Express Delivery

What indeed? Why this reluctance to admit I liked Zeeris? That I even enjoyed her unashamed flirting and groping? When she was around, things felt incredibly lighthearted, the polar opposite to being anywhere near Neira.

Jenala had stopped molesting me and was keenly examining my face. "I knew it," she whispered. "If those aren't wistful thoughts, I don't know what are."

"You're all right with this?" I asked Jenala.

"Have I ever demanded that you're my only partner, Sal? Just to put things into perspective -- before I came here, I spent half an hour with Rajani and Broga. A bit of friendly sparring turned to mat wrestling and then to some mutual release under the shower. And it probably won't be the last time." She kissed my chest. "And while I'm at it, Ajura wants to know when you will finally introduce your -- how did she call them -- 'dangly bits' to her."

I froze, my hand halfway down her stomach. "I can't! She looks like a twelve-year old!"

Jenala laughed softly, her mouth very close to my quickly deflating boner. "Sal, she could be your grandmother, several times over. We should take her with us the next time we see San'yas. They deserve to meet each other before we leave." Her lips closed around me.

I stopped her with a gentle hand to her cheek. "Wait a moment."

"Hm?" One more lick, then her head came up. "Want something else?"

"Well, since you brought her up, I thought I... we could watch what's on the data chip together."

"Oh, I'd very much like that."

I fished the data chip from the nightstand and slotted it into my comms before settling back against the bed's headrest. Jenala sat up and watched quietly as I pressed 'Play'.

On screen, Zeeris leaned back. She wore a fluffy pink "Hello Kitty" bathrobe. The long-legged Zuthrian sat on a wide bed and grinned sheepishly into the camera. A tall bottle stood on the nightstand, the lamp behind it showed it was halfway empty.

Zeeris cleared her throat. "Hi Sal. Knowing you, you're probably grumpy as fuck after rifling through all the things I tossed into the satchel. I mean, how dare I saddle you with a Hunter's Bond, eh?" She tucked a few strands of wet white hair behind her ear and looked straight at the camera.

"I've talked long and hard with Ventras if I should really do it. Offer myself to you, I mean. You've left little doubt that you're a man of principle. No messing around with the siblings of your associates, right?" She flashed a devious little grin. "Thing is, I'm certain this is merely a front to protect yourself and those you love." Zeeris leaned forward and undid the collar of her bathrobe, exposing a lot of coal-black skin.

"I know this is very sudden and out of the blue, but I want to make sure the next time we see each other is a joyful occasion. Thus the braided leather. Back home, when a warrior goes onto a dangerous hunt, their bride-to-be gives them a Hunter's Bond they are supposed to return. I have no idea who this Neira person is Ventras keeps mentioning, but my gut tells me she is dangerous. No idea about that Jenala woman either, but at least her presence doesn't make my skin crawl." Her grin turned naughty. "Maybe you could tell me what happened during your six-month voyage?"

Zeeris removed the belt from her bathrobe, allowing the garment to fold open. Her breasts, tattooed with skeletal dragon claws, came into view.

"I know you like me at least a little bit. Other people would have thrown me into a scorpion pit or in front of a marauding Sand Dragon for being such an obnoxious, groping, kiss-stealing, cock-against-your-butt-rubbing nuisance."

I couldn't help but grin at her description. True, she was obnoxious, but compared to Neira, always intense and threatening Neira, she was harmless. A breath of fresh air. And sitting here, halfway across the galaxy, I realized I did miss her. I wasn't sure if I wanted to tie a knot, literally, but she at least deserved a bit more of my attention than I had given her. Maybe it was time to retire my hard line stance on fucking my associates for good, given the number of exceptions I had made already.

On screen, Zeeris stood up and shrugged off her bathrobe completely. "Before I run my mouth ragged or say something unbelievably stupid which might kill my chances to see you again, I'd rather shut up and give you something to think about, okay?" She slid back onto the mattress in all her dark-skinned glory and began to caress herself, keeping eye-contact with the camera. "Stay safe, Sal. And bring back the Hunter's Bond."

Zeeris closed her eyes. A tear ran down her cheek as her hands went lower, caressing her breasts and stomach. I swallowed hard, feeling my own eyes mist over. Then I caught the little naughty smile as she wrapped her hand around her cock and began to play with herself.

* * * *

"...repeat: Gaia, you are cleared for landing. Please proceed to pad sixteen. Sheesh, what are you doing up there, man?"

I cursed softly. "Sorry, Control. Must have dozed off. It was a long flight." I cut the connection, made sure Gaia's AI had latched onto the right guide beam and handed off control to the bird brain. I was nervous. Not because of any contraband in my cargo hold. No, I was sweating buckets because I wasn't sure how Zeeris would react if I simply walked up to her and tried to apologize. Despite my best intentions, I didn't manage to call her earlier. Either secrecy was of the utmost importance or I had been so swamped with work that I simply forgot to call.

Better late than never, right? After I had outlined my idea to deal with the Seeker's exponentially worsening supply situation, Jenala had taken me aside and demanded I swear to everything I held sacred I wouldn't forget to visit Zeeris and finally reveal my feelings for the cheeky Marked One.

Gazing at the steadily growing green spot which marked Unity's Landing, I was pretty sure this time I had no excuse.

An hour later I strode into Ventras' shop. He looked up and promptly dropped a bowl made from scorpion chitin he was holding.

"Sal? Salvador Rios?" Gold chains jangling, he charged me, almost knocking me off my feet. "Where the fuck have you been, brother? We was worried sick about'chu!"

I could only chuckle. "Your accent hasn't improved, my friend." I hugged him back. "I was away on business, remember?" I shot a look at my comms for added effect. "The way I see it, I'm right on time. A few days early, even."

Ventras held me at arm's length and looked me over. "Damn, you almost look like one of us now. When did you get the tan, eh?"

"It's a long story and I'll tell you all about it." I reached into the pocket of my jacket and withdrew the braided leather Zeeris had left with me. "But first, I think I should apologize for not calling."

"You better. She's been utterly depressed the last three months. Thought you'd call any day and is probably about to have her brains fucked out by the next Gravon who'll stick his head through the door."

"We can't have that. Where is your sister?"

"If she's not pouting in the Herc hangar, then she's probably at Misty's. Business has been kinda slow the last few weeks. Kinda boring, really."

"Oh, I have something which will cheer you right up, just you wait." I left the office and headed across the floor to the Herc's maintenance frame. Loud, angry terrorcore music reverberated from the metal structure. Trying to make myself heard would probably be futile. I opened my contact list, tapped the naked pic of Zeeris shaking her cock at me and waited. At first, nothing happened. Then the pain-inducing blast of noise which some called music was turned off. Then, Zeeris did an elegant somersault off the Herc's chin. I opened my mouth to scream in terror, only for her to slowly alight on twin repulsor plumes.

"You mother fucker," she said, raising a fist.

"Whoa!" I fell into a blocking stance Broga had taught me.

"You freaking asshole!" Zeeris shrieked. Her foot came up in a vicious roundhouse. Thanks to months of combat training worse than even the most fiendish Gravon drill sergeant could come up with, I found it relatively easy to parry it. Instead of unbalancing or hurting her -- any more, that is -- I lowered her foot and pulled her into a hug.

"Sorry I didn't call," I said.

The blow to my lower rib came out of nowhere. "I should kick your ass from here to next year," she muttered against the shoulder of my sleeveless vest. "What have I ever done to you?"

"Apart from being the nicest Marked One this side of B9-Taurus?" I gasped. That hit stung! If I ever needed a reminder about the fighting prowess of Zuthrian hunters, her punch was it. I claimed Zeeris left hand, wound the braided leather around her wrist and tied the knot. She looked at me, her mouth working to form words. "I mean it. Sorry. I should have called sooner. About four months ago or the like."

"Did you lose the bag?" Zeeris asked, inspecting the wrist adornment.

"No. I simply didn't find the time to properly deal with the things you left me."

"How is Jenala?"

"Safe and sound."

"Did you deliver the cum?"

"Don't you forget something?" I asked in return.

"Huh?"

"I returned your quest band." I waggled my eyebrows. "What happens next, usually?"

"The reunited lovers at least kiss. Or fuck. Both things I know you don't like from me. Believe me, six months is a long time to figure shit out."

"It surely is." I pulled her into a hug. She wore shorts, techie boots and a crop top praising the virtues of a place called the "Kitty Parlor" on Waystation 41. My left hand wandered up her spine, noting with interest the gooseflesh under my fingertips. Once I could cup the back of her head, I pulled her in for a kiss. Her lips parted, probably to ask questions. I told her everything through a little tongue. My right went for her crotch. Her cock twitched hard under my questing fingers. I expected her to push me away. Could I blame her? Of course not. I deserved every punch, kick and insult she could throw my way.

Zeeris had bared her soul to me on her data chip. I was supposed to have seen it the same evening Jenala and I left for our crazy adventure. She had been sick of beating around the bush, but with me away for months, she felt she had to confess how deep her feelings ran for me.

And according to Zeeris, I should have re-watched it every couple nights, maybe even with Jenala. Zeeris wasn't shy about admiring my silver-haired lover and her masturbation video, the second file on the data chip, played with the idea of the two of us having our way with her.

She didn't push me away. Her rapidly growing erection was the first sign of things taking a turn for the better, her hands grabbing my ass the next. Finally, she gently bit my tongue. I broke the kiss.

"I hope for your spindly ass' sake this isn't some kind of pity bullshit," Zeeris whispered. By now she was rock-hard.

"No. You know me. I suck when it comes to people skills, but I'm not cruel. You deserve at least a makeup blowjob which I'll happily administer-"

"Say what?"

I grinned and went to a knee in front of her, yanking down the elastic of her shorts. The Herc stall was shrouded in deep shadows, so even if someone was watching -- not that such a pesky detail would bother me right now, not after living with the Seekers for almost half a year -- could see what was happening. I trapped Zeeris' tip between my lips and twirled my tongue around her, slowly taking more and more of her length until she hit my throat.

Zeeris bit her knuckles as I slowly made love to her cock. She quickly began to leak precum, the right time for me to stop. I raised her erection until it rested against her bare navel and licked her taint for good measure before standing up again.

"That's what you call 'not cruel?' Leave me horny as fuck, half-finished and with my cock out? Sal, what the literal fuck?"

"If you want more where that came from, you could always get a job on my ship."

"I... what?"

"Come, your brother needs to hear this too, because it involves him as well."

"I can't go in there right now," Zeeris hissed. "Not dribbling like that!"

"Seriously? Didn't your Wise Woman teach you self-control?" I took her hand and pulled her behind the Herc's leg. "Grab it," I said, pointing at a rung at about head height.

"I have no idea what got into you. Are you a Faceless?" She hesitantly closed both hands around the rung, inadvertently pushing out her firm butt. I undid my jeans and pushed them down to my knees, along with my briefs. Then I stepped against Zeeris, planting my own raging boner right in the crack of her butt. She gasped and opened her mouth. I closed it with my hand. The other found her cock. Moaning into my palm, Zeeris ground her butt against me while I stroked her, applying all the tricks San'yas had shown me. It took me less than thirty seconds of wanking Zeeris before she bucked against me, moaning and gasping into my hand while she painted the Herc's leg with a generous helping of her juices.

"I must be dead or dreaming," she muttered. "Now what? You didn't..."

I moved my hands under her top and played with her nipples. "Tonight, after we've entered the TransNet. I'll fuck your ass as long and as often as you want. When I can't get it up any more, it's your turn."

She came again.

"You must have lost your mind... Or I am losing mine." Zeeris brushed locks of hair away from her ear, revealing two data jacks. "Do I have some crap in there?"

I kissed her neck and put her top back in place. "No. You are wide awake, you came at least twice in the last minute and I should probably put my cock away before your brother gets fancy ideas and I'll have to blow him too."

"What happened to 'not fucking associates' and the like?"

I righted my clothing. "The idea went to hell the moment Jenala took my cock in her mouth. After we had a hot little foursome on a Scorp-run Waystation."

"You are not making any sense. Apart from the Jenala blowing you bit. Girl had her head on right. Where is she, by the way?"

"Tuck your dong away and let's find your brother. I don't want to repeat myself."

"Sheesh. As you wish. What shall I call you now, latino boy?"

"If you really want that job, 'captain' would be fine."

* * * *

Over a bottle of Dragon Milk, I told Ventras and Zeeris what had happened since Jenala and I had left Earth behind. I left out nothing, even telling them about Neira. With the plan I had hatched on my way here, she wouldn't be much more of a problem.

"When we left B9-Taurus after repairing Gaia and stocking up on prefab parts, we settled on a cozy little planet just inside the Zuthrian Dynasty. All with the help of the Chieftain Thyria. Great lady, and very well connected, considering she lives in a cave on Zuthras Prime."

"Yo, don't underestimate the reach of our tribes!" Ventras said, crossing his arms over his chest. "We reach the stars."

"Turns out the planet she recommended had been settled by White Dragons and only White Dragons. Which means no tribal rivalries, a steady trading partner and thanks to the somewhat temperate polar caps, the perfect climate for the Seekers."

"What did you do the rest of the time? Your story only covered about three months," Zeeris asked. Under the table, her hand was trying to molest me. I was of half a mind to let her, but the way we sat, my not-too-far off eruption would probably soil Ventras' expensive Adidas shorts and I didn't want to be responsible for that. I intercepted her hand and squeezed it.

"Mostly cargo runs into the surrounding systems. The Seekers need everything and lots of it." I refilled my Dragon Milk and took a long sip. "Here's where you come in, Big V." I pulled a cred chip from my vest and placed it onto the table. "Here's most of twenty-five megacredits, minus a few hundred grand. You always said you wanted back to the stars, right?"

"He's gone totally crazy," Zeeris said, shaking her head. "And I'm afraid to admit that it's downright sexy!"

"It wasn't so long ago you came here beggin' me for high-payin' jobs, man. Keep the scratch. You need it more than me," Ventras said. Before he could push the chip back my way, I stopped his hand with mine.

"I'm set for life, Ventras. But I can help you make a killing. Over on Mars, they have a Mammut-class freighter for sale for twenty mil. With your skill at bartering, you can probably get the price down to ... eighteen?"

"Fuck no, sixteen or bust!" Ventras pumped his fist. "What then?"

"Use the leftovers to make it combat capable. Even with two fighter hangars, you should have around room for a couple thousand tons of haul. Hire a good crew, some ace pilots and fly for us. Gaia is not big enough for the amount of crap the Seekers need and Pirate's Haven is the closest place for some serious shopping."

"I dunno, man... That sounds... kinda dangerous."

"He's hooked," Zeeris said.

"Don't talk bullshit, sib," Ventras muttered. His fingers drummed a complicated rhythm on the table. "Cargo runs will be a lot of stupid boredom."

I shook my head. "Not when you hire a few of Jenala's girls to help out. I happen to know two pilot sisters who are crying right now because we've dismantled their only chance to get to space." I grinned. "Wink, wink, nudge nudge. And if you need even more incentive -- how about you organize a Zuthrian jump drive? A man with your talents could probably get his hands on one. I happen to know someone who's dying to reverse-engineer it. If you're sick of flying yourself, settle down with the Seekers and watch the money roll right in. San'yas promised a fair share with the person who brings in the jump drive."

"What about Zeeris?" Ventras asked. "I can't let her languish here."

"Don't worry. I just offered her a spot in my crew. Co-Pilot. Techie. Bed bunny, whatever she wants."

"Can I do all three?" Zeeris asked. Her hand outmaneuvered mine and slid into my pants.

"You are the only one ever to voluntarily be turned into a bed bunny," Ventras snorted, almost spitting Dragon Milk everywhere.

"Only when I can be Sal's bed bunny." Zeeris kissed my cheek. "You didn't answer before. Where is Jenala?"

"She's back on Home. The Seeker renegades not only need housing, food, energy and whatnot, but a new government as well. They had made her their interim leader. Believe me, she's devastated to not be able to see us consummate our Hunter's Bond."

"Um, if you want to do it tonight, I can whip out a camera and tape ya," Ventras said. "While one of Misty's girls takes care of me or somethin'."

"Fine by me," I said. "How about this? I need to make one last stop before I'm free for the night. Why don't we meet back at your place. Sand Dragon, sex tapes and whatever else comes to mind?"

"I still have no idea what just happened, but I think I'm in love," Zeeris moaned.

* * * *

Neira looked up when I entered her office.

"Now that's a face I didn't expect to see any time soon," she said. She closed down her spreadsheet and shot me a little smile. "You look lively."

I flashed her a smile of my own. "A friend of mine refused to let me leave her place without a blowjob." I pulled one of the visitor's chairs close and sat down opposite her. Today, she didn't appear so much bigger than me. Our eyes were practically level with each other. "To make sure I'd come back." I reached into the pocket of my vest and pulled another data chip from it. "Be so kind and play this for me, will you?"

"Sure. A virus?"

I shook my head no. "Just something I'd like you to see."

Neira slotted the chip into the reader on her computer and opened the data player app. A medicinal hologram sprang to life on the table, slowly rotating around its center axis. I peeled away the layers until only the ghost of a skeleton remained. The Nano-Shot was gone.