Page 12

Chapter 12

Yorix

I went into the bathroom, filled with pride at how thoroughly I had claimed my very eager mate, watched over her even in my own slumber, and was now providing her with food and the comfort of a healing bath. I turned the water on, and addressing the bathroom’s Sickbay affiliated AI, asked, “Healing salts for my mate, please. She is sore after our initial coupling.”

“Hello, Yorix,” a female’s voice replied. “I am Ulalily, and it is my pleasure to congratulate you both on your mating. I have selected the appropriate salts and cleansers added to the water mixture, which I have adjusted to what should be an optimal temperature.” As she spoke, the water turned a pale shade of purple, and a faintly medicinal yet floral scent began to fill the air.

“Thank you,” I replied, scratching at my neck. My mating display was still emerging despite my claiming her, and I knew this meant we needed to deepen our bond more emotionally as well as sexually. I grinned at the thought. Sexing up my beautiful Lynn was no hardship, and the prospect of more dates together made my hearts sing. Time with Lynn, no matter how mundane what we might be doing, was something to treasure.

I returned to the bedroom. “It will be ready in a few moments. Ulalilly added some things to the water to make it smell pleasant while aiding in cleansing and healing, as I told her about your soreness.”

She blushed. “You noticed that, huh?”

I smiled gently. “It is to be expected. I am a much larger male than your average human.”

She laughed, that lovely tinkling sound that had so entranced me earlier. “That you are and you’re certainly not shy about it, huh?”

I shrugged. “Why be shy when it is merely a fact? Though I will go fetch our clothing and redress. I do not wish to share myself with all and sundry.” I cupped my balls. “All this is only yours.”

She laughed as I turned away from her, calling out, “Lucky me!”

I quickly pulled my pants back on, picking up my boots and her clothing to take back to our room.

“Um,” she began, biting her lower lip. “Just who is this Ulalilly?”

“The bathroom AI. She works under Xeranos, and is affiliated with Sickbay, analyzing our waste and body temperature and so on to ensure we are in optimal health and to advise of changes, such as pregnancy.”

“Another sentient AI?” she asked, eyes wide.

“There are several,” I admitted. “Mostly ones working for Sickbay, two to three for each ship, as well as a few who assist with scanning your system and just beyond.”

“Wow, that’s a lot.” She shivered. “As long as they all don’t go Skynet.”

I knew this reference, as it was part of our induction to human culture.

“They are friendly and their framework revolves around doing no harm to us or our allies.”

“Like the Laws of Robotics.”

I knew this reference as well. “Very similar,” I agreed.

She looked relieved. “Okay. I mean, on the one hand, it’s very cool, but on the other, it’s also scary because of what they could do if they went rogue.”

“We have technical officers who regularly check their coding to ensure there are no abnormalities presenting that would allow such a thing.”

“Good to know. So, um, think my bath is ready?”

“If not, very close to it. Ulalilly will turn the water off so it will not overflow.”

“Cool. I’ll go in. She, ah, won’t peek, will she?”

“Cameras are off unless either requested by us to always be on, or if her sensors indicate an emergency, or if you ask her to look at something specifically.”

“Like if I think I found a weird mole?”

I nodded. “Exactly like that.”

She slid out from under the blanket. “Alrighty then, I guess I’ll go in and say hi to her and get in the bath. You should probably go wait in the living room for our food to arrive.”

I watched reluctantly as she strode past with those tantalizing twin globes giving tiny little jiggles. I shook myself out of the daydream I found myself sliding into, one where I first sucked on each peak, then squashed the pillowy bounty together and rutted between them while she stuck her tongue out to lap at my weeping slit. Later, I promised myself. First, she needed to bathe, and we both needed to eat to recover the energy we’d expended. With that in mind, I heeded her words and went out to wait in the living room.

This time, during my walk through, I took a better look at how they’d chosen to furnish our home for us. The small wooden table with four chairs and a matching long side table seemed nice enough to me, and I hoped she liked it. There were four matching bar stools at the counter as well, and the living room sported not only the fluffy black rug we’d rutted against, but a low wooden coffee table, two armchairs, and a sofa, all of which were wood framed and had cushions in blue green with black throw pillows. I hoped she liked them. If not, I’d show her how to select new things from ship stores and send these back.

I sat down, relaxing against the firm cushions, and asked Xeranos to update me on the arrival of Lynn’s cat.

“He is currently waiting to be examined by the Fleet’s veterinary team and will shuttle over once he’s finished,” Xeranos replied. “Estimated time of arrival: forty-five minutes to one hour.”

“Thank you. “

“You are most welcome. An automated litter tray was plumbed into the secondary bathroom already, as I requested it as soon as I was informed about him. He will be delivered along with his previous tray, bowls, cat tree, and other items.”

That was also good to know. No doubt these supplies would include food, so I would know what to replicate, and if it was not a brand yet in our database, to request shipped up until someone in my division could complete a priority request for replication conversion. I was mulling this over when our front door chimed, alerting me to the arrival of our food. I answered the door quickly, thanking the teenaged human youth who brought it.

“Xeranos, please add an appropriate amount to…” I looked at the youth expectantly.

“Jeremy, sir, and thank you. I hate having to ask my mom and dad for cash when we go down on vacation.”

“To Jeremy’s funding account.”

“Greetings, Jeremy. I’ve added thirty-five dollars to your prepaid Visa on file. I see it’s your mother’s birthday next week. While we have some privacy, would you like me to place an order for her gift from you?”

“Um, yeah!”

I watched in amusement as the young male walked back to the elevator, chatting away to Xeranos. As I closed the door it struck me, someday, that it could be our young arranging for a gift from ship’s stores and collecting tips for private spending money on some planet we orbited around or were stationed upon. Yes, someday, I promised myself as I stepped back the rest of the way inside, and closed the door. I had more pressing things to do at the moment than daydream about future younglings. My mate was hungry, the food was here, and I needed to find the plates, cups, and eating utensils, as well as a serving tray perhaps.