Chapter 19

“You didn’t follow through,” Amuilius said, “what a disappointment.” His tone was firm but lost the calm demeanor that he supported for years. Lydia could only visualize what his face looked like.

“I know you are pissed,” Lydia said, “but this is getting out of hand.”

“Damn right, I’m pissed,” Amuilius scolded. “I gave you an order and you defied that order. What has gotten into you?” Before Lydia could answer, Amuilius cut her off. “If you want something done, I guess I have to get someone better. Look at your monitor and learn, little girl.” The image of the envoy appeared. “Warren,” Amuilius ordered. “Naturalizes the problem.” In a matter of seconds, three missiles struck the envoy and destroyed it.

“You idiot!” Lydia yelled. “You just fucked us all.”

“You are the only one that is fucked. You have no idea the wrath I will release on you. You are put on notice. Amuilius out.”

Lydia collapsed in a chair. Her hands shook and she felt a tightest in her chest and her breathing shallowed and labored. Amuilius had put a lot of people on notice in the past and they were all eliminated. Lydia knew what happened to them because she was the one that eliminated them. She has no idea how Amuilius would come after her, but she wasn’t going to wait around either and let it happen. “Fuck!” Lydia screamed at the top of her lung. “Get a grip, Lydia.” She slammed her hand on the table. “Get a fucking grip.” The whole crew was in danger and it was all her fault.

Lydia wasn’t going to take this, she took several deep long breaths to calm herself down. If Amuilius put a kill order on her, it could from anybody, including some of her crew members. Lydia had to come up with a plan to protect her and her crew, she went to her quarters and called Faith and Ezi on their earpieces.

When Faith and Ezi arrived at Lydia’s quarters, Lydia was sitting on her couch working on her datapad. Ezi was first to talk.

“If this is a sex thing,” Ezi joked, “count me in.”

Faith laughed. “The last time we all three were together. We ended up in sickbay.”

“This isn’t a laughing matter,” Lydia’s tone was serious. Her hands shook a little, but not as bad as they were before. “Amuilius destroyed the peace envoy and put me on notice, which means I’m going to be killed and there might be collateral damage. If the order had been given, everybody in SINDRI could be my enemy. You two are the only ones I could fully trust because you two are not SINDRI.”

“We have your back,” Faith said.

“What can we do for you? Ezi asked.

“Keep your eyes and ears open,” Lydia said. “Pay attention to any odd or nervous behavior, like sweating, hair pulling, talking more than normal or talking less than normal, anything out of character for that person. The rest of the crew can’t know that Amuilius put me on notice. We need to act normal. We can’t let them know that something is wrong.”

Ezi folded her arms firmly against her chest. “I’m puzzled. There have to be more reasons to trust me than that I’m not SINDRI. I disagreed with your last decision. I shocked you across the room and almost killed your friend. Why trust me?”

“Because I do,” Lydia asked. “Sometimes you got to have a little faith, a belief in something without any evidence.”

Ezi giggled. “I understand that reference. Maybe I could provide you with some evidence of my loyalty. When I was analyzing the Svantevit’s data, I saw something concerning. Entries were changed to cover Amuilius and SINDRI’s tracks.”

“That makes sense,” Lydia said.

“I would agree with you, Lydia,” Ezi explained. “Anyone engaging in these activities would definitely try to cover any evidence, but that wasn’t the concerning part.”

“So, what is the concerning part?” Lydia asked.

“The data was changed after that data was received,” Ezi answered. “First, I thought that you changed the data, but now I believe it could be someone else.”

“That can’t be right,” Faith said. “The only person that knew about the data was Piet.”

“He was the first to assess the data,” Lydia said, “even before me. It will be logical to assume that he would alter the data.”

“It’s logical,” Faith said, “but it doesn’t make any sense. Piet isn’t that type of person. A person that will protect SINDRI at all cost. He isn’t a kiss-ass. On the other hand, Simona is an ass kisser. She might have played a role in this.”

“That I would have to agree with Faith,” Lydia said. “But it doesn’t fit the evidence.”

“Why?” Faith asked.

“Because,” Lydia explained, “Simona wasn’t unaware of the nature of the data and lacks the skill and knowledge to pull it off. So, we are back to Piet.”

“Is there any history between Piet and Amulius?” Ezi asked.

Lydia caressed her forehead. “I don’t believe so, but I will check his record again, but it won’t do any good, because I can’t cross-reference it with Amulius because it’s classified. But right now, no one should be trusted that isn’t in this room.” Lydia looked at Ezi. “I need you to secure the Svantevit’s data and delete any copies that were made if any.”

“You trust me with the original?” Ezi asked.

“Yes,” Lydia answered. “I have very few options.”

“I could secure it off-site,” Ezi said.

“Good, I also need you to help me to update the ship systems,” Lydia said.

“There is several tracking software in our ship’s computers that must be disabled. I can’t have SINDRI popping up on us.”

“This could take some time,” Ezi said.

“Time is a luxury we don’t have,” Lydia said.

“The crew is going to get suspicious,” Faith said. “We can fly aimlessly in space. What do we tell them?”

“That is a very good question,” Lydia said. “Vlad, plot a course for Uma.”

“Uma?” Vlad questioned. “That could take us a while.”

“How long?” Lydia asked.

“About ten hours,” Vlad answered.

“Make it happen,” Lydia said.

“It’s your galaxy,” Vlad said. “I just live in it.”

Ezi and Lydia quickly worked on doing a complete overhaul of the ship system. They had to be swift and cautious at the same time. They didn’t want to tip-off to the other crew members were doing. They were able to locate several tracking software that was integrated into the ship system. Ezi might be right; humans were a very paranoid species. Faith, who wasn’t technical incline, helped out as well.

Faith, with Ezi assistance, helped create to new encryption code combining rare drilli and shavili words and phrases. The process took some time, but by the time ship arrived at Uma, it was completed. The three reported to the bridge and took their positions. Simona walked up to Ezi.

“So,” Simona said in a soft and low tone. “We’re going home.” Her lips grazed Ezi’s ear. “Are you going to introduce me to your mother?”

“I’m not sure if mother would like you,” Ezi asked. “You are an acquired taste, but this is what you would call a business meeting, not some kind of homecoming. I just giving mother update about the experiment. Maybe next time I could let you talk to mother.”

“If you there is a next time,” Simona said.

“What makes you said that?”

Simona lightly pulled Ezi to the corner of the bridge. “I have been a while since you showed me the spark. I need to feel it again, your hand deep between my legs, feeling the energy being released in me.”

Ezi smiled. “I did enjoy the feeling. The moment we had together.”

Faith and Lydia wondered what Simona and Ezi were talking about so intimately.

“See me when you get a chance.” Simona lightly rubbed Ezi’s head with the tips of her fingers. The gesture aroused Ezi to the point that slight tinkle came over her body. Simona walked back to her station and monitored the ship sensors.

Lydia rose from her captain’s chair and walked over to Ezi. “What the hell was that?”

“Personal,” Ezi answered quietly. “Besides, it is the best way to keep an eye on her.”

“Stay focus,” Lydia said.

“Understand.”

Faith was in her quarters, she needed to work out. Over the last couple of days, Faith felt like she was getting soft, spending so much time with Lydia, feeling like a normal person, which wasn’t normal. Faith felt like she was losing her edge, thinking about things that everybody thought about, like the future. The mission was over, well their part of it was. Lydia was a marked person by SINDRI. Lydia only goal was surviving. Faith felt her goal was protecting Lydia. Lydia, it was safe to say, that Faith loved her redhead friend. Faith thought about their future. Faith never felt this way about anyone before, but Faith had no experience in dealing with these emotions. It was scary and complicated.

Faith was in love, she didn’t think about fighting, training or meditating. Only thoughts were about Lydia, which was dangerous. Faith had to remain sharp, quick and focus or people could die, especially the one she loved. Everyone could be coming after Lydia. Faith was going to be ready to take them down. She took out her katrat and practiced her form and technique. With every lunge and every swing, she remembered the teaching of Roat-At-Tat. Balance and speed was the key, not strength. Faith kicked, punched and flipped. Her whole body was a weapon, not just her katrat. The warrior practiced fighting with her katrat with one hand, leaving the other free to fire a pistol. Faith practiced fighting multiple targets, she didn’t believe that SINDRI would fight with honor.

While Faith practiced, something kept on popping in her head. The loyalty of the crew had to be questioned, but Faith worried about the loyalty of Ezi. Ezi didn’t have a reason to be loyal to Lydia. The shavili had nothing to lose in this fight and she could leave at any time. Why would she stay? Faith understood why Lydia trusted Ezi, because lack of choice, but Ezi was full of options. This put a shadow of doubt in Faith, a shadow that she couldn’t afford.

Ezi served on a ship with aliens, she should have felt isolated, but she wasn’t. The crew accepted her and she accepted them. She grew close to the crew, especially Faith. But since their fight, their relationship felt off. Ezi felt that Faith didn’t trust her and Ezi didn’t give any reason why Faith should. But that was the farthest thing on her mind; she had another thing to focus on, like the naked tactical officer lying next to her. It had been a while since the two shared a moment together, but this time they had a more intimate setting, Ezi’s quarters. They both loved the feel and the touch of their skin. The sweet and spicy aroma mixed with the fresh powder scent. Their lips tasting every kissed. The hands felt the soft contours of their bodies. They caressed the moisture between their legs. The slight tingling sensation raced through their bodies. There were literally sparks when the two made love. Ezi felt a connection with Simona. They were both warriors and respected power. It could be just a fling, but both were going to take full advantage of the pleasures they provided to each other.

After finishing her work out, Faith had to comfort Ezi. The matter could be over and done with, but she must know for sure. Ezi’s quarter was a couple of doors down. Ezi normally didn’t lock her door and today was no exception. Faith wished she warned Ezi because when she walked into Ezi’s quarters, she saw the two engaged in a sexual embrace that would make anyone blush. Faith quickly turned away.

Simona covered herself with the sheets. “Don’t you knock?”

Faith turned back around. “Must human and drilli would lock the door when engaging in this type of activity.”

Ezi smiled and refused to cover herself up. “I’m not human or drilli.” Ezi caught Faith staring, studying every curve and the way the purple skin shined in the light. The sweat glistened off Ezi’s body.

“I could clearly see that,” Faith replied. She looked at Simona, who was still wrapped in the sheets. “I need to talk to Ezi, alone.”

Ezi glanced Simona. “We finish this later.” Ezi put her arms around Simona and the two kissed passionately for a few seconds craving one more taste before Simona exist the room. “How can I help you, little one?” Ezi asked.

Faith’s eyes still scanning over Ezi’s body until she found the strength to look away. “We need to talk about us,” she said.

“Of course.” Ezi got off the bed and walked closer to Faith. “What do you need to talk about?”

The aroma off of Ezi’s body was stronger than normal. It overwhelmed Faith, it wasn’t an unpleasant smell. It had a strange effect on her and the effect was embarrassing to talk about. “You didn’t away smell like this,” Faith said in a slow and control pace.

“Only after an orgasm,” Ezi explained. “My body releases what you human would call a pheromone. It shouldn’t affect humans; I guess you are more sensitive to it.

The combination of the pheromone and Ezi’s beautiful naked body made it nearly impossible for Faith to concentrate. Faith slowly back away from Ezi, so she could focus on what she wanted to talk about. “I want to talk about us.” Faith struggled to get her words out. “Your loyalty, not just to Lydia, but to me.”

Ezi smiled. “Interesting topic,” she replied. “I already gave my loyalty to Lydia and I will always be loyal to you, little one. Why are you questioning it?”

Faith started to perspire. Her hands clenched into tight fists and she was biting her bottom lip. ‘Stay in control,’ Faith repeated in her head several times. She got a nervous feeling in her stomach and a very strong urge to fuck Ezi. “You hurt me.”

“I understand,” Ezi said. “We were friends and I really like you. I shouldn’t try to manipulate you and for that, I’m really sorry. I would like to be your friend again.”

Faith backed up to the wall, trying to get more distance between her and the shavili. The urges were getting stronger. “You are still my friend,” Faith answered. “I just needed to clear the air. To see if I could trust you again.”

“Good,” Ezi said. “This is settled, but I do have a question for you?”

Faith breathing increased, her brow covered in sweat. Her panties drenched. She felt like she was going to burst. “Ask it fast?” Faith’s voice quivered.

“Did you ever tell anybody about my erogenous zone?”

“No,” Faith answered quickly.

“Curious,” Ezi said as she stroked her chin.

“Great, I have to go.” Faith didn’t want to hear about Ezi’s erogenous zones or stare at her naked body one second more. She needed to get out of the room and fast. She ran out of the door and to Lydia’s quarters. Faith pressed her hands against the magnetically sealed door. Powered by the strength of pure lust, Faith bypassed the lock by pulling the door opened. Lydia looked up from her desk as Faith burst into the room.

“What the hell?” Lydia questioned.

“I want you now!” Faith yelled.

Lydia smiled. “Don’t let me stop you.”

Faith picked Lydia off the floor and pinned the doctor to the wall. The two kissed, Faith wanted to taste and consume the redhead. Faith ripped opened the top part of Lydia’s uniform and torn off the bra. Faith wasn’t done as she peeled off the rest of the doctor outfit. Leaving Lydia wearing nothing, but panties, boots, and a smile. Faith made quick worked of the panties and lifted Lydia higher until the doctor’s legs wrapped around Faith’s neck. Lydia rested her back against the wall as her fingers tingled in Faith’s raven hair as the pixie warrior fed on the sweet, wet arousal of Lydia’s love. It wasn’t a want, it was a need and Lydia was more than willing to satisfy that need.

The ship landed on one of the docks at the base on Umu. The base showed signs of the Svantevit attacks, but the base was also going under repairs. There were several male shavili working on the repairs, which was a rare sight since most male would work in supportive roles. Faith, Lydia, and Ezi met with Crozi, the head of the science team on Umu and Ezi’s mother. It was hard to tell who was the mother and who was the daughter. They were both beautiful. Shavili appeared to be ageless. Crozi had a few more wrinkles than Ezi, but they were very settled. They wore similar style in clothes and both didn’t mind flaunting their near flawless bodies. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the four got down to the point of the visit.

“We need your help, mother,” Ezi said.

“What kinds of trouble are you in?” Crozi asked. She couldn’t speak terrain, but the translators worked perfectly. The rest of the crew remained on the ship. They thought that Ezi was informing the science team about Ezi’s new powers.

Lydia and Ezi explained to Crozi about the Svantevit’s data and how it needed to be safe and secured. Crozi pondered over the decision. She didn’t review the data, she took Lydia and Ezi at their word.

“You did save my daughter and the rest of my sisters,” Crozi said. “I will grant this simple request.”

“Thank you,” Lydia said.

Crozi looked at her daughter. “Are you ready to return to your people?”

Ezi lowered her head to avoid eye contact. “I would love to,” she answered, “but I need to finish this mission. They need my help.”

“We can use your skills here,” Crozi said, “since they are fully developed.”

Ezi looked up at her mother. “I will return and help my people, but I swore loyalty to Lydia and Faith. In the long run, this relationship could benefit both of our people.”

Crozi shook her head. “You don’t swear loyalty lightly, my dear.” She looked at both Faith and Lydia. “You earned my daughter respect and I trust my daughter’s judgment. It might be beneficial to have friends in high places. Just promise me one thing, bring her back alive.”

“We will,” Lydia answered. Securing the data was a big burden off of Lydia’s shoulders. Now, all she had to worry about was not getting killed.