The Black

“You said… you said!!!” Vivaria stammered finally.

“That he is the father of my children, he is.” the Delmar Female said kindly.

“Mrs Drumorsik, like I told your husband, what choice do you have but to trust me? What have we done to violate that trust” the Demon spoke, surprisingly gently.

“We were stuck in that dark place!! You knocked us out with something, while we were strapped in.” Vivaria rallied.

“We did not knock you out, ma’am. You passed out from centrifugal forces on your body. That could not be helped, as I was forced to ask Concord to perform those high-stress maneuvers to keep us all alive.” The Demon stated levelly.

“Come, enough talk in here.” the Delmar woman waved at the enclosed empty space. “Let’s get you some food and a warm bed.”

Her two rescuers/abductors started for a small side door, and Vivaria followed.

“It’s nighttime here, there are some things that like hunt at night.” the Demon stated as he stepped to a small metal cabinet and pulled out a strange weapon, “this isn’t for you, you are not a prisoner.” He stated as he loaded it then slung it across his chest.

The walk was uneventful however and soon they were at the elevated balcony front door of a large cabin-looking structure.

“Welcome, to our home. We can get you some proper quarters tomorrow.” The Female said as she punched in a code and twisted a dial.

Vivaria, still clutching her baby boy, stepped into a massive home; only to be startled by another demon, this one a female smile broadly at the two in front of her before wrapping the Delmar female in a strange full-bodied greeting.

“Mon Cher’ you’re back late. Oh, hello there.” She smiled again, this time with no teeth to Vivaria and her son, “you two must vary tired, come. I still have some ‘Gumbo’ on the stove Cooling.”

The strange female Demon lead them into the kitchen and scooped an enticingly savory smelling concoction into a bowl and heated it once more. “Can ‘Petit’ eat solid food yet?” giving Ragarai a playful tap on the snout.

“Just a little, he is curious but not quite ready to wean,” Vivaria spoke before she could think. This strange female was putting her at ease without trying.

Two steaming bowls set down in front of Vivaria, “Bon’ appetite” This new Demon reached down and gave Ragarai an a ruffle behind the ear, “it means enjoy, it should be safe for you.”

“We can clean up Nicole, you have been a saint. How are the little ones.” The female asked while the Demon walked upstairs, un loading the strange weapon.

“Oh Mon Chere, they were angels. They will be one soon, do you have plans?”

“The beach, Mac is going to sail the Lass up the coast to the beach near the airfields end. Lots of food, boat rides, swimming. Can you believe we haven’t gone swimming yet?!” The Delmar female giggled.

“You two have been so busy, and with the twins needing 1G until now, you’ve been cooped up too long. You know I’ll be there.” ‘Nicole’ said.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” the Demon walked over with two steaming bowls of the same concoction and handed one to the Delmar woman, “I know you want to refuse, but the cash is transferred. You’re a god send. Take one of the rooms. I’ll fly you back in the morning. ”

“Ah, yes.” Nicole chuckled, “It is a bit dark. Mind if I take the car? I can send it back, but I need to be at work early.”

“Sure.” The Demon tossed her the keys and the strange woman left.

“Now, please. My name is Mackenzie. I am no demon. Welcome to our home.” Mackenzie sat down at the kitchen table followed by the Delmar female. “This is my wife, Lyrian. I’m sure you have questions.”

Vivaria scooped a spoon full of food into her mouth just to find her bowl empty. Lyrian smiled and handed her the untouched bowl in front of her and stood to get another.

“Uh… thank you. Where is my mate. Where is Growr..” she stammered.

“In the Main Helyon hospital. He was going through rejection. He is stable, but the cloned lung should be close to ready by now.” Mackenzie said gently and began to eat from his own bowl.

“So, he is still far away…. Where am I.” Vivaria asked between bites of food. If her captors were eating it, it would truly be safe. It was a bit hot, seasoning-wise, but she felt her muscles relax as the warmth spread through her.

Lyrian scooped up little Ragarai and set him in kiddie chair with his little sample of food. “There, make a mess. It’s more fun that way.” she coo’d to the pup who promptly dumped the bowl out onto the attached tray and started grabbing at the contents.

“You are on Delmar, we can take you in to see your husband tomorrow.” Lyrian said, still engrossed in the little pup’s antics.

“That’s impossible. You told me that we were only inside that ship for a day or so. Delmar is 3 months away.”

“Human ships are very fast” Mackenzie chuckled. “We can prove it to you tomorrow. For now, it’s too dark to see anything.”

A long silence followed….

“Why… I know who both of you are… my husband fought you. You took his lung with but a blow.. We are enemies... why...” Vivaria started a keening sob, finally succumbing to the enormity of it all.

“Because Children are sacred. And because The Unity is our enemy, not its people. I defended myself and Lyrian from Growrmun that day, we may never be friends; but he had his orders… and I won’t fault him for acting on them. He has requested asylum for himself and for you... I’m following orders too. Bringing you back to him was my mission.” Mackenzie explained, taking the four empty bowls and setting them in the kitchen sink. At least some of the food had made it into little Ragarai’s mouth and he was greedily trying to repeat the process. Lyrian giggled and scooped a bit of meat up in a utensil and got it to the pup’s mouth to chew. Some of it even made it down.

“The upstairs is where all the guest bedrooms are. The far left is the twin’s room. Mac’s brother and his wife are in the one next to the twins. The second on the right is yours. It has a bathroom to itself.” Lyrian explained as she lifted the little one up and started wiping him off.

“Please don’t run, everything is unlockable from the inside, but we are serious about being on Delmar. Our lodge is out in a more rural area because of the airfield. Predators do hunt out here at night on occasion.” Mackenzie warned. “I’d rather not explain to your mate why you are half-eaten in the morgue.”

——————————————————————

Commodore Gregory Burgoyne sat at his desk eyeing up the man on the other side of it. The man in front of him should have been an admiral by now. Captain Samual “Wild Bill” Harrison, master under the Black of the USN Galveston was a colorful individual. He wore a mop of sandy blond hair just on the ragged edge of military code. His uniform was pressed perfectly, but the man refused to go anywhere without a Stetson that must be over 200 years old now... All officers were required to be armed. Indeed, Gregory was wearing the standard issue officer's pistol. Not Wild Bill…. He had figured out that there was a loophole in regulation. Officers must be armed, no one had specified what they must be armed with. It had been irrelevant… until Captain Harrison found out and began wearing a positively ancient leather revolver gun belt, complete with cartridge loops. In its holster was a relic of antiquity, A Smith and Wesson model 29. The man was a walking paradox of modern tactical brilliance and ancient fossil.

“Captain?” The commodore began, “Care to tell me why you vented a third of your oxygen to vacuum in the middle of a firefight?”

“Have you read the report sir?” Harrison smiled.

“I have, now I am asking you.” Gregory’s voice was stern.

“Very well, we were getting telemetry from Concord through crybaby. We knew that two UGN Frigates were waiting for us, Concord even recorded their transmissions for description.” Harrison began with an absurdly steady tone for the situation,

“I cleared for action and we dropped ready to fight. We needed to roll a starboard to make my call work, but they were too close. We were moving too fast to slow down, so I... improvised.”

“I see. Well, under the circumstances the solution, while incredibly dangerous, cannot be argued. Well done on your first engagement with UGN forces. What is the Damage report.” Burgoyne sighed ‘some captains’ “I’ve yet to receive a copy”

“Ah, well the final report is not finished. Damage control has two more sections to inspect along her port side. It’s not a maneuver I would suggest doing often.” Harrison stated with a hint of myrth.

The two men stood, concluding the formal part of the post battle interview, “I hear that Captain Gleeson is none too happy with you, Bill” Greg smirked as he shook the captain's hand.

“Don always wanted to be the first one to ‘Gangster lean’ a Texas, commanding her namesake and all... It was our idea, back in the war. We would spend evenings on coms in our ready rooms spit spitballing strategies, anything to keep you reds on your toes. We Never got to use that one during the war.” The two men laughed.

“You cowboys always did have a way with those girls. That Hickok of yours was bad enough the first time.” Greg chuckled.

“Aye, you learned quickly though. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna’ sack out for a bit. I’m closin’ in on 72 hours.” Harrison stretched.

“Dismissed Captain. Go get some rack time” The Commodore slapped Wild Bill on the shoulder as the two of them left his office.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vivaria woke up… She had been stirred by an empty feeling in her gut as her stomach groaned its protest. Her eyes fluttered open to check on her… Her son was not where she left him. Vivaria shot up, letting out a loud Keen that was immediately responded to… from outside of the cracked door to her room. She bolted from her room, barely letting the door open fully as the events of the evening flooded to her. She stumbled at the weight she felt. It wasn’t noticeable last night because of her overwhelmed state, but whatever planet they were on had significantly heavier gravity than Her home. She stumbled and slammed into…. Lyrian.

The Delmar female felt like a steel column, and Vivaria bounced off the woman with an *OOF* only to be caught by arms with no right being that strong.

“Easy, Easy, Your little one snuck out, He smelled the twin’s breakfast. He’s downstairs in the kitchen.” Lyrian steadied Vivaria as she got her feet.

The wolf mother bounced heavily on her feet, “Heavy, where are we.”

“We told you, Delmar. It’s got significantly more gravity than your home world. Come, breakfast is still hot.” Lyri smiled and helped the wobbly Lycan woman down to the kitchen.

Ragarai was in the seat he was in last night, and two Delmar of maybe 1 year old were sitting in booster seats. They looked like Delmar, but they were somehow much sturdier-looking.

Breakfast was pleasant. Mac moved Vivaria’s pup next to her and plated food for the woman while Lyrian fussed with the twins. All three little ones were a mess, but the food was not runny. The round bread product pulled into strips and the skillet cooked pieces of meat were as divine as they were easy to eat.

“What is this?” Vivaria asked, eyes half closed savoring the meat. Lycan, and Thermian were the only known species considered to be true “Carnivores” in the Unity.

“Bacon” Mac said, popping another strip into his mouth, “It’s from my home world. It’s a breakfast stapple going back thousands of years”

“You are carnivores?” Vivaria asked.

“Omnivores, but we require quite a lot of protein in our diet. We developed on a high gravity world.” Mac said.

“Delmar is High gravity. They do not need this much.” Vivaria quipped.

“Terra is over double Delmar in gravity” Mac shrugged as Vivaria almost choked on her food.

“You… There isn’t a habitable planet with that gravity inside the Unity!” She gasped, drinking some juice of some kind to wash down the offending bite of food.

“Humanity is not in The Unity” Lyri smiled.

There was a ding and Lyrian checked her wrist, “Mac, He goes under in 2 hours.”

“Whelp let’s get going,” mac said, “Vivarai, Lyri is staying here with the twins. They need to get back to 1G. You and your son are coming with me.”

“Uh… wha… why…” Vivarai suddenly became very very nervous...

“Your husband’s cloned lung is ready; he goes into surgery in 2 hours. I’m to deliver you to the Hospital” Mac stated, dropping the dishes in the sink, and scooping each of the twin Delmar children in kisses and tickles before engulfing Lyrian in a scandalously complete embrace and deep lip lock.

Vivaria had Ragarai on her hip as he keened and looked around sadly.

“Don’t worry little man, if your mom is ok with it, you can come visit.” Mac scruffled the young Lycan between the ears and they walked out to the waiting air car.

________________________________________________________________

“My Mate… Growr… Is it you?” Growrmun’s eyes snapped open. A familiar voice spoke in his native language. He slowly turned his head to see the doorway in time to be rushed by His wife and infant son. The Demon stood leaned against the door frame of the hospital room.

“How…” he choaked back tears as His mate keened and cried softly against the fur on his neck. Little Ragarai looked confused but crept up to lay beside his father with his head on his chest like he would in their evenings together.

“I told you, I draw the line at Kids… Two more UGN Frigates paid the price trying to keep your family from you… Rest now, Take to your family for now. We will have time to talk after your surgery.” Mac turned to walk away

“Thank you…” a small female voice keened. It was Vivaria. Mac simply nodded and left the family to reunite.

_______________________________________________________________

Ambassador Gwen was sitting in her Port Royal Quarters having her morning coffee and reading the morning reports. “Enter” she said as the Door Chimed.

“I see the reports were on time.” Chuckled Silu as he walked in, leaning slightly on his cane. “We received a Message from the New UGN Admiral Surpreme… They wish to... Talk…”

“This is a development now isn’t it... when” Gwen mused.

“One week before halfway through our annual refit…” Silu was not happy.

“Just in time to be able to attempt a blockade of Helyon, and therefore this sector’s freighters when you have the most need of revenue, having spent so much in refit, naturally.” Gwen actually smiled.

“You’re pleased with this?” Silu asked incredulously.

“I am, it means they are both desperate and have no Idea just how much of Humanity’s might is here. They wish to squeeze you, Sliu. I suspected a move like this after the Extraction.” Gwen mentioned.

“What happened, I haven’t had a chance to read that report.” Silu asked warily.

“The Galveston went toe to toe with two UGN Frigates… and came back with barely a scratch. The Frigates are still being cleaned out of Drowrl’s beacon jump point. I had Harrison ‘drop his trash’ as he jumped out. The engagement lasted less than 3 minutes.” Gwen stated.

“Gods…. That explains quite a bit. What are your plans?” Silu asked carefully.

“Nothing has changed, Legion was never going to be deployed until the end of the coming refit. What they will be, when the UGN come to ‘talk’ is trained and practiced and in their own command structures. Delmar is in very little danger. We set up recording devices throughout the system. We dot our I’s and cross our T’s politically.” Gwen explained.

“That only works if we hold long enough to create the political backlash” Silu countered, none too happy.

Gwen took a sip, choosing her words, “The history of my people is littered with as many evil leaders as good ones. To grow, one must study both. One man, a dictator in his own right stated this truth, ‘political power grows out of the barrel of a gun’. Right now, whether the UGN knows it or not; Delmar has more political power than it has ever had in its entire history.”

“Void Help us..” Silu whispered.

“God helps those who help themselves...” Gwen counted, raising her glass in salute.