WIP Wednesday - Clan Beginnings: Clan and Command

             He didn’t bother with that tiny cubicle. Instead, he went straight to the bank of podium-style computer stations in the middle of the machinery. Kila ignored the sound of someone moving about behind him, not wanting any interruption as he contemplated his lovely engines. He brought up the day’s diagnostics and maintenance notes and looked them over in hopes of finding something he could tweak.

              He found something, all right. Kila’s fists clenched as he noted the work that had been done on his accelerators. The boosts had been downgraded.

              That son of a bitch. That fucking chief engineer. I’ll mangle him.

              Kila whirled around, looking for any underling he could scream at. He discovered someone standing several feet away behind him, watching him. Chief Engineer Asshole Lokmi himself.

              The idiot didn’t have the good sense to fall over himself with the apologies that should be streaming from his lips. He didn’t even have the terrible sense to attempt a retreat. Instead he stood there stoic as a statue, watching Kila with mild interest. He did remember protocol enough to dip a respectful bow to his captain, but his gaze never wavered.

              A sense of unwelcome respect stole over Kila, dulling the urge to rip Lokmi’s throat out. Instead, he growled, “You fucked with my engines.”

              Lokmi’s brow rose. “I put my engines within acceptable parameters. Captain.”

              Was the bastard actually amused? Kila would change that quick enough. He stalked towards him, all fearsome Nobek. Damn the man’s hide, the chief engineer watched him come with no change in expression. No hint he’d like to take to his heels to escape the coming doom.

              Fine. Kila would be more than happy to teach the dual-breed to obey his captain, or he could follow his predecessors by getting the fuck off Kila’s ship.

              “I gave you an order to leave my modifications alone. You disobeyed that order. You are subject to discipline, and I do not hold back with punishments.” The vicious smile that struck such fear in the hearts of those more intelligent than Lokmi spread over Kila’s face. Maybe he didn’t indulge in random fights to bleed off his tensions, but Kila had no problem in meting out the painful penalties his commission allowed for.

              Lokmi finally rewarded him with a slight flinch. Very slight, but it was there. Yet the Imdiko’s chin lifted in defiance, and he still gave no ground though Kila’s face was only inches from his. “Article four-seven-point-two of fleet regulations: the chief engineer will use his expertise to maintain his craft’s integrity in non-emergency situations to the best of his abilities, even if commanded otherwise by his superior officer.”

              “The last fool to quote regulations to me ended up with a mouthful of broken teeth.” Yes, messing up Lokmi’s attractive face would be a nice start to the festivities.

              “You may be the captain, but I have no problem with fighting back if I feel I’m in the right. And in this case, I am damned well right. Sir.”

              The man spoke in the forceful tones of a Dramok. For a split second, he even sounded like Piras – Piras the admiral, not Piras the lover. Lokmi’s eyes had taken on the cold, severe light of a leader expecting to be obeyed.

              The respect Kila had felt turned into admiration. He might get his fight after all. The prospect of a knock-down-drag-out made him feel happy again.

Releasing December.

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

At home with Clan Aslada. http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

Take Shalia to work day. http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

WIP Wednesday - Clan Beginnings: Clan and Command

             Back on the destroyer, Kila stalked through the corridors, trying to walk off his emotions. Fortunately for his crew, most were still enjoying shore leave. The halls were mostly empty. The few who walked them gave their captain a wide berth, recognizing his foul mood. They bowed and hurried on without saying a word.

              They were wise to keep their distance. Kila’s anger was all for himself, but he would have enjoyed taking his temper out on someone else. He’d fucked up and needed someone or something to punch. Desperately.

              If he’d been smart, he’d be enjoying Piras’s beautiful ass right now. A warm ass. A snug ass to sink his cock into. An exceptionally willing ass, one that would welcome any kind of play he’d cared to introduce it to. But no, he’d mentioned the man’s ex-lover and gotten himself thrown out instead.

              Kila believed in thinking positive. He tried his best to turn bad situations around, to see the benefit in even the darkest occurrence. Even now his mind was turning over what had happened, attempting to mine gold in the mountain full of shit his big mouth had created.

              Well, for one thing he now had important information. Piras was not over that other Nobek. Kila had asked if there was baggage, and the ex-lover certainly qualified. The raw pain and anger Piras had exhibited when Kila spoke Lidon’s name had been an eye-opener. In that moment, the same man who freaked out over the mere idea of killing others had been damned near capable of murdering Kila.

              That left the question, what was Kila going to do about it?

              If he had any sense, he’d give up any idea of forging a relationship with Piras. Someone that hung up on the past could not offer any future. Only a fool would pursue someone who’d already given his heart away.

Releasing December.

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Clan Aslada, in the flesh. http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

The appetizer. http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

WIP Wednesday - Clan Beginnings: Clan and Command

              Piras knew he should be seething. Kila was too self-assured about being in control over him. If they’d been discussing anything besides sex, Piras would be putting him in his place right that moment. However, they were in the realm where his indomitable will crumbled. It was far too easy to make himself vulnerable to this Nobek. To share his secret.

              “You need to know exactly how I am. Where my head is at.”

              “I want to know. Spare no details. Don’t make me guess.”

              “My personality means I am always in control. When it comes to the fleet or life decisions, I must grab hold of the reins and direct everything. I am driven to guide matters to the best solution as I see it. To not just provide direction but lead the charge.”

              “The typical Dramok mindset.”

              “Most of my breed carries that load in every aspect of their lives. And they love it. But for me – it’s a burden. One I can’t avoid, one I can’t live without, but a crushing weight nonetheless. I get tired, but I can’t let go of being in control.”

              “Except in this one thing. Sex is where you give yourself the break you need.”

              Piras nodded. He could have never told another Dramok such things. He’d never heard of any other born leader needing to let go of the reins for any reason. Yet it was that way for him. When it came to intimacies, Piras couldn’t summon the will to lead. Somehow the responsibility of figuring out the pleasure owed to another person was more than he could face. It was too much effort on top of everything else that drove him forward.

              He told Kila, “If you want a lover who will fight to control you, to give you the pleasure of surrendering yourself, you’ve come to the wrong man. I cannot offer you that.”

              “Is this why Nobek Lidon left you after sixteen years for Admiral Tranis?”

              Piras stopped breathing. His whole body felt as if it had turned to stone. Something in his skull buzzed as he replayed Kila’s voice speaking Lidon’s name.

              Rage flared, searing all sense. Piras didn’t run from it. He threw himself into it, taking shelter within the blaze to hide from the hurt of that loss. As he had so many times before.

              Between clenched teeth, he snarled, “Get the fuck out of my home. Fuck the mission. Fuck you. Fuck you!”

              “Bullseye, huh?” Kila’s tone was lazy.

              Piras took a step back, shaking with humiliated fury. He needed to get out of arm’s length of the Nobek. Not because he feared Kila. Not for one second. Now that he was seething, he had only one thing to fear: what he might do to the other man.

              Hanging on by a thread, Piras said, “Get out or you’ll see the fight you want. I’ll fling your useless carcass off the balcony.”

              Kila eyed him with wary interest, as if he’d reached to pet a caged zibger only to realize the cage door was wide open. Piras saw him through a red-tinged haze. The last of his control was fraying. His fists clenched. 

Releasing December.