Star Thrust ch. 9

Very Non-Standard Medical Procedures

Hawke’s communicator chirped just as he was considering whether to change into a fresh uniform or stick with the one he had on. Well, it looked like the decision had been made for him.

“Captain, the medical officer is ready to transport aboard,” Galadria’s voice came crisply through his communicator badge. “She will be arriving at transporter room one in approximately five minutes.”

He pressed his thumb against the badge. “Acknowledged. Have the bridge crew meet me there.”

“Already arranged, sir.”

Of course she had. Galadria thought three steps ahead on everything. 

Hawke gave himself a final once-over in the mirror and decided the uniform was fine. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone, just welcome a new crew member aboard. Though given the nature of this mission, first impressions probably mattered more than usual.

The walk to the transporter room took less than two minutes. When he arrived, his bridge crew was already waiting in a neat line near the platform. Galadria stood at attention with her hands clasped behind her back, spine straight as a bulkhead. Darla leaned casually against the wall with a warm smile, one hip cocked. Shayden had her arms crossed over her chest, red eyes scanning the room like she expected trouble. Moxie’s antennae twitched nervously as she fidgeted with one of her braids.

“Thank you all for coming,” Hawke said as he moved to stand beside the platform. “I know we’re all curious about our new medical officer.”

“I reviewed her file,” Galadria replied, tilting her head slightly. “Lieutenant Vess has impressive credentials in xenobiology and trauma medicine. Her experience will be valuable for our mission parameters.”

Darla pushed off the wall with one hand, straightening up from her casual lean. “I heard she’s Reclaimed. Is that true?”

“It is,” Hawke confirmed, meeting her eyes directly. “I expect everyone to treat her with the same respect you’d show any other crew member.”

“Of course, Captain,” Darla said quickly, raising both hands in a placating gesture. “I wasn’t suggesting otherwise. Just curious. I never met a Reclaimed is all.”

“Me neither,” Hawke admitted, nodding his head.

The transporter operator called out from her console. “Captain, we’re receiving her signal now. Energizing.”

Light coalesced on the platform in a blue shimmer. The beam resolved into a woman holding a medical kit in one hand and a duffel bag in the other. She walked down with very precise steps that reminded him a little of Galadria.

Lieutenant Kira Vess looked to be in her early thirties. Her dark hair was mostly worn down into a middle part that went to her shoulders, but she had a pair of buns worn in back. Sharp features and pale with visible veins underneath skin gave her an almost unearthly aesthetic, but it was her eyes that caught Hawke’s attention first. Solid black pools like oil moved in quick, mechanical sweeps across the room as she took everything in, and he immediately wondered just how the world looked to her. A faint line of silver traced along her right temple where cybernetic enhancements had been integrated into her skull, but were mostly, not entirely, removed.

She set both bags down, one after the other, and extended her hand toward Hawke. Her expression remained neutral and distant. It was like she was looking at him through a viewport rather than standing three feet away. “Captain Hawke, I presume. Lieutenant Kira Vess reportin’ for duty.”

The southern drawl caught him off guard. You didn’t hear that accent much anymore, not outside of historical holovids.

He reached out and clasped her hand. The grip was firm enough, that was for sure. The coldness of her touch made his skin prickle. “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. Let me introduce you to the bridge crew.”

He gestured to each officer in turn and gave their names and positions, making eye contact with each one as he did. Kira’s eyes tracked across them, nodding slowly, pausing fractionally on each face before moving to the next. When she got to their uniforms, her head tilted slightly to one side. It reminded him a bit of a robotic dog toy trying to mimic a real puppy’s curiosity.

“Huh.” Her voice had an airy quality to it, distant and detached like wind through an empty corridor. The southern drawl was still there, softening the edges of her words. “We didn’t expect that, but we guess it makes sense given the mission parameters.” She kept staring at them with that blank expression, eyes moving from one woman to the next. “We suppose these uniforms are intended to keep Captain Hawke sexually stimulated at all times, which encourages semen production and helps his penis to adapt to the rigor of its mission.”

We? Who was this royal ‘we’ that she kept referring to? Hawke felt warmth creep up his neck and into his face. Well, there went any hope of easing into the awkward parts of this mission. He’d gotten used to the new uniforms over the past day, but hearing someone point them out so bluntly brought the absurdity of the situation back into sharp focus.

The women all reacted in their own ways—embarrassment, nonchalance, indifference, maybe a bit of pride in Galadria’s case. Hawke leaned more toward embarrassment.

Kira didn’t appear to pay attention to anyone’s reaction. She bent down and picked up her bags again, one in each hand. “Where’s my med bay again?”

“Deck three,” Hawke said, forcing his voice to stay level. “Commander Rem will show you the way and help you get settled.”

Galadria stepped forward stiffly and gestured toward the door. “This way, Lieutenant.”

They left together and Hawke simply watched them go. Kira’s gait was perfectly balanced but too precise, like every step required active calculation rather than happening naturally. It was more mechanical than military, if he were trying to describe it to an outsider. Her feet hit the deck at exact intervals. The door slid shut behind them with a soft hiss.

“Well,” Darla said into the silence that followed. “She’s direct.”

“That’s one word for it,” Shayden muttered, uncrossing her arms.

Hawke turned on his heel to face them, keeping his hands clasped behind his back. “Back to your stations. I’ll meet with the Lieutenant in my ready room once she’s had time to set up her equipment.”

The bridge crew dispersed in different directions, each heading toward their respective posts. Hawke made his way back through the corridors alone, boot heels clicking against the deck plating. He’d read Kira’s file multiple times since receiving it, but reading about someone’s history and actually meeting them were two different things. She’d been captured by the Droidians fifteen years ago and spent three years integrated into their hivemind before Star Force managed to extract her. The process of restoring individual consciousness had been brutal, and she still carried cybernetic components that couldn’t be safely removed.

The Reclaimed were rare. Most people didn’t survive the extraction and rehabilitation process. Those who did were forever changed by the experience.

He arrived at his ready room and settled behind the desk to wait, pulling up some reports on his tablet to pass the time. Twenty minutes went by before his door chimed.

“Come in.”

Doctor Kira Vess entered wearing a standard Star Force medical uniform with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, exposing pale forearms traced with faint silver lines where more cybernetics ran beneath the skin. She walked straight to the chair across from his desk and dropped into it without being invited, slouching back like they were old friends rather than meeting for the second time. She fixed him with that distant stare.

“So,” she said in that airy voice with its peculiar drawl. “You’re the lucky bastard who gets to fuck his way through four alien species and call it work.”

Hawke nearly choked on the coffee he’d just sipped, the liquid going down wrong and making him cough. So much for professional decorum. Even more peculiar, he’d half expected another Galadria in terms of propriety and formality given the way she moved, but… well, that possibility was out the window. He set the cup down and cleared his throat. “That’s one way to put it.”

“It’s the only honest way to put it, Cap.” She leaned back further in the chair until it creaked, planting one elbow on the armrest. “Let’s cut the bullshit. We’ve been briefed on everything. You’ve got serum in your system that’s supposed to adapt you for interspecies reproduction, and my job is to monitor the biological changes, track fertility cycles, and make sure any pregnancies stay viable. Sound about right?”

“That’s accurate.”

She pulled out a tablet and set it on his desk with a soft thunk. “Good. Here’s what you need to know about how this is going to work.” Her fingers moved across the screen in rapid patterns without her eyes leaving his face. The cybernetic enhancements apparently let her process the data even while maintaining eye contact. “Your serum is adaptive but it’s not instant. Each time you engage in sexual activity with one of the crew, your body will make microadjustments to match their biology. Pheromone matching, hormonal shifts, minor genetic restructuring at the cellular level.” She paused and cocked her head. “It’s gonna feel weird sometimes.”

“Define weird.”

“Headaches, nausea, fatigue, mood swings. Your body is literally rewriting parts of itself on the fly and that takes energy.” She swiped through more data with quick, efficient gestures. “We’ll need weekly blood samples, daily vitals, and we need to know every time you get your fuck on with any of them. Time, duration, any unusual physical responses—the works.”

Hawke dragged his hand down his face, feeling the stubble on his jaw rasp against his palm. “You want me to file reports on my sex life.”

“Yep. To be fair, your sex life is pretty much my whole fucking job, sir. At least until someone gets a scrape or turns into an alien goose on some unhinged away mission.” Her head tilted to the other side now, like a security camera adjusting its angle. “My advice? Get over it. This is the price of science.” 

Captain Hawke was having a real hard time making sense of the words she was saying given how at odds they seemed to be with how she actually moved. He didn’t mind the F-bombs and the casual lack of official decorum when it was just the two of them—that was actually kind of refreshing. But the fact that it was coming from a hot medical officer that moved like a robot half the time… Anyway, all he could muster in reply was, “Uhh. Okay.”

“The pregnancies are the real concern. Star Force is aware of the trauma potential because miscarriages would be devastating for everyone involved, so we’re taking every precaution. We’ll be monitoring each woman’s fertility cycle, and when they’re ovulating you’ll need to prioritize them.” She blinked slowly, deliberately, like she had to remember to do it. “We’ll also be tracking early pregnancy markers. The moment conception occurs, that crew member goes on modified duty. No heavy lifting, no stressful situations, optimal nutrition—and definitely no away missions. We may have to recruit additional officers when that time comes to handle that load.”

There was a joke in there somewhere, but Hawke let it pass. The words sank in as they were supposed to, and Hawke felt the immensity of what he’d signed up for settle more heavily on his shoulders. The mission had sounded theoretical in the briefings, but hearing Kira say the quiet part out loud regarding the actual pregnancies was something else entirely.

Kira pushed herself out of the chair and crossed to the viewport in three stiff strides. She looked out at the stars with her back to him, hands hanging loose at her sides. “Look, we get that this is weird, but it’s important. You know how many species in the Confederation can reproduce together?” She turned back to him and her head cocked to one side again. “None of them. Zero. Humans can’t have kids with Vultarians, Vultarians can’t have kids with Horukar, and everyone’s stuck in their own genetic boxes. If this serum works, it changes everything—whether that’s a good thing or bad thing is up for debate.”

“What do you think?” he asked.

She shrugged in a single jerky motion. “In my opinion, it is our duty to always be moving forward. No avenue of technology or biology should go unexplored, no Pandora’s Box unopened.”

“And if it doesn’t work?”

“Then you’ve wasted a year of everyone’s time and had a lot of consequence-free sex with frankly bizarrely hot alien women.” Her voice remained airy and detached even through that banger of a truth bomb. “Could be a lot worse for you, sir.”

Yep. He couldn’t argue with that logic. Hell, six months ago he’d been ferrying data chips between administrative posts, hunting space pirates, and doing short term assignments for whatever flagship was in the same system as him, all the while daydreaming about something more exciting.

And this sure was exciting.

Kira turned fully to face him, shifting her weight to one hip. Her expression didn’t change. “One more thing. The Reclaimed stuff. You read my file?”

“I did.”

“Then you know we’ve got Droidian tech in our head that can’t be removed without killing us.” She caught herself and blinked, a flash of something almost human crossing her features. “I. I’ve got tech. Sorry, that’s a holdover from being connected to the hivemind. Sometimes the pronouns get confused when I’m talking about myself or the tech itself.” Her fingers twitched at her sides. “You probably noticed the accent too. I wasn't born with it. Linguistic scramble, some folks call it. Side effect of the extraction process. I speak Horukar now, and Ancient Greek, and some language belonging to an alien race Star Force hasn’t even catalogued yet. Brain just absorbed whatever was floating around in the hivemind and scrambled it all together.” She shrugged. “Could be worse.”

“It gives you a certain charm,” he said, nodding. “That explains a lot. Thank you for the proactive clarification, Doc.”

She paused, then continued. “Most of the tech’s dormant but the monitoring systems are still active. My neural implants track brain activity, hormone levels, vitals. All the stuff I need to do my job effectively.” She crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive posture. “Some people find it creepy. If you’re gonna be one of those people, tell me now so we can establish professional boundaries.”

“I’m not one of those people. I think.”

“Good.” She walked back to the chair and sat down again, this time leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. “Because we’re excellent at our job. Now, we need to establish baseline measurements for you before we can track any changes. That means a full physical examination today. Strip down to your underwear.”

Hawke blinked. “Right now?”

“Yes, right now. We’re very much on a schedule here.” She pulled out a medical scanner from her kit. “The serum is already in your system and adapting. Every day we wait is data lost. So stand up and start undressing.”

Hawke stood and started unfastening his uniform jacket, feeling absurdly self-conscious. “You know, most doctors have the courtesy to at least use an exam room.”

“Most doctors aren’t monitoring an experimental reproduction program.” Kira stood and moved closer with the scanner active. “Besides, you’re going to need to get comfortable being naked around me in all sorts of rooms. May as well start now.”

He pulled off the jacket and set it on his desk, then started on his undershirt. The fabric stuck slightly to his skin as he pulled it over his head. When he was bare-chested, Kira gestured for him to continue.

“All of it. We need full body measurements and scans.”

Hawke kicked off his boots and unfastened his pants, pushing them down and stepping out of them. He stood there in just his boxer briefs, feeling ridiculous. “This is as far as I’m going unless you’ve got a medical reason.”

“We’ve got several medical reasons.” She moved around him in a slow circle, running the scanner over his body. “Penis size, testicular volume, hormone baseline. All of it needs to be documented before you continue sexual activity. We need to know if the serum causes any physical changes to your reproductive organs.”

Of course she did. Hawke closed his eyes for a moment and tried to find his dignity somewhere in the vicinity.

Kira stopped in front of him and held out the scanner. “Lose the underwear next. We can do this professionally or we can waste time being embarrassed. Your choice.”

Hawke hooked his thumbs in the waistband and pushed the boxer briefs down, stepping out of them and standing there completely exposed. The air in the ready room felt suddenly colder.

“Thank you.” Kira crouched down and ran the scanner along his thighs, then up to his groin. “Hmm… Your size might be a problem for the Tribb, honestly. I was hoping for six inches but you’re giving me a boaster’s nine here, Cap.”

“I’m not going to apologize for being well hung, Doctor,” he said, furrowing his brow.

“Nor should you, we suppose. But you’ll have to stretch—what is her name again, Moxani?”

“Yep. Moxani, no surname,” he confirmed.

“You’re going to have to spend a few nights stretching out her tight little Tribb pussy, sir. Even then, you’ll be hitting her cervix almost immediately.”

He frowned as his penis jerked in front of him like a Jintari tunnel snake in the face of an Isodalian Gurgwump. “I’m not sure how to engage with this kind of conversation yet, Doc.”

 “I’m going to need to take manual measurements as well in both flaccid and erect states. The scanner gives us general data but it’s policy to take precise dimensions for the medical record.”

Hawke’s brows furrowed. “Seriously? I feel like tech is good enough at this point to take an accurate measurement.”

“I didn’t write the rulebook, Captain.” She reached out and took his penis in one hand, lifting it to measure with a small device she’d produced from her kit. Her touch was completely impersonal, but not rough. “Flaccid length is approximately six point two inches. Girth at base is...” She measured around with the device. “Four point eight inches. He’s a chubby bastard, that’s for sure.”

Hawke stared at the ceiling and wondered what divine being he’d offended in a past life.

“Now we need erect measurements.” Kira released him and stood back up. “Can you achieve erection on command or do you need visual stimulation?”

Hawke’s head snapped toward her. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Erect measurements. We need them for the baseline.” She pulled out her tablet and started typing. “If you need assistance, we can call Commander Rem in here. Based on her logs you had a previous encounter together, and she strikes me as the practical sort. She should be up for it.”

Hawke turned away from her and tried to think about something arousing. Galadria naked in the shower. That worked pretty well. Her pale skin and electric blue eyes and the way she’d moaned when he’d touched her. The memory alone was enough to get his blood moving. He felt himself starting to respond.

“Almost there,” Kira said from behind him. “Your heart rate just increased. Blood flow is redirecting. Give it another thirty seconds.”

How the hell could she tell that? The cybernetic implants, probably. She could monitor his vitals remotely. That was both impressive and deeply invasive.

“Ready when you are,” she said.

He turned back around, now fully erect. Kira stood and moved toward him with the measuring device again. Her face remained completely vacant of emotion as she worked.

“Length is eight point four inches. Girth at base is five point six inches, at midshaft five point eight, just below the glans six point one.” She typed the measurements into her tablet without looking down. “Above average for human males. I bet the Vultarian will love this pretty specimen. It’s kind of the ideal size and shape for a Vultarian pussy—a little on the large side for Miss Yeshka and Miss Moxani, though, and the Horukar might present some challenges given how intense her kind’s vaginal walls clamp down on penises, but we’ll monitor that. I can install underskin plating to protect you if needed.”

“Plating? Like armor? For my dick?” Hawke grabbed for his clothes. 

She nodded. “A horukar cunt is a dangerous thing, sir. When semen is received by a horukar’s uterus, the vaginal wall tightens like a vice. Even their own men sometimes lose their cocks. But they can regrow new ones.”

He blinked. “As far as I know, I cannot.”

“Well, I could make you regrow one, but it’s best if we avoid that, as it can take some time.”

He shuddered. “I can’t disagree with you there. Are we done?”

“Nearly. One more thing.” She reached out and cupped his testicles, lifting them slightly. “Testicular volume appears normal. No worrisome lumps or unexpected asymmetry. Good sperm production indicators.” She released him and stepped back. “You can get dressed now. We have everything we need for your baseline.”

Hawke grabbed his clothes and started dressing as fast as humanly possible. His face was burning and he was pretty sure he’d never been more uncomfortable in his entire life.

He fastened the last button on his jacket with fumbling fingers. “So now what?”

“Now we need to examine one of the bridge crew and monitor an actual sexual encounter to see how the serum is adapting in real time.” Kira packed her equipment away. “Commander Rem is the easy choice since you’ve already been intimate with her. We’ll need to collect samples immediately after intercourse and run an analysis.”

Hawke sank into his chair, elbows hitting the desk. “You want to watch me have sex with my first officer.”

“Hell yeah. Observation is critical for data collection, Cap, I swear. We need to monitor both of your responses, measure pheromone levels, track orgasm markers.” She looked at him with that blank expression. “Is that going to be a problem?”

Hawke dragged both hands through his hair. “I mean it is—well, it sounds like a bad time, but I don’t know yet. Let me ask Galadria for her thoughts.”

Kira shrugged. “Fair enough. But this really shouldn’t be up for debate in my opinion. The serum is already adapting and we need to track the changes as they happen.”

Hawke pulled out his communicator and stared at it for a long moment. He was about to call his first officer and ask her to come to his quarters for monitored sex. His career had taken some strange turns since Norad III, but this was definitely the strangest.

He tapped the badge. “Captain to Commander Rem.”

“Rem here, Captain.”

“Commander, I need you to report to my quarters in one hour. Lieutenant Vess will be there as well. It’s regarding the mission parameters.”

There was a pause. “Understood, sir. I will be there.”

The channel closed and Hawke looked at Kira. “One hour. That gives you time to set up whatever equipment you need.”

“Perfect. We’ll meet you there.” She picked up her kit and headed for the door, then paused and looked back. “Oh, and Captain? Try not to overthink this. The more natural the encounter, the better the data.”

She left before he could respond.

Hawke sat alone in his ready room and tried to process what was about to happen. He was going to have sex with Galadria while his medical officer watched and took notes. That was his job now. That was what he’d signed up for.

He stood and headed for his quarters. If he was going to do this, he needed a shower first.

***

Fifty-five minutes later, Hawke stood in his quarters feeling cleaner but no less nervous. He’d changed into casual clothes, nothing fancy. There was no point in dressing up for this.

The door chimed and he called out, “Come in.”

Kira entered first, carrying two cases of equipment. She moved through his quarters like she owned them, setting up sensors on the walls and positioning a holographic display near the bed. She’d changed into a simple medical coat over her uniform.

“We’ll be monitoring from multiple angles,” she said without looking at him. “Heart rate, hormone levels, pheromone output, neural activity, et cetera, blah blah blah. The sensors are passive so you won’t feel them. Just act natural and do some fucky-sucky, Cap.”

“Right,” he grunted. “The ol’ fucky-sucky. Will do.”

The door chimed again and Galadria entered. She wore her standard uniform and stood at attention near the door, hands clasped behind her back. Her expression was neutral but Hawke thought he saw a flicker of something in her eyes when she looked at Kira’s equipment.

“Commander, Lieutenant Vess I believe has already explained the need for sexual observation and sample collection,” Hawke said, trying to sound professional about the whole thing. “If you’re uncomfortable with this arrangement, we can postpone.”

Galadria’s head tilted back slightly as she looked up at him. “Captain, I find your concern illogical. We are both aware of our mission parameters. The addition of medical observation changes nothing about the nature of our activity. If anything, it provides valuable data that will benefit the research.” She paused. “However, I must confess I find it peculiar that Lieutenant Vess will be observing us in person when the security footage of your quarters could suffice. Vultarian culture typically reserves sexual observation for educational purposes or ceremonial bonding rituals.”

“This is educational,” Kira said without looking up from her equipment. “Just not in the traditional sense. Now, Commander, we’re going to need you to disrobe first so we can establish your baseline as well. Captain, you can start whenever you’re ready.”

Galadria began unfastening her uniform with that same methodical process she applied to everything. Hawke watched her undress and felt his body responding automatically. She was beautiful. That hadn’t changed. But having Kira standing there with a medical scanner made the whole thing feel less intimate and more like a science experiment.

Which, he supposed, it kind of was.

Galadria finished undressing and stood before them completely naked. Kira moved around her with the scanner, running it over her body in quick passes.

“Vultarian physiology presents some interesting adaptations,” Kira muttered as she worked. “Higher baseline body temperature, increased nerve density in erogenous zones, psionic capabilities that activate during physical intimacy.” She stopped and looked at Hawke. “You’re going to need to be more aggressive with her than you would a human woman. Vultarian nerve endings require stronger stimulation to achieve the same level of response.”

“I assure you, the Captain needs no lecturing on the topic,” Galadria said plainly.

“Yes, I’m aware of all this,” Hawke said. He’d learned that lesson already during their first encounter.

“Good. Now let’s begin.” Kira stepped back and activated the holographic display. Various readouts appeared in the air, showing heart rates, hormone levels, and other data he couldn’t immediately interpret. “We’ll—I’ll be monitoring throughout. Try to act natural and don’t worry about my presence.”

Right. Don’t worry about the medical officer watching and taking notes. That would be easy.

Hawke moved toward Galadria and reached out to cup her face. She leaned into the touch slightly, her blue eyes fixed on his. “Captain, you may proceed as you normally would. I believe the anticipation of the act has already induced arousal in me sufficient to provide ample lubrication for your insertion.”

Why did he find those words so hot? He leaned down and kissed her rather than immediately impaling her on his cock, though. They hadn’t done this part last time, and he regretted it. This was his chance to make it right. 

Galadria seemed surprised, jerking slightly at the contact, but she did not resist. Her lips were warm against his and she opened for him immediately, her tongue meeting his. The kiss deepened by the second and he pulled her closer, one hand sliding down her back. Her breasts pushed into his sternum, and when she noticed just how much he was bending over for her, she stood on tiptoes on top of his feet and wrapped her arms around his waist for balance. Her skin was hot under his palm, almost feverish.

“Excellent start. Pheromone levels increasing in both subjects,” Kira said from somewhere behind them. “Neural activity spiking. Captain’s heart rate at ninety beats per minute and climbing.”

Hawke tried to ignore her commentary. He focused on Galadria instead, on the way she felt in his arms and the small sounds she made when he kissed her neck. His hands moved over her body, relearning the curves and angles he’d explored before. She was so warm everywhere he touched, radiating heat like she had her own internal furnace.

She reached for his shirt and started pulling it over his head. He helped her and soon they were both undressing him together. When he was naked, she wrapped her hand around his erection and stroked him slowly while looking in his eyes, her mouth open and gasping.

“Excellent response,” Kira observed. “Commander, your touch is triggering significant dopamine release in the Captain’s system. His testosterone levels are elevated beyond normal parameters. Most intriguingly, Commander Rem’s oxytocin output is off the charts, many times more than I’d expect from a Vultarian.”

Galadria’s head tilted slightly but she didn’t stop what she was doing. Hawke guided her toward the bed and she lay back, spreading her legs for him. He settled between them and leaned down to kiss her again. Her mouth was hot and demanding, and when his hand moved between her legs he found her already soaked.

“Captain, we’re noticing some performance anxiety in your readings,” Kira said. “Elevated cortisol, slight erectile fluctuation. If I might guess as to why, it’s likely due to our observation creating psychological stress.”

Hawke pulled back and looked at her pointedly. “Gee, you think?”

“I’m concerned it may affect the strength of your erection, Captain. We have a solution if you’re willing to try it.” Kira started removing her medical coat, that southern drawl making the words sound more casual than they were. “Given the unusual circumstances and the astronomical scientific value of our mission, we—I mean, I—could take a more direct approach to ensure you’re comfortable and the encounter proceeds smoothly. I would be willing to do this for you.”

Hawke’s brow furrowed. “More direct how?” he asked, though he had a sinking feeling he knew where this was going.

“Direct physical assistance and guidance.” Kira pulled her shirt over her head, revealing medium sized breasts with skin-toned nipples that mostly blended in with the rest of her ghostly white skin. “I can help facilitate the encounter and collect more accurate data through direct contact. It’s unconventional but given the nature of this research, unconventional methods are acceptable.”

Galadria was looking increasingly impatient as her brow continued to twitch while this conversation went on. Hawke’s mouth opened and closed twice before words came out. “You want to join us.”

“For primarily scientific purposes, yes.” She unfastened her pants and pushed them down. Like Galadria, she wore nothing underneath. “We—I can provide stimulation to both of you to ensure optimal arousal and help guide penetration. Think of me as a facilitator.”

Galadria looked at Kira and then at Hawke. Her head tilted again. “Her logic is sound. Additional stimulation would increase the probability of a stronger release and, therefore, successful data collection. I have no objection if you are comfortable with this arrangement, Captain.”

Of course she didn’t object. Galadria was nothing if not logical and goal-oriented about this entire mission. Hawke took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine. Okay. For science!”

Kira moved onto the bed with them, positioning herself beside Galadria. “Commander, I’m going to need you even more aroused before penetration to the point where you almost can’t help but beg for it. Captain, continue what you were doing. I’ll provide additional visual and physical stimulation. The hope is that my presence amplifies the eroticism of this encounter for you.”

Well, it definitely did that. Hawke leaned down and kissed Galadria again while his hand moved between her legs. She was comically wet, so wet in fact that slipping one digit in made a frankly lewd slurping sound, but he had to somehow make her even hornier. He stroked her insides with his fingers slowly, but found the underside of his cock against her exposed little pearl of a clit. She moaned into his mouth, her hips lifting and twisting constantly.

“C-Captain,” she groaned airly. “It’s—I must confess I enjoy this approach.”

He didn’t hate it either.

Kira reached out and placed one hand on Galadria’s breast, squeezing and rolling the nipple between her fingers. “Vultarian breast tissue has approximately forty percent more nerve endings than human tissue. Firmer pressure is required to top out her maximum pleasure potential. Word to the wise? Always be stimulating her tits, sir.”

“Noted.”

“Even on the bridge. A quick swat on the tush or copping a feel of her breasts every now and then would be well-advised. The more sexually primed you can keep her throughout the day, the more your serum will do its work when you’re finally inside her.”

His brows furrowed as he continued to grind his cock along her clit. “Uh… N-noted, I guess?”

“Yesss, this is excellent advice, Captain. Take it to heart for the sake of this mission.” Galadria’s breathing quickened and her back arched slightly. Hawke increased the pressure of his fingers and she gasped. Her inner walls were clenching around his digits, clearly yearning for more.

Kira’s other hand moved down to join his between Galadria’s legs. Her fingers brushed against his cock and then moved lower, testing along Galadria’s entrance. “The vaginal canal temperature is approximately one hundred and three degrees Fahrenheit. Significantly higher than the human baseline, but within acceptable ranges for her kind.”

Hawke could feel that heat against his fingers. It was almost uncomfortable, but also intensely arousing. 

“Please, Captain,” Galadria suddenly pleaded, hips bucking harder against him. “I believe that the degree of my yarning and arousal has progressed into begging territory. Therefore, I believe it is time for you to penetrate me and fill me with your release.”

“Let me guide you inside,” Kira said. Her hand moved toward Hawke’s erection, taking it around the base. “Hmm. This chonker is a thing of beauty.”

That’s when Galadria’s hand shot out and caught Kira’s wrist, stopping her inches before she made contact. Her fingers wrapped tight around pale skin. “That will not be necessary.” Her voice had an edge to it that Hawke hadn’t heard before. “The Captain requires no guidance for penetration. He has already demonstrated more than adequate technique. Furthermore, I do not think it appropriate for a third party to interact with his member when he is engaging with me.”

Kira blinked. “Commander, I meant no offense, I’m simply trying to optimize his—”

Galadria’s grip tightened for just a moment before she released Kira’s wrist. “I believe I have expressed my view on the matter.” She released it after a moment and turned her attention fully to Hawke, reaching up to cup his face with both hands. “Captain, you may proceed on your own. I assure you, I am more than adequately aroused.”

Hawke was frankly too horny to worry much about that little tete a tete. He went ahead and positioned himself at her entrance and started to push inside. The heat was intense, almost too much, but she was slick and ready so he slid right inside almost before he intended to. He sank into her slowly and she made an almost purring sound in her throat, her hands sliding down to grip his shoulders.

Kira had moved back slightly, giving them more space. She was watching with a blank expression, but her hand still rested on Galadria’s hip. “I’ll continue monitoring from here, I suppose.”

Hawke started moving, pulling back and pushing forward in a stable rhythm. Galadria’s inner walls gripped him tight and the heat was incredible, making every nerve ending in his body light up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him deeper.

“Look at me,” Galadria said, her voice breathier than usual. Her hands came up to frame his face again, turning it toward her. “Captain, I cannot say with clarity just why, but at the present moment I want you to look into my eyes.”

He met her eyes and she held his gaze intensely. Her blue eyes were intense—both intensely blue and intensely intense—and when he tried to glance away to adjust his angle, her hands tightened on his face.

Her fingers pressed against his jaw, turning him back. “Keep your eyes on me,” she said. “Please. Always on me, Captain. Do not look away.”

There was something in her voice creeping in that hadn’t been there before, something that sounded almost desperate… fearful? Hawke kept his gaze locked with hers and increased his pace. Her breathing got faster and her nails dug into his shoulders.

Kira reached out and found Galadria’s clit, rubbing it in tight circles. “Frankly, the oxytocin levels I’m getting from the Commander are a bit unusual. But the pair-bonding happening here is certainly very good for the mission and your ability to adapt to her womb, Captain.”

Galadria’s eyes flickered toward Kira for just a second, then immediately back to Hawke. She pulled him down into a kiss that was deep and demanding, her tongue pushing into his mouth. Her whole body was tense beneath him, straining upward like she was on a mission to leave an imprint of her tits on his skin.

Her nails dug deeper into his shoulders. “Maintain this passion and intensity with me,” Galadria gasped between kisses. “Forever. Forever and ever, Captain! Ahh! I—I am approaching climax!”

Hawke kept the same rhythm, driving into her while Kira continued stimulating her clit and breasts. Galadria’s face was flushed and her eyes had gone crossed and unfocused, and at one point her tongue even hung out of the side of her mouth, but she still kept trying to look at him. Every time his gaze wandered, she would turn his face back toward her with her hands.

“Kiss me again,” she demanded, pulling him down. “I require your mouth on mine when I climax to maximize the intensity of my response!”

He kissed her deeply and she came hard, just as promised, crying out into his mouth. Her whole body went rigid and her inner muscles clamped down on him so tight it was almost painful. Immediately he thought of how dangerous Shayden’s pussy must be if this one didn’t bear a medical mention from the Doc. Even so, the sensation pushed him over the edge and he followed her into orgasm, spilling inside her with a groan.

They lay there for a moment, both breathing hard. Galadria’s hands were still on his face, holding him close. Her eyes were still locked on his.

Kira had already moved away and was checking her readouts. “Amazing data here,” she said in that detached drawl. “Both of your oxytocin levels peaked during mutual orgasm. Neural activity showed strong synchronized patterns. The serum is definitely adapting.” She moved back to the bed with a small device in hand. “Now we need to collect a sample. Commander, remain in position.”

Galadria finally released Hawke’s face and let her hands fall to the bed. “Captain, you may regrettably withdraw.”

He pulled out slowly and moved to the side. His skin was slick with sweat and he could smell the sharp scent of sex in the air, mixed with Galadria’s perfume.

Kira positioned herself between Galadria’s legs and without any warning, leaned down and sealed her mouth over Galadria’s entrance.

Hawke jerked upright, every muscle tensing. “What are you doing?”

Kira didn’t respond. She was too busy using suction to draw Hawke’s cum out of Galadria’s cunt. The Vultarian’s eyes went wide and her hips jerked involuntarily, but she didn’t try to force her off.

Galadria’s hands shot up to grip the sheets, but she seemed to have anticipated this somehow and didn’t seem particularly shocked.

Kira worked for another few seconds, her mouth sealed tight, then pulled back and turned to spit the fluid into a beaker she’d prepared on the nightstand. The sight was visceral and strangely intimate, watching his cum drip from her lips into the glass container.

“Sorry for the jumpscare, Cap. It’s the most efficient collection method barring sticking a medical vacuum up her pussy,” Kira said simply, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Galadria relaxed once she realized the purpose and nodded. “Yes, that is logical.”

“Is it, though?” Hawke asked the air, cocking his head.

Kira ran a medical scanner over the beaker while all three of them were still completely naked. Hawke’s release looked slightly different in the beaker, more iridescent somehow. The device beeped and displayed various readouts that he could not understand if he tried.

“Fascinating,” Kira muttered, studying the data. “The serum has already begun producing adaptogenic proteins. Your semen is restructuring itself at the molecular level to be more compatible with Vultarian reproductive biology.” She looked up at Hawke. “This is working faster than anticipated. If we maintain regular sexual contact between you and Commander Rem, we could see successful fertilization within ten months instead of the projected eighteen.”

Galadria sat up slowly, her face still flushed. “I believe we have collected sufficient data for today. However, I will require aftercare soon. Alone with the Captain.”

“Understood,” Kira said, still studying her readouts. “We’ll want to repeat this observation weekly to track the serum’s continued adaptation. Captain, make sure you engage in sexual activity with Commander Rem and as many officers as you can at least once daily until then.”

“Doctor’s orders, I suppose,” Hawke muttered, reaching for his own clothes.

“Exactly.” Kira started packing up her equipment. “I’ll also need to schedule baseline measurements on the other bridge crew members. Please tell them to report to Med Bay at their earliest convenience, Commander Rem.”

Galadria nodded but remained silent, her eyes locked on Hawke like she was still waiting for him to say something or make a move. 

Kira finished packing her equipment and pulled her clothes back on. “Good job, gang. The data we collected will be invaluable for tracking the serum’s progress.” She paused at the door. “Oh, and Captain? You might want to spend some extra time with Commander Rem in your Vultarian aftercare sessions. Commander, would it be alright with you if I share some of my observations with the Captain regarding your reaction to him during this encounter?”

Galadria nodded once again, but didn’t stop looking at Hawke.

“The elevated oxytocin levels, among other elevated hormones and pheremones, suggest to me that Commander Rem has grown deeply infatuated with and possessive of you. This is quite rare for Vultarians, but when it does happen, it can lead to, uh, creepy or even worrisome behaviors.” Kira shrugged and turned to Galadria. “Your bond with the captain seems very strong, and mutual to an extent, but I worry that you are going to develop jealousy that may turn out to be an impediment to the mission at this rate.”

Galadria finally turned her head to levy a blank look at the doctor. “That will not be an issue, I assure you.”

“I’m sure it won’t be. All the same, I said what I had to say. Enjoy your Vultarian psychic snuggle puddle.”

Hawke waved her off and watched her leave, then turned back to Commander Rem with a bit more concern than he’d had at the start of this session. “You’re sure you’re alright, Commander?”

“I am certain, Captain.” She laid back on the bed, legs open, arms outstretched. “Now, it is time for our aftercare session to commence.”

He joined her on the bed, crawling toward her, and then taking a spot beside her rather than on top. She readjusted and climbed on him, wrapping her arms and legs around him more like a koala than a dignified Vultarian officer of Star Force. She seemed to be holding back the psychic link this time, though, for whatever reason. “Captain. I would like to make a request of you.”

“Sure, what’s on your mind?” he said as his arms circled her naked waist.

“I have calculated that our interpersonal, professional, and sexual compatibility scores all number in the thousands according to the Vultarian standard metric for relational concerns. Therefore, it would seem advisable for us to consider a legal union of sorts in the near future. To ensure that Star Force does not under any circumstance separate us after the birth of our children.”

His brow furrowed as he stroked her back, enjoying the heat of her body on his. “I see. Well, I was told that we would be allowed to raise the children on board together for a while at least.”

“But who is to say what happens to this crew and our vessel if news of our success is met with controversy and backlash? By performing some manner of legal union, perhaps with a ritually significant ceremony attached involving family, friends, and coworkers, we can ensure that we will remain able to remain compatriots and partners indefinitely.” The words sounded so matter-of-fact and straightforward, but she was nuzzling his neck like a kitten the whole time while saying it.

“You mean… like… getting married?”

“An excellent idea, Captain. Very well, I accept.”

Hawke blinked. “Wait, hang on.”