by D. R. Rosier
He guessed Dahlia was right, they’d only go to a defensive footing after taking a lot of losses, but wouldn’t do so for an obviously coordinated attack. By the time they decided they’d made a mistake, it would be over.
He just really hoped the Mirosians lived up to their reputation.
As soon as the shuttles landed the second wave, they ran forward as one and their armor started to glow a bright white, which was their energy shields. He wished he was tied into their ops net, but this was the best they could do to keep track of things. They were moving fast as well, since it only took them a little under five minutes to go four miles.
The enemy’s fortifications came into view, shield walls and turrets, and enemy soldiers in armor with their weapons out.
Both sides opened fire almost simultaneously.
The small arms the enemy held were deflected from the Mirosians’ shields, except in the case where they were targeted by three or more. The enemy turrets also opened fire, and those were powerful enough on their own to take out the Mirosians if even one blast hit.
The Mirosians though, were fast, and before too many were taken out, they fired over fifty plasma bolts at each of the turrets, which all exploded violently enough to take out any of the enemy soldiers standing close by.
He expected the commander and her troops to seek cover and shoot it out, but the Mirosians kept running, and shot singly at the enemy soldiers who numbered twice as many, and when hit, they died. Their armor wasn’t proof against one shot of the Mirosians, though those that sought out cover behind the shield walls lived.
Then they jumped over the shield wall, assisted by their armor, and activated a nimbus of energy around the batons that looked like a white glowing blade as they landed among the enemy.
The next few moments seemed like utter chaos as they mowed down the enemy with a ferocity that was starling. Some were impaled, some were cut in half, and the enemy was unable to mount an effective resistance. They were split up and surrounded, and even those that got off a shot couldn’t penetrate the Mirosians’ armor without two or more of them hitting the same target.
They were just too overwhelmed to organize and team up against a single foe, and died quickly.
“Holy shit.”
Nadia giggled, “Is that your professional opinion of our allies.”
He realized what he’d just said, and replied, “Umm, pun not intended?”
Chrystal giggled.
Alyndra looked between the three of them and asked, “Why is what he said humorous?”
He cleared his throat, “The Mirosians look a lot like what one of Earth’s religions call angels, which are messengers and warriors of god. Also, humans tend to use inappropriate humor to release stress during times of danger.”
She nodded, “I see. I’ll take a look at Earth’s religions tomorrow.”
He almost snorted, she’d need two years to examine them all, minimally.
He shook off his humor, “How many did we lose?”
She replied, “Less than one percent, which is incredibly impressive for rushing a fortified position. They lost ninety-two, and all in the beginning from the few shots the turrets got off, and where they were hit randomly from three or more enemies. Once they jumped over the shields and the enemy broke down into panicked one on one fighting, no more Mirosians died.”
He nodded.
They weren’t done yet. He watched as they destroyed all the equipment, including the landing craft, and then retreated to the shuttles.
The Feilia stayed indoors, he didn’t see any of them outside the few Dahlia’s teams had rescued before they could be processed in the lander ship.
Dahlia opened a link to them.
“Mission accomplished, we’re coming back aboard. Come join us if you want.”
He replied, “We will, I just need to report in.”
“Understood, we won’t get too crazy, in case we’re needed again today.”
She signed off, and he called his father on the Xaran world.
He could have connected directly, but this way all four of them could see, and a hologram of his father showed up on the cube, along with Xia who was in her Xaran form.
Ted smiled, “Mike, how are things going?”
He replied, “Good. Feilia, Selana-Esari, and Miroth are secured. Calling to find out if we’re needed anywhere else?”
Xia said, “Senator Stedman, we owe you thanks for the technology update, or our empire would have been under true peril. I would offer to share pleasure with you as thanks, but I know you would say no.”
He almost laughed at Nadia’s strangled gasp, he had warned her. He guessed that only now she actually believed him.
“It’s tempting, but sons don’t share that sort of thing with the same people as their fathers. I appreciate the thought however.”
Xia replied, “Your kind has strange taboos, but I understand. Right now, there are ten more imperiled worlds, nine of which have already been assigned to the Xaran fleets. If you want, you could help with Vun-Turuhm, they are currently under siege, and have the enemy on the surface.”
Well, that number went up, he wondered how many more worlds would be hit. He also knew that planet was the home world of the short stocky humanoids, that looked like dwarves of legend.
He nodded, “The Mirosians have already indicated they would continue to help, I will set course as soon as they’ve returned from the surface. We are also going to attempt to gain access to an alien database so we can both identify their home world, or at least where they came from, and if possible find out how many ships were sent in this first wave and if more are expected.”
Ted said, “Be careful, don’t take unnecessary chances.”
He replied, “We’re sending automated ships to do it dad, even if it doesn’t work it shouldn’t be a huge risk. We’ll send you the data if we get it, and check in again when the Turuhm are safe.”
He brought up a chart in his head, the Vun-Turuhm was on the other side of the empire, and just over halfway across the galaxy at sixty thousand light years. It would take them around an hour to get there through level two subspace.
Well, that would be a short party.
Ted said, “Take care,” and signed off.
Nadia said, “I know you told me about it, but I was still half convinced you made that up.”
He ignored her comment about the proclivities of the Xaran and asked, “Want to go to party?”
Truthfully, he wasn’t really in the mood to party after the loss of life. It didn’t sit well with him at all, despite being less than a one percent loss, which is almost unheard of in war. The Mirosians had massacred the enemy. Still, if it was their tradition to have an after battle party, and celebrate, he wouldn’t insult them by not showing up.
Not after they’d paid for their party in blood.
Nadia nodded, and they all stood up.
Chrystal said, “I’ll set course and head there as soon as they’re all back aboard.”
“Thanks babe.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Mirosians were all on deck by the time the four of them arrived down there. There were all still in their armor, sans helmets, and already had drinks in their hands. He amusedly wondered if he’d ever see one of them without armor.
He imagined Chrystal had provided the libations, or maybe they’d brought their own?
He’d never seen so many fair skinned, blue eyed, and golden haired people before. Almost ten thousand of them in fact. There were small differences of shade, but very subtle and he doubted a human would be able to discern it.
He looked around for Dahlia, but she found him first, and picked him up in a bear hug. It was a little awkward hugging armor back, but he did it.
She smiled when she set him down, “That was marvelous, have a drink. Since we’ll be at war again in an hour, my warriors are limited to one.”
She pulled one from a pack on her side, gave it to him, and then picked a squeaking Alyndra of
f the floor in a similar demonstration.
He checked the database quick, and discovered it was a traditional greeting of warriors, except it was also a contest of sorts, he was supposed to try to pick her up too, losers feet left the ground. Not that he’d seen her coming to try it.
Weird, he wondered what the source of the tradition could be, but it wasn’t in there.
It was also an honor, a gesture of a commander to show her people that they were welcomed to their party, valued, and equals of a sort in her eyes.
He opened the drink and took a sip, it had a high alcohol content, and tasted a little bit like wine, but with more of a bite.
She dropped Alyndra to her feet and said, “Your highness, it was a pleasant surprise to see you earlier, but I had to delay our greeting while business was at hand. What brings you here with Mike, my new best friend who hands out battles like candy?”
Mike was surprised for a second, but then knew he shouldn’t have been. Alyndra had told him she’d been involved in foreign affairs as her duties as a princess and heir, of course she would know a high level person from Miroth which was fairly close to her world. He was also thinking that Dahlia was teasing him a bit about the friend comment… maybe. He’d have to ask Chrystal later, she was the psychologist.
Alyndra replied, “It is good to see you so well and flourishing my friend. You should address me as Alyndra however, since I gave up my title for the life debt my entire world owes Mike.”
Dahlia looked between them for a moment, “Truly you are his life sworn? He allows you call him Mike?”
Alyndra smiled so faintly he almost missed it.
“He is kind, and does not wish to take advantage of the situation. He insisted I use his name the very first time he spoke to me. He has already named me advisor, and allows me to pursue my chosen path of self-improvement. My only complaint is I feel he doesn’t ask enough from me to compensate for our debt, but I am confident we will bridge the culture gap with time.”
He felt uncomfortable for a moment with the praise, but he also felt better about things. He hadn’t known that she saw him that way at all, it was impossible to really tell what she thought with her non-expressions all the time. Her voice was a lot more expressive than her body, but she didn’t talk much so it didn’t really help a lot.
Dahlia said, “I am pleased that you are well, and I am honored to call you by name Alyndra.”
Chrystal squeaked, he hadn’t even seen Dahlia move, then Chrystal was giggling as Dahlia put her down.
“Thank you for that honor.”
Dahlia gave out two more drinks to Chrystal, and Alyndra.
“The honor was mine, for it is your mighty ship we travel upon and which delivers us to our enemies.”
Nadia didn’t squeak, but she did tense up, and then she relaxed slightly as she hugged the woman back.
“Do you party after each battle?”
Dahlia looked around at her people, some of them were drinking and idly chatting, others were wrestling or scuffling, but they all appeared to be having fun, and she grinned.
“This isn’t a party. You need to join us when we have time for a real celebration. This is just a short interlude to give thanks for our lives, the contest of arms, and to say goodbye to those we lost and celebrate their lives and sacrifice. So what brings you on this ship, you are from Earth are you not, and Mike from Mars?”
Nadia replied, “I’m Mike’s…” she trailed off and instead said, “I’m here to learn about the different cultures for my planet, so we make less mistakes when we join you out here. Mike has been kind enough to accept me as an assistant for when he acts as Senator of Mars so I may do this.”
He thought she’d just say she was his assistant, but had apparently decided to go with the raw truth. Interesting. It was also probably a good idea, the Mirosians were a very straight forward race. He wouldn’t want to be caught bending the truth by one of them anyway.
Dahlia nodded, “It is agreeable to meet you, drink with us,” and handed her a drink as well.
Dahlia smiled, “Now that the formalities are complete, welcome, and feel free to mingle with my people if you so wish.”
They spent a little more time chatting with Dahlia. They learned she’d earned the rank of commander at the very tender age of two hundred and fifteen, where she’s enjoyed herself for over a hundred years. She also didn’t have any hobbies. It was literally combat, training combat, parties, and sleep.
Looking at her, he’d swear she wasn’t a day over twenty-four. He had the information in the database, but it was still startling to see it. Maybe that was the human in him. She’d be commander for another few years or so before she retired to a civilian life and lived out the latter eight hundred years of her life. Once that happened she would choose a job just like a human would that was leaving college. Apparently, she would be free to have hobbies at that time as well.
They seemed to be honestly open and friendly, of course it was a different story for their enemies. He made it a goal to never be one of those if he could help it.
They mingled a bit after and got to know a few Lt. Commanders at least by name. Then it was time to get back on the bridge, and to clear the orbitals so the Mirosians warriors could have another battle…
On the way back, he put his hand on the small of Alyndra’s back and guided her into the kitchenette. Thankfully, he was surrounded by extremely smart and perceptive women, and Nadia and Chrystal continued on to the bridge so they could speak alone.
He walked over to the coffee, and started making some.
“I’m glad you feel comfortable so far, but you said you wish I’d let you do more?”
She said, “Yes, in a way my life has not changed at all, only I do the same things for you I would for my father. It doesn’t seem enough.”
He nodded, “Well, bathing and dressing are out, and would be problematic since you have your own room, and I only sleep two hours a day. There isn’t much else in the database about those life-sworn, if you have any ideas on what you could do, I’m listening, and always available.”
She said, “For one, you could allow me to do what you’re doing now, I feel shame that you are making coffee in my place.”
He stepped back and waved a hand.
“Alright, barista, advisor, and following your education to make you more valuable as an advisor to me. Anything else?”
She shook her head, “I don’t know you well enough yet, and we’re in a war situation. Perhaps as I follow your life I may claim more duties if you approve?”
“If that would make you more comfortable, and happy, then yes. I’m curious, do you have any hobbies, do anything for enjoyment? So far, all I know is what you do for self-improvement and for me. You don’t have to answer if it is too personal.”
She turned to him and looked him in the eyes.
He tried to ignore how beautiful her purple eyes were, and the graceful long curve of her neck, and her exotic ears and facial structure. It wasn’t easy.
She said rather intensely, “There is nothing too personal for you to ask me Mike, I am yours in every way that is meaningful. But if it makes you feel better, I am pleased and flattered at your interest, and that you show no desire to lessen me. I do not fear your curiosity. To answer your question, I enjoy gardens and nature, and walks in the forest, the wild scents. I also enjoy games of strategy. We have something very similar to your chess named que-lok.”
He smiled, “How do you know about chess?”
She blushed slightly, “Strategy games of earth is the first thing I examined in the database.”
“Well, if you’d like to try a game, maybe sometime we have actual time?”
She nodded, “I would enjoy that.”
He reached out and grabbed two mugs, and then shrugged, “You can’t carry them all.”
She muttered under her breath, “Two trips…”
He laughed in honest amusement, even if he wasn’t sure if she was joking or not, and headed
for the bridge, coffees in hand…
Chapter Twenty-Four
They dropped out of subspace three light minutes from the planet Vun-Turuhm.
He said, “Launch ten fighters, and send all of them at one target. Break in and try to get their database.”
She asked, “Just one?”
He nodded, “If you fail we’ll get two more tries that way, maybe with a clue of what we did wrong the first time.”
Chrystal replied, “Sounds good.”
He sent to Chrystal, “I love you. You are so beautiful, and more so to me every time I look at you.”
It was hardly the time, but he couldn’t help himself.
Chrystal replied, “Stop that, you’re making me wet and I’m trying to fight a battle here. I’ve been thinking about a change, how about a redhead, and another cup size.”
He sent, “Is that a trick question? Because I love your C cups, more than a handful, firm, full, and standing up pertly. I haven’t even fucked them yet.”
She giggled.
“How is it we haven’t gotten around to that?”
He replied, “Because I love to fuck your tight warm pussy, and your warm mouth so much. I’ve wanted to try it, but I can’t resist the others. But to answer your question, I’ll love you and want you no matter what color your hair is, or how big your breasts are. So it’s all up to you, if you want to change go for it. It could be fun for me to spend an hour or two to figure out your new sensitive spots.”
She shivered and looked at him lustily, and then turned away as the two fighters reached one of the three enemy ships coming this way. It was time to start paying attention again.
He watched as the ships reached out and tore a hole, one near the bridge, and one halfway through the ship, and flew in.
He turned toward Chrystal, and smiled at the look of concentration on her adorably heart shaped face. He loved her honey brown hair, but he was sure he’d like the red just as much. If she did it.
He frowned as she stiffened, and her body froze.
