The Carlson Chronicle Chapter 1
Chapter 16

12-Mar-2352

Alex and Anderson walked into Chief Warrant Officer Bernard Stiles’ office. He was their Imperial point of contact with regards to the Tigs that were to become their ship’s troop compliment. Watching as a mixed company marched by at double time, Anderson offered a suggestion.

“Should we take these, troopers, wouldn’t it be wise to segregate them, male from female?”

“Why on earth would you want to do that?” Stiles asked shocked.

“Well, pregnancy tends to keep someone from fighting, no?”

“On the contrary, these tigresses mate for life, well, they usually do, and when they’re knocked up, they’re some of the fierciest warriors I’ve ever seen. Trust me Commander, leave them together.”

“What makes you say, they usually do?” Alex asked, smiling to one such orange and black striped lovely as she jogged past. She nearly tripped and fell, his gaze and smile so distracting her. Only her squad-mate kept her from falling down. She blew him a kiss, turned and kept jogging, her company turning a corner in the corridor and disappearing.

“Well, most of the females do take the mating seriously, while all of the males do. Some of the girls though, those so thoroughly hung up on the gum their meds come in, well, let’s just say, they like that Trike works on them.”

Anderson chuckled while Alex merely smiled.

“Did you see that guy? In the brown jacket?! He’s soooo cute!” 1138-A said to her partner in bubble-crime, 1142-A, or simply Two. Two smiled around the 4 inch bubble at her lips. Sucking it back in, she looked at her friend.

“A, if you keep that crap up, you’re never going to replace a mate.”

“Hey, who says I want to be tied down, nursing a litter of kits? I take advanced squad support next week. Finally get my hands on a Kurita.” She finished with a grin. Two sighed.

“Well, unless my memory is faulty, you’re allergic to Trike, so you better have a back up plan if you want to have sex with anyone who has the right equipment, instead of me licking you senseless atop a room-filling bubble.”

“Well, it helps to be in tune with my body, but just in case, I’ll go see the med staff, and get fitted with an IUD.” A finished, as they turned another corner, and were jogging back toward CWO Stiles’ office. Within seconds, they jogged passed again, those two human males still chatting up the Imperial Liaison. Alex smiled at A again. She broke formation, jogged up to him, stopping a few inches away, and giving him a long sniff.

“Wow! You like strawberry flavor too?!” She asked surprised. He smiled.

“Actually, my wife does.” He said, holding up his left hand and showing the thick gold band on his ring finger. A’s mood totally deflated.

“Damn, you’re mated. Just my luck.”

“It’s not like that. Amy and I have a very free-wheeling relationship. We share our bed with this ship’s lead sensor-girl. She’s a skunk and absolutely, positively in love with us both. If you want, I’ll ask...” He was starting to say, when Anderson jumped in front of him.

“Hi, I’m Dave. Ignore my friend here, or you’ll end up preggers for sure, since he hates using anything to protect himself or the girl he’s doing. Come, let me buy you lunch.” The other handsome stranger offered. His chiseled features and wavy blonde hair and gray-green eyes had her enthralled almost from the word ‘Hi’.

Leading A away from Alex and Stiles, he turned back to his Captain.

“Don’t wait up. Kitty here and I need time to get better acquainted.” And then they were gone.

“Well then, if he can handle HER antics, more power to him.” Stiles said with a gruff chuckle.

“HER antics?” Alex repeated, placing the same emphasis as Stiles had on A.

“She’s the best bubble blower in your whole company. Force Commandant Wilkinson and Staff Sgt. Monroe have both had her over to entertain their children on special occasions. She blew a 4 piece bubble so big, it filled the entire living room in Wilkinson’s residence. His young daughter was quite impressed, and A there was quite sticky afterward, when her little brother poked her bubble with his crayon.” He finished with a chuckle. Alex grinned.

“Well, I have two lovely ladies that already make my life a sticky prison, so I think I’ll give that one to my chief engineer. Now then, our compliment was supposed to include 4 heavy fire teams along with a mecha squad, that’s the War Wolves if I’m not mistaken, and 2 sniper groups, correct?”

“That’s affirm. That little lass that left with your engineer, she’s slated to go into Kurita training tomorrow, and then 3 months with the boys and girls down in SST.”

“Sniper & Survival Training? Does she have the scores for it?”

“Have the scores for it!? Hell man, most recruits apply to be snipers. They recruited HER!” Stiles again laughed. Alex smiled.

“Sounds good. Keep me apprised. We leave for Twolanna Sector in September. Our intel sources on Center report that that area is a forward staging base the Garshans are using to make attacks on us here. I want to Fold in there and bash some purple headed bitches senseless.”

Stiles again nodded, turning back to his office, as Alex watched that same formation, minus one tigress, jog passed. A’s friend smiled to Alex, though his mind was already elsewhere...

As Anderson led his new friend up higher in the ship’s conning tower, she just oogling everything, trying not to get lost, they finally reached the Senior Officer’s berthing area.

12 cabins, each one making the cabin she had to share with Two seem very tiny by comparison.

“Wow! You guys up in command get all the perks! I could fill this room for sure, but it would take me a week’s worth of gum to pull it off.” She said with a grin. Holding up a case of strawberry Magi-Bubble to her, he smiled.

“Care to try that? I have protection, if motherhood truly is a concern.”

He didn’t get out another word as she kiss raped him, then inhaled nearly a dozen pieces of the gum...

A few hours later...

Anderson looked where he lay, his nose a scant few inches from the ceiling. She lay atop him, her hip still rolling on his waist, she thoroughly enjoying his erection, her chin resting on his shoulder, slowly adding more and more air to their bed. It was see through clear around it’s middle, but hot pink everywhere else.

“So tell me something, why A? Does it stand for something?”

Sealing the gum at her mouth, and realizing that it was about as big as it would get in here, and not wanting it to pop, she answered his question the only way she knew how.

“A is my nickname. My full designation is Sec/Bod Unit 1138-A. I was the 1,138th tigress born since we were created. A is simply like a nickname, like my friend, her designation is Sec/Bod Unit 1142-D, so I just call her Two.”

“Do you want a real name? You surely don’t look like an A.” Her eyes lit up at the thought of having a real name. She nodded vigorously.

“So, how do I go about naming you?”

“Well, I have to have my training credits paid off, for one. That’s currently a lot of credits at the moment. Then you have to register the name with Terra and Center. This changes my designator from what I said to my new name. You like me that much that you’d name me?” She asked, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. He hugged her tightly to him, as a shudder ran through her. Letting out her breath in a ragged gasp told him she just climaxed, as he scratched her down her lower back and the across the base of her tail.

“Actually, like is too soft a word, my young little tigress. You have won my heart. And to keep you out of the deviant clutches of my friend, the Captain, oh, he’s not that bad, I’m exaggerating, but to keep you for myself, yes, I’ll name you and keep you. Would you be my mate?”

She answered his question with a long kiss.

“Do you have a name picked out, or would you like to hear my suggestions?”

“That depends on your suggestions.” He said with a smile.

“Well, I always liked Anna, Betsy, Flower, and Treena.” He listened but none seemed to do her justice. His frown told her everything.

“You don’t like them do you?” She said with only a hint of whine but a serious frown.

“No, none of them do you justice. I was thinking something more seductive and yet refined. How about Talia Elizabeth?”

“Iris! Stop meddling!” Mannis called out to his mate, as she stuck her head into his study, she sticking her tongue out at him, much the way Amythyst does to Alex whenever he tells her not to do something she really wants to.

“It’s her name though. Rightfully hers. She endured a great deal of undeserved punishment to earn that name, and she carried it with pride her whole life. I won’t see her denied it.” And he could tell by the stubborn tone of her voice, if he wanted to cuddle tonight, and not be stuck sleeping in his lab, to just let it go.

“Fine, Talia Elizabeth it is.” He relented, as she cheered, ran in and hugged and kissed him...

“I like that. I like that a lot. And it even gives me a nickname!” She said with a broad grin.

“Oh?”

“Tali!” She said with a smile.

“Yes, yes it does. Well, as soon as we finish up here, and get down.. POP! Thump!”

“Talia?” He said sternly, and she shied away from him. Picking himself off the floor, he helped her to her feet, peeling this strand and that from her fur. She rubbed her elbow, but kissed him all the same.

“Need to make a special room with a softer floor for bubble antics. These long falls to the hard floor hurt.”

She nodded her agreement...

‘Andromeda’,

Carlson Dynamics Shipyards,

Black Sector, Center

Same time

James sighed as Karen looked up from the terminal she was studying from. These last 30 years had done wonders for both her disposition and her appearance. While most women fight aging tooth and nail, Karen had actually grown more radiant and beautiful. Despite what had happened all those years ago, once the ‘Three’ were eliminated, it changed James into a loving, caring person. No longer tied to a dark agenda, his eyes opened and he saw everything that was good in people. Rebecca had divorced him, or rather he her, a few years before the ‘Three’ were killed, but he let it go. She preferred the company of the genetic scientist, Robert Gideon, of who’s name the creatures he created were called.

“Something wrong?” She asked, frowning at his sad face.

“I just wish you were eternal is all. My research tells me that now that the restrictions imposed on us by the ‘Three’ are gone, we may live nearly forever, but we can also bear children just as mortal couples do.”

“Well, I have a suggestion then, since I too think we rushed into this.”

“I’m listening.”

“What if we did a wife swap, so to speak?”

“Ok, but with who?”

“Leo.”

“Leo and Ericka are unhappy?”

“Very. The only reason they wed with us and Alex was because Ericka didn’t want to be alone, and Leo was the only guy not tied to someone already. She talks about you all the time, at least whenever we’re together.”

“And what of Leo?”

“He’s afraid to touch her. He’s said he’s not the father type, and he’s afraid if they stay together, E’s gonna get preggers. He doesn’t want kids.”

“Does she?” He asked. Karen nodded.

“You don’t want kids I’m guessing.”

“No, not really. I’m 45 now, and while I COULD have children, and I know I’ll live a good long time, there’s no one I like enough to have kids with, that isn’t eternal. I mean, I had a long standing crush on Alex, but he has Amy, and he’s eternal. There’s just no one out there that really interests me in that way.” She finished as he moved to her, pulling her from her chair and hugging her tightly. She coo’ed in his embrace, returning his hug and softly kissing his chin.

“Have you asked Leo and Ericka about this?”

“Ericka is ok with it, now, and I like Leo just fine. His purr is kinda cute, and I don’t mind that he’s a Gideon. Besides, sex is sex, as long as you have the right equipment and it’s in the right place.” She said with a grin. He nodded.

“File the necessary paper work with Center. I’ll arrange a luncheon date, and we can go over the finer details.”

“What finer details? I don’t want anything from you, James. I’m not interested in your company, stock options etc. Alex set me up before we were married, so I’m still set.”

“Alright then. File the paper work, and have them come see us. We’ll tell them the grand news then.” He finished, setting her down and kissing her forehead.

Brown Sector

Same time

Barnard and Claudia couldn’t believe it when Flow came and told them he had found Cygna. When pressed for more info, all he knew was he wound up at Omar’s, and that was where she was.

As they approached the storefront, Barnard looking the place over, Claudia called out to him.

“Here! The entrance is here.” She said, leading him up a short flight of stairs, and to a guard. Since neither was wearing any visible weapons, he waved them through, after the obligatory 20 credit cover charge.

Moving into the foyer area, a young bunny sat at the receptionist’s desk, a 3 foot pink sphere in front of her face. Spotting two chairs in front of her desk, Barnard and Claudia sat down, Barnard clearing his throat as Claudia giggled at the girl’s bubble. She too enjoyed Magi-Bubble on occasion, and bought it whenever she was on Center.

The bunny lifted her head, her bubble rising high into the air, striking the overhead sprinkler valve and popping, raining bubble shreds all around her.

“Dang.” She said. The name tag on her bikini top said ‘Babette’.

“Hello Babette, My name is Barnard. My wife and I are looking for a lioness. Do you have any here?”

“Oh sure mister, we got lots of Gideon big cats. Any particular skill set you’re looking for?” She asked, peeling the last strand of gum from her fur and entering data into the computer terminal before her.

“We were hoping you had one who answered to the name ‘Cygna’.” This made the bunny’s eyes open wide!

“YOU! Your name is Barnard! You’re the one she’s always asking about!” She said excitedly, hitting a few keys on her terminal, and within seconds Cygna came out through the doors behind the bunny’s desk...

These last few years had been very trying yet boring for the former Cat Warrior. Omar had made her his ‘first girl’, as she showed she had the experience and willingness to do the job. He also kept Furball, mainly as a curiosity, but at Cygna’s insistance that he would make an excellent addition to his guard staff. Despite his appetite, which rivaled only Omar’s, Furball did indeed stay.

After meeting Flow a month ago, Cygna’s hopes were rekindled anew that she might actually replace Barnard.

So, as she worked out in the gym Omar kept on site, so his girls didn’t get fat and unattractive, when the bunny at the front desk summoned her, she figured either Flow had returned or someone he told of her expertise had asked for her personally.

As one of Omar’s top earners, she was seldom hired out to the average run of the mill clientele.

But, as she walked through those doors, when her eyes met Claudia’s and then Barnard’s, she lept into their waiting arms, tears flowing like a raging river.

“BARNARD!” She cried, leaping into his waiting arms. Claudia joined in on the group hug, crying against her as she cried with them. Even Babette seemed overcome with emotion, shedding a few tears at the joyous reunion.

Several moments later...

“Oh Cygna, it was horrifying! We were powerless to stop any of it, and we arrived at Marrok far too late!” Claudia said, holding tightly to what had to be the last surviving Marrokian anywhere.

“But what of the prophesized ‘Chosen One’? Why didn’t he accept your ship? Ashia was certain he would.” She pleaded, kneeling before them, as was her place as a slave girl once more. He knelt in front of her, pulling her into a warm embrace. She returned his loving hug but pushed away afterward.

“I’m sorry Cygna. I hadn’t anticipated the Empire’s Colonies uses for my ship’s design. After serving for nearly 4 years in his Empire’s military, and fighting against an enemy who used my ship, or ship’s modeled after it, as warships, it left him very jaded. He refused my old ship simply out of frustration of the design. After all, he spent the entirity of his military career fighting that very ship, so it made sense, from his stand-point, to not want anything to do with the same ship after his tour was over. This was something I could neither predict nor prevent. Again, I am sorry.”

Sucking up her tears, she stood, helping Barnard to his feet. Gently, she probed his mind, looking for someplace to go, away from this place and this life. Seeing a cabin in his recent memories, she called out to Furball.

<Furball, come, we’re leaving.>

<Leaving? Leaving and going where?>

<You’ll see. Have I ever steered you astray in the past?>

<Nay Slayer, you have not.>

And in the blink of her eyes, Furball’s surroundings changed from the nearly empty storage room he was kept in, to a nicely appointed stateroom. The air had that same canned smell it did at Omar’s, but he was free of the chains and a bed beside him looked very comfortable. Hopping atop it, he snuggled down into the soft covers and let sleep steal him away once more...

“Babette, what is my fee for an evening of pleasure?” She asked the bunny, she turning and nearly popping her new bubble. Raising it above the pencil box, she thought about Cygna’s question. Sealing the bubble, she frowned, but set it aside.

“Master Omar typically charges anywhere from 10,000 to 25,000 credits per hour for your services. Why?” She said, as Claudia’s eyes opened wide.

“Very well. Barnard, do you have sufficient coin with you to satisfy a debt of that caliber?” She asked. He nodded, pulling his credcard from his pocket and handing it to the bunny. She took it, but looked at Cygna crossly.

“How many hours, first girl?”

“A years worth.” Barnard said. “That should be ample compensation, considering she was never meant to be here in the first place.” He finished, taking a small laser tool from his pocket, and removing the lock then the collar from her throat. She nodded.

“Umm, math isn’t really my strong suit. How many hours are in a year?”

“It should math out to 219 million credits, if calculated at 25,000 credits per hour.” Claudia said flatly. Barnard nodded, as Cygna and the bunny’s eyes widened. She swiped Barnard’s card through the credit reader, it beeping that the desired funds had been transferred, and eyes still wide, returned the card to Barnard, he taking it and pocketing it. Taking Barnard and Claudia by the hand, even as Omar walked in, she ’ported them to the cabin she saw in Barnard’s mind.

“What the hell?” Was all Omar could say as his best pleasure slave disappeared, as though she had stepped into a trans-mat booth.

“He paid very well for her, Master.” The bunny said, her head bowed low. Not the violent type, Omar took the reader from her desk, and even though she expected the whip, the crashing she heard wasn’t aimed at her. Peeking up, she saw Omar’s bulk on the floor, he thoroughly unconscious. She giggled, knowing he had seen the money paid for Cygna, and fainted dead away. Picking up her bubble, she unsealed it, and proceeded to see just how big a bubble she could make with only one piece...

Arriving in that same cabin, Cygna knelt at Barnard’s feet. She was gasping from the strain, as it had been a very long time since she had ’ported anywhere.

“That ability is still without a doubt the most remarkable of all of your many talents, Cygna.” He said, picking her up and hugging her tightly. Claudia hugged them both, moved to the end table beside the bed, then gasped at seeing Furball.

“Ahh!”

He rolled over, looked her in the eye, and laid back down. She sat on the edge of the bed, and gently stroked the fur on his side.

“What did he say to you, since all Marrokian Battle Cats are telepathic?” Barnard asked.

“He said, Hi, I’m Furball, and if you pet me I won’t eat you.” She replied, still petting him. Cygna was a mess of giggles however. Sitting beside her friend of many battles, she stroked him too.

“So, what now Barnard?” She asked, giving Furball a serious ear scratching, a deep, rumbling purr the only sounds in the cabin.

“My son, Alex, has put together a considerable force of arms, to take down the Garshan Hegemony. More powerful then anything even the Galhadians ever fielded. It is my desire to help him, as I am sure it is yours.”

“Mistress once told me that it was prophesized that your son and I would become lovers and possibly even mates. While I dismissed that as folly at the time, I must know, does he desire me?” She asked, but Barnard shook his head.

“No, and to meet with him now in that fashion would only complicate your life and his. I will introduce you as the slave girl I left on board my ship, and offer him your services, in exchange for giving you and Furball a place to live, until such time as the Garshans are forever eradicated. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to help him take down the Vor’Gosh as well.”

Cygna thought all of this through, nodding at the end.

“Until the very last of the Azure Menace is put down, Furball and I will not rest. Well, not like this resting. He needs his beauty sleep.” She said, rubbing his tummy. He rolled his head and looked at her crossly, snorted something through his nostrils, then laid back down...