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'Fit for duty' three simple words. Yet for Garrett Taylor, they meant a lot. It had been a long road back to recovery. Two long years since his recon fighter had malfunctioned. Crashing down on the Free Mars State side of the planet had been just a tiny part of his troubles. Which demonstrates just how fucked up the human pilot was when he crashed down in enemy territory.

Shattered spine, multiple fractures in his legs, arms, internal bleeding and multiple organ failure. If not for the pure chance that he crashed less than a hundred meters from a Mars Free army field hospital he would have died. As it was the apes saved him. However, the Mars Free State or MFS had been starved of supplies by the combined forces of the Mars Provisional Government, MPG and the United Earth Forces, UEF. So their care had been limited.

Luckily for the human, he had been included in a prisoner exchange just two months after his crash. Mainly because the MFS simply did not want to pay for the rest of his medical care. Garrett at least had good memories of the apes. They had been kind, gentle and sympathetic. Very different from what he had expected from his enemy.

Once he reached a UEF facility he had been scheduled in for a series of operations. His spine had been replaced with a cybernetic spine. While his legs and arms had a series of cybernetic implants installed. Sadly despite the promises of every comic he had read as a child, such enhancements had not given him superpowers. However, he was at last able to walk on his own.

His discharge from the military had come in the mail. Not even a com call from his old commanding officer. Just a simple note to tell him that as an invalid he was no longer welcome in the Navy, his home for the last ten years was gone. As was his family. They had thanked him for his service, offered him a pension, patted him on the back and then kicked him in the ass out the door.

What was worse, they had put him on a ship back to Earth. A civilian transport. It hadn't been until he was sitting on the transport watching the planet grow smaller as they took off, that it hit him. He had flown his last mission, he was a combat pilot flying had been his whole life. Following in his father's footsteps he had signed up for the navy, as a fighter pilot. Buzzing through the solar system at speeds no man could ever dream of. Alone just him and the huge void of the universe around him, wonderful and terrible in equal measure. It had been a feeling nothing else in the universe could match.

The proud man had broken down weeping in his chair. Kind people had asked if he needed help, and he had replied no. For there was no help, not for him. At least not yet.

Never one to surrender, Garrett had forced himself to stop crying. He made himself a simple promise as the ship landed on Earth. Garrett would leave Earth and he would fly again.

Eighteen months of working, exercising and rehabbing. He had gone from able to walk a few steps to able to jog five miles. His hands had gone from just about being able to pick up a pencil and make an X, to being able to fly on any simulator just as well as he ever had. Then he had submitted himself to the Navy, who had rejected him instantly based on his medical history.

Dejected, the human had walked around the streets of Old New York. Long into the night he had walked just trying to think of what he should do. An appeal was the obvious course of action before him. However, he knew he did not have the will left. It had taken everything he had, every scrap of energy, every credit he had saved to get this far. Money was, in fact, becoming very tight. Especially as the Navy had stopped paying for his medical bills.

Sitting on the dry grass of a park he had looked up into the sky and for the first time in his life, he had prayed. For anything, any sign or guidance and in return the skies had grown dark and the heavens had opened, pouring down their hate on him. Drenching him in a storm. It had been as he ran home that he saw it. An advert, a small flashing advert from Astro Minerals Ltd, for people willing to work on mining ships. The words that really caught his eye were 'experienced pilots wanted'. He was certainly an experienced pilot and it had been a long time since he had felt wanted.

Garrett had sent an enquiry there and then. Giving his military and medical history, assuming that much like the Navy they would not trust a pilot who had so many implants. Only to get a request for a full application and a note that he would need to pass a medical. Getting home Garrett stripped off his soaking wet clothes and showered. Then he sat on his tiny cot bed and looked at the application.

They had also provided some more information about the work, in the form of a video introduction. Pressing his thumb to the link he flicked his hand turning the small com screen up into a full widescreen holo. Upon which a huge friendly gorilla face suddenly filled his apartment, “Hello! I'm Ty and I'm here to tell you of the wonderful opportunities offered by Asto-Mining Ltd." The ape had black fur, which signalled that he was an Earthborn, or at least his descendants were Earth-based. Martian apes were red by genetic design, the blacks were far rarer and had mostly been prototypes engineered for work on Lunar space stations and asteroid mining. Apparently, this one was reverting to his heritage for employment.

Garrett lay back on his cot bed to watch as a series of graphics showed up, “Our solar system has just a few planets capable of supporting life, but resources on those planets are limited and much of it is used up." Ty informed him, it was hardly a surprise, while there were several worlds colonised, mining on them was difficult, terraforming took generations. Mars had proved that. “There are literally billions of asteroids some absolutely stuffed with raw materials that have a significant value."

Rolling his eyes Garrett reached up a hand and moved the video on a little. He knew what asteroid mining was and he had no desire to have it explained again. Stopping at a random point he let the video continue, “berths four, with plenty of comforts and mod cons." Ty announced as he strolled around what was clearly a living compartment on a ship. Four small cot beds and table, plus some entertainment consoles and vid links. It wasn't exactly the Ritz. Although looking around his flat, a room so small he could walk from the front door to the far window in four paces. A foldaway toilet in the tiny shower cubicle and a foldaway cooker/fridge unit in the walls. He wasn't exactly living in the Ritz anyway and at least he wouldn't have to pay room and board.

“We use your personality profile to match you up with crewmates who will have similar interests. We are proud to say we have an amazing success rate with eighty per cent of our crews resigning for a second three-year tour." The ape boasted and in his head, Garrett noted three years on a ship with three other guys. To some that might have been a dealbreaker, yet to Garrett there was an appeal to the offer. His time in barracks with his squadmates had been some of the happiest days of his life.

“A generous pay package, with some of the most generous bonus options possible, including stocks, cash incentives, gifts and…" The handsome gorilla's words faded away as the human just watched the video play no longer paying much attention. The mining ships may not be as fast or agile as a fighter. However, he would be among the stars once more. They showed the cockpit far too briefly for his liking, he spun back and paused.

It wasn't an unfamiliar set up, a pilot's seat, and the controls he recognised. Along with a few other panels that were most likely to do with the mining aspects. He was sure he could learn. Maybe he wouldn't be able to pull the manoeuvres of a fighter in her, but dodging around asteroids did have some appeal. At least he would be flying again. He left the video playing as he pulled up another holo display from his wrist com and began to fill in the forms. Maybe they would reject him just like the navy, but he had nothing left to lose.

Three days later he got his answer. It was not in a mail, it was a call. Direct person to person, video link-up too. It also was not very long, mostly just confirming that the company is interested and would he be willing to do a short interview, and then a physical? For the first time in years, Garrett felt something stirring inside him, something exciting. He struggled to keep his excitement from showing and hastily agreed to an interview. When he offered to do it over com, the lady cut him off. Saying, “Actually we prefer to do our interviews in person. We have your address and will send a vehicle to pick you up."

It did not hit his brain until after the call. The company was not just going through the motions. You do not send a car to pick up an interviewee when you are not genuinely interested. Using some of his dwindling cash reserves he went out and bought a suit, for the first time. Garrett had always had his dress uniform for official occasions. Now… it did not seem to fit him, mentally anyway. It did fit physically, he was in the best shape of his life.

The car arrived exactly on time. Only it wasn't just a car, it was a small orbital launcher. The driver was smartly dressed and polite. A small cooler was inside with some sodas and a few snacks for the journey. Garrett had heard of the small orbital launchers, seen them plenty. However, they were expensive and only used by politicians, businessmen and celebrities. Most people had to use the bigger civilian transports to get up to one of the orbital stations. That or one of the space elevators located around the equator. However, they took six hours a journey.

Garrett had barely had time to finish the first half of his soda before the driver buzzed through in the intercom that they were approaching the dock. Glancing out the window Garrett spotted a small private space station, painted yellow. It was tiny compared to the large civilian stations, yet still impressive. For a company to own its own space station said something about the company. However, as he looked he spotted a sky car coming up from Earth. And his jaw dropped. A private company having a sky elevator, now that spoke volumes to him. Mostly that he really should have done just a bit more research on the company.

There was no time to do any now as the launcher landed less than two minutes later. Landing on a small platform outside the station that a moment later was pulled inside. A docking bay door closing behind with a soft hiss as the bay pressurised. Just a moment later, the door opened and Garrett took a deep breath as he stepped out. There was a familiar face there to greet him. Ty the gorilla from the recruitment video. Garrett was taken aback because he had been sure that had been an actor.

The large ape gave him a friendly smile as he stepped forward. Dressed in a finely tailored suit, which seemed to highlight the ape's imposing presence and his inviting fuller figure. “Mr Taylor, welcome to Astro One, I'm Ty Coal, though you may just call me Ty." A huge hand was extended towards him.

The ape's grip was firm and yet his leathery hands were soft and warm. “A pleasure to meet you, please call me Garrett. This place is quite impressive. Did I see a skycar docking as we landed?"

Giving a nod and a slight chuckle, “yes, we have been fortunate to secure a space elevator permit just two years ago. It has greatly sped up production, as you can imagine. We can now empty a full cargo ship of materials in a day when it would have previously taken a month. Would you care for a quick tour?"

“Yes, please," the human replied, eager to seem interested. Which he was very. “How many ships can this station berth?"

“Three mining ships at once, though we try to keep it to two maximum as even with our increased capacity, three at once puts a lot of stress on our loaders." The ape replied as he led Garrett into a lift. “We prefer that things run smoothly, with appropriate time for maintenance than try to push for speed. Though in honesty that is a lesson learned through trying to do things the stupid way." The ape gave an embarrassed shrug, “we are a business and profit is important, keeps everything going. So before we had the lift we used to push everything hard to get the ships back out there. More runs a ship does, more profit for the company, and the more bonus for us employees. Only we found that we'd bust a loader every third run. Which made for long delays. Sometimes we had a queue of five or six ships waiting to unload and crews just sitting around."

“So do you get queues now?" Asked the human as they left the elevator.

“Not usually, but sometimes. Hey even with regular maintenance sometimes loaders just break." Garrett appreciated the honest response. The rest of the tour went smoothly and Garrett got the strong feeling that it was less a tour and more Ty trying to sell him on the business like he was an investor.

The tour ended in the canteen with Ty getting the human a cup of coffee and a slice of freshly baked cake. Actually baked on-site by the catering staff, with fresh ingredients and even real cream. In all his years in the military, Garrett had never seen actual food in the mess hall. “So, Ty. Thanks for the tour it has been really informative. I assume the interview is next."

Garrett noticed a slight change in the ape, a tensing of his muscles and a deep breath," actually no…" Garrett's heart dropped, wondering what he had done wrong. “I already know enough about you to say I want you. That is I want you as an employee, I was not making any advances. Though in honesty you are a handsome man I probably wouldn't say no. I mean, look. You're a fully trained military pilot, we don't get men like you applying. Your military background suggests that you won't have issues with close quarters and a small isolated crew. Most applicants we get fail the psych tests for that. Since you gave us access to your medical records we already know you more than pass those tests."

Putting his coffee down, Ty looked him square in the eye, “with the new elevator we are expanding, twenty new ships. Finding pilots for all of them is proving a very difficult task, it's not some shuttle run you have to fly. Flying into an asteroid belt is as dangerous as any war zone. It takes several years of training to turn a shuttle pilot into a mining pilot. You could more than pass that test today. Plus there is another reason."

Ty glanced around the room and lowered his voice, “I am the first ape to rise to junior executive... I have completed five tours as a pilot myself. So I know what it takes and I know when I'm looking at someone who has got what it takes and I'm doing that right now. My old crew are sitting waiting for a new pilot and I am betting that you would be an excellent addition to that crew. So, as long as you pass the medical we can have you trained on the mining aspects in a few days. By this time next week, you could be setting off on your first tour. What do you say, do you want the job?"

In his mind all Garrett could think was that he could be back behind the pilot's stick in one week, “when can we schedule my medical?"

A broad grin spread across Ty's handsome face. Garrett's mind reminded him of what the ape had said about not saying no to some romantic advances. However, he knew that would be a stupid risk. First, he needed to get the job and after that, he could consider dipping his pen in the company ink. “I have it scheduled for this afternoon."

“That's presumptuous," observed the human draining his coffee.

“Indeed, but would you prefer to wait?" Ty shot back and Garrett knew his answer.

Two hours of a doctor poking and prodding him. Of running on a treadmill, lifting weights all set at Earth gravity. Reflex tests, stress tests and even g-force testing. Then the doctor had handed him his official opinion 'fit for duty'. Garrett considered going to the expense of having a physical copy printed out and framed. When he left in the small launcher he noted that Ty had arranged for a small bottle of champagne and glass to be placed in the cooler. The ape was smooth, he had to admit. Pity there would not be any time to see if he meant it when he said he wouldn't say no. One of the bad parts of the job would be putting his love life on hold for at least three years.

The next few days passed quickly. Garrett completed a series of training courses and tests. Passing each easily and with each test he passed, the excitement inside him grew. Soon he would be back among the stars. He particularly enjoyed the piloting tests, dodging asteroids and docking on them was a good simulated thrill.

His few belongings were put into storage, as they had been when he was serving. Garrett rather enjoyed cancelling the lease on his tiny flat. Given the pay and potential bonuses, he hoped that by the time he next came to look for accommodation on the ground he would be able to afford something bigger. Maybe with a garden where he could lay back in his old age gaze up at the stars, he loved so much, and remember his glory days.

With a single duffle bag on his back, containing two weeks clothes and his com unit and entertainment device. Every film and every book he had ever liked had been downloaded. Garrett's bank account had been drained dry, but it would be worth it and he was sure it would be in the black again soon. He tossed the bag on the seat of the launcher as he climbed in again. Garrett could not stop himself grinning like an idiot as he watched the Earth fall away, releasing its grip on him. He was free once more.

This time he wasn't greeted by Ty. Waiting for him outside the airlock were three gorillas. Maxwell, a black ape of Earth ancestry. Bruce, whose bright red fur showed his history as most likely coming from the Mars provisional government side. Lastly, Santiago, a much darker red-furred gorilla. Which spoke to him being born and raised in the pits, ancient Mars cities built in craters as the start of terraforming.

Garrett had been given files on them all to read and they had been given files on him. If there had been more time the company would have paid for a short excursion for the crew together to team build. However, with so many ships sitting idle there was pressure to get them out as fast as possible. So Garrett knew the team would have to bond on the fly. Although, he also knew the others had been on at least one tour together, with Ty as their pilot.

On instinct, he pulled himself to attention and gave a quick bow of the head. “H… hello."

Maxwell was the first ape to speak, holding out a huge hand with a broad friendly grin, “I'm Maxwell, it is a pleasure to meet you. Though I think we all sort of feel like we know you, we've had your file for a week and have been getting updates from Ty on your progress through the training. Nicely done on the third stage landings by the way. Ty said you broke the company speed record. Oh Call me Max, by the way, Maxwell is such a mouthful..."

“A fun mouthful," cut in the darker furred Santiago with a chuckle. Only to be silenced by a dig in his board gut from Bruce's elbow. “Sorry, I'm Santiago, and there ain't no shortening of my name thank you."

“Bruce, I suppose you could call me Bru if you want…"

“We don't" laughed Santiago. “Oh, is that your bag? Here let me." The dark red ape said, and stepped behind Garrett and grabbed his duffle.

Garrett stood there stunned for a moment. As a pilot, he was training to deal with a lot of information coming at him fast, yet even so that had been a lot. He had only just finished shaking hands with Maxwell. “Thanks, I'm Garrett, though you guys know that. Like Santiago, I don't have a shorter version. Though in the Navy my callsign was Viper if that's any better."

“Viper? I like a man who can handle a snake," Santiago's voice announced cheerily from behind him as he emerged from the launcher.

“You don't have to…" Garrett began reaching out to grab his own bag.

“It's no trouble, after weeks waiting for Ty to hook us up with a pilot I could use the exercise. I mean, have you had the triple chocolate fudge cake in the canteen?" the dark red ape replied with a laugh. “I have, way too much. Burning a few extra calories is much needed."

“Santiago, please give the fellow just a little space. Not everyone likes other people touching their stuff," Maxwell cut in with the tones of a patient fatherly figure giving out some advice. Garrett noticed he seemed to be the leader of the group and to have a few years on his younger crewmates. He wouldn't be surprised to find out that under that rather tight jumpsuit Maxwell had a grey back.

“It's ok, I don't mind. Though that cake does sound good." The human admitted giving what he hoped was a friendly smile.

“Excellent, then how about we all head to the canteen for some cake and coffee. We have at least two hours before our launch window and Bruce and I already went through most of the pre-flight checks." the black ape replied and then gave a nod to Santiago. “While you take his bags and stow them in his bunk." There was a definite mischievous twinkle in the ape's brown eyes.

Santiago grumped under his breath but did as he was told, wandering off towards another airlock. While Garrett joined the other two in the lift to the canteen. The group took a table beside the window looking out over Earth, "So you guys have done a full tour together already?"

“Two for me and Bruce, Santiago joined our last tour when we lost Tony. Then we lost Ty this run." Maxwell replied with a sigh. “I've done six tours and only my first two had the same crew. Can't blame people of course. You do six years in space and most people start aching for some firm ground under their feet."

“Crews end up getting pretty close," Bruce cut in with a smile. “It's like gaining an extra three brothers, you're in each other's lives so much."

“Yeah, it was like that back in the Navy. My squad were my brothers. I still talk to them, even though.. Well, the accident you probably read in my file," the human mumbled between mouthfuls of chocolate cake with cream.

“We did. However, I always find those things somewhat impersonal. It's like the cliff notes of a person's life. Maybe they give you a hint of the person's flavour but not the real full taste if you will," the older black ape replied leaning back in his chair and regarding the human with his soft brown eyes. “However, one thing we will have is plenty of time to really get to know each other."

“I'm sure in a few days you'll know just how I taste…" Garrett paused and all the blood ran to his head as he realised just how that sounded. “I mean… know me as a person, I'm not suggesting... " He stammered as his cheeks turned crimson red.

Maxwell held up a huge paw in a sign that Garrett could stop talking, “it's ok we know exactly what you meant."

Garret was sure he heard Bruce add, “more's the pity." Just under his breath, but not loud enough that anyone else might have heard it.

“May I ask why you took the job? Humans don't usually apply for deep space work," Maxwell asked. However, the group was disturbed by a returning Santiago with a large mug and a plate with two whole pieces of cake on it. “I thought you were worried about putting on more padding?" Apes and gorillas, in particular, tended towards a natural pear-shaped body and Garrett had to admit he was surrounded by rather comfortable looking stomachs.

“I'm sure I can think of some way to burn it off. Maybe turn up the artificial gravity on the ship for a day or two." Santiago replied while shovelling cake into his mouth.

“Sure, make us all pay for your gluttony," Grumbled Bruce.

“Fine, I'll run laps of the cargo bay while it's empty," replied the dark red ape. “Plus we have a bloody gym on board I can burn the calories there. If I can't figure out a more fun way to burn them." As he said that the ape's green eyes flicked over to Garrett and he winked at the human quickly. Garrett felt himself blushing though he wasn't entirely sure why.

“I… will admit I tend to think you should make the most of every port you pull into," the human observed carefully. “I mean we don't get many breaks, do we? Just two weeks a year, right? So makes sense to take advantage of good baking while you can."

Santiago grinned broadly and patted the human on the shoulder firmly, “see guys, he'll fit in fine."

“Indeed, I think you are likely to be right. However, before you interrupted Garrett was about to share his reasons for joining up," the black ape said and Garrett remembered the question he had been asked.

He opened his mouth to reply, only for the exuberant Santiago to jump in before he could, “good money, good shipmates, and all the co…" A stare from both Bruce and Maxwell cut the young ape off and he finished. “All the free cake when you visit the port."

“Well, he's not wrong the money and cake is appealing," Garrett said getting a chuckle from the apes at the slight joke. “However, if I'm honest I don't care much about money and less so about cake…"

“The man's mad!" Santiago exclaimed, only to be silenced by another elbow from Bruce.

“I love flying, there's nothing quite like it and… well this is the only way I can do it since my crash," it was the pure and honest truth and he could see that all three of the apes appreciated it.

“Plenty of space out there, lots of flying to do," Bruce said with a smile and a nod at the human. “Ty used to wax lyrical about piloting. Personally, I never saw the appeal, hence why I studied mineralogy. You know where you stand with rock, even if you are standing on the surface of an asteroid travelling at almost eighteen kilometres a second.

“That's Bruce's way of saying he went to school and learned all about rocks," observed Santiago with a yawn. “He likes hard things." The other two apes rolled their eyes. “I signed up for the cash. Couple more tours and I'll be able to afford a nice big chunk of land on Mars. Assuming the war ends by then. My own house nice and big, four bedrooms minimum. Not bad for an ape from the pits."

Garret's eyes turned to Maxwell, the other two apes seemed to have explained there own reasons for being there. At least in his mind, they had and he wondered if the black ape would need to be asked or if he would answer his own question without prompting.

A second later the ape shrugged, “I was born on a space station, being honest I never fell right in actual real gravity. All this artificial stuff that people go on about, it's real to me. When I stand on a planet the gravity just always feels slightly out. I like space and this job gets me as far into it as you can really go. Plus, I have to admit I feel an affinity with the ships we ride on. We keep her running and she keeps us safe. It's not a bad way to live."

“There we go, as good as any corporate ice-breaking exercise," mumbled Santiago as he helped himself to his second slice of cake. “Now we should move on to the team bondage...I mean bonding." Another Bruce elbow was delivered to a chuckling Santiago.

“Actually, I think I would like to get on board the ship and get acquainted with her controls before we undock," Garrett replied blushing slightly as he was more than certain there had been some flirtation in the young ape's words since they first met.

“I'll join you," Max replied getting to his feet. “While our younger crewmates can relax and make the most out of the little time we have left. Don't be late getting back to the ship though. We don't want to miss our departure window."

“They are good guys," Max said as soon as the lift was closed. “Santiago can be a little… direct and single-minded sometimes."

Garrett nodded, “so I can tell. I honestly prefer direct, at least most of the time."

The black ape regarded him in silence until the doors opened and the two walked around to the ship airlock in silence. “Do not be afraid to be direct in your responses. I think in a small crew like this we need to be honest about anything that is bothering us. It's the best way to stop fights or arguments in the long run."

“Thanks, I will. However, right now what I want most is to get to the cockpit," Garrett did mean what he said. Though if he was honest there was a debate going on inside him. Part of him, located south of his navel very much wanted to enquire more about some of the things Santigo had hinted at. While the rest of him wanted to do nothing more than sit behind the stick and bask in the glow of being a pilot again.

Stepping over the threshold he felt a strange tingle in his body. It was a usual feeling as you step from one artificial environment to another. Temperature, humidity, gravity and a thousand other things changing in an instant. He had memorised the layout of the ship from the plans and from his training which had involved lots of VR walkthroughs. So he had no problems leading the way to the small cockpit.

His heart began to race as he stepped over and slid down into the pilot's chair. A deep satisfied sigh escaping his lips as his hands grasped the joystick and his fingers ran lovingly over the controls. This was it, he was home. In the corner of his eye, he felt a tear begin to build and suddenly his breathing was rapid. He knew he was not alone, but Maxwell showed some tact sitting in the engineer's seat and saying nothing.

Shaking his head the human pulled himself together and his fingers danced over the consoles as if they were a part of him. Flicking on instinct and running through a pre-flight check. Calling out information, and Maxwell confirmed it one after the other. While in his mind he squealed like he had done as a child when his father had let him sit in his fighter cockpit the first time.

“All systems go," he announced with a sigh and a broad smile.

“Well, everything except we still have a while to wait for our departure window and have two crew still on the station," the gorilla observed meaningfully.

Garrett laughed, “I hadn't forgotten. Sorry, you probably can't understand but…"

“You are home, again. I know that feeling, believe me. I took a year off one time, tried to make a go of living on Mars. I just couldn't. The ground was too still under my feet," the gorilla replied and then smiled. “I almost cried when I got back on board ship. Honestly, it actually scares me. I mean I'm almost fifty, I can't keep flying forever, but I think if I ever settle planetside I'll die."

“Fifty?" Garrett observed, “You're looking real good for it. I'd have said forty, forty-five tops."

The twinkle returned to Maxwell's eyes, “well now, that was smooth. Maybe you can teach Santiago a thing or three."

Blushing deeply, Garret stammered, “well… I mean… I wasn't exactly."

“I was just teasing, Viper," the use of his callsign when he was behind the stick somehow calmed Garrett down just a little.

“Thanks, Max," the human replied and sighed. “I honestly can't wait now. They were a little vague on exactly what happens once we are out there. I mean, I get it, head out to an asteroid belt, find something valuable land, mine and repeat until our hold is full."

“It is actually just about that simple. When we get near the belt I'll swap out and Bruce will take this seat. It's his job to sort the minerals from the rocks. To find us the good stuff that'll pay big bonuses. Titanium, lithium, molybdenum, platinum etc.I've hit gold and some other rare metals a few times." The ape replied leaning back in his chair and putting his huge paws behind his head. “Those were good days. I mean the bonus for a really good asteroid is super sweet. Sadly all you have to celebrate is Santiago's latest vintage of bootleg moonshine."

“Moonshine?" The human asked with a slight smirk. There was one thing guaranteed on every naval vessel and that was some member of the crew would have figured out a way to make their own alcohol. Sometimes it was palatable and other times it could be used as a paint-stripper. However, it always got you drunk.

“His moonshine is best described as a work in progress," the ape informed him.

“So as smooth as the average mountain range?" Asked the human.

“Not even that smooth!" Laughed the ape. “However, you got to celebrate with something, and you can always mix it with coke. Helps it go down."

“You guys decent?" A voice called up from below, and half a second later Santiago's head popped up through the hatch. “Darn, yes. Bruce is on board, we're going to get ready down in the crew quarters. Did you tell him about his bunk yet?"

“Not had a moment yet," Max replied. “I'm afraid as the last man on board you get the only remaining bunk, which is below Santiago."

“You don't snore right?" The young ape asked impatiently.

“No, I don't," Garrett replied, shaking his head a little at the excited young ape. “However, don't these bunks all come with privacy filters?" He had guessed that, as the last man on board ship, he would get the leftover bunk. It wasn't a problem for him, a bunk was a bunk really.

“You mean the jerking-it screens? Oh yeah, if you want to use them," Santiago said sticking his tongue out cheekily before dropping down and closing the hatch behind him.

“Don't let his excitement worry you. If you want some privacy for any reason turn the filter on and we'll all respect it," the older ape said reassuringly. “Every man and ape on these ships need a little alone time now and then, for far more than just the one crude reason."

“It's not a problem. He's not a problem," Garrett said stressing his words a little. “Ten years in the Navy I have met my share of guys like Santiago. I know he'll calm down in a few days once he gets used to me. Right now he's just a little unsettled from the new power dynamic of a new crew member interrupting the normal flow of his life."

“Ha! Very astute. You're right, of course. Give it like three days and he will be a very different ape." Maxwell gave a shrug. “However, with me and Bruce what you got now is what you are stuck with for three years. Last chance to run screaming our departure window is rapidly approaching."

Laughing Garrett replied, “No chance, so far I'm liking what I'm seeing. Of all three of you. Wasn't sure I would, being honest. I mean I served on Mars for a couple of years. Got to know a good few of the locals. However, didn't really serve with them to the same extent. Well, except there was this engineer, a chimp named Bill. He and I got quite close, like really close. If you know what I mean."

“You are being as subtle as Santiago, so yes I know what you mean," laughed the ape as he began to run through the final round of pre-flight checks. “You two leave it on good terms?"

“Not exactly, he was the engineer who worked on the recon fighter that failed on me," the human sighed softly. “It was kinda hard to speak to him when I got back. He tried to visit me in the hospital and I wasn't exactly nice to him."

The ape nodded and Garrett knew the older guy could read between the lines of what he was saying. His last words to Bill had been screaming at him to get the fuck out. He'd never even thought to message him, maybe after his first tour, he would feel different. Different enough to forgive, just maybe. However, he knew it was definitely too soon for that. “I have a green light from control."

“You have a green light from me," Maxwell replied quickly. “You may launch when ready."

Every single muscle in the human's body tightened. His heart raced at hearing those words. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he could feel a tingle of excitement running down his spine. “Releasing docking clamps in five, four, three, two, one...now!" Garrett took a deep breath and held it as he pressed the button to release the clamps. Feeling the explosive bolts firing all at once. The explosion having just enough force to push the ship away from the station a few meters, without the need for thrusters.

Grasping the stick tighter, he fired the reverse thrusters and took them back slowly. In his ears, he could hear his blood rushing as his heart pounded. Part of him wanted to pull away quickly and spin the ship in a flashy way. However, he resisted the urges, the last thing he wanted was to take any risks and clip the station damaging both ship and station, possibly losing his job.

Taking her back nice and slowly he eased the ship out. Hitting the external com switch he contacted the station tower, “FMS Comstock, pulling clear and heading for the belt."

“Safe journey FMS Comstock, come back full and intact, you are cleared for sublight burn whenever you are ready," the tower responded quickly.

Glancing back at Maxwell the ape gave him a broad grin and a wink, "punch it!"

Flicking the ship's com open the human announced, “brace for sublight burn!" In his head, he counted down from thirty, the polite time to give his crew to park themselves in a fixed chair or bunk and strap in. While he counted he double-checked the navicomputer for the readings and then as his internal countdown hit zero. He pressed the sublight engines to full. Instantly he was forced back into the comfortable padding of his chair as a heavyweight hit his entire body.

Behind them, Earth began to grow smaller and the stars turned to lines, as they shot forward. It was a five-hour burn on the way to the belt. The auto nav could deal with it. With the extra G's from acceleration behind them, Garrett released the breath he had been holding. “We're on our way." He flicked on the aft sensor screen holo. Bringing up the rapidly shrinking Earth. “I've never seen a sight that didn't look better looking back." He half sang to himself and then glanced at the ape. “It's from an Earth song. About being born to wander."

Maxwell nodded in acknowledgement of the fact but did not seem inclined to comment further.

“You can go to the crew quarters if you want some rest," Garrett said. “I want to stay here and just… look at the stars."

Nodding and perhaps sensing that the human needed a moment or two alone the ape said, “I'll go head down then. Bruce will be up before the burn ends, to be ready to find us our first target."

After the burn, it would still take a day or more to get to the actual target. Depending on what target Bruce found for them. Time seemed to pass by faster than ever and in the blink of an eye he heard the hatch behind him open and Bruce's head popped in. The bright red fur was a stark contrast to the uniform grey of the ship's walls. “Hey, I figure we're probably coming out of burn soon. Sorry if I disturbed you."

“No need to say sorry. Yes, we leave burn in fifteen minutes," the human replied moving in his chair to wake up his sleeping body. “Everyone ok back there?"

“Oh yes, everyone's fine. Maxwell decided to take a nap and Santiago was watching a movie," Bruce replied, as he got into the co-pilot's seat. “How's the ship handling?"

“On auto-pilot? Like a dream," laughed the human. “She pulled out nice and smoothly though. Should be fine we have just been… bonding."

“She'll be a bit sluggish after we start loading her up," observed the gorilla and Garrett nodded politely. It was something he was very much aware of.

Garrett ran through a few systems checks, “the scanner cluster working ok?"

“Oh yeah, working just fine." There was a definite sarcastic tone to the gorilla's response.

“Is there something wrong with it?" Garrett asked twisting around in his chair.

“Technically it is working fine. However, you do know how vague these scanners are right? I mean if you are looking to avoid an object they will tell you exactly where it is. However, as for mineralogical content, it's vague, very very vague. It is the equivalent of basing your financial decisions on the last fortune cookie you opened," snorted the ape. “I have a doctorate in this stuff and even then telling the difference between an asteroid with high precious metals and iron is actually more luck than skill or knowledge."

“So that begs the question, are you lucky?" Asked the human with a wry smile.

Bruce flashed him a grin and nodded, “I'd say that somehow I use the garbage that this thing tosses out to hit a good load more often than most. The sad part is if I pick wrong and we land something with mostly iron we have to mine the fucker out anyway. Which can take weeks or even months Then we can end up going back early with low-value cargo filling up our hold. Which also means we get low priority in unloading."

“In that case, please find us something better than iron," Garrett replied earnestly.

“I will do my best, I assure you," replied the ape. “Just as soon as we drop out, I'll find something the right size with a good chance of adding to our bonus."

“Sounds good to me," Garrett admitted, as he started the cooldown of the sublight engines. The deceleration had to be timed just right or they would overshoot, which could be dangerous or undershoot and have to spend extra days crawling along to reach the belt.

“You going to sit up here after the burn, or join us in the crew quarters?" Bruce asked suddenly.

“I think after almost six hours in this chair I'm ready for a good stretch," Garrett replied, his back and legs were rather numb from sitting still for so long.

“Just a stretch, cause you'd have some help if you wanted more?" The question caught him a little off guard and Garrett blushed at the slight insinuation.

“You...are you talking about spotting me in the gym?" Garrett asked carefully, the ship had a small gym to help the crew keep active and healthy.

Bruce shrugged, “honestly, you know I wasn't. Three years we are on this ship together. We get two weeks leave a year and maybe a few days here and there while unloading. That means your potential sexual partners are limited to me, Santiago, Max and your hand. You are gay or bi or the system would never have matched you to this ship. I don't see much point hiding it, but as a crew, we are quite… close. Like really close, if you know what I mean."

Hearing the words he had said earlier about his relationship with Bill parrotted back, it was clear to Garrett that the other three had discussed it and agreed for Bruce to talk to the human about this. “I… know what you mean and honestly, I'm not sure. I mean it's been over two years since I… was close with someone."

Bruce whistled softly, “two years?"

“The last guy I did stuff with failed to close the fuel intake valve of my fighter properly and both engines detonated mid-flight. It was a miracle I wasn't killed. Approximately forty per cent of my skeleton is cybernetics, which ensures I will never sit in the cockpit of a fighter again. So you might understand I am a slight bit nervous about getting close again," Garrett replied firmly.

“That's cool. I can let the guys know, tell Santiago to back off. Though… I can't promise that you are not going to walk in on some closeness every now and then. It's a small ship and there ain't that much to do when we are not actually mining." The ape replied with a sympathetic smile. “However, I thought it best to just be direct about this. You can be assured though that we will respect your boundaries."

“I appreciate the directness and, I won't say I'm not flattered nor that I won't change my mind after I get to know you guys more," Garrett replied blushing a little. He had to admit the prospect was appealing. In his time on Mars, Bill had not been the only ape he had hooked up with. Just the only one that was not just a hookup.

“That's cool too," Bruce replied. “Looks like we are two minutes away from sublight deceleration."

“Alright, I'll stop us. You can find us a great rock out of the millions of rocks and I can start getting to know you guys a lot better." The human said shifting in his seat and feeling his jumpsuit pull against his firm erection. It had been two years since anyone but himself had touched it. His crewmates were attractive, he had to admit. Large males were a big turn on for him. That was part of why he had liked being stationed on Mars so much. Plenty of big red meat just walking around for him to ogle.

“That sounds like a plan," agreed Bruce.

A few minutes later he cut the sunlight engines, the reverse thrusters cut in immediately slowing their craft right down and eventually stopping right outside the asteroid belt.

Bruce whistled, “nice, a very close stop. Hopefully, we'll have no more than two days before we reach whichever of these rocks we are going to land on. Excellent piloting."

Garrett accepted the compliment gracefully while he prayed that his erection would fade before he had to stand up in front of the ape. However, it was hard to stop thinking about sex once they had started him off down that road. What if they got to the crew quarters and the other two were just going at it? Would it be rude to watch? Would Bruce join in? Could he watch Bruce join in? What if he just let one of them suck him off or something? I mean it is not like he would be committing to a relationship. It's simply crewmates helping each other out, right?

“Ok, got a couple of good options here," Bruce said thankfully cutting through Garrett's thoughts and he was grateful for the disruption. “Nearest one seems to have a good readout, but I dunno something about the way it moves. I think it's a shell, possibly already mined out, or just naturally hollow. However, with some potential for platinum and lithium. Next, we have this one, it's smaller than average but I think denser, there's definitely some good metal down there. Tricky landing though. Lastly, we have this one, it's big and reading as dense, probably a sure thing for at least some metal. However, it's at least three days away."

“Number two sounds good to me," Garrett cut in, as he checked out the rocks Bruce had been discussing. “I can land on her no problem."

“Confident, I like it," Bruce purred with approval. “Ok, then set course for contestant number two and we'll see how lucky we are."

It took just a few minutes to get the course laid in and the secondary engines underway. The small yellow vessel crawled its way slowly across the blackness of space alone. Somewhere out there were dozens of other mining ships. In an area so vast that mortal minds struggle to comprehend simply how big it was and how low the chances of their vessel randomly coming close was.

Garrett was grateful that his erection had faded to just a semi and if Bruce noticed it he did not mention anything. The ape did chat away about life on board the ship. Mostly listing the day's food options. Which were limited. However, there was a vanilla pudding cup that Bruce gave a strong recommendation for. “It's the best, in my opinion. Vanilla pudding cup number forty-seven."

While the human nodded his head and wondered what elevated the pudding about vanilla pudding options one through forty-six. Or why the solar system needed more than thirty different types of vanilla pudding. He was slightly disappointed when they reached the crew quarters at the far end of the ship. Finding the other two, laying on their own bunks and not engaged in any acts of wanton debauchery.

They did, however, get up and welcome the human once more. The crew quarters were not much. Four bunks in two sets of two along one wall. Four small personal lockers two either side of the room for their clothes. The food prep area was a small electronic food dispenser unit and square table with four chairs. At the far end, there were four more comfortable chairs facing the large entertainment unit.

The human was a little surprised to hear the others had held off on eating, wanting to share their first official meal as a full crew. Selecting a chicken-based meal, with vanilla pudding cup number forty-seven. Garrett found himself chatting easily with the apes.

“So you got us on course for a nice ripe pay off?" Santiago asked as he poked at what looked like a bit of shoe leather but had been labelled as steak option fifteen, well-done with no sauce.

“I hope so, a bit of a tricky landing on a small asteroid. So even if it doesn't pay out we can justify going to another because it's unlikely we'll fill up," Bruce replied and then nodded. “Our new pilot is sure he's up to the task. He dropped us out of sunlight right on the money though, so I'd say he is probably right about being able to land us."

“Yeah, don't worry. You guys are safe in my hands," Garrett replied and he waited for Santiago to make some flirty comment about what he might like to put in those hands or some other direct flirtation.

“We trust you, Ty said you have the chops for it," Santiago replied as he spooned a mouthful of what was probably mashed potato into his mouth.

“Ten years riding the stick," the human said proudly, expecting yet again the dark red-furred ape to respond to the bait.

“Indeed, that is a long time flying," Maxwell rumbled softly and Garrett noted the ape slightly raising an eyebrow. The message was clearly given, to stop poking if you are not willing to be poked.

“Does anyone else's chicken taste like cheese?" He asked instead, holding up a disk of what was probably processed meat. “It's supposed to be chicken stuffing, potatoes and gravy. I don't see any gravy."

“It's in that little pot thing there," Santiago said pointing to a small tub that Garrett had mistaken for a condiment. “You pop the little bit on the bottom and it heats up."

Garrett did as instructed and was able to apply a small amount of brown substance to his chicken. “Is that all you get?"

Bruce gave a laugh and patted him on the shoulder, “three years guy, welcome aboard!"

“Damn, if I'd known that I'd have had a second slice of cake before I boarded the ship!" Laughed the human. His years in the military had shown him that bad food was always a good thing to bond over and this apparently held true in civilian life too, “Hell, I'd have stolen the entire damn cake!"

“Oh dear, it seems that you and Santiago may be of one mind," observed Maxwell with a laugh.

“Yes," Garrett nodded at Santiago. “Smart boy, having two slices."

Grinning broadly Santiago stood up and took a couple of steps to his locker, opening it up he pulled out round cake dish with half a chocolate cake on it, “Why have just two slices when you can have the whole fucking cake! I nabbed it before we came on board." Bruce coughed slightly and Santiago added. “Bruce helped, he distracted the server while I snatched the cake and snuck it into the lift."

“Yes, I hope the cake is worth it. I might have to go on a date with that lady next time we dock," mumbled the red gorilla with a chuckle."Although technically it's theft."

“I'm sure it's better than vanilla pudding cup number forty-seven," observed Garrett his eyes on the large cake. “Also, wouldn't it be piracy? I mean a space station is kinda like a vessel. So that would make you pirates, which sounds way better."

“Ahhh well, would ye like a taste of me booty?" Santiago asked in a terrible attempt at a pirate accent.

“I would enjoy a taste of… your booty," Garrett blushed as he replied. He knew it had been an innocent comment by Santiago. The problem was now he knew it was innocent he found himself wishing it wasn't.

“Hold up," Maxwell cut in quickly as Santiago put the cake down on the table. “This is a stolen cake, pilfered from our employer. The organisation that brought us together, that put a roof over our heads and food on our table." The ape stood up and slammed his huge hands down on the table making them all jump. Garrett could not help but feel like a schoolboy being told off by a normally kind-hearted teacher. Only for a sly smile to burst onto Maxwell's lips. "We should savour it! Santiago, why don't you go get us some of that moonshine you definitely aren't brewing in that still that is definitely not stored in cargo bay number three behind the loader hydraulics? We can have a little welcome to the crew party to celebrate our new crewmate. Then I would also enjoy a taste of your booty."

Garrett spotted a little glance between the two apes and he knew that the big black male was promising something more than to taste the cake. The human wondered if he should say something. However, he knew it was too soon. He'd already said no a couple of hours earlier. He should wait a day or two before changing that to a yes. After all, he did not want his new crewmates to think he was that easy.

The young ape returned a few minutes later with a bottle of what could have been water from the look of it, and it could have been battery acid by the smell of it. Four glasses were very carefully poured, or rather four reusable plastic cups worth. Maxwell had split the remaining cake into four huge slices, observing that it would probably go stale soon and so they should eat it all now.

So Garrett found himself sitting on a ship floating through the endless void of space, sitting at a table with three gorillas eating delicious chocolate cake and drinking terrible moonshine.

“Oh fuck! That'll put hairs on your chest," the human observed after the first sip had stopped burning his chest.

“Yay! Just what I always wanted, a hairy chest," Laughed Bruce knocking back his full glass and wincing.

Garrett could not help but laugh. “I suppose that's really only useful for me, you three already have nice hairy chests." Then he held up his empty cup, “how about a refill so I can catch up to you guys, chest wise."

“That might not be wise, I'm not sure of the lethal dose of this poison for a human," Maxwell said with a slightly worried expression.

“Ten years in the military I've drunk more than my fair share of bootleg hooch, and I've had nothing worse to show for it than a bad head the day after," retorted the human once again holding up his cup. Max gave a small gesture of resignation, and Santiago poured another generous cup full out for him.

“Try mixing it with coke, it tastes less like turpentine and more like turpentine mixed with coke," Bruce said, handing out a couple cans of coke from the ship's cooler. It definitely helped the moonshine go down easier. The crew turned their attention to their cake and demolished it in minutes.

As the effects of his second large dose of moonshine kicked in Garrett laughed and leaned back in his chair, “think I'm going to enjoy being part of this crew." He observed before asking for a third cup of moonshine and the rest of the evening became something of a blur.

<>

Waking up Garrett knew how stupid he had been because he had gotten so drunk he couldn't remember anything after chocolate cake. His head felt like a dozen hammers were slowly hammering a dozen nails into his brain. That was the first sensation that hit him, the second was the warmth of a body pressed up behind him. Warm soft fur tickling his skin and a huge arm draped over his chest. A decidedly dark red arm.

The pain in his head momentarily forgotten his mind tried desperately to replay the events of the previous night. With one question he desperately needed to answer; did he get drunk and fuck one of his crewmates?

A pained moan echoed around the room. Followed by a couple of thumps as one of the other two gorillas got to his feet. It was Bruce, easy to recognise even from the back due to the fur colour. The ape put both paws up to his head and whimpered, “god damn Santiago, god damned moonshine."

“Right there with you," groaned the human from his place in his bunk with Santiago spooned up behind you.

Bruce turned and glanced at him, “Is... is that your arm?"

“Not unless that Moonshine made me grow a third one...which I am honestly not crossing off the list of possibilities before I turn around." Groaned the human. “You… you don't remember if me and Santiago…"

“I don't remember anything after you put on some music and the two of you started to dance," the gorilla mumbled.

“I danced?" Garrett asked astonished. He was not known for cutting the rug ever.

“Well, dance is a generous description. Mainly you swayed back and forth and swirled your shirt around your head," the gorilla said with a soft laugh, followed by an immediate clutching his head.

“Good Morning!" A cheery voice boomed at decibel levels that to Garrett's mind would fit nicely within the terms of justifiable homicide. “Did we all sleep well, feeling nice and perky are we?" Maxwell asked as he bounded in his fur was wet and Garrett guessed the ape had just showered. “I do hope nobody partied too hard last night."

“Hell is filled with people like you," Grumbled the human as he clutched his head.

Chuckling the black ape strolled across to the kitchen section. Through his pain and nausea, Garrett noticed that the ape did indeed have a silverback. However, more important was the smell of coffee being brewed. His opinion of the black ape rapidly changed, “Oh thank fucking god."

“Name's Max, not god," the ape replied. “Oh and don't worry, by the way, you were both so very very drunk you definitely didn't do anything. I think when I finally convinced you to get into your bunk, Santigo complained about wanting someone to snuggle and you volunteered as tribute."

“Oh… good," mumbled the human as he watched Max pouring out several cups of coffee.

“How do you like it?" Max asked as he placed a mug in front of Bruce, who was slumped over in a chair at the table.

“Black and as strong as you can make it," Garrett groaned, and then struggled to pull away from the ape behind him. A loud whimper behind him announcing that Santiago had joined the ranks of the waking.

“A man after my own heart," Max announced cheerily placing another mug down on the table. Feeling his stomach-churning Garrett got to his feet. The pounding in his head told him that was a bad idea. However, he did not make directly for the table. He fumbled open his locker and found his duffle bag right where Santiago had stuffed it. With his eyes still bleary finding the small pocket compartment was not easy. However, he managed and with a sigh pulled out a silver tray. Popping a small capsule on it he extracted a tiny tablet and swallowed it and in his head, he slowly counted down from ten.

By the time he hit zero, he spun around quickly, snapping to attention and giving a huge sigh of relief. He dashed across the room and snatched up the mug of black coffee, “oh sweet black ambrosia, how I missed you." He took a huge gulp and let the bitterness wake him fully and then he tossed the silver tray down on the table. “Detox pills, work in ten seconds no hard-drinking spacer should leave port without them."

A red paw landed on the tray and Bruce mumbled something that might have been a thank you, before he popped a pill himself. Garrett glanced at Max, “do you need one, or are you one of those bastards who doesn't get hangovers?"

“I am indeed one of those bastards who doesn't get hangovers," Max confirmed with a knowing smile. “Mainly because I don't get drunk. I stopped at one while the rest of you chugged away like first-year cadets." Bruce handed the tray to a very hungover and naked Santiago.

Garrett yawned and stretched, the detox pills might cure the effects of a hangover. However, they did little for the effects of lack of sleep. “I'm not gonna argue there, it was dumb but fun."

“Wasn't that your nickname in the army," Bruce said, slapping Santiago on the back just as he was about to take a sip of coffee.

“That's private, Dumb But Fun to you," laughed the younger gorilla. “What time is it?"

“Three in the afternoon, I let you all sleep," Max replied and then added. “I spent some time in the gym and then sat in the cockpit for a bit just looking at the stars and not hearing the three of you drunk bastards snoring away."

“Three in the afternoon?" Garrett asked while in his head he did a little math," we will be approaching the asteroid in three hours. I had better get showered and start working on my landing route plan."

“Yeah, we all have jobs to get to," the black ape announced, giving the other two a meaningful look. Garrett did not stick around. He left and found his way to the shower unit, take a moment to relieve himself first. Then he stood in the shower and just enjoyed the hot water for a moment. However, he knew he did not have long to linger. The asteroid they had picked would be a tricky one to land on and he damn sure wasn't going to mess up his first landing. He swore to himself he would set them down so smoothly that it would not wake a sleeping infant.

A few minutes later a slightly damp human climbed back into the cockpit. This time he would get to do some actual flying. Not just turn and burn. The small asteroid was in the belt surrounded by many others, most near it too small to land on. While a good few other big ones that if they hit would mean a very quick death for them all. It was not the safest of professions. That had, of course, been part of the lure.

“Hey," a voice behind him broke him out of his concentration. It was Santiago, “You mind if I sit up here? I don't have much to do the mining gear is hard to prep until Bruce has set up all the scanning stuff and can actually tell me what I need to dig up and where."

Shrugging and waving at the empty co-pilot's chair, “feel free. Though I do need to concentrate for a bit."

“No problem. I just didn't fancy sitting in the crew quarters alone," the ape said with a grateful smile as he sat down.

Garrett worked in silence for well over an hour, finding a landing site, plotting a course through all the smaller debris. The hull was quite thick and could take rocks up to a certain size. However, the more that hit the harder she would be to control. All of their lives would be in his hands in less than half an hour. “Switching her to manual." He announced half to himself.

“Isn't it a little early?" Santiago asked, his voice coming as a bit of a shock.

“Yeah, but I haven't really gotten to know this lady yet. I want a little time getting acquainted with how she moves, before the big dance," Garrett replied and then turned to give Santiago a wink. “Nothing to worry about, just good manners you know."

“I wouldn't know. I can't even drive land vehicles," Santiago replied. “Though I can handle a stick pretty well."

The sudden return of the flirting was a surprise, but if he was honest a welcome one. “So I have heard."

“Well, maybe I could demonstrate sometime, you did ask after all," the ape purred softly and Garrett almost sent the ship into a nosedive as he jumped.

“I...asked?" The human desperately searched the tiny fragments of his memory of the previous night for any conversations he had with the ape. However, it all came back as meaningless fragments or just blank.

“Yeah, just before we went to sleep. Can't remember what you said exactly," Santiago confirmed. “Something about making a mistake and that we could 'get real close sometime'." The ape tilted his head, “did you mean it, or was it the moonshine talking?"

“Honestly… at the time yes," the human answered, becoming aware that he was getting much closer to the dangerous area and he needed this conversation over soon so he could focus on flying and not crashing.

“And now?"

It was a question Garrett had expected, his previous answer had been a desperate attempt to gain some thinking space. “I think I might still mean it. Though, I'm not in a super rush. Like, you seem really nice and certainly fun. I just…"

“It ain't a proposal man, just an offer to drain your balls and let you drain mine," snorted Santiago leaning back in his chair with his arms behind his head. Glancing back, Garrett couldn't help but notice the ape had his legs spread as wide as they could and there was a definite bulge. “It doesn't have to get more complicated than that."

“It doesn't? Oh and I thought you might be up for something other than just vanilla shit," the human replied his mouth running away with a bravado born of being back in the cockpit. His mind was not on the ape as he began to take real control of the ship. Fears, anxiety, doubts, they all began to melt away. “Now shhh, Daddy's flying."

He did not get to see the look on Santiago's face. A herd of moose dancing the bolero in the cockpit could not have distracted him. Feeling his heart beating and then racing. He turned the ship swooping smoothing into the belt. Pushing through the fine mist of smaller rocks. Listening to them battering off the hull and window like rain. His racing heart slowed as did his breath and he was calm once more, after two years of panic.

Garrett's mind was nearly blank, there was no time to think while travelling so fast. He worked on a combination of instinct and experience than of conscious choice. It was so similar to combat, yet with no-one actively trying to kill him it was actually more fun. Swerving neatly around a large chunk of rock he felt the extra pull on the stick as he felt the gravity of the asteroid reaching out trying to pull the ship down. It was easy to compensate for and he did so without even thinking.

The yellow ship swooped gracefully in a spiral pattern, moving ever closer and closer to their target. Pulling up next to the rock, matching velocity and rotation was more an art form than a skill. In all too brief a time he was pushing her down. He felt slightly cheated, that his first dance had turned out to be so short. Yet at the same time, nothing could have wiped the broad grin off his face. He knew he could do this again and again. He had a three-year tour ahead of him, and another and another until they kicked him off. Maybe he would end up on some ranch looking up at the stars, just like Max predicted. Still, it did not seem like an unappealing prospect.

A strong hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed, “nice landing," Santiago cooed softly and then added, “Daddy."

Wincing and laughing the human shrugged, “sorry, sometimes you just need the kids in the back to shut up and let you drive."

The gorilla pressed his muzzle up to Garrett's ear and replied, “and sometimes Daddy needs the kids in the back to grab his…" Santiago's voice trailed off and then after a moment, the ape said," that's a really inappropriate metaphor, isn't it? Let's just say I'd love to give Daddy's balls a… nope, I ruined the Daddy thing with the whole kid thing, right?"

“Yeah, you kinda did," laughed the human as he checked the readouts on the landing clamps. “Good news is, we are down and secure." Flicking a few switches he set up a standard repeating scan and alert. It would scan everything in the area constantly and give them at least two hours warning should anything be on a collision course for the asteroid. Then he flicked on the ship's intercom, “Bruce, we are down and locked. You may get set up to tell us all how lucky we are."

Getting out of his seat he turned and gave Santiago a slightly knowing grin. His first time flying in two years, lucky or not he felt like celebrating. However, as he opened his mouth to speak the ship's intercom sparked to life with Bruce's voice, “great thanks, now tell Santiago that he needs to get his ass down here and do his job helping me set up, playtime can wait."

Garrett gave a sympathetic smile and a shrug, “duty calls."

Santiago winked as he got to his feet, “yeah." He mumbled as he started to climb down. Garrett was about to climb after him when Santiago's dark red head poked up again. “However, we will return to the Daddy's flying comment later, you know when your memory of our conversation has faded and we won't be interrupted."

“Not interrupted? On a ship this small," Garrett laughed as he climbed after the young ape.

“Well, with a more or less silent audience," chuckled the young ape as he started to walk down the corridor.

The human followed Santiago, “Well if you don't mind. I think I wouldn't mind watching you first." Dropping the flirtation he added plainly. “It's my first run so I'm kinda curious to see what the rest of you do. Besides, if you guys are all in the hold setting up, I'll get bored. I like to keep active, after so long in the service."

“Not me, three months and I was out," snorted the ape.

“Three months? Were you discharged for some reason? Injury?" Garrett asked curiously.

“Prisoner," replied the ape. “Conscripted at eighteen, like all Free State apes, out fighting the smoothies and all. First combat mission our squad was cut off and we surrendered. I never even fired my rifle. Of course, since the Provisional Government and Earth don't actually acknowledge it's a war I was offered a deal. Accept citizenship and join the civilised galaxy. Or go to a military prison until the “police action" is over."

Garrett knew that the war on Mars had never been formally acknowledged as such by his side. To do so would have been to admit the Mars Free State was a legitimate government. The “police action" had been going on for thirty years. “So you went from soldier to miner?"

Santiago stopped and for the first time since he had met the ape his expression was serious, "I was eighteen and scared. I took the deal and then found out that just cause I was a citizen it didn't mean shit to the rest of the population. So yeah, I took a job as far away from that dustball as I could. Just a couple of nice guys, decent pay, plenty of sex and almost zero responsibilities. Just perfect for a pit born scut like me."

The human recognised the martian slang from his time on the planet. He reached out and patted the ape on his broad shoulder, “well if it helps, I'm glad to get to know you." Giving a wink he added, “you're better than a hot blanket to keep a guy warm at night."

In an instant, the ape's mischievous grin returned and he returned the wink with a lascivious one of his own, “that's not all I can do for a guy at night."

“I believe you," laughed Garrett as they reached the start of the cargo bays. Center of the ship. There was a square pit inside it. In-flight, it was just that; an empty pit. However, now that they had landed the floor had slid back and a forcefield was extending down keeping the vacuum of space from draining all the air from the ship, and their lungs. Bruce and Maxwell were both in the pit along with some very heavy equipment, pulse surveys that could identify what the entire asteroid was made of.

“Alright Max, get your ass out of the pit, I'm here to do my job," only two crew were allowed to be in the pit. Garrett did not quite understand why. Something about the capacity of oxygen scrubbers and an effect caused by the forcefield. The black ape moved to the ladder and climbed up to the gantry where the other two were standing. He gave Santiago a pat on the back and they had a slightly muffled exchange. Then Santiago got onto the ladder, sliding right to the asteroid.

Garrett leaned on the safety barrier and looked down. “Huh, you know it's a lot redder than I thought it'd be."

“Red, grey and sometimes green. You get used to seeing them." Maxwell replied leaning over next to him. “Much like with people, I don't care much about the outside, I just hope there's a lot of good stuff inside."

The human turned to face him, "that's pretty deep."

“Not really, just good sense," the ape replied with a shrug. “Good looks only work for so long, then you see what's inside. If that ain't good then a person just isn't attractive."

“So what do you think of my insides so far?" Garrett asked more than a little curious.

“So far, I think Ty was right, you are a good match. You are direct and honest, that I like," the ape took a deep breath. “Also a little bit broken, which is also a good fit."

Relief flooded Garrett's mind. It was strange how after just one day he genuinely wanted the crew to like him. “Glad to hear it."

“Come on, let's go get a coffee and bit to eat, they will be trying to align the scanner properly for a while and that really isn't interesting to watch," Maxwell said gesturing in the direction of the crew quarters. Garrett accepted and the two wandered back, had another cup of coffee and another meal. No chocolate cake or moonshine. The company wasn't bad though and Garrett found himself relaxing more and more around the black ape.

Garrett told a few of his more amusing stories of his time in the military. Enough to get the ape laughing. Maxwell, in turn, shared some stories of his years on a mining ship. The ape was just getting to the end of a particularly funny story and Garrett was laughing hard, “you didn't!"

Maxwell chuckled and then put on a more serious expression, “you calling me a liar? Top to toe in coffee creamer, it took me six hours to get the damn stuff out of my fur."

“What did Ty do? I mean did you get him back?" Garrett asked, draining his coffee cup.

The big ape looked away coyly, "well, after I finally got clean he, ah, extracted some cream from me as a way of saying sorry."

An image of the black ape he'd met on the station, on his knees sucking Maxwell off filled Garrett''s mind and he felt his body begin to react. “That… is a good way to say sorry." The human replied feeling his cheeks heating up with a blush.

“I certainly enjoyed his apology," the ape said and suddenly Garrett could see a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Or maybe flirtatious. “So, you guys in the navy, you didn't apologise like that?"

Garrett laughed at the very notion, “most of my squadron were straight. Even if they weren't fraternisation was strictly not allowed. So mostly if anything was going to happen it was when I was on furlough."

“Has it really been two years since you… gave someone your creamer?" The ape asked and Garrett couldn't help but notice those brown eyes looking over him. That was fine, he was comfortable with his looks. Neat brown hair, blue eyes and a fit runner's body.

“Two years, and some change. I have quite the build-up of creamer in stock," he replied and then burst out laughing. “I think we could just drop the metaphors if you'd prefer.."

“Fine by me, would you like me to end your dry spell?" The ape asked and Garrett could feel his cock straining against his jumpsuit. Santiago's words from earlier came to his mind, reminding him that it didn't have to get more complicated than two crew members helping each other out.

Gulping softly he nodded his head, “I think I'd enjoy that. Though, two years, I'm… ah, don't…"

“You don't need to say it," the gorilla said confidently as he got to his feet. It was impossible for Garrett to not see the thick bulge prominent in the ape's jumpsuit. A huge hand was held out to him and he took it, his stomach tingling with nerves as the soft leathery fingers closed around his and pulled him to his feet.

Maxwell seemed to know that Garrett needed someone to take the lead. He walked the human over to his bunk. Tugging his hand when they reached their destination. Going with the motion Garrett spun around. Maxwell's other large palm cupped his cheek and he saw those friendly brown eyes moving towards him. Warm lips pressed to his, and he moaned softly returning the kiss.

Second by second, his confidence grew. Garrett reached out with his hands, stroking over the ape's flanks. Feeling the comfortable bulk with a little give beneath the grey jumpsuit. All the crew wore the same jumpsuit, practical clothes provided by the company. Maxwell's huge hand on Garrett's cheek stroked slowly down his neck and then shoulder. Slipping around his waist the ape suddenly pulled him close. At the same moment, Maxwell's lips parted and their tongues began to dance, as their bodies ground up against one another.

Moans of pleasure and lust escaping both of their lips. Garrett could feel his erection straining against the fabric of his clothes, and more the wonderful tingle of pleasure as his cock pressed against the ape's body. That huge ape hand on his lower back slipped down to his buttocks and squeezed firmly, eliciting a deep moan of pleasure.

Maxwell broke the kiss and they both gasped. Garrett found himself panting heavily and then the ape pushed him lightly, guiding him down to sit on the bunk behind him. The ape grasped at the zip to Garrett's jumpsuit, pulling it quickly down, exposing his chest and down to his crotch. Those soft leathery palms slid over his chest and he gasped lustfully. Maxwell chuckled slightly.

A little confused Garrett gave the ape a questioning look. “I have never seen a human without clothes, at least in person." Two hands caressed over his pecs, Maxwell's nails lightly scratching his flesh. “Feels odd, but good odd," Maxwell reassured him before that huge ape head pressed forward and Garrett felt warm ape lips, only this time on his chest. Kissing, nibbling and licking. Unable to think or move the human just sat there and enjoyed the ape's affections. His own hands grasping the blankets on Maxwell's bunk.

Two hands slid around and then up, peeling the jumpsuit off his shoulders and pulling it down. Garrett moaned as Maxwell seemed to worship his naked torso. Soft kisses and licks rained all over his chest, all with the sounds of moans and groans of delight. However, it was when the ape found his nipples that Garrett cried out in pleasure. Warm lips and suction sending tingles through his entire body.

Maxwell was apparently an attentive lover, because the moment his voice lifted up, a paw quickly moved to find his other nipple. Thick black ape fingers ran over the erect nub very lightly squeezing. Garrett couldn't help but cry out in pleasure again. The ape clearly enjoyed making him squeal because he repeated the teasing again and again. Bringing teeth into play ever so gently, while his hand pinched his other nipple in between a huge thumb and forefinger.

However, the teasing soon came to an end as the ape's attention wandered lower. Hand's slipping around behind him, stroking down his body and slipping easily under his briefs. “Lift up," A simple instruction and yet issued with such utter confidence that Garrett did not even think to disobey. He lifted up as much as he could while still trapped on the bunk. Those strong hands quickly pulled both his jumpsuit and his underwear down to his knees.

“Down," barked Maxwell and again he obeyed. His reward was a hungry mouth suddenly devouring his cock. The ape sucked firmly, his tongue wild as Maxwell's head bobbed on his length fast. “Fuck!" Garrett cried out through gritted teeth the sudden pleasure far too intense for him to withstand. “T..two years… I can't…" He stammered trying to warn the ape, he was already right on the edge of his orgasm.

If Maxwell heard him, he did not let it show. His muzzle taking in every inch of Garrett's length. Never stopping in his motions, as Garrett's hips thrust upwards on instinct. His body was ever desperate to keep his cock in the wonderful warmth that brought such delicious sensations. Crying out the human felt himself pass the point of no return. He couldn't form any more words of warning. Inside the ape's muzzle, his cock throbbed and he unloaded what felt like at least two year's worth of pent up frustration and hardship.

His head spinning, Garrett's voice cried out over and over. Maxwell didn't stop sucking and swallowing until he had fed the ape every drop he could. Dizzy from the pleasure Garrett was stunned when the ape's lips pulled off his cock and then pressed to his lips. He could taste his own cock and cum on the tongue that delved into his stunned mouth. Maxwell's paws stroked all over his naked form and the ape groaned in what Garrett realised was growing lust,

With his strength returning his hands explored the large ape. Maxwell was still fully dressed in a crew jumpsuit. However, emboldened Garrett stroked both hands down the ape's front and over his crotch. Maxwell groaned loudly into his mouth, as his fingers traced the outline of a huge and rock hard cock. This time it was his turn to break the kiss. Moaning breathlessly," my turn. Now on your feet and off with your clothes." It was time to show that he could give orders just as well as follow them.

Maxwell put up no resistance. Rolling off the bunk quickly and standing before the human. From his seated position the human had the perfect view of the huge marquee that Maxwell had pitched in his jumpsuit. However, he did not get to admire the tent for long as the ape was clearly in a hurry. His jumpsuit hit the deck a few seconds after he got to his feet and the ape stood there proudly naked before him.

It was quite a sight to behold. A broad and warmly furred belly, strong and broad chest and shoulders. Thick powerful thighs and legs, with black prehensile feet. Best of all a thick and musky black ape cock. Just inches from his mouth and nose. Earthy musk flooded his nose, and Garrett knew that the ape had had a busy day lugging heavy equipment around. Apparently, he had built up a sweat at some point.

Garrett knew what was expected of him and he was determined to deliver. Although, he would have been the first to admit he was feeling slightly nervous. It had been a long time since he last sucked anyone off and moreover, he had never taken a cock quite so thick. Girth was clearly Maxwell's middle name because his entire body was blessed with an abundance of it. The human took in enough sweet eye-candy to send anyone running to the dentist. Though there was only one direction the human wanted to run.

Reaching out with both hands he ran his fingers along each side of the ape's huge meat. The warmth radiating into his fingertips, the flesh hot and slightly sticky with sweat and precum. Garret's fingers wandered into the furry regions of Maxwell's crotch. While the ape about him groaned in lust, he grasped two of the largest nuts he had ever seen. Each one filled a palm of his hand on its own.

Gulping heavily, Garrett leant forward the musk of the ape getting stronger as he drew closer. There was a slightly sweet-tangy edge to the scent the closer he got. He paused just millimetres away from the thick rod. Just taking in the rich potent scents and then he closed his eyes and sent his tongue forward to taste. Maxwell's rich voice filled the crew quarters with a deep pleasure-filled moan. While, Garrett's tongue swirled around the ape's cocktip, teasing across his meatus and glans, then around the coronal ridge. Sweet and salty, musk and earth. It was as potent and complex as a fine aged port. Strong and mature, just like the ape. It was also very moreish. The feel of the hot meat on his tongue just left him hungry for more.

Garrett's lips sealed around the thick tip and he sucked slowly and softly at first. Swallowing the potent flavours, his mouth flooding with drool as his head pushed forward. He savoured the sensation of thickness between his lips, throbbing with the ape's pulse. Pressing forward, he took as much of the thickness into his mouth as he could, his jaw opening so wide it ached slightly. His nose was utterly dominated by the smell of sweaty gorilla.

He nearly jumped as two gentle hands reached down to stroke his cheeks encouragingly. Maxwell's soft moans of pleasure let him know just how much his lover was enjoying his mouth. He also knew the ape was holding back, letting the human go at his own pace, no pressure. This was all just for his pleasure. Maxwell was just going to stand there and let the human enjoy every moment.

The human could not help but think that such patience deserved a reward. His lips tightened, strapping around the girth and he sucked harder. Then he pulled back and pushed forward. Setting up a quick and eager pace, while his hands continued to roll those huge nuts around. Above him, the sounds of pleasure were growing louder and he could feel the ape rocking his hips lightly, just gently thrusting into his mouth.

With each bob of his head, he pressed that thick cocktip right to the back of his throat. He gave his own deeply pleasured moans as he remembered the joy of bringing pleasure to another. He opened his eyes to watch that black meat as it glistened with his salvia, pulling out and thrusting into his mouth. As the minutes passed, Maxwell seemed to take more and more control. Strong hands grasped at his head, holding him still. Those soft rocks became full and meaningful thrusts.

Maxwell's pleasured sounds became far more urgent and dominant. Garrett knew it wouldn't be long before the ape showed him just how much those huge orbs contained. Pulling gently, he tugged on those huge fruits, eager to taste their contents. Maxwell's voice lifted up in a surprised roar of pleasure. Garrett's ears told him there was another sound he should be paying attention to. However, he ignored his ears focusing on what was in his mouth instead.

The balls in his hands began to twitch and a heartbeat later he felt the cock throb between his lips. A powerful warm jet hit the back of his throat. His mouth was flooded in an instant, with Maxwell's hands firmly holding his head in position, Garrett faced a choice, swallow or drown. Choosing the former he began to gulp down his lover's heavy load. Jet after jet he swallowed greedily, not caring about anything else but pleasuring Maxwell.

Eventually a softening and dripping cock was pulled from his hungry lips. His jaw was aching and then his ears perked up again at the sound of clapping. Leaning a little he saw Bruce and Santiago standing just by the door watching. Garrett wasn't sure how long they had been there. He was sure that they had both enjoyed the show, the small campsite the two had set up left no doubt in his mind on that score.

“You two just couldn't wait, huh?" Bruce asked as he stepped forward. Reaching out he turned Maxwell's head and kissed him, passionately and in Garrett's opinion possessively. The two moaned above him as they made out.

“I ain't complaining, I love a free show," Santiago said as the older two males made out. The dark red ape approached Garrett with a smirk on his face, “question is, is this the kind of show that allows for audience participation?"

Gulping Garrett knew what the ape was really asking and the answer was written all over his cock. Which was more than ready for a second round. He put on his cheesiest grin and replied with the cheesiest line he had ever used, “well that depends, do we have a volunteer in the audience." The ape broke into a wide grin and started to crawl onto the bunk. Garrett lifted his feet off the ground and lay back on the bed, adding, “warning those in the first three rows will get wet."

It was possible that Santiago's tenuous hold on himself snapped, or just that he was determined to stop Garrett from issuing any more terrible jokes. Either way, the weight of the ape landed over him, the warm body writhing and pressing him down. While, Santiago's lips and his wrestled, their tongues delving and feasting on each other's flavours. Hands tearing at each other's body, Garrett focused on trying to pull down the ape's jumpsuit zipper.

However, he was about to find out that when it came to a wrestling match with apes he was not only in a much lower weight class, they had some major advantages over him. As two hand's stroked over his chest, up his neck and onto his face, another grasped around his achingly hard cock and a fourth cradled his balls.

Breaking the kiss Santiago moaned, “Max is pretty tasty isn't he?" The young gorilla purred while his foot squeezed the human's cock. His two hands caressing over Garrett's neck and shoulders over and over. While the young male let his deft toes stroke and play with the human's cock just as well as any lover had ever done with their hands.

“Oh fuck... Yes," he moaned in reply, lifting up to take another passionate kiss from Santiago's lips. As soon as he did, Santiago squeezed and jerked his cock, making him cry out in pleasure once more.

Their lips parted again and the horny ape gave him a broad grin, “I guess I had better get a taste of you, you know for research and science."

Groaning deeply and nodding Garrett agreed, “for science." Santiago squirmed on top of him as the young ape tried to take his jumpsuit off in such a small space. Glancing to his left he saw Maxwell, bent over the lunch table, with Bruce behind him. Clearly, the two older apes were keeping each other busy. Or maybe Bruce was making Maxwell pay for not waiting for them all. Garrett knew it was a good thing he had not. All at once would have been too much, he would have been too scared to start. This way had been the best, a little one on one time leading up to it. He wondered if the black ape had known that.

In the end, it did not matter. He had taken the leap and he knew he could never go back. As Santiago's mouth sealed around his cock he cried out his thanks that things would never go back. Three years and three horny crewmates, the chance to fly again and good pay. This job had some serious perks that made his time in the navy seem like a waste.

Santiago's hands stroked under him grasping his ass and lifting him up. His cock was pushed deeper into the ape's hungry mouth. As he moaned and basked in the feelings around his cock, Garret noticed Santiago's hand was moving. A moment later fingertips wriggled between his cheek, teasing along his crack and drumming over his pucker. Garrett moaned deeply in surprise and a little in concern. Two years with no action had left him with a backdoor that was very tightly sealed.

Yet even with that concern in mind, he couldn't stop his body pushing back against those drumming digits. One finger circled around his entrance and then suddenly pushed. Garrett hissed softly at the slight pain as the ape eventually forced a fingertip inside him. Then gasped as a warm mouth was pulled off his cock and the fingertip was removed. Glancing down he found two golden cheeky eyes looking up at him, “you're a bit tight."

“T..two years," Garrett panted in explanation.

The ape nodded his understanding and then placed a soft kiss on his cocktip, “I'll be right back. Don't move." With grace and agility that surprised Garrett, Santiago literally leapt out of the bunk and dashed to his locker. Garrett's eyes returned to the other apes, Bruce was thrusting hard and fast, the table had moved several feet, knocking over one of the chairs and was now rocking against the wall.

The arousing show ensured that nothing cooled his ardour. However, he couldn't help but eye up Maxwell's cock nervously. He hadn't had a proper look at Santiago's but if the younger ape was packing similar meat then he knew he was in for a very rough ride. Glancing to where Santiago was standing he noted the pert buttocks of the younger slender ape. Santiago's excitement was announced by his thrashing tail. Unlike the feral ancestors, the genetically engineered apes had been given prehensile tails by their human creators.

Santiago's darker red fur was offset by the blackness of his bald chest and face. The change in colour tone pleasingly highlighted his features and form. The younger ape was far less pear-shaped than his other two crewmates, yet still with a much broader chest and thicker stronger limbs than most humans. He eyed up the younger male's cock nervously. It was black and very prominent bobbing as he moved. Not as big as Maxwell's but with enough length and girth for Garrett to worry.

However, when Santiago found what he was looking for Garrett's worries vanished. A small metallic tube was pulled out of a cardboard packet with a very familiar logo. Easylube was a well-known brand, not just a lubricant though. It was a mixture of muscle relaxers, mild pain killers and drugs to enhance pleasure sensations. In a world where there were many alien species, it had not been long before companies had spotted a gap in the market for something to make the sex a lot smoother, safer and less painful.

A few seconds later the ape was back. Without a word, he lifted Garrett's legs and Garrett gasped to feel the cool metal tube press to his pucker. A second later he gave a soft yelp as the device was activated. A much thinner rod shot a few inches inside him and then he sighed as the slightly warm substance was sprayed around his insides. Santiago was as patient as a New York Cabbie in rush hour. The device had barely finished its work before the empty was thrown and Garrett felt those fingers return to his ass.

This time it wasn't just a fingertip, it was two full digits, sliding easily and painlessly into his ass. Spreading the lube deeper and deeper. While Garrett cried out and whimpered to feel it. He had always been a switch but was surprised how subby he felt among his new shipmates. He knew part of it was down to the newness and his own internal need to be liked. Later he knew he would get his turn on Santiago's pert red ass and he looked forward to seeing just how rough he could go on a male who clearly was used to taking Maxwell and Bruce's huge cocks regularly.

Although, he did not get to think on that for long, as Santiago started to finger fuck his ass faster. A warm mouth wrapped around his cock and started to bob on his length eagerly. The human's fingers grasped and tore at the bedding as he was caught between the wonderful dual pleasures. The effects of the lube already in full swing, every motion inside him didn't just tickle, they sent soft gentle waves of pleasure up every nerve ending they caressed.

While Santiago's was showing just how talented he was with his mouth. The suction was just enough, his tongue ever moving and his mouth warm and welcoming. The ape's lips kissing his crotch just as easily as Maxwell's had, they took every inch he had and pressed forward eager for more. His need to orgasm was rising fast inside him and he suspected that any warning to Santiago would only make him work harder to bring it forward.

“I'm... close," he muttered because the sensations were far too wonderful, he was addicted and he wanted more. No sooner had the words escaped his lips than Santiago's head suddenly went wild. His paw matching his bobbing head in wild thrusts. Convulsing in pleasure Garrett screamed out as he was sucked and finger fucked with such brutal strength. His fingers clawed down the walls of the bunk and tore at the sheets.

While a few seconds later his cock began to pulse and he cried out screaming Santiago's name at the top of his voice. His cock jetting the second pent-up load into the hungry ape's mouth. He could feel the ape swallowing around his cock. While those fingers in his ass continued to fuck just as fast and hard as ever. Helping to milk him dry and prepare him for what everyone there knew was going to happen next.

His orgasm fading, Garrett fell back against the bedding, his body soaked in sweat and utterly drained of every ounce of energy. His head turned and he saw the two older apes. They were no longer fucking. Instead, they were both sitting on the dining chairs, watching the two of them. With a hand on each other's cock and a coke in the other paw. Clearly, they were enjoying the show by the two younger crewmates.

Garrett moaned softly as he felt those fingers slip out of him. His exhausted body was unable to do anything but comply. Santiago pressed this advantage to fulfil his own lustful agenda. Strong hands grasped his thighs and before he knew it Garrett was bent double, with his knees pressed to his chest. The ape on top of him grinned down with nothing but pure lust in his eyes. Garrett gave a deep and needy moan as he felt the ape's cock touching his ass, stroking around, clearly looking for its target.

The ape's arms were holding the human's legs down, keeping him in that fully exposed position. “Little help," Santiago moaned as his cock missed the target for the fourth time, slipping down his taint instead. Squirming slightly the human reached a hand down under him, groping blindly, he found that thick and drooling ape cock and guided it to his own entrance, quickly and eagerly. As soon as the tip hit his pucker, Santiago thrust down hard and fast.

Feeling so much thick cock stuffing into him in one powerful motion Garrett cried out. His entire body bucked, however, with Santiago on top of him, hands grasping the bed, Garrett's knees were trapped by two powerful arms. No matter how hard he squirmed he was utterly at the ape's mercy. Santiago's head dipped down and the two kissed passionately. Their tongues dancing, before Santiago pulled back and then thrust forward hard. The human felt not only the thick rod reaming his inner depths, wonderfully, but a heavy sack slapping off his ass.

Crying out in pleasure, right into the ape's mouth, Garrett knew all he could do was lay back and take whatever Santiago gave him. He could feel his cock already tumescent with the need for more. His ass tingled with a pleasant fullness and the effects of the enhancing lubricant. Santiago thrust and then again, two powerful thrusts in rapid succession. The ape kept his weight fully on the human, holding him down and in the kiss. It was clear he was going to take his time and his pleasure as he saw fit. What's more, Garrett felt his cock shoot a jet of precum as his arousal only grew at the thought of being dominated so easily.

Three rapid thrusts followed, the ape's balls drumming off his ass as his muffled squeals echoed around the cabin. He looked up into those lust-crazed eyes and he knew that Santiago's control was only held in check by a single hair of restraint. The human decided that he should be the one to cut that final strand and let the beast loose on top of him. His whole body was tingling, aching for more. After being starved for such feelings it was now devouring every one hungrily and begging for more.

So he suddenly clenched his buttocks down hard, the ape's cock inside him was suddenly inside a wonderfully tight squeezing silken vice. Half threatening to force him out and more importantly increasing the pleasure tenfold. It was all he needed to do, he tasted the gorilla's growl of lust, right before it began. Locked in the mating press he was utterly lost to the pleasure and sensation as Santiago's cock reamed his tight depths without pause or mercy. No quarter was asked for and none would be given.

The two writhed together in the buck. Santiago pounding down into the clenching spasming human endlessly. The slap of wet balls on skin echoing around the bunk and cabin. Their voices muffled by each other's mouths nevertheless screaming and groaning with carnal bliss. Santiago broke the kiss and gave almost a feral snarl as he thundered his hips down into the prostate human bitch he was breeding, “oh… fuck… you feel ….ohhh...so good!"

Each word panted out as the ape's cock hilted inside him. His ass was alive and waves of pleasure ran through his entire body. Garrett's cock was drooling non-stop. He was on the very edge of orgasm, he could feel the pressure building in his mind. It made it difficult to think or speak. All he wanted was more; more cock, more ape and more passion. “You...ah..feel good...too! Ahh, yes, that's it...oh please...oh please...fuck me...oh god, don't ...don't stop...please!"

His whined words coming out without a moment's thought or hesitation. He begged for what he wanted, what he desperately and achingly needed. The ape's only response was to pick up the pace. Santiago had dug deep and found more reserves of energy, that ape's hips pounded into him so hard his ass began to sting. The constant drumbeat of those balls getting faster and more frantic as the two gave each other everything they had.

It was Santiago, who reached his peak first. Crying out loudly as he fucked down desperately. Garrett could feel the warmth inside him, and the tickle of warm fluids as they leaked out of his ass. The final sensation that was needed to push him over the edge. Screaming out with the ape in a duet of pure carnal delight. They fucked and squirmed. His ass was fucked desperately full of ape seed, while his own juices sprayed over both of their stomachs. His entire body ached, not least his legs and spine from being held in the uncomfortable position for so long.

Panting and gasping, Garrett felt the ape move. Suddenly his legs were no longer trapped and he took joy and slight pain in stretching his legs back out. The young ape's heavy form lay down on top of him, still joined in the most intimate of ways. His arms reached up and around to hold Santiago close, while he heard a soft clapping coming from his crewmates. Glancing over he saw Bruce and Maxwell giving the two a standing ovation. Their own cocks were dripping and softening, Garrett guessed that they had jerked each other off to the show.

However, utterly exhausted after a very late night the previous evening and such wonderful exercise. Garrett felt drowsy and laying back he decided that he could close his eyes, just for a moment or two.

<>

Garrett was woken from the sweet arms of both blissful slumber, and his slumbering ape lover, by a gentle shake. Opening his eyes he found the two had moved in their slumber. Once again Santiago was spooned up behind him. The shaking hand belonged to Bruce and his blurry eyes found no signs of Maxwell anywhere. He glanced up at Bruce's friendly smiling face. The ape put a finger to his lips indicating to keep quiet and then motioned for him to follow.

Gently pulling away from Santiago, for a moment he thought the young ape would wake up. However, despite grumping in his sleep, the young ape just rolled over. Reaching down to grab his jumpsuit an ape foot landed on it. Glancing up confused Bruce gave a shrug and gestured again for him to follow. He could also see that the ape himself was totally naked. Maybe he wanted to invite the human for a little shower fun. After all, he was the only ape that he had yet to… get close with.

The human could not help but notice the sound of snoring from what was his own bunk. He could see Maxwell clearly slumbering there. Which did seem fair, considering he and Santiago had taken the elder male's bed. Hoping that this was leading to the shower and to some soapy fun, he followed the ape out into the corridor. “Everything ok?" he whispered as soon as the door shut behind him.

“Yeah, it's just the surveys scans should be complete any moment. I thought as you've not been in the pit yet, you might want to try," as he spoke Bruce pointed at two pairs of boots, clearly pre-arranged by the ape while he slept.

“Ok… why didn't you want me in my jumpsuit?" Garrett asked though he put his feet into the boots anyway. Clicking the heels he felt the boots automatically sealing down around his feet.

Bruce gave a shy smile and a shrug, “Well, considering what's already happened and the fact there's just us on the ship. Do we really need to be wearing clothes all the time?" As Garrett bent down to check the seals on his boots, a large warm hand lightly caressed his left buttock and Bruce added. “Not gonna lie though, it definitely gives us all something pretty to look at. Saves time too, and we hardly ever have to do laundry."

Unable to help himself, Garrett laughed and had to admit the view wasn't bad for him either. Bruce was a similar build to Maxwell, though with less stomach and a broader chest. His red furry body wasn't bad to look at. Especially nice was watching those low hanging huge ape balls swinging freely as he walked. Plus a gorilla ass that was surprisingly pert for someone with such a broad stomach.

The two reached the pit quite quickly and Bruce gestured for him to go down first. Getting onto the ladder Garrett turned around. Bruce moved up close and as he slowly went down the human got a chance to inspect every inch of his front. Including a suspiciously plump looking ape cock and some musky balls. For a moment he contemplated giving that thick cock a kiss, or more. However, the ape had brought him to the pit for a reason. While he was certain the ape's motivations definitely involved touching each other, this high up a ladder was probably not the safest place to start that.

Garrett was prepared for the ape to make a move and he already knew he would be accepting that. What he wasn't prepared for was what was waiting for him at the bottom of the pit. Because while they call it a pit, the last seven-foot was actually outside the ship. A forcefield extended down from the ship holding in atmosphere and temperature. It was invisible, and so what was waiting at the bottom of the ladder was the entire universe.

His foot stepped down onto the cold rock and her turned around gasping at what he saw. The asteroids horizon was close and beyond it lay the stars, endless shimmering beauty. Galaxies and nebulas. Behind him he could feel the rays of the sun, warming his naked back ever so slightly. Like the sun on Earth on a midwinter's morning. The light was there and bright yet the temperature was several degrees cooler. The gravity was ever so slightly different from the ships.

Goosebumps ran across his entire body at the slight drop in temperature and at the glory of what he saw. Suddenly two strong arms wrapped around his waist and a warm furry body pressed up to his. Pushing back into the warmth Garrett gasped softly. “Beautiful, isn't it?" Bruce whispered softly as the ape rested his head on top of Garrett's as if to emphasise the size difference of the two. Naked before the universe those strong arms and firm body behind him felt reassuring and welcome.

“The forcefield is less than a nanometer thick. Such a thin veil holding back the blackness." The gorilla whispered his voice full of awe. “Just 2 degrees Kelvin, or minus two-hundred and seventy-one degrees Celcius. Vacuum, and nothingness. Yet the belt surrounds the entire solar system. That star there," Bruce pointed out a bright star. “That's Mars, my home and that is Earth." Again he pointed to a star, one not as bright as Mars. We are not far into the belt but this part of the belt is about two point two AU from the Sun. That's one-hundred and eighty-four million miles away. Earth is almost a hundred million miles away."

Gulping Garrett realised he was pressing back more. Yet Bruce's body remained behind him, firm and safe. “This belt formed four point six billion years ago. This rock, a tiny speck in the infinite black as old as our solar system. In all that time nobody has ever stood here, nobody has ever seen this view. In a few days, we will leave and the odds are that nobody else will ever stand here, on this spot. Then in seven or eight billion years, the sun will expand and this place will be gone forever. This moment, you and me together, it is the only moment of life or warmth that this tiny rock will ever feel before it is swallowed in the sun's death throes.."

Warm palms stroked slowly up and down his flanks. Those thick furry arms moving up and down his chest and stomach. Bruce's breath flowed over his skin, the chill air making him hypersensitive to the heat. “I've stood on forty-two different asteroids. Each one different, each one unique. The gravity you feel, it's a mixture of the ship's gravity and the asteroid's. That's why it felt different getting down here. I take a small stone from the surface of each asteroid. To most people, it is just a small box of stones. However, to me, I can see each asteroid, unique, beautiful and yet lonely." Garrett shivered as warm lips kissed on his neck and then his shoulders.

Moaning softly, Garrett turned his head, finding the ape's lips moving to meet him. He sighed with content as he returned the kiss. Enjoying the warmth against his face. Gazing into the ape's eyes he could see the stars behind him reflected in those eyes. A warm hand stroked down and he felt fingers closing around his half-erect manhood. He gasped loudly and then again as he felt something hard pressing into his back.

A paw stroked up his arms and fingers laces between his. Then Bruce reached out, taking Garrett's hand with him. Suddenly he felt something firm and strangely tingly as the ape flattened his palm on the invisible forcefield. Their kiss broke and he knew what the ape wanted, what they both wanted. He leant forward, reaching out with both hands, leaning on the forcefield. A membrane of energy less than a hair's width between him and the infinite reaches of the cosmos. In his mind, he knew that the forcefield was strong enough to stand a near-direct hit by an asteroid. Yet his heart raced as he was being held out like an offering to the universe.

Bending over he lifted his buttocks in a gesture that needed no explanation. Body language speaks volumes when words fail, and this volume was a particularly erotic book. Bruce wasted no time, his paws grasped the human's hips. Garrett felt the ape's fingers guiding him to the right height. Then he groaned with lust as he felt a thick cock pressing against his ass. With the mating Santiago had given him, and the lube effects which would run for a full twenty-four hours, the red-furred ape's cock slid easily right in to the hilt.

Garrett cried out feeling himself being stuffed full of thick meat once more. Bruce was thicker than Santiago, by a noticeable margin. Though he lacked the length of the younger male. Not that Garrett had any complaints. “Mmm, feels like Santiago got you nice and ready for me." The ape purred, and then Garrett felt those strong hands stroking up his back, pushing him forward, forcing him into the forcefield more. The little tingles and tickles of the energy on his skin growing. A very faint blue glow forming on his fingertips.

The human gasped as the ape pulled back slowly. He felt every inch of ape cock slipping out of his warm body. Then with brutal strength that meat was stuffed back into his needy ass. The power of the thrust forcing him onto the forcefield. The blue glow growing by the second. As he cried out, his voice not echoing, it felt tiny and small as it vanished in the black vacuum surrounding them. Before his eyes, the infinity of creation played. While behind him Bruce thrust, again and again. Claiming his rear, breeding him with such speed and strength that it was all he could do to maintain his balance to stand.

Warm leathery fingers grasped around his aching shaft and squeezed. He cried out in joy as the ape jerked his cock, timing each stroke with a thrust of those huge powerful hips. The blackness before him making him push back harder than ever. As if his body craved the touch of another, the reassurance that he wasn't alone in such a vast infinity. With each thrust, Bruce grunted and moaned. “Fuck… humans are so much tighter." The ape observed and Garrett felt all the blood rushing to his cheeks as he blushed.

“You make such pretty sounds too," the red gorilla observed between thrusts. Delivering a particularly savage thrust making Garrett squeal out. His depths were plundered utterly and all he could do was push back, desperate for more. The hand around his cock driving more and more pleasure into his body, bringing him closer and closer to his orgasm. Unable and unwilling, he did not fight the feelings. He submitted to everything Bruce gave him willingly and pushed back begging for more.

Bruce grunted and groaned with every motion. Garrett did his best to strap himself around the thickness inside him. Thanking his lucky stars that Santiago had the enhanced lube, or he knew his ass would be so sore afterwards he would have not been able to sit. That thick black meat rammed into his insides over and over, reaming him wider. With each thrust, he felt the wonderful tingle of something thrusting into his prostate. “Fuck… yeah, I… was worried a human… couldn't take it…"

Gritting his teeth Garrett pushed back hard and clenched down firmly around that cock. Snarling himself he replied, “I can take it, the question is can you give it? Santiago gave me so much more than this." He was shocked at his own words. However, they had the desired effect as Bruce suddenly picked up the pace.

Gone was the steady pace of thrusts with measured power. Instead, Garrett cried out as his ass was pummelled. Red hips smacking firmly into his over and over. His face and chest falling forward, his entire body pressing onto the forcefield. Outside the lonely landscape of the asteroid continued to spin through the universe. The hand on his cock picked up its pace. Jerking his aching meat rapidly. All combining to drive the human quickly over the edge of his orgasm.

Crying out, his body spasmed around the thick invading ape cock. As his cock shot his seed, landing on the dry dusty rock, the first and only moisture the rock would ever feel. While behind him, Bruce roared in triumph fucking desperately as the ape flooded his guts with potent and copious ape cum. Much of it spilling out from his abused hole, running down his legs and dripping off his balls onto the rock floor.

Panting heavily, the ape pulled out of his abused ass and he felt more fluids rushing out. Looking back the human couldn't help but smile, “the only warmth this rock will ever feel?"

Shrugging Bruce laughed, "technically it's true." Strong hands grabbed at his body and he was pulled into Bruce's arms. The ape kissed him softly and sweetly, holding him close and as their lips parted he whispered, “a wonderful moment of warmth, for any lucky rock in the belt." Garrett stroked his hands up the ape's strong arms and neck, cupping his handsome face. Their heads moved together and they kissed again, slow and tender.

Yet their moment was broken by the sounds of loud beeping coming from the scanning equipment announcing that it had some results. Bruce broke into an apologetic grin and lightly booped the human's nose. “Sorry, it looks like work calls. Time for us to find out just how lucky we are."

“I already know exactly how lucky I am," the human replied smoothly and pulled the ape in for another sweet kiss. Before they broke apart and walked over to the equipment.

Bruce stared at the readouts for a minute or two and then said, “well, we ain't exactly rich. However, plenty of iron, a ton or more of lithium and some platinum. Not a bad haul for your first rock." The ape announced with a smile. “Should be a nice bonus for this lot, assuming we can get it all. We had better get back and wake Santiago, he and I are going to have to discuss the best way to get this payload out of here."

Garrett nodded his understanding. However, he did not move. Not yet. He wanted one last look around the heavens he had stood in. He had piloted many ships through all kinds of space. Yet to actually walk out on an asteroid. There was a romance to it that he had to admit he had not expected. It was like being a great explorer, setting foot where no man had gone, or ever would again. Bending down he picked up a small stone, figuring he could start his own collection. Although as he picked it up a pair of warm hands grasped his rear and he yelped a little.

“Sorry, couldn't help myself I mean you go wandering around the ship naked and things are going to happen to your ass," the ape laughed at the human.

“Wait… you said I should walk around naked," retorted the human with a small amount of indignation. The small stone clutched in his hand.

“I know… so that I could do stuff to your ass," confirmed the ape with a wink. “That's why I walk around naked too."

Making a little show, Garrett checked out Bruce's ass, “got to say, I'd do some fun things to that ass."

Smiling Bruce stepped forward and hugged him, “maybe later." He whispered as he kissed the human on the forehead.

Then the ape let him go and gestured towards the ladder. Garrett walked over and with his eyes off Bruce, he didn't see the ape glance upwards and then grin as he spotted someone above. The ape was quite fast on his feet, moving over to the ladder as Garrett started to climb.

Garrett had only climbed a few steps when strong hands grasped his hips. On instinct, the human paused in his climb. Then he cried out as an ape face was suddenly pressed between his cheeks. Clinging on to the ladder desperately he felt Bruce's tongue delving into his ass hungrily. The ape was clearly hungry because he ate like a starving man. The tongue inside him wild and thrusting, licking out a mixture of two ape's cum.

The cold metal of the ladder pressed against his chest and stomach. The human's cock springing to life quickly as he was taken in such a wonderful and forceful way. He pushed his ass back a little, pressing it into the hungry face. The thick tongue worming its way deeper inside him as he reached down, holding on with just one hand jerking his needy cock. Two years, he never thought his dry spell would end like this. However, had he known then he knew he would have jerked himself raw to the very thought of it.

However, he had only just begun to jerk himself when a voice from above called out, “you know that is breaking like every safety reg in the book!" Garrett looked up to see Maxwell standing at the pit, with a very good view of their activities. He wondered just how long the ape had been watching. Had he seen the two of them fucking? Somehow that just made the memory of it all the sweeter.

His presence did, however, bring the impromptu feast of human ass to an ending as abrupt and unexpected as the beginning. In his own mind Garrett promised himself that was just the first course, he would make sure Bruce and the others had a full meal of it soon. Then he would satisfy his own hunger for something tasty. Climbing to the top of the ladder, with his cock still in a semi-hard status required a little bit of extra concentration. He really did not want to smack his meat off one of the ladder rungs.

Maxwell met him at the top, offering a friendly hand to help him off the top of the ladder. Bruce followed a moment later giving Maxwell a wink. “Not a bad score, got some interesting metals. I'll go get the horny young one and we'll figure out the best way to get the most out of this rock. While you too… do whatever it is you want to do."

“Thank you, Bruce," the black ape replied with a nod. “Seems like Garrett is fitting in well. Ty did say he would."

“Oh yeah, he's fitting in just fine," the red ape chuckled. While Garrett felt mildly annoyed to be talked about when he was standing right there. “Of course, we have been fitting into him just fine too."

“Indeed, so I have seen," Maxwell replied with a broad grin and a nod at Garrett. Bruce moved off quickly. However, a hand from Maxwell on Garrett's shoulder stopped the human following, “how are you feeling, after your first full day?"

Garrett couldn't help but chuckle, "well, I enjoyed it more than I thought and being honest my ass is a lot... wetter than I anticipated."

The black ape nodded, and then his hand on Garrett's shoulder tugged, “you'd better let me check you out. Those guys can be very rough and sometimes that Easylube stuff might make it fun, but it can mean you don't realise that you should say 'stop' or 'go easy' when you should."

Letting the ape turn him around he was surprised at how easily he followed Maxwell's instructions. Two strong hands pulled his cheeks apart and then he moaned a little lustfully as he felt a thumb stroking his pucker, pulling on the flesh pulling his formerly tight ring open easily. “Looks good, no tears or signs of bleeding. Now, how about we get a cup of tea. After all the exercise you've had today you could probably use some hydration."

As the hands let go of his ass, Garrett realised just how disappointed he was that the ape was genuinely just checking him. Though, he did have to admit it was also slightly sweet to see some concern shown for his health.

Garret's mouth did feel rather dry. Between sweat and cum, he figured he had lost a lot of water, and a nice hot drink definitely sounded appealing. So he let the ape lead him back to the crew quarters. Passing the other two who, Garrett could not help but notice, were both naked. Except for their boots Given the temperature of space he guessed the rock was probably freezing despite the life support from the ship. That or they thought it was kinky to keep their boots on.

The human had to admit he was grateful to sit down again. It had been an intense day and a moment or two of calm was more than welcome. Maxwell seemed to sense it, Garrett assumed living for so long in close quarters with different people the gorilla had probably learned to pick up on what people needed. He was surprised to see an actual teapot being taken out of the gorilla's locker, along with some genuine china cups.

Maxwell smiled a little shyly as he put them down on the table, “I spend my life eating off company metal and plastic. It's nice every now and then to remember there are some real things out there too." Garrett watched entranced as the gorilla pulled out a couple of tea bags and then filled the teapot from the small hot water dispenser. “Set to just below boiling, ninety-eight degrees, so you don't scorch the tea. Or coffee, I have a small grinder and some whole beans too. However, after a vigorous morning, I find tea much more calming." Maxwell explained as he put the pot down gently in the centre of the table. “This is a special variety of tea, it actually comes from a small plantation on Mars. It's best if you leave if around three and a half minutes to infuse."

An Earth drink, grown on Mars. Garrett could not help but note how appropriate that seemed to his crewmates. Though he was aware that the black gorillas were created long before Mars was colonised. Terraformation of Mars and other worlds had been the primary thought behind their creation. Picking up the cup he turned it around, purple flowers on a white background. Not a photo, or something mas produced. A tiny smudge gave away that they had been hand-painted.

Looking up he saw the huge ape watching him with a slightly embarrassed face, “I.. found a little shop on a visit to Earth once, they let you paint your own and… I like purple." He mumbled in an explanation that the human had not asked for.

“It's good, better than I could do. Do you paint much?" He asked as he put the cup back down.

“From time to time. We get plenty of time out here and you have to find things to keep yourself distracted," the ape chuckled a little. “I mean besides sex with your crewmates."

“Oh I dunno, seems like that is quite distracting," quipped the human, with a slightly flirty wink.

“Yes indeed. However, one can only fuck so much. I am sure you will notice things settle down after a week or so." Maxwell replied though he put slight stress on the word week. Garrett felt his stomach tighten a little to know that things could be this exciting for so long. “Eventually though, you want a really good, long, hard, passionate discussion on something other than who is going to ride whom."

Garrett could not help but laugh at that response. “I see your point. Though so far, I have no complaints on that front."

“I doubt you will have any when things slow down a bit either. You will never want for sexual release on this ship. However, I hope that you will find more to stimulate you about us than our genitals," as he replied the ape leant forward and began to pour the tea into two cups. A couple of milk pods were produced. “Milk, and sugar?"

“Just milk," the human replied quickly. “I have no doubt that I will find more to stimulate me about you all than your genitals. I already have seen more than just that. Otherwise, well look, I mean casual sex is fun. However, it's much better when you actually know and like the person, or people, you are with."

“I am glad you see it that way," Maxwell replied as he handed over the cup of tea and picked up his own. “May I say, I have also found you to be most stimulating as well." He took a sip of the tea and was surprised by how good it was, “this is excellent, by the way."

“It is rather good. I should have brought some fresh milk while we were on Earth. I usually do, but I forgot in all the excitement of getting a new crew member," the ape sighed softly. “And the sadness of saying goodbye to a good friend. I do get emotional when someone decides to move on."

“You and Ty were close?" Garrett enquired leaning back in his chair and sipping from his tea.

“We served together for a long time and he was nearer my age." The ape's smile faded slightly. “I always felt we were well matched. Santiago and Bruce are wonderful friends. However, I suspect I can't quite match their youthful vigour anymore. Not that they would ever complain about anything." Sighing softly again the ape paused and a slightly awkward silence fell. “I suppose Ty leaving just reminds me that I have more years of service behind me than ahead."

Reaching out Garrett placed his hands around Maxwell's with the ape's teacup in the middle. He squeezed, “maybe, but I see many more years still ahead of you and I'm looking forward to being a part of those years."

“Thank you," the ape muttered softly and the two sat in far more comfortable silence. Garrett noticing the ape's thumbs starting to stroke his fingers slowly. The feel of that soft leather stroking over his skin sent a little thrill down his spine. Looking up he found two wonderful soft brown eyes looking back into his. Gulping a little, he began to return the strokes, lightly moving his fingers over the ape's fury wrists.

Feeling his heart beating a little faster, he interlaced his fingers with Maxwells. They didn't need to say anything more. A slight tug on his hands was all it took to get him to his feet. Moving around he felt Maxwell pulling him closer. Sliding his legs either side of the ape he straddled him and sat down on his lap.

Gazing into those eyes he felt himself trembling a little at the depths he saw in those kind eyes. His head moving down and forward. The ape's hot breath starting to flow over his exposed skin until with a soft sigh of content from both of them, their lips touched. Softly and tenderly, they kissed their passion slowly building. Maxwell's hands pulled free of his and one powerful arm curled around his waist, pulling the human close.

He gasped as the other hand stroked up and down the small of his back. Those black fingers dancing just across the very top of his buttocks. Maxwell's fingertips grazing the very top of his buttock cleft so softly that it could almost have been it his mind. In turn, his hands stroked across the ape's expansive chest, feeling the soft flesh and tracing the outline of his fur that framed it. His fingers finding two firm nubs he squeezed ever so gently.

For such a tiny motion, the response was immeasurable. Maxwell's moaned of pleasure rumbled into his mouth. While the ape's tongue pressed in to taste him. Beneath him, he could feel something new and warm, lightly pressing to his buttocks. He knew what it was and he knew he wanted it. However, he saw no reason to rush or to worry. In time he would feel that wonderful ape cock inside him.

For the moment, he just drank up every soft gasp of pleasure, every tremble in the ape's body. Each touch of Maxwell's warm and gentle hands. Two huge mitts stroking down his back and then cupping his taut buttocks, squeezing tightly; eliciting moans of pleasure from the human. Not just pleasure but desire, deep burning desire for more. His entire body began to writhe and dance to music that was only in his mind. The music of two individuals lost to the lust of the moment.

One of those huge hands moved and Garret cried out as he felt a thick digit teasing his entrance. The kiss was broken and Maxwell's other hand moved quickly up Garret's arching back. The human felt the ape's muzzle pressing to his neck, warm lips kissing softly. Hot breath flowing over and moistening his skin. As he felt that finger pushing forward, his well-used ass opening up around the single-digit easily, enveloping and welcoming it inside him.

His own cock was rock hard, rubbing against the ape's ample belly. Gasping, Garret felt that finger stroking around searching for his sweet spot and then he felt a tickle of pleasure and cried out again as the ape found it. His body arched back, while his hands clasped at the ape's muscular shoulders. Maxwell's lips moved lower, licking and kissing across his chest. They brushed over one of his nipples and then he cried out again as the ape sucked gently. His hips humping forward, and his cock soaking black gorilla fur with precum.

Grinding back against both the finger and the hick black ape meat that was hotdogged between his tasty buns. That thickness had been in his mouth just hours before. Now he was desperate to feel it inside him once more. However, if there was one thing clear, it was that Maxwell was the one in control. He might want it, but it would be for the ape to say just when and how he got it. Until then he would be a good lover and do all he could to entice the ape into going to the next step.

Clenching down he squeezed the probing digit inside him. His asscheek squeezing around the thickness. He gasped as he felt a splash of warm wetness running down his buttocks. Maxwell clearly was enjoying his actions and he continued. Bouncing in the ape's lap, clenching and releasing his ass around that thickness. While, the ape returned his affections, with tongue and teeth on his sensitive nubs. Making him squeal and moan in pleasure. Each touch making his cock ache and his need grow.

Yet still, Maxwell showed no signs of hurrying. His mouth moved from one nipple to the other. His free hand stroking forever up and down his back and flanks. That thick cock rocking back and forth, throbbing against his hot flesh and yet never moving to his needy entrance. Garrett's head was spinning a little as his heart raced. Moving his hips more, feeling his cock sliding around the plush fur of the gorilla's stomach. The human found himself whimpering needfully, his voice getting louder as that finger twisted around inside him.

After what felt like an eternity, Garrett felt the finger pulling out of him. The ape under him shifted in his seat and Garret had to bite his lip to stop himself screaming in joy as he felt that thick meat moving between his buttocks. The broad tip pressing to his pucker. Unable to hold himself back, Garrett pressed down and rocked backwards, forcing that thick meat inside him with a deep and grateful moan. Hearing a lustful groan come from the ape's lips rumbling through his chest.

Strong hands grasped his hips and pulled him down, as Maxwell wriggled under him just a little. Inch by inch that thick meat was pushed inside him. Once more the human thanked the makers of Easylube in his mind. Also Santiago and Bruce, he knew that his time with them had gotten him ready to take the huge mammoth sized cock that was slowly being stuffed inside him.

With each extra inch, he moaned happily, wanting to bounce on that thickness. To force it in to the hilt and ride Maxwell with every ounce of strength he could muster. To let his body squeeze and suck every last drop of cum from the ape. However, Maxwell's strong hands held him tightly and controlled the entry. Slow and smooth, inch by inch the ape stuffed him full of cock, his ass stretching wider than ever before and yet easily accommodating the warm hardness inside him.

Finally, Maxwell's huge ballsack pressed up to his ass and Garrett gave a gasp of triumph. He had taken it all, the fat head, the thick shaft and much wider base. Every inch of that delicious meat was resting comfortably inside him. Clenching and relaxing he worked the cock inside him, enjoying the soft grunts of pleasure that echoed from the ape's lips.

A leathery hand grasped around his aching and drooling cock and squeezed, making him cry out louder. “D... don't… I'm gonna cum." He whispered suddenly feeling his body reaching the edge far quicker than ever.

“But what if I want you to cum?" Maxwell whispered back and bucked his hips. The ape's thickness pressing even deeper inside, squashing his prostate and sending more waves of pleasure through the human's body. “What if I want to stuff your horny human ass full of my cock over and over and feel you squeezing and cumming around me?"

Garrett blushed deeply, knowing that he wanted that, so very much. His cock was tingling, his mind barely able to function as the ape's paw slowly, agonizingly slowly stroked his meat. Just a little faster and he knew he would not be able to withstand it. Yet with enough speed to keep him right on the knife-edge of an orgasm. “I… I…" He panted, unable to think.

Suddenly his body was lifted. The ape was somehow able to lift him up with a single arm. His body trying to assist, Garrett pulled up moaning as that thickness slipped free. Leaving behind emptiness and a burning desire to be full once more. The paw around his cock squeezed down, and he whimpered at the almost painful sensation, his body trembling on the edge. Then he cried out in pleasure as the ape pulled him down and thrust up at the same time. His body going from empty and needy to full and even more needful in a heartbeat.

Maxwell licked up his chest and nipped his neck with his teeth, whispering, “oh yeah, you like that, don't you? You like ape cock, three in one day. You're quite the horny scut, aren't you?"

Panting softly, as his head spun from so much. He was sure the ape was about to fuck him, hard and fast. He needed it, every part of him was crying out to be taken. His cock was drooling pre nonstop, soaking Maxwell's fingers. Yet the ape held still and suddenly he realised, Maxwell wasn't going to move. Not until he answered him, “I… I…"

A warm hand squeezed his cock and he tried to hump into it. Only for the ape's other hand to hold him back, “Ah, ah, ahhh! I asked you a question." Maxwell's voice was laughing, but not unkind. Just dominant and patiently waiting for the answer.

“I like it," the human mumbled and then cried out as the ape pulled back and then stuffed him full of cock once more. Wonderful feelings filling his body. His hips trying to bounce to feel more pleasure, only for Max's grip to stop them.

“That was just a part answer, my little scut." Chuckled the ape, before biting on his neck gently. Garrett whimpered as he knew what the ape was wanting him to say.

“I'm horny for your cock," the human moaned hoping it was enough of an answer. A swift hard thrust said that it was at least enough to get a small reward. However, once again, the ape stopped at a single thrust.

“You know what I want to hear and I know that you want me to finish you off," Maxwell growled lustfully into his neck as he kissed and nibbled on it. Then he cried out as the hand around his cock squeezed and jerked just once. “I can feel just how badly you want it. So just say it, you know it's true."

Feeling his cheek blushing deep crimson the human bit his lip, trying to stop those words. However, his body had needs and he could not resist, “I'm a horny little scut." He whispered and cried out in sheer bliss as Maxwell thrust not once but twice, however, just as he thought the teasing was over the ape stopped again.

“Whose horny little scut?" The words purred out from the ape, Maxwell's voice so confident and in control. It would have been maddening if it was not so arousing. Every part of his body was screaming out at the human to do whatever the ape asked, to say anything. Just don't let him stop again.

“I'm your horny little scut," he replied breathlessly and almost instantly. Crying out in bliss as the ape thrust again, this time three savage thrusts were given. Under his body, he could feel the ape trembling. He knew that Maxwell was struggling to control himself. However, once more the ape had stopped and he awaited the next instruction. He didn't care what he had to say, or do. He just had to have more, he needed to feel that cock reaming him out just as hard and fast as the powerful male could. His balls were aching with the need to empty once more.

“Now… put it all together, and let me hear what I want to hear," whispered the ape softly.

“I'm your horny little human skut and I love your ape cock," the words didn't even pass through his mind. He shouted them out desperately and earnestly.

Maxwell's black hand slid up his sweaty flank and then to the back of his neck. The ape looked up at him smiling and whispered, "yeah you do." Before he pressed his lips upwards, thrusting and bucking wildly under the human. With no hand restraining him Garrett bounced and bucked desperately on that thickness. Squeezing his entire body around it, trying his best to milk the thickness.

He cried out, into the ape's mouth as he passed the point of no return. His cock throbbing hard in the ape's paw as he bounced harder and faster on that thickness. Pushing himself down with everything he had, trying to get it deeper inside him. Maxwell's hips rising up to meet him, the two writhed together, the chair under them giving warning sounds as it took more strain than it was designed to take.

Neither of them could stop now. And Maxwell's thrusting hit fever pitch. Then inside him, Garrett felt a tickle of warmth. The sounds of Maxwell's cock thrusting became increasingly sloppy and it wasn't long before he felt something oozing out of his ass and dribbling down onto the ape's crotch. Utterly spent he thrust down one last time before collapsing forward onto the ape. His arms around Maxwell's broad neck and shoulders, his sweaty body panting. Maxwell's black fur getting stuck to his skin. Under him, the ape grew still and they just sat there, lost to the moment and to the afterglow.

Eventually, Garrett felt his energy returning. The ape's softening cock was pulled from his ass and he got back to his feet. Sharing an exhausted smile with the ape. He picked up his cup and drained the now cold contents. “I think I might need another shower." He observed with a chuckle.

The large ape ran a paw over his cum stained stomach," that makes two of us." Maxwell was suddenly unable to meet his gaze. “I hope you didn't mind the… dirty talk. It kinda helps me."

Garrett laughed out and shook his head, "doesn't both me at all. I liked it. Though… I got to say I've been on the receiving end a lot today."

Maxwell got to his feet and drained his own cup. The ape replied, “tomorrow you can be the one to dish it out." With a laugh and then he leant close to Garrett and whispered, “you can make me beg too if you want."

Laughing the human nodded, "you want to come...wash my back?"

“Yes, but that shower is far too small for two. Trust me, we've tried. A lot," Maxwell replied and then waved. “You go shower. The others will be back soon. I will clear up the cups. It's movie night tonight, Santiago's pick, unfortunately. Which means lots of explosions and people getting punched or shot."

“Sounds good to me," Garrett replied. “Nothing wrong with a little mindless action-adventure now and then." He left and went to shower. It was not long before he was back in the crew quarters. Maxwell took his turn in the shower and by the time he returned, Bruce and Santiago had returned from the pit. Garrett noticed that the younger ape was walking slightly gingerly and he made sure to keep his tail down over his ass. A clear sign that the asteroid had experienced a second 'moment of warmth'. While the two were setting up the mining equipment.

The four laughed as they discussed the day's food selection and then moved into the entertainment section of the quarters. With Maxwell on one side, and Santiago curled up on his other, the group put on an action flick. It was one that Garrett had seen before. Which he was grateful for when Santiago got a little bored and hungry and decided that human cock would make a perfect mid-movie snack.

By the end of the movie, they were all snoozing on the sofa. Garrett was wedged between four sleeping apes, warm safe, comfortable and happy.

<>

The next day Garrett woke to find Maxwell was once more already up and in the ships small gym. Bruce and Santiago were snuggled up together, with the human. Moving slow and carefully he pulled himself out of the small musky warm pit. He stood up and stretched out, feeling a slight twinge in his back. A small reminder that his spine was not fully healed.

Yawning the human got himself a coffee and then picked up his com device. Checking his mail for the first time he had a few. Mostly junk and a few confirming his job and asking for details of where to send his pay. Answering what he needed Garrett's eyes fell on the mail from his medical test. “Fit for duty", he could not stop from smiling as for the first time in two years he really felt it.

He was just about to close his comm down when an idea hit him. Opening up a new mail message he typed out a very short letter. Addressed to Bill, the chimp he had known on Mars.

“Dear Bill,

Last time we spoke I was not able to listen to you. I said things which I regret and offer apologies for. It has taken me a long time to heal and I don't know if I'll ever be fully over what happened. However, you offered an apology and if that offer is still good I would like to accept. I understand if not. My life has taken me places I wasn't expecting. Good news is I got the all-clear from the doctors, I'm fit for duty and I feel it. Take care and I hope to hear from you soon,

Sincerely

Garrett"

He had barely just hit send when he heard a big yawn and looked around to see Santiago stretching. The young dark red ape rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and then scanned the room. Spotting the human a broad grin popped onto his face. “Hey, you wanna help me deal with some morning wood issues?"

Laughing the human nodded and waved the ape over to the bunks, where they could deal with morning wood without waking Bruce.

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