Among Bright Stars... (23 page)

From the FX-24’s lower hanger bay two
squadrons of Mark I Warhawk fighters dropped, headed away from the
escort, and past Earth’s cratered moon. After they reached a point
beyond the Moon, they fired wing-mounted retro thrusters, to result
in a hard stop. With reaction control systems, the squad flipped
tail over nose, rotated and set a heading for the
Mayura
Khaihir
. Two dozen Warhawk fighters streaked past the great
windows at full burn.

Out at the starscape, Talik peered lost in
thought as he kept a mindful eye on the brutal outlines of their
escort FX-24 escort,
IFV T’Kara’s Tears,
which hovered
above, and just beyond the
Mayura Khaihir
. One of the
Warhawk’s flew past the great windows, and as it did so two
humanoid figures reflected back at the one-eyed man. “My Queen.”
Talik turned away from the vast starscape, and grinned heartily at
Nadia.

“Talik.” Nadia greeted, coquettishly pushed
back an auburn curl.

To the Shotar’s brother, his Queen suddenly
seemed somewhat diminished. He highly doubted that his clash with
her to be its cause. Rather guessed Kreis, whatever transpired
within Nadia’s laboratory some weeks ago must have been to blame.
He had been unable to learn what exactly occurred, some kind of
accident and obviously Nadia held herself at fault for it. Kreis
let his single-eye examine the girl beside Nadia. One of the
Maharani’s Valküri, not surprisingly, very beautiful. Straight
black hair cascaded down her shoulders, to fall past turquoise
wings. She maintained a pleasant smile, while she took in tiny
details of Talik’s carriage.

“This is Sheela Khanvilker.” Nadia told
Talik.

Talik acknowledged the girl with a curt nod,
diplomatic, born out of his military days.

“It occurs to me.” Nadia explained, in a
pleasant, thoughtful manner. “That you have been a long time among
us without companionship --”

“A spy Nadia?” Talik hadn’t thought the
Queen to be so blatant. He had judged her a much craftier person.
“I’d thought we’d reached an understanding?”

“No Talik,” Nadia said, quite pleasant, not
even a hint of subterfuge in her voice. “You misunderstand,” a
brief moment of shame caused her to flush. “We owe you much for
your years of service. The education that you have given our son
deserves a debt which we can only begin to repay.” The Queen
presented. “I intend for Sheela to be a gift.” She guided her
Valküri nearer, so that Sheela could stand beside Oberon, who
seemed as if he did not know what should be the correct manner to
respond. “Consider her companionship a peace offering between us
two.”

For her part, Sheela Khanvilker thought
herself a loyal Valküri Sister. The Sisterhood did make a study of
sexual relations, and she had been well trained in such arts. It
could be naught but a boon for her to be asked to entertain, and
perhaps even love the Shotar's half-brother.

Talik Kreis stroked his beard, considered.
He elected to take Nadia at her word. After all, he still held
certain advantages in this relationship. If Nadia were playing a
game, he would discover it. Exhaling, the one-eyed Falcanian
extended two fingers toward Sheela in what would be considered the
traditional manner. The young Valküri joined her Lord by the
starscape. His s arm came to rest on the girl’s bared waist. Talik
thought, when he breathed in Sheela's flowery scent, that perhaps
indeed, he had been much too long without companionship.

The canapé in her hand, a most delicate
composition of sweet flaky pastry filled with fleshy pink seared
fish tasted first of a rich fatty flavor, which melted in her
mouth, and then followed by morsel of hot sauce that followed, and
burnt her acute enhanced taste buds. A mild nutty cheese and bit of
green onion melded it all into an exquisite experience.

“Lakolish, a genetically engineered catfish,
much bigger than its predecessor, its skin an exoskeleton. They’re
considered a delicacy among Falcanians for their rich meaty flavor.
Some call them water cattle because of the steak like taste of the
meat.”

Natalia Antares opened her eyes, lost still
in a foodgasm, glanced at the Shotar, who stood with her at the
buffet table. He held a goblet in his right hand, black wings were
in the downward position folded behind him. His outfit, with its
many black and gold embellishments reminded the Russian ruler of an
aviator’s suit stitched into armor. Behind him, swayed his plated
tail, pincer clicking. Two monolithic Drakorian Guards flanked the
Shotar.

Natalia smiled, glad to have this face to
face. She might have meowed in pleasure were they in private. He
was just so delicious, this Sharr Khan. A pity her brother wanted
nothing more than to destroy him. Dmitri, could be shortsighted. A
flaw she decided to be in his construction. “You Falcanians are
fond of genetic manipulation.” She trilled, moved closer, bumped
her breasts against the Shotar ever so slightly.

“DNA is the currency of our times,” Sharr
remarked. “As you are most aware.” He couldn’t hide the fact that
he thought her attractive. While at the same time, Sharr knew her
reputation and expected anything she did, or said to be for her own
self-interest. The Shotar lifted a stuffed dormouse from a nearby
platter, and drudged it in Falcanian tamaki sauce, took a bite.
Sharr enjoyed the vinegary sweet taste of the sauce. His chef had
used cashews in place of pine nuts, which gave the treat a sweet
robust flavor. He marveled at Natalia's wonderful tits.

“Imperator Romulus looks, how shall I say?”
Natalia paused, and watched the ruler of the Imperium partake in a
tartare filled pastry. “Very fit and healthy these days, young
even.”

Sharr glanced over at Giovanni.

“Whole and hearty indeed.” Agreed the
Shotar.

Across the room, Arshira sipped from her
goblet and noticed that the Antares woman began to get her claws
into Sharr. Something needed to be done about that. She scanned the
ballroom, seeking out Nadia, Kitana, or Aria.

“Sub-Commander.” Greeted Gee LaSalle.

Arshira turned in a full circle on her heel,
discovered Captain Braden and his XO beside her. Both the French
and Englishmen appeared very sharp in white dress uniforms. This
had been the first she’d seen of Commander LaSalle since she
allowed him to leave Falcanian custody after he delivered to them
the intelligence which brought about the Alaskan assault.
“T’Shaak-Katar,” Arshira told him. “General now, Captain Braden.”
From the corner of her eye she watched Natalia Antares brush
repeatedly up against Sharr, who made no effort to rebuke her
attempts at seduction. Across the room Arshira finally caught
Nadia’s attention. Following Arshira’s glance, the Maharani noticed
Sharr and Natalia together. The Valküri-General watched Nadia break
off from Oberon, then make her way for Sharr at the buffet
table.

Shalimar, dressed to catch attention in
Imperial red, wore a choli stitched with gold thread that revealed
much of her ample bosom. Her outfit had been a good choice she
knew, as it certainly got Chancellor Trakan’s eye. Shreik had been
a bit surprised by the Kajra Re’s return to the island. Sharr’s
Kajra Re noticed the glance pass between Arshira and Nadia, and
abruptly excused herself from Trakan's boring chatter.

Left to fuss over the particulars, Aria
waited near the kitchen door, where she watched food make its way
toward the buffet table. With her stood Atar Kran, as always very
solemn. “You’re not on duty Atar, have a drink.” Insisted the
reboot. Kran could be a buzz kill and Aria had intended even if she
was stuck on a spaceship to have fun tonight.

“I prefer not to.”

“Spoil sport!” Aria teased.

“Keeping you safe is all the sport I need
enjoy.” Atar’s deep voice deadpanned. “And you should be keeping an
eye on your husband.” The hulking Drakorian nodded in the direction
of Sharr Khan who was letting the Antares woman brush off his
collar.

“God!” Exclaimed Aria. “Atar can you make
sure they put out the satay...” Her hazel eyes slid sideways to
watch Sharr and Natalia talk. The reboot recognized in the Russian
woman a dangerous flirtatiousness. “...I think I’m needed
elsewhere.”

“Gentlemen, I’m thankful that with your
help, we have come this far. Perhaps in the future, we will not
need to be so clandestine in our dealings.” Arshira told the
British officers very diplomatically. “If you excuse me, there’s
something I need to attend to.” Arshira gave one last look at
Guillaume LaSalle. If he were truly one of the embryos that the
Korelias designed, she wondered what had been the point of GenKon
dropping him at the doorstep of a goose farmer?

“Zdrastvuyte,” addressed Nadia in Russian.
She placed a loving hand on Sharr’s arm, smiled at the Russian
Premier. “Lady Antares, I do hope you’re enjoying the party.”

Out of her champagne flute she continued to
sip while under the smoldering eyes of Sharr’s array of ravishing
women. Natalia discreetly moved back a pace. “Your accent is
superb.” Natalia complemented Nadia and put aside her fully emptied
glass on a passing butlerdroid's tray. She countenanced an amused
glance in the direction of the butlerdroid.

“Thank you.” Nadia bated her almond
eyes.

Arshira, Aria, and at last Shalimar were
soon there to glare at Natalia Antares. Shalimar moved in just
close enough toward Nadia to make the gesture feel sexual. Both
women softly giggled. This routine achieved the desired impact on
Natalia, who watched Sharr drop his free hand down Shalimar’s bare
back, onto her tight bottom. The Kajra Re responded by nuzzling his
ear.

“I should go see what trouble my brother’s
causing,” Remarked Natalia as she caught onto the fact Nadia, along
with her fellow wives were there to claim what belonged rightfully
to them. “He does so enjoy provocations.” She mentioned in passing,
almost dangerously. “Frederika,” added Natalia before going. “It is
pleasant to see another of my kind.” A devilish smile. “And you of
course Nadia, the first of us.” With authentic veneration. “I am
honored to be in your presence.”

“Come, Sharr my love,” Nadia tugged on his
arm, her tone a purr, while she watched Natalia Antares make her
fast escape in a sexy, hip gyrating walk. She realized Sharr
couldn't help himself either, as her mate watched the swing of the
Morningstar girl's curvy butt. “I believe Rabbi Ben-Kosba desires
to speak with you.”

“And what are you?”

“My designation is 2-XL” Responded the
highly synthesized voice that did not even attempt to be human in
its vocalization.

“Hello 2-XL, I am Kheira.” The Vralis said,
hands on hips.

A blue-gray tentacle extended from the
Techla, who expectantly waited for Kheira to take hold of it which
she eagerly did. The Techla bobbed on its suspension field, its
blue-gray feelers probed at the air. Sparks fired in the
greenish-blue gel that served as the creature’s neural system.
Indeed, its whole being was no more than gel locked in a floating
oblong tank. From its front panel a beam of blue light scanned over
Kheira’s torso, and then in summation it stated: “A cyber organic
life form.”

“May I ask you a question 2-XL?”

“Proceed.”

“What is it like in there?” Kheira bit her
lip, thought that she might have been impolite. Despite her
entrance here this evening, she did not want to cause political
trouble for her sire. “I mean, can you feel?”

“Feel?” Repeated back the Techla like it did
not understand.

“Yes sensations.”

“My sensors analyze each nuance of my
environment.” The extension of Omicron explained, with a sudden
synthesized intent. “It is then categorized and stored.”

“But why?’ Princess Kheira wondered.

“Knowledge is our desire, our ultimate
understanding.” Stated the Techla mechanically.

Kheira thought such a cold answer could
prove dangerous. What redeeming value was there to be had in simply
collecting data to store it? These Techla might make choices, and
interact with their surroundings. Yet, were they alive? “Do you
consume food?” Curiously a slot of some kind was located on the
front the Techla. Kheira wondered if it might allow for the Techla
to eat.

Three LED on 2-XL's front plate, red,
yellow, and green blinked on and off, as if the Techla were
thinking. “We digest and examine.” It oddly said. From a front
panel the Techla extended a probe and ran it past Kheira very
interested in her. Weird chirps and whistles, as if it were
surprised by what it had discovered excitedly could be heard from
its vocator grid.

“I’ve heard the temple's almost complete.”
Sharr remarked, surrounded by a gaggle of his wives.

“For the Jewish world, a uniting symbol.”
Rabbi Aryeh Ben-Kosba short and heavy-set wore a black yarmulke on
a balding head. Ben-Kosba’s graybeard reached toward his portly
belly, which gave him a gentle mirthful appearance. Misleading,
considering he used to be a general in his nations armed forces.
“The Sanhedrin are very pleased by the progress.” The rabbi raised
his glass. “We are most gracious for your help.”

“Establishing a new temple to honor those
lost in The Burn is a noble endeavor Rabbi. I hope it permits a
renewal of the Jewish state.” Sharr took a long sip from his honey
wine, while he glanced ardently in the direction of Nadia’s
overflowing cleavage, encased in her shimmery scaled dress. At the
moment he was awash in breastage, encircled by his wives, as well
as a few concubines. The Shotar looked forward to adjourning to his
stateroom later. For the moment, he set aside his amorous thoughts
and affirmed: “Israel was a reliable ally to the United States,
right up to their mutual destruction. It’s my honor to help you
where I can.”