“Thank ye. I’ll have ye made aware of me intentions before we make way from here.”
“Enjoy your stay, King Dorgen.” She vanished off the screen as Abdul smoothed out the fur around his face to say “Location coordinates received.”
Sitting in space was the glorious blue jewel of Mereddia, the planet of water. Situated in the heart of a white star fed solar system and holding a dual moons to stabilize its orbit, Mereddia looked peaceful. Large puffy clouds were spread randomly through the blue planet. Patches of green islands floated along the gentle oceanic currents. Long roots prevented collisions between islands and somehow kept them from locking together. It truly was a jewel that made all who looked at it want to dive and swim its pristine waters. Most of the islands were untouched by civilization. The few that were, were actually made into a resort the average person could afford and enjoy. Those islands were by far the largest and taken.
The Dorgenox, being a free-sailing sailboat all on its own entered the atmosphere lazily. Flying through the air in search of the acquired island procured in trade of a handsome amount of credits. The lone island bought turned out to be thrice the size of the Dorgenox and filled with native trees near identical to those found on Earth. Coconut-like trees filled the island and was dotted by many freshwater lakes and streams. The giant sailboat shot out tethers to latch onto the root-system moments before it gently landed on the ocean surface. Bright light, a constant sea breeze and minimal clouds made for a perfect getaway paradise. It was so breathtakingly beautiful no one had the courage to speak for many minutes.
Drinking in the beauty before them.
The spellbinding silence ended as one of the twelve down on the lower level of the deck where a lovely woman who monitored some of the ship functions said wistfully “I haven’t been to a beach since I left Earth three centuries ago. I forgot how beautiful a white, sandy beach is.”
The captain smiled. “Aye, Jesephina. I too haven’t seen a beach in roughly the same time. Alright ye dogs!” He stood up, drawing attention as leader of the crew. “Ye all have done me proud. Ye of me crew deserve a respite for all yer hard work keeping me ship in tip top shape. Enjoy Dorgen Isle to yer hearts content fer a good relaxing two weeks. Spend time under the sun and have fun, Lads. There should be no reason to fear dangerous critters so long as ye stay far from me family. Me granddaughter attracts them.” The captain had to repeat since his granddaughter was a Beast magnet and would be so for approximately the next four to five years. Since marine Beasts of the lowest rank did inhabit Mereddia, steering clear of Isabella would be in the crew’s best interest. The benefit of the low rank and type meant these beasts were unable to creep up on land.
The captains words were relayed ship-wide and there was a cheer. With the Dorgenox tethered to the island, the eager crew were already heading towards the shuttles for two wonderful weeks of vacation.
The bridge quickly cleared as Jake knelt down in front of his only daughter and said “Nice to see eyes ye got from me again, Lass.”
“What? Didn’t you like how I looked before, Papa?” She teased and punched his shoulder lightly.
The king of the pirates grinned. “I suppose me daughter intimidating people did give me some pride as a father, but yer still me little lass. A father does tend to want to see his own eyes in his children. Especially for his beautiful daughter.”
“What about his son?” Andrea spoke up as she came waddling out of the captain’s quarters quite pregnant and proud of it in a lovely yellow thong bikini that was a contrast to her natural dark caramel skin. “Shouldn’t you want our son to have your eyes too?”
“Nay, me love.” He reached out to gently grab her lower back and drew her closer to give her a bushy bearded kiss she loved. “Me son should have yer eyes, but be as built as I am. Big and strong.”
“Well there is no denying David will be a big baby. I’m already a beach ball and I’m not even full term. If Renee is naturally taller than average for a woman and she was born almost four and a half kilos, David is going to be larger than Michael when I bore him. I’m just glad I won’t have to suffer like women of old.”
“True, but David will need to be born next week.” Renee said.
This news made Andrea pause. “Next week? Why?”
“Your cervix is too small for a full term. You aren’t like my Ma who was just as tall as me and my brother will need to be delivered or else I’ll have to cut you open.”
“What aren’t you telling me, Renee?” Andrea noticed the slight shift of her new girlfriend’s eyes. A telltale sign something is being withheld.
Renee sighed. “I got the results from your weekly workup I did this morning and the Solarian gene therapy has increased David’s growth of fetal development by five percent since I gave it to you almost two weeks ago. It is why your belly has become so large. You’ve been craving more than your fair share of Beast brain from the Piranha stocked aboard. David needs to come out by next week or he will likely grow too fast and the additional weight will make him detach from the placenta before your body can be strong enough. And I can’t put you on bed-rest because you are rather stubborn.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Andrea was worried and instinctively rubbed her exposed belly.
“Because I didn’t foresee the therapy increasing the gestation rate for a human fetus. I thought it was only for my biology. Isabella has put on a lot of weight, more than a human. She now fits entirely in my hand, not just in the palm anymore. Now any woman with the Solarian gene can expect full term to be in twenty to twenty three weeks, not thirty six to forty four. And since Papa was big before being spliced, David will weight roughly as I did by next week. But don’t worry, you and I will be close so I can monitor you.”
“That makes me feel better, but now I’m worried if he’ll be alright… mentally. Is there any chance the increased cellular division could affect his mentality?”
“Not at all. As his mother, the therapy has already bonded to him through you. He’ll likely just mature a slight faster. Not as fast as Izzy, but faster than I would expect a human ought. Now that you know, how about you and I go enjoy sunbathing.”
“A marvelous idea. I’m tired of the sunrooms.” Andrea sighed and went to scoop up her beach bag, but Jake snatched it first. She smiled to say “Looks like our son will be here sooner than we planned.”
“Aye.” Jake stood tall and proud. “When we set up our bungalow we can invite Michael and Jenny for the birth and finally have our wedding after you recover.”
“A mighty fine plan. Havannah is five days FTL. I’ll call my kids right away and tell them to meet us here for it. My parents too if they can make it in time.”
Oliver took Renee’s soft hand and they moved to the elevator with Jake and Andrea trailing right behind. A few more words were spent during the travel, but the captain and his pregnant love got off first at their main hangar as he and Renee moved off to the back private one.
Getting off they found Sparky and Steven at it again wrestling all around cursing at each other. Stone and Breena were watching almost impassively with Satellite and Visor placing bets of food on who will win. Rose rolled her catlike slit eyes as soon as she noticed the pair enter. Nova and all the Ligers also watched closely, especially the cubs who had opened their eyes to the universe around them and were walking under their own power.
The only odd person in the room was a petite brunette with large worried eyes. She was mocha tanned, but rather pale in a thin dress to cover up her bikini.
It was Renee who smirked and let go of her man’s hand to sneak up on the oblivious and tiny woman to poke her in the back and yell “BOO!”
“YEAA!!!” she near jumped out of her skin with a shriek. Meanwhile Brenna had covered her mouth, but the shaking of her shoulders told how hard it was to hold back the deep belly laugh that threatened to explode from within. The petite woman spun around to yell “Damn it, Renee, how many times must you scare the life out of me?”
/> “Till it gets old, Gemma.” Renee towered over the little woman and laughed. “Which I hope it never will.” She lightly rapped Gemma on her head. “Stop being so worried. You’ve seen Steven and Sparky fight almost daily ever since Steven and Visor came aboard.”
“You know I’m not like you. I worry about my mate getting hurt.”
“Screw you, Tiny.” Renee grinned as Gemma flushed, realizing who she just snapped at. “You’re just jealous I know how to put my man back together whenever he gets his ass kicked. I must say I’m impressed.”
“Why?” Gemma hesitated, a fluttering in her belly made the fear more noticed.
“Getting laid sure has made you grow a pair from the little mouse I once knew. Had I not known better I would think you an insecure teen, not a two hundred year old crone. Being celibate sucks, but then again, it sure put a shell on you he has managed to put a crack in.”
Gemma stared at the floor, immediately insecure talking about sex. “Can you please stop embarrassing me and make them grow up.” She pointed at the battling pair.
“Olly, if you wouldn’t mind?”
Oliver grinned at Renee and jumped right into the fray, his large hands striking out and snatching the back neck of both and tearing them apart like children. Oliver shook them so fast it rattled their brains, taking the fight right out of them. Steven’s helmet retracted, big brown eyes trying to blink in for focus and rid the stars that had appeared dizzy. “You’re both done fighting for the day. Clear?”
“Better put me down before I puke.” Steven warned as a loud burp came up.
“For me as well.” Said Sparky and as he released them, both bent over to slowly breathe and recover from the sudden nausea.
“Better now, Gemma?”
“Thank you, Oliver.” She said and came over to take Steven’s hand and drag him away.
“Load up everyone!” Renee called. “We got some fun and sun to catch up on while Oliver’s drones scan the planetary core and all her submerged mysteries.”
“How long will that take again?” Breena asked as she went over to the remade Seeker fighter that once belonged to Deegen and Bell. She liked it quite a bit. Oliver had to replace all the parts he took to make the Sun Spots for his Pride. Especially since all that was left was an empty shell. Luckily there were spare parts aplenty to get the fighter back in tiptop shape.
“Roughly seventy to eighty hours. I’m a bit worried about the deep sea creatures.”
“That can’t be good if it worries you.” Visor chirped as he landed on the cockpit perch as Gemma helped her new Hunter mate inside.
Everyone boarded their ship. Nova already inside the Flare as the rest of the Pride padded inside the special shuttle designed for their bulk that was programmed to fly with the Flare. “Yeah, they are worrisome. The creatures are quite literally gigantic. Many are near five kilometers long and are predatory. I’m trying to figure out how to reach the city of water and not be found by them. I can kill them easily, but would rather not.”
“Damn. Five K?” Expressed Steven. “How do they get so big and live when they don’t come up to the surface?”
“It is because of the city. The creatures are likely a defensive measure like my Liger’s were. The city puts out heat and produces vast quantities of nutrition for smaller animals which are eaten by the bigger. The biggest ones eat each other when they get close or mate. I’m watching one battle right now and for your information, they are gigantic electric eels. The biggest ones I mean. There are sharks, squid and jellyfish I’ve noted already larger than anything recorded on Earth.”
“You say the city gives nutrients. What kind and how?” wondered Renee first.
“Too soon to tell, but my best guess is it transforms matter like my Valek. I’m also sensing the discharged electricity from the eels is absorbed into the city to keep it in operation. The giant eels are putting out electricity comparable to your father’s maximum. I’d rather look for a different solution to reach the core.” He said as the Flare lifted off and gently flew outside, followed by the Liger shuttles. “I get the feeling there is a puzzle, but I’ll find out when my drones complete the scan.”
“Now I want to see a big ass eel and ride one.” Whined Steven on the cockpit screen as all the ships followed the Flare who went after the Captain’s enormous sailboat shuttle that had left five minutes ago.
Following Oliver’s lead, each ship landed in the water. Sun Spots following last. The solar sails filling with wind. Shuttles and fighters decided to enjoy sailing as a whole, using small ship rudders to navigate the waters. Oliver disengaged the sails from the cockpit cover and opened it wide.
For the first time he smelled the salty tang of the ocean as gentle waves lifted and lowered, splashing fine mist. The roar of crashing waves was loud, but comforting in a way he had never experienced outside a movie. The Flare cut through the water faster than all the other sailboats. Some ships were flying over their heads, going to wherever they wished.
It was a great experience. The coolness and warmth blended seamlessly during the rocking motions. The wind blew his hair and was invigorating to his sore body. Swimming after fighting did help, but was never as relaxing as this.
No one said a word via the coms, also enjoying it to his extent or more.
Eventually Nova pushed against Oliver’s mind, waking him up as the shuttle of the captain came in view of a gentle lagoon inside a serene cove. Clear blue water was able to see straight to the bottom. The rudder turned and they sailed right in, dropping small anchors onto the sandy floor covered in roots that kept erosion of sand to a bare minimum.
Ahead now stood not one, but six sapphire blue gemstone bungalows of the same style were still in the process of growing from seeds the captain placed up by the tree line. A large beach towel was spread out across the soft sand where a pair were lazily enjoying the beating of the sun on their bodies. It was the perfect spot for complete relaxation. Walking from one of the unfinished buildings hand in hand were Jessica and Stephanie who would share a bungalow with Jake and Andrea. Under Jessica’s arm was a towel of their own which she spread out while Stephanie moved to the water and dove right in. “The water is perfect!” Oliver heard from a distance.
Everyone as soon as they secured their belongings dove into the water. Only Renee though flew as Isabella would likely drown. Preparations were finished fast and most of the women sunbathed for a short while till they got too warm and moved off to the lagoon for some fun. The cubs especially loved swimming. It was fun just watching them play and fight each other in the surf. Isabella was passed around so Renee and Oliver had a little time diving deep below, using their suits to breathe as they explored the lagoon and how the island floated. They didn’t go far as Isabella had to be fed every hour. What Oliver especially liked is the wind made her soiled scent go away very fast so he and the other males of the Pride could not be forced to stray too far from those they loved.
All in all, it was a great first day at the beach.
Night began to come around as the half lit silvery moon began to rise over the horizon diagonal of the cove of the lagoon. Andrea had turned in after a school of tail finned, blue shelled Crab Beasts that were unable to climb ashore to get at Isabella thanks to a fishing hunt between Steven and Breena made for a nice evening meal. The Crabs had arms displaying pincers yet had no legs with which to walk on land. More resembling the body of an armed shark with an exoskeleton. They were slow and extremely dimwitted. In the water they were lethal nevertheless. On land they were completely helpless. Add to it their hard shells and you had the makings of a deadly marine creature. Stupid, but deadly.
The three that came were rather delicious after the lancers found their mark.
Inside the new bungalows were hooks Oliver used to hang up a large hammock above the ground as they shared space with the Pride and all the tuckered out cubs that had an eventful day in the surf. Just as he was finishing Renee came inside to smile and stretch her arms high over her
head and let them down with a loud, relaxing sigh. “Today was a fabulous day. Sparky is so relaxed and content. He hasn’t felt this good in years and it makes me feel even better.”
“Glad to hear it.” And he meant it. “My first beach experience was amazing. So much better than doing laps in the pool. The water is a bit salty, but refreshing.”
“Well that is the difference between salt and ozone in the pools to keep them clean and fresh. Be thankful Papa is allergic to chlorine or your nose would burn about as bad as Izzy when she tinkles a little.” She removed her baby from under her suit. “Care to join me in the shower? I need to wash the ocean from my body and finish what we started deep in the lagoon. Who would have guessed sex under water could be so exhilarating. I know I was surprised.”
“Not as much as me. I think you scared the fish away with that orgasmic scream.”
Renee grinned evilly. “Can’t help that my snatch is made perfect for that freakish slab of meat between your thighs. You’d kill women like Gemma with it. Besides, you found out the fastest way to get me screaming long ago. So are you going to finish me off in the shower or not?”
“Like you need to ask.”
Isabella was placed in a small and plush cloth, placed in the middle of the hammock and left as her parents got busy.
“Laddie.” Jake acknowledged Oliver as he came outside to find him and Renee together out on the beach at sunrise. Renee’s head was against Oliver’s broad chest, fast asleep. Nova and four females were also laying on the gigantic beach towel watching all the excitable cubs frolic.
Oliver nodded and Renee woke up at her father’s loud and deep voice. “Morning, Papa.”
“Good morning, Lass. What are ye both doing up so early?”
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