by Alma Nilsson
Next, she went to the High Council, which was much more forgiving of the situation. Jane chided herself for not taking Dru’s advice first, then she would not have wasted her time at House Rog. The High Council deliberated Jane’s request to allow Babette to remain in House Human for only an hour. However, their conditions were not favorable. Mir must find a House to accept them both within the month, or they would both be forever Houseless and their children without a class.
Jane had no choice but to take the offer. She knew that she could not publically ask for more. She was just about ready to VM Kes another member of the High Council and ask her which Houses were most likely to receive Mir and Babette when she received a message from Kara.
Jane was surprised as the fleet had been out of touch for days. She quickly messaged Kara back, explaining the whole situation.
Kara was in bed when she read Jane’s message, “Sera. Stop, yes. No. I mean, stop licking me. I can’t do this now. I need to think.”
Sera glided up Kara’s naked body and began playing with one of her pink nipples, “Are you sure?”
Tir came up on the other side of Kara and began kissing the back of her neck.
Kara breathed deeply and then said, “Yes, I’m sure. Sera, you need to leave now. I must speak with Tir alone.”
Sera disappointedly got out of the bed and put her clothes on and then left.
Tir watched her go and then looked at Kara, “Gods, I hope our house is on fire or something. What is it?”
“ One of the new human women married a man without a House and is now pregnant. They have nowhere to go. The High Council has given them a month to find another House to accept them.”
“Is she unique is some way, well-bred, beautiful, intelligent?” Tir asked.
“No, she is just a young woman. I’ve not met her. She is an assistant at the Capital City Library.”
Tir shook his head, “And him. Who?”
“Jane just wrote, ‘Mir of no House.’”
Tir looked at Kara and said thoughtfully, “We can’t interfere.”
“What are you talking about? Yes, we can, and we will. She is human.”
“No, that’s not it. It’s who he is. It’s forbidden. No one must help.”
“What? Because he has no House? Ridiculous. I’m tired of…”
Tir interrupted her, “No, because he is the god of peace made man. He only comes to us with the promise we will not interfere.”
“What nonsense is this? Gods aren’t people, and the gods aren’t real Tir,” Kara hated the Alliance gods and talk of them.
“Blasphemy Wife, I would punish you, but that would only be a reward,” Tir said. He should have been shocked by his wife’s disdain for their religion, but she had never pretended to be a believer, so he had become accustomed to her reactions. “It really doesn’t matter if you believe. I believe, and so do the Alliance people. No one will interfere.”
“Not everyone is that stupid. That girl I killed in the duel, Rez, her family didn’t believe.”
Tir laughed, “No, they are not religious but seeing as how you killed their daughter and heir to their house, I doubt they would do any favors for humans. In fact, I don’t think any non-believers will help. You see, that’s the issue if they don’t believe they don’t believe in Mir and can see no benefit in accepting him or aliens, as they would see humans, into their House. Especially since she has nothing to offer a House. And believers, like myself, must follow the edict of noninterference.” Tir put a finger over his heart.
Kara smiled, “You are the next in line to be Emperor. You will find them a House.”
“What will you give me, Wife?”
“I’ve already become pregnant with your second child.”
“Our child, and that’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Name your price Tir.”
“You will obey my every command outside this room.”
Kara looked at him and said, “No. Some of your commands are stupid, and you waste time.”
It was no secret to Tir that Kara was much smarter than he was and a much better leader, “That doesn’t matter. I gave you this position. I gave you everything. You owe me. You cannot keep going rogue all the time. That’s not the way the Alliance fleet works.”
“Oh stop, you enjoyed publically punishing me. Something else.”
“I did enjoy that,” Tir admitted.
“Tell me your price for helping this poor little human woman. Hasn’t she done a good thing for the Empire by marrying and getting pregnant? She should be your model human.” Kara put her arms around Tir. They were naked, and he had an erection again. Kara put her hand on his penis and stroked it, “Don’t you think she deserves your help?”
Tir closed his eyes, “Well, when you put it like that.”
“Should I put your penis in my mouth? What do you say?”
Tir looked down at Kara, “I’m not doing that for this.” He knew his voice betrayed him at the thought of her mouth on him, so subservient, so wrong.
Kara licked her lips slowly, “Really? I know how much you love it when my little mouth is trying to squeeze your large penis into my hot hole.”
“Where do you come up with these sentences?” he said breathlessly as she sucked on one of his nipples.
“Are you sure you don’t want my tongue licking you down there? It’s not forbidden now.” She sucked on his other nipple watching him. “That foolish human needs your help, she’s nothing Tir.”
Tir put his hands on Kara’s head and pushed her down, saying, “Fine. I know a House.”
Kara smiled and licked the length of his cock a few times, making Tir draw in-breath and then trying to take the length of it in her mouth. After a few minutes, she began licking it again, letting him relax before bringing him close again to only allow his excitement to fall away. She wanted to make this good so that he would really try. By the time Kara finally made Tir come, he would have done almost anything she asked, and she was pleased with herself.
Move to the Fourth Alliance Planet
Mir received the news that Babette was pregnant and that he had one month to find a House at the same time. When Mir had read that he was worried. He asked his captain if he could return to the Capital Planet. However, even if he was lucky and caught another ship quickly on the main trade route back, it would still take at least two weeks to return, leaving him with very little time to petition for a House to allow them in.
Captain Rerg had granted his request; however, right before he was ready to leave, he was required to see Admiral Tir.
Mir took the transport to the Refa and made his way quickly to the Admiral’s conference room, there Mir was surprised to see the Admiral and his wife.
Mir bowed to both of them, “I thank the gods for this meeting.”
“Lieutenant Mir,” Kara began. “I want you to tell me about Babette Thomas.”
“You mean, my Babette of no House.”
Kara gave Tir a little smile and then said to Mir, “Yes, you’re Babette and of ‘no House’ sounds better than ‘House Human’. Tell me about her as I’ve not met her.”
Mir looked at Admiral Tir and then at Captain Kara. It was very unusual that a man would talk about his wife with strangers, but if this is what was required, he would do it. “She is very kind and a little mischievous. That’s how I met her. In the High Priestess’s punishment rooms. She was looking for love by kissing men.”
Kara was intrigued, “Did she kiss you in the punishment rooms?”
“Yes.”
“I like this woman,” Kara smiled, “Continue.”
“It was then I knew that she was my other half.”
“Even though she is human?”
“Yes. She’s my other half,” Mir repeated confused why Captain Kara would not believe him the first time.
“You are sure of that?” Kara asked.
“Yes,” replied Mir.
“You haven’t chosen her to begin a civil war?” Tir asked.
/>
“Admiral Tir, I cannot answer that.” That was the will of the gods’ and Mir was forbidden from discussing it with mortals.
“Let me ask you another question, did you always have the intention of marrying a human even before you met Babette?” he suspected Babette was easy to control, which was suitable for his movement but not for Mir’s if his was the opposite, to rip the Empire a part for including humans. The god of peace could be just as violent and vicious of any of the gods, history had proven that.
Mir of course knew Admiral Tir’s end goal with taking human women, “Tir,” he said, stepping out of his mortal character, “I am not here to hinder you.”
Tir was surprised and then immediately kneeled before Mir and asked, “Will you give your blessings then?”
Kara looked between the men, not understanding what was going on. One minute they were grilling this young man like protective parents, and now Tir was on his knee bowing.
Mir walked over and touched Tir’s head, “You know you have the gods’ blessings for your endeavor. Continue to follow their path, and they will light your way.”
Mir moved back then, and Tir stood, “My wife has convinced me to give your Babette my pity and my help. You have both been accepted into the House of Hil on the Fourth Alliance Planet. They await your arrival. After your induction, you may have a proper honeymoon with your wife on the Fourth Alliance Planet. I’m sure they have something adequate there for a honeymoon.”
“Thank you, Admiral Tir. The gods are great indeed in blessing Babette. I’ll not forget your kindness to her or our future children.” Of course, to acknowledge he was helping him as well would be to put Tir in an awkward situation, as a true believer, which Mir knew Tir was, he could not help Mir in any way out of the ordinary.
“Go with the gods,” Tir said sincerely.
Mir bowed and left.
Kara looked at Tir after Mir had left, “What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with you? He’s the god of peace, and you just stood there.”
Kara looked at her husband like he was a mad man. “He is just a man. There was nothing special about him. I don’t get it.”
Tir shook his head, “I don’t know why I even try to civilize you.”
Once Mir was in a transport and on his way to the Alliance Capital Planet, he sent Babette a message,
Dear Babette,
The gods are smiling at us. Admiral Tir has found it in his heart to ask that you, and me by default, be accepted into House Hil of the Fourth Alliance Planet. It will be a much different life than to what you are accustomed to in the Capital City, but I believe this will suit us well. That is if you are willing to take this chance with me?
I must admit, I know nothing of House Hil, but that is probably a good thing. A quiet House in a quiet part of the Empire.
If you agree, I will move with you, and we will spend our honeymoon at one of the Alliance Planet Four resorts.
I am making my way back now as quickly as possible. I will keep you updated on my progress.
May the gods light your path.
Mir
Babette received Mir’s message and was relieved that he was coming back to be with her. Of course, she didn’t want to leave the Capital City or her friends, especially not Jade. But she wasn’t foolish to believe that she could live without a House and be happy either. She had read one too many Charles Dickens novels to think that people down on their luck ever made it back out on the other side of prosperity. She resigned herself to House Hil, whatever it may be and said out loud, “I was born in a small rural town, I guess I am going to die in an alien one.”
Babette met Jade later that day to tell her the news.
“You’re going to move to a different planet, just like that? I’m never going to see you again?” Jade was devasted that her only real friend was leaving. “And you’ll be the only human on the Fourth Alliance Planet. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“What other option do I have? Jane has done everything she can do to try to keep me in House Human, but with the babies, it’s impossible. Neither Kara nor Dru have stepped up to invite me into their houses. So, this is our best option.”
“Do you really need to be part of a House anyway? I know that Alliance people place so much importance on it, but some people live without it. There are aliens that live on the Capital Planet who aren’t in Houses.”
“They aren’t Alliance citizens. Remember that we are.”
“What about all the Alliance people who don’t have a House?”
“Yes, and they are called ‘pirates,’” Babette replied.
“You and Mir could be pirates,” Jade said playfully.
“No,” said Babette laughing. “I wish. I’m sorry, I’ve got to go.”
“I know you do,” replied Jade sadly, “It’s just all our dreams of you working at the restaurant with me and us being friends forever here on this alien world are shattered. And I worry about you. You’ll be alone in a House full of aliens, we know nothing about. And most likely, you will be given another boring job.”
“I know. But I love Mir. I made my choice, and this is one of the consequences,” Babette said sadly. “We will always have VMs, and please promise to send me some food from Earth every now and then. I don’t think I will ever have the UCs to be able to afford to actually buy it from your uncle’s store.”
Jade smiled, “His prices are high, aren’t they? Of course, I’ll send you things every now and then, of course. Oh Babbs, I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Me too,” Babette took out her hair clip and gave it to Jade.
“What’s this for?”
“Something borrowed, for when you get married,” Babette explained.
Jade looked at the hair clip, “I may never get married.”
“Keep it just in case so I’ll be there with you. And I think you’ll find once your restaurant is a success you will find a husband.”
Jade didn’t answer her. She couldn’t. She knew that she would never marry, and if she did, it would be a secret. And she definitely didn’t want the man who had put the ban on her whoever he was.
“Let’s do all the things this week that we would have done over a lifetime in the Capital City.” When she saw Babette’s confused face, she explained, “Take a walk on the Promenade, shop in the Shopping District, gamble on the single space racers in orbit, you know?”
Babette smiled, “Yes, let’s do it. I don’t have to go to work. I’m just waiting for Mir. It will be perfect to keep me mind from worrying about all of this.”
Dru looked across the table at Ket and asked, “Are we really going to let them move to the Fourth Planet and be a part of some no-name House?”
Ket was annoyed, this was the fifth time Dru had asked this same question, “I’ve told you the answer.”
“Why is it that women have so much power, but then suddenly it’s down to men to decide who are allowed into which House?”
Ket shrugged, “It’s all a part of the Contracts. To keep things equal between men and women, you know that. We cannot let women have all the power.” Ket left off saying, ‘We had that for millions of years and look where it got us?’
“You and your father are making a mistake by not allowing Babette and Mir into House Vo.”
“No, we aren’t. Dru, Tir has already broken some rules by making this move to House Hil happen. I’m surprised that Mir even accepted it. Tir must have been very clever in the wording.”
Dru looked at her husband and said telepathically, Are you just as stupid as Tir? Honestly.
Ket shot back, I’m not as skilled at making up lies to avoid laws as I’m not human.
Dru threw her hands up, frustrated.
He caught one and asked gently, “What’s really troubling you?”
Dru took his hand in both of hers and shared the memory she had received from Babette from her time on Space Port One.
After witnessing it, he said, “This is troubling.”
It was clear that all the human women had been subjected to medical fertility experiments of some kind that was in direct violation of governmental law and religious law.
“I cannot confront Doctor Anu. Jane is avoiding me, so she is complicit. But this must be stopped.”
“What about Kara, does she know?”
“I don’t know,” Dru admitted.
“You should speak to your dear “mother” in person. The next time she’s on the planet. Then if she did know and agrees, you know what to do.”
“Yes, but the question is, when is the next time she will be on the planet, and will it be before anything can be done to stop this before it progresses?” Dru was worried that Doctor Anu would be growing babies in artificial wombs. Not only would those babies be emotionally unstable from being bred in such a sterile environment but she worried they would be kept under lock and key to produce more babies for the Empire in secret. Females bred to protect other innocent human women from having to marry Alliance husbands, it was a possibility, although unlikely that Kara would support this. As for Jane, Dru had no doubt that she was complicit, she had shown her true nature to Dru a few times and she could easily see Jane convincing herself this was better than taking more women from Earth.
Ket thought for a minute and then said, “She will be here for the winter festival in 8 weeks. Arrange to see her then, privately, without Tir and without her guards.”
Dru frowned, “It’ll be difficult.”
Ket shook his head, “Not for you. You’re her daughter.”
Dru said nothing. She didn’t like being so close to Kara. Especially now, when she didn’t know if Kara was at the heart of this conspiracy, she had uncovered or would be wildly opposed to it. She would risk her life by bringing it up if Kara had instigated it. However, if they were alone, she could make her forget the conversation completely after it happened by erasing her memory and replacing it with something else.