“Gyal, try to raise them. Find out what they want,” Al growled.
“Done before you got here. They said ‘we want what’s ours’ and went silent. Trying again,” the third in command replied.
Nothing answered their hails, not that Al was surprised. The unmarked craft swung back for a second try, but Arianna skipped the Ghost around behind it. Al and Thomas, another of the weapons crew, let loose a barrage of fire, hitting their attacker in the stern again, a place where the shields were weaker. Their shields faltered, then went down. Al hit them again, and the engines failed.
Before Gyal could hail them again, a frantic cry came from the other ship. “Help us. They put in fail-safes in case of shield and engine failure.”
Al had no time to order a shuttle over to evacuate them. The little craft exploded. “Well, hell.”
“Guess they didn’t want survivors talking,” Arianna sighed.
Al ran a hand through his curly hair. “I need to report to Rollins about this, but I’d better calm the chimerae down first. Ari, you’re with me. Gyal, take the bridge.”
“Aye aye, sir.”
“TELEK, please sit.” The captain waved a hand to the battered chair in front of his desk. It had been twisted around to face a screen.
Telek looked at the woman on the screen. He’d never seen a comm-link like this before, and he felt the threat of her stare as if she were actually in the room with him. Sitting stiffly, he didn’t take his eyes off her. She made him almost as nervous as Dr. Odd, who stood in the back corner of the office with Arianna.
“Do you know who I am?” the woman asked.
“No, but I’m guessing you’re the soldier Al told me about.”
“Colonel Rollins,” she replied. “My ship is on its way to meet the Ghost, and it’s my responsibility to chase down the people who did this to you. Tell me what you know.”
“Evil scientists.”
Rollins glared. “I figured that much.”
“I don’t know much about the Alaisaigae Hanne was the head scientist. She made me and probably the rest of the chimerae here. We never were allowed out of our complex or into the labs. Mostly we went from the cells to the arena, and the ones like me would be taken to the suites for those paying to use our bodies. I’ve never seen the sky. Most of the complex is underground.”
“Do you know where this complex is?”
“No, and I don’t know anything about the people. Outside of Hanne and a few of our handlers, I don’t know any of them. I know a name or two, but I’m not even sure of them. No last names, nothing that might help.”
“Not even Hanne’s?”
Telek rolled his lower lip over his teeth, thinking about it. “Naess. I heard a lot of names of those who won in the fights or bought us for the night, but I never paid attention.”
“Could be aliases,” Al said.
Telek nodded. “I’m better with faces.” He straightened. “I know the money was serious. They reminded us how much we made for the Alaisaigae. These people are rich.”
“That’s something,” Rollins said. “Al, I’m quite sure you have databases on the rich, both Confederation and known unincorporates.”
“I’ll have Telek look at the files, ma’am,” Al said.
“I can do that.” Telek rubbed his chin. “They’re cruel. They experimented on us just to see how much damage we can take.”
“I’m assuming the answer to that is your capacity is high.”
“Real high. They will hurt people to get us back,” Telek replied.
“Thank you.” Rollins nodded. “We’ll be there as quickly as we can. Thank you for your help. If you think of anything else, tell Captain Bellomi.”
“I will.”
Rollins turned her attention back to Al and the others, talking about things Telek didn’t really understand. Turning his thoughts inward, he looked forward to seeing those files. He wanted to repay his tormentors in kind.
“DO YOU think they could say you kidnapped us?” Telek glanced up from his computer screen in Al’s office. “Since they’ve failed twice already.”
Al swiveled his chair. It had been five days since the raid on the cargo ship. The second attack had come a day after the first, with the same self-destructive results. Rollins would be in the area soon, and the only good thing that had come of the last few days was that Al learned he liked having the chimerae aboard, not just Telek. The handful who were trustworthy all had the same innocent inquisitiveness he had come to enjoy in Telek. Al simply liked having Telek around to talk to, which was one of the reasons Telek was doing the searches for the Alaisaigae’s patrons in Al’s office. “Alaisaigae isn’t exactly carrying out legal ventures. They’re in no position to complain.”
A feral grin slashed across Telek’s face. “Pirates should know about that.”
The captain snorted as Telek sauntered over. Everything about the man screamed wild animal, a perfect predator. Al’s cock twitched. He shouldn’t be attracted to this man, but the last few days had proven he very much was.
Telek’s nostrils flared. Al’s jaw tightened. Could the genetically enhanced man smell the pheromones? The pink tip of Telek’s tongue flicked over his lips.
“Then I’m less a missing person than pirate treasure.”
No doubt of it now. Telek was teasing him. Al didn’t even know if Telek was fully male or not. Dr. Odd was not about to tell him that much of a patient’s details, and Al could see why Telek’s creators wouldn’t want the overly sensitive bits of tissues hanging outside his body. Odd’s reports of sexual abuse and the chimerae was a wide-open field. That stunning, spiky mass of blue hair was courtesy of the Retlaw genes inside Telek. It could be that he had internal genitalia like the Retlaws. The thought made Al frown.
The corners of Telek’s mouth tugged down. “Not treasure?”
Tucking his reservations away, Al grinned. “You’re definitely pirates’ plunder.”
“Plunder, I like that idea.” Telek bent over Al’s chair, and his mouth did just that. The kiss left Al stunned and far too aroused.
He pushed Telek back gently, his eyes wide. “Telek.”
“You’ve been wanting that for some time,” the transgenic warrior said, swinging onto Al’s lap, pressing against Al. “Or did I do it wrong? I never kissed them.”
There would be no denying the impact of the kiss. Al now had proof Telek definitely didn’t have Retlaw genitalia.
“Telek, I….” Can’t even talk, Al thought. “What I want and what is good for the people under me aren’t always the same thing.”
“Even when we’d like to be under you.” Telek tried to steal another kiss.
“I know you’ve always had to submit to the people holding power over you.”
“That’s different.” Telek frowned, getting off Al’s lap. He held out his arms. “No shockers. You’re not making me do things.”
Al’s cheeks colored. “No, but I can’t take advantage of that.”
Telek turned away. “Those people wanted us to be animals in the cage, then wanted to sleep with the beasts. We didn’t have the ability to say no.”
“And I don’t want you to think that you have to do this. You have a choice.”
“I know!” Telek started for the door. “But the first time I chose a lover, he doesn’t want me.”
“Telek, wait!” Al followed him. “Do you really mean it?”
Telek turned back. “I say what I mean.”
Al’s shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just didn’t want to take advantage of you.”
“I want you. I don’t feel like I have to be here with you.”
Any thought of a verbal response left Al. Instead, he cupped the man’s chin, drawing Telek in for a kiss. Telek returned it, eager yet inexperienced. The Alaisaigae might have forced their transgenic warriors to sleep with their fans, but they hadn’t bothered teaching them finesse.
That in mind, Al wanted this to be better for Telek. Al’s han
ds traveled down the taut planes of Telek’s body until he got to the erection straining against the man’s trousers. He rubbed a hand over it, his whisper-light touch making Telek grunt and try to press in for more.
As Al opened his own zipper to give his erection freedom, the intercom beeped loudly.
“Hell.” Telek glared at the offending piece of equipment.
“I have no choice.” Al sighed, sharing Telek’s sentiment. “Bellomi here.”
“Brother, we need you on the bridge.” Arianna’s voice came over the intercom. “The military vessel is almost here, and the Colonel needs to speak to you.”
Al winced. “I’ll be right there,” he told his sister, his erection already flagging. He gave Telek a quick kiss. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re the captain. I understand.” The transgenic’s body sagged. “What if they take me away before we get to explore this?”
“We’ll go through that wormhole when we get to it,” Al replied. He only hoped Telek didn’t know how nervous he truly felt.
RUBBING his sweaty palms on his pants, Al thought this was ridiculous. What did he have to be nervous about? He had only invited a man who could kill him without trying hard to his living suite for the first time. After their last encounter in the office, really, could there be any reason for the invitation except the obvious? He didn’t even know what he should have ready for Telek. From all he had learned, Telek’s sexual experiences were unpleasant things to get over with as quickly as possible. Al had no idea what sort of foreplay the chimera might be responsive to or even know what to do with. Still, he did have a bottle of wine chilling, and the computer played music softly. This had to be a little less sterile than experiences with the Alaisaigae or so he hoped.
He just wished he didn’t feel like such a virgin as he went to answer the door. Telek, on the other hand, seemed calm. Maybe his reasons for inviting Telek here weren’t as obvious as Al thought. The chimera was still very new to all of this, so he might not know what Al had in mind.
“Thanks for coming,” Al said.
Telek nodded. “Did Rollins have anything important to say?”
“Mostly working out the logistics of transporting the chimerae still in cryo. Those are the easiest to deal with.” Al shrugged. “You and the others are a different matter. Do you want something to drink?”
“I’m good.” Telek reached for him, dragging Al closer. His lips met Al’s, demanding, forceful, but the kiss was quick. He looked at Al for reassurance. “This is why you asked me here instead of the office, right?”
He wasn’t as naïve as Al thought. “Right, but only if you want—”
Another kiss, quicker than the first, shut Al up. “Don’t ask me if I want to again. I do. I honestly do. I’m finally getting to do something I want to do.”
Telek’s claws pricked Al’s skin as he pulled the captain even closer, not painful but enough that Al was aware of them. His next kiss was less demanding, softer, more exploring. Making it easier for him, Al opened his mouth, pressing his tongue into Telek’s mouth. The chimera hitched, surprised but relaxing into it. His tongue met Al’s in an experimental dance as Telek ground his hips against Al’s.
Al’s response was immediate. He rubbed against Telek, bearing him backward against the couch. Telek put a hand back, sinking it into the cushion for balance. Al brushed his growing erection against Telek as their tongues investigated and delved into unknown regions of each other. Al felt Telek’s fangs graze his tongue before Telek’s mouth moved off, questing after his neck. A shiver of excitement laced with fear as those fangs scraped over his pulse point.
Al slipped a hand under Telek’s shirt, his fingers finding one erect nipple. At least that part of his physiognomy was familiar. Telek’s strong fingers cupped Al through his pants, rubbing him a bit too hard. Al put a stilling hand over Telek’s.
“Easy,” he said softly. “This should be different for you. Not so fast. Understand?”
Telek’s brilliant eyes fastened on Al, their depths unreadable. “I’m not used to that.”
“I know. I know.” Al took a step back, keeping hold of Telek’s hand. He nodded toward his bedroom. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
Telek didn’t protest, allowing himself to be led into the bedroom. Al sat him down on the bed, then pulled off Telek’s shirt. He swept his gaze over the chimera’s taut muscles, his mouth going dry. His cock ached, straining against his zipper. Al took off his own shirt, then joined Telek on the bed.
Pressing his lips to Telek’s, Al let his hand travel down Telek’s body, taking the time to give small worship to the valleys and plains under his fingers. Telek groaned against Al’s mouth as the captain rubbed a palm over Telek’s erection. Al sat back, unzipping his pants. His erection pushed out from his boxers, and Telek ran a hesitant finger around the damp head of it.
Telek squirmed toward the head of the bed, beckoning Al forward. Knowing the others would have just made quick use of the chimera, Al was determined to prolong this as much as his body would allow. He leaned down, kissing his way down Telek’s chest, sucking on one nipple until he had Telek writhing under him. Al licked his way across Telek’s collarbone; the chimera’s pale skin had begun to turn a rosy color.
Al straightened up and slithered out of his pants. Telek caught him around the waist, drawing him up on top of him. Telek took Al’s shaft into his mouth, obviously having more skill with this than he did kissing. As Al straddled him, Telek held Al’s hips lightly so as not to dig in his claws as Al gently thrust into his mouth. As Telek’s tongue and mouth worked him, Al could tell everything Telek knew was geared to bringing the people he was with to a quick climax to get it over with. He probably didn’t know any other way.
Running his hands through Telek’s shock of blue hair, Al let his mouth work its magic until he got perilously close to the edge. Backing away, Al grabbed hold of Telek’s pants, yanking down the zipper, not entirely sure what the chimera might be hiding underneath. Telek wriggled out of the remains of his clothing before settling back, his eyes on Al, waiting.
Al took Telek’s cock in hand. Almost entirely human, it was textured as if pearls had been inserted under the hot, soft skin. He didn’t even want to know what part of the DNA cocktail used to create Telek this came from. Exotic, enticing, Al couldn’t stop himself from taking a quick sample, running his tongue over the bumpy flesh. Telek gasped as Al let him pop free. The expression on Telek’s face said he hadn’t expected this much reciprocation.
Sucking him back into his mouth, his tongue played with Telek, rolling, licking as Al massaged Telek’s testicles. Telek’s breath rasped in and out, his hips moving.
“Too much,” Telek gasped.
Al let him go again, swimming across the mattress to get the lube from the nightstand. “Do you want me to have you completely?” When Telek nodded agreement, Al grinned, spreading some of the lube on his fingers. Ringing the head of Telek’s cock with his tongue, Al slipped one slick finger inside Telek, then quickly added a second. Groaning, Telek pressed down against Al’s hand, taking more of him inside.
Freeing his hand, Al gave his own shaft a few quick passes with the lubricant. Kneeling, he pressed against Telek’s tight ring of muscle before pushing in slowly. Telek’s hips arched up to meet him. Al slowly pumped into him, leaning down so he could kiss Telek as he did.
Telek’s hand floated up, burying itself in Al’s hair, while the other hand ran down his back, the claws tickling against Al’s sensitive skin. Their tongues warred as Al kept up his tortuously slow pace.
Finally, Telek pulled back. “More,” he demanded.
Al didn’t deny him, repositioning himself so he could thrust deeper and faster. Taking hold of Telek’s cock, Al stroked him hard and firm, listening to the little explosions of Telek’s breath. The chimera’s feet grazed Al’s calves, the claws digging in a little deeper this time. At Al’s half-swallowed cry of pain, Telek’s feet rolled off onto the bed.
“Sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Al assured him, rubbing Telek’s hip.
Al regained his rhythm, pushing in and out of Telek’s encircling heat. His fingers played over Telek’s engorged flesh until he finally took the chimera over the edge. Pounding faster, Al came with a shout. He pulled out of Telek, stretching out alongside him, putting his arms around him. Telek’s muscles firmed, then slowly melted against him. That just might have been the best part of the night for Al, feeling that trust.
AFTER a quick breakfast, Al claimed his captain’s chair on the bridge. In some ways, captaining a pirate ship could be a little dull. They really couldn’t go after a new target unless some hapless beaconless ship strayed too close. Having to meet Rollins on time was important, and she wouldn’t be too thrilled with him if he went gallivanting off somewhere. So there was little to do other than watch the stars go by. After last night’s exertions, he was almost asleep in his chair when his sister walked in with Telek.
“I found him in the mess and thought, if he’s staying on board he ought to see how everything works,” Arianna said. “Even though he thinks he won’t be good at it.”
“I’ve never had one moment’s education that had anything to do with anything but martial arts or sex,” Telek said.
“Nothing?” Arianna asked.
“Nothing. I can’t read or write.” Telek sighed. “I won’t be much use to you.”
“You might be surprised,” Al replied, wondering why he was shocked at the announcement. Before he could say anything else, the viewscreen of the depths of outer space twisted and one of the consoles chirped.
“Someone is trying to hack into our communication system,” Gyal said.
“Open a hail, let’s see what they want so badly,” Al replied, getting to his feet.
“Are there any ships nearby?” Arianna asked.
“None. This is a long-distance hail,” Gyal said, flicking his fingers over his screen. “Got it.”
A pale woman, lounging almost indolently against a wall, grinned down from the Ghost’s oversized screen. She flipped her nearly white hair back over her shoulder, sauntering closer to the camera. “So, which one of you arranged to steal my belongings?” A delicate finger pointed at them. “I’m betting on you with the curly hair. Nice genetics. I’ll be taking a sample when I get my things back.” Her smile was icier than space.
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