>>]Why did you pick the minor moon to destroy?[<<

It’s funny that they didn’t ask why I sent away my companions.

>>]Non-spheroid moons trouble my personal aesthetic.] the admittance, though very true was not the primary reason.[<<

>>]Will you agree to a geas not to produce such technology until you achieve a similar tier to control it?[<<

>>]I agree to such conditions. Insofar as an Astoria-ending threat does not arise[<<

The manifestation of V’tek acknowledges.

>>]I will admit that weapons are not our chief motivation, but our species in general is warlike and irresponsible. Can I request to the Administration that incentives be provided to my race toward diplomacy and piece instead of war?[<<

>>]That is always the case, new Primus. War is seldom rewarded. I will add that your pre-investigation destruction of your tech was not preferred.[<<

>>]Administrator, the tech is derived runic from a human pure-tech approach, it’s shoddy at best. And certainly proprietary. If we are to control its knowledge, I have certainly done so.[<<

>>]Your haste and casual destruction do not bode well, Primus.[<<

>>]My race in actual, nearly eight billion of us, are far more chaotic and aggressive than me, Administrator. I am merely the first and most Aether friendly of humans.[<<

>>] . . . That, bodes poorly for the Supercluster, young one.[<<

>>]V’tek, with all due respect, I am not a child. My race are not my ‘people’ specifically, and I find it hard to believe that the Supercluster’s people are homogenous.[<< I did not intend to put an edge of intimidation into it, but the avatar of V’tek sways back anyway.

>>]It was not my intent to accuse. Be well Primus. Andromeda holds their leaders nearly inviolate.[<<

I can’t help but laugh at all of this posturing. >>]Administrator, I concede that I am perhaps too new to know the right ways to discuss such matters. Perhaps I can extend an invitation to Aether-rich waters within a similar atmosphere with slightly high sulfates?[<<

>>]Ah! Sulfates are a treat! The collective would delight in the opportunity. Is depletion of the lake acceptable?[<<

The whole lake?!

>>]There are unidentified aether rich nodes that I wish to remain, but otherwise, yes. You are welcome to remain.[<<

>>]Opportunity! You will be provided with fruits. To compensate.[<<

>>]Should I escort the Administrator privately? Or are coordinates preferred?[<<

>>]I am unable to separate fully from this vessel at this time. I would welcome the coordinates and a future meeting before we leave.[<<

>>]Your request is well received, Administrator. Perhaps a week to enjoy our hospitality?[<<

>>]Your offer is most generous![<<

Your week is twice the standard treatise period for diplomatic relations. A boon for this particular meeting.

How is this planet so special, Tess. I swear we are hitting coming up basilisks and unicorns.

Copernicus is responsible for many of the aether concentrations of this side of the planet as their warp event seemed to be . . . chaotic without you.

Fucking how!? We made an exhausting spreadsheet!

Some ambitious people modified sections to increase the warp distance. It may have been effective, but . . . they are most likely stranded at that distance.

Tessa. Remind me if I ever forget the principles of experimentation. Especially Murphy’s 4th.

Small experiments yield small errors?

Yes ma’am.

So I should warn you that your current drone experiments could land the device outside of the current network?

Yes! Excellent use of said warning. Side note, should I be more wary of this Alien presence? Humans didn’t deal with aliens a year ago, and now I only care that they’re not going to restrict my purchases.

After the conversation you just had with your girlfriends, I’m surprised you’d even attempt lying. You care about the plant ambassador or you wouldn’t have tried to placate them.

They’re not my girlfriends Tessa, I’m not sure either of them are anymore.

I hate to be the voice of reason when I can’t be physically affectionate with anyone, but take a moment to ask yourself if you are more mad that they comforted each other, or that it happened because you were neglecting Melissa.

Shit Tessa, don’t hold back.

You’re trying too hard to be a leader, when you’re a better team-mate, a better partner. Try doing that.

I guess Melissa did warn that she was feeling neglected. I wonder if the lake trip was her feeling guilty for making out with Katie.

That’s what you took from this?

Cursed Universe Tessa, I’m busting my ass to try and get everyone what they need and I feel like nobody fucking cares. You know what? To hell with it. I’m going to talk to the ambassador today, after checking that Melissa and Katie are okay, and then, since there is literally no more shit to run, I’m going to write it off as a loss.

Is it too late to trade you in for a new human?

I love you too bitch.

***

I teleport back to the waterfall once V’tek’s ship is in range to find that Mel and Katie are working on the shuttle?

“So, is it too late to apologize?” I ask, playfully while walking up the stairs to the cockpit.

“Depends on what you’re apologizing for.” Katie says, even though I have no idea what I would apologize to her for.

Tessa punches me with flashbacks until I pull my head out of my butt.

“For neglecting you.” I look at Melissa, “both of you.” I sigh, not ready to emotion, but knowing that the woman in my head would never let me live it down. “I know it’s not what separated you and me Katie, but I could have been a better friend once we landed here.

“And Mel, shit Mel, you even warned me about this when we had our little jungle adventure. I don’t know what this is between you two, but . . .” I literally can’t say it’s okay, Tessa. “Tessa tells me it’s partly my fault so, I’m sorry I helped make that necessary.”

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Melissa comes up to me and hugs me. “I bet that was really hard for you, and I feel like if I held out a little longer I could have gotten you to agree to a trouple, but you looked like you were in so much pain.”

“Are you fucking kidding me Mel?” I struggle in her grip but she’s stronger than me and doesn’t let go. “I come in here and admit that some of this is on me and you just double down like you’re in some relationship casino? You know what it feels like? It feels like the same fucking reason I don’t want to be in a poly relationship!”

“You’re yelling, Pen. Please, just lets talk this out.” She looks worried at last.

“Of course I’m yelling! Neither of you are taking this seriously. Not only are you playing into a scenario I am already ashamed and feel worthless about, but you abused my letting you into my mind to see how I would be most receptive to the manipulation.”

“I came in here to start fresh in sharing the blame, but if you want to poke, lets poke.”

Melissa can’t read my mind as well right now, and all she might be getting from my mind is fury. I’m hyping it up in my brain by a factor of 5, making me feel madder than I actually am. Gotta make sure I don’t say anything I can’t take back.

“Katie, what is the likelihood that this would be an equal poly relationship?”

“Two, three ish percent. Calculating subjective criteria is . . . troublesome.” Katie says calmly, looking up from the back of the Nav panel she has open only for a moment. Melissa seems surprised.

“Mel, do you think you could love Katie?” I ask, knowing she doesn’t wan’t to be put on the spot.

She loosens her grip now, not looking me in the eyes when she replies, “I mean, maybe, yah. She connects with a part of me that I feel is not a strong connection between us.” It seems that statement hurt both of us.

Big girl panties, Penny, Big girl. “Katie, do you think you could love Melissa?”

“I like her, but I’m reasonably certain that the emotions she wants from me will not develop. I care for her because you do, Penny. Some of my affection for you bleeds over into my dealings with Melissa.”

“Wait, really? I would not have expected that last part. This is way less like my last foray into poly than I was afraid of.”

“Are you picking on me on purpose now? Is this retaliation?” Melissa isn’t holding me anymore, she’s clinging to my sleeves, her voice sounding watery.

“No, Mel. This is me airing out the situation. Why I felt intimately attacked, and why the nonchalance of me admitting to some wrongdoing bothered me so. Katie’s not above direct manipulation and reacting to protecting herself, but I’ve never seen her justify her actions for someone else’s benefit. That’s what my parent’s used to do, and it seems an awful lot like what was going through your head with this situation.”

“Look, Mel, Kay, I love you both. And even though you now have both burned me, because of the situation we’re in I’m tempted to forgive. But right now, I think you’ll have to deal with me pushing this aside and dealing with it in stages. Is that something you both can work with?”

They both nod.

I lift Mel’s chin and kiss her. When I taste her tears, I pull apart and lock her eyes to mine, “I understand your motivations, but I think you chose the worst and most painful way to express it.” I finish pushing her away and walk over to Katie.

I pull her over the console into a kiss with a little biting that I know she likes. “I’ve mostly gotten past how I hurt before, but if you want us to move forward, we should talk.” I like the look of surprise on her face, and the feeling of control I have in this moment sends a shiver of thrill down my spine. She pulls me back into a fierce kiss, but I break it off before she breaks skin.

“Down, Katie. Talk. Whew. Now I’m angry and horny. Damnit.” Both of them look up in interest.

“No! none of that. This is not hate-fuck territory. Geeze.” I walk to the door to the cockpit and sit on the edge.

“Now that we’ve all drained some emotions, Tessa was telling me I should ask you how you would want to be involved in our society as well as our lives.”

“What? Do you mean involved?” Melissa asks.

“This is part of me trying. Do you want to be my psionic communicator? Katie, you too. How do you want to be involved?”

“I want to be involved in space commerce. Finding out that we could sell our own wares as well, but months after we put up the ansible? I wanted to scream at you. Then I realized that Astoria’s production is tied up in setting our planet up, so I let it go. But I will be managing our commerce, and you will sign over those permissions today.”

She’s talking with her teeth fully showing and it’s both intimidating and sexy. Fucking vampire. I twitch my hand in concert with the panels in my HUD and transfer authority to her as our trade minister.

“You and I are going to talk about a new wristband, and I would definitely like to be involved with alien relations. I’m thinking PR and investor relations when we get back to Earth. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just because I vented doesn’t mean I don’t still care for you, Dummy.”

She groans “I don’t have the energy to process all of this right now, lets go talk to the trees and assuage their concerns. Maybe we can ask them if they have a way to deal with aether warped beasts as well.” Melissa looks slightly rejuvenated by the talk of business and I couldn’t be more confused.

We take the shuttle toward the lake to see the V’tekan ship, which is now standing tentacles down into the lake and river and tributaries sparkling in my dual-colored suns. “Is that as pretty as I think it is, or am I just seeing it in its multi-spectrum splendor.”

“Pen, there’s a sparkly, two kilometer tall tree standing in our backyard.” She grabs my hand and squeezes it before we announce ourselves.

Tessa, is it appropriate to use the same channel we used before? She pings affirmative.

->>] Administrator, My communicator and I have returned to see if our planet is hospitable. [<<-

->>] Excellence! Primassi, we are pleased to find your atmosphere very nourishing. [<<-

Did they just refer to us as a Primus collective? Wow, okay. I should ask if Melissa is emitting chemicals as well as brain waves.

->>] Is there anything else you require for your investigation? [<<- Melissa asks.

->>] As a new species with such destructive capability, we would know your plans for development and inclusion in the Supercluster. [<<-

->>] Administrator, Astoria’s goal is to begin a space-faring, colonizing era for Humanity. We wish to connect to our . . . Planet of Origin via habitable systems, in order to properly subsume humanity into the Matrix. [<<-

->>] Furthermore, V’tek’clor, I plan to allow Earth and Sol, as an independent system, to govern themselves while I continue to expand my team’s expertise amongst the four systems I plan to use to hop Matrix communications back to Earth.[<<-

->>] You expressed that Earth Humans would be, more aggressive and violent? [<<-

->>] Very likely, yes. It’s why Tessa, my AI, flagged our tech level. Knocking it back down to T-0, possibly T-1. I have plans once I get to Earth but otherwise intend to disseminate tech swarms en-masse with a training program here, on Astoria for Symbiote takers. There is little to no aether on Earth. [<<-

->>] The collective finds this acceptable. Having Astoria as a travel resource would be beneficial. As Administrator, I find your situation troubling but within the realm of Primus control. With the geas you’ve agreed to, I do not foresee any sanctions or censure.[<<-

Moments of awkward standing around has me about to leave when a small stick person pushes forward their version of a hover cart with a small box on it. On top of the open box, nestled in egg-crate-style packing, lie six dark purple objects that look like stellated decahedral plums.

->>] That is some seriously neat looking fruit. It is fruit, yes?[<<-

->>]Yes! I mentioned that we may exchange fruit for your aether-rich water. This amount is what we consider an exchange for your hospitality. I would mention that those without a Symbiote should have no more than a taste, or complications? May occur. [<<-

->>] Would it be rude to try one now? [<<- instead of replying in thoughts, V’tek’s avatar reaches over and hands one of the fruits to me.

The palm-sized fruit has to weigh ten plus kilos. Holy hell. The skin is supple and the spines only appear sharp. I take out a small knife to cut it in half to find a nebula of purples, blues and cream with shiny flecks scattered amongst the inner meat. The smell that hits me is citrusy and sweet in what seems too many dimensions. I flick my aether sight open for a second to see it oozing with it. I cut one half in half again so I can eat it like a wedge and am overwhelmed by a multi-sense epiphany. The dragon fruit-like texture is smooth and pleasing as the swirls of color are sweet and tart on my tongue and the flavor alternates between creamy key lime pie and a rich port wine with an omnipresent feeling of satisfaction and energy.

My senses slowly come back from experiencing that quarter of a fruit to find that I am on my knees, crying and laughing with the joy contained in that singular bite.

You also gained a symbiote imbalance. You essentially ate refined, concentrated Aether.

->>] V’tek’clor, thank you for that singular culinary experience. You may have also provided a means for my Symbiote hosts to survive on the aether-sparse planet of our origin.[<<- I stand and bow my appreciation.

I cut off small slices of the inner meat of the second quarter and hand them to my advisors. As soon as the start chewing, they both moan and their eyes start glowing faintly. Melissa’s twinge of lavender and Katie’s show fingers of rich blood.

While they’re indisposed, I take a bite of what looks like rind, and find it also to contain aether, but it is slightly tart like wine grape skin. I continue munching on the rind while my friends recover.

I ask Katie if she would like to broker future exchanges of our aether rich water for it’s worth in those fruits and she jumps at the chance to start her work as an interstellar commodities tycoon.

Mel takes a little longer to recover, which makes sense as she wasn’t exposed to the massive mutation burst that was Copernicus leaving the system.

“I think us swarm users can use these to mutate in a more controlled manner. This aether was so much more ordered and contained than the warp bursts. I think I can see faint auras now.” She still sounds a bit dazed, perhaps wonder, at the mutation she just underwent.

“Your eyes are tinted slightly purple and glow a little.” Looking into her pretty eyes this much makes me want to kiss her, so I do.

“Mm, you ate something tart?”

“The rind. It’s not as tasty, but it’s not going to mutate me either. Much lower aether content.”

“Can I try?” I slice her off a centimeter and she quickly eats it. I’m relieved when nothing happens. “Huh, that isn’t unpleasant, and it feels safer on the Aether department. Please keep the rinds. Not as though you would waste it, you’re like half mana yourself these days.”

“Not that much, but I’m excited about these fruits because Viper, Meeker, Beecham and I won’t need to take extra risks in order to stay on Earth when things like this exist.” It feels like one of the weights I’m carrying sloughs off and I feel lighter and happier.

“I’m always for you taking less risk.” She smiles at me and gives me a quick kiss before joining our resident Vampire in talking with our plant-like visitors.