- 5 months ago
- #scifi
- #hfy
- #shortstory
▶A failed lockdown in an abandoned tower exposes Ekira to dangerous lunar radiation. Jack rushes to help, unaware that one mistake will bind them forever. What begins as survival turns into a connection no species expected—and now both their worlds are watching.
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Subscribe to discover more sci-fi stories like this! 👽
⏩ Original ©️ontent - This story is written specifically for this channel and you won't find it anywhere else.
#scifi #hfy #shortstory
Keywords: "Dive into the captivating world of HFY (Humanity, Fuck Yeah!) with our latest video, featuring an enthralling HFY Short Story that showcases the indomitable spirit of humanity in the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Experience a unique Sci-Fi Story where Humans are Space Orcs, demonstrating their resilience and ingenuity in a universe filled with challenges. This Sci-Fi Short Story, inspired by the popular Reddit HFY Stories and the intriguing concept of Humans are Space Orcs, promises a blend of adventure, conflict, and the triumph of the human spirit.
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FunTranscript
00:00She feared the twin moon's light.
00:02Heat consumed her when the human accidentally...
00:05Commander Jack Wrecker Riley gripped the edge of the viewport controls,
00:09his knuckles whitening as the ancient mechanism groaned to life.
00:13The abandoned observation post atop the decrepit Nexus Tower creaked ominously,
00:19dust motes dancing in the stale air.
00:21Outside, the sprawling cityscape of Meridian Colony stretched beneath twin moons,
00:26hanging low in the alien sky.
00:28For fuck's sake, don't touch anything else, hissed Lieutenant Akira,
00:32her pale blue skin almost luminescent in the dim emergency lighting.
00:36Her yellowish eyes narrowed with irritation as she scanned the dilapidated room,
00:41a long silvery white hair pulled back in a tight combat braid.
00:45The front of her tactical jumpsuit was partially unzipped,
00:49revealing a glimpse of blue skin beneath,
00:50a concession to the stifling heat of the tower's upper levels.
00:55Jack shrugged unapologetically.
00:56His bare muscular torso glistening with sweat.
01:00He'd discarded his tactical shirt hours ago during their climb up the tower's emergency stairwell.
01:06Place hasn't been used in decades.
01:08Thought some fresh air might help.
01:11This isn't a pleasure cruise, Commander,
01:14Akira replied,
01:16her shi-teran accent clipping her words.
01:18We're here to intercept the syndicate's shipment.
01:21Not admire the view.
01:22Jack smirked,
01:23running a hand through his tousled dark hair.
01:27Shipment's not due for six hours.
01:29Might as well get comfortable.
01:31He turned back to the ancient control panel,
01:33fingers hovering over a promising-looking button.
01:36Wonder what this does.
01:37Ah, don't!
01:38Akira started, but too late.
01:40The panoramic shutters surrounding the observation post groaned,
01:44open with a metallic screech,
01:46flooding the room with brilliant silver-blue light from the twin moons.
01:50Jack squinted against the sudden brightness,
01:52a curse dying on his lips as he turned toward Akira.
01:55She stood frozen,
01:57arms crossed protectively over her chest,
02:00her expression transforming from annoyance to shock.
02:03The moonlight bathed her blue skin in an eerie glow,
02:06and her eyes widened in unmistakable alarm.
02:08Close it,
02:09she whispered,
02:10her voice suddenly hoarse.
02:11Close it now.
02:13Jack frowned,
02:14confused by her reaction.
02:16What's wrong?
02:16It's just moonlight.
02:18You idiot!
02:19Akira gasped,
02:20backing away from the windows.
02:22The crimson moons are in alignment.
02:24The radiation,
02:25it affects my species during certain cycles.
02:29Jack lunged for the controls,
02:31but the ancient mechanism had jammed.
02:33He pounded the panel with his fist.
02:35Damn it,
02:35it's stuck!
02:37A soft moan escaped Akira's lips as she slumped against the wall,
02:41sliding down to the floor.
02:42Her breathing had quickened,
02:43her chest rising and falling rapidly.
02:47Too late,
02:48she murmured,
02:49her yellow eyes dilating
02:50until they were almost black.
02:52It's already started.
02:54What started?
02:55Jack demanded,
02:56abandoning the controls to kneel beside her.
02:59Akira,
03:00talk to me.
03:00Are you hurt?
03:02She laughed,
03:03a strained sound
03:03unlike anything he'd heard
03:05from the normally stoic Sitaran.
03:07Not hurt,
03:08the opposite.
03:10Her skin felt hot to the touch,
03:11feverish.
03:12The moonlight,
03:13it triggers something in us.
03:15An ancient biological response.
03:17She gripped his arm,
03:19her fingers digging into her skin.
03:22Heat.
03:23Overwhelming heat.
03:25Understanding dawned on Jack's face,
03:28followed quickly by concern.
03:30Some kind of mating cycle?
03:32Like Vulcans and those old Earth shows?
03:35Similar,
03:36she gasped,
03:37her control visibly slipping,
03:39but more intense.
03:41Our bodies,
03:42they burn.
03:43Her eyes locked with his,
03:45desperation evident.
03:46I need,
03:47I need?
03:49Jack swallowed hard,
03:51suddenly acutely aware of her proximity,
03:54the scent of her skin,
03:56something like cinnamon and ozone.
03:58Tell me what to do,
04:00he said quietly.
04:01How can I help?
04:03Akira's hand moved to the zipper of her jumpsuit,
04:06pulling it lower.
04:07There's only one way to ease it,
04:09she whispered,
04:10her voice husky with need.
04:12Physical contact,
04:13intimacy.
04:15Jack's breath caught.
04:17Are you sure?
04:18We barely tolerate each other on a good day.
04:21A ghost of her usual sardonic smile
04:24flickered across her face.
04:25Believe me,
04:26this isn't my first choice either,
04:28commander.
04:29Her expression grew serious.
04:31But the alternative is pain,
04:33excruciating pain that will last for hours.
04:37Jack hesitated only a moment before nodding.
04:40Okay,
04:41he said softly,
04:42reaching for her.
04:43I've got you.
04:45As his lips met hers,
04:47the twin moons cast their relentless light
04:50through the open viewport,
04:52bathing their entwined forms
04:53in silver-blue radiance.
04:55The first light of dawn
04:56filtered through the still-open viewport,
04:59painting the observation post
05:00in soft amber hues.
05:02Jack stirred,
05:03his muscular arm draped protectively
05:05around Ikira's slender blue form.
05:08The night's memories flooded back.
05:10Her burning skin against his,
05:12whispered words in her native tongue,
05:14the surprising tenderness
05:16they'd found amid primal need.
05:18Ikira's eyes fluttered open,
05:20their yellow glow subdued in the morning light.
05:22For a moment,
05:24she simply stared at him,
05:25her expression unreadable.
05:27Then reality seemed to crash down upon her.
05:30She sat up abruptly,
05:31clutching the tactical jacket
05:33he'd draped over her during the night.
05:35Hey,
05:36Jack said softly,
05:37propping himself up on one elbow.
05:39You okay?
05:40She didn't answer immediately,
05:42her gaze fixed on the now-harmless moons
05:44hanging low on the horizon.
05:46The alignment has passed,
05:47she murmured,
05:48more to herself than to him.
05:51Jack reached out,
05:52his fingers brushing against her shoulder.
05:54To his surprise,
05:55he felt a jolt,
05:57like static electricity,
05:58but warmer,
05:59more intimate.
06:01Ikira flinched,
06:02her eyes widening.
06:03You felt that too,
06:04she said,
06:05not a question.
06:06What was that?
06:07Jack asked,
06:08sitting up fully now.
06:09Ikira closed her eyes,
06:10a soft curse escaping her lips.
06:12The bond,
06:13it's already forming.
06:15Bond?
06:15What bond?
06:17Jack's brow furrowed with concern.
06:19She turned to face him fully,
06:21her expression grave.
06:23There's something I didn't tell you
06:25about the moon heat,
06:26something I couldn't explain
06:28when it was happening.
06:31Jack waited,
06:32sensing her struggle for words.
06:35The crimson alignment
06:36doesn't just trigger
06:37physical need in my people,
06:39she continued,
06:40her voice low and controlled.
06:42It's an evolutionary adaptation
06:44from our ancient past.
06:46When we join,
06:49during the alignment,
06:51a psychic bond begins to form
06:52between partners.
06:54Jack stared at her,
06:56processing the implications.
06:58A psychic bond?
06:59Like reading each other's thoughts?
07:02Not exactly.
07:04Ikira ran a hand
07:05through her disheveled
07:06silver-white hair.
07:07More like emotional resonance,
07:11sensing each other's presence,
07:12feelings.
07:13It grows stronger
07:14with time and proximity.
07:17Her yellow eyes met his.
07:19It was meant to ensure
07:20pair loyalty
07:20in our evolutionary past
07:22when our species
07:23faced extinction.
07:25And we triggered this
07:26bond
07:27last night?
07:29Jack asked,
07:30his voice carefully neutral.
07:32Akira nodded,
07:32her posture stiffening.
07:34Yes,
07:35I already feel it taking hold.
07:37That shock you felt
07:38when you touched me,
07:40that's just the beginning.
07:41Jack was silent
07:42for a long moment.
07:44Can it be broken?
07:46No.
07:47The word hung between them,
07:49heavy with finality.
07:50Not without consequences.
07:53My people consider
07:53the bond sacred.
07:55In breaking it,
07:56she hesitated.
07:58It would mean exile for me.
08:00Possibly worse.
08:02Jesus,
08:03Jack muttered,
08:04running a hand
08:05through his tousled hair.
08:06So we're what,
08:07cosmically married now?
08:09A ghost of a smile
08:11flickered across Akira's face.
08:13That's a simplistic
08:14human interpretation,
08:15but not entirely inaccurate.
08:18Jack stood pacing
08:19the small room,
08:20his bare feet silent
08:21on the metal floor.
08:23This complicates the mission.
08:25Understatement
08:26of the galactic cycle,
08:27commander.
08:29Akira's dry tone
08:30was familiar,
08:31almost comforting
08:32in its normalcy.
08:33He turned to look at her,
08:35really look at her.
08:36In the soft morning light,
08:38with her guard
08:38temporarily lowered,
08:40she was breathtaking.
08:41Alien yet familiar
08:43after their night together.
08:45Something protective
08:46stirred in his chest.
08:47I can feel your confusion,
08:50she said quietly,
08:51and something else.
08:52Concern?
08:53Jack nodded slowly.
08:55This bond,
08:55it's already working?
08:58In its early stages,
09:00it will strengthen
09:01over the coming days.
09:02She hesitated.
09:03There's more you should know.
09:05Jack sat beside her again,
09:07close but not touching.
09:09I'm listening.
09:10The bond,
09:11it's not just emotional,
09:13it has physical aspects too.
09:15Her eyes drop
09:16to her abdomen momentarily.
09:18Sitaran females
09:19become exceptionally fertile
09:21during the crimson alignment.
09:22It's part of the same
09:23evolutionary mechanism.
09:25Jack's eyes widened
09:26as understanding dawned.
09:28Are you saying
09:29it's too early
09:30to know for certain,
09:31she interrupted.
09:32But the possibility exists.
09:35Interspecies,
09:36conception is rare,
09:37but documented
09:38between humans
09:39and Zitarans.
09:41Jack exhaled slowly.
09:42That would really
09:43complicate things.
09:45Indeed,
09:46Akira's voice
09:47was carefully controlled,
09:48but through their
09:49nascent bond,
09:50Jack sensed her turmoil,
09:51fear, confusion,
09:53and something deeper,
09:54more vulnerable.
09:55Hey,
09:55he said gently,
09:56risking a touch
09:57to her hand.
09:58The warm jolt came again,
10:00but milder this time.
10:01Whatever happens,
10:02we'll figure it out.
10:04Together.
10:05Akira looked at their
10:06joined hands,
10:06then up at his face.
10:08You're remarkably calm
10:09for someone who just learned
10:10he's psychically bonded
10:11to an alien
10:12who might be carrying
10:13his child.
10:14Jack laughed,
10:15the sound breaking
10:16the tension.
10:18Marine training,
10:19adapt and overcome,
10:21isn't just a slogan.
10:23His expression softened.
10:24Besides,
10:25last night wasn't
10:26what I expected.
10:27Jack admitted,
10:28no.
10:30Akira raised an eyebrow,
10:31a hint of her usual
10:32challenge returning.
10:34I thought you were
10:35all ice and protocol,
10:36Jack admitted,
10:37but you're
10:37passionate,
10:39intense.
10:41A faint purple blush
10:42colored Akira's cheeks,
10:44and I thought you were
10:45just muscle
10:46and impulsiveness,
10:48but you were
10:48considerate,
10:50gentle when needed.
10:51Their eyes held
10:53for a long moment,
10:54the air between them
10:55charged with
10:56new understanding.
10:57The moment was broken
10:58by the soft beep
10:59of Jack's comm unit.
11:00He reluctantly released
11:02her hand to check it.
11:03The smuggler's ship
11:04has been spotted
11:05entering the system,
11:06he reported,
11:07slipping back
11:08into professional mode.
11:09We have four hours
11:10to prepare.
11:12Akira nodded,
11:13rising gracefully
11:14to her feet.
11:15Then we should focus
11:15on the mission.
11:17We can address
11:17our, um,
11:19situation
11:19afterward.
11:22Jack watched
11:22as she efficiently
11:23began reassembling
11:24her tactical gear,
11:25admiring her ability
11:26to compartmentalize.
11:28Yet through
11:28their new connection,
11:29he sensed
11:30her lingering awareness
11:31of him,
11:32a warm current
11:32beneath her cool exterior.
11:34Akira,
11:35he said,
11:36as she zipped up
11:36her jumpsuit.
11:38She paused,
11:38looking at him expectantly.
11:40No regrets,
11:41he said simply.
11:42Whatever happens.
11:44Her expression
11:45softened momentarily.
11:46No regrets,
11:47Commander.
11:48The Meridian Colony's
11:50southern district
11:50sprawled beneath them,
11:52a labyrinth
11:52of neon lights
11:53and shadowy alleys.
11:55Jack and Akira
11:55moved in perfect tandem
11:57across the rooftops,
11:58their earlier awkwardness
11:59replaced by
12:00a fluid coordination
12:01that felt
12:02almost supernatural.
12:04Smuggler's ship
12:05is docking
12:06at Platform 9,
12:07Jack murmured
12:08into his comm.
12:09Two minutes out,
12:10Akira didn't respond
12:11verbally,
12:12but Jack felt
12:12her acknowledgement
12:13through their bond,
12:14a warm pulse
12:15of confirmation
12:16that required
12:17no words.
12:18It was the third time
12:19in the past hour
12:20they'd communicated
12:21this way,
12:22and the efficiency
12:23of it was startling.
12:25They reached the edge
12:26of the warehouse district,
12:27crouching behind
12:28a ventilation unit,
12:30below a sleek
12:30black vessel
12:31with no identifying
12:32markers
12:33eased into the
12:34docking bay.
12:35The ship's design
12:36was taurian,
12:37all sharp angles
12:38and reflective surfaces.
12:40But the engine
12:41signature was
12:42unmistakably modified
12:43with Saitaran tech.
12:45Six hostiles,
12:46Akira whispered,
12:47her enhanced vision
12:48picking out details
12:49Jack's human eyes
12:49couldn't yet discern.
12:51Armed with pulse rifles,
12:53the cargo is being
12:54moved in shielded
12:54containers.
12:56Jack nodded,
12:56feeling a surge
12:57of admiration
12:58for her tactical
12:58assessment.
13:00To his surprise,
13:00he felt an answering
13:01ripple of pleasure
13:02from Akira.
13:03She'd sensed
13:04his approval.
13:05This bond thing
13:06is handy in the field,
13:08he whispered,
13:09a half smile
13:09playing on his lips.
13:11Akira shot him
13:12a sidelong glance,
13:13her yellow eyes
13:14gleaming in the darkness.
13:16A focus,
13:17commander.
13:17But he caught
13:19the slight upturn
13:20of her lips,
13:21felt the undercurrent
13:22of amusement
13:22she couldn't quite suppress
13:24through their connection.
13:26They waited until
13:26the cargo was
13:27fully unloaded
13:28before making their move.
13:30Jack signaled
13:31the countdown,
13:323-2-1,
13:33but realized
13:34halfway through
13:34that Akira
13:35had already sensed
13:36his intent
13:36and was moving
13:37in perfect synchronization
13:38with him.
13:39They dropped silently
13:40onto the platform,
13:41taking out the first
13:42two guards
13:43before an alarm
13:44could be raised.
13:45Jack rolled behind
13:46a cargo container
13:47as plasma fire
13:48erupted from
13:49the remaining smugglers,
13:50the air sizzling
13:51with energy bolts.
13:53Through the bond,
13:53he felt Akira's location
13:55without needing
13:55to see her,
13:56a bright presence
13:57moving with lethal grace
13:59on the periphery
14:00of his awareness.
14:01He knew exactly
14:02when to provide
14:03covering fire
14:03as she flanked
14:05their opponents.
14:06On your left,
14:07he called out,
14:08but Akira
14:08had already ducked,
14:10the plasma bolt
14:11sailing harmlessly
14:12over her head.
14:12I felt your warning
14:14before you spoke,
14:15she replied,
14:16her voice tight
14:16with concentration
14:17as she disabled
14:19another smuggler
14:19with a precise strike.
14:21The coordination
14:22was exhilarating.
14:23Jack found himself
14:24anticipating Akira's movements,
14:26complementing her
14:27fighting style
14:28in ways that would have
14:29taken months
14:30of training to achieve.
14:31Together,
14:32they moved like dancers
14:33in a deadly ballet,
14:34each aware of the other's
14:35next step
14:36before it happened.
14:38When the last smuggler fell,
14:39they stood amid the aftermath,
14:41breathing hard
14:41but barely winded.
14:43Jack felt a surge
14:44of triumph course
14:44through him,
14:45amplified by Akira's
14:46matching emotion,
14:48a feedback loop
14:49of shared victory
14:49that left him lightheaded.
14:51That was,
14:52he began.
14:53Efficient,
14:54Akira finished,
14:54but her eyes
14:55betrayed her excitement.
14:56Jack grinned,
14:57stepping closer to her.
14:59I was going to say
15:00incredible.
15:01The air between them
15:02charged with something
15:03beyond adrenaline.
15:05Through their bond,
15:06Jack sensed Akira's
15:07sudden awareness
15:08of his proximity,
15:09a flicker of heat
15:10reminiscent of the
15:11previous night.
15:12The cargo,
15:13she said abruptly,
15:14turning away,
15:15but not before Jack
15:16caught the purple flush
15:17rising to her cheeks.
15:19They approached
15:19the shielded containers,
15:21professional focus
15:22reasserting itself.
15:23Akira produced a scanner
15:25from her tactical belt,
15:26running it over
15:27the nearest box.
15:28Weapons-grade plasma cells,
15:29she reported,
15:30enough to supply
15:31a small army.
15:33Jack nodded grimly.
15:34Alliance intel was right.
15:36They're arming
15:36the separatists.
15:37As Akira moved
15:39to scan the next container,
15:41a sharp spike of alarm
15:42shot through their bond.
15:44Jack's hand flew
15:45to his weapon
15:45before his conscious mind
15:47registered the threat.
15:48A smuggler,
15:49they'd thought unconscious,
15:51raising a weapon
15:52at Akira's back.
15:53Down!
15:54Jack shouted,
15:55diving toward her.
15:56They collided
15:56as the plasma bolt
15:57seared the air
15:58where she'd stood
15:59a heartbeat earlier.
16:00Jack fired twice
16:01over her shoulder,
16:02his shots finding their mark
16:04with uncanny precision.
16:05The smuggler collapsed,
16:07weapon clattering
16:07to the platform.
16:08For a moment,
16:09they remained frozen,
16:10Jack's body
16:11protectively covering Akira's.
16:14Her back pressed
16:14against his chest,
16:16their hearts thundering
16:17in unison.
16:18Through the bond,
16:19emotions flowed unchecked.
16:21Relief,
16:22residual fear,
16:24and something deeper,
16:25more primal.
16:26Akira turned
16:27within the circle
16:28of his arms,
16:29her face inches from his.
16:31You sensed his intent
16:32before I did.
16:34The bond,
16:35Jack said,
16:35his voice rough.
16:36I felt your danger.
16:38Her eyes searched his,
16:39something vulnerable
16:40and wandering
16:41in their yellow depths.
16:42Humans aren't supposed
16:43to adapt to the bond
16:45this quickly.
16:46Your species lacks
16:47the psychic architecture.
16:49Jack's lips quirked.
16:50Maybe we're more adaptable
16:52than your scientists think.
16:54Maybe you are,
16:55she murmured,
16:56and Jack felt
16:56her grudging admiration.
16:58For humans in general,
16:59and for him specifically,
17:00that the moment stretched
17:02between them,
17:03charged with possibility,
17:05Jack became acutely aware
17:06of every point
17:07where their bodies connected,
17:09of Akira's quickened breathing,
17:11of the heat building
17:12between them
17:12that had nothing to do
17:14with moon radiation.
17:15A distant siren
17:16broke the spell.
17:17Akira stepped back,
17:19professional composure
17:20reasserting itself,
17:22though Jack could feel
17:23her reluctance
17:23through their connection.
17:26Alliance security
17:27will be here soon,
17:28she said,
17:28straightening her tactical gear.
17:29We should secure the cargo
17:31and prepare our report.
17:33Jack nodded,
17:34but as they moved
17:35to complete their mission,
17:36he felt a lingering
17:37awareness between them,
17:38a silent symphony
17:39of shared consciousness
17:40that made their previous
17:41working relationships
17:42seem hollow by comparison.
17:44And beneath it all,
17:46a growing certainty.
17:47Whatever had begun
17:48between them
17:49under the twin moon's light
17:50was far from finished.
17:52Absolutely not,
17:53Akira said,
17:54pacing the small confines
17:55of their temporary quarters
17:56at Alliance headquarters.
17:58This mission is suicide.
18:01Jack watched her
18:02from his position
18:02by the window,
18:04noting the unusual agitation
18:05in her movements.
18:07Through their bond,
18:08he sensed more than
18:09just professional concern.
18:10There was fear,
18:12something he'd never
18:13detected from her before.
18:15The Vex Corps
18:15can detect pair bonds,
18:17she continued.
18:18That's why Command
18:19wants us specifically,
18:20but they don't understand
18:21what they're asking.
18:24Seems straightforward to me,
18:25Jack replied,
18:26scanning the mission brief again.
18:28Infiltrate the smuggling
18:29network's headquarters
18:30on Vex Corps Prime.
18:32Pose as a bonded pair
18:33to gain their trust.
18:34Identify their leadership structure.
18:37Akira stopped pacing,
18:38her yellow eyes flashing.
18:40The Vex Corps
18:40don't just detect bonds,
18:42Jack.
18:42They revere them.
18:44Bonded pairs
18:45are considered sacred,
18:46given special status
18:47in their society.
18:48But they also subject
18:50newcomers to rigorous testing
18:51to verify the authenticity
18:53of the connection.
18:55Jack set down the data pad.
18:57And that's a problem
18:57because, uh...
18:59Because,
19:00Akira said,
19:01lowering her voice
19:02despite their secure room.
19:04I'm experiencing symptoms
19:06that would be immediately obvious
19:07to any Vex Corps healer.
19:10Jack's brow furrowed.
19:11Symptoms of what?
19:14Akira's hand drifted
19:15unconsciously to her abdomen,
19:17and through their bond,
19:18Jack felt a complex
19:19swirl of emotions.
19:21Uncertainty,
19:22protectiveness,
19:23and something else.
19:24Something warm and fierce
19:25that he couldn't quite name.
19:27Understanding dawned.
19:29You're pregnant,
19:30he said softly.
19:31She nodded once,
19:32her posture rigid.
19:34The preliminary tests
19:35are positive.
19:37It's early,
19:37but...
19:38She exhaled slowly.
19:40Zyteran physiology
19:41is efficient.
19:42The changes
19:43are already detectable.
19:45Jack crossed the room
19:46to her,
19:47careful to move slowly.
19:48Why didn't you tell me sooner?
19:51I needed to be certain.
19:53Her voice was controlled,
19:54but their bond
19:55betrayed her inner turmoil.
19:57And I needed to process it myself.
19:59This is, um,
20:00unprecedented.
20:01A human,
20:02Zyteran conception
20:03during a bond forming.
20:05The medical databases
20:06have no records
20:07of such an occurrence.
20:09Jack gently took her hands
20:10in his.
20:11The now familiar warmth
20:12of their connection
20:13flowed between them,
20:14but with a new dimension.
20:16A tiny,
20:16flickering presence.
20:17Like a distant star
20:19just coming into view.
20:21Is that?
20:22He whispered,
20:23awed.
20:24Akira nodded.
20:26You can sense it through me.
20:28The bond connects us all now.
20:31Jack felt a surge
20:32of protectiveness
20:33unlike anything
20:34he'd experienced before.
20:36We need to report this
20:37to command.
20:38Get you proper medical care?
20:40No.
20:41Akira's response
20:42was immediate.
20:43If my government
20:44learns of this,
20:46they'll recall me immediately.
20:47They'll want to study
20:48the pregnancy.
20:49Study us.
20:50We'll become
20:51laboratory specimens,
20:52Jack.
20:53And the alliance
20:54wouldn't be much better,
20:56Jack admitted grimly.
20:57They'd see the tactical
20:58advantages
20:59of bonded operatives
21:00who can produce offspring.
21:02Akira's expression
21:03softened slightly.
21:05You understand, then?
21:06I understand we're in
21:08a hell of a situation.
21:10He ran a hand
21:11through his hair.
21:12But we still have a mission.
21:13If we refuse,
21:15they'll want to know why.
21:17Akira was silent
21:18for a moment,
21:19calculating.
21:20The Vex Corps,
21:21they might actually
21:22be our best option.
21:24How do you figure?
21:26Their society
21:27venerates bonded pairs,
21:29especially those
21:30expecting children.
21:31If we complete
21:32this mission successfully,
21:33we could request
21:35asylum with them afterward.
21:36They'd protect us
21:37and our child
21:39from both our governments.
21:41Jack considered this,
21:43feeling the weight
21:44of the decision.
21:45That's assuming
21:46we survived the mission.
21:48Yes, Akira's eyes
21:50met his resolute.
21:51But we've already proven
21:52how effective
21:53we are together.
21:55Through their bond,
21:56Jack felt her determination,
21:57her courage
21:58in the face
21:59of these impossible
21:59circumstances.
22:00And beneath it all,
22:01something that felt
22:02remarkably like hope.
22:04All right,
22:05he said finally.
22:06We go in,
22:07complete the mission,
22:09then make our decision
22:10about what comes next.
22:12He squeezed her hands gently.
22:14Together.
22:15Akira's lips curved
22:16in a rare smile.
22:17Together.
22:19Three days later,
22:19they stood before
22:20the ornate gates
22:21of the Vex Corps enclave
22:22on Meridian Colony.
22:24Their cover identities
22:25established.
22:26Jack wore the traditional
22:27garb of a human traitor.
22:29Loose pants
22:30and an open-fronted shirt
22:31that displayed
22:32the bonding mark
22:32Akira had carefully
22:33applied to his chest.
22:35A temporary tattoo
22:36that mimicked
22:37the natural markings
22:38Zyderns developed
22:39when bonded.
22:40Akira herself
22:41wore a flowing dress
22:42in deep crimson,
22:43her tactical gear
22:44abandoned for this role.
22:46The dress's empire waist
22:48cleverly concealed
22:49any subtle changes
22:50to her figure,
22:51while its design,
22:53revealing her shoulders
22:54and the natural blue markings
22:55that had appeared there
22:56after their bonding,
22:58signaled her status
22:59to any Vex Corps observer.
23:01Remember,
23:01she murmured
23:02as they approached
23:03the guards,
23:04the Vex Corps communicate
23:05as much through
23:06emotional resonance
23:07as through words.
23:09Our bond will help,
23:11but be mindful
23:11of your feelings.
23:13Jack nodded,
23:14projecting confidence
23:15and affection
23:16through their connection.
23:18To his surprise,
23:19it required little effort.
23:20The feelings were genuine,
23:22growing stronger
23:22with each passing day.
23:24The Vex Corps guards,
23:26tall, willowy beings
23:27with iridescent skin
23:28and four-fingered hands,
23:30regarded them
23:31with large pupil-less eyes.
23:33One step forward,
23:34extending a hand
23:35toward them
23:36without touching.
23:37They're scanning our bust,
23:39Akira explained silently
23:40through their connection.
23:41Be open to it.
23:42Don't resist.
23:44Jack relaxed
23:45his mental barriers,
23:46allowing the strange,
23:47feathery presence
23:48of the Vex Corps' consciousness
23:50to brush against their bond.
23:52He felt Akira doing the same,
23:54their combined presence,
23:55strengthened by the tiny spark
23:57of life they now carried
23:58between them.
24:00The guard's expression shifted,
24:01mandibles clicking
24:02in what Jack recognized
24:04as surprise.
24:05A new-formed bond,
24:06the guard said,
24:07voice melodic and resonant,
24:09and already bearing fruit,
24:11auspicious.
24:13The guard stepped aside,
24:14gesturing toward
24:15the enclave's interior.
24:16The Vex Corps
24:17welcome you,
24:18bonded ones.
24:19May your union
24:20bring harmony
24:20to the discordant spheres.
24:23As they passed
24:23through the gates,
24:24Jack felt Akira's relief
24:25mingling with his own.
24:27First hurdle cleared.
24:28That was easier
24:29than expected,
24:30he thought to her.
24:32Her response flowed back
24:33through their connection,
24:34tinged with caution.
24:36The initial scan
24:36is superficial.
24:38The true test will come
24:39when we meet
24:40their bonding sages.
24:42Jack slipped his arm
24:43around her waist,
24:44partly for their cover
24:45and partly from
24:46a genuine desire
24:47for closeness.
24:48Through their bond,
24:49he felt her
24:50momentary surprise.
24:51Then a warm acceptance,
24:53as she leaned slightly
24:54into his touch.
24:56Then we'll face it together,
24:58he replied,
24:58his thumb tracing
24:59small circles
25:00against the silk
25:01of her dress.
25:02Like everything else?
25:03The genuine affection
25:05in his touch
25:05sent a ripple
25:06of awareness
25:07through their bond.
25:08A reminder of the night
25:09that had started all this,
25:11and a promise of moments
25:12yet to come.
25:14The chamber of bonding,
25:15verification,
25:16was unlike anything
25:17Jack had ever seen.
25:19A domed space
25:20with walls
25:21that seemed to shimmer
25:21between solid and vapor,
25:23casting prismatic reflections
25:25across the polished floor.
25:27At its center
25:28stood a raised platform
25:29surrounded by
25:30seven Vex-Core bonding sages,
25:32their iridescent robes
25:33flowing like liquid metal.
25:36The verification ritual
25:37is sacred,
25:38explained Keth-Vor,
25:39their assigned guide.
25:40It will reveal
25:41the true nature
25:42of your connection
25:42to the sages
25:43and to each other.
25:46Jack felt Akira's apprehension
25:48pulse through their bond.
25:49What exactly does
25:50this ritual entail?
25:52He asked,
25:53keeping his voice casual
25:54despite his growing concern.
25:56Keth-A-Vor's mandibles
25:57clicked softly.
25:58The sages will guide you
26:00through a shared
26:00consciousness state.
26:02You will experience
26:03each other's
26:03most formative memories,
26:05feel each other's
26:06deepest emotions.
26:07For true bondmates,
26:08this strengthens
26:09the connection.
26:10For pretenders,
26:12the Vex-Core
26:13made a gesture
26:13Jack couldn't interpret.
26:15Well, pretenders
26:16are not treated kindly here.
26:18Jack exchanged a glance
26:19with Akira.
26:20Their bond was real,
26:21but their purpose
26:21for being here wasn't.
26:23Would the sages
26:24detect their deception?
26:25We have nothing
26:26to hide from each other,
26:27Akira said,
26:28her voice steady
26:29despite the uncertainty
26:30Jack felt rippling
26:31beneath her composed exterior.
26:33They were led
26:33to the platform
26:34and instructed
26:35to sit facing each other,
26:36knees touching,
26:37hands clasped.
26:39The sages moved
26:40in a slow circle
26:40around them,
26:41humming a resonant tone
26:43that seemed to vibrate
26:44through Jack's very bones.
26:45Open yourselves,
26:47intoned the lead sage,
26:48her voice melodic
26:49yet authoritative.
26:51Let the barriers
26:51between minds fall away
26:53as they do
26:54between true bondmates.
26:55A sweet-smelling mist
26:57began to fill the chamber.
26:59Jack felt
26:59his consciousness expanding,
27:01the boundaries
27:01between himself
27:02and Akira blurring.
27:04Their bond,
27:05already strong,
27:06seemed to widen
27:07into a vast channel
27:08through which
27:09memories began to flow.
27:11Suddenly,
27:11he was no longer himself.
27:13He was Akira,
27:14a young girl on Zyterra,
27:16standing before
27:17her stern-faced father
27:18as he explained
27:19that emotions
27:20were weaknesses,
27:22that control
27:22was the only path
27:23to honor.
27:25He felt her desperate
27:26desire to please him,
27:27to be the perfect
27:28Zyterran warrior
27:29despite the feelings
27:30that churned inside her.
27:32The scene shifted.
27:34He was Akira
27:35at the military academy,
27:36enduring brutal training
27:37designed to purge
27:38all emotional response.
27:40The pain was physical,
27:41yes,
27:42but the deeper agony
27:43came from denying
27:44her own nature,
27:45the capacity for joy,
27:47for connection,
27:49for love
27:49that she had been
27:50taught to suppress.
27:52Then came her
27:53first combat mission.
27:54The pride she felt
27:55at her success
27:56mingled with horror
27:57at the lives she'd taken.
27:59The years of isolation,
28:01of maintaining
28:01perfect control
28:02while a part of her
28:03withered inside,
28:04starved for genuine connection.
28:06And finally,
28:07the night in the
28:08observation post,
28:09seeing himself
28:10through her eyes,
28:12feeling her initial panic
28:13at the moon heat,
28:14then her surrender to it.
28:16Not just surrender
28:17to biological imperative,
28:19he realized with shock,
28:20but relief
28:21at finally having
28:22an excuse to feel,
28:24to connect,
28:25to be vulnerable
28:26without shame.
28:27The flow reversed.
28:29Now Akira
28:30was experiencing
28:30his memories,
28:32his childhood
28:32on a struggling
28:33colony world,
28:34the loss of his parents
28:35to a plague,
28:36his determination
28:37to join the Alliance
28:38military,
28:39to protect others
28:40from suffering
28:41similar fates,
28:42his rise through the ranks,
28:44his reputation
28:45as a maverick
28:45who got results,
28:47the loneliness
28:48of command.
28:49She saw his initial
28:50impression of her,
28:52not cold
28:53as she'd assumed,
28:54but fascinating,
28:55complex,
28:56someone whose control
28:58he admired
28:58even as he wondered
28:59what lay beneath it.
29:01She felt his surprise
29:02and wonder
29:03during their night together,
29:05his growing protectiveness
29:06toward her,
29:08and finally the moment
29:09he'd sensed their child
29:10through their bond,
29:11the overwhelming rush
29:12of love that had caught
29:13him completely off guard.
29:15As the memories faded,
29:16they remained connected,
29:18emotions flowing freely
29:19between them,
29:20respect,
29:21admiration,
29:22desire,
29:23and something deeper
29:24taking root.
29:25Jack felt tears
29:26on his cheeks,
29:27mirrored by the silvery tracks
29:29on Akira's blue skin.
29:31The sages
29:31had stopped circling.
29:33The lead sage
29:34approached,
29:35placing a four-fingered hand
29:36above their joined ones.
29:38Your bond is true,
29:39she pronounced,
29:40formed in unusual circumstances,
29:43strengthened by challenge,
29:45now bearing fruit.
29:46The vexed core
29:47recognize
29:48and honor your union.
29:50Relief washed
29:51through them both,
29:52but it was short-lived.
29:53As the mist cleared
29:54and their consciousness
29:55fully separated,
29:57Jack noticed the sages
29:58exchanging concerned glances.
30:00There is something else,
30:02the lead sage continued.
30:03Something you should know.
30:05Follow me.
30:07They were led
30:08from the chamber
30:09down a spiraling corridor
30:10that descended deep
30:11beneath the enclave.
30:13Jack kept Akira close,
30:14his protective instincts
30:15heightened after
30:16experiencing her memories,
30:18understanding her
30:19in ways he never had before.
30:21You okay,
30:22he murmured,
30:23his thumb stroking
30:24the inside of her wrist.
30:26She nodded,
30:26her yellow eyes
30:27meeting his.
30:28I never expected
30:29to be so
30:30exposed,
30:31but I don't regret it.
30:33Through their bond,
30:34he felt her newfound certainty.
30:36Now you understand.
30:38I do,
30:39he replied simply.
30:41And he did,
30:42understood her struggles,
30:43her strength,
30:44her courage
30:45in ways words
30:46could never have conveyed.
30:47The corridor opened
30:49into a vast underground chamber.
30:51Jack froze,
30:52his grip on Akira's hand
30:54tightening.
30:55Along the walls
30:56were dozens of
30:56transparent cells,
30:58and in each one
30:59a female of various species,
31:01all visibly pregnant,
31:03all with the distinctive
31:04markings of bonded pairs.
31:06What is this?
31:07Akira demanded,
31:08horror evident in her voice.
31:10The lead sage's
31:11expression was grim.
31:12The true purpose
31:13of the smuggling network
31:14you seek to infiltrate.
31:16They do not merely
31:17traffic weapons
31:18or contraband.
31:19They harvest bonded pairs,
31:21specifically females
31:22carrying bond-conceived children.
31:24Harvest,
31:25Jack's voice was dangerous.
31:27For what purpose?
31:29The energy
31:29of a bond conception
31:30is unique
31:31in the universe,
31:32the sage explained.
31:34Some believe
31:35it can be extracted
31:35and used
31:36for power,
31:38for weapons,
31:39for extending life.
31:40These females
31:41were captured
31:42by the network
31:42and brought here
31:43for experimentation.
31:45You're harboring them?
31:46Akira accused,
31:47her hand instinctively
31:48moving to her abdomen.
31:50No,
31:51the sage corrected.
31:52We rescue them
31:53when we can.
31:54This facility
31:55is hidden
31:55from the network's leaders.
31:57We have been working
31:58to dismantle
31:59their operation
32:00from within,
32:01but our progress
32:02has been slow.
32:03Jack and Akira
32:04exchanged glances,
32:06a silent communication
32:07passing between them.
32:08Our mission
32:09just got a lot
32:10more complicated,
32:11Jack thought to her.
32:13Akira's response
32:14flowed back.
32:15It tinged with
32:16determination
32:16and fear,
32:18and a lot more personal.
32:20Your vitals
32:21are unusual,
32:23the VexCore healer said,
32:24her four-fingered hand
32:25hovering over
32:26the scanning device.
32:27The bond child
32:28develops
32:28at an accelerated rate.
32:30Akira lay
32:31on the examination platform,
32:33her crimson dress
32:34replaced by
32:34a simple medical shift
32:36that revealed
32:37the subtle
32:37but unmistakable curve
32:38of her abdomen,
32:40a change
32:40that shouldn't
32:41have been visible
32:41for weeks yet.
32:43Jack stood beside her,
32:44his face a mask
32:45of concern.
32:46Is she in danger?
32:48Not danger,
32:49precisely,
32:50the healer replied,
32:51mandibles clicking
32:51thoughtfully.
32:53But this hybrid
32:53conception
32:54is unprecedented.
32:56The energy signature
32:57is remarkably strong.
32:59Stronger than any
33:00I've measured
33:00in my two centuries
33:01of practice.
33:03Akira's hand
33:04found Jack's,
33:05their fingers
33:05intertwining.
33:07Through their bond,
33:08he felt her mixture
33:08of wonder
33:09and apprehension.
33:11What does that mean
33:12for our child,
33:12Wafariino?
33:13She asked.
33:14The healer's large
33:15pupil-less eyes
33:16blinked slowly.
33:17It means your offspring
33:18carries unique potential.
33:20The human adaptability,
33:22combined with
33:22Siteran psychic architecture,
33:24has created something
33:25extraordinary.
33:28Jack felt a surge
33:29of pride,
33:30distinctly human,
33:31he realized,
33:32at the thought
33:32of their child
33:33being exceptional.
33:34Akira caught
33:35the emotion
33:36through their bond
33:37and shot him
33:38a look that was
33:38half exasperation,
33:40half amusement.
33:41This also means,
33:43the healer
33:44continued more gravely,
33:45that you would be
33:46an exceptionally
33:47valuable target
33:48for the traffickers.
33:49The energy signature
33:50of your bond child
33:51would be
33:51irresistible to them.
33:54Then we need
33:54to accelerate
33:55our plans,
33:56Jack said,
33:57his protective
33:57instincts flaring.
33:59The sooner we
33:59dismantle this operation,
34:01the safer Akira
34:02and the others
34:03will be.
34:04Kethvor,
34:05who had been silent
34:06until now,
34:07stepped forward.
34:09We have arranged
34:09for you to meet
34:10with Drenlar,
34:11a mid-level operative
34:12in the network.
34:13He believes you
34:14are potential investors
34:15interested in their
34:16specialized commodities.
34:18The meeting is
34:18scheduled for
34:19tonight's third bell.
34:21Jack nodded,
34:22military training
34:23kicking in as he
34:24began mentally
34:24preparing for the
34:26operation.
34:27Through their bond,
34:28he felt Akira
34:28doing the same,
34:30her mind shifting
34:31into tactical assessment,
34:32despite her
34:33physical discomfort.
34:34I should be present
34:35for this meeting,
34:36she said,
34:37sitting up despite
34:38the healer's protests.
34:39Absolutely not,
34:41Jack replied immediately.
34:42It's too dangerous
34:43in your condition.
34:44Akira's yellow eyes
34:45narrowed dangerously.
34:47My condition
34:48doesn't make me
34:49incapable,
34:50commander.
34:51I'm still an elite
34:52operative.
34:53I know that,
34:55Jack said,
34:56softening his tone
34:57as he sensed
34:57her genuine frustration.
34:58But we need
35:00to be strategic.
35:01If they recognize
35:02you,
35:03if they recognize
35:04me,
35:05then our cover
35:05is blown
35:06whether I'm there
35:07or not,
35:07she countered.
35:08Besides,
35:09my presence
35:09makes our cover
35:10more convincing.
35:11What bonded male
35:13would attend such
35:13a meeting
35:14without his mate?
35:15Jack wanted
35:16to argue further,
35:17but he felt
35:18her determination
35:18through their bond
35:20and her fear
35:21of being sidelined,
35:22of being reduced
35:23to something
35:24to be protected
35:24rather than a partner
35:26to be respected.
35:27Fine,
35:28he conceded,
35:29but at the first
35:30sign of trouble,
35:31you get out.
35:32That's non-negotiable.
35:34The corner of Akira's
35:35mouth twitched upward.
35:36Since when do you
35:37give me orders,
35:38commander?
35:39Since you started
35:40carrying my child,
35:42he replied,
35:43his voice dropping
35:44to a husky timbre
35:45that sent a ripple
35:46of awareness
35:47through their bond.
35:48The healer
35:49cleared her throat,
35:50reminding them
35:50of her presence.
35:52I recommend rest
35:53before tonight's endeavor.
35:55The bond child's
35:55accelerated development
35:56draws energy
35:57from both parents,
35:59but particularly
35:59from the carrier.
36:01They were escorted
36:02to private quarters,
36:04a spacious chamber
36:05with walls
36:06that seemed
36:06to shift colors
36:07with their moods,
36:09currently a calming
36:10blue-green.
36:11A large,
36:12sleeping platform
36:13dominated one side,
36:15covered in soft,
36:17shimmering fabrics.
36:18Once alone,
36:19Akira sank
36:20onto the edge
36:21of the platform,
36:22her usual grace
36:23momentarily abandoned.
36:24Jack felt her exhaustion
36:26through their bond,
36:27along with something else,
36:28a strange pulsing energy
36:30that seemed to emanate
36:31from her abdomen.
36:32What is that?
36:33he asked,
36:34sitting beside her.
36:35The child,
36:36she murmured,
36:36placing her hand
36:37over the slight curve.
36:38I can feel it,
36:40growing,
36:41changing.
36:43It's unlike anything
36:44I was prepared for.
36:46Jack hesitantly
36:47placed his hand
36:47beside hers.
36:48The sensation
36:49intensified,
36:50a warm,
36:52rhythmic pulse
36:52that seemed
36:53to synchronize
36:54with their heartbeats.
36:55It's responding to us,
36:57he said in wonder.
36:58To our bond.
36:59Akira nodded,
37:01her expression softening
37:02in a way
37:02he'd never seen before.
37:04On Saitera,
37:06pregnancy
37:06is a clinical process.
37:08Controlled,
37:09monitored,
37:10emotional attachment
37:11is discouraged
37:12until after birth,
37:14when the child
37:15begins training
37:15in emotional regulation.
37:17Jack couldn't
37:18hide his shock.
37:19That's cold.
37:21It's our way,
37:22she replied,
37:22but without conviction.
37:24Through their bond,
37:25he sensed
37:25her own ambivalence.
37:27The conflict
37:27between her
37:28cultural conditioning
37:29and her instinctive
37:30response to their child.
37:32And what do you want?
37:33He asked gently.
37:34Not what Saitera expects.
37:36Not what the Alliance
37:37would demand.
37:39What does Akira want?
37:41She was silent
37:41for a long moment,
37:42her yellow eyes distant.
37:44I want freedom,
37:46she finally said.
37:47Freedom to feel
37:48without shame.
37:49To raise our child
37:50to be both strong
37:51and compassionate.
37:52To explore what exists
37:53between us
37:54without cultural constraints.
37:56The vulnerability
37:57in her admission
37:58moved him deeply.
38:00Jack reached up,
38:01brushing a strand
38:01of silver-white hair
38:02from her face,
38:04his fingers lingering
38:05against her blue skin.
38:07Then that's what
38:08we'll fight for,
38:08he promised.
38:09Their eyes met,
38:11and through their bond
38:11flowed a current
38:12of desire
38:13untainted by
38:14biological imperative
38:15or tactical necessity.
38:17Just two beings
38:18who had seen
38:19into each other's souls
38:20and chosen connection.
38:22Akira leaned forward,
38:24her lips meeting his
38:25in a kiss that held
38:26none of the desperate
38:27heat of their first night
38:28together,
38:28but something deeper,
38:30more profound.
38:32Jack's arms
38:33encircled her,
38:34careful of her
38:34changing body,
38:36as they sank back
38:36onto the sleeping platform.
38:38We should rest,
38:40he murmured
38:40against her neck,
38:41even as his hands
38:42traced the curves
38:43of her body
38:44with newfound reverence.
38:46Later,
38:46she replied,
38:47her fingers working
38:48at the fastenings
38:48of his garments,
38:49right now,
38:51I need to feel you,
38:52all of you.
38:53Through their bond,
38:54Jack felt the truth
38:55behind her words.
38:57Her need to reaffirm
38:58their connection,
38:59to celebrate the life
39:00growing between them,
39:01to lose her self-insensation
39:03without the compulsion
39:04of the moon heat.
39:05As their bodies joined,
39:07their bond flared
39:08brilliantly,
39:09enveloping them
39:10in a cocoon
39:11of shared pleasure
39:11and emotion.
39:13Neither noticed
39:14the walls of their chamber
39:15shifting to a deep,
39:16pulsing crimson,
39:18nor the faint glow
39:19emanating from
39:20Akira's abdomen,
39:21the first visible sign
39:23of just how unique
39:24their bond child
39:24truly was.
39:26The Grand Exchange Hall
39:27of the Vexcor enclave
39:28glittered with the wealth
39:30of a dozen star systems,
39:32traders from across
39:33the galaxy mingled
39:34beneath floating
39:34light orbs.
39:36Their conversations,
39:37a symphony
39:38of different languages
39:39and dialects.
39:40Jack adjusted
39:41the formal collar
39:42of his trader's attire,
39:43feeling exposed
39:44without his
39:45standard-issue sidearm.
39:47Relax, Akira murmured,
39:49her hand resting
39:50lightly on his arm.
39:52Your tension
39:52is broadcasting
39:53through our bond.
39:55She looked radiant
39:56despite the circumstances,
39:58her silver-white hair
39:59arranged in an elaborate
40:00style that emphasized
40:01her pointed ears,
40:03her flowing gown
40:04of deep blue
40:04strategically draped
40:05to both highlight
40:07and conceal
40:07her changing figure.
40:08The bond markings
40:09on her shoulders
40:10were prominently displayed,
40:11a clear signal
40:12of her status
40:13to any watching Vexcor.
40:15Sorry, Jack replied,
40:17consciously loosening
40:17his posture.
40:18Not used to being
40:19the bait
40:20instead of the hunter.
40:22Akira's lips curved
40:23in a subtle smile.
40:24Consider it a growth
40:25opportunity, Commander.
40:27Their banter
40:28was interrupted
40:29by the approach
40:29of Kethfor,
40:31accompanied by a tall,
40:32gaunt alien
40:33with mottled gray skin
40:35and six-fingered hands
40:36adorned with precious metals.
40:39Esteemed Drenlar,
40:40Kethfor intoned,
40:41may I present
40:42Trader Jack's
40:43and his bondmate,
40:45Kira,
40:45recently arrived
40:46from the Procheon system?
40:48Drenlar's bulbous eyes
40:49assessed them
40:50with cold calculation.
40:52Unusual pairing,
40:53he remarked,
40:54his voice like gravel.
40:55Human Zyteran bonds
40:57are rare.
40:58The rarest things
40:59often hold
41:00the greatest value,
41:01Jack replied smoothly,
41:03slipping into
41:03his cover persona.
41:05As I'm sure
41:06you appreciate
41:07in your
41:07specialized trade,
41:10a flicker of interest
41:11crossed the alien's face.
41:13Indeed,
41:14Kethfor indicates
41:15you seek investment
41:16opportunities
41:16in our enterprise.
41:18We seek profitable
41:19ventures
41:19with discrete
41:20management requirements,
41:21Akira added,
41:22her accent
41:23deliberately thickened.
41:24Our resources
41:25are substantial,
41:26but our patience
41:27for bureaucratic
41:28oversight is limited.
41:30Drenlar made a sound
41:31that might have been
41:32laughter.
41:33Then we have much
41:34to discuss,
41:35perhaps in more
41:36private surroundings?
41:38They followed him
41:38to a secluded alcove,
41:40its entrance shimmering
41:41with what Jack
41:42recognized as a
41:43sound dampening field.
41:45Through their bond,
41:46he felt Akira's
41:46alertness,
41:47her senses scanning
41:48for threats,
41:49even as she maintained
41:50her poised exterior.
41:53Your timing is fortuitous,
41:54Drenlar said
41:55once they were seated.
41:56We've recently acquired
41:57several exceptional
41:58specimens that would
41:59interest investors
42:00with your specific tastes.
42:04Jack forced himself
42:04to smile,
42:05disgust churning
42:06beneath his practiced
42:07facade.
42:08We're particularly
42:09interested in long-term
42:10energy extraction
42:11applications.
42:12I understand bond
42:13conceptions offer
42:14unique possibilities.
42:16You are well-informed,
42:17Drenlar's eyes
42:18narrowed slightly.
42:19Such information
42:20is not commonly
42:21shared.
42:21Knowledge is currency,
42:24Akira interjected
42:25smoothly,
42:26and we pay handsomely
42:27for it.
42:29The conversation
42:30continued,
42:31a delicate dance
42:32of euphemisms
42:33and veiled intentions.
42:35Jack and Akira
42:36gradually extracted
42:37crucial information,
42:38the location of
42:39the main processing
42:40facility,
42:41the security protocols,
42:43the chain of command.
42:44Through their bond,
42:45they silently cataloged
42:46each detail,
42:48building a comprehensive
42:49picture of the operation
42:50they would soon
42:51dismantle.
42:52As Drenlar began
42:54explaining the
42:54extraction process,
42:56the alcove's entrance
42:57field rippled,
42:58admitting a new figure.
43:00Jack felt Akira's
43:01sudden surge of
43:02recognition and alarm
43:03through their bond
43:04before he even
43:04turned to look.
43:05The newcomer was
43:06Zyteran,
43:07his blue skin
43:08darker than Akira's,
43:09his white hair
43:10cropped close to his
43:11skull in military fashion,
43:13his yellow eyes
43:14widened fractionally
43:15as they fell on Akira.
43:16Commander Threl,
43:17Akira breathed,
43:18her composure
43:19momentarily slipping.
43:20Lieutenant Akira,
43:22the Zyteran replied,
43:23his hand moving
43:24subtly toward his
43:25concealed weapon.
43:26I thought you
43:27perished in the
43:27Arcturus campaign.
43:30Drenlar's posture
43:31shifted instantly
43:32from cordial
43:32to predatory.
43:34You know this
43:34female commander?
43:36She's Zyteran's
43:37special forces,
43:39Threl replied,
43:40his eyes never
43:40leaving Akira.
43:42Or was,
43:43before she
43:43apparently deserted
43:44to play bondmate
43:45with a human.
43:46Jack felt
43:48Akira's surge
43:49of indignation
43:49through their bond.
43:51I never deserted,
43:52she said,
43:53her voice cold.
43:54I was reassigned
43:55to join operations
43:56with the Earth Alliance.
43:58Convenient,
43:59Threl sneered.
44:00And your bond?
44:02Also part of
44:02your assignment?
44:04Before Akira
44:04could respond,
44:05Drenlar made
44:06a sharp gesture.
44:07The alcove's
44:08entrance sealed
44:08completely,
44:09and hidden panels
44:10slid open
44:10to reveal armed guards.
44:12It seems we have
44:13Alliance infiltrators,
44:15Drenlar hissed.
44:17How fortunate.
44:18The energy signature
44:19from your bond
44:20has been intriguing
44:21since you arrived.
44:23And now I understand
44:24why.
44:26His gaze dropped
44:27to Akira's abdomen.
44:28A hybrid bond
44:29conception,
44:30extremely rare,
44:32extremely valuable.
44:34Jack moved
44:35instinctively
44:36closer to Akira,
44:37their bond flaring
44:38with shared determination.
44:40You've made
44:40a serious miscalculation,
44:42he said,
44:43his voice dropping
44:44to the dangerous tone
44:45that had earned him
44:46his Wrecker nickname.
44:48I think not,
44:49Drenlar replied.
44:51Commander Threl
44:51has been most helpful
44:52in identifying
44:53potential Zyteran targets.
44:55He'll be well compensated
44:56for this unexpected bonus.
44:59Akira's shock
44:59and betrayal
45:00pulsed through their bond.
45:02You're working with them
45:03against your own people?
45:05Threl's expression
45:06remained impassive.
45:07The Zyteran
45:08High Command
45:09is aware
45:09of this operation.
45:10They consider it
45:11an acceptable loss
45:12for the technological gains.
45:15They're experimenting
45:16on bonded pairs,
45:17Akira said incredulously,
45:18on pregnant females.
45:21Inferior specimens,
45:22Threl replied dismissively.
45:24Emotional aberrations
45:25who allowed themselves
45:26to bond
45:27with lesser species.
45:29Jack felt Akira's
45:30rage building,
45:31mirroring his own.
45:33Through their bond,
45:34a plan formed
45:34without words,
45:36a coordinated attack
45:37leveraging
45:37their unique connection.
45:39He subtly shifted
45:40his weight,
45:41preparing.
45:42You're wrong
45:43about humans,
45:44Akira said,
45:44her voice suddenly calm.
45:46They're not lesser.
45:48They're adaptable,
45:49innovative.
45:50Her eyes met
45:51Jack's briefly.
45:52Unpredictable.
45:53In that moment,
45:54they moved as one.
45:56Jack overturned
45:56the heavy stone table,
45:58creating a barrier
45:59as Akira dropped
46:00and rolled,
46:01retrieving a concealed weapon
46:02from beneath her gown.
46:04Their movements
46:05were perfectly synchronized,
46:06each anticipating
46:07the other's actions
46:08through their bond
46:09with preternatural precision.
46:11The guards opened fire,
46:12energy bolts sizzling
46:13against the overturned table.
46:16Jack felt a surge of power
46:17flowing through their bond,
46:18not just emotional connection,
46:20but something physical,
46:22an energy that seemed
46:23to emanate
46:23from Akira's abdomen,
46:25enhancing their reflexes
46:26and strength.
46:27The child,
46:29Akira gasped
46:30as she fired
46:30with uncanny accuracy,
46:32taking down two guards.
46:34It's amplifying our bond.
46:37Jack felt it too,
46:39a third presence
46:40in their connection,
46:41raw and instinctive,
46:42but undeniably powerful.
46:44Their movements
46:45became even more fluid,
46:47more coordinated,
46:48as if the three of them
46:49were functioning
46:50as a single organism.
46:51Threll advanced,
46:53weapon raised,
46:54his expression
46:54coldly professional.
46:56Surrender, Lieutenant.
46:57The high command
46:58might show mercy
46:58if you cooperate.
47:00Akira's response
47:01was a precisely aimed shot
47:03that disabled his weapon.
47:05Tell the high command
47:05that humans aren't the enemy,
47:07she said fiercely.
47:08This is...
47:10As the firefight intensified,
47:12Jack felt a strange resonance
47:14building through their bond,
47:16a gathering power
47:17centered on their unborn child,
47:19responding to the threat
47:20against its parents.
47:21The air around Akira
47:23began to shimmer
47:24with an energy
47:24that reminded him
47:25of the moonlight
47:26that had started it all.
47:28Jack,
47:28she called urgently,
47:30something's happening.
47:32The energy surged
47:33and the world around them
47:34exploded in brustant light.
47:36The pulse of energy
47:37that erupted
47:38from Akira's abdomen
47:39washed through
47:40the Vexcor enclave
47:41like a silent tidal wave.
47:43Every electronic device,
47:45every weapon,
47:46every security system
47:48went dark.
47:49In the sudden stillness,
47:51Jack could hear
47:51only Akira's rapid breathing
47:53and the distant sounds
47:54of confusion
47:55spreading through the facility.
47:57What just happened?
47:58He whispered,
47:58helping her to her feet.
48:00Akira's hand rested
48:01protectively
48:02over her slightly swollen abdomen,
48:04her yellow eyes
48:05wide with wonder.
48:06The child...
48:07It protected us.
48:09Somehow it generated
48:10an energy dampening field.
48:12Commander Threll
48:13lay unconscious
48:14several meters away
48:15along with Drenlar
48:16and the guards.
48:18Through their bond,
48:18Jack sensed
48:19they weren't dead,
48:20merely stunned
48:21by the energy surge.
48:23We need to move,
48:23he said urgently.
48:24This is our chance
48:25to free the others.
48:27They navigated
48:28the darkened quarters
48:29by the glow of emergency
48:30bioluminescent strips.
48:32The Vexcor they encountered
48:33seemed equally disoriented,
48:35many offering assistance
48:36rather than resistance
48:37when they realized
48:38what was happening.
48:40The sages foresaw this,
48:42Kethvor explained,
48:43when they found him
48:44helping dazed captives
48:45from their cells.
48:46A bond child
48:47of unprecedented power,
48:49born of two worlds,
48:50the prophecy speaks
48:51of one who would
48:52break chains
48:53and unite the divided.
48:55Jack exchanged
48:55a glance with Akira.
48:57We're not big on prophecy,
48:59he said.
48:59We just want to get
49:00these people to safety.
49:02Kethvor's mandibles
49:03clicked in what Jack
49:04had come to recognize
49:05as amusement.
49:06Humans,
49:07always so practical
49:08in the face
49:09of the miraculous.
49:10With the facility
49:11systems disabled,
49:13they quickly organized
49:14the captives,
49:15nearly 30 bonded females
49:16of various species,
49:18all in different stages
49:19of pregnancy.
49:20The Vexcor healers
49:21moved among them,
49:22providing immediate care
49:23while Jack and Akira
49:24secured transport vessels.
49:26The dampening effect
49:28won't last forever,
49:29Akira cautioned
49:30as they prepared
49:31for departure.
49:32We need a permanent solution,
49:34Jack nodded grimly.
49:35We need evidence,
49:36something that will force
49:38both our governments
49:39to acknowledge
49:40what's been happening here.
49:41I can help with that,
49:43came a familiar voice.
49:44They turned to find
49:45Commander Threll,
49:46conscious but restrained
49:47by two Vexcor guards.
49:49His expression
49:49was no longer cold,
49:51but conflicted.
49:52Why should we trust you?
49:54Akira demanded.
49:56Because I was wrong,
49:57Threll replied simply.
49:59What I've witnessed here,
50:01it violates everything
50:02Zyterra claims to stand for.
50:04Honor,
50:04discipline,
50:06protection of life.
50:08He met Akira's gaze directly.
50:10And because you're human
50:11has shown me something
50:12I didn't believe existed.
50:14And what's that?
50:16Jack asked warily.
50:18Adaptability without compromise,
50:20strength without cruelty.
50:22Threll's yellow eyes
50:22shifted to Jack.
50:24Humans are chaotic,
50:25emotional,
50:26unpredictable.
50:28Everything Zyterrans
50:29are taught to reject.
50:30Yet in you,
50:31those qualities
50:32become virtues.
50:33Through their bond,
50:34Jack felt
50:35Kira's surprise
50:36at Threll's admission
50:37and her cautious hope.
50:39I have access
50:40to the complete
50:40operation records,
50:42Threll continued.
50:43Names of officials
50:44involved from both governments.
50:45Research data,
50:46financial transactions.
50:48Everything you need
50:49to expose this?
50:51Why help us now,
50:52Jack pressed.
50:53Because I saw
50:54what your bond child did,
50:55Threll replied.
50:56That power,
50:57it could have destroyed us all.
50:59Instead,
50:59it disabled weapons,
51:01freed captives,
51:02preserved life.
51:03That is true strength,
51:05the kind Zyterra has forgotten.
51:07Six months later,
51:08Jack stood on the observation deck
51:10of Haven Station,
51:11watching the twin moons
51:13of Meridian Colony
51:14rise over the horizon.
51:15The newly established sanctuary
51:17for interspecies bonded pairs
51:19had grown rapidly,
51:21becoming a symbol
51:22of cooperation
51:22between worlds
51:23that had once
51:24viewed each other
51:24with suspicion.
51:25The evidence
51:26Threll provided
51:27had sent shockwaves
51:28through both
51:29the Earth Alliance
51:30and Zyterra.
51:31The conspiracy
51:32had been exposed,
51:33the trafficking network
51:34dismantled,
51:35and reforms
51:36were slowly taking root
51:37in both societies.
51:39Admiring the view
51:40again?
51:41Akira's voice
51:42came from behind him,
51:43warm with affection.
51:45Jack turned,
51:46his breath
51:46catching as it always did
51:48at the sight of her.
51:49Her pregnancy
51:50was now in its
51:51final stages,
51:52her blue skin
51:53glowing with health,
51:54her silver-white hair
51:55flowing freely
51:56around her shoulders.
51:58Can you blame me?
51:59he replied,
52:00drawing her into his arms.
52:01Those moons
52:02changed everything
52:03for us.
52:05Akira's hand
52:05found his,
52:06guiding it
52:07to her rounded abdomen
52:08where their child
52:09moved vigorously.
52:10Through their bond,
52:12they could both sense
52:13its developing consciousness,
52:15bright,
52:15curious,
52:16and already powerfully
52:18connected to them both.
52:19I used to fear them,
52:20she admitted,
52:22looking at the
52:22crimson moons.
52:24The loss of control,
52:26the vulnerability
52:27they forced upon me.
52:29And now,
52:29Jack asked,
52:30nuzzling her neck,
52:31now I see them differently.
52:34They didn't trap us,
52:35they freed us.
52:37She turned in his arms,
52:38her yellow eyes
52:39meeting his.
52:40They showed me
52:41that control
52:41isn't strength,
52:43connection is.
52:45Jack smiled,
52:46remembering their
52:46first night together,
52:48how an accidental
52:49press of a button
52:50had altered the course
52:51of not just their lives,
52:52but potentially
52:53the future
52:54of human-alien relations
52:55throughout the galaxy.
52:58The Vex Corps
52:58believe our child
52:59will be a bridge
53:00between worlds,
53:01he said,
53:01his hand caressing
53:02the curve of her belly.
53:04The Vex Corps
53:04love their prophecies,
53:06Akira replied
53:06with a hint
53:07of her old dryness.
53:09I'll settle for our child
53:10being healthy and happy.
53:12And free,
53:12Jack added,
53:13free to be both
53:14human and Zyteran,
53:16to feel without shame
53:17and think without constraint.
53:18Through their bond
53:20flowed a current
53:21of shared purpose
53:22and deep affection
53:23that had grown steadily
53:24since that first night
53:25under the twin moon's light.
53:27What had begun
53:28as biological imperative
53:29had evolved into something
53:31neither of their cultures
53:32had words to fully describe,
53:34a partnership of equals,
53:36strengthened by difference
53:37rather than diminished by it.
53:39As the moons rose higher,
53:41bathing them
53:42in their crimson glow,
53:43Jack felt Akira's
53:44momentary tension,
53:46an echo of her old fear,
53:48followed by a deliberate
53:49relaxation as she leaned
53:51into him.
53:52You know,
53:53she murmured,
53:53a mischievous note
53:54entering her voice.
53:56The healer mentioned
53:56that in the final phase
53:58of a Zyteran pregnancy,
54:00exposure to moonlight
54:01can be beneficial.
54:04Jack raised an eyebrow,
54:06feeling her intent
54:07through their bond.
54:09Beneficial how?
54:10It strengthens the bond
54:12between parents,
54:13she replied,
54:14her fingers tracing patterns
54:15on his chest.
54:16Through a process
54:17not entirely
54:18unlike how we began.
54:21Is that your
54:22clinical Zyteran way
54:23of suggesting
54:24what I think
54:24you're suggesting?
54:26Jack asked,
54:26his voice dropping
54:27to a husky timbre.
54:29Akira's answering smile
54:30was anything but clinical.
54:32Perhaps humans
54:33aren't the only ones
54:34who can be adaptable,
54:35Commander.
54:36As their lips met,
54:38the twin moons
54:39cast their light
54:39through the viewport,
54:41no longer a source
54:42of fear,
54:42but a reminder
54:43of how the most
54:44unexpected beginnings
54:45can lead
54:46to the most
54:46beautiful journeys.
54:48In the nursery,
54:49being prepared nearby,
54:50a crib stood ready,
54:52its design a blend
54:53of human comfort
54:54and Zyteran elegance.
54:56Above it hung
54:57a small mobile
54:58of stars and planets,
54:59with two crimson moons
55:01at its center,
55:02a reminder for the child
55:03who would soon occupy it
55:04of how its story began.
55:06When a human male
55:07accidentally triggered
55:08a chain of events
55:09that would change
55:10not just two lives,
55:11but potentially
55:12the course of
55:13interspecies relations
55:15forever.
55:16And as Jack and Akira
55:17made their way
55:17to their quarters,
55:19hands in twine
55:19and hearts beating
55:20in sync,
55:21neither feared
55:22the moonlight any longer,
55:24for what had once
55:24seemed a trap
55:25had become
55:26their greatest gift.
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