Transmission Lost

by Stefan Mazzara

  “Aria...,” he gasped.

  Purring in the back of her throat, she reached a hand up and pricked her claws against his belly, quieting him. Jack moved his hand down, interlacing his fingers with hers. She began moving her mouth over him, her thin black lips squeezing firmly over his hard flesh as her tongue bathed him. Jack moaned quietly, his thumb rubbing over the soft fur on the back of her hand. He tried to resist the urge to push up, but it was very difficult. Every time her lips moved, he felt a sharp tingle run up and down his spine. He'd never experienced anything like it. Her muzzle made her mouth more slender than a human female's, and her teeth dragged slightly against his skin with each movement she made, imparting a subtle sting to the pleasure she was giving him. He squeezed her hand tightly, feeling as though he was going crazy.

  All too quickly, much too soon for his liking, Aria lifted her mouth from him. She pushed herself up on her arms, looking at him with half-lidded eyes as she licked her lips. “Taste different from you kiss...,” she growled, her voice a velvety purr. “I like it.”

  Jack took a second to let his breathing catch up with his racing heart. “Makes me wonder,” he finally said, “if you'd taste different. From your kiss, I mean.”

  Her eyes widening a little, Aria considered him for a moment. Then she smiled, rising up to her knees. “Not know. You tell me.” Keeping her hand planted firmly on his belly, she held him to the floor and prevented him from rising. She crawled forward on her knees, straddling his body, moving up until she hovered over his face.

  Jack gazed up at her, opened to him. A pink sliver of heaven framed by creamy tan fur. Aria towered over him, her tail trailing behind her and brushing back and forth over his lower body. She stared down at him between the mounds of her breasts, and brought one of her hands down to his mouth. She traced her finger along his lips, dragging it underneath his chin and tilting his head up. A spicy aroma teased his nostrils, sweet and strong.

  Purring loudly, Aria brought her hand around to the back of his head. “Taste,” she whispered. The playful lust in her eyes clashed with the note of command in her voice. Her hand pulled on his head, guiding him up.

  As heat radiated against his face, Jack put his tongue out and licked at her sex. Aria whimpered as his smooth human tongue lapped at her. She'd been curious about this since the first time, had wondered if human males even did this sort of thing. Thankfully, he showed no hesitation, diving his tongue inside of her with great eagerness. She dug her fingers through his hair, moving her hips in a slow circle as she pressed him even closer.

  Jack found the taste of her scintillating, a spiced, sweet flavor that tingled along his taste buds and made him want her even more. He brought his arms around her, gripping her toned ass in both hands. His tongue wasn't as long, nor as flexible, as hers, but he did his best for her, slipping inside. Subtle movements of her muscles tugged at his tongue, coaxing him further in.

  Pulling his tongue from her with great effort, Jack kissed around her pink lips. She growled at him, an obvious command to get back to what he'd been doing, but her anger turned to purrs of pleasure as he found a particularly nice spot. Aria brought a hand up to her breast, cupping and squeezing herself as he suckled at her. She was grinding against his face now, her movements slightly jerky. Her tail was lashing the air behind her, slapping at his legs. Every now and then it would strike the spot where he'd been shot, but he didn't much care at the moment.

  With a tortured gasp, Aria abruptly pulled his head back. She sat there for a moment, panting, her fingers still tight around her breast. Jack watched her as she caught her breath, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He rubbed his hands up along the small of her back, scratching just above the base of her tail like one might with a housecat. He was amused to see that her rump raised up a little when he did.

  “Ch'e na...,” Aria breathed. She slid back from his face, gliding along his body until his firm manhood nestled against her rear. She leaned down, cupping his cheeks in her hands and nuzzling his nose with her own. Her black nose felt cold and slightly wet.

  “Aria, I need to tell you something,” Jack murmured. He brought his fingers to her head, toying with the fur behind her ears. He took a shaky breath. “I...”

  “Don't...,” Aria whispered. She pressed her lips to his, kissing him deeply. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, playing along his own. Her breath drifted against his face as she exhaled. When she leaned back, he stared into her eyes. He saw pain there, quiet despair mixed with longing. “Just let us have this...”

  Aria rose up on her haunches, lifting herself to her knees. Jack's hands rested on her thighs as he felt her fingers grip him. Her mouth remained slightly open as she guided him into her body, her rear lowering as he ever so slowly pushed within her. He clenched his jaw as her warm wetness enveloped him, and she mewled shrilly as their bodies connected.

  For several long minutes they both rested that way, remaining motionless with Aria nestled comfortably on Jack's waist. She placed her hands on his chest with her fingers splayed out, her eyes closed as she breathed peacefully. He watched her, gently stroking her legs, taking the time to enjoy her beauty. They both took the time to enjoy the feeling of being together again.

  When Aria was ready, she took control of things, in her customary way. Her claws pricked his skin as she began to move on him, her strong arms pinning him to the tent floor as she raised herself up. Jack let her have him, perfectly happy to be taken over by her. He grasped her thighs firmly, feeling the lean muscle tensing underneath his palms.

  Their mating this time had none of the frenzied heat of their first time. This time it was quieter, softer, more tender and affectionate. Aria slowly moved up and down, small moans the only sounds she made. She felt just as wonderful as before to Jack, or perhaps even more so. He gritted his teeth, unspeakable pleasure spreading through his body. The Ailian atop him was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. He tried to hold himself back, for her, but he knew neither of them would last very long after the teasing they'd given one another.

  Gasping for breath, Aria dug her claws in further, the soft pricks threatening to fully pierce his flesh. Realizing she might hurt him by accident, she instead snaked her hands around his back and pulled him into a raised, sitting position. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, pressing his face into her breasts, and she hooked her legs around his waist. Touching her muzzle to the top of his head, she rocked against him, feeling the pleasure build within her. Jack groaned into her soft bosom, and Aria could tell he was very close as well. She nosed his forehead, and it fell back, letting her flick her tongue down his face and into another kiss. She gazed at the lovely blue eyes of this beautiful male, this human to whom she owed her life.

  “Aria...,” Jack managed to croak out. “I can't...I mean, I'm gonna...”

  “Yes...,” she hissed. “Please...” Aria curled her tail around him, wrapping it about both of their bodies. She tightened her grip around his back. “Jack...”

  Crying out in agonized bliss, Jack buried his face against her breasts. His hands went down to her rear, and he pulled her hard against him, thrusting up into her as hard and deep as he could manage. Aria's eyes widened, her body tensing up as she felt him spill his essence into her. She squeezed her legs about his waist, her own body losing itself to the pleasure of the moment. For what seemed like hours they clung to each other, warmth washing over the both of them, bathing them in heated passion.

  When finally it ended, they slumped against one another, supporting each other in their exhausted state. Aria brushed a hand through his hair, and he rubbed his own up and down her back. As the glow faded from their minds, they sank down to the floor, entwined in each other.

  And at last they slept.

  ******

  The next morning was chilly and cold. Jack and Aria spent much of it in the warmth of the tent, though in a more clothed state than the night before. They never strayed very far from the radio, though Jack didn't
expect much to come from that. The only sounds it had made since the night before had been faint noises of feedback and static from space interference. Still, he humored Aria. They kept their position for most of the morning, only leaving the tent to retrieve food from the stores in the commando ship.

  While returning from the second such trip, getting provisions for lunch, Jack was greeted at the tent by the sight of Aria poking her head out of the entrance. She looked excited.

  “Come!” she shouted to him. “I get a response!”

  Hardly believing what she was saying, Jack dropped the load he was carrying and ran to the tent, rushing inside. Aria was already crouched next to the radio, talking animatedly into the transmitter. Jack couldn't understand a word of it, but Aria's excitement was contagious, and he watched her eagerly. Every now and then she would pause in her talking, and a voice, somewhat garbled by interference, would respond to her in the same language. After nearly ten minutes of back-and-forth conversation, Aria replaced the transmitter on the radio set and leaned back, seeming breathless.

  “Well?” Jack asked. “What did they say? Are they coming?”

  Aria turned to him, a mixture of joy, fear, and sadness on her face. “They coming,” she confirmed. Jack felt a pang of terror. While he was definitely ready to get off of this unknown planet, he knew that he would be going as a prisoner. “They very close. We have few minutes before they land.”

  Jack swallowed. “So...This is it, then.” He looked at the floor of the tent. His mind was a haze of uncertainty. Already he wondered if he had made the right choice, but it was a little late to reconsider now. He looked back up at Aria. “What's going to happen when they land?”

  “They know I have prisoner,” Aria told him. “They will land, send out squad of soldiers to get us. Then they will take us into ship.” She glanced away from him. “I sorry, but I have to handcuff you...Make you look like prisoner...”

  “You're sure they won't just kill me?”

  Aria's eyes blazed, a fierce light coming into them. “I not let them do that. You not worry. I keep you safe until they separate us.”

  ******

  Twenty or so minutes later they both were out of the tent, on the outskirts of the commando camp near the wreck of the Cha'la'fa. Aria stood next to Jack, who was on his knees in the grass. His hands were secured behind his back with a pair of handcuffs from the commandos. Aria was gazing into the sky, waiting for her peoples' ship to arrive.

  “There,” she finally said, pointing up into the sky.

  Jack looked up, the sun in his eyes. He squinted, unable to see what her sharper eyes were seeing. His ears perceived it before his eyes did. A low rumbling sound reverberated through the air, and Jack recognized it instantly as the sound of a powerful ship engine. About a minute later he saw a black speck in the sky, which grew larger every second. Before long it resolved itself in a shape which was recognizable as a ship, and one which looked like a medium-sized transport to Jack.

  The ship slowly descended, an angular, jagged-shaped craft not unlike what Aria's ship had once been. The vessel cast a shadow across the pair of them, and Jack felt his heart racing fast enough that he thought he might pass out. They both watched as it settled down to the ground a short distance away, and the ground beneath them shook from the weight of the transport. The sound of the engines quieted somewhat, though they didn't die completely.

  Aria put a hand on Jack's shoulder, squeezing gently. He looked up at her, then looked back to the ship. After several minutes of suspense, a hatch finally opened in the side. A ramp extended out from it, lowering to the ground.

  Out of the ship emerged two tall Ailians, both black-furred and both appearing to be male. They were wearing light armor and carrying weapons identical to Aria's. They seemed to be ground soldiers rather than pilots. Spotting Aria standing next to Jack, they walked down the ramp and advanced towards them, their heads turning this way and that as if on the lookout for a trap. Behind them, two more Ailians came, one white-furred female with black stripes and a male with dusky blue fur. Those two remained at the bottom of the ramp.

  “Courage,” Aria whispered, barely loud enough for Jack to hear. He wasn't sure if she was speaking to him or to herself. She raised her hand in greeting to the rescue party. “Ha'shai. Kela se na aria me'lia cha.” She waved a hand towards Jack. “La'a me kara na'fa'le.”

  The two black Ailians eyed her impassively, then looked to Jack. He saw the same sort of animosity in their eyes that he'd seen in Aria's when he'd first met her. One of them moved towards him, keeping his rifle trained on Jack. He tensed up as the Ailian grabbed him underneath the arm and hauled him to his feet. Aria bit her lip, but kept her silence. One of the males said something to her in Ailian, and then started walking back to the ship. Aria followed him. The other male starting pushing Jack, roughly, in the same direction.

  When they got to the bottom of the ramp, the male and female standing there met Aria while the two black-furred males stayed behind with Jack. The female exchanged a few words with Aria, smiling slightly, then she gestured up the ramp. Aria looked back to Jack, a helpless look in her eyes, and then she turned and began to walk up into the ship.

  Jack felt breathless. For weeks now he'd been with Aria nonstop, and now they were about to be separated. She was almost up into the ship now, and he might never see her again. The two males with Jack began patting him down, searching him in preparation for taking him into the ship, he assumed. Desperate, Jack opened his mouth.

  “Aria, wait!”

  He saw her back stiffen, and then she slowly turned around, near the top of the ramp. She looked down at him, surprise on her face. The two Ailians who had been accompanying her walked a few paces ahead, then stopped as well when they realized Aria wasn't moving. They turned as well, puzzled.

  Jack swallowed. His heart was pounding. “Aria, I need to tell you something,” he said. He felt short of breath. “If I don't say it now, I might never be able to.”

  Aria's tail twitched, and she began to tremble slightly. “No, Jack...,” she whimpered, suddenly fearful. She took a step down the ramp, shaking her head from side to side. “Do not...You can't...” The female with white fur came to her side, placing a hand on her arm.

  “I'm sorry, Aria,” Jack said. He lowered his eyes to the ground. “I wish I could change it, but I can't.” He raised his gaze again, looking into her eyes. “I love you.”

  Clapping a hand to her mouth, Aria squeezed her eyes shut. She stood there for long moments, not moving, just standing stock still on the ship's ramp. The other female's hand tightened on her arm. She said something insistent to Aria, urging her to continue back up the ramp. Then Aria suddenly shrugged the female's hand off of her arm and ran down towards Jack. One of the males searching him turned to her, trying to block her path, but she hurled him out of the way and he fell to the ground. Aria wrapped her arms around Jack tightly.

  Before he knew it her lips were pressed against his, and they kissed passionately. There were shouts of surprise and confusion around them, but neither of them paid them any mind. Jack felt wetness on his face, hot tears flowing from Aria's eyes and dripping onto his cheek. She broke the kiss, burying her face against his neck, her shoulders shaking as she cried.

  “Se le ch'aa ara,” she sobbed. “My dear heart...”

  Hands grabbed Aria then, dragging her away from Jack. The female and male who had been with her gripped her with force, hauling her towards the ship's ramp. She stared over her shoulder at Jack as they forced her up into the ship. He struggled, trying to get away from the two Ailians with him to get to her, but they were too strong for him.

  Before she disappeared into the ship, she opened her mouth to speak once more. “No regret...,” Aria said, just loud enough for him to hear.

  Then one of the Ailian soldiers struck Jack on the back of the neck, and his vision faded into black.

  Act Two

  Refugees

  - 1 -

  Space is
nothing like it is in films. In all of the great space epics told in human history, space is depicted as this dynamic environment, full of marvelous things and extravagant beauty. Perilous dangers lurk there, and myriad planets full of verdant life and adventures to be had.

  In reality, space is vast, dark, and empty. Almost nothing survives in the vacuum of space apart from a few strange lifeforms that science has only begun to start to understand. While hundreds of thousands, even millions, of planets exist in the universe, only a scant handful of these are capable of life. Of those that are capable of supporting living beings, survival is a shaky venture. And of that tiny handful, even a smaller number has ever produced intelligent life. So, to reiterate, space is a very empty place, indeed.

  Even more than that, space is quiet. Sound does not carry through a vacuum, after all. For someone insane enough to brave it without the benefit of a protective suit, their ears would register absolute silence. For those who travel the cosmos in vessels, the only sounds to be heard are the hum of engines, the chirping of electronic signals, and if one is very lucky the conversations of shipmates.

  ******

  Lieutenant Aria Me'lia was not one of the lucky ones. For her, confined to her quarters on the Ailian ship she was traveling in, the silence was deafening. Every now and then, she would hear a crew member walk by her door, speaking in the language which she had not heard anyone save for herself speak for nearly three weeks. She was surprised to find how odd it sounded to her ears. She had been speaking mostly the human language since her own ship had crashed on an uncharted world. For of course Aria was not a human at all. She was an Ailian, a species of tiger-like humanoids that inhabited a large segment of the known universe in an empire called the Ascendancy. Her species was at war with humanity, in fact, in a decade-long conflict that spanned over thousands of star systems and had resulted in unfathomable casualties. A war which, for the majority of it, her people had been winning.