Children of Steel

by John Van Stry

  "Sound's a lot like a family to me."

  "You're learning. How was your room?"

  "Closed for maintenance, but my clothes were at the laundry pick-up so I'm not too bad off. So tell me about Cassandra."

  "What's to tell? We're in love and if fate ever should smile on us, we'll get a joint assignment and probably even settle down as lifemates."

  "I don't see you saving yourself for marriage."

  "Hey, virtue is a human hang-up and sex is not love. Anyway I am not master of my own life yet, not by a long shot. I could be dead next year. We could conceivably never meet again. Who knows? It's a big universe, and I'm a small cat."

  "Not that small!" she said looking me up and down.

  "That's only because you're smaller." I smiled, "come on, I found us a small practice room. It's time you started to learn to fend off all those admirer's you're going to have in a few weeks." I led her off down the hall to the rec area I had reserved then.

  "Oh, you know something I don't know?" She asked.

  "I figure Gabe will start making passes in a week or so, and shortly after that it'll be open season."

  "But he's a Fox!" She said aghast.

  "So? Mixed pairings aren't that uncommon."

  "Oh? Have you been party to many?"

  "Listen," I said quietly, "Don't tell anybody, but my number of lovers can be counted on one hand. Without using all your fingers even."

  "So, I take it that's a No."

  "Hey, I'm still learning how to flirt. On two of those conquests I was the conquest!"

  "Really? And here I though you were a big man of the world."

  "That's the problem with size," I admitted, "just because you're big, people think you're mature too. Hell, I just try to do as I'm told, let the 'older and wiser' heads figure out what to do."

  By that time we had reached the practice room. I chased out the previous group and closed the door. We stripped down, and I spent the next hour running her through stretching exercises and some basic techniques.

  This was followed by a trip to the showers, then a mutual grooming session as I gave her a lecture on the proper way to care for your fur and claws. There was obviously nothing wrong with her teeth. After that it was dinner, where she again surprised me by eating more than I did and off to bed.

  When she laid down on her side and I on mine, I thought about it a second then decided the hell with it and said, "Look if I'm going to get bit in the morning then I might as well deserve it." and I snuggled up close to her back. I was quite surprised when she snuggled back and said "Okay." I fell asleep felling much happier about the day.

  Of course when she bit me the next morning I though we were going to do a repeat of the previous day. But as soon as I woke up she let go and laughed.

  "You asked for it as I recall!"

  "I guess I did, at least you didn't break the skin." I said as I examined my wrist.

  She was definitely changing her attitude, and it continued to improve over the next several weeks. The fur on my chest was pretty well recovered after the first week and hers started to look normal after about two. By the end of the third she didn't have to worry about anybody seeing it anymore.

  We continued our daily practice sessions, which in addition to my normal combat training sessions really left me pretty tired. She was also able to move back into her room after the second week. Balizar confirmed my suspicion that he had 'stretched the time just a bit', I figured 'a bit' was about thirteen days. But she still came and spent a couple of nights with me even then. We never did anything other than sleep though; I know I wasn't going to do anything to risk our fragile friendship.

  So when the night of the next clan meeting came along, I made sure we showed up together. I wasn't going to let her get cold feet. I had seen her talking with Banner once or twice and with Kate quite a few times, so I wasn't too worried. I was dying to see the girls though, as neither of them had shown up at all for the entire month. Including this last week; even though Terease was no longer staying in my room with me all the time.

  I knocked on the door and Balizar opened it. I could pick out Katrine's and Mist's scents easily, and couldn't help but grin.

  "Ah, Terease what a pleasure to finally see you here! Oh, you're welcome too Raj." He said with a wink.

  I entered the room behind Terease, found a spot on the floor by the couch and watched to see what would happen.

  "Terease, allow me to introduce everyone. From left to right on the couch is Sharazad my mate, then Kate and Banner. Sitting on the floor in front of Kate is Franz, Kate's mate, you know Raj of course. Then over there to the side is Sheen, Herza, Lyle, Mist and Katrine."

  I was kind of disappointed that he didn't trip her, but after all she had been through, and some of it with me, I guess he didn't want to scare her. But everybody got up and went over to her and said 'hello', giving her a warm hug and I could see she was actually enjoying it. I know I did, and I was just sitting there and watching.

  When everybody sorted themselves back out and sat down, I noticed Terease sat down on the couch between Kate and Banner, but more importantly Lyle and Sharazad sat next to me. I had been kind of hoping for Katrine or Mist, but when I looked at them they were sitting with Herza and Sheen and just sort of smiling at me.

  "What's with them?" I asked Sharazad, motioning at the girls.

  "Nobody was really sure where you stood with Terease and we didn't want to do anything to get her upset."

  "Did anybody think about upsetting me?" I asked acting hurt, "It's been kind of lonely lately you known."

  "Of course we did dear, and judging by those looks from over there, I don't think you have anything to worry about."

  "So," I continued, looking over at where Terease was sitting, she seemed to be very interested in what Banner was telling her. "Did I do all right?"

  "Yes dear, you did just fine. I'm kind of surprised she's chasing after Banner though."

  "I'm not," said Lyle, keeping his voice low, "Banner's been chasing her for almost two weeks now."

  "Banner!?" I said startled.

  "Well, he is a real smooth one," said Sharazad.

  "Yeah, he's a real charmer all right. Sorry Raj."

  "No, don't be sorry for me. My biggest fear was that nobody would chase after her."

  "Aw, come on Raj don't tell me you aren't just the least bit disappointed." said Lyle.

  "Actually, she's promised to get even with me for the way I handled this whole thing, and I think she's planning something nasty too."

  "Really Raj, she's such a sweet girl. How can you even suggest such a thing?" Sharazad gave me a piercing look.

  "Easy, she reminds me of it every chance she gets."

  "I take it then you weren't very tactful about the whole thing?"

  "Hey, I'm only fifteen, what do I know about tact? I just walked into her room, after she told me to get lost mind you, and dragged her out."

  "You didn't!" Said Lyle, who was sniggering and trying really hard not to laugh out loud.

  "Well, both Kate and Herza suggested it, and I couldn't think of anything else."

  "She couldn't be too mad about just that," Sharazad said pointedly, "What else did you do?"

  "Well, basically I just threatened her every time she didn't want to do something."

  "Oh?"

  "And I told her she looked like crap, was an idiot, and lots of other nice things."

  "You're right" said Lyle, "she ain't ever going to sleep with you!"

  "Oh I almost forgot, I guess you could say I forced her to sleep in my room too."

  "Don't fret dear," said Sharazad patting my leg, "it's results that count and we all know you didn't volunteer. I'll see if I can talk her out of it later."

  "Not a chance!" called Terease from the couch, as I suddenly realized she had been following the conversation. "He enjoyed it way too much I think."

  "See? I'm doomed." I sighed.

  "Don't worry Raj, I remember our agreement!" Tere
ase said smiling, and then went back to talking with Banner.

  "What agreement was that?" asked Lyle.

  "Well, I kind of said she could, as long as it wasn't crippling."

  "That was dumb."

  "Hey, do I look like a brain surgeon? I was just trying to make her feel better, after all the ordering around I'd been doing."

  "I think it was sweet Raj," Said Sharazad "and I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. She's probably just teasing."

  "Just don't help her. Okay? And don't let her con Banner into helping either."

  "I think that's fair. I'll let everybody know."

  We changed the subject then, and made small talk about different things for the rest of the night. When Banner left with Terease on his arm later on, I had to admit I felt pretty good.

  "Raj," Said Balizar, "You did fine son. Thanks."

  I smiled a little embarrassed, “Thanks. I guess it’s time to call it a night myself and head for bed.” I got up then and headed to the door.

  “Want some company?” Katrine asked quietly, getting up and joining me at the door.

  I smiled and took her arm, “Always” and we left.

  We went down for breakfast together the next morning, and I was feeling quite happy despite my lack of sleep, or perhaps because of it. We sat down together and started in on breakfast with a relish.

  "Happy how things worked out last night Raj?" she smiled

  "Yes, very." I smiled at her, “And feeling well rewarded too.”

  "Very well rewarded," She chuckled and slid a little closer and ran her hand along my thigh.

  "I still have a few hours before I have to report today." I said suggestively as I wrapped my tail around her, "Hey look, there's Terease and Banner."

  "I think we can work something out there," she replied as she motioned to Terease and Banner to join us, her own tail doing the same as mine.

  "Good morning," said Terease sitting down gingerly across the table from us with a smile. "Have a pleasant evening?"

  "Very," said Katrine smiling as she moved her hand further up my thigh, "and you two?"

  "It was absolutely wonderful," said Terease snuggling up to Banner.

  "Yes, it was a very enjoyable night," added Banner, giving me a wink. "Anything happen at the meeting after we left Raj?"

  "I wouldn't know, we left right after you." I couldn't help smiling.

  We talked a few minutes more, about nothing in particular, and then Katrine and I excused ourselves and left.

  "Banner looked pretty happy, didn't he?" I said.

  "Well, now that she's discovered sex, I bet she keeps him real busy. Speaking of which ..." and she dragged me into her room.

  I was late for duty that day, but it was worth the fine.

  The next day I didn't get much sleep either as Mist wanted to make up for lost time as well. So it was that on the day before breakout, I was headed back to my room determined to lock the door and get some sleep. I walked into my room and to my surprise, found Terease of all people waiting for me.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked quite surprised.

  "Well actually, I kind of enjoy spending time with you, and was planning to spend the night."

  "Oh? What about Banner, I thought you two were pretty well an item now." I asked suspiciously.

  "I gave him the night off. Actually he's pretty busy tonight with breakout coming up, and he's pulling a late shift."

  "It just seems kind of strange, your being here without my having to twist your arm. You're not thinking of doing anything other than sleep are you?"

  "Don't get your hopes up…"

  "That's about all I could, I'm dead tired." I interjected.

  "You did look pretty beat at practice today," she continued. "But the reason I came is that you're kind of like a brother now. You're safe; I don't have to worry about anything from you."

  "I think that was a compliment," I said collapsing on the bed. "At least I hope it was. So how about giving your brother a neck rub?"

  She got down on the bed next to me and started to work on my neck and shoulders, and I began to drowse off almost immediately.

  "Oh, by the way, I'm on alert tomorrow, so no dirty tricks tonight hmm?" I told her sleepily.

  "That wasn't why I came, so don't worry. I hope you don't mind but I chased off a couple of your girlfriends tonight."

  "Thanks," I mumbled.

  "I just think you may have bitten off a little more than you can chew, if you know what I mean. And it's nice to look after you for a change."

  "It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it." I replied softly. The kneading of my neck and shoulders was beginning to put me out, and little involuntary sighs were starting to rumble deep inside.

  "What? Looking after you, or your multiple girlfriends?" she asked laughing.

  "Both." Single words were about all I could manage at this point.

  "So were you surprised about me and Banner?"

  "Yes," I was definitely falling asleep now.

  "Are you jealous or upset?"

  "Happy," I managed, and couldn't make out her response to that as I fell into a deep sleep.

  5

  I awoke the next morning with Terease curled up in my arms feeling refreshed. I looked at the wall clock and saw that it was three hours to breakout. That meant I had to report in one.

  "Wake up sleepy head." I said to Terease while gently shaking her.

  "Hmm? Look who's talking, you didn't even wake up when I undressed you."

  "Don't tell anybody, they might get the wrong idea."

  "What that I undressed you?"

  "No, that I slept through it." I smiled, "With someone as pretty as you, it would really ruin my reputation."

  "Well that's a change of tune."

  "Hey, I never said you were ugly, just in bad shape. Now that you've put on a few pounds and your coat is better, you're very attractive."

  "So," she said, giving me a sidelong glance, "are you trying for three now?"

  "Nope, just giving credit where credit is due. If you hadn't so obviously taken up with Banner, you'd be getting offers from all over."

  She laughed. "That hasn't stopped Gabe at all."

  "I told you he would." I laughed with her.

  "Well, I told him he was wasting his time, but he seems to feel he has a lot to waste."

  "He claims there aren't enough female foxes on this ship. Anyway let's get some breakfast I'm starved."

  "Me too."

  We got dressed and walked down to the mess, arm in arm. I was really beginning to enjoy Terease's company. I had become accustomed to her presence from the previous weeks and had thought that it had ended when she took up with Banner. I was quite happy to find out that wasn't so. Like I said before, I like all the friends I can get.

  Breakfast was a quiet affair; most of the people in the mess were being rather subdued.

  “What’s got everyone so worried?” Terease asked as we sat down and started to eat.

  “Breakout,” I said starting in on my own plate which was piled much higher than normal, and only with high protein foods.

  “I must be missing something,” she said. “Why is breakout so worrisome?”

  “You know the breakout flash?”

  She nodded, “Of course, all that potential energy has to go somewhere, and so it’s realized as a full spectrum discharge across the entire electromagnetic spectrum to satisfy the requirements of Planck’s constant and the Hertz-Hotlzman…"

  I held up my hand stopping her. “That flash tells everyone that we’re here.”

  She nodded, “And?”

  “Pirates.”

  She blinked, “Oh. I didn’t know that. Who are they?”

  I shrugged, “Could be anybody, another corporation that sees easy pickings and decides to try and pick up some extra profits this quarter, a competitor with a good spy network and a vendetta to satisfy.”

  “I’d still think the odds of someone hitting us at breakout are p
retty small,” she said digging back into her food. “After all, space is pretty vast.”

  I nodded, “Unless they have really good intelligence on what our vector and state were when we went into jump and get there with it before we do. But there’s always the random element.”

  She nodded.

  “Also, it will take several days for us to reach the area patrolled by Hobson’s own forces. Until then someone could try and jump us.”

  “But then we’d see them coming."

  “True, and that would give us more of an advantage, but it still wouldn’t stop them.”

  “Well couldn’t the Captain just return to Jump Space if we come out too close to a pirate?”

  I nodded pausing to swallow another piece of sausage. “If the conditions are right, sure. That’s part of our job in the shuttles, to either destroy the attacker, drive them off, or give the Captain enough time to make another jump.”

  We continued eating for another minute, I could see the gears turning and waited for the inevitable question.

  “If the Captain takes the ship back into jump space, what happens to the shuttles?” She asked after a minute.

  “We’ll get left behind of course.”

  “Oh…”

  “It’s not that bad. Those assault shuttles are fairly roomy and we pack emergency rations. So either we land or wait for rescue.”

  “But a shuttle doesn’t have the power to burn off the kinds of speeds it would have inherited from the Astra!”

  “Rudy’s pretty good with math and orbital mechanics aren’t that tough that I can’t do them either.” I chuckled “I think we’d have a pretty good chance at a sling shot braking maneuver.”

  She shuddered at that. “I’m glad I’m in Engineering. You wouldn’t ever catch me doing that kind of thing.”

  I smiled, “I don’t know, I kind of feel the same way about engineering."

  She smirked, “You would.”

  “Well on this trip I don’t think it’s going to be much of an issue. Hobson’s Choice has a pretty well established government and an actual space navy that patrols the more strategic breakout areas. Plus I’ve heard that they won’t deal with any corporations they find pirating in their system.”