The Merciless Alpha(erotica)

“Fuck you,” he said. I kept the pressure on, and five seconds later, he was limp.

I let him go and stood up, looking around the crew’s mess to the shocked faces. “When he wakes, tell him if he ever touches a woman like that without permission, I’ll break both his arms.” Walking out the door, I slammed it shut and walked up the stairs to the main deck.

I couldn’t face anyone, not just yet. I went to the rails and looked over the water instead, the quarter moon just rising to the east over the rolling swell. Tears came to my eyes as I thought back at what just happened. Today had been SO good until now. I felt like I was part of the team, doing what I loved. Was it all just politeness? Did the others resent me for being here like Brian did? Was I just kidding myself, thinking I was more than a pin-up girl?

I heard the bulkhead door open behind me, light spilling out and then going away again as it closed. It was Sally; I could scent her before her hand rubbed my back as she moved next to the rail. “Are you all right?”

I looked at her, and the tears down my face told the story. “This is all I ever dreamed of doing,” I said.

She pulled me into a hug. “The rest of us don’t feel that way,” she said. “You work hard, you listen, and you don’t complain about anything. You have nothing to worry about, Vicki. You belong out here, and you’re doing the job you got hired for.”

“You’re not jealous of me?”

“I wish I had your body, but I can see you’ve worked hard to get it. I wish I had your drive and energy. I’m twenty-seven, and I haven’t accomplished a fraction of what you’ve done in eighteen years.” She let me go, and we went back to looking over the water. “I love it out here. I wish I didn’t have to deal with people like Brian, but they are still out there. You handled him well.”

I shook my head. “I’ll have to deal with him for thirteen more days, and he hates me now.”

“I don’t think he will be a problem,” she said. “What he did was not just inappropriate harassment, it was sexual assault.”

I shook my head. “I’m not filing a complaint. I took care of it.”

“You don’t have to. Theresa and Dale are talking to the Captain and Doctor Holliday right now.” I looked at her in shock. “It was unacceptable behavior, and the team is not going to stand for it. It wasn’t his first time, but this time there were witnesses and proof.”All content is © N0velDrama.Org.

I suddenly realized what she meant; the Discovery crew had cameras in the crew’s mess recording all the time, so they had the whole thing on video. “This time?”

“Yeah. Theresa and I have dealt with low-level shit from him for years; ‘accidental’ contacts and lewd comments when we are alone. Going after you the way he did will end him. The University has strict policies on this, and he’s going to get what he deserves. Finally.”

“I’ve got to talk to Erik. I don’t want that video to get out.”

She started laughing. “Are you kidding? That scene is going to be ratings GOLD. You stood up to the bully, Vicki. You proved you were more than your tits, and you kicked his ass when he tried to take advantage of you. And I’m going to have a watch party and eat popcorn while I watch him get choked out by Shark Barbie.”

“Sharkbabe is a nickname I don’t like, but I’ve gotten used to it. Shark Barbie makes me sound like a ditzy blonde,” I said.

“More like Shark Barbarella,” she giggled. I looked at her, not understanding the reference. “You’ll have to look it up.” She pulled a tissue out of her pocket and dried my face. “You have a job to do, Vicki. Go up to the bridge, find your producer, and do it. I’ll see you at breakfast, kid.”

“Thank you.” I walked to the outside stairs leading to the bridge, wondering what kind of reception I would get. All conversation stopped as I entered the room, and four sets of eyes were looking at me.

“Vicki, are you all right,” Captain Merrill asked.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Angry, but physically, I’m fine.”

“I’d still like to have Doctor Goodwin check you over when she’s finished treating Brian. Adrenaline can mask injuries, and I need her findings for the report.”

“I’m filing a complaint with the University over the sexual harassment and assault I witnessed,” Theresa said. “If you want to file criminal charges, we’ll be witnesses for you there, too.”

I looked back at the Captain. “What happens to Brian now?”

“He’s confined to quarters while I collect statements. I’ve already called back to Woods Hole; they will send a launch out tomorrow with a replacement crew member. I’ll need your statement as well, tonight, if possible.”

“What about the fight? Am I in trouble for that?” I’d read the policies, and fighting was grounds for removal from the expedition.

“You reacted to a physical assault and ended it. Rather effectively, I hear,” the Captain said. “I’ve not heard anything that would warrant punishment for you, although I still have to complete the investigation.”

Erik looked at me. “We have no issue with your actions. My men were happy you defended yourself before they had to intervene. It’s always better when the victim gives a bully his due.”

I shook my head. “Any chance of keeping this out of the documentary?”

Erik laughed. “Sorry, but no. This footage is better than the sharks today.”

“Wonderful.”

“You’re shaking,” Captain Merill said. “It’s the adrenaline dump wearing off. You should go sit for a while,” he said as he walked me towards the port door. “Go make your statement, either handwritten or emailed. Erik’s team will be back up here when you finish.”

“We’ll take her,” Theresa said.

I let them guide me back to my cabin, and Theresa sat with me as I called my Mom and told her what happened. She was upset the incident occurred but satisfied with how the Captain was handling it. I opened my laptop and typed out an email with my statement; I sent copies to the Captain, Doctor Holliday, Mercedes, and my parents.

The taping tonight was all stuff that might be used in the show to set up the next day’s activities. The film crew ran cameras as we looked at charts and tracking data to pick out the likely locations of other Great White Sharks. I asked a lot of questions, some simple and some more technical. As the host of the show, I represented the viewers, and Doc and the Captain were the experts.

When I finished and went back to the Crew’s Mess, everyone who hadn’t been on the bridge was waiting for me except Brian. I froze, wondering what was going on.

Leonard was the first to speak. “On behalf of the crew, we want you to know we support you and we want you here,” he said.

“The same for us,” Chip said. “What Brian said was mean, and it was wrong. We want you here because the expedition is better with you as part of it.”

“Hell, we love filming you, Vicki,” the lead cameraman said. “You make us look good.”

“Thank you,” I told them all. “I need to sleep, though. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.” I got hugs and handshakes from everyone as I moved through. I fell into bed exhausted, but sleep didn’t come easily. Brian’s comments stung, and I was going to work twice as hard to show everyone how wrong he was.