Chapter 14.3 - Adaptation

All of creation seemed to freeze in that moment, and then in the next pain engulfed her ass from the paddle that thundered into her from behind. At the same time, two hands shot out of the darkness and twisted her nipples. Her eyes clenched shut and then... she felt nothing except for the burning remnants of the sudden attack. Her head whipped around wildly, trying to see where the next strike would come from.

She focused on a hand that slowly came through the darkness and cupped her exposed cunt. "Not wet yet," Aki said, sounding disappointed. "Not a pain freak then... Oh well," she surmised, threading her fingers through a thick patch of fur, "Sucks to be you then." The hair was twisted through her fingers and she pulled back on it, Sun Mi's not-quite suspended body being pulled along with it. She cried out and desperately tried to thrust her waist forward to lessen the strain.

The hand finally let go and shimmered into nothingness as it was lost beyond her view. Sun Mi panted heavily, not so much at the physical exertion, but at the mental toll this was taking on her. This time a flogger was used underhand to catch her between her legs at the same time two crops came out of the darkness simultaneously across each of her nipples. She gave a muffled cry through her gag and her body tightened against its bonds, then hung limp.

Hands appeared from behind her and cupped her perky tits. The lips of a taller woman kissed her in the crook of her neck, breasts pressing against her upper back. Her heart jumped as she felt something poke her lower back. A hand moved from her right boob and trailed down towards her pussy. Two fingers probed her deep and she squirmed at the intrusion. Aurora's voice came from behind her, "Looks like she was telling the truth, not a virgin." Leaning in to whisper into Sun Mi's ear, she told her, "But you know what? That just means I get to go first..."

She felt the slick phallus probing her entrance and she shuddered. Aurora murmured in her ear, "Shh. If you break from a simple fucking, we won't get to use the 'really' fun stuff on you." Sun Mi gritted her teeth at the woman's smug tone. Who the fuck did she think she was? They could do their worst... she wouldn't crack no matter what.

"Relax," Kat's voice came from out of the darkness. "You must be tight and a dildo isn't as forgiving as a cock. Well," She amended, "I've only had one cock so I can't really say that with any authority. It's double-ended so Aurora will be feeling it as well, but I can guarantee you she'll also be enjoying it more."

Sun Mi barely had time to process her words before Aurora, who was falling in love with the girl's slender hips and the image of her frame pulled tight, thrust into her. They both moaned at the contact and Aurora grabbed her modest handholds and started driving her hips forward rhythmically. Her body strained against her bonds each time she was penetrated. Her eyes went wide as she felt the admiral bottom-out and accept more into herself as she stretched the girl's insides, pushing even deeper.

At last, she felt Aurora's body shudder in release, her body quaking against her. Sun Mi hadn't wanted to enjoy it, but her own climax was not far behind. Just as she was about to go over the edge, she felt the dildo pulled away. Her mouth gaped open and she whimpered as Aurora smacked her ass. "That wasn't bad. I'm sure a little practice would improve her 'bedside manner,' but her body sure seemed to know what it wanted."

Sun Mi whined and rubbed her legs together, almost letting herself demand that they continue. That they couldn't just leave her like this... Out of the darkness, a flog whipped across both of her tits. Simultaneously, she felt two prongs dig into her ass. The shock seemed to flood her entire system and she hung nerveless, twitching from the abuse. Vaguely, she noted that they were untying her. She was draped over someone's shoulder and carried a short ways before being tossed unceremoniously atop a fluffy bed.

* * * * *

Sun Mi had just passed out for the second time when his eyes unfocused momentarily and he called out, "Don't bother reviving her, we've gotta go." At their questioning, petulant glances, he grinned. "Kim's having the baby." Shrieks of delight and surprise echoed around the room and the girls began packing things up and getting dressed hurriedly.

* * * * *

The group ran along the corridor that led to the medical centre. Michael saw that down at the end James was beckoning to them and waving towards a hatch. As they approached, he made to say something and was promptly batted aside as the rabid harpies dashed past. When Michael reached him, he asked why he was waiting outside. James explained that the staff wouldn't allow him in.

Michael looked at him, then at the door. "And the girls?" He asked, confused.

James gave a snort. "They told the nurse to go fuck herself..." He replied, trying unsuccessfully to hide a smile.

Michael chuckled at that. He talked with Kat mentally and got an update on the situation. The two men moved a little ways off and sat on a couch, both lost in thought. Suddenly, his hand shot out and smacked James upside the head.

"What was that for?" the commander of his pilots exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head.

Michael shrugged. "There are Asians in the group," He told him. "I've had to endure that from Rin nearly every day for awhile now when I've screwed something up... I just figured I shouldn't be the only one getting abuse."

Shaking his head in confusion, James admitted, "Still not getting any clearer." Talking to Michael was like that... It wasn't just that he was smarter than you and would be analysing the conclusion while you were still trying to form the question, James also knew he could communicate with his Admiralty and with Pandora in his head. He'd often be monitoring another issue while conversing with you in person. No one was going to call him on it though... Hell, knowing him, he probably knew that what he was doing was rude and simply didn't care.

"Rin's been educat- well, re-educating me on Asian cultural etiquette now that we have a Korean joining the group," Michael explained. "Apparently it's a big taboo to call someone over like we do in the States... They think it's how you call to a dog."

James paused, trying to process this. "Not unless the dog you're calling is the size of a fucking moose..." He finally said. "Wait, so how 'are' you supposed to beckon someone?" Michael demonstrated by making fluttering motions with his hand palm-down by his knee. James nodded. "Ah yes, so how we would normally call to a dog in America. That makes sense..."

Michael shrugged and James said, "You know, while we're on the subject of global unity and all that crap, do you realize you're organizing a Christmas party for a crew of which nearly a third aren't Christian? How exactly are you going to handle that?"

"Well, leaving aside the fact that Aki is the one organizing it and that the festival actually predates Christianity, I'll tell them the same thing I told the folks who asked me not to serve pork at the luau, this isn't a democracy and they're not required to participate," Michael responded. "New Years is right around the corner, they'll live."

James sighed. "That might work for awhile, but eventually folks are going to start speaking out," He told Michael. He threw him a smirk and commented, "I heard how you chewed out that guy for kneeling down and praying in the middle of a corridor. And after he was so flustered that he didn't know which direction to face, too..."

Michael waved that off. "That's nothing," He said, "Worst thing that happens in his case is someone trips over him. Some of the aliens that are coming aboard have some truly weird ass customs. Like, we're going to have to assign people to watch them so that they don't start ritual sacrifices before a battle or eat their new-borns if they don't make a sound at the right time."

James shook his head. Just then, the hatch to the sectioned-off portion of the med bay opened and they heard loud voices arguing with each other. Stacey poked her head out and waved them in. James went from joking around to concerned and nervous in no seconds flat. Michael followed the worried man into the room and saw Kimberly on the bed yelling at the nurse.

She had grabbed hold of her collar and was shouting, "I don't care what your policy is, this baby isn't coming out until you get Merrick in here!" With that, she shoved the poor woman backwards with such force that she would have stumbled across the room if Aurora hadn't been there to steady her. James rushed to her side and the relieved look that crossed Kimberly's face made Rin smile.

She joined Michael and Kat who were leaning against a bulkhead. The three of them laughed at the abject curiosity that shown on Aki's face as she knelt by the bed with wide eyes. Stacey was on the other side of Kimberly holding her hand. Dejah was bouncing Sarah in the corner and the little girl was enjoying the feel of her soft mane. The doctor apparently had more sense than the nurses and simply ignored the girls, softly giving instructions to Kimberly.

Michael was surprised when Kimberly burst into tears. James, who was just as out of his depth, placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Wh-What's wrong? Does it hurt?"

Kimberly hiccupped and shook her head. "God no," She finally said. "I don't know what kind of juice they use here, but I can't feel a thing."

"Then --err, wha..." James was at a loss as to what to say as Kimberly was racked by another round of tears as she clutched his hand desperately and moaned in despair.

At Michael's confused grunt, Kat rolled her eyes and muttered, "Men..." In their heads, she explained, 'She's obviously emotional about having another baby without her husband. She feels guilty that she wants another man to support her, even if its not 'love' she feels its betraying his memory. At the same time, she's afraid that if she just comes out and tells him , he'll reject her out of some stupid notion of duty.'

Michael blinked. 'Oh yes,' He agreed tonelessly, 'Obviously...'

She frowned at him. 'With all the emotional women in your life,' She mused, 'You'd think you'd be better at recognizing these things.'

'No practice,' He pointed out instantly, grinning at her. 'I have you to explain everything for me.'

* * * * *

Kimberly sat up in the bed, staring down at her beautiful baby boy swathed in blue cloth. The girls who'd given her so much support had left along with the man who'd brought her here. Sarah had fallen asleep beside her and James was staring down at the three of them with what could only be described as loving adoration.

He took a finger and brushed the fuzz atop the sleeping baby's head. "What are you going to name him?" He asked quietly.

His finger froze, as did his entire frame, when she answered softly, "I was thinking about James."

* * * * *

Sun Mi was awoken by the bustling movements and voices she heard outside the room. She just lay there for a minute, trying to orient herself. For the first time, she was able to observe her surroundings by the light peeking in through the covered window on the far side of the room. Sore and naked, she got up and stumbled towards it, pulling back the blinds. She was impressed with the view she had of the lake. At a guess, she estimated that she was maybe twelve floors up in one of the buildings in the mountainside.

In the distance, she could make out that the Intrepid was lowered to the water and a grandstand that people were just starting to fill was set up around a flat, level area facing it. Sun Mi was startled to see a number of shuttles and vehicles were parked behind it, with more pulling up by the minute. Some of them even sported the flag of the Council of Terra. 'Looks as if Michael decided to cut them some slack by not breaking the news about this facility at the last minute, right before they left,' She surmised.

At the thought of Michael, the night before started replaying in her head and she felt a twinge between her legs despite herself. She also felt a good deal of anger, but also confusion and acceptance. It certainly hadn't been the torture she'd expected, but under the circumstances, it had been more than she'd had any right to ask for. She shivered as she remembered Kat's words. She sighed and checked the dresser, thankful to find a change of clothes since her dress had been shredded.

Poking her head out the door, Sun Mi saw she was indeed in a hotel and various doors along the hallway opened and closed as the crew of the Intrepid moved around in various states of readiness. She didn't know what was going on at this ungodly hour, but from what she'd seen outside, it was something big. Belatedly, she wondered where Michael and the girls had run off to.

* * * * *

Sorry about the really slow update and the shorter chapter this time around. I couldn't decide on the tone for the interactions between Kim and James, and how their relationship should progress.

Either way, I hope you've enjoyed this and please vote, comment and recommend.

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