OrbForce: A Sci-Fi Lesbian Romance

by Nicole Rae

  “I can’t believe the morning is here,” Commander Callow had noticed the time on her comtal-bit, a wristwatch-size comtal.

  “Yes, we will be meeting soon,” I joked.

  “Oh yeah,” she looked at her bit again. “Do you want to push that back to after lunch?”

  “I can work around your schedule, Commander.”

  “Hmm.” Her lips curled into a partial smile and her eyes looked directly into mine. “I think you should get some rest, I should get refreshed, and we should have our meeting in my office after lunch.”

  “I will be there.” I confirmed.

  “And I want to hear more gossip sometime.” Commander Callow continued.

  “Anytime,” I smiled back and met her eyes with mine.

  She held me in her gaze and I froze. I wanted to hug her, but I was fairly sure it was inappropriate since she was the Commander and I was her subordinate. I stood there drowning in a sea of emotions, not knowing what to do. Ruth was now two inches from me and wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace. My heart took control and I wrapped my arms around her and pressed my face against hers. We stayed there holding each other for a very long two minutes. She released her arms and lowered her eyes as she looked at my face.

  “Why did we not meet sooner?” She left the question hanging between us. I was at a loss for words and the question echoed in the silence. Her expression went solemn as she squeezed my hands before releasing me from her touch. I wondered what thought had just crossed her mind at that moment to change her expression.

  “I will see you later,” she murmured as she turned to leave. She was gone before I had a chance to catch my breath and say goodbye.

  I collapsed on the couch and started replaying the hug and her question in my head. I fell asleep within moments and barely woke up with enough time to shower and prepare myself for our meeting. I took a little extra time to press my uniform twice and wrap my hair back into a perfect bun. I used a scented soap in the shower, which, is something I rarely did anymore because Ulumese despise smells, especially the fresh flowery smells that Earthlings enjoy. Since I would not be going to or speaking to any Ulum today, I thought it would be nice to smell like a woman for a change. It had been a long time since I even thought about my appearance with the secret intentions of dressing to impress. I liked the way Commander Callow looked at me, and as long as she was looking, I would give her a little extra to check out. On my way to her office I felt butterflies in my stomach and reminded myself this was not a date. It was in fact a meeting regarding peace on Earth so I needed to stop acting like a schoolgirl with a crush and get serious about my role as Earth’s Ambassador.

  I entered her office and she greeted me professionally and insisted I sit down as she slid a comtal across the desk to me.

  “I had your comtal retrieved earlier today to download some files on it. Please read them tonight.” She started.

  I snatched the comtal off of her desk and worried briefly that my searches might have not been cleared. I made a mental note to change my settings to automatically delete my browser history as long as the Commander would just retrieve it at will.

  “Is there a problem?” she asked.

  “No,” I shifted in my seat. “I just wanted to see where the files are.”

  “We have found a weakness in Ulum that only you can exploit.”

  She had my full attention. I had worked tirelessly to find a weakness in Ulum leadership but had failed over the years. I was only able to keep Ulum leaders placated but I had not swayed Ulum rebels. What had I possibly missed? I had gone through everything over and over, trying to find a weakness that I could use to Earth’s advantage.

  “Oh?”

  She smiled warmly with just a hint of sarcasm in the corners of her lips.

  “Oh?” She asked as though I already knew the answer.

  “Commander, I have tried over the years to find a weakness to exploit but I have not been able to. I am eager to know what you and your intelligence committee have discovered,” I was emphatic.

  She paused and looked at me for a long moment with the same sarcastic smile. “You really don’t know?” She pushed me.

  “I truly am unaware of a weakness in the Ulum leadership,” I confirmed.

  “Well, Z, the weakness is you,” her eyes locked with mine and we sat staring at one another for what felt like an eternity.

  I could feel the heat rising in my face and I was sure I was blushing from confusion and embarrassment. A smile started to creep onto my face and before I knew it I was laughing heartily in the Commander’s face. She stared at me as my laughter grew maniacally boisterous. I couldn’t stop myself. The idea that I was the weakness was comical at best and surely a joke. Commander Callow continued staring at me, now squinting her eyes as though she were concerned that something was wrong with me.

  “Are you okay? She asked. “Do I need to call MedShield?” Her finger hovered over an emergency button on her comtal.

  “What?” I asked gathering myself. “Are you serious?” I gathered myself

  “This is not a joke, Z,” Her voice was calm and almost at a whisper. “You are the weakness.” She paused and met my eyes again, “I have studied every conversation you have been able to record and we have run a multitude of tests and the fact is that Ulum leaders, specifically the Ulum General A001, displays positive, almost human-like, signs of affection toward you. You are the reason why Earth has not been obliterated.”

  Commander Callow was waiting for a response, but I was dumbfounded. I was completely blindsided by the conversation. How long had she known this information? Did she know last night?

  “Commander Callow, I really—”

  “Please call me Ruth,” she interrupted.

  “Ruth, I really think we need to review this information. I do not believe that Ulum A001 has any positive or negative feelings,” I insisted.

  “There’s more,” Ruth continued as I shook my head in disagreement.

  She went on to explain that they had found evidence that A001 was keeping a private file on me, which included photos, videos and private details about me.

  “There is a breakdown of video footage on your comtal. You will see the subtle changes in the General’s face when you arrive, when you speak, and when you leave. We also received intelligence from one of her subordinates. We believe she actually has human-like feelings for you.” Commander Callow stared at me waiting for a response.

  “I respectfully disagree.” I stood up to indicate I was done with the conversation.

  “Z, there is nothing wrong with this information. It isn’t a bad thing. This is actually really, really, good,” Ruth reached over and put one hand on mine. The touch of her hand sent heat through my body. She took my other hand in hers.

  “Please have a seat Z,” she urged, “Please consider this information for a moment.” Her eyes were looking into me and I couldn’t move. I could feel her hands on mine and I was unwilling to break contact with her.

  “I think it’s more than possible,” Commander Callow continued with a gentle stroke along my thumb still held in her hand.

  I swallowed hard. “Ok,” I could barely breathe at this point.

  She smiled and released me. She motioned for me to sit down again and I obliged.

  “If this information is accurate, you believe that I can persuade the Ulum General to turn on her people?” I asked.

  “Don’t you think I have done my homework here? I didn’t become OrbForce Commander by using information that hasn’t been vetted and then vetted again.”

  “Of course, I apologize.” I looked down for a moment. “It’s just that…”

  “It’s just that you didn’t see it first?” She asked.

  “Yes,” I admitted.

  “I don’t think you realize the depth of your pull on anyone,” Ruth was speaking softly.

  I looked up at her again. She stood up and came around her desk and sat in the chair next to me. She placed a hand on my
knee and continued. “You didn’t become Ambassador by chance. You earned it because of your ability to move people in the direction you want them to go. You earned it because of your ability to talk, empathize, and persuade. You have a pull that can’t be taught in any specialized training. What you bring to the table is unique. I have read your file more than any other OrbForce personnel and I know how you have moved mountains with your smile, knowledge and wit. Yes you have the ability to hide your emotion unlike any other human being, which has been an asset dealing with Ulum, but your intuition has made you a success.”

  She was inches from my face and I could smell her hair. I wanted to kiss her in that moment and I was sure she had to be feeling the same thing. I fought every pull in my own body not to kiss her.

  “Hey, are you okay?” She looked up at me again.

  “Commander,” I paused unsure of what I would say next, “I think I should take a break.” I leaned back to put distance from my lips to hers.

  “A break from what?”

  “This meeting,” I took a deep breath. “I just honestly… I’m feeling a little...”

  She leaned in and my breath hitched as her lips brushed mine. My body erupted with fire and I clasped a hand behind her head and kissed her. She did not pull away as I thrust my tongue against hers. I stood up, pulling her up with me and not letting go of her mouth. I moved her to the side of the room and backed her body up against the wall, and when I pressed my body against hers I could feel her breasts against mine. My entire body was aching for more from her. I kissed her hard and pushed my knee between her legs and pressed against her. She moaned quietly and then pushed back against me, pulling her lips off of mine.

  “We can’t,” she said, breathless.

  “Why?” I pushed my mouth against hers again and her hands wrapped around my neck and head pulling me harder against her for a moment before she pushed back again.

  “Z, we can’t…I can’t do this. I am the Commander, your superior. This just…we can’t.” She sighed.

  I caught my breath and fell into a chair facing her desk. She sat in the chair next to me and put her hand on my knee.

  “Z,” she waited for me to look up. “It’s not you. I just can’t.”

  “No worries. Let’s just forget the last few minutes.” I said. I did what I was known to do best and withdrew all of my emotions from the situation. I could deal with them later, privately.

  “Z, we should talk about this.”

  “There is nothing to talk about. I should not have kissed you. I think it is clear that I am attracted to you but I know the boundaries and am fully capable of staying within them. Please accept my apology for any awkwardness or uncomfortable feelings I have created. I think it is best to just close the door on this and focus on defeating Ulum. That is my priority.” I said.

  Ruth studied my face for several minutes. I met her stare with a smile.

  “Like nothing happened?” She asked.

  “Exactly,” I said.

  Ruth got up and moved to the chair behind her desk and sat down studying my face again. I tapped a few notes down on my comtal.

  “Will I have access to all the intelligence reports on my encounters with Ulum General A001? If the information is correct, exploiting her feelings will likely be our best way to pull this all together,” I said.

  Commander Callow’s expression shifted showing a glimpse of sadness.

  “Is that correct, Ruth?” I asked again.

  She swallowed hard. “Yes, it is, Z,” she said.

  We agreed to meet again after I had an opportunity to review all of the intelligence reports. Before I left, Commander Callow informed me that I would have a new security detail with me wherever I went. I argued that it wasn’t necessary, but knowing it was a battle I wouldn’t win, I didn’t push too hard.

  Chapter Two

  That night I grabbed a light meal in the OrbForce café and called for a flash transport to Earth. I would return to OrbForce later that night, but I needed a drink, in a bar, with regular civilian earthlings. I noticed the two security shuttles traveling alongside my flash-taxi but tried to ignore it. I really needed a break from the day and I needed to stop thinking about Commander Callow. I stopped at a bar on Earth and decided to hang there for a while. I ordered a drink as the music playing in the background took me back to a much simpler time. I could hear the old familiar sounds of country music and could almost sing along to it. I ordered a second drink.

  As I sat there watching some basketball game on the television I felt someone sit next to me at the bar, but I didn’t turn to look. For all I knew, it was someone from my new security detail. I sat there staring at the television, listening to the music, and trying like hell not to think about that kiss.

  “Do you like basketball?” A woman sitting next to me asked.

  “Oh, a little. I just like sports I think.” I said slightly feeling buzzed from my second drink. When I turned to look her light blue eyes and light brown hair caught my attention. She was an attractive woman and just the kind of distraction that I needed to forget about the Commander.

  “Do you like sports?” I asked.

  “A little,” She said. “What are you drinking?”

  “Rum and coke, “ I said.

  “A classic,” She said, waving at the bartender. “Can we have two more over here?”

  “Am I buying or are you?” I smiled.

  “You should be buying me a drink,” she said.

  She was attractive and confident and I was thinking less and less about the kiss. I agreed I should be buying the drinks and then she asked about my security detail. I explained that I was the Ambassador and she mentioned that I looked familiar like she might have seen me in the news, but was otherwise disinterested in my work or the security bots that were staring in our direction. We talked about basketball and football as we enjoyed our drinks. We reminisced about music. She confessed to knowing a great place to get contraband downloads but it was always moving locations. She had an in with the guy who ran it and promised to get me any song I wanted. After a second drink we hit the dance floor and shared several kisses. I was hot and aching to be touched. I was on edge and feeling charged up after my encounter with the Commander and needed a release. My new friend Abby seemed like a willing partner.

  After several hours of drinking, dancing, and grinding on one another, she asked if I wanted to come to her place. She lived in a loft down the street and we walked together laughing and holding hands. Of course my security detail was right behind us the whole way and I was feeling a little irritated by it. As we approached her door she inserted the key and I was feeling anxious to touch her and to be touched.

  “Ambassador Z, you need to return to OrbForce,” her voice echoed in my head, but I ignored it.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked Abby who had stopped unlocking her door.

  “Um I think someone is talking to you,” she pointed behind me.

  I slowly turned and saw Commander Callow standing with my security bots. What the hell? I thought.

  “Commander, can this wait?” I was drunk and irritated.

  “Ambassador Z, this is non-negotiable. Please come with me.” She stretched out her hand.

  “This is weird,” Abby said, giggling now uncontrollably from the alcohol.

  “Yes, it is.” I started laughing too and kissed her while the Commander stared expressionless. I broke from our kiss and we laughed again, “I better go. I’ll stop by and see you soon.” I said.

  “Bye Ambassador Z!” Abby said imitating a robot and saluting, which made me laugh harder.

  The Commander was not amused and said nothing as we walked to an awaiting security ship and quickly returned to OrbForce. I was taken to MedForce and treated for alcohol consumption. One injection later and I was sober, alert, and being escorted to the OrbForce conference room. Commander Callow was waiting for me.

  “Feeling more like yourself, Z?” She asked.

  “I apologize.” I s
aid.

  “I will not have you acting recklessly when we are in the middle of a major shift in our relationship with Ulum. Is that clear?” Commander Callow was firm.

  “Yes.” I took a deep breath.

  “You are ordered to stay on OrbForce until you depart for Ulum in less than two weeks. Is that clear?” Commander asked.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “You will need to be in my office at 0900 hours tomorrow. Do not arrive late. You are dismissed.” Commander Callow started to walk away.

  “Ruth,” I said. “Can I please explain?”

  “There is nothing to explain. You have been dismissed Ambassador.” She said.

  “I just needed to get out for a night. I screwed up and I needed to forget what happened,” I said.

  I could see the tension release in her body. Her shoulders dropped and she looked at my face, which I took as a sign to continue.

  “I shouldn’t have allowed my feelings or my attraction or whatever it is get in the way of our mission. I do not make mistakes like that. My emotions do not get the best of me like that and I needed to get away and figure out what happened,” I said.

  “And your new friend was going to help you figure that out?” She asked with a hint of jealousy.

  “Well, that was just me exercising my destructive side. It won’t happen again,” I said.

  “Z,” she started. “You said it was done and we could just forget about it. I wanted to talk about it. You shut that conversation down.”

  We stared at each other for several moments until I finally broke the silence by reconfirming that there was nothing more to talk about. I was feeling sober and more confident than ever that this crush I was feeling for the Commander was simply just that—a crush. Commander Callow didn’t challenge me. She looked into my eyes as if she were trying to read inside of me before she dismissed me again.