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The following story contains erotic homosexual situations. If it is illegal for you to read this please leave now.
Chapter 18 Earth Reborn
I woke in Bransen's warm embrace. We had our world before us. I was nervous and unsure how to proceed. We had every opportunity for our future, and I was worried I might make a mistake. Luckily, there had been no other attempts to escape through the night. For a change, I slept well. I had a thousand things running through my mind. What do you do when you create a new world? I only new for certain that I needed to create a world our children could live in.
Bransen walked through the door of the bathroom looking at me as I sat up in bed, pondering our future. His long blond hair was still damn from his shower.
"Worried?" he thought to me.
"Yes," I answered aloud.
"There are thirty eight Sphere Major remaining. Among them, I know there are those that would see us fail. The Thoren are not used to being without their pleasures and subordinates," I answered.
"We've restored their immortality. They have no more use for me or this place," I continued. "I'm not sure where this will end."
Bransen carried two cups of coffee as he made his way across the room. He sat on the bed handing me the dark liquid that would bring me to my senses.
I took a quick sip of the hot coffee. "I have no desire to rule these people Bransen," I said aloud.
"I don't want some monarchy of hate to ever exist again. We are better than that. I can hear their thoughts. Every person aboard every sphere is in my mind. It's deafening," I continued.
I wanted him to hold me. I wanted Bransen to push the thoughts away. It was too much. It was never Kelay's plan to make this new world. I had come into being for a single purpose. Unite the Thoren and Human people. Now we were so few. We had failed on so many levels.
I had a banquet to plan. The sorting would commence and we would begin a new life. I worried about those that might separate from us. I could feel their thoughts against my mind like needles in a pin cushion.
Blue white fire erupted against my skin. I hadn't caused it. It was my unborn son. He sensed my despair and had reacted by instinct.
"Khore?" Bransen asked with concern.
"They know Bransen. Our children know. We cannot fix this... but maybe they can," I answered.
"Fix what?" Bransen asked.
"My mistakes... Kelay's mistakes. A multitude of bad choices will be their legacy," I paused. "There are so very many." I said fighting to forget past horrors.
"I don't understand," Bransen said.
Bransen looked at me confused. I couldn't give him the bulk of our misguided pursuit at longevity. Kelay's memories were mine. The Thoren failures were my own. How do you explain a millennia of bad decisions and atrocity? I didn't want this world to suffer for our errors, but I knew they would. It wasn't my fault, but Kelay's memories made it my problem.
"Nevermind, hon," I said with a smile. "I'm just being silly," The blue white fire dwindled against my skin until it was gone.
There wasn't time for this right now and we had much to do. For once, I didn't know where to start. Up to this point, everything had come so fast, there wasn't really time to think. I could only react. It was unsettling.
"What has you so distracted?" Bransen asked.
"Well, hon, to be honest... This is the first time I've actually been able to take a breath you know? Everything came so fast, now that we have a moment, I'm lost," I chuckled.
Bransen smiled at me and gave an understanding nod.
"Kelay, release the people we took aboard ship last night. Let them have the run of the ship, but do not allow them entry to ops or like systems. I don't want them thinking they are captives aboard this ship. Let them know they are free to move about as they wake. If any are already awake, tell them now," I commanded.
"Whatever..." Came TK's reply. "Incidentally, there have been 118 conceptions not including your own in the past twelve hours. Damn breeders."
Bransen and I stared at each other.
"I guess the boys will have lots of company," Bransen said with a smirk.
"I guess so," I answered. "Didn't I warn them? Didn't I say that they were more fertile and to be careful? What the hell are we going to do with 120 squalling babies aboard ship!" I felt a panic rising in me.
"Sounds like a lot of shitty diapers and sleepless nights to me!" TK interrupted. "Sucks to be you!"
"No, TK, But it is going to suck to be you. We only have to listen to two babies cry, you will hear them all!" Bransen commented.
"SHIT!" TK replied.
"TK, the spheres are designed to restructure themselves. Is the Cystos compatible with the Major Spheres?" I asked. Bransen's brow was furrowed again with confusion. Those cute lines wrinkled his forehead whenever he was worried or at a loss.
"Yes Khore," Came TK's reply.
"Well at least there is that," I said again grinning at Bransen.
"We can join the spheres and the Cystos to make a floating city. They will open up and our children will see a real sky instead of the ones in the habitats," I marveled at the thought.
"So long as the others choose to stay," Bransen added.
"Yes... I suppose that is a possibility, too. I can hope though," I took another sip of my coffee.
"I suppose I should ask. Do you want to stay?" I searched his eyes.
"What?! Well, I never really thought about it," he paused, "Do you?" Bransen returned my question.
"I have Kelay's memories, so I've already traveled the stars. I'd like to raise our children here, but I'll stand by your decision," I answered.
Bransen sat and sipped his coffee for a moment before answering.
"After our children are grown, I think I might like to have a look around, but not for another five or six hundred years I think," he grinned.
We finished our coffee. Bransen dressed while I showered. After my shower, I dressed and went to the food dispenser and requested two more coffees. I took them to the love seat. Bransen joined me as we sat in silence. I was feeling a bit better now. My shower and the coffee were quickly pushing the sleep from my mind.
"How do you think it will go later?" I asked.
"Huh?" Bransen snapped back from his daze. "Oh, I really don't know. We certainly can't allow any weapons aboard," he paused, "We need to make sure that every individual, including those on this ship, have the opportunity to choose their own path."
Bransen was picking at his fingernails. It was something he did when he was nervous. That small movement comforted me. It told me he was unsure about our future as well.
"We will continue on whether or not they choose to stay. I'm sure at the very worst, a few thousand will remain here. In time we would be come hundreds of thousands, and then millions. Space is a big place. There's plenty of room for our grandchildren." I answered. The thought made me smile.
"We should probably prepare for this afternoon," Bransen replied.
"Well, which do you want, city planning, or government?" I asked.
"I think with that last display of power, they are going to fear you more than me. I bet that white hair of yours will turn some heads too," he chuckled.
"I'm not interesting in having them fear me Bransen. I only want them to give everyone a chance," I pondered a moment and heaved a sigh.
"You are probably right. They will be more compliant after yesterday's display." I continued.
"Okay, you work with TK on city planning and the sphere merger. I'll deal with the sorting of people and a system of representation. You want the desk or the couch?" I asked.
Bransen leered at me with a smirk. "I want the bed," he answered seductively setting his coffee cup on the table before us.
I sat my cup next to his. We never did make it to the bed, but the couch is a little worse for wear. I'd have TK fix that later. With a parting kiss, he went to the desk in the corner of the room, and we began our work. We paused for lunch, discussed our progress, and exchanged ideas. A lot depended on the choices made later this afternoon.
I found myself glancing back at the clock every few minutes as 14:00 hours approached. This last hour had been completely useless. I hadn't accomplished a thing. My work was finished almost two hours ago. I had stalled as long as I could to pass the time.
"TK, Prepare Bransen and me," I paused looking over to Bransen. "Black?" I asked.
Bransen answered with a nod.
"Prepare Bransen and me matching clothing. Make them black dura- silk with an opalescent shine. I want it comfortable and functional. I want a single blue ring one centimeter thick on the upper right sleeve. Make the shirts cross from left to right tapering at the waist. Make matching clothing for all Alpha Team members. Give them two blue rings one centimeter apart. Instruct them to wear this to the sorting at 16:00 hours."
I thought for a moment and continued.
"Please advise all personnel that levels 50 through 100 will be restructured at 15:00 hours. All persons on those levels at that time, will be transported to their quarters."
"At 15:01 hours, restructure for the sorting." I finished.
We had an hour to shower away the smell of sex from our bodies and dress. That would leave us an hour for the restructuring and adding the final touches to our work.
"TK, bathtub, room for four please," Bransen ordered with a smile as he turned his eyes toward me.
The shower area morphed back into the black and white marbled tub that had been there when we first arrived. Water flowed into vast tub as the steam curled across its surface.
Bransen crossed the room and leaned over the back of the couch.
"Let's get ready hon." He whispered to me. "Tk, Lights, dim."
I nodded as he led me to the over sized tub. We removed our clothes and stepped into the steaming water. I leaned against the wall of the bathtub resting my mind. It was so peaceful. The warmth of the steaming water seemed to wash away the tension.
"TK, Music, Classical, Beethoven, Moonlight Sonata." Bransen ordered.
"A human wrote this thousands of years ago." Bransen said softly.
I sat up with a quick slosh of water. I listened as the sounds swayed through the room. Kelay's memories told me what music was, but I had never heard it before. In my 1600 years I had never heard music. It was beautiful. The sounds were so sad and resolute. How could a human have ever created this? There were so many sounds at once, but they seemed belonged together in a way I can't explain. There was a complex math to it, but I couldn't imagine an equation that would create this. The music seemed to have a soul. It brought tears to my eyes. I had never heard anything so beautiful. I had memories of many forms of music and art, but never anything like this. I laid my head against Bransen's shoulder and let the sounds move through the room.
"It's amazing," I felt warm tears traveling down my cheek. "Thank you. I've never heard music before."
"What?!" he nearly yelled. I could see the flush rise in his cheeks as he remembered my past.
"Surely Kelay had heard music before," he tried to recover from his embarrassment.
"Yes, but it's not the same. I know a lemon is sour. An unripe apple is sour as well. I have eaten apples in the past. I hadn't had lemon until just a few days ago. Kelay's memories told me it was sour. I could even recognize the smell and color, but I found that they are two very different things. It is like the night I brought you to the beach during sunset. Do you understand?" I asked.
He grinned at me. "I do."
We lay against each other listening to the sonata. What a fabulous people we were. Pride and awe filled me. I also felt a sharp twinge of bitterness. I wondered what we might have become, had the Thoren's not interrupted our world. The Thoren had also given me Bransen, so I let go of my new found resentment.
Bransen asked for names that only Kelay's memories recognized. He requested Vivaldi, Handel, Chopin and more. We listened as music drifted through the air. I hated for it to end, but I knew we were close to the time of restructuring.
We climbed out of the bath tub, rubbed ourselves dry, and pulled on our newly made clothes. The black of the new cloth made my hair seem even whiter.
"Restructuring will be complete in fifteen minutes." TK announced.
"Fifteen minutes?" Bransen asked.
"Hey! If you think you can do it faster blondie, let me know." TK snapped.
I giggled seeing Bransen's jaw clench. It was like listening to two children bicker over a toy. I pulled Bransen into my arms. I gazed into his eyes and we kissed. I let nestled my head in the curve of his neck still pulling him against me.
"Our future begins now," I whispered. I relished the feeling of comfort and safety his arms provided me.
"Reconstruction Complete, you impatient f..." TK's announcement faded into a mumble.
I felt Bransen tense a bit. We separated. I played with his hair, guiding a few wild curls into place before a smile crept across his face.
"TK, When I fold the occupants of the surrounding spheres into the ship, do not incinerate them. They are not fully Human or Thoren any longer." I commanded.
"Awwww MAN!" TK wined.
"You are such a child sometimes TK." I chuckled.
"BITE ME!" TK snapped.
"We better get going." Bransen interrupted.
I gave a quick nod. "TK, Transport us to the center of the amphitheatre."
A flash of white brought us to the center of a massive space. I gazed at the rows and rows that circled us. Fifty levels of seating rose from the base and extended outward along the curve of the ship. It most resembled the coliseum of ancient Rome. I had found the diagram in TK's systems and had expanded on the layout. There were thirty eight sections, one for each Sphere Major. The only discernable separation was a waist high partition that split each section. The small wall ran vertically from the lowest to highest row of seating on each side. In the center of each section, another eight foot wall split each sphere area into upper and lower seating. The wall was level with where Bransen and I stood now. There was a floating platform large enough for the captain and their second in command to sit.
Above us, when the assembly began, would be a massive hologram that would display the current speaker. Once activated, the hologram would be nearly three hundred feet tall. It would display in four directions for the benefit of those in the upper rows that were nearly a half mile away.
Below us was a platform with seating for about three hundred for the members of the original base.
"Woah." Bransen said staring.
"Yeah, fifteen minutes, remember?" TK grumbled.
"TK, from this point forward, all communication will be to Bransen or myself and only in thought. I do NOT want to hear a single audible comment from you during this assembly, effective immediately." I commanded.
"Care to call the troops hon?" I asked giving Bransen a nudge with my elbow.
I saw his chest rise and fall with a deep breath. "TK, COM, Shipwide. All Alpha Team Members please prepare to be transported. You have ten minutes." Bransen announced.
Some time later, we watched as they appeared on the platform behind us. I know it was silly to feel safer for their presence, but I did. None of them could block a Thoren attack, except for maybe Bransen. Still it was nice to have them here.
TK, being transmission. "Thoren commanders, you have all been designated a number. You will approach the Cystos, in order, and be transported aboard. Those that do not comply will be destroyed." I sent.
I pulled the fire from myself and mingled it with the thoughts of work yet to be done. The blue white fire rode across my body. Finally the first sphere moved to dock with us. I didn't have to concentrate on them anymore. They were lodged in my mind like small beacons. I folded them into the amphitheatre, separating them by Thoren and Human majority. We repeated this until all thirty-seven ships had docked and boarded. Finally, I pulled our guests from the sphere we destroyed and placed them in the 38th section.
It had been almost no effort at all to move these two million people. It was a bit frightening considering my limits only weeks days ago. We were all in attendance. I stretched my mind to search each sphere. Everyone was aboard.
"Let's not waste time." I announced. "I know who you are and who would wish me harm. Do it now so that we can continue." I announced as the hologram above me erupted in light and sound.
Silence filled too much space. A current of whispers traveled through the room like a breeze. I let the fire ride along my skin.
"Well, we can wait if you wish." I announced.
"TK, present the feast." I thought.
A flat surface grew along the rows of Human and Thoren majority. Baked meats and dishes of every style imaginable appeared. We ate. An hour passed as we gorged ourselves. So far no one had died, but we had only just begun.
"if everyone is finished, we'll continue." I announced rising from my chair.
The food merged into the dark shiny liquid metal. I watched the gaping distance as everyone prepared themselves, before everyone, now stood an interactive console of choice.
"Before you is a console that offer's you a choice. This is the sorting. It will be done every year from this point forward." I paused.
"Those of you that may fear reprimand for your decision, are welcome here. Now is your time. We will guard your choice. That goes for Thoren and Human born alike. Now is your chance." I announced. "No one can touch you."
Thousands of humans left the room almost instantaneously. Surprisingly many Thoren were transported away as well.
"Ok then. Captains, you are still the commanders of your Spheres. You are free to stay and flourish with us, or leave," I asked.
"This is ridiculous!!! How can we even consider this! The Humans are a lesser species bent on their own destruction! We did you a favor!" Laton announced as his platform moved into view.
I knew General Laton. He was strong and powerful. He was also a narrow minded ass.
"You will have more options than the Humans ever had. You have a choice. You all may retain your sphere if you wish to leave. That has never been in question. Leave now, but you will not leave with a single human that wishes to stay," I announced.
A wave of blue energy burst out from General Laton in my direction. It was a weak blast, even by Thoren standards. He was trying to gage my strength. I formed a barrier around us. The blast rippled toward us and dissipated as it hit the barrier.
"You are nothing Khore, but a freak. You may have some technology we do not, but you are not more than we are." Laton laughed.
"You, are an fool. I would rather not kill you," I replied.
The hall had become deathly quiet. "Please, You can go. You may have your sphere. It doesn't have to be this way," I answered.
"No, I think you will release the Cystos to my command," Laton said with a devious smile.
"Laton, you are mistaken," I announced as I folded his body before me. He hung in the air like a limp rag. He pushed as much as his mind was able, but there was no way he could break my control.
"Please, Laton, don't do this," I begged.
"You don't have the power. This is a trick. I will not be part of this travesty, and you will not take away our human slaves," He yelled.
"I'm sorry Laton" I answered.
I filled the center of him with a fire no one could survive. Laton's scream stretched across the expanse of the amphitheatre before I finished him. I pushed the fires and lit him from the inside. It would be quick. His body became engulfed in a flare of blue fire. Only ashes remained. The gray flakes fell through the air drifting like autumn leaves.
"I will not give on this issue! I already see many humans that remain loyal to your service. If that is their choice, then I have no objections. Those that remain may continue as they please. There will be only one rule in our society. 'Do No Harm'. We will retain some spheres in their current form. Others including the Cystos will become part of a grand floating city." I paused.
"There will be four factions. They will be Military, Science, and Art and Education. Each will have equal representation. No one group will ever have majority rule, and there will be no dictator." I announced.
Captain Liam moved his platform. He rose above the remainder of the crowd and was projected in the hologram above me. "What will happen to those Captains who have given up their ship for the city?" asked Captain Liam.
"You can either govern over the portion of the city made by your sphere as a representative, or move to a remaining sphere. The choice is yours. You could sit and paint for the next five thousand years. It is entirely up to you," I answered.
Liam nodded. "And if all Thorens choose to leave? What if we all choose to leave with our Sphere and only the Cystos remains?" he asked.
"I would hope, being there are so few of you, that you would condense yourselves and leave us at least half of your Spheres. Considering you made slaves of an entire world, I would think it a very small price to pay. If you chose not to do this, even after I've restored your immortality, then you would leave with all of your Spheres. We will not stop you. It has never been that you cannot leave. You are free to go. You will not, however, leave with even a single human aboard your ship that wishes to stay," I answered.
Liam nodded again and returned to his original position.
"We will perform this sorting every year. Please understand. This is not a choice on what you will do for the rest of eternity. You only have to decide whether or not you wish to stay. Even that decision is not forever. If at some time in the future you wish to venture out into space, no one will stop you," I stopped and watched sporadic white flashes of light remove people from the crowd. "Once you have committed your ship to the city, it will not be returned. Should you change your mind in the future, arrangements will be made to see that you may go as you wish," I continued.
"Those that do leave today will not be allowed to return for five thousand years. If you return before then, we will not acknowledge communications. You will be destroyed without hesitation. If you leave today, you will vacate this solar system at top speed. Once this is done, you may do as you please," I announced.
"Are there any more questions?" I asked.
Silence filled the make-shift auditorium like something thick and tangible. The white teleporting flashes of light slowed and finally stopped as the minutes passed. Eleven of the original thirty seven captains remained. There were 327,096 Human and Thoren remaining scattered among the thirty eight original sections.
"Your time is up. Very well then. I will ask this one final time. If you wish to stay, please indicate so now." I announced.
There were no additional flashes of light.
"Captains, I will return you to your ships momentarily. I will be transporting the remainder of Thoren and Human people throughout your ships equally. You can decide on their disbursement after you have left this solar system. Is this acceptable?" I asked.
I listened as they answered 'yes' almost in unison.
"You're really going to let us leave?" Captain Tapal asked skeptically.
"Of course! We've had enough death. What purpose would be served in keeping you here against your will? I have no desire to be a replacement to Keelon. I would like to see you when five thousand years have passed though. It could be a reunion of our kind. Until then, I think we need time to flourish and become what our future allows," I answered.
"If you are ready," I announced with a smile.
The blue light of my eyes flared. I concentrated and moved them to their original Spheres. I split the remaining Human and Thoren among the soon to be departing ships.
"TK, Transmit the following message." I thought.
"I wish the best for you, yours, and your future. I hope you find what you are looking for." I sent the thought.
Eleven Sphere Major powered up and left our world with in a silver blur. TK would monitor their progress and ensure their departure from our solar system.
I am sorry it has taken so long to get this chapter out. I've been busy with another story, and this chapter was slow coming to me. This feels like a good place to pause. Please send your comments and criticisms to gaywriter72@yahoo.com
Thank you!