ExtremeCircumstances (7 page)

Two more days. That was all they needed. Two more days and
they’d reach the compound. It probably had beds. Or cots at the very least. He
didn’t care. He’d sleep on anything that got him off the ground at this point.
Hell, if one of the men stumbled upon hammocks strung up in the trees he’d give
that a shot.

He changed into a clean shirt and then lay down on his
sleeping bag. But as he rolled onto his back he let out a deep sigh as a rock
dug into his spine. And of course his arm chose that moment to start itching.
He almost wished Homer hadn’t given him that first shot. He could use a
sedative to help him sleep tonight.

The flap to his tent was brushed back and he could see
Gates’ definition outlined against the dim light of the campfire. He’d assumed
that Gates would be spending most of his night interrogating the hostiles
they’d brought back and seeing him here was a bit of a surprise. His dick
seemed to recover quicker than the rest of him though. It hardened at the sight
of the other man. Apparently it had something other than sedatives in mind.

“You doing okay?” Gates entered his tent and then sat on the
floor next to him.

“I’ll live. How are you feeling?” They’d had one hell of a
day, that was for sure.

“Turns out Homer was right. I’m already feeling better.”

“And the hostiles we brought back?”

“They’re secure. Baker is trying to adapt our translators to
their language.”

So that was why Gates wasn’t with them. “How long does he
think it’ll take?”

The white of Gates’ teeth glinted for a second as he smiled.
“Why? You got plans for the evening?”

He hadn’t but at Gates’ suggestion all kinds of thoughts
popped into his head. “One can hope.” He smiled back up at Gates.

Gates laughed at the statement. “Look at you. Shot by your
own men, attacked by hostiles and you think the medic cleared you for these
‘plans’ of yours?”

“Shot with a sedative,” he pointed out. “And they landed on
me more than attacked me.”

“Not according to Homer.”

“Homer can blow me.”

“I don’t think you’re his type.”

Julian suppressed a moan as Gates’ hand started to caress
his thigh through the material of his cargo pants. “I didn’t mean—”

“It was a joke, Julian. You need to relax.” As Gates cupped
Julian’s balls, though, Julian only became tenser. Granted, it was a
wonderfully charged kind of tension.

“If you’re trying to get me to relax, you’re failing.” He
closed his eyes with a sigh of pleasure as Gates squeezed his balls lightly.

Gates leaned over and nuzzled Julian’s neck. “Give it time.”

Time? Julian was already painfully hard. And the tickle of
Gates’ stubble against his skin only served to make him harder. But even with
the blood quickly deserting his brain he knew time would be scarce. “They’re
going to be looking for you any second now.”

“The last thing they want is me staring over their
shoulders, asking if the translator is ready for the millionth time.”

His heart pounded against his ribs and his breath caught in
his throat as Gates undid the button to Julian’s pants. The emotional strain of
the day had left his control shaky to say the least. And now, with the
endorphins and the stimulant Homer had given him both flooding his system, he
needed release so badly he hurt with it.

He moaned as Gates slipped his hand down Julian’s pants and
then wrapped his long fingers around his cock. Gates’ hold was firm and his
calluses made Julian shiver with hunger as they slid across the sensitive skin.
It was so intense he had to bite down on his bottom lip to keep from calling
out.

“Feeling better?” Gates continued to stroke Julian’s dick as
he asked the question.

As if Gates even had to ask. Julian was willing to bet every
muscle in his body was tense, begging for climax. “Give it time.” Julian’s
voice might have been husky with desire but the teasing undertone couldn’t be
missed. And it wasn’t. Gates chuckled softly as he swiped the tip of his thumb
over the head of Julian’s dick.

“You sound as if you’re feeling better.”

Julian squeezed his eyes shut tighter as Gates started
stroking him faster. “Dear god.” He couldn’t be certain if the words were a
plea or a prayer and he really wasn’t in the position to examine them right
now. Every atom of his being was hurtling toward completion. Each touch of
Gates’ skin against his brought him closer to the edge but he couldn’t fall
over. And, damn, he really needed to fall right now.

“Open your eyes, Jules.”

Julian complied with the command. And as soon as he saw the
fierce hunger and passion in Gates’ expression he tumbled over the edge of his climax.
He surrendered to the waves of pleasure that rolled through him. They were so
intense he couldn’t have fought them even if he wanted. And right now fighting
was the last thing on his mind. He only sought the peace and relaxation that
would come after the orgasm.

Just as his body relaxed and the bite of restlessness began
to recede, Gates took his hand off Julian’s dick and leaned away from him. He
understood why Gates made the move. Julian was a mess. But it was the opposite
of what Julian wanted. Julian wanted to draw Gates closer and return the favor.
Bring Gates to climax just as the man had for him. But it didn’t look as though
that was going to happen.

“And are you relaxed now?” Gates turned away from him
briefly but when he turned back he held a clean shirt in his hands. A clean-ish
shirt at least. It was certainly cleaner than the one Julian currently had on.

Julian sat up and stripped the soiled shirt off and then
wiped it over his stomach to mop up the come before taking the other one from
Gates. “Don’t suppose you could use a little relaxation too?” He winked as he
threw the suggestion out there.

Gates sighed heavily before running his fingers through his
short hair. “That would be amazing. But—”

Julian didn’t need him to finish the sentence. “Duty calls.”

“She’s a bitch.”

“But you love her anyway,” Julian teased. This was their
life. They’d chosen it. And even when they hated it they wouldn’t have it any
other way.

“Yep.” Gates lifted a finger to his mouth and licked away
the remnants of Julian’s essence before smiling. “But you owe me one.”

“Feel free to collect anytime you want.” It was an open
invitation and Julian didn’t give those. But as he lay back down he realized he
meant it. Gates would be welcome in his tent anytime he wanted to stop by. It
should probably freak him out a little but he quickly rationalized the absence
of nerves by their remote assignment. It wasn’t as though Gates was going to
walk in on Julian with some other guy. For as long as they were on this
shithole of a planet their relationship was going to have to be monogamous in
nature. Might as well take advantage of it.

“In that case, I’ll see you later.” Gates leaned over and
left a demanding kiss on Julian’s lips. “I’m glad you’re okay.” They were the
last words he said before leaving Julian’s tent. And as Julian drifted off to
sleep they made him smile. It seemed as if only moments had passed since Julian
had said those exact words to him. Yet so much had happened. But even injured,
hot and exhausted, Julian had to admit that things weren’t that bad. At least
they hadn’t lost any more men.

They still had fifteen men and now they had three hostages.
Maybe the tide was finally starting to turn on this mission.

Gates stared at the man, if one could call it that, bound in
front of him. He’d been interrogating and negotiating with him for over an hour
now. Gates was exhausted and his wrist throbbed angrily but they were finally
making progress. He wouldn’t let some aches and pains stop him now.

“You can have your people search our shuttle. There are no
explosives. The only weapons we have are ones built for self-defense.”

The man shook his head. “Not explosives. Death.”

This had been the sticking point in the negotiations. The
last team of soldiers had brought something to the planet that this species
didn’t like. Something they called only “Death”. Gates wanted to reassure them
that his team had a completely different mission but until he could figure out
what this “Death” exactly was they were at a stalemate. “There is no Death on
the shuttle either.”

“The Warriors lie. That is the warning Creator gave us.” The
computerized monotone of the words was eerie when overlaid with the angry
hisses and grunts of his language.

“I don’t lie. And I haven’t brought death to any of your
men. Not even after your people have killed two of mine.” The burning in the
pit of his stomach intensified, causing the words to come out almost in a
growl. His entire body tensed with anger as he pictured the two men who’d been
killed by this race. His men. Ones he’d sworn to protect.

“We do not take responsibility for the first. He was killed
by a Beta. They are no more than animals.”

“But the second. That was an act of intelligence and
strategy.”

The man’s mouth stretched into what Gates could only imagine
was a smile of pride. “Yes. We claim that kill.”

Gates took a deep breath and fought against the need to lash
out against the man. He wanted to. He probably never wanted anything more. But
he had a job to do. And that was bigger than his need for retribution. “So who
is the bringer of death and who is the victim here?”

“We killed one. Even if we killed all of you, your race
would still exist. When you destroy the planet, we will be lost forever.”

“I’ll be the first to admit that I have no fondness for your
little planet. But we haven’t done anything to harm it or you.”

“And you won’t. Not until after the objective. That is how
you work.” The man glared at him. “That is why we must kill you before you’re
done with whatever it is you came here to do.”

His anger faded as he listened. He had to admit, that was
the way the military tended to operate. And the reptile man did have cause to
worry for his race. But it wasn’t the way Gates worked. “We’re just here to
move some stasis chambers. That’s it.”

“What’s in these chambers and why do they need to be moved?”

“That information is above my rank.”

The man made a hissing noise that sounded intimidating.
“Rather convenient.”

“I can honestly tell you that nothing about this mission has
been convenient.”

The man studied Gates for a moment. “You cannot guarantee us
safety. That too is above your rank, is it not?”

“My men are not here to harm you. I can guarantee you that.”

“But the next group? What of them?”

“I have no control over the next group. But I can promise
you that they will continue to send men until this mission is done. If you
prove to be hostile they will hunt you to extinction.” Gates gave him a second
to process the truth of the words. “By killing us, you’re making yourself an
obstacle the military needs to neutralize.”

The man was silent for a long time. Gates could almost see
him looking for flaws in the logic. But there were none. “Then I will make a
deal with you.”

The reptile man wasn’t exactly in the position to be making
deals but Gates didn’t say anything. He genuinely wanted to know what he would
offer.

“We will call a temporary truce if you will negotiate a
meeting for us with someone who can guarantee our safety.”

“So you walk away and we pretend that you aren’t out there.
But when this is all over and done, if any of us are still alive, I vouch for
you with my people?” He laughed harshly at the idea. “I don’t think so.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“I suggest I cut your throat in front of the other hostages
and then send them back to your people with the warning. I finish my mission.
And then file a report regarding my dead men to my supervising officer and let
him decide what to do with your race.”

“You will not survive your mission. We outnumber you.”

He shrugged. “Maybe. Why don’t we put this in motion and
find out?” He stood up and pulled a hunting knife out of his belt.

“Stop. I have no wish to die tonight.”

Gates put his knife away and sat back down. He had no
intention of ever carrying out the threat. But a little fear could be a good
motivator. “Neither do I. So what other offers do you have?”

“We know this planet far better than you. What if we were to
offer your people a guide?”

“And what would you expect from us for this courtesy?”

“The meeting. That’s all we want. We are a new people but we
want to grow old.”

Gates nodded. “We’ll need some sort of guarantee that this
isn’t another trap. My men aren’t inclined to trust a sudden change of heart.”

The man’s mouth stretched in a threatening expression. “They
are smart men.”

“Seems we have that in common.”

“If it would make you feel better you can keep the other two
and myself as your hostages and my people will send a female to guide you. When
you reach the compound safely you will let us all go free.”

It sounded good in theory. “Do you have the authority to
make a deal?”

“I do. You agree and the female guide will be here in the
morning.”

Which could only mean others of his race were close enough
to hear every word they said. That made Gates more than a little uneasy. But
since there was little he could do to control that particular issue, he nodded.
“We have two days left before we reach the compound. You help us get there in
one piece and we’ll release you and alert the congress that you want to enter
into diplomatic negotiations. Beyond that, I have no control.”

“Understood. Our females are treasures. The Creator only
made a handful. If any harm befalls the one selected to guide you, your men
will not reach the compound.”

“Noted. I’m Gates.”

“I’m called Twelve.”

“I’ll see you in the morning, Twelve.”

He thought about offering Twelve a blanket or a sleeping bag
but the reptile lay down on the bare ground without complaint. Gates shrugged
to himself as he turned to one of the guards. “If he requests a blanket or
bedding, provide it.”

“So he’s a guest now, sir?” The question was steeped in
disbelief but fell short of being disrespectful.

“No, he’s a prisoner. But I won’t have more blood on my
hands if there’s another way to accomplish this mission.” He didn’t give the
soldier an opportunity to question him any further. He didn’t blame the man for
being upset. They’d seen the race take out two of their men. But Gates had
given an order and if the soldier pressed him any further Gates would have to
resort to discipline. And that wouldn’t be good for morale.

He quickly made his way back to his tent but paused as he
crossed in front of Julian’s shelter. Yes, Julian had given him an open
invitation but Gates wasn’t sure he was ready to use it. He also wasn’t sure he
was ready for the other members of their team to know he and Julian were…

He stopped at the thought. What were they? Not exactly
lovers but more than colleagues. He was attracted to Julian. More so than he’d
been to anyone in quite some time. But did he really like Julian or was it that
he enjoyed having someone to talk to?

He started walking again as he gave it more thought. Why was
he attracted to Julian? He was loyal. He’d helped Gates overcome several
difficult moments with the other men. He was smart but that wasn’t exactly a
rarity among modified soldiers. As soon as he reached his tent he pulled back
the flap and crossed into the empty structure.

There was something about Julian. Something unique. He lay
down on his sleeping bag and sighed. He was handsome, strong, could be cocky as
hell if the situation called for it. Gates smiled at the last thought. Julian
could be cocky but he could also be modest and humble. With his father’s
connections Julian was one of the elites. No one could stop him from doing
whatever he wanted. He probably could’ve used his status to pull a diplomatic
assignment on one of the vacation planets. Modified soldiers were often used to
guard politicians. But he hadn’t. He was here. On one of the shittiest
assignments Gates had ever seen.

Granted, there was a reward in the wind. But the son of
Colonel Black didn’t need to earn his position in line. His daddy could easily
give him a spot at the front. Julian probably hadn’t even thought of that though.
And he hadn’t used his father’s name to get out of any of the chores or duties
during their mission. The other men wouldn’t have liked it but they would’ve
let him skate if they knew who he was. But as far as Gates could tell, he was
the only one Julian had confided in.

Gates closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He forced his
mind to calm and his muscles to relax. He needed to release the events of the
day if he was going to get any sleep. Some thoughts were easier to let go of
than others though. And the puzzle that was Julian Black wasn’t going to leave
him without a fight.

Julian obviously wanted praise from his father, otherwise he
wouldn’t have joined the military and gone through the modification process.
But Julian didn’t seem overly found of the colonel. His mind drifted as he
thought back to his own family. Dirt-poor farmers on a settler planet had
raised him. The military had been his only way out. And it’d been good for him.
It’d given him the discipline, not to mention education, to ensure he’d always
be able to take care of himself. But it’d been hard. The first year had nearly
broken him. He hadn’t really had many options though. It was either survive and
thrive or go back to poverty.

So what made a man with power and money stick with it when
the going got rough? Dedication? Patriotism? Desperation? He wasn’t sure but he
wanted to find out.

As he drifted off to sleep, Julian refused to leave his
thoughts. In his dreams he was in Julian’s tent. He’d stripped the man naked
and tasted every inch of his skin. The salty tang of masculinity clung to the
air around them. Then Julian lay on his stomach in front of him. His palms were
facedown on the ground as Gates straddled his thighs. He shuddered with need
just at the vision of the other man beneath him. Gates was already hard as he
rubbed his cock along the seam of Julian’s ass. And damn was it firm. The skin
was satiny soft however.

Gates stroked himself with one hand as he rubbed lube onto
his dick but he never once took the sensitive tip of his cock away from
Julian’s skin. The anticipation built deep inside his gut. He needed to be
buried in Julian. But first he had to prepare the man.

He applied a generous amount of lube onto his fingers before
sliding them into Julian’s ass. He nearly lost it as the tight muscles clamped
around his digits. If it felt that good to have his fingers up Julian’s ass he
could only imagine how great sliding his dick into the man was going to be.

“Can’t wait. Need you now.” Julian’s husky voice whispered
Gates’ own thoughts and pushed him closer to the edge.

He slid his fingers out of Julian before placing his cock at
the entrance to the man’s anus. He rocked forward and was rewarded with a hot
wave of pleasure as his dick sank into the other man. Just as he’d imagined,
Julian was tight and hot around him.

“Stop playing around and fuck me, already.”

Unable to resist, he thrust the rest of the way into Julian
until his balls brushed up against the man’s rough pubic hair. Julian moaned
and clenched his anal muscles around him, sending another wave of pleasure
through Gates.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. Hard and fast
fucking.”

If Julian liked it hard and fast Gates could give him that.
He grabbed hold of Julian’s hips and began slamming into the other man. Julian’s
moans encouraged Gates to lose himself in the action. When he was close to the
cusp he moved one hand around Julian’s body and grasped his cock. He was so
hard in his hand. Just like he had been that night.

Gates pumped his hand as he thrust into Julian. Each
movement brought him closer as he continued to stroke Julian. They were both so
ready. He could tell that Julian would come any minute. And when he did, the
contractions around his cock from Julian’s anal muscles sent him over the edge.
He came deep in Julian’s ass. White noise rushed through his head as the world
darkened around him. But then he was wet and sticky. And alone.

He groaned as he came awake to the realization he’d just had
his first wet dream in twenty-some-odd years. It wasn’t something he’d
particularly enjoyed in his adolescence but he liked it even less now. The
object of his desire lay only yards away. But it might as well have been an
entire solar system that separated them. He couldn’t go to Julian right now.
The sun was already starting to brighten the sky. He’d have to wait until
evening at the earliest to seek Julian out. And between now and then he had to
greet their new guide and get his men used to having company.

There was no way this could be considered an ideal start to
a day but it was what he had so he’d deal with it. After cleaning himself off
he changed into clean clothes before walking out into the camp. When he made
his way over to the hostages, the brush moved and a lithe female reptilian made
her presence known. She couldn’t be considered beautiful by human standards but
where the reptile men were rough and powerful she was graceful and delicate in
appearance.