Petr's Mate

by Petr's Mate (mobi)

  “I understand. Ensign,” Petr turned suddenly, “do a search for any other individuals you have no apparent history prior to building a life. Like this man, start twenty planetary cycles back and move ahead from there.” Looking back at her, he had a thoughtful expression on his face. “In our society it’s impossible to vanish for a portion of our lives. Unless you live on one of the outer moon bases where tech is harder to maintain, that is.”

  “I can understand that. There were places on my planet where people could go and no one would ever know where they went. Even though my world was in one contained sphere, there was still from time to time the missing and people coming out of thin air.” She took another deep breath and nodded. “You’re thinking something, though, Petr. What is it?”

  “It is nothing, yet.” He brushed a thumb to her cheek and leaned in to give her a kiss. “I need to do some research of my own. Will you be all right here for a while? Or you can come with me to my office.”

  “I would rather come with you, if you don’t mind?” She knew she followed him around like a little lost puppy, but she couldn’t help herself. She enjoyed spending time with him in any way possible. She moved so that she was at his side, her hand in his as they walked off of the bridge and into his office.

  Once inside, Petr locked the doors and had the AI system lock them down in a do-not-disturb setting. Moving around his desk, he settled in his chair and keyed the screen to rise from the desk. “There are drinks and snacks in the little cooler if you’re interested,” he told her, pointing to the item behind and to her right.

  “Thank you. Do you want anything?” She moved to grab a drink from the cooler. She was too upset to think about eating at the moment. “Is there anything I can do to help you? You know how much I hate just sitting back and doing nothing.”

  “You are not doing nothing, Samantha,” he said softly. “You are pacing around my office at speeds that will tire you out. If you need something more to do,” Petr pulled out a data pad from a drawer and handed it to her, “the ensign has already sent through the initial findings.”

  She took the data pad from Petr, then leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you for letting me help.” She didn’t know what she was looking for, so she settled in and began to read about the man that reminded her so much of her father. Petr fell silent to let her read while he worked. She could hear the soft sounds of his fingers tapping against the glass top of his desk where the keypad was highlighted.

  Sam was reading the information on the data pad, again completely stunned by the language implant allowing her to read both Imarian and Craegin languages as well as a lot of other ones. “So it seems that he married into money when he first appeared on scene,” she said. “His wife is from one of the first families from the ships or armada. Does that make sense?”

  “Both the Craegin and Imarian culture is built around the families who started our worlds. The terms are different, but the meaning is the same. They are the foundation on which our society rose into what it is today. There are very few living relatives of the first families on Imara. A handful, if that. There are a couple of others living on other worlds, but it holds not nearly the same meaning out there as it does on our home planet.”

  “I understand that.” Much like the first families that had come across the oceans to avoid religious persecution to America. “So their bloodline goes back to the start. It would be interesting to compare those blood samples. Of someone from the first families on both sides of this war. I wonder how much they would have in common.” She was now mumbling aloud to herself.

  Petr was silent for long enough Sam looked up to see if he’d heard her. He was frowning again, and nodding, too. “That may be possible,” he said. “I know of one man, the first officer of Fintan’s best friend, who is of the first families of Craegin. Or whatever they call them there. I can also get you someone from one of the families on Imara. The lines are diluted, though, Samantha. Will it still work for your purposes?”

  “It would.” She moved just a bit so she was sitting on the edge. “Essentially, from what we found on Earth, at least, we are all in some way related. However, there are certain genetic traits that would stay with a family line. For example, if a person came from one side of our world, their people going back to the beginning, their DNA, would have certain tags in it, so to speak, that were created to help the person deal with where they lived. Those markers are passed down through genetics. It’s possible. Just might take a long time.”

  “I’ll arrange to get some blood from them both, should they be willing. I’ll have to tell them what this is about. How much would you need to have, Samantha? This may be your only time to do this, so be sure.”

  “Only a tube of blood from both. I won’t need a great deal, just enough to be able to run the test several times, if possible,” Sam told him as she began to think of all that would be needed. “Perhaps the doctors on board could help with it? I wasn’t a geneticist, but I know the basics and know what to look for. It was a field that was just starting to gain traction when I left Earth.”

  “I’m sure he would gladly assist you, Samantha. One step at a time, though. I still need to see if I can get you the blood you require. Remind me when we return to our quarters to send Fintan a message,” he said. At her nod, he smiled.

  “Anything would be good. I’m in no hurry.” She would need to read up a bit on genetics, which she hoped would be in their medical records.

  “It would be nice to have this settled before Lennox and Morgan grow much older. I hate the idea of them growing up in a world that despises their mother’s people. Not only because it makes visiting them so difficult, but they shouldn’t have to be faced with that ugliness.”

  “Their people don’t shun those babies, do they?” She wasn’t sure how the people saw Morgan and Lennox, now that he mentioned it.

  “No, not at all. On his return, Fintan went through an ancient Craegin ritual to guarantee that Adira was no longer seen as Imarian, only as Craegin. But there will be whispers, nothing to Adira’s face, or where Fintan could hear. They’re family, Samantha. They need to be protected until they are old enough to make their own decisions and choices.”

  “I agree.” She sighed and shook her head. “I would have thought that we would have moved past racism, but it’s just another form of it.”

  “If we can end this war once and for all by proving the two races started out as one, that will go a long way to changing people’s minds. Not immediately, unfortunately, but in time.” Petr rolled his chair back to pull open a section of wall. After a minute of digging around he came back with a slightly bulkier data pad. “We use these to help the little ones learn their history. While it’s simplified for them, it should give you some place to start. It has pictures, too.” She caught his grin and knew he was messing with her. Sam liked it. It meant he was becoming as comfortable with their relationship as she was.

  “I know you’ll want to go beyond this, but it will teach you some of the terms you may run across that the translator isn’t always that great at working with. Some of them are from the old tongue that the ruling body has stripped out of the programs as it’s too old-fashioned in their minds. You’ll need that for when you go digging through the database. Which reminds me,” he said. He tapped on the desk, then nodded. “I thought I had. Good to know I’m not losing my mind entirely around you. I gave you the highest clearance I can, which is almost as good as it gets, so you can dig anywhere in the archives. There are only a few sections that are not accessible via the AI system. You’ll need to do that in person with the hard copies once I figure out how to gain access for us.”

  Sam nodded. She wasn’t a researcher by trade, but she had done enough of it that she understood where she needed to start and that would lead her to another start and so on. She would have to go into this from start to finish with an open mind and fresh eyes. The primer with some of the old language in it would be very helpful. “Thank you,” she said, brushing
her fingers to his. This was home, she realized for the first time. Being here with him and touching him. This was what home was, not hundreds of years in her past but this time and this man in this place.

  With a quick move, he pulled Sam into his lap and had his arms around her to press a kiss to her lips. She snuggled against him. “I have a lot to learn about your people. For example, what will they expect from me when I go to meet with your leaders?” She was more than a little afraid to meet his people’s rulers. “And you are sure they won’t want to do anything to me, test me?” Her people had been rabidly against anything that was not human, so she wasn’t sure how the Imarian people would feel.

  “They won’t need to do any testing that wasn’t already done on Chevon’s vessel. The doctor would have submitted everything to the ruling body on Imara per protocol. They also have all the paperwork I sent through to notify them of our bonding. What you will need to know about meeting them we can discuss later. There is something for you to watch in regards to that. It’s a vid we have all non-Imarian guests view when they visit. A few old protocols to be observed, but nothing for you to worry about.” He brushed a finger between her eyebrows. “Which means you don’t need to have this line here, Samantha.”

  She felt herself relaxing slightly and sighed. “As long as I am able to be yours nothing else with the protocols will matter.”

  Giving her another kiss, Petr hugged her tight. “There is not a lot to learn, only a few important pieces to keep in mind. For now, go and do your reading. I need to get these reports done before I find myself buried under the ever-growing mountain.”

  Petr returned his attention to his work and they fell into a companionable silence. There was no need to fill the void with talk.

  From time to time, Samantha would ask Petr questions but, for the most part, she loved being able to just sit there in his office with him and read over the files. “Okay.” She stood and put the file down. “I’m hungry. Take me and feed me, please?”

  He gave her that “again?” face but didn’t argue. The man knew better than to say anything. Not that it didn’t stop him from muttering under his breath, although she couldn’t be sure what about. Packing up a data pad, he stood after locking down his computer system and moved around his desk to take her hand in his.

  “Hey, I’m seriously old and I’m still trying to catch up on a heck of a lot of meals missed. Give me a break, mister man.” She squeezed Petr’s hand, then wrapped her arm around his waist, her head on his shoulder. “You enjoy feeding me, darling, admit it.”

  She leaned up and kissed him, then found herself backed up to one of the walls, Petr’s hand massaging her ass while his tongue dueled with hers.

  Chapter Eight

  Samantha was more than a little scared as they approached the Imarian home world. She hid that fear by research. She was constantly going back and looking over the files, then contacting Adira when she was able to. Finally, she found something that was a bit on the strange side. For this, she had to go to Petr because it was in the ancient Imarian language, something she still couldn’t figure out.

  Walking into his office, she was frowning. “Petr, can you help me with this?” she asked, then looked up. “I’m sorry. I should have knocked first.” The young officer was there sitting on the other side of Petr’s desk and stood when she entered. “I can come back.”

  Petr was up on his feet and coming around to greet her. “No need, little one. We were already finishing up.” The young officer gave her a shy smile and left the office. Once the door sealed behind him, Petr had the AI go into lockdown and full privacy. “You have that look on your face, Samantha. What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t read this and it’s important. I know that it’s important because of what was leading up to it.” She handed him the data pad. “I have it highlighted. I’m at a point where it’s talking about an Imarian princess going to marry someone, but I can’t tell who. Directly after this is the first notation of the war starting, so this has to be it.” She was excited. She knew that this was big, very big.

  Taking the data pad from her, Petr went to sit on the sofa, and Sam flopped down next to him. He sat frowning at the screen for a time before tipping his head slightly. “His Royal Highness, the Most Glorious Kolur Pall Olvirsson of the House Craegin. He was the heir to their throne when they still had one,” Petr told her quietly.

  “And did I read the other part correctly? It was an Imarian princess, one of the heiresses to the Imarian throne?” She knew that they no longer did that, but back in the time it was huge. “And if they were to marry.” She frowned and shook her head. “Your people haven’t always been at war. It started because of something that happened along the way to this wedding.”

  Petr was reading more and holding a finger up. “There is a notation here. I recognize it. We need to get into the archives. Secretly. Without either of us being locked up for treason.”

  “Maybe they will give me access since I’m basically just trying to find my place? Or maybe that would be a reason they wouldn’t want me in the archives,” she wondered aloud. “I wonder how we’ll be able to get the information that’s missing? It has to be something big. It really does.”

  “I’ll put in a request for access on the grounds of showing you more history of our people to assist in easing your way. There’s a small chance they may deny us, but it will be safer to get legal access.”

  She moved in closer to him and sighed. “We’re almost to your home world, aren’t we? Have I mentioned I’m nervous?”

  “You did. When we first woke, over the morning meal twice, several times before I left you to continue researching, and again right now. There is no reason to be nervous, Samantha. You know all the protocols better than most born Imarians do.” Setting the data pad aside, Petr shifted, then moved her so she was cuddled in his lap. “We are on approach to the spaceport above the planet. Once we’re locked in, and the seals are in place, we’ll be able to disembark. Most of the crew will be getting off for shore leave while a small number will remain on board to cycle out as the others return. We’ll have five cycles, or days, as you call them, on planet during which we will meet the ruling body, and then we can go visit the local seamstress to arrange for a wardrobe. We won’t be meeting them until tomorrow. No more than a couple of hours. Then we can leave.”

  “Thank you. And I need to make sure that they will make me pants as well as dresses. I don’t mind if I have to wear a lot of gowns, but I really do want to have some pants for while we are here on your ship.” A place she was certain they would spend a lot of time on.

  “They’ll make whatever you want. Make sure you’re specific about how you want them to fit you, and they’ll see to it. The seamstresses of Imara’s capital city will gladly do anything necessary to please you if only to pry open my accounts and fill their pockets.” He had a smile curving his lips, so she knew he wasn’t at all upset by the idea of them dipping into his savings.

  She snickered at that thought and shrugged. “Never thought that I would be a kept woman but seems as if I’m going to be.” She knew he was teasing her and that in and of itself made her feel better. “And don’t worry, I have no issues with telling people what I think. But why can’t I just buy clothes off the rack? Don’t your people have generic clothing lines and shopping centers where you can buy clothes?”

  “There are ready made clothing available in a few shops scattered around Imara, but they are more a stand-in until you can get something made custom. We can pick up a few items from one of those shops, too. After you have your wardrobe, you can still wear them for whenever you don’t want to mess up the others.”

  “I think that would be good. It’s actually kind of nice that your people still use seamstresses. I can’t wait to see what they create for me and to feel all of the fabric that you have on your world. I have a thing with touch. I love soft things.”

  “It will be an experience, I’m sure.” Stopping outside the dining hall, Petr
turned to face her and cupped her cheeks. “Just remember you are all I ever want, or will ever need. The clothing is nothing more than wrapping deemed necessary by society.” He stepped back to open the doors to the dining hall. A tug on her hand, and he drew her over to the food.

  Her lips were still tingling when they got to the line with food. She followed him and accepted the dishes that he pointed out. She was again very thankful that, for the most part, the food looked similar to what she was accustomed to, in a small way, at least.

  Sitting down in their usual spots, they both began to eat. Petr went to work on his data pad, but anytime Sam asked him something or spoke to him he turned his full attention on her. She knew he wasn’t the sort to ever ignore her, and things like this proved it time and again.

  She watched him as he worked and noticed that when someone came up to their table, he would give them his full attention just as he did her. Although he also gave her the heated looks that made her panties wet and typically a kiss or a stroke to her arm.

  When they’d finished eating, he led her out of the dining hall and steered her toward the lifts. Squeezing her fingers, he let her step into the lift before he followed. A quick command to the AI and they were soon descending deeper into the bowels of the cruiser. “I’ve got a meeting that should not take too long. If you want to look around engineering, you can.”

  She grinned. “You know me, I like learning the new places around the ship.” She shrugged. “I like being able to learn everything that I can and that means I will occasionally find a door that I really shouldn’t go into but do anyway.” She was notorious for finding odd places on the ship.