Spark the Runner Ch. 05

With the Crescians' help, Okami had set out accommodations for the meal, with reserved spaces, grouped generally by race. The head table was a little weird, but Okami had simplified it by having Spark and Tonya centered, the Prof and herself on the outside, then the Minister Guy and a couple other Solarians on that side, like Governor Reynolds, Ms. du Mont, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Tribune Council. On the other side of Okami, she had the Crescian King and Queen, the Ambassadors, and Leeanni.

The most important movers and shakers were arranged at the tables or stations across the front of the head table. After that, she'd basically winged it and let the Crescians figure it out.

The meal proceeded somewhat banally, including the toasts where the Professor and Okami got to poke fun at Jamie and Elizabeth McLeod and the politicians got to pontificate on how wonderful it was that Solarians were joining the Trade Alliance and were going to be represented by Jamie, Lizzie and Okami. Nothing truly interesting happened until after dessert, when the band fired up and the dancing started.

The Crescians had been intrigued by the Solarian custom and had done their usual thorough research... eventually likening it to sex standing up -- a way of wooing or seducing potential partners. The concept fit their cultural norm very well, so they passed on their information to the other humanoid races who might want to try the strange ritual. That made for some strange "interpretive dance" on the dance floor.

More than one Solarian had to be assisted off the floor, floating on a cloud of orgasmic bliss after dancing with an Arcasian.

"Shit, McLeod..." Lewd Lou had commented quietly to Jamie after one such incident. "How d'ya s'pose I get one a dem ta work wit' me at the 'Gazer?"

"Make sure it'll be profitable, and ask," Jamie had answered honestly.

"Wot d'they trade in?"

"It varies. You'd have to invite them over for a drink and find out."

"Shit, I ain't got anybody dat's a eunich," Lou had scratched his head. "I'd need one fer da negotiatin'."

"Sorry, Lou. Can't help you with that one. And I gotta go mingle. Enjoy yourself, alright?"

Spark moved on, wondering just what kind of weird shit was going to come out of tonight's party. He didn't have long to wait.

Tonya was mingling with the guests, as he was, and in some cases agreeing to a dance. He was moving through the crowd in her general direction when he heard her on the microband. Husband, eavesdrop.

He turned to find her as he put his attention on her mind and senses. She was being approached by a man he recognized as one of the Senators, one of the more influential ones. He listened in, through her, as he greeted her.

"Good evening, Ms. Levin... I mean, Mrs. McLeod. It is wonderful to see you so happy in your new role. You have certainly won the hearts and minds of the Crescians... and many others. I wish you the best of success in your future endeavors."

"Good evening, Senator Jacobs," she replied. "Good fortune seems to be favoring all of us. Your well wishes are certainly appreciated. Jamie and I are looking forward to a long and happy life together."

"As it should be," he nodded. "Though... traveling among the stars, it's good to remember there's no place like Home."

At that point, they were politely interrupted by a Regulan desiring to dance with Tonya, so she and the Senator parted ways. Spark, on the other hand, was thinking to Okami, need to find out Senator Jacobs' connection to the unsavories.

Got it, she answered from across the room. I'll see what I can find.

Did you get that, husband? Tonya asked as she danced.

Got it, Spark told her. Okami's working on it. Just keep the guests happy.

As you wish. He could hear the smile in her thoughts.

May I have this dance, good Sir? It was Maya, the Denebite and now considered a friend.

Most certainly, my Lady, Spark answered. Although you'd better be pretty nimble, to keep your toes out from under my feet.

Maya simply smiled and opened her arms, rippling her wings a little bit. Spark returned her smile and stepped forward.

You still feel so wonderful to the touch, Maya told Spark as they danced a slow, foxtrot-like pattern. Whenever you and Lizzie and Okami can break free from your new roles as diplomats, I would love to have some private time with you.

As would we, I assure you, Spark told her. It seems like our lives are going to become incredibly busy with wheeling and dealing... and a baby.

And dodging bullets, Maya commented. The Martian underground seems to have taken a strong interest in you. I think I would prefer dealing with the fledgling.

Dodging bullets? Spark asked, surprised. Have you heard something?

It's rather that we know something, she answered, melting into him just a bit more. A certain element of the criminals on this planet seem to think they own your wife. I am fairly sure Lizzie would not like the idea of being 'owned', even by you. I do not think I would want to be them, at the moment.

How widespread is this... knowledge? Spark asked. Now he was certain they'd "been made" and were going to have to deal with it.

Among the non-Solarians? Maya answered. Those of us in the trade missions responsible for the security of our teams and our partners know, in general. One of the reasons Krisslum and Saelass insisted on hosting your wedding here was to provide protection, just in case exactly this happened.

I thank you for the information, Spark told her. I will have to make sure my wife knows.

I believe she has already been apprised of the situation, Maya told him. Which is why I would not want to be the 'bad guys' in this case. There is still the rumor about Nikolai Borzoya.

Ah... Spark thought back. That rumor.

Consider the 'sit-rep', as you call it, passed along, Maya told him. Now... can dancing make me cum?

* * * * *

Bratva. At least. Okami was relaying her information about Senator Jacobs.

Reynolds' staff, Tonya informed them. His Chief of Staff greeted me with, 'it would appear you have been wildly successful, influencing the Crescians. Why, having the King and Queen attend your wedding? You must be quite important to them, Ms. Levin. Um, McLeod.' I informed him we met them through the Ambassadors, and did not know them that well. These Al'yans Krovi are being stupid. Or intentionally letting us know that they know who I am.

Most likely intentional, Spark told them. Maya told me most of the ET's know something's up. We're being extended a certain amount of protection as long as we're here at the embassy, or traveling with the Trade Reps. They are aware Lizzie can be pretty powerful. Maya referenced Nikolai Borzoya.

Tonya sighed... a uniquely human affectation.

Let us see if we can conclude our business here and leave this planet before they do something even more stupid, she commented. I do not wish to begin leaving a trail of bodies the Governor might get interested in...

The party will be going on for a couple more hours, Spark pointed out. We're allowed to slip away a bit early, you know? For honeymoon type shenanigans?

Tonya smiled. Okami, on the other hand, pouted.

You two get to go fuck your brains out, she groused. The Prof and I get to stay here and make sure everything is wrapped up neatly.

The wages of... Maid of Honor. Would you like us to save a piece of tail for you? Spark teased.

No, I'll just go shack up with Aluxor. He can tie me with that big fucking knot of his and I'll just quiver my way through the night.

Then, husband, let us rejoin the party long enough to let it be known we are making our escape, Tonya suggested.

Sounds like a plan, Spark smiled.

* * * * *

It took a whole three days before the first 'reacquisition team' came after them.

We have picked up a tail, Jamie, Tonya's voice came over the microband. Okami and I are just leaving the Spaceport.

Tonya and Okami had gone to the Hellas Planitia spaceport with the Professor and Donald Moore, First Crescian Consortium COO, to have a quick discussion with the Antarians before they left to return to Antares and the Solarians returned to Earth. Now they were headed back.

What kind of tail? Spark asked, setting aside his research and preparing to jack into the Mars dataplex.

AGV, Okami told him. Behind us. Our driver's done the standard random turns to see if they're following us, and they are.

Are you in one of the embassy cars?

Yes, husband, Tonya's voice came back. There are three of them, all human males. Their vehicle is armed and armored. Their minds are like Gorman, but not quite so intelligent. They appear to intend to run us off the flyway and 'reacquire' me. They are not interested in Okami.

Run it however you want, Spark told her. If it were me, I'd make 'em chase me, then crash them. Warning shot into the bow. Next time, not be so nice.

Next time, husband?

Yeah, next time. They're too stupid not to try again.

Lovely. I believe we will take your suggestion. Hislenn is a very good driver. Or pilot.

Let me know how it works out, Spark thought back. I won't panic, yet.

You do not need to panic at all, Tonya pointed out. They built me to survive. Remember?

I remember. Take care. And with that, they broke their connection and Tonya went about the business of dissuading pursuit.

* * * * *

"For the love of Mike!" Spark moaned in exasperation as he leaned back in his chair. "That's four times this week!"

"Four crashes, the last two fatal..." Okami nodded. "Maybe they're not good at pattern recognition."

Spark looked over at her and shook his head. "When Lizzie gets back, we need to talk about this. It's getting out of control."

"That will be in about ten minutes, Jamie. Want me to make up some soup and sandwiches for when she gets here?"

"Sure. We need lunch anyway." With another shake of his head, Spark went back to researching the trade items the other missions could offer. And their approximate demand and value. Okami headed for the kitchenette.

About ten minutes later, the door whooshed open and Tonya walked in with Leeanni.

"That smells wonderful!" she told the others as she hung up her coat. "We will be four for lunch." She smiled as she led Leeanni to the table and Okami brought out beverages. Leeanni had taken a liking to the cut black tea that was the Professor's favorite and Okami made sure she always had some available.

Spark joined them at the table when Okami brought out the food.

It is Okami's considered opinion, Spark started right in, using telepathy in deference to Leeanni, that the Al'yans Krovi reacquisition teams are incapable of pattern recognition.

Leeanni sputtered in her tea.

It could be their handlers, Tonya mused. They certainly seem dain bramaged.

Dain Bramaged??? Spark had never heard her screw up before. Or be imprecise. Or even use contractions. Then he realized she was joking.

Okay, Helena, he shook his head. You got me on that one.

That doesn't change the fact that this is getting old, Okami chimed in. How do we get them to leave us alone?

Take out the handlers? Leeanni offered.

Spark looked at her for a moment, considering how quickly she was picking up human ways.

Probably not, he decided. Shit flows downhill. We'd have to go pretty far up the chain of command.

Do you mean the Al'yans Krovi Executive Committee? Tonya asked.

Well, that's about as far up the chain as you can go, Spark conceded. I don't know we can reach that far.

We can reach that far, Tonya told him. There was an extended silence after her statement.

What do you propose? Spark asked evenly, after a bit.

Regime change, Tonya told him. Travel to Earth, demonstrate what going up against me means to the second level bosses, by taking out the first level bosses. Painfully. Impress upon them that cooperation beats coercion. Cooperation also fosters staying alive. That may do the trick.

They also built you to be an assassin, Spark commented before shutting up.

Yes, Tonya answered. They did.

* * * * *

"Hell of a way for Leeanni to find out you didn't start out as a Metahuman."

Spark, Tonya and Okami were stowing their gear aboard the Aquila, the freighter that had brought them to Mars in the first place. They had decided to slip back to Earth as below the radar as they could, and Captain Germaine had been more than happy to welcome them back to her crew. Chief Schmidt was damned near orgasmic.

"Lizzie McLeod! Damn, you're a sight for sore eyes!" he'd exclaimed when he ran into them. "Any chance you want to work my galley again?"

"I would not miss it, Chief," she smiled. "And by the way... your Silderian Ice Wine must have worked a miracle. I am pregnant."

"Wow! You don't say..." the Chief had come back, shaking his head. "Well, best of luck to you... and it'll be a joy working with you again. You got Comm, McLeod?"

"Yeah, Chief. Same old, same old. Okami's with us, too. She's turned out to be a damn good friend. Is Knill still flying this tub?"

"Nah... he got a better gig on the Pluvius. The other Comm is a young broad, name of Charlene. Everybody calls her Charlie. She's got more tits than brains, and she ain't exactly dumb, if you get my drift. Got it in her head Space is Wonderful... wants to 'experience' it."

"Thanks for the warning, Chief," Spark told him. "Lizzie will be down to see you once we get our gear stowed."

"Alright... you two take care. See you later." And with that, Chief Schmidt lumbered off in the direction of his galley. Which is how Spark and Tonya ended up stowing their gear in their cabin, along with Okami's. Even though as a Flight Officer, Okami rated her own berth, they'd decided that in general, they'd all just sleep together. And screw. Definitely screw.

And on this flight, due to Tonya's generosity, nothing was falling apart. Much. It looked to be about three weeks of boredom, with any luck. And for Spark, Tonya and Okami, it sounded perfect.

"I think she took it very well," Tonya observed. "And she certainly understood the need for discretion. I believe she will make an excellent Trade Representative, or even Ambassador, before very long."

"Grimm says crew briefing in an hour," Okami told them as she slipped through the hatch. "Mandatory. Oh, and have you seen Charlie, yet?"

Spark and Tonya indicated they had not, which made Okami break out in a broad grin.

"You're gonna just love your third watch Comm Ops, Jamie," she chuckled. "In fact, you both are."

"What do you know that I don't?" Spark asked, a bit irritated.

"Quite a bit," Okami told him. "But in this case, you'll find out at the crew briefing. Or your pre-flight team meeting. In any case, this time my berth is just down the P-way from here. In a supreme bit of irony, I'm doubled with Charlie."

Spark just looked at Okami, confused, but Tonya laughed.

"It would appear Chief Schmidt will get some amusement out of this situation," she observed with a smile. "So maybe you will not be spending most of your down time with us..."

"No idea," Okami answered. "But she does radiate libido like a Crescian."

"Oh, shit..." Spark had a sudden intuition about how the next three weeks were going to go.

Tonya and Okami both laughed. "There goes that fragile male ego," Okami chuckled.

* * * * *

The crew briefing was Captain Mike's standard. Richards and Grimm were still the XO and JO, Dr. Meade was still the ship's doctor and Carne was still Deck Ops. There was a new face for Purser and Navigation, a butch dyke looking woman named Graves. Jamie had Communications and Chief Schmidt still had Mess. The ship still ran on Ship's Normal Time, or SNT, and a 0000 to 2359 24-hour clock. The rules were the same, the watches were the same and the chow was the same. Until Tonya got her hands on it.

Spark's big surprise, that Okami was gloating over, was Charlie. Charlene Lynette "Charlie" Gilmore was only about 1.6 meters tall, but athletic and proportional -- except for her huge tits. Spark figured she had to about an H-cup, or whatever was bigger than that, and they stood proud and firm, no sag, with nipples that pointed out of her jumpsuit like fingertips. She was ash blonde, which she kept short, and had deep green eyes. And Okami was right. She radiated sex like a nuclear reactor.

A quick conversation with her and Okami let Spark know she was sharp. She knew the equipment, she knew the protocols and she knew when to say "yes, sir," and shut up. She didn't play up her sexuality, but she didn't try to hide it, either. And Spark caught more than one long glance going in Okami's direction.

Well, they'll have first watch to themselves, he thought. I've got Comm and Lizzie's got Mess. Anything that's going to happen second will be me, Lizzie and her because Okami's got Comm. And Charlie's got Comm on third watch. No chance we're going to get a foursome going.

He'd forgotten about Tonya's and Okami's abilities to ride each other's meta.

They got the General Quarters call and headed off to their GQ Stations. Spark went back to jacking in and seeing just how broke the systems still were and was pleasantly surprised to find that Captain Mike had spent Tonya's money wisely.

Just like last time, the heavy thrum of the maneuvering thrusters coming online vibrated throughout the ship. A few moments later, the PA squawked the familiar.

"Attention! Attention! Lift off is imminent. Lift off is imminent. Ship condition -- General Quarters. All duty stations report." All the section heads and gang chiefs cycled through their affirmations that they were ready. Then the final status check.

"Engineering -- Green." "Life Support -- Green." "Navigation -- Online." "Communications -- Online." "Deck Ops -- Green." "Medical -- Green."

And finally, "Bridge -- Online, taking Command. Stand by for lift-off." The thrumming increased as did the vibration of the hull until the ship lurched upwards, free of its docking clamps.

"Lift off," the PA announced. Spark knew they had to get at least two diameters out, or about 14,000km, before they could cut in the Queron Plasma drives. In the meantime, like before, they were a mass of shuddering, shaking, steadily decreasing gravity. The ship's artificial gravity was dependent on the plasma drives.

This is going to be old hat for Tonya the Seasoned Space Traveler, he thought as he monitored the ship's datastream. Now we just have to worry about what's at the other end.

* * * * *

"So, Comm... is Lizzie your wife?" Charlie was exiting the Communictions station as Spark relieved her.

It had only taken two days. The second time Okami showed up to relieve Spark, she was trashed. Recovering quickly, but trashed.

"That woman is a menace to mental health," Okami told him as she slipped into the Comm station and set up to take over. Spark was having a hard time hiding the grin.

"You gonna be able to work?" he teased her.