Lucas watched Tatyana as she strained against the continued resistance of the tug’s coupling. That coupling held the massive cargo container hostage. Her helmet’s visor fogged up with each exertive breath. A fine tremble quivered through her muscular figure. Yet her determination hammered against the steel with every thrown elbow and applied shoulder. “One more quarter rotation and you’ll have it,” Lucas said to himself. He kept his admiration of her quiet and distant, especially when First Mate Bella Brown was present.

Bella Brown, while of the same Osphranter race as Tatyana and possessing similar features, had less prominent and smaller ones. The softer, rounder lines of Tatyana’s body, which covered her powerful muscles, were more to Lucas’s liking. He liked her bigger tail, long feet, and longer snout better. The way Tatyana’s cropped platinum-blonde hair set off her crystal blue eyes mesmerized him.

“Almost there.” Lucas watched her struggle for all she was worth. Bella had suggested Tatyana break for a brief respite, but he knew that the proud Osphranter would not give up without completing her grueling task. Tatyana grunted in affirmation as she twisted again, her back arching as both sets of her breasts pressed against the massive wrench on the hydraulic bank lug.

***

On Station 7, various crews prepared for what they hoped would be a delivery from the heavens. Crews from Security and Scanning worked in sync, searching the area between them and the Celestial Gate. All hoped for the valuable freight container they desperately needed. The recent incident with the Tug Therio, a disaster. Because Intergalactic Law banned celestial gate travel, the station was correct to execute the death penalty. However, the cargo was far too precious to be destroyed so readily.

“Scanning Officer Max, any sign of a cargo container?” The station commander, herself a member of the Serpentes race, hissed with frustration. Her long, curled tail swished back and forth. Captain Orson Lârion, an imperial naval officer, took a deep breath and sighed. An ancient analog timer in the control room marked the cargo container’s arrival, counting down with audible clunks.

“Negative, Commander,” the Canis Scanning Officer reported from his station. He gazed at the radar screen that beeped out of sync with the timer’s ticks.

“Well, the High Priestess is making her way to the bridge. She’ll want to be updated.” Station Commander Kryxxus said. Her slitted serpentine eyes were full of concern as she looked from the clock to Captain Orson Lârion.

“Understood, Commander. We’ll keep trying.” The Captain answered with a nod before turning back to the Canis Scanning Officer. He was still staring at the radar screen, transfixed by the emptiness on it.

“I’m not fond of that new High Priestess,” Scanning Officer Max said, rubbing his snout as he tried to make out any sign of the cargo container. “It’s bad enough that she’s a Zealot, but that she’s also Ancient Touched.”

Captain Orson Lârion frowned. As he did, his rounded amphibian eyes narrowed as well. “Being touched by an Accursed Ancient shouldn’t concern you, Scanning Officer Max. You should worry only about helping us find this valuable cargo.”

Max looked back at Captain Lârion, shaking his head in disagreement. “I can’t shake the feeling that she’ll be trouble.”

“I become trouble for all who sin, for I peer into the hearts of all creatures.” The smooth, exotic voice of the new High Priestess echoed in the room, causing a shiver of apprehension among the crew members.

The Serpentes Commander, Kryxxus, bowed low. “Greetings, Priestess Xia. We have received no sign of the tug’s container.”

“Which vessel is delivering the cargo?” Xia’s deep brown eyes gave Kryxxus a cold, calculating stare. “Who is her captain?” She asked.

Xia’s features disturbed Kryxxus greatly. The bottom half of her body was Serpentes, but the upper half was of an Accursed Ancient, her flesh pale, her petite bosoms barely covered by proper Serpentes scales. Her face was scaleless and furless, with large, almond-shaped eyes and flowing raven hair cascading down her shoulders.

“Err, um, your highness, it is the Titan’s Pillar. Captain Carter’s vessel.” Captain Orson Lârion responded sheepishly. He averted his gaze from her revealing figure.

Xia gave a nod of acknowledgment. “Captain Nigal Carter, with his daughter, Tatyana?” She asked.

“Their Tug at least. Knowing Nigel, he isn’t on it, but Tatyana follows the cargo. She will be,” Captain Orson Lârion said, a hint of confidence clear in his tone.

“How serendipitous.” Xia nodded again. With an alluring smile, she agreed with the Orson’s certainty, “The cargo will arrive as expected.”

***

Tatyana exerted herself one last time, biting her lip in concentration as she fought the coupling’s resistance. Finally, with an elated cry, she relented, exhausted but victorious. The container was free of the Tug, giving Lucas a clear path to activate the tug’s cloak, a bubble of folded space.

“Tatyana, I’ve going to slow us down. That’ll put distance between us and the container. Hold on.” Lucas warned as he reduced the Tug’s speed, causing Tatyana to slide forward off of the coupling.

She grabbed the coupling end reflexively. The momentum pulled at her back as she clung to it. A relieving pop sounded in her suit. “Oh, that is just what I needed. I could kiss you, Chair-Jockey.” She said with a laugh while checking the container’s trajectory in her helmet’s translucent heads-up display.

Tatyana’s tail coiled against the coupling, and she pulled herself back toward the ship with it, executing a flip. Her hand maintained a firm grip on the coupling end as her plump thighs slid around its length. The coupling pressed firmly into her suited groin, and she couldn’t help but release a low, guttural moan at the contact. A heated blush crept up her neck.

Lucas heard the noise and turned his gaze towards her. Their eyes met for a moment as she rose, causing her figure to straddle the coupling like a livestock wrangler. The weight of her suit exaggerated every curve in bold relief.

Lucas’ breath caught in his throat as he stared at Tatyana.

The way she moved was mesmerizing, almost hypnotic. He felt a flutter in his heart and a growing tightness in his loins. He averted his gaze, turning his attention back to the control panel. “Cloaking bubble activated,” he said, more to himself than to the others.

Bella, noticing Lucas’ shift in focus and color, stole a curious glance towards Tatyana. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion, but she refrained from asking questions. She turned back to the console in front of her, continuing to monitor the external sensors.

“Curious. The bubble of folded space is barely covering the ship. Are we that low on power?” Bella’s voice cut through the cabin.

“Seems to be a problem with the bubble configuration,” Lucas said with visible discomfort. “It’s been getting less and less efficient since I’ve been aboard. I assume it needs calibrated. When did anyone last attempt it?” he asked.

“I assume 300,000 Galactic Standard Years ago...” Bella said, garnering a confused look from Lucas. She shrugged her shoulders and pursed her lips, making a mental note to explore this problem further at a later time. Under her breath, she replied, “I guess I’ll look into that.”

With their cloaking bubble successfully activated, Tatyana raised her arm in triumph while hooting.