from the bar. “Isn’t there anything else on?”
“Charlie. Why are you watching reruns of football, anyway?” asked Cassie.
“Reruns?” asked Charlie.
“Yeah, dummy. Don’t you remember? We saw this game at a party last year.”
“You’re right! Cassie, you’re a genius.”
“Huh?”
“Time warp,” said Charlie, as he grabbed a napkin and a pencil, from the bar, and started making notes. Get a little gambling action going here – where I know the scores in advance. This is gonna be like taking candy from a baby.
“Charlie, I hope your notes don’t have anything to do with gambling on games,” said Suzie, knowing that Charlie had a gambling problem that had gotten him into trouble on Earth. “I don’t know where you’d hide out here.”
* * *
The last day of the group’s three-month stay on Tyre finally came. The Rockets were famous, now, and were starting to make a lot of money, or Lucre, as it was called in that section of the universe. Suzie and Vanita had had their vacation from men and bad relationships. They were now ready for the men on Star Base. Cassie was conceited and full of herself, because so many women wanted her. She had once thought she was falling in love with Julia. Now, she wanted to go check out all the women on Star Base. Charlie wanted to live at the palace, on Tyre, forever.
As for Julia, she wanted more time with Cassie, but it wasn’t considered normal for a Tyrian to care for only one person. Tyrian women were allowed to marry other women, but weren’t expected to be faithful. Tyrian men weren’t allowed to marry, at all, because it was against their nature. So, Julia dismissed the strong feelings she was having for Cassie.
* * *
“Charlie, are you watching football reruns, again?” asked Cassie, taking a seat next to him at the bar.
“Hey, Cassie,” he answered, totally ignoring her, as he continued to watch the game.
Cassie grabbed the remote and started changing channels. “Let’s see what else is on.”
“Thank you,” said Vanita, as she and Suzie sat at their usual table away from the bar, working on the song list.
“Come on, Cassie. The game was just getting good!” said Charlie, trying to take the remote from her – as she switched it from hand to hand, playing keep away from him. “Give that back,” he said, grabbing her around her waist and tickling her.
“No!” she screamed and laughed, as Charlie finally wrestled the remote from her and changed the channel back to the game. “All right! Touchdown!” he yelled, jumping up from his barstool, setting the remote down on the bar, and throwing his arms in the air, signaling a score.
Cassie quickly grabbed the remote and started changing channels, once again. As Charlie reached out to take it from her, she tossed it at Rocko, who was standing guard about ten feet from bar (close to the buffet table). “Rocko! Catch!” yelled Cassie.
A surprised Rocko caught the remote in his big right hand, inadvertently changing the channel to the oldies movie network.
“Look. There’s Star Battalion!” said Cassie.
“Oh, my,” said Suzie. “I haven’t seen that movie in years.”
“Me, neither,” said Vanita, as she and Suzie got up from their table and headed for the bar to get a closer view of the movie.
“You girls are making me miss the game!” yelled Charlie. “Hey! Give me the remote,” he said to Rocko.
“Here,” said Rocko, holding the remote out for Charlie to come take it from him.
“Don’t let him have it, Rocko,” said Cassie, as the girls continued watching their favorite old space movie.
“OK, Cassie,” said Rocko, putting the remote in his shirt pocket.
“I said give it to me,” demanded Charlie, walking towards Rocko – reaching out to take the remote from him.
Rocko took a step towards Charlie, snarling and showing his fangs. Rocko puffed out his massive chest and growled so deeply, and so loudly, that the dishes on the buffet table rattled.
“Holy, shit! Down, boy! Down, Ricky,” said Charlie, stopping dead in his tracks and retreating back to the bar.
“His name is Rocko, not Ricky,” said Cassie, as the girls laughed at the situation.
“Whatever!” said Charlie, walking around behind the bar and pouring himself a draft beer. “Fuck! I thought he was supposed to protect us. The damn thing tried to bite me! I’m telling Julia about this.”
“Go ahead and tell her. I’ll tell her I like him, and he makes me feel safe,” said Cassie, smiling at Rocko. Rocko smiled back at her, showing all of his big, white, bearcat teeth.
“Well, I hope the big bastard gets a hairball, or something,” said Charlie, taking a big swig of beer and giving Rocko a dirty look.
“Or you could go over there and kick his ass,” teased Vanita, as the girls cracked up laughing, again.
“Very funny,” said Charlie.
Suzie said, as the girls turned their attention back to the movie, “That Jake Skylight is such a hunk.”
“I know that’s right,” said Vanita.
“Just give me the princess,” said Cassie.
“Princess, my ass!” Charlie yelled at Cassie. “You could have a Czar, and we could all live here forever!”
“What kind of fantasy world are you living in, Charlie?” said Cassie. “Julia could get bored with me, and dump me just any time now.”
“That’s not true, Cassie. Julia’s crazy about you.”
“Yeah - me and about a couple hundred other women.”
“You promised to take us to Star Base, Charlie,” said Suzie. “That was the reason we came here.”
“You girls can just go on without me. I’m staying here,” he said, coming out from behind the bar and taking a seat on his favorite barstool.
”Say, what!” said Vanita, as she put her hands on her hips, walked over, and got in Charlie’s face.
“You heard me. I’m staying here,” said Charlie, taking a sip of his beer and setting the mug on the bar.
“Charlie Berardi! We’re going to Star Base!” yelled Vanita, doing her best head roll and waving a finger in his face. “And your ass is going with us!”
Cassie immediately jumped down from her barstool and got in-between Vanita and Charlie. “Hey! Come on, Charlie. You did promise to take us to Star Base,” she said. “Let’s go check out the women on Star Base. It’ll be fun.”
“Cassie, it doesn’t get any better than this!” said Charlie.
“Yeah, for you!” snapped Vanita.
“Yeah, Charlie!” said Suzie.
“Charlie, I hate to be the one to have to tell you this,” said Cassie, “but Julia told me, in bed last night, that she had to keep her word and send us on to Star Base. Our three months here are up.”
“That’s bullshit!” said Charlie. “She has the power to just blow them off. All you’ve got to do is just tell her you wanna stay! Please, Baby. Just tell her you wanna stay here,” he begged and pleaded.
“We can come back.”
“When?”
“Julia said we could come back and visit after a little grace period.”
That evening after dinner, Julia and Cassie retired to the Czar’s private suite for a wild night of sex, drugs, and booze. Charlie and his two attendants had a wild night, too. Vanita and Suzie went to bed early, excited by the anticipation of finally getting to Star Base. No one got a good night’s sleep at the palace that night.
CHAPTER 3 - STAR BASE
Almost every civilian and enlisted crewmember was out in the landing bay, cheering wildly, as The Rockets emerged from one of Julia’s private space shuttles. Cassie, Vanita, and Suzie were wearing lots of make-up, big earrings, tight jeans, hi-heeled boots, tank tops (showing lots of cleavage), and leather jackets. Charlie was wearing a tank tee-shirt, boots, leather pants, and a leather jacket. The group stopped for several minutes to sign autographs on pictures of themselves from the Tyrian tabloids.
Finally, a short, pot-bellied soldier, uniformed in a navy jumpsuit, approached the group and broke up the autograph session. “I’m Sergeant Ortiz,” the soldier said to the rock stars. “Come with me. You’re all under arrest.”
“What? You gotta be kidding me,” said Charlie.
“See, Charlie!” said Suzie, in a panic. “I knew it! I just knew we were gonna get arrested for this - sooner or later!”
“It’ll be fine. Just let me handle it!” Charlie said to Suzie. Turning to Sergeant Ortiz, he said, “What are we being arrested for?”
“Just come with me, please,” said the Sergeant. “This wasn’t my idea. I’m a big fan of yours, but I have my superiors.”
“Oh, all right,” said Charlie. “Come on girls. Let’s get this over with.”
The once cheering crowd became an angry mob, as Sergeant Ortiz escorted The Rockets out of the landing bay. To show their displeasure, the crowd directed a rousing chorus of boos at the Sergeant for breaking up the party.