What is a Slave without a Master? Ch. 16

Travel day one.

Alex was lazily floating from the bathroom to the cockpit as the ship around her tore through Hyperspace. But on the way something caught her eye, and she grabbed onto the wall, halting her motion as she peered into her kitchen. Eta was sitting on one of Alex's stools, intently working on something with her feet wrapped around the base to keep herself from drifting away. Floating before her was her toolbelt, one of her old slave uniforms, as well as one of her new flight suits.

"Eta," began Alex curiously. "Are you... soldering something?" she added after realizing what she was looking at.

"That's right," Eta said sheepishly, shutting down the soldering iron and tentatively turning her work towards Alex so her Mistress could see.

"I'm... transferring the electromagnets and their circuitry from the knees of my old uniforms to the new flight suits you bought for me. I already finished this set," she added, unhooking her legs from the stool and pushing off towards Alex. She carefully caught herself with a single magnetic boot, letting her momentum carry her forward and down until her knees clicked into the floor and locked in place. Leaving her in a perfect kneeling position happily looking up at her Mistress. Alex let of a warn laugh as her own magnetic boot caught the floor. She pulled herself down from floating into a crouch where she could kiss Eta gently.

"Bring on your knees is so important to you that you're modifying your suits to make it possible?" Alex giggled. "Oh Eta, you are wonderful."

"They are also genuinely helpful for doing technical work safely. But I admit... yes this was mostly motivated by wanting to be able to kneel for you," Eta confirmed, a smile across her lips even as a flash of colour crossed her cheeks

"That's my good girl," Alex chuckled.

That flash of colour returned in force as Eta nodded hastily. Alex was still smiling, but her expression briefly turned more thoughtful.

"You only had two uniforms... so can I buy you more magnets if you want to modify the rest of your new suits?" she asked. A look of discomfort quickly flashed across Eta's face, which the woman tried to hide.

"That... would be very generous of you Alex. Thank you," she managed with a grateful smile. Alex laughed.

"Thank you for not declining, but we've talked about you feeling bad from me buying you things. Spot it!" she instructed playfully as she rose back to her feet, pulling her lover up after her so the woman could continue her work.

Travel day two.

The retail plaza around them buzzed with activity as Eta followed closely behind her Mistress. Alex had stopped to fuel, and to pick up whatever delivery contracts she could find. But despite the cargo having finished being loaded an hour ago, the Commander had wanted to stretch her legs before they took off for the next portion of their journey. And so the pair found themselves meandering through the Starport, looking for anything of interest before it was time to return to the Peregrine. As they walked Eta happened to notice Alex was holding a quizzical gaze, and following it she saw that her Mistress was studying a store with frosted windows and a closed door. But the name printed above the door in bright red with a sweeping curly font didn't offer any clarity. Eta looked back at Alex, a look of confusion on her face.

"When was the last time you've been in a sex shop?" Alex asked quietly, a sly smile dancing across her lips. Eta blushed, the shop's frosted windows suddenly making sense.

"I don't think... I have ever been in one. Do you... intend to change that?" she asked back.

"Would you be comfortable if I changed that?" Alex asked gently. Eta gave her a nod after only a moment's hesitation, prompting Alex to take the woman's hand and lead her across the plaza.

Eta followed her Mistress curiously as they entered the store. It was a dim space, with narrow isles running between towering rows of shelves. Everywhere she looked, she saw an endless sea of items on offer, but she only recognized a tiny fraction. Alex led her deeper as Eta's eyes tried to take in everything, before she was pulled around a corner as Alex stopped, stepping in close beside her.

"I have the toys to keep myself happy, but how about we get some new stuff for the two of us?" she asked with an amused expression. Eta blushed as she quickly glanced around to see if anyone was within earshot, and resisting the urge to ask her Mistress not to spend credits on her. But quickly enough she returned her gaze to Alex as she gave a nod.

"I am happy to serve my Mistress in whatever way she'd like," she replied with nervous excitement.

"That's a good girl," Alex chuckled. Eta's face flushed crimson as she was lead by the hand deeper into the store, eventually coming to a halt as Alex surveyed the shelves with a calculating eye.

"I love having you bound and helpless," she teased as she looked over the display of restraints.

"But there's only so much we can do with belts and your own neck ties. So let's get some proper stuff."

Eta blushed again, but quickly nodded as she clasped her hands behind herself out of habit. Alex pursed her lips s she surveyed the options, until one item made her pause.

"Okay... when mentioned leashes I kinda meant it as a joke. And despite your attempt at flirting you didn't mention them again when I asked what you were into. So tell me your feelings," Alex said gently, reaching out and bumping her knuckles against the long strip of synthetic leather that hung from the rack. A shiver passed up and down Eta's spine as her eyes traveled over the object.

"I..." she began, trying to collect her thoughts. "I want to be yours. And a leash and collar would be a very powerful symbol of that," she offered, nodding as a smile danced across her lips.

"But would you enjoy it like you enjoy being tied up?" Alex asked curiously.

"They... not in the same way," Eta admitted awkwardly. "It would be a... symbolic restraint, not a physical restraint. Both are good!" she added hastily. "And I would certainly enjoy wearing one if you would like me to."

Alex pursed her lips for a long moment, scrutinizing her lover's face carefully.

"Would you be horribly disappointed if I didn't?" she asked after a moment.

"Of course not," Eta replied quickly, her voice genuine. Alex smiled as she reached up, gently running her fingers up and down the side of her lover's neck. Eta shivered happily at the touch.

"Good. Because your neck is pretty and I don't want to cover it," Alex said with a playful laugh. Eta blushed at the compliment and nodded hastily.

"And besides," Alex continued, gently tapping the mark her mouth had left on the woman's skin. "We both already know you're mine."

Eta beamed happily as Alex stretched up to kiss her gently across the lips.

"Come on," laughed Alex once they parted. "Let's see what other fun stuff we can find."

Travel day three.

"So what did you want me to look at?" Alex asked in confusion as she crouched down next to her lover. The pair were on top of the Peregrine's hull, docked safe inside yet another new Starport. Eta had a small panel removed and was pointing inside.

"You asked me to have a look at recent diagnostic reports. One showed the power draw through the sensor array was fluctuating very slightly, so I hoped to find the cause of it."

"But the sensors were working fine, weren't they?" Alex asked, still not quite following.

"You've expressed no concerns about them, so I must assume so. But I want the Peregrine to perform to her very highest capacity for you," Eta replied earnestly, shifting her gaze from the exposed internals to Alex.

"Well thank you, I do appreciate that," Alex replied, blushing slightly. "So what did you find?"

"Alex... is this tape?" Eta asked in return, her voice stiff as she pointed at the strips holding the array together.

"Oh yeah," muttered Alex. "I had forgotten about that. I had an issue with them a while ago and I got Verity to walk me through fixing it. In my defense they've worked ever since. I was able to find the Tula wasn't I?"

"Did Verity's instructions include tape?" was the simple reply.

"I... took some liberties."

"May I ask how long ago 'a while' was?"

"At least... a year," was Alex's embarrassed answer as she awkwardly scratched the back of her head. Eta didn't respond. She simply pursed her lips as her eyes traveled over the machinery beneath them.

"This is hurting your soul isn't it?" Alex asked, still embarrassed. But again, no response from Eta.

"Please tell me what parts you need to fix it properly and I'll go buy them right now."

Travel day four.

Alex floated calmly before her food printer; the whistle of Supercruise soft in her ears. The machine beeped, prompting Alex to pull out one of the still hot paper cartridges. She ripped it open and squinted inside at the dough bun filled with a mixture of synthetic meats and vegetables. At least that's what it looked like, but it did the job. She happily bit into her meal before tucking the second sealed cartridge under her arm before gliding effortless towards the cockpit, humming softly to herself.

"Hey beautiful, lunch time," she announced as she reached up. She grabbed hold of Eta's knee as the woman floated by overhead and pulled her down. Eta wriggled in the air, trying to help orient herself as Alex pulled her up against her side, the Commander's arm firmly around Eta's waist.

"Do you want to be untied to eat?" Alex asked with an amused expression. Eta blushed as she flexed her hands and feet, feeling the bonds that held all four of her limbs tightly secured together somewhere behind her back.

"I..." she began conflictedly. "do enjoy being like this... but at the same time I am unable to eat in this position without assistance, and you shouldn't have to provide that..."

But Alex just laughed, her arm around the woman's waist squeezing as she held out her bun within easy reach of Eta's lips. Her lover hesitated for a moment, before reaching out and taking a grateful bite. Chewing carefully as Alex leaned closer and kissed her cheek, licking up the bit of food stuck to the corner of Eta's mouth. The Commander took another bite for herself as she walked towards the front of the cockpit, bringing Eta with her as the pair ate and watched the stars.

"So you still like being trussed up, even fully clothed and while nothing sexy is going on?" Alex asked teasingly.

"I..." Eta began, her voice immediately trailing off as she blushed deeply.

"Hey don't be embarrassed," Alex laughed gently. "I ain't judging, and I'm the one who enjoyed putting you there."

"Well..." Eta tried again after a moment, her cheeks still flushed. "Yes... I do. I love... you having power, and I find being bound... relaxing?"

Alex laughed gently, before wrapping both her arms around the helpless woman and kissing her playfully.

"Well I'm never going to keep you in chains all day long, but I'm certainly getting a kick out of this," she added with a wink. "So any time you want to be my damsel in distress, I'm happy to oblige."

Eta blushed again, but nodded quickly.

"My memory of such stories rarely includes the damsel requesting it, but thank you Alex."

Travel day five.

Alex carefully worked her way up the boarding ladder, a long heavy box balanced across her shoulder. She had just returned from seeing the last of her cargo dropped off, but the only contract she had found needing to go the same direction they were was the small computer drive tucked into her messenger bag. The client had assured her it was full of sensitive information he didn't dare transfer electronically, but Alex didn't really care what it was, only that he was willing to pay her to hand it off at the next Starport.

As she finally reached the top of the ladder and the door into the Peregrine slid back, she was greeted by Eta kneeling contently just inside. Alex felt a smile spread across her face: having come to look forward to her lover waiting for her every time she returned to the ship.

"Hello, Alex," Eta said happily, before her eyes landed on the box her Mistress was carrying. She quickly rose to her feet, tucking the book she had been reading under her arm and grabbing an end with a confused expression as she helped get the object inside.

"Good to see you too," Alex answered with a grin before nodding towards the box. "Let's take this straight into the bedroom."

Her lover looked puzzled as she quickly obliged.

"May I ask what you've brought?" she asked curiously.

"I found someone selling another set of the same lockers I installed in here back when I bought the Peregrine!" Alex revealed in amusement. "I thought it'd be nice to give you some dedicated space to store your stuff."

"Alex... thank you, but you didn't need to do that!" Eta managed, her face flustered as they entered the bedroom and set the box on the floor.

"Eta, your stuff is currently jammed in with my extra bedding and towels, and I'm pretty sure some of it is still in the cabinet under the food printer. You deserve some storage of your own."

"I..." Eta began, but she had learned that stopping her Mistress from doing nice things for her was a fight she was never going to win. "I.. thank you Alex. That's very generous of you," she said gratefully as she quickly opened one of the old lockers before pulling out her toolbelt and securing it around her waist.

"Where would you like them to go? I'd be happy to install them," she offered genuinely.

"We can install them together. I'm not going to make you do it all. And I was thinking just another row above the original ones. That'd be the simplest," Alex said with a shrug as she made a sweeping hand gesture across the top of the old lockers. Eta nodded agreeably as she knelt beside the box.

"Yes you may open it," Alex offered with an amused laugh as she crouched down. Eta blushed slightly, but quickly removed the packaging, her eyes traveling over the neat stack of preformed metal panels and connections.

"May I ask how you'd like to organize the contents?" she asked as she began to sort the pieces.

"The new lockers will be empty and ready to go, I figured we'd just put your stuff straight in them," Alex said with a shrug as she scooped up the paper instructions. But out of the corner of her eye she caught Eta pause, a quick look of discomfort passing across the woman's face.

"What's up?" Alex asked in concern, only to realize the issue a second later.

"Is it that the new lockers will be on top?"

Eta blushed, but nodded.

"You'd prefer your stuff be on the bottom," Alex asked with an amused expression. Eta gave an awkward smile but nodded gratefully.

Travel day six.

Eta had dreamt of Alex rescuing her from her Megaship attack many times, the feelings of danger and terror being replaced by joy and a sense of overwhelming safety. In this one she floated perfectly still in space, watching the distant flashes of the battle. But instead of fear, she remembered the serine calm that had settled over her in the cryostasis pod. This time the peace she felt came from knowing beyond a shadow of any doubt that her savior was on her way, and there had not been a single dream since the attack where Alex did not arrive in time.

And so Eta floated, smiling as she felt her short hair undulating gently around her. In the distance she saw a faint flash as her Megaship escaped back into hyperspace, just as Alex had told her it did. And as if on cue a shadow passed overhead, and she looked up to see the Peregrine gently gliding to a halt above her. She found herself being pulled by some unseen force towards the airlock, towards the safety of the ship, towards the safety of the Mistress' arms.

And it was those very arms that surrounded her as she woke. She smiled softly to herself as she snuggled back against Alex, loving the feeling of the woman's bare skin against her own as she settled in to wait for her Mistress to stir. She didn't mind being the first to be awake, she loved their morning routine of being held warm and safe. And soon enough she heard the now familiar groans from behind her, and shortly afterwards Alex's arms around Eta squeezed for a moment, something that had become their signal that Alex was finally ready for conversation.

"Good morning Alex," Eta whispered happily.

"Mor... ing," groaned Alex as the woman stretched out her tired muscles.

"Am I still a good teddy bear for you?" Eta asked with a soft giggle.

"Best... ted bear," Alex managed as she kissed the back of her lover's neck. She gave a few more groans as she blinked the sleep from her eyes.

"Ehhhhh, okay. I'm up," she finally said as she reached over and pawed clumsily at the light switch. "Bruise check. How are they looking?"

Eta blinked several times in response to the sudden light, but slipped one of her arms out of the sleeping bag where the pair had been laying. She raised her hand so Alex could see what was left of the bruises along her forearm.

"I am pleased to report they are continuing to fade without issue," she said gratefully.

"Do they still hurt?" Alex asked, squinting over her lover's shoulder.

"I can still feel them, but it's not pain. Just... tender."

"Moving in the right direction," Alex murmured as she buried her nose in Eta's hair.

Travel day seven.

Alex sat in her pilot's seat, feet up on her scanner display and a book in her hands as the Peregrine hurtled through Hyperspace. She had been reading silently for the better part of an hour when she heard the gentle hiss of the door behind her. Then came the clicking of magnetic boots as Eta crossed the room and softly pulled herself onto her knees beside Alex's seat.

"What's up?" the Commander chuckled as she stuck the book into the pouch beside her and glanced down at her lover. The woman wore a sheepish expression, and while one hand rested in her lap the other was tucked behind herself as if she was holding something. Alex's eyes narrowed curiously and she craned her neck to try to see what it was, but Eta leaned back to block Alex's view as her cheeks began to turn pink.

"Okay you've been acting weird all day. What have you been up to?" Alex asked with an amused expression. Eta blushed deeper before finally speaking.

"I... was just thinking about... us," she began slowly. "You've done so many nice things for me. You've comforted me, held me, taken care of me, bought me so many nice things... so I was trying to think of what I could do for you: to show you you mattered to me. And at first I couldn't think of..." but her voice trailed off as she swallowed uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry, I'm stalling because I'm nervous," she admitted as she took a deep breath. "I know this doesn't begin to match everything you've given me. But I made this for you. I hope you like it," she managed as she pulled her hand out from behind herself, presenting the object to Alex while her gaze remained lowered. Alex sat stunned as she stared at what Eta was holding.

It was a rose. Or a model of a rose. Each intricate petal was formed from sheet metal that had been carefully cut, shaped, and polished to a mirror finish. All spiraling around a central stem and soldered in place. The stem itself was bent into a gentle curve, with a cluster of metal leaves sprouting from just below the heads and rows of tiny thorns along its length. The whole thing was expertly crafted and stunningly lifelike.

Alex reached out with shaking hands, carefully taking the flower and turning it over slowly in admiration. She cautiously poked one of the thorns and found it harmless despite looking razer sharp.

"I'm sorry it's not painted. I wanted it to be a surprise so I had to use only whatever spare parts or materials were available on the Peregrine," Eta said apologetically.

"Eta," Alex began, her voice in shock. "Jesus don't apologize, this is incredible. It's so... beautiful. I... I... I had no... idea you could make something like this," she whispered, finally tearing her eyes away from the rose and staring down at the woman. Eta was looking back up at her with a hopeful expression. Alex blinked a few times, feeling something begin to build up below her eyes.

"No one's ever... made me a gift like this," she murmured, still thoroughly overwhelmed. "Eta, this is amazing and I love it. Thank you."

Eta smiled up at her happily, a look of joy mixed with relief washing over her face.

"I'm so glad you like it! I was scared you might think it too... expected," she began before her expression faltered. A look of concern danced across her features.

"Alex? Are you... alright?" she asked worriedly. Alex looked away, blinking hard as she brought a hand up to wipe her face.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. Just got... dust in my eye," she muttered.

Travel day eight.

The two had been taking a walk through the current Starport before heading back to the hanger. But Alex's attention had been grabbed by a weird little variety store. And so she was digging through the items on offer when something caught her eye. She picked it up and strode over to where Eta was pouring over models of old starships.

"What do you think of this?" Alex asked, holding out what she had found. Eta took it curiously, turning it over in her hands.

"It's a tool belt. It appears to be real leather or at least very good synthetic. Abundant connection points. Are you in need of a tool belt?" she asked, not remembering Alex ever saying she wanted one.

"I was thinking for you. Yours is from when you were a... you know. And there's a giant Imperial emblem on the buckle. I thought maybe you'd want a new one?" Alex asked, firmly in the habit of not using the word slave when they were out in public, even if there was no one around.

"That is very kind of you, but..." Eta began. She was turning it over in her hands, still not fully comfortable talking about what she wanted.

"I actually like my Imperial belt. I know they are not specific to... my role. If that was your worry. I've seen many civilian technicians and engineers wearing them. I'm... proud of the work I was able to do for the Empire, and that belt was with me through all of it. So... I would be grateful to keep it if that is acceptable to you. But if you would like to get rid of it because it is visibly Imperial then this would make a suitable replacement yes," she said nodding, looking at Alex for approval. But Alex quickly reached out, snatching the belt from her hands.

"Eta... I didn't... realize you felt like that about your belt. Of course you can keep it. I promise I would never make you get rid of something that mattered," Alex said hastily, feeling guilty at having ever suggested it.

"No no no, it's alright," Eta reassured her, eyes wide.

"It's never... come up. I haven't worn my uniforms again since you bought me civilian clothes and I took parts from them for other uses. You had no reason to suspect I felt differently about the belt. And I do appreciate you offering a replacement if I had wanted one," she said gratefully.

Alex nodded slowly, still feeling bad. She turned and dumped the belt on one of the overflowing racks before speaking.

"I think it's cool you own something that... means something to you. I'm glad you have it," Alex said smiling, but also realizing that her lover didn't have a lot that she could truly call her own.

"I'm also glad," Eta agreed, and appeared to be thinking along the same lines for she added, "I also have my books. I know they're only technical manuals, but I've had them for a very long time and you are very aware what's inside one of them. I... am very fortunate my storage locker was inside my pod so its contents came with me."

"God I never even thought about that, but you're super right," Alex breathed, eyes wide.

"But..." she said, a thought coming to her. "Would you... like more books? You've seen the ones I have, and I'm happy to buy you more. We did just install more storage the other day," she added, her eyes also landing on the model starship Eta had been looking at.

Travel day nine.

Alex wore a dark scowl as the pair walked out of the station's security office, and as soon as they were out of sight around the corner she started audibly grumbling to herself.

"I thought you avoided fights!?" Eta asked, almost beside herself.

"He slapped you in the ass!" Alex exclaimed angrily. "He one hundred percent started it! People who slap my lover's ass deserve to get punched."

"Security didn't see it that way!" Eta blurted out.

Alex growled something unintelligible.

"They fined you for it!"

More grumbling.

"Alex, his nose was broken!"

Travel day ten.

There were no days or nights in Hyperspace. The women could sleep when they wanted and wake when they wanted. And now they lounged in that transitional time where they had been awake for long enough that both were content with calm silence, but at the same time not quite tired enough for sleep. They floated lazily above Alex's bed, a loose strap across both of their waists to keep them from drifting away. Alex was reading a book silently as Eta simply had her arms wrapped around her Mistress, head resting against her shoulder. They had happily laid together for almost an hour before Eta's voice broke the silence.

"Alex..." she murmured, apprehensive to interrupt her Mistress' reading.

"Yo, what's up?" asked Alex, unbothered as she marked her page and stuck her book between the mattress and the wall so it wouldn't wander.

"I..." Eta began, her face blushing. "Would I be allowed to make a... sex request? Not necessarily for now of course!" she added nervously. Alex laughed, wrapping her arms around Eta right back and leaned down to kiss the woman on the forehead.

"What happened to 'don't ask you for suggestions, don't ask you what you want to do next?'" she teased gently. Eta blushed, not fully certain her Mistress' words weren't serious. But it was a doubt Alex noticed.

"Eta, I love picking what to do with you. But of course you still get a voice; absolutely you're allowed to make requests. Now what horny thoughts are you thinking?" she chuckled, shooting her lover a wink. Eta was still blushing, but she nodded gratefully, having clearly spent some time already choosing her words.

"Whenever we've had sex so far, you have always been kind enough to bind me. Which I love! Thank you! But it does mean I've never been able to use my hands... to... pleasure you. Would I be allowed to do that at some point?" she asked, her face getting redder with every word.

"Eta, your request that has you blushing like that, is just to be able to feel me up?" Alex asked, a huge grin across her face. "That is nowhere near raunchy enough for you to need to feel nervous about."

"I've sorry," said Eta, still blushing. "I'm still not... used to asking for things..."

Alex pulled her closer, kissing her gently across the lips.

"And I'm proud of you for doing it. But would it make you feel less nervous if it was something I told you to do?" she asked softly. Eta nodded. Alex chuckled as she let go of her lover and pushed herself into slightly more of a sitting position. She reached up to her neck, taking hold of her zipper and tugging it all the way down to her waist. She wriggled her shoulders and arms free of the flight suit, letting the top half hang behind her in the air. She contorted her hands behind herself, unhooking her bra and sending it drifting off across the room. She laid back down, bare chest on full display as her lover stared at her, eyes wide.

Eta's gaze was locked on Alex. The woman's wonderful skin so tantalizingly close, her breasts free to sway slightly in zero gravity. Eta's body shook softly, filled with an overwhelming desire to touch Alex, but she was so used to being bound she didn't even try to lift her arms.

"I guess foreplay isn't really a thing you're used to, is it?" Alex asked, her lips pursed quizzically.

"Umm, no it is not," Eta replied embarrassedly. "I promise I do know what it is! I haven't forgotten everything in the last eight years," Eta insisted finally tearing her gaze away from Alex's chest.

"But for night now... please tell me exactly what you want me to do," she begged eagerly, before faltering. "That is... if you want to proceed now. I know you said earlier you were getting tired," she added nervously, suddenly scared she had overstepped. But a finger quickly rested against her lips.

"Eta. First, I care about what you want. Second, I am definitely awake now. And third, I don't get my tits out unless I intend to use them for something," Alex giggled. She reached over, taking Eta's hands in hers. She brought them towards herself and laid the woman's palms against her ribs.

"Start here. Don't go straight for the tits, that's something teenagers do. Kissing ain't a bad start either..." she began, not a hint of being patronizing or belittling in her voice.

Eta nodded eagerly, hanging onto every word her Mistress said as her heart pounded inside her chest.