Chapter 28

Just over a centar later, they emerged from Rift 34 to see another Sentinel standing vigilant near the new embassy, with its gleaming white outer shell and geodesic Zero-G dome.

The Galatea was also there waiting for them and Cricket immediately uploaded the star charts and the video from the Celestia to begin analysis.

As expected, the star charts didn’t match up, but the video of the planet breaking apart had a small anomaly right beside it—possibly from the destruction of the ships and the use of the singularity driver at Cantara? Both Cantara and Trayak were near the edges of Federation space, so if the destroyed planet was one of those two, then it might be the common ground they were looking for.

It was still just a guess, but it was the most educated guess they could make with the data available.

Skye confirmed they took the video from the observatory at the top of the ship more than a yahren into their mission, and they estimated the travel time to that event was still nearly two yahrens away.

Mark had Cricket send a command to the Sentinel on the other side of the rift to manufacture a beacon seeder and send it toward that nebula.

Mark then asked, “Cricket, can the Sentinels function like deep space telescopes?”

She said, “Not currently. Our star charts are generated by correlating multiple stars for position, and they make a note of other items in space for avoidance during travel, but they don’t really analyze space. It wouldn’t take much to give them that capability, but space is vast, so visual analysis would be a very slow process.”

“That’s OK! Update the design characteristics and give them all that ability. Then send a Sentinel to the nebulas near both Cantara and Trayak and do some deep space observations. Send beacon seeders toward any nebulas they can detect. If we specifically look for and target smaller nebular clouds, maybe we can increase our chances of linking these things.”

Upon further analysis, Cricket informed Mark that she had instructed the planet-side Sentinel to manufacture and send off nearly a dozen other beacon seeders towards items of interest she had found in the Mazjik star charts.

As everyone settled into their usual rooms, the look of relief was clearly evident. Even though the Mazjik council had been pleasant to be around, their mere presence seemed to add a layer of stress to everything.

Maybe they were just trying too hard to prove they were worthy of carrying their legacy?

Gyges commandeered the bistro and made everyone a light snack before people started heading to bed, knowing tomorrow would be busy contacting the other planets.

Instead of going to bed, Mark went to his office to catch up on anything he may have missed while he was out of contact.

Cricket popped up on Mark’s desk. “I’ve been reading your thoughts about giving them a space station. We had already planned on eventually giving them a space station, but since they now meet the criteria for giving them our technology—I think it’s a great idea. I’ve already started designing a custom AI for them—a blank version of me.”

“Do you foresee any issues with giving them that much technology?”

“Not really, the AI is still just a fork of me, sure it’s going to have way more abilities than any fork I’ve ever created, but ultimately it reports to me—albeit delayed. It will be powerful enough to manage the Mazjik identification, communication and transportation systems independently, which will make the medibays and library terminals more functional. With increased communications and an AI that will never leave the planet, it even makes buildings viable, although I would still limit it to outreach centres only until they join the Federation.”

“You’re giving them their own systems?”

“Not really. They already have systems that are almost identical to ours, so it just makes sense to collect and integrate their identification information, which is what makes everything else work. That would give full access to communications, medical, and they could even put security and emergency services in orbit and be just like the Federation. Then, when we do make direct contact, we can just merge their information with ours.”

“So the embassy would merely become a transportation hub?”

“Actually, with delayed communications, Federation staff may prefer to stay at the embassy when they aren’t working. That allows them to stay in touch with family and friends.”

“That would work too. I like this idea. It would give them almost everything the Federation offers and much more convenient than going out to the embassy. Plus, it replaces the space station they lost and will make future integration easier. If you’re giving them a version of you for the space station, are you giving them a version of you for the Celestia?”

“The Celestia already has an AI, so I hadn’t planned on it.”

“How advanced is their AI?”

“It’s very basic. All it does is help with navigation, communications and monitoring the various ship functions.”

“Upgrade their AI to link with the one you’re giving their space station, then also upgrade the Celestia to a full Defender, just like the Poseidon and Cleito, complete with synths, medibays, FTL drive and mass drivers and maybe add an observatory to our Defenders. Without an AI to control its use, I wasn’t about to just give them a mass driver, even if they are Mazjik.”

“Will do, because it is mostly tweaks to their existing systems. The Celestia retrofit should complete late tomorrow, about the same time as the shuttles. The space station should be operational within two sectons.”

“Awesome! Hopefully, we can find a direct path to their space soon and we can bypass all this rift stuff. Has the Cleito arrived yet?”

“Not yet, and repairs aren’t quite complete. They are still aboard the Sentinel, but should arrive soon.”

“They can’t leave the Sentinel until reparations are complete, so send him a message telling him to hold at Midgard until we arrive. We’re going to spend the night at Rift Central.”

“Mark, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Give them a chance to do it on their own. We can be there in less than a centon if they need assistance. You’ve already done more in the time that you’ve been King than anyone else in the history of the Atlantean Federation. Why not slow down and start enjoying the fruits of your labour? Besides, I’m sure the Federation would appreciate you being around to do more figurehead type activities, which will probably keep you busy enough with all the expansion the Federation has done since you became king.”

Are you implying that I should stop exploring this vast new universe that has been presented to me and become a politician?”

“No, senators are the politicians. You oversee the security of the entire Federation—though you don’t act like it, but you are more of a celebrity. Someone that would normally cause huge gatherings just to be in your presence. That doesn’t happen right now because you are constantly on the move and no one has time to prepare for your arrival.”

Mark took a moment for some deep contemplation, but eventually sighed and said, “You’re right. We’ll use the Defenders for new contacts after this, since I said I would be there to meet with them and Annabelle wanted to come as well. She would probably appreciate me being around more and she’s been patiently waiting to start a family.”

Mark then looked at the clock, but saw it was still the middle of the night on Earth, so he held off on calling home. Instead, realizing he should probably get some sleep.

“OK, let’s compromise. Tomorrow, the Celestia and shuttles will be done, so we go meet the Cleito and make first contact like I promised. Then we’ll come back here and tell them about the changes and help deliver the busses and shuttles.”

“Actually, with Skye’s crew already on the Sentinel, they could handle that entire process themselves. Skye and her crew could take the Celestia out of the Sentinel, while her crew could take a shuttle or shuttle bus each and just take them to the Celestia or even the planet. The only reason they might need us is if she doesn’t have enough pilots to actually fly the shuttles out, because once they leave the Sentinel, they won’t be able to return without us there.”

“Well, that simplifies things, but we should still come back—if nothing more than to surprise them with all the changes.”

At that moment, the door chimed and then opened as Skye and Liyana stepped into his office.

“Is everything OK, my King?”

“Of course. What makes you think it isn’t?”

“I’m not really sure. I just got a feeling that something was unsettling you.”

Mark looked at the holographic girl on his desk, who looked nonchalant, holding her hands behind her back and looking like she was whistling while avoiding making eye contact.

“Something tells me Cricket had something to do with that.” He said as he contemplated what to say. “For the first time since becoming king, I’m actually feeling a bit homesick. Life has been a whirlwind of chaos, running from one situation to another. The Cleito will make contact in a few centares, and I mentioned to Cricket that maybe we should be there when they make contact.”

Liyana had a smirk on her face, but a contemplative look soon appeared. “So, what does this mean right now?”

“Cricket has informed me that the Celestia and all the shuttles will be ready sometime tomorrow. So I’m thinking we go assist Scott in making first contact—like I promised. Then later tomorrow when the shuttle busses and shuttles were ready, we’ll come back and help retrieve those from the Sentinel and setup the library terminals at Jardini. Then once they can communicate with us, I’m thinking we’ll head home. The space station is still two sectons from completion, but everything else will be ready tomorrow.”

Cricket popped up and said, “Actually, if Skye’s crew already on the Sentinel has enough people that can pilot a shuttle, they could pilot the shuttles out of the Sentinel and take them to the Celestia or the planet. They really only would need us if they don’t have enough pilots, because once they leave the Sentinel, they could not return.”

Skye asked, “If that’s the case, could I return to the Sentinel to be with my crew? We have 250 crew and almost all of them know how to pilot shuttles and fighters, but I want to be there when she’s taken out for the first time.”

“By all means, we’ll lend you one of our Federation shuttles so you can approach the Sentinel. When did you want to head back?”

“If you don’t mind, could I stay here tonight and leave before you depart for those planets?”

Mark nodded as he took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. “My other decision is that from now on, the Cleito and Poseidon will handle all new contacts. I’m going to stay on Atlantis and leave only for royal duties where Annabelle can go, too.”

Liyana said, “It’s about time. You’ve already done more for the Federation than anyone else in history. Weren’t you trying to retire and live a relaxing life before all this?”

“I was—but those plans got kibosh’d by the introduction of aliens. Not that I’m complaining. There’s been a lot of good that’s come about because of it. If I hadn’t met the girls, my life would’ve been very boring compared to what it is now.”

Skye asked. “This sounds like an interesting story. I enjoy trying to trace the origin of an event, as they’re often unexpected. What was the first thing that happened that introduced all this alien stuff into your life?”

Mark thought about it for a centon, considering it could’ve been traced back to the careless employee which killed his business, it could’ve been the divorce, it could’ve been several items. But those seemed to be more fact-of-life type events, not something that really triggered the alien influence in his life. Finally, he smiled and said, “I talked to a horse!”

Liyana and Skye both laughed as Skye asked, “Are you serious?”

“Yup! Annabelle was trying to bring this big unruly horse, Buck, back to the barn and was having a tough time. I had an apple in my pocket, so I held it in the air and Buck came to me. I was teasing Annabelle by talking loudly to Buck about women being so pushy—not knowing Laruun was watching me do it. She thought I could talk to animals, which is what prompted her to try contacting me.”

Liyana said, “Even I didn’t know that! You were right Skye, that was unexpected.”

Mark yawned as Skye said, “If we’re going to be going different directions tomorrow and might not see each other for a while, I’d like to make your last night here enjoyable.”

Liyana asked, “May I also join in the fun?”

Mark simply smiled as he got up from his chair, walking around his desk and allowing the girls to lock their arms with his as he led them through the door to the bedroom.

They walked toward the bed before releasing their arms, prompting Liyana to push Mark back onto the bed.

Both girls then undressed Mark and then each other. The sight of which brought Mark’s cock to full attention as the girls bared and fondled each other. The height difference between Liyana and Skye making Liyana look so small and petite, bringing Skye’s large breasts to the same level as Liyana’s face as she sucked and nibbled on those perfect nipples.

Skye then guided Liyana over to Mark as she straddled his cock and let it slip deep inside the white-haired ambassador as she straddled Mark’s face and lowered her pussy to his lips. The height difference still allowing Liyana to suck and play with Skye’s large breasts as she fucked Mark.

Mark’s skilled cunnilingus soon brought Skye to orgasm, and Liyana followed with her own. The girls then swapped positions, but Liyana guided Mark’s cock into Skye herself, but before doing so, she surprised Skye by working her entire fist into the tall blonde’s soaking slit. Giving her fist some small twists and only slight pumps to allow the busty blonde to get accustomed to the intrusion, she then guided Mark’s cock inside as well.

Gripping his shaft while inside Skye’s tight confines, Liyana stroked Mark’s cock, much to the delight of both recipients. Soon bringing Skye to yet another orgasm, as her breasts were being assaulted by Mark’s mouth and hands. Liyana’s relentless stroking soon bringing Mark to the precipice as she furiously pumped out every drop of cum from Mark’s balls deep inside the Mazjik Commander.