Please see part one for disclaimers and warnings.

Desires and Demons - Three

The contours and plains of her body fit against mine like a hand in a glove. She hooked her right leg around my thigh, and triggered a flood of recall. The other Beka and the other Tyr locked in an embrace, pelvis to pelvis, but distant, as if they did not know what to do with the sensations that coursed through their bodies. This Beka does not hesitate. She thrusts against my rising manhood, chasing away the interlopers, leaving raw desire.

Does she hear it? Something or someone is approaching stealthily. I grab her shoulders and push her away roughly. There is no time for sensitivity. She could interpret my gesture as rejection. Can she see the regret thataccompanies the separation?

What! A blast of cool air blows the heat away. My brain returns in bits and pieces. My blood pounds. What have I done to make him react so violently? Then I hear it. We have company. His reaction was instinctive - survival at all costs for both of us. The itch is still there, but more pressing concerns repress it. Another time, Anasazi, I pledge silently.

I move to stand to the right of the archway that separates this compartment from the next. Immediately, Beka takes the left flank. The only weapon I have is the soldering wand from my tool belt. Beka is unarmed, but not defenseless. Her hand-to-hand skills are formidable. I hope that she does not have to use them.

A force lance barrel is thrust around the archway on Tyr's side. He knocks it aside with the soldering wand. The owner of the lance hurtles himself through the arch. He is looking in the direction of the soldering wand. I tackle him from behind. Tyr sends a fist flying toward the attacker's jaw. Within seconds of his attack, the bad guy is spread-eagled face down on the floor.

Tyr and I look at each other in shock. We are in big trouble. Dylan is unconscious on the floor. The ship's hologram materializes before us.

"What have you done to Dylan?"

The ship sets off the alarm system, demanding that Trance bring her medical kit to the Maru. Harper is alerted. Robotic guards are dispatched. Every one and every thing is overreacting. We are on the verge of chaos.

"Andromeda, the captain is incapacitated. As First Officer, I invoke Commonwealth protocols and put myself in command of this ship."

The ship had no choice but to obey. Beka channeled the passion that she had directed at me to control the pandemonium. Watching her take command ignited lustful fantasies of submission. Were they the invader's or mine?

"Beka, you did the right thing. I know you had no choice." Dylan looks sheepish.

"Dylan, I checked the logs. You ordered Rommie to keep tabs on Tyr and me and alert you whenever we met in private." Beka's disapproval echoed in her voice. "That is completely unacceptable."

"Captain Valentine, Captain Hunt had reason to doubt our loyalty. His first duty is to this ship and his own survival." Beka is not happy that I side with Hunt.

"Dylan," It is my turn to berate him. "You did the right thing, but your action is a symptom. And the disease is much worse than an unfortunate contretemps on the Maru."

"Tyr's right boss, how do we cure your lack of trust in us?" Harper had shot to the heart of the matter.

I thank the Devine that Harper had a rare moment of lucidity. His question captured Dylan's attention and gave the rest of us a chance to contain our anger. Okay, really it gave me a chance to put the lid on my resentment. I would be mad at Tyr, but I've been Dylan's First Officer long enough to know that the Captain had acted in the best interest of the ship. (It can be really annoying when the Kodiak is right.) It still hurt to know that he no longer trusted me - us.

Us? Me and Tyr. That is an unit that would threaten the chain of command, from Dylan's perspective. There were few things a body could count on, but Tyr's loyalty to his female was one of them. His female? That's stretching things a bit, Valentine. All we did was swallow tongues for a minute or two. Even in a Nietzschean dictionary that does not define ownership.

I fade into the background. I want to watch the reactions of the crew as Dylan considers Harper's insightful question. Harper has settled himself on a bunk. Obviously, he isn't expecting a quick answer. Rommie has rolled her eyes into the back of her head. She must have anticipated an order from Dylan and is preparing a report. Trance - whenever I see her I just want to growl - growl - where did that come from - my good luck charm brings out the worst in me these days. She is watching Dylan intently. Or is she sending thought waves to him? She looks at me guiltily. Hmmm? I'll file that thought for future consideration.

My attention turns to Tyr. He has that clamped down look. The only expression he used for months when he first came on board. He is struggling with his natural inclination to control and act. I used to think it was a Nietzschean thing. I know better now. It is an Alpha thing, no matter what species the male is. Tyr was never meant to follow and Dylan knows it.

I wonder what Tyr said to him while under the influence? It must have been truth stripped to its bare essentials. My usurper hated to play the subservient role, when she was aping me. How do I know that? I know she was a seething mass of hate, anger and hormones. If it breathed she was ready to hump it. She made a pass at Trance? Oh, that sucks.

She/He sure had a thing for Tyr. Or did it tap into the inner, unbridled me? Earth to Beka, Tyr just caught you staring at him. And he liked it. I know he liked it. He let go of the clamps and let a little lust shine my way. Did anybody else see it? I plan on getting lucky before the artificial dawn comes up. You won't regret it, Big Fella.

"Harper, your question deserves an answer. I don't have one. May I think on it tonight and give you an answer in the morning, let's say at ten hundred?" Dylan looked from face to face. "It is not an order, it is a request."

As each member of the crew gave his or her assent, they left the Maru, until only Dylan and Beka remain with me on board.

"Tyr and I will be there, Dylan." She put her hand on his shoulder and kissed him on the cheek. It wasn't High Guard, but it was Beka.

Dylan hesitated for a moment. Perhaps he thought we would leave together. Not tonight, Captain. I think I am about to be chosen. So I linger in expectation of a signal from my intended that she has, at last, made up her mind.

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