To Clan and Conquer (Clan Beginnings)

by Tracy St. John

  Piras’ head jerked in his direction. He nodded at Lidon. “In my office, Weapons Commander.” To the communications officer, he snapped, “Lieutenant, you have command, but I want immediate notification if anything of note happens.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  Lidon nodded to his second to take over the weapons stations and followed Piras to his office.

  The captain immediately went to the raised seat behind his desk. The power position. He motioned to the chair on the opposite side. The seat of this chair was much lower than his.

  He regarded the Nobek. “How is your leg, Lidon?”

  “Fine.” Lidon remained standing, quietly challenging the captain.

  Piras only rolled his eyes. “Now what?”

  Lidon glared at him. “That was incredibly inappropriate of you to cast dispersions on our head medic’s abilities in front of everyone.”

  The Dramok glared back. “You stick to security issues. Ship’s personnel is my affair, Commander. That – that—”

  “Esteemed doctor,” Lidon provided.

  “—ridiculous buffoon has earned none of my respect.”

  Lidon folded his arms over his chest. “Dr. Degorsk is a talented professional. His record is without blemish. Whether you like his attitude or not, his abilities speak for themselves.”

  Piras leaned back and regarded him with something akin to disgust. “Why don’t you just take the damned man to bed and have done with it? Get him out of your system once and for all.”

  “What’s the point if I can’t look forward to the potential of keeping him?”

  “I am not clanning that foolish creature. And I can’t believe you, a warrior of your status, would want to either!”

  Lidon sneered. “I’ve stayed with you this long, haven’t I? Perhaps foolish creatures are my style.”

  Piras’ face went blood red. “You are seriously pissing me off, Lidon. If you’re telling me our clanning depends on courting that Imdiko, then you’re in for a longer wait than fifteen years.”

  The comment took Lidon aback. Was that what he was waiting for? Why he kept putting Piras off? He tried to imagine the three of them together as a clan. Degorsk as Piras’ Imdiko.

  He didn’t like what his fantasy revealed.

  “By the ancestors, a Dramok like you would break his spirit. I’d never subject him to such a fate,” Lidon growled.

  Piras’ expression was thunderous. “What are you saying? That I’ve broken yours?”

  Lidon’s lip curled. “You don’t have that kind of power over me.”

  The Dramok jerked in reaction. He let an expression of hurt cross his face for an instant before frustration returned. His jaw worked as he ground his teeth.

  Lidon dropped his arms to his side. As usual, reasoning with Piras was getting him nowhere. “What I’m saying is, the men you approve of get all the accolades they deserve. You inspire loyalty like few others. But if there’s just one little personality trait you don’t agree with, you waste too much breath belittling the owner of it. As the Book says, ‘Let not a small, displeasing blemish blind you to the beauty of the whole.’”

  Piras looked away. “I overlook plenty when it comes to you,” he muttered.

  “As I do with you.”

  The captain stared up at him. “Why do I get the feeling that if I changed my entire being just to please you, it wouldn’t be enough?”

  “That’s not what I want. I want—”

  Lidon suddenly stopped. What did he want? The vision that flashed in his mind’s eye nearly made him gasp.

  Piras said, “Maybe instead of memorizing that damned book, you should meditate on just what it is you’re truly after. Think hard on it, Lidon. And when you learn to appreciate what I offer, I’ll be waiting, as I have all this time.”

  He turned away and busied himself at his computer. Lidon stared at him. He wondered why, when he’d asked himself what he wanted, it was Degorsk and Tranis’ faces that flitted through his thoughts.

  Degorsk, yes. He’d had his eye on the reluctant Imdiko for a while now. But the youngling Dramok? Tranis, who was thirty years his junior?

  Whatever other nonsense Piras spouted, he was right in one thing: Lidon did need to carefully consider what it was he truly wanted.

  * * * *

  At the end of his workday, Lidon went to the ship’s crowded lounge. The place was always busy at shift’s end as people took the opportunity to transition from work to off time. Every one of the low tables scattered in the space was taken, and only a few seating cushions surrounding them remained. Most eyes were trained on the vids that replayed kurble matches from home and the latest news feeds.

  Lidon nodded at the hails of other Nobeks and went to one of the liquor dispensers. There he debated his choices. The more potent the drink, the less allowance of it you were allowed. On a destroyer, no one on active duty was allowed to get drunk. Every man had to be ready to fight at a moment’s notice, even when patrols were deep in the Empire’s territory.

  Lidon waved his hand at the scanner, letting it identify him and display his alcohol ration amount. He chose kloq. If he stuck to the popular spirit, he’d be allowed five glasses before the dispensers cut him off. Tired from the kurble game and working a shift immediately afterward, he doubted he was going to be that sociable, but who knew? He had a lot going on in his head, things that might make sleep difficult to come by.

  The lounge was filled with men who had also played earlier today or had watched the game. Snatches of conversation drifted to Lidon as his glass was filled. Everyone he heard was agreeing it was a great match. Many of the players, winners and losers alike, were on the receiving end of invitations for intimate entertainments from those who had stood on the sidelines.

  Lidon’s drink finished dispensing and he grabbed the glass from the machine’s tube opening. He stopped short when he saw Tranis and Degorsk sitting nearby, deep in conversation.

  So the first officer had liked the Imdiko’s ass after all. And Degorsk, who was almost never seen in the lounge unless he was in the company of his staff, had agreed to have drinks with him. Well, well. The Dramok was surprising Lidon yet again.

  As if feeling Lidon’s gaze on him, Degorsk looked in his direction. Their eyes met. The medic flushed and nodded acknowledgement before returning his attention to Tranis.

  There was an empty seat next to Degorsk. Lidon debated joining them when the head commander of the fighter complement called to him. “Come sit with us, Commander. That was some game you played this morning.”

  Lidon reluctantly joined the table full of Nobeks. They shifted to make enough room, some sharing seating cushions so he was able to have one to himself. He was still sore and his brace made him feel clumsy. He still managed to lower carefully down so that he didn’t fall on his ass and embarrass himself. The position of his seat allowed him to keep an eye on Degorsk and Tranis. Alerted to Lidon’s presence, Tranis raised his hurling hand to him. Lidon nodded back, noting the poisonous swelling was gone and it had turned a healthier color.

  To his companions, Lidon said, “I haven’t played in some time. I enjoyed it.”

  The fighter commander, an older Nobek named Gewit, rumbled laughter through his barrel-shaped chest. “I guess you did! Nosdin is still bitching about the broken jaw you gave him.”

  Lidon sneered. “He should have his sight tested. Maybe he wouldn’t have kept running into my fist if he could see better.”

  The Nobeks at his and the surrounding tables howled at that. Under the din of laughter, Gewit leaned close and said, “How about our first officer? That young bastard is tough.”

  Next to him Fol, one of the fighter pilots, said, “Did you see his hand at the end of the game? I thought it would explode from the swelling.”

  Their tones were admiring, and they cast heated glances at Tranis. Another pilot, a young Nobek named Sehert, commented, “There would be worse Dramoks to be clanned to. Does anyone know if he’s got an interest?”

&n
bsp; Gewit snorted. “Looks to me like he’s concentrating on Imdikos right now.”

  Fol chuffed mean laughter. “He does like punishment if he’s sniffing around Dr. Degorsk. That man is a torment to be around. It’s no wonder he’s still not clanned.”

  Sehert grimaced. “Probably it’s the Imdiko sniffing around, hoping the commander is too young and stupid to know better.”

  Lidon’s lips twitched in amusement. Degorsk was definitely the receiver of attention, not the other way around. The Imdiko’s smile as he spoke to Tranis was strained. He definitely looked uncomfortable, especially when Tranis leaned close to him and spoke intimately in his ear.

  While the other men’s comments about Degorsk were less than flattering, at least it meant none of them thought of him as likely clanning material. Less competition for Lidon.

  He still couldn’t resist defending the Imdiko. He said, “I don’t think Dr. Degorsk is the desperate type. He’s smart with much life experience, and Commander Tranis would do well to seek his counsel.”

  Gewit elbowed Fol. “Maybe the commander likes the idea of making the doctor behave.”

  His comment earned growls of lustful appreciation from those at their table. Fol licked his lips. “Imagine being taken to task by such a Dramok. It’s a pity he’s so young.”

  Gewit gave Tranis a long, slow look. “But he’s still powerful. I wouldn’t hold his age against him.”

  Lidon’s brows rose. Gewit was nearly fifteen years Lidon’s senior, making him much, much older than Tranis. Surely he was only thinking in terms of sex when he discussed the first officer, but what if he wasn’t? If Tranis was indeed courting Degorsk, then age wasn’t something the Dramok held against others either.

  Lidon kept an eye on the pair at the other table, silently wondering about the possibilities.

  * * * *

  Degorsk was painfully aware of Lidon looking his way. He knew how ridiculous he must look. Here he was, an unclanned Imdiko his age, sitting and drinking with such a young Dramok. Not that he’d planned to be here. His goal had been to go straight to his quarters after his shift. That idea had been sidelined when Tranis had shown up in Medical just as Degorsk was leaving. Taking his arm, the first officer had confidently steered him straight to the lounge. Degorsk hadn’t been able to come up with a single good reason not to go.

  I should leave now while I still have a shred of dignity left, he thought.

  He suddenly felt a hand on the inside of his knee. A very warm hand. He looked into Tranis’ intent eyes.

  The Dramok gave him a grin. “Now that I have your attention again…”

  Degorsk swallowed. Tried to ignore how that hand felt on his leg. Pretended his cocks weren’t stirring. “Sorry, Commander. I mean, Tranis. I guess my mind wandered.”

  Tranis’ eyebrow lifted. His thumb rubbed Degorsk’s knee joint. “I hate to think I’m that boring. Or is it that Commander Lidon is jealous and won’t like you sitting with me?”

  Degorsk’s face heated, both from the man’s touch and the insinuation. “I’m not – he’s not—” At Tranis’ amused look, the Imdiko gave up trying to protest. “Damn it. We don’t have a relationship.”

  Tranis’ hand shifted a little, moving just a bit up Degorsk’s thigh. Now all his fingers were rubbing his leg. A tickle of warmth spilled into Degorsk’s cocks, and he had to fight the urge to slam his legs together and force the Dramok’s hand away. He didn’t want him to know he was getting to him.

  Tranis regarded him with curiosity. “It’s obvious to me there’s an attraction between you two. Why haven’t you looked into it?”

  Degorsk cleared his throat. “We haven’t spoken of anything of the kind. I don’t think the captain likes me, so there’s no point in pursuing it anyway.”

  “They’re not clanned. Lidon is free to do as he chooses.”

  Degorsk knew that all too well. Every time Lidon came around, the medic made damn sure it was impossible for the Nobek to get him alone.

  He swallowed a mouthful of kloq. “I’m not comfortable with the situation.”

  Tranis leaned close, his breath warm in Degorsk’s ear. “What kind of a situation are you comfortable with?”

  His hand drifted in slow circles up Degorsk’s inner thigh. The Imdiko stopped breathing as his cocks filled, growing hard at the intimate contact. He looked at Tranis. Mistake. The Dramok’s expression, while friendly, also had an element of command in it. Degorsk froze, caught by that uncompromising stare. His erections swelled all the more, responding to the strength that radiated off Tranis.

  Damn it. He might be young, but he’s also an apex Dramok. One who will always find a way to get what he wants.

  Forcing his tone to be light, as if his heart wasn’t drumming a fierce tattoo in his too-tight chest, Degorsk said, “You’re not afraid to make your point bluntly, are you Commander?”

  There was a little growl in Tranis’ voice. “Not one bit.” His hand slid up just beneath Degorsk’s very lively crotch. He gripped and squeezed the inner thigh muscle.

  The Imdiko thought of how that strong hand would feel on his cocks. He couldn’t help the small sound that escaped his throat or the spicy scent of arousal wafting from him. His cocks were lubricating now. Begging to be handled.

  He jerked his gaze away from the handsome, entirely too-kissable face next to him. Staring desperately at his drink, he said, “There are younger Imdikos on board this ship, probably much better suited to you.”

  “Look at me.”

  Degorsk’s obedience was pure instinct. He gasped even as he met Tranis’ narrowed stare. It had nothing to do with the first officer’s rank or the hand on his leg. He automatically responded to the power of a strong Dramok’s command. His heart sped up, the trickle of fear making his sexes ache for the other man’s touch all the more.

  Tranis flashed a quick smile. “If it’s commitment issues you have, be assured I’m not looking to clan you, Degorsk. I’m concentrating on my career before I have to worry about the needs of clanmates. I’d simply like to warm my bed and body with you tonight.” He chuckled. “Besides, you’re the only Imdiko who’s been kind enough to show me his ass.”

  No commitment. That made things a little better, knowing the Dramok wasn’t looking to find a clanmate. Still, even the most careless encounters could expose more than Degorsk was willing to share.

  He sighed. “I’m sure there are plenty others who would do so, if they knew you were interested.”

  “Am I that unattractive to you?” Tranis rubbed Degorsk’s thigh.

  As his cocks throbbed with want, Degorsk almost gave in to the temptation. “I find you extremely attractive, Commander.”

  “Tranis.” The Dramok glared. “I’m getting tired of reminding you we’re off duty.”

  “Tranis,” Degorsk corrected himself. “I just – I’d like to know you better. I’m not comfortable getting intimate with someone I don’t know well.”

  A flat lie. One Lidon would pick up on in an instant. But Tranis wouldn’t know.

  The young first officer looked him over, considering. “All right. We’ll spend time together, get better acquainted. I think you’ll be worth the effort.”

  Degorsk felt chagrin. Damn it, did the man never give up? He gave Tranis a tight smile. “Sure. That would be fine.”

  Except he was going to be very unavailable. Scheduling himself double shifts should do the trick. Once Tranis figured out he’d have more luck with another Imdiko, his interest in Degorsk would cool.

  Degorsk hoped that would happen very soon.

  Tranis was still rubbing his leg. The Imdiko couldn’t wait to get back to his quarters and find some relief for his needy pricks. He said, “I really should go. I’m back on duty in six hours.”

  “I’ll walk you to your quarters.”

  Degorsk bit back a groan. He tried to be distant. “That won’t be necessary, Commander. I know my way home.”

  Tranis’ upper lip curled. “Shut up and lead the way. Sin
ce you insist on referring to me by my rank, I’m going to use it.”

  Degorsk gaped at him. “You’re ordering me to let you walk me to my quarters?”

  “Yes, Doctor.” Tranis’ nasty grin was one befitting a Nobek issuing a challenge.

  Degorsk looked around at the roomful of other men, embarrassment warming his face. The two of them leaving together would set off plenty of gossip. And Lidon was still here. He’d see. He might think Degorsk was ready to entertain more than a Dramok in his bed.

  The Imdiko had to figure a way to talk Tranis out of this. But even as he struggled with his racing thoughts, Tranis released his thigh. The back of his hand brushed along the fierce erections with a slow caress. Degorsk jerked before he could stop himself. Then the delicious touch was gone and Tranis was standing up.

  Looking down at Degorsk, Tranis ordered him as if he had every right to do so. “Let’s go, Imdiko. Your shift starts early and you need your sleep.”

  The statement got the attention of those seated near them. Degorsk dropped his gaze, refusing to look at anyone else. Heat crept into his cheeks at the humiliating display.

  There was nothing to do but leave. He stood, relieved his duty tunic was long enough to hide his erections, though the smell of his arousal would be apparent to anyone he passed on his way out. He cut Tranis a furious glare from the corners of his eyes.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Instead of being warned off by the growl in Degorsk’s tone, Tranis grinned, unrepentant. He led the Imdiko out of the lounge with a definite swagger in his step.

  Once in the corridor, Degorsk walked quickly, pulling ahead of Tranis. He hoped his pace would make it clear he wasn’t happy with the Dramok’s actions. Whether it did or not, Tranis kept close behind. Degorsk could practically feel his breath on the back of his neck.

  Degorsk reached the door to his private room not nearly soon enough for his liking. He turned to snap a good night to Tranis and jumped to find the other man had followed him as close as he’d thought. Tranis was close enough to kiss.

  Degorsk put that thought firmly out of his head. “Good night, Commander.”