"Let machinery fake my place, who has time to chase. Digital is where it is. Love can always be replaced. Welcome to my consciousness. Welcome to our race. Everything is never quite enough."
Everything (is never quite enough) - Diop, Wasis
Digital
Part 18
Then, it was over. The electric blue glow fading, the world coming back to normal. The false sunlight filling the field again. Bell was walking towards where we gathered; blue hair blowing out behind him with a breeze that had come from no where. In the near distance, Khali glittered like a giant and strange treasure, bronze metallic and silver.
"Did it work?" I asked as soon as he was close enough.
He nodded, gesturing towards the ship. "Ask her."
Kushrenada had already lifted the scanner, eyes never leaving Khali. "Where are we?"
"This is the Universe of Canalshin, System Mikax." Her voice rang out, sounding gleeful in its observations.
"It worked." Milyardo breathed, his eyes taking on an appreciative light as he glanced at Bell.
"Now we need just program Khali to find the perfect mate for the planet, something compatible. The planet has told me it will follow us once we figure out where to go." Bell said softly, turning to face me. "She asked that you program her Duo."
"Me?" I was already shaking my head `no' determined that I was not the best choice. To my surprise, Treize nodded, grasping my shoulder with one of his hands and squeezing.
"I trust you to program me Duo." Khali said, her voice carrying through the scanner and sounding happy with the idea. "I know this is what you're good at, and besides, Milyardo and Treize never did get the hang of programming me."
"This is a true thing," Treize said with a grin, "She programmed herself with almost everything, unfortunently for something like this, she'll need an outside input. You're it Duo."
"Thanks." I said dryly, unsure whether this was something I should be proud of or afraid of.
"Let's get on board and get started." Bell said cheerily, "After we're all on board I'll pull her back out into space, it shouldn't be that hard this time."
"Won't you need my help again?"
"No, I only had to use the energy stored within you once. It was... the floodgate." He turned and started walking back towards the ship, my feet automatically following him, questions on my mind.
"The floodgate." I repeated, wondering how that could be. "Is it still there? That power. Is it in me too?"
"Of course, it always has been." He smiled, quirking an eyebrow at me. "You were like the spark to start the fire, do you see?" He gestured helplessly as we walked together. "You could have done this yourself you know, but you don't have the ... knowledge of it."
"Then I can... do things like you do? I can use that energy?" The idea of it intrigued me, so much power at my disposal, waiting to be tapped. But what would I ever use it for? And how would I use it when I didn't know how? My hands itched slightly and I noticed for the first time that my wetwiring was glowing softly in the sunlight. It reminded me of the other times it had started to glow. "How come you only begin to glow at certain times?" I asked out of no where, curious suddenly.
"You've never learned how to use the energy properly, so it passes out of you at times when your levels are high." A faint red tinged his cheeks and he bent his head to the side, glancing behind us. "The pirates are bringing the golden ball along. Look." He pointed behind us, changing the subject.
Sure enough, the golden ball floated gently in our wake, Heero walking beside it. "Bell?"
"Yes?" His eyes were averted, fingers caressing the hull of Khali. "Open." A panel slid aside, just big enough for entrance. I followed him in, turning to watch the bubble.
"The crystal inside of Heero, it's also a part of you, isn't it?" When I turned back, I found him staring at me, a strange half smile on his lips.
"Of course, I was the only one inside the ship they found. My body was broken, and unknowingly they assumed I was many instead of one. The largest piece is inside of you."
"You were the only one? But why?" Panels further along the ship slid open the golden bubble gliding inside as Heero walked over to meet us.
"I was all that was needed. It's a long story."
"Will you tell me it someday?"
"Someday, but not today I think."
"Welcome home!" Khali shouted, the echoes of it ringing throughout the ship.
***
It felt unreal to be programming again, for the first time my fingers were almost too fast. They nearly blurred as they flew through the air, tapping information along Khali's inner brain. The programming board located within most high functioning technology can range in size and shape, but the basic functions are always the same. Khali's board was about 4 feet by 3 feet, curved around the edges and flat. It was like a clear slate on which to enter commands, options lighting and going dark with each pass of my fingers.
I was remembering how much fun it could be, gearing my mind to a higher mode of thought. Going into the trance that all techmasters had to learn. It was a trance that utilized a part of your brain that stored all scientific knowledge, certain words and exercises triggering it. When in this mode, it was almost impossible to be aware of your surroundings, concentration narrowing down until only the programming filled you.
When I was done, that part of my mind slowly shut down again, and I became aware of the silence that filled the room. A hand fell onto my shoulder, and I turned my head to see Heero smiling at me.
"On Lavablue, you would be a very high techmaster."
"As high as you?" I asked with an answering smile.
"A different field, but yes, as high as I am."
I was speechless for a moment, delight filling me at the thought. We were equal then, not as off balance as I'd thought. For some reason, that comforted me. The smile remained on my face as I turned back to the board. "Well Khali?"
"Already searching, according the information Bell supplied, the planet we need is in this Universe. It will take roughly 200 hours to arrive in normal traveling mode."
"Good, that will give us all some rest time. And I don't know about everyone else, but I'm so tired I feel like I could sleep the whole trip." The mere thought of curling up and sleeping a normal sleep had me yawning. It also made me realize that the last time I'd had a normal sleep had been at home with Fina. The sharp pang that followed nearly brought tears to my eyes. And I realized that I missed Fina, more than I imagined possible. "I think... I think I'll go rest now." I said hurriedly, standing and fumbling my way around the chamber to the door. Barely bothering to see if they noticed.
I found my way back to the room I shared with Heero easily, having digested much information about Khali through programming her. She was no longer a secret to me, and in a way it showed the pirate's growing trust in us. It felt good to strip out of the black suit, releasing the magnetics quickly and shimmying out of it to toss it against a wall. I noticed the smell that rose from my body, sharp with sweat from fear and anxiety, a bath was definitely in order. Perhaps this time I'd get a chance to use the automatic comber.
***
"Duo?"
Someone was shaking me awake, the sound of water sloshing forcing my eyes open. Water usually wasn't involved when I slept, so where was I? I groaned when I realized I'd fallen asleep in one of the bathing pools, my head lolling over the edge of it. I stared up; smiling when I saw it was Heero who'd awakened me. "Hello." I managed to mumble, stifling a yawn as I eased into a more comfortable position. My wings unfurled slightly, the tips of them flicking as I stretched. "How long was I asleep?"
"A few hours, I thought maybe you'd want to be alone for a while." He looked worried, his mouth pursed slightly as he examined me. "You look like you could use some more."
"Mm, I could." I gripped the edge of the tub, preparing to hoist myself over the edge, when he covered my hands with his and helped me out. "Thanks." I stumbled over to the little robotic comber, sitting down in front of it and tapping it politely to get it moving. It whirred softly, thin metallic legs pushing up out of it, so that it could reach all of my hair. Several brushing and combing instruments appeared from it as it began crawling around and busily untangling.
Heero seated himself on a bench nearby, watching in silence. After a few minutes, I looked up, meeting his gaze.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, and I knew what he meant.
"A little bit." I closed my eyes as the robot moved to the front, covering my view of Heero. "I miss her, I've never been gone so long from her before, and... it just feels like there's this big emptiness where something always was before." I let out a deep breath, my voice quivering slightly. "I wonder if we'll ever see her again, if I'll ever see my friends again."
"You're homesick?" His voice had moved closer, and I opened my eyes to see him kneeling beside me.
"Yes,"
"We can't go back Duo, not until we can find a way to keep them from wanting you, and a way to free Fina." He shook his head, pulling on my hand, chuckling when the robotic comber stepped over our linked fingers to reach another portion of hair.
"It nice to hear you laugh like that." I said without thinking, smiling despite myself. "We will go back Heero, there has to be a way."
"Of course."
"Service?" The robot asked, stepping around to my front and waving its arms gently.
"Oh, uh braid please." It moved back behind me, separating my hair and beginning to plait it. "This thing is too useful, I wish I had one."
"Well you will as long as we're onboard Khali."
"Done." The robot chimed, sliding back into its nook and shutting down. I stood up; swinging the braid between my wings, feeling refreshed though still tired. I yelped as I felt Heero's hands slide around me, heaving me into his arms with one smooth move. "I can walk!" I protested, wiggling to get down. His grip tightened.
"I'm sure you can, but I'd rather carry you."
"Feeling your brute strength today hmm?"
"Just feel like holding you."
"Oh," I smiled contentedly, curling up in his arms, already feeling drowsiness creep over me once more. "I suppose I can let you get away with it just this once." I yawned again, barely hearing the door to our room slide open and shut. Heero slid my limp body into the bed, my wings folding automatically as I curled up on my side. The warmth at my back informed me Heero intended to sleep as well, and I inched backwards, smiling when his arms circled me. "'Night Heero."
"Goodnight Duo."
I fell asleep to the press of his lips on my cheek, dreams already drowning me.
***
I woke up to the soft sound of breathing, feeling it stirring the hair at the back of my neck. Heero, my mind supplied, also bringing my attention to the arms still tightly wrapped around my waist. It was nice to be able to wake up slowly, no where to go, nothing to do. I felt myself smile, then openly grin, noticing just how *good* Heero felt pressed against my back. Squirming around I managed to turn so that I was face to face with him. Watching his sleeping expression, the urge to touch it grew to be too much, and I reached out, running a finger along his jaw.
"You're awake finally?" He muttered without opening his eyes.
"Yeah, your heavy breathing got me up."
He snorted, tugging me closer and nuzzling the side of my neck. "Got you up in what way?" I could hear him smirk as he pressed his hips forward.
"More than one?" I laughed, hands easing through his hair to pull his head closer. "Want to apologize for the disturbance?"
His tongue tickled my ear in answer, lips depositing tiny kisses as they made their way over to my own. "I'm very, very sorry." He chuckled, giving me a teasing kiss before leaning back.
"That's it? That's all the apology I get?" I swung a leg up over his hip, grinding against him in a little dance of lust. "I think I deserve so much more." His erection thumped against my stomach in response. "Why, was that an agreement?"
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to, other parts of your body seem to be speaking for you." I reached between us, running my fingers lightly over the part of him that was in complete agreement. Giving it a soft squeeze, I smiled when he let out a little exclamation. "See? It agrees."
"I suppose it does at that, care to ask it some more questions?"
We smiled at each other, our hands already moving to remove clothing and blankets, mouths meeting in a mutual acknowledgement. I eased over on top of him, grunting in discomfort when my wings scraped the bunk above. I glanced at the floor, wondering if perhaps it might be more comfortable to move.
"I think we can manage on the bed." He whispered, maneuvering us around until we sat side by side, our backs to the wall.
"When did you become a mind reader?"
"It wasn't that hard to tell what you were thinking."
"Good," I crawled onto his lap, legs splaying over his, hands burying themselves in his hair as I drew another kiss from him. "Then you'll be able to tell what I want now." With a small effort of will I curved my wings around us, holding him closer to me, flicking the feathery crystal over his shoulders. His lips were soft as I moved my tongue against them, opening his mouth so I could invade it more easily. Though instead I spent more time drawing teasing lines over the pliant flesh, tasting his breath between us. For some reason, every touch of our mouths sent shocks to my arousal, each meeting of lips and tongue quivering something inside of me.
"You're so nice to hold." He gasped as our bodies began moving together, flesh sliding against flesh in a rhythm of sex.
"Is it supposed to feel so good?" I questioned, wondering at sheer pleasure that the lightest of touches could create. There was no response as our mouths met again, the heat building between us as lips opened, tongues sliding together. A tingle as the slick warmth of it met my senses, something so erotic at the sensation of an open-mouthed kiss. Perhaps it was the way I could taste him, the feel of his hands sliding up my waist, gripping harder with each passing moment. Control fraying around the edges, tension growing.
His head pulled away, gasping breaths mingling as we stared at each other. "I want... "
"Yeah me too." We smiled at each other, realizing that there was no need to voice what we wanted, a mutual understanding already in place. The intensity of merely kissing had me excited enough, the thought of any more teasing touches before he was inside of me... I shook my head, unable to even contemplate it. "Now."
His soft moan answered me, fingers gripping my hips harder, lifting slightly, the heat of his erection rubbing lightly against me. This time I bent my head, watching as the steelshift coated it, marveling as the reddened length of flesh turned silvery, feeling it grow slick as he began guiding it inside of me. And then any coherent though flew away, my head rolling back, fingers biting into his shoulders as each inch slid inside. I was barely aware of the blue glow of the crystal beginning; my eyes fluttering open and shut in waves.
His lips caressed my shoulder, his whisper hardly audible. "Your wings are glowing."
I opened my eyes, glancing down, the blue glow covering us like a blanket where my wings were folded about us. And then my eyes squeezed shut again as he thrust his hips up, penetrating all the way inside of me. Our bodies froze for an eternity, time seemingly halting as we sat and breathed against each other, the sound of it all I could hear. A bump of hips, a brief grind of his pelvis, and my legs began trembling, muscles shaking at the exhilaration of being joined with him.
My arms slid around his neck, face buried against his shoulder as slowly, ever so slowly we began to move together. The harmony of lust creating a beautiful tempo and counterpoint to each sedate movement of body, each languid drive of him inside, each caress of him outside. When I opened my eyes again, the sapphire glow of the crystal filled my vision; the tears that leaked out tinted with it. It felt so good, so wonderful, this gentle ride together.
I leant backwards, wings flaring out behind me as he bent forward over my body. My legs wrapping around his waist automatically, dragging him harder against me, still deeper than before. My mouth opened wide, unable to hold inside the sounds that wanted to escape, washing around the room in ripples of vocal praise. His teeth nipped at my collarbone, murmurs of raspy gratification warming my skin.
A gentle burning was building inside of me, heat and fire spreading out and filling my body. The slap of skin together, the moans that slid out of his mouth, each thrust and slam as need sped our pace. I could feel the roiling of release transpiring to send me into madness, the tightening of his body and pulsing of his length inside as we struggled to reach it together.
And then the exalted ringing of the crystal as it began singing inside my mind, joyous with its music as it too felt the beauty of the act. Tears were streaming from my eyes, the intensity almost too much to bear. The shimmering of blue streaking the room in a shower of lights. I cried out softly as climax at last gained a hold, spattering between us in a trickling of warmth. Heero's exclamations muffled against my skin as he fell into the void with me, the subtle heat of it filling and then seeping from my body.
We lay wrapped around each other for a long, endless amount of time. Sweat, tears, and release slick and wet between us. Gasping breath the only sound as the blue glow slowly faded away. Without opening my eyes I found his lips, the gentle kiss shared taking what little breath I had. My head fell back and then lolled forward onto his shoulder, muscles limp.
"Do you think this room is sound proof?" Heero asked in a groggy voice, hands sliding over my skin in a purely relaxed and sensual fashion. I smiled, blinking up at the bed above us.
"Hope so."
A slight whistling noise caught my attention and I turned my head, grimacing at it. "What was that?"
"Khali?" Heero asked, his face reflecting my annoyance at the interruption.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I thought you might like to know that something odd has happened to Bell." She said contritely, a worried tone in her voice.
"What? Is he ok?" I sat up suddenly, a groan leaving my mouth as Heero slid out of my body.
"He seems to be all right now, though for the past 30 minutes he seemed to be in some sort of seizure."
"What do you mean `some sort of seizure'?" Heero asked, refusing to let me get off the bed and grab some clothes.
"I'm not sure, body signature indicated large fluctuations of energy, his skin was flushed, pupils dilated, now he appears to be out cold."
"Oh no... " It hit me, and turning to glance at Heero I realized he knew exactly what I was thinking.
"It affected him." He muttered, finally releasing his grasp on my waist and sliding off the bed. "Khali, what do his life signs look like now?"
"Normal, for sleeping at least. Though I do think he should be checked out. I've already informed Treize and Milyardo; they're on the way. But I thought I should tell you as well."
"Thanks Khali, give us a few moments would you please?"
"Certainly Duo, oh, by the way, the walls are sound proof, though *my* hearing is excellent."
I groaned, rolling over and shoving my face into a pillow. "Heero, you know what happened, don't you?"
"Yes, it seems Bell's connection to you is a bit stronger than we knew."
"I didn't even stop to think about it." I felt my cheeks turn red wondering exactly what he had felt. "This could be more complicated than I thought."
-Glossary-
Transpod: A dimensional traveling device. The transpod will transport human mass within any area that contains another transpod. The time taken for each journey will always be exactly 10 nanoseconds, as time is folded as well as matter to create no ripple within the dimensions.
Slosta: A drink created from organic matter grown on Jilad, the Slosta is filled with nutrients that heighten awareness and energize.
CR chips: Two microchips implanted behind the ears, the connectors that allow a direct linkage to the VR modules.
Shinalp: A form of cursing, Shinalp is somewhat akin to saying "shit" or "ah shit"
Kajacrap: The Kaja is a life form located on the planet Neskin, a large beast known to produce huge amounts of feces. The phrase kajacrap is akin to saying "Bullshit"
Fliogan Warriors: The Fliogan is a race that attaches metallic wings to their young while they are still being formed within the incubators. The wings are partially organic, fusing with the young so as to become part of their bodies. This warrior race is known to be extremely high tech, and very vicious, most normal humans will not go near them, as they are known to kill without reason. Very little is known of the Fliogan or their ways.
Feed Tubes: Connectors that feed information and nutrients to any life form connected to any long-term device.
Lavablue 6: The planet on which the society of Fliogan reside at this time.
Levels: Technological knowledge is rated by level; most societies only have an average of 30 levels. The common level of most humans is 5, techmaster levels tend to be higher and in the upper ranges.
Steelshift: 1 of over a million different charted elements, Steelshift is partially organic, allowing it to be integrated with human DNA, testing is still in experimental stages, most distinguished users of this element are the Fliogan.
Slipshot Diskwings: A style of wing known to be common among the Fliogan, Slipshot defines the integration of movable parts, Diskwing is the style of the small circular patterns of metal that form the wings of Fliogan.
Contract: A contract is a more binding way to say, "Promise or swear?"
Optilenses: Cyber optic lenses, which can be used during a VR program only.
Creos: The original form of the name Christ has changed with the passage of time, modern form of the word when used as a curse is Creos.
Orstras: A plant matter grown in dark caves on the planet of Trinition, considered a delicacy on most planets, the plant is dark purple with small white bells that can be plucked and cooked. The taste is said to be sweet and delicate.
Realtime Call: The difference between a realtime call and a regular call is in the distance, all realtime calls infer off planet residence of the caller, communications run at high speeds, face to face talking is still difficult between planets.
What is your task: This is the way most people will ask what your job is, what career you're in.
Crèche Technician: Most people are born to the incubators and raised in crèches, the technicians help care for the many children being raised in such places.
Grower: The still forming body of a child within the incubator, a delicate time that must be carefully overseen to prevent accidents. A grower is usually designated as a child in a womb-like state. Between -1 to -9 months, or the time a child would be inside of a mother's body.
Youlin: I manmade mammalian life form, these animals are specifically created to improve the technology behind cloning. Most tests are performed with a small VR module; with which the creatures are filled with the only knowledge they know, as the Youlin is created with a blank slate for a mind.
A Set: A group of Growers that have reached maturity.
Trance state: Every few months of a citizen's life is recorded during REM cycles, the consciousness is stored within a neural processor called a memory chip. Occasionally when one wishes to know another, an exchange of such chips may occur.
Wetwiring: circuitry and modifications that can be installed within the human body without harming it.
The System: There are 3 levels of the system. The first is that which take cares of the minor systems such as basic maintenance, the second level controls techmaster training, medical facilities, and knowledge. The final level of the system controls all other functions between worlds, each detail is observed, and stored within it.
Klishana: A crystal found during an expedition of exploration, it is not only organic, but sentient as well.
Pinalr: A vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked, it is said to be an acquired taste due to its strange fleshy texture and nutty flavor.
Guplit: A type of fruit grown on many planets, it is small and covered in tiny spikes which make it needful to be carefully eaten. It is said to taste rather sour, with a hint of sweetness.
Fermented Hisle Juice: A type of fruit also grown on many planets, it can be juiced and distilled to form a mild form of alcoholic beverage.
If you would like a definition for something not listed here just ask! ^_^
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