The Gebriahl Setup Read online



  The Gebriahl Setup

  Tara Loughead

  Copyright 2010 Tara Loughead

  For Jim Holdaway.

  A Bulays and Ghaavn Adventure.

  "There's too many of them even for us, Ghaavn!" Yelled Bulays, cutting down the thug to her left in a spray of blood.

  "I'm out of bullets!" he yelled back. "Looks like we're going down hard."

  *****

  When the duo slowly awoke, they were definitely feeling the going down. Being chained to the wall in a dank, smelly basement that was starting to fill with water that bilge rats would run from screaming was even worse.

  Bulays, her body armour gone, was now only wearing a bra and panties. She tested the manacles on her arms, as she stood chained to a slimy concrete wall. "No luck here. I'm not going to be able to break these."

  "Not even the ex-arm wrestling champion of London can move these shackles, then?" came the reply from her partner. Ghaavn too was down to his underwear. Having been beaten senseless, the cold was being to take effect.

  "I don't think even the bloke responsible for my ex-champion status could break out of here. The Wild Man of Mercury couldn't break out of these."

  "Given he's not here, I don't think that matters," said Ghaavn.

  "It was over like lightning. Almost didn't see him pin my arm to the table. Just 'eard it. I definitely saw it when he pinned me later, though." She grinned. "Now how do we get out of here?"

  "There's one way. It wouldn't be your favourite, though." Ghaavn flexed his arms. With a move that an Interplanetary gymnast would have been proud of, he managed to pull himself up so his backside was briefly level with his hands. An exertion, and he lowered himself, arms quivering with the strain. He showed his partner what he held between his right thumb and forefinger.

  "How'd you manage that?"

  "You know supervillains and death traps. Plus, I was banking on the well known fact that Gebriahl is one of the last of the inveterate Kinsey Zeroes."

  "Never thought I'd be happy to know someone was a homophobic scumbag," laughed Bulays. "Bastard searched me very, very thoroughly."

  "So, yes or no?"

  "Yes," agreed a not very pleased Bulays.

  "Emar!" Ghaavn exclaimed.

  A green cloud of mist that fit right in with the noxious decor coalesced into the lissom form of the Death Queen of Neptune. She wore a short skirt, Venusian dragonskin boots, and a smile. She tossed her long dark hair over a shoulder and queried: "Need a hand?"

  "Actually, more like bolt cutters or a thermal lance I was thinking," said Bulays.

  "Oh, I think a hand will do for now," said Emar. She moved to where Ghaavn was chained. "Hold still." She rested her left hand on Ghaavn's right shoulder, and stood on her toes to reach the chain on the wall. She pulled sharply with her right hand, Chips of concrete flew, and the chain came free from the wall. She rapidly repeated the procedure with the other, and walked over to Bulays. "You're taller, beautiful. I cant' reach like that. You'll have to let me climb you." Emar certainly looked the opposite of inconvenienced at that the thought, eyes dancing happily. Bulays eyes narrowed, but she spread her legs wide. Emar put her hands on Bulays' shoulders, and boosted herself so that her knees rested on the taller woman's hips. The underside of Emar's free, full breasts brushed the short blonde hair on Bulays' head as she wrenched one chain free, then the other. Task accomplished, she slid back down Bulays body, skin sliding over skin.

  "Thank you," said Bulays, knowing full well the advantage Emar could have taken of this situation. She was sure the thought had crossed her mind.

  "Can you help with the door, Emar?" Ghaavn asked.

  "Piece of cake is the expression, I believe?" Another display of super strength followed. "Especially as I believe you have a wedding to get to, soon."

  "They'll have heard that," Bulays said, pointing at the now empty doorframe.

  "I know," replied Ghaavn. "Go with Emar, bring backup. I'm going hunting."

  "Alone?"

  "Yes, this one is more my style. It could become a handgun match up, Princess, so it has to be me."

  Bulays nodded, and the three ran out.

  *****

  Ghaavn's silent, pantherish attack had disposed of one guard, and he was now armed with an automatic and a knife. He continued cautiously down the passage, hearing voices at one end. He stopped, listening.

  "No idea how they got out, boss. It looked like the chains were ripped from the wall. No sign of them either." The woman's voice was panicky.

  This Ghaavn was happy to hear, as it meant he briefly had an advantage. He sprinted to the end of the passage, and into the room at the end. His snap shot took the underling between the shoulder blades. She collapsed with a cry. Ghaavn rolled and dove for cover.

  Gebriahl was fast. Tattooed and topless, no clothes to hinder him the automatic on the table in front of him was snatched and fired in a snakingly fast motion. The bullet took a chunk out of Ghaavn's inner thigh, leaving him bleeding. Ghaavn was now at a disadvantage but the odds were briefly even. They wouldn't be for long. Gebriahl would win a waiting game.

  "Don't want to come and get me then, Gebriahl? I am naked, after all. Well, almost, but here you go." Ghaavn threw his underwear over the solid couch he was sheltering behind, and two shots in rapid succession followed. He bobbed up, fired, forcing Gebriahl to duck. As it was, the answering fire grazed his arm. Gebriahl was good. Probably a better shot than he was, and on his home turf. In close, and Ghaavn would end it quickly. The action had warmed him up, but he was now bleeding in two places, and tiring, battered and bruised. Only psychology could give him an edge. "You know I promised you to a gang of Jovian rent boys, don't you? I'm going to record it, too. The Plunder of Gebriahl should be a big hit on the underground circuit."

  Gebriahl roared. "Eat lead, pretty boy." He fired again, multiple times.

  Which was exactly what Ghaavn wanted. He was counting, and Gebriahl had at most one shot left. He hadn't heard him reload. It was now or never. Ghaavn dove over the couch, firing as he went. Gebriahl's shot smashed a rib, but Ghaavn's took him in the gut. Gebriahl staggered, gun raised, hand trying to stem the flow of blood. He pointed the barrel at Ghaavn and pulled the trigger to an audible 'click'. Then collapsed in agony. Ghaavn limped over, trailing blood. He stood over the dying man, whose last sight may now well be a bloody and triumphant Ghaavn's dangling penis.

  Seconds later a Ministry tactical assault squad rushed in. Ghaavn raised his arms as best he could. The officer in charge signalled her men, then raised her visor and smiled at Ghaavn as she stepped over to him, looking him up and down.. "I should clean up after you more often. The scenery is terrific."

  "Thanks Captain," he said. Then collapsed into her arms, unconscious.

  "Medic here, now!" She yelled.

  *****

  "Ghaavn, you should be in hospital," Gerald told the multiply bandaged man.

  "Can't do that, I'm the best man. Now, what about Gebriahl?"

  "He might make it, the tactical medic said. If he doesn't, I have a necroscope standing by. He's being taken to the Ministry secure medical facility now."

  "Lady G, it'll be ok. One of the guests is a Doc. Friend of ours. I'll put Ghaavn next to him," Bulays put in.

  *****

  Even after the morning's misadventures, Bulays and Ghaavn managed to turn up on time, although somewhat slowly and gingerly. A couple of stiff drinks eased the pain a little. Schteve kept giving longing glances at the bottle of fifty-year-old Venusian White Mountain brandy Bulays had given them as a wedding present. "Save it for another special occasion or two," she laughed.

  "Ghaavn, go and sit down!" The bride order
ed in a no-nonsense tone. "Besides, the guests are starting to arrive." She took the groom's arm and ushered him over to the door to perform their hostly duties.

  After a gaggle of friends and family, including a man Deena directed Ghaavn's way, the arrivals slowed. Lady Gerald turned up shortly afterwards. "You look smashing, Madame," Schteve told the woman in the low-cut brown frock.

  "Why thank you. Now, I need to borrow the bride to explain your gift." In one arm she held what looked to be a very old and expensive tome, with strange lettering. Schteve acquiesced as Lady G took his bride's arm with her free hand and led her off.

  Bulays joined Schteve at the door now he was not busy. "Nervous?"

  "Yes," Schteve replied. "She scares me."

  "I didn't mean of Gerald, mate."

  "Well, yes, a tad." He looked around.

  "Good. Then drink this." She handed him a large Mercurian whiskey. They chatted for a few minutes to settle his nerves.

  A new arrival entered the doorway. A voluptuous woman with long dark hair, dressed in a stylish off-white dress. A round hat sat on her heard at a rakish angle, strappy shoes clicked on the floor as she stopped in front of them.. Bulays did a doubletake at the emerald pendant nestled in the deep cleavage on display under thehat. "What is she doing here." She glared over at Ghaavn, who looked back at his partner, poker faced. "Schteve..." she growled, menacingly.

  "Urrr, welll.... um...."

  "You're all bloody in on it, then!?"

  Deena turned up to rescue her husband from his horrible fate. "Yes, Bulays. This is my wedding, I believe. Now behave," she said, kissing her check.

  "Please, darling," said Emar. "Remember earlier today? Besides, I brought a peace offering." The Queen of Neptune held out a box. Bulays took it, and opened the lid.

  "Barrakeshi cigars!" Bulays softened as she rolled one under nose, inhaling the aroma.

  Emar smiled prettily. "I was also going to say how beautiful you look in something not black." In fact, Emar's outfit was considerably more understated than the close-fitting semi-translucent off-white party dress the blonde Amazon had poured herself into for the event. "Our colours even match."

  Bulays actually blushed.

  *****

  The wedding ceremony went very well. The Moon Priestess was flawless, and Schteve even completely failed to screw up. The serious eating, drinking and partying had begun.

  Deena, of course, had placed Emar by Bulays. With the ceremonies, speeches and other goings on, they had not had to say much to each other as yet.

  Ghaavn poked his medical tablemate, unseen by Bulays. He nodded and bumbled off, going over and asking Bulays to dance as Ghaavn had planned, leaving Emar on her own. Her eyes were glued to the blonde's rear as she sipped another glass of Titan champagne, so she mostly missed Deena's appearance. That is, until the new bride curtsied in front of her, and sank to the floor, head bowed. Deena began to speak. In a language no one knew. Well, almost no one. Emar almost dropped her drink. She did splutter.

  Not far behind Deena stood Lady Gerald. She gave Emar a wave, the corners of her lips turning up in a smile. Emar looked over at Ghaavn. He was close to grinning.

  Emar stood, and raised Deena up to look at her. She inclined her head, answering in the same speech.

  Deena curtsied again, and continued. Emar's eyes widened, but she gave a throaty laugh, and spoke again in the same manner. Deena stood, then gave Emar a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you, your Majesty," she said. This time in a language everybody understood.

  Lady Gerald walked over to Emar, who couldn't help her eyes straying to the Ministry woman's charms. Gerald smirked. "Give an old woman the honour of a dance?" She asked, slipping her arm inside Emar's. Emar agreed, and they entered the dance floor. Her eyes rolled when she realised the band had started playing the old pop number, "Dancing with the Queen of Neptune Three." Gerald chuckled, and put her arm around Emar's waist.

  *****

  Gerald spun her out, and then back in close as a slow song came on. She nestled her head on Emar's shoulder, and sighed. Then she pulled back, taking Emar's hands in hers. "Ghaavn did warn you, dear. You came completely willingly. Plus, I owed you one after that stunt on Neptune." Emar's eyes flashed as she stared at the shorter Gerald. "I do run an Interplanetary spy organisation, after all. Even an ancient goddess will be hard pressed to keep secrets from me." Emar regarded her insouciance with restraint.

  "Well done, Gerald. I knew I was right to save you that night."

  "Remember, dear, you too are getting on. You might find allies that are friends valuable, the next alien invasion that happens along. Now, there's a doctor over there that could use some relief before Bulays breaks him." Gerald pulled her close, kissed her full on the mouth, then patted her rear, sending her in the direction of Bulays.

  *****

  "May I cut in?" asked the Queen of Neptune. A sweating surgeon was only too happy to agree and head for a desperately needed beer. Bulays regarded Emar coolly, and was a little surprised when she let her lead. She had also admitted to herself that deep down she did want the svelte seductive sovereign next to her. Emar put her arms around Bulays neck, kissed her quickly, then parted. She took her arm, and led her to the middle of the dance floor. Kicking off her shoes she proceeded to put on a display with the assistance of the athletic Amazon that ensured all eyes were on them.

  ******

  Bulays finally led Emar back to their table, breathless and sweaty. She found Deena in her seat, and the bride passed her a beer, which she promptly sculled. Deena stood to let Bulays sit, and as she did, Deena stopped her for a little and whispered in her ear. The warrior's eyes widened in shock. Then she kissed the bride. Bulays and Emar now seated, the former said: "So, let's talk." Emar nodded, and did so.

  *****

  Bulays lay on the bed, resting on her elbow. Dress now wrinkled and a little beer-stained, thanks to the Doc's famous clumsiness. She regarded the beautiful green-eyed woman standing in the middle of their suite, looking at her hungrily. "I have this right then?" enquired Bulays. Emar inclined her head towards the lounging woman.

  "Well then. You danced for them. Now dance for me."

  Emar slid her dress off her shoulders and let it fall. She turned in a circle, languorously nude, arms over her head. Their eyes locking, she put her hands on her breasts, hips swinging as she swayed towards Bulays.

  THE END

  Artwork by ĊЯФШ

  https://www.flickr.com/photos/crow6/3780222887/in/faves-jekkarapress/

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  JEKKARA PRESS

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  You can find all of the Adventures of Bulays and Ghaavn as well as The Gender Switch Adventures at :

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