“Like… daaamn… that’s some real History channel shit…” Dave says after Simone explains the whole relived memory of another soul from a time long gone.

Simone leans back to look at the ceiling.

“Does the overgrown bat-people ring any bells? Cuz I’ve never seen ‘em.” she asks the two.

“Oh… I’m afraid I’m unaware… and the Net doesn’t seem to have any publicly available information on such a species. Assuming it was roughly ten thousand years ago, there should be some manner of archive… I can find other extinct species archived from far before then without issue.” Chak replies.

“It might have been longer than ten thousand years… Considering they have some sort of suspended animation technology.” Simone points out, “But the Terrans looked like… Terrans… like they look now, so I don’t know about the exact time window.”

“Still… there should be at least mentions. Such an advanced people would typically be associated with Central Galactic at some point. Or at the very least well known by them.” the Cali says in confusion.

Simone looks down in her hand at the single blood coated worm that has the seemingly physically impossible ability to communicate with the rest of its hivemind. A connection that seems to supersede space and time? Pure fantasy. Right?

“I’m going to put this lil’ dude back in the algae tank.Thanks for keep’n an eye on me Dave.” she informs before standing up from the operating bed.

“You betcha my guy! So freak’n sweet that you came to me bruh, smart move. Sorry I’m a buzz kill and couldn’t swing another THC hit your way. But the pain meds for the head were the best I got! Your next scheduled dose is comin’ up tho! Be sure to remember to take it man!”

“Will do.” Simone salutes as she leaves, closely followed by Chak.

The two only embark a short distance before the Cali hesitantly speaks up again.

“I’m… very glad you’re okay. That was… scary to watch.” the princess admits.

Simone nods, looking away.

“Sorry. I’m gonna have to do it again though… if it’s too much, I won’t blame you for not being present. It’s a lot-” before the redhead can finish, a Cali’s grasper is already holding her free hand.

“I’ll be there. Just… let’s please be as cautious and careful as one can be moving forward. I wish to keep the potentially life-threatening surprises to a minimum. Is that agreeable?” Chak asks, squeezing the Terran’s paw.

“You bet.” Simone promises, “I guess I’ve been so used to thinking of my own safety as only my concern… But I know better now. It’s just a hard mentality to step out of.”

“Good, thank you Simone.” Chak responds as she presses her head briefly against the Terran’s shoulder.

The two travel the rest of the way to their now shared room. Simone is quick to the tank, reaching in to carefully place the worm back where found it. As she does so, Chak can’t help but curiously walk over to the desk to get a look at Simone’s progress on her power armor’s muscular enhancing undersuit.

“Oh wow… you’ve done quite a bit of the necessary modifications!” she chirps excitedly as she leans in closer.

Her eyes explode in brilliant light as her body is cupped by a Terran’s from behind. Trapped there, she feels the hot cascading breath of the deathworlder directly above her.

Thick arms slide forward on the desk's surface creating a sort of cage around the Cali. Sealing her fate.

Chak’s instincts scream in harshly conflicting emotional messages that forces her legs to stiffen in place, especially as she hears the Terran's maw maneuver to her left ear.

"It’s not finished yet… but… it's usable if... you know… you want to give it a test drive..." Simone whispers with raspy tenderness.

"Oh… alright…" Chak whispers back in an excited voice.

The Terran’s body presses in even more, causing Chak to gasp in surprise. Simone has never been this physically forward before. Certainly she's made initiative moves in the past, but nothing like this. And Chak is absolutely loving it.

"Then how about my warrior princess slips in it... while I move the algae farm into your old room… I'm not the biggest fan of having an audience for free." the Terran proposes with a sensual brushing of powerful hips.

“Alright…” Chak repeats, her breath catching.

“Hmm… be right back then.” Simone says as she frees her fiance and moves over to the cart.

Chak stood still, watching the Terran take the tank and start to wheel it out through the door. It’s not until the door seals shut does she snap into action. Scooping up the suit and fitting it on. Thankfully it takes only a few moments, as she didn’t have to bother with the modular plating. With a bit of time left to spare she practically jumps on the bed, trying to pose in a welcoming manner.

However despite her excitement and thrill of experiencing what’s to come, something tugs at her mind. A thought she didn’t desire to confront, but in her own honesty it arrives at the forefront of her mind.

“Why… is Simone doing this?”

She just went through a… stressing event. Perhaps she wants to de-stress with physical intimacy? Makes sense… but her head must still be in some pain.

Chak orientates herself to sit upright, mulling over this uncomfortable uncertainty. It’s then she recalls Simone’s past dependencies after something stressful happens. She quit drinking her poisonous ethanol and hasn’t taken her medication yet. Could this sudden need to be intimate be part of wanting to feel better? Or is the Princess overthinking this act of love?

When Simone reenters with a mischievous grin, it falters seeing the Cali’s less-than-enthused demeanor.

“Oh no… is it not working? I swear I had the power running correctly…” She says while approaching the bed.

Looking up to the redhead, Chak smiles and pats the space next to her.

“It’s working. I’m assuming it’s at a Terran’s avg strength?” she asks.

“Well… a bit more than avg actually. Just to be safe. But what’s wrong?” Simone replies sitting here indicated.

Chak scoots so that she’s right up next to the Terran. Then without saying anything, hugs the Terran tightly. She’s surprised to hear air escape the powerful woman, but keeps her embrace steady.

“Whoa… a Terran-grade hug from a Cali is… different.” Simone remarks in a thankful tone.

“Hug me back Simone.” Chak instructs softly, “As tight as you want.”

“I… guess that would be smart… make sure it’s uhm… working properly…” Simone responds, taken off guard.

Slowly, Simone wraps her arms around the Cali’s back and lightly squeezes a bit more than she would normally dare.

Chak presses the side of her head into Simones.

“It’s okay… it’s working splendidly.” the Cali encourages.

Simone attempts to will herself to give a genuine Terran-grade hug, but a spike of panic interferes.

“Probably shouldn’t push it… Just in case.” she mutters to justify her fear.

“If that’s what you're comfortable with.” Chak coos, tightening her own embrace.

Simone can’t clearly remember the last time someone held her this tightly, without wanting to betray or kill her. She leans into it, her breathing staggers like water over rocks.

Normally this amount of weight against the princess would have sent her down. But her suit grants the fortitude to hold Simone without issue.

“I think… you need rest, love.” Chak says comfortingly.

“I’m sorry…” Simone whispers, her voice more air than vocals.

Chak doesn’t need the visual to know the Terran’s eyes have begun to water.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. You’re stressed and just want to feel better. Come here…” Chak with her augmented strength easily pulls the limp Terran up the bed and lays down still holding her snugly.

Simone closes her eyes, giving in to the immense security. Despite being a full grown Deathworlder, many of her species never quite fully grows out of feeling this form of comfort. Like a swaddled child her mind and body mellow into a state of calming zen. And before she knows it, she is sleeping soundly in the Cali’s arms.

-

Waking up feeling as though her head is made of cement, Simone winces and clutches the sides of her head in a discomforting daze. She lays there for a time waiting for her condition to improve, but it doesn’t. It’s like the gravity in the ship is increased tenfold but only pressed down on her skull.

She blinks as looks around for… for… for… Her thoughts drift and sway as it to taunt her, just out of reach.

Needing to find whoever she needs help from, she forces herself to roll off the side of the bed. She fully expects to crash down on the floor, but instead she slowly falls into a pit of pitch black. Despite seeing the void encroach around her entire vision, she knows nothing can be done. It comes to embrace her, and like Alice following a rabbit she is compelled to decend into wherever this mysterious place takes her.

Suddenly there's a blinking flash of light. She’s in a long metallic hallway of what appears to be a spacecraft. But it’s of no vessel like she can recognize. Within the walls trimming and decal are decadent golden designs. Swirls and spires empower the space with grand authority.

Simone steps forward and begins to trek down this strange hallway and almost immediately she senses distant incoherent whispers echo off the walls. Voices she knows but can’t recognize. The further she goes the more the babbling ghosts speak to her. Some start to laugh, while others scream in agony. She swears they begin to make sense, but still can’t repeat the meanings in her mind. Still her hands clutch the sides of her head but now it’s to vainly suppress the voices. She tries to scream, but there’s no sound. Only the vibrations in her chest and throat.

Finally out of nonexistence a sharp right turn presents itself. Desperate to get away, Simone takes it without question, and to her profound relief she’s free.

Silence. It’s freezing. But it’s silent.

She quietly cries overjoyed, until she looks straight ahead. A dim, long room with people sized storage chambers lining the walls. All but two filled. A sourceless light flickers on and off as Simone ventures deeper. It’s now she notices free floating scraps of metal, shards of clear material, and globs of both red and purple liquids. There’s no gravity in this room, yet she walks on as if there is. She brushes through the weightless debris, not wanting to go back to the torment of the voices. She looks into every chamber, seeing people… but their faces make no sense. They have features, but it’s like Simone’s ability to register them is turned off.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

She stops when on either side of her, are two chapters blown out and empty. There’s more fluids in the air, and for a moment she panics as soft echoes of crying breeze past her ears.

But they thankfully don’t return, permitting the Terran to push forward more. Reality breaks as she presses on. Still in the chamber room, there is foliage and tree trunks clipping through the metallic walls, but conveniently avoids any and all chambers. She finally has to remove one of her hands from her skull to push away branches that obscure her vision.

It’s then she sees him. A man standing at the end of the room with his back turned to her. She would be glad for another living person, but not in this case.

Kole has a hand outstretched firmly pressed against the back wall. Remaining in place with purpose.

“You’re dead…” Simone tries to say, but no words are heard.

“No one’s ever dead until they're forgotten.” Kole replies in his thunderous voice, hearing her words regardless.

“What is this!?”

“The forgotten.” Kole replies simply before removing his hand. He then steps aside revealing his bloody handprint upon the smooth metal surface.

It is set above two others, still reflectively damp and crimson.

Simone wants to ask more questions, but is caught off guard when more prints begin bleeding through the metal One by one, two by two, three by four… more and and more bloody terran handprints appear around the initial three. Until nearly the entire wall is covered, very much like the cave wall she knew from the Gratt homeworld.

She is so focused on this she doesn’t notice until it’s too late that Kole has completely vanished.

This concerns her, but something else demands her attention… There is an open space on the wall, barren of any print. It compels her to fill it… to join those who left their mark. To maybe one day be remembered in some small way.

Desire fills her heart, and raw instinct impels her hand towards it. It’s where she belongs, eventually. Mere centimeters away, the lights fully go out.

Regaining herself she recoils her arm back in. Just in time to hear a blood-curdling high pitch animalistic screech from behind her. Spinning around in the darkness, back where she came from, she sees an illuminated section of the room. As if the light refuses to bounce off anything else.

Within it, there is a deceased antlered animal from Earth’s past. Dead. With several spears protruding out and up like sprouting trees. Simone steps towards it to investigate, but then she catches something that causes her insides to freeze.

In the absolute darkness beyond, are a pair of reflecting eyes. Red and yellow, burning with predatory rage. They saunter forward with the accompanying sounds of light scratching footsteps.

The creature’s leg appears under the light, and onto the corpse. It’s split feet curl to it like a raptor, and digs its talloned footwear into the flesh for an unyielding grip. Then with no effort, the leg pulls the rest of the creature into view.

Dressed in devine white and gold robes of authority, it proudly perches atop the dead animal. Their eyes piercing down at Simone with disgust and contempt.

“What… are you…” Simone can’t help but to attempt to say, voice still mute.

Their eyes narrow, and twitch in response.

In a flash, their bat-like wings unfold and open in a display of zeal and threat.

Suddenly in the pitch black around her, Simone feels violent snatching and hooking. Claws delve into her skin and unseen limbs coil around every which-way. Before she can even resist, she is locked in place.

The creature proudly tilts their head up and smirks.

“This species has potential...” it says, but not to Simone. In fact the voice is completely out of place. It doesn’t belong here, or in this time… or even heard by Simone’s ears…

-

For real, Simone’s eyes open. She knows this because there’s a Cali softly breathing in her own slumber right in front of her. Face to face with Chak, in the exact same position as when she was laid down.

It seems that despite the nightmare, she didn’t move or seemingly scream. Although she must have, right? She recalls feeling the vibrations of doing so… Unless those weren’t hers… and someone elses… a lifelike memory.

“Fuck…” Simone grumbles.

Immediately, Chak’s eyes open and spark to life.

“Oh, morning, you okay?” the Cali asks, fully awake.

The Terran smiles and sighs.

“Did you really sleep in that thing?” she counter-questions, stretching her shoulders and legs.

“Yes… it’s not uncomfortable.” Chak chirps.

“I uh… Had weirdest fucking dream…” Simone says with a roll of her eyes.

“Oh? You haven’t budged at all. We even forgot to take your medicine, so I was a little concerned… but you looked so peaceful.” the princess informs before cuddling closer.

“Then I shouldn’t be surprised I guess… No meds and a recent worm in the brain was bound to result in fuckery like that… Thanks for… uhm… cooling my jets yesterday. I thought… you know that I could make up for what I put you through… and after I was starting to freak out a bit.. And thought… yeah…” Simone admits with a bit of guilt spilling though.

“I understand… but you won’t ever owe me that. Though… I must confess… I was really enjoying it.” Chak giggled.

Simone laughs out of her nose.

“Hell yeah you were… damn little horndog…”

“It’s not my fault that you are so amazing.” Chak replied, looking the Terran in the eyes.

The Terran runs her hand down the Cali’s thigh, having to press a bit to make up for the suit.

“I think you are the amazing one… my warrior-princess…” Simone says before kissing Chak deeply, she pulls away chuckling, “Cali don’t kiss… do they?” she asks.

“No. But I know Terrans do, and I like seeing your face when we do it. It’s strange, but I’m enjoying it in my own way. Am I… not doing it right?” Chak replies fairly embarrassed.

Simone draws her hand back up to cup the side of Chak’s face, gently brushing her thumb on the Cali’s freckled skin.

“Practice makes perfect…” she flirts kissing Chak’s face again, and again, and again in rabid teasing succession until the Cali chirps in excited giggles, playfully tilting away from this intimate barrage.

Simone is surprised by the output of strength from the Cali as she manages to manically squirm out and plop right off the side of the bed, crashing into the side of the desk taking several leftover tools with her.

“Oh shit-” Simone panics, getting up on her hands and knees to rush over.

“I’m fine!” Chak chirped, raising a lower appendage in a little wave, “Promise!” she giggles before peeking back over the bed.

“You sure?” the redhead automatically replied as she fully stood.

“Yes! I suppose I’m not used to being so strong.” the Cali reasons as she accepts an outstretched Terran paw.

“Gotta practice to be a lil’ more careful in that thing. Once I’m fully finished with the… modification… that is.” Simone replies as she gently checks the Cali’s exposed head for any potential injury.

“Practice makes perfect…” Chak says with a coy wink.

“You’re winking game is spot on.” the Terran dismissively responds with an amused shake of her head.

“When do you think you will be able to finish it?” Chak asks, “I don’t wish to rush you… but… I think more than ever that this could be a wonderful asset! You seemed to really appreciate it too, me being closer to the same durability as you.”

“Gonna take a day off, but soon. You know… that was the best hug I’ve had in… over a decade.” Simone bashfully agrees, “Got me kinda looking forward to… letting loose a bit more…”

Chak expands all her arms in offering.

“One more before we start the day?” she chirped happily.

Simone didn’t even need to think about it. She scoops up the Cali under her upper arms. Lifting the princess off the ground she embraces her. Chak nestles in, tightly wrapping herself around the thick Terran.

“Try squeezing a bit. The suit should do its job.” Chak encourages.

Simone hesitates, but this time complies. Though far from a Terran grade hug, she pushes the limit of what normally is safe. She can feel the musculature of the powered exo-skin of the Cali firm up and press back in response, meeting her strength in equal measure. It’s a bit nerve-racking, but… it’s actually really nice at the same time. Freeing even.

“How the hell did I end up with a woman like you?” Simone says tenderly before setting the Princess back down.

“By being you. Now… I should take this off. And there’s some other matters I wish to talk to you about. Specifically Essjay.” the Cali answers as she starts to disrobe.

“What about ‘em?” Simone inquires, stepping back to sit on the bed’s edge. Not-so-secretly enjoying the strip down before her.

“Well… you are going to have to remove them from their canister soon. Which is the traditional time for Watath children to begin their early education. I’ve already purchased their entire basic curriculum courses on the Net and have fully planned out their schooling schedule. I’ve also discussed with Dr. Vin for him to take additional paid work as a private tutor. We did our best to not have any scheduling conflicts with your therapy sessions, but if any arise we have contingencies in place. Seven will also attend sessions as a… precaution. Watath children are not typically venomous until their first standard year, but they can be… rambunctious. This is all set up, but I wanted you to go over everything and approve it if you find it acceptable as Essjay’s legal guardian.” Chak entails.

Simone stares slack-jawed.

“Fuck… I didn’t even… wow I had no clue how I’d… I mean I knew I would have to- wow… Thank you, Chak.”

The Cali scoops up her garments from the day before off the floor and presses her head against Simone’s.

“Essjay is my family too. Perhaps not legally… yet… But I plan to fully support you and them regardless.” Chak reassures, “I didn’t plan on starting a family in this manner… but I can’t think of anyone else who I’d rather start one with. Possibly the weirdest family in the galaxy, but that sounds right for us…”

“And you call me amazing…” Simone mumbles.

“Because you are.” Chak chirps before moving to re-dress.

“Was there something else you wanted to discuss?” Simone asks.

“Yes. My brother and I believe we may be starting to understand my father’s ultimate plan. He might… he might want more than the Cali Territories. As in… he is possibly plotting to usurp all of Central Galactic.” Chak informs as she fits a shirt on.

Simone huffs at the prospect skeptically.

“How the fuck… how? Cali have a decent navy sure, but… nothing that can compare to C.G.”

“Remember… the crustacean species you fought on Kamoi?” Chak says, turning to Simone.

“Yeah… hard to forget.” the redhead mumbles as she rubs her shoulder.

“The species is called Malchite. A Central Galactic quarantined species. My father has an alliance with them. With their help and resources, the Cali fleet has grown exponentially. More than enough to destroy the fleets quarantining the Malchite planet. He then only needs to spin it as a purely liberation effort to dissuade retribution from Central Galactic. Since they have kept this world a secret, many governments may actually support my father’s actions. Then with the might of the Malchite people, they will war and annex other nations one by one. It may take years, but he could very well one day rival Central… then… there only needs to be one last war. The biggest war the galaxy has ever seen.” Chak explains grimly, “There will be no victors…”

Simone sits there in shock, processing all of that.

“Fuck… but… why? What kind of greed makes someone want to do all that? The entire galaxy?” she says, dumbfounded.

“I wish I knew. The plan currently, is to negotiate an alliance with the Terran Union with Brom’s forces to take back our homeworld. We stopped the Children of Gaia, and spun it in the best we could in the Terran Union’s favor. Though by this point they know what we know… so I’m waiting to hear back from Brom regarding the upcoming negotiations. I can only be hopeful.” Chak informs, sitting down next to Simone.

“But… Chak the Children of Gaia are just… a single branch of bullshit. Admiral Harkon, that fuck is at the top of the insane pyiramid… and I don’t know how much the Terran government hasn’t already been fucked up because of him… And they have access to this… even more insane shit in my head… they know shit… and planning for it…” Simone stammers, feeling dread wash over.

“Perhaps, but if we ask for aid from anyone else, we may risk my father jump-starting his plan early. Most others who are even remotely accepting of an alliance are closely tied to Central. And if Central catches wind of what's coming… they will hammer down on the Cali territories with little mercy if Central itself is at stake. My people may no longer exist to any significant degree if that were to come. At best, our government will be stripped and we will have to resort to who knows what to recover as a people… I can’t allow that. I have to save them. Terrans are our best option, considering your people’s history of rising to the stars.” Chak says, looking up at the redhead for understanding.

Simone bites her cheek, thinking on how to feel.

“You know my people’s past… how we utterly destroyed our own planet, making it unlivable. We did that. And honestly, we are slowly dying despite leaving as a consequence. Central Galactic came and evacuated Earth in our time of need… because we couldn’t do it ourselves. We only had a few fucking colonies at the time.”

Chak nods.

“The Terran-Deliverence Deal. Yes, I’m aware. The Terrans were placed in the largest recorded financial debt in thousands of years. But Central did eventually pardon half of it.” she adds.

“Yeah… but we had to pay the rest off by being Central’s war-toys. For hundreds of years we were the big scary army Central would send. By the time we were cut free… we had a hell of a navy. Plus all those trade deals and shit… but… damage was done… We were feared… hated… and made a lot of fuck’n enemies. After we weren’t backed by big daddy Central anymore… we solely inherited the wars… because… we were the face of it all. Sure we bounded back financially, economically, and militarily… but we are essentially alone now. Makes sense as to why Gaia-shits exist. Because we are still tearing ourselves apart when left to our own devices. Right now… it’s hard to put faith on us doing the right thing. We fucked ourselves, then the Galaxy fucked us…” Simone rants bitterly.

Chak takes hold of the back of Simone’s paw.

“I can’t promise it. But maybe… This all could be a step forward for both our peoples. If we can get the Terran Union on our side, the Terrans might not have to be so lonely anymore. We have to stop my father, and we have to root out this Harkon. It sounds impossible, but together we have accomplished great things and we’ve been through so much already. We are already facing the universe, I believe.. I believe it’s time we take a stand, and we fight back. Because the impossible… isn’t looking so impossible anymore.”