Paolo

Empirical Companion

Chapter 1

Ardonex VII was a peaceful, technologically repressed planet in the year 2356. The society was agrarian and peaceful. War and hunger and discord has been eliminated on this Earth-type planet centuries before, and life was simple. Some of the older citizens remembered hearing their great-great-grandparents speak of the times before the 'Reformation', when computers had run the entire society, but few believed it. In fact, all traces of a once technologically advanced world had been completely erased. Life, the old folks said, had simply become too complex and their entire existence had collapsed when the Mainframe had failed. No one was certain what had 'killed' Mainframe, the computer that had run the entire planet, but something had indeed done It in. The stories said that it had taken almost a full century to recover, and by then the old ways were rapidly becomming a memory. No one wanted to go back to being dependent on technology.

So in a radical social upheaval, the entire society had literally packed up the plantation and gone back to a simple life on the lush and fertile seventh planet of a red-giant star system. Existence was near perfect for centuries… until the Humans showed up.

They came in starships bristing with weapons on a mission of conquest. What they found was a whole planet full of well-fed and generous farmers. They had come expecting war as ground troops beamed down to the surface thru matter-energy scrambling devices that prevented the need to land the massive warships. The ground troops were promptly invited to dinner. Confused communiques reached Earth via subspace radio in no time – something was not right here. Military commanders of ships and Earth bases all along the Empire scratched their heads in confusion and wondered what had become of the technology that other conquered races had told them of. Meanwhile, the Ardonians planted and harvested and entertained their would-be conquerors.

Treaties and rights of submission to the Empire were drawn up, but the Commanders could find no one on this simple planet to sign them. No one was in charge. There were no designated leaders, just community elders; and there were countless communities. And there were countless fields – animals – people… all of them seemingly uncaring about the aliens who had come out of nowhere. Aliens that looked almost like themselves, but not quite.

Finally, after weeks of exploring and questioning (and eating), the ground force commanders reported to their superiors who reported to the Empire that there was not going to be a war, nor was there going to be anything much else for that matter. Except for the fact that there was now another planet in the Empire. Granted, it was a planet that didn't seem to care – oh it was fine with them, yes, and would anyone care to put down his gear and stay for supper?

Colonization began at once, and the Elite of the Empire soon found that Ardonex VII was in fact the 'garden spot' of the Empire. They moved there in droves, bringing their families and building huge complexes all around the countryside. The Lifestyle of the Empire was preserved by these colonists, and soon Ardonex VII was the typical Empire-Member-Planet. Within a year, there were small cities identical to those of Earth. The Humans who lived in them watched the strange Ardonians in confusion as they tended their beautiful world and simply went on as if nothing were wrong.

Over time, there was interaction as Humans began to hire Ardonians to work in the cities and some Humans left the cities to study the finer points of animal husbandry and planting. It was almost Paradise… until some Humans began – naturally – to take advantage of the Ardonians and their easy-going lifestyle.

They were similar, these two species. The differences were minor and simple. Ardonians had three fingers plus a thumb, not four. Ardonian ears were slightly swept back and pointed and their skin had a more yellow cast than that of humans. The tallest Ardonian on record was only 5 foot 3 inches [1.60 m] in height, and obesity was unseen. The Human settlers were also amazed to learn that the average Ardonian lifespan was 200 Earth years. Senility and the usual disabilities of old age usually did not show up until age 170 or so. The more they studied, the more the Humans learned. Sexual maturity did not begin for the average Ardonian until age 17, and took about ten years to finish out. Great care was taken in sexual relationships, which the Ardonians politely did not care to discuss. The Humans wondered on and on about the mysteries of their not-so- conquered-allies, but found out little else.

About all they could determine was that family was very important to these people and great care was taken lest overpopulation occur. Unfortunately, population and reproduction became an issue after the fifth year of Human occupation.

Somehow, a shipment of supplies from Earth introduced a bacteria into the Ardonian ecology that came to bear after the fifth year. Crop production began to drop off, and within another year, many Ardonian farmers found it impossible to maintain their lands. There simply was not enough food for the animals and the agrarian ideal was on the verge of collapse. Many Ardonians found themselves turning to the technologically superior Humans for help. Many more went into the workforce for the Empire to get by as more and more supplies poured in from the Empire. After another year, many Humans had begun to take terrible advantage of the Ardonians. Ardonian workers went to and from their jobs, adapted Human lifestyles, abandoned their farms, and became indebted to their Human benefactors. And the Humans of the Empire insisted on debt collection, no matter what the price.

Ardonex VII had truly fallen to the Empire.

Falet was one such Ardonian man in much debt to his Human employer. Falet simply had too many children to support and not enough income from his job and farm to do it. His debts had run quite high, and he could think of no way out when his employer had called in the debt.

Falet had pondered his employer's offer very long and hard, but still could not bring himself to the idea of 'giving' one of this sons as payment. Certainly he had heard rumors of some of the more exotic things going on in the Empire, but had never believed it. Now the reality of it was staring him in the face. His employer, a man named Mr. Brett, had demanded a son as payment. Falet's son, whichever he chose, was to become the 'companion' to Mr. Brett's own son, a boy of 14 Earth years of age. His name was Erik – Erik Brett.

Now, as he walked home, the sound of that name filled his ears as he recalled his employer's words, "Falet, meet my son, Erik – Erik Brett. He is in want of a companion, and as is acceptable by Empire Law, I must request one of your sons of a comparable age as payment for what you owe me. My own son will be most happy to this arrangement."

Over and over, Falet thought – which one? He had two sons who were 14 Earth years old, with all the rest of his brood much too young to be acceptable. But by the time he had gotten home, he had decided to send Dennon, the smallest. Dennon was not overly athletic, but intelligent. There was no doubt in Falet's mind that he would not see his son again, and the perverse rumors filled his imagination with terrible things that Erik Brett had planned for his 'companion'. But there was no other choice – he could not lose what land was left, even if it were growing more infertile every year. What was one son compared to a centuries-old legacy? Falet sighed and called his family in to announce the final solution to what they all knew. Many times they had discussed it.

Dennon hung his head at his father's announcement, but Falet was the Father of the House and had spoken. No Ardonian boy would think of bucking his Father's wishes. "You will come with me to work at the Brett complex in the morning, Dennon. You will take nothing, as Mr. Brett has ordered, save the clothes on your back. You will report to Mr. Brett as soon as we arrive. I do not know what fate awaits you as the 'companion' to his own son, but I can only imagine that it will be worth saving us from this terrible thing. Your sacrifice will forever be remembered by all of our descendants in our best Traditions."

Dennon mutely nodded and went to his room.

Falet turned from his wife, Malore, a woman who had born him many children and who worked hard all day long to maintain their way of life. He walked slowly, brokenly, out to the huge barn and sank to his knees, sobbing until sleep took him.

In the morning, father and son set of for the Brett complex. Dennon walked a pace behind his father. Even though he could not see him as he stared ahead, Falet could see his son in his mind – a boy 6 or 7 years away from Manhood, but yet a man by Empire Law. He saw his son in his mind, slight of build and pale by Ardonian standards. Dennon was not tall enough, and was too thin. Perhaps Brett would reject him and offer another solution. But there was no room for hope – not with Humans, Falet had learned.

They arrived at the complex and said their goodbye's outside the gate. As they walked in, a guard who had been informed of their arrival took Dennon from his father and simply said, "Mr. Brett is pleased and your debts are cleared. His son sends his thanks." Falet nodded and turned away, never to see his son again. The guard looked at the slight and silent boy before him and said, "Follow me." Dennon complied.

As they walked down a narrow corridor, Dennon lifted his head and looked around. Technology impressed him and the guard took notice. "Do you know what a 'companion' is, boy?" he asked. "No, sir," Dennon replied in an uncertain voice.

"You'll find out," the guard replied, "Right after your medical evaluation and preparation."

They turned several times, and took a few elevators that made Dennon's stomach clench. He had skipped breakfast on his father's orders, and was frightened a bit. It did not take long for him to become thoroughly lost in the artificial complex. He had no idea where he was nor how to get back out. Finally, they arrived at a level called 'Med-deck' The guard led Dennon out of the lift and down another hallway and thru a brightly lit and humming doorframe. Dennon felt a tingle all over his skin as the passed through the doorframe and was stunned at the array of machinery that he saw.

There was a man there, or rather what looked like a man. He was tall and had strange eyes.

"Well well," the strange man said loudly, "Is this Master Erik's new 'companion'?"

The guard poked Dennon in the ribs.

"Yes, sir, I am"

"Very good!" the strange man announced. "Let's get to it then. We have to make preparations on you and haven't got all day, you know." He eyed Dennon up and down and then added, "How long has it been since you had a haircut, boy?"

"Never, sir," Dennon replied. Indeed, his pale hair was very long and pulled back in a thick braid as was Ardonian custom.

"Well, we'll fix that shortly," the stranger replied. Must be a doctor, Dennon thought.

The stange man went to a computer panel and spoke to it. Dennon watched. "Medical tech. Fourteen to Control, 'Brett-companion' workup beginning now, record in log.

"Confirmed," a soft voice replied.

Turning to Dennon, the MedTech, as he introduced himself, ordered, "Now, Dennon, it says here, fine, take off your clothes and step into this chamber." Dennon complied, as he had been warned to by his father. "Above all else," Falet had warned him, "they told me to make sure you understood not to disobey them upon pain of death."

"Now," the MedTech said, "put on those goggles and stand with arms and legs spread. This won't hurt a bit." Dennon stepped in and put the goggles on, embarrassed by his nakedness and his slight, underdeveloped body. He flushed. "Ah, color!" the MedTech laughed, "Don't worry, I'm a doctor – seen it all. Now…" He closed the door and hit some controls. A cold spray enveloped Dennon, and he shivered but did not move. His skin felt cold, then hot, then it was over. The affect was immediately noticeable. Every hair on his body, which except for his head had not been much, had fallen out. The door opened.

"Permanent depiliation of body completed," the MedTech said. The computer concurred.

Next Dennon was led by the back of his neck to a strange looking table of sorts. It was like a frame shaped in an X with grooves deep in the rails that contoured to fit his body as the MedTech laid him out in it. "Activate bio-restraint," he announced. The computer concurred again and Dennon felt himself being pulled down onto the frame which tilted back at a slight angle, elevating his feet. His legs were spread out a bit, and he was quite helpless.

"You didn't eat this morning, did you?" the MedTech asked.

"No, sir," Dennon replied, his voice breaking, very near tears.

"Oh, the hair. I see. Well, get over it son, because it will NEVER come back. The process is permanent. Master Brett wants his 'companion' to be almost totally hairless. Now, lets' get on with this. That hair-removing spray not only made you permanently bald all over, but is also cleaned your outside skin right down to the subdermal tissues. Now we have to clean you out inside as well. Have you ever had an enema?"

"What's that? No, I guess not then." Dennon replied.

"Well, it's not really painful, just odd feeling. This device will do all the work, all you have to do is lay there. Begin internal cleansing!" the MedTech announced. Dennon listened in fear as the computer once again concurred and he saw a probe of some sort rising up between his legs.

It was smooth and shiny, and oval-shaped. The frame tilted back a bit more, and the probe touched the opening of his anus. It was lubricated, and slid into him slowly. Dennon winced but could not move as the probe expanded to fill his rectum and then felt something else moving up inside of him.

The MedTech explained the procedure as the secondary probe moved up his ascending colon to stop near the midway point of the transverse. The shaft of the probe then expanded, as the MedTech explained that the deep probe was the cleansing nozzle and the expanding part was the drain pipe. The device would fill Dennon with about a half gallon of cleansing solution, let it sit until the probe detected cramps, and then drain. The fluid was warm and not unpleasant as it filled him, waited, and drained. The procedure was repeated until the solution return came out clear. When it was over, and the probe had withdrawn from his bowels, Dennon was sweating and weak. The electronic bonds that held him let go, but he could not get up.

"The solution also contains a sedative, a mild one," the MedTech stated, "for the next phase. Now that you're clean inside and out, and all that hair is gone, there's only one other thing. You see, Dennon, Master Erik is a very strange one. His greatest wish has been to own a eunuch 'companion' ever since he was about 12. Do you know what a eunuch is?"

"No," Dennon whispered, terrified at what was coming next.

"To put is simply, in the Law of the Empire, you are a man. Granted, you are 6 or 7 years away from any sign of sexual maturity, but still legally a man in the Empire's eyes. You know what makes you a man, even though you're not yet, is what is between your legs, right?"

Dennon nodded, fear overtaking his weakened body.

"Good, at least I don't have to explain that to you. You know the basics. A Eunuch, Dennon, is a man with some or all of his external genitalia removed. Now I have to remove yours, all of it, upon your new Master's orders."

Dennon tried to get up but couldn't. The solution that had flooded his insides had been absorbed by his body and he was feeling dizzy and numb. His mind, however, was unaffected.

The MedTech called for assistance, which came in the form of a large, black man wearing a Medical uniform as well. Together, they picked up the boy from the cleansing rack and carried him to a padded white table under a large lamp fixture in the center of the room. Dennon was in tears and trying to beg for them to stop, but the computer concurred again as another set of restraints went on and held his limp body in place.

The assistant placed a form-fitting mouthpiece in Dennon's mouth to muffle his weak cries and give him something to chew on while the MedTech applied a numbing solution to his genitals. Next, he slid a tube up Dennon's small penis which entered his bladder to drain his urine away during the surgery. The assistant was gathering some odd looking tools, all stange to

Dennon, yet frightening in appearance. They didn't look like cutting tools. They had blinking lights and strange tips. "You know," the assistant observed, "I think this is the first time we have ever totally – I mean, removed EVERYTHING – on a 'companion'. Aren't most of them just castrated?"

"Yes," the MedTech replied, "usually just the testicles, to prevent proper manhood from proceeding naturally, but Master Erik wants his first 'companion' to be smooth and totally unsexed. Not female, not male. This won't hurt a bit, Dennon, just relax."

The tool he picked up was switched on, and the assistant held Dennon's penis back as the tool emitted a tight beam of red light that cut the scrotum and testes away from Dennon's body. From his position, Dennon could not help but watch as his impending manhood was stolen from him and placed in a small silver tray. "Dermal stimulator," the MedTech ordered, swiftly activating it and sweeping the raw area with a broad beam of blue light that instantly began forming new skin where Dennon's scrotum and testicles had just so recently been. The new skin, Dennon saw, was pink in comparison to his normal yellow cast. Then the assistant handed the MedTech back the cutting tool and pulled Dennon's small penis straight up via the tube. Dennon watched in horror as the red beam made a circle around his penis and it came away from his body. The assistant quickly fired up the dermal stimulator again, and within seconds, Dennon was staring at his empty and smooth (and very healed up and pink) crotch.

Only the tube remained.

The assistant performed a brief cleanup, and took the tray containing Dennon's severed genitals away out of his line of sight.

The MedTech sighed and placed one hand on Dennon's heaving chest. "Take a nap, boy, it won't seem so terrible in the morning. And make sure you've cried it all out before Master Erik gets here!" The lights went down as Dennon watched them depart, the final effects of the solution perfectly timed to put him to sleep after the surgery. He was a 'eunuch companion' now to someone he had never even met. He was a eunuch, a servant, and now would never be a man. As artificial sleep took him, he heard the MedTech call out, "Master Erik, report to MedDeck Lower Level for inspection of 'companion'," and a single thought came to his mind It was not worth it, father…

Chapter 2

Master Erik, as he was known to the staff of his Father's complex, jerked his head up sharply at the summons that came over the comm system. "Be there shortly!" he shouted, running to the nearest lift and hardly giving the doors time to shut before ordering, "Lower MedDeck!" For years he had asked his father for a 'companion', stating that most boys his age already had 'companions'. But Erik Brett had wanted something new, something different. At almost 15 years of age, even though he was a son of a Complex-owner (and very wealthy), Erik was quite ordinary and unremarkable.

He was athletic and well built, as were most upper-class boys, but was simply 'plain looking'. In plain clothes, one would look at him with a glance and never think twice. These thoughts crossed Erik's mind as he headed to the MedDeck to see his new 'companion'. He was the last boy in his class in the City (which his own father had founded) to be given an Ardonian 'companion', and felt himself very much out of style. His plans had been precise and difficult to fill, however. His father had been stunned by his bizarre request, but had granted it nonetheless. After all, Erik was – if not plain and uninteresting – a hormonally driven teenage male citizen of the Empire. He simply had to have a 'companion' until he was allowed to marry.

His request, made almost two years before, had been complex : an Ardonian male, legally a man in the Empire's Laws, slight of build, short, and weak looking. His 'companion' was to be totally depiliated, except for his eyebrows and lashes, and be made into a fully nullified eunuch. Many of his friends had their 'companions' castrated – some allowed hormonal replacements and some not – but Erik had waited. He had never heard of a totally nullified 'companion', and his would be the first. As he ran his ideas thru his mind over and over, he came to the conclusion that his new 'companion' would not be allowed any hormonal replacements and would have no control over his own life.

The fact that this Ardonian lad would have to live with his modifications for the next 185 years or so made no difference to Erik Brett – he wanted his eunuch 'companion'. He thought of his friend Soran, whose 'companion' was a southern Ardonian. The youth was a more darker tone of yellow than the pale northern Ardonians and had been testicularly castrated right at the start of his sexual development. Soran had had the idea to cut the youth and then triple his male hormone intake to build him up. Of course, this warranted keeping the 'companions' penis under lock and key, and the youth was only allowed to touch it on special occassions and as a reward for pleasing his Master. Erik shuddered at the thought of how well the youth had bulked up under the HRT and rigorous exercise regimen Soran kept him on.

Lost in his own thoughts, and mulling over the secret plans of his younger friend Jeden's plans for his own 'companion', Erik didn't notice the lift door open. He was brought out of his trance by the medical assistant who had just recently finished working on Dennon. "Master Erik," the assistant greeted him, frightening the young Master back to reality. "Hello, hello… tell me, how did it go?" Erik demanded.

The assistant glanced at his notepad and smiled. "All as per your orders, sir. The 'companion' is sleeping now, and should sleep through the night. Everything went, ah, smoothly, shall we say?"

Erik Brett grinned and clapped the assistant on the shoulder. "Thank you," he replied, "You say he's sleeping?" The assistant nodded as the lift doors closed.

Erik made his way to the MedDeck where Dennon lay on the bed where he had been nullified. The 'companion' was lying on his back, naked, and the temperature of the room had been raised to keep him warm. The bio-restraint field had been deactivated, and Erik saw that the youth had a clear plastic hood over his shining bald head. The young Master also saw the catheter which seemed to enter very low in the 'companion's' smooth and empty groin. It was exciting, and Erik began to sweat. There was a low hum coming from the hood and the console to which it was wired. The MedTech was monitoring some readings, talking to the computer, which seemed happy to concurr with him.

"Deep sleep cycle in constant run," the computer was reporting, "Subject Dennon will awaken at 08:00:00 hours tomorrow. Suggest nutritional input to subject as well as dermal check and restimulation of new tissue."

"Doctor," Erik began – "Just a moment, sir," the MedTech replied, looking apologetic, "Computer, concurr and begin as suggested."

"Engaging surgical follow-ups," the computer's voice repsonded.

Erik watched as a silver oval-shaped probed rose up from the biobed on which his 'companion' was sleeping. It came up between the eunuch's thighs and slowly slid itself into his rectum. A servo kicked over somewhere as the sound of liquid being pumped came to Erik's ears. The biobed was injecting Dennon rectally with drugs and nutritional supplements. Erik smiled and turned to the MedTech.

"You have the post-care orders, Doctor?" he asked.

"Of course," the MedTech replied, "twelve hours per cycle of sleep, four hours of exercise time, and ten hours at your disposal. I can't get used to these 26 hours cycles here on Ardonex VII, you know, and of course – one medical exam per week including internal cleansing. No hormones for 'companion' known as Dennon, and no solid food – only liquid nutritional mix. Tell me, sir, does he meet your expectations?" the MedTech concluded.

Erik nodded, still smiling. He stepped closer to stare at the eunuch. "Excellent work, Doctor," he complimented, staring closely at Dennon's smooth groin which was getting another go of the blue dermal stimulator again, "You always were the best Doctor in the Complex."

The MedTech inclined his head and grinned. "Well, I managed to get you through childhood alright, even if you did spend a great deal of your time here."

Erik tensed at the mention of his sickly childhood, and realized that he spent more time with his Doctor than with his own father. His father might have consented to his having a 'companion', but the Doctor who had gotten him over a host of different problems had delivered. He returned his gaze to Dennon, who lay as still as death except for the slow rhythmic movements of his small chest. "I think I'll sit here for a while," he murmured.

"Not smitten, now, are we?" the MedTech joked, seemingly brazenly in the face of Erik Brett's authority – but secure in the bond they shared.

Erik grinned and said, "Thank you again, Doctor – he's perfect."

"Well, that remains to be seen, Erik… wait until he wakes up first."

There were no dreams, only darkness. Muffled voices came through the black, but Dennon was oblivious to what they said. He heard the hum, and felt relaxed. He was warm, comfortable… he was not at home in his own bed. He was somewhere… but where? The voices were clearing. Suddenly he heard, "Sleep cycle end" and the blackness lifted. His eyes popped open and he was staring up at a bright light. His eyes snapped shut immediately and he tensed as the memory came back and his Mind reawakened. He tried to jump up, but a tingling sensation came over his skin and found himself unable to move.

He could not even raise his head. He remembered – the MedDeck in the City Complex, the guard, the Doctor and assistant, the operation.

Dennon screamed.

"Good morning to you too," came a firm voice.

The lights dimmed a bit and Dennon opened his eyes to stare up at the face of the man who had made him a eunuch. "Your Master will be here soon, after sitting up most of the night with you, young man. I suggest you greet HIM in a more respectful manner."

Dennon tried to remember what he had been told – tried to remember the threats of being put to death for insolence by his Master – but it didn't matter now. The bio-restraint field shut off as Dennon sat up and stared at the plastic tube coming from his empty groin. It simply did not matter any longer. He would be insolent. He would tell them how he felt.

And then he would die.

He was a eunuch, his manhood stolen from him before it had even begun.

Dennon continued to stare at himself, naked and humiliated, and decided he wished to die.

"You won't find it that easy, Dennon," the MedTech said, as if reading his mind, "Every night when the inducers put you to sleep, they implant suggestions into your subconscious. You've already had almost 20 hours of intense therapy to make sure you don't misbehave TOO badly. Besides, and if you tell him I'll deny saying it – Master Erik is a very lonely yet caring young man. It would take a lot for him to have you executed. In fact, you could probably insult his mother all day long and he'd laugh at you."

Dennon sat up slowly, being careful of his catheter, and placed a hand over his smooth groin. He began to cry quietly. "Yes, sir," he choked out, involuntarily.

"See? It's working already. And call me 'Doctor', please. I hate that 'sir' thing."

"Yes, Doctor," the eunuch replied.

The Doctor smiled. "MedDeck Lower to Master Erik, wake up! Someone here is awake and ready to meet you!"

"On the way," came a voice over the comm system.

Dennon got up slowly and stood up uncertainly. It felt strange to stand there with the tube still in him and feeling nothing between his legs. He had not reached sexual maturity before the operation, and had had no development nor tried any 'experimentations' either. He wondered what his life had become overnight and thought of how long members of his species lived. Humans died at about age 100, but Dennon would twice that long. Perhaps longer, since he was now a eunuch. "I don't mean to be forward, Doctor, but can we…?" the youth asked, gesturing at the tube between his legs.

"Of course," the Doctor replied, "just a moment." The Doctor tapped a button on his control panel and Dennon felt something move inside him. "Pressure released, remove catheter," the computer announced. "Well, just let it slide out, Dennon, don't jerk on it." It took about two seconds for gravity to do its work and Dennon picked up the tube and held it out to the Doctor who ordered the MedDeck computer to retract and clean the catheter assembly.

Dennon looked around, amazed – his subconscious 'programming' washing away the pain and wish to die without his even realizing it. He was studying the biobed where he had spent the night when he heard running steps. Dennon turned to stare into the face of his new Master and gasped. Before him stood the person who would control the rest of his life – his Master to who he was companion'. He was not overly remarkable.

To Dennon, Erik Brett – future Leader of the City Complex – looked like just another human. He was a about a head and a half taller than Dennon and much more muscular. His hair was brown and stylishly short and he wore a gray jumpsuit with a colorful Empire Crest on the left breast pocket. He had a gold loop in each ear and Dennon, unaware of what was going on inside his own mind, found himself fascinated with this young man. He was at a conscious loss to explain it.

Master Erik, of course, was simply standing there appraising him. Dennon felt himself flush.

"Hello," Erik said simply, "welcome to my home."

"This is all your home, sir?" Dennon asked, his mouth agape.

The Doctor and Erik both laughed. "Yes, it is, Dennon, and wherever I go, you go from now on," Erik stated, "You are my 'companion', and – I hope – someday you'll be my friend as well." Then Erik's demeanor hardened a bit as he heard footsteps behind him.

"Dress him, Doctor, please – suitable attire if you will," Erik ordered.

Far from stupid, even without the mental tamperings, Dennon realized the reason for his Master's sudden change of attitude. The Doctor's assistant had come in and Erik had wanted to make a show in front of him. Dennon nodded. "Will we be leaving here together, if I may, sir? "

Erik Brett nodded and watched as the Doctor fitted Dennon with a thin metallic collar with two blinking recessed lights on either side. It snapped shut seamlessly. Next, the eunuch was fitted with two inch [5 cm] long wrist and ankle bands which sealed closed as well. Finally, to Dennon's relief, he was given a brief white garment to put on that fit tightly against his skin. It covered his empty groin and his backside but none of his thighs. It left no doubt to anyone who would look that the youth was a nullified eunuch, but it was better than nothing. Lastly, the Doctor put a belt around the eunuch's waist that also sealed in the same manner as the collar and cuffs. All had a soft felt-like backside to prevent chaffing and were actually almost unoticable in feeling.

Dennon looked himself over in puzzlement. "I'll explain it all later," his Master said, "Now, let me show you to your quarters and go over your scheduling with you."

"Don't forget to bring him back here in eight days, either, Young Master," the MedTech called after them.

Erik turned and grinned as the two of them headed out the door, Erik's hand on the back of Dennon's neck.

The Doctor sighed. "Maybe it will do him some good," he observed to his assistant.

"We can only hope," the assistant replied, "If Master Erik gets any more edgy, things could turn ugly for all of us very quickly."

"I think we're all safe. Master Erik looked quite taken with his new toy."

There was another long elevator ride and more twisted corridors and Erik led Dennon to his quarters. Finally, when they arrived, Dennon paused a step behind his Master and said, "Sir, I am not sure I can learn where is where in this place. I am totally lost."

Erik turned around to see the Ardonian eunuch standing with head down and staring at his bare feet.

Something moved in the future Leader's heart just then, and he put his arm around Dennon's shoulders and led him through the open door into his room. "I'll have a map drawn up for you," he said.

Dennon looked around the room and smiled. Erik Brett caught the look, and felt his own spirits lift.

The room was half-circular and painted in an off-white color. The floor was covered in a gray deep piled carpet, but like the rest of the Complex, there were no windows. The light came from above through the opaque ceiling. There was a computer console on one end of the room, and a bed that resembled the biobed in the MedDeck. Behind the straight wall, Dennon found bathroom facilities and another door.

"That door leads to my apartment," Erik offered, "and only opens from my side. When the main door closes, it will not open again for you except at certain hours in your schedule. The computer will keep you asleep for twelve hours a night, wake you at 08:00 hours, and give you 5 minutes to report to the exercise facilities. You will spend four hours there, then report back to your room unless I come there for you. You don't get to eat real food unless I decide to allow you to. All the nutrition you need will come in the form of a pint of liquid nutrient suspension three times a day that you can get from the dispenser in the bathroom. It's a replication device, and will give you anything that the Doctor has authorized. I know that sounds odd, but it's for you own good.

"If you get lost or are late, the comm system can be activated by your voice and it will guide you around until you get to know the way. The silver cuffs and collar won't come off except in the MedDeck. What they are are electronic locks, although I doubt we ever use them. The collar is a tracking device for the computer and also a punishment device. I hope we never have to use that; it's painful.

"Any questions?" Erik concluded.

"No, sir," Dennon replied, still looking around.

"Good," Erik replied, "Now, familiarize yourself with… well… everything. Just sit down in front of the computer terminal and talk to it, it'll answer. It's about 08:30 now, so I'll see you around 12:00 to see how it's coming along."

Dennon nodded and Erik placed his hands on the eunuch's slightly pointed ears. He kissed his 'companion' on top of his smoothed head and hugged him. "I'm glad you're here," he said as he stepped out of the room. The door slid shut and Dennon could hear it lock.

To his own astonishment, Dennon felt the reply come to his lips, unbidden – "As am I."

Dennon spent the next few hours wisely, calling up all that his computer would tell him about the Complex and his new Master. He was only shown about 20% of the entire complex on the screen, but that map itself was staggering. Every now and again, he would catch himself with a hand at his groin, scratching at the new skin. He also caught himself running a hand over his bald head a great deal. After all, he had never had a single haircut, and a bald Ardonian was a rarity.

From what he could also download, Dennon found that his Master had been an only child, and a sickly one at that. He was heir to the largest Human City Complex on Ardonex VII and a fair athlete and competent scholar. His personality profile suggested nothing bad to Dennon, but then again he was a human. Humans were capable of anything, Dennon thought to himself, catching his hand once again at his groin. A brief flash of anger welled up in the eunuch, but the it passed and Dennon forgot it almost immediately. He noticed the reflection of the two red lights of his collar in the monitor as he looked over his scheduling of exercises for the coming week – for the next six days, he had was going to spend four hours a day in that schedule. First up was 'endurance building' for the first four week grid on the screen. Running, swimming, muscle toning… as if he could build muscle tone.

Dennon asked the computer about this, to which he received the cryptic answer "eunuch servants on zero HRT must still exercise and maintain health."

Then there was that thought of every eighth day, which he was to spend in MedDeck with the Doctor. The Doctor who nullified me, Dennon thought briefly – before the idea passed and was forgotten. What was going to happen every eighth day? Certainly there was nothing else they planned to do to him. Checkups, perhaps – the nullification had been a major change to Dennon's body and surely they would have to keep checking him for signs of problems.

When his eyes grew tired of reading, Dennon walked to the replication unit and asked for a glass of water. It gave him one, which appeared in a swirl of sparkling light and then solidified. He gasped, and then picked it up and examined it. He tentatively tasted it, and drank it. That set off a new problem : since leaving the MedDeck, he had not had to urinate since he had been catheterized. Now Dennon was faced with the problem of trying to go without a penis to work with. He decided to just sit and see what would happen. Fortunately, the Doctor had relocated his urethra so as to cause no problems, as Dennon soon found out. He pulled his tight garment back up and went over to the bed. He looked it over, and layed down, mumbling, "my eyes hurt."

No sooner had he said it than the plastic shield dropped down over his face and the computer ordered him to open his eyes and look up. Dennon jumped up, startled, and hit his head on the shield. The tingling restraint field came on and pulled him back down as a dull light shone in his face. Dennon noticed, as the restraint field shut back off, that his eyes no longer hurt. The shield retracted, and he got up.

He was back at the computer studying the map of his part of the Complex when he heard a tone and saw the door slide open. A strange feeling came over him as he saw his Master standing in the doorway with two other human youths beside him. "Soran, Jeden," Erik was saying, "this is Dennon, my new 'companion'."

Chapter 3

Dennon got up from his computer, which was surprisingly easy to use just by talking to it. He nodded to his new Master and his friends. He stood with his hands behind his back, instinctively, due to some of the 'programming' he has received while asleep. The three human youths looked him up and down with obvious approval.

"So have you tried him out yet, Erik?" Soran asked.

Soran was the human youth who had the southern Ardonian companion, the one who had been castrated at the onset of maturity and placed on high doses of replacement hormones to make up for his lack of testicles. Jeden, the younger human, had not yet revealed any of his plans for his own companion. The suspense was also more than Erik and Soran could take.

Erik shook his head in negative response to Soran's question. "I want to give him more time to adapt and receive more 'suggestions'," he replied, "Being the first nullified companion is going to take him some time to get used to, I would think."

Jeden and Soran, their eyes still on Dennon's smooth, and by now, very well-healed groin, nodded their approval and advised not rushing it. It would spoil it for both partners if it did not go well the first time.

"I can't believe you had it all taken off him, Erik," Soran said, bending down to get a closer look at Dennon, who blushed but said nothing.

Something inside of him turned and screamed for attention, Dennon could feel it; he just couldn't place what it was. Somehow he thought he should feel embarrassed and humiliated for what Erik had had done to him. But instead he found himself calm and almost grateful. He had not hit sexual developement when the operation had taken place. He had had no urges, nor experimentations. He didn't have any drive to explore sexual relations, although he had known what it was all about for several years. His face took on a look of contemplation, and the human youths took notice.

"What is it, Dennon?" Erik asked.

"Looks like he's about to blow a brain cell or something," Soran observed.

Jeden simply stood silent, studying Dennon.

"I don't know, Master," Dennon began, "I am not sure what to think about what has happened to me. Part of me is angry, I think, but I cannot really tell. I know I am no longer a real man, and am your companion, but I do not feel any sense of loss over this. Does it make sense?"

Erik smiled and put his arm around the shorter alien youth's thin shoulders and pulled him close.

"It's alright, I understand. You see, Dennon, when you're asleep you're also getting… well, let's call it 'training'. Ideas and behavioral patterns are being imprinted right into your brain while you sleep."

"That bothers me, Master," the eunuch replied, averting his eyes from Erik's face.

"It shouldn't," Jeden said softly and thoughtfully, "That ought to be part of it."

"It's only been one time," Soran observed, "Give it time."

Jeden nodded and pulled out a small data pad and tapped something into it. Then he put it away.

"WILL you tell us what you are doing?" Erik demanded, still holding Dennon close to him.

"Not yet," Jeden replied.

Soran sighed. "He's never going to get his companion chosen. He'll be married to a nice girl and have ten children of his own before he does!"

Jeden flushed but said nothing.

"Well, so what do we do now?" Soran asked.

Erik ran his hand over Dennon's shiny scalp and walked over to look at the computer terminal. "I think we'll give my companion a real tour of his normal route," the human youth said, "What do you think?"

"I think you want to show him off," Jeden answered.

Soran and Erik nodded.

Dennon just looked at his Master with questioning in his eyes.

"Come on," Erik said, "Let's go. Computer, security release Companion Dennon!" he said into the air.

"Concurr…" a soft voice replied from the terminal.

The door slid open and the four of them, with Dennon next to Erik and a friend on each side, stepped into the hallway and make their way to the exercise rooms. Fortunately for Dennon, the trip was straight with only one lift ride that required telling the lift "Exercise rooms." They arrived shortly and entered the huge arena- like room. Dennon stood with his mouth hanging open in wonder.

It appeared to Dennon that they had gone outside. There didn't seem to be a ceiling, just a clear purple/blue sky. There was grass on the floor, like it was really the ground, and trees in the distance.

Dennon gasped and looked at his Master who nodded his approval. The grass felt real under Dennon's bare feet and the air was brisk and clean smelling. As the eunuch companion looked around, Erik explained.

"It's holograms, but the grass and bushes are real," he said, "And the air is unfiltered from outside. The ceiling is a projection, constantly changing. It's always summer and clear in the Exercise rooms."

Dennon felt cheated somehow, and briefly wondered if he would ever see the out of doors again. Being confined in an artificial environment was something that his 'conditioning' was not addressing. Most of that, unknown to Dennon, was aimed at soothing his transition form man to nullified eunuch and setting his behavioral patterns to make him a good companion. Still, it was close enough for the moment.

"Itching?" Jeden asked, noticing Dennon's hand at his smooth crotch, which was very apparent even with his brief white garment on.

"This artificial healing the Doctor did to me is unnatural," the eunuch replied, "I cannot quite get the strange discomfort to go away. It does not really itch, sir, just feels…" but Dennon was at a loss for words. Erik stepped in.

"We'll have the Doc look at it for you next," he said, and Dennon nodded and looked around again.

There were several youths, Ardonians, who appeared to be running laps around the large room. They were muscular, as Dennon saw when a few passed closer on their run, and all in the nude except for their collars, cuffs and belts. What struck Dennon was the fact that even though they were muscular and obviously well-developed men, none of them had a sac nor balls. They all had a penis, however, which seemed to be restrained in some type of tight-fitting cage attatched to their silver belts.

Dennon was a quick youth, and the idea came to him fast. "Master?"

"Yes?" Erik said.

"Are the eunuchs here exercising to keep in shape as I will have to do, and are the cages on their penises to keep them from touching them?"

Jeden and Soran laughed briefly and Soran patted Dennon on the back. "Very quick," he observed.

"That's right," Jeden said as Erik smiled and nodded, "The cages are put on so that they cannot pleasure themselves. That is reserved for rewards for them and for the Masters. Companions are not usually allowed such sexual release."

Dennon looked a bit confused. "I have a garment and I have no penis," he observed, "How can I be expected to develope into something like these companions?" he aksed.

"You are not expected to, Dennon. The exercise is to keep you in good shape. You don't get to eat real food, remember, just the supplement. You won't build up muscles like these artificial testosterone time-bombs here. I don't want you to. I just want you to be there and be my companion. Do you understand? I mean, you can't sit around in your quarters all day while I am off at school or my own exercises." Erik stated, looking at the well-built and obviously tiring eunuchs who were yet running laps.

The slightly built eunuch looked at his Master and simply replied, "No. I could go with you if you like."

Soran and Jeden let out explosive breathes of disbelief.

"Submissive, isn't he?" Soran said, "I wish my companion were so agreeable!"

"Turn up his 'suggestor' while he's asleep," Jeden suggested, and Soran grinned.

"I like the arguements," he replied.

Jeden grinned and tapped at his pad for a second. "Well," he stated, "I think I can submit this plan now. The Doctor ought to have fun with this one."

The other two humans looked at their friend for a second and then at Dennon, who was gazing around at all there seemed to be to do. "It would be hard to get bored here," the eunuch observed.

Erik put his arm around Dennon again and looked with him. "That it is," he agreed.

For the next six days, Dennon awoke after twelve hours of deep and restful sleep complete with its built-in 'suggestions'. Even though he knew what they were doing to him, brainwashing him into being the perfect eunuch companion, he didn't seem to mind. Perhaps that is part of it, he thought to himself, and quickly forgot it and moved on to something else.

The Doctor had cured his discomfort problems with a few more passes of the dermal stimulator over his empty groin and scanned him quickly. He reported Dennon in excellent health and reminded Erik to bring him back in on Day 8 after the nullification. Erik had said that he would, but the Doctor ordered the computer to remind them both just in case.

After waking, Dennon would go to his replicator and order his 'breakfast', one pint of nutritional solution in a mug. He would drink it, harrass his computer for a short time, and ask the computer's permission to go to the Exercise rooms. He would wait for the lock on his door to release and go straight there, not wanting to try out the collar that was locked around his neck. His Master had told him that the collar tracked him and could punish him if need be. The eunuch decided not to tempt fate.

For four hours he would run around the track, or swim in the artificial lake at the far end of the room. There was also exercise equipment he was to use, and one of the supervisors – or 'handlers' – as they were known would always have an itinerary for him to follow. A few of the handlers even began to attempt to teach him the rudiments of some ancient ball games that involved a great deal of running and throwing. Dennon had had some reservations about working out naked, but this soon passed. All of the other companions ( all of whom Dennon ever exercised with ) were eunuchs who had lost only their testicles and scrotums. At first, they had a few questions for Dennon, but the nullified youth seemed content and patient with them. Even the handlers had to ask him what it felt like to be smooth, to which Dennon would reply, "Kind of empty feeling, like something isn't there anymore."

This response usually left the inquirer confused, and Dennon enjoyed that. His 'suggestions' did not cover anything as far as sense of humor.

After four hours of tiring himself out, Dennon would shower, sometimes with the other eunuchs, and asked them often about their own strange attire. Namely the penis-cages. One particularly well- built specimen, a dark southern Ardonian, shook his head and laughed when Dennon had first asked him about it. "It is maddening," he began, "First you start to mature, then they cut off your balls. You get hormones to make you develope, which your balls would have done naturally if left alone. Then, when you get horny, they put a cage on your cock to keep you from using it!"

Dennon had listened intently.

The muscular dark eunuch continued… "The cage will send a terrible shock as it triggers the collar if you touch it for too long. Oh, one can scratch if need be, but too long a contact will almost make your head blow off! Has your Master triggered your collar yet, smooth one?"

Dennon had shook his head quickly.

"Ah, good. I do not wish it on you. Still, I have been a eunuch with a caged cock since I was 16. I am 19 now, and in that time I have had the cage off perhaps…" he thought hard for a moment…" six times? maybe seven, I am not sure. Then only as a reward from my Master and then only to jerk off one time. It is incredible and goes too fast when one cannot do it when one wishes."

Dennon had asked the eunuch who his Master was, and the muscular one had replied, "Master Soran."

Dennon had smiled and nodded. It was only his first week, and being rude was simply not in his nature.

"Tell ME, smooth one," as the dark eunuch had taken to calling Dennon, "Has your Master had you to his bed as yet?"

Dennon shook his head as the eunuch continued, seemingly anxious to chat.

"Sex can be good for us, well… I am not sure for you, but we seldom get to feel our own cocks. It is almost like not having one, but I would not know. Jus the sight of you, smooth like you are, set us all into fits of hard-ons just looking at you. It is very comfortable with these cages on, either! But when your Master decides it is time, and he will – soon no doubt – you will experience something I can only say that I hope you will enjoy. I had thought that I would not, but one can be satisfied without being the aggressor, smooth one."

Dennon had politely listened and thanked the fast talking eunuch, and then gone on about his routine.

After the workout, he would go back to his room to study and rest. His Master usually came for him late in the evening, a few hours before bedtime. He would ask Dennon to recount his studies and exercises, and listen with genuine interest. Most times he would sit on the edge of Dennon's bed with the eunuch companion next to him. For the time, it was enough to merely hold him, hug him, pat his head and kiss him goodnight. Dennon began to wonder if his Master had reservations about the sexual side of their relationship. No one had told him directly, but the computer had been more than helpful in providing Dennon with a concise and detailed list of what was expected of him. Erik moved at his own pace, though.

He did not want to push Dennon so soon, he had said. Better to wait a bit.

Every evening, Erik would rub his companion's permanently bald head and kiss him goodnight and tell the computer to "start the sleep mode." For the next twelve hours, Dennon would sleep and dream. Night by night, in only a week, the 'suggestor' as they called it – had driven almost all of Dennon's fears and shame out of him, replacing it with submission and desire to please.

***

The computer woke Dennon up on the eighth day following his nullification with the message to report to the MedDeck at once WITHOUT breakfast. Dennon asked why and his collar emitted a warning beep. He quickly told the computer to open the door and he literally ran for the lift.

When he arrived at the MedDeck, the Doctor who had made him a eunuch (and the same assistant) were escorting a young man into the external cleansing booth. Dennon stopped and stared. The youth was very dark, not yellow. In fact, his skin was a very deep brown color Dennon had never seen before. As the naked and somewhat thin youth entered the chamber which would render him permanently hairless, Dennon saw his hands – four fingers and a thumb, not three. The youth was a HUMAN!

As the door closed and the process began, the Doctor turned to greet him. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Dennon, pressing business. It seems Master Jeden has FINALLY submitted his companion proposal. Odd, but different, I'll give him that. Anyway, take off the briefs and climb up on the exam table. It's time for the one week maintenance check," the Doctor ordered.

Following his mental behavior modifications, Dennon complied and felt the tingle of the bio-restraint field pull him down into the grooves of the table. "This will take a while, get comfortable," the assistant told him.

Dennon looked up to try to see the human youth exitting the booth, but couldn't quite get his head up high enough. The assistant grinned and adjusted his headrest. "You won't want to miss this, I think." he said.

"It should prove interesting, yes," the Doctor agreed, beginning Dennon's scans. The computer at the exam table whirred and beeped, conversing with the Doctor and telling him that the 'patient' was fine, normal for an Ardonian youth, and ready for procedure. Dennon shivered, and the Doctor ordered the heat increased. The human companion-candidate looked relieved as well as the assistant led him to a table next to Dennon's and restrained him. The human didn't look too sure of what was going on.

As Dennon studied him, he felt the probe come up and glanced down to see it almost ready to enter his anus. His table tilted back a bit and to the left, giving him a better view of his co-patient.

"Am I getting another internal cleansing?" he asked.

The Doctor nodded and replied, "That and an internal scan complete with imaging. Just precautionary."

Dennon gasped a bit as the probe slid in and inflated, the secondary pipe continueing its way up his colon. The Doctor catheterized him, telling him it would be a while before he got up, and to relax. The eunuch watched as the tube slid into him, several centimeters below where his penis had once been. When everything was in place, he began to feel the warm, slow flow of the cleansing fluid filling him. The Doctor nodded and turned his attentions to the human youth on the next table.

"Tell me, Ty – that is your name correct?" the Doctor asked.

"Yes," the human replied.

"Do you know why are you here Ty, and what is to be done to you?"

"I am to be Master Jeden's companion, modified to his orders and to serve him," the human answered.

"And do you know what those modifications are to be?" the assistant asked, looking up from his study of the scan results.

"No…" the human youth paused, "But I can guess you are going to castrate me. Most all of the companions are eunuchs." It was about then that he turned his head away and his gaze fell upon Dennon. The human youth took in the view of the nullified, small Ardonian eunuch on the table next to him and began to get an erection. He also began to tremble a bit in his bio-restraint field.

"Not to worry, Ty," the Doctor assured him, "You get to keep YOUR penis, even if you seldom get to use it. But we do have to remove the testicles and scrotum. And do a few other things."

"Doctor," Dennon interrupted, "excuse me?"

"Yes?"

"You have the flow set too low on me."

"You're on slow-fill," the Doctor replied, "slow cycle. I have to keep you here until I'm done with Ty because your Master is busy at the moment and the Exercise room is out of the question after this type of workup. Just lay back and enjoy the ride, as it were."

Dennon raised an eyebrow and fell silent, feeling himself warm as the fluid filled him. The catheter felt strange as well. Probably because I no longer have a penis, Dennon thought.

The Doctor then turned his attention to the human. He ordered the same workup at normal speed for the human youth, and the same type probe that was washing Dennon out came up and entered the human. He was catheterized as well, but the tube was not clear like Dennon's and was thicker. Much thicker. The human groaned a bit as the tube slid up his throbbing and hard penis then stopped. "I hate that," the Doctor announced, injecting the human's penis with a spray of some sort. The erection immediately subsided and went limp. "It's impossible to cath' properly when you have an erection, young man!"

By now, Dennon had reached his first fill cycle and was holding the fluid. He knew the drain cycle would engage, but wasn't sure when since he was on slow-cycle. The human youth's abdomen had begun to swell; obviously he was being filled much faster than Dennon was. He groaned as the drain cycle engaged, almost at the same time Dennon's did. But before the eunuch's drain out cycle had completed, the human youth was done and filling again. By the time Dennon had begun to refill for the second time, the human's anal probe and colonic tubes had withdrawn and he was finished.

Dennon watched as the Doctor pulled out the laser scalpel and the dermal stimulator. Slowly he went around the top of the human's scrotum and it fell into the receiving dish. The assistant quickly began the dermal regeneration beam as the Doctor severed the youth's testicles and sealed the cords and veins. Dennon watched in fascination as the skin knit back together under the limp, catheterized penis. It was a much lighter shade of brown with a pink cast. The eunuch remembered the itching and grinned.

The human, Ty, watched in disbelief as his testicles were carried off in the dish by the Doctor's assistant. A few tears spilled down his cheeks, but when he saw how he had been "patched up" so quickly, he relaxed a bit. "Don't worry," the Doctor told him, "You get HRT. Master Jeden ordered that."

"Thanks," Ty replied dryly.

"Cheer up," the Doctor told him, "The strange part is yet to come."

Ty's face lightened a few shades.

"But you said you weren't going to cut my penis off!" he gasped.

"I'm not cutting it off, Ty, I'm going to pierce it. You get what's called a PA piercing, very large gauge. Unfortunately, the ring will be so thick as to make urination impossible, so we have to correct that too." the Doctor supplied, "Ingenious idea, this plan of Jeden's."

At this point Dennon, who had almost fallen asleep, perked back up to watch. The cleansing was becomming pleasant to him, and he had begun to enjoy the sensation of being filled.

Both eunuchs, nullified Ardonian and castrated human, watched as the Doctor tapped a few commands on his control panel at the exam table. Ty felt a new numbness spread over his groin, then gasped as he felt a hard poke somewhere down where his testicles had until so recently been. The correction in urination that the doctor had mentioned came in the form of a wide gauge, sharp probe which seemed to a part of the initial catheter. Dennon raised his head as far as he could to watch as the probe poked through Ty's skin just a centimeter or two above his anus and entered in and up through the catheter. There was a muffled pop as more of the tube attatched to the probe slid up into Ty and the catheter slid OUT of his limp penis.

From his position, Ty could not see what was going on, but could feel the movements. The Doctor then picked up a clamping device of some sort, loaded it with a very wide gauge silver-hinged ring, and aligned it with the tip of Ty's penis. The Doctor squeezed the clamp, and Ty felt a jerk. The Doctor lifted the limp penis up a bit for Ty to see. The silver ring, which matched he and Dennon's cuffs, collars, and belts, entered Ty's penis through the hole and exitted at the base just below the frenum. It was a tight fit, and Dennon instantly knew what the purpose of the second probe had been. Ty would have to urinate sitting down, as if he had indeed had his penis cut off after all. The ring completely sealed off the end.

Then, to both their amazement, the Doctor pulled Ty's penis up by the ring and stretched it until he could touch the ring to the silver belt at the human's waist. There was a small ring that seemed to be a part of the belt waiting for it, and the two locked together instantly. The result was that Ty's penis was lifted straight up and stretched and locked by it's piercing to the belt. The rings seemed to have sealed themselves in the same way that the collars and cuffs had.

"Uh, Doctor," the assistant offered.

"Yes?"

"The uhhhh, new urethral opening, sir?" he offered.

"OH yes!" the Doctor announced, going over the area around the secondary catheter with the dermal stimulator, "almost forgot that. I'm afraid this is going to take you some getting used to, Ty. Of course, we'll leave that tube in for a day or so to set properly and set you up with a remote collection pouch. If we pull the tube now, the new dermal tissues might not set properly and we can't have that. I've never done a relocation like this before, you know. "

About then Dennon felt his own probes release as the catheter and enema probes were automatically withdrawn. His bio-restraint field kicked off, and the computer announced that he was fine and released.

The Doctor smiled at him as the eunuch got up and stretched and yawned. Although he could hardly admit it to himself and certainly to no one else, Dennon had enjoyed his cleansing and check up. He looked at the human, Ty, and wondered how a human could manage to get another human as a companion. It had never been done before, Dennon had read during his studies. It was indeed strange.

The Doctor released Ty's probes and restraint field as well, and the dark human eunuch stood up to look himself over. There were tears in his eyes as he gazed upon his new modifications. Then he swayed a bit and the Doctor and his assistant caught him as the sedatives mixed in the cleansing solution began to be fully absorbed into his body. "Let's take him to recovery," the assistant suggested, and they did.

Dennon followed them, not bothering to put his brief garment back on. He saw no point. He was in the MedDeck, after all, and totally unaware of just how far his nightly 'suggestions' were taking him. Watching the human, Ty, go through his procedure had awakened some odd feeling in Dennon, and the young eunuch was not sure how to cope with it. He watched as Ty was put to bed in the recovery room, and simply said, "You left me on the exam table all night."

The Doctor laughed and put his arm around Dennon's slight shoulders and led him back out into the main room of the MedDeck. "That was different, Dennon," he replied, "We had to watch you closely all night. After all, you were the first and so far, only nullification we've ever done!"

Something in Dennon's Mind screamed again, but that voice was too far back and had been muffled by the nocturnal 'suggestions'. The nullo'd Ardonian eunuch subconsciously put a hand to his smooth and empty groin and grinned. "It's not so bad," he said.

The End?