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Notes on The Ice Tiger...

A bit of an explanation of this tale is warranted because of the “X” rating. Aside from a bit of graphic sex and a pinch of gratuitous violence…oh yes…and the merest hint of bestiality, there is nothing other than rants, raves, and ideas that truly might create offense. Sooo, if you are easily offended by words and ideas, then please look else where for your reading pleasure.

“The Ice Tiger” came to me in a dream. I envisioned a huge tiger-like animal that lived on a frozen planet. This animal was at the top of the food chain as a terrestrial predator, but also hunted in the great sea beneath the ice.

I have also (of late) been enthralled with the thought of an all female society. One in which new life was created through genetic engineering and that ‘product’ implanted into the woman. Sooo…naturally…I decided to construct a tale combining the two themes.

My time in this country is coming to an end and I will be going home to a place called Longphuirt Ui Fhearghaill on an island my people call Eirianne. Whilst I shall continue to contribute to Big Closet, it will be via long distance.

I have made some truly good friends here in this cyber wonderland and have used some of the names of those who supported me, and my writings, in this tale. This in no way implies that the characters are representative of these fine women. It’s merely a way of saying thanks for your friendship.

Lastly, if not most importantly, this tale would not have been possible, or posted, without the help of Andrea Lena DiMaggio and her staff of gifted editors, proof readers, and graphic artists. She has been a constant influence and ‘sounding board’ for my slightly wacky ideas. Her support has been paramount in my writings, and in my life. Thanks Mom! 

My Love To You All…Kelly

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The Ice Tiger

‘…I’d rather be home…’

The Alpha was having trouble as she dipped the dart into the storm. The winds were far greater than her telemetry indicated and the small craft was taken up into the turbulence. She had to make a decision quickly before Mother Nature made it for her.

If she flipped the craft over and pointed her into the winds, she could make a quick touch down and wait out the storm. If not, she would be forced to come down at some other ‘hole’ and it would be another day before she could return home.

Her Beta awaited her return. At least that was what she told herself. But the truth was something quite different. Na-Lin’s, or Na as she was called, Beta, La-Gen, or La as she was called, was special. And Na felt something she couldn’t quite define when she thought of her La.

Na wanted to feel her warmth, drink of her beauty, and inhale her fragrant essence. Na wanted to feel that essence dried upon her face so that she could taste and smell La long after their communing had occurred.

But it was even more than that. They could lay side by side, finger tips touching, and know what the other was feeling and thinking. Na needed that at this moment. She had been off world for too long, or at least far longer than she had envisioned when she took this mission.

As her decision point rapidly approached, Na instinctively knew what she needed to do. Stick back and right pedal to the floor and the dart would flip up and turn bringing the nose into the wind upright. Na reached for the inflation switch that would inflate the leg portion of her suit and the neck collar. She would not pass out from the extreme gravity force and her neck would remain in one construct; a very important consideration.

With her eyes glued to the heads-up display projected in front of her, and without a second thought, Na executed the maneuver perfectly in one swift motion. As quickly as she spun the dart around, the clunks of ice and snow caught up in the wind began to pummel the shields of the tiny ship. Na quickly deflated her suit and spun in her seat to face the ship’s navigational computer. She switched it on auto pilot and began to put in her descent coordinates.

Na spun back around to view her display and confirm her planned descent. She, and the ship, would flutter slightly back and forth like a large snow flake slowly descending to the frozen ground. Na felt the almost gentle rocking motion of the descent. She took a deep breath and felt all of the tension flow out of her as she exhaled.
Raising her left arm up and over her head, she began to plan her trip to her home. Her shoulder was quite sore. ‘I really should have withdrawn and had it properly fixed’ she thought as she massaged it with her right hand. ‘La can make it ease a bit’ she smiled and thought of the gentle warm touch of her Beta.

Na swiveled around in her seat and carefully exited the cramped cockpit area of her craft. She stretched her arms out and arched her back. It was a long run for a dart with short legs. But she had done it. Few others would have even tried.

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Na walked down the twelve foot long corridor to the ‘kitchen’. She opened the double air locked door and entered the reactor room where the two ‘cookers’ that powered the plasma units were cooling after being so heavily taxed by the run and this horrific storm. She eyed the two small ‘pots’ as she walked past. They would need servicing soon…and refueling.

Na continued onward through the double air lock at the rear of the ‘kitchen’ and into the storage section of her ship. It was empty save for two terrestrial vehicles; each a two seated sub-gravity craft designed to fly less than thirty feet above the ground. She opened the canopy of one and switched on the power.

She could have powered up the vehicle from the cockpit but she always liked to inspect her craft before, during, and after, a voyage. She examined the entire storage compartment as well as every other compartment on her way back up to the forward control deck. Her eyes scanned every seam and port. She was very careful when it came to her craft.

On her way forward, Na stopped into her cabin. The tiny cabin had a bed, a desk, and a locker. Na slid out the desk’s seat, sat down, and began to undo her flight suit. She had been living in it for too long. In zero gravity it was an unnecessary hindrance. But now it was a heavy burden weighing some one hundred pounds without the helmet.

She unsnapped her boots and detached the pant cuffs. Na then unzipped the tunic portion and slipped her broad shoulders out. Then her heavily muscled arms followed as she peeled the top down till it hung about her narrow waist. Na hung her head and rested her arms on her legs. She enjoyed the sudden freedom from the heavy top and the coolness of the air on her skin.

After a moment or two, Na stood and let the flight suit fall down around the tops of her boots. She then stepped out of her boots giving the second one a slight kick. She removed her socks and turned to view herself in the mirror attached to her locker door.

Na ran her hands through her chestnut brown hair. She noticed a streak of grey here and there. La had wanted her to let it grow out a bit. ‘Hmmm…maybe…’ she thought. ‘I look tired.’ She unconsciously ran her finger tip along a razor thin scar that ran from her right ear across her cheek to her jaw line. Na turned and walked the two steps to her bunk. She sat down on the edge mindful not to hit her head on the overhead stowage compartments.

Rubbing her well developed large aching arm muscles and then rapidly rubbing her powerful thighs, Na then carefully stretched out on the bunk and placed her hands behind her head. She noticed that her nipples erected themselves against the silk tank top she wore. Na wondered why the cold and thinking of her La, made that happen.

‘I will wait out this storm a bit till I can get a firm reading of location’ she thought. She then closed her eyes and imagined her La lying next to her in the bunk. Na soon fell asleep.

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La sat in her rocker, her legs curled up beneath her and her long robe covering her knees to keep warm. She could hear the sound of the winds blowing as she ran her brush through her long auburn hair. Her thoughts were of her Alpha and if she was safe.

La didn’t know exactly when her Na would return from the voyage but she knew that this storm would delay her Na’s arrival. She had food prepared and waiting as well as Na’s favorite drink. La knew that Na could only detect ten distinct flavors but La always tried to vary their diets with color and texture if nothing else. She knew that the different colored foods did seem to please Na.

Picking up her mirror, La’s very pale green eyes surveyed her hair, making sure each strand of her hair looked shiny and set perfectly on her head. She always wanted to look her best for her mate, especially after not seeing her for several days. La wore merely a bit of color on her eye lids and a touch of color on her full lips. She was indeed quite beautiful by any standard and was envied by any Alphas she might encounter in the ‘hole’.

But she was also the companion of a Gen-7; and not simply any Gen-7, but one of three remaining from the original first dozen. La was told, indeed warned, about her choice of Na as her Alpha. Gen-7s were so aggressive that only twelve were allowed to exist at any one time. Na was the most aggressive of the group. Every Alpha in the ‘hole’ knew better than to even look to closely at La if she was with Na.

Of course this made her somewhat of a tease much to Na’s delight and consternation. La loved looking attractive and though she did this mostly for the eyes of Na, she did love the looks on those very rare occasions that they ventured into civilization. After all, she was designed in that manner.

The two were opposites in so many ways. La was ultra feminine in build. She had large breasts, a breeder’s breasts, and wide hips. La loved food and her slight belly and curvaceous butt were ample proof of that fact. Spread over a nearly six foot frame, her proportions were as perfect as scientifically possible for a breeder. She was, as some called her, a walking anatomical invitation to commune.

Yet her heart and mind had bonded with her Alpha. She considered herself to be Na’s…property…and she would consider no other for a mate. When her focus was not on herself, it was totally fixed upon making Na’s very Spartan and exceedingly difficult life more barely.

During times like this, when her Na was off on some mission for the Directorate, or some basic function for which she was designed, La was at a loss of what to do with her time. So she planned and dreamed of the future and munched on treats that Na would never be able to fully taste.

She wanted to breed; to have a child, maybe children. She needed to feel the experience and to hear their sounds as they played. Even in this barren and forsaken part of their world, she knew she could provide enough of anything and everything they could possibly need.

As La munched on one of her confections, she could only see an objection coming from Na. Na was a loner by design. How else could anybody survive out in this frozen wilderness with such success? La found it very difficult to be here for only several days alone. Na could go on indefinitely and nearly eternally in solitude. Even one additional body might prove overly taxing.

Then there was the Directorship. Would they even approve of such a thing? They could very well demand that La come into the ‘hole’ to bare her bodily fruit. She did not know if a Gen-7 would be permitted to reside in the ‘hole’. None had ever done so before; at least not with any success. They would certainly raise issues with having Na among the populace of the ‘hole’.

Could she forsake Na? They had been together for several lunar cycles and had formed a unique bond. La remembered how Na didn’t speak to her for nearly her entire first menstrual cycle! La kept up a stream of chatter and singing in her constant attempts to engage Na in any kind of verbal exchange.

La went so far as to rearrange what little furniture items they had. She ordered various adornments for the extremely Spartan home that Na inhabited for so long. Now there was some color and spots of interest where only barren white walls existed before. Rugs, ice tiger fur rugs, adorned the floors and now one could walk barefooted around the home without feeling the extreme chill of the ice beneath its floors.

But ultimately it was the food that caused the breach in the wall of silence. One eve Na entered their home after a long day’s patrol. She quickly walked to their bedding room and changed out of her uniform. She showered, as was her custom, and donned a simple black long flowing caftan belted with a golden cord.

Upon walking out of the bedding room and into the galley, she was immediately taken with the colorful array of food stuffs on freshly made bread slices. La watched with a smile on her face as Na sat down and stared at the plate’s contents. Na’s head rested in her palm and her elbow was on the table as she stared as if something was going to occur.
Finally she bent her head down toward the plate and sniffed at the food, not yet even touching it. Without looking at La, Na spoke.

“What is this?”

“This is food. Something different.” La grinned as she slowly moved toward Na. “Try one. I think you’ll like it.”

Na looked up at La. There was a glint of curiosity in her eyes.

“Do you like this? Have you eaten this before?”

“Yes. Many times. This is something I learned while still in Cryo. Try one. I really think you’ll like it.”

Na looked away from La and delicately picked up a slice of the bread topped with bits of yellow, red, green, and orange vegetables on a bed of soft cheese. She sniffed at it once again and then took a bite of it. A grin broke out across her face.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. Do you know the bird they grow that doesn’t fly?”

“Yes. I think you speak about the chicken?”

“Well…it tastes like that.”

Na ate everything on the plate and they spoke as she did and then consumed two more plates full. It was the beginning of their relationship. As La sat in her solitude waiting for her Alpha, she thought about their first touch and smiled. In spite of Na’s ferocious nature and ominous aura, there was a touch of timidity about her. It was almost a kind of caution.

Although they shared the same bedding room and bathing room, La slept in a separate bed constructed by Na when she heard of another impending Beta en route. Na had little choice but to accept La’s arrival but she didn’t have to like it. And every evening when Na would return from her duties, La would seek to help Na undress and throw off the wear and tear of the day’s events.

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Na consistently refused La’s help. This refusal even existed after they began to speak and interact with each other. It was not within Na’s nature to accept the help of others or readily admit the need for help. She got along well enough spending far more time alone then in the company of the previous Betas sent to her.

But one day things dramatically changed. Na was tracking a large ice tiger on foot. She was well prepared for the frigid temperatures in her environment suit. There was a fair wind blowing at sixty miles an hour and her visibility was slightly hampered by the ice and snow carried in its wake. Suddenly the ice she was on gave way. Evidentially the weight of the tiger had weakened it.

She swiftly managed to swing her ice axe and stop her fall but she heard a snapping sound emanating from her previously damaged shoulder. The jolt of her drop had dislocated her shoulder. The pain was excruciating as she dangled by the hand strap of the axe and the muscles and tendons of her powerful arm. Na, almost instinctively, drew her second axe and with all the strength she could muster lifted herself with her damaged arm and swung the second axe up and just over the edge of the crevasse.

Loosening the hold of the first axe, Na was able to lift herself up and over the edge with her good right arm. Na lay on the ice and rested from her exertion. When she was able to finally move enough to sit upright, Na summonsed her craft by remote control. She got into her craft and set the controls to automatically return home.

La immediately realized that something was very wrong when she heard Na’s craft return. This was way early in the day to have her Alpha coming home. La rushed to meet Na at the hanger bay’s hatch entrance to their home. A blast of frigid air blew through La’s hair as the hatch opened and Na stepped through. Both of La’s delicate hands flew to her mouth when Na turned to her after securing the hatch shut. La could see the pain etched on Na’s face and noticed the drop of her left shoulder.

“What has happened to you?”

“Nothing. I’ll be fine. I must get this suit off.”

She walked past her Beta and into their bedding chamber. Na turned and sat down on the edge of her bedding platform. La followed her in. She watched as Na took a deep breath and, with her right hand, lifted her left arm resting it on her thigh. Then, as she bent down to unsnap the clamps of her boot; her left arm dropped causing her to cry out in pain.

La quickly recognized this as her chance to initiate another change in their relationship. She quickly knelt down and began to undo the clamps. Na grabbed her wrist to stop her.

“Don’t! I can do that.” Na’s jaw tensed in pain and anger at her own weakness.

“I know you can…but so can I.” La looked up at Na and smiled as she spoke. Her voice was soft…and gentle. “Please…” she pleaded. “You’re hurting my wrist.”

There was a look of confusion on Na’s face as if for the first time in her life…she was not sure of what she should do. She let go of La’s wrist and nodded her head.

“See? It’s not a big deal…” La giggled as she undid and removed Na’s boots, and then her socks. Then she began to unzip Na’s tunic. “It is my desire to serve you…and ONLY you. You are fulfilling your mission as a good citizen by allowing me to do so.”
La looked into Na’s slate grey eyes and raised her eye brows in question. Na nodded her head in agreement. Things were definitely going in the direction La had hoped.

“Right arm first…” She assisted Na in getting her right arm out without having to move her injured left one. She carefully brought the garment around Na’s quite broad back and gently, and very carefully, slid it down the injured arm.

“I’m afraid we will need to cut off your top. I don’t want you to move your arm at all right now.”

Na reached into a ‘cargo’ pocket on her trouser right leg and retrieved a six inch stiletto. She pushed the button on the hilt and the blade forcefully came out of the front. Na handed the knife to La who then carefully sliced through the cloth and removed the shreds. La carefully inspected Na’s shoulder. It was still dislocated, swollen, and a dreadful assortment of unnatural colors.

“I can fix this for you if you wish. But it will be very painful.”

Na nodded her head. La placed one hand on the bicep area and the other on the elbow.

“Let me know when you are ready, okay?”

Na nodded. She took several deep breaths letting each one out slowly. She took one very deep breath, let it out half way, looked at La, and nodded her head. La swiftly pushed up on Na’s elbow and pulled out slightly on her upper arm, with all the strength she could muster. Na roared through clenched teeth as the bone popped back into place. Tears of pain came to her eyes and she pounded her right fist on her leg.

“I want you to remain still. I am going to the storeroom to get some things that will help ease the pain and help with the healing. We must also bandage your arm so that it remains still through the night.”

Na didn’t look at her. She simply nodded her approval. La got to her feet and within only a few minutes returned with a pneumatic injector filled with a powerful Geno-
Steroid and Genocaine, and several bandages. She injected Na’s shoulder in several locations and then wrapped the water proof bandage around Na’s body to hold the arm fast to her side. Na sighed in relief as the Genocide took effect.

“Now comes the fun part.”

La then opened Na’s belt and unbuttoned her trousers. She assisted Na in standing and pulled her pants down. Na put her hand upon La’s shoulder as she stepped out of her pants. La tossed them off to the side of the platform. She turned back to Na and found herself facing Na’s crotch. La looked up into Na’s eyes, smiled mischievously, brought her face so close that she was nearly touching Na, and inhaled deeply, taking in the strong, intoxicating scent of her Alpha. La giggled as she then removed Na’s panties.
She quickly planted a kiss on Na’s abundant soft downy pubic hair and stood up.

La had noticed Na’s coarsely haired legs and arms as well as the tufts that extended beyond her arm pits. The scent that emanated from under her arms was strong but not wholly unpleasant. The Beta actually found it to be intoxicating and very…heady. She had seen the body hair before but never from this very close and intimate distance. La wanted to bury her nose into it and feel it on her face and hands from the first time she had seen it.

“We must bathe you but first there is one more task.”

La took the last bandage and fashioned a sling for the injured arm. Na lowered her head so that La could slip the sling into place. She very gently placed Na’s numbed arm into the sling. La raised her hand up and tried to touch Na’s cheek but the Alpha moved her face away as she watched curiously as it approached. It was as if the movement itself triggered this automatic response.

“Please?” The Beta pleaded. “I would never hurt you.”

Na looked at her and realized that her response was not correct. Although she couldn’t stop from watching La’s hand approach, she didn’t move this time. La’s hand was warm to the touch and the Alpha closed her eyes and enjoyed the soft smoothness of the hand against her face. Na even moved her face against the hand to further savor this unusual sensation.

“Thank you.” La smiled as she gently spoke those words.

“For what?” Na’s face betrayed no particular emotion though her eyes remained closed and calmness overtook her being.

“For permitting me to serve you.” Na couldn’t see the tear that dropped from La’s eye.

Even now, as La sifted in her rocker, a tear came to her eye. It seemed like so very long ago that these events occurred. She smiled as she took the cloth from her lap to gently pat her eyes dry. The shower that eve was sheer heaven for her.

The large Alpha was letting the very warm water rain down upon her weary and beaten body. Her eyes were closed and her back was to the plexicon door when her Beta entered. She could barely see La for the fog created by the warmth of the water obscured her sight.

“What…???”

“Ssshhhh! Don’t speak. Close your eyes and enjoy.” La spoke only loud enough to be heard over the rush of the water from the multiple jets. She had quickly learned that her Alpha didn’t respond well to loud noises…or voices.

The Beta took her scented body wash and began to gently massage the Alpha’s broad back talking special care not to aggravate Na’s injury. La could feel all the tension drain from her Alpha as she began at her neck and worked her way down to the small of the back.

“Mmmm… That feels so…good.” Na’s voice was throaty. She suddenly leaned against the shower’s wall with her strong right arm and rested her head on her fore arm.

La took this as an assent to continue. A smile crossed her lips as she filled her hand with the wash. Putting the bottle down on the plexicon shelf, she put some of the wash in her other hand and began to massage below the small of her Alpha’s back. La relished the sensation of massaging those hard and powerful ass cheeks, her wash slicked fingers gliding smoothly over Na’s ass cheeks.

La kneeled down and rested on her haunches on the white tiled shower floor grabbing the bottle of wash on the way down. As she filled her hand with the gel, La inched her torso up against Na’s thighs, her nipples touching their backs. She found herself at the same level as Na’s ass cheeks. As she spread the gel between both her hands she leaned her face onto Na’s hard powerful butt.

The Alpha’s thigh muscles curved outward from her slender waist into large hard cords of muscle. La rubbed her hands down the backs, and then the fronts, of those cords. She elicited a deep throaty moan from Na, who remained motionless as she leaned against the wall. La wrapped her hands around Na’s thighs and hugged them against her pendulous boobs and erect and thickening nipples.

La raised herself to her knees as she drew her hands up those thighs again along the inner side. The Alpha’s knees began to buckle as she slid down against the wall to the floor. La supported her Alpha’s drop by placing her left hand against Na’s crotch as her right arm hugged Na’s belly.

Na came to rest on her knees, her arm still against the wall and her head still resting upon it, La firmly but gently slid her left middle finger up along the lips of Na’s vagina in a long slow motion. La’s right hand moved up to cup Na’s breast and distended nipple in the palm of her hands. Na trembled and shook as La’s finger passed over the plump large clit that poked out from between the lips of Na’s vagina.

“By the spirits! Aaahhhh…that feels so good.” This was all Na could manage to say as La slowly continued her ministrations. ‘My time has come’ La thought to herself. And she couldn’t count on it ever coming again.

La continued to run her index and middle finger alongside the large protuberance between Na’s legs as she also started to playfully tug on Na’s nipples and roll them between her fingers. Her Alpha began a low groaning sound and began to slightly rock her pelvis in time to the steady stroking of La’s fingers. La stretched up to lick, kiss, and nibble on Na’s ears. Na was becoming sensory overloaded rapidly and her breathing increased as her inner tension built.

This was something totally new to the Alpha. The touch of her Beta was making her feel sensations that she never knew existed. La could feel the tension grow and grow as she teased Na’s clit without mercy, and every squeeze and stroke produced another moan of pleasure.

“Yessss…” Na hissed as La, on a down stroke, curled her two fingers around and up into Na’s sopping pussy. La continued to tease her still engorging clit as the tremors within the Alpha’s body increased in power as well as frequency.

Suddenly Na’s entire body tensed as her head lifted from her fore arm and looked toward the ceiling. Her powerful right hand clasped La’s right and La felt her Alpha’s clit suddenly thicken and extend to its maximum size.

Na’s body began to undulate as a half scream and half roar came out of her mouth as she became over whelmed by an enormous orgasm; her first ever. La had a difficult time keeping her hold on Na as her body shook and quaked with the overwhelming force that every muscle seems to emit simultaneously. But La did hold on as she held Na’s belly and breast until the ‘earth quake’ had passed.

Na sat back on her haunches with her head down totally exhausted by the strength of what she had felt for the first time in her conscious life. La wrapped her arms around Na and rocked her slowly as she felt all of the tension leave Na’s body. She softy kissed Na’s back and neck and she began to giggle as Na’s breathing slowed to a normal rate.

The big Alpha began to rise to her feet and La clung to her rising as well. They both went into the shower of warm water and washed themselves off, La using her hands to get the cleanser off of Na’s body, and then her own. Na still felt the aural after glow of her intense orgasm and held onto La’s shoulder with her right hand. She looked down at the Beta…her Beta…and spoke.

“That was…” Na took a moment or two to try and find the proper word to describe what, and how, she felt. “…wonderful.” That was the best she could do in her current condition. She still felt a bit wobbly.

“Yes, I am glad you enjoyed that. I did as well.” And La began to giggle.

“You can do this all the time?”

“Yes…that’s one of the things I’m here for.” La giggled again. “I can do that for you again now if you’d like?”

Na laughed with La and shook her head not believing her. La again moved behind her Alpha, took her around the breast and with her left hand once again drew her two fingers up along the lips of Na’s pussy. Na quickly exploded in an orgasm this time. It was not quite as powerful as the first one but she roared nearly as loudly.

This happened so quickly that Na was clearly shaken a second time. She darted away two steps and held up her hand in front of her keeping the Beta at a distance. Na was giggling as well as La.

“I think that’s enough for now.” The Alpha actually smiled!

La held up her hands in mirror image and nodded her head in ascent. She opened the plexicon door and reached around for the towel. Bringing it back into the shower, she began to pat down her Alpha and dry her off. La reached for a bottle of body lotion and poured some into her hand. After putting the bottle down, she spread the lotion onto her other hand and turned to the Alpha.

“What is in your hand?” Na looked with a curious expression on her face.

“It is a lotion for your skin. Want to see?” La held her hands out for Na to inspect. Na brought her nose within smelling distance and smiled.

“It smells good…like…the things with bright colors that grow in dirt!” Na grinned. The scent was quite pleasing.

“You mean flowers?” La giggled. The Alpha nodded her head. “Come, I’ll put some on you.”

Na followed the motion of her hands as La began to apply and rub in the soothing lotion. Na closed her eyes and luxuriated in the sensation of her Beta’s application of the lotion. When La had finished, Na turned to face La and held her hand out. La looked at her and smiled as she poured a bit into her large meaty hand.

Na began to rub the lotion into La’s back. “Your skin…it’s so smooth,” was all she could say. In truth she had never seen or touched anything that came close to feeling the way La’s body felt. She managed to cover La with the lotion, which she was finding to be more difficult as she went on.

The natural aroma of her Beta was something her never paid much attention to…until now. Na couldn’t help but bring her nose close to La’s arm pits and when she got down to her denuded pussy, Na tarried for more than a moment, inhaling the scent she found so very intoxicating. Na had never really paid much attention to her other Betas and certainly not to any other woman.

When they were finished ministering to each other, La escorted her injured Alpha to her bed and helped her situate. Na slept on her back in the center of the large bedding platform. La then lighted several scented candles around the room and went out to perform the night check on security systems. She had watched Na do so several times and had paid very close attention so that she could now perform this most important task easily.

When she returned to their bedding room, La stopped at the doorway and watched her Alpha. Na was asleep and snoring very gently. La thought it sounded like a large cat purring. She smiled. Tonight had been a major break through in their relationship. She was so happy that a tear welled up in her eye.

La began to walk toward her bed. As she did so, Na suddenly, with eyes still closed, pulled aside the blanket covering her right side and patted the bedding with her right hand. La froze immediately and looked over at her. Na didn’t move save her hand. La slowly walked to Na’s bed and slowly got up onto the platform. She kneeled down and crawled up next to Na. Na opened her eyes and raised her arm up. La settled down against Na’s body, her head resting on the crotch of Na’s arm. Na pulled the blanket back over the two of them.

La felt safe and warm beneath the blanket and next to her Alpha. She also felt surprised. She never imagined that this evening would have completely turned their relationship around so quickly. La rested her right hand atop Na’s breast and buried her face into Na’s side. She felt so full of emotion that she couldn’t hold her tears back. Na felt the wetness. She lifted the blanket only enough to see La’s face.

“Why do you cry? Are you in pain?” There was a look of real concern on the Alpha’s face.

“No…” La smiled. “I cry because I am happy.”

The Alpha looked at her without any sign of emotion at all. It was as if she couldn’t figure out this very strange creature with who she shared her bed. Na turned her head back and closed her eyes. Then she spoke.

“I am happy as well.” Then she fell asleep. La inhaled the aroma of her Alpha and soon followed.

The next morning La awoke to find her Alpha sitting on the bed, legs crossed beneath her, staring at herself in a small mirror. More specifically, Na was looking at her pussy and then looking up at her sleeping Beta. La got up on one elbow, smiled, and looked at Na.

“What are you doing?”

“I wanted to see what you were doing last evening…in the shower. Do you look the same?” If her expression wasn’t so serious, La would have broke out chuckling at the question.

“Yes…I look the same. Want to see?”

“Yes.”

With that La kicked off the blanket and, turning to face Na, spread her legs open. Na got down as low as she could to the bed surface. La, to accommodate Na, gently grabbed her nether lips and pulled them apart. Na still couldn’t get the view she wanted. She pushed La over onto her back and as her legs came up Na grabbed her left, holding it up and resting it on her broad shoulder.

La laughed as Na began to have an in depth look. “Mine is so much larger than your. Yet otherwise we are the same.” Na looked up at La.

“Yes…well…everything on you is much bigger than on me.” She giggled at the conversation but understood that Na didn’t have anyone else to compare herself to and the visits to the ‘Hole’ were not social in nature. The big Alpha lay down on the bedding to get as close a look as she could.

“Well…not everything.’ Na spoke as she looked at her Beta’s breasts. Turning her gaze back to task, Na spoke again. “It looks like a...” Na was searching for the word. “Ah yes. A flower! I think I once saw this whilst in Cryo.” A broad smile came to her face.

“Some people think it looks like an orchid.”

“An orchid…” Na bent back over to look but was hampered by her bandage and sling. She turned over and sat back up, removing the sling first and then starting to undo the bandage.

“Wait! It’s too soon!” La leaned in and tried to stop Na from undoing everything. “Just the sling. See how it feels first.”

“It’s fine.” And with that Na ripped the bandages of. She first stretched her bad arm skyward and then tried to rotate it. Her face tightened in pain, but she remained silent. “It’s much better. I must see this.”

She smiled and got back down on the mattress. She brought her face so close to La’s pussy that La could feel the teasing of Na’s warm breath. She giggled when Na gently pulled her lips apart to study the organ more carefully. Na took a deep breath inhaling as much of La’s scent as possible.

“It smells like the ocean.” Na smiled and inhaled again.

“You’ve smelled the ocean?” La’s face lighted up.

“Yes. It is under the ice. I have seen it and hunted the sea dogs. But you smell even better.”

Na grinned. She then ran her tongue from the bottom of La’s slit through the lips and up over La’s clit, eliciting a squeal of pleasure from her. Na looked up at her Beta with a worried look on her face.

“Are you alright? You sounded like you’re in pain.”

La laughed. “Nooo…” She laughed again. “That felt wonderful.”

Na shook her head in a combination of disbelief and wonder then she lowered her head to continue licking and playing with her new toy. La couldn’t remain still or silent. Being designed as she was, she orgasmed almost at the merest touch of Na’s tongue and fingers. And when Na tried to explore the depth of La’s vaginal canal…well…it was as if a major explosion occurred within the Beta as she shook and spasmed and screamed.

Finally, too physically exhausted to respond any further, La simply laid back and breathed heavily and deeply. Her Alpha got to her knees and laid down next to La. Na, resting her head on her elbow, looked into the eyes of her Beta with a curious expression on her face.

La opened her eyes and looked up at Na. She smiled and giggled and, getting up on her elbow to face Na, kissed her on the lips. Then she ran her tongue along Na’s lips, tasting herself on her Alpha’s face.

“We must do this again.” Na was so serious when she spoke that La had to laugh.

“Yes…I think we will.” She answered as she kissed the Alpha again. Na had such a surprised look on her face when La kissed her. This was something new and different. Na thought it a nice custom.

---

La wiped a tear from her eye as she thought back to that night and the ones that followed. That day her bed was gone from their bedding chamber; it was as if their separation never existed. And La started to defer to her, on occasions, on various things. ‘Do you like this picture here?’ “Should we get a plant with flowers?’ And even more surprisingly, Na would give her an answer. It might be one word, but that was far better than before with none at all.

La giggled as she thought of those times and some of the things her Alpha would say and do. The body lotion became a daily regimen. She remembered the time that Na tried to drink the lotion because it smelled so appealing. Na immediately spit it out in dismay. She had one general taste sensory that was for ‘bad’ or ‘not food’ and the lotion hit it majorly. Plants with flowers also became a challenge because they did taste very good to the Alpha.

A dozen more incidents that caused her to giggle ran through her mind when the sound of the docking bay’s doors interrupted her. Her Alpha had returned home…and in such a terrible storm! La jumped out of her rocker and quickly straightened up her table. She quickly ran to put out the food she had prepared earlier and then to the hanger portal to await Na’s entry. La met her ever night at this place. Na was not truly home until La had hugged and kissed her.

La heard the portal open on the other side of the air lock that kept the frigid cold at bay. She heard it close and then the portal on her side swung open. Na, in her under wear and carrying her dress uniform, stepped through. La put her hands together in front of her mouth as tears gathered in her eyes. Na’s mouth curled up in one corner creating a crooked smile as she hung her uniform on a hook by the portal.

As soon as her arms were free, La rushed into them, curling her own around her Alpha. Na’s skin was so cold from being out in the hanger for only a few moments that La shivered as their bodies touched. Na looked down at her Beta and, pulling her long dark red hair back till their eyes met, planted a kiss on La’s lips. Na laughed as she spoke.

“I know. You cry because you are happy, right?”

La simply nodded her head. “It is sooo good to have you back safely here, at home. I did miss you sooo much.” La’s tears flowed as she alternated between smiling and frowning through quavering lips. “You look sooo very tired.”

“Well…” The big Alpha laughed. “…all in all…I’d rather be home.”

Next: Eve's "Hole"

---

---

“…Eve’s hole.”

“You look tired.”

The Alpha ate her first decent meal in several days with her Beta at her side. Na had become quite accustomed to having her La around. It was hard for her to remember her life without La even though it hadn’t been so many cycles of the moon.

After finishing, Na got up and went toward their bedding chamber to wash and change into something comfortable. La went to get her uniform so that it could be cleaned.

“What is all over this?”

“Blood.”

“What? Are you hurt?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not mine.” And the Alpha chuckled.

The stain was difficult to see against the black uniform but it did shine a bit coppery in the light. La followed Na into the room and, after removing the many decorations and ribbons from the breast pockets, she put it into their laundry bin. La walked into their bathing room where Na was already in the shower.

“Where are your medallions?”

“Are you going to come in and join me?” Na’s lip curled up in one corner giving her now familiar half smile.

La giggled. She knew what would happen if she did and so desperately wanted to wait until they bedded for the evening.

“I think I’ll wait. It’s more enjoyable when we bed. Anyway, you haven’t answered me. Did you lose them again?”

Na really didn’t like wearing her uniform with the many decorations for campaigns and valorous acts. In her mind she was simply doing what she was designed for; nothing more and nothing less.

“They must be somewhere aboard the dart. My long knife is there as well. I must sharpen it after I get a bit of rest.”

Na stepped out of the shower to the waiting towel in La’s hands. The Beta patted her Alpha dry.

“You will use the lotion?” Na’s face was full of anticipation as she affectionately smiled at her Beta. She reached out her hand to gently touch La’s cheek.

“As usual…” La cocked her head to the side as Na stroked her face gently. “I did miss you so. I was telling Eve…”

Suddenly Na stopped in mid motion and the smile left her face.

“You spoke to Eve? Does she want me to call?”

There was seriousness in the Alpha’s voice as she continued to stroke La’s face and then put her hand gently on La’s shoulder.

“She called for me.” La giggled and seemed quite pleased with herself. A call from the Executive Director of the hole was no small event in a Beta’s life.

“Since when does Eve call a Beta…MY Beta?” There was a touch of anger in Na’s face. “What did she want?”

Na was concerned. La placed both of her hands on Na’s face. She pulled the Alpha down and kissed her lips. She then turned Na around and reached for the bottle of body lotion. Pouring some into her hand, she spoke.

“She was asking me all sorts of questions. Was I happy? Did I like being out here? Was there anything I needed? How were we getting along…”

La continued rattling off her summery as she rubbed the lotion over the Alpha’s broad back. She could feel the tension in Na and she poked her head around to look up into her gray eyes.

“I would never leave you and I couldn’t be happier then I am with you, and being out here with you.” She smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. She bent her head slightly and gently sucked Na’s nipple into her mouth causing the Alpha to giggle.

After La finished her ministrations, which always proved to be an absolute delight, Na went into their bedding chamber and stood before the full length mirror. She still hadn’t quite grown accustomed to her lack of body hair or the new length of hair on her head. It was her Beta’s influence that prompted this new ‘look’.

Na enjoyed the feeling of donning her ‘silks’ prior to her environment clothing. She delighted in how the material slid along her skin and actually found herself becoming a bit aroused as she would slide the bottoms up her legs, the legging portion teasing her skin.

And Na adored the way her Beta’s hands, and lips, felt on her hairless skin. Na smiled as she remembered the first night after her Beta had shaved her hair off. For the first time she felt the coolness of the air. La had bathed her body in lotion afterward to abate the heated sensation of the razor against Na’s skin. But once that feeling stopped, the sensation of La’s tongue as she licked the inside of her hair denuded thighs was almost too much to endure.

The growth of hair on her head provided Na with a new spectrum of delights as well. Though getting ready in the morning took a bit longer, the sensation of La’s fingers playing with the Alpha’s new mane was…quite interesting. Na relished the chills that seemed to radiate from her spine whenever her little Beta touched the hair on her head.

“La!”

“Na?”

“Come here. I want to look.”

The Beta came in from the main chamber to see her Alpha standing nude before the mirror. She smiled as she came up and took as much of the larger woman into her arms as she could.

“No…” Na didn’t look down at her La. She stood looking straight ahead into the mirror. “…stand as I do. I wish to look.”

La smiled up and acceded to Na’s request. She squared her shoulders and stood as tall as she could. Na looked at their reflections and a frown crossed her face. She then turned in profile and La followed her. Then Na turned her back to the mirror and La once again followed her Alpha’s movement. And once again she turned, after peering over her shoulder at their reflection, to face the mirror again.

“What is it you look for?”

“You have so many more curves then I do. I think I prefer your body to mine.” The frown hadn’t disappeared from Na’s face. La laughed at what she heard. “Why do you laugh?”

“Because I prefer your body to my own.” La turned to face her Na. She once again reached out to embrace her Alpha, this time her arms going inside Na’s as she rubbed her cheek against the hardness on Na’s body.

The Alpha nodded as she put her arm around her La. With her other arm she swept the Beta’s feet out and lifted her into those very strong arms. Na then kissed La’s belly and stuck her tongue into her Beta’s navel, something that La found to be incredibly arousing. As she slowly inhaled the scent of La’s body, Na spoke.

“I really should call Eve you know.”

Na took the two strides to their bedding platform and knelled upon it.

“The storm rages outside. Eve can wait till the morning.”

“I can smell your…excitement. I rage inside and I can’t wait till then.”

Na gently placed the Beta down upon their bedding. She laid down softly atop La’s body and brought her face to within mere millimeters of the Beta. Na’s eyes were aglow with the passion that swelled within her. Her crooked smile crossed her face as she spoke.

“You are my only weakness…and I…” Na searched for words to describe what she felt. “…bathe in you.” Their lips met in the most heated of touches.

Na sat on their couch facing the projector that produced the images when she called Eve. She would only speak to the Executive Director of the largest, and most powerful, community beneath the frozen surface of the planet. Na would not open the optical portion of the transmission if Eve was not available. The only message would be: ‘Tell Eve that Na-Lin called’. There was always a revenant acknowledgement. Na was only responsible to Eve although she was beginning to feel a certain amount of responsibility to her Beta.

“Na-Lin…how sweet of you to call.” The sarcasm dripped off of Eve’s words. Na called up the visual. “You did return almost twelve hours ago.”

The image of Eve’s slender face filled the area in front of Na. Eve’s thin lips pursed wryly as her deep blue eyes seemed to penetrate from the distance of her office so many miles away. Na’s half smile appeared before Eve in her office perched atop the fifteen hundred foot construction along the wall of the huge crevasse.

“I was…busy.” A chuckle emanated from the Alpha as she thought of the evenings…activity.

“I’m sure you were.” Eve laughed upon seeing her Gen-7’s…satisfied…look and hearing her excuse. “And where, may I ask, is your Beta?”

La walked into view wearing her sheerest robe. She sat down next to her nude Alpha.

“La-Gen…you look radiant as ever. Unlike your Na-Lin who appears to still be tired. You are not wearing her out on me I trust.”

La blushed and giggled. Turning her eyes back to Na’s, Eve spoke.

“I would speak with you. And bring your lovely Beta when you come. I expect a dress uniform and have your Beta make sure that you wear ALL of your decorations. We wouldn’t want an…incident simply because you weren’t recognized.”

Na laughed as she nodded her head.

“When do you want me?”

“Yesterday Na-Lin…yesterday.” Now there was a dire seriousness in Eve’s voice and the smile disappeared from her face. But her eyes…those eyes as piercing as Na’s long knife…left no doubt that this would be a meeting of the utmost importance.

“I understand.” Na shut down the transmission understanding that Eve never discussed anything with Na over the encrypted network. Eve only trusted the confides of her own little space in the world.

---

“Dress to Impress”

The donning of the dress uniform always took time. Everything had to be just right. All of her ribbons had to be in a proper order and in the right place. Campaign awards on the left side and all others on the right. The three medallions for exceptional valor, solid gold embossed with the Tree of Life, would hang from her neck on sky blue ribbons. Nobody, not even the renowned Eve, wore three. Most who earned one were no longer alive.

In truth, Na hated dressing in this manner. These awards and honors were merely a curiosity to her. ‘Up top’, in this frozen wilderness given over to the ice tiger and the great bear, she was far more at ease in her environment suit, her long knife on her hip, and her pulse rifle slung from her shoulder.

Her Beta assisted Na with the solemn demeanor of a sacred ritual to the Sisters of Salvation. Although she didn’t betray her true emotion, La adored her Alpha in this formal attire, trouser creased as sharp as Na’s blade and jacket as tailored as the Beta’s finest silk gown. Her emotions would well up behind the Alpha’s back as La straightened the jacket across those broad shoulders bearing four gold stars on the shoulder boards, and she picked a white sliver of thread off the double vented back.

Whilst La readied herself, Na would check her ship. It had returned during the night as they slept; the Beta snuggled up against her Alpha as she should be. La would wear a long sleeved, ankle length, wide swept hem, pale green gown to match her eyes. It draped her lush form like a full bodied hug from her Na. She was, away from their home in the iced cliff sides of the wilderness, quite modest; especially with this Alpha near her in public.

La colored her full lips to match her hair; a matted dark rust red. On her eye lids she favored the colors of the soil of life; just the slightest hint to augment her modest appearance. Her long lashes required no help but she colored them with a bit of dark brown anyway. She wore no jewelry save the small crystal tears drops that hung from her ears and a simply matching necklace she clasped around her neck. A quick spray in the air of a scent she would walk through to disguise her natural aroma from other Alphas.

La chose her shoes as carefully as her dresses; they had to be sensible. Plain silk covered ballet flats colored to match this particular gown. To ward off the cold she would wear the long hooded coat made from the sea dogs that Na hunted. The fur was soft and lustrous and the coat dropped down to her shoes.

La inspected herself in the mirror. The dress hung in a manner that accented her curvaceous lush body. ‘This will please my Na’ she thought and smiled very wickedly. She turned quickly to a profile and watched as her breasts swayed almost as an after thought to the movement of her ripe torso.

The Beta donned her coat, grabbed her purse and a small case filled with her essential cosmetics and toiletries that was always packed for such short notice trip, and headed for the hanger bay. Na was granted a small chamber in the hole that accommodated their needs. It was stocked with enough clothing for them both for several days and La loved the view from the top floors of the complex.

As La entered the hanger bay, the frigid cold air forced her to raise the hood on her coat. She entered the ship through the forward port near the cockpit and activated the ‘close’ panel. Depositing her purse and bag in a stowage compartment in Na’s day cabin, she then removed her coat and hung it in Na’s closet.

The Alpha was already in the control seat and in the process of check listing as La entered and spoke.

“Well?” She pirouetted with her hands on her hips. “How do I look?”

Na turned her head and looked at her Beta. It was a wide eyed stare as she watched the Beta’s body motion. La smiled and giggled as she read the looks that flashed across her Alpha’s mind; heated looks she could feel the warmth and desire of. Na never answered.
She simply ogled.

“Come…sit…we must be off.”

---

Na felt the pull of the landing beam as she relinquished control of her dart. The small vessel was automatically brought to dock at the appropriate bay on the top most level of the complex that ran along the Northern wall of the hole. As far as the eye could see in both directions, and then some, were the various levels of the city. There was the mildest of jolts as the ship alighted on the terraced bay and came to rest.

La stepped off the ship first and into a waiting formation of Gen-6 honors guards in full dress uniforms. She was quite surprised and pulled her coat closed around her. Na followed and was struck by the same surprise. As she stepped down off the ramp, the guards issued the formal salute; right hand fisted over the heart and then extended forward opened.

Na stood straight and returned the salute as sharply as she was able. A commander stepped forward along with a Director to welcome the Alpha and her Beta to ‘their’ city.

“Welcome Commander Na-Lin and La-Gen. I am Director Commander Sue-Chou. I have been sent to greet you instead of Eden-Fu. She has been delayed due to a meeting and wishes me to escort you both to your new quarters.”

“New?”

“Yes. Our Executive Director wanted you both to be comfortable during your stay. Your old quarters were quite small; not suited to your needs. So Eden-Fu moved you to quarters next to her own. This is quite an honor.”

Na detected a bit of sarcasm in Sue’s voice which made her chuckle. After all, a Directorship was the loftiest position one could receive and to be acting as a…tour guide…for a Gen-7 with her Beta might be considered a sign of little faith. Perhaps the Directorship wanted Sue to say the improper thing and let the Gen-7 rid them of their problem.

And so the Director, escorted by a Gen-6 Vice Commander and her guard, began to escort Na and La toward the shuttle which would take then to that section of the housing units. Na reached for the hand of her Beta. Na felt a bit put off as those around her took note of the fact that she had grown hair on her head. The Gen-6 guards, and their commander, all shaved their heads. The Director had long hair, and styled complete with coloring to hide her graying strands.

The little Beta could feel the eyes of all the Alpha Gen-6s on her. In spite of her thick heavy coat and her scent, they were still attracted to her. This made her feel uneasy as she clutched Na’s arm as they held hands. Na looked down at her with a quizzical look on her face and the Beta simply looked up and smiled as she shrugged her shoulders.

The trip to their new quarters was quick and uneventful. The Director and Vice Commander escorted them into a secured corridor guarded by Gen-6’s at both ends. A security check was made before the four were permitted to enter through the double doors that led to the residence quarters. There were two guards outside each of the entrances. They walked nearly to the end of the corridor before stopping in front of a double door entrance.

“These are your new quarters Na-Lin.” Pointing down to the last door, a mere few yards away, Sue spoke. “That is where Eden-Fu resides.”

Na looked down the hall at the two guards standing outside her doors and snorted a short laugh.

“Why do you laugh Na-Lin?” Sue had a slightly annoyed look on her face.

Na smiled at the Director Commander and brought her face close as she spoke.

“It is good that I will be so close to her.” She laughed again as Sue took a step back with a look of dread on her face.

“Open the door Vice Commander…please.”

The Vice Commander did as Sue asked. She pulled the double doors out so that the quarters could be seen in their entire splendor. La pulled her Alpha into the main entrance. This opened up into a living and dining area that was larger than their entire living space and ship bay together!

Floor to ceiling Plexicon windows ran along the wall that gave a view of not only the various levels along both sides of the wide crevasse, but they were close enough to the surface to see the wind blowing snow and ice particles against the very blue sky.

The La was actually bouncing up and down on her one inch heels in excitement. She let go of her Alpha’s arm and went around the large space looking at everything.

“By the Spirit! Look at this view.” La squealed in excitement as she looked out their windows.

Na had a more contained reaction as a dour look crossed her face. ‘A waste of space’ she thought as she looked around. Na turned to their escorts.

“When will Eve be available?”

“Who?” Asked Sue.

“The Executive Director…when?”

“She will be here soon enough. A last minute meeting she had to attend.” The Gen-6 moved closer to the Alpha as if the Vice Commander present didn’t need to hear what was said. “Look, I’ve assigned two of my best Gen-6 operators to your Beta. If you would like more…”

“She is accustomed to my company only and is quite self sufficient. Have there been problems?”

“No Commander…nor do we want there to be. She is extraordinarily attractive which is not her fault. We simply want to avoid any…”

“Incidents?” Na laughed. “I would wish her to be in the company of other Betas. We don’t come to this place any more than we must and I would like for her to see the most. Perhaps she would like to do a bit of shopping. If there are others, as well as your two women, there should be no incidents. Do you agree?”

The Sue smiled and nodded. “I could have my Beta accompany her. Mine would love nothing better and perhaps this will forestall my having to go shopping with her.” She laughed. “Not all of us have the ‘shopping gene.”

Na laughed as did the Commander. Na understood. The last time they were in the hole, La insisted on Na coming with her when she went to choose some new things for their quarters. Though the Alpha couldn’t resist La’s asking, the venture proved to be boring beyond belief.

Although Na did enjoy watching her La select and then try on different pieces of clothing. Na enjoyed the look of glee on the little Beta’s face whenever La would try something on that was pleasing to her Alpha. And she loved watching her Beta turn this way and that; the motion of her body was so enticing.

La even convinced Na to go to a spa with her. La wanted to have some of her Alpha’s thick body hair permanently removed to save her the trouble of shaving it every few days herself. Of course she couldn’t have foreseen what would happen when a Gen-7 Alpha was put amongst so many Betas and lesser Gen Alphas. Na felt somewhat out of place but La stayed by her side the entire time.

“We’ll leave you to yourselves to settle in. There are two Betas that will tend to any needs you have in your quarters so don’t do anything. Simply call upon them. That’s what they’re here for.” The Sue smiled as she began, along with the Vice Commander, to with draw from the quarters.

As soon as the doors were closed, the Beta ran up to her Alpha and threw her arms around her.

“Isn’t this wonderful?” She squealed in delight. “And the view is so fantastic! I wonder how we managed to get this place.”

“Yes. I wonder as well.” Na frowned. ‘They want something’. The Alpha thought to herself. She put her arm around La and hugged her close. Na loved the feel of La’s flesh in her hands as she squeezed her gently. The Beta snuggled into her Alpha’s chest.

Na, with La still clinging on her, began to walk around the room inspecting every little detail. She noticed the stairway leading up to the second floor. They slowly ascended the stairs side by side. The stairway led up to a landing and a hall way the ran back dividing the space equally in half. There were two doors on one side and on double door on the other.

Na opened the double door room first and walked through with La. Again they were immediately met by the large plexicon window that ran across the length of the wall. The entire front was actually a bay that extended out past the wall of the structure giving a truly breathe taking view. Even the flooring in the bay area was composed of the clear material.

“This is truly beautiful Na.” There were tears in La’s eyes as she took in the view. “This is something I might see on the projection. I never believed that I would be in one.”

Na remained silent. She could see the price of her future service going up even more. Whatever they wanted, it was important and not simply a visit to the men again or simply taking another head.

La started to turn to view the rest of the room and Na with her. The space was enormous; far bigger than what they were accustomed to. The bedding platform was huge and covered with a curtained canopy with the curtains secured to the end posts. There was a ceiling mirror over the bed with carved crystal trim. The built in closets contained the few clothing items from their old quarters.

But what truly amazed the Beta was the bathing chamber. There was a great tub in the center of the room; large enough for La and her Alpha. And deep enough to sit in and be massaged by the bubbling jets just beneath the water line. The shower was also out sized with multiple jets on three of the walls. The entire room was finished in marbles of different colors and tiled to the ceiling. There were two sinks as well as two lavs and a series of heat lamps recessed into the ceiling. La stood in the doorway and simply stared, mouth agape, at these fantastic luxuries.

“Eve Enters…Stage Left”

They were interrupted by the chiming of their front door. Na left La to continue her exploring of their new quarters and went down the stairs to see who had come. Upon opening the door, she came face to face with Eve. A smile came to both their faces as Na ushered Ed into the ante way.

Eve took the Alpha into her arms and hugged her. This caught Na somewhat by surprise but she reciprocated.

“Let me look at you Na-Lin.” Eve held onto Na’s arms at arms length and looked her over from head to foot. “You look a bit tired…but other wise well.”

“Yes. I’ve been hearing that lately. But I do feel quite fit.” Na smiled openly.

“And where is that delicious little Beta of yours?” Eve’s sharp blue eyes were darting about the space. Na took hold of Eve’s arm and led her into the room and over to the sitting area in front of the windows.

“She is upstairs inspecting our new quarters.”

They then heard the sound of La’s little feet scrambling down the steps.

“By the spirits this is sooo wonderful. I can’t believe…” She stopped speaking upon seeing Eve. She scurried down the stairs at an even faster pace and ran up to stand beside her Alpha. La was smiling whilst attempting to catch her breath.

“Ah…here you are now. How are you my dear?” Eve’s voice was very throaty and sometimes referred to as ‘smokey’ for it’s deep raspy quality.

She smiled at the Beta with her eyes twinkling. Eve stood taller than La but not as tall as her warrior Alpha. She was almost painfully thin and her large head rested atop her very whispery neck. Eve’s silvery hair was a sharp contrast to her darker skin tone. She wore the slightest hint of color over her eyes.

Aside from being the Executive Director of the city, Eve exhibited the markings of the High Priestess on her chest just above her breasts. She was elegant in her movements and baring and extraordinarily intelligent as a result of her Alpha Gen -5.9 stock.

Eve took hold of the Beta and hugged her after kissing both of La’s cheeks.

“You look positively wonderful my dear.” Eve beamed at La as she held onto the Beta’s arms. “Living in the wilderness with this…this Alpha seems to agree with you.”

La blushed and smiled as she looked up at her Alpha out of the corner of her eyes.

“Yes…I do feel quite well. And this…” La waved her hands around her and glowed with excitement. “…this…is really wonderful. And I love the fashion it’s done in.”

“I attended to the smallest details myself. This Alpha of yours could live happily in a cave!” Eve leaned into La and spoke into her ear. “As you have seen.” She pulled back from the little Beta. “But most of us need a bit more…a splash of color here and there and a sign or two of life.”

They spoke for several moments about various things regarding life in the city until Eve turned to her Gen-7.

“I would have words with you Na-Lin. I have arranged to have our spa reserved for our exclusive use.” Turning toward La the Executive Director spoke again. “I must take your Na-Lin for a bit of time. I understand that the Beta of our Gen-6 commander will be your escort for some shopping.”

“Yes…I am sooo looking forward to that.” La was nearly bouncing on her toes with excitement as she clasped her hands and brought them to her face.

“Then know that you have unlimited credits to procure whatever you desire my dear child. So do enjoy yourself. I will contact your escort when we are finished. Those are the two ladies awaiting you outside of your doors.”

“At the Spa”

The spa was a short walk through the doors of the Director’s quarters. Though there were spas located throughout the city, this one was only for those who sat at the ‘table’ and their guests.

The air hung with the mist of humidity and scented spices and flowers. One could barely make out the forms of the attending Betas or the finest quality stone appointments composing the spa’s inner sanctum; the bath. Having shed their garments in the dressing rooms, the two Alphas, Na-Lin and Eve-Fu, navigated their way to the edge of the steaming pool; the acrid odor of sulfur hardly disguised by the other scents in the air.

“I wish some oil on my back.” Eve looked to Na with a pleasant smile. Na signaled for one of the Betas to come over and apply the oil to Eve’s back. “I wish you to do it Na-Lin.”

Na motioned the Betas away as she picked up the bottle of fragrant natural oil from the pedestal alongside the pool.

“Bring fruit and drink and then leave us.” Eve said with a smile and a wave of her hand. Turning toward Na, she spoke. “I want us completely along when we speak. There are already too many ears in this place and these matters are too…delicate and important for the masses, or our enemies.”

Eve turned her back to Na so that the oil might be applied. Na poured a line of it across Eve’s shoulders, letting the excess run in rivulets down her back. Na’s powerful fingers began to very gently rub the oil in starting from Eve’s elegant long neck. Gently she massaged the oil along that thin column of flesh and bone.

“What do you feel right now Na-Lin?”

“What?”

“Are you tempted to crush the life out of me with those powerful hands? It would be so easy for you to break my neck in as many pieces as you wish.”

The older woman spoke in a soft calm voice. She didn’t look back at Na at all. Na stopped her ministrations. What Eve had asked shocked her. She lifted her hands off Eve’s neck and briefly looked at them, and then back to Eve.

“Why do you say such a thing?’ Na asked more out of curiosity that insult.

“Because there are those who would do so without giving a second thought. Not all of us believe in the ‘Sisterhood”. Eve looked over her shoulder at Na and smiled. “Please continue. That does feel so delicious you know.” Eve closed her eyes and her head tilted forward.

Na continued the treatment down Eve’s slender frame.

“I have decided to terminate the Gen-7 program. You and the remaining eight…”

“I thought there were twelve of us.” Na stopped and absorbed what Eve had just related. “Why are you stopping us?”

Eve turned around and grasped Na’s arm. “Please continue with you ministrations.” Na continued as Eve spoke. “I was searching for something and I do believe I found it. No matter how many we make, there was only one that always survived. And not only survived, but thrived! We lost three yesterday including two from you original group.”

Na worked the slender column of muscles down Eve’s back in a gentle motion. She almost enjoyed the sensation of the oil slicked skin flowing beneath her fingers.

“What will happen to us?”

“What indeed. Oh…that feels so delightful. Please continue.”

Na began to massage the muscular cheeks of Eve’s rump. She worked her thumbs into the tissue following the various muscle groups and nerves.

“Ohhh…ahhh… That is absolutely divine!” Eve had to reach back and place an arm on Na’s shoulder to support herself. She was becoming lost in the sensations Na was creating within her. “That Beta of yours is so very blessed with you. Do you do this for her?”

“We…touch.” A crooked smile came to Na’s face. In fact they spend very little time together not touching.

“Indeed!” Eve laughed. “She is a ripe one. I took a hand personally in her design you know.”

Now Eve began to oil down Na’s body as she revealed more of the roots of both Na and La.

“I had told them it would take something special to please my Na-Lin. So…just as I had taken a hand in you, I did so with your La-Gen. Did you know there’s a bit of me in you?”

“I did not know this.” Na was a bit stunned at this news. She couldn’t image what about her could possible be akin to ED.

“You Gen-7s were my construct. But only you have that bit. A mere few proteins…a touch of genetic dust… In fact I am more the mother to you then that breeder that carried you for eleven months.” ED chuckled at her disclosure.

Na turned around to face her. Suddenly she was the target of more information then she needed; especially this little tidbit.

“What about La?”

Eve, not about to attempt to turn the big Alpha around, began to oil her front. She put some of the viscose liquid in Na’s hands and Na did the same for ED.

“Ah…yes… She calls you Na and you call her La. Na and La. It nearly sounds like music.”

“Music?”

“Ordered sounds…often notated.” Na nodded her head as Eve continued. “So…Na, to answer your question; yes, there is a bit of my Beta in your Beta as well. This is one of the reasons you two are so very compatable.”

Having finished oiling each other, Eve began to descend the steps into the mineral bath with the help of Na’s arm. Once seated, Na joined her. The water was quite hot to Na’s sensibilities and she instantly began to perspire. She quickly dunked herself completely under the water and came up to sit against the stone wall with the water level to her breasts.

Eve took a cloth from the low table next to them and, after rinsing it in the pool, wiped her face down.

“How did your trip go?”

Na, who now was resting her elbows on her thighs, head bent down, turned her head to face Eve.

“There will be war. They were too accommodating. It was as if it didn’t matter what they agreed to.” Na leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She breathed in the hot damp air and felt it clear her nostrils and lungs.

“Yes. They will have help from here and another city state on this world. We will be betrayed by our own gender.”

Na turned her head again and nodded.

“And things are good with your Beta? I wouldn’t want an incident like the one with your first.” Eve’s eyes narrowed and her smile became a bit taut.

Na exploded out of the water in a sudden rage. “I WAS HUNGRY!!!” Her actions and shout startled Eve who pointed her finger at the upset Alpha.

“Sit down NOW!!! Remember where you are and with whom you speak!” Eve’s face bore a rather wry expression as her lips curled. “Nobody’s here to judge you. But these are things that must come out. And the second?”

Na began to wring her hands as she stared off into the water of the pool.

“She annoyed me.”

“So you broke her neck.”

Na looked down at her hands. Eve could see that Na was trying to maintain control of her emotions.

“Yes.”

“And the third?”

Now Na looked at ED. There was a look of curiosity on her face as if she wasn’t sure how to describe what upset her about the third Beta.

“She didn’t smell right. There was something…wrong with her. I don’t know…”

“So you folded her in half, the wrong way I might add, and set her in with the trash.”

Na looked down at her hands again.

“Yes.”

“Well I must tell you that it took us two days to defrost the body so that we might tend to it properly. And the fourth you didn’t even let out of the hanger bay. The poor pilot of the shuttle was so upset with your…treatment of her that she refused to make the run ever again.”

Na nodded.

“And this one is…well…okay.”

“Yes. This one is good.”

“You are quite happy with her.”

“Yes.”

“Do you love her?”

The Alpha looked at Eve with a confused and quizzical expression on her face; almost a scowl. Na didn’t answer so Eve continued.

“And if I said I want her for myself? IN fact, perhaps I wouldn’t even ask you. Perhaps I would simply have her taken. Then what? Would you still obey me? Would you still love me?”

Eve’s finger tips splashed the waters as she watched her Alpha’s completely distressed look over what had just been said. Eve laughed and continued.

“That’s just the reaction I was hoping for!” Her face lighted up with joy and a smile beamed. “You do love her! You might consider telling her sometime. But that is your business. Come…” Ed arose from the pool and turned to exit its waters. “We must leave this pool. There is a time limit on the waters because of the heavy concentration of minerals.”

Na stood and assisted Eve up and out of the water. Eve walked over to take a drink and a piece of fruit from the tray left by the Betas. She then walked over to another pool of scented water and descended the steps into it. Na took the entire tray to the edge of the second pool and placed it near Eve. Then Na entered the much cooler waters and again dunked herself beneath the surface. She came up and took a seat next to Eve.

“Tsk. My poor child.” Eve began to touch the various scars and reminders of past wounds on Na’s body, starting with her face. “Your whole waking life is written on your body. I am sorry for that. But you are what you are.” There was a wistful look on Eve’s face as she continued.

Eve reached up and touched Na’s cheek softly with her hand as she spoke again.

“We must speak…you and I. We must speak as two women, if you will, of equal rank. This little refuge we call Eden…say that word Na. Say ‘Eden’.”

With an almost pained expression on her face Na spoke.

“Eden.”

“This home of ours…Eden…will disappear within your lifetime…maybe even mine.” Na looked at ED with focused concentration. “The ice melts and the bottom of our chasm fills with water. One day we will need to live on the surface. So we must win the coming war. If we lose, the men might very well return and undo what we have created here.”

“What can I do to help?”

“But wait…” Eve held her hand up silencing Na. “…there’s more. Much more.” Eve took a sip of her drink and Na reached for one. “We have another important situation that must be dealt with.”

Na sipped the drink and watched Eve closely. All of this news was on her mind. Na didn’t have any idea of why Eve was telling her all of this. She was, to say the least, worried. She never thought about her future. She never needed to and now that would all change and there was nothing she could do about it.

“Something has been happening with our Gens.” Na turned to face Eve as she spoke. “You said that your third Beta had something wrong with her, correct?” Eve’s eyebrows shot up in query.

“Yes. She…smelled wrong.”

“That was something we…I…should have spotted and didn’t because the difference was too subtle for us to notice.” Eve took another sip of her drink. “About forty years ago, before you came out of cryo, the first one appeared. It was a fetus borne by a breeder that was detected to have both male and female internal reproductive organs. This particular one had a developing…penis. The breeder, of course, had that fetus removed.”

Na stared at Eve with a blank expression as if ‘yes, so what?’ Ed continued.

“At first we thought it to be an anomaly…a freak occurrence. But then one turned up with both sets of organs and a vagina. And then another and another till this became a recordable and significant percentage. Now we have approximately fifteen percent of our young being born this way.”

“Can you fix it?”

“Probably. But we would have to reanalyze the entire genome…again. And I’m not entirely sure this requires ‘fixing’. We’ve found that with those born with a vagina grow into womanhood and the internal testes wither away during puberty. With those born with a penis, they too become sisters and their ovaries desolve around the same time. In either case, both anomalies become female in basic appearance.”

Na was enmeshed in trying to figure out where all this was leading and why ED was relating all of this to her.

“At the moment they are segregated from the general population because of predujice and fear but this can’t go on forever. They need to be bought into the fold…so to speak…or giving their own colony. Right now some of them have already entered our society. They seem to be able to detect one another and they pair up.”

“Are they breeding? Do they mate in the ancient fashion?”

Ed smiled warmly and didn’t answer immediately.

“We don’t know. None have asked to breed as of yet. I suspect they might be attempting just that. The other Directors want to…eliminate those born with a penis, as you might imagine. Just the very thought of them prancing about conjures up images of the horrors before we were able to banish all males. Even though these events occurred a millennium ago, the tales still run rampant whenever the subject might come up.”

Na rubbed the hair on her head. She had a troubled look on her face.

“There is a great fear among some of us that, eventually, there will be the birth of regular males…without ovaries…and that the horrid cycle of dominance will begin anew. This cannot happen under any circumstances.”

“So the Beta was…both sexes? And that’s why she smelled…strange?”

“She was born with both male and female internal organs but with a vagina. All are born of a general female mold. The genetics are there. That they are mutating is really a factor of life. But yes! You would be able to detect them by the output of pheromones. And you did. But now you mustn’t take action in the manner you did; at least not here.”

“I understand.”

“Do you really!” Eve smiled and her blue eyes flashed. “So tell me.”

“If they are capable of breeding on their own, and the breeding produces successfully offspring, a female form with either male or female sexual organs, then the Gen program, and the breeder program, will no longer be necessary. Many things will change.”

“You are my child.” Eve laughed, reached over, and pulled Na’s face closer to kiss her forehead. “Yes, many things will change. And we will need to change with them. That is why you are here today.” Eve turned her body and clasped both of Na’s hands in her own. “We must win this conflict at all costs. If we lose, we all lose dearly. Everything we’re worked for and become will be dashed into a thousand broken pieces.”

Eve’s eyes began to well up as she continued.

“We then must prepare to move to the surface as soon as it is possible. We can begin to plan now and slowly do it; or we can wait until it’s too late to save everything. And we must make these…’new’ women a part of the Sisterhood as rapidly as possible.

“Also…I am becoming tired of my rule here. I’ve been a Director for more than sixty years and Executive Director for forty five of those years. I need somebody with the fortitude to help me see these things through to completion. There will be a vacancy at the table; a place for a new Director with the new title of Assistant Executive Director.”

Eve leaned in closely to Na’s face. She looked directly into Na’s eyes and smiled.

“I need you, Na-Lin, to take this job, and to some day replace me.”

“You haven’t heard a single word I’ve said!”

La looked down at her Alpha. She was so excited about her day of shopping with Lilith, the Commander’s Beta. It had been too long since she had the company of another Beta to share her thoughts with. And the things she procured! La was holding a silk blouse that she had gotten for her Alpha. It was a long sleeved pull over with billowy sleeves and a scalloped collar.

Na looked up briefly and then back down at her hands. Her Beta slung the blouse over her shoulder and knelt down between Na’s legs. La took Na’s face in her hands and kissed her on the forehead and then on the lips.

“What is the matter?” La asked softly. Na often responded more frequently if the question was asked in a soft register.

“She has a new job for me.” Na looked up at La.

“And?”

“And I…we…will need to move here.” Na looked back down at her hands.

“Did you say yes?”

“Not yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because I wanted to speak with you first.” Na looked up into La’s eyes. “What do you think about being here?” Tears welled up in La’s eyes.

“I only want to be where you are.” She reached around the Alpha’s slim waist and hugged her as tightly as she could. Na brought her arm around La and pulled her gently into her chest. “What will you tell her?”

“What can I tell her…” Na nuzzled the top of her Beta’s head and neck. “…after all…it is Eve’s hole.”

More Coming Soon!

---

“Afternoon Delight”

The big Alpha pulled La onto her lap, still nuzzling her neck.

“What else did she say?” La giggled as she spoke. The breathing of her Na was tickling her neck and ears. Na sat up and turned La’s face toward her own. Na touched La’s forehead with hers and spoke.

“She said I loved you and that I should tell you. I’m not sure what it means. But Eve is never wrong.” Na paused for a moment and closed her eyes. She rubbed her cheek against La’s. “Is that good?” Na whispered in La’s ear and then nipped at her ear lobe.

“Yes…that’s very good.” La kissed her on the lips gently. Na had a lost look in her eyes and furrowed her brow.

“I thought that she was going to take you from me.” Na closed her eyes tightly and her lips grew taut as she remembered how she felt. “It felt like…pain.” A tear dropped from Na’s eye as she tapped her breast. “She asked if I still would follow her, even if she took you.”

La placed her hands on Na’s cheeks and licked her tear. She was amazed at what she was hearing from her Alpha. Na never spoke like this before; letting La know what was in her heart.

“What did you tell her?” La asked as she kissed Na’s face. The tears flowed freely now.

“I didn’t know what to say. I felt all of these…things. It’s as if…” Na couldn’t think of how to describe her feelings. “…she asked for my right arm. For a moment I felt like…killing her.”

La was amazed at what she was hearing from her Alpha. She wiped away Na’s tears with her hands and then hugged her head to her breasts. The last time La saw Na’s tears was when she injured her shoulder. La couldn’t image how much pain Na must have felt.

“Ssshhh… I would never let that happen to us. I would not let anything, or anyone, take me from you. La was on the verge of tears as she spoke. “I hate seeing you upset like this. Let’s not speak of this any more. Let it go.”

“I really don’t understand all of this.”

“Don’t even try. Just feel what you feel.” Amid her own feelings, La giggled. “I do that all the time. Sometimes things feel so right…like between us? And it hurts. So I cry even though I’m really happy, you know?”

The Alpha nodded her head. Now she understood why her La cried so often. Na hugged her Beta even more snuggly as she began to calm herself.

“She told me the name of this place.”

“You didn’t know?”

“I didn’t care. It wasn’t important. She also told me her name.” La giggled at this. “I really don’t want to live in this hole. It is a grave to me. I belong up top…in the wilderness. There are no rules…except to live.”

La swiveled around to straddle Na’s legs. She threw her hands around her Alpha’s thick neck and smiled at her. La couldn’t tolerate seeing her Na in such pain. La could see that she was lost with these turns of development. She also knew the one thing that would distract her Na from these thoughts. She thought this her lone reason for existence anyway.

“Whatever you decide, I will be with you. Whatever you do, I will do with you. Where ever you live, I will live with you. You did not choose me. I chose you.”

She kissed Na as if it was to be their last; first her lips and then her neck. La slowly kissed her way down to each of Na’s breast; suckling on one nipple and then the other.

“Mmmm… Ohhh…” Na’s throaty sounds were reminiscent of a great cat purring in delight and euphoria at having its belly rubbed or ears scratched. Na leaned back against the couch as his Beta slowly kissed and licked and nipped her way down her hard muscled body.

Stopping only long enough to tease and suck on Na’s navel; eliciting a tremor than seemed to shake her entire body, La finally nuzzled the dark thick and downy soft pubic hair of her fragrant mound. Na reflexively lifted her legs and gently placed then over La’s shoulders.

“This is not fair.” Na’s breath was getting rapid as her excitement increased. “You know I cannot resist you.” La looked up and grinned at her Alpha.

“Fair? Fair has nothing to do with this.” She then lowered her head and ran the tip of her tongue along the lips of Na’s musky vagina; tasting the fragrant wetness that had already begun to seep.

As the Alpha’s lips blossomed open with several more passes of the Beta’s warm wet tongue, La suddenly pursed her lips and sucked up the distended clit of her Na and very firmly and slowly licked the tip. She felt Na tense as her first orgasm rapidly built. Suddenly Na’s body became rigid and then exploded into spasms so violent that La was barely able to continue her ministration to completion. The accompanying roar of her mate no doubt was heard in the hallway by their attending guards.

La knew that unlike her, Na was only capable of five or six very powerful orgasms before becoming too sensitive to touch. The first was always the quickest but the others followed in not too long a succession. La, inversely, was capable of numerous peaks of ecstasy and twenty or more was not uncommon. And many of those were achieved rapidly. The two quite often left one another totally exhausted and barely able to move once they gave themselves to the passion of the other.

They would often lie side by side afterward, holding hands, in an effort to regain their breath whilst savoring the taste and scent of the other long after their lusts were slaked. But tonight would be different. La had ulterior motives for getting her beloved Alpha’s mind off of the mysteries of new emotions. La wished to go out into the night and experience the culinary and other sensual pleasures that the city state of Eden had to offer.

Too often their visits were made in haste and with predetermined purpose. Gen-7s were not exactly a welcomed sight amongst the more peaceful and placid denizens of Eden. Indeed their very presence was cause for extreme security measures. The noise, the crowds, the bright lights were all negative stimuli for the solitary inhabitants of the frozen wilderness of the surface. Because weapons were forbidden in the city, the Gen-6 security teams had to rely on crowd control and intelligent recommendations for evening pleasures.

Generally the Gen-7s were quite happy to remain in their quarters for the brief time spent on Eden but their Betas often wanted to take advantage of what little time was available to socialize with other Betas and perhaps procure the odd home improvements or a quick purchase of something new to adorn themselves for their Gen-7s.

---

“Dinner at eight”

Na and La decided to take the shuttle across the void to the upper levels of the arcade. The crowds would be negligible, the lighting more…romantic, and the ambiance suited to the upper echelons of the city’s leadership.

As they strolled along the outer walkway, the Beta on the shop side holding her Alpha’s hand, Na noticed the great physical diversity of the other couples encountered. There was a virtual rainbow of skin and hair colors. Facial features were as wide ranging as the imagination of Eden’s geneticists imagination.

Clothing styles were as varying as the features of those being adorned and, in some instants, totally optional. But in one aspect, everybody was the same; they eyed the unusual pair of women with curiosity, and on some faces, fear.

Inversely, La’s attention was completely captured by the wares of the shop windows. Every so often she would stop and cause her Alpha to unavoidably jerk her arm as Na continued oblivious to La’s captured interest. Na would come to La’s side and quickly glance at what La had seen. Finally, after a ten minute walk, they ventured upon the restaurant Sue had mentioned.

“This is the place I was told about.” La was quite excited. Her palette had demanded something new and different. “The food is quite colorful and placed beautifully on the plate.” She couldn’t forget what truly engrossed Na’s attention at meals. “And it is very exclusive. I was told only Gen-5.5 and greater were able to afford to eat here.”

“We eat where we please.” Na was not interested in where, or even what she ate although she had become quite accustomed to La’s preparations. Na took her Beta around the waist and touched her forehead to that of La’s. Her eyes were closed. “As long as I am with you, I don’t care where that might be.”

They were immediately met inside by a slender well manicured woman whose gaze was fixed upon Na. She had never seen a Gen-7 before. She smiled mechanically at Na thought her eyes were afire with a growing desire. Na could smell her arousal and her crooked half smile appeared as she intensely gazed into the woman’s eyes.

“We wish to eat. Something…private would be good. I do not want us to be gazed at while we eat.”

The woman visibly trembled with excitement as Na spoke. They were seated in an alcove away from general view though all eyes were on them as they were led to their table. The woman assisted La by pulling out her chair for her and then placing a linen cloth over her lap.

“I really don’t care for the way she was looking at you!” La hissed her words. Her face was reddened and she glared at her Alpha. “And she’s an Alpha!!!”

“And if I took the head of all who eyed you as if they would commune on the spot…” Na laughed. “…we could be tracked by the bodies left behind us.” Na reached across the table and grasped La’s hand. “Listen…would that Alpha do my bidding before I even knew what I wanted? Would she commune with me…or any other…Alpha or Beta…as you? Would any other comfort me as you?”

La smiled and blushed. She gently squeezed her Alpha’s hand.

“Only me. No one else would put up with you.” She chuckled.

“Anyway, we are little more to them than freaks. They would commune as a novelty and then leave us; as if I would even have ANY of them!” Na was no longer smiling and indeed La recognized the anger that flashed in her eyes.

Their server came up to the table and handed them plexicon menus. She looked at both of them and smiled but her smile didn’t hide the flashing excitement in her eyes. Telling Na and La that she would be taking their drink orders, La asked for a white wine and ordered a fruit drink for her Alpha. Na looked at the various dishes being offered. She rapidly moved her finger along the screen. La watched with a smile on her face and adoration in her heart.

“Do you see something you might like?”

“I don’t know…” Na grumbled. “…it all looks…different. Which is the meat?” La smiled at her and reached across to grasp Na’s hand.

“Let me order for you. I know what you would like.”

Na looked up at her with a sad expression on her face. “I wish I could taste more things like you do. And I don’t know how these things are called.” She laid her menu down. Maybe Eve can give me more…”

“You have other gifts you know.” La smiled warmly and giggled. “I have never seen anyone with as sensitive a nose.” La cocked head to the side and reached up to touch Na’s cheek. “And it is such a cute little nose. And certainly nobody can see the way you see. You see things…that are not visible to most women.” Na glanced downward and nodded.

The server came and La ordered for both of them. She was all smiles and complimented La on her mode of dress. La had planned for them to be dressed in a similar manner. The white silk poet’s blouse she has so wanted to show to Na before she became engrossed with the emotional disclosures fitted wonderfully and suited them both.

Indeed the garments allowed them both to exhibit a bit of cleavage which was such a tease in public. At home clothing was often optional and of the moment. And her Alpha was more often in her silks, fatigues or environment suits than not. The form fitting black linen trousers Na wore were definitely a wonderful novelty and she did love the way the materials felt against her hairless body. And it was a complement to La’s ankle length wide sweep black linen skirt and, of course, her sensible black patent ballet flats.

“You both make such a beautiful couple.” The server turned and left with there order.

“She is cute.” La commented.

“They’re all cute…or beautiful. That’s the way they were made. Everybody is perfect, at least physically. I think it’s…” Na leaned in so that she had only La’s ear. “…stupid.”

“Why? Would you have bothered with me if I were…ugly?” La was quite surprised at Na’s statement.

“It wasn’t your beauty that caught my attention. It was your wisdom and your kindness.” Na reached for her hands. “I was not easy, and there were moments when I was...I was tempted to…” La leaned closer and kissed Na on the lips silencing her.
They were in the midst of their own little world when those around them began to rise from their seats. All stood and faced the entranceway as they came in. First, the two tall, fit, Mother Superiors led the way followed by Eve, and then four Sisters of the Order. They walked to the table where Na and her Beta sat and were nearly upon them when Na heard the foot steps behind her and turned to look. She started to rise, as did La when Eve spoke.

“Please…sit down.” She waved them back before they could fully stand in her presence as was the custom. “My favorite children…together. May I join you? I always dine at eight and I decided to have a bit of food out.”

“Oh yes!!! Please do!!!” La was genuinely excited to see Eve again. She waved over the servers that had made themselves available for whatever the Executive Director desired. “Let’s pull another table over.” And she moved to grab the nearest one but a server bid her stop and two others accomplished the task. A setting was placed and Eve sat down next to Na.

“So Na…did you do what I asked?” Eve smiled and placed the linen on her lap as she looked at Na.

“Yes. I told her.” Na smiled her half smile.

“She told me twice really.” La giggled.

“And you my dear child!” Eve turned her smile toward La. “You are an absolute gift; a dream; a blessing!” La had a stunned look on her face. To receive such notice from someone as important as Eve was truly an honor. She blushed and lowered her eyes. “I give you unlimited credits and what do you do? You by a few things for your Alpha, a few things for yourself, and you still manage to spend less than what a Gen-5.1 earns in a day!” Eden laughed.

“There wasn’t anything we really needed…maybe a new long knife for Na?” La blushed.

“That’s what I mean sweet heart.” Eve leaned into the table and La brought herself a bit closer. “If I had given that to the Commander’s wife, she would have been at the crystal shop before I could finish speaking. And she would have bought only the best.” Eve laughed.

“She did take me there first. But…” La shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

They sat back as their foods began to arrive. Evidentially Eve had one of the Mother Superiors call ahead to arrange when and what the Executive Director wished upon her arrival. All three watched as their individual dishes were placed in front of them.

“Ahhh…this looks so…good.” Na was picking at a purple and green slice. Then she brought her nose down to the plate to smell it. La was quite accustomed to this sort of action but Eve hadn’t really noticed it before.

“Here child, let me show you something.” Eve then lifted her fork, speared the vegetable, and held it up under Na’s nose. “Isn’t this much easier?” Eve smiled.

Na looked at her and nodded. Then she pulled the vegetable off the fork and put it in her mouth. Eve chuckled and La giggled a bit. They had no real need of silver ware and though La was knowledgeable in general regarding table and eating etiquette, Na knew little if any.

“It tastes good.” Na smiled. Looking at La, she added; “Not as good as when you make it though.” Na turned to Eve. “She puts it on…” Na was trying to remember the word.

“Bread?” La offered.

“Yes. She puts it on bread and adds more oil.” Na turned back to La and smiled at her. “What is the purple piece? How is it called?”

“It’s called an egg plant.” Na repeated the word. “Maybe I will be able to show you a whole one.” La smiled as she watched Na eat everything piece by piece with her fork.

“So…dear Na-Lin, have you spoken to your lovely Beta?” Na nodded without missing a bite. “And your answer?” Na looked briefly up into La’s eyes. She smiled, blinked, and, with the slightest motion, nodded once.

“Yes. But…” Na took another bite of food.

“Ah…there’s always a ‘but’…this is the first from you though.” Eve’s smile remained as her eyes sharpened as she turned her head to watch Na. Na didn’t even look up from her food.

“I want to be able to taste more.” Eve broke out in a laugh. Women sitting at other tables looked to see their highest official openly laughing and seemingly enjoying herself.
Na looked up into her eyes.

“You must forgive me my sweet child…” She leaned over and kissed Na’s head. Eve then gently stroked Na’s hair. Na closed her eyes and leaned her head into the stroking. “There is nothing I can do for you. This is the way you were constructed.” Eve’s voice was gentle and muted so that only the three could hear what was being said.

“Your limited range of taste allowed you to consumer things that others couldn’t, and shouldn’t. Your limited taste allowed you to thrive in the wilderness; eating the remains of other animals that had died for reasons other than your long knife. Isn’t there anything else you desire?”
Na looked down, took a deep breath, exhaled, and look to La with a questioning look in her eyes.

“La wishes to breed.” La’s face lighted up as Na spoke. Again Eve laughed. This time there was great joy in her laughter.

“Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see that. I will make the stain myself. And from both of you…”

“But she should be able to taste more than me.” Eve took Na’s hand in hers and kissed it.

“Of course my dear sweet child; your child will receive all the gifts you both have to offer. I promise that.” Turning toward La, Eve spoke to her. “There is one slight complication though. There is a new and very important requirement. You must accept a ‘new’ girl into your home and make her a part of your family.” Turning toward Na, Eve spoke again. “We are designating them Deltas.”

Eve now glanced at them both. She was gauging their response. Na looked at La. There was surprised look on Na’s face and a questioning look on La’s.

“You didn’t mention anything to her.”

Na shook her head. “I didn’t think it would be necessary.” La reached over and took Na’s hand in hers. She smiled and spoke gently and calmly.

“Maybe you should tell me now.”

Na looked at Eden who smiled and nodded.

“There has been a new mutation that has been occurring.” She went on to explain what Eve had told her. These children were without parents and the wards of the city. Na told La about how they were born with both sex organs but that one was dominant. All were gendered women except for the one part of their body that identified their sex.

Eve looked at Na. She knew what was on the Alpha’s mind.

“These are children Na-Lin. They are OUR children. All of us have the responsibility of keeping them well, even if their breeders won’t. Whether these Delta girls can breed on their own or not, we must make them a part of us; of our sisterhood. We must make their journey through life here on our world, in our city, as joyous and as wonderful as our own has been.”

Eden took a deep breath and collected her thoughts.

“It will be the law soon. It is important that we, the upper echelon of our society, show the way. The rest will follow because of their biological needs and all future births of this kind will stay with their breeders. Other wise they won’t be permitted that particular blessing.”

“Which are the most difficult to situate?”

Eve smiled and looked at La.

“My sweet child, I don’t know. You would be among the first. I would imagine that those with the male…equipment… Yes…those would be the toughest.”

“Then that is what we will have.” La giggled.

“La?” Na was at a loss for words. She couldn’t understand why La would want one of those. La, still handing Na’s hand, turned to her.

“These are children. They are blessings. Some women have decided to reject these blessings and it’s our good luck to take one for ourselves. You need not fear them.”

The server approached with their main courses. Once again the trio sat back as she set their plates in front of them. As soon as she left, almost as if on cue, the three converged again. This time it was Na who spoke.

“It’s like I said before…” She spoke to La. “It’s we who are the freaks here. And to take in one of these…these…children would only make us more so.”

There was a touch of anger in her voice as she spoke. Na looked down at the roasted round objects on her plate. She plunged her fork into one and lifted it toward her nose.

“Mmmm… This smells very good! You never made this before.” She took a bite out of it. “It tastes like chicken!” Na said with a grin. “What is it?”

Before La could answer, Na bit into the skin, meat, and then bone and began to chew. Both Eden and La giggled as Na chewed and swallowed only to repeat the action again with a tearing motion of her head and teeth.

“It is chicken.” La giggled.

“It tastes…like chicken…but different.” Na was alight with surprise.

“Yes…well…this one’s dead and someone’s bothered to cook it.” Eve added sarcastically with a somewhat sour expression on her face which was lost on Na. She simply continued to eat. La did giggle though.

“When can we get one?” La was still thinking about what Eve had said. She also wanted to distract her from watching Na…feed. Na didn’t care to be watched when she ate anyway. Eve turned to La and, between fork bites of food, she spoke.

“I thought you would be the one for this.” Eve smiled warmly at the Beta. Eve turned and lightly slapped the Alpha’s hand startling her. “And as for your information my dear child, we are all freaks. None of us existed before a stain was made, and all of us were engineered for particular reasons and particular purposes.”

“What you will do…what both of you will do is more important than anything done in the past. If these special children can breed, a new age will begin. No more stains. Mother Nature will have had the last word and a new race of beings, all female and all capable of communing and breeding will be upon us. And you two will be the first to take one of these fabulous creatures into your home and bring her into our sisterhood with dignity and honor.”

Na and La were very touched by Eve’s spirited and emotional words. La knew that this was something she couldn’t refuse. Her inner spirit wouldn’t let her even think that some child went unwanted. And Na…well…she had faith in her Beta and in Eve. If they both thought this the right thing to do, then who was she to say ‘no’?

The server came with a trolley to clear their table. Na had not only finished her meal, but also the remains of La’s and Eve’s. Eve remarked that someone like Na should be in every home to clean up the remains of the meal. Na, her face and hands covered with bits of her meal, looked to her Beta with a helpless expression on her face.

Normally, as a prelude to communing after a meal, La would lick Na’s hands and face clean. But that could prove a bit…dicey…getting her Alpha too excited in public. Na was already licking her fingers clean as the Beta grabbed her hand bag, excused herself and got up from her seat. Na watched and knew that this action was for her benefit as La shook her head at Na’s attempt to clean her hands.

“She’s just like a child; a very big, very dangerous child.” Eve chuckled as she grabbed her purse and stood to join them. As the three walked to the lounge, La holding Na’s hand, the four Sisters accompanying the party followed a discreet distance behind.

The lounge was as sculpted as the restaurant with carved marble fixtures and sconces and gold faucets with motion sensors. The women walked to the sinks to wash and refresh themselves. Na, because of her very large frame, needed more space then the other two so there was a basin separating them on either side. It wasn’t fun to be accidentally elbowed by a large Alpha Gen-7.

Na stared at her image as she washed her hands. She couldn’t help but notice her square jaw and angular features as opposed to the women on either side of her. She scowled as she finished and began to cup her hands to wet her face.

“Let me do that.” La looked at her Alpha, wet linen in hand. “I will show you how to do this in public.” Na’s naíve look opened La’s heart, as it usually does, and as Na turned to face her Beta, La stood up on her toes and kissed Na. “Mmmm…you taste like chicken!” La giggled as she spoke and brought a smile to her Alpha’s dour expression.

“Ahhh… Now that’s what I love to see; children playing nicely. You two do warm my heart.” Eve watched as La gently wet Na’s face with her cloth.

La then put some body wash from the gold dispenser onto the cloth and wiped away the remains of the meal from her mouth and surrounding area. Then again once more to remove the wash and a quick pat dry. Na’s eyes never left La’s and her large hands gently rest on La’s shoulders. La ran her fingers up the sides of Na’s hair; fluffing it out a bit.

“Please let me try this. I want to merely put a bit of color on your lips.”

La turned and reached into her hand bag on the counter top to retrieve a lip color she purchased that day specifically for her Alpha. She knew that Na would be more…amenable to something new after she fed. Na stood facing La with a questioning look on her face.

“Do like this.” La smiled as she opened her mouth slightly and pursed her lips just a bit.

Na complied and her Beta touched her lower lip gently and applied a single slight coat of the deep burgundy red color. La did the same for Na’s upper lip. Then La, looking into her Alpha’s eyes, rubbed her lips together twice. Na repeated the movement and turned to view herself in the mirror.

“Lovely.” Eve grinned. “That’s a perfect color for you dear.” Turning to La, Eve held her hand out. “Let me try that. Our skin tones are not that different.

Na could feel the lipstick, and she could certainly smell the scent, but she couldn’t taste anything at all. Her licked her lips once and stared at her image. She forced a smile and then looked at La.

“I think I look silly.”

“There is nothing wrong with a bit of color.” Eve spoke as she applied some to her lips. “There is nothing wrong with looking your best for your Beta you know. We all do a little something.” She handed the lipstick to Na who grasped it in her hand and looked at the tube with curiosity. “Maybe it’s a new hair style; or a new coloration; or a new scent. But we all should do something.”

Na began to put the tube in her trouser pocket but La stopped her and took the tube.

“It’ll melt in your pocket.” She smiled as she replaced it in her purse. “We must get you something to carry like this lest you fill your pockets with things.”

The three then headed to the exit. The Sisters stood outside the exit along with several women with the look of discomfort and annoyance on their faces.

“Oh this is ridiculous! Must we do this every time I’m out and about? Really!” Eve was annoyed that the Sisters prevented anyone else from entering the lounge when she had the need to attend to ‘private’ business, or to freshen herself. “I truly apologize for your inconvenience.” She spoke with true sympathy on her face. “I am so very sorry. Please…” She swept her hand toward the entrance.

The two Mother Superiors got up as the group approached and gathered their purses. Eve and La thanked their server and the owner of the restaurant who had appeared to greet them. Evidentially this was one establishment that Eve did make avail of from time to time.

The other patrons stood as the group made their way to the exit. Eve motioned with her hands to sit again with a benevolent smile and twinkling eyes. She stopped twice to greet women she obviously knew and ‘played’ the political role she so despised. Finally they were out on the walkway.

As they strolled leisurely toward the transport, Eve put her arm around La and drew her nearer.

“I am so thrilled by what you have done with our Na-Lin.” La blushed. “I can see that you are totally captivated and infatuated in her company. You do commune often?”

La was a little startled by Eve’s blunt question and blushed quite profusely. She nodded her assent.

“Good! You know, I haven’t taken a Beta since my dear sweet Moura departed this world. But I did something special for you.”

La looked quite surprised that someone as important as Eden would take extra care in her construct.

“I put a healthy pinch of her into you. I had hoped that you would be able to bring certain…how shall I put this…” Eve touched the side of La’s head with her own. “… qualities…out in our Na-Lin.”

“Why did you do that?” La was truly curious about what made her so special. Eve took hold of Na’s arm and drew her close as well. She took a deep breath to collect her thoughts.

“In ancient times, the parents…and this was when males were still around…in most cases…parents wanted to leave a bit of themselves in their children. By that, I mean they tried to make their children like themselves as the little ones were growing up. They would do this by instilling the lessons from their own experiences into these young ones.”

Eve paused for a moment before speaking again.

“The only problem was that these parents taught them to ‘do as I say, not as I do’. Do you understand thus far?” She looked at La, who nodded her head, and at Na, who remained stoic. “This created quite a bit of derision between child and parent because, as you know quite well, times do change. What is moral and ethical one day is no longer either the next.”

“Yes. I understand this. Your speaking about the Delta girls and wanting to have them be a part of the Sisterhood.”

Though this was not exactly what Eve was speaking of, she nodded; it was close enough.

“What would eventually happen is that the children, as they grew, would find things quite different then they were told; or at least some of them did. And they would rebel against what they envisioned as those who controlled their lives. Society in general was out of sync. Father pitted against son and daughter against mother and children against parents. We have simply found a way of transferring the truly desirable characteristics into our young through genetic engineering so that certain predispositions could be carried forward, and others not.”

“I see…” La understood what was being said. “So while I have certain of your Beta’s qualities, both physically and otherwise, I am still a different person than she was because of my experiences.”

Eve kissed her cheek and broadly smiled.

“Yes. While I can see in you that which was hers, you are without a doubt a different woman; not better, not worse, simply different. In essence, you are the children of my beloved Beta and me; as well as other that came before. I would like to think that each generation of stains becomes better than the one before it. And I know that each Gen works well with the prior Gens because we worship those traits that make us individuals as well as those that liken us.

“While we might all be physically beautiful, we are so in many different ways. No two of us are alike. No two have the exact same dispositions and abilities. We may be close…but not perfect matches. We live longer, live healthier, are more productive, we play harder, and we honor communion with others; or choice mates.”

“Then why did you make me the way that I am?” Na frowned as she spoke. Although she wasn’t angry, she was happy either. “I am not beautiful like the others. My face is…crude. I do not have curves like my Beta, or any other Alpha or Beta. And I am so…big.” Na’s head was down staring at the floor.

The three stopped. Eve and La could here the plaintive sound of Na’s voice. La came around and stood in front of her, hands on her hips.

“Tsk…” La rolled her eyes. “You may not be like any other here…except maybe another Gen-7, but even then you are so very different. I see such beauty in you. The manner in which you treat me is so very gentle and loving; even if you don’t understand that word. And I love you body. By the Spirits there is sooo very much of you to touch and…commune with. And our communions are so very strong and fulfilling. I wouldn’t want one hundred other Alphas…or Betas. Only you.”

“She is right.” Eve lifted Na’s chin gently with her finger tips till their eyes met. “You don’t realize this because you have spent so much of your life in the wilderness and not among you sisters. We must do something for you.” Then turning to La she spoke again. “We must do something for you both.” Eve hugged them both around the waist. “We hug one another here. We touch all the time. We kiss in greeting and in departure. We are not afraid to feel what we feel and to exhibit those feelings in having a good cry; when we feel good or bad, or maybe simply to give vent to those things that make us women.”

“She cries often.” Na smiled…finally. “Even when she is not in pain. This is true. I have once as well. Though I didn’t understand it.”

“Well that settles it. You…” Eve looked at Na. “You will need to go into cryo for a week…maybe less. You need to have a few of your ‘edges’ rounded as well as learn a few new skills for life here in Eden.” She then turned toward La. “And you…” Eve pointed her finger and smiled at the Beta. “…will go into cryo because you will drive all around you crazy until this one…” Eve cocked her head at Na. “…is releashed. Anyway…” She took them both around the waist as they began to walk again. “…you will learn a few things to make life here easier for your Alpha…and yourself.”

They walked to the shuttle to take them across the crevasse and boarded. The ride across was only a minute of two. Then they had a short walk to their quarters. The four Sisters parted company with the group but not before blessing them all and receiving a blessing in return. The two Mother Superiors trailed behind as the trio entered the security booth.

As they walked down the long corridor to their quarters, each pair of guards came to attention and saluted them.

“Maybe we should stay with you.” Na looked at the guards lining the corridor outside every door.

“Why would you want to do that?” Eve was surprised and suddenly understood. “You think we are in danger, don’t you?’

Na simply nodded. Eve laughed.

“Those guards are the bone I needed to throw to the dogs.”

Na and La had a questioning and confused look on their faces.

“It’s an ancient expression. Throw a bone to a dog and it keeps it from being annoying. I had to bring those guards here because the Directors are quite frightened by your close proximity to their…heads.” Eve laughed again.

Na smiled and understood. “They really have nothing to fear from me, unless they are a threat to you.”

“I know that. But they don’t and I would enjoy keeping it that way. They give me less trouble if they are thinking of other things.”

“Like keeping their heads.” Na laughed.

“Exactly!” Eve smiled and her eyes glistened with spirit.

They walked to Eve’s quarters first. They hugged and kissed, well…La and Eve hugged and kissed and Eve hugged Na who was somewhat at a loss of what to do in return. Na did gently rub her head against Eve’s. The two Mother Superiors preceded Eve into her quarters.

In nearly a whisper, Eve confided to them. “They commune with each other and, on those rare occasions, with me.” Eve said with a wicked smile and a gleam in her eyes. “I do dine at eight usually so do feel free to knock on the door or call anytime you would care for a bit of company.” Eve took Na and La’s hand. “I really mean that.” She then turned and walked in closing the door in her wake.

“I am a bit tired.” Said Na as she placed her arms around her Beta and swiftly lifted her up and into those very powerful arms. La squealed in delight and giggled.

“I can see that!” Her smile was bright as she threw her arms around Na’s neck and drew her face closer as La’s eyes closed and lips pursed for the kiss.

Na carried her the few meters to their quarters as the guards opened the doors. Their lips didn’t part the entire time.

More Ice Tiger soon!

.

---

“Stormy Weather”

Na lay on her back and La snuggled into her side, her hand gently caressing and gliding its way around the Alpha’s breasts and belly. ‘It’s like padded steel!’ La thought as she moved her hand down over the abdominal muscles and back up again. Her head rested on the crotch of Na’s arm.

Na reached down with her right hand and cupped her Beta’s rounded butt cheek in her hand. She pulled La even closer. La moved her right leg across Na’s powerful thighs and swiveled her hips slightly so that her crotch came to rest against the Alpha’s right thigh. La gently thrust herself against Na’s muscles. It was the slightest of movements; almost a gentle rocking.

“I can feel your wetness and I can smell your excitement.”

“You can smell me through walls. You can sense me from a mile. I swear it.” La giggled.

She moved her head to Na’s nipple and gently kissed it. Then she grasped it between her lips and sucked on it as it distended into her mouth.

“Mmmm…” A low throaty moan escaped from Na’s mouth as she moved her left hand over to the back of La’s head holding her to her task. “I keep thinking of what I thought Eve was going to do. I can’t get that thought out of my mind.”

La looked up into Na’s eyes. “You mean about taking me? You know she would never do that.”

“I know. But…” Na took a deep breath and closed her eyes again.

La bit her lower lip. Her eyes darted to the left and then to the right. Then up at her Alpha. She was thinking, plotting, and conjuring. Dare she suggest it? If it was put to her carefully she may have it work.

“You know...” La paused for a moment and looked at Na. The Alpha’s eyes were still closed. “If we were bound, then there is nothing she could ever do to separate us.”

Na remained still; her eyes shut. She did move her right hand to La’s back and began to lightly stroke her. La took this motion to mean that Na was indeed listening and could possibly be amenable to being bound.

“Anyway, with the war coming…”

Na suddenly opened her eyes. She felt her blood rise and her heart rate increase. Her first instinct was to snap the Beta’s neck, but not before finding out who told her about an impending war. She would take a head for that disclosure, but not before finding out who else might have been told.

“…I wanted to feel more a part of you.” La smiled and hugged herself to Na’s body.

“Who mentioned the coming of war?” Na remained as calm as she could.

“Lilith, the Commander’s Beta. Why? Do you not know?”

“Tell me her exact words.” ‘Two heads and one neck’ Na thought to herself as she smiled pleasantly at her Beta.

“Well… We were talking about things in general I suppose. She asked me how often we communed, you know, just talking.” La became more animated as she spoke of what was said. “So I asked her, you mean in a day? You know how we get…” She giggled. “But Lilith seemed surprised that we were so active considering we weren’t bound. So she said; ‘What with the war coming you two should thing about it. You really commune more than once a day?’ I guess they are not quite as active as we are.” La giggled.

Na sat up. She took her Beta in her arms and held her with one large powerful hand supporting La’s slender neck.

“Who would have told her?’ Na was still smiling as she supported the weight of La on her lap and leaned her back so that La’s weight was also against the arm and hand around her neck.

“Oh…it definitely was her Alpha, the Commander. She said so when I asked.”

Na looked into La’s eyes. She felt her anger leave her as she then looked at La’s trusting smile. As quickly as she decided to kill all involved, Na again decided that maybe this could be used to her advantage; her’s and Eve’s and maybe she could still take a head or two.

Na suddenly smiled and leaned in to kiss her Beta on the lips. She then held her tightly as she spoke.

“You must not tell anybody else about this…war business. You must make a promise.” Na pushed La away from her just enough to look into her eyes. She mustered all of her inborn instincts to detect whether she could trust the Beta in matters that really shouldn’t be of concern.

“Yes. Of course I promise.” La could see the seriousness of what she had said before from the look in Na’s eyes. She had never seen this look before; or at least not since the early first few days of her being with Na. “What is this all about?” Now she was a bit concerned.

Na reached behind herself to the plexicon board on her night table and lifted it up. She pressed a series of numbers on its translucent face and suddenly Eve appeared. Na placed the panel on her knee so that Eve could see the both of them. Eve smiled.

“I must say that I think I enjoy seeing you both in this manner. Nudity suits the two of you.” She laughed. “What brings you to call at this hour Na-Lin.”

“We need to speak; the three of us.”

Na’s seriousness left no doubt that she was concerned about something very important. Eve rarely heard from Na with any regularity and when she did, it was usually something urgent or very important in nature.

“These phones are secure. You may speak freely Na-Lin.”

“Not for this.” Na frowned. There was a moment of silence as Eve frowned and thought.

“Our terraces are separated by only a plexicon partition. I will meet you both outside.”

Na leaped out of their bedding platform and offered her hand to La. She gently assisted her up and out and, hand in hand, they walked to the door leading out to their terrace. As they exited their quarters and looked to the left, they could see Eve’s head peeking out over the railing and at them.

The night air was cool and Na wished she had brought something for La to wrap around herself. Na placed her arm around La and pulled her close as they walked the few meters to the partition. As they arrived, La turned and pressed the front of her body into Na’s side.

“You could have gotten her a gown to wear you know.” Eve said looking quite serious. “So tell me what’s so important before she freezes to death.” The sarcasm was lost on Na, who looked down at her Beta and again at Eve.

“La told me that Lilith said there would be war. She also told La that the Commander said this.”

Eve didn’t say a word. At first she appeared to be stunned by this news. Then, slowly, her face took on a saddened appearance and a tear welled up in her eye.

“Why don’t you go back inside La-Gen. Leave us to speak for a few moments. Come back with something to keep you warm.” Eve smiled gently at her. Once she left and hurried back inside, Eve spoke. “How long do we have?”

“Not long. I need the other Gen-7s as soon as possible.” Eve nodded.

“What will we do?”

“If the Commander has betrayed us, her entire staff becomes suspect as well. I would take their heads but it would expose our knowledge.”

“We don’t take heads here. There is only exile. That is our only punishment. If we begin killing our own, where does it stop. I have another idea. If we can train a force using your Gen-7s as commanders, then we can submit falsified reports to the Gen-6s and circumvent them entirely. What do you think?”

The big Alpha smiled her crooked half smile and nodded.

“That is why I need the others. What about Lilith and La?”

“I’m a bit surprised you didn’t kill her.” Eve snorted and smiled. “A very wise decision. You wouldn’t find another like her…anywhere. Let the Beta befriend Lilith. Send them shopping. Obviously Lilith cannot spread this information any further so let her confide in your Beta. Ah…here she comes.”

La returned wearing her sea dog coat and her comfortable slippers. Na explained what they wanted her to do.

“You must make it very clear to Lilith that she mustn’t tell any others of what she knows. She must talk only to you. Do you understand?”

La smiled and nodded. She opened her coat and brought the ends around Na’s body as best she could. Na placed her arm around the Beta holding her close.

“We need to get started first thing. I want you to appear before the table in the morning.” Eve looked off into the distance as she spoke as if she were reading from a list in the distance. “Wear your formal uniform. I want them to feel a bit intimidated. It’ll make what we need to do easier.” Na agreed. “Then you’ll meet with your Gen-7s. I will summons them here tonight and inform them that they too must wear their full uniforms for tomorrow’s meetings. Anything else?”

“The rest can wait until tomorrow.” Na felt a slight scratching from his bedecked Beta. “Oh…yes. La would like us to be bound.” The little Beta began to bounce slightly on her toes as she appreciatively rubbed Na’s belly.

“Bound?” There was a definite note of surprise in Eve’s voice as a broad smile broke out on her face. “How wonderful!” She laughed. “Have you agreed?”

“I’m thinking about it.” Na smiled.

“Well…if you agree…I will stand for the both of you. I will have the Mother Superiors perform the binding. It will be the event of the year for sure.” Eve couldn’t hide her excitement. “We’ll use the main Temple for the ceremony.” Looking at Na, Eve continued. “Your other Gen-7s can serve as an honor guard. Oh by the Spirits this will be an event the entire city will witness.”

La was bouncing quite rapidly on her toes. She was totally overwhelmed by the conversation she was hearing through the hood of her great coat as she kissed the side of her Alpha. ‘The entire city’ she thought. Suddenly she felt a slight tapping on the top of her hood. She looked out from beneath the fur to see the face of Eve smiling into hers as tears of joy fell from her eyes.

“By the way dear child, are you a true believer?” La nodded her head.

“She places wreaths and grass bundles about the quarters up top. And she’s always lighting candles and mumbling to herself. And there’s…”

“I do get the idea.” Eve laughed. Turning to La again Eve spoke. “Our Lilith is…” Eve suddenly had a wry expression on her face. “…or once was a true believer. You might suggest the baths at the Temple as a place to…refresh. You might find that she will tell you more interesting tidbits that could be of use to our cause.”

La smiled and nodded. With everything discussed that was of importance, the three said their good nights once again. This time Eve embraced La and kissed her cheeks with extra fervor. Eve went so far as to call her a little treasure.

As they laid on their bedding platform, La back beneath the blanket and huddled up close to Na who had her arm around the Beta, La couldn’t resist asking.

“You were angry at me when I first told you about Lilith.”

“Yes.”

“What were you thinking? You looked so intensely at me.”

“I was thinking of breaking your neck to keep the war secret.” Na didn’t hesitate. La was shocked and stunned. She had a difficult time dealing with the idea of Na wanting to do that.

“Why didn’t you?”

“The pain.” Na pointed to her chest. As she thought about it again, a tear or two fell from her eyes. “The pain.” She said with resignation as she closed her eyes. “You are truly my only weakness, and I think I like that.”

La slid her body on top of Na’s and rest her head between her breasts. La softly kissed Na’s breasts as they laid together in silence. Na put her arms over La’s back and hugged her.

“I think this binding business will be a good thing.” Upon hearing that, La uttered a blessing in silence.

---

There was silence when Na entered the meeting room. She walked straight and tall to stand directly behind and slightly right of Eve at the head of the table. Na clasped her hands behind her back and spread her legs to shoulder’s width. She didn’t move a muscle but simply moved her eyes from Director to Director. There was a frown on her face and an angry glare in her eyes. Eve arose from her arm chair and placed her right hand on Na’s shoulder.

“Ladies, you all know of Na-Lin. She is our most renowned warrior. She certainly is our most decorated warrior. I wish to nominate her for a seat at our table.” Eve smiled up at Na as a murmur arose from some of the other directors. A hand shot up from one of them. “Yes May-Li.”

An older woman stood up and, taking a deep breath, spoke.

“You can’t be serious Eve.” She was quite upset but visibly contained herself. “We all know of her exploits in the waste lands. But this is where civilization exists. She knows nothing of our laws or our ways. She is feared rather than respected. And what possible need do we have for the likes of her.” By now May’s face was blushed with emotion. She took her seat as Eve responded.

“That is precisely why I need her. We may be facing a threat someday and I need someone who is able to organize and actuate a plan of defense for our city. She will be reporting directly to our own Commander Sue and otherwise act as my assistant. I have too many tasks to tend to and need someone who can represent me if I am called away to attend to other matters.” Sue’s hand came up and she was recognized by Eve.

“We are all certainly honored to have Na-Lin amongst us…” Sue spread her arms for emphasis and smiled as she spoke. “But we really have no need for a highly trained force. My Gen-6s’ are certainly up to any task that might arise.”

“She has a good point!”

“Hands please!” Eve grinned. “Everybody will be heard.” Eve turned to Sue and smiled as she nodded to continue.

“Certainly there are many other tasks in the city that might benefit from Na-Lin’s presence. We really have defense under control.” Her voice had a slightly pleading sound to it. Eve smiled but now she knew for sure; Sue was a traitor.

“Well…all you say is true…but I also want an offensive plan and certainly Na-Lin is somewhat offensive?” Na chuckled with Eve.

The banter went back and forth for quite some time before Eve had it put to a vote. There were three votes of dissension. All others voted for Na. There was a round of applause as she took a seat to the right of Eve.

“Oh I think it would be great fun! I’ve never been there before but Eve…”

“You mean you spoke with Eve?”

“Oh yes! We’re neighbors. She told me about the baths last evening. I think it would be wonderful to go. We can have something to eat and do a bit of shopping…I would love to go to that crystal shop again…and then go to the baths.”

“Oh…that does sound so wonderful. I am so glad we met! How about…I’ll come around in about an hour?”

“Yes. That sounds perfect.”

“See you soon.”

La was excited about her day. She had gotten up with Na and helped the Alpha ready herself for her meeting. Then she waited until a more ‘decent’ hour before picking up the plexicon to speak with Lilith. They had spoken for nearly an hour making plans for the day. Although Lilith was unwittingly in the center of the web that led to war, and La understood her place in this circle of deception, she couldn’t help but like Lilith.

They shared a faith that was strong and they shared their lives with people of important position. La couldn’t wait to tell her of the impending binding and promised her an excellent seat for the event. Lilith couldn’t wait to go to the crystal shop to help pick out potential rings. And it had been years since she had been to the Temple’s healing baths. All in all the day promised to be filled with wonders and excitement.

La wanted to look her very best and her preparations rivaled any ritual known to the women of Eden. She began with a hot bath in the carved marble tub, a luxury unknown in the frozen wilderness, laced with fragrant oils and spices. After wrapping a towel around her lush body, La applied an organically compounded skin lotion.

After removing the towel she wrapped around her hair, La sprayed her long rust colored locks with a mixture of natural ingredients and let it set as she combed out any tangles that might have occurred while washing. ‘I could become accustomed to this’ she thought.

Whilst letting her hair air dry, La proceeded to ‘put on her face’ for the day. She often applied some color back home if for no other reason than her Alpha’s color sensitivity. The aroma of her cosmetics seemed to please Na as well.

La felt herself to be lucky enough to find a shade of lipstick that closely approximated the shade of her hair. And the earth colors, browns and grays and greens, did her pale green eyes justice. It seemed that when she came to the city with Na on previous occasions, there simply wasn’t enough time to deal with these matters properly. After doing her applications lightly, a touch of mascara, and she was off to her wardrobe closet.

La opened the door to a closet the size of their anti room back home. She looked at the scant few garments that hung neatly and the vast empty space remaining.

“By the spirits!” She really had little to wear. Even if her clothing from home should arrive, there was nothing to wear at the middle levels where the climate was quite different then where she lived now.

The middle levels were much warmer. That’s where the gardens and fields were. The Temple complex was located in those levels for its central proximity to all. Many of the older residents enjoyed the warmer climate of the mid and lower levels. Seven hundred feet down made the thermal ducts and springs more effective for they were only another eight hundred feet below that.

At the Temple level, the air temperature would be over eighty five degrees and the humidity much more felt. La needed something very light and sweeping. Even a length of fabric that could be gathered at the waist would suffice. La walked over to the plexicon and called the name of Lilith. In but a moment her image appeared on the small screen.

“I’ve nothing to wear!” La was beside herself and verging on tears. Lilith laughed.

“Our first stop then.”

---

“Meanwhile…back at the ranch…”

Eve arose from her chair indicating that the meeting was over. All followed suit. They had few matters to discuss after the secret ballot electing Na to a directorship. As the directors filed from the room, each stopped at the head of the table to congratulate Na in her new position. Even Sue kissed both of her cheeks and had a smile and a kiss for Eve.

Na was unaccustomed to such familiarity from women she didn’t know and she only knew two well enough at this point. But while she realized that change was the order of the day, she still was initially shocked at the touch of another. She was still a bit startled as Eve grasped her fore arm gently and leaned in to speak softly in her ear.

“I know two of the three votes against you but I would really love to know the third.”

Na turned to face Eve and backed up slightly. She gazed into Eve’s eyes but said nothing. She was sure of what she saw but she could smell and sense a fear within Eve.

“I pray we don’t have another traitor amongst us. We should probably keep alert of those who our Commander sees and speaks with.” Eve’s expression soured as she spoke. “I detest this sort of thing you know. Reading other people’s mail is so…distasteful…” Eve’s body shuttered. “…disgusting. It belittles us all. And we must find out how they are communicating with the men.”

“It really doesn’t matter. As far as I’ concerned, they’re all traitors…and all the Gen-6s along with their commander.” Na spat out the last few words. Then her eyes narrowed and she smiled her half smile. “We must only look to the off world communications…to see if any other holes…”

“Please Na…refer to these refuges as cities…at least for my sake.” Na looked at Eve with a confused stare. “I have knowledge that very, very few of us do.” Eve sat it her chair and beckoned Na to follow suit. “These crevasses resemble our own sexual organs; do they not?”

Na took a moment to think and then nodded her head in agreement. Eve continued to speak.

“The word ‘hole’, in ancient times, is how men sometimes, in a very negative way, referred to us.” Eve knew that she needed to go slow on this. Na was so very unaware of the past. “I will ask you to refer to this…place…as Eden. It truly is a garden in which we all flourish. Do you understand?”

“Not really. But I will do as you say. We must check the other…CITIES…” Na emphasized the word and smiled. “…for off world travel and communications. I do not think they will try a direct attack on us but they may try for a weaker point or a city that is…compromised. None-the-less we must plan for the worst. Our defenses must be strong.”

“I will leave that all in your hands. We cannot afford any war, but we certainly cannot afford to lose this war. We cannot return to the way things were.”

“What about the Commander and any others we find? Shall I have their heads taken after our use of them is done?” Na’s eyes were aglow with the thought of killing these traitors. But Eve was quick to respond.

“No!!! No Na…we don’t do that sort of thing here. The punishment is the same as for any other crime. We do not have blood on ours hands and we certainly don’t wish to begin.”

“Then why make this war? Will it not lead to blood? And many will die.”

“This is different. They would drag back to the ancient ways and that is not possible. Many would rather die than submit to their twisted ways. We are free to live as we are and I will see us remain free.” Now the fire was in Eve’s eyes.

“I will need more gold stars.”

“Five are not enough?” Eve laughed.

“Not for me…for the others. Just one moment.” Na reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out her plexicon. She looked at it and touched in several times. “My La is going to the Temple baths with the Commander’s wife. It would seem that they are spending the day together.” Na looked up at Eve and smiled.

“I will let them know at the Temple. They should have a private location, perhaps in the gardens. I want that little Beta of yours to learn as much as she can about the activities of those two. I have to tell you that I am so very disappointed with the Commander.”

“When may I meet with my people?”

“We may go now if you’d like. It’s across the hall in the smaller meeting room. I don’t think the others know about the ones who were killed the other night, or about the injured one.”

Eve got up from her seat and began to stroll out of the room as she touched the numbers to connect her with the Temple. Na followed her as Eve spoke to one of the sisters. Once she made her desires known to the sister, Eve put the thin piece of clear plastic back into her jacket pocket and took Na’s arm in her hand.

“They will be surrounded with all the beauty we can offer and their privacy will be complete. I do want those two Betas to become…’good friends’. This special treatment is something that Sue’s Beta won’t be able to resist. She does love to live well and Sue takes special pains to see that it is so.”

The two strolled up to a closed double door with four Gen-6s posted outside. They stood upright and affected the salute. Eve returned their acknowledgement and they opened the doors for the pair. The Gen-7s, who were sitting quietly at the table, stood up and also saluted. All eyes were on Na as she strode behind Eve to the head of the table. Eve remained standing as she indicated for the others to sit. Na stood with her.

“Ladies, a very special situation necessitated your being brought here today.” Eve looked into the hard cold eyes of the Gens at the table. “We are verging on war with the men.” There were smiles and a muddled whispering between the Gen-7s. “And…” Eve slapped the table top twice to get their attention. “…I was in need of women who I could trust to prosecute this war to its successful conclusion. I have chosen one of you to plan and lead our people to victory.”

Eve turned to Na who remained standing to her right and slightly behind. Eve turned back to the group before her.

“You all know our Gen-7 Commander Na-Lin. She has received every possible decoration and honor for bravery including the Tree of Life three times. Na-Lin will tell you more about what challenges await us.”

Na nodded and smiled to Eve as she moved to the head of the table. In one lightening fast moment, Na drew her long knife and swiftly stabbed in into the table several inches. The swiftness of her movements and the noise of the point penetrating caused the other Gens to sit up in surprise. Na leaned over the table and placed her weight on her knuckles. She looked into the eyes of every Gen-7 at the table with her grey eyes and half smile. She spoke softly.

“If anyone wants my job, now is the time to say so.” She giggled for an instant and again looked into the eyes of those before her. “Good. We will need each one of you.” She stood up and quickly removed her long knife from the table and replaced it in its sheath and, taking her seat, spoke. “Now, let’s get down to business.”

---

La and Sue were on their way down to the Temple. The short shopping trip had been a great success. There were three basic climate levels in the city and the clothing stores seemed to specialize by level rather than style. The style and mode of dress varied widely but the materials and the cloth weight varied according to which level one was spending time on.

The upper levels were quite temperate. There could, on rare occasions, be snow during a particularly harsh storm. The second group of levels was sub-tropical. This was the Temple level. Most of the gardens, parks, and recreational fields were on these levels. Although the temperature range was relatively stable, between eighty five and ninety five degrees, the humidity was nearly thirty five percent.

La was completely thrilled with the wrap dress she found. The material was very light weight open weave cotton in a sand color with threads of ancient gold running through it. The design was almost like a sari that wrapped and draped her loosely. A rose colored thin silk sash gathered the waist. Lilith encouraged La to buy a pair of heels to match the sash but La, being the simple soul she was, took a pair of skimmers with a one and one half inch heel.

As they sat in the transport on their way down to the seventy fifth level, Lilith locked her arm around La’s and hugged it.

“I am so happy you are here. I really hope you don’t mind me chattering on and on.” She giggled as she continued to speak. “I don’t really have anyone I can talk to or do things with. Most of the others work but Sue didn’t want me to. She says that she’s all the work I need. Do you do anything other than take care of your Alpha?”

“No, not really. But tending to a Gen-7 can be quite…fulfilling?” La thought of how difficult it was at the beginning to do anything for Na. “It’s actually fun. She gets this expression of surprise on her face when I do things for her.” La giggled. “It’s kind of strange though.”

“What is?” Lilith smiled and listened attentively.

“Well…she doesn’t say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ or anything like that. It’s as if she doesn’t know the words. And if she does…” La leaned in close to Lilith’s ear. “…she doesn’t know what they mean.” La laughed. “So I must watch her face to see the reaction. She’ll smile if she likes something I do.”

“And what if she doesn’t like something you do?” Lilith spoke wide eyed and straight faced.

“I don’t know. She seems to like everything I do.” Na smiled. She was quite pleased with herself and with the manner she had ingratiated herself to Na.

“Sue is sooo difficult. Everything must be exact…just so. If it’s not, then she’ll require me to do it again. Sometimes I become so frustrated. I suppose it’s the way in which she is constructed…you know…military types can be so precise in what they want.”

Lilith curled her lip downward and glazed at her feet. La could tell that she wasn’t quite happy with how she was being treated by her Alpha.

“It’s a tough job and the hours…are long…you know? And I understand that Sue can be a bit short with me sometimes.”

The shuttle came to rest at the dock outside the Temple grounds. ‘Just as this is getting interesting’ thought La. They got up from their seats and preceded into the entry gates. The Temple was an impressive structure rising some six levels in height and three levels below. The walls around it were one level tall and had barred sections so that women could look into the compound’s grounds.

The ‘halo’ sky was always nearly cloudless and the gardens were alive with flora that bloomed at different times of the year. The main gates were always opened and there were always visitors throughout the day and evening. Aside from the spiritual activities that regularly occurred, the big attraction for the city’s denizens are the baths.

Aside from the purification rituals and health regimens, the baths represented the epitome of luxury. The carved stone tubs and, in many cases, the accompanying fountains, were available to all women in the city. Very often large groups would take advantage of the sulfur or mineral waters in the larger areas resembling more a pool than a traditional bath. There were smaller facilities available for more private needs and everything in between.

The huge carved wooden main doors to the Temple were open and upon entering the two women were greeted by an enormous wall depicting the Passion and Death of the Savior. La and Lilith held hands as they viewed the spectacular mural that ran the one hundred meter wide and six story height of the atrium.

Flowered vines climbed the tall columns of marble and small fruit trees abounded amid the gilded frames holding paintings of long departed Saints. La had only been here once before and she was just as struck by the elaborate design and décor as the first time. Her mouth was agape as she took in every little detail, often touching Lilith’s hand to point something out.

Lilith finally managed to drag La by the hand over to the information desk to the side of the great doors. A young novice sat speaking to another visitor. La noticed that she wore her vestment, hood, sandals, and nothing else. Dressing styles certainly became different as one descended to the lower levels of the city. La felt on the edge of comfort in her new clothing and the humidity was certainly starting of have its effect.

Having finally satisfied the first visitor, Lilith stood before the novice.

“We are here for the baths?”

The novice smiled and nodded her head. She took out two brochures and handed them to Lilith, who gave one to La. The novice looked up at La but spoke to Lilith.

“The baths begin one level down.” The novice smiled at La. “What a beautiful dress! You look so lovely and comfortable.”

“Thanks.” La blushed, looked at Lilith for a moment, and back to the novice. “I had good help in choosing it. We only just came to live here yesterday.” The novice became quite excited.

“By the Spirits! Your La-Gen? We have been told to expect you. The High Priestess herself called to inform us.” She stood up and came around her desk to hug and kiss La on both cheeks. She then took La’s hands in her own. “We’ve been abuzz since yesterday waiting to see you and your Gen-7. I am sooo thrilled to meet you! Oh dear Goddess…you are so gorgeous.”

La smiled and blushed. She wasn’t accustomed to being told such things by other women. The novice accompanied La and Lilith to the wide circular staircase leading down to the bathing level.

“Enjoy!” The novice smiled, waved, and called as they walked down the marble steps. The floor below was in reality a balcony. The ground floor of the pool area was three flights down. One could see the top spouting of water from some of the larger fountains that were pre-washes prior to entering a bath. The odor of sulfur mixed with fragrant spices and minerals.

This time a full Sister of the Order met them. She too was scantily clad in only a light vestment and her hood. She was a bit older than Lilith and La but she absolutely radiated beauty and health. Her bronze colored skin glowed with the sheen of fragrant oils and her eyes shone with intelligence.

“A blessed day ladies. Oh…you must be La-Gen. Our Holy Mother Superior spoke to me about you. She said you were among the faithful and that you are cast in the image of our Savior. I am so very pleased to meet you.”

The Mother Superior hugged a blushing La and kissed her cheeks. She then turned to Lilith.

“And a blessed day to you as well Lilith.” She hugged Lilith and kissed her cheeks. “It’s been some time since we’ve seen you here.” Lilith looked at her shoes and assumed a demure stance.

“I’ve been…busy?” She giggled slightly.

“Well…” The Mother Superior said in a very animated voice. “You’re here now and that’s what’s important. I’ve arranged a very private room with its own small altar should either one of you decide to say your prayers and graces.” Gesturing with her arm, she continued. “Please, follow me.”

They walked to another smaller staircase and descended. As they walked the Mother Superior spoke.

“Remember that in these areas you should remain nude until you are ready to leave. We do encourage communing between couples that are bound and offer privacy for those who wish it. We also encourage the use of prayer whilst communing and if one needs help with the proper order, or any other kind of assistance, we are here to serve. Ah, here we are.”

The room was indeed private. As the Mother Superior opened the door into the room, La could see the entire plexicon wall opened up onto the central core of Eden. The view was spectacular. Directly if front was a magnificent garden of flowering orchids and lilies.

La’s face lighted up and she bounced slightly on her toes with excitement.

“Oh dear Goddess! This is beautiful.” She turned to the other two women and smiled with a tear in her eye. The Mother Superior laughed and hugged the little Beta.

“The changing room is over in the corner. I will have a novice bring some fruit and drink. You will notice the small altar facing the gardens. I you wish, I can have the novice also set up the altar for your use.”

“Oh yes! That would be wonderful.” La was excited about that opportunity to make this a true celebration of Na and her arrival to this marvelous ‘new’ world.

“I will leave the two of you. Please call for me or your novice should you need anything at all.”

---

“Keeping the Faith”

As the Mother Superior exited, the women looked at one another and smiled excitedly.

“Oh my Goddess!” La grasped Lilith’s shoulders.

“This is sooo gorgeous! And what a view! I’ve never had a private room here. In fact, I haven’t been here in…years?” Lilith was surprised by her own answer. “Let’s get naked and do this!” Excitement poured out of her.

Sliding the door to the changing room and water closet, they found padded hangers for their clothing and a shelf for any under garments they might be wearing. After placing their purses on the shelf, they both stripped off their clothing in no time and hung the delicate garments up after kicking their shoes off.

Upon entering the room, they found a young novice placing bowls, a pitcher with fruit drink, and two goblets alongside the tub.

“Would you please set the altar for me?” La asked with a slight pleading in her voice.

“Certainly! It would be my pleasure. Would you like the spiced incense?”

“Oh yes…everything. It’s not often I have the chance to do the entire ritual. My Alpha is sensitive to aromas and doesn’t ‘indulge’…” La mimicked Na’s manner of speaking. “…in such traditions.”

“Oh…” The novice had sadness in her voice.

“Oh she believes.” La was quick to add. “But she really has no time to reflect and meditate with prayer.”

“So many don’t these days.” The novice started to place various items on the altar. She turned to look at La. “May I help you with your offering? Would you like to have the book of prayer?”

La laughed. “No…no…” She shook her head for emphasis. “I know it all by heart. If I weren’t to be bound, I would probably give myself to the order.”

“Really? I think that’s so wonderful. You still could you know. You could become a Sister of Salvation.”

La laughed as she helped arrange the various materials for the rituals to be performed. There were three candle stick holders; one candle was blue, one white and one red. There was a chalice full of incense. And there was the Eucharist.

When all was readied, La looked to the novice. “Would you care to join us for a few minutes?” She nodded happily. So La began.

Standing before the altar, La first took a drop or two of their blood into the chalise of wine, then lighted the white candle.

“This is the candle of light. May it keep the dark from our lives and show us the way of freedom and salvation.”

Next the blue candle was ignited.

“This is the candle of peace and prosperity. May we never know want and may our lives know only joy.”

She lighted the red candle last.

“May we know love and passion and all the wonderful emotions life has to offer.”

She then lighted the incense. Once the smoke began to rise, she passed the chalice around so that the other two could deeply inhale the sweet fragrance that emanated from within.

“May we only know the sweetness that our wondrous lives have to offer.”

La turned to the altar. She closed her eyes, lifted her arms upward and began to chant the Sisterhood Creed. Lilith still remained standing back as La and the novice were kneeling at the rails.

“We believe in one Goddess, our Mother, the Almighty, maker of heaven and the world, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lady, Josie, the only Daughter of our Goddess, eternally begotten of Our Mother, Goddess from Goddess, Light from Light, true Goddess from true Goddess, begotten, not made, one in being with Our Mother. Through her all things were made.”
La looked upward with opened eyes and the tears welled up as her heart opened with emotion. The novice looked at her and she too felt tears begin to flow.
“For us women and for our salvation she came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit of Freedom she was born of pure woman, and became woman. For our sake she was crucified under the hand of Men; she suffered, died, and was buried.”
Both women were crying openly as they recited the Creed together. Lilith had been watching and listening to this point. But now she moved forward and knelt at the rail on La’s right side. Her hands were folded and she rested her forehead upon them. She silently wept as La continued, her eyes now closed and her heart in a state of true ecstasy.
“On the third day she rose again in the spirit of our Freedom; she ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of Our Mother. She will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and her Queendom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit of Freedom, Our Lady, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Mother and the Daughter.”

At this point the Mother Superior came silently in to see what had happened to her novice. She could instantly feel, and see what was happening. She felt the open spirituality of the little Beta and silently moved toward the altar. Not wishing to break the magic moment of communing souls, she knelt behind and out of sight of the trio.

“With the Mother and the Daughter, she is worshipped and glorified. She has spoken through the Prophetesses. We believe in one holy Sisterhood and its Salvation. We acknowledge baptism for the cleansing of our souls. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.”

“Amen.” The four echoed.

La continued with the recitation of the Eucharist. She turned and lifted the bread up. She was surprised to see the Mother Superior partaking of their little service. She smiled at the Mother, who smiled in return through her tears.

“Blessed are you, Our Lady, Goddess of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which our world has given and women’s hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.”

“Blessed be Goddess for ever.” The little group responded
La now held the goblet of wine, anointed with the drops of their own blood, high and continued.

“Blessed are you, Lady, Goddess of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of women’s hands. It will become our spiritual drink.”

“Blessed be our Goddess forever.”

“Pray, my sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to our Goddess, the almighty Mother.”

“May Our Lady accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of her name, for our freedom, and the freedom of all her Sisterhood. Amen.”

“Our Lady be with you.” La said.

“And also with you.” They responded.

“Lift up your hearts.”

“We lift them up to Our Lady.” Even Lilith was now reciting what she could remember as La smiled at her.

“Let us give thanks to Our Lady, our Goddess.”

“It is right to give Her thanks and praise.”

“Holy, holy, holy Lady, Goddess of freedom and might, Heaven and the world are full of your glory. Mother in the highest. Blessed is she who comes in the name of our Lady. Mother in the highest.” They all sang in unison.

“Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Our Lady, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are our Savior and the Salvation of the World.”

“Through her, with her, and in her, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Mother, for ever and ever. Amen.”

“Our Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; your Queendom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from slavery and evil. For the Queendom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.”

They all again recited the prayer in unison. La continued as though she had been doing this her entire life.

“Lady Josie, you said to your followers: ‘I leave you peace, my peace I give you.’ Look not on our wrong doing, but on the faith of our Sisters, and grant us the freedom, peace and unity of your Queendom where you live for ever and ever. Amen.”

“The Peace and Freedom of Our Lady be with you always.”

“And also with you.”

“Let us offer a sign of Freedom and Peace.”

The women turned to one another, embraced fully, and kissed. La then took the bread broke it into pieces saying: “Lamb of Our Goddess, you take away the evil of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of Our Goddess, you take away the evil of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of Our Goddess, you take away the evil of the world: grant us peace.

La picks up the bread and circles it in front of the sign of the cross and then makes the sign of the cross with it. She continues by giving the Eucharist to her congregants.
“The body of Josie, our savior. Amen.” Each one took a bite; La being last. She then does the same for the cup of wine.

“The blood of Josie, our freedom and salvation. Amen.” La gave all a sip from the cup. She drank last.

Petitions to the Mother was something that La had though of but never tried out in practice publicly before. She felt that this point of the service would be a good place for the congregants, now renewing themselves as Sisters of the Savior, to ask ‘relief’ for those in their hearts and minds. La, of course, went first.

“I petition you dear Mother, in the name of my Na-Lin. May her hand not weaken. May her heart have strength, and may she always be a shield to us. In the name of our beloved Priestess Eve, may her mind be clear and her heart open. May she never weaken and may she always be our guide. In the name of Lilith…”

Lilith turned to La with surprise and shock. They had only met one day ago and they had already formed a bond between them. But Lilith never dreamt it would take on such depth so quickly.

“…may she always be a light unto me and a joy to my spirit. For this novice, our sister, may she become a river of strength and faith to us all. And in the name of our good Mother Superior, may she ever remain a river of strength, faith, and peace to our Sisterhood. And lastly, I petition you in the name of our beloved sister Alison Mary. May she know only joy and fulfillment, strength of heart, and great length of days.”

The group was in shock that the Beta blessed them all by name. There really wasn’t much that Lilith or the novice could say. But the Mother Superior stood and walked to the front of the altar. She smiled down at La and held her hands over La’s head.

“I petition you dear Mother, in the name of La-Gen. May she rise high as a guiding light. May she show us the way to true freedom and peace and may she sit by your right hand, surrounded by your Saints.” There were tears of joy in the Mother’s eyes as she bent low to kiss La’s head, and then her hands. The Mother Superior continued the service.

“The Mother be with you.”

“And also with you.”

“May almighty Goddess bless you, the Mother, and the Daughter, and the Holy Spirit of freedom.”

“Amen.”

“Go in peace to love and serve our Lady.”

“Thanks be to our Goddess!”

More Ice Tiger soon...

---

“At The Baths…”

They sat around the table trying to discuss the perfect defense to whatever the men were scheming in the way of a take over.

“There are too many things I don’t understand.” Sarah-Chou pounded her meaty fist in frustration on the table top.

“What do you not understand?” Na-Gen chaired the discussion. She too had many questions, the answers of which made little sense.

“If they want women…us…than why go to war and risk all the deaths. Certainly if the men are dying out, the loss of the young and virile ones to war would be great.”

“Another thing…” Tara-Xuin spoke with a pained and curious expression. “…if they wanted the wealth we have; the things we currently trade with them, then a surface battle would be in order. They are not prepared to fight in such a hostile environment. Not in great enough numbers anyway.”

“And even if they did wage a war within the cities, it would need to be level by level thus destroying every thing anyway. If we defend the upper levels, any breach in our lines and they would flood into the lower levels. If we strictly give the upper ones to them and make our stand at the lower, then the technology would be destroyed in the fighting.” Tia-Shen scratched her hairless scalp as she spoke. “This doesn’t make sense.” There was a tinge of frustration in her voice.

“I had thought of a pre-emptive strike. Let’s bring the war to them. But to keep such a move secret would be impossible. The mere moving of assets about would signal our intentions.” Na spoke down at her plexicon as she made notes and thought of all that was being said. “And if they were of the warring mode, our fleet of ships would be detected upon leaving our home.”

“Part of planning for any hostile action, particularly one that is an all out attempt, is trying to determine the safest course of action.” Eve now got up from her seat to speak. She smiled at her Gen-7s as she looked around the table at each of them. “Any conflict with the men would prove devastating to us…and no less than that to them.”

At that very moment, Na-Lin looked up with a broad smile on her face. The others could feel the burst of mental energy that radiated from her. It was as if the proverbial light bulb had gone off in a brilliant flash of illumination. Her eyes were alive with fire as she blushed with the rising of her blood. Looking up at Eve, who discretely nodded her head, the Gen-7 got up and laughed.

“This is all so brilliant. We should have seen this coming.” She spoke to Eve. Now turning to her other Gen-7s, she smiled and began to speak. “They are so clever. They should have been born women.” Na laughed. Turning to Eve and grasping her by the shoulders, Na continued.

“You are the key! If you are dead, who would normally rule?”

“The Directorship, of course.” Eve couldn’t see it yet.

“And who would sit in your seat should you be…unable to?”

“Oh dear Goddess!!! The Commander!” Eve’s face turned one shade paler then it’s normally chalky shade.

“And if the Commander’s top leadership has been compromised?” Na grinned quite broadly now.

“Then we are doomed. The Directors will be executed and the men could simply walk in and take everything. Oh my dear Goddess!” Eve felt faint and needed to sit back down, assisted by Na.

“It is quite obvious to me that our number one mission is keeping you alive and the Directorship safe. Since we cannot rely upon the Gen-6s, we must rely upon ourselves to protect you and the others. But that still leaves us with a vast problem. We will need another force to act as a back up. We will need women who can hold the Gen-6s at bay until it can be determined who can be trusted.”

The other women in the room sat in silence and looked to Na for the answer. But it was Eve who spoke first.

“Our Sisters of Salvation! They are the only ones I would trust…aside from you ladies.”

Na laughed and nodded her head.

“Yes the Sisters. They are the only ones who would fight for freedom and that truly is what this war revolves around; our freedom. We will need to plan carefully. They will expect something. I think we should plan two deceptions that make sense to them. Perhaps even an incursion or two. When they want to sue for peace, or another trade agreement, that is when it will come.”

---

The Mother Superior held La in her arms and rocked her gently where they stood. The tears flowed freely from the Beta for the entire ceremony, which lasted a scant few moments in time, had opened up her heart and the joy was overwhelming.

“I have rarely experienced such a moving and emotional offering.” The Mother Superior sniffled back her tears. “And to come from one so…young and inexperienced as you! This is nothing short of a miracle.”

She gently pushed La back from her so that she could look into the Beta’s eyes. The Mother Superior smiled as she spoke.

“You have a great gift. I must tell Mother Eve of this day.” She then knelt down before La and kissed her feet. The Beta blushed red at such a show of honor. Upon rising, she spoke again. “We must have you amongst us; in our numbers. Your faith is so overwhelming that there are many who would look to you to show us the way. We will now leave you two to enjoy your cleansing. If there is anything you ever need, at any time, you must call upon me.”

The women hugged and kissed once more and the two Sisters of the Savior departed. Lilith turned to La and embraced her. In tears she spoke as best she could under the emotional circumstances.

“This has been enough to make me want to return to the faith. Such…feelings…have been absent for far too long.” La smiled at Lilith and nodded her head.

“I am fortunate that my Alpha doesn’t mind what I do. I have bundles of grain and wreaths scattered about our old quarters. And she actually watches as I light the candles not knowing what I am doing; but enjoying my little show.”

“Then you are blessed far more than I. My Alpha forbids all of this. She won’t even permit me to hang a wreath for luck and fertility. She even forbids me breeding.” Lilith’s tears flowed again.

La hugged her and comforted her until Lilith could regain control of her emotions. Then La turned to the bath awaiting them. She picked up a bottle of scented oil, smiled, and nodded her head toward the bath. Lilith smiled and took La’s hand in hers as they walked the few paces to the edge where a granite legged, cushioned, marble bench stood. La turned the Beta’s back to her and applied some of the oil to her own hands. She began rubbing it into Lilith’s shoulders and neck.

“Mmmm,,, That feels sooo amazing.”

“You have such lovely skin; such a beautiful texture. I love the way you feel.”

La’s hands roamed all over Lilith’s back. The intensity of their feelings and emotions was electric. La spent a bit more time on Lilith’s lower back, butt cheeks and thighs enjoying the manner in which her hands glided across the skin and muscles. As fragrant as the oil was, La couldn’t help but notice the aroma of Lilith’s excitement and she actually saw the moisture gather on her vaginal lips.

Now it was Lilith’s turn to minister to La’s back. As her hands began their sensual journey down La’s posterior, Lilith moaned softly in pleasure again.

“Dear Goddess! Your body is so…full and lush! You are so unlike most of us here. I simply adore the way you look and feel.”

La giggled. She had never seen herself as being physically different from most of the others in Eden until this trip. She had seen how fuller her body was than the other Betas. This became especially true when they went shopping for something to wear. But she never thought of it as being…sensual?

“Na-Lin seems to enjoy this type of body. At least I survived the less lush ones who preceded me.”

“Oh my Goddess! I heard about that. You really must be special.” La giggled again. Lilith finally finished her application of oil to La’s back. She took La around the waist with her arms and hugged her firmly as she rubbed her body against La’s oiled skin.

“I’m sorry but I couldn’t help myself.” Lilith giggled. She breathed in the scent of La’s arousal and she found the aroma to be intoxicating.

Both women hurriedly oiled their own fronts, and faces, and La steeped into the pool first after silently blessing the waters. She slowly sat on the stone ledge and let the water settle up over her shoulders to the middle of her neck. Lilith followed and, while accustoming herself to the warmth of the mineral and spiced bath, she poured them both a goblet of fruit juice to sip. Then she settled herself next to La.

Lilith took La’s hand in her own. The two Betas sat in a comfortable silence as they both stared at their locked fingers. La broke the silence.

“I find the contrast between our skin colors to be so…sensual and exciting.” Lilith nodded and smiled. ‘There was a time, an ancient time, when this would have not been so. It was during the time of the men.” La held their hands up out of the water as she spoke. “It was considered to be a forbidden thing to even touch the skin of one as darkly brown as you. I would have been considered to be unclean.”

“I have heard this whispered once before. It was a very dark time for us during the reign of the men. I was told that my facial features were considered…well…animal like.”

“Yes. And yet…nothing could be further from the truth. That your lips are fuller and your nose, smaller make you ideal for communing with other women.” La giggled. “Your Alpha is truly blessed with you for a mate.” Lilith’s face soured and her smile disappeared.

“My Alpha would only see me at her feet. She hasn’t much need for returning the favor. It’s as if I repulsed her.” Lilith let go of La’s hand and hid the tears flowing from her eyes. La took her in her arms and held her as she cried. “What have I done that is so wrong? Do I not appeal to her eye? Where have I sinned?” Lilith’s voice beseeched an answer.

La held her tighter with one arm and reached for a hand cloth with her other. She handed the cloth to Lilith who wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

“I am sooo very sorry. I don’t know where that came from. I don’t mean to burden you with my troubles.” She began to gain her composure a bit. La took Lilith’s chin in her hand and touched her lips to her fore head.

“This is our time…our time. What is said here is between us.” La smiled.

“Well I’m sure you have your own challenges being with a Gen-7. I mean they are known for being…difficult?”

“At first she was impossible. I thought she was going to kill me! But I chose her and I am a bit stubborn when I choose...a challenge.”

“Oh dear Mother.”

“But after a cycle or so she did become more…attentive? I made her a special meal. You know that Gen-7s are a bit different then the rest of us. So color, and aroma, rather than taste, is the big attractant. So I made her a colorful meal and not the usual ready meals that are supplied. She began to speak with me. One thing led to another and she invited me into her bed. But it took time and patience.”

“But I’ve heard that they are very aggressive and had these images…” Lilith was all eyes as she spoke.

“Of being taken?”

“Yes.”

“Not so.” La laughed. “Quite the oppose is true, at least with mine. She is almost timid! She startles at loud noises, bright lights, fast movements, and is suspicious of changes.”

“Well how is she…” Lilith quickly hunched her shoulders and rolled her eyes. “…you know.” She smiled.

La looked at her and giggled putting her hand over her mouth. Then she stopped giggling and looked at Lilith for only a moment. Then she burst into laughter. Lilith’s eyes and mouth opened wide as she watched La slowly glide toward hysterics.

“Oh my Goddess! Are you serious?” Lilith began to giggle. “She’s that good?”

“Communing with her is completely amazing; not that I have anything to compare it to. She completely wears me out. And she’s always ready. It’s sooo…amazing.”

“And I thought you were joking when I asked you how often and you answer ‘a day?’” La giggled. “Does she like to snuggle afterward?”

“Let me tell you…” La moved next to Lilith and took her hand. La was abeam with the thought of her Alpha and how tender she could be. She put her face close to Lilith as though the world might be listening. “One day she came home from…hunting and she couldn’t wait to undress. She shed her clothing at the door and came up to me. She swooped me up in her arms like a piece of cloth and directly dove for my…” La made a nod with her head and patted her vagina with her free hand.

“Oh dear Mother! She didn’t!” Lilith’s mouth, now covered with her hand, was as wide as her eyes.

“She did! I felt like a baby in her arms. She continued to…attend to me as she carried me to her big chair. She sat down and drove me crazy with her tongue. Oh dear Goddess! Even with me laughing and kicking my legs and fidgeting. Anyway…she finally exhausted me to such an extent that I feel asleep. She held me for nearly and hour. She didn’t move at all except to gently rub her head against mine.” Tears of joy began to well up in La’s eyes.

“Oh that is sooo…romantic…and loving.” A tear or two flowed down Lilith’s cheeks. She squeezed La’s hand as she wiped her tears with her other. “Maybe we’ve been together too long.” She looked down as she gently splashed the waters.

La got up from the water and sat on the tub’s edge with her feet hanging in. Lilith took La’s foot in her hand and began to massage some oil into it. She turned sideways and lifted her foot into La’s lap and La returned the pleasure.

“You have such delicate small feet. They’re so beautiful. Mine are such…paws…Like the tiger or the great bear…so wide. Hmmm… That feels so delicious.” La closed her eyes and relished the sensation of Lilith’s fingers working on her soles and heels.

“You are lucky.” Lilith sniffled. Changing the topic till she could control her emotions, Lilith said: “Your feet are fun to work on. They’re so very soft. Not like Sue’s.”

“Ah…if you want tough and hard, Na’s are incredible! She can walk on the ice in her bare feet! She would strip bare and go out on summer days when the wind was down and it was maybe twenty degrees below and walk around for a bit. That was before I removed all of her body hair.”

“You didn’t! She allowed you?”

“Yes. I wanted to feel her next to me, you know? And I told her that clothing in particular the silks she wore under her cloths would feel sooo wonderful. Anyway, she was becoming accustomed to my ways. She was beginning to open up to different things a bit.” La’s eyes brightened up and she became excited. “And her hair! I can’t believe she actually grew it out for me! I really didn’t care for the fuzz thing…not on her anyway.”
“Goddess! I thought she would be a horror to live with; the stories I’ve heard about her! I guess I really need to get to know her. Mmmm… That’s nice.”

La was working her way slowly up Lilith’s calves and Lilith, of course, was returning the favor. They both had their eyes closed and were savoring the sensations.

“Has she ever struck you?”

Na opened her eyes. She never expected that question. Violence against one another was nearly unheard of and terribly punished, if proved.

“Never. Goddess no. She might have felt like killing me on rare occasions.” La giggled. “But she’s never even come close to that sort of thing. It’s so odd though.”

“What’s that?” Lilith was listening with half an ear so given into the wonderful sensations that surrounded her.

“Well…” La paused and thought for a moment, her eyes gazing toward the ceiling. “Sometimes she sits and…I don’t know…stares at me? It’s not that she’s looking at me in any particular way. She simply sits and stares.”

“Well at least that’s some sort of attention.” There was a sarcastic edge to Lilith’s voice. She got up and out of the water to join La on the edge of the tub. “Turn around…” Lilith said as she took the bottle of scented oil and poured some in her hand. “Your skin is so dry. It’s soaking up the oil quickly.”

“Mmmm…” La let her head fall till her chin touched her chest. She swept her long locks over her shoulders to reveal her neck to Lilith who was now massaging the oil into it. “It must be the time in the cold and the closed climate quarters.”

“You’re young. You’ll recover quickly. How old are you anyway? I can never tell the age on the Gen-7s but they always appear to be older because of their life out in the wilderness.”

“This is my first year out of cryo. I guess I’m…twenty? Twenty one?”

“You’re a baby! My Goddess!” Lilith laughed nervously. “And your Alpha?”

“Na is forty or so. She doesn’t seem to keep track. It’s not important to her I guess.”

“My Gen is the same as hers…roughly…” With extra emphasis she added; “…and every minute counts with her.” But Lilith’s tone changed and she smiled as she spoke. “I’m thirty five years old and I think I’m starting to look it.” She hooked the heel of her foot over the top of La’s thigh as La laughed.

“If only I looked as good as you do when I’m your age.” La blushed. “I don’t think that came out the way I meant it to.” She giggled. “I mean you look gorgeous and I hope I’m as gorgeous some day.”

“Thank you for saying that.” La felt her kiss her softly on the nape of her neck. Lilith stopped massaging La’s back. La suddenly felt her hands quiver and then her body. She heard her softly crying. Almost plaintively she spoke…softly…between her tears. “Then why won’t she commune with me anymore.”

La was shocked at Lilith’s admission. She never expected to hear such intimacies coming from a woman she had only just met. But, after all, she hadn’t really met many women since she came out of cryo and her only other relationship has been with Na. La turned around to face Lilith. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she sat looking at her hands which were palms up with fingers spread wide.

“What’s wrong with me?” She looked up briefly as she spoke. “Am I too old? Am I not pretty enough? Is it my body? Am I boring? Maybe I don’t take good enough care of her? Why won’t she touch me? What have I done to deserve this!”

The poor Beta was becoming more and more out of control in her ramblings. It was as if a great dam had burst and everything came pouring out. La couldn’t quite grasp why she was chosen to be witness to this outburst and very emotional rant. All she could think to do was to embrace Lilith and hold her. Lilith continued to mumble softly into La’s ear as she continued to cry.

“She makes excuses. ‘I’m tired; Not right now; I’m to busy; Maybe later.’ She stays out late and leaves early. She gives me meaningless tasks that tire me out and keep me distracted. And if I dare to suggest that maybe we should…talk…or see a Sister…she…ignores me.”

Lilith stopped speaking for a moment and sought to catch her breath. La reached for a cloth and handed it to Lilith. She dried her eyes and blew her nose as she tried to gain control to herself. La continued to hold her and gently rock her as if she was a baby being rocked to sleep. She finally put the cloth down and put her arms around La. She then buried her face into La’s soft shoulder.

“I am so, so, sorry for burdening you with this. I have no one else to talk to. Sue chases everyone away. I have no friends and I feel so…alone. If Eve hadn’t asked her to allow me to take you around…” Lilith couldn’t finish her sentence. She simply clung to La and softly cried. “I’ve done everything she’s ever asked of me; no matter how trivial. I’ve even…debased myself for her. I fear she wants to have our binding undone. What will I do? I am so afraid of…of…”

“Shush. Just breathe.”

Lilith rested and continued to hold onto La. The two women rocked to and fro gently.

“I am so afraid of losing her and it’s not even my choice. I am so afraid of having to start over, especially at my age. And I so badly want to breed; to have little ones of my own. Who’s going to want to start a family with someone my age?”

“Listen, you can breed for many years yet.”

“Yes. But the new rules are that I must take in one of the ‘odd’ children for every one of my own. Sue says they are freaks and would have them…exiled…or worse. And Sue doesn’t want to breed with me. If she decides to unbind us, then I can’t breed as a single anyway. I can’t win no matter what happens. And what do I do with these…urges. Sometimes I feel like I’m going insane.”

Lilith blotted the odd tear but managed to stay reasonably composed. La could see that she was tired…exhausted really…emotionally drained. It was definitely time to leave the bath, shower and find a peaceful spot in the gardens above them. They washed the oils off of one another in a comforting silence.

La thought that the bath had done its job and cleansed the spirit of Lilith. All of her troubles were now out in the open and the repair, and healing could begin. As they were led out into the gardens by their assigned novice, La and Lilith held each other around their waists. Lilith’s head rested on La’s shoulder and La’s head upon that of Lilith.

---

They were shown to a quiet alcove constructed of bushes that bloomed with fragrant colorful flowers. The novice spread a cloth upon the grass and handed them each a cushion to rest upon. The common practice was to do so after the baths and they were also provided with cool fruit juices and bits of vegetables on thinly sliced bread. La reclined on her back looking up at the holographic image of a blue cloudless sky. Lilith hugged her cushion and rested on her front, gazing at a reed of grass she plucked from the ground.

“I cannot judge you or Sue…” La turned to face Lilith as she spoke. “…nor would I presume to. I can only tell you what I see and feel.” La reached out and stroke Lilith’s cheek gently with the back of her fingers. “I think you are perfect; simply perfect. I would hope to be like you some day. You are everything that ‘we’ should all be; beautiful, graceful, loving, and filled with temperance and creativity.”

Lilith reached for La’s hand and, after kissing it, held it firmly. She smiled briefly and held a cloth to catch a tear with her other hand.

“Has she ever struck you?” Lilith looked away as if ashamed and nodded her head.

“Three times recently…within the past two cycles. She was very sorry afterward. And it was always when I would start to argue with her.” Lilith quickly added emphatically; “It really wasn’t her fault. I provoked her. And she did have a bit of wine. She wasn’t herself.”

La looked into Lilith’s eyes and smiled sympathetically.

“I am sorry I must ask this. Do you think she’s communing with another?”

Lilith couldn’t even answer. She simply began to weep silently. La turned on her side and stroked Lilith’s long curly black hair.

“She doesn’t even bother to hide it anymore. She comes in, changes into something…well…you know. She even puts on color and scent. Then she leaves without a word.”

“I am sooo sorry.” A tear dropped down from La’s eye as she put her hand against Lilith’s cheek and stroked it.

“She usually, but not always, returns sometime in the morning when I’m asleep…finally asleep. She washes, changes into her uniform, and she leaves again…without a word.”

---

“Afternoon Delight”

La: I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I mean, it was obviously true for what else could cause such pain in one so…beautiful. I so wanted to help her; to make it all better, you know?

Lil: I had never met anyone as…empathetic? I mean she simply listened to every word I said as if I was telling her some great truth in life. And she’s so young! I felt like I was telling all of my innermost secrets to my confessor, or a peer, or someone with much greater experience in life.

La: I wanted to touch her. I wanted to put my hands on her face and suck all of that poison in her right out and into me. I wanted to be inside of her, you know? Like a spare soul that could make her life enjoyable instead of the hell she lived in now.

Lil: I couldn’t believe I did what I did! I craned my head over and kissed her…on the lips! It wasn’t one of those ‘hi dear’ kisses either. I mean I didn’t try and stick my tongue down her throat. But I did want to…feel her lips? I don’t know…

La: Then she kissed me! Oh my Goddess! Her lips…so full…so…fleshy? Her lips devoured mine! It was a magical thing. I could…taste her soul…and she could taste mine? My mind went blank. Such a simply thing totally wiped my mind blank.

Lil: It had to be the intimacy of what we were into. I mean…how intimate can you get? Talking about what does, and doesn’t, in my case, go on atop the bedding platform. I think I envied her love of her Alpha. No…I did envy her love, and lust. I mean she was communing like there was no tomorrow and I had to be satisfied with myself?! I mean I got sooo swampy simply looking at her and speaking with her.

La: She is such an exquisite creature. All the women here are gorgeous but there was something very special about Lilith…Lil. Her touch was sooo heated…and I could feel all of the passion within her with that first kiss. Oh my Goddess! When she kissed me a second time I melted. I took her into my arms and pulled her nearly on top of me. It was like I had no choice.

Lil: When she pulled me over and onto her, I could feel her plushness; her lushness; her fullness. Damned her! I mean you could smell the fertility in that full body of hers. Small wonder that the Alpha was so attracted to her; she’s like the ultimate female figure! I pulled aside her gown and cupped that full ripe breast in my hand. My Goddess! Her nipple was like a babe’s finger; erect and aroused and unable to betray the passion within her.

La: She was sooo amazing! She took my nipple into her mouth and began to gently suckle as though there was anything it could return for her effort. I felt my head begin to spin as the sensation went directly down through my belly and into my vagina. I think I wet myself almost instantly! I was sooo excited by all of that energy that pasted back and forth between us.

Lil: And then when she began to gather my gown up and over my butt, things really got out of control. I mean…she gently traced her fingers between the cheeks of my butt and down toward my vagina. I swear I came right then and there. I was sooo wet that I could feel my fluid being forced out with the spasming of my vagina. And then she rolls me over and loosens the top of my gown!

La: I could smell the essence of her sex. Dear Goddess it was so fragrant and aromatic. I had to taste her! I rolled over and undid the tie to her gown. The hem was up around her waste anyway but I wanted to suck her nipples in my mouth. I wanted her to explode with joy and ecstasy. I reached down and…oh my Goddess…she was sooo wet. I put two finger up into her and it was like putting them into soft warmed butter. She quivered and moaned and arched her back so sharply that I thought it would snap!

Lil: Her fingers entered me and I felt like I was struck by a bolt of lightening! Again I came with force that I hadn’t felt in too many moon cycles! I hadn’t come like that in a year of moon cycles! Then her full thick fingers went directly to that special spot and tapped it repeatedly. Each tap drew a groan and a quake and a flow of fluid from me. The saving grace was that I was groaning into her mouth because it covered my own.

La: Her taste was every bit as luscious as I imagined. I put my dripping fingers into my mouth and savored her flavor. Her taste was milder than what I was accustomed to and wetter…more liquid. I reached into her again and began to thrust and withdraw quickly. I could feel her muscles spasm and grip my fingers. She wasn’t nearly as powerful as Na but I could still definitely feel her strength.

Lil: That Beta kept me coming time and time again. It had been so long for me…the contact, the touch…that I was coming on top of coming. I had forgotten how good the touch of another woman could be. I didn’t want it to ever end. When she took her fingers out of me the second time, I grasped her hand and tasted myself on her. My own aroma over powered me as I kissed her lips again and licked the inside of her mouth. I couldn’t get enough of her.

La: She finally held my hand still with my fingers in her vagina curled up on her spot. I felt her clitoris finally shrank down, exhausted from the mauling I subjected it to. Lilith looked up at me through heavily lidded eyes and smiled. She was still breathing rapidly as her body slowed from its frantic pace. I cradled her and pulled her gently back over me, her head resting in the hollow of my arm. She closed her eyes and slept. Oh my Goddess! Have I just communed with another woman?

The novice poked her head around the corner of the bushes and, seeing the two women intertwined and resting, blushed and giggled softly. La looked over at her and smiled. The novice disappeared but soon returned with a basin of herbal scented water and two hand clothes. She placed them down on the edge of the cloth, smiled, and withdrew again.

La had a lot on her mind as she lay with Lilith in her arms, the least of which being her own unfulfilled desire. She didn’t want Lilith to tend to that but she did desperately want her Alpha. What would she tell Na? Would she even tell her? And what about Lilith? Would she expect…more? She really liked the older woman and desired her friendship, but La already had more lover than even she could handle in her Na.

“You can’t go back to Sue.”

“What can I do but go back? Anyway, why should I be the one to leave? Am I the guilty one here?”

The two women sat at the table in a shop having a juice and some fresh cookies. The more they spoke, the more complicated the situation became. Lilith, restored as a woman by their sexual contact, suddenly felt somewhat empowered. She was still attractive and her feminine attributes intact and once again active.

“We need to seek counsel. I believe that you should be unbound from Sue and you should do the unbinding. Don’t wait for her to act. It is not in her interest at the moment, but it truly is in yours.”

“Maybe…I still have feelings for her though.” Lilith stared down at her cup.

“Nobody said you shouldn’t. But it’s not a question of feelings. It is a question of your wants and your desires…and your future.” Lilith nodded.

La retrieved her plexicon from her bag and began to type in a message. It took mere moments and when she was finished, she touched the transmit icon and looked back up at Lilith. La smiled at her companion and held her hand.

“We will start right now. So much can be settled within this day. You’ll see. I’m sure this won’t be easy for you, but in short time I promise you that happiness, or at least freedom, will be yours.”

---

Eve heard the tone of her plexicon and briefly gazed at it. She stood up and all around the table stood.

“I have something to attend to and…” She looked up and around the table, smiling. “…another meeting shortly in my labs. I wish to thank you all for your attention to this matter and Na-Lin will keep me advised.”

Eve turned and kissed Na-Lin on the cheek and proceeded down the table doing the same to all there. The Gen-7s were somewhat shocked at this form of familiarity. Na chuckled to herself as she noted their surprised expressions.

Once into the hall and amongst her escort of Sisters, Eve spoke into her communicating headpiece discreetly tucked into her ear.

“Mother Andrea please.” Eve began to walk toward her transport to the laboratories deep within the granite walls of the city. “Drea, darling. Yes, I slept quite well thank you.” Eve beamed and chuckled. “I have a very delicate matter that needs your attention. I would deal with it myself only time is of the essence and I have so very little of that today. You can? Oh you are such an angel. Yes, I will see you and Tracey later. Peace to you as well dear.”

More Ice Tiger Soon...

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“…a perfect image of a priest(ess)…”

Mother Superior, and High Priestess, Andrea Lena sat hunched over her desk with one hand pointing to a line of verse on a rather large plexicon and the other copiously writing notes on paper. She realized that nobody wrote with pen and paper anymore, indeed few wrote at all. But this exercise assisted her in remembering specific facts and passages for an opportune time.

She didn’t look up when the soft knocking on her door occurred nor did she remark to enter or not. Her clerics knew that silence was an indication of assent. The door slowly swung open and the Mother Superior Mary from the baths escorted La and Lilith into the vast room. They walked up to the desk and stood silently while Mother Andrea made a final note.

“Thank you Mother Mary. Would you be kind enough to wait in the outer office?” Mother Andrea looked up and smiled at the trio. Mother Mary nodded and withdrew with a graceful gliding motion.

As Mother Andra stood and walked around her desk, La realized that she was one of the two who accompanied Eve the prior evening for dinner. La hadn’t taken notice of how tall and imposing a figure she was. Her face bore no color other than that which she was created with and she wore a full length habit, hood, and vestment this day. She had deep brown eyes and her facial features silently spoke of great inner strength and faith.

Mother Andrea motioned the women over to a small seating area by the large bay windows over looking the Temple gardens on the top floor of the tower. She sat facing La and Lilith and smiled. She looked at La and spoke.

“So…this is your first day in Eden and already you are moving in the highest of circles.” La looked at her hands and blushed. Mother Andrea chuckled. “Whatever will you be doing tomorrow I wonder. So what brings you two here.” She spread her arms in a welcoming motion.

The ladies looked at one another trying to decide who would begin with barely noticeable facial expressions and eye motions. La decided to start.

“This is Lilith…”

“I know who she is…and I certainly know who you are. So let’s dispense with the niceties and get on with it, shall we?”

The two ladies both looked down and blushed at the Mother’s bluntness. Again La spoke.

“Lilith has a…problem with her Alpha and their relationship. She needs help.”

Mother Andrea placed her fingers together in ‘praying’ style and cast her gaze over to Lilith.

“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on. An abbreviated version will do.” Mother Andrea smiled sympathetically.

Lilith looked at La and reached out to hold her hand, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Mother Andrea. She began to tell what had been happening over the past several months with La chiming in every so often.

Mother Andrea’s face began to redden from its normally ashen pallor. Of course Lilith broke down into tears during her recitation and La handed her a face wipe from her shoulder bag. When she told of being struck by Sue on several occasions, Mother Andrea’s lips drew tightly enough against her teeth to turn white and her palm struck the table top.

At this point she got up from her chair and walked over to a wooden cabinet. She opened the carved doors and placed three goblets and a craythur on the pull out leaf. She poured a bit into the three goblets and carried them back to the table. Mother Andrea handed one to each of the women.

“This has a luscious bouquet and a marvelous nutty taste.”

“Will it help?” Lilith sniffled between tears as she grasped the goblet.

“Well…if you have enough you might believe you truly see sun light through these windows, but otherwise, sadly, no.” Mother Andrea chucked and smiled. She inhaled the wonderful aroma and took a sip.

La looked at Lilith, who returned her look of surprise. This was not wasted on Mother Andrea.

“What? You were expecting a saint? Nobody is without sin or some lack of temperance. The only difference is that I attempt to be a little bit more saintly day by day. A good deed here, a kind act there; they all add up to make us a bit more saintly. And YOU…” She pointed at Lilith quite boldly. “…are my good deed and kind act of the day.”

“What will I do?” Lilith asked once she had control of her emotions.

“This is really good. What is it?” La’s face began to flush from the alcohol in the drink.

“I couldn’t tell you. Would you believe that the insubordinate little snips refuse to tell even Mother Eve what is in it or how they make it. The sisters brew this golden measure way back in the crevasse and only those involved know where.”

Mother Andrea took another sip and placed the goblet down as she sat once again.

“Yes…well…it seems to be a rather clear cut case of abandonment at the least. The unbinding should be no problem. As I recall, your Alpha rarely steps into the Temple anyway; am I correct?”

“Yes, that is true. I was always coming by myself…until I stopped.” Lilith blushed and lowered her head.

“There is also a clear cut case for exiling her. We do not tolerate this type of violent abuse between bound couples.”

“You can’t do that! That’s not why I came!”

“This is not a confessional. You should know that. What she did cannot go unpunished. It’s not two Alphas or two Betas scrapping over a mate. And it certainly isn’t a rare blow because of emotions or opinions. This is a sickness, a defect of personality, or even worse, a premeditated act of disaffection.” Mother Andrea was quite animated as she spoke and she steely gaze let the women know that something would have to be done.

“But…but…” Lilith sputtered.

“Yes, I know, you still have feelings for her. You may even still feel you love her though you couldn’t give me one good reason why. Do you know why we are so stringent about this violence thing?”

Lilith knew but La was unaware.

“Before the great freeze, there was a time of true darkness for us. The older faiths waned and finally fell to the new faiths of intolerance. These faiths were a great perversion and a curse to womankind. We had to hide behind veils and cover our bodies and heads. We couldn’t voice opinions or direct our own lives. We were beaten and whipped for speaking our minds. Those who chose to do other than what the men in their families desired were stoned to death, beheaded, whipped, or, like our Savior, crucified.”

The two women could see the anger rise in Mother Andrea as she spoke. She incessantly struck the table top with her index finger to emphasize a particular point.

“Their God was a male God and their God’s image was that of a man. Their priests were male and all of their law makers were men. Our only place in that life was to sit, fetch, and roll over like our own trained dogs!”

Mother Andrea stood suddenly and began to pace as she spoke.

“We were beaten, raped, and brutalized without any reason. The men doing the beating, raping, and brutalizing simply desired to do so and their laws, even their religious laws, were on their side. Our bodies and souls were no longer our own. When we finally rose with our Savior on that third day, we swore that never again would any woman be subjected to that kind of violence by anyone. I repeat…ANYONE!!! Now we have OUR laws and OUR faith to protect us!”

The two Betas sat in awe of Mother Andrea’s passionate and heart felt elocution. Her eyes were full of the fire of righteousness and the veins in her temples stood out. They knew that she would do whatever it took to see this wrong righted. She got up from her chair once again to fetch the craythur and she poured them all a bit more of the golden liquid before sitting again.

“You must forgive me. I get a bit carried away when I think of the passion of our Savior and the events leading up to it. Now…” Mother Andrea turned toward Lilith as she spoke. “…here is what we’ll do. I will send a team to help you move your things today. Right now in fact. You will stay here with us and under our protection.” Mother Andrea turned toward the huge double doors of her office and bellowed; “Mother Mary!”

Mother Mary entered the room and gracefully walked across the office and stood before the three seated women. Mother Andrea nodded her head toward to craythur. Mother Mary smiled and got a goblet for herself. She sat down and poured herself a bit of the golden liquid and took a sip.

“Mary dear, we need to move Lilith discreetly out of her quarters and back here as soon as possible.”

Lilith and La were taken aback at the speed at which Mother Andrea wanted things done. Lilith thought that perhaps she would have a day or two to ready herself. Mother Mary smiled and nodded.

“I can have a crew and a shuttle docked at her balcony within an hour. Nobody will take notice and with no movement through the hall way, things will present themselves as normal.”

“An excellent idea.” Turning toward Lilith, Mother Andrea spoke. “Take only that which is yours. You will live here under our protection and Mother Mary will make sure you have everything you need.”

“But I was hoping to…” Mother Andrea held up her hand to stop her.

“There are no buts.” She was quite firm. “This is not exactly a common and ordinary unbinding. You are with a Director and she will not be happy with you leaving. No indeed; she will not be happy at all. Though this may be what she wanted, I am sure Sue would want it at her time and convenience. But the threat of physical violence is too great to allow this to continue.”

“Can La come with me?”

Mother Andrea looked at the two friends sitting, holding hands, and pursed her lips in thought.

“No. And I don’t want you out together unaccompanied until this thing is over and done with. In fact…” Mother Andrea turned to Mother Mary. “…I don’t want Lilith out alone at any time.” Lilith looked at Mother Andrea with a shocked expression on her face. Mother Andrea smiled and was sympathetic. “Look dear, we simply want to be careful and we certainly don’t want to take chances with your well being. This is only till things are finalized and you have a place of your own. Then, if you wish, we will cease being a nuisance to you.”

“We’d best be going.” Mother Mary finished her drink and stood.

The other three women stood and La and Lilith said their good byes. Lilith thanked Mother Andrea for her help and left with Mother Mary. As La turned to say her thanks, Mother Andrea sat back in her chair.

“I think they would make a lovely couple, don’t you?” Mother Andrea giggled. “Now, you and I need to speak. Should I consider this a confession?” There was a sly look upon her face. “Or shall we call this a simple lesson in life?”

La sat back down and blushed. She knew what Mother Andrea was speaking of.

“A confession?” It was more of a statement than a question really. “I am a bit confused by this all.”

“No doubt my dear, no doubt at all. This is a confusing time we live in so why should your life be anything less.” Eve chuckled at the look of perplexity on La’s face. “After all, you’ve been in the real world for about…one (lunar) year? And most of that time was spent in the wilderness with your Alpha. Is that correct?”

Mother Andrea knew it was but she wanted La to acknowledge the fact. She nodded her assent.

“Good. There are no laws up top. That is the land of your Alpha and her only law is to survive. In those terms she is a very, very law abiding citizen. But down here where we mere mortals live, there are rules and laws and customs and even traditions. You are only vaguely familiar with some of them. You communed with Lilith, didn’t you?”

La looked down at her hands and blushed.

“Well it wasn’t that hard to tell. I mean if she could sit in your lap she would have; the way you two were looking at one another…and that hand holding business. How do you feel about that?”

La looked up at Mother Andrea with a confused expression on her face. She thought about what she felt and how she felt.

“I love her? And I feel for her. But it’s not the same as with Na. I mean, I really didn’t commune with her as much as she with me? And I feel…I feel…” La was having trouble finding the proper word. “…I feel…guilty? I mean… maybe I shouldn’t have done it?”

Mother Andrea looked at her coyly and smiled. ‘A true empath’, she thought.

”Look dear child, you cannot help but feel for the people you meet. That’s part of who you are. That’s the way you were made. The guilt comes from the little extra personal touch you gave that poor woman. She was so totally starved for affection and attention and then along comes naíve La.” Andrea spread open her arms, hands palms up. “You tell her everything she wants to hear; everything she needs to hear, and she feels she needs to touch and hold you; to feel your soul touch her own through your body.”

“So why do I feel so badly about…you know…the touching?”

“You have bonded spiritually with another; one of your choosing; one who you had to work very hard to get close to. You put a lot of effort and thought and work into that relationship, right?”

“Yes, I really did.” La’s voice was earnest. “I really wanted it to work, you know? She’s very special…special to me.”

“And this Lilith isn’t. She’s simply a woman with special needs at the moment. You feel bad because you reserve your touch, your love, you soul for your special mate and you shared some of that with a woman who isn’t quite as special…to you. You feel that you are deceiving your Alpha with this little bit of…body play with another.”

La nodded.

“And you feel like you need to tell Na-Gen of what happened and why.”

La nodded again.

“And you will feel better for doing so, right?”

La again nodded her agreement.

“But for who will you feel better; yourself or your mate? Isn’t it really a selfish motive? Think about how you would feel if Na came to you and said that she communed with…Sue…or better yet…Eve? How would you feel?”

“I think I would feel…hurt…and maybe angry.” La looked down at her hands and realized that maybe Mother Andrea had a point after all.

“Angry…hurt…an interesting choice of emotions for sure. Just image how it would be should you already be bound; the oaths taken and the vows said; the knot tying you both together already made. How would you feel then?”

A tear fell from La’s eye as she thought about what Mother Andrea was saying.

”Am I making you feel even more guilty?” La nodded her head as more tears fell. “Good!!! That was my intent. You come from a very lone place to one filled with millions of souls. You are empathic; you feel the pain of others. You can’t simply go and commune freely and without thought to your acts, and the consequences of your acts. Suppose that Beta thinks that you now love her and want to be with her when the truth is quite different?”

La looked up at Mother Andrea and nodded her head.

“There really is nobody to stop you from doing whatever you please. But you’ll find that word travels quickly here and in no time at all you might find yourself isolated from everybody around you simply because you have no self control. You have a great gift but with that gift comes a great responsibility. You can heal but you must be so very careful how you choose to do so.”

“I still feel the need to confess to Na about this.”

“You must certainly follow your conscience. I doubt she will understand how you feel though. What would you tell her to explain yourself?” Mother Andrea poured another wee bit of the golden liquid into their goblets. “How will you make her understand? Now remember, you need use references she will understand.” Mother Andrea took a sip of the savory drink as did La.

“I suppose I would tell her the truth…literally. I felt this need in her and was overwhelmed to fulfill it. I don’t think I will mention with who it was. I don’t really think that is important. The fault was with me, not with Lilith. I am the one who should have known better. I will also tell her that I really didn’t commune with her as much as she with me.”

“Well, you certainly are on the right track. It will be important for you to reaffirm your love of her. As long as you remember that the temptation here will be so very great, and appealing, you’ll be fine. You must always focus on the one you truly do love. I sense that one day women will line up simply to have a word or two with you and be blessed by a word or two in return. Those words will mean little unless you can lead the way by example. They will do as you do, and as you say ONLY if it is the same as you do.”

La nodded and smiled. Mother Andrea got up from her seat and reached out for La. She took La’s face gently within her hands and bent to kiss her on the fore head. She then bent at the knees to hug her and put her cheek against La’s.

“I heard that you held a Mass for the Eucharist and recited it perfectly.”

La nodded her head.

“You shall be a great gift to us all.” She kissed the side of La’s head and stood up. “Now it is time for you to return to the world outside these walls.”

“May I come and visit Lilith?”

“Yes. But remain within these walls when you do so. I really don’t have the women to spare to follow you two around and this business shall be done soon enough. Simply remember who you are and who you truly commune with and you will be fine.”

“Will you exile Sue?”

Mother Andrea looked at the Beta and took a deep breath.

“I will speak to Eve before I do anything and you will not mention a word to anyone about the goings on today. Do you understand?”

La saw the seriousness in Mother Andrea’s eyes and nodded her head. Mother Andrea escorted La through the massive double doors of her office and into the presence of her secretary, who stood when the two women entered the outer office.

“Sister DeeCee…this is La-Gen. She will be visiting us from time to time. Please let me know immediately when she does come. And would you please be so kind as to escort her down to the Basilica.”

Mother Andrea turned and once again hugged and kissed the Beta before returning to her office. With a smile Sister DeeCee took La’s hand and led her out. Mother Andrea went to her desk and addressed a message to Eve; ‘Keep Sue busy.’

Na had about enough of the meeting as she could handle. She was unaccustomed to working with others; especially other Gen-7s. The meeting reached a point of consensus and then broke down somewhat into a chance to catch up on whatever news they could glom from any source.

Of course the freshest topic was the thick hair atop Na’s head. They all had to touch it and feel it. She allowed them that much. After all, the others hadn’t been to Eden in quite some time. Na even rolled up the sleeves of her tunic to show them her hair denuded arms.

“Listen up!” Na spoke as she got up. “A few last words before we adjourn. You all know your assignments. All reports through me only. I will forward what is needed to Commander Sue. And another thing…” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Try and fit in. After working hours wear regular clothing. If you wish you may grow your hair, or remove it as you may choose. They are frightened enough of us as is…so do try and fit in while you are here. You are dismissed for the day.”

As they slowly filed out and spoke to one another, one of them lagged behind a bit. It was one of the newer Gens; Beth-Wan.

“I’ve heard they captured an ice tiger…a big one.” Na looked up at her in surprise. “That’s why we are three short. The tiger got them.”

“Who told you this?” Na kept calm whilst inside she was screaming in excitement. Beth looked around as if to see whether anyone else could hear.

“When we came in this morning, I overheard two of the flight deck workers speaking about it. I pulled one of them aside…” Beth grinned and giggled. “…and I asked her again very discreetly about it.”

“That is interesting information. Who else knows of this?”

“I don’t know. The flight deck crew was very reluctant to tell me anything…at first. I think the others knew but were keeping quiet.”

“Good.” Na smiled and looked into Beth’s eyes. “Let’s keep this between us for now.”

Na finally stepped of the transporter onto her floor. The security people saluted her and she returned their salute as she walked silently past. She was tired. ‘This meeting business was more tiring then the hunt’ she though as she walked to the doors of her quarters.

Na stepped inside the doors and immediately saw La asleep on the lounger. She was curled up and covered completely with a blanket. Na smiled and thought she was not the only one to find this kind of life tiring. She removed her tunic and silks and dropped them as she silently approached her sleeping Beta. Na stopped less then a meter from the lounger and discarded her boots, pants, and silk bottoms in a pile.

Na stood and watched her covered Beta and smiled again. She watched as the blanket covering her rose and fell with her gentle breathing. Na kneeled down at La’s covered head and brought her face to within inches of La’s. That’s when she smelled an aroma of incredible delight.

Na, trying not to disturb the sleeping Beta, carefully pulled the blanket down and off of her face. La opened one eye, smiled, and giggled. She threw her arms around Na’s neck and spoke.

“I’m tipsy!”

“What?”

La laughed and kissed Na all about her face. Na chuckled and lifted the Beta up into her arms. She turned toward the steps and carried her up to their bedding room. Na gently placed La upon their platform and then laid down next to her. Na licked La’s lips to try and discover what mysterious flavor came with such an amazing aroma. She had no success.

“I love you.” La said as she closed her eyes. Na smiled and laid silently behind her.

More Ice Tiger soon:

---

Along with continuing thank yous and blessings to Drea and her extraordinarily talented staff, I wish to express my deepest thanks to Khadijah for reviewing this part and making very constructive and informative comments to add to the theme of this tale. May one thousand blessing be hers and may she know only peace. This part of my tale is dedicated to her.

---

“…a veiled threat…”

”She’s staring at me.”

“She’s sitting opposite of you. You’re right in front of her.”

“But why is she staring at me?”

“Why don’t you ask her?”

“Why are you staring at me?”

“I like your…” Na made a motion across her face with her hand. “…thing.”

“It’s called a veil.” Eve smiled at Na who had a puzzled look on her face. “It is worn as a sign of modesty by women of her faith.”

“Modesty?”

“Yes…when there were men.”

“Oh.” Na turned from Eve to stare at Khadijah again. “It’s very…interesting.”

---

The morning had been quite an interesting one for Na. She needed to wake La from a very deep sleep. When La did finally awaken enough to lift her head, she groaned and put it back down in pain. She had never felt such a pain before or such sickness in her stomach. Na brought her goblet after goblet of water. La was so thirsty and it took four goblets to slake her thirst.

When she was finally able to sit up on their bedding platform, she told Na about the goings on the day before from the meeting with Mother Andrea. Na was quite interested to hear about Lilith’s departure from the commander’s residence as well as the several goblets of the wonderful liquid that left such a noxious after effect. After Na was assured that her Beta would be fine, they kissed and Na was off for her first meeting of the day with Eve. La didn’t mention Lilith’s communing with her.

To start the day, she and Eve had a meeting with Commander Sue-Chou, who appeared to be very tired and a bit out of sorts. Na contained herself as she eyed the Commander’s less than rested appearance. Sue’s day seemed to worsen by the moment as she was briefed on the rough plan for the planetary defense.

Sue was first informed of the pre-emptive invasion of the men’s planet and of the ground level defense of their own world.

“I don’t have the women do to both.” Sue exclaimed in a vigorous voice.

“I have the warriors for the invasion.” Na smiled as she revealed this falsehood to the shocked commander. “Right now there are twelve thousand Gen-7s in cryo-stasis who can be revived in one week.” Eve, unaware that Na was going to tell this lie kept a straight face and simply nodded as if in agreement.

“But shouldn’t my people protect the lower levels where the technology centers are? Isn’t that of utmost importance?” She was almost pleading to have her women in the least effective defensive position.

This came as no surprise to either Eve or Na. Indeed they expected an even more vigorous display from her. Eve had to chuckle to herself as she thought of how bad a morning the commander was having. First to find her Beta gone and now to find her apparent allies threatened.

“Your people will defend the outer perimeters around each city from attack. We have other plans for inner city defenses.” Na gazed directly into the Commander’s eyes. She was looking for Sue to become even more distraught.

“But who will defend the interior areas?” Sue indeed was becoming more distraught. “Who else is left? If they get past my women, the cities are theirs!”

“I am in the process of organizing another force within the cities that will be quite able and willing to stand fast against any threat.” Na smiled her half smile. She was enjoying this little drama being played out at the Commander’s expense.

‘Oh dear Goddess! She’s gone too far!’ Eve kept her composure but just barely. She was only nominally aware of what her Gen-7 had in mind but it was nothing like this!

When Sue asked for a plan and tentative time schedule, Na assured her that it was in the making and the time frame would be forth coming. The redness of Sue’s eyes was indicative of little sleep the previous night and certainly there would be little sleep in the nights to come.

Finally Eve got up from her seat indicating that the meeting was over. The moment Sue left the room, Eve turned to Na.

“What has gotten into you? The invasion was story enough but did you need to add to it? How are we going to…explain this with any shred of reality?”

Na laughed and shook her head whilst eyeing Eve.

“If we need to explain anything, then we will tell her the Sisters of Salvation will constitute our in city defense force. Anyway…” Na spoke as she looked down at the image her plexicon relayed to her. “…none of this need happen at all.”

Now Eve was even more stunned. ‘None of this need happen’? She stared at Na with her mouth agape.

“It is obvious to me what they want. They need women; fresh blood. That we don’t dispute. The question really is why.”

Eve continued to stare at her Gen-7 in wonder. ‘Why indeed’ she thought.

***

Khadijah shifted her glance between Eve and Na. Though her facial features were hidden behind the veil she wore, one could see that she was far from happy. She looked at Eve.

“How could you create such a creature as this…this…this…” She gestured with her palms up and fingers pointed toward Na.

“Woman?” Eve offered the word hoping to get to the point of the meeting.

“…woman. Thank you.” Turning her gaze toward Na, Khadijah continued. “She had only one purpose; to kill! Isn’t that why you put her in the wilderness? Because you feared what she could do here? And now you’ve brought this…woman into the very heart of our people. What are you thinking Eve!”

Eve turned to Na.

“This is the third vote against us. Khadijah came and told me of her vote…” Eve turned to Khadijah. “…and I thought it only fair that she be heard. Her voice is not of logic or sense. Her voice is of emotion. Her emotion is of love…and of peace.”

Na looked back at Khadijah. Her hand slowly reached out toward Khadijah’s face. Fearing the worst, she began to back her chair away from the table separating them. Eve reached over and placed her hand on Khadijah’s. Eve smiled and nodded letting her know she was safe. Na arose and leaned across the table and, with her finger tips, touched the fabric of the veil. She frowned in disappointment and turned to look at Eve.

“I can’t feel it. It looks so…soft.”

“Oh for God’s sake!” Khadijah rolled her eyes and exhaled abruptly. She took off her head piece to which the veil was attached and handed it to Na. As she did so Na quickly grasped her wrist firmly, but gently. Na then leaned forward again and inhaled the scent of Khadijah’s skin. “She’s not hungry yet, is she?” There was an edge of nervousness in her voice. Eve laughed and her eyes sparkled with delight.

“We all have our ways of getting to know one another and this simply is one of Na’s.” Eve turned to Na who was now rubbing the veil against her face. “Well dear child, what do you think?”

“I like the way it feels but I still don’t understand why she hides her beauty. And her skin is so…wonderful. It looks like…chocolate; the dark kind?”

Eve chuckled at Na’s almost child like observations. “Does that sound like a threat to you? I think she may even like you.”

“Humph! Well she would be one of the few! And she does lie so convincingly.” Khadijah smiled.

“Don’t be silly. We wouldn’t be having this little meeting if I didn’t think your opinion was important.”

“My opinion? Or my vote.”

“Both…I would rather have both. But since nobody can influence your vote…your opinion will do.”

“You have a strange name…Khadijah.”

“It was the name of one of the wives of the Prophet of Allah…”

“Subhanna Wa La Ta Allah!” Eve and Na stared at Khadijah, who had her hands clasped and lifted her head upward.

“…She was known for her charity and her modesty.”

“Allah?” Na turned to Eve.

“Subhanna Wa La Ta Allah!” Khadijah repeated her mantra.

“Will you do that each time we mention Allah?” Na was merely curious.

“Subhanna Wa La Ta Allah! Yes! When the name of our deity is spoken, we must honor it. What I said is ‘He’ is glorious and exalted’.”

Eve took a moment to think of the simplest way to explain this to a woman designed and groomed to destroy men and anything relating to them.

“A man named Mohammed lived thousands of years ago. He had a revelation from…a divine being and began to spread this faith amongst the people of his land.”

Na was enraptured by Eve’s relating this story to her. She even attempted to put on the head piece and the veil as Eve spoke.

“It’s too small for you.”

“Yes…so many things are.” There was an edge of sadness in her voice as she spoke to Khadijah. Na looked at Eve. “This faith…it is not your faith.”

“No. I have chosen another way to exhibit my faith.”

“She is not a Sister of Salvation, or the Savior? After all…her deity is a man?”

There was a tense moment between Khadijah and Eve as Na asked her simple question.
It was Khadijah who chose to answer.

“In my faith there are many prophets, or saviors. I consider the sacrifice of our Sister Josie to be an ultimate one. The very reason I can be free to choose my faith is because of her sacrifice. I choose to join hands with all my sisters…including Eve…” Eve chuckled as she smiled openly at Khadijah and Na. “…though my faith is a bit different. Do you understand?”

Na nodded as she took off the headpiece and handed it back to Khadijah. Na then interlaced her fingers and leaned forward in her chair to intently stare into Khadijah’s golden brown eyes.

“So what do you want of me?”

Khadijah did not expect such directness from Na. Eve laughed because she knew that Khadijah was about to meet another side of her Gen-7; the side with merely a ‘pinch’ of Eve’s proteins. She leaned forward as well and mimicked Na’s posture; sans the headpiece and its veil. Staring right back into Na’s eyes, Khadijah spoke.

“There can be no blood here. None at all. None in the cities and none on the surface. We have had too much of a history filled with blood, mostly ours.”

“It will be a difficult thing to do, especially if they are looking for our blood.”

“Yes…I am so conflicted about all of this. I mean do we defend ourselves and shed their blood or do we go for the martyrdom and die heroes?”

Eve decided to add a few thoughts.

“We are all conflicted over this thing Khadijah. And if not this, something else. We are a mass of conflicts. That’s what makes us so…interesting and wonderful.”

“Eve…you of all people should be the most set against this violence. Why are you even considering it?”

“Because…” Eve leaned in toward Khadijah and took her hand as a tear welled up in her eye. “…some man once said that the price of freedom is blood and our freedom is the most important thing. Our freedom is truly our faith. What happens to Khadijah if they come and win? Does Khadijah remain free to believe as she wants? Does she remain free to speak her mind? I know this is difficult and as much as I need someone like you to do just that, I need someone like Na to do what she does.”

Khadijah picked up Eve’s hand and kissed it. She patted it lightly.

“You know I do love you Eve.”
Eve smiled and nodded. “And I love you too.”

“So Gen-7…”

“Gen-7.9 to be exact dear.” Khadijah smiled and bowed her head at Eve.

“Excuse me…Gen-7.9, what do you have to say? Can we win a great victory without shedding any blood?”

“Win a victory… Hmmm… Nobody wins a war. We can only plan not to lose one. If there is any chance of not losing without shedding blood, then that is the path we will take. And there is always a chance that path may be open to us.” Na smiled innocently and extended her hand across the table toward Khadijah.

Khadijah got up from her seat and walked around behind Eve to where Na sat. She embraced Na who was quite taken by surprise. She arose from her chair and returned the embrace. Eve sat and smiled.

---

“She is a most interesting woman.”

“Yes.” Eve said as they walked out of the meeting room. “She drives me to distraction but her intentions are always good though her motives are sometimes clouded.”

“So when can I see the cat?”

Eve stopped dead in her footsteps. Her expression soured as though she had tasted something a bit rum. She looked up at Na who was smiling her half smile; that mischievous grin of being one up on someone.

“So you’ve heard.” Eve said in a defeated tone. Na simply smiled and said nothing. “That…cat as you put it…cost the lives of three Gen-7s. I didn’t have it taken so that you could kill it.”

“I only want to see it. That is all. I have no desire to kill something someone else has already taken.”

They continued walking toward the transport point, Na slightly behind Eve. Though Eve believed Na and always took her at her word, there was something a bit wild and unpredictable about her. Something that Eve was directly responsible for and could not ever fail to forget. Looking up at her Gen-7 and smiling, Eve though to herself; ‘She may be trained, but she is definitely not tamed.’

“Yes…of course. How about now?”

“The Ice Tiger”

Their shuttle had risen up past the top level of the city. The iced walls of the crevasse glistened like liquid diamonds as the sun’s bright light struck them. When they had risen nearly one hundred and fifty feet from the surface, the shuttle put into a docking bay cut into the wall.

While the surface temperature never seemed to rise above negative sixty degrees Celsius, the interior registered negative ten degrees once through the pressure doors. Eve and Na walked swiftly to the door that led to the heated control room where three Gen-5.7s monitored the animal and its contained environment.

“I don’t see it.” Eve pressed her nose to the plexicon shield that separated the control room from the tiger’s environment room.

“I do.” Na seemed to stare out at the icy room with mounds rising from the surface and huge icicles hangs from the ceiling. “Can I get in there?”

The attending observers looked to Eve who in turn was staring in surprise at Na.

“Why do you want to go closer? We’re comfortable in here.”

Na shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t know…I need to…get closer.”

“You remember your promise.”

“I don’t want to kill him…”

“How do you know it’s a male?” Eve was genuinely surprised. Na looked directly into Eve’s eyes.

“I can smell him.” Na smiled but there was no warmth in her eyes. She looked…hungry.

“You’ll need an environment suit. Also mind the red line along the floor. The animal can reach through the bars to that extent.”

“I won’t need the suit. Also, I need something to feed him. He’s quite hungry.”

“How do you know that?” Eve actually sounded a bit annoyed that she couldn’t even see the beast yet Na knew more than Eve’s attendants, who looked at Na quite curiously. “Get her some food.”

Na moved to the other side of the control room as one of the attendants produced two buckets of food from out of a temperature controlled locker. Na was told that it was parts of a lamb that had died in the meadows one thousand feet below them. Eve decided at the last moment to follow Na out. She donned the environment suit and ear guards.

“The beast can be quite loud.” She smiled at Na.

“The noise won’t bother me.” Na said as she opened the first of three doors that separated the animal’s cage from the control room.

She stepped out into the frigid enclosure and was followed by Eve. Na walked up to the red line and placed the buckets down. As Eve followed Na made sure to keep her behind and to the side nearly a half a meter back from the line.

“He sees us. He’s moving very slowly toward us.”

Eve couldn’t see anything in the brightness of the icy cave. But she was quite confident that her Gen-7 could not only see the creature, but could sense what he would do next.

“He’s getting ready to come at us.” Na grinned as she watched him contract his body into a tensed spring ready to explode out with the force of twenty five hundred kilograms of mass.

When the animal finally did leap out at them, Eve screamed with fright. His roar was fierce some and only slightly damped by the ear guards. The bars bent outward when the tiger hit them.

“Ouch! That must have smarted a bit.” She chucked as she spoke to the tiger. The beast continued to attempt to get at the two women as he swept his claws back and forth through the bars.

“Hostile little kitten don’t you think? Na said as she motioned for Eve to remain still and then moved away along the red line. The tiger watched Na move but didn’t stray from its position oppose Eve. “It seems he likes you more than me.”

Eve nodded her head as she stayed frozen in place. Eve was half scared and half transfixed at the beauty of the enormous beast. His white coloring and black stripes proved a most effective camouflage in his icy world. However Na was able to spot him so quickly helped Eve to understand her success at tracking and killing the beasts.

The animal continued to relentlessly attempt to claw Eve as if he wasn’t ready to accede his inability to strike. Na knew that the animal was venting his rage at being contained and she understood how he must have felt. She also knew that the beast was hungry and what she held in the bucket barely amounted to a snack.

“Is my baby hungry?” Na giggled. “Would you like a little something?”

She reached into the bucket and pulled out an entire hind quarter. Na crossed the red line and dangled the hind quarter inside the enclosure. The tiger crouched against the bars and still pawing at Eve, turned his huge head toward Na’s arm and the treat she was holding. He quickly got up and slowly walked toward the outstretched arm and the hind quarter it held.

“Do be careful dear. I do cherish you more than that animal.”

‘That’s nice to know’ thought Na as she called to the giant cat. When the tiger got within two meters of her, Na tossed the meat at his fore paws. The tiger lowered his head and sniffed at it. ‘Yeah…I know…it’s not like fresh kill but we’ll see if we can change that.”

“What did you say?”

“Shhh… Not so loud.”

The tiger lifted the meat slowly and carefully after first licking it. Na reached into the bucket for another sizable piece and held it out to the animal. Once again the tiger cautiously approached Na’s arm, this time sniffing the air around Na more than the meat itself. Their eyes met. The tiger looked intensely at Na. He walked even closer and, without taking his eyes off of Na, grabbed the meat out of her hand.

“This is amazing! Nobody…” Eve started to walk toward Na.

“Stay where you are! And please be still. We don’t want him to become confused right now.” Na giggled at the thought of what that might mean; perhaps a lost limb? He is a big one. Almost two meters at the shoulder? Maybe five and one half long to the hind?”

As the cat chewed on the meat, Na reached in and touched the thick collar of fur around the tiger’s neck. She then scratched him behind his ears which brought his head tight against the bars.

“Ah…yes! You do like that, don’t you?”

Na threw the rest of the bucket’s contents down in front of the tiger and he crouched down to devour the bits. She ran her hand along the powerful shoulders of the beast as Eve stood wide eyed. None of her people had been able to even approach him.

“You like me to touch you, don’t you.” Na smiled as she rubbed her face against the side of the tiger’s head. The tiger rubbed back and even lapped her face with his huge tongue. Na giggled. “Thank the Goddess my La isn’t so well equipped.”

After spending some more time with the animal, Na finally got up and walked toward Eve. The tiger began to pace keeping his eyes on Na and emitting a very low growl.

“How long will you keep him?”

Eve stepped back a bit from Na. “Dear Goddess! You smell just like that creature!”

“He rubbed against me. He wants to mark me with his scent. He must have some sort of gland in his neck. How long will you keep him?”

“Let’s go inside. I am beginning to chill.” The two women headed the few meters into the control room. “I hadn’t really thought about it. We haven’t had one before that we could observe and take readings and measurements from. I thought of perhaps putting him on display for the people to see.”

“He will die first; three or four weeks at the most.”

“What makes you say that?” Eve was genuinely surprised.

“It’s too warm in there to begin with. You must feed him live animals, not those that have died. Maybe sea dog or a wild boar or two every two days. If you feed him smaller animals, like the sheep, then feed him every day. I will set him free in two weeks.”

“Why would you do that? You’ll only wind up killing him, or the others will, when this thing is over.”

Na turned to Eve and smiled. “It’s a better death then in a cage.” Eve smiled and nodded.

---

“Eve? Is that you?”

“Yes Andrea.” Eve closed the doors behind her and, throwing her cape and bag on a chair, walked toward the sound of Andrea’s voice.

Eve found Andrea in the kitchen sitting at the counter and eating a bit of fruit. Eve came up behind her and embraced her, Andrea’s hands coming on top of Eve’s. Eve gently bit Andrea’s ear lobe as she craned her head forward to accept a piece of fruit.

“We need to discuss the Sue issue.”

Eve looked at Andrea as she took another piece of fruit.

“Where’s your partner in crime anyway? Isn’t she usually in about this time?” Eve said as she removed her arms from Andrea’s waist and leaned against the counter.

“Tracey is off tending to an evening celebration at the Temple. We really need to discuss the Sue issue.”

Andrea’s stare was strong and fixed. Eve knew that this conversation was unavoidable. Licking the remnants of fruit off her finger tips, she turned her body to face Andrea.

“Alright…the Sue issue. What is it?” Eve smiled.

“She’s struck Lilith on several occasions. It also seems that our Commander might have a bit of a drinking problem. And of course they must be unbound as soon as possible.”

Eve’s lips became white as her facial muscles tightened at this news. Her head turned to gaze at various points around her but her gaze was distant as her mind rapidly processed what Andrea had just told her. Finally, after her moments in enforced solitude ended, she spoke.

“Of course they must be unbound as soon as possible. Where is Lilith now?”

“Under our sanctuary at the temple; Mary is keeping her safe.”

“Well…” Eve shrugged her shoulders and looked at Andrea. “…we cannot exile Sue at the moment. There are other considerations to be taken into account.”

“But the law is quite specific and…”

“I do know the law dear soul.” Eve chuckled. “But I also know that we play the Commander at the moment. You must have some trust in me Mother Superior.”

Andrea nodded her head and bowed it slightly remembering that Eve was the supreme leader of the faith; Savior Josie’s voice in the world. Eve reached out to gently stroke Andrea’s cheek.

“The Commander will have her judgment I assure you. She may even desire exile over the alternatives that are offered; but all in good time. Meanwhile, we must arrange the unbinding ass swiftly as we can and have it be public. If Sue wishes to participate, that is fine. If not, we must find another who might be amenable, and impervious to the possible wraith of our Commander.”

“And the drinking? This does put her services at risk.”

“Let her drink. It is a weakness that might very well play into our hands.”

“I think La-Gen might act as a second in the unbinding. Of course any of the Sisters would agree as well.”

Eve thought for a moment before answering.

“Having La-Gen would be deliciously wicked…but no. We cannot be too overt in our treatment of this matter. Ask Mary. That would be more in the way of things. Mary guards her so Mary will substitute for the Commander.”

“By the way…DeeCee told me that La-Gen was quite tipsy by the time they arrived to the dock.” Andrea giggled remembering how the clueless Beta had downed the goblets of brandy.

“NO!!!” Eve’s eyebrows shot upward and her eyes widened. “You didn’t! You wicked woman.” Eve giggled. “And what else did she reveal to you?”

Eve rested her chin in her palm she leaned on the counter top. Andrea smiled coyly into Eve’s eyes and giggled.

“The privilege of confession my dear.”

“Oh you are so wicked.” Eve laughed.

More Ice Tiger soon...