END of LINE: Humanities Last Stand - part 3

by John Short

  The remainder of the day was a joyful time for all of them. John led them down to the lake and took them out in the boat he and his uncle had built together. He then gathered together his antique violin and bow to play the magical notes to make the rainbow bridge appear and took them across to see the Umin caverns. This time a small flock of the tiny flying dragons known to exist only on Haven had taken roost in the caves and they squawked at them endlessly until they left. Rina got one to land on her hand and she found its colors to be a match for her own. “Look Jon, this one has our house colors!” she showed the animal that rested in her hand delightedly to Jon and Zeprik.

  Jon brought the picnic supplies out of the cooler and added to them. Amazingly the meats and cheeses were still good from the first time Jon and Rina had tried to use them and they all went out to the sandy beach at the lake. They set up there and spent the remainder of the afternoon playing at the water's edge after Jon repeated the ritual of making sure Talga would recognize Zeprik as a friend. For his own part in the ritual, the Prince found it almost impossible to believe just how gentle the huge cat was once it had been properly introduced. “You were right Satri, he really is just a playful kitten at heart.” he admitted to his sister. Finally, as the sun began to go down, Zeprik said his good-bye.

  “You two take care of what the other needs most. I'll have the Royal hovercraft come to pick you up by week's end Satrina. By the time you are back on Lexon II, I will have told our father and he will have had time to adjust to how things are now.”

  “Rik,” Jon began. “If there is any chance of there being a problem for Rina, I can wait. Her needs are more important than mine.”

  “Our father needs to know that his daughter has chosen her mate. You need to give her your seed to blend both of your essences together so everyone knows that she is taken. Father will just have to accept who she choose.” Zeprik told him. “Suppose I am chosen by one of those furry little females like the one you have running your ship in orbit? The one that was on the nightly news when she refused to allow the vidnews cameras onboard your ship back at Lexon II Station. They were still playing that piece when Satrina and I left to come here.”

  “You mean Phillie!” Satrina asked and broke into laughter.

  “What is so funny? I'm a fine Lexonian male. The perfect specimen for any female.” Zeprik said indignantly.

  Now Jon had to laugh, “Not for Phillie my friend.” Jon told him. “She would run both of us ragged. That female does not know the meaning of the word stop. Her day isn't complete until she had redesigned a slipdrive engine or developed some new way to control a battle cruiser to be flown by long range remote.”

  “Well perhaps not her, but you understand my meaning.” Zeprik suggested as he picked up his tunic and slid into it. “Butcher, I will meet up with you at Lexon Station when its time to head to our assignments. Much happiness to you both.”

  “Well, what should we do next?” Jon innocently asked Rina as her brother walked toward the house. She pushed him down on the blanket they had spread over the sand of the beach and climbed on top of him to plant a huge wet kiss on his mouth.

  “I'm not sure. What would you suggest my beautiful giant?” Rina asked with a sly smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes.

  Looking up at her he told her softly, “Rina, I really don't know. I know its possible for two people as different as we are. I just don't want to hurt you.” Jon was ashamed that as a healthy male he didn't know more about making love to a female, but he wanted this to be special for her too.

  “Jon, we have time to find our way. No one says we have to rush ourselves.” Satrina reveled in how much she loved her mate. “Come. Let's begin in the shower.” Standing she took his hand and led him up to the bathing chamber where a night of gentle lovemaking began with them each washing and exploring the others body.

  The night passed with neither of them doing much sleeping. It was passed in hours of talking, laughing and of pleasure with very little pain except at the beginning as Jon broke into her for the first time. Then little by little as her body adapted to his, she felt a small amount of discomfort but never enough to make him stop. By the first light of morning the only screams to be heard were screams of intense pleasure coming from Rina as her body was racked over and over again and she rode orgasm after orgasm totally losing all control. Jon also learned that if he concentrated, he could stave off his own pleasure while driving Satrina over the edge several times first. Then his own release would cause him to roar out his pleasure as his seed flooded against the entry to her womb. If done properly, both of them would orgasm together, which just added to their bliss. Finally exhausted, Jon lay over on his back, pulled Rina into him where she rested her head on his chest and they fell asleep like that together. Her leg draped over his abdomen and her head on his chest while one outstretched arm held him tightly, Rina finally knew she belonged to her mate and he to her. This was how the Goddess intended it should be between husbands and wives. His love warming her as her own love warmed him. At last, they belonged to each other fully.

  Later that next day when they awoke, Jon asked if she was hungry and she told him, “I feel as if I haven't eaten in a day or more, but I do not know how to cook. It was never taught to me as the Princess. I promise that I will learn. I will be a good wife to you my husband.”

  “That's fine my tiny Tigress. I actually enjoy cooking first meal. I'll make enough for us both. It will be good to cook for someone again in this house.” Then he climbed out of their bed, went into the cleansing chamber for a shower where he was joined by Satrina who wasn't yet finished using his body. When her sexual hunger was sated and they had both showered and dressed, Jon took her to the kitchen where he prepared his favorite meal for them. Scrambled eggs, local bacon, fried potatoes, toast and the juice of a citrus tree that was sweet and tart at the same time. Jon told her ”They used to have a fruit on old Earth that was called an orange. It is said that this juice, while green in color, tastes very much like the oranges of Earth and was also high in the same nutrients.” Satrina insisted that he show her each step in preparing the meal and swore to him that one day she would surprise him with it when she mastered cooking it herself.

  Jon turned on the televideo to listen to the news when he heard,

  “This is Jon Connell. The Mercury belongs to me. It is currently leased to BBITCo. under contract to haul legal cargo between Haven and Lexon. It was a military NOVA class Carrier, and while it still has its cannons, it does not have any attack craft onboard. I plan to use it to carry much needed supplies out to the rim worlds. She may come under attack from the pirates out there, so she is ready to fight if she needs to. Her cannon are defensive in nature and she poses no threat to the people of Haven. Now, never again send your snoops to my door step because next time my pet will attack and you'll be cleaning up body parts instead of egos.”

  “This station received the video and commentary you've just seen yesterday and we have confirmed that what is shown actually happened out at the Connell house up in the preserve by Crystal Lake. It would appear that Mr. Connell does not like having cameras shoved in his face. He should take that into consideration the next time he decides to park a fully armed Warship in orbit around our home world.”

  “Leave it to the press to make everything sound like a problem.” Jon muttered. Satrina only laughed and said “Maybe you should tell Wrenches to shoot their space antennas just to scare them.” she broke into that laugh that Jon loved to hear.

  They spent the remainder of Jon's leave time together. Satrina choose to stay with Jon at the house rather than go to the palace each night. There was no need for them to hide after what they had done. They had become husband and wife. No one could prevent them for acting like it. Zeprik would tell the King and the official announcement would be made so all would know that she had chosen and been accepted.

  They went for walks near the lake with Jon pointing out his favorite places and places that were dangerous
, telling Rina that she should stay away from them to prevent injury. They explored the forests with Talga never far behind or in front of them. They played with Talga as often as the big cat would play. One time they found him sleeping next to them when they awoke after having exhausted themselves in their love making on the beach by the lake and fallen asleep locked in each others embrace, she on top of her giant with his weakened member still buried inside her. One day she discovered that if she touched him very lightly along his side it caused him to shiver and pull away. Her giant with all those wondrous muscles was ticklish and she loved that about him even if he would tickle her mercilessly until she begged him to stop whenever she tickled him! They each learned all those “special spots” about the other that brought out the highest most passionate responses. They also learned which things the other did not enjoy and silently determined not to do them.

  As it grew closer to the time for Jon to report for duty, he would spend most mornings talking to the corporate officers of BBITCo. And with the crew of the Mercury that had stayed in orbit around Haven. One morning Satrina had come up behind him while he was working and kissed his neck. He tilted his head to give her better access, but then told her, “When I'm dealing with business it’s one of those times you once told me about. I'll need you to sit over there and just look pretty.” She agreed and the next time he was in a telemeeting she sat across from him so she could not be seen on the video and just smiled at him. It might have been a perfectly innocent thing for her to do except she was totally naked when she did it and tortured him by exposing her most private place to his view! Jon found it impossible to concentrate on the meeting and as soon as it was over he took her right there on the couch. After that they agreed that she would not tempt him during his meetings provided he made love to her before and after every meeting.

  When the time came for him to leave, he spent the entire last day in bed with her and they made love in every position they could think of until both of them were exhausted and they fell into a deep sleep with Rina curled tightly in his arms. Being held by her giant always made her feel safe and so very loved. She wished she could spend the rest of her days wrapped safely in his embrace.

  When they woke on his last day at home they made love slowly, each bringing the other as much pleasure as they could before they showered and Jon prepared his favorite meal of eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast for both of them. He then put on his dress whites and she donned one of the multicolored garments of House Connell. Looking at his mate, Jon said, “Do I know you? I'm sure that I'd remember such a beautiful female.”

  “Well my giant, if you don't know me by now, I suppose you never will.” Then she leaned into him to look at both of them together in the floor to ceiling mirror along one wall of the sleeping area. Even in high heeled shoes, Jon towered over her. Her head only came to the middle of his chest and if he were to stretch out his heavily muscled arm she could walk under it without needing to duck her head.

  “Rina, your brother said I should take one of the Dragon Swords with me since I can make it shoot its flames. What do you think my love? Shall I be a Dragon Warrior and carry the flaming sword?”

  “I think you should arm yourself in whatever way gives you the best chance of coming home to me. If that means taking the Dragon Sword, then you should take it. All I care about is that you come home to me safe. I am already planning what names to give to our offspring.”

  “If we have a girl child, you can name her anything you like. I'll love her no matter what her name. If we have a male, I'd like to name him Burton, after my birth-father.” Jon suggested.

  “Burton is a fine, strong name for a male.” Satrina agreed. “Burton Connell it shall be.”

  In the end Jon opted to not only take two of the fabled swords and a harness that allowed him to wear both in a cross behind his back as well as a double scabbard belt, but also a full set of the Umin armor in the silver and black of house Connell. He was sure that it would be better than anything the Peacekeepers issued to him and Officers were allowed to wear personalized armor rather than the standard issue. So no one would question his choice of battle gear. While he was in the vault, Jon also selected one of the Umin hand blasters that fired a plasma beam rather than the regular lasers used by the Peacekeepers.

  A hovercraft from the Summer Palace arrived to pick up Satrina and she gave Jon one last long kiss before climbing onboard and being whisked away. This time when she left she was wearing his colors, not the Royal scarlet she had arrived wearing. Jon had seen the look of silent amazement on the Guard's faces when they saw her. “She is going to turn the Palace on its ear when she gets back to Lexon II in her new colors.” he thought.

  After contacting the Mercury still in orbit around Haven, to send a shuttle to pick him up, Jon spent what little time he had left making sure that he was taking everything he might need. As a last minute decision Jon carefully placed the antique violin and its bow in its case, then placed it with the things he was taking. There wasn't really a lot of stuff. His armor, the plasma blaster, and Dragon Swords, of course, several of his black leggings with silver and black tunics, a few photos of his aunt, uncle and now of Satrina. He was taking the ancient violin just to practice so he did not lose the skill needed to play it. The photos of his real parents went with him also. Even though they were now little more than clouded childhood memories, the memories were all filled with much love and caring. Jon could not part with the pictures. These were the two humans that had given him life and so he would always keep their memory alive if only until he died himself.

  He was just finishing packing everything in containers to be carried onboard the shuttle when a knock came at his door. Checking the security video to make sure more news cameras didn’t surprise him, he saw Wrenches standing on his doorstep and went to open the front door. “Hi, Boss. I've heard so much about this place lately I thought I might get a tour before we leave.”

  “Sure Wrenches, come on in.” Jon told her. Something was wrong that she had come in person to talk with him about. He had invited her to visit his home many times and she had always refused, saying the place belonged to another female and she would not be needed there. Opening the door for her he asked what was wrong.

  “We have been surrounded by news vids ever since you sent them that recording. I've changed our orbit a few times and the things track us. I even tried taking Mercury out of orbit and bringing her back down. I can't get rid of them.” Phillie told him. Despite his invitation to come inside, she only stepped far enough into the house to allow the door to close behind her before she stopped and refused to take one extra step inside. “So when you called, I figured I'd come down myself in case they were camped out at your doorstep. Boss, something is wrong. We received a special Envoy from the Peacekeeper Command yesterday with a message to be delivered to the commanding officer of the Mercury. I told him that the Commander was on the surface and that I'd bring the message down to you as soon as you contacted me. He said that he could not give the message to anyone but the Commander. I naturally did not tell him you were in command. I said that no one knew exactly where the Commander was on the surface, so he decided to wait for you to come onboard.”

  “I see. Well, let's not keep the envoy waiting too long. I'll just load my stuff and lock the place down. Then we can go.” Jon told her. “Unless you actually did come to see the house that the legendary Jon Connell built.”

  “No Boss. This is Satrina's home now. I should not be here in her absence. I'll be happy to see everything when she is here to show me.” When Jon started to protest she held out her hand, palm first, to stop him. “It is the way of my people Boss. I could no more trespass in another female's home than I could share her bed as long as she lives. Had I not thought it was too important not to warn you about the Envoy I would not be here now.”

  “How do you know about Satrina?” Jon asked her.

  “Because I can sense her presence. She has made this her house as much as it is yo
urs and just faintly I sense another Lexie female.”

  “That would be my heart-mother, Aunt Gala. She was my uncle's wife and raised me in this very house from the time I was a youngling.” Jon told Phillie. “I miss them both and Satrina only just left this morning.”

  “Take heart Boss. They haven't forgotten you.” Phillie tried to reassure him. “Let's get you loaded up and back in space. I'm dying to hear what this Envoy has to say.” Together they made two trips each carrying the few belongings that Jon wanted to take with him to the ship outside to load into the shuttle. On their second trip, Phillie picked up the harness with the twin Dragon Swords and asked Jon, “Are these real?”

  Turning back from the shuttle he met her halfway between the house and where the shuttle was parked in front. “Yes. Those are both real.” As if to prove his point Jon drew the weapons and activated the Dragon's Breath causing the blades to become encased in glowing plasma. Jon then picked out two of the large rocks along his drive and with a quick flick of his wrist sent flaming bolts of plasma at both. The rocks sent sharp edged splinters off in all directions. “If I'd wanted to, those rocks would have been blown to pebbles right now. It all depends on how much effort I put into thinking about the shot.” Placing both swords back in their scabbards, he loaded them into the shuttle and they lifted off for the Mercury.

  Unseen by them, a video camera was floating just above the treetops that turned to follow the shuttle as it sped up and away from the planet. Back at VIDNET headquarters, a very harried news editor looked at his video operator and asked, “We've had that camera flying up there for over a month and all you have is some Lexie female leaving his house and then him showing off a couple of fancy swords?”