The Sarran Senator Read online

  ::My Earthen Warrior, you are very talented in the slumber chamber.::

  Tarin followed Sam by swallowing deep. ::I’ll bet that Nezier never complained about your technique.::

  ::No, he never did.:: Tarin’s laugh filled Sam’s mind with joy.

  Sam moved his mouth away from his prize, determined to make it last. He lapped at the juncture of Tarin leg and thigh, kissed behind his knee, and kneaded Tarin’s balls. He rubbed his perineum, being careful not to penetrate with so much as a fingernail. Tarin was gasping, but then so was Sam.

  ::My love, it’s been so long, I’m about to explode. Your mouth could start a fire under a faucet,:: Sam panted, trying to hold it together.

  ::It’s been that long for me too. I’m going to come.:: Sam felt the tightening of Tarin’s ball sac.

  ::Come, my love. Come for me,:: Tarin cried.

  ::No, both of us at once. Now!:: Both men erupted, with each swallowing the other’s spend.

  ::I love you, Tarin. I don’t know how; I don’t know why. I feel as if I’ve been waiting for you all of my life and now that you’re here, I’m afraid to let you out of my sight lest you disappear because I’m dreaming this bliss.::

  ::You’re not dreaming, my fox. I’m right here where I belong, next to you.::

  Sam turned his body back upright, then lay down, putting his head on the slightly taller Tarin’s chest. Sam was a huge man on Earth at six foot four. Tarin topped him by three inches, just enough so that he could tuck his head comfortably under Tarin’s chin. Tarin was delighted. They exchanged lazy kisses and Sam traced silky patterns on Tarin’s chest with his fingers splayed.

  Tarin couldn’t stop touching his bonded. Everywhere he reached and felt hard smooth skin that caused him to quiver in delight. Sam caught the hot spot on the nape of his neck and the one behind his ear. He found that Sam had a point at the juncture of his knee and shin. He lightly ran his finger over it again and again as Sam cried out. They were about to get up and go to the slumber chamber when…

  ::Daddy?::

  “It’s Sara. How do I let you in my mind?” Tarin sent him a picture of a door that Sam opened and Tarin walked through. He repeated the action in his mind.

  ::Daddy?::

  ::Yes, pet.::

  ::Am I disturbing you?::

  ::You’re never a disturbance. You are only a joy. What can I do for you?::

  ::I had a whole prime rib roast in the freezer. Syn taught me how to use the appliances. I want to invite you and Duke Tarin to dinner. I’ve made scalloped monk, corn, shrimp cocktails, and a salad of baby greens, scallions and cherry tomatoes, plus a few Sarran greens and nuts and vegetables that Juraens recommended.::

  Sam lifted an eyebrow to Tarin and he nodded. ::We’ll be happy to join you.::

  ::Thank you, Daddy. I want to get to know my new sire and so do Mark and Juraens.::

  Tarin smiled.

  ::What time, baby girl?:: Sam asked fondly.

  ::Is eighteen tines good for you?:: Again Sam cocked a brow at Tarin. He nodded.

  ::That sounds good, we’ll be there. Will we be able to see Michael?::

  ::You mean Nafchael?::

  Sam burst out laughing. ::Like Brangelina, is it?::

  Tarin gave him a questioning look.

  “I’ll explain later,” Sam mouthed.

  ::We have both boys and the cats this moontine.::

  ::Nothing like hitting my Warrior with both barrels,:: Sam chuckled.

  ::Do you think he’ll mind?:: Sara asked, her worry evident.

  ::I can guarantee he won’t.:: Sam kissed Tarin’s shoulder.

  ::I made charlotte russe. I was so happy to be able to bake again.:: Sam’s lips tightened into a thin line.

  ::Don’t waste one precious second thinking about that bastard.:: The relaxed Sam became tense.

  ::That’s what Mark and Juraens said,:: Sara said, her mind voice becoming small.

  ::Your Warriors are right. He’s not worth a parsec’s thought. I made sure he’s buried in a very dark hole where the other inmates don’t take well to child abusers. He’ll never bother another fem again::

  ::Thank you, Daddy, for everything. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.:: Sara was contrite, her voice hesitant.

  ::It’s not your fault, baby girl. I should have noticed. Now, no more about that fucker, we’ll see you soon,:: Sam said with a mask of joviality.

  ::Okay, Daddy, I won’t think about him anymore, I promise.::

  ::Good girl. Can we bring anything?:: Sam asked, knowing Sara hadn’t entertained for a while.

  ::No, Syn even let me pick some of her flowers for the table. Everyone has been so welcoming.::

  ::Sara, you are eminently loveable, never forget that. We’ll see you at eighteen tines.::

  ::Yes, Daddy, I look forward to it.::

  “She still has issues. My poor Sara, I left her with that monster.” Tears began to fall from Sam’s eyes.

  “You have faced what happened. You didn’t do anything wrong, you didn’t know. Sara is well aware she didn’t tell you and is beating herself up over the fact that she let him scare her into not saying a word. Sara’s Warriors will deal with her demons and we’ll deal with yours and mine.”

  Tarin sat up and turned Sam to place his head over his shoulder. He held Sam tightly in the circle of his loving arms. “She didn’t tell you, my fox. You couldn’t have known unless you were prescient and there are very few with that ability, even on Sarran. Let’s go to the bathing chamber or we’ll arrive at my new femspring’s home smelling of sex.”

  “Fuck, my flightsuit, it’s all wrinkled.”

  “Don’t worry, this wasn’t made, it was fabricated. We can fabricate another. Next rising we’ll go for our promise rings and our Asta glasses and get you fitted for some clothing. There is a very talented glassblower in the village; likewise, a jeweler and a tailor.”

  “I believe this was the original conversation that was interrupted by our loving.” Sam smiled at his bonded.

  “Let’s go to the bathing chamber, it’s only fifteen tines. If we love again, we can wash it off where we stand.” Tarin turned and kissed Sam behind his ear. Sam laughed, green eyes dancing.

  “I haven’t laughed so much in years.” Sam grabbed Tarin’s hand and followed him into the bathing chamber, where they began to touch each other again.

  * * * *

  Gatehouse, Castle Air: 17:45 tines

  “Daddy, Duke Tarin, I’m so happy to welcome you to our home. Come in. Mark is getting the Asta. The council appointed my Warriors’ aides this rising. Basel and Etac went across the courtyard to retrieve the offspring.”

  Sam and Tarin took a seat in the main hall. “May I call you, Sire, Tarin?”

  “I would love that.” Tarin gave Sara a broad smile.

  Juraens came up behind him. “Tarin, would you mind if Mark and I also called you Sire as we do Sam? Neither of us has had a Sire in a very long time.”

  “Any Warrior would be proud to name you as his offspring. And I never thought to have a femspring, never mind one with such beauty and grace.”

  Sara giggled. “I’m not used to compliments; they make me giddy.”

  “Then your Warriors and your sires will have to continually give them to you until you cry stop,” Tarin teased.

  “You are a kind man and I can see Daddy is happy.” Sam took Tarin’s hand and kissed the hot spot on his wrist.

  The door opened and Michael and Naffer ran in, followed by Basel, Etac, and a row of cats.

  “Grandpa, you’re here!” Michael ran up to Sam for a hug and a kiss.

  “Yes Michael, I came for the moontine meal with my bonded, Tarin.”

  Naffer gave Michael a sideways glance. “Told you.”

  “Are you my grandsire too?” Michael moved nervously from one foot to the other.

  “Yes, Michael, if you wish me to be.”

  Michael seemed to stop and think for a moment. “Can I have a hug?” he asked tentatively.

&nb
sp; “Of course, that’s what grandsires do best, give out hugs and treats.” Tarin pulled two small packages out of his flightsuit pockets.

  “Michael is my bonded. That makes both of you my grandsires too,” Naffie said and put himself forward.

  “Yes, it does, Naffer. Come give us each a hug. We have a treat for you too.” Each offspring opened their small package. It was a small scale model of the Brightstar.

  “This is a model of the ship that brought Mommie, Grandpa, you, and your Poppie to us,” Tarin said to Michael.

  “It’s the same ship that brought you your Zinna, Naffer,” Sam added.

  “Cool, Michael, we can play Zyptz and Warriors.”

  “Only if we both get to be Warriors…” Michael said.

  “You’re my bonded, I’d never make you play at being a Zyptz.”

  ::Michael, aren’t you going to introduce everyone?:: Aloysius broadcast on an open channel.

  “Oh yes, I forgot. Grandsires, these Warriors are Lieutenant Basel and Ensign Etac, Poppie and Zadda’s aides.”

  Sam and Tarin rose to shake hands. ::An interesting custom, this shaking of hands. You’ll have to tell me its origin.::

  ::Michael?:: Aloysius prompted.

  ::Oh…yes…Grandsire this is Aloysius. Poppie and Zadda are his persons, Chou, whose person is Mommie, Bandit whose person is Naffie, and Shadow whose person is me!::

  ::And your last guest?:: Sam asked.

  ::I’m Midnight, and I belong with the two of you. I’ll be coming home with you this moontine.::

  Sam smiled in amusement at his haughty air.

  ::You’ll have to tell us what you need; I’m not as yet familiar with felines…” Tarin said with respect that only a Sarran could show a cat.

  ::A scat box, a cat tree, a bed, and food dishes. I eat laptard meat, any kind of fowl or fish, but I don’t like tuna. I have also learned to like banc. I tasted one for the first time this rising. You have an embarrassment of riches in the rodent population.::

  “Tonas is going to grit his teeth. The bane of his existence is tuna and cat hair.” Mark laughed. “He thinks Tigger sheds deliberately just to aggravate him.”

  Sam almost bent in half laughing.

  “What is this tuna?” Tarin asked.

  “I fully expect to enjoy your introduction to the American delicacy of canned tuna fish. Some people actually eat the stuff themselves.”

  “I gather you’re not a fan.” Tarin grinned.

  “So definitely not a fan.”

  “I like it raw in sushi, but canned tuna is a bridge too far.”

  ::You’re perfect for us, Midnight. How old are you?::

  ::Won’t he get offended that you asked that?:: Tarin asked on their private channel, his brows drawn together. ::I don’t want to lose our chance of getting rid of the bancs in the garden. It’s a constant battle to keep them out of the house.::

  ::Bancs?::

  ::Nasty rodents with no natural predator…I’ll explain later.::

  ::I have a long pedigree. I’m a Maine Coon, fifteen tides of age,:: he said proudly. ::When your people sent out the psychic call for cats, I was in a nasty pet shop. I escaped and went to the ship. I heard you onboard, and knew you were my person, but I couldn’t find you until Aloysius helped.::

  ::You are welcome in our home, Midnight.:: Tarin bent down and stroked his silky black coat while Sam scratched behind his ears.

  ::See…my humanoids know how to treat a feline. I’m going to the kitchen to have supper with the others.::

  Sara stood. “Let’s sit down to eat. I hope you like the Earthen food, Zadda.”

  “I hear you are a wonderful cook and an even better baker. I can’t wait to taste it.”

  * * * *

  Chapter 5

  The exciting thing about meeting and getting to know someone for the first time, is that you never know,

  they could end up being ‘the one.’

  —Anonymous

  Gatehouse, Castle Air: 20:00 tines

  “This is a wonderful meal. Sam, we need to hire a cook. I can’t cook. Nezier did all the cooking when we didn’t use the fabricator.”

  “I had Dee Dee and in recent years, I ate out. Can we afford a cook?”

  “Definitely. We’ll talk to Bron next rising.”

  “Daddy, do you want your things transported to Soarer’s Nest?”

  Sam glanced over at Tarin. ::We could wait until we refurbish the Duchy if it’s too much trouble.::

  “We have plenty of room at Soarer’s Nest. I’d like you to have the things you cherish around you, my fox.” Sara raised an eyebrow at the endearment, looked at her Warriors, and wisely said nothing.

  “It would be nice to have my books and papers. Now that I have the time, I’d like to write. I’m thinking about putting together a few courses on Earthen history. Maybe the council would allow it to be taught at the Academy,” Sam said as he thought out loud.

  “If you put them together, most likely the council would make the courses mandatory. We want Earth to be our ally. The more we know about what shaped the current political situation, the better off we are. That is why we are in such a hurry to see your people form a planetary government. The Zyptz are quiet and we beat them back for now and they should remain quiet for thirty years or so, outside of a few firefights like the one onboard the Brightstar. However, they will return in force. Even if we triple our birthrate, we won’t have the numbers to fight them. We either need the Earthen or a horrible new weapon.”

  “As Tigger showed us, the Earthen chemical DDT does the job, but it poisons a planet permanently. However, I would resort to it if the Earthen aren’t ready. We have to push Morgan.” Juraens shook his head. “Why does it have to be that it is that bastard who is the only one capable of uniting Earth.”

  “Because Morgan has no moral compass and will do whatever is necessary to get the job done and the galaxy doesn’t have time for Earth to learn to play nice without being strong-armed,” Mark said bitterly.

  “Who is this Morgan?” Tarin asked upon seeing the obvious distress of his new offspring.

  “John Morgan is the Army General and later covert operative that was assigned to monitor my Treasured when it was found he had extraordinary psy talent. Mark didn’t have an idyllic childhood. They used him like a lab rat.”

  “Translate lab rat?” Tarin asked Sam.

  “An animal used for testing.” Sam hung his head. “It was a covert operation, even the President didn’t know.”

  Tarin’s face blanched. “They would do this to an offspring?”

  “Think on it, Tarin. What would the rest of Sarran do to those with HiPsy before the Earthen fem came and the ability suddenly came spontaneously to a large section of the population?” Juraens ate the last of his roast. “Excellent meal, PaPare.”

  Tarin became thoughtful. “I would hope we wouldn’t do that, but there are some who…” Tarin’s voice trailed off.

  “Exactly…” Juraens agreed.

  “Let me serve coffee and dessert.” Sara rose as if she were sensing it was time to change the subject.

  ::Your femspring is a true diplomat,” Tarin sent to Sam.

  ::She entertained for me since she was sixteen cycles.::

  Mark stepped into the breach. “No, PaPare, you cooked. Basel will serve and your Warriors will clear and clean.” Mark got up.

  “Is the coffee made?”

  Sara’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, just turn on the pot. I have to talk to Bron about designing a new coffee maker to fit the Sarran electrical current and makes coffee preparation fool proof, so my Warriors can make it when I’m out.”

  “I’m an engineer, femspring. I made the baby monitors. Perhaps I could help.”

  Sara laughed, a tinkling sound. “That would be delightful. Mark is a bear without his coffee and Juraens is getting just as bad.”

  “Bear?” Tarin raised a brow. The three Earthen send him pictures of a grisly.

  Tarin’s eyes popped. “That bad?
”

  “Daddy is also that bad. I found my coffee pots last evening, thank the Goddess. No grumpy Warriors this dawntine.”

  Tarin laughed. “I can see where this might become a problem. If you could come to the workshop with me and describe how such an appliance should work, I’m sure I can contrive a prototype and we can replicate it for all the fem and their Warriors.”

  “I’ll give you the pot this moontine. I have two.”

  “There is an addictive substance in both coffee and chocolate called caffeine. It’s mostly harmless. But you do get cravings,” Sam told Tarin. “So, I warn you before you start, there is a reason this is an essential import item.”

  “I like the taste. Especially what we had this dawntine that the barista made.”

  “There is a barista on Sarran?” Sara was in shock.

  “One of the more enterprising fems set up a shop in small building central to the council chambers, the barracks, and the Academy. It seems she’s drawing the unbonded fem and unpaired Warriors in after the doubletines before the moontine meal. She had a sign last midtine advertising that she had fresh coffee. I saw the sign and decided it would be a good place to talk to Sam.”

  “I’ll have to see if she wants to sell baked goods with her coffee. Because I’m pregnant, I’m going to postpone opening a bakery, but if I could supply her with fresh baked goods, it would be to both our advantage.” Sara grinned.

  “I’ll have to get you to design and fabricate a commercial kitchen for me at CastleWater,” she said absently to Tarin.

  “I’m glad to be able to help,” Tarin said and smiled at her.

  “Sara, maybe you should ask before you assume…” Sam chided gently.

  “Oh no, my fox; on Sarran, giving a fem, any fem, never mind our own femspring, what she needs is our primary purpose, other than fighting the Zyptz.”

  “We intend to spoil Sara for the rest of our days. I’ll get the coffee and dessert.” Mark got up and kissed the hot spot at the nape of Sara’s neck and she turned red because she emitted a barely audible moan.

  * * * *

  Gatehouse, Castle Air: 22:00 tines

  “This was a marvelous evening. I’m so happy to have acquired two offspring and a femspring with my bonded, to say nothing of two grandspring. Ah, yes, I meant to ask—why Nafchael? I understand the meaning but the origin escapes me,” Tarin asked Mark.