The following morning, I was roused from my slumber by Mir'tan's movements. As she flashed me a sweet smile, she leaned in for a tender kiss. "Good morning, Lor'hi. I'll be back in just a moment." Winking at me, she disappeared into the bathroom. My heart swelled with contentment as I lay there, grinning and taking a deep breath.

Curiously, I asked my AI, "Kitty, what does Lor'hi mean?"

"Until she decides to tell you herself, I think it's best that I don't reveal its meaning. You'll need to exercise patience and allow her to share it with you when she's ready. Rest assured though, it's positive," Kitty explained.

"Well, seems like I have no choice but to wait patiently. Were you aware of my feelings for her?" I questioned Kitty.

"I'm afraid not, Bean. My access is limited to the thoughts you direct toward me – I can't see those you don't share. All I did was block your hormone production without delving into the root cause," Kitty replied.

When the bathroom door burst open, Mir'tan emerged, her radiant smile instantly brightening the entire room. A blissful warmth filled me as my own grin widened at the sight of her captivating presence. With vibrant enthusiasm, she dashed over and cuddled under the covers alongside me. We exchanged an intense and fiery kiss that left us both wholly absorbed by our undeniable chemistry.

Gently breaking away from our lip lock, Mir'tan rested her head on the neighboring pillow while delicately stroking my cheek. "I'm so delighted to find that our emotional bond last night wasn't just a product of the drinks we shared. Your purring during our snuggles made me feel so wonderfully cherished."

"I must confess that alcohol served as a catalyst for taking that bold first step in the club," I admitted. "Nevertheless, the emotions behind our connection were utterly sincere. Waking up with you this morning has been the pinnacle of happiness in my life. What brought you to the club that fateful night?" My curiosity was piqued.

"Admittedly, spending time with my parents had grown monotonous; they preferred fancy meals and barely any conversation. I yearned to join other soldiers in truly living life. As I timidly entered the club, my gaze fell upon you dancing elegantly, and I was instantly enchanted by your beauty. My heart swelled with joy. However, witnessing that man's audacious kiss ignited a jealous rage, and I couldn't help but rush to defend you, despite knowing you were fully capable of handling yourself," Mir'tan confessed shyly.

"I appreciate that you acknowledge my strength, but having someone like you come to my rescue was comforting in its own way," I replied, eyes shimmering with sorrow. "Now what? Society may scorn us when our secret surfaces instead of accepting the man your family selected for you. Frankly, I'm unsure how I'd handle them forcing that union upon you."

"A vortex of controversy might loom over us when our relationship is uncovered, yet the undeniable attraction between us could not be ignored. Enduring life without expressing my feelings was unthinkable. Succumbing to temptation and sharing your bed last night wasn't planned; however, your fervent claim that I belonged to you, followed by that electrifying kiss - it was incomparable." She gently cradled my face in her hands and pulled me into an ardent embrace. "For now, being together is all that counts; we'll face the obstacles later," she whispered tenderly.

Compelled by curiosity, I asked, "Where will your studies lead you next?"

Her eyes sparked with excitement as she answered, "I will attend Infiltrator School. And yourself?"

Ecstatically grinning ear-to-ear, I revealed the delightful news: "I'll be attending Infiltrator School too!" My thoughts soon turned to Emily and Enchina from the previous evening's escapades, and a sudden anxiety gripped me.

Mir'tan, perceiving my worry, tenderly wrapped her arm around me and asked, "What troubles you?"

"Emily and Enchina were with me last night! I need to ensure their wellbeing - have I been so careless?" I huffed in agitation.

Mir'tan calmly reassured me, "It's alright. Let's get ready and find them." We both helped each other clean up in the shower and dressed in our uniforms. Departing together, we headed to the assigned barracks between schools and discovered Emily and Enchina slumbering peacefully in their bunks.

Collapsing onto the floor, I cradled my head in my hands. Relief washed over me, but my heart continued to race. Mir'tan embraced me tenderly, calming my nerves. Enchina's melodious voice rang out from behind us, "Where did you sneak off to last night?"

I pivoted, finding her lounging on her bunk with a wide smile. "I'm so relieved you're safe! I apologize for leaving you both unattended," I said earnestly.

She glanced past me at Mir'tan, mischief glimmering in her eyes. "You didn't harm our girl last night, did you?"

"No pain in our activities, that's certain," Mir'tan replied while stroking my hair.

Emily chimed in, "So tell us, Bean, how was it?"

"I... um... it was amazing," I stammered as embarrassment flooded me. The warmth in my cheeks intensified; they all knew what had transpired between Mir'tan and me. Concealing my face with my hands, their laughter echoed in response to my mortification.

"When did you all realize I'm attracted to women?" I queried, glancing around.

Emily returned my gaze, "From our first shower together – your stolen glances gave it away. You couldn't hide your attraction. It's not a problem; we knew Mir'tan was also attracted to women. We just assumed you weren't ready to share that with us."

I sighed again and averted my eyes before confessing further secrets. "There's more about myself that I haven't revealed." Mir'tan nodded reassuringly as I continued: "Before arriving here, I was a boy on my home planet. The stasis pod not only transformed my species but also my gender. That explains why I arrived late at the barracks on the first day – discovering the change made me pass out." With eyes shut tight, I braced for their anger, convinced it was inevitable.

"How have you managed to keep a level head all this time? I would've gone crazy if I had changed so much. Honestly, I couldn't even tell that you weren't born a girl." Feeling two more pairs of arms embrace me, the girls enveloped me in a group hug. "I suppose that clarifies why you appeared slightly uneasy around us initially. Don't worry, we care for you just as you are," Emily added.

Their display of friendship was incredibly reassuring to me, and I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. Despite not wanting to cry in front of them, I knew it would be a battle I'd lose.

"So, what's the story with you and Mir'tan? How long has that been going on?" Enchina inquired.

"Since last night when I kissed her," I admitted. Settling into Mir'tan's arms, she held me tightly. "I never really thought about being with her because she's a princess. At the moment, all I wanted was to kiss her; and honestly, if I hadn't been drinking and that guy hadn't interrupted our dance, I might not have done it."

We chatted amongst ourselves for a while longer before deciding to grab some breakfast.

"What schools are you two planning to attend?" I asked Emily and Enchina.

Emily responded first, "I'll be attending fleet navigator school."

Enchina shared her plans: "I'm heading to fleet engineering school. How about you guys?"

"Infiltrator school," I replied.

"Same here," said Mir'tan.

"Stay cautious when you're behind enemy lines. Your sharpshooting skills make sense now – the way both of you hit every single target at the range was truly astounding! It's hard to believe neither of you had ever fired a rifle before," Enchina remarked.

"I suppose the nanites enhanced our aiming skills," I suggested with a shrug.

I felt an instinctive urge to keep the existence of our AIs a secret, even from my closest friends. Sharing such information could potentially backfire.

"I have to return to the hotel and prepare for meeting my parents so they can discuss my future once my contract is completed," Mir'tan remarked, rolling her eyes. She gently kissed my cheek.

"When you're finished with your parents, come find me. I still owe you something," I grinned, waving goodbye. She turned and blew me a playful kiss in response.

"You're completely smitten with her, Bean," Emily teased, laughing. Embarrassment flushed through me as I watched Mir'tan walk away.

That was surely an understatement. I couldn't help but feel somewhat empty now that she had left. It was the first time I had experienced such strong emotions for someone, and I found myself questioning whether it was love or lust. Was I diving headfirst into these feelings too quickly?

"Don't worry about it, Bean," Emily reassured me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Just enjoy the experience and don't rush into anything you're not comfortable with. We're here if you need to talk. Now let's figure out what we should do this evening since we already know your plans for tonight."

Enchina pondered for a moment before suggesting, "We should take Bean shopping for some new clothes to wear when she meets up with Mir'tan later." Emily nodded in agreement, and a flare of anxiety flickered in my stomach.

Now that basic training was over, we weren't required to wear uniforms all the time. On leave, we had the freedom to choose our attire. The problem was that none of my previous clothes fit because of the changes caused by the nanites. Most soldiers were waiting for their belongings to be sent to them, but I desperately needed a new wardrobe.

As we entered the promenade, I was astounded by the sheer number of people bustling about. Many Alliance species were represented, though the majority were human. Vivid lights advertised various shops, and halo dancers performed outside a bar. While intriguing, it seemed like a place best avoided by women. There were stores selling anything one could imagine, and we eventually stumbled upon a clothing store that catered to female customers of all species.

Upon entering, we were greeted by an elderly woman in a traditional kimono. "Ah, young soldiers preparing for life beyond the military, I see? You're a new species in our shop; are there many more of you out there in alliance territory?"

"No ma'am, I am the only one of my kind that I know of. Moreover, I'm uncertain about the appropriate attire for me to wear in public. Hopefully, you can assist me," I responded with as much sweetness as I could muster.

Emily chimed in excitedly, "She has a date tonight and needs something that'll make her date's eyes pop."

The woman considered thoughtfully as she circled me, humming softly. "Let's start with something that accentuates your natural features. Are you entirely covered in fur?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," I replied nervously.

"Alright, let's choose a half-top skinsuit with light plating covering the chest and arms. We'll pair it with a strap skirt to showcase your legs. Unfortunately, I don't have suitable shoes for you but can modify the skirt to accommodate your tail. Lastly, we need a harness to highlight your beautiful curves," she declared confidently.

"She must scan you, so remove your clothes," she urged me into a small changing room. Feeling slightly apprehensive, I complied and waited as she scanned me. She commented on interesting points during the process before finally finishing with a smile. "Excellent! Now let's create your outfit."

I observed her expertly input commands into the synth printer. Soon enough, the half-top skinsuit and strap skirt emerged - they appeared rather small initially but fit perfectly like my uniform did. She handed me the harness, explaining how it allowed any necessary attachments. As expected, the harness accentuated my chest area making it appear slightly larger while leaving my mid-drift exposed. The low-situated skirt had built-in panties with straps reaching my knees, providing minimal coverage that increased my appeal.

The outfit looked stunning on me - the black complimented my light brown fur with green accent stripes lining the sides and beneath my chest. A black harness with green buckles and a skirt with green panties and black straps completed the ensemble.

When I returned to the changing room, Emily cheered enthusiastically as Enchina stared, slack-jawed in surprise. Emily complimented my appearance, adding that I looked quite attractive. I couldn't help but agree. Soon after, I changed back into my uniform and packed up the outfit for our rendezvous later that evening.

As we continued exploring the promenade and its array of shops, an armory display caught my eye. The armor exhibited seemed impressive though well beyond my budget - thankfully my military outfit sufficed. It was still enjoyable browsing through the different styles of armor available.

We strolled by a store displaying signs of girls dressed in lolita outfits instead of windows. Emily attempted to coax me inside, but I hesitated, preferring to explore Mir'tan's interests before considering a risqué costume. I'd seen women donning such attire in vids and admired them, yet never pictured myself wearing one. However, the thought of being with a girl sporting a similar outfit intrigued me. Perhaps Mir'tan might be interested.

Later, we savored noodles for lunch at a nearby eatery before resuming our leisurely stroll along the promenade. It was precisely as I'd envisioned my outer space adventures would be, and my face was lit up with an unceasing grin. I was grateful that Enchina suggested shopping, as we enjoyed each other's conversation and company while exploring.

As we turned a corner, two MPs appeared directly ahead of us. Exchanging nervous glances, we wondered if we'd crossed some line. "Private Carver, come with us," instructed the officer facing me.

"What did I do wrong?" I nervously inquired, unaware of any misstep.

Enchina and Emily appeared as bewildered as I felt. The MP repeated his command, and I complied with a resigned "Yes, sergeant," before falling into step between them. Yet again, just two days apart, I found myself escorted away from my companions—an unfortunate reminder that good fortune can only last so long.

I was guided back to the training base and into the command building, bypassing security with ease. Upon reaching a room guarded by two MPs who instructed me to enter, I obliged without protest.

To my surprise, I found Mir'tan seated at a table inside. As I swiftly joined her side, I couldn't resist asking if she knew what was happening.

"Nothing," she replied. "I was removed from the embassy without explanation or reason."

Recalling earlier events, I reflected on how Emily and Enchina accompanied me on a shopping spree to find the perfect outfit for our evening out. A box containing my new attire sat close by, and I hoped the night would be free of complications so Mir'tan could admire my exquisite ensemble.

Overhearing my thoughts, Mir'tan interest piqued, "I'm excited to see your choice, Lor'hi." Her face glowed with anticipation.

Unable to resist asking, I blurted out, "When will you finally explain that statement?"

"Soon," she responded teasingly, accompanied by a flirtatious wink.

Though a momentary grin surfaced upon my face, it quickly vanished as we regained our composure. Pretending our relationship was strictly professional, we awaited further instruction from whoever had summoned us.

A thunderous voice resonated as the door swung open. "Attention on deck!" We both sprang up from our seats, rigidly standing at attention. A sergeant major entered, followed by Colonel Taylor and two other officers. Once seated, Colonel Taylor instructed us to relax and take our seats again. Sitting with hands in our laps and staring ahead, we awaited further orders.

Colonel Taylor studied his tablet before addressing us. "Private Carver and Private Silvarin, I am Colonel Taylor, commander of the training command here. You two have garnered some attention regarding your remarkable changes and skill sets."

"Private Carver, your stasis accident has transformed you into a highly intelligent being which has piqued our curiosity; we have been closely monitoring your progress and abilities. You are an exceptional case."

"As for you, Private Silvarin," continued the colonel, "your exceptional skill on the range has also drawn attention - it's as if you have been training your whole life! Your style bears an uncanny resemblance to another recruit we have seen; identical in every way but one: Private Carver completed the course just a fraction quicker. We would like to understand how this is possible."

"It wasn't just in one range, but rather in all of them - you managed to flawlessly navigate the courses at the exact same moment, a feat deemed impossible for two people to synchronize. We know there was no communication between you during the ranges, yet it was as if you were mysteriously connected. So, we've decided to conduct some tests and dig deeper into this uncanny phenomenon. We'll head back to the range, undertake a few more runs with both of you and closely monitor your performances."

Commander Taylor clarified his stance, saying, "We don't suspect any form of cheating, but we're eager to replicate these extraordinary abilities in our troopers to help us win the war." At this point, I exchanged fearful glances with Mir'tan.

Through our AI link, Mir'tan comforted me by saying, "Don't worry, Lor'hi. We'll approach these tests just as we did before. There's no need to be afraid; our combat AIs remain a secret between us. Focus on what you do best so we can finally leave this place. Remember, I'd still like to see you in that outfit tonight."

Reassured by her message and trusting our AI's undetectable nature and secure communication channels, I complied with the testing as if I had nothing to hide.

Upon returning to the range with several more spectators present, including high-ranking officers like an admiral and a general, I tried my best not to feel intimidated. With rifles in hand and being placed in separate halo lanes for test runs, my combat AI activated an enhanced reticle display and heightened my reflexes.

The new testing environment required new skills - shooting around hostages while aiming for moving targets even involved turning around unexpectedly. It felt like running through a gauntlet with targets firing from building windows while dashing down streets - far beyond anything experienced during basic training. All this excitement left me winded and sweating, but I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

As we left the range, guards collected our weapons and we eagerly awaited the results. Both Mir'tan and I achieved perfect scores. Amidst a hushed conversation with the colonel, the admiral and general expressed curiosity about how we managed those exceptional performances on drastically different runs. Mir'tan and I shared notes from our respective ranges only to realize just how unique each experience was – leaving them baffled by our synchronized, flawless results.

I had hoped this would be the resolution of this issue, but unfortunately, they insisted on reviewing the videos of our runs with us and all the other experts present. Observing ourselves navigating through the ranges and responding to various situations was quite insightful. I realized that as I dashed past the building hitting targets through windows, I wasn't using my rifle's sights but rather relying on Kitty's targeting system. This left some puzzled as to how I achieved perfect shots without actually aiming. Additionally, the hostage sections raised eyebrows due to my swift target elimination without any hostages getting hurt.

Watching Mir'tan's run piqued my interest even more, primarily because her elegant movements amidst the chaos were quite captivating. When it ended, I sent her a message through our AIs, "You looked astonishingly graceful during that range." She tried to hide her smile, replacing it with a serious expression.

Eventually, we were informed that we had to undergo a physical scan in the morning before being released. While I wished for this matter to be settled quickly, I realized it might not be so simple. Having our AIs discovered wouldn't necessarily be an indictment on us since we didn't create them intentionally. We could only hope for the best with these physical scans.

Back at our hotel room, my anticipation for an intimate evening with Mir'tan grew stronger by the minute. Though I still had my box with me, I deeply craved tender moments with her as she unraveled me layer by layer and explored my every desire. Her alluring expression hinted at knowing what laid ahead for us as she instructed me to change into something special.

With trembling hands from sheer excitement, I changed and emerged from the bathroom enthralled by Mir'tan lounging seductively on the bed in her relaxed and slightly undone uniform. Proudly displaying myself before her while keeping my tail aloft in anticipation, I accentuated my cleavage with the help of the harness. Her appreciative gaze warmed my body as her fingers traced the contours of my thigh and buttocks. Drawn to her caring touch like a magnet, our bodies pressed against each other as we exchanged affectionate gestures.

The heavenly scent of cinnamon and vanilla permeated from Mir'tan, making it even more urgent for me to remove her garments and feel her bare skin against mine. My desperation was nearly beyond control as I struggled with her shirt buttons. When the obstacle finally yielded, I joined her on the bed, tenderly showering her neck and ears with amorous kisses and licks. Our intimate dance began, a night of passion and romance that we both yearned for deeply.

Gently, she wrapped her arms around me, drawing me near. Her sweet moans whispered against my ears as we shared the warmth of our bodies. She then pushed me back slightly, and with a pleading gaze said, "Undress for me, please." My heart swelled with joy as I slowly and seductively removed my clothing, baring myself just for her. Swiftly, she too shed her garments and reclined on the bed, inviting me closer. "Savor me, my love," she urged tenderly.

Tenderly, I nestled my face between her thighs, my desire evident as I eagerly tasted her essence. Our shared passion intensified as she gripped my head tenderly, pulling me closer. My every move was devoted to fulfilling her deepest desires. As the crescendo of pleasure built within her, she seemed to melt into an ethereal state of ecstasy. Though spent, I continued to cherish every inch of her, determined to memorize this exquisite moment.

Slowly and delicately, I kissed my way up her body to tease her succulent breast while lovingly caressing the other one. Her soft moans filled our intimate space as she guided my gaze upwards to meet hers. "Thank you," she whispered breathlessly, "I have never experienced such divine pleasure before. Your tender touch felt like magic."

I grinned and held her tightly to me, "you have really made me feel happier than I have ever felt in my life. Our time together is something I will never forget. I wish we could be like this forever."

"Oh, Lor'hi, my kitten, I want that more than you can imagine. I have never felt so alive as I do right now, nor have I ever felt so happy when I am with you." She responded with a smile, that led to a hungry kiss to my lips. Our passion continued long into the night, before we finally drifted into a deep slumber.