Murdered for Extra Seconds of Erection

By Sylvester Abanteriba

An animal that had been killed appears before the creator, seething with a sense of injustice and rage; the creator has the power to grant the animal a return to the cycle of life in a form of its choice. Humans had killed it so that an insignificant part of its anatomy could be used as an aphrodisiac, and now it wants revenge.

The animal asks to be returned to earth in the form of a virus with the extraordinary power to humiliate men. The creator agrees, but only on the condition that the agreement should be transcribed into the genetic code of the virusthus giving humanity a fighting chance. As the virus engulfs the world and wreaks havoc on humanity, scientists must work to determine the source of the calamity and protect people from its effects. The world teeters on the brink of war, and only the efforts of researchers stand between humankind and its complete destruction.

In this fiction novel, a destructive virus threatens the world, and only a heroic team of scientists can save humanity from itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Feb 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781482864328

Sylvester Abanteriba

Sylvester Abanteriba was born in Ghana, was educated in Europe, and is now a professor of propulsion systems at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Though a rocket scientist, his love for poetry and the literary arts has led to his evolution as an author of fiction. He is also the author of the science fiction novel Poetic Retribution from Mars.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The Magnificent Luxus Maximus

Even by the standards of the region, it was an exceptionally beautiful day. There was not a hint of a cloud anywhere in the huge expanse of the clear-blue sky. It extended on all sides of the imposing structure, which was immersed in the relatively serene blue water, until in the far distance, it appeared to drop, gently, right into it.

The creators of the structure managed to combine an exquisite taste in art with state-of-the-art technology. Departing from any sense of modesty, and justifiably so, they named her the Luxus Maximus. Many of her affluent admirers chose to add Magnificent before her name, to magnify the already attention-catching label, hence the Magnificent Luxus Maximus.

She was the most beautiful, technologically advanced, and expensive cruise ship of the day, with a price tag of $2.5 billion. She was built to provide the ultimate luxury accommodation on the high seas and equipped with sufficient power to quickly chase the best weather conditions anywhere on the planet. The minimum cost of a cruise was fifty thousand dollars per month, and not just any kind of dollars but American. The ship’s owners maintained the rate justified the luxury offered, but sceptics believed it was instituted to ensure the wannabe rich were kept at bay.

The Magnificent Luxus Maximus was like a little city with about eight thousand employees and ten thousand patrons at any given time. Both passengers and crew constituted a microcosm of the United Nations, for the crew and patrons were from 175 and 60 nations, respectively. But in the case of the honourable guests of the ship, it was a United Nations without the poor cousins.

The size of the ship was imposing. The maximum beam extended 405 metres, while the length reached just short of one kilometre. The height was an impressive two hundred metres. It was structured with twenty-eight decks above the waterline and four below it. The gross tonnage of this massive structure, thanks to the super-lightweight but immensely strong carbon fibre used in the construction, was kept at 450,000. The hull was coated with a millimetre-thick layer of a material that was a heavily guarded secret. This thin coating succeeded in reducing friction with the water by 15 per cent as the ship was propelled through the oceans, thus adding significantly to the fuel efficiency of the massive structure. A combination of cogeneration gas turbines and highly efficient diesel engines provided 471 megawatts of power to serve the energy needs of the ocean liner. For its propulsion, the Magnificent Luxus Maximus required a total of 150 megawatts, delivered by six Azipods, all driving seven mighty propellers. This propulsive power was designed to provide the Luxus Maximus a cruise speed of forty knots and a maximum speed of seventy-five knots.

The living areas of the ship were configured so as to ensure absolute luxury for all its patrons, while at the same time accommodating the eccentric needs of the few. But hyper luxury was available to those who had an insatiable appetite for all that was opulent. There were under- and above-water living facilities. Some of the patrons were keen to come face-to-face with the creatures of the deep when they drew the curtains from their floor-to-ceiling glass windows. These patrons naturally chose the underwater dwellings. But they did not miss anything from the goings-on above the waterline.

The ship was accompanied by a large number of drones equipped with cameras, which streamed images to large screens in all the suites of what was above and on the ocean’s surface, within a radius of a hundred kilometres. For those interested in what lay beneath the surface, there were ten mini-submarines waiting in the parking bay of the ship to take for occasional excursions to the ocean floor.

Above and below the waterline, the accommodations consisted of suites of varying levels of luxury. At the top of the scale were the Luxus Maximus Home Suites, just marked LMH Suites. Each of these spacious quarters occupied over eight hundred square metres of living space, with high ceilings and large windows and balconies offering the occupants nearly 360 degree views. A few steps below in luxury were the Emperor, the Royal, the Presidential, and the Grand suites. The least luxurious accommodations on board were still more opulent than the most luxurious five-star hotel accommodations back on land. These were the Luxus Maximus Basic Suites, simply denoted as LMB Suites.

Characteristic features of the bathrooms across the different types of suites included gold-plated taps, huge Jacuzzis with soft headrests, and TV screens above but close enough for even the short-sighted to enjoy the views without glasses. Taking a shower was designed to be a pleasurable experience. The scented water streamed gently onto the body from gold-plated rain showerheads. The floors of the toilets and the bathrooms were encrusted with exquisite Italian marble, making the contrast vivid as the occupants moved into other parts of the suites, where the floors were covered with beautifully worked redwood. The walls of the suites were covered with objets d’art and a multitude of cherished personal belongings of the occupants in an attempt to convince them the Luxus Maximus not only provided absolute luxury but allowed them to include in their living space the best of their homes.

There were enough sources of entertainment that made stepping outside those cocoons of luxury unnecessary; however, the facilities outside the suites were extraordinary.

The cruise ship was designed to provide absolute luxury while catering in equal measure to the eccentric and idiosyncratic demands, which were numerous, of some of its fastidious patrons. Artisans, technicians, and scientists were invited to bring their expertise to bear, to ensure harmonisation of the various contradictory requirements. Apart from the numerous areas for leisure nestled away on each deck of the ship, the layout was divided into six recreation zones. There were parks, promenades, a spa and fitness centre, and entertainment areas. Added to these were outdoor sporting facilities and a winter area called Innsbruck Avenue.

The outdoor sporting facilities were impressive and included a lot of freshwater features and themes. Each deck had indoor and outdoor swimming pools, but there were large swimming pools on decks 10, 11, and 12. Typical activities included water polo, synchronised swimming, and individual activities such as diving from high altitude for the more adventurous patrons. Water cascaded gently down the slopes of beautifully created mountains into the swimming pools.

The spa facilities, saunas, and massage parlours, which were incorporated into the same building as the fitness centre on deck 9, were designed to provide the patrons with absolute tuning of the body. Patrons exited those facilities refreshed and set for the evening’s activities. But for those who did not want to return to their suites refreshed and relaxed, a gratifying solution presented itself. In the vicinity of the swimming pools were several bars where they could get stoned before returning to their living quarters, often in the companionship of the ship’s guards.

Deck 13 was devoted to golf, which was very popular with the elderly passengers. Right above the golf course on deck 14 was an arena polo court. The game of kings was a popular sport that attracted many onlookers, who came to admire not just the craftsmanship of the three players on each team but also the beautiful Arabian horses that carried them so gracefully.

Activities such as basketball and tennis were confined to courts on deck 15, where the younger patrons tended to spend their leisure time. Deck 16 was a delight to the eye. Expert horticulturists had converted it into a beautiful tropical rainforest, containing 150 types of trees, among the leaves of which hummed many birds of varied plumage. Beside this were well-manicured gardens full of colourful flowers of enticing scents. The lovely English gardens attracted the female passengers, especially those who had selected the cruise as the place to indulge in affairs of the heart.

As the cruise ship moved around the world, the negative effects of the changing climes were kept at bay. When the need arose, the whole tropical forest and gardens were turned into greenhouses, thus maintaining the conditions most suitable for to them to thrive.

Incongruously, next to the tropical forest and the gardens, but separated by a thick wall of electronic but gentle-on-the-eye artworks, was Innsbruck Avenue. This was a huge, enclosed-dome structure that was cooled to below 10 degrees Celsius all year round. The inside was landscaped into a hilly, snow-covered resort, and it was a delight for lovers of skiing and skating.

Entertainment was the core business of the cruise ship. The facilities for this were naturally in the top echelons of the service provided. Decks, 17, 18, and 19 were dedicated completely to entertainment. Decks 17 and 18 each had a theatre seating three thousand people. These were used for music concerts, ballet dancing, and screening the latest 3D Hollywood blockbusters. Deck 19 was devoted to music lounges. The most popular were jazz, blues, and rock. Each of these lounges had a seat capacity of five hundred. Classical music, which was very popular with the patrons, was performed in one of the larger theatres. Dance classes were very popular; classes for Latin dances, such as salsa and tango, and the classical dances were packed. Some of the passengers practised their moves actively during the day, and by night they would, without any sense of modesty, declare themselves experts and dance the night away with gusto.

Deck 20 was converted into a beautiful boulevard. This was where the most exclusive fashion houses purchased premium space at unheard-of prices to display their wares at equally unheard-of prices to the people of unheard-of (or supposedly unheard-of) wealth.

Deck 32, the last deck, was reserved as a place of solitude. It was the place that presented the passengers an unrestricted view of the surroundings. But its main feature was the absolute silence that prevailed. It was quiet, almost soundproof; it was a place of reflection and prayer. All the edifices of the major religions were present; there were Christian chapels, a grand mosque, and a synagogue; Buddhist, Sikh, and Hindu temples; and several yoga centres. The owners of the Magnificent Luxus Maximus felt it was right, fitting, and proper to dedicate the highest point on the ship to religious reflection. It probably brought a sense of the worshipped being closer to the worshippers, a sentiment met with disdain from the atheists, who insisted on having their meditation centres on this deck. They called them Humanity Reflection Centres. But those who believed they walked in the path of righteousness and godliness felt it was wrong to place iniquity in the vicinity of divinity. For the atheist, it was important for each man to sit down with himself, just to rap with his innerself, not with God or some higher being. They were convinced, they were the greatest that emerged from the mistake that brought the universe into existence.

Although the Luxus Maximus boasted of excellent restaurants on fifteen decks under the stewardship of famous chefs, plus impeccable in-room service, private entrepreneurs confident of their own culinary artistry leased premium space on decks 22 and 23 (at premium prices) to create restaurants in their own culinary image. Paying premium prices to set up business on board was driven by the belief that money begot money, and the self-serving principle that from them that have, more can and should be taken away from them by whatever subterfuge that could be employed gracefully. Strange dishes were created, some of which if left to the palate of an innocent child to pass judgement on, would be declared unfit for consumption by either man or any beast that was his friend. But those chef’s specialities with strange names were devoured voraciously by connoisseurs (or the pretenders to that title). The more bizarre and expensive the dish, the more it was savoured by the people who had everything and knew everything about what was good.

Deck 4 housed the mini-submarines, and the toys of some of the patrons, who behaved like children who would not go to bed without their favourite playthings. Many brought along their favourite cars. Deck 4, therefore, became the parking bay of luxury cars such as Lamborghinis, Bugattis, Ferraris, and Rolls-Royces. Anytime the cruise ship docked at any of the ports on the itinerary, the owners would gleefully disembark to cruise around the city in their expensive toys.

Deck 3 was the most opulent place on the ship. In accordance with the German saying that alle gute Dinge sind drei (all good things come in threes), the biggest and most luxurious casino on the high seas assumed residence on this deck. Here, money was treated with utter contempt; bets in the hundreds of thousands of dollars were placed. Incredibly, there seemed to be a lot of goodwill and happiness, and jubilant losers abounded; for even those who lost millions, the smiles on their faces remained unsuppressed.

In all, leisure activities or indulgence that were deemed expensive and considered to confer the sense of status were in abundance onboard. Technologically, the creators of the ship combined the advances in relevant multidisciplinary areas to produce an almost futuristic cruise ship. The patrons appeared to be drawn from a common background, as far as wealth was concerned. They all seemed to be super rich. However, their reasons for availing themselves of such an absolute luxury were as disparate as the nations whence they came. Some were there because through sheer luck, they got into business that satisfied the ever-changing taste of the ever frivolous credo of good life of the populace, and they became rich too quickly to know what to do with the wealth thus acquired. And there were those who got onboard to reflect; reflect on the fact that they had spent the greater part of their lives wheeling and dealing; cheating and bullying in business to amass great wealth. And now suddenly in the autumn of their lives, they realised, in the larger sense, for the passage of one creature on this planet all that did not matter at all. They might as well have been playing Monopoly all this time. The wealth so diligently (and in many cases unscrupulously) acquired would pass on to some unappreciative offspring, who would only remember and begrudge them the time they had not spent with them. The feeling that the evil that men do, lives after them and that the good is oft interred with their bones had brought this category of luxury-seekers to the Luxus Maximus. Then there were the venture capital-seekers, who believed that money surely begot money and that by investing everything they had or borrowed in the mother of all cruises and pretending to be utterly wealthy, they might entice and entrap purveyors of real wealth.

Robert Davidson, who made his wealth as a computer software developer, was a self-taught, self-made, rich, and a relatively young man. He had taken the cruise because he hoped to encounter some venture capitalists who would want to partner with him (or at least deprive him of some of his hard-earned wealth). It was not that Davidson was keen to splurge his wealth, but the right venture capitalist would provide what he wanted: several months of absolute self-indulgence and debauchery on a grand scale. As a gay man who had recently exited the closet, Davidson was aware there would be plenty of beautiful young men on the cruise ship, looking for a wealthy benefactor. He was here to meet such young people and have a rocky time, as those old rich bejewelled ladies who were flaunting their wealth to attract equally opportunistic heterosexual young men on board. Davidson had come to terms with himself. He had pretended for many years to be what he never was. He got married relatively early in his life, in spite of feeling that it was the most disgusting thing to do. He had managed to sire a beautiful daughter and a son, who was a spitting image of himself. But none of this could prevent him from feeling the urge to be who he really was. The most difficult thing was revealing his true self to Emily, his beautiful wife. When he did muster enough courage to have the overdue, long-avoided talk with her, he was overwhelmingly and pleasantly surprised. She said she always knew there was something mighty wrong. His overwhelming tenderness, almost verging on timidity, and although he always managed to discharge into her, his manhood never really got hard during their lovemaking. His unusual tenderness had reinforced her fears, in fact, her worst fears.

As much as she loved him, she believed he had to be who he was. She was quite brave about it, in fact, braver than he was. She made it plain that their friends who would not accept him as he was, were no friends, and any family members who felt ashamed of him were no family either. It was up to him, she said, to decide whether he would come out of the closet or not. She was proud of him and would always love him. The most difficult thing was explaining things to the children, who were eight and ten; hence they decided to postpone that unpleasant discourse.

Davidson was profoundly grateful for the humanity and wisdom displayed by his much younger wife and showed his gratitude by being very generous to the gardener, to whom Emily had taken a particular liking. He was probably the best paid gardener in the United States, with an annual salary of a hundred thousand dollars, plus occasional accommodation in the sprawling mansion. Recapturing his wife’s picture in his mind, Davidson felt Jon Coleman, for that was the gardener’s name, should have rather been paying him the salary bequeathed upon him. However, life was a compromise; nobody ever had everything their way. Emily deserved happiness, sexual satisfaction, and somebody who could become truly hard inside her. Coleman no doubt did.

Davidson knew he never really got hard inside Emily, but it never dawned on him she would notice it. His mind was never in the whole business; of course, his concentration was always devoted to squeezing the juice into her by hook or crook. It had always been a chore.

Contrary to this fact, something was happening to him right now, which should not be happening. He was reclining on a comfortable couch a few metres away from the huge swimming pool, in which the blue water churned with the effervescence of expensive champagne. He had each day, around this time, savoured a glass of champagne in the same position in the same surroundings: a lot of women, as well as men from the young to the old, who were trying to get their already tanned bodies even more tanned. Across on the other side of the swimming pool, the big-boned blonde young woman was lying on her back, as always, with her bare breasts projected like missiles in their silos. As always, a small towel was thrown across her loins. leaving part of her buttocks provocatively exposed. One long leg, the left one, was stretched its full length on the marble floor, and her right foot was planted firmly on the floor, raising her knee high and accentuating the distance between her legs. This contrived display of sensuality was not lost on him; he had seen it all before, and it had never been a big deal.

But today, the scene was having a strange effect on him. Looking at the blonde woman in her provocative pose was making his manhood become increasingly gorged with blood. It was becoming bigger and bigger, and hotter at the same time. He was becoming increasingly aroused and attracted to her, and he had an irresistible urge to run over to her, grab her breast, and thrust his now well-bloated penis into her with gusto. He tried to resist the horny feeling that had strangely descended upon him. Most likely, those breasts were not real. Just a chest stuffed with silicon, he thought. Whatever it was he should not be feeling the way he felt.

I am a gay man. I should not be feeling like this, he said, his voice louder than he intended.

The man lying on the next couch looked at him with an eyebrow raised, while pressing his hand hard into his swimming trunks. He must return to his suite; otherwise, he would do something stupid.

I’ve got to go. I’ve got to go, he said, as if trying to convince himself to depart for his suite.

He stood up, and the blonde woman who was the source of his discomfort shot up into a sitting position, and pointing at him and bursting into a rich, sonorous laugh. He looked at her and then at the region of his body at which she and some women around the pool were staring.

His swimming trunks had become distended by his erect penis. He turned to run and then was struck dumb. Several men who were on the couches behind him had stood up; their swimming trunks were distended, to varying degrees, conjuring pearls of laughter from the women present. His embarrassment subsided a wee bit. He looked at their faces; their eyes had a distant, glassy, and yet determined look about them. They started, at first hesitantly, then determinedly, to move towards the women reclining only a few metres away. With Herculean effort, Davidson turned and dashed towards his suite. The women looked at the approaching men, and their determined approach caused the laughter to reduce in intensity and finally end in a whimper. They got up and started to gather together, and then they moved slowly backwards, now visibly frightened.

Stop it! Help! one of them screamed.

Two men from the ship’s watchtower rushed out towards them. As they got closer, the women realised that their impeccably white trousers were distended like the trunks of the rest of the men around the pool.

Oh my God, we are all alone! None of the men will help us!

A large-busted brunette, who was trying to rally the group for a fight back, screamed at the top of her voice. Two of the women jumped into the swimming pool. The men continued moving steadily forward, as if in a trance, with their erect organs pointing at the women like mini spears.

Help! Help! the women screamed in unison; one after the other, they started to jump into the swimming pool.

Bastards, get back before I blast you all off! came a great shout, and the women looked in the direction of the war cry to find the hulk of a woman storming towards them.

From the distance, they could not make out whether her long, abundant hair was grey or blonde. She was carrying what appeared to be a large manual bicycle tyre inflator with an enlarged plenum in its mid-section. The men continued moving steadily towards the swimming pool, unperturbed by the intrusion. The woman armed with the inflator rushed to position herself between the women in the swimming pool and the approaching onslaught.

She shouted, Stop, I warn you! Stop, don’t come any farther!

The men continued towards her, unperturbed. She raised the pump and squirted a large volume of reddish vapour at them. A red cloud formed into a vortex of rings at the end of the pump and propagated in rapid succession towards the men. As they moved farther and farther away from their source, they grew larger and larger in diameter. As the initial force that propelled them towards the men began to weaken with distance, the rings became momentarily stationary and then began to move back, towards the pump. The spray being pumped out was a very potent capsicum. But unfortunately, the prevailing wind was blowing in her direction, and her weapon of some destruction got into her own eyes, and she started to cough and sneeze violently.

Come out of the pool and get behind me, she shouted to the women, who started scrambling out of the water. Quick, follow me, she said, leading the frightened women into a position where the wind carried the spray effectively to the horny horde approaching them. She led out a rapid burst of the spray. The men began to cough and stagger. Let’s go. Move it! she shouted, moving backwards along the trail leading to the suites.

The men now appeared disoriented and were coughing and bumping into each other.

At the entrance of the corridor leading to luxury suites, the woman said again, Follow me. She was now hurtling desperately along the hallway, followed by the women, who appeared to look backwards more often than forwards. Finally, after what seemed like forever, they reached the end of the corridor. The blonde stopped and started fumbling for her keys. They looked back and saw the men hurtling towards them, filling the passageway. Finally, she brought out the keys. It was quite a bunch of them. She tried one; her hand trembled uncontrollably. It did not fit.

Fuck, she cursed.

She then tried the keys in a rapid succession, but the correct one seemed to be hiding somewhere. The thundering feet of the men running down the corridor shook the floor, and the women shared looks of apprehension. The almost inaudible click made when the correct key was placed in the lock was like music to the women’s ears.

The door burst opened, and they piled on top of each other onto the floor of the room. Their saviour was up in a flash and bolted the door shut. The shaking of the floor came to an abrupt end. The woman peered through the keyhole. The men were standing outside the suite, looking rather sheepish; in fact, they seemed very embarrassed. She looked towards their groins; their erections seemed to have suddenly gone limp; the varying degrees of distension in their shorts had disappeared. As she watched them through the keyhole, they began to retrace their footsteps towards the deck of the ship.

Strange, very strange, the woman murmured, her brow furrowed in thought as she moved away from the door. She turned to find all the anxious faces turned on her. They are gone; the danger is over, for the moment at least, she said with as much reassurance in her voice as she could muster; she hoped her uncertainty was not visible in her visage.

Suddenly, there was some muffled but distinct sound from somewhere in the suite. The women jumped, alarmed, and instinctively started to huddle together. The occupant of the suite laughed and said, That one’s unfinished business. It’s good old Werner.

She walked to the far end of the room, closely followed by the women she had saved, and opened a room full of toiletries and a huge Jacuzzi. On the floor was a large middle-aged man, wearing nothing but his underpants. Both his hands and legs were deftly tied with bathrobe belts.

By the way, ladies, my name is Heidi, the rescuer said, and that down there is my old friend Werner.

Werner spoke to Heidi in a language that the rest of the crowd did not understand, but they were sure it was some kind of a plea. They looked at Heidi and back to the hapless man on the floor. His chest was covered with a mat of thick black hair, with had enough grey sprinkled through it to prevent him from claiming the heavy crow’s feet around his eyes were premature. Before the women could start sympathising with his situation, his underpants became suddenly distended, and they jumped back in alarm.

Let’s get him out of here, Heidi shouted, grabbing him by the arms.

The women pulled Werner out of the bathroom, led him across the living quarters, and pushed him through the door into the corridor.

Wait, shouted Heidi before the frightened women could close the door. She untied Werner’s legs and arms, threw his clothes over him, and quickly closed the door.

Heidi looked around at the other women. They seemed to be expecting answers from her. She didn’t have any, except in the case of Werner.

Werner is, or was, an old friend of mine. He’s been the perfect gentleman until today. He came to my suite for a late breakfast this morning; we had tea and scones. Then without a warning, it happened. He began getting jittery. At first, I couldn’t understand what was going on. Suddenly, he got up and started tearing off his clothes. Before I could ask if he was sick, I noticed his penis was pushing his underpants to the breaking point. I was surprised, shocked, but was not allowed to remain in that state for long. He ran towards me in an ominous, dazed fashion. I rushed to the bathroom, but before I could shut the door, he crashed in. It was then I had to take some extraordinary measures, which is why he’s in the state you found him, concluded Heidi.

What is actually happening? By the way I’m Claire, from Los Angeles, said a small, well-packed young brunette. Having got everybody’s attention now, she continued, Strange things are happening. I have been on this cruise ship for the past five weeks, and the men have always been gentlemen. What the hell is happening now?

I’m Betty from New York; I think we are obviously in danger. Let’s call 911 before something terrible happens, Betty said, looking anxiously at the faces of her colleagues.

Elizabeth Dawkins from London; 911 will be of no help. Remember, we are only a few kilometres from the Barrier Reef, just off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Triple zero is the number to call, Elizabeth said with a tone of condescension.

Jane McCook from Chicago; before we make any call, let’s examine the situation first. Why have the men suddenly become perverts and sex maniacs? Is something on the ship causing this abnormal behaviour? Have all the menfolk on and off the cruise ship become sex maniacs? Jane asked, looking from one colleague to the other.

Jane is right. Let’s get our heads together first, said Betty.

Unfortunately, we have no time to get well acquainted with the situation; those horny hordes may come back to break down the door. We have to make that call first, Heidi said; the desperation in her voice was unmistakable.

She is right, Elizabeth said. Let’s make that emergency call, fast. We cannot trust any of the men on board.

Heidi took the gold-plated phone receiver and punched the three zeros almost furiously into it. Hallo, Hallo, triple zero? she screamed. "This is Heidi Ib from the cruise liner Luxus Maximus. We are located two kilometres south of the Barrier Reef, and I have you on speakerphone so the rest of my colleagues can participate in this conversation."

Okay, we know the cruise liner is in that vicinity; how can we help? came a very high-pitched voice over the phone’s miniature speaker.

The women on the ship are being attacked by hordes of men, Heidi said, hoping the desperation in her voice was evident on the other side.

You mean you are being attacked by pirates? the voice asked.

No, no! The male passengers, for some unexplained reason, have gone berserk and are attacking the women! Heidi screamed into the phone.

There was silence at the other end.

Where are you now; and where are the men who are attacking you? the voice asked. And where is the ship’s security?

The man sounded somewhat sceptical.

A group of us have locked ourselves inside one of the suites; the security, which is composed of men, cannot be trusted. Please, we need help. We are afraid they may break down the door; we are in urgent need of help, Heidi pleaded.

Okay, remain behind the locked door; help is on the way, the voice on the other end said, still with a certain level of incredulity in it.

Heidi looked at her colleagues with definite relief on her face. She noticed one young woman was staring keenly at her.

Aren’t you are Heidi Ib, of the Vikings basketball team? I remember you now; Danielle McLennan of the Koala basketball team of Australia. Your team massacred us in Sydney in November 2002, concluded an athletic-looking young woman with a nose that seemed to need a nose job to keep it straight.

Oh yes, let’s complete the introduction, Heidi said. "I am Heidi Ib, from Denmark, and I am on the Luxus Maximus for a six-month holiday. I caught the liner in Singapore about three weeks ago. Heidi then turned to Danielle and said, Yes, yes, I remember you, and I remember that match; it was a tough one. The heat was almost unbearable for us. Defeating you was an act of vengeance for the extreme heat we were subjected to." She laughed.

I heard you eventually became the coach of the Vikings, Danielle said. Then I read a story where you had a good fortune and stopped being a coach. You made some invention that took off?"

Yes, my invention; it was the same device that saved you from those horny maniacs outside there on the deck. I have been a tinkerer all my life. When I heard that the police back home were having problems with crowd control, I decided to come to their aid and make a few bucks in the bargain. Hence, I invented the Mega enforcer. It has become the crowd control device of choice for law enforcement agencies around the globe. I receive a healthy dividend from it, so I can afford this type of cruise. Since this is also a business voyage, I am able to unload a substantial part of the cost on the taxman. I am here to demonstrate the efficacy of this invention to potential investors, the inventor-cum-businesswoman concluded, with a mischievous glint in her eye.

A brunette stood up and said, I am Birgit Hoffmann, from Frankfurt; gosh, there are about twenty-five of us, from a variety of nations; we have quite a gathering of the nations Birgit began counting the occupants of the suite.

Well, let’s hope we won’t need many translators; I am Olga Paschenko from Kiev, said a stunningly beautiful, athletic-looking blonde.

Pleased to meet you, Olga, let’s get to know … oh, what’s that? Heidi asked, her face lighting up.

I can hear the sound of a helicopter in the distance, Elizabeth said.

The response was quick, said Olga.

Olga had no way of knowing, but that quick response had generated some level of controversy in Brisbane. When the request for help was relayed to the emergency police unit, it was treated with scepticism and disdain.

Those rich bitches must be drunk on expensive champagne this early and are fooling around, one young officer had said with contempt in his voice.

I saw a programme on TV last night about that cruise liner. It is very expensive; the cost of a couple of months on that ship is more than the value of my parents’ house, said another young officer.

You know what that means? asked a tall, good-looking man as he came into the room. The two junior police officers shook their heads in unison. It means there are powerful, wealthy people, with powerful connections and clever, fortune-hunting lawyers, on that ship. They could make things unpleasant for us if we don’t move our backsides and respond immediately. Call the choppers. In fact, send five helicopters loaded with men in serious war gear to demonstrate that we take the call seriously. Let’s move it!

I can hear the drone of the helicopters more clearly now. They are almost here! Two of you should come with me; let’s see what is going to happen, said Heidi.

No, we are all coming with you, Danielle said firmly. If anything happens this time, we should stand and fight; you lead us with the enforcer.,

Very well, Heidi said, pouring more of the deadly fluid into the plenum of the enforcer. They slowly stepped out into the corridor.

Sssh, Heidi said, putting her index finger on her lips. As they were approaching the exit to the deck, she raised her right hand, and they all froze in their tracks.

Look over there, she said, and her colleagues gasped.

They watched in horror as two tall women with long hair flowing in the sea breeze walked towards the horde of menacing men.

Are they crazy, stupid, or both? came a voice from behind Heidi.

Those are the two transvestites who performed in the rock lounge on the seventeenth deck last night! Heidi said.

What the heck are they doing? Elizabeth asked, pushing herself to the front.

The men were moving rapidly towards the two transvestites; they picked up their pace and were almost running towards them. But the men appeared to be looking past them, at Heidi and her colleagues. The leading transvestite, who had dark silky hair, seized the first man and pulled down his distended trunks, exposing a massively swollen penis. She threw him down on his back and raised her bathrobe, exposing her bare buttocks; she was not wearing panties. She sat directly onto the man’s erect organ, giving out a wild yelp of ecstasy; the man beneath her responded with a satisfied growl. The second transvestite hurriedly relieved another horny man of his pants, threw him down, sat on his erect organ, and gave a wild roar of satisfaction that drowned out the cry of joy from the man under her. Heidi and her colleagues looked at each other, perplexed.

And what is this now? Danielle asked, shocked.

The rest of the men had pulled down their trunks and started to masturbate.

Oh my God, oh my God, what the fuck is this? Jane McCook screamed, turning her back on the scene before them.

McCook had been sent on this cruise by her organisation, Christian World, to convert the people to Christianity (and perhaps get them to donate generously or add her organisation to their wills). She knew the task of selling the concept of rewarding peaceful existence, hereafter, without intrigue to this category of people would be arduous. As the Lord wisely observed, it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for them to avail themselves of the benefits of everlasting life in heaven. She was determined to try, but she had not bargained for the abomination that was now before her. Those erect organs were beginning to put unsavoury thoughts in her head. She must resist the feelings that were creeping up her loins.

Oh, damn, damn, hell’s damnation on us, oh my God, what is all this? screamed one of the women. And as if on cue, all the men started to ejaculate, ejecting copious amounts of white matter onto the deck. By now, the helicopters were hovering above the floor, and one of them had landed on the helicopter pad on the ship. The men in it looked down on the naked men on the deck, shocked at not only their appearance but definitely at what they were doing. The wind from the rotor blades caused the wigs of the transvestites to rise and whirl around, giving them a wild, ferocious, and yet somewhat elegant appearance. They appeared to be in a trance, undisturbed by the noise, the whirlwind, and the sexual activity surrounding them; it all seemed surreal.

Stop whatever you are doing and stand still, shouted a young officer, leading a group of six men from the helicopter that had landed. They were armed and wore protective clothing and helmets. The horny horde on deck continued with their acts of depraved pleasure, ignoring the command issued. The police officers looked at each other and hesitated, uncertain of what to do.

Command, Command post, we’re on deck. Things are pretty bad down here; please ask the other five helicopters to land their crew on the deck. We will need every person, said another officer in an exasperated voice.

Surround these perverts and keep them out of sight. Madam, ask the rest of the ladies to go back to their suites. They need to keep together! By the way, my name is Allan, Lieutenant Allan Bailey of the Australian Federal Police.

CHAPTER 2

Sensitive Cargo

Lt. Bailey looked at Heidi’s enforcer and smiled. He wondered what that was for.

Where is the captain of the ship? he asked, looking distraught and confused.

Heidi stepped on deck and said, This is the way to the ship’s control centre; that is where the captain should be.

By this time, five more helicopters were hovering over the vessel, and the men started landing using ropes.

This is the door to the control centre. It’s locked, Heidi said, after pulling at the golden door knob.

Is there anybody in there? Lt. Bailey inquired. This is the Australian federal police. We want talk to the captain.

This is Captain Carrington. I am in here, but they tied me up. Break down the bloody door. We need help, boomed a strong, commanding voice from the control centre.

How far are you from the door? Lt. Bailey asked.

We are all well away from it, Capt. Carrington said.

Lt. Bailey beckoned to one of his officers, who came forward with a battering ram. Joined by another man, they moved backwards and then ran and hit the door. They tried again and again, but it did not give way.

We will have to use a different method, said the officer.

A fat police officer came forward with tooth-edged tool.

I will drill and cut out the lock, he said. That should solve the problem, he said.

The drill’s contact with the hard wood caused a squealing noise, highly unpleasant to the ear. In a matter of minutes, a large hole had been drilled around the lock.

Okay, that is good, excellent. Now hit the knob very hard, Lt. Bailey said.

The two officers carrying the battering ram moved forward and hit the knob. It broke, and the door swung open. They burst into the room, and what they saw stunned them. The captain, his face crimson red, was manacled to a pole. It was, however, the six men in the room, gathered in groups of three, that attracted their attention and indignation. They were stark naked, and their backs were turned towards them. None of them noticed the presence of the police, in spite of the fact that they made quite a noisy entrance.

Hey, you guys, put on your clothes, Lt. Bailey shouted.

There was no reaction from the six men.

Handcuff the bloody perverts, Capt. Carrington shouted, pulling on his restraints.

Get them out of here, Lt. Bailey ordered.

His officers seized each man and turned him around.

Bloody shit! shouted one of the officers, coupled with a variety of curses from his colleagues. The men now stood facing them, each with his turgid penis engorged with blood.

Help, please help! came weak voices from the sideboards.

Oh my God, help them out! Lt. Bailey shouted.

In front of each group of naked men, a young woman was wedged inside a sideboard, out of the reach of the men trying to grab her. Each woman had crammed herself horizontally in the sideboard to escape the reach of the men, who appeared bent on raping her. One of them, the more enterprising one, used a sharpened stick to keep the men at bay. The three men who tried to pull her out of the sideboard bore the signs of her fighting back. They were bleeding in the thighs, a clear indication that the rudimentary spear had served its purpose well. As the two young women were helped out of their cramped quarters, they broke into tears and looked completely shaken by their ordeal.

They have always been such friendly colleagues, the first woman said tearfully. What got into them?

Got into them? Lt. Bailey repeated, frowning.

Look, get me out of this! Capt. Carrington yelled, pulling violently on his restraints, not amused that he had been forgotten in the incredible flood of events.

Set him free! Lt. Bailey ordered one of his officers. Turning to some other officers, he said, pointing at the naked men, "Wrap some sheets around them and take them to the sick bay. Don’t let them out of your