Chapter 25: Event Horizon — Part 6

“My Uncle is staying on Niger at the moment, helping to coordinate the cleanup crews during the restoration process. This is his holiday home. I take care of it for him while he’s away. He’s a botanist, if it isn’t obvious to you. He’s been hunting the seeds that have survived on both worlds, the seeds from the dead forests. He has this theory that Vodia is about to come back. Rains are on the increase, and it takes so very little water to upkeep a Vodian forest that he is certain the trees will return.” Kris jumped from stone slab to stone slab, avoiding the plants so that he could sit on the couch.

“Reminds me of Antans. He should think of immigrating if he likes this kind of stuff.”

Laura made a single, well-organized jump, landing gracefully in front of Kris, on her toes. Even on her toes he was taller than she was. Laura sat down carefully on the couch, next to Kris. Kris lay back, staring at the ceiling, relaxing in the cool, comfortable environment.

“Commander, now that we’re here, do you have any plans for me?” Laura asked, when it became apparent that Kris was not going to volunteer any immediate advice.

“You’re the Master Priest. I’m sworn to protect you. You figure out what happens next.” Kris said.

“You’re no help.” Laura sounded frustrated.

“Hey, I’m not the super human from another planet, now am I?” Kris countered.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Laura asked innocently.

“It means you’re probably smarter than me.”

“Nonsense. I as an individual am no smarter than any other human is. The consciousness of the Antansi Human Tribe is collective. Individual strengths and weaknesses are balanced by the telepathic linkages of our people and their families. I’m no longer in contact with my family, so I have to rely on my individual wits, which I must admit never prepared me to be chosen by a Priest as the new leader of what I had assumed was a dogmatic paramilitary religious order.”

“This is all fascinating, but it doesn’t help me help you. My bringing you here may buy you a few days rest, give us a chance to fatten you back up, heal from your wounds. Then what are you going to do?”

Can you hear my thoughts? Laura asked.

“Of course. But I don’t have a priest’s intense discipline, so I can’t be expected to answer back in kind.”

You shouldn’t need the discipline. Just try to think towards me. Then try to convey a message, something personal and strongly important to you.

Kris closed his eyes, concentrating. Laura was flooded with pure thought, and was forced to try to fathom Kris’s mind.

Why would you have a sexual attraction to women in their early teens?

“I have a sexual attraction to you. You just remind me of a kid.”

Laura looked herself up and down.

“I guess I would. The symbiont, of course, gave us no choice of age. Thus the youthful figure and features.” Laura studied him carefully.

“I’m angry with myself for having such an obvious lack of control.” Kris admitted.

“Don’t feel bad. I do that to everybody — it’s a pheromone thing. Joni and Trina are undoubtedly discovering that they have the same affect on people as well.” Laura chuckled.

Kris grew a little uncomfortable for a moment. “If they do, nobody would admit it.”

“Joni and Trina are almost half a century old.”

Laura kissed Kris softly on the lips. “Don’t feel guilty, pretty boy. I’ll remind you that I’m over four hundred and fifty years old. Humor my needs for one night, and promise me that if you fall in love you won’t be afraid to tell me.”

Laura let her arms drape around his shoulders, and she nibbled gently and playfully on his neck.

“Do I have a choice?” Kris wondered absently.

Laura thought about it. “There is a time in a human life when the choices of the body are made by the body. Do you feel that you’ll be forced by me?”

“Everything happens so fast.” Kris admitted.

“I’ll be four hundred and sixty Earth years old tomorrow. Time is something that I have learned should never be taken for granted.” She kissed his ear, drawing his throat to her lips.

Kris felt his body begin to relax, and the pleasure ripped through him as Laura worked her fingers across his chest. She touched him in the most sensitive places. There were words in his mind for a split second, and he could feel her lips on his mouth, and fingers caressing his body. His thoughts were dark and blurred by the passion.

Do you want to remember this?

Kris didn’t know if he had spoken or thought his answer.

Yes, I want to remember it forever.

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