Visitor from the Mothership Ch. 05

After a brief moment of struggling she released me and I fell down on my hands and knees, gasping for breath. In the corner of my eye I saw her swiftly leave the table and in a flash of bright light she was gone. Mother was soon by my side and helping me up. Tesra was on my other arm, her unexpected gentleness was soothing. She hugged me to her tightly. It wasn't the bear hug I had become accustomed to from the guardians, but a tender embrace. Caitlyn appeared before me and I felt drawn into her arms. "I'm sorry Caitlyn. Everything was so nice tonight and I fucked it all up didn't I?"

She caressed my cheek gently, "it's alright Eric, I had a perfect time tonight." She pressed her forehead to mine and smiled a calm, heart warming smile.

I felt a hand gently caress my shoulders and I turned to see Bena with Julia holding her hand. Julia came to me and hugged me tightly, "I'll see you tomorrow, Eric." She hesitated for a moment, "if...if you need some time to think tonight...or...or tomorrow, you can come in late if you need to." She kissed me gently on the cheek and backed up.

I forced a smile, "no, I think I'll be ok, I just..." I sighed and lowered my eyes, "I just need to think, for just a little while."

Bena picked up my chin and gave me a serious eye, "you're more than welcome to spend some time with us if you need to, it will help you relax."

I grasped her hand firmly, "We'll see, Bena."

Both her and Julia smiled with a sense of hope as they left. Soon, all five of my loved ones surrounded me. Mother, Caitlyn, Tama, Ellora and Tesra. They hugged each other tightly while I was caught in the middle. The warmth of their bodies calmed my troubled thoughts and I sighed deeply. "Thank you everybody, I'm sorry for turning the night sour. I just hope Merathora isn't too angry with me. I don't know what came over me. I need to apologize to her, if she'll even want to see me."

Mother hugged me to her tightly as the others released me, "though my Mother might seem extreme to you, it's because of her that we've come this far. Our species perseveres because of her discipline and commitment to our renewal." She knelt down, her face was now level with mine. "What you did today was very brave. For so long she has been the driving part of this colony. The stress can change you. That's why she's curious about you, you seem to pick at the rock that's encased her sense of love and compassion that she's had to bury deep inside for the sake of our colony."

Even after what Mother said I still couldn't get over what she had told me, what I've set in motion. Is she simply playing games with my heart to give her race children for their future? I know the Mothers can cause humans to be more receptive, does that mean I've had no choice since the beginning? After all of this she put me through, she's achieving just the opposite of what she wanted. Instead of bringing us closer, these rings are keeping us apart. Is this something she anticipated? She's an alien queen, far older than any human on earth. Who knows what she could be thinking.

"I'm sorry everybody, I just...I need to be alone for a little while." I turned to Mother, "I'm going to take a walk, I'll be back by bed time, I promise."

I didn't give them time to object before I was already walking around the house and towards the sidewalk. The sky was clear and beautiful. The city lights in the distance illuminated the sparse clouds and among the few stars that were visible were streaking orbs of light, flitting back and forth. The calm glow of the street lamps illuminated my path and not a soul was around. At such a distance, Tesra's thoughts were barely a whisper and I found it easy to silence them by humming Mother's song.

Before I realized it I was passing a local dive bar. Different people were smoking and bantering with each other about who knows what. Is what they have to tell each other have any real bearing on their lives? I sighed and pinched my brow, have I become something that I loathe? Have I become arrogant? Being in such the position to aid this species in rebuilding something they have lost, do I deserve the ability to hold myself above my fellow man? Is this something that Mera was hoping to achieve? To distance myself from my humanity?

Once I passed the bar I saw a tall figure leaning against a lamp post. I recognized the body of a guardian almost immediately. As I got close I recognized her as Tima, the blond haired Valkyrie from earlier today. Even in the modest light of the street lamps she was beautiful. "Come to keep an eye on me? I think I can handle myself out here."

She rolled her eyes and began to follow me, "no, Tama's watching you. I'm not working right now, so I thought I'd try to catch you when you weren't already occupied."

I sighed and glared back at her, "occupied huh? I guess I really am just some vending machine to your species huh?"

"That's kind of an awful thing for you to say isn't it?"

"Is it?" I stopped and turned to face her, "why are you here? To convince me to lighten up and deal with everything like a good little boy? To go back and jump into Mother's arms and forget my feelings?"

I groaned in frustration and turned back around. After a few steps I heard her voice behind me, "I was hoping to take up your offer on getting to know me, but I guess you're too full of yourself to think of anyone else."

I stopped and closed my eyes. "Is that really why you're out here?"

"You think I would lie to you? Where would that get me Eric? In your pants? I could take what I want but that's not who I am."

I turned around and lowered my eyes, "so, it's coincidence that after everything that happened tonight you would happen to show your face knowing it would cheer me up."

When I looked up at her she had her eye raised in a curious expression. Her beautiful bright blue orbs reflected the lights of the street lamps and her thick muscular arms squeezed her tits together into delicious cleavage. "What do you think? Suppose what you said was true? What difference does it make?"

After running my hand through my hair I looked at her apologetically, "look, Tima, I'm sorry about what I said, really. But...can you tell me with complete honesty that everything," I opened my arms theatrically, "that everything hasn't been some intricate plan to get me in the mood to..."

She laughed, "wow...really Eric...really?"

I scrunched my brow, "what? What's so funny?"

Moving forward she pressed her finger against my chest, it wasn't a forceful prodding that the other guardians would give me, "nobody has ever forced you to do anything." Her hand gestured towards my crotch, "yeah, we healed you and made you a bit better down there," she touched my forehead lightly, "but up here is off limits. Don't you think my sister Tesra would have been changed already?" She gestured back from where I came, "everything that's been done to help you has made you happy hasn't it? Caitlyn, Julia, your job. All you've got to stress over now is why you insist in belittling everything we've done for you."

I threw up my arms in frustration, "it's like I said, Tima, It's only so that I'll become this passive little male who jumps at the chance to use his dick."

She rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively, "so I guess you're feelings towards Edora or Caitlyn were never real either."

"Like hell they're not! How could you know how much I love them? Do you know what love is Tima?"

Stepping closer she stared down at me defiantly, "do you? Apparently all their love for you is a farce."

I groaned and moved to walk away, "whatever, leave me alone."

"No."

I turned around and glared at her, "did you hear me? I've already fucked my relationship with Mera and Tesra, I don't need another guardian to get trapped because of me."

"Trapped?" Her eyes were opened wide and she looked genuinely surprised, "I know Tesra well enough to know that what you just said is complete bullshit." She gestured towards the ring on my finger, "if that's how you really think of her than maybe you should just take the ring off, at least she'll be free of you."

"What? Free of me? I don't want her dead, I want her to make her own decisions! If she cares for me, and I know she does, than I want to know that it's her choice! Not this," I waved the ring in her face, "not this fuckin ring!"

She crossed her arms and chuckled at me, "so, you admit it's her choice than?"

"Yea! Of course it's..." I slapped my forehead and groaned in frustration.

"So, Eric, are you going to give up on her? I know as well as you that mistakes can be made and we all must be held accountable." She gestured towards the way ahead, "so...you can keep walking alone if you want."

After a deep throated sigh I held out my hand to her, "no."

She smiled and grasped my hand, she was far gentler than the other guardians. Though her body could intimidate me any other time, her tender glances and supportive tone was like a breath of fresh air.

During our walk in the street light I had a better opportunity to appreciate her body. She was taller and more lithe than the other guardians I've seen but she was no less impressive. Her face was almost elfish in it's angles yet it still maintained the unmistakable features of Mera. She was still wearing her body armor which showed she was telling the truth about recently getting away from her work.

"I'm sorry Tima, for what I said. I had a rough night so far and I guess I let my emotions get the better of me." I looked up at her and saw she was smiling brightly at me, "I would like to know you better."

She squeezed my hand gently, "why's that? Tama said you can talk a mean talk to get into a girls pants." She blushed and eyed me with a slight devious expression. "Why are you interested in me Eric?"

I snickered and smiled up at her, "so, you're saying if I play my cards right..." I hummed to myself as my eyes took a brief scan of her beautiful form. "You're gentle. Supportive, caring. Not something I saw right away from Tama or Tesra. You're beautiful. You're eyes are what caught me at first. They're like the blue sky, open and endearing." I reached out and tentatively caressed her long blonde hair, "you're not overconfident, you love, you feel. I know that now." Before I could continue she pulled me against her gently and pressed her lips to mine.

When she released me she was blushing brightly and had a calm, yet somewhat nervous smile, "thank you, Eric, I needed that."

Smiling up at her I took her hand and interlaced my fingers with hers. Finding her hand was too large I had to double up a few fingers to find a comfortable grasp, "so, what troubles you than?"

She smirked and laughed lightly, causing her tits to shimmy enticingly in her body armor, "you're serious aren't you? You really want to know about me?"

I laughed and pressed my body against her playfully, "yea, so, what's the matter? You helped me out, let me try and help you, ok?"

After a taking a breath she looked down at me worriedly, "I'm bored, there's a family I watch, they live in a pretty awful neighborhood but they can't move because they're teachers at a school for underprivileged kids." She sighed and looked up to the sky, "it's selfish of me to feel this way knowing what they are doing for the children, it's just, nobody in their right mind would try anything with me. So..." She waved her hand in the air, "there you have it. Exciting?"

"How did you get time off?"

She smiled at me, "I asked Tama to stand in for a little while, it was pretty tough convincing her to give me some time alone with you tonight. She's fiercely protective of you."

"Yea," I said exasperatingly, "you went through all that trouble and I pushed you away, some guy I am."

"Hey!" She said as she pulled me against her, the slight feel of her strength and the brief contact made my heart leap in my chest, "don't say that. It was still worth it."

We shared a brief smile. Her eyes gleamed like blue gems in the dim lights and her smile melted my anger and frustration away like candle wax. I pulled her hands, which, actually pulled me to her and I hugged her tightly, "thank you for being here with me, I guess I didn't need to be alone after all."

She held me tightly and hummed in contentment, the gentleness of her arms contrasting with her potential strength was both reassuring and comforting. Placing her arms underneath mine she gently lifted me up and pressed her lips to mine. I experimentally pressed against her soft lips with my tongue and she reciprocated with her own. When I wrapped my arms around her neck to support myself she lowered her hands and supported me by my ass. She began to squeeze it rhythmically. In this instance she used some of the strength that her well toned muscles afforded her and it made me gasp as her slick tongue invaded my mouth. Eventually she released me and looked upon my face pleadingly, "I...I have an apartment..." She closed her eyes and sighed as she set me down gently, "I'm...Eric, I can't keep Tama too long, she worries about you."

"I can arrange to have an escort take over now and than, as long as you give me a proper notice." We turned around to see Tama waiting silently behind us. She had a smug look on her face, "I knew you two would hit it off, I told you, Tima, he's a piece of work."

I rolled my eyes, "yea, I'm right here, Tama."

She eyed me with her 'I'm going to fuck you to death tonight' look. "I was going to have some fun with you tonight but Tesra begged me to let you sleep with her, don't make me change my mind."

My defeated look made Tama and Tima laugh. Tima lightly held my hand and pulled me closer, "I liked this walk with you, Eric," she chuckled, "well, the latter part of it anyways." She leaned over and pecked me on the lips, "Tama can get in touch with me, so please, when you have the time, lets go do something. I don't really care what."

I reached up and caressed her blushing cheek making her sigh in happiness, "alright, Tima, I'll do that." I turned to Tama, "do we have enough time to walk home?"

She shook her head, "I'm afraid not, I'm cutting it close as it is." She came over to Tima and gave her a powerful hug and an uncharacteristically gentle kiss on the cheek, "have a good night, sister."

Tima backed away and smiled brightly, "good night," she turned to me, "good night Eric, please, stay in touch ok?"

I nodded, "don't worry, I will."

After we parted ways, Tama and I walked nearly half the way back home in silence until Tama spoke. "Merathora is really upset with you."

Closing my eyes for a moment I ran my fingers through my hair and took a deep breath, "she should be, I was pretty stupid the way I acted, I didn't realize what I did jeopardized any chance with Tesra." I chuckled silently to myself, "looks like I have a few things to learn as well."

When she didn't comment on what I said I took it as a invitation to continue. "I took what was given to me for granted. I guess...I just wish that Mera was more transparent to me. Everything's been so secretive but it seems everyone expects me to do my best and roll with what I'm offered. It's not so simple. I'm not a clone like you Tama, I can't interpret the intentions of your creator with a glance. I feel sometimes like my love for all of you is the carrot and Mera's holding the stick."

"What do you mean by that?" Tama asked, but she didn't look back to me, she just continued to scan our surroundings ahead, checking for danger or whatever.

"Well, I mean...I'm glad to help, obviously this symbiosis is rewarding. But, how much control do I have in my life? If I truly wanted to, could I just walk away? I wouldn't do that to Mother, you, Tesra, Caitlyn, or anyone else. But...I can't shake the feeling that Mera is controlling me, trying to turn me into this...archbreeder and if she toys around with my life any more, I'd end up doing it willingly."

"Would you?" She asked, "become this archbreeder?"

I shrugged to myself, "by choice, no, not right now anyways. I've dreamt of it, situations like that. Is it pleasurable? You're damn right it is. But I like my freedoms too. I'd like to be able to just...drop whatever I'm doing and just take a walk. No sex, no noise, just me and my thoughts."

Tama hummed in thought, "you used to do that didn't you? Take walks and think. We thought nobody was with you because nobody would be with you."

I looked at her curiously, she'd never been this articulate before. She usually looks at me when she talks too. I decided to try and play it as if I didn't realize who she was. "Well, honestly, with Tesra's thoughts in my head it's not as easy anymore. I'm glad Tima was with me, she helped clear my head." I took a deep breathe and steeled myself. "I think I'm beginning to understand Mera's position, I just wish I wasn't on the back seat on this ride."

She laughed, "it is a journey for you, no?"

"Yes, I suppose it is. Except I'm worried that in this journey I am no more a pilot than I am a passenger." I stopped walking which caused her to halt abruptly. "Mera, I wish I knew what you were thinking. You know I love you all, you're like a family. I want to help you, I really do. But I need to know that I can trust you all with my life and I don't just mean my body. I want to live. When you tell me with complete honesty that all of this is real, all the love for me, and from me, is real. Than I'll trust you. I'll trust you completely, Mera."

When she turned I saw the blue glow emanating from Tama's eyes. She hesitated for a long while, whether she was gathering her thoughts or deciding if she wanted to lie or tell the truth I couldn't tell. "I knew Tesra would react poorly when she met you. I was counting on you to help her, just like Tama herself hoped you would. It wasn't a surprise to me that she lost patience with you." She ran her hand through Tama's long black hair. "She was never in danger of termination. Never in my long existence have I terminated my own children. It was difficult for me to threaten her in such a way. Does that make me human Eric? Using death as a threat to help my children better themselves?"

I had no idea what to say, was I right all along? Was I being used? But...in this way, does that make it right? "I...Mera, I want to help Tesra."

She moved forward slowly and rested her hand on my shoulder, "than show her how to be human." She lifted my hand gently and made me see the silver band on my finger, "I'm sorry for deceiving you, Eric. If you knew why I had done this you would have rejected me the moment I gave you the ring. Only you can put it on." She sighed, "and only you and Tesra can take it off. Just know that, if you do, Tesra may never become the guardian she needs to be. Eric, I need you to trust me."

My eyes fell to the pavement as thoughts swirled in my head, "I don't like this, Mera. I don't like having this much control over a person's life."

Her hand squeezed my shoulder reassuringly before gently caressing my cheek. "It's a heavy responsibility I've burdened you with, I know. Tesra has been this way for a long time. She..." Mera hesitated before taking a long breathe, "she failed a mission once, and only once. The couple she was protecting, the female was being abused by her mate, something that we missed on a screening. She hid it from Tesra and the rest of us to protect her mate. One night, Tesra witnessed first hand the male's abuse and she overreacted. In her grief the female lashed out at Tesra, breaking her heart. She's blamed him and every other man ever since."

I caressed her hand and looked up to those brilliant glowing eyes. "I'll do my best to help her."

She sighed in relief, "thank you Eric, that's all I ask." She lowered her hands and smiled down on me. Her eyes blinked and she nearly lost her balance. "This has tired me greatly, I'm afraid I must say good night."