Futanari Freighter Pt. 06

Futanari Freighter - Part 6

"All hands, prepare for FTL termination," Captain J'mai's voice echoed throughout the ship's PA system.

Carla gripped the handles in her cryopod hard, the knuckles turning white.

They were about to exit FTL, at the edge of the system Gonzales Station resided. Carla had never experienced an FTL termination before, but apparently it could be just as disorienting as engaging it.

It was half braking, half slamming into a net, navigation terminating the bubble that surrounded the ship and killing the engines while the interference of the system's gravitational fields completely disrupted the field entirely.

It was a rather rough, and oft inaccurate procedure, but relatively safe.

"Exiting FTL!"

All the same, when the ship started shuddering and groaning like a thousand bulkheads were buckling, Carla didn't feel all too encouraged by statistics.

Her breathing quickened, and her grip on the handles of the pod became almost painful. It lasted longer than she expected, and the fear the Tangerine would come apart at the seams was not far away, not with how the ship seemed to be falling apart as if from bad maintenance.

But soon, the ship stopped shaking. Everything calmed down, and soon, only the accelerated breathing of her fellow crewmates in adjacent pods was audible.

"FTL successfully terminated. Prepare for burn to Gonzales station."

The all clear hadn't been given, so everyone waited while the ship oriented its engines in the direction it needed to go. And after several long moment, the ship shuddered again, and Carly felt acceleration tugging on her.

It made her lurch in her pod, gravity still offline until they were underway. It'd take at least a day to reach Gonzales Station, orbiting the Gas Giant GG-41, near the edge of the system.

Once the acceleration stopped, J'mai's voice echoed through the PA once more.

"We are en route to Gonzales Station. All systems read green, you are free to release your restraints, and leave your pods or rooms. Remember, stay vigilant for additional technical faults."

That was almost a given; whilst ships were designed to tolerate FTL termination, that didn't mean the stresses involved couldn't be considered 'violent'.

With the state the Tangerine seemed to be in, it was certain that something had broken. Or a lot of things. At least docking at Gonzales Station meant a hopeful end to the plague of technical faults.

On the bright side, she didn't throw up this time.

---

Sure enough, the crew was busy dealing with a number of issues caused by the exiting of FTL, though less than anticipated. And it had been noted that, by and large, life support remained relatively untouched throughout the entire 'crisis'.

No one had officially used that label, but it was what the crew were saying, and Carla could understand.

At the same time, there was a sense of excitement in the air; while Gonzales Station was an outpost, it did have a dockyard sufficient for their needs, but most importantly, more extensive recreational facilities.

Assuming the station wasn't a complete dump, a lot of the Zamaar were excited to get off the Tangerine and visit the new place.

Carla suspected a number of them were perhaps interested in seducing some of the occupants, to fool around a little.

Carla was just happy to be on 'solid' ground for a little while until the source of the problem could be identified. Or at least enough fixes had been applied the ship wouldn't fall apart on them before they reached their intended destination.

That was still a day off, intrasystem travel ironically comparatively slower than FTL between systems, at least thinking relatively.

That's what she got to thinking about as she fixed up an electrical panel next to one of the lifts. It was a pattern she and others had noted, many of the faults were electrical in nature, or the results of an electrical fault.

Some weren't, like the pipe rupture that injured Tana...

Tana. They were recovering well, but they were still in an induced coma, Doc keeping them that way until they were confident they were mostly recovered, given the nasty head injury Tana sustained.

Carla still felt pangs of guilt every now and then, like it was her fault. If she'd just let Tana go, and not had that conversation...

But no, it wasn't her fault. She had no way of predicting what happened. As was said to her and oft repeated in her own head.

All the same, she worried for Tana; the Zamaar was already going through a lot, ostracised by the crew for paranoid reasons, straining the characterisation of Zamaar as being tight knit in their own 'clans'.

Carla sighed, and ignored those thoughts, doing nothing good for her. She'd just have to let Tana recover before she tried to talk to them. If they wanted to talk.

The electrical panel flashed its diagnostic lights. Just one more fault to go...

---

Carla was once again bracing herself, though this time in her own quarters.

Finally, after a number of delays, she was back in her own room. Though, admittedly, she missed the surroundings of Tana's cabin, filled with their stuff and looking less stark compared to her own.

Though she wasn't going to miss bunking with Tana specifically, the Zamaar having made the living arrangements quite strained.

She sighed, clinging to her mattress, swaying to the small bursts of acceleration as the Tangerine made the final approach to Gonzales Station's umbilical.

Things went calm. And then the tiniest little shiver, and it was quiet.

"Docking with Gonzales Station complete. We have achieved hard seal, refuelling booms and 'ship to shore' power conduits are deploying. If any of you wish to visit the station, please contact their administration for a pass. All crew will be required to go through decontamination before leaving the ship. And a reminder, crew required on urgent shifts will not be given a pass until their shift is over. That is all."

J'mai's voice faded, and Carla stood up and stretched, feeling all too eager to get onto the station, thankful she was not part of the first round of 'urgent shifts'. It basically meant she had complete R&R.

Leaving her cabin, she bumped into Utan, who was looking a little glum.

"What's up?" Carla asked.

"I'm on the first urgent shift," they muttered. "Someone's gotta get this tub into shape, but I was hoping I'd get to see around Gonzales Station first. Dammit, I should've kept my mouth shut."

"What, you think the captain did it deliberately?" Carla inquired. J'mai ran a tight ship, but were they the sort to be petty to keep their crew humble?

"The captain, no. But the universe was listening, that's for damn sure," Utan bitterly joked.

Yeah, that'd do it. Carla offered a sympathetic smile.

"Tell you what, I'll bring you back a souvenir if there's anything I think will interest you," Carla suggested.

"Sounds like an idea. And if we're free at the same time, let's go together."

"Agreed."

Utan smiled and leaned close to peck Carla on the lips.

For once, Carla wasn't surprised, and returned the peck just as casually, but Utan was already on their way, heading to where they were needed.

Carla, meanwhile, pulled out her tablet and consulted the map, heading to the oft unused communications hub. Though it was probably going to be rather busy right now.

She'd use her PDA to contact the station's administration, but it was protocol that no external device could connect to a station's intranet until cleared by customs and security, once a pass was provided. Understandable, but a little inconvenient, it'd make things so much faster.

Well, it wasn't like she was going to have a shortage of time for the foreseeable future.

---

Carla got her pass, speaking to the administrative staff of Gonzales Station.

Truthfully, she didn't know if she was speaking to a human or otherwise, but it wasn't as onerous as she was expecting.

Thus, she grabbed a bag for anything she might want from the station, and made her way to the docking umbilical.

Decontamination was quick enough, and soon she was walking the fifty meter umbilical that connected the Tangerine to the station, the glass-walled tube giving her an adequate view of the structure looming overhead.

For an outpost, it was sizeable, at least a kilometre in height, though fairly narrow towards the bottom, gradually getting thicker towards the top until the vaguely conical structure was almost a third of its height in width.

Most of the station stretched out below the umbilical, a great ring surrounding one of the thicker sections above the centre, the connecting spokes lit up with many lights, much like the exterior of the station's central section, numerous windows breaking up the gunmetal grey exterior, the occasional shadow flickering through them.

Down below were several large boxy structures arrayed radially, hangars for smaller shuttle craft.

Large, white block letters spelled out the station's name on the side of its hull above the main ring, lit with floodlights.

A strange, bluish-white light bathed the hull of the station, reflected off of the gas giant it orbited, GG-41, an unusual-looking sphere of seemingly languid clouds swirling in twisting whites and blues and the rare streak of aquamarine, the edges of auroras just visible along the intersection where the light side of the north pole met the dark.

They were the only things that seemed to move, the rest of the gas giant looking so very still, like paint that hadn't been fully mixed and left to stagnate.

She knew well the looks were deceiving; it only looked the size of Luna, if one was observing from halfway between it and Earth.

GG-41 was only slightly smaller than Saturn. Gonzales Station orbited the giant a good distance away to avoid the majority of the radiation it gave off, typical for gas giants. And those clouds were roiling tempests that would've threatened any ship or probe that dared scrape their surfaces.

But even in the distant light of the system's red giant, enough light was reflected off of GG-41 to make the station's surrounding space a little less gloomy.

Another ring rotated slowly above the one she was walking to, smaller, its purpose a little unclear. But some quick maths told her the ring was moving fast enough it'd produce gravity above 1G.

Odd that it'd be needed, as the rest of the station clearly had A-Grav.

She brushed those curiosities aside and approached the station, a few of her fellow crew ahead and behind her, chattering excitedly or tiredly, glad to be on a station that felt sturdy and solid.

Sure, Carla saw more than a few missing panels and a handful of pockmarks from micro-meteoroid impacts, and the rest of the hull showed signs of age, but it looked in good repair, and the interior of the umbilical was clean.

When she finally entered the large ring, the idea the station was worn and aged but in good repair and management was reinforced, the customs area looking rather spartan, several corrals with baggage and body scanners greeting arrivals, with desks either side, very basic seating on the other side of the corrals, a handful of posters and fake plants along the walls, and bright lighting that showed the odd scuff marks on the floor, along with some wear on the walls.

It wasn't dirty, but not pristine either. Not unexpected for a remote outpost.

Unexpectedly, the person behind the counter of the security gate Carla was walking into was a Zamaar, wearing a rather boring grey uniform with the station's symbol - nothing more than a white silhouette of the station above a blue circle - on the left side of their chest, and a nametag on the right, their head spines covered by a tight fitting cap.

They lazily cast their pinkish eyes to Carla.

"Present your pass," they asked, and Carla obliged, showing them a copy of the pass they'd downloaded onto their PDA through the terminal they used in the communications hub.

The Zamaar looked at it, scrutinised it, then checked their own computer. After a few moments, they nodded again. They requested Carla's PDA, and plugged something into it for a few seconds, and then returned it.

"All your credentials are verified and you have been connected to Gonzales Station intranet. Please, enjoy your stay, though we don't have too much on offer."

"That's fine, I'm sure it's got something for me and the crew," Carla answered, nodding politely as she took back her PDA, and finally entered the station.

The hallways inside were a little cleaner, but the grey bulkheads were only occasionally decorated with posters, screens showing landscapes and other imagery, and more occasional fake plants.

The interior was only slightly more spacious than the corridors and decks of the Tangerine, and a little less clean.

But perfectly livable, humans and the odd other alien milling about.

These outpost stations were nominally civilian, but given their isolated nature, they weren't exactly 'luxurious', only slightly more homely than military installations. Though they often did have more luxurious amenities available, to offset the isolation.

Stations like this were still home to thousands of people though, and were fully equipped with massive hydroponics bays to support the entire population in crisis scenarios.

They were probably in the upper decks. She could visit them later.

Right now, Carla wanted to see what recreation they had available, and quickly brought up a map of the station; it was a dense construction, rooms and facilities crammed in where they could be to support the sizeable population aboard.

All contained by circumferential corridors that ran the edge of each deck, sporting large windows to give a view of space beyond. It helped with the claustrophobia, apparently.

She made her way to the central structure, leaving the docking ring behind, and meandered further into the station, heading to the central hub.

Something of a 'shopping' district. And where all the recreational facilities were.

"Carla, wait up!" a voice cried out, and she turned around to see Heyto and G'yuun sauntering up to her.

"Oh, hey there," Carla greeted, waiting for any friendly kisses, but none came. Probably because they were off the ship, though if she knew anything about the Zamaar, they were making a conscious effort about it.

"Glad you were off the list of the first shifts. Means we can go together, see what this place is all about," G'yuun responded.

"And you? You're not needed for important 'crew relations' stuff?" Carla asked Heyto.

They shook their head.

"J'mai wants workers right now. Be they from the Tangerine or the station. I'm a qualified engineer, but I put emphasis on 'qualified'. Not experienced."

Carla nodded in understanding.

"Well, if not an accurate choice of words, 'girls' day out'?" Carla suggested.

Both Heyto and G'yuun grinned and chuckled to themselves.

"Sounds like a party!" G'yuun remarked enthusiastically.

The three shared a laugh, and made for the central hub of the station.

---

Worn and simple as the station was, the hub really did feel like a mall had been highly compressed into the station, spanning three decks, the middle level with the docking ring. There were cafes and small stores offering all sorts of things, for local credits. In truth, most of the non-consumable items were largely on a 'loan' basis, and one rarely paid for things to wholly own them. In this sort of station, it paid to share, though that didn't mean there weren't some things one could buy for themselves.

Though, Gonzales Station was hardly a place for souvenirs; interstellar tourism wasn't exactly a thing.

What it did have was quite an array of recreational activities to help the crew stay sane during the long - and in some cases, all but permanent - postings to the outpost, more than what the Tangerine possessed. It even had a full-sized in-door pool, though no high diving boards, not enough space for that.

Most of the crew was human, so the facilities were fairly human-centric, which suited the handful of the Zamaar aboard just fine. But there were accommodations for the other species, though their recreation was not often similar to a human's.

There were VR decks and gyms, Carla went to a book store and paid for digital copies of some text books she felt would aid her study. There was an arcade with a number of different games, including a very vintage 'Nintendo Wii' station, an archaic gaming console from the early 21st century. Among a few other consoles of that era, meticulously maintained for being on an outpost station.

They went up to the Hydroponics decks, which filled a large chunk of the topmost portion of the station, the broad, shallowly conical cap of the station ringed with windows along the edges for a bit of light, though this far away from the star, artificial grow lights were the main order of the day.

Hydroponics was incredibly cramped, stacks and stacks of algae and fungi grown in such a manner, alongside a population of fish to achieve aquaponics as well, as to create a sort of closed ecosystem, the station's biowaste providing a lot of fertiliser and feed.

Most of it was off limits, save for the central section at the top; though technically part of Hydroponics, and used to grow food as well, it was arranged like a park, covered with a reinforced glass dome - the supporting frame of which had bright floodlights integrated into it to achieve lighting similar to Sol - and improved with stronger airflow from the station's ventilation system to give the illusion of a gentle breeze.

The trees were fake, but the grass and many of the bushes were real. The fish that swam in the small ponds and streams were real, the water very real, but off limits as it was directly integrated into the aquaponics system, evident by the no fishing and no swimming signs.

A little pagoda sat in the middle, and the three Tangerine crewmates sat together and enjoyed the simulated birdsong, the occasional alien chirping mixed with the whistles of Earthen avians.

Carla almost found herself overwhelmed with emotion, the place feeling so... alive, even though she could feel and tell it was largely fake.

But weeks in a freighter, those same grey walls day in, day out, metal beneath her feet and all around, the only greenery around on video screens to make things in certain places feel more spacious than they really were... it all meant just feeling real grass beneath her feet, a breeze and sunlight was enough to almost trick her into thinking she was back home.

If the dome could've projected clear blue skies and fluffy clouds, she might've shed a tear - emotions she understood were not at all unusual for 'spacers' who still remembered life on a terrestrial body.

Not even her friends were immune, Heyto having to brace themself on a wall when they visited a small little enclosed garden meant to simulate the environment on their homeworld, a little retreat made by the resident Zamaar population.

Carla wasn't as taken, feeling a little unsettled amidst the strange, alien plantlife, even if much of it was fake. The atmosphere was also on the cooler side, but quite humid. She had thought the scenes on the monitors back on the freighter were oddly beautiful, but being amongst it all was a different experience.

They returned to the central hub found a small clothing store, but the selection was rather limited, and mostly coverings to put over the top of generic bodysuits to make them a bit more fashionable.

G'yuun bought themself a choker with a magnetic clip, earning an eyeroll from both Carla and Heyto.

"What?" was all they had to say for themself.

They made some rounds around the central hub, enjoying what was on offer, until they finally got something to eat at a cramped food court.

Carla savoured the burger in her hands, feeling so real compared to the food on the Tangerine, such she practically moaned when she took the first bite.

It was all very synthetic, the meat patty a very convincing reconstitution of algae and plant matter, similar deal with the cheese, utilising genetically modified organisms to achieve desired results. The pickles were at least real, as were the tomatoes.

But damned if it didn't taste like the real thing... even if the 'real thing' on Earth and more frequently supplied stations was vitro-meat and cheese grown with artificial means.

Carla had real beef once, and couldn't tell the difference. Didn't matter to her, looking at the burger in her hand. It felt greasy and cheap, and it was heaven.

"This is some serious gourmet shit," G'yuun quipped, holding up a wrap filled with a stranger meat that Carla wasn't inclined to ask about. Even if she did get to taste a 'Zamaaran Plum' earlier. It was delicious but strange, and the name 'plum' was only a close approximation, it wasn't like anything she'd ever had.

But she was content not to try alien meats just yet. At least, not what she stuck in her mouth almost daily now.

She took several more bites of her burger, and eyed Heyto, who had bought themself a cup of ramen.

Of all the foods that could be 'faked' the easiest, ramen was up there.

In fact, Carla wasn't entirely sure it was fake, and that there wasn't a massive stockpile of the stuff somewhere on the station.

"You didn't want to get anything more... well, more?" Carla remarked.

Heyto returned the look with a cheek full of ramen.

"I like noodles," they answered, slightly muffled.

Carla couldn't help chuckling to herself, but as she ate, her thoughts began to wander.

"So, how long do you think we're going to be here for?" Carla began.

Heyto and G'yuun glanced between each other, and shrugged in unison.

"I've no clue," Heyto answered. "Last I heard, J'mai was contacting the Station Chief to organise a thorough check of the ship. With all the evidence we've collected of malfunctions and accidents, I'm sure we won't have a problem getting the support we need."

"As long as none of the people here get superstitious and think our ship's cursed," G'yuun added.

"You think they'd be that superstitious?" Heyto asked drily.

"Who knows, but you know how people can get. They might not want the Tangerine's 'curse' to rub off on the station. I mean, maybe it is cursed, it wasn't throwing fits until we left Sol."

"Maybe that jump was the final invisible straw on the ship's back? Unseen stresses finally adding up? But, that doesn't really make sense."

"Unless it is sabotage," G'yuun added.

"Hush!" Heyto hissed, looking around as if someone might've overheard. "We've got no proof of that. And you don't need to be throwing it around on the station, people could get the wrong idea."

Carla frowned, and finished the last bite of her burger, wiping down her hands.

"But if it is? You think we'll find the source, or the culprit?" she asked.

"The source? Maybe. The culprit? Well... even with a population of four thousand, Gonzales Station isn't the best place to jump ship. A head count would reveal if we were missing anyone, and Gonzales Station would waste no effort finding whoever it is, they don't want a saboteur aboard," Heyto explained.

"Unless they find a way to spoof things, but... yeah, that's just asking for the kinda heat you can't walk away from," G'yuun admitted.

"Well, to avoid making heat of our own for no reason, I suggest we don't talk about this. I don't expect harsh suspicion, but it's a hassle best left untouched."

Carla could understand that. It'd be more trouble than the crew wanted right about now. Especially if it meant Heyto had to be the one to deal with it all.

Still, she really couldn't shake the worry that sabotage was in fact the reason for all of the ship's faults.

And getting involved in a manhunt on this station was the last thing any of the crew needed. The scrutiny they'd fall under would be substantial.

At the very least, the people aboard Gonzales Station weren't as distrustful of Zamaar as they were in other places, owing to the small population aboard.

Truthfully, if it did turn out to be simple mechanical failure of an ageing freighter, everyone would be glad for it. Upset at the prospect of the ship being scrapped, but better than thinking someone was out to get them.

They finished their meal, and chatted some more about some lighter topics, enjoying the first time on 'solid ground' they had in weeks.

---

Carla shut the hatch on the electrical panel, everything lighting up green.

She wasn't able to avoid the second round of shifts, and so was stuck on the Tangerine for a little while.

She'd never seen it quite so busy; while everyone not working was relaxing on the station, the ship was crawling with workers from Gonzales' engineering sections, mostly humans, a few other aliens in the mix.

It was a little strange too, Carla used to being the only human aboard, now she was directing other humans around to where they needed to go.

Numerous faults had been fixed since they arrived at the station, and from what Carla had overheard, things were progressing smoothly.

But she'd also overheard how perplexed some of the station's engineers were, that the pattern of faults 'didn't make sense'.

They had all the evidence, but no answers, nothing that could describe why things were happening as they were. And worse, one of them even remarked that it 'could be sabotage'. It was joking, but they didn't realise just how worried the crew was about that prospect.

Such that, when Carla checked for any other jobs that needed attention, she was called aside by none other than Captain J'mai.

"A word, Carla," they said.

Carla nodded, but her heart was racing, a cold dread forming in her mind. What did the captain want with her?

J'mai brought Carla into a nearby room, some place private, but the look on their face said it was for anything but promiscuity.

"I know you've overheard some of the things the Gonzales Engineers have been talking about," J'mai began. "They're not good at keeping their mouths shut."

"They're just commenting on what they know," Carla suggested.

"Agreed. But this kind of talk is not good for crew morale. I already had one near-witch hunt of one of my crew, I will not have another."

Carla frowned, but nodded in understanding. There was also a little relief knowing J'mai wasn't interrogating her, that she wasn't a suspect.

"I understand, but what does this have to do with me?" she asked all the same.

"I want you to keep a lid on what you've overheard. The rest of the crew will find out eventually, but I'd rather have it done in a more controlled manner, when I have more facts. Rampant speculation does us no good, and may only hamper efforts to get the ship back into running order."

J'mai then looked around, as if checking for any eavesdroppers. But they were alone.

"Between you and me though, I am concerned that there might be foul play. Perhaps not in a way we expect though. Call it a hunch."

That did little to ease Carla's own morale issues.

"Why are you telling me?"

"Because, Carla, I need a handful of people I can trust with my concerns. Maybe just to vent, but also for practical reasons. Why you in particular? Because I trust you. I trust you because, and please don't take this the wrong way, you're new. Not Zamaar."

Before Carla could even ask anything further or voice any sense of hurt, J'mai raised their hands, and continued.

"You're as much part of this crew as anyone. But you haven't been with us for as long as others. I've known some of these Zamaar for years. They're not just crew, they're... family. After that amount of time, you start to ease up around them. You shouldn't, but you do, and I fear I may let my personal feelings blind me to some concerns. I do not think any of my crew are saboteurs, but I am never one to forgo caution. You, however, I've scrutinised thoroughly before accepting your application onto my ship. I don't know you as well as some, but I know you well enough. That's why I trust you."

Carla gave them a lopsided look.

"Gee, thanks," she muttered.

"I know that sounds... unflattering. Unkind. I've seen how you get along with everyone. You're no outsider. But I have a clearer mind with you than others aboard, and given the circumstances, and you're own perspective, I don't want to leave any options on the table. Please, it's important."

J'mai's tone was firm and serious, as was their expression.

Carla was still a little put-off by the captain's remarks, but could see were they were coming from. They meant no harm, but they were being up front. And she supposed it was true, she hadn't run with this crew for very long at all.

Still, it did sting a little.

"I'll do what I can to assist you, Captain," she answered.

"Thank you. And please, accept my sincerest apologies for the way I phrased what I said. I don't want to make you feel unwelcome. I merely want to be honest."

The famous Zamaaran tact. Well, she'd gotten used to it. She'd get over this little emotional turmoil too.

"I get it, J'mai. I'll keep an ear out for anything, but I don't know what help I'll be."

J'mai placed a hand on Carla's shoulder.

"You're someone to count on. That is enough." They gave her a warm smile, thankful and appreciative.

It was enough to numb the hurt.

"Thanks," Carla replied, smiling.

J'mai's own lingered, then faded, that serious look returning.

"Just keep this conversation to yourself, okay? I'll admit there's some things I've not told you, but only because I frankly don't know if I believe them myself. Theories with no evidence, and like I told you, I don't want rampant conjecture."

"I understand," Carla assured, even if she really wanted to know those theories.

Clearly, something was up, but that'd be for another day it seemed.

"Thank you. I'll let you get back to it," J'mai said, and with that, they bade each other farewell, leaving the room and parting ways.

But Carla was left to think about what they'd spoken about, and there was truthfully some concern. J'mai was the kind of captain that did not do things the 'lazy way'. If they were worried, Carla had reason to be worried too.

She could only hope that this light overhaul would be enough... and that no one's theories were validated.

---

The next day - by Earth reckoning, the station having no set cycle - Carla was again able to go to the station, this time able to get in with Utan, who was more than happy to drag her to the VR decks to do some physical activity.

Utan showed Carla how good of a shot she was with virtual bows and arrows, a hobby they picked up entirely themself the last time they set foot on Earth, and have been hooked on it ever since, but missed the opportunity to use the 'real deal'.

The fake bow they kept with them, specifically for VR simulation, could mimic the draw weight of real bows, even customise the strength. But it just wasn't the same, according to Utan.

Carla managed a few miserable hits around the edge of the target, Utan scoring at least one perfect bullseye.

There were other things they did, like check out some non-human music, the strange tones perhaps a bit too bizarre for Carla, though Utan seemed to like the tunes of other races as much as their own.

They continued onward, the bag they used to carry the disassembled VR bow also serving to carry what souvenirs they decided to buy, including a replica of GG-41, produced from materials collected from one of the gas giant's many moons. GG-41-M13, specifically. Hardly a fancy name, but most celestial bodies ever got the luxury of real names, too many to list and sometimes sporting many names from different cultures and races.

The unified coding system at least avoided confusion. Somewhat.

Carla found herself accosted by a Hergo administrator, before realising that she was not the individual they were after, apologising profusely like they were about to lose their job. Or their sense of honour, she wasn't sure what.

All the while, she saw one of the Tangerine's crew chatting up some scrawny human guy who barely looked older than twenty, his face red as a tomato and probably on his way to getting laid.

Utan rolled their eyes, but confessed they'd rolled around with a Zamaar Engineer yesterday. There was likely a lot of that happening.

Internally, Carla wondered if that presented a security issue, given J'mai's 'hunch'. Whatever that was.

They hit a few more places, trying to make the station's recreational hub feel as much like a mall as possible, despite the fairly low ceilings; taller than on the Tangerine, but definitely less vaulted compared to a real mall, or even some of the larger habitat stations in the Sol system.

However, as they did, Carla noticed some sideways glances at them and other members of the crew. Surreptitious. Suspicious.

Hushed remarks and cautious body language. And it wasn't directed at the station's own Zamaar.

Even the handful of Hergo sometimes showed some wariness, but given how much of sticklers for duty and process they could be, that made sense.

Unfortunate that human prejudice was still alive and well, though now Carla was starting to believe it wasn't because of the race of the freighter's crew. But rather the circumstances surrounding the ship.

Rumours must have spread, that much was clear. What they thought of the Tangerine, Carla didn't know for certain.

It was enough Utan noticed, looking uncomfortable.

"You know what, let's go for a walk along the docking ring," they suggested.

Carla did not mind at all, and they made their way to the outer ring, taking a walk along the circular corridor running the outer edge of the ring. They had large windows to give them a good view of the occasional ship - including the Tangerine, dockyard arms deployed around the vessel - and where they were, the swirling blue-white eddies of GG-41's turbulent atmosphere were on full display.

This seemed to lift Utan's spirits a little, which Carla felt thankful for.

"You know, I'm used to people being wary of me," Utan began, looking out at the gas giant. "I know we have a reputation, us Zamaar. But people being wary of me because of the ship I work on, my home... that's different."

Carla looked to Utan, and offered a sympathetic, sombre look.

"We'll get it in tip top shape again, don't you worry," Carla assured, herself attached to the ship, despite her relatively short time working on it.

"I sure hope so. I doubt it'd happen, we'd all transfer to a new vessel, but... it just wouldn't be the same. Besides, you can't ever shake that nagging fear you'd have to split up, go to different ships. Never to meet again."

Utan hugged themselves loosely, and Carla leaned against them for comfort. The relaxed, and leaned back, sighing out.

"Thank you, Carla."

"You're welcome, Utan."

They straightened out and looked some more, when a whistle caught their attention from the left.

"Hey there," called out a man with pallid skin and neatly cut blonde hair. He had a friend with him, an athletic looking guy with olive skin and no hair. The former wore a grey jumpsuit, the latter a light blue. Both had their nametags emblazoned across their chests; Marcus Goyle and Hector Suarez respectively.

"Hello," Utan answered. "It's a nice station you got here."

"It sure is," Marcus answered, smiling charmingly, but it was perhaps a little bit strong for Carla's tastes.

"Better than that tub you came in," Hector added.

Utan's mood instantly shifted.

"The Tangerine might be old, but it gets the job done like a dream."

"Really? I heard it was basically falling apart," Hector answered.

Marcus nudged his friend in the side, and cleared his throat.

"Apologies, Hector can be a little quick with his remarks. I'm Marcus. Sorry if we got off to a bad start, how about a do over?"

"I think I can do that," Utan said, but the tone suggested they weren't going to entertain much now.

"Well, glad to hear it," Marcus said. "We just saw you two, thought we'd ask to get to know you. We know a lovely bar, best drinks this side of Gonzales."

"The guy there makes the best mocktails, you'd think you were actually getting drunk," Hector praised.

Utan seemed to be thinking about it, and then shook their head.

"Thanks for offer, but I'm hanging out with Carla here," Utan asserted.

"Hey, she can join us if she wants, we were talking to her too," Marcus said.

"I think I'm fine with Utan, we were just taking a look at the view."

"The view? What's there to look at? You see space once, you see it a thousand times," Hector interjected.

"Well, it's our first time here, so we're admiring it," Utan added.

"You'd rather stare at space than spend some time with some other people?" Marcus continued.

"Actually, yes. And we are spending time together, me and Carla," Utan stated firmly.

Hector and Marcus bristled.

"Hey, what's with the attitude, we were just inviting you for drinks?" Marcus shot back.

"Can't some guys make polite offers?" Hector continued.

"You're not being polite anymore, beat it," Utan demanded, dropping all pretence.

"Hey, it was polite of us to even let you dock at the station, given what we've heard of that ship," Marcus remarked.

"Oh, and what have you heard about that ship?" Utan growled, fronting up, and making Carla nervous.

"Hey, Utan, maybe back off a little," she insisted.

"Uh uh, let the Zamaar talk, if they wanna get in our face," Hector growled. It was quickly becoming a confrontation, and Carla didn't know how to get out of it.

"I'm waiting," Utan demanded.

"Ship's cursed, or full of saboteurs, either way, we don't want that shit here. Figured the people on board would be nice enough, but turns out you're as cantankerous as your rust bucket," Marcus explained.

"Oh, you heard that? What else have you heard? And cursed? I didn't think you humans were so superstitious."

"You Zamaar are as big a bitches as we've heard though," Hector growled.

"Hey, that's enough!" Carla spoke up, raising her voice and trying to get between Utan and the two men.

"Don't tell me you're with them!" Hector menaced Carla, thrusting an angry finger at Utan.

"Of course she's with us, just because she's human doesn't mean she has to solely support you assholes!"

"Oh, we're the assholes?!" Marcus menaced. "You're the ones acting like total bitches!"

"Try me!" Utan goaded. Things were getting out of hand.

"Utan, enough, let's go!" Carla insisted, trying to pull the Zamaar away.

"Oh no you don't, not until we've settled this!" Marcus growled, raising his fist, Hector squaring up.

Both Carla's and Utan's eyes widened as they realised things were about to get violent.

Marcus didn't even get to swing, another fist striking him square in the chest, sailing over Carla's shoulder.

Marcus wheezed and reeled, the wind knocked out of him.

"Who the fuck--" Hector began, but he was given a low blow to the gut, knocking him back, as Utan and Carla's savour stepped into view.

"Get out of here. I will defend my crew if I have to," came the very clear threat.

The two men glared at the newcomer, but there was fear in their eyes, and they knew better than to tangle with someone who just so effortlessly knocked the wind out of them. Those were precise strikes, practised, a martial art.

They helped hold each other up, and ambled away, muttering angrily.

Utan and Carla turned to their saviour.

"Tana!?" Carla blurted out.

Sure enough, it was them, their skin a little raw in parts but healing well, a small patch on their head where they'd cracked it open on those pipes.

They cast a weary look at Carla, all that animosity nowhere to be seen. They smiled thinly.

"Looks like I got here just in time."

They turned to Utan, who was looking utterly ashamed.

"... I'm such a screw up," Utan muttered, sinking their face in their hands. "I almost got us both hurt."

"You should've just backed off," Carla agreed. "But it's done. We don't have to dwell on it."

Carla placed a hand on Utan's back, and then looked to Tana.

"Let's go back to the ship," she suggested.

Tana nodded, and Utan pulled their face out of their palms, the three starting for the Tangerine.

As they were walking through the umbilical, Utan turned to Carla and Tana.

"I'll go on ahead. I... I need to be alone with a while," they said.

The other two nodded, but when Utan moved off, Tana turned to Carla.

"Hey. Could you... meet me in my room, later? I want to talk," they said.

This caught Carla off guard, but after so much effort trying to get Tana to open up, then avoiding Tana for her own sanity, Carla felt like she couldn't waste this opportunity, in case anything else got in the way.

"We can do it now," Carla said. "I've got time."

"Alright... then, let's talk."

Carla nodded, and the two of them returned to the ship together.

---

Tana had yet to restore their room's décor, everything still crammed on their side, 'Carla's' old side still quite bare.

It was all familiar to Carla, and yet it felt strange.

Tana locked the door behind them, and then sat down on their bed with a sigh.

They were quiet for a moment, and then Carla spoke up.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing pretty well physically," Tana remarked. "Mentally... that's another matter."

"Is that why you wanted to talk?"

They nodded.

"I've been... really, really unfair to you," they began, Carla thinking that was the understatement of the century.

"Agreed," was all she said.

"I've been unfair and antagonistic. And I think you deserve to know why."

They picked up the fake dagger, turning it around in their hand.

"You probably heard this already, but I come from a warrior clan, traditionally at least," they explained, running their fingers reverently along the blade.

"I've heard a few things, yeah," Carla confirmed.

"Well, there's a bit more to it than that. My clan has a... history. We're not exactly proud of it, but we are proud of our warrior traditions. I'm no different, but you see... over one of your centuries ago, my Clan was involved in one of the last major wars our world saw. It was... messy. Perhaps among the bloodiest in our history. There were worse wars, but this one so recent, with a scant handful still alive from it? It got to us. But on my Clan's particular involvement, we... we did some bad things. Very bad. We fought to win, but we lost sight of what that meant... and who got involved. A lot of people suffered, a lot of people died, needlessly."

Tana spoke with such pain, Carla was taken aback. She got the feeling they weren't around during that time, but the wounds were still raw.

"So what happened?"

"We weren't on the winning side. But our crimes shocked even those we were allied with. In the end, it was decided that our traditions could not be taken from us. Our leadership was more at fault than anything, but that leadership was fostered by our culture. So, on top of reparations, my Clan was sentenced to an equivalent of five hundred and thirty-one years ban on any of our number enlisting in any armed service other than internal policing. We don't even have our own military anymore, not that we really should given how less prevalent clan culture is nowadays. Point is, our military is unified now, planet-wide, but local garrisons are usually filled by local enlisted. Not us. All of the regional military units are from other parts of the planet."

Carla was quiet, having to take that in; banned for over five centuries from enlisting in a military? That seemed absurdly harsh.

"So, what's that got to do with you, specifically? I mean, I'm guessing it impacted you directly."

Tana nodded.

"I understood why. What we did was beyond shameful, but we have a closer connection to our traditions than most modern Zamaar. We are warriors at heart. I am a warrior at heart. So, I... I tried to enlist with your military."

"Ours? Really?" Carla remarked, surprised.

Again, Tana nodded.

"Your military is a little different from ours. Especially with how much emphasis you put on your navy. But it was something regardless. Unfortunately, when I tried, I was flagged for my heritage. I don't think your recruiters cared much, but it was a diplomatic issue, part of the agreements signed between our races. It was a small thing, but they couldn't accept me regardless. So... I ended up here."

Tana turned the blade over in their hands, demonstrating impressive skill as it twirled and spun slowly, gracefully.

"I practise when I can, to keep my traditions alive. So, when you ended up in my quarters, I... I basically had no time. And I was scared others would see me practising if I tried to do it elsewhere."

"The others? But why?"

"They knew what clan I belonged to, and that our traditions mattered to me, but I don't think they'd be okay seeing me practise martial skills. I think there's still some bad blood towards my clan. That sentiment is probably why the crew singled me out... the captain met me, you know? Told me how much they worked to put that shit to bed; 'Tana is one of us, so get your heads out of your asses and find the real cause'. Not quite in such 'human terms', but you get the idea. I'm thankful to J'mai, they've been very good to me."

They sighed, and put the blade back on its rack, laying down on their bed and staring at the ceiling.

"I consider this crew family too. But all the talk of sabotage, all the stress... I think my 'unique background' made me a scapegoat. I don't know... I just think I took it out on you for 'invading my space' and being human. And for that, I apologise... nnf."

They grunted, and rubbed the top of their head.

"You okay?"

"Still a little sore, it's nothing," they assured.

Carla nodded, but looked upon Tana with a sympathetic expression, starting to understand the Zamaar. Why they were so antagonistic.

She felt bad for them, wondering what it'd be like to seem cut off from one's own culture, for crimes committed before you were born.

Tana was quiet, still looking at the ceiling.

And in Carla's own quiet, she contemplated something... bold. Thinking on what she did with the Doc, what she did for K'tuu.

Perhaps, Tana could do with a bit of 'healing' themselves.

Without a word, Carla got off the other bed and moved to Tana, who spied her movement.

Before they could question what Carla was doing, the human was already crawling atop of Tana's bed, straddling their waist and draping herself over the Zamaar with sensual grace. Tana's eyes widened, and their lips went to move, to speak, but Carla pressed a finger to their lips.

"If you want me to leave, just nod your head now. Otherwise... let me help you out," she uttered softly, her lips closing in on Tana's.

That surprise was there, but Tana did not nod... and when Carla's lips met theirs, it was met with welcome, their tongues mutually slipping into the shared space between their mouths and tangling together.

Tana draped their arms over Carla's back, murmuring softly as their lips began to work, Carla doing much the same. The gentle smacking of their lip lock reached both their ears, and Carla happily caressed the side of Tana's cheek, gentle and careful not to inflame the sensitive skin, still healing.

Carla felt a sense of happiness, and a sense of triumph; she'd finally succeeded with Tana. Finally got them to open up, though in the end, what Heyto and the others had said was true; she just needed to give Tana time.

It could've done without the injury, but that was something else this could help with, to take Tana's mind off their pain, mild as it seemed.

Tana's hands drifted lower, and Carla felt a caress across her backside, fingers and thumbs groping her buttocks firmly, kneading the spongy, pliant meat and making Carla murmur.

She rubbed her bust against Tana's, enjoying the feeling of the intimacy, enjoying the sense of lechery.

Tana pushed their chest into her, getting more and more excited by the moment, but there was still a gentle quality to the proceedings; this was healing, after all, and both felt it. There was no need to get too energetic.

It didn't stop Carla grinding her crotch against one of Tana's thighs at least, and running one hand down the side of Tana's body, the other playing with their head spines.

Carla could feel the strength inside them, that subtle musculature, cultivated from years of drilling, of working out, training to be a warrior.

It was hidden, beneath their bodysuit, and a layer of soft flesh that obscured that strength. The kind of build suitable for a soldier.

But Tana was a Zamaar like any other, and they enjoyed intimacy, it was part of their culture too.

The smacking of their lips was lurid, erratic, rhythm deteriorating the more fervent they got.

Their bodies rubbed to each other, Carla grinding harder against Tana's thigh, feeling alien hands roaming across her body, squeezing her softer parts. One of them pressed to the back of her head and pulled her firmly against Tana's lips, their tongue worming madly about in her mouth.

But Carla kept the heat from getting too great, and broke the kiss with a small gasp. She didn't want Tana to work themself up too much, not while they were still healing.

So, she pressed a fingertip to Tana's lips, keeping them quiet, and began making their way down the Zamaar's body slowly, gliding fingertips across the curves of the bodysuit, applying enough pressure for them to feel it through said suit.

Eventually, Carla arrived between Tana's legs, spreading their thighs apart, rubbing a palm against the vulva through the suit. It felt quite puffy, even through the material. It made Carla lick her lips in anticipation, eager to see how it looked.

She found a small zip, and slowly parted it with sensual care, revealing Tana's pussy with a savouring slowness.

There was a hint of perspiration, and a hint of a perfume, a deodorant that smelled vaguely sweet but indistinct. It made Carla take a reflexive scent, but she was more focused on the pudgy mound before her; Tana's vulva wasn't as fat as some, but it definitely had a little more than most Zamaar, in contrast with their leaner build, though there was that layer of soft meat all over their muscle.

No matter, Carla thought it beautiful, and brought their thumbs to the alien's labia, rubbing either fold up and down with the tips of her thumbs in soft teasing, blowing gentle, hot breaths over the Zamaar's clitoris.

A sigh escaped Tana, so Carla decided to press on, parting their folds and exposing more of their wet flesh, Tana already judiciously self-lubricated, pussy glistening in the cabin's lights.

Carla murmured softly, and repositioned her hands, keeping Tana's pussy lips splayed with one hand, leaving the other to bring a single finger to Tana's entrance, gently twisting as Carla slipped it into their walls.

Tana moaned sweetly, their body tensing for a brief moment, lifting a foot to rest it on the top of Carla's ass, the woman crouched off the end of the bed; these beds were too small to lay two people end to end on them.

It didn't matter to her, she could still work, still piston her digit in Tana's sex, feeling how those muscles clenched around the invading finger, wishing it was a cock instead.

She pushed it to the knuckle, and continued to bump it back and forth, her other hand shifting so she could push forward to bring her tongue to Tana's clitoris.

The alien arched their back, a hitched sound barely escaping their throat, one hand reaching out to hold onto Carla's head loosely.

She didn't mind the touch, not finding it disruptive. She flicked her tongue again, brushing up one side of Tana's bud, and then the other. She dug the tip into the base of Tana's clit, where button met the rest, Carla waggling her tongue side to side.

Her free hand kept Tana's thighs from closing in too tight, keeping their legs spread for Carla's work.

The moans issuing from Tana were hugely encouraging, Carla always delighted to see she was doing good work, and wanted to do better. First, by clasping her lips around that bud and suckling with gradually increasing vigour. Her tongue followed the same pattern, initially curling and rolling firmly and luridly upon that bud, swamping it in warm, flexing muscle, until eventually opting for a stimulating lashing, using the tip of her tongue to attack every precise point.

Her suckling grew rapacious, tugging on Tana's bud while her tongue worked away, and her finger delved into that canal over and over, curling every now and then to tug on the alien's walls.

Tana's muscles continued to twitch erratically, firing off here and there without relent. Not explosively, but there was never not a part on their body that wasn't twitching.

Their walls, meanwhile, were twitching incessantly, and increasingly so as Carla's efforts intensified.

They were nearing a climax, and she could sense this, eager to push Tana over the edge. The first edge. A single orgasm wouldn't be enough for the Zamaar.

"C-Carla... so close..." Tana warned, the first to speak up since they first kissed. Their nails dug into Carla's scalp as the tension in their body mounted... and then came the yowl of bliss as it broke, their hips arching and their muscles firing everywhere.

Their pussy was particularly intense, wriggling spasms trying to grip Carla's digit as fluids surged, the bucking of Tana's hips something Carla kept in control, keeping the alien's orgasm going as long as was comfortable by lashing Tana's throbbing clit.

When things had gone on long enough, Carla relented, and let Tana rest, though not without a show, Carla bringing her finger up to her lips and giving it a slow, thorough taste with her tongue, glancing sideways at Tana with a lecherous expression.

That finger soon found itself trapped between lips and drawn out through them. There, Carla stood up, and stretched for a moment, taking the opportunity to look down upon Tana's body.

There was still so much obscured by bodysuit, but Carla didn't think it was time to strip. She had something else she wanted to do first.

Once her stretching was done, she crouched again, only this time, she grabbed Tana's thighs and pulled them closer to the end of the bed, until their buttocks were sat right on the edge, their legs dangling over the side.

There, Carla inserted two fingers into Tana's pussy, making them moan sharply. But this wasn't quite an act of pleasure, Carla doing something specific... seeking something specific.

She began grinding her fingers to a certain spot. Up and down, curling her fingers in a tugging motion, the massaging strokes pressing against something firm beneath the flesh.

Tana groaned, and before long, Carla's fingers retreated from Tana's sex to wrap around their peeking shaft, stroking every inch as it gradually emerged, further coaxing it to full erection, until the tapered, textured member stood proud as Tana did.

It was average length and size, but Carla was certain it had more ridges and 'plates' along its sides than most Zamaar.

It made it rather easy to stroke that length up and down, Carla purring and enjoying the sticky, slippery feeling beneath her palm.

Her grip slipped up to Tana's helm, grinding her thumb to the back of their dick in circular fashion, and coaxing thick precum from the tip for her troubles.

It received several slow, erotic pumps, Carla's hands twisting as it moved from tip to root and back, ensuring Tana was sufficiently aroused and needy.

That was when she leaned in close and ran her tongue against the back of the Zamaar's tapered glans, earning a twitch and a squeak.

Carla grinned warmly, and offered several more licks, never to the same spot, shifting her head to get around to the front of that cock.

She even brought her hand to grip Tana's tip so she could paint her saliva with tongue brush strokes across every inch of Tana's member, front and back.

She resumed stroking Tana's length wholesale, smearing musky precum into Tana's shaft, making it nice and slick.

Once Carla was satisfied she'd sufficiently prepped the Zamaar, she fixated on its tip, and slipped her lips over it.

Tana whined from the touch of Carla's plush lips over their length, the human making sure the seal remained as tight as possible, tongue teasing along the edges of those many fleshy 'plates'.

The first inch was easy, Carla rolling her mouth upon it, like she was polishing it. Tana's moans proved quite encouraging too, so Carla put in extra effort to make sure Tana's head was nice and slick with saliva.

Her tongue lashed the sensitive head of Tana's glans, earning twitches and whimpers.

In the back of her mind, Carla was enjoying the sense of control. That being dominant was more fun than she gave credit for. Though she hardly thought herself a total dom. Perhaps something to be explored, later.

Right now, she just wanted to make Tana feel good. This was healing. And not just their emotions, but their initially fractious relationship.

Carla slowly took inch after inch of alien cock into her mouth, waggling her tongue back and forth against the tip without relent. She had no reason to hold back, though she wasn't being as rough as she could. Tana was largely physically fine, but a certain level of gentleness went a long way, and though Carla felt a sense of dominance, she was just happy being intimate with Tana.

Such that other thoughts were burgeoning in her mind...

Her lips soon met the root of Tana's dick, her tongue darting past her lower lip to tease at the Zamaar's spread pussy, a few rapid laps to greet the alien's crotch before Carla retreated.

She did so with measured care, gently twisting her lips, tongue grinding and gliding side to side upon the alien member, gentle suckles occasionally sounding out with audible slurps and smacks.

Her spiralling motions soon had her back to Tana's head, which she tended to diligently but only for a few moments, not lingering for long before she decided to descend upon that mast once more, holding onto Tana's thighs for leverage, all to throat that thing repeatedly.

She gulped and gagged quietly, sometimes not at all, doing her best to keep the seal of her lips even to that rough surface, rippling as they slipped over the numerous ridges of Tana's member. Her tongue and throat reported similar sensations, weird, but not unusual for Carla, having sucked off more than her fair share of Zamaar at this point. She rather enjoyed it, even if she got nothing physically out of it; it was an oddly pleasant sensation in a different way.

Besides, hearing sweet moans from alien lips was more than worth it.

She bobbed up and down, twisting her lips in reciprocating fashion, feeling her neck bulge whenever her throat was filled, tasting the constant dollops of precum that oozed from Tana's tip.

The Zamaar was close, the throbbing in their dick more telling than any words... which was a good thing, because Carla couldn't understand what Tana was saying, whispering in their own tongue. But whatever they were saying, they sounded pretty good about it, so Carla was pleased all the same.

When Tana finally started speaking English, and lightly bucking their hips in reflex, Carla was sure they were close.

"I'm gonna... fuck, cumming!"

Close indeed, but Carla wasn't pulling off.

She'd gotten good at this, picking up speed and sucking harder, cheeks pulling inwards and even grazing their inner surfaces against the sides of that member.

Carla was soon rewarded with a virile torrent of alien cum, that cock pulsing into her mouth with every jerking thrust of Tana's hips.

She bobbed several more times, getting a few ropes right on her tongue, the salty, creamy taste not at all a bother, before plunging to the base, to gulp down every last drop.

The obscenity was matched only by how delighted it made her feel to hear Tana's husky moans.

Several more contractions, and that cock was spent... for this round at least. But not entirely.

Carla slipped off Tana's dick with deliberate slowness, her tongue lingering and gliding off the tip of that still twitching penis.

She let Tana rest for a moment, even the Zamaar needing that necessary respite to engage in their notorious multi-orgasm sessions.

She'd give Tana that chance by sliding herself up over the alien, running her hands along their body and pushing them back onto the bed fully... and starting to strip them.

Carla was slow, and erotic with her efforts, gliding her hands across bared skin as she slowly peeled off Tana's body suit, doing the same to her own - with help from Tana's own wandering hands - all so they could engage in closer intimacy, and some real skinship.

Every part of Tana's body revealed was rewarded with a sensual touch or massage from Carla's hands; thighs caressed, glutes kneaded, breasts groped, nipples rubbed, and everywhere else graced with the touch of salacious fingertips.

And lips, Carla soon leaning close to peck Tana's body, drawing her mouth together in suckling kisses, and letting her tongue paint alien skin with streaks of saliva.

Of course, Tana wasn't idle in this, and Carla was stunned for a moment when she felt their lips seal against her neck, sucking hard and lapping rapidly, whilst a hand helped exposed her own rump for Tana to squeeze.

Bit by pit, they extricated themselves from their body suits... until they were fully naked, four-fingered-one-thumbed hands and two-fingered-two-thumbed hands both gliding across skin and curves, groping and massaging with sensual desire, lips meeting together or at necks.

Tana's nipples did not escape Carla's attention; their breasts were slightly smaller than average, but still wonderfully shaped. Their areolae and nipples, though, were surprisingly fat. Carla took a moment to admire them, hot breath gently brushing against those erect caps, before she leaned in close to trace their swollen edges with her tongue, curling it from the disc to the nipple in a singular, graceful motion.

Tana cooed, especially once Carla latched onto Tana's breast and gave it a salacious suck. It certainly got something worked up, Tana's dick bumping against Carla's thighs, slotted between her legs, precum rolling down its length and sometimes smearing into her skin.

Whenever Tana got the chance, they returned the favour and wrapped their mouth around Carla's breasts, sucking hungrily, while tracing her spine with their fingertips.

And both of them rubbed their bodies together as erotically as they could manage, wanting to really feel each other slipping and sliding with wonderful intimacy.

Their lips met once more in a sensual kiss, tongues mingling and murmurs shared, but Carla felt they'd waited long enough.

And as she broke the kiss, she slid her hips forward, and then back, slotting Tana's cock between her glutes, feeling the slick length pulse between her cheeks, oozing precum down into the crack of her ass.

Tana had gone through a lot. And they deserved a proper fuck.

Carla raised her hips... and started teasing Tana's tip with her vulva, gently splaying her pussy lips with the tapered glans of that mast.

She realised what she was about to do, but after so long with these aliens - even if it was in fact a very short amount of time in the grand scheme of things - it no longer seemed to unnerve her. More than that, Tana had opened their heart to Carla, finally, and apologised for their behaviour.

Carla saw the good person in Tana, struggling with their own issues, unable to really voice those issues constructively. Alien complexities Carla would never fully understand, but she was okay with that.

In the end, Carla didn't mind Tana would be her 'first', so to speak.

No need for a condom, there was no way she could get pregnant, nor did these Zamaar have any STIs or other diseases that could jump to human immune systems.

They may have been compatible regarding the 'physical interface', but deeper than that, and there was no commonality at all.

Still, she was a little nervous, for reasons that logically made no sense. Tana's cock wasn't oversized or anything, and the extra ridges might've made for a smoother ride... or not. She wasn't sure.

But another part of her wanted this. So much.

It won out in the end, and she began to drop down with rocking motions, forcing Tana's mast into the sides of her passage, grinding that glans into her walls, feeling the edges of the shallow ridges rub against her own folds.

They both moaned, a long, luxurious mixed sound, Carla shuddering a little from how good it felt.

She actually couldn't rightly recall the last time she had something properly phallic in her pussy, it was a while to say the least. Tongues and fingers didn't quite match.

And Tana's cock filled her out nicely, Carla finally settling down upon the Zamaar's crotch, her rump gently compressing to their groin.

She sighed out, and Tana crooned, their hands moving to Carla's hips for support, Carla bracing her own hands on Tana's shoulders.

Her hair hung down, framing her face as she looked into Tana's eyes, and they hers.

They were still for a moment, their bare chests heaving slowly in anticipation... and then, Carla began to move.

She was on her knees, placed either side of Tana's hips, but after a while, she adopted a crouching posture, not quite experienced enough to stay on her knees. Now she began to 'bounce', rocking her hips as best she could, and wincing at the feeling of Tana's ridges lightly snagging on her folds whenever she ascended.

Compared to everything else, she was... inexperienced. She hadn't topped much before, and this was the first time in a long time she'd had actual sexual intercourse.

But Tana's gentle moans were encouraging, and hers served as a reminder to herself that she was, in fact, enjoying it... if the pleasant feelings coursing through her loins weren't enough.

She did her best to copy what she'd seen other Zamaar do - having watched a few go at it from the sidelines, memories she still felt a little embarrassed about - moving her spine fluidly, grinding her walls against Tana's member as she rose and fell.

They assisted her, tightening their grip on her hips, but doing nothing to direct her movements, only taking some of the load.

Carla panted, her eyes roaming all across Tana's body, loving the expressions flashing across their face, watching their lips purse and twist in pleasure. No doubt her own were doing the same, with the way she was murmuring.

Slowly, she picked up speed, taking time to get into the swing of things, feeling rusty and, well, a little unprepared for a dick in her pussy.

These Zamaar felt different, with their inhuman cocks, and it felt good. Not overly stimulating, but a little more pleasant than human penis.

She imagined there were some who were used to far more intense dong, given the kinds of 'novelty dildos' she'd seen. Some impressive creations.

Tana's dick just felt good, and she was happy with that, adding the occasional twist to her hips to stir up their cock. Her efforts weren't the best, a little crude, but it had the desired result, Tana wincing and crooning in pleasure.

"You've... not done this much," Tana remarked huskily, eyes fixated on Carla's tits. "Doing real good though... damn, you're tight."

Carla wanted to answer with 'gee, thanks', but that praise after dashed the idea. Though, she wasn't sure if she was tight. She didn't feel tight. That cock was still snug inside her, and its textures were delightful.

She picked up speed, until her rump was gently slapping against Tana's crotch, her breasts beginning to bounce a little. Tana's own peaks were swaying ever so slightly, just enough to catch Carla's eyes.

She couldn't help it, lifting one hand away from Tana's shoulder to grope their breasts, first one, then the other, rolling a thumb over their nipples and kneading those taut globes with delicate squeezing.

They were both huffing and puffing, soft but aroused, Tana aiding Carla's hips with twisting motions, and occasionally thrust themselves. But for the most part, they were content to let Carla do the work, as she had implied when they began.

Carla moaned, feeling a pressure beginning to build inside her. If she orgasmed first, it was going to be one hell of a ride, because she was determined to make Tana cum as well. Sure, she only got to cum once, and Tana had already orgasmed twice already, but Carla couldn't think of a worse case of blueballs than getting ridden and not having the chance to release. Not that she really knew first hand, she didn't have a dick.

She shunted those thoughts aside, focused on giving Tana what they deserved. She twisted her hips every now and then, sometimes even stopping her ride to grind and squash her rump to Tana's groin in rolling motions, making her moan too.

But in the end, she felt she needed to make Tana cum soon before she was tired out; her sexual stamina had improved a lot during the time with the Zamaar, but she discovered rather quickly that riding cock was a little more strenuous than she was used to.

It'd been way too long.

So, she mustered her strength, and started bouncing as fast as she could, her breasts jiggling madly, her rump rippling, her hair swaying, and Tana's body shifting every time she dropped down upon them with a loud, wet smack.

Her moans were shrill, hot, and pleasured, her arousal thoroughly soaking Tana's cock, their own precum making up for any additional lubrication needed.

She could feel herself drawing ever closer to release, despite her efforts to hold it off... but to her delight, Tana's moans were getting ever more intense and sharp, and their cock was throbbing harder than ever, a sign of impending climax.

"Don't hold back, Tana, let it out!" she moaned, Carla having no idea where that came from.

"Fuck, Carla, I'm gonna at this rate... fuck!" Tana groaned, their grip on Carla's hips tightening further. But they still did nothing to impede her efforts; it was Carla's show.

And in a surprise twist, Tana was the first to tumble into the abyss.

"Cumming... cumming!" they cried, followed by a long, loud moan as they thrust upwards into Carla's body.

Carla let out a little surprised squeak at the flood of warmth inside her, feeling Tana's member pulse and throb wildly, their bucking hips disrupting her bouncing a little. But once they stopped moving their hips, though they were still oozing cum, Carla decided she could stop holding back, and bounced hard and fast upon that twitching rod.

It made Tana moan desperately, post-orgasmic sensitivity just as big of a thing for them as humans. It must have been a hell of an experience, but Carla wanted to cum too.

And sure enough, she did, spasming with a shrill, shaky cry to match the shuddering of her body, sputtering her arousal around Tana's cock, its dying contractions lost in the roiling of Carla's own ecstatic walls.

She arched her back and lolled her head back a little... and then she slumped atop of Tana, her breasts crushing against theirs, before they finally regained some composure.

All to immediately embrace each other, and seal their lips together in a slow, but erotic kiss, the final dribbles of cum filling Carla's pussy all as their tongues again danced.

Their eyes were half lidded as they rubbed themselves to each other, the gentle smacking of their lips and the murmurs of afterglow filling the room and their ears.

They were both a little sweaty, so they glided slickly against each other as they indulged in the aftermath, Carla breaking the kiss to attack Tana's neck, and Tana doing the same when they had the chance.

Rumps were groped and breasts were kneaded, Carla at one point finding herself on the bottom, giving her ample opportunity to massage those taut alien ass cheeks, pulling them apart teasingly.

But after a while, their calm took hold, and they laid on their sides and slowly withdrew, Tana removing their cock from Carla's pussy, some of that alien seed dribbling out of her and onto the bed.

"I'm making a mess on your bed," Carla remarked, half-drunk on the afterglow.

Tana sighed as their cock retreated back into their body, and then giggled.

"Hardly new for it," they joked.

The two shared a chuckle and another quick smooch before settling for some gentle cuddling.

After a while, Tana spoke.

"I needed that," they said.

"Just doing what I thought would help," Carla admitted, fingertips affectionately playing across Tana's head spines.

"With everything going on, I was... kinda alone. No one wanted to be with me, and... it hurt. Hopefully things get better now, but... I don't think they'll ever fully go back to the way they were."

"I get it. We humans have a saying; 'once bitten, twice shy'. I don't know if it fully applies to your situation, but I get it. You've received this treatment, you've seen this side of your family, it'll be hard to forget it. It'll always been in the back of your mind... but please know some of them regret it. Feel bad about it. It'll take time, but you've got people on your side, like the captain, and me, for what it's worth."

Tana laughed.

"It's worth a lot. I gave you every reason to hate me, and I think you did... and in the end, you're the one who stuck up for me, who was there for me. You avoided me when I gave you good reason, but I know it was you who rescued me after that accident. When I woke up in the med bay and learned, I felt... so ashamed of how I treated you. All those things I said to you. It'd be a lie to say I didn't mean them then. But I don't anymore, even if I can never take those words back."

Carla nuzzled into Tana's neck.

"It's okay, Tana. I've accepted your apology once already. I think we're good now, if you feel like we're good."

Tana paused for a moment, looking off towards the corner of the room, and then murmured affirmatively.

"Yeah... I think we're good."

Carla smiled, and pecked Tana on the lips, and the two cuddled for a little while longer in silence.

After a while, Tana spoke again.

"I'm so getting chewed out for hitting those two humans," she muttered.

"You were just defending us, they were probably gonna hit us first."

"I know, but I still used force. I think you can imagine why there'd be more scrutiny on me, not even talking about the issues with the ship. Things like this get... messy."

"Well, if you need someone to vouch for you, I'm here. You did right by me and Utan."

Tana smiled, and kissed Carla affectionately.

"Thanks, Carla... it means a lot."

"It's my pleasure, Tana~"

The two said nothing after that, enjoying each other's company for a little while longer.

And in the back of Carla's mind, she felt like she'd achieved the greatest thing since she signed up to the Tangerine; she'd made a close friend out of a former enemy.

Not that Tana was ever really an enemy, but... it was nice, to see the sweet side of them, after so much hostility.

It made her feel like she could deal with whatever was to come next.