Gabriel returned from the shower feeling reborn. He had chosen his clothes purchased on US 535 deciding to leave his Earth clothes for a special occasion. At least for now, maybe he would find a none too special occasion to wear them. He stepped out into the hallway and saw Madeline waiting close by in a nearby seating area. She was talking on her pcu but ended the call as Gabriel approached.

“Leave it to my mother to get a priority call through Roniean FTL gates,” Madeline said and grabbed Gabriel’s hand. “Ready to go?”

“I suppose, but I still don't know what the meeting is about,” He said as he was pulled along.

“Your time in the…” She said and struggled for words, “this place,” She finished.

“The Gladiatorial arena?” Gabriel suggested.

“Arena would have sufficed,” Madeline said. “It’s about that, and a bit about what we have planned next,” She said as they arrived at a large room. Madeline knocked on the door and it slid open revealing Madeline's father behind a desk, Sen’Chakar and Deana in chairs in front of it. Two more seats stood empty.

“Mr. Walker, welcome, I am Derthen Nioni,” Madeline’s father said and gestured to the empty chairs. “Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you sir,” Gabriel said automatically, just by the authority in his tone.

“Please call me Derthen,” He said as his fur ridge rose slightly.

“In that case, please call me Gabriel,” Gabriel said as he and Madeline sat down.

“Well then, Gabriel. I have talked with Sen’Chakar and Deana about your time here in the arena, I would like you to tell your point of view.” Derthen said.

“Sure,” Gabriel said and launched into an explanation of all the events that occurred since he woke up in the arena on the first night. It didn’t take too long at most of the time was just spent hanging around the cell.

“I see, thank you,” Derthen said. “After you escaped I was told that many of, let’s call them visitors, were arrested. Of course, it will take a few days to process and get any useful information.”

“That’s something, was the boss captured? fancy clothes, bright purple crest?” Gabriel asked.

“I don’t know,” He said. “But Deana's description of the boss has been sent along to the Roniean government. Now, with the information you gathered at the black market, we have spent the last two weeks working with the Ronieans to try and find this syndicate.” He brought up a holo-screen that showed a picture of a Roniean male with a large scar on his left cheek and a torn crest.

“He matched the description that...what was the merchant’s name?” Gabriel asked Madeline.

“Traki,” Madeline said.

“Yes, we believe this is the one that bought your sister,” Derthen said. “We know he is on Roniean II, but there is not enough evidence to act. He is however under surveillance so I hope more information will be available soon.”

“So what comes next?” Gabriel asked.

Derthen flexed his fur ridge in a yes motion. Then he turned to Deana and Sen. “We will travel to Mhinos where we will make sure you two get help according to your wishes, we can sponsor rides back to your homes if you want. Now I would like to talk in private with Gabriel and my daughter.”

“Of course,” Sen said. He nodded to Gabriel and Madeline and walked out.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Deana said and followed Sen out after patting Gabriel on his shoulder.

Derthen waited until the door closed before speaking up again. “Now, as I said, we will travel to Mhinos—”

“Why are we not going straight to Roniean II?” Gabriel interrupted.

“I’m getting to that, please be patient,” Derthen said calmly.

“Sorry,” Gabriel said.

“Thank you. We are going to Mhinos because we don’t have the authority to act on Roniean II in any large capacity. It was only because Cani planted a tracking beacon on the black market that we had enough evidence to get this mission underway.”

“Cani did what?”

“Planted a tracking beacon on the black market ship. It was seized by the Roniean government and with that, they allowed us to launch this operation.” Derthen said and waved a hand around. “While we can’t operate in Roniean territories, we are visiting an organization in the Union who can. And using the Union FTL gates will likely be faster in any case as we can book the entire trip in one go. Here in Roniean space, we would likely have to wait for open slots.”

“I see,” Gabriel said. “And who are we visiting on Mhinos? Wherever that is.”

“Mhinos is the closest planet to Roniean II in Union space with a headquarter containing a Justicar department,” Derthen said.

“And Justicar’s are?” Gabriel asked.

“Spys, investigators, usually sent to apprehend or eliminate dangerous criminals. Usually against those who have a habit of evading arrest. And I’m told elimination is the last resort.” Derthen said. “But they are allowed to act in Roniean and Union space and I believe they are our best option to legally investigate this Roniean.” Derthen said and gestured to the holo-screen. “We don’t even know his name at this point. But if this succeeds we will have access to what the Roniean’s know.”

“Any reason we don’t have that information now?”

Derthen nodded, “Politics, Roniean and the Union are allies and have trading agreements but it ends there. Law and civil services are separate and as we are in the Union getting information based on rumors or illegal tracking beacons are difficult. I had to use contacts to get this picture and we still cannot be sure it’s the right one, though my contact seems to think his travels matched up with the dates I’ve given.”

“I see, thank you,” Gabriel said and leaned back crossing his arms thinking. “It does sound like a good plan,” Gabriel said after a while and he nodded to himself. “I will follow whatever Madeline says.”

Derthen’s fur ridge rose and he chirped, a deeper sound with more laughter than Madeline’s chirping. “Very well, Mhadeleaine, what do you say?” He asked.

“No complaints here,” Madeline said, smiling at Gabriel.

“Good, we will lift off soon and travel towards the FTL gate. We have a slot tomorrow morning. Until then, I suggest rest.” Derthen said and stood. As the meeting was clearly over Madeline latched onto Gabriel's arm as they left.

“Before we head back to the room, I have something to show you,” Madeline said and led him past the bedroom.

“Uh, sure,” Gabriel said, feeling somewhat disappointed. He’d rather spend time alone with Madeline at the moment. She led him through the civilian part into the crew section and over to an armory. Several armors stood against the walls, the vast majority shaped for Zilgi but a few were for the other races.

Madeline pointed to a suit at the end, it looked like Roniean armor but the helmet would not allow for a crest and it looked heavier. “That one is yours,” Madeline said.

“Huh? Mine?” Gabriel asked.

“Yep, we had one made, go look it over,” Madeline said chirping.

Gabriel walked over to the armor, “Cool,” He said excited as he looked it over. “This is awesome,” He said grinning.

“We made it a bit thicker and heavier so it would match Earth’s gravity,” Madeline said. “It should be correct but you need to test it out to make sure it feels right.” Gabriel pulled the helmet off and inspected it closely. There were two optics to look through, they looked high tech with parts Gabriel could only guess at. Zoom and night-vision he hoped. The inside had a mask of sorts that fitted around his mouth and nose. There were speakers for his ears and otherwise soft padding.

“This is so cool,” Gabriel said.

“I agree,” Madeline said chirping, “But I swear you are more excited by the armor than you were seeing me,” She said smiling. Gabriel grinned at her. Then he put the helmet back in its place and walked over. He leaned in close and spoke in her ear.

“How about we go back to our room and I’ll show you just how much I’ve missed you.” He leaned back and could almost swear he saw her pupils dilate. She smiled and bit her lip. After a heartbeat or two, she grabbed him by the hand and began pulling him back the way they came. About halfway there, after they just about reached the civilian portion they ran into Morthri.

“Ah, Gabriel, I have talked with—” Morthri began.

“Great, can we take it tomorrow, thanks,” Gabriel said as he was pulled past.

“Of course,” Morthri managed to get in before Gabriel and Madeline were out of talking distance. Madeline opened the door to their bedroom and walked in. She released Gabriel and pulled down the zipper on her bodysuit as she approached the bed. Gabriel quickly shut the door.

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“So...” Madeline said as she turned around and pulled the bodysuit off. She just wore underwear underneath. Panties made for aliens with tails and a bra that was very similar to a sports bra with thin straps. Gabriel noticed that her left hand had two fingers in black instead of their normal light-brown with fur. He walked over and grabbed her hand. “Oh, this,” she said and wagged her two artificial fingers. “We have two being grown, I’ll get them in a week or two.”

“This was from the market right, and you can grow new ones?” Gabriel asked. He noticed several thin lines on her naked stomach and a few places on her left leg and arm where her fur was uneven.

“Mhm,” She said and squeezed his hand. “Growing new fingers takes a week or two." She moved her fingers around and grinned "...They are kinda cool right?”

Gabriel couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, they are cool,” He said and kissed her hand.

“We can compare scars later,” Madeline said as she ran a hand over the bandage on his arm. “For now, how about you show me more human kissing?” She asked playfully and wagged her finger at him. “And not just on my cheek this time.”

“What a great idea,” Gabriel said as he threw both his arms around her. She just had time to giggle before he kissed her. Maybe it was Zilgi physiology but Madeline was not a very good kisser, her lips seemed too stiff. But when Gabriel introduced tongue he found himself outmatched. They both pulled away breathing heavily.

“So that’s how humans do it,” Madeline said as she licked her lips.

“What are you used to?” Gabriel asked and kissed her neck.

“Ronieans uses less tongue,” she said and ran her hands down his back until she could grab his shirt. “And I’ve never kissed a Kirini,” she said as she pulled his shirt over his head.

“A what?” Gabriel asked as he fumbled with his belt.

Madeline stopped, smacked her forehead, and chirped, “I’ve completely forgotten to tell you, there are two more races you haven't met. Or seen for that matter,” She laughed and walked over to the bed. “Somehow we started with Station standard instead, even while we have translators.” She reached the bed and sat down,

“It can wait,” Gabriel said and followed her. He dropped his pants as Madeline laid back on the bed. She reached up and pulled the bra over her head, throwing it over Gabriel’s shoulder.

“Mhm,” She said as Gabriel kissed her neck and began working his way down to her breasts. “We have put this off for long enough,” she said and hooked her legs around Gabriel’s butt, pulling him closer.

“Not to kill the mood, but are we sure this will work. That we will, fit together, for the lack of a better word,” Gabriel said and stopped kissing her body for a moment.

“Fit together are two words, and I have seen you naked,” Madeline said with a raised eyebrow. “I know what fits me.”

“I’m sure you do, but I’m a grower,” Gabriel said.

“A what?” she asked. Gabriel took her hand and pulled her to a seating position before guiding her hand down his underwear. “Oh,” She said as she squeezed and stroked his manhood. “That’s bigger,” she said, but she didn’t look alarmed at least.

“Yeah,” Gabriel said. “Will it be a problem?” He asked as he began pulling at her panties. She unhooked her legs from his back so he could pull them off her hips, then she kicked them across the room.

She felt around in his underwear a bit more which Gabriel didn’t mind in the slightest. “No,” she said. “But let’s go slow, it’s been a while.” She laid back and then surprised him by bringing both knees up to her chest and hooking her large claws in his waistband. She pulled and his underwear followed along, his manhood bouncing free. “Now come here,” she demanded and reached for him.

“Yes, ma'am,” Gabriel said as he kissed her again. His hand trailing down her smooth stomach, briefly stroking her inner thigh before venturing toward the center and meeting a slick entrance.

“I’ve had enough foreplay,” she said.

“You had plenty of time to fondle me,” Gabriel teased and slipped a finger into her. She let out a low sharp moan and grinned at him.

“Alright, fine, take your time,” She said with fake annoyance as she grabbed for his groin at the same time.

“Why, thank you,” Gabriel chuckled and kissed her neck. She chirped back and nibbled at his ear.

He moved his finger around and explored her. She felt as warm and wet as any human, and he added a mental note to learn Zilgi biology. Maybe there were more differences he didn’t know about. Not that he felt that was the top of his current agenda. He slowly added another finger and got a moan as a result, then he groaned himself as she worked his shaft. She was quite good at it. Or maybe it was because it had been quite some time since he’d been touched but he went with the first option.

“Gabriel...” Madeline moaned eventually, “I believe I’m thoroughly warmed up… To use the word you are so fond of, please fuck me,” She grinned.

Gabriel laughed, “Gladly,” he chuckled and crawled up onto the bed and pulled her hips into position. He rubbed his manhood against her slick entrance and slowly pushed inside. She still felt tight but he made progress. Not fast enough for Madeline however and she once again put a leg around him and pulled. He followed her lead and pushed inside. She groaned but didn’t let up so neither did he until their hips were pressed together.

“Give me a minute,” She breathed and gyrated her hips, clenching as she was getting used to him.

“Take all the time you need,” Gabriel said. He kissed her and played with her small but very pleasantly shaped breasts. She wrapped her arms around him and gently raked her claws over his back.

“Mhm, I’m going to need a back scratch later,” Gabriel moaned and ran his fingers through her fur ridge, pulling to get her face inline with his.

Madeline chirped and kissed him, “I’m sure we can work something out.” She shifted her hips, lifting them slightly and clenched her sex around his. Then she placed a hand on her lower stomach and grinned. “Alright start moving,” She said and Gabriel felt her relax.

Gabriel grabbed a pillow and placed it under her hips, “Better?” He asked as he gently pulled almost out before thrusting back slowly.

“Yeah, that’s good.” She bit her lip and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down into a hug.

Gabriel let Madeline decide the speed and with her directions they were quickly up to a steady pace. They moved together, kissing and nibbling at whatever was in reach for several minutes.

“Alright, my turn on top,” she said and pushed him off her. She climbed on top of him and inserted him again with a shared moan. “Alright I’m used to your size now, hold on,” she grinned and almost pulled out before smacking her hips down and keeping up the pace. It was not long before both she and Gabriel were nearing orgasm.

“I’m...almost,” Gabriel groaned as Madeline arched her back and let out shaking moans, her sex clenching around his manhood as her orgasm hit. But she still moved against him as best she could with shaking legs, not slowing at all and soon Gabriel erupted as well. He grabbed her hips and pushed as deep as he could as Madeline grabbed him in a close hug.

They laid for what felt like several minutes, still connected, sweaty, and panting. “That was long overdue,” Madeline finally chirped.

“Agreed,” Gabriel chuckled. “How about a shower?”

“Sounds perfect, you might have to carry me there though, my legs feel weak,” She chirped and kissed him.

After a shower and dressed to the very minimum, they lay snuggling under the covers. Madeline looked up at the ceiling, her eyes squinted appearing to be deep in thought.

“How are you feeling?” Gabriel asked.

“A little sore, but that just means we need more practice,” she smiled.

“I mean you looked lost in thought,” Gabriel said. “You alright?”

“Oh, that. Yeah, I had planned to tell you so much before we came here, but now I feel there is no need.” She said as she snuggled closer. “I just want to say I love you.”

“I love you too,” Gabriel said. He almost couldn't believe he had waited this long to say it. And everything else he had planned to say seemed to vanish from his mind. He ran his fingers over the thin scars on her left side. “I’m sorry for—” he began.

“Gabriel,” Madeline said in a tone that made clear that he should stop speaking.

“Yes, my love?” Gabriel said out of reflex. Madeline just barely choked back laughter and tried scowling at him.

“You are not going to apologize for anything.” She started after getting herself under control. “I have told you before that I choose to follow you around. The only thing I am a little mad about is you leaving me on the black market, though I understand and agree with that decision.” She said. “Apology accepted.”

“And you’re not mad this took so long?” Gabriel said gesturing to the bed and them in general.

“No, finding your sister is still our top priority, I could have waited, but I’m glad we didn’t.” She smiled. “Besides, if I had asked you for sex after we began sleeping together, would you have denied me?”

“No, probably not...maybe on day one,” Gabriel said.

“You see,” She said grinning. “We can make up for it and focus on us, we have a long trip ahead of us until we reach Mhinos...Gabriel, you have a strange expression,” she said.

“I‘m just falling in love with you more and more as you speak,” Gabriel said and kissed her. “But to change the subject, you said there were two races I didn’t know?”

“Really? you’re going to change the subject after that?” She sighed. “Alright, yeah, both races are from the other side of the Union and while one has been in space for a long time, they don’t like to travel far. That’s the Arkron. The Kirini are relatively new to space, and by that I mean they have had public FTL access for a handful of generations. I believe they are quite few in number as well.”

“What do they look like?”

Madeline took a moment to gather her thoughts, “The Arkron are quite small, not as small as Azik, but a head shorter than most, normal might be just about chest height on you. They have smooth skin in light blue colors. Smooth faces with no nose, just vertical slits like Igris, though with no chitin. Large eyes and thin ears. Otherwise shaped sort of like you but thinner, or a Phigos I suppose. I think they have more fingers and very dexterous hands as well.” she said.

“Huh, you know we have stories on Earth about similar aliens. They don’t happen to have large heads and narrow chins?”

“Not very,” Madeline said. “I suppose their heads seem a little large.”

“And Kirini?”

“Before meeting you I would say they looked sort of like Zilgi,” Madeline said. “They have similar features to us, thin nose like yours,” she said as she tapped him on the nose, “But thinner lips like mine,” she said. “No fur but they have claws,” she gestured to her hands. “And they walk on their toes as I do, but they don’t have...what did you call them, raptor claws?” She said and wiggled the two large claws on her big toes.

“I did, and I can’t believe you remember that,” Gabriel said.

“I have a very good memory,” she said proudly. “Where was I, oh right, Kirini have yellow or light orange skin and they have hair,” she said and ran her fingers through Gabriel’s growing mop of hair. He felt like he should get it cut.

“I’m pretty sure you called it fur when we first met right?”

“Yeah, but I called Kirini’s hair fur as well,” she said and frowned. “I don’t know if it’s like Quizeaterans long fur strands or closer to yours. I think more like yours but my lessons on Kirini are old.”

“We can ask if we meet one,” Gabriel said.

“We likely will, Mhinos have many times the population of US 535, and many more compared to US 421 for that matter,” she said. “Do you have a general idea of what they look like now?”

“Yeah, I think so,”

“Good because they also have two tentacles on their heads.”

“They have what now?” Gabriel said surprised as Madeline chirped.

“Above their eyes,” she said and sat up. She ran two fingers over his eyebrows. “They have ridges that start at the hairline and move back to the back of his head.,” she continued as her hands traveled over his head and she leaned closed. “And on the back of their heads they have two tentacles that reach their shoulder blades,” she finished as her hands rested on his back and her chest pressed against his.

“Did you just use that as an excuse to snuggle up to me?” Gabriel asked and wrapped his arms around her.

“Yep, and it worked,” She said and kissed him. “All true though, now don’t go anywhere,” she said and rolled off him. She left the bed to rummage in her bodysuit for her pcu. After finding it, she climbed back into bed and set an alarm.

“Can’t we sleep in tomorrow?” Gabriel complained.

“We can, or we can have sex again before breakfast,” she said.

“... Set the alarm.”