Viola Grace - Champions of Terra 04 - Marks of Admar

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Champions of Terra Marks of Admar

By

Viola Grace

To the Erotica Superfans!! You know who you are! It is you I write for, so thanks!!

Chapter 1

S

arah sat quietly, meditating in the open air of the arboretum. The metallic steps sounded behind her, then stopped. Silence once again fell over the green oasis in the center of the space station. “Hey Amy, take a seat. I’m almost done here.” Sarah straightened, then relaxed into the silence once again. Carefully steering her consciousness around her friend. Her mind touched the life pulsing softly in the trees and flowers, as they provided the necessary oxygen and filtration to the station. Each was a bright spot in the stillness of the space that served as the backdrop for the exotic and eclectic blend of flora. With her eyes closed, she identified each species by its living signal, the age by the brightness of that same signal, and it’s origin by the particular tint of the life energy. Sighing gently, she reeled her mind back into her body, and opened her eyes. The world around her seemed lacking in color 1

Viola Grace after what she had just experienced. She resigned herself to living in the physical world, at least for now. “So, Amy, why am I here?” She stood and turned to view her friend encased in the head-totoe armor of the Alliance Negotiator. “Nice to see you too, Sarah.” “Sorry. There are way too many people on this damned station. This is the only place I can be alone for any length of time, and even then I can feel them moving around nearby.” Sarah shuddered and took a seat on one of the nearby benches and brushed the dirt from her robes. Her grey gloves did not absorb the dirt, but also did not do a great job of cleaning off the soil either. “I sympathize. I really do. But here is an opportunity for you to get to wander around on an uninhabited world. All you have to do is put up with Professor Ridwal.” Sarah groaned, “Oh, not that windbag! He’s the reason that I haven’t gotten any good assignments lately. That stupid Mdi disaster.” “You were proven correct and his theories were debunked. You should be happy.” There was an amused tone to the metallic voice. “How was I supposed to know that he had done a dissertation on the ‘Brutal Mdi Empire’? No one tells me anything.” She slumped down in an aggrieved manner. “It did stall his career for a while as well, but in 2

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra the mean time he was able to blackball you with the Archeological Society. This assignment could remake your career.” Sarah paused and tapped her chin with one gloved finger. “Ok, what have you got for me?” “Well, remember when you tracked down Kyra for us?” “Yes. I have never watched so much alien porn in my life. But yes.” She grinned up at Amy. “Well, she had discovered the hidden jump coordinates for a planet called Admar. Admar was one of the first planets in the Alliance, if not the first, and the species of the Admaryn bore a startling resemblance to creatures of human myth and legend.” Negotiator Tyrell continued, “The Alliance has put together a team to investigate the site and you’re on it.” “Wow, what kind of species was it?” Her curiosity engaged, Alliance Reader Sarah Marks stood up and faced her friend directly. The metal gauntlets took her gloved hands in a firm grip. “We aren’t sure, and besides, that would taint your findings. The Stalix leaves in two hours. Be on it.” Tyrell squeezed and shook her hands, then made her way out of the arboretum. As usual, Tyrell had only tantalized her with the information that she had given to Sarah. Left staring at nothing, Sarah shook herself to attention. “Well, I had better get going then.” 3

Viola Grace She quickly left the relative mental safety of the greenhouse making her way back to her quarters in only a few moments.A surprise of monumental proportions awaited her. The housekeeping robots had packed all of her clothing and effects. On her bed was a package of substantial size. Hands trembling with eagerness, she tore into the foil wrapping of the package, gasping with surprise and then laughing like a loon at the contents. Inside was an MP3 player with a selection of Terran music on the tiny menu, nestled on top of some of the brightest bras and panties that had ever been seen by human eyes. She carefully held up the bras and was amazed that they were in her size. Even on earth, she had had a rather difficult time finding bras that fit. It wasn’t that her breasts were abnormally large; rather, they were just on scale with the rest of her. For a human female, she was above normal in height and probably would not have been considered for the Alliance Sample Project if not for her empathy, as well as her talent for psychometrics. As she held the third brassiere up to her chest and admired the fabric in the mirror, her com beeped for attention. “Hello?” “OK Sarah, stop playing with your new toys and get onto that ship. The crewmen will be there 4

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra in three minutes to pick up your luggage, so you had better tuck your new undies away.” The amused voice of Amy Tyrell was unmistakable. “I wish you the best of luck, and hope that you enjoy your new assignment. Stay safe and be well, buddy. Come home in one piece. That’s an order.” “Aye aye, Negotiator. I am not even going to ask you how you got this stuff. But thank you. Those damned restraint harnesses that the Alliance issued me are extremely uncomfortable.” An unmistakable giggle broke out of the com unit. “I know it is the single largest black market item being smuggled off the earth to date. Apparently, it is a unique form of clothing.” “You’re dealing on the black market now? Cool.” “Hey, everybody needs a hobby and the Haldis Imperium is a wonderful place to find people to get you anything you want. Ok, enough idle chitchat. Get moving.” “Bye Amy, keep well.” Sarah waved at the screen. “Bye Sarah, now get moving!” The armored visage disappeared and Sarah quickly stuffed the contraband into a new carryall. She carefully wrapped the MP3 player in the cup of one of the bras and stuffed it into the center of the bundle. Just as she was zipping up the new precious parcel, a knock sounded on the door to her quarters. 5

Viola Grace She called out to allow entry, and three members of the Stalix crew entered her main room. They picked up the luggage sitting on the center of the floor as placed by the robots and one of them made a grab for her new carryall. “No thanks, I have it.” She slung it over one shoulder, tugging her voluminous sleeve out of the way and smoothing the upper length of her glove to keep all available skin covered. “As you wish. Please follow us Reader, we’re ahead of schedule and are going to take off as soon as you are on board.” The crewman was Ghirdalan and gestured for her to precede him out of the room, as the others made their way into the hallway. Well, she could take a hint, and clutching her contraband close to her body, she made her way out of her temporary quarters on the Nodak station. The halls were silent, but she could feel all of the living beings in the immediate vicinity. She straightened and steeled her nerves as they reached the more populated area of the station, the docking stations and repair berths. She fought the urge to grab the crewmen and shove them unceremoniously ahead of her, her discomfort was growing in direct proportion to the amount of beings in her vicinity. Her senses were humming with the urge to delve into their minds and emotions. Flashes of the histories of the various ships were flitting through her mind as 6

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra she walked to the shuttle berth that held their means to board the Stalix. The Stalix was a warship with independent jump engines. It was part of the second largest class of ship that the Alliance had commissioned from the member worlds. It was able to jump from one point in space to another, physically existing in two places for a few seconds, then transferring in its entirety to the target point. As such, the pilots were chosen because they had the ability to make the journey seconds before the ship did, to confirm the safety of the jump site. They were hard-wired into the ship, and it provided all the nutrients that the pilots would need to repair their bodies after the trauma of a jump. The current pilot was a member of the Tival species, with over ten years of experience as a pilot directly wired into the ship. It was a lonely life, but very few pilots ever bemoaned their lack of personal mobility for the life among the stars. They considered themselves lucky to be chosen as there were only a few species that could handle the physical strain of confinement. The Stalix’s previous pilot had been a Terran, but she had been injured in the Arena Station attack and had not been able to resume her duties afterwards. The shuttle trip was almost peaceful. The chaos of the station dropping away, the emptiness of space embracing her, and then the curiosity of the 7

Viola Grace crewmembers was washing over her in waves. The close quarters of the shuttle let her trail her fingers surreptitiously over parts of their clothing without their noticing. Each of them had a different flavor to their curiosity about her. One was wondering if she was a dignitary, one was wondering if she could sense what he was thinking. However the one that almost made her laugh was the Tival who was wondering if they were sexually compatible. They were, but she was not going to tell him that. Sex was not something that was comfortable for her since the Alliance training that had ‘turned her up’. They revved all of her psi abilities almost to the point where they would drive her mad. She could sense everything that her partner had been feeling, thinking about and had touched in the last forty-eight hours. Occasionally it was less than flattering, so she just skipped the whole mess. It was lonely, but simple. As well, the training at the Citadel had left her with the ability to raid other’s dreams and fantasies. She could couple with any willing participant, provided that she recorded their acquiescence formally in her private records. She stretched and relaxed into her temporary quarters. She was being housed in the unused pilot’s quarters, rooms that were kept available by tradition. A tradition going back to the days when the pilot’s special talents needed shielding as they were not wired into the ship. She could feel the 8

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra soft dampening caused by the psi shields, which were needed for the comfort of the pilot, which meant that her quarters were near the main bridge. For her they were perfect. No one had used them previously. There were no psychic traces to fight. No memories of other beings to contend with. Ah, glorious silence. She let her mind roam free about the ship. She touched and counted each and every member of the crew, one by one. The Tival that had escorted her to the ship was still interested in her physically and judging by the emotions that flitted through his mind, he had an attraction for any and all bipedal females. Perfect. Sarah wandered over to her terminal. Using her high-access keys, she punched up the duty roster for the ship. Her target was scheduled to go off duty in three hours so she had better find something to occupy her time until then. She dug through her bags and pulled out the new toy that she had been given, then set herself in a meditation pose and turned on the music. Hours flew by as song after song drifted through her mind in an endless cascade. As a change in tempo brought her out of her reverie, she realized that she could now take her ‘break’. Sleep came easily for her, it always had. As soon as she drifted off, she sent her astral self in search of her target. She found him easily. He was waiting for her. 9

Viola Grace Nude and erect, it was obvious that his astral self was more than willing to co-operate with whatever she had in mind. She still had to ask the question. “Do you agree to interact with me in mind only?” Her voice was a quiet whisper in the stillness. She was still not used to this being her only sexual outlet. “I do. Will you leave the memory intact, Reader?” He seemed only mildly curious. “I can leave the sensations, but not the identity or the face. Is that acceptable?” Sometimes it was not, and she would have to take all memories of her contact with her. “It is.” His voice was deep and calm, but the twitching of his shaft belied his placid demeanor. “Alright then.” She stepped forward and took his face in her hands, bringing his mouth down to hers, tasting him. Or at least the representation of him that was on the astral plane. She set the delete suggestion in his mind and prepared to immerse herself in the sensations of his hands on her. In a flash, his arms were around her, his mouth exploring hers as well. His hands gripped her shoulders roughly and she felt his fingers bruise the skin. Oh, so he wants it like that does he? Sarah adapted her plan of attack and went passive in his arms. Let him do all the work. He drew his head back to meet her eyes, and smiled. It was quite a wicked grin. She found 10

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra herself flat on her back with her thighs spread wide, and in an instant, his head was between them. “I have never tasted a Terran before. Looks like this is my chance.” He drew her lower lips apart with one finger, exposing the slick shining folds within. She watched his head draw close …closer…and then with a whir of jump engines, everything went black. **** “Reader Marks, Reader Marks wake up!” The voice was masculine and rather agitated. “Ohh, my head.” Sarah sat up very slowly and held her head gingerly in both hands. The rumble of the jump engines winding down gave her the clue that she had been missing as to the sequence of events. “Reader Marks! Please acknowledge.” The insistent voice was emanating from the com unit on the desk. “Alright! Alright, I’m up. Stop yelling.” She hauled herself off of the bed, disgruntled and cranky at having been woken from a sound, dreamless sleep. She stumbled across to the com station, flicking the screen awake to find a Medical crew member staring at her. “Thank goodness you’re alright Reader. The team members have all been in for their pre11

Viola Grace landing check-ups with the exception being yourself. The sensors indicated that you were asleep, but no one could wake you.” “I was in a very sound sleep.” If you could call it that. Recently, it was found that Citadel trained personnel could be transported via jump ship with one proviso. The psi in question had to be asleep while the jump was in progress. The trauma of existing in two places at the same time, for those with the mental talents that made them so valuable to the Alliance, was extreme. It had been decided generations before that all Citadel personnel could only be transported via standard ship transport. Occasionally, even employing cold sleep to transport the needed talent to the required area. It had only been after a Reader who had gotten drunk at an ambassadorial party was found on a jump ship, unconscious, but perfectly sane after three jumps to supply depots, while blissfully asleep, that the policy had been examined again. After a lot of research, it was found that sleep was the only way to ship the psychic. So the instant that the jump engines engaged, the talent was rendered unconscious. It was keyed in with a post-hypnotic suggestion. The powering up whine gave all the warning that the psi was going to get. This explained the abbreviated interlude for Sarah and her companion. 12

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra “Well, we need you to report to Medical for the final check-up before planet fall. You will be there for some time. We need to make sure that you are physically fine before you go.” “I am on my way. Look up the etiquette for examining Readers before I get there, would you?” She flipped the screen off, and stretched. Damn, just a few minutes longer and she would have gotten off in the privacy of her own rooms. Now she would have to wait until the guys were busy at the dig and do it herself. She stomped to the door and made her way down the hall, careful as always to not touch the walls or any of the personnel that she brushed past. **** They were here. With a shivering rip in space they were here. After all of the centuries of waiting, they had finally arrived. One among them glowed in the darkness of space. Burning with the power of a race that he had been waiting centuries to see again. On the planet’s surface robots began to stir in an effort to bring him back into the physical realm. He should be ready by the time that they entered the city.

13

Viola Grace

Chapter 2

“R

eader, I’m glad you could make it. Please have a seat on the table.” The doctor was bustling around the room, not even looking at her as she entered and crossed the sterile floor. “I am Doctor Kredhan, Alliance Specialist in Exobiology.” “Ok Doc, but you do know the rules don’t you?” “Rules?” He blinked rapidly, slightly confused. “For examining a Reader.” “Oh, yes of course. No physical contact with you and you’ll be covered at all times. Is that everything?” “Yes. Thank you.” Relaxing slightly as she finished crossing the room and hopping up onto the examination bed, she waited for the scanning to begin. It was surprisingly quick. When the machines had finished tracking her biological readings from head to toe the doctor stopped and frowned. 14

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra “Your heart rate is above normal for your species. Your hormone levels are off. There is a strange alteration of your circulatory system that is puzzling me.” He frowned at the readout on the small tablet in his hand. “If I can’t confirm the origin of these readings, you won’t be going anywhere, I’m afraid.” Sarah’s eyes widened as she realized what those readings indicated. She thought that she had dropped herself into calm before heading out to medical, but apparently her arousal was still at a measurable level. She blushed furiously as she tried to come up with a non-embarrassing way of telling the doctor what was going on. She failed. “Um, Dr. Kredhan. I think I have an explanation for you.” Sarah struggled to sit up and give a serene appearance and knew that if the sensors had still been active, her readings would have gone through the roof, but this time the blood was rushing to her face and not her groin and breasts. “Really? What could that possibly be?” He met her gaze and she saw his eyes twinkle. Damn, the gig was up. He was going to make her say it. “When you called, I was, umm…engaged in a private activity.” “What sort of activity could have caused those responses Reader?” His hand was poised to enter her explanation as he waited for the answer. Yep. No doubt about it, he was laughing at her. 15

Viola Grace “I was engaged in singular sexual gratification.” The words came out in a rush. She then waited for his reaction. “Are you sure it was singular?” He looked dubious. His voice was flat, but his face was contorting in an effort not to laugh at her. “Well, physically yes. But I was involved with one of the male members of the crew on the astral plane.” There, it was all out now. His smiled faded as he moved his hands and quickly turned off the monitors and recorders. “That encounter was not as private as you think. The crewmember that you chose had a psi recorder hooked up. If the pilot had not jumped when he did, you would be starring in an interspecies mating vid right now.” “The jump caused him to blackout when you did. The pilot sent in maintenance bots to delete what he did manage to record. The rest of his encounter was removed from his mind by your suggestion.” The doctor shook his head. “You should really be more careful about those whom you link with.” “Um, how did the pilot know?” She was relieved, mortified, embarrassed and felt just a little violated. Odd, considering that she had initiated the encounter. “You’re staying in his quarters, and he was listening in to the music from your homeworld. He has monitors in all crew quarters as well. He 16

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra tracked the signal that your mind was putting out and found the crewman involved. We have suspected him of putting out some of the more violent alien/Tival vids for some time, but now we were able to catch him in ‘the act’ so to speak.” “You’re lucky that the pilot stopped him. He has a tendency to abuse his partners during mating to mark them. Even on the astral plane your avatar could have taken some permanent damage.” Dr. Kredhan turned to lay a hand on her shoulder and for just an instant she could see what he had witnessed. The disfigured women of multiple races flashed through her mind and she quickly ducked out from under his fingers. That they were only projections of a psychic rape did not lessen the effect on her senses. “Ok, I get the idea.” Her hand nervously rubbed at the spot his hand had touched as if to rub out the memory she had acquired. “What? Oh, stars Reader. I’m sorry. I forgot.” The doctor carefully curled his hand into a fist and dropped it to his side. “I had no intention of making contact with you, but comforting my patients is a reflex.” “It’s alright. Thank you. I didn’t even think of any possibilities beyond my being with three males of incompatible species for the next six months.” She heaved sigh. “I’ll be much more careful in the future.” “Your species cannot be too careful. You’re 17

Viola Grace becoming quite the popular creatures to watch. Your responses are very close to that of the Selna, but since there are a limited number of you in space you are considered exotic.” His fingers moved rapidly across the tablet once again. Then turned on the recorders and monitors. “Now that you have calmed down, why don’t we try the scans again?” The shock that she had just suffered had been quite effective at eradicating her arousal. The second scan was as quick and painless as the first. She was given a clean bill of health, and with another thank you to the doctor, she made her way back to her quarters. Leaning against the door she sighed deeply, “Pilot? Are you still monitoring?” “Yes Reader. I’m sorry to have invaded your privacy, but felt it necessary to intervene.” The wry male voice emanating from the com unit sent shivers down her spine, the good kind of shivers. “Thank you for erasing the recording. It could have proved embarrassing at a later date.” She crossed the room and sat on her bed facing the com unit. “It was my pleasure. The Negotiator thought that you might take a ‘recreational’ break, and had me keep a close watch on you. The added bonus was listening to the music that she provided. Your planet has a most interesting collection of musical styles. It was most informative.” 18

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra “Uh, thanks. How the hell did she know?” Sarah shook her head in perplexity. Tyrell’s ability to predict certain trends had made her very good at her job, but guessing that Sarah would take advantage of the predominantly male crew to indulge her hormones was amazing. “She wasn’t certain, but she asked me to keep an eye on you. So to speak.” He was amused. She could hear it as clear as day. “Well, um. Thanks. I think.” Her lips twisted in a mischievous grin. “Did you learn anything interesting?” “Oh, most definitely. By the way, in thirty minutes you will be required to attend a meeting of the team that is heading down to the planet. It is being held in the Captain’s ready room.” “Do you have monitors in the shower?” “No.” “Good, then I think I am going to indulge in a cold one.” She shook her head at her own out-ofcontrol reactions. Then she blurted out. “You have a great voice.” “You know that it is only a projection, right? I am currently floating in a tank that actually precludes my speaking out loud.” “Yes, I know that. But my hormones are still on overdrive. Talk to you later.” With the sound of masculine laughter ringing in her ears, she stripped to the skin, effectively stopping the amused tone coming out of the com unit. She 19

Viola Grace headed into the shower and stood under the pulsing wash for as long as she could stand it. Shivering and shaking with cold, she stepped back into the main chamber and dug out some new lingerie. A brilliant blue stood out in sharp relief against her skin, glowing in the light of the chamber. The silky bra and panties were so comforting against her body that she had a smile on her face as she began to put the layers of clothing back into place. First the boots were tugged on and then the under-robe was dropped into place. The hooded outer robe was belted over it and then, finally her gloves were pulled onto her arms up to the elbow. All of the Reader uniforms were grey, unrelieved grey. Not exactly a stimulating color. Even monks back on earth were allowed to wear more color. Sarah viewed herself in the mirror. “This is as good as it gets.” She brought up the map of the ship on the com unit and wandered through the halls to the meeting. She fortunately got to the ready room before the rest of the team, which let her get a good seat with her back to the wall. As the door slid open to admit Professor Ridwal, Tajn, and Kadeel she was poised and ready for anything. The Captain appeared in the doorway seconds after the team was assembled and sat at the head of the table, immediately to the left of Sarah’s position. “Professor Ridwal, Reader Marks, pleased to 20

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra see you. My name is Captain Lathrop. You are Tajn the archivist and secretary and you must be Kadeel, the biochemist and medic.” He nodded at each of them in turn as he identified them from the files on the data tablet in front of him. “You all will be pleased to know that we are currently in orbit around the planet identified as Admar by the archivist Kyra Dannick. It meets all of the specifications from the records and could very possibly be the planet of the Admaryn.” “It is for that reason that the Alliance has assigned you to be the team to confirm or disprove the theory. Your specialties are varied, and will complement each other in your exploration of the largest city on the surface. We are preparing a drop ship, and I believe that Tajn is a competent pilot?” The captain finally drew a breath and looked around him at the team that had been assigned to his ship. Professor Ridwal drew a hissing breath and answered, “Yes, he is. But I fail to see the need for a Reader to be assigned to this mission. It is strictly an exploratory mission. If it is found to be the planet of Admar a complete complement of Alliance Archeology teams will be assembled.” Sarah sat back and crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for the answer to that very question. Ridwal was only outraged because she had been assigned. Any other Reader would not have aroused a comment. 21

Viola Grace Two years earlier, Sarah had been assigned to a detail team on a planet that had been inhabited by the race of the Mdi. She had had no idea that Ridwal had published numerous monographs on the habits and social behaviors of the Mdi. He had depicted them as violent, brutish and hostile to their enemies, including sacrifice on the great altars that were found in every village, town and city. The problem was that the Mdi were agrarian vegetarians who tithed a portion of each harvest to the priests who settled the harvest charts and determined the most auspicious planting days. The microclimate made a year-round growing season for the natives, and there was always a fruit or grain coming into season. This explained the reason for the altars everywhere. Ridwal had been humiliated. His theories were proven incorrect and a whole new team took the place of his hand picked assistants on the planet’s surface. He had brought what remained of his influence to bear, and gotten her ousted from assignments from the Archaeological Departments. She had been left at the Citadel. Only occasionally, she had been let out to authenticate items for private collectors. This was her first time out at a site since the Mdi debacle, and she still didn’t know why she was here. “Reader Marks is here because the Alliance 22

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra Council has determined that she has a particular insight to the Admaryn race. If this planet is Admar, it has a connection to her species that will give her an invaluable ability to investigate the city.” Lathrop’s tone did not brook any additional queries from the Professor. “Are there any other questions?” The captain looked around the table, fixing each of them with his implacable gaze. “In that case, your drop shuttle is ready, the supplies are loaded, and all that is missing is you.” “Are we all ready to leave?” Sarah looked around the table and was met with two curious and one slightly less hostile gaze than had been there when Ridwal first saw her at the table. “Yes, we are all ready to leave.” The answers of her fellow travelers echoed with hers. The captain stood up, “We will be in position to drop you in one hour. The sooner that you are in the shuttle, the sooner that you can begin to investigate that city.” Lathrop was pleased. The faster that he got rid of them, the happier he would be. It would be up to the crew to catch up on the maintenance on the Stalix, and provide back up for any problems that they might encounter on the surface. They would relay the information that was discovered to the Alliance reps who had filed for the information as it became available. Sarah stood and bowed to the Captain, then 23

Viola Grace went back to her cabin to repack the few items she had unpacked. Then all tucked in, she put her bags by the door and activated the com unit. “Pilot!” “Yes?” “I would like to thank you for the use of your quarters. It is a great consideration for you to let me use quarters that are saved for yourself.” “It was a pleasure to have such a lovely lady such as yourself use my quarters. And at least you speak to me, several persons that are on the ship right now like to pretend that I am not here.” “Don’t worry, they’re trying to pretend that I’m not here as well. Hence my getting packed and out of your room as quickly as I can. Thanks again. I have to run.” The door opened and she gathered her bags together and headed for the shuttle bay. She was glad that she had hurried when the next person she saw was Ridwal, loading his baggage into the shuttle. She came up behind him and waited her turn at the hold. A hostile glance at her was the extent of his exchange as he then moved into the shuttle. She carefully stowed her bags in a back corner, then wrapped them in the Citadel seals and shields, to keep her stuff from getting psychic transfer from the luggage of the others. Kadeel was waiting behind her, and she nodded up at him. He looked down at her from 24

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra his seven foot height, and smiled. His six feline legs left no marks on the floors, his upper two limbs ending in claws that efficiently stowed his bags on the shuttle. When she climbed into the drop ship, she noted that Tajn was his usual early self, and running preflight checks. Kadeel lumbered aboard and strapped into his specially designed seat and harness. “We are all here Tajn. Ready for the drop.” Kadeel’s voice was a bass rumble, the words barely audible. “Professor?” “Ready.” “Reader?” “Ready.” Tajn got clearance from the pilot, and then began to maneuver the ship into drop position. As the communications between Tajn and the ship got further and further apart, suddenly the doors beneath the drop ship opened and they began their controlled descent to the planet. Which explained the ‘drop’ in the name. Sarah kept her eyes closed and gripped her hands tightly together as the shuttle slowly descended to the surface. Seventeen people had used the seat she was in, two of them had soiled themselves on the drop and one had thrown up. Being a Reader in a common use vehicle was a headache. 25

Viola Grace Fortunately, Tajn was a very competent pilot. The swirling cloud formations passed the view port, and only a slight shudder went through the craft as they approached the target city. Sarah unclipped her safety harness as soon as they touched down on the surface. She was out of that seat and through the hatch before the others had even realized that they had landed. She stumbled into the bright sunlight of the planet, and gasped at the un-recycled air greeting her lungs. The gravity also felt a little odd. The space crafts of the Alliance had a problem keeping the gravity constant. Sarah flexed her arms and legs, adapting to the weight of her body on this new world. “Reader! What are you doing?” The professor’s hostile tones rang out of the belly of the shuttle. “Getting some fresh air! What does it look like?” She collapsed on the ground and looked up at the blue of the sky. “You have broken protocol! This will go on your record.” Ridwal came stomping out of the shuttle with a disagreeable look on his saurian face. “Fine. Whatever.” She crossed her arms over her eyes and flopped onto her back. Absorbing the sunlight filtering through the clouds into her skin. It had been five years since she had been on an Earth-type world, she intended to enjoy every second of it. Her lips curled into a smile as Ridwal 26

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra muttered and complained to the other two members of their party. Tajn merely laughed and shook his silvered head at her prone form splayed out on the grass. He had never seen her so relaxed. Kadeel stretched his six lower limbs and two upper, then ambled into the grass as well. “Relax Professor. If I recall correctly, this is a Terran-type planet. Let her have her moment.” Kadeel’s bass rumble did not sooth Ridwal, in fact it seemed to irritate him even more. “Let’s get this damned shuttle unpacked, then enter the city. We have a job to do.” Suddenly all business Ridwal opened the cargo hold and began to remove baggage. “Ok. Fine. Let’s get to work.” Sarah hoisted herself to her feet, then wandered over and retrieved her bags. The Citadel screens were carefully folded and stored in a pouch just for that purpose, then the rest of her stuff was hoisted onto her shoulders and she turned to the city gates less than half a kilometer away. She set out and was not surprised to see Ridwal pass her with Kadeel in a close second. But Kadeel was rather quick on his six feet, even for an Oesh, and soon overtook the Nordian professor. A harsh throat clearing from Ridwal however, and the biochemist checked his eager pace and fell into step. In minutes, the entire team had reached the 27

Viola Grace gates, then come to a halt in front of the amazing structure that loomed before them. The gates seemed to have grown out of the ground. As strong as they were beautiful, they pushed against them to no avail. “Um, how are we going to get in?” Sarah voiced the concern that spilled over all of them in grim waves. “Could the shuttle land inside the gates perhaps?” “No. It was considered, but there is an electromagnetic field that spills across the top of the city. If we hit it, we would drop like a stone.” Tajn was using a portable recorder to take in the vast expanse of the gates and the wall that enclosed the city. For an Ontex, he was remarkably personable, his blue eyes taking up one quarter of his face, giving him the look of a silvery china doll. “Well, in that case landing in the field was sensible. If a little less exciting.” She smiled and wandered closer to the wall, admiring the tiny black flecks in the pinkish stone. One of her gloved hands reached out to touch the cool wall. She was surprised when she felt a pulse of power under her fingers. Something was alive in there! “Professor. Could you come here for a moment?” Sarah turned her head just in time to watch the red crest on top of his head flare in annoyance. It was really quite striking in contrast to the gem-green scales of his skin. 28

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra “Reader, you will have your part to play once we have gotten into the city. Until then, please keep your observations to yourself.” He turned to Kadeel and they got into a heated discussion about getting the emergency welding unit from the shuttle and using it on the gates. Sarah shook her head in annoyance and crooked her fingers at Tajn. When he got close enough she whispered, “Just record anything that I do for a few minutes. I think I know how to get into the gates.” Slowly, she trailed her hands over the wall, tracing the heat and life that she felt to the main lock on the gates. The black flecks that she had noted earlier began to move through the stone, following her hands as she drew her fingers toward the locking mechanism. She could feel something happening under her hands. However, she also could feel that it wasn’t complete. With a long look at the darkening stone beneath her hands, she drew one hand away. She used her teeth to tug one finger of her gloves loose at a time, with a whispering slide, the fabric let her skin loose from its faithful embrace. Trembling with anticipation, she drew her fingertips over the lock. There! That was it. At the touch of her bare skin, the rest of the mechanism assembled beneath her hand and suddenly the gates groaned and swung open. 29

Viola Grace

Chapter 3

S

arah looked at her open palm. Nothing. There was no trace of any being on the gate. As far as she could tell, it had grown out of the stone of the planet. Tajn’s voice sounded from behind her, “Well, I think that we now know why this particular Reader was assigned to the team.” Sarah heard the amazed hissing behind her and was ducking out of the way before the professor pushed past her to enter the city. She quickly tugged her glove back into place, keeping her skin from contact with the scales of the irate archaeologist. “What did you do? How did you get the gates to open?!” He was vacillating between astonished and furious. “I told you. I felt something in the stone. I merely followed the sensation until I got to the lock then touched it directly and it swung open. Tajn has it all recorded.” She was unconcerned. He 30

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra had never assaulted a team member as long as he had been a member of Alliance teams. “Shall we go in? Or would you like to discuss this out here for the rest of the afternoon?” Ridwal’s mouth fell open and closed with a snap. Then he gestured to the rest of the team to follow him through the gates and into the city. Tajn and Kadeel shrugged and followed the professor through the crystalline gateway. Sarah brought up the rear, hauling her bags with her. “Wow.” There was no other word in her vocabulary for it. The structures were arranged around a main courtyard, with a silent fountain in the center. All of the buildings appeared to be made of stone sculpted to resemble twined vines in amazing configurations. It seemed to Sarah’s semi-trained eyes that the city had never been inhabited, and yet her senses were telling her that there was someone here. The fountain in the center of the main square suddenly came to life. Water gurgling out of the spigots and arching out of the free-form sculpture in the center. The team looked at each other and suddenly Ridwal turned to her with a startled look, “What did you do, Reader?” “Nothing, my hands are full, and I am letting you guys go first. Anything going on here is not of my doing.” “It is my doing.” This voice was not one that 31

Viola Grace they recognized. As one they turned to look, and after a moment of amazement to figure out what she was looking at Sarah almost keeled over laughing. Standing in the doorway to one of the largest buildings in the square was an elf. An honest to goodness, starring-in-a-fairy-tale-near-you, elf. Or, to be more accurate, a drow. He was about six and a half feet tall, his hair was snow white, and his skin a black so dark that it seemed to absorb the light around it. He stood in the shadows, his silver eyes glowing in the ambient light of the afternoon sun. Professor Ridwal gave Sarah a disgusted look and stepped forward, “Who are you and what are you doing in this city?” Sarah was still laughing. She couldn’t stop. Here in front of her was her adolescent fantasy and she was killing herself with laughter. Not cool. She stumbled over to the side of the fountain and took a seat on one side to try and calm herself. “My name is Demetrius Tahmores. I am one of the last of the Admaryn.” He let the news soak into his audience. “You are in the city of Tuari. Designed to house the next generation.” Sarah stopped her hysterics and splashed water on her face. Her gloves were soaked in seconds, but she didn’t seem to notice. This couldn’t be happening. No. This wasn’t happening. She looked up again. Yep, there he was. Ok, so 32

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra maybe it was happening. Maybe she was halfway across the galaxy and seeing an elf. Sure, it could happen. “I am Professor Ridwal of the Alliance Archeology team. This is the archivist Tajn, and our biochemist Kadeel.” Each of the males nodded as they were introduced. Then they looked quizzically over at the professor, waiting for Sarah to be introduced. It didn’t happen. Sarah sighed and stood, dripping wet and fighting a grin. “Demetrius Tahmores, I am Alliance Reader Fourth Class Sarah Marks. Pleased to meet you.” She knew that she looked like hell, but the look in his eyes made her feel unaccountably warm. “Pleased to meet you Sarah. I am a little sensitive to sunlight I’m afraid. If you would come with me, I’ll give you a tour of your quarters during your stay.” Demetrius turned sideways and gestured for them to join him in the shadowed hall. He was attentive to all of them, but Sarah felt his eyes on her almost at all times. In the dark of the hallways he almost disappeared. Only his white hair and burning silver eyes marked his position in the darkness. It was creepy, yet at the same time heat was pooling in her belly. His eyes burned into her as if he had already become familiar with her flesh, and wanted more. She shivered in response. Although she couldn’t see his face as he passed by her, she 33

Viola Grace could have sworn that he smiled. Each of the team was assigned quarters for the duration of their stay. Professor Ridwal objected at first, but when Demetrius pointed out that the building that they were staying in had no historical value, he capitulated and allowed them to enter the rooms. As each of the other team members was assigned a room, Sarah began to shift nervously. First the professor entered his quarters, Kadeel was escorted to his, then Tajn. Finally it was just Sarah and Demetrius. “Um. So. Why is the city unused?” She felt it necessary to fill in the silence as he paced next to her. “The last of the population designed it to be used by the next generation. That is why the field generator is in place.” His rich melodic tone both soothed and put her on guard at the same time. “Which new generation? I don’t see any of your people in the Alliance. What happened to them?” They were now heading further into the underground passages than she was comfortable with. She trailed her hand out to leave a psychic trace on the walls to lead her out again. “They have yet to be born. But I have seen them.” “How? How could you see them if they haven’t been born yet?” Her brittle tone was shrill even to her own ears. 34

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra “You see the past? That is why you introduced yourself as a Reader?” He waited for her nod, turning again down one of the many corridors. “I see the future. It is one of the psi talents of my race.” Sarah stopped for a moment. “Wow, what a coincidence. It is one of the talents of my race as well. We only have a five percent psi rating though.” “Ah, how…interesting.” His hand came to her back and began to gently steer her down the hallway once more. “Where are we going?” She was getting really nervous now. Surprisingly his hand on her back was not causing her to read his emotional state. In fact, it was like it wasn’t even there. Except for the heat from his palm that was making its way through her system. “There is someone I would like to introduce you to.” His grip became a little more possessive and moved from her back to wrap around her hip. “What about the rest of the team? Shouldn’t they be included in this kind of thing?” Her startled eyes focused on his face. The clearly sculpted features and strong jaw line stood out in the dim illumination of the hallway. There was a definitely amused twist to his lips. She found that even at this close range she had to watch his face for a hint of his emotions. “They are currently utilizing the amenities in 35

Viola Grace their rooms. They won’t notice we are gone.” “Gone? Gone where?” “Just to the main underground hall, the place that I have been living in for the last few years.” “Oh, how many years would that be exactly? According to the ancient myths and legends, your kind live for a really long time.” “Your race still tells stories of us? What kind?” “Oh, fables and fairy tales of the elves are many and varied. But generally your species is depicted as tricksters. Horny tricksters.” She tried to edge out of his grip, but his fingers tightened on her. “Horny? I am unfamiliar with that term. What does it mean?” “Ah. They spent quite a lot of time trying to seduce humans.” “Hmm. A worthy goal, if they were anything like you.” He paused for a moment. “Has your species always been this attractive?” “Umm. I suppose so. I have fairly regular features. The only thing out of the ordinary about me is my height. I am a little too tall for my species standard.” He did not say anything else, just kept walking with her in his grip, deeper and deeper into the maze of passages. A strange sense of calm came over her as she went into the passageways. It was as if part of her had been here before. She knew without a doubt that she could find her way to the surface in only a 36

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra few minutes. “Here we are.” A door slid open in front of them and a soft light spilled into the corridor.

37

Viola Grace

Chapter 4

“S

arah Marks, I would like to introduce you to the memory of the Admaryn People, the main computer core, Aissa. Aissa, this is Alliance Reader Fourth Class Sarah Marks, of the planet Earth.” His introduction was remarkably formal, but it made sense to Sarah as she stepped forward and a female voice greeted her. “Sarah, it is a pleasure to meet you. We have been waiting for some time for your race to leave its planet.” “Waiting? For what exactly?” Sarah took a seat at the table which slid from the wall, in the chair that Demetrius held out for her. “Dem? Did you want to explain, or should I?” Aissa’s voice was a pleasant chime of female tone. “You may Aissa. I have to check on our other guests.” He disappeared into the shadows around the door. Leaving her alone with the computer. “Well, now that we are alone, do you want the 38

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra long version or the short version?” “Start with the short and go from there, please.” “Alright. The red planet in your system was once home to a penal colony from Admar.” Sarah blinked in astonishment. “I believe that your species calls it Mars.” “When your species began to develop, a few of the members managed to cobble together a shuttle to travel to your world. They burrowed under hills and set up a quiet colony in the heart of the human inhabited areas. The almost all-male population soon began to seek out human companionship. It was regarded by some as a form of bestiality, but continued unchecked.” “Wow. Flattering.” “The homeworld found out about the activities, but made no effort to check the slow migration of the penal colony to Earth. It was only when children began to appear, born of both bloodlines that they became concerned. When those children exhibited the talents of their fathers, the High Council of Admar decided to take action. They were unaware of the rapid maturity cycle of the humans, and by the time they had acted, three generations of half-breeds had been born. A veritable army for those who had flouted the laws of Admar.” “Okay, what happened then?” “Genocide. Your species was almost wiped off of your world. Any human living near the 39

Viola Grace settlements was killed outright. The contamination of the mixed bloodlines was thought to have been wiped out, but that was not exactly accurate. When the Alliance Trade Federation found out that a second attack was to be mounted against your world they declared it a protected zone. Satellites and random checks kept it safe. No species was to be allowed near your world until you had made it into space without interference.” “Well, that explains a lot. But what happened to the Admaryn?” “A virus. One of the exploratory teams brought back a virus that dropped the fertility rate down to one in twelve. With the exceptionally long life spans that were endemic to the Admaryn, it was hardly noticed for the first fifty years. Within four hundred years however, it became a serious concern. It was suggested that genetic samples be taken from Earth to assist in increasing the fertility rate. The Alliance refused to allow them anywhere near it though.” “The Admaryn agreed to wait. They would keep uninfected personnel in stasis until the humans entered space. Only eight were found who would be suitable to combine with your species, and that were willing to do so.” “Combine with?” “Have children with. It was far too late for any biochemical solution. Only direct reproduction would be effective.” 40

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra “Direct reproduction? With whom?” Sarah was getting a disturbing feeling. She knew where this was heading. “The human females that the Alliance was to have sent to Admar when they became available. Like you.” “I don’t think that I signed on for that.” “Don’t you find Dem attractive? Your pulse, pheromones, and vocal tremors are indicating arousal.” Aissa’s tone was almost maternal. Sarah wouldn’t have been surprised to hear the computer let out a ‘tsk’. “I do, honestly. But no one wants to be wanted just because she is the only one of her species to have turned up in over five hundred years.” The deep melodic voice sounded from behind her, “One thousand five hundred actually.” Sarah’s head slowly sank down until it was touching the table. Then she began to thump her forehead rhythmically against it. His long elegant fingers closed over her shoulders and drew her upright. “I am glad that you are attracted to me, because when I saw you in my visions before I went into the tank, I wanted you more than any woman I had ever seen before.” His lips were on her neck, trailing up to her jaw line. She turned to face him, he took her mouth with his own, his tongue tracing around her mouth before delving deep inside. Her mind was 41

Viola Grace frantically searching for contact, frustrated when it couldn’t find him. Her hands fisted in his tunic, trying to replace the lack of closeness of the mind with physical contact. “Dem, Sarah. As encouraging as this is, I think a more private venue would be more appropriate.” Aissa’s voice was wry. Sarah started and broke the kiss. “Holy…!” Sarah tried to free herself from Dem’s grip. But it was like iron. This was rather uncharacteristic behavior for her. She normally did not jump into the arms of strangers within two hours of meeting them. Let alone try to drag them into her while in a computer bank hundreds of feet below the surface. “Sarah, it’s alright. I have seen it.” The silver eyes bored into her and then she felt his mind touch hers. “Fifteen hundred years ago, I saw us together. It was the only reason that I volunteered to go into the tank. The knowledge that if I waited for you long enough, you would come to me.” She was speechless, the visions that he spoke of flashed through her mind. His body over hers, her paler limbs tangled around him as they writhed together. She saw herself through his eyes, and started in shock. He was showing her his memories, but in it she was wearing the scarlet set of underwear that Amy had given her. She had not yet worn them. How could he know what she 42

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra looked like if not through precognition? There was no other way. As easily as if he were lifting a child, he raised her in his arms and began to walk out of Aissa’s room and to what she could only guess were his own quarters. Her gloves and robes kept her from feeling his skin next to hers and she was desperate for sensation. He placed her gently on the edge of the enormous bed that took up a large portion of the room. He swiftly shed his tunic, then his trousers. Sarah let out a nervous laugh as she realized that he had left his boots on. Her own fingers fumbled with her boots. Drawing them off, dropping them on the floor without ceremony. His boots fell next to hers and then his hands were drawing her to her feet once again. Moving to release the belt that kept her outer robe in place. It fell to the floor with a slither of fabric. The inner robe was whisked over her head seconds later. She was left wearing her bright blue lingerie and the grey elbow-length gloves. His erection twitched in reaction as he viewed her from head to toe. Dem’s hands went to her hips. She felt her heart pound and wetness drenched her panties as the heat from his palms wrapped around her, sliding her panties down over her hips. Her bra clasp she took care of herself, reaching behind her to flick the hooks loose. 43

Viola Grace “Let me. I have waited a long time for this.” His voice had gone dark and husky. A shiver went through her, bringing her nipples erect, scraping the inside of the loose fabric that clung to her shoulders. His hands stroked her neck and caressed the straps of her bra off of her shoulders. She let the silken straps slide down her arms and shivered once again. She reached out to touch him, then gasped in frustration as he held her hands away from his body. “Sarah, my control is razor thin. If you don’t touch me, I might be able to hold out.” His eyes burned in their sockets, hot coals of lust devouring her body. Her breasts rose sharply as heat flared higher within her veins. “Or perhaps not.” Dem stroked her palms with his thumbs, smiling into her eyes as he tucked her hands behind her back. His hands quickly gripped her waist and sent her flying onto the bed. Her back slid along the silk until her gloved hands stopped the progress by bracing against the headboard. Demetrius was upon her in an instant. His rampant erection pulsed against her belly, leaving a wet trail of precum across her skin as he slid against her. He eased her thighs apart with one knee, making a home for his hips in the cradle of her thighs. His long, clever fingers drew through the dampness between the folds of her outer lips as 44

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra she shivered and arched against him. She rocked her clit against the head of his cock as he moved his hips back to start edging into her warm depths. He hissed a curse and drove forward without any further preliminaries. As his thrust carried him to the hilt, Sarah let out a cry. Her body arched against him. Pressing her breasts into the wall of his chest. He pulled back and thrust forward again. Sweat broke out on her body as the sensation of his penis dragging against her sensitive tissues took over her mind. She locked her hands around his neck, her legs around his waist. His tempo began to increase into a pounding that shook the enormous bed that they occupied. She felt the pulsing of a climax sweep over her, and still he kept driving on. All that she could see above her were his burning eyes and the white of his hair against the dark canopy above them. Gasping cries were coming from her throat as every thrust within her caused a cascade of shockwaves to sweep through her. Dem’s movements were quickening. The friction between them was bordering on pain, when his eyes went distant and he shuddered above her. His hands were locked around her hips, pulling them hard against him. He pulled her sharply against him as he groaned in his climax. Spurting his semen into her depths as he 45

Viola Grace pulsed within her welcoming belly. He dropped against her body, his cock still buried inside her. Then gently held her head and kissed her deeply. “I’ve dreamed of that.” His chest was still heaving in an effort to catch his breath. Nestled under him, she was warm, content, covered in sweat, and still wearing her gloves. A tired smile crossed her face. “I hope that it lived up to your dream then. Because my mind is now totally blank.” She slumped back into the coverlet and looked up at him. “Perhaps this will make you more comfortable.” He wrapped one midnight hand around her hips and rolled so that she was now above him, her breast open to his gaze and touch. Her entire body within his grasp with only her hands still bound by fabric. Sarah knelt back, putting all of her weight on her hips, feeling the rising of his interest moving inside her. Taking each gloved finger in her teeth, she tugged them off, one finger at a time. First the left hand then the right. Slowly peeling the fabric down her arms, then off. She kept them in her hands and rubbed his chest and belly slowly with the soft grey fabric. As he began to move to the rhythm of her hands she discarded the gloves. Finally touching him with her own hands. Wow. The feeling was fantastic. 46

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra She felt the heat that his body was giving off, the energy, the sweat that formed anywhere her hands traced. Her random designs were causing him to shift and swell within her. His hands were working on learning the textures of her flesh. The hard points that her nipples had become were exceptionally vulnerable targets for his clever fingers. As they drew circles around her nipples the moisture between her thighs became a torrent of liquid heat. Her nails dug into his chest as his hands pinched and tweaked at the mounds of flesh he tormented. She simply braced her hands against the hard muscles of his abdomen and gasped in reaction to the ministrations of his hands. To break his contact with her breasts, she began to rock her hips against him. Lifting and falling on his hardening cock, in a staggered rhythm. She moved slowly at first, then snuck one of her hands to her clit and began to rub slow circles around it as she rose and fell. Her eyes fluttered closed. The sight of his unrelenting focus on her was unnerving. She began to move faster, her fingers matching the increase in pace. Each breath that she took was ending on a heated sigh. Her breathing was increasing as well. In only a few moments she was gasping on the edge of release. And that is when she opened her eyes to find his eyes burning into hers as she used 47

Viola Grace his body for her own pleasure. It was too late to stop, she climaxed with a shivering cry as her body tensed and froze above him. When she recovered her senses, she found herself cradled against his chest, her thighs still cradling his, and his heartbeat pounding in her ears. It was rapid and reminded her that he had not gotten his release the second time. So did his hard cock pulsing within her. “Oh, Demetrius, I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say, this had never happened to her before. Most of her encounters were one time only. They left as soon as they were done with her. “Don’t be, that was one of the most amazing things that I have ever seen in my life. Well worth the few minutes of frustration.” “Few minutes?” The rest of what she was about to say was lost in a yelp as he flipped her off of him, and onto her stomach. He entered her from behind and began to slowly thrust and slide within her. She was rubbed gently against the silken sheets with every shift, and that was until his hands reached under her and cupped her breast, squeezing and pulling at them in the same rhythm as his thrusts. Her body was still unbearably sensitive and a shivering orgasm washed over her in waves. Only a breathy groan told of the sensations running through her as he pressed against the inner wall of her channel, stimulating the largest nerve centers 48

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra in her cunt and driving her nuts. Her fingers dug into the sheets as she shivered and came again, this time her mouth opening and no sound emerging as her body locked in it’s paroxysm of release. Seconds later, drawn out by her bodies grasp upon him, Demetrious roared his release, gripping her hips hard and holding her against him as his cock discharged it’s seed into her depths. He withdrew from her and fell to her side, chest heaving and body shining with sweat. “That was what I have been dreaming about.” He cuddled her close to him, spooning with her as the scent of their activities wrapped around them. They lay silent for a few moments, until she began to shiver with cold. Then with a few awkward movements because he refused to release her, they were tucked under the covers and settled down for a nap.

49

Viola Grace

Chapter 5

S

arah woke as the chirping of the maintenance robot sounded. It wanted to make the bed. She stumbled out of it and went to look for her clothing, which was neatly folded on a nearby table. She tried to remember what had happened the day before, but was unable to recall it. She tugged on her panties from the day before, forgetting where she had left her baggage. Then put the bra on and shifted her breasts into their proper place for the rest of the day. The under robe went on over her little Terran secret, and her over robe belted into place without any argument. Her boots tried to trigger a memory within her, but she was unable to locate it, and that was not like her. Lastly, she tugged on her gloves, and they gave her the hint that she needed. As she drew them on, flashes of smooth black skin and glowing silver eyes filled her inner vision. Aha. Sarah shook her head. This was not the first 50

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra time she had been on the receiving end of a mind wipe, but the others she had agreed to. This was just sneaky. Now she needed to find out why. The bot waved a scrubbing arm at her and she took the hint and left the rooms she had woken up in. The hall was familiar. In only a few moments she had located the path that would lead her into the courtyard. The team was assembled in the yard, speaking with Demetrius in hushed tones. The acoustics of the yard made it such that any tiny whisper could be heard at the other end. Demetrius himself was completely shielded from the sun by a hooded robe that matched the one that Sarah was wearing. The discussion was revolving around which area to investigate first. Ridwal wanted to get to the artifacts, Tajn wanted to get to the archives, and Kadeel wanted to investigate the local flora and fauna. Demetrius stood quietly and let them argue. Then something caught his attention and he turned to walk towards her. “Good morning, Reader. I trust you slept well. The rest of the team is trying to decide where to explore today.” He stood on a lower step, eye to eye with her and winked. “Shall we join them?” “Certainly.” He held out his arm and unthinkingly she put her hand delicately on his. It didn’t even sink in that this was unusual behavior for her until she met the astounded gaze of the team watching their approach. 51

Viola Grace Sarah flushed and jerked her hand back, folding it carefully against her abdomen with the other and locking her fingers together. “Since you can’t decide where you want to focus your exploration, why don’t you all go to the areas that you find interesting and check in hourly. As this is no longer classified as an uninhabited dig, we no longer have to abide by the protocols. Well, with the exception of checking in with the Stalix.” Her little speech finished, Sarah stood back and waited. After a few abortive attempts to get them all to investigate artifacts, Ridwal gave in and let them go their separate ways. A few words from Dem had Ridwal taking off down one of the many corridors to a hall of statuary. Tajn had a similar reaction as he scampered off to the main library. Kadeel just wandered out of the gates and started exploring. That left Sarah alone with Demetrius in the middle of the courtyard. “Aren’t you sensitive to the sun?” “Yes.” “Then why are we standing here in the middle of a sunbathed courtyard?” “A good question. Shall we?” Once again he held out his arm, and she took it. Her hand fell onto his arm without a second thought. They slowly meandered back into the shadows of the inner corridor. Not a word was spoken between 52

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra them. Sarah enjoyed the silence. No minds beyond those of the team were in her radius. Dem just did not show up. She sent her mind out and it touched nothing. Ah, bliss. She was perfectly content to wander around with her mentally invisible companion, but she sensed that he had another agenda. “We seem to be heading back to the computer station.” “That’s correct.” “Anything that I didn’t learn yesterday? Or did you wipe some of that stuff out of my mind too?” Her lips twisted in a wry grimace. She wasn’t angry, but she did want answers. “I had no intention of seducing you yesterday, and wanted our first time to be with both of us equally eager. So I wiped it out of your mind, but left the rest. How did you remember it?” He was resigned but curious. “I got it from my gloves.” She smirked at him. “Damn, psychometric talents, I forgot.” He let out a deep sigh. “Could we begin again?” “Yes. Yes, we could. Just pretend that you never saw me in my underwear.” Heat burned in his eyes, turning them into banked coals gleaming in the unrelieved charcoal of his face. “Impossible.” They had arrived at the computer station. “Good morning, gentle beings. Sarah, I’m glad to 53

Viola Grace see you again.” “Glad to meet you again as well.” She looked at the medical equipment that had been brought out, “What is on the agenda for today?” “Simple bio scans. Something about you has made me curious. And I just can’t handle being curious. Please jump up onto the scanning bed.” Dem scooped her up and place her on the bed. She smiled at him and as soon as she lay back, the scanner began to go over her from head to toe. After a few minutes of watching the blinking lights above her, they shut off and she sat up. “So, what is the verdict? Will I live?” Her voice was falsely chipper. She was not worried about her health, only the particular thing that Aissa was looking for. “Yes. Did you know that you have Admaryn genes in your system? And not just the ones that were ejaculated into you last night.” Sarah blushed and looked to Dem, but if he was blushing, she couldn’t tell. “Um, no I wasn’t aware of that.” She tried her best to sound businesslike, but it was difficult with Dem smiling at her like that. “Yep. Morlyniath clan. They were best known for their mediation abilities. It was only after one of them took a bribe to side with a certain faction in negotiations that he was sent to the Mars colony. Your ancestor’s name was Veralyk.” “You can tell all of that from my genetic code?” 54

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra She was amazed. “Affirmative. Each and every member of the penal colony had their DNA recorded so that if they tried to re-enter Alliance society, they could be apprehended.” “Wait, he was sentenced to exile because he took a bribe? Wasn’t that a little extreme?” Dem’s voice rolled over her in a warm wave, “Sarah, you have to understand that the position he was in, was one of trust. By betraying that trust, he dishonored both himself, and his family.” She propped herself up on her elbows. “Wow. Serious. So, does that impact me in any way?” “No. The dishonor is eradicated after ten generations. Admaryn custom.” Dem seemed relieved. “Ah, so I can get back to my job here as Reader for the team?” Sarah was hesitant. There was something in Demetrius’ eyes that had not been there mere minutes before. If only she could read him. Dammit. “Yes you can. In fact, I believe that they are gathering in the courtyard as I speak. You may want to join them.” Aissa was politely cheerful, opening the door for Sarah. She took the hint, with only a small wave at Dem as she passed. Her mind was whirling with possibilities. Perhaps, he wanted nothing more to do with her because of her ancestry. She just couldn’t tell. Maybe losing herself in her work 55

Viola Grace would be the distraction she needed. Without thinking about it, she had made her way to the surface. She calmly and securely walked the pathways to the open air. Sure enough, the whole team was gathered, each explaining their findings. “Hey guys, miss me?” They all turned startled eyes to her as she approached. “Reader, where have you been?” Ridwal was rather less hostile than normal. That usually meant that he was up to something. Sarah watched him carefully. “With our host, learning some of the history of his race.” “We have made some amazing discoveries. The library is completely full. I could study it for years.” Tajn’s eyes closed in bliss at the prospect. “I have located several objects that require your analysis, Reader. I will bring them to you this afternoon.” Ridwal was really creeping her out now. He was never this pleasant. “I have some hard-bound copies of some books that I would like you to look at as well. They seem to be giving off the same type of hum as the gateway.” Tajn’s enthusiasm was contagious. “Professor, may I examine Tajn’s finds, before your artifacts?” For once she was following protocol. “Yes, Reader, you may.” He paused for a moment. “But I will expect a detailed report on 56

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra any findings that you make, in the morning.” “Of course Professor.” Before she could say anything else, the professor was halfway out of the courtyard. His speed left the rest of them astonished. Sarah noted Demetrius lurking in the shadows near the main hall. She quickly scurried up to him, “Dem, what exactly is the professor studying?” “I led him to the collection of erotic statuary yesterday. I believe that he spent most of the day observing the different techniques demonstrated.” “A collection of…? Wow. No wonder he was in such a hurry.” “Did you want to continue the exploration of the main hall today?” “Ah, I have to help Tajn investigate some artifacts that he found in the library. But, I would love to spend more time with you. Just not today.” She blushed and ducked her head. This situation was so out of her normal experience that it wasn’t funny. She had no idea what to do when the object of her lust was being so, well, nice. Helpful and polite could also be applied. Sarah had come to the conclusion that she was going to do nothing. If Dem wanted her, he could tell her, or make the first move. She gave him a nod and a smile, then returned to Tajn, and followed him into the doorway of the Great Library. Hours passed with only cursory 57

Viola Grace progress on the books and implements that Tajn had selected for assessment. Around noon, the darkness inside the library became oppressive to Sarah. She took the objects out of the library, and set up a desk and chair in a position to capture the maximum of light for her work. She filed the individual reports for the objects that she scanned and then wandered around the courtyard. She examined the myriad buildings and what seemed to parks. They were beautiful in the bright light of day, but she knew that in the moonlight, they would be breathtaking. She sat near the main fountain and sighed in frustration. What the hell was she going to do? For the first time in her life, she felt like she was falling in love. Every instinct that she had was telling her to run to him. It was scary and it was affecting her work, she couldn’t concentrate, her reports were disorganized. She dropped her head into her hands and rubbed her forehead. It sucked. It must be love. The sun carefully tracked its way across the heavens, tingeing everything with a golden hue. As she looked down onto the grey of her gloves, her mind wondered what Dem’s skin would look like in the golden light. Damn. She shook her head again and returned to her tiny desk in the main courtyard. Ridwal had left a tray full of artifacts on her 58

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra desk in the courtyard. She carefully examined each and every item, making notes as she went along. She had documented the origins and uses of seventeen out of the twenty items when she lifted the small statuette out of the tray and froze. Thousands of years of lust and memories of couples mating in a fever of that lust flowed into her mind. There was a certain amount of tenderness involved, but the violence of the attraction between the couples overwhelmed her. Suddenly she needed to be fucked, long and hard, and there was only one person on this planet that she wanted.

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Viola Grace

Chapter 6

S

arah dropped the icon onto the table, her body flaring with lust. She didn’t know how it had gotten here, but she was damned sure she knew what to do next. Bracing herself for the resurgence of sensation, she picked up the icon and went in search of Demetrius. She slammed her hand against the wall, and the slap that her bare hand made against the stone brought all eyes to her. She sent her mind through the walls, until she located Dem in Aissa’s chamber. He appeared to be yelling at the computer bank. Tough. His ass was hers. “I’ll be back later.” Was all that she said as she left the hall of statuary and headed into the underground corridor, the statuette clutched in her fist. At first she was walking at a firm but no nonsense pace. When the next wave of lust fell over her, she broke into a run. The evidence of her arousal dampening her panties and trickling 60

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra down her thighs. As she got closer to the computer station, she moved faster, until she was a grey-robed blur that burst through the door and brought Dem to the ground with a flying tackle. “Sarah, what the hell?” He tried for a moment to still her hands, but then the scent of her arousal and the wildness in her eyes caught his attention. “The Gael icon? You found it?” “Yes.” Her breath came out in a hiss as she struggled to disrobe him while he lay prone on the floor. Finally she freed his cock and had it in her mouth before he could ask any more questions. She sighed around the heated flesh as she felt it spring to life at her touch. She wrapped her lips around him and drew slowly back. Keeping suction on him as she moved her mouth back and forth in an imitation of the act that she needed to complete. When he was erect and a tiny drop of precum had formed on the tip of his cock, she pulled back and reached beneath her robes to remove her panties. She knelt over him and with only a few stuttering strokes she had him lodged at her entrance and was easing down onto him with a sigh of relief. Fully clothed, she rode him hard and fast, slowing as she felt him tense beneath her, then continuing until her own release was imminent. As her climax boiled up from within her, she moved on him harder and faster until he groaned, arched his hips and pulled her onto him 61

Viola Grace with all the considerable force at his command. The hard sharp impact on her clit sent her over the edge and she shrieked her climax into the still air of the computer station. Gasping for air, she fell forward onto his chest, touching him softly, and tracing the claw marks that she had made in the heat of the lust that was riding her. “Demetrius, I’m sorry. I never meant to assault you like that.” Tears formed in her eyes as she raised her head. Mortification was pouring through her. She had just literally jumped the first guy that she had thought she could love. A hand came up to brush her tears away. “I’m glad that you did. It proves what I have been trying to tell Aissa. You and I are soul mates. That is what the Gael icon does. It drives you into the arms of your true love.” Startled, she looked into his eyes, and found the truth. He was in love with her, and she was in love with him. She slowly lowered her mouth to his and gave him a gentle kiss. It was sweet and poignant, and filled with all of the longing that she had held within her for so long. His hands came up to cup her head and she smiled against his mouth as the kiss took on another tone. “I hate to be a wet blanket, but I think that you should once again adjourn to a more private place, after all, I can’t leave the room.” Aissa sounded 62

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra embarrassed. It made Sarah smile. They separated their bodies and stood up. Sarah’s clothes fell in neat folds around her, but Dem’s tunic and pants needed a little more tweaking before he could walk comfortably. Before she could reach for them, Dem had snatched her panties from the floor, and stuck them into his belt. “You will have to earn them back.” They laughed and giggled on their way back to her room, the Gael icon lying on the floor. **** “Well that worked out well. Servo-bot, please place the icon back into long-term storage. I don’t think we will need to use it again for a while. Well, not with those two anyway.” Aissa had a good chuckle in the empty room. They had just needed a little prodding to admit their feelings. She had regretted resorting to the icon, but sometimes a computer has to do what a computer has to do. Demetrius had argued with her about using his mental talents to charm her into his bed. They had had quite a fight about it. Aissa had tried to insist that it was for the greater good of the Admaryn race, but he had refused to take advantage of Sarah. He had developed an instant attraction to the shy human, and only time would be able to cement the fragile bond that had been formed. Using his species’ charm would be hitting 63

Viola Grace below the belt, so to speak. In fact his attraction upon seeing her had been so strong, that he did not know if he had used his talents the first time that they mated. Aissa sent one of the servo-bots to the main courtyard. It beeped and chirped, bringing all members of the Alliance team into broadcast distance. “Members of the Alliance Archaeological Team, please bear witness to the following recording.” As Tajn focused his ever-present recorder on the bot, Aissa continued to use the speakers to communicate with the team. “Before the decline and removal of all remaining citizens of Admar, the high council recorded the following decree.” A holo imager sprang to life, displaying an Admaryn Councilor wearing Alliance regalia. “Welcome, gentle beings. If this message has been activated, the Terrans have arrived on the planet’s surface. There are eight members of the Admaryn race that have elected to go into stasis for this day. It is our wish and decree by the laws of Admar, that any female choosing one of these males as mate is to become legal owner of the planet. She and her children are entitled to any and all revenues generated by the Admaryn Empire, entrusted to the Alliance council. “The Alliance and all of its resources shall defend this claim, as was agreed upon the ratification of this agreement. “The future of Admar rests within the generations 64

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra yet to come. We thank you and wish you well.” The recording winked out. The team members were astonished and Tajn’s hands were locked on the recorder. There was no noise in the courtyard until the bot slowly rolled back into the main hall. From a shadowed doorway off the hall a voice rang out, “Holy Stars!” Breaking the silence with a rather gauche term suited only to the very human who had just inherited the whole damn planet. Sarah sat down heavily on the floor, her bare palms smacking against the stone. She was so distracted that she didn’t even realize that she was not reading the pathways. Behind her, Dem began to chuckle. “You do realize that they now have to obtain your permission to continue the exploration. Don’t you?” Sarah craned her neck up at her lover, and possibly the love of her life. She took in the stark features, trailed her eyes across his jaw and chin and thought about the body beneath that tunic. “Holy Stars.” **** Tajn rushed through the courtyard waving a data slip. “Sarah, you have to see this!” Sarah was sitting in the early morning sun, contemplating circumstances that had brought her here.A maintenance bot had brought her a cup of 65

Viola Grace herbal tea at Demetrius’ instructions. Something to sooth her nerves, it had told her. Inheriting an entire planet took a lot out of a person. “What is it, Tajn?” She looked up from a data pad that Aissa had given her to research the wedding traditions of Admar. “Security Dispatch. Coded for you alone.” He paused and grinned at her, displaying the impressively sharp teeth of his species. “It really pissed the Professor off.” She laughed at the use of the Terran idiom. “Hand it over, shorty.” The data pad slapped into her hand with a sharp crack. She glared at Tajn and shook her fingers to relieve the sting. “Classy.” She felt rather than saw Dem coming towards her from the darkness behind her. Her fingers keyed up the message, then held the data pad up to her eye to confirm her identity. Dem’s hands rested on her shoulders, caressing them gently as he read the missive from behind her. Dear Sarah, This is a message to inform you that you are the fourth Terran Champion. Your performance at the Mdi homeworld was the deciding factor. The declaration was delayed until you had reached Admar for several reasons. The largest being, that if it 66

Mark of Admar - Champions of Terra were generally known, your workload would have precluded your participation in the exploration. Congratulations. You are joining a very select group and have every reason to be proud. You, Sarah, are an exemplary member of the human race, and deserve every honor that we can give you. Now on a more personal note, I hear that you have inherited a planet, and that you are getting hitched. Your wedding present is on the way. A special courier will arrive by jump ship in a few days. Don’t wear them all at once. They were hard to come by. Talk to you soon, buddy. You know how to contact me. Your friend, Amanda Tyrell, Alliance Negotiator to the Haldis Imperium (and a terrific dancer) “What is your friend sending you?” Dem seemed merely curious, but his clever fingers were stroking over her shoulders and onto her breasts. She inhaled sharply and relaxed back into his hands. “A wedding gift. Probably more underwear.” She smiled and shifted to push her nipples into his palms. “I don’t know how she gets this stuff, but I am grateful that she does.” His head dipped down to bite at her neck. Then he murmured. “So am I. Remind me to send her a note indicating my appreciation.” 67

Viola Grace She began to laugh, a tiny giggle at first. Then a full-throated howl, as she imagined explaining the Admaryn race to any human that she had come across. They wouldn’t believe her. Elves, ha! Unable to stop her from laughing, Dem lifted her to her feet, and silenced her with a kiss. Her laughter stilled, she reflected on the events that had drawn her here. Led by the past, to find her future. It was kind of poetic. **** Light years away, Alliance Negotiator Amanda Tyrell, smiled behind her face-plate at the recordings that had been sent to her by a contact at the Alliance Archaeology Center. They were pictures of Sarah and her new mate, Demetrius. They looked so happy together. A Drow. She would never have guessed that the dark elves were a reality. It just went to show her that yet another myth of the human race had a correlation with a species of the Alliance. Sarah was the last of her friends that needed protection from the political machinations of the Alliance Councils. Amy could rest now. She could stop trading favors to the Alliance for more time in the Negotiator armor. It was about damned time.

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About the Author

A

compulsive crafter and sucker for a ‘happily ever after’, I spend my time avoiding anything related to housework. My hobbies have included needlework, metalwork, henna tattoos and costume design. Oh yeah, and writing. I love to write. A rabid sci-fi buff and nerd to the core.