by T. J. Quinn
From what Pyrr told me Commander Maktu and Admiral Degatu intended to wreak havoc in the Sargus Empire. These guys were badass! From all that I had learned about them, they were like the Marines, Army Rangers, and Navy Seals combined. There were only ten Farseek Dreadnaughts with about 100 crewing each, and they were taking on the Sargus Empire… Alone. This was going to be a wild ride.
The day after we left Halor, we started our warrior training since we finally had real clothes to wear. That’s when I got the chance to demonstrate my skills in mixed martial arts. Commander Maktu assigned Sergeant Alaric Namotu as our instructor. He had been a training instructor for young Farseek Warriors a decade before. He had agreed to train us as a favor to Commander Maktu. When Harper told me that, I wasn’t sure whether it was good or bad.
If he resented the duty, it might go hard on us, or he might be too easy on us because the Commander’s mate was one of his trainees. It turned out our regimen was not as grueling as my experience in basic training on Earth, but it was sufficiently challenging that we took it seriously. We trained hard physically and learned the use of basic weapons which were much more technical than anything I’d ever seen. We even got to train in the combat armor which I have to say was way cool.
The armor suits were surprisingly light and agile. Internal sensors synchronized movement in concert with the wearer almost as a second skin. The armor was nearly impenetrable to most weapons but carried nanites and medications to heal the wearer in case of injury. The same nanites were also used routinely in medical procedures to heal injuries, correct defects, and combat disease. It was fascinating.
After the second week of physical training, we started self-defense. Knowing that I’d had training in hand to hand Namotu chose me as his sparring partner for his initial demonstration. I’m not sure what he expected, but I don’t think he expected that I would knock him on his ass. Although, he was back up in seconds ready to go again. Then he called a halt, and I bowed in the martial arts tradition. Namotu sort of cocked his head to the side and made the same bow.
I think Harper was as glad as I was to have the training program to occupy our time leading up to the Breskaa mission. We were deep into the Sargus Empire though remote from any major military installation. Although they had ways if locating Sargan ships, none had been discovered lurking in our path so far.
We didn’t see a lot of Harper in the weeks after we left Halor except in training. Although I wasn’t exactly hiding my relationship with Pyrr, I felt embarrassed to tell her we had mated after the way I jumped on her about fucking the Commander. Anyone who saw them together could see they were falling completely in love---just as Pyrr and I were falling in love.
Neither of us said the words yet, but there was no doubt in my mind that Pyrr loved me. It was in his eyes whenever I caught him looking at me. Nora and Zoey knew that Pyrr and I were mated, but I swore them to secrecy before we started training for joining up with the Farseek Mercenaries.
“You can train all you want,” Pyrr said, “but it will be a long time before we consider putting any of you in a combat situation.”
“That’s okay with me. I drove a truck in the Army back on Earth. Almost got blown up more than once,” I told him. “I am just as happy to work behind the scenes. I just want to be here with you.”
We were in our cabin at the time. I went to stand in front of him and put my arms around his neck, caressing the back of his head with my fingers, looking up at him and silently urging him to kiss me. He was quick to wrap his arms around me and do just that, pulling me tight against him. It was a deep, slow, and thorough plundering of my mouth. A riotous surge of desire went straight to my core, but I knew we had no time to pursue it. It was a delightful moment that I thoroughly enjoyed before we parted for his duties and my training.
Each day started with a grueling physical workout then included hand to hand combat training and weapons instruction. Even though we wouldn’t be in direct combat, we could still need to defend our stations, whatever they might be. I had thought I was in good physical condition, but I was really sore after the first day.
When I got back to our cabin after first meal, I thought I was too tired to make love to Pyrr, but he gave the best massage I ever had and ended with a slow, tender fucking. Afterwards, I drifted into blissful sleep spooned against him with his arms folded around me. Feeling safe and loved was a wonderful thing.
The next day at lunch, I finally admitted to Harper that Pyrr and I were mated.
“I thought you were crazy, falling for that hot commander,” I remarked to Harper as we were eating lunch in the mess hall. “But then I met Pyrr, and he said I am solmatu… We are solmatu.”
“Oh, yeah,” Harper said, “he’s got his eyes on you all right. Did you cut him a break or will you keep him dangling?”
I was feeling guilty that I still hadn’t told her I mated with him. But I still hesitated. “After listening to you worrying about your commander, I wasn’t so sure I want to pair up with any of these guys. I’ve seen way too many soldiers come back in body bags.”
“So, you’d rather be alone than risk falling for somebody because you might lose them?” I asked.
I didn’t answer right away I never said much about Jake to them either. Finally, I said, “Been there, done that. We were in Afghanistan, and his truck got it from a roadside bomb. We were getting married when we got back to the states in a few months. And he was gone.” I snapped her fingers. “Just like that.” I couldn’t stop the tears that welled in my eyes. Even then I was sure the memory would be painful the rest of my life.
Hell, yes, I was scared! The closer we got to Breskaa, the more I worried about what could happen to Pyrr. I could hardly believe I felt this much for him in the short time we’d spent together.
“You’re scared. Believe me, I get that. Anytime you care for someone and let them into your life, you risk losing them for whatever reason.” Harper said gently. “They say some women don’t want to commit. The guys are even worse.
“You practically have to be a mind reader. Almost from the first day, they are after you for sex. So finally, you say ok. You have sex, and it’s not half bad, so you think it’s going to be a relationship. Days go by, and they don’t call, they don’t message, nothing. The next thing you know they’re going out with Mary whats-her-name like nothing ever happened between you.”
“I hear you,” she said. “I’ve been there, too. What do you think, Zoe?”
“They’re all pretty exotic looking, but those muscles. They all are so gorgeous and sexy. I don’t know if I can pick just one.
“So take, two.” I giggled. “Some men like to share.”
“What about you, Nora?”
“They’ve all been pretty nice. But there isn’t really one I like better than the others,” she said. “It’s been months, and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around being kidnapped by aliens. I don’t even like sci-fi.” She grumbled, and we laughed.
“Well, if this were sci-fi,” Harper said, “we could be watching it, not living it.”
Harper was looking at me speculatively. Our eyes met, and I looked away guiltly for several moments. I sighed and said, “Pyrr and I are mated, and I am scared. I don’t know what they will be getting into on Breskaa.”
“I know,” she said. “He’s Zared’s best friend. Do you really think he wouldn’t tell Zared?”
I shook my head.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. So, what if you didn’t wait until the third date?” Harper went on. “I didn’t either. We’re in a different culture and different circumstances where the old rules don’t apply. Solmatu changes everything. The pheromones these guys give off when they recognize their soul mates are irresistible. All you can think about is getting them to fuck you senseless.”
I laughed when she said that---especially because she used the f-word.
“If you are solmatu, resistance is futile,” Harper laughed. “And why should we? From the moment they recog
nize you, they treat you like you’re their queen or something. It’s like they love you because you’re solmatu.”
“Sometimes it’s sweet and tender, and others it’s hard and primitive. If Pyrr goes down on that planet and gets himself killed, I will never forgive him,” I said vehemently, then laughed. But it was a fear that lingered in the back of my mind because of his job.
