by L. M. Brown
“Not really,” Logan replied. “If Kit can brave the stares, so can I. People can say what they like. I’m not going to deny my family just because some people might have issues. That’s their problem, not mine.”
Even though he intended to put up a brave front, Logan knew Kit was still worried about what the other humans would say when they saw him. Logan had no intention of making things more difficult for him.
The feline in question appeared behind him, his belly rounded with the twins. Logan placed his hand on Kit’s stomach, delighted to feel the small movements beneath his fingers. At nearly four months gone, Darcy’s latest scan had revealed Kit to be well into what would be the third trimester of a human pregnancy. At this rate, he wouldn’t even go to the full six months, let alone nine.
“Are you ready?” Logan asked. “You’ve got everything?”
Kit gave him an amused smile. “It’s not like the Bastet is going to disappear if I have. I’ll just come back for anything I need. And aren’t we going to be sleeping here?”
“Well, yes,” Logan said.
“Then shall we go?” Kit asked.
Halor shut down the control system and set the security defences. “Come on, then. The sooner we’ve got everyone fitted with translators, the better.”
As they walked through the craft, Logan saw more people had been woken during their absence.
Captain Farraday waited for them outside the flight deck. “McRae, welcome back. I’ve assembled the officers here to be fitted with translators as soon as possible. When we’re all sorted, I’d like to ask Medic McRae to handle the implants for the rest of those who have been woken.”
Darcy nodded. “Yes, Captain.”
Logan waved the captain to a seat. “If you’d like to take a seat, we’ll get you fitted first.”
The captain appeared a little uneasy but he took his seat in the captain’s chair.
Logan waved Halor over and he got to work quickly. Logan looked around for Kit and saw him hovering behind them.
“Come on in,” Logan said. “There’s no point lingering in doorways. We know this is going to take a while.”
Kit made his way to Logan’s side, his head held high but not meeting anyone’s eyes.
Captain Farraday gave Kit a bright smile. “You’re positively blooming, aren’t you? In a few minutes, once I can understand you, you’ll have to let me know how you’re doing. I must admit that I half expected you to remain in seclusion on your own craft.”
Logan smiled at Kit. “We don’t want to hide. Right, Kit?”
“All done,” Halor announced.
Captain Farraday stared at him for several seconds. “Amazing, truly amazing. Thank you.”
“Who’s next?” Halor asked and the captain gestured to his First Officer.
With Halor busy with the implants, Captain Farraday turned his attention back to Kit. “So, how are you doing?”
Kit smiled. “I’m good. I’ve come to terms with what I am now and, as Logan said, we don’t want to hide—not what we have together, or in time, our family.”
Captain Farraday’s smile widened and he gave a small bow. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Kit. I offer you my congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Kit replied with a smile of his own. “And thank you for letting Darcy come with us. She’s been invaluable.”
Halor continued to work his way around the room, and as more and more of the crew were fitted with translators, several of them drifted over to Logan and Kit, clearly curious to test the devices, as well as speak to an alien directly for the first time.
Nate hovered at their side, clearly eager to say something but reluctant to interrupt his captain.
Finally, Captain Farraday stepped away and Nate took his place.
“Hi, Nate,” Logan said. “You’ve already met Kit, of course, but now you can talk to him properly. I hope you’ll soon be friends.”
Nate gave Kit a hesitant smile.
Kit returned his silent greeting while at the same time rubbing the small of his back.
“Do you need to sit down?” Darcy asked.
Kit nodded.
Logan guided him to a spare chair and sat Kit down. “You need to take it easy and look after our boys.”
“Your boys?” Nate asked.
“Yes.” Logan could see several other curious gazes amongst the crew. Captain Farraday had clearly kept his word and not gossiped about Kit after their departure.
Kit cleared his throat before Logan could say anything further. “I’m what’s known amongst my people as dual-gendered.”
“How does that work?” a member of the crew Logan didn’t recognise asked.
Logan glared at him. “That’s a rather personal question.”
Kit shook his head at Logan and smiled. “It’s all right. I don’t mind explaining.”
Logan stood at Kit’s side as he explained what it meant to be predominantly male but with female parts to his anatomy. Kit answered the questions patiently, clarifying things when asked and blushing dreadfully throughout.
Kit still wore the toga that covered his chest, but there was no hiding his breasts any longer.
“I don’t remember you having breasts when you were here before,” Nate commented.
“That’s because they weren’t as noticeable then,” Kit replied. “They developed as my pregnancy progressed. Once I’ve given birth, they’ll begin to reduce, and once my female hormones are dormant again, they’ll be gone entirely.”
“Doctor Marshall is going to want to examine you,” Nate warned.
“So I heard,” Kit replied with a smile. “I suspect she might want to take a look at our sons when they’re born, too.”
“I will indeed,” Doctor Marshall said as she popped up beside them. “Doctor Fredericks and I have been studying the database and reading up on your people since you left—or reading up as much as we can without a common language, which means mostly looking at pictures. I have to admit I find it all fascinating.”
Kit smiled at her. “The captain said that you’d picked up on my condition when you did the blood tests. Thank you for not telling everyone about me. I needed some time to prepare myself.”
“Well, I’d picked up on the hormone, but I wasn’t a hundred percent sure you were expecting until I was called into a meeting with Captain Farraday and Doctor Fredericks. I suspected it might be the case, but with all the differences in our species, I couldn’t be certain.”
“Well, thank you anyway. I’m glad you know, and it’ll probably help to have another medical person’s point of view on all this.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. I saw on the scans that Doctor Fredericks showed me that both boys are inheriting their father’s kitty-cat tail.”
“Yes, they will,” Logan agreed. “Let’s just hope they don’t learn how to wield it as lethally as he does.”
Kit smiled and whacked him across the back of his legs with the tail in question.
“You seem very happy,” Nate said.
Logan grinned. “I am.” He looked at Kit with fondness. “We are.”
Halor joined them and wrapped his arms around both Kit’s and Logan’s shoulders. Logan gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and Kit did likewise at his other side. There could be no questions from anyone in the room as to what the relationship was among them. They were a family.
“Oh, and nice legs,” Nate added to Logan.
Logan flushed, not having realised that he had forgotten to change into his flight suit and was still wearing his kilt.
Kit chuckled. “His butt isn’t bad, either.”
* * * *
Finally, all the officers on the flight deck were fitted with translators and Captain Farraday called the meeting to order.
“To bring McRae and our new allies up to speed, we’ve been studying the charts and data that Halor imported into our database. It’s not been easy with the language barrier, but we’ve muddled through. Hopefully it’ll be easier now we’re
fitted with translators.”
Logan coughed and shook his head. “Sorry, but the translator doesn’t work on the written word—only sounds. So what you saw on the database before the implant won’t change now. If you want to read their languages, you’ll have to learn the hard way.”
Captain Farraday appeared rather taken aback but quickly rallied. “Well, we’ve been looking at the planets in the area where the Mercury was taken, as well as the various space stations and spaceports that our own systems didn’t have records of. We assume they must have some form of shielding to avoid being picked up by the probes launched from Earth. Anyway, there seems to be quite a number of planets which could sustain life, though for various reasons weren’t suitable for us to migrate to. What we need from our allies are some leads. Which of these planets are active in the slave trade? Will they release our people willingly, and if not, what are their defences like?”
Halor stepped up to the central computer and generated a holographic representation of the part of the galaxy in question. “There are several planets where the humans could be, though the best way of finding out is to ask the auctioneers. The problem will be getting to them. The auction took place right in the middle of the restricted zone and was by invitation only. My family was issued one, but it only allowed access into the zone for a limited time.”
“And that time has passed,” Captain Farraday concluded. “Is there no way to go back there? What about returns for faulty purchases?”
“No returns,” Halor confirmed. “To be invited back, we would have to wait for another auction.”
“Do they have many?”
“A fair few, but I’m not aware of any coming up right now.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“Zyp, the man who sold us the translation devices, has given us some information about the humans that he has seen following the auction. We can make efforts to find those while waiting for another auction to be announced. I would recommend this ship and the Neptune change course to travel through avian territory. From there, it will be quicker for us to relay any information we discover, and you’ll be in a better position to react quickly if an auction should be announced. The territory of my people borders that of the Antills, but your ships will be safe there. I intend to take my own ship and make some enquiries at certain spaceports that are utilised by those in the slave trade. I would report back here with any information I gather from those enquiries.”
“Very well. I presume you would want Kit and McRae to go with you?”
“Of course,” Halor replied.
Captain Farraday stood before Logan. “I would remind you that I am still your superior officer.”
Logan rose from his seat. “Sir, about that…”
“Yes?” Captain Farraday had a smile on his face that made Logan think the man knew—or at least suspected—what he was about to say.
“While I intend to do all I can to find and rescue the rest of my crew, I would wish to resign my commission and leave the fleet.”
Captain Farraday held out his hand for Logan to shake. “I thought as much. No man can serve two masters.” He looked at Halor and Kit. “Or should I say, no man can serve three, for you seem to have two already.”
“I have none,” Logan corrected. “We are equals in all things. I will still follow your orders when it comes to the rescue mission, but I think we both know that the day will come when your orders would force me to choose between the Jupiter and my family.”
“But that is not this day,” the captain said. “In the absence of your own captain, I accept your resignation. From this day forth, you will be considered a trusted ally.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Davis,” Captain Farraday replied. “If you’re no longer under my command, let us be informal, Logan.”
Halor, still at the control panel, zoomed in on a large space station. “I believe this should be our first stop.”
Davis joined Halor at the panel. “What is it?”
“It’s known as the Pleasure Station,” Halor explained. “According to Zyp, several of the humans who were brought to him for translation devices were accompanied by residents of the station. It’s likely they are still there, and if not, some of the residents may know where they have gone.”
“It doesn’t appear to be in avian territory.”
“No, it’s just on the outskirts…in feline space.”
Kit made a small hissing noise.
Halor sighed and drew Kit nearer to him. “Many felines are forced to find work there if they wish to survive.”
“Kit doesn’t seem to like the place much,” Davis said. “What aren’t you telling us?”
“The Pleasure Station is exactly what it sounds like,” Halor explained. “There are gaming rooms, luxury restaurants, and other such facilities, but most of the station is devoted to the oldest profession of all, prostitution. Mostly it’s felines who are offering their bodies, but there are others, as well. The humans who were from the station are no doubt being advertised as new exotic creatures available for sexual services.”
Kit had become increasingly agitated as Halor spoke. Logan stroked his fur to calm him down. “What is it?” he whispered.
“Nothing. I’m being foolish.”
“I doubt that very much. Talk to me.”
“I’ve just gone my entire life avoiding that place. Now I’m heading there, anyway.”
“Only to find my people,” Logan reminded him. “You wouldn’t be offering your body to anyone.”
Kit shivered and rubbed against Logan. “I’ll have to stay close to you or Halor whenever I leave the Bastet. The owners of the Pleasure Station are always searching for new whores and my kind are highly sought after.”
“You’re not talking about being a feline, are you?”
Kit shook his head. “Dual-gendered felines are rare on the station because we hide what we are, but there have been some. I spoke to one once. He had been in service on the station for three years before he ran away. Because of the rarity of our kind there, he was used harshly. The more exotic the whore, the more they are expected to earn. You’ll need to be careful, too. If the humans from your crew have proved popular with the customers, they may seek to add you to the stock, as well.”
“I have no intention of offering up my body to anyone except you and Halor.”
“They might not want to take no for an answer.”
Logan smiled. “Then we convince them otherwise.”
Davis placed a standard issue laser on the table and slid it across to Logan. He picked it up and checked the charge. He hoped they wouldn’t have to resort to violence, but he would do what he must to save his people, while at the same time keeping his new family safe.
“To be used only in an emergency,” Davis said. “While it makes sense for the three of you to go to this Pleasure Station and make enquiries, that’s all I want you to do. I don’t know about Halor’s experience in rescue missions, but I know you have none. And Kit isn’t in any condition to undertake such things. You’re a damned fine pilot, but we have specially trained operatives who can extract any of our people who are in this place. All we need to know is where they are and what the security is like.”
Logan nodded and stored the laser. “We’d already decided not to take any unnecessary risks. We understand.”
Halor took a second laser the captain offered him. “If Logan and Kit can provide a distraction, I can access the Pleasure Station’s computer and get you what you need. I will also ask about purchasing any humans myself and, if the owners are prepared to sell, we’ll get them out that way.”
“Thank you,” Davis said. “I hope it is that easy, though I suspect it probably won’t be.”
Logan didn’t like the idea of leaving any of his shipmates in a place where they were being forced into prostitution, but he knew they had no choice. None of them had any sort of experience in covert rescue missions. It would be best to leave it to the professionals; othe
rwise they might end up having to extract three more people.
Chapter Fourteen
The Bastet departed from the Jupiter, leaving the larger craft safe in avian territory, right on the edge of feline space.
It had taken over seven weeks to get there. Both the Jupiter and the Neptune were slower than any of Halor’s crafts, but with some improvements to the systems by Halor, the speeds were improving.
Directly ahead of them the lights of the Pleasure Station signalled that it was open for business—not that the place ever closed.
Halor had dressed in his finest royal kilt, a midnight blue colour with gold trim, and ensured both Kit and Logan were attired in garments of the same colours that told anyone who saw them that they were with him.
Darcy had joined them on the Bastet in case her medical assistance was required.
Kit, now heavily pregnant and easily tired, wished he could stay on board the Bastet, as well. Unfortunately, the plan Halor had come up with meant he had little choice and needed to go with the others. If Halor intended to pass himself off as a prince who wanted to expand his nest, it would help his cover to have both Kit and Logan with him.
Kit just wished he could stop yawning.
They left the ship, leaving it entirely secured. Although it was very unlikely, Darcy was under orders that if anything happened to them, she was to fly the craft back to the Jupiter. She had taken the controls once or twice on their journey, learning from Halor, just as Logan had. She wasn’t exactly confident in her ability, but she promised to do what she had to. Thankfully, the flight back would be short and simple, and they had practised docking repeatedly before they had left the Jupiter.
Halor walked a couple of paces ahead of Kit and Logan, as befitting a prince. He headed directly for the inner rings of the station, where the whores were located.
“Welcome, welcome,” the female feline at the desk greeted them. “My name is Purdi. How can I assist Your Highness tonight?”
“I’m looking to expand my nest,” Halor said. “I was fortunate enough to acquire a human at a recent auction and have been delighted with his enthusiasm and stamina. I understand there may be some more humans here.”
