Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five (6 page)

Something had woken her up. What had it been?

“Can you hear me?” A soft feminine voice asked and it was close. Brennae
knew she was on the Elyon, so who was the female talking to her? Opening her
eyes she saw the woman hovering over her, concern etched on her features.
“Please do not be alarmed.”

Brennae took in the females ebony hair and striking blue-gold eyes. When
she went to look further her mouth dropped open with shock. From what she could
see of the woman’s torso, she appeared to be completely naked! Sitting up on
the medical bed Brennae asked, “Who are you?”

To her amazement, the woman started laughing a calming, and melodic
sound. “I am a STARR.”

Keeping her eyes averted above the shoulders Brennae held out her hand,
“I am Brennae. It is nice to meet you Star.”

Star just turned her head sideways and looked at her hand for a moment,
and then held hers out the same way. “My designation...you would consider this
to be a name, is not ‘Star’...the acronym for my
design
is STARR. It
stands for Sexually Trained Authentic Recreational Robot. You may call me Star
though, you make it sound nice.”

Brennae felt her mouth drop open again, and then forced herself to stop
gawking. In her defense it hadn’t ever come up around Terraneu that the Elyon
had robotic sex bots on it, they were a little more concerned with the mad King
on board. Moving her eyes quickly over Star’s body she sighed, of course this
was a sexually trained robot. She was beautiful and her body was lithe and
perfect. Her skin was without marks or scars and looked flawlessly smooth.
Noticing that the STARR had her hand out still Brennae let out a little laugh
and took the robots hand.

“This is a greeting.” She said then moved her hand up and down.

Star watched as their hands shook and when Brennae let go the other
female smiled, “Star likes this greeting.” Brennae notice her eyes were moving
over her dress. “Is that normal female attire where you are from? The covering
you are wearing now?”

“Yes. It is just a simple dress.” Brennae looked at what had been one of
her favorites. It had definitely seen better days. “There are a few rips in it
that weren’t there before and it is pretty dirty. Other than that this is what
most females on Terraneu wear.” Brennae gasped in dismay she hadn’t meant to talk
about Terraneu to anybody. For all she knew this STAR was just being friendly
to get information to use against her people.

“Star is sensing a rise in your endorphins. You are upset.” To Brennae’s
further amazement the female climbed up on the medical bed and sat crossed
legged in front of her. Her earlier assumption that the female was completely
naked was correct. Brennae noticed a patch of black hair between the STARR
unit’s legs before she forced her eyes back above the shoulders. None of the
women on Terraneu had hair between their legs and it was a surprise to see it
on a robotic unit. Feeling herself blush she wondered at her reaction. She had
not been raised to be ashamed of nudity. In fact, on Terraneu it was the
opposite and she did in fact have a high tolerance for other people’s habits.
Maybe her reaction came from the fact that Star was a stranger.

“I am not going to tell you anything about Terraneu if that is why you
are here.” Brennae crossed her arms and kept her eyes locked on Star’s.

“I am not here to get information out of you for the King.” Star looked
around then leaned closer, “Nobody knows I am here. My Lord Marcael would be
most unhappy if he knew I was in here. He ordered all units away from the
medical area. I am here on the other STARRs behalf.”

“There are more of you on this ship?” Brennae looked at Star and her
expression must have been comical because with a suddenness that stunned her
Star broke out laughing. Her perfect breasts didn’t wiggle and flop as she
laughed, her stomach didn’t dimple and she didn’t sound like a braying donkey.
She was perfect, even when laughing.

“There are many other STARR units on board.” Star moved her hair over her
shoulder, and said hurriedly, “I need your help.”

 
“How can I be of any help? There
can’t be anything I know that would—”

“I need to know of Terra.” The STARR unit interrupted. “Are any of my
kind still there?”

Brennae was stunned for a moment, “How would I know anything about
Terra?” She didn’t know how much she could trust the STARR unit and was afraid
to say anything that would hurt her community.

Star gave her an exasperated look. “Brennae you really need to trust me.”
When she just remained silent, Star sighed then ticked off the reasons she knew
Brennae might know about Terra. Star held up a finger, “Number one:
 
The Princes your uncle is searching for were
given a port pad to contact Terra, so it would make sense that they used it at
some point. I am only guessing to acquire woman?” Another finger went up,
“Number two:
 
Your genetics scream
Terran, you are without any doubt from that planet. How you got to be on
Terraneu doesn’t matter to me. Finding others like the STARR units is all I am
concerned with.”

Brennae hesitated then took a leap of faith, “I’m really sorry but I
don’t think there is anything like you there. My mother
is
from Earth or what you called Terra. I vaguely remember her
saying something about how they were just getting to basic robotics. Nothing
nearly as advanced as you was being created when she left.” Seeing the pained
look on the STARR’s face she gave her a sympathetic squeeze on her hand then
continued, “I am very doubtful that they could have gotten to your obviously
advanced level of technology in the years that she has been away.”

“What kind of technology
did
they have on Terra?” Star asked.

“I don’t remember my mother talking of Earth that often, they were trying
to build their lives around Terraneu. She did mention that they had computers
that were connected by electronics. Satellites in orbit controlled many things.
Some Artificial Intelligence was being developed, but she didn’t know how far
they had gotten with making that work. The people of Earth felt they were
advanced, but she wasn’t sure that it was a good thing. Everything was
electronic and nobody cared about his or her neighbor anymore. It was everyone
looking out for themselves instead of each other.”

Star sighed, “That is what I needed to know. Thank you Brennae.” She
looked over her shoulder and turned back, “I know you said you would not talk
about your community, this Terraneu...but may I please ask you one thing?”

Brennae got a cautious look and shrugged, “You may ask me but I may not
be able to answer.”

“Would the males of this ship be happy in your Terraneu?”

Brennae sat quietly in thought for a moment. Marcael suddenly popped into
her thoughts. Would a man like him be truly happy in Terraneu? “I honestly
don’t know Star. Terraneu is a match for the Elyon in technology and amenities,
and we do strive as a community to make sure everyone has a say. That being
said, men like Marcael and the others from the Elyon might have a hard time
fitting in.” When Star frowned at that information she hurried to add, “Not
that they wouldn’t be welcome with open arms, because they would. It is a
matter of personality types and who would compromise...us or them.”

“My Lord Marcael is a hard man.” Star sighed and Brennae knew that this
sex bot had intimate knowledge of him. She could tell in the way the she said
his name. An unfamiliar sensation was suddenly running through her. To her
shock, she realized she was jealous. She wanted to jump across the bed and slap
that perfect face. She wanted to claw her eyes out and mar her perfect skin.
Brennae had never had this reaction before so was unprepared for the depth of
her feelings.

“You are upset again.” Star looked confused, “I am analyzing my words for
the cause of your distress.”

“No Star it isn’t your fault.” Brennae felt the heat rising in her face.

“Now you are embarrassed.” Star had her head tilted to the side like a
sacath trying to figure a situation out. “I have done my analysis and have come
to the conclusion that my words about My Lord Marcael are the cause of your
discomfort. I do not understand why calling him a ‘hard man’ would upset you.”

Brennae had a feeling she wasn’t going to get out of this conversation
with her dignity intact. “It was an unusual reaction I had to the
way
you said his name. Not what you said it’s—”

“You had an emotional reaction to my words? If I am reading you correctly
the feeling you experienced was...jealousy?” Star looked shocked. “Is that
correct?”

Brennae felt her face go further up in flames. “You are very beautiful
and I don’t even know Marcael to be jealous. It was a stupid reaction, I’m
sorry.”

Star examined her and smiled, “You are also very beautiful Brennae. My
interactions with My Lord Marcael are not as humans interact with each other.
As to not knowing him, if you have this strong reaction of jealousy then
perhaps your body already knows as much as it needs to.”

Being raised in Terraneu with everyone open about all things sexual had
not prepared her for a life lesson from a sexually trained robot! “Really Star
it’s not that I don’t appreciate your advice —” again Star interrupted her.

“That is what I should do for you as my new friend.” Star clapped her
hands together, “I should give you advice. I can tell by the color you are
turning that talking about sexual topics is distressing. I can therefore assume
that you have not had many sexual encounters.”

“Star!” Brennae couldn’t help laughing, “I really don’t need schooling on
sex.” Sexual education was something all students on Terraneu had finished by
their sixteenth year. The details were all covered in their classes. It was the
emotions
that they hadn’t been able to go over. Those you had to muddle
through on your own. “And I have had plenty of ‘sexual encounters’ as you put
it.”

When Star just kept looking at her with a raised eyebrow Brennae
confessed, “Okay, maybe not that many encounters. It is difficult for me on
Terraneu. I just haven’t met the right man.”

“We are not on Terraneu.” Star insisted, “Can you still say you have not
met the right man?”

As if conjured by their conversation the doors to the medical unit opened
and in walked Marcael.

Marcael had gone to the training facilities and
worked out with some of the other males. They were all curious about the female
they heard was on the Elyon. He only had a few loyal friends left now that
Colle and Mallex were on Terraneu. The six still onboard he had placed in
strategic positions in case they had to make their move against Knuan early.

Moving swiftly into medical he stopped short when he
saw that Brennae was not alone. There was a STARR unit in the room with her.
Scowling hotly at the female STARR he moved to Brennae. “You are awake.” His
eyes roamed eagerly over her face, “Are you feeling better?”

She had been red faced when he entered the room, and
her face flushed even hotter with him standing next to her. He was instantly
concerned that maybe she did have some type of illness. Maybe his excuse to
keep her under quarantine was a valid one.

“Yes Marcael, I am fine. My face doesn’t even hurt
anymore.” She glared at him, which stopped him from reaching for her cheek to
see for himself. “By the way...why did you drug me?”

He had forgotten about the sleep aid, “Oh, that—”

“Yes, that!” She snapped, “Didn’t you trust me to
stay here when you told me it was dangerous to go out? What did you think I was
going to do...run around the ship advertising my presence?”

Finding himself on the defensive put him on edge. “I
was trying to make sure you got adequate rest, instead of sitting here worried
the whole time.” He ran his fingers through his hair, “I am sorry I did not
think to ask you before administering the sleep aid.”

For some reason Brennae got red faced again, “No,
I’m sorry Marcael. I am just a bit out of sorts.” She laughed a cold sound
looking around the room, “That is an understatement!”

Marcael moved closer and was not surprised when the
STARR moved off the medical bed. “I am needed at the King’s quarters.” Bowing
low to him, she went toward the doorway.

Finally able to reach Brennae without interference
he put his fingers against her cheek. “Are you sure you are okay?” He looked
deep into her violet eyes, searching for some sign of pain.

“I’m fine Marcael. Thank you.” She closed her eyes
and tilted her head to rub more of his warmth into her cheek. “If not for you I
don’t know what I would do. I know you are doing what you think is best, since
this ship is the environment you are used to, I have to defer to your judgment.
I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

“It is okay Brennae. I understand how you must be
feeling. It will be hard but I want you to try not to worry. I am going to get
you out of his mess.” His eyes moved from her cheek to her lips. Parted softly
they beckoned to him. Their pink fullness was suddenly moistened when her
tongue darted out. He brushed his finger along her lower lip then dragged his
eyes from her mouth to see her eyes widened in surprise.

Even with the sexual block, Marcael could not stop
himself from answering the call of Brennae’s body. Taking her legs, he spun her
on the medical bed until he could step between her knees. He pulled her toward
him until their bodies were flush against each other. One arm was around her
lower back, the other was under the arm she had wrapped around his neck and his
fingers were twisting their way around her hair. Leaning into her body, he
paused with his lips hovering just above Brennae’s. When her lashes fluttered
against her cheeks, he pressed his lips against hers. The warmth from where
their bodies connected surprised him. The heat flashed along his body, running
wildly in his blood, until with a jolt he could feel his body responding. He
felt Brennae’s fingers playing against the skin at his neck and back. Her mouth
was open for the plundering and his tongue took up the challenge. He felt the
tentative answer of Brennae’s tongue against his. Then they were rubbing and
sparring with each other. She let out a soft moan and he answered with a growl
of pleasure.

Thrusting his hips against Brennae, he swallowed her
surprised gasp and then sighed into her mouth when she wrapped her legs around
his hips. Their kissing turned primal, hot and frenzied. Brennae was making
sexy, wild noises in the back of her throat. He swore his pants were going to
explode off his body if his shaft got any harder. He froze when he realized
that the sexual block had been broken. It was as if a bucket of cold water had
been thrown on him. He realized that he needed to get a hold of himself. This
was no time to be initiating a physical encounter with Brennae. They were in
the medical unit for crying out loud! Her uncle was still to be dealt with, her
family on Terraneu was in danger...
they
were in even worse danger and he
needed to keep a clear head.

Forcing his mouth away from Brennae, he took in deep
gasping breaths. When he was able to speak, he rasped out, “How is it possible
that the sexual block is not working?”

“A strong sexual pheromone from a female will break
through a sexual block.” Brennae whispered. Her voice was ambrosia to his ears,
sultry and soft.

He owed her an apology. “I am sorry Brennae.” He
looked into her passion clouded eyes and noted with satisfaction that his
kisses had that effect on her. Wanting her to understand he continued, “I am
not sorry I kissed you. I am just sorry that this is not the right time or
place.”

Her face flamed red for a moment, and she looked so
uncertain that he could not help himself he kissed her again, quickly moving
his mouth against hers. Pulling back, he nibbled gently on her lower lip, his
fingers massaging her scalp.

 
She blushed
again then looked down between them. He put his finger under her chin and made
sure she was looking at him when he emphasized, “When we get out of this we
will continue where we left off.”
 
He
stepped further back and helped her off the medical bed.

 
“I have to
move you out of here in case someone comes looking for you.” Marcael turned
toward the door then back to her, “I am going to hide you in my quarters for
now. We need to move fast, would you prefer to walk or for me to carry you?” He
had made the mistake of giving her the sleeping aide without asking. He was
going to try to give her as much say as possible from now on.

“Would you please carry me? I would be more
comfortable with that option.” Marcael smiled slightly at her answer. It was a
wise decision. Brennae did not know this ship and if she did not want to
jeopardize their chances at getting to his quarters, being carried was the best
option.

Pulling her into his arms he said, “Remember, turn
your head into my chest. I will get us to my chambers as fast as I can.” He
hurried toward the door, rushed down corridors and waited impatiently for
lifts. It seemed like he would never get to his quarters when suddenly he was
at his door. Hurrying inside he used his console to lock his chambers. With a
sigh of relief, he set Brennae on a couch. Smiling at her, he gestured around
the room, “This is the lounge area.” He pointed through a doorway, “That is my
bedroom and sonic shower.” He moved toward a wall unit then frowned and turned
back, “Would you like something to drink?”

“Water if I could please.” Brennae spoke softly,
“That is all we drink on Terraneu.”

He moved to get her some water and when the glass
was filled he turned back to hand her the glass. “After you drink your
refreshment you can use the sonic shower to clean up if you would like. It
works on organic matter and clothing, so your dress will be unsoiled as well.”
He looked at the covering she was wearing and though the sonic unit could not
repair the tears, it would make it clean. That might make her feel better.

“That would be nice.” She had swallowed down her
water quickly and stood up, “I would like to take that sonic shower now if you
don’t mind.”

Marcael just nodded and took her through his
bedchamber to the sonic shower. It was not much more than a walled in area. You
stood in place and the computer did all the necessary cleaning. Placing Brennae
on the correct spot, he programmed the unit for a full cleaning. “There is a
slight tingling sensation at first, but it is not harmful.”

“Thank you for explaining, I’m ready.” She whispered
closing her eyes.

Marcael hit the button to start the cleaning and
stepped out of the sonic chamber to give Brennae some space. Moving around his
bedchamber he quickly put everything in order. Not that he had many things to
clutter up his space. There were no trinkets or trophies, or grand decorations.
All he had was some clothing he had meant to put in the cleaning unit and his
bed, which was a rumpled mess that he had not bothered to make.

“I’m done.”

At the soft words he spun around and once again
caught his breath at how incredibly lovely she was. Her hair was shiny and
curling around her shoulder to flow down her back. Her skin really was that
golden glowing color in any light. Her face was pinched with stress, but
beautiful nonetheless.

“I was thinking we could go sit in the lounge area
and talk.” Marcael thought to get her mind off where she was and what was
happening. “If you do not mind that is.”

“No of course not.” She smiled hesitantly, “That
sounds fine.”

Marcael gestured for her to precede him into the
lounge area. He filled her glass with water and got one for himself while he
was there.

“So what do you want to talk about?” She asked, her
soft voice echoing in the quiet room. Before he could say anything she jumped
in, “I know...I’ll ask the first question. Why did you kill my grandfather and
why does my mad uncle get the idea that you enjoyed it?”