Dear Ingrid,
I am writing this letter on behalf of Hazel Aurelius. RE: Social Studies Module R1-6 – Self Care – Holo-Journaling to Better oneself.
As you may or may not be aware Hazel’s mother does a lot of work for System Alliance Space Force Special Projects. During the course of this work there comes occasion when Hazel will accompany her mother. The nature of this work is often classified by the System Alliance, hence when she is requested to perform tasks such as, journaling, or what she did last break, often times she is unable to provide a full picture of her life during these times.
Recently during the 2nd Semester break she accompanied her mother on one of these excursions. Hence the holo-journal she recorded is in its entirety classified. As my position allows me to review such material I have done so. Based on the System Alliance Educational Refence material for Social Studies Module R1-6, I have assessed her a mark of 80%. She missed a few days during the initial recordings but exceeded the total amount required. Her entries were both detailed and heart felt. I sat with her and discussed the assignment, she benefited greatly from this exercise and learned great deal about self-reflection.
I will also note, during this research expedition she had many responsibilities, such as collecting samples, identifying and categorizing many extinct forms of animal and plant life. Which will further the cause of humanity immeasurably. And would like for you to consider granting her extra credit.
Thank you for your time,
Yours truly,
Doctor Maria Aurelius, Admiral SASF – Commanding Officer, Special Projects Division, PhD
-------
Doctor Aurelius,
I apologize but I hardly think a military Admiral has any place grading secondary school assignments. You do not understand our curriculum or the purposes of these assignments. If you do not release this journal to me, I will be forced to give Hazel a mark of incomplete on this. As you may not be aware, this will result in an incomplete for the entire course.
If forced to, I will escalate this with your commanding officer and the civilian section of the System Alliance Government. This is preposterous! The military has no place in our classrooms or my mark book!
In the Dark Mother we trust,
Mrs Ingrid Mullens, BA, BEd
------
Mrs Ingrid Mullens,
CC – Director of New Amazon Dark Mother’s Educational Board. Cullen Davids, Master of Education.
If you would kindly review the previously discussed module (Social Studies Module R1-6) in your curriculum guide you will see that it was prepared by the System Alliance Education Council, specifically by one Doctor Maria Aurelius, the chair of that council.
As I prepared the module and the grading scale, I believe I am qualified to assign a mark to a student who completed it. If you wish to question my qualifications further, you can inquire at the University of New Amazon as the disposition of my doctorate in Education. Specifically, my doctoral thesis on the importance of Social Studies in developing well rounded adults.
Furthermore, if you wish to escalate this to my commanding officer you should direct your inquires to the office of my direct supervisor, System Alliance President Amee Aurelius (Hazel’s stepmother if you are not aware). Should her office determine that providing you a copy of this classified material serves the purpose of the System Alliance I would direct you as they will to complete forms SA-631 – Non-Disclosure Agreement, SA-635 – Confirmation of Understanding Responsibilities and Repercussions of Access to System Alliance Classified Material, SA-636 – Self Revocation of Rights in Regards to Unlawful Search and Seizure.
If you have further disagreement with my decision in this matter, I will direct you to the aforementioned Office of the System Alliance President as my previous decision stands, a mark of 80% and the journal will remain classified for the foreseeable future.
I encourage you to accept this decision as further resistance may have repercussions.
With all due respect,
Doctor Maria Aurelius, Admiral SASF – Commanding Officer, Special Projects Division, Doctor of Medicine, Education, Physics, Astrophysics, Dimensional Physics, Temporal Mechanics, Philosophy, Chemistry, Military Studies, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Engineering, Law, Computer Science Holographic Theorems, and Biology.
-----
Doctor Aurelius,
I have reviewed your latest correspondence with my supervisor and have determined that the Mark of 80% will stand. Thank you for your time.
In the Dark Mother we trust,
Mrs Ingrid Mullens, BA, Bed
-----
Maria read over the latest response from Hazel’s Social Studies teacher and shook her head.
“Wonder if she even suspects Hazel is the Dark Mother’s biological daughter. How the lunatics got their own school boards I will never know.”
*****
It’s that time again welcome to Channel 67 news! The best and only source for the real news of the day for vampires. I am Connie Kuznetsova we are broadcasting to you today from the Russian Federation Dome on this balmy day of -116 C on the glacier. Temps are going up people, we’re due.
This broadcast is brought to you by Petrov Vodka. The official Vodka of the System Alliance. For the owners of fangs in our audience (which lets face is most of you) remember to try Petrov’s vodka flavored synth-o. available in type O negative, and for those of you with discerning tastes don’t forget to pick up a bottle of the limited-edition AB negative variety. Enter discount code: Twlight for a 10% discount. I know we all want to get drunk to forget that one! Remember the blood is alcoholic so you WILL get drunk.
Let’s see what is on the slab shall we?
First up the vampire council met today, once again led by our glorious Empress, may her reign be as eternal as her beauty, the topics of discussion was the Children of Lilith equality recognition bill, assignment of territories, and selection of a new Lord for the Russian Federation. As you all know the Children of Lilith, whom I am happy to call myself a member of have long been treated as second class citizens by those of the Imperial Blood Line. The Empress as part of her attempts to fully integrate us into the mortal society has been fighting old prejudices to make all vampires equal in the eyes of the law. Many of the council are ancient and hold old grudges. However the Empress was as convincing as ever and I am happy to say the bill passed unanimously, with only the Lady of Dreams, Isis abstaining. What this means is that terms such as Pugmentia, Tainted one, are to no longer be used in the Council or in our meeting places. Also that under the eyes of vampire law we are equal to the Imperials. Exciting times! A new Lord was assigned to the Russian Federation Dome which is why we are broadcasting from here today, it has been a century since it has had a true leader. Viktor Dracul, yes of that Dracul bloodline. Stay tuned for that interview. I’m pleased to say he has big plans for the vampires of the North. No offense to our former Regent, but since the Empress has returned to us things are getting done! Feels good to be dead in this day and age. Long live the Empress.
In other news, about the Empress, yes I know you’re tired of hearing about her, but she is making waves! The pictures we’re displaying are from her engagement announcement party last year! Doesn’t she look fabulous in that Sionie dress and those Jadite bracelets are making her eyes just sparkle. She’s eloped and married the System Alliance President! Imagine that a vampire and a mortal getting married. I hope the two love birds are happy. As the Empress can have children, one wonders if a new Prince or Princess is on the way soon! This is on the heels of a triumphant six-month exploration trip that only a vampire could manage, thirty systems explored, ancient alien ruins found. Three colony worlds for our mortal companions on this ship called Earth. And hey the sauroids, at least our disfigured cousins aren’t the ugly kids on the block anymore, right? I kid. This is an amazing time to be alive.
News from Pluto station, The Empress’s sister, Doctor Maria Aurelius and System Alliance President, Amee Aurelius held a press conference detailing that they have allowed two refugees to take up residence at an undisclosed location within the Sol System. Apparently, they are refugees fleeing from a warlike species we have only have the briefest encounter with. Details are sketchy; however, Channel 67 sources have indicated that Empress Enid Aurelius was instrumental in rescuing them and defeating an enemy fleet that threatened Sol Sector. There are rumors she actually captured one of their battleships! System Alliance sources have assured the public that with the defeat of the alien fleet any further repercussions are far into the future due to the distances involved. So, for the mortals not such a big deal. For us? Who knows! One thing is for sure with vampires and wolf-born signing up for the military in decent numbers any threats to our solar system will be dealt with fangs and claws!
Which brings me to our next sponsor! Join the System Alliance Space Force today. Protect your home. Serve with other vampires, and wolf-born. Signing bonuses, Service Guarantees an apartment for life outside of the sun’s lethal zone. Want to see what is out there in the galaxy? Taste new exotic blood types? Make your Empress proud and do your part. Sign up today and get a month supply of coffee flavored synth-o curtesy of Aurelius Corporation.
Next in the news, its that time of year again. The gathering of the flock. The Church of the Dark Mother is once again asking for vampires who survived the Grey who remember the final battle with the Dark One to speak at the annual memorial and remembrance ceremony for her sacrifice, this year it is taking place at the Cathedral of the Bloody Sword in the NAFTA dome. Please my brothers and sisters of the blood, we were saved as much as the mortals when she gave her final sacrifice alongside the other heroes of that day, the pale lady and the lady of sorrows. I might add that the Cathedral is gorgeous. The church will be providing accommodations and transport to those who are willing to speak. May we one day see her glorious resurrection.
Hazel Aurelius, Princess of Eternal Night, and Wolf-born made some waves herself today she was competing in the annual Smash Bowl System Championships, with no armor or cybernetics! Along with some of her wolf-born and our vampire cousins. She placed second! Only seconds behind the reigning champion Crush! I see great things in her future, as I understand it she doesn’t even have her true name yet. Its too bad as a wolf-born she will never know the glory of the blood. The Empress was in attendance with her daughters Eyre, Violet, Miko, and Mitena. Her wife was absent, but being the command in chief of a now Galactic Democracy is probably time consuming work!
In scientific news, with the support of Aurelius Corporation, and the Empress’s blessing, BMC has launched a line of organic augments that are compatible with vampire physiology. Don’t like those brown eyes? Why not get yourself a new set of blue ones! Need bone spike retractable claws because you haven’t quite mastered the art of the wolf? BMC has you handled. A spokesman from BMC has indicated this started out as an attempt to assist vampires who had lost limbs before they were turned, or who found they had dulled fangs when they took the blood. They have slowly expanded into more practical and aesthetic modifications. As part of this research, they have also solved a problem that has plagued our kind for millennia! Disease carriers. For time eternal vampires who drank from infected blood would turn into plague spreaders. In the past the only solution was to put them down. With the advent of synth-o this has been less of a problem, but some of our kind still drink straight from the tap so to speak, to each their own right? So have still been super-spreaders. Vampires have no immune system so no way to deal with this. While T-Cell enhancement has made diseases a rare thing among the mortals, outbreaks do occur until T-Cell enhancement can be modified to improve resistance. Now with BMC’s patented full body cleanse system bacteriophages and virophages are used to destroy any foreign contaminants. Like I’ve always said, BMC is on our side. Good on you BMC!
In other scientific news the first vampire, who wasn’t named Empress Enid Aurelius to give birth to a live baby, gave birth to a girl late last night. A true hybrid this child is what legends would refer to as a dhampir. This was made possible by BMC’s previously mentioned organic augment program. They provided the female vampire with a living womb and ovaries cloned from her own genetic material. We’re happy to say the baby dhampir was carried to full term and was eight pounds eleven ounces and was happily drink milk from her mother’s newly cloned mammary glands. For those of you, like myself who thought carrying a child to term and breast feeding it was out of reach, this process is available commercially right now! It has been approved by both the Vampire Council and the System Alliance Medical Council. Finally, we vampire owners of a vagina can now ensure the continuation of humanity as it reaches into the stars. As part of the System Alliance Make Babies, Save the Human Race Initiative financial support is available. And as of the writing of this piece, is encouraging all female vampires to consider strengthening the human gene pool with our vampiric blood. I should also note, I looked into this myself, having been married to a mortal for the past two decades, and wanting children, if you have an existing partner their genetic material can be used, however it needs to be modified so the fetus is viable, so in effect your child will have three genetic parents instead of one. I can tell you one thing for certain; This reporter is going to have a baby bump soon!
Which brings me to our next sponsor for today’s broadcast. Make Babies, Save the Human Race! As a vampire you are an exquisite creature, a hunter of the night, you have powers beyond your mortal kin. With that power comes a responsibility, a responsibility to uplift your mortal cousins. With BMC’s assistance you can now have the child you always dreamed of, fully paid for by the System Alliance. All you need to do is sign up, don’t worry we have a biological father all picked out for you if you don’t have one. All medical tests and appointments are included with your package, along with a two year supply of fortified synth-o in any flavors you request. Once you have the initial surgery you will have a living womb, and mammary glands which you can use to get pregnant naturally for many centuries into the future. Side effects include – return of PMS, requirement for fortified synth-o for the rest of your existence. Imagine your child one day watching a blue sun rise on a distant planet and knowing that your genes are out there in the universe! Remember! Make a baby, be a Champion, Make three and be a Hero!
Now, we have a prerecord message from the Empress for your viewing pleasure.
The image changes from the reporter to a picture of Enid in a rocking chair with Miko on her lap. She is dressed in a stylish but functional blouse and skirt.
“Hello Everyone, It has been a long hard road since the Grey took the world we knew away form us. Our experiences in the Domes have been odd ones, the Sun no longer haunts our steps, but it also no longer warms our mortal brethren. I’m recording this on the anniversary of my father’s decision to go into this eternal slumber.
How much has changed in the intervening millennia? I doubt he would recognize it. A long time ago, several thousand years ago in fact our people were selfish, greedy, vicious and power hungry. That behavior comes naturally to us as we no longer fight for food or survival once we have changed, we fight for status, and power. It ended with millions of vampires dead in one terrible night. I am referring to the Pogrom, if any of you are not familiar. I am going to make a confession today, It was me, and not my father who performed that terrible task. I do not say this to put fear in your hearts, but as an acknowledgment that times have changed.
No longer should you fear your elders reprisals for daring to dream of a world where you are your own vampire. As with the mortals, our society has developed and changed over time. We are all predators but unlike the vampires of old, we are civilized predators.
During our most recent council session today, in honor of my father’s belief that all beings should be free, I made the decision that the council will only advise the System Alliance on vampire matters and will no longer set policy and laws. I will still remain your Empress, and the council will still exist, Lords will still watch over the flock in their respective domes and hopefully one day on colony worlds out among the stars.
You are now all citizens of the System Alliance and are officially bound by their laws regarding vampires. While you may as a sign of respect request your elder’s blessing to create a new vampire, you are no longer required to do so. The council and the Seers are officially no longer the overseers of justice. Most of the Seers have agreed to join the security forces of the System Alliance so if you do break the laws you may see them.
It is in your best interest to review the new codex of laws regarding vampires that was prepared by the System Alliance parliament and board of directors with my council. With the advent of BMC’s organic chip technology, we will all be implanted with an Ident Chit just like all of our mortal cousins. As usual ignorance is no excuse. A link to the codex has been included in this holo-recording.
Your local Lord’s staff will have more details on when and how to get your Ident Chit. You are expected to have it implanted by the end of this calendar year. There is no charge. Failure to do so will result in loss of access to your funds, home, and employment as it would with any other citizen of the System Alliance.
It brings me great pleasure to make this announcement, it has been a long time in coming, please be respectful of your new rights and privileges. It has been and continues to be a privilege and honor to be your Empress. May the sun never grace your skin.”
Connie reappears to continue the broadcast.
Wow exciting news! I got my chip, as the Empress stated your local Lord’s staff can assist you with acquiring the chip. For those of you who still hide in the shadows of our great domed cities, this is your chance to come out and join society. The Empress has pledged her own funds to ensure that all vampires everywhere will have a safe and secure place to live. If you’re one of those folks you can contact the hotline that the Empress and System Alliance have setup to get you in touch with your local Lord should not know who they are.
And now my interview with Viktor Dracul, the newly named Vampire Lord!
Connie is sitting across from a man in an expensive business suit. He is dark haired and green eyed. On his left pinkie is a stylized golden dragon biting its tail. He’s quite handsome and appears to be in his thirties.
“Lord Dracul, thank you so much for taking time out of your very busy schedule to speak to our audience, I am assuming things have been insane for you lately, with the new announcement from the Empress and just being named Vampire Lord. How are you faring?”
Viktor rubbed his hands together, his pinkie touching his family’s ring.
“Yes, very busy. The Russian Federation Dome has been without strong leadership for so long things were in disarray. As often with such things the former council spent more time infighting them resolving issues for their constituents. I was forced with my first act to remove them all, they are good people but, stuck in the old ways.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“I’m sure the audience understands, drastic circumstances call for drastic measures.”
“Yes, that is part of the reason the Empress pushed through my appointment without allow the council to debate it. She was well aware of the terrible state of our people’s representation here and of her upcoming announcement.”
“The Empress is indeed the wisest among us, do you now her well?”
“We are friends from the old world, so, now, almost twelve hundred years.”
“I am envious, I have never met the Empress personally, what is she like?”
Viktor stroked his thick black beard deep in thought.
“She is a woman of rare conviction. And even rarer compassion. Few vampires can claim the lust for life that she has. And with recent revelations, it’s all the more surprising, I had trouble believing she was two thousand years old when I met her, now to find out she lived before the pyramids were built.”
Viktor shook his head.
“She is the pillar of our people, her strength is as unyielding as stone and she will not let us fall.”
“Wow. So Viktor, tell us how you met the Empress?”
Viktor laughed stroking his beard again.
“It is a boring tale.”
“I am sure the listeners would love to hear it.”
“Very well, when I was a young vampire many centuries ago, I was, against my elder’s wishes still in touch with my mortal family. My niece, who was, five at the time, was in a terrible accident. I sought all remedies I could for her for my sister’s sake, but no doctor could restore her for us. She…was bereft of a face and would require several organ transplants to survive longer than a few months. My sister posted her story on the internet, America Online I believe…at the time. The Empress approached me. You see she was working as a pediatric surgeon at the time and news of my niece’s condition reached her ears, she told me she could save my niece. I had no money with which to pay her, nor did my sister. Her husband had died in the same accident and left her with nothing but debt. So, I said, Enid, I have no money with which to pay you, I am barely two years a vampire what can I possibly offer you for this favor. She said that all she asks is I remember that family is the most important thing and that children are our future. She told me that the girl was beyond mortal means and she would have to use magic of the ancients. I watched her as she took the pain away from my niece, she suffered all of my niece’s wounds, then she healed herself. And there was my niece whole again. If I were not a vampire and I was a god-fearing man, I would have called it a miracle. I still do in fact. She stay in touch after that never asked for me for anything in return. My niece is now a member of the Dracul Bloodline and happily living in the NAFTA dome. You asked me before who the Empress is as a person, and that is who she is.”
Connie smiled at Viktor.
“What a heart-warming story! Well Lord Dracul, what can the vampires of the Russian Federation Dome look forward too?”
“A very organized roll out of the Ident-Chits. A more responsive council and Lord. We will be holding court very soon. More of a formality now that the System Alliance bureaucracy is in charge but as a Lord I have access to expedite requests brought to my attention. To the vampires of my domain I say to you: We are here for you now, don’t be shy.”
“Good news all around then! So Lord Dracul what is a fun evening for you?”
The new lord chuckled and stroked his beard.
“The opera or the Ballet. A private evening with my mortal wife and our children.”
“Oh that is right you have twins.”
“Yes, Samson and Delilah. Pride of my existence. I’m grateful in the advances of the mortal sciences that have made it possible. I hear through the grapevine you are expecting?”
Connie pushed her hair behind her ears and glanced at the floor her hand resting on her abdomen.
“You heard right, just over a month right now.”
“Congratulations, I hear the Empress has committed to visiting as many expectant vampire mothers as she can, perhaps you’re on her list and you can finally meet her.”
Connie beamed widely.
“That would be grand, she is a big hero of mine.”
“Of us all, I’ll make sure to mention your good news to her when next we meet.”
“Thank you, Lord Dracul, and thank you for your time today. I’ll let you get back to your job.”
“Good evening, Connie.”
The broadcast switches back to Connie in her newsroom.
Well folks that’s it for tonight. Big day, and even bigger days ahead! This is your favorite vampire holo-caster reminding you to stay in the shade.
*****
Enid sat beside Rubina and was rubbing the bridge of her nose. The newest set of debriefings were dragging on. She’d been in vampire council sessions that had less infighting. She gave a sympathetic look to Rubina who tapped her friends lower back with her tail and gave a small flex of her wings which was the Silwrath way of shrugging. Enid glanced up at the rube-scale dragon woman.
“You know, at this point I’d rather be stuck on that battleship with you talking about hairless monkey sex then sitting here with this lot.”
This sent Rubina into a deep belly laugh.
“Indeed Empress, Indeed.”
The leader of the inquisition before them, one Jedediah Holsen, a sixty year old man who looked his age, glared at the pair. He was old school military intelligence.
“Translate that immediately.”
The debriefing group consisted of four generals, three xenobiologists and a couple of additional intelligence officers all looked towards Enid who raised one of her delicate auburn eyebrows and began tapping her fingers on the steel table in front of her.
“No.”
“Translate that, that is a direct order!”
Enid quirked her head to the side.
“I’m sorry were you under the impression that the title retired intelligence officer gave you the authority to give orders to an Empress?”
Enid turned to Rubina and stood up, she spoke the Silwrath’s native draconic tongue.
“I’m done with this shit, come on Rubina, once they sort out what questions they want to ask, and whose dick is the biggest they can reschedule.”
Rubina’s wings shook with mirth again as she stood up. Jedediah’s face turned the brightest red she’d ever seen a human face turn and he stood up ready to yell at her. She met his angry brown eyes with her own green ones and spoke.
“Sit down and shut up. The next time you try to order me around you will instead bend over and fuck your own face!”
Enid slipped her arm into Rubina’s and led the Silwrath out of the stuffy room. She’s fairly sure she heard the shift of clothing as Jedediah tried to do exactly what she commanded. She reflected as she walked away, she probably shouldn’t have done that. But it would wear off with her gone and him no longer trying to order her around.
“I am still trying to pick up your language my friend, what did you say to the red faced one?”
“I told him to sit down and shut up.”
“Then why does he have those things your people wear to cover your gentiles and legs pulled down and why is he bending over.”
“I implanted a suggestion that instead of giving me orders he should…try and have relations with his own face.”
Rubina’s tail twitched and she glanced back again.
“That does not seem physically possible especially for a member of your species of such an advanced age.”
“Yea well, him doing that is about impossible as him trying to get me to follow an order.”
“I do not believe this is what your wife meant with cooperation.”
“Probably not but the look on their faces is probably priceless right now. The mortals forget that they are dealing with a vampire sometimes, since I’m so… human and usually very polite in official meetings, but guys like that piss me off, they think because I’m a woman I’m just going do as they say and that they can just order me around. He needed a dose of know your place mortal, so I gave it to him.”
“Are you in the… ‘dog house’ now?”
“Hey that was pretty good, you’re catching on quick. And probably. Its okay I need to l leave again tomorrow… by the time I get back I’ll be more chill with this bull shit.”
“Will you be gone long?”
“Hmm for you, I’m guessing, no more than a few days.”
“That seems somewhat confusing.”
“Well you tend to be able to keep your mouth shut, so truth is I’m going into the past tomorrow.”
“Time travel?”
“Yes, there are powerful extra dimensional entities ripping reality apart and I need to hunt them down and either kill them or return them to their home dimensions.”
Rubina’s wings twitched as if she believed Enid was making a joke.
“You are funny my little friend.”
“You want to see what I mean? Some of it is pretty horrific.”
“I am always too eager to learn from you my dear friend.”
Enid held out her hand and Rubina wrapped her taloned hand around it and the pair closed their eyes. After several seconds Rubina released Enid’s small pale hand and stumbled backwards holding herself up against the wall.
“My friend, must you? This seems dangerous.”
“I am afraid I must.”
“Then let me come with you, stand beside you, I may not be the warrior you are but my telepathy is formidable!”
“I am afraid, a dragon woman in the past would be…paradoxical.”
Enid rubbed the back of one of Rubina’s wings gently her fingers caressing the long thin scale covered bone that was sensitive to such things. Rubina wings stopped flexing in distress and her silver eyes became less wide.
“Thank you for always telling me the truth, Enid. I sense many falsehoods among your kind, yet you always speak to the heart of matters with no lies save the ones to comfort me.”
“Hey what are friends for?”
The pair heard the slap of tiny bare feet slapping against the deck of Pluto Station. Enid opened her arms was quite blatantly ignored by her green-eyed two-year-old daughter who was jumping towards her ‘aunt’ Rubina.
“Aunt Ruby!”
Rubina licked the child’s nose with her draconic tongue.
“You are getting big!”
“Bad men should leave you alone Aunty Ruby.”
Enid laughed.
“You know, it’s hilarious, my two-year-old has already learned enough of your language to converse in and humanity’s leading experts can maybe decipher thirty words.”
“My research into your people indicates that during childhood your brains are giant knowledge sponges, yes I believe that is the words the book used.”
“That book wasn’t wrong. Reading English is coming along then?”
“Yes, your language is hard to pronounce but reading it is easy. Your daughter Mitena is a remarkable tutor.”
“She’s a special one in that regard.”
Miko was grabbing onto one of the silver horns at the side of Rubina’s cheeks and making faces at it.
“Miko, that is impolite.”
“Sorry momma.”
Rubina flicked Miko’s nose with her tongue again.
“I do not mind little Miko. They do not hurt easy.”
“Momma has to go fight monsters.”
“She was telling me.”
“The monsters are hurting her. But she will miss us.”
Rubina looked at Miko. Miko touched her forehead with her small hand
“Yes, I understand little one.”
Miko put her fingers to the Silwrath’s lips and Enid watched the pair.
“Your secret is safe with me, my little wyrmling.”
“Aunt Ruby.”
Mike wrapped her arms around the Silwrath’s neck tightly then reached for her mother. Enid let the girl into her arms. Miko latched her arms around Enid’s neck and whispered.
“I love you mommy.”
Enid would be blushing if she weren’t dead at the moment. Rubina tugged the pair close with her arm and wrapped her left wing around them.
“I am so happy you invited me into your family. We are as sisters. Be strong in times to come, if it were within my power…”
Miko put her finger on Rubina’s lips again and made a shh sound. Enid leaned her head against her friends ruby scales feeling strangely comforted by the large dragon wing wrapped around her. Enid’s wrist started to beep and Miko shook her head.
“Oh oh, mommy’s in trouble!”
Enid sighed and offered the two-year-old to Rubina since Miko didn’t seem to want to walk anywhere. Enid waved them on.
“Go get something to eat…I’ll catch up.”
Enid tapped her wrist and was immediately on a three-way call with her sister and her wife.
“Oh, hey guys, what’s up?”
Enid could tell by the way they were looking each other they’d already chatted and decided how to ‘handle’ her. Having a wife who was your sister’s best friend…sometimes had its disadvantages. It seems like Maria was going to play tough love momma today.
“What’s up? What’s up? You know exactly what is up Enid Aurelius! You made the Chief of Intelligence for the System Alliance try to…he’s still trying!”
“Fine I release him.”
“That is a good start, but you are going to write a formal letter of apology.”
“No, I am not. He had it coming.”
“Enid!”
“No, you two to fire his useless ass.”
Amee frowned.
“You know he has people on the board.”
“Fuck the board, fuck him, and fuck the System Alliance, I am confirming the computer translations as a curtesy, and Rubina, she’s a noblewoman who has been forthcoming with all the intel you could want, has proven her loyalty to us time and again, and they still treat her with nothing but disrespect. No. You two sort that shit out. Or next time I’m going to tell him to go fuck the cold side of an exhaust port on one of the domes. Preferably one on a planet with a toxic atmosphere!”
Amee spoke next.
“Honey, calm down.”
“Wow, two words you should never say to your wife!”
Enid was reaching for the disconnect on her holo-phone when Maria spoke again.
“If you apologize, I’ll make sure intelligence is kept out of the briefings with Rubina in the future.”
“Can I just make him forget?”
“Little too late for that it went viral on due to Channel 67 linking a video of it on the system net site.”
“Already? It’s only been like twenty minutes.”
“Yes, well it’s not every day you get to see the Empress order a man to…”
Enid facepalmed.
“Fine, I’ll apologize and send a gift basket.”
“Make sure you send it to the medical bay; He is being rushed there as we speak.”
Enid sighed.
“Noted.”
“Also, I’ve been told to tell you, you’re going to be fined for a violation of unlawful use of vampiric powers on a mortal, three million credits because it was so public and embarrassing. Also supposed to warn you as the lawful authority on the station that if it had been a use that caused severe injury you could be facing jail time.”
“I know, I wrote the god damned law. Take it out of my paycheck for this fiasco.”
“What paycheck?”
“Then I’m expensing it!”
*****
Excerpt from the collected Essays by Priestess Amanda Papadopoulos, Child of Lilith
In the darkness of the twenty first century, humanity was lost in a haze of social media. Drowning in desperate belief systems. Polarized opinions plunged the world into a miasma of despair and anger that would have led to the annihilation of the human race. The First daughter of God, his chosen one rose up and declared that if Humanity did not turn away from their self-destructive path the world would end in frost. But she gave us hope, the Dark Mother told us, that we would have another chance. That she would return to us and guide us from this frozen world.
Many theologians have pondered what form her return might take. Would it be the rapture declared in the Christian Bible? Would she rise from the ice on the wings of the angelic host? Would she walk hand in hand with Christ? Who would she be? Would we believe her when she told us of her identity? Many of our flock still wait for her return.
I put forward that she has already returned. There is a red-haired vampire of legend who has stepped from the ice. Who has been pulling us from our funk, pulling humanity into the stars. Guiding us to a brighter future when the sun can warm the faces of mortals. Linking our hands with other like-minded species out in the Galaxy. One whose words spread the faith to an alien world forty light years from Earth.
I speak of the Empress of Eternal Night, Enid Aurelius. She who lifts a silver sword of light to the sky and points to the stars and says, there you will find sanctuary, there you will lift yourselves up from the ice! Among those stars I will smite the unworthy, punish the wicked, and put the unrighteous I their place. She who rides on the black wings of death. She who has tread upon many worlds and brings us all together with her ability to create peace, and understanding where ever she treads.
I have recently returned from a missionary trip to the system called Trappist-1. Where I walked among the Sauroids in the valley of Shadow and amongst their Dark Side cousins. I thought it was to spread the word of the Dark Mother to these new curious beings. But lo and behold, it was they that opened my eyes. That the Dark Mother had already come to them. That she had brought peace and prosperity to their peoples. They showed me the green houses of grains that would mean starvation and malnutrition would no longer rob them of their children. I walked in the halls of a glorious temple from before humans worked stone with tools. Where I saw the bas-relief showing the Dark Mother taking up her staff once again. The staff of the Archangel of the Universe so that the light of the Dark Mother could shine to all corners of creation. And take up the staff she did. Was it some mysterious woman in the shadows? No, the woman who took up the burden was Empress Enid Aurelius.
I say to you brothers and sisters, that the Dark Mother has returned, and we should turn our eyes to Enid Aurelius for guidance and succor.
-----
Notes from Priestess Hannah Bloom, Office of the High Priestess, Voice of the Dark Mother.
High priestess, this is the fifteenth missionary who returned from our mission to Trappist-1 we’ve seen claiming to know the Dark Mother has returned. I believe there may be something to these claims. Apparently, there are historical references to her. I’ve also seen reports coming in from ancient digs prophesizing her return, they said she would bring water to the thirsty, and food to the starving. I have seen holos of this temple. The iconography and the angelic statues are unmistakably similar to human in origin. We should send someone from the office of miracle authentication to review these findings. Soon when others visit they are going to hear from the Sauroids that they believe Enid Aurelius is the Dark Mother, the Angel of the Universe returned to them.
*****
Author’s note – This section is racy, and also may trigger some as there is parental abuse (Skip to ***** for synopsis if you’d rather avoid it)
The SASF Cerberus was close to Sol today. It was still in its testing phase. Amee was holding her head up with her palm and elbow. She was tracing her finger around one of Enid’s nipples. Enid made an mmm sound. And looked out of the shaded clear liquid metal of their temporary quarters window. Amee leaned down and kissed the nipple sliding her armor across her Enid’s abdomen. She suckled it gently the fingers of her hand tracing the whited edges of one of her wives many scars. This one was so vicious it hadn’t had time to fade by the time she’d been turned into a vampire. Enid slid her hand up her wife’s back and pulled her head close for a kiss. Amee’s hand slipped between her thighs and started to gently pinch her wife’s sensitive region. Her fingers moved with ease over the slick surface.
Their tongues fought a duel, Amee’s won as she pressed her wives head to the pillow. Enid shifted as Amee hit the right spot and gave a small gasp. Her hand that had been gently cupping her wife’s head tightend its fingers and pinched some of the black hair. Enid had already been close just making out with Amee usually made her such. When her wife’s thumb pressed against her and a few fingers slipped in side she let out a involuntary sounds of pleasure. One of her hands grasping the sheet between her fingers and closing her fist around it as she shuddered.
Amee’s lips slipped away from Enid who struggled to keep the kiss going. Amee’s mouth moved to her wife’s chest and gently suckled her far nipple her fingers still sending waves of pleasure through her currently very mortal wife. Enid’s hand found her wife’s head and held it to her chest. Her legs spread wide, and she lay there at Amee’s mercy. Enid was breathing rapidly. Amee did not let up. Enid was vibrating by now and writhing on the bed and finally let out a loud cry. She gently nudged Amee’s hand away from between her legs twitching as the fingers hit her skin. She shook again when Amee let out a slow breath across the nipple she’d been suckling.
“I forgot what a big O felt like as a mortal.”
“Oh, should I keep going?”
Amee slipped her hand down Enid’s abdomen and over the scar that marred the pale white skin under her tuft of auburn hair. Enid pushed her hand away after another shiver when Amee’s finger touched her. Her beathing had quickened again.
“I’m good…good…”
Amee gave a soft laugh and leaned over her wife and kissed her playfully. Amee’s lithe fingers retreated from between Amee’s thoughts and she started to trace the scar under her wife’s auburn pubic hair.
“How…did this happen?”
Enid’s breathing was growing more regular again and she looked out the window at the yellow ball of fire that provided life to the solar system. Her memory shifted back to the white-hot brand her father had pulled from the fire. She had struggled against his men who held her down. Her father had pressed it against her flesh she still remembered the smell. She felt the searing pain, then nothing as it burned through her nerve endings. One of his men had forced her to watch. Her punishment for being alone with one of the male children her age. Her father’s words still echoed in her mind.
“So, every man will know who owns you.”
Amee was nudged her wife gently. Enid was staring out at the sun and shaking.
“Enid, Enid, are you okay.”
Enid snapped out of the intense flashback and looked at her wife. Her emerald, green eyes clouded with fear. Amee put her hand Enid’s cheek.
“You’re safe hon.”
Enid started breathing easier and the shaking of her hands dissipated.
“Where did you go?”
“Just…just… a place I thought I’d left a long time ago.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Enid shook her head her tanged red curls bouncing where the hadn’t been compressed by the pair’s hours long love-making session.
“No need to be sorry, you weren’t there.”
“I wish I had been.”
Enid pulled Amee close and kissed her lips lovingly.
“I wish you were too. What’s past is past, and its best left there.”
“You’re leaving again tomorrow aren’t you?”
Enid leaned back folding her arm behind her head. She nodded and smiled at her wife playing with one of her nipples.
“Its getting worse. Can feel it, like spears stabbing into me and twisting.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“The way Maria’s portal works? You’ll see me the day after tomorrow…for Hazel and I, it could be decades. Once we’re out in the ocean of time, we’re at its mercy.”
“I really wish you would wait until we had some way to link to you, some beacon you can use to call for help…”
“The best I can do is carve an SOS in a stone somewhere.”
Amee sighed and looked down at the small pale hand playing with her breast. Enid lifted the hand and pushed Amee’s chin up. She kissed her again, god how she loved kissing her wife. Her lips were like heaven.
“But hey I’m not leaving until tomorrow, that gives us plenty of time with me as a mortal. And when I get back, after they’re all back where they belong. You’re going to put a baby in here.”
Enid touched her abdomen.
“Then we’re going to raise the child together, on Earth, and God willing he will see the sun shine through the atmosphere with his own eyes.”
Amee kissed her wife again and spread her thighs.
“You’re turn.”
Enid smiled at her wife and lowered her head her mouth wrapping around one of Amee’s nipples.
******
Synopsis without the fluff – Enid is leaving tomorrow because she feels the Demons tearing her apart even in the future. Amee and Enid are planning on having a child when she’s finished her task. Enid has a flashback to her childhood. Amee wants Enid to wait so that they have a more reliable way of pulling her home. Enid says she’ll carve an SOS in a stone if she needs help.