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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!

When last we left our lovely Captain, there was sure enough tension in the air, and I don’t mean from just that hyper-space storm that was bearing down on them! Between Leona’s new bond, Tyler, and the interesting little Danlazi engineer, it sounds like Junon’s going to have her paws full soon!

Speaking of paws, Junon’s are going to be pretty busy right from the get go this episode, and I don’t mean that in a lewd way! Seriously, what kind of tale do you think this is? Yeah, don’t answer that!

Anyhoo, why don’t we jump in and see how Junon and Talleria are getting along? On the note of getting along, I do wonder how Leona and Tyler will do, now that Junon is a factor for the both of them, don’t you?

Let’s jump right in!

—*—

Episode 8:

Bonds Through Adversity

-*Captain’s Log- SD: 242 - August 7th Standard Federation Time.*-

A day has passed since our narrow scrape with that neutron star, but now we’ve got another problem on the horizon. Hyperspace storms are no big deal usually, warping straight through them is basically harmless, but being anchored in one or traveling through it at impulse? It’s theoretically possible, but even with a fully functional ship, I’d not want to take that gamble.

I’ve got so many questions right now. What’s going on with that dream I had last night… Lashrey Cha Derheth, the dreaming bond… Leona Sussnel… Why are you having this effect on me, and why did my heart feel like it was being rendered from my chest when I saw your tears? I’ve bullied her and teased her for weeks, but seeing her like that almost undid me…

I’ll have to do a deep research dive on my own culture and the history of Lashrey Cha Derheth. I never expected to experience such a thing in my lifetime, but I digress… Focus on the present problems, worry about your personal toth when the ship and his crew are safe!

I’ll end the report here, I’m about to head down to Engineering and roll my sleeves up. I may not be much help, but if I can give us a better chance of outrunning that storm, I’m happy to take orders from that cute Danlazi.

-*Finish Entry*-

“I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t expect ancient classical music to be playing down here while you worked!” Junon barked out over what sounded like Baroque-style music coming from the speakers in Engineering.

Talleria’s horns shifted colors as she peered at the fox over a reactor valve. “Does it bother you?” she asked with a level of concern Junon didn’t expect to hear.

“What? No, I don’t mind it! I think it sounds nice. I’m just surprised, that’s all.” Junon explained, as what sounded like a violin joined in at the end of a harpsichord solo.

“Oh! Oh good…” Talleria dipped back down with a sigh of relief, and the sound of her tinkering sounded suspiciously loud. Junon felt curiosity starting to peck at her. She tried to ignore it for a few minutes, focusing on her own task.

Finally, she called out, “Hey, Talleria?”

“What’s up, Jun?” The Danlazi poked back up with a curious and cute tilt of her head.

Junon grinned at the shortening of her name but didn’t fuss about it. “You seemed worried a few minutes ago about if I liked the music or not. Why?”

Talleria looked panicked for a moment, her purple eyes widening and quivering. “Ah! N-No reason, I just would offer to change it if you wanted me to… You’re good enough to help, I don’t want-”

“Bullshit,” Junon playfully growled, smirking as the doe squeaked and ducked under the side of the valve covering. “Come on, tell me,” she pressed. “I can see there’s more to it than that.”

“It’s nothing, Captain… Can’t we just focus on the work? We are going to have a storm bearing down on us soon,” Talleria muttered.

“So tell me as you work!” Junon said with another curious prod before grabbing her tool to manually adjust a stubborn part. Talleria gave a small grunt and dipped back down, and the sounds of their tandem work filled the pregnant silence beneath the music.

After a while, Junon decided she’d just let it rest. Clearly, the doe didn’t want to elaborate, so she wouldn’t keep pushing her. But soon, Talleria’s voice sheepishly rose. “It’s me playing…”

“Seriously?!” Junon barked as she rose up, clocking her head on the hatch above her. “Toth!” She clutched her head with a pained, irritated growl.

“Oh shit, are you okay, Captain?!” Talleria trilled, poking up over her work area again.

“Y-yeah… Thankfully I’ve got a hard head…” Junon rubbed it with a huff. The Danlazi giggled. On that, they could agree.

“Seriously though… That’s… You?” Junon lifted her ears as she listened to the harpsichord strings and then some violin. “Wait- Which one?”

“Both actually,” Talleria timidly explained. “I use the holosuite and I record myself on one part, then I go back and record myself on the other instrument. After I finish I merge them all together…”

“You’re like a one deer symphony!” Junon yipped, sounding impressed.

Talleria gave her a bashful grin and hid back behind the machine. “T-thanks… I like to put my own stuff on so I can study it while I work, listen for issues or notes I don’t like, kind of like how a writer will proofread their documents…”

“That’s so impressive! I’ve never had much of a head for anything artistic or creative so that all sounds so beyond me! I guess I’ve just never had the natural talent for it,” Junon explained.

They got back to work and after several more minutes, Talleria spoke out, “That’s bullshit… you know?”

“What is? Junon asked as she poked her head up again, careful of the hatch this time.

“‘Natural talent,’” Talleria grumbled as she air-quoted the term with her hooved paws. “There’s no natural talent, some just get a head start… Musical prodigies aren’t naturals, they usually just got shoved into it by overzealous parents at an early age, or maybe had a lifestyle so they could dedicate all the time they needed to it.”

“I never looked at it that way…” Junon said.

“If you’re seated at a freadshii for six hours a day, every day, from childhood to adulthood, well fucking right you’ll be a prodigy!” She scowled with a small glare.

“What’s a freadshii?” Junon asked.

“It’s uh… like, do you hear the twangy-sounding chords playing? It’s that… It’s hard to explain further without showing you one…”

“Huh…” Junon looked up and ordered, “Computer, show me a picture! Musical instrument, Danlazi, freadshii!” The vid screen displayed a large seated instrument with several keys on different levels, with a secondary schematic showing the tiny, padded hammers hidden within the wooden body. Talleria felt her cheeks grow warm under her fur as she peeked over to see her Captain actually looking it up. Junon wasn’t just humoring her, she was actually curious.

“You play one of those? What’s the high-pitched squeaky sounding strings thing?” She asked, pointing up at the music playing.

“Squeaky sounding strings…” Talleria muttered, as if she’d been insulted, but then shook her head before responding, “Ah, that’s a vadlee…”

Junon called up an image of it as soon as she got the name. This instrument looked handheld, about the size of a violin, but it seemed to have two separate sets of strings branching out from the center, each having their own set of tuning dials. “It looks complicated…” she said, rubbing her jaw curiously.

Talleria bit her lower lip watching her, feeling her heart flutter to see the fox curiously looking over her culture’s instruments, all while smudged and dirty from the work they’d been doing together. It was already a huge deal, an honor really, for her Captain to be willing to get her paws dirty with this work, and Junon was a surprisingly capable assistant. But Talleria never expected to bond over something like this. This was something intensely personal to her, and Junon was just… drinking it in.

“I could…” She grunted and ducked behind the machinery, snapping her jaws shut to get back to work.

“You could what?” Junon asked.

“Nothing, sorry,” Talleria trilled out while dialing back into her work.

“Come on, tell me,” Junon playfully prodded. “You could what?”

Talleria grumbled, then sighed, but remained silent. But as a particularly loud part of the song came up, one that was fast-paced and intricate, staccato arpeggios layered upon each other sounding like a flock of bickering yet harmonizing birds, she spoke in a whisper, hoping it’d get drowned out. “Show you how to play…”

Those large golden ears Junon had weren’t just for show, and she heard Talleria loud and clear. “You’d show… teach me how to play an instrument, Talleria?” Junon easily translated.

The danlazi snarled to herself, realizing she was too loud, but then felt her heart flutter when the fox, again, didn’t laugh at her but showed interest. She slowly peeked up over the side of the machine again with a small frown. “I mean… if you wanted to try… I’m not much of a teacher, but… You seem curious?”

“I am!” Junon declared with perked ears and sparkling eyes. “I’ve never had the chance to practice much art or music! Being a military brat, I was bouncing from starship to starship, base to base, and only usually getting educated to follow my parent's footsteps. That didn’t leave a lot of room for cultural pursuits.”

Talleria gulped and stared into her Captain’s mismatched eyes. Her belly flipped, threatening to vacate all her protein shakes from all the jitters. She took a breath, then seemed to muster her courage before nodding. “Ah… Maybe… If we can get this whole thing sorted, I can show you my little studio program in the holosuite later?”

“I’d love that, Talleria! I’d love to hear and see you play some of these too if you don’t mind an audience?” Junon gave her a bright grin, her trio of tails rolling excitedly behind her.

“Guh…” The doe squeaked and ducked back down behind the side of the panel, trying to compose herself and her pounding heart. She wanted to watch her play? She’d never played for someone before.

“Only if you’re comfortable to, Talleria, don’t think it’s an order or you’re obligated!” Junon followed up, sensing the nerves coming from the Danlazi.

“I… I’ve never played for someone in person… I only play this stuff after I’ve heavily edited and gone over it, but…” Talleria gulped hard again. She could barely hear herself over her fluttering heart as she continued, “I think I’d enjoy playing for you, Junon… And maybe showing you how to play some of them…”

“I’d adore that, Talleria!” Junon cheerfully barked as she settled back to work. “Okay, we’ll get this stupid thing sorted, then once we’re in warp back to the fleet, we’ll do it!”

“O-Okay!” Talleria trilled, excited and scared at the same time. Junon knew she was making the poor girl nervous, but this wasn’t just some hunt, she really was interested in all those things. Still, if something else came of it, she thought to herself with a small, sly smile, she wouldn’t mind.

*-*

“Captain on the bridge!” Leona’s familiar bark projected across the bridge as Junon walked in. While she had been working down in Engineering, they had made the shift change, and her regular crew was now there.

All of them saluted, looking a little surprised to see the Captain walking in covered in grime, grease, and stinking like an engine block. She returned the salute as usual with her dirty paws and puffed out, “At ease, hope everyone’s doing alright?”

“Captain… Uh… How long have you been down in Engineering?” Shelby mewed out with concern.

“Long enough I hope…” She sighed and looked out over the bow. The clouds of the hyperspace storm were very nearly on top of them now.

“She’s been down there for about five hours,” Leona said to the Helmsman, her whole bridge crew looking shocked towards her.

“It’s fine… Let’s not make a big deal of it, First…” She then barked, “Engineering!”

“Go ahead, Captain!” Talleria responded.

“Let me see the reports after your tests!” She called out, and a moment later a vid window showed the requested diagnostics.

“Captain, thanks to your help, we’ve managed to get our engine capacity up. I was originally worried we wouldn’t get more than twenty-five, but we’re up to thirty-two!” Talleria trilled with approval.

“Hmph… not that much more…” Junon sighed.

“Hey hey, Jun! Just like not being at one-hundred can make a difference, a few percentages higher can make or break it! Keep us at thirty percent and I think we’ll be okay without damaging him!”

“Hmph… Understood!” Junon said before closing communications.

“Jun?” Tyler asked from his console with a grin.

“Hush up, Security,” Junon barked with a wag of her finger, “and tell the ship to get ready for warp, warn them it might get bumpy!”

‘Seriously though… Jun?’ Leona asked, but it was in Junon’s head.

‘Hey, I just spent hours clawing at tools and machinery, if she wanted to shorten my name while instructing me, I wasn’t going to fault her,’ Junon thought as she looked over at her First Officer. ‘Did you know she’s a musician?’

‘I did not… It’s good to see you bonding with more of the crew… Dalrae…’ Leona gave her a gentle smile, her large tail wagging slightly.

‘Thanks, maybe I’ll bond with her in other ways a bit later!’ Junon gave a smug grin as she thought the words. It was a brazen thing to say, but she needed to test the waters to see what kind of lover Leona was going to be.

‘Interesting… If it works out, maybe we can bond together with her sometime?’ Leona gave her a challenging cock of her brow.

‘Oooh, you eager doggie! I’ll think about it… Want me to see if Tyler might want us to do some bonding too?’ Junon shifted to glance over at the fox who was none the wiser as he spoke on the comms then back to Leona.

Leona huffed softly. ‘He is cute, but he’s a male, Junon… I won’t… I can’t submit to a male. I hope you understand that if we got him in between us, I would absolutely refuse to submit, even if you ordered me to. As a Rashvian, I have a level of pride I must maintain.’ Leona lifted her muzzle, giving Junon a determined look.

Junon could see clearly that this was a very serious matter. She nodded. ‘I understand, just try not to scare the poor dear if it goes down, okay?’ Junon thought gently.

‘I’ll… try… We Rashvians, well, we get… Once we get some male musk in our snouts and we’re eager… We uh…’ Leona looked away awkwardly.

‘Don’t take no for an answer?’ Junon offered a smile.

‘Precisely… If he wants to join us, you’d best warn your little fox he’s going to get bitten, clawed, possibly even choked and bruised before I’m done with him…’ Leona was snarling now, looking almost feral.

Junon felt her cheeks warm under her fur, her heart fluttering as she thought, ‘Damn… baby… Uh… if I order you to, would you be willing to throw me around, bite me, and stuff?’ She couldn’t help but give a crooked grin.

‘If that’s what my mistress wants, I’d happily hold you down… taste your blood from where I bite at your throat… lap your essence off my claws from having held your hips to the point of them breaking flesh… and leave you sore and drooling…’ Leona looked her dead on, slowly licking her chops.

‘Cresh cha…’ Junon licked her own chops, both dogs looking like they were ready to start making out right on the bridge.

“Captain, we engage at your order!” Shelby mewed out.

“We’d best not linger, ma’am… Radar is showing it’s pretty much on us!” Klasko followed up.

“Right!” Junon threw a paw up as she took a seat. “Okay, everyone brace, then… Engage!”

The ship gave a small jerky shudder but punched through the warp bubble. Junon held her breath for a few moments, then asked, “Give me a status, anything climbing into the red?”

“Everything appears stable… The reactor levels are… faintly climbing, but it’s minor…” Shelby mewed.

“How minor?” Junon asked.

“Uhm… at current rate… approximately zero, zero, zero, point, zero four per estimated hour. We could maintain this speed for days before seeing even a partial spike that would be concerning,” Shelby explained.

“Sounds good…” Junon nodded and hit her communicator. “How are things looking down there, Tally?”

“So far so good, Jun! Just remember we’re going to have to drop out of warp eventually if you want me to get us back to the fleet in a timely manner!” Talleria responded. The bridge crew shared amused glances at the nicknames.

“Officer Klasko, you’re our radar expert, at our current speed, how long do you guestimate we should maintain to keep that storm well and good behind us so we can finish repairs?” Junon looked to the stallion.

“Ma’am, I’m no expert on spacial weather anomalies, but a shot in the void? Let’s give it half a cycle. That’d probably give us easily a week of time assuming the storm even went that far.”

“Make it so then…” Junon stood with a groan. “Now if you’ll excuse me, everyone, I am in desperate need of a shower and fresh uniform. First, you have the bridge, I’ll be back in an hour!”

“Captain! Thank you for your efforts, ma’am!” Shelby mewed out, offering a salute, the rest of the bridge doing the same.

“We’re in this together, I’m just doing what I can… All of you have worked extra hard during this crisis. Know I’m grateful for you all and every other officer on this ship!” Junon gave her own salute, then stepped to the lift.

-*United Space Federation Data Archives*-

-*Galactic Lore: Enter Query?*-

-*>Salarian>Culture>Ceremonial Traditions>Nephylle*-

Nephylle Union Ceremony:

Though multiple psychic species have been documented throughout the known galaxy, the Salarian are unique in that they appear to be the only known species that conceives their young psychically. The Nephylle Union is instrumental for this conception.

Nephylle, or sometimes known as The Chains of Nyphylle, is a ceremony in which two Salarians agree to be psychically bonded for the remainder of their lives. This process is undertaken by first attuning a thin spiked barb of a native metal to Salaria, known as Cordrepses.

The attunement process is usually done over the course of several months. The two partners will have the barb inserted into the occipital lobe of their brains where Salarians’ psychic abilities manifest. This is done by a trained priest who spends decades practicing and perfecting their skill in administering the delicate operation.

Once the attunement process has completed, the barbs are then removed and swapped with the would-be partner’s. At this point, the Cordrepses is so infused with the other’s psychic energy that a permanent and unyielding mental connection to one another is established.

Traditionally, ornate chains will be draped over the ears and heads of those bonded, with the base of the jewelry ending behind the skull attached to the inserted barb. This is done both to show one’s status as having been bonded, but to also announce to Salarian society at large that this particular fox has a life bond and so cannot leisurely partake in sexual entertainment.

Most barbs are reinforced with a grafting procedure to ensure it isn’t accidentally removed. Once the bond has been established, any removal of the Cordrepses will result in the Salarian losing their psychic bond. This will lead to the collapse of their psyche, instantly putting them into a comatose state with no hope of recovery. Such incidents are commonly referred to as ‘Soul Death’. The severing of the bond will have the same effect upon their partner, regardless if the second barb remains intact.

Once the union has been established and held for around one Salarian year, approximately five hundred USF standard cycles, the bonded couple may attempt to reproduce. When a bonded female enters her regular estrus cycle, both partners may then focus their union to psychically inseminate the ovulated egg, hence conceiving a pup.

The assisting partner need not necessarily be male to successfully reproduce. Two Salarian females joining and producing offspring together is uncommon but entirely viable, and is one of the few cases that a couple may rear more than one pup at a time, though most forego the risk as both females carrying at the same time puts a tremendous strain on their bonded minds, as well as that of their pups.

Puppies will immediately establish a psychic bond with their two parents. Immense care must be taken from gestation to the first decade or so of a pup’s life, as both parents must remain within relative proximity of their child as its psyche forms. Too much distance risks the newly forming psyche severing. If the pup’s psyche collapses, the parents will enter Soul Death. For this reason, Salarian society as a whole is extremely accommodating of parents and their puppies.

Some species have attempted the Nyphylle union with Salarians in the past, but even psychically strong species have failed to establish a lasting bond with their mate. One couple managed to keep a bond for around three day cycles, but then the Salarian partner suffered a psychic shock that left them in a state of Soul Death as would be expected. The alien partner of the union was driven irrevocably mad, eventually needing to be euthanized.

-*End Archive*-

Now more than ever, Junon desperately needed some semblance of normal. As the Occam continued to flee the storm, she opened the bakery. Though multiple psychic species have been documented throughout the known galaxy, the Salarian are unique in that they appear to be the only known species that conceives their young psychically. The Nephylle Union is paramount for this conception.

The crew were very happy to see it, and the place was buzzing. Apparently, gossip had been getting around, and several of the crew that stopped by took the time to thank her for helping with repairs. Some even mentioned the prior medical bay debacle.

‘I don't like it,’ she thought in frustration to Tyler as she collected some trays to take to the back.

‘Don't like what, love?’ he thought while placing some fresh muffins out.

‘Everyone thanking me for that toth! I wasn't doing it for clout, and the ones like Claris and Tally deserve the thanks tenfold!’ She snarled in her head while loading the dishes.

“Hey!” Tyler’s voice called as he stepped into the kitchen.

“What?” Junon grumbled, her tails fluffing in irritation.

He moved right over and hugged her from behind, the smaller fox giving a protesting bark as he spoke in her ear, “You think the crew doesn't know that? It's because you're not doing it for status that they appreciate it!”

“Sure but… Claris and Talleria work so much harder than me and do so much more!” Junon protested.

“It's also their job and what they're trained for! Plenty of Captains would be content to sit on their tail and bark orders. You get your paws dirty and then still make time to offer the crew treats and tea!” Tyler said proudly as he gave her a gentle squeeze.

“I guess… I couldn't do this without you though, Ty…” She growled and moved a paw up to rub under his jaw before turning to face him.

Before too long, the two foxes had gone from hugging, to scent marking, to making out. Junon's muzzle was against his throat, nibbling and lapping, as his own paws happily cupped her full breasts through her apron.

Junon grabbed the front of his slacks, licking her chops as she started to unbuckle them right as a familiar voice called out, “Hello! You guys still open?”

“Cresh cha…” She snarled as Tyler offered a sheepish grin while adjusting his pants back into place.

“Sorry love… I wouldn't have stopped you,” he cooed playfully.

“I know you wouldn't have…” She hiked her tails, flashing him a glimpse of her rear as she trotted out of the kitchen.

“Ah, there you are!” Talleria said with a grin.

“Hey Tally, you're looking well rested and clean!” Junon laughed.

“Yeah! I was about to properly sleep and bathe since I can't do much while in warp. I have been watching the reactor like a hawk though. It's behaving!” The Danlazi beamed.

“I'm thrilled to hear it! Thank you for keeping an eye on it. What can I get you?” Junon gave her a smile as the doe pulled out a data pad while looking over the display of treats.

“I wouldn't mind something on the tamer side today, I'm not feeling intense sweet…” Talleria said as she looked over the offerings.

“How about a Luandri wheat muffin?” Tyler called out as he walked out of the kitchen. “I used synthesized honey instead of sugar, so the sweetness is tamer!” he explained.

“Oh! That sounds lovely! Thank you, Tyler…” Talleria gave him a bashful grin as he plated one up, even pouring her tea as Junon looked between the two.

“I’m glad you’re getting some time to relax, I know you’ve been kicking your own tail quite a bit down in Engineering,” Junon said.

“Ah yes, about that. Could I speak with you at one of the tables, Junon?” Talleria asked with a smile as Tyler plated up her muffin and prepared her a cup of tea.

At that moment, an alarm started going off in the back. “Sure, give me a minute to pull something out of the oven,” Junon said with a nod as she stepped into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Junon arrived at Talleria’s table with her own steaming cup of tea. The doe was tapping on her data pad that was propped on a stand, alternating between sipping tea and taking tiny bites out of her muffin.

“How is it, Talleria?” Junon asked as she took a seat.

“It's quite good! Your little assistant is very astute… And rather handsome!” Talleria trilled out with a giggle.

“Oh really? Gonna try to make a move on him?” Junon teased.

“A-absolutely not!” Talleria gasped out and gave her a small fussy look.

“Why not?” Junon grinned as she rubbed her muzzle.

“Junon! Just because I find him lovely doesn’t mean I want to pursue him!” Talleria grumbled as she sipped her tea.

“Is that right? Why not go after what you find appealing?” Junon cooed as she took a sip from her own cup.

“Oh really? And do you live by that example?” Talleria scoffed with a skeptical look.

“I’m a Salarian. We aren’t afraid to go after what we want,” Junon answered with a wink.

The Danlazi stammered at the confession. “Y-You’re sleeping with him, Junon?!” she hissed out, almost a whisper if it weren’t for the squeak in her voice.

“You don’t know me or Salarians very well, huh?” Junon giggled and ran her paw through her hair before humming proudly as she flashed a loving grin at Tyler from the table. The fox noticed her look as he beamed in return and wagged his tail.

Talleria looked between the two and huffed, her horns looking a little lighter as she spoke, “Well… If you two are dating, why were you encouraging me to go after him?”

“Why wouldn’t I? If you and he were interested, it wouldn’t bother me. You’re a cute doe, Tally, I could see where someone would be interested!” Junon grinned.

The Danlazi looked away with an awkward huff. “I- I’m not cute, Junon… I’m an Engineer who frequently gets all dirty, curses like a sailor, and sometimes goes days without bathing from having to hyper-focus on my work! Not to mention I’m a shut-in!” Talleria grumbled as she glared down at her datapad.

“Well, I think you’re pretty cute, Tally…” Junon cooed and batted her eyes with a smile.

“T-thanks Cap- J-Jun…” She huffed and shifted awkwardly at the praise, then lifted her ears as she spoke up, “Ah! R-Right… why I asked you over!”

Junon giggled and nodded. “Why did you ask me over?” she asksed with a playful grin. Then, she perked her ears as her communicator chimed with a new message.

“I took the liberty to translate some Danlazi sheet music into Salarian for you,” Talleria explained as Junon dug out the device. “Please go over the notes I’ve sent you before we officially begin practice?” Talleria gave her a small smile, her horns seeming to go back to cool blue from the softer white they had been before.

“Sheet music?” Junon asked curiously, tilting her head.

“Yes, sheet music, you have to be able to read music in order to play it, Junon…” Talleria gave her a fussy look.

“Sheet music… so that’s what conductors would put in front of them?” She asked while rubbing her jaw. She didn’t have the slightest clue how to even start reading this. There was some curly symbol at the beginning, followed by large dots arranged on an array of lines, and other weird symbols between the dots. Some of the dots were connected with straight lines, others were grouped under large arcs, and others still had smaller dots attached to them… She closed the document before it could give her a headache.

“Conductors usually have the entire score before them to keep up with the other performers, sheet music is what individual musicians read to keep up with the pace of the performance, the conductor is just there to… well, keep them all in harmony!” Talleria explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

“I thought we’d just play around on the instruments to learn, I didn’t know I needed to study reading it too,” Junon said simply.

“Ah… I mean…” Talleria frowned. “You don’t have to, but I can’t really teach you how to play much besides the most simple fawn’s tunes if you don’t…”

“No no… You took the time to translate it for me, and that was very sweet of you, Tally. I’ll be sure to look it over, but I may have many… many questions, so please be patient with me. Old dog and new tricks as it were?” Junon gave a lazy grin as she shrugged.

“That’s okay! Questions are good, I’m happy to help with them, I’m happy to… spend time with you!” Talleria trilled out awkwardly as she bit her lower lip and lifted her data pad up, somewhat hiding her muzzle behind it.

Junon grinned, her teeth looking sharp as her eyes shined with eagerness. “Likewise… I’ll be happy to spend some time with you outside of Engineering, Tally…”

“When would be a good time for this, Junon?” Talleria asked with a nervous smile peeking over the data pad.

“Hmm… Well, we’re due to pull out of warp in a few hours… Then it’ll be back to work… How about once we’re officially on our way back to the fleet? I’ll read over the notes you left me in the meantime as I can?”

“That sounds good to me, I knew it wouldn’t be any time soon…” Talleria nodded then looked around. “Now that I think about it, where is Leona? Isn’t she usually here?”

“I told her to take a break and get some rest, she was working very hard through that whole ordeal, even more so than most, she needed some personal time. Also I may have worn her out this morning…” Junon explained with a smug tone. She had gotten a little eager when they woke up, leaving the Rashvian an exhausted mess. Their bond certainly was strong. Junon hadn’t drained someone that intensely in a long time.

“W-wha? Y-you mean you and Leona too? W-well anyway, that’s very kind of you to uh… let her rest, she does seem to work hard, even if she is pretty scary…” Talleria finished off her tea and the last bites of her muffin before rising from her seat, looking even more flustered.

“So… should I put in a good word for you with Tyler?” Junon asked with a wink.

“P-Please do not!” Talleria insisted. “Um.. thank him for the suggestion though, and… see you later, Jun!” With that, she spun on her heels to retreat.

“Oh she’s adorable… I’ll be eager to hear what sounds she makes when I’ve got my head buried between her thighs later…” Junon cooed out loud to herself. The doe was remarkably fast, but Junon was still able to catch a good look at her, and she’d remember the way Talleria’s perky, round butt bounced a little as she fled.

*-*

A few hours later the ship was taken out of warp so Talleria and her team could resume repairs. She estimated they'd need about a full cycle to get the reactor and engines back to safe operation levels to limp back to the main fleet.

Junon found herself in her quarters later that cycle, looking over some Salarian historical data regarding Lashrey Cha Derheth. As she was relaxing on the sofa in her den, the door chimed.

“Come in!” she called out.

The door opened with a hiss as her new girlfriend trotted in, dressed in a casual Rashvian-style robe. It had been only about two days since they started officially sleeping together and Junon had promised they could spend the sleep cycle together.

“Junon…. Mistress, I'm happy to see you!” Leona barked out lovingly.

The fox gave her own loving smile and patted the seat next to her. “Come sit with me, my pet… My Leona…” she cooed as the wolf showed an eager grin and trotted right over, her thick red tail wagging as she sat.

“What are you looking at Dalrae?” Leona asked while cuddling right up to her new lover, nuzzling against her jaw.

“Lashrey Cha Derheth,” Junon said as she threw an arm around the larger girl, holding her close.

“That's what's happening to us, yes?” Leona asked as she looked at the screen.

“Yes… But… all known cases of it have always been Salarian, except fringe cases with other psychic species… Leona, was your father perhaps a psychic race of some sort?” Junon knew it was highly unlikely, but she might as well ask.

“I don't know, I know about as much of my father as I do my mother,” Leona explained. “That is to say, nothing at all. I was born an orphan, but… A Rashvian’s DNA will always supersede the donors, so…”

“So any genetics the father passed on would be muted…” Junon grumbled and rubbed her snout.

“Correct… Uh…can't we just be happy it's happening?” Leona asked with a pointed sigh and a gentle smile.

“Oh, I'm happy, it just drives me crazy when I can't figure… something…” Her voice trailed as she looked down. She saw her wolf was holding the top of her robe open, showing off the collar and its tag of ownership. Junon’s tails slowly started to wag as Leona casually moved a little closer, parting a bit more of her robes to show more ample swells of her cleavage.

“I believe you said… you wanted me in the collar, and not much else… yes? So, I think you can guess what’s on under this robe, mistress…” Leona’s smile became a confident grin as she moved in towards Junon, until they were nose to nose.

“You’re such a good girl…” Junon growled as they looked into one another’s eyes.

Leona whined happily at the praise and stole a small kiss before sliding right down into the floor. Junon gave an approving growl as the wolf moved her paws right up into her Captain’s dress, grasping the skimpy panties there and dragging them down slowly.

“Ah, but I am wearing those panties you told me to return… they’re already soaked though…” Leona huffed out as she dropped Junon’s panties to the floor. Without another second’s hesitation, she scooped under Junon’s knees.

Junon growled and leaned back, letting the larger wolf part her legs, her own paws moving to lift her dress up to expose her white-gold fur and the warm petals beneath. Leona happily dove right in, eager to get her mouth on her new lover once again.

The Salarian rewarded her with an approving groan as that strong, hot, flexible tongue started licking at her spot, one paw moving to rub one of those perky crimson ears. “Oh fuck, baby… Right there… ngh…”

Leona’s paws moved further up to grasp Junon’s hips under her skirt, scooting her down a little closer so she could really delve her tongue up into her mistress’s walls. Junon hissed and curled her toepaws from the pleasure before the wolf came up to suckle on her pearl, hearts in her green eyes for the alien fox.

“You’re… so … fucking good with… that…” She couldn’t finish as she dug her claws into Leona’s hair and fur, letting out a soft throaty moan of a howl. The Rashvian’s heart sang to the sound of her new girlfriend’s pleasure.

“Gods baby… I love that mouth of yours…” Junon panted gently, rubbing the crimson ear between her thighs, feeling the wolf happily lap and taste her honey while the fox came down from the rush of euphoria.

‘I can sense your feelings, Dalrae,’ Leona thought to her, gently suckling on Junon’s pearl. ‘Would you like me to be more… aggressive tonight?”

The fox shuddered and lolled her tongue, nodding.

‘Oh good… I’m happy to submit to you, my mistress, but I’m also happy to be the alpha wolf in bed from time to time,’ Leona thought as she scooped the smaller fox up with an eager grin. Junon gave her an excited grin of her own as she was bridal-carried to her bed.

“You know… I had the fabricator make something just for this occasion… Though originally I was going to be the one using it,” Junon casually huffed.

“And what's that, my Dalrae?” Leona asked as she playfully dropped the fox right onto the bed, her plump breasts bouncing from the impact.

Junon giggled from the bounce and hummed as she nodded her head towards the nightstand. “Why don't you open it up and have a look?” she asked with a smirk.

Leona wagged her tail as she did just that, perking her ears. “Oh my… You were going to use this on me?” she cooed playfully as she withdrew a strap-on with a rather lengthy double-sided shaft on it.

“Uh-huh… I will later but in the meantime…” Junon flourished her paw before rolling right over onto her knees and elbows, presenting for Leona with a grin. “You wanna break it in, baby?” She hiked her trio of tails and lolled her tongue, looking like a needy bitch in heat for her.

“Reusha… ka…” Leona growled with hunger as she quickly peeled the pilfered teal panties off her hips, fumbling for a moment to get the straps around her hips.

“Reusha ka? What’s that mean, baby?” Junon cooed as she wiggled her rear invitingly for the other dog.

Leona snarled as she wrenched the straps into place before climbing onto the bed over her fox. “Hum… It’s essentially Rashvian for… ‘hot damn’...” She positioned one end of the rigid shaft to her own petals, working the tip in before shifting to line up to Junon’s own eager, soaked entrance.

“Oooh… I see I see- Eep!” Junon yipped out as she felt the length started to prod and work in, Leona’s own snarls filling the air. “Guh… N-no lube first?” Junon whimpered as she panted over her shoulder.

“You kidding? You’re dripping all over it... So am I… Huff… Just needs a few strokes…” Leona groaned as she shifted her own hips to work more of the toy into her own walls, wolf and fox honey dripping against the rigid spire that was in both girls.

“Gods… Hurry up… I wanna feel you top me already!” Junon barked out impatiently. The wolf responded with a snarl and a harsh shove of her hips, sending several inches plunging into Junon. Her tongue lolled and the two girls moaned in unison.

“There! F-fuck…” Leona shuddered as she slapped her hips up to Junon’s rear, both of them panting and now full of the rigid toy. As Junon wiggled her hips, Leona felt it respond to the vibrations and shift in her as well.

“Good girl… good dog… Now climb over me… mount me… make me feel like you own me…” Junon growled adoringly as the Rashvian happily obliged and did just that, climbing over her.

Leona grabbed her wrists, shoving them securely to the bed as she mounted her Salarian lover, growling into her ear as her hips started to grind. “How’s that, my little Salarian bitch? Huff… Feeling properly mounted and owned by me?!” She barked into her ear eagerly, shifting her hips to get that double-sided toy moving, making it stroke inside both of them.

“Fuck yeeess… Gods… hold me down, Leona… fuck baby!” Junon cried out, drunk with pleasure, hearts in her eyes as her body spasmed and walls clenched, giving in to the dominant force of her wolf.

“Ngh…” Leona snapped her teeth and squeezed her paws. Her ample chest pressed into Junon’s back, both girls growling as her hips bucked, forcing that length to plunge in and out, and with every stroke she felt it thump at her own core. She shuddered and groaned as her own release dripped and squirted onto Junon’s tail fur.

“Fuck… I’m going to reek of your scent, and I fucking love it… ngh!” Junon hissed out, feeling her lover's gushing lust drip on her fur. She could feel her own soaking into the fur between her thighs.

“Ha… I can feel your excitement, feel your pride… feel your urges for me to…” Leona snarled and shifted her paws over to Junon’s shoulders, pushing her chest first down into the mattress, the smaller dog yipping excitedly from the sudden shove.

“Hgn… hold still bitch… my bitch,” Leona barked proudly, her claws digging into the fur of Junon’s shoulders, the blonde fox nodding her head rapidly as the wolf kept rocking and shifting her hips.

“Yes, baby! Yes ma’am! Whatever you want!” Junon cried out blissfully, her tails rolling against the wolf’s hips while she bucked and rode against her. The strap-on was shifting and pumping in both of them, but the motion mostly made it crash into Junon’s own body.

“Gyah!” Junon cried out as her body crested again, Leona following shortly after as the wolf shuddered. Her hips went still as she took a moment to recover, panting heavily over her smaller lover.

After a few moments, Leona growled and withdrew the length, but only from Junon, not from herself, before her paws grasped the small fox and forcefully rolled her over onto her back. “Ngh… Come here!” Leona commanded as her paws scooped under Junon’s knees, dragging the fox forward.

Junon didn’t resist and even spread her legs, her paws above her head, tongue lolled and eyes distant, fully submissive to her Rashvian lover. Leona’s robes barely hung on her shoulders, and everything beneath was bare, including the small choker on her throat showing the tag that said she ultimately belonged to the fox.

“Let me see your tits!” Leona barked as she lined the soaked dripping tip of the strap-on back up with her lover's entrance. Junon just gave her an obedient grin and hiked her top right up, letting her plump breasts spill out. The chain tethering her pierced nipples glimmered and clinked softly as the wolf pushed in once more.

“Good dog… good bitch… my bitch!” Leona snarled as her claws dug into Junon’s legs, dragging her closer to fully sheath that length back into the Salarian’s waiting body.

“Yours baby… I’m sooo yours!” Junon moaned, then gave an excited yip as Leona grasped the chain between her breasts.

“Say it… again!” She growled as she shifted her hips, stabbing into both of their cores and giving the chain a nice firm tug.

Junon cried a high, whimpering moan, her body crashing from the pleasure as her heart-eyes fluttered upwards. “Yourrss… ” She slurred while panting.

Leona shuddered, trying to keep herself composed through the orgasm, then tugged the chain again as she shoved her hips hard, making the small fox bounce against the sheets with another pained but excited yip. “Again! Say you’re my bitch!”

“Guh!” Junon looked stunned, and as the wolf just started bucking her hips faster, she slurred, “Yours… yours! Fucking… your… bitch! Cresh… chaa!” She shuddered and yowled again from the rapid-fire orgasm that followed up, tongue lolled and drooling with pleasure as her tails wagged and ears folded.

“Ha… Guess I'll have to get you a collar for the bedroom too, Dalrae…” Leona moaned and kept bucking, keeping the chain tugged so it provided constant pressure to her lover's peaks.

The fox shuddered and just nodded her head weakly. “Collar me… fuck me… even if I say no… take it if you want it!” Junon snarled drunkenly.

Leona shivered at the prospect before releasing her chain to grab the small fox’s wrists, pinning them above her head as she loomed over her. “Okay! I’ll take my Salarian bitch any time I want her! Maybe I’ll clear the bridge and shove your face between my thighs!” Leona barked as her hips frantically bucked against Junon’s own body.

The fox looked lovestruck at the dirty talk. “Yes! I’ll fuck you in every department of this ship!” Junon decreed with a wicked grin, her tails smacking the mattress as her breasts bounced against her wolf’s while she was being taken so dominantly.

“Come on my bitch… huff… You got one more in you right?” Leona panted out after a few more minutes of heated mating, their sweat, lust, and saliva all over one another.

“Yes… yes… Oh my gods yes… Make it hard baby… please… make it… fucking…” Junon yowled as the wolf snapped her teeth and delivered a series of vicious rapid thrusts to her pleading.

Leona lolled her tongue, looking stunned as the pace finally caught up to her, her own body shattering as her honey once again gushed forth all over Junon’s crotch fur. The Saliaran gave a throaty yowl with her own massive release.

“Too… much… c-can’t…” Leona finally collapsed onto her side, the toy flopping awkwardly out of Junon’s crushing walls before falling out of the wolf’s own tight pussy.

“Cresh cha… I think… There’s a puddle under us…” Junon giggled as she shifted onto her own side to wrap her arms around Leona’s neck.

“I’d believe it… I came so much… you did too…” Leona groaned as they held one another, nose to nose, weakly scent marking each other.

“Hgn… Sorry if I wore you out baby… but you did such a good job playing dommy wolf for me…” Junon groaned and kissed her girlfriend's snout.

“Good, you owe me one, you can wear it next time…” Leona grunted then flopped onto her back panting as she started up at the ceiling of her lover’s quarters. “This… drain you do on me is always so intense…”

“Hm hm… Well, rest them, my pet, you certainly have earned it… I need a nap after that myself…” Junon snuggled up with her, sighing contentedly.

*-*

“Oh… is this happening again?” Junon blinked up into the void, laying on her back as if just floating in space.

“It would appear that way, wouldn’t it?” Leona gave a sleepy grunt, just clinging to her, head on her chest as they laid there arm in arm, naked before the darkness.

“So no history or lineage of psychic nonsense in your family tree?” Junon asked while slowly sitting up.

“Not that I have much information on my family tree, Dalrae… But not to my knowledge…” Leona yawned.

“And Rashvians have never had any kind of history of psychics or telepaths?”

“I mean in our ancient times we had supposed shamans, but what species didn’t during their tribal evolution, right?” Leona leaned back on her paws.

“This is still so bizarre…” Junon rocked forward to sit up. The whole thing felt surreal but also more solid this time, as if their bond was even stronger.

“Are you… happy about it?” Leona asked with a frown.

Junon looked contemplative, but of course her thoughts would be as clear as if her words were spoken. Leona already knew the answer, she felt it.

“Leona, I was scared and shocked the first time, but… Do you know what scared me the most?”

Leona noted she wasn't answering the question but played along as she spoke, “Tell me what scared you most.”

Junon gave a small sigh as she drew her knees up and hugged them. “I was afraid it wouldn't happen again… That this was a fluke or something…”

The Rashvian’s ears perked up. “And now that it's happened again?”

Junon looked over at her and grinned. “I'm… happy. And relieved.”

Leona wagged her tail and smiled, then padded over to her on all fours. Junon grinned as they drew closer before the wolf threw her arms around her. Both girls quickly fell into a heated kiss from there, heads tilting and tongues meeting to taste one another in this ethereal dream.

“So… Does this mean I'm a candidate for those chains your people wear on their ears?” Leona asked with a giggle after their kiss parted.

Junon's ears sprang to peaks and her tails fluffed as she barked out, “Absolutely not!”

“Well damn… I was kidding, but you didn't have to reject me that adamantly.” Leona pouted. Junon's paw guided her face back to look upon her, and Leona huffed.

“No, you don't understand. Any and all other species that have tried have died, I would never ever ask you to risk yourself over it! Lashrey Cha Derheth be damned, I won't lose you!” Junon snarled, her eyes already looking a little wet.

“Junon…” Leona pulled Junon into a hug. They brushed their muzzles together again to scent one another.

The two stayed that way for what felt like a moment but hours at the same time. Eventually, their consciousness giving way to return them to slumber in one another's arms.

-*United Space Federation Data Archives*-

-*USF Occam Crew Manifest #13*-

Morganna Shelby:

Rank: Lieutenant

Born SD: (Age: 26) 216 February 19th

Home planet: Earth

Species: Earthling Half-Malvurian

Morganna Shelby was born in the city of Buenos Aires on the planet Earth in the Sol system. Like many half-Malvurians, her sudden and shocking appearance left her parents at a loss. Despite assurances their child was fully and genetically theirs from the medical staff, accusations of infidelity eventually made her parents separate.

Morganna was shortly thereafter placed as a ward of the state, where she remained until the age of six when she was adopted by a family that raised her until she was sixteen. With poor marks in her education and constant disciplinary issues, she was eventually given the choice of either going into the juvenile corrections facility or the military. She chose the latter.

Military life quickly gave Shelby a direction and sense of accountability she had never had in her civilian life. She quickly embraced the lifestyle and by seventeen had left the troubled youth program to enroll in the academy proper.

Showing exceptional marks in her Navigation and Piloting courses, Shelby rapidly advanced through the courses. At the age of twenty, she graduated seventh in her class of three hundred, and first in the Navigation program.

She spent two separate two-year tours of duty on the USF Manilla. After four years of service at the age of twenty-four, Shelby didn’t sign on for a third tour, choosing instead to pursue a civilian life. However, she quickly found she had no home to return to and her half-Malvurian heritage left her feeling like an alien on her own homeworld.

At the age of twenty-five, Shelby reenlisted, signing a ten-year term with the USF, the longest enrollment contract that is on offer for a single tour. She was summarily assigned to Admiral Nelson. After one year of service aboard his flagship, the Admiral transferred her to the USF Occam under the command of Junon Topaz.

-*End Archive*-

“I’ve some good news, Captain!” Talleria spoke out over the communication line while Junon stood at the bridge.

“Let’s hear it, Chief Engineer,” Junon replied while looking over the new schematics report, quirking a furred brow to see the high percentages on thrust and cooling.

“Well! As you can likely see, me and the boys have been busy! I’ve also been able to really pore over those schematics for troubleshooting! The flowing neutrino vault and anti-wa-”

“Can I get the abridged version, Talleria?” Junon sighed out.

“Tut! Short version - We got more fixed up than I hoped, we can make the trip in three cycles instead of a week,” Talleria grumbled.

“Fantastic! Great work Tally!” Junon barked out proudly. The whole of the bridge also looked elated that they’d be getting back to the fleet for proper repairs sooner rather than later. A collective sigh of relief seemed to reverberate around the space.

Talleria clearly giggled as she responded, “That’s my job, Captain! Though I’ll admit, the boys got a fire lit under them, seeing your tail in here working alongside them the other day! So I think you also have a paw in this!”

“Nonsense, this is all on you and your team. Offer my heartfelt gratitude to each of them, I’m fortunate to have all of you under my command,” Junon insisted before closing the communication.

“Are we going to warp then, Captain?” Shelby asked, her solid white eyes locking onto her commanding officer.

“We sure are! Security, hit the comms!” Junon barked as she stood and pointed to Tyler.

“It almost feels like we’re returning to civilized space…” Leona said with a smile.

“We’ve got friends waiting for us, of course it’s going to be of comfort… Not to mention a proper repair yard, even if it is orbital!” Junon chirped. Then, she sighed as she flopped back down into her seat, her chest bouncing slightly. “Though it’ll be awkward explaining to the Admiral how I messed things up over the neutron star…”

“Captain, you said it yourself, this is your first tenure as an exploration Captain. You were in charted space before,” Leona growled at her.

Junon frowned as she responded, “Yes, but I should have known better-”

“Captain!” Klasko spoke out.

“Yes?” Junon looked up to the equine at his terminal.

“As Chief Officer of the Radar, it should have fallen upon me to remind you and suggest a premature exit of warp, this is not your burden to carry alone!” He spat the words out with a glare.

Leona immediately followed up, “As your First Officer, it is my duty to assess your orders, Captain. I also knew the possibility of what a blue star could entail, yet I said nothing.”

“We were all a little excited, Captain! All of us could and should have spoken up, so please don’t carry this alone. We will all speak to the Admiral if it’s needed to share the responsibility, we’ve already agreed to that,” Shelby called out from her own console.

“That’s right, Captain… We do this as a crew, so if the Admiral has a problem, he’ll need to address us as a bridge, not you as an individual!” Tyler barked up.

“Cresh cha… Not what I expected out of all of you… But thank you, it means a lot to know you’ve got my back in this. I’ll just have to work even harder to show I’m a worthy Captain for such a fine crew…” Junon shook her head, feeling a bit emotional as her ears folded. But the support was also invigorating, and she found herself sitting straighter, even smiling.

“Shall we then?” Shelby called out as she turned back to her console.

“We shall! Engage!” Junon flicked her paw out with a small grin on her muzzle. A moment later the ship lurched slightly from pushing into the warp bubble and they were on their way.

A few minutes passed before Junon spoke up again. “How’s she looking, Shelby?”

“All systems are nominal… We’ve got a few tiny spikes in cooling and heating, but very minor… We’re at almost eighty percent power!” The Marvulian mewed out, sounding impressed.

Junon whistled at that before hitting her communicator, “Engineering, I don’t know what magic wand you’ve got taped to those antlers, but color me impressed!”

“Your flattery and praise will get you everywhere with me, Captain!” Talleria trilled out in a playful voice before continuing, “Again, it’s thanks to my team though. Just don’t try pushing her any harder than we already are, I’m literally giving you every scrap of power without overheating to dangerously high levels. I also recommend having hourly checks of the system!”

“Roger that, Engineering, if your team doesn’t notice it, we will!” Junon barked out before closing communications and leaning back with a relieved sigh.

“So are we going to recommend to the fleet that we reposition to that other system with better resources?” Leona asked.

Junon frowned at that. She hadn’t been thinking about the collapsed jump lane in all this mess. She even felt uncomfortable that Leona had said it loud enough that everyone could hear, though it was a reasonable question. “That… is up to the Admiral to decide,” she said simply.

Then, her ears perked, as she realized she hadn’t even told Leona about it yet. That was something she needed to rectify. As her lover, she had a right to know, and she knew she could trust Leona to keep it to herself.

Rising from her seat, Junon put her paws on her hips. “Shelby, I need to speak with my First and Security about a private USF matter. Can I trust you with the bridge for a few minutes?”

The calico perked her ears but gave a small nod. “Of course, Captain, leave it to me!”

“Security, First Officer?” Junon jerked her head towards the lift as she moved towards it. Tyler frowned as he glanced at Leona who offered a shrug as she followed.

Once they were in the lift and it was moving, Tyler broke the silence. “Captain?”

“At ease, Security, it’s nothing dramatic, but I feel you should be present for this. Let’s go to my quarters, away from prying ears. I think Leona deserves to know what you already know,” Junon explained as she stood there with her paws behind her.

“Ah, I understand…” Tyler said. Leona looked curious but said nothing. After all, she would get her explanation in private, no need to ask redundant questions here in the lift.

As they all stepped into Junon’s quarters, Junon walked right over to the window, looking out at the stars streaking by. “At ease, both of you… this is a personal matter.”

“What’s going on, Dalrae?” Leona said as she lifted her muzzle.

“Dalrae?” Tyler asked.

“Are you trying to flex, Leona?” Junon gave her a grin over her shoulder.

“Naturally…” She growled and gave the smaller fox next to her a challenging side-eye.

“Dalrae is a token of endearment that Rashvians use, not unlike you calling me, love…” Junon explained as she kept looking out the window.

“Ah… Leona, I’m not trying to uh…” Tyler trailed off as the wolf gave him a look. It wasn’t quite a threatening glare, but it was certainly intimidating.

“Leona, I want to tell you something, something only Tyler and a few others know… It’s regarding our mission at large…” Junon began.

“I thought it was personal?” Leona countered.

“It is… It’s personal as in, the Admiral has only confided in me, his First Officer, and his Science team. I’m simply confiding in the two of you, as you are both my lovers and I feel remiss to keep secrets from you. I trust you to keep this between us.” Junon turned to face Leona straight on.

“Alright… I promise this doesn’t go further than the three of us, so give it to me straight,” Leona growled, already sensing it wasn’t good information.

Junon took a deep breath, then spoke calmly, “About an hour after our fleet exited the lane, the stability of the spacial fatigue collapsed… Upon us leaving to begin our sweep in earnest, the Astral’s scientific team had been unable to re-open or even find traces of the lane we came through.”

“So we’re essentially stranded out here in uncharted space… No wonder you were so eager and on edge to find resource rich worlds…” Leona said while rubbing her jaw.

“Damn… You took that a lot better than I did!” Tyler barked out in surprise.

The Rashvian cocked a brow and shot her green eyes over to the smaller male dog before her. “Chief of Security, I will always have my pride as a Rashvian, exile or not, and I won’t let something like this rattle me.”

“Leona… may I speak freely for a moment? You are still my commanding officer after all,” Tyler blinked up at her, his tail wagging.

“Go ahead… Tyler,” She growled the words and Junon could hear there was a feral sound in that growl. The tri-tailed fox was both amused and worried she might have to jump in.

“That is so… bad ass!” He barked out as he clenched his paws, his tail wagging behind him as he continued, “Seriously, the way you just took that was so cool!”

“Cool?” Leona cocked a brow as she asked.

“It’s Earthling lingo, the translator has issues with it. Essentially it’s just a way of saying you’re doing something really impressive… It confused me the first time I heard it too!” Junon grinned as she explained.

“Thank you for the compliment, Tyler… I’m glad I meet your approval…” Leona said calmly.

Tyler folded his ears as he spoke, “Uh… approval? I just thought it was impressive, I wasn’t trying to come off as-”

“No, I get it.” Her green eyes scanned the smaller male slowly. The scrutiny sent chills up his spine, as if a predator was looking at him as its new prey.

“You’re scaring him,” Junon laughed, putting her paws on her own hips.

Leona grunted and looked away, still rubbing her chin. “So… Only the three of us know? Not even Claris?”

“Only us… You two are my confidants in this matter, so please don’t gossip about it…” Junon put a paw to her chest.

“Understood, was there anything you needed me to do regarding the matter?” Leona asked with another tilt of her head, her paws settling on her own hips.

“No, we’ll just see what Andrew wants to do, but you’ll see why he may want to keep the fleet in that location to keep studying the area if they haven’t had any progress since we left,” Junon explained.

“That would sate any curiosity I’d have lingering… Does it trouble either of you?” The wolf asked, looking to Junon and then Tyler.

“I have no family, and my loved ones are all on this side of the warp lane, so it’s not too worrisome for me. My biggest fear was for my crew, but after finding that ice planet and the other mineral rich ones? We’ve got the means to keep our fleet serviceable for decades,” Junon explained with a shrug.

“I’m worried about my mother and family. I’m the only son of a litter of six… I warned my family I might be out of contact for a few years but…” Tyler frowned as he folded his arms, looking to the side.

“Sibling and parental bonds… That is so foreign to me…” Leona said simply.

“Is it? Do you have no siblings, Leona?” Tyler asked in this moment of candid banter with the two commanding officers.

“I have two sisters, but we were separated at birth when our mother fell in labor. We were adopted out to other Battle Maidens. My adopted matriarch was kind, but doing her duty. Her home and comfort were adequate, but when I was old enough to join the military, she explained her duty had ended,” Leona explained with a shrug.

“That’s… so sad…” Tyler frowned as he sighed.

“Are you taking pity on me, Earthling?!” Leona showed her sharp teeth in a sudden savage snarl.

“Whoa whoa whoa!” Junon barked out as she moved between her two lovers, separating them. Tyler almost felt like he was hiding behind her.

“Leona! Tyler was just trying to sympathize, not pity you!” She gave her wolf a small glare.

“Truly?” Leona growled down at the fox behind Junon.

“Yes! Leona I think you’re cool and strong, I’ve got nothing but respect for you as an officer! I- I apologize if my words came off as offensive to you, I’m not sure how to approach Rashvian culture,” he barked out nervously.

“Are young Earthling males always so timid?” she huffed, annoyed.

“Timid?” Tyler gave a small growl and then seemed to find some willpower as he perked his ears. “I’m not being timid, I’m nervous about having upset my commanding officer and the lover of MY lover…” Tyler growled as his own tail fluffed out.

Leona gently pushed Junon aside as she stomped forward, her eyes looking fierce and her own tail fluffed out, one of her paws flexing, showing the large claws in them. “Really… You don’t find me intimidating, pup?”

“I’m no pup, Leona! My respect for you isn’t the same as fear! I stood sword to sword before the Admiral of this navy, don’t think I won’t do the same with you!” Tyler barked out, clenching his own paws into fists and giving the Rashvian a challenging glare.

“What is with you foxes and swords? Can you not fight tooth and claw like a warrior?” Leona growled and cocked a brow.

“Yeah, because Rashvians don’t use phasers, right?” Tyler countered with a snarl of his own, his own smaller sharp teeth showing.

“Hey… This is my quarters, so if you guys are going to scuffle, think you could do it in the holosuite? Or you know… have some respect for your lover and maybe just… don’t?” Junon growled as she put her own paws on her hips.

Both the other dogs grew silent, then Leona grunted and stepped back, putting her paws on her hips. “I offer you my apologies for disrespecting you, Dalrae…”

“I also apologize for disrespecting you, Junon… and as to you Leona, I apologize as well if my words were an affront, but do not take my apology as anything more than a sign of respect, I am no submissive pup for you to lord over, commanding officer or not,” Tyler barked the words coolly, showing he wasn’t going to back down to the Rashvian.

“I can see why you like this one… Not some sniveling male… soft spoken, but a heart of a warrior in that small chest of his…” Leona flexed a paw again, growling the words as she continued, “I can appreciate a male that doesn’t bluster and only bares his teeth when needed…”

“Is that right?” Junon smirked and folded her arms. “I’d say I’d like to see how you two would do in a one-on-one fight, but I think my boyfriend would just get non-conned!”

“Non-conned?” Tyler asked curiously.

“Raped,” Leona barked out casually.

Tyler looked pale, and the Rashvian looming over him just gave him a hungry glare. His tail shuddered before he cleared his throat, “Sooo… Are we returning to duty, Captain?”

“Already looking to run away?” Leona snarled.

“Shit! Leona I am not here to pick a fight with you! Though I’ll admit that sounds kinda fun!” Tyler barked out playfully as he raised his paws.

“Fun?!” Junon laughed.

“I mean having a duel or sparring match! Not the other part!” Tyler barked out awkwardly as he tried to follow up.

“Hmph… Mistress, if I best your lover in combat, am I allowed to have him?” Leona showed a hungry grin.

“As long as you don’t take him from me, break him, or make any puppies? Sure why not?” Junon shrugged as she giggled. “Talleria was already eying his tail up earlier too!”

“Wait- What? She was?! And… Wait a sec! Don’t I have any say in this?!” Tyler yipped.

“Hmm… Challenging a Battle Maiden to combat is no small matter, Tyler… Sparring or otherwise…” Leona approached him and leaned close, huffing into his ear as she spoke, “You’re attractive, and the spirit in you is strong, so the appeal is there… I won’t outright take you as a mate, as this is not operating under the rules of my culture… However, if you challenge me to combat, sparring or otherwise… All doctrine is forfeit and I will claim what is my due…”

‘Fuck… that’s terrifying and hot at the same time…’ Tyler thought to himself with a small shiver as he took a small step back.

‘I can hear you!’ Junon showed her teeth in a grin as she responded to him with her own thoughts.

“I’ll… uh… keep that in mind…” He whispered nervously as he looked up at the looming redhead who just slowly licked her chops and flexed her paws, as if ready to drag him to the floor right then and there.

‘Damn baby… you get crazy when you get the smell of him in your snout don’t you?’ Junon thought to her other lover.

Leona snorted and slowly stepped back, putting her paws on her hips. ‘He’s rather pretty up close, I like his blonde hair and the smell of him… I won’t keep pursuing further, but if he confides in you, tell him the only way this progresses is through combat. If he were to try to woo me as an Earthling would, I’d simply drag him to my quarters by the tail.’

‘Hot! Can I watch?!’ Junon grinned at her.

‘Yes,’ Leona thought, snorting over at the fox who looked one part terrified, one part turned on.

“Soo… this ended up being a fun bonding experience! Shall we return to the bridge?” Junon asked aloud, paws thrown out.

“Y-yes please…” Tyler whispered as he backed up a few paces from Leona, who looked ready to grab his tail right now and drag him off.

‘Grab his tail!’ Junon said to Leona in her head.

‘It would be highly disrespectful…’ Leona thought back.

‘I wanna see! Come on!’ Junon gave her a crooked grin.

The Rashvian rolled her eyes but moved a paw to the retreating fox’s tail, grasping and giving it a tug.

Tyler gave a startled yip that almost sounded like it had a bit of a moan mingled into it, the tail fluffing in the wolf’s clawed grasp as he tried to pull it free instinctively, but Leona held it secure. His teeth clenched as he huffed through them in a panted whimper, “That is… really… rude!”

“It is… but Junon requested I do it…” Leona explained coolly while giving the tail another small tug, deciding she liked how it felt.

“Guh!” Tyler groaned this time before giving a grunt and glaring at both the girls. “Junon, did you really?!”

“It’s as hot as I hoped it would be…” Junon giggled before moving next to him and putting her own paw at the base of his tail, stroking at it. “Aww… don’t you like two girls petting your tail at the same time, babe?”

“Fuuuck…” Tyler groaned as his resolve quickly started to melt, but then when Leona tugged it again, he shouted out in another bark, “That isn’t fucking petting!”

“Fiery…” Leona growled with approval before her paw eased and he felt her large claws start to rake through his tail fur. The earthling fox was unable to do much but whimper eagerly as his sensitive tail was stroked and combed by two sexy aliens at the same time.

“Say how it feels, now!” Leona demanded.

“No!” Tyler snarled back defiantly, then gasped as Junon gripped the base of his tail.

“C’mon babe… say how it feels, let us hear… please?” She puffed into his ear as he shuddered.

“Ngh… it feels good…” He groaned in defeat.

“Honey vs vinegar, right baby?” Junon winked at Leona.

“I don’t understand…” Leona said as she kept stroking the dark fox tail before them.

“It means be nice instead of a bossy asshole!” Tyler snapped out with a small glare.

“Hmph… I’ll be nicer if you can beat me in combat…” Leona smiled as she gave his tail another stroke.

“It’s true, Rashvians will be a lot more accepting if you can best them…” Junon hummed.

“Grr! Fine, but only if we fight with a sword!” Tyler jerked his tail out of both their paws and thrust a padded finger at the wolf. “You’re hot! Maybe I’m even interested a little, but I’m a swordsman, not a brawler, so if you want to challenge me, you do it on my terms!”

“Interesting…” Leona huffed out and put a paw to her muzzle. “Let’s say I accept… What do I get if I win? Other than the obvious…” Leona showed her teeth in a hungry grin.

“Obvious…” Tyler muttered darkly then shook his head as he huffed out, “Hey, I just want you to respect me, respect me and Junon’s relationship!”

“Fine! Best me in combat and I’ll acquiesce that you are a proper mate for her!” Leona growled and folded her arms.

“Hang on… isn’t that for me to decide?” Junon growled.

“You got this damn ball rolling, Junon, so no grumbling now!” Tyler wagged a finger at her.

“He has a point, Dalrae…” Leona said with a grin.

“Hmph… I suppose I did… Alright, but I’m watching the sparring match!” Junon declared.

“Hmph… if I win, you’ll be the one wearing a collar, Tyler…” Leona growled and flexed her paw.

“What the hell have I gotten into,” he groaned as he ran a paw through his hair, as Junon just beamed excitedly at him.

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