by SJ Sanders
On some level it bothered her. She knew it was stupid, after all it is not like they were cheating on anyone, but she couldn’t help but to be slightly offended on behalf of whatever woman from earth they hadn’t yet found. These guys were talking as if they were really hopeful to find a mate from Earth, and then just three hours later one of them, if not all of them, was eagerly fucking a random female in the space station.
She never considered herself a prude, and took the pleasure partnering habits of the VaDorok in stride once she got used to the idea. But when she saw A’Jular it struck her as a bit too much like reckless self-indulgent behavior. Like he just didn’t care who he fucked, and for some unknown reason that upset her. Maybe because it made it feel like he took the same approach to whomever he mated--like he just wouldn’t care. His mate would just be another female body to him. She didn’t see how well it would work with a human mate.
When she expressed her concern to Vidok he shrugged nonchalantly. “Ulukska, the Edoka are very aggressively passionate species. As much as the VaDorok take pleasure partners to ease their loneliness, the Edoka indulge in encounters with females in order to slake their own biological needs to help them control their aggressive passions. For them it is an outlet. A’Jular had a Sodoku female with him, who needs sexual energy to survive. This is an exchange for them to each get what they want,” he explained.
She frowned as she threaded her fingers through his fur, “But what happens after he finds his mate--how can his mate tolerate being tied to a male who doesn’t care about who he is with? What he is doing just seems so cold and impersonal. I can’t help to think that he would treat his mate the same way. I don’t know if I would be happy with a guy who doesn’t view me as being anything more special than any other woman he fucked, other than being breedable.”
Vidok looked at her thoughtfully, “It may surprise you to know that the mating bond is something most species experience. Including the Edoka. You humans are an odd minority in your mating habits, but that may be part of what makes you so flexible with who you mate with among other species.
“Sha’melor told you that they lose their false cock for their mating stem when they find their mate--what he didn’t outright say, but implied, is that without the false cock he and his brothers wouldn’t be physically able to either breed or engage in any sexual activity with anyone else but their genetic match. They may not be interested in who they take to their bed now, but they will be very much interested in their mate. She will be everything to them. The Edoka adore their mates, and cherish them.”
Sara took that in, mollified. It made a strange sort of sense. Nature, or selective breeding among their ancestors, equipped the males with a false cock in order to be able to release a necessary amount of energy to keep them from spiraling out of control. She may not be comfortable with it, but it is clearly necessary then for them. It upped their creepy factor in her book, but she felt like she understood a bit better.
“Ulukska?” Vidok’s voice hesitantly broke into her thoughts.
“Yes my love?”
“You don’t...you don’t see our love as being similar to bestiality do you? Like the other humans? I know we look different from you, but I don’t want you to see our mating anything like that.”
Her lips parted with a sigh of sadness as she rubbed her forehead against his. Had he been worrying about it for all that time? “No honey, never! You are the best male I know and have ever known. There is nothing wrong, and everything right between us. Never believe that I would think otherwise for even a minute. Sure you look different, but I love that about you. I love that you are soft and warm, and sweet to me. And the fact that you smell like the most yummy treat is definitely a bonus.”
He chuckled and hugged her to him in relief. They laid there like that for many minutes, Sara lightly dragging her fingers gently through his fur, fluffing it and parting it, then combing it back down again, when she noticed something. Parting his fur she saw a subtle hint of black underneath. She laughed to herself. Well that explained the black dick. Their whole species had black skin under their fur.
She giggled,”I just noticed that you have black skin under all this beautiful white fur. See I am always finding some new unique thing to love about you. It is so neat, kinda like a polar bear.”
“What’s a polar bear?”
“Polar bears are large predators on Earth who live in very cold climates like where I am from. They also have black skin beneath their white fur in order to retain heat better in their cold environment. Biological adaption is so fascinating!”
His lips curved indulgently. “Well it certainly is an evolutionary trait for my kind that has served as well. Our whole planet is cold with only slightly warmer regions around the equator because our planet does not tilt towards the sun in its rotation. We are pretty uniform as a species all over.”
Sara peered at her mate through lowered eyelids. “Perhaps I should do some more scientific investigation on what other unique differences our species have?”
“What do you have in mind ulukska?” he purred.
Sara chortled as she began to slide down her mate’s body. Huzzah for scientific discoveries!
***
Vidok glared at the human males at the podium across from theirs. It was bad enough to have to argue against the claims of the Agraak, but the insult from Earth was infuriating more than he would let his mate know. The humans discounted the VaDorok, a species they knew nothing about, as nothing more than beasts. The human delegates would be happy to steal away their mates. Perhaps the Edoka had the right of it when it came to mercy when faced by such rivals.
To make matters worse, all the VaDorok were forced to allow the guards to take their females, one by one, back to the Chancellor’s chambers to be interviewed. Not one of them were permitted to go with them, much to their displeasure. Males growled and snarled, but in the end relented and released their mates into the protection of the guard. When it came her time, Sara squeezed his hand affectionately and reassured him that she would be right back. The look in her eye stated, more than words, that no one would keep her from her mate. He loved that fierceness in his female.
After a long period, the females were finally brought back as the Council returned to the room. The Chancellor remained standing as the rest seated themselves. The uproar among the planetary representatives rapidly died down with minimal effort from the Chancellor. Everyone was eager to hear the decision of the Intergalactic Council. It was all anyone could talk about the night before on the space station, various species talking among themselves at what they thought was going on within the Council chambers. Vidok even suffered through many approaching them throughout the evening, disturbing the privacy of the males with their mates, to ask their own insights on what they thought the Council might decide. As if they had any idea.
Now the representatives of the entire Intergalactic Union waited with baited breath for the decision that would determine how things would precede from that day forward regarding mating access and restrictions of the human species. The Chancellor stood silently, a large figure among the seated crowd, solemn with the weight of their decision. The Council never made any decision lightly, and this one would have far reaching consequences. He finally he spoke, his voice carrying easily through the quiet room.
“After much deliberation we, the Intergalactic Council, have come to this conclusion. The Budo having already been charged and their trade restricted, we first address the Agraak, the benefactors of the ill-gotten gains from trade with the Budo. We have determined that the Agraak have no legally recognized claim on the human females they received from the Budo. As we have no access to, or information of, those they hold, we can only say that the Council will support any human female from Agraadax who makes herself known to us. The Council will be looking into what occurred on Dorok to further discuss penalties of scientific experimentation on sentient species, and investigate what happened to the one hundred males left in their care.
Furthermore, we refuse any claims made by Agraadax in regard to the females who remained on Dorok.”
The Agraak burst out angrily. The males reached for their weapons and found themselves instantly physically restrained by the Council guards who were stationed near their podium, and escorted from the room--presumably to their ships where they would be forced to return to Agraadax. Vidok sighed in relief, glad to see the guards, who had previously been taking away VaDorok mates, doing their duty and taking care of the situation before it swung out of control.
“As for the representatives of Earth. We are very disappointed in the behavior of the men representing the human race, to express such narrow-minded bigotry and xenophobia in our presence.” He narrowed his eyes at the ambassador. “However, we must recognize that Earth has sovereign authority over its citizenry.”
Vidok felt his heart still in his chest.
Please, no. By the gods. No. No.
“Don’t get too excited though,” the Chancellor growled out when the ambassador and his aids began to smirk and among themselves. “While we recognize Earth’s sovereignty over its own territory, the planet Earth and its airspace, we have determined that this does not apply to those who voluntarily mate with other members of our Union outside of the sovereign domain of Earth. While you have control over how you process things on your planet, all people are still under the rights and protections of the Intergalactic Union. As such we have determined that anyone who willingly mates with other members of the Union, outside of Earth’s reach, are no longer a member of Earth’s citizenship but belong to the citizenry of their mate’s planet from this day onward.”
Disregarding the scowling delegates from Earth, an excited murmur began to ripple through the audience as the implication spread. A smile wrinkled the Chancellor’s face as he paused for effect, “So it is this Councils decision that these human females, previously known collectively as Agraak study subject group HS10, based on their testimony, are neither citizens of Agraadax, nor of Earth.
“Rather the Council recognizes as having protected citizenship of the planet Dorok. We wish the VaDorok well with their mates, and congratulations on the younglings. I would not be amiss to say that we all look forward to seeing how humans breathe new life into the universe. We are adjourned.”
With a swing of his robes the Chancellor departed, followed by Council. Roars of approval lit through the room like wildfire. The Ambassadors of earth, flushed dark with embarrassment, promptly left their podium without replying to any of the questions from ambassadors asking how Earth was going to arrange potential mating contacts between the species. All he managed to force out was a “we will determine the best way to offer mates that will be profitable to our people.”
That word, profitable, did not sound the least bit charitable to suffering races. He suspected that Sha’melor and Borax had been correct. The humans were going to utilize their advantage without the interest of their own citizens, or those of the Union, at heart. Especially after being humiliated by the VaDorok. Given the black glower that the Earth ambassador leveled at them as the Chancellor left, Vidok was fairly certain that Dorok would not receive more human females if they had any say in it.
Sara leaned over. “He doesn’t look happy, does he?” she smirked.
Vidok shook his head and glanced down at his mate. “What did the Chancellor say to you?”
She laughed lightly and waved a hand. “He was pretty direct to the point. Filed us all in there one by one, asked us if anyone wanted to go back to Earth. We said no. He said that was all he needed and dismissed us.”
Vidok grinned. The Chancellor looked to be a surly male, but he clearly had the best interest of the females at heart.
His grin fell instantly as the ambassador from Earth approached the Dorok podium. He felt his fur bristle but restrained himself. The last thing they needed was a big display in front of everyone. Especially not one that some would interpret as unprovoked. Although, many species didn’t seem to be looking too kindly at the Earth representatives, so it was possible he could get away with it.
Sara, correctly interpreting the wandering of his mind, nudged him gently and whispered low enough for just him to hear, “Careful Vidok.”
Vidok grunted his agreement and narrowed his eyes at the males. He may not be able to threaten them--yet--but he could make it clear under no uncertain terms that he was watching them. He did not like these males, and the ambassador smelled terribly of some biting scent that turned his stomach.
The ambassador forced a polite smile to Borax and Vidok, before turning to acknowledging the rest of the VaDorok males present. Yet, his smiled broadened at their females. Vidok suppressed a growl. The male was only smiling. No matter that it made his fur prickle.
“Ladies,” he said, “as a representative of Earth, I want to assure you that you are more than welcome to return home. I know you must feel obliged to your rescuers to stay with them, but consider what is better for you. For your...children. Their world is far too primitive and inhospitable for the comfort of those our species. Come home where we can take care of you . You and your children can enjoy the luxuries you have always had. I am authorized to let you know that in exchange for your cooperation on some details and a bit of minoring testing, we are happy to provide for you at no cost for the rest of your natural lives.”
Vidok froze, his arm tightening around Sara. Even as he internally raged at the humans, part of him was worried that it would be too tempting of an offer for the females. None of them had willingly came to Dorok. An offer to have all their needs and wants taken care of--to return to the comforts and familiarity of their home world? Worry filled him and he couldn’t repress the growl that began to kick up from his chest.
The ambassador’s eyes widened at Vidok, and swung nervously to the other males who also began to growl. If it weren’t for the fact that weapons were strictly forbidden on the space station--for which the Agraak had likely been charged a strict fine before they were tossed off--Vidok was sure, by seeing the way the male’s hand floundered at his side, the smaller males would have pulled them. Sara exchanged a long meaningful look with the females, who nodded to her in their private silent communication. She placed a comforting hand on Vidok’s chest, before addressing the ambassador.
“I would like to think that you made us that offer out of genuine concern and interest for our well-being, but surely you understand that we already declined to return to Earth when the Chancellor asked us.” She smiled sweetly, her voice dripping with venom. “Since, obviously, you didn’t understand what was quite clear to everyone else, let us go ahead and tell you in terms that you will understand. There is no way in hell we are leaving our mates, or taking our babies away from them, much less take them to Earth where we can all be interrogated and ‘tested.’ So fuck off.”
The entire room fell silent as Sara’s voice concluded in a shout. Laughter began in one corner and rapidly spread like wildfire. The women cheered as the ambassador flushed darkly. Pivoting on his heel, he stomped away, followed by the feminine jeers and shouts. Representatives from all corners of the universe called out their encouragement as the VaDorok smiled and purred enthusiastically at their mates.
The Edoka, having been near enough to hear the entire exchange, approached the podium with amused, and rather pleased, smiles.
“So,” Sara grinned at A’Jular. “looks like those blow-hards on Earth are going to make hunting a female down difficult for you guys.”
A’Jular snorted, “Hardly. All I have to do is set Nightmare Wing down somewhere, find our female, get her aboard, head back to Edokora, and they will be none the wiser. Human technology is laughable at best.”
Sha’melor rolled his eyes and frowned at his younger brother, “Nothing illegal brother. I don’t want to have to come before the Council again to justify why, after their ruling regarding Earth sovereignty, we went ahead and took a female anyway.”
A’Jular gave his brother a sharp-toothed smile, �
��I will be sure to keep it within letter of what was stipulated. Now,” he slapped his hands together and chortled, “lets get you all home so I can start...surveying the lay of the territory.”
Chapter 9
Two months later Sara groaned into the pillow, her belly distended. No matter what position she tried to sleep in, she could not get comfortable. She only prayed that the babies came before the next full moon gathering. Despite Vidok’s best efforts to dissuade her, Sara managed to make it the last one. Just barely. Her belly swollen with two VaDorok younglings made for very rough travel, and, with her mate watching on in concern, she knew it was a nerve-wracking experience for both of them.
All Sara knew is that she was tired of being pregnant. Her feet hurt, her back hurt. Everything hurt. Vidok was being a very patient, attentive mate. But try as she might, she couldn’t conceal her misery.
Flailing an arm in attempt to shift the bulk of her belly, Sara accidentally sent an elbow in her sleeping mate’s face. Oopsie! Vidok blinked sleepily at her, and, being the mild tempered and ever patient mate he was, he immediately began to rub the small of her back. Sara melted into their nest.
“Is everything ok ulukska?” he asked groggily.
“Yeah,” Sara pouted. “I just can’t get comfortable. I hope they come soon, because I can barely move now.”
She felt his lower horn slide against her neck as he kissed her shoulder. “Be patient mate, they will come in due time. It will be soon.”
“I am tired of being patient,” she grumbled, giving the stink eye to her mate. “Not to mention you are now holding back the nookie.”
“My love, you are too uncomfortable as it is,” he laughed. “I don’t think having ‘nookie,’ as you call it, will be all that good for you. It is normal to hold off on sex during the last weeks of pregnancy.”
