- s t a r l i g h t -: October 2011

Stone sat at the end of the long conference table watching the captain pace the room. Neither of them spoke after Stone's debriefing and for a while all that sounded in the room was the hum of the engines and the soft hiss of the air coming through the vents. Stone shifted in his chair. He appreciated the difficult decision Captain Hunt had to make, and for a split-second he was relieved that he wasn't tasked with it.

“And the doctor and H'loor still have no idea how to extract the infection?” Hunt said finally, his voice low as if he was talking to himself. He took the seat next to Stone and sighed. He suspected he knew Stone's answer.

“According to the doctor based on the latest samples we brought back, the infection has completely rewritten the biological make-up of the men. Every cell of their being is no longer human, and there is no way of distinguishing what is what.”

Hunt stared out of the huge windows.

“On the plus side, their human traits – memories and behavior – are still intact and the doctor reports that the mutation has seemingly ceased. Chances are, they will remain as they are now.” Stone paused. “Also sir, none of them want to leave the planet. Sergeant Landrey has requested to be reassigned to help with the colonization.”

“Some of these men have families – wives, husbands. Two of them have children for god's sake,” said Hunt.

“And they want their families to join them as soon as we're ready to send for them.”

“You seem to be in favor of this.”

“What is the alternative captain? We can't bring them back on the ship without killing them and even if we could, they wouldn't come voluntarily, unless you're thinking of forcing them.” Stone leaned in, “And then there is this captain, we've been out here for more than a year and this is the closest we've come to colonization, are we going to give that up? Earth isn't doing well these days sir, and the longer we wait, the more lives are going to be lost back home.”

Hunt rubbed his temples, Stone was right. The fleet sent to look for habitable planets have not been successful. Already four ships have been lost, while others are still combing through sectors of space without anything to report. Here they had a near-perfect planet where humanity could continue to thrive. With the domes they could start to transporting people over. The planet wouldn't fit everyone on Earth, but it'd be a damn good start.

“Sir, I believe that we should proceed as planned and begin the colonization process. The Umorkians are still members of this crew and citizens of Earth. We can begin by establishing a base here, made up of Umorkians and human crew members. We need to secure the planet and study it further. It's going to be a long process before we even have to deal with anything else. The lives of our families on Earth have to take precedence sir.”

Hunt nodded.

“And sir, we already have a volunteer who wants to stay back and help build the base.”

The captain looked up with quizzically.

“It's Lieutenant Harrow.”

...

“Pregnant! Isn't that just the most amazing and weird thing you've ever heard?” Nick Nelson said from the bathroom. He had been in there shaking off the sand from his boots and in his hair for over half an hour. “Shit, you'd think that with the environment suit you'd be sand-free. Shouldn't have taken off my helmet in the scout. The damn things are everywhere!”

Carter Colfax sat in bed. He wasn't really listening. From his excited voice he knew that Nick had enjoyed the mission and he was glad for him. Carter stared at his own fingers and scratched a non-existent itch on his thumb. He heard the shower turn on and Nick raised his voice to talk over the sound of running water.

Nick finally emerged from the bathroom toweling his head. He walked to the bed and jumped in, hugging Carter. “So, what have you been up to?”

Carter didn't respond immediately, he looked at Nick's smiling face and touched his bare shoulders. He could smell the fresh soap on him, he could feel the moisture on his skin, he could see how easy it would be to hurt this beautiful boy.

And so he said nothing. Carter pulled Nick closer to him and kissed him on the forehead.

“I know I've been distracted for the last few days,” Nick looked into Carter's eyes, his fingers gently circling his nipple. “I'd like to make it up to you, if you'd let me.”

Carter watched the pool of lights dance in Nick's eyes, a look he was familiar with. He didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say. He sucked on his own lips and tried to smile. The boy slid down and stroked his penis. Carter was surprised that his shame didn't affect his body's response to stimulation. Nick inched down further and took the hardening cock into his mouth. His eager lips and skillful tongue knew just where on Carter's penis to apply pressure and before long, precum brimmed from the eye and Nick lapped it up hungrily. He felt the suction and the warmth from the oral pleasure he was getting.

Carter was glad that Nick was so engrossed in his task. He was glad that the boy couldn't see him looking away.

...