Moonbeams and magic (26 page)

Near her sleeper he noticed a control/communications panel and, on the adjacent wall, he saw a viewing monitor and audio system for amusement. There was a short seata with a square table beside it. A small servo unit was located in a wall nearby for quick access to refreshments. He noted a collection of miniature animals and image disks of an older man, a lovely woman, and younger male on a wall shelf; he decided to study them closer another time since her family was deceased and speaking about them could cause her pain. Yet from a glance, she favored her mother. Variegated tints of ivory, blue, and green were the colors of her quarters,

which gave them a light and relaxing aura. He noted a panel above her sleeper which covered a transascreen for exterior viewing.

All doors and controls were voice activated by either her command or by Cypher's rather than by floor-pressure panels; no doubt, he assumed, because Moig had journeyed on her ship on occasion and she wanted to ensure her privacy. The environmental system was automatically controlled; lights came on and went off when someone entered a room or area, unless their sensors were overridden by voice com-man4 such as for sleeping.

Dagan smiled. "I'm almost speechless, Starla; this ship is a beauty. I can see why you prefer to habitate here instead of in the settlement."

From his reactions, he appeared to believe her ruse. The spacecraft—styled in the maimer, marked appropriately, and registered to the obliterated skycity where she allegedly had been bom and reared—was decorated to convince anyone who came aboard of her false identity and origin, down to faked family image disks. Everything inside and outside the Liska had been skillfully "aged" to four yings, the purported date of her survival and the loss of her world. "I feel safer and more comfortable in my own surroundings," Starla admitted, then switched to another subject. "Do you have any questions for Cypher-T? I asked him to accompany us in case you did, since he knows more about the ship and its functions than I do. I learn more every weg, but I would be lost without his help and lonely without his companionship. As many times as he's either rescued me or warned me of danger, I would probably be a captive by now if not for his assistance and protection. He can do just about everything, even any maintenance required on himself."

Starla observed Dagan as he walked down the passageway with her android and probed the unit for information about their weapons, force shield, power source, and their

speed capability. She was amused when the Kalfan asked the android about himself, and Cypher—intentionally, she surmised—related his abilities in scientific and technological terms to prevent clarity. She assumed Dagan didn't ask Cypher to explain in words he could understand because her lover didn't wish to appear as if he lacked intelligence and comprehension.

They reached the eating area and made their selections from a row of metallic cards which were inserted into an order slot, marked with words or symbols in WEK the universal language for communication. There were four recessed spaces, of which three contained units with smoky doors: the first for dispensing liquids, a second for serving hot foods, and a tliird for serving cold ones. The last was for disposing of containers which were cleaned and returned to stock for future use. Leftovers and wrappings were disintegrated by an internal device, commands given by a memory chip.

As they ate, Dagan was cognizant of the android's continued presence, as Starla had not dism.issed him. Cypher's expressionless silver eyes seemed to remain focused on him as the android stood at attention near the door. Cypher was male in appearance—even his silver hair, body covering, limbs, and features looked real. Dagan had an eerie sensation that the advanced unit was analyzing him as if he were a complex problem to be solved. He also had the weird idea that the android didn't like having him aboard and with Starla, as if the sophisticated automaton actually possessed feelings and they were in conflict with his logical, nonemo-tional programming. He observed the alm.ost human rapport between his lover and her longtime companion, one who clearly was protective of her. At times, he found himself forgetting the android wasn't alive, so Dagan fully understood why Starla thought of Cypher as a living being. Foolish as it seemed, he was almost jealous of their tight bond and cohabitation arrangement.

Between bites, Dagan said, "I'm surprised Tochar doesn't let us use your ship or his during raids since both are superior to Auken's."

"Even with the Azoulay repaired, thanks to you, Tochar wouldn't risk its loss during an attack on us; and mine is too small to carry a crew of five—four now that Moig is gone—and any large amount of stolen cargo."

Dagan finished chewing before he said, "I suppose you're right ... I must say, this food is delicious, better than the colony's fare."

Starla smiled and thanked him after lowering her liquid container. "You're lucky my supplies were restocked recently. A traveling vessel arrived during our last raid and Cypher handled the task for me."

Dagan glanced at the alert android before he told her, "You're fortunate you have him to take care of the Liska while you're gone. No matter how good an automatic pilot system is, they can malfunction and cost you your ship." Before taking another bite, he asked Starla, "Do you think we'll be going on another raid soon?"

"I don't know; Tochar doesn't inform me in advance."

"Why is that?" he asked as he pierced a succulent morsel.

"I suppose he has to wait until his contacts supply him with needed data on our targets. He's a clever and cautious leader."

"Do you think he trusts us?"

Starla swallowed as she eyed him. "I don't see why not; we've given him no reason to doubt us."

"Do you trust him?" He watched her think, then shi-ug.

"He hasn't given me a reason to doubt or defy him, or done anything to provoke me to leave his hire. Working for him and living here have many advantages I'm certain I couldn't find elsewhere. As for Auken and Sach, they're excellent teammates. I didn't care for Moig, but that was personal."

"You think and feel much like I do; that's good."

"Yes, it is."

They finished eating in silence, each pleased with their necessary performances. Yet, both experienced quahns of guilt over their deceptions. Afterward, they disposed of their containers and she wiped off the table.

"Cypher-T, you're in control of the bridge. If you need me, we'll be in my quarters. That's all for tonight."

"Affirmative," the android responded and left the room.

Dagan pulled Starla into his arms. "Alone at last," he murmured. "It's been wegs since I last held you and kissed you; I've missed those pleasures."

"So have I." As he nuzzled her neck and she laughed at the ticklish sensations, she murmured, "Let's retire to my quarters and get comfortable."

"Sounds wonderful to me," he responded in a husky tone, ready and willing to forget everything and everyone except her for the next few horns.

Inside the private haven and as they undressed, Dagan motioned to her wrist device and asked, "Do you need that here? Is he listening to us?" He hadn't thought about the device until Tochar expressed interest in it, but recalled she hadn't taken it off during their previous encounters.

Starla laughed as she removed the unit and put it aside. "I see you're also forgetting he isn't real," she jested.

"Isn't he?" Dagan quipped. "I was beginning to think he wasn't going to give us any privacy. He doesn't have a jealousy chip, does he?"

"Not to my knowledge, but I'm not that educated on androids. He is loyal and he takes excellent care of me; that's how he was programmed."

"Just so he isn't too possessive and doesn't consider me a threat to you. I would hate to battle with him to win you; he's bigger and stronger, and no doubt knows every trick and skill in existence. From the way you fought with me the first time we met, he's taught you most of them."

"I bested you because you didn't take me seriously as an opponent."

"Maybe and maybe not, but I won't underestimate you again, woman."

"And I won't misjudge you. Soon, I want you to tell me everything there is to know about you."

"Craving all of my secrets?"

"Yes."

"You sure they won't change your nice opinion of me?"

"How could they? You did say we're perfectly matched, alike."

Dagan's gaze roamed her unclothed body. "Not alike in all ways, thank goodness. I was referring to our good sides and traits."

Starla leaned her frame against his, the unobstructed contact stirring. "Have you ever done anything that was really horrible?"

Dagan lifted a strand of lustrous brown hair and toyed with it. "In whose opinion? Mine or that of the authorities, or my targets?"

"I'm only interested in yours, for now."

He thought for a minute, shrugged, and said, "I don't think so."

"Good, because I haven't, either."

Dagan recalled her destruction of the Serian patrol ship and crew before she hired on with Tochar. He was tempted to question her about it, but decided this wasn't the right time. Though the incident wasn't listed against her in the I-GAF files, he—an I-GAF officer—knew about it and it troubled him, as did her apparent lie moments ago. He reasoned she didn't know he had been enlightened and had deceived him to protect her image. Yet, if she could lie to him at this point and look so innocent, perhaps she could— and had—duped him in other areas. No, he had to be understanding and lenient, considering her past tragic history and her love for him.

Dagan backed her to the sleeper with a sexy grin on his face. "Now, it's time for my dessert: you, woman."

"That's why I didn't serve you one in the eating room," she jested.

"Then, I suppose I'll have to taste you hapax by hapax until I find the best treat to sate my empty spot. Get ready, my love, this greedy space pirate is about to go araiding for real treasures."

"I stay ready for you, my beloved, shameless and bold as I am."

Dagan chuckled before he pulled her against him and sealed their mouths with a tender and leisurely kiss. It melded into one that became swift, passionate, and ardent as his hands roamed her bare flesh and he savored her response. She was so disarming and enchanting as she swayed against him that his intense yearnings increased. For a time, duty didn't exist; nothing beyond his rampant desire for this woman. The eternal flame of love had been ignited in his heart and it would bum forever. He felt her tremble with a mutual longing and he knew this bond between them was meant to be.

Starla clasped his handsome face between her hands and almost ravished his lips. He was tantalizing and tempting her beyond reason and reality. Her arms looped his neck and she pressed closer to him. She rubbed her body against his to titillate and pleasure him. She leaned her head back when he trekked down her throat and trailed kisses over her pulse point, then willingly lay on the sleeper when he urged her backward and downward to its surface.

Dagan's mouth traveled her body with skill and persistence. He kissed the straining points on her breasts and stroked them with his cheek. He heard her moan with delight. His hand took a sensuous path down her body to the ftizzy triangle between her thighs. His palm flattened over her mons and absorbed its heat before drifting up and down the soft surface from her groin to her knees. He ached for

her. Slowly and provocatively, his lips covered the same terrain his hands had just traveled so he could feast upon the fruit of paradise.

As his mouth captured her tiny bud, Starla moaned and writhed. She abandoned herself to his rapturous and daring conquest. Her nails gently raked at his shoulders. Then, she buried her fingers in his dark hair, relishing the way the strands wound around them as if in a possessive embrace. A primitive wildness overtook her when he slipped a finger within her and deftly manipulated it. The core of her womanhood tensed as her need for release mounted, and she opened herself completely to his actions. She encouraged him to do as he pleased with her, because anything he did to her felt glorious. As his fingers and tongue trekked her very essence, she experienced exquisite thrills. She wanted to relax, but she couldn't; his actions wouldn't allow it. Her stomach muscles continued to ever tighten. Soon, she could not help but fall over the precipice she had climbed, the one he had pushed her toward with expertise and generosity.

When every spasm ceased, she grasped his arm and pulled him up beside her. Her hands slowly roved his hard chest, flat belly, and lower abdomen, her fingers finally toying in the dark hair around his manhood. She captured the rigid arousal and placed kisses along its full length. Her tongue danced around the tip. Her mouth enclosed him and she stimulated him with lips and hands until he was groaning and wriggling in pleasure and increased hunger.

Dagan knew that only total fulfillment could be sweeter than this splendid prelude. He reached for her arms and lifted her, his arousal penetrating her fully as he seated her upon it. In a near dazed state, he watched her rock back and forth, every fiber of his being alive and pleading for more. He thrusted in and out as his hips undulated; he sucked on the fingers she had been stroking his lips with, and he kneaded her breasts. He didn't want to stop but

knew he must or she would get left behind. "I can't hold out much longer, my love," he admitted in a ragged tone.

"Neither can I, so come with me. Now, Dagan, now."

He rolled them to her back. Their gazes fused as tightly as their loins as their passions soared and hearts pounded. Their mouths meshed and they kissed with urgency. They climaxed in unison this time, their loins throbbing and contracting as they found their gratification.

As they rested and their bodies cooled, they lay nestled together, her fingers stroking his damp chest and his drifting up and down her back.

"You have a magic and allure about you that I can't resist, Starla. I've never been tempted to settle down until I met you. I wish this had happened at a different time and place in our lives because we're stuck here for a while longer. We have to remain loyal to Tochar for many reasons."