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Welcome back, my lovely reader~

Being a writer is my dream job but it has full-time hours and doesn't pay the bills. I want to keep writing these stories for everyone to enjoy and your support on Ko-Fi helps make that happen. I also appreciate non-financial support like faving, voting, and following me here or on BlueSky. Thank you so much for your continued support! Please enjoy the episode.

And with that out of the way…

Welcome back, my lovely reader!

It’s a new horizon my lovelies! Time to boldly go where no fox has gone before! That’s not entirely true, plenty of my foxes have rolled around in the sheets… but not on ships! Okay well… not on SPACE ships!

Jokes aside, welcome to Starbounding Vixen, this is my first foray into science fiction in earnest. This tale will have plenty of fun romps with aliens, but also please remember that like all my tales, you’re going to get a lot more than sex in these!

Hatred, bigotry, regrets, love, loss, and I could go on! There’s plenty of drama in here, I might make you cry, I might get more than your cheeks wet, or I might piss you off! Regardless, we’ll hopefully have a good journey through the stars!

_Let’s jump right in! _

(I could really go for a cheese danish about right now…)

—♥—

Episode 1:

Returning to Duty

A simple glass door stood before the tabby cat with a logo for the business he had come grav-side to visit. Thick white text read, ‘Tarts and Tails,’ with two fox tails incorporated into the final flourish of the script. Beneath that were the hours of operation; the shop was due to close in about fifteen minutes.

As he stepped forward, the door slid open with a soft hiss of compressed air. His nose and whiskers instantly twitched to the tantalizing fragrance of baked goods in the air. His sharp, clean boots clapped against the polished tile that looked so sanitized, one could probably perform surgery in this place.

Three luscious tails fanned out before him with a backside he’d never forget, even if it had been almost half a decade since he’d seen it. He was reminded of the more intimate view he’d had of it, long ago, as the vixen’s large, golden-white ears lifted from the small chime that filled the air.

“Ey? Welcome in, but I’ll warn you, most of the stock is sold out or hardly fresh anymore, you are coming in right-” She turned, and her sharp eyes looked the newcomer over, a dazzling set he’d never forget seeing. Her left eye was blue as the seas of his homeworld, while the right one was golden, like sunlight shimmering through vast fields of wheat.

She took in every detail: his bluish, short fur, analytical yellow eyes, and a familiar scar across his muzzle. Recognition settled, drawing out a shocked bark from the fox who stammered out, “C-commander? Andy, is that you?!”

“Junon, it’s been a while…” Andrew raised a gloved paw, throwing the side of his long coat out before making a formal military bow that was reserved for foreign dignitaries and those of very posh status. The vixen didn’t sound any different than he remembered; she didn’t even look a cycle past getting out of the officer academy. He, on the other hand, had begun sporting flecks of gray in his fur.

Junon offered an annoyed growl, her large ears folding across her blonde hair, which was just one shade lighter than her golden fur. “Don’t you go bowing to me, cat! What are you doing here?!”

He rose back up slowly, his shorter ears perked, eyes conflicted. He felt a bit underdressed, speaking to her wearing just his long coat and standard off-duty attire.

“Apologies, Junon. It’s been almost six years, I felt I should offer as much respect as was due,” he simply explained in that firm, familiar tone that sent her mind back to a more complicated but exciting time.

“Apology accepted, now what are you doing here? Don’t get me wrong, Commander, I’m happy to see your tail, but… what’s up?” She came around the corner, brushing her paws against her apron, covered in flour and dried flecks of chocolate. Her large, ample breasts pushed against it nicely, even swaying a little, as she patted herself down and stepped before the taller feline she hadn’t seen in over ten years.

“I see you’ve added a tail to your collection.” He offered her a relaxed grin, showing off his sharp teeth.

“Yep, finished my first when I was eleven, second one came in when I was twenty on the dot, this one when I was thirty-three.” Junon pushed a paw along the new one in question. It looked identical in shape and size to the other two she sported, a thick well-brushed flow of golden fur, the tip blending to a blonde-white like her hair.

She then gave the larger male a snort, seeing he was deflecting from the question at hand. She rolled her blue-gold eyes. “Alright, Andrew… I’ll make us some tea and find you a somewhat fresh scone, we can sit down and catch up. Then you’ll explain why you came out here to this backwater urb-world in the middle of nowhere,” she puffed out, stomping over to the exit.

“Computer, initiate end-of-cycle protocols,” she commanded, a tone Andrew instantly recognized. The auto-door quietly clicked, and the welcome sign’s display changed to say ‘Closed’.

After cleaning off one of the few tables set up, she brought forth a small pot with some steeping tea. Andrew took a seat and watched her place out two teacups on matching saucers, followed by a small fruit-filled scone for him.

Her mismatched eyes darted up to him as she heard the small rumble of a purr in his throat. “Reminiscing, Commander?” She flashed him a playful grin as she filled his cup. Without asking, she placed four sugar cubes within the steaming brew.

“How in the cosmos could I not, Junon?” He took the small spoon and stirred his tea, making sure to go back and forth, not circle the cup, even being sure not to tap too hard on the sides of the teacup, before bringing the beverage to his muzzle.

“Oh, this is nice! I didn’t expect Salvarian Grey. This is a personal stock you wouldn’t sell, isn’t it?” He mused as he cupped the hot ceramic in his large paws.

“You’re damn right it’s personal, and you’re the only one I’ve shared it with! That stuff is expensive to import out here, but it reminds me of home, so…” Junon shrugged as she took her apron off and hung it on the coat rack near the door. Her button-down top struggled to contain her impressive set of breasts. Her hips sloped downward, drawing the cat’s gaze toward the slow, swaying movements of her tails.

“I can’t get over you having a third tail but not looking a cycle over twenty!” Andrew chuckled.

“I can’t get over seeing that gray in your muzzle fur, Andy,” Junon hummed as she walked over. “And your hair… Isn’t this all supposed to be black?,” She brazenly raked her paw through the larger cat's dark locks of hair. Her claws brushed along his scalp, sending a shiver of a memory up his spine before she took a seat.

“Advantage of living in an advanced urb-world,” she continued, responding to his surprise. “I can get regular bio-regen treatments, but the internal clock doesn’t care about the outside. Unlike Earth foxes, we Salvarians are going to sprout those tails every decade or so, like it or not. Seeing as I’m thirty-six now, it makes sense I’d have three.” Junon gave Andrew a smile before filling her own teacup and sipping from it.

“Ha! Maybe I should look into some bio-regen treatment on my next vacation!” The blue-furred cat grinned as he pushed a now glove-free paw through his disheveled hair, combing his claws through it after the vixen had mussed it slightly.

“I mean if you want to spend a week or two floating around in a vat of fluids instead of on the beach, I guess that’s something you could do with your time off. Just remember if an emergency hits and they have to dump you early, you’re going to be sick for a week.” Junon shrugged, then flashed her teeth with a grin. “I dunno, Commander,” she cooed, “I like the salt and pepper look, makes you more handsome…” Her tone of voice made his long, wiry tail jerk back suddenly with a little shudder, and Junon offered a knowing smirk, her keen eyes catching the movement.

“Still an insatiable flirt, I see,” Andrew purred.

“Insatiable in a lot more than flirting, Andy, but again, you know me…” She pushed a paw to her ample chest before taking another sip of tea. Then, her eyes hardened. “Alright, Commander, let’s cut the crap, I know you didn’t come out here to go down memory lane and have me flirt with you.”

“No, but it’s rather nice, you’ll forgive me if I wanted to enjoy it while I could?” He gave her a lazy grin, then shrugged. “It’s Admiral now.”

“Oh? Well… I can’t say you don’t deserve it. Ships are like girls to you, ey? One wasn’t enough, had to have a whole fleet of them at your beck and call!” Junon giggled.

“I don’t think I was that bad, Junon…” Andrew’s grin turned sheepish as he dunked the edge of his scone in the tea.

“Uh-huh… I remember how you sorted the negotiation treaties with the Princess of Aldrone VI… I also remember how a month later we had to raise shields and fight off a bounty hunter from her jaded suitor!” She laughed and grinned at the memory.

“That was all conjecture and unofficial, how was I to know she was betrothed and their species took chastity so seriously?” He gave her a nostalgic grin of his own before snapping up a bite of the scone.

“That why I don’t see a ring on your finger, Andy? Never could get out of the game? You Earthlings wear rings when you find life-mates, yes?” Junon smirked down at his paws.

“The Navy might as well be my wife at this point. Seriously though… I wasn’t sure what to expect coming in here, Junon. I half thought you might have those weird chain things on your ears and maybe a pup or two running around!” He mewed out with a grin.

“Ugh… The chains of Nephylle are very important to our culture, Andrew. They aren’t just some ‘thing’ you wear,” Junon snarled, wagging her padded finger at him. “They enhance our psych powers to attune them in focus with our life-mate. We can share thoughts, perceive where our partner is, and even speak to them at any distance! Your silly rings do any of that, Earthling?”

“Okay okay, sorry fluffy-butt!” The playful pet name rolled off his tongue as easily as it did well over a decade ago. Junon flinched and looked down, her heart fluttering as the memories washed back over her.

“So, it’s an enhancement of what you already can do, huh?” he continued. “How long does the partial bond-”

“It’s permanent, but only at very close proximity, say, within a few yards.” Junon didn’t part her maw. The words just came right into his mind, her mismatched eyes dialed on his own yellow ones, almost looking distant.

Andrew thought to himself, “Can you still hear-”

“Yes. Only if we’re both focused though, it’s not like I can rummage around in your memories or something.”

He nodded, his heart pounding now that they had re-established a mind-link. It came with other emotional responses too - he was awash with young feelings of adoration, carnal desire… love.

Junon grinned and pushed a paw through her hair, then shut her eyes tight, letting out a shuddering sigh before speaking out loud, “Wow… Andy… You still holding that flame all these years later?”

“What can I say?” He purred and gave a shrug.

“Hm… I won’t lie… I’ve never wanted a life-mate, but if you were Salvarian…” She flashed her teeth again and mirrored his shrug. “You even put up with me being insatiable… what do you earthlings call it? Nymphomaniac?” She practically purred the last word.

Andy pushed a paw through his salt-and-pepper hair. He felt rattled; his composure was gone, his heart was pounding, and he was even shivering a little. “Damn, Junon… Why’d you go and do that?”

“Wanted to see how you still felt, Admiral Nelson…” She hummed the words, not looking the slightest bit put off by the whole thing. He wasn’t the first alien to fall in love with her, though he was one of the ones she held the most fondness for.

His yellow eyes focused after a moment. He rubbed his face with both paws before taking a long sip of tea, and ended up draining the small teacup. Junon quickly refilled it, placing exactly four sugar cubes in it with a loving grin.

“Are you happy here on this urb-world, Junon?” He asked point blank.

“Happy? Well, sure. I get to run a little bakery, be a little exotic whore. What’s not to like?” She grunted and rubbed her jaw. “In theory anyway… I’ve mostly just been taking care of it myself. The navy and… well, YOU… left me with some pretty high standards, and most urb’s aren’t going to match that.”

Andy perked his large ears and offered a gentle smile. “I’m flattered, and don’t think I’ve not thought of you many-”

“Enough, Andrew!” She barked out and glared at him. “I’ve let you dance around this long enough. Tell me, why, you, are, here!”

He let out a composed hiss through his teeth and met her steely gaze. “I wanted to offer you a position on a new ship.”

Junon’s eye twitched as old memories flooded forth. Memories she didn’t want. She knew deep down that was why he was here, though a part of her had hoped it was just a social visit, maybe an itch he wanted scratched.

“I left the Federation Navy for a reason, Andrew Nelson…” She growled the words, not bothering to hide the agitation building in her.

“I realize that, Junon Topaz. However-”

“Cresh cha rath!” the Salvarian barked, which Andrew knew effectively translated to, ‘go fuck yourself.’ “Get out!”

He rose from the table, paws resting on the surface, his tail flicking a few times, a position she recognized when he was about to keep arguing. “Junon, please hear me out before you-”

“Hear what out? Captain Alwritter was one of the finest men I ever served under. I wasn’t just waxing poetics earlier, you damn cat! Only two males hold a place of fondness in my psyche, and the other one, I watched die before my very eyes! And I won’t do it again!” She already had tears flattening her cheek fur as she snarled and shouted.

“You couldn’t have known the Rashvia were testing a new transporter technology that bypassed our shield systems at the time. I’ve poured over the reports and it was your fast thinking and martial ability that saved the entire ship, Junon! Yes, Captain Alwritter fell in combat, but you saved over four hundred lives that cycle!”

She glared furiously at him, a snarl on her muzzle as he felt, more than he heard, ice-cold shards of words enter his mind. "Need I remind you why I was discharged, Admiral? I may have saved over four hundred lives, but I took two-hundred, seventy-five others. I counted. I relished it. When my Radolf died, I wanted all of them dead."

"You couldn't have been sure they weren't planning-"

"No, my racha." Andrew shuddered. He didn’t expect to be called such a deeply meaningful title. "It wouldn't have mattered," Junon continued. "I didn't care. They took him from me. And if someone took you from me, I would do it again. Don't be mistaken; I do not regret what I did, and I wouldn't regret it if I did it again."

Junon sighed and closed her eyes, pushing her paws to the table as she stood. “I apologize for lashing out at you, Andy, but I am not Federation material anymore, the board also agreed, hence the honorable discharge.”

He opened his paws. “Junon, you held together a rattled crew and kept your mission going for another year because we were hurting for officers. You showed your abilities in spades and, well…”

“Well, what? The war is over and the Rashvia are our ‘allies’ now, so what need is there of me?” She air-quoted with her paws, the disdain in her voice obvious.

“I’m not asking you to be my first, I want you to captain one of the ships in my fleet. It’s for exploration and scouting. It’s a newer ship… Fast, armed with some of our best new tech, a pretty modest crew too at around one hundred and twenty.”

“One-twenty? What am I supposed to do with a skeleton crew like that? I’d barely have enough for logistics and maintenance!” She folded her arms. Andrew’s eyes shone as he saw her talking details with him, not outright saying no.

“It’s one of the more sophisticated ships in my new fleet, only falling short of my personal Capital ship in terms of tech,” he explained simply.

“C-Capital ship?! Cresh cha!” she barked out. “Is the Federation planning another war?!”

“No, we are at peace with all known space-faring species in the collective, but a show of arms is still needed as a form of… deterrent?” He gave a small grin and shrugged.

“Deterrent my tail… showing off your tech just to keep everyone in line… Typical Earthling tactics…” She sighed and rolled her eyes, then sat back down with a bounce of her chest, glaring forward at the cat. “Why me?”

“You’re smart, competent, experienced, and tough,” he explained, taking his seat again. “You’ll make the wisest choices on the frontier, but you’ve got the background to keep yourself and the ship running at top efficiency. You’re also not afraid to get your paws dirty if it comes to it.”

“Almost sounds like you’re describing me as some kind of pirate…” She pushed a paw through her blonde hair, rubbing at one ear before snarling as she met his eyes. “Andy, I have enough blood on my paws. I don’t regret what I did, but I am not some… bloodthirsty mercenary. I’m not going to kill for the Federation if this whole exploration thing is just fancy dressing.”

“Junon, our scientists recently found a new pocket of spacial fatigue near Aldebaran… Its proximity is close to Earth so its destination is of great interest. High Command wants to open a temporary lane through it and see where it leads, they told me I could paw-pick a Captain for it or do it myself.”

“A new star lane?” Junon rubbed her jaw, then snorted as her ears perked. “Maybe it’s best to leave the damn thing be. What if it opens up into a sector of space that has an even more hostile species than the Rashvia? What if we can’t communicate with them or they’re just a big hornet's nest waiting to be poked with a stick? You really want me being the one wielding that stick, Andy?”

“Exploration is always risky, but…” He pushed his paws into his lap and tilted his head. “I remember those cycles back in the Officer’s Academy. I remember you used to cling to my chest in bed, talking about how you got into the Federation to see the cosmos, to explore the great unknown.”

“Yes, then I got shoved on a warship and sent off to war! We both did…” She growled and folded her arms, glaring off to the side as she crossed her legs. “I was young and stupid… I wanted to be with you and explore the stars, not bloody my fucking paws over a war that had nothing to do with Salvaria.”

“And I’m offering you that now… Well, in a way…” He opened a pleading paw. “Junon… please. I can’t undo what has happened, but we have a window of peace, and I… You know how I feel about you, I want to make that dream happen, even if it’s late.”

Her mismatched eyes flicked from his paw to his eyes. Trepidation dulled their color, before they closed and she rubbed uncomfortably at her snout. “Andy… Cresh cha… I don’t even know…”

He continued to push, feeling himself making progress. “Look, we’ll punch a hole through the fatigue to form a temporary lane. Once we’ve navigated to wherever it ends up, we’ll establish a holding position with the rest of the fleet. You will have a whole fleet to return to for supplies. I even have repair freighters, we’re entirely self-sufficient for up to five years of travel, and if we can find base mineral components along the way, indefinitely!”

“I have a life here, Andy.” Junon gave him a small glare. “Even if it’s a quiet one of baking and masturbating, it’s peaceful, it’s comfortable.”

The cat looked a little frazzled at such a casual mention of pleasing herself, but he straightened his posture and collected himself quickly. “The Junon I know would have relished the unknown of the void,” Andy said simply.

“The Junon you knew wouldn’t have summarily executed an entire crew in deep space over the loss of two crew members. Be honest with me,” Junon said with a tilt of her head, opening her paw towards him. “When you heard I opened fire on them while defenseless, all over the Captain and Security officer, you thought me a wretched vixen, yes?”

“No,” he said, flatly.

“Explain,” Junon said, clearly a little shocked at his answer.

Andrew sighed as he pushed a paw through his own hair, looking down at the table as he continued. “Because, if something happened to you like that… and given the psychic bond we have, and assuming you had something similar with, Radolf? I’d have likely done something similar in my grief and rage…” He grunted and looked up at her, clicking his tongue, “No, if it were over you? I’d have likely done much worse.”

A grin gradually formed on her face. “Interesting… I’ll assume that was said off the record, Mr. Fleet Admiral…” She combed her paw through her long hair once more, her shoulders easing slightly as she leaned back in the chair. “So… you’ll be around?”

“I’ll ensure your vessel is never more than a week's travel from the main fleet’s location while we do various proximity searches. You can come back to resupply or let your crew have-”

“So I can come back to see you?” Junon lifted her muzzle, her eyes shining.

“Y-yes… I mean… Are you saying..?” He stammered, unable to complete the statement.

Junon shrugged. “As you know, we Salvarians are very free with our love, for obvious reasons, but…” She lifted her ears and tilted her head. “I’m interested, but I’ve conditions.”

“Name them…” He felt an excited shiver roll down his spine.

She lifted a paw, sticking a finger out. “First, and foremost… If the Federation goes to war, me and my crew are staying out of it!”

“Understood, and accepted.” He nodded.

“Two… I don’t give a wag who it is in the brass, I only will take orders from your command. I don’t care if the United Space Federation’s president asks me to do something. If it doesn’t come through you, Cresh cha ‘em!”

Andy chuckled and nodded. “Aye, what else?”

“During our resupplies or leave for the crew with the main fleet…” Junon’s eyes grew sharp as she gave him a smug grin. “You share your personal chambers with me…”

The Admiral let out an undignified mew. “S-share?! I mean… Are you certain, Junon?”

“Salvarian’s can always harmonize with a bonded partner’s emotions… You came waltzing into my little bakery full of jitters, and I could feel your… ‘love’ as it were, for me.” She raised her paws to quote the word, as her kind didn’t have a word for it.

Andy frowned and looked down at his paws in his lap, seeing his claws had pushed out into his pants. “Damn… forgot how perceptive you were… Yeah, I never stopped thinking about you and, I guess… I’ve always loved you, Junon. Maybe that’s really why I’ve never married,” he admitted with a mirthless chuckle.

“Aye… As I said prior, the psychic bond I share with you is a potent one… I’m not sure how to express it in Salvarian terms, but I believe I also… love you? Granted, if I find something that strikes my wile and is willing…” She tilted her head for confirmation.

“I understand how Salvarians work, even back at the Academy that didn’t deter me from wanting to date you, now did it?” Andy offered a surprisingly fragile smile, his heart pounding at the terms she’d presented.

He then blinked, clearing his throat and shifting in his seat. Once he’d composed himself, he added with a tilt of his head, “Were there uh… any other terms?”

She slid from her chair as her trio of tails fluffed out, and she stretched. The position made her breasts push out in a lovely, inviting display. Then, she offered a paw. “I will have final arbitration of who does and does not join my crew, is that clear?” Her arm straightened expectantly.

“Of course!” he mewed out as he stood and reached out in return. The small fox gripped his paw with surprising strength. It was a stark reminder that Salvarians were known for their martial prowess. Despite their smaller size, they could easily overpower aliens twice as large - sometimes more. He keenly remembered the footage of the boarding battle, watching her deftly fighting off the Rashvian boarding party.

“I will need to see this ship, also I will need the crew to be ready to move the majority of my baking equipment into a modified hold so I can establish my bakery there!” She barked out as she pulled him along while wagging a finger.

Andy chuckled, “Junon, the ship has a nutrient synthesizer system that can reproduce-”

“There’s a huge difference, and I will not give up my baking! If it can synthesize raw ingredients, that’s good enough.” The vixen suddenly stopped, yanking Andrew close to bark in his face, “But I will have my bakery, or you will find another to Captain the damn thing!” While he stammered out his response, Junon simply resumed pulling him along.

“Okay, okay, bakery, got it! Where are we going anyway?” he finally asked as she pushed open a small door. It opened up into a small living space big enough for a sofa, a small bed, and various bookshelves, illuminated by a soft, ambient, white light.

“Computer! Set lighting to black number twelve, then play the album ‘Collie Mellon and the Endless Forlorn’!” The lights darkened, making her golden fur and toothy grin look an unnatural purple, as urb-world progressive rock started playing.

“Damn… Dragging me kicking and screaming back to the Academy huh?” Andy purred, remembering the cycles when they would make out as young lovers and experiment with recreational Earth drugs. He was jarred by the memories as she shoved him onto her bed, climbing right into his lap with a paw pushed to his muzzle. Junon didn’t say a word, her tongue poking out between her lips, before she pulled her paw away and sealed her lips to his own, tilting her head to kiss him for the first time in far too long.

The blue fur on his body now looked jet black, his yellow eyes glowing in the dark light of the room before they drifted closed. His tongue met her own, and his paws shifted to grasp her hips, almost desperately so, as he pulled her closer.

Her growls mingled with his deep purrs as their tongues rolled against one another. Her claws slid along his neck, up into his hair to scratch at one ear, and then she parted from the kiss to offer nibbles along his throat.

“Junon… I never dreamed my visit would lead to this,” he purred as he felt her sharp teeth along his throat, his tail shuddering gently to feel his long lost love pushing into his body, her scent familiar and laced with the aroma of sugar and chocolate.

“Don’t let it go to your head, but rest assured… You have haunted my dreams many nights. I will confess I have touched and pleased myself thinking of you occasionally throughout the years, my racha…” Her whispers tickled his attentive ears, as her paws pushed his overcoat off his shoulders, then stroked his strong, broad shoulders through his formal shirt.

“Likewise… my…” He hesitated, then mewed as she pushed her paws to his chest, claws gently flicking at the buttons of his shirt.

“Say it, my racha,” she cooed. “I want to hear it, and for now, it is true…” She undid a few of his buttons, staring at the strong toned muscles coming into view, now speckled with gray fur that looked almost white under the lighting of the room.

“My racha,” he whispered, like a prayer, “my fox…” His paws touched her hips, rubbing at the urb-world style pants she wore that simulated denim jeans but were soft like silk.

Junon sighed, her mismatched eyes seeming to glow in the light as she flicked another button clear. She leaned in to kiss his muscular chest, dragging her tongue out to taste him. “Again… say it again…”

“My racha… Gods, I’ve never been able to get over you…” He groaned the words as she nibbled and kissed at his chest, peeling his shirt fully open to finally get the older cat topless. She then slid down his body, paws grasping the pants he wore, her teeth flashing in a predatory grin.

“You never lost me,” she growled. “Our paths just deviated, but I never pushed you out of my psyche… I never forgot your… love…” She started to unbuckle his pants, licking her chops as her trio of tails tangled against each other. “Shall I call you… Professor, like I did back then?”

“Ha ha… let’s just stick to our names and be one another’s racha… yes? Save the formal titles for the stuffy business!” He gave her an excited grin as she parted his uniform slacks.

“I kind of thought it’d be fun and kinky to call you Professor like the old cycles, but alright, my racha… my love…” She blended the words, both similar enough, even if ‘racha’ didn’t quite mean the same thing.

She let out an excited yip as she parted his pants and his length sprang forth, and the distinctive musk of an Earthling feline hit her nose. Though she hadn’t experienced that smell in a very long time, it was still just as familiar. “Cresh cha… you’re dripping for me…” Junon groaned happily as she wrapped a small dainty paw on the jumping eager length, giving it a few pumps as she drank in his heady scent. Prelove bubbled from the head of his length, rolling down her fingers into the fur at his base.

“Gods… this is like a dream…” Andrew moved a paw to rake through the blonde locks glowing in the room’s ambiance, then shuddered as the vixen dragged her tongue up along his length, lapping up his prelove before rising and parting her jaws to take several inches right into her waiting mouth.

“Ngh!” He grunted, then mewled, as her hot mouth enveloped him, welcoming and oh-so-familiar, as she began to work against his length, his paw gently rubbing one of her large ears.

“Just like old times… You’re thinking about me under your desk back at the Academy, aren’t you?” She blinked her mismatched eyes up at him while playfully bobbing her head, now speaking into his mind. Andrew just let out a groan of a laugh at her words, practically confirming the accusation.

“Junon… Gods, you’re so good to me, even after all this time you’re the best…” He thought the praise as his tongue lolled, panting and fully letting his defenses down for the vixen that had claimed his heart years ago.

She hummed and suckled on his length happily, tasting his prelove dribble down her throat before sinking deeper, skillfully taking several inches down before slowly withdrawing with a wet messy pop. Her tongue lolled, saliva dripping all over his length. “Mwa!” She smacked her lips, licking them before reaching down to unfasten her own pants.

“You taste desperate… tell me you’ve at least gotten some affection in the last few years, Andy…” She gave him a smug grin as she dragged her pants off along with her panties, revealing her soft-toned legs before climbing over him.

“M-maybe a few conquests here and there,” he whispered, “but it’s been a few years…” She climbed over him, pushing her crotch against his jumping length, feeling the hot touch of those fox petals kissing at his twitching spire.

“My my… you know it’s been years for me too… So let’s both be therapy for one another, yes my racha?” She pushed her paws to his shoulders as he purred and brought his own paws to her hips, pulling her closer, adjusting to her own raising hips to line himself up with her dripping petals.

“Gods yes… please, my racha… my love…” He hissed the words, pushing his forehead to her own, the vixen lolling her tongue as she felt him pushing forward. Her own hips eagerly repositioned and adjusted to allow him to sink into her at last.

Inch by inch he pushed into her until her rear slapped down hard into his lap, a small yipping moan escaping her throat as he bottomed out inside the alien fox he’d not been with in nearly ten years.

“Cresh cha… so deep…” She giggled and looked down, unbuttoning the lower portion of her top to show off her belly, a smug grin showing at the slight bulge in her tummy fur. “You still push so deep it shows, Andy… ngh!” Her walls spasmed as he mewed out, panting as he felt her give in to him, her walls milking and squeezing, seeming to have molded around him like they always did.

“Fuck… I can die happy knowing I’m in you again, Junon, and you’ve given in for me…” He mewled out as his own paws moved to unbutton the remaining buttons on her work shirt.

“Dumb cat… you better not think of dying until I get at least six… at least!” She growled and leaned back, rolling her hips, feeling him pushing deep inside while he undid her top, shrugging it off to show off her large, ample breasts in a snug bra. A small chain peeked out from the fabric.

“Holy shit… you’ve still got it?!” He mewed out as she smirked and lifted her arms, rolling her hips, making him dig nice and deep while she moved.

“Why don’t you take the bra off and find out?” She growled as his trembling paws moved right over to unclasp it at the front, remembering she hated wearing ones that hooked in the back. As soon as the central clasp failed, her breasts bounced into view, her peaks tight, hard, and pierced with rings. However, just like at the academy, she had a thin slender chain that moved to connect between her two nipple rings.

Andy didn’t even think and just moved a paw right up, giving the center of the chain a small eager tug. His vixen didn’t disappoint as a throaty yip followed, her tongue lolling and eyes looking distant for a moment, her walls just crushing as she shattered on his length, her honey drenching his lap fur.

“Oh fuck yesss… I loved playing with this thing…” He snarled and intertwined his forefinger in the chain, his other paw resting on her hip. Junon just gave a needy little whine, her tails wagging frantically as he gave it a little tug, applying pressure constantly as she moaned out, her tongue lolled again as he rocked under her.

“Cresh cha… cresh chaaa…” She slurred out, her own hips rolling back, her breasts swaying against the taut chain as he rocked up against her own movements, hearts forming in her mismatched eyes for him.

“I love playing with your tits… amongst other things…” He hissed as he brought his paws up to cup her large jiggling breasts, his thumb claws catching each ring. Junon bit her lower lip, offering another whine as she ground her hips eagerly.

“Gyah!” She yipped out in a gasping moan as he flexed his paws, pulling on each ring individually, her walls again spasming wildly, alien fox lust gushing all over his lap, her tongue lolling once more, hearts now clearly in her eyes as she fell to his chest, hugging him tightly.

“Please… I can’t take any more of that… just fuck me, my racha!” She whined out, her tails rolling as her hips kept grinding fervently to his own movements.

With a hiss of disapproval at having his toys pushed up against his chest, he composed himself and nodded, paws wrapped around her. Junon pushed forward and crushed her muzzle against his own, desperately kissing the cat she’d locked away into her psyche, her body attuned to his touch.

His deep purrs rolled down her throat, her own growls rolling down his as their tongues moved frantically. Feeling his tongue pierced in euphoric pain, the cat responded with a nip of his own, their blood mingling as they kissed passionately. They tasted each other’s sanguine life force while grinding against one another, desperate for affection, starved for one another.

“Cresh cha… fuck!” She blended the two slurs together, her claws digging hard into his shoulders, gasping out and looking stunned as her bloody tongue lolled, pink saliva rolling from it as he drove her over yet again, the Earth cat quickly starting to meet his quota she had insisted upon.

“Damn it!” He mewed out, looking stunned as that last orgasm was a bit harder than he expected. Then again it had been years since he’d been in a woman, and this wasn’t just any girl; this was THE girl, his apex, better than any other.

“Damn… I don’t… ngh!” He winced and gave her an apologetic look, but Junon just snarled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I’ll cut it down, make it five!” She snarled and started frantically riding against him, not letting the cat try to compose himself. Her tongue lolled and hearts grew in her eyes for him again, desperate to feel his heat once again.

“Yes! Yes… F-five… five… just…” He dug his claws into her bouncing rear, barely able to return the movements; her riding desperate and frantic as her wet fur slapped against his own, feeling her walls drawing tighter.

“My racha, my love!” Junon snarled and dug her claws into his chest so hard she broke skin through his fur, slapping her hips down hard with a final drop. A throaty cute howl escaped her throat as she felt him jump and send his alien love deep into her waiting body, his own claws piercing her backside as they dug in.

Andrew mewled out in his own defeated moan, his length jumping hard, sending thick streams into this alien fox that had completely claimed his heart, her eyes glowing in the dark light of the room, finishing their lusty reunion to the sound of one of their favorite makeout albums.

“Fuck…ing… goddsss…” he slurred, lightheaded, falling back with his tongue lolled, feeling the inevitable crash of making love with a Salvarian. Junon’s thick tails fluffed out, hearts in her eyes as her tongue lolled, her paws pushing to his bloodied chest. The scent of their love was so thick in the air, she could practically taste it, as her alien womb struggled to hold it all, a small bulge showing in her tummy fur.

Finally, the last gush erupted from his defeated length, and the vixen released a relieved, blissful sigh. Her eyes were bright as her hips ground a little longer to ride out her last orgasm. “Oh yesss… Andrew my racha… my caaatt… so good to have you back…” She licked her chops, looking down upon him with hearts in her eyes. The older tabby cat looked ready for a nap, but his eyes were clearly showing their own hearts.

“Cresh cha… did I over-do it? Ha ha, you gonna pass out on me, my racha?” Junon giggled as she looked down and tilted her head, the older cat cupping her jaw lovingly before his paw went limp and unconsciousness finally took him. The last thing he remembered that night as his perception faded to darkness was the sound of urb-world prog-rock and his lover saying, “Oops.”

-*United Space Federation Data Archives*-

-*Species Dosier #215*-

Salarians:

Natives of the planet Salaria, in the Ozm system. Salarians are an intelligent humanoid race that displays vulpine characteristics. Their bodies are covered in a layer of fur, with coloration differing greatly across the species, elongated snouts, clawed extremities, and large tails. Approximately every decade, they produce an additional tail. This is not unlike the legends of Kitsune in the Sol system. Salarians are genetically similar to the Vulpus genus of Earth, not unlike Rashvia which favors Canis Lupus, and the Denlazi which favors Cervidae.

Salarians form a psychic bond with anyone that copulates with them. This psychic bond allows for telepathic communication between the Salarian and any former or current sexual partner within close proximity, up to 5 yards away. While the bond is benign, having zero noted side effects, it is permanent. During coitus or mental exchange, Salarians have reported an ability to feel or ‘taste’ their partner's emotions through this bond.

Salarians sport a highly aggressive immune system that leaves them seemingly invulnerable to all known sexually transmitted diseases throughout the galaxy. Additionally, they can only reproduce with other Salaraians, once both partners have undergone the ritual of Nephylle, meaning that they are left with zero risk of unwanted impregnation. As a result, this species is notorious for exploring multiple casual inter-species relationships.

The ritual of Nephylle is a life-bonding ritual that enables a Salarian couple to produce offspring. Given the effort and conditions required for the ritual, it has led to a remarkably low gestation rate among the population. At the time of the species’ discovery by the United Space Federation in SD:172, they had only colonized their local solar system, a notably small expansion compared to their impressive level of technological advancements, which even then far surpassed the capabilities of the USF at the time.

Non-Salarians seeking sexual relations with this species should exercise caution. While there is no evidence to support risk of sexually-transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancies as noted above, any partner who engages with a Salarian may risk psychic feedback from the establishment of the permanent mental bond. Emotional and physical sensations are transferred directly into the Salarian’s mind, which may cause them significant mental and emotional strain. The intensity of the Salarian partner’s response may vary depending on how long the Salarian has gone without coitus and the intensity of their emotional attachment to their partner. A Non-Salarian partner can expect fatigue, lightheadedness, and intense sensations of euphoria. The latter may be so intense as to cause a risk of psychic dependence on the Salarian partner, resulting in a form of addiction, though more study is required in this area. Avoid operating vehicles or heavy machinery if you are experiencing these symptoms.

-*End Archive*-

“You alright over there?” Andrew asked with a smile as the vixen beside him leaned back in her seat, eyes closed in focus.

“Yeah, it’s just been a few years since I left a gravity well,” Junon grumbled. “Transitioning into zero-g always gives me a headache.” She was glad she decided to skip breakfast; this was also making her stomach do barrel rolls.

Her large ears perked as she felt that audible ‘pop’ of the pressure as the shuttle crossed the threshold of atmosphere. The restraint of her seatbelt felt a little looser, and her bra not quite as restrictive, before the grav-units of the shuttle kicked on to compensate.

“Phew… Not a sensation I ever missed… There’s a reason I always preferred transporting compared to an actual shuttle ride.” She opened her eyes, grinning over at her lover who offered a sympathetic smile.

“How’s it feel to be in the void again?” he asked as he looked out the window of the shuttle. A large flotilla of ships waited in orbit around the small world. Most of them, he recognized, as they were part of his fleet.

“Surreal…” She looked over the expanse of starships and scoffed. “Andy… Did you have to bring your whole fleet just to get me?!”

“Ha ha… Well, the fleet goes where the Admiral goes, I guess… I tried to talk my First into holding the reins and giving me a small ship, but he wouldn’t have it.” The tabby gave the fox a lazy shrug.

“Hmph… red tape… gotta love it,” Junon snarled, then looked out the small window at the expanse of starships. “How many are under your command?”

Andrew perked his ears. “Well, first I’ve got The Astral, which is my Flagship. It’s a retrofitted carrier with one hundred and fifty bays for fighters, it sports a dual laser excelsior cannon that can-”

“Yeah my panties are dripping over all the schematic talk, but why don’t you give me the abridged version? How many of what?” Junon cut him off, knowing he’d take all cycle talking specs.

He mewed awkwardly, looking a little disappointed he couldn’t continue, “Oh, sorry… heh… The flagship, two carriers, four destroyers, then two more support vessels, one for repair and another for refinement.”

“So a fleet of nine ships? Pretty impressive. You’ve come a long way from Academy instructor to command such a large spread of ships.” Junon looked him in the eyes with a proud smile.

“Thanks, it’s ten actually, counting your ship,” he mewed playfully.

“Well, that’s still yet to be decided, I’ll make my decision when I see him and what crew I’m possibly working with.” She snorted and gave him a hungry look. “You sure I can’t talk you into making your First take it, then let me just live in your quarters?”

“Sorry, I’m stuck with his fussy tail, but I’ll make sure we get quality time as much as I can?” He gave her a hopeful smile.

“You better, or the deal's off!” she barked back with a teasing grin.

“By the way… ‘when you see him?’ Aren’t most starships referenced in a feminine tense?” he challenged.

“It’s a bunch of plasteel and nano-carbon, does the bow of the ship look like a set of tits to you? If it’s a ship under my command, I’ll refer to HIM as I please!” The fussy fox snorted and folded her arms.

“I’ll be sure to tell Engineering to set your computer up with a male voice then,” he chuckled.

“I’m just yanking at your tail, Andy. I really don’t care one way or another, it’s just a hunk of metal floating around in the void at the end of the cycle.” She shrugged, and shifted as she felt the thrusters adjust on the shuttle. “So… your place or mine?”

“Mine, I need to have a little meeting with High Command for this to be official, and that has to be on my bridge.” He frowned as her playful grin instantly fell to a scowl.

“Oh boy, I can’t wait… Are they going to put me through another tribunal? Play twenty questions with me?” Junon barked out, snarling.

“Junon, all of this has been approved already pending your decision. It’s just a formal meet and greet, nothing more.” Andrew raised his paws in a hopefully placating gesture.

“It better be, Andrew… I’m not going to deal with any Cresh cha!” she snarled again.

“I love how adaptable that term is!” he laughed, settling his paws into his lap once more.

“If you want another, how about this, I’m not in the mood to deal with their ‘toth’!” She smirked.

“And what’s that mean, racha?” he asked with a grin.

“It’s a slang term for bodily excrement,” she said simply.

“That’s what I thought, heh… Anyway, it’s just a formal send-off, Junon. If anyone starts prodding at you, I’ll step in.” He waved a paw.

“Okay, I’ll give you three-point-five earth seconds to do that before I fly off on them!” She shoved her nose up stubbornly, glaring ahead as the shuttle settled into the docking bay of the hangar.

Once the hanger pressurized, the shuttle door slid open. She watched Andrew instantly shift out of his laidback persona with her, his face taking on a steely gaze and his muzzle clenching in a tight but neutral display. She gave him a snort but straightened up herself. She hadn’t been in a position of command in years, but she remembered the gist of it.

“Admiral! Welcome back, sir!” The two were greeted by a short lithe male with puffy fur, some sort of small canine earthling breed Junon wasn’t familiar with, remarkably shorter than even her. His fluffy fur was surprisingly well-groomed, contained neatly in a crisp Federation Command uniform, small stars on his collar showing he was the First Mate and second in command. It was a uniform Junon knew well, as she was a First of her own ship before being forced into the Captain’s position, though her uniform had been altered slightly when she served.

After the cursory salute, Andrew flourished a paw towards the small dog before her. “This is Chief Officer Brox, my second in command. Chief Officer, this is Junon Topaz, retired Federation Captain and hero of-”

“Let’s skip the war titles, Admiral,” she sharply cut him off, meeting the smaller male's brown eyes and offering a crisp formal salute, even though she was dressed in civilian attire of leggings, a skirt, and a button-down top she’d wear at the bakery. The swift movement of her paw made her plump breasts bounce. “Chief Officer, civilian requesting permission to come aboard, sir.”

The pomeranian growled out a tone of approval at her etiquette. “Granted. Welcome to the USF Astral, Miss Topaz!” He shot a glance toward his Captain, as if saying he wouldn’t mind seeing more of that from him.

“I assume everything is green, given I received no communication from you while grav-side?” Andrew asked as he started walking, Junon falling into line behind the two officers.

“You estimated your leave to take no more than three earth hours, not an entire cycle. I did attempt to reach you, but imagine my surprise when your communicator was answered by… someone else.” The dog’s brown eyes drifted back, and the fox behind them responded with a smug, unapologetic grin.

Andrew let out an awkward mew as they walked, “Ah… I didn’t realize-”

“Regardless,” Brox continued, “I was informed you would not awaken short of a shot of adrenaline from the medical team, and it was just best to let you… recover. A cursory study of Salvarian culture gleaned all the information I needed to know from there. I maintained a holding position with the fleet until you contacted me.”

Andrew offered an awkward grunt but said nothing as they walked through the landing bay area towards the elevator. Junon just gave a smug growl but kept her own maw shut, her tails wagging proudly.

As they strode by, any crew member they passed would offer a salute to the pair of officers, then do a double take at the multi-tailed fox with them. Salvarians were a fairly rare sight within the Federation, given their population could be contained on a few planets, whereas most spacefaring species had colonies in multiple solar systems. Couple that with their general passivity and ‘paws off’ approach towards galactic politics, and some could go their whole lives without seeing one.

Once they were in the lift, Andrew eased his stance slightly and sighed. Brox gave him a snort but kept his paws clasped behind him at attention. Junon smiled and gave a shrug as she spoke up, “Is High Command already prepared to receive me, Chief Officer?”

“Yes ma’am. We’re going straight to the bridge, I’m to present you with your Captain’s Star upon… If you agree…” Brox explained simply as he looked over at her.

“I was planning to see the ship and meet the crew before these formalities, Admiral Nelson…” She lifted her jaw, cutting a side glance towards Andrew.

“My apologies, Junon, I wasn’t expecting High Command to be- That is, the extra time I spent-” He grunted and lifted his ears. “It’ll be fine, I swear it! One way or another I’ll make it work, okay?”

She noted the desperation in his voice, a smile playing on her muzzle. Andrew was eager to make this work, for more than just her own dreams now. He wanted her. She could sense it, and she couldn’t resist confirming it as she spoke directly into his mind. “You just want me nearby… You got a taste and don’t want to lose it again, yes?” She flashed her teeth in a smug grin, noticing the way his tail just fluffed out.

“Junon! I- Y-yes… I’ll figure it out, but last night just reinforced everything, so please agree, I’ll do whatever I can to make it acceptable to your standards!” His pleading eyes locked with hers as they stood there silently, Brox none the wiser to their conversation, before the lift made a small ding and the doors slid open.

“Captain on the bridge!” Brox bellowed out as the entire present bridge crew stood from their seats to face him in a salute.

Andrew quickly raised his own salute and called out, “At ease! Well, as at ease as you can be with High Command on hold. Miss Shale, is Communications ready?”

“Aye sir, awaiting your order,” a dark-furred earthling fox called out, trying to not stare at the multi-tailed alien one before her.

“Patch them through,” Andrew said as he straightened up. Junon found herself doing the same, her own training and memories coming to mind, as ingrained as an old habit.

The view screen blinked into existence before the entire bridge, showing the three members of the High Command seated at a long table - as well as, to Junon’s surprise, a fourth individual, given his own separate section of the communication interface. Regardless, when Andrew, Brox, and the entire bridge saluted, so did she, her tails fluffed behind her at attention.

“At ease all,” an older, grizzled avian spoke out from the center of the table. A large chip was missing from the side of his beak that made his gruff words carry a faint hiss of a whistle as he spoke.

Everyone lowered their salute but stayed at attention. It was at this point Junon realized who the fourth was, her ears perking in surprise. It was the United Space Federation’s President. She quickly snapped into Andrew’s headspace, “Cresh cha! The President is in on this?!”

“I’m just as surprised as you are!” His thoughts sounded just as exasperated as his voice would have as they managed to remain composed at attention.

“Junon Topaz, hero of the Ralstan III defensive,” the avian continued. “A Salarian officer who took command in an emergency situation of her vessel, then not only stopped an offensive sabotage but went on to assist in three more notable victories… You earned several accolades for your service and even in your homeworld are-”

“With all due respect, High Admiral. It was my well-trained crew and exceptional teaching I received under Captain Alwritter that saw those victories, that and…” She flashed her eyes at him, clicking her tongue as her voice turned icy. “My venomous thirst for vengeance at his murder. I was no hero, simply a jaded lover ready to fill the void with a fine mist of Rashvian blood.”

The oxen next to the bird spoke up. “We all saw the discharge report, Miss Topaz.”

She folded her arms now, defiantly lifting her muzzle. “And you’d readily welcome a psychopath back into your ranks… sir? That’s what the military therapist called me, a telepathic psychopath.”

The third member addressed her, a female Denlazi with an elegant voice and a full rack of tall, glittering antlers. “That particular therapist was discharged for his lack of professionalism; your military record has been adjusted accordingly, and your discharge has been withdrawn, pending your agreement to this mission. You will even receive full benefits for the last six years as if you had been in full service.”

“Quite the generous offer I must say! And you even have the President on the call?” Junon snapped her teeth and flicked her tails. Andrew winced at her brazen display, and the entire bridge crew began to let their nerves show. “Something stinks… You’re not telling me everything!”

The High Admiral hissed and made a chirping snarl, “Miss Topaz, that is hardly a way to address-”

“Now now,” said the president, finally speaking up from his own display. The High Command quickly hushed. “She’s still a civilian at present, she owes none of us any more due respect than any other member of the USF, am I wrong?” The canine, clearly a dalmatian with a spotted white muzzle, a dark patch over his left eye, and neatly combed gray hair that draped over his right eye, was instantly charismatic. Junon could see how he would have easily swayed votes in his favor.

After a moment of silence, Junon took her opportunity to speak. “You’ll beg my pardon if I don’t know your name, Mr. President, but you weren’t around during my tenure and I’ve not kept up with USF politics since my departure. I’d not even know it was you were it not for the seal and flag behind you.”

“No need for formalities, Miss Topaz. Just call me Mikhal. Let's cut to the chase: I asked for you specifically, and for good reason, I might add.” He offered a paw as he flashed his teeth.

Junon just snorted and put her paws on her hips, as if she were already done with this exchange. “Okay, Mikhal, why?” While her stance was defensive, her perked ears betrayed genuine curiosity.

“I was a close friend of Captain Alwritter. He spoke highly of you.”

Junon’s tails flicked.

The president continued, ”He spoke of your desires to see the unknown, but how you were tough as nails and could handle the fringes of the void.” The older dog offered a sad chuckle and continued, “And… how much he loved you. How he wished he’d been born a Salarian for you…”

Junon flinched, hissed, and looked away, her paws balling into fists. “Is… that so?”

“This could be dangerous, and it most likely will be, but Alwritter was my dear friend. We went to the Academy together. I would have dropped out had it not been for him. I can think of no better way that I can honor his memory and life, than to ensure the fox he loved gets her chance to do what he always wanted her to do.” The dalmatian folded his paws on the desk, nodding his head to allow the commanders to continue.

“What say you, Junon Topaz? Have you had enough of the grav-life? Ready to get back to the void where you belong?” The central officer asked with a click of his beak.

She hissed, trying to not cry at the intense memories and emotions welling up within her. In her mind, she began to relive an internal cycle of the good times, the arguments, the battles, and his death, all in vivid detail. She didn’t even get to hold him as he went; one well-placed phaser blast destroyed his chest cavity. At the very least, his death was instant. At least her racha did not suffer. She can practically feel the weight of his body in her arms…

Andrew spoke up, worry evident even in his deferent tone, “High Admiral, with all due respect, as Junon is a-”

“I am well aware of how Salarians process memories, Admiral Nelson. We will wait,” he responded simply.

Her mouth felt dry as she took a small gulp, tears clearly showing as she looked up. “Cresh cha,” she whispered. “What choice do I have after hearing that, Mikhal?”

Clearing her throat, she wiped her cheek fur, then stiffened her tails and offered a sharp salute. Her eyes focused upon the display, glistening intently. “Captain Junon Topaz, ready to return to active duty, sirs and ma’am!”

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Welcome back, my lovely reader~

Being a writer is my dream job but it has full-time hours and doesn't pay the bills. I want to keep writing these stories for everyone to enjoy and your support on Ko-Fi helps make that happen. I also appreciate non-financial support like faving, voting, and following me here or on BlueSky. Thank you so much for your continued support! Please enjoy the episode.

And with that out of the way…

Welcome back, my lovely reader!

I hope you’re enjoying the tale so far, lovely! There’s a lot of drama on the horizon and that’s before our vixen even leaves orbit!

If I may speak candidly for a moment, let me just be clear about my vision for this story. This is a tale about the ship and its crew more than epic space battles or galactic politics. Just keep that in mind as we go through this tale. However, like all my stories, I write them by the seat of my pants, so your guess is as good as mine on where this will all end up!

Well, that’s enough from me, let's check in on our vixen as she officially meets her crew, some of which she may have wished she hadn’t!

Let’s jump right in!

—♥—

Episode 2:

No Regrets

-*Captain’s Log- SD: 242 - July 12th Standard Federation Time.*-

I’ve accepted a full reinstatement of my position to the USF and agreed to captain the exploration vessel known as The USF Occam, an interesting if not ironic nod to the Earthling philosophy of Occam’s Razor. Well, he’s certainly going to present fewer arguments in any debates needing firepower up in the void, Admiral Nelson has already informed me of the size of my crew, and I may as well be captaining a urb-world civilian bus liner!

I’m making this first entry while I await the component processing unit that is producing my uniform after undergoing image scans of my body and tails. I’ve insisted I get a first-generation skirt and leggings uniform, as opposed to the current standard of slacks. The open-faced vest with my Captain's Star on the left breast pocket will have to do. I simply won’t be spending my cycles in a stuffy uniform that doesn’t show off my assets, I’m a Salarian after all and we pride ourselves on our diplomacy, no faster recourse to open negotiation than a flash of thigh or showing the curve of breasts in the snug top under my vest.

It’s a pain having to re-learn Earth standard dates for these log entries, why do they need such a convoluted system of time-based on months and day/night passes? Twelve months, upwards to thirty-plus days in some, other times less? Simply use a seasonal based calendar like we do back on Salaria! It’s four entries, no need for all these day/night cycles to be managed… Earthlings are so odd sometimes!

My uniform and equipment are ready, time to go see what dinghy I’m steering about with my paltry crew of one twenty… I’m half expecting it to have an ancient wheel and rudder on it! Hah!

-*Finish Entry*-

The door to the dressing room hissed open as Junon strutted out in uniform for the first time in almost six years. She was provided comfortable flats instead of heels, and dark tights that moved up her legs to disappear into her skirt that hung just above her knees. A matching bodice held her waist snugly, hugging her breasts to shamelessly show them off while being thick enough to not show the chain between them. A sharp, sleeveless military vest matching her skirt, in a bright red hue standard for Commanders, showed off her Captain’s star. It draped over her chest to at least offer some form of professionalism and modesty to offset the skin-tight, brazen display of her small, curvy body.

Her left paw settled on the pommel of a blade, beside a holster that held her phaser. The sword was of Salarian origin, with a wide curved blade strongly resembling the Earthen shamshir.

Once she was standing before Andrew, Junon flourished her free paw, giving him a little turn to inspect her as she showed her teeth. “What do you think, Admiral?” She casually pushed her right paw down to lift the skirt, just enough to show off some outer thigh, revealing a garter strap that actually held up her tights, along with just a faint glimpse of skimpy panties, before she dropped the red skirt back down.

“You look… amazing, Junon,” Andrew mewed. She watched his gloved paws flex, as if he was struggling to keep himself from reaching out and touching her. Junon just gave him a knowing grin as she stepped back.

She drew her curved blade, looking it over with a scrutinizing eye. “I programmed the refiner to compound Salvarian Retroquartz when it formed this blade, but I’m wondering if its accuracy is dubious,” she growled. She plucked a long blonde hair from her head and held it over the blade, watching as it easily sliced the narrow strand in two. “Good enough,” she huffed, sheathing her weapon with a flourish. “I’ll need to get to the holo-suite to refresh myself on training once I get settled.”

Andrew loved seeing her like this; Junon had always had a confident prowess about herself, in both her martial and her command skills. He straightened up and flourished a paw towards the exit of the room. “Shall we be on our way to your ship, Captain?”

“I’d rather be on my way to your bed, Admiral… but I suppose that really must wait…” Junon hiked her trio of tails and strutted out with her nose poked up. Her tails strategically lifted her skirt as she walked in front of him, giving him a shameless glimpse of her perky backside and showing off her panties, which did little to cover the white-gold fur beneath. She heard Andrews's deep purr at the view, flashing a grin over her shoulder before settling her tails back down.

His First, Brox, joined the two as they walked down the corridor. Unlike before, Junon walked next to the Captain now that she had her star on again. “So, will we be taking a shuttle over, or transporting?” she asked.

In answer to her question, Andrew offered a small packet that she recognized: a nausea-inhibiting strip, designed to aid in transportation. Junon took it and shoved it right onto her tongue, and the whole thing instantly dissolved. She smacked her tongue a few times. “Was that Marvulian Nectar flavored?”

“I’d expect nothing less from your keen sense of taste, Junon, you are an excellent baker after all!” Andrew mewed with a grin.

“Captain Topaz, if I may.” Brox stopped as they came to a stretch of the corridor with an impressive view of the vast expanse of stars, ships, and the planet below she’d just left. He pushed his paw out, directing her attention to a certain ship. “From here you can see her, third from the left.”

“My my, what a lovely view…” Junon took it in, then perked her ears as she counted the ships. She shook her head rapidly in disbelief. “Cresh cha!” she barked. “Andy! That cannot be my ship! That thing is as big as a destroyer!”

He gave a smug purr and put his paws on his hip. “Aye, and just as well armed as one. That girl is equipped with the latest advances in Earth, Denlazi, and Salvarian tech!”

“Salvarian?! Why would my people be willing to assist in such a thing? We are allies but we are not so eager to waste our resources on vessels of war needlessly!”

“Salvaria was keen to assist when they discovered the hero of Ralstan III would be flying it,” Brox explained, clasping his paws behind his back. “The only Salarian to ever rise to the status of Captain, and one with a rather impressive record of victories to boot. It was a matter of national pride. The result is that ship there, the best in her class.”

Junon snarled and looked the large ship over once more. It was sleek and polished, shining in the light of the dual stars of the system, enrobed with glorious silvers and purples, with the USF logo emblazoned across the bow. Despite her distaste, she had to admit to herself that it was an impressive vessel. “Cresh cha… All these bastards just so sure I’d accept,” she growled. Then, she shot a glare at the pomeranian. “Also stop referring to MY ship like that, he’s mine so stop saying her this and her that, both of you!” Junon barked out in a fussy tone.

“My apologies Captain Topaz, I meant no disrespect! He’s a fine vessel, ma’am!” Brox offered her a formal salute in respect.

Andrew laughed and then offered a soothing purr as he put a paw on his hip. “Anyway, he’s using some of the latest computation, AI, and nano-technology, so a crew of one-twenty can do the work of four hundred. That’s why you’ve got a light crew, Junon.”

She snorted and shook her head before glancing up at Andrew. “Seriously though… All this for me and one ship?”

“Well, the Salarian council is also looking to establish a new colony world if we find fruitful planets,” Brox cut in, “so it’s within their interest. One of the agreements in the technology alliance was since their Captain and their tech were at the forefront, they got the first choice.”

“More bureaucracy…” Junon sighed and jerked her head to the side before turning to face the corridor once more. “Alright, let’s go to Transportation then.”

As they stepped into the transport bay, the crew all offered crisp salutes as Brox bellowed the Captain’s presence. Junon instantly picked up on an awkward emotional shift from Andrew, being so close in his proximity.

“Andy,” her words echoed in his mind, “I can sense your trepidation. What is bothering you?” Her mismatched eyes looked up at him.

“Ah, I’ve been meaning to tell you something about your First Officer, but there’s never been a good time for it,” he responded. She saw his jaw set as they walked onto the transporter pad, just her and him.

“Andrew Nelson, what are you hiding from me?” She showed her teeth and gave him a snarl, her ears going flat.

“Your CO is a decorated and very loyal member of the Federation, Junon! Please keep that in mind, please!” His thoughts sounded panicked - and her eyes widened as she immediately realized why.

“Two to transport over!” The crew spoke out sharply.

Junon snarled up at him out loud, “Andrew! Cresh cha! I’m going to-” The transporter activated and her vision blanked white. A few moments later, it returned as she clutched her forehead with a snarl, stepping back slightly before straightening herself up.

“Captain and Admiral on the bridge!” A sharp, deep female voice growled out. Junon's eyes adjusted to see a large Rashvian holding a salute along with the rest of the bridge crew.

There was a long, pregnant pause as everyone held their salutes. The only sound on the bridge was the audible chirp of the various consoles and a faint, nervous hiss coming from the Admiral.

Junon growled deeply at the wolf, who stood perfectly still at attention with a steely green-eyed glare. She had long crimson hair that fell to her hips, with fluffy canine ears folded flat on her head. Her chest was plump but modest for her muscular frame, enough to make the blue-black uniform noticeably push out. Over the peaks glimmered her various stars and awards, as she was in full formal dress.

The fox’s eye twitched, and she shot a glare at the cat beside her, before fluffing her tails, snapping her own paw up, and snarling back at the Rashvian, “At ease…”

“First Officer of the USF Occam, Leona Sussnel,” the Rashvian announced. “Welcome aboard… Captain.” The contempt was clear in her voice. Of course, it was; what Rashvian hadn't heard the tales of ‘The Butcher of Ralstan III?’ Junon had one of the largest bounties on her head during the war before peace was made.

“Admiral… A moment if you will?” Junon snarled as she wheeled on one flat and stomped over to the corner of the bridge with the most privacy. She was already in his head as he followed. “Andy! Is this some sick joke?! Get her off my fucking ship, now!”

He knew she was really furious… She wasn’t even using Salarian slang. “Junon, the Rashvian have been our allies for nearly five years and she is an ambassador from their home world, she's the best of their best and-”

Junon's paws clenched into fists, her claws digging into her pads. “Then let her fly the damn tub and I'll go home! Get her off my ship or give it to her, that's your-”

“Permission to speak,” the wolf’s strong voice called out as she approached the two of them.

“Denied!” Junon hissed while glaring over her shoulder.

“Captain Topaz, please,” Leona huffed, offering an apologetic salute.

“Fine!” Junon wheeled on the Rashvian, paw readied on the pommel of her sword. “What is it?!”

Leona took a steadying breath before hissing out, “I had little choice in this assignment, but I was well aware you would be the potential Captain of this vessel. I simply ask that you peruse my personnel file before making any rash decisions.”

“Oh, you want to see rash?!” Junon snarled. But harsher words died in her throat as she, with great effort, reined herself in. She eased the grip on her sword and then rubbed a paw down her face, smearing some of the blush she'd applied to her cheek fur.

“First Officer, show me and the Admiral to my quarters, I have much to think on and some reading to do,” Junon shifted back into a more proper military tone. The strain in her voice was clearly audible.

“Right this way, Captain.” Leona turned with a flick of her bushy crimson tail, careful to not brush it against her superior as she strode forward. She easily had two heads on Junon, even standing slightly taller than Andrew. Like most Rashvian, she had the powerful frame of a natural warrior.

The trip was silent. Junon didn’t even bother talking to Andrew through their connection. Tension hung in the air between them until they arrived at the door of her quarters.

“Here you are, Captain.” Leona offered another salute as she faced the other dog.

“I will address the bridge crew proper in one hour, have everyone in standard uniform. I detest the posh and pomp of formal dress, dismissed.” Junon flicked her tails up and marched into her quarters.

Leona gave the Admiral a glance with critical green eyes, questioning his judgment on this matter, but said nothing as she turned and marched back towards the lift. Andrew gave a small gulp and followed Junon into her quarters.

“Computer, synthesize me a shot of Denlazi Bourbon!” Junon barked out with clear heat in her voice.

The computer responded in a smooth male voice, “Captain, need I remind you that Federation ethics protocol number three twenty-seven states that no officer may partake of-”

“Dreth tra the protocol, make my damn drink!” She snapped, quieting as the computer made a chirp of acknowledgment and the food synthesizer began producing the alcohol.

“You know, that will be recorded on your log for High Command to see,” Andrew mewed as he stood there with his paws crossed before him.

“Yeah, just wait until the Admiral finds out, right?” Junon threw the shot back, then huffed out at the burn before throwing the tumbler across the room and glaring at the cat. “What were you thinking, Andy?!”

Andrew cleared his throat, “It wasn’t my call… I believe this had something to do with the alliance. Rashvia provided resources to help with-”

“How many worlds have their dirty fucking paws in this pie, Andy?! I didn’t sign back on for this bureaucratic cloak and dagger toth!” Junon stomped over to him, shoving a padded finger into his chest.

He hissed and lowered his ears, looking away. “Junon, I’m sorry…”

She looked genuinely surprised by his reaction, making a small gulp as she saw the sadness on his face. Shaking her head, she pushed her paw up to rake her claws through his jaw fur, drawing him to look at her. “Come here, lean down…” she whispered.

He did so, lowering to one knee, and she pushed her forehead to his own, taking a ragged sigh as she cupped his jaw. “I’m sorry for snapping at you, Andy… Rashvians and I… I mean…” she shook her head and cradled his face in both her paws, kissing his lips a few times, her lipstick lingering on his muzzle. She then touched their foreheads together again, taking the conversation inside.

“Racha, I am a temperamental Vixen, but I went too far, will you forgive me?”

“Junon, I should have told you sooner,” Andrew thought back. “I was just so worried about getting you to agree, getting you back in my life. I should be the one to apologize…” His paws slid over her hips. His muzzle rubbed against her own, and the two scent-marked each other while speaking in their minds.

“I don’t like this… But you’ve done so much for me, the least I can do is try to give her a chance.” She gave his jaw a small lap before they parted their embrace.

Andrew stood back up, looking more at ease. He looked out towards the window, towards the starry view of the void. “Junon… Do you hate all of Rashvia on principle?”

“No! I mean…” She clenched a paw and snarled. She told herself she didn’t, told herself she wasn’t some bigot towards any species, but then she thought about her former Captain and lover. “I… don’t regret the things I’ve done, Andy. I don’t… but I don’t want to just hate an entire species over it either.”

He nodded and opened one paw. “Please, give Chief Officer Sussnel a chance. She’s not happy about the assignment either and told me as such off the record.”

“No doubt, to her and most Rashvians, I’m a monster, and during that time, they wouldn’t have been wrong,” Junon paced over to look out the window as well, paws clasped behind her. “Did I tell you about how it went down after the boarding team failed to take the ship?”

“You didn’t…” He moved over to her, placing his paws on her shoulders. They both stared out into the void together. He had seen some of the footage from the ship’s cameras, but only what he had been cleared to see: the boarding combat, not its aftermath.

“The weapons officer, she begged me to reconsider, told me Captain Alwritter wouldn’t have wanted that…” Junon gave a small, pathetic-sounding bark of a laugh. “Heh… I shoved her aside, leaned over the console, and pulled the trigger myself, so to speak. As I watched the torpedos tear the ship apart, I just felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction…”

Andrew said nothing as he just stood there, his jaw growing tighter as he swallowed. Junon shook her head and continued, “The other ships weren't such helpless targets, but I felt the same each time. Seeing them break apart, it satisfied me, and to this cycle, I should feel remorse, but I don’t. Do you know why that is, Andy?”

“Why?” He asked as calmly as he could.

She turned to look into his eyes, her mismatched eyes fierce and emotional. “Because the stronger a Salarian’s bond is, the more traumatic it is when that link is broken… I’m not making excuses, but I also feel that if I ever lost you…” She shuddered and stepped away, pinching her snout as she seemed to focus. “I’m getting off on a tangent…”

“Junon, I understand… I feel your bond with me, and I can feel that edge of madness in my heart whenever I think of losing you… We don’t have to have the Nephylle ritual for me to feel my soul is entwined with yours,” He stepped to her and offered a paw. Junon slid her own into his grip.

“I should apologize for forming such a strong psychic bond with you, but I’m not sorry, my racha… ” She pushed into his chest, releasing his paw to hug him close.

“I’d accept no apologies from you, I’m happy to have it…” His claws dug gently into her back as he held her in return. “You gonna give it a fair shot then?”

She gave him a small nod. “I will, Andy… I’ll apologize to her for the outburst, and I’ll try to smooth things over.”

Junon met with the bridge crew an hour later as planned, offering a proper, formal introduction, explaining what she expected from each of them, and closing by saying she’d prefer to have an open-door style policy where anyone could talk to her if they had issues.

The Rashvian noticed her approach soon after her speech. Once Junon was close enough, she offered a salute. “Captain?”

“A moment if I may, First Officer?” Junon jerked her head to the side as she started walking away from the bridge, back to the lift. The two rode it to another deck, then Junon stepped out to look out a glass wall that overlooked the void.

She folded her paws behind her and spoke at last, “Allow me to cut to the chase. I wish to offer an apology for my disrespectful treatment of you upon my arrival in front of the crew. We are both members of the Federation and-”

“Permission to speak freely, ma’am?” Leona interjected.

Junon cut her eyes back to see the fierce glare in the wolf’s own gaze. This wasn’t going to be good and she knew it. She closed her eyes for a moment before nodding and looking back out the window. “Granted.”

“I spit on your apology. It can rot in the void as I hope you do one cycle,” The Rashvian’s voice was ice-cold.

Junon cocked a brow as she responded, “Interesting… So you think-”

“I’m not finished!” She barked with a deep snarl. Junon offered a warning growl but flourished a paw, rolling it for the wolf to continue. Leona spat, “I know all about your story. Your beloved was killed along with a lone member of security, but you think that gives you the right to murder my kinsmen in cold blood?!”

Junon cut her eyes at the larger dog and gave a snort, but said nothing as she looked back out the window. Leona practically howled in fury as she grabbed her Captain’s shoulder, wrenching the smaller dog around and barking down in her face, “Answer me! Do you know how many were on that fucking ship, Salarian!?”

“Two hundred and seventy-five. If you count the boarding crew members I killed with my own paws? Two hundred and eighty-four. And the last one…”

Junon pulled the wolf down to eye-level by the front collar of her uniform and continued with her own icy growl, ”I strangled her to death while beating her head into the floor of my bridge.” Junon released her collar and slapped the wolf’s paw off her shoulder. “Don’t put your paws on me, Rashvian.”

Leona’s muzzle wrinkled in a deep snarl, her paw stinging as she flexed it. The slap was harder than she expected from such a small bitch. “Your loss did not give you grounds to fire on a helpless vessel that had surrendered, you should have faced a tribunal for war crimes, not been honored as a hero!”

“Your species should not have declared a surprise war upon us! Your species should not have killed my racha! Your species,” Junon raised up on her toes to glare into the wolf’s green eyes, their chests pushed together, “should not have been so weak!”

She saw the wolf’s pupils shudder with rage. Leona drove a fist right for her jaw - but Junon caught the strike at her wrist. There was the sound of a harsh crack, before the Rashvian gasped and howled in pain

“I told you not to touch me,” the smaller fox hissed, deftly hooking a foot around Leona’s leg and slamming her to the carpeted floor. With one swift motion, Junon drew the sword at her side and shoved the tip to the wolf’s throat.

“Anything else you wish to say, First Officer?” Junon snarled as she showed her own sharp teeth, her three tails swaying behind her as she twisted the blade, just enough to leave the threat of a cut.

“I hope you rot in the abyss of Ullderhan!” Leona spat, fury and agony glistening in her wet eyes as she clutched her arm.

“If that is your species' equivalent of a location for an afterlife of punishment, I’ll be in good company with the hundreds of your bloodthirsty ilk I personally sent there.” Junon sheathed her sword and gave a composed huff.

As Leona snarled at her again, Junon casually raked her claws through her hair. “If there’s nothing more, First Officer, report to medical to get that fractured wrist tended to, then return to your duties.”

-*United Space Federation Data Archives*-

-*Species Dosier #219*-

Rashvians:

Natives of the world of Rashvia, in the star system Ryujyka. Rashvians are an intelligent earth-like species that exhibit lupine characteristics. They are one of only two known spacefaring species that are exclusively female, the other being the Denlazi. Rashvian society is organized within a caste system, the lowest group in the hierarchy (Fhiel, meaning ‘slave’) being made up of other species kept as suitors for producing offspring.

Any Rashvian can breed with nearly any male of another species; however, no Rashvian can reproduce with another of their species. Additionally, given the unique DNA composition of this species, the offspring will always have the mother’s genetic markers and be female. In order to facilitate the survival and continued propagation of the species, aggressive, militant governments would traditionally enslave males of other species and force them to provide acceptable DNA.

Rashvians tend to be highly nationalistic, many of them being trained warriors, and their culture places deep pride in their heritage, strength, and conquests. Nothing will infuriate a Rashvian more quickly than insulting her people’s strength.

Rashvians have a high gestation rate thanks in part to their short pregnancy times and rapid estrus cycles, sometimes having up to three cycles in one USF month equivalent. Pups also grow quickly and can reach full adulthood within fifteen USF standard years. This coupled with their aggressive nature makes them an extremely threatening species that can rapidly refill their ranks, using captured males from defending species during wartime.

Despite their intimidating and aggressive natures, some Rashvians do form loving, consensual, lifelong relationships with some males, and there have been cases of prisoners being elevated from the Fhiel class to Shulkei (Husband). Their culture even has traditional life-bonding rituals for such occasions.

-*End Archive*-

“Putting paws on a superior is a serious offense, Junon, are you sure you don’t want to call a tribunal?” Andrew asked, standing to the side of her inside the holosuite in off-duty attire. Junon was dressed in just a sports bra and some shorts, setting her stance before a training dummy.

“I will let her be…” Junon hopped and delivered a snapping kick to the dummy, sending it reeling back before its stabilizing chain groaned and swung it back forward. Her paw quickly drew a wooden sword at her hip, giving it multiple slashes and another kick before she reset her stance again.

“But… She attacked you!” Andrew mewed out in protest.

“I pushed her into the real stuff, she just grabbed my shoulder and I won’t be such a little rajha as to call a tribunal over my bruised ego from that!” She fluffed her tails before puffing out a breath, letting her arms droop, and picking up a bottle of water. As she took in a few gulps, her chest heaved, her fur sweaty, and her breasts compressed in the snug sports bra.

“Are you really okay with this, Junon?” He sighed and folded his arms, trying not to stare at her sweaty body too intently.

“You said it yourself, am I just some bigot? I checked the crew manifest… I’ve three other Rashvian officers in other positions throughout my crew. How will they feel if I court-martial one? Warranted or not, we know what they’d think.” Junon put her paws on her hips, panting slightly.

“Do you care what they think, racha?” He tilted his head.

“No, but as Captain, I do care about the wellbeing of my crew, all of them, and I care about the efficiency of how my ship is run. They don’t have to like me, but I don’t need them skulking around thinking I’ve got it in for them either. There is nothing I can do to win any of them over, and I’m not so stupid as to think there is, but I won't make their tenure a hostile one.” Junon growled and sat the water bottle down, moving over to Andrew as her trio of tails wagged.

“So that's it? You'll just let her be? What if she attacks you again?” Andrew hissed his disapproval.

“Look, Andrew, I'm sure you studied Rashvian culture just like I did during the war, know your enemy and all that. Anyway, they respect power and they prefer a sort of, alpha pack leader structure.” Junon snorted and looked away. “If I put her on her tail enough times, that'll do more than any apologies or discussions ever will to win her trust.”

“I suppose I'll let you tend to your crew as you see fit, Captain Topaz…”

“Thank you for caring, my racha, but it will work itself out, I promise. There's no need to destroy the girl's career.” Junon stretched, then closed the distance to push into his chest, hugging close to him.

Andrew wrapped her arms around the smaller fox, her scent of sweat enticing, mingled with the soap she'd washed with prior.

“So… The fleet leaves tomorrow?” Junon asked while nuzzling his chest.

“Yes, it's about a three-cycle trip to Aldebaran from here,” Andrew confirmed.

She sighed and shook her head, offering him a cute pout. “And no transporting between ships during warp? No coming to see you, my racha?”

“Junon, you know you can't transport between ships during warp travel!” He chuckled and held her close. “Nor can I order an entire fleet to pull from warp just for a booty call!” he teased playfully.

“And why not?” Junon grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck, growling into his ears, “All hands, prepare for emergency stop, I need some Salarian pussy!” She giggled as he mewed at the crude words, but his paws eagerly groping her hips betrayed his want.

“I’m sure all the crews and officers would be just fine with that,” Andrew laughed, leaning in to nuzzle her jaw, kissing down along her throat as her paws tangled into his dark, silver-streaked hair.

“Computer! End program!” Junon called out as the training dojo faded out of existence, leaving them in an empty chamber, the bottle of water that had been on the table falling to the floor. She gave him a crooked grin before calling out, “Begin program, sleazy love motel!”

“Really?” Andrew laughed as the holosuite reconfigured around them, basking them in gaudy pink neon light, a bedroom before them of mostly pink and red, with a large heart-shaped bed in the center.

“I was flipping through some of the holo-sets in the database and found this one. I simply knew I had to give it a whirl with you, so I downloaded it into the ship's computer,” Junon cooed as she moved over. Her paws were already drawing buttons free on his shirt, and she watched that dark fur with faint patches of gray come into view, her claws raking down his chest as she kissed his throat.

“Fuck… racha…” Andrew hissed, but happily moved his paws over his small fox’s hips, dragging the baggy training shorts down, revealing a skimpy set of crimson panties beneath.

Junon pulled the panties down herself, huffing eagerly as she stepped out of them, then let out a dominant huff and shoved Andrew to the bed. She peeled her sports bra off, her plump, full breasts bouncing into view, the silver chain between her piercings glinting in the pink light before she climbed onto the bed with him.

“Racha… My cat… My Andrew…” Junon growled cutely, already snatching at his pants, licking her chops as she unbuckled them.

“Ngh…” He lolled his tongue as his fly parted, his contained length springing forth, reeking with the scent of earthling lust. It was a relief after it had been pushing against his boxers and pants for a while now.

“You were getting hard watching me train, weren’t you?” Junon cooed as she pumped his length. She wasted no more time pushing her maw down over the tip, suckling as she blinked up at him cutely with her mismatched eyes.

“You look great when you’re in the zone,” Andrew huffed, “and that sports bra didn’t stop those girls from bouncing about…” His paw was already on her head, raking claws through her hair while she bobbed up and down eagerly to taste his musky flesh.

Junon popped her mouth clear and giggled. “My… girls? Is that what you think of my tits, Andrew?” She smirked and pushed closer, grasping her breasts in her paws, giving him a sinful grin as she pushed forward to settle his jumping length between them.

“Hgn… the fur is still a little damp from my workout, but how’s this feel, my racha?” Junon sighed lovingly as she squeezed them together. Not only could she service her Admiral with her mouth, but her breasts as well, shifting and pushing them against that throbbing spire as she licked her chops.

“Fuck… your tits feel amazing…” He mewled and panted, rubbing at both her large ears with his paws as he watched her.

Junon just hummed proudly as she shifted herself back and forth, letting that length pump between her firm hot breasts, leaning down to take just the tip into her maw and suckle.

“Racha… racha…” Andrew groaned, his tongue lolled and small hearts in his eyes for the girl that he’d loved for over a decade, his paws rubbing those large golden-white ears encouragingly.

“Do you want to go all the way like this, my love? You can blow it in my mouth if you want to~” Her thoughts filled his head as he panted down at her, shuddering at the offer, before he rapidly shook his head.

Junon pulled back with a huff and a lick of her chops, releasing her breasts to pad atop him as her tails wagged eagerly. “Oooh Admiral wants to be balls deep in his little Captain’s pussy eh?” She cooed as she mounted him.

Andrew shuddered… then grasped her hips and rolled her over in the large bed, the little fox barking in surprise as she fell. Her breasts jiggled, the chain pulling against them as she hissed. “A-Andy!?”

He said nothing, just scooping under her knees, spreading her, and shoving his muzzle between her thighs to return the service. Junon shuddered and lolled her tongue, feeling his own start to lap and stroke hard at her pearl.

“Ah! Toth! Cresh… cha… fuck…” She panted little slurs out, both her paws instantly going to his ears, yipping and moaning to his skilled tongue that suckled and lapped hard at her.

“Andy… Ah… fuck fuck fuck!” Her claws dug into his hair and she let out a soft keening howl as he easily drove her to an orgasm, her small body shuddering as he happily lapped at the honey that came forth, a deep, contented purr filling his throat.

As he rose up, licking his chops, Junon lay panting beneath him, looking love-struck and offering no resistance as the larger cat scooped up under her knees, dragged her forward, and started to line his jumping length against her soaked entrance.

Her mismatched eyes rolled up, her tongue flopping more out of her jaws, looking like a feral little fox as he pushed forward. Her alien fox pussy happily welcomed him, tight and clenching the whole way in. “Gods… cresh cha…” Andrew snarled the Salarian slang this time as he bucked firmly to get every inch into the small fox beneath him.

Junon moaned as he pushed, and giggled at him using her own species’ slang. Her tongue remained lolled as she looked up at him, hearts in her blue-gold eyes, a faint rise visible in her belly from the length deep inside her.

“Right there,” she slurred. “Right… there…” After only a few more deep strokes, she let out a high-pitched little whine of a howl for him, crying out as her body gave in, drenching him in her love.

Andrew thought to her, “I love you so much, Junon… everything for you…” Through their psychic bond, his words felt even more potent than having them spoken. The pure emotion behind them was perfectly preserved in both their minds. He slid his paws to her own, pushing them into the sheets, their fingers locking as he rocked.

Junon saw the hearts in his own yellow eyes, the chain tugging at her hard peaks while she rocked under her lover, feeling his deep eager strokes just keep igniting her body. She squeezed his paws back and returned his thoughts. “Racha… racha… I love you… An existence without you would be the cruelest of fates, I would leave a universe that didn’t have you in it!”

Andrew shuddered, then dropped down, releasing her paws, and wrapped his arms around her neck, their muzzles crushing together in a desperate embrace. Their tongues rolled as their hips bucked in unison, her love dripping off him while he just kept pleasing the Salarian he loved.

“Gods! I don’t … huff… need the chains of Nephylle… to know you are my everything!” Junon barked out into his face after breaking the kiss, her heart pounding as she kept him hugged tight, feeling his deep strokes pounding inside her.

Andrew looked stunned at her words, then shuddered, his yellow heart-eyes drifting upwards before he yowled out in a throaty mewl of defeat as he cried out her name, “Junon!”

She tucked her tongue and grinned, then began growling and rolling her own mismatched heart-eyes up as his thick hot Earthling love gushed into her Salarian womb. Her tongue flopped out of her jaws as the last rope was milked in, leaving her belly slightly rounded from how much love he had for her, the little fox groaning and falling limp.

“Fuck… ing…” Andrew shivered and had no choice but to topple over onto his side, his tongue showing while he panted. He didn’t feel like he was going to faint this time, but he still felt dizzy and euphoric.

Junon pushed a paw to his muzzle, shifting to her side to face him, her blonde locks spilling over her face as she gave him a loving grin. Andrew just offered up a content purr as he stared into her eyes, his own paw weakly moving up to brush her cheek.

Finally, he whispered, “Don’t need the chains of Nephylle huh?”

“Mmm… nope…” Junon raked her claws through his jaw fur, tracing the scar on his muzzle. She gave him a lazy loving grin as she continued, “Besides… this makes it so I can still have sex whenever you’re not around to satisfy me!”

Andrew laughed at that then gave her a curious look. “Wait a sec… You mean once you guys do the Nephylle bond you can’t uh… sleep around?”

Junon smiled and gently shook her head. “We can’t… The chains of Nephylle are… painful to have implanted. They aren’t just accessories, my cat.”

“Installed? Now you’ve got me curious, how does it work?” Andrew gave a weak grunt and sat up, giving her his full attention as they sat in the holosuite under the simulated glow of cheap neon.

She growled lazily and slowly rose, giving him a playful shake of her breasts with the chain tethered between them. “Well, unlike some chains… those are not accessories per se… What you see on our ears is decorative, but it’s also attached to the base of the implant.”

“An implant? That sounds bad…” He mewed with a frown, his eyes trying to focus and not enjoy the view of his fox lover’s swaying breasts.

“Bad? Hmm… it can be… So essentially, it implants a link directly into our brains. I won’t give you all the details, but essentially, it enhances and tunes our psychic bond to only one other. It also wipes any bonds we have established in our lives,” Junon explained as simply as she could.

“So… if you got those, it’d wipe our bond out? We’d no longer be able to speak in our minds?” Andrew looked saddened at the concept of it.

“My racha… even if I could never speak in your mind again, our bond is much more than this…” She gave him a loving smile as she thought the words, pushing a paw to his chest where she knew his heart was. She had to remember to go to the opposite side of her own chest. Andrew gave her a loving smile before clasping her paws, his own tail wagging like a dog’s would.

“Anyway…” Junon smiled as she continued, “Once the bond is set, it tunes us as one. We quite literally meld our psychic bond to such a degree, we are constantly in communication, like it or not. No secrets, no privacy, if you think it, your mate knows.”

Andrew mewed. “That’s so intense!”

“There’s more,” Junon showed him a grin as she leaned back, showing herself off to him.

Andrew purred at the view and quickly moved a paw up to rub at one of her breasts, teasing at the tethering chain as he grinned. “Okay, what else?”

“If one psyche fails, the other does too. Simply put, if one of the partners dies, the other falls into a lifeless coma and won’t be far behind. Several Salarians have a special implant so that if that happens, it sends a command to stop their heart, so their loved ones don’t have to euthanize their comatose loved ones…” Junon explained with a sad smile on her face.

“Gods!” Andrew looked appalled, maybe he should have read up more on this since he was dating a Salarian, he knew about the bonding but not to this extent. “W-why?! Why would your species do this to themselves over a life partner?”

Junon looked confused for a moment, then remembered she was dealing with an Earthling. She nodded as she spoke, “Andrew, we can only reproduce children if our psyches are merged like that. Salarian children must have a linked unified psyche with their parents from conception up until about five years of age.” She gave him a hard look and continued, “Also, if the child, or either of the parents dies, well, you can guess what happens…”

“Dear gods…” Andrew whispered, looking stunned for a moment. He composed himself a moment later and shook his head. “So, this is why your species is so sparsely populated eh?”

“It is… We can only produce one pup at a time, we also can’t spare the psychic energy to produce another while rearing one. So at best, we can produce another every five to six years. Couple that with the very extreme psychic strain on the parents, and each puppy after the first can be a risk. It’s exceptionally rare for Salaria couples to go for three.”

“And I assume only other Salarians can do this?” Andrew asked.

“Would you psychically chain yourself to me, my racha? Some of the dark thoughts I have would likely traumatize you.” Junon gave a smug grin as his paw started to stroke and rub at her breast once more.

“I pretty much pined for you for well over a decade, so if it was what you wanted…” Andrew gave her a determined look.

“You… are… I do not have words for the love I feel for you, my racha… Rest assured if it were your desire and it was within our means, I would… Truly… However, you are correct in your prior assumption. Only two Salarians can undergo the bond. Other mixed alien couples have tried in the past with… expected results… Even other psychic races.”

“I’ve one more question,” Andrew mewed out, his paws moving to scoop Junon up and pull her into his lap to hold her.

“By all means, my cat… my racha…” Junona pushed a paw up to cup his jaw.

“You said earlier, that you couldn’t have other sex partners once you get the chains, I can guess, but why?” Andrew asked.

“Hm hm… tell me what you think would happen, oh wise Admiral?” Junon cooed as she scratched his jaw with her claws.

“I’m guessing…” He mused while purring at the scratching, but tried to keep focused as he answered, “I’m guessing, if you did, it would establish a smaller bond like we have, but since the union is shared, it’d somehow damage or sever it?”

“Yes, very good!” Junon barked out with approval as she elaborated, “It strains the bond, that last orgasm you have when you mate with one that isn’t your partner, will be the last moments you’ll remember. You and your lifemate will both pay the price, and though it’s conjecture, the process of a damaged bond appears to be… excruciating before death sets in…”

Andrew shuddered and hugged her tightly. “Damn… Junon, please don’t ever get those, okay?”

She laughed and leaned in to nuzzle his jaw. “My racha… my life is yours, rest assured, no other could pull me from you, and as we do not need the chains, nor am I willing to wear them, you may rest easy.”

He nodded and just held her tighter, huffing into the fur at her throat, taking in the vixens sent as he knew this would be the last time she’d be in his arms for a few cycles.

-*United Space Federation Data Archives*-

-*Historical Conflicts Dosier #47*-

The Rashvian Conflict SD: 234 - 237:

The USF made first contact with the Unified Rashvian Khanate (URK) on July 23rd of SD: 230.

A tense first exchange occurred when a USF officer inadvertently insulted the Commanding officer of the URK vessel. Though outright conflict didn’t occur, the stage was set for a hostile clash that would later occur on the fringe of Rashvian territory.

On August 30th of SD: 233, the Captain of a lone USF scout vessel decried the enslavement of the populace of an underdeveloped world by Rashvian forces, citing the Primitive Planet Safety Accords(PPSA). However, as Rashvia was not considered a member of the USF at the time, there was no obligation for the occupying forces to adhere to this measure. The USF ship fired upon the URK cruiser after failed negotiations and was destroyed in the subsequent exchange of retaliatory fire.

On January 3rd of SD: 234, a formal declaration of war was issued by the Rashvian Khanate after repeated escalations over their enslavement of other races, citing that strict adherence to the PPSA would be tantamount to expecting their species to slowly die out.

The following years saw many clashes but few decisive victories on either side. Only two cruisers and one carrier were lost within the USF’s ranks. The URK used hit-and-run tactics, attacking opportunistically with smaller, faster ships, but struggled to land decisive blows. Around four of their own ships were recorded lost in combat.

After many stalemate encounters, a shift came on February 14th of SD:236. An ambush by the URK destroyer Dreshkul resulted in its destruction by the USF cruiser Faffnir. (*1*) The resulting victory galvanized the nearby USF forces. A direct assault, spearheaded by USF Captain Junon Topaz, pushed deep into Rashvian territory, striking key military complexes with the small squadron of five ships.

(*1*Note- See “Dreshkul Controversy” or “Butcher of Ralstan III ” for further reading on this historical event.)

After losing four more destroyers and the URK flagship Yankreh to the assault, a tentative ceasefire was established, ending the counter-offensive. After several key victories and the confirmed destruction of four ships, including the Yankreh, Captain Junon Topaz refused to accept the ceasefire before being summarily relieved of duty as Captain of the USF Faffnir.

On January 15th ST: 237, tense negotiations concluded after 9 months, resulting in an end to the conflict and the Rashvian Khanate being given membership within the USF. They were now to follow the PPSA and all other USF laws, and assistance would be provided for the propagation and continuation of their unique species.(*2*)

(*2*Note- The Khanate was afforded arbitration to declare colonial conquest on underdeveloped civilizations if their population reached critically low levels. However, following their integration into the USF, a significant enough portion of the Rashvian population has established consensual relationships with alien partners, creating no urgent necessity for such arbitration.)

-*End Archive*-

“Captain on the bridge!” At Leona’s call, the bridge crew all stood to offer Junon a salute as she stepped out of the lift.

Her breasts swayed in her top a little as she threw her paw up to return the salute while responding, “At ease.” She moved over to the Captain's chair and took a seat, while Leona took her command seat next to her.

“Status on the rest of the fleet?” Junon called out.

“The flagship is ready to go, we’re simply awaiting confirmation from one other escort and we can begin warp protocols,” Leona said in a completely neutral tone.

“Computer, let me see a final diagnostic report!” Junon barked out. A display immediately lit up before her. Everything was running optimally except one thing: the propulsion was showing a 99.2% efficiency.

Junon growled and bumped the small device on her right ear that simply looked like an opal stud but was in fact her communicator and universal translator. A small chirp sounded out before she spoke, “Engineering, why are my propulsions not at one hundred?”

“I’ve been fussing with this thing for a cycle and a half, Captain!” A frustrated female voice explained. “I just can’t seem to get that last point-eight! It’s this damn Salarian tech! I’m almost there, I’m sure!”

“Toth…” Junon sighed and stood from her chair. “First Officer, you have the bridge, I’m going to Engineering,” She spun on her heel and headed for the lift.

“Engineering, Captain?” Leona asked skeptically.

“Just man the bridge,” Junon growled as the lift chute doors closed.

Once she arrived in Engineering she was greeted by the sight of a Denlazi. Actually, she was greeted by the backend of the doe’s perky round butt, a fluffed-up tail the color of turquoise that softened to a white-blue near the base.

She was halfway in an unorganized chest full of what looked like a random assortment of tools, muttering to herself as she dug about, “Oh sure, Tally, the Captain won't care about that point eight, it won't matter, Tally. It's close enough…”

Junon knew the door had chimed but just put her paws on her hips, letting the engineer dig about a few more moments before loudly clearing her throat.

“Oy! What?!” The blue-furred deer jerked her head around with an angry snarl, expecting one of her lower officers, only to see the small fox standing there with her paws on her hips.

“Ah shit!” she gasped out in panic as she rose quickly to salute, but then smacked her horns on the rim of the open tool chest, offering a trilled yelp as it sent her off balance to tumble back right onto her backside with a winded ‘ooph!’ and wince. She blinked up at Junon, the cool blue of her antlers slowly turning to maroon as her wide purple eyes started to water.

“Oh my gods! I- I am so sorry, Captain!” She stammered, fumbling to climb from the floor, offering an apologetic bow that was standard of her species’ culture.

Junon hissed and jerked her head back as the antlers nearly smacked her own forehead, given even more deadly potential with the weight of a few small tools taped or stuck on the tips for easy access. The Denlazi didn’t seem to even notice she’d almost gored her superior.

“Oh! Oh shit!” She gasped out and stiffened up, giving a more proper sharp salute with her grimy paw, holding the position with a nervous whimper. She stood about as tall as Leona did, with none of the intimidating presence, but still dwarfing Junon, a shortstack even by Salarian standards.

Junon reached up and jerked the deer’s collar out, examining her lone Engineering star. She blinked at the doe, saying nothing, then finally rolled her eyes, released her collar, and muttered, “At ease, Chief Engineer…” The frightened girl eased her paw down but stayed mostly at attention.

Junon looked her over. Her standard-issue uniform was covered in engine grease and grime. Even her cool, bluish cheek fur was streaked with an oily black smudge. “You’re a mess… Did I walk into the drone mechanical bay instead? Name!” The Salarian said with clear annoyance in her tone.

The doe whined out, “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, Captain! I’ve been trying to dig around in that hyper-light drive enhancer that’s why I’m-”

“Name!” Junon barked with a snarl, her mismatched eyes looking fierce.

“Ah! Chief Engineer, Talleria Frostrose!” She yelped out with another salute.

“I was told I had the best of the best for this ship, tell me again why you can’t get my propulsion to one-hundred, Chief Engineer,” Junon growled as she walked over to the open bay, looking over the side of the propulsion module, one of four that assisted the faster-than-light drive.

“It’s these damn Salarian coolant flows!” Talleria grumbled, letting her exasperation show before the fox shot her another hard glare. “Oh gosh-”

“Chief Engineer, Talleria Frostrose! I am one of those ‘damn’ Salarians, I’ll have you know!” Junon barked, heat in her voice, snarling and sounding like her own drill sergeant did back at basic training. “And you should be grateful to have your grease-covered hoof-paws on anything my species offers you, is that understood?!”

“Yes sir! I mean, ma’am! I mean, Captain! I’m sorry!” Talleria blurted out, looking ready to cry.

“You’ve given me quite the staff to work with, Admiral…” She grumbled and took a composed breath before stepping over to the deer, pushing a paw up to wipe a few tears off her greasy cheek fur. “Stop crying, I’m not going to court-martial you or something, okay?” She spoke in a softer, gentler tone to the young Denlazi, who slowly nodded. She didn’t know much about this race, but she knew their horns would indicate their emotions. Junon glanced up. Given hers were almost red, Talleria was nearly in full fear/panic mode.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… I just… I’ve never handled authority or or… Oh geeze, uhm…” She sucked in a breath as the smaller fox patted her cheek gently.

“Take a deep breath, I’m not mad anymore, compose yourself, and then explain what’s happening…” Junon continued in that kinder, softer tone, and as the doe’s antlers started to shift back to maroon, she turned away to look over the injection system.

Talleria took a few deep breaths, then continued, “So, the system’s cooling flush mechanic is foreign to me, and yes Captain, I am one of the prominent Engineers in the USF… But Salarian technology is very mysterious to all of us right now, and I’ve only had about three cycles to go over nearly two thousand pages of schematics. That’s to say nothing of having to also look over any Rashvian modifications we’re using.”

“I can see how that’d be daunting, Chief Engineer… The good news is, though I’m no engineer like you, I’m slightly familiar with the concepts of how the coolant systems of my species work, at least enough to possibly assist you. My grandfather used to be a mechanic who serviced racing drones. Show me the troublemaker.” Junon flourished a paw towards the large compartment before her.

“Right, uhm… Okay, over here, Captain…” It was a tight fit, the space not being meant for two, and she had to squeeze into the little nook with the fox. Junon had to dodge some of her horn pokes again, but eventually, they were hunkered down looking over the piping and tubes that controlled the flow of coolant.

“Ah, this brings back memories… I miss him all the time,” Junon mused, taking a moment to self-reflect as she brushed a paw against the tubing. Then, she brought her other up to a small lever switch tucked behind the base of one of the flow-points. “Here is your culprit, Talleria.”

“Why… Why in the hell is it over there?!” She pouted as the fox snorted back at her. The doe’s body pushed up behind her, her annoyed breath hot on one of her large ears.

“That’s just how it is, however, I don’t have three paws. I’ll hold the tubing and casing to the side, you get in there and push that valve switch.” Junon explained simply, trying to ignore the doe’s modest breasts pushing into her back. Her tails were unable to even wag, which just made her angry, but she was trying to keep her cool over this sensitive alien.

“Yes Captain, sorry Captain…” Talleria whispered as she pushed closer, Junon giving a grunt as the doe snarled and tried to depress the valve. “Geeze, it’s stuck good…”

“Try jiggling it, they get stuck sometimes!” Junon barked in annoyance, the doe giving the jerking tugs with her paw but so far only managing to jiggle the fox’s plump breast. Her purple eyes darted down to see them as she gulped gently.

“Chief Engineer, I know you’re not checking my tits out while we’re stuffed in this damn box, pull, the damn, switch!” Junon snarled with angry eyes cutting up at the larger girl who shook her head rapidly, her own crotch shoving into her superior's backside as she bared down with most of her force. Finally, there was a loud thunk as the last tube of the twenty or so on this side of the engine flushed with coolant into the system.

“Finally!” Junon snarled and awkwardly climbed out of the tight area, fluffing and shaking her tails out with a sigh.

“Sorry again Captain, I uh… also didn’t mean to stare!” Talleria stepped back to give her horns room before making another apologetic bow.

“Forget about it, but you need to make sure to go over those manuals. I’m no specialist and just happened to know this one particular problem, we got lucky… Just remember, anything less than one hundred, might as well be zero in the void. I won’t put the lives of the other one-hundred and eighteen on this vessel in jeopardy over ‘good enough’, and neither will you, is that clear?”

“Yes, Captain, sorry captain!” She trilled out with another salute.

“If you ever submit a complete ready-for-launch summary with anything under one hundred again, I will court-martial you, are we clear?” Junon snarled.

“Yes, Captain!” She whined out, her horns starting to shift back towards red.

Junon sighed and pinched the bridge of her snout. “Just tell me you’re having problems, and that’s fine, you don’t have to be perfect, we’ll figure it out as a crew. I just don’t want you thinking that’s good enough, understood?”

“Yes sir! Er… Ma’am!” She eased her salute with a frown.

“Wonderful, we’ll be going to warp soon,” Junon said as she turned away.

“Ah! Captain, wait!” Talleria called out.

“What is it, Chief Engineer?” She sighed, a curious look on her face as the deer quickly grabbed a clean cloth, pumped some sanitizing agent on it, and moved over.

“Uhm… You’ve got grease on your muzzle and cheek…” Talleria said awkwardly.

“I appreciate you telling me so I didn’t return to the bridge like that.” Junon lifted her muzzle and tilted her head as she closed her eyes. “Go on then, it’s not as if I can see it.”

The Danlazi made a small nervous gulp but nodded as she moved down and quickly scrubbed the cloth against the small fox's muzzle fur in a few spots, then even one spot on her arm. Junon bit back a shocked yip as she also got a spot on one of her tails, not an area a Salarian was ever okay with someone touching without permission, but she’d yelled at the deer enough for one cycle.

Talleria stepped back with a small smile. “There you go, Captain, sorry again…”

“Thank you for assisting. In the future, please warn me if you touch my tails.” Junon turned and fanned her three tails out, waving a paw dismissively. “As you were, Chief Engineer,” she called out as she left the bay.

The lift doors swung open as she marched back onto the bridge to take her seat. Leona nodded her head in greeting. “Captain.”

“First Officer.” Junon nodded, both of them hanging on a glance before the fox shifted to look at the fresh diagnostics report, seeing one hundred on everything as it should be.

Leona’s nose twitched as she looked her superior over, seeing just a few faint smudges in her uniform and even a spot of fur that showed grease that Talleria had missed. She cleared her throat as Junon shot a glance over to her. “Permission to speak freely, Captain?” Leona asked.

“I swear if you start something on my bridge, Rashvian…” Junon snarled in a whisper but muttered aloud, “Granted.”

Leona asked point blank, “Did you help Engineering get the propulsion to the maximum?”

“Why?” Junon asked with a quirked brow.

“Because I can smell it all over you, as if you were actually getting your paws dirty and helping,” Leona said as she lifted her muzzle.

“Yes, I was. Is that a problem, First Officer?” Junon snarled.

“No ma’am, I’m just… Impressed,” Leona said candidly.

Junon gave her a cool snort but said nothing before turning her attention back to the reports, then raised her voice to address the bridge. “Send word to the flagship that we are ready to depart. Send a ship-wide announcement to prepare for warp!”

A few moments later a young black-furred earthling fox at the comms console spoke out, “Ma’am! The Astral is ready to depart on our lead!”

“Helmsman, is our course set for Aldebaran?” She asked even though she knew it would be.

“Ma’am! Course-plotting is ready, we can go on your order!” A young calico feline mewed out as she looked back at her for confirmation.

Junon felt a grin crack across her muzzle as she raised a paw. “Engage.”

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Welcome back, my lovely reader~

Being a writer is my dream job but it has full-time hours and doesn't pay the bills. I want to keep writing these stories for everyone to enjoy and your support on Ko-Fi helps make that happen. I also appreciate non-financial support like faving, voting, and following me here or on BlueSky. Thank you so much for your continued support! Please enjoy the episode.

And with that out of the way…

Welcome back, my lovely reader!

Our lovely Vixen has already had some tense drama with her First Officer, eh? Well, I’m sure they’ll work things out eventually, or kill each other, we’ll see!

Junon had a lot of baggage and knows every Rashvian would hate her on the principal for what she’s done, or would they? Sometimes assumptions can be just another form of prejudice, right?

It’ll take a few days to get to Aldebaran so- Ah, pardon me, cycles… Anyhoo, it will take a bit, so perhaps while they are in warp, a few chances to bond with her fellow crew will arise!

Naturally, some bonds will be more… direct, than others.

_Let’s jump right in! _

—♥—

Episode 3:

New Bonds & Perspectives

-*Captain’s Log- SD: 242 - July 14th Standard Federation Time*-

We’ve been in warp transit for the better part of two cycles. We should exit the star lane sometime next cycle, then we’ll see what this spacial fatigue is all about.

The tension with my First is alive and well. Even though we’ve not had any more physical altercations or verbal issues, I can feel the contempt just dripping off the Rashvian. I know if we were alone in a dark alley she’d put a knife in my back without thinking twice, which I can’t really blame her for. I’ve done a lot of soul-searching over that event, but even if it had been a ship full of Salarians, I’d not have changed what I did, I know I wouldn’t have.

I’m still awaiting the ship’s nano-compression modules that are slowly remodeling that one small storage bay near the dining area into a functional kitchen space with all my equipment. The damn thing sure takes its sweet time, but hopefully, it’ll be ready by end of cycle and I can start baking again!

Really, I don’t need personal funds these cycles, so I may just make the baked goods for the fun of it, letting crew members just come to relax at the little cafe-style tables I’ll have set up, it’ll be just like my old place, only without making any credit!

Seriously though, this has been tough to adjust to. I feel like I’ve slid back into my role rather well, but it’s much different now that I’m not breaking down into screaming fits of tears and upending my whole living quarters nightly in a fit of rage. I suppose even though I was a Captain for over a year previously, I could consider myself a bit of a novice when my own common sense is steering me.

I’m overthinking this, I’ll just push a little harder during my training and sweat off some of this stress.

-*Finish Entry*-

The door to the medical ward opened as Junon set her jaw with a grimace. She hadn’t formally met the ship’s Chief Medical Officer yet, she’d actually been avoiding it. Well, there wasn’t any avoiding it now; she needed help.

An older Rashvian was sitting at a plush chair and small desk with a datapad in her paws. She looked up to see Junon standing there, her grey eyes showing the calm wisdom of age through a set of lenses. Her fur sported large patches of silver as well, overtaking most of her once brown coat.

“Captain, what brings you here?” She asked politely, slowly taking her time to rise from her seat. Her salute was also a fluid calm motion, not the sharp snaps to attention like the younger members of the crew would make.

Junon returned the salute a little too quickly, a gesture she instantly regretted as she felt a pained yip escape her throat, her back seizing again as she gnashed her teeth, her tails going rigid.

The older wolf gave a knowing smile as she spoke in a motherly, sing-song voice, “Someone didn’t warm up and stretch enough before they worked out~”

“Y-yeah, Chief Medi-” She grunted again from a spasm before the Rashvian stepped forward.

“Call me, Claris, dear… Now put the titles aside and come here, let’s get to work on you…” She pushed a paw gently to Junon’s back, walking her along as if she were an injured puppy.

“T-thanks, Claris… J-just call me Junon then,” she stammered out, walking on the tips of her footpaws as if afraid to take a full step. There was a little more Salarian cussing and swearing as she was helped onto the medical table, lying on her belly.

“So… what movement were you doing when it happened?” Claris asked in an amused tone. She took out the medical tricorder and started going over the fox’s back, the device making a soft humming sound as it scanned her muscles and bones.

“I was just aggressively striking a dummy with my sword, not really… thinking, just trying to burn off some frustration…” Junon growled as she tried to ignore the pain in this position. She supposed the Rashvian didn’t need the whole story, including that she’d been shouting ‘shut up’ repeatedly to the voices in her head, dredged up from thinking too hard about her former Captain and the Rashvians on her ship under her command.

“Something must have been really troubling you, I’m sorry to hear that, dear,” Claris said in a soothing voice, while her paws moved over Junon’s back near the base of her tails. There was a loud crack as the older wolf pushed down firmly to apply some pressure.

“Cresh Cha!” Junon barked out in a snarl.

“My, what a dirty muzzle you have, Junon!” Claris giggled.

“You speak, Salarian?” Junon asked with a pant, the pain seeming to have eased slightly.

The doctor moved over to collect her Sonic-Occilator tool, then returned to the smaller fox. “A bit, yes… I picked it up a few years ago, well the parts the translator doesn’t catch,” she mused, moving the device over the muscles in her patient’s back.

Junon released a euphoric groan, her tails wagging as rippling waves of energy massaged and eased her tensed muscles. She didn’t say anything, and just dug her claws into the table, laying there enjoying the relief. This older vixen was currently blowing away any pleasure Andrew could have hoped to have given her.

A few minutes passed before Claris turned the device off. “Sit up slowly,” she said, “then stand and do a few stretches, see if I missed any spots, dear…”

Junon nodded to the orders, gently rising up to slide off the medical table. She twisted her hips and arched her back, still in her workout shorts with a hastily donned officer shirt so she wasn’t waddling to the medical bay in a sports bra.

“Y-yeah… Yes, I don’t feel anything…” She puffed out, leaning down to touch her toes and rolling her neck a few times, before giving a confident huff as she rotated her shoulders. “That’s… a lot better… Thank you, Claris.”

“That’s my job, Captain.” The Rashvian gave her a smile as she put her things away, her own thick, mostly grey tail wagging. Junon didn’t sense any animosity coming from her, not even the slightest glare.

“Chief Medical Officer?” Junon spoke up in her Captain’s tone.

“Yes, Captain?” Claris put on a more professional tone as the fox used her full title.

“May I speak freely for a moment with you?” Junon asked politely.

Claris tilted her head, considering the request, then flourished a paw towards the desk she had been sitting at. “Pull up one of the side chairs, I’ll make some tea. Have you ever had Rashvian Greenblossom tea?”

“I’ve not! But I’m a big fan of tea, so I’m eager to try! Thank you…” Junon quickly pulled a chair over to the front of the desk, as if getting ready to have a counseling session with the doctor.

Claris took a few minutes to withdraw a box, the tea was clearly from real stock, not synthesized. Junon frowned as she realized she was getting such a thing, thinking back to how much she coveted her own Salarian Grey. She almost insisted she not waste it, but she really wanted to try it, so she bit her tongue.

After the hot water was synthesized from the dispenser, Claris dropped one of her teabags in a steaming cup and then placed it before her Captain. “Let it steep for a few minutes… Meanwhile, what did you wish to speak about, Junon?”

The fox frowned and looked over to the older Rashvian, then to a display of pictures near her desk, it had some younger pups in it. “You know about me, yes?”

Claris lifted her ears and cocked her head. “You’re the Captain of the ship, Junon, of course, I know about you. Everyone here that serves under your command would have looked up their Captain’s details, yes?”

“Then you know… What I have done, to your kind?” Junon cupped the steaming mug in her paws.

“War is hell, we are a species that knows war well, Junon. I am aware and do not hold resentment toward you.” Claris said the words without a shred of hesitation.

“Really? Those are your pups in the frame?” Junon nodded towards the picture.

“My pups? No no, those are my daughter’s! My little grand-kits as it were!” Claris giggled with a shift of pride in her voice.

Junon smiled and relaxed slightly. “I… have been avoiding coming here, introducing myself to you, or any of the other Rashvians under my command…”

“Why, Junon? Do you dislike our species over what happened to your former Captain?” Claris struck right to the heart of the matter with the precision of a surgeon with a nano-scalpel.

Junon flinched, folded her ears, and then looked away with a grunt, just cupping her tea, as if choosing her words. “I don’t… I don’t have a problem with Rashvians, I just felt all of you would hate me on principle, so felt it best to not… burden myself upon you?”

“Ah… This is over Leona, isn’t it?” Claris mused with a smile.

“You uh… Know about that?” Junon tilted her head.

“Junon, I am one of four Rashvian on a ship of over one hundred souls, of course, the four of us will talk. Also, you sent her to me with a fractured wrist, how could I not?” Claris gave the fox a bemused smile.

“Yeah…” Junon snarled as she thought about it.

“She deserved it, I told her as such, and that she should count her blessings if she wasn't on a shuttle back home within a few hours.” Claris wagged a padded finger.

Junon shrugged. “I can understand how she felt. I won't ruin her military career over it. So you all stick together?”

“We are the minority so yes, and as to your concern with burdening us, rest assured, some of your fellow crew are not as… polite as you, the war is still fresh in their minds.” Claris set her with a strong gaze.

“Wait- I won’t have harassment on my ship! If you or any of the Rashvian are being harassed, you come to tell me right away, Claris, that’s an order!” Junon snarled out, her tails whipping behind her.

The older wolf gave her a crooked grin, as if trying to fight back a laugh, but then shook her head. “Junon, none of your crew outwardly assail us, it’s the whispers behind our backs, or the gossip when we leave a room. Rest assured none of us are being targeted directly.”

Junon growled at that, “It is still unbecoming as an officer of the USF to participate in such actions. I will not tolerate it and I-”

“Will be here all cycle, every cycle trying to prevent it if you tried. It is fine, Junon… The hate and distrust will ease with time, it always does.” Claris nodded to her mug.

Junon looked down to see the water had taken on an almost mossy green color. She took a sniff, the smell reminding her of juniper from the Sol system. As she took a sip, the flavor spread in her mouth rapidly. It tasted like a delicate mint, and reminded her of Froy berries back on her homeworld. She nodded her instant approval and took a longer, more discerning sip of the tea, her tails rolling in a wag. Claris could see by the body language she enjoyed it, moving to collect and sip from her own teacup as the two just enjoyed the silence of the medical bay in each other’s company.

After a few more sips, Junon finally spoke. “Claris, this is lovely… I really like it, and I’m honored you shared some real tea from your homeworld with me.”

“I’m happy to have won over a new fan of our Greenblossom tea, Captain,” Claris giggled, rising from her seat to collect the box. She took out three more tea bags and settled them down before the tri-tailed fox. “Keep them in a dry container, and if you really try, you can get three good steeps out of one bag, especially if you’re okay letting the last one sit awhile.” The older Rashvian offered a wink.

“Claris… I couldn’t take your tea! We’re trapped on this ship for… who knows how long! This isn’t something you can just synthesize!”

“Take it, Junon, consider it my welcoming gift to the new Captain, and a little treat for taking some time to sit down with an old Rashvian Battle Maiden over tea.” Claris pushed the bags forward, giving the Salarian a motherly look that said she’d not accept any further argument.

Junon grinned as she collected the bags and relented on the argument. “Thank you… uhm…” She sipped on her tea again, then perked her ears as she barked out, “Oh! Have you ever had Salvarian Grey tea?”

“I have not, Junon,” Claris tilted her head curiously.

“Alright then, I’ll return around this time next cycle before we drop out of warp, and I’ll bring some. Is that agreeable?” Junon gave the wolf a stubborn look, like she’d argue with her all cycle if she had to.

Claris offered a small motherly giggle at the determined young fox before her and nodded. “If you wish to do so, that’d be lovely, but don’t feel obligated to do so, Junon.”

“I don’t feel obligated, well maybe a little over the shared tea, but I want to. I’d like to get to know you, get to know about your grand-kits, and more about…” Junon trailed off.

“My species?” The doctor stabbed right to the heart of the matter once more.

“Is that okay?” Junon frowned.

“Of course, I’m very proud of my heritage Junon, all Rashvian are. I would enjoy hearing more about Salarian culture as well, so yes… Please come by next cycle, I’ll have the pot ready, you bring the tea.”

-*United Space Federation Data Archives*-

-*USF Occam Crew Manifest #1*-

Junon Topaz:

Rank: Captain

Born SD: (Age: 36) 206 May 11th

Home planet: Reiol Space Colony Orbital

Species: Salarian

Junon Topaz was born in the Reiol Space Colony, a massive artificial habitat orbiting the lone gaseous giant in the Salarian home system. Her parents were both Science Officers for the Salarian Diarchy before agreeing to tenure aboard a USF starship.

Junon’s childhood was spent aboard starships and spent very little time grav-side until she enrolled in the USF Jr. Officer’s Academy at the age of fourteen. Graduating ahead of her class, she enrolled in the USF Officer’s Academy of San Fransisco proper at the age of sixteen. She received high marks in her leadership, martial, science, and diplomatic classes while receiving middling scores in her piloting, and engineering.

Upon Graduation at the age of twenty-six, she had been slated to Captain a Science vessel as her parents had wished for her to do after nearly a decade of education, but the looming Rashvian Conflict saw her stationed as First Officer aboard the USF Faffnir and sent to the border of the pending conflict.

Once war officially broke out, Junon saw several key military victories at the side of her Captain, but when Captain Altwritter fell in combat, she took command of the USF Faffnir proper. She went on to rapidly form a retaliation fleet, the first and only offensive operation by the USF forces of the conflict.

As a Fleet Commander, her small squadron of five warships went on to strike several key military facilities deep within Rashvian territory, and Junon’s personal flagship the Faffnir had four notable kills throughout the conflict including the URK Yankreh which was touted as the unstoppable juggernaut of the Rashvian military.

Upon the loss of the URK Yankreh, the Rashvian Khanate sought a ceasefire to properly negotiate a peace treaty. Junon offered strong discontent for the decision to accept and was shortly after removed from her position as Fleet Commander. The Rashvian Khanate demanded as part of the peace agreement, Junon be tried by their own courts for war crimes.

Despite the brutal nature of her incursion and the controversy behind the Dreshkul incident, Junon was touted as a hero who shifted the momentum of the war. The USF High Command felt the fallout of sending one of their greatest Captains to a military tribunal that would see her executed would cripple morale. She was instead summarily discharged with high honors and a generous pension.

Junon spent the next three years wrestling with her PTSD that came with the psyching-severing her bond with Radolf Alwritter left her, a common thing that happened to Salarians who lost a bonded partner while within proximity of them.

In SD: 239 she moved to the remote Earthling colony planet of Undersveil on the far fringes of the USF borders where she opened a bakery and finally started to find herself again after years of psychic recovery.

Junon accepted a formal request from the High Command to return to active duty on SD: 242.

-*End Archive*-

“It’s about time…” Junon muttered to herself as she read over the panel in the wall, beside two large, sealed plasteel doors. She was going over the diagnostic details of the restructuring program for her new bakery to ensure it didn’t miss anything - when she caught someone out of the corner of her eye. It was her Ensign from the bridge who typically was on her comms.

Her ears perked and she turned to face the Earthling fox. He was younger, perhaps only a year or two from having entered adulthood, with sleek black fur and contrasting jagged yellow hair. It still surprised her that Andrew had assigned such a green recruit to her, but his marks had been exceptional when she glanced over his file.

Having turned to him properly, she waited as he seemed to awkwardly stare at her in awe, but then his ears perked up as he gave a panicked bark. “Apologies, Captain!” he shouted out as he stiffened and gave her a salute.

“At ease… See that it doesn’t happen again, Ensign…” Junon gave her own salute, a slower one, just out of fear she might tweak her newly healed back.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to stare!” He barked as Junon turned back to the panel.

“Stare? I was scolding you over the salute, Ensign.” She looked over her shoulder, her trio of tails giving a wag. The knowledge he had been staring didn’t bother her in the least, she was a Salarian, and stares were commonplace when she wasn’t at home.

“Oh gods…” He grunted and shoved his paws over his face, realizing he’d called himself out. “Ah, excuse me, Captain!” He wheeled on his heels and paced away.

“Hold!” Junon barked out, the younger fox’s tail fluffing out and his whole body going stiff as he froze in place. She left him there as she punched a few buttons and the large plasteel doors slid open with a hiss of air before she asked, “What were you staring at, Ensign?”

“Ma’am, uh…” He awkwardly turned to see the fox staring at him before the opened doors, paws on her hips, looking expectant. He hissed and barked out, “Sorry, your tails! I’ve never seen uh… a Salarian in person before!”

“You’ve seen me a few times on the bridge, Ensign… But I did see you attending your duties with mostly laser focus. Don’t think I’m upset with you, I’m used to getting stares.” She waved a paw dismissively.

“Permission to ask a question, ma’am?” He barked out awkwardly.

“Go ahead… and again, at ease, for Pete's sake…” Junon offered him a small smile in hopes of easing the tension of the moment.

His posture relaxed as he took a few steps forward, looking at the open area, seeing a counter with displays of glass. “Is this a restaurant?” He asked curiously.

“It’s going to be a bakery. I ran a bakery before I signed back on, and I only agreed to Captain this ship if I could set one up to run during my off-duty time,” Junon explained with a grin as she flourished a paw.

“That’s amazing! My grandmother ran a bakery back on Ganymede, I remember coming home from school and helping the family run it.” His voice was soft, and nostalgic, as he looked over the front of the establishment.

“Oh really?” Junon mused as she put a paw to her muzzle, rubbing her jaw in thought. “I’m not going to charge for my baked goods, I just want to have a place where the crew can have a sweet and some tea, relax occasionally, you know?”

“Captain… That’s so generous and kind of you!” His eyes glimmered as he clenched his paws.

“Heh… I just like to bake, Ensign, but I don’t want to get fat eating everything I make, you know?” She giggled as he chanced a look over her figure. She could tell he was staring but didn’t say anything. Feeling a chance to tease, she even turned to look at the storefront, her tails hiking just enough to give the faintest peak of her rear, the younger dog offering the faint gasp she was listening for.

“Anyway…” She cooed out and lowered her tails. “If it gets busy, I might have to hire some help though, maybe someone to wait the tables or help prep with me, but… Well, all the crew have their own lives to attend to when off duty, so we’ll have to see. I may just have to do my best on my own.” She sighed, exaggerating her lamenting tone as she put her paws on her hips.

“I could help!” the Ensign barked out dutifully.

She grinned as he took the bait, turning to offer a mock surprised smile. “Really, Ensign? I mean, I would offer you a salary for your efforts, naturally…” She hummed and clasped her paws in front of her, just slightly flexing her arms to push her breasts out, showing off the goods to finalize the deal.

“Uh… Yes! I’ll make time, I’d love to work in a bakery again, and work with you as well! That sounds amazing!” He clenched his paws and gave her a determined look.

“I’m very grateful! Let me just check to see if I have the proper list of ingredients for synthesizing…” Junon hummed as she took out a datapad and quickly skimmed over to the crew manifest. She had all the ingredients already squared away and had triple-checked that, she just needed to look up this cute little fox to save face.

Tyler Londre Jr - Rank: Ensign

Born SD: (Age: 20) 222 May 12th

Home planet: Orbital Colony of Ganymede

Species: Earthling (Vulpes)

Notes: Finished top of class at USF Jr. Academy of San Francisco. Received high marks for skill in fencing, negotiation, and piloting. Spent one year in Officer Academy before being assigned to USF Astral at the direct request of Admiral Nelson. Currently assigned to USF Ocaam, serving under Captain Junon Topaz.

She hummed as she scanned the details over. “My my… you’ve given me an interesting little prodigy, Andrew,” she whispered to herself. “Barely legal too…” She glanced over at the nervous-looking young fox, grinning to herself as she looked over his lovely, lithe figure, strong arms, and that cute, bushy tail of his. “Serve under me indeed,” she quietly cooed as she set the date pad down.

Junon spoke cheerfully, “Good news, Ensign Londre, I’ve got all the supplies I need, I believe we could possibly get this whole thing up and running by next cycle! Well, provided we have time once we drop out of warp!”

His ears perked up and his eyes sparkled. He wagged his tail and said, “Really, Captain? That’s fantastic, and… You knew my name?” He offered her a bashful grin, rubbing the back of his head, ruffling his blond hair.

Ca-ching~ She gave him a gentle smile and flourished a paw as she spoke matter-of-factly, “I mean, I can’t remember the names of everyone on my crew of one-hundred-plus, but you’re a member of my bridge crew, Ensign Londre, of course, I’ll take time to remember your name!”

His tail blurred in a wag as he gave her a smitten look. The vixen hummed victoriously as she pushed the datapad to her chest, taking a few steps closer as she batted her eyes and smiled. “If we're going to be working together, you may call me Junon when we are off duty at the bakery. May I call you, Tyler?” she asked with a playful grin.

He gave a small yip at the offer and straightened up, almost saluting again. “Ah- Is… Is that okay, Captain?”

“I’m saying it’s okay, Tyler, so long as it’s only when we’re at the bakery or in… private,” She hesitated on the last word strategically and saw him bite his lower lip.

Tyler nodded as he ended up saluting her anyway with a dutiful bark, “Y-yes ma’am! I’d be honored to uh… call you, Junon, Captain!”

She giggled and lifted the edge of the datapad, cutely biting the corner of it, blinking her mismatched eyes at him as her tails wagged. “Oh my, you’re adorable… Just Junon, Tyler, okay? No need to salute or string Captain after it, okay?”

He gave her a bashful smile at being called adorable and her using his name, looking away as he nodded quickly. “Alright, J-Junon…” He was obviously nervous and clearly inexperienced, but that was fine by her.

“So, do you know much about Salarians, Tyler?” She jerked her head towards the front of the store and started walking, holding the datapad to her chest again.

“Y-Yes ma’am!” He let out a small grunt as the vixen shot him an annoyed look over her shoulder. His tail shuddered before he yipped, “I- I mean Junon… Yes, Junon!”

“Try not to say my name like it’s a military title, Tyler.” She gave him a small huff as she kept walking.

“Sorry…” He whispered. It was cute, but it was also a little irritating. She reminded herself she was working with a young one here, she had to cut him some slack.

“Don’t be sorry, perk those ears up, Tyler, just relax, and don’t be so tense. Save that for the bridge, okay?” She gave him a small grin.

“Yes, Junon, I’ll try… ma- erm… Old habits, you know?” He laughed and rubbed the back of his head.

Junon thought to herself, ‘Old habits? You’re a pup sweetie, how can they be old?’ She grinned, then asked, “So what do you know about my species?”

“Oh, uh… I just did some cursory research when I learned you were the Captain! I’ll admit I didn’t dig too deep, but the basics like the Nephylle ritual, the psychic bonds, your present standings with the USF…” He tailed off there, as if he didn’t feel he needed to keep going.

She gave him some bonus points for pronouncing their ritual properly. “Very good, and how about our tails?” she continued, quizzing him playfully as her tails swayed.

He perked his ears in surprise and stammered out, uncertain, “Ah… I believe it was… every decade?”

She gave him an approving smile and wagged her trio of tails. “Very good, that’s right!” Her voice was lighthearted as she met his eyes, and she let him do the math in his own head. If he was clever, he should realize he was dealing with a female that had at minimum a decade of experience on him.

He didn’t take the bait and ask her age, so she mentally gave him another bonus point. She just kept looking at him, his blue eyes sharp against his dark fur, she could see the nervousness settling into them as the silence progressed.

Tyler finally broke down and asked a question, “Did you… have some times set up for when you’ll be open here at the bakery?”

“I was thinking we could open a few hours before our shifts started for the bridge. We can serve and bake until we begin our duty. It’ll chip into your free time though, Tyler. Baking is a leisure for me, so it’s not too late to back out?” she asked, offering him another out.

“No, I want to do it!” He gave her a stubborn look. She smiled approvingly at his determination.

“Alright, Tyler, if you’re sure…” She said the words playfully as she lowered the datapad to lay over her crotch, her paws holding it, making her breasts squish up together invitingly in the snug top.

She watched his eyes struggle as if they were weighted to look down and he was trying with every fiber of his being to keep them up. She looked him right in the eyes, daring him to take a glance.

Tyler gulped gently, his dark tail wagging faster, as if out of his control as he stammered out, “Ah… What if our shifts don’t line up, Junon?”

“If you’re going to be my baking partner, they will line up. I as Captain will see to it,” she explained with a simple nod.

“So… We’ll always be working together?” His ears lifted at that, his tail wagging faster.

“We will, we’ll also always be off together…” She batted her eyes, wagging her own myriad of tails, the young fox biting his lower lip at the look she was giving him.

“Shall I… show you the kitchen? Give you a tour of the facilities, Tyler?” She gave him a crooked grin as she flourished a paw towards the doors leading to the kitchen.

“Oh! Yes!” he barked, eagerly following her lead into the kitchen area.

It was the first time Junon was seeing it as well, and despite this having turned into a hunt for pleasure, she was keen to examine things to ensure it was up to her standards. She hated to admit it, but the place was better than her old bakery ever was. The workspaces were larger, and the tools were clean and highly advanced. She could see that Tyler’s eyes had grown more focused, he was examining what was on offer with scrutiny she appreciated.

“It’s a nice kitchen, wouldn’t you agree?” Junon hummed as she casually hopped right up on the steel counter, her tails rolling, her plump breasts giving an inviting bounce as the younger fox jumped slightly at her brazen movement.

“Ah yes… I uh… hope you won’t be sitting on things like that during cooking or service?” He gave her a lopsided grin.

She giggled and flicked her hair off her shoulder. “Don’t be silly, Tyler, of course I wouldn’t, but we aren’t in service or cooking time right now.” She flashed her teeth and lifted her paw, curling a padded finger as she beckoned him.

He gave a small gulp and followed her, stepping forward as she hummed and moved her paws to his collar. She pulled him closer still, spreading her legs to let him step between her skirt, the black fox giving a shocked if not panicked yip.

“Tell me something, Tyler…” Junon cooed as she moved a paw to rub under his muzzle, her claws scratching gently. The young fox’s tail shuddered at her scratching, his blue eyes rolling up a bit and the cutest little whimper escaping his throat that made her heart jump.

He shivered and managed to focus his eyes, biting his lower lip as he blinked at her. Junon offered an amused grin before he whispered, “Yes, Captain?”

She flashed her teeth as he slipped back to her title but played along, her paws moving to tug playfully at his collar and fondle the little array of Ensign stars there. “Were you looking at more than my tails back there, Ensign? Be honest with me, that’s an order…”

He gave a small gulp and nodded his head shyly, the older vixen giving him an eager coo as she fondled the stars, then tapped his nose. “Tell me…”

“Y-your backside… C-Captain…” He confessed, his ears drooping, an awkward whimper coming from his throat.

“Is that right… I want you to do me a little favor, Ensign… Will you listen to your Captain’s order?” She cupped his jaw, and the younger fox nodded rapidly, blinking several times at her as she huffed out hotly, “I want you to answer that question again, but answer it in a lewder way for me… use your imagination, okay?”

He gulped audibly and bit his lower lip, shaking his head slightly. She giggled and scratched under his jaw. “Refusing an order, Ensign?”

“N-no! No… ma’am… but that’s… so disrespect-” He couldn’t finish as she pushed a padded finger to his muzzle. Then, his tail jumped as she slipped her padded tip into his mouth. She felt him suckling on it slightly, his eyes wavering.

“Do as I order you… please?” She whispered hotly against his muzzle before withdrawing her finger, a trail of his saliva hanging from it, his tongue looking like it wanted to follow her digit before he closed his maw and gulped again with a nod.

“So… What were you looking at, Ensign Londre?” She offered the question again.

He shuddered and whispered out, “Ah… T-that nice round ass of yours Cap…tain… and uh… your sexy thighs…”

“Hm hm… not bad…” Junon kissed his nose, then grinned again. “You wanna… feel it?” As she asked, she grasped his paws and dragged them right around, feeling them eagerly slip under her skirt and grab hold without hesitation.

“Holy shit…” Tyler whispered, his paws flexing and kneading at the firm cheeks, not feeling any panties in the way thanks to the skimpy pair that left most of her cheeks bared.

“Having fun, Ensign?” She gave him a smile as she pushed paws to his shoulders, leaning forward so he could get more grasp on her. The young fox just gave her a series of rapid nods, his claws raking through the fur along her plump cheeks.

“Do you wanna touch more… do more, Ensign?” She whispered against his lips, kissing his nose again.

“Y-yes Captain, but… Uh…” He trailed off and she felt his paws growing more awkward upon her.

“Say no more, Ensign,” she calmly huffed. She knew he was younger, but she didn’t expect this much trepidation. That was okay though, she didn’t mind. She could be patient.

Tyler looked devastated as she hopped off the counter out of his paws, as if he’d ruined everything. But the older fox took his paw and gave it a little tug, and he bit his lip. “Ensign,” Junon said with a loving grin, “would you escort me to my quarters, then perhaps stay for tea?” Her grin widened as he practically barked with joy and nodded.

She straightened herself up with a huff, adjusting her uniform and flashing him a look. “I can’t hold your paw while we walk there, but try to keep your cool until we get there, okay, Tyler?”

“Y-yes ma’am… yes Junon,” he whispered nervously, butterflies swarming in his stomach as he followed his Captain. To some casual onlookers, it may have looked like he was being escorted for reprimand given how nervous he looked.

The door hissed open as she led him right into her spacious quarters. The Ensign looked around in awe, as this was the first time he’d been in an upper officer's quarters. “Holy cow, it’s so big in here!” he gasped as he looked about.

Junon just smiled, amused, as the young fox took a moment to get his bearings. Eventually, his attention drifted back to who got him here to begin with. As he stared at her, and Junon pushed off the wall she had been leaning on, his tail starting to slightly wag.

“That rank talk was rather cute back at the bakery, but you use my name in here, THAT is my final order for you, do you understand, Ensign?” She sauntered over with a sway in her hips and grin on her muzzle.

“Yes Captain, Y-yes Junon… I’ll try…” He whispered as she grasped his collar and pulled him down.

He had to take a knee to be eye level with the shorter fox, then her paw was under his muzzle, rubbing again as she whispered, “Let’s clear the air since you’re young, Tyler… I’m a Salarian, we love doing this sort of thing, you understand? You’re not going to become my boyfriend, you won’t get to sleep your way to the top… We’ll have some fun, and if I like you, we might do it again…”

“I- I understand but! I… I don’t have any protection! And I uh… I’ve never-” He huffed as she pushed a paw gently to his lips, giving him a smile before moving in to kiss his lips. Then, she tilted her head to give him a deeper kiss.

The young black fox shivered but returned the kiss, his head mimicking her own tilt, and as he awkwardly kissed her, she could tell keenly what she was working with. She’d have to be careful to not give the poor thing a bad case of puppy love.

Her tongue met his, as they slowly tasted one another for the first time. His form was sloppy but endearing to her, and a small approving growl rolled through her throat, followed by his own, more timid and nervous. Finally, after a few moments, she broke the kiss and he gasped, having forgotten to breathe through his nose from the intense kiss.

Junon smiled and wiped a bit of his saliva off his jaw, then tugged his collar gently. “Come here, we need to talk about a few things…”

He followed her lead as she moved to her large bed, pulling him along by the paw, but then she stopped short of it and moved to look up at him. “Tyler, I can tell you’re inexperienced, and that’s okay, but I also don’t know what kind of Earthling religious or cultural things you may have tied to mating.”

She continued, pushing a paw to her chest, “I’m a Salarian, we can’t get illnesses from sex, and we can’t get accidental pregnancies. Sex for us is very casual, I wouldn’t normally go into this spiel but you’re young and I don’t want to be unfair to you, do you understand?”

He took a knee and nodded as he looked her straight on. “Cap- Junon… I’m really grateful you’re being so upfront with me like this, I’m sorry if this is awkward for you…” He averted his eyes before she drew him to look at her once more.

“Tyler, I can tell you’re a sweet dog… I think you’re cute, sexy even…” She raked her claws through his blonde locks, staring into his shining blue eyes as she continued, “You can still work at the bakery, even if you want to stop, if you want to save your first time for someone special, I won’t be upset or hold it against you, I promise.”

He bit his lower lip and nodded, his paws moving to rest on her hips. “I mean… I already see you as really special Junon… The way you care enough to talk to me like this, warn me, and not just…”

“Use you?” She gave him a smile, finishing his words as he trailed off.

“Y-yes!” He barked. She felt his paws flex on her hips as he drew her closer, a growl bubbling up in his throat as she gave him a wider grin. “Junon… This is one of those situations in a guy's life, that I feel like if I didn’t keep going, I’d dwell and regret it until I died…”

Her mismatched eyes sparkled at his show of bravado, and she kissed his lips again a few times, then snarled and moved her paws to rub at his large dark ears. The kiss grew more intense as their heads tilted, tongues meeting again, their growls mingling as his paws grew more daring. She felt them push under her skirt, eager to touch her legs, moving up along her outer thigh fur.

She broke the kiss with a small huff. “Tyler, I’ll warn you of one other thing if we do this…” She pulled from his paws and grasped his wrist, walking him towards her bed once he rose to his feet.

“Yes, Junon?”

“If we bond, I’ll pick on you and tease you relentlessly while you’re on the bridge!” She barked out lovingly as she jerked on his paws, pulling him to her.

“I can’t wait…” Tyler snarled the words as they threw arms around one another, drawing into another deep kiss, falling into his commanding officer’s bed in a fluff of sheets and fur.

She let him take the lead for now as he dragged her vest off, tossed it aside, and laid her back into the pillows. Junon giggled and even gave him an eager groan, as her new prize started leaving little love nips along her throat.

His paw curiously pushed against the top she wore, the material riding up to show off her belly fur. She felt his grasp starting to creep up into the top, but he hesitated when it got under her breasts.

“Don’t be shy or nervous, Tyler,” she cooed out, grasping his wrist and forcing him to slide his paw up over her left breast. His eyes widened as he got a pawful of her soft plump breast, feeling her hard nipple and… something else? Junon just gave a lazy grin in response to his confused look and said nothing.

After grasping for a few more moments, he couldn’t help himself and just pulled the tight snug top up, letting both the vixen's soft, plump breasts bounce into view, nipples tight with rings through them, and a thin silver chain connecting the piercings.

Tyler’s jaw parted in awe as Junon squirmed about to get her arms pushed together, squeezing her full breasts together and giving a little shimmy of her hips to make them sway. “What do you think, Ty?”

“I think you’re incredible,” he whispered as his paws curiously moved over her chest. Junon flattened her ears and grinned as she felt him start to rub and massage at her breasts, lolling her tongue slightly and offering him a pleased pant for his efforts.

“Holy shit… you’re… panting?” he gasped.

“It feels good… don’t you pant when you feel good, Ty?” She groaned and playfully swatted his paws as she fussed cutely, “Don’t stop…”

“S-sorry! Y-yes… of course…” He bit his lower lip, his paws kneading and squeezing the plush soft mounds in his grasp, his fingers outlining her peaks, Junon shivering at the explorative touch of a young adult fox who had never done such things before.

“So… they’re… sensitive?” He asked as he gave each nipple a small, exploratory pinch. Junon just felt pleasure ripple up her spine as she moaned.

“Oooh yesss… Ty… Why do you think I got them pierced to begin with?” She panted out and gave him a lusty grin.

He curiously fondled the chain, his finger hooking it as Junon bit her lower lip, her toepaws curling and paws digging into the sheets in anticipation before he gave it a little tug. She let out a soft, hissing yip as he barked out and immediately let it go. “S-Sorry!”

She snapped her sharp teeth and shivered before licking her chops. “Don’t be… ngh… do it again, tug a little harder this time,” she hissed as his eyes widened. He gulped and did as he was told, giving the chain a more firm yank as Junon offered up a throaty moan of pleasure to reward his curiosity.

His heart leapt to hear her, shivering as he whispered, “Didn’t that hurt?”

“Hgn… pain can be good too sometimes, Tyy…” Junon snarled in response before deciding she wanted to explore too. She rose up and finished stripping her rolled up top off, yanking her long flowing hair free from her ponytail. As her golden locks settled down over her shoulders, she snatched his own off-duty top, tugging it up impatiently before Tyler lifted his arms to let her strip it free.

She wrapped her arms around him and shoved her breasts to his strong toned chest, loving the feel of their naked bodies touching, kissing at his collar and throat now, her trio of tails wagging as she rolled them both over so she was atop him. His paws moved to her hips, fumbling and struggling to work at her skirt until she undid the button and zipper hidden to the side. He awkwardly peeled it off to reveal her skimpy panties and garter that held her leggings up.

Junon sat up over him as she shook her hair out, making her breasts sway, before she moved his paws up to rest on her hips again. “Do you want to finish undressing me, Tyler?” She gave him a loving grin as he nodded rapidly and his paws quickly got to work unfastening her garter straps.

She rolled onto her rear as they shifted again. They were on a big bed, so she wasn’t worried about either of them falling. Tyler seemed to relish dragging each legging off, then he did something that surprised her as he tossed the last stocking free. He climbed over her and moved to her ankle, kissing at it, then moved further in, up the inside of her calf, then towards her inner thighs.

Junon shivered happily at his thoughtful kisses and eagerness to take his time to explore, feeling him kissing deeper into her spread thighs, her tongue showing as he got to her panties. She watched the young fox nuzzle her crotch, taking in her heady scent of sex. “You smell so fucking good…” He whispered with a shudder.

“So do you, Ty… ngh… what are you gonna do while you’re down there?” She cooed as he started to grasp her panties, dragging them down her hips.

He gave her a surprisingly confident look and decreed, “Figure out how to please you with my mouth!” She bit her lower lip as her wet panties were dragged clear, giving him his first look at a female’s sex, alien or otherwise. Of course, it wouldn’t be too much different from an Earthling’s.

She smiled as he awkwardly moved down between her thighs, huffing at her scent and staring in awe. He’d seen pornographic holo-smut, so he generally knew what to do, but it was still overwhelming to be right here before her like this. He shook his head and just went for it, moving his maw right over her petals, his tongue dragging out to flick and stroke at her pearl.

“Yessss…” Junon cried out blissfully, feeling him finally start to work her over, her body having been dying for affection since the moment she caught him looking. “Right there… right there… Roll your tongue at that spot… oh good dog…” She sighed as she braced on one paw, her other rubbing his head, raking claws through his blond locks.

Tyler growled happily at the directions, doing as he was told, just thankful to be here between this gorgeous fox’s thighs. Junon gasped and shuddered, then grasped at his hair, tugging a pawful as she offered him a blissful moan, his sloppy awkward laps finally paying off as she gave in for him.

He bit his lower lip as he watched the alien fox pussy before him clenching and spasming, his tail wagging at the sight as he blinked up at her. “D-did I just make you cum?”

“Yess… Very hard I might add…” Junon cooed happily, then offered a grin as he growled and went back down for more. She lolled her tongue, feeling his confidence bolstered as he lapped with more purpose, his lips even suckling a little against her now.

“Come on, Ty,” Junon panted with a lusting groan. “Please babe… please…” She hadn’t had any in over two days or even taken care of it herself. She had been ready to break out a sex toy in desperation, but this cute young fox was saving the day for her.

She felt him give a nice hard flick of his tongue and suckle against her as her eyes rolled up, a howl of relief filling the air as she crested a second time for her new lover. He lapped more intently at her clenching walls, tasting her alien honey, finding that he liked this new taste as his tail wagged.

Junon panted for a few moments, coming down from the bliss, before she groaned as he started to go in for more. Gently, she pushed her footpaw to his shoulder, coaxing him away.

“Gods, Tyler… that’s enough… I want your cock in me,” she growled as she rolled over for him, shifting to her knees and resting on her elbows, hiking her trio of tails so he could get a nice good view of the perky round rear that had started all this.

“This is what you were thinking about when you glanced at me at the bakery, wasn’t it, naughty Earthling fox?” Junon cooed as she looked over her shoulder, seeing him frantically tugging his pants and underwear clear. She flashed her teeth eagerly to see he wasn’t too nervous down there at least.

His tongue lolled as he kicked his pants off and his crimson length was fully slid free, dripping with prelove from its tapered head, jumping in anticipation. The older vixen kept her tails hiked while giving him a needy whine, as if she were a bitch in heat waiting to be mounted by her pack alpha.

“This feels like a dream…” Tyler whispered as he moved over to her, having to recall some of the holo-porn he’d watched to remember how to approach properly as he brushed his tapered, dripping length against her slick petals.

“Hgn… then you better get inside me quick before you wake up, Tyyleeerr?” Junon growled as she braced on her paws, pushing back with her own hips playfully as he yipped, feeling him push the tapered tip into her entrance, licking her chops as she looked back at him.

“Gods… You are so amazing…” He growled himself as he slowly pushed forward, Junon giving a needy, eager moan as she felt his length sink into her, biting her lower lip as she listened to his curious huffs.

“It’s… really hot inside and… wet… am I going too fast?” he whispered as he slowly moved forward.

“Not at all… in fact… Ngh…” She snarled and flexed her paws into the sheets, claws digging in as she internally scolded herself for almost telling him to hurry up. ‘Shut up, don’t ruin it for him, let him go at his own pace,’ she thought to herself, offering a needy whine as she looked back, tails wagging and her tongue showing in a pant as he slowly filled her.

“You are so beautiful, gods…” He groaned as he slid his paws around her hips and finally slapped his hips against her round ass. Junon gave a soft bark at the deep push of the Earthling cock that bottomed out snugly into her. He wasn’t hitting the spots Andrew did, but he still was big enough to make her belly bulge slightly, and it was the first time, he’d learn what buttons to press as they went along.

“Gods yes! Tyler… ngh… You feel really good!” She shuddered and started to rock her hips, unable to help herself as he huffed awkwardly and tried to match her pace with clumsy thrusts.

“Ngh… slow down,” she called over her shoulder. “Wait until I push back, then just bump forward… Okay?” He dug his claws into her hips, nodding at her instructions. Sure enough, she slowly rocked back, and as she was about to bump his belly, he gave a nice, firm thrust that sent his tapered tip deep into her.

“Yes! Perfect!” She barked out joyously as her tongue lolled out, her love gushing all over his sacs as her walls crushed him.

“Fuck! What the… ngh!” He snapped his jaws and whimpered in confusion. “Gods, why did you… get so tight!”

She giggled and gave a lusty groan as she looked over her shoulder again, her blonde locks scattered over one ear and partially obscuring her blue eye. “You made me cum, Tyler… Remember watching me clench when you were licking? Now you know how it feels insiiiide…”

“Damn… If that’s how good you feel when you get off… Guess I gotta do it again!” He snarled with bravado as Junon gave him a loving grin and nodded.

“Yes! Yes! Make me do it again, Ty!” Her tails wagged and smacked into his chest as he started to buck against her round rear, stabbing deep into her core as she shuddered and slumped down onto her chest, panting happily.

“Am I doing… okay?” He asked nervously between wet slaps.

“Yesss… Gods…. Tapered cocks are the best and yours feels so good, Ty…” She moaned into the sheets, paws dug into them as her nice round rear bounced to his thrusts, then the vixen arched her back with a happy whining moan as her walls crushed him again, her honey gushing into his crotch fur, making him reek of his Captain’s lust.

“Fuck! Ngh… that one was even harder!” Tyler protested with a whimper.

“Hm hm… just endure until you lose the fight, Ty,” she huffed over her shoulder, shifting her hips, before suddenly growling, “Mount me!”

“What?” He tried to focus as he panted and ground against her.

“Mount meeee… Climb on top of me! I wanna feel your chest to my back,” she snarled, “I wanna feel like I’m a bitch in the woods you climbed on top of!”

“Ah! I- I’ll… try?” Tyler grunted as he shifted off his knees, his jumping length almost slipping out of her drenched fox hole, but he managed to shift up, his footpaws digging into the sheets as he fell forward with a grunt, his chest pushing to her back, his elbows settling on the bed near her own.

“L-Like this, Junon?” He whispered into her large golden ear, his paws gently moving to rest on top of her own.

She shuddered in approval, her smaller body dwarfed by the larger dog’s, making her feel helpless and at his mercy. She leaned up to nuzzle his jaw, scent marking him for a moment before cooing out, “Perfect… fuck me like I’m your bitch, Tyler…”

The young fox shuddered but nuzzled her back, whimpering and nodding as he started to grind and rut his hips. Junon sighed blissfully as she moved one paw up to rub at his jaw, her other arm bracing, feeling his deep strokes making her belly bulge with each push.

“So good… So good…” Tyler panted out as she looked up, seeing he had little hearts in his blue eyes. She sighed proudly and kept enduring the strokes. She never asked Andrew to mount her like this, she only liked it from other dogs, and this little dog was doing it just right.

“Tyler… I’m gonna… I’m… gonna…” She howled out joyfully as her walls crushed him for the third time. He gasped sharply, his tongue flopping out of his jaws as he groaned. She felt him jumping deep inside, and felt the pressure of a knot starting to work in and out of her, showing her little Ensign, no longer a virgin, was getting close.

“Fuck… I’ve not been knotted in years, babe… Will you knot me, Tyler? Knot me like you want puppies?” Junon cooed as she scratched under his jaw while he ground and bucked against her dripping petals.

“Can I? I…ngh… How do I even do it?!” He practically whined the words, the talk of puppies just making those hearts in his blue eyes look more solid.

“Hgn… one more… please give me one more, then… just thrust nice and hard, even if you think it’ll hurt me, just push until it gets in, okay?!” Junon barked the orders as he nodded while panting into her ear, his sweat and scent all over her as he bucked his hips.

Junon flopped down onto her elbows, her tongue lolled, hearts in her own mismatched eyes as he kept stroking, doing a fantastic job for his first time. She whined and whimpered, claws digging into the sheets. “Almost Ty… a little harder… please?”

“Anything for you… anything!” He snarled and shook his head, he felt at his limits, but he couldn’t leave her disappointed. He had to give her another. His hips bucked harder, and her happy yips filled the air in response, as that growing knot popped in and out, fatter with each stroke.

“Ngh… Gods... I… I…” He whined as well, feeling like he was going to fail her.

“Cresh Cha! One last thrust, as hard as you can! That’s an order!” She barked as he gave an awkward yip of obedience and slammed his hips as hard as he could against her rear. Junon’s tongue flopped out of her jaws as he crammed that fat knot deep, and she felt it bloom, knowing he wasn’t going to be able to withdraw now.

“Oh… my… G-godss…” He shuddered, his body having had enough. His length gave a deliciously hard jump as the young fox howled out in a blissful euphoric moan, tears rolling down his cheeks as his thick ropes started rushing into her womb.

“Yes! Yes! Cresh… chaaa… yesss…” Junon slurred with hearts in her eyes, feeling his heat gushing in, her belly rounding and poking out cutely as if she had a puppy from him already, this young Earth fox having so much to give for her as her mismatched eyes rolled. A proud grin spread across her panting muzzle.

“Schooo goood…” Tyler drunkenly slurred, his hips slowly grinding, then he shuddered as his own heart-filled eyes rolled up from the feeling of her walls milking the last of his love. He felt lightheaded, having officially lost his virginity, hearing a loud, high-pitched whine in his ears as if he were having a bout of tinnitus.

He collapsed atop her back, exhausted and panting. The smaller fox grunted at his weight, but she was grinning and happy to have him atop her, heart throbbing to know she had given him a good first time.

“So… much… can’t… gods…I hope she… liked it…” His words drifted into her mind, his own internal thoughts and concerns. Junon just gave a proud, contented hum to know he was so worried about her, licking her chops before panting again, full of his love and quite satisfied indeed. Oh yes, she’d be keeping this one to be sure.

*-*

He finally awoke several hours later, the sound of low-volume urb-world prog-rock playing in the room. His body felt sore and worn out, for a moment he wasn’t sure where he was, his cheeks pressed to something warm and soft.

Reality slapped him in the face as he offered a little grunt, realizing his arms were wrapped around a girl and his head was on her breasts. What a soft and comfortable pillow they made…

He shivered and hugged her closer, thinking to himself, “Holy shit… it wasn’t a dream… thank the gods… I really hope she liked it and won’t-”

“You did fantastic, my fox, I was thoroughly satisfied, make no mistake…” Junon’s paw moved to caress his blonde locks, but he jumped away with a startled yip from the voice that suddenly burst into his own mind.

“Shh… it is fine… relax…” Her words actually came to his ears this time, her claws raking through his scalp as he let her guide his head back down to rest upon her chest.

“So you can… hear my thoughts?” He thought to himself as a test.

“I can, but don’t worry, Tyler… This will only happen if we’re a few yards from each other. I won’t be able to snoop on your thoughts if you’re more than, say, a room away?” She sighed happily while thinking the words, moving a paw to fondle his large dark ear.

He gulped and nodded gently as he thought, “Junon, that was… I really liked it… I really like you…”

“I like you too sweetie, but remember what I told you, no expecting this to turn super serious… We Salarians are no strangers to unrequited love, and I don’t want this to be a regret for you, understand?” She gently rubbed his ear as they continued their discussion in their minds.

“I know, I remember. I’ll try to keep it in mind…” He nuzzled her chest gently while hugging her closer.

She giggled at his tight squeeze, then cooed and resumed raking a paw through his hair. “Try he says!” She spoke aloud with another giggle.

“S-sorry!” Tyler stammered out, nuzzling her chest. “I mean, I’ll respect whatever you want, Junon, I’m not going to-”

She pushed a paw to his lips. “It’s okay, Tyler… I know how feelings can change and adapt, for now… Just respect what we are and are not, and… know I hope you’ll not let this be a one-time only thing?”

That got him to rise up and stare at her, his tail wagging as he huffed out, “R-really?!”

She gave him a grin but felt a bit of guilt settle as she saw the little hearts in his eyes. Her paw cupped his face as she smiled. “I’d like to have you over from time to time, yes… I don’t want this to be a one-and-done, is that acceptable to you?”

“Yes! Yes! A hundred times yes!” Her eyes widened as he pushed in to kiss her. She couldn’t help herself as she tilted her head, offering her tongue with a small groan.

Their tongues rolled as he kissed back more confidently, and she felt his paws moving over her breasts, then a faint tug on her chain. She broke the kiss with a soft hiss, her teeth clenching as he moved to start kissing down her throat.

“Hgn… ready for more already, babe?” Junon giggled out loud. “We’re due at the bridge in two hours… You’ll be awfully tiiirred and as Captain, I won’t cut you any slack for it!”

His length was mostly slid free as he growled, shifted on top of her, and confidently moved between her legs, sliding paws under her knees to heft her closer. The Salarian before him lolled her tongue in approval as he started stroking at her petals with his quickly growing length.

“Then I’ll take an adrenaline shot at the med bay before we start. I… I really have to have you again, Junon… please?” He groaned as he was already lining up to push into her.

She sighed and licked her chops, giving him a nod. “Alright, Tyler… but you’ll have to take a shower with me when we’re done, I won’t have you on my bridge stinking of sex with me, understood Ensign?”

“Your wish is my command, Captain!” he dutifully barked, hearts in his eyes as Junon gave him an eager grin. This expedition was already providing some lovely rewards for her.

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Welcome back, my lovely reader~

Being a writer is my dream job but it has full-time hours and doesn't pay the bills. I want to keep writing these stories for everyone to enjoy and your support on Ko-Fi helps make that happen. I also appreciate non-financial support like faving, voting, and following me here or on BlueSky. Thank you so much for your continued support! Please enjoy the episode.

And with that out of the way…

Welcome back, my lovely reader!

Well well, it looks like our lovely Salarian is already expanding her inter-species relations, eh? Tyler sure is a lucky fox, or maybe Junon is the lucky one? Guess we’ll see how that plays out!

Claris is sure to be a needed anchor to stabilize Junon’s worries, but how will the other Rashvians take that new bond? Will they see Junon as just trying to make amends, or is it a legitimate friendship forming?

Well, the ship is about to leave warp and they’ll finally arrive at the fatigue pocket! The adventure is just about to begin in earnest, but first a little more drama! What drama you may ask? Well, what do you do when your new lover meets your current, and also happens to be his commanding officer?

_Let’s jump right in! _

—♥—

Episode 4:

Prelude To Adventure

-*Captain’s Log- SD: 242 - July 13th Standard Federation Time.*-

I’ve managed to spread my wings a bit on my new ship, amongst other things… I didn’t expect it but I made two splendid new social connections that have improved my mood significantly!

The first was the ship doctor Claris Russlai, an older Rashvian and my first friendly contact with one of their kind since the war. We shared tea and I even learned about her grand-pups! She’s a fascinating wolf with a bevy of knowledge. I’ll be keen to talk to her frequently and hopefully learn more about their culture.

That being said, she’s a grandmother. She speaks so fondly of her puppies, and she says she understands that war is hell. I wonder how many orphans I made during that year…

Anyway, I also managed to get my bakery squared away and even got myself a little assistant to boot! Oh, he’s a splendid little Earthling fox, my only Ensign on the Bridge, Tyler Londre. After we hit it off I took him back to my quarters and, well I won’t get too salacious in my own logs, but suffice to say, I’ve a new bonded lover! I will be gleefully interested in exploring our relationship both in the bakery and the bedroom!

I tried to be as transparent as I could with the poor thing. I pray he listens, I know Earthlings can grow fond rapidly and though I like him, I don’t think I can let someone have a piece of my heart as Andrew and my former love did. I can’t open myself up like that again, there is enough blood on my paws and to lose another so precious… I feel I'd just go mad with sorrow.

I actually just finished my shower with him and went to make this entry before we headed to the bridge! Hmm… It’d be fun to tease him a little, maybe I’ll ask if he wants to hold my paw before we arrive. He’s quite an adorable little fox…

-*Finish Entry*-

The Helmsman of the USF Occam, an Earthling calico with the bright purple fur of her mixed Marvulian heritage, raised her voice to address her Captain. “We’re preparing our final exit velocity approach!” The lights of her display reflected against blank white eyes, and her spaded, wiry tail flicked in focus.

“Take us out slowly, Helmsman, we don’t want any crew having a sudden headrush and collapsing!” Junon replied from her seat with an authoritative bark. Then, to her new lover, she called, “Ensign! Send a shipwide notification to prepare to exit warp. Remind any with motion issues to please remain seated for the next few minutes!”

“Yes, Captain!” Tyler responded sharply. Despite their romp earlier that morning and his obvious fatigue, he remained professional. Clearing his throat, he spoke into the comms console, “All hands, we are preparing to leave warp, please take a seat if needed! I repeat! We are leaving warp!”

Junon let out a sharp snort and gave her crew a moment to sit or brace themselves. Her mismatched eyes flicked thoughtfully, as she imagined the pace Claris would take to rise or sit as a baseline.

Finally, satisfied with the wait, she looked to her First Officer and gave a nod. Leona returned the gesture before calling out, “Helmsman, drop us out of warp, but keep our vector at full speed for approximately thirty seconds, just to ensure the other vessels have time to respond as we are the lead!”

“Aye aye! Now disengaging warp!” The ship suddenly shuddered, as the streaking lines of stars across the view of the bridge started to coalesce into solid pinpoints of light once more.

Junon closed her eyes, feeling her head spin. She hadn’t done this sort of thing in years. Thankfully, the disorientation passed soon enough, and she soon felt safe to stand and survey the bridge. “What’s our current distance to the anomaly?” she asked.

“Ma’am,” the Sensor officer responded, “it seems we pretty much dropped out right where we needed to. We can close to the location within a matter of hours!” A moment later, he followed up, “Ma’am! Several more ships have left hyper warp including the flagship!”

“Good…” Junon nodded to Tyler. “Ensign, contact the Astral and inform them of our current heading!” She looked to the Calico next, “Helmsman, broadcast formation array Delta three to the other destroyers, we’ll take the lead!”

“Ma’am!” Both the fox and cat responded in unison as they set to their individual tasks.

Junon stepped forward and looked out over the view of the bridge windows, clasping her paws behind her back. Every protruding surface of the Occam she could see was shrouded in eerie red light. The majority of her view to the west was consumed by the red giant Aldebaran, which spat slow and perilous solar flares as its surface ominously shifted. “It’s been over a decade since I’ve been in the Aldebaran system,” she muttered, “and never this close to the star. How unnerving…”

“I’ve never been this close to a giant star myself…” Leona stepped next to her, paws on her hips.

The two shared a moment of unnerving silence, before Junon let out a deep huff, her tails shuddering. “Engineering!” she called.

A moment later, Tallaria’s voice replied, “This is Engineering, go ahead Captain!”

“Give me a status on shielding and radiation levels, I don’t want this damn thing cooking my crew!” Junon barked.

There was a tense delay of a few moments before Tallaria responded. “Everything is one-hundred captain! Solar shielding, radiation dampeners, even sound and light suppressors!”

“One-hundred, not ninety-nine?”

“N-no, ma’am! One-hundred!” the Danlazi stammered.

“Thank you, Chief Engineer!” Junon returned to her seat.

“A question, Captain?” Leona asked, taking her own seat as well.

“Go ahead, First,” Junon said as she leaned back.

Leona lowered her voice. “It’s about your discussion with the Chief Medical Officer.”

Junon took a deep breath and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, looking the Rashvian over. She had been working with her for about four cycles now, and the two of them had managed to do their jobs without snarling or glaring as much. Still, moments like this reminded her that the tension between them was still high. Any spat could shatter their apparent peace.

“First Officer, if this is gossip, it should wait until we are off duty…” Junon said simply.

Leona frowned, but nodded slowly. “Then… Permission to speak to you later?”

“Granted,” Junon closed her eyes and leaned back once more.

She let her concerns fade away for a moment, and reached out to Tyler through their bond. “You ever been this close to a red giant, sweetie?” she silently asked.

It took a moment before Tyler’s thoughts came to her in a stutter, “Uh… no but… sorry, this is new, let me finish my comms work, I can’t do both at once, sorry!”

“I apologize, take your time, Ty.”

She had to wait for a few minutes as her lover finished his calls, but his voice returned dutifully in her mind. “I’ve not been this close to one,” he said, as she watched him rock back in his seat with a sigh. “The red glow is kind of cool, but also a little distressing like you said earlier.”

Junon nodded her head as she responded, “Glad I’m not the only one. Being this close to that impossibly big thing? It just feels like it could easily push out and swallow our whole fleet up. I hate it…”

“Thankfully, any kind of stuff like that with stars expanding is always done very slowly, so at least there’s that!”

She smiled at his logical approach.

“Junon?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Uh… Can I… Would I be able to stay over again this cycle? I really liked sleeping with you, I mean… not just the sex, just… sleeping with you!” Even his thoughts stuttered nervously.

Her eyes opened and darted with a full-focus stare towards the Ensign, who frowned slightly. She slowly blinked at him, before looking back out the view over the deck. “That would make me happy, Tyler…” She slowly stood, catching the small wag of the black fox’s tail, while he tried to keep a straight face at his console.

“First Officer?” she then spoke out.

“Yes, Captain?” Leona looked up at her.

“A moment if you will?” Junon turned and started walking towards the lift. Leona growled, but she followed and joined her. The rest of the crew exchanged awkward looks. Of course they’d heard the rumors of their little scuffle. Junon made sure the small details didn’t get out, just that they argued - but that didn’t stop her crew from speculating further.

Junon programmed the lift to take them right to the very spot where they had been their first day, and similarly, she stood looking out over the crimson void as she clasped her paws behind her back. “I’ll be busy later, I forgot I had a prior engagement,” she admitted, not looking at the Rashvian as she spoke. “Perhaps we can talk about this now?”

Leona didn’t miss a beat. “Claris said you and her shared tea and spoke.” She stood next to her Captain, echoing her pose with her paws behind her.

“I’ve no reason to deny that,” Junon coolly replied. “Yes, we had a lovely conversation about her grand-pups, and I even shared some Salarian Grey tea with her.”

“Do you think learning about our culture will help you make amends?” Leona snarled, heat clear in her voice.

Junon shut her eyes, and saw a white spot seared into her vision behind her eyelids. If not for the light dampeners on the ship, the angry red star looming outside would be utterly blinding. Aldebaran was unsympathetic to her growing irritation. “What do you want me to say to that, Leona?”

“It changes nothing!” Leona angrily barked.

“Neither does your hate!” Junon snapped back, glaring at the wolf out of the corner of her eye. “Even if you threw me out an airlock right now, it won’t bring back those I murdered, now would it!?”

“So you admit you’re a murderer!” The Rashvian’s shout became a shocked yip as Junon grabbed her collar and wrenched her down to eye-level.

“Leona Sussnel, I never denied being a murderer!” Junon’s furious voice rose higher. “I never roosted on the war or said I was just doing my duty! It makes me sick when they call me a hero! Cresh cha! It turns my fucking stomach!” Then, she shoved the wolf away from her with a snarl, turning away from the look of shock on Leona’s face.

Junon rubbed her muzzle, her tails shuddering, before she glared up at the Rashvian once again and growled, “I said I didn’t regret it, I didn’t say it doesn’t haunt me! I’m no hero, just a killer.”

Leona’s muzzle wrinkled in a snarl as she adjusted her collar, her own thick tail whipping about. The two dogs stared at one another for a long moment, silent and tense.

“Hate my guts, Rashvian, you have that right… Just as Claris has the right to not!” Junon shuddered and rubbed her face, feeling a shiver rolling down her spine. She hated this whole situation... With a tired sigh, she said, “First Officer…”

Leona hissed, “Yes, Captain?”

“Do not bring this up with me again.” Junon’s glare pierced through Leona. “That is an order. If this is all you have to say to me, then do not speak to me again outside of work, and know you are welcome to leave my Command at any time!”

The Salarian shoved the Rashvian out of her way with her shoulder as she stormed toward the lift. Leona hissed in irritation, then barked, “Wait!”

“What is it!?” Junon glared over her shoulder, teeth bared in a snarl.

“Why… Why didn’t you court marshal me for that first day?! Were you just taking pity on me?!”

Junon narrowed her eyes, then shook her head. “I didn’t do anything, because I feel had the roles been shifted, I’d very much feel the way you do right now, Leona. That is all, no pity, no self-righteous attempts to make amends.” Junon turned and walked away, leaving the Rashvian standing there in the crimson glow of the star.

-*United Space Federation Data Archives*-

-*USF Occam Crew Manifest #2*-

Leona ‘Bloodclaw’ Sussnel:

Rank: First Officer

Born SD: (Age: 24) 216 March 25th

Home planet: Starship URK Rakreshel

Species: Rashvian

Leona Sussnel was one of three pups in her litter. Her mother was a Battle Maiden of the Khanate and a decorated veteran of many subjugation wars, but due to complications, did not survive giving birth. The trio of sisters were taken as wards of the Khanate military and separately adopted out to willing Battle Maidens. Since her adoption, Leona and her sisters have had zero contact.

Having been adopted by a prominent Flesh-Carver (Combat Medic), Leona was educated in basic medical practices but found her true calling in command. Unlike her late mother and adoptive parent, Leona seemed to be gifted with a silver tongue.

In the Officers Academy on her homeworld of Rashvia, she quickly proved herself a capable instructor, negotiator, and diplomat. However, she received lower-than-average marks in martial skills, leading to much speculation on if she were Captain material or not.

At the age of fourteen, she was under consideration to captain a small scout vessel. According to Rashvian tradition, she was challenged to a combative leadership rite by her proposed First Officer for the right to command the ship. The subsequent duel left much controversy attached to her military record.

Witnesses told conflicting stories of the duel. Many reported that Leona was bested in honorable combat, but struck the victor with a death blow when they turned their back. Other accounts said she handily defeated her opponent, and their death was accidental. Regardless, Leona’s record bears the mark of Kinslayer, and this would follow her for the rest of her career within the Rashvian military.

Due to the controversy, Leona was instead given a First Officer position aboard another ship. However, after only a year, the Captain requested her transfer, citing discontent among the crew. This pattern followed Leona through six more berths on various ships over the next eight years of her career.

At the age of 22, Leona was approached with a rather unorthodox proposal. With the ink barely dry on the new USF alliance, the Rashvian Khanate offered Leona an opportunity to study abroad at the USF Officer Academy of San Francisco. The official reason given was for Leona to act as a diplomat for the Rashvian species, but this was also an effort to allow her to serve away from the prejudices of her kinsmen.

Leona agreed and enrolled in the Academy. Upon finishing her two-year required tenure, she was placed under the command of Admiral Nelson who subsequently assigned her to First Officer of the USF Occam.

-*End Archive*-

“I missed talking to you,” Andrew’s voice hummed through a communication line, as he watched Junon flit about tidying her quarters. “I hate that we can't communicate while in warp…”

Junon giggled. “I know, but I offered to have you stop the fleet to transfer, you wouldn’t have it!” she playfully barked. She gave him a sheepish grin as she collected her panties off the lamp of her table.

“How’s the first few days of command been?” Andrew asked.

“It’s been… interesting… Leona still growls at me when we are off duty, I spoke with her earlier and told her if she is just going to keep snarling about the past, to not talk to me at all outside of duty!”

“Good for you, Junon! If she pushes it, I can transfer her…” He sighed.

“I told her she can leave if she hates me and can’t serve under me, but I won’t just strip her rank, Andrew…” Junon sighed as well, then shook her head. “I also met one of my other Rashvian officers, the Chief Medical Officer. We’ve hit it off nicely and even had tea together!”

“Oh ho… had tea or… had tea?” Andrew cooed.

“Andrew! She’s a grandmother!” Junon giggled, then flashed Andrew a grin, “Though I did run into that cute little Ensign you assigned me…”

“Heh… He do alright by you, Junon?” The Admiral’s amusement was obvious.

“More than alright, he’s a really fun dog… It’s nice to have someone on the bridge I can talk to in my head when it’s so stuffy!”

“Oh hey, speaking of having some fun… I’ve missed you, wanna transport over tonight? I’d love to share my bed with you, racha…” His voice lowered into that loving tone that made her shiver.

“Ah-” Junon huffed and clenched her paws. “I- I would love to, but… uh… I already promised Tyler I’d spend the evening with him, I’m really sorry, my racha…”

“Ah, I mean… That’s okay, Junon! You know I understand!” he mewed out respectfully.

“Thanks Andy… Had I known you’d have time…”

“It’s okay! I won’t be with you during the longer voyages to planets and locations,” he reasons, shifting his voice back to a bright, casual tone. “It makes me happy you’ve already gotten a few friends to make the journey better!”

“Thank you, Andrew… I appreciate your understanding…” Even though Andrew was taking it well, Junon guiltily fidgeted with her paws.

Andrew cleared his throat, “Anyhow, on to business. Our crews are stabilizing the fatigue as we speak. I think we’ll be able to set up the warp lane within half a cycle, then we’ll be on our way.”

“Any idea how long the transit time will be once we jump?” She continued busying herself with her cleaning.

“Unknown since we don’t know where it leads, but given it’s a class seven fatigue point, we’re gonna be moving fast!” He flashed his teeth with an excited grin.

“Toth!” Junon barked and whipped around. “Class seven!? There’s only a few class seven lanes throughout the whole of known space! Andy, this could be really risky!”

“Well, yes… Isn’t that what we all accept when we sign up for these kinds of missions?”

“Yeah…” Junon frowned and looked out the window of her quarters. “I just… I’m starting to make bonds, and the idea of putting them in danger, it… troubles me…”

“And that is why you are an exceptional Captain, Junon,” Andrew proudly mewed. “You care about your crew, even the ones that want to tear your face off!”

“Ha! Thanks Andy… Hey racha? I better get off here, I promised to meet Tyler and go have dinner… Sorry again?” She huffed out awkwardly.

“Don’t apologize, I really do understand and I’m happy for you both,” he cheerfully replied. “Have fun, my racha!”

Once the call ended, Junon flopped on her bed with a heavy sigh. “Damn…” She stared out over the crimson star again, her tails flicking about. She was happy to be getting more time with her new fox, but she also knew this might be the last chance she got for a while with her racha. Still, she wouldn’t do that to Tyler, she made a promise and she never broke her word if she could help it.

A few minutes later, she heard a ping at the door. She hopped up with a bounce and trotted to the entrance. “Enter!” She barked out as the door slid open. Tyler stood there with an excited grin on his muzzle.

She found herself returning the grin; his glee was infectious. Her tails wagged as he moved into her quarters, and before she knew it, their arms were thrown around one another. Their muzzles eagerly pushed together and their tongues met, as if they were starved for each other. They didn’t hesitate to make up for their time apart.

*-*

Talleria was on her way to the communal Mess Hall, when she caught a curious sight. There was a storefront nearby. The small space had about eight little tables set up with three chairs each. The counter area had glass displays full of various baked goods. Some were familiar enough, but many were alien-looking to her.

She let out a cute gasp as she recognized the fox that greeted her at the counter. The Captain of the ship stood before her, wearing a skirt and button-down top, with a flour-dusted apron over her chest.

“Ah! Captain?” Tallaria tilted her head curiously.

The tri-tailed fox gave her an annoyed grunt like she had done the other day in Engineering, then thrust her paw to the side of the counter at a large sign that read, ‘No Rank Zone.’ “No ranks beyond this point, Talleria.”

The Danlazi’s blue ears sprang up as she stammered, “Oh! I’m sorry, Cap- Erm… but… but… calling you by name sounds so disrespectful, J- Junon…”

“Just do as I say or go over to the Mess… Now how can I help you?” Junon flashed her sharp teeth in a grin and pushed her paws onto the counter as her tails swayed behind her, seamlessly shifting into a more friendly customer-service persona.

“Oh, gosh… Uhm…” Talleria looked around and nervously whispered, “I don’t see any prices for the items…”

“There are none, one free pastry and cup of tea for any crew member that wants one,” Junon said with a gentle smile.

“Really?! Why Captain?!” She trilled out in panic as the fox suddenly glared daggers into her, “Junon! Ju- non… Sorry!”

Junon let it go and smiled as she flourished a paw to the display of treats. “I love to bake, it’s a recreational activity for me, Talleria. Also, my stipend as Captain is more than enough to pay my bills, so I want to do it to make my crew happy!”

“Oooh… That’s so sweet of you!” The doe gave her a wide grin as another fox joined Junon behind the counter. The black-furred Earthling was dressed in slacks, his own button-down, and a matching flour-dusted apron. “Ah! You even have a helper?!” Talleria asked.

Tyler smiled and gave her a polite bow like he would do when he was younger at his Grandmother’s bakery. “Thanks for coming,” he said, “can I offer a recommendation? Do you have a particular flavor profile you enjoy, ma’am?”

Junon hummed and wagged her tails, proud of how professional her new lover was being. Talleria looked over the display with wide, eager eyes. “Ah… I like sweet and salty things when I have treats!”

“Well, Junon and I just finished putting a batch of Rugalarian danishes out. Rugalarian berry jam is pretty sweet, so we offset it with a salt sprinkle and crystal sugar topping, I think that might be right up your alley!” Tyler pointed out the row of treats.

“Ah, that sounds perfect, yes please!” Talleria said cheerfully.

“Today’s tea is a simulation of a black and green leaf blend from the Sol system. Do you prefer cream or sugar?” Junon asked as she brought forth a small teacup and saucer while Tyler plated the danish.

“I can only choose one?” Talleria asked with a tilt of her head.

Junon giggled and dropped a few sugar cubes into the cup along with a large helping of cream. “Both it is.” She then placed the saucer on a small tray, and her lover placed the danish next to it.

“Oh, it smells so good!” Talleria happily squeaked. “Thank you so much!” She collected her treats and moved over to one of the small tables, having to repress the bounce in her step to avoid spilling her tea.

“I’m impressed how professional you’re keeping this, sweetie!” Junon thought to Tyler as she cleared the counter, before leaving to collect the plates and cups left on the cafe tables.

“I’m really enjoying it, and I’m really happy to be doing this with you, Junon! This is amazing… you’re amazing!” Her tails wagged as she listened to the cheerful bark of his thoughts. She looked back at him with a loving grin and a pawful of dishes.

“Oh! This is amazing!” Tallaria trilled out from one of the small tables.

“Heh, that’s the fourth crew member to exclaim out loud over your danishes, sweetie,” Junon whispered against the cusp of his ear as she returned. “Good job!” Her mass of tails slid along his single one in a teasing flow. She glanced back behind her with a playful wink, hiking her tails up, catching the lovestruck look in his eyes before the swinging door closed between them. She moved to put the dishes into the sanitizing unit, a proud happy hum in her throat at not only having her bakery running, but a cute fox to assist her.

Her ears perked up as his thoughts found her, “You’ve got a visitor asking for you,... love!”

“Love? Is that my pet name now, sweetie?” She grinned and flicked her tails while quickly pulling some finished baked goods out of the oven.

“Is… that okay, Junon?”

“I think I like hearing it from you, it’s cute… Just remember what I told you. A thin line as you Earthlings like to say, yes?” She moved the baked goods off the baking sheet so they wouldn’t overcook, then brushed her paws off before moving towards the front.

“I understand, I’m trying… You’re just so amazing and…” He trailed off as she entered his view.

She gave him a loving, reassuring smile as she met his eyes, before moving to the front of the counter. Her ears perked as she recognized the new visitor, and she happily barked, “Thanks for accepting my invitation!”

“Of course, dear.” Claris gave her a comforting smile as the fox undid her apron and began to prepare a few cups of tea. “I had to come visit for the grand opening of the ship's only bakery, yes?”

“Tyler, sweetie, can you hold down the fort while I take a little break with Claris?” The young Earthling fox beamed in return and nodded.

After helping Claris pick out a pastry, Junon moved to a small table to enjoy her tea and the Rashvian’s company. Claris sipped the hot brew and let out a gentle hum of approval, before meeting Junon’s mismatched eyes. Her own grey eyes sparkled as she gossiped, “My my… the way your little assistant was looking at you, Junon…”

“Ha ha… that obvious is it?” The fox grinned, her tails rolling as she cradled her tea in her paws.

“How is he in the sheets, dear?” Claris asked shamelessly.

“Claris!” Junon barked a giggling laugh.

“Come now, I’m old but I’m not dead. He’s quite fetching so…?” She hung on the question, her wise eyes glittering with mischief.

Junon leaned closer and lowered her voice. “He’s so thoughtful… really attentive… Gods, the first time we finished and our bond established? He didn’t even realize I could hear his thoughts and they were just filled with concerns hoping he did a good job… Gods, he’s adorable…” Junon couldn’t help but lick her chops a little as she praised her young lover.

Claris giggled, “Oh my… sounds like you’ve got it as bad as he does, Junon!” Her eyebrows raised as she sipped her tea.

The vixen grunted at that and darted her mismatched eyes into her cup. Years ago she would have shaken it off, but she went nearly six years without much affection. Now, she suddenly had Andrew back in her life, and she was having a fling with this young fox. Maybe she needed to dial it back.

“I see I struck a nerve,” Claris said. “I’m no expert on Salarians, but you explained your culture views sex somewhat relaxed, yes?” she asked with a patient smile.

“I did… I shouldn’t get as happy as I do from his smile and the things he tells me…” Junon growled and pushed a paw through her hair.

“You’re allowed to feel how you feel, and you Salarians basically practice polyamory all the way until you finally settle down, if you settle down, correct?” Claris tilted her head.

“Sure… I was transparent, told him he wasn’t getting any rank benefits and things would be very casual…” Junon grumbled into her tea.

“Junon, it’s okay for you to love whoever you want, you realize this, yes?”

“C-Clairs, it’s way way too early to talk about that!” Junon barked. “It’s been like two days! He is not getting the title of racha any time soon!”

The older wolf simply smirked, amused by the fox’s fussing. “We shall see…” She took a bite of her pastry, giving a nod of approval at the flavor.

“On a side note… Leona confronted me about talking to you,” Junon sighed.

“I’m not surprised, she was quite heated and angry with me as well. Asking how I could so casually relax with the enemy. I explained to her that the war was over half a decade ago.” Clairis shrugged.

“Do the other two Rashvians see me as the enemy as well, Claris? As they are crew members and not officers, it would be awkward to seek them out as Captain to find out.”

“I would say they are cautious and distrustful, but that will pass as they serve and see your character. None of them have the… passion, that Leona does,” the older doctor said with a small grin.

“Passion? More like vitriol.” Junon scoffed and rubbed her face.

Claris wagged a padded finger. “It weighs on you, and that shows you aren’t a monster. Even if you don’t regret your actions, you can hate the consequences they produced, Junon.”

“Thanks, Claris.” Junon’s ears flattened as she offered a small, apologetic smile. “Sorry for turning our little tea date into more toth about myself.”

“I have said throughout my career: being a ship’s doctor is one part medicine, one part psychiatry. Think nothing of it,” Claris giggled.

*-*

As they tidied up the kitchen area together, Junon turned to Tyler and asked, “I’d say our first official morning cycle went quite well, what do you think, sweetie?”

“It was so much better than I hoped it would be! Seeing you in your element like that… Getting to work next to you and the way we just seemed to flow together… It…” He grunted and folded his ears, looking away.

“It what, Tyler?” she cooed as she trotted over. Moving a paw under his jaw, she bared her claws and gave his chin a gentle scratch.

“Erm… It felt right…” He whispered.

Her ears perked, and she bit her lower lip. “I… agree…” She pushed into his chest and hugged him close, enjoying his scent. As his arms wrapped around her in return, her tails wagged.

His voice and emotions filled her mind. “The last few days have made me really happy…”

“Tyler, I really like you, but we should slow down,” she returned. “I don’t want to hurt you… Won’t it bother you when I sleep with someone else?”

“I’ve been mentally preparing myself for that since our first night. I don’t want to tie you down or make you worry I’m going to pitch a fit if you want other options, Junon,” he whispered.

“That goes for you too, sweetie… I don’t want you thinking you’re forced to stay with just me, you know?” Junon answered, holding him a little tighter.

“I can’t fathom another girl comparing to you, Junon… I will keep that in mind though…” He pulled closer, leaning down to bump his muzzle to her own, scent marking her, then offering small nibbles along her jaw and down her throat.

She giggled as he started kissing and biting at her throat, dragging her paws through his blond locks. “Hgn… Tyyyler… we don’t have time… We gotta be on the bridge in an hour or so…” But she didn’t stop him as he slid his paws under her skirt, nor when he started dragging her skimpy panties down.

“Guess we’ll have to make it a quick shower?” he asked, hopeful, as he hefted her right into his arms. Her breasts bounced as she rose, then again as he sat her down on the kitchen’s metal counter.

“I suppose we will…” Junon gave him a sinful smile and licked her chops as she spread her legs. Her new young fox stepped between them, already eagerly working to open his fly.

“Junon… I’ve been starving for you since I woke up!” Tyler growled and wagged his tail as he parted his slacks. His fox length spilled out, already hard and dripping for her as it always seemed to be.

“I rode you into unconsciousness before we slept, you’re just insatiable!” Junon giggled and flicked her ponytail back before pushing a paw between her legs, pulling her skirt out of the way as she lolled her tongue. Her fingers moved to lewdly spread her petals, puffing out hotly, “You want this Salarian pussy, my Earthling?”

“I’m already addicted to it, love,” Tyler snarled as he stepped closer, stroking and teasing her pearl and lining up as her own lust started to slick his length.

“Hgn… I’ll be happy to be your drug, sweetie,” she huffed. “I won’t lie, I’ve been craving you as well… So get inside me already!” As she growled her order, Tyler nodded rapidly and slid his paws along her hips.

The young fox was still clumsy, but the pawful of sessions they’d had were quickly building his confidence. He started shifting his hips, pumping the tapered tip back and forth until it popped into her wet entrance. She let out a cute yip, then a needy moan as her young lover eagerly thrust forward, every inch sinking nice and deep until he bottomed out with his own moan of relief.

“Gods Junooon… You feel so good… it makes me want to cry in pleasure…” He was practically whimpering as his paws slid around to her backside, claws digging in, as he jerked her close and grinded against her.

“Gods yes… I love how your cock feels in me, Ty…” She panted as she threw her arms around him, her ample breasts swaying in the button-down top she wore, feeling her lover stroking deep inside.

“Come on, love… I can tell… ngh…give it to meee…” He moaned as his hips slapped forward hard. Junon gave him an excited bark and hugged him tight, her small body shuddering as her honey dripped off his sacs and her walls spasmed against his length.

“Gods! You’re… so thoughtful and… ngh!” She groaned and panted in his face, small hearts in her mismatched eyes as they stared at one another.

He started to rock his hips again. “You deserve it… I love pleasing you… Even if I couldn’t cum, Junon… I’d still gleefully please this gorgeous fox…” He groaned lovingly, his own blue eyes showing his heart for the older vixen that had swept him up into this crazy situation.

“So sweet… such a good… Oh yes… please baby… right there, right there!!” She barked again as he nodded and sped up, stroking faster as she barked out several small yips before his hips crashed against her to drive her to another peak.

“Creshhhh chaaa…” She locked her trembling legs tightly around him, her eyes rolling up as he drove her to release again. He grunted from the crushing clench of her body but kept grinding.

“So eager… so eager to do it in the kitchen too…” She panted in his face, feeling him just pump through her orgasm.

“I told you, I’m addicted,” he growled as he stole a few kisses.

“Mhm! Doing it in the bakery… naughty fox…” She remembers she’d offhandedly mentioned puppies a few times, and he always twitched so eagerly for it, so she thought to herself that she may be on to something. “You’re just trying to put a bun in a different kind of oven, aren’t yoooou?” Junon slurred while he ground at her core, feeling his length jump at her teasing.

He barked a laugh as he kept rocking back against her, “D-don’t be silly, love… I know we can’t-”

“Tyler… ha… my little Earth fox… You wanna do it don’t you?” She flashed her teeth in a haughty grin as he let out a small bark, feeling her walls already milking and giving in again.

“D-do what?” He stammered out, wincing as she was crushing him again so soon.

“You wanna put your little fox bun in my oven, don’t you baby? Don’t be shy, just tell meeee…” She moved her paws up to rub at his ears, staring into his eyes with an eager grin, hoping he’d play along with the roleplay.

Tyler shuddered and lolled his tongue, his tail wagging and length jumping viciously hard as she licked her chops, knowing she’d hit home. He groaned and nodded to her while slapping his hips faster, as they nuzzled their muzzles together.

“Say it… say it… tell me… I want to hear it…” She ground her hips back as best she could, encouraging the fox to explore the new kink she was giving him.

“J-Junon… I wanna… ngh…” He whimpered softly as she nuzzled his jaw with her encouraging nod. Tyler shuddered and growled, “I wanna breed you!”

She giggled at the very point-blank answer and moved her forehead to his own, both their tongues lolled as she felt him pumping. “Come oooon, Tyyy… More details… more details… I’m a slut for details… remember the staring at my ass thing when we were in here?”

He gulped loudly and nodded. His length was throbbing even harder, and his knot was beginning to show beneath the drippings of her honey. “I- I… wanna…” He shuddered as she nodded eagerly, hearts in her eyes while they clutched each other. “Gods… I wanna cum deep inside you, Junon… Ngh… I wanna gush it all in, I wanna put my puppies in you… Make you a mother!” He snarled for her as she yipped excitedly.

“Yes! Yes!” She barked gleefully, feeling his length jumping and twitching, that knot growing fat rapidly. “Me too, Ty! I want your puppies!”

“R-really?!” he yipped, his hips slapping faster and more desperately. She knew he wouldn’t last much longer - and she knew just how to really destroy his cute little mind.

With a confident snarl, her legs locked and she jerked him close, sending that knot in herself as he pushed as deep as he could with a startled bark, shuddering as it bloomed to full. Junon hugged him tight and whispered hotly into his large dark ear, “Do it, Ty… pour it all in, get your Salarian bitch… nice… and… preg… nant!”

He gave her a stunned look with his tongue lolled, unable to form words, before howling a desperate moan, hearts in his eyes and claws digging into her rear. Junon offered her own blissful howl as the Earthling’s cock spasmed and sent thick hot ropes deep into her again and again.

“Oh my gods! Oh my gods!” His thoughts flooded her own mind as he clung to her, grinding his hips, her belly poking out slightly from how much love he pumped into her.

“Yesss, give me lots of puppies, Tyler!” She hugged him tightly, thinking the words as he shuddered and gave another throaty groan as her walls crushed and milked the last thick rope in.

When it was over, Junon slumped back on the table, her tongue lolling while she panted. There was so much inside her that her abdomen actually ached just a little. Tyler slapped his paws on the table next to her, huffing with hearts burning in his eyes, looking her over. The faint swell on her belly made her look like she was already pregnant.

“Holy shit… I’m gonna… I… I need to sit down…” He used the last of his strength to hug her close before stumbling back and plopping right down on his rear in the floor of the bakery, leaving her knotted in his lap.

Junon cooed and held him close as his head pushed to her shoulder, his hot breath filling the air as she sighed happily. “Really liked that breeding roleplay, didn’t you sweetie?”

“Fuck yes, I did… Cresh cha…”

The Salarian giggled at the Earthling using her own slang.

-*United Space Federation Data Archives*-

-*USF Occam Crew Manifest #47*-

Tyler Londre Jr:

Tyler Londre Jr - Rank: Ensign

Born SD: (Age: 20) 222 May 12th

Home planet: Orbital Colony of Ganymede

Species: Earthling (Vulpes)

Tyler Londre was born in the space colony that orbited the moon of Ganymede. The largest orbital colony within the Sol system, housing approximately two million residents.

Born into a simple working family, he spent his youth assisting with running the family business, a small bakery in one of the residential sectors of the orbital. At the age of fifteen, he began to want more out of life and through the encouragement of his late grandmother, enrolled into the USF Jr. Officers Academy at the age of sixteen.

Receiving notable marks for his fencing, negotiation, and piloting skills, he finished his two-year tenure and enrolled into the Officers Academy proper at the age of eighteen.

Londre spent approximately one year in the Officers Academy before a fateful encounter with Admiral Nelson ensued. During an official visit to the Academy, the admiral gave a short lecture and speech to Tylers class. Verging onto the topic of swordsmanship, he jokingly said he’d welcome anyone aboard that could best him in swordplay.

All of the class respectfully remained silent, but Londre stood up to volunteer. The Admiral was impressed with his bravery and granted the sparring match. The entire class proceeded to watch as Londre kept pace with one of the greatest swordsmen in the Navy, the cadet narrowly losing the match four points to five.*1*

(*1*Note- There is academy footage of the match available for viewing)

Impressed with Officer Londre’s courage and skill with a foil, Admiral Nelson immediately promoted him to Ensign before conscripting him proper into his own crew, under the stipulation that he must continue his studies during his free time.

After approximately one year of service, Admiral Nelson assigned Officer Londre to the USF Ocaam under Command of Junon Topaz, citing he felt the Ensign was ready for the position and needn't be under his wing further.

-*End Archive*-

“Admiral on the bridge!” Leona roared out as she stepped off the lift with Junon and Andrew behind her.

Every member of the bridge crew of the Occam was present, even if they weren’t due on shift, and they all saluted the Admiral. Andrew saluted back as he stepped to the Captain's chair, his long coat billowing behind him like a cape.

A vid display popped into view to show Andrew standing before the bridge with the Captain and First Officer flanking him. The broadcast was being made to not just the whole ship, but the entirety of the fleet.

“Members of the USF,” he began with a strong, authoritative voice, “all of you across this fleet have been selected for a potentially dangerous mission to unknown fringes of the void. I won’t lie to you, we have no idea what we may be getting into, but all of you were chosen for a reason. You are the best and brightest in your fields. All of you, from the officers to the commissioned crew members, are elites amongst the USF!”

Andrew threw his gloved paw out with a snarl on his muzzle as he continued, “The fatigue has been stabilized and we will be jumping in t-minus three USF standard hours, please coordinate with your COs accordingly. Also please remember that the USF Occam is our primary exploration vessel, and should be supported and protected by any means necessary! Captain Junon Topaz is my right paw. Consider any request or order she makes to come straight from my muzzle, are we clear?!”

The whole bridge crew present shouted in unison, “Yes, Admiral!” No doubt all the officers and crews on other ships were doing the same, even if he couldn’t hear them.

“That is all,” Andrew said as he offered a formal salute before the vid screen blipped out of existence. A few moments later he spoke out more calmly, “As you were everyone!” The crew finally dropped their salutes but kept standing at attention.

“The Admiral said, as you were, sit your tails down and get back to your tasks!” Leona snarled out as the bridge crew did as they were told.

“Very good, Officer Sussnel,” Andrew mewed. He then turned to Junon and lifted his muzzle, before glancing back to the Rashvian. “Officer Sussnel, you have the bridge. Captain Topaz, a moment if you will?”

“Yes, Admiral,” Junon looked over and gave a nod to the Rashvian as she continued, “You have the bridge, First.”

She and Andrew headed for the lift as he called out, “Ensign Londre!”

“Y-Yes Admiral!” Tyler barked out, springing to his feet and throwing a salute with a shocked look on his face.

“You’re with me as well, come!” Andrew mewed as he entered the lift.

“Sir!” He barked out and quickly moved over to them. Junon heard his mind in her own, “What did I do wrong?!”

She had to focus to make sure she didn’t accidentally speak to Andrew. “This is news to me as well, so I’m not sure what the Admiral is up to, let’s just see what’s going on.”

Andrew didn’t even wait on the lift to reach their stop before asking, “How’s your station aboard the Occam going so far, Londre?”

“S-sir! It’s uh… Isn’t that an evaluation for my CO to make, sir?” Tyler stammered out awkwardly.

“I’m asking how you’re settling in, Tyler…” Andrew sighed before offering a smile.

“Oh! Very well, sir!”

“Permission to speak freely, Admiral?” Junon spoke out.

“Granted, for both of you, feel free to speak freely,” Andrew nodded to her.

“What are you up to, Andy?” She put a paw on her hip.

“I simply wanted to speak with the two of you, make sure he’s treating you well…” Andrew folded his arms.

“J-Junon? The Admiral knows about… us?” Tyler whispered, stunned and awkward.

She sighed and rolled her tails. “Andy… You’re scaring him, will you please stop acting so intimidating?”

Andrew blinked and uncrossed his arms. “I wasn’t trying to,” he quietly mewed. The lift came to a stop, and opened up to the communal Mess Hall area. As Andrew walked, cape billowing, polished boots clacking authoritatively against the floor, everyone he passed gave the trio sharp salutes. Eventually, they made their way to the small bakery Junon and Tyler had set up.

Andrew smiled as he looked over the little storefront, and turned back to his lover. “It’s really cute… Are you happy with it, Junon?”

“I am… I’m happy with it, and Tyler.” The cat’s question was still hanging in the air, and she answered it insistently. “He’s treating me very well, Andy.”

“Is that true, Tyler?” Andrew cocked a brow.

The younger fox lifted his arm partially as if to salute, but then forced it back down with a nod. “Admiral, sir… Yes, I uh… Junon makes me very happy, sir, and I’m trying my best for her!” He barked out and clenched his paws, his tail cutting through the air looking adorable.

The larger cat offered an amused grin and shook his head. “That’s good to know… You think I could get some tea and a pastry while I’m here?”

“They’ll be a little stale, Andy, all we’ve got is what we made in the morning cycle,” Junon explained.

“That’s fine by me, anything you make always tastes good, Junon!” He mewed.

“I want you to try one of the danishes Tyler made,” she countered.

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Because I am proud of them, he did a good job, and I want to know what you think. Is that a problem?”

“Of course not, Junon. I’m not here to flex, simply check in and see how you two are doing!” Andrew smiled over at Tyler. “Please relax, I promise this is just a social visit, Tyler,” he explained as he opened a gloved paw.

“T-thank you, sir… Also, it’s uh… Good to see you again…” Tyler fidgeted his paws a little.

Junon stepped behind the counter and began preparing some tea. “I’ve been meaning to ask, Andy… How is it that Tyler was paw-picked by you to serve on the Astral before being transferred here?”

“Do you want to field that, Tyler?” Andrew asked with a grin, settling at one of the cafe tables.

“Sir… Uh…” Tyler, already in motion to step back into the kitchen, left the question hanging until he emerged a few moments later with two danishes on a small plate. “The Admiral was visiting the academy,” he explained, nervously clutching the plate with both paws. “He was giving a lecture on tactics and swordsmanship…”

“You are quite the adept swordsman, Andrew,” Junon said with an understanding nod as she poured him a cup of tea.

“I am, and… what happened, Tyler?” Andrew gave him a playful grin as the fox set the danishes down before him.

Tyler stammered, “Erm… the Admiral decreed in jest, that anyone that could best him in a fencing match, he would personally take onboard, no one dared take him up on his challenge but uh…”

Andrew took the liberty of finishing the story, seeing how flustered the fox was becoming. “But one… Tyler here stood up before me, the only one brave enough out of a class of over two hundred! I made my mind up instantly, but then he actually kept up with me in the proceeding match!”

“S-sir! I barely held my own!” Tyler barked in protest.

“He got four out of five points on me, I barely held him off!” Andrew laughed.

“Really? Tyler, I should spar with you sometime in the holosuite! I very much would like to test those skills of yours!” Junon barked eagerly and gave him a challenging grin. She thought to herself, she probably should have read the full crew manifest about him before, then again she was on the spot and in a hurry since she was so horny.

“S-sure love… urf! I mean Captain! I mean ma’am! I- I mean Junon!” His tail awkwardly twitched and wagged as he repeatedly stumbled over his words.

“Ha ha! Love is it?” Andrew smiled as he sipped his tea.

“Andrew… be nice,” Junon warned with a growl. The cat offered a paw in submission.

“May I ask a question, sir?” Tyler asked.

“Only if you call me Andrew or Andy while we’re at the cafe, you’re breaking your own posted rules,” He nodded to the sign near the counter.

Tyler ground his teeth, as if saying the Admiral’s name was such an affront, but he finally sighed out, “Alright, Andrew… Anyway, why were you so worried about me and Junon?”

“Because I’ve known Junon for over a decade, and we are… very close,” Andrew answered openly.

“He and I are bound like you are with me, Tyler. Andrew and I have been doing this for a long time… He is the one person in this universe I trust above all else,” Junon continued, matter-of-factly.

Tyler gave a small nod at the explanation and then asked, “Andrew, does me being with Junon bother you?”

“No, Tyler. I have known Junon for a long time. Your relationship with her does not bother me in the least. I even support it, and I’m happy to know she will have a companion when I am not nearby.” Andrew wagged a finger and took a more serious tone, “However… If you hurt her…”

“Andrew Nelson, you promised this was not some flex!” she barked out with a glare.

“Forgive me Junon, but I will always protect your heart if I can help it,” he said politely.

“My heart is fine, and Tyler is a wonderful fox, I trust him and…” She grunted as she found she had so readily defended him, so readily… trusted him?

Tyler’s tail was blurring in a wag, a small loving grin on his muzzle he couldn’t hope to contain. Andrew’ eyebrows raised as he spoke, “High praise, very high coming from you, Junon…”

He then lifted his teacup as he spoke over to the other fox, “Tyler, you take care of my racha, you understand? That is an order.”

Tyler bit his lower lip but nodded rapidly. “Yes sir, even if you didn’t order me, I would have!”

The Admiral nibbled on the danish as he thought to Junon, “This isn’t like you… Is he just naturally getting his claws in that fast, or is something else going on?”

“I really can’t say, Andy,” Junon thought back to him with a frown. “I keep telling myself to keep him at a distance, but I just keep wanting to draw him closer… I’m not sure if it’s him or I’m just affection-starved after the years without you…” She moved to pour herself and Tyler a cup of their own tea.

“Junon, sometimes we just have to follow our gut, you know? He seems to really like you, maybe he’s even going to be another you may eventually consider your racha?”

“Andy… I don’t want to ever think about that… Think about replacing Radolf…” As she continued to respond with her mind, she sighed out loud.

“Junon, you’re not replacing him… You finding another love doesn’t replace that any more than I feel it would replace ours… I know things are happening fast all over right now, what with the new position, the ship, etcetera… But you should live your life, and take those risks, that’s what I did when I came to get you!” Andrew locked eyes with her, his expression determined.

Tyler cleared his throat, calling attention to the lingering silence as they both turned to look at him. “Are you guys talking right now?” he asked softly.

“We are, Tyler,” Junon answered out loud.

“I’ll excuse myself and return to duty so you two can have some time together,” Tyler said as he offered a salute before looking right at Andrew. “Sir, I care very much for your racha! Thank you for trusting me, I won’t let you down!”

He had already spun on his heel and started to retreat as Junon barked out, “Now wait just a sec!” However, Tyler kept walking.

“It’s okay, he’s doing what he thinks is best and respecting you, racha…” Andrew gave an approving nod to the young fox’s back.

Junon sighed as she took a seat and cradled her tea in her paws. “I’ve never even mentioned racha as a term…”

“He heard me saying it, and… I wouldn’t be surprised if once you two started dating, he voraciously started consuming Salarian history and cultural data to make a good impression on you… Racha is a term that would have stood out to him instantly.”

“Dating? I never said we were even dating!” She growled, frustrated.

“Are you not?” He gave her a surprised look.

“No! I mean… maybe?! I don’t fucking know! Cresh cha!” She slapped a paw to the table and pushed the other one through her hair. “I’ve been so twisted up lately… Ever since I got on this damn ship… One minute I feel like a psychopathic monster, the next I’m on a cloud…”

“You’ve got a lot going on in a short time. It was a tall order to ask you to resume command after such a long hiatus, Junon. I apologize for the stress,” he sighed.

“Hiatus? Andrew, I spent most of that year as Captain just doing my job and breaking down during my personal time… This is my first command that isn’t fraught with blood-thirst…” She snarled as she rubbed her face again, slowly shaking her head.

“How do you think you’re doing so far?” He asked coolly.

“How do I think I’m doing?” She snarled and glared at him. “I have a First Officer that hates me, an Ensign that looks like he wants to try some chains on his ears, and a retired battle maiden that’s finding the whole thing rather amusing… Ugh, and my Chief Engineer who probably wets herself whenever she sees me…”

“I’ll take a First that hates me over one like Brox who is just a walking codex of USF laws and constantly reminds me of it… Other than that, it sounds like you’re having a lively time!” he mewed out with a chuckle.

“Lively?” She growled and shook her head. “I mean I guess I’m not bored, but now I’m worried about hurting Tyler…”

“He seems to have his head on straight and he took all of this rather well, I think you should just be honest with him and yourself as you guys progress!” He wagged a gloved finger at her.

“Oh thanks for the sage advice, are you my father now?” She huffed, but the heat wasn’t there in her voice.

“I’m technically old enough to be!” He mewed playfully and winked.

“Heh! Yeah I guess that’s fair! It’d be cutting it close… You Earthlings reach sexual maturity faster than we Salarians do, I forget that sometimes.” She growled then gave him a playful smile. “Thanks for trying to cheer me up…”

“About your First… I took her aside and asked her what she thought of you so far. She said she admired your determination and strength,” Andrew said as he finished off the last bites of his danish.

“She was probably just talking politely because badmouthing a superior is poor form, especially to their commanding officer,” Junon said matter-of-factly.

“I don’t believe that’s the case, given we were speaking freely about the matter. I think you’ve seen she won’t hesitate to say what’s on her mind if you put rank aside,” he countered.

She just grunted and glared down at her empty teacup.

“Junon, I wish I could do more to assure you that you’re doing just fine… Trust yourself and try to enjoy the ride, okay?” He gave her a reassuring smile.

“Thank you, my racha… I’m sorry we couldn’t get together like you wanted before we hit the new lane…” She sighed and folded her ears.

“It’s okay, I’m getting some time with you now. Any time with you is precious time, Junon, even if it’s not rolling around in the sheets. I’m sure Tyler would say the same!” He gave her a wink.

“Tch… The sappy fox said something to that effect while we were working this morning cycle… Maybe I just pull in the mushy ones!” She flashed a grin to him, showing she was trying to be in better spirits.

A small chirp echoed out from his communicator. He sighed and lifted it to his muzzle. “Go ahead…”

“Admiral, you’re needed on the bridge to finalize something before the fleet moves!” Brox’s voice barked out in a no-nonsense tone.

“I’ll be there shortly,” Andrew responded before frowning at Junon.

“We’ll make some time after we get to wherever we're going, okay, my racha?” She moved right over and slid into his lap right there in the open, not caring who saw.

“Sounds good…” He purred nice and loud as she leaned up and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply as her tails rolled, his paws sliding over her hips while they embraced.

*-*

“Still waiting on those diagnostic reports, Chief Engineer, the whole fleet’s waiting on our dragging tails!” Junon grumbled out loud.

“If you want one-hundreds across the board,” Tallaria’s voice shot back through the comms, “I’ll need a few more minutes! It’s not my fault one of the coolant lines decided to clog again!”

Junon sighed and leaned back in her chair. She closed her eyes and thought to Tyler, “Sorry the Admiral put you on the spot back there…”

His ears perked as he looked up from his console and thought back to her, “It’s really okay, Junon… I’m sorry if I’m stressing you out, should I dial it back on my uh… fervor?”

She gave an internal chuckle as she shook her head. “Tyler, I’ve really enjoyed this time with you, I don’t want to restrain how you feel, nor do I want to restrain myself when it comes to you… So let’s just play it by ear and see where it goes, okay?”

“That sounds good to me!” She could practically hear his eager bark in her head.

“So… You been studying up on Salarian culture I assume? You recognized the word ‘Racha’?”

“Yes… I wanted to get to know your culture better as a sign of respect and … commitment?” He seemed to hang on the word.

“How did you feel when you saw the word?” She opened her eyes and looked right at him.

He frowned at her and looked worried. “Junon, uh…”

“Just answer me honestly, Ty.” She gave him a small fussy look.

“It was a word I hoped to share with you someday, that was my instinctive response when I saw it.” He lifted his muzzle.

“Andrew is one of only two that I’ve ever used that word with, Tyler, and the other… Well, you know that story.” Junoned closed her eyes and leaned back once more.

“I apologize for bringing up old painful memories…” He closed his own eyes with a frown.

“Don’t be…” She looked back at him again. “I like you, Tyler, I really find myself liking you more than I thought I would… We’ll just give it some time and see. I’m not promising I’ll ever use that word with you, but I’m not saying I won’t either… Is that fair?” She saw him smile and nod at her.

Then, her mismatched eyes darted over to see her First Officer looking between the two of them. When she noticed she’d been caught, Leona said nothing but lifted her muzzle. The fox just showed a snarl but said nothing.

A few moments later the diagnostic report pinged. She looked it over and saw all green, all one-hundred. Satisfied, she called out, “Thank you, Chief Officer!”

“You can thank me by letting me eject this damn thing into a star later!” Tallaria panted. “Either way you’re good to go, Captain!”

“Ensign, signal to the fleet we’re ready and then a shipwide if you will!” Junon barked over at Tyler, then continued to the purple calico, “Helmsman, once the fleet is in formation, bring us to the new lane nice and slow.”

“Aye Captain!” they responded in unison. Tyler opened the appropriate channels and announced, “All crew, prepare for an unstable lane jump. All personnel are requested to be seated and safety harnesses are to remain in place!”

Junon could see the swirling distortion of space come into view as the ship slowly approached, like a twisting maelstrom in the void that was ready to draw them in. She felt a shiver roll up her spine at the sight of it, knowing none of them had any idea where this would lead. The probes returned just enough data to know the space was habitable, so at least they weren’t jumping into the middle of a star or something. Beyond that, they were blind.

“All ships have confirmed and await our lead!” Tyler barked out.

Junon clicked her own harness into place and then lifted a paw, “Take us in, Helmsman!”

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