Chapter 3
At the first Clara was in darkness. Then first a small light flickered on just above her head. A second lit up and then a third and then more and more until she was surrounded by banks and banks of multicoloured lights. She could also make out numerous small robotic arms, with an array of tools attached to them. They moved out of their resting positions and positioned themselves close to her body.
As she kept a wary eye on the tools, a hum filled the booth. Two rods with a pair of open manacles rose up from the floor. At the same time, two identical rods lowered from the ceiling. It was obvious what she had to do, so as the rods stopped, she raised her left hand. The manacle quickly closed around her wrist before she had a chance to change her mind.
She tried to pull her arm down, but she was held firmly (and to be honest, a bit painfully) in place. Next she placed her left leg in the manacle which clamped itself equally tightly around her calf. Putting her right leg into the third restraint was more difficult. The restraint was a bit too far way from the other. She had to stretch to get her leg into the right position and once the manacle had closed around her other calf, the intimate area between her legs was open and exposed.
Feeling vulnerable, she raised her right arm and winced as the last restraint locked her into place. As she waited for the Evaluator to start working, she was surprised as the restraints moved upwards, suspending her in mid air. At the same time, some of the tools pressed their cool, metallic heads into Clara's skin and began tracing the contours of her body delicately but firmly.
Clara shivered. The probes seemed to be testing the sensitivity of her skin, spending more time on her erogenous zones than on the less sensitive parts of her body. She felt her nipples harden as the probes circled her areolae and as one probe moved down her belly, she shifted in her bonds as a frisson of pleasure ran through her body.
The probe slowly circled her clitoris, teasing it gently while a second slid across her labia, teasing her delicate flesh. Lost in the sensations, she closed her eyes while taking deep, ragged breaths. At the same time, she felt a warm heat slowly move up and down her body, providing a pleasant contrast to the cool caresses of the servos.
Clara shifted in her bonds. As the delicious friction brought her closer and closer to her release, she didn't notice a servo move into position by the back of her neck. Slowly it inched closer and closer to the metal collar that was her only garment. Finally it was near enough to attach itself and it did so quickly yet so silently that Clara was unaware it had done so.
Suddenly she stiffened, as she came, biting her lip to prevent her crying out. But she didn't have any time to enjoy the moment, because at that very moment the tool attached the collar activate and Clara's world went white as all conscious thought was wiped from her mind.
"Physical evaluation of the alnu Claraoswald commencing"
"Subject is a female of the species known as human and as such conforms to the parameters already noted in previous subjects. Her biological age indicates that she capable of producing viable offspring for some time, but has not achieved optimal sexual maturity. Subject has bred with members of her own or biologically similar species prior to evaluation. Commencing blood analysis"
A servo equipped with a long needle attached swung out from the wall and positioned itself against the unmoving Clara's elbow. With surgical precision, the needle punctured her skin and began to take blood samples. When it had filled about five vials with blood, it retracted into the wall. A second servo swung down and placed a small dressing over the puncture and kept it in place until the bleeding stopped.
"Continuation of physical evaluation while bloodwork being processed. Biometric scan shows subject is physically normal for a female of her species. No abnormalities detected at this stage of the evaluation. Subject is physically compatible with 70-75% of orc species, although best breeding positions vary. It is therefore recommended that when she is bred, it is with physically similar types so that the number of partners is optimized."
"However, analysis at this stage cannot determine whether breeding with a specific subspecies will yield a successful whelping. Nor whether or not there are any potential adverse reactions on exposure to donor's seed. Further testing in this area required to prevent repeat of previous negative results. Request for suitable test donors to be made to the appropriate authority."
"On a more general level, the subject has proven capable of consuming and digesting basic orcish food without any negative effects, However, the subject did not consume our most basic alcoholic beverage, preferring water. Further experimentation with other food and drink to be carried out should there be time available."
"Basic blood analysis now complete. Chances of producing viable offspring still quite high. However, as with earlier tests on members of her race, some orc species are genetically incompatible with humans. Therefore any breeding program will automatically exclude males where incompatibility exists, within the parameters previously stated"
"Subjects blood also indicates the presence of a basic fertility suppressant, preventing whelping with members of her species. The effects of this are easily counteracted through the use of basic medication already tested as safe for human females. This medication will also trigger fertility hormones in the subject increasing the likelihood of whelping, as well as increasing subject's libido."
"Conclusion based on physical analysis therefore is as follows. The alnu Claraoswald, within the previously stated conditions, is a viable slaagh and therefore will be referred as such in further analysis. Mental and psychological analysis now commencing."
"Normally, mental and psychological analysis of a subject is a far longer process. However using a modified analyzer collar, I have developed a method of downloading a lifetime's worth of experiences in a brief transmission. Unfortunately the process does have detrimental effect on the subject, but if the subject does not recover sufficiently, the physical ability to produce offspring will not be affected."
"The Slaagh Claraoswald, from initial examination of downloaded memories is an intelligent and highly capable example of her species. Prior to her travels with the alien known as 'The Doctor' she was employed in childcare and educational roles, which will be useful should she be successfully bred. However, other characteristics such her fiercely independent nature would be less of an asset to our society. Still, she does possess basic submissive tendencies within her psychological make up (as do all her species) which if developed could achieve favourable results."
"Subject is also sexually experienced. She has several partners since reaching the age of maturity for the species and during these relationships has expressed a healthy openness to experimentation within the limits of her societal group. Travel has further broadened her outlook and unlike others of her species, has proven herself capable of adapting to our customs. Should more like her come into our possession then I predict a major boost to our interspecies breeding project."
"However, this analysis is provisional subject to further analysis of downloaded memory and thought patterns. Also, the subject is still recovering from the thought extraction process so this may be only be a historical analysis should she not regain herself sufficiently"
"In conclusion, while the Slaagh Claraoswald is recovering, we will run a range of physical and biological tests to determine the answers to the suitability of the subject for breeding purposes. If there has been any damage to the subject's personality, then we rebuild it so that she will be a more socially acceptable Slaagh for our purposes."
Crothu read the report for the second time and then threw it into the fire. Hoknath had gone too far and not for the first time. He remembered the last time, he'd had to intervene. The subject in that instance had fortunately died and her body disposed of before the other humans who were with her had discovered what Hoknath had put her through.
At least this time, the Slaagh was not physically harmed and from Hoknath's previous reports, there would be a good chance she could be successfully integrated into orcish society as a willing breeder if necessary. If only Hoknath wasn't so brilliant. If they'd been only bright, then Crothu would have been able to replace them by having them declared a heretic. Hokath's work was too important to the future of his people and the advances that had been made during the last few years by their research far exceeded any progress the previous scientists had made in fifty rotations.
Crothu picked up the requisition that had come with the reports. Hoknath wanted specimens from several of the races of Orcadia to test the Slaagh's breeding potential. Crothu signed it and affixed his seal to the request and sent it to the punishment caves. He was in no doubt Hoknath would find suitable 'volunteers' from the dregs of Orc society.
Now Crothu had to consider the bigger problem. What to do about the Doctor......
"My dearest Clara," Arthur said she entered the drawing room after her morning constitutional "We are ruined. Totally ruined." He slumped forward onto the writing desk and started to sob loudly.
Confused, Clara looked at her husband. Was he not one of the wealthiest men in the county?, she thought. He had an income of one thousand guineas a year before taking into consideration his earnings from a very successful business venture in the nearby port. What's more, he was well known for being a very sober and pragmatic businessman. But the distraught man in front of her was almost a stranger to her.
No, he was a stranger to her. For a moment, Clara had no idea where and when she was. Their clothes were old fashioned and she could see no signs of the modern technologies that she was used to. Then she shook her head. How could any machine more complicated than a clock be found anywhere other than one of the new factories her husband had been looking to invest in.
"Pray tell me, dearest husband," she said, "what are you saying?"
He turned to look at her. "I was convinced to invest in a South American Gold Mine, by a gentleman of some standing in society. I was skeptical at first, but after extensive inquiries I was convinced that the venture was more than sound. And for the first few years it proved to be so. "
"Years," Clara was stunned. "Why did you not tell me?"
"You had the children to look after, and your father was ill so I didn't want to worry you further. Besides, the income we received was more than sufficient to meet our needs. Then my partner told me he wished to retire and offered to sell me his shares in the business. It was an expensive purchase and I had to liquidate most of our assets to do so, but the sole income would have been enough to recover the investment within an acceptable time frame."
"As you may have guessed, I soon found out that there was no mine. My partner had been paying dividends from the money I had been investing and once he had our money, he was gone. All I have now is my reputation and that will soon be gone, once people in society discover my folly."
Clara looked at her husband, at the broken man who she loved with all her heart. The father of her children, now doomed to be raised in a workhouse in penury. "My darling" she said, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know that I love you and the children beyond life itself. To protect you all I would make a deal with the devil himself. There is one way I know that can save us, but you must promise me on your honour that should I am successful, you will never ask what I had to do. Can you do that, my love?"
The prisoners shuffled into the testing room, They were satisfactory for the purposes of the research, Hoknath thought to themselves. All were healthy specimens of the orcish races that Hoknath had determined the Slaagh Claraoswald had the best chance of successfully breeding with. Furthermore, as they were all from the Punishment Caves, there was less chance that details of the experiments would be disseminated through out the populace.
Now for closer inspection of the subjects. Hoknath ordered each one to step forward and turn around a full 360 degrees to, inspecting each one dispassionately to determine the order that they would be used. As instructed, all were naked and Hoknath noted that two of them had already started to build up seed, their shrunken testicles now the size of small fruit. Of the two, Hoknath thought, the common orc was the most acceptable as their numbers meant a higher probability of a successful whelping.
The prisoners had arrived under armed guard, but were waiting outside. Hoknath ordered them them into the testing room and instructed them to take all but the chosen one to the quarters Hoknath had set aside for them for the experiment's duration. Soon the chosen subject was alone and Hoknath began to explain the subject's role.
"Greetings. All you need to know is that you helping with an important experiment. If your part is successful, you will be rewarded. If not, your sentence will end very quickly. However, I believe you will find your role..... pleasurable."
The orc looked up at Hoknath. "Shug?", he asked hopefully.
Hoknath sighed. Common orcs were very, very limited creatures. "No Shug," Hoknath replied using the simple language of the common tribe. "But you get to pleasure Slaagh. Make her scream the Wild Scream"
The prisoner smiled. Hoknath also smiled. Neither smiled for the same reason.
"Lord Randall will see you now, Mrs Oswald," the butler said, as Clara waited nervously.
Clara got up from her seat and followed the butler towards the library. Something was dreadfully wrong though. Her maiden name was Oswald, not her married name. Was she even married? No, she remembered the ceremony. She remembered her father coming down from Scotland especially for the wedding. But her father wasn't Scottish, was he? She was so confused.
She looked at her hand and the wedding ring Arthur had placed on her finger that special day and everything clicked back in place. She remembered the first time they had made love on their wedding night, the birth of their children, all the things that had made their marriage so wonderful. She also remembered Arthur's confession the previous night and more importantly, she remembered how she was going to save them from total ruin.
Lord Rendall was sitting in an armchair next to the roaring fire, but he rose as she entered the room.
She hadn't seen him for ten years, not since her wedding day, but apart from the grey in his hair he was unchanged. He still looked at her with the same desire as he had when he had first been introduced to her.
"My dear Clara," he said, kissing her hand. "You look well. Married life obviously suits you. How are Arthur and your delightful children?"
"They are well, thank you. You too look well, M'lord."
"Thank you, though I do find retirement dull, since my wife died. Too many hours in the day, when you don't have someone to share them with. But you won't find that out for many years to come, I'm certain. Tea?"
"No thank you," said Clara.
They sat in silence for several long minutes. Clara desperately trying to find a way to bring up the reason for her visit. Lord Randall playing his own game. She stirred her tea and looked around the room. In many ways, the drawing room was the spitting image of her own, although it would be more cosy if the fire was lit.
"Well, it's very nice that you've come to see me, after such a long time," Lord Randall finally said, "but I don't feel this a social call. Pray tell, what can I can do for you".
Clara swallowed nervously. She wished she had taken up his offer of tea as her mouth was dry as the Sahara desert. "Lord Rendall," she began. "Do you remember many years ago, we had a frank conversation about an certain agreement you wished me to enter into with you?"
Lord Randall smiled. "I vaguely remember something," he said, "but please, refresh my memory"
"You said that I was the most beautiful woman you'd ever met and you would pay any price to have me become your mistress, even if it took twenty years for me to decide. I wonder, if that offer is still open?"
"Ah," Lord Randall mused. "I recall you were very angry when I asked you. You said that Hell would freeze over before you'd let me have my way with you. Has the temperature dropped so dramatically in that infernal region or is there another reason why you'd change your mind?"
Clara looked embarrassed. "There is, M'lord. My husband is about to be ruined. Certain investments have not proven....."
Lord Rendell interrupted her "I am aware of your husbands investment in a particular South American Gold Mine. I'm not sure that you are aware than he got other investors involved in the scheme and now looks not only to be ruined but to be transported should he be brought to trial. The situation is bleak, so I do understand your position"
"Then you will help me?" Clara asked hopefully.
Lord Randall nodded. He went over to a large writing desk and withdrew two envelopes. "This envelope," he said holding up the first "contains a bankers draught for fifty thousand guineas, made out in your husband's name. It is more than enough for to save your family family fortune and reputation."
He handed her the other envelope. "This is a contract between you and me, granting me your services for a period of not less than five years. If you sign it, the banker's draught will be sent by messenger to your husband today and we will leave immediately for my estates abroad. If you don't, then both documents go in the fire and you will have to face the consequences. It's your decision, Clara. What's it to be?"
Continued in Chapter 4
Clara and the Pursuit of Knowledge - Chapter 3
Previous Story:Clara and the Pursuit of Knowledge - Chapter 2
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