He blinked as if waking. “There’s no reason for there not to be other species residing where the All came from. This being who assumed your appearance must have technology beyond what we can imagine. Perhaps if you record a message for them about our situation and send it through via the nanos, we can learn what they know of the All. But it’ll have to wait.” He reluctantly squashed her rising excitement. “You and I will gather supplies the orphanage needs, including the drones, which we’ll arm for defensive measures.”

  “You’re pulling me from this now? When we have an opportunity to ask for help—”

  “Immediate defense of the orphanage and its inhabitants is our top priority, Specialist Nath. We have to win this battle before we can win the war.”

  He was right, of course. Nonetheless, Hope had to fight to keep a grudging note from entering her response. “Yes, Admiral.”

  * * * *

  Open Arms Orphanage

  Cheryl hurried to the greeting room of her living suite when she heard the door open. Besral strode in, his pace as steady and assured as ever. However, she noticed the deepened lines on his features, indicating his exhaustion. He was filthy, dirt caking him from head to toe.

  “Did you take any breaks today?” she asked.

  “No time. One of the digging machines broke down, costing us a couple of hours of work. Admiral Piras was able to bring us what we needed to fabricate a new part…and the technician capable of making it quickly.” He chuckled, but it did nothing to ease the wan expression worrying Cheryl.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “The tech was the tiniest slip of an Earther girl…sorry, woman…I’ve ever seen. It didn’t keep her from making comments to the admiral hedging on disrespect. He finally reminded her to be professional or she’d suffer like a regular member of the crew. I get the idea she’s his Matara, though they made no reference to it.”

  “She’s a member of a Kalquorian spyship crew?” Cheryl was surprised. She hadn’t been aware Earthers, particularly women, could serve in the empire’s fleet.

  “She wore the uniform, but he called her a specialist. It means she isn’t official fleet personnel, but an expert being utilized by the vessel she’s assigned to. A smart lady, like you.” He winked.

  “Flirt,” Cheryl chuckled. “Was she pretty?”

  “Compared to you, no woman is.” His grin was interrupted by a yawn.

  “Enough of your silliness.” Cheryl headed for the lavatory. “Clothes off and in the laundry chute. Get in the shower.”

  “Yes, my Matara.” He spoke through another yawn.

  She began filling the tub, which was separate from the shower, with hot water, then went to the kitchen where his dinner waited to be warmed. Efficient appliances took care of the matter in seconds. She was glad she’d already eaten. It meant she could care for him. The shower was running by the time she returned, and the massive tub’s faucets had switched off. It steamed in readiness for the Nobek.

  Besral emerged dripping. Cheryl waved him toward the bath.

  “What? I’m not clean enough for you?”

  “I know you. It doesn’t matter how tired you are. You’ll obsess over what still needs to be done and never sleep a wink. Climb in and relax.”

  “Bossy.” There was only love in his tone, however. He obediently stepped into the basin and settled. He sighed, a note of some tension unknotting.

  Cheryl brought a stool close and perched next to him. Balancing his food tray on her knees, she speared a chunk of rare meat and held it toward him.

  “Kalquorian men feed their Mataras,” he grouched. “It’s wrong for you to feed me.”

  “Do you really want to have an argument we both know I’ll win? Don’t worry. No one else need hear of this travesty of disrespect toward me.” She waved the steak under his nose, and his stomach loudly made its opinion obvious. He mock-snarled and accepted the bite.

  She filled him in on the lighter happenings of the day, keeping to the mischief of the children and the celebrations planned for the half dozen who were on the verge of aging out of the orphanage’s guardianship…though the newest adults could always expect the staff’s continued support as they navigated their initial steps of independence and beyond.

  “I hate we won’t be able to throw them the usual festivities, thanks to the evacuation,” Besral muttered between chewing.

  “We’ll make it up to them. I’m sure Earth will offer help in that regard.” Cheryl refused to let him worry.

  As soon as his plate was empty, she set it aside. She moved her stool closer and massaged his scalp. His eyes fluttered shut as he groaned in appreciation. “How did I get so lucky?”

  “By being you.” She smiled, loving her big brute of a husband who possessed the heart of a teddy bear.

  “Join me in here?” He cracked an eye open.

  She had plans to sap his worries away so he could sleep, but she didn’t let him in on them yet. “Relax. This may be your last chance to rest for who knows how long?”

  “It also might be my last chance to make you squeal until we’re free of Galactic Council space. Don’t you want to squeal for me?”

  “Besral, you were barely on your feet when you walked in.”

  “I don’t need to stand to fuck you. We do it lying down all the time.”

  “Besral!” She pretended to be outraged at his crudeness, but the urge to giggle bubbled in her. “Such crass talk won’t put me in the mood.”

  “I bet you are. I bet your gorgeous pussy is as wet as this bath.”

  She slapped water at his leering face. “I put in effort and care to help you put the day behind you, and this is how you thank me?”

  “Let me show you the strength of my gratitude.” He stood, his scarred body gleaming from the water streaming down it. A couple of other things stood proud and strong too.

  She’d succeeded in distracting him from his many cares, so she gave up the farce of indignity. Besides, she was wet, and her sex throbbed in anticipation. “They are quite impressive.”

  “I’m glad you think so.” He stepped out. The next instant, Cheryl found herself slung over his shoulder. He carried her toward the bedroom.

  She had only one complaint. “For heaven’s sake. You’re leaving puddles everywhere.”

  “I’ll clean them up after.” As he walked, he cupped and squeezed her buttocks, and yearning stabbed deep. She made a sound that was half-giggle, half-moan.

  He set her on her feet by the bed and swiftly undressed her. Then she was on her back, his damp warmth settled on top of her. His fingers found her wet and ready. He spread her legs and eased his slick shafts in, filling her as only he could.

  Then he was still, but for his hands and lips. He kissed her with fervor, and Cheryl was struck by how ardent he could be when minutes ago, he’d displayed utter exhaustion. He squeezed her breasts as his tongue investigated her mouth. She groaned and ran her hands on his shoulders, neck, and upper back. Her sex clenched on him, inviting him to make love to her.

  Despite his earlier fatigue, he seemed to be in no hurry to do so. He continued to kiss and fondle her instead, his cocks occasionally jerking.

  My love. She quelled her impatient desire and ran her hands over all she could, despite having memorized every muscled swell of his body already.

  She had no idea how long they lay there, simply touching while they were joined. It didn’t matter. They were a single entity, and she sank into the bliss of their union. The orphans were a daily reminder of how quickly and easily a beloved could be stolen. She admitted to the morbid sense of such thoughts, but it helped her to never take Besral for granted.

  At last, he moved. He slid easily through her flesh, the generous girth of his cocks rubbing the best places the right way. She’d been simmering the whole while, but the movement increased the heat substantially. She was soon on the brink of boiling.

  She moved too, her hips rocking to greet his careful thrusts, driving him deep within. Their breathing grew in volume as they continued to kiss and caress. Theirs was a sinuous dance, the steps familiar but poignant, nonetheless.

  When he took her more strongly, she was ready, her lust having reached tumultuous heights. They gasped and groaned, their bodies slapping together as they sought glorious cataclysm. When it arrived, it did so at the same instant for both. Their cries blended: bass and soprano, chorusing ecstasy.

  A minute or so after the final surges quieted and Besral had rolled to the side, gripping her in his muscled arms to take her along, Cheryl’s eyes fluttered open. She gazed at her husband, expecting to see him watching her and wearing the smile he always did after they’d made love.

  The smile was there, but his eyes were closed. He lay still, his breathing steady. Cheryl quelled the chuckle of triumph, afraid of waking him from the sleep he needed so desperately, the sleep she’d hoped to cast over him. She snuggled her cheek against his chest and listened to his heart beat until slumber claimed her from her own cares.

  * * * *

  Earth II

  Toni arrived at the local medical clinic to check on its readiness for any ailments of the orphans from the Galactic Council, who were anticipated to arrive in the next week.

  She paused outside the entrance to sanitize herself in the walk-through booth and snag a protective mask. She went inside.

  She blinked at the hive of activity. Hoverchairs and stretchers filled the check-in area, their occupants hacking and coughing. Worried family members called to the harassed-appearing staff rushing past. She heard the refrain, “Someone will be with you as soon as possible,” repeated in various voices and levels of irritation.

  She carefully navigated to the registration desk. The nurse on duty gazed at her, her face drawn in fatigue and resignation, though she was polite. “May I help you?”

  “Hi. I have an appointment with the administrator, Dr. Stout?”

  She didn’t miss the expression of relief on the nurse’s expression. “Let me see if he’s in his office.” She clicked on her desk com.

  Toni glanced around the waiting area. It was obvious those on the hover stretchers weren’t entirely comprised of newly arriving patients. Some had machines surrounding them. It occurred to her that a third of her own staff had called in sick that morning.

  “I’m sorry, Dr. Stout isn’t in today,” the nurse said. “Many of our staff are absent because of the…virus.”

  “I’d heard it was bad, but this…why aren’t these people at the hospital?” Toni gaped. “Are they all ill from the same thing?”

  “Pretty much. Both hospitals are full, so the clinics are taking as many as they can. We’re at capacity ourselves.” The nurse coughed lightly into her mask. “You’ll have to reschedule your appointment. Do you have Dr. Stout’s number to leave a message?”

  “I do. Thanks.” Her heart hammering, Toni hurried from the clinic, making sure she went through sanitizing again.

  Chapter Ten

  Toni hurried to her sister’s office. The governor’s assistant Todd wasn’t at his desk, which had the distinct appearance of no one having manned it for at least a day. The door to Stacy’s office was open, and she walked in.

  Instead of her sister sitting at her desk, Toni was confronted by the unpleasant sight of the former lieutenant governor, who was also Stacy’s opponent in the impending election.

  It wasn’t that Ken Bryant was unattractive. Behind the clear germ-filtering mask he wore, he was a handsome, trim man in his forties, his few graying strands offering a distinguished hint to his sandy hair. Toni found his past unsavory, particularly his close association to the former Holy Leader Browning Copeland. Close enough that when Copeland had desired Bryant’s teenage wife, Bryant had divorced her so the pedophiliac head of church and state could claim her.

  Toni wasn’t the type to stand on diplomacy when it came to such trash. “What are you doing here? Where’s the governor?”

  “I told her to stay on Alpha Space Station this morning. Why are you running around? Haven’t you heard the latest health alerts?” His cultured tone, offered politely, grated on her. “We have a major uptick in flu cases, to the point of an epidemic. I’m putting the planet under strict quarantine.”

  “You?” A new lieutenant governor hadn’t been appointed thanks to the nearness of the election, but the acting speaker of the General Assembly had been working as Stacy’s second since Bryant’s ouster.

  “No one possessing my level of experience is available. Stacy and the General Assembly asked me to govern in her absence, so here I am.” He didn’t precisely glower, but his stare was of the distinctive don’t-fuck-with-me flavor.

  Before Toni could respond, her com went off. Checking the frequency, she was relieved to identify it as Stacy’s. “Hey. Bryant’s squatting in your office.”

  “Good. It’s where he’s supposed to be. We have a state of emergency.”

  “I’m just becoming aware. I went to the clinic, and they’re busting at the seams from the hospitals’ overflow of flu patients.” The dread that had come over her at the medical facility deepened.

  “I’ve been informed. It isn’t flu. Listen, Toni, I know how certain situations have been presented, so right away, I’m telling you it’s okay to trust Ken Bryant.”

  Toni’s gaze flicked to him. He stared back, his expression having softened to blandness. “Sure I can, along with all teenage girls and freedom lovers everywhere.”

  “There’s a back story you aren’t aware of. He’s on our side, but you must keep it quiet. I’ll fill you in later since Ken has his hands full keeping the government running.”

  Toni blinked. She’d heard Bryant’s argument, which was he’d married his too-young bride at her father’s request in an attempt to keep her out of Copeland’s bed. He’d further claimed he’d been compelled at the risk of his life to give her up in the end. It was true?

  Stacy was talking, and Toni forced herself to pay attention. “What’s important is you do whatever you must to stay healthy. The death toll from this epidemic is rising steadily.”

  “You said it isn’t the flu?”

  “Doctors and researchers don’t know what we’re dealing with, but it’s bad. It’s hit Mercy and New Bethlehem as well…all three Earth-exclusive sites at damned near the same instant. There’s also a pandemic happening on Kalquor, but it’s entirely different. Non-infectious to the humans living there.”

  Earthers and Kalquorians were falling ill at the same time? It couldn’t be a coincidence. Toni thought of the overwhelmed clinic, and her mouth went dry. “Is it the Darks?”

  “We think so. They destroyed the Bi’isils and perhaps got hold of their biological experiments. The Kalquorians were certain there was a secret lab that escaped the inspection teams’ searches.”

  “The Bi’isils loved their weaponized bacteria and viruses,” Bryant muttered.

  There was another planet populated by a large human contingent. Toni and Stacy’s mother lived on a colony occupied jointly by Earthers and Kalquorians. “What about Haven?”

  “So far, no cases have been reported of either of the illnesses. Haven has enacted stringent controls on incoming visitors, shipments, and would-be immigrants. They’re also watching and listening for anyone who might be ridden by the enemy.” The relief in the elder sister’s voice was evident. Their mother was safe, at least for the time being.

  It allowed Toni to relax a little. “We have those orphans coming.”

  Bryant took up the subject. “I’ve been on the com with Haven’s governors. Once they’re free of Galactic Council space, the orphans will be diverted there, as long as Haven doesn’t fall prey to either virus. If it does, the Open Arms Orphanage refugees will be lodged on Alpha Space Station until it’s safe for them to land here.”

  “I guess I might be out of a job,” Toni remarked.

  Stacy chuckled. “It’ll be waiting for you. Even if the orphans don’t end up on Earth, you’ll have your hands full once the dust settles. For now, take your butt home and sit tight. Food and necessities will be delivered. Ken’s seen to registering you for emergency supplies.”

  “You can com me if anything comes up you need help with,” Bryant added.

  “Thanks.” Toni eyed her sister’s surprising ally. Could he be trusted? She supposed she had no choice but to do so.

  * * * *

  Toni had been home two hours and was already restless. She’d switched on the news vids and found the flu was the only story being covered. It took twenty minutes to hear the latest, then the newscasters began repeating themselves. She wasn’t much for passively watching dramas or comedies even when she wasn’t so keyed up by worry, so it wasn’t long before she switched the entertainment system off.

  She commed her mother on Haven. Rosa was all right but worried about her daughters. “Can’t you go to the space station? I’d feel better if you were away from there.”

  “I’m staying home, away from everyone else’s cooties,” Toni reassured her. She didn’t mention she’d been in the clinic, surrounded by the sick. She had confidence the sanitizing system she’d passed through twice would have caught and eradicated any bug ahead of its ability to infect her. She hadn’t been near the ill patients for long, so she had to be okay.

  Having set her mother’s mind at rest after a nice conversation, Toni cast for something to do. She’d never been a homebody, always eager to leave the house and be physically active. She paced the rooms, feeling the anxiety of inaction.

  She went to the kitchen and briefly considered baking cookies or an extravagant meal. It would keep her busy for a little while, but it meant eating a ton of food. She tended to put on weight easily. I could freeze most of whatever I cook. Then I’ll bring the leftovers to Stacy to share with her harem when this nonsense is finished.

  No. The temptation of good food would overcome her in the end. Toni sighed and left the kitchen.

  She wandered the ground floor, hoping to find some activity to occupy her. Then she went upstairs. “I can’t even clean. It’s done,” she announced to the bedroom once she’d poked around the second floor. She noted the echoing quality of her lonely voice and shivered.