Author: Invid Fan
Title: The Waifs
Part: 3
Summary: When war has reached every corner of the known worlds, what can you do? Teen soldiers steal a space ship to try and find out. Once you kill, can you still be a kid?
Keywords: MinimulSex, SciFi, mf, teen

****

THE WAIFS 
By Invid Fan
(c)2013

Chapter 12

Don groaned, raising his hips in time with her movements, as Lessa slowly rode up and down on him. The lights in the Captain's cabin were low, just enough to give Lessa glowing highlights around her brown hair and tanned body. To Don she looked otherworldly, and he wished the wall behind her was gone, her body outlined against the vastness of space. Lessa would outshine any star or constellation.  

Don could feel the pressure building in him, and his warrior bride must have sensed the change in him as she increased her speed. He could almost feel her caressing him inside her body, the pleasure growing almost beyond what his poor mind could handle. In the weeks they'd been together, Don and Lessa had moved beyond the unsure fumbling of young virgins, starting the lifelong exploration of pleasures of the flesh, their partner's and their own. Lessa was a quick student, and having peaked twice that evening it was her turn to show her lover everything he meant to her.  

Hands tightening on her waist, they both felt him expand within her. A moment later their cries met his release. Lessa fell forward, kissing him, her unbound hair setting over them like a hood, necklace and it's locket hanging down to touch his two lockets. A few moments later, his mind somewhat able to focus somewhere besides where they were still joined, Don rolled them both onto their sides still facing each other intertwined. He brushed the hair away from her face, and they just smiled at each other. He wasn't sure what made is life more complete, the intense pleasure they gave each other, or the closeness of moments like this. He didn't think he could live without either, now.

Don's hand had just wandered down from her face, playing with one of the many toys she had on her body for his enjoyment, when the cabin lights started flashing red. A voice from the darkness called his name. Closing his eyes, yet still seeing the amusement on Lessa's face, he sighed, letting out a "Fuck" before disengaged from her and rolling facing the edge of the bed. He hit the intercom button.

"What is it?"

"We're picking up a distress signal up ahead."

"Is it life threatening?"

"Depends on how soon you get up here."

Turning it off, Don sat up and slid his feet onto the floor. He felt the mattress shift as Lessa stood up on the other side and began dressing. Almost without looking, he caught the pants and shirt she threw in his direction.

**** 

Villa vacated the command chair as soon as Don entered the bridge. The slightly chunky teen's eyes raised a fraction as Lessa followed behind Don, straightening her tight pull over top, but his survival instincts were strong and that was the only sign he made. As Don sat down, Lessa beside him, hand resting on Don's shoulder, Villa retreated to a seat at a free console.  

"So, what's up?" Don asked, eyes scanning the holographic sphere dominating the front half of the bridge. They were once again between planets, heading towards the first of the gas giants, Hikaru, and its twenty moons. There shouldn't be anything out here.

"Distress signal, probably Federation, and rather weak. My guess is an escape pod." Villa hit some keys, sound filled the bridge. It was an automated beeping, along most likely with some encoded data they couldn't translate. Don worked the controls on his chair and rotated the Nav Sphere until he saw the blinking light that indicated the source of the signal. It was close, and ahead of them. He sat back.

"What do you think, Lessa? Trap by evil pirates like us, or to catch evil pirates like us, or real castaways?"

Lessa looked closer at the image.

"Is that a… debris field near it?" Don swung the image around for another angle, as a girl called up from the sensor station two levels below.

"Yeah, we're getting lots of wreckage, although probably just from one ship… I'd say a warship, and probably Feds."

Don considered for a moment, then turned to Villa.

"Try and make contact. Put any reply on the speaker."

Villa complied, but after a few moments shook his head.

"No reply. Although… remember, this IS a stolen Reb ship. Maybe… they're playing dead?"

Don and Lessa exchanged a glance, Don sighing.

"I'm too nice. Patch me in." Villa hit a few buttons, and Don detached a small microphone from his arm rest. "Attention, escape pod. This is the Liberty. We are NOT a Reb warship. We are, however, busy. If you'd like to be rescued, you have thirty seconds to respond with your condition and crew number. After that, we go on our way and I go back to bed."

There was silence for a few moments, Don smiling as he heard Lessa quietly provide the countdown. She'd only gotten down to twenty three when a voice crackled from the speakers.

"Pod to Liberty! Sorry about that. One of our officers is a bit too… suspicious. There are fourteen of us, and we have… maybe 35 minutes of air left."

"Fuck!" Don whipped his head up to Lessa. "Prep a shuttle and go immediately. Bring a nurse and I'll call Kine." She was off down the stairs in a flash, belt communicator in her hand, waking Bella. Don hit another button, red lights embedded in the walls flashing.

"This is an alert! Everyone to standby stations! Prep a shuttle immediately, maximum cargo. Kine to shuttle, Lessa has your orders. Mel call the bridge." He switched over to external communications. "Sorry about that, Pod. We'll be cutting it close but are on our way. I'm sending a shuttle to dock with you. We will be armed, and you will not be. Hope you understand and comply."

"Understood," came the crackly reply after a moment. Don cut the channel, and saw an incoming message.

"Mel to Bridge! What's up?!"

Don could hear movement and cursing in the background… and it sounded like Kine. Don needed to pay more attention to the social order in this place.

"Mel, once Kine gets the hell out of your quarters I want you to get two security details together. One is to secure the shuttle deck- we'll be having 14 rescued Feds on board within an hour. I also want you to find someplace we can put them securely. They're not prisoners, give them good beds and chairs and such, but I want them isolated and guarded. Understand?"

"Umm… yeah [get the fuck out of here, Kine!]. Wait, what? Beds for fourteen?"

"Or blankets and stuffed animals. I don't care, just do it. And if it's NOT secure I'll make you re-grow those ponytails just so I can light them on fire."

**** 

Mari was NOT scared.

Being woken in the middle of the night to flashing red lights in your bedroom was NOT scary. Hearing the Captain speak loudly of unknown things from the ceiling didn't cause the little girl to tremble in fear, and most definitely seeing her three companions also frightened was NOT causing all thought of sleep to flee from her eight year old mind. Thus, when Mari quietly opened the door to their room and led the four of them into the bright hallway, it was not because they all needed someone to tell them everything would be OK.

That would be childish.

The four of them paddled down the corridor, Mari holding three year old Pug's hand while Randy and Andy stayed close while not doing something unmanly like holding your brother's hand. They thought about it, though, as one older teen after another ran past them, not giving the pre-teens a second look.

A door down at the end of the passageway near the bridge suddenly opened, and they saw Shelly come out fastening her pants. Mari's eyes lit up.

"Miss Shelly!!!!"

Shelly turned and saw the four children flying down the hall at her. She unconsciously took a step back into the room she shared with Lessa, bracing herself on the doorframe as they grabbed hold of her legs for dear life. Mari was looking up with wide, frightened eyes.

"We're scared, Miss Shelly! What's happening?!?!"

Shelly could feel them shaking, and her hands went from one head to the other trying to calm them. She took a glance down the hall in direction of engineering, then to the left at the door to the bridge. Sighing, she leaned further back into her room and stretched for the wall intercom.

"Engineering? Shelly. Looks like I'm going to have to babysit for a bit. Call me if you really need me."

"I'm not a baby!" shouted three year old Pug, looking up with indignant tear filled eyes and a runny nose.

"I know!" said Shelly, reaching down to pick him up. "I was talking about Randy here."

"Hey!"

**** 

Kine and Lessa floated on either side of the shuttle doorway, ready. They could feel the jolt as Ger maneuvered the ship next to the life pod, the banging of the claws coming out to link the ships, hear the hiss of the inflatable seal forming. Kine looked at her.

"Ready?"

Lessa looked back towards the cockpit, making sure the door was sealed, with Bella behind it with Ger. Satisfied, she nodded to him.

"Do it."

Kine hit the combination, main hatch opening. Before them was the scorched white door of the pod. Reaching in, Kine whacked at it with a crowbar. A second later there was an answering bang. Nodding in satisfaction, Kine placed the crowbar into a wall holder and drew his gun, stepping back. Lessa stayed out of sight of the opening, weapon also drawn.

The pod door opened, a small rush of air flowing out of the shuttle. Holding tight with his free hand, hoping that was not a bad thing, Kine looked into the cramped cube. A tall black haired man in an officer's uniform was standing in the doorway, a haggard but confident expression on his face. Behind him, the small space was filled with mostly sitting men now gasping to breathe fresh air. Kine raised an eyebrow.

"They give you guys gravity, but no air. You really should talk to someone about that."

The officer gave an appreciative chuckle, nodding to Kine.

"I'm Captain Horatio Horn. Thank you."  

"Yes, you should. I'm Kine. Anyone seriously wounded?"

"Two have burns," the Captain said, turning to look back, "but I think we have them patched up somewhat."

"We have a medic with us, two in fact. OK, we naturally don't completely trust each other yet, so if you would be so kind, have everyone enter the shuttle and float to the right into the back. Best you leave anything weapon related behind so there are no… accidents. Send the two wounded to the front of the shuttle and we'll take a look at them."

The Captain nodded his understanding, Kine backing up as he gave the order to his men. One by one they stepped from the gravity of the pod into the zero g of the shuttle. A couple of them reacted in surprise on seeing Lessa at the far end with a sidearm aimed at them, but most were in no shape to care. The Captain was the last to enter the cabin, now over three quarters filled. From his new position by the bridge door Kine hit the controls to close the hatch and seal the ship.  

"Send up the wounded."

The Captain did so, then gave a startled look as the cockpit door opened, young Bella floating out with her medkit. His gaze turned speculative as he looked between Kine and Lessa, but a more immediate thought suddenly came to mind. He swung his head sharply towards Kine.

"Did you get the other pod?"

There was a half second of silence, before Kine yelled, "Fuck!" and bolted into the cockpit.

"Do an immediate sweep of the area for another pod!"

The Captain came forward a few feet, but made no attempt to move closer, even without a reminder from Lessa. He waited for word, his gaze alternating between the teen girl in a revealing outfit tending to his men and the open hatch before him. It was less than a minute before he heard the reply from the radio.

"Found it. It's among the wreckage of the main ship. It's torn open: looks like it didn't get away in time."

"Understood," Kine replied, and closing the connection he turned back to the survivors. "It's just you guys."

**** 

Captain Horn was the first out the shuttle door, a small briefcase in his hand. His rescuers had not noticed, or at least not mentioned, it so far, and for that he was glad. It wasn't what they were worried about, and everyone would be much happier if it was ignored completely.

In front of him on the hanger floor stood a half dozen teens with weapons drawn. Their leader was a tall bald girl, and the look she gave him was not a pleasant one. With luck, this wasn't the captain. Horn had his men, who now looked better with some fresh water in them and some hope of surviving, stand in two lines in front of the shuttle. Their saviors, weapons still drawn but not pointing anywhere in particular, stood behind them. There was movement off to the side, and a smaller teen boy in a clean but battered rebel uniform approached the bald girl. He nodded, looking over Horn's head, and Kine and Lessa walked around and came to stand beside him. He spoke.

"Greetings, Captain. I'm Don. Welcome to our happy ship."

Horn nodded his head slightly. When in doubt, be polite.

"I'm Captain Horn. Thank you for picking us up."

"Save your thanks till we see how this goes. Rescues don't always turn out well with us." There was a self mocking tone in the boy's voice, which Horn filed away for future contemplation. "Anyways, we're not really equipped for visitors so we're going to have to make due. Mel here," and he indicated the bald one, "has cleared out and equipped a room you and your men can stay in. We'll give you what you need, but ask that they stay confined in there. Given the makeup of your crew…" and here Horn noted for the first time they were all men, their rescuers being a bit more diverse, "I'm sure you understand our position."

Horn nodded.

"Yes. That's probably for the best."

"Good. Mel, take them to their quarters and make sure they're settled in. After he's seen to their needs, show the Captain up to the conference room."

**** 

Horn followed the very polite, but not friendly, Mel up the bridge steps past the Captain's chair and through the door into the conference room. Four teens sat at the far end of the table- Don, Lessa, Kine, and a new dark skinned one. Don stood up, motioning him into a chair. Bowing his head respectfully, Horn sat while Mel closed the door and stood guard. Don sat down.

"Is everything at least not too prison like for your men?"

"On such short notice it's more than adequate, thank you." Horn looked around the room. "I've never been on a Rebel ship before. Very nice."

"Thanks. It's home." Don reached up, rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand, yawning. "Sorry, it's the middle of our night shift. So!" He rotated his shoulders, stretching. "What are we to do with you." Lessa leaned her head in towards his.

"Is this where we tell him we're space cannibals?"

Don ignored her.

"We're heading towards Hikaru, and while that's a ways away you're more than welcome to stay and be dropped off at the first non-Rebel port we come to. We'd rather… not deal with military bases, Reb or Fed."

The Captain nodded, understanding.

"If worse comes to worst, that's a reasonable offer. Thank you. However, it's possible my ship is still within communication range. Would it be possible to contact it?"

The dark boy raised an eyebrow.

"Isn't your ship in small pieces?"

"No, no, that wasn't mine. I was on her with some men to help test something." He was glad, now, he had left the case with his lieutenant. His eyes probably would have gone to it just then, giving too much away.

"You're supposed to blow up OTHER people's ships!" the girl exclaimed. "That's what we've been doing wrong, Sean!"

"Well, you, maybe…"

Don held up his hand, chuckling.

"OK, enough of that." Leaning forward, he put his elbows on the table and regarded Horn. "Now, I think, Captain to Captain, we'd both agree it's best if neither of us asks many questions of the other. Secrets are good, and keep everyone alive and friendly." Horn leaned forward himself, nodding. He liked this kid. "That said, I'll let you try to contact your ship if you will give a vague answer to a question."

"Vague I can do," Horn replied chuckling.

"Good. Now, we haven't traveled this part of space before. However, I've noticed… too much activity between the planets, when we've been told there should be nothing there. So, if we don't want to see anything that people more powerful than us don't want us to see… are there any unimportant places we should steer clear of as we come up on Hikaru?"

That, Horn had to admit to himself, was a well structured question. Looking at this boy, who couldn't be fifteen yet, he thought of his own infant son. The child could do worse than to grow to be as quick witted as this one. However, if he grew up to look like the brown haired boy Horn would have serious questions for his wife. He considered his answer.

"Well… if, for no particular reason, you were to stay in the very center of the orbital plane, you most likely would never be bothered by anyone."

"Thank you. By strange coincidence, that was what we are now going to have always have been planning to do anyway." There was a general chuckle around the room. "Mel, take him onto the bridge and try to make contact with his ship. We'll monitor the transmission, naturally. If they can meet us up ahead, just one ship or we flee, mind you, we can happily transfer you and your men back to her."

"You're too kind," Horn replied, standing and bowing.

"Don't worry, I'm trying to change."

**** 

Three days later the Federation destroyer Avon caught up with the Liberty. Don monitored from the bridge as both ships sent shuttles to rendezvous half way between them, and gave a huge sigh of relief when Kine radioed that the exchange had gone off without a hitch. He looked up at Sean standing next to him.

"Well, we survived helping someone. That's a first."

"We're still in weapons range, but I agree it's looking good so far." Sean gave him an appraising look. "Damn gutsy thing to do with us hauling a ton of stolen uranium."

"Exactly. What are the odds someone tries to board and search us now, in Fed space? We should be good until we reach Hikaru."

Sean nodded.

"Just take things one planet at a time."

"No other way."

Chapter 13 

The sickbay was currently a house of gossip.

Shelly, Bell and Bella were sitting on the patient beds when Lessa listlessly entered the room. Her eyes took them in, the wild hand gestures and the shocked giggling. Lessa had never been one to really take part in such things, and as her body unconsciously leaned over against a cupboard the conversation just washed over her.

"He did NOT say that!"

"Oh yes he did! Rich seriously asked if my twin could join us. I mean, can you believe!"

"Men!"

"I mean, I told him, 'you can barely satisfy me much of the time, and you think you can handle Bell too?!?!' I don't think his ego liked that!"

"He just wants to see you and I make out, which will NOT happen!"

"Hell no!"

"I'm surprised you've been with him this long, Bella. I only lasted two months or so and there were fewer options then."

"Well…"

Bella noticed Lessa, and raised a hand to wave.

"Hey, boss! Come over here and join us trashing our men!" There was giggling. Shelly leaned back on her hands, turning to say something to her friend. The comment died on her lips.

"Lessa… what's wrong?"

The twin nurses took a closer look at their "supervisor", leaning by the doorway. Bell jumped off the bed onto her feet and quickly went to her.

"Sit…" She led the unresponsive Lessa over to the desk chair and almost pushed her into it. Shelly and Bella came over and sat on the corners of the desk, Shelly putting a hand on Lessa's shoulder.

"Hey… tell us."

Lessa took a deep breath.

"I'm… I'm pregnant."

Silence.

Lessa looked up at Shelly, her eyes hoping for friendship and comfort. What she saw was surprise, and...

"Oh, you fucking idiot…"

Bell and Bella looked at her, startled. Shelly stood.  

"You didn't use anything, did you, Lessa? I thought, I assumed, you two were smart. I thought you'd know enough to deal with this, because YOU HAVE TWO CABINETS FULL OF BIRTH CONTROL IN YOUR OFFICE!!!" Shelly slammed her fist onto the desk, Bella jumping off in shock. The two twins looked on with growing unease. "Gods, woman! We have eleven year olds doing this responsibly, and you can't be BOTHERED?!? Did nothing cross your mind when you stocked up at every planet and station we landed on? What the fuck were you THINKING, besides, hey, this feels good!"

Lessa's head was bowed, arms hugging herself, the only sound a slight sob. Shelly's expression was naked fury… which as the sobs continued, turned to heartbroken compassion. She knelt next to Lessa, putting one hand on her knee and the other on her head, stroking her braided hair.  

"Shh… I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Lessa… don't cry…"

Bell and Bella looked at each other. Bell quickly vanished into hall, while Bella grabbed some tissues. She handed them to Shelly, eyes trying to express her displeasure, before kneeling on the other side of Lessa. The two friends gently stroked the teen. Gradually, she got herself under control. Taking a tissue, she blew her nose, then tossed it in Shelly's face.

"You're a bitch," Lessa quietly hissed. Shelly nodded, sadly.

"I know… I'm sorry, my love." She sighed. "Tell me about it."

Lessa took a deep breath, closing her eyes, steadying herself.

"I… I'm over two months late. I've been irregular before, so just… I didn't want to even let myself think about it, so I didn't. But I haven't been feeling well, so I tested…"

"Oh, my Lessa…" Shelly hugged her, and Lessa felt herself sandwiched as Bella did the same. They held that position for a few moments. Bella drew herself back a bit and asked, "Who's the father?"

"Ha!"

Shelly reared back in laughing, Lessa making a fist and swatting Bella in the chest while tears of laughter replaced those of sorrow. Bella grinned, then offered Lessa more tissues as she slowly got herself under control again. Looking around, Bella grabbed two more chairs from across the sickbay. The two girls sat next to Lessa, Shelly turning hers backwards and straddled it.

"So, my friend… you have Don's baby inside you." Lessa nodded, a shy smile crossing her face. For a brief moment jealous anger reared in Shelly's mind, but the good side of her love for Lessa quickly overrode it. "What do you want to do?"

Lessa looked at her friend, as if it was the most foolish question in the world.

"It's… our love made this baby. What do you think I want to do?" Jealousy once again threatened Shelly, but it was more easily put down. She put a hand on Lessa's shoulder.

"I just want to hear you say it."

"I'm having Don's child." Lessa looked right into Shelly's eyes… and slowly Shelly nodded, smiling.

"That's all we need to know."

The door opened again, Bell marching in holding a tray of drinks. Setting it on the desk, she handed a hot mug of tea to Lessa.

"No booze for you!"

Bell handed Shelly a full pitcher of fruity beer, who burst out laughing as she took it. Shelly raised the pitcher in salute, then took a long, long swig. That helped. She gave a belch as she lowered it, and with Bell grabbing another chair the four sat there silent for a moment. Finally, Lessa thought of something and turned to Shelly.

"OK, who's the eleven year old?"

Shelly looked at her in surprise, wondering what she was talking about, then gave a laugh before taking another swig.

"Oh, that. Sirenia has a crush on Ger, so wanted to be ready for when he finally noticed her. I honestly don't think that's happened yet!"

"Isn't Ger doing that mechanic freak who likes to work topless?" Bell asked.

"Oh," Shelly asked, leaning forward, "you didn't hear? You'll like this!"

Lessa took another drink, closing her eyes and letting the hot tea sooth her as the gossip just washed over her. She was among friends...

**** 

Hanna lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling. Of all the ways she had pictured her life going, of all the twists and turns that had happened, this was the one that still shocked her the most. She wasn't who she thought she was.

Jenny stirred beside her. Hanna sat up, sheet falling off her breasts into her lap, and looked at the young woman laying there.

Hanna wasn't gay.

She knew that. Still knew that. Hanna had always been attracted to guys, had sex with guys, ENJOYED having sex with guys, and she had always looked down on those girls who flirted with each other. Let alone those who went beyond that. It was… wrong.

Yet.

It was her hands.  

Those callused, rough, firm hands. The hands of someone who works hard, was strong, who has the power to bend and twist, yet the gentle control to handle something delicate.  

And her muscles. Those firm, hard muscles, that Hanna had just ached to caress, running her hands over those shoulders, down and over those small firm breast with nipples hard as… 

OK, liking Jenny's breasts was pretty gay.

She hadn't even been drunk. There wasn't even that excuse, and having been among these kids for a couple months now drink was the cause of most of the sex going on it seemed. No, it had been honest, un-enhanced, physical attraction.

The cheap sewing machine they had picked up for her before starting on the long trek between the orbits of Baal and Hikaru had finally died, a loud snap coming from inside the case as she tried to finish the hem on a dress. Cursing, a favorite pastime of hers of late, Hanna had wandered down into the world of the shuttle bay to see if anyone there knew how to fix more than engines. She found all four of the mechanics working under and around one of the shuttles, which had been pulled into the middle of the bay and raised up almost two meters. They were too busy, obviously, especially for a request lives did not depend on (mental well being for a couple of the fashion freaks, though, would be shattered). Considering her options, Hanna began to leave when one of them, wearing just a pair of shorts, put down their tools, put their hands in the small of their back and leaned back, stretching.  

Hanna just stared, eyes wide, mouth open. The teen girl's grease and grime coated breasts were thrust out, small but glistening. Every muscle in her back and arms seemed to pulse with strength. Hanna had seen this girl before, naturally. On a ship this small, even if names escaped you every face was known. But, never had she seen the thin girl with the shortly cropped brown hair in this light, as if… she were a man.

The girl, Jenny, must have sensed the change in Hanna. The older woman had been hesitant, unsure, as she shyly asked the half nude goddess for assistance. Jenny had shot a glance at Ger, one tinged with a touch of sadness, regret, before agreeing to come to the dressmaking "shop" once she was done.  

She had moved her stuff into Hanna's cabin a week later.

Jenny opened her eyes, looking up in the dim light at Hanna. Sleepily, her hand reached to lightly trace Hanna's spine. Hanna shuddered.

"Are you OK, baby?" Jenny asked. "You said you were sleeping better…"

Having someone almost eight years her junior call her 'baby', was at once incredibly wrong, yet made Hanna's heart race. Derek had never called her 'baby'. She looked down at her lover, mind a mass of emotions.

"Just… thinking."

Jenny sat up, and ran a hand through Hanna's blond hair.

"Wanna talk?"

Hanna closed her eyes, relishing the feel as Jenny's hand caressed her scalp, then she chuckled and looked at her.  

"That's another difference between you and a guy: you actually mean that." Jenny smiled, moving so she was sitting facing Hanna. They scooted forward, legs extending and wrapping around behind each other. Eyes locked together, hands wandering and caressing, they talked through the night.

**** 

How, Amanda thought, could there be weeds.

The Trio sat on the garden path, picking unwanted invaders out of the dirt. It was relaxing, fun work, the three mostly just gossiping with the occasional pulling of unwanted life forms. They probably didn't even have to do it, but any excuse to be among the flowers was a good one.

Once Don had agreed to the garden, the crew brainstormed an ingenious design. The largest cabin had been chosen for the project, the dozen bunk beds removed, and small walls laid out on the floor defining a winding path. Good soil was bought and laid into the large flower beds, stones raising the level of the path so as to make it even with the new "ground"l. Once the flowers and small bushes were in, apart from the walls of the room it was no different than any real park. They even had two park benches, and a small pond with a fountain and fish. It had everything Amanda had dreamed of.

The weeds, though, had not been part of it.

Sitting up and brushing a stray blond hair out of her eyes, Amanda looked at her two friends. They were changing, and she wondered if she was as well. Sirenia now had breasts, jutting out of the black half shirts she liked to wear, and seemed to be growing taller every day. Wendi was getting curvier, and more muscular. They had even caught her in the exercise room. That was just... weird, and she would not explain.

As for Amanda… she had some bumps on her chest, yes, but so far she felt the same as she always had. No sudden rush of hormones, no desire for romance or action. Give her songs, dance, flowers, and a hug from her big brother. Life didn't require more than that.

Wendi held up a strange black something, shuddered, then tossed it into the small bucket they were using for trash. Looking at her hands for a moment, she reached over and wiped them on Sirenia's black skirt.

"Hey!"

"It's not like it'll show up," Wendi smirked. The two growled at each other, before laughing and doing a pinky shake. Amanda just shook her head at them.

"Children."

"Oh," said Sirenia, archly, "look at Miss Mature over there!"

Sirenia palmed a clump of dirt, considering the best moment to escalate things, when the garden door opened. Ger walked up the short ramp onto the stone path. She quickly dropped the clump and sat up straight, making sure all her clothing was in order. She was far too new at all this to have discovered the art of being sexily disheveled. Amanda and Wendi watched with tolerant amusement as Ger made his way over to them.

"Hello ladies. Amanda."

"Hey!" Amanda growled at him, but Ger only grinned back. Sirenia gave him a nervous smile.

"Hi Ger! What are you doing here?" She immediately bit her lip, seemingly going over the conversation so far and hoping she hadn't screwed up already. Amanda just shook her head at the silliness of crushes as Ger turned to her.

"Kine said you'd told him there was a leak in one of the sprinklers. I thought I'd check it out before I head to dinner. Don't want a flood."

Amanda pointed him to the one dripping in a far corner. As he headed off, Sirenia gave a quiet groan and hung her head. The other two gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulders… although not TOO sympathetic. Amanda began to weed again when Wendi spoke up.

"Um, Amanda… speaking of, you know," and she nodded her head at Sirenia, "crushes and such, is… Kine still with that Mel?"

"What? Oh, um, yeah. Well, they spend time together, but I don't think it's…" She suddenly gave Wendi a suspicious look. "Why… Oh come on! Do you STILL have that crush?!" She made no attempt to keep the third party in the room from over hearing.

Wendi hung her head. Amanda couldn't believe it. She'd had a thing for Kine ever since the siblings had first met her and Sirenia. In the early days on the ship, she had been the instigator of being "scared" at night, dragging Sirenia over to Amanda's cabin to be reassured by a sleepy Kine. Apparently, despite everything, nothing had changed... apart, maybe, for now having more emotions and desires entering into the mix.

Sirenia, glad to have attention off of herself, began to chant an old song of theirs.

"Oh, Kine, he's so fine, he's so fine I'll make him mine!"

With a giggling growl Wendi launched herself at her friend. They "fought" while laughing loudly, careful not to roll onto any flowers. Amanda stayed above it, like the older woman she was. Sirenia had just pinned Wendi to the ground, straddling her waist, when Ger came up behind them and paused to watch. The two froze, Sirenia's face and neck turning bright red. Ger just cocked an eyebrow at her, smiling.

"I like a girl who's a fighter." He stepped around them, and in a moment was gone.

The three stayed as they were, still as a stone. Sirenia's eyes suddenly widened, an incredulous smile on her face.

"He said…!"

**** 

Don was in the weight room, trying without success to add some muscle. He had started to grow a bit: that was something, at least. However, strength was something he still sorely lacked. He badly wanted to start going on missions, getting in on some of the fun, but was too honest to overlook that he just wasn't good at that type of thing. Nobody was going to get killed because of his inadequacies, thus the training.  

Letting go of the weight machine, he figured he had about five years worth of work ahead of him.

At least, though, he could burn off some of the fat that was starting to show. It was just wrong for him to have a pudgy tummy. Lessa, too, seemed to be gaining weight. Hard to see how, given how hard she worked, but he was sure she had noticed. Maybe it was why she had been so moody of late.

The door to the weight room opened, and as if called by his thoughts Lessa stood there. Shelly, Bell, and Bella flanked her, almost as if they were backup for a dangerous mission. Don stood up. Shelly could be… unreasonably protective of Lessa, so lacking a posse of his own he prepared his mental defenses.  

Lessa walked up to Don, slowly, unsure of herself. This was serious. She was never unsure. The other three moved fully into the room and let the door close behind them, but stayed there as Lessa stopped in front of him. Don raised a hand to brush some hair from her face.

"What's wrong?"

"Don, I… I'm…" She couldn't meet his eyes.  

Don didn't know much about women. However, he thought he knew this one. He reached out, tilted her chin up, and kissed her tenderly. Pulling back, he looked into her eyes.

"Tell me."

"I'm going to have your baby."

Don stood before her, shocked. His…  

Before Lessa knew it, Don had stepped into her and was kissing her with all the love he could put into it. There was applause from the doorway, two enthusiastic and one moderately so. Breaking the kiss, Lessa broke down crying into his shoulder. Don just held her. One of his hands gently slid around between them, moving up under her shirt to feel her belly. She lifted her head and looked at him, as he caressed her and spoke.

"If it's a girl… let's name her Cindy."

Lessa nodded, Don smiling in return. It would be right to honor his sister Cynthia like that… 

"And if it's a boy?"

"Hmm… maybe Jax, but we have time." He leaned in for another kiss. A child! And here he had thought… 

Part of Don wanted to make a joke, about thinking Lessa had been getting fat. Another part was very happy Don tended to filter such thoughts, and thus wouldn't do something incredibly stupid.

A third part figured, what's the point in being in love if you can't trade harmless jokes? 

"You know, here I thought you were just getting fat!"

Lessa's eyes narrowed.

"You are veeeery lucky I'm going to want more than one baby…"

Chapter 14

The most dangerous part of any illegal activity was getting paid.

Sean leaned against the shuttle wall as the two buyers examined the crates. They were not actually opening them, naturally. The shielding on the uranium was best not disturbed out here, especially by those who were just middlemen. Sean had no idea who these people were, or what eventual destination they had in mind for the glowing rocks. Nor did he care. All he wanted was payment, and to get the dangerous stuff as far away as possible.

In that order.

Sean had come to hate the game of deceit played by both sides in this business. Everyone lied. Those who were weak, projected strength. Those who were strong, hid their true power. It was a dance, each side trying to secure what they saw as their due, while not giving up more than they had to. There was no honor among thieves... as there was no difference between having honor, and just making sure none of your victims survived.

This group, he thought, was going to make a play.

The shuttle was docked with a similar craft, airlocks securely joined as the Liberty and its counterpart held station ten kilometers away. As these two buyers were examining the cargo here, Mel and Holand were over on the other shuttle, watched by two of their people as they counted the gold. The goal was to transfer each cargo to the other ship, without the temptation for one side to just keep everything became too great. As the heads of the two men once again came together, a whispering conversation as eyes flicked back towards Sean, he sighed. There was going to be trouble. He hated trouble.

Sean glanced at Lessa. She stood by the hatch to the cockpit, looking bored. If shit went down, she'd do her job. It was Sean's job, though, to see it didn't come to that. Waking himself, he pushed off from the wall and took a few steps towards the back of the cabin.

"So, what's your play going to be?"

The adults almost jumped. Sean shook his head. They obviously weren't pros at this, one reason he suspected betrayal. These were pirates of opportunity, unable to resist a quick dip into the illegal. Well, they'd just have to learn.

"What do you mean?" the largest of the two asked. He stood up straight himself, hand near his sidearm as his companion edged a bit away to make himself a harder target. Over in the other ship, the sound of movement stopped. Sean shrugged.

"I'm asking how you're going to do it. Try and knock the price down and cheat us? Threaten, and take everything? Jump us poor kids, so there's no witnesses? What's the plan?"

Their eyes widened. Sean saw hands edge towards weapons. He smiled.

"Because, let me tell you, it's a bad idea. You don't want to mess with Lessa Cerova."

The larger one just stared at Sean, confused, a condition that was probably his natural state. The brown haired lanky man, though, whipped to face Lessa. His eyes almost seemed to bug out as he took a step backwards, legs hitting the crates. Lessa frowned, arms still crossed across her chest. The man tried unsuccessfully to phase through the crates and hide behind them. His companion just looked between the two, still confused.

"Pete? What the hell's going on?"

"It's HER!." When no comprehension was forthcoming, Pete actually walked forward, fear forgotten, and whacked the man on the arm. "HER! Lessa the Butcher!"

Sean could feel Lessa glowering at him, and he couldn't blame her. This was not something to be proud of. Still, it got the job done, and she had earned that name, and others, honestly. He nodded to the adults amiably.

"So, we have an understanding, I take it?"

****

Sean felt tired as he stepped off the shuttle onto the deck of the Liberty. They still weren't safe, naturally. You were never safe so long as another ship was this close. Still, his job was done. He could get some rest.

"So, everything go OK?"

He let out a sigh as Don approached. Stupid concern for their well being... Sensing, more than seeing, Lessa come up behind him, Sean stepped aside. The brown haired girl walked down the short ramp up to Don, a smile on her face. Sean didn't trust a smiling Lessa. Or a frowning one. Nor, he had to admit, did he like seeing her and Don exchange a tender kiss. That was just pure jealousy, though. What they had seemed real, honest.

Nothing like what awaited him.

Lessa turned back to Sean as she broke the kiss, an arm staying around Don. The shorter boy, in a display nobody would have thought possible for either when this all started, cupped her breast.

"Sean," Lessa said, voice disapproving, "used me again."

Don's eyebrows rose slightly at that, but a smile touched his lips.

"If there is anybody I trust to use you well, Lessa, it's him." He nodded to Sean. "No problems?"

"Naw," Sean said, removing his gun belt, tossing it to a nearby girl. Tracy caught it easily, placing it on the weapons cart. "I think they're more happy to have come out of the deal safely than we are."

"Good to hear."

A voice yelled Sean's name from behind Don. With a sigh, he looked up to see Vince coming towards them. The slim blond was moving quickly, ponytail flopping around. He wore yellow slacks and an orange shirt Sean was sure weren't in his closest that morning. The teen threw himself into Sean's arms, lips seeking his. Closing his eyes, Sean responded, then pushed his friend away. Vince grabbed his arm, pulling them off somewhere, most likely towards their cabin, as he began rambling about this and that. Sean only half heard.

He wanted more than this. More than... Vince.

The kid was a good fuck, though.

****

Ger was almost to his cabin, and a well needed rest after the day's mission, when Jenny's voice calling his name. He had a moment's desire to ignore her, go into the cabin, and just lie down on his bed. He then had a moment's fantasy of her following him in, joining him in said bed. Laughing, because life was too short to spend it otherwise, he turned to grin at his former roommate.

"What's up?"

She smiled back. That was good. Ger had no hard feelings, for the most part. After all, they were just friends who had enjoyed each other's company. If she was happy with this Hanna woman... well, good. They still had to work together, after all, and him being jealous would just put others in danger. As if seeing some of this play across his face, Jenny moved up and hugged him. Ger squeezed back, allowing himself to enjoy her body again. Stepping back, he smiled.

"And?"

"And..." Jenny's expression saddened. "We're leaving."

****

They sat next to each other on his bed, holding hands. Ger just stared at the wall. It wasn't an interesting wall, to be sure. He wasn't sure what else to do, though.

"Are you certain about this? You've only know her for, what, two weeks?"

"A bit more, but... yeah, I'm sure." She looked at him, eyes watering a bit. That looked so out of place on the teen, almost as not-her as that shirt was. Jenny, so far as Ger was concerned, was always happy, half naked, and covered in grease. Leaning over, he gave her a quick kiss.

"She's not happy here? I know you are, or were..."

"I'm very happy, was with you, am with her. But, well..." Jenny sighed. "She's not at home here. She wants a shop. A town. People."

Ger nodded.

"I can understand that. She didn't choose."

"And I want to be with her."

Ger closed his eyes. Memories of them together floated before his eyes. The problems of love and life, it seemed, still existed out here in space. He squeezed her hand, looking at her once more.

"I'll miss you."

****

Amanda bent down, looking past the cue ball at the black eight ball in her sights.

It was a tough shot, one she had no hope of making. She'd have to shave the eight just right, trying to send it down into the corner while avoiding sending the cue ball into the side pocket. Hmm... maybe she should just give up now.

"Come on," Sirenia bitched. "Make your shot!"

Oh, Amanda was in no hurry. Loser had to take the winner's slot cleaning dishes. Amanda did NOT want to do that! Maybe if she just barely struck the ball, so it just touched the eight and stopped...

"Amanda, company."

Wendi's warning had Amanda turning as she stood, looking at the approaching teen. Mel wore brown fatigues, with a plain white shirt. She was obviously braless, not that she had much in that department. What she did, have, though, were damned well formed arm muscles, the lack of sleeves revealing them in all their gory. Amanda leaned on the pool cue a bit, her friends moving next to her, as Mel came to a stop before them.

"Want next game?"

Mel shook her head, smiling. Her eyes flicked to the other two girls, then back to Amanda.

"I need to talk to you. Alone."

Amanda blinked. This was unexpected. Looking over at the others, she saw Sirenia draw Wendi's head over to whisper something. The redhead then grabbed Wendi's arm, pulling her towards the door.

"We'll go elsewhere! Catch you later, Amanda!"

Amanda blinked again, mouth open. Abandoned! Just like that! So much for support! Letting herself fall back, her butt came to rest against the pool table. Still holding the pool cue with both hands, she nodded to Mel.

"Talk."

Mel didn't, though. Walking around the table, she grabbed another cue. Amanda, instinctively, leaned her cue against the table and began racking up the balls. Mel grabbed the cube of chalk.

"It's about your brother." Amanda said nothing, digging the six ball out of one of the pockets. "You know we've been spending time together."

"Yes." Amanda knew. Everyone knew. You don't keep secrets on a ship. Mel nodded.

"We enjoy each other's company, and well, you know." Amanda didn't want to know. "But... well, I want it to be more than that. I want us to be a couple."

Amanda just shook her head.

"And you want my help? Fuck off."

"No. I want your permission."

Amanda jerked her hands as she lifted the rack off the balls, destroying the perfect triangle formation on the green felt. She stared across the table.

"What?"

"I know how close you are," Mel said. "He loves you, always talks about you. I can't come between that, so... I want to know if I'm acceptable to you." Amanda was speechless. "I don't mind getting rejected by him. Well, I'll mind, but I can accept it. But... I want it to be because of how he feels about me, not because he thinks I'm making you upset. So... do I have your permission to court your brother?"

Court. Such an... archaic term. Nobody here courted. Or dated. They fucked. Did this girl... love her brother? REALLY love him?

"Um... yeah. Sure. You can date him."

Mel smiled. It was a nice smile, Amanda thought. A very nice smile.

****

"WHY are we doing this again?"

Wendi didn't really expect an answer from Sirenia. Well, she knew there would be an answer. She just didn't expect it to make much sense. Her friend could be a little... flightily, at times. That was re-enforced at times like this, with the slight girl dragging her down the corridor towards the exercise room. Sirenia did stop, though, turning to Wendi with a serious, or at least serious for her, expression.

"You heard Ger the other day, didn't you? He likes girls who are strong! Look at these!" She held out her arms. "I'm a stick! How can I get him with arms like this?!?" She grabbed Wendi's hand again, pulling her forward. For a weak girl, she had a good grip.

Sirenia didn't even pause at the doorway blocking their path. She reached her hand out as they approached, hit the button, and trusted it would be open enough by the time the rest of her body reached the gap in the wall.

They barely made it.

Once inside, Sirenia did stop, releasing Wendi. As the black haired girl rubbed her wrist, Sirenia looked around. Wendi could follow her train of thought. There were complicated, confusing machines here, with shiny metal bars and large weights. Eyes wide with nervous indecision, she grabbed Wendi's arm.

"OK... what do I do? You use these things. What should I do to become strong?"

Wendi sighed. It was going to be one of those days. She looked around. There should be something simple they could use, something Sirenia wouldn't hurt herself on for the short time it would take for her to be bored with this...

A grunt came from the back of the room. As one, the two pre-teens quietly moved for a better view.

Lessa was hanging from a metal bar, both hands gripping it as her nude form almost seemed to glow from the sweat. As they watched, she pulled herself up, body not even seeming to strain itself as her chin rose over the bar. She stayed there for a moment, legs together, breathing controlled. Lessa then began a repetition of chin-ups.

Wendi watched, transfixed. Lessa... was beautiful. So... strong! Gods, look at her! A few months pregnant, and she could still do all this! What Wendi wouldn't give...

"She's a freak!"

Sirenia's whispered slander didn't make Wendi mad, as much as she was disappointed. Didn't she see that this was the type of girl boys wanted? What Ger wanted, what Kine wanted... what Kine HAD! Mel didn't have the breasts of Lessa, but she had to be as strong! If they were going to have any hope of getting the men they wanted, Wendi and Sirenia had to be strong. Glancing around, she pulled her friend towards the corner.

"Here. We'll start with this. Watch me. I'll do twenty reps, then we'll set it up for you..."

Chapter 15

Every living soul on the Liberty was gathered on the bridge. The holographic navigation sphere had been turned off, the entire three storey curved front wall now a view screen. Displayed on it... the colony ship.

"Gods..." Don couldn't keep his eyes off of it.

When man had first come to this system, he had arrived in a half dozen large, rotating cylinders, habitats able to withstand the voyage of almost a century, delivering hundreds of thousands of colonists to the waiting virgin planets. Generations had grown up in them during the journey, and even more had come into their own on them as mankind slowly terraformed the planets and moons of the inner solar system. As those challenges were solved, the ships were moved outward, to provide bases from which the outer gas giants, almost miniature solar systems in their own right, could be conquered. Now they sat in their third life, as space ports and hubs of trade. Living relics of what man could do. They had been named after mythological cities and empires of the old world. Babylon, Atlantis, Cairo, Rome, Hollywood... and London.

The Liberty slowly approached the docking end of the London. The thirty kilometer long cylinder, rotating just fast enough to provide one g on its inner surface, originally had a massive airlock on the front, into which entire space ships would pass before either unloading cargo, or proceeding through the inner doors into the heart of the station. With its days as a spaceship now over, and permanently in orbit around Hikaru, an outer docking ring had been added around the outer edge of the front. Over a hundred ships could match speed with the rotation and dock, and there had been talk of removing the engine and repeating the process at the other end. Given how tough and robust the ancestors had made this star traveler, though, it could take centuries to achieve that feat even in a time of peace...

Under the control of the station docking computer, the Liberty slowly slipped into its mooring ring. Clamps adjusted to the shape of the ship, and with a shudder the Liberty became one with the station. The ship's gravity deactivated, and all on board felt real gravity take hold as they rotated with the station. An enclosed causeway extended and attached to the ship... and they were here.

****

If any form of democracy existed among the teens, they would have voted to all immediately rush off the Liberty. Over two months in deep space was far too long: Don himself vowed that next time they'd plan things better. Hell, it would have been easier it seemed to just stay still and let the planet come to them rather than to chase it down in its orbit on the other side of the sun. But, the delivery job just completed had demanded it, and with that done they now had enough money to last them almost a year.

Unless the females did the shopping.

The main hatch opened, and Don led the first group of tourists onto the causeway towards the waiting Dockmaster. This was a Rebel station, which somewhat determined some of the choices, but mostly Don picked those he wanted to travel with. Lessa, naturally, which meant Shelly, Bell and Bella. Ger, who Don had truly come to rely on to keep the shuttles going, and who now apparently had two almost twelve year old girls tagging along with him, Wendi and Sirenia. Although, Wendi seemed to be more interested in walking close to Lessa... Sean, as he'd be needed in a moment, and his boy toy Vince. That unfortunately meant that Kine and his sister had to stay on board, as there was no way Don was leaving the ship without either Sean OR Kine on board. Hanna was also with them, with her companion Jenny. That made an even dozen, if his math was correct.

Any more, and this excursion might be unlucky.

The Dockmaster, a rather friendly looking woman in her early thirties, welcome them as they approached. Noting their apparent hierarchy, she looked at Don.

"Do you have papers?"

Don nodded at Sean, who stepped forward and with his right hand presented her with a plastic card, along with some papers and something round and heavy held between them. His Guard ring was clearly visible. The Dockmaster's eyes widened a bit, and she gave the group a closer look. Don smiled.

"We're just here to get some shopping done, and rest. We're hoping it'll be a peaceful vacation." He put his arm around the now somewhat obviously pregnant Lessa, and the woman noting her condition gave Lessa a warm smile. Bouncing the papers in her hand to get a feel for the weight of the hidden coin, the Dockmaster took the card and swiped it into a console next to a 'no weapons allowed' sign and hit some buttons. The coin slipped unobtrusively into her pocket with practiced grace, the rest handed back to Sean.

"Welcome to London."

****

The train broke out of the tunnel into the heart of the station, bringing gasps from those inside. It was one thing to know what to expect, but to SEE it...

They were traveling along the inner wall of the massive cylinder, its sides curving up and over them. Buildings, trees, parks, lakes... all spread out before, and above, them. Sirenia was fascinated, ignoring their immediate surroundings and only looking up. It was just so... impossible! The inner surface was divided into three long segments stretching the length of the station, alternating with three bright thin equally long artificial suns which lighted the land opposite them. There were regular gaps in the suns where train tracks crossed to connect the three habitable segments.

To think, Sirenia thought, we can do this as well as destroy...

****

A short time later the teens exited the train and stood in the middle of a village. Small shops and restaurants dotted the street, various couples and families wandering between them. Shelly looked them over, and gave a laugh.

"Nice day for a stroll, it seems."

Don chuckled, then looked over the group.

"Our first decision for the day. Do we divide up and go where we will, or do we stick together for awhile?"

"I say we walk together," Lessa said, holding his hand. "See what's around before we scatter." There was general agreement, so picking a direction at random they started off.

After a few minutes, as they stopped to look in a shop window at some jewelry, Don noticed Hanna standing next to him with Jenny. Hanna wore a light, long blue dress while Jenny had a battered t-shirt that bared her tummy, and faded torn jeans. Something was obviously on their mind, so Don waited.

"Don," Hanna finally started, as the others began to wander down to the next store. "I... I mean, we... we may want to stay here." Don wasn't surprised by this. She wasn't one of them, however accepted they'd tried to make her feel. The rest of the group, on hearing this, stopped. Vince took a step back towards her with a look of despair on his face.

"But who's going to make those shirts I like for me?!?"

"Hopefully, nobody," grumbled Sean, rolling his eyes. Don had to agree, as the teen's taste in outfits was horrible. His current lime green and orange ensemble was no exception. Don waved off that objection without even looking back, giving the pair a speculative look.

"You're naturally free to go anytime and make a new life. Was... was it anything we did?"

"No," Hanna said, smiling and shaking her head. "It's just..." she took Jenny's hand. "I can't do that anymore. I need to be in a town or city. I want to start a life." Don glanced at Jenny, who nodded.

"I'll take care of her. Between what she's extorted from the fashion fiends and my cut of the last job, we can easily set up here, or elsewhere."

"When you finally decide," Don said, "let us know. We'll miss you." He turned, and the group continued its ambling journey. He could hear Ger fall back and try, half seriously, to talk his favorite mechanic and ex-lover out of it. Nobody had abandoned the ship yet. Once the first defection occurred, though... Don had a sneaking suspicion it would lead to a larger exodus.

So long as Lessa stayed by his side, he honestly didn't care.

****

Walking slightly behind Don and Lessa, Sirenia was casting glances back at Ger. She bit her lip.

"I think I'm going to start mechanic training once we get back," she muttered to Wendi. Her friend just sighed.

"Yeah, that's a good plan." Wendi gazed again at Lessa's form in front of her. The woman was such a warrior! Wendi tried to match that gait, and noticed, despite being unarmed, Lessa's free hand was always near where her holster would normally be. Maybe... she could get up the guts to ask to be trained by her. If she couldn't do that, she didn't deserve to become a warrior herself. Her expression hardened. She'd do it... later.

****

They stopped at a couple stores, not buying much yet. Jenny found a set of four earrings that she wanted to get for Hanna, the younger girls not understanding why she blushed so much when Jenny whispered in her ear. Sure, her ears currently only had two piercings, but surely she could find places for new holes for the other two golden rings...

After an hour they stopped at an outdoor cafe (although, technically everything here was 'indoors'), pulled a couple tables together and ordered lunch. Sirenia found herself once again looking up at the sky.

"How can you do that," Bella asked, shaking her head. "I'm trying to ignore it. It's like the whole thing's going to fall down on us!"

"Wimp!"

That brought a laugh from everyone, but Sirenia was already back to looking up. So much to see... she heard rather then saw Don asking Sean why he'd taken off his Guard ring already, since this was a Rebel world. Her attention had been captured by movement back towards the docking end of the station. Some thing... things... were in the middle, zero gravity portion of the cylinder. They were flowing out of the huge open airlock, moving quickly down the center of the station...

Sirenia's body went cold.

"Don!" Her hand shot out, and grabbed Don's sleeve. She pointed upwards. "Why are there warships up there?!?"

Don looked up, and his eyes went wide. He shot to his feet, chair clattering to the ground.

"Binoculars, anyone!"

Both Lessa and Sean had pairs in their hand instantly. Don quickly grabbed Lessa's while Sean raised his. Both quickly focused on the onrushing craft.

"Federation!" hissed Sean. "How?! Where are the alar..."

He was interrupted by the sound of muffled bangs, and the smoke trails of rising rockets could be seen coming from points all over the inner surface of the station heading towards the invading ships. Dozens of smaller trails shot out from the ships, explosions filling the sky. The sound of them arrived a moment later. As the lead ship passed overhead, it let out a roar and a massive volley of fire. The train station where they had just been exploded. The teens dropped to the ground, shocked. Smoke and small clumps of dirt and metal rained down on them, their path unexpected due to the rotation of the ground beneath them. Other explosions could be heard and felt all over.

Lessa regained her composure first, looking first at Don, making sure he was OK, then over at Sean. She saw Sean's hand coming from his pants pocket and putting his ring back on.

"We have to get weapons," she said, getting to her hands and knees, "then get back to the ship." Ger had his communicator out, and after a moment looked at her shaking his head.

"They're jamming, naturally. We don't even know if the Liberty is still there."

"No time to think that far ahead," Don said, and he pointed upwards. Small craft were spiraling down from the warships towards the surface.

Troop ships.

"Everyone up!" Sean yelled. He helped Vince to his feet, the gaudily dressed teen scared shitless. 

They all were.

****

Picking a direction away from the nearest landing ship but towards the docks, Lessa and Sean led the other ten quickly through the yelling, panicking locals. After a few moments Lessa led them off the road, through yards and parks, jumping fences while being wary of large, open spaces. Lessa used her binoculars to get a look at the land over their head, hoping it was similar to what lay unseen right in front of them. They'd need every advantage they could get.

They came around a corner, skidding to a stop. Before them gathered a few dozen adults, half in Rebel uniforms, half not, surrounding a square opening in the ground. One of them quickly had a rifle pointed at the newcomers, but an unfazed Sean raised the back of his hand, showing the ring as he calmly walked forward.

"Guardsmen! We need to arm! Can you spare something?"

A smartly dressed middle aged man stepped out of the group and motioned for his soldier to lower his weapon. He looked at Sean, who stood confidently before him.

"Can you all fight?" He glanced at the young women in the group.

"Yes, but does it matter?"

The officer scoffed at that.

"Nope. Once we're gone, take all you need."

"Is this a raid or invasion?" Sean asked, motioning the others to come up behind him. The officer this time openly laughed.

"As if we'll ever know." Turning, he saw his men were now armed. He gave a brief nod to Sean, then led his troops through a break in the bushes. In a moment the dozen teens were again alone.

Quickly, Lessa jumped down into the supply cellar and began handing out weapons. No flak jackets, for all they were of limited worth, but soon they were loaded down with whatever they were most comfortable with, along with all the ammo they could carry. Making sure his second pistol was comfortable on his hip, Don looked around at his crew.

"OK. We have no idea what's going on. It's probably an hour or more walk back to the ship. We only fight when needed, but should try to stay on a straight path. Safety over speed, speed over conflict. Got it?" They nodded. "Sean, take point. Lessa, rearguard."

They were off.

****

They quickly learned the hazards of fighting on a curved world, although luckily they weren't the ones who failed the test. They had been jogging through a residential area when Sirenia looked upwards to the right. There, clear as could be, was a Federation assault squad advancing towards what looked like a medical complex. Suddenly, from somewhere up and to her left, a wave of hand fired rockets streaked overhead and fell on the unsuspecting Feds. Don looked up, and paled.

"My gods... there's no such thing as cover!"

"Unless we're under a roof," Sean agreed grimly. "Let's go faster."

****

They came to a wide, open parkland.

Sean stopped them at the edge, motioning Don and Lessa forward. The three looked out over the field.

"Well, we can use playground equipment for cover," Don said dryly. "Just go for it?"

Lessa looked around, seeing no movement. The fighting now seemed all towards the other end of the station, with whatever the Feds were after being located there. It was now obvious this was some sort of raid: no attempt was being made to either clear out or secure areas. And, she noted, looking over at a wide burning complex, no concern about the place still being useable after the battle. She turned back to them and nodded.

"Just go for it." Leaning down she gave Don a kiss.

"I'm not kissing you," Sirenia said to Wendi, and they giggled. She turned to offer Ger a kiss when she saw him getting a tender one from Jenny. Sirenia swung her head forward, embarrassed and upset. She then felt a soft peck on her cheek, and turned to see Wendi pulling back her face.

"There. For luck." Wendi drew her gun and moved forward before her friend could react.

Shelly, seeing this, turned to Lessa and arched an eyebrow at her.

"Do I get a kiss from you?"

Eyes full of emotion, Lessa leaned in and kissed Shelly's cheek. Shelly's hand slowly went up, touching the spot as Lessa sat back up next to her lover. Her heart was racing.

"...you bitch," she whispered.

Sean turned his attention back to the field. Vince was shaking next to him, but he had to ignore that. The battlefield was no place for emotion. Or kisses. He raised a hand.

And lowered it.

They ran.

There was no point trying to go from cover to cover. The twelve teens just ran, aiming for the tree line two hundred or so meters away. They didn't run full speed, as there was no way they could hold it for that distance, but jogged as fast as they could. Sean stayed well up in front, with Wendi surprisingly close, and Don found himself back just in front of Lessa. Only her need to actually bring up the rear kept Lessa from passing him, and Don once again cursed his body. Why couldn't he...

****

Lessa was looking behind them to make sure all was still clear when she heard a thud. Something warm and sticky splattered on her face. It had a familiar feel... 

...oh... gods...

Her head whipped forward.

Don was spinning and falling forward. The rear of his head was gone.

****

He was falling.

****

Don.

****

Darkness.

****

Emptiness.

****

RAGE.

****

His body hadn't even hit the ground before Lessa was racing through the grass, the Other now fully in control. Her rifle was out, strafing the distant group of figures by a clump of trees. She could see the forms diving for cover. From behind, she heard the shouts of familiar voices. One seemed to shout her name. Another, male, yelled something about covering fire and tend to Bella.

Nothing she need worry about.

Lessa sensed those before her had gotten their wits back, and she threw herself forward and to the left. She hit the ground rolling, barely noticing the tracer fire that flew through her former position. Lessa rolled past a picnic table and was on her feet running forward again. The Federation squad was before her.

****

Sean had them on the ground, in a defensive circle.

Don was dead. That much, at least, was clear. Bella was hit, but it had gone right through her arm missing the bone so that was good. Vince's leg seemed to be shattered, which wasn't so good. And... Lessa had reverted to form.

She had reached the enemy, and Sean ordered the remaining teens to ceasefire. They could see her, moving, spinning among the soldiers. Wendi grabbed the binoculars off Sean's belt and raised them.

"You don't want..." he started, then sighed. She had the right to if she wanted.

A moment later Wendi dropped the binoculars onto the grass, her face as white as Sirenia's. Shaking, she slowly turned to Sean.

"She's..."

He nodded, sadly.

"I know."

****

Lessa had dropped her rifle, now using a pistol and a long knife. Five dead men lay around her. The face of a woman to her left imploded, and Lessa whirled and sliced a man coming at her down the arm, by chance following a major artery. As he fell away screaming, she dropped to a knee just as a shot passed over her head, firing three times into the last soldier. He spun and fell.

Behind her, the man was still screaming something about his arm. Lessa stood, drew a second knife, and turned to stand above him. Squatting, she made three slices and the screaming stopped.

Rising, Lessa gazed over the uniforms of the fallen. She spotted the one with the highest rank. Moving over, Lessa flipped the body on its back. She knelt.

They had torn her heart out. Time to return the favor.

****

"Time to go."

Sean motioned everyone up. He grabbed a drugged, groggy Vince, getting him on his back, while Bell helped her sister. He motioned Wendi to take point, and despite everything she momentarily swelled with pride.

"What about Lessa?!?" Shelly screamed, pointing at the distant figure. Jenny had been forced to restrain her from running out after her, and even now had a hand on her arm.

"I'll bring her back," Sean said, grimly.

****

Lessa had almost finished the job when she heard the shout.

"Lessa! Don is leaving!"

She jumped to her feet and whirled. They were carrying Don away!

"No!"

Knives sheathed, she ran as fast as her exhausted, adrenaline filled, pregnant body could manage. Angling her path, she met the retreating teens just as they reached the edge of the park. Lessa grabbed Don's body, which Hanna and Jenny had been carrying between them, and dropped to her knees, clutching and crying. Shelly hesitantly reached a hand out, wanting to touch her, comfort her. Her hand wavered just above Lessa's shoulder. Her friend was covered in so much blood...

"We can't stop," Sean barked. Gritting her teeth, Shelly reached out and grabbed Lessa's arms and pulled her up. Lessa growled, but after a moment's resistance rose up with Don. Shelly helped, cringing inside, and soon the two of them were hurrying along with the others, the lifeless form of Don suspended between them.

****

Kine paced the hallway.

He didn't know if they had gone far enough into the station to secure the retreat of their friends. He didn't know if they had gone TOO far, and would have to fight their way back. He had left people at the intersections, but...

Mostly, he just didn't know what the fuck was going on.

It was obviously an inside job, in part. That was clear. The large station doors had just opened for the Federation ships, meaning somehow they'd manage to secure those controls. The Feds had just shown up, and gone in...

And HOW did they show up?!? One minute everything was fine, the next this honking big fleet was right next to the docking ring! What, did they have mythical "warp" engines or...

Kine paused. That captain they'd rescued had said something about an engine test blowing up that ship. Could it be... and in the first battle they encountered, ships seemed to pop up near them out of nowhere...

He shook his head. Or it could just be some wonderful new stealth tech, so nobody saw them until they were almost in visual range. That would be easier to believe.

"Kine!"

Amanda's whispered shout got his attention. She was kneeling against the wall, gun drawn, her attention at the far end of the hallway. There was the sound of movement. Kine drew his weapon and knelt behind her, gun aimed over her head. The communicator chose that moment to spring to life.

"Ger to Liberty!"

He snatched it off his belt.

"Liberty! Go!"

"Thank the gods! We're coming in. Do you have patrols out?"

"Yes. I'm in front, and you may be around the corner from me. Shout 'fuck' if it's you."

He heard the sound of "fuck" come from the end of the hallway. A moment later the he and Amanda stood as the tourist party staggered towards them. They were all accounted for, but...

"What happened..." whispered Amanda.

"We got fucked, that's what happened. Kine," Sean panted, shifting the weight of the now unconscious Vince on his back, "could you...?" Kine stepped forward quickly and transferred Vince to his back. Sean took a moment to stretch, then looked at what remained of the crew.

"To the ship. NOW."

****

Sean and Kine burst onto the bridge, with Amanda close behind. Sean sprinted up towards the command chair, shouting, "Status!" Villa gave up his chair as Sean approached, tensely giving a rundown.

"Six destroyers are out there watching the entrance. They fired on one ship that tried to leave the docking ring, but have left the rest of us alone. No idea why: I mean, this IS a warship we're in..."

"Never question the stupidity of others," Sean said, sitting down and getting a look at the data himself. Amanda took over a navigation station, Kine plopping into a station next to Sean.

"We could," Villa offered, "just sit here. They're not bothering us, and if it is a raid they'll leave soon..."

"... at which point we discover if they want witnesses or not. No, I'm not taking that chance." Sean looked over at Kine. "Anything?"

There was no response for a moment, then Kine's eyes went wide.

"Oh, you're shitting me!"

"What?"

"One of the destroyers is the Avon!" Kine looked up at Sean, excited. "Captain Horn's ship!"

"Assuming that really WAS his ship," Sean grumbled.

"We gotta try." Kine was up and moving over to the communication station. He pushed Rich out of the seat.

"Make sure that's a tight beam..." Sean had no illusions that this would work, but was not exactly thinking at his most clearly right then. They might as well give it a shot. Maybe, if the gods were against them, one of the daemons would look kindly on the Liberty...

****

"Captain!"

Horn looked over at the communications officer. Things had been rather dull for the past hour, so maybe this was a horrible crisis to liven things up.

"Report."

"It's..." The man was puzzled. "It's a focused communication beam from a docked ship."

"Well, put it on."

"It's text only, Sir. It reads, 'Kine to Horn: Hello again! Care to have a sensor problem at 13:22:52 and call it even? Love and kisses, Liberty."

Horn stood, and gave a surprised glance at his executive officer. Lieutenant Bush quickly went to the sensors.

"Well I'll be! It IS them! We'll be the closest ship to them at that time." He looked up at the Captain. "Orders?"

Horn looked out at the rotating station.

"That sensor array HAS been giving us problems, hasn't it?"

****

The docking rings burst off of the Liberty. The engines ignited immediately, and the ship sped off, not away from the station, but instead moved to race along its length, spiraling around it so as to keep the bulk of the station between it and any particular destroyer for as long as possible. Once past the far end of the London, they simply opened up the throttle and hoped for the best.

For once that day, it was good enough.

Chapter 16

Lessa sat, looking at Don's lifeless body.

****

Bell pulled the curtain closed around the bed at the far end of sickbay. Vince was finally sedated, and his leg set about as well as she could do with less than a year's training. It would be a bit shorter than the other, but nothing could be done about that. He was lucky she didn't just cut it off: that would have saved her hours of effort.

She looked over at the other side of the room. Her twin Bella was testing out her bandaged right arm, flexing and not feeling much pain now. That would change once the drugs wore off. Bell would have to see how soon they could be resupplied before being too liberal with the pain killers. Especially if things stayed this bad.

Her eyes glanced over to the door to the... well, morgue. No other name would make the room seem any better. Lessa was still in there, and had been for hours. Shelly sat outside, her expression... Bell couldn't really say. Guessing exactly what was going through the older girl's head was never a good idea. There were depths there that she didn't want to travel down, for all she considered the dark haired girl a friend. Others had said she used to be a happy, care free person. Bell had only seen flashes of that. Almost as if she sensed Bell's thoughts, Shelly looked over. Seeing both twins were free she stood, body protesting physically and emotionally, and both she and Bell walked over to Bella and sat on empty patient beds next to her.

"Vince OK?" Shelly asked. She glanced over at the enclosed area, then back at the twins. Bell nodded.

"Best we can do. None of us are really good at surgery, although it would have been better if Lessa was..."

"Hey, she needs space!" Shelly almost growled her rebuke, and Bell held up her hands in supplication.

"I know! I know! I'm not suggesting she's in the wrong here! I'm just pointing out our medical staff is a bit small and two are somewhat out of action." She looked at her sister, who replied with a meek shrug and rubbed the bandage. "We probably should never ever send the entire medical staff off the ship again. That was stupid." She shook her head.

Shelly reached over and rubbed her back a bit.

"All of us are stupid, in some way or another."

"I'm not", Bella chimed in, but it was an automatic attempt at humor with no real feeling behind it. Shelly ignored her.

"We're more than prepared for some things, and all think we know more than enough to handle the universe outside, but..."

"What HAPPENED to Lessa? I saw it, but... I just can't process it."

Bell looked at Shelly, worry in her eyes.

"Is she going to be OK?"

Shelly closed her eyes, hands clutching each other in her lap.

"She never has been."

****

Lessa sat, looking at Don's lifeless body.

****

Sean and Kine were well on their way to being drunk.

The two sat on opposite sides of the table in the conference room behind the bridge. The tall blond had a pitcher of fruit beer sitting in front of him, half empty, partly covering various displays on the screen built into the table. He wasn't bothering with a mug, as pouring would just take up valuable drinking time. He did consider using a straw, though. Sean, on the other hand, had a bottle of brown liquor and a very small glass. You try and pour more than a shot full down your throat, he learned his first year in the Guard, and it would burn everything both on the way down and on the way back up. Scrolling the figures on his own screen, he downed another shot and automatically got a refill. He looked over at Kine.

"I don't know how you guys can drink that fruit stuff. It goes down like water and takes forever to do anything."

"That's the idea," Kine said, taking another gulp. "Get the kids drunk but not TOO drunk. As for me, Amanda's going to drink whatever I drink so I'm sticking to this."

"She's not here," Sean reminded him, picking up the bottle and offering it. Kine gave a half smile and shook his head, the bottle returning to its proper home at Sean's side.

"So," Kine said, changing the subject, "while we're flush with cash, there's no way we can even think about trying for another planetary orbit without resupplying. We have to find a safe port. After that..." He looked up at the dark skinned teen. "... I'm for finding someplace to hide for a month or two and just listen in on the universe. Find out what the fuck is going on out there before we stumble into something else lethal."

"But WHERE?" Sean just shook his head, rolling the full shot glass in his fingers. Had to pace himself. "Even I thought London was totally safe, immune from conflict. Now... I mean, have you listened to the chatter out there? The entire Hikaru system is blowing up, if even half the stuff is to be believed. Rebels aren't going to let neutral ships anywhere near them, we're probably in the Fed databases by now, and anyplace independent is shutting down and trying not to be noticed. We're fucked."

Kine raised his pitcher in a toast.

"To being fucked!"

Sean raised his glass, and both downed their drink.

"Speaking of which," Kine said, leaning back in his chair, "how's Vince? Gonna be OK?"

Sean poured another shot, looked at it, then reluctantly decided he really couldn't send it down after its sibling yet. He leaned back in his own chair as well.

"Yeah... yeah, that's what the girls said. The fucking idiot..." Sean trailed off. He considered, debating how much if anything to say. He picked up his drink again, figuring that would probably really help the decision making process, then put it back down and leaned forward with his arms on the table, looking at Kine.

"Look, man, I have to ask you... have you ever just suddenly lost respect for someone you were with?" Kine looked up, startled, leaning forward on the table as well. Sean's eyes wandered around the room, trying to focus his thoughts. "I mean... he's a bitch. A weak, whiny, bitch. OK, I kinda knew that already, and it was kinda fun and different, but... I want a MAN, damn it! If I wanted a whiny girl, I'd go for girls!"

Kine chuckled.

"Mel and Jenny are twice the man Vince is, and Lessa's dick would split you wide open."

"Exactly! I kind of lived with it before, but... I don't think I can now." He decided it was time for another shot, closing his eyes as the liquid made its way down his throat to do its work. His hands refilled the glass. He sighed, opening his eyes and looking at Kine. "I still care for him, though, and just dumping him now seems... evil."

"Evil, human, same thing."

"And also," Sean went on, his mind suddenly realizing something, "how come I had to go find some punk runaway on a moon to finally find someone who even swung that way, yet we have girls pairing up everywhere?!? Not fair, man!"

"Maybe it's something in the water," Kine chuckled, "or, like you, they're just disappointed in the quality of the boys here but, unlike you, have decided to switch teams."

Sean blew a raspberry.

"Believe me, if looking at one of them did ANYTHING for me I'd probably be tempted." He looked over at Kine and raised an eyebrow. "Any chance of getting you into my cabin?"

"Fuck you!"

"That's what I'm asking."

"I wouldn't fuck you with Lessa's cock!"

****

Lessa sat, looking at Don's lifeless body.

****

"My gods, Amanda, you should have SEEN what she did!"

The three preteens sat on the garden path. Amanda's eyes were wide in unbelieving horror as Sirenia told the tale of Lessa's transformation. Wendi sat silently.

"I just don't believe..."

"Believe!" Sirenia waved her hands in emphases. "I mean, she took off after those soldiers like a demon, and when she got there..." She shuddered. "It was hard to see, but it's like... she just cut them up. Like they were animals. Wendi had the binoculars, she could tell you." They both turned to the brown haired girl. Wendi looked only half seeing at them.

"She was... incredible."

"Incredibly fucked up you mean! She wasn't human!"

Amanda hugged her knees.

"I... we knew the stories about her. I was afraid she was this horrible monster who would kill and eat me when I found out she'd joined our group. But... she's so nice! I LIKE her! She's nothing like the stories!"

"Till now," Sirenia muttered, darkly. She cast a quick glance at Wendi. Her friend was starting to worry her.

"It's like with Sean," Amanda went on. "We all know the Guard, we all know they're as evil as fuck, and I saw what they did to..." she shook her head, getting that image out of her mind. "But once I got to know him, Sean is fine! Even Kine gets along with him! Just like with Lessa, the stories weren't true!"

"But they were," Sirenia countered. "We just never saw the real Lessa. Never saw her... angry."

"But she'll be OK now, right?" Amanda looked over at Wendi, as if that girl knew the mind of her idol. There was silence for a moment, then just as Sirenia was about to go off again they heard Wendi's soft voice.

"Lessa... is amazing. Her form, her style... yeah, she butchered those people, but they'd just killed her love! Who wouldn't do the same?!" She looked at her friends, not noticing the expressions of unease on their faces. "Lessa is such an incredible warrior. To be ABLE to do that, to have the skill and toughness... I want ..."

Amanda's eyes widened in shock.

"No, Wendi..." she whispered.

Wendi stood. Her two childhood friends looked up at her... and Wendi realized that was, in fact, what they were. Friends made when she was a child of eleven. It was time for her to become more.

The two girls watched as Wendi walked down the path through the flowers, and out the door. Sirenia's hand slid over and covered Amanda's.

"We've lost her..."

****

Lessa sat, looking at Don's lifeless body.

****

Hanna sat on the floor, pinning the pattern to the rolled out fabric.

She had always loved sewing, seeing it as a way to take her mind off of her problems, focusing on the narrow point where needle met cloth. She also loved the joy of creation, of turning plain fabric into beautiful clothing. Hanna had some flair for her own designs, but it was using patterns she most loved. Maybe it was she just liked seeing a plan actually work due to her hard work.

She straightened up, looking over the fabric with a critical eye. Who knew when she could get more, so it was important to make the most efficient cuts possible. Maybe if she moved the sleeves over there, that would leave a bigger piece of extra cloth on the right... or, would Jenny prefer no sleeves? Hanna liked seeing her that way...

The cabin door opened, Jenny entering. Her arms and upper body, as always, were filthy, all the more noticeable because she had tossed a clean shirt over the dirt for the walk home. She took the shirt off as soon as the door closed, tossing it on a chair, and walked over to look down at her lover.

"Having fun?"

"No."

She stood, careful not to step on her handiwork, and leaned in for a tender kiss from Jenny. Pulling back, she raised one hand to look at the slight smudge on it from touching Jenny. She cocked an eye at her wife.

"If we ever go on serious water rations, I'm either going to have to stop sleeping with you or stop sewing. Or just claim the grime is a new fashion statement."

"I'm sure some of those girls would believe it," Jenny said contemptuously, leaning in for another quick kiss before stripping off her shoes and shorts and heading towards the bathroom shower. Hanna followed her.

"What's the word out there. What are they going to do?"

"Beats me," Hanna replied, starting the water and testing the temperature. "Rumor is there'll be a meeting tonight or tomorrow telling us what we want to do."

"Two person democracy at work," Hanna agreed, shaking her head.

"It's not that bad." Jenny adjusted the warm water. "If we can't find someplace... are you OK with staying?" She looked over, her eyes worried. Hanna sometimes forgot how young her chosen was, how inexperienced, how insecure. She removed her own clothing, and stepped into the shower.

"I'll go or stay where you and I can be safe and happy." She held out her hand, and taking it Jenny stepped under the water with her.

****

Lessa stood up.

She looked down at her love. They had killed her love. Killed love in her. Killed... and deserved to be killed. She would kill them. All of them. Everywhere. He would want that. He would want their child to grow up with those responsible dead and gutted. As a loving mother, it was her duty.

She looked at the gold lockets on his chest. They looked dull, in the cold light of the room. The love had gone out of them. Maybe if they had the blood of their enemies on them they would glisten again. Her own seemed to shine now, although Lessa thought it would start to fade soon if she did not renew it with the lives of more killers. She knelt down next to the body, reaching around his neck to remove the necklace. Don looked... un-whole without it. Like a husk. That was proper. Standing, Lessa put the necklace around her own neck, then, reached down and held all three lockets in her right hand while the other traced her slightly swollen belly. She'd give them to their child when the time came. He or she would know both Don and Cynthia, keep their memory alive just as Lessa would now.

And she would keep it alive through death and pain inflicted on the deserving.

Letting the necklaces fall between her breasts, she turned towards the door.

****

The twins and Shelly were still sitting in sickbay when the hall door opened, Wendi entering. Bella looked at her with surprised interest.

"What can we do for you? You hurt?"

"No, no," Wendi said, coming up to them. She looked a bit unsure of herself, but still confident. "Is Lessa here?"

"Depends on your definition of 'here'", Shelly muttered. She jumped off the bed onto the floor. "I really should check on her. She's been alone too long in there."

"Give her more time," Bell said. "There's no hurry now."

The sound of the morgue door opening silenced them. Bell and Bella stood, all four watching as Lessa walked up to them. The three gold lockets gleamed in the light. Shelly looked from them up to Lessa's eyes. The gleam she saw there... was frightening.

"Are you OK, Lessa?" Bella asked. Lessa nodded.

"I'm fine." And... she sounded fine. She sounded... calm. Normal. The sound made Shelly shudder. She'd rather her love be a blubbering mess, at this stage, than to have her be like... this.

Lessa's eyes noticed Wendi, and she raised an eyebrow at the girl. Wendi swallowed, licked her lips, returning the gaze. She seemed to steel herself.

****

Wendy looked up at the goddess before her.

Lessa seemed to glow, with power... and purpose. She held herself like no woman Wendy had ever seen, half noble, half animal. Before, she had been someone to admire. As Lessa stood before her now, she... Wendi wanted to worship her.

"Lessa, I... I'm sorry for your loss. It's all our loss. I know... oh, fuck!" She shook her head, embarrassed, exasperated. All the well thought out words were gone. They all sounded so trite in her mind. She had not expected to feel this way before someone she had known for so long. She looked up at the amused, impatient Lessa. Wendi dropped to one knee.

"Lessa, I want to serve you. I want you to be my teacher. Teach me to fight."

****

The twins and Shelly gasped. Shelly's mind was a whirl. What was this girl thinking? Lessa was hers! SHE was going to serve Lessa, now that she was alone and needed someone! Not some...

Lessa stepped forward, her right hand reaching out to rest on the kneeling girl's head.

"What do you want?" she asked, softly. Wendi bowed her head.

"I want to be your apprentice, squire, ward, whatever. I want you to teach me how to fight and kill, like you do. In return I'll serve you in all ways, protect you and the baby." She looked up, her eyes pleading. "Please, Mistress."

****

Lessa's eyes were wide in shock. She had never even considered... but... she looked down at the girl. There was steel in this one. Raw steel, hot, malleable. Wendi could be forged into a blade, sharp enough to cut the toughest foe. And she could use allies in her as yet unformulated quest. Yes... yes....

"I'm going to dark places, little one. Places no good, sane, person would choose to follow. If you make yourself mine... you will be as my arm, to be commanded at will and obeyed without a second's thought. I will forge you into a weapon, to strike where I Will. Is this what you want?"

"Yes, Mistress..."

"NO!" Shelly looked at the two of them in horror. "Lessa! I'm your only...!"

Lessa regarded her closest friend, eyes sad.

"You won't like what I'm going to do, my love. You won't go there... and you wouldn't survive."

****

Shelly just looked at her. Just looked at the woman she loved. What did she... oh, gods. She's going to... 

Shelly closed her eyes. It had come to this. She had seen Lessa in the bloodlust once, before they had abandoned the Federation. Seen the Other. The Horror. There would be no stopping her. Lessa would kill and maim and destroy until some sense of inner vengeance was sated. Shelly would be left behind, left to watch the horizon to see if her love would ever return. It had almost killed her once. The fear, the not knowing. Now...

Her eyes opened, and Shelly dropped to a knee.

"Teach me to survive."

Lessa's eyes bulged. The twins just looked between all of them as if they'd gone insane. Lessa shook her head, a moment's sanity seeming to return to that face.

"Shelly, you don't want..."

"I will never leave your side again, my lovely Lessa. If you're going into the darkness... take me with you."

Wendi stared at Shelly with profound respect. Reaching over, she took the sixteen year olds hand before gazing back up to her idol.

"Teach us, and let us serve you."

Lessa looked down at the two girls... two women. They offered their lives to her. Offered to not let her go off alone, into the darkness. Offered not to try and steer her from this path... but to help her come out the other side alive and sane.

She put a hand on each young woman's head, a line from a book she read long ago appearing before her eyes.

"I accept your lives. I will be your Mistress."

Chapter 17

Sean was kinda wishing he could trade places with Don right now.

Well, no, not really. He liked sex, reading, and drinking too much for that. Hell, he'd done all three at once a couple times, which had been a blast in more than one way. However, he probably would be wishing for death within a few minutes of getting up in front of his fellow teens. It's one thing to want to be in charge, to know that you, rather than some other idiot, knew what the best course of action was, and to desire to have it carried out. It was quite another to know that if things fail it's your fault.

He suddenly appreciated Kine's desire to always be the number two guy.

The forty or so remaining crew were gathered on the shuttle deck, sitting on whatever was lying around. On Kine's suggestion, kegs had been brought down for a pre-meeting beverage, although the supply was getting low. He had to remember to remind them of that fact. Another of Kine's suggestions.

Sean glanced to his right at Kine, leaning on a disassembled shuttle reactor. The bald Mel was next to him, whispering something in his ear to which the blond shook his head in amusement. The extent to which Sean was relying on the guy was frightening. OK, yes, he had been Don's second, so knew much of the stuff the little guy had been keeping from everyone else. But, still... it almost seemed like Kine was promoting Sean to sacrificial figurehead.

He wasn't sure he liked the idea.

The crowd was getting restless, so Sean took a step up onto the loading ramp and faced them, holding up his hands. Kine pushed himself off the reactor and moved to the base of the ramp.

"OK, everyone, listen up!"

The crowd started to quiet, and Sean tried to take in their mood. It was...

"Who died and made you Don?"

The calm female voice came from the right. Turning his head, he saw... Lessa.

She was dressed in black. Black combat pants, probably male but altered to be more form fitting, and a black t-shirt. He wondered where the hell she had gotten them, before remembering that one mission. Between her breasts hung three gold lockets on two chains, standing out against the black like stars. Her eyes... even from twenty meters away, he could feel the power of her gaze. Her brown hair was in a fresh braid, gun belts crossing on her waist. Walking with her were both Shelly, which was to be expected, and... what was that girl's name who impressed him on the London? Ah, right, Wendi. Both also dressed in black, and armed. They kept two steps behind Lessa as the three approached the group.

Sean had a very bad feeling about this.

As Lessa and her companions came to a stop two or so meters away from Sean, Kine casually moved between them, Mel also subtly sliding behind the trio. Lessa noted this with a smile that comforted nobody.

"So," Kine said, casually, "you decided to join us. You holding up OK, Lessa?" There was genuine concern in his voice, as well as the unspoken belief that any answer would not be fully trusted. Or so it seemed to Sean.

"I've had better days," she replied, glancing around. Anyone who felt her eyes on them looked away. She looked back at Kine, ignoring Sean. "What's the party for?"

"Oh, we're just going to talk about what happens next. The usual post-disaster briefing. Care to join us?" He motioned to an open spot where she could sit. Their eyes locked, some communication going on that Sean couldn't guess. Lessa slowly nodded, and she and her companions sank to the ground right where they were standing. Kine chuckled, moving back to his original position as if nothing had happened.

Sean looked back at the crowd. There was now a sense of... nervous anticipation. They sensed a coming fight for leadership, and, he realized, didn't really care about the outcome. For now, they probably just wanted SOMEONE to do something.

His throat felt dry, and Sean remembered Don had taken to doing these things with a drink in hand. He had been smart, that Don. Looking down at Kine, he formed his hand slightly in the shape of a cup, and the blond nodded, signaling to Mel. The bald girl nodded and headed towards the refreshments. Sean figured he'd better start.

"We did not, I think, have a good day yesterday." There were mutters of agreement. The twin with the bandaged arm yelled out, "Yeah, ya think?" He looked down at Lessa.

"We're going to miss Don." She looked back without emotion. He decided to ignore her from then on and focus on the crowd. "Amanda has suggested we set up a memorial in the garden, for those we've lost, and I think that's a good idea. With luck, we won't be adding many more names to it."

Mel walked up to him, holding a cup, and gratefully he accepted it and took a sip. He spit it back out immediately.

"What the fuck is this, woman? 'Fruity beer'? Don't give me that shit! Either some real booze, or water, which in this place probably has a bigger kick than this stuff!"

That broke the tension. With laughter filling the room Mel took the cup back, a sly smile on her face, and walked back towards the drinks. A suspicion forming in his head, Sean flicked his eyes over to Kine. The giant was acting suspiciously non-suspicious. If this was that type of environment, Sean thought, he'd have him killed tonight as a long term threat. He saw Mel approaching again, and taking the drink saw it was a dark red wine. He raised it to her and took a swig, sighing in pleasure.

"That's better, woman." There was applause as Mel walked to the back of the crowd, nobody really noticing she then circled around and positioned herself behind Lessa's group again. His eyes again flicked to Kine. That girl was playing the blond the same way Kine was playing Sean. For some reason, that made him feel better. Sean continued. "We got our butts kicked, but now we have to think about the future. First... we need supplies. Badly. We're not going to starve, not just yet, but the longer we wait the more we risk having to flee and not getting supplied at all. Besides," he grinned, "That's almost the last of the beer."

"No!"

"The horror!"

"My god, why have you forsaken me?!?"

There was laughter among the half serious cries of woe. Once again, Kine had been right. The mother fucker.

"We'll probably attempt a landing or docking in a day or two, once we figure out where's the safest. Which then brings us to what we do next. This system," he said, looking over at Hanna and Jenny, "is fucking dangerous now. We'll need to eventually move either farther out or back to the inner planets before any of you should leave us. Before then, though, Kine has suggested just laying low for a bit. Park the ship somewhere once we're resupplied and sit and listen for a few weeks. Find out what's going on, if the attack on the London is the start of something major or if things will die down and life will go back to 'normal'. Not that 'normal' was all that great."

He saw general nods, and both Jenny and Hanna reached for each other's hands as they whispered to each other. He felt frustration rising in him. Why couldn't he have a lover like that. They obviously were totally in love, not just lust. It showed in every movement they made together.

He shook his head, getting his mind off of that train of thought, and again looked over the crew. Someone in the back shouted up at him.

"Then what?"

"Then we go on as before. Nothing we did caused yesterday, so changing our plans because of it doesn't make much sense."

"Can I offer another option?"

Lessa stood. All eyes on her, she walked past Kine and up the ramp to stand next to Sean. She stopped so close he took a step back to get her out of his personal space... then realized what that had to look like to everyone there. He cursed to himself. The battle was almost lost already.

Lessa looked over the crowd. She reached up and unconsciously fingered the lockets, a movement so reminiscent of Don that there were almost audible gasps from some of the teens. Gathering her thoughts, she raised herself to almost attention and spoke.

"Yesterday... changed us. Changed me. We are not the same ship. We are not the same crew. To go on like that... yes, it is what Don wanted. I wanted it too. But... I now have a quest."

Sean closed his eyes and silently groaned. This could NOT be good.

"A quest I do NOT expect all of you to happily join me on. It's a quest of vengeance, and thus personal." She looked down at Amanda, sitting in the front with Sirenia. "What's one thing Don always said?"

" 'Go fuck yourself, Kine' ?" The room broke out into laughter again at that, and even Lessa grinned down at the girl.

"Well, yes, that, but he also said two things we should always take to heart. Don would often, as we lay together, curse the universe over the fact that, all too often, we just can't do what's right. We can not rescue those who need rescuing, help those who need helping. This was mostly because of his other saying, his other belief: Don refused to ask any of you to suicide for any cause. Any action was judged against the risk, and only those who volunteered were to ever be in danger. The rest of you were to be kept out of harm's way."

There were some sheepish looks in the crowd. Some on the crew had never taken any risks, had let the others go into danger to provide for them. Don had never shamed them, but Lessa in a few words managed to remind them of their debt.

"In my quest, I will do the same. I will ask for volunteers, I will ask for assistance, but I will NEVER force my will on you."

Oh, but you are, thought Sean. You are.

"What IS your quest?" Ger asked the question. Lessa looked at him.

"To kill those who killed my Don."

Sean had finally had enough. He stepped up next to the woman.

"You're going to kill the entire Federation? Really? Did the fun with the Slavers teach you nothing?" The look she gave him was calm, collected. And, thus, frightening as fuck. He didn't react, though, and kept his gaze on this psycho. Especially her hands.

"I have some small measure of perspective and realism in this matter, Sean. He was killed by those who planned and carried out that attack." She reached into a pocket and pulled out patches on pieces of cloth, some of which were a bit stained. "I know at least one unit that took part. We trace them, we find out what the fuck was going on." Lessa turned back to the group. "That attack was NOT normal. They killed hundreds, thousands, of civilians, just so they could capture... something, or someone. They need to be punished. They need to be... HURT."

Sean opened his mouth to say something, but Lessa took a step forward and kept going.

"We have tried staying under the radar. We have tried not pissing anyone off, except those who were evil. Well, these fuckers... are evil. They deserve to be killed. Oh, yes, we can not get them all. There's no way we can cleanse the universe. But..." Lessa paused, hands going to the swell of her belly. "I owe it, we owe it, to the child of Don that his father not have died in vain." She looked over the crowd, hands still on her belly. "You need, we need, a goal. An ending to look forward to. Let me give it to you. It will be five or so months before Don's child comes into the world. Before then, as I become unable to do all that I must, Shelly and Wendi have asked to be my arms and hands in this quest. I ask that all of you and this ship become our transportation and ears, helping us to learn what we must so we can do what we must do. I ask that our raids, for supplies and money, hit those that will lead us further in our quest. Then, once the baby comes, take the three of us where we ask so we can do our final task.

"Then... after what's done is done... let Don's child be the first of many. Let us start families."

There was a gasp from the spell bound teens. A number of the girls leaned forward, eyes wide. Sean just looked at her, not knowing what to say to save them from this.

"Yes, let us start families, raise children. Many of you have found partners. Let us make that permanent and real. You can be fathers, mothers... uncles, aunts... we can start our own community, clan, whatever you want to call it. Follow me, and I will give you back all we gave up long ago." Lessa's face was aglow. "Follow me, and we can strike one blow against evil that we can proudly tell our children, and our children's children. Don's death, Irene's death, all the deaths, will not have been in vain. Then, we can move on, and be HUMAN again!"

She raised her left arm in the air, fist closed around the bloody patches. A black haired girl jumped to her feet, raised her own hand, chanting.

"Lessa! Lessa! Lessa!"

Within seconds everyone was on their feet.

Sean backed up a step. His eyes looked over the room in horror. She... he looked down at Kine. He was looking at Lessa with an expression of... sadness. He, too, knew what had just happened here, and that they had probably just been doomed. Sean's attention was suddenly drawn to Kine's hands. While the blond was looking at Lessa, his fingers seemed to be making complicated shapes where only Sean could see them. What the... Sean's eyes widened. It was the Guard battle language! How the hell did that fucker come to know that?! He mentally translated Kine's message. It took a second to comprehend, as the battle language was created for quick silent commands and not politics, but Kine had done a remarkable job. Sean tried not to react audibly once he understood.

"What can not be stopped, must be controlled."

Seeing Sean had comprehended, Kine slowly walked over and stood next to Lessa. He would be her advisor.

The dark skinned seventeen year old, former member of the elite, feared Guard, just stood on the ramp, broken and defeated. Looking down at the cup still in his hand, he raised it up and downed the contents in one swallow. He then slowly walked down to the kegs to get seriously drunk.

****

Mari had understood some of what was going on around her. The eight year old was rather smart, a trait that still had some value in the universe. She had sat listening to Lessa go on about killing bad guys, having babies, and being mommies and daddies. She liked all that. Having little babies around to play with would be fun. With the brothers Randy and Andy spending time "helping" in engineering much of the day, she only had the three year old Pug to play with when not busy doing the important work of helping prepare the meals. It was a hard job, cooking all that food, and she knew her part of it was the most important. Sirenia had said so. Nobody cut and peel better than she did.

The meeting seemed to be ending, once again with no one standing up and in fact saying it was over. Mari was always confused about that: how could you know it was time to leave if nobody stood up and said it was time to leave? That's how it had always been in school! The thought of school suddenly depressed her. She missed her friends, even more than she missed her family. There was nobody her age here to play with, no girls at least. That seven year old Randy didn't count: he didn't LIKE girls! She also missed learning. Oh, she had learned a lot in the kitchen, but she wanted to learn oh so much more! The world was so complicated, and she wanted to understand!

Movement caught her eye, and looking up Mari saw Lessa, Wendi and Shelly walk by her towards the exit. The sight of Shelly made her happy. The girl liked Shelly. The dark haired and skinned teen always had time for her, despite being twice Mari's age. She liked playing, would sit and listen to Mari sing... Maybe she'd like to play with Mari now! Pushing herself off the box she had used as a seat, Mari quickly tried to catch up with them.

****

"Shelly!"

Shelly stopped, as did her companions, and turning saw little Mari come running up to them in the hallway. Despite the weirdness that had just happened in there, Shelly had to now smile. She liked the brat. She brought the kid out in her, much as Lessa brought out her inner bitch.

"Yes?"

Mari came to a stop in front of her, putting her hands behind her back and rocking back and forth on her heals. Her pink blouse stood out against the black outfits of the three teens.

"What'cha doin?"

All three chuckled, looking down at Mari. Shelly crouched to be closer to eye level.

"We're going to go do grown up stuff."

"What?"

"We're going to train, learn how to fight," Wendi said. She was happy and proud. It would be her first training session with Mistress Lessa. She had wanted this for months.

"Can I come?" It sounded wonderful to Mari, much better then peeling more vegetables. She looked at Shelly hopefully. The teen smiled.

"No, not now. This is for big girls." Mari pouted, pointing up at Wendi.

"She's only three years older than me! Can't I do it? Please?!? Can I at least come and watch?"

Shelly was shaking her head no, but felt a hand on her shoulder. Tilting her head, she saw Lessa looking down at the girl, a contemplative expression on her face. Shelly realized what was going to happen, and shook her head at Lessa.

"No! She's too young!"

"Am not!"

Shelly felt Lessa's hand squeeze on her shoulder... and her reply died in her throat. She looked back at Mari as Lessa spoke.

"It's never too early to learn to survive. I started when I was even younger than she is. You can come with us, Mari. Just sit and watch to start, then we'll go from there."

Mari ran over and gave Lessa a huge hug, then gave Wendi one. She had worked with Wendi often in the kitchen, and couldn't wait to play with her at this game called "training".

Shelly slowly rose to her feet, Lessa's hand still on her shoulder. Lessa gave her a sad smile.

"She has to grow up sometime." With that, Lessa turned and led the four down the hall. Shelly found herself in the rear, looking at the back of Lessa's head.

"No she doesn't," she whispered.

****

To be continued...

Edited by SciFi Nut

Comments more than welcome.

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