by Brad Carr
The rest of the Emerald Team lined up a firing squad according to Cash’s command. Slipping in and out between the trees with swift movement, was a glimpse of two winding boas. Grail and Reeves’ laser beams shattered off the bark of trees. The crafty serpents traveled from cover to cover.
“They’re adolescents!” yelled Grail.
“It’s too fast!” screamed Cash. “Neda and Angus, mow down the entire direction!”
Angus and Neda dropped their assault rifles, picking up their gatling lasers near their feet, in cases. Pulling out large metal battery backpacks, strapping them on, they connected a thick cord to their laser gatling guns. The guns were extremely heavy and required two hands to operate. One hand to pull the trigger handle, the other steady their aim, gripping the top. Gatling lasers were powerful weapons; it had to be carried at their sides, and it was difficult to move fast with them.
“Switch neural targeting parameters to body heat!” ordered Cash.
Upon his command, Emerald Team Three could see the minimal amount of heat the boa cobras gave off, as well as any other small creature viewed from that direction.
“Rear arc formation!”
The rest of the team, armed with laser assault rifles situated themselves in the shape of an arch, covering the opposite directions to Neda and Angus’ sides and back. This was to keep on guard for the hidden lady viper surely sneaking behind them.
“Fire!” Cash commanded to Neda and Angus.
Angus and Neda rotated their torsos side to side, spraying down the entire South East direction of the forest. Searing through trees, the beams cleared portions of the landscape at six hundred rounds per minute. Blood sprayed holes of crimson, splattering chunks of flesh from the fearsome snakes.
“Cease fire! Cease fire!” Cash shouted. Emerald Team Three obeyed his command, he asked, “Where is the Lady Viper?”
The end of the barrels of the gatling lasers glowed orange from the heat that it gave off. A tomb-like silence hushed over everyone. Angus lowered his gatling, and placed it on the ground. Picking up his assault rifle, Neda did the same.
Mei was missing from the group. Angus noticed her disappearance and stated, “Mei isn’t here.”
Cash and Angus gave off a look of worry. “Everyone, split up two by two and find Mei.”
“No need, I’m here,” Mei announced. Approaching the group, carrying the bloody hooded head of the lady viper; its forked tongue dragged against the ground. Bright yellow eyes gazed ahead, void of life, but nonetheless frightening.
“Permission to inspect the kill Sir?” asked Angus.
“Granted.” confirmed Corporal Cash.
Angus stepped only a meter away, then speaking to Doc he stated, “We need the largest flask you have.”
“Why Angus?”
“I need to extract the venom from that head.”
“What good will that do?”
Removing his attention from Doc, he called over to Mei, “Rest there! Don’t take any more steps! Please!” Making eye contact with Doc again he confirmed, “You need to study the venom to make an antidote.”
“But.”
Mei dropped the boa cobra head, passing out, her face struck against the mud on the ground.
“Get her to the medical tent!” Doc commanded the rest of the team.
***
“Good morning,” Angus greeted Mei when she woke.
“Where am I?”
“You’re in the med tent. The anti-venom is working well.”
“Anti-venom, why?”
“You were bitten in the side.”
Mei reached over, revealing a white bandage wrapped around her lower torso. “I didn’t know I was bit. I didn’t feel a thing.”
“It’s the boa cobra venom, it numbs the area as soon as the fangs enter. But you’re going to be okay,” Angus confirmed. Gently, he stroked her hair, locking onto her lips. She tenderly kissed him back.
Holding his hand she replied, “I was hoping our first kiss wouldn’t be in a med tent.”
“Disappointed?”
“No, of course not.”
“Thanks again for dinner Mei.”
“What?”
“Yeah, we’re eating that lady viper tonight.”
Both of them laughed hysterically. Mei chuckled, “It was my plan all along.”
The events molded both of them. From that moment on, they spoke more, smiled more, and laughed more. Angus and Mei opened up to each other, allowing themselves to gradually ease away from their diffident nature. Confidence filled Angus. He became more crucial to his teammates than ever before.
Chapter 16
Mona had a frustrating day. The misting sprinkler systems in one of the experimental greenhouses encountered a mishap. Mists should have been operating only twenty minutes each day. Instead, one of the farming technicians accidentally set the timer for twenty minutes every hour. The seeds were overwatered, rotting in the soil. Her experiment took a major setback.
Typically the long lasting treento crop grew in sand. Mona believed she could make the crop grow larger and quicker in dark topsoil, full of rich nutrients. She spent the entire day replanting the greenhouse. It wasn’t a normal sized structure for agriculture. The greenhouse measured ninety meters long and twenty-five meters wide, deep within a cave in Tyra’s Keep. Tropical temperatures were synthesized by the use of ultra violet lamps. Because of the limited power inside, the fans stopped functioning, because the sprinklers drained the power.
Edward was the farming technician who made the error. He apologized to her many times. But Mona was too upset and angry to accept his help in replanting. She yelled at him earlier, ordering him to take the day off while she “fixed this fuck up!” Mona’s stubborn streak revealed itself from time to time. But this situation was more complex than a simple blunder. Winter was upon them, she had an entire district to feed, especially with the new immigration within the walls.
By the end of the day, Mona was drenched in sweat and tarnished with dirt. Her mood turned sour. Looking at her wristwatch, she realized that it was 21:00. Leah had been home by herself since 17:20! Living underground without real sunlight made the distinction between night and day difficult to discern. In a panic, she hurried toward home. Zooming through the access tunnels, then passing the marketplace; Mona reached the steps of her home. Up the rock carved staircase, flinging the door open, the quaint living room was quiet.
“Leah!” she called. “Honey, are you here?”
“In the bedroom Mom!”
Mona breathed a sigh of relief. Opening Leah’s bedroom door, she could view her sitting on the bed, reading another borrowed book from Brakion’s library. Mona started to apologize, “Oh, Leah I’m so sorry.” She walked over to her to give Leah a hug. Leah put up her hand to stop her.
“Mom, you’re dirty. You can hug me after you bathe.”
Mona grinned, resisting the urge to embrace her daughter. “Are you okay? Baby, I am truly sorry. I had to work late and…”
“I’m okay Mom,” Leah interrupted. “I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself.”
“Yes, you are a big girl. But I’m a momma, I’m always gonna worry about you.” Leah continued reading in her book and didn’t respond. “Well, I’m going to take a shower, then you can tell me about your day.”
Mona walked into the bathroom, and undressed. Turning on the faucet connected to the gray rock wall, she reached out her hand to check the temperature of the water from the shower head. Stepping onto the blue tiled floor, she let the warm water rain down upon her head and face. Brown water circled down the drain from all the dirt fleeing her body. Granules of soil scratched through her hair. Mona began to wash it out with lilac shampoo. She sighed as the hot water rolled down her back, loosening her sore muscles.
Unfortunate for her, the warm water became cold quickly. The water heater is timed for five minutes per hour to save energy. Now she began to shiver and it was too cold to continue. “Fucking hell,” she whispered. Mon
a grew angrier about her day.
Stepping out of the shower, drying herself off with a blue towel; she walked over to the gray metal sink. Combing the knots from her curls, she winced slightly when the bristles hit a tiny clump. Mona brushed her teeth, and slipped on a white cotton robe. Tying the white sash around her waist, she fantasized in the reflection in the mirror. Brakion was present in her imagination, nuzzling her neck, and wrapping his arms around her from behind.
Leaving the thought in the bathroom, she exited. Advancing to Leah’s room and entering the door, she saw her daughter fast asleep with a book in her hand. Removing the book from Leah’s grasp, she placed it on her dresser. Turning off the lights, trying not to disturb her slumber; she slowly shut the squeaking door of Leah’s bedroom.
Mona situated herself in her favorite brown cushioned chair. “Television on,” she commanded. A flat projection appeared from a small stand, near the stoned wall. Disturbing her moment of relaxation, there was a knock on her door a few minutes later. Cursing under her breath for the distraction, she looked over to the entrance.
Rising from the chair, she whisked to the front door surveillance screen. Gazing into a small projection, Brakion appeared. He was dressed in a simple blue and black jumpsuit. Finally, it dawned on Mona that she forgot about her weekly dinner with him. She unbolted the lock, opening the door.
“Brakion, I am so sorry for tonight. I got back really late and…”
“It’s not a problem. You know Mona, we don’t have to go to dinner all the time. Instead,” he paused picking up a box beside his boots,”I brought dinner to you.”
Beaming with happiness, she asked, “What is it?”
“Well, there was a fresh catch of shark today. I sent someone to fetch and prepare it for me. It’s shark steak with diced apples and green beans. I hope I picked…”
“I love it. You are too sweet,” she gave him a peck on his cheek. “I’ve had a hell of a day.”
“I have ale too.”
Mona responded, “That is even better! Please come in.”
Entering her home, he locked the door behind. Placing the box of food and ale on her small kitchen table, he suggested, “If you want, I can leave while you get dressed. Is Leah awake?”
Mona stared back seductively, “I’m okay in my robe, and Leah is asleep.”
“Then I’m okay with it too then. I feel a little overdressed, may I take my boots off?”
“Sure, I know you’re trying to be a gentlemen and show me your manners. But we’ve been seeing each other for a few months now. No need to be too proper. Relax a little.”
“I know, you’re right. I…listen, I know our relationship has been quite friendly so far. I have a reputation of being promiscuous, which is why I haven’t pushed anything between us. And I know I’m a few decades older than you. But I’m going to be blunt, if this isn’t what you want, you can stop me at anytime. I won’t mention it further. I am interested in being more than friends. You are brave, smart, and beautiful. Leah couldn’t ask for a better mother.”
“You think those things of me?” Mona’s face beamed with a slightly bashful expression.
“And more…No matter how busy my days and nights are, I find my mind wondering if I should even attempt to try to be with you. I broke off any sexual relationships with any women since I met you. All I can picture is you now, which is strange for me. I am not one who is typically monogamous. Doesn’t make sense.” He looked up contemplating his next comment. “Look, if you’re not interested, I will walk out the door now, and never bother you again.”
“Don’t go,” she stated to him. She strolled over to him, put her hand on his chest. “I want you. Don’t you dare go outside that door. I command you.”
Brakion was relieved that he didn’t make a fool of himself. “Command?”
“That’s right. I command you. Just because your the big shot around here doesn’t mean I don’t get a say in what I want in my life. Now shut up, and kiss me.”
Mona stood on her toes, while Brakion leaned over to kiss her. Their lips met and their tongues grasped together. His strong muscular arms picked her up as Mona’s legs wrapped around his waist. Brakion held her tight, his heartbeat racing.
Removing her lips from his, she said, “Take me to my bedroom.”
“What about Leah?”
“She’s fast asleep.”
Carrying her to the room, and locking the door, he placed her gently on her bed. Brakion gently untied the knot from her robe, opening it. Draping off her shoulders, her exposed breasts rose up, and down from excited puffs of breath. Brakion finally removed his boots and unzipped his jumpsuit; dropping it to the floor. With a strong chest and fit muscles, his body was covered with many old, but deep scars. He kept his wire sleeve on, and the brace connected to his leg.
“Take those off,” she said.
“Mona, listen, I shake from…”
“I don’t care. I won’t judge you on your injuries Brakion. I accept all of it. Please.”
He nodded. Removing a mesh wired sleeve from his right arm, it began to quiver. Bending down he unlocked the brace on his leg with a push of a button. Removing his blue cotton underwear, Mona’s gaze proceeded down his torso. Brakion's engorged penis slightly curved upward, with a thick vein swelling in the middle of his shaft.
Getting off her back, she slid her legs towards him, bending her knees upward. Sitting up, Mona grabbed his hand directing him to lay on the bed. Now on top of the bed with her, she crawled on her hands and knees and gripped the shaft of his member. Mona licked, from the bottom of his testicles, all the way to the head of his penis. Putting him inside of her mouth, she began to suck. Brakion rolled his head back, gripping the sheets. Myoclonic shocks twitched in the damaged nerves of his leg. But he was too enflamed with sexual excitement to take notice. After a few minutes, the feeling of a pleasurable inflammation began traveling up his shaft. Mona’s head continued to bob up and down.
“I’m…I’m gonna…wait I…” Brakion tried to warn her before he came to full explosion.
Mona heard his warning, and stopped pleasuring him by removing her lips from his throbbing penis. She tightly gripped the base of his penis so he wouldn’t have an orgasm yet. This was exactly what he wished for her to do. Brakion wanted this feeling to last longer. He wanted to put her needs above his.
Brakion held her waist, moving her to rest on her sore back against the mattress. Their lips met again, then he proceeded to tenderly peck down to the foundation of her neck. Slowly traveling further, he fondled her sensitive breasts, licking her brown nipples that stood at full attention. Mona moaned quietly and cautiously. Brakion eventually moved his mouth further down her body. Kissing and licking down her abdomen, he reached her neatly trimmed vagina.
Brakion’s tongue flicked on her clitoris. Her labia constantly brushed against his mustache. His long beard gave the sensitive areas, between her labia and anus, a delightful tickle. Mona clutched his long white hair, bawling her fists. Her silky powerful legs moved slowly, pressing against his ears. Mona squeezed her thighs tightly against his head. Her vagina glistened; soon a wet spot puddled on the white sheets. Eventually, a deep puff of air protruded from her mouth. Mona’s orgasm erupted. Gritting her teeth, she moaned in intoxicating pleasure.
Realizing that she was satisfied, he knew it was time to enter her naked body. Mona instinctively opened her legs wide again. Brakion held his penis tip to her opening. At first her muscles were too constricted for him to penetrate her interior. Rubbing the head of his member, up and down on her clitoris, her vaginal muscles loosened up again. Slowly driving inside her, he began his rhythm. Feeling her moisture and warmth, he let out a long happy exhale.
Mona moved in sync with him. Grinding in tempo like a musical symphony, her fingernails digging light scratches into his back. Penetrating in and out, the walls of her internal tunnel gripped his extension. Mona’s internal juices lubricated his gliding penis. Speeding up, his testicles slapped agai
nst her. Brakion felt the urge to let go inside her, but held back; slowing his pace to extend their moments of carnal pleasure. Mona’s body bursted out another orgasm, causing her to gasp louder than she anticipated. He couldn’t control it much longer. Brakion’s sperm yearned to rocket out.
“Let go. It’s okay,” she whispered in his right ear. “I already came twice.”
With a few hard thrusts, he shot like a bullet inside her, letting out a long shaking grunt. Mona could feel his penis, pulsing and squirting warm liquid inside of her. All his power diminished. Brakion arched his back upward and descended his forehead to the middle of her breasts. Looking up, gazing into her eyes, they kissed passionately. Mona’s lips were hot and moist. He removed himself from the top, resting beside her.
Brakion's right arm started to convulse violently, as well as his leg. Moving his head upward attempting to exit the bed, she wrapped her leg around his. Holding it down, she politely refused him from leave. Mona looked to the soul of his eyes. Stroking his leg softly, Mona calmed the nerves from jumping. Soon, the vibrations transformed to a small twitch.
“You were wonderful,” she told him.
“You were spectacular.”
“Don’t get up. I don’t mind your body shaking. You don’t have to keep your guard up around me Brakion. I accept you for everything you are.” She gave him a quick peck on his lips and continued, “I know you live with hard physical pain. I see it when you walk around Tyra’s Keep. You hide it well, but you can’t hide it from me. Nor do I want you to.”
“The citizens won’t respect a disabled general. It was different when I was king. My mind was the only thing that mattered then. The Royal Doctors did a wonderful job of reversing my paraplegia. But the trade off of feeling nothing, is the constant pulse of immense agony. Sex is the only time it is easily ignored. Don’t tell anyone I told you that.”