The Black

Franklin looked up from his desk as his door chimed. “Enter!”

“Sir, we have received our first transmission from Delmar space. Admiral Trenton made successful contact with the Delmar people.“ The young aid stated.

“Very good. Anything of note I should be aware of before the council sits?” Franklin began to ease back in his chair.

“Uh, a private message was addressed to you by the ambassador…. It’s marked urgent. I have it keyed up on your screen, sir” the aid explained.

“Hmm, tell the council that we will be delayed.” Franklin re-seated himself and pressed play.

——————————————————————

“That’s the third Unity brig to jump in on “Patrol” this in the past four days.” Greg mumbled to himself. He was in a day room near both Clint and himself’s working offices. They had taken to a meeting here at lunch to compare notes between the two fleets.

“Did they eject trash again?” Clint asked before taking a sip of coffee.

“Take a guess.” Greg snorted, as Clint refused formalities in this setting, chuckled before taking a sip of Earl Grey.

“I guess they’re that desperate. Technically we can’t stop them. The Delmar Beacon is technically ‘international waters’, if you will, and it is on the registered Unity patrol route for this sector. How many of these patrols usually pass through?” Greg finished off his tea.

“Folmuri claims 2-3 brigs a year. They are definitely curious.” Clint paused as his pad beeped, “Whelp, looks like three more of those pieces of ‘garbage’ have been destroyed for being spy satellites again.”

“Indeed, are you going to the festivities tomorrow? I hear it’s going to be an all-night food and bonfire affair.” Greg asked.

“Hera is getting out of the Hospital this evening. I suspect I’ll end up going with her and her sister for the party.” Clint responded off-handedly.

“Oh?” Greg added a hint of innuendo to his tone.

“Oh, fuck off Greg! I’m not even sure I’m ready for how seriously our new Allies take intimate relationships... I’m not sure I want someone being forced to share what goes on in here” he tapped his head “for the rest of their life.” Clint slumped a little.

“Aye, they were dark times…. I forget how young some of the Terran crews were.” Greg response was tinted with its own dark undertones.

He and Clint had been on opposite sides of the conflict that had eventually united the Human Race. Mac, Clint, and himself had shared drinks the first night of his arrival on Delmar. It turned out, that they had shot at each other no less than 3 times, and were present at 5 separate engagements, including the final one at Center-point.

Greg watched Clint shake whatever had just gone through his head and smirked, “You like one of them.. the sisters.”

“Oh fuck you old man. You’re enjoying this!” Clint growled before sobering, “I care for both of them…. I just don’t know in what way.” He took a deep breath, “Mac explained why Delmar move so quickly romantically, and it worked out for him. He was always more impulsive with his decisions than I am. I can’t do that, and I don’t want to start anything with either of them until I’m sure any relationship won’t just be based off some sort of hero worship.”

“Spoken like a true Wizzo” Greg chuckled.

“Pardon?” Clint looked at him confused.

“I wasn’t always a Capital ship wrangler. I started out just like you, in the back seat of a starfighter trying to keep my impulsive stick jockey partner alive.” Greg responded before Clint snorted into the last of his coffee and they both had a laugh.

——————————————————————

Darclemus stepped out of his air-car onto the beach and looked out over the preparations. The fires would not be lit until tomorrow night. This year’s celebration would be one of remembrance as well. The successful defense of Delmar had cost more lives than any single engagement since his people’s failed war for independence. There was the traditional bonfire tree, but it was acompanied by the driftwood-built likeness of a Ranger interceptor burning for the heavens. That one would be lit in a ceremony held by the survivors of the battle that nearly claimed their home-world. Apparently, the entire VIPER wing had heard of this and had stacked deep at Mackenzie’s airfield. Ambassador Gwen explained the long Human history of combat air-crew community that often times transcended friend or foe. The Human fighter pilots would be there to Honor the lost Delmar crews.

“Dar, you’re lost again,” came his wife’s gentle chide as he patted her hand and began walking around the tree, only to pause as a strange watercraft peeked out from behind the bonfire to-be. It had a bluff bow and long raking lines to its stern. It was anchored just offshore and a much smaller boat had just departed it, streaking for the shore. This small swift inflatable skiff-like craft barreled up to the shore before its driver cut the power at just the right time to coast in on a gentle wave, depositing the craft on the shore. Dar’s eyes widened as Mac and Lyrian stepped out of the skiff. Mac drug an anchor attached to a metal chain several feet up the shore before pressing it into the sand to secure the small craft.

“Dar!” Lyri bound through the sand to give him a quick Delmar greeting followed by a more extensive human hug. Mac just walked and shook the elder man’s hand.

“I take it, that vessel is yours?” He asked the Mac.

“It is, I had her made from plans I had of my families ‘Yacht’ on my home-world.” Mac replied, hooking Lyrians arm in the crook of his elbow. “Her design is almost 400 of your years old.”

“Oh? How is she powered, and why do you have a massive flagpole sticking out in the middle.” Dar’ wife inquired.

“How about you meet us here tomorrow morning to find out, I’m taking a small group of friends and family out before the fires are lit. Join us.” Mac grinned.

Dar was about to politely decline until he felt his beloved’s spike of excitement and caught her “please, please, please” look.

He chuckled, “very well. We will be in in the morning.” He acquiesced as an air car on autopilot landed near his own.

“I sorry for our curtness, but we just received word that Silu is being woken up this evening. We are going to see him.” Lyri gave a quick nod of respect that Mac mimicked before they both jogged off to their air-car.

“Those two are going to turn Helyon upside down” his wife chuckled next to him.

“I know. Not sure how I feel about that yet.” He whispered before kissing her on the top of the head. “Shall we continue?”

They resumed their walk through the preparations.

—————————————————————

It was late evening when Franklin finally made it back to his “in council” quarters for the evening. Admiral Gwen had lived up to her bold reputation. Her offer of joint transport and Freighter crews was brilliant. Eventually the Council had agreed on 2 ‘season’ tours for current or former Terran or Martian Navy members to start, with the intention of offering those volunteers positions as instructors and cadre to train those of Humanity who wished to reach for the stars how to handle themselves in the greater Galaxy.

However, her personal message to him contained data NOT in the official transmission. Its contents were terrifying, and intriguing in equal measure. He typed out a quick message to Captain Johansen, who was now leading Gwen’s former research department, along with Gwen’s private data packet marked for them. She had revealed her ‘Saurian’ contact’s suspicions and had gotten the GHO official to trade DNA and tissue samples. The sample itself was being sent by slip-space messenger drone, but the deep tissue full scans of both the samples, and the being it came from, had been sent as data. Johansen’s crew would have to make do until the drone arrived.

Franklin pulled open his decanter cabinet and poured the amber liquid into a glass.

Tonight, he poured a double, then re-opened his copy of the private messages data packet.

——————————————————————

Clint stepped off the lift into the discharge waiting room and was waved over to a seat by Frie.

“How much longer?” He asked, sitting down and relaxing back into the arm-rest.

“She sent me a message a few minutes ago. She should be out soon.” Frie was wearing a warm but very form-fitting sweater and long form-fitting but equally warm pants. It was cooling off in Delmar, the days rarely broke 20 deg C and the nights dipped below 10 deg at times. Clint was having trouble getting used to how much the natural beauty of Delmar females tugged at the Human male instincts.

‘Fuck you Greg, no wonder Mac made the jump. These people are someth…..’ his thoughts were interrupted by the hospital side door opening and Hera being floated out by an attendant. Frie squealed a little and ran over to her gingerly standing older sister.

Clint walked over more calmly, Hera was in a similar outfit to Frie, but this was the first time Mac had seen her outside of her baggy hospital robes. She was definitely Frie’s sister, but there were differences. Frie was smaller around the bust and rump with an extremely slender build and a slightly more rounded face. Hera almost had her sister’s waist and torso, but she was filled out significantly more in the chest and slightly more on the rump. He noticed.

Hera whispered to Frie and Clint realized he had been busted. He felt his cheek heat slightly as he finished walking over to the two.

“Where too?” Frie asked, “Hera’s choice.”

“Home, let’s just go home” Hera whispered a touch breathlessly. “I might need a hand.”

“You need a chair? I can go nab one” Clint offered.

“No, No. I’m tired of being an invalid.” Hera snaked her right arm through the crook of Fries elbow, then did the same with her left; capturing Clint’s arm and drawing both of them to her sides, “Just, take it slow. I’ll rest on the tram.”

Hera trundled her way slowly to the hospital tram station flanked by her younger sister and Clint. Even so, she was breathing heavily as they sat down in the unoccupied car.

—————————————————————

Silu opened his eyes. Everything was sore, but he realized he was not restrained about the head and arms. He could not sit up or move his legs, however. He also realized his room was massive, and on the ground floor unit designed for larger visiting being’s they could not fit in the main hospital.

“He’s awake!” He heard his wife call and then the floor started shaking as an earthquake shook the building. ‘Not an earthquake, footsteps’ his mind recognized the shaking just as his wife and Ami rushed into the room. They were closely followed by Icario, Mac and Lyrian

“Hey..” his wife whispered, putting a hand on his cheek.

“Hey back” he wrapped before Icario fed him an ice chip since he could not sit to drink properly.

“You were kept asleep about a day after. It’s the night before the winter solstice. We will be releasing you to home care for tomorrow, but you are bed or chair-ridden for the near future. As long as you have your wife do everything for you, I’m authorizing a short visit to the festival for the lighting ceremonies.” Icario began followed by a list of all of his do’s and don’ts.

Silu turned to Ami ,“Your message, why are you here. Did they?”

“They did. They ambushed us. We got lucky; a human fleet jumped in to save us.”

The Saurian rumbled softly from above him. “Rest, I fear I may be here on Delmar for a while. Much has happened since your attack.”

“ I’ll have a hospital shuttle bring you home. We have a biobed installed in your guest room to monitor your progress. The rest is in your body’s hands. Come, let’s get you home.

——————————————————————

The tram stopped and Clint stood to help Frie support Hera as she stood to make for the door. She almost made it, before her knees gave out. Frie squeaked in surprise and fear as Hera fell. Clint moved quickly, unencumbered in less than half of Terra’s gravity, caught her about the waist and one handedly hoisted her into his arms bridal carry like he was scooping up a small child.

“Nope, enough of that, you survived getting Kabobbed by a fucking structural beam in deep space. Stop trying to prove anything.” He scolded her gently before looking to Frie, “Lead the way.”

“You sure?” Frie looked skeptically at him

“I’ve had hiking packs heavier than the two of you put together. I’m fine.” He stated flatly. Before his face softened, “Let’s just get her home.”

Frie nodded and led the way into a duplex-looking area, unlocking one of the doors, “we usually rotate who is in the void and who is on shore leave. We each have keys to both places to take care of each other’s homes while the other is away.”

The three entered the home as the lights auto-cycled on with their presence.

“I’m ordering food” Frie shouted from the kitchen as Clint set Hera down on the couch.

“No… warm” Hera weakly clinging to Clint. She fought being put down, but Clint covered her in a blanket that seemed to settle her some.

“Foods on the way, oh.” Frie stopped short at the site of her sister curled up in a blanket, Clint had settled in at the end of the couch and Hera had wiggled up to put her head in his lap he looked up at Frie and sighed heavily

“I think I need…” Frie turned to leave before a hand caught, he wrist. It was a gentle yet immovable grip. His face made it clear he was not letting her go.

“Sit” Clint’s tone was an order and she slowly walked around the couch. Clint scooped one hand under the head of the now wide-eyed Hera and guided Frie to his spot as he stood. He turned and sat on the table in front of the couch to face them, as Hera settled back and rested her head on Frie’s lap this time.

“I was afraid of this. Please listen to me before you say anything.“ He took a deep breath. “Mac has told me a bit about how your species find life partners. I know that is what may be happening here. I know Delmar move more quickly in this than humans. I also know that only one claiming can happen and that casual intimacy is extremely dangerous for your kind. We need to talk about this before I end up hurting one or both of you, or you end up hurting yourselves or each other.” Clint folded his hands and waited.

“What do you mean when you say ‘casual intimacy’” It was Frie, she sounded hurt, possibly at the insinuation.

Clint nodded, “humans do not have anything that remotely resembles the Delmar ‘Claiming’. Intimacy without emotional attachments doesn’t risk the same level of psychological damage that you would be at risk of.”

“Are you saying you don’t see us as...” Hera began slowly.

“That’s just it” Clint cut her off, “I don’t know how I see you. I know that I’ve come to care for both of you, deeply; but it’s…. Complicated”

“Complicated how” Hera was sitting up now next to her sister.

“Human male instinct is very visually driven when it comes to beauty and intimacy. Frankly, you two are both exotically alluring and intensely beautiful.” Clint paused looking down and taking each of their hands in his own, “If you were human, or if Delmar did not have a claiming… I would be struggling not to bed the two of you… together... right now… just from physical desire alone.” Clint held their shocked gaze, “I can’t do that. I won’t hurt either of you that way. That’s the difference between human physical attraction and human emotional bonding.” The three sat in silence for several moments.

“I’m sorry, we should have seen sooner.” It was Hera who spoke as the two leaned toward Clint each still holding one of his hands.

“It’s our turn to explain,” Frie spoke next, “We both are and aren’t competing for you. Your brother told you about the arranged marriage aspect of our culture?”

Clint nodded.

“When there are no immediate family available to choose a mate between siblings, we do it ourselves, together… females of our ki……”Hera spoke in turn

The doorbell rang and Frie hopped up and grabbed the food. Before setting it in the kitchen and sitting back down.

“It’s different for us” Hera began. “To put it in human terms. We are… evaluating you.” She waved a placating hand at the slightly hurt look from Clint, “It’s nothing so analytically cold as the word implies. It involves more instinct than conscious thought other than the awareness that it is happening. We simply interact with you. As it progresses, the female who interacts more compatibly with the male starts to take a more dominant role in the interactions.”

“I see,” Clint wasn’t upset anymore. He looked more... contemplative, “I’m willing to go through this with the two of you, but I need to know two things. First, that whoever is not ‘chosen’ will not be hurt emotionally. I would rather stop this whole thing right here, keeping both of you as close friends, than lose one of you as someone close to me because of the other.”

“That won’t happen. Surface-level emotional feelings are part of this. But Delmar don’t develop the type of extreme heartbreaking emotional connection with someone until a successful Claiming.” Frie stated.

Clint nodded, “Fair enough. I also need to know that we can try to take this very, very slow. I am not Delmar, I’m not even sure if I am a good human being. From what I heard from Lyrian, some of the more.. intense aspects my brother's humanity shocking her at first. Some of it frightened and even momentarily terrified her. Mac and I spent 8 years with our minds linked almost to the point of telepathic communication. Our emotional and reactive mental landscapes are very similar. I will have to share that with whoever I bond with... I need you two to be able to understand that going in.”

The two sisters looked at each other, “we can do that.” Hera stated after a moment.

“Now! Foods getting. Cold! Let’s eat!” Frie jumped up and the three headed to the kitchen.

The three had dinner and then stayed up talking until Hera passed out. Clint carried Hera to the master suite. He returned to the living room as Frie was throwing some blankets out on the couch,

“The trams aren’t safe this late near Mac’s house.” she said, “you can stay here tonight.”

“What about you?” He asked as he threw away some of the loose takeaway wrappings.

“We’re sisters silly.” Came Frie voice as Clint turned to find her standing very close to him. She wrapped her arms under his and pulled herself to him. Clint reflexively grabbed her about the waist before stiffening as she pressed against him. She lowered her face to his neck and took a long slow electrifying sniff that made his neck hair stand on end.

“Frie?” He asked tentatively as they separated, he noticed the impish grin on her face.

“That’s payback for my sister getting to be carried around by you all night. Now we’re even.” Then she flashed a smile and darted off to join her sister, closing the door behind her.

‘Fucking hell, what am I in for.’ Clint thought, he still had his doubts about their comprehension of certain human physical responses. He laid down, taking long slow calming breaths.