Dream A Little Dream

Part 5

I was back in my room at the Dragon's Tusk, having slipped back early morning. Sleep was what I need. Lots and lots of lovely sleep. My admiral had been inventive and insatiable. I'd never known any male capable of getting so many erections. He seemed to need little time for recovery. Every time I'd dropped off, he'd wake me with, "Have you ever tried this Azareel?" He'd got more variations on a theme than a symphony orchestra.

There was a knock on the door and Chiana's grey face peered round.

"You've certainly made and impression with our admiral."

"Not half as much as he's made on me."

She walked over and looked closely at me.

"Tired?"

"Exhausted. He's good, big and prolific."

"You had a excellent night then?"

"Splendid, but I'm shattered. I do hope his exuberance will wear off slightly."

"He's made an appointment to see me this morning. It can only mean one thing. He wants you to move in with him."

"Ah well I'll leave it all in your capable hands. You know the terms."

"I should. Our mutual friend spelled them out in words of one syllable."

"I wonder how much you can ask?"

"A great deal. The higher the price the more care is taken of the treasure."

I pulled the covers up.

"Wake me for supper if I'm not down before."

She grinned and shut the door.

 ******************

I was down well before supper. Pangs of hunger woke me about an hour before the meal was due. Yawning, I ran a deep bath of water and added some perfumed oil. Soaking in it relieved some of the strains I'd incurred the previous night. I chuckled to myself when I thought of his almost boyish eagerness to please. It was as if the strain of his high position made it necessary to let off steam. Ah well it was up to me to turn his fantasies into reality, as far as possible. Mind you, I had to admit I hadn't enjoyed myself as much in ages. Far better than the succession of paunchy merchants I'd been entertaining previously. Doov Kovitlan had a hard, well muscled body, and well, his shaft as a bringer of joy, hadn't got an equal in my book. I wondered if my patron had known of these things before making the suggestion that I might try to avert a galactic disaster, by satisfying the Star Admiral.

The water was getting cold so I climbed out of the tub and dressed in black leather trousers and cropped top. I wasn't seeing the admiral in the evening so I thought I might as well be comfortable rather than glamorous. Brushing my short golden brown hair, which always had a mind of its own I applied a minimum of make-up and went down stairs. As soon as I appeared in the lounge the girls crowded round me.

"Azareel. You're splendid! Just how did you manage it?"

"Manage what?"

"Why to ensnare the admiral of course?"

Dev the Prelian swished her striped tail round in circles. She winked at me with her third eye.

"I think it was more a case of the picture he had in his mind taking a solid form."

"He never hid the fact that although he thought we were fine for a night's fun, we hadn't got the maturity he was looking for."

"Growing older does have its compensations."

Diminutive black and gold Zoida, the Morgul inserted herself between the other girls and looked up at me.

"They say he's big. Is it true?"

"Well I have seen bigger on a Luxan, but if you take it in proportion to the size of his body then he's long and thick and extremely well hung."

Zoida gave a longing sigh.

"I wish I could have been chosen by him!"

"My dear girl if I let you go with him, you'd have been permanently crippled."

Chiana had heard the hilarity and popped her head round the door.

"Oh I always seem to get the dwarves, Mindarans and Hynereans."

One of the other girls placed an arm round her shoulders and said comfortingly, "Well love they are more your size."

The talk proceeded apace. Chiana beckoned me to follow her. Once in the corridor, she said, "I thought it would be better in my sitting room. We can have a peaceful meal and I'll tell you what transpired this morning."

She peered carefully at me.

"You look fully recovered."

I grinned.

"Oh yes ready once more for the fray."

We entered her private room and the tantalising smell of the food assailed my nostrils.

"And I'm starving."

"Well you did expended a lot of energy last night and no meal this morning. It won't do Azareel. You'll have to keep your strength up. Can't let the side down."

She said this with a deadpan face and then burst out laughing. We sat down and served ourselves from the bowls and dishes on the table. I was making light work of a particularly succulent steak of Slime Turtle. Chewing on a slightly tough piece, I waved my fork in the air, and swallowed, "How did you get on with Doov?"

She sat back in her chair, turtle flipper in her hand, "He's totally besotted."

"I could have told you that."

"He was disappointed when I told him that it couldn't be a permanent liaison."

"Mmm.. I'll bet he was. But did he accept?"

"Of course. He decided that two months to remember are better that a lifetime in the wastes."

"So?"

She most indelicately removed most of the flesh from the flipper bones and placed the remains back on her plate. Reaching for the finger bowl, she continued, "Anyway he's offered thirty thousand credits for the two months."

My mouth fell open.

"Yes I know. Utterly unheard of before. I'm just thinking of my commission. What'll you do with all that money?"

"I...I don't rightly know. It's taken me a bit by surprise."

"Such a nice surprise though. To have such a high value placed on you."

"When do I move over?"

"He's calling tomorrow morning to collect you and take you to his town house. I understand that he's taking you with him to the strategic planning meeting in the afternoon, Says you're more intelligent than his advisors."

"He's taking a risk. That won't win him friends."

She hesitated before replying, "No, but I'd say on the face of it, he's correct. He's found out abut your accreditation and that convinced him."

"I'm sure an experimental astrophysical engineer is just what they don't need."

 "From the hash they've made of the skirmishes there have been already, I think it's just what they do need."

She leaned over the table to me.

"From what I've gleaned from so called confidential conversations, the fleet's badly in need of a refit and upgrade."

"Then why frell haven't they done something about it?"

"There's nobody with sufficient expertise and experience to undertake it."

"You're telling me that in a federation of goodness knows how many planets, there's no one who can organise a refit?"

 "Yes."

"Then they deserve to be thoroughly trounced."

"Oh I agree, but you're going to be their saviour, or so Doov thinks."

"Well if he wants to use my brain, he'll have to go easy in bed. I'm quite likely just to flake out in an evening if I've got too much other work to do."

She laughed.

"I did point this out to him. He looked crushed for a microt and then he was back looking like a little boy again. 'I'll make sure she's only doing the refit for part of the weeken',"

"He's no idea. Once I get stuck into that, it's an on call anytime job. Suppliers have to be organised and watched, the team has to be organised. There are a thousand and one details to be watched over."

"I think our mutual friend might be a little upset if you made too good a job of it, don't you?"

"I'll admit I was surprised when he suggested I came into, what is after all, enemy territory, but he assured me that I would be doing everyone a service."

I frowned.

"I can't see how, but I like Doov Kovitlan, so I'll try to avoid the refit if at all possible. Concentrate on the job in hand."

"It's a big one for one hand."

I just fell about in gales of laughter and nearly choked on my dessert.

"You'd better believe it."

******************

The following morning dawned cold, grey and miserable. All my baggage was in the entrance hall waiting Kovitlan's porter. The admiral had sent a message through asking for my patience as he would be a little late. I was sitting on a sofa reading the latest bulletin on the imager. All as depressing as the weather. I really couldn't see how a full scale conflagration could be avoided. A pernicious little thought was circling through my brain.

"What if, Azareel, you slow down the refit, or better still make sure it never happens. There's been so much mismanagement it should be easy for you to do just a little and make it appear a lot."

I really hadn't got an inkling from where it had emanated, but on the surface it seemed a good idea. It wouldn't be too difficult to ensure that there were so many crossed lines that the work would be slowed up considerably There was a sudden disturbance as the door was opened to reveal the Star Admiral in full battle dress. I stood and walked over to greet him. He gave me an intense kiss and linked my arm through his.

"My man will take care of your baggage."

 He led me to an extremely large autoflier, complete with his family crest.

"I'm sure you'll want to settle in before this afternoon's meeting."

I looked at him and replied carefully, "I'm not too sure that it's a good idea for me to attend what must be a confidential meeting."

"I don't follow."

"To all intents and purposes, I'm a complete stranger. An alien on your planet, from without the federation. It could be said by many, and with a good reason, that I could be a spy."

He laughed.

"You a spy? Why I've never heard a more stupid idea. How in the name of Prit could you be a spy?"

He seemed to find the whole idea totally ludicrous. If all the generals were as naive, then any offensive was doomed before it began. The traffic was heavy in the fly lanes, many military vehicles in evidence. Our vehicle was proceeding, but slowly.

"Doov, you cannot ever be sure that anyone isn't a spy. Even within your own organisation. You should always be aware of the possibility. People betray their own for the strangest of reasons."

He totally ignored me. There was a hard dour look on his face and I could see that I'd struck a nerve. There was a mole in the War Department. Before I could say anything else he pointed at an imposing building set in its own grounds.

"That's my residence when I'm in town."

"How splendid!"

Well Chiana had told me he came from an old family with solid resources, but the house was positively palatial. The flier put down on the tiled forecourt and he got out and helped me down. He really had the look of a small boy who'd just got the present of a lifetime. Leading me into the huge hallway with its central staircase, he ran up them swiftly and stood at the top, his arms outstretched.

"Look Azareel. All this is yours. It's been so empty with no one in it but me. Now it can come alive!"

I went up to the head of the stairs and he wrapped me in his arms and looking deep into my eyes brought his mouth down hard on mine. It was a deeply satisfying kiss and as his lips left mine, he picked me up as if I had been but a feather and swept into a suite of rooms which were beautifully decorated and extremely light and airy. There were flowering plants everywhere. Putting me down he watched delighted as I ran round the rooms, the pleasure evident on my face.

"I thought you'd like somwhere to call your own. A place to be private."

He took me by the hand and led me further along the corridor and opened the door. I gasped. Occupying the centre of the room was a huge saff wood bed, draped in smooth crimson and black sheets. At the foot of the bed there was a snalkit fur cover. Pillars of blue Sadovian marble framed the window which led onto a large balcony. Closing the door behind him, he smiled invitingly at me.

"Would you like to try it for comfort?"

I squealed like youngster with pure delight and threw myself into his waiting arms. He laid me down on the bed and slipping off the surcoat I was wearing, undid the tiny buttons on my bodice. He nuzzled my breasts and began to rain down tiny kisses on my skin.

"Will we have time? I mean the meeting?"

"My darling Azareel. I am the Commander in Chief. They'll wait until the end of eternity if I wish it."

That was something I hadn't known. I was starting to get the delight full sensations of arousal as he feathered me with little kisses. Reaching my navel, he unlaced my trews. Slipping a hand down inside he gave a pleased little grunt as he found I wasn't wearing an undergarment. I helped him slide them off my legs and then wrapped my legs round behind him. He tucked a large pillow under my back so that I was half sitting and I took hold of his swollen shaft and lowered my mouth down to lick its sensitive tip. As I alternatively sucked and licked and little shudders went through him.

"How exquisitely you do that. My joystick has never experienced anything like it before."

He gently took my face in his hands, his eyes shining with devotion.

"That's enough for now. My turn to pleasure you. "

He slid down the bed and began the assault on my clit and its surroundings with his agile tongue. I lay back and savoured the sensations he was creating. Damn the meeting! They could wait.

Part 6

We finally arrived at the meeting about an hour late. There were a few raised eybrows but nobody said anything. I was still glowing from an extremely satisfactory encounter. I'd dressed in black leather tunic and trousers. It was the most conservative and workmanlike outfit I owned. Doov sat me down between himself and the Luxan general I'd met previously. He was genuinely pleased to see me.

"I'm so glad Kovitlan's found a companion. He's been very lonely, I think."

"Unfortunately it can't be permanent. I have commitments at home."

"I think he's hoping you might be persuaded to change your mind."

I was spared from finding an answer by the start of the meeting. There were all the usual apologies for absence, minutes of the last meeting. All the minutiea of meetings everywhere. Finally they got down to the nitty gritty. A Galactic Field Commander gave a report of how things were progressing at that time.

"The Peacekeeper's are still insisting that the asteroid belt on the edge of the Woafut Nebula comes under their jurisdiction then?"

"Haven't been able to shake them from it."

"So negotiations are getting nowhere. The Field Commander shook his grizzled head and his ears flapped loudly.

"I'd say they can go no further."

"So it looks like war then?"

"Possibly."

There were general mutterings round the table. I gathered that war was an option many of them would rather not consider.

"How far within our territory are the asteroids?"

"About eight hundred thousand kliks."

"So it's not just a minor incursion?"

"They'll have to commit considerable resources, but they seem willing to do so."

More muttering round the table and then Doov Kovitlan caught their attention.

"Which brings us to the urgent matter of the fleet. Have you any more thoughts on that?"

"Can't match the Peacekeeper's from what our agents report."

"The battle cruisers are in desperate need of refits and the strikeangels need overhauls."

Doov leant over to me.

"I think you may have a question or two for the group!"

I'd been keeping extremely quiet, just jotting down points of reference on my recording pad.

"Well I don't know if you've been informed, but I'm an accredited astro-physical engineer first class and the first question I'd like to ask is why the  frell  in a federation of over a hundred planets can't you find anyone to oversee the refit and overhaul of your ships?"

They wriggled in their seats and looked extremely uncomfortable. An old Delvian general cleared his throat and made a reply.

"Er... umm Well it's because of how the articles are written."

I gave him a sugary sweet smile.

"Could you please explain?"

"It's because of the penalty if things go wrong during the operation and if things break down in active service."

"Do enlighten me. Exactly what is the penalty?"

I was expecting it to be a prohibitive penalty payment but was rather taken aback at his next word.

"Death!"

I just sat there stunned. No wonder no one wanted the job. I whispered to Doov.

"You never told me that!"

"Thought It'd be better if you heard it from them."

Goddess preserve me from male foolishness!

"And why haven't you repealed this archaic piece of legislation?"

"It takes a vote of ninety per cent of the council members to do that and we have never been able to get that many together at one time."

"Can you show me where it's written?" He got up and led me over to a table where a large vellum covered tome sat resplendently.

"You don't keep it on computer?"

"It's always been done the old way."

He opened the book and pointed to the script which described the penalty. I leaned over, ostensibly to get a better look and ripped out the page. There were gasps of horror from the assembled council. I turned and ceremoniously tore the page into minute pieces.

"I think we can consider it repealed."

"You can't do that. It's sacrilege!"

I regained my seat. I could see Doov and the Luxan were trying extremely hard to keep straight faces.

"There's no such word as can't. And I just did. So now venerable members of the council, you can see about putting out tenders. And try reward as an incentive for excellence."

So far so good. I'd sucessfully avoided getting personally involved in refitting the fleet. I went back to doodling on my pad.

"Er.. Azareel. We actually haven't got and engine expert, well no one who knows about the latest in photon and hyperdrives."

"Well don't look at me. Engines were never my forte. I was into scanning and position plotting."

"But you have worked on photon engines?"

"At the academy, yes. But that's the sum total of my experience."

"Would you could you train some of our young engineers in how to get the best out of them?"

Totally frelled. It had been put in such a manner that I couldn't easily get out of it.

"I'll take six of your best and show them."

It was the minimum involvement that I could manage and I didn't think my patron would object. After all I could show them just a minimum to satisfy their needs. Fortunately they didn't know I'd developed an advanced hyperdrive. The meeting wound up and I arranged to go to the space port the next morning where I would collect my trainees and let them loose on a photon drive which had been removed from a damaged star cruiser and was deemed to be beyond repair.

******************

Doov was ecstatic as we flew home.

"You were marvellous. Did you see Wotin's face when you tore the page up? I thought he was going to have a fit."

"Was that the one with a face which looked as if he'd been eating pickles?"

 He laughed again.

"That's about the best description I've heard. Sour face, small mind."

"It beats me why no one has done it before."

"Tradition, my dear, tradition. They're so hide bound and steeped in tradition that they can't see further than the ends of their noses."

I sniffed.

"If they want to survive in a confrontation with Peacekeepers they're going to have to lose that mentality."

His face suddenly went serious.

"I've been trying to get that across for at least half a cycle. I may be C in C, but sometimes I think I've about as much influence as..... well as a valeberry."

"That's not much. They're minute."

His face lit up again and he gently squeezed my breast.

"I've got a surprise for you after we've eaten."

"I've got an early start in the morning."

 "I'm quite jealous of those trainees already."

"There's no need to be. By the time we've stripped that engine down, we'll all be grimy and bad tempered."

I kissed him on the nose.

"I won't look at all attractive."

"You'll always be desirable to me. No matter how you look."

"Even when I'm wrinkled and grey?"

"I'll not be much better. Tottering around on my stick."

He looked at me with his liquid eyes.

"I wish you would stay with me that long. I really do Azareel."

"We can't always have what we want. I've found that out often enough."

The flier put down on the forecourt and we both got out and made for the main portal. Doov's staff weren't resident and had long gone to their own homes. I made for the kitchen. His housekeeper had left a meal ready to be reheated and I stripped off the wrapping and put it in the heatpod.

"Come and sit down for a minute."

"Be right with you. Got to dispose of the wrappers."

I put them in the rubbish recycler and went to join him He patted a place beside him on the couch. I sat and he put his arm round my shoulder. He brought a box out of his computer case.

"I hope you like it. I said I had a surprise."

I took the scented wooden box and released the catch. There on a layer of soft material lay a collar made of lightstones and rubies. It seemed to flash like the starry sky at night. I was totally speechless. It was antique and priceless. He took it out of the box and placed it round my neck.

"It's been waiting for you."

"It's one of your family heirlooms isn't it?"

"Yes. But it's only stones, you're flesh and blood."

"I'll acccept it as a loan for the time I'm here. I can't keep it."

He kissed me, murmuring as his tongue probed mine, "I don't see why not?"

"Because it belongs to your family. That's the reason."

"But I'm the last of the line. I can do what I please with it."

"I'd better go and get the food. We can have dessert later."

He held onto my hand.

"I trust you mean to give me some of your luscious delights."

"Actually I meant the fruit concoction in the kitchen."

"Ah miserable female, you'll have me fading away through lack of nourishment."

I laughed, "I hardly think so. You've been very well nourished already today."

He released my hand and I collected the food on a hover tray, fruit concoction included and took it back to where we were sat.

"You know it struck me Doov that one or two of those council members can't stand the sight of you. I could see pure malice on their faces. Especially that one who made the fuss when I tore up the page."

"Wotin? Yes I've always kept my eye on him."

"Don't you have personal security?"

"Of course."

"But I've never seen......"

"Nor should you unless they were needed. I employ the Society Of Kaa to protect me."

He looked at me his eyes full of love.

"And of course they now include you."

"Me? Why?"

"My dear, because you're close to me, you become a natural target."

"Oh."

He took hold of my hand and led me to the stair case. I raised my eyebrows.

"So early?"

He gave a wicked grin.

"You've got an early start in the morning and I don't intend to be deprived of my nourishment."

"You'll get fat."

"What a delightful way to do it."

He pinched my bottom.

"Last one up the stairs goes on top!"

 With his long legs against my short ones I hadn't got a chance. When I got to our room he was lying on the bed with his hands behind his head and his legs crossed.

"All right. I've got to do the work today. The meeting tire you out?"

I made a dive for his feet and pulled his boots off. I'd made a shrewd guess that he'd have ticklish feet. Soon he was squirming and then he grabbed me and pulled me onto him. His kiss was demanding. It demanded more.

"Azareel", he said huskily, "What do I have to do to get you to stay with me?"

I didn't answer his question, just started unfastening his shirt and slipped my hand up onto his warm chest. He groaned.

"You only have to touch me and I'm on fire. Just what magic do you have?"

"An accreditation in astrophysical engineering."

"And that gives you magic fingers?"

"You'd better believe it. It's working with all those tiny bits and pieces."

"I hate to mention it, but one of my bits and pieces is desperately in need of attention."

That was no understatement. Like a snake held in a bag, the bulge in his trousers spoke volumes. I rapidly unfastened them and he helped me remove them. My own clothes were summarily removed and I held his warm phallus in my hand. I cupped his balls in my other hand and gently squeezed them and then stroked the skin at the back. I slipped my hand up and down his shaft and then began to rapidly lick the glans. He gasped.

"Gently or I won't be able to wait. Just come here you witch."

I moved up and he positioned me so that I was kneeling with my clitoris over his face. He started probing at first gently with his tongue and then ever more vigorously. I had my head thrown back in delight at the sensations he was initiating. He moved me down and placed the tip of his pleasure rod at my entrance and I sank down and engulfed it. I rode him for a while then he turned me over and completed the act. We both cried out together and then he held me in the circle of his arms until we both slept content and comfortable with each others bodies.

Part 7

The next morning I'd risen, showered and was eating breakfast before Doov surfaced. He had that not quite arrived on the planet look.

"Morning. You look like I used to."

"Should that make me feel better?"

I kissed his nose.

"Tisane?"

He cast a bleary eye my way.

"Please. I didn't realise how early you'd have to get up."

"Have to set a good example to the youngsters."

"I'll come down to the base with you. About time they had an unscheduled inspection."

We finished our meal and put the dishes in the cleaning unit. He switched it on. A small droid came into the kitchen.

 "What's that?"

"Sweeps up, cleans the floors, anything like that. My housekeeper has got them all programmed to do the everyday jobs."

"Useful. I could do with one at home."

He gave me a sharp glance, but said nothing. I'd managed to find a small tunic of his (must have dated from his youth) which looked more the part of a lecturer but I had to wear it over my leather trousers.

"The flier's waiting."

He called to me. We left the house and as he shut the door I noticed he pressed a button hidden under a flap on the wall.

"What's that for?"

"It's DNA coded. Activates my security systems and tells the Society that I've left the house."

"Sensible precautions."

"I think so. Especially when you're in my position. Enemies are easily made."

We arrived at the base security and his flier gained immediate entrance after we'd been scanned. He stopped it at the entrance to a large hanger.

"I think you'll find your recruits in there. I'll have to call them Azareel's Army."

"If I can't get the rudiments of photon drive cemented into their brains today, I think you'll have to call them Azareel's Defeat."

He gave me a quick peck on the cheek and breathed, "Oh you'll do it. I have every faith in you."

"Well here goes. Lamb to the slaughter."

"Pardon, what did you say?"

"I don't really know. It just popped out. I must have heard it somewhere."

I crossed the paved area to the hanger. Entering by the small door set in the hanger wall I saw my group waiting for me. One Interon and one Nalin girl, a Thallack, one never knew what sex they were and two young Interon men.

"Right . To work. Firstly where are the coveralls? You'll want to keep your uniforms clean and this could get messy."

The Interon girl , her tag proclaimed her to be Ensign Kal Valoor, pointed to a box.

"Disposables."

"Excellent. Right Ladies and gentlemen. Let's get kitted up."

The coveralls were of varying sizes and soon we were all wearing protective apparel. I walked over to the large unit sitting on a cradle.

"This is a Kin twenty four photon unit. Not the newest by a long way, but no slouch either. Have any of you ever worked on one?"

No one had. I got the toolbox and unfastened the top casing. The Thallack and the girls were looking into the innards of the engine with interest. I pointed out the two main couplings to the photon pump.

"This engine's supposed to be beyond repair, but by the close of day I intend to have it fully functional. There are ways of making bypasses and little alterations that can be made to most units to reclaim them."

The Interon men had slouched over to the far side over the hanger. I put down my inspection probe and marched across to them.

"This lesson includes you both. Or do you want putting on report?"

"You're just Kovitlan's slut. You can't know anything about engines."

"You could teach us some of your tricks though."

"Let's see see how good a lay the whore is."

They grabbed hold of me and struggle as I would I couldn't get out of their grip. Through the corner of my eye I noticed the Thallack run out of the hanger. The two girls came over and were trying valiantly to get the two men off me, but they were no match for the them. One was knocked out and the other thrown across the hanger. I was giving up hope and wondering which one's balls to bite first when two military security charged in and grabbed them, closely followed by the Thallack and my Star Admiral. He rushed over and knelt by my side.

"Azareel. Are you all right?"

"I think I'm going to have a black eye."

 He touched the afflicted area gently.

"Some nerve stimulation will settle most of that."

 He noticed my torn clothing. His face looked like thunder.

"They didn't harm you?"

"That was their general intention. But no they didn't get that far."

"I was just going to make sure they were confined for a period, but this... this means they're going to spend an extended time on the Zuphat Penal Colony. They're always needing guards. The survival rate is low. Do you feel well enough to come to the infirmary? They can treat your eye."

I nodded.

"I want to finish that engine today the Thallack and the two girls can help. Just give me half an ahn."

He helped me up and said to the three standing there waiting.

"You can stand down for now. Be back here in half an ahn."

"Yes Sir ", all three chorused in unison and with Doov's hand under my elbow I made as dignified an exit as I could.

 ***************

The staff in the medical facility soon fixed me up. As he'd said ten minutes stimulation on the tissue round my eye eliminated the majority of the bruising. They also found me some more clothes. I was feeling more my normal self. It wasn't unusual for people in my line of work to be assaulted, but up to then it was something that had never happened to me. There was still a feeling of shock and helplessness but it was fading. Doov came into the room after I was attended to and he just took hold of my hand. He spelt safety and security.

"Hold me Doov."

He opened his arms and I was enfolded within the comforting circle. I don't know what came over me but I began to cry and I just couldn't stop. He stroked my hair and spoke soothing words until my sobbing began to ebb. I looked up at him, the tears still streaming down my face.

"I'm sorry. Don't know what came over me."

"It was the best thing that could have happened. Would never have done to have kept it bottled up."

He wet a cloth and carefully wiped my face and eyes.

"There! Almost totally restored. They'll never know. You can blame it on the black eye."

"Why? Why did they act in that manner? Have I ever acted in anything but an appropriate manner when I was in public?"

He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes with his liquid brown ones.

"I wasn't joking when I said I had enemies. Sadly it seems to have been carried over to you. There are people there who don't wish the Kovitlan line to carry on. I haven't mentioned this before but both my older brother and father met untimely ends."

"Pleasant company indeed."

"Now you see why I employ the Society and why your advice is more reliable than my so called advisors."

"And they expect to win a war?"

He smiled ruefully.

"I think it's all a matter of playing both ends to the middle and seeing who offers them the best return."

"They're in it for money?"

"And power. Never forget power. You confounded several of them when you tore up the articles."

He chuckled.

"I have to admit I enjoyed the looks on their faces immensely, but it was a dangerous act that you carried out."

"I didn't think so then. I saw a group of hide bound old men so steeped in tradition that they couldn't or wouldn't change."

"And what do you think now?"

"The same plus there's a streak of paranoia running rife in your council. Just who do they see as being allies to their cause?"

 He was silent for a couple of microts. I could see thoughts swarming about his mind.

"It's bad. I don't think it could be worse. They've approached the Scarrans with a view to forming an alliance."

I felt myself going pale.

"They won't honour any agreement in the long term. They'll just absorb the Dominion and use it's resources to attack the Peacekeepers."

"And there'll be a war which will go on and on and only the Scarrans will win."

"They'll have all the slaves that they want for their mining operations."

"And for their experiments. Don't forget their abominable experiments. There's the result of one of their experiments in the Peacekeeper hierarchy and if only I could get in touch with him I believe we could strike a deal whuch would stop this nonsense once and for all. They call him Scorpius. He's a ruthless interrogator, but he loathes Scarrans."

 He looked into the distance.

"It's a big 'if only'."

I was standing there quietly, not knowing exactly what to say. Should I tell him who my patron was? Would that compromise him? Would he wish to talk to the admiral? However I was spared making a decision by Doov looking at his com bracelet and saying.

"Your girls will be waiting."

"Is the Thallack female then?"

"I don't know, but I'll err on the side of safety."

I made for the door. He put a hand on my shoulder and I turned my head to look at him.

"Are you sure you'll be all right? The lesson can be postponed until tomorrow."

"I'll finish it today. I need to do something constructive. Tomorrow I'd like to see the Caverns of Zelich. A day out."

He bowed.

"Azareel your wish is my command. Tomorrow, the Caverns of Zelich."

 ************

The girls and I completely stripped the engine. I'd been serious when I said I needed something constructive to do. Hard work can totally take away bad feelings. This particular engine had been mistreated and mis-managed in several different ways, but I showed the trainees exactly how to repair and shunt the power train to the photon pump. We also re-routed the main sensor grid and put in a series of failsafes so that it couldn't overload in future. The base commander came into the hanger at the end of the afternoon.

"Ma'am I regret very much the action of those young men."

"What's done is done."

He walked over to the engine.

"Did you learn all that you needed from it?"

"Thank you, we did."

"Then I'll send it for scrap."

"Goodness you wouldn't send a perfectly functioning engine to the brokers?"

He looked aghast at me.

"But I was assured that it was beyond repair!"

"Pardon my bluntness but your people are incompetent. These youngsters will service and repair as many of the existing engines that they can. They have learnt the art of make do and mend. It works very well. But you have to know exactly what you're about."

"Madam you find me speechless. How can I thank you?"

"By keeping the men of the base out of my way. I'll deal with the females in future. They are more responsive and a great deal less trouble."

"You'll be available if they need help?"

"Not tomorrow. I'm having a day off to explore your lovely planet."

"Admiral Kovitlan mentioned that he felt you needed a few days to fully recover from your ordeal."

"I shall be fine after tomorrow. I come from resiliant stock."

He smiled.

"Oh I don't doubt it. Don't doubt it at all."

Part 8

The next morning saw us making an early start. Doov's flier took us to the spaceport where we were ushered through with all the courtesy which is reserved for the important to his twin seater intercontinental. This craft would make the trip to the Caverns of Zelich, which were on the Southern continent of Urg. Two ahn would see us there. Then it was just a short trip by flier to the caverns. We'd got with us food for the day as there were not habitations within two hundred kliks of them. I noticed that Doov has also brought his pulser rifle.

"Why have you brought that?" I asked pointing to the weapon.

"Occasionally there are a few zaons and the odd snalkit. They haven't killed anyone for ages, but it's best to be on the safe side."

Covertly I thought you could add a few disillusioned or threatened generals and patricians to that list. I was only just beginning to realise how precarious was my adrmiral's position. We were dressed for exploration. Dark green military issue fatigues and stout walking boots. On our belts were location transponders and flares. We had supplies with us to ensure our survival should we become lost.