Chapter 15[]
Random Events (Nebula California) - Take 2[]
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Daniel's quarters, Stalingrad
Toreel, Nebula California
June 10th, 3153
Slightly before dawn, Jenna's perspective
Jenna stirred to alertness first. She was on top of Daniel. What she felt was in defiance of what she wanted to feel toward him.
Founder help me. I should be burning with the need to defy my oaths and grab a pillow and smother the abomination in his sleep. It'd be easy and perhaps worth my life. But instead I desire a different interaction with him.
She shuddered at the thought.
Shaking it off she got up and got in the shower.
The cold water was a relief in the heat of what seemed to be the local summer as the Dropship turned civic center obviously had seen better days as it's air conditioning was not keeping up.
After cleaning herself she walked down to the kitchen. The server there thankfully said nothing as they handed her a plate with a questionable looking meal on it.
The other inhabitants that still called the Dropship home as well that were in the mess hall all seemed to have locally produced foodstuffs.
"Ship rations. I suppose I should not be surprised." Jenna muttered as she poked at it with her plastic spork.
It was poor fare even by Clan standards but it was nutritious and satisfying enough that it would keep her going.
"Star Captain." A deep voice brought Jenna's attention to her new table companion.
"Point Commander Gwain." Jenna felt the sting of sitting across the senior most survivor of her Battle Armor Elemental.
"I think we need to talk." Gwain's voice was low and soft.
"Agreed." Jenna finished her meal in a hurry.
She followed the Trueborn Elemental somewhere more private.
"That battle... No it was no battle. It was a slaughter. I wish to blame you. Founder help me, I even wish to blame Alaric. But no one could have foresaw what was awaiting us here. The creatures here, the abilities we saw, it all defies what we know to be true about the universe." Gwain shook his head.
"This world is strange and terrifying. Part of me does wonder if bondsref would have been the better option but the alight possibility of redemption is enough. The other part wonders just what this world is doing to me. Founder help me I may be forever stained." said Jenna
"We were forced to watch what happened. All of it. In any other situation I think there would be much for you to answer for but yes this world, we all feel it. There is indeed something at play here that none of us have ever experienced on any other world." Gwain's tone and posture hinted at something more behind his words.
"And this Kevin Wellman seems to be at the center of it all. I suspect he has done something to me in particular. Yet I cannot forget the abomination either." Jenna felt uncomfortable at the feeling ans sensations that flooded her body when she thought about him.
"Yes. He must have drugged us all somehow. As much as I wish to be angry at you and can be to an extent, it is like I am aware I should be angrier and more inclined to offer you death. Instead I find your acceptance of your bargain a comforting reminder of the ideals the founder laid out before us and that we should do likewise so that we may have some hope at redemption." Gwain nodded.
"That would explain why I nearly coupled with the abomination again this morning. Which begs the question how long this will last?" Jenna knew she let slip something she should not have almost immediately.
"This place is madness. Such an admission should be driving me to snapping your neck here and now, but instead I'm being flooded with thoughts of encouraging such acts as a way around your oaths." Gwain shook his head.
"What do you mean?" Jenna perked up.
"Well some prefer rougher coupling. A freeborn such as your husband would be more prone to injury than you would. Perhaps even death if extreme enough." Gwain seemed surprised at himself for answering the question so readily.
"That could be an effective last resort." The twisted logic seemed too easy to grab onto for her.
I should not be thinking like this. What ever Kevin did there must be a way to undo it. If he could do it then it is likely that there are others who can do this as well. Which means slim odds that this can be undone.
"The others, they realize this as well?" Jenna broke the silence.
"Most yes." Gwain answered.
"Okay good. Then I trust you know what to tell them for what needs to be done then?" Jenna nodded.
"Yes." Gwain nodded.
Meanwhile at Wellman Castle
"This seems a bit riskier than usual for you, Kevin." Selena watched the projection with her husband.
"True but look at how gun ho they are. They're motivated in a way Daniel's people never were. Besides it will be a good way to uncover more of my rivals. They should be looking to get their hooks into these people and Daniel's soon. So odds are on our side that it will be worth it. Besides with how frisky Trueborn Clanners can get and how easy it is to remove their contraceptive implants with Toreel magic without them noticing. I imagine many of the female survivors will be finding out they are going to be unfit for combat for a rather prolonged time." Kevin kissed his wife's forehead.