The Siren, the General's Daughter Book One (6 page)

Plopping on the couch with her in his lap, he hugged her tightly. “I missed you most of all, little one,” he sighed, kissing her face over and over. “Life is so boring without you around. I hear you’ve been into some trouble.”

“Yes, Sir, a bit. Um, you might as well know. Daddy and Mike have taken to spanking me like I was a kid,” she blushed, “Would you believe that?”

“Wrong man to ask that question, you know my feelings. Your mom was no different and always challenged us. You are so much like her.”

“You really miss her, don’t you?” Sam asked, feeling his arms tighten around her.

“Yeah, I do. But you look and act so much like her, it’s scary. I know you think I’m overly harsh with you, but that’s because I feel more protective. Dad and Mike feel the same way. Just know that every time we have to redden that little backside, it’s because we love you, ok?”

“I’ll try. It’s just so embarrassing!”

“Want to hear a secret? Your mother was nearly 26 years old when I gave out her last bare bottomed spanking. I did it in front of your father for being mouthy and rude. She was a couple of months pregnant with you at the time. She was so embarrassed that she didn’t speak with me for a week. Joe made her go and apologize to me for being such a brat,” Scott chuckled, remembering the ‘not-so-contrite’ apology from his baby sister. “So, you see, your circumstance is no different. You just have a Dad and an uncle, in addition to your big brother, to take good care of you.”

“Lucky me,” the girl groaned. “Scott? Can I talk to you about something? Sometimes it’s so hard being, well, responsible all the time. I get this bug up my butt to fly away, or swim fast, or something to release me from pressures. It’s like it hits and I have to go, and I don’t think about asking anyone. I, well, I need the fix at that moment or I’ll explode.”

“You’ve always been that way, princess. When you were little, you went for a bike ride or danced to really loud music. Even before we moved to the big house, you would dive into the pool in the dead of winter and swim until you were exhausted.”

“I remember that. Once I got sick and Daddy had a fit,” Sam giggled. “Seriously, it feels like it’s getting harder to control since the accident. Something seems different, but I can’t put my finger on it. I know there have been some changes and that I’m still healing. I’m not always the most cooperative patient.”

“You certainly are not. Let’s try to change some of these habits, for your bottom’s sake. You know, with me back, things are going to be a bit more structured.”

“Yes, Sir, “his niece sighed heavily. “I really need to be able to discuss some things with you, though, and not be so afraid of you being set in your ways.”

“Hard-headed, you mean? Up tight?” He watched her reluctantly nod, “I will try, ok? You have my permission to take me aside and respectfully tell me I am being a butt- head. Remember, I don’t care what you say, it’s how you say it. Deal?”

“Deal,” she agreed, then starting giggling. When asked about what she found funny, she kissed his neck, tucking her nose under his chin. “I’ve always accused Mike that he was your favorite. You have never cuddle him the way you do me.”

“Not since he got too big to fit on my lap. I don’t have favorites. I love both of you as my own. Just because your brother doesn’t get into the mischief that you do doesn’t mean I believe he’s perfect. He’s had his share from me, as well.  He just learned his lessons faster. Now, I am going to get settled in. I am expecting you in my cabin at 1730 for dinner. I love you.”

“I love you too, Uncle Scott. I’m so glad you’re back with us.”

***

Dinner with the four of them was like old times with a lot of talking, sharing, laughing and warm teasing of the only female of the family. Cook had prepared a wonderful meal of fresh lobster, crabs and scallops with Filet Mignon. Scott elbowed his niece, watching her devour her lobster.

“What are you going to do if you start being able to communicate with them?”

She paused, fork in the air. “Why would I ever need to talk with a mollusk or a crustacean? I will stop eating fish, though, if I break through this damn—
darn
neuronet,” she said, glancing at her father’s frown.

He held up a finger. “That’s one. Scott, we’ve been having a little problem with profanity lately.”

“I blame most of it on the men,” Michael added quickly, seeing his sister start to sink in her chair, “I’ve asked them to try to clean up their speech to help keep the shrimp out of trouble with Dad.”

“I’ll reinforce it. Samantha, sit up straight. I will promise you this, young lady,” Scott said firmly, “if I hear any swearing from you, I will personally wash your mouth out with soap. Got it?”

“Yes Sir.” She whispered.

Scott pointed to Michael. “That goes for you, too, young man. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can be a poor example to either your sister or your subordinates. Don’t think for a moment I can’t take you, either. Got it?”

“Yes, Sir,” Michael said, meeting his eye. Scott nodded in satisfaction.

Dr. Quimby grinned. “It’s good to have you back. Did you, per chance, inform our girl about our status change?’

Scott shook his head, quickly telling his niece about the return to the coast.

“Really? But I won’t be able to fly,” she said, looking sad.

Michael rolled his eyes, “For crying out loud, will you get over yourself? We are going
home
! There are plenty of places you can take out a helo, and you’ll have the shelf to dive down. Ton will be able to stay close too, it’s cold enough for him there. Frankly, I’m sick of being on the ship. I want to go on a date now and then. I also want to take on more missions.”

Dr. Quimby inhaled, that was what he dreaded most after the last incident.

Scott patted his arm. “It will be an adjustment for all of us. Sorry, Joe, but they have already been placed. In addition to your research and laboratory billets, you two will be assigned special duty with the coast guard, Recon and emergency search and rescue. Believe me you will be plenty busy with the majority of your day either in the water or a lab. Especially you, kidlet, we will be incorporating sea lions into the project.”

Sam’s face perked up, her interest growing. Dr. Quimby looked relieved. He was afraid of a tantrum.

***

Scott called a meeting of the lab team that afternoon, taking advantage of his niece’s absence. “No formalities today, gentlemen. Catch me up on things,” he said after several warm welcomes. Like Dr. Quimby, he was well-loved and respected by his crew. He was known to be firm, but fair, and always maintained an open door policy for his ‘boys’. The engineers brought him up to speed on their work while the research techs informed him of recent processes and developments. Scott was pleased.

“Glad to hear this. I have a couple of announcements too. First, we are dry-docking in one month at the southern Cal unit. I want you to know that you are all welcome to maintain assignment with me if you want to. Just let me now so I can start the process.”

The men were ecstatic. Theirs was a job of a scientist’s dream in addition to working with people they had become true family with. Scott suspected they would all request the full tour.

“The second order of business is personal,” the older man continued, taking a sip of his coffee before making face.  “Ugh, who made this slop? I’m sending you to coffee school.”

Laughter filled the room as Michael raised his hand. This was the common complaint. Except for Sam,
her
coffee was always perfect. Scott grimaced, continuing. “I am certain that there is a certain amount of gossip through the ship in regards to our young lieutenant. Incidentally, I am
more
than aware of how you address her out of earshot. I’m talking about you calling her ‘the Siren’.” Several men blushed. Sipping the coffee again, he snickered, “Go ahead, unless we are in formation or there is an outside source around, call her whatever she is comfortable with. She informed me that I was uptight, so you may also continue to address me, and each other, by our given names if you prefer.”

The men smiled.  They knew that he favored a less formal working relationship in the lab. Scott leaned forward. “Back to the gossip. Samantha is not here because our little darling is being restricted to her quarters. I need to remind you that although she is an exceptional young woman, she is still a teenager and under the charge of her father, brother and myself. She received a rather sound thrashing the other night due to her choice of language. I cannot express to you how important it is to be gentlemen around her and provide a good example of behavior. No more profanity, got it?”

Several ‘yes, Sirs’ were muttered, almost every man looking down guiltily. Scott was satisfied with the response. “If you have any problems with her unrelated to professionalism, you are immediately to report to one of us. She’s been too reckless and next time, we may not be so lucky.” He watched the reaction.  They had all been present when they almost lost her to the depths. “Care to add anything, Mike?”

“Yes, Sir. I don’t have to tell anyone that she is a little stubborn, right? She also loves each of you like a brother and really needs your respect and support. Please don’t tease her about getting in trouble. It would really bring about distrust. Because of some issues we’ve had with her, my father has decided to try dealing with her on a more, uh, personal and intimate level.”

“Mike, you know we would never seriously do that,” Frank piped in. “Word got around and we were just concerned for her. The General is no light weight and she’s so tiny. There are no secrets on a ship this size.”

“How true,” Scott added, “That is why I was up front with you. She is still an officer, remember that, ok? Granted, one with a sore backside. Anything else? No? Then dismissed. See you all at 0730 Monday.”

Groans told him that they had been starting work a bit later, which made him smile. His arm found its way around his nephew’s neck to give a tight squeeze. “What are your plans for today since you don’t have your playmate?”

“None. Yours?”

“I was thinking about a nice dive. Wanna come?”

“Ooo, Sam is gonna have a fit if she finds out you went down without her,” Michael snickered. “Of course I’ll come. Dad might like to as well. It would be relaxing for him not to worry about her attracting a school of hungry barracuda.”

Chapter Four

“Mother fucking piece of shit...” Sam snarled under her breath, tossing the equipment angrily to the floor. The three men around her bit their lips as Scott silently entered the room to observe the tantrum. The General crossed his arms as he stood in the hatchway. One of the men tried to get her attention, but the girl was too involved in her mutterings. She continued, snapping at them. “Why won’t this work? I told you I needed it for today. What is wrong with it?”

“Um, I’m not sure, ma’am, but if you would let me take a look,” he said timidly, glancing at Scott. Scott nodded, leaning against the wall. He had been getting reports regarding his niece’s temper lately but nothing to really pursue until today.

“Good luck. This whole thing is fucked. Complete waste of my damn time.”

“Ma’am, please, try to watch your language. We’ve all been placed under orders that there is to be no more profanity.” Another crewman requested, fearfully eyeing Scott.

“Fuck orders, I’m pissed.”

“Ok, I’ve heard enough,” Scott intervened, watching her pale as she slowly turned to him. “Apologize to your crew at once.”

“Sorry, guys,” she whispered, facing the floor.

Scott held out his hand. “Come with me, young lady. We have some business to take care of.”

Blushing, she obeyed, feeling his large hand gently enfold around her tiny one. She looked helplessly at her men as she was led away. Not one word was spoken as Scott took her to his cabin and opened the door for her to enter. She stood in place as he walked to the table, arms crossed again, leaning on the edge.

“Care to fill me in?” he asked as she faced the floor. She shook her head. What could she say? He had heard everything. Scott exhaled loudly. “I promised you a mouth washing if I heard you swearing, didn’t I?”

“Yes, Sir,” she whispered, her stomach turning flip flops.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you,” Scott ordered, waiting for her to raise her chin to meet his eyes. Déjà vu struck him as he recalled a similar incident with her mother.

Their parents had died in a car accident when she was only 10, leaving the 22 year old marine lieutenant to care for her. She was always challenging his authority until the day when she had been suspended from school for cussing out her math teacher. That was the very first time he had really spanked her. She was 11.

“I am waiting for an explanation. I suggest you offer one.”

“I was just throwing a tantrum, Uncle Scott. I’m sorry,” she said honestly. There was no point in trying to make up an excuse. She was busted. Scott nodded, pulling out a straight backed chair to the center of the room.

“I’m sure you are, especially since you’ve been caught. You’ve been so good lately, too. Come here. I’m surprised that I’ve not had to get on you until now. It’s been, what? Two weeks since I’ve come back?” he asked, holding her by the upper arms and looking down into her eyes. She lowered her gaze, ashamed. She dreaded punishment with her uncle much more than even her father. Scott was consistent and he was relentless. Mercy was not a word he was familiar with.

“Pants off. Go on,” he ordered, turning to retrieve some items from his sleeping quarters. Sam’s hand shook as she unbuckled her web belt from her cammie pants, slowly following by the buttons. As she stepped out of her clothing, she knew she would hear about her choice in undergarments as well. Sure enough.

“We should review some regulations regarding female attire. Since when have you been wearing these?” he asked as he pulled her effortlessly across his knees, positioning her bottom so it stuck straight up in the air to provide a good target. He referred to the bikini cut satin floral panties which quickly found their way down to her ankles. She said nothing as he pushed her white t-shirt out of the way, holding her breath fearfully as he rested his hand across her backside.