by Zena Zion
It occurred to him that he had visited Heechaba several times without visiting the river. It excited him to be reminded of this tradition lost.
“I would like that.” Barbara replied. “I have wondered about the river since we visited the temple.”
“Ghiram will be disappointed. He was planning a celebration in your honor for tomorrow night. You will not even be there.” Madaug said with a laugh.
“That’s alright with me. I was not looking forward to being gawked at all night long.” Barbara lied. She had looked forward to the party. It would be a chance for her to make new allies in the clan.
Chapter 7: Lessons
Madaug led Barbara down the last of the winding stone steps toward the river. The tall flowering bushes that lined the path spread apart revealing a stone archway. At the apex of the archway stood a statue of Maxge. He gazed in the direction of the rising sun.
Barbara could smell the river long before she could see it. She passed through the archway, and the slow waters of the Maxgetachin spread out before her. The water lapped at a stone jetty that protruded from the archway. Benches sat in the centre of the jetty, allowing visitors to rest near the water.
“This is very beautiful.” Barbara commented seeing turquoise animals clustering like ducks on the water. The swam in amongst vibrant yellow flowers floating at the surface.
“Let me get you a stone.” Madaug said, reaching into a basket that hung from the archway. He pressed a small flat stone into Barbara’s hand.
“This is an old tradition to honor the ancestors. You want to toss the stone across the water so that it skips. For each time the stone touches the water, you name an ancestor. You must always start with Maxge, for this is his river. Watch.”
Madaug positioned the stone in his hand and skipped it across the water four times. “Maxge, Z’slis, Dorma, and Noonka. Give it a try.”
Barbara had a talent of her own. From an early age, she had been an expert stone skipper. She smiled to him and bowed her head in respect. She positioned the stone between her fingers and launched it across the slow water. It skipped six times.
“Maxge, Willa, Nora, Graham, Jason, and Elisabeth. Did I do it well?” Barbara asked, seeing Madaug with his mouth open.
“You honor the ancestors well.” Madaug replied pleased. “Tell me where you learned how to use the stones so well.”
“I grew up near a pond. I spent hours as a child skipping stones across it. I wasn’t allowed to do much else. My family was very restrictive.” Barbara said, walking toward a bench.
“Earth is a restrictive world?” Madaug asked with interest. He had not had a chance to visit space near Earth.
“Not necessarily. Growing up, I was in a family that prioritized religion over their own happiness. That is not the case for all the people of my planet. I had left my parents home before I was taken. I was beginning to understand what freedom was.” Barbara remembered fondly.
“I was living on my own, and making a new family of other misfit friends. In the city, I found many people like myself that were fleeing the memories and oppression of their family. We had come together to support each other.”
“How did you support each other?” Madaug asked fascinated. He had never known an individual to leave their family voluntarily. Status amongst his people was based on their heritage and allegiances. Individuals were ousted from clans; they did not leave them.
“If one of us didn’t have enough money for food, they would come over for dinner. If they didn’t have enough money for rent, we would let them couch surf for awhile. We listened to each other’s stories and comforted each other.” Barbara said as she thought about her friend Connie. She was having a rough time before Barbara left Earth. She wondered what she was doing now.
“That sounds like the primitive cooperatives that existed on the planets of the Imperium before they were absorbed. Their economies became dependant on the Imperium.”
“Don’t get me wrong, none of us were doing particularly well financially. It was the emotional support and room to be ourselves that we craved more than food. We had food when we lived with our parents. We needed unconditional love.” Barbara said as tears welled up in her eyes. “I’m going to miss those people the most.”
“Did your government know that you were participating in a cooperative?” Madaug asked, trying to understand the strange planet that created Barbara.
“No, I mean, I don’t think so. It’s not like we were trying to change the world with our practices. Many people find their tribe when they leave home. I was culturally different than my parents in terms of how we wanted to live our lives. The government didn’t care about what we did as long as we paid our taxes and did not commit crimes.” Barbara said confused. “Why would they care about what a bunch of poor kids are doing?”
“It is examples that breed revolution. If I started a cooperative that got between the financial relationship of the Imperium and the individual, I would be tried for treason. I would have little effect on their overall finances as an individual, but as an example, there is no telling how many people I may influence.” Madaug explained. “It’s basic philosophy.”
“The basic philosophy that I learned from my friends, was that one should live and let live. Is it not better to allow those around you the freedom to be who they are, as long as it does not infringe upon your own freedoms?” Barbara echoed Connie’s Canadian sentiment.
Madaug paused for a moment to ponder Barbara’s foreign ideas. He felt his attraction to her grow. He had a physical attraction to Barbara from the moment he had cast his eyes on the gentle curves of her body. Her political discourse brought him back to sitting on his mother’s lap while she debated with his father. Her challenge of his ideals stoke the ember of his desire.
“Tell me more of this Earth of yours. Is your planet united yet? That usually does not occur until galactic exploration, but it happens.” Madaug said, sitting next to Barbara as if proximity would enhance understanding.
“Far from it. My planet is divided on racial, natural resource and spiritual matters. It is a mess really. Our planet is in crisis. Our activity is slowly killing us. We are affecting the gases of our planet at an alarming rate.” Barbara said, dropping her face into her hands.
“Oh, it needs a planetary atmospheric regulation system. It was the conquering of Heechaba by the Imperial Family that allowed for the flow of engineering to specifically solve that problem. When there was one path and one desire, it was easy for our people to overcome our planetary problems. Like I said, planetary unity does happen before galactic exploration. The problem is that its path of realization is by war. Peaceful unity comes when a planet becomes galactic explorers. Perhaps that is the path your planet is on.” Madaug said supportively.
“It is a beautiful place. There are many that are working toward an idea of unity, but through cooperative action. It is the dominance of economy that is holding us back.” Barbara said longingly. “I wish I could show it to you.”
“Perhaps we can visit Earth together in the interphase.” Madaug said, wrapping his arm around Barbara. “Casaugh can recreate it from your memories.”
“I’d like that. There are many things I would like to show you. I’ll take you to the pond and teach you how to skip stones.” Barbara said with a laugh.
She wiped the tears from her face and took a deep breath. The emotion of remembering the life she had stared began to ebb away.
“Let’s get back. Casaugh is likely awaiting for us to transport.” Madaug said rising and reaching out a hand to help Barbara to her feet.
“Yes, it’s time to move forward.” Barbara replied taking Madaug’s hand.
Chapter 8: Collapse
“It looks like Casaugh has returned.” Madaug said, seeing a blinking message alert on the control panel as they returned.
“I’m ready when you are.” Barbara said, playing with the golden face of Maxge that hung from her neck.
“Durran?” Madaug blurted
out in fear as he read the control panel. Reluctantly, he touched his finger to the blinking image.
“Madaug…implosion.” Durran’s voice said shakily. Madaug took a step back as the message repeated. “Madaug…implosion.”
“What?” Madaug said taking a deep breath.
“What is it?” Barbara asked rushing to his side. “What happened?”
“It’s a message from my contact at the Star Collective. It means the resistance has been infiltrated. I have to check in with Comet Squadron.” Madaug said frantically. “I have to know what happened.”
“But how will you do that without rousing suspicion?”
“Trust me. My primary mission right now is not to be executed for treason. I will not rouse any suspicions.” Madaug replied tapping the screen for information. “I will simply check the incoming reports.”
#
“Where is Casaugh?” Madaug said as he paced the room. He had confirmed through the reports that the Star Collective had been infiltrated, and that top members of the organization were in custody. Many of Madaug’s fellow resistance members had fallen during the infiltration, including Durran. “She should have been here already.”
“Can’t you contact her and find out where she is?”
“The less communications traffic I create, the harder it becomes for the Imperium to find me if they are looking. I would suspect that if the leaders are placed in the interphase, the hunt for collaborators will begin.” Madaug said with anger.
“If I had just destroyed the communications hub, maybe none of this would have happened.”
“Don’t blame yourself.” Barbara said in the hopes of placating Madaug. “You don’t know what may or may not have happened if you did blow up the communications hub. Maybe the Imperium would have acted faster. All we can do is wait for more information.”
A beep came from the control panel that sent Madaug rushing to it. A smile broke across his face as he viewed the flashing icon. A familiar voice came through as he touched the screen.
“Apologies for the delay. I am in orbit awaiting your insructions.” Casuagh’s voice came through the communication device.
“We are ready for transport.” Madaug said touching the screen.
“Acknowledged.” Casaugh replied. “Prepare for transport.”
Barbara was pleased when she saw the familiar surroundings of Casaugh appear before her. She was beginning to feel trapped on the Imperial Sphere as Madaug worried about the future. He feared bringing dishonor to his house through treason.
“Welcome back Madaug and Barbara.” Casaugh said delighted to have them back aboard.
“I trust you had a good time at the star.” Madaug said, jumping into a bio chair.
“It was pleasant to engage with other Herres.” Casaugh admitted freely.
“I would love to hear all about it another time.” Madaug said, shuffling in the chair. “We must interface now. There is much to fill you in on.”
“Acknowledged.” Casaugh replied as Madaug drifted into the interphase.
Barbara stood for a moment, not sure of what her next move should be. She gazed at Madaug as he appeared sleeping in the bio chair. He looked innocent to her, the usual rough edges of his face relaxed into a childlike calm. Barbara wondered if his mother watched him in the same manner.
“Barbara, please visit the bio chair in your room. Madaug informs me there is much you need to learn about working aboard an Herre.” Casaugh directed.
“No problem.” Barbara said walking toward her room taking off her dress so she could change her clothes.
“We will be leaving orbit while you are in the interphase. Madaug will update you when you are finished.”
“O.K.” Barbara said dropping into her bio chair dressed more reasonably. “How long do you think I’ll be out for?”
“Not long. I have already mapped your brain. I will just have to make a few adjustments.” Casaugh informed Barbara as the interphase began to initialize.
#
“Barbara?” Madaug’s voice penetrated the blur of Barbara’s senses as she came out of the interphase.
“Yes. I’m back.” Barbara said, rubbing her head. “My head is sore.”
“That is one of the unfortunate side effects of information dumping. It may be faster than learning in the traditional sense, but it can also take getting used to. I’m sure Casaugh can create an analgesic for you.”
“I’ll be O.K.” Barbara said rising unsteadily from the bio chair. “I am more interested in finding out where we are going. Casaugh told me we would be leaving orbit.”
“Yes.” Madaug said, turning from Barbara. “We have left Heechaba. We are hiding in a cluster of asteroids in the Imperial System.”
Barbara watched as Madaug rang his hands around the room. She found his vulnerability attractive. The man behind the mask of aggression and honor had begun to peek out at her. She had met him as a gruff warrior, but now the boy his mother raised was taking over the rebellious teen that had raged him forth into battle.
“Have you any news of the Star Collective?” Barbara asked following Madaug back into the control room.
“I was able to capture some messages about the infiltration of the Star Collective. It appears that one of the operatives had been captured and the location of the Star Collective headquarters compromised. I didn’t even know where the headquarters were located. It must have gve been an important part of the resistance.” Madaug said shaking his head.
“I hope that the top members of the Star Collective were able to encrypt their data well enough that we won’t be compromised as well in the process.”
“What about the Comet Squadron? Are they not waiting for us?” Barbara asked as her knew knowledge instinctively brought her to a screen to check for power imbalances.
“Casaugh signalled them that we are en route before leaving orbit of Heechaba. We may not be timely, but at least they will not think that we have not heeded the call of the Imperium.” Madaug said double checking for new reports.
“So, now what?”
“Now we wait. It will take time before we can venture from the cluster safely. Any passing squadron would be privy to our position, which would instantly be transmitted to the Imperium. If we are being pursued, remaining here is the best course of action.” Madaug informed Barbara the best he could. “It’s the uncertainty that’s making me crazy. The unknown is the most stressful part for me.”
“It’s going to be O.K.” Barbara said, abandoning her station to massage Madaug’s shoulders. “We just need to take a breath and focus on the fact that they do not know where we are now. We don’t even know if you have been implicated in the Star Collective’s agenda yet.”
“That does feel good.” Madaug said as Barbara’s fingers dug into his tense muscles.
“You feel very tense.” Barbara said as she worked her fingers into Madaug’s broad shoulders. She liked the feeling of his strong muscles under her hands. In her mind, she knew that she would never have been able to find a comparable man on Earth.
“Yes, that feels very, very good.” Madaug groaned as he felt the release of tension.
Barbara moved her hands around Madaug’s neck and massaged his chest. His hard pecs responded with muscular jumps as Barbara worked the ends of her fingers into his muscles.
The closer she got to him, the more Barbara noticed Madaug’s scent. She had been too overcome in their first encounter to notice such a fine detail. Now that she leaned over his neck, his musky scent penetrated her.
“You know, the other day on the table in Maxge Hall was one of the most intense moments of my life.” Barbara whispered in Madaug’s ear. “Perhaps you will let me return the favor?”
Madaug smiled and reached up to caress Barbara’s face. He cradled it in his hand for a moment before turning to kiss her. He was happy for the distraction amongst the worry and the fear.
Barbara turned Madaug’s chair around so that he was facing her. She climbed on his lap and bega
n to kiss Madaug passionately. She wanted as badly as he did for him to forget. She leaned back, undid her bra, and pulled her shirt off with it.
Madaug smiled as Barbara’s full breasts fell free in front of his face. He grabbed each of them in his large hands and suckled from each of her nipples. Barbara moaned loudly as her nipples grew erect under Madaug’s tongue. He squeezed them gently and Barbara began to move her hips on his lap.
Barbara could feel Madaug’s sexual tension building beneath her. She could feel him grow rigid beneath her. She reached down between her legs and undid Madaug’s pants. She could feel that he was ready for her next move.
Sliding to the floor, Barbara raised herself up on her knees and pulled Madaug’s pants off. His erection stood large and strong and looked like it pounced as it was released from its prison. She took Madaug into her mouth, and he released a deep moan that reverberated through his chair.
Barbara bobbed her head slowly on Madaug, trying to keep the pace steady. She wanted him to savor her pleasure, and to keep his mind occupied for as long as possible. She teased the tight bundle of skin beneath Madaug’s rigid manhood. She could feel him tense with ecstasy with each gentle tug.
Once Madaug was slick with Barbara’s saliva, she employed her breasts. She wrapped them around Madaug’s moist flesh and let him buck his hips into her. Barbara pinched her nipples roughly, enjoying Madaug’s abandon. He pushed himself between her breasts, his breath coming shorter.
Barbara broke the warm embrace of her breasts on Madaug and relished in the disappointed look on his face that told her she was doing her job properly. She moved back down on Madaug, taking him into her mouth once more. Madaug twisted his fingers into Barbara’s hair and gently pushed her head down so that he could achieve the deepest penetration.
Madaug moaned as Barbara moved her tongue up and down his erogenous tissues. She looked up at him innocently, and looking into her eyes, Madaug felt himself mounting his climax.