by A. C. Katt
The Earthen fem were also not used to the pastoral lifestyle of the Sarrans and had to be taught its worth with classes and entertainment presented to encourage them to pursue opportunities they would not have been given on Earth.
The major complaint the Elders heard was best summed up by Tina Ferrara while she was having coffee with Syn. “The fem miss Earthen music and entertainment and socialization with other fem.”
“We can arrange a library of all Earthen music and movies that the fem could access from their coms. Every trading trip back to Earth could bring the newest entertainment home to Sarran,” Syn proposed as she sipped her coffee in the sitting room that her Warrior surprised her with on the anniversary of her first tide as their fem.
“The fem need to learn to use the public transporters, the ones that don’t require much psy. That way they could visit each other for coffee or bridge,” Tina suggested, getting excited. “We could open a few clubs where the singles could dance and mingle if we can get the Elders to approve.”
TaEllen piped in, “Hold your horses, Tina, we don’t want to make Sarran a carbon copy of all of Earthen excess. Dances held once or twice a month is a good idea, clubs are not.”
“Those fem not in Triad are free to return to Earth on the next expedition. It’s not the bonded who are complaining,” said Adele who was usually very quiet.
“That’s true, but the remaining unbonded fem are young and need entertainment. Let’s speak to our Warriors and see what the young did before the Zyptz.” Syn started to gather the coffee things; which was the signal for the others to leave.
“I’m glad we include Tina in these informal Ta meetings. She provides insight into the minds of the young fem as she is only twenty; not too far removed from her teens.” Anya helped Syn bring the dishes to the kitchen.
As soon as he saw what they were doing, Garlance protested, “TaSyn, TaAnya, you are doing my job. Would you put me out of work?” he asked.
“I believe your main purpose is to guard Naffie. I can take care of coffee cups; you watch my offspring who is rambunctious and prone to wander,” Syn said in a serious tone.
Garlance laughed. “My job is to serve both you and Nafer; that is why we replaced Stoker with Emot. That is also one of the reasons TeBron and TeZaron invited Juraens and Mark to stay in the gatehouse. They wanted them there until your bonded can find another PsyOps operative to guard the manse.”
* * * *
At the next full council meeting the Elders and their fem were busy developing lists of goods which they wanted to obtain in trade. Mark and Juraens were included in the discussion as Mark was the only Warrior from Earth and could tell the council what tech to trade and Juraens was a PsyOps trooper who had been to Earth on a scouting mission before the Brightstar fleet’s arrival.
“Our first priority should be the cats.” Tonas was absently brushing off his trews.
‘‘We can obtain them from animal shelters; that’s where I got Tigger.” Anya said.
“We need someone to do this that has mind speech. Most cats that we know of are not sentient,” Syn said petting Duchess who just popped into the room. Tigger soon followed.
::All cats have the potential to be sentient, but Duchess and I agree, we should take felines who have already developed the skill. With the cats over breeding on Earth, we shouldn’t have a problem getting multiple sentient cats for each household on Sarran.::
Tigger jumped on Tonas’ lap and rubbed his fur all over Tonas’ trews. Jonal and Anya rolled their eyes. ::You can’t let the Earthens know why cats are so valuable. Our brethren would be subject to scientific study if they found out.:: Having had his say, Tigger went over to one of the litter boxes of Zaron’s design—the no mess, no smell design was now replicated all over Sarran.
The discussion continued, “We don’t want to give tech that can be weaponized. Or we should modify any tech we give them so it can’t be weaponized. The tech that the Sarrans used in the Zyptz war would set Earth aflame in the wrong hands.” Mark sat at a desk in the council room, making a list on his com.
“Medicine and medical equipment is a good item to put on the list. We have to make it affordable so the poorer nations could afford to put it in their hospitals. Some of the poorer nations are the ones who grow coffee beans and the beans for chocolate. The process by which they are made into useable product should be available on Earth’s internet,” Anya noted. She had a baby bump as did Syn, Adele, and Ellen.
“We need to pay for all of the copyrighted material you took from the libraries and the internet. Some make their living writing and making music. If we take their work without payment, legally on Earth, it’s theft,” Ellen said, while eating a donut. One of the fem had a Krispy Kreme franchise and put the recipe in the fabricator.
“That’s true. Things we fabricate without thought here on Sarran need to be paid for on Earth. The recipe for that donut is probably patented,” Adele said while eating some of Syn’s cookies.
“I thought that a recipe can’t be patented, that’s why they are so secretive about the recipe for Coke,” Ellen said. “My late brother was a patent lawyer. He died of Aids; which now thanks to the Sarrans, will be curable.”
“Then we’ll need to retain a law firm. We have to choose wisely, some lawyers are ethically challenged,” Syn said dryly as she refilled coffee cups.
“After being here for some time you tend to forget the greed on Earth. We really have to be careful. Governments can also be corrupt. If you make a treaty for coffee, most of the money could be taken as graft or bribes by government bureaucrats.” Anya looked concerned.
“We could impose severe penalties for graft, bribery, and failure to pay workers a living wage. Trade embargoes for the merchandise we can provide would be disastrous to the government who is corrupt or allows corruption,” Mark added, getting up to stretch his legs.
“ Fabricators should not be on the list as they would jettison Earth’s entire economy. They are not ready for that type of tech with the corporations running the government behind the scenes. The corporations would make sure that fabricators would never see the light of day on Earth. You have to wait until Earth finally gets its act together and forms a single government which is more difficult with a population of seven billion as opposed to twenty thousand.”
“And counting…” Syn added patting her belly.
“So we offer medicines first; then com tech, and gold and gems for anything we wish to buy outright. The rest we wait and see how it goes.” Zaron looked to the others to see if there was agreement.
“We are all in agreement then. The Brightstar will leave in two tides for a return trip to Earth.” Bron closed and locked the council com port. “I propose we adjourn the meeting to go out and enjoy this lovely day.”
The meeting broke up early. Syn’s Triad took a tour of the Warrior College before making their way home.
They stopped in the village and traded some credits for fresh meat and vegetables to be delivered to the manse as Bron and Zaron hadn’t had the time to go hunting since before the Brightstar left on its mission.
“I vow I’m going to shoo you two out the door to go hunting sometime soon after the Brightstar leaves. You need the relaxation,” Syn told her Warriors as they took a leisurely walk home in the sunshine.
Garlance met them at the door with a look of consternation. “Nafer is missing. Emot and I have looked everywhere. Duchess and Tigger are out searching the grounds.”
“Have we received any coms?” Syn asked in near hysteria.
“No TaSyn. Nothing has come in since we discovered he was gone,” Emot said with tears running down his cheeks. “I believed he transported out to the fields. We were out in the garden I turned my back for a moment to pick up some flowers for the dining table and then he was gone.”
::Mommie!:: Syn almost fell over from the sheer force of the scream in her head. She had no choice, she followed.
Syn found herself on the deck of a light slip. Naf
fie was restrained by three men as he bit, scratched and kicked. Two of the men were older and one of those two leaned heavily on a cane. “Mommie’s here. She’ll help me,” Nafer cried.
“Zuff and Angle, I assume.”
“One of the Warriors slapped her. ::These are Elders, Earthen scum. Show some respect.::
“You’re one of the brood mares that Zaron and Bron brought to Sarran. The fact that you’re here indicates you’re theirs.” The one with the cane reached out to strike her.
Syn ducked the strike and used her feet to set him off balance and send him to the floor. TeAngle went for her throat when suddenly Tigger popped into the ship followed by Duchess.
Tigger jumped on TeAngle’s back and joined Naffie in causing general mayhem, ::We have the one with the cane on the floor. The others are still fighting. Syn and Naffie are both in danger!::
::Help is on the way. They will follow my trail. You protect the offspring,:: Duchess instructed.
Tigger took out one of the Warriors holding Naffie by clawing out his eye.
TeBron and TeZaron came in a mot behind the cats along with Mark and Juraens arriving with their lasers set to stun. The battle was over in minutes with all five Warriors on the floor. The pilot came out of the cabin.
“What happened here?” he asked.
“His aura is blue, he didn’t know,” Syn said.
“Then he can only be punished for stupidity. Pilot this craft back to the spaceport field. Your life depends upon it.”
Juraens opened the pilot’s cabin door.
“I’ll sit with him to make sure he does as he’s told.” He disappeared along with the pilot.
“One is black; all others are red,” Naffie said sitting on the floor peering at the Warriors.
“No matter, offspring, one struck a fem and the others stood by while a fem was harmed. There is only one penalty for that in the Codex: Death. We go to council.
* * * *
The tone in the council chambers was grim. TeZuff and TeAngle were immediately sentenced to Dissolution and then, death. The Warrior who struck Syn admitted that he misled his bonded about the nature of their mission.
“Xerit didn’t know. I beg for him to receive Dissolution. He should not pay for my deceit.’’
TeAllen spoke, “It shall be as you ask, but not because you ask it, only because TaSyn begged for his life and that of your other two confederates. TaZaron and TeBron, it is up to you to carry out the sentence.’’ Although Syn was devastated she kept still. This was the one law no Sarran above the age of culpability could break. She never realized what a crime Naffie had committed when he kicked Maddy. His protection of her became all the more poignant.
::He was in no danger, Pa Chette, you were already Ta as soon as we found you. Her penalty would have been exile. Naffie only defended his Ta as is his right. She chose her fate and what little I have of pre-cog tells me it will not be pretty.::
The Rite of Dissolution was horrible. Syn never wanted to witness one again. TaZuff and TaAngle stood stoically. There was no need for the death sentence, for both died during the rite.
The Goddess had mercy on the innocent Warrior of the second pair. His bonded died in the rite; he passed out. He was carried out to PsyOps headquarters where he would be mindwiped of all events from his bond to the present.
* * * *
Two days later, the Earthen fem who were Ta got together at Castle Air to discuss the experience.
“Now we know why there are no women’s shelters on Sarran. I’m not sure I agree with the severity of the Goddess’ punishment, but considering the history, it must have been necessary.” Ellen drank Tierest juice in fear that caffeine would harm her unborn bebe.
“Yes, I thought about it. There is still a shortage of fems on Sarran, at least until Brightstar, Goddess willing, can bring more from Earth. The planet could undergo another bout of war if the Codex was not upheld in the strictest sense,” Anya added, eating pieces of Pinner fruit.
“I still feel responsible.” Syn bowed her head. “For Maddy, for the Warriors, for all of it.”
Adele, usually the quiet one said, “Nonsense, they broke a sacred law, they needed to be punished. The five who committed treason are dead. The other one was had his bond dissolved and was given a chance to start anew. That is hardly a penalty. It wasn’t your fault, Syn. You didn’t initiate the Zyptz war that corrupted the Elders and it was PTSD that made the others susceptible to the machinations of the rogues.” Adele got up from the couch and gave Syn a hug. The other fem followed.
Syn broke down and cried. Bron and Zaron came running. Zaron spoke for both of them. “Pa Chette, our heart, what can we do to help you?”
“She’s upset about the sentencing and punishment. She feels responsible. We’re going home. Call us if you need us; but you are the best medicine for your fem right now,” Ellen said.
Anya kissed Syn before she left.
* * * *
Epilogue
“If it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul.”
—William Shakespeare
Bron carried Syn upstairs in the big arms formed in his Zadda’s forge. Zaron went ahead and opened the door to the slumber chamber. They laid her on the bed between with their arms around her and each other. Syn chest heaved with her sobs.
::Pa Chette, there is no way that this is your fault. You did not encourage Angle and Zuff to treason, nor did you recruit their followers.::
Bron turned her face toward him ::You are too quick to blame yourself for the sins of others. You are the most honorable fem we know. You could have left your past behind you when you first came to our slumber chamber. You had no idea that a Sarran Elder can deep read a mind.::
Zaron continued, coming up on one elbow and staring into her eyes. ::Yet even though you didn’t know, you told us everything, making sure we knew of your so-called sins which really rested on the heads of those who abused you. You even begged the Goddess herself for mercy for one who would ruin you without a thought.::
Bron kissed her gently on the lips. ::The Goddess chooses our fem for us and lets us recognize her when we hear her mind. Your mind is the purest we have ever glimpsed. Even if this were not the case; we would still choose you. You are perfect in our sight. You work tirelessly on behalf of a place that was not your home. You care about women who would have shunned you. You grace our manse with hospitality and no matter what we ask of you, even if it is unreasonable and troublesome, you provide.::
Zaron kissed Syn and then Bron. ::Let us love her together.::
Bron and Zaron undid her buttons one by one, trailing kisses down the path between her breasts. Pushing aside her prim white blouse, Zaron pushed it off her shoulder, revealing the Sarran bra Bron provided for her that first night.
Turning her toward Zaron, Bron undid the fastenings while Zaron worshiped her breasts.
Syn started to undress Zaron and then turned to do the same to Bron. She quickly disposed of his boots, vest and trews as Zaron took her mouth. Bron lay naked behind her. Both men began to rub their cocks over her body.
::I see that the love you bear for each other is so great that I now realize so is the love you bear for me. Show me how you love each other, let me watch your passion.:: Her Warriors groaned at her silent wish. Syn sat back on the bed with the pillows piled up behind her, her hand between her thighs.
Bron took Zaron’s head in his hands and moved his tongue over the crease of Zaron’s lips. Zaron opened his mouth to receive him. His deep passionate kisses moved from Zaron’s mouth to his eyelids. His tongue touched a hot spot behind Zaron’s ear. Zaron bucked up against him, rubbing his cock on Bron’s leg. By now both men dripped Sarran slick from their foreskin. Zaron moved behind Bron and traced his tongue down Bron’s spine, ending at the divot that marked the beginning of his butt cheeks.
Using the lubrication that was dripping from his cock, Bron wet his fingers and entered Zaron’s warm, grasping channel.::My Dragon, you are so tight f
or me.:: He crooked his finger and pushed further inside. Bron added a second finger and found Zaron’s sweet spot. He looked at Syn. Her thighs were wet.
As Zaron began to moan his sounds chorused Syn’s. Bron lined up his cock with Zaron’s entrance and Syn finally moved. Bron watched as she took Zaron’s cock into her mouth and hands. As Bron moved, Syn suckled. Bron watched as Zaron fell apart in their arms.
Bron came inside his Dragon, Zaron in his Pa Chette’s mouth, and Syn’s juices dripped from her own climax.
* * * *
Six tides from the day the Brightstar landed it was ready to make the return journey. Several of the fems along with their Warriors went back to help recruit more women to make the trip, including a Hollywood star who bonded with a pair of cabinetmakers.
The fleet was commanded by Captains Lunas and Saxon, the bonded pair that sat second chair on Brightstar’s first voyage.
Mark and Juraens stood at the boarding station flanked by four of the ten Elders. Mark took the hands of Anya’s Triad and held them in his while his Beloved stood at his back. “My adopted sibs, we go to complete the story and bring the rest of the fems along with our own. We will travel far from the new home that I love but we will bring with us your good wishes and the love of the Goddess.
Mark and Juraens moved to Bron and Zaron. Juraens said, “I have had your backs for many years and now you have mine. We are happy to go with your blessing to find our fate as you have so happily found yours.
They were the last to board. The gangplank went up and the latest voyage of the Brightstar across the galaxy began.
THE END
* * * *
ABOUT A.C. KATT
A.C. Katt was born in New York City’s Greenwich Village. She remembers sitting at the fountain in Washington Square Park listening to folk music while they passed the hat. At nine, her parents dragged her to New Jersey where she grew up, married, raised four children, and became a voracious reader of romantic fiction. At one time she owned over 2,000 novels, until she and her husband took themselves and the cat to New Mexico for their health and its great beauty.