Not Yet But Soon.

“Not today. Maybe soon you can visit the palace.” I smiled at Anastasia younger sister.

“I would like that.” She beamed up at me. For now her family was safer here then anywhere else on the planet. No one would look for them here. You would need a shuttle to even get here as no tram ran out this far and it was thousands of miles from civilization. Everyone piled in. Miranda let Anastasia take the co pilots seat so she could get a birds eye view. I promised one day to take her up in the shuttle into orbit. I flew towards old port. The original landing spot for the first settlers and home to most of the agriculture on the planet. It was the capital for several years before a vast number of mines where found to the west and the capital was moved.

“There is the dome.” Anastasia pointed. The concubines dome stood out from the rest with a tall spire sticking out from the center. Once the home to the first lord who settled the planet. Back before the planet air was breathable. It was relatively small compared to the palace I called home but then it was sealed from the outside. It was gifted to the concubines after the completion of the current capital building.

“That thing is huge. How many people live their.” Harper said as she moved closer to look out the front window.

“A few hundred courtesans in training and several dozen staff.” I shrugged. “Last chance if you want to back out Harper.”

“Not a chance my lord.” Harper shook her head. “And you should probably call me Samantha or Sam.” She smiled. I landed the bird on one of the landing platforms and it lowered us to under ground as the doors closed overhead. It was an outdated system built to provide an airlock for docking shuttles. One's like this would be added to the moon in a few months. We stepped out and walked through the narrow corridors of old port. The spaces where tight and compact but I felt me feel a little at home as it reminded me of many ships I had been on. We went through a door that opened into the glass dome. A young woman stepping forward to greet us. I wondered if she had been standing here a long time. She looked similar to a girlfriend I dated before leaving earth which I was sure wasn't a coincident in the least. She had a light caramel skin tone that hinted at mixed heritage which was common where I grew up.

“Welcome Baron. My name is Belle. We are honored to have you visit us. The matron is expecting you if you would follow me.” She smiled and bowed. Even her accent was right. They had picked a girl I would feel most comfortable to greet me. She was wearing a dress that showed of a fair amount of cleavage. Two ripe melons hung in her top. I swore I had seen her somewhere before. Recently in fact but I couldn't pinpoint how or where which would drive me nuts. She led the way as we passed A few dozen women stopping to bow. Some getting up from the towels they had laid out to sunbath on under the sun over head as they showed off plenty of flesh in their cute little bikinis. I enjoyed the view of their breast hanging beneath them as they bowed. Not a one I saw was small chested but their was no telling how many had been genetically enhanced. Laying out in the sun under the dome which filtered some of the suns rays gave a nice slow tan instead of burning out under the sunlight.

“Um. Hello.” Miranda said under her voice as she caught sight of some guys in swim trunks then turned her attention to our guide. “You have guys here?”

“Of course. Not all of or clients are exclusively male.” She smiled.

“Nor do all your male clients want female concubines I would imagine.” I replied giving Miranda a look.

“To each his own.” Miranda shrugged. Miranda had grown up in the Diablo Isles on earth which was considered a place of sexual freedom since most of the islanders ancestors could trace their heritage to San Francisco before the submergence of twenty percent of the earths land mass.

“Why don't you go say hello to your friends.” I said as I caught a glimpse of Anastasia waving to someone.

“Are you sure?” She asked as she looked at me.

“Yes.” I nodded and her and Harper went on their way. Harper had proven to be a good fit for Anastasia body guard. Harper was more laid back then most military personal and friendly to a fault. She barley meet the height requirements to even get into the service so most saw her as less of a threat. Though that was a mistake few ever made twice.

"Can I ask a question?" I said as I walked closer to Belle.

"Of course my lord?" She nodded.

"Have we meet?" I said walking to catch up with Belle. I couldn't help but admire her breast bouncing with each step.

"She was one of the waitresses at the party." Miranda spoke up behind me.

"That is where I saw you. Sorry. I knew but I couldn't place it." I nodded

"It is quite all right my lord. You had other things on your mind at the time." She smiled. Belle looked like many girls I knew growing up but didn't sound like them. "Yes miss Knight is correct. I was at the party my lord. We often serve at parties and social events such as that to serve and mingle among your guest. Me and other girls who you might like were provided to serve at the party. Though you provided a much more entertaining host then to most parties I have attended back home."

"Self advertising?" I joked. I had noticed a few of the hostesses but now that i thought about it they had caught my eye because they looked like girls I had dated in the past. They where meant to catch my interest even if it was just subconsciously.

"Something like that." She nodded.

"They bring you in from earth? The accent I mean."

"Yes. Though I could do others if you like. I had dreams of moving to new angles in the cascade isles and becoming a movie actress when I was younger. I guess I did become an actress of a sort. I grew up not far from where you did."

"You take this job to get off earth?"

"Yes. Much like you did by joining the military." She replied. She had taken what opportunity she could just as I had.

"Is there anything you or the guild don't know about me?" I shook my head.

"A lot actually. The past five years of you life or a blank." She smiled. "That is what makes you different then the others our guild serves." She smiled slyly. As we approached a large gazebo I saw the house matron. Head of order in this part of the galaxy or this system to be more precise. She was talking with Mistress Elizabeth who I saw surprised to see here. Both stood up as I approached.

“Baron. It is so good to meet you in person.” The matron smiled and they both bowed.

“You as well matron.” I smiled and took her hand kissing it. She was very nice looking for an older woman.

“Can I offer you something to drink or eat baron?” The matron smiled.

“No thanks.” I shook my head.

“Thank you Belle.” The Matron said and Belle bowed to me and backed away then headed off to where ever. She passed by Miranda who had stayed back a bit to offer us some privacy.

“Mistress Elizabeth I did not expect to find you here.” I nodded toward her. Truthfully I had no clue where she was most of the time though the house ran with near perfection. To someone had been in the military it made the transition less of a shock. I still wasn't used to having people waiting on me hand and foot but least it didn't interrupt my daily routine.

“We where discussing the formation of the guild you promised to support if you would care to join us.” She held out her hand. I had followed rumors of what she was doing but forming a guild could be slow and tedious.

“Gladly.” I nodded and set down beside her.

“I was here to ask the Matron for support. To solicit some engrams to better improve my girls skills as to get more girls to come on board to the guild but we are at an impasse.” Elizabeth said. I knew why she wanted it. Even the promise of getting a level of service comparable to that of a concubine was something many men would pay a large amount for. Granted a concubine did more then just have sex but they would pay for just the sex.

“My guild values the knowledge it has gathered over the years. To share it would be foolish not to mention against the codex of our guild. It is decades worth of knowledge passed down from generation to generation. If we handed it out so freely it, or the girls we train, would have far less value.” The matron replied. I could see her point. The military trained us the same and many would go into private security or other such jobs after the war. Police forces paid good money for that kind of training in its people but the military wouldn't give it to the police force so they could make hundred of police officers.

“Are any new batches ever made?” I looked at the matron.

“Yes. We periodically try new batches from former matrons or other donors who have skills that would be beneficial. If the batch does not provide the desired effect in a percentage of the recipients it is scrapped.” She smiled.

“So you never know until you try it out. Seems like a waste of time and resources. If you however had an allotment of young women, such as Mistress Elizabeth has, you could try them on someone else. You would be able to test their viability while still maintaining the integrity of the engrams your order holds most dear.” I smiled. The military always tries out the new batches on the recruits. Typically on one squad of cadets while the other squad receives the old one. While an old batch is proven to work. Newer batches from experienced soldiers who had already received the first batch could offer a greater proficiency.

“I admit that does sound beneficial. It would save us time in the future.” The Matron smiled.

“And their would never be a shortage of test subjects on my end. A few of the madams such as myself could even provide the material. These lips did more then just whisper in the barons ear when he needed persuading.” Mistress Elizabeth smiled. I was sure she wasn't lying there. She reached over and touched my leg under the table giving it a rub. A little higher and she wouldn't be rubbing my leg.

“I am aware. Then we shall meet again to discuss the details if you can gather an assortment of girls so we can test their ability to retain the information we both seek. Six should suffice.” The Matron replied.

“Gladly. I shall leave you so the two of you may talk in private.” Mistress Elizabeth got up. I stood as we. “Baron. Thank you. See you back at the palace.” She said and leaned in close to give me a kiss on the cheek. Her breast brushing up against me.

“Of course Mistress Elizabeth.” I nodded. I glanced over to watch her walking away stopping to say something to Miranda.

“So how may I help you Baron. Not that I do not enjoy your visit but you seem to be a quit busy man since you came to this planet. I had hoped to meet you before now but I know you are not the type to trust someone who comes to you.” The matron said as she sat back down. The dame knew how the game was played and she knew me. She was right of course. I had been suspicious of Anastasia the moment we meet and she was just a pawn. The lovely woman sitting across from me was a queen.

“I am here to ask you a few questions as well as a favor.” I replied taking a seat myself.

“I am at your service.” She bowed her head.

“Who owns Anastasia. Legally speaking she is an indentured servant paid for by the shipping guild.”

“Yes. However ownership goes to you as she was intended as a gift and as such she is yours by both imperial law and guild edict. She has a bit more freedom in her choices then one of our girls typically has since she wasn't tailored to any specific roles or person as we normally do.”

“She says her training was never completed. I assume that is what you are talking about.”

“In part. She was intended for the last baron. As I am sure you have no doubt guessed the Baron fancied the imperial princess. Not uncommon given her families wealth and power. Many noble men are attracted to women they can not have. Anastasia was to be a gift to curry more favor with him. When he died the shipping guild decided to cut their loses and give her to you before she was ready. Much to my protest I must say.” The Matron made a face. I was sure she took great pride in her work which was kind of an art I guess. She molded young women into ladies fit for noble men that where anything and everything he or she should need.

“Can she return to her studies. Part times at least?”

“Of course. We would love to have her back for however often she likes and however often. She is a very sweet girl and as you can see she got along great with the others. We encourage them to form friendships so that if two should meet under different lords they could aid one another should a need arise. Many number of problems can be settled discreetly." Women did tend to be more likely to settle their differences in a civil manner I thought. Least without the use of weapons. "We can even offer you someone to fulfill her duties while she completes her training should you require it.” She smiled.

“She said she liked this place. It would be good for her to spend some time here.” I nodded. If she was here and not by my side the shipping guild would have no use for her. Nor could they threaten her for information as long as she wasn't at my side.

“Yes. With her dad's passing it must be hard on her?” The Matron nodded

“She manages were she can.” I shrugged. I felt like she was trying to read me. To sense my emotions the same way I did to others. Her eye contact was to focused.

“Though I must object to her having a body guard.” She glanced over toward Harper.

“She need not be armed and the two are very close. I am close to her as well.” I replied.

“So the two of you?” She smiled.

“No. She was in the military with me. She served under me as a junior officer but I was her superior. There were feelings but we were both soldiers. When the duke gave me the title of Baron I offered her a place at my side to see if any of those feelings would develop into something more. She is the reason I was upset when Anastasia was thrown upon me.” I shrugged. “I would like her to be able to stay so that she might receive some instruction.”

“Why not just come right out with it? Few people would question a lord of your standing.” She smiled and leaned closer. I had her attention.

“Not to my face no. Her father was an imperial, her mother was Alliance. She still had family in the alliance and wasn't born in imperial space. She served the empire with distinction and determination but not everyone would see that.” I shook my head. Miranda had seen her potential and brought her on board and I was quickly impressed with her skills.

“You are worried someone might try to get to you through her?” The matron said as she reached out and touched my hand. “Quit the opposite. That she might get hurt because of me. No one would care if she is on my security detail or if she married someone else. But for me to admit anything publicly. She could become a target. Both of them could.”

“I will make enemies. No person in power can avoid it. So I can't openly admit to any feelings I might have for her. No one would however bat an eye if it came to light later that she was a concubine. They would see her as just some play thing even if I do not. There is security in deception.”

"Agreed. Her presence might arouse suspicion.” The matron replied with the wave of her hand.

“I wish her to stay as Anastasia's personal defense instructor, you do offer that right? The knowledge.”

“Yes. No where near military training but we do give them basic hand to hand combat training should they need to protect themselves or serve as body guards."

“I need someone who can reliably gauge her progress and fill in the gaps of her training as well as handle physical endurance training. If either should come under attack because of me I would like to know they have a fighting chance should any and all protection I can provide should fail. She can even help train your girls if so desired as to give you a reason for allowing her presence here. I am willing to pay more then the regular tuition if that is what is required.”

“No. If I were to do this favor for you I would ask for one of my own in kind.” The Matron smiled.

“Name it.” I nodded.

“A DNA sample.” She smiled slyly.

“You want my blood?”

“No. Something a little more productive.” She said as I felt her foot brush against my leg as she smiled.
“I am aware of your high mental capacity and knowledge retention. One of the few things I do know about you. If that could be harnessed and replicated.”

“The military thought the same thing. I am sure I have bodily fluids in several systems by now. Do I need a cup?” I gave a little laugh. The goal was to have soldiers who could remember everything from a memory implant and could handle more complex batches hen the ones given. If she could reach that level her girls could become anything and everything their buyers desired. The fact that she wanted my sperm threw me for a loop since it only contained half of the chromosomes but I was sure she had her reasons.

“Nothing so crude or clinical as that. I am sure we can make it an enjoyable experience.” She said slyly. One of your girls perhaps or maybe one of mine. I can assure you that despite having a very skilled tongue they also know to keep their mouths shut when needed. Belle perhaps if you feel so inclined.