by Mark Alders
He shuffled away from Kale. "Thanks but no thanks. I want Emerson and I don't want to do anything to spoil my chances. You're a fine man, Kale, but for the here and now, I want to make amends, make up for the stuff up I did. I hope you understand."
Kale smiled, snapped his track pants back over himself, covering up his erection. "Good. If you had done it I would have slung you out of here on your arse and told you never to come sniffing around me again."
Again, Ely was taken aback. He opened his mouth, but no sound eventuated. Finally, after much sorting out of his thoughts, he uttered, "I don't understand."
Kale sat up, grabbing the bottle of Venutian Slim next to him and draining the contents. It was clear he was still aroused, his bulge magnificent. "Sonny told me what happened earlier today when I asked him why he looked down. The dude's a wreck, you know."
"He…he is…he did?"
"Yeah. I set you up, you know." He let out a laugh. "But man, I'm going to have to jack-off now."
"You could have just told me you'd spoken to him."
Kale shook his head. "You kidding? Doing it that way was more fun. Besides, now you know how Sonny felt when you jabbered on about Braden while in his cot. He's a good man, one who'll give you his all if you stopped thinking with your dick for two seconds. Not cool, Ely."
Funny enough, Ely felt relief. "I know. I was a jerk."
"You can say that again."
"Hey, no need to rub it in. I've suffered enough, you know."
Kale smiled. "Go talk to him tomorrow, first thing. I'm sure there's some ground you two can walk on to make amends. He really does have feelings for you."
"And I have feelings for him."
"Good. Now get the fuck out here so I can relieve myself and hit the sack."
Ely leaned over and planted a kiss onto Kale's cheek. "Thanks."
"Hey, I do what I can do."
Ely got up, heading for the door. "I'll see you later, then."
"You're a good bloke, Ely. If things don't work out with you and Sonny, then and only then, we might be able to work something out, share spit and stuff, okay?"
"You got yourself a deal." With that, Ely punched the touch pad, waiting for the door to slide open before he left Kale to his own business. No prizes for guessing what that would be.
Chapter Six
Deep in thought, Ely headed toward his cabin. He now knew Emerson had feelings for him, and for the first time all day a small spark of hope ignited in his mind. He couldn't help but smile, one that would have looked goofy to anyone who would pass him in the corridor, he was certain. But he didn't care. There was a chance he could get Emerson back. If he played his cards right.
Arriving at his cabin, tiredness filling his bones, Ely entered. He was confronted with Braden's mystery man. Again, as naked as the day he was born. This time his dick was semi erect and still wet with lube, all except for the end of his foreskin where he had sprayed the skin seal. Seemed Ely missed the show. In a way he was thankful for that. Seeing Braden fucking on top of copping a sight of Kale's cock, would have been too much for one night.
The man nodded, "Hey, Ely."
"Hey…um, I didn't catch your name yesterday. Who are you again?"
The man smiled, one that sent a shiver through Ely. A naked, smiling man was a welcome sight. "I didn't tell you. Names, Carl."
"Well then, hey there, Carl."
"No worries."
At that moment, Braden emerged from his room. He, too, was naked, his dick also coming off the high the two of them must have experienced moments before Ely entered the cabin. His cheeks were flushed and he had a glow about him. One of unmistakable satisfaction.
"Hi there, Ely," Braden chimed. He was smiling as well, slapping Carl on his buttocks as he passed to get to the kitchenette fridge, grab himself a drink. "I see you met Carl."
"Yeah, sure have." Ely stared as Braden bent over and pulled out two energy drinks, the light from the fridge covered his body in a wonderful orange aura. His buttocks were certainly fine, tight and muscular, just like the rest of him. The view of his balls, red and ripe and hanging deliciously between his legs also added to the attraction. "He's kind of hard to miss standing there like that, isn't he?"
"He sure is." Braden pulled out the beverages he was seeking.
Carl chuckled. "Braden tells me you've got a fine package, Ely."
Braden nodded. "He sure has, Carl. I've seen him in the showers." He turned his attention to Ely, a lustful grin on his lips. "Man, having that meat of yours up my arse would be just fucking perfect. Say, Carl and me are going to go hard at it again real soon. You want to join us this time? A threesome would be so damn hot."
In that instant, Ely's heart skipped a beat.
When Braden had handed his lover his bottle, he come to embrace Carl, draw him close. They kissed. One of all roving tongues and groans. Ely licked his lips. Why was it, after he had found such a wonderful man in Emerson, that every guy he had ever lusted for was behaving just how he had dreamed? All those nights of jacking off, thinking of all the things he'd do to Kale and Braden, and sometimes both at the same time. He didn't even think Braden knew he existed up until this moment. How wrong was he on that? How wrong was he on many things?
Just as Ely was about to answer, turn down the enticing offer, his thoughts of Emerson still vivid in his mind, the siren above the cabin's front door flashed orange and sounded three times. An announcement soon followed, and the comm panel on the wall near the kitchenette scrolled with the words that were spoken. The reason for the verbal and visual communication was not because there were any deaf people on board, but because many on rest days listened to music or were hooked up to vGames, while those on duty could be immersed within navigation computers or holographic simulations.
"Attention all personnel. General alert has been issued. I repeat, general alert has been issued. All non-rostered military staff are to remain in their quarters or proceed in an orderly fashion so that they are. All civilians, under military protocol 67-ba9, are also required to do the same. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. Attention all personnel…" And the message continued until repeated three times.
"I wonder what's going on?" Ely questioned, heading for the comm panel.
Braden shrugged his shoulders. "Well, whatever it is, we're in no hurry now. We're all stuck here until the general alert has been lifted." He kissed his lover, again with lots of tongue. "Let's go then, Carl. I need another good hard fucking. Ely, you joining in, or not?"
Ely was more interested in the readout at the end of the message. There was a flashing icon, one that was a direct link to the engineering bay and Commander Okinawa's ready room. That meant one thing. Commander Okinawa wanted to speak to either him or Braden, and seeing as Braden was a command cadet, having nothing to do with engineering, Ely bet his left nut that he was the subject of the hail. He wondered what the commander wanted him for.
"So, Ely, you coming, then?" Carl said, waving at Ely before pulling Braden into his room.
Ely was busy contemplating the meaning of the hail. He replied, "You two go ahead and start. I think Commander Okinawa wants me."
"Well, you know where we are." And with that Braden closed his cabin door. The sound of the cot creaking and heavy groans soon filled the air. Braden and Carl didn't waste any time, did they?
Ely pressed the hail icon.
The comm panel went blank, the general alert message disappearing, before the face of Commander Okinawa filled its frame. "Ah, cadet Ely, I'm glad you answered so quickly."
Ely saluted. "Yes, sir."
"Now, I'm sure you're wondering what this is all about?"
"It had crossed my mind, sir."
"I'm sure it did. A man of your ability wouldn't settle for just acceptance. Now, the Mandrake has been surrounded by an energy field. According to our sensors we're also gaining speed exponentially."
Ely was taken aback. A common occurrence of late. "Gaining speed? It hasn't got anyt
hing to do with any of my simulations you implemented for the coolant mix, has it, sir?"
Commander Okinawa offered a weak smile, clearly he was worried, but put on a brave face, nevertheless. "No. I hadn't implemented any of what we worked on today. I was discussing doing so with commander Sparks when this energy field changed all that."
"So, exactly how fast are we traveling then, sir?"
"Hard to say. All I know is that the captain informed me only moments ago that we just passed Jupiter, getting an up close view of Ganymede. A feat we aren't supposed to achieve for another four months."
Ely swallowed hard. So much for those goofy science fiction films being just a fantasy and based on a writer's imagination. Here was the Mandrake doing just the thing he laughed at, traveling at incredible speed. Many questions formed in Ely's mind, and at first he couldn't speak, couldn't place into coherent thought what he wanted to say because he couldn't make sense of any of it himself. The sound of Braden letting out a cry of passion threw him from his train of thought. Damn him. Why did he have to choose now to open his legs? Ely needed to think if he was going to help Commander Okinawa figure this all out, as he now knew that was the reason for the hail even though he hadn't said such a thing yet. Finally, Ely said, "So how are we going to get an assessment of the situation if the ship's sensors aren't giving an accurate reading because of the energy field?" After a moment of pause, he added, "Sir." Almost forgetting to address his commander in the appropriate way because his mind was such a jumble.
Commander Okinawa's smile widened and he offered a slight nod. "This is why I hailed you, cadet Ely. You're inquisitive and enthusiastic. Qualities I like on my team."
"Thank you, sir."
"The captain is most anxious for information, and the only way I can see how we'll obtain such a thing is to get into a shuttle and go outside and see for ourselves. I want you to be on my away team, cadet Ely. The energy field doesn't seem to be saturated with radiation, so the mission should be a relatively simple exercise. I know you have just completed a rotation, so I'll give you a few hours rest before pre-mission briefing at 0900 hours. You will be compensated and your rest time extended once you're back on board the Mandrake."
Ely saluted. "Pleased to be a part of the team, sir."
"That's the attitude. Now, is Cadet Braden there? I want him on the shuttle, too. He needs command experience."
Ely could still hear little yelps and moans Braden let out as he was getting his arsehole filled. "I'll go get him for you, sir."
Commander Okinawa turned away from the screen, speaking something to commander Sparks. Ely swallowed hard again. The sight of Braden and Carl going for it would be hard to take. He reached out and turned the handle, opening the door to the sight he so wanted to avoid.
Braden was lying on the bed, legs in the air. His eyes were shut tight, his teeth clenched and the expression on his face universal for someone being nailed. He was also gripping his balls, holding them up so Carl didn't have any interference while he worked. Carl had gripped him behind his knees, his buttocks wobbling hypnotically and in time with his rhythm. The sight of them both going hard at it was beautiful, but at the same time, brought to the forefront of Ely's mind just what he could have had with Emerson. One that would have been a whole lot better than just a fuck.
Carl turned to look at Ely, his cheeks bright red, sweat beaded on his brow. "Couldn't resist, hey?"
Braden opened his eyes. "Quick, get you gear off, Ely. I'm not going to last much longer so you'd better get in before I blow. Otherwise you'll miss your chance, you hear?"
Ely so wanted to take over from Carl. Sink his hardening cock into Braden's warmth, make him blow his load all over his rippling with muscles stomach and chest. He licked his lips and cleared his throat. "Commander Okinawa wants to speak with you, Braden."
Braden sat up, pushing Carl so that the man had no choice but to slip out of him. "What? Why didn't you say so earlier? Fuck!"
When Carl had come away from Braden, he stepped off the cot, a quirky smile on his lips. His cock was massive, with a bulging head that Ely could have so easily taken into his mouth. In fact, the man's genitals had a wonderful red tinge to them from all the action he had given to Braden over the course of the night.
Braden was also hard, but before Ely could admire him in more detail, he scrambled off the bed, pulling up the sheet to cover himself before he spoke to Commander Okinawa.
Ely followed.
"I hope I didn't disturb you, Cadet Braden," the commander chimed when Braden set himself into position in front of the comm panel.
Braden saluted, cleared his throat with a gentle cough. "No, sir, you didn't."
"Good. At 0900 hours I want you to come to my ready room. I have an away mission for you. Your commanding officer has suggested you, so you'll be my right hand man. We will take a shuttle to investigate a strange energy that's surrounding the Mandrake. Can you handle that, Cadet Braden?"
"Yes, sir, I can."
"I already have cadet Ely on board. I want you to choose a pilot and a science and logistics officer. I think that'll be all we'll need for a cruise around the ship."
Without hesitation, Braden said, "I suggest Cadet Kale for pilot. I hear he's the best for his class, sir."
Commander Okinawa nodded. "And science and logistics?"
There was a pause. Being a command cadet, it was part of Braden's responsibilities to know all those of his class and of all disciplines. Away missions were common and if a commander didn't know his crew, how could he pick a successful team? "I believe Cadet Emerson would be a good choice for that role, sir."
Ely almost fainted.
Did he just say Cadet Emerson? Ely felt his feet and hands tingle, his stomach churn and his throat tighten. He was also sure all the blood had drained away from his face. Seemed he was going to visit Emerson first thing in the morning for sure now. Was he ready? He sure hoped so. On one level, he was thrilled to be working with Emerson. On another, he was petrified. What if the man was still mad at him? How could he operate at peak efficiency then? The last thing he wanted to do was let Commander Okinawa down, especially seeing as he had been handpicked for an away mission.
"Good choices," Commander Okinawa said, disturbing Ely from his thoughts. "I will inform the respective departments of your suggestions. Until 0900 I suggest you get some rest. Okinawa, over and out."
Braden saluted. "Yes, sir." When the screen went blank, he called out to Carl. "Get that dick of yours over here. We've got to finish what we started before I need to get ready for my mission."
"Sure thing," Carl said, coming into view. His cock still rock hard. Had he jacked himself off to remain at full mast while Braden was on the comm? No matter, he was a damn beautiful sight. But not as beautiful as Emerson. He yearned for him in a way he had never wanted for a man in his life. In the brief moment they had been together, Ely knew in his heart that right now he didn't want to be with anyone else.
Braden flashed a glance back to Ely. "Last chance to get some action."
Ely shook his head. "I need to get some shut eye. I've just worked a shift and 0900 is in five hours."
Braden shrugged his shoulders. "Suit yourself."
Ely headed for his cot, trying to ignore the sounds that emanated from Braden's room. He stripped down to his underwear and pulled back the bed clothes.
"Can you wake me at 0830 hours, computer?"
"Affirmative."
For the first time in too many days, he didn't relieve himself before he slept. He was out like a light as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Chapter Seven
At 0845, Ely left his cabin. Braden was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Carl, for that matter. The General alarm was still active, Ely supposed it wouldn't be lifted until the energy field around the Mandrake had been dissipated or at the very least, the reason discovered as to why it was there in the first place.
Ely was stopped by security when he exited the lift that led down to engin
eering. He explained that Commander Okinawa had requested his presence and that he was now considered to be rostered personnel. The man checked the portable comm panel he was holding, nodding when he discovered Ely's name on the duty list.
When he entered Commander Okinawa's ready room, his gaze searched out and rested for a brief moment on Emerson. The man was seated, still looking haggard, his eyes bloodshot. Everyone else was present, including a grinning Kale.
Ely had been in Commander Okinawa's ready room plenty of times, but this was the first time he was there for a mission briefing.
"Glad you made it, cadet Ely. I know you must be tired, so I'll keep this brief," Commander Okinawa began, gesturing to a holographic schematic of the Mandrake that had appeared above the middle of the conference table. "As you are all now aware, an energy field has surrounded…"
Ely lost the commander's words in the jumble of thoughts he had about what he was going to say to Emerson the moment he got the chance. He just wanted to go to him, plant a sensual kiss upon his plump lips, not caring what others would think. Actually, he wanted to embrace him tight, soothe the hair upon his head while cradling him close to his chest. Take in his touch and his scent.
He remembered the after shave Emerson wore, manly and adding to his attraction. An attraction that didn't germinate from the man's looks, but blossomed because of the way he behaved. Emerson was a gentlemen and Ely was a fool if he didn't try and make amends, and as soon as possible before too much time had passed and the wound of what he did too great to heal.
"…thank you, cadets." Commander Okinawa saluted. Everyone around the table stood up and did the same. Ely nearly missed the end of the briefing, he had been that absorbed with his own concerns. "I will see you all in shuttle Phoenix in thirty minutes. Dismissed."
Braden was the first to leave the ready room, followed by Kale. Ely offered a weak smile at Emerson, gesturing for him to pass through the door before he did. Emerson looked beyond Ely, passing without so much as a word spoken. Ely's stomach churned. Had he blown it for certain? There was only one way to find out, and that was to get Emerson alone, talk to the man.
