Fourth Vector Ch. 22

There was none of the usual dirty talk, spankings, or competitive marathon fucking. This was lovemaking in its purest form, gentle, passionate movements that took them to levels they couldn't reach without each other.

"I love you so much," she whispered against his lips after their bodies had become caked in sweat.

"I love you too," he returned before attacking her lips once more.

Vera managed to orgasm twice more as she rode him continuously, taking the moment to collapse against his chest as the feeling traveled to her very fingertips. Once she recovered, the motion was quickly rejoined, and it was all too soon that the usual familiar feeling became inevitable.

She cried out in pleasure as she felt the first blasts of cum fire inside her, and it caused her to grind her hips down against his while moaning into his mouth. They held each other tightly as the last bit of passionate fervor worked its way out, leaving the two a sweaty, sticky mess of flesh and fluids a moment later.

"Wow," said Vera finally, as she looked up from his chest. A strand of her hair fell across her face, and she quickly blew it out of the way. "That was . . ."

"Incredible?" he finished.

She nodded and placed a simple kiss against his chest. "It really was, Greg. I'm sorry that it took me so long to get here."

"Don't be," he whispered. "We got here, and that's what matters, right?"

"I knew that this would be different with you, something that would feel just right," she said. "I just purposely built up this wall around sex after Sorella. Mostly to shield myself from the memories and what I had to do to survive. Sometimes, I look back and don't even recognize myself or my actions. Most of all, I hate how it still affects me long after it's been over."

"I think you took a big step today," said Greg. "Hopefully this was able to help you consign that firmly to the past."

"I think so," said Vera before a grin appeared on her face. "It also helped a lot how amazing you made me feel just now."

"All in a day's work," he said modestly, earning a laugh and a playful slap from her.

"I'd tell you not to get cocky with me," said Vera before grabbing his manhood. "But I actually rather like when you do."

"Well then, we still have a few hours of downtime before I need to be somewhere," said Greg, feeling himself respond within her hand. "What should we do with it?"

She slipped her leg back over his. "I know just the thing!"

*****

"The room simply won't do. At all times of night, I can hear the servants out in the hallway. It's grating on my nerves that I can't get a proper sleep at night while I'm in this godforsaken country. You need to find me another room."

Nikias let out a heavy sigh at listening to the ever complaining Javan Viceroy Lucius Grant. Every day it was something new, to the effect that Nikias was beyond exhausted listening to the man. With the first days of his arrival, it dealt with various aspects of his quarters. His linens were too hard, and then they were too soft after they'd been replaced. The food was dreadful. The servants were uncouth and not respectable.

After the petty complaints had piled up, it then moved to matters that were more substantial. Lucius seemed to delight in reminding them they hadn't fulfilled any of their obligations to Java yet, specifically the sending of any resources that they would deem militarily useful.

In all, just about every time that Nikias saw Lucius Grant, he received an instant headache.

"I'm not sure where else we can put you," said Nikias finally. "This is the third room you've been in since you've been here. It's only been a month."

"Surely there's one room in this entire excuse for a palace that is reasonably soundproof?" asked an annoyed Lucius.

Nikias fought the urge to slug him, as strong as it was. "We are running out of places to put you, Viceroy."

"Not my problem," shot back Lucius. "If that's the case, why don't you put me up in your king's room? I'm sure he doesn't have a noise problem."

Nikias found himself turning red with anger. "Are you to seriously suggest that I request the king of this country to give up his room for you? Are you out of your mind?"

Lucius' nostrils flared. "Some host he is if he can't provide a proper room for one of his guests. Why shouldn't he give up his room in that case?"

"I'm not discussing this any longer," said Nikias with a wave of his hand. "The current accommodations will have to do. I'm not asking the servants to move anything else."

"Oh, yes, you will," retorted Lucius with more attitude than before. "You will remember your place in the empire and do as we command."

"We are not your slaves," said Nikias loudly, causing several of the nearby soldiers to turn their attention to the two men. "No matter what you may say, Sorella is an equal partner to Java. If you can't accept that, then we have no reason to continue this facade."

"Facade?" mocked Lucius. "The onlyfacade is the one where Sorella is equal to Java. You will do as we command you to do or you will find war on your doorstep. You people need to learn your place before us. The strong always rule the weak. Remember that, boy."

"Boy!" yelled Nikias as he moved toward the viceroy with aggression. One of the Sorellan soldiers had the wits to get between them, or Lucius Grant might have ended up on the floor. In the interim, some of the Javans with Lucius stepped into protect him, and a small ring of human steel separated the two men. For a brief moment, Nikias was able to take a measure of satisfaction from the fear in the man's eyes.

"You are not welcome in Sorella," yelled Nikias. "You need to remove yourself at once, or we will remove you!"

"The only person being removed will be you, boy!" spat Lucius. "Wait until I tell your king about your behavior. You'll be lucky to pick fruit out in fields with the rest of the decrepits!"

Cooler heads thankfully prevailed between the two men. The Sorellans pulled Nikias away from the viceroy while the Javans performed the same function on their side. Lucius Grant was still content to froth at the mouth with his anger while Nikias threw just about every object he could get his hands on as he stormed away.

"Take your hands off me this instant!" roared Lucius before taking one final glance over at Nikias. "You'll be hearing from your king soon, boy!"

With that, the viceroy marched off toward the royal quarters while Nikias retreated to his room to get back under control. He was met by Elektra along the way, her face filled with alarm. Undoubtedly, she had heard the shouting.

"Nikias? What's wrong?"

"That fucking Javan dog, that's what's wrong," said Nikias, his fury on full display. He stomped past her until he stopped to enter their room, soon pacing around the bed as a means to regain his composure.

"Who the hell does he think he is?" he said, watching Elektra as she closed the door behind him. "We're not slaves to be exploited! We're free people in Sorella! And I did not survive the civil war just to end up as the bitch to some foreign diva!"

"Relax, relax, relax," said Elektra, holding her hands up before she was able to calm down her fiance. "You can't allow him to get you so riled up."

"Can't I? I've seen you go at it with him twice as bad as I did."

Elektra smiled. "In my defense, he insulted my family. He should've known better. But the man has a bad talent for bringing forth the rage in all of us. I have a feeling he got this position just for that particular trait alone."

"What good is it then? Does he think he'll get his way if he pisses us off far enough?" said Nikias. "I'm just as willing to have the guards descend on his room and drop him off the highest cliff."

"Now you know that would do us no good," said Elektra as she rubbed his tense shoulders. "You'll just bring the whole wrath of them down on us. Sorella needs to rebuild, not get into another conflict."

"Even still," muttered. "If left to him, we'd have nothing to rebuild with. Prosperity is slowly returning to Sorella, and he wants to cart off all the profits back to Java."

"I know, I know," she said. "That's why we need to let Jack help us."

Nikias swallowed heavily. "I don't know if Jack can help us on this one, Elektra."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because of how long it's been! We reached out to him over a month ago, and his response was that he would find out. Great, so what has he found out? My guess is that he can't do anything about it," said Nikias with a low, rushed voice. "We might be on our own with this one."

"Do you really think he wouldn't help?" she asked.

"I don't know. But I'm being forced to consider the fact that he possibly duped us. Maybe this was the plan all along."

Elektra shook her head. "I don't want to even think that. He helped us win the war!"

"Yeah, win it so that there was something left of Sorella that they could steal," muttered Nikias.

"I know you're angry with him right now, but we can't let it cloud our judgment," said Elektra. "I don't believe Jack helped us win the war just so we could be milked after he left. Let's wait out the process and see what happens. I think we can all manage to tolerate His Fussiness, Lucius Grant, a little longer."

"Not too much longer," said Nikias quietly.

She kissed him and rested her head against his chest.

As he held her, he couldn't help but wonder if his suspicions were correct.

Jack, if you're really out there trying to help us, we could sure use you right about now.

*****

On the other side of the world, Jack looked out on the assembled officers of Task Force 21 while he went through their battle plan for Aberdeen line by line. Beneath him, theDestiny was already roaring to life, and she would soon be leaving Lockhaven harbor for the short passage through the channel.

"So that's it, that's the entire plan," said Jack as he looked up to all the attendees. "Task Force 78 will be in the lead in front of us, and their job will be to sweep the channel of any Occitanian forces along the way. We'll split up right above Aberdeen, and then we'll attack the blockade head-on. Any questions?"

"If the Occitanian task force that operates in the channel spots us, the same one that sunk the invasion transports, wouldn't we expect them to get a warning to the blockade fleet that we're coming?" asked Luke.

"Very possibly," said Jack. "But there's nothing else we can do there. It's a risk we have to take if we run into that enemy task force. Our only chance there would be to engage that task force while we have the extra manpower so that we can silence it before they figure out our intent."

"Looks like we better move fast throughout the channel then," said Pete with a grin. "Let's hope we can still count on the element of surprise."

"Amen to that," said Jack. "Any further questions?"

The room fell silent, not so much as another word.

"Good, let's get back to your ships. We'll be departing in thirty minutes. Dismissed."

As the officers of the task force left the room, Jack rolled up the map of Aberdeen and placed it back on his desk. He then went to the port window to look out on the city, seeing a throng of citizens gathered to wave off their fleet in the hopes of securing a victory for them.

He couldn't help but be a little melancholy at the thought of leaving the city so quickly after his arrival. It didn't seem right to leave, but he knew there were bigger callings on the horizon. Aberdeen would be first and then back to the mission at hand. He was as determined as ever to get back to the Vector, as well as to finally get to Galicia, the land of his people.

Jack thought that coming home might serve to reattach the bonds that he felt for his fellow Javans. If anything the cold treatment at the hands of Nick Reynolds and the sudden machinations of Admiral Bancroft seemed to reaffirm what he already knew—he was drifting further apart from Java.

It didn't come on all at once, and the slow process was steadily working to pivot him toward the West from the East. It wasn't without consequences, and one day soon, he might very well need to surrender his command to focus on Galicia full-time. When that day came, it would be very sad indeed.

There was a knock at his door a moment later, and Jack beckoned the new arrival to enter. He expected to see just about anyone else, but to his surprise Admiral Bancroft walked into his quarters on theDestiny.

There didn't appear to be much warmth to his face like there usually was. Despite the smile on his lips, his eyes were hollow and insensitive, a complete departure from the man he once knew. "I like what you've done with the place, Jack."

"I didn't expect to see you this morning, Admiral," said Jack as he offered a crisp salute.

"I just came here to wish you good luck before you left," said Bancroft before looking around the quarters. "I take it your team is briefed and ready to go?"

"Fully, sir," answered Jack.

Bancroft didn't respond, and he continued to look around the room like he was on inspection. It was an uncomfortable feeling, and Jack knew the tension between them was still thick from the night before.

"Listen, sir, about last night—"

Bancroft held up his hand. "Let's not go there right now, shall we, Jack? I don't want you to leave on such terms, and I'm not in the mood for an argument."

Jack nodded his head slowly.

Bancroft turned to face him. "I have to say though, my opinion of you has changed."

I highly doubt it was for the better, thought Jack.

"I'm just doing what I think is right, sir," he said softly.

Bancroft nodded and turned his back to him. "I can count on you to keep quiet about everything that was said in my home, correct?"

"I won't say anything," confirmed Jack. "I think our professional relationship over the years has extended to that courtesy at the very least."

"Good," said Bancroft. "I would hope you would take some time to reconsider as you sail to Aberdeen. I need a reliable number two that I can count on." He turned to face him. "Would you reconsider for me, Jack?"

For a split-second, Jack allowed himself to imagine what that might look like. In his mind, he saw Bancroft wielding all the power in Java, a deposed emperor, civil strife, chaos, and death. He saw marauding soldiers, Javan and foreign, running rampant over Javan cities and killing the innocent. He also saw a heartbroken Kat on the edge of the water, her life purpose destroyed by his abandonment. He saw waves of blonde-haired Galicians, many of them looking at him with a stern disappointment. Giving his acceptance to Bancroft's question meant a fate that he couldn't accept.

"I'm afraid my answer won't change on that matter, Admiral," replied Jack. "I can't change who I am."

Bancroft let out a disappointed sigh. "I knew you would say that. It's no matter." The admiral raised his head high and put his cap back on his head. "If you are victorious in the next battle, I want you to come back to Belfort. Only if you are victorious though, Jack. Do you understand me?"

Jack nodded.

"Good. We'll find a use for you at that time. If you're not victorious in the next battle, you're better off not coming home," said Bancroft with an icy stare. "I don't care where you go, but you best not step foot in Java. Go to Occitania or Ruthenia or catch a ship back across the ocean in some fashion. Are we clear on this matter?"

"So it's victory or death then?" asked Jack bravely.

Bancroft's lips curled up in a sadistic smile. "I like how you put that. Yes, we'll go with that. Victory or death, Jack. Remember that."

With that, the admiral turned on his heel and made for the door. He offered nothing in the way of a goodbye, only slamming the metal door behind him. In the sudden rush of silence, Jack felt the decision he'd made with every fiber of his being.

There's no turning back now. Win at all costs, or I can kiss Java goodbye forever, he thought.

Part of him wondered if he should go back on his word to Bancroft and tell someone, anyone, about what had taken place. The problem was, who would believe him? At this very moment, Bancroft was being looked on as the possible savior of the war with Occitania. It was his ships that were mustering to destroy the blockade, and the common citizens of Java looked to him for their deliverance.

Even if the hero of the Fourth Vector came out against him, he was almost certain Bancroft's gravitas would outweigh his own.

It made for an easy decision, helped along no doubt by knowing that the West always remained an option in case he couldn't count on support from the East.

If he could get there on his own.

As Jack left his quarters and made his way to the main deck, he was struck by the sheer sound of the noise from the crowd on the docks. Many of them waved at the ships, ecstatic at seeing the small armada depart for its course with destiny. Of note was Admiral Bancroft, his arms crossed firmly across his chest as he regarded the task force with silent appraisal. Jack couldn't help but look back at the man, wondering whether he'd just made another powerful enemy. Especially from someone who'd been like a father to him.

As he reached the bridge, he noticed he was the last one missing. All of theDestiny's officers occupied their normal command positions, and Jack took his seat beside Abigail.

"Ready to go?" she asked, as her hand brushed the top of his.

"Ready as can be. Are we ready to depart?"

She nodded. "Just say the word."

"Good," said Jack. He pointed out to the horizon. "Let's go to Aberdeen."