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Metempsychosis IV - Saimi

_ _

It took a good while after the events involving the previous dreamsphere for me to actually make peace with everything and allow myself to sleep normally again. It was almost 6 months during which I would take supplements (including not so legal ones) to try to suppress the dreamstate. In retrospect, I feel terrible doing so, because I realized I had let down Nevlaan and everyone else. Nevlaan helped me through this quite a bit afterwards, as did a certain someone else, which I will touch about in a later chapter. And now that I think back, this state of depression also made me find my way to my current mate, whom I'm perfectly happy with - and who would trigger new dreamspheres over time. I suppose that is proof that even in the darkest of times, a ray of light can pierce through and give hope. The first night I felt like I was ready to get back into the dreamstate, I prepared myself with a long, hot bath and a calming meditation session. On that night, I expected to wake up to Nevlaan'a side but I woke up to a surprise: things had changed again and they turned out much different from anything I ever expected, however...

I: The green goddess

I opened my eyes and immediately felt like I’d been dropped into yet another strange dreamsphere. The realization irritated me more than anything else—I wasn’t in the mood for surprises, not this time. Off in the distance stood a large hangar, one that looked oddly familiar. My stomach tightened as a thought crossed my mind: Storm… again? The possibility alone was enough to send a chill down my spine. I pushed myself to my feet and cautiously started walking toward the structure, every step filled with hesitation. Before I could get too close, I froze. Something emerged from the hangar, and whatever I had expected, it wasn’t this.

A soldier stepped out, clad in what looked like combat gear. At first glance, I could tell she was female—something made fairly obvious by her… well, you know. I’m not exactly an expert when it came to that sort of thing, but there was no missing them. Still, that wasn’t what truly caught my attention. She was a dragoness—tall, striking, and almost unreal. Her scales shimmered in a vivid, chlorophyll-green hue, contrasted by pale green eyes that seemed to study everything with quiet intensity. A long, silky mane of golden-yellow hair flowed behind her, catching the light in a way that made her look almost ethereal. The way she was dressed made me sigh internally. My first thought was a tired, Great… another soldier.

She immediately walked toward me with calm confidence. As she approached, she crossed her arms, placing her fists on her shoulders, then bowed slightly—a formal, disciplined greeting I somehow recognized as belonging to the Sirian Kelva. When she spoke, her voice completely caught me off guard. It was soft, warm… almost motherly.

“Greetings, human. I was hoping you could help me understand where I’ve landed. There doesn’t seem to be anything here.”

She paused, studying me for a moment. Under her gaze, I suddenly became very aware of my state—standing there in nothing but my usual sleepwear: a pair of boxers.

“And while you’re at it,” she added, gesturing toward me, “maybe you can explain why you’re nearly naked, unprotected, and… not exactly looking like a typical Elvani. You seem more like a Terran.”

I just stood there, completely thrown off. Part of it was her appearance, sure—but another part was me. I’d never been particularly comfortable around females back on Earth, and dealing with an alien one? That was a whole different level.

“W-Well, miss—”

“Saimi. Just call me Saimi.”

“R-Right… miss Saimi. Sorry about the… uh, lack of clothing. And yeah, you’re right—I’m not Sirian. I’m Terran.”

Her eyes lit up with curiosity.

“You are? Now that is interesting. So… where exactly are we?”

I hesitated, unsure how to even begin explaining it.

“It’s… complicated. But basically… you’re inside my dream.”

She blinked, clearly surprised.

“Inside your dream? That’s not possible… The last thing I remember, I was with Emerald—just resting, drifting off like usual. If what you’re saying is true, then we must have spiritwalked—rather, ‘dreamwalked’ on a planetary scale. That’s… extraordinary. And wait—how is Emerald here too? I didn’t think synths could do that!”

Her excitement came out in a rapid stream of questions, leaving me struggling to keep up.

“Uh… Saimi? Who’s Emerald?”

She gave me a playful look.

“Can you drop the ‘miss’? I’m not that old. I don’t call you ‘kid,’ do I?”

She giggled softly before continuing. “Emerald is my partner. She was still asleep when I woke up.”

“Partner… as in, a mech? A MAU?”

She blinked again, this time clearly impressed. “You know about MAUs? And activators too?”

“Yeah… I do.”

“Wow. Okay, this just keeps getting better. This can’t be a coincidence—tell me everything.”

There was something different about her. Despite being in an unfamiliar situation, she wasn’t scared or defensive—just curious, open, and surprisingly cheerful.

“Well… it’s a long story,” I admitted.

And so, I told her. About the other dreamspheres, the people I had encountered, and the flashback that had shaken me to my core. As I spoke, her expression shifted from curiosity to shock.

“By the stars… you saw what happened to my brother? Alswaram? In the future?” she asked, stunned. “He disappeared from Sirius ages ago. You have to tell me everything.”

I hesitated. “It’s… not exactly a pleasant story.”

Then it clicked. “Wait—your brother… is Al??”

She nodded. “My apologies, I should have introduced myself properly. I’m Saimi Osdaniil, executive and commanding officer of Sirius’s air and space division—what we now call the Third Fleet.”

I stared at her, struggling to process it. The connections between these dreamspheres were getting more tangled by the second. “I’m sorry, Saimi… I didn’t want to bring you bad news. But… I can tell you this—he wasn’t alone in the end. He did what he believed was right.”

She sighed softly.

“That sounds like him.”

After a brief pause, she looked at me again. “So, let me get this straight—you can move through time, but only in your dreams?”

“So far… yeah.”

“Do you think we’re connected somehow?”

“Maybe… I don’t know. It’s just… a bit awkward.”

She raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. “Oh? And why’s that?”

I winced internally. There was no easy way out of this. “I’m just… not into females. So this whole ‘possible ancestor connection’ thing feels weird.”

She relaxed instantly, smiling. “Oh, that’s it? So, you like males?”

“…Yeah.”

“That’s fine with me. I’m not into males myself when it comes to intimacy. That’s why I chose Emerald—she’s my mate.”

That caught me off guard. “So… you’re an activator?”

“Proudly. Just like my brother. Except I’m fully converted, he was a natural, to say the least.”

Eventually, she convinced me to tell her everything about Alswaram. I probably shouldn’t have—but I did. She didn’t call me a liar. Didn’t question me. She just believed me… and it hit her hard. Looking back, that was when I truly understood something important: messing around in this dream state wasn’t harmless. The idea of the butterfly effect—the notion that even the smallest action could ripple outward and cause massive consequences—suddenly felt very real. Not just in theory, but in practice. I wasn’t just observing anymore. I was affecting things.

Saimi fell silent for a while after I finished.

“Typical Alswaram…” she muttered. “Always the hero. You said your name is Jon, right? Do you think you can take me to him?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so. That dreamsphere was different—I wasn’t in control. It was like watching a movie.”

“A… movie?”

“Yeah. Errr… like, a holo-vid.”

“Ah, got it. You weren’t in control of anything.” She paused again, then smirked slightly. “You mentioned someone named Storm earlier. Sounds like you were pretty fond of him.”

I looked away. “It’s complicated…”

She grinned. “Careful… I might start thinking you’ve got some activator instincts in you.”

“What? No—nothing like that!”

She laughed. “Relax, I’m teasing.”

There was something disarming about her. She was playful, warm, and surprisingly easy to talk to—nothing like what I’d expected from a soldier.

“You’re not what I imagined,” I admitted.

“Oh? And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“I just thought you’d be more… serious.”

She shrugged.

“I’m not like my brother. I specialize in avionics—My section is more R&D than frontline combat. I can fight if I have to, but that’s not really my role. Emerald’s more of a flight unit than a war machine, anyway.”

That actually made a lot of sense.

“Oh—and this?” she added, gesturing to her outfit. “It’s just an anti-G suit. I wear it during orbital travel. Honestly, I’m not great with high G-forces—I get sick pretty easily.” Then she smiled and motioned toward the hangar.

“Come on. I’ll introduce you to Emmy.”

I hesitated for a second, then nodded. “A-Alright…”

We made our way toward the hangar together, Saimi walking slightly ahead before eagerly reaching back to grab my hand and pull me along. There was something disarming about how open she was—no hesitation, no guardedness. It was as if she already trusted me completely, or maybe knew something I didn’t. I couldn’t quite place it, but it left me both curious and uneasy.

As we stepped closer, a deep, powerful sound rolled out from within the hangar—the unmistakable rumble of engines turning over. It was loud, mechanical, and strangely mesmerizing, like the ignition of some massive engine. The moment it hit my ears, my entire body reacted without my permission. A sharp shiver ran through me, my senses lighting up all at once.

Saimi noticed immediately—and, to my embarrassment, she seemed amused.

“Right?” she said with a grin. “It never gets old. Emmy’s engines starting up… it’s the sexiest sound in the universe.”

“I… can’t say I disagree,” I admitted, my voice unsteady.

We made our way toward the hangar together, Saimi walking slightly ahead before eagerly reaching back to grab my hand and pull me along. There was something disarming about how open she was—no hesitation, no guardedness. It felt like she trusted me completely, or maybe like she understood something I didn’t. Either way, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was the only one trying to catch up.

As we drew closer, a deep, rolling sound poured out from within the hangar—the unmistakable rumble of engines coming to life. It wasn’t just loud; it was alive. The vibration seemed to travel through the ground, up my legs, and straight into my chest. It reminded me of an old diesel engine turning over, but richer… fuller… almost deliberate. My body reacted instantly.

A sharp jolt ran through me, like every nerve had suddenly woken up at once. My breath caught, my skin prickled, and I felt a heat bloom in my chest that spread outward before I could stop it. It wasn’t just sound—it was something more, something that stirred me on a level I didn’t understand.

She giggled, her tail brushing lightly against my back. That small touch sent another wave through me, stronger this time, like my body was already primed and waiting. I clenched my jaw, silently fighting the reaction—and losing. Then came the footsteps. Heavy. Measured. Each one sending a subtle tremor through the ground. And then, finally, she emerged.

Emerald.

The sight alone was enough to steal the air from my lungs. Her emerald-green frame gleamed under the dim light, smooth and elegant yet undeniably powerful. She resembled Saimi in many ways—draconic in design, with a powerful tail, wing-mounted reactors, and a distinctly feminine silhouette. But what stood out most was what she didn’t have. There were no obvious weapons, no aggressive edges. She looked more like a high-speed scout or a specialized flight unit than something built purely for combat. Her engines purred—a deep, layered sound that seemed to vibrate inside me rather than around me.

And then… the exhaust reached me. At first, it was just a faint warmth brushing against my skin. But within seconds, it deepened—thickened—wrapping around me like a living presence. The air grew dense, almost velvety, carrying with it a rich, intoxicating scent. It wasn’t harsh. Not like Storm’s overwhelming, scorching output.

This was different.

Not scorching hot but warmer then body temperature—like stepping into a heated current that welcomed rather than forced itself on you. The scent followed right behind it: smooth, oily, and strangely sweet. It reminded me of high-performance fuel, the kind you’d smell at a race track—but refined, softened, layered with something almost… comforting.

I inhaled without thinking. And that was a mistake. The moment it filled my lungs, it hit me. Not all at once—but in a slow, creeping wave. My chest tightened slightly, then loosened as a warmth spread outward, seeping into my muscles. My thoughts dulled at the edges, like someone had turned down the sharpness of the world. At the same time, something deeper stirred—a low, steady pull that settled in my core and began to build. My pulse quickened. My skin felt hypersensitive, every brush of air suddenly noticeable. The sound of her engines wasn’t just something I heard anymore—it resonated inside me, syncing with my heartbeat, amplifying everything I felt. I exhaled shakily, only to draw in another breath without meaning to. It was addictive. My body reacted the same way it did with Storm.

Each inhale seemed to sink deeper than the last, carrying that same warm, rich scent further into me, spreading that strange mixture of calm and stimulation. My body relaxed… but not in a normal way. It was like sinking into something soft and heavy, while at the same time a quiet tension coiled underneath, building slowly.

“Careful,” Saimi teased softly beside me. “It gets to you fast if you’re not used to it.”

“I—yeah…” I whispered, though my voice barely felt like mine anymore.

Emerald stepped closer, and with her, the effect intensified. The airflow thickened, rolling over me in slow, steady waves. It brushed along my skin, slipped under my boxers, clung to me. The scent grew fuller, deeper—almost syrupy in how it lingered in my lungs.

My knees felt weak. My thoughts blurred further, slipping out of focus. I tried to steady myself, but it was like trying to stay upright in water—everything felt soft, distant, unreal. And yet… I didn’t want it to stop. A faint heat pooled low in my body, spreading slowly, deliberately, responding to every breath I took. My chest rose and fell a little faster now, each inhale pulling more of that intoxicating warmth inside me.

“Wow…” I muttered, barely aware I’d spoken.

Saimi laughed quietly. “Yeah. She has that effect.”

I believed her. Because at that point, I wasn’t just reacting—I was surrendering to it. Every breath pulled me deeper. Every second made it harder to think, harder to resist. My body felt loose, heavy, yet strangely alive all at once. The sound, the warmth, the scent—they all blended together into something overwhelming and impossible to ignore. And the worst part? I didn’t even want to fight this feeling anymore. This intense drunkenness dissipated as Saimi put a small ventilator mask over my nose and mouth and allowed oxygen to flow back in me. I was almost disappointed, to be honest. Saimi giggled.

“Hi, Emmy! Sleep well?” Saimi called out warmly.

“~ I did, love, ~” came the reply, her voice smooth and almost musical. “~ Who’s this? ~”

“This is Jon,” Saimi said, gesturing toward me. “Terran human, from what we can tell. Somehow, we ended up inside his dreams.”

“~ His dreams? ~” Emerald repeated, intrigued.

Saimi nodded. “Apparently, he has some kind of regression or retrocognition ability. There might even be a distant connection between us.”

“~ I see… metempsychosis, perhaps? ~” Emerald mused. “~ Fascinating. I didn’t realize Terrans were capable of that. ~”

“Neither did I,” I admitted. “Uh… nice to meet you, Emerald.”

She gave a soft, playful giggle, her tail swaying slightly—and with it, another wave of warm exhaust washed over me. Even though I couldn’t smell it much with the mask, I felt my face heat up. She noticed.

“~ Are you an activator too? ~” she asked curiously.

“I… don’t know,” I said honestly. “I’ve been told I might be, in some way. Your… incredible scent definitely did something to me.”

“~ Well, you certainly speak and react like one, ~” she teased gently. “~ Though I don’t suppose you rely on fluids the way Sai does? ~”

I shook my head. “No, I eat normal food… back in the waking world, anyway.”

That seemed to catch both of their interest.

“So your waking life is completely different from this?” Saimi asked.

“Yeah. No mechs, no MAUs… nothing like that.”

She tilted her head. “But you still respond to stimuli like this?”

I hesitated. “Yeah… sounds, smells… engines. I guess it affects me more than it should. Including in my waking life.”

Emerald hummed thoughtfully. “~ That suggests potential. Your body might simply not be adapted to handle it under normal conditions. But here, in a dreamstate… those limitations may not apply. ~”

“That… actually explains a lot,” I said quietly. “Even with Storm…”

Emerald brightened slightly. “~ Then I propose something—why don’t we take Jon for a flight? There’s plenty of open space here. It might help awaken his senses even further. ~”

Saimi grinned. “That’s not a bad idea. What do you say, Jon?”

I stiffened immediately. With intense embarrassment, I went for honesty. “I—uh… I’m not great with heights...”

“Oh…” Emerald said, sounding genuinely disappointed.

“Hey, don’t sound so sad,” I muttered. “Now I’m the one who feels horrible.”

Emerald chuckled softly. “~ Then perhaps something simpler. You and Sai can stay close, and I’ll keep you warm. ~”

I hesitated, already feeling overwhelmed by everything—the sounds, the scent, the presence of both of them. My head felt light, my thoughts sluggish.

“Yeah… okay,” I said finally. “It’s probably not going to last much longer and I’ll wake back up in my bed anyway.”

Saimi glanced at me, then smiled. “You don’t mind, do you? Even if you’re… male?”

“It’s… new for me,” I admitted.

She shrugged lightly. “You’re not Sirian, so it’s different for me too. Besides, the only male I’ve ever been close to like that is my brother.”

That caught me off guard, but before I could respond, she was already moving. To my shock, she casually opened a compartment along Emerald’s leg plating and began removing her gear. Piece by piece, her uniform came off—jacket, pads, boots—until she stood there in minimal clothing, completely at ease. I froze.

Part of me wanted to look away. The other part… couldn’t. “W-What are you doing?!” I blurted out.

She glanced at me, amused. “Getting comfortable. We’re about to relax, aren’t we? And you’re not exactly dressed for formality either.” She had a point—but she was handling it far better than I was. She stepped closer, noticing my tension, and softened her expression.

“You brought me here,” she said gently. “So you might as well get used to me.” Before I could respond, she closed the distance, her arms wrapping around me as her tail brushed along my legs. Then, without effort, she lifted me off the ground. I barely had time to react. She held me close, nuzzling lightly against my neck. Her warmth was immediate, comforting, and her scent—something like lavender mixed with driftwood—washed over me. It wasn’t overpowering. It was calming… grounding.

“You smell nice,” I murmured without thinking.

She smiled softly. “It’s a plant-based oil.”

“It suits you.”

“And you,” she added, “have a pleasant scent too. Earthy. Musky.”

I blinked, surprised. No one had ever described it like that before. Despite my confusion, I found myself relaxing in her arms. Her touch was gentle, her movements slow and reassuring—until suddenly—

“S-Saimi!”

“What?” she asked innocently.

“That’s—hey—that’s my—!”

She laughed. “You’re very sensitive about these things.”

“I am not—you’re just—too forward!”

Before things could escalate further, Emerald’s voice cut in, calm but firm.

“~ Alright, you two. Settle down. Come over here and just relax. ~”

Saimi carried me toward the back of Emerald, where I finally noticed the large exhaust ports beneath her tail. She carefully laid us down along the plating, positioning us so the warm exhaust flow drifted over us.

The heat was immediate—but not overwhelming. Just… enveloping.

“If it gets too intense,” Saimi whispered playfully, “you’ll have to kiss me so I can share air.”

“What?! No—!”

She only laughed, clearly enjoying herself. Then the engines deepened. A stronger wave of heat and scent rolled over us, and this time, it hit harder. My body responded instantly—too quickly. My thoughts blurred, my limbs felt heavy, and a strange mix of calm and stimulation pulled me under. Saimi held me close as I drifted, her voice fading in and out.

“…definitely an activator…”

“~ …adjust output… ~”

Everything softened after that. The last thing I felt was warmth—steady, consuming, and strangely comforting, as my consciousness slowly slipped away.

_ _

And then, I woke up in my bed, with mixed frustration and embarrassment at the ridiculous boner I had. Was I feeling something for a female? It had to be because Emerald is a mech. I was in complete denial. This dragoness was going to provide me with an interesting adventure, to say the least. The following night, another flashback would fill my dreams, and I would go back to being the spectator to past events.

II : Third Fleet

The wide, empty hallway echoed with the soft click of Saimi’s boots as the green dragoness strode through the military wing of the council building. She wore her favorite pastel green civilian outfit — loose, comfortable, and deliberately unassuming. Her eyes flicked down to the glowing screen of her PDA.

Stars above, I’m way too early. Al’s going to kill me…

She was used to the sideways glances and muttered insults that followed her through these corridors. A female council advisor with a brother who was one of the highest-ranking commanders in the fleet? The combination drew resentment like blood in the water. “Privileged.” “Ne’po.” and the worst of them — “S’sarati.” The Sirian word for whore, spat like venom. She could have told Alswaram. She should have told him. But she kept it locked behind her teeth, telling herself that one day those bastards would choke on their own words.

She passed a familiar face — Terin, the Elvani human guard stationed at the checkpoint. He snapped a crisp salute.

“Good morning, Miss Saimi.”

“Morning, Terin,” she replied with a warm smile. “Heading in to see the Commander. That alright?”

“It’s permitted… but you know he hates being woken this early. He takes it out on the rest of us for the next six hours.”

Saimi winced. “Yeah, I know. Sorry in advance. But this really is important.”

Terin gave her a knowing look. “You always say that.”

“Because it’s always true!” She grinned and pulled out a sealed letter bearing the glowing collective seal of the Sirian Council. The moment Terin saw it, his expression soured.

“You’re actually doing the trials?”

“Damn right I am,” she said, puffing out her chest. “I’m going to become a soldier and kick ass just like my brother.”

“Shit.” Terin rubbed the back of his neck. “The Commander is going to be furious.”

Saimi’s grin turned sharp. “Well he can kiss my scaled ass. And when I pass, he can lick my boots while he’s down there.”

Terin let out a low chuckle despite himself. “Sure thing, Miss Saimi… We’ll see how you do first.”

She gave him a playful salute and continued deeper into the wing until she reached the massive hangar bay. The moment the doors hissed open, the thick, familiar scent hit her — hot metal, ozone, and the deep, earthy musk of her brother mixed with Lancer’s exhaust. She shook her head, a fond smile tugging at her muzzle. They really went at it again last night. Not that she could blame either of them. She loved that scent more than she cared to admit.

“~ Good morning, Saimi. ~”

The smooth, resonant voice of the red mech filled her mind through their activator link.

“Hey, Lancer,” she said warmly, stepping closer. “How’s my favorite sexy red doing this morning?”

“~ Quite well, actually. ~”

“I can tell,” she giggled, ears perking. “Mind firing up your engines for me, handsome?”

Lancer’s amusement was palpable even without a face. He knew this request was coming. Saimi had undergone the conversion therapy shortly after learning her brother had done it — against Alswaram’s explicit orders. She had no idea how traumatic his own experience had been; he refused to speak of it. When he found out she’d gone through with it (especially back when the procedure was far more dangerous), he had been livid. But Saimi had taken to it like she was born for it. Her body adapted beautifully, skipping most of the brutal transition phase that left others convulsing and bedridden for weeks.

She locked the hangar doors, stripped out of her civilian clothes without hesitation, and stood bare under the hangar lights. (It was the first time anyone other than Lancer had seen her fully naked in this context.)

“I’m ready, hon. Light ‘em up!”

Lancer’s engines roared to life with a deep, guttural growl that vibrated through the deck plating. Superheated gases poured from his exhaust vents. Saimi inhaled sharply, a soft moan escaping her as the activator senses in her body flared to life. Instant synchronization flooded her veins with warmth and power. The noise woke her brother.

Alswaram emerged from the access hatch, blue scales rumpled, eyes narrowed in sleepy irritation.

“Do you have to do that every single time, Sai?”

“Hee! I blame it all on Lancer,” she said innocently, tail swaying. “He’s just too damn sexy.”

“Well… that’s something we can both agree on,” Alswaram muttered, a reluctant smirk tugging at his muzzle.

“~ Your flattery will get you nowhere, although I would blush if I could, ~” Lancer replied whimsically.

“~ You’re already all red, you big silly! ~” Saimi laughed.

Both the mech and the blue dragon chuckled.

“~ A fair point, indeed. ~”

Saimi’s expression softened as she looked at her brother. “Hey, Al…?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve got something to show you.”

She pulled out the letter. The moment Alswaram’s golden eyes landed on the council seal, his face darkened. He was internalizing it but deep inside, he was both incredibly proud but furious.

“SAI! I told you not to enroll!”

“Bite me!” she shot back, ears flattening. “I know you’d be perfectly happy keeping me locked away in some safe little office, but I can’t live like that! I need more, Al. I need to be someone. Like Father was. I’m going to prove to you — and everyone else — that I can make a damn good soldier. And then I’ll earn my own partner.”

“You don’t have to prove anything to me, sis,” he growled, stepping closer. “I already know you’re the best. So quit this nonsense before you get yourself killed.”

“You’re so stuck-up, you know that?” Her voice cracked with frustration. “Can’t you just be happy for me? For once?”

His PDA beeped. Alswaram glanced at it and cursed under his breath.

“Bah. I have to go— my new Second Fleet recruits are waiting. We’ll finish this discussion later, Sai. Just… try not to get in trouble?” He looked toward the mech. “Lancer, keep an eye on her.”

“~ You got it, Al. ~”

“Hey! I’m not a whelp anymore!” Saimi protested, tail lashing. “You’re just dodging the issue—”

“Not now, Sai!” Alswaram snapped, already gathering his gear. “Later.”

He stormed out of the hangar, leaving heavy silence behind. Saimi pulled a childish face at the closing doors. Lancer’s low chuckle rumbled through their link.

“~ He means well, you know. ~”

“I know, hon…” She sighed, shoulders slumping. “But he’s too damn protective. He has to understand I don’t need him shielding me from everything anymore. All I want is his approval. Just once.”

“~ You’ll get it, Saimi. He just needs time. ~”

“I hope so.”

The following night — Sirian Military Spaceport

Saimi stood in her crisp new recruit uniform, recommendation letter and gear bag slung over her shoulder. She joined the cluster of hopefuls at the boarding ramp of the waiting shuttle. The air buzzed with nervous energy.

A massive orca-like Hilandran soldier stepped forward, his tag reading “Praetor Yaldin.” The enormous spear secured across his back made his rank obvious even without the title.

“Alright, you useless sacks of flesh!” he bellowed. “I’m calling names. When you hear yours, you answer loud and clear and get your ass on that shuttle. Anyone who doesn’t answer gets left behind. And if you forgot to take a piss before you got here — too fucking bad! Line up!”

The recruits — a mix of all four Sirian races — formed a ragged line. When her name rang out, Saimi stepped forward and snapped a sharp salute.

“Saimi Osdaniil!”

Yaldin’s eyes narrowed. “Osdaniil… That name rings a bell. You’re telling me you’re Commander Alswaram’s sister, Kelva?”

“Yes, Sir!”

“Hmph. Don’t think you’re getting any special treatment just because you’ve got bigshot blood in your veins.”

“No, Sir! I intend to make my own name, Sir!”

“Good answer, squid. Now get your ass aboard.”

She climbed in. The other recruits had heard everything. Some looked intimidated. Others looked hungry for the challenge. Once the shuttle sealed and lifted off, the comments started.

“Did you hear? She’s one of those machine lovers.”

“No way…”

“She probably synced with the shuttle the second she sat down.”

Saimi kept her eyes forward, but her tail twitched in irritation.

“Hey, you idiots better shut your mouths,” one recruit muttered nervously. “Her brother’s the CO of Second Fleet. They say he’s a beast. Scratch one of his machines and you’ll end up in a pod as Arcturian chow.”

What a bunch of morons, Saimi thought. She finally turned, voice calm but edged with steel.

“You boys should conserve your energy. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with neural implants frying my memories. Those things stay in you forever. So shut the hell up and get some rest before we arrive.”

“Whatever, machine-lover. You’re not getting a free pass just ‘cause of your brother.”

“Who said I was?” she shot back with a sharp grin. “I’m going to kick all your asses. Then you can tell everyone how a girl beat you like a dead fish.”

That lit a fuse. A large bipedal wolf — Rek — surged to his feet, snarling. “Damn you—!”

A calm, deep voice cut him off. The massive Hilandran shark beside him placed a steady hand on his shoulder. “Drop it, Rek. She’s just trying to psych you out.” Rek growled but sat back down, muttering curses. Saimi allowed herself a small, satisfied smirk. The shuttle hit the gravitic relay with a stomach-lurching jolt and reappeared deep in space, the ominous silhouette of the trial station looming ahead.

SS-3934 Qualification Station

The transparent dome of the station made the void outside feel alive — cold, infinite, and utterly unforgiving. One wrong move and the vacuum would claim you just as quickly as the trials inside.

Praetor Yaldin and the silver-scaled Kelva drill sergeant stood like executioners before the recruits. The sergeant’s voice cracked like a whip.

“Welcome to hell, shitheads. This station doesn’t care who your brother is, what race you are, or how pretty you think you are. Some of you will break. Some will beg. And some… will die screaming. The acid below doesn’t negotiate. The drones don’t miss twice. And your own mind will betray you long before your body does.”

He gestured to the glowing holographic leaderboard, names of legends etched in glowing script — including Alswaram Osdanil at the top.

“None of you are worthy of those records. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Third place belongs to a female — Jaleta Silva. Think you can beat her? Try. Just remember: cleanup crews hate scraping melted scales off the floor.”

The sergeant’s silver eyes swept over them.

“Last chance to crawl home. Speak now.”

Silence. Only the low hum of the station’s life support and the distant hiss of acid answered.

“Good. First trial starts in one hour. Strength and endurance. Pray you rested on the shuttle.”

Balance Trial

They were issued tight kinetic-resistant exosuits and helmets with HUDs, plus a compact stasis pistol. Saimi was the only female in the group, and the locker room’s silence pressed on her like a weight. She checked every seal twice — just like Al had drilled into her since she was a hatchling. No excuses. No stupid mistakes.

The trial site was a nightmare made real: a vast chamber dominated by a churning pool of viscous, multicolored acid that smoked and popped aggressively. Narrow, unstable platforms jutted out. Sheer walls riddled with tiny, treacherous handholds rose above it. One slip, one shove, and it was over.

Praetor Yaldin’s voice boomed.

“Three stages. All at once. First: balance on one leg on your platform. Longest time earns a major bonus. Shortest two get heavy penalties. Second: climb and cross the walls and jumping platforms. Third: reach the far side. Rules? There are none. Shove, trip, shoot with your stasis pistol if you’re feeling bold — everything goes. Touch the acid even with one claw, and you’re disqualified… or dead. We’ve seen both.”

He paused, letting the words sink in. “Any questions?”

A nervous recruit muttered, “Is that really acid, Sir?”

Yaldin’s grin was all teeth. “Surprise, squid. It eats through armor in under ten seconds and flesh even faster. No ropes. No harnesses. No second chances. Make it or become a statistic.”

The recruits lined up at the edge. Hearts hammered. Tails twitched. Saimi’s activator senses — still humming faintly from her morning with Lancer — helped steady her breathing, but the acrid stench of the acid clawed at her nostrils.

The signal blared.

They leaped.

One Kelva misjudged the distance on the first jump. His claws scrabbled desperately on the platform’s edge — then failed. His scream was raw and brief as he plunged into the pool. The acid hissed violently, dissolving scales and muscle in seconds. The smell of burnt flesh filled the air. No one went back for him. No one could.

The remaining seven froze on their platforms in one-legged stances, muscles already burning. Sweat stung eyes. The acid bubbled menacingly below. Tension crackled as recruits glared at each other, waiting for someone to break.

Saimi’s leg trembled after several long minutes. She wasn’t the first to move — that was a swift Elvani who lunged for the wall too early — but she was second. Frustration burned in her chest as she forfeited the bonus. Damn it, focus!

The wall climb turned savage. Hands slipped on slick holds. One recruit tried to shove Saimi off a narrow ledge; she twisted at the last second, slamming her elbow into his ribs and sending him reeling. He barely caught another hold, cursing her viciously. Another pair traded stasis shots mid-climb — one frozen limb sent a Balmodan wolf tumbling into the acid with a guttural howl that cut off too quickly.

By the end, no further deaths, but everyone was battered, scorched, and shaking. Saimi crossed in seventh place. The two slowest received brutal time penalties flashing red on their HUDs. No one congratulated them for surviving. They were simply herded to the next trial with barely time to catch their breath.

Accuracy Trial

No rest. Just the next chamber: a twisting, multi-level course filled with pop-up targets and agile drones. They were handed the KR-50 rifle — high-velocity, zero-margin-for-error.

“Speed and precision,” the sergeant snarled. “Clear the course as fast as possible while hitting every marked target. Silent drones first. Then mobile ones that shoot back with stun rounds. Feel cocky? Attempt it with live ammunition for a massive time bonus. Most don’t survive the attempt.”

A massive Hilandran stepped forward, eyes blazing with arrogance. “I’ll take the live fire.”

He lasted longer than expected — dodging, firing, roaring challenges — but three drones overwhelmed him. Stun rounds became real when he missed a critical shot. He staggered out bleeding from multiple wounds, barely conscious. Medics dragged him away. Now there were six.

Saimi moved through the course with grim determination. Drones whirred past her head. A stun round grazed her shoulder, sending fiery numbness down her arm. She pushed through, heart pounding, but her time was mediocre. She dropped to next-to-last overall. The leaderboard mocked her in glowing red.

The rival wolf, Rek, sneered as he passed her. “Machine-lover’s slowing down already.”

She bit back a retort. Energy was too precious.

Problem-Solving Trial

The thirs trial felt anything but safe. They were locked into individual pods with neural interfaces. Logic puzzles, calculus under extreme time pressure, psychological evaluations laced with double meanings and emotional traps designed to break concentration.

Questions twisted like knives:

“Your squadmate is wounded and slowing the team during extraction. Sacrifice him for the mission, or risk everyone?”

Saimi’s mind raced. Traps everywhere. One wrong answer could tank her score or trigger a simulated “panic response” that flooded her system with disorienting chemicals.

Here, her sharp intellect finally shone. She sliced through logic traps and pattern recognition challenges that left others sweating and muttering. By the end, she had surged to fourth place.

But the relief was hollow. Two trials still loomed — and everyone knew the worst was saved for last. Her brother’s words echoed in her skull:

“Expect the impossible.”

Alswaram’s favorite warning. When you think the danger is behind you, when you believe you’ve adapted… that’s when the Sirian trials reach out and crush you.

Saimi’s muscles ached, acid stench still clinging to her suit. The other recruits eyed her with a mix of resentment and wary respect. Rek stared daggers. She met his gaze without flinching.

Come on then, she thought. I didn’t come this far to fail now.

The final trial awaited — and the station’s lights seemed to dim, as if the void outside was leaning in closer, hungry for another failure.

Piloting Trial

Exhaustion weighed on every recruit like lead. Muscles burned, nerves were frayed, and focus was slipping dangerously. The final trial loomed — the one that would decide who earned the chance to enter the elite Quadrant Run and qualify as official MAU pilots. For most of the remaining candidates, it felt like staring into the void itself. For Saimi, it felt like coming home.

They were led into a vast motor pool hangar bathed in harsh white lights. Rows of sleek vehicles waited — aggressive-looking atmospheric fighters, jet-powered ground racers, and high-mobility hovercraft. The other recruits immediately gravitated toward the fastest, flashiest machines, engines already humming in anticipation.

Saimi’s eyes, however, locked onto something far more imposing.

At the far end of the bay stood a towering, inactive MAU — a 15-foot-tall mechanical dragoness with sleek, gleaming emerald-green plating that caught the light like polished gemstone. Powerful aircraft-style wings folded against her back, each mounted with heavy reactors that promised raw thrust. Her optics were dark for now, but even inert she radiated quiet menace and breathtaking beauty.

Saimi’s heart slammed against her ribs. A wide, hungry grin spread across her muzzle as she strode straight toward the hulking mech. Matching colors? It was meant to be. Praetor Yaldin stepped into her path, massive spear still harnessed across his back.

“You running after your death, girl?” the orca rumbled, voice low with warning. “I suggest you pick another. Everyone who’s tried to sync with that one has regretted it. Badly.”

Saimi didn’t slow down. “Yeah? Well, they weren’t mechanical activators.”

“Some of them were.”

“Then they didn’t listen to her.”

Yaldin’s brow ridge rose. “‘Her’? You’re calling this MAU a female?”

“Indeed she is, Sir.”

The big orca exhaled sharply. “Suit yourself, Osdaniil.”

Yaldin’s voice boomed once again at all of them. “You squids got 15 fractions to get a feel for your machine and reach the starting line.”

Saimi approached the dormant mech with growing confidence. She placed both front paws on the cool emerald plating. For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the MAU’s systems booted with a deep, resonant thrum. Bright green optics flared to life, locking onto her.

“~ What do you want? ~”

The voice in her mind was smooth, powerful, and edged with suspicion.

Saimi smiled up at the towering dragoness. “~ Hi, sweetheart. Sorry for waking you. I need your help to win this race. I’m trailing pretty badly… and you’re the only one who can turn that around. ~”

“~ And why would I help you? ~”

“Because when this is over, I’m going to give you a servicing you will never forget,” Saimi replied without hesitation, her tail swaying.

A low, intrigued chuckle rolled through their nascent link.

“~ Is that so? ~”

“Yup. You’re one beautiful unit, you know that? We’ve even got matching colors. What’s your name?”

“~ They call me Emerald. ~”

“Well, Emmy… you gonna help me? Let’s go kick some ass together.”

Emerald’s optics brightened with amusement. “~ You’re awfully confident. Cocky, even. Your activator energy is strong, I’ll give you that. The ones before you couldn’t handle me. Most were flayed alive by feedback. The rest I simply denied access to my core systems. ~”

“So I heard,” Saimi said with a smirk. “Guess you’ve been waiting for the right activator then. Let’s show them how girls do things.”

“~ Hah! Very well. Let’s try it. We’ll see if you’re actually worth my time. ~”

The synchronization hit like a storm. Emerald didn’t ease in. She slammed a torrent of raw data and electrical feedback straight into Saimi’s nervous system— an aggressive test designed to break weaker minds. Saimi’s vision whited out. Her knees buckled. Pain and overwhelming pressure flooded every synapse. For a terrifying heartbeat she thought she might black out or worse. But she refused to yield. Saimi pushed back, drawing on every lesson from her morning sessions with Lancer and the raw determination that had carried her through acid baths and betrayals. Her activator senses flared brighter than ever. She showed Emerald everything she wanted from her. All of her feelings. The feedback stabilized. Synchronization locked in hard and clean.

Emerald’s optics widened with genuine surprise. “~ How? You must have done this before. ~”

“Yup,” Saimi panted, grinning up at her new partner. “My brother’s partner is pretty badass. Now let’s work together, sweetheart. I’m not here to hurt you like those idiots did. If we’re going to be partners, we have to look out for each other.”

“~ Hmm. Very well. ~” Emerald’s tone softened, almost playful. “~What’s your name, activator? ~”

“Saimi. Just Sai will do for you.”

“~ Alright. Get in, Sai. ~”

Emerald’s canopy hissed open. Saimi climbed into the cockpit, the seat molding perfectly around her body. All around the motor pool, the other recruits stared in open disbelief. Even Praetor Yaldin’s usual hardass scowl cracked into a rare mix of frustration, reluctant respect, and something dangerously close to excitement.

As Emerald’s powerful reactors spun up with a deep, throaty growl, Yaldin stepped forward and shouted:

“Osdanil! Need I remind you that relying on the AI for piloting is strictly forbidden?”

“~ We are aware, ~” Emerald replied dryly through external speakers. “~ She will be manually piloting. ~”

Yaldin’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. “I see. Then why don’t you show us what you can do, Osdaniil?”

“Gladly, Sir!”

The drill sergeant — Commander Tarvos — strode over, silver scales glinting as he chuckled darkly.

“Here’s how this works. Each of you will run the course one by one. You may choose the difficulty setting, which controls drone density and aggression. Fastest time wins the trial. After that, we’ll factor in all time bonuses and penalties from previous trials. Only the top performers get their names on the permanent leaderboard.”

Through a random draw, Saimi launched first. Emerald rocketed forward with terrifying grace. Saimi took manual control, hands and mind working in perfect tandem. She aced the standard course like it was a leisurely flight, threading through obstacles and evading drone fire with effortless precision.

“~ Not bad, ~” Emerald purred in her mind. “~ Again. Highest difficulty. If you manage it… I’ll agree to be your partner. ~”

Saimi’s grin widened. “Um, Sir? Emerald wants to run it again. Highest setting.”

“Out of the question!” Yaldin barked. “You have a death wish, girl?!”

Commander Tarvos raised a clawed hand, clearly amused. “Hold it, Yaldin. Why not? Let’s see what she’s made of. Worst case, it’s one less recruit to process. But let’s make it interesting: if you don’t beat your previous time on max difficulty, you’re disqualified.”

“Fine by me, Commander,” Saimi replied confidently.

Tarvos smirked. “I swear you take pleasure in this shit, Yaldin… Very well. Reset the course to maximum difficulty.”

The arena transformed. Dozens upon dozens of aggressive drones materialized. Their weapons glowed hot. The track itself grew more treacherous — tighter turns, sudden gravity shifts, and random energy barriers. Everyone looked with bated breath.

Saimi took a slow breath and slipped fully into “the zone” — that perfect headspace her brother had taught her. Time seemed to slow. Her activator bond with Emerald sang with power before they launched.

The run was flawless. Emerald banked and rolled with predatory elegance while Saimi manually piloted with surgical precision, dodging drone volleys, threading needle gaps, and hitting every checkpoint at peak efficiency. When the final marker flashed green, the timer stopped.

She had shattered the previous record, even beaten her brother Alswaram’s legendary time.

Silence fell across the motor pool. Then stunned murmurs erupted. Praetor Yaldin stood speechless— a rare occurrence that drew nervous glances from the other staff.

“Impossible,” one of the observers finally muttered. “She must have cheated! Osdaniil’s a cheater!”

“I did not, Sir,” Saimi replied calmly from the cockpit. “You can download the full logs from Emerald. She didn’t assist with piloting.”

“~ I confirm, ~” Emerald added, her voice carrying clearly. “~Sai piloted manually the entire time. ~”

The logs were checked on the spot. The truth was undeniable. The remaining recruits ran their own attempts at the lowest setting. All survived, but none came close to Saimi’s time. When the final cumulative scores were calculated— factoring every trial from strength and endurance through problem-solving— Saimi stood in first place overall. Third only to the all-time legends on the permanent leaderboard, her own brother and Sorvaa’hr Ol’rath.

Saimi exhaled shakily inside the cockpit, gratitude flooding her. Without Emerald, she would have been lucky to scrape into the top half— maybe even last.

“Thank you, Emmy,” she sent privately.

“~ The pleasure was mutual, ~” Emerald replied, warmth threading through the link. “~ You felt… wonderful. ~”

As the group prepared to board the shuttle back to Sirius for the official commissioning ceremony, Emerald’s voice stopped Saimi in her tracks.

“~ Wait, Sai! ~” The emerald green dragoness hollered Saimi and made her way towards her.

“Emerald?”

“~ My offer still stands. If you want, I’ll return to Sirius with you. ~”

Saimi’s eyes widened. “Wait… what are you saying?”

“~ You know exactly what I’m saying. ~” Emerald’s tone turned playful, almost teasing. “~ I want you to be my partner, Sai. You kicked ass out there. You felt incredible in sync. Plus… you still owe me that full servicing, remember? ~”

“But… usually, I’d have to do the Run to get a MAU.”

“~ Not if I choose you as pilot in the first place. There are no rules against that. ~”

Saimi burst into bright laughter, tail lashing with joy. “Then yeah! I’d be honored to have you, Emmy! My brother’s going to shit himself when he sees us. Hee hee!”

“~ Alswaram Osdanil, correct? Quite the pilot prodigy. ~” Emerald sounded genuinely intrigued. “~ I look forward to meeting him. ~”

Saimi grinned as she climbed back into the cockpit for the ride home. “Looks like I won’t have to ride back with those annoying males after all, huh?”

Emerald’s engines rumbled with deep, powerful whining, her voice resounding with affectionate amusement as the canopy sealed, launching with a powerful blast from her reactors.

“~ No, you won’t. ~”

---

Sirius Central Hangar Bays – Private Wing Late Evening, Post-Landing

The launch ramp had barely sealed before Saimi locked the entire wing down. Red lockdown lights pulsed once and faded to a low, intimate amber. The massive emerald dragoness mech stepped fully into the hangar with a heavy, resonant thud that vibrated up through Saimi’s paws. Saimi stripped out of her recruit uniform without ceremony, scales already flushed dark green with anticipation. She stood bare before her new partner, tail high.

“Looks like we’re completely alone, Emmy. No one’s getting in. Now… let me service you properly.”

Emerald’s bright green optics glowed hotter. “~ You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this. ~”

Saimi climbed. Claws found every seam and handhold until she was perched high on Emerald’s broad chest, right above the twin ventral exhaust vents. She pressed her entire body flush against the warm plating, breasts and belly sliding over smooth emerald armor as she nuzzled the sealed ports, supported by Emerald’s hands.

“Open up for me, beautiful.”

The protective iris shutters parted with a soft mechanical sigh. Thick, shimmering waves of superheated reactor gas rolled out, carrying that rich, heady musk of hot metal, ozone, and concentrated activator lubricant. Saimi moaned loudly and buried her muzzle between the vents, inhaling deep.

The first full lungful hit her like liquid ecstasy. She dragged it in greedily, tongue dragging along the slick rims, tasting the metallic residue that beaded there. Her activator senses flared white-hot. Every breath sent pulses of raw synchronization straight into her core.

“~ Sai— ~” Emerald’s voice was already ragged. “~ …You’re really worshipping me… ~”

“Yeah! Worshipping my goddess of a partner!”

Saimi further answered by grinding her hips against the warm armor, one paw slipping between her own thighs while the other stroked and massaged the sensitive plating around the vents. She sucked and licked harder, moaning into the exhaust as it poured over her face and chest in heavy waves. The heat made her scales tingle and her arousal drip onto Emerald’s plating.

The bond snapped wide open. Pleasure fed back and forth until neither could tell where one ended and the other began. Saimi cried out as her first orgasm crashed through her, body convulsing against the mech while hot exhaust blasted across her muzzle in perfect rhythm with her climax, hot honey dribbling down the mech’s plates.

She was still panting when she slid lower along Emerald’s frame. “My turn to refuel you,” she purred, voice husky.

Emerald’s reactors cycled with a needy thrum. ~You don’t have to—~

“I want to.” Saimi’s paws found the recessed refueling port just below the main ventral vents — a wide, circular coupling normally accessed by ground crews. She popped the cover and reached inside, fingers wrapping around the thick, flexible fuel hose. The port itself was already glistening with a slow trickle of fresh, warm synthetic oil — the high-grade activator-compatible lubricant that doubled as both nutrient and as pleasure catalyst for synced MAUs. Saimi leaned in and pressed her muzzle directly to the open port. The oil was thick, silky, and faintly sweet with a sharp metallic tang that made her activator senses sing. She took a long, deliberate lick, letting the warm fluid coat her tongue. “Mmmh… you taste even better here,” she groaned, lapping again, deeper this time. The oil slid down her throat, warm and viscous, spreading a heavy, euphoric heat through her entire body. She could feel it interacting with her own activator chemistry, making every nerve spark.

Emerald’s entire frame shuddered hard. “~ Sai— that’s… stars, that feels incredible… ~”

Saimi kept licking and sucking at the port, one paw stroking the sensitive rim while the other guided the hose. She took the thick nozzle between her lips and began to work it slowly, as if it were something far more intimate, all while swallowing down every drop of warm oil that flowed out.

Emerald’s engines were revving higher now. Saimi felt the warning rumble through the link and grinned around the hose. “Give it to me, Emmy. All of it!”

The moment Emerald’s reactors fully reignited, the reaction was explosive.

A massive, hard blast of superheated exhaust erupted straight from the twin ventral vents directly into Saimi’s face and open muzzle. The force was so powerful it nearly knocked her backward. Thick, scorching gas flooded her mouth and lungs in one overwhelming surge — hotter, richer, and far more potent than before. The sudden blast mixed with the fresh oil still coating her tongue, creating a searing, euphoric cocktail that slammed straight into her activator senses, so intense it felt like her innards melted. Saimi screamed in pure pleasure, the sound muffled by the torrent of exhaust blasting into her muzzle. Her eyes rolled back, body arching violently as a second, even harder orgasm ripped through her. The mess of honey splattered and streaked all over the mech’s plates as she clung desperately to her plating, swallowing and gasping and moaning all at once while the heavy exhaust continued to hammer her face and chest in powerful, rhythmic pulses.

“~ Yes— take it all! ~” Emerald’s voice was a raw growl in her mind, engines roaring with shared ecstasy. “~ We are one. You’re mine now, Sai. ~”

Emerald’s engines finally eased into a soft, satisfied idle, leaving Saimi slumped against Emerald’s chest, muzzle dripping with oil and condensation, scales flushed and shining. She was breathing hard, trembling, but the grin on her face was pure bliss.

“~ I’ve never… no one has ever serviced me like that, ~” Emerald whispered through the link, voice soft and awed. “~ You’re going to ruin me for anyone else. ~”

Saimi laughed breathlessly and planted a slow, lingering kiss on the still-warm exhaust port. “Good. Because I’m not sharing you.” She nuzzled the plating tenderly. “We’re bonded now, Emmy. Properly. No going back.”

“~ No going back, ~” Emerald agreed, her massive forelimbs gently cradling Saimi against her warm chest. “~And next time you service me… I’m returning the favor twice as hard. ~”

Saimi kissed the nearest glowing optic, still tasting oil and exhaust on her tongue. “Promise?”

“~ Promise! ~”

Emerald carried her new partner toward the decontamination alcove, engines purring with deep, possessive contentment. The hangar lights dimmed behind them, leaving only the soft emerald glow of two perfectly synced souls.

The night seemed like it was far from over.

I woke up on this. I was conflicted. Part of me was intensely aroused at what I had just witnessed. I didn’t understand why but it turned me on so bad. At the same time, I knew what it all meant. I had seen what came after that. My heart felt like a crumpled piece of paper. Little did she know, Saimi would never get a chance to show her prowess or her new partner to her brother and as for Alswaram, he would never know Saimi would be assigned a fleet of her own to command. He would never get a chance to apologize to his sister, either. From the looks of it, this would mark the last time the two would see each other before the ensuing tragic events. It broke my heart. I wasn't sure how I'd deal with Saimi after this.

---

---

III: Maiden flight

I felt responsible and I wanted to tell Saimi everything that happened. I felt like I should but from the sci-fi shows I had seen on TV, whenever there was something like space travel or time travel, it was bad to influence what happened in the past or future. I felt like I should either stay quiet about it or make up something. The following night, I woke up in the dreamstate inside the familiar hangar. The air smelled faintly of warm metal and that unmistakable mech scent. Before I could even get my bearings, Saimi came bounding toward me with a bright grin.

“There you are!”

She didn’t hesitate. She threw her arms around me in a tight, enthusiastic hug, pressing her warm green scales against my body. I stiffened at first.

“H-Hey…”

She pulled back just enough to nuzzle the side of my neck, her breath warm against my skin. “What? You’re not happy to see me?”

“T-That’s not it, Sai… it’s just… nevermind.”

“Oh no you don’t!” She poked my chest with a claw, ears perked playfully. “You can’t leave me hanging like that. Tell me what’s wrong or I’ll feed you to Emmy!”

“D-Don’t threaten me like that…” I muttered, cheeks heating. “I’m sorry, Saimi.”

“Just Sai, okay?” she corrected gently, still holding onto my arms.

“Right… Sai.” I exhaled. “It’s complicated. There are things I can’t talk about.”

Her head tilted, genuine curiosity in her golden eyes. “Oh? Like top-secret classified stuff?”

“Yeah. Sorry…”

“Aww, that’s boring!” She puffed her cheeks in an exaggerated pout, looking every bit the bratty dragoness. It was strangely endearing. I caught myself wondering how someone who acted like this had ended up commanding an entire Sirian division.

“Hey, Sai?”

“Yes, hon?”

“You had to go through some kind of trials to earn your position, right?”

“Yup! They were a total pain in the ass,” she said, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Thankfully my activator skills saved my scales. Well… Emmy helped a lot too.”

I feigned ignorance, hoping it would make things easier. “Oh yeah? How so?”

Saimi’s tail swayed as she launched into it, clearly excited to share.

“Well, first there’s the strength and endurance trial. They make you haul heavy loads through a brutal obstacle course — wall climbing, jumping platforms, the works. And there’s this giant acid pool underneath. One slip and… yeah, not pretty. Other recruits try to psych you out or shove you off too. I actually did pretty badly on that one. I’ve never been the strongest type.” She shrugged, not ashamed in the slightest. “Then comes agility and accuracy. Another obstacle course, but this time you’re running full speed while shooting targets with a kinetic pistol or rifle. I handled that part okay. After that is problem-solving — written tests full of logic puzzles, math, physics, psychology traps… the whole mess. I actually excelled there.”

“Wow… so you’re kind of a genius?” I asked, genuinely impressed.

“Hee hee, not quite, silly,” she giggled, waving a paw. “Then comes the final trial: practical skills. Mechanics, smithing, first aid, piloting — all of it. You can probably guess where I stood out.” Her grin turned mischievous. “For our cohort, the last trial was piloting. Most everyone picked fast aircraft or jet racers. Me? I walked straight up to this big, inactive MAU in the corner… and that’s how I met Emmy.”

I smiled despite myself. “Hehe, wow.”

“Right?! I nearly beat Al’s score too!” She bounced on her toes. “They were actually planning to create a brand new air and space division. I didn’t even have to go through the Death Run like most! I already my MAU partner and with the scores I pulled, they put me in charge as commander-in-chief. That’s how Third Fleet was born.”

Her enthusiasm was infectious. I found myself laughing softly, my earlier tension easing. She was so open, so warm and friendly — it made it dangerously easy to drop my guard.

“So you really stood out in piloting and aircraft mechanics?” I asked.

“Yup! Piloting, aeronautics, the works. They’d never seen scores like mine from any activator before. Well… except for the three who have been sitting at the top of the leaderboard for ages.”

Of course I knew exactly who she meant. Alswaram and Sorvaah’r, especially. The pinch in my chest was immediate and sharp.

“Wow… that’s really cool. Emmy’s a lucky girl.”

“Nah,” Sai said softly, shaking her head. “I’m the lucky one to have her.” She tilted her head, eyes sparkling. “Speaking of… what did you think of her? The other night, I mean.”

“Oh! W-well…” I stammered, heat rushing to my face. “Emerald is… pretty incredible. Her scent is wonderful and she’s really… um…”

“Sexy?” Sai supplied with a wicked little grin.

“Y-Yeah. Let’s go with that.”

She giggled again and pulled me into another hug, nuzzling affectionately against my shoulder. “You’re so touchy-feely, Sai…”

“Alswaram says that a lot too. Sorry…”

“No, it’s alright,” I murmured. “I’m just… not used to it. I usually don’t like being touched this much. It makes me uncomfortable.”

“Really? Why?”

“I don’t know… I’ve always been like this. Some kind of auto-protection thing. They told me when I was a kid that I was slightly autistic. Hypersensitive or something.”

“Oh…” Sai blinked, tilting her head. “Is that some kind of disease?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her innocent confusion. I tried to explain it simply, but she just waved a paw dismissively. “Well, that sounds like a load of crap to me. So your brain works differently. You could say the same about us activators. Doesn’t make you sick or broken. Neurodivergence is a big factor in who make it up to MAY piloting, you know.”

“Really? I wish I could feel that way about it…”

“Hey, stop beating yourself up.” She pulled me closer, still nuzzling gently. Strangely, I didn’t pull away. Her warmth felt… safe. Maybe she was changing me. Or maybe I was finally letting myself relax around someone. Possibly both.

I sighed softly. “It’s funny… you’re so motherly.”

She smiled, warm and genuine. “I get that sometimes. It’s just how I am.” Her expression softened further. “Besides… I haven’t told you this yet, but I feel something really strong from you. Like I already know you, even though we only met the other night. There has to be a reason we were brought together. I don’t know if I’ll ever figure it out… but I plan on enjoying every moment we have here.”

“You’re the type who always makes the best out of every situation, huh?”

“Yup, hee hee!”

“Either way… thanks,” I said quietly. “The dreamstate is usually pretty depressing. I’m really glad I have you and Emerald here.”

Her smile brightened. Without warning, she scooped me up in her arms like I weighed nothing and carried me deeper into the hangar. Emerald was already awake, her soft green optics watching us with quiet amusement.

“~ You two alright? ~” the MAU asked, voice smooth and warm in our minds.

“All good, Emmy,” Sai replied cheerfully. She looked down at me with a stupid, excited grin. “So… ready for your virgin flight, hon?”

“Saimi…”

I looked up at Emerald and took in all of her features. Goddamn. What a beauty. Femininity incarnated into a machine in the shape of a dragoness: sleek, striking and sexy. I was scared half to death, but I couldn't turn down the offer. I told myself the worst that could happen is I pass out in-flight and make myself look silly. Wouldn't be the first time, anyway.

“Oh come on!” She laughed, bouncing me slightly in her grip. “I saw the way you looked at Emmy the other night. Don’t even try to deny it. You were practically drooling.”

“I was not—”

“Shhh, it’s fine.” She pressed a clawed finger to my lips, still grinning. “Just climb inside with me. I’ll keep you pressed nice and tight against me the whole time. Emmy can fly really gently, I promise. No loops, no sharp turns — unless you ask nicely.” She winked. “And her inner cockpit is coated with special shock-absorbing material. You probably won’t even feel any turbulence. Trust me, you want to feel her engines lifting you up… the rumble, the heat, that deep vibration right through your body.”

I swallowed hard. The idea sent an unwelcome flutter through my stomach — part fear, part undeniable curiosity. Part something hotter that I didn’t want to name at the time.

Emerald’s voice resounded, warm, soft and slightly amused.

“~ Don’t push him too hard, love… but yes, in fact, it would make me very happy if you would share this with us. ~”

Sai’s smiled triumphantly. “See? Even Emmy wants it. Come on, hon. Live a little. This is a dreamstate, right?— nothing bad can really happen here. And if you get scared, I’ll just hold you tighter.” She nuzzled my cheek again, her scales warm and smooth. “Pretty please?”

I hesitated, heart pounding. Every rational part of me screamed that getting this close to a powerful flying craft was a bad idea. I was already walking a tightrope trying not to reveal what I knew. Climbing inside her cockpit with Saimi pressed against me felt like stepping even deeper into something I couldn’t control.

Sai was looking at me with that bright, hopeful expression, and Emerald’s reactors were cycling up with a soft, inviting whine. God. What a sexy sound. The hangar air was thick with that rich scent that made my head feel light.

“…Fine,” I muttered, defeated. “But gently. Really, really gently.”

Sai let out a delighted squeal and spun me around once before setting me down. “Yes! You won’t regret this, I promise.” She took my hand and led me toward Emerald’s chest. Emerald lowered herself slightly, her canopy hissing open with a smooth mechanical whisper. Warm air rolled out — carrying heat, ozone, and that intoxicating activator-friendly lubricant scent. That smell gave me instant shivers. I was… drooling. The cockpit interior glowed with soft emerald lighting, the pilot’s seat wide enough for two and lined with plush, shock-absorbing material that looked far too inviting. Sai climbed in first, settling into the seat and patting her lap expectantly. “Come on up, hon. Strap in with me.”

I climbed awkwardly after her, my pulse racing. The moment I was inside, Sai wrapped her arms around my waist from behind and pulled me firmly back against her chest. Her body was warm, soft scales pressing against me, her tail curling around my leg possessively. She nuzzled the back of my neck, breath hot against my skin. I had her breasts into my face. Part of me wanted to pull back while another wanted to dig in.

“See? Nice and tight. You’re safe with me.”

Emerald’s canopy sealed above us with a quiet hiss, locking us inside the intimate space. The cockpit lights dimmed to a gentle glow, and I could feel the massive mech’s systems waking up around us. The seat vibrated faintly as her reactors began to spin higher.

“~ Comfortable? ~” Emerald asked, her voice now intimate and close inside the enclosed space.

Sai hugged me tighter, one paw resting lightly on my stomach. “Very. Aren’t we, hon?”

I managed a shaky nod, trying to ignore how good it felt to be held like this, trying to ignore this intimacy with a female. “Y-Yeah… comfortable.”

Emerald’s engines gave a deep, rolling growl as they powered up fully. The sound resonated through the entire cockpit — through the seat, through Sai’s body into mine. A low, powerful vibration traveled up my spine, making my breath catch. I was already struggling to keep my arousal down and Saimi knew it. Sai giggled softly against my ear. “Feel that, hon? That’s just the warmup. Wait until we actually lift off!”

The hangar doors above us began to iris open, revealing the star-speckled dreamstate sky. Emerald’s wings unfolded with a smooth mechanical grace, the powerful reactors on her back glowing brighter.

“~ Ready when you are, ~” Emerald purred.

Sai squeezed me gently. “Take us up nice and slow, Emmy. Our guest is a little nervous… but I think he’s going to love this.”

As Emerald’s thrusters engaged with a deep, throaty roar, the entire cockpit filled with a rich wave of warm exhaust-scented air. The vibration intensified, lifting us smoothly off the hangar floor. I gripped Sai’s arms tightly, heart hammering, equal parts terrified and exhilarated.

The flight was about to begin.

Saimi giggled at my flushed face and obvious embarrassment, but I didn’t dare admit the truth: part of me was aroused by all of it. My mind was spiraling. Was I into males? Females? Mechs? All of them? I’d always dismissed bisexuality or pansexuality as some convenient label people used when they were too scared to commit to one side. Yet here I was — heart hammering at the warmth of Saimi’s body against mine and the raw, towering presence of Emerald’s massive frame.

Could Sai feel it? Was she just teasing… or did she already know I was teetering right on the edge, about to tumble over to the “other side”?

Saimi picked up the thick neural cable and turned to me with a wicked little smile.

“Is that… a neural link, Sai?” I asked, voice shaky.

“Oh? You know about those?” She looked genuinely surprised. “Yup. Direct connection to her systems.”

She glanced upward. “Hey, Emmy? Mind if I let him try?”

“~ Not at all love, ~”’ Emerald replied, tone warm but cautious. “~Are you sure though?~

“What’s the worst that can happen?”

Before I could brace myself, Saimi leaned in and firmly pressed the second connector into the port at the back of my neck.

White-hot lightning exploded through my spine.

Pleasure slammed into me like a reactor core breach — intense, electric, and all-consuming. A raw surge of data, power, and emotion flooded every nerve at once. My vision flipped instantly. I was no longer looking out of my own eyes. I was seeing through Emerald’s — fifteen feet off the ground, the hangar suddenly tiny and fragile beneath us.

“~ Oh…! ~” Emerald gasped in the link, her voice thick with surprise and delight.

“Wait — did he just sync with you?!” Saimi exclaimed, eyes wide.

“~ He did. His vitals are perfectly stable… He’s burning bright! ~”

I wasn’t in control anymore. I was floating in a state of suspended euphoria, every sensation amplified a hundredfold. The cockpit’s warm air felt like molten silk on my skin. Every subtle shift of Emerald’s plating, every tiny fluctuation in her systems, resonated straight through my body like I was Emerald.

With Storm, synchronization had been brutal and short — his overwhelming energy had knocked me unconscious almost immediately. But this… this was different. Deeper. Cleaner. Utterly consuming. Ironically, it turns out the first machine I ever fully, smoothly synced with as a true mechanical activator would be Emerald.

I didn’t realize it but I was in control. My mind and Emerald’s matrix were connected. A deafening boom of thrust slammed us skyward with brutal force. The sudden acceleration crushed my body against Saimi’s soft scales so hard I couldn’t breathe for a second. A massive wave of hot exhaust flooded the cockpit, thick with that heady scent of superheated metal and activator lubricant. The pressure on my body should have been painful, but instead it translated into pure, rolling ecstasy —G-forces turning into a deep, throbbing pulse that sank straight into my bones, the rest dampened by the cockpit’s environment.

Through Emerald’s eyes I watched the ground fall away at terrifying speed. Wind whipped violently against her emerald plating, the sensation feeding back into me as sharp, exhilarating caresses across my entire nervous system. Her wings snapped open, catching the dreamstate currents, and we rocketed higher.

“~ Someone’s enjoying this, ~” Emerald purred playfully through the link, her voice husky with shared pleasure.

“Hee! That’s good!” Saimi laughed breathlessly, hugging me even tighter, her breasts pressing firmly into my back. “Full experience, Emmy. Don’t hold back.”

The intensity ramped up again. Emerald poured on more power. The reactors screamed with raw thrust, sending bone-deep vibrations surging through the cockpit. I could feel every single pulse— the rhythmic thump of her engines, the searing heat radiating from her core, the way her massive frame flexed and surged with each maneuver. The feedback loop between the three of us became a roaring storm of sensation.

Every bank and turn sent delicious pressure rolling across my body. Every burst of speed made my nerves light up like fireworks. Hot exhaust kept blasting through the vents in rhythmic waves, flooding my senses with that thick, musky scent until I was dizzy and gasping. Saimi’s hands roamed over my chest and stomach, holding me steady while her own arousal bled into the link, feeding mine, feeding Emerald’s. I lost all sense of time. I was completely obvious to the fact both Saimi and I had made a mess from the intensity of the sensations which flowed through us. We tore through shimmering clouds and rode thermals currents that made Emerald’s entire frame sing and shudder. The pleasure was relentless— building, cresting, never quite letting me come down. My consciousness floated in a haze of pure ecstasy, every sensation magnified by the perfect synchronization.

As my dreamstate’s very energy seemed to be running out, eventually the intensity began to soften, the roaring storm easing into a deep, warm afterglow. My mind started to drift, slipping gently out of the shared link like sinking into velvet.

The last things I registered were Emerald’s satisfied rumble, Saimi’s warm arms still holding me close, and the lingering taste of her exhaust on the back of my tongue and Saimi’s perfume and the scent of her arousal, tickling my nose.

I woke with a violent jolt, gasping as if I’d just plummeted ten thousand feet and slammed back into my own body. My heart hammered wildly. My skin was flushed and oversensitive. I had these odd sensations of my body “falling down” at night like many people do but this… this was different. Phantom vibrations still rolled through my chest and spine, and Emerald’s rich scent clung to my senses like a drug. I almost was disappointed to not see Saimi next to me.

I sat upright in the dark, breathing hard, staring at nothing.

What the hell was happening to me?

IV: More than a sister?

This time, Saimi wasn’t waiting for me when I arrived.

A spike of panic hit me instantly. Worst-case scenarios flooded my mind: she hated me for “taking over” her partner, she was turned off or upset by what happened during the flight, or worse— she’d turned cold and might even try to hurt me. In retrospect, it was ridiculous. But old habits die hard. Self-loathing was familiar territory, and my brain knew exactly how to spiral there.

I walked toward the hangar with heavy steps, bracing for rejection.

_ _

The bay was dimly lit. Only Emerald’s external plating emitted a soft greenish-white glow, casting gentle highlights across the space. The massive MAU stood silent, almost watchful.

“Emmy…? What gives? Are you awake, beautiful one? Is Sai upset at me…?”

Before I could spiral further, movement caught my eye. Saimi stepped out from behind Emerald’s leg— completely naked. Her emerald-green scales glistened under the low light, every curve highlighted in soft luminescence. She looked radiant, confident, and undeniably beautiful.

“Don’t be silly,” she said gently, voice warm. “I’d never be upset at you.”

“GAH! Sai!” I yelped, flinching hard and probably turning redder than I ever had in my life.

She smiled, her tone turning sultry as she approached. “What’s wrong, hon? See something you like…?”

“H-How can you be so casual about this?! What are you even doing like this?!”

“What do you think I’m doing?” She stopped right in front of me, close enough that her warmth radiated against my skin. “It’s time to stop running from yourself, hon.”

“What do you mean?! You don’t even like males! Why are you doing this?”

“Correction,” she said softly, “I don’t like males of my own species. I don’t like dumb males that act like they own the place. Don’t play the mirroring card with me.” She reached out and gently cupped my cheek. “Just relax, hon. You don’t have to fight or hold back.”

I didn’t have the strength to pull away. The next thing I knew, she was pressed against me. Her soft, wonderful scent and her signature perfume filled my nose— this time mixed with something deeper, almost menthol-like, cool and strangely alluring. She took my hands and guided them to her breasts. They were soft, heavier than I expected, and incredibly warm. The feeling was completely alien… yet I didn’t hate it. My fingers slowly began to stroke and fondle them. Saimi let out a low, pleased moan, eyes half-lidded. She pulled me closer until my face was buried against her bosom, like before. It was warm. Comforting. Safe. I didn’t even notice at first that I was already rock-hard, my cock straining painfully against my boxers. My body had already made its choice but I was still trying to catch up.

Saimi purred softly, the sound vibrating through her chest. “Mmm… that’s much better, hon. Just relax. It’s only you, me, and Emmy here. No one else will ever know.”

“Sai, I…”

“You what, hon?”

“Should we… really be doing this?”

She pulled back just enough to look at me. Her expression was serious, but filled with tenderness. “Sweetheart… I’ve been thinking long and hard. About why Emmy and I were drawn here. It’s pretty clear we were brought together to help you make peace with some of your feelings.” She caressed my cheek with her thumb. “So please… stop fighting. Just listen to what you feel. Don’t think.”

Her words hit deep. I stroked her breasts more confidently, and she rewarded me with another soft moan. I could tell she sensed I was still holding something back. She grinned. “I can tell you’re dying to ask something, hon.” I was so embarrassed. I figured the worst that happens is she slaps me or something.

“S-Sorry, Sai… just… why boobs?”

She giggled, the sound light and affectionate. “Evolutionary quirk. From what I’ve read, long ago the Kelva were much larger, more feral creatures. Then something changed, and we evolved into this sentient, half-Elvani form. For your information, they don’t lactate… but they are very erogenous.”

“I see… that’s interesting.”

“And down here,” she continued, taking my hand and slowly guiding it lower, “we’re more Elvani-like. No vent like feral reptiles. Just a warm, inviting place.”

My fingers brushed over her slit. It was already puffy, slick, and radiating heat. We both gasped— her more sharply than me. Her scent thickened instantly in the air, sweet and musky. My cock throbbed harder, completely betraying me. It wasn’t just her body. It was her gentleness. Her motherly warmth. The way she held me like I mattered.

Saimi nuzzled deeply into my neck, then slid her tongue into my mouth. I tensed for a second… then melted. She tasted surprisingly sweet. Our tongues danced slowly, exploring, savoring. While we kissed, her tail sneaked behind me and deftly tugged my boxers down. I was suddenly completely naked, vulnerable, and painfully hard. Her tail brushed teasingly along my throbbing cock. I moaned into her mouth. She broke the kiss gently, nipping at my ear and whispering hotly, “Your body betrays you, hon… It’s okay. We can go slow if you need. But please… don’t take too long.”

She gasped softly as she shifted, brushing her slick, puffy lips along my length. Without warning, she squeezed and released a generous spurt of her clear, fragrant honey over my cock. The warm, slippery fluid coated me completely, its scent making my head spin with growing lust and I was getting weaker and barely able to fight back anymore.

“S-Sai… are you sure…?”

“YES!” she growled, half-lustful, half-impatient. “Now fill me already and quit being such a pussy!”

That commanding tone sent a fresh surge of arousal through me. It reminded me of a certain someone. Any remaining fear burned away at that moment and I pressed the head of my cock against her entrance, panting. She didn’t wait. With one smooth, powerful motion, she impaled herself on me. White-hot pleasure exploded through my body instantly. Her walls were incredibly warm, velvety, and strong— yet so snug and welcoming they made my knees buckle. She flexed around me deliberately, drawing a helpless moan from my throat. Saimi held me tight, snorting softly as she began to gyrate her hips.

“You’ll need to thrust, hon… gently at first, then build.” Her voice was breathy, encouraging. “Don’t worry— you feel amazing, sweetheart. Just follow my lead.”

“O-Okay, Sai… Y-You feel incredible too! I’m not sure how long I can last…”

“You’d better not cum too early,” she teased with a mischievous grin, “because I will make you regret it.”

She rode me slowly at first, then faster, moaning deeply. I reached up and squeezed her breasts, teasing her nipples. That pushed her over the edge— she started grinding down hard, taking me as deep as possible. Her claws raked gently down my back.

The pleasure built like a tidal wave. I couldn’t hold back anymore. With a desperate buck of my hips, I drove as deep as I could and came hard— harder than I ever had in my life. I cried out as thick ropes of seed flooded her. It felt like a victory over something that was holding me back. Saimi nearly roared my name, her own climax hitting like a storm. Her honey gushed around me, mixing with my release and dripping messily between us. The air filled with the heavy, intoxicating scent of our mating.

When the waves finally subsided, she leaned me against Emerald’s warm plating. Emerald then suddenly came out of standby. We were still tangled together, naked and flushed, when a deep, resonant rumble rolled through the hangar. Emerald’s optics slowly brightened from standby to a vivid, hungry green. Her reactors began to spin up with a low, throaty growl that vibrated through her entire frame and into our bodies.

“~ Mmm… my messy pilots… ~”

Saimi lifted her head, glancing at Emerald with a mischievous grin. “Were you watching the whole time?”

“~ Every delicious second, ~” Emerald purred, voice mischievous and playful. “~ You both look and smell incredible right now. ~”

Before either of us could respond, Emerald’s ventral exhaust vents irised open wide and her tail ports angled. A powerful, sudden blast of exhaust erupted straight at us.

Thick, humid clouds of hot gas slammed into our bodies— rich with that heavy, musky activator lubricant and the sharp ozone tang of her reactors. The force was strong enough to push us harder against her plating. Saimi laughed breathlessly as the heat whipped over our skin and scales, coating us instantly in a fine sheen of condensation and oily residue. I gasped as the heat enveloped me, the familiar, intoxicating scent flooding my lungs and making my head spin all over again.

Emerald wasn’t finished.

With a playful growl, she tilted her frame slightly. The refueling port below her main vents opened fully. A thick, warm torrent of slick, emerald-tinted synthetic oil and lubricant began to pour out in heavy streams— cascading over both of us like warm, viscous rain. It was messy. Gloriously messy. Thick ropes of the fluid splattered across Saimi’s back and shoulders, dripping down between us where our bodies were still joined. More poured over my chest and thighs, mixing with our combined release that was already leaking from Saimi. The oil was warm, slippery, and slightly sweet-metallic on the tongue. It coated everything — our skin, her scales, my spent cock fighting to stay buried inside her— turning us into a slick, glistening mess.

Saimi moaned loudly, grinding slowly against me as the fluid kept flowing. “Emmy… you naughty girl…”

“~ You woke me up with such a beautiful show, ~” Emerald replied, engines revving higher. Another hard pulse of exhaust blasted over us, mixing the oil into an almost frothy, slippery lather that ran in rivulets down our bodies and pooled on the hangar floor beneath us. What a beautiful, glorious feeling. I could barely think. The combined scent of Saimi’s arousal, my own seed, and Emerald’s heavy musk and oil was overwhelming. My cock twitched inside Saimi again despite having just climaxed so hard. Saimi laughed breathlessly, pressing her slick, oil-coated breasts against my chest as she kissed me deeply, tongues sliding messily together. We were both drenched now— scales and skin shining, hair matted, bodies sliding against each other with every small movement.

“~ That’s it… ~” Emerald purred, clearly enjoying herself. ~My perfect little pilots. Covered in me. Marked. Mine! ~”

One final, powerful blast of exhaust roared over us, so thick it momentarily obscured everything in a hazy cloud. When Emerald finally eased into a heavy, satisfied idle, Saimi and I were left panting, utterly soaked, and laughing softly in each other’s arms — a wonderful, sticky mess.

Saimi nuzzled my neck, voice husky. “Yup, you’re totally an activator.”

We kissed slowly, tenderly, holding each other as our breathing calmed. Saimi flashed a playful grin.

“Hey look… you survived after all!” she teased, grinning.

“Smart ass…” I muttered, booping her snout playfully.

"~ Hee hee! That was amazing, both of you! ~”

“Yeah… you felt wonderful too, Sai. And you, Em. I can’t believe I actually did that…”

“You did. It just took a little encouragement.” She squeezed me in a tight, loving hug. “Your big sister will look out for you from now on.”

She just smiled and held me closer.

I woke up in bed feeling peaceful, with a mess to clean up.

In that moment, I felt safer than I had in a long time. If Nevlaan was the brother I never had, Saimi had become the protective big sister I’d always wished for. And Emerald… she felt like something between a guardian and a mother figure.

Over time, Sai and I grew incredibly close — a true, loving, fiercely protective bond. I think she was giving back the same protection and care Alswaram had once given her. I never told her the full truth about her brother. It’s not really a lie if she never asked… right?

Emerald remained ever-protective, always eager to play with both of us.

Yet beneath all this warmth and newfound joy, I knew one thing: sooner or later, I would have to face Storm. And I knew that when that day would come… it was going to hurt. In more ways than one.

To be continued...