The Tales of the Silver Wind

"I see, then you have my permission. However, I... well I think all of us wants to see this thing once it's operational," Lulu said glancing at Adriana who was staring wide eyed at Sebastian. "Oh and, Sebastian," she said catching him as he neared the bridge door. Quickly flashing Sebastian her breasts, blowing him a kiss before covering up knowing only Akasha and Sebastian would be able to see them. Watching Akasha muffled her giggle as her ruby eyes glanced down seeing how he was fighting not to adjust himself while on the bridge. "That will teach you to taunt a child, you dirty old man," Lulu teased.

"Hey! I'm eighteen I'll have you know!" Adriana huffed. Her four foot frame against the chair did make it appear that she was one.

"I know, but if we can't poke fun at our elders then what fun is there left in the universe," Lulu said running her tongue along her upper lip as she buttoned her shirt before spinning around. "Akasha adjust the shield harmonics, there's still some vibrations on the hull," she said feeling so naughty doing that to him on the bridge.

"That's a rather large model," Sebastien said eyeing the two foot long device. He would have thought it would have been one of the wall mounted models that he was used to.

"Well," Daniel began to say looking over at Elizabeth who nodded, "we thought since you have travelled all this way. Regardless if your nanites were failing you, (they haven't caused you problems, have they?), brought something that would help your people immensely. So we thought you might like to have something that reminded you of home," he said running his hand over the top of the device.

"Ah, I see, and no the nanites are...," Sebastian said running his right eye down the bio-screen, "within normal operating range."

"Good, good," Daniel nodded, "now how about we install this sucker?!"

"Right," Sebastian nodded kneeling down. Lifting up the gravity plating, shutting off the power flow to the island that separated the small dining area; and the kitchen that they had used for ages to make the nutrient gel into something that resembled a palatable taste. "There," he said as he rose to his full height arching an eyebrow when they had already removed the plating that covered the power convertor that powered the kitchen. It was the reason he had suggested the spot. Working alongside Daniel as they spliced the supply and return power cables while another modified the device to work off of the wattage that the dark matter drive produced. What would have taken him and hour or two on his own, they had installed it in thirty minutes, watching how Daniel connected the digital interface. "I thought you were just a medical doctor?" Sebastian said smiling at the man as the replicator cycled on once the diagnostic was completed.

"I am, but I'm also an engineer, got to have something to do with all this time on my hands, isn't that right soldier," Daniel chuckled nudging Sebastian with his elbow.

"True," Sebastian agreed remembering the time he spent learning how to maintain and repair a dark matter drive when he served aboard a freighter.

"Now let's take this baby on a test drive," Daniel said rubbing his hands unaware Adriana was spying on them. Watching in excitement, biting her nails as the blue glowing light began to reorder the molecules in the air. Gasping as she watched as a strange dish appeared out of nowhere.

"They did it!" Sebastian slowly shook his head, smiling at the old tech hunter's antics as she ran up the stairs to the bridge.

"Who was that?!" Elizabeth asked looking to the spot where Adriana once was.

"Oh, someone that's dying to use this thing," Sebastian chuckled.

"I see, taken with our technology, is she?" Elizabeth asked with a smirk.

"The older the better so it appears," Sebastian said linking the replicator to the ships mainframe, so his crewmates can have the dishes they were comfortable with.

"Oh? Has she had any luck tracking down our lost tech?"

"Hit and miss, nothing you can do if it's gone after a hundred and fifty years," Sebastian said opening up the Candary food subfolder that Lulu had installed before he had joined their crew.

"So is that...," Lulu began to say her mouth hung agape as she watched as two clear glasses filled with a purple-orange liquid appeared on the surface of the device. "Unbelievable," she muttered as Sebastian took hold of the glasses. "Sebastian can that thing make anything?"

"If it's in the database then yes it can," Daniel said answering for him.

"So all I have to do is program it with my peoples food recipes...?" Lulu asked looking at Sebastian as he left that small kitchen.

"Already tied it into the mainframe, Captain," Sebastian said smirking as he passed. "Here, try this," he said handing her one of the drinks and one to Akasha as she came down the stairs.

"It can't be," Akasha said mystified. Her eyes going wide as she inhaled the scent of the juice. Bringing the glass to her lips, her tail curled around Sebastian's leg as the flavor of the juice exploded across her taste buds. "Oh my, Löwe how did you get fresh gooberberry juice? And if you had it onboard why haven't you shared it with me before?"

"He just made it," Lulu said moving up to his side. While she wasn't fond of most Candary dishes the juice itself was nice and sweet.

"Made it?" Akasha asked in disbelief. It was to well-aged to have been just made.

"Nathan! You got to see this thing, it's amazing!" Adriana said dragging Nathan behind her as they came down the stairs.

"Well, I'll take bridge duty, while you all enjoy," Sebastian said watching how Akasha's hand reached out. Grabbing hold of his shirt, bringing him within inches of her lips. Watching how her cat-like nose wiggled before placing a sweet lingering kiss. The taste of the gooberberries leaving a longing taste on his lips.

"Gil, why don't you go and enjoy the festivities," Sebastian said as he walked onto the bridge, "don't worry I'll take over," he said as Gil began to speak.

"If you're sure," Gil said getting up from the pilot seat.

Sebastian's smile was reflected on the console screens as he listened to Gil's hurried footsteps. His fingers wrapped around the yoke feeling the vibrations that were humming along the hull of the ship. His eyes running over the console pressing a few buttons feeling the vibrations receding. Scanning a few parsecs ahead of the ship, Sebastian wasn't about to going through that Easter egg hunt again. Enjoying the silence of the bridge as the minutes passed, recounting what had happened in the past few days. That was until the doors to the bridge rolled open.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Elizabeth said stepping onto the bridge.

"Not at all," Sebastian said peering behind him.

"You have a very lively crew," Elizabeth said sweetly.

"They do have their moments."

"Sebastian, seeing how everyone is busy at the moment, do you think this would be the perfect time to contact this Queen?" Elizabeth asked her hand resting on the back of Lulu's captain's chair.

"I don't see why not," Sebastian said tilting his head to the side. Aligning the subspace transceiver towards Candary space, entering the coordinates to the nearest outpost to relay the message. Flipping on the autopilot as he waited for a response.

"I'm honored to meet the master of the crane," a leopard spotted Candarian female said giving Sebastian a slight bow as the connection was complete. "That was a masterful performance you displayed in the ring. I know many of my comrades were elated to know that you put that cheating dog in his place," she said her fangs gleamed evilly. "Now what can I do for the Great Löwe?"

"Thank you, that ezel deserved to die thinking he could bring dishonor to the Stjrid," Sebastian said sternly to which the woman nodded vehemently, "now I need you to patch me to our Queen's private channel," he said placing his hands behind his back.

Elizabeth eyed his back what few encounters she had personally with the Candary during the last years of the war. She never saw the respect in a Candary's eyes like she was witnessing. Wondering just what Sebastian had done to earn such respect that people he had never met spoke to him as if he was a mythical hero.

"Yes, of course Löwe, just one moment, and I do hope we get to see you in the ring once again," she said before patching Sebastian through.

"Löwe?" Pantra said her eyes widening in joy at the sight of her brother.

"Hello, my old friend, I do hope I'm not disrupting anything?" Sebastian asked noticing how Pantra was wearing the training robes she had worn yesterday.

"For you? Of course not, I was simply practicing the stance from yesterday to work out some of the frustration I have," Pantra said sitting straighter in her seat, tugging on the robe showing him that she took his teaching seriously. "Now, tell me, I know this call isn't a personal one," she said seeing the woman that stood behind Sebastian.

"Allow me to introduce Elizabeth Marshall," Sebastian said gesturing to the woman as he stepped out of the way.

"Greetings Queen Pantra, I am the leader for my people," Elizabeth said bowing to Pantra, "it's my honor to meet you, and I look forward to the days our two people can work freely together without the threat of the leftover Polorian race."

"Greetings," Pantra said friendly, "as do I. I believe our two peoples can learn a great deal from one another. My brother here has been a great testament for your people," she said glancing at Sebastian as he retook the pilot seat.

"It's a shame that the technique that created him has been forever lost to us, but I agree Sebastian is indeed the ideal soldier," Elizabeth nodded in agreement.

"Agreed, that is a shame," Pantra said looking at her brother as his hand ran over the navigation panel.

"As we speak, I have handpicked some of our most skilled scientists and are on our way to your space, where I hope you and I might strengthen this budding treaty between our two people. To ensure that we put this Polorian threat down once and for all," Elizabeth said her right fist striking the palm of her left hand.

"Yes, with your peoples help I know we can achieve that goal," Pantra said smiling devilishly displaying her fangs. Looking off to the side as one of her aids spoke softly to her. "I apologize it seems we must keep this short," she sighed annoyed that she couldn't speak with her brother for longer. "It was a pleasure speaking with you and I look forward to when we can discuss things in person. Löwe I hope you can make some time for an in-person lesson when we meet," Pantra said sending the coordinates to meet her ship.

"As you wish my queen," Sebastian said flashing Pantra a smile.

It took the Silver Wind another two days to transverse that dark nebula. Sebastian stood over the control panel computing the power needed to jump into folding space. While it wasn't instantaneous, however, it did shave off two months traveling at ten times light speed to reach Candary space. Looking up as the dark matter engine spun rapidly, listening as the folding generator reached a hundred percent.

"Sebastian whenever you are ready," Lulu said over the intercom.

"Entering the event horizon in 3, 2...," Sebastian said holding onto the side of the console as the Silver Wind was pulled over the threshold of the warp tunnel. "Systems all green Captain," he said as the ship sailed smoothly towards their destination.

Chapter Eight

A week had passed since they had left the nebula. Sebastian Landis stood beside Lulu's chair as they stared at the view screen waiting for Pantra's ship to arrive. Looking down as Lulu's red polished nail tapped her armrest. Lulu looked up as he placed his hand on her left shoulder. Her lips graced his fingers before rubbing her cheek against them.

Lulu felt her cheeks heat as Sebastian's thumb brushed along her cheek. Feeling her anxiety settling just by that simple gesture. Her hand reached up caressing his before giving it a pat telling him she was okay.

"Captain, a cloaked vessel approaching off our port bow," Gil said his neuromatrix recognizing the reading.

"On screen, and open a channel," Lulu ordered smirking at Sebastian.

"Channel open," Gil nodded to Sebastian.

"Greetings my brothers!" Sebastian said joyously as he noticed the distortion in the star field.

"Your eyes serve you well, Löwe," the second officers voice came over the channel as the mother carrier de-cloaked. "You are cleared to dock," he said as the carrier bay doors opened.

"Thank you, my brother," Sebastian said giving Gil the signal.

"Welcome!" Pantra said shaking Elizabeth's hand as her people filed off of the Silver Wind. "If you follow Marco, he shall show you to our guest quarters," she said gesturing to the man. "Once I have visited with my brother you and I shall talk more," Pantra said smiling warmly at Elizabeth.

"I understand," Elizabeth nodded before looking over at Sebastian as he stood on the open hatch, "Sebastian, I hope we can open a dialog between the two of us in the future and you are always welcome to visit us," she said smiling before following after Marco.

"Now Löwe," Pantra said nodding a greeting to Akasha, "I know you need to reach Randor, but you can spare an hour for your sister, yes?"

"Go ahead," Lulu nodded as Sebastian looked back at her.

"Thank you, Captain," Pantra said smiling at Lulu, "come sister, our lesson awaits!" she said spinning on her heel, her red fur covered tail swished in her excitement, her hips swaying as she led the way to one of the many sparring dojos, they had onboard. "Finally," Pantra said throwing her arms around Sebastian once they were within the privacy of the dojo. Rubbing her cheek against his chest making up for the ten years they had missed. "I'm a little jealous of you sister," she said smiling sweetly at Akasha.

"I can only imagine your Holiness," Akasha said returning Pantra's smile. Her light brown leather pants detailed her toned slender legs and her taut round ass as her right hip was cocked out slightly. Her teal shirt showed only an inch of her midriff, yet as her eyes ran up Akasha's chest the cloth began to taper as it crested the peaks of her firm round orbs before that thin material snaked up her chest and around her neck leaving her upper back naked. Her training robe was draped over her forearm as Akasha held it against her chest.

Pantra had always wished it was her that was dressing like that for Sebastian, yet she followed her elders advice and married Marc. Sighing when that man cared only about the power of the throne and never showing the man that stopped him that she loved him as he returned her hug.

"Now, we don't have much time, and I want to learn all I can while we are altogether," Pantra said reaching out taking hold of Akasha's hand leading her towards the enclosed changing area. "Don't let me catch you peaking at us," she teased as she looked back at him. Trying not to allow her regret to get to her as she saw how his eyes were moving down Akasha's form.

"I don't know how you aren't freezing," Pantra said as her golden eyes ran down Akasha's bare chest. Then looking down at hers, while her breasts were bare and if she had to guess two sizes larger than Akasha's. However, her supple red fur covered the sides of her stomach only leaving the middle exposed showing off her pink skin. Pondering if that was why he had chosen Akasha because she wasn't covered in fur. Shaking her head, she knew Sebastian wasn't like that. He wasn't that type of man to judge anyone on their appearance.

"It did take a while to grow accustomed to the cold of space once I was banished from my home," Akasha said slipping her arm into the sleeve of her robe. "But Lulu allows me to keep my cabin a tad warmer, so I can feel somewhat comfortable. Dindingwe is a bit warmer than my crewmates are used to, though I'm glad I met someone like Lulu. It allowed me to meet Sebastian," she sighed dreamily.

"Speaking of whom, we shouldn't keep him waiting," Pantra said tying a knot in the belt that held her robe closed. Akasha nodded that she was ready.

Sebastian stood barefooted on the mat, his shirt sat on top of his boots as he patiently waited for them. His green eyes followed their every move wondering how they were going to take to this change of pace. By their shocked looks he took it they weren't expecting to be facing off with him.

"There will be no lessons today, today you will spar with your master," Sebastian said with a coy smirk as Akasha and Pantra glanced at each other. "If you're wondering who's going to be going first in this match neither of you will be," he said keeping his mirth contained at their confused looks. "You both will face me at the same time," Sebastian said activating the combat subroutine, increasing the nanite output to fifteen percent. If he didn't then, he knew holding off two Candarian women would nearly be impossible. "Now come," he said sweeping his left leg out as he took on the lotus crane stance. His right arm bent at a ninety degree angle, while his left was bent at a forty-five degree angle. His hands shaped like a crane's beak as he stood ready to defend himself against their attacks.

"Master? We know only three stances so far; may we use others?" Akasha asked desperately wanting to rehash the match they had nearly two months ago. To show him just how well of a warrior she was, and how well she would be as the mother of his children.

"You may...," the moment the words left his lips they pounced. His hands flew blocking, striking pressure points with the tips of his fingers, dodging the razor sharp claws as they slashed through the air. Catching the kick Akasha had launched from the coiled snake stance, keeping her off balanced as he used her leg to block Pantra's attacks before sweeping Akasha's other leg out from underneath her once Pantra too found herself on her back. "Good, you are improving," Sebastian said nodding as he distance himself from them. "Though Pantra your strikes could be harder, Akasha your stance needs tightening up; but overall you've done well for only a week and a half of training."

"Thank you master," they said in unison as they panted for breath.

"Now come," Sebastian said beckoning them to attack, "how about we up the stakes, hmm?" he asked smiling deviously knowing this would put a fire underneath them. Although he wondered if it would put him at a disadvantage. "The first one that can land a blow," Sebastian said patting his chest with his left hand, "shall receive a kiss from their teacher." Watching how Akasha's ears perked, her nostrils flared, her eyes narrowed, the movements of her tail became still like the numerous times he had seen her stalking her prey on whichever job they were on. Glancing over at Pantra as a growl rumbled in her chest, her body moving slowly as she took up the panther stance, her gold eyes flared in determination to get that kiss. Their razor sharp claws left ruts in the mat as they pushed off with such force that would have broken any other persons bones. Sebastian was in a whirlwind of punches, kicks, elbows, especially dodging the knee that was meant for his most sensitive areas. Before he knew it, they had backed him up against the wall of the dojo. Moving his head just in time as Pantra's claws pierced the wall where his head once was. However, as he peered out of the corner of his eye Akasha had anticipated Pantra's move and mirrored it. Leaving Sebastian no room to escape.

Ducking down as he felt the stuffing of the padding raining down on top of his head. His hands were in a blur as he blocked each blow trying to find a way out, yet Akasha and Pantra never once let up on their assault. If it wasn't for his nanites he knew he wouldn't be able to use his hands, due to the force that was impacting the palms of his hands. Forcing Sebastian to rise as they gave him no quarter. He had no idea how they had done it, yet somewhere in that flurry of blows he felt the weight of Akasha's punch in the dead center of his chest, and Pantra's knee in expelling the air in his lungs as it struck his stomach.