Transport Ship Arrowhead Ch. 09

"Corruption is acceptable on Haven. Scandal is not."

Those words had been thrown at now former Councilor Agav by three different criminal defense attorneys who all categorically refused to represent her. Even her own personal lawyer had dropped her and had used those very words as justification. The only defense lawyer who would even see her was so far down on the hierarchy of barristers that Agav wasn't sure if he had even finished law school. The lawyer in question was young and had only started a practice on Haven within the last six months. He was a human of average height with shaggy black hair and what could only be described as a "baby face."

Agav, coming from an oviparous species, thought he was barely a hatchling. Not that it mattered what his age was. He was the last lawyer on the planet who would talk to her. She towered over this human. On average, Maylogi stood seven to eight feet tall, and could weigh half a ton. She had armadillo-like armor plating covering most of her body; only her face, with its quartet of wide set eyes and twin nasal slits, was visible. She was trying to use her stature to intimidate this guy. It wasn't working.

Agav didn't like humans. In truth, she didn't like any species that wasn't her own, but humans, Muldaxians, and Birrans were the most loathed by her right now, since representatives of those three species were responsible for her sitting in this damned detention center. She again cursed the names of James Barret, Endira Vas, and especially Larik'Ni.

The man, Justin Thorpe , was glancing at a holographic display of the evidence against Agav. He shook his head and let out a sigh. "There isn't much I can do for you, Councilor," he said. "The evidence is pretty damning."

"I don't care if it's damning or not," Agav snarled. "I'm paying you to get me out of this."

"Actually, since your assets have been frozen, Councilor, you're not paying me at all. I'm only here for a consultation." He gave Agav a wry grin. "You see, I love a challenge. That's why I flew all the way out to the ass end of the sector, just to see how lawless this place really was. So far, I haven't been disappointed.

"That having been said," he added, "I'm not stupid enough to think I can get you acquitted. The best I can do is make sure that you don't spend the rest of your life locked up in some penal colony."

All four of Agav's eyes went wide. "Penal colony?"

"You, of all people, should know that, for capital crimes, you get shipped off to a penal colony. You can't stay here. How can you not know this? This has been the law here for over seventy years, and you've been here for over eighty."

Agav closed her eyes. "You need to get the evidence thrown out!" she finally said. "Tell the adjudicator that the footage from the Arrowhead's internal cameras was fabricated."

"Can't," Thorpe said. "It's already been authenticated by three separate agencies. It's all ironclad, as is the evidence surrounding the virus that infected the Arrowhead's onboard computer, and the fact that you practically confessed when confronted by Haven Security."

"Then why are you here, human?" Agav demanded.

"I'm the only lawyer on this whole planet willing to give you the time of day," Thorpe said. "And I know that you've spent the better part of eight decades here."

"I used to own this planet," she hissed.

"No, the Golipt Mining Consortium owned this planet," Thorpe said. "You were one of a number of people who owned that company. When it went under, all assets, including Haven, were liquidated. The people living here at the time pooled their resources and bought the planet. You have no claim on Haven. At all. However, I know you're determined to stay here. That's the best I can do for you, Councilor. Take it or leave it."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"Because everyone deserves representation. Even the guilty."

----

The call from space traffic control was one she had and hadn't expected. It was supposed to take eleven months for a message to reach Thelst, and over four months for a ship to arrive. It had been just over a standard month since the coup was attempted, and there was already a ship from the homeworld at the Tref system's gravitational boundary.

Governor Larik'Ni stood in the vast control room. Until fairly recently, she spent the majority of her time there; before she was governor, Larik'Ni was a senior flight controller.

The control room was cavernous, housing multiple terminals to handle incoming and outgoing vessels. The far wall was an enormous monitor screen which showed the system, and the paths of the space traffic.

Larik'Ni looked down at the control terminal in front of her. The holo-controls were familiar, and she could feel her fingers starting to twitch, waiting to work the icons. Then she looked at the monitor wall, which currently displayed the system.

The Tref system consisted of a pulsar and two planets. Haven was the second of those worlds. With so few bodies in the system, the gravitational boundary was closer to Haven than was comfortable for Larik'Ni.

"They dropped out of FTL and went to full breaking thrust as soon as they entered the system," the controller, a dark-haired human woman said. She looked up at Larik'Ni. "No communications. We only know who they are because of the transponder."

Larik'Ni kept her yellow eyes on the hologram. "The Uditch," Larik'Ni said. "The flagship of the Triumvirate." She glanced at the flight controller and saw her confused look.

"The ruling body of my home planet. Thelst has three dominant species; the Birrans, the Hillot, and the Nitzhal. It is the Nitzhal who basically rule our planet."

"It would be like the Martian prime minister coming to pay me a visit," the controller said.

"Miss Kwon," Larik'Ni said, "I did not know you were from Mars."

Nari Kwon only chuckled. "Not all humans are from Earth, Governor. For that matter, not all humans are from the Sol system. One of my fathers is from Demeter. It's a planet orbiting Proxima Centauri."

"And your other father?"

"New Busan on Venus," Nari said. "Well, not on Venus, per se. The cities are all basically ships that skirt the cloud tops. The surface is too hot, and the pressure would crush you in short order."

She turned back to her terminal. "They'll be here in less than two hours. Fortunately for us, we'll be in the path of the particle jets when they get here, and when we come out, we'll be on the opposite side of the pulsar from them."

"And with the way Tref rotates, they cannot go above or below the pulsar to reach us faster," Larik'Ni said. "Thanks to the particle streams, I have a day and a half until they can dock, and I must deal with them. Unless, that is, they continue to go radio silent."

Nari smiled. "According to interstellar law, a ship can be turned away from any port of call if they don't announce themselves when entering a star system."

"Exactly," Larik'Ni said.

"They should know better," Nari said. "Then again, I didn't know about that law until you taught me about it when I started working here. You were a good teacher."

"And you were an excellent student, Nari," Larik'Ni told her. "You had no reason to know that law prior to your employment here. In truth, the average person would not know it. The captain of that ship, however, should." She was quiet for a moment. "Then again, the grand regent, who leads the Triumvirate, has stated in the past that the laws of other worlds, or of the galaxy at large, do not apply to him. He will be in for a rude awakening when he arrives."

"Uh, is he going to cause trouble for you?" Nari asked.

"I am already banished, Nari," Larik'Ni said in a sad voice. "There is nothing left he can take from me." Larik'Ni went for the door. "I am going to go to the dock. Would you inform Dock Master Hevist that I will be arriving shortly?"

"Of course," Nari said. "It may not be all bad. I mean, the grand regent might not even be on that ship. I doubt he'd spend at least eight months away from Thelst. He had to have sent a representative."

"That is a possibility," Larik'Ni agreed. "Any representative he sends will speak with his authority. It will be as if he were here. Please excuse me, Nari. I must see Dock Master Hevist."

----

Hevist Loriv was a Muldaxian born on Earth. She moved from that planet to Haven when she was twenty and had lived here ever since. Loriv started working at the docks after her arrival, and did the job for twenty-five years, until becoming the dock master. After ten years in the top slot, there wasn't much that could surprise her. There was a lot, however, that could still piss her off. Right now, she was extremely pissed off.

"I don't like this, Governor," she said.

"Nor do I," Larik'Ni replied. "By all rights, we should turn the Uditch away when they reach docking distance. However, if we do that, we may have legal challenges from So'Rit. His brother is most likely on that ship."

Loriv, a tall, very muscular Muldaxian, nodded. She had been there when the coup plot by So'Rit and the other members of the now incarcerated Haven Council, had been revealed.

"Honestly, why do we give a shit?" Loriv asked. "That piss ant was going to throw you, Vas, and Barret to the Verokk!"

"We care because I want So'Rit gone," Larik'Ni said. "Legal challenges may allow him to stay, and to reclaim power. I fear what he would do to James and Vas when they return from Nova City. Also, how did the Uditch get here so quickly? We should have had well over a year before any ships from Thelst arrived."

"They were already en route," Loriv said. "That's the only logical answer."

"But why, Ms Hevist?" Larik'Ni asked.

"Okay," Loriv said. "I think I get it. Fuck, this is a mess."

"It is," Larik'Ni agreed. She rubbed the back of her neck. Her muscles were tight.

"Stress?" Loriv asked.

"Yes, and my preferred method of stress relief is unavailable."

Loriv grinned. "James Barret, or Endira Vas?"

"Both," Larik'Ni said. "They are my lovers and consorts." She looked down at the platinum bands on her ring fingers. The words "joined in love" were inscribed on the bands in her native language. Barret and Vas wore nearly identical rings. Larik'Ni looked up at Loriv. "When they return, I will be able to relieve my stress."

"I usually hit the gym," Loriv said, flexing her biceps. As usual, she wore a form fitting tank top that showed off her muscles. "Besides, I'm thinking about going for Haven Hardbody this year and reclaiming my title."

Larik'Ni only grinned. "I prefer my method."

"Don't get me wrong," Loriv said, "a good fuck does the trick for me, too. It's just, you have the wrong equipment."

"Do not worry," Larik'Ni said with a smile. "I was not propositioning you." Her face took on a serious expression. "You will need to prepare a berth for the Uditch."

"The delegate berths are all shut down," Loriv said. "We haven't needed them in two years. It'll take a while to get one ready."

"Do not rush," Larik'Ni said. "We have not received any communication from them yet, so we are not obligated to offer them a place to land."

"Okay," Loriv said approvingly. "I like that."

"And if it will be too time consuming to prepare a delegate berth, make one of the overflow berths ready."

Loriv laughed. "I really like that!"

"I thought you might."

"Speaking of getting berths ready," Loriv said, "I got number seventy-six in the commercial dock set up. That will be the Arrowhead's permanent home. Normally, I would have put her in the residential area, but since she'll be loading and offloading cargo..."

"It is perfect," Larik'Ni said. "I am sure James and Vas will appreciate your efforts." She rolled her head, trying to loosen the muscles in her neck.

"Speaking of the Arrowhead, do you know when they'll be back?" Loriv asked.

"I do not," was the reply. "Vas had said they would deliver my message and then return, but there is the possibility that the Muldaxian high chancellor has asked them to stay. He and James are old friends, and James is not the kind of man to abandon a friend in a time of need."

Loriv nodded in understanding. The Arrowhead would get there when she got there. "Is there anyone else you can go fool around with?" When Larik'Ni shook her head, Loriv asked, "What about a visit to the comfort house?"

"As governor, it is not appropriate for me to patronize them," Larik'Ni said in a sad tone. "I would visit there monthly when I worked in space traffic control." She was quiet for a moment, thinking. "I should contact Crathis'Pol," she said, referring to one of the owners of the comfort house. "Like me, he is a clan-less exile. The Triumvirate coming here may have an effect on him, as well."

----

Crathis'Pol was a tall, wiry Birran with light teal skin, white hair, and a matching beard. Like all male Birrans, he had no mustache. Also like all Birrans, he wore form fitting clothes that accentuated his physique.

He had arrived at Larik'Ni's small apartment shortly after the governor had returned home. They took a seat on her couch, and Larik'Ni gave Crathis'Pol the bad news.

"The Triumvirate," he said in a growl. "I lost my wife, children, and consorts when invaders broke into our home and executed them. Because of that, and because I had no other family, I was kicked off our planet by those walking slime heaps. And now they have the audacity to come to my new home..." He took a breath and let it out, trying to calm himself.

"I feel the same way, Crathis'Pol," Larik'Ni said, taking his hands in hers. "It will be worse for me, since I will have to deal personally with the grand regent's representative. I doubt anyone speaking for a man of his supposed power and stature will take kindly to working so closely with a clan-less like me."

"Do you know why they are here?"

"No, but I suspect it has something to do with So'Rit. His brother is the Birran representative to the Triumvirate. He may very well be aboard that ship."

"Then you have a great deal of aggravation ahead of you," Crathis'Pol said in a sympathetic voice.

Larik'Ni rolled her head and rubbed the back of her neck. "I am already feeling the tension."

"I will give you the contact information for my massage therapist, Larik'Ni," Crathis'Pol said. "He can help with your tension.

"That is appreciated," Larik'Ni said. "Of course, I will get the stress relief I crave when my consorts return."

Crathis'Pol smiled at the governor. He glanced at the platinum bands on her ring fingers. "I am so happy for you, precious one." he said, using a Birran term of endearment.

"Thank you," she replied, smiling broadly. "I had hoped they would say yes, and they did."

Larik'Ni closed her eyes, lost in thoughts of her consorts. "I wish they were here. Vas was an ambassador. She would know how to handle this situation diplomatically."

"And James?"

Larik'Ni chuckled. "He would advise me to tell the grand regent to go fuck himself."

Crathis'Pol smiled. "I rather like him. Azdiltra was quite taken with him. I know she is looking forward to bedding him again," he said, referring to his consort and business partner.

"Speaking of Azdiltra," Crathis'Pol said, "she has been rather adamant about me seeing you, and I do not mean for mere visits. She has been encouraging me to take you as a regular lover."

Larik'Ni nodded sadly. "Precious one," she said, "I have missed your touch, but it would not be appropriate."

"Azdiltra knew you would say that," Crathis'Pol countered. "Her response was, and I quote, 'Who gives a fuck what others view as appropriate?' I agree with her.

"We are Birrans! We are passionate, and we sometimes make love as a greeting. We will bed complete strangers just as a way of saying 'hello.' Yes, you were a patron of mine. You paid me to sleep with you. For us and our culture, that is appropriate!

"And now, just because of your office, you have tried to conform to other species' views on propriety. You have had to put your own needs and desires aside because most of the species represented here do not have sex for recreation. Tell me, how long was it since you had made love to someone before Vas and James arrived?"

"Many, many months," Larik'Ni replied. She didn't mention that it was James Barret masquerading as a pirate captain named Gideon Price who had taken her to bed. That mission was still classified. "And before you say anything, I know my relationship with my consorts would not be acceptable to most people here."

She looked Crathis'Pol in his deep yellow eyes. "But I love them! They help complete my heart! I do not give a damn that my being in a polyamorous relationship is taboo to many, as is the same sex relationship with Vas. Nor do I care that interspecies romances are frowned upon.

"My dear Crathis'Pol," Larik'Ni grasped his large hands, "Azdiltra is correct. In trying to plead my case, I have instead proven hers." She could feel her nipples hardening and her clit beginning to throb. Had she been wearing panties, they would have been more than a little damp. She stood up. "Would you care to join me in my bedchamber?"

Crathis'Pol stood and gently scooped Larik'Ni into his arms. "It will be my pleasure, precious one."

He carried her into her bedroom, and gently placed her on the bed. Then he peeled his tunic off, revealing his three pecs and six pack abs.

Larik'Ni, meanwhile, was wriggling out of her bodysuit, revealing her trio of breasts. Her blue nipples were standing at attention; waiting for Crathis'Pol to work his magic on them.

She drank him in; his wiry frame and defined muscles, and of course, his thick cock standing at attention. She licked her lips, thinking about him filling her. As much as she loved James Barret and how he felt inside her, she missed the touch of her own kind.

Crathis'Pol's thoughts were on a similar wavelength as he gazed appreciatively at Larik'Ni's naked body. He was used to a Korulam. He'd not been with another Birran in many months.

He climbed on the bed and lay atop Larik'Ni. Their mouths joined in a passionate kiss. Crathis'Pol's cock was between them, and Larik'Ni could feel it growing even harder.

He slid off of her, and let his hand glide down her body, to the curly red hairs adorning her mound. Her pubic hair was in the shape of a triangle with its apex pointing towards her navel.

His hand continued between her legs, and it gently nudged her clit. Larik'Ni let out a low moan in appreciation. His finger ran down towards her entrance, and he gently slid his digit inside her. He removed it, and slid it along the length of her slit, spreading her wetness.

"Precious one," she mewled, "please, just fuck me."

"I wish to savor you."

"You sweet man," she said, "you need not worry about taking your time, or feeling rushed. I will happily accept any time you are willing to spend with me. Besides, I think Azdiltra was correct, and that we should be regular lovers. We will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy each other. We do not have to treat this as a one-time thing."

"And when your consorts return?"

"I seriously doubt that James and Vas would begrudge us being lovers, even if Vas remains a regular visitor of yours. Now please, make love to me."

Crathis'Pol again mounted her. He took his cock in hand and ran the bulbous head along her vulva before easing himself into her tunnel.

"Yes," Larik'Ni moaned as she felt herself being stretched out. "I have missed you."

"As I have missed you." Crathis'Pol's voice was shaky. He had only just penetrated her, and he felt himself on the verge of his own climax. It had been that long since they had been together, and she felt that tight around his member. "Give me a moment, lest I finish too soon."