Firebrand

She slowly sank to the floor as she imagined the Chief erupting inside her, his warmth spreading through her. Her naked cheeks touched the cold metal, but she was miles away, hanging off the edge of her bed as another powerful tremor rocked her.

Like waking from a dream, she gradually came to. She rose to her feet unsteadily, pulling away her hand to see that her furry fingers were matted with her own come. She wiped some of it on the mattress, having to lean on the bed for support, her legs shaking.

The relief was immediate, joined by a wonderful satisfaction. She sat down heavily, basking in her afterglow for a minute or two longer. As her faculties returned to her, her euphoria wearing off, her cheeks began to burn with shame rather than arousal. What was she thinking? Why did her mind go to such sordid places? The idea of a Vice Admiral of the Rask Matriarchy submitting to anyone of such low status was unthinkable, let alone letting herself be...taken...by an alien. Perhaps she had been spending too much time on this station, it was warping her sensibilities.

Korbaz struggled to pull up her pants, balling up her padded jacket like a pillow and lying back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She felt able to sleep now, more relaxed, but she was afraid that her dreams would take her to those dark places again...

***

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," Harry muttered, holding the remote as Holly stood before the monitor. He had turned the holographic fireplace off at her request, she said that she found it distracting, whatever that meant...

"I must take advantage of every opportunity if I am to complete my mission," she replied tersely, her eyes fixed on the waiting display.

"Yeah, that's what you keep tellin' me," he grumbled. Holly had been a real bore today. She wouldn't play any games, she wouldn't try any more drinks, she wouldn't even sit near him anymore. Something had changed since yesterday, and he wasn't sure what. The Bug was completely focused on her task at the expense of everything else.

"You are still unable to reach the Rask Ambassador?" she asked without so much as glancing in his direction.

"She ain't pickin' up," he replied, "only the Elysian replied. I don't think you're gonna be able to sway him, though. That guy was pissed off when you showed up at the meeting."

"I must try," she replied, "put the call through."

"Yes, Ma'am. Whatever you say, Ma'am," he muttered under his breath as he pressed a button on his controller. The symbol on the monitor changed, and a moment later, a mass of orange appeared on the other end.

It was the Elysian Ambassador, his mane of ginger hair making him look a little like a giant, angry tiger. He was clad in a suit of ornate, red armor that he wore over a flowing shirt, decorated with gold trim. The pauldrons alone must have weighed as much as Harry's entire kit.

The Borealan peered back at Holly with a scowl, his brow furrowed, his lips peeling back to show off some of his sharp teeth. He did not look happy to see her.

"Ambassador Elysiedde," Holly began, clasping her four hands neatly as she always did when she was being formal. "I want to thank you for receiving my call, I-"

"I suppose you wish to change my mind," the ambassador interrupted, Holly going quiet. "Let me save you the trouble. You are wasting your time, Betelgeusian, my decision has already been made."

"Surely there is some understanding that we could reach?" she asked, her antennae bobbing with exasperation. "Will you not hear my case, at least?"

The Ambassador looked unhappy, but he gestured for her to continue.

"It is my understanding," she began, "that Elysia seeks to modernize their military. Your Patriarch is fond of new technologies, new weapons, new ships that can help your people expand their reach and influence. We can provide you with said technologies. We have access to advanced shipbuilding techniques, weapon systems that even the Brokers and the UNN do not yet understand. Our engineers could build Elysia a fleet of living vessels that are capable of self-repair, armories of cutting-edge plasma weapons that are more efficient than those of the UNN. Our tireless Workers could expand your industrial base so that Elysia could begin producing its own weapons, rather than relying on imports."

"My people have no need of your Bug technology," Elysiedde replied dismissively. "We value steel, your flesh-vessels aren't even worth eating. We already have plasma weapons, the Elysian military has adopted the XMR platform as the standard-issue rifle, which doubles as a railgun. We have also witnessed UNN vessels prevail against yours in many engagements."

"My people can build with steel as well as with organics," Holly replied, grasping at straws now that her proposition had been rejected offhand. "You need only provide specifications, and we could-"

"The only use that Elysia has for Betelgeusians is target practice," the ambassador snapped.

Holly looked flustered, but she kept her cool, still trying to find her footing.

"Ambassador, my people share your plight. The Betelgeusians are as much a threat to Jarilo as they are to Borealis. Perhaps you would accept intelligence in exchange for your support? I know that the Coalition has had a great deal of trouble securing intact samples of Betelgeusian weapons and technology. We could reveal vulnerabilities that might give you the upper hand in combat, brief you on the tactics commonly employed by hives, or even send you living samples for study."

"We know your vulnerabilities," Elysiedde replied. "A hypervelocity shard of tungsten will kill you just as well as any other living thing. When that fails, bombardment from orbit will do the job, you are not immune to the ravages of heat and radiation."

"Ambassador..." Holly pleaded, but she had realized by now that her offer of peace had been rejected.

"It is entirely possible that you will secure enough votes to pass your motion," he continued. "Certain members of the Security Council are easily swayed by promises of technology and troops. But hear this; we know what you are. My people have met yours on the battlefield many a time, we know that your zeal is a product of mindless instinct, rather than courage. We know that you will do whatever it takes to win, and that honor does not factor into your decisions. It is the opinion of Elysia that you will betray us at the first opportunity, that what is written in your blood cannot be so easily changed."

"According to the information that I read concerning your species, there was a time when the Coalition considered your people too dangerous to be integrated," Holly shot back. "In fact, UNN instructors noted that Borealans were savage, undisciplined, and impossible to socialize. The first Borealans who joined the program were Elysians if I recall correctly."

The Ambassador bared his teeth in a snarl, but she didn't falter. Her hands were still neatly clasped, the tone of her voice unwavering, only a subtle tremor in her antennae giving her away to Harry's trained eyes.

"Yet today, Elysia is an important and respected member of the Coalition, your auxiliaries serve alongside the other species. How did that happen? Clearly, you were able to change the opinions of the other members, or perhaps you changed yourselves? Your people were given a second chance, but you deny us the same opportunity. Have it your way, Ambassador. We will not count on your vote, but know that you may have to live with us all the same."

The Ambassador looked as if he was about to argue, but Holly waved one of her four hands, gesturing for Harry to cut the feed. He did as she asked, the image of the Borealan's angry face disappearing.

"Looks like you're gettin' more of a feel for politics," Harry mused, impressed by her fierce rebuttal of the ambassador. "No point arguin' with a guy who isn't willin' to listen."

"He is stubborn, just as his file suggested," she replied with a sigh. "I thought that he might respect some assertiveness if I could gain no ground with the negotiations."

"So, are you done now?" he asked. "You said that you wanted to take every opportunity, but we can't contact the Rask, and the Elysian just gave you a pretty resoundin' no."

"I must prepare myself for the second council meeting," she replied, returning to her tablet computer.

"Come on," Harry sighed, rolling his head back. "You've done all you can, it's time to relax. Remember that alien concept I've been tryin' to instill in you? Taking a fuckin' break for one second? You seemed to be gettin' the hang of it earlier."

Blackjack rumbled from his prone position on the floor, Harry gesturing to him.

"See? BJ agrees, and he knows what he's talkin' about."

She stared at him with her pink eyes for a minute, then set her tablet computer back on the table.

"The hour has grown late," she conceded, "I suppose that it would be prudent to sleep so that I might resume my work in the morning with a clear head."

"That's not really what I meant, but alright," Harry said with a shrug. "You want me to get you anythin' to drink before you turn in? There's some hot chocolate left."

"That will not be necessary," she replied as she rose from the couch, "I ate my fill of nutrient paste earlier in the day."

"Good...night," Harry said, trailing off as she marched to her bedroom without further comment and closed the sliding door behind her. "Just what the hell has gotten into her?" he asked, Blackjack rolling over to peer at him with a beady eye. Harry sat down on the couch, spreading his arms in a gesture of bemusement. "She's actin' the same way that she did when she first arrived, but she seemed to be loosenin' up, becomin' more...human. Am I right?"

Blackjack rumbled affirmatively.

"She was laughin', playin' games, tryin' new things. Now she won't even look at me for too long. Do you think I did somethin' wrong? Somethin' to offend her?"

The Krell shook his massive head, the hanging, leathery skin beneath his jaw dragging across the wooden floorboards.

"She is part human, after all," Harry continued as he lay back on the cushions and kicked off his boots. "Maybe tappin' into that side of herself scares her? Bugs aren't supposed to laugh and play, from what she told me. They just focus on their work, and they get all of their pleasure and fulfillment form that alone. Seems like a shitty way to live if you ask me, but hey, whatever floats your boat."

Blackjack rumbled, the resonance making the glass in the coffee table vibrate.

"Alright buddy, I'm gonna get my regulation eight. You're on watch, make sure no big bad assassins break in and kill us in our sleep, you scaly doormat."

The giant reptile slithered his great body to face the door, which was about all that Harry could expect out of him. No matter, if someone really did try to break into the suite, the Krell would move faster than most species' neurons could process the image of an angry wall of teeth flying at them.

Harry lay down, using the armrest as a pillow, suppressing a yawn.

"Do me a favor, would you, bud? Dim the lights."

The giant reptile expressed his displeasure with a low rumble, but clambered to his feet, using his snout to press at the touch panel on the nearby wall. The lights in the room went as low as they could go before turning off completely, Harry closing his eyes.

***

Harry's sleep was interrupted by something crawling up onto the couch, his itchy eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness, a glimmer of pink informing him that it was Holly. Her furry antennae brushed his face, tickling his nose as he propped himself up on his elbows.

"What are you doin'?" he mumbled. "What time is it?"

"I...did not mean to disturb you," she replied quietly, pausing with one knee on the cushions. "As hard as I try, I find myself...unable to sleep alone. Ever since I first arrived here, I have lain in bed for hours, just staring at the ceiling until fatigue overcame me. It was the same on the ship that brought me to the station. I have never been without my sisters before, we are communal insects, we do not function well alone."

"Weren't you designed to work alone?" Harry asked, a little irritated at being woken despite how glad he was to have her confide in him once again. "That's what you kept tellin' me," he added, covering his mouth as he yawned.

"I thought so," she continued hesitantly, "and yet rest eludes me. Perhaps I am...damaged in some way, maybe it was on oversight on my Queen's part. I am ashamed to ask, but I need sleep if I am to perform my duties optimally, and I have no other options."

"Very flattering," Harry muttered. "Any port in a storm, right? Fine, fine," he said as he shuffled over to make room and patted the cushions beside him. "Just get over here so I can go back to sleep."

Holly seemed hesitant, crawling over and lowering herself down beside him, her back facing him. His instinct was to wrap his arm around her waist, as though they were spooning, but he thought better of it. Maybe her lack of sleep had been the cause of her odd behavior? She could just be exhausted, he might be overthinking things.

"How close do you need to get?" he wondered aloud, Holly pressing up against him through the fabric of his uniform. It wasn't especially comfortable for either of them. He was worried that the gossamer wings that made up the frills of her skirt and her long coattails might be as fragile as they looked, and the same went for the pair of long antennae that trailed down her back like twin braids. He was afraid to even touch her.

"Just enough that I can feel someone close to me," she replied, seeming embarrassed by the whole affair. "Without it, I feel so...exposed."

"Cuddlebug," Harry chuckled under his breath.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothin'. What should I do with my arm? Can I touch your...skirt...thing?"

"Yes, it is not actually part of my body," she replied.

"If you say so..."

He let his hand rest about her waist, which was the most natural position, feeling the odd texture of her shell. Well, it wasn't her shell if she was to be believed, perhaps some kind of stylized armor. What he had expected to be cool and hard was actually flexible and warm to the touch. It felt like plastic that had been heated to the very point of melting, there was a certain give to it. It was smooth too, not quite like glass, the subtle imperfections reminded him of skin. Her round, unarmored rump was mercifully clear of his groin, its uncanny resemblance to that of a human had not escaped his attention.

Something else stood out to him, her scent was somehow familiar. As the fluffy ruff that wrapped around her neck brushed against his chin, her fragrance invaded his brain, awakening something inside him. She exuded the unmistakable odor of a woman, something that he had never been so conscious of before that moment. Memories flashed in his mind, triggered by the scent, most of them formed during intensely intimate encounters with his past lovers.

If someone had asked him to describe how a woman should smell, he would have answered with descriptions of flowery perfumes and scented body washes. But this was deeper, more primal, bringing to mind images of shining skin that had been drenched by the exertion of lovemaking.

"Is something the matter?" Holly asked, sensing his discomfort.

"I...no," he stammered, "it's nothing..."

Telling her that she smelled like sex wasn't exactly the most tactful response. Besides, he wasn't sure what was going on right now. He tried to relax, tried to ignore the scent, but it crept into his mind like probing tendrils.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked, but she gave no reply. "Holly?"

She was already fast asleep, her antennae twitching as she dreamed. She hadn't been exaggerating, she must have been exhausted. Her torso and thighs shifted subtly as she breathed, making it feel as though she was squirming softly, the motion distinct from the slow rise and fall of a person's chest.

He reached up and ran his fingers through the ruff around her neck, watching the fine, white hairs shimmer as they caught the dim light. It almost looked like it was made from tiny fiber-optic cables, and it felt like silky fur, far softer than he had expected. Despite his curiosity, he didn't dare run his fingers anywhere else for fear of waking her.

Instead, he closed his eyes, trying to turn his thoughts to something other than what his senses erroneously insisted was a comely woman sleeping in his arms.

CHAPTER 12: CALL MY BLUFF

Moralez was woken by a ringing sound, fumbling in the dark as he reached for his bedside table, picking up his tablet computer. Kaisha shifted beside him, her weight making the mattress sink, the Chief struggling to save from rolling into her as he tapped at the touch screen.

"Yes? What is it?" he asked groggily. He squinted, trying to make out the clock on the bright screen. It was five in the morning, this has better be good.

"Security Chief?" the caller asked. It was a male voice that he didn't recognize. "I'm sorry to disturb you so early, but we've found the weapon."

Moralez hopped out of bed, suddenly fully awake, stooping to pick up his uniform as he spoke into the tablet.

"Nice work. Contact Agents Boyd and Lorza, have them meet me at the armory in an hour. There's no time to waste."

"What is it?" Kaisha asked, yawning as she sat up in bed. Moralez tried to focus on pulling on his uniform, rather than her exposed chest, the sheets sliding off her as her ample bosom caught the morning light that was filtering in through the blinds.

"Just work stuff," he replied, zipping up his coveralls. "Go back to sleep, you're on call today."

She nodded, suppressing another yawn before sliding back beneath the covers.

***

"Did they say where it was found?" Boyd asked, following behind Moralez as they made their way to the armory. Lorza was trailing behind them, the Polar towering over the crowds that were quickly filling the torus now that the first shift of the day was beginning.

"They checked all of the garbage chutes on the station and didn't find a damned thing," the Chief replied, skirting around a group of tourists who were ogling a Krell who had decided to take a morning nap in one of the larger planters. "The shooter had tossed it into space, just as Agent Boyd suggested. The Pinwheel's systems are always tracking local debris to prevent impacts and collisions, so it wasn't too hard to pick up once they accounted for recently introduced objects of about the appropriate mass. The MPs went out in a shuttle and brought it in."

"Did they check it for prints and DNA?" Lorza asked.

"They pulled a few partials," Moralez said, "but it looks like they came from multiple people. DNA will take a little time to sequence."

"We can finally get a look at this thing," Boyd muttered as they arrived at the armory, the trio stepping through the automatic door. The range was mercifully quiet today, it was a little too early for the Marines to be practicing their marksmanship, and the main room was mostly empty. Stanley was waiting for them beside a metal table, a long object that was wrapped in plastic film sitting before him.

"Chief, Agents," he said as they made their way over to him. "I thought it best to wait for you to arrive before I unwrapped the little gift that the MPs dropped off."

"This thing is...big," Boyd mused as he looked it over. They couldn't make out any of the details yet, the protective wrapping was too thick. "It's about as long as a Borealan rifle, maybe six feet and change. Must have weighed a ton."

"Not in space," Lorza corrected, "we have already established that the shooter may have carted the disassembled pieces to the airlock."