1 comments/ 6457 views/ 1 favorites Realms of Eden: B4 - First Battle By: sddconst Act 1 -- High Seas Chapter 1 - Paul's horror Newly promoted Sergeant Paul Keane, Paulie, to his friends, slumped into the recliner lounge in his small but comfortable quarters at the base north of Townsville. He eyed the bottle of rot gut sitting on the table beside him, a present from the captain of his squad and grabbed it up pouring a quarter of the contents down his throat as he reclined the chair to its limit. The liquid burned his gut and throat and he almost coughed the whole lot back up again but forced his protesting stomach to suck it down. He turned his eyes to the picture on the wall to his left and holding the bottle up saluted the picture of the smiling black haired, dark-blue eyed man with his arm around the second man in the picture, himself. "Goodbye Sydney," he whispered as his hand reached to the blocky 9mm pistol that sat beside the almost empty bottle and raised it towards his head. At that moment the door chimed its 'Permission to enter' music and he giggled hysterically. In a high pitched voice he called, "No one home!" His finger pulled the trigger as the he felt the gun muzzle touch his forehead. In his haste to end his life Paul had pulled the trigger too soon. The bullet he had meant to put through his brain bounced off the thick part of the front of his skull as his body subconsciously ducked. The bullet burned across his skull leaving a furrow just above his right eyebrow ending just past the centre of his forehead. "Fuck!" was the next thing he heard as his brain registered the presence of another person in the room with him. Miraculously his eyes re-opened, the man from the photograph stood over him. Drunkenly he spoke to the man. "Sorry Sir been a rough day." Paul slumped unconscious in his chair dropping the pistol to the floor as he did so. Paul's next conscious thought was several weeks later when he awoke in a hospital room and the man from the photograph sat in a chair watching him resurface to the living world. He turned his head slightly to better view the man, envying the cool and calm face that watched him open his eyes. Through parched lips he said, "Fuck you, Sydney!" The man smiled and whispered back, "You already have." Paul's eyes closed again and when he awoke the next time the man was gone. The room was dimly lit and he sensed rather than saw a nurse hovering over him checking his pulse and scanning his head with a handheld unit. She looked familiar and after a few moments he looked harder at her and asked, "Wendy?" She smiled at him. "Yes Paulie, it's me," she said softly. Paul heard the catch in her voice as she answered and saw her eyes mist over. Tears dripped from her incredibly long lashes. "Not for me I hope," he muttered and was only slightly surprised when her hand slapped across his face and her fiery visage loomed large in his eyes. "Of course they're fucking for you!" she hissed. "You and fucking Sydney! Why do I love such fucking idiots!" She stormed out the door of the room and cursed again when she couldn't force the automatic doors to slam. Paul grinned in spite of the pain in his cheek and drifted back to sleep. When his eyes opened again the sight in front of him made him snap his eyes closed again. Hoarsely he croaked, "Go away! All of you!" Taking several deep breaths he added, "Please." "No Paulie," a young feminine voice replied from his left. He knew he was doomed to live and with a small flicker of his eyelids he whispered, "Why couldn't you just let me die?" Harsh sobbing broke out from someone close to his bed and he reached out a hand that was immediately clasped in two soft hands and lips kissed his knuckles. "I am sorry for hitting you," came Wendy's tear riddled voice. He just clasped her hand harder. "I needed it." He felt rather than heard Sydney move over him but was extremely surprised when the man's lips sought out and captured his in a fiery kiss. He struggled to breathe and his lips opened of their own accord as the beardless face nuzzled across his open mouth. A soft whisper came to his ears, "Sorry mate." The face disappeared and he felt his upper body hugged upright by the man he loved and considered his best friend from the past 15 years. He drew his hand from Wendy's and hugged him back and was heart-broken to feel the shoulders under his hands heaving in suppressed sobs as the man nuzzled his neck. Other hands and bodies surrounded them and he knew that Jenny was there. Feeling her warmth burn through all of them he braced himself for the love that would fill his heart again from just being in her comforting arms. "Damn it all," he whispered, "why is it all so hard?" Jenny's voice spoke softly in his mind, Because you are a good man Paul Keane and you cannot forgive yourself for what you did. He nodded slowly. But we, and Mrs Compton can! was her fierce admonishment and he lay back as Sydney relaxed his grip and finally he forced his eyes open to view his wife and his lover. Sydney looked pale. Paul shook his head slowly then looked from him to the young girl on his left, Jenny. In all her radiant beauty the woman within her gazed back at him. Holding his eyes with hers showing nothing but love for the man who held a little piece of her heart. The major part of it belonged to the man she was being protected by sitting on the edge of his bed. His eyes finally turned to his wife, Wendy. Again he wondered why she ever agreed to marry him, why she never took up the position that was so openly available to her in Sydney's entourage. The wisps of hair surrounding her face were tinged with blonde and red giving her the strawberry blonde look that he had loved to see on her since the days of Sydney being in hospital with her. Those thoughts caused him to chuckle. Looking up at his wife he said, "Well this is a change Nurse Keane. You being in a hospital to see me and not him," as he nodded at Sydney. Wendy giggled despite her tears and hugged her husband's arm to her breasts. "Yes, and I never thought it would happen. Don't you ever put me through this again." Her brave demeanour threatened to dissolve again as Paul slowly shook his head in the negative. The four friends sat in silence until Paul finally broke it. "She was a brave woman," he stated. Sydney nodded and clasped his friend's hand tightly, sombrely telling him, "You did what she wanted, Paulie. No-one will ever blame you for doing that." The silence between them lengthened and eventually Jenny gave Paul his reprieve. "Well Syddy and I have to go and meet with the President so we will leave you with Wendy and see you tomorrow." Her cheery tone belied her greater concern for him and he decided that he needed to set her mind at rest and quite likely everyone else's at the same time. "With a bit of luck I will be allowed to go home tomorrow," he stated. "Wasn't anything but a knock in the head and I have had a few of them before." His shy grin relieved them all and Wendy's heart beat a little faster as she felt his hand softly caress her breasts as the other two rose to their feet ready to depart. Jenny looked at Wendy and saw her eyes sparkling as the errant hand found its way inside her nurse's uniform. The little redhead sighed as she grabbed Sydney's hand and pulled him towards the doorway. "Tomorrow," affirmed Wendy as she waved the couple away. Sydney and Jenny met President Weir, Thelma and Bonnie, surrounded by a security detail three quarters of the way down the corridor exiting the hospital. The women quickly embraced as the two men regarded each other quietly. "How is he?" asked Weir. Sydney's reply was cut off by Jenny's curt, "He will be fine Mr President. As long as there is no interruption to a bit of wifely healing in the meantime?" Thelma's soft chuckles brought the President up short and she crooked her finger at him. "Not even for you Mr President." The party turned and retraced their steps back to the waiting hovers outside the main doors. Once outside the party split into several groups with Bonnie and Jenny bidding Sydney goodnight with a few quick kisses to his lips and warm hugs before Thelma dragged him into the hover impatiently waiting with the President already ensconced in the comfortable interior. President Weir issued instructions to the driver and the hover moved off quickly down the brightly lit streets. "You know that he should be brought to trial, don't you?" the President remarked. Thelma's eyes narrowed as she regarded his face to determine if he was serious. She accepted the drink he passed to her and watched quietly as he passed Sydney a wine and fruit juice cocktail before settling back in the comfortable leather seats and sipped his own scotch and cola. "The people would take your balls with a blunt knife," said Sydney quietly as he took a sip and his eyes glistened as he too regarded the President with serious intent. President Weir shook his head sighing as he raised his glass saluted both of them. The most powerful man in the known world whispered, "Vale Margaret Compton." Thelma's glass met his in a soft clink, "Vale Frank Compton." Sydney's glass touched both of theirs and his eyes never left the President's as he spoke softly. "Mary Compton, Louise Davies, Sarah Wilson, Peta Wilson, Alison White and Juanita Headly." Tilting his head back he drained his glass. Thelma grasped his hand hard and swallowed her drink as well. Sydney leant back in the comfortable seats and the events of six weeks ago replayed in his mind. A courtroom full of military and civilian personnel and he sat, disguised as an old man, in the upper balcony in the shadows out of sight of the main audience. He had just returned from having successfully played in his second overseas series of one day internationals for Australia. He did not want to distract from the hugely important events that would be unfolding over the next few weeks in the room below him. This was to be the first court case against the perpetrators of Project BF and he wanted to be able to hear first-hand the evidence presented against these mongrels. His own hand in bringing down the scheme hidden from the public and he was a little fearful of what might be mentioned regarding him. Eleven men were led into the room surrounded by a security team with bullet proof shields and armour. The soldiers sat them in chairs shackled and handcuffed facing the main part of the court. Five judges followed them and stood at the raised benches at the front of the courtroom. A voice intoned, "All rise for the honourable judges." As the people stood he observed the men in the chairs and saw the major players on show. Whitbourne, MacIntyre, Jeffries were present as well as faces that he only recognised from vid casts, all of them looked arrogantly at the courtroom. He noticed that Whitbourne even smiled at Jeffries as the court resumed their seats. Glancing around the room he wondered what the hell Whitbourne was finding so fucking amusing. Quickly Sydney established that there were a few faces in the crowded balcony that were staring intently at the 11 men and occasionally they were making eye contact. Sydney focused internally. Alfred's face appeared in his mind's eye as he reported that it appeared that there may be trouble at the first day of court hearings. He gave Alfred some visuals and relaxed when Alfred said to keep his head low. Shortly afterwards armed guards appeared in the balcony area and the occupants of the seats that he had recorded as possible trouble were discretely asked to accompany the guards out of the area. Whitbourne suddenly looked uncomfortable as he scanned the balcony and failed to recognise anyone in the front row seats. Paul Keane stood, as part of the security team, impassively at the side of the court and his eyes roamed the building checking its inhabitants. He spotted Sydney. At first he wasn't sure that the old man who gave him a small smile was his friend until briefly the disguise dropped and he saw the familiar dark-blue eyes and black hair. The man was in the shadows of the balcony and Paul's eyebrows lifted in surprise. He didn't even know that his friend had returned to Townsville after his exploits with bat and in the field in the recently completed one day series against New Zealand that Australia had won against all odds 3-2. It was the second time they had beaten them in the last two seasons. He grinned to himself and made a mental note to keep an eye on him with a view to catching him up at a recess. He received a call over his earpiece to send some men to the balcony to investigate some people of interest. Richardson, his Captain, sent a couple of his comrades upstairs leaving him on duty. The first day dragged interminably as the judges took turns in reading the charges against the 11 men in the docks. The charges ranged from treason, kidnap and rape, the mere word sent shivers down both his and Syd's spines, to robbery, murder and embezzlement. By lunch time recess Paul was resigned to spending the rest of his life in this courtroom as he escorted the accused back to the rooms at the rear of the court. He thought to himself that the whole country will go broke feeding and clothing this useless scum while the case dragged on. The final charges were read by late afternoon and the central judge asked the accused how they pleaded. Paul was not surprised that they all answered, "Not guilty." However, he was pleased when Whitbourne answered that the court had no right to be ruling on anything he did as he was the saviour of the entire region. It gave Paul the opportunity to give the ex-general a bit more lip as he hauled him protesting from the courtroom and threw him into the transport hover with the rest of his crew. The following days were filled with boring and long winded summaries of the case that would be presented and defended as the teams of lawyers pranced and primped across the floor in front of the jury. Paul was only able to keep awake because of the long hours he had spent on guard duty that trained him for this sort of inactivity. When finally the opening arguments had been presented the panel of judges called the day to an end telling the prosecution to begin the presentation of witnesses the following day. The next day the court resumed the prosecution began its case. The first witness to be called was an attempt at shocking the jury right onto their side and keeping them there. It was deemed a master stroke by pundits after the event, for Paul it was a sickening joke and one that he ended up very much regretting being part of. Mrs Margaret Compton was called to the stand. Both Paul and Sydney watched the little woman take her place in the witness stand facing the 11 accused. The two men detested the lawyers within the court and it was all Sydney could do to keep his mouth shut as he watched from his place in the audience. The Compton's plight was well known. As were the reports of the abduction of her 20 year old daughter and 5 of her classmates some three years before. An under-age sex trade with an off shore country was blamed but only recently did the public find out their actual fate. All of the girls had been found within the clutches of Project BF and it appeared they would be one of the only groups of women who were returned, successfully, to their parents. The six young women were inseparable. Thelma and Martha had tried to find them loving partners but the women had steadfastly refused anyone else to enter their group. The arrival of the girls' parents had been a blessing as the women flung themselves into their arms and appeared to be in need of the parental love that the psychiatrists observed. After several months they were allowed to leave with the parents and established themselves in the large housing area that was reserved for them in Cellarium. Tragically the girls had not been able to cope, it had been an elaborate ruse. In a murder-suicide pact they had taken their own lives in the basement of the Compton's home. They had taken their lives two days before Bonnie's twenty-first birthday. Margaret Compton spoke in a low harsh voice and her deadly whispers were picked up by every ear in the room as she told in harrowing detail of the injuries to her daughter and her girlfriends. She turned to the men seated in their shackles and raised her voice only slightly. "Do you know that as you raped my daughter and her friends that you not only broke their bodies but you broke their minds as well?" she glared at all of them. Whitbourne ignoring her sneered and remarked to Jeffries beside him. "I think I remember the tight cunted little sluts!" The courtroom erupted in pandemonium as the judges banged their gavels. Syd and Paul had eyes only for Margaret Compton who in the ensuing melee removed two guns from her blouse and pointed them straight at the men and pulled the triggers 6 times. The heads of Whitbourne, MacIntyre and Jeffries disappeared in a spray of blood and grey matter, as did the heads of several more to the left of them. The others sagged in their seats as bullets entered their hearts or throats. Margaret Compton was a deadly shot. Both Sydney and Paul heard the click of the pistol in her right hand as it failed to fire a bullet. The central judge also heard and rose to her feet shouting, "Hold your fire!" The security team had unholstered their weapons and trained them on the sobbing woman in the witness stand. None of them had fired a shot. Paul believed he had held his own fire because the woman in the stand deserved her justice. Let the Gods determine if they were wrong he thought as he trained his weapon on the woman. Margaret Compton raised her hands. "They are empty. I only had 11 rounds." The courtroom was deathly silent with the only sounds coming from the sobbing Mrs Compton as she held the guns aloft. "What happened to the twelfth round Mrs Compton?" Paul found himself asking and her pitiful eyes turned to him. She looked directly into his soul as she stated softly, "These are the guns the girls used to kill each other with. Frank and I couldn't stop them. We were locked outside the door and could only see in through the window as the Wilson twins hugged each other and then stepped back and shot each other through the heart." Her voice broke but she took a deep breath and continued to tell the story of what they had seen. To Mrs Compton the only person in the room that could save her was the big blonde sergeant who locked eyes with her. "And then Alison and Juanita picked up the guns and did the same to each other and finally my Mary and Louise kissed each other goodbye and and and ..." The woman stopped and squared her shoulders. Paul saw the anguish in her eyes, she was pleading with him to end her misery. He asked again, "Mrs Compton what happened to the other round?" He hated himself for asking but they had to know. "I used it to shoot Frank this morning before I came here... He begged me to kill him because he couldn't kill me first..." her voice trailed off. "I was running late and I couldn't find any more ammunition so I just took them as they were." She looked at the judges and then turned back to Paul. Mrs Compton's pitiful eyes pleaded with him, silently begging him to save her. She spoke directly to his soul. "The last bullet was going to be for me if you people didn't shoot me first and now it seems I have failed..." Paul's hand shook slightly. Of all the security people there he was the only one that hadn't lowered his weapon. Margaret Compton lifted the guns to her head and pulled the triggers and her mouth twisted into a sorrowful scowl as neither of them exploded and ended her life. Her eyes pleaded silently with Paul again. He squeezed the trigger on his 9 mm and the deadly projectile slammed into Mrs Compton's chest killing her instantly. Realms of Eden: B4 - First Battle The judges jumped except for the central judge who knew exactly what was about to happen and in her heart she thanked the brave young sergeant for his merciful actions even as she screamed out again, "Hold your fire! Hold your fire!" The courtroom was deathly quiet again as Paul lowered his weapon and dropped to his knees sobbing his heart out as he collapsed to the floor. Judge Amy Cruikshank jumped her podium and was first to the young man on the floor cradling him in her arms as he continued to sob. She whispered, "You did the right thing, you did the right thing. She had died of a broken heart already all you did was give her the release she needed." She kissed his head and rocked him in her arms. Sydney stood silently in the balcony and watched his friend being comforted by the cloaked figure on the floor. His first reaction was to jump the balcony and go to his friend but realised that it wasn't a particularly good idea just now. He would find out how long it would be before he was released back to his quarters and comfort him then. He slipped quietly and unobtrusively around the gawking spectators and headed through the back exits and out to hail a hover taxi and back to the arms of his girls. Sydney was brought back to the present by the gentle shake of Thelma and she sighed in relief when his eyes blinked and opened fully. "Mr President if you arrest Paul Keane then I will personally see you beaten to within an inch of your life. Come on Thelma it is time for us to go." He ordered the driver to stop the vehicle. It slid to a halt in the early evening traffic through the city and he and Thelma alighted. Before the door closed completely, Thelma stopped it with her hand. Looking the stunned President directly in the eyes she said, "I won't stop him either, Greg." She turned to Sydney and grasping his hand they set off slowly down the street ignoring the worried looks of the security team that had stopped before and after the President's vehicle. Chapter 2 - A lesson in hard love Wendy Keane's body trembled as she lay quietly beside her husband's naked body. Nearly naked, she amended catching sight of the white bandaging around his temples. She lay watching him sleep and reflected on the events of last night. Their lovemaking had been gentle at first. Paul even almost reluctant as stroking and kisses had been long and drawn out driving her almost to the point of frustration as his fingers never quite ended up where she wanted them. Finally in exasperation she had grabbed his hand and forced it between her open thighs and against her inflamed sex. "Paulie! Please!" she whispered urgently and sighed softly as his long middle and index fingers entered her. She had opened her eyes and took in the handsome face that stared back at her. His blue eyes open and directed at her but not looking at her. She felt tears form in her eyes and she dashed his hand from between her legs and snapped, "Who are you thinking about?" His eyes blinked and his soft reply surprised her. "You." His face crumpled into tears as he rolled away from her sobbing and saying that he was sorry repeatedly. She paused, pondering what to do. Suddenly she remembered her wedding day and the words of advice Thelma had given her when she almost got cold feet and decided that she was making a mistake. The day had been hot, humid and threatening clouds were on the horizon that promised a typical Brisbane thunderstorm for later in the afternoon or early evening. Syd called it cricketer's weather in joke as it usually meant the games would be fast and furious as teams tried to get their overs in to force a result before the deluge hit. Thelma, Jo, Kel and her were lounging in the spa bath in Jo's apartment. It was early morning but they were sipping fruit juice and wine drinks trying to relax before they would be hustled and bustled by cosmeticians and dress fitters in a couple of hours. Looking around the happy faces of the other women Wendy began to feel that she was making a mistake. Thelma, whose eyes rarely looked at anyone else except her, sensed her concern. Thelma murmured something to Jo and Kel and without a backward glance the two naked women slid across the sides of the bath and to her side placing an arm each firmly around her. They lifted her squealing and protesting out of the water and sat her on the edge of the spa. The two women held her firmly and shushed her protests with gentle kisses and petting. Wendy began to sob and soon her struggles ceased. Thelma spoke to her from the edge of the bath directly between her open legs. "Wendy do you love Paul?" and a satisfied smile crossed her pouting lips when the girl nodded. "Do you love me?" she asked. Wendy spoke softly, "I love all of you," as she tilted her head towards Jo's and Kelsey's breasts and then back to Thelma. Kelsey whispered in her ear, "As we love you too sweetie". The hot breath caused goose pimples to form over her skin and her nipples crinkled slightly causing a little giggle from Jo. Thelma knelt in the spa and folded her arms under her large breasts, the silver T shining brightly between the two globes as she fixed Wendy with a stern look that gave her pause. She stared back into the eyes that showed the worldliness of an ageless woman and something else that she had not noticed before, tears. "Please Thelma don't cry," she said. She pulled free of Jo and Kelsey's embrace and sliding back into the spa wrapped the woman in her arms. She felt Thelma tremble slightly and pulled back to look into the woman's face again and softly leant forward and kissed her lips. Thelma did not respond and she increased her pressure slightly but no answering softness, no response, no parting of the lips or quick flicker of the tongue that she was so accustomed too. She was confused. How could this woman, whom she loved so dearly not feel for her anymore, what had she done wrong! She pulled back and saw the tears in Thelma's eyes overflow, slowly dropping from her lashes onto her cheeks then drip into the now still water. Wendy's heart lurched and she recoiled in horror at the sight before her turning to Jo and Kelsey for help but found their stern demeanours and rigid postures of no comfort. "What is happening?" she cried, "You can't stop loving me just because I am going to marry Paul!" "Are you?" asked Thelma coldly. Wendy's heart beat quickened as she realised that more than anything else in the world that was what she wanted. She looked around at her three friends and firmly said, "Yes! Whether you like it or not I am going to be Mrs Paul Keane!" She rose to make her way from the spa. Thelma's hands grasping her knees had pulled her back down into the water caused an involuntary scream from her throat. With a giggle suddenly two other bodies attacked her from behind. She gasped and struggled but it was hopeless, one against three. Giving up the struggle she found herself held horizontal in the spa surrounded by the three women. She looked at them all and Thelma spoke to her softly. "We cannot stop loving you Wendy but your heart belongs to Paul and you must never forget that! He is your island and your peace, you must never give him up just to play with us. We will be here if you need us but Paul is your life and you are his, never forget that either. "Sometimes we have to remember the reasons we are who we are and why we make our choices. Sometimes, even though it hurts, one has to be hard to make the right decisions." The three women kissed her warmly on her lips, one after the other repeating their words of love to her. Telling her that they were sorry that they had to be so harsh but they did not want her to give up what she had found just to be with them. She smiled and reached out her arms to hug them all and with little smiles and kisses the girls renewed her faith in herself and prepared her for the adventure that would be hers as Mrs Paul Keane. Returning from the remembered lesson, Wendy reached out her hand towards her husband. Instead of gently caressing his bum as she had started to do she brought it down with a resounding smack then another and another each harder than the last as Paul yelped under her stinging blows. He tried to jump sideways and off the bed as Wendy attacked his bottom but was impeded by the wall that Wendy had pushed the bed against. Paul found he was forced to turn to face the wildcat that was now threatening to slap his face. "How dare you!" she screamed. "How dare you try to take away your life from me!" She grabbed his cock that she had managed to free from his lightweight pyjama bottoms and dug her nails sharply into his flesh. Paul hissed at the sudden pain and yelled when the nails of her other hand raked across his exposed stomach. "Wendy! Don't!" he begged as she lifted her hand to attack him again. She paused, her nails millimetres from raking his heaving chest. "Do you love me?" she asked as she glared at him her hand tightening its grip on his flaccid penis and he opened his mouth and then shut it again. He reached his arms out and around her and pulled her into his chest crushing her with the forcefulness of his hug. "More than anything else in the world," he whispered into her hair and as she lifted her face to his he kissed her mouth hard and fiercely. Wendy's grip on his cock softened slightly then urgently tugged and fondled him causing an immediate hardening and forcing a lustful groan to escape their melded lips. His hands slipped lower and dragged her forcefully upon to the bed astride him. Fingers found the crotch of her panties and pulled them aside as she feverishly guided him into her wet and willing pussy. She savagely rode him as he just as hungrily thrust back into her. Hands gripping her hips forced her to take as much of his cock as he could push into her. There were no words of love only guttural cries and sobs as each tried to pour their energies and feelings into the connection between them. She beat at him with her fists as her superheated pussy scalded his cock, balls and thighs with her continuous orgasms. When he at last arched his back pulling her down to the base of his cock he exploded into her depths as he screamed out, "I love you Wendy!" Their bodies relaxed and she leaned forward to his lips and kissed him. Their eyes remaining open as each regarded the other in a new light as the animalistic nature of their lovemaking crashed into their consciousness. "Well that was unexpected," whispered Paul. Wendy smiled. "All the more reason to live," she stated simply. Paul's answering smile caused a sudden contraction of her pussy that still trapped his cock within its heated confines. Paul groaned as the slippery muscles rippled along the length of his still hard shaft. With a quick heave he rolled, pinning Wendy beneath him. Propping himself up slightly he ripped her blouse open exposing the soft warm globes of her medium sized breasts to his feverish eyes. Wendy grunted as he slammed his cock into her and her nails involuntarily raked his back as he continued a renewed assault on her. Biting and mauling her breasts and nipples and jackhammering her shuddering sex. She felt the bed moving backwards and forwards and heard the strangest mewling sounds coming from somewhere. When they turned to harsh grunts she realised that they came from her wide open mouth. The blood roared in her brain before she felt the biggest orgasm of her life course through her nipples, stomach and finally convulse in a vice like grip on the cock that was buried deep inside her spurting white hot sperm into her womb. Her grunts turned to roars of pleasure almost matching the ones of the man above her. She unlocked her ankles that were wrapped around her husband's back and taking deep gasping breaths she dropped them wide splayed either side of his gently moving hips. The little movements caused ripples of pleasure to radiate throughout her body. She rocked her hips gently in a counterpoint dance and with a slow tenderness the two of them moved quietly towards release again before sleep overtook them. Observing her husband as he rolled over, in his sleep, to his side to face the wall she suppressed a giggle at the sight of the long rake marks down his back. She decided to clean up before attending to them. Slipping from the bed she almost collapsed as she tried to take her weight on legs that seemed to have turned to jelly. She giggled out loud as she realised that she must look like someone that has gone ten rounds with a tiger with her ripped shirt, torn panties and shredded skirt. Shuffling towards the shower cubicle she was careful to keep her legs from rubbing against each other. Fuck me, she thought, now I know why Kelsey walks like she does when she spends the night with Sydney! With a wide smile on her lips she recalled that she used to walk like that many times after Sydney's visits to her, Cathy and Karen. Stripping her ragged clothing she turned the shower on hot and let the water cascade over her tingling body. After a few minutes found that she could straighten her legs a little. She heard a soft noise outside the cubicle and hoped that it was not Paulie looking for her. She didn't think she had the energy to go another round. Peeping around the curtain she almost screamed in alarm when she saw Jo standing there with a smile and a nurse's uniform on a hanger in her hands. "Thought you might need replacements," the woman whispered with a snigger and hung the uniform on the hook beside the mirror. She bent to pick up the remains on the floor and Wendy stopped her. "No I want to keep them as a reminder, can you find me a zip lock?" Jo grinned and with a quick wave was gone. She was back as Wendy finished drying herself and Jo's hmm caused her to look at the woman in surprise. "What?" she asked worried. Jo simply glanced at her breasts and looking down Wendy saw them covered and purpling with bruising and teeth marks. "Harrumph!" she scoffed. "Wait till you see his back!" The two women giggled hysterically. Jo reached into her pockets and produced two items. One a large zip lock bag that she placed on the wash basin counter and the other a tube of gel. Uncapping the tube she smeared some on her hands gently rubbing the cream onto Wendy's marks. Wendy gasped a little at the cold touch but Jo grinned. "They will be too sore for you to wear a bra but the marks will be there as a reminder for a while. As will these," she squeezed more gel onto her fingers and touched them to two prominent bruises on the inside of Wendy's hips. The younger nurse blushed when Jo asked if they had used a new toy last night. "Oh no!" she smirked, "Just plain old fashioned animal fucking!" Jo saw the twinkle in her friend's eyes and gave her an appraising look. "I think you better talk to Kel about some recovery exercises!" Both women snickered as Jo did some bandy legged walking around the room in imitation of Kel's walk. Wendy tapped her friend's bottom as she sidled up beside her and whispered, "You are not much better some mornings my girl!" Jo's bright blush set Wendy to giggling again and it was no surprise to hear Paul's voice call out. "How is a man supposed to sleep with all that racket going on!" "Man!" retorted Jo, "This woman looks like she's been fucked by a bear!" Paul's face was in the doorway in an instant his features showing real concern for his wife. Taking one look at the marks across Wendy's breasts and groin he began to apologise. Wendy grasped his balls tightly cutting him off as she hissed, "One word mister and your back won't be the only thing cut up!" Paul shut up. From behind him Jo whistled. "My goodness!" The couple turned to her and she indicated that Paul should turn back towards the mirror. Long red scratches covered his back from shoulder to rump and several overlapping hand marks were visible upon his bare cheeks. "Wildcat," muttered Jo and she suggested that Paul trot back to bed for some nursing as well. Paul gestured to the toilet as the girls taking the clothes along with the bag left him some privacy and Jo said she would be back shortly. Wendy dressed and placed the shredded uniform in the large zip lock bag, sealing it firmly before placing it in her overnight bag that sat on the floor under the window. Gazing out into the brightening morning she was not surprised to see Sydney, Thelma and Kelsey sitting on one of the benches in the courtyard below whilst Jenny gleefully chased a butterfly around the garden beds. Thelma looked up to the window and gave her a wave, which she returned with a bright smile. "How does she do that?" she asked herself for the umpteenth time. "Do what?" asked Jo returning into the room with a tray of tea and breakfast for the three of them. As well she carried a bag containing supplies for dealing with the marks on Paul's back. "Know that we can see her and where we are watching her from," she said nodding her head to where the group all now stood and waved to the girls at the window. Jo laughed. "Mumma Felma can see everyone," she stated mimicking Jenny's girlish voice almost perfectly. "Though mind you," she continued in her normal voice, "That little girl can as well." Paul added from the doorway of the bathroom, "And so can Sydney and Kelsey." The two girls turned away from the window to look at Paul as he walked towards them unconsciously allowing his well-used genitals to swing with his movements. The sight caused Jo's eyes to widen slightly as she noticed the crescent marks running its length. She wordlessly placed her tube of gel into Wendy's hand and nodded to the offending marks. Turning back to her trolley she set the covered plates onto the small dining table near the foot of the bed. Wendy giggled as she covered her lover's cock with the cool gel and felt a little stirring under her warm hands. "Later," she whispered giving him a quick open mouthed kiss. "The eggs," Jo reminded them and she almost fell off her chair as Wendy reached for Paul's scrotum to begin covering them in gel as well. "No!" she laughed, "on the plate," she almost snorted, "are getting cold!" Wendy and Paul turned sheepishly towards her and Paul felt his face go bright red at the helplessly laughing vixen. "Pants," he muttered and seeing his bag beside the built in wardrobe opened it and retrieved a pair of slacks and shirt to don. "A robe will be more appropriate," his wife suggested. He nodded and slipped a robe over his body instead and joined the two ladies for breakfast. Jo was still snickering as Paul tucked into the sausages and fried eggs, tomato and mushrooms on his plate. Wendy poured orange juice for all of them and Jo mischievously raised hers in a toast to the couple. "To damned good fucking!" Grins met hers all round as the glasses clinked together. As each concentrated on the food before them Wendy again brought up the subject of Thelma, Jenny, Kelsey and Sydney being able to see them. Jo tried to answer her queries as best she could and stumbled her way through explanations of joined minds and being able to focus on compatible minds that Wendy just found confusing. Paul, reaching for the tea pot poured a cup for her and stated. "Simply they can see anyone that loves them." Wendy was slightly taken aback and Jo nodded her head enthusiastically. "Yes that is right! They can see any of us any time because we do love them so much." Paul sat back sipping his tea and continued. "Syd once told me that he can see lots of people but most clearly are those that love him. He said they stand out like the brightest stars in the darkest night and he only just has to 'look' at them in his mind and he can see where they are and what they are doing." The big blonde paused before he added, "And what they are feeling." Realms of Eden: B4 - First Battle He rubbed a hand across his bandage before he continued. "He watched me and he couldn't get to me fast enough!" His eyes were bright with unshed tears. Wendy remembered how he and Sydney had cried on each other the previous night and realised that she now knew the reason for Sydney's apology. The three sat quietly for a moment then Paul suggested he better get fixed up before the doctor came so he could get out of this place. The two nurses quickly had him naked face down on the bed applying the soothing gel all over his back and bottom. They got him to turn over and playfully anointed the marks on his abdomen while Jo insisted on checking whether her assistant had ensured that Paul's "eggs" were properly treated. The two women giggled delightfully as they fussed over Paul and his heart sang a happy thumpety thump as the lightness of their play pushed further away the darkness threatening in the back of his mind. He was dressed by the time the doctor arrived. When Paul asked about going home the doctor's eyes twinkled before he said, "I am afraid Sergeant Keane that I cannot let you go back to your quarters." Paul and Wendy's faces were incredulous as they stared at the doctor. He raised his hands in surrender, "I can, however, allow you to leave the hospital if you promise me that you will take a six month holiday on a boat out in the Solomon Islands." Paul sputtered and Wendy's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Jo exclaimed astonished "Who the hell is going to arrange that Doctor Wilson?" "I am," came a soft voice from the doorway. All of them turned to the grinning Sydney Douglas who lounged lazily against the doorway. "However, there are a couple of conditions." The smile disappeared from his face as he straightened up before walking slowly into the room. Sydney thrust his hands in his pockets and stared down at his feet. "Number 1 you all have to come. Number 2 Big Suzy has to cook and Number 3, Paul you have to teach me to SCUBA dive." Paul leapt from the bed and grabbed his big friend up in a bear hug laughing as he swung him off his feet. He kissed him firmly on the lips. "SCUBA diving! I will have you an expert in six months!" he cried then he let him go and stepped back. "But I can't go," he sighed and slumped back onto the bed. "Why not?" asked Jo confused at the turmoil of emotions within her friends. She looked at Sydney and saw in her lover's eyes the look of a man who thought he had all bases covered. She turned to Paul, who sat like a man waiting for the axe to fall and then Wendy, whose face had gone from joy to sorrow in the space of two heartbeats. "Because," Paul started. "He is waiting to be arrested," finished Sydney. Paul nodded as both Wendy and Jo suddenly comprehended Paul's concern. "But," began Jo and Sydney's quick glance told her to be quiet. Paul's head remained bowed as Wendy's hands stroked the back of his neck as she looked to Sydney hopefully. "Paul," Sydney began. "Paul, look at me!" he commanded sharply as his friend's head came up quickly in obedience. "Do you regret your actions regarding the death of Mrs Compton?" Sydney asked softly. Paul's head shook in denial. "The only thing I regret about it was that I should have fired first so that she didn't have those bastards' blood on her hands when she goes to meet her judgement." Gently he removed Wendy's hands from his neck and stood to attention in front of Sydney. "I am ready to go now Sir." Sydney raised himself to his full height looking at his friend and quietly asked him to hold out his hands. Paul held out his hands fully expecting them to be cuffed in readiness for his removal from the building and was surprised when a set of keys and an envelope addressed to Sergeant Paul Keane was placed in them. "You're driving the boat Skipper!" laughed Sydney. Paul looked hard at him then at the envelope in his hand, "Pardon," he said in disbelief. Jo grabbed Wendy just as Sydney's impish grin, then "How did you guess?" caused Wendy's senses to overload and she fainted into her friend's arms. "Syddy can we come in now, please!" whined a little girl's voice from the corridor. Suddenly the room filled with bright and cheerful faces as Thelma, Kelsey and Jenny erupted into the room. Jenny flew up into Paul's arms and he barely had time to catch her before he fell back on the bed laughing so hard that he barely noticed the pain in his head as it hit the pillow with the little girl holding onto him fiercely. Kelsey and Thelma sorted out the bodies tangled on the bed and soon some sort of order was established with chattering voices and tickles and kisses being shared all around. Sydney watched delightedly as the most important people in his life rejoiced at the freedom he had been able to arrange on the spur of the moment with Thelma after they left the President last night. He turned to walk with the doctor out of the door thanking the man for his assistance. As he returned to the room he was overwhelmed by the hug and kiss that met him from Wendy. She held him so tight and kissed him so hotly that he quite forgot to breathe for a moment and lost himself in the pleasure of this wonderful woman. When she broke from him he saw her eyes filling with tears and he immediately placed his fingers against her cheek. "And Number 4 no more fucking tears!" He was hit in the head by the pillow from the bed expertly thrown by a teary eyed Kelsey. "Fuck you!" she cried. "Oh we intend to!" came the chorus of voices around the room including much to everyone's surprise Jenny's high pitched affirmation and giggle as she drew the eyes of all in the room to her. "Well in spirit anyway," she laughed. Chapter 3 - High seas Within hours the group was in motion, although Wendy was in a daze as she and her man were whisked off to the marina at Townsville accompanied by Jenny who was babbling non-stop all the way. Her joyful innocent laughter removed any lingering thoughts of sadness or concern from the two adults. Again Wendy marvelled at how this little pocket dynamo could make anyone believe anything around her. Soon she was talking excitedly about whales, seals, dolphins and shopping as animatedly as the little girl. Paul sat back, a little gingerly, in the padded chair of the limo-hover when a small scrunch in his back pocket reminded him of the envelope Sydney had given him he retrieved and opened it. It was a letter from the President of Oceania address to him as Sergeant Paul Andrew Keane: Dear Paul, In regard to the actions taken by you in the courtrooms of the High Court of Oceania. Please be advised that in consultation with the Judges, the prosecutors, the parliamentary advisory committee and the leaders of the military, in conjunction with the remaining families of the young girls and women affected by the despicable acts of the so-called Project BF, it has been decided that no criminal charges will be pressed against you. All of us share in your grief for the victims of these atrocities and you have shown the compassion, courage and humility of a man who, in all likelihood, understood the needs of a fellow human being and acted without hesitation to ease their suffering in a way that many of us would not have. For that I salute you and wish you all of the fullness and richness of life that comes to those who carry out heroic deeds. However, I must advise you that your time in the military has been terminated and your benefits and entitlements held awaiting your instructions for their disbursement. I apologise if this seems to be unfair but it would seem unlikely that the placement of yourself back into military ranks would be in the best interest of yourself or the military command. I wish you well in any future endeavour you wish to undertake and assure you that should you require it, the office of the president will be available to you to assist in any way possible. Yours faithfully Gregory John Weir President of Oceania Paul handed the letter over to Wendy and watched her read it quickly before she folded it placed it back in the envelope and put it in her bag. She smiled at him and said, "It appears that we are all on holiday for the next 6 months anyway and if I know Sydney he has made sure that none of us are going to do too much work anyway." Paul laughed, "I think I have a job as a skipper and diving instructor anyway." Jenny looked at them both and with a cheeky grin said, "Might be more than that yet!" She looked out the window then told them that they were here. Paul unloaded his and Wendy's bag and looked around the marina as the hover sped off out of the docking area. There appeared to be quite a number of boats in and as Sydney hadn't given him a name or docking station of the boat he wasn't sure about which one to look at closely. A large, tall woman in bright pink overalls exited a building to the left of the main jetty. Looking towards them she called out, "You the Keane's?" She hurried over to them as Paul nodded. "Lissa," she said holding out her hand to him. He was surprised at her firm handshake. "Paul." "This way," she directed and loaded them onto a small hover skip. Telling them to hang on she gunned the little floater out into the channel behind several of the bigger cruisers moored at the end of the jetty. Wendy saw it first. "Oh my goodness!" she breathed and pointed to the gaily coloured cruiser that sat bobbing gently on its anchor some 5-600 metres out from the marina's entrance marker buoys. The craft easily measured over 100 metres from stem to stern. As Lissa did a circuit of the boat Paul's eyes widened at the five story craft that appeared to be absurdly luxurious for a few people to spend a holiday on, even if it was going to be for six months. He noted the name across the stern on the lower deck, Majestic, and breathed to himself it certainly was that. Lissa laughed at their expressions and asked Paul, "You know how to drive one of these?" Paul shook his head holding up the keys that Sydney had given him earlier. The big woman gave him a toothy grin and said, "Piece of cake really!" She deftly set the little skiff up in the air and onto the landing deck at the back of the boat halting the craft just past the edge of the wide, open stern deck. The party alighted quickly moving off the deck as a previously unseen power skip honked its horn indicating that is was coming into land on the deck as well. Lissa grinned as her twin sister touched the skip down with barely a bump and the two big girls embraced heartily before Lissa introduced her sister as Lucy. Another, almost as large, lady jumped from the side board of the skip and gave both the girls a huge hug which both reciprocated eagerly. Paul's face showed confusion as he looked at all three women on the deck chattering and guffawing and he looked to his wife for explanation. "Beats me!" she said and then Jo and another woman that they didn't know walked down the steps from the skiff. Jenny squealed in delight as she pulled from Wendy's grasp and immediately raced to the delicate woman that emerged from the skiff after Jo and her companion. The startled woman stopped in mid-stride down the steps and was barely able to stop the little red-headed she devil that rushed into her arms from knocking her over the edge and into the water. Wendy ran after Jenny but Jo beat her there. Both stood gobsmacked as Jenny and the little woman held each other tightly with tears streaming down both their faces. "Well I never," commented Jo as she watched the two girls and turned to Wendy who simply shrugged. Little Suzy looked up through her tears at Jo and the other woman who stood beside her. She tried to speak but words failed her and she simply held the crying girl in her arms tighter. Jenny broke the crushing hug and kissing the woman softly on the lips turned to the other two and said, "This is my little sister." A deafening roar sounded at the back of the boat as a powerful launch boat eased into position at the rear boarding platform. Kelsey, Thelma, Bonnie, Mrs Kelleher and Sydney stepped onto the deck. Sydney waved for help as the others moved to their location and quickly established a passing chain as packages and suitcases were expertly and efficiently passed from the hold of the launch and up to the waiting hands on board. Soon a sizeable pile of equipment and gear was stashed in the area just forward of the two skiffs and the launch roared off the way it had come. Sydney was all smiles and singing merrily as he organised people off to rooms and set about exploring the boat with Big Suzy, Paul, Lissa and Lucy. Paul was relieved to find that Lissa and Lucy were on the boat as part of the crew and that all knew how to drive the big vessel. Not, apparently, that it needed much driving as the same sort of computer systems that controlled the hovers and the skiffs was present. There was more allowance for being able to take manual control for little journeys and sight seeing when it was required, which according to Sydney and the large ladies there was going to be plenty of. The whole atmosphere of the party was one of looking for fun and adventure and a devil may care attitude was flowing from the three ladies that Paul found infectious. When he found them crowding him into the pilot's cockpit with plenty of unnecessary instructions, touching and 'helping' hands guiding his over controls and switches he found himself quite mesmerised by the women. Having large breasts in his back, ears, face and sometimes seemingly snuggled into his large hands by accident he laughed joyously along with them all. Jo and Wendy observing this activity from the top deck, where they had found the bar and were engaged in mixing drinks, sniggered uncontrollably as they watched the playfulness of the big girls and the relaxed way in which Sydney and Paul teased them back. "I always told them that they were going to have to start fulfilling the promises they kept making," quipped Jo. Wendy smiled. "I will be making sure that they do too!" Both looked at each other and burst into laughter as both imagined the men pinned beneath the larger women as they ensured their promises were lived up to. Wendy found the communicator panel and spoke into it, "All hands on dick, I mean deck!" her voice broke with laughter. Jo continued, "Top deck please ladies and gentlemen, one minute!" A chorus of "Righto's" and "On our ways" came back. In short order the holiday makers were seated or lounged around the deck with Sydney tending the bar. Kelsey took up centre position to survey, what she called her extended family. "And that includes you too Mrs Kelleher even though you are older than me," she gave the woman a bright smile. Sydney's housekeeper said, "Please everyone call me Ronnie as I am on holidays too so I have been told," as she fixed her employer a firm stare. Sydney shrugged. "For the next 6 months everyone is on holidays, except me." This was met with boos and cat calls and Sydney grinned and held up his hands. "I am sorry everyone, but we have 5 one-dayers against the Solomon's, plus 3 tests and a series of one-dayers against Fiji. So I still have to practice and work." He gave a melodramatic sigh and everyone clapped and cheered. They had forgotten that Sydney had been picked to play in the matches despite the successes he had had in the recent series against New Zealand and the outstanding season he had had the year before. "Now," said Kelsey eyeing everyone around her, "we have to have some rules." Grins broke out as well as a few concerned faces. "Rule number 1 -- No means No. Number 2 - you all make your own beds and I don't care whose bed it is you sleep in but no-one is going to come around and make them for you." At this she gave Ronnie Kelleher a warning glare. "Please ladies and gentlemen there is an automatic laundry on board so please use them for the sheets when needed." Lissa and Lucy cackled at her rules and Kelsey gave them a little wink before she continued. "Rule number 3 -- no more than 3 to a bed!" At Jenny's high pitched giggle Kelsey turned mock sternly to her daughter and said, "No one in your bed Missy!" she waved a threatening finger at her. The new members in the party were a little puzzled, as Jenny was only 9! Jenny shrugged, slowly she walked to her mother and gave her a hug, "I promise." Stepping back a single pace she allowed her ethereal persona to emerge as she turned to face them all. "But soon I can!" The image dissolved with fits of laughter from the little girl and she retreated into the waiting arms of Little Suzy who wrapped the girl up in a big hug and rolled giggling with her on the floor. Big Suzy recovered first. "Who, or what, the hell was that?" she asked in her booming voice. Sydney laughed from behind the bar and walked out with a six-pack of beers handing one to each of the Big Suzy's daughters, Anne-Marie, Ronnie Kelleher and then Big Suzy herself. "That is my wife to be," he stated to their incredulous faces and softly he filled them in on the events that had taken place over the past 7 years. By the end the twins were exhausted. Their emotions had been obvious to everyone on board as all had sat and listened quietly to Sydney's story. The women had been angry and threatened dire consequences should they ever run into Sydney's other family. Then they had been proud of him, his growth and his love for the women around him. He did not hold anything back from them telling them of the horrors of the Project BF that he and Thelma had uncovered and the plight of the 10,000 or so girls and women that had been kidnapped and used. Their rage against the exiled mutants was evident. They had even clapped at the death of Hawkings though Ronnie expressed a little misgiving that he had been forced to kill someone and felt that she needed to be a little bit more protective of him in future. She told the surprised listeners that she carried a gun with her all the time to protect her Syddy as she had taken to calling him in her mind. Jenny reached out and touched the woman's arm and her knowing smile set Ronnie back a little as she realised that the little girl knew all about the side arm she had stored in her carry bag at all times. Sydney smiled at the pair. His eyes caught the mesmerised stare of Paul Keane's and he lifted his eyebrows in query. "You never told me you killed someone Syddy," he croaked. Wendy's and Jo's arms came around him quickly to steady him as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. "How can you stand there and not feel as I do about taking someone else's life?" "Because he acted as a warrior not as the man," came Thelma's cool voice from the lounge that she was reclining on with Bonnie. "He did what he had to do as part of his job not because he wanted to or because he felt it was the right thing to do. "Paul you did something that was the hardest for any person to do but it was the most humane and caring thing that you could do. You showed the greatest love for anyone and that is why it hurts you so much and doesn't affect Sydney." Paul nodded in understanding, after all he too was a warrior, he had had to kill faceless and nameless enemies in his short time in the military then he turned his eyes back to Sydney. "Sorry man I didn't realise." Sydney nodded back to him and stood in the middle of the group and allowed himself a small grin as he felt himself change into the harsh and terrifying persona of the Warrior. A cold eyed, armoured giant that held a shield and a brightly glowing sword. He was the epitome of the God of War. Paul sat down heavily dragging the two women with him and looked up into the ageless eyes of the warrior now confronting him. He was terrified and yet strangely accepting of the being that stared down at him coldly and without pity.