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She raised a finger and touched the center of my forehead. The cobwebs vanished and I could feel the same tingling sensation move down my spine as last time she connected telepathically. "I think you'll agree with me that telepathy is a less strenuous way of communication than speech," her disembodied voice said in my brain pan.

"Yes." It truly was much easier. No pesky muscles, no swelling to overcome. Besides it helped take my mind, literally, off my beaten and humiliated body.

"You're probably wondering what just happened."

"No kidding, Sherlock."

"My name is Ajura, in case you forgot." A little smile tugged at her mouth. "We are in the beginning stages of the Third Mutiny."

"What?"

"Mutiny. The act of open revolt against the established authorities. Mother went too far, even for those generally sharing her vision of safety like me. Also, I have to admit: Her confession in regards to how bad our situation really is was the deciding factor for me to join Jenala and her cabal of revolutionaries."

"I... I don't understand."

"Mother is preaching an eternal quest in search of safety but we're never allowed to settle down, even if there are now millennia between us and the Dark Tide. Instead, she pushes ever forwards. The losses have been mounting steadily. One segment of stasis chambers here, a few percent of seed there -- instead of granting us fresh starts and maybe new bases of operation, we are forced to endure, to suffer and to run. When Mother took over my mind, I could look at hers at the same time. She has convinced herself only a perfect world at the other end of the galaxy would be good enough. Mother believes the Dark Tide will inevitably find and consume us. But running away in a crumbling fleet will never get us anywhere. And we most certainly can't win the fight on our own."

Her soothing stream of thoughts came to a stop as Broga fed me another helping of broth. My body rejoiced.

"So, under the pretense of gathering sperm from all four Precursor races, Jenala had scouted for us to find a world where we could begin anew. During her absence, we would gather supplies, support and the loyalty of a colony ship's captain, to at least save some of our sisters and build a settlement somewhere. Sadly, the plan went off the rails on her second stop already. After securing seed from the Nor, Jenala's ship was destroyed in the terrorist attack on Unity's Landing."

"How did things go on your end?" I asked. Things were slowly beginning to make sense and each sip from the insta-broth brought a bit of strength back.

"Better than on yours," Ajura thought, beaming brightly. "Not only did Broga and Xajani convince about two dozen fighter pilots and scouts to join the cause but they found a very appreciative ship captain in Jenala's former lover, Rajani. If it were up to her, she would have followed Jenala with her colony ship to the ends of the universe." Ajura blinked then started to laugh. "Don't worry. I'm certain neither of them would mind having you in bed with them."

"I-"

"Don't deny it. You are head over heels for Jenala."

I could feel my face blush even though my consciousness seemed to hover a few feet away. "You will find our kind to be very willing and rather playful," Ajura thought. "Oh! I almost forgot to say 'sorry' for all the horrible things I did to you!"

The psionic bond ended and my consciousness returned to my own body like an especially loose rubber band. My eyes creaked open and I saw Broga, balancing the broth bowl with one hand and keeping a wildly flailing Ajura at arm's length with the other.

"Fine, later then," the petite psionic muttered. She sat down opposite me and bathed me in a radiant grin.

"I think I can hold the bowl now," I said. My voice still sounded like shit but at least I could form coherent sentences.

Broga placed the bowl into my hands.

"So, where are we exactly? And where did you get the insta-broth?"

"We're in a hidden passageway under the hangar where your ship is parked," the redhead said, her voice almost coming from my stomach. "Since I was appointed investigation duty, I had a good look at your ship. Fancy boat. Too bad it wouldn't shut up."

"Well, my artificial intelligence is... special," I grumbled around a few more sips of broth. "Did she tell you what to get?"

"Hey, don't insult my curiosity," Broga growled, her nose mere hairs away from mine. "That's not an exclusive Scout trait! I can be as adventurous as Jenala -- once you stop stinking like stasis fluid."

"I-..."

"Be glad she hasn't learned about the Circle yet," Jenala said, her voice weak and cracking. But her smile was radiant as our eyes met.

"Okay, we're sitting under my ship. How come no one is trying to tear down the ship to find us?" I asked. "I mean, Jenala and I are supposed to sleep in stasis pods." I looked around. "Is it okay for you girls to be here?"

Ajura piped up. "Mother is fast asleep by now. Her body needs long regenerative naps between stressful days. And she's been awake two weeks straight. She tends to surround herself with obedient but not very energetic members of our species."

"Hey, give us some credit too," Xajani said. "We shuffled our rotation around so no one would bat an eye if we went dark for a few days!"

"Fine, granted. Good management skills, girls," Ajura said, rubbing her hands. "Once you and Jenala have found your feet again, we would like you to reclaim your ship. We will come too, along with about twelve others who have decided to join the Third Mutiny. Once in space, we will form up with our space assets and join the Nythfa Dag, or 'Colony Ship Ten' to break away from the fleet."

"Now is the best time for such a move," Broga said, making a fist. "The worm hole will allow us to vanish from Mother's radar, quite literally."

"You sure you want to subject a twenty-five thousand year old ship to such torment?"

"It's a gamble, granted. But everyone in the Third Mutiny would rather gamble than die slowly."

"Sounds like a plan. What's the catch? Your sisters probably won't let twenty percent of your fleet just up and leave, will they?"

"They hopefully will think twice about shooting at their own kin," Ajura said. "Does your ship have any nonlethal guns?"

I shook my head and instantly regretted it. My world spun and I threatened to topple over. Broga's large hand kept me upright with ease. "I can probably mod my particle beams to fire at a lower intensity but what good will EMP blasts do?"

"A lot," Jenala said softly. "Our fighters are optimized for speed. Very little armor and not much in the way of... how did you call it? EMP hardening. I'd prefer them crippled rather than destroyed if at all possible."

"We may get lucky and escape without a single shot being fired. No one knows about the Mutiny just yet," Ajura said. "I've checked in the week the two of you were out cold."

"I... lost a whole week? No wonder I feel like someone just puked me out," I moaned.

"You also lost the bomb in your chest. For all her misguided views, Mother did indeed treat you."

"Wasn't fun," I muttered.

"True. Your own supercharged immune system nearly killed you. The boosters are normally used on girls like Broga here for accelerated healing."

"Yeah, she looks like she can handle that stuff."

"Give yourself some credit. You survived. And you're up much quicker than most people we pull from stasis." Broga patted my shoulder.

"Huh? Does this happen often?"

"Every few months. No one in this fleet lives a... normal life. We are woken for tours of duty spanning a few years at a time. Another of Mother's ideas to preserve our species. We, the young ones, are much too precious to burn one life at a time. So we rotate in and out of stasis. Ten years of work, twenty years of stasis." Only the children are allowed a continued existence, until they've matured enough to join us as part of the crew." The powerful Soldier scowled. "I haven't seen my daughter in five years. Awake. I visit her stasis pod whenever I can."

"And Mother...? Does she...?"

"No." There was a trio of shaking heads and, at least in two cases, whipping hair. "She has been awake ever since we left. Says 'a mother needs to be there for her children all the time.'"

"Apart from her regenerative naps." Ajura interjected.

Something Broga had said before rattled my brain. "You have a daughter?"

"Heh, most of us have. Jenala is the only one who managed to leave just when she was about to be drawn from the Lottery."

"Yeah, lucky me. I prefer Sal to the Hose." She flashed me a precious little smile. "Or San'yas. Oh girls... I'll have to tell you about that."

"When you can form full sentences, sister," Xajani said, feeding Jenala more broth. "You shouldn't think about sex right now. Concentrate on getting your feet under your cute butt so we can finally mosey out of here."

"Yes, sergeante," Jenala quipped.

"You are randomly impregnated?" I asked, the cold dread shooting down my spine almost refreshing. I could feel my legs awakening!

"There is nothing random about it," Ajura said. "Mother knows exactly which woman goes with which sperm sample and when it is time. After all, despite our extended lifespan, we only have a certain window where a pregnancy is guaranteed to go smoothly."

"You almost seem disappointed," I said.

"I am deemed too fragile for a baby girl," Ajura muttered, caressing her stomach. "Utter dung."

"Wait a minute. You all have daughters?" I asked around. Xajani and Broga nodded.

"What about your friends who... won in the Lottery?"

"Only daughters, ever," Xajani said. "There are no boys."

"And no one bats an eye?"

"Think about it," Ajura said. "They would lead miserable lives. Even if a whole generation would give birth to nothing but boys, can you imagine the unrest it will cause? Just look around you, Sal." The petite psionic knelt down to me and guided my hand under her robes. She moved aside some kind of panties and planted my fingers straight onto her sex. Her clit was rather large and engorged and she was very wet. "Every fiber in my body wants to... you know. And knowing my sisters, they think the same." Louder she added: "Am I right?"

There was a bit of foot shuffling and two large redheads turning a delicious shade of pink but then came an unapologetic double "Yes, you bet!"

Even Jenala managed to move her hand from the floor to her sex. "Me too," she added. "Can't walk, barely talk, but I'm... so ready and willing."

"I think I get the point," I muttered, feeling my cheeks flush. "But fucking me right now won't get anything accomplished. I'm not even sure I could make a run for my ship."

"That's why I brought a medkit," Ajura said. "I figured we'd need chemical support. Have you tried combat drugs, Sal?"

"No, and going by the spacer tales I'd rather not start a habit now. You want me alert and concentrated, not shaking like a loon when we cross the wormhole. Believe me, even sober it's quite the feat. Can't we simply rest for a bit? Eat some energy bars or the like?" I drained the rest of my broth. My stomach growled like a caged animal.

"We could always heat up some more insta-food," Broga said, pulling a few more packets from her uniform.

* * * *

Two hours of fitful sleep, huddled next to Jenala. That's all we could manage. The grated floor was hardly comfortable but on a makeshift pad made from the towels used to soak up the remaining stasis solution, it was just bearable. When we woke, there were more Seekers -- my mind couldn't wrap itself around their old name -- and they had brought more supplies. Water packs for a quick rinse. More food packs from Gaia's stores. Our gear and flight suits.

I didn't feel quite whole but a whole lot better than mere hours ago. And I was ready to leave. Jenala's eyes mirrored my determination, only hers burned with an emotion I hadn't seen her exhibit before. Unmitigated rage.

"She wanted to keep me as a research specimen," she hissed, wrapped in her flight suit. "To 'understand and fight the growing corruption.'" She gnashed her teeth. "I have done nothing wrong! I'm doing more for our future of our species than that wrinkled, old bitch ever had!"

"Shh, don't wake her up," Ajura whispered. "You know how sensitive she is."

"I am so done being quiet," Jenala snarled. "I am this close to canceling the Mutiny and dragging Mother's ass into the Circle."

"And you think she'll let you finish the challenge?" I asked her. "I'm the new guy here but I'm a damn quick study. Let's get going while she's having her beauty sleep. Not that there's much to gain..."

"You need to work on your comedic timing, Sal," Broga said. "Hopefully you're a better pilot than comic."

"Something I was wondering about," I said, coming to my feet. "I have seen Scouts." I nodded towards Jenala. "I have seen Soldiers." I knew by now that Broga liked being touched, so I slapped her bicep. Her eyes lit up. "I have seen psionics. One, to be exact." Ajura stood up from her perch and snuggled up to me. "What other castes are there? If we want to gain the maximum efficiency from my ship, I could use two more gunners."

"I can help," a long-limbed blonde said. Her skin was much more balanced in tone than the other Seekers'. "And I know my sister would probably help as well if she knew what's at stake." She moved like a dancer, the few steps she took my way a study in unbelievable grace. The blonde was maybe a head smaller than Jenala, giving up thirty pounds of weight as well. "My pilot training isn't fully completed, but..."

"You're a quick study?"

Laughter. The blonde smirked confidently. "I am Yenna. What would you have me do?"

"Gun turret duty. With probably non-lethal EMP shots."

"Count me in."

"Which leaves only our diplomats," Jenala said. "I think you'll like Captain Rajani. She could almost pass for a Zuthrian, with her dark skin and those amazing doe eyes she has."

"Don't forget her huge knockers," Broga snorted. "Sal, she's smaller than me but needs twice the cups." The Soldier made an exaggerated bouncing gesture with both hands.

"They are not that big," Jenala protested. "They are just perfect for that curvy body of hers." She sighed and caressed a breast through her flight suit.

"And there she goes again," Xajani moaned. "Shall we leave you alone for a moment?"

"You know you're supposed to help in such situations," Jenala chuckled. "Mutual and all that?"

I cleared my throat. "We have a mutiny to organize, ladies. Things will get hairy the moment we'll enter the hangar. By the way, how about air up there?"

"Already accomplished. After all, our techies wanted to have a good look at your ship," Broga said. "Told them they had to wait until the security sweep was done. Which has encountered unforeseen problems. Like your computer system. It simply won't budge witout your passcodes."

"Too bad Mother dumped me into stasis before getting them."

"I have them," Ajura said. "Don't forget, I was deep in your mind, Sal."

"Thanks for reminding me." I scowled. "Yenna. Your sister. Where is she?"

"On standby." Yenna tapped a bracer not unlike the one Jenala used to wear on my ship. "And before you ask, we are using a new, encrypted communications protocol Mother and her cronies don't know about."

"Yet," Ajura mumbled darkly.

"Hey, it has worked for the past two years, damn you," Yenna said. "I mean, non-pilots just can't visit other ships wily-nily."

"Good. Tell her to come to the hangar as soon as the dance begins." I scanned my surroundings. Counting Jenala, Broga, Xajani, Ajura, Yenna and a few more soldiers and scouts, the head count came to thirteen. Yenna's sister would make fourteen.

"Just so you know. My ship is not built for passengers. A few of you can sit in the kitchen, two will go into the turrets. The rest will have to make do with rumble seats in the cargo hold. I can't promise we won't get hit, so at least breath masks, if not full space suits would be best. Can we get some on short notice?"

"No." Broga shook her head. "I mean, every security has a rebreather and I could probably raid a kit locker to grab enough for all of us, but space suits? Most of them won't fit anyway, as they are made for pilots and maybe scouts."

"Then let's hope we won't suffer any hull breaches." Suddenly, I wished I had made room for a shield generator. Can't be helped now. "Considering I'm probably not going to feel much better than right about now, why don't we get this show on the road?"

* * * *

The two Soldiers guarding Gaia's lower airlock didn't stand a chance. Broga and Xajani walked up to them, pulled out the concussion guns Jenala and I had lent them and it was over in mere moments. I slipped past them and opened the cargo ramp, allowing for a much quicker boarding procedure. When Broga and Xajani entered, each carrying an unconscious Soldier like they weighed nothing, I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"We can't leave them lying around. Your exhaust blast would kill them. And hiding them anywhere is not an option either. The moment the hangar opens, they're dead. The moment Mother learns about their seeming incompetence, they're dead as well. With us, they at least have a choice."

"Fine. Just make sure they're tied down safely. I don't want a mutiny ruining the mutiny."

"Not to worry. We've brought pacifier bracers." Broga jangled the arms of her unconscious colleague. I was happy to see the electrified cuffs on someone else for a change.

"Anyone else?" I checked my surroundings. The cargo hold was packed. Especially the Soldiers took up quite some space, being almost Gravon-sized. Outside, no one was shooting at us yet. No one else was coming either. I heard Jenala rapid-fire talk to Yenna in the top gun turret as I walked towards the cockpit. I risked a glance into my cabin. Ajura and two more scouts lounged on my bed. Robes were undone and a lot of creamy skin was visible. "Um, girls," I said from the doorway. "You know this isn't a pleasure cruise, right?" I noticed the shower running. "And tell whoever is showering I'll shut off life-support for extra energy. Get dressed, put on your masks and prepare for a freaking space battle!"

"Be nice, Sal." Jenala's soothing touch came out of nowhere. "They can be like unruly children sometimes but they don't mean ill." She poked her head into the cabin and barked an order. There was panicked shrieking and the rustling of clothing being put on in a hurry.

Sighing happily, Jenala sprinted past the kitchen and nearly tripped on the stairs leading to the cockpit. She cursed viciously. "I'll probably never get used to them," she muttered, blushing furiously under the curious stares of Broga and Xajani. I heard the gunner seat whirr and whine as it re-adjusted to her body. I strapped myself into the pilot's seat and tapped the armrest.

"Gaia."

"Captain?"

"Never thought I'd say this, but I missed you."

"That's sweet, captain. What do we do now?"

"How about we get the hell outta here?"

There were loud cheers from the back.

* * * *

The AI tried to hack the door controls but when it became obvious Mother's servers held firm despite -- or probably because of -- their age, I turned to some drastic measures. A full broadside from every gun on my ship made short work of the hangar door. Armor plating usually only protects in one direction. The alpha strike of mass driver slugs, disintegrator beams and particle blasts atomized the massive door in one shot.

Of course, this act of aggression poked the hornet's nest. I had foolishly assumed the central ship didn't sport any weapons considering we were dealing with an exodus fleet. On the other hand, I should have expected some kind of self-defense mechanism. After all, they had been running away from some cosmic disaster for longer than humanity had existed. My usual evasive nosedive right out the hangar probably saved us from an ignoble death at the hands of a turbolaser battery which opened fire almost immediately. Mere moments later, more and more turrets woke up -- and my aft turrets weren't firing.