Evolution's Essence

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “Very well.” The ten meter long Drake replied, lowering scaled lips revealing curved and sharp teeth.

  Utilizing his chip, Oliver activated a function to look around and say “We’re about eight klicks from the village. Netul, is there a reason we’re so far away?”

  The Creelin nodded. “The Archivers decided this was adequate based on the fact the cubs will endanger the humans who are and will be too curious for their own sake. From what your Match has told me there will be likely many thousands unaware of the danger they do not understand. The adults will be overprotective among so many strangers.”

  “Then why don’t we fly on over to the Solarian city for shelter? By now a barrier system should have been erected?” Breena proposed, holding her new Solarian midnight black spear Oliver bound her to. It was all she wanted from the armory made up from the raided derelict battle cruiser.

  “Agreed, I’ve got the rights to all discoveries to do with as I please.” Oliver said with confidence. “By law, all property defers to me and as a Hunter Elder I do not require credits to pay taxes.”

  Davan coughed. “But do not forget it is a historical site and any damages wrought will reflect on your person when eventually humanity finds out your heritage.” He coughed again.

  Renee frowned and walked right up to the man and stood roughly ten centimeters above him. “You alright?”

  “Pollen never agrees with me.” Davan then sneezed.

  “Hold on for a moment and don’t move too much.” Her arm lifted and the sleeve partially transformed into a gauntlet where a red beam of light shot from the top of her wrist and began a scan. Through her own chip she began seeing inside the man and even multitasked by taking a blood sample with her bracelet that didn’t hurt the man even slightly. “Wrong, you haven’t gotten a vaccine for a common virus on this world and it’ll make you violently ill. The nanites are helping, but you need a booster. Wait a moment while I make one.”

  The bracelet Valek disappeared under her milky skin, passing the cells themselves and diving through the outer bones of her body to collect the necessary ingredients she stores in between the hollow outer and inner bone structure. Ever since she got the protein that removed a block on her own unique genetics her skeletal structure altered to be a living biological factory of cures and poisons. Keeping volatile and deadly particles suspended in plasma apart and only mixing so she didn’t accidently kill herself. Having bone density ten times that of normal humans made it that much harder for fractures.

  When the particles were gathered she diluted the concentrated serum with plasma and injected the blue skinned man. Her abilities made it fast acting and within three minutes Davan’s bolstered immune system no longer struggled and he was able to cease coughing and sneezing.

  “Since laws prevent us flying on our ships, I’ll carry them. Stone, you help Davan. Steven, take care of Jessica. If we make good time we’ll reach the city by sunrise about seven hours from now.” In Hunter law, the strongest was leader and Oliver was undisputed in that department.

  Without warning all the fighters and Renee’s large sailboat shuttle lifted silently off the ground. Oliver was still trying to master his power. Big things were easy. Small were not. He and others left the ground using telekinesis.

  Renee though checked Sparky’s leather saddle and mounted after he told her it was comfortable. Four wings spread and blurred like a hummingbird to take a vertical flight and slowed a bit to fly with everyone. The heavier gravity of Zerika at six gees wasn’t hard for him even with his rider aboard. He was big and strong.

  The only ones to not fly were the Ligers running through the dark forest. The adults ran an average of two hundred kilometers per hour even trough thick foliage. They would have gone faster, but that was the cubs’ limit as a group. Their smaller strides and lack of collars and armor slowed them some.

  Along the way Rose got hungry and snatched a Piranha straight from a slow moving river, her keen eyesight and speed didn’t let the low rank Beast stand a chance as she ate during the flight, utilizing her curved talons to hold while she tore into the meter long grey fish with deadly teeth and insatiable appetite.

  It was about an hour and a half after sunrise that a hidden Hunter camouflaged in the thick treetops flew up from below at the sight of intruders. Brandished weapons cracked with energy and she shouted “Halt!”

  The large group did so and Oliver continuously maintained the lift of the heavy objects behind them. They waited as the defender came closer to reveal a woman holding a jousting lance with a deadly forked tip and a katana in the other hand. “You are not authorized to be here and those ships… aren’t running?” she was confused by that after noticing the engines were off, made no noise and didn’t have any pilots. Then she touched the side of the helmet and zoomed closer to get a closer look and said “Oh! Sorry brothers and sister. I didn’t get word you arrived or were coming.”

  “Because we didn’t tell anyone yet. I apologize.” Came from the deep voice of Oliver. He touched his com. “Elder Scythe,” He waited a moment as the call was sent. “we’ve arrived early and I’m going to take residence in the city for the duration of the mission.”

  “Fortune favors me then, for I’m in the city as we speak watching over the civilians and make sure they wipe their asses correctly. I could use the company. Come on in.”

  “We’re coming from the east.” He informed as the Huntress returned to hiding in the canopy.

  The crater caused by the Dorgenox’s Ripper came into view. It was mandatory since there was a poison too deadly to leave on the planet when last they came. The lake Renee made to hold all the water that had drowned the city remained, but there were changes. Large shuttles made of metal were parked on the ground. Gemstone housing were grown in strategic locations, creating a barrier to keep Beasts at bay to protect civilian scientists and archeologists granted special permission to the uncovered city. Transplanted trees proved to be of Inferno variety since the land was cleared and the soil rich to eventually harvest the fruit to make Booster Oil for faster FTL travel.

  Zerika’s preservation laws prevent deforestation, but the crater was too good a resource to let go unused. It will take more months to fill the crater. But clearly the areas were cleared around one of four entrances to the ancient city and were under heavy Marine guard rather than Hunter.

  Waiting alone was the battleaxe black man of great stature who was in the appearance of a late twenties to early thirties, but was centuries older. Elder Scythe stood out in a vacant area and the group came in. He raised an eyebrow at the Creelin, but came forward to shake Oliver’s hand as massive feline forms came charging down the crater in perfect synchronization. “Welcome, Brother.”

  “It’s good to see you, Scythe. You’re stronger.”

  “By a bit. As is everyone in my village thanks to your mate’s gene therapy. I must say I now see why you love Beast flesh raw now. It’s delicious.”

  “Did you go up a Class?”

  “Almost. In a few weeks I will most likely… Is that Davan Took? The wanted criminal?” Scythe’s demeanor darkened.

  Davan cowered behind Renee of all people at being noticed, but she said “Yup, but he is innocent. He didn’t kill anyone of his free will. He was hijacked by illegal nanites and…”

  The massive warrior raised a hand. “Enough. He is a wanted criminal on Verard for murder and cyber terrorism.”

  “But…” Jessica spoke to defend him too.

  “No more arguing. Davan Took, come before me this instant.” Elder Scythe didn’t notice Oliver had even slipped past his mental defenses and is why he said and did nothing.

  Realizing running wasn’t an option, Davan came forth, eyes downcast and shoulders slumped. Elder Scythe reached behind and withdrew Psionic restraints and bound both hands in front of the man. The shackles were unbreakable since the man’s Psionics were suppressed. “I give you this one option, Mr. Took.” This surprised Davan, but he dare not look from the ground. “
Either I hand you over to the Marines and have them transfer you to Verad for trial and execution or you become my prisoner and stand under a full Elder’s council after we deal with the threat facing us. Know this, if not for Oliver being a brother, I would not offer this because you aren’t of us. Your ass would go to Verard for trial and execution right away. Should you take the latter and the council finds you guilty, you will be taken into the forest and left without use of any weapons, including your Psionics, and left to die. If innocent, we will expunge the bounty placed on your head as an independent party. I will not have bounty hunters traipse on my world.”

  “I swear I have nothing to hide. If you send me back to Verard I’m good as hung in the punishment square. I didn’t kill my friends and collogues. I’ll stand before the Elder’s Council and present my case.”

  “Very well. From now on” Scythe tapped the keys on his inner left forearm and the shackles made a chime noise, the central link separating so the wrists weren’t held together. “you are remanded under my custody. Be warned, you will be unable to Gather or use any abilities till judged. The bindings will remain and you must stay within fifty meters of me at all times or the cuffs will immobilize you. Painfully. Any attempt to tamper will immediately inject a lethal poison that will kill you in five seconds. Understood?”

  “Crystal clear. I just want the bastards who hijacked me to pay.”

  “Understandable, but I’m bound to do this by law. Until your criminal status is cleared, I must enforce the imperial law within my jurisdiction.” Scythe tilted his head and let the subject drop. “Been a long time, Netul. Glad to see you haven’t changed since before being imprisoned. Had I known, I would have freed you personally.”

  “Ah, Bruce Mcnapp, I almost didn’t remember your name. You are wiser since last we met.”

  “Two hundred years will do that. But I go by Scythe now since I became Elder. Why do you come?”

  “Private matters, I’m afraid.”

  “Isn’t it always.” Scythe chuckled before both clasped wrists. “It is still good to see you alive and well.” Scythe knew from experience asking for details wouldn’t work so he didn’t even try.

  “So what do you all have up your sleeves?” he asked the group.

  The day was spent under the trees, Davan never leaving Scythe’s side, not even during lunch or take a leak. Stories were told, plans were made and people were pissed when Oliver kicked everyone out of the city by nightfall. Most were too terrified of the Ligers to offer argument, especially since ornery females guarded the four only entrances in their razor sharp spiked armor. Breena and Stone decided to sleep in the River Skipper, Renee’s large interstellar shuttle. They added security in event anyone dared to learn of the Gravity Forge or got too curious about anything else.

  Later that night Renee had just finished feeding Isabella and put her in her crib to sleep with Sparky and Rose in a pyramid next door. They randomly selected a place to sleep in the city in event someone miraculously got past the feline guards.

  Inside the dwelling Oliver found a bathroom not unlike modern facilities. A toilet, sink, mirror and shower that all worked still after so long. It took a few minutes for water pressure to blast out twenty five thousand years of debris in the plumbing. Turn dirty water clear and clean.

  After the shower he walked out with a towel around his waist to look around the second floor master bedroom and looked at the shelf made of stone that had been grown from the wall and made for the perfect place to hold the black cutlass, indigo shield and beige dagger usually kept in the left calf muscle.

  The spare inflatable mattress from the River Skipper laid on a stone square made equivalent for a king-size bed. About the time he sat on the bed sheets Renee came in saying “Izzy’s fat and happy for the night.”

  “Thanks for agreeing.”

  “Our sex life is too intermittent to my liking, but I get it.” Her clothes were rapidly sucked into the bracelet. “You need your sniffer now more than ever since Beasts rule this planet.” Naked, she strutted closer and sat boldly on his toweled lap. “Besides, Sparky, Rose, Nova, and Snowball are watching her and the kittens. And they are next door with Netul and Steven on the other side. No one has balls that big to harm my hellion.” Her hands wrapped around his warm neck and judging by the flare of his nose she knew he smelled her arousal. That, and his cock twitched beneath her sex. The towel the only barrier preventing carnal activities.

  Ruby red lips quirked in the corners and he laid large, calloused hands on milky hips. “I love you, Renee.”

  “You’d better. My magical snatch doesn’t throb for anyone else anymore. That must mean…”

  “Oh, just shut up.”

  He leaned forward and claimed her rosebud lips. The world spun for both. Eyes closed as he gently made war with her sensitive pink tongue. She tasted sweet despite a sour personality. Her hands speared fingers through his thick brown hair, moaning as only a woman could when kissed by someone who owned their very heart and soul. His rough hands tantalized her as they snaked their way to cup her bare ass and pulled her closer so they were chest to breast. Electric tingles by both touch and sparking blue power traveled with his hand up her woman’s soft back.

  Eventually her entire demeanor changed from badass bitch to gentle and submissive. Her lips were swollen from his deep kiss and her radiant crimson locks began to rise as she gathered to the half power point where her eyes turned entirely like the irises and her hair color turned the same glowing shade of evergreen. He felt her power, but she blocked it from going beyond them.

  Following the lead his amber eyes turned glowing golden and his hair stood straight up as if powerful gusts came up from below, then burned gold.

  Then they kissed again and bolts of lightning arched between their bodies worse than any lightening storm. At this much power Zerika wouldn’t stand a chance of survival, but both were in complete control. Her perfect nails ran down his chest as she kissed him back.

  Air was needed and as he broke the kiss he turned and laid her beauty across the bed sturdy enough to withstand their level of bed-play. He kissed her again and her teeth bit his bottom lip so she could suck on it some before letting go so he could explore her body like she always enjoyed when the mood for rough and fast wasn’t taken hold. He licked her neck, taking a little salt and feeling the racing of her heart beating over three hundred times a minute. She moaned when he kissed her sensitive earlobe and licked a slow stroke up to the extra sensitive points before working his way down to fondle her milk swollen breasts. A little milk lactated as he played with the nipple and tasted the too sweet milk she produced. He rubbed her taut belly that had just the right amount of fat he loved in her. She was far from obese, but she wasn’t a stick either. She was a solid woman who knew how to eat.

  Her legs spread in invitation, but before he feasted on her clit and made her scream his name he adored sculpted legs beginning to freckle from all day in the sun wearing the windy dressing style that left minimal to the imagination. It was a hot day so she enjoyed it.

  Then she gasped as his mouth feasted on her clit. The tiny bundle of nerves was excited and thick masculine fingers drove inside her channel, winding the coil in her lower belly that much faster and stronger. When at last it went past its threshold her vision went blank and she yelled ‘OLLY!’, her body began to spasm, but he didn’t stop assaulting, his fingers hooked inside and he powered his arm like a blurring jackhammer. Her orgasm lasted minutes that to her were blissful hours. He let her cool. Panting and covered with sweat she laughed lazily, jerking in aftershocks. Her glowing eyes and hair dimmed as heightened senses took a break.

  He kissed her and she tasted herself to know he enjoyed that almost as much as she. Renee cooled some and surprised him by hooking a leg over his solid hp and flipped him on the bed. He undid the towel and threw it to the floor to rub her aching breasts over ripped muscles that weren’t grotesque and overdeveloped. He was powerful and her feminine side responded and ult
imately craved that dominating force to have all to herself.

  Then standing proudly awaiting her undivided attention was a huge and thick cock that had her core slicken for penetrating. For a big man, his proportions were still above average. The pain caused was nothing to the endless pleasures that member could deliver. Her fingers couldn’t touch as she double gripped the meaty appendage and used her tongue to play with the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis. It bothered her before, but she rather enjoyed playing with the protective flesh. Then she began to work it and readied for the salty thickness and wasn’t disappointed. She savored the semen before swallowing.

  Unlike human men who go flaccid after the initial explosion, Oliver’s didn’t and she expected it. She stood and fit his enormity inside to consume him slowly and savoring the slide down to the hilt, grateful for the slickness as the girth stretched her to the very limits.

  She squeezed her own breasts as she adjusted and had a mini-orgasm just fitting it inside.

  Then she found herself under an massive male who slowly stroked the long shaft within her. It was torturous because he had her on the edge of another orgasm, but held her there till she begged “Faster, Olly. Make me come… Olly!” she screamed as his hips went father and pushed her over the ledge and into bliss.

  Fingernails scratched his back and he drilled right to the womb’s entrance, keeping her there in the state for as long as possible till his own release happened and filled the container of his physical love’s expression.

  Still buried to the hilt she flipped him when she recovered her senses and rode him fast and hard, slapping her ass on his thighs so fast it was a single sound due to the feverish speed and need to copulate with the other.

  Sleep occurred for just three hours, eight being spent making passionate love.

  In the morning the real universe called and work had to be done. Lots of work.