Maps Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Circumstances ❯ Gains and Losses ( Chapter 4 )

Unexpected Circumstances

By: A-Z Mark II

Disclaimer: Don't own.

 

Chapter 4: Gains and Losses

-

“What is it with women and diaries?” muttered Gen, picking up the light pen and flicking the War and Peace-sized diary/journal open. Hoshimi had come up with the idea of keeping a diary about two days out from Isna. He could still hear her explanation that keeping a daily record would make writing letters home easier, because they could use their log as a reference. Gen smiled wryly. “Well, it's not like I was going to say `no' to her, now was it?” he said to no one.

Currently, Hoshimi was in the computer room, working on her leisure-time project - that being a timeline of the universe. He loved her intelligence and dedication, and this was the kind of thing about her that had first attracted him to her. And even the closest of lovers could use small amounts of time away from each other. And if she is in the ship, she is safe. he thought.

Lipumira was in the shower, or rather, he suspected that is where the blonde was. With downtime on their hands, the three of them had taken to a more relaxed schedule. The night before, he and Hoshimi had finally finished the long-delayed letter home, and he was going to go out and see about getting it sent to Earth once he filled his entry for the day in the journal. He chuckled. Hoshimi had written `Diary' on it before telling him about it. When he saw that, he said that guys didn't keep diaries - they kept journals. Hoshimi had sniffed dismissively and handed him the light marker. So, now the book-sized thing was labeled as both a `diary' and a `journal'.

In an attempt to get his mind in writing mode, he glanced back over the few entries so far, easily identifying Hoshimi's crisp writing, as well as a few from Lipumira. The Earth girl was still arguing the issue with the blonde, who felt it ridiculous to write things down when her data storage automatically recorded and archived all she said and did. Hoshimi insisted that a diary would help Lipumira look at things from a different perspective, but Gen suspected that Hoshimi wanted to peek into Lipumira's mind.

Deciding for a `filler' type entry, he quickly jotted down the things in his mind and the activities for the day. Not that there was much going on. Lipumira was nearly completely healed from the Sacrifice Cannon hit she had taken, her hull nearly restored to the pristine condition it had been when he had first seen it. Lipumira figured a few more days, tops, until she was completely restored. She was flight-capable, of course, but had made the trip from Isna to their current location on a mix of warp and SLS drives.

Gen reflected on their current hide-out. Zanian was a moon orbiting a super class 5 gas giant, red as Mars, but bigger than Uranus. The atmosphere was constantly in a state of stormy agitation, with huge storm circles constantly ravaging the layers of gasses and metallic clouds near the core. The gravity on the moon was just under one G, and it felt kind of good to be in familiar gravity for more than the two-hour exercise time Lipumira allotted them a day.

Gen and Hoshimi had discussed the tendency of human tissue to weaken in sustained light-gravity conditions, and she had decided that two hours a day at one full Earth G would let them exercise enough to maintain their strength and health, though she had pointed out that simply programming the nanite colony to stimulate their tissues would be just as effective. Gen wondered if Lipumira wasn't changing the programming on his and Hoshimi's colonies, since there had been some changes in their bodies since that conversation.

The young man shrugged that thought aside. If he didn't trust Lipumira, he was fucked - and not in the way he liked to be fucked, either. He didn't realize that his hand was writing out these thoughts as he thought them, since his body was on autopilot. In the final analysis, he realized that even if Lipumira was doing things like that, he ultimately trusted her to do so. God knows that Hoshimi and I would be dead or worse several times over without her. he thought.

The intercom system for the room came alive. “Gen, I forgot to bring a towel. Bring me one?” asked Lipumira. Gen smiled. Yeah, like she's ever `forgotten' anything! he thought.

“Sure, Lipumira.” he replied, ending the entry and standing. Snagging a towel as he headed for the bathroom, he wondered what the blonde was really up to. Entering the bathroom, he saw the naked blonde standing under the deluge of water coming from the shower nozzles, eyes closed and a smile on her lips.

“I'll be right out.” she said, running her fingers through her mid-back length blonde tresses. Gen watched her in open admiration as she swiftly made sure that all the body wash was gone before stopping the water and running her palms over her skin to rid it of excess water. Opening the door, she stepped out, extending an arm to take the towel.

“I'll do it.” said Gen, shaking his head. Stepping over to her, he began to dry her off. Lipumira smiled happily. She had seen him do this with Hoshimi a few times, and had wanted to try it. Now, she was getting her chance. Relaxing, she let Gen have complete access to her, reveling in the feeling of his careful ministrations. As he worked his way down her chest, her nipples sprang erect, just like Hoshimi's did.

Before she knew it, she was dry and he was guiding her as she leaned over, her wet hair falling forward. Expertly, Gen wrapped the towel around her hair and touched her shoulder, indicating that she could straighten. She did so, smiling at him. “I thought you wanted some attention, Gen.” she teased him. “But, if you would rather not get a blowjob…” she said. Hoshimi was in the habit of using the position to assault Gen's manhood with her mouth. It wasn't that she did it every time; just often enough to insure that he was eager to pamper her.

“You know I love getting them from either of you,” replied Gen, lightly touching her bare breasts, “but I need to go into town and mail that letter, and if you got your lips on my dick…” he trailed off, grinning at her. Lipumira knew exactly what he was saying. If she or Hoshimi got their hands on his dick, they would not stop short of completely fucking him or themselves senseless. Sometimes Gen managed to fuck them senseless, but it was more often that they - singly or together - managed to wear him out. For the honor of the male gender, I will never surrender until I am victorious every time - or die trying! he vowed happily.

Lipumira caught his hand and regretfully removed it from her breast, using it to lead him into the bedroom. Retrieving her ribbons, she began to dress. Gen patiently watched her dress in her flimsy outfit. “So, you would rather mail a letter to your home world that fuck me?” she asked, her tone artfully injured.

“Of course not.” replied Gen, thinking fast. He knew that she was teasing him, but he liked to give as good as he got. “It's just that I prefer to take my time and really give it to you good, rather than just have a quickie.” he said, smiling. By this time, he and Hoshimi had taught the blonde all their slang and short-hand terms.

The thought of time sobered him a little. Hoshimi had informed him last night that even thought it had only been a year ship-time since they departed Earth with Lipumira, nearly two and a half years had passed on their home planet. Seeing his shocked expression, he had asked how that was possible. Hoshimi had explained that whenever Lipumira used light speed drives, the two of them lost time, and the rest of the universe gained it. There was also the fact that they had been living on ship time, which was not the same as Earth time. All the lessons in physics and all the sci-fi stories came crashing back to his mind. It was that discovery that had prompted the two young lovers to sit down and finish the letter.

The thought of the time issue brought to mind another thing he had meant to ask his blonde lover for some time. “Lipumira, just what was this Calion guy you keep mentioning?” he asked. “I mean, you were together for how long? Was he immortal, or something?” he wondered. Lipumira, as she always did when the subject of Calion came up, tightened her lips in a grimace.

“No, he was not immortal.” she said simply. “He was an Alterian Superior Humanoid, though, and that meant that his lifespan was extremely long.” Or would have been, if not for… she shook that thought away.

“You said the Mystic Ones killed him.” noted Gen. “How exactly did that do that, Lipumira?” he asked her. Her mind immediately proved the memory of the death of her primary partner and master. Lipumira's lips peeled back in a snarl.

“He was killed, Gen. Leave it at that.” she said tightly. “You should hurry, or the local post office will close before you get the letter mailed.” she said, moving past him. Gen started to touch her, but froze, deciding that she wanted some space right now.

“Ok, Lipumira.” he said softly. “I didn't mean to bring up bad memories.” he said. The blonde woman stopped.

“I know, Gen.” she said simply. “But I can't tell you about that - not yet.” she said. Gen nodded.

“Fair enough.” said Gen. “When you are ready, Hoshi-chan and I will listen.” he said, stepping past her. “And we will always be there for you, too.” he added. Lipumira stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. Turning to look at her, he ran into her kiss.

It was a quick one, compared to their normal extended make-out sessions. When she broke it, she leaned back and released his shoulder, but not before breathing “Thank you, Gen.” in his ear.

-

Gen dropped some credit chips on the counter and pushed away from the post office window. Twenty seven credits? Damn! You can send a letter from one end of the Isnian post office area to the other end for only two credits! he thought. That was about fifteen hundred light years worth of distance. Right now, they were only about five hundred and ninety light years from Earth. “Well, I guess Earth has a kind of bad reputation for a back-water planet.” he mused aloud.

As he walked, he looked around him. He was currently in a geo-dome, one of seven on the moon, which was about the same size as Earth's primary satellite, but was comprised of rich and extensive deposits of metals, minerals and gasses. Everything from gold to lead to Uranium, from isotopic Brogumine crystals for Type IV warp engines to Acuvine ore was in abundance on this moon. And because it was on the seams of three territories, it was a perfect place for undesirables to hang out and do business.

“Black market to make those on Earth look like auction houses.” he muttered, seeing a merchant hawking wares that were clearly stolen from some hapless technology company's shipment. Next to him was a merchant doing a deal with a G'fyt for a banned technology primer. If it was legitimate information on that crystal, the alien would be able to build a field synchronizer that would make his ship's shields and cannons the equivalent of a Hyperion-class super heavy battleship. Lipumira used a variant of that herself, and Diane had the full-on version of it - and more.

In fact, from talking with the Gweiss girl, he realized that almost half of the technology that the sisters were made from could be found here, and she had told him that about a third of her materials had come from this place. He had made a crack about this being her home, and she had asked him if he was stupid, or just acting that way. She has definitely been spending too much time around Hoshi-chan. he thought, chuckling at the memory.

Feeling someone tap his shoulder, he turned to see a young girl in gold-colored clothes smiling sweetly at him. “Hey, mister!”

“You?!” he gasped, going for his blaster. The girl pouted as she raised her hands.

“Is that any way to greet a girl?” she asked petulantly, ignoring the gun in her face. The other beings around the two simply glanced at them, then made a small bubble around them as they went about their business. While not a violent outpost, per se, it was still a relatively lawless area, where fights were fairly common. So, one humanoid drawing his energy gun on another was nothing worth watching. “And I came all this way to see you, too!” she went on. Gen darted his eyes around as much as he dared, looking for the golden form of her outer self, or her sisters, either one.

Touching his small wrist communicator, he tried to call Lipumira. “Sorry, but I'm jamming it.” said the girl sweetly. “Really, I only came here to talk to you.” said the girl again, her eyes serious. Gen studied those eyes. It's odd, but she seems to be telling the truth. he realized. He had gotten a good look at Diane's eyes, and he knew that she was out for their heads with no exceptions. But the youngest of the sisters didn't give any sign of being out to kill them.

“Really.” he said, keeping the gun trained on her forehead. “What for?” he asked. I don't know if shooting her in the head will kill her or not, but it should at least buy me time to run to Lipumira and for us to beat feet out of here in high-speed warp! he thought. Her words broke that train of thought off.

“I came to tell you where a piece of the star map is.” she said simply, smiling sweetly. Gen considered that. “Well? Do you want to stand here pointing your blaster at me, or do you want to talk?” asked the girl.

Gen slowly lowered his gun. “So, let's talk.” he said. The raspberry-sherbet haired girl shook her head.

“Not here.” she said. “I want some ice cream.” she announced. Gen nearly barked a laugh at that. “Come on! I know a good ice cream place here.” she said.

“Yeah, sure you do.” muttered Gen. She acts like a typical fifteen year old girl from back home! he thought. Slowly, he followed her, watching for any sign of a trap.

Instead of the expected trap, she led him to a small vendor selling ice cream - or rather, a treat something like ice cream. Gen found himself buying her cone before he could even think about it. The girl happily licked her cone as she led him to a mostly-deserted overpass near a busy cargo lane. Once she had finished her cone, she lightly hopped up on the narrow railing and - arms held out for balance - began to walk along the rail.

“You're on the other side, aren't you?” asked Gen, finishing the last of his own ice cream. The girl giggled.

“I'm Lipulim. Call me Lim!” she chirped.

“Lim, right.” replied Gen. I know who you are - and that you are not on our side, girl! he thought. “So, Lim, why would you tell me where a piece of the star map is? Either you're lying, or it's a trap.” he pronounced.

“Oh, I'm not lying!” she happily replied immediately. “But it could be a trap!” she added mirthfully. She turned to smile at him, and in doing so, slipped on the rail, starting to fall. Gen instinctively caught her small form in his arms. “Thank you!” he breathed in his ear.

“Don't mention it.” he murmured. She's so light! he thought. And she feels good, too! Her outfit was a bit more conservative than her older sister's outfit, but not by much. A narrow skirt and a sort-of jacket/top were the primary components, and it left a lot of skin free for him to feel as he caught her. His nose caught a pleasant fragrance as she straightened in his arms.

Once she was on her feet, she moved ahead of him a ways before turning and walking backward. “Come on!” she said impatiently.

“What kind of idiot do you think would go with you, knowing it could be a trap?” he asked her, his tone tinged in exasperation. Lim's eyes sparkled with mischievous.

“The one right in front of me!” she purred. Gen couldn't help but notice the similarities between her purr and Lipumira's own.

“Ok, you got me there.” he admitted, following her. “Let's go get it.” he said, his hand busy with his communicator.

-

“Control tower, priority launch request. Next available window.” said Lipumira urgently as Hoshimi ran on to the bridge. The Earth girl blinked at the blonde. She had been working in the computer room when the lift alarm had sounded. Well-trained by Lipumira, she had been halfway to the bridge before she even realized that she was moving.

“This is Flight Control. You have clearance for path 34.2.33.2 in eight seconds.” replied a robotic voice.

“Roger. Clear the docks.” she said in reply. “Hoshimi, get flat - we're going out full throttle.” she said. Hoshimi immediately lay down flat on the floor.

“Lipumira, what's going on?” she asked nervously. “And where's Gen?”

“I'll tell you once we're in warp.” replied the blonde. On the display, the countdown hit zero. “Lifting!” she warned the dock personnel. Hoshimi felt G's slam down on her like a mountain of sopping wet towels. Lipumira was using her gravity control, thermal engines, magnetic engines and warp generator in conjunction to do a maximum human lift off. She had determined that Hoshimi and Gen could handle an emergency lift of around twelve G's if it wasn't sustained long. She held the acceleration index just short of fourteen G's until she cleared the gravity well. “Warp insertion.” she warned Hoshimi, shifting drives easily Far short of the safe distance for warp drive engagement from a gravity well, she entered warp. Any other ship would have been in trouble doing a stunt like that, but Lipumira wasn't any other ship - she loved to fly.

Sitting up as the warp stabilized, Hoshimi gasped for breath. “What…is…going…on?” she asked. For a few moments there, she had thought that she would black out from the G load. Lipumira helped her stand and move to the command couch.

“Listen to the message.” said Lipumira. Immediately, the speakers played back Gen's message.

“Hi there. I ran into your sister Lim in town today. She told me that another piece of the star map is on Lingrodo. We're going there to get it right now. I know, it's probably a trap, but I can't say no to a cute girl. I'll be in touch.”

“Gen no baka!” snapped Hoshimi. “I'll kill him!” she seethed.

“Only if Lim doesn't do it first.” said Lipumira. “And even she might not get the chance. Lingrodo is the insane planet. No one who has gone there has ever come back with a sound mind.” said Lipumira. “I'm at maximum warp, but Lim's got a lead and she's slippery.” said the blonde.

“Lipumira!” came an unfamiliar voice. “You will pay for betraying us and stealing Calion away from us!” Lipumira grimaced.

“Shian.” she gritted to Hoshimi. “Since she's contacting us on wave feed, she has to be in warp - and close to us!” she said. A tingly sensation between her shoulder blades told her where her other younger sister was. “Behind us! And close!” she warned Hoshimi. Turning, she faced her sister. “I don't have time for this, Shian.” she warned her sister.

“Make time, Lipumira!” spat back her younger sibling, closing on her. Lipumira growled.

“Volmus cannons, fire!” she yelled, her heaviest cannons opening fire on her sister. As she expected, the shots from the high-range energy guns were absorbed and directed back at her. The silver form of Lipumira dodged around the mirror-like form of her younger sister.

As she twisted past her, one of her reflected shots clipped her lower engine pod. Grunting, Lipumira kept herself at full throttle. Shian easily twisted to face her sister again. “You can't hurt me with your cannons, sister.” reminded Shian. “My entire body is a giant dimensional refracting field. You can't win.” said the girl. Lipumira smiled a scary smile.

“You have a lot to learn, sister!” she barked back. “Hoshimi, brace yourself!” she snapped. The command couch grabbed the girl securely. “Braking thrusters, engage!” she ordered. “Eat this, Shian!” she howled as her form stopped dead in front of the other Gweiss ship, Lipumira's wing catching Shian in the chin, sending the other ship spinning out of control. “Emergency warp disengage!” she ordered, the warp engine dropping off line instantly. Lipumira crashed out of warp drive and into normal space.

-

“Gen!” came a familiar voice. “Gen! Wake up! Come on, Gen!” pleaded the voice. Gen blinked a time or two, focusing on the source of the voice. A young girl's face came into focus as he concentrated on it. Lim. Her name is Lim. he remembered. She's Lipumira's little sister. With the first breakthrough, his memories came pouring back into him. Seeing a bright ball of light descending to him, he reached up and touched it, finding it to be the third piece of the star map.

With some effort, he managed to sit up. He had been lying on Lim's golden hull, his head in her lap, for who knew how long. All around them, the thick, heavy gasses of the planet-sized Mystic One surrounded them, the odd tissue-like tentacles holding Lim's outer form in place. “Lim,” he groaned, surprised to find that his voice was rough - like it hadn't been used in a long time, “the Mystic Ones intend to do something terrible.” he said. Lim nodded.

For whatever reason, Lingrodo had used Gen's nanite colony to hack into Lim's mind, and all that Gen had seen and been told by the Mystic One had been shared with Lim. For the first time since she was launched, she questioned all that she and her sisters had done for the Mystic Ones. And for the first time, she saw a pattern to her missions and tasks.

Before she could share, she felt a familiar presence approach them. “Oh, no!” she moaned to Gen. “We have to go! Before Ladow gets here!” she urged him. Gen shakily stood, but even then, Lim knew it was too late.

-

“Take me with you!” begged Hoshimi. Lipumira shook her head.

“I can't, Hoshimi.” she said evenly. “You wouldn't stand a chance there. Wait here.” she directed the girl. “You will be safe here. I'll bring Gen and the star map piece back - I promise!” she said, moving out the door. Moments later, Hoshimi saw the flash as one of Lipumira's assault shuttles blasted toward the distant speck that was Lingrodo.

“Gen,” moaned Hoshimi to herself, “you promised you wouldn't leave me!” she said, fighting back sobs.

-

Gen grunted as the laser round from the pistol in Lim's hands burned through his shoulder. “Lim!? Why?” he asked her, feeling the wound begin to seep. Standing a ways away from them, the oldest of the Gweiss sisters laughed cruelly.

“She is under my complete control, last of the Nomad Star Tribe.” she taunted. “You were the only one who could wrest control of the map piece from Lingrodo, and now that you have, you serve no purpose.” she said remorselessly. “Lim, kill him and bring me the map piece.” she ordered. Lim trembled as she fought to resist the orders from her oldest sister.

“No! I don't want to!” she screamed, even as the pistol slowly lined up on Gen's head. “No!” she screamed, her finger tightening on the trigger. Just then, there was a flash and an impact, not far from Ladow. Lim sagged as the telepathic control snapped.

“Ladow!” screamed a familiar voice.

“Ah, I see that Lipumira has decided to join us.” sneered the elder sister. “Let me tell you a story, human, of what happened to Calion.”

“No.” breathed Lipumira, her bracer clicking as her fighting blade snapped into position. “No!” she roared, jumping at Ladow like a tiger leaping at a deer.

Ladow, Gen decided as he watched the two fight, was more of a lion than a deer. Even as she held off Lipumira's frenzied attacks, she continued to hatefully tell Gen about Calion. “You see, boy, Lipumira killed Calion while under my telepathic control!” bragged the cloaked figure. “She shot him in the back, all the while, he was thinking that he was safe with her! And now, the same fate has befallen you!” Lipumira began to drive Ladow back. “Rain, release the Star Tear.” Ladow directed the unseen sister. Lim, Gen and Lipumira gasped. With a powerful attack, Lipumira managed to get Ladow on the defensive.

“Lim! Grab Gen and lift immediately!” she yelled. Lim didn't waste time answering her sister. She grabbed Gen's arm and ran for the smaller entrance on her side. Even before the two had fully entered the lock, he felt her engines come on-line and her golden form began to lift. The cradle of tissue no longer bound her, instead, helping her to gain altitude.

Hanging from the hatch, Gen watched Lipumira dueling with Ladow. That the older sister was more experienced was clear. It was also clear that Lipumira was fighting like she had a death-wish. “Lipumira! Come on!” yelled Gen, motioning for her to board her sister.

“I can't!” screamed Lipumira. “She'll kill me!” Just then, Ladow blasted Lipumira with some plasma rounds, and the blonde fell toward her sister. Bouncing off the hull, she headed toward Gen's position.

I can get her! realized Gen, moving out onto the narrow, curved edge just past the door. Eyes on the blonde, he managed to catch her, though it tumbled them both to the decking, which was beginning to tilt as Lim poured on the power in preparation to escape. Scrambling up, Gen reached for Lipumira's hand.

We might just make it. thought Lipumira, reaching for Gen. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ladow throw her staff right at her. She sighed softly. I always knew that this was how it would end. she thought. At least Hoshimi and Gen might make it, if Lim's smart enough to get them off my hull before it disintegrates. To her horror, her view of the on-rushing staff was blocked by Gen's chest. “Gen!” she screamed, seeing the man jerk just before the spear erupted from his back.

The mass of the spear knocked him off the ledge, and he dropped past Lipumira. Instinctively, she grabbed his arm with one hand as she twisted to dig her fingers into Lim's golden hull. Eventually, she managed to stop their descent.

“Well, it seems I will have to let you die by your sister Rain's hand instead of my own.” smirked Ladow, just before she swiftly levitated away. Lipumira looked down at Gen, the staff sticking through his chest. His eyes were going dim. Just like Calion's did as he died! she silently sobbed.

“Take…map.” he coughed, the blood on his arm causing him to slide out of her grip. “Protect…Hoshi-chan.” he slurred, his hand falling through her own. Two of her fingers caught on the star map fragment as Gen's body fell into the haze.

“Gen!” screamed the blonde as the world went white.

-

She's crying. thought the silent girl as she played her harp. My closest sister is crying. Why can't I feel anything about that? she wondered. Beyond her curtained area, Ladow was briefing the other sisters on what had happened. Daine was fresh from recovering from her near-death experience at Lipumira's hands, and Shian had sustained damage from her run-in with the rogue as well.

“Where is Lim?” wondered Shian. “Wasn't she on a simple bait mission near Zanian?” she asked. Ladow hid a smile.

“It saddens me to tell you, sisters, but Lim was killed by Lipumira.” said the eldest sister. Daine's lips thinned to a hard, cold sneer. Shian's mouth dropped open.

“Lipumira killed Lim?” she gaped. Ladow nodded.

“Rain and I tried to get there in time to save her, but we were too late. All we could do was use the Star Tear to drive the rogue away. Above the three, the soft notes of Rain's music flowed on.

She is lying. We killed Lim, not Lipumira. I should say something. I know I should. But, why can I not speak about what happened? she wondered, plucking the strings. Closing her eyes, she listened to the music from her harp; and to the words of Ladow from below.

“Lim was able to give me Lipumira's current location before the last of her life fled.” said Ladow. Rain deftly plucked her strings.

Ladow has known where Lipumira was since Lim's initial scouting report. she thought. Why the lies, Ladow? she wondered. Her music danced on.

“What are we waiting for?” snapped Diane. “Let's go finish the traitor off!” she growled, smiling in anticipation. Ladow smiled a cold smile.

“Are you sure that Lim is dead?” asked Shian. “Lim's smart and crafty - she might have made it.” protested the second-youngest. Damn it! She and Lipumira were my closest sisters!

“She's dead, Shian.” snapped Ladow. “Are you going to let Lipumira get away with killing her?” she challenged. Shian tightened her jaw.

“No.” she said. “Let's finish this. For Lim.” she said, turning to depart for her own outer form.

“Finally, we will be rid of her.” purred Diane, also departing. Rain played on. Ladow waited until the others were gone, then activated her channel to the Mystic Ones.

“Lord Gataleion,” she reported, we will soon possess the star map, at long last.” The indistinct form waved for a moment, then the reply came.

“Excellent, Ladow.” said the Mystic One. “Once the star map is secure, be sure to destroy all the Gweiss ships.” he instructed. Ladow bowed.

“Of course, my Lord. I had planned to do so anyway.” she said. Rain continued to play her harp.

So, we are to be killed. Just like Lim. she thought, her song flowing on. Why can't I flee? Or warn my sisters? She changed songs seamlessly. Why couldn't I save Lipumira and Lim? Her musing was interrupted by Ladow's voice.

“Come, Rain.” she said. “You will stay by my side until we retrieve the star map, and then, you will overload the Star Tear and kill all your sisters.” she ordered.

“Yes, Ladow.” replied the girl softly. Why can't I save myself? she silently mourned.

-

“I know why Gen didn't come back with you.” said Hoshimi. The two women were standing on the bridge, looking over the domes of the largest of the cites on Zanian. Since she had drifted back to her outer form, Lipumira had not said anything to Hoshimi about Gen's death. More blood on my hands. thought the blonde. “He wanted to check out your sister.” she said.

Lipumira opened her mouth, then closed it, without saying anything. How can I tell her that he's gone? she wondered, feeling like shit. Even Lim couldn't lift in time to escape the Star Tear. she thought miserably. Hoshimi interrupted her thoughts.

“Oh, he makes me so mad sometimes!” she complained. “I'm his steady! Why does he have to go chasing your sister without me?!” she wondered.

“I…” began Lipumira. Hoshimi moved on.

“Lipumira?” she asked.

“Yes?” came the hesitant reply.

“Let's go shopping!” said the dark-haired girl happily. “I think it would make me feel a lot better if I bought some expensive things…and used Gen's credit chip!” she chirped.

“O…ok.” agreed Lipumira. Not like he will be needing it again. she thought as the two rode into the city. As she followed Hoshimi around, she listened to the girl talk about her plans for the future with Gen, told her some of the names she had chosen for their children, and of her plans for her universal time line.

Finally, Lipumira couldn't take it any more. “Hoshimi,” she said, preparing for the worst, “I have to tell you something.” she said. Now I know how she felt about telling Gen about the trade. reflected the blonde. Hoshimi waited, an expectant look on her face.

Before Lipumira could find the words to tell her that her lover was dead, alarms began to ring out. There was only one reason that so many alarms would ring in a place like Zanian. I get another shot at it! she thought, her grief exploding into rage though out her mind, erasing all else. I will see you dead, Ladow! I swear I will have revenge for Calion, Gen and Lim! I SWEAR IT!! “Hoshimi! Find a shelter!” snapped the blonde, sprinting back to her outer form.

-

I fulfilled my promise, thought Lipumira, and all it cost me was Rain. she thought bitterly. The three sisters were orbiting Zanian over the lake where Rain's out form had disintegrated, and where Lipumira had sealed her human form forever. Shian was horribly damaged from the heavy round of unknown type that Ladow had hit her with. Still, she would recover, given time. Lim was in the best shape of them all, being a much harder target to hit, and having used her short-warp ability to great effect.

Lipumira was beat up, but she had been hit far worse in her time. All three could still fly, though Shian was a borderline case right now. With Diane having destroyed the largest city on the moon, then fleeing when the truth of Ladow had been revealed by Lim, it had left all the Gweiss sisters in a bad spot. Lipumira was sure that Zanian would be ill-humored to let them dock there, so the three of them stayed in orbit while they planned their next move. Gen had found Hoshimi and stolen a shuttle to return to Lipumira's hull.

Right now, the three brains were synchronizing with each other, matching up data, and fitting it together. Lim and Shian had vowed to join Lipumira in her search for the `flowing light' weapon, and Lipumira felt much better being back with her sisters. Gen and Hoshimi had each decided that they wanted to be with her, and Earth was quietly shelved for the last time.

“I think that we should leave orbit before they get more of their fighters up and running.” said Lipumira. “Shian needs to heal, and we need to figure out our next move.”

“Where can we go, sis?” wondered Lim. “We have a pretty bad reputation, you know.” she reminded the blonde. Lipumira smiled softly.

“Well, we have some options, but now is not the time to press our luck.” she said. “Shian, do you think you can make a long-distance warp? Say, about two hundred light years or so?” she asked the shorter girl. Shian considered that.

“I might.” she said. “My damage is mostly to the central core area and sensors nets, so the engines should work fine, but at reduced power.” she mused. “If you two help me, I can make it.” she decided.

“Of course we'll help you.” assured Lim. “It will be like old time, sisters!” she said happily. Lipumira smiled tightly as she recalled Rain's last words. While we won't be all together, we will fly together, Rain. For you; and for us. she thought. Lipumira blinked as her sensors reported contacts rising from the surface of Zanian.

“We have company, sisters.” she said. Lim scowled cutely.

“I can handle them.” she said. “Grab Shian and prep for warp. I'll be right there.” she promised, lithely running out the door toward the shuttle that would bring her back to her own hull. Shian followed at a slower pace.

“Let me know when you're ready, and I will help you get lined up and ready.” said Lipumira. Shian managed a smile.

“Like when you taught me to fly, right, sister?” she said softly. Lipumira nodded, her smile warm.

“Like the good old days.” she promised the girl. Shian made her departure, and Lipumira watched as Lim trapped the fighters in a dimension box like she had used on Ladow, buying them time to get into position for a tandem warp. “We're all set here, Lim!” she called to her sister.

“Here I come!” called back Lim, releasing the box and accelerating toward her two sisters.

“Hold tight, Shian.” murmured Lim, enjoying the almost forgotten feel of her sister's hull close against her own. “Warp engage.” she said as Lim reached their side. Together, the three ghost ships became ghosts once more.

It wasn't until they were settled into warp formation that she thought to ask herself where Gen and Hoshimi had gotten off to.

-

“Ugh!” grunted Gen, his hands on Hoshimi's hips. Hoshimi had her hands on his chest, and was currently bouncing up and down on his hard length in an almost violent manner, swirling her hips at the bottom of each stroke. Her hair had fallen over her shoulders, and covered her and Gen both. The two were covered in sweat, but neither was currently aware of such minor details.

Shortly after they had gotten back, Hoshimi had grabbed his hand and pulled him to the bedroom, where they had been ever since. Gen had been surprised by the intensity of Hoshimi's lovemaking. Never had she been so completely focused on getting fucked. In fact, she hadn't even waited for him to get undressed before she all but threw him on the bed and grabbed his dick.

A few attempts at speaking had been silenced by his girlfriend, who seemed more interested in sex than talking at the moment. So, Gen had been silent and let his actions speak for him. More than a year of experience with her showed as he managed to get her even hotter and wetter as she desperately sucked his cock.

Gen had taken advantage of her orgasm to roll over so he was on top of her, Hoshimi's legs eagerly spreading and locking around his hips. Sure of her wishes, he plunged straight in to the hilt, loving the tight, wet heat of her passage as much as the soft, needful sounds coming from her throat. Situating his weight on his elbows, he twisted his arms around so he could massage her breasts as he began to hammer into her. Hoshimi had purred. And, occasionally, she had growled; usually when Gen made any sort of attempt to speak or to break contact with her furnace-like body.

Driving her to orgasm as he shot his load had not freed him from the woman. Nor had it allowed him to speak with her. Every attempt to speak with her after that first round had been silenced by her mouth, or tits, or by a fingertip on his lips. With barely ten minutes' rest, she had begun to work him back to full hardness, her enthusiastic efforts filling the room with wet slurps and gulps. Needless to say, her intensity swiftly regenerated his member, and before he knew it, he was kneeling behind Hoshimi as she braced herself against the head of the bed.

Gen took a moment to stare in fascination at her literally dripping sex. Hoshimi had never had any problem with getting sufficiently wet, but this was new - to both of them. Hoshimi had never felt this aroused, and Gen had never seen her - or any of his lovers - so hot and horny that they were literally dripping. From her swollen, slightly red pussy lips to her knees, she was completely soaked, and even as he watched, he could see her juice forming beads at the lowest point of her sex. He also noticed that his cum was beginning to leak from her greedy sex as well. Better do something about that. he thought, positioning himself at her opening.

A low, urgent moan came from his lover as she felt his tip touch her sex. Unknown to him, she had another small orgasm just from feeling his hot, slick tip touch her sensitive entrance. Twitching her hips, she urged him to fill her again. Gen rubbed her back and sides as he slowly, evenly pushed into her slick sex. Once he reached her cervix, he leaned forward and swept her hair aside to kiss the nape of her neck, causing her to shiver violently. Moving his arms around her to grasp her breasts in each hand, he had began to thrust in her at a steady pace, his fingers expertly toying with and stimulating her nipples.

Hoshimi reveled in the ocean of bliss she felt as his pace built and her own lust began to whip up whitecaps of pleasure. Soon, she was in a typhoon of orgasmic rapture as she reveled in the touch of her lover. Wordless sounds from her throat told him how much she was liking his actions. Gen smiled widely as he watched his Hoshi-chan finally succumb to a massive multiple orgasm at his hands - and dick. For the second time, he happily filled her with his cum, to her immense approval.

Figuring that she was done for the time being, he had eased out of her and fell onto his back beside her, while she stayed like she had been for several minutes, her face pressed in the pillows, hips in the air. Gen caught his breath. Slowly, Hoshimi began to move. With some effort, she managed to get on her side next to him. Trailing his fingers through her hair, he settled them against her cheek. Wonder what was up with her? he thought idly, suppressing a yawn. He froze when Hoshimi's hand closed on his slick, limp dick. She couldn't…? he wondered, blinking.

She did indeed want more, and he knew that when she curled over so she could suck his dick into her mouth as she worked to once more raise his penis from the dead. He tried to ask her about it, but one of her hands had slid up and slapped itself over his mouth, keeping him silent. Figuring that she wouldn't talk until they were both awake again, he remained silent, closing his eyes as he concentrated on the feeling of her lips and tongue and hands on his dick. It took her about fifteen minutes of ardent attention, but she got him back up one more time.

No sooner had he reached full erection that she had tremblingly straddled him and impaled herself on his shaft. Her tiredness was offset by her need to have him in her; to affirm their bond with each other. So, she found that she had the energy for one more time. Slowly humping at first, then moving to bouncing, she built toward one more orgasm. Gen grabbed her waist as she hit her stride, wildly pounding herself on his tender dick. Nearing her orgasm, she leaned forward, her hands on his chest, and started to swirl and twitch her hips as she bottomed out on each bounce.

Suddenly, she threw her head back, gasping, as her pussy mimicked a vice on his member. Gen knew that she had just reached a large orgasm, and the knowledge that he had managed to get her off three times in a row fed his ego enough to rally his depleted balls for one final - if small - shot into her deepest reaches.

With their energy gone, the two young lovers struggled to keep from falling on each other. Hoshimi managed to get herself down on Gen's chest without falling on him, and Gen managed to hold his love so she was secure in his arms. Both were out like lights as they came down from their orgasms. It didn't matter to them, though; each could feel the other's warmth.

From the doorway, Lipumira smiled at the two exhausted lovers. I know how you feel, Hoshimi. she thought to the girl. If I hadn't of been busy, I would have loved to join you two. Still, there will be other chances. she promised herself, moving over to them and gently covering them with the sheets. She also made a few arrangements to their positions so that they would not awaken to cramped and numb arms from lack of circulation and awkward angles. Unable to resist the impulse, she leaned over and gave each of them a soft kiss on the lips. “See you two when you wake up.” she murmured, exiting the room for the bridge. There were choices to be made, and she and her sisters needed to come up with a plan.

-

Gen awoke alone in bed, though from the heat next to him, he hadn't missed Hoshimi by much. Struggling upright, he rubbed his eyes as he yawned. Damn, that was some hot sex last…whenever. he thought, realizing that he had no idea what day it was. Looking over at the ship clock, he realized that he and Hoshimi had slept for almost an entire day. His stomach rumbled, giving him an idea of what had awoken them.

Getting out of bed, he made his way to the shower, seeing Hoshimi there already, washing herself, a smile on her lips. “Morning, Hoshi-chan.” he said, stepping into the shower after his morning piss break. The long-haired girl turned and smiled at him.

“Morning, Gen.” she said, her tone warm and happy like it usually was. Gen wrapped his arms around her and thoroughly kissed her. “Mmm.” she hummed when he finally released her from the kiss. “What was that for?” she asked.

“Because I love you.” he said. She handed him the body wash as she resumed scrubbing down. “By the way, Hoshi-chan, what was with you last night?” he wondered.

“Complaining?” she asked, her tone slightly more serious than it had been a moment before.

“Of course not; are you kidding?” grinned Gen. “But I've never seen you act that way before.” he said. Hoshimi turned to look at him.

“I've never come to close to losing you, either, Gen.” she said seriously. “Lipumira didn't say, but I could tell by her body language that something had happened on Lingrodo. I…thought I might never see you again, and then, there you were.” she said, throwing herself into his arms. “You promised me you would never leave me.” she croaked, fighting tears.

Gen hugged her tightly to himself. “And I never will.” he promised. “But I know you are smart enough to realize that this is a dangerous situation we are in, and it won't get much safer, even though we seem to have won a victory over the Mystic Ones this time.” he cautioned her. Hoshimi nodded.

“I…know that.” she said. “It's just that I came out here because of you, Gen. Without you, there is no point to me being out here.” she said.

“What about Lipumira?” asked Gen. “She was alone for how many centuries out here? Would you abandon her if something happened to me?” he asked. He shook his head. “That's not the Hoshimi I know and love.” he concluded.

Hoshimi considered that. She did have a strong bond with the blonde, and even when she had been desperately trying to convince herself that Gen wasn't dead, she had never once considered leaving Lipumira's side. I guess that means I'm in love with her, too. she admitted, unbothered by the implications of that statement.

“And then, there is Jarna.” noted Gen. “You two seem to have hit it off really good. Would you have simply left her without a word?” he asked. “I somehow doubt it.” he added. Hoshimi snorted at that idea.

“Of course I wouldn't have!” she said immediately, her tone colored with scorn for such an idiotic idea. “But none of that means that I want to be separated from you, Gen. Ever.” she repeated. Her boyfriend leaned down and kissed her. Their make out session was interrupted by a growl from Gen's stomach.

Laughing, the two broke the kiss. “I guess that means I better go fix something to feed that thing.” Hoshimi teased. Swiftly finishing her shower, she exited the bathroom. “I'll have something ready soon, so hurry up and finish!” she called back. Gen, shampooing his hair, nodded, but made no verbal answer. Wonder where Lipumira is? he thought.

-

“Good morning! You must be Hoshimi!” chirped a voice from behind the Earth girl. Hoshimi flinched and turned to see a young girl in gold cloth smiling at her. “I'm Lipulim, but please call me Lim!” she introduced herself.

“Lipumira's little sister?” asked Hoshimi rhetorically. “Yes, I am Hoshimi. Nice to meet you.” she said. Lim studied the girl closely. As was her normal behavior, Hoshimi was in her spider silk dress and was wearing an apron as she cooked, her hip-length hair held back in a ponytail.

“You are as pretty as Lipumira said you were.” decided Lim happily, having completed her visual inspection of the Earth girl. “Where's Gen at?” she asked, moving past the other girl gracefully.

“He's in the shower, but should be here soon.” said Hoshimi. “Are you hungry?” she asked the girl. Not exactly what I expected in Lipumira's younger sister. she thought. She seems a lot more like an Earth teenager than I had thought she would.

“You mean you are cooking food?” wondered Lim. Like her sisters, she had used provisions of protein slabs and water to maintain her biological necessities. “Does it taste as good as Lipumira said it does?” she wondered. Hoshimi laughed.

“Why not try it and see for yourself?” she suggested. “Where is you sister, anyway?” asked Hoshimi. Lim perched her small frame on a chair in the dining room.

“She's checking up on Shian right now, but she'll be back soon. I told her you were awake now.” she said. Hoshimi blushed slightly.

“Shian.” she mused. “That's your other sister, right?” she asked.

“Yeah, she and I are the youngest, and with Rain gone and Diane missing, it leaves the youngest of us together.” said Lim, her tone less happy than before when she mentioned Rain.

“What about the oldest, Ladow, I think it was?” wondered Hoshimi. Gen had tried to tell her something about the Gweiss sisters, but she hadn't bothered to listen, her mind on other matters. Lim was silent for a few moments, and when she spoke, her tone was flat and cold.

“Ladow was never our sister. Even her hull was fake!” she snarled. A Mystic One among us…it makes so much sense that I'm surprised that we didn't figure it out sooner. she thought angrily. Lim didn't like being played as a patsy. “She was no sister of ours!” muttered the girl darkly. Hoshimi wondered what to say to that.

“Lim? What are you doing over here?” came Gen's voice from the door. Lim immediately lit up.

“There you are, map man!” she chirped, hopping up and throwing herself into his arms. “Feeling better?” she asked him, standing on tip toe to press a kiss to his lips. Gen smiled at her.

“Yeah.” he said. “How are you and Shian doing?” he asked her. She smiled a warm, inviting smile as she answered.

“I'm doing great.” she purred. Hoshimi frowned slightly at the girl's tone. No question about it, thought the Earth girl, Lim's got her eyes on Gen. Discreetly peeking at the girl, she decided that it wasn't that big of a deal. After all, she's Lipumira's kid sister. Maybe… her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the blonde.

“Need any help, Hoshimi?” asked the blonde. Hoshimi shook her head.

“No, it'll be up in about two minutes. But thanks for asking.” she said. Turning to the door, she saw Lipumira just breaking a kiss with Gen and headed her way. To her surprise, Lipumira pulled her into a close embrace as she kissed her. The space pirate was also a lot more thorough than she had been with Gen. Hoshimi didn't mind, but she was a bit curious about the reasons behind Lipumira's actions.

“How's Shian doing?” wondered Gen as Lipumira played tongue tag with Hoshimi. When she broke the kiss, Lipumira answered the question.

“Why not ask her yourself?” she said, pointing to the door. In the doorway stood the third Gweiss sister, Lipushian. She looked fine, but seemed a bit weak.

“I will make a full recovery.” said the girl. “Still, it would be easier if we had a full space dock and some more advanced equipment.” she noted. “As it is, it will be a few months before I am fully restored.” she said.

“Be sure to prioritize engines and warp capability, just in case.” directed Lipumira, tossing her head to the table. “But for now, you two are about to be treated to Hoshimi's cooking.” she said. The two new girls watched as the human efficiently served up the meal. “After we eat, we need to sit down and talk about the future.” said the blonde. The two sisters had to admit that this `cooking' thing that Hoshimi did was better than protein slabs and water. Before she knew it, she had agreed to teach Shian and Lim how to prepare some dishes.

-

Shian healed and the group planned and plotted. The star map was theirs, but now, they had to find the `flowing light' weapon that Calion had told her of in the recording he had hidden in Rain. There were other issues, but some were more urgent than others.

For the first time in longer than they could remember, the Mystic Ones were on the defensive. Ladow was destroyed, Lingrodo had passed his knowledge to Gen, and from Gen, it went to the sisters through his nanite colony. For the first time, they had a slight advantage. Days went by as they discussed, planned, argued and began to tighten their bonds.

The main topic was the last of the Gweiss sisters: Lipudaine. She had warped when Lim told her what Ladow really was, and was no loose somewhere in the galaxy, without anything to control her. With her decidedly nasty temper, she was dangerous. The question before the group was what to do with her.

Lipumira brought up trying to reason with her - if they could convince her to join them, all that firepower of hers would be very useful. Shian and Lim didn't like her, and while Lipumira was no fan her either, she was now the senior sister in the group, and it fell to her to plan their moves. Hoshimi asked if they could afford to trust that Daine would join for real, and not just pretend to in order to betray them later.

Gen asked if they even had a chance to deal with her any other way. She was heaviest-armed and was easily more than a match for the three of them together. Lipumira noted that Ladow was more powerful and dangerous than Daine was, and they had managed to put her down. Carefully, Gen noted that it had taken the Star Tear to kill the Mystic One. He didn't need to say that it had also taken Rain's life to put `paid' to that account.

Lipumira had flinched at hearing the name of her sister, but had pursued the topic at hand, that being Daine. She had argued that they knew more about Daine and her capabilities, and that with the familiarity came the ability to come up with a way to neutralize her strengths and to prey on her weaknesses. Lim, in particular, would be a problematic opponent for the oldest sister, with her short-warp and dimensional plane capabilities, she could easily avoid the missile barrages and in-close weaponry. But, she couldn't penetrate the armor system on Daine.

Eventually, the three decided on a two-part strategy. First, they would locate her. Then, depending on her disposition and general circumstances, they would either negotiate with her, or destroy her. Meanwhile, they would begin to gather what information they could on the Mystic Ones and this `flowing light' weapon that Calion had said existed somewhere.

Comparing notes, the three of them began to unify their contact nets and interlock data feeds from various sources and locations. The two older sisters were amazed at Lim's nets. They covered a huge area, and were deep as well. The youngest of the sisters had basked in the praise of her older sisters, claiming it was because she was so cute and nice. Lipumira had smiled at her, but later, she told Gen and Hoshimi that it was likely because Lim was far more ruthless and manipulative than she had thought. It was fortunate, she said, that Lim had developed such an attachment to Gen.

Hoshimi felt that this was a good time to ask her about that attachment. Lipumira had smiled and asked if she liked Lim and Shian. Hoshimi had honestly admitted that Lim was cute and Shian seemed nice enough. Lipumira had stepped over to Hoshimi and kissed her, her hands slipping down to caress her breasts and stroke her thinly-concealed pussy for several heady moments before she asked Hoshimi if she liked Lim and Shian. Hoshimi had admitted that she felt a certain attraction to them. Lipumira had smiled a bit more at that confession.

-

“This is really a beautiful spot.” mused Gen, sipping some coffee with Hoshimi about a month later. The three sisters had been low-orbiting a blue-silver gas giant with a dozen moons and three belts. With the interference caused by all the activity, scanning was difficult and with the three of them in low orbit, they were well hid and comfortable. With the light from three medium-distance stars coming in, the ice rings sparked and the multi-colored moons were like a beautiful, multi-strand necklace around the planet.

“Yes. Did you ever think that you would see such a beautiful thing?” replied Hoshimi softly, hugging herself to his side.

“Are you kidding, Hoshi-chan?” he shot back playfully. “I get to see you every morning, don't I?” Hoshimi felt herself blush a little as she smiled.

“Flatterer.” she accused him lovingly. “What about Lipumira?” she teased.

“Her, too.” he acknowledged. Hoshimi paused, then went on.

“And Shian and Lim?” she wondered. Gen turned to look at her.

“I would be lying if I said that they weren't easy on the eyes.” he answered honestly. Hoshimi took a breath.

“I like looking at them too.” she whispered to him. Gen studied her close.

“So, they are your type, then, Hoshi-chan?” he asked her, touching her chin with his finger, raising her eyes to him. Seeing her eyes, he smiled. “Yeah, they're my type, too.” he confided in her. The two shared a brief kiss. Hoshimi remembered Lipumira's words from a few days back.

She and the blonde had been showering together after a night with Gen and each other, and Lipumira had asked if she might be willing to share Gen and herself with her sisters. Hoshimi had not said she wasn't willing - because she was - but had instead asked what the reason for it was. Lipumira had said that it was in all their best interests to have as strong a bond with each other as they could manage. Well, we're game for that. she thought, hugging Gen.

The door to the bridge opened and Shian stuck her head inside. Spotting the two humans, she smiled. “Morning you two.” she said by way of greeting. The two turned and smiled at her.

“Morning, Shian.” said Gen. “So, today's the day you test out your recovery, right?” he asked her. She had told the group that her systems were fully recovered, but that she wanted to hard-test them to be sure. With the situation they were in, they had to know if the systems were working right or not. So, she and Lim were going to go poke around in a couple of nearby systems and test out the systems. Lim was lugging a make-shift laser cannon to test the refraction system over the damaged area.

“Yeah. Lim and I wanted to know if you two would come with us.” she said. “You know, get used to us and all.” she suggested.

“Sure.” agreed Gen, trading a look with Hoshimi. “Does Lipumira know?” he asked the girl. Shian nodded. “Yes. She is going to be our back-up, just in case.” said the short-haired Gweiss sister. “Lim and I were thinking that one of you could ride with each of us.” she suggested.

“Sounds fine.” agreed Hoshimi. “Any preference?” she asked the girl. Shian's cheeks colored faintly.

“Would you like to go with me, Gen?” she asked. “I mean, unless you would prefer Lim?” she wondered. Gen smiled at Hoshimi.

“I'll go with Lim.” said Hoshimi. “We're all going to be together, right?” she asked innocently. Shian smiled.

“Yes, we are.” she said. The two humans finished their coffee and headed out to the shuttle docks.

-

Hoshimi and Lipumira finished fixing dinner, and began to dish it up. Hoshimi glanced at the clock. “Where are they?” she wondered. It was dinner time, and Lim and Gen still weren't back yet. The time has passed in a flash as she and Lipumira had reminisced about the past, but she wanted to see Gen and Lim now.

Lipumira smiled at her. “They should be warping out here in about four minutes.” said the blonde. Hoshimi sighed. “Impatient to have sex with him, are you?” teased the blonde. Hoshimi sniffed disdainfully.

“Like you aren't?” she challenged. Lipumira shrugged.

“I didn't say that.” she not-answered. “But I do feel insulted that I am not good enough to keep you happy.” she mocked a pout.

“Lipumira, you're plenty good,” said Hoshimi, “but it's different with Gen.” she said softly. Any better and being with Lipumira would kill me! she thought happily. In the five years since the three youngest Gweiss sisters had had formed their group, Hoshimi had had plenty of time to both teach and learn - in the bedroom and out of it. The sisters were very good instructors and even better students, and the result was that none of them every lacked for passionate, skilled lovers.

Hoshimi smiled as she remembered introducing Lim and Shian to Jarna on Benyuas. The princess had taken to them as swiftly as she had taken to Hoshimi, and the group had used that to begin to ease themselves into a less outlaw status. Even so, they kept themselves outside the conventional society of the places they worked, and they never advertised who they were. Once a ghost ship, always a ghost ship. Even Jarna didn't know who the three truly were. All she knew was that Gen and or Hoshimi always showed up on one of the three ships, and they always insisted that they meet her at the dock. In fact, Jarna had convinced her father to have a custom enclosed dock built just for the three ships at the far end of the space elevator.

Thinking of Jarna, Hoshimi smiled. Lim had taken a real shine to the princess, though she preferred Gen and herself to Jarna in bed. It had been Lim that had managed to get Gen into a bit of a situation with Jarna's three younger sisters. Apparently, the girl had been bragging about Gen's abilities in bed, and before the young man knew it, Jarna's three younger sisters wanted in on Jarna's action. Jarna had not been very willing to share her find with her sisters, but after some sibling negotiation, she had been able to arrange things so that everyone went away happy. Hoshimi had teased Gen about being the `royal gigolo' to the ruling party of Benyuas.

It had been two years since her first flight with the two younger sisters when Lipumira had broached a couple of subjects with her that were intertwined; time and life-span to be exact. In essence, the Gweiss sisters were immortal. They would not grow old and die, as did organics. They did not even have a pre-set life-cycle like the in-organics. Hoshimi and Gen were human, though, and they had life spans that were preset. This was what Lipumira wanted to talk about with the girl.

With the possibility that it might take hundreds - or thousands, or millions - of years to find the `flowing light' and stop the Mystic Ones, she had asked Hoshimi what she planned to do about that. The two had talked, and it had gone into an area that she had not considered in such a light before: children. Lipumira listened to the girl when she talked about children, and the blonde liked the idea that even when Hoshimi and Gen were dead, they would still live on with her in the form of their children, but she had originally come to pitch another idea to the earth girl.

Life cycle extension treatment could stretch Gen and Hoshimi's life span by almost three times; maybe more, since a human had never undergone the process. When she had asked about it, Lipumira had explained that it was a combination of nanite, DNA-tuning and gene alteration that allowed the biological system greater regenerative power and extended health. In effect, she and Gen could be re-worked into a low-end Alterian Humanoid. Lipumira noted that her research indicated that if she and he were re-worked before they had children, then it should be possible to make a few more alterations to their children, giving them nearly the same life span as a natural-born Alterian Superior Humanoid.

Hoshimi had had to think about that for a while. Her immediate reaction to the notion of `upgrading' herself and Gen, and later, their children, was negative. But, upon closer inspection, that was based on her Earth heritage and lack of advanced technology. She and Gen had agreed to leave Earth behind him, and that meant it's superstitions as well. A week later, she talked with Lipumira again about it. Three months later, Lim, Lipumira and Shian dropped out of warp on top of a research and medical colony on the outer edges of the Nebula Cooperative Group's territory, and Gen and Hoshimi had spent four days having the work done by the best in the business.

Initially, they had agreed to it because they didn't want the three sisters to reduce the place to particles. Then, when they saw Hoshimi and Gen and realized the wealth of information before them, they eagerly agreed for the chance to log in this new species `humans' from the far end of the universe. The logging of the biology of the two added another two days to the stay. When the three of them warped out, the scientists were already preparing their speeches to their scientific community on these new, unknown beings. With the fame and fortune they would get, it was easy to forget that the three `ghost ships' had visited at all.

Gen had been concerned about having him and Hoshimi logged into the scientific community's data banks, but Lipumira had assured them that they were in no greater danger than they had been before, and that Humans had been encountered before, but never alive, and never this far out from Earth, so they weren't trading anything that was really unknown for a much-improved life span. Gen had to admit that the thought of staying young beside Hoshimi and the Gweiss girls held a huge attraction to him.

All that was left now was the issue of children. Hoshimi planned to talk with Gen about that when he got back. Not that I want any right now, or anything, but eventually I want some. Maybe three - that way, each of the girls will have one aboard so they aren't alone after we are gone. Or should I go with six, three of each, so they each get two? wondered Hoshimi, smiling at the thought of their children.

Her musing was cut short by Lipumira announcing that a ship was coming out of warp near the moon of the planet they were orbiting. Hoshimi smiled at Lipumira. “Gen and Lim?” she asked. Lipumira shook her head.

“Shian.” she said simply. A moment later, Shian's voice came over the speakers.

“Am I in time for dinner?” asked the girl. Lipumira assured her she was, and asked what she was doing back from Isna so soon.

“Got what we needed, and heard some information from Sasaundra that I thought took priority.” said the younger girl.

“Trouble?” asked Lipumira, her tone sharp as she caught the meaning behind the words.

“I'm not sure. I want to see what Gen and Lim found on their little mission.” said Shian. “Be over in a minute.” she said, her mirror-bright form settling next to Lipumira's silver one. Sure enough, the short-haired girl entered the dining room a few minutes later. “Where's Lim and Gen?” she asked.

“Running a bit late.” replied Lipumira. Shian frowned.

“Think we should go check on them?” wondered the younger of the two sisters.

“I don't think so; at least, not yet.” said Lipumira. “You know that exact transits times can be affected by conditions, after all.” said the blonde.

“Yes, but Lim's fast.” noted Shian. “If they aren't here within a half hour, I'll warp out and…” her sentence trailed off. A moment later, she sighed. “Warp signature. It's Lim.” said Shian. Lipumira smiled.

“Seven minutes isn't bad.”

Eight minutes later, the door opened and Gen and Lim came through. “Hi, guys!” he called cheerfully. Lim skipped the verbal and went straight to Hoshimi, who was closest, and kissed her deeply. “I'm glad to back.” he said softly, gathering Hoshimi in his arms as soon as Lim released her. Hoshimi leered at him.

“We're glad you're back, too.” said his lover, kissing him hungrily. She felt her pussy grow hot and wet. Are we ever glad you are back home! she thought lecherously. Gen moved on to the other two women, and as soon as the greetings were done, they fell to eating. An hour or so later, the dishes were being cleaned in the cleansing machine in the kitchen, and the group was in the lounge, sipping glasses of the juice that Lipumira had first served to Gen and Hoshimi.

“So, what did you learn?” asked Lipumira of Gen and Lim. The two exchanged looks.

“We got a confirmed sighting of Diane out in the edges of the Qqril Frontier.” said the man. “We followed reports of her to that area, and got a brief sighting of her, but lost her before we could ascertain her activities.”

“She's been preying on shipping, fighting bounty fleets and working the odd job for malcontent factions. Her income seems to be derived from pirating and loan-outs, though we can't be sure she isn't drawing from the accounts we know are from the Mystic Ones.” continued Lim. She paused. “We do know that she is still identifying herself by the agent code that the Mystic Ones gave her.” added the youngest of the girls.

“Lipumira, Shian, I think she still believes that the Mystic Ones are her master.” said Gen softly. Shian hummed.

“I suspect that is correct, but I did hear from the head of the merchant alliance on Isna that there has been a rumor of a ship hiring out for escort duty that matches Diane's specs and capabilities nearly perfectly. So, if she is working for them still, they are not paying her.” said Shian. “Either way, she is going it alone, and her violent tendencies are no less curbed.” noted the pale grey haired girl.

“You think she might be carrying a grudge over you slicing her earring off?” smiled Hoshimi. Lipumira shrugged.

“Her regeneration systems should have fixed that, and if she hasn't realized that I deliberately missed her neck with that cut, she is slipping.” said the blonde.

“Do you think she's scared to admit that she's been working for the wrong side?” wondered Lim. “She was never able to admit when she was wrong, and to find out that the thing that you believed in so much was a lie must have really gotten to her.” mused the girl.

“Who knows?” replied Shian. “Daine was always needlessly cruel, arrogant and dominate. Maybe she likes the killing and the destruction. Maybe this is who she really is.” mused the girl.

“Which doesn't change the fact that we will have to deal with her, one way or the other.” said Lipumira. The group talked some more, but before long, they found themselves in bed, comfortable with each other's closeness. As Lipumira drifted into a light sleep cycle with her sisters, she reflected on one inescapable fact: no matter how they chose to deal with Diane and the mystic ones, they would do it as a family. With the knowledge that her sisters and the two humans would be with her, she felt - for the first time since she had lost Calion - that the future would be bright.

 

End `Unexpected Circumstances'

 

Notes:

This is the basic of the fic body, which is more to fill in missing gaps than to branch off into other areas. Obviously, there is plenty of room to work with this one, but for the time being, it is going to the back of the queue, as I have other monkeys to get off my back.