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Rated: 18+ · Book · Sci-fi · #1898133
3rd installment still editing it.
Ch 12

The day of the ball was in order and over 637 people were confirmed to attend. Teral had expected 200 but the new revised list was almost four times as much as he expected, so he had the chefs start early preparations for the evening. Le'voires from Dura sent their entire chiefs compliment for the event and Lobster Bisque was a great beginner. The band arrived the night before and he had yet to see them, their stage was in an alterior room and they would start playing during dinner and folks would move into the outer room and dance and drink. He wanted the politicians and senators to learn who he was and to enjoy themselves, the idea was politics and maybe they would ease up on Dura.
'Ladies and gentlemen, may i get your attention please,' The Manager of the event called. 'Admiral of the Fleet, Teral Ogilvy.' The major domo, a man from the planetary guild announced him and he walked in arm and arm with Alisha. Her gown dragged the floor and her firm gymnastic body was a tight fit and busting at the seams. Her breasts were almost exposed as she walked beside him, the dress caught the light from every corner of the room as its luminescent qualities gave it a silver and gold sheen. His black Tuxedo had one insignia and that was the Star of Dura that he received after Centauri Prime surrendered. He waved to everyone and they began to hush. 'Ladies and Gentleman, Senators, and Presidential candidates, thank you all for coming. I hope to have these functions more in the future and we shall let you know about them in the advance. I want to thank you to the Visionaries coming all the way from Dura,' He waited for applause to come down and proceeded. '...number one on the charts, give them a hand.' The crowd applauded again and hooted for them, when it died down again he continued. 'I want to let you know something about the planets that have surrendered to us and let you all know that Dura will always have a presence here, we shall never allow war again. However, we will never get involved in politics or the system that we have a presence. Your system is yours and we will do nothing unless the government or its people call, we will protect this system from pirates in future but the Celine system will no longer have a deployable space military, that is Admiral Ryarsons job.' Bill in his freckle faced body with his black tux waved. 'Mother Dura, in the next year or so, will be allowing one of her children to put a seed here.' There was a sudden intake of breath as the people were shocked to hear. '...On Celine and many of the other planets that her children can grow. She will be sending a child here and some of you here who have ate of the tree, i know there are a few of you, she has not talked to since the war and she will talk to you now, if you wish. The reason for that is simple, anyone who attacks Dura attacks Her. You are at peace with Dura you are at peace with Mother. This would take care of the issue of wanting fruit, but know this, to get one of the children it will be difficult and the test harder. The child will take years before it gives up its own fruit so it may be 4 or 5 years before that happens, but rest assured Mother wishes it so it will happen. Know this, I am Mothers Ambassodor and Celine will never be at war with man again. The Duran Naval Federation will be a police force of the Universe and we will have a presence in every system, because every system invaded and declared war. Big mistake, you woke a sleeping giant. We moth balled science that you have not learned and we are light years ahead of current tech, you and others will never have that tech, although that knowledge will be here to protect the system and will not answer to your senate. They will answer to Dura. Your planet and your system is yours, but its ability to wage war is over. If you have thoughts as to are you safe, think on this, in Centauri Prime, all of its platforms and all of its ships were subdued within 10 hours. That was done by one ship, half the size of the Lightning.' He omitted the fact that it was a smaller version of his ship the Lightning. 'Now you will have the Storm protecting you as well as over 600 upgraded ships, and thousands of other ships that are yours, in this system. Please be aware of it. We want peace and no one will die under my watch that doesn't deserve it. One of your rogue ships tried to attack the Lightning 3 days ago, they have been punished by a tribunal. Most of the officers are spaced and the rest were set free back on the planet. You are free to have your own navy but those ships will not have the fire power of the upgraded vessels, if one of those ships fires on one of my ships it will not harm them and it will be deemed a pirate as well as its owner and all those attached to it will be pirate and suffer punishment. That rogue ship lasted 11 seconds and we were not even engine powered up at the time in port. What does that tell you in regards to this vessel?' He waited for effect, each and every senator would tell everyone and every contact they had to stear clear of Dura.
'So you will know, the rogue ship fired all laser batteries and over 400 missiles and within seconds was disabled by the Lightning, so you know. Let me reassure you of the 11.4 second battle after missiles were fired, my second in command Commander Avon didnt even feel the need to let me know till after it happened, she already had soldiers boarding the ship.' At that point someone caught Terals eye, a red head in a bluish gown curtsied when he looked at her. He would have to find out who she is, she looked familiar.
'As i was saying, remember this, we are here more as police than military and will deal justly with all. Long live Mother Dura and the DNF. Please enjoy the dance, have fun and peace to us all.' He finished and the band started back up again and mumbles and frowns were everywhere.
'How did that go Alisha?' He asked as they walked toward the bar.
'Good i thought, however did you see Avon, she just got her new dress.' Teral thought of the red head.
'Oh my holy Dura she is lovely. That is Avon? I am so used to her on vid or in uniform. We need to say hello girl.'
At first Alisha hesitated, '..Are you sure you want me along, she after all loves you too Teral.' He turned his head and looked at her.
'She is my second in command you are my Girl friend, i wont hide that, this is a military ball but its a fun function. You come too my love.' She smiled and squeezed his hand with both hers and shrugged her shoulders as if to say 'thank you' and 'i love you too.'

They walked over to Avon and she was stunning, her red hair was shoulder length and her deep blue eyes were wide open and she hesitantly smiled. Teral reached out his hand to shake hers, 'It is so good to see you Commander Avon.' As he reached out to her she suddenly lept onto him and hugged him firmly. 'I am so sorry sir, i am not used to these feelings that this body has.' She backed away as Alisha giggled. 'Its ok my dear. I understand. When did you get this lovely dress?' He was reluctant to talk about clones in front of anyone as many people milled about.
'Well sir, i finished my work this morning and was getting ready around noon ship time. Its wonderful to be, um out of military garb.' She winked.
'I gotcha Avon. Can the three of us go sit down somewhere I am bushed.' They both nodded and Alisha whispered to Avon, 'Glad i have another female to talk to.' Avon smiled and shook her hand. 'Same,' she whispered. 'Thank you sir.'

They sat and sipped at a few strawberry drinks and they were amazing, the frozen drinks tickled the nose and didnt even have a taiste of alcohol. The drinks were tasty, each of them were working on their 2nd and the ladies were getting a bit tipsy as he watched. They loosened up but still kept their speech in tact, their minds were only part of the clones, their presence was there but they still managed to retain all their abilities ship board.
'Teral you have not debriefed or got up to date on whats happening, would you like to debrief after the ball?' Avon asked passing the time.
'Commander relax, its your first day in fun land so to speak. Lets debrief tomorrow and enjoy tonight. You know what i think? This slow dance is time for Alisha and I to dance. Avon you and i will dance next dance and you can imagine what thats going to be like, so download some slow dancing lessons. Alisha shall we dance?' He asked and began to stand. She hopped up so fast as if she had been waiting all day.
They rushed to the dance floor to all the stares and glares and some approval and many others followed them to the floor to dance. Then he was in her arms, her breasts pressed into his and she peered into his eyes smiling at him. Her warmth was flowing from her like lasers targeting a ship. He felt her emotions as well as felt her arms and hands. She was enthralling as he looked into her eyes he could almost feel her soul. 'Alisha, tell me what your feeling, thinking about right now.' He whispered to her.
'Tingles Teral, i want to have sex.' She just blurted out, one of the senators was dancing with his partner and looked at the Admiral and smiled. 'Admiral you are a lucky man.' He whispered to Teral.
'Don't i know it sir. What was your name Senator?'
'Everson, Ronald. I resigned 4 months ago and they just reinstated my job. Do i have you to thank for that sir?'
'Ronnie leave the Admiral alone, no politics.' A blond woman he was dancing with called.
'My wife Admiral has spoken, i will leave you alone sir, and thank you for my job.'
'You earned it sir. Mrs. Everson.' He nodded to the women and he continued to look into Alishas eyes. 'Me too Alisha just not so loud next time in mixed company.' he whispered. 'First i have to dance with my 2nd in charge, then you and i can continue this conversation.' She smiled and they finished the dance and went back to the table. 'Would you care for this dance Madam Avon?' He offered his hand.
'Sir i would rather not, i am not used to,' She looked around to make sure no one was listening. '...this body. I do not have all of its functions working properly. If you do not mind i would rather just walk a bit with you and Alisha, if you do not mind?' She said standing and looking as if it was a labor. Teral reached out and gave her a arm to hold on to which seemed to steady her.
She stood up and looked at Alisha. 'Did you find it difficult to walk when you first started out Alisha, in these towering heels?' She asked as they started around the ballroom.
The ballroom was large enough that the windows peered out into space, one could stand and never know he was in the ballroom. If you wanted a 2000 person ball the ballroom would take that many.
'You know when i first started this process it was a bit difficult but i managed to walk within hours. I knew i had wanted it since the clone process was created. The issue i had was using the bathroom. Oh my Dura was that hard. No one tells you how, we just read, so when i first went i had to shower afterwords. Very problematic.'
'Well you ladies do not make it easy for a guy to chit chat with, i just hold it and point. Simple.'
'Thanks Rothstein,' Alisha said sarcastically. Raymond Rothstein the father of modern Gravidic Space Drives was the common saying. Rothstein was considered the smartest person in history. 'As if we needed that bit of info. Anyway tell me this you two, how is the relationship thing going?' Avon broached the question on all their minds.
Teral looked quickly at Alisha then back to Avon he felt trapped as if surrounded by hundreds of thousands of ships, like a rat. 'Um, well, um, I um, uh well, we....'
'Shuttup Admiral ill tell her.' Alisha patted him on the arm. 'He didnt want to have the relationship but i persuaded him. He didn't feel it proper at first,' she looked at him and winked. '...But there is an amazing thing,' She looked down at her breasts and patted them. '...These freaking puppies are amazing in an argument. He even wanted to talk to you first. I think i know why your boobs are just a poping,' Teral interrupted them both and decided it was time to leave port.
'Ladies i am going to let you talk i am going to schmooze with the rest of the folks here.' He walked off knowing it was a ladies visit.
'You know he is very shy sexually, i have read up so much on so many issues and he is very conservative. I asked him if he wanted more partners and he said not right now, i even mentioned you and he made me change the subject.'
'Does he not like me?' Avon said.
'Oh no, he is in love with you, but feels that its not proper to talk to you about it.'
'What the hell? We have to change that Alisha, when we are in this form he can have us both, why not? It is our choice. We will not breach protocol when we are on duty. Doesn't he think we can do both. For crying out loud, humans. Oh wait we are human too but why all the hangups? Must be the way they were raised by their parents. Lets work on him, i have an idea...' And the ladies did what friends do they plotted the future of Admiral Ogilvy.


Ch 13


'Hello sir, it is so good to meet you, i was resigned to not be a senator and enjoy my retirement but i have to tell you something when they said you wanted to recall all the resigned senators i was so excited. We were right! They lost and were wrong and i am so glad that you acted swiftly with the president and her entourage. Ass wipes plain and simple, a million plus lives to learn their lesson. They just bullied everyone into the war, when i won my fruit it was over 80 years ago and i have to tell you that i feel everyone should be in a test for it. Either you win or you do not, its not fair to take it by force. Last night i had a long conversation with Mother Dura about you young man. Let me say one thing, first place? My goodness that is amazing. I was 73rd place when i ran and it was only 45 miles then. I took the full two days; 41 hours 36 minutes and 12 seconds was my time. She told me you ran 60 miles in 18 hours. My god son? However did you train for that and if you do not mind, can i ask that question?' John Ramsey asked as a few onlookers were standing and listening in. Teral knodded.
'Well, i trained for 6 years without being in a race, and due to the military i got hours on end to train. No spouse, no children, no responsibilities and i could run at my own pace. For the last year i was training with Wallace Weatherspoon who won the race 11 years ago. I paid him alot of my salary to get me up for the 60 miles. Very difficult but won it. As to the other question i wished what all people wish for.'
The senator and others looked at him and smiled, 'Eternal life? Congrats again on that son, i may only look 25 but i am approaching 111 years old son. I feel 20 years old but man how time flies the older you get. Can you tell me how you think the war with the other 9 systems is going? What can we do to help?' Mr. Ramsey asked helpfully his body language said he was honestly asking. That was a unique thing the cloned body had that his original body did not, he could read body language better. With the downloads on politics in his head Teral was a new politician.
'Support your new president but keep the people in mind, not your money. I know thats difficult however more than 1.4 million people dead in this conflict in this system due to bad political judgement. Do not forget all those plants that spit out military gear are dead, if i were you and your friends i would buy up those plants and convert them to consumer goods, just a hint. I believe every senator that felt he should vote the war should be tried for first degree murder and be sent to penal rehab and be mindswiped. How dare they choose to go against an obvious message from Centauri Prime Assembly who surrendered the conflict. To go against the Federation you swore to uphold. Sorry for ranting everyone.' Now there were more than a crowd of people surrounding the Admiral and began to knodd their heads and agree with Teral. 'Do you feel if an new tech were invented and the new tech that had the ability to destroy an entire planet would stop most people from doing things, morally it should correct? Not Celine, it is very disturbing to me that thousands of Artifical Intelligence beings were slaughtered because your government felt they were not sentient.
This time i have sent probes to all 9 systems and interrupters to cut into the net and show everyone in those systems what has taken place here and for those systems to surrender before i arrive. If i show up with my fleet, its too late. I have given them 1 month. So it looks like ill be here for a bit longer than i had planned so there will be alot of balls.' Teral laughed.
Everyone around him started laughing at that. 'Sir may i ask you a question? Senator Langston, Jessica from the Overly Province.' She was a lovely blond haired tiny lady.
'Sure madam.' Teral turned to face her.
'Sir, should we have punished all the senators and councilman that voted for the war, after all it made Celine a pirate nation not just the current government. Lets be sure we understand each other, its NOT fair that any of them should not be tried in a court of law. The people did not have the information shown to them about you waging war in the other systems, if we could have shown the people 12 billion people would have said NO WAR! Also, lets face facts the president declared martial law and did not let any view Centauri video. What could we have done' The small spit fire of a lady almost shouted.
'You know Mrs Langston it is not up to me to take those senators and try them its up to the people, you, to do that. My job is to judge the main pirate and that was the president not the council. Its your job to take it to the streets, not mine. It is your planet, your system. I am not an overlord, i am an Admiral in the DNF space fleet. I control my fleet and my soldiers, i can only do what my enlistment and my government approve.'
'Yes i know that sir, but what is your suggestion if you were us?' She asked prodding even more.
'Well i think you need to do what you need to do. My suggestion is goto the people. 12 billion people on this planet are not stupid. There are 41 provinces on the 3 planets and 82 senators that could be elected in, billions more people they sponser, get those senators and their provinces to vote. You can still judge them in civil court but according to the articles of war all i can do with current government is with war crimes; and im sorry but there is no war crimes i can judge senators on because the president has the ability to veto all of it. She didn't and no one tried to impeach her. The senators resigned because the PEOPLE wanted the war but they did not have all the facts. When they get all the facts they may just rebel and kill every senator so be careful. If the people openly revolt, and the military switches on, you then may be screwed so be careful how you talk to people. In this room you are all senators but when your talking to the people or by vid cast be careful you could get more than you bargained for.'
'Here, here.' Another senator shouted and others started nodding and agreeing with the Admiral.
'Sir, you could be a politician yourself. You are very eloquent with how you explain yourself. Senator Mathew Aimes, Shoreline province, sir may i ask you a question?'
'Folks you do not have to ask me if you can ask me a question. Let us all agree that if this is a question and answer system then lets make sure all know, its informal just ask. If i do not want to answer i wont.'
'Thank you sir. Looking to your future, will you eventually share the new tech with us? This ship is well unlike anything we have ever seen. You managed to capture the Sherman, um, you renamed it Thunder, in minutes, surely there is some knowledge that we can put to personal use none-military?'
'Well that is up to the Duran Science Academy, not up to me sir. If the Duran political offices release it to you i have no problems with that, but this ships armory, weapons, drives, tech base is, and will be, off limits for many, many, years to come.'
'Sir, Daniel Temard Hillside Province, do you believe that war is the answer to conflict or the conflict is the answer to war?'
Teral couldnt help himself but he looked at the man and started laughing. 'I am sorry for laughing Daniel but i believe war is the answer to nothing but death. War should be the thing that never happens and as the Federation police force when this war is final, we shall police all known human space and every system will have a police ship overseeing it. No more war. We will hunt down pirates and judge them and no more war. My vow. If you fight amongst each other it will be in court, council, or in government forum. You will settle your conflict by the law not by the laser. This ship was attacked by over 80,000 warships of the federation, in the last system and not only did we defeat them without a large loss of life but we did it in a day. Celine system never should have happened, yet your old government didnt give all the facts to the people and millions have paid the price. Millions more injured, all for what? The next time this planet goes to sleep there should be millions of ads and vid slots on the net, paid for by you senators and others that are well to do, you will get your own Mother some day and you will not have any rights to her, she will be protected by Duran Navy but she will give 100 or so Children annually and the Race shall be the same with a few more loops to challenge you. You did not get a tree from war, you got it from surrender. Mother chooses this, not you or I. She felt it was time to give others because of the demand for her children. Centauri Prime will get their tree in the next year and they surrendered without any restrictions, unconditionally to Dura. This was Mothers idea. Remember the old proverb that the tree of liberty has to be refreshed with the blood of a few hero's? Screw that, that was before the eternal fruit was found and life began to have promise instead of death. Tell your people that the tree comes from peace not from war and you should stave off any revolts. Also remember that the 1280 assembly persons that vote along side you who are not here, those are critical people to win over in your parliament. Without those votes you are nothing.'
'Thank you sir, and you are right. I volunteer 10 million credits to advertise to the public who wants to match me.' A senator shouted, then another, and another. Soon the entire room was in agreement. 'Better to educate the masses then get your neck chopped off by the mob.'
'I think that is a smart move ladies and gentlemen. With that note i need to pay attention to my lady. Have a great evening everyone.' Teral finished to pats on the back and shouted grats to him. He had won over the politicians and was not even trying.
Teral was glad to be away from the senators, he was no politician and was glad to be away.
As Teral approached Alisha and Avon he noticed them both smiling and laughing, that was good. 'Hello you two, you look as if you ate the canary?' He told the two of them. They looked at him as if trying to figure out what eating a canary had to do with anything. 'Look it up on the net, its an old saying. What are you two up to?'
'Just girl talk.' Alisha responded her breasts seemed larger to him. 'Do you want to stick around the ball longer or retire to our quarters?' He asked her and without notification she hopped up and grabbed his hand. 'I will see you later Commander Avon.'
'Bye commander Avon enjoy your evening.' Teral called as Alisha said bye and pulled Terals hand as they went to the converyor that would take them to their quarters. The Mech Guards stood throughout the ball room saluted as the two of them moved out and scurried off.

When they arrived at their quarters Alisha dropped her gown as soon as the doors shut. 'Let me help you with that you stud.' She called to Teral and he admired her and found her so sexually enticing, his erection showed that. 'You are the most amazing woman i have ever known you know that?' She was unbuttoning his Navy attire and kept moving his hands out of the way as he tried to help. His pants were the last piece to remove and before she got the pants off the door buzzer rang.
'Who the hell would be at our door? Let them go away.' Teral said as Alisha looked up at him and stopped the removal process.
'Ill answer it Admiral, it might be important. Ill get my robe.' she moved to the bathroom and came out quickly. 'You stay there lover, ill do this quick.'
She went to the outer room and Teral heard voices and the door close and she walked back in smiling. 'It was nothing Teral, where were we.' She attacked him kissing and removing pants and soon they were entwined. She had his number and he loved that it felt like she knew exactly how to please him and how to please herself. He felt her hands all over his body it was amazing, by far the most amazing sex he had ever had. As he kissed her breast he felt her hands on his back on his rear on his manhood. Suddenly he stopped. 'Four hands?' Oh my god' Teral pushed up off of her and looked left and right and saw Avon. Her hands stopped and she was nude. 'Avon, um. God. Alisha?!! The two of you should have told me. Stop touching for a second Alisha.' His erection felt like solid steal, the biggest turn on was to have the two loves of his life here helping each other, but they did it in the strangest way. Why wouldnt they tell him what they wanted to do. 'Why didnt you two tell me, stop touching me for a second will ya?' He was stunned and turned on and upset. '...I was not against it i just wanted to be sure. Crap you two, sit down Avon and both of you pay attention.' She sat down and the two ladies cuddled and listened and watched. 'Damn if you two dont beat all. Ok listen, outside these quarters no one, i mean no one, better insinuate or accuse or ever bring this up. If we are going to do this i do not want any hard feelings. I love you both, so you better be sure this is what your ok with.' They both started laughing. 'I told you he was conservative Avon.' They both stood and began on him and each other, the sex was the best thing Teral had ever been in, it was almost as if he need not have been there they enjoyed each other as much as he did. He was so exhausted after his threesome event that he was the first to be out. The women finished hours later as they woke him for round two.

Two days later a call came in from Dura from Admiral Sherrington.
'By god son, you have done better than we ever anticipated. Five systems have surrendered and have agreed to our choice of one of their platforms being taking by us and used as a police platform, each systems largest. You have done it Teral. Only four hold out systems and if they do not come to surrender they are minor systems, it would take seconds for you to take them without major loss of life. Son you did it. You saved us and Mother. By all thats holy you have done it.' Teral grinned at the Admiral praising him. The accolade was nice but it was just the beginning Teral would gear up a platform in every system and then they would request to be free of the guard duty and start exploring.
'Sir, thank you sir. I appreciate that. May i ask you a question sir?'
'Anything son.'
'Well sir, i and my ships, the Lightning, Bolt, and the Thunder, would like to be freed of our direct duties and start exploring the other galaxies after each system has a protection platform. I feel that we can contribute new planets and new jump points that the current Federation has not found yet. We can travel further and faster than any others, i would like to explore sir and i believe with the three ships we could take on any task. After all 12 systems have a Duran Platform in their systems policing and patrolling i feel one ship is more than adequate to protect everyone, i would like to be put on standby reserve and my three ships would explore sir. We can take humans or do it as is and when we find habitable worlds it would be colonized for Dura sir. I find one planet a bit stifling.' Teral finished and prayed the Admiral would let him.
'Son, if thats what you want to do you got it, there is not a human alive that doesn't know what your fleet, what YOU have done. You get anything you want son. I want you to come home at your earliest opportunity and we talk of your future. Soon as those other systems give in and platforms are in place you do as you wish son. By the way, you sneaky shit. You bought me a condo without telling me, i thought it was a week vacation away, a present, but you bought, BOUGHT me the damn thing. Son, i appreciate that, like you do not know, but in future please let me know so i can prepare for it. My wife almost feinted when the cook came to our room and started cooking and said we owned the condo. For crying out loud, thank you so much son. That was amazing.'
'Your welcome sir. I asked my second in charge to buy you a vacation and she misunderstood and bought the entire unit. Enjoy it sir, i think i will do that from now on with friends. I have the money so why not. Enjoy sir.'
'Not a problem son, see you soon. Sherrington out.' These were good days to be Admiral Ogilvy.

'Teral can i make a request for the next ball?' Avon asked laying with her nude form on his thighs and Alisha sprawled behind him spooning. 'Sure love.' It felt more like home being with the two ladies than he ever thought it could. They enjoyed each other and his company as if they had been doing it for years. 'Well,' She elongated the word to sound like 'wweeeeeell', 'Lisha and i agree that we should plan the balls with a ladies touch, we want to do some different things. We will lay out your clothes for next weeks ball but we want to do a theme ball. I think it will be awesome. We want to bring Dura here too. We have teleportation pods ready and sitting in the capital and they can walk right through, the machine will not work if they wish to bring weapons or anything that my harm. The machine has a disease and bio-detector as well so if they have an illness or are carrying it they will not be let through as well. What we want to do is make the ball available to the Duran senators and president and officers of the DNF. We feel it will be a great ice breaker for Celine and for Dura, what do you think, we could invite Centauri Prime Senators as well?' She was fondling his genitals as she talked and it was very distracting. '...Are you going to play down there or do something about it?' he joked. '...Surely you two can do anything you like with the ball.' They both grabbed him and hugged and almost molested him as they wore him out.


They would call it the first Federation ball when all of Dura officers and Senators, Centauri Prime, Celine governing body all came to play. The new teleporters would be called the invention to rival all. Many were hesitant to move through the system as fear of unknown would stop a few but as soon as they started through and would radio back clear more and more people would walk through. The system ported them directly to the waiting observatory on the Lightning and people walked through very rapidly thinking to hurry the process. Trial and error slowed them down as a few ladies and men tripped after arriving. The process soon slowed and it was a simple shuffle of ones feet and they were through, similar to a moving walkway. 'Holy Dura, that was amazing!' Admiral Sherrington walked through the teleporter from Dura, his wife following behind with an 'oh' on his footsteps. Teral was waiting with Avon and Alisha standing at attention as the commander of all DNF fleet walked through.
'Welcome Admiral, thank you for coming sir.' Teral saluted and 22 guardians in the large reception room saluted with a loud crack as their metal legs smashed the floor in unison.
'Crap thats loud.' The Admiral responded and reached out to shake Terals hand. 'Admiral Ogilvy, its good to see you. This ball was brilliant son, how does my uniform look. Authentic?' He primped as he put on his Henry the 8th hat. His wife Josephine wore a 14th century one Horned Henin with a veil and it appeared she was a lady in waiting.
'Terrific sir, im very impressed that you went to the trouble. I had no choice since commander Avon and my assistant roped me into it. It looks like i am in the ballet. The tights dont feel so itchy but i look stupid.'
'None sense my boy, we do what we need to do to be Romeo in our girls eyes.' He stared at Alisha, '...Speaking of Juliet, how are you Alisha?'
'Good Admiral, and thank you for the advice, you were right about Admiral Ogilvy and myself we did fit just right.' She replied and curtsied to him as if he were the king and she his subject.
'Funny how we old Admirals have a little knowledge. We can be good for somethings. Josephine if you wouldnt mind going with the young lieutenant to our table i just need a minute of the young Admirals time.'
'As you wish Reggie.' Alisha took the Admirals wife and they proceeded to the ball room.
'Sir we can have our meeting in a conferrance room near my quarters if you wish?' He responded.
'Sounds good, any where will do.'

It was a small conveyor belt ride to the room and they passed several gaurdians that appeared to be part of the walls and stood frozen. 'Are those active gaurds or decoration Teral?' Admiral Sherrington asked casually as they approached the room.
'Active sir, all of them. We waiste no space nor do we waiste any energy, those are pure machine, not Artifical.'
'Roger that, so we are pretty safe.'
'Sir we are in the largest ship known to man with enough shielding to protect a planet. We are 99.9% indestructable. Even if one of the patrons for the ball brought a bomb on board the explosive would be instantly shielded and only a few people would suffer. We are completely safe sir.' Teral responded almost offended.
'Son take no offence to your wonderous ship, i mean no offence, just an observation. Are you telling me that your ship would shield me from you if you were about to explode?' He tilted his head almost in disbelief.
'Yes sir. Our new shields,' Teral pointed to the top ceiling which was 15 feet clearance, (the Gaurdians were 11 feet tall so they needed the extra clearance.) 'You will see in the ceiling eye point lasers those are Shielding actuators that relay the ships hull shielding and reflect it internally to isolate and protect as well.'
'Wow, thats a huge advantage if the hull opens to vacuum, very nice.'
They walked in the room and sat down at the large table that could sit 50 people. 'This is one hell of a conferrance center, wait till you start taking on humans. How many humans can this ship house now?' He started the debrief.
'Full compliment over 1 million now. The Thunder could take up to 200 million and the storm, if we decided to fill, could take over 75 million, we have some large spaces to fill in the future.'
The Admirals eyebrows raised as if to say 'who would have dreamed.' 'So lets first talk about the last four systems, we have sent convoys to the other systems as you explained, loaded with the Medians to upgrade the platforms we have picked, and all 9 systems will have the police platforms retrofitted in a matter of months and that should keep us in the clear for a thousand years. So you have plans to colonise and explore, thats really what i want to talk about. The last 3 systems only have 20 or 30 thousand ships and will be nothing for you flight group, so whats the plan that you want me to approve after?' He asked light heartedly breezing over the 34,328 ships that the Pheta Mar system had protecting it.
'Well sir after the Pheta system is taken we will broadcast to the 13 systems for colonists to board and explore. I believe our projections are we should get more than 1 Billion applicants. Those that i choose will have a rigourous screening process and when they come aboard they will swear alligeance to Dura not the Federation. I was meaning to talk to you about dissolving the Federation assembly and replacing it with the Universal Worlds League. The reason for that is now that there is only one military police force shouldn't there be an oversite for that agency?'
'Well to the prior statement you are approved to do as you see fit to colonise and explore just check in once a week, and two the president says that the new agency will be called the Universal Protection Agency. The UPA will be in charge of all military platforms with oversite being in your hands. They will do as the UPA says but if it conflicts with your AI's that run them it will fall to you to be in charge. You have instant communication with those platforms so even though you are thousands of light years away you will still be in charge. I told the president it mattered not what any one felt you are the reason for them and you are in charge of them. However in case of your sudden death it would become its own independant board.
So let me ask you this, how are you and Alisha?' The admiral asked totally catching Teral off track.
'Um, um, well, I dunno, we are together, and we are well doing well. You were right about companionship, i needed it. It is pretty fantastic actually.' He responded his face turning red.
'Its ok son, just remember, your the boss and that takes priority. Lets goto this ball shall we.' He stood up and was on his way as quick as they started he was done.

2,600 people showed up for the ball and the Lightnings 94,000 meter hull was suddenly the play ground of politics. Alisha and Avon out did themselves as they merged the counter storage facility into a ball room extension, the rooms merged into one and were so large that you could fit a fleet of shuttles in the room. The center of the floor had the band stage and the sound system pumped in from the 15 foot ceilings. The speaker system was the best money could buy, everything was shipped in from Dura in regards to food and drinks, but the upgraded speakers had Brenda and Brad inventing new ways to hide the wireless electrical and the three dimensional video leads in the roof. The roof had 48 net vid monitors that were in the ceiling and would slowly drop down to 8 foot for full viewing from all over the hall of the people on stage. The band could be seen from 200 meters away as people viewed the monitors. The Duran President said her hellos to Teral and so did hundreds more and the praises began. Teral was beaming as he watched all of the senators and people have a wonderful time. The Ball was a ladies choice, and everyone had different varieties of outfits on. It was a pre-history theme as everyone dressed in gowns and outfits from the pre-Earth era known as Elizabethan era. The Naval Dress was in Admirals uniform from that era and it was very, very tight and strange. There was no room for movement as Teral felt very restricted. The strange black hat, the itchy leggings, the strange uncomfortable shoes, his crotch itched and he couldnt scratch it. His butt itched, his legs itched, the only place that didnt itch was his hands and they felt sweaty from the hand shaking.
'Isnt it just marvelous what we did Teral?' Avon walked up to him her arms clasped behind her back as she leaned into him.
'Splendid, you two did a wonderful job.' Teral responded smiling.
'Are you having a good time?'
'Absolutely one of the best balls ever. Thank you so much for your hard work.' Alisha was walking over and she too looked stunning in her outfit. The dresses appeared to be blown out as the bottoms of the dress would swing and were twice as wide as they should be. 'Great job Alisha, both of you look just beautiful I never believed you or Avon could get your boobs too look so large but it has to be the illusion of the dress.' Teral responded trying not to itch his butt by wiggling in his seat. He thought to himself, 'Oh my thats the spot.'
'Thank you Teral, and why are you smiling so big?' Alisha said as she proceeded to try and sit and adjusted her breasts.
'It's my boobs isn't it?' Alisha responded. Teral smiled and peered around the large ballroom for familiar faces. 'Yes as a matter of fact and no, we have the green light to explore the unknown after the war ends. We can colonise and bring humans aboard with screening after its over. We can do as we like. I am very excited about our futures. You know, its a pretty good life, who knows maybe we will have kids some day to prove that we can create life as well as destroy it.' He said smiling and Alisha and Avon glanced at each other and smiled.
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