"If they do?" the high pitched voice of my spice girl asked.
"Then we'll need to rip-jump out of this system prematurely," my freckled partner answered.
After a pause, Cinnamon said, "Well, it is a good thing that we didn't leave Sage behind. Should I go get her now?"
"No," Strawberry answered, lacking any confidence in her tone. I saw out of the corner of my eye that Honey was pivoting to face her friend, no doubt anticipating a negative reaction. "Kash wants me to handle the navigation."
After a period of silence I turned around to face Cinnamon. The look of horror on her face had me concerned. Maybe I was overstepping here after all. Strawberry was watching to see if I was going to reconsider. All three of them had a ton more experience at this than me. My ego had me pushing my ill-advised plan ahead of logic. It certainly wasn't the first time that happened.
Hopefully, the outcome would be better this time around.
CHAPTER FOUR:
Flying through the vast expanse of space was incredibly easy in comparison to driving a car on Earth. There were no lines to stay within. No road signs to watch for. And, in this case, zero traffic. Perhaps getting our ship through a busy section approaching a space station might be more of a challenge, but this was more like driving a boat on a huge three-dimensional lake.
Strawberry miscalculated our nav point on the first try. It was a humbling experience for her and I found myself in a unique situation. Trying to boost her confidence.
"We're too close to the moon," she told me when I brought the ship to a stop. "G-force will increase over the next few hours. We won't be able to stay here long. I'm sorry, Kash. We need to get farther away if we want to be powered down for at least a whole day."
"Okay," I responded kindly. "No problem. Give me a new point. In fact, make this one as far from the view of the planet as possible without showing on the incoming ship's sensors."
"Ummm," she answered nervously as she fumbled with data. Both Honeysuckle and Cinnamon glanced her way as shocked as I was. The redhead was always super confident before. Apparently, that was only when she actually knew what the hell she was doing. Learning on the fly in front of her coworkers was messing her up.
"We're hidden from view now, right?" I asked. Honey answered to the affirmative. "So, take your time and find a new spot for us. Use the trajectory data from before and plot a point that barely keeps us behind the moon while maintaining enough distance that we don't have to power up again soon."
At least thirty seconds passed as I patiently waited. In that time, no one said a single word. I knew that every second that ticked off the clock was a tiny step in my favor. I was being self-assured and calm. Strawberry was struggling. I was glad that both Honeysuckle and Cinnamon were present to witness this.
"Okay, Kash," the navigation rookie finally said. "I've got the new point. I'm sending it to you now. Sorry for the delay."
"No worries," I replied as I piloted our craft to the new location. It felt like we weren't even moving, but my screen told me otherwise. Once I arrived, I asked, "At the rate the ship was approaching our old location, how far can I move again and stay out of view in say about an hour?"
"A significant distance," Honey answered right away.
"Let me confirm that," Strawberry said nervously. After a few seconds, she told me, "Yes, we can move again in an hour to put us almost completely out of view of the planet while remaining hidden from the incoming ship. Based on their last trajectory and speed, of course."
"Excellent," I replied to her. "I'll leave the engines powered up and we'll move again in an hour. After that we'll power down and try to stay undetected for a while."
"I'll get back to studying the rip-jump navigation," Strawberry told us. "Should I go to my quarters to study or remain here?"
"Which works best for you?" I asked. This was a lifeline, of sorts. Her choosing to study in her room would separate her from the crew at a critical juncture.
"The control room gives me a better screen to work with."
"Then stay here," I answered. "We'll remain as quiet as possible, taking conversations elsewhere when we can. We'll need at least one person to remain in case the incoming ship alters course and comes looking for us."
Cinnamon motioned emphatically for me to exit the control room with her. I nodded to Honeysuckle for her to stay and watch the scanners. My tan skinned brunette then urgently guided me by the hand to the galley. Unfortunately, Vanilla was in there eating her meal. So, she took me all the way to her quarters instead. Was this a booty call now? Did she get so hot by seeing me in full command that she was ready to give up that sweet smelling virgin pussy to her hero?
When the door shut behind us I could tell by the look on her face that was not the case. "Are you really going to let Strawberry navigate us through rip-jump?"
"Yes," I answered confidently. "Hopefully, she'll have plenty of time to study. But if not, we'll take our chances."
"You'll be risking our lives?" Cinnamon said in near panic. "I didn't want to undermine you in front of the others, but rip-jumping is not something to be done carelessly. There are ships that have never come back from the other side. Ever!"
"I understand," I told her, being calmer than was my nature. My patience with Strawberry in the control room was carrying over to this conversation and it made me feel good about myself. Like I could totally be a great commander. "It will be a calculated risk and I'll make the decision when the time comes. Hopefully, we'll have a couple days hiding here before we go."
"What if we don't?" she asked, still a bit frantic. "I'm not sure if..."
"Are you having second thoughts about following my lead?"
"No," Cinnamon replied, acting a tiny bit more like a subordinate instead of a nagging wife.
"Would you rather Strawberry make decisions for us? Or should we pull Sage up here and put her back in charge?"
"No," my girl replied sternly before taking a deep breath. "If anything, I'm more likely to follow you now. You seem the most adept in a crisis for sure. But the three of us are much more experienced at space travel. I just ask that you accept our input and make a logical decision. I didn't have a say at all before you started moving the ship."
"Noted," I replied. "I apologize for not calling you to the control room as soon as I heard the situation. And I'll seek everyone's input before deciding to bug out of this system."
"Bug out?" she asked.
"Let's have two of us monitoring the situation at all times just to be extra sure. That way it won't be just one person's opinion that we hear when action needs to be taken next time." I rubbed my hands up and down her arms to relieve some of the tension. "In the meantime, we're already in your room. Would you like to lie down with me for a spell?"
Cinnamon laughed nervously. I fully expected complete rejection. I was joking, mostly. Trying to cut the stress.
"You did get me a tiny bit horny back there," Cinny confessed.
"Really?" I asked, my eyes flying wide open.
"But we don't have time for that now," she said as she pushed past me. "Let's get back to work. I'll monitor a station. Just tell me if there is something that you need to do."
Then she was gone. Hustling back to the control room. I watched her ass wiggle with her hurried pace. Did she really get horny during that crisis? Was it because of me taking command? Hell, I'd boss her around more often if that is what it takes. But somehow, that didn’t sound like a good match for her personality.
"Kash," I heard my name being called. It was Vanilla's lovely voice, lacking any irritation. I stepped over to the galley doorway to find her still seated at the table, an empty plate in front of her. "Can we talk?"
"Sure," I answered as I slid into a seat across the table from her. I wasn't overly excited about answering questions regarding Sage's predicament but continuing to put it off would surely create a larger gap between us. I was doing incredibly well with the crew since my return. I didn't want to have anyone fighting agai
nst me anymore.
"I've been doing some thinking," she told me calmly. "The crew of this ship has gone through a lot over the last few weeks. During that time I have been considering finding another job."
"Oh," I responded. This was not the conversation that I was expecting. Finding another doctor would be as challenging as getting a new navigation officer, considering our circumstances.
"It all started with the sexual tension created by Captain King and Pilot Koradd," she explained. By her body language I got the impression that I was in for a long story. I opened my mind and relaxed in my seat, prepared to stay a while.
"Though the two men left me alone in that regard, they had created an uncomfortable workplace. Obviously, I did not wish for either of them to die. However, in their absence things improved around here. Except for the fact that we were still stranded on an unmapped planet, of course. I teetered back and forth between my desire to leave this ship and my dedication to serve the existing crew. I never told anyone, but I fully expected to depart at the next civilized station."
"I see."
"Then you came along," she continued. "I anticipated that things could get worse, with another male joining the mix. But you were different. Though sexual tension increased once again, it was not in a destructive way. Things actually got better."
"Thank you."
"I keep to myself to avoid building strong friendships that could interfere with making rational decisions. When you released the Pithynos and brought two dragons among us, things changed. Their intelligence and undocumented anatomy compelled me to study them diligently. I decided to extend my stay."
"Good."
"You have since then brought two more alien species into the mix. My study of the four different types of sentient beings could keep me busy for quite a while. Though I'm sure it was not your intent, you have provided me with an opportunity of a lifetime. My colleagues would be truly envious. In that regard, I am very appreciative."
"You are welcome."
"I am a structured and moral person," she continued to explain. "Clearly the right thing to do is to return this ship to King's company. We may all lose our jobs if we do. And it is unknown what will happen to my research subjects as well. Certainly, if I were permitted to continue studying them, I wouldn't be alone. I probably wouldn't even be in the lead position."
She paused, but I remained silent. Hopefully, she changed her mind about turning the ship over.
"I am somewhat embarrassed that my selfish desire has clouded my judgement. Learning that about myself has been challenging. Over the course of a few days I finally came to terms with it. I decided to remain on the Arketa Koreta as the ship's doctor and support your agenda of keeping these strange creatures among us. Sage would be our team captain since she was the next highest ranking officer after the loss of the two men. And that was fine with me. I could certainly work with her, though we would butt heads regarding what to do with the study subjects, of course."
"This new development was more than alarming. I have never witnessed a mutiny before. The thought of violence among the crew is very disturbing for a doctor. You see, I had blocked out the rumors I heard that Sage was plotting your death. That was careless of me and to a point I must share some of the blame for how things have turned out."
"I don't think that you did anything wrong, Vanilla. I doubt that anybody in the crew does."
"I appreciate that, Kash. But the fact remains that I could have performed better in my duties. Without a doubt the right thing to do now is to go to the nearest station and let the authorities sort things out."
Oh shit. What do I do now? Cage her up with Sage? Convince her not to turn us in? Threaten her? No, I couldn't do any of that. I respected the lovely doctor way too much. She was such an angel in appearance and in heart.
"However," she continued. "I already sold myself out when I decided to turn a blind eye to the situation. My desire to embark on the research program that would make me respected in my field had changed me. The way I see it, considering that every one of us is now a criminal, you need me and much as I need you."
That was a great turn in the conversation. Was it my time to speak yet? No.
"I therefore offer my services to you, Kash. I assume that you will be the new captain of this ship. Strawberry is a great asset to this crew, but she is not a leader. And her motivation is likely less aligned with mine than yours will be. Considering the support that you already have with the others, and your new arrivals, you shouldn't face any opposition in taking control. My support can make it official."
"Excellent," I replied, unable to completely mask my relief. "I accept."
"I have some demands," she added.
"Oh."
"You cannot kill Sage or leave her in a condition or environment will she will likely die."
"Agreed," I answered immediately. Despite some harsh things that I had done in my early adult years, I didn’t want Sage’s death hanging over my head in my new life.
"You cannot release any of my subjects for at least a year."
"A year?" I asked. I had made promises to Teddy and the dragons that they would be freed when the time was right for them. A year was an awfully long time for someone to tolerate when they wanted to go home. Especially considering my promise to honor their request when it comes.
"Kash, I need at least a year to document these magnificent creatures. I know you have committed to not enslaving them. I admire and agree with you. I just need you to persuade them to stay with us for a while. Based on what I have witnessed regarding your power of persuasion, that shouldn't be too challenging."
She was absolutely right. I honestly believed that I could do it. I already had it in the back of my mind to keep them around as long as I could. Rewarding them with a good life should be enough. I would just have to deal with each hurdle as it came.
"The final demand is that I want to birth your baby."
CHAPTER FIVE:
"You want me to impregnate you?" I asked in shock.
Immediately I envisioned her splendid naked body on my bed. In my mind, she used her hands to pull her feet high in the air while spreading her shapely legs. Those divine creamy eyes with the dark brown rims were guiding me to the sweet spot where she needed me to deposit my seed. I didn't mind if it was just a medical procedure for her. I would enjoy every minute of it. Hopefully, I would be able to last several minutes once inside her.
"No, that is not what I meant," Vanilla blushed. "I apologize for the confusion. I want you to impregnate at least one of the other women aboard."
"Oh, I see. Why?"
"You are a time traveler from nearly two hundred years in our past," she explained like it was something obvious. "It is likely, based on the sperm count in your specimen, that you will be able to impregnate one of the remaining human females on this ship. Your child will almost be as important of a research subject as the other creatures. I do not mean to be callous. I know that having a child entails a lot more than that. I am not heartless either. I will care for your offspring diligently, and fondly."
I stared at her in confusion. She wanted one of the beautiful women of our crew to have my baby. I already fully intended on having sex with them regularly. I could try to remember to ejaculate into their vaginas more often, though I did like seeing my seed fly free at times. But this decision should be up to the women. Shouldn’t it?
"Wouldn't they need some kind of adjustment to allow them to become pregnant?" I asked. "Are you willing to do that without telling them?"
"Oh, no," Vanilla responded as if I had just called her mother a whore. "Of course not. You will need to persuade one of them to do it."
"Okay. I can try."
"If you were also able to bring a fetus to full term inside one of the alien women, that would be a magnificent opportunity for me." Vanilla seemed a bit shy about that suggestion. "I don't know the chances of that happening, and I'm not encouraging you to force yourself on those strangely exotic women
, of course. Just keep it in mind. If they are agreeable."
Oh, I already had those two in mind. I liked being the rooster in this coop, I just hadn’t considered the breeding implication.
"So," I began summarizing her demands. "Don't kill Sage. Keep Teddy, Gako and Dawynda for at least a year..."
"Aeren and Mixi as well," she added.
"Okay. I don't think that they'll be wanting to leave us anyway. And give you a baby to study. Should I pinpoint specific females for my insemination? Or just spread a wide net?"
It took her a moment to understand my question. When she did, her professionalism slipped a bit as she nearly chuckled. "You can plant your seed in as many places and as often as you want, Kash. But you'll need a willing recipient to carry the child."
Alien Girls Page 3