Season Five [Part Seven]

- 25 -

Cael fell asleep easily, leaving Stephanie envious. She was working through the process of forcing herself into slumber, and her Tactical Officer was already dreaming. Stephanie’s Pallaca was having just as much trouble falling asleep as she was, but The Captain did not know that. It didn’t take much time for her to begin a dream of her own, once Stephanie was unconscious.

DuHart was crouched in the darkness of some forest. Up to her haunches in muck. She was breathing carefully, stealthily trying to find her prey. It was hard to smell anything through the rich natural bouquet of the forest. The trees exchanging Sulphur and Nitrogen traces to crystallize new growth, breathing life into the Argon atmosphere. The Ammonia pool she was hiding in was quickly becoming a thick mud as she kicked up more of the Tin and Sulphite dirt.

All of these things joined a choir of scent for Stephanie and she felt at home in that forest. On her next breath she found what she was hunting. In the logic of her dream, Stephanie learned that she had always known she wasn’t hunting for something to kill and eat. The rings had risen two nights ago, occluding the suns and signaling the rise of spring. In the twilight, she had to rely on what infra-red she could see. Springtime is the season of Heat.

As she trotted into the clearing, Stephanie announced herself by raising her hackles and slinging the mud from her body. Stephanie kept her mane on display once her white and blue streaked fur was free of the dark purple muck. Her intended mate was sitting on their legs, watching idly with eyes glinting in the twilight.

Their fur was all blue, and a lighter shade of it. The scales on their legs were black, as were their hooves. A long and bushy tail slipped out from beside them, and waved through the air playfully. Stephanie stepped further into the clearing.

She bared her jaws, and held her long muzzle into the air. Displaying her strong legs and bright red scales. Stephanie scraped at the ground once with one of her grey hooves. The blue one stood up, first with only their forelegs. Then after a hesitant moment, they stood on their hind legs as well. They trotted towards Stephanie, blinking their sets of eyes out of sequence enticingly.

Feeling the judgment being thrown upon her, Stephanie erected her long and muscular tail as she reared up. Kicking her front hooves through the air, Stephanie howled. Looking down, Blue’s eyes were all widening. Stephanie’s lust was growing out of control, she could feel it. If she had hands she would grasp it. Stephanie’s member twitched, and left a sticky wet spot in her belly fur. She all but lost balance, but only needed to take a step or two forward.

Her Mate finally approved and trotted out in front of Stephanie, lifting that fluffy blue tail. Stephanie threw herself into the act, first only managing to crush her member between her own belly and her mate’s back. By the time Stephanie was inside, their fur was matted together.

Her Mate kicked at the ground as Stephanie flared, having second thoughts. Stephanie was forced to grasp her Mate’s azure mane in her jaws and lay her weight into the act. Blue whined and scrabbled, throwing up dust and encouraging Stephanie.

So close, Stephanie found purchase on her mate’s back with a hoof. Blue’s thinner legs had no chance of supporting them both. Stephanie held Blue’s body in place as she pressed her hind hooves into the dirt, to press herself deeper into her wildly kicking and squealing Mate.

Stephanie howled into the mottled sky as she poured her seed into Blue. Another successful spring. Stephanie allowed her weight to fall limp, her hind legs spasming with the aftershocks. Stephanie's howling had grown quiet but not stopped, she was beyond breathless. Her Mate was pressed to the ground under Stephanie, legs folded awkwardly and biting sidelong at the dirt in desperation. Blue’s whines were louder than Stephanie’s howl. The already grey world began to lose contrast. Stephanie’s howl finally ceased as she passed out.

Her Mate kicking her way towards freedom didn’t wake Stephanie, but the cold air on Stephanie’s moist member did. Her mate wasn’t quite all the way off Stephanie’s flare yet. Stephanie ejaculated again as Blue wrenched herself free, some of it inside but most spreading across the forest floor. She lay on her side as Blue did her best to scamper away into the forest. Stephanie was panting and looking at her long quadrupedal body. Her glistening flared member was still erect.

The Captain awoke with her head beneath the sheets. Her eyes still closed, she flexed her fingers and reached down between her legs. Stephanie had something to finish, and her hands would do the trick perfectly. She wrapped her fingers eagerly around nothing, finding no member throbbing where she could still almost feel it. The Captain opened her eyes, and saw the light of the room seeping in from beyond her bed-sheets. She shot her gaze down along her body, taking stock of her slender but muscular frame and silken pyjamas.

It had been only a dream, Stephanie felt again tentatively between her legs. Maybe more than Only a dream. Stephanie DuHart was more than a little unsure what to do with her feeling of loss over having awoken. She decided to focus on how it had felt to have all of her tail again. Of everything she was feeling, from the throbbing of ejaculation, to the novel smell of Blue’s musk, the most tangible had been her tail.

Stephanie could almost still smell Blue’s longing for her, as she could still sense the phantoms of her missing tailbones. DuHart took a deep and steadying breath, smelling the all too real smell of herself needing a shower. Then DuHart plunged her head out from under the covers

Cael was already awake, his bed was already made and his uniform was laid out on it. The lavatory adjacent to the ready room was in use, he was in there. Stephanie let out her breath and took another calmer one.

The smell of her dream was thick within the room. It was real. Stephanie took a longer and more careful breath to be sure, and she was wet by the time her lungs were full. A musky smell, not the sweet scent of love that came from the girl, but deeper. A fermented lustful smell. But as different as it was, DuHart knew it well. It was the scent of someone’s love, and it was for her.

Cael finished his shower, and before too long returned to the ready room wrapped in a towel. He brought the smell of the bright yellow soap the Navy purchased in bulk alongside himself, but it was already being defeated by him. Stephanie found herself unable to look in Her Tactical Officer’s direction as he dressed.

Cael Theo reeked of his love for Stephanie. He longed for her and she suddenly knew. The Captain was horrified, how long had it been so? She needed to speak with Cael about this. But by the very gods, how?

“Steph?” Cael asked suddenly, Stephanie made an affirmative grunt. “Would you believe I brought that cologne?”

He spritzed himself with it and chuckled.

“Only the essentials. I’ll see you on the bridge, Ma’am.” He added, finalizing an adjustment to his uniform before leaving.

The perfume he’d sprayed could nearly mask his scent, but not quite. Captain Stephanie DuHart sat in her makeshift bed and held her head in her hands. Before too long she would get up to take a cold shower. Stephanie lingered in the lavatory doorway for a moment, her eyes fixed on the discarded clothing between Cael’s bed and his luggage. Stephanie snorted derisively at herself, but then remained in the doorway, hesitating. She glanced towards the door leading to the tiny hallway and the Bridge beyond. Then she glanced back at her Tactical Officer’s laundry.

She took a few minutes to take the four steps. Then Stephanie knelt down and took up Cael’s undershirt. She clutched it in her hand, her heart racing just from touching it. She ponderously brought Cael’s clothing towards her face, his smell growing stronger with every centimeter closer it got. Stephanie couldn’t hold back and plunged her nose into the handful of undershirt.

She fell to a seated position on his bed and buried her other hand between her thighs. Stephanie moaned into Cael’s shirt as she breathed in the scent of his love. Stephanie’s frantic fingers working their way into the waistband of her nightclothes and the panties underneath. She barely had to touch herself and she came.

DuHart shot to her feet. Losing her balance, she tipped forward and put her own face into the wall. She slid her way down as her knees buckled, Cael’s shirt pinned against her nose. Stephanie eventually let go of the undershirt and used that hand to push herself back to her feet. Her panties were soaked and his shirt was hanging from her teeth. At least she hadn’t put a wet spot on his sheets.

DuHart threw down the undershirt in an effort to carefully mimic the casual way it had been originally discarded. Then she made her way to the washroom, to take that shower. Even with the water frigid, DuHart found her fingers inside herself again. She brought herself to another orgasm under that cold stream.

  

- 26 -

Once she was dressed and ready, The Captain stepped onto her bridge. A stream of reports immediately began to be issued to DuHart. Fireteams had stabilized her ship, but what was left of That Good Night was proving beyond their manpower. A solid estimate of the generation ship’s remaining population had been achieved, between thirty and forty thousand. The guarantee of that numbers’ safety was decaying faster than their orbit.

Without drives, both ships were drifting apart, in a few short days it would be impossible to see each-other. Sensor contact would be lost shortly thereafter. Action needed to be taken quickly, more so than the time it would take to effectively request orders. The Captain began to prioritize the reports she was reading, in order of relevance to her primary concern.

She began announcing smaller portions of her plan to be enacted. Giving her orders to the Officers who would need to pass them along. Beginning with the transfer of all cargo that could stand the conditions to void-exposed or otherwise useless cabins. Then she ordered all crew with any medical training to be taken off their current schedules, and put on Sickbay duty.

“Captain, are we doing what I think we are doing?” Cael asked quietly during a lull in the issuing of orders.

“Yes, we have little choice.” Stephanie gave as her reply.

“Perhaps you should inform the crew as much. It may help focus coordination.” Her Tactical Officer advised.

“Agreed. Put me through to the entire vessel please.” The Captain requested of her Communications Officer.

The young man held the cup of his headphones up to one of his long ears, they didn’t fit comfortably over them. He nodded to Captain DuHart once her console was patched through. Stephanie nodded back, then cleared her throat.

“This is the Captain Speaking. I will waste none of your time with the situation of our vessel, we all know it. To Starboard lies a vessel whose situation is so dire, that ours means nothing. There are procedures and regulations and treaties that have been carefully constructed for us to follow, in regards to a ship such as That Good Night. Those rules, like our own plight, have been brought to naught by what those people are facing.” Captain DuHart turned away from her microphone, to take a steadying breath. “I have already begun to issue preparatory orders to bring the survivors aboard. Time is of the essence, but so is proper execution of our duties… I have chosen today, to make a debatable interpretation of my Duty to The Empire. I trust each member of my crew to have nowhere near my own trepidation about committing to their Duties, to me. The time has come for action, the time to testify against your Captain is when we return to Imperial space. Thank you.”

She closed the channel to a tepid silence on the bridge. Eventually her Helmsman broke that silence. He stood and turned from his console to face DuHart.

“I intend to testify on our return, Captain. But not against you.” His words were met by an affirmative cheer from most of the rest of her bridge.

Captain DuHart thanked them, then returned to issuing her plan in piecemeal orders. She was more confident now. After a handful of minutes, Cael was called to the Communications Station.

“Yes Ensign?” Cael Theo asked.

“Sir, may I… I need to speak with you in private, Sir.” The Communication’s Officer’s voice was shaky.

“Of course, come with me.” Cael replied as he gestured towards the hallway leading off the bridge.

They marched away and into the ready room. Cael was about to jokingly apologize for the state of his quarters when the young man behind let out a pent up sob. Cael turned to face him, he was shaking and leaning against the wall, looking directly at his trembling hands.

“It’s okay, speak man.” He told him.

“I’ve been through two medical courses, in training. Beyond First-Aid, in basic.” The lagomorph’s words were frantic.

Cael at first wondered why that asset was so upsetting to him, then he understood.

“You will be coordinating from the bridge. I can make sure you are exempt from that order, for logistical purposes.” Cael assured the young man.

“Thank you.” He wasn’t shaking as much, but was still worked up.

“You are doing fantastic work.“ Cael assured him. “If you need to take a minute, that’s fine.”

“Y-yes, I’m…” The Communications officer took a steadying breath and shook his head. “No... Thank you Sir, but I am prepared to return to duty.” His confidence had returned.

“After you.” Cael gestured and said with a smile.

On their return to the bridge, Captain DuHart gave Cael Command of her vessel and excused herself. DuHart had an order that needed to be given in person, not delegated. Stephanie had given up on her search for an alternative, there was no room and nothing else to be done. The Queentia Iactura would need to catalogue her human losses carefully, as they were about to release the dead into the void.

By the end of the day, preparations would be complete enough to begin moving the survivors. Stephanie was ready for rest when it was reported to her that the first few refugees were aboard. She was hearing of reluctance, but that was to be expected. People would be moved through the night. Stephanie waited on the bridge, long after the night crew was there. She had relinquished Command, but still she waited. Finally a call came through to the bridge from an Officer commanding one of the lifeboat squadrons.

“There is a group of refugees refusing transport.” Was their report.

“They are the last?” Stephanie asked.

“Yes Sir.” The crackle of the transmission carried the Officer’s worry.

“How many are they?” DuHart paused, closing her eyes for a moment. “Are there children among them?”

“Twenty or more, not Thirty.” He took a moment to finish answering. “They have not let us see if they have children with them.”

“Tell them that no violence will be used to force them, but it has been considered.” Stephanie took a deep breath. “If that does not convince them, you may bring your flight home.”

“Yes, Captain.” He said before closing the channel.

Stephanie dismissed herself from her bridge and took a step towards the lift. Then she shook her head, and turned the other way, heading to her ready room. Cael was already asleep. Stephanie would sit on the side of her bed for some time before chasing her own slumber.

The Captain would be informed in the morning that the gaggle of fools had stayed, choosing to make the only home they had ever known into their graves. She already knew it. Stephanie shook her head, foolish as they were it was not as though she couldn’t understand. It was so difficult to accept such a complete change. A difficulty made so much worse when the situation was thrust upon you. It was the children for whom Stephanie felt shame, it was well within her power to force them to let the children be saved. They were young and not yet making their own decisions, but Stephanie couldn’t give that order.

- 27 -

The few nights before the recovery commenced were strange. Perhaps not difficult for Stephanie, but unusual nonetheless. Settling in the refugees was an impossible task, but one being undertaken as well as possible. The survivors of That Good Night seemed to be taking the situation in stride, as best as they could. The Captain felt the situation was progressing better than was to be expected.

She was finding her situation, sharing a room with Cael, to be frustrating. Or perhaps distracting would be a better word. She was sure that her Tactical Officer was unaware of the source of her perturbance. The vessel sent as primary in the recovery contingent was An O’Brien Class, The IFA Wave Knight. In tow was a Cutter, The INV Winnipeg. Their arrival was celebrated. Though silently, Stephanie was relieved.

It took seventeen hours to establish a functional Hyperspace tether between the two capital ships. The Winnipeg patrolling the system the entire time. The relief supplies were well received, but a stark silence had befallen the conversation between Stephanie and the Captain of The Wave Knight, when the presence of the refugees was revealed.

“They aren’t coming on board my vessel. We’re going to have to treat this as a quarantine situation.” His name was Pilling, he was a good man but also a smart one.

“Yes, I would expect no less.” Captain DuHart spoke sidelong into the main viewscreen. “We are doing what we can with the basic inoculation kits we had on hand.”

“Oh by Gods, Captain DuHart.” He massaged the bridge of his nose. “I… You know… Agh, listen, we’re getting your ship back to drydock. Safe and sound. But, you know I can’t guarantee anything, after that.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.” DuHart smiled. “Your reputation precedes you, Captain Pilling. I know that I… I know that this ship and everyone aboard it, are already safe, in your hands.”

The remainder of the day was wrought with logistical wrangling. The majority of that composed of distributing supplies. Captain DuHart and her Tactical Officer were busied thoroughly. To Stephanie’s relief, that business also forced them to be separated for most of the day. Now that she had a bearing on it, she could pick out the scent of Cael’s feelings through his cologne. It was causing her to stare at him without realizing she was. By that evening though, Stephanie was fully exhausted, so too appeared Cael.

He was sitting on his bunk, halfway undressed and slouching as DuHart entered the ready room. He muttered something to acknowledge her arrival. Stephanie mumbled something back and wandered to her own bed, she fell face down onto it.

“Were you going to shower, you can go first.” Cael asked, his voice coarse.

“In the morning.” Stephanie answered, muffled.

“Okay, I just need to decide if that’s what I’m doing.” He trailed off, muttering about timing.

DuHart was only half listening to him, he was worrying about upsetting her morning schedule. Stephanie was fixated on his mention of fitting everything together, of timing. Her mind began to wander through ways to speak with him about their feelings, it must be done but she was still no closer to deciding how.

“Should I take your silence as an answer?” Cael interrupted her thoughts.

“S-sorry, I’m just about asleep. What was that?” Stephanie said.

“No nothing.” Cael answered, standing up. “I’m going to shower, see you in the morning."

Stephanie turned over to watch him leave, but couldn’t let that be all. Before she stopped herself, she spoke. Her voice a higher pitch than usual, her heart racing.

“Cael…” She had his attention. “What did you ask me?”

“It was nothing.” He smiled, and flexed his grip on the door frame. “Just being silly.”

“Please, Mister Theo.” Stephanie beckoned.

“When will you ever realize I love you?” He turned away as he repeated himself very quietly.

“A week ago.” She answered, pulling herself onto her knees to sit closer to him on her bed.

“What?” He turned around to face His Captain.

“How long have you felt this way?” Stephanie said as she edged towards the bottom of her mattress.

“Forever.” Her Tactical Officer replied as he took a tentative step in her direction.

“I’m so sorry Cael.” DuHart spoke quietly.

“Don’t be.” Cael told her as he reached her bedside.

He put his fingers around her chin and guided Stephanie into a kiss. She expected there to be some feeling of hesitation, but there was none within her. Their lips pressed against each other, as Stephanie placed her hand onto Cael’s bare chest. She traced her fingertips around his smooth pectoral, exploring the toned muscle. Cael wrapped his arms around Stephanie, pulling her just slightly away from her bed and into a tight embrace. Stephanie’s other hand found it’s way over his chiseled abdominals and to the front of Cael’s pants. Discovering the strained fabric.

She tore open the clasp to free Cael’s cock, it sprung outwards into her hand and in an instant they were together in the shower. Their remaining clothing spread across the ready room and lavatory. Hot water streamed over their bodies as Cael combed the fur on Stephanie’s throat with his teeth. She had hold of his shoulders and was sliding herself up and down his member, pressing it into his belly.

Cael took hold of the tuft of pearly fur in the center of Stephanie’s chest in his mouth. With strength in his neck and upper body she never would have expected from him, Stephanie’s Tactical Officer pulled her off her feet with his jaws. Stephanie’s toes found their way to his hips, and she used that purchase to guide herself towards Cael’s raging erection.

She could feel it twitching between her thighs as she attempted to mount it, but suddenly Cael took over. He wrapped one of his hands around her waist and with the fingers of his other, slipped the tip of his member into Stephanie. The hot water soaking her fur suddenly felt cold by comparison to him. Cael’s jaws let go and her weight was taken up only by his hand. She steadied herself, palms pressed against Cael’s chest, fingers grasping at the sparse hair.

Stephanie slid down the slippery shaft, her knees swaying on their own. His red and hot member filling her with only a fraction of its length. Her toes clenching for whatever grip they could find on Cael’s wet hips. Stephanie wrapped her hands around Cael’s forearms for more support, and was startled to feel his wrists widening under her grasp.

She tried to blink the water from her eyes, but her vision remained far too blurry to make him out. His form was beginning to tower over her. He tightened his grip around her waist, fingers meeting across her belly. A prickling sensation weaved across DuHart’s body, as a coarse matte of fur sprung from his hands and grew to cover his arms.

“Cael!?” Stephanie’s mouth was filled with hot water from the shower as she called his name in confusion.

He put another clawed hand across her shoulders, and turned Stephanie around on his cock. Her footing was lost instantly, and her weight was supported entirely by the still growing erection she rode. Stephanie orgasmed, pressing her knees into her bulging abdomen, fingers and toes twisting askew.

Cael leaned over her, forcing himself deeper until the round base of his member pressed against Stephanie’s bum. She could feel the thick mane of his chest fur tickling her back. His muzzle stretched out, caressing the side of Stephanie’s face, fur to fur. His long tongue slid out from his maw and lapped across her forehead. Her arms and legs were slowly going loose, beginning to hang limply. Then he sank his fangs into her ear.

Stephanie moved to put her hands to Cael’s jaws, but he wrapped his massive claws around her shoulders and arms, pinning them to her sides and raking her flesh. Stephanie was ready to scream when he pulled her down, what she had taken to be the base of his shaft was not. Stephanie’s screams turned to ecstatic moans as Cael forced her the rest of the way down, over his knot.

His deed done, Cael released Stephanie from his claws. She was held aloft by the massive member penetrating her, legs spasming in futile attempts to pull her thighs together. Stephanie’s ear was still held fast between his fangs. She ran her hands down her body, slowly feeling her erect nipples and sopping steamy fur. Her ear was stinging, as were nine or ten fresh slashes in her skin along her torso. Her fingertips were only just discovering the shape of his member, tracing his form, when Cael began to ejaculate. Stephanie could feel him pumping, inside her body and from without. Her ear was torn from his teeth, his cock swinging her back and forth as it pulsated. Stephanie could feel the hot water flowing over her, the even hotter seed over-filling her and spurting out in thick rivulets over her legs. Stephanie could feel Cael’s cum gushing into her; it felt hot through her fur and against her fingers, as she pressed her hands into her distending belly. Stephanie could smell their lust being thrown about and carried on the hot steam. She could hear it splashing onto the tile at Cael’s feet.

The blunt sound of the water shutting off woke DuHart. For only a fleeting instant she laid there in confusion. Catching her breath with gulps of the steam-laden air, it tasted like Cael. Then the sound of the sonic shower charging up to dry, alerted her to reality. She was alone on her bed, and Cael was alone in the shower. DuHart rolled over and pulled her duvet out from under herself, sighed and then tried her best to go back to sleep.

- 28 -

The IFA Wave Knight had been slowly towing The INV Queentia Iactura through Hyperspace for the better part of a day. Their Cutter escort scurrying ahead to be sure the way was clear. Stephanie had been informed that repairs had begun on the executive spaces of her ship, she would be able to return to her quarters proper in no more than another day. The Captain would have been pleased to hear this, if the report hadn’t come alongside another.

Captain DuHart marched her way to one of the larger cargo bays, a detachment of internal security in tow. There had been an incident between one of her staff and a group of refugees. The situation required de-escalation immediately.

DuHart was beyond relieved to discover no obvious turmoil in the shanty-town that had become of her cargo bay. A junior Officer was laid out on a bench, being cared for by an older woman. The refugee medic was being assisted by one of internal security’s uniformed ones.

The Captain stepped closer and watched her calloused hands expertly tie off the suture. DuHart and the Paramedic shared glances as the elderly woman made a wiping motion, wordlessly requesting a cloth from the young man beside her. He found an antiseptic wipe and retrieved it from it’s packaging for her. The refugee woman sagely cleaned the junior officers stitches before giving his belly a reassuring pat.

Captain DuHart extended her hand to shake the woman’s, but the refugee refused. Showing her bloodied fingers, she gave Stephanie only a tiny melancholy smile before standing up and walking away. It took a few moments for anyone of them remaining at the bench to speak.

“She was first responder, I suppose. Sir.” The paramedic explained as he began to stow his kit. “She did a better job than I could have.”

“What’s happened?” The Captain asked.

“Some punk put his knife in me.” The Junior Officer answered. “She showed up and slapped him, saw to me.”

“Why were you here?” DuHart questioned the wounded man.

“They’re gambling the rations we give them.” He said.

“You tried to stop them.” DuHart shook her head slightly.

“I just tried to explain to them how foolish they were being. Sir.” He explained himself.

“Says the man who wandered into here, and was surprised when this happened.” Stephanie spat her reply in frustration. “Where is the man who stabbed you?”

“Still inside.” The wounded man spoke and gestured to a nearby shelter, it had four security members securing the entrance.

The Captain stepped into the prefab survival shelter. They were meant to be constructed on a planet's surface, and the majority of the kit was useless in this situation, but the main shelter made for viable single occupant housing if need be. They were averaging about three heads per shelter. The Security personnel with her had insisted they escort her inside, but she had refused. A teenage boy was waiting, sitting on the floor in the middle of the cramped space. He was rail thin and lanky, pallid skin and yellow-grey hair. He had tried to clean the blood from his hands, but wasn’t very successful. His face was reddened and puffy, most likely from tears and being struck by the old woman.

“Fuzz here have fancy get-ups.” He muttered when he saw her.

“I am Captain DuHart.” Stephanie held out her hand to him. “What is your name?”

“Crete.” He answered, staring at her fingers. “What are you doing, with your hand?”

“Offering a handshake.” Stephanie took a minute to recognize his hesitation as such, rather than a tactic. “Your people don’t shake hands, do they.”

“Nope, I guess not.” Crete answered.

“You know that I must ask, Crete. Do you still have the knife?” DuHart spoke with only a little force.

“Sink.” He replied.

Stephanie could see it sitting bloodied amongst a cluster of dirtied ration trays. The Captain stepped forward and sat down before the young man.

“You will be arrested, I can sit here and assure you that what will pass for justice will likely be simply janitorial duty.” The Captain smirked slightly. “You are uniquely beyond the reach of our legal system.”

“Okay.” Crete didn’t sound like he cared.

“How many do you share this shelter with?” At a glance it was more than two, all seeming to be young men like himself.

“Four friends.” He answered.

“New friends?” DuHart probed

“Three of them are.” Crete replied, his voice a little quieter.

“Were these friends with you when, it happened?” The Captain knew that they had been.

“Yeah.” Crete’s truthful reply is what she was looking for.

“Did they run away?” Again Stephanie checked his story.

“Yeah.” Again his honesty was found.

“That was smart of them, what you did was not.” Stephanie explained.

“He was running his mouth!” A shot of anger came from the boy.

“I am sure that he was.” Stephanie said, measured.

“He had no right to say what he was saying about us!” Crete continued, his face turning red.

“You are correct, he did not.” Stephanie leaned over the boy in front of her. “Until you gave it to him.”

Crete wanted to shout again, to defend himself. But he couldn’t, he knew The Captain was right and had no interest it eroding what sympathy she seemed to have for him. Crete knew he had stepped too far, he had known as soon as the man’s blood washed over his hand.

“The woman who intervened, what is her name?” Stephanie asked after a tense moment had passed.

“That’s Babba. I…” Crete’s remaining facade of strength came apart from under him, he blushed as he sobbed. “I thought she didn’t make it either. Oh, thank The Council she’s alive.”

“You have Babba to thank. Without her my Officer would have died, and there would be no lenience available for you.” The Captain explained plainly.

“Can I have just a bit of time, before we go out there?” Crete asked, wiping his face.

The Captain nodded and so he slid over to a cupboard and retrieved a shirt, he replaced the blood speckled one he was wearing with it. Then as he was taking a series of calming breaths, Crete asked the Captain an important question.

“What happens next?” He quietly wondered.

His query was met by DuHart explaining security procedure and questioning methods. How and why they would speak to him, simple advice on how to act to expedite the process. She was elaborating on the type of service he may be ordered to work, when the young man interrupted her as politely as he could.

“I meant, what happens to Us?” Crete used the word inclusively, leaving out DuHart and the rest of the Human race who knew nothing of That Good Night’s last night.

“I am not as sure.” She said slowly.

“What’s supposed to happen?” For all of his foolishness that day, the young man showed some sense.

“Nothing.” The Captain received a look of confusion for a moment, before she elaborated. “Our Naval guidebooks tell us not to intervene at all.”

“I’m guessing, they also say not to tell people they say that.” Crete successfully masked his dawning horror with dry wit.

“You would be correct.” DuHart let out a breath. “Once you are ready, I will be trusting you to come with us unshackled.”

“Thanks, Captain.” Crete stood up and stretched his shoulders. “I’m ready, we can go.”

- 29 -

The boy would be looked after, Stephanie hoped he would take his his luck as the second chance it was, and smarten up. She also hoped his kin would either do the same or not require the opportunity. The Captain took the chance to check on the other three of her prisoners, the pilot in his coma was doing very well and showing signs of a still active brain. The one in the brig was failing to cope with his combat-stim withdrawals, and was under constant supervision for his own safety.

The Commander they had pulled from the void was sharing quarters with four crewmen. Stephanie found one of them and asked of his state. She was told that he seemed very quiet and withdrawn, for a Commander. DuHart decided not to worry about him just yet.

Stephanie finished her day by exchanging reports with Captain Pilling, before retiring to her ready room. She found Cael Inside and holding luggage, the room was cleared of their things and both beds folded and ready for removal. Stephanie’s Tactical Officer grinned and nodded his head at the hallway behind her.

“Everything is ready for you to return to your quarters, Ma’am.” He held up her luggage momentarily.

“Oh! Um, excellent.” Stephanie looked around for another moment, excited but hesitant.

“After you, Ma’am.” Cael said, then followed His Captain out of the ready room.

Refugees were already being relocated into the first deck, now that it contained air. Several of them thanked The Captain as she passed, in awe of the opulence of the space that chance had allotted them. The Queentia Iactura had never before, nor would ever again attempt to crowd so many people into the executive cabins. The Captain’s quarters now had two members of the security team posted at the door, Stephanie wished she could consider this unnecessary.

The Captain’s Pallaca barely waited for the door to open, before leaping through the threshold and into Stephanie’s arms. DuHart staggered back a step or two as she wrapped her arms around the girl and maintained her balance. One of the two guards flinched before taking stock of what was happening. Cael was shocked at the Girl’s display, but made a point to make no show of his surprise when His Captain glanced his way. He silently edged past them and brought The Captain’s luggage inside.

The girl murmured to Stephanie of her relief to be together again as her lover carried her inside. Cael pointed out where he had placed his Captain’s bags, hiding his embarrassment. Then he made his way to leave. Stephanie meant to thank him, but the girl kept her lips far too busy. They were alone for scarcely a moment before the girl began to take off her lover’s clothing, casting her uniform jacket to the floor.

Stephanie was unable to keep her balance well enough to make it to their bedroom, and the girl had no qualms with that. DuHart was forced to sit on the floor in the center of her quarters, the girl’s legs tightly wrapped around her waist and her fingers tearing through the buttons on her shirt.

Stephanie’s Pallaca was frantically delivering kisses. Too ravenous for their tongues to dance. She ran her teeth across Stephanie’s lips, pecked her on the tip of her nose. The girl began to chew on Stephanie’s whiskers as The Captain’s shirt came away. The girl’s hands wasted no time and dove into Stephanie’s brassiere.

“I dreamed of you while you were away.” The girl cooed.

“I…” Stephanie was forced to stay her voracious lover with her hands. “I must confess something.”

“Did you fuck your Tactical Officer?” The girl asked seductively. “He’s adorable.”

“You’d… No I haven’t been unfaithful to you. I’ve had my own dreams, shameful ones.” Stephanie sputtered.

“Taking yourself a toy for an evening or two is well within your station, and would be far from unfaithful.” The girl replied, bemused at her lover’s immaturity.

“I did not.” Stephanie assured.

“Then what do you think you’ve done?” The girl asked in a reassuring tone.

“I, think that he…” Stephanie noticed the girl nodding knowingly. “I could not keep my mind from Cael’s body, even now. I don’t know what to do.”

“You should have invited him to stay, with us.” The girl suggested.

“No, that would be nowhere near appropriate, I couldn’t.” Stephanie blurted out, covering her face with her hands.

“Tell me, in your dreams; was he fun?” The girl’s hand wandered down as she asked.

“Yes.” Stephanie answered, with her words and her warmth.

“Describe it to me.” The girl’s fingers slid inside Stephanie in time with her words.

“He, in the shower.” Stephanie gasped and closed her eyes. “He took me from behind, like an animal.”

“I would have loved to join you.” The girl took hold of Stephanie’s hand and guided it into her underwear, letting DuHart feel for herself how true the words were.

Stephanie moaned and fell back onto the floor, pinning the girl’s legs beneath her own. They played with each other and continued to describe their fantasies in turn. Stephanie felt the need to tone-down some of the more bizarre things she had imagined that week, but the girl was more open.

The Concubine managed to coax Stephanie into sharing her first dream, through judicious and dexterous persuasion. Stephanie insisted she was less comfortable with her feral fantasy than she truly was, but her quivering around the girl’s fingers told the real story. Encouraged by Stephanie’s admissions, the girl rolled off. Laying alongside her lover to share a deeply personal one.

“I often have this one dream.” The girl hesitated while running her hands over Stephanie, staring at the ceiling. “Where I am a boy.”

“What sort of boy?” Stephanie questioned expectantly.

“A young one, short, usually not very masculine. Though often well endowed.” They snickered together for a moment. “In this dream I am a boy who is a Pallaca, one working from some dark and tiny room. My client is always the same.”

“Who is he, your client?” Stephanie asked, sliding her hand over to caress the girl’s thigh.

“It is not a man, in this dream I am always servicing the same very large woman.” The girl explained, a look of confusion on her face.

“Tall?” Stephanie’s question was delivered in a confused tone.

“That as well.” The girl admitted.

“I must admit, I am not so sure I would find this dream very erotic.” Stephanie fought a laugh as she quipped.

“I would have never guessed as much…” The girl blushed, stifling a fit of giggles as she tried to explain.

“I never would have guessed at my deepest fantasy either. Until I stumbled across it.” Stephanie mused.

“That’s not my deepest fantasy.” The girl’s unintended interruption had stalled Stephanie. “Go on, you first.”

“When you’ve cooked for me, after a long day. Then we make love.” Stephanie said, smiling.

“Oh, Stephanie.” The girl embraced her lover, a tear slipping from her eye. “Now I feel bad, mine’s dirty.”

“Don’t fret.” Stephanie stroked the girl’s hair, a sly smirk appearing on her lips. “Tonight we have both shared bizarre fantasies of being the opposite gender, on occasion at least. I refuse to believe you have any fantasy dirtier than that.”

The girl laughed. Seeing her lover smile so jovially, Stephanie laughed as well. Hearing such a playful sound from Stephanie, the girl pulled herself in and kissed her deeply. A tremor ran along the girl’s tongue as it found Stephanie’s. The taste of the girl sent a wave of heat through DuHart and left her lips tingling.

“I wonder often. Very often.” The girl began tentatively. Stephanie took her lover’s ear between her fingers, the way she did to Stephanie’s much longer and thinner ears. Encouraged, the girl continued. “I used to wonder what it would be like to be with a Trans-Human. I find it to be inexplicably more enjoyable, most of the time.”

“But what is it that you still wonder about?” Stephanie could see the girl’s hesitation in her eyes.

“I wonder what it would be like to have fur.” The girl's answer was delivered with a tiny shudder. She’d never put it to words before.

“Clothing can prove a little itchy, if it doesn’t fit well. Though I can only assume that having no fur, is less so.” Stephanie said, still smiling. “Is there, any more you would like to know?”

She took hold of the girl’s hands and guided them over her breasts, then down her body to her hips. Letting her feel her fur. Stephanie relinquished her lover’s hands, letting her continue to explore. Stephanie brought her own hands back to the girl’s hair and ear, and caressed them both. A tremor ran through the girl’s fingers as she let out a tiny breathy moan.

“Your senses, they are stronger, aren’t they?” The girl asked, in spurts.

“When you want me, I can smell it from across the room.” Stephanie whispered into the girl’s ear.

One of her hands squeezed the top of Stephanie’s outer thigh, the other raked its fingernails through the pearly fur on her belly. The girl’s brow was furrowed and her lips quivering, she ran her knees along Stephanie’s leg.

“Cael masturbated one night, while he showered. He cleaned it up, but I could taste it on the air.” Stephanie’s admission came in an excited jumble.

The lovers locked eyes as the girl orgasmed. She swore and gripped Stephanie’s body with her hands and legs. She trembled beneath DuHart’s grip as her feline lover slowly extended her fingernails and gently caressed the girl’s back with them. The girl whined as she soaked her panties through, the fur on Stephanie’s leg received the same treatment.

Smelling the girl’s orgasm for the first time in a week was like a slap in the face to Stephanie. Her eyes lost focus, but she managed to keep just enough of her wits. She took one of the girl’s hands and put it against her already glistening vulva. The girl immediately began to thrust her fingers inside, Stephanie slowed her with a tightened grip, then let go. Stephanie ran her hand along her leg and up to the girl’s pussy, collecting as much of the moisture as she could. She made sure the girl watched as she drew her hand and a helping of the girl’s scent to her small pink nose.

The girl felt and watched Stephanie orgasm, simply by smelling her fingers. They were both excited, but the girl had only ever dreamed of such things before. She took her own fingers out of Stephanie and put them into her mouth. Tasting her lover, as her lover tasted her.