She sobbed, overcome, as his primary burrowed. It slid in, a slow invasion of her overwrought flesh. He pressed in until his smaller shaft entered her pussy. She quaked, on the verge once more.

  “Fuck me now. Go on and get on those cocks.”

  There was no use begging for a respite. Shuddering, Hope pushed back slowly, impaling herself on the thick lengths. Pressure built. Her gaze skittered to Piras’ face, visible where his hair parted. His gaze was avid on where he continued to massage her clit, lips wet and parted in excitement.

  “Get on them, girl. All the way on.” Merciless Kila swatted her ass.

  Hope shoved onto him. His cock rubbed her internal hotspot, and she detonated.

  Through the roar in her ears, the maddening commands were relentless. “Keep it going, girl. Fuck me. Fuck me hard and don’t stop.”

  She rocked despite her pussy’s constant seizures, knowing Kila’s penalties were to be avoided at all costs. The spanking had been his version of gentle play. His actual punishments were a level of erotic suffering that gave even Piras pause.

  She fucked as if her life depended on it, though she wanted to collapse and give her poor cunt and ass a rest. She didn’t let up even when a revived Lokmi ordered Piras to take off the cock cage and kneel in front of her. Piras obeyed, offering no resistance when their Imdiko tied his wrists behind his back.

  “Stay absolutely still,” Lokmi growled at him. “If you so much as twitch, Kila’s beating will feel like love taps and the cage goes back on.”

  “Get your mouth on our good boy, girl,” Kila said. “Suck him off while you’re fucking me. When he comes, swallow it. He’s been kind to bring you to orgasm so often. It’s his turn.”

  She supported her weight on shaking arms to reach Piras’ primary. Forward, enclosing the livid length in her mouth, Piras’ delicious sweet-spiciness dancing over her tongue while her ass and pussy released most of Kila’s cocks. Backward, sucking the twitching shaft clean of its slickness and shuddering as she filled with the Nobek again, tormenting herself as incredible friction warned she’d come soon.

  “Suck it down. Fuck me. Faster. Harder.” Kila was ruthless. “Do it. Make us come.”

  Piras’ shaft jerked a warning, spurting pre-cum on her tongue. She swallowed it and as much of his cock as she could, trying to get him off before she lost her senses. Kila too. She slammed against him despite the anguish of her spanked ass. If she came first, she might be too exhausted to finish them. Such a scenario was unthinkable.

  Kila’s exhortations ended, replaced by rhythmic grunts. He was nearly there. Piras shuddered violently. When Hope looked up at his face, she saw how it tensed, how his jaw clenched. He was close, but she was too, and the jolts of passion were growing stronger. She wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.

  Kila groaned, and his hands tightened painfully on Hope’s hips. His cocks jerked inside her. He was coming at last. The evidence of his passion lit hers, and as the first surge swept over her, she latched onto Piras, taking him down so she gagged on his cock.

  He shouted. A flood of ecstatic heat filled Hope’s mouth. She swallowed the copious spend and cried out at each surge of climax clenching her pussy on Kila’s throbbing shaft. She heard Lokmi laugh and applaud as waves of bliss broke over her.

  An unseen, unblinking gaze watched the four aliens from the corner of the room, shadowed by a shelf overhead. The entity, a miniscule portion of the All, regarded the scene with no emotion known to human or Kalquorian. What it felt was unimportant anyway. It had its task. Separated from the All, its judgments were meaningless.

  The four drew apart, but only slightly and temporarily. They twined limbs as they curled together on the platform where they’d engaged in frantic activity. The smallest was kept in the center, and the other three focused on her. They vocalized.

  “Let’s celebrate our return to civilization every day.”

  “I vote for every hour.”

  Loud bursts of noise from their gaping, wet mouths. The little one spoke next.

  “I’m not sure my twat can take it every hour.”

  “Every other hour?”

  “Dream on.”

  “Kila, is there any leshella left?”

  The entity twitched, absorbing the language, comparing it to what it had gathered from the creature it had rode to board the lifeless vessel. It hadn’t had long to extract knowledge from its mount’s brain, so much of what was said was incomprehensible.

  It needed a mount. It regarded the four. It was plain they were too familiar to serve its purpose. Differences in behavior would be noted easily. It would have to find a loner.

  Wait and seek better prey. None of these are leader particles. Wait.

  The voice had spoken. Distance could break the connection, but the All’s range was vast.

  The entity mused the All’s order, seizing on the term “leader particles.” The enemy was of separation. True separation, not temporary. If the small offshoot had been capable, it would have sneered in disgust. Independently formed beings were tolerated by the Other, and the Other was an abomination.

  While the four entities were absorbed in each other, the offshoot flitted to the door on its multiple legs. The door didn’t open, but it was of no concern. The offshoot faded into its home dimension and passed through the door like air.

  Chapter Four

  Earth II

  Piper Warren inhaled the air with pleasure as she trotted at the side of her Imdiko clanmate, her blond ponytail bobbing. She’d walked the ground of Earth II many times, but filling her lungs full of its oxygen never got old.

  She was amused at herself. She’d visited several worlds, including Kalquor and its moon Lobam, which were as Earthlike as a human could wish for. Nonetheless, the idea this planet was a reincarnation of the one she’d come from made its air sweeter and its breezes purer.

  The man striding next to her, his wild and handsome face tense, had been a part of transforming…terraforming…a dead rock in the unclaimed border area between Joshadan space and the Kalquorian Empire. The small planet orbiting a small star had been deemed worthy of the attempt to build displaced Earthers a new home planet.

  They neared the outcropping of a mountain, where Piper had discovered her favorite view. It had no official name, but she referred to it as Ulof’s Valley. She grinned up at her Imdiko, bursting with pride.

  “I wish we could stay, just so we could build a home here and I could see your work beyond my door each day.”

  Ulof shrugged, but a smile threatened to break over his stormy features. “I had the least to do with it. It was the only section I was able to contribute to.”

  “You were an important part of the team. If you hadn’t been, they wouldn’t be keeping you on. Give yourself some credit before I kick you in the pants.”

  He broke into a real grin, appearing as the caring Imdiko of his official designation. Piper was glad to see it, though she intuited it wasn’t his Nobek half making Ulof stormy. It was the ever-present concern he was incompetent robbing him of his deserved pride.

  “I knew you could do it,” Piper enthused, her twangy Southern accent growing pronounced in her eagerness to prove to him what he’d proven to her. “Overcoming adversity is your calling card. You did good, Ulof.”

  “I guess. It’s a start, anyway.” The fact he could work in any fashion in terraforming was a big deal to him. It spoke well of his determination to overcome a learning disability. Taking part in Earth II’s development was a dream come true.

  They reached the outcropping. Piper sighed in love and regret. She’d miss the place, but Ulof’s continued success meant moving on to the next project. Their entire clan was bent on giving him every opportunity to realize his full potential. Fortunately, there were plenty of opportunities for them all to enjoy success in their given fields.

  Voices rose behind them. Piper and Ulof turned from the stunning view of the valley, teeming with yellow, blue, and purple flowers, which surrounded a picturesque lake.

  Four Kalquorian men climbed the trail to join them on the outcropping. Given the varied hues of blue shirts and commanding expressions, Piper guessed them to be Dramoks. The foursome paused and bowed respectfully when they sighted her and Ulof. Ulof returned the bow.

  One beamed at them as if they were the best of friends, and Piper thought he looked vaguely familiar. He stepped ahead of the rest.

  “Hello! I recognize this fellow. One of the terraforming team, aren’t you? I’m Dramok Ospar.”

  Ulof, whose first instinct was to regard strangers suspiciously, managed a diplomatic smile. “Imdiko Ulof, Flora Plotting Specialist Trainee. You toured the valley I worked on a few months ago, but we haven’t spoken.”

  “I knew I’d seen you before. This view is spectacular. Isn’t this the valley you’re responsible for? It’s gorgeous. Congratulations on such amazing work.”

  His enthusiasm made Ulof flush. “I had little to do with it, but thank you.”

  “The lake and its configuration were his suggestion.” Piper wasn’t about to let the chance to showcase Ulof’s abilities pass by.

  “Indeed, Matara—? Oh, you look familiar too.”

  “This is Piper,” Ulof supplied. “We belong to Clan Nako.”

  “Clan…not that Clan Nako? From the Battle Over Bi’is?”

  “That Clan Nako, yes.” Ulof chuckled.

  Ospar grinned at them. “Salvation of the empire and now creator of planets. If I’d known you were involved, I’d have doubled my contribution to the Earth project.”

  “You’re kind to say so.”

  “My friends and fellow investors, Dramoks Rajhir, Diltan, and Falinset.”

  More of the traditional bows of respect, then the group turned their attention to the valley again.

  “The lake is the jewel of the scenery. Can you tell me about the flowers, Specialist Ulof? These are all seeded from the plants of the original Earth, aren’t they?” This from the tallest of the group.

  His goateed face was as familiar to Piper as Ospar’s and a third member of the party, and not merely because they’d invested so heavily in the development of Earth II. Even the most casual observer of the Kalquorian Empire would recognize Dramoks Rajhir and Falinset. Like Ospar, their names were synonymous with past scandal and gradually growing redemption among Kalquorians…much like Piper’s clanmates, who’d had their own checkered pasts before playing a major role in fending off an invasion from Bi’is five years prior.

  Piper wouldn’t have known Diltan on sight, the handsomest of the group. She’d heard of him, however. As an investor and Royal Councilman, his name came up on occasion in her hearing. He was also clanned to a cousin of Empress Jessica.

  She listened proudly as Ulof answered the financiers’ questions confidently. He’d come so far from the angry, insecure man she’d met on board a rogue Kalquorian raider. He was still often unsure of himself, but there was no sign of it as he explained the challenges the team had faced in terraforming the planet in general and the valley in particular.

  It occurred to her that she was surrounded by second chances. Ulof had embarked on a career he hadn’t dreamed possible, and it appeared he’d continue to succeed. The men who’d helped fund the planet’s transformation were restoring battered reputations. The planet itself had been reborn, made viable and alive. Piper’s people were getting another opportunity to build a healthy society on Earth II, free of the corruption of their parent world.

  “All this in less than five years,” Falinset breathed after Ulof had answered their last question. “What a wondrous time to be alive.”

  Piper agreed wholeheartedly.

  “Here you are,” a female voice called. “I wondered when we’d run into you four. Have you been avoiding us on purpose? And by us, I mean me.”

  Piper’s first thought was the outcropping was becoming ridiculously popular as an additional six people emerged from the path. Then she realized whom she was looking at.

  The Imperial Clan and the new governor of Earth II, accompanied by a stern-looking Nobek, had arrived. Piper and Ulof edged aside as the dignitaries approached.

  It was the eternally beaming Ospar who laughed at the empress’ question as he bowed. “Avoid you, my empress? I count the seconds until I find myself in your presence once more.”

  Emperor Egilka snorted. “You’ll never change, Dramok Ospar.”

  “Incorrigible as ever,” the empress laughed. Jessica’s gaze lit on Piper and Ulof, despite their attempts to remain invisible. She blinked in surprise. “Piper Warren? What are you doing here?”

  The emperors bowed deeply upon recognizing her. “So good to see you again, Matara,” Clajak enthused. “How are you? And your clan?”

  “We’re very well, thank you.” Her cheeks burned at the effusive greeting. Her brief and unintended hero turn of five years prior wasn’t a comfortable fit, and she rushed to deflect the attention. “You remember my Imdiko, Ulof? He’s part of the terraforming crew.”

  “Trainee,” Ulof rushed to explain, looking flustered.

  “Governor Nichols, this young woman escaped from Bi’is to warn us about their attack. She and her clan almost singlehandedly stopped them and brought our civil war to an end.”

  “It’s a privilege to meet real heroes,” Nichols said, eagerly shaking Piper’s hand and returning Ulof’s bow.

  “I was just the ship’s cook.” Ulof mumbled. He looked more embarrassed than before.

  “Now he’s concocting entire planets. Come and look at the valley he’s responsible for,” Ospar urged the women. “Gorgeous, isn’t it?”

  They commented enthusiastically on the view. “Orchids and marigolds. Look at the lake. I could spend a month just lying next to it!” Governor Nichols rhapsodized.

  “You shouldn’t build here. It’s too beautiful to develop,” Jessica insisted.

  Ulof whispered to Piper, “Can we sneak off?”

  She was just as uncomfortable and nodded. Seeing the nearby unidentified Nobek eyeing them with amusement, Piper put her finger to her lips. He nodded, his grin deepening.

  “Thanks, Nobek Kuran,” Ulof whispered.

  They slunk to the path. A few steps into their escape, Piper glanced back to note Kuran had planted his big frame at its head, hiding their retreat.

  “I guess Ulof’s Valley isn’t just ours any longer,” Piper sighed as they climbed down the mountain trail. “You’ll have to make me another.”

  The prospect of a new project brightened Ulof’s uncomfortable expression. “I have a proposal for the moon we’ll terraform next. I’m hoping to present it to my supervisor this week.”

  Piper lived to see him excited. “The moon near Bi’is space? Can you tell me about it?”

  His features were bright, making her love him with a fierceness that filled her heart fit to burst. “I’ll show you. I’ve been drawing it up for the last two months. There’s an island in the middle of the sea I hope to fill with plant life both beautiful and medicinal…”

  * * * *

  Alpha Space Station

  After Kuran accompanied Stacy to her office and assured himself she wouldn’t leave for the next hour or two, he took a shuttle to the orbiting space station and hurried to its operations section.

  To his relief, he made it to his scheduled meeting in a conference room with minutes to spare. Rear Admiral Hobato and Admiral Tranis were already there. The Dramok fleet officers sat at one end of a long table, speaking in low tones.

  They rose as Kuran entered, and he bowed. He was no longer an official member of the Kalquorian fleet, merely a contractor, but it was a thrill to work with members of the highest command.

  “Admirals, it’s an honor.”

  “The honor is ours, Head of Earth Security. You’ve had your hands full, I’m sure, since the governor’s arrival and the Imperial Clan’s visit. Please, sit.” Hobato, aged and dignified, motioned to the chair to his right, across the table from Tranis.

  “It’s been hectic, but the transfer of power has been seamless thus far.”

  “It may be another story when the residents arrive in force.” Tranis’ smile flashed in his bearded face. He was the youngest admiral to have achieved his rank, and Kuran wondered if it was the reason he appeared older than his years.

  “What of the lieutenant governor and the legislators who hold to more traditional Earther values?” Hobato asked.

  The Earthtiques had been Kalquor’s and the Galactic Council’s greatest concern. No one wanted to see a return of the tyrannical regime that had started a horrific war with Kalquor a decade before, ending with the original Earth’s destruction.

  “Thus far, the traditionalists have kept their disagreements polite. The lieutenant governor did go out of his way to avoid speaking to the Imperial Clan and other Kalquorians during the official welcome to Governor Nichols.”

  “In many cases, loyalty can be problematic, especially when it involves Old Earth’s ideology.”

  “Fortunately, Governor Nichols is of better character.” It required effort to keep the warmth from his voice, but Kuran managed.

  “You proved your loyalty to Kalquor during the civil conflict,” Tranis observed, switching subjects abruptly.

  “I should hope so. Honor and empire.”

  “Including when it’s painful? Objectional on a personal level?”

  What were they up to? Kuran hadn’t been given any idea what the meeting was about beforehand. “War against one’s own kind isn’t painful enough?”

  “There can be worse conflicts. At least we were allowed to charge into battle and face our foes eye to eye.” Tranis glanced at Hobato, then returned his gaze to Kuran. “You know why we brought you in to head Earth’s security as a contractor.”

  “There are those Earthers who resent Kalquor despite the reparations the empire has paid. An official military presence wouldn’t be accepted by the Earthtiques…er, the traditionalists.”