Conversion - Part 11

“And you are sure that this would work?”

“Nothing is ever a hundred percent captain,” said H'loor pacing the room.

This was the first time Captain Jonathan Hunt has seen H'loor so agitated. Ever since B'loor left the ship, the T'aal tribe had been keeping to themselves. Hunt had attempted to talk to him about the incident but H'loor was resistant; changing the subject whenever he could. The captain suspected that the loss of B'loor has had a deeper impact to the remaining eleven T'aal on Starlight than they were letting show. However, if they weren't ready to share, the captain wasn't going to push the matter.

“Tell me what you have in mind.”

“We did a few sensor sweeps at the locations where the crewmen had disappeared and we have found a common residual energy in all those areas,” H'loor sat down. “We are familiar with this energy signature.” He paused as if trying to find a way to simplify things for the human. “My brethren and I are convinced that our men have been taken through subspace to another dimension. The T'aal have the ability to create a threshold by channeling the energy. We believe that we may have a way to get our people back.”

“I sense there is a 'but' coming along.”

“But,” H'loor said softly. “We would have...difficulty in sustaining such a threshold.”

“Because you are one man short.”

“Yes, it was not an accident that there are tribes of twelve T'aal on every Earth ship. There is a... linkage, a connection that necessitates this specific number.”

“Then what are your chances in creating such a threshold?”

“In theory, we can create a doorway that would lead you to the abducted crew members but we would need to find a way to time it so that the threshold is opened in short intervals. This way the strain wouldn't be too difficult for us to withstand.”

“Thank you H'loor, that gives us an option. However, we also have a other problems, other variables. We would be going in blind. We won't be able to tell if there is going to be resistance on the other side, or how long it would take to extract our crew.” Hunt leaned back in his chair rubbing his head. He tapped on his scarab. “Commander Holts, assemble the senior staff in the conference room. Bring Melanko too.”

…

“Would you just stop tugging at your uniform?”

Private Nicolas Nelson looked over at Lieutenant Carter Colfax. Nelson had been assigned to help Colfax clear the quarters on the decks below the damaged sections of the ship and he was determined to do well in his first duty assignment.

He didn't think that wearing the new standard uniform could feel this uncomfortable, in truth, he didn't have time to think about it when he pulled it on. Once the order was given, he put on the snug olive green and black suit and snapped into action. It wasn't until a few hours later that he realized how naked he looked. Nelson wasn't shy, but he had never felt so self-conscious. Walking behind Colfax he kept his hands in front of his body and he kept pulling at his uniform in an attempt to hide his exposed skin.

“Sorry sir.”

“Relax private, we're just securing the deck not receiving dignitaries.”

They went along the empty walkways and peered into the evacuated quarters to make sure there wasn't anyone still inside. They moved from cabin to cabin without saying much.

“Sir? May I ask you a question?” Nelson said breaking the silence.

“Shoot.”

“Sir?”

“Just say what's on your mind Nelson.”

Nelson paused, working on how he was to phrase what he was thinking.

“These uniforms sir, you go everywhere in them?”

“On the ship mostly, or if we're on a planet and the conditions allow it, why?” Colfax walked into an empty cabin and poked his head into the shower stalls.

“Well, it just doesn't seem very... practical, or functional for that matter... It feels kinda weird that...”

“That you have your dick out?” Colfax chuckled. “I knew you guys were conservative but we've not been ashamed of our bodies for hundreds of years.”

“I am not ashamed sir, but what if I, you know...”

“Get excited? Geez kid, you really need to use your words.” Colfax turned to face the young private who was clearly blushing. “It doesn't matter, the body reacts the way it reacts. And after a while, you won't even notice it.”

“I guess.”

“Well I know. Come on, a strapping guy like you have nothing to be worried about. Besides, that beautiful cock of yours shouldn't be hidden.”

Nelson laughed.

“Thank you sir, to be honest I've never seen so many dicks since I came on board.”

“Think of it this way, your eyes, ears, mouth... skin they are all organs and they are all out there for everyone to see. And just like them, you just have to be careful not to hurt yourself.”

“That makes sense, I suppose,” said Nelson.

Colfax walked into another cabin and checked the room. Nelson trailed behind him looking around. Seeing nothing they both headed towards the door, but a slight rustling stopped them. They couldn't tell where the noise was coming from. Nelson moved towards a shelf and something fell on him. Startled, he let out a shriek and fought to pull whatever it was off him.

“Woah Nelson, stop! Relax, it's just Slitters.” Colfax gently held the boa and lifted the reptile off Nelson. “This is Lieutenant Brody's quarters and I think someone forgot to put Slitters here back into his aquarium. He's still a baby, quite harmless.”

“God! You allow pets on this ship?” Nelson was flustered as he watched Colfax return the two-foot snake into its tank.

“I think you scared him more than he did you.” Colfax laughed but when he turned around he could see that the private was a little rattled. “Hey, I thought you guys were built tough.” Trying to make light of the situation he held Nelson's shoulders, giving him a little squeeze.

“I'm sorry sir, it's just that this is my first space mission and a ship has been destroyed, crew members have been kidnapped and now Starlight is damaged, it's just... first day jitters I suppose.” Nelson smiled, but then his expression turned into embarrassment.

Standing so close to Colfax that Nelson could feel the lieutenant's body heat had triggered a physiological response. Even without looking down he knew that he was getting an erection and the tip of his penis was gently tapping on Colfax's cock.

“Oh shit, I'm sorry sir!” he tried to move back but found that Colfax didn't release his grip. It was then that Nelson saw a look on Colfax's face.

...