Away Team

Ely Nguyen is a cadet fresh out of the Academy and wideeyed with enthusiasm. But he‟s also alone. Sure, his work as a trainee engineer takes up most of his time, but what about when he‟s on R & R? He hasn‟t had a boyfriend since he left Mars some three months back. No one to even buy a drink for in one of the many clubs and pubs scattered about the starship Mandrake he‟s been assigned to. Sure, he‟s got friends, but a man needs more than friends, especially after a long rotation of work. Then, a chance encounter on a lower deck corridor sees to it that cadet scientist Emerson Sonfield catches Ely ’s attention and he asks the man out for a drink. Will this be the start of something wonderful? Will duty get in the way of their fledgling relationship? Or will Ely ruin the chance of being with Emerson of his own accord, putting his foot firmly into his mouth before they even get to know one another?

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author‟s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Away Team Copyright © 2011 Mark Alders ISBN: 978-1-55487-953-3 Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.eXtasybooks.com

Away Team Starship Cadet Missions One

By Mark Alders

Chapter One ogging you off this station, Cadet Ely Nguyen. Please stand down so the next crewmember can begin their shift. Thank you,” the computer chimed in its androgynous, but pleasant voice. Ely stepped away from the panel of lights and dials in front of him. He‟d been working on numerous simulations for the optimum coolant mix needed to get the engines at peak efficiency. He had submitted many of the suggestions to Commander Okinawa, too. Much to Ely‟s delight, the man seemed impressed with a number of the scenarios he had come up with. Sure, he was fresh out of Academy, only a month over nineteen, but all that didn‟t matter. He was making a difference here on the Mandrake. A difference that could see the ship arrive at the alien signal days, even weeks earlier than projected. All he needed to do was find the right mix. Mechanics was his specialty. He knew that if he kept the engines cool enough, the reactors could work at full strength without getting fatigued. Optimum propulsion the result. He smiled to himself as he walked out of the engineering bay, saluting his commanding officer before heading for the lower quarters and his cabin he shared with fellow cadet, Braden Clark. Not that Braden even knew he existed. The man was handsome, no doubt. All rippling muscles, ones he toned through many hours in the gym. He also had a smile that

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could melt even the most hardened heart, and eyes, piercing blue, that made Ely tremble at his knees whenever Braden shot him a glance. Still. That was a fantasy. Ely wasn‟t even sure the man was into guys. He never mentioned that he was. Then again, Braden didn‟t really speak much at all. Not to Ely anyway. That sealed it. Ely was invisible. Even if he strutted into his cabin stark naked, waggling his dick in a desperate grab for attention, he‟d be certain Braden would ignore him or offer some quip to dismiss the whole thing. Ely sighed as the lift doors opened and the computer announced that he had arrived on his desired deck. He stepped out and made his way down the corridor. His cabin was 507. He had a while to go. Up ahead, he caught a glimpse of Kale, another cadet from his graduating class and a good friend. He was heading toward him. Probably about to start his shift. The man was a pilot in training and most of the time cadets could only use the fighters and shuttles in the hours they were least used. Which reminded Ely. It was late. Near 2200 hours. “Hey, how‟s it hanging, Ely?” Kale asked with a whimsical salute and a cheeky smile on his plump adorable lips. “Just fine. How about yours?” “A bit to the left for my liking. Never mind. I‟ll adjust it later, hey.” Kale slapped Ely on his back, letting out a guffaw at the same time. Ely loved the greeting banter he shared with Kale. Pity it never went beyond that. The man was damn fine. Not as strikingly good looking as Braden, but certainly jack-off material. His dark olive skin and clean features adding to the attraction. “You do that.” “Catch you later, Ely. Got to get some flight time in before 2

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the lieutenants and officers decide to do manoeuvres.” Ely watched as Kale headed for the lift and pressed the up button. His arse was damn fine as well, especially in his jumpsuit. From where Ely was standing, the thing seemed to accentuate the curve of his buttocks to perfection, all that strapping and silky material helped, he was sure. Before Ely could say his goodbyes, Emerson Sonfield emerged from the lift once the doors opened and the computer‟s voice filled the corridor. There was a brief exchange between them. Emerson then came toward Ely, a confident strut in his gait. To Ely‟s amusement, the man turned his head to check out Kale in the very same way he had done only moments ago. “He‟s got a nice arse, hasn‟t he?” Ely said once Emerson was within earshot. He wasn‟t sure if Emerson was into guys—actually, scratch that. Emerson was into guys. He‟d have snapped his head off just to feast his gaze on Kale for a few moments more if he could. Pity the lift doors closed just as quick as they had opened. Kale disappearing from view. Emerson seemed to be embarrassed, his cheeks flushed red. “I-I don‟t know what you mean.” Ely was taken aback. Had he got the signals all wrong? Perhaps Emerson wasn‟t checking out Kale‟s arse. Perhaps something else had caught the man‟s interest. Ely flicked his gaze beyond him for a moment to see if there was anything on the floor of the corridor near the lift that could have diverted Emerson‟s attention. There was nothing. Emerson wasn‟t of Ely‟s graduating class, even though a cadet. He was a science major, with that geeky charm about him. Sure, he wasn‟t handsome in the classic sense of the word, his snow white facial skin was blemished with zits, hair coal black, nose upturned, and he was lanky and awkward. But still. There was something about him. Finally, Ely decided he was right, his instincts about the 3

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tall, skinny man in front of him ringing loud and clear in his head. “Yeah, you do. You were checking out Kale. I saw you.” Emerson‟s face reddened even more, his cheeks in stark contrast to his otherwise pale complexion. He shifted his weight and fidgeted with his hands in front of himself. “You‟re mad. I-I was…” Emerson turned his attention behind him. Ely would bet his left nut that the man was fishing for an excuse, seeing if there was something back there he could use to get him out of this situation. Finally, in a voice that sounded more annoyed than before, he added, “So, what‟s it to you anyway? You his boyfriend?” Ely noted that Emerson was getting defensive. He had folded his arms, his stare also intent and filled with annoyance. “No.” “Then mind your own business.” The situation was getting tense. Ely didn‟t want that at all. He wanted to get to know as many guys as he could, preferably on a physical and emotional level. He was single, health checked and one of two-thousand on board. He‟d also been on the Mandrake since it left Mars three months ago, without action in the love department for just as long. Sure, he had his bit on Lowell City on the red planet, in the form of a fine young man who called himself Hall, but that was never going to be a permanent situation. His military cadetship seeing to that. Ely caught his arm, stopping him from leaving. “Do you have a boyfriend, Emerson?” Again Emerson seemed flustered. He turned his full attention back to Ely. “What?” Ely stepped closer to the man, keeping his hold. “I said, do you have a boyfriend?” Then something unexpected happened. Emerson laughed. For the second time in as many minutes, Ely was taken aback. “I‟m sorry if I‟m sounding 4

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forward, but—” “Who‟d want me?” Emerson came away from Ely‟s grip, stepping back so he could open his arms, invite Ely to check him out. He was in his uniform, a navy blue two-piece affair that consisted of fitted trousers and a jacket-come-shirt thing. The cadet pip gleaming on his collar. “I mean, look at me. I‟m nothing special, am I?” Ely swallowed hard. He had started all this. He couldn‟t back out now. Besides, the bulge Emerson presented sure looked interesting. Again he‟d put his left nut up for bets and say that the man was well hung. That fact alone was worth something to Ely. “I think you look fine to me.” Ely spoke the truth. Sure, the man wasn‟t Braden or Kale, but nevertheless, there was something about him that aroused his interest. He just couldn‟t pin-point what that was. Now it was Emerson‟s turn to look surprised, his eyebrows rising to crease his forehead. “You‟re joking, right? I mean, how can you like what you see? I‟m all skin and bone and about as handsome as a blank comm panel with my tan. You‟re just having me on now.” Ely swallowed again. It was now or never. “How can I tell what you‟re like under all that uniform? If you ask me, I‟d say you‟re putting me off deliberately so that you won‟t have to worry about having the burden of a boyfriend on board. I mean, why would you tie yourself down with all the other hunks running around all over the place?” Emerson looked down to his feet. He whispered, “That‟s where you‟re wrong. I‟d love to have a boyfriend,” he whispered. Ely smiled. He was right. Emerson did like guys. “I‟d love to be your boyfriend, Emerson.” Ely grabbed Emerson‟s hands, drawing him in close. “And seeing you out of that uniform would please more than anything else right now.” 5

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Emerson audibly swallowed. “You can call me, Sonny. All my friends do.” “Fine, Sonny, it is. So…will you go out with me? I‟ll buy you a drink and then—well, we‟ll go from there. Take it as fast or as slow as you like. How about it?” The man nodded. “I‟d like that. But if I find out you‟re having me on, I‟ll be mighty pissed off. And you don‟t want that.” Ely let out a chuckle. “I wouldn‟t want you upset for any reason. How about meeting me in the viewing lounge on C deck in an hour?” With that, Ely leaned over and pecked Emerson on his lips. The taste of his nervousness and the salt off his skin was evident even in that brief moment of contact. Again Emerson blushed, but with it a smile that melted Ely‟s heart. The man was damn cute and he couldn‟t help but watch—no, check him out, as he disappeared down an adjoining corridor, heading for his quarters. His arse was nice, too. Not a bubble butt like Kales, but one that was certainly ripe enough for a good fucking, nevertheless. Ely‟s dick stirred as he turned and headed for his cabin, a whistle on his lips.

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Chapter Two hen Ely approached door 507, he carefully opened it by manually stopping the sliding mechanism that always seemed to make too much noise. He knew Braden had been on first rotation, up well before six in the morning. The man was probably asleep and Ely most certainly didn‟t want to disturb him. He knew he wouldn‟t want to be woken at this late hour. Ely needn‟t have worried. There was a light on in Braden‟s room, the door open a crack. More than enough to illuminate his way. But before he called out his presence, announce that he was in, a noise struck him. He decided to see the source of the sound, for it was definitely coming from Braden‟s room. To Ely it sounded like the man was engaged in some sort of sexual play, either with himself or someone else. Ely knew he shouldn‟t look, but his curiosity got the better of him. When Ely peeked into the room through the gap, making sure not to make any noise, his suspicions were confirmed. Braden was alone, lying on his cot and as naked as the day he was born. He was erect, his bulging head glistened like a beacon. With his hand working his length, he pulled and pushed so that his foreskin helped to lubricate his actions. Gentle moans emanated from his quivering lips, the sound

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Ely heard when he entered the cabin. Braden‟s balls, big and with a wonderful red hue, bounced seductively while he worked, his legs wide. Ely licked his lips. The sight was awesome. Good thing he was getting some action tonight with Emerson, otherwise he‟d be in his own room doing the same thing Braden was here. Much to his surprise, Braden had a dildo inserted into his arsehole. The hand that held it there, pushing it in as far as it would go and pulling it out just enough so that it didn‟t slip out of his arsehole, worked just as hard as the one on his cock. It was hypnotic. Did that mean Braden liked guys? Or better yet, that he was a bottom? His tight, muscular arse was perfect for fucking, no doubt. If Ely‟s dick had been stirred by the thought of Emerson naked, then what he saw now made it as stiff as ever. Ely could even feel his pre-cum ooze from him, having to adjust himself many times to remain comfortable in his trousers. Then Braden let out a cry, his body shuddering. Ely knew why. Great ribbons of cum shot out from Braden‟s cock, the thick, white fluid covering his rippling abs and chiselled chest. Ely didn‟t hang around to see anymore. He‟d seen enough to keep his dreams ablaze for a long time, anyway. He headed for the shower. When freshened up and dressed in his civvies, Ely came into the common area once more of the cabin. A room that held the holovid and a couple of soft chairs to relax in. Most cabins had two or three bedrooms, single quarters. The bathroom was shared. The good thing about the Mandrake was that it was huge, able to accommodate such luxury, even to cadets. The starship was ten kilometres in length 8

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from the forward assembly to the engine exhaust flutes. It was a deep exploration vessel, one that required those on their tour of duty to be there for two to three years at a time, perhaps more depending on the mission. This was Ely‟s first tour. Braden‟s light was off. Ely smiled at the thought of what he‟d seen earlier. The man would sleep well after all that effort, he was sure. The image of that dildo working its magic was one that would stick with him for a long time. One that aroused him, too. The forward viewing lounge on C deck was quiet. Only a few had gathered, most in couples and most nursing their drinks or engaging in private conversations. To Ely‟s delight, Emerson was at the viewing window, his tall, thin frame a welcome sight, mainly because it meant that he hadn‟t been stood up. That had happened plenty of times in the past. Going out with guys was just as difficult as trying to attract the opposite sex. Not that Ely had ever been interested in women. But those who were, had told him of their troubles. Love was love, and the trials and triumphs were the same no matter who was the object of desire. Ely approached, coughing politely into his hand so as not to startle the man. Emerson was dressed in jeans and a shirt, the unmistakable waft of some exotic and manly scent striking Ely before he could reach out and peck him on his cheek in greeting. Emerson turned from his study of the expanse of space outside the viewing window. Ely never took too much notice of the stars, the blackness of space something that gave him an uneasy feeling. But not tonight. Tonight he was all for Emerson. “You came?” Emerson had that taken aback combined with disbelief look flash across his face. His deep, brown 9

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eyes twinkled, like two seductive stars. “Of course. I don‟t stand up my dates.” Ely gestured for Emerson to be seated at the closest table, one lit with mood lighting from within, pulling out the chair for him. “It‟s just that my history with guys hasn‟t been all that flash hot.” Emerson looked thoughtful, distant even. “Actually, you could say my love life up until this point has been a disaster.” Ely raised his hand to get a waiter‟s attention. The forward viewing lounge was a private run enterprise, as were most of the social bars and nightclubs. One way the military cut costs. Sending people into space wasn‟t cheap. The cost of anything here was expensive, but Ely didn‟t care. Emerson was worth it. “What do you want to drink?” “Starsparkle ale, thanks.” “Oh, good choice. I hear that they cold filter that using the liquid methane found on Titan.” Emerson let out a chuckle. “That‟s impossible. Titan is way too cold, even for beer production. No, they make it on Mars just like most of the other supplies on board.” But Ely didn‟t get a sense of being made fun of. On the contrary, Emerson‟s face had lit up. He was even leaning forward on his elbows to stare, a broad smile, hanging on every word Ely spoke. The guy looked smitten and Ely couldn‟t help feel the same. That attraction he found earlier was becoming more than that. That sealed it, Emerson was a beautiful man on the inside. When the waiter had taken their order and delivered their drinks in an efficient manner, Ely said, “Here‟s to us.” He rose his glass and clinked it onto Emerson‟s. The sound a welcome one, and hopefully the start of a beautiful relationship. “So, tell me about yourself. I‟m sure a good looker like you has had guys banging down your door to get to you, right?” 10

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“I wish.” Emerson let out another delightful laugh. Deep and guttural, his Adam‟s apple bobbing seductively as he did so. “My last, so-called boyfriend was back on Mars,” Emerson began. “He‟d taken me to a party and got so drunk I had to carry him home. Pawing me all the way until I finally gave up and got him into the bedroom so he could have his way. Big mistake.” He touched the glass onto his plump lips and sipped. “What happened?” Emerson shook his head. “He couldn‟t even get hard for a start, let alone stand up straight. It was like trying to work with one of those animated cadavers the medical students use to practice on.” He then used his thumb and index finger to indicate the small size of his ex-boyfriend‟s dick. There wasn‟t much gap, and Ely couldn‟t help but laugh. “Oh, my God, that‟s terrible.” Ely sipped from his glass in time with Emerson, realising he was doing so and not caring about it either. Imitation was the best form of flattery, after all. The ale was good, and so was Emerson‟s company. Many times, Emerson brushed his hand across Ely‟s, so tender and caring, staring deep and long into his eyes as he did so. “That‟s not the worst of it. When I finally got him so he was useable and my jaw ached unlike anything I‟d ever experienced in my life, he crawled on top of me and fell asleep. Not even a penetration. Took me ages to get the useless lump off me.” Ely‟s eyes widened. So Emerson was a bottom? How delicious. “I bet you dumped him quick smart after that.” “I didn‟t get a chance. Came on board the Mandrake and been lonely ever since. He keeps trying to contact me, saying he‟s sorry and blah, blah, but really, after his lack of effort, I don‟t think he‟s the one for me even though I thought about getting back with him so many times. It‟s lonely—” 11

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Ely squeezed Emerson‟s hand, a gesture of reassurance. “You‟re not alone any more, Sonny. And I can tell you right now I won‟t get drunk and fall asleep on you while we‟re making love, and that‟s a promise.” “You‟re just saying that because you want a fuck.” Again, Emerson didn‟t sound malicious with his words, but with a gentle, kind tone that Ely found dead sexy. “I sure do. Who wouldn‟t want to have you? Besides, one fuck can lead to another and another…and then…well, we‟ll take it one step at a time, shall we?” “You‟re so handsome, Ely.” Emerson got up from his seat, pulling Ely up with him. “I think we should go somewhere more private.” “You took the words right out of my mouth. Let me just go pay for the drinks, I‟ll be with you in a tick.” Emerson nodded, heading for the entrance. Moments later, hand in hand, Ely and Emerson were walking down the corridor toward the lift. “We‟ll go to my cabin. I‟ve been allocated single quarters, no share,” Emerson said. “You have?” “Yeah, all science staff have been. It‟s a kind of done thing, I suppose. At any rate, we‟ll be alone.” Ely liked the sound of that. His quarters would have been an interesting choice. He couldn‟t imagine anything worse than trying to seduce a new date into some amorous action between the sheets with Braden groaning in the other room while he ploughed himself with his dildo. “Here we are.” The door to room 210 was unlocked with Emerson‟s deft hand on the touch pad, the invitation to enter more than welcome. When Ely passed him, he leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek. That was all the encouragement Ely needed. He grabbed Emerson around his waist and pulled him into the cabin. 12

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The lights went on automatically, so no rummaging around in the dark to find the sofa. Moments later, Ely was at Emerson‟s lips, pressing hard and sending in his tongue. A burst of taste struck him, a mild tang with a hint of sweetness and Starsparkle ale. When parted, Emerson‟s lips glistening with their effort, Ely asked, “How far do you want to go?” He ran his hands down Emerson‟s back, going under the material of his shirt, feeling his welcome heat against his own touch. Ely groaned, pulling Emerson in closer, pressing his groin against his own. Emerson gasped, his lips a quiver, his eyes a sparkle that could outshine any star. “All the way.”

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Chapter Three ll the way it is,” Ely said. “Um…I don‟t want to kill the mood, but have you got the skin seal?” Emerson asked when Ely pulled his shirt apart so he could feast his gaze on his chest and stomach. The sight was wonderful. Yes, Emerson was skinny, his skin and muscle only a scant covering for his ribs and hipbones. But he was so smooth. Not a blemish on him. Not even a mole or a scar. The best part of all was that his nipples were aroused and red. A definite sign of his interest. Ely had the urge to rove his tongue all over his skin, lick and nibble those beautiful nipples that looked like sensual beacons on a field of snow. Before he did so, he replied, “No. Have you?” Emerson sat up, forcing Ely to sit up with him. He wanted to get on with it, and the sofa was a good a place as any. “What‟s the matter?” Ely questioned, one hand tugging on Emerson‟s trouser waist. “Why is it always up to the bottom to provide the protection?” Ely was taken aback. Was this now a no-go situation because he had forgotten to bring his can of skin seal? How stupid was he? The military gave the stuff out by the crate load. He had at least a dozen canisters in his quarters. And what with the new, slim line design, no one would have noticed it in his pocket.

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“I…I…” Ely stammered, clambering off Emerson. The sight of him was still so arousing, but the man was right. Ely wanted to retain his positive health check record. Such a thing meant that he could continue to be assigned missions, work in places where others may not have an opportunity to do so, such as on board the Mandrake. The military required all their personnel to be in peak condition. Random tests were common. Emerson smiled, got up off the sofa and took Ely‟s hand. “Lucky I have some then, isn‟t it?” Ely sighed relief. “For a moment there I thought—never mind.” He drew Emerson close again, lavishing him with more kisses. “Now, where were we?” “Right about here.” Emerson pulled him toward the first available door. It was his bedroom. The cot looked so enticing. But Ely knew it would be even more so when Emerson was lying naked upon it. Both of them stood above the bed. Ely unzipped Emerson‟s trousers and they fell away with ease. He kicked them away. The man was wearing briefs and the bulge was something to be seen to be believed. Ely didn‟t need an imagination to know that Emerson was both excited and well hung. When he sat down on the end of the cot, moving Emerson so his groin was at eye level, he slipped his fingers under the elastic band of the briefs. Seconds later, and with a gasp that took his breath away, Emerson‟s cock was freed from it cloth prison. “By the Great Red Spot of Jupiter, you‟re fucking massive.” Ely spoke the truth. Emerson was, without doubt, the largest guy he had ever seen in real life. By the old scale, he‟d say an easy eight inches, if not more. Tackling it would be interesting and fun, to say the least. Emerson had a smile on his face that couldn‟t be wiped 15

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away in a million years, he‟d bet his left nut on that. The man sure was proud of what he was endowed with. What‟s more he had nice ripe balls that hung beautifully beneath the monster. Ely cupped them, feeling their weight. They were warm. But not as warm as what his cock would be, Ely imagined. It was so hard now that it had been given some air, veins bulging, that his foreskin retracted of its own accord. His head a shiny, healthy pink and ever so inviting. Ely couldn‟t wait to take him into his mouth, get him in a begging mood for a good hard fucking. Before Ely could bring his lips to his lover‟s cock, start to lick the pre-cum that oozed from his piss slit, Emerson placed his hand under Ely‟s chin in the universal gesture for him to get up onto his feet. “What‟s the matter?” Ely asked, again worried by how Emerson did things and whether or not he‟d done something wrong. Panic turned his stomach‟s butterflies into a storm that made him feel nauseous. “I want to see you naked, too. I know what I look like.” Ely smiled and kissed him, sending in his tongue, chasing and dancing with Emerson‟s for the longest time. When parted, Ely let him take off his clothes. He was as hard as he‟d ever be, and needed to get the restricting cloth off him, anyway. Emerson gasped when he had disrobed Ely, pulling on the root of his dick so that his foreskin could reveal his bulging, wet with pre-cum, head. “You‟ve got a massive dick, too.” He then pushed Ely onto the bed, tickling him in the process. Soon the cabin was filled with laughter as they both rolled around on the bed, naked and without a care. The cot springs creaking. In a natural pause in their fun, Ely sat up, cross-legged. He took Emerson‟s hands, looked him in the eye, and said, “Mine‟s nowhere near as big as yours. You‟re 16

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so beautiful, Sonny, and I‟m glad we got together.” Emerson seemed to enjoy the compliment. His cheeks were as blushed and red as his head. He leaned over and opened his top drawer. “There‟s only one way to find out.” Before Ely could add another word to the conversation, Emerson had pulled out an electronic tape measure, a canister of skin seal, lubricant, the warming variety, and a dildo, the latest silicon model complete with realistic, veins, balls and foreskin. Ely couldn‟t believe his eyes. “What else you got in there?” Emerson winked, and with a chuckle said, “Who ever said sex has to be serious. I like to have fun, and now I don‟t have to do it with myself, do I?” Again, Ely was amazed by the way Emerson did things. The guy sure was different. Perhaps that was the attraction he sensed in him in the first place. Whatever the reason, Ely know knew without doubt that his times with Emerson wouldn‟t be normal in the vanilla sense of the word. Glancing over to the open, top drawer confirmed his suspicions. There was a butt plug or two, a fleshjack and at least a dozen different types of cock rings, some with mechanical vibration, some without. Ely was about to mention that Emerson was one kinky son-of-a-bitch, when the tape measure was activated and the starting point placed at the base of Ely‟s dick. “Now, let‟s see, you‟re as hard as you can be, aren‟t you?” Emerson was careful to make sure Ely‟s pubes didn‟t interfere with the reading, running his fingers over his length to both tease and help the device. He even did all of this with his tongue poking out from the corner of his lips, deep in concentration. Fuck, he was damn cute. “Yeah, I‟m as hard as I‟m ever going to be. Can you blame me? I‟m all naked and in the handsomest man‟s bed on the whole ship.” 17

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“Do you want the result in metric or imperial?” Emerson said, again with a chuckle. Ely knew he was enjoying this. “Imperial. Dicks should always be measured in inches, it‟s tradition.” Emerson took away the electronic measure. “You‟re eight inches. Told you, you‟re a monster. Now, measure me.” Although, Ely would bet his left nut that Emerson already knew his own length, the tape in his top drawer proof of that. Ely smiled. He couldn‟t help but be swept away by the mood of sheer fun and enthusiasm Emerson had created in such a short space of time. While Ely calibrated the measure for a reading, Emerson placed the skin seal can, lube and dildo next to him on the cot. Ely decided to tease Emerson while he measured, fondling him, running his finger across his frenulum and down the length of his shaft. He then cupped his balls just to watch Emerson‟s stomach quiver. Within minutes of this, his cock was dripping with more pre-cum. That smile still planted firmly on his lips. “My, you‟re nine and a half inches. Beats me hands down.” Emerson leaned over and kissed Ely, pushing him back down onto the cot, a loud creak accompanying the action. A moment was spent getting their limbs untangled and then tangled again. Ely, underneath Emerson, ran his hand across the bed clothes to try and find the skin seal. He struck something and grabbed it. Success. “Let me just spray this on and we can continue, all right?” Emerson nodded, coming off Ely so he could put on his protection. Pulling on the root of his cock, making sure all of the inner lining of his foreskin was exposed along his length, Ely sprayed the contents of the can over himself. Thank goodness, Emerson had kept the stuff at room temperature. 18

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Nothing worse than cold skin seal. A second later, the white sheen that had been sprayed onto his dick had been absorbed into his skin. The agent reacting with his cells to create a barrier against any sort of nasty. Even when he would inevitably cum, and Ely was close to that right now, the skin seal would stretch to form a bubble at the end of his piss slit, capturing it. Removing the seal was easy, from the base of the cock, roll the finger up the length, the seal would then come away, able to be dispensed. Ely was ready. He grabbed Emerson by his waist, coming so that he was on top of him, the opening of his legs all the invitation he needed to proceed. “You ever dildoed a guy while you‟ve made love to him, Ely?” Ely had to admit he hadn‟t. “No.” “Let me show you. It‟s mind blowing.” With that, Emerson took up the rather realistic looking toy and applied lube in generous quantities all over it, covering Ely‟s erection as well. Ely couldn‟t help but think of Braden in his cabin earlier. Was the dildo similar to the one Emerson had? Then again, it wasn‟t like he had got up close to see it, most of it was sunk into Braden‟s arsehole. When Emerson had finished lubricating everything he needed to, he offered it to Ely and laid back, opening his legs wider. “Whatever you do, don‟t use it like a weapon. Tease me with it. Massage the edge of my hole and do gentle insertions. Remember, you‟re preparing me for the real thing, getting me loose so you can slip in easy.” “Sure thing.” Ely feasted his gaze on Emerson‟s beautiful pink arsehole, nicely framed with hair, too. “I so want you, Ely, I really do.” Talk like that got Ely worked up even more. He could feel the pangs of ecstasy ripple up through his body from his 19

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now tight balls. Emerson was a caring and gentle man, and sharing this experience with him reinforced that in Ely‟s mind. “I have a better idea.” Ely got up onto his knees. “You do?” “Get up so you‟re on all fours. I want to lick your sweet hole as well.” Emerson‟s smile beamed. “Now you‟re talking.” “I bet you and Braden would have a ball together.” Ely retracted the dildo‟s foreskin, running his finger along the slit. It did feel realistic. “He‟s so hot when he uses one of these.” The smile was wiped from Emerson‟s lips. “What did you say?” It was in that moment Ely realised he had just said the most stupid thing he could have ever said to a guy while in his bed and sharing and deep and sexual experience. The last place anyone would want to hear about anyone else was when being intimate. The only way he could have made this worse would have been to call out Braden‟s name in a fit of passion while fucking Emerson. Ely was frozen to the spot. Holding the dildo now felt uncomfortable and, he had to admit, ridiculous. “I-I—” Emerson sat up, pulling the bed clothes over himself to cover his nakedness, folding his arms to complete the picture of disapproval Ely had just graced him with. “So you‟re thinking of Braden while you‟re with me, Ely? You said I was handsome and…did you lie? Does he do it more for you than I do? How could you? I feel…I feel used and— just get out. Get out and leave me alone.” “But, Sonny, I—” Emerson‟s eyes were filled with tears, his emotion flowing over to affect his voice, which was now hoarse and filled with disappointment. “Don‟t…call me…that.” 20

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Ely got up off the bed and gathered his clothes, not bothering to remove the skin seal off his now flaccid cock. The stuff would be absorbed completely and harmlessly into his bloodstream in a few hours, anyway. He just had to remember he had it on if he needed to piss before then. “I‟m sorry, Emerson. I really am. I didn‟t mean anything I said—” “So…you do…lie, then? I‟m not…handsome to you, am I? I‟m just a…fuck, nothing more and nothing less. And even though I opened up my heart and shared with you my inner most desires, that wasn‟t…wasn‟t good enough for you, was it?” “No—I mean, yes. Oh, I…I want you so bad, Emerson. I really do.” Emerson didn‟t reply. He had hidden his face from view. If Ely didn‟t know any better, he‟d swear the man was crying. In that moment, he felt worse than the lowest form of life that had crawled up out of the mud at the dawn of Earth‟s history. When dressed, he left room 210. His chances blown with the most interesting guy, both in personality and charm, he had ever met. And yes, he was handsome, too. Ely could kick himself right now.

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Chapter Four ly found himself at the viewing lounge where he had bought Emerson the drink that started tonight‟s disaster. He didn‟t fancy going to his cabin. The sight of Braden right now would be too much to bear considering the circumstances. He needed a drink. His throat was tight and his stomach churned. More from anger at himself than anything, but still. A good shot of alcohol would help numb the pain. “What you havin‟, sugar?” Lily asked, coming up to him and sliding her hand over to his. Her touch was warm. “You look like you just lost the world. Nothin‟ to do with that tasty bit of scientist you had in here earlier?” She was in her late thirties, but somewhat easy on the eyes for a woman. She was the owner of the lounge, one of the many who bought into the space the military contracted out on their vessels. Sure, meals were free in the mess, but no matter what, a good drink, one paid for with the toil of work, always seemed to be more rewarding. Ely nodded. “It has, and I was such an arse. No, I was worse than that. I had it all, a guy who was special and different and funny and…I blew it, Lily. Big time. I fucking blew the best thing I‟ve had in—ah, I bet you don‟t want to hear my sob story. Bet you get an earful around here.” Lily offered a smile. “You‟re my favourite cadet, Ely, what

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with keepin‟ the ship steady and true. I always got time and an ear for you. Now, what you having? On the house.” “Thanks.” Ely offered a quivering smile in return. “Something strong.” “How about a Callisto Cum Burst.” “Sounds like my sort of drink.” “I knew you‟d say that.” She produced a tall, thin bottle. The fluid inside it was multi layered, a heavier cream coloured substance underneath a clear top one. Ely would bet his left nut that the bottom part was the cum burst of the drink‟s title. “Some have said it‟s like gobbing down the real thing. Although, I do suspect the ones who have said that are complete raving virgins.” Ely tried to smile, but couldn‟t help but think of Emerson. His adorable grin on his plump lips, his eyes that sparkled and that huge fucking dick he‟d have loved to hold onto while he made love to him. “I sure missed out on my own cum burst tonight, let me tell you.” Lily leaned close. “How old are you, sugar?” “Nineteen. Why?” Lily tutted. “Do you care about him?” Ely shrugged his shoulders. “I only just met him. I—I don‟t know. I would like to get to know him better, there‟s no doubt of that.” “Well then, give him a day to simmer down and go talk to him. Give a peace offering, something nice. Guys like gifts just as much as the ladies. I know, my man gets all horny when I waft chocolates in front of his face.” Ely couldn‟t help but let out a chuckle before he downed to contents of the bottle in one go. He could see where the drink got its name. It was sweet to start, then thick and tangy to finish, numbing his tongue, too. Although, saying it was like cum was a bit of an overstatement and probably more to do with selling the beverage than anything else. 23

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Every guy he had tasted on that level had been different, but most had a sort of weak chlorine-come acidic taste mixed in with either bitterness or sour notes. Still, it was alcoholic and that‟s all that mattered in the here and now. “Lily, that‟s too much information.” “Listen, at your age everything to do with love is a disaster when it goes awry. Just suck it up and be the man I know you are and confront him. If you want him, go work for that goal. You won‟t regret it no matter how it turns out.” “You‟re right.” Ely plunked down the empty bottle. “But I‟ll have another Callisto Cum Burst first. Actually, make it two.” “Martian or Earth Standard dollars, sugar?” Ely fumbled in his jeans for his wallet, retrieving his swipe-style ID tag. “I can‟t remember—which one‟s got the better exchange at the moment?” “Martian dollar.” “Fine.” He depressed a hologram marker on the ID tag and a menu screen flashed up. Punching the Martian dollar symbol, he swiped it over the bar‟s register reader. The menu lit up with, twenty five Martian dollars deducted. Would you like a current balance of your account? Ely depressed the no option. He knew he had plenty of money. Being without a boyfriend since leaving Mars had seen that expenses had been low and all his pay was his own, except accommodation allowance and others sundries he needed, of course. Lily produced two more bottles of the drink Ely hoped would ease some of his pain. When the Callisto Cum Bursts had intoxicated him enough and his stomach no longer seethed with the pain of what he had done to lose Emerson, he staggered back to his cabin. He hoped Braden was asleep. He‟d rather not see him 24

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right now. Much to his surprise the lights were on when he opened the door. Braden was up, but he wasn‟t in the common room. Another man was. And what‟s more, the man was stark naked except for the cup of coffee he held. Ely had to blink twice, for he was sure the man was just a figment of his imagination. Had Emerson affected him so much that he was creating mirages of naked men in his mind? “Hey,” the man said as casual as could be when Ely was in the room proper. He didn‟t even blink, hide his modesty, of offer any other words except the greeting. That proved this was no mirage. Illusions weren‟t in the habit of communicating. “Um, hey.” Ely stood there staring for the longest time. He was unable to stop his gaze from wandering down to the man‟s genitals. He was well equipped—nowhere near as huge as Emerson, but a handful, no doubt. His balls were bright red and his cock had that distinct, after sex look. All loose and hanging foreskin and bulging veins even though flaccid. He had a muscular body and a pleasant face. Nothing out of proportion. Nothing different about him either. Not like Emerson. “You, Ely?” the man said with a grunt and a slight nod. A small carry can of skin seal on the kitchenette bench behind him sealed the deal for Ely. He was Braden‟s man. Which meant one thing—no, two. Braden liked guys and he had got some action tonight. Man, Braden was pushing things for himself. He‟d have to get up for first rotation in a couple of hours. Ely supposed he got sick of using the dildo and invited the real thing over. When did the man sleep? Then again, it had been about five hours since Ely had finished his shift. He had survived quite fine on a lot less. As Braden was now. “Yeah, I am.” 25

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“Cool. You‟re cuter than I thought you‟d be.” And with that he turned, grabbed the skin seal, and disappeared into Braden‟s room. The sight of his muscular buttocks the last thing he saw before the cot squeaked. A good measure of laugher soon followed. Ely sighed. Even though he didn‟t have to start his rotation until two in the afternoon, he decided to get an early night. He glanced at the clock, it was just after four in the morning. Ely sighed again. This wasn‟t going to be one of those less than five hours sleep nights for Ely. His foot-in-his-mouth with Emerson seeing to that. All he could do now was jack-off some frustration and then hit the sack. What a night. Even though Ely ended up getting over nine hours sleep, he felt terrible. More tired than when his head hit the pillow. His dreams had been filled with all the ways he could have said or done what he did differently. He even entertained the idea that Emerson had overreacted at one stage. Had he overreacted? Or had he been a complete jerk, after all? Ely suspected it was the later. That thought depressed him even more. After he had showered, got dressed and ate, he headed for engineering. He was early for his shift, but he didn‟t care. Perhaps work would take his mind off Emerson. “You‟re keen, cadet Ely,” Commander Okinawa said when he stepped into the staff conference room that adjoined the engine bay area. “You don‟t start for another hour.” Ely saluted and said, “Just want to go over some of those simulations I toyed with yesterday, sir.” Commander Okinawa rubbed his chin, deep in thought. “Yes, I have looked at what you‟ve been working on. I‟m impressed. I even think we may implement one or two of 26

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your suggestions to help flow efficiency and maintain optimum temperature.” Ely‟s eyes widened. “You are? I mean, you are, sir?” The commander slapped Ely on his back. “Come, show me which one you think will help us the most. The captain would be most interested in any improvements, especially seeing as the mission we‟re on is of the highest importance.” Ely nodded and led the commander though the engineering bay, past control rooms and transformer junctions and into the holographic simulation suite. When settled in, and with the project Ely had been working on in front of them both in all its glory, he went through the reasons why he thought his simulations would work if implemented. Many hours were spent working on the simulations, the commander offering suggestions as Ely went through them. Some were good, some not so good. Ely, in the end, made a couple of compromises. He could see the commander‟s angle. There were over two-thousand people on board the Mandrake. Safety was his prime concern before any change could be implemented. At the end of the third rotation, the time nearing ten at night, Commander Okinawa said, “I think we have a working solution here, cadet Ely.” Ely smiled. “Thank you, sir.” “You can clock off a little early. I‟ll tell the commander of the next shift to begin making the modifications when we are in our handover briefing. Excellent work. Excellent work indeed.” Ely left engineering in a lot better frame of mind than when he arrived. That was until the lift doors opened and he stepped into the corridor that led to his cabin. Wanting to come into the lift, more than likely to start his shift as the next rotation was due to begin soon, was Emerson. 27

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Any confidence Ely had gained over the course of the day ebbed away when they made eye contact.

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Chapter Five merson looked haggard. His face drawn, dark circles under his eyes in stark contrast against his pale skin. Ely wanted to reach out, grab his hands and draw him in to embrace him. Kiss everything all better. Say he was sorry with all his heart. Pour out his emotions and let him know that he‟d been a complete and utter fool. Instead, Ely stood frozen. He was numb. Only able to open his mouth and then close it for fear of giving the impression he was even more of a jerk than he already was. After an awkward moment, one that seemed to last a lot longer than the reality of it, Emerson turned his gaze away from Ely, his cheeks blushing. “Hi there, Ely,” he said with a voice as hoarse and broken as it was last night. “Um, hi, Emerson.” Before Ely could add another word, Emerson brushed past and entered the lift. “Science deck, please.” The doors closed. Ely couldn‟t help notice that Emerson touched him as he passed. Sure, it was a slight glance, a mere wisp of contact of hand on hand. But still. There was something there. As far as Ely was concerned, that gesture meant there was hope, no matter how small, that their relationship could be mended. And even if it was proven that it couldn‟t, Ely was confident he had a chance. He just had to make his next move with

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care and attention to detail. Perhaps Lily was right. Gifts and an apology on bended knee might be the ticket required. A faint smile crawled over Ely‟s lips. He had an idea. One that might just win Emerson over and provide a bit of fun, a talking point to melt the ice that had formed between them. He‟d visit the adult shop on the retail deck and buy some outlandish toy. Something they could both share with each other. A double ended dildo? A hard shelled sleeve? Handcuffs? Before Ely could work his thoughts to fruition, Kale appeared before him. Where he had come from Ely had no idea. Then again, being lost in his own mind saw to it that his attention wasn‟t on the moment. “Hey, how‟s it hanging, Ely?” Ely looked deep into Kale‟s eyes. “Not so good.” “Really?” Kale reached out and offered a tender touch on Ely‟s shoulder. “I‟m on my three day break at the moment. Hey, maybe you‟d better come over to my cabin and sink some brew with me while we watch a holovid. How about it? Might cheer you up, because damn, man, you look like shit. What you do, get in trouble with the brass or something?” “Worse than that. I blew it with Emerson last night.” “How‟d you do that? No, wait. Don‟t tell me.” Kale paused when the lift doors opened and two crewmen stepped out, their chatting ceasing when they looked upon Ely and Kale. When the men had disappeared far enough down the corridor, Kale continued, “But if you are going to spill your guts, we‟d better talk away from the eyes and ears of the gossips. Don‟t want you suffering from half-heard rumour disease tomorrow, now do we?” Ely offered a smile. A forced one, but a smile nonetheless. “You‟re right. The last thing I need is my love life as a news flash for all those louts who have nothing better to do. So 30

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yeah, I‟ll join you. Maybe the distraction might do me some good.” “That‟s the spirit.” Kale‟s cabin was room 1697, a long way down the corridor. He had shared quarters. His roommate was on rotation, so they had the place to themselves. It looked exactly like all the others, only Kale‟s sofa was a bit larger and more comfortable looking that the one in Ely‟s cabin. “You buy a different sofa?” Ely said without realising he was verbalising his observations of the place. “Yeah, the ship issue one was no good for my back. Especially when I had a date over and I was pounding them on that hard surface they call furniture. Now, make yourself at home, Ely. I‟ll order the holovid and get the beer. You prefer any special kind or you not fussy?” Ely sat. Kale was right. The sofa was comfortable. “Whatever you give me is fine.” Kale handed over two Venutian Slims, the long necked gold-sealed bottle kind. Kale had good taste. Ely twisted the cap open and drank with gusto. He needed a drink and the fluid soothed as it flowed down his parched throat. “Went down well, hey?” Ely nodded. “Sure did. I‟ll have another, if you don‟t mind.” Kale went back over to his kitchenette and opened the bar fridge. The thing was filled with all sorts of alcohol and nothing much else. Common for a cadet‟s quarters. Ely knew his and Braden‟s fridge was filled with the same. Although, lately there had been some snack foods placed in there. Had Braden‟s mystery man been the result of that? Before he could contemplate it any further, Kale returned, handed over the bottle and flicked on the holovid. A moment was spent flicking through a menu of movies before he finally settled on an old sci-fi flick. One where the aliens 31

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were grossly exaggerated and cliché, all tentacles and boggling eyes, and the starships could travel at incredible speeds. Such a notion was impossible. Ely should know. He worked the engines of a starship and no technology that he could think of could get a ship anywhere near the speed of light. Still, it was an escape from Ely‟s current concerns, and really, that was what he needed right now. Emerson‟s smile had burned into his memory and looking at anything was better than seeing his face in his mind‟s eye. After the movie had finished, and they had downed a few more Venutian Slims, Kale selected another. One similar to the first, but more of a comedy than anything based on reality. Although, Ely had to admit the leading man in the new flick he‟d selected was a lot more interesting, both in looks and character, than the previous hero. Over the course of the film, every time Kale got up to get a beer, he‟d sit closer to Ely. Without even realising it, Ely had placed his hand on the cushion between them, edging it closer to Kale‟s hand. About half way in, and when the plot had taken an even more ridiculous turn, Kale brushed his hand across Ely‟s. Ely shot him a glance. Kales offered a smouldering grin and words Ely thought he‟d never hear in all the eons of humanity‟s rein on Earth. “You want to suck my dick, Ely?” The next moments, the passing seconds that seemed like minutes, Ely was speechless, unable to pass coherent words from his lips. The reason was simple. He couldn‟t form any clear thought, his mind abuzz with so many questions, so many crazy notions of getting on his knees and taking Kale into his mouth and enjoying the contact of a man he found sexy. But swimming amongst those thoughts was that persistent image and the feelings he had for Emerson. Oh, God, how he thought of Emerson. That beautiful twinkle in 32

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his eyes that had seduced him in the first place, got him into this fine mess. He pictured his wonderful snow white skin, stark in contrast against his black hair, pubic, pit and stomach. That magnificent appendage between his legs and, more importantly, how he wanted to share Ely on a level no other guy had ever wanted to before. One of trust. How Emerson Sonfield had made him think of nothing else these past twenty-four hours than wanting to get him back. Ely took away his hand. He was unsure what to do next. He didn‟t want to do anything to jeopardise his chances with Emerson. Kale was a mutual friend. But at the same time, Ely had needs. He was only human, after all. Then, in another astounding turn of events, Kale slipped his thumb into the elastic of his track pants and pulled them down. He wasn‟t wearing any underwear and his arousal was plain to see, especially as he grabbed his dick with his other hand, the hand Ely had lost contact with, and was now holding it upright. Ely gasped. The man‟s cock was beautiful. It was thick and big and a deeper olive colour than the rest of his complexion. His foreskin, long and loose, kept his bulging head covered even thought he was at full mast. Underneath his erection, his balls, an even deeper brown, looked tight in their sack, proof Kale was as horny as any red-blooded guy with a few drinks in him and the chance to blow his load without having to do the work. But again Ely thought of Emerson. Even when he had discovered that Kale was into guys and offered himself so willingly, he couldn‟t help but picture the man he had lost, get him out of his thoughts. “As tempting as the offer sounds, Kale, and as beautiful as you are…but I think I‟m going to have to…um, I‟m going 33

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to have to say no.” Kale pulled down on the root of his dick, his foreskin retracting enough so that Ely caught a glimpse of his piss slit, one that oozed pre-cum, lots of it. “You sure. Won‟t take me long to blow my load. Just get the skin seal in the kitchenette top drawer and go for your life. The movie‟s boring anyway.” Ely licked his lips, flicking his gaze over to the drawer in question. Returning his stare to Kale, the sight of his cock pulsating ever so slightly to his heartbeat, as the blood kept it hard and he held it as an open invitation, Ely said, “I didn‟t know you were into guys.” “I get what I can get. Whether it‟s a guy or a girl, I don‟t care. Now, you going to wrap those lips around me and suck like your life depended on it, or what?” “What?” Kale let out a laugh. “You‟re dead funny, you know that. You‟re not normally my type, but seeing as you‟re a bit down on your luck, I‟ll let it slide.” He jiggled his cock, bringing it to Ely‟s full attention. Not that he needed to so such a thing, Ely couldn‟t rip his stare away from it. Pre-cum had now moistened his foreskin and was dribbling down to his fingers that gripped it. “So what you waiting for? Free dick, no strings attached.” But the previous sentence stuck in Ely‟s mind. “Um, who‟s normally your type, then?” “Oh, I don‟t know, someone like Braden. Now he‟s one fucking hot dude. All rippling muscles and a bottom who begs for it. That‟s a man in my book. What do you reckon? You share a cabin with him, is he as wild as I‟ve heard?” Ely was taken aback. His throat tightened and he couldn‟t help but get the feeling that he now felt like a piece of meat. Did Kale invite him to his room only to get him off, and as quick as possible? Was Ely a compromise for Kale seeing as 34

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Braden was taken? Or did he do such a thing out of sympathy as he had suggested? Ely was confused. Again thoughts of Emerson pounded away at his consciousness. Sure, Kale was damn sexy and seeing his dick hadn‟t lessened Ely‟s opinion of the man, but Emerson was something different. Sure, he didn‟t have the looks of Kale or Braden or any other guy Ely had been with, but that didn‟t matter. Emerson gave himself completely, without thought of reward. He didn‟t force himself onto Ely and he most certainly didn‟t compare him to anyone else. Ely‟s emotions then turned to regret. He shuffled away from Kale. “Thanks but no thanks. I want Emerson and I don‟t want to do anything to spoil my chances. You‟re a fine man, Kale, but for the here and now, I want to make amends, make up for the stuff up I did. I hope you understand.” Kale smiled, snapped his track pants back over himself, covering up his erection. “Good. If you had done it I would have slung you out of here on your arse and told you never to come sniffing around me again.” Again, Ely was taken aback. He opened his mouth, but no sound eventuated. Finally, after much sorting out of his thoughts, he uttered, “I don‟t understand.” Kale sat up, grabbing the bottle of Venutian Slim next to him and draining the contents. It was clear he was still aroused, his bulge magnificent. “Sonny told me what happened earlier today when I asked him why he looked down. The dude‟s a wreck, you know.” “He…he is…he did?” “Yeah. I set you up, you know.” He let out a laugh. “But man, I‟m going to have to jack-off now.” “You could have just told me you‟d spoken to him.” Kale shook his head. “You kidding? Doing it that way was more fun. Besides, now you know how Sonny felt when 35

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you jabbered on about Braden while in his cot. He‟s a good man, one who‟ll give you his all if you stopped thinking with your dick for two seconds. Not cool, Ely.” Funny enough, Ely felt relief. “I know. I was a jerk.” “You can say that again.” “Hey, no need to rub it in. I‟ve suffered enough, you know.” Kale smiled. “Go talk to him tomorrow, first thing. I‟m sure there‟s some ground you two can walk on to make amends. He really does have feelings for you.” “And I have feelings for him.” “Good. Now get the fuck out here so I can relieve myself and hit the sack.” Ely leaned over and planted a kiss onto Kale‟s cheek. “Thanks.” “Hey, I do what I can do.” Ely got up, heading for the door. “I‟ll see you later, then.” “You‟re a good bloke, Ely. If things don‟t work out with you and Sonny, then and only then, we might be able to work something out, share spit and stuff, okay?” “You got yourself a deal.” With that, Ely punched the touch pad, waiting for the door to slide open before he left Kale to his own business. No prizes for guessing what that would be.

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Chapter Six eep in thought, Ely headed toward his cabin. He now knew Emerson had feelings for him, and for the first time all day a small spark of hope ignited in his mind. He couldn‟t help but smile, one that would have looked goofy to anyone who would pass him in the corridor, he was certain. But he didn‟t care. There was a chance he could get Emerson back. If he played his cards right. Arriving at his cabin, tiredness filling his bones, Ely entered. He was confronted with Braden‟s mystery man. Again, as naked as the day he was born. This time his dick was semi erect and still wet with lube, all except for the end of his foreskin where he had sprayed the skin seal. Seemed Ely missed the show. In a way he was thankful for that. Seeing Braden fucking on top of copping a sight of Kale‟s cock, would have been too much for one night. The man nodded, “Hey, Ely.” “Hey…um, I didn‟t catch your name yesterday. Who are you again?” The man smiled, one that sent a shiver through Ely. A naked, smiling man was a welcome sight. “I didn‟t tell you. Names, Carl.” “Well then, hey there, Carl.” “No worries.” At that moment, Braden emerged from his room. He, too,

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was naked, his dick also coming off the high the two of them must have experienced moments before Ely entered the cabin. His cheeks were flushed and he had a glow about him. One of unmistakable satisfaction. “Hi there, Ely,” Braden chimed. He was smiling as well, slapping Carl on his buttocks as he passed to get to the kitchenette fridge, grab himself a drink. “I see you met Carl.” “Yeah, sure have.” Ely stared as Braden bent over and pulled out two energy drinks, the light from the fridge covered his body in a wonderful orange aura. His buttocks were certainly fine, tight and muscular, just like the rest of him. The view of his balls, red and ripe and hanging deliciously between his legs also added to the attraction. “He‟s kind of hard to miss standing there like that, isn‟t he?” “He sure is.” Braden pulled out the beverages he was seeking. Carl chuckled. “Braden tells me you‟ve got a fine package, Ely.” Braden nodded. “He sure has, Carl. I‟ve seen him in the showers.” He turned his attention to Ely, a lustful grin on his lips. “Man, having that meat of yours up my arse would be just fucking perfect. Say, Carl and me are going to go hard at it again real soon. You want to join us this time? A threesome would be so damn hot.” In that instant, Ely‟s heart skipped a beat. When Braden had handed his lover his bottle, he come to embrace Carl, draw him close. They kissed. One of all roving tongues and groans. Ely licked his lips. Why was it, after he had found such a wonderful man in Emerson, that every guy he had ever lusted for was behaving just how he had dreamed? All those nights of jacking off, thinking of all the things he‟d do to Kale and Braden, and sometimes both at the same time. He didn‟t even think Braden knew he existed 38

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up until this moment. How wrong was he on that? How wrong was he on many things? Just as Ely was about to answer, turn down the enticing offer, his thoughts of Emerson still vivid in his mind, the siren above the cabin‟s front door flashed orange and sounded three times. An announcement soon followed, and the comm panel on the wall near the kitchenette scrolled with the words that were spoken. The reason for the verbal and visual communication was not because there were any deaf people on board, but because many on rest days listened to music or were hooked up to vGames, while those on duty could be immersed within navigation computers or holographic simulations. “Attention all personnel. General alert has been issued. I repeat, general alert has been issued. All non-rostered military staff are to remain in their quarters or proceed in an orderly fashion so that they are. All civilians, under military protocol 67-ba9, are also required to do the same. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. Attention all personnel…” And the message continued until repeated three times. “I wonder what‟s going on?” Ely questioned, heading for the comm panel. Braden shrugged his shoulders. “Well, whatever it is, we‟re in no hurry now. We‟re all stuck here until the general alert has been lifted.” He kissed his lover, again with lots of tongue. “Let‟s go then, Carl. I need another good hard fucking. Ely, you joining in, or not?” Ely was more interested in the readout at the end of the message. There was a flashing icon, one that was a direct link to the engineering bay and Commander Okinawa‟s ready room. That meant one thing. Commander Okinawa wanted to speak to either him or Braden, and seeing as Braden was a command cadet, having nothing to do with engineering, Ely bet his left nut that he was the subject of the 39

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hail. He wondered what the commander wanted him for. “So, Ely, you coming, then?” Carl said, waving at Ely before pulling Braden into his room. Ely was busy contemplating the meaning of the hail. He replied, “You two go ahead and start. I think Commander Okinawa wants me.” “Well, you know where we are.” And with that Braden closed his cabin door. The sound of the cot creaking and heavy groans soon filled the air. Braden and Carl didn‟t waste any time, did they? Ely pressed the hail icon. The comm panel went blank, the general alert message disappearing, before the face of Commander Okinawa filled its frame. “Ah, cadet Ely, I‟m glad you answered so quickly.” Ely saluted. “Yes, sir.” “Now, I‟m sure you‟re wondering what this is all about?” “It had crossed my mind, sir.” “I‟m sure it did. A man of your ability wouldn‟t settle for just acceptance. Now, the Mandrake has been surrounded by an energy field. According to our sensors we‟re also gaining speed exponentially.” Ely was taken aback. A common occurrence of late. “Gaining speed? It hasn‟t got anything to do with any of my simulations you implemented for the coolant mix, has it, sir?” Commander Okinawa offered a weak smile, clearly he was worried, but put on a brave face, nevertheless. “No. I hadn‟t implemented any of what we worked on today. I was discussing doing so with commander Sparks when this energy field changed all that.” “So, exactly how fast are we traveling then, sir?” “Hard to say. All I know is that the captain informed me only moments ago that we just passed Jupiter, getting an up 40

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close view of Ganymede. A feat we aren‟t supposed to achieve for another four months.” Ely swallowed hard. So much for those goofy science fiction films being just a fantasy and based on a writer‟s imagination. Here was the Mandrake doing just the thing he laughed at, traveling at incredible speed. Many questions formed in Ely‟s mind, and at first he couldn‟t speak, couldn‟t place into coherent thought what he wanted to say because he couldn‟t make sense of any of it himself. The sound of Braden letting out a cry of passion threw him from his train of thought. Damn him. Why did he have to choose now to open his legs? Ely needed to think if he was going to help Commander Okinawa figure this all out, as he now knew that was the reason for the hail even though he hadn‟t said such a thing yet. Finally, Ely said, “So how are we going to get an assessment of the situation if the ship‟s sensors aren‟t giving an accurate reading because of the energy field?” After a moment of pause, he added, “Sir.” Almost forgetting to address his commander in the appropriate way because his mind was such a jumble. Commander Okinawa‟s smile widened and he offered a slight nod. “This is why I hailed you, cadet Ely. You‟re inquisitive and enthusiastic. Qualities I like on my team.” “Thank you, sir.” “The captain is most anxious for information, and the only way I can see how we‟ll obtain such a thing is to get into a shuttle and go outside and see for ourselves. I want you to be on my away team, cadet Ely. The energy field doesn‟t seem to be saturated with radiation, so the mission should be a relatively simple exercise. I know you have just completed a rotation, so I‟ll give you a few hours rest before pre-mission briefing at 0900 hours. You will be compensated and your rest time extended once you‟re back on board the Mandrake.” 41

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Ely saluted. “Pleased to be a part of the team, sir.” “That‟s the attitude. Now, is Cadet Braden there? I want him on the shuttle, too. He needs command experience.” Ely could still hear little yelps and moans Braden let out as he was getting his arsehole filled. “I‟ll go get him for you, sir.” Commander Okinawa turned away from the screen, speaking something to commander Sparks. Ely swallowed hard again. The sight of Braden and Carl going for it would be hard to take. He reached out and turned the handle, opening the door to the sight he so wanted to avoid. Braden was lying on the bed, legs in the air. His eyes were shut tight, his teeth clenched and the expression on his face universal for someone being nailed. He was also gripping his balls, holding them up so Carl didn‟t have any interference while he worked. Carl had gripped him behind his knees, his buttocks wobbling hypnotically and in time with his rhythm. The sight of them both going hard at it was beautiful, but at the same time, brought to the forefront of Ely‟s mind just what he could have had with Emerson. One that would have been a whole lot better than just a fuck. Carl turned to look at Ely, his cheeks bright red, sweat beaded on his brow. “Couldn‟t resist, hey?” Braden opened his eyes. “Quick, get you gear off, Ely. I‟m not going to last much longer so you‟d better get in before I blow. Otherwise you‟ll miss your chance, you hear?” Ely so wanted to take over from Carl. Sink his hardening cock into Braden‟s warmth, make him blow his load all over his rippling with muscles stomach and chest. He licked his lips and cleared his throat. “Commander Okinawa wants to speak with you, Braden.” Braden sat up, pushing Carl so that the man had no choice but to slip out of him. “What? Why didn‟t you say so earlier? Fuck!” 42

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When Carl had come away from Braden, he stepped off the cot, a quirky smile on his lips. His cock was massive, with a bulging head that Ely could have so easily taken into his mouth. In fact, the man‟s genitals had a wonderful red tinge to them from all the action he had given to Braden over the course of the night. Braden was also hard, but before Ely could admire him in more detail, he scrambled off the bed, pulling up the sheet to cover himself before he spoke to Commander Okinawa. Ely followed. “I hope I didn‟t disturb you, Cadet Braden,” the commander chimed when Braden set himself into position in front of the comm panel. Braden saluted, cleared his throat with a gentle cough. “No, sir, you didn‟t.” “Good. At 0900 hours I want you to come to my ready room. I have an away mission for you. Your commanding officer has suggested you, so you‟ll be my right hand man. We will take a shuttle to investigate a strange energy that‟s surrounding the Mandrake. Can you handle that, Cadet Braden?” “Yes, sir, I can.” “I already have cadet Ely on board. I want you to choose a pilot and a science and logistics officer. I think that‟ll be all we‟ll need for a cruise around the ship.” Without hesitation, Braden said, “I suggest Cadet Kale for pilot. I hear he‟s the best for his class, sir.” Commander Okinawa nodded. “And science and logistics?” There was a pause. Being a command cadet, it was part of Braden‟s responsibilities to know all those of his class and of all disciplines. Away missions were common and if a commander didn‟t know his crew, how could he pick a successful team? “I believe Cadet Emerson would be a good 43

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choice for that role, sir.” Ely almost fainted. Did he just say Cadet Emerson? Ely felt his feet and hands tingle, his stomach churn and his throat tighten. He was also sure all the blood had drained away from his face. Seemed he was going to visit Emerson first thing in the morning for sure now. Was he ready? He sure hoped so. On one level, he was thrilled to be working with Emerson. On another, he was petrified. What if the man was still mad at him? How could he operate at peak efficiency then? The last thing he wanted to do was let Commander Okinawa down, especially seeing as he had been handpicked for an away mission. “Good choices,” Commander Okinawa said, disturbing Ely from his thoughts. “I will inform the respective departments of your suggestions. Until 0900 I suggest you get some rest. Okinawa, over and out.” Braden saluted. “Yes, sir.” When the screen went blank, he called out to Carl. “Get that dick of yours over here. We‟ve got to finish what we started before I need to get ready for my mission.” “Sure thing,” Carl said, coming into view. His cock still rock hard. Had he jacked himself off to remain at full mast while Braden was on the comm? No matter, he was a damn beautiful sight. But not as beautiful as Emerson. He yearned for him in a way he had never wanted for a man in his life. In the brief moment they had been together, Ely knew in his heart that right now he didn‟t want to be with anyone else. Braden flashed a glance back to Ely. “Last chance to get some action.” Ely shook his head. “I need to get some shut eye. I‟ve just worked a shift and 0900 is in five hours.” Braden shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself.” Ely headed for his cot, trying to ignore the sounds that 44

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emanated from Braden‟s room. He stripped down to his underwear and pulled back the bed clothes. “Can you wake me at 0830 hours, computer?” “Affirmative.” For the first time in too many days, he didn‟t relieve himself before he slept. He was out like a light as soon as his head hit the pillow.

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Chapter Seven t 0845, Ely left his cabin. Braden was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Carl, for that matter. The General alarm was still active, Ely supposed it wouldn‟t be lifted until the energy field around the Mandrake had been dissipated or at the very least, the reason discovered as to why it was there in the first place. Ely was stopped by security when he exited the lift that led down to engineering. He explained that Commander Okinawa had requested his presence and that he was now considered to be rostered personnel. The man checked the portable comm panel he was holding, nodding when he discovered Ely‟s name on the duty list. When he entered Commander Okinawa‟s ready room, his gaze searched out and rested for a brief moment on Emerson. The man was seated, still looking haggard, his eyes bloodshot. Everyone else was present, including a grinning Kale. Ely had been in Commander Okinawa‟s ready room plenty of times, but this was the first time he was there for a mission briefing. “Glad you made it, cadet Ely. I know you must be tired, so I‟ll keep this brief,” Commander Okinawa began, gesturing to a holographic schematic of the Mandrake that had appeared above the middle of the conference table. “As

A

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you are all now aware, an energy field has surrounded…” Ely lost the commander‟s words in the jumble of thoughts he had about what he was going to say to Emerson the moment he got the chance. He just wanted to go to him, plant a sensual kiss upon his plump lips, not caring what others would think. Actually, he wanted to embrace him tight, soothe the hair upon his head while cradling him close to his chest. Take in his touch and his scent. He remembered the after shave Emerson wore, manly and adding to his attraction. An attraction that didn‟t germinate from the man‟s looks, but blossomed because of the way he behaved. Emerson was a gentlemen and Ely was a fool if he didn‟t try and make amends, and as soon as possible before too much time had passed and the wound of what he did too great to heal. “…thank you, cadets.” Commander Okinawa saluted. Everyone around the table stood up and did the same. Ely nearly missed the end of the briefing, he had been that absorbed with his own concerns. “I will see you all in shuttle Phoenix in thirty minutes. Dismissed.” Braden was the first to leave the ready room, followed by Kale. Ely offered a weak smile at Emerson, gesturing for him to pass through the door before he did. Emerson looked beyond Ely, passing without so much as a word spoken. Ely‟s stomach churned. Had he blown it for certain? There was only one way to find out, and that was to get Emerson alone, talk to the man. Ely sighed. That was going to more difficult than he had hoped. Being on an away mission, one that could last for hours, wouldn‟t be the ideal situation to pour his heart out to someone. Private times on short missions were few and far between. On board the shuttle Phoenix, Ely headed straight for the 47

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cockpit. That‟s where everyone else would be anyway. In the thirty minutes between leaving the ready room and arriving at the shuttle bay, he returned to his cabin and packed a duffle bag. It was standard procedure for any away mission, even ones that were scheduled to be short. Inside his bag, he placed a spare uniform, plenty of underwear, and all the things he needed for personal use, brush, enzyme mouth paste, soap, a carry can of skin seal— not that he had hope of using it—and his own pillow. He always brought his own pillow no matter where he stayed. Helped him sleep, even on the most uncomfortable beds, which shuttles were renowned for. Coming into the cockpit, a rather large room which also accommodated its own ready room and kitchenette, Ely once more couldn‟t help but stare at Emerson. He was standing near the window, his silhouette striking. Braden and Kale were present, too. All that was needed was the commander and the mission could begin. “You‟ll wear your eyes out, Ely,” Kale said with a snicker. “Kale!” Ely shot him a glance that could have curdled a Callisto Cum Burst. He noted that Emerson didn‟t turn around from his study of the goings on around the shuttle bay. He just stood there. Watching. Silent. Braden said, “Is there a problem here that I might need to know about? This is the first away mission I‟ve been entrusted with and I don‟t want anything to fuck it up, you all clear on that, ladies?” Braden had certainly changed his tune since earlier this morning when he was all over Carl. Then again, Ely understood military mentality. Being in command was a big responsibility. Work was work and rest was rest. Kale offered Braden a salute. “Nothing a good hard fuck between Ely and Emerson won‟t fix, Braden.” “That‟s sir while you‟re under my command, Cadet Kale.” 48

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“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. But it‟s true, the only issue here is that Ely and Emerson need to swap spit and sink their dicks into each other‟s holes, nothing more.” Braden roved his gaze over Ely and Emerson in turn. A slight nod as he did so. Ely then knew he understood why he had turned down his offer of a threesome. “If this affects the mission in any way I‟ll report you both to Commander Okinawa. Clear?” Without seeing him do so, Emerson had turned his attention to the group. His face as hard as stone, his stare intent. Ely swallowed hard. All this banter had probably made life more difficult. But what could he do? Kale was Kale. Ely, Emerson and Kale said in unison, “Yes, sir.” In that moment Commander Okinawa came into the cockpit. “Commander on deck,” Braden snapped, standing to attention and saluting. All the others followed. “Ah, good, we‟re all here. At ease, cadets.” Commander Okinawa placed a portable comm panel onto the shuttle‟s briefing table. The computer was larger than the tablets security used. “Cadet Kale, begin launch procedure. We‟ve waited long enough and the captain is eager for some answers, as I‟m sure we all are.” “Yes, sir,” Kale said, swivelling in the pilot‟s chair so that he was facing the controls. He began speaking into the comm with the tower. Seconds later, the unmistakable hum of engines filled the cockpit. Another second or two after that, the shuttle was accelerating out of the bay doors. “Clearing the Mandrake now, sir,” Kale said, not looking away from his study. The energy field did indeed surround the starship. Before them was an electric blue shimmer, not solid so as to obscure the blackness of space beyond, but solid enough to be seen 49

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with the naked eye. Ely gasped. Before the wonder before him could be taken in completely, a klaxon sounded, causing Kale to begin frantic movements across his control panel. “Sir, we‟re experiencing a lot of turbulence as we pass through the energy field.” “Can you maintain integrity?” Commander Okinawa asked, coming over to where Kale was seated, studying the panel for himself. “I think so, sir.” “Good. Continue with the mission as planned, Cadet Kale.” The turbulence Kale spoke of shook the shuttle. Strangely, as they passed through the energy field and began coming out of it so they can begin their sensor sweep, the shaking got worse. Commander Okinawa‟s portable comm panel was shaken off the briefing table, as well as other various loose objects scattered about the cockpit. Again a klaxon sounded. Before Commander Okinawa could ask what the problem was, Kale said, “The difference in conditions between normal space and the area inside the energy field is too great. The shuttle can‟t cope with the stress on the hull, sir.” “Then we abort,” Commander Okinawa snapped. Kale punched more and more panels. Ely could hear the shuttle groan, like the metal it was made of was being stretched and sheared from the forces of the energy field. After what seemed an eternity, Kale said, “We can‟t go back…sir. The shuttle is getting swept away, like flotsam caught in a tidal current. We‟re going to be forced out of the energy field and ripped apart unless we can come up with something quick smart.” “Are the engines on full power?” Commander Okinawa questioned, the look of concern drawn all over his face. Braden had come over to the pilot‟s seat, too. 50

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“Yes, sir. That‟s part of the problem. I need full power to stay within the energy field, but even that‟s not enough. We‟re falling away from the Mandrake and I don‟t think we‟ll have the power to catch up, let alone see the shuttle bay sometime soon.” Commander Okinawa looked up from the readouts and red warning lights on the control panel in front of Kale. “This shouldn‟t be happening. The Mandrake isn‟t affected in that way by the energy field, so why are we having difficulty?” “I don‟t know, sir. We‟re dealing with forces I can‟t even begin to explain,” Kale said. “But I do know that if we leave the energy field, we‟re going to be turned into space junk.” Braden turned his attention to Emerson. “Do you have any suggestions, Cadet Emerson?” He then looked to Ely. “Or can you boost the shuttle‟s engine power, cadet Ely? Give us what we need to get back into the shuttle bay at the very least.” Commander Okinawa patted Braden on his back. “Excellent, get the men working.” “Hang on,” Emerson said. “If the Mandrake is surrounded by an energy field and the shuttle is being forced out of that field, why can‟t we use that to our advantage?” “Explain, Cadet Emerson,” Commander Okinawa said, but not with the authority of an order, more out of hope than anything else. “I don‟t think we‟re going to have time for much jabbering, Commander Okinawa, sir.” Kale said, again a frantic pushing of panels punctuating his words. “I believe we‟ll have less than ten minutes or so before we‟re ripped apart.” Emerson‟s face hardened even more than it already was. “Then I‟ll need to take cadet Ely to the shuttle‟s engine bay. I have an idea.” 51

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Without hesitation, Commander Okinawa said, “Take whoever and whatever you need. Just get this sorted out so we can do what we‟re supposed to be doing, helping the Mandrake. Cadet Braden, hail the command deck, tell them of our predicament and inform them that we‟re working on a solution.” “Yes, sir,” Braden said with a salute, heading over to the communications panel, his face lit up blue with the glow of the communicator screen as it appeared, seconds later. Emerson nodded to Ely. “C‟mon, cadet Ely. I‟ll need a whiz on the engines while I configure the computer into accepting the craziest thing that has ever been done in a shuttle.” Ely followed Emerson out of the cockpit.

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Chapter Eight o…um, you think I‟m a whiz, do you?” Ely asked, a squeak in his voice that wouldn‟t go away no matter how much he cleared his throat. His fingers tingled, too. Was this nerves or something else? Emerson led him down to the engine compartment of the shuttle. Not that Ely needed to be shown where the place was, he was an engineer, after all. But still, he didn‟t complain. At least Emerson had spoken to him. Ely thought too soon. The next words out of Emerson‟s mouth were filled with venom. “I only said that in front of the commander so he wouldn‟t suspect that I think you‟re a complete fuck head for leading me on. You only asked me out so you could get what you wanted, not caring about my feelings at all.” A long moment of silence followed between them, the groan of the shuttle fighting against the energy field all that could be heard. Emerson climbed down the ladder that led to the engine compartment, not bothering to wait for Ely. When Ely was in the room with him, settling into his station at engineering status and control, he said, “Okay, I deserved that.” His throat tightened even more. In fact, his whole body was now numb with both nerves and anxiety. His chances of ever getting back with Emerson sinking with each passing second. His thoughts darkened to cloud his

“S

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mind. Emerson sat down at the station next to Ely, punching up a schematic of both the shuttle and the Mandrake. “Here we are in relation to the Mandrake. Kale was right, the shuttle is moving out of the energy field.” Ely didn‟t reply, letting Emerson continue as he studied the information lit up before them. It was clear to him that the man had said what he needed to get a weight off his chest and was now concentrating on the matter at hand. Ely had no doubt that their relationship was over. He wanted to reach out and hold Emerson‟s hand that worked as quick as lightning across the logistics panel, but chose not to. He didn‟t fancy a slap in the face to match the verbal chastising he just received. “There seems to be a pattern to the energy,” Ely said, his voice weak, his mind spent of all hope of salvaging what little shred of attraction Emerson may still have for him. Kale had lied. Emerson wasn‟t acting like a man who still had feelings for someone else. He was cold, his stare intent on his work and nothing else. “The sensors are working better for us and I can bring up a clearer picture of what‟s going on around the Mandrake.” Emerson punched more panels, an even better image of the energy field could be seen. “Must be something to do with the fact that we‟re no longer a part of the main vessel, I think.” Ely‟s vision misted and he had trouble forming words over his trembling lips. In that moment, when the hope had extinguished within him, he felt the greatest admiration, respect and attraction to Emerson. He had lost a true friend and a wonderful lover, all with one stupid sentence spoken without thought. Eventually, he managed, “It looks…like, like some sort…of wave around the…starship, to me.” Before Emerson could reply, the comm panel lit up and 54

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Kale‟s voice boomed to fill the engine compartment. “Hey, guys, sorry to sound like a bit of a pain, but can you get on with whatever it is you‟re going to get on with. I don‟t know how much longer I can keep the shuttle within the energy field.” His words were reinforced by a loud bang, one that sounded like a conduit or pipe had been ripped from its housing and fallen onto the steel grated floor. Emerson leaned over to look at the comm. “Give me two minutes, Kale.” “Well, if I can‟t, then there will be no need to panic,” Kale said. “I‟ll see you all in the afterlife. Kale out.” The sound of the shuttle‟s metal sheering under duress filled the void once Kale‟s voice no longer registered. Emerson turned to Ely, his look still stern. “I‟ll need you to help me enhance the shields, reconfigure the inertial dampeners and adjust the engine fuel mix so that the shuttle‟s exhaust doesn‟t react with the Mandrake’s once we‟re in position. Can you handle that?” Ely was taken aback. Emerson was not only a cold as ice toward him, his eyes didn‟t reflect that wonderful sparkle he had come to know and love. That sealed the deal for Ely. Emerson wasn‟t interested in him at all. The damage had been done and at this point in time, repairing such damage was out of the question. “I can do that,” Ely said, clearing his throat and swallowing all the feelings he had for Emerson, burying them deep within him. He had a job to do and a relationship that had no hope of blossoming had to be the least of his concerns right now. At least he could go to Kale or Braden for some physical contact now that Emerson was out of the picture. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve. With a new found determination, and accepting the hand fate had dealt him, Ely added, “Just tell me what you‟re planning so I can understand what amount of reconfiguration is required.” 55

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“I‟m planning to surf the shuttle on the Mandrake’s engine wake. That should keep us in position.” “You‟re going to be doing what?” Emerson nodded toward the schematic in front of him. “You said it yourself, the energy field looks like waves around the starship. If we position the shuttle behind it, getting into the slipstream, so to speak, then our engines may be powerful enough to at least stop us from being destroyed.” Ely‟s eyes widened. What Emerson had said was true. Getting into position behind the Mandrake would not only keep them from falling out of the energy field, it would help them keep up with the starship until the cause for all of this could be determined. They could then use the shuttle‟s sensors, made more useful by the fact that they weren‟t deep within the energy field, to help gain more information for the captain. “That‟s really quite brilliant.” “I‟m glad you think so,” Emerson said, not looking at Ely. But for the first time since he had seen him after their first date, the man cracked a smile. “Now get a move on and do what you have to. We‟ve got less than a minute.” The next few moments were the tensest in all of Ely‟s life. He had never worked with so much urgency, so much determination to make sure the job was done and with as little time spent on it as possible. Having his life hang by a thread probably had something to do with it. Emerson also worked like a man possessed. “I‟ve enhanced the forward shields and stabilised the inertial dampeners.” Ely said, his fingers a blur across the control panel. “Can you ask Kale to get the shuttle into position? I won‟t be able to adjust the engine fuel mix to a less volatile one until I know the exact composition of the Mandrake’s emissions.” Emerson didn‟t delay. He punched the hail icon for the 56

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cockpit. “Kale, I need you to do exactly as I say and without any hesitation or questions. You‟ll just have to trust us, all right?” “I‟m open to anything right about now,” Kale replied. “Good. Set a course for the wake of the Mandrake’s exhaust emissions,” Emerson barked into the comm. Ely kept on working, fine tuning the shield harmonics and strengthening or relaxing the inertial dampeners as the shuttle came about and headed toward the rear of the starship. “I know it sounds crazy, but the only way we‟re going to keep up with the Mandrake and buy us some sensor time is to ride the wake.” “No argument from me,” Kale said. Within seconds the shuttle was in position, helped by the fact that the energy field was pushing it toward the back of the ship anyway. Ely just hoped that Kale was a good enough pilot to get into the exhaust wake before being shot out into space from the forces at play. The shuttle shuddered and more groans and weird noises could be heard. In fact, at one stage, Ely thought the engineering compartment would rattle to pieces. The seat he was upon was shaken from the bolts that secured it to the floor. Thankfully, Ely was quick to pull the chair back into position before his arse found the steel grating. The schematic of the shuttle in front of Ely was flashing red all over. The shields weren‟t strong enough for the onslaught of the Mandrake’s exhaust. Ely had no choice but to divert all available power to the shields and patch energy into them as best he could. He even resorted to using the energy usually reserved for minor systems, such as door opening and auto latrine flushing, to assist in strengthening them. Thankfully, the shuttle was in position anyway, riding on the wake, just as Emerson had predicted it would. At least 57

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no excess engine expenditure would be needed to keep it there. They were basically getting a free ride. The trick now was making sure they survived in such a hostile environment. “This is going to be tricky,” Ely said, more to himself than Emerson. After another tense moment or two, and plenty of sweat on the brow, the shield situation was under control. The shuttle was safe, for now. Ely sighed relief. He had done the best he could under the circumstances, but now wasn‟t the time to rest. Now he needed to work on the problem of the shuttle‟s exhaust mixing with the Mandrake’s and possibly causing a reaction. Even though space was a vacuum, this close to the exhaust was like being in an atmosphere. What with all that energy surrounding them, and volatile emission gasses, too, even the slightest upset could spark a reaction. Ely had to make sure the shuttle‟s emissions weren‟t going to exasperate an already difficult situation. Shuttles weren‟t meant to fly in exhaust, simple as that. “Perhaps if we only use the ion engines and stand down the main reactor, that might solve two problems in one go.” Emerson leaned over to Ely to catch a better view of his holo-screen. Ely couldn‟t help but notice that the man came so close he could feel his breath against his cheek. His stomach churned with butterflies. Had he got it all wrong again? Did Emerson have feelings for him, after all? Before he could contemplate such a thing any further, Emerson continued, “Our emissions will be benign and we can use the reactor power to boost the shield even more, seeing as it won‟t be needed for propulsion.” Ely shook his head, clearing his thoughts and concentrating on the matter at hand. They didn‟t have much time, the shuttle‟s exhaust could already be reacting. “I just 58

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hope the ion engines will be enough to keep us in place.” “The suction from the Mandrake in the position we‟re in should be enough. Just make the transition nice and slow. We may have to make a sort of compromise between ion and reactor power to get the best effect.” Ely nodded his head. “I agree.” He turned to look at Emerson, not realising the man was still close. His lips brushed Emerson‟s cheek. In that instant, Ely‟s heart skipped a beat and he pulled his head away as quick as he could, his cheeks blushed hot with embarrassment. “I‟m…I‟m sorry.” Emerson flashed a smile. “Just get on with the job.” But to Ely the words were nowhere near as poisonous as they were a few moments ago. Had Emerson softened now that he was in Ely‟s presence? Or was what he said earlier all an act, just like what Kale did. Ely was confused. “Sure thing.” Again, after much adjusting and re-adjusting, the ionreactor mix needed to keep the shuttle from becoming a fireball inside the Mandrake’s emissions was achieved. The final result was one-hundred percent ion power with twenty percent enhanced by reactor power. That gave Ely plenty to use to boost the shields. When done, and reasonably certain the shuttle was safe, he leaned back in his chair, knitting his fingers behind his head and taking in a deep breath. His hair, forehead and body was covered in sweat, both from the stress and the speed at which he had worked. Sure, the ride was as rough, the shuttle vibrating all over, the inertial dampeners at maximum, but at least they had done it. Emerson leaned over once more, and said, “We make a great team.” And with that he patted Ely on his knee. Ely almost jumped out of the chair, having to grab for the control panel in desperation to stop himself from falling backwards and making an even bigger fool of himself. “Say 59

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what?” Before Ely could ask for an explanation, Commander Okinawa appeared, Braden in tow. “Excellent job, cadet Ely, Cadet Emerson,” he began. “Thanks to your quick thinking, the shuttle is able to remain with the Mandrake and perform the sensor sweep the captain so desperately wants. Perhaps now we can get some answers.” Ely and Emerson got to their feet, saluting the commander. “Yes, sir,” they chimed together. The man circled them, a beaming smile on his lips. He was clearly pleased. “We won‟t be able to get back into the shuttle bay until we can sort out what‟s going on with this energy field. Looks like we‟re all in for the long haul. I suggest you both get some rest, I don‟t want tired men on my watch.” He paused to pat Ely and Emerson on their shoulders in turn. “There are three cabins on board. Cadet Braden here tells me you‟re a couple, so both of you can have the second cabin. I will take the first, while Cadet Kale and Cadet Braden can have the other. Now get to it, I‟ll wake you in six hours.” Ely was dumbfounded. He got the distinct feeling everyone was in on something and he wasn‟t. Had Braden set him up, too? Offering Ely to join in with Carl as a test? Had Emerson only pretended to be angry after all this time, just to punish him? Before he could sort out any of the questions that swam in his mind, Emerson grabbed him by his hand and led him out of the engineering compartment.

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Chapter Nine bout half way along the corridor that housed the ladder that led up to the main work areas and cabins of the shuttle, Ely pulled his hand out of Emerson‟s grip. “What the fuck‟s going on here, Emerson?” Emerson stared deep into Ely‟s eyes, that magical twinkle had returned. “Giving you a lesson you‟ll never forget, that‟s what.” “You…you set me up, didn‟t you?” Emerson let out a laugh. “I sure did. I told you when you asked me out that I would be mighty pissed off if I found out you were having me on. At first I did think such a thing, and I was going to dump you and never speak to you again. Then Kale came and saw me, and after talking to him, I realised that you were genuine and you‟d only suffered from putting your foot firmly in your mouth.” “Yeah, I‟m famous for that, didn‟t you know.” Emerson grabbed both of Ely‟s hands, drawing him close. “At any rate, I decided to give you a chance to redeem yourself, so I asked Kale and Braden to help me. I think you know the result of all that, don‟t you?” “I sure do.” Ely couldn‟t help but add respect to the long list of things he admired about Emerson. Getting Braden to do such a thing wouldn‟t have been an easy task, especially considering Ely didn‟t exist in his mind up until yesterday.

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He could just imagine the look on Braden‟s face as Emerson told him his plan. Emerson came to plant a kiss onto Ely‟s lips. A kiss Ely had wanted so bad all day. He closed his eyelids, letting the contact of skin on skin take him away for a moment, his head spinning with giddy delight. Ely took his hands from Emerson‟s so he could embrace him tight. The warmth of him as his body pressed closer consumed his thoughts with both pleasure and relief. For the longest time they held each other, lips on lips, body against body. Then Emerson slipped in his tongue, Ely‟s stomach turned and again his mind became a storm of enjoyment. For an eternity and beyond, they deepened their kiss to a level Ely thought would have never happen only moments ago. When parted, Emerson said, “And you passed my test with flying colours.” Ely couldn‟t speak at first, lost in Emerson‟s presence, his tongue tingling from all of his attention. Finally, after he cleared his throat, staring deep into Emerson‟s beautiful eyes, wanting to get lost within them forever, he said, “I‟m…so glad…I did, Emerson. I was so beside myself I couldn‟t function without thinking of you.” “I know.” Emerson kissed Ely again. Once more he was consumed with the man‟s touch, every fibre of his being, from sinew to neuron, now only functioned for Emerson. “Oh, and you can call me Sonny.” Ely licked his lips, the taste of Emerson still vivid. “Well, you can call me whatever you like, Sonny.” Emerson let out a chuckle. “I think I can graduate you from fuck head.” “Gee, thanks.” “Now take me to our cabin before Commander Okinawa catches us in the corridor. He was adamant we get some rest.” 62

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“We‟re not going to go to sleep straight away, are we?” Emerson patted Ely on his buttocks. “Depends on how well you behave, my dear Ely.” Ely smiled. “I‟ll be good, I promise.” “Who said I want you to be good?” Emerson led Ely to the ladder, letting him go first, getting a good feel of his backside as he climbed up to the main deck. “Just don‟t say anything that will make me call in any favours from Kale and Braden again.” Ely looked down. Emerson was close behind him, his face ignited with a cheeky smile. “How did you pull that off, by the way?” “I‟ll tell you about it someday. But not now. Now I have other ideas.” Ely and Emerson were soon inside cabin two, their appointed quarters. The room was as sparse as could be imagined, but it had two single cots and a small chest of drawers. On the drawers, a lamp and a box of syn-tissues. Much to Ely‟s delight, the beds could be joined to make a double, the box springs moved together and the single mattresses zipped. Many couples worked on starships, so the military accommodated that as best they could. After all, that sort of thing was to be expected, especially seeing as tours lasted years at a time in deep space. To couples who were registered, they then got couple quarters. Something Ely would eventually want to have with Emerson, all things going well from now on. As an added bonus, after a thorough medical, registration meant that skin seal could be considered an option not a necessity. Except for straight couples, they had to go through the extra hoop of applying for a breeder‟s license if they wanted to perform any sexual activity without protection. On deep space tour ships, the military rarely gave out 63

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such a license. Sure, it happened, there were crèche‟s and schools on board, but still, Ely didn‟t know of too many military brats running around. Thankfully, he never had to worry about such things, his sexuality seeing to that. Emerson had gone to one of the cots, pushing it toward the other. Seemed he had the same idea as Ely had as soon as the cabin door was opened and the full view of their cabin was realised. “I‟ll give you a hand,” Ely said, coming to the other cot and pushing it. Moments later, both beds were joined and the bedclothes in place. Ely leaned over and kissed Emerson. “I brought the skin seal this time.” Emerson smiled. “And I brought a couple of things that will enrich our time together, too.” “Really? What?” “Patience. You‟ll see in a moment.” Ely pulled out the can of skin seal from his bag, throwing the canister onto the cot. An item he was sure glad he packed, even though at the time he didn‟t think he‟d have a snowball‟s chance in hell of using it. How things change. He unpacked his pillow, too. “I sure love how away missions require bags to be packed, makes a man prepared for anything, doesn‟t it?” Emerson let out a laugh. “Just stop your jabbering and get your clothes off, Ely. I‟ve been hanging out for you to continue where we left off. You have a rather interesting promise to keep, now haven‟t you?” Emerson‟s voice was filled with lust and his gaze roved over Ely as he began to disrobe. While Ely took off his clothes, his mind went through the events of last night. Most of the time since then he had been thinking about how to get Emerson back, and what he could have done differently, not of what happened. Then Ely remembered. 64

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The man was kinky, that was certain. Before he put his foot into his mouth, Ely was about to lick Emerson‟s sweet arsehole before using his dildo to soften him up for the pounding he had been working up to since buying him that drink. Ely smiled, but chose to remain silent. Besides, the sight before him was more than enough to feast on. Emerson had unzipped his duffel bag, producing the dildo in question and a tube of lubricant. This time Ely didn‟t even entertain the idea of mentioning Braden in any way, shape or form. He didn‟t want anything to spoil this moment. Which was a good thing. Once Emerson had retrieved what he desired from his bag, he slipped off his shirt and began to unbutton his trousers. Ely came onto the cot, now naked and as aroused as he had been all those hours ago. Every inch of his erection throbbing for Emerson, pre-cum already glistening at the end of his piss slit. The silence remained between them. Then again, nothing needed to be said, except a gasp passing from Ely‟s lips when Emerson freed his dick from his underwear. He was erect, too, his foreskin unable to keep his bulging head covered. He was as massive as Ely remembered. Ely reached out and grabbed Emerson around his waist. His smooth, perfect white skin was so inviting, so appealing that Ely wanted him more than anything. In the next instant, Emerson came to fall into Ely‟s arms, pressing himself against him, their skin on skin contact electric. Soon, they were all arms and legs and roving kisses and gasps and moans that filled the cabin with their passion. Ely‟s mind span with the rising pangs of ecstasy created by their touch upon each other. Emerson‟s beautiful and slender hands wandered all over his back and buttocks, nails raking. Emerson kissed him deep. A kiss that was even more 65

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intense and passionate than the one in the corridor. Over and over their tongues touched, darted away and contacted again. Ely was consumed by the taste of his lover, the attention he received. His lips tingling and his mind thinking of nothing but intense relief that he was in Emerson‟s arms, the object of his desire. When parted, Emerson came off Ely and reached for the skin seal. He applied the spray to both their dicks. Ely smiled. That meant one thing, Emerson wanted him to suck him off, take that monster that lived happily between his legs into his hungry mouth. Ely didn‟t need any encouragement. He slid down Emerson, roving his tongue around his pink, aroused nipples. Then, when satisfied he had given that part of him enough attention, he moved down his chest, toward his navel. When wet trails had been left all across Emerson‟s body, like glistening rivers, Ely went down to his pubes. Emerson‟s hair above his dick was thick and black and smelled like musk and sweat and a hint of whatever he had used to shower with this morning. Ely‟s mouth watered as he took in more of his lover‟s scent, burying his nose in the hair while grabbing his thick, long cock. Seconds later, Ely was at Emerson‟s fully engorged dick, licking around his piss slit in preparation to take him all. He looked up to Emerson. His stomach was quivering and he played with his own nipples. A sight that pleased Ely, reassured him that so far everything was being done right. The man offered a slight nod, more than enough for Ely to know that he had permission to proceed. Ely opened his mouth as wide as he could, taking Emerson‟s cock into it, rolling his tongue all over his shaft, making sure he pulled at the root of him so that his foreskin was retracted and he could get to as much sensitive skin as he could. 66

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Emerson let out a yelp and those gentle quivers that had moved his stomach, now coursed through his whole body. Again Ely felt encouraged. He sucked and slurped, but not before he jiggled Emerson‟s length in his mouth, pushing him to one side of his uvula so that he could take him in as far as he could without gagging. For the longest time, Ely worked Emerson‟s cock, enjoying the sensation of the man‟s warmth, the man‟s virility within him. He continued to roll his tongue while he sucked, producing so much saliva that a lot escaped the seal of his lips and dribbled down his chin onto Emerson‟s balls. Emerson also continued to let out his delight, whimpering and yelping in time with each push down Ely made on his length. “Oh, fuck, you‟re good, Ely. Oh fucking fuck!” Then Ely decided to change his tactic. He pulled up, the slurp of Emerson‟s cock leaving his mouth loud in his ears. The man‟s length, all beautifully slick with his attention, veins bulging and his head a bright red, slapped against his stomach. Ely licked down the length of his erection until he could take one of Emerson‟s balls into his mouth. He did so with a gentle action, rolling them with his tongue, careful not to hurt. When one had received enough attention, he proceeded to the next. Within seconds, Emerson was writhing on the bed, his toes curled and his head thrust back, enjoying what Ely did to him. “I want you, Sonny.” Emerson came back to the moment with Ely‟s words. Sitting up, his cheeks flushed as bright red as his bulging head, his eyes sparkling how he loved them to be. This was heaven. “Do it.” Was all the man said with a voice so filled with lust that Ely knew he wouldn‟t be far off blowing his load. Ely smiled. He had done everything right. 67

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He grabbed the dildo and lube, applying the ointment to his own dick and the toy‟s. Emerson didn‟t need any encouragement, he came up so he was on all fours on the cot, the familiar creak a welcome one. Ely‟s vision was filled with the beautiful view of Emerson‟s buttocks and pink arsehole. Again, seeing his genitals dangling between his legs was one Ely could enjoy forever and ever. He reached out an cupped them, letting Emerson know he was ready. Seconds later, he came to lick Emerson, starting at the back of his balls and working up until he was teasing the rim of his arsehole, grabbing his buttocks and pulling them open wider. Emerson gasped and arched his back, opening his legs as far as they could go without being uncomfortable. Ely then licked his hole, moving in circles, making sure he kept his tongue as ridged as he could so as to give Emerson the full sensation of his attention. The feeling of his lover‟s arsehole skin against his working tongue, the musk he was enveloped within, all was enough to bring Ely to the edge. He pulled away, but not because he didn‟t want to continue, but because he wanted to keep going. How long he had licked him, he couldn‟t tell. All he knew was that Emerson was saturated in saliva, just like his cock and balls were earlier. Ely caught his breath. His heart was racing, the blood rushing loud in his ears. He was near climax and had to stop, to take a moment to pause before starting over. He didn‟t want to blow his load before he even got his dick into Emerson, before he was surrounded by his tightness. “You‟re hole is so sweet,” Ely said, bringing the dildo to Emerson‟s arsehole. “Oh, Ely.” Emerson groaned some more. “You‟re wonderful.” Ely ran the tip of the dildo around Emerson‟s arsehole, 68

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getting as much lubricant on him as possible. He remembered his lover‟s advice from last night, making sure the action with the toy wasn‟t forceful enough for penetration, but to prepare. Again Emerson gasped. After a moment, he added, “You can push it in, if you like. I‟m ready.” Ely did so. Making sure he went in with the dildo as slow as he could, give time for Emerson to accept the length of the toy without causing pain. It was fascinating, erotic and oh, so wonderful to see the head of the dildo disappear into Emerson‟s hole, stretching it. Again, with care and slow, fluid movements, Ely worked the dildo to a gentle rhythm, pushing it in as far as he dared and pulling it out just enough so that the rim of its head became visible. He did this over and over, all the while Emerson let out cries of ecstatic joy, his balls swaying hypnotic in time with each push Ely made. “Do you want more, my Sonny?” Emerson didn‟t reply. Ely couldn‟t blame him, the man was in the throes of ecstasy. His whole body seemed to shudder, his breaths more like panting. Ely knew the time was right. He pulled out the toy, placing it onto the top of the chest of drawers. He sidled into position, grabbing Emerson‟s waist. It was then Emerson said, “Oh, yes. Now, my Ely. Now!” With that encouragement, Ely touched Emerson‟s arsehole with his dick. Emerson continued to let out his gasps, the sounds spurring Ely on. Within a blink of an eye, he sunk his length into his lover, his cock going in without effort. The dildo had well and truly prepared him for Ely‟s love. Ely came to kiss Emerson on his back and neck while he built up his own rhythm, while his cock became surrounded by the heat of his lover‟s flesh. Now it was Ely‟s turn to 69

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gasp. He tingled all over. Nothing compared to having a man‟s arse, and Emerson‟s was one awesome arse. Emerson turned his head, coming so he could kiss Ely. His face was bright red, his lips even more so. Soon they touched tongues and Ely knew he wouldn‟t be long before his climax would reach him. He could already feel his balls tighten, his stomach churn with wave upon wave of pleasure. Ely pushed himself in as deep as he could go. His whole body was submerged in Emerson‟s love, just how he wanted it to be. The man let out more delicious yelps, filled the cabin with one clear message. Ely had done good. Then it happened. Ely let everything go and his whole body shuddered. Both of them panted as they kissed and writhed, their heated skin the bridge that joined them. More and more he felt his dick pulse as he released his load. The skin seal would stretch, capturing the fluid. But Ely didn‟t care about that. He wanted to make sure Emerson was happy. He pulled out, straight away peeling off the skin seal and discarding it into a tissue that he took from the box on the chest of drawers. “Let me suck you some more, Sonny.” A moment was spent getting into position. As soon as Ely‟s lips were wrapped around Emerson‟s length, and he had sucked for a few moments, his lover shuddered all over as well, the sign of his climax unmistakable. When Ely came away, he peeled off Emerson‟s skin seal. The man had released a lot of cum. Ely liked that sight. It meant that Emerson was satisfied, just as he had wished he would be. “Come to me, Ely.” Ely shuffled up the cot so that his head was on the same pillow as Emerson‟s. They held each other, running their 70

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touch over each other‟s bodies. “I always keep my promises.” “You sure do. I have another little surprise that I‟ll show you later. I bought it this morning,” Emerson said, planting tender kisses all over Ely‟s cheeks, forehead and lips. “For now, I just want to feel your breath against my skin as I fall asleep. Is that okay?” “I‟ll bet my left nut you‟ve got something planned, haven‟t you?” “Sure have. What fun would it be if I didn‟t? Let me just say we‟ll need to be at our best for the next time we get intimate.” “I can‟t wait. But you‟re right. At the moment I couldn‟t think of anything more perfect than lying here in your arms.” Ely did feel tired. He‟d only had a short nap between shifts. He felt his eyelids get heavy, unable to do anything but let sleep overtake him. He did so in Emerson‟s arms, his dreams filled with the wonder they had just shared.

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Chapter Ten hen Ely and Emerson were woken six hours later, they showered each other and then dressed. After eating a small breakfast of ration bars, full of all the nutrients the body needed, and ship issue coffee, they reported for duty. Commander Okinawa led them to the cockpit. When there, the man barked at Kale and Braden to get some rest, before adding, “I know you have a class one pilot‟s license, Cadet Emerson, so you‟ll be in control of the shuttle for this rotation, all right?” Emerson saluted and replied, “Yes, sir. Ely, can you assist me?” “Sure thing.” Ely sat at the co-pilot‟s chair. “What do you want me to do?” Ely had no idea about the workings of piloting anything, let alone a shuttle whilst in the wake of a starship‟s engine emission. The view from the screen was a dazzling white, even with the sun filter on and shields enhanced beyond maximum. Ely couldn‟t help but think of the energy field, and how it was helping to keep them in position. He understood that a lot more than all the readings in front of him at the moment. To him it looked like they were flying blind, which in a way, he supposed they were. A schematic lit up as soon as Ely sat, showing the ship‟s relative position and everything close to it, including the Mandrake.

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“Just tell me if any reading on the panel in front of you goes into the red. I can do the rest,” Emerson said. Ely couldn‟t help but catch the smirk on Kale‟s lips and a flick to Braden with his gaze as the man vacated his seat for Emerson. He also couldn‟t help but wonder if Braden‟s appetite for dick would extend to Kale‟s fine piece of equipment. He sure hoped it did. It would be nice if they became a couple, too. Then again, Braden did have Carl. Kale and Braden left the cockpit. “We need to set up a computer link between us and the Mandrake,” Commander Okinawa began. “The shuttle‟s sensors may be working, but the diagnostic power on the bridge is far better equipped to deal with such a strange phenomenon. I have spoken with the captain and he is in agreement. Cadet Emerson, can you start the sensor sweep? Cadet Ely, patch us in.” Ely and Emerson acknowledged Commander Okinawa, but continued with their study. At first Ely was overwhelmed by the strange layout and function of the station in front of him. Sure, during basic training he had been shown many flight panels, but for the here and now, when the situation was tense already, any confidence he felt had slipped away as he carried out his commander‟s orders. A mistake in training meant a black mark on a record somewhere. A mistake now could mean no more cuddles with Emerson. Many times he had to stop and pause, think about what panel or sequence of panels did in relation to each other. All the while keeping an eye on any readout that nudged into the red so he could inform Emerson. Thankfully, Emerson was in the pilot‟s chair and in control, the co-pilot only there for backup and support. Otherwise, Ely was certain he would have pressed a series of panels that would have sent the shuttle Phoenix right into the 73

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back of the Mandrake as he tried to activate a patch. After a rather tense moment, the sweat beading on Ely‟s brow, for he could feel the stare of Commander Okinawa bore into him from behind, Captain Holloway‟s face appeared on a floating holovid screen in front of him. Ely sighed relief. That meant one thing, the patch had worked. “I hear you‟re flying under difficult circumstances, commander,” the captain said with his booming register, coming closer to the screen. His rugged features, thick black eyebrows and Roman nose, dominated the link screen. “Yes, sir. But thankfully I have a good crew of eager and knowledgeable cadets to back me up.” Ely couldn‟t help but smile when he heard those words. Commander Okinawa was a great man, made evident by the fact that any credit given was shared amongst his team. In that moment, Ely was pleased he had chosen engineering as a career path. Pleased he had found himself where he was in life even though there was no way of telling if the Phoenix could ever get back to the Mandrake’s shuttle bay. Was the energy wave that surrounded them a permanent thing? “That‟s good to hear,” the captain continued. “Have you started the sensor sweep yet? I‟ll get my men on it as soon as you transmit the first data stream.” Commander Okinawa asked, “Cadet Emerson, has the sweep been activated?” “Yes, sir,” Emerson replied. “Good.” Commander Okinawa paused, more for etiquette than anything else, making sure the distinction between him talking to Emerson and the captain could be recognised. “Yes, captain, the sensors are active. We have calibrated them to report directly to the bridge, so you should be receiving at any moment.” The captain turned his attention away, nodded to someone out of screen shot, then came back to look at them, 74

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a smile on his weathered lips. “Yes, we‟re getting some information now. Give us a moment to start making sense of it. Until then, over and out.” The screen went blank. Commander Okinawa let out a sigh, the first time Ely had heard the man do such a thing. “Looks like we all we can do is sit and wait and hope that the shuttle can hold its position until we learn more.” Ely pressed a panel to make the link screen disappear, the schematic of the shuttle‟s relative position taking its place. “I don‟t mean to sound out of line, but are you all right, sir?” Emerson asked, swivelling around in his chair so he could face the man. “You‟re not being out of line. The welfare of an away team is paramount to its success. No, I‟m just a little tired, that‟s all.” Ely knew that the commander had been working nonstop since before he arrived for work yesterday afternoon. Had the man worked all those hours without sleep?” “Why don‟t you get some rest, Commander Okinawa. I‟m sure cadet Ely and I can handle things. If something comes up that you need to know, we‟ll wake you immediately.” “It‟s highly irregular for a command officer to leave two cadets in charge of an away mission.” Ely said, “I think this is a highly irregular mission, sir.” Commander Okinawa let out a chuckle. “On that there will be no dispute.” There was a moment of silence, before he added, “I‟ll be in my cabin. But if anything happens, you are to fetch me immediately. Am I clear on that, cadets?” Ely and Emerson saluted, and said, “Yes, sir.” When the commander had left the cockpit, Ely turned to Emerson. “What‟s this surprise you‟ve got in store for me later?” Emerson‟s lip curled up, that twinkle in his eye Ely loved, 75

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returned. “Keep your attention on the panel. I don‟t want anything wrong happening while we‟ve been given the responsibility of the mission.” Ely snapped his gaze back to the lights and dials at the touch of his fingertips. He loved it when Emerson got all stern and duty bound. Made him as sexy as all hell. “Soooo what is it?” “I‟m not telling you. It won‟t be a surprise then, will it?” “No, but it‟ll get me prepared.” “Oh, you‟ll need preparing, that‟s for sure.” Ely wasn‟t certain, but he swore Emerson was chuckling to himself. The groans and strain of the shuttle trying to maintain position between being ripped apart by the energy field or burnt to a cinder in the Mandrake’s emissions were too loud for Ely to be sure. He‟d bet his left nut that Emerson was enjoying every second Ely had to wait. “Now you‟re just being a tease.” This time Emerson did laugh, one full and loud. “Oh, there will be teasing, too. Mark my words.” A readout flashed red, distracting Ely for a moment. It was the forward assembly stabilisers. “Sonny, I‟ve got a red here.” “What? Where?” Ely swallowed hard. “Looks like the stabilisers are getting a beating from all that exhaust.” “Do we need them?” The question floored Ely for a moment. The forward stabilisers assisted in landings and lift-off, and seeing as neither was needed for the here and now, Ely would have to concur that they were a redundant piece of equipment, for now. “Not unless you‟re going to land the Phoenix inside the exhaust flutes of the Mandrake.” Emerson pressed panels and flicked a few switches, before he said, “They‟ve been deactivated. Your panel 76

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should be a green now.” Ely breathed a sigh of relief. It was true. His panel for that section of the shuttle did indicate an all go. Ely returned his attention to the conversation before this minor crisis. “What will I need preparing for? And before you tell me you won‟t tell me, how can I get prepared for something I need to get prepared for if I don‟t know about it? Hmm?” Again Emerson laughed. “No use trying to use that sort of logic on me. It won‟t work. You‟ll just have to wait and see, all right?” “Fine. But I so want to rip your clothes off and tickle you all over for being such a cock tease, you know that?” “That‟s the idea.” For the next few hours, nothing much happened expect the continual banter between Ely and Emerson. All that achieved in the end, was Ely wanting to get naked with Emerson and showing him just what someone could do when provoked all day. Images of Emerson writhing with pleasure underneath him, while he was inside him, dominated his thoughts. Then a hail came through. It was Captain Holloway, the man‟s face unmistakable. “We have some preliminaries from the scan. I‟m sending them to you now.” Emerson snapped to attention and saluted. “Yes sir.” Ely did the same. The captain smiled. “At least we know where we‟re going and when we‟ll get there.” “Sir?” Ely asked. “It‟s all there for you to analyse, but from what we can figure out the energy field is distorting space. I‟m not the best man to explain it, but suffice it to say, the alien signal we have been heading for is the cause of all this ruckus.” 77

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“So we‟re going to get to our intended destination a lot quicker than expected then, sir?” Emerson asked. “That‟s about the sum of it. Anyway, it‟s all there. You‟ll have a day or so to go through it, get yourselves acquainted before we arrive. Holloway, over and out.” Emerson turned to Ely when the hail screen went blank and dissipated. “Do you know what this means, Ely?” “No. What?” “We‟re going to make a nine month trip in two days. The alien signal was coming from somewhere in the vicinity of Neptune. My, God, how exciting is this? We‟re going to be the first humans to ever see anything alien, and what‟s more, we‟re being pulled there, too. Seems we‟re wanted for something, don‟t you think?” Ely shrugged his shoulders. He really couldn‟t care less about aliens. He joined the military for the sheer thrill of working on really big engines. The more powerful the better. “As long as all that excitement doesn‟t wear you out for tonight, I‟m as happy as you are, Sonny.” Emerson smiled. “The news of this has only made me want to share what I have in mind with you even more.” “It has?” Emerson nodded. “You‟d better go wake up Commander Okinawa. He‟ll want to know about this.” For the longest moment, Ely was frozen. His mind was ticking over all the possibilities of what Emerson had planned. Or was he a real tease and had nothing planned? Ely just didn‟t know him well enough to work him out, and in the end that frustrated him. He wished he had asked Emerson out months ago. Ely got up of his seat. “You‟re right, I‟ll go get the commander.” Emerson leaned over, grabbing Ely by his hand. “Thanks.” 78

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“What for?” “You‟ll see.”

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Chapter Eleven ommander Okinawa decided to wait until Braden and Kale were rested and ready for duty before he announced that there would be a briefing. Ely knew that the meeting was about the sensor findings. The computer had received all of the data back and the picture of their predicament was all that much clearer now. When all were present, and Ely couldn‟t help but notice that Braden and Kale seemed to glow with the unmistakable aura of a couple who had just engaged in some intimate time, Commander Okinawa pressed the holovid display panel on the centre of the briefing table. A diagrammatic representation of the solar system came into view, the location of the Mandrake also pin-pointed. Kale was the only one not able to join them, he had to relieve Emerson and maintain the shuttle‟s position. If all of this information could tell them one thing, they didn‟t want to miss out on arriving at the alien signal with the Mandrake. In fact, Ely could say the atmosphere inside the shuttle was electric, filled with anticipation. Even he couldn‟t help get a little curious about meeting an alien, if there was an alien waiting for them in the first place. A signal didn‟t necessarily mean that a ship was transmitting it. Then again, something had to be drawing them in. Ely just hoped that whatever it was, it was friendly.

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“As we can see here, gentlemen,” Commander Okinawa began as the diagram zoomed in on the Mandrake, “The energy field is folding space, causing the Mandrake, and indeed us, to move from one point to the next without the inherent problem of having to travel great distances.” He paused, more for effect than anything else. “This all begs the question, what‟s pulling us in? We won‟t find that out until at least tomorrow morning when our sensors can get a better resolution of what it is in the orbit of Neptune.” Braden stood to attention. “If this thing has pulled us in without our consent, doesn‟t that make it a hostile, sir? Commander Okinawa nodded. “Ordinarily, I would agree with you, Cadet Braden. But in this case we just don‟t know. Yes, the Mandrake is now at general quarters because of that very concern. But if you ask me, the events that have caused us to be ensnared in the energy field could have been automatic. The alien device or whatever it is, could be programmed to seek out intelligent life and act on that. Nothing more.” “Or it could be a trap,” Kale said, leaning back in his pilot‟s chair to put his point across. “We could be heading for our destruction, sir.” The commander raised his hand, gesturing for calm. “Yes, I understand all of your concerns. The captain has also been advised of such scenarios. But as it stands, we are to maintain our position, and if needed, assist in whatever way we can when we arrive. Remember, first and foremost we must gather intelligence. Then and only then can we make an informed decision about the course of action we need to take.” “Um, excuse me, sir,” Emerson piped up. “Now that we know that it is indeed something pulling us in, do we have a picture of it?” Ely could tell Emerson was in his element. His eyes were 81

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wide with the excitement of a child and a smile to match. Commander Okinawa pressed a couple of panels on his portable comm panel. The holovid image re-focused on Neptune. “This is what we have so far.” Ely gasped as the image in front of them. Sure, the thing was a sort of a fuzzy snow-ball near Neptune‟s moon Nereid, but even from that, it was impressive. To be able to see anything at all from such a distance could only mean one thing. The alien ship or artefact or device or whatever anyone wanted to call it, was massive. Ely would even hazard a guess that the thing would dwarf even the Mandrake. The next words out of Commander Okinawa‟s mouth confirmed Ely‟s suspicions. “As far as we can tell, the size of the alien object is fifteen to twenty times that of the starship we‟re following.” Kale whistled and Emerson sucked in the air. Braden said, “Let‟s just hope it‟s not filled with millions of aliens wanting to dissect their first humans.” Ely swallowed hard. He was now certain he wasn‟t interested in aliens. The only thing he wanted to be pulled toward was Emerson. That didn‟t need any fancy energy or folding of space, that‟s for sure. In the pit of his stomach, something deep and dark stirred. He had a bad feeling about this. “Time for our rest and relaxation rotation, Ely,” Emerson said, coming over to him. Ely was seated at the briefing table, pouring over the data from the Mandrake, sipping coffee. As the Mandrake got closer and closer to its goal, the images of the alien object came more into focus. At the moment, the thing looked like an octagon with dark patches around the edges. 82

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Emerson pulled up a chair and sat next to Ely. He placed his hand onto his knee. Ely turned to him, looking him in the eye. “I know this stuff is fascinating to you, Sonny. But Kale‟s right, we just don‟t know what it is we‟re heading into. I mean, to have the power to fold space, what chance would we have to defend ourselves should anything go wrong?” He couldn‟t help but think of all those cheesy sci-fi flicks. Of the stupid humans who blundered into the unknown, only to be fried by super death rays or start an intergalactic war and then be fried some more. Emerson leaned over, pecking Ely on his cheek. “And what would microwave technology look like to cavemen, Ely?” “Are you saying we‟re cavemen?” “Not at all. I‟m saying that the ability to fold space might be something they‟ve had for eons. That such a technology is far from aggressive and that they‟re only using it to call to other sentient life forms. Perhaps the object is a scout, seeking out the same as us.” Ely pondered Emerson‟s words for a moment. “Man, I‟d love to get to see the engine room of that thing.” Emerson let out a sigh. “I‟m sure it wouldn‟t use reactor power like the Mandrake. I mean, we can‟t even shut down our starship‟s engine because it takes too long to re-start it. Talk about being backward compared to this.” “I hear that. Half of our problem right now is making sure we don‟t get too far away or too close to the ship‟s engines. If we could all just fold space, wow. Imagine the possibilities.” Emerson smiled. “So I take it you‟re not feeling so down about getting up close and personal with an alien now, right?” “I‟m a bit better about it, yeah. But I think that‟s more to do with the fact that I‟m with you, Sonny. You seem to make 83

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everything better.” Emerson grabbed Ely‟s hand. “Good. Time for me to share with you that surprise I‟ve been teasing you about all rotation.” Ely raised his eyebrows, his stare intent on Emerson‟s twinkling eyes. Before he could add another word to the conversation, he was led to their cabin. The door locked behind them. They embraced, edging toward the cot until Emerson leaned his weight onto Ely so that he had no choice but to fall onto the mattress. With a wicked grin, Emerson tickled Ely. The cabin was filled with their laughter and Ely forgot all of the troubles of the past six hours or so. When Emerson paused, he said, “Now you can‟t keep me in suspense any longer. What‟s the surprise?” Emerson kissed him. A long delicious, dancing of tongues followed. An action that made Ely think more and more of what he‟d do to his lover when he got him naked. When parted, he asked, “Do you trust me, Ely?” “Of course I do.” Emerson sat up, his gaze stern all of a sudden. “I‟m serious. Do you really, truly trust me?” Ely sat up also, grabbing Emerson‟s hands, rubbing his thumbs along the tops of them. He looked him square in the eye, and with a voice as unshaken as he could make it, he said, “I don‟t know how I can prove it, other than to say that you‟ve shown me just how wonderful and different being with a guy like you can be. I don‟t want to do anything to jeopardise that. Sure, I‟ve had boyfriends, but never have I had anyone like you. You‟re so very special to me. So yes, I really do trust you, Sonny.” “I‟m glad you think that way.” Emerson smiled, climbing off the cot. He headed for his duffle bag. After a moment of 84

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rummaging around in it, he produced something Ely never thought he‟d ever see in his life. Along with the lube and skin seal, he also held a double-ended dildo. The thing was skin coloured and realistic at both ends and very flexible. Although, not as large as the single dildo, proportion wise, Ely would have no doubt the toy would fill him. Ely was speechless. He‟d never been penetrated with anything, never felt the urge to have his cherry popped by anyone. But with Emerson, he had to admit, he had different urges. Was it because he had such a beautiful, big dick that Ely wanted to experience it on all levels, including having it inside him? A dildo would most certainly prepare him for that. Or was it because Emerson meant so much more than just someone to fuck? An equal. A true soul mate. Before Ely could contemplate his thoughts any longer, Emerson had returned to the cot, sitting so he was in front of Ely once more. The bed creaked. “I want you to experience what I do, Ely. I want you to feel the sheer joy of having someone you care for deeply become a part of you. That‟s how I felt last night when you made love to me, proving that my hunch about you was correct. Now I know for certain that I would want you to have that joy, too. We will be together, both in mind and body and this will help us take the first step.” Ely had expected to see the other dildo tonight, his eagerness to clean the toy as soon as he got up proof of that. Instead, Emerson had once again thrown him a curve ball. Much to Ely‟s surprise, he felt nervous. Would the dildo hurt? Would Emerson hurt? “I‟m ready for whatever you want to do, Sonny.” “Good. If you want to be with me, then you‟ll come to know that it‟s all about sharing and having some fun in the process. I‟m not just a bottom, to be fucked all the live long day, you know.” Emerson winked. His words weren‟t harsh, 85

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weren‟t meant with any malice whatsoever. It was with those words, Ely understood. If he was going to be Emerson‟s boyfriend, then he was going to have accept that things would never be the same again. This was going to be an adventure. Along with those nerves, curiosity, acceptance and anxiety vied for supremacy within him. “I don‟t know what to think of you, other than I want to be with you always. Does that make sense?” “Perfect sense.” Emerson began to unbutton his jacket. “Now, get your gear off. I want to have some fun.”

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Chapter Twelve ly slipped off his pants, trying to balance on the cot as he lifted his buttocks. After a moment of jiggling, he kicked them onto the floor. He was in his briefs, an article of clothing that didn‟t contain his excitement all that well. His dick poked out of the top of the elastic band. Emerson didn‟t waste the opportunity. He pulled down on the material, letting Ely‟s erection free and spraying on the skin seal. “You‟re a truly wonderful sight, Ely.” Emerson kissed him, all roving tongue and dizzy spells on Ely‟s part. When parted, Emerson kissed Ely‟s stomach, working his way down. Ely let out a chuckle as his lover‟s lips tickled him, left wet trails across his skin. Seconds later, Emerson‟s warm lips kissed Ely‟s engorged head, took it all in until the whole of his length had disappeared inside his mouth. “Wow,” Ely said with a gasp. Emerson pulled on the root of Ely‟s dick, making sure he got to all the best bits of Ely‟s erection. Over and over he sucked and slurped. Ely‟s dick tingled from all the attention, aching for more, yet at the same time wanting him to stop for fear of ejaculating too soon. Just as he was about to pull Emerson off his dick, let him know that he‟d done enough to begin his spiral toward ecstasy, he did so of his own accord. Emerson‟s lips were glistening from his work, as was Ely‟s bulging head and

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shaft. “You taste wonderful, too, I might add.” Ely smiled. “You can taste as much of me as you like from now on.” Emerson took off his trousers. A wet patch of pre-cum stained the front of his briefs where the head of his dick was bulging. The man was a hard as a rock, and like Ely‟s, Emerson‟s underwear did nothing to contain his intentions. “I want you to lie down, Ely. Open your legs. Is that okay?” Ely nodded. Those nerves rose up once more. He knew what was going to happen next. The fact that Emerson had grabbed the double-ended dildo and began applying the lube cemented that thought. He did as Emerson asked. His stomach turned, but not in a bad way. He was curious more than anything, that feeling winning the battle within him. His cock, aching with the attention it just received, came to slap onto his stomach as he lied on his back. Ely grabbed the pillows to assist in propping him up so he could watch what Emerson would do to him. He wanted to see the man work as well as feel it. “I‟m ready,” Ely said. Emerson shuffled into position, keeping himself seated, bringing his legs so that they were under Ely‟s. “You‟re balls are so big and ripe I could lick them for hours.” For emphasis to his words, he cupped Ely‟s balls, fondling them with tenderness, paying attention to the fact they were a sensitive part of his body. That was one reason why Ely loved being with men. They understood what the equipment did. His lover ran a slicked with lube finger over Ely‟s arsehole. Ely shuddered, the sensation electric. If that was his finger, then he couldn‟t even imagine what the dildo or cock would feel like as it slipped inside him. His body, radiating from his balls, tingled as Emerson worked his finger in circles, making sure he was as lubricated as he 88

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could be. “I‟m going to start now, okay? You‟ll feel a pressure at your arse, just relax. I‟ll go easy. If you can, try and push down like you‟re on the latrine. That will help relax the muscles and make entry easier.” Emerson‟s words reassured Ely. “Sure thing.” What Emerson had said about trust before was all coming to the forefront. Ely now understood why. A tense moment was broken by the exact feeling Emerson described. There was a pressure. A sensual, kind of scary pressure. Ely gasped. “You all right?” Emerson asked, withdrawing the dildo. Ely nodded. “Fine. I‟m fine.” Again there was the pressure, but this time Ely pushed down, opening up his arsehole as best he could to accept the gift Emerson was about to give him. More tense seconds passed, the pressure building, joined by a tingling sensation and something else that came to the forefront. Ely felt a slight pain. But it wasn‟t a pain of hurt. Not one that felt like a cut or a strike to the flesh. This was pain saturated by pleasure. Ely‟s stomach shuddered and he sucked in the air through his teeth as Emerson sank the dildo into him, deeper and deeper. Then it was done. Ely realised that he had closed his eyelids tight. When he opened them, Emerson was smiling. “You‟re doing great,” was all he said before he shuffled himself closer, leaning back onto one elbow, the free arm inserting the other end of the dildo into himself. The look of sheer ecstasy flashed across Emerson‟s face. In that instant, Ely knew the toy was inside him, too. Ely‟s bottom lip quivered. Wave after wave of pleasure coursed through him. His arse was filled, his ring was 89

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stretched, but he had to say, he liked having the toy inside him. “This is…fucking…amazing.” When Emerson had inserted the dildo into him as far as it would go, and their buttocks and balls touched, he said, “Sit up if you can.” Ely did so. His stomach turned and more pulses of that wonderful pleasure come pain feeling shot thought him. The dildo acted like a conduit between them, relaying the vibrations of each other‟s movements. What Emerson had said about being as one rang true. He swore he could feel Emerson‟s pulse, the beat of his life deep inside him. Ely couldn‟t help but gasp again. This was something beyond any expectation, beyond any experience he had shared with anyone. He was glad it was with Emerson. When more shuffling into position had been completed, Ely and Emerson embraced. They kissed with so much passion, so much need for one another that Ely couldn‟t think of any other way they could be doing such a thing right now. He maintained a gentle gyration of his hips, as did Emerson. The dildo continued to give pleasure, continued to act as the path of their desire between them. They were joined. Ely‟s balls had tightened, a precursor to the explosion he would soon have to have released. Everything of Ely‟s was Emerson‟s and vice-versa. He held his lover tight, never wanting to let go. After an eternity, Emerson parted. “We have all these free hands, don‟t you know.” Ely smiled. He knew what Emerson was thinking. “You start, I‟ll follow.” That was all the encouragement, Emerson needed. He was at Ely‟s genitals, cupping his balls and jerking him off. Ely gasped again. His lover‟s touch perfect, including plenty of foreskin play, too. Ely followed. Using both of his hands 90

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to do the same to Emerson. Ely knew he wouldn‟t last long, and sure enough, within a few moments, he climaxed, a cloudy bubble of skin seal stretched out from his bulging head, filled with his cum. But the climax was unlike any Ely had experienced before in his life. With the dildo still a part of him, the climax was mind numbing. He could even say it was earth shattering. He shuddered, every muscle in his body tensed and then released with his ejaculate. His arsehole tightened, and his prostate, stimulated by his own movements along the toy, caused everything below his waist to go numb. Ely couldn‟t feel anything, not even as his toes curled and he could do nothing else but hang onto Emerson as he came and came. Panting and gasping and letting out little yelps of joy. “Holy fucking shit!” Ely let out even more gasps, his ecstasy swimming around him even as his cock had delivered the last of his climax into the bubble of skin seal. He knew his cheeks were flushed, but he was also sure his face had screwed up as well. “That was the most powerful cum shot I‟ve ever delivered.” Emerson kissed him. “I told you.” But Ely didn‟t waste any time. He continued to work his lover‟s length, using his fingers to massage his frenulum, run along the rim of his fully engorged head, stroke his length. Soon, Emerson had that look about him. That cheeks flushed, tight faced, glazed eyes, look all men got the moment before they climaxed. Emerson let out a yell. Only he hadn‟t applied skin seal. His ejaculate, in great white ribbons, covered both of them. More and more he came, Ely feeling each pulse through the dildo. Emerson embraced Ely when he had finished. “Ah, shit, I forgot to apply the skin seal. Sorry, Ely.” “Don‟t worry about it. I enjoyed the feeling, to be honest.” “As long as you don‟t mind, then I‟m cool about it, too. I 91

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just hate the thought of cumming on someone without their consent. I don‟t want you to feel cheap in any way. You‟re more than that, you‟re everything to me.” Ely pecked Emerson‟s cheek. “You don‟t make me feel cheap in any way. I feel special when I‟m with you, that‟s for sure.” Again they kissed. Letting Emerson‟s ejaculate, warm and sticky, bind them even more. After another long session of kisses and roving hands, Ely parted and said, “Are we going again?” Emerson smiled. “We sure are. But this time I want to lie you down and take you myself, Ely. I want you to feel what I have inside you.” Ely‟s eyes widened and he couldn‟t help but beam a smile. “If it‟s half as good as what I just got, you‟re on. Now do me, and do me good and hard, my beautiful Sonny.” For a moment, Emerson did nothing, and Ely couldn‟t understand why until he realised that he had to pull the dildo out of himself before anything else could be done. Emerson‟s facial expression told the story, he had freed himself from the toy‟s join. No more did Ely feel his presence and he missed that straight away. “That‟s better. I can move now.” With gentle encouragement from Emerson, Ely came to lie his head upon the pillow. He opened his legs. Emerson, with careful and slow movement, slid the dildo from his arsehole. When the head of the thing was beyond his warmth, Ely gasped. He felt empty, a hole within him. Again his stomach quivered. “Wow. I never knew a bit of silicone could feel so good,” Ely said. “Wait until we get back to the Mandrake and my cabin. I have something there I know you‟ll love.” “Oh, do tell me now.” 92

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Emerson shook his head. “Nope. But I will tell you to keep those beautiful legs of yours open. I love the look of your arse now that it‟s ready for me. My God, I so want to fill you again, my Ely.” “Now you‟re talking.” Emerson retracted his foreskin and applied skin seal to his dick. He was hard again, his dick throbbing in time with his pulse. His head was huge, like a beautiful red apple, ripe for the taking. Ely smiled, nervousness creeping up to consume him once more. But he was ready. He was so ready for Emerson it hurt. Which was a turnaround. He had always been a top. Always ploughed the guys he‟d been with. Not now. “Ready?”

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Chapter Thirteen ly nodded, opening his legs wider, grabbing the back of his knees to keep them there, as receptive as possible for his lover. “Take me, my big beautiful man. I so want you.” Now it was Emerson‟s turn to smile. He shuffled into position, placing his hands onto Ely‟s, pushing so that his legs opened even wider. “Good.” Then it happened. The pressure Ely felt was more intense than when the dildo had been inserted, more forceful. He gasped, closing his eyelids tight as Emerson pushed his hardness into his warmth. A moment of pain shot through Ely as his arsehole stretched to accommodate his lover. Then, that pain was replaced by pleasure, raw and primal, as Emerson‟s length rubbed his prostate and kept going, deeper and deeper. Ely opened his eyelids. The sight of Emerson above him, gaining his rhythm, concentrating on the task at hand, was a magnificent one. The man‟s stomach muscles were more apparent, his nipples once more that fiery red Ely loved. He gasped, the sensation of movement, the feeling of Emerson‟s thrusts sent more and more shivers of delight though him. His balls tingled and he grabbed his own dick, jacking himself off, heightening the experience. Ely wanted to cum with Emerson. Emerson must have had the same idea. He pumped

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harder and harder, so much so, Ely could see his stomach quiver in time with his movements. More and more Ely gasped, letting out yelps with each forward thrust, as he could feel all of that monster Emerson had between his legs push against his insides. “Oh, my fuck! My fucking God, I‟m not going…going to last…much longer,” Ely stammered. Emerson was sweating, his forehead beaded, his eyes wild with the excitement that consumed him. Ely couldn‟t blame him, he felt the same. An inhale of breath later, Ely orgasmed. He knew he wouldn‟t have lasted long, not with such a wonderful man inside him. Every muscle, fibre and cell of his body, exploded with that climax. He shuddered, ribbons of white lacing over his stomach and chest. Emerson grinned. He shuddered, too, pushing himself in as deep as he could go, gripping Ely‟s hands with more force, muttering something unrecognisable as he squeezed his eyelids tight. Ely was consumed. Wave after wave of their climax shook them both, and before he could finish his release, his lover collapsed onto him, his hot lips planting sensual kisses all over his neck and face. Ely gasped again. Ely embraced his lover, holding him tight. He was hot, his skin a sheen from his efforts. But Ely didn‟t care. He was immersed in passion as more of the pleasure Emerson had given him coursed through his body as they kissed, their saliva lubricating their passion to an even higher level. Emerson‟s salt and tang and touch was wonderful, so perfect. Both groaned, a tangle of legs and roving hands. Emerson stayed within Ely, letting himself go flaccid before he withdrew. Ely couldn‟t think of anything in his life that had been more perfect. Emerson Sonfield completed him. A man he wouldn‟t have normally given the time of day to, was 95

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now proving beyond any doubt, that he was the best thing in Ely‟s life. He was glad he had caught Emerson checking out Kale the other day, otherwise he would have never experienced such a sense of completion with someone as wonderful as him. Sure, Ely said the wrong thing at their first attempt at being intimate, but in the end, that made what they did together now all that much sweeter. Emerson was a man who shared everything with Ely on the deepest level, so much more than any other guy he had been with before. If Ely didn‟t know any better, he‟d say he was falling for Emerson. After Emerson had cleaned up their new toy and the mess they had made, he snuggled up to Ely, coming under the bedclothes to embrace him. Both were still naked, deciding to sleep in the buff from now on. “Now you know what I experience when I have someone I feel for inside me. It‟s wonderful, isn‟t it?” Ely pecked him on his lips and cheek. “I really can‟t describe—hey, did you say you feel for me?” “Sure did. I‟ve always had my eye on you, Ely. You‟re so handsome and—well, you do it for me. Simple as that.” Ely knew he had to be careful here. It was plain the Emerson was fishing for Ely‟s thoughts, wanted to be told how handsome and magnificent he was, too. But Ely didn‟t want to suffer from foot in mouth disease again, not when they had come so far together since he had found out that Emerson had forgiven him. He couldn‟t say that Emerson wasn‟t the sort of guy he was attracted to, not at first, anyway. The man‟s feeling would be hurt. And that was understandable. But Ely couldn‟t lie either. Instead, Ely decided to divert the conversation in a subtle way. “You could have said a long time ago that you were 96

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attracted to me.” “I was scared.” Emerson planted more tender kisses all over Ely. Their lips meeting, followed by the chasing of their tongues. “You? Scared? What for?” Emerson came to rest on his elbow, scrunching up the pillow, staring down at Ely with a sultry expression. The want in his eyes clear. “And if you had rejected me, what then?” Again Ely had to think before he spoke. “Let‟s not worry about the past. We have our future to look forward to. And I have to say, it‟s looking pretty damn bright, to me.” Emerson smiled. “You‟re so sweet.” “Now, kiss me again. I want your taste to linger on my lips as I drift off to sleep in your arms.” Emerson shuffled down so that he was able to hold Ely tight, planting those lips onto him at the same time. After a long moment of being locked in their passion once more, Ely and Emerson parted. He smiled at Emerson before shutting his eyelids. Then a warm and wonderful silence filled the cabin. Ely drifted off, the sound of his lover breathing, the tickle, his touch, all that he remembered. Commander Okinawa woke them from their slumber. When they had showered, changed and grabbed a bite to eat, Ely led Emerson out of their cabin. The commander was standing at the briefing table in the cockpit. “Ah, there you are,” he began, without looking up from his study, a holopic floating above the table, generated from the portable comm panel the commander had brought on board. “We have a clearer image of the alien object. Would you like to take a moment to study it before you both begin your duties?” “Sure would, sir,” Emerson said, coming so he was next 97

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to the man. Ely joined them, too. From what he could tell, the snowball with the dark patches he had seen in earlier pictures wasn‟t that at all. It was an eight pointed star-shaped object, as bright as anything Ely had seen that was artificial in nature. Did the thing radiate light, too? No wonder they had been able to see it from so far away. Then again, it was huge. “Wow,” was all Ely could say. “There‟s also something else.” Commander Okinawa pointed to what Ely could only imagine were other objects orbiting the alien entity. Objects that seemed tiny in comparison, specks of dust against a behemoth. “Right there. And there. I‟ve counted at least a dozen.” “What are they?” Ely asked, forgetting protocol for a moment. “Sir.” Commander Okinawa smiled. “We don‟t know just yet. We‟re still too far away. Which reminds me, Cadet Emerson, Cadet Ely, you‟ll have to take over piloting duties while I give the others their rest rotation. I will be resting, too, as the computer has worked out we‟ll be arriving at the alien object within the next six to eight hours. I want all of us to be ready. Clear?” Ely and Emerson saluted. “Yes, sir.” They chimed in unison. “If anything happens, anything at all, come and get me. Understood?” Again both Ely and Emerson replied in the traditional military way. Emerson had already gone over to relieve Kale, a short conversation between them. Sure, Ely was on an away mission, but because of their longer stay away from the Mandrake than expected, he hadn‟t seen much of Braden and Kale. He missed them, in a funny sort of way. Hours passed. Ely and Emerson worked in silence, 98

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concentrating on the task at hand, making sure the shuttle stayed true on her path. When a routine had been established, and the controls in front of Ely didn‟t look so foreign any more, he leaned over to Emerson. The first thought that popped into his head, he used to ignite the conversation. “So…what did Kale have to say, anything interesting?” Emerson smiled. “It‟s been sort of weird being on six hour, alternate rotations, hasn‟t it? Especially with only five of us on board.” Ely nodded. “I was only thinking myself not that long ago.” “That is scary.” “It is?” Ely placed his hand onto Emerson‟s. “Why‟s that?” “Because we‟re thinking like each other now, that‟s why?” But Emerson laughed with his words. “But if you really want to know, Kale said that we both looked awesome together. He‟s glad we sorted out our differences.” Now it was Ely‟s turn to smile. “I agree. We are awesome together—and dare I say it, I really do think—” he cut himself short. Should he tell Emerson about his feelings so soon? What if his response was laughter? Ely swallowed hard, and added, “I mean, I…I think I—” “You what?” Emerson gave Ely his full attention, turning so he could look him straight in his eyes. That sparkle was there. That wonderful, sexy sparkle. To Ely that was a positive sign. “I…well….oh, never mind. I‟ll tell you later, when we‟re not so deep in work.” Emerson brought his other hand over to Ely‟s. “It‟s obviously important what you have to say, you‟re getting yourself all worked up. Now, just relax and tell me. I won‟t bite.” 99

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Ely‟s smile quivered until he was smiling no more. He looked deep into Emerson‟s eyes, as well. It was now or never. “I think…I think I‟ve fallen for you, Sonny.” A sigh of relief, even though not physically apparent, seemed to overwhelm Emerson. He squeezed Ely‟s hand, one that reassured him. “Do you mean you love me? Is that it, Ely?” Ely nodded, licked his parched lips, and said with as much honesty as he could muster. “Yes.” Emerson‟s smile widened. “Then say it. Say you love me if that‟s how you feel. Doesn‟t help to bottle things up.” Before Ely could utter the words, speak his true feelings, a klaxon sounded. Emerson pulled his hands away from Ely‟s. Both now concentrated on the control panels in front of them. Ely‟s station was all green. It was Emerson‟s that had a red indicator on it, the reason for the alarm. “Shit, what is it, Sonny?” There was a moment of silence, frantic hands across the control panel as Emerson‟s brow creased and his eyes widened. More lights flicked to red. Then, more and more. Again Ely asked, “What‟s up. What‟s gone wrong?” This time concern laced his voice and he couldn‟t help but think of the worst. Was the shuttle coming out of the energy field, unable to stay in the wake any longer? Or had it accelerated until it was too close to the Mandrake’s engine flutes? Ely wasn‟t sure, not by looking at the readouts in front of Emerson. When Emerson did speak, he said, “Hail Commander Okinawa. We‟ve arrived. And we‟re slipping out of the energy field…the thing has changed in harmonics somehow…wait…yes, we‟re free. But the Mandrake isn‟t. Let me get up a view.” Ely wanted to do two things at once. Do as Emerson had 100

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asked and also see for himself what the alien device looked like now that they had arrived. A few hours earlier than projected, Ely noted. He decided to hail the commander. The man looked tired and still half-asleep. “We‟ve arrived at our destination, sir,” Ely began. “And we‟re clear of the energy field. But…well, we can‟t explain it, but it seems that something‟s happened because the Mandrake is still surrounded by the field and we‟re not.” Ely glanced at the holo-vid screen that had materialised above Emerson‟s workstation. It was true. The blue, electric energy still surrounded the starship. Although, not as intense as it had been before when it served the purpose of folding space. But what was its purpose now? Emerson interjected, “We can‟t get to the shuttle bay. The energy field is preventing me from getting near the Mandrake.” He spoke all of that while not looking up from his study, busy trying to turn the red lights green. Slowly but surely they did. That was something, at least. Commander Okinawa rubbed his eyes. “I‟ll be there as soon as possible. Can you hail cadets, Braden and Kale, too? I do believe it‟s time we earned our keep as we try and figure this all out.” “Wait, sir,” Emerson burst out. “I believe I know why the field is still surrounding the Mandrake. To me…I mean, according to the readings, it looks like it‟s now a holding field. See.” Ely glanced at the screen once more. “Oh my God!” Emerson continued, his voice filled with concern, “Those objects we thought were orbiting the alien device, they‟re ours, sir.” The alien device was indeed massive, the thing a strange star-shaped object that reflected the distant sunlight to perfection. The metal it was made from super shiny. It had 101

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weird markings all over it, too, and if Ely didn‟t know any better, a large hangar toward the centre. But what Emerson had said caught his attention even more. He could now make out the orbiting objects, understand Emerson‟s concern. “There‟s the starship Fooshue,” Ely blurted. “And there‟s the Aristotle. Hang on, wait a minute, aren‟t all those others the planetary defence satellites we had in orbit around Jupiter and Saturn?” “They sure are.” Emerson said. Commander Okinawa turned off his screen. Seemed he was on his way. Ely hailed Braden and Kale. The alien device had captured all of the military‟s defences for the outer solar system, an action that had netted it three starships. What was the alien devices‟ purpose? Was it aggressive as Braden had suggested? Or was it just gathering information? Assessing whether or not humanity was worth making contact with. Ely swallowed hard. Seemed to him like things were going to get interesting from here on in.

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Chapter Fourteen hen Commander Okinawa, Braden and Kale were in the cockpit, Ely and Emerson stood to attention. There was no need to have a pilot stationed at the controls. The shuttle wasn‟t flying anywhere, now stationary next to the Mandrake. “Are you positive we can‟t go into the shuttle bay, Cadet Emerson?” Commander Okinawa asked once he clicked on his portable comm panel and placed it onto the briefing table. A schematic of the Mandrake came into view. Emerson studied the diagram for a moment before he replied, “No, sir, I‟m not. I mean, we can go back, I don‟t see why not…but at the same time, we may not be able to get out.” “That‟s fine by me. Cadet Kale, set a course for the shuttle bay.” Kale saluted, heading for the pilot‟s chair. Before he got there, Emerson coughed politely into his hand, and added, “If I may suggest something I think you should know, sir.” The commander nodded. “Continue, Cadet Emerson. If I need to know it, then tell me.” Emerson saluted. “If we can‟t get out again, how can we help the Mandrake?” “Explain.” “Well, if the Mandrake could get out of the field, wouldn‟t

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Captain Holloway have ordered such a thing by now?” Emerson pressed a panel on the portable comm. The view shifted, zooming out to include the alien star-shaped device and all the trapped human machines that orbited it. “Why hasn‟t the Fooshue or the Aristotle broken free yet, either? They arrived well before we did.” Ely could see that Emerson had a point. If the fly could get out of the ointment, then surely it would have done so by now. Seemed to him the Mandrake and everyone and everything else was stuck. Commander Okinawa rubbed his chin. “Kale, belay that order. Can you hail Captain Holloway instead?” “Yes, sir,” Kale said. A brief moment later, the captain‟s familiar portrait appeared on the hail screen. Commander Okinawa saluted, as did everyone else in the cockpit. Before a word could be spoken, the man said, “Commander, I need you and the talents of your men to do one more thing for me—for us.” “Of course, sir,” the commander said, still at attention. Emerson could hear the wail of red alert sounding in the background. From that, he took it that the Mandrake couldn‟t free itself from the alien devices‟ grasp. A sign that didn‟t bode well. “Your away mission has been expanded. You are to land the shuttle within the alien device and switch off, disable, or do whatever you have to, to free our ships and defence satellites from this energy field. The rear admiral has been in contact and I have apprised him of the situation. We now deem this act by the alien ship to be hostile. I repeat, hostile.” The captain cleared his throat, leaning out of screen shot for a moment as someone handed him a portable comm unit. He came back into view, glancing down at the information that had been presented to him. “Captain Bliss of the Fooshue and captain Horace of the Aristotle are also in 104

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agreement. Any measure you need to take to get this done, including deadly force, can be utilized for this mission. Am I clear on that?” The commander saluted. “Yes, sir.” “I want regular reports. Good luck. Captain Holloway, over and out.” The screen went blank and dissipated. Commander Okinawa breathed in deep, and said, “Now, I know this wasn‟t supposed to happen. We were only meant to get some readings and be done with the away mission in an hour at the most. But as it turns out, not only were we in for the long haul, we‟re the only ones who can help. I wouldn‟t normally say this, but you are all excellent men.” The commander paused to flick off the comm panel. “You all heard the captain, so let‟s get in there and do the best I know you all can.” Braden saluted, a glint in his eye. It didn‟t take a genius to know that he was itching for some action. Men like him always did. “Yes, sir. I would be proud to help lead us into enemy territory.” Emerson coughed again. Speaking to the group and not addressing anyone in particular, he said, “I‟m afraid the forward assembly got a bit damaged. I don‟t think we can land—not without the support crew that are usually in the docking bay, anyway.” Kale swivelled around in his pilot‟s chair, “No worries. “I‟ll use the „ol barn slide manoeuvre to compensate for that.” Commander Okinawa said, “Nothing too risky, Cadet Kale. We have to make sure we survive long enough to do any good, you know.” “No, sir. Nothing risky. I‟ve done it plenty of times.” He pressed panels on his station, his enthusiasm clear. “Although, I would suggest holding onto something. This can get…interesting.” 105

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“Define interesting,” Commander Okinawa said as he sat on the nearest chair. “Well, without forward stabilisers, we‟ll have to land backwards. It‟s either that or stay out in space…sir.” “How can we land backwards?” Ely asked. “Good question, cadet Ely.” “Thank you, sir.” Kale looked back, a beaming smile upon his lips. “We go hell for leather toward the hangar. Then, when we‟re at the optimum distance, I shut off the main engine flute, power down the inertial dampeners and engage the ion thrusters. That‟s when things get interesting, as I have to wait for the right moment for the shuttle to be turned around yet still have momentum before I can reverse everything.” “Won‟t all that just cause us to spin?” Braden asked. Although, the question was spoken more to keep Kale talking than actually raising a concern about the tricky manoeuvre he was about to perform. Ely‟s clue to that was the wanting eyes and the brush of his face with his hand when he looked at Kale. That settled it. They were fucking. “Not if I‟m quick, it won‟t.” Kale winked…at Braden. “The thrusters will do the manoeuvring. I‟ll make sure everything‟s all AOK well before then, giving myself plenty of time to engage the main engine and get the hell out and try again if things get a little tight.” Commander Okinawa rubbed his chin. “It all seems a bit risky to me. But what choice do we have? The captains of three starships are depending on us. Do it, cadet, Kale. But if there is any indication that things aren‟t as they should be, I want you to abort. At that time we will then discuss our options, including suiting up and going into the alien device with a tether between us and the infinite black our view.” Ely didn‟t like the sound of getting suited up. Spacesuits made him nauseous as well as claustrophobic, but the worst 106

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part was that no matter how many times they were sanitised, the smell of the previous occupant was always vivid. The odour inside most he‟d been in was a disturbing combination of sweat and urine. Sweat for the sheer fact that the suit either scared the bejesus out of the previous occupant or got so hot inside no matter how much the air con was switched up. Working with such restrictive clothing wasn‟t easy, especially for space walks. The urine smell was present because the piss bag and attachments, both male and female, never seemed to fit right. Sure, guys who were well endowed had a bit better chance. Ely imagined Emerson having no trouble at all slipping the holding hose, or love lip as it was known amongst the hangar bay crew, around his monster. But as for some others, the less fortunate of the species—well, leakage and accidents happened. Ely had heard rumour of one poor guy having to stretch his foreskin around the attachment and then taping the skin so it stayed in place, just so it would fit him. But he believed that was a kind of urban legend, spoken to scare the shit out of cadet‟s fresh out of the Academy. It worked. Before Ely could contemplate how girls coped with the butterfly attachment all spacesuits had, and the thought of removing duct tape off the foreskin after being secured for a couple of hours, Kale had begun the manoeuvre. He was beautiful to watch. A true professional, in fact. His concentration must have been unfaltering, because his hand movements across the station were not only mesmerising, they were done with lightning speed, too. The alien device loomed large on the view screen and the shuttles windows. More detail could be seen, the thing looked like it had been made of tiny panels, billions and billions of them. All smooth. All reflecting the little light that reached it from the sun to perfection. All having strange writings on them. 107

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Then the hangar came into view. Like a wide open mouth, waiting for the shuttle to enter, beckoning to them. “Hang on!” Kale said. Ely grabbed Emerson and both grabbed a rail that surrounded the pilot‟s section of the cockpit. With inertial dampeners on low, the G-forces would be felt as the shuttle turned ninety degrees and as quick as possible, too. But Kale did it. Sure, Ely‟s stomach turned like he‟d just been on an amusement park ride back on the Zero Grav rollercoasters that were popular on Mars. But in the end, the situation wasn‟t as bad as what he‟d first thought. At least he wouldn‟t have to put on a spacesuit. Then a terrible thought stuck him as Kale maneuverer the shuttle, while going backwards, into the alien hangar. What if there was no atmosphere inside this thing? He swallowed hard. Seemed getting on a suit wasn‟t out of the question just yet. Visions of ripping sticky tape off his dick flooded his mind, the pain worse than pulling off wound seal from a hairy part of the body. Emerson must have had the same concern. He went to the co-pilots station and began punching panels, a schematic of the hangar appeared. The thing was massive, like a monstrous cavern made of strange metallic formations, again there were those reflective panels here, too. “Reading atmosphere at seventy percent nitrogen, twenty-nine percent oxygen, the rest argon and carbon dioxide with a few trace elements. As far as I can tell it‟s suitable for us to breathe.” Emerson turned to look at the commander. “Although, in a way, sir, that‟s probably more puzzling than there being no atmosphere. Are we expected?” “Good question.” The commander nodded. “Seems there‟s only going to be one way to find out. Cadet Braden, 108

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ready the men for the away mission. I want full arms and all protocols adhered to. Is that understood?” Braden snapped to attention and saluted. “Yes, sir. Ely, Emerson, you‟re with me.” Kale was still busy landing the shuttle. “Kale, you can join us when you‟re done.” “Sure thing, sir,” Kale said, his study on the control panel. Braden left the cockpit. Ely nodded to Emerson. They were both soon following him, Commander Okinawa in tow. Their first stop, the weapons cabinet.

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Chapter Fifteen hen Kale joined them at the designated meeting point near the shuttle doors, Commander Okinawa said, “Remember, even though this is considered a hostile situation, the rules of engagement still apply.” He looked at each and every one in turn. “I don‟t want any accidents. Clear?” All saluted, and said in unison, “Yes, sir.” The commander nodded, a smile crawled across his lips. “Excellent. Cadet Braden, lead the men out. I will take up the rear.” Braden pressed the door panel. It hissed open. The sweet smell of an oxygen rich atmosphere struck Ely, made him feel giddy for a moment. “All right, form a line. Cadet Emerson, you‟re behind me. Cadet Ely and Cadet Kale, you‟re both next. Watch everywhere. Be alert. Stay frosty.” “Yes, sir,” Ely, Emerson and Kale said, falling into the order Braden had requested. Braden saluted to the commander. “The men are ready, sir.” Commander Okinawa didn‟t reply. Instead, Braden stepped out of the shuttle, his gun at the ready position, checking all points before proceeding and gesturing for the others to follow when he seemed confident the coast was clear.

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The hangar didn‟t disappoint. In fact, it was far more impressive than the glances Ely had caught of it from the shuttle‟s windows. The structure looked like it was made from living metal, veins of silvery-blue weaved and intertwined all over the walls, floor and ceiling. There was an eerie blue glow that emanated from the metal, and again strange writings could be seen over every surface. The thing was a large as any hangar he had seen or been in, the roof of it would have been more than fifty meters above them. Their footfalls echoed. Slow and sure, Braden led them toward the end of the hangar and the doorway that greeted them on the far side. At every moment he made certain their path was clear. The slightest sound or flicking of light would put him on high alert. Ely couldn‟t help but smile, comforted in the knowledge that Braden was there to make sure they all remained safe. That and the fact he could check out Emerson‟s butt, too. His boyfriend using the portable comm unit as a scanner, deep in his study. “Halt!” Braden called out, about ten meters from the doorway. Well, Ely assumed it was a doorway leading into the rest of the structure. To say it was a door in any conventional sense was an understatement and Ely couldn‟t help but wonder what sort of creatures lived here, if indeed there were any aliens on board. So far no sign of any life. The door they approached was hexagonal, with what Ely could only describe as something that resembled a flower opening to reveal the path beyond as soon as they were close. For a long while Braden stood silent and still. He went to Emerson and there was a brief and quiet discussion between them. Braden checking out readings on the comm panel. “All clear, sir,” Emerson said aloud. “As far as I can tell, anyway.” 111

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Braden nodded. He proceeded, leading them through the doorway. Somehow, and if it was at all possible, he looked even more cautious than before. But the room beyond was a spectacle to not only be admired, but be in awe of, as well. No longer was the metal present. Now the room, all multicoloured and beautiful, looked as though it was made of glass. Everything was transparent, and the lighting added to the effect of creating its wonder. As Ely was about to speak, about to utter how amazing he thought the place looked, a beam of light struck each and every one of the away team. A split second after that, and before Ely‟s eyes could adjust from the intensity of the light, Emerson disappeared. Gone within a heartbeat. Ely couldn‟t mouth the horror he felt, pass the wind over his larynx to form the words of his shock. His Emerson had been taken. “Emerson and Commander Okinawa are gone!” Braden said, rushing past Ely. Ely was knocked form his reverie. He span on the balls of his feet to glance behind him, to confirm Braden‟s words for himself. It was true. Not only had Emerson been taken, the commander had been, too. Before Ely could blink, work out what was going on and try and calm the many, many questions that now sang in his mind, Kale came to him, grabbing his hand. His touch welcome. “Fall back!” Braden commanded. But by the time Braden got to the doorway, the flower-like apparatus closed, sealing off their exit and the shuttle. They were alone. Ely was numb. Kale‟s warmth all that kept him in the moment. His mouth agape, his eyes wide with disbelief. Finally, he said, “We‟ve…got to…get them back.” Braden came up to Kale and Ely. “We‟ve got to complete 112

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the mission first. Those were our orders.” “But Emerson and Commander Okinawa could be in danger,” Kale said. “That‟s right,” Ely added, reinforcing his friend‟s words. Braden looked flustered. His cheeks were red and he had that look of panic in his eyes. Being left alone in charge so soon wouldn‟t have been on his mind. Not so soon, anyway. “Look. There are three starships out there with over twothousand hands on each. The captains of those starships are relying on us to do our duty, and by God, unless there are none of us left standing, that‟s what we‟ll do.” But his words held no confidence, his gaze flicking around the room, like he was looking for a way out. Ely narrowed his eyelids. “I don‟t care. I‟m going to look for Emerson. He‟s the only one with the scanner. How are we supposed to find our way around here while we‟re blind?” Kale tightened his grip on Ely. “I agree. We can‟t do our job without any idea about what it is we have to do. Emerson was the one reading for energy signatures and the like. We could be wandering around this alien spaceship or whatever it is for days and get nowhere.” Braden mouthed a few unintelligible words, before he said, “We must remain focused at the task at hand. If we can shut off the engines or power source, then perhaps Emerson and the commander will be returned.” “You don‟t know that.” Ely snapped. Braden‟s face hardened. “We don‟t know anything. That‟s the problem. So as a result, you‟ll all do as I say and follow our prime directive. The lives of the many outweigh the lives of the few. That‟s the way it is.” Ely couldn‟t contain himself. “That‟s bullshit, Braden. You haven‟t lost your boyfriend in a blink of an eye. I have.” He knew that Braden was in charge, and to go against a 113

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superior was an offense. But still, he spoke the words anyway, feeling better for doing so. “It‟s not about boyfriends, it‟s about duty, cadet Ely. Do you want me to put you on report for disobeying orders? Do you?” “No, sir” Ely whispered. He let go of Kale, turning so that he was no longer facing Braden. He didn‟t want to add any more to his reply. Any more words out of his mouth would have truly got him into trouble if he spoke them. He felt sick, right to the pit of his stomach. All he could think of was Emerson, the instant he disappeared burned into his memory. His bottom lip quivered and his throat tightened. To help clear his mind, he directed his attention to the room around him, look for any clues as to where Emerson and the commander could have been transported to. If that was indeed their fate. He shook his head. Yes, that was what happened. They had been transported, both alive and well, but lost somewhere inside this massive alien machine. Ely tried to think of the positive. To do anything else right now would make him break out in tears, he just knew it. Braden was right. There were many people relying on them to shut off the energy field that trapped the ships that now orbited the alien device. But he couldn‟t help but think of Emerson. His Emerson. The man who shared everything, completed him in ways he never imagined. Kale cleared his throat. “Permission to speak freely, sir?” “Granted, Cadet Kale.” “May I suggest we do both.” Ely turned around, facing the two men once more. Perhaps what Kale was about to say could convince him to change his mind. He sure hoped so, because he knew Braden wouldn‟t hesitate to pull rank. Then again, that was what he was there for. If there was no order, there would be anarchy. Ely didn‟t want that either. They needed to work as a team 114

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to get things done. “Please explain,” Braden said, his voice a mere quiver from his lips. “Well, we need to locate the power source to shut off the energy field, right?” Kale began. Braden nodded. “So why don‟t we search for Emerson and the commander while we‟re searching for the engines? Kill two Martian sand rats with one stone, so to speak.” Braden looked at Ely. “Will that be okay with you…Ely?” Ely‟s eyes had misted. He understood that the man had both a duty to perform, being in command, and feelings for his friends. In truth, Ely had been harsh on him. “Yes…Braden. I think that would be…just fine with me.” Braden stepped up to Ely, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder. “I‟m sorry I sounded like a jerk earlier. I just…well, I just wanted to make sure—” “No need to apologise,” Ely said, a smile for Braden widening. “I‟m glad you‟re in charge…I couldn‟t think of anyone better. I just want Emerson back, beyond anything, that‟s all.” “I know. So do I.” Kale let out a sigh of relief. “Good, I‟m glad that‟s settled. Now, can we all kiss and then get on with this? The sooner we get out of this place the better, in my opinion. This machine or whatever it is, is giving me the creeps.” Braden smiled at Kale‟s words. “I will if Ely will.” Ely was taken aback. Sure, he had heard plenty of times when the men and women on away missions did more with each other than their duty, an act that bonded them and solidified morale. But Ely wouldn‟t have imagined in a million years that such a thing would have happened on his very first away mission. “Say what?” Braden leaned over and planted a firm kiss upon Ely‟s lips. Parting them with his tongue and teasing a little, before 115

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disengaging. Ely couldn‟t help but smile, his lips tingling, his mouth awash with the taste of Braden‟s saliva, a slight tang tingled his tongue. He did feel closer to the man. Seemed that command technique worked. No sooner had Braden straightened up, when Kale came into view and added his affection as well, grabbing Ely around his waist and pulling him in close. His kiss lingered a little longer than Braden‟s had done, his hold adding so much more sensuality. Kale tasted sweet. When parted, Kale said, “I think we should go down that passage way over there. It looks like it leads to the lower levels and possibly an engine room. A good a place to start as any, I‟d say.” “Agreed,” Braden said. Both of them went to each other, embracing. Seconds later, the sight and sound of the two of them kissing filled Ely‟s senses with delight. They kissed like they were boyfriends, full of passion and wanting. That really did seal it. Kale and Braden were together. Ely couldn‟t help but think of how Carl fit into the picture now. Or was he only a fuck buddy to Braden? Ely couldn‟t help himself. “Are you two going out together now?” They parted. Braden‟s lips wet with Kale‟s attention. He patted Kale‟s buttocks, a gentle chuckle and a knowing smile the result. “We sure are.” “What about Carl, then?” Again, Ely couldn‟t help himself. “You know, the guy who‟d been nailing you before we went on this away mission?” Kale rolled his eyes. “Sometimes you are clueless, Ely. Didn‟t you know that he‟s just a dick for need? If you need, he‟ll come to your cabin and fuck you as much as you want. He‟s known all around for it.” “No. I didn‟t.” Braden came to slap Ely on his back. “The whole ship 116

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knows that. He‟s even been with Kale. Until we started this mission and I hooked up with him, that is.” Ely nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed he had asked now. “Um, did you try and open the door we came through? I mean, we‟ll need another scanner, won‟t we?” He decided it was time for a change of subject, redirect the attention to more important matters. Like finding Emerson. Braden glanced at the flower-like entrance door. “Good thinking. Let‟s go.” “Yes, sir,” Kale and Ely chimed together, adding their salute. But before they could approach the octagonal door and try to open it, it did so of its own accord. In the distance, the wonderful sight of the shuttle. Ely couldn‟t help but feel a small spark of hope ignite within him. At least now they could get to their equipment. The search for Emerson and the power source all that much easier. Then again, Ely couldn‟t help but get the feeling they were being tested. First there were free of the energy field, not trapped like the others. And now, on top of there being an atmosphere, things seemed to happen that required deeper thought.

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Chapter Sixteen ack in the glass room, they then proceeded down the passageway. Braden was in the lead, again cautious and taking things slow. Next was Kale, using another portable comm panel as a scanner, programmed to detect the largest energy source of the alien machine. Ely took up the rear, his weapon at the ready, too. Ely hoped that there would be no surprises this time. He wouldn‟t know what to do if Braden and Kale were taken. Being alone in this place would be enough to send a man mad. After what seemed like an eternity of traveling though passageways and rooms that looked like the first glass room they had entered from the hangar bay, Kale turned to Ely and asked, “So you‟ve really fallen for Sonny, then?” “Yes, I have,” Ely replied. “Why?” “Oh, nothing. I just find it funny, that‟s all.” Ely stopped. So did Kale and Braden. “What‟s so funny about falling for someone, Kale?” Kale offered a cheeky smile. “A week ago you were telling me that all you needed was a good fuck, no matter who you gave it to.” Kale came to nudge Ely. “Seems Sonny did something to you, hey?” “Sonny‟s a great bloke. Why wouldn‟t I fall for him?” Ely took a step back, starting to feel as though he had to defend

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himself. He swallowed hard. Sure, he wanted a fuck, who didn‟t? But Emerson had shown him that sex can lead to something more. Something deeper. Braden said, “We all know you‟ve never had eyes for him. You‟ve been sniffing around me these past few months in the hope I‟ll let you bend me over. Kale, too. I‟ve seen you ogle him. Admit it, Ely, you‟re only interested in Sonny because that‟s all you can get.” “That‟s not true!” Ely‟s eyes misted again. His emotions boiling up within him. How dare they question how he felt about someone else. Yes, he did, at first, have an interest in Braden and Kale. But not now. Now he wanted to be with Emerson for the rest of his life, and that was saying something. Or were they only testing him again? Whatever. Ely saw red. “Do you know how much I fucking hurt when I thought I‟d stuffed up my chances of ever being with him? I couldn‟t sleep. I couldn‟t eat.” Ely had to catch his breath. His heart beating a million miles an hour, his pulse loud in his ears. With determination in his voice, he added, “C‟mon, guys, you know that I didn‟t jump on any of you when you both offered. I proved to you and to myself that a fuck is a fuck and Sonny is worth so much more than that. He‟s my everything. My fucking everything, you hear?” Ely‟s shoulders heaved and tears flowed down his cheeks. He couldn‟t hold it back any longer. His throat so tight, that the words from his lips were now gasps, filled with emotion. There was a moment of silence between them. All their gazes upon one another. Ely took that time to calm himself, wipe away the tears from his cheeks. He then turned his back on his friends, not wanting them to see him in the state he had worked himself up to, because for the here and now he couldn‟t calm himself. All his thoughts and feelings for Emerson. A short moment later, many hands came around him. 119

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Both Braden and Kale had come to embrace him. For the longest time, all three of them hugged. Ely was swept up in their warmth, able to let his emotions out. He wept unlike any other time in his life. He wept for his love of Emerson. Finally, Kale said, “You‟re a good bloke, Ely. And Braden and me will do anything we can to make sure we get you back with Sonny. We just wanted to make sure you were right for him. He‟s a mate and we didn‟t want him to suffer from a broken heart because he chose to be with someone who wasn‟t interested in him. That‟s all.” “Yeah,” Braden said. “Sonny‟s always had a thing for you, Ely. You lucky dog. Now, c‟mon, let‟s get on with this. The sooner we get him and the commander back and the power source turned off, the sooner we can all be in the beds of the ones we love. All right?” Ely nodded, wiping away more tears off his cheeks with his sleeve. “You guys are such bastards, but I love you both, too.” “We know,” Kale said. Braden gave an affirmative nod. Ely now understood why Kale and Braden said what they did. They were looking out for their friend. In that moment, Ely knew, with every fibre of his being, that Braden and Kale would be looking out for him, too. He really did feel a bond with them. Braden and Kale turned and proceeded on their path. Soon they were all walking through more corridors lined with multi-coloured light saturated glass. The alien machine was both beautiful and haunting at the same time. They went through more endless rooms and corridors, none of which Ely could even hazard a guess as to the purpose of any of the strange panels and machines they harboured within them. “Hey, I‟m reading something,” Kale said. The portable comm panel he held glowed red, registering an energy 120

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source big enough to account for the power of this place. Had it found the engine room of this spaceship? Ely sure hoped so. Directed by the scanner, they came to another octagonal door. Again a flower-like mechanism opened so that they could step into the room beyond. What confronted Ely, Braden and Kale was the sight of Commander Okinawa lying on the floor. Was he unconscious? Was he unharmed? The man was surrounded in light and the room around him seemed to be an endless void of darkness. Had they reached the heart of the device? All three of them ran to the commander‟s aid. Braden was the fastest runner, he came to the man first. When he did so, the commander stirred. He sat upright, rubbing his forehead, the pain across his face clear. “Where‟s Emerson?” Ely asked as soon as he was close enough. Again, forgetting protocol for a moment, swept away by the hope that Emerson would be all right as well. “Sir.” With fear in his eyes and an expression that could curdle warm blood beating through living tissue, the commander said in a voice as harsh as Ely had ever heard, “I know what this place is.” He laughed, one sinister and not at all funny in any sense of the word. “I know what this place is. I know. I know. I know. I know.” Ely knelt down beside the commander, offering out his hand. Kale and Braden did the same. The man‟s stare looked distant and he would turn his head slowly to scan a horizon that didn‟t exist. They helped him to his feet, taking him out of the light. “What does this place do, sir?” Braden asked. The man flinched, like an imaginary thunder clap had startled him. He did this several times. What was going on? The commander was normally a strong individual, able to 121

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remain calm in even the toughest circumstances. Not now. Now he looked like a frightened child more than anything. “It‟s a disease,” Commander Okinawa stuttered. Braden, Kale and Ely looked at each other. “A what?” Braden asked. Again the commander flinched. His eyelids were twitching, his lips a macabre curl, saliva dribbling onto his chin. “It‟s a disease. A terrible, terrible disease. A harbinger of death. Uncontrollable. Uncontrollable. A terrible disease. A disease that will wipe us all out. A terrible, terrible disease…” And the man kept on like that, muttering in between coherent words. Braden turned his attention to Kale and Ely. “I don‟t know what happened to him, but I think he‟s gone mad or something.” Kale snorted the air. “You think? If you ask me, he needs medical attention and quick smart, too.” Ely realised that the commander wasn‟t all right in any way, shape or form. Something had happened to him. Something terrible. He swallowed hard. That small spark of hope he had for Emerson diminished. What if he was like the commander, too? How were they going to bring him back to sanity if they didn‟t know what had happened in the first place? Braden patted Kale on his shoulder. “Can you escort the commander back to the shuttle, Kale? I think it would be best if you sedate him. At least until we can figure out what the hell‟s going on here, all right?” “Yes, sir,” Kale said, bringing himself around so that he could hold the commander around his waist, help him find his way now that his mind was lost. The commander kept on muttering strange words, followed by the same warning he had spoken earlier. “A disease. A terrible, terrible disease…” 122

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“What are we going to do, sir?” Ely asked Braden. “We continue on. The scanner is reading that the power source for this place is near. All we have to do is look for it.” “And Sonny?” Braden swallowed. “Let‟s just hope he‟s in better condition than Commander Okinawa.” Kale had taken the weapon Ely had, the scanner, too. Braden suggested that as soon as he had attended to the commander that he come back. If the portable comm panel was correct, then they wouldn‟t need to search very far for what they were looking for. The dark room was a large as the hangar, if not more so. It never seemed to end. Ely and Braden had to rely on their flashlights just to try and make out where the walls were. Ely looked back, the beam of light the commander had been found within looked like a distant street light, weak against the darkness. He came close to Braden. Not because he was scared of the dark, but because he didn‟t want to lose the man. Being alone, that was his worst fear, especially in this place. A place that was a disease as the commander had said. Whatever that meant. Braden must have felt the same. He remained close to Ely, too. Many times they brushed hands. Once or twice Ely could have sworn Braden wanted him to hold him. Ely wouldn‟t have minded if they did hold hands. He was about to suggest they did, when a click could be heard, echoing throughout the cavernous expanse they had found themselves within. “What was—” But Braden didn‟t have time to finish his words. About five meters in front of them, a hiss sounded out followed by a flash of light. Ely shielded his eyes. The darkness he had been surrounded by over the last half an 123

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hour or so had seen to it that his eyes weren‟t ready. The light intensified until the room around them was no longer filled with the dark. Ely looked up. The wall was opening. He stood with his mouth agape, in awe. Braden let out a gasp. Ely was too occupied with the visual feast to pass any expression over his lips. What was before him he would have never imagined in his life up until this point. A massive, shimmering, multi-coloured glass-like structure, like a tower, was being revealed as the wall opened more and more. The machine, or whatever it was, was surrounded by even more structures, all made of glowing glass modules. The whole thing took up the entire floor of the far end of the room. Was this the engine? The source of the power the scanner had read? In amongst the tower of glass was a light, pulsating, twisting, folding, like the heart of the machine was beating for them to be humbled by. Within the glass and dazzling light, was Emerson. Floating. Trapped. He looked gaunt, frail and frightened. “Sonny!” Ely screamed at the top of his lungs, lunging forward. Braden caught his hand. “Don‟t, Ely. We don‟t know if it has any defences. I don‟t want to lose you, too, mate.” Ely turned to him. Braden‟s expression was sincere. He really did care for those under his command. Ely let out a sigh. “What now, then?” “Well, the commander said that this whole place was a disease.” Braden looked up, examining the engine in more detail, as did Ely. Each shard of glass pulsed with energy, seemed alive. Ely could only imagine the power it created. No wonder the machine could fold space to attract the starships to it. Then something registered in Ely‟s mind. Something he 124

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was told during basic training. Something he wouldn‟t have even considered before this day. The most basic of military tactics. “Let‟s assume the commander is right and this whole alien structure is a disease.” “All right.” Braden came to pat Ely on his back. “That works for me. Besides, it‟s all we have to go on, anyway.” “In that case, I know what it‟s doing then.” Emerson mouthed something. To Ely it looked like help me, repeated over and over again, but he couldn‟t be sure. He wanted—no yearned, to go to the tower, climb up it and pull out his boyfriend from within the glass cage he had been trapped within. Ely felt his stomach turn. He‟d bet his left nut doing such a thing wouldn‟t be that easy. Nothing was. “… it to me then, cause at the moment, I‟m at a loss.” Ely didn‟t catch the beginning of what Braden had said. He was fixated on Emerson. His thoughts conflicted. He was holding everything back within him, his emotions at saturation point. His eyes misted again. He also felt helpless. So close to his lover, yet so far. Why did it have to turn out this way? Ely continued with his thought. “It‟s been sent to our solar system to weaken our defences.”

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Chapter Seventeen ou say that like it‟s a deliberate move of aggression,” Braden said. “It is. Think about it, all the clues have been there. The gathering of our defence satellites, our starships, everything we use to help us detect any enemy and defend our borders. And it‟s doing so like a disease would if it had been placed into your own body, in a manner of speaking.” Braden‟s expression flashed confusion for a moment. “So if you say this is a great big alien bacteria or something, and all the defences of our solar system have been neutralised, as a disease or some shit like that does when it gets inside you, then what would stop an all-out invasion once it‟s done its job? We‟ll be weak without our starships. How can we defend ourselves then?” “We can‟t. Put it this way, people who get very sick may not die from the initial disease. They die from a cold or something like that because their defence systems in their bodies are weak. Think about it, if this thing succeeds, humanity‟s defences will be, too. We‟ve got to try and shut it down or kill it.” Braden was silent for a moment. He began to pace, deep in thought. “Then we‟ve got to get Emerson out of there. Perhaps he can tell us more, now that he‟s a part of this disease machine, just like Commander Okinawa had been.”

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Ely hated to admit that getting Emerson out would probably be impossible. Using the disease analogy to its conclusion, it would mean that he had been taken and chosen for the self-preservation of the machine. “Why hadn‟t it installed Commander Okinawa into the engine, Braden?” “I don‟t know. Why?” Braden replied slowly. “Because it knows that none of us would have hesitated to destroy the engine to get him out, that‟s why. Sonny was chosen for a reason.” “But you‟re saying that like Sonny hasn‟t got a chance.” Ely swallowed hard. “I‟m not saying that at all. There‟s got to be some chance for him, otherwise I don‟t know what I‟d do. It‟s just that…that the most aggressive diseases I‟ve heard of inhabit healthy tissue so the body won‟t fight it. By placing Sonny into the heart of the engine of this disease, it has, in effect, done the same thing and neutralised us, too. Sonny is the healthy part and none of us are going to murder him to destroy the machine, are we?” “I wouldn‟t hesitate to shoot this glass engine thing to oblivion if I knew Sonny would be all right.” Braden‟s face hardened. He un-clipped his weapon, aiming for the base of the glass structure. “But we don‟t, do we?” Ely‟s stomach turned. The sight of the weapon pointed at the machine sent him into a spiral of concern. If Braden fired, then Emerson would be lost. Forever. “No. We don‟t.” “But there‟s got to be another way to get him out. Maybe you should do some of your magic and try and find a weakness to this engine, Ely. It‟s either that or surrender to the aliens right now.” Ely came to embrace Braden. “I‟ll give it my best shot.” He glanced over to the engine. To the far right, there was an alcove, a place where the glass had created a sort of station. Was that a workstation? “Oh, and you‟re a good man, you know that.” 127

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Braden snorted and holstered his gun. “Yeah, I know. I just hope you can think of something, because there‟s no prize for guessing what‟ll happen once all of our military defences are caught in the energy field. I‟d say we‟ll be fucked, plain and simple.” “You were right.” “About what?” “Back when we first looked at this alien ship at a distance. You said way back then that it was hostile. None of us could have ever imagined in what way.” Braden clicked his tongue. “We do now.” Ely proceeded toward what he assumed was the workstation he had spied earlier. Much to his chagrin, he wasn‟t able to reach where the glass of the structure had formed a workbench, it was far too high. Whoever these aliens were, they were a lot taller than humans. He sighed. Then again, Ely didn‟t need to spend hours upon hours trying to work out how to deactivate the light that held Emerson within the glass tower by touching the glass instruments above him. He could crawl into the structure itself and become immersed in the alien technology. No better way to learn in his opinion. One thing Ely loved about working on engines. No matter who built them, they all required maintenance. There was always access. He reached out and touched the glass. It sparked, sending a mild shock through his body. Ely was stunned, recoiling his hand as quick as he could, sucking on his finger. His hand ached, tingled like electricity had coursed through him, but he was all right. “You found something?” Braden called out. “No. But I thought I had.” Ely turned, about to say that they had better come up with another idea as any access to the engine was out of the question at the moment, when Kale returned. He was 128

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breathing hard, face red. Probably from the run he had endured to get back as quick as possible. He stopped to talk to Braden, a touch of each other‟s hands and gentle glances between them adding to their words. When their conversation had ended, Kale shouted, “Hey, Ely. Commander Okinawa kept on muttering something about light as well as all that disease stuff. Do you think that means anything?” “I really don‟t know. But can you come over here and give me a me a hand. You, too, Braden.” “Sure thing,” Kale said. Braden grabbed Kale‟s hand proper. Ely smiled. There was no need for formality now that they were alone. Then again, Commander Okinawa wouldn‟t have minded if there was physical reassurance between his away team. He knew what was going on in the cabins just as much as anyone else. Besides, depriving anyone of contact, either for love or any other reason, wasn‟t beneficial to anyone, especially if lives were on the line. Over the eons, during countless military missions, men and women had always shown affection toward one another, in dirt ditches or in the cold of space, it didn‟t matter. That‟s what created bonds. Made humans do great things. Made them accomplish the unbelievable. When Braden and Kale arrived at the workstation, Ely turned back to the glass structure that towered before him. The thing was no less impressive no matter where he looked. It was beautiful. The glass of the thing had formed conduits and panels, wires and junctions, motherboards and processors. He studied the engine for a moment. Sure, it was all alien, but there was also a familiarity to it, too. After all, getting coolant from one place to another required piping no matter how advanced the technology. What‟s more, parts moved and the whole thing seemed to work in harmony, as only a machine designed to power something massive could. 129

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He pulled his flashlight off his belt, directing the beam to what he thought looked like an access panel. When the light touched the glass, it darkened. Ely smiled. Perhaps the commander‟s gibbering did mean something. After all, he had been right about the ship being like a disease. He switched off the light. The colour returned to the structure where the beam had struck it. Before Ely could announce his discovery, Braden asked, “Hey, didn‟t that just react to the light?” “Maybe that‟s what Commander Okinawa meant. This place is photo sensitive.” Kale knelt down, directing his flashlight toward the structure, too. It did the same thing, darkening when touched by the man made light. “Maybe that‟s why the surface of this disease machine is so reflective. It‟s to keep out the light. I mean, everything inside it is made of this glass-like stuff except the hangar. That‟s exposed to space.” “That makes sense,” Ely said. He flashed the light toward the glass again, reaching out to touch the engine this time. There was no reaction this time. The structure had been deadened by the light. This puzzled Ely more than anything. “But I really don‟t see how that will help us. I mean, we‟ve only got three puny flashlights. What effect could they have against such a massive engine, photo sensitive or not?” Braden unclipped his flashlight. Directing it up toward where Emerson was trapped. Nothing registered on the glass. The beam was indeed too weak. “Seems you‟re right, Ely. Damn it. I thought we had something there.” “Perhaps if we combine them, maybe that will have a better effect,” Kale said. “No harm in trying.” Ely went closer to Braden. Kale came between them. “Ready? Aim for the same place Braden just did. All right?” Braden and Ely switched on their flashlights, as did Kale, 130

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directing it to the spot Kale had suggested. Yes, the beam was more intense, and yes, the reaction was more profound. But in the end, the light they created proved to be about as adequate as if they hadn‟t joined their forces at all. The glass darkened for a moment, coming back to life as soon as the beam was removed. But more importantly, none of the glass darkened in a way that could be useful, like freeing Emerson. “Seems to me that artificial light drains the natural flow of power through the engine.” Ely switched off his flashlight. “But we‟d need a light a lot more powerful than these flashlights if we‟re going to make any sort of impression on the functioning of it.” “More like we‟d need a starship‟s search light,” Braden added with a sigh. “That‟s the one thing we have plenty of but can‟t get to,” Kale said, but there was no sarcasm in his voice. What he said was true. Outside, in the black, there were three starships. All of them useless at this point in time. Ely turned to look around the room. Then something caught his eye. Something they had first encountered when they entered the engine room of this disease machine. The light source Commander Okinawa had been trapped in. “Hang on guys. What about that over there? Do you think that would be powerful enough?” Braden and Kale turned their attention to where Ely was pointing. After a moment of silence, Kale asked, “How the hell are we supposed to get that directed toward the engine?” “With a reflector, of course,” Ely chimed. Pleased with himself that he had come up with such a good idea. “I mean, if we can get it directed over here, then that should be enough to darken most of this engine and hopefully turn it off for long enough to get Emerson out of there and free 131

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those trapped starships. What you reckon?” Braden cocked an eyebrow. “You know, I think you may have something there, Ely. Kale, you want to come with me to the shuttle? We‟ll try and scavenge as much as we can, strip the whole place of metal if we have to.” Kale saluted. “Sounds like a plan, sir.” This time he smiled, cheekiness only Kale could have added into that expression in good measure. Ely smiled, too. Braden and Kale were perfect for each other. “I don‟t want to leave Sonny. I‟ll stay here.” At that moment Ely looked up at the tower that held his Emerson. His stomach turned. His man seemed to be in worse condition than when they had first arrived in the engine room. He was still screaming, but tears flowed, too. He was banging on the light so that it sparked yet remained intact around him, keeping him held within the glass. Ely knew he couldn‟t go up and comfort him, tell him that they were working on a way to get him out. He couldn‟t touch the engine for a start, not without some sort of reflector in place, anyway. “I‟m coming for you, Sonny,” he whispered as Braden and Kale left the engine room, hand in hand. “Just hang in there.”

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Chapter Eighteen n the hour or so that Kale and Braden were gone, Ely sat in front of the massive engine. One that not only had the ability to bring the disease ship from wherever it came, perhaps thousands of light years, but fold space to trap others as well. He couldn‟t help but admire it, no matter how sinister its purpose. Many, many questions revolved around his head. Who made this ship? Why did they want to attack humans? Had they been watching us for eons, now considering us a threat? Why was there a breathable atmosphere inside? So far no other life had been seen. The place was deserted. Ely only saw the glass-like structures beyond the reflective metal-like substance of the hangar bay. Then again, perhaps there was an atmosphere so that humans would be lured inside a lot easier. Then, as Ely and the rest of them had already witnessed, one could be used as part of the engine for whatever purpose or design the aliens had in mind. Again, he thought of sinister intentions. Why trap someone inside an engine unless they were being used for something? But what? Information? Emerson had calmed. Did he sense that they were up to something? Or was Ely‟s presence soothing his anguish? It was hard to tell. Ely, on the other hand, was feeling as anxious as ever. His heart raced. His palms were sweaty. He

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just wanted Kale and Braden to come back as soon as possible so they could get out of this place. As Ely was about to stand, walk over to the engine and test to see if it still sparked with his touch, more for something to do, he heard a voice. Through the flower-like doors, Braden and Kale came. They were carrying what looked like the briefing table and a myriad of other metallic things. “Hey, come and give us a hand, Ely,” Braden called out. Ely ran to them. Finally, some action. “Yes, sir.” They had indeed taken the briefing table from the cockpit. Stripping it down so that the metal base was exposed. They also had panels from the engine bay that were used for shielding and the forward assembly sensors that got singed while the shuttle was in the wake of the Mandrake’s engine plume. All in all, there was a lot of stuff. “We brought a portable welder, too.” Braden came down to place his end of the briefing table onto the floor. “I‟d say we need to make a dish or something like that. Whatever we do, make sure it has plenty of surface area. We want to get as much of this light over to the engine. Shut the thing down for good, hopefully.” “I agree.” Kale had set his end down, too. He was pulling out metallic part from the table recess. “We‟ll use the table as a base, extend out from there.” Ely gave Kale a hand. Nothing more needed to be said. All three knew what they had to do. And Ely had to admit, his nerves had eased somewhat now that he was busy. Ely didn‟t know how long they shaped, welded and constructed their makeshift reflector, but the time seemed to go fast. Sure, he ached all over, the physical labour of lugging around metal wasn‟t easy. The end result was something they could be proud of. Yes, it looked exactly like 134

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it was, a hodgepodge of parts stuck together, some metal more reflective than others, but nevertheless it would be sufficient for their intention. They weren‟t out to get any design awards, just Emerson. The thought of Emerson brought reality crashing back. Ely turned toward the engine. His boyfriend still looked as though he was going through hell. Which proved one thing. Being a part of this disease ship‟s construction wasn‟t something a human would wish for. Ely would bet his left nut that Emerson was being probed for information, his mind scanned. Why else would this ship install him into the machine? That sealed it. They had been required all along. “We‟re just about ready,” Kale said, knocking Ely from his reverie. Ely came so he was standing next to Braden, helping carry the reflector toward the light source Commander Okinawa had been found within. A few short seconds later, and Ely couldn‟t face his gaze toward the reflector, the light too intense. Braden said, “On the count of three, we tilt the table so that it‟s pointed toward the engine. Clear?” “Yes, sir,” Kale and Ely said together. “One…two…three.” All three of them tilted the table. Seeing the beam strike the engine was a thing of beauty. All of a sudden, the only light in the room was that being reflected off their haphazard construction. The glass of the engine had been dulled, just like it did when they directed their flashlight beams toward it. The light that struck the glass had been absorbed. Ely noted one big difference between the strength of what the flashlights did and this beam they had used to their advantage. The whole engine was incapacitated. Ely smiled. They had done it. 135

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“I‟m going to free Sonny,” Ely said, letting go of the table. “Just be damn quick,” Braden barked. “This thing weights a tonne and it‟s getting mighty hot, too.” Ely came around so that he could run toward the engine that was housed on the far side of the dark room. As soon as he was close enough to notice, his heart skipped a beat and he let out a yell. Words even he himself couldn‟t comprehend. His mind span and he felt as though he was going to throw up the little he had within him. Emerson was gone. “Braden! Kale!” Ely finally managed, still running as fast as his legs could carry him toward the alien engine. “What‟s up, Ely?” Braden questioned. But Ely couldn‟t answer. The tower had been smashed, the twisting, turning light within it no longer present. Emerson must have been able to force himself out of his prison once the holding field or whatever it was had dissipated when the engine had lost power. He was filled with delight at such a thing until he saw Emerson upon the floor at the front of the machine. His heart sank and his stomach turned unlike anything he had experienced in his life. He came to his boyfriend, kneeling beside him, cradling his head in his arms. Emerson was covered in blood. His hands were cut and he was unconscious. “Sonny! Oh, fucking hell, Sonny!” was all Ely could manage through quivering lips. He kissed his boyfriend on his forehead, tasting his blood. He didn‟t care. All he wanted more than anything in the universe was for his Emerson to be all right. “What is it, Ely?” Kale called out. Again, Ely was disturbed from his thoughts. Ely stammered, but said, “Sonny‟s been hurt.” With those words, the light being directed from the other side of the room was extinguished. Scintillating stars 136

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invaded Ely‟s vision. He knew that Braden and Kale had let go of the reflector and were now running toward him. Their footfalls echoing throughout the engine bay more than enough proof of that. Emerson‟s eyelids flicked open. “I told it too much. I couldn‟t help…it, my beautiful Ely. They know…all about us and unless…we can get out of here and…destroy this ship, they will come. They will…come and…kill us all. We have…” He then returned to his unconscious state. Before Ely could question the meaning of his boyfriend‟s words, many hands came to grab them. Braden and Kale had arrived. Thank God. Ely was pulled up onto his feet. He glanced at the engine. It was coming back to life. Starting at the base, the energy the ship must use caused the glass to blink back into existence, the many colours beautiful yet ominous at the same time. Ely wouldn‟t imagine that they would have long to get out of the disease ship before it was back up to full capacity, able to take another one of them for the engine. He even saw the glass of the tower begin to repair itself, the cracks melding to a smooth surface once more. “We‟d better get the fuck out of here before the engine can take one of us again.” Kale said, reiterating Ely‟s thoughts to perfection. “Then we‟ll be back to square one.” Ely was shepherded toward the flower-like door. The thing was closing. “Fuck!” Braden screamed. He was carrying Emerson in a fire-man‟s hold. The man was a wall of muscle anyway, so such a thing wouldn‟t have been too much of a bother for him under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, this wasn‟t a normal situation, far from it. Running with a burden wasn‟t easy, the strain on his face clear. They had to run with all their might if there were ever going to get out of here, away from the alien machine that 137

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had captured Emerson. The thing was, Ely knew now after what Emerson had said, that the ship would try and capture one of them once more. Seemed it needed a human component to the engine, used by the machine to gain an advantage over the enemy. Ely glanced at the reflector. No wonder Braden had said the metal was getting hot. It was a melted, molten mess on the floor. The light had been intensified to such a point that it destroyed their efforts, the reflector no longer able to function. Seemed the light being there wasn‟t a blessing as they had first thought. Perhaps it was there to test the intelligence of whatever species the alien disease ship had been sent to disable. He shuddered at that thought, unable to help feeling like a lab rat in some sort of sick experiment. “Run!” Kale yelled at the top of his lungs. The flower-like door was almost shut. But then, Kale did something Ely wouldn‟t have thought of even if he tried. He unholstered his weapon and fired. The engine room filled with the sound of shattering glass. The door destroyed enough so that they could pass through it. Again, Ely saw the glass repair itself. That in itself sparked his curiosity. No metal or glass he could think of could do that, not by human design, anyway. The alien technology here was simply awesome. He couldn‟t help himself. As he passed through the hexagonal door, he plucked a piece of the broken glass up from the floor and stuffed it into his pocket. He‟d want to study that later, when Emerson was back to normal, safe and sound in his arms, of course. They dashed through many corridors, Kale guiding the way. He held the portable comm panel, using it like a directional finder pointing toward the shuttle. The glass rooms they encountered seemed to be more intense. Many times they had to avoid beams of light. One or two coming 138

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so close, breathing in while pressed against a wall the only way to avoid being plucked up and sent into the heart of the engine. Ely swallowed hard at their last narrow escape. Seemed to him the disease ship was pulling out all stops to make sure they didn‟t get away. Or testing them some more. Finally, and with Kale shooting his way through the hexagonal flower-like door, the shuttle came into view. Ely turned to look behind him. He couldn‟t hear Braden‟s laboured breathing anymore. Braden looked terrible. He was sweating like a Martian piglet at high noon, his hair plastered to his forehead. But he still held Emerson, still ran as best he could toward the shuttle and their escape, even though his pace had slowed. The man was magnificent. “Did you want me to take over?” Ely asked, waiting for Braden to come close to him. He just shook his head in reply. No more needed to be said between them. But Ely came behind Braden, pushing up on Emerson to try and lighten the load Braden bore. Emerson was no better, looking worse now that the blood had dried and caked on his perfect white skin. “Quick. Into the shuttle.” Kale shouted from up ahead. “We don‟t have much time.” “Why not?” Braden wheezed. “The hangar bay doors are closing.”

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Chapter Nineteen o formalities were observed once all were inside the shuttle. Kale gunned the engine, zooming as fast as the shuttle could take them out of the hangar bay, not even worrying about lift-off thrusters. Main engines were fired and that was that. The shuttle came within millimetres of the closing doors. Well, Ely assumed it was close, a couple of jolts, ones that rattled every housing around them, evident that they had probably lost a sensor dish or communications array. Still, Ely had Emerson back and that‟s all that mattered in the here and now. They were all in the cockpit. Commander Okinawa had taken up the only cot in the shuttle‟s med bay, so Braden had pulled a bed from one of the cabins so Emerson could be as comfortable as possible. Ely soothed his forehead, brushing his hands across his skin, whispering encouragement to him. Emerson stirred once they were in space. He opened his eyelids, those deep, brown eyes of his distant and dull. “Destroy it…destroy….it.” He then slipped back into unconsciousness. “I heard that,” Kale said. The communication screen shimmered into existence above the co-pilots station. It was fuzzy, static filling the image. Seemed they had lost a communication antenna

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during their escape. No matter. They were all alive and out of there. That was the main thing. The captain‟s face wobbled as the link between the Mandrake and the shuttle tried to maintain hold. “…the energy field has been disabled. Congratulations…my best to you…Okinawa…report to…” Kale pressed the panel that opened this end of the channel. “Didn‟t catch all that, sir. But I think it‟s best if you‟re free of the energy field, that you destroy the alien ship. We will explain everything later.” “Didn‟t get…did you…destroy…on what…” Kale punched the button again. “Please, sir. Just open fire with everything you have. Before the disease ship fully recovers from what we did and can re-activate it‟s trap.” “Deadly force…must authorise…” “Just open fire on the fucking thing!” Kale‟s face was bright red. His anger clear. That and the fact he was now screaming at the captain.” The screen was shut off. From the window, Ely could see that the energy field had indeed been disabled. The Mandrake and the other starships free to manoeuvre around the alien disease ship. Seconds later, every missile, nuclear weapon and rail gun ignited the blackness around the starships as they were fired, their target the alien star-shaped ship. Ely smiled. At least the captain had listened to Kale. Sure, there would be reports and explanations and more reports, but in the end, they had achieved what they had set out to do. He sighed relief, grabbing Emerson‟s hand and gripping him tight, both to reassure his boyfriend and himself. Emerson remained still, yet deep down, Ely knew that he could feel his warmth, understand that he was there for him. The cockpit was lit up with more and more intense light. Another short moment after that, the alien threat had been 141

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neutralised. Its structure, most of it glass-like, was obliterated by the use of deadly force the Mandrake and the other two starships had unleashed. The disease ship was now nothing more than particles to be trapped by Neptune‟s gravity and used to create another ring. A reminder of what could have been. Emerson was rushed to the Mandrake’s med bay, as was Commander Okinawa. Ely, Braden and Kale were told to report to the captain. After a few anxious moments, and while Braden explained everything that had transpired to the rather stern looking captain, he let out a chuckle, and said, “Seems to me you‟ve all saved the human race.” Ely hadn‟t thought of that. All he was worried about was saving Emerson, so much so it had consumed him. Sure, rescuing his boyfriend from within the machine had the added bonus of removing the threat for mankind, but again, that never struck Ely as a main objective. They were sent in to disable the energy field, that was their mission. Everything else had happened out of circumstance. Thankfully, they survived the ordeal, able to tell the captain what the purpose of the disease ship was. Which of course raised one big question. Would the aliens continue with their pursuit and try and conquer humanity again? At least they would now know that humanity wasn‟t a push over. Or was it all a test, as Ely suspected. Before Ely could continue to commit to such deep thoughts, the captain continued, “I think you three deserve some down time…” the rest of what the captain said, Ely didn‟t catch. His thoughts wandered to Emerson again. Down time suited him fine at the moment. Such a thing would mean that he could be at his boyfriend‟s side, wait for him to awaken from his unconsciousness. The medical staff said that his brain hadn‟t been damaged and that he should 142

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recover soon. Ely wanted to be there when Emerson woke, be the first thing he would see. That would please him. Emerson took three days to come out of his coma. The third day was taken up by the doctors wanting to observe him, make sure everything was all right before they released him back into duty. Even those lovely brown eyes of his got back their spark. Ely couldn‟t wait to take him to the registry office and make their feelings for one another official. The first words out of Emerson‟s mouth when he was able to speak without sprouting gibberish, affected by the machine‟s influence, were words that were music to Ely‟s ears. “I can‟t wait to get you into my cot, my big, beautiful man.” Ely embraced him. For the longest time they held each other. Communication not needed. Their gentle touch over each other, a brush of fingers over skin, lips over lips, cheek against cheek, all that was required to solidify their affection for one another. Many times Ely kissed his boyfriend, too. Not caring that this was a hospital. He wanted to shout out his love for Emerson. Right here and right now. Thankfully, one of the on duty doctors came around, glanced at Emerson‟s chart, and said, “I think you‟ll be free to go, young man.” “Thank you, doctor,” Emerson chimed. He was sitting up in the bed, a smile as wide and full as anything Ely had ever seen on his lips. “Just come back if you have any sort of recollection or distress, you hear?” “Yes, doctor.” With that, Emerson was discharged. On the way to his cabin, Emerson said, “They used me for information, you 143

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know. The aliens, I mean. That‟s how they operate. That‟s how they learn what‟s the best way to conquer a species.” “I thought as much.” “Trouble is, because of me, they know so much more about us now.” Ely stopped dead in his tracks. “Do you think they‟ll return?” Emerson ran his hand along Ely‟s back. “I don‟t doubt it at all. If there‟s one thing I learned while inside that machine. They fear us.” Ely swallowed hard. He didn‟t like the course of this conversation. The lift doors opened. Beyond, the corridor that led to the living quarters. “Do you think Commander Okinawa will be all right?” Hand in hand, Ely and Emerson stepped beyond the lift and into the corridor. The corridor where Ely had first asked Emerson out on a date all those days ago. “I sure hope so. He was affected in a such a terrible way by the mind of the machine. Perhaps that was why he was rejected by it and I was installed. The reason they took two of us.” “That‟s scary in so many ways.” Emerson leaned over and kissed Ely on his cheek. “I think my strength came from knowing that you were there for me.” “That was my hope.” When Ely and Emerson had returned from the registry office, their new quarters available within twenty-four hours of a positive medical, they returned to Emerson‟s cabin. “I so want you, Ely,” Emerson growled as soon as the entrance door slid shut. “Then take me. I‟ve been hanging out for days waiting for you, now it‟s time you paid up.” Ely offered a cheeky smile. One that would hopefully stir Emerson into a playful mood 144

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as they got naked. The encouragement worked. Within a blink of an eye, Emerson had pulled Ely onto his cot, tickling him as he removed his clothes, too. Many more moments were spend rubbing their skin against each other once they had disrobed, getting hard and horny in the process. Along with all that, they kissed, deep and long. To Ely those kisses meant so much more than just a simple bonding. They were everything, the very breath of his life and proof that Emerson was someone who shared the same joy as he did that they were together. For an eternity they shared each other‟s touch. A touch so deep and so engulfing that Ely had gone beyond giddy spells. He was numb with the emotion he felt for Emerson. At a natural pause in their activity, and with Ely‟s heart pumping quick with anticipation, Emerson leaned over and opened his top drawer. He pulled out a fleshjack, one Ely hadn‟t seen before. Was this the new toy he had teased about back on the shuttle? “I had the entrance hole moulded into the shape of my lips,” he said. Ely gasped. “Oh, that‟s just so perfect.” “You got it.” Emerson retrieved the skin seal and lubricant, too. “Not only can I make love to you, I can be around your dick at the same time, too.” Ely lay down on the bed, opening his legs, fingering his arsehole. “Then do it.” Emerson came over him. His smile as wonderful as his big, bulging head that had freed itself from his foreskin. Ely gasped. He couldn‟t wait to have his wonderful lover inside him, he had waited for this moment long enough. “I take it from that you‟re ready?” Emerson applied the skin seal to both of them, as he liked to do. He also made sure there was plenty of lube on Ely‟s arsehole and fleshjack. 145

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His touch so warm and welcome. Ely didn‟t reply. He moaned, indicating that he was indeed ready. Emerson‟s eyes twinkled and before Ely could pull his thoughts away from his boyfriend‟s stare, he was penetrated. But instead of only having his arse filled by Emerson, his cock was submerged in the sensation of flesh as well. The slurping sound of it sliding down his length music to his ears. This was a double whammy and Ely was in fits of ecstasy moments later. His stomach quivered and his lips went numb along with everything below his waist. Whatever Emerson did, he did it well. His movement, the rhythm he gained as he made love to Ely was nothing short of perfection, but to top it all off, he handled the fleshjack well, too. “I‟m not going to last, you know,” Ely mumbled and stammered as his body became more and more soaked in the pleasure Emerson bestowed upon him. This time it was Emerson‟s turn not to reply. The concentration deep across his face as he worked his hips and hands to give Ely the best experience he could muster. His forehead beaded with sweat. He looked so damn fucking sexy. A short moment later, Ely climaxed. His whole body shuddered. Emerson must have orgasmed as well because he took away the fleshjack and came so that he could kiss Ely, falling into his arms. For the longest time they held each other as their bodies cooled, their breaths as one. Emerson waited until he was flaccid before he pulled himself out of Ely. When he did so, Ely shuddered. He missed his boyfriend already. “That was amazing.” Ely said, again his voice affected by his passion. “Your turn to jack me while you‟re inside me, if you can go again so soon that is.” 146

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“Give me a minute. Let me catch my breath.” Emerson kissed Ely, sending in his warm, wet tongue. The taste of his lover exploded in his mouth, became all that he cared about as they writhed on the cot, their bodies one. They both groaned. He wouldn‟t be long at all before he could go again, not if Emerson kept on being so wonderful. He could feel the stirrings within him, his dick already semi hard, his foreskin retracting of its own accord. When they parted their kiss, Ely said over tingling lips, “I love you so much, Sonny.” Without hesitation, Emerson said, “I love you, too, my Ely. With all my heart and everything I am.” “I want to be with you always, you know.” “I know.” With that Emerson began to tickle Ely. Laughter and moans of delight mingled with their passion. Soon they were both hard, ready to share more of their affection and love. Ely couldn‟t be happier.

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Epilogue he internal hangar bay doors opened. In front of Ely, Emerson, Kale and Braden were the ship‟s full company. Every man and woman, from the maintenance crew to the captain, stood waiting for them to enter, a line of honour their path. “Attention!” a voice boomed. The hangar bay echoed with the footfalls of two-thousand hands as they came to a salute. Ely swallowed hard. With Emerson by his side, Braden and Kale, too, he marched forward. His goal was the far end of the hangar bay where the captain and his heads of departments waited, including Commander Okinawa in a wheel chair. Ely was glad to see him out of med bay. That proved that he was going to be all right, the man recovering from the alien‟s influence in his own way. For what seemed like an eternity, they made their way to the far end, the captain‟s smile urging all of them on. When they arrived, and Ely and the rest of them had offered their salutes, the captain turned to his number one, grabbing a box from his grasp. “For gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty,” the captain began. “I am both pleased and proud to present you, Cadet Braden, Cadet Emerson, Cadet Kale, and

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cadet Ely, with the Silver Star medal. Without your efforts mankind could now be facing its greatest threat before we even knew what had happened. This alien visit can now be considered the most hostile since we first became aware that the stars above us were places we could one day explore. You have shown us all that our first steps must be taken with caution, but at the same time, we must remain a unified and determined whole. Please step forward when I call your name.” One by one, the captain called out their names. Ely was last, but he didn‟t care. He was as proud as he had ever been in all his life when the captain draped the medal around his neck, shook his hand and offered a smile that meant so much more than just one of happiness. It was one of respect, too. He clasped the shining Silver Star medal, admiring its beauty. All he wished was that his parents were here in person instead of being fed a feed. When Ely stepped back into the line before the captain and his commanders, he continued, speaking to the crowd as a whole, “Word has reached us of a signal coming from beyond the orbit Pluto. It is the same signal that attracted us to the—what we now are calling, the disease ship. It is the same signal that led us to discover that the aliens who are behind it have hostile intentions. The Mandrake, the Aristotle and the Fooshue are the closest starships and our orders are clear.” The man paused for effect. “From this moment on, we are at war.” “Dismissed!” the same voice as before yelled out. As men and women mingled, most offering their congratulations to the ones who had received medals, Ely turned to Emerson. “So it‟s begun already.” “I knew it would. From what I could tell when I was in the machine‟s interface, they want the resources of our sun. They burned theirs out. I don‟t know why. Perhaps they 149

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used it all up to fuel their technology. Who knows?” “Then we‟d better make sure we kick arse then, hadn‟t we?” Braden questioned with a smile, leaning over to come into Ely‟s view. “So long as we‟re all together, I‟m all for it,” Ely said. “I heard that,” Kale interjected. Emerson said, “And what‟s more, we‟re working on something from that glass sample from the disease ship Ely so kindly provided the science department. I can tell you one thing, we‟re all in a state over it. The thing is amazing.” Before Ely could even offer a smile to his boyfriend, the captain came close, gently pushing his way through the crowd that had gathered to offer their congratulations. “I want all of you to meet me in my ready room at eighteen hundred hours. I have a mission for you all. One that will hopefully see us gain the advantage against our new adversaries. Understood?” Ely, Emerson, Braden and Kale snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.” When they had shaken everyone‟s hands and made their way back out of the hangar bay, Braden suggested they head for the lounge on C deck to relax before they had to present themselves to the captain. “I wonder what we‟re going to be doing?” Ely said, unable to contain himself any longer as soon as they were all seated at one of the light tables near the viewing window. Braden let out a chuckle. “I heard they want us to be some sort of diplomatic team or some shit like that. Bet they‟ll want us to try and copulate with the aliens, offer the best in human hospitality.” He winked. Kale shook his head, but offered a cheeky smile. “If you let some alien sink his dick into you, you can forget me getting into your bed. You‟re on your own as far as I‟m concerned.” 150

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Braden grabbed Kale‟s hand. They had sat opposite to each other, their smiles and glances told the story of their affection for one another. “Yeah you will. Now, buy me a drink so that I‟ll be nice and easy for you tonight.” Kale rolled his eyes. “Good thing you‟re a cheap root. I‟ll only need to buy two Callisto Cum shots.” Ely raised his hand to attract a waiter‟s attention. For the next couple of hours Ely, Emerson, Kale and Braden drank, shared jokes and told tall tales of their first away mission together. One thing was certain, their spirits were high for their next mission. Ely didn‟t really care what the captain had in mind for them. He was happy he had found his place amongst the many who shared the stars with him aboard the Mandrake and that his bed was no longer cold. What more could a guy ask for?

To be continued in Starship Cadet, First Contact

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About the Author My name is Mark Alders. I live in a house. This house has a street in front of it which is a good thing because if it didn‟t I wouldn‟t be able to drive down to the shop and purchase the chocolate I need on a daily basis *giggle* Seriously, I am a mild mannered post office worker by day and an erotic romance writer (mainly male/male) at night. Not much else to say other than, like everyone else, I have bills to pay, a mortgage and family that I love and drive me crazy all at the same time. Oh, and I have a dog, too! See? Average Joe…except when I get down and write…then I let my imagination go to places I never knew existed and my characters invade my mind.