Public Offering
By Judith Gran
Series: VOY/TOS
Pairing: Kirk/Seven of Nine
Rating: NC-17
Archive: Yes
Feedback: Please! All kinds welcome
Summary: James T. Kirk and his famed problem-solving ability are pressed
into service to help Voyager get home.
Disclaimer, acknowledgments and warning: Although I couldn't make money
on this story if I tried, I'm not trying. This is a work of amateur fan
fiction and as such, it was created outside the market economy where Paramount,
Viacom and other holders of Star Trek copyrights live and reign as The
Powers That Be. It is intended as fair use and not as infringement. Author's
copyright extends only to original material.
This story is part of the Kirk
Fuh-Q Fest organized and flawlessly administered by the incomparable
Karmen Ghia. Thanks to Kaki4's sister and to Katy for inspiration. They
are in no way responsible for the story's faults.
This story contains sexually explicit adult material. Do not read if
you are under 18 or if such offends you.
*******************************
PUBLIC OFFERING
Copyright 2000 by Judith Gran
"Have you ever considered trying to *buy* the technology you need to
get home?"
James Kirk kept his voice even, trying his best to hide the edge of
exasperation he felt after six solid hours of brainstorming with Kathryn
Janeway and her senior officers. Where the hell was their creativity?
He hadn't seen such an unimaginative bunch of Starfleet officers since
his latest debriefing with Admiral Komack.
It was a damned good thing they'd stumbled on the spatial-temporal anomaly
that had suddenly opened up a link between Voyager's bridge and his own,
and begged him to come lend them his legendary problem-solving abilities.
Spock and Scotty had done some complicated calculations about mass and
energy and velocity and so forth, and figured that he could safely pass
through the anomaly, spend the equivalent of nine or ten days on Voyager,
and return only an hour or so later in real time on the Enteprise. So
he'd accepted, and here he was. But he was beginning to doubt his ability
to be of any help.
For a Federation ship and crew stranded 70,000 light years from home,
they'd put precious little effort into getting back. Oh, they'd tried
to steal some technology from the Borg -- an inept effort if he'd ever
seen one. And they'd stumbled by sheer luck onto a couple of other possibilities
for shortening their journey -- a wormhole, an encounter with the sister
of the Caretaker who had sent them there -- but even there, they'd screwed
up. Mostly, as far as he could tell from their ship's logs, they waited
until they were dangerously low on fuel to scrounge whatever dilithium
or deuterium they could find on the worlds they encountered in this quadrant.
If he and his crew had been this lackadaisical about survival, they'd
never have survived the first year of the five-year mission.
So here he was, trying to help them figure out how to get home, and
evidently doing a lousy job of it. Janeway was looking at him without
the slightest hint of comprehension.
"I mean," he continued in the mildest voice he could muster, annoyed
that he had to spell it out, "do you know of any races in this sector
who have the technology to travel at faster than warp speeds, and who
might be persuaded to sell it to you?"
"Well." Janeway pursed her lips, obviously thinking hard. "There are
the Rasmaliyin, I suppose. Their technology is tremendously advanced,
but we've found them completely unapproachable. We've sent subspace messages
informing them of our plight, but they've completely ignored us."
"Is it possible the Rasmaliyin aren't interested in appeals to charity,
but might respond differently to an appeal to the profit motive?" Seeing
the shocked expression on Janeway's face, he added lightly, "We've found
that not every world we encounter is peopled by good Samaritans."
"That is logical." The Vulcan officer, Tuvok, whom Kirk had liked immediately,
nodded his agreement. "However, Captain Kirk, we have no resources we
could possibly use for currency with such an advanced race. The Rasmaliyin
have no need of our technology or any goods we could manufacture."
"Hmm." Kirk leaned back in his chair thoughtfully. "What do we know
about the economy of this sector?"
Not much, to judge from Janeway's response, which was to call for a
break, order refreshments and send several of her officers to the library
computers for information. Kirk accepted a glass of juice and sipped it
slowly while he looked at the faces around the conference table.
He found himself drawn, as he's been since the meeting began, to the
tall woman with cyborg implants at the other end of the table. He'd been
told briefly about her rescue from a cyborg collective, but not enough
to contaminate his own timeline with knowledge of the future. He guessed
that she'd lived with a cyborg race that was unknown to the Federation
in his era. The woman's serious demeanor -- she out-Vulcaned any Vulcan
in her lack of emotional inflection -- was in striking contrast to her
sensuous body, with its bountiful bosom, lush full lips, flawless skin
and high cheekbones. Her luxuriant fair hair was tied back in a simple
bun. She may have intended the style to be severe, but nothing about a
woman with her face and body could ever be severe.
Definitely his "type," Kirk thought, and automatically clamped down
on a rising surge of lust. A highly visual person by nature, he had learned
long ago how to numb the erotic connection between eyes and glands where
crew members were concerned. A good captain didn't screw the crew, and
as far as he was concerned, that extended to Captain Janeway's crew for
as long as he was aboard Voyager.
It was a pity, he reflected morosely. It had been far too long since
his last shore leave, and he could certainly use a good lay.
Janeway's assistants were back with several padds full of economic data.
As the Voyager officers retook their seats around the table, Kirk quickly
scanned a sample of the files. What he found surprised and fascinated
him. Finally, he raised his head to the silent, expectant eyes of the
Voyager crew. "I'd like to go to my quarters and read this more thoroughly.
I think we have a tremendous opportunity here. Captain Janeway, perhaps
you could try contacting the Rasmaliyin again to ask whether they'd be
willing to sell their technology."
**********
Two hours later, the officers reconvened. To the surprise of everyone
present except Kirk, the Rasmaliyin had replied to Voyager's latest inquiry
in the affirmative. After analyzing Voyager's propulsion systems, they
estimated that they could install a faster-than-warp drive for the equivalent
of 16 million Federation credits. Now Janeway and her crew were ready
to listen to Kirk's proposal.
"To make a long story short," Kirk began slowly, "the economy of this
sector is experiencing an unprecedented boom. Entrepreneurs are making
huge fortunes virtually overnight by selling shares in innovative new
businesses. I suggest we launch a similar effort to raise capital."
Murmurs of shock and disbelief rose around the table. "Start our own
business?" Janeway said in a voice that dripped incredulity. "Doing what?
With what resources?"
"You've got a highly skilled crew, decent computing and communications
technology. Let's start with a concept that draws on what you have to
offer."
"Jim, we went through all that this morning." Janeway sounded tired
and defeated. "There's absolutely nothing we can manufacture on board
Voyager that the advanced worlds in this sector don't already have in
abundance." "You're right, but I'm not thinking of manufacturing, Kathryn,"
Kirk replied with an enigmatic smile. "This is a service economy, growing
by leaps and bounds. I suggest that Voyager offer a service."
Janeway's expression was skeptical, but attentive. "Do you have anything
particular in mind?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," Kirk nodded. "The people of this sector
are ardent consumers. They love nothing better than to buy material goods,
pleasurable experiences and luxurious homes. Shopping is a form of recreation
and entertainment for them."
He paused so that his proposal would have as much impact as possible.
The Voyager officers were looking at him expectantly. Seven of Nine, the
part-cyborg woman, was particularly attentive.
"What I propose is that Voyager take advantage of this interest in shopping
by organizing an electronic commerce system, using the ship's computers
and communication systems. The particular variation I have in mind would
allow shoppers to name their own price for space travel fares, hotels,
consumer durable goods such as aircars and shuttlecraft, and perhaps even
bank loans to purchase those luxurious houses."
The looks around the table were puzzled now. Kirk did his best to explain
his reasoning. "This particular form of commercial enterprise would not
require that we manufacture or buy any goods of our own. We'd merely serve
as a broker of other businesses' goods. This particular business concept
was wildly successful in old Earth in the early 21st century. I know because
I wrote a high school term paper on it," he added helpfully. "And as far
as I can tell, nothing like it exists in this sector yet. As the pioneer,
we'd have an opportunity for incredible success."
"It does appear to be a promising concept," Tuvok nodded. "It would
take a great deal of work, but the work is well within the skills of most
of the ship's crew."
"And it would be a great way to eliminate all the downtime," the part-Klingon
woman added crisply.
Janeway looked thoughtful. Kirk suspected that her mind was already
racing ahead of the others'. "Assuming we could put half the crews' time
into this venture, how long would it take us to generate enough revenue
to purchase the propulsion system?"
Kirk leaned back and favored her with his most charming smile. "Ah,
there's the beauty of the economic system we've stumbled into. We don't
have to make any money at all. In fact, we can afford to *lose* money
on it -- and we probably will."
He added, once the stunned silence told them they were listening carefully,
"We'll make money by selling shares in the company once it's begun to
generate the kind of public attention I think it will attract. Basically,
we'll be raising capital by selling a concept that investors will buy
into because they think it will be profitable in the future. In Old Earth,
this was called an Initial Public Offering."
Janeway's First Officer Chakotay spoke up for the first time. "You are
suggesting that the economy of this sector resembles that of Earth before
our planet united, and before the Great Securities Reforms of the mid-21st
century."
"Yes," Kirk nodded, pleased that someone else in the room had a rudimentary
knowledge of Earth's history.
Janeway's expression told Kirk she still didn't understand. "But how
can we use the money we raise by selling shares on propulsion technology
for the ship, and how can we go back to the Alpha Quadrant when we have
a business to run?"
"I know it doesn't sound particularly logical," Kirk agreed sympathetically.
"But let me explain why I think it can work." He settled back in his chair,
and proceeded to give the Voyager officers a briefing on insider trading,
secondary public offerings and leveraged buyouts.
*************
They worked quickly after that. Kirk was in charge of market intelligence,
developing the overall business plan, leading the management team, and
securing the necessary resources and expertise, soliciting it from the
nearby worlds for the jobs the crew couldn't do themselves.
Janeway still didn't like the project -- she hated the idea that the
proposed sale of securities in their incipient business was based on speculation
and not on the creation of productive value. She was happy to let Seven
of Nine take charge of the technical end of the business venture, now
dubbed "Pricewire," confiding in Kirk that she consider the part-cyborg
woman one of her most competent and intellectually brilliant officers.
Kirk was not about to disagree. He was beginning to find Seven deeply,
thrillingly exciting, in a way that her voluptuous body couldn't explain.
Her mind was as powerful and precise as a laser, and her body was equally
strong, as he'd discovered when they'd lifted some hefty pieces of equipment
together. With her extreme naivete about human cultures, she radiated
an innocent sensuality that he found incredibly appealing.
She reminded him of Spock -- Spock, in the body of an extremely desirable
woman.
As the team moved forward at lightening speed, and Kirk started to draft
their preliminary prospectus, he found himself spending more and more
time with Seven. He needed her expertise to explain the intricacy of the
Pricewire bidding system, analyze the data he was collecting from the
financial markets on the nearby worlds, and run the simulations they needed
to decide the timing, asset mix and pricing of the company's shares. He
began to rely more and more on her keen intelligence, her perceptions
uncluttered by human biases.
They were dining together regularly now, usually a late night supper
in the officers' mess after finishing the equivalent of two full shifts
of work. Kirk longed to know more about her, and wished he weren't constrained
by the need to avoid temporal contamination. More and more, he found himself
repeating, like a mantra, "A captain doesn't screw the crew" -- although
he was beginning to realize that the sexual liaisons on this ship were
far more elaborate and complex than those on his own ship and that the
participants seemed to have little respect for rank.
However, no such constraints applied to Seven's knowledge of him. One
evening over dinner she revealed that she had reviewed the material on
his life and career on the ship's computers. Although it was rather disconcerting
to realize that Seven knew all about the rest of his life but couldn't
share any of it with him, he found her interest flattering.
She set her fork down and looked at him with that direct, probing gaze
of hers how deeply probing, he wasn't entirely sure, because of that cyborg
implant in her eye, but it never failed to electrify him. "In my research
on your history, I discovered that you were a person of great sexual prowess."
Kirk dropped his own silverware with a clatter and swallowed quickly.
"*Were*?" was all he could think of to say.
Her bent her head in apology for the misstatement. "*Were* in your own
timeline, of course. I did not mean to suggest that you are not now."
Kirk experienced a sudden flush of desire. He willed it to subside and
waited until his body no longer raged before answered, in a voice he kept
carefully neutral and businesslike, "You are interested, I take it, in
sexuality?"
She considered this question for a few beats. "I am, as you say, 'interested'
in my Captain, Kathryn Janeway."
Kirk's libido deflated abruptly. "I see. I did not realize the two of
you had a, a ... relationship."
Seven shook her head. "We do not. I am attracted to her, and I sense
strongly that she is to me. However, because she is my commanding officer,
I believe she does not feel at liberty to 'make the first move,' as you
Humans might say."
Kirk wanted to say that he hadn't noticed anyone on Voyager who seemed
bound by such inhibitions, but asked instead, "Then why don't you take
the initiative?"
She sighed. "I fear my own inexperience," she said sadly.
Kirk was torn between offering to teach her himself or to advise her
more logically that her own pleasure was probably a pretty good guide
to Janeway's, when she raised her eyes to him and asked simply, "I would
be grateful if you could instruct me."
Suddenly, Kirk's uniform pants were much too tight for comfort. "Um,
I'd be only too happy to" -- the words sounded awkward to his ears.
He reminded himself that Seven considered him a person of great sexual
prowess. That meant the opinion at the table was unanimous. Still, he
wasn't quite sure what to do next.
While Kirk debated whether to ask her to his cabin or suggest a visit
to the observation deck first -- he wasn't sure how much foreplay a part-cyborg
woman would expect -- Seven stood, picked up her dishes and put an end
to Kirk's fantasies for the night.
"Thank you. I would be pleased if we could begin tomorrow at the ship's
dinner time. Mr. Neelix is preparing a special meal for the ship's crew,
and I would like you to accompany me as, I believe your term is, my dinner
date."
"Uh, yes, that would be nice." For the second time in five minutes,
the wind went out of Kirk's libido, and his straining cock subsided. "Though
I'd be just as happy to start now," he offered with a weak smile.
Seven raised an elegant eyebrow. "Ah, you are suggesting we 'cut to
the chase'? No, from my research, I have learned that Captain Janeway
appreciates certain ... romantic preliminaries and therefore, I would
like to begin my instruction with them. I will meet you in my cabin tomorrow
at 1900 hours."
Deflated, Kirk watched as she left the dining room.
****************
The next day, Kirk tried to set his anticipation aside as he interviewed
potential underwriting teams and investment-bank suitors who showed enthusiasm
for Pricewire, went over the Securities and Exchange requirements with
their legal counsel, and made preparations for the "road show" in which
he, Seven, Janeway and Tuvok would explain their business plan to potential
investors. But his most formidable discipline was barely enough to keep
him from drifting into fantasy about Seven -- her breasts, mouth, throat,
and what he imagined she would look like undressed. He wondered where
else on her body she might have implants, and how they would feel when
he caressed her.
Finally, it was time to go to dinner. As he rang the buzzer of Seven's
cabin door, he was irrationally grateful for the large number of Talaxian
feasts that Neelix felt duty bound to celebrate. But then, when Seven
answered in a low-cut dress that clung to her lush body even more tightly
than her uniform, he wanted to by-pass the dinner and go straight to bed.
Firmly, Seven led him out the door and steered him in the direction of
the dining room.
Kirk offered her his arm and showed her how to hold it, how to drape
herself around him and support herself by leaning against him, although
this wasn't easy because of the difference in their heights. All eyes
turned to them as they entered the dining room, and Janeway's eyes, in
particular, were suddenly enormous.
Kirk looked up at Seven and gave her his most brilliant smile. Seven
looked satisfied with the reaction they were getting. 'Nothing like a
little public flirtation,' he said to himself.
Neelix had arranged a sit-down dinner, and the two of them were seated
next to each other at a long table. Kirk turned to face Seven and took
her hand gently. He felt a deep frisson of desire when she curved her
strong fingers, with their cyborg tubules, around his own. Her eyes glowed
darkly, her full lips, too luscious to ignore, parted slightly as she
pressed the flesh of his palm. Disregarding the stares of the other diners,
Kirk leaned forward and touched her lips lightly with his own.
Kirk thought he heard Janeway gasp, but far more important to him was
the reaction of the woman beside him. She shivered and leaned toward him,
her lips swelling with desire. He kissed her again with open mouth and
parted her lips and teeth with his tongue.
He wasn't sure what he'd find there, but there were no implants, nothing
more or less than the lush, sweet mouth of a woman hungry for his touch.
He lost himself in it, explored it with his tongue and savored the taste
of her until she began, tentatively at first, to touch her own tongue
to his.
By God, she was strong. Even her tongue was firm and muscular. He couldn't
get enough of it. He put his arms around her shoulder and pulled her closer
so they could delve even more deeply into each other's mouths. Finally
they had to pull apart long enough to breathe.
The room was silent. Kirk guessed it was because Janeway was staring
at them, speechless. "We'd better not ignore Neelix's appetizer," he whispered
to Seven, and she nodded with a shaky smile. Her face was flushed and
her nipples were erect under her clinging dress. He could tell that she
was already very aroused.
Between the appetizer and the soup, they kissed again, and while waiting
for the entree, Kirk loosened the pins that held Seven's hair bun together
and let it fall over her shoulders. He gathered the lustrous golden tresses
in his hands and buried his face in her neck where the silky tendrils
covering it, luxuriating in the sweet fragrance. By the time dessert was
served, he was caressing her body.
He pressed his hands against her back, her arms, her waist, and stroked
and squeezed her sides until his hands were under her heavy breasts, pushing
discreetly but persistently against the softer flesh. He discovered that
she had an implant in her abdomen, beneath her breasts. He also discovered
that the feel of it excited him wildly. His cock was about to explode.
Someone had rung a bell to get the diners' attention. Neelix was about
to give a speech explaining the origins of the Talaxian feast they had
just consumed. Reluctantly, Kirk released Seven and politely turned to
face the speaker.
Seven turned, too, but she had not let go of Kirk. She caressed his
chest and side through his uniform. He returned the embrace with a chaster
hand around her waist.
Chaste, however, was not at all how he felt. As Neelix spoke about the
glories of the particular moment in Talaxian history that the feast was
intended to honor, Kirk stroked Seven's side gently, touching the underside
of her breasts and finally, allowing himself to cup the abundant flesh
with his fingers and then, the palm of his hand.
Gradually he moved his fingers until he was stroking the front of her
breast, brushing against the taut nipple that pressed against the tight
fabric of her dress. He let his fingertips rest there, then when he was
sure she welcomed what he was doing, he fingered the hard nubs, slowly.
She stiffened, arched her back and pressed her breast into his hand, wanting
more. He obliged by grasping her breast and rubbing her nipple with his
thumb.
Finally, Neelix finished his speech to the sound of mild applause. Kirk
disengaged his hand to clap politely and suddenly the applause swelled
and the dinners began to clap with more enthusiasm. The diners were all
looking at Kirk and Seven.
"Let's get out of here," Kirk whispered to Seven. "Unless you want to
make love in public."
"Does this mean you are ready to copulate?" Seven asked seriously?
"You're damned right I'm ready to copulate," Kirk muttered under his
breath. With a huge effort of will he forced his cock to subside long
enough to get up from the table without embarrassment.
Somehow they managed to leave the dining room without incident. Kirk
realized she was leading him toward her own quarters instead of his own.
That hadn't been his game plan, but he guessed it was as good a place
as any.
The moment they were inside her cabin, Kirk reached for her, wanting
to unfasten her dress, but she was ahead of him. Expertly for a woman
of her asserted inexperience, she stripped him of his dress uniform and
pulled his briefs down over his aching cock.
"Ah," she said, eying it with interest. "The human male reproductive
organ. It is an efficient design for its intended purpose, but these."
She meant to squeeze his balls gently, but the cyborg tubules pressed
harder than a merely human woman could have, and he shuddered in pleasure.
"Seem excessively vulnerable."
Kirk meant to chuckle in agreement, but the sound caught in his throat
as Seven dropped to her knees and began to tongue suck his cock with her
strong, muscular cyborg mouth. The desire to come then and there warred
with a dim sense of obligation that he'd promised to teach her how to
make love to a woman, and then suddenly she let go and rose to face him.
"The taste and texture is most intriguing. However, I wish to know.
Will we need ... contraception?" She looked uncertain. "The doctor has
explained the mechanics to me, but he cannot predict what result human
contraceptive products will have on me since my physiology and endocrine
system are somewhat different."
"Um, it's OK," Kirk reassured her. "My shots are up to date."
Relief filled her eyes. "Then let us proceed," she said confidently.
She led him to her bed, where the coverlet had been removed and the
sheets turned down. She sat down expectantly, her face luminous and gleaming
in the pale light from the porthole display, her body taut with desire.
Kirk sat next to her, then pulled her close and buried his face in her
ample breasts. She did not have any implants there, but she was firm and
hard, without the softness of a fully human woman. Her difference from
the women he was accustomed to as sexual partners aroused and excited
him. He tongued first one nipple, then the other, pressing harder and
harder with tongue, lips and finally, teeth as she moaned with increasing
pleasure. She pulled him back until she was lying on her back on the bed
and he was squeezing one nipple with his mouth, the other with his finger.
With his other hand, he reached between her legs and found her wet and
slippery with desire. The first time he touched her clitoris, she shuddered
so violently he thought she had come. But when his hand stilled she reached
down and pressed against it, gasping, "There! More! Please, do not stop!"
Kirk had no intention of stopping. He stroked her firmly, slowly, listening
appreciatively to the strangled sounds of pleasure deep in her throat.
Then, when he felt her begin to shudder again, he slid down the bed and
knelt in front of her, his face level with the edge of the bed where her
legs were spread.
She was moaning again, her desire so great that this time, she grasped
his head and brought him down until his mouth was inches from the small
taut organ that throbbed between her thighs. "There, there," she gasped,
her head thrashing back and forth on the bedspread.
He touched her gently with his tongue, then as she spasmed, he pressed
his tongue into the crevice and licked her in long, slow strokes, varying
the pressure experimentally as he learned how she responded. From the
sounds she was making, the quivering of her thighs and the way her body
shuddered, he could tell she was in ecstasy.
Finally, her entire body convulsed in a single powerful spasm shook
the bed. Kirk withdrew his tongue gently, rose from his knees and joined
her on the bed. He loved to give a woman pleasure, loved the sights and
sounds of appreciation from a well-fucked sexual partner. He leaned over
her to get a good look at her face.
Her face was dreamy and deeply satisfied. "I now know how to give my
Captain pleasure," she said. "I cannot wait until I can do this to her,
and she to me."
Kirk's head fell back on the bed with a thud. Seven turned over to see
what was wrong.
"Ah, I apologize," she said. "You require satisfaction too, of course."
Her lack of enthusiasm for him was certainly a letdown, but after hours
of fondling her body, hardly anything could deflate Kirk's lust entirely.
He reached for her arms, intending to lay her down on top of the bed so
that he could mount her, but she mounted him instead.
He would have preferred to be on top, but when she took his cock into
her hot wet opening, the pleasure was so intense that all thought left
his mind. She straddled him awkwardly at first, plainly seeking a rhythm
that allowed her to rub his cock with her clitoris. Whatever.
She panted in arousal and he tried to hold back his own orgasm until
she had had hers, but he didn't need to, she came so quickly after she'd
taken him inside her. Soon she was shuddering in another long, deep spasm,
and he was too, shooting his seed deep inside her.
After it was over, they snuggled together sleepily. "That was very pleasurable.
Thank you for giving me this experience. Perhaps Captain Janeway would
enjoy it if I procured a dildo..."
**************
Pricewire was doing a brisk business and was getting a tremendous amount
of attention from the local media. They had a firm commitment from a local
underwriting syndicate; they'd completed all the disclosures required
by the local securities regulators. They were far from turning a profit,
of course, but thanks to Kirk, the Voyager crew understood that this wasn't
necessary. The prospectus was finished, and it portrayed a glowing picture
of Pricewire's market future.
Kirk looked forward to the "road show" with mixed emotions. It was going
to be a grueling ten days of meetings with potential investors, selling
their company's stock to a critical, experienced audience. The response
would determine whether they could raise enough money for Voyager to go
home.
But there was Seven. Since their first night together, they had met
regularly for "instruction" in lovemaking. Seven still had not gathered
the courage to declare herself to Janeway. Janeway had decided not to
go on the road with them. Her asserted reason was she could not afford
to stay away from the ship that long, but Kirk was sure it was because
she was uncomfortable with the knowledge that he and Seven were sexual
partners. Kirk was glad he'd get to spend his nights with Seven, but a
part of him was unhappy being the cause of division between two women
who obviously loved each other.
So perhaps it was because they both knew their liaison had to end soon,
but on the "road show," they caught fire. Their lovemaking was strong,
focused, incandescent. He'd rarely had such an enthusiastic partner as
Seven, which surprised him since he knew her heart belonged to another
woman.
"Why me?" he asked Seven curiously, as they snuggled together, sated.
"Why, when Kathryn Janeway is the person you really want?"
"You are much like her," Seven murmured drowsily, but with her usual
clarity of thought. "She is an excellent ship's commander, as I sense
you are too. I believe that you are like her in many ways. She cares deeply
for her crew and holds herself responsible for whatever happens to us.
She is strong and decisive as a leader. You are all those things, too."
"I'm flattered, Seven," Kirk replied, "but surely you must recognize
that I'm different from your captain in certain essential ways."
To drive his point home, he pressed his body against her. His cock touched
her abdominal implant and almost automatically began to grow hard again.
He thrust against her, thinking to himself, *Captain Janeway can't give
you this.*
Seven stroked his sides and chest gently. "Yes, I agree that you are
different from Captain Janeway. She is a scientist. You are not."
"Oh," Kirk muttered, his cock subsiding.
"Also," Seven added, gathering his flesh in her hands and squeezing,
"Your body is softer than hers. She is slim and hard where you are somewhat
more well-padded, to use the Human statement."
Kirk rolled on his back, not sure that this conversation had been such
a good idea.
*************
The road show was a huge success. Conditions were perfect for an initial
public offering. The market for IPOs was heating up to an historic high,
and Pricewire's unique service was generating enormous publicity. The
Voyager team and the underwriters agreed on an offering price that would
generate a hefty pile of credits.
Their plan from here on out was simple. In the initial offering, 30%
of Pricewire's shares would be traded. The Voyager officers who served
as corporate directors of Pricewire would continue to hold the other 70%.
Intially, the shares would be offered at 50% below market value. In the
intense trading on the first day of the offering, the value of the shares
would jump by 50% or even more. The Voyager officers would then sell their
shares in the secondary market, generating even more credits all of which
would belong to Voyager.
Next, the leveraged buyout Kirk had engineered would go into play. A
group of investors had already obtained financing to purchase the entire
Pricewire business, using Pricewire's assets as security. The Voyager
team led by Seven had arranged with the investors to transfer all the
files, software, data and protocols developed by Pricewire to a facility
on a neighboring world. Voyager would depart with $16 million credits,
and Pricewire's continued success would be the responsibility of the new
owners.
Of course, in a highly volatile market, anything can happen. So it was
with great relief to Kirk when it all came off as planned.
Everyone was happy. The investors who bought Pricewire shares in the
initial public offering were happy because they bought the shares at half
price. Many of them flipped them over the next day in the aftermarket
and came away with a tidy 100% profit. Others held onto them, convinced
that Pricewire's value would continue to grow. They were happy, too.
The underwriters and the brokers were happy because they got a tidy
commission. The venture capitalists who provided the mezzanine funding
for the project were happy because they got an even biggest commission.
The soon-to-be new owners of Pricewire were happy because they were about
to buy a valuable commodity.
The Voyager crew were happy because they could now look forward to going
home. And perhaps happiest of all was James T. Kirk, who was soon going
to be *be* home.
The night after the IPO, with Pricewire stock still the subject of a
feverish crescendo of buying, the Voyager crew took the future owners
to Sandrine's to celebrate. Kirk agreed to pose for advertisements for
Pricewire. He felt silly doing it, especially since it involved dressing
up in black and draping himself over a piano, but he supposed the whole
venture had been a little silly, for that matter. Still, it was for a
good cause.
Just before he went back through the anomaly, he said goodbye to Seven.
Although she had never had much of a commitment to him beyond the wonderful
sex they'd had together, he'd grown genuinely fond of her, and he knew
he would miss her. He was surprised and gratified to see the emotion on
her face when she came to the anomaly to bid him farewell.
He kissed her gently. "Seven, good luck with your Captain. I hope you
have the courage to tell her what you feel."
She touched his face with her tubules, in a gesture he'd come to take
great pleasure in. "The same to you, Captain. I also with you well with
Sp... with your future mate." She cut herself off so abruptly she almost
bit her tongue.
"What future mate?" he asked, puzzled.
She shook her head and shushed him with a hand to his lips. "You know
I cannot tell you what is in your future," she said firmly. "I have already
said more than I should have."
He looked her up and down, committing her face and mind and body to
memory before he left. Her hard, strong, body. Her deep honest sensuality.
Her brilliant mind. Her objectivity and logic.
He remembered his first impression of her and suddenly, her words made
sense. And here, standing on the bridge of Voyager, he understood what
awaited him when he went home. His future mate, someone with a brilliant,
logical mind and a hard strong body. And perhaps a deep sensuality that
it would be his privilege to uncover.
Kirk was grinning from ear to ear as he stepped through the anomaly
and back onto the bridge of his own ship.
-- the end - -
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