Even as the Valtegan ship did everything it could to slow down in time to turn around and escape it hadn't escaped notice. The Swiss ships that were always patrolling the treaty tunnel had already sent messages to Earth even as they turned towards the alien vessel.
Aboard the Sholan mother ship their advanced sensors picked up the entrance of the vessel and the moment it was identified as the Others they went to battle stations. The Commander was calling orders out as he hurried to his chair on the bridge. Even as the ship was turning towards the enemy's ship fighters were launching and streaking out. For the moment they were going for speed and would drop into stealth once they were much closer. An alert went out over the link with the Barque and fighters on earth.
A number of Terran vessels had reacted as well and the Captain of the Valtegan cruiser was frankly shitting fear pheromones. Then again so was the rest of the crew so it wouldn't be noticed for the moment. Based on the response of the system it was a high tech system as well based on the power readings scattered around not to mention the number of n-drives that suddenly showed up. This was not going to be pretty.
The commander aboard the Mother Ship made one order clear. "Do not destroy the ship. We need information on the others. If needed stand back and pound her till her shields are destroyed and her drives are dead but ensure the ship itself isn't destroyed." Even if the entire crew died they would be able to get a fair amount of information from the bodies. What they really needed was to identify where they had come from.
~~~
Back on the Barque Teolura, Ike, and Amanda were in her suite starting to eat when the alarms went off and all three froze. Moments later the assistant came in and murmured something in Teolura's ear which had her entire attention. "Thank you and keep me updated. If the Commander needs either Ike or me we will be here in my suite." He left to man the comm. terminal so he could keep updated on what was going on.
Ike's eyes hardened as he heard the alerts. "Ambassador what seems to be the issue and please ensure that my comm's aren't blocked. I need to be in constant contact with the authorities." He had already been contacted and was getting his updates as well. Since Amanda was starting to look concerned he wrapped his arm around her and held her as he was talking.
Teolura nodded as she settled down next to Amanda on the other side. She was coming to respect Amanda a great deal and wanted to comfort her. "It appears an enemy ship has appeared in your system. Our Mother Ship has launched fighters and other light combat craft to intercept. They have also shifted orbit and are heading in that direction. Our sensors indicate that several Swiss ships as well as at least a dozen other combatants have also shifted orbit or patrol's to intercept. The alert we received is simply a precaution."
Amanda nodded as she was talking and wrapped an arm around Teolura's as Ike was comforting her. "Thank you for letting me know Teo. I would say isn't this exciting but I would prefer to be at home worrying instead of on a ship that is prepared to leave." For now she was as safe as she could feel between the two. She leaned a bit more against Teolura and closed her eyes and tried to relax now that the alarm had turned off.
~~~
Once they reached their suite and Billy had checked the messages he gave Tasha a good kiss. "Love you and you have no idea how pleased I truly am that you accepted. I will see you tomorrow."
*If you want after we are asleep feel free to come in and curl up with us.*
She was part of their soon to be marriage as well and deserved to share this evening with them.
Tasha lowered her ears as she returned the kiss.
*Thank you Yilly and I will. I want to know what your secret is, all you have to do is something as small as asking me to join you and I feel like a blushing school girl again.*
Once she leaned back from the kiss she gave Z'Marl a good kiss and hug as well. "Go enjoy your evening though I might sneak in once your bond has formed. I want to be with the people I love so much."
Z'Marl lowered her ears as well as she returned the kiss. "If we don't find you curled up with us in the morning I am going to be rather upset with you." One last stroke of her hair she turned and walked over to Billy and they walked to the room he and Tasha had taken as theirs. "Good night love."
Once inside Billy turned to her and being careful with his right arm drew her to him and worked his hands under her tabard and stroked the fur on her back. When she tilted her head down for a kiss he met her half way and closed his eyes as he enjoyed the contact. He gently sucked her lip between his and nibbled on it as he kept stroking her fur. Between them he could feel a slight tingle forming similar to what he and Tasha felt on link days but not as strong. He finally opened the catches on her tabard and helped her out of it.
She could feel some of what he wanted and when she felt him want to kiss her she leaned down and pressed her lips to his. When he sucked her lower lip into his mouth and started nibbling small mewls of contentment and pleasure escaped from her. His hands were gently working their way through her fur to all the places on her back that she liked being stroked. Her hands were cupped around his neck and the back of his head as they were kissing.
Billy couldn't help but smile slightly when she resisted moving back to remove the tabard.
*Silly woman, can't have more fun if you don't take your cloths off.*
Once her tabard was off she returned the favor and helped him out of his.
Now that his skin was exposed her fingers started stroking across his back and shoulders as well. Both simply stood there for some time getting used to the new sensations. For Billy it wasn't near as intense since he was used to it but he knew that for Z'Marl it was going to be very intense. He was going to do his best to take his time before they actually mated to get used to the feelings. Her eyes were already getting heavy with lust and desire from the link.
*This drive to mate will be intense but I will give you as much time as possible.*
As he was talking to her mentally a smile crossed his face as she was stroking his back.