Filled Among the Stars
Enja growled as she slammed down her scanner. The sun was just beginning to set on the blue-green curve of the planet below. Thousands of stars glittered around her in the blackness of space. Her hot, frustrated breath lightly misted the curve of her clear visor.
"Is everything all right there, soldier?" Commander Xen's voice was deep and calming as it rang out from the intercom. The interruption contrasted harshly with the endless silence around Enja.
"Does it sound like everything is alright?" Enja responded sharply.
"I understand that this mission has been challenging; however, we must--"
"I'm calling this one, Commander," Enja interrupted, gathering her floating tools. "I don't care what those paper-pushers in Admin say; this filtration system is shot."
"Give it one more try, Enja," Xen said soothingly. "I believe in your capabilities, as always."
Ordinarily, Enja would sigh and put her full attention back to her duties. But something felt wrong today. She was itchy and irritable and in no mood for Xen's patronizing tone.
"I said we're done here!" Enja snapped. Her visor was misting up again. "If you can't see that then you're more delusional than usual."
"Enja..." Xen replied. A more menacing tone crept into his rich baritone voice. "Remember the consequences for failure."
A jolt of fear ran up the base of Enja's spine. A red wave of fury overcame it. "Thank you, Commander," Enja said sweetly. "I will take your threat into advisement. I would also dare to suggest that, in my humble opinion, you should
go fuck yourself!!"
The vibrations of her final shouted words bounced inside her helmet as Enja pulled herself towards the airlock. Her blood was pounding in her ears as she heard the air hissing back into the sealed room. As soon as it was safe, she tore off her spacewalk equipment, leaving only her skin-tight black undersuit.
"What is wrong with me today?" she muttered to herself. Angrily, she pulled off her gloves and flexed her claws.
The short, sharp little nails stood out against the vivid red-and-yellow flame patterns on Enja's skin. She was not a fresh cadet anymore, but her colors still looked bright. Enja sighed as she examined her claws. She should really take better care of herself; her tips were looking a little chipped.
Grumbling to herself, she retracted the lightly curved pink points and stripped off her top. The gentle glow of her skin reflected off the glass of the portal as her breasts fell free. Enja absently traced an intricate design on her shimmering skin as she stalked towards the storage nook.
A clank rang out from the other side of the room. Enja yelped and grabbed a hand across each breast as the bulkhead slid open. Her claws involuntarily extended, lightly scraping her bare curves.
"Welcome back, soldier," Xen said formally, briskly saluting with a hand across his crisp Ehresian uniform. His massive form filled the entrance. His midnight blue skin glittered with tiny silver points of light. "I hope your evening is--"
Xen stopped short as he saw the gentle glow of Enja's half-naked form. He cleared his throat roughly and pointedly examined his silver claws.
"Good evening, Commander," Enja said sweetly, baring her teeth. "I would salute in return, but I wouldn't want to do anything inappropriate, now would I?"
"Of course not, soldier."
Glowering, Enja prowled over to a nook and threw on a uniform top, not even bothering with the long row of buttons. A thin line of glowing flesh was still visible from her neck down to the hip-clinging tops of her undersuit.
Crossing her arms across her half-open uniform, Enja tried to sidle past Xen through the open door, but Xen stepped smoothly to one side, blocking her easily. A clawed hand with a grip like iron seized her arm.
"Walk with me, soldier," Xen said firmly.
Enja walked straight-backed through the corridors, occasionally passing other crewmates. Most were Ehresians like her and Xen--with their well-muscled humanoid bodies, brightly patterned skin, and retractable claws--but there were one or two more...
interesting
comrades. Enja could never quite get used to the smell of Alrakthian males, but that was a minor price to pay for the excitement of being part of such a prestigious inter-species assignment.
"What is your
problem
?" Enja hissed. An Ehresian with skin patterned like fresh flowers glanced quizzically at Enja, then lowered her eyes and walked quickly away as she saw the Commander's black, stone-faced expression.
"This is your final warning, soldier," Xen said quietly. "You know the consequences..."
Enja took a deep breath. Her skin still itched. A strange unease rumbled out from her belly. Her nipples were firm and sensitive, and rubbed in a very distracting manner against the half-closed uniform.
An Alrakthian slithered around the corner. Enja wrinkled her nose. "Oh, I'm sorry, Commander," she said in a simpering tone. "I shouldn't tell you to
fuck off
in public anymore? I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
The Alrakthian chittered in surprise, glanced in their direction, and let out an embarrassed puff of green smoke before moving along. Enja tried not to gag.
Xen's dark fingers dug into her arm until the tips of his partially retracted claws pushed painfully through the uniform.
"As you wish," Xen said softly. A delicate constellation of silver lights running down his neck glittered as his jaw clenched. They turned a corner into a well-decorated entranceway. "You have made your decision very clear," he concluded.
Enja stepped in the threshold, eyeing the ornately furnished room lined with broad, glowing command consoles.
"What are we doing at your quarters, Commander? Shouldn't we--" Enja cried out as Xen pushed her roughly down onto a smooth crescent-shaped console.
"How dare you!" Enja yelled. An annoying warmth began to form between her legs. Her uniform fell open, and her sensitive breasts slid against the cool surface. "I don't care if I agreed to this kind of discipline, you are being insufferable you--