Chapter Nine

Hope could hardly sit through Piras' report on the orphanage's preparations for the Galactic Council squadron's arrival. At last, he finished updating them. She fairly jumped from her seat in front of Kila's desk to play the footage gathered from the Darks' dimension.

"All the nanos recorded the exact same thing," she said as she activated the holoscreen in Kila's ready room.

Her Dramok's eyes widened at the view of her in the white uniform that didn't exist in the fleet. He glanced at her as if to verify she hadn't somehow changed clothes and moved from his side to the middle of the floor. Lokmi and Kila, who'd seen the vid in its entirety, nonetheless leaned forward to scrutinize the image as it began its speech, delivered with no hint of emotion.

"Greetings, Hope Nath of Earth and Kalquor. Please listen to our message and take heed. You and those of your dimension don't belong here. There is danger for your kind should you pass through the border between your dimension and this. The border between our universes itself is unsafe as well. Cease phasing and remain where you belong if you wouldn't invite destruction."

Hope in white vanished, replaced by a view of limitless space.

"There's no planet or any celestial body in scanning range of where the drones and nanos went," the real Hope told Piras. "There was also no evidence of transmission relays to explain how the message reached the devices. As for it looking like me…" She spread her hands in an indication of dumbfounded confusion.

"Nothing like being threatened by yourself," Kila muttered.

"Or warned," Lokmi said. "It wasn't a Dark or the All assuming Hope's identity. It had none of the malevolence we've encountered from the enemy."

"It had no emotions, from what I saw and heard," Hope noted.

"It may have been an attempt to alert us to the threat of the All."

"If that's the case, the horse has already left the stable. No chance of us corralling it now." Hope looked at Piras, who continued to stare where her doppelganger's image had been.

He blinked as if waking. "There's no reason for there not to be other species residing where the All came from. This being who assumed your appearance must have technology beyond what we can imagine. Perhaps if you record a message for them about our situation and send it through via the nanos, we can learn what they know of the All. But it'll have to wait." He reluctantly squashed her rising excitement. "You and I will gather supplies the orphanage needs, including the drones, which we'll arm for defensive measures."

"You're pulling me from this now? When we have an opportunity to ask for help—"

"Immediate defense of the orphanage and its inhabitants is our top priority, Specialist Nath. We have to win this battle before we can win the war."

He was right, of course. Nonetheless, Hope had to fight to keep a grudging note from entering her response. "Yes, Admiral."

* * * *

Open Arms Orphanage

Cheryl hurried to the greeting room of her living suite when she heard the door open. Besral strode in, his pace as steady and assured as ever. However, she noticed the deepened lines on his features, indicating his exhaustion. He was filthy, dirt caking him from head to toe.

"Did you take any breaks today?" she asked.

"No time. One of the digging machines broke down, costing us a couple of hours of work. Admiral Piras was able to bring us what we needed to fabricate a new part…and the technician capable of making it quickly." He chuckled, but it did nothing to ease the wan expression worrying Cheryl.

"What's so funny?"

"The tech was the tiniest slip of an Earther girl…sorry, woman…I've ever seen. It didn't keep her from making comments to the admiral hedging on disrespect. He finally reminded her to be professional or she'd suffer like a regular member of the crew. I get the idea she's his Matara, though they made no reference to it."

"She's a member of a Kalquorian spyship crew?" Cheryl was surprised. She hadn't been aware Earthers, particularly women, could serve in the empire's fleet.

"She wore the uniform, but he called her a specialist. It means she isn't official fleet personnel, but an expert being utilized by the vessel she's assigned to. A smart lady, like you." He winked.

"Flirt," Cheryl chuckled. "Was she pretty?"

"Compared to you, no woman is." His grin was interrupted by a yawn.

"Enough of your silliness." Cheryl headed for the lavatory. "Clothes off and in the laundry chute. Get in the shower."

"Yes, my Matara." He spoke through another yawn.

She began filling the tub, which was separate from the shower, with hot water, then went to the kitchen where his dinner waited to be warmed. Efficient appliances took care of the matter in seconds. She was glad she'd already eaten. It meant she could care for him. The shower was running by the time she returned, and the massive tub's faucets had switched off. It steamed in readiness for the Nobek.

Besral emerged dripping. Cheryl waved him toward the bath.

"What? I'm not clean enough for you?"

"I know you. It doesn't matter how tired you are. You'll obsess over what still needs to be done and never sleep a wink. Climb in and relax."

"Bossy." There was only love in his tone, however. He obediently stepped into the basin and settled. He sighed, a note of some tension unknotting.

Cheryl brought a stool close and perched next to him. Balancing his food tray on her knees, she speared a chunk of rare meat and held it toward him.

"Kalquorian men feed their Mataras," he grouched. "It's wrong for you to feed me."

"Do you really want to have an argument we both know I'll win? Don't worry. No one else need hear of this travesty of disrespect toward me." She waved the steak under his nose, and his stomach loudly made its opinion obvious. He mock-snarled and accepted the bite.

She filled him in on the lighter happenings of the day, keeping to the mischief of the children and the celebrations planned for the half dozen who were on the verge of aging out of the orphanage's guardianship…though the newest adults could always expect the staff's continued support as they navigated their initial steps of independence and beyond.

"I hate we won't be able to throw them the usual festivities, thanks to the evacuation," Besral muttered between chewing.

"We'll make it up to them. I'm sure Earth will offer help in that regard." Cheryl refused to let him worry.

As soon as his plate was empty, she set it aside. She moved her stool closer and massaged his scalp. His eyes fluttered shut as he groaned in appreciation. "How did I get so lucky?"

"By being you." She smiled, loving her big brute of a husband who possessed the heart of a teddy bear.

"Join me in here?" He cracked an eye open.

She had plans to sap his worries away so he could sleep, but she didn't let him in on them yet. "Relax. This may be your last chance to rest for who knows how long?"

"It also might be my last chance to make you squeal until we're free of Galactic Council space. Don't you want to squeal for me?"

"Besral, you were barely on your feet when you walked in."

"I don't need to stand to fuck you. We do it lying down all the time."

"Besral!" She pretended to be outraged at his crudeness, but the urge to giggle bubbled in her. "Such crass talk won't put me in the mood."

"I bet you are. I bet your gorgeous pussy is as wet as this bath."

She slapped water at his leering face. "I put in effort and care to help you put the day behind you, and this is how you thank me?"

"Let me show you the strength of my gratitude." He stood, his scarred body gleaming from the water streaming down it. A couple of other things stood proud and strong too.

She'd succeeded in distracting him from his many cares, so she gave up the farce of indignity. Besides, she was wet, and her sex throbbed in anticipation. "They are quite impressive."

"I'm glad you think so." He stepped out. The next instant, Cheryl found herself slung over his shoulder. He carried her toward the bedroom.

She had only one complaint. "For heaven's sake. You're leaving puddles everywhere."

"I'll clean them up after." As he walked, he cupped and squeezed her buttocks, and yearning stabbed deep. She made a sound that was half-giggle, half-moan.

He set her on her feet by the bed and swiftly undressed her. Then she was on her back, his damp warmth settled on top of her. His fingers found her wet and ready. He spread her legs and eased his slick shafts in, filling her as only he could.

Then he was still, but for his hands and lips. He kissed her with fervor, and Cheryl was struck by how ardent he could be when minutes ago, he'd displayed utter exhaustion. He squeezed her breasts as his tongue investigated her mouth. She groaned and ran her hands on his shoulders, neck, and upper back. Her sex clenched on him, inviting him to make love to her.

Despite his earlier fatigue, he seemed to be in no hurry to do so. He continued to kiss and fondle her instead, his cocks occasionally jerking.

My love. She quelled her impatient desire and ran her hands over all she could, despite having memorized every muscled swell of his body already.

She had no idea how long they lay there, simply touching while they were joined. It didn't matter. They were a single entity, and she sank into the bliss of their union. The orphans were a daily reminder of how quickly and easily a beloved could be stolen. She admitted to the morbid sense of such thoughts, but it helped her to never take Besral for granted.

At last, he moved. He slid easily through her flesh, the generous girth of his cocks rubbing the best places the right way. She'd been simmering the whole while, but the movement increased the heat substantially. She was soon on the brink of boiling.

She moved too, her hips rocking to greet his careful thrusts, driving him deep within. Their breathing grew in volume as they continued to kiss and caress. Theirs was a sinuous dance, the steps familiar but poignant, nonetheless.

When he took her more strongly, she was ready, her lust having reached tumultuous heights. They gasped and groaned, their bodies slapping together as they sought glorious cataclysm. When it arrived, it did so at the same instant for both. Their cries blended: bass and soprano, chorusing ecstasy.

A minute or so after the final surges quieted and Besral had rolled to the side, gripping her in his muscled arms to take her along, Cheryl's eyes fluttered open. She gazed at her husband, expecting to see him watching her and wearing the smile he always did after they'd made love.

The smile was there, but his eyes were closed. He lay still, his breathing steady. Cheryl quelled the chuckle of triumph, afraid of waking him from the sleep he needed so desperately, the sleep she'd hoped to cast over him. She snuggled her cheek against his chest and listened to his heart beat until slumber claimed her from her own cares.

* * * *

Earth II

Toni arrived at the local medical clinic to check on its readiness for any ailments of the orphans from the Galactic Council, who were anticipated to arrive in the next week.

She paused outside the entrance to sanitize herself in the walk-through booth and snag a protective mask. She went inside.

She blinked at the hive of activity. Hoverchairs and stretchers filled the check-in area, their occupants hacking and coughing. Worried family members called to the harassed-appearing staff rushing past. She heard the refrain, "Someone will be with you as soon as possible," repeated in various voices and levels of irritation.

She carefully navigated to the registration desk. The nurse on duty gazed at her, her face drawn in fatigue and resignation, though she was polite. "May I help you?"

"Hi. I have an appointment with the administrator, Dr. Stout?"

She didn't miss the expression of relief on the nurse's expression. "Let me see if he's in his office." She clicked on her desk com.

Toni glanced around the waiting area. It was obvious those on the hover stretchers weren't entirely comprised of newly arriving patients. Some had machines surrounding them. It occurred to her that a third of her own staff had called in sick that morning.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Stout isn't in today," the nurse said. "Many of our staff are absent because of the…virus."

"I'd heard it was bad, but this…why aren't these people at the hospital?" Toni gaped. "Are they all ill from the same thing?"

"Pretty much. Both hospitals are full, so the clinics are taking as many as they can. We're at capacity ourselves." The nurse coughed lightly into her mask. "You'll have to reschedule your appointment. Do you have Dr. Stout's number to leave a message?"

"I do. Thanks." Her heart hammering, Toni hurried from the clinic, making sure she went through sanitizing again.