Shore leave
#3 of The Serenity
Chapter three, here it be
It took three days to reach the first planet. During that time the causeway between the Serenity and the Intrepid was fixed and primary systems had been restored to most of the ship. The first day I didn't get any sleep. Most of the Captains had Officers who could cover shifts for them. I didn't have that luxury.
After thirty two hours I was relieved by Sam. Our command structure had finally settled in after the second Commanders meeting. The Fleet's needs were being met and everyone was satisfied with the results. The Captain's quarters suited me well. Spacious, with a living area and private dinning room. Ben was released from Medical the second night and moved into our new quarters. We were keeping that as discrete as we could.
Needless to say I piled up all the Admiral's belongings in my old room. The final death count was in, out of the fifteen thousand we set out with, two hundred and thirty eight were missing or dead. Instead of having one memorial for all those who died I scheduled individual ones, each lasting fifteen minutes, so that the crew members would get the respect they deserved.
Until then we were storing the bodies in a cargo hold. I sat in the Captain's chair, still a little tired from the long hours I was spending awake. Morale was pretty low, the reality of our situation was known throughout the fleet. On top of the fact we had yet to locate that fourth Agent. Marines were put on guard duty until they found them.
It was slow going checking all the dead, but none of them were the Agent. Some of the crew was on edge because of it. "Captain we are now in orbit of Planet One." Oliver said shutting down the engines. I barely registered what the shepard said. Yawning before responding to him. "Excellent work, scan the planet and make sure the air is breathable. Then we can sort out the rest."
The planet was ninety percent water. With a small island in the northern hemisphere. "The air is breathable Captain," Gilles said looking over at me. I nodded slowly and yawned again, "Very good. Send down a few fighters to scout around. If everything checks out we will send a group of volunteers to explore the surface."
Ben looked at me from his terminal. Sam and him were the only first shift bridge crew released from Medical. But Sam was needed to cover third shift Command. Phil, the bearded dragon opened a channel. "Serenity flight deck, rack up Alpha Squadron for a Priority One scouting mission of the planet below."
The flight deck doors opened up and fifteen fighters poured out in a V formation. "Sensors indicate there are no space capable planets within five parsecs?" I asked wanting to be sure that we would be safe resting here for a while. Gilles looked over his display, "Affirmative Captain, we shouldn't have any company."
I relaxed into my chair and Ben looked back at me. I could tell he was concerned about me. The only thing I could do was force a smile and keep listening to what was going on. The leopard slowly returned his attention to his terminal. "The island has some plant life, no trees. Nothing noteworthy was found by Alpha Squadron." Phil reported to me.
"Get some Marine volunteers to go down and check it out. If possible, find a Medical crew member willing to go and scan for anything hazardous to us. Last thing I want is for someone to get poisoned or stung by something." I said slowly standing up to stretch. Oliver looked back at me after setting the auto pilot.
"I can pilot the shuttle, if that's alright Captain?" He asked. I blinked several times and nodded. "Yeah, you were transferred right over from the Shantir System. No shore leave in months if I'm not mistaken." He shook his head, "Zenier System Captain, but yes." I shook my head and looked back at him. "Yes, right, sorry. Go pilot things, report findings. We will stick to the usual shore leave schedule once it is deemed safe below."
I leaned against the back of Reggie's chair. The rabbit looked from his navigation terminal up at me. He didn't have to say anything, I knew that sleep was needed. But someone had to manage things while I was away. I squinted looking the remaining members of the bridge crew. Almost pointing from each one while weighing the pros and cons of each choice.
When I saw Ben, I knew who my choice was. "You have the bridge Ben, I'm going to do that thing with beds and pillows." I said walking as best I could towards the door. Almost bumping into the wall as it slid open. Leaning against the wall the whole way to our quarters. The door slid open and I shambled inside. Vince appeared on the display, his ears laid back. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
I laid back across the couch and looked at the screen. "I'm going to sleep. Ben can handle things until first shift is over." I closed my eyes and drifted right to sleep. My dreams were of a world full of pristine beaches and exotic drinks. Waking up naturally sometime after staggering into our quarters. I felt refreshed so I made my way back to the bridge.
When I walked back onto the bridge Ben looked at me from the Captain's chair. "Just in time for weird news. One of the Marines drank water from a stream. Reports from below are he seized up and his fur started to fall out. The doctor with them cant explain what's going on. No contaminants were found in the stream. They are bringing him back now."
I raised a brow, "Shouldn't we quarantine that shuttle until we can determine what's going on?" Ben lowered his ears and sank back into the chair. "Yes, of course. Sorry I didn't think about that." I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, no harm yet. But in the future, quarantine. Alert Medical that we will be treating this as an outbreak situation. Until we know what happened they shouldn't be allowed to have contact with the rest of the crew."
Ben stood to get out of my chair and I held him in place. "Watch over it for me, I'll be down in Medical sorting out this issue." The crew watched me turn and walk off of the bridge again. The elevator ride down to mid deck was brief. I stepped out of the lift less than a minute after getting on. The mess hall was back to normal and crewmen were setting up for the next meal.
A sense of normalcy was starting to set in again. Inside medical staff were still busy with twenty four patients. Ten others were suspended in the bio pod tanks at the far side. The tanks were filled with a mixed solution of Tenire leaves and plasma from the people of Denirous seven. To most races it acted as a healing agent. While the leaves contained a natural disinfectant.
It was a sad sight, walking passed all the beds. The bio pods we had weren't enough. Between the other ships there were too many critically wounded to be supported by the few we had. Extreme engagements were to be expected, but space dock was always an option. Or at least transferring wounded to a Medical Station. We were alone out here and had to make due.
I saw the wolf doctor from the other day and walked over to inform him of the situation. He looked exhausted, and in need of rest. "So Captain, what brings you down here?" He asked not looking up from his computer pad. Checking the notes of an alligator who was bandaged from the waist to his neck.
"There is a situation, the shuttle crew needs to be put into quarantine. I was wondering if I could borrow one of your people to run some tests and find a cause." I told him. He sighed and looked me in the eyes. "I cant really spare anyone for long term. If you can get me a couple Medics in here to pick up the slack, I will let you have two of my more experienced doctors."
I smiled at him, "You have a deal and full access to any Medics you need, anytime you need them. Plus, first chance you get, shore leave. You've earned it." I said giving a bow before walking out of Medical. As I was walking down the hall I saw a Marine standing guard at one of the blast doors. The stag didn't seem very alert but was at his assigned post.
"Sargent, have you checked Medical for that Agent?" I asked taking the opportunity to see how well the search was going. He shook his head, antlers following along. "Sorry Captain, the doctors wont let us until the patients are ready for discharge." I rubbed the side of my head and looked back at Medical.
"I know it is a bad thing to do, but we have to find the bastard. Call in for a unit to come and check now. Captain's orders, we find this threat today." I told him continuing down the corridor. Getting a bow and a "Yes Sir!" I smiled to myself, leave no stone unturned. By the time I made it down to the flight deck everyone who was on board the shuttle had been locked in a quarantine room off to the side.
I looked through the thick glass in at them. The doctor that went along was still scanning the Marine. The bear, I could barely tell what species he was, had no fur left that I could see. He was unconscious, laying across the metal floor. The Flight deck Officer and Brig Officer were standing there waiting to be told what to do about this situation. "Is it contagious?" The wolverine asked looking passed Gloth to me.
"Doubt it, since from what I was told his symptoms set in quickly. While no one else is showing signs of infection." I switched on the com system so we could talk with those inside the sealed room. "Doctor, what's the status?" I asked while entering in a command on the nearby screen for two Medics to report to Medical.
"It seems to be a parasite. Once we run some tests we should be able to come up with a inoculation to prevent anyone else who goes down from being harmed by it." The coyote said looking through the glass at me. If it was a parasite then the quarantine wasn't necessary. I looked over at the other Officers, "Looks like we're safe. Once they are cleared by the doctors they are free to go."
I stood there and waited for the other two doctors to show up. It took almost fifteen minutes but they arrived. Each one carrying a case, white metal with a shoulder strap. One by one each person in quarantine was scanned with the utmost scrutiny before being allowed to go about their day. They took a sample from the bear with a hypo syringe.
The younger doctor, a horse put the sample in his case and walked off to have it analyzed. I looked at the Officers again, neither one had moved or said a word in some time. "You're both free to go. This situation is well under control." They both bowed and walked off without a single word being spoken. I couldn't blame them, the promise of shore leave had been robbed by a parasite.
One hour into the quarantine the horse came back holding a computer pad. He handed it to me, not looking happy. "Here, are you happy?" He almost shouted. I looked at it, the display showed a wolf in one of the bio pods. Along with red text saying, "Identity unknown." I sighed and looked at the doctor.
"I know it is your sworn duty to help all who are brought to you. But this one killed hundreds, and would have killed many more if given the chance." I told him, the other two doctors looked up from the bear. The horse snorted, "Doesn't mean he should be subjected to torture. Morally it's wrong, and if you're half the Captain I've been told you are then you will show him compassion."
I looked him in the eyes, "You want him to be treated fairly? Is that your request?" His anger slowly died down and he returned my gaze. "A fair trial, where all evidence is weighed and his punishment, while fitting the crime, is swift and with mercy." He told me, watching my expression carefully. He was talking to a superior Officer, even while unofficially so.
"Granted, but I want two guards there the whole time to make sure he doesn't pull anymore tricks. Once he is discharged from Medical we will hold an open hearing in the mess hall. There are plenty of fresh and open wounds in this fleet. This shore leave would go a long way towards the healing process."
He gave a small nod, "Understood Sir. We have examined the parasite and are synthesizing an injection that will kill it. The whole fleet will be inoculated within a few hours and shore leave can resume." I smiled at him, his attitude had changed for the better and I made an impression. One that would carry on throughout the fleet. I was a fair leader, and that was worth respecting.
The coyote got up and moved towards me. "Aside from the parasite, no other harmful organisms were found. The planet will be one hundred percent safe once everyone is immunized against it." It was good news, if we could sit here for a week or two and make repairs then we would be in good shape to continue on.
"You're all doing a great job. I understand that Medical had a rough fifty six hours. This shore leave is as much for you as anyone else on this ship. If not more, because the battle was fought inside our ships, not outside. Once you finish with him, and if you're not needed in Medical, your leave starts now." I told them, giving a bow before starting the journey back to the bridge.
I looked at the computer pad while riding the lift back to the command deck. The unconscious wolf looked so peaceful. He was fortunate he would be spared the treatment his fellow Agents were receiving down in the brig. "You sure this is a good idea?" Vince asked through the small speaker on the hand held computer.
"The reaction will be full of anger, yes. But at the same time it was a request made by a member of the fleet. No one will doubt that this Agent will be dealt with. An airlock is in his future, and the other three will suffer for him. Working together or not, most will want the other three to get extra beatings to make up for the request of a doctor."
Vince poked his head up from the bottom of the screen. "Mob mentality, he wont survive that long." Vince said looked at me. I shrugged and stepped off the lift when it reached the deck I wanted. "Not on me in that case, though there may also be a fight about who will get to airlock him. But we will cross those bridges when we get there. Until then, we have our man. Life can start to go on normally again."
Once I reached the bridge Ben was standing at Gilles' station, looking at the screen. Everyone else was at their stations. "Something new?" I asked taking a seat in my chair. Phil, the bearded dragon Flight Control Officer looked at me. "No, they are pouring over old logs. Data packets taken from Federation Intelligence. All from Admiral Pierce's collection is our guess. They have found evidence of a biological weapons attack against the Romals."
It wasn't new information to me. "We cant even trust our own people. All hail the Federation," I said rolling my eyes. I returned my attention to the computer pad. Setting up the shore leave schedule. One third of each duty shift would be given two days of complete downtime. I looked at the latest scans of the planet below. Aside from single celled organisms, there were no other life forms present. Just plant life, an algae that produces a breathable atmosphere.
It wouldn't take long for the sub dermal injections to be given out. Temporary shelters would be put up on the island within an hour and all those granted leave would be enjoying their time off. Six days in orbit, maybe longer if our scans kept showing no signs of other ships. I relaxed into my chair, it would be nice to get off the ship. But at the same time, I hated sand and ninety percent of the island was just sand.
Oh well, no real loss since the ship had all the comforts I needed. I gave all the other commanders time off for the full six days. Just because I wasn't going to use it didn't mean they shouldn't have the chance to unwind. I labeled the planet as a rank free zone. No uniforms, just casual dress and good fun. "Planet one, let's hope there aren't too many more of these before our jump drive is fixed." I said to no one in particular.
Ben and Gilles looked back at me. "Latest report shows that repairs will take a week." Gilles told me not sounding too hopeful. My ears perked and I looked at him. "That's bad why?" I asked no understanding where he was going with this. He lowered his ears, the little bat was cute. "We're supposed to be dead."
I sat up straight, "We also have a fleet. One full of a bunch of very upset people. War against the Federation isn't something I would rule out for them." Ben shook his head and Gilles looked defeated. "Sixteen ships wouldn't stand a chance against the fifteen other fleets," Vince said over the com system. I smiled, knowing that what he said was very true.
"An outright attack would be foolish. However if we could get a message out, maybe we could work things in our favor." I said looking at a chart of Federation planets. The plan of attack was already starting for form in my mind. All we had to do was jump to the nebula on the outer edge of Federation space. We wouldn't be detected there due to inference.
But we still needed more ships, a lot more and at the moment I couldn't figure out the rest. It had been a long day and was taking a toll on me. "I wont risk the lives of this fleet. But if it comes to a battle, it will be one we can win with as little casualties as we can manage. I think we will play their game some more." I said with a grin.
There was in fighting amongst High Command. With Federation Intelligence Agents constantly spying and trying to unseat someone for their Commander. Their own lack of cooperation will be their undoing. All we had to do was play the game our way. I looked out the bow view port, so many stars met my gaze. I looked passed Planet One, at the faintest stars I could see.
Our journey home would mark the beginning of a new battle. One that had been in the making for some time. This wasn't the first time Federation soldiers and ships got caught in the crossfire between High Commanders. But I vowed as much to myself as those serving under me, this would be the last time it happened.
I was laying in our new bed, staring up at the ceiling. My uniform was laying on the floor. I stripped from it once I was inside. Ben slipped into our quarters and walked up to me. "You're playing a dangerous game with our future," he said sitting on the bed next to me. I looked into his eyes and placed a hand on his cheek.
"No matter what, I promise we will get home. To the world we have chosen as our home. I don't seek revenge for what happened. But at the same time, High Command has crossed too many lines. Freedom doesn't come at a price. You stand up and you take it. Rolling over, that comes at a price. Lost friends, lost family members, lost worlds. Freedom is free, because standing up for what's right costs you nothing. Not even your life. Dieing for what's right isn't a waste."
He laid his ears back and looked away from me. "You're willing to die then?" He asked scooting away from me. I sat up and wrapped my arms around him. "You should know me better than that. The only way I will stay and fight is if we will win. Our records will be changed and new lives made. Backup plans are worth more than most give them credit for. We could be off the ship in less than fifteen minutes. No one would ever know."
Ben looked back at me, "What about Vince?" I smiled and kissed his cheek. There was no way I was going to leave Vince behind. Aside from his many uses, and the years I spent developing him, he was a friend. "His entire data core can fit into a module five decimeters in length and two in width. Easy enough to carry to a shuttle. Taking with us everything he knows up to this point. His bio gel can hold more information in less space."
It took me years to help develop a data storage system capable of holding a wealth of knowledge. In the end my contributions got me nothing more than a pat on the back while Doctor Issac Lewis claimed all the credit. It upset me at first, but I let it go. His last great discovery gave me the means to create Vince. His personality took up a fair amount of space.
Ben turned around in my arms and looked into my eyes. "Promise me, that if we return and things are bad, we will go. I have come too far, fought too many battles and served under too many arrogant Captains, to let my own mate get us killed when we are so close." He was on the verge of tears I could see them forming in the corners of his gorgeous eyes.
I kissed him on the forehead. "I promise, nothing is more important than you are. Nothing, not even this ship. You're what's important to me. All the secrets in the sector couldn't replace you. Nothing ever could, I have loved you since we first met. Girand Station, I can still see it clearly. Idalus two just outside the view port. I was lost in thought when you came up asking for directions to Operations."
I held him tightly against me and smiled down at the smaller feline. "You were nervous, fresh from a meaningless tour in the heart of Federation space. It was your second assignment after the Academy and you wanted to make a good impression. I was an Ensign back then. Even though it has only been a few years, seems longer. You were just a Petty Officer, serving under me in my division. Routine patrols along the borders of Federation space. Boring stuff, most days anyway."
The leopard was smiling up at me now. Fully relaxed against me. "You ran into me by coincidence of course. Asking how to get to your station before you were late. You bowed, asking precisely how a lower ranking fleet member should. I turned from my thoughts and looked into your eyes. From the moment I saw them I was hooked. I smiled and informed you that I was your CO and that you could relax."
I chuckled and shook my head, "But you didn't. You were all business. Serious as a heart attack. I took things seriously as well, but I was more relaxed about it. Scans of dust and micrometeorites were boring. My first A.I couldn't get enough of it though. But Oz lacked personality, he was two dimensional. Completing tasks and doing nothing but. Captain Willard hated it though. It was new, and new wasn't good."
Ben laughed and nuzzled my bare chest. Causing me to purr softly. "He thought they would never catch on. Nothing can replace a man at a station, looking closely for blips. I remember going out with a few of the guys after our shift. It was a dirty bar down a back alley that Petty Officer Jackson swore up and down was 'The Bar.' Cant remember what planet it was. But one by one everyone returned to the drop zone."
"Until it was just us. I was telling you about the Idalus System. You were listening intently, like you always did when I said anything. Like my words were law or something. You asked if the fair treatment of homosexuals was true. I told you it was and that I was one. Then you asked if I was single, not very subtle but it was courageous nonetheless. I said I was, then you got nervous on me again."
Ben blushed slightly and I continued. "I asked if you were, and you looked around the bar for anyone wearing a uniform before answering. Like someone in a Federation uniform would go to a sleaze pit like that. You still checked though, and then told me you were too. I remember smiling at you, then I leaned over and gave you our first kiss right there."
"Thought my heart was going to explode. I was so nervous and if anyone caught us we would have paid dearly for it." Ben said still looking into my eyes. I kissed him softly, feeling him return the kiss. Our eyes closed and he reached between us to shed out of his uniform. I broke our kiss and unbuttoned his jacket, he tossed it to the side.
Kicking off his boots while I moved to undo his pants. Those too were kicked off, then off went his grey tank top while I yanked down the boxer briefs that contained his hard feline cock. He jumped onto the bed once stripped, laying on his back next to me. I rolled between his legs and our eyes met again. He wanted me bad, and the hard lion cock unsheathed between my legs was all the proof one needed to know I wanted him just as bad.
I pressed my tip to his tight ring, not wasting any time as I pushed right into his tight passage. Causing us both to moan in pleasure. He tensed under me, clenching around my dick as I spread him open like I had so many times before. His eyes were closed, but that didn't stop me from smiling down at him. He was my leopard, my one true treasure.
My hips met his rump and I set into a steady pace. My heavy balls slapping against him with every thrust I made into his tight ass. His cock throbbed and drooled pre. My mate was in pure bliss while I bred him. My barbs rubbing over his prostate, teasing him further. He was more careful with his claws. Lifting his paws from the bed, making sure not to shred our sheets. I smiled wider, remembering having to hide our shredded sheets those first few times.
I panted softly, reaching down to stroke his fat dick. He bucked his hips and moaned louder. Pushing me to pick up the pace, I knew my lover could take a pounding and I needed to cum. My cock slid back and forth inside of his tight sleeve of flesh. The perfect hole for my aching dick. He clenched at all the right moments. Making the most out of my efforts. My tongue hung from my mouth slightly. I was hot and pressure was building in my dick.
Release wasn't too far behind us and we both wanted it more than anything. A few more labored thrusts was all it took. My heavy balls pulled up and thick spurts of my hot seed squirted into his perfect ass. I didn't stop, thrusting through my orgasm to milk every last drop into him. That pushed my boy over the edge, his loud moans and spurts of cum coming right after my own. I used my hand to milk his fat dick dry before collapsing on top of him.
We were both panting, purring as best we could. Making love for the first time on the ship. Sure we fucked in the showers our first day together. But that wasn't close to the act we just did together. I kissed him deeply, our rough tongues sliding over each other as he fought to breath through our noses. Doing everything we could to show the other that they were their entire universe and more. "I love you so much," I told him when we finally broke the long kiss. He smiled up at me, "I love you too babe."
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