Chapter 2. The punishments
Fifty-one people, 15 females and 36 males, ranging in ages from 10 years to 35,
lay on the floor of the main hall in the spacestation. Their wrists were
fastened behind their backs with a special tie that needed a key to unlock. They
were naked apart from a hospital type gown that had been thrown over their
shoulders. A few were beginning to waken. James with his personal robot at his
side, stood at the front waiting for all to become aware of their surroundings.
The other pilots and their robos lined the other three sides of the room. At
James' signal the robots methodically moved the captives into lines and had them
kneel so each was sitting on their heels and facing the front. At first a few
protested loudly but were quickly silenced with a gag and a few strokes of a
strap wielded by one of the robos. One big brute of a man, 'Bulldog, tried to
fight off a robo but soon found their grip was far more powerful than his own.
His fists were useless against the titanium reinforced plastic of a robo's
'flesh'.
"Ladies and gentlemen," began James as he formally addressed the captives, "You
will, I'm sure, want to know where you are, why you are here and what is going
to happen to you." James went on to explain their whereabouts although few
believed him and when told why they were there, some protested their innocence.
When told of their impending punishments, for a while there was uproar. Many
more professed innocence, others demanded to see their brief or to be allowed a
phone call. Quickly the robos restored order.
******
Kate Wiley and her camera operator, Jayne Felsom were in Brixton interviewing
bystanders for the 24 Hour Newschannel. The stories varied but the recurring
theme was of blue aliens arriving out of the sky, hypnotizing and carting people
away. Only a few mentioned the trouble and fighting before the Bluemen and
robots arrived. Confused, the pair finished filming and packed their gear. "Do
you really believe this blue alien stuff?" Jayne asked her partner.
"No, but we are getting reports that it has happened in other parts of the
country too." They returned to the flat they shared near the news studios and
prepared for bed. It had been a long night and they were tired, almost too tired
to cuddle each other as they lay naked beneath the sheets. They were more than a
news team, they were lovers. Kate, a natural vivacious blonde tiredly pulled the
plainer featured Jayne to her breast and allowed her to suckle on a nipple
before they both fell asleep.
The phone rang. "Dammit," yelled Kate, "Can't they let us sleep!" They knew only
the studio and a few personal friends had their flat phone number. "Yes!" Kate
growled into the phone.
"Kate? You won't know me but I am one of the Bluemen. We are not aliens but we
are living in space and we have abducted a number of people who were causing
trouble last evening and are holding them captive awaiting punishment. Would you
and your camera woman like to see and film the true story?"
"Look, even if I believed you, we are tired. We've worked over 23 hours
straight. I don't know how you got our number but we've no time for tom fool
pranks."
"Okay Kate. You don't believe me now but in a few minutes you will!"
"Who was that?" Jayne asked sleepily.
"He said he was one of the Bluemen."
"Another crackpot! Come here and give me another cuddle." Jayne reached over and
pulled her friend to her. They slept for another 35 minutes.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong. The door bell rang and was immediately followed by the
door opening to the extent of the security chain. Snick. The chain was cut and
two Bluemen stepped inside followed by two robos. Actually one of the Bluemen
was a woman which her well fitted suit revealed. The management liked to have
male and female partnerships on space ships because they tended to form intimate
bondings that kept the pair together and made for a better working relationship.
Robert Frenshaw and Marjorie Jennings was just such a couple. They had been
together as a team for over a year and had known each other for much longer. Had
they been leading a more normal lifestyle on earth, they would have married and
had a family by now. On the space station, Robert had his monthly shot to keep
his sperm sterile but otherwise they had a normal sex life.
Marjorie lifted the visor that covered her face. "Please get dressed and pick up
your recording gear. You are coming with us. Then you will believe."
The frightened girls pulled the bedclothes tightly to their bodies. "Please go
away," screamed Jayne, but any further comment was stifled by one of the robos
ripping the sheets from her body and lifting her out of bed and into the shower
room. Kate was likewise dumped in the shower. Robert had little time to admire
the bodies of the two naked women particularly the luscious Kate but he felt his
cock rise inside his suit. There was no time for that now though. Marjorie
turned on the cold water which soon brought the two girls fully awake. A few
minutes later she turned the water off and threw them towels. "Now please get
dressed and get your recording gear."
Jayne and Kate dried themselves under the watchful, if insensitive, 'eyes' of
the two robos and Robert whose eyes were much more lustful. They dressed, picked
up the necessary gear and were lead outside. Robert suggested Jayne allow Robo
Henry carry the heavy video camera which after expressing some misgivings and
receiving reassurances, she agreed to especially as she was extremely tired
after the long day yesterday and the short night. Kate enquired if all the
robots had names and was told, yes and each of the Bluemen had their own
personal ones although they were often used by others. Each had their own little
idiosyncrasies and foibles even though technically identical.
Marjorie radioed to her space craft and the co-pilot and navigator dropped the
craft from its holding position to within a few feet of the roof-tops and
lowered the air chute. Minutes later they were docked inside the Molly
Spacestation. Robert went to see what was happening with the prisoners and
returned to say, "Only a few have woken up so we have chance to show you around
the station first."
"Can I use the loo?" asked Jayne, "You do have such things up here?"
"Yes, but you may be in for a bit of shock," laughed Marjorie, "Everything is
very open plan."
The guests were lead to a spacious room with a rows of toilets, urinals,
showers, baths and washbasins. All open and on view. No cubicles, no curtains.
Everything though was clinically clean. Seeing their rather shocked expressions,
Marjorie continued to laugh as she said, "Its okay, you get used to it and we've
all seen each other often enough and its easier to keep clean and keeps the
weight of the space station down. Marjorie opened her suit and slipped the
bottom all the way down, showing she wore nothing underneath, and plonked
herself on one of the loos. Robert walked to a urinal and peed. Kate and Jayne
thought "What the hell, when in Rome etc...", lowered their trousers and
knickers and sat down too.
They had hardly started to pee when in came three robos each carrying one of the
prisoners, still with their wrists tied and their upper bodies covered with
hospital gowns. Each was deposited on a toilet. A Blueman followed them in, "Do
what you have to now, it may be a while before you get another chance." Kate
noticed one was a young girl of about 19 and when she finished the robot wiped
her dry with tissue.
Robert introduced George, the Blueman, before they continued their tour. Jayne
shouldered her camera and started filming. "You don't mind if I film any of
this, do you?"
"Go ahead," Marjorie replied, "I don't think there is anything you won't be
allowed to film. Kate, you might like to do a commentary as we go along and
Robert and I will try and answer any questions. I can get Communications to link
you directly to your studio so they too can see everything as it happens and
broadcast it straight away or when they see fit." Minutes later a robot brought
a small box and Marjorie plugged in into Jayne's camera. "It will send the
pictures and commentary direct to Earth now," she informed them.
One of their first thrills was to look from an observation window and see the
earth in all its roundness. Something only astronauts normally see but as funds
had been withheld from the space exploration programme, it had been some years
since any human had been in space. Kate wondered how on earth they managed to
get here in ordinary clothing when astronauts had to wear special suits but
didn't get time to ask before they were whisked on to the next place.
Arriving at the main hall, they found the prisoners were now all awake and
sitting in formal rows. James stood at the front with his father sitting close
by.
"Ladies and gentlemen," James started, "May I introduce Kate Wiley and her
camera operator, Jayne Felsom, Some of you may recognise Kate from her
interviews on the 24 Hour Newschannel. They will be reporting on the events that
will happen here in the next few hours." He turned to Jayne, "Have you been
informed that you may film anything you wish and Kate, you may interview anyone
here provided it doesn't interrupt any of the proceedings." Both nodded, yes. "I
am sorry some are gagged at the moment, their mouths were bigger than their
minds."
Turning to the kneeling figures, James began his well rehearsed spiel. "You will
want to know where you are, why you are here, what is going to happen to you and
when you are going to return home. First you are on the Molly Spacestation about
one thousand miles above Earth. Why you are here is a question that requires a
longer answer but in essence it because you have all committed crimes of
violence, crimes the police in Britain seem unable to deal with effectively. We
are going to redress that by returning to traditional punishment methods that
were found effective in the 18th and 19th centuries. That is corporal
punishment. You will all receive one or more thrashings." At this there was an
outcry from many of the prisoners but the robos soon had them sitting back in
their places.
"That was banned years ago!" "Its illegal!" "That's inhuman!" The last remark
was from a big youth of 20 with tattooed arms and a shaved head. A large screen
behind James lit up showing this same man, punching a much smaller youth until
the lad lay bleeding on the ground.
"Is that not inhuman too?" enquired James. "This is not a court of law,"
continued James, "We do not have to find you guilty or reach a verdict or hear
arguments from clever lawyers. You are all guilty and we have pictures like this
of all of you. Yes, the punishments you are to receive are illegal in most parts
of the world but that is a long way away and you are no longer there. You come
under our jurisdiction. We have decided to make a stand and punish you in a way
that you will understand. It will be swift and very painful. It will be
memorable! And we are hoping that Kate and Jayne will relay pictures of the
punishments back to their studio. Then they can be transmitted all around the
world as an example to others. We hope this will act as a deterrent so that
ordinary people will be able to go out at night or just sleep peaceably in their
beds without fear of being hurt."
"Now to your punishments. The standard punishment will be twelve strokes of the
cane applied by one of the robos to your bare backside. A force setting of
'hard' will be used which should raise painful stripes that will be visible for
about a month but shouldn't leave permanent scars. For the young boys we may
reduce the setting to 'medium' and for any recalcitrant prisoners we can
increase the setting to 'full force' which may cause bleeding and scarring. We
will not do this unless there is strong provocation. Extra strokes may be added
or the number reduced as we deem necessary. While you were unconscious, a doctor
examined you and we have taken blood and at the moment, tests are being carried
out on the samples. All tests will be complete by the end of the punishment
time."
"You will all witness each other being punished while the screen shows why the
punishment is carried out. Afterwards you will be taken in groups to the showers
and then to the no gravity room where you will be able to rest without having to
lie on a bed. Tomorrow most of you will taken back to Earth naked and put on
display in a public place for one hour until your time controlled bonding is
released. Your ordinary clothes and other items you had will be left beside you
except for drugs and offensive weapons. These have already been destroyed."
"However, twelve of you will be kept for further month for special training.
Those we have chosen for this training are over 16 years old and are persistent
offenders. We have been able to access all your records, official and unofficial
so we know a great deal about you already."
There was a general murmur throughout the hall but with the most vociferous
already gagged and the others being aware any outburst might cause further
punishment, this was limited to low muttering and sobbing from a few of the
girls and the two young boys. One girl sat up and spoke, "Sir, will we be able
to plead mitigating circumstances and try to get our punishments reduced?"
"Were your victims allowed that luxury?" countered James. "Now let us get this
over with. You have been allocated a number with corresponds with the track
number on the video disk of your offense. It is a code number the robos
understand. The numbers are in random order more or less as we compiled them. We
know your names and have the phone numbers of most of your parents or guardians
but a few we still need. If you are one of them or you wish us to contact
someone else, please state their name and other details we ask for clearly. We
will be contacting them to let them know where you are and when and where they
can pick you up tomorrow."
Two plastic reinforced trestles stood at the front of the hall. Simple in design
but very functional. At a command from James, two robos picked up the first two
youths and carried them like babies to the trestles. Both were 16 year olds who
had beaten two younger boys into giving them money for drugs. The screen showed
the pair of them punching and kicking the boys into submission. The robos
quickly clipped the youth's ankles in the stirrups then, pulling the gown up
held each boy down of the trestle by simply pressing on their shoulders. Both
boys were screaming now and yelling obscenities at James and the robos. James
ignored them, the robos were not programmed to receive their wavelengths so were
totally deaf to their pleas.
All the rest of the group stared at the two bare arses and the cocks and balls
swinging free as the boys struggled against the robos grip. Two more robos
appeared each with two artificial 'rattan' canes, one in each 'hand'. They
positioned themselves to the left side of their victims. "Six with each. Hard.
10 seconds." James gave the order. Immediately each robo scanned the target
area, the fleshy area from the crease at the top of the thighs to a little below
the spine, and divided it into twelve equal spaces. Slightly out of
synchronization, the two robos lifted the cane in the right hand and brought it
down on the lower part of the target areas. One boy let out a piecing scream,
the other tried to remain silent. A livid red stripe appeared on each arse. Ten
seconds later, the robos raised their canes again and brought them down on the
target areas a little above the previous one. Another painful red stripe.
By now the onlookers were either crying or looking very worried. They knew their
turn would come sooner or later. A few tried to run away but there was nowhere
to run to and the robos quickly restrained them. Jayne tried to hold her camera
steady but with her whole body was shaking, it was not an easy task. Never
before had she had to film anything like this. Despite the fact that nudity was
now a common feature on television, she doubted if the film would ever be shown
without at least the boys cocks and balls being blurred over. Kate could only
stutter a commentary.
The caning continued methodically, each stroke being delivered at precisely 10
second intervals. When each arse had received six strokes the robos changed
sides and canes and delivered the next six from the right side of each boy. The
stripes were placed with computer generated laser controlled precision between
those already delivered. Both boys were now screaming and sobbing
uncontrollably. At the completion of the caning, robos freed the boys from the
trestles and returned them face down to their places on the hall floor.
Two more were selected. This time a huge hulk of a man aged 21. Short haircut,
tattoos and well muscled. The gown hardly came down to his waist so his large
cock was very visible especially as it was half hard. The sight of the previous
boys caning had stimulated as well as horrifying him. His huge frame and
demeanor had meant that few had challenged him and his previous fights had
brought him little pain. He was a powerful fellow but no match for the hydraulic
powered servos of the robos. They carried him child-like to a trestle, fastened
his ankles and pressed his shoulders down. He had previously been gagged for his
verbal interruptions and obscenities and this was now removed. Once again a
torrent of abuse and invective came forth but this was ignored although it
helped to heighten the horror of the atmosphere.
Another robo carried a girl to the second trestle and fastened her down. Sarah
was about 17 with dyed green hair and a stud in her nose. Her crime was to force
younger girls into prostitution. If they didn't agree, they had their faces and
breasts slashed. The same instruction was given to the caning robos. The
onlookers were however much surprised by the fortitude of the girl and the noise
made by the male. Some of the male onlookers became horny and erect at the sight
of the girls cunt so openly on display and both Jayne and Kate felt moistness
between their thighs, Jayne particularly as she viewed the girls cunt in
close-up through the view finder. She would have liked to have kissed the sore
arse and tongued the tender cunt but her professionalism kept her filming. At
the end of the punishment both were carried and laid down on the floor. Both
openly crying. The remaining girls sat horrified. They now knew beyond all doubt
there would be no leniency because of their sex. They would be subject to the
same punishment as the men.
The canings continued until about halfway through a tiny girl with a fiery
personality was called up. Sheila Simkins, at 18 years old was still only 4 ft
11 inches tall and small framed but she was one big bundle of hell. All her life
she'd had to fight with a fierceness that overcame her physical size. Her mother
was a drunkard and chain smoker which may have accounted for Sheila's small
size. She never knew her father. Having been involved in many crimes and seen by
psychiatrists and counselors, all without having the least effect, she carried
her life of crime. On screen pictures showed her attacking a pensioner who had
refused to release her handbag. The old lady ended up in hospital with a cut
face and multiple bruises.
Seeing the robo about to grab her she bounced up and racing between other robos,
she threw herself at James, kicking him with her bare feet. Unfortunately, the
wrist restraints didn't help her balance and she slipped over but even on the
floor she was able to trip James and aim a kick at his crotch which luckily
didn't connect with any real force. Robos quickly grabbed her and she too was
positioned over the trestle alongside another rather timid girl. The screen
showed her first helping a boy rob a coloured man but then restraining the boy
from causing further injury to the man. Her boy partner had already received his
caning and was lying on the floor.
James ordered the usual six and six strokes for Sheila but for Mary, the timid
girl, for the first time that session reduced the number to four and four for
trying to save the coloured man. Even so Mary was soon screaming and sobbing.
Sheila though took her punishment without showing too much emotion. The robo
finished his caning of her but she was not released as had been all the others.
James himself, took the cane, "Sorry my little Spitfire, I cannot cane with the
precision of the robots but nevertheless I will cross their stripes with a few
of my own. Your outburst is not going unpunished."
He laid four more strokes diagonally across those already there. These did
bring, "AAAAWWWWHHH!! You bastard," from Sheila. She was sobbing as the robot
returned her to the floor but wasn't otherwise complaining. "Tough little
bitch," thought James as he watched her being carried back.
It was another hour before the canings were finished. The torment of those
awaiting their turn was only matched by the pain of those lying on the floor
unable to touch their tender arses. Eventually it was all over and the robos
selected twelve and placed them apart from the others. The remainder were
released from their bonds and taken to the toilet room and then to gravity free
room and were allowed to float free. However, they also found it was not too
easy to massage their buttocks when floating freely in space. Some of the men's
cocks became hard when they found they were in a comparatively confined space
with nine near naked females. Mary linked up with her boyfriend Brian, and
holding themselves closely together were able to massage each other. They were
past caring to notice if any others were watching and when Brian's erection
started to penetrate her cunt she actively tried to encourage him despite the
difficulties of staying in one place and pain from the caning.
James' voice came over the intercom, "You are going to remain in here for two
hours and then you will be given breakfast. Afterwards the doctor will examine
you before we return you here again for a further rest period until about four
o'clock. You will then be returned to Earth where, as I told you earlier, you
with your caning stripes will be put on public display for one hour. Then you
will be released and be free to return to your homes. We want the public, and
others like you, to know how similar behaviour will be treated in the future. It
may take several sessions like this before the message gets through, but I am
sure in the end, we can reduce this sort of violent crime and can then turn our
attention to things like petty theft and minor crimes. One positive thing you
may not realise about this form of punishment is that there is no police record
of it. You committed a crime, you have been punished and that's the end of it.
You will be watched in future and if you are brought here again you can expect
double the caning given twice. In other words most of you would have 24 strokes
of the cane and then a few days later another 24."
Kate's boss in the newsroom decided to broadcast live when Sheila was receiving
her punishment and this was transmitted throughout Britain although there would
not be too many viewers at that time of night. An hour later a more in depth
report went out as newsroom editors put together an edited version of the
material that had been sent over the previous couple of hours and this was again
shown on breakfast time news which brought the first news of it to most members
of the public. As expected it brought forth cries of torture and inhuman
activity from vociferous human rights groups but, more surprisingly, provoked a
huge backlash from the general public who were fed up with listening to the
'softies' and being fearful to go on the streets alone for fear of injury. For
them, the goings on at the Molly Spacestation were to be praised and encouraged,
not condemned.
The wrists of the six girls and six boys that remained in the hall were
released. At last they were able to rub their tender rears. They were strangely
silent apart from emitting the obvious cries of pain. All were in the 18 to 22
age group, all were loners, all had little or no home life. Sheila was in this
group. After visiting the toilets where not even the girls wanted to sit down
they were lead to a bedroom area alongside the toilet room and part of the same
open space. The area had twelve single beds with just a small walk space between
them.
James accompanied the group. "This will be your home for the next month. Part of
your training will be to learn to live together and to work as a team. Failures
will be punished, usually with a strap for minor infringements but the cane will
be reserved for more serious misdemeanors. I doubt if any of you will wish that.
For the rest of today you will be free to wander around this area, the hall and
the observational deck or you can sleep or talk or massage each other. You can
use the baths or showers. We will not even object to you pairing off and making
love if that is what you wish but rape will not be tolerated. Tomorrow all the
men will be given a injection which will immediately make their sperm sterile
for about six weeks so no sex until then. We use the same injections every month
for the male staff here so we know they are effective. Ladies, once they have
the injection you need have no fear of pregnancy from them. What you do and say
will be monitored all the time. There is no privacy here. That is one of the
things you have forfeited. I have the little room on your left which has a two
way mirror and video monitors so I can see what you are doing but you cannot see
me. At the other end is Rachel's room where she has the same observational
facilities. Either she or I will be on duty at night. Along the other side there
are the crew's rooms. All of these rooms and mine and Rachel's are out of bounds
to you. Our rooms are electronically protected and there are robos around that
are always at our command. Unlike us, they do not sleep. Breakfast will be in
one hour. You will eat with the staff in the cafeteria. I think that's all for
now, we'll have a longer chat session after you've eaten."
