“Come here little mouse,” Clara said sweetly, looking around her apartment. She slowly walked through it, her tail swishing happily behind her as she indulged her predatory instincts. As she stalked through her personal quarters she slowly peered under a couch, behind a shelf…

Jim was actually hiding behind one of her metal plated boots, casually laying near the door. The translation on “cat and mouse” had been somewhat iffy. Although Clara didn’t like being called a cat, by him anyway, there was apparently something very similar to a mouse on Glalan Prime which was about human size and was eaten for food. Regardless, Clara had been feeling amorous, and had started stalking him through their common area when he’d gone to the replicator for some new clothes.

He looked up at the enormous doorway leading back out and wondered if there was a way to win this game. All of the massive doors in their personal quarters would open at his command of course, but if he spoke up Clara would be on him before he reached the threshold.

He wasn’t really sure how much he wanted to “win” either. Clara’s perky bottom was sticking up in the air as she checked under the bed for him, and he felt himself growing hard just looking at it. Whatever she had planned would almost certainly be degrading, and he’d definitely need a shower after… but he was also pretty sure he’d enjoy himself. Something about being the giant catgirl’s toy always got to him. He briefly considered just coming out of hiding but… Clara tended to want a chase.

“To hell with it,” he muttered, glancing up at the chamber door. “OPEN!” he shouted.

There was a hiss as the portal shot open. Clara’s ears twitched up, and she turned around with a sadistic grin on her face. As he ran for the door it was almost like the world was in slow motion. He ran as fast as he could, but even as he looked down he could see her long fingers coming around him. She leapt at him, gracefully extending one hand. He tripped over her pinky as she began to close her grip on him, but he was caught by her other fingers, her thumb coming to rest behind his head.

“Gotcha!” She shouted triumphantly.

He squirmed in her grip, gritting his teeth as she stood back up and brought him to her face. The catlike ears flicked, causing her pink hair to dance briefly as she regarded him with a smug expression. She walked slowly to her bed, swaying her hips slightly in time to her tail’s movements.

“Okay yeah, I’m caught,” he laughed, “if you wanted to play Clara, you could have just asked.”

“You never run when I ask though,” she said, placing him on a high shelf by her bed.

Satisfied that he was trapped, she reached behind her back and undid a series of buttons, tossing the plain brown tunic to the floor. Flicking a claw out from the tip of her finger she sliced through the line of fabric holding a plain bra in place, letting it fall to the floor too. A moment later she cut through the small line of her thong style panties, revealing the pink pubic hair matching her head.

She laughed seeing his expression, “I’ve gotten in the habit of just incinerating my old clothes and replicating up new ones,” she explained.

“Seems wasteful,” he said, taking in her titanic nude form.

She shrugged, “Maybe, now hold still-“

“Wait!” he called, quickly stepping out of his shoes, “These are clothes I brought from earth!”

She rolled her eyes, “Fine! Strip, and make it quick!”

He followed her instructions, and she leered at him hungrily as he stepped away from his pooled clothes. The claw retracted and her hand shot out for him again. He grunted as his now naked form was pulled towards her.

“Oh my,” she giggled, “what’s that poking my hand?”

Her hand lowered and hovered maybe ten feet over her bed. She released him, letting him fall to the soft surface with a brief shout of surprise. He was about to sit up when her giant foot slammed down on him, pinning him against her covers.

“That’s right,” Clara said, reaching down to play with herself as her foot pressed down, “accept your place human!”

“Don’t crush me, please!” he moaned. She’d started slowly moving her foot against his body, her toes occasionally playfully gripping his head.

“Perhaps I could spare a weak human like you,” Clara said teasingly, “if you agree to be my slave!”

“I’m yours!” he growled, writhing against her foot and gripping her big toe as pleasure radiated over his body.

“That is so satisfying to hear from a male,” Clara purred, “My very own slave-boy, captured from my many conquests across the stars…”

Jim fought down a snort, he’d definitely be teasing her about that later, but she was enjoying herself and he didn’t want to ruin her fun, or his.

Her foot lifted off him and she glanced down at him with a smile. Gently she touched herself, her fingers crawling through her pubic hair as she thought of exactly what to do with him.

Her hand came down again, lifting him up to her face. Her tongue came out, licking his entire body roughly. He shivered as he was covered in her spit, she grinned and the tongue began to explore him again. He fought against it futilely, trying to push it away, but that just encouraged her.

“You sure taste good human,” Clara teased, “you’d make a fine snack…” she pulled him away and grinned, “Maybe you’d make a better meal than slave?”

“Put me down there!” he shouted, struggling not to grin, “I’ll prove my worth!”

She sighed, “Oh what a pathetic little human, I guess you deserve a chance.”

She brought him lower, and her free hand separated her lips revealing the pink wetness. The warm musky smell radiated out, driving him wild. Before he could say anything, the world blurred as he was forced forward. Everything went dark as he felt Clara’s opening envelop him.

Wet and muscular flesh squeezed him from all sides as he was forced back and forth. Clara’s heartbeat was picking up, but it was rapidly being drowned out by her moans. He felt a sense of vertigo as Clara flopped onto her bed, continuing to force him in with one hand while playing with her clitoris with the other.

He felt the wet slickness rubbing against his body, continuing where Clara had started earlier. He gritted his teeth and forced himself further into her. The air grew thicker, and the strong smell of Clara’s juices filled his nose and lungs. He coughed as fluid filled his lungs, but kept going, moving himself in a way he knew would drive her mad.

“Yes!” Clara groaned, “OH! You’re the BEST slave EVER!”

He felt her walls convulse, and then squeeze him from all sides in a way that pushed the air from his lungs. His eyes went wide as he felt joints popping from the pressure, and the warm wetness around his own groin exploded as he felt his own orgasm race up his body.

The massive womanhood loosened it’s grip on him, and he had just enough space to breath for a few minutes as Clara dripped around him. He let himself go limp, relaxing and letting the giant catgirl’s most intimate areas cradle him.

“It’s always so great,” Clara muttered, tracing a finger around her opening. “Just stay in there for a few minutes, okay?”

Shifting himself inside her, he wasn’t sure if he had a choice. The slick flesh and the muscle that moved it seemed to only draw things… inward. Still, it wasn’t exactly an uncomfortable place to be trapped.

…

Elara frowned, listening to the cries of pleasure from Clara’s quarters. She focused back on the book she was reading, a gigantic print copy of one of the few human novels she approved of, scaled up and produced for her by the Aelmari replicator. She’d greatly enjoyed turning the pages of a real book, the Aelmari replicators were truly a miracle. While she was no longer subject to her old employer’s dress code, she’d still created the earth businesswear they’d required out of habit. Glancing down at the pantsuit and high heels she wondered if she should adopt a less formal fashion.

There was a final moan from the other room, interrupting her thoughts.

“Disgusting,” she muttered. Surely the Aelmari could soundproof these rooms? That they hadn’t just confirmed to her that the two blue elves enjoyed listening in.

After a few minutes Clara emerged, carrying Jim in one hand. Both of them were wearing clothes that Elara could tell were recently replicated, Clara in her simple Glalan streetwear and Jim in a plain set of earth jeans and a shirt. The cat had beads of sweat on her face still, and the human positively glistened in the light.

“Enjoy yourselves?” She asked in a disapproving tone. She’d hoped to embarrass them, but while the human blushed slightly the Glalan just grinned and threw herself on the couch next to her.

“Oh yeah,” Clara said, “a little fun with Jim always makes me feel more relaxed.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Elara said, forcing herself back to her book.

“Didn’t your people collect humans?” Jim asked, fighting down a bit of embarrassment, “I mean… given how rare males are out in the galaxy, surely some of you must have-“

“It’s forbidden!” she snapped. “It could lower a human’s collector’s value if they are exposed to alien sexualities, or stars forbid, they are injured!”

“You’re missing out then,” Clara laughed, “I guess your masters probably provide you with some males as a reward though, right?”

Elara sighed, “No, we’re all clones. We have some slight variation depending on our purpose, but we are all female, and relationships of THAT kind are also not permitted within our ranks.”

“Wow,” Clara breathed, “It’s no wonder you’re evil!”

Elara blinked, then snarled, “Excuse me? I merely collected humans for display! Your species tried to blow up an extremely valuable planet!”

“Uh, ladies?” Jim said from Clara’s palm, “I think we should let bygones be-“

“And you!” Elara snapped, pointing at Jim, “Your species is DEFINITELY evil!”

“Wait, what!?” Jim asked, “You’re joking!”

“Oh no,” Elara said, snapping her book shut, “they made me become an EXPERT on humans, and you are most certainly an evil species!”

“I saved your life!” Jim exclaimed.

“Yes,” Elara said, “Because you wanted me to save that Glalan, and you mocked me and let me suffer because you thought it was funny!”

“It was funny,” Clara said, “You acted all superior to all of us, then you had to beg Jim to save you!” the Glalan laughed, “I wish I’d have been there!”

“If you’d have been there, he would have let me die,” Elara said bitterly.

 “No,” Jim said with a sigh, “I’d have still cut that thing off your neck.”

“Liar!” Elara said, her voice growing heated, “You’re full of greed and spite, just like all humans!”

“Can’t you just read his mind?” Clara asked, “Jim said your species has psychic powers?”

“I’m surprised your species has any knowledge of the concept,” Elara said, regarding the giant catgirl opposite her, “you’re not nearly as active on that spectrum as humanity…”

Clara crossed her arms, “Well, whatever, I’ll just kick ass in the regular three dimensions, thank you very much.” She glared at Elara a moment, “Seriously though, can you read minds?”

Elara sighed, “I am not particularly skilled, I can sense a bit of a person’s intent towards me if they are close by. I can only read minds if someone wants to allow me.”

“Wait,” Jim asked, confused, “You have psychic powers and you… don’t use them?”

“I don’t know human,” Elara replied, “You could be a great weightlifter, or perhaps a martial arts champion, why aren’t you?”

“They’d take a lot of time I guess,” he replied.

“There you go,” Elara said, “I COULD spend years of my life learning to shoot a bolt of energy with my mind, or I could load a handgun in five seconds. Psychic powers are mostly useful to me for communication.” She sighed, “Or were… I’m cut off from every psychic network now.”

“Whatever,” Clara said dismissively, “Just read Jim’s mind.”

“I’m game I guess,” Jim said hesitantly, “If it will… help you feel secure here.”

“Fine,” Elara muttered. “Give him to me.”

Clara shot a glance at Jim, but he just sighed, “It’s fine,” he said, “She can… hold me.”

“Try to relax,” Elara said, letting Jim hop into her palm. Slowly, deliberately, she closed her fingers around him. Her thumb came up under his chin, forcing him to make eye contact with her.

“Okay,” he muttered, “What do we-“

Elara’s brown eyes flashed purple suddenly and she grinned. He gasped as he felt a strange sensation, like a sleeping foot had been touched. Next it was almost like there was a finger rooting around in the interior of his skull.

“What an interesting place your mind is,” Elara said, and he realized her mouth wasn’t moving, she was speaking directly in his mind. He’d used his battlesuit’s neuronet before, but this was different, closer somehow.

“You were scared of the Easter Bunny at the mall?” Elara laughed.

“Focus on what you’re here for!” he thought back, and with some difficulty he managed to direct the worm in his skull towards his thoughts of Elara.

The giant silver haired woman frowned as she read over his memories. She gritted her teeth in frustration when she found his intent.

“What!?” Clara asked, looking back and forth between them, “What are you guys saying!?”

“He’s… telling the truth,” Elara muttered, “He really was going to save me.” She probed a bit further and blinked, “He finds me… attractive?”

“Well duh,” Clara said, “You’re not ugly! Come on! Let him loose!”

“Elara,” Jim rasped as the alien explored his mind, “Can you please-“

“Right,” she muttered, breaking the psychic connection, “I’m… sorry, I didn’t mean to delve that deep.”

“Forget about it,” Jim said, shaking his head, “I saw a few things too.”

“WHAT!?” Elara gasped, almost losing her grip on him as she scrambled against the back of the couch.

He tumbled to the giant couch and bounced on the cushion. He was trying to stop himself from laughing, Elara had apparently wanted to pleasure herself with a human for a LONG time. From her reaction it was something she was deeply ashamed of.

“You want to play with Jim don’t you!” Clara said with a smile. She’d guessed pretty close, so he didn’t contradict her. “You can you know; he loves normal sized females toying with him.”

“I…” Elara gulped, “It’s strictly forbidden!”

Clara glanced at Jim, “Could we… show her some things?” she asked with a smile.

He couldn’t’ say no to her when she was like this, “I guess,” he said, returning the grin.

“What things!?” Elara asked, eyes wide.

…

Jim struggled against the bonds holding him against the twenty-foot vibrator. Clara had replicated up a huge phallic device, complete with shackles that would hold him in place. The device itself was set upright on Elara’s desk, she had created herself a gleaming art-deco room with angular brass wall décor, and Clara’s gleaming black and gold house sized vibrator seemed constructed deliberately to compliment it.

“He certainly is… appealing,” Elara said, staring at the naked human strapped to the sex toy.

“Exactly!” Clara said. “You doing okay Jim?”

“What the hell is this thing, Clara?” He demanded, struggling against the bonds again.

“I’ve been working on it in the replicator for some time now,” She replied, “I was saving it for a special occasion.”

“Is he… comfortable?” Elara asked.

Clara laughed, “Jim LOVES this kind of thing.” With a twirl she pushed Elara onto the bed with one hand, giggling as the alien fell.

“Now,” Clara said, extending her claws, “Let’s get you out of those clothes!”

“Wait, No-“ Elara protested, but a few quick slashes had reduced her carefully tailored pantsuit to ribbons.

“Come on,” Cara teased, “You’ve got to get naked if you want this to happen.”

Elara gulped, then glanced at Jim. With a nervous smile she began to slide her underwear down. Hesitantly she reached behind her back and unhooked her earth-style bra, tossing it to the floor.

“That’s it!” Clara said excitedly.

She grabbed the giant vibrator Jim was shackled to, kneeling over Elara’s naked form. Jim took it in too, their former enemy was beautiful. She had enormous breasts, capped with dark brown areolas, she lacked even a single hair below her head, her skin smooth and soft.

“Hold this!” Clara said, handing Elara the sex toy. Jim was forced face to face with the confused giantess as she obeyed. He stared into her eyes as he dangled from Clara’s contraption.

“Do you want me to u-use this?” Elara gulped, “With Jim there-“

“Wait,” Clara said, “I’ve got to warm you up first.”

“Wha-“ Elara began, but Clara’s face dived between her legs, and a second later she was moaning and going cross eyed to the tun of Clara’s tongue.

Elara flailed a moment, then held Jim in front of her, eyes seeming to panic. It occurred to Jim that this might be her first orgasm, he thought of yelling something to Clara, but the catgirl seemed very involved in her work.

Clara’s face came up beaming, her face glistening with Elara’s juices, “Okay, put him in now!”

Elara gave Jim one last glance, he tried to give her a reassuring smile but he wasn’t sure if she saw it. His world spun as the giant vibrator he was shackled to was leveled with Elara’s open and pulsing lips. He took a deep breath as the familiar wetness washed over him.

Being strapped to a toy like this made it a bit harder to breathe, but luckily Elara had a much softer smell and taste than Clara did. Still as he was slid against her quivering walls over and over he found himself having to breathe during the brief moments he was outside of her. Every time he was pulled out, he saw Clara’s grinning face, smiling down at him.

“Come on Elara!” She shouted. Suddenly Clara’s finger darted out, catching the toy as it came out, she flicked a small switch and Jim felt vibrations rock his body.

“BY THE STARS!” Elara shouted.

“Don’t stop now!” Clara said, forcing the toy, and Jim back inside her.

Elara panted and her eyes flashed violet. Clara looked around in a sudden panic as various fixtures of the room, books, a lantern, and Elara’s high heels, began to float in the air.

“Uhh…” Clara muttered, “Okay, maybe that’s enough-“

Clara was suddenly thrown against the far wall, and she gasped as she felt her own nerves light up. She could feel the toy, and Jim, inside Elara as though it were her. She screeched and gripped the angular brass décor on the wall behind her as waves of orgasmic bliss flowed over her.

Jim felt it too, and as he was held inside Elara’s womanhood, he felt his hips bucking as he came. The energy was intense, and in his mind’s eye he could distinctly feel and see both Elara and Clara, for a brief moment it was as though he were looking down at all three of them, and then the earthquake around him ceased.

Slowly Elara pulled the toy out of her, gently flicking the vibration setting with a sigh. She dangled it upside down, and Jim with it, above her chest. She blinked a few times as the purple glow in her eyes faded, she looked at the panting Clara who had slowly slid down the wall.

“I didn’t now that would happen,” Elara said weakly. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Clara muttered with a dreamy smile.

…

Isstvell and Lyrei had been attending a function with other Aelmari and human tourist industry representatives. The general focus of the meeting, held in person for the benefit of the human guests, was the terraforming of Mars. While humans had been given anything they desired by the Aelmari, it had been discovered that a great amount of human creative energy was motivated by profit. Accommodating this desire, the Aelmari had begun the development of the Red planet as a resort destination for humans, Aelmari, and other species, all expenses paid in standard galactic credits.

“So these Glalans,” one human began, the plastic mouse lapel pin shining brightly under the worldship lights, “They haven’t been exposed to ANY of our IP, we’re thinking we release our classic collection there, and then build a theme park in their size in the shadow of Olympus Mons!”

“The Mouse might lure them in,” another human said with a grin, “but our market research says those cats LOVE medieval stuff, so we’re launching RenFest, MARS! It’ll have genetically engineered giant turkey legs, jousting-“

“Glalans tend to get rather excitable at the prospect of melee combat,” Isstvell said with a smile, “Do you have a plan to keep order?”

The human looked at them uncomfortably, “I mean… I figured some Aelmari might maybe man the door-“

“Oh, Clara is going to love everything about this,” Lyrei said with a laugh. “I suppose I could be of help, I’m very good at dealing with them-“

UNKNOWN ENERGY DETECTED

 Lyrei and Isstvell froze, the alert was located directly in their quarters. Without another word to the human investors or the other gathered Aelmari they ran for the door

…

The door to Elara’s quarter’s exploded inward as Isstvell and Lyrei walked in, eyes flashing with electricity and a plasma projectile in each hand. The two Aelmari took in Clara, slumped against the wall, and Elara, laying exhausted on the bed.

“Clara!” Lyrei shouted, “What did she do!?”

“What didn’t she do?” Clara muttered sleepily.

“Hi guys,” Jim said, seated naked on the end table, “Everything’s fine, Elara just…” he glanced at the sleeping giantess, “She cut loose a bit.” He glanced at the giant vibrator behind him, still wet and shining. He was suddenly very happy Elara had had the presence of mind to unhook him from it before collapsing.

Isstvell and Lyrei glanced around the room again, then relaxed. The crackling energy around their eyes dissipated, as did the balls of plasma in their hands.

Lyrei went to Elara’s side, “Her vitals look okay,” she said, running a hand over the sleeping alien. A blue light leapt out of Lyrei’s hand, scanning every part of her.

Gently Isstvell picked up Jim and held a free hand over him, a similar blue light emanated from her palm as she checked Jim. Satisfied that Elara was okay, Lyrei moved over to Clara, who was starting to stand back up.

“When she got turned on her psychic powers got more powerful,” Jim said. “I could see some stuff too there for a few seconds… it was wild.”

“However this ability works” Isstvell muttered, “we can’t read anything about it, the only reason we knew anything was happening here was because the worldship detected things moving in here without any means of locomotion.”

“Should we summon some medical drones?” Lyrei asked, looking down at Elara in concern.

“I think she’ll be fine,” Jim said, “just let her sleep it off.”

“We’ll report this to the matriarch,” Isstvell said quietly, “Though I’m not sure WHAT to report exactly…”

“It looks like things are under control,” Lyrei said, rubbing Elara’s forehead a moment. She glanced at Jim and smiled, “I’m detecting a lot of certain chemicals in the air Jim…”

“And on his skin,” Isstvell said, “I must admit, they’re triggering certain processes for me…”

Jim sighed with a smile and rolled his eyes, “Are you two saying you need some… fun time?”

“Oh that sounds delightful!” Lyrei squealed, “Clara, do you want to come?”

“I think I’m just going to go watch the viewscreen in my room,” the Glalan said weakly. She began shakily walking towards her own quarters. She winced, it might have been a few minutes, but she felt as though she’d been having sex all day.

“Suit yourself,” Isstvell said, regarding Jim. “Let’s leave this one to recover,” she gestured at Elara.

…

Isstvell gritted her teeth in pleasure, losing control of one’s bodily functions, even in a small way like that, was always an odd sensation for Aelmari. Lyrei met her eyes and smiled as she held her palm against Isstvell’s opening, keeping their human from falling out even as Isstvell’s fluids seeped between her fingers.

Jim moaned as the blue walls rubbed him, squeezing him from all sides and perfectly molding themselves to his body. Going inside Clara, Elara for that matter, was a wild and animalistic experience, almost a fight for survival. Being used as a toy by the Aelmari? It was a luxury experience by contrast.

The floral sweet fluids dripped over him, cleaning him and tingling his skin as the aphrodisiac properties quickly brought him to full mast again. He didn’t last long as Isstvell gripped him again, the soft blue walls rubbing against him in perfect time with her moans above.

He was yanked out suddenly, his dripping form dangling upside down as the relatively cold air of the living quarters washed over him. He shivered slightly as he was lifted up to Lyrei’s smiling face.

“Good work,” She said.

Her mouth opened and he was lowered in, and he was warm again as her dark blue lips closed behind him. Lyrei’s tongue danced over him, scrubbing him clean of all of the remaining scents and grime he’d accumulated over the course of the day.

“Mmm.” She muttered, sucking on him.

He was easily shifted forward by her tongue, and as the seemingly magical Aelmari fluid in her spit washed over him he felt warm pleasure as it played with him. After a few minutes he groaned and gave Lyrei the response she’d been looking for, he heard a muted giggle outside and went limp. Expectantly he looked towards the front of her mouth, hoping to be released.

Isstvell sat up suddenly, and with a wicked grin her hand came up and held Lyrei’s mouth closed. Lyrei looked at her, a bit confused, then her eyes widened in understanding as they communicated through the neuronet.

“Swallow,” Isstvell said verbally, making sure she was loud enough that the trapped human could hear.

“What!?” Jim shouted. “Hey, enough joking around!”

The mouth was already filling with more of Lyrei’s saliva, the wonderful feeling electrifying his skin as it welled over his body.

Lyrei tilted her head back, breaking away from Isstvell’s hand. With a final smile at her fellow Aelmari scout she gulped loudly, sending her morsel down.

For Jim it was like feeling a flood suddenly rush downwards, and he was pushed by muscle on all sides as her throat contracted, forcing him in one singular direction.

He would have fought, but it seemed pointless. A space opened around his feet, and then he was slowly pushed into it. He flailed for a moment as he dropped through maybe ten feet of open air, landing with a splash in Lyrei’s stomach. A low bioluminescent glow lit up his surroundings, and he saw he was in a chamber maybe waist-high water. He felt that clean tingling on his lower body and realized that whatever filled Lyrei’s stomach had the same effect as the other Aelmari fluids.

Isstvell laughed to herself, an ear to Lyrei’s stomach. She didn’t really need to do that of course, her friend would send her any biometric data she wanted, but there was an appeal to doing this “the old-fashioned way.”

“Jim,” she called, “Can you hear me?”

“Yeah,” he shouted, looking around at his surroundings, “I-Is it safe to be in here?”

“I’ve told you before,” Isstvell said with a smile, “Our digestive systems are mostly just for social function, and personal amusement.” She glanced up at Lyrei, “You won’t digest our little friend, will you?”

“Of course not!” Lyrei said, glancing down at her belly, “Jim, that fluid is breathable, you’re not in any danger!”

“Right,” he muttered. “So… why?”

“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” Isstvell said, “if your bio-readings are any indication.” She patted Lyrei’s stomach, and the other Aelmari giggled before beginning to re-form her standard clothing. Isstvell followed suit.

“Just relax in there,” Lyrei said reassuringly. “No distractions, just peace and quiet. I think you need it!”

Jim sighed and leaned back, letting the fluid wash over him. He hesitated a moment, then let his head dip below it, the low blue light shimmering on the surface. The fluid was breathable, and warm… he couldn’t imagine a better place to collapse into slumber.

…

Jim shifted, then yawned. He blinked awake and realized he was tucked inside a large and puffy sleeping bag of some sort. He looked around and realized he’d been left on their common room’s end table, next to the couch.

“Look who’s awake!” Lyrei said happily, sitting next to him and handing him a fluffy robe.

“Thanks,” he said, reaching for it. “How did I get out of… out of you I guess?”

Lyrei smiled, “I got you out, how else?”

He blinked and decided not to question it further. As he put on the robe Elara walked out of her own room, blinking at the bright light.

“Jim?” She muttered, “I-Is the Glalan okay? I’ve never had a psychic burst like that-“

“I’m fine,” Clara said, walking out of her own room, “That was wild! Is that going to happen every time you get off?”

“I don’t think so,” Elara said hesitantly. She laughed suddenly, “It was amazing! I felt so strong for those few moments, like I could do anything.”

“Ooh!” Clara shouted, “Use your powers to pick Jim up!”

“Don’t even think about it!” Isstvell said, joining the rest of them. She had a box of what looked like food, probably fresh from the replicator. “We don’t know anything about those abilities.”

“I think I could move something small,” Elara said, “I’d like to give it a try.”

“Do or do not,” Jim said almost reflexively, “There is no try.”

“I HATE those movies!” Elara snapped, her eyes flashing violet.

Jim floundered as he was suddenly lifted up by an unseen hand. He seemed to shake in air for a moment, then slowly fell back down to the end table.

“Stars,” Elara muttered.

“Wait,” Jim said, “Let me try something.” He reached deep inside himself, harnessing the same feeling he’d felt in bed with Elara. Focusing as hard as he could, he grinned eagerly as Elara’s bangs swung slightly, as though touched by a breeze.

“I felt it!” Elara said in awe.

“Lame,” Clara complained.

“You two shouldn’t be doing this outside of a controlled environment,” Isstvell said almost nervously.

“I don’t think I can do much more right now anyways,” Elara said, flopping on the couch. “Is that food?”

“I asked Isstvell to make it while you were all asleep!” Lyrei said excitedly.

“Great, I’m starving.” Clara said, reaching for the box.

“We’ve got some information on our next mission,” Isstvell said, watching as the bio-species reached into the box for the oversized Glalan sweet rolls. Clara broke off a piece of one and put it next to Jim on the end table, he eagerly grabbed it in both hands and dug into it like it was a burrito.

“We’re going to Mars!” Lyrei said excitedly, “they’re building a resort there!”

“Mars?” Jim asked incredulously, “Why?”

“An earth corporation wants to develop it for some reason,” Isstvell said with a shrug, “So we’ve terraformed it to be habitable. It’s been deemed an important mission for human psychological health and potentially valuable for diplomacy with larger species.”

“You’re really spoiling the humans,” Elara muttered. “Well, let me know what the resort is like, I might try it myself when it’s up and running-“

“You’re coming with us,” Isstvell said firmly.

Elara’s eyes went wide, “W-Wait, that kind of thing isn’t what I signed up for!”

“Oh relax,” Clara said, “It’s probably the least dangerous thing we’ve ever done.”

“One of the things we promised the Matriarch was that we’d socialize you in a productive way,” Lyrei said with a smile, “you’ve got ample experience with your former masters, and many other bio-species! And you’re well used to violence, if you’re capable of standing up to someone like me I can’t think of many aliens out there that would frighten you off!”

“Why do we need to stay at some under-construction resort anyways?” Jim asked, “Is it being threatened by space pirates or something?”

Lyrei and Isstvell were quiet a moment. Jim stared at them, hoping they’d say something, maybe brush off his remark with a laugh.

Finally, he just sighed, “dammit.”

“All right!” Clara said eagerly, “I’m going to need a bandolier that holds six guns, AND a laser-axe across my back.”

Elara just rubbed her temples, “Glalan, you’re going to need to help me use the weapons programs on the replicators, I’m pretty sure these elves won’t let me have my Godkiller blaster back.”

“No,” Lyrei said with a small smile, “Sorry.”

Jim took another bite of the alien pastry and chuckled to himself. Space pirates… well, maybe they’d see the Aelmari presence and get scared off. He looked out the large viewport on one end of their living quarters, the stars waited.