The Degan Incident Ch. 07

I lost track of how long I was at the research center. I guessed maybe a month, though it was probably longer. I was given a steady dose of drugs that kept me lucid, but compliant.

The labbies probed and prodded at me every day for hours on end. They drew blood and took tissue samples. They injected needles into my belly button and withdrew a pink fluid several times. I was grateful that the anal probe didn't make a reappearance after that first time.

The labbies were initially concerned that my encounter with the Degan officers had hurt the baby, but he appeared to be fine. They gave me some type of vitamin booster to be on the safe side.

The health of the baby did seem to be important to them, but those concerns did not transfer to myself. I knew very well that I was being held illegally and I would never ever be free.

By now, I was quite visibly pregnant and my belly itched constantly. The hair seemed to increase the body heat of my swollen belly to the point where it was uncomfortable at times. I would find myself sweating one moment and then freezing the next.

The only bit of comfort I had was at night when they would lock me alone in my cell. I would lay on the thin mattress and wrap myself in the scratchy wool blanket. Of course, then it would get too hot and I'd push the cover off until I got cold again. But at least I was alone with no one scanning me or sticking me with sharp objects.

I closed my eyes and rested my hands on my stomach. As I pressed my fingers into the soft fur, I fantasized that one day Bastian would come for us and he'd take us away to his home on the lake, just like he promised.

As I laid on the bed, tears welled in my eyes. I knew that Bastian would never come for me. If he returned home at some point, he would find me missing. And when it came time for the baby to be born, I knew without a doubt that he would be taken away from me. They would experiment on him and I would never see him. I also knew that once they had the baby, they would have no further use for me. I could "disappear" and they could make up any story they wanted to.

I closed my eyes and tried to think of better times. I thought of Bastian's big, warm body, and the way he would hold me and touch me. The way he smelled and how he used to rub that smell all over me. And the intensity of our love making. He was so amazing, he could send me into orbit with just a single touch. Just the thought of him was enough to arouse me. Damn, I seemed to be horny all the time lately.

I reached down and pulled my gown up. I grabbed my leaking dick and started to stroke and became lost in my fantasies.

Bastian was on his knees between my legs. He leaned forward and held his weight up on his hands. I wrapped a hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down for a kiss, while my other hand stroked his chest and belly, rubbing all over those delicious fur-covered muscles. His enormous cock pumped in and out of my tight little hole, bringing the both of us to a hard, intense climax.

"Bastian," I mouthed.

I quickly felt the pressure in my groin building up, begging for release. I stroked faster and faster, repeatedly sliding my foreskin back and forth over the head. Pre-cum steadily leaked and I flicked my thumb over the slippery tip. My breathing hitched and with a stifled moan, I came, spurting my creamy spunk all over my hand and my stomach.

I laid there panting for a while, rubbing my fingers through the thinning liquid caught in the hairs on my stomach. I rubbed the seed into my belly a little bit, then got up and went to the sink to clean up.

The sink only released a trickle of water, so it was a pain in the ass to use. In the dim light, I saw myself in the mirror and cringed. My hair was a mess. It was too long and it stuck up all over the place. The lack of shampoo didn't help any, either. I had dark circles under my eyes and my face was starting to look a little hollow. I was sure that I stunk. No, I knew that I stunk. They didn't provide me with a toothbrush or toothpaste or deodorant. It was only once a week that they threw a bucket of water on me as if that took the place of a shower. I cupped my hand under the trickling faucet and let it pool in my palm. I splashed it under my armpit, then repeated the process for the other one. It didn't help.

I thought pregnant people were supposed to "glow." I didn't glow. I looked dull and lifeless.

I lay back down and struggled to get comfortable on the thin cot. Jerking off relieved some of my edginess, but it always left me feeling empty and alone. But it tired me out enough that I knew I could fall asleep fairly quickly.

I was on the edge of falling asleep when I felt it for the first time.

A flutter of movement inside me. Drawing in a breath and holding it, I rested my hands on my belly and gently stroked my fingers through the hairs. I gasped when I felt it again. He kicked. I let out a quiet laugh and he moved again.

I knew then that I would do anything to keep him safe. If they tried to take the baby, they would have to kill me.

Despite the hopelessness of the situation, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

* * *

The door opening suddenly startled me awake. Usually it was two guards who came for me, but this time there were more. There was a nervous energy in the air and I crawled back into the back corner of the cot and pulled my legs up, protecting my stomach, trying to make myself as small as possible.

Three Union security officers moved into the room and grabbed me. I was yanked out of the bed and a hand pushed into my back, propelling me forward, out into the hallway.

We followed a Union Navy lieutenant who was busy tapping away at his comPad as he briskly walked down the hall. "Hurry. We need him in room 18-Alpha right away."

In my present "condition," the quick pace they kept made me waddle and stumble slightly and I didn't like that one bit. I tugged my arms, trying to jerk free from the guards, but they simply tightened their hold.

The guards dragged me down to that same conference room. I was pushed down into a chair, but not restrained. I couldn't stand the thought of another round of questioning. I folded my arms across my chest, burying my hands in my armpits and tried to control my nerves, but I was shaking like a leaf in the wind.

The lieutenant looked at me and frowned and crinkled his nose. "Clean him up, for gods sake."

When the guards made no move to comply with his order, the lieutenant let out a huff and searched around and found a towel. He grabbed the pitcher of water from the table and wet the towel and proceeded to wipe my face. I just sat there while he rubbed the wet towel on my hair and pushed his fingers through the tangles in a useless attempt to make it lay flat. He pushed up the sleeves of my gown and dragged the cloth over my armpits. His efforts were futile. I knew I stunk, but that's what happens when you're only allowed one 'shower' a week. I just didn't know why they suddenly cared about my lack of cleanliness.

When the door hissed open, the guards moved in front of the doorway, blocking entrance into the room from the hallway. The lieutenant moved back to the corner and stood at attention with his hands clasped behind his back.

"I demand to see him now," a deep and unfamiliar voice roared from outside the room. "Out of my way!"

I recognized the voice of one of the Union officers, trying to sound calm. "The man is an Earth citizen, as is the child. All Degan citizenship claims have been settled."

"I have the authorization to see the man. You have already seen the Union Council orders and verified them. Now out of my way!"

I was surprised when two Degans pushed past the security guards. The younger, stoic-looking Degan wore one of their military uniforms. The elder wore a dark floor-length robe like Bastian liked to wear, only it was decorated with a metal sash draped over his left shoulder and down across to his right waist. There were a few jewel encrusted emblems on the sash that made him look like he might have been important.

I curled into myself, wishing I could just disappear into the chair. I couldn't take another round of questioning. I just couldn't do it. I started to shake uncontrollably and my jaw quivered. "Don't hurt me." I tried to speak, but the words came out as a voiceless breath. I hadn't spoken aloud in weeks. "Please."

"What have you done to him?" the older Degan loudly demanded of the Union officers. "He is but a boy!"

He moved in front of my chair and squatted down. He had emerald green eyes and they bored deep into my soul, making me feel uneasy, but I couldn't turn away from his gaze. He held his hand out to me. "Do not be afraid, little one," he said quietly and calmly as if trying to soothe a caged animal. Despite the roughness of his voice, there really was a soothing quality to it. I so wanted to trust him, but...

My eyes darted to the young Degan soldier standing behind him. He gazed at me with a blank expression, and I saw his hand hovering near the pistol strapped to his belt. My eyes went wide with fear and I pushed away from him, pushing back until the chair knocked against the back wall.

"Look at me, little one," the elder Degan said firmly. I reluctantly returned my gaze to the squatting Degan. "My name is Dashel. Dashel Drago... Bastian's sire."

I let out a quiet gasp and my mouth fell open. Looking closely at his face, I could now see the resemblance. Bastian looked so much like his father. They shared the same honey-colored fur, but Dashel had wisps of gray throughout his hair, especially at his temples, and around his horns and over his ears. I looked past his fierce, beastly face and I saw warmth and comfort.

I relaxed and hesitantly reached out and took his offered hand. As he moved closer, he gently pulled me towards him.

When I was close enough, I warily watched a hand raise up towards my head. I took a calming breath as he reached up and pulled the hospital gown away from my neck. He leaned in a bit and sniffed the scar on my neck. Looking back into my eyes, he tenderly cradled my face in his hands.

"You have been claimed by my eldest son."

His palms were so warm against my cool skin and he was being so nice and gentle, that I couldn't help but lean into his touch. It had been so long since anyone had shown me any kind of affection.

He brought his hands towards my stomach and his nostrils flared as he breathed in. He looked up at me and I nodded, giving him permission to touch. As soon as he placed his warm hands on me, I felt the baby kick. Dashel's eyes lit up. He looked up at me in wonder and I could see the moisture pooling along the bottom of his eyelids.

"My grandchild," he said quietly. "You make me so proud, little one."

He held my head in his hands and gently kissed my forehead. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and just weep, but I buried my emotions and held it together. I still wasn't sure how much I could really trust him.

"It is time for us to leave," he said as he stood up.

Trust or not, my eyes widened in panic. He was leaving? I wanted to beg, to plead for him to take me with him, but I couldn't get my voice to work. Instead, I grabbed for his hand in desperation.

He calmly patted my hand and then pulled me up to my feet, then turned to the Degan officer. "Martan?"

"Yes, Sire?" he said with a tip of his chin.

I looked back at Martan in surprise. Bastian's younger brother. Looking closer now, I could see the family resemblance.

Martan nodded his head at me and I tried to give him a smile. Martan moved in front of me and Dashel, his hand resting on the phase pistol strapped to his hip. Dashel moved behind me and put his arms on my shoulders and kept me close to him. I leaned against his big frame and for the first time in a long while, I felt safe.

As we stepped into the hall, a high-ranking officer stopped us. "Now wait just a minute," he said. "You can't just take him out of here. He is in state custody."

"I can. And I will." The venom in Dashel's voice made me shudder. I would not want to be on the receiving end of a tongue lashing from the older Degan.

The officer motioned his hand and a squad of Union security men rushed down the hall and surrounded us. I leaned into Dashel, grabbing hold of him for strength and protection.

Dashel's body went rigid. I could feel his rage simmering underneath the surface. His voice was quiet but sure when he finally spoke to the human officer, "Under Degan law, he has been claimed as the true bondmate of my eldest son. This makes him an immediate family member of the House of Drago. I have full backing of the Degan Federation on this. If you do not wish to cause an interstellar incident, I suggest you stand down. Do not try me, Admiral."

"We have done nothing illegal. He is being held under Earth law, by order of the Department of oGlobal Security, in full compliance with Union regulation."

"Under what charge is he held?"

The admiral cleared his throat. His eyes drifted down a moment, before he raised them back to Dashel and quietly answered, "Harboring a dangerous extra-terrestrial biological entity."

"Harboring a— He is with child!" Dashel snarled.

Dashel was clearly about to lose control of his faculties. He took a calming breath and turned to Martan. "I need to speak with the Degan Prime Minister and a representative from the Union Council..."

Martan handed him a comPad. "Mother is with the Prime Minister now."

Dashel swiped his finger and tapped at the screen, bringing up the comm controls.

"Now, wait a minute—" the Admiral started.

Another Union Navy officer ran down the hall towards us, pushed through the security unit and whispered into the Admiral's ear. The Admiral hesitated briefly, then begrudgingly said, "Let them go."

There was a flurry of activity behind us, but Martan and Dashel were in a hurry. Dashel grabbed my arm and began a brisk pace down the hallway. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to keep up with him and Martan.

When the red alarm lights lit up the hallway and a klaxon began to sound, I let out a panicked cry. Dashel tightened his grip on my arm and pulled me closer. I was terrified that they wouldn't let us go without a fight. As activity in the hallway increased, Martan swiftly escorted us through the halls and the lobby out the front door of a nondescript building to a waiting shuttle.

As we stepped outside, the sunlight blinded my eyes. How long had it been since I last saw natural light? I shielded my hand over my brow and let Dashel help me into the shuttle. Once we were seated and secure, Martan took the controls and we were quickly underway.

I cleared my throat. "Where's Bastian?" I asked. My voice was scratchy, little more than a croak, and I had to clear it several times before I thought I could speak again.

"We do not know," Dashel said. He opened a storage bin and pulled out a chilled bottle of water and gave it to me. "We have been searching for him. I had hoped that you might have an idea. He did not tell you where he was going?"

I drank down half the water. "No. He was supposed to meet me at home and he just disappeared. I haven't seen him since. How did you find me?"

"A human doctor was inquiring about Bastian's whereabouts. You can imagine my surprise when I found out that not only did Bastian claim a bondmate, but that the mate was a human male and he carried a child."

"Not as surprised as I was," I muttered as I rubbed my hand over the swell of my stomach.

"It took some investigating, but we managed to find you. We came as soon as we could cut through the red tape."

"Thank you. I don't know what would have happened to us if we had stayed there much longer." I took another swig of the water and looked out the window at the buildings whizzing by. "Are the doctors okay, the ones who asked about me? And where are we going?"

"They are fine. I promised I would let them know your condition once we found you. Right now we are on our way to the spaceport. Our ship is preparing for departure."

"We're leaving Earth?"

"Yes. We are to depart posthaste."

"Oh. Wow. Wait. What about my things? And how will you get me through customs?"

"Your papers are complete and in order. We will send for your things once we have arrived safely home."

"But the Degan government... They rejected their claim on the baby. That's what they said."

"I have taken care of that. As the grandsire of the child, I have override privileges. And I do have a little bit of pull with the government," he added with an attempt at a toothy smile. His smile disappeared and his voice lowered as he became serious again. "Can you tell me what happened to you? How did you end up in that facility?"

"Union Navy security took me from the doctor's office. I think maybe they intercepted the scans the doctor sent to his colleague. I'm really not sure. While I was there a Degan General — Dansik? — came and asked me questions about Bastian." I rubbed the back of my neck and cringed. Tears pricked my eyes as I recalled what they did to me. "They put some device on my neck... it hurt..."

Dashel's chest heaved and his breathing quickened. He closed his eyes and let out a slow, deep breath. When he opened his eyes and spoke, he did not attempt to disguise his anger. "They dare lay a hand on you. It is unconscionable they would use an outlawed torture device on someone who is carrying a child. We will take care of that when we reach the homeworld."

"While I was at the research center, they ran a bunch of tests on me and the baby, and took samples. I think they were using it for experiments and genetic splicing."

"That is being dealt with as we speak."

"Do you think he's okay? The baby?"

"'He'? A boy?" asked Dashel. I nodded. "I am sure he is fine. We will have a medic check you out when we reach the ship. When we arrive home, we will set up an appointment with our family physician."

"Okay." I looked back out the window and watched as we turned towards Spaceport Prime.

On arrival, we were greeted outside the Spaceport by a Degan ambassador and a Human diplomat. They both bowed their heads to Dashel and the Degan ambassador spoke. "Governor. You will find everything in order."

"Thank you. We will be departing immediately."

"Yes, my lord."

The human cleared his throat nervously. His eyes kept darting to my belly as he tried not to stare. "I apologize on the behalf of the Union Council, Governor Drago. I assure you that this matter is being looked into."

"I should hope so. A Degan investigation team is already en route to make sure each and every sample that was collected is properly destroyed."

"Of course. We will cooperate fully. We have a research team standing by to assist. That research laboratory was not an officially sanctioned lab, I assure you."

Dashel narrowed his eyes at the human. "We shall see about that. Thank you for your time, Ambassador."

The human ambassador motioned for a group of Union Navy security officers to come forward. I was surprised when I recognized the lead security officer.

Lieutenant Britski moved in front and nodded towards the Ambassador. He looked at me in shock for a moment. His gaze drifted down to my abdomen. I didn't miss the disapproving look before his face went back to neutral. I didn't really care. I would probably never see him again, and that was fine with me.

Without uttering a word to me, Britski and his unit escorted us through the Spaceport's VIP security gate and down the concourse. We were expedited through security and customs and were at the gate in record time. Apparently Dashel's connections were no joke.

I just kept my head down the entire time, ignoring the stares. I'm sure they didn't know what to make of me. I was still wearing the white hospital gown. My hair was a tangled mess. I didn't even have shoes on. With the Degans and the Union security contingency, I must have looked like a criminally insane mental patient being extradited.