Page 28 of Black Star

Chapter Eight

The battle was over, but the war had only begun. Ranier stormed through the corridors of the Black Star , needing to find Viktor and Diamond. She had a choice to make -- Ranier needed very much to have some time with both of them before all hell broke loose.

He entered Viktor’s cabin to find Viktor’s massive cock gliding lazily into Diamond’s cunt. She appeared sated, and Viktor didn’t seem in any hurry to finish.

Ranier hurried out of his clothes and wondered how much Viktor had learned of what was happening from the Black Star . Apparently not much, or he’d probably be in a bit of a tizzy. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for the vampire. He was only just regaining his footing. He still had problems, but the crisis had almost passed. This might be enough to push him a giant step backward. If he had formed an emotional attachment to Diamond, the possibility of losing her might push him over the edge. Either way, he needed this time with both of them. If this was the last time they had together as a unit of three, he needed the closeness and physical contact in order to stave off the grief.

“Ranier.” Diamond smiled and reached toward him. Viktor looked his way and smiled -- actually smiled . Ranier crawled onto the bed as Viktor moved himself and Diamond away from the edge and closer to Ranier. Viktor rolled them to their sides. Ranier used some lubrigel on his manhood and positioned himself behind Diamond. Carefully probing with his cock, Ranier slid inside Diamond’s pussy with Viktor and held himself still so Diamond could adjust to the new sensation.

“Oh, my!” Diamond gasped. “Oh, yeah!”

Viktor’s groan echoed Diamond’s. Ranier knew how they felt. The sensations were almost overwhelming. He could feel Viktor’s steely erection mashed pleasantly against his own, and surrounding them both was Diamond’s silky cunt.

“It is too much, Diamond?” Ranier breathed the words. It was all he was capable of. So many emotions coursed through him he simply couldn’t process them all. His emotions needed an outlet, and sex was the easiest way to lose himself.

“No. I love the burn. It makes everything better. More intense.”

Ranier made eye contact with Viktor. There was surprise on his friend’s face. Surprise and concern.

“Not now, Viktor. I need this now.”

“Then take what you need.” Diamond turned her head to look at him.

Viktor reached out to Ranier and grasped his shoulder. “From both of us.”

Ranier almost sobbed. The only thing that kept him from it was the need to let Diamond and Viktor enjoy this with no worries. He didn’t know why the Black Star hadn’t told Viktor what had happened, but it could wait a few more minutes.

Both men moved independently, and Ranier found the slide of Viktor’s cock against him just as stimulating as the grip of Diamond’s cunt around him. The residence cabin was filled with the music of their groans, grunts, and whimpers as they took their pleasure of one another. Ranier tried to drown himself in sensation, but the future was more uncertain now than ever.

The three of them continued to move, but Ranier could tell the other two were picking up on his mood. Ranier became more urgent in taking his need. He was ever conscious of not causing Diamond any more pain than was erotic for her, but he needed to take all he could. It was selfish, he knew, but he wanted to remember every sensation of this experience.

Finally, the pleasure became so great he could totally submerge himself. His urgency increased, and he felt Viktor’s cock swell slightly as the other man began his orgasm, as well.

Ranier shouted as if in pain, which he thought was accurate given the pain in his heart. He filled Diamond’s pussy with his seed and knew from the pulses in Viktor’s cock his friend had done the same. Diamond’s body tensed, and she threw her head back as she screamed. Her cunt spasmed around both their cocks, squeezing out every drop from them.

When it was over, Ranier dropped his head to Diamond’s shoulder and squeezed his eyes shut. His love for these two wonderful people was overpowering. The uncertainty yet to come was a dark cloud blotting out the sun and all warmth save where his body touched either Diamond or Viktor.

“Do you want to tell us what’s wrong?” Diamond’s rebuke was gentle, but he could tell she didn’t like him keeping anything from her, even for a short time.

“I just want to let everything be good for a few more moments.”

“That moment’s long past, Ranier.” Diamond’s voice was still gentle, but he knew she wouldn’t let him delay any longer.

“I’m surprised Viktor doesn’t already know. Didn’t the ship fill you in?”

“She’s trying to give me the time I need to get the Blood Burning under control again. Now --” He squinted his brows together. “-- she’s blocking me altogether.” He frowned. “That’s odd. Despite all my complaining when I couldn’t make a connection with her, she’s never truly shut me out.” He kissed Diamond and -- surprisingly -- Ranier’s fingers that rested on Diamond’s arm before pulling himself from Diamond and rising from the bed. He’d never thought of Viktor as showing affection this easily. Yes, Ranier accepted the fact that he loved Viktor. The man grew on him after a while. He couldn’t imagine Viktor not being in his life, but his feelings for him had never been tender. Mostly because Viktor had never seemed to need -- or want -- another person’s love. This was a pleasant surprise.

Diamond turned in his arms and kissed his chin. Ranier slipped out of her with her movement, and every part of the spell was broken. It was time to face reality. Ranier sighed and closed his arms around Diamond tightly.

“Tell me what’s happened, Ranier.” Viktor stepped back into the main room from the bathing room, a cloth in hand as he approached the bed. Ranier watched as he spread Diamond’s legs and cleansed her, then Ranier, before cleansing himself. Ranier had to shake his head. This was definitely a side of Viktor he’d never expected.

“Nadira has been captured from the Sword Breaker .”

Diamond sucked in a breath and sat up. “The ship? His crew?” Diamond voiced her concern.

“Two injured, one seriously. It could have been worse.”

“There’s more.” Viktor’s expression was as severe and hard as ever. He was all business now. “I can see it in your eyes.”

Ranier sat up and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Apparently there was more to the incarceration of the two people who now serve as the ships’ consciousnesses.”

“Nani and Darian,” Viktor clarified, his full attention on Ranier. “I figured there had to be, but that’s been the last thing on my mind for the last few weeks.”

“I don’t know all of it -- no one does except maybe Nani and Darian themselves, and they’re not telling -- but there’s a revolt in the Asalian Empire, and I dare say Vok’nair isn’t far behind.”

“What’s happened?” Viktor dressed in jerky motions, obviously readying himself to return to Command. “What does it have to do with Nadira?”

“I don’t know. I think it has to do with her being heir to the Vok’nair Empire.”

“But she’s not the heir. She’s not Samair’s daughter.” Viktor crossed his arms over his massive chest. “She’s Nani’s daughter. Samair might have raised her, but Darian is her father.”

“No one knows that other than Samair, and I’m sure he’s not talking, but I think it’s more than that.” Ranier began putting on his own clothes and tossed Diamond hers.

“So, who has Nadira?” Diamond wanted to know.

“The Hand of God.”

“Great Universe,” Diamond swore. “What stake do they have in this? It’s not like them to ally themselves with anyone. Not unless they are the dominant force in the alliance.”

“I have no idea, but they were with the Vok’nair fleet, helping them, and their ships were just as strong as the ships from an empire that should be far ahead of them in technology.”

“They scavenge from every race they encounter, but it would be highly unlikely they’d be more advanced than either the Vok’nair Empire or the Asalian Coalition.” Viktor was thinking in practical terms, but Ranier knew there had to be more. It was just too damned convenient.

“That can’t be all your news.” Diamond zipped up her suit and approached him, resting her hands on his chest. Ranier’s arms came around her instinctively.

“It’s not.” Ranier swallowed. “We’ve got to get that transmitter out of your head. You and Phoebe. The Hand and the Vok’nair both are using their signatures as tracking devices, and they know exactly where we are. From the reports we’re getting from both the Empire and the Coalition, Samair has put a bounty on the Black Star and the Sword Breaker . He’s trying to clean up a mess he should have years ago.”

“No one was sure if those chips in our heads could be removed without damaging us before. Is the prognosis any different now?” Diamond didn’t pull away from him. She didn’t look fearful or resentful in any way. She simply took what he was saying as if they were talking about removing her appendix. Ranier was very much afraid she didn’t understand the gravity of her situation.

“Dr. Mahat Zabin, here on the Black Star , thinks he can do it. He doesn’t deny the risks, but having studied the data Black Star gathered on both you and Phoebe, he thinks he can do it without hurting either of you.”

Diamond looked into his eyes, so trusting Ranier’s heart ached all over again. “Do you trust him?”

He glanced at Viktor. “He’s who took care of you when I found you before.”

“What was your impression of the man, Ranier?” Viktor asked quietly.

“He was concerned with not only ensuring Diamond’s life, but also her quality of life. If he didn’t think he had a very good chance of success, I don’t believe he’d attempt it. I also think that if he starts the procedure and realizes it can’t be done without hurting Diamond, he’ll stop. No matter who orders him to continue.”

“So, in both your estimations, this chip inside my brain has become a liability.” Diamond looked at both men, and Ranier cringed.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Ranier pulled Diamond to him and looked over her head at Viktor, who was approaching them. “There’s too much going on around us that we don’t fully understand.”

Viktor came to stand behind Diamond and embraced both her and Ranier. “It’s up to you, Diamond. If you don’t want to do this, no one will fault you for it. It’s a great risk, and it’s your life that’s in the balance.” Viktor’s voice was tender once again.

“I’m not a coward, boys.” Diamond snuggled into Ranier’s chest. She reached behind her to touch Viktor’s leg. “If this implant in my brain is a danger to everyone, then I’m willing to do what it takes to get it out short of sacrificing myself on something that has little hope of working. If you honestly think Dr. Zabin can do this, Ranier, I’ll volunteer with no regrets.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Viktor kissed the top of her head. “Considering the kindness you showed me when I did nothing but hurt you over and over again, I’ve come to realize helping others is in your make-up.”

Diamond snorted. “Don’t bet on it, Viktor. You’ve had all the help from me you’re going to get.”

Viktor chuckled. “If that were true, you wouldn’t be here with us now. When Black Star sent you to me, you’d have run in the other direction.”

“Shut up.” Diamond gave them both a final squeeze before pushing them away and stomping her feet into her boots. “Let’s go see the doctor before I lose my nerve.”

* * *

Viktor paced Medical for at least the hundredth time. What was taking so fucking long? Diamond had been in surgery for more than two hours with no word from anyone. The Black Star was quiet, but Viktor could feel her worry.

As time wore on, he reached out to the ship, hoping to glean any information he could about Diamond’s well-being.

She’s doing as well as can be expected . The soft female voice wasn’t like Viktor had ever heard before. She sounded sad. Worried.

There’s more going on here than just preventing anyone from following and possibly capturing us, isn’t there? Viktor caught impressions from Black Star instead of actual thoughts or solid information. Whatever it was, she hated what was now happening to Diamond and soon to Phoebe as well.

Unfortunately, yes. I’m afraid Phoebe and your Diamond are simply more casualties in a war that started twenty years ago. I’m very afraid they won’t be the last.

I don’t understand.

Please remember it’s been a very long time since all this began, but I don’t think the Hand placed those transmitter chips .

Viktor pondered her words for a moment. You think someone else placed them there? Who? The same people responsible for making you a war ship?

Very likely. But I can’t remember. Something is familiar, but I can’t say what .

Viktor nodded to himself. Not surprising given the amount of trauma your brain sustained.

I told you and Damon I believed Diamond and Phoebe to be the key to the salvation of both the Vok’nair Empire and the Asalian Coalition. Do you remember? She sounded weary. Given all he’d learned about the Black Star, she had probably used every resource at her disposal to come up with her postulation.

Yes. It was during the beginning of my Burning so I couldn’t concentrate on it much, but I do remember . Viktor had a sickening feeling he knew what she was going to say next.

I think now maybe I had it wrong. The women aren’t the key, but I think the chips inside them are .

Viktor’s train of thought took a sharp detour when Dr. Zabin entered the room looking weary but wearing a slight smile.

Viktor and Ranier both snapped their attention his way.

“Diamond.” Viktor found he couldn’t get the words out.

“Is she all right?” Thankfully, Ranier was just as anxious as Viktor. The younger man got the question out when Viktor couldn’t.

“She’s fine. We had to keep her conscious during the procedure, but she assures me she was only mildly uncomfortable. Still, I’ve given her a sedative to allow her to rest for a couple of hours so the tissue around where the implant was can begin to knit. With her healing abilities, she shouldn’t need more time than that.”

Viktor felt the release of some of Black Star ’s tension. The ship’s essence had been sincerely worried about Diamond. Underneath it all, Viktor felt a sliver of guilt. He could gather enough of Black Star ’s thoughts and feelings to know she hadn’t actually implanted the chip, but Nani still felt responsible for at least some of the misery dealt with by so many because of her actions so many years ago. It was as if Black Star felt responsible for the invasion of the young woman’s mind.

“Thank the Stars.” Ranier clapped Viktor on the shoulder. The younger man looked weary and careworn. Viktor knew they had to address their relationship soon. Preferably before Diamond rejoined them. Viktor would like to have answers for her as to where they all stood. He owed her that much and more.

He owed her his life. If she wouldn’t accept it, he’d still offer it to Ranier. Still, with either one of the two missing from his life, he wasn’t sure he could ever be whole.

“When can we see her?” Viktor asked quietly.

“I’ll notify you the moment she’s awake. In the meantime, I suggest you get some rest.” Dr. Zabin scrubbed a hand over his face. “The chip that came from Diamond is being analyzed as we speak. If I understood the technobabble Taren was spouting correctly, there’s going to be a huge amount of activity in the next few days. I’m sure Captain Singh will need the two of you ready for anything when it all starts.”

Before Viktor could question him further, Dr. Zabin turned and entered the surgical suite again. Ranier let out a puff of air.

“Well. There’s nothing quite like being totally in the dark.” He turned to Viktor. “Do you know what the fuck is going on?”

Black Star didn’t say anything, but she didn’t block Viktor when he tried to access the ship’s computers via the data stream Black Star always seemed to be able to process, or when he reached for her memories. There was nothing she could remember other than a faint feeling that the tiny chip had something to do with either her or the Sword Breaker . The data stream from the computers, however, held a wealth of information, the implications of which raised as many questions as they answered.

“It’s hard to understand.” Viktor squinted his eyes as he concentrated. “If I’m not totally misinterpreting it all, I’d say that chip inside Diamond was placed there when she was still an infant.”

“I thought Phoebe told Damon the implants were put there by the Hand.”

Viktor shook his head. “She was speculating. She doesn’t know any more than we do about it. It’s certainly possible the Hand planted them there, but I’d say definitely not for the reasons Phoebe originally thought.”

“So, if they weren’t tagged to prevent them from escaping, then why?”

Viktor shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I’m betting it has something to do with these ships and the people they were before the transplant.”

Ranier sighed. “This is giving me a headache. I’m going to rest a while. If you’re right, there may not be much time for it later.”

“Ranier --” Viktor suddenly felt awkward around his friend. “Come with me.”

Ranier raised an eyebrow. “To where?”

“Home.”

“To Draggoon? Oh hell no! I don’t think I could stand a whole planet full of moody vampires out to suck my blood.” Ranier laughed. “I’ll have to pass, my friend.”

“No.” Viktor wasn’t in a laughing mood. “Draggoon might be my home world, but my home is here . On this ship. I want you to come with me back to my cabin. Not as a friend, Ranier -- though you’ll always be my best friend. I want you there as one who holds my life.”

Viktor was sure his face was bright red, but still he stood straight and tall. He would not be ashamed of the way he felt.

Ranier’s laughter died as quickly as it had come, and the man looked at him with a mixture of astonishment and wonder. “Me? Look, you don’t owe me anything, Viktor. It’s not that I don’t have feelings for you -- I do. It’s just that I don’t want you to do this out of some sense of obligation because of what I did during your Blood Burning.”

“Come with me, Ranier. We need to talk.”

“Indeed.”