The gold disc allowed access to the negrav chute that ascended directly to the royal suite where a Vassal conducted them to a large, impressively furnished reception room. Despite their new robes and hoods they couldn’t help feeling a trifle nervous when an internal door opened to admit the most handsome man either had ever seen. In his early thirties, he was about twenty centimetres taller than his visitors, perfectly proportioned, flawless skin like burnished blue-black ebony, wearing a short sleeveless tunic of a coarse material that barely reached mid thigh. He padded forward on bare feet and stood a metre in front of his guests, mutely questioning. A perfectly symmetrical body exuding power, health and vigour. Only the eyes appeared lost, vague and unsure.
‘They told me you’d be coming.’ The voice was rich, deep, and sad. The smile slightly bewildered. Childlike. Nervous. ‘Please don’t hurt me. I’ve been as good as I can.’
On a sudden impulse Uretep threw back his hood and wrapped his arms around the Emperor in a friendly hug. Recollecting himself he stepped back, unsure if he’d transgressed some protocol that might jeopardise their plan. His worries were groundless. The Emperor’s nervous smile became a wide grin of delight. He enveloped Uretep in powerful arms, then did the same to Peteru who had also discarded his hood.
‘Why have you never visited me before?’ he asked, excited as a child. ‘No one ever hugs me or is nice to me, they’re all stiff and boring and tell me what to do all the time and I don’t like them.’ Placing hands on both their shoulders as if frightened they’d go away, he continued excitedly, ‘I thought you’d be like the other Mages, but you’re nice! I can tell by looking at you that you won’t hurt me.’
‘You're nice too, Emperor,’ Peteru smiled gently, ‘and we certainly will not hurt you. In fact we were worried you’d be difficult to talk to because you’re so important.’
‘My name’s Calisto,’ he said modestly. ‘Please don’t call me Emperor. I wish I’d never been elected. It’s horrible.’
‘What about the Empress?’
‘She’s the most horrible. She hates me because I’m a Vassal. Calls me dirty names. I’m glad she lives in her own palace.’
‘But when you’re together you both look so happy.’
‘That’s because if we don’t we’re punished.’ He turned and lifted his tunic to expose recently healed scars across both buttocks. They did this to me because I wouldn’t do something...I forget what it was. They used a hot iron thing.’
‘But that’s terrible!’ both young men were horrified.
‘The worst thing is being lonely. I miss my best friend. I’ve no one to talk to and laugh with and…’ tears streamed down the handsome cheeks.
‘What’s the name of your friend?’ Peteru asked.
‘Philo.’
‘Where’s your vidcom?’
Calisto pointed.
The gold disc ensured instant connection to Melvyn. ‘What do you want?’ he snapped.
‘Melvyn, you’re the bloke in charge of propaganda, so I turn to you for assistance. In the interests of a happy resolution to the Emperor’s speech at the unveiling of NumbaCruncha, I need the Vassal Philo sent to the royal apartments immediately. Thanks.’ He disconnected before Melvyn could ask questions.
The Vidcom bleeped. ‘Don’t you hang up on me you…’ Melvyn’s face was purple.
‘If you can’t do it, then I’ll try Ishbel,’ Peteru said pleasantly.
Melvyn disconnected, and three minutes later a servant shoved into the room an extremely nervous, rather ordinary looking Vassal of about the same age as the Emperor, dressed in stained overalls. Without looking up he fell on his face and whimpered.
Calisto raced forward, pulled him to his feet and wrapped him in his arms. ‘Philo, it’s me.’
Philo looked up. A smile of astonished relief split his face. ‘Calisto!’
‘The Emperor grinned and nuzzled at his lover’s ears, nose, eyes and lips, unfazed by the presence of the two Mages who had replaced their hoods.
Suddenly realising what was happening, Philo pulled back in alarm and threw himself at their feet. ‘Forgive me, your worships. I am just so happy to see my friend I…’
Uretep pulled him upright. ‘Philo, it pleases us to see you both happy.’
‘Can he stay?’ Calisto asked without much hope.’
‘Do you love each other? Uretep asked, trying to sound as cool as Seb when asking him the same question in the forest the previous day.
The Emperor’s eyes glazed as if confused, then as if daring the Mages to do their worst, said simply, ‘Yes...if what I feel is love.’
‘Then he can stay, but he can’t be seen with you in public.’
‘Why can’t he be the Emperor’s bodyguard?’ Peteru suggested.
‘He's already got one.’
‘I hate him. He fucks the Empress and tells her everything about me.’
‘Then that’s settled. You can dismiss him.’
Learning the short speech that would explain NumbaCruncha to the multitudes took less than ten minutes. Calisto only had to hear a sentence twice before it was committed to memory. When complimented he seemed surprised. All Vassals do that; we can’t read, so we remember. Philo will have remembered it too.’ He turned to his friend. ‘Come on, Philo, show them.’
Shyly at first, then with increasing confidence Philo repeated the entire speech word perfect with identical emphasis.
‘What do you think the people will say, Calisto?’
‘About what?’
‘The contents of the speech.’
‘Oh…I’ve only learned it, I haven’t thought about what it means.’ He turned to Philo. ‘You’re cleverer than me at understanding things. Tell me what it’s about.’
Eyes wide, Philo looked as if ready to run. ‘I...I can’t! The gods will kill me.’
‘They won’t, Philo. We are the representatives of the gods and, as the Chief Mage will explain at the Arena, this message comes directly from them. Come on, what’s it about? In different words though, not the ones you’ve memorised. Imagine you’re Calisto.’
After a deep breath and a stuttering start, Philo spoke slowly and carefully. ‘The Chief Mage has just told you that Domino and Domina have given us a new way to move around Oasis. It is safe and happens at once and will make everyone very happy and feel sexy and you’ll also be naked. But that’s OK because the gods don’t want us to wear clothes any more. Also, men and women have to fuck every day, because when a man puts his rod into a woman’s hole and pumps until it squirts, it causes her to grow a new person in her belly, and the gods want us to make as many babies as we can.’ He stopped, confused. ‘Calisto and I squirt into each other’s holes sometimes, but we don’t have babies.’
‘That’s a different hole. Women have a third hole in the middle, so only they can have babies.’
‘But most men I know squirt into women sometimes and they haven’t had babies.’
‘That’s because Domino and Domina prevented it from happening. But please go on, you haven’t finished explaining Calisto’s speech.’
‘Sorry.’ Philo visibly collected his thoughts. ‘Then the Empress and I will show you all how to use the new way of moving around Oasis, and then I will put my rod into her and fuck, pumping until I squirt so everyone can see that it is the right thing to do.’ Philo stopped and thought. ‘Ah yes, then he says, Domino and Domina be with you.’
‘Excellent, Philo.’
‘Calisto was frowning. ‘I’m worried I won’t be able to do it. I don’t like the Empress, she’s always bossy and rude and tells me I’m useless because I can’t get stiff with her.’
‘You only have to do it once to solve a huge problem the Mages have. You see, as the most important person in Oasis, you are the only person who can help them.’
‘I don’t want to help them.’
‘Yes you do.’
‘What’s their problem?’
‘Convincing ordinary people to believe they have to be naked everywhere and have sex frequently. As you know, it’s always been forbidden in public. But if they see the Emperor and Empress naked on the stage having sex in public, then they will believe it is the right thing to do. It is your duty as Emperor to show the way for your subjects. They elected you and admire you. Trust me—no one else in Oasis could do it.’
Calisto’s chest swelled visibly at the thought of having such power. Then he frowned. ‘But my rod never gets hard with her! That’s why she hates me.’
‘Believe me, it will get hard, and you will feel like doing it with her.’ Let me show you the new way of moving.
Uretep placed two mats at one end of the room and a second pair at the other, a good twenty metres away. Then he and Peteru stood on the mats, whispered a number into their terminals, touched their wrists and before their cloaks and tunics hit the ground they were standing on the mats at the other end. Calisto and Philo were staring in astonishment at the now empty mats.
‘We’re here,’ Peteru called.
Their audience turned, speechless.
‘Now it’s your turn.’
‘You’re naked!’
‘Yes, it feels much better. More natural.’
‘And your rods are hard.’
‘Yes. And it feels great. Come on. Give me your wrists.’
To disobey two Mages who could fly invisibly through the room was unthinkable, so they both accepted the implant, stood on the enseemats, whispered the number into the computer held by Uretep, touched their wrists and appeared at the other end of the room. After gazing for at least two seconds in astonished lust at each other’s arousal, they sank to the floor and caressed, kissed, fondled and eventually brought each other to orgasm.
Touched by such a captivating expression of love, Uretep and Peteru also took pleasure in each other’s bodies, amused when they surfaced to see Calisto and Philo squatting in front of them, shaking their heads in wonderment.
‘We didn’t know Mages were so beautiful. And you also love each other.’
‘Yes, that’s why we understand you. So, did you enjoy the experience?’
Calisto heaved a great sigh and failed to wipe off the silly grin. ‘Yes.’ He rubbed his hand over his head. ‘Where’s my hair? You too!’ he shouted at Philo. ‘We’re both bald. Down here too,’ he whispered looking down. ‘You didn’t tell us about that.’
‘Does it worry you? Your hair was so short I can hardly see the difference. What about you, Philo?’
‘I don’t care about anything if I can be with Calisto.’
‘You’re still feeling sexy, I see.’
Calisto giggled boyishly. ‘He’s always feeling sexy with me. Is it like this every time?’
‘Yes, so if you and the Empress transport at the same time, she’ll also feel sexy and you’ll easily be able to shove your rod into her.’
He frowned. ‘But she won’t want me to.’
‘I guarantee she will. Come on, let’s go to her apartment so she can hear your speech and get used to the idea, then I’ll teach her how to use the new transportation, and you can both make the crossing together like you did with Philo, after which you will shove your rod into her until you’re satisfied.’
‘Can Philo come too?’
‘He’s now your bodyguard, so of course.’ Uretep turned to Philo. ‘As long as you don’t get jealous when you see Calisto with the woman.’
‘Of course not,’ Philo said with a frown. ‘Calisto is only doing his work.’
‘Very sensible. And don’t tell her you’re lovers because she will tell everyone she sees and that will spoil Calisto’s image as a potent Emperor.’
‘OK.’
‘Now, we must all put on our clothes; something impressive for you Calisto, and Philo in whatever a bodyguard wears. Oh, and wear hoods or hats so she doesn’t get suspicious about your lack of hair. Definitely don’t tell her you’ve already transported.’
Empress Agnes was a striking, big-bosomed, narrow-waisted woman in her thirties with bleached blond ringlets and small eyes that seemed too close together. An elaborately embroidered gown exaggerated her tiny waist and generous hips while exposing a cleavage deep enough to burrow into. In an effort to look as pale as a Mage, Agnes had painted all her exposed skin deathly white, as if she’d been suffering a severe nausea attack. A large and powerful bodyguard in a rough tunic stood protectively behind the chaise longue on which she reclined in exaggerated languor. She extended a hand as if expecting it to be kissed.
The two Mages in their cloaks of power drew themselves up with assumed anger. ‘On your feet, woman!’ Peteru snapped. ‘Kneel and kiss my sandal.’
Astonished, the woman leaped to her feet and prostrated herself.
We have a message from Gods Domino and Domina,’ Uretep intoned. ‘Sit and listen carefully to your Emperor who will repeat to you the speech he will deliver at the next grand assembly.’
The Empress sniggered.
‘If you wish to be alive tomorrow, I suggest you show your Emperor the respect he deserves,’ Peteru snarled with such venom that the woman burst into tears, kneeled and begged forgiveness. ‘Shut up, woman, and listen!’ He nodded to Calisto who cleared his throat and declaimed his speech with all the majesty one would expect from a grand seigneur.
At the conclusion the poor Empress looked even paler than before.
‘Naked!’ she screeched. ‘Forgive me your worships, but surely that cannot be? The Empress can never appear naked before her people.’
‘You can and will. Furthermore, to demonstrate to your people that the gods are serious, you and the Emperor will have sexual intercourse in front of the entire population.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Not with that Vassal…’
‘Silence woman unless you want your reign terminated immediately! That is not all. Before the public sexual act you and your Emperor will demonstrate the new transportation system.’ Peteru signalled to Philo who placed mats at either end of the large room.
‘Agnes,’ Uretep said gently, ‘I am going to implant a tiny piece of silver in your wrist to enable you to use the new transportation. It is totally painless. Give me your arm.’
‘Please… no,’ she wailed.
‘Your body guard will tell you it is painless,’ he said quietly, beckoning to the guard who held out his arm as if uninterested, and didn’t flinch.
Rigid with fear, eyes staring in horror, Agnes watched when it was done to her, relaxing slightly when it didn’t hurt. Uretep then led her by the hand to the far enseemats where Calisto joined her. As soon as Peteru told them what to whisper into the computer, they touched their wrists, disappeared, and materialised at the far end of the room.
The bodyguard shouted in alarm, stared around wildly, then stared in mute astonishment at his mistress. Without the ridiculous hair, dress and makeup, Agnes was a very attractive woman—warm brown glossy skin, pert posture and a lustful look in the eye. Calisto, although aroused, remained abstracted until Agnes dragged him on top of her on the floor, legs wide and high—a funnel for lust that led the Emperor’s rod straight to the target. After less than a minute of vigorous thrusting he growled deeply, arched his back shot his load and clambered off, returning to Philo.
‘More! More!’ Agnes whimpered. ‘I need more!’
Peteru led her bodyguard to the far mat, and two seconds later he was doing his best to satisfy his mistress.
The Emperor, his lover and the two Mages quietly left them to it, preferring not to be around when the Empress discovered she was bald.
‘Do you still doubt your ability to perform with Agnes in front of the entire population?’
A satisfied grin. ‘I can’t wait to do it.’
‘All done,’ Peteru said cheerfully on returning to Ishbel’s apartment. ‘The Emperor is word perfect and impatient to demonstrate both NumbaCruncha and his sexual prowess in front of the multitudes whenever required.’
‘You have a way with these lower castes, don’t you? Quite the diplomat.’ Ishbel said as if delivering an insult.
‘I guess we have more in common with them than our skin colour,’ Peteru said a little too sharply.
Ishbel’s colour rose; she did not like her insults to be parried. ‘When will everything be ready?’
‘Book the announcement and demonstration for directly after midday in four day’s time. Everyone will have an implant in their wrists by then, all enseemats and number directories are already in position, and by tomorrow every seat in the Arena will be ready and allocated. All that’s left to do is ensure everyone knows the number of their home mat so that once the Emperor’s speech and demonstration is complete, they can transport themselves home.’
‘But will they continue to use it, or just go back to the negrav chutes? They're creatures of habit, you know.’
‘To reinforce the lesson, we could order the entire population to assemble two hours later in Central Park, and temporarily shut down the negrav chutes to make sure they use NumbaCruncha. After that, I’m sure they’ll always use it, in the process lowering the city’s energy consumption.’
‘Do you think one demonstration in the Arena will be enough though?’ Ishbel appeared oddly insecure.
‘No, I think we should have one other couple, preferably Aristocrats.’
Ishbel’s laugh was genuine. ‘I was thinking of you and Uretep.’
‘Sure, no worries,’ Uretep agreed, to Ishbel’s surprise. ‘If you think it’s a good idea to promote two black men having sex?’
‘Of course not! We want them to breed!’
‘Like I said, what you really need is a couple of Aristocrats. Everyone knows the royal couple are a Vassal and a Freemen, so the Aristocrats could become rebellious unless one of them is also seen to transport and then enjoy the pleasures of the flesh.’
Ishbel’s lip curled in amused suspicion. ‘I presume you have someone in mind?’
‘How’d you guess? Let’s reward Alger and Begum. They’ve been in command of the project, so it’s fitting that they should be rewarded for all their hard work by proving that Aristocrats also can fuck like cockroaches.’
‘Were they very objectionable?’ Ishbel asked innocently.
‘At times.’
‘Then so be it, will you tell them or shall I?’
‘The honour would be greater coming from you, your worship.’
Ishbel burst into hearty laughter. ‘That’s the first time I’ve laughed properly for what seems like years. I’m growing to like you two.’
‘And we like you too Ishbel,’ Peteru responded, deciding that as she was obviously deranged and dangerously violent it would be unwise to remind her that she’d been urinating on him only that morning. ‘But we’ve had a gruelling day, so we’d like to turn in early if that’s OK with you.’
‘It’s only mid afternoon! But I suppose compared to me you're both still babies. Maybe it is a sensible idea to get a good rest, in case there are problems to solve between now and the grand unveiling.
Back in their own apartment Peteru shook his head in frustration. ‘I’m feeling sorry for Calisto and Philo. They’re excellent men. I can’t bear to think that in a couple of years they’ll be tossed down a chute like garbage.’
‘Perhaps we can arrange something less horrible?’
‘Were you thinking of…?’
‘I imagine so. But its getting late and we have a rendezvous.’