FSE

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Hey everyone! This is my first ever adult story, and I'd love your feedback! If you have questions about the universe it takes place in, I'd love to answer those too! I eventually plan to post more stories from this setting, once I'm satisfied with them, but I figured this would be a good place to start. Enjoy!

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A Shard of Utopia Promised

As the reality of the situation set in, Jericho couldn't help but grasp the arms of his chair in terror. Tendons in his fingers and forearms, invisible beneath his tawny fur, strained against the thinly padded metal, and his jaws were clamped tightly shut. His journey hadn't even started and he already longed for the comforts of home. A soft bed to lay on, a good book to read, his mother's home-made lentil soup...

He sighed heavily, trying his best, though failing, to relax his body. The idea of flying had never appealed to the young lynx-like feliform. Sure, it was an every-day part of life in the interstellar community, but he had always been content with the notion of staying in one place. Or at least, he'd thought he was. But now here he found himself, aboard a shuttlecraft to parts unknown--totally alone.

His heart raced at the thought of opening his eyes to see a new world, or the stars streaking past the windows of the ship that took him there. He imagined what the air might smell like in these places, and how the wildlife may sound at night. He wondered what it'd be like to live in a place where the omnipresent crashing of waves he'd grown so accustomed to simply didn't exist. Where, instead, one might step past the threshold and hear nothing but silence, aside from the sound of one's own footsteps.

His heart raced at these possibilities, but it wasn't racing in anticipation of them. Rather, it was fear that drove the constant drumming in his ears. These thoughts terrified him. And yet, simultaneously, he felt silly for feeling this way. As Jericho battled with his emotions, he failed to notice the sound of footfall drawing nearer.

"First time?" Said a soft voice to his right, and the lynx lurched in surprise. Turning to see the origin of the inquiry, his eyes fell upon the svelte figure of a fox-like caniform. She had clearly read the tension in his body language, and eyed him sympathetically as she stowed her bags beneath an adjacent seat.

"Yeah, first time," he mumbled, suddenly embarrassed. He smiled at her nonetheless, not wanting to appear aloof. Truthfully, he was elated that someone else had showed up.

The vixen seemed to be university aged, like himself, and was dressed in the same unflattering olive green Colonial Navy uniform he was. She brushed her blue-streaked hair out of her eyes and extended a hand as she took the seat next to his. Nervously, Jericho released his grip on the acceleration couch and accepted the gesture.

"I'm Jessica. My first flight too, sorta. I went off-world a couple times as a kid with my family, but that's been so long now I hardly think it counts. Don't worry, these things rarely crash. Almost never," she winked, smiling broadly. Jessica released his hand and leaned back into her seat, letting out a deep breath and looking toward the wires and pipes that criss-crossed the ceiling above. "There ain't much of a trick to it. You'll get used to pulling Gs in no time."

Jericho nodded, unsure how to reply. Putting the thought of space travel behind him for a moment, made an attempt to regain some composure.

"Yeah, that's what I've been told. Easier said than done though, right?" He chuckled nervously. "I'm Jehrico, by the way. Nice to meet you. Kinda starting to look like we might be the only ones on this flight, you think?"

She turned back to him, amber eyes catching his attention as the instrument panels that lined the cabin walls glinted within them. "It seems so. We're a small colony, after all. I had to travel halfway 'round the world just to catch this shuttle. Can't be a lot of us signing up for the Colonial Defense Force from a pool of, what, ten thousand?"

"Seems not," he replied absently. The Colonial Defense Force. The Navy, specifically. He still couldn't fully grasp the gravity of the choice he'd made--this, among nearly limitless options. He could have pursued music, like his mother. Or perhaps civil engineering, like his father. The corporation would have paid for ether. The choice had been entirely his to make.

But no, he thought to himself. He chose the damn Navy. He'd never so much as set foot on a starship before today, and now he'd signed away the next five years of his life, at least, to serve aboard one. Jericho became conscious of the awkward pause in his reply, and forced himself back to reality.

"I'm surprised I haven't seen you around. You didn't go to Waverly, I assume?"

She laughed. "Other side of the planet, remember? No, I didn't go to Waverly. My parents and I were settlers on the Ferran plains, along with a few hundred others. I was born there, only came 'round this side when daddy needed to pick up parts for his machines or something. Homeschooled all my life."

"Ah, right, other side. You mentioned that. Sorry," he said timidly. For all he knew he might be spending all of the next five years working with this girl, and he already was blowing his first impression.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Nerves'll do that," she reassured before turning her attention to their surroundings. "I'm right there with ya, anyhow. I've wanted to join the CDF since I was kid, but back then we all thought war was a thing of the past. Was always told that, anyway. The Navy was supposed to be all about explorin' new frontiers and protecting colonists from pirates. Civil matters and the like. Now..." Jessica trailed off, seeming wistful.

"Now we don't know what to expect," Jericho replied, finishing her thought.

"Exactly. But I can't let that little girl down. I can't back off from my dreams just because some warmongering CEOs raised the stakes."

The lynx nodded. He had no such ambitious history to stave away his doubts. Before a few nights ago, the thought of entering the Navy had never occurred to him. Especially not in any serious fashion. Somehow her conviction made him even less sure of his commitment, and he tightened his grip on the uncomfortable chair, swallowing hard.

"Cadets!" A voice boomed behind them suddenly, taking both by surprise. Jessica jumped to her feet, saluting the man that'd entered the passenger cabin through the loading ramp at the shuttle's aft. Seeing her react, Jericho attempted to mirror her movements, nearly forgetting to unfasten his harness.

"I am your pilot and, for now, your commanding officer. You may refer to me as Captain, if the need arises. Welcome to your first day in the Colonial Navy." The gruff human strode forward, standing to face the nervous fox and lynx, the latter of which had finally made it to his feet. Despite his weathered appearance, the pilot couldn't be more than a decade older than Jericho and Jessica, and he was dressed in the typical blue flight suit worn by commissioned officers. Patches adorned the shoulders and the space above each breast pocket. The left, presumably his name, read "Holgate," while the right was an intricate logo of a heater shield atop a field of stars, with the words "Colonial Aerospace Technology Syn." printed beneath. The human's icy expression remained unchanged as he examined the two young sapiogen before turning abruptly, striding towards the passage that led to the cockpit.

"Wheels up in five minutes, get strapped in. This'll be a rough ascent," he said as he proceeded through the doorway, sliding the pressure door closed behind him.

Jessica and Jericho looked at each other nervously before returning to their seats. Behind them, past six rows of empty chairs eight across, the ramp began to lift. This was it, no turning back now.

"What do you think he meant by 'rough ascent,'" the lynx asked, attempting to mask his almost palpable anxiety.

"Not sure. Clear skies today, and we're not loaded down much. Could be something up with the accelerator rails, I guess. Or maybe he's just trying to make us piss ourselves."

"My bet's on the latter," Jericho replied. The two sat in silence for a few moments as the hatch sealed behind them. They could feel the cabin pressurize, and somewhere beneath them machinery whirred to life. A short time later came the distinct rumble of the endoatmospheric turbine engines, and the small craft began to roll across the taxiway, towards the massive linear accelerator that would, before too long, hurl them towards the black.

"Here we go," said Jericho under his breath, checking his harness for at least the fifth time. The fox watched him, trying to decide whether a friendly quip or an appeal to reason would be best to sooth his nerves. Knowing very little about the young man, she decided to take the safer route.

"Come on, now. With big ol' footpaws like that I'd think you didn't have much to worry about. If the ship explodes on our way up, surely you'll land on your feet!" She smiled toothily in his direction, but immediately regretted making the joke. Asinine, she thought to herself, but maintained her commitment and awaited for his response.

Jericho chuckled and matched her smile with a sarcastic grin of his own, clearly amused by her silly attempt at distraction. "Perhaps. Of course, you know what they say about big feet, right?"

After a brief pause, "no" was all Jessica could think to respond. She'd certainly heard a thing or two, but wasn't about to cross that line. Not yet.

"Big shoes, clearly. What, were you thinking something else?" the lynx winked, enjoying the opportunity to test his wit against the vixen's.

"Clever," she smirked.

For a moment, Jessica examined the young feliform. He seemed lithe beneath his olive green jumpsuit, appearing to have the build of someone that spent more time scrawling on paper than working a field. His fur was covered in earth-brown spots, and long black tufts extended from the tip of each ear. His head hair matched the darker tones in his coat, and was bunched in a semi-unkempt nest that perched between his ears. Deep green eyes locked with hers for a moment before darting away, as if to hide the fact that he'd been doing the same.

"So, tell me about yourself. Why the Navy?" Jessica asked nonchalantly, voice raised a hair to overcome the sounds that echoed throughout the cabin, originating somewhere on the deck beneath them. She knew the metal-on-metal grinds and clicks to be that of clamps engaging, attaching the ship to the accelerator cart, but Jericho had no such knowledge to reassure him.

He shrugged at her question. "No reason, really. I just... I suppose I didn't know what I was doing with my life yet, to be honest. Nothing really seemed right, you know?" Jericho paused as, with a final clang, the ship lurched forward and quickly began to pick up speed. Leaning back against the headrest, eyes fixed forward, he continued over the rising din. "A recruiter stopped by the house the other night, an old friend of my mom's according to her, and I just had this sudden impulse to sign my life away. They asked what branch, I said 'Navy' because frankly I couldn't name another, and here I am."

They could feel the g-forces pressing them back into their seats now, but so far the ride was smooth. Jessica found herself wishing for a window, but the lynx was glad there wasn't one. He didn't need to see what he could already feel so distinctly. His stomach was doing somersaults as it was.

"Just like that, huh? I like it. Brave. I wanted this my whole life but actually signing up was the toughest thing I'd ever done. I must've agonized over it for months," the fox seemed lost in thought for a moment, and brushed a hand through her hair and down the length of one of her vulpine ears. "It wasn't until, well... it wasn't until something happened that I finally knew it was time. That it was the right choice."

Jericho's interest was piqued. "Something?" He asked, forcing himself to break eye contact with the featureless point on the wall ahead he'd been transfixed on. He examined her for a moment, reading a touch of sorrow in her otherwise confident expression. She smiled.

"Yes. Let's leave it at that for now, okay? Keep talking, it helps."

He nodded, curious but not knowing how to proceed aside continuing his life's story. "I was born here on Aquarus, not too far from where we are now. Or, rather, where we were a few minutes ago. My father helped design a lot of the infrastructure that ties together the subaquean habitats and factories. We lived on the surface, though. He'd be gone for weeks at a time, traveling all across the globe to oversee various projects. I always thought I'd probably end up following in his footsteps."

"Then why didn't you?" Jessica asked, and he felt reassured by her continued interest.

"Hard to say. When it came time to choose a career in the corporation, I kept putting it off and putting it off. Instead I did odd jobs around the settlement, or helped my father with paperwork. After two years, I think my parents were starting to get worried I'd soon become an almsman, or an outcast. Something undesirable. Maybe I would have."

The fox squinted at him, cocking her head slightly as if pretending to conjure some deeper insight from the patterns of fur that crossed his face. "Nah," she said finally, "I don't think so. You'd have found yourself eventually, Navy or no."

"How can you be so sure?"

"We're a lot alike, I think. You knew you wanted your life to mean something, but you needed that final push to show you where to seek that meaning. To show you what kind of meaning that might be. Turns out for both of us, it happens that we chose to seek fulfillment in serving a cause greater than ourselves. Or maybe we both lusted after the thought of careening through space in rusty ol' tin cans, had to say for sure."

"Yeah, well I can tell you it wasn't that. I suppose you're right, though," laughed Jericho with some uncertainty. She wasn't wrong, but somehow she hadn't touched on the core of it either. There was more to the paths that'd led them there, and he felt that even she was aware of how drastically she'd oversimplified the matter.

The two fell silent after this, each feeling drawn away from the world around them. And a new, unfamiliar world it was; filled with blinking control panels, flickering monitors, spine compressing g-forces, and deafening noise. The rate of acceleration had increased such that talking was no longer feasible, and both were only concerned now with the forces that overwhelmed their fragile bodies.

Vibrations that were hardly noticeable at first had overtaken the small ship, and a display mounted to their left displayed their current speed as passing two kilometers per second. Jericho remembered from secondary school that nearly twice that was needed to reach orbit from the surface of Aquarus-Osik, but at this rate it wouldn't be long.

Screens indicated that the ship began pitching sharply upward as they passed 3km/s, and was pointing straight towards the sky by the time it reached 3.25. At 3.5km/s, the shuttle's solid-fuel boosters roared to life, and it was released from the nearly 450km long accelerator track. They were each slammed against their backrests as they rocketed towards the stars with increased vigor, tossed to and fro as unseen forces played against the small vessel.

As if on cue, the two cadets grasped for each other's hands, looking for any kind of comfort among the chaos. Jericho felt his lucidity slipping away from him, and fought back against the threat of unconsciousness. Jessica had begun counting backwards from sixty, voice firm and eyes screwed shut.

"Six, five, four, three, two, one."

The engines cut and the two young cadets were suddenly, mercifully, released from the forces that vied to keep them on the planet below. Now, as quickly as it had departed, silence filled the cabin once again.

"Holy fuck," Jericho sighed, the first to speak. His voice was a whisper, no louder than the distant sound of thrusters as the shuttle reoriented itself, now free of atmospheric forces.

"They say the average sapiogen can handle five Gs without passing out, well over double that with training. Had to have hit at least four there," Jessica said, panting slightly, "But, your first launch is always the toughest. Something you'll never forget." She reached over to grab the lynx's hand once again. Their fingers intertwined almost automatically, and she felt his velvety fur against hers, and the plush skin of his palms against the callouses on her own. It'd been a while since she'd been close to someone like this, and the exhilaration of contact, combined with that of the launch, pumped her veins with adrenaline. Jericho sensed her energy and tightened his grip just enough to convey his own.

"Do you remember yours?" The lynx asked as he absentmindedly caressed her hand with his fingers. He couldn't help but think about how much nicer it'd be if the armrests that separated them, their purpose now served, suddenly disappeared.

"My what?" She asked, seeming distracted.

"Your first time," Jericho replied, rephrasing the question with no less ambiguity.

Jessica smirked. There were two ways she could choose to answer this question, but only one was the answer to the one that was actually being asked.

"I like your candor, lynx," she said, lopsidedly tucking her lower lip beneath a sharp canine tooth as she eyed his expression. He only rolled his eyes, replying sarcastically.

"You know that's not what I meant," he said, feigning innocence as he continued to play with her fingers. "But now you've got to tell me."

"Hah. I don't got to do anything of the sort," she huffed, pretending to be offended by his forwardness. Whether or not he'd intended it, his methods were effective. "But I will, because I want to. It's a good story."

The lynx raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. After a moment, Jessica continued.

"It was three years ago. This boy that lived on the homestead just east of us, about five years older than me, a real handsome shepherd cani'," she said, giving him a side-eyed glance as if she meant it to appear that she was comparing the lynx with her former lover. "On my seventeenth birthday he snuck over a can of beer and a bottle of whiskey. Kept them hidden until my parents had gone to bed. We were up 'till 3am talkin' and laughin' in the barn, not carin' who heard us. One of the best nights of my life," she sighed, settling in her seat as she let the memory rush over her. Jericho did the same, and now they sat only inches apart in the dim light. He squeezed her hand once more, prompting her to continue. "The next night we met up again. Hardly either one of us had said a word before our clothes were all over the dirt. We both knew what we wanted. Especially me. But... I never did see him again after that. I guess he was shipping off to work at some top secret facility the next day and didn't have the heart to tell me after what we'd done. I was a little upset, sure, but I don't regret a moment of it. There are many kinds of love, and that kind just wasn't meant to last." Shifting closer still, the fox leaned her head against Jericho's neck, nuzzling up to his warmth.

"You loved him, then?" Jericho asked softly. Her scent filled his nostrils, sweet and pleasantly feminine.

"In the way a person always loves their first crush, yeah. I did. But it don't mean anything now. Just a fond memory from a more innocent time."

Jericho thought back to the first woman he'd ever longed for. Cassandra, a cute little procyform from his earliest years in secondary school. She was quiet, and kept to herself, but something about her drew his eyes over and over again during class. But did he love her? No, he didn't think so--but he certainly could have, if he'd had the guts to talk to her as he talked to this vixen now. If he'd have felt her hand intertwined with his, and shared her warmth as she rested against him.

"It's your turn now, Jerr. Don't leave me hangin'," Jessica said, interrupting his daydream.

He swallowed, a bit embarrassed. "I'm afraid I don't have much to tell. I haven't exactly had a first time, to be honest. I mean, I've messed around with girls here and there but never really sealed the deal, you know? Nothing like that."

Jessica sat up, her face a mixture of shock and bemusement. "You're kidding me. You're a virgin?"

"Yeah, I guess so," he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck with his free hand. She continued to stare at him.

"You're entering the Navy, maybe shipping off to war, and you haven't even fucked a woman before?"

"Well, you said it yourself, not exactly a lot of options around here. A colony of ten thousand, spread across a whole planet, most of whom live underwater. Not a lot of takers. You know there were only thirty girls in my graduating class, right?"

"Pfft. Excuses," she scoffed, leaning against him once more. "A stud like you coulda slayed half a dozen women by now if you wanted to."

"Well, I suppose I didn't want to then," Jericho scoffed. "I guess I had better things to do than spend my teenage years chasing tail."

"Better things," Jessica teased, making a pumping motion with her fist. "Trust me, the real deal's a lot better. If you're lucky you might even find out before you get blown out of the sky by an ESL destroyer."

"Stop," Jericho retorted, leaning away. "You're talking like you already know what we're up against out here, like we're headed to the front lines or something. But there just won't be another war, Jessica; they're not going to let it happen."

"Are you sure? I guess you haven't heard the news, then," She said firmly, sitting up and straightening her jumpsuit where it'd begun to bunch around her bosom. "There was an attack. Here. On Aquarus. Not more than a week ago. The clock is ticking."

"What?" The lynx exclaimed. He'd heard nothing of an attack--not so much as a whisper.

"Yep. My friend who I was telling you about--Daniel, that shepherd boy. He was working at the facility that was hit. They're still digging out the ruins, but so far there haven't been any survivors. His parents told me themselves. You can't fake that kind of pain, Jerr."

Jericho stared at Jessica for a moment, trying to detect any sign that she might be joking. There was none. Instead, her demeanor had changed entirely. She wore a distant expression, and her arms were wrapped around her midsection. He sat silently for a moment, contemplating what he might say next.

"I'm so sorry, Jessica. That must have been what you were referring to earlier. I didn't me to--"

"It's fine," she interrupted. "I'm not upset; not really. We didn't know each other that well, and it'd been years since I'd seen him anyway. Still, it's hard to imagine, you know? Someone who was once so very real is now just... gone. It could be any one of us next."

Jericho nodded. She turned to him, and brushed a tear from beneath each eye. "Sorry, I really killed the mood, didn't I?" She sniffed, then let out a soft, nervous laugh. "It's just, it is real, ya know? War. Colonial ain't gonna let an attack like that that fly. ESL used some sort of weapon against us that could crack right through the surface of a planet, from orbit. They're trying to provoke us."

"But why? Why would they possibly want to start a war with their own kind? Our species has hardly had time to stand on its own two feet. We were slaves in our grandparent's lifetimes! What can they ever hope to gain from this?" He asked, frustrated and desperate, full of conflicted emotions. At this moment, more than ever before, Jericho wanted to fight. Jessica, a girl he'd only just met, had given him more of a reason to care about corporate politics than he ever had before. Seeing her tears, witnessing first hand the effects of just one pointless death, stirred something within him.

"Who knows. I don't think I'll ever understand it. But I'd do anything to protect my home, my parents, my brother and sister..." Her voice trailed off, and she leaned back into the lynx heavily, sighing deeply. "Even you, stranger."

Jericho wrapped his arm around the young woman, caressing her side. This had been the feeling she'd been referring to. But did I really need to go to war to find it? He thought, a lump growing in his chest.

The ship changed course. A muffled voice, presumably belonging to the pilot, echoed from beyond the cockpit door. Neither could understand his words.

"I wonder how much longer we'll be locked up back here," Jericho said absentmindedly.

"Why, you in a hurry to get away from me?" Teased Jessica, nuzzling his neck once more.

"No, the opposite really. I just want to stay like this, with you. I don't care if we ever make it to wherever the hell we're going, because I know once we do, it'll mean that everything--the Navy, war, the death of your friend and everything that means for our home--it'll suddenly become so much more real," he said. It was the lynx's turn to hold back tears, and he did so poorly. "I'm so scared, Jess. I never wanted to leave Aquarus. I just wanted my life to have some purpose for once, I wanted it to matter. But I didn't want to fight my own kind to get there. People shouldn't have to die so that I can feel like I'm worth something."

"Jericho..." Jessica whispered, her voice downtrodden. "Whatever happens, it isn't your fault. There's no shame in protecting your own. Our species has a long way to go before we all can live up to the standards of people like you--truly good people." She squeezed his hand. "I mean it Jerr. Someday we'll get there. We'll reach that paradise our grandparents and great grandparents died to find for us. But for now, we'll have to enjoy what little shards of it we can scrounge from the rubble. Little shards like this. This time we are together, here and now."

"But how long can it last?" He asked, pulling her against him tightly.

"Long enough," replied the fox, shifting position so that they were again looking eye to eye. Gently she placed a hand on the back of his neck, and guided his muzzle to hers. Their noses met first, followed by the soft touch of their lips. Each inhaled sharply at the sensation but they continued unabated, spurred on by fear, lust, and uncertainty of what lay ahead. Jericho raised his hands to her cheeks, running them through her soft fur. He could feel the flush skin beneath, and as he dragged his fingers through her hair and down the back of her neck, she let out a deep sigh.

A few moments passed before they broke off their kiss, each bowing forward so that their foreheads could rest against one another's. Their breathing was heavy, resounding through the near-silent cabin.

"I hardly know you," said Jessica tenderly, "but... I want this. I need this."

Jericho slowly pulled away to look at the young woman. Her eyes seemed to plead with his, and he could feel her trembling slightly beneath his fingers. He smiled, and she leaned in for another kiss before he stopped her abruptly.

"We can't, you know that. Not here," he said, voice firm but wavering, battling his own urges. "Besides, we should get to know each other a little better first, right? I mean, for all you know, I'm some sort of pervert or something!"

Jessica laughed heartily, brushing her muzzle against his. "Oh I really, really hope so," she said, unbuckling her harness and slipping out of the straps. With no gravity or acceleration to hold her down, she drifted slowly upward, pushing off from the seat until she was above him, silhouetted in the dim overhead lights. First unfastening his own harness, he reached out with both hands, grasping her hips and pulling her down on top of him. The force of the movement lifted him from his seat as well, and soon they were drifting, merged into a giggling ball of fur and green and feverish kissing.

Jericho held the fox tightly against him, nibbling at her neck gently. She inhaled sharply with each careful bite, and he could taste the faintest hint of roses on her fur. Their legs intertwined, and she moved her thigh against his groin, caressing the bulge that enticed her through the layers of coarse fabric. The lynx responded by giving her butt a firm squeeze, and drawing his muzzle from her neck to give her a quick peck on the lips.

Apparently satisfied with what she felt, she gave him a sultry look, eyelids hooded. The vixen's voice was flush with desire as she spoke. "See, I knew you wouldn't disappoint me."

"Well, there's still plenty of time for that," Joked Jericho, receiving only a scoff from Jessica before she pressed her muzzle against his once more. Pulling away abruptly, he reached for her chest, grabbing the zipper to her jumpsuit and giving it a tug. Slowly the uniform began to fall away, revealing the white belly of his lover beneath. Her breasts remained hidden behind a black bra as the rest of her figure revealed itself to him. Thin but muscular, with supple hips lined by fiery red fur. Her arms, now free of the suit's sleeves, draped around his neck loosely, and her aroma washed over him like warm water. Rosy and sweet, with a hint of arousal that teased his nostrils.

Jericho combed his fingers through her fur, exploring her body with his hands. The vixen closed her eyes, tipping her head and ears back as she reveled in his touch. Then, he leaned in once more, kissing her neck and working his way down to her breasts, carefully sliding the bra aside until his rough tongue made contact with her nipple. He felt her tense, his right leg now squeezed tightly against her groin. By this time they had floated to the back of the cabin, bouncing gently against the bay door that shielded the heat of their passion from the frigid vacuum of space.

The metal was cold against her rump, and her short, docked tail, which had remained hidden until now, offered little insulation. She didn't care. With her back to the door, she reached up to the ceiling and grabbed hold of a conduit to stabilize herself. With her other hand she reached out, unzipping Jericho's jumpsuit in the same tantalizingly slow way he had hers. She had barely made it to his belly button by the time his manhood revealed itself. The cold air against the delicate pink flesh made Jericho shudder, eliciting a laugh from Jessica as she slowly adjusted herself, bringing his cock within inches of her maw.

"A little cold in here, stud?"

The lynx smiled. "I was thinking of asking you the same thing a minute ago."

She touched her nose to the tip of his manhood, drawing in his musk. He was different than a caniform, the only subspecies she'd been with before now, but nonetheless the scent brought tingles down her spine.

Slowly, as if to drive the young man mad from anticipation, she wrapped her mouth around his length, stroking it with her tongue from tip to base as her head gently bobbed.

"This is certainly not how I expected today to go," Jericho grunted, overwhelmed by the sensation. She released his shaft, and looked up at him, grinning.

"We can stop any time if you'd rather strap in and go back to pretending to be two innocent little cadets for a few more minutes. I mean, if you have something better to do."

Jericho placed a hand on her head, slowly guiding her lips to the tip of his cock as her eyes looked up at him. As she enveloped him once more, he exhaled heavily. "That'll be the last time I tell you something personal."

As if in retaliation, Jessica began moving faster, exposing his manhood to the air for only a moment at a time before plunging it back into her maw. He could feel the pressure building inside him, and briefly considered warning her--but when he opened his mouth, only a short gasp escaped. She was one step ahead of him, and grasped his balls gently with one hand while the other held them from floating away. At just the right moment she sank his cock as deep as it would go, holding her lips against its base as he released his virility inside of her. He could feel her swallowing hungrily as his body twitched, lathering her throat with his seed.

"Jess," he stuttered as his orgasm finally subsided. She swallowed one last time before releasing him. A few final droplets escaped his shaft, drifting through the cabin before coalescing into one.

"Not bad for a rookie," Jessica teased.

"Yeah? Well you didn't do too bad yourself. For a rookie," he replied, kissing her cheek.

"Hey, I've earned my stripes. I think it's you who needs a lesson or two."

The two embraced once more, their bodies touching unhindered for the first time. Jericho's cock, still erect, pressed against her belly as the two floated lazily through the nigh-empty shuttle. The thought of feeling him inside her overwhelmed the fox, but she had to tease him just a bit more before allowing herself that pleasure.

"So whaddya say, rook? First to cross the room without hitting anything wins?" Jessica pushed away from him abruptly, leaving him exposed as she drifted back towards the hatch.

"Can I win twice in one day? Because I really feel like lady luck is on my side."

"Guess you'll have to find out," she said with a wink, licking her jowls.

Invigorated, Jericho grabbed at the ceiling, trying to mirror her movements, but his open jumpsuit caught an outcropping and he slammed face first into the ceiling. Dazed, he was about to push away before noticing something that had gone hidden in the shadowy space between the ship's ribbing--another door.

"Jess, come look at this," he said, gesturing her back to him. She drifted over, coming to a halt against his body and looking upward. Without hesitation she articulated the latch, and the door swung upward freely.

"So, you could have just killed us there, but given the circumstances I think I can afford to give you a pass," the lynx said smugly. Jessica replied by sticking her tongue out for a moment before pulling herself upward.

"I'm not an idiot, lynx. I can tell an exterior hatch from an interior one. It's an important skill to have if you're gonna be serving on starships."

"Whatever you say," he replied sarcastically, following her into the darkness above.

As he came to rest by her side, he took in a deep breath, eyes widening at the sight before them. "God, Jess. This is incredible!"

"Tell me about it," she breathed, mesmerized. Above them, through a honeycomb of transparent metallic panels, was Aquarus-Osik. About the size of a beach ball, its blue-green surface was only half illuminated by the light of Osikata 4, shining from just out of view. Surrounding everything was a spectacular array of stars, bisected by the arm of the Milky Way as it crossed overhead.

"What is this place, an observation deck?" Jericho asked, pulling Jessica against him as they continued to stare out into space. Her breath made clouds of vapor that drifted lazily from her muzzle as she spoke.

"Must be. They put these on civilian transports sometimes, but I've never heard of something like this on a military craft. Look, there's even seating up here."

Though there were no lights to speak of, the stars and distant planet provided more than enough illumination to take in their surroundings. Just like below, row upon row of empty seats faced forward, towards the bow of the small ship. Through the imperfectly transparent hull, they could just make out the faint glow of the cockpit windows. And, in the distance, something much larger.

Jericho could no sooner raise a finger to point in its direction than the fox elicited a yip of excitement.

"That's an ironclad! They're taking us to a fucking ironclad!" She exclaimed, hopping forward and taking him along with her as she pressed against the dome to get a better look. "Oh, Jerr it's beautiful. I never dreamed I'd see one in person. Look there, she's got three hab rings--this must be either the Rapier or the Falchion!"

Examining the distant starship, Jericho could see two long hull segments, their mirrored finishes reflecting a sliver of the planet's crescent. On the end of each segment, as well as at the connecting point between the two, was a wagon wheel shaped module, thin spokes almost invisible against the backdrop of stars. At its aft, the long exhaust tail of its fusion drive shone brightly.

It was clear that the course of the two ships--the frigate and their own shuttle--would eventually bring them to intersect one another. The larger vessel was braking hard, and Jericho could imagine its hundreds of crewmen strapped in as they had been, riding out the deceleration burn for hours just to bring him and Jessica aboard. It seemed silly, almost, but he couldn't help but feel important. Jericho and Jessica, visiting dignitaries from the colony of Aquarus-Osik, he thought to himself, grinning at the absurdity.

"These are a brand new design, you know. Best ships in the fleet," she said, clearly still in awe of the sight before her. "The third hab is for housing fighter pilots and their support facilities. A ship like this might have a dozen fightercraft, maybe more. A full squadron."

"Why do they call them that? Ironclads?" The lynx asked, knowing she'd have the answer.

"Well, I heard the name comes from a new type of warship used on Earth, but... they chose to call 'em ironclads because of those shiny armor panels that protect the primary hull. They're covered in tiny little dimples meant to scatter photon weapons and make the ships harder to pick up on radius."

"Hmm," was all he could reply. He understood very little of what she'd said.

Though Jericho had never paid much attention to naval vessels, he was moved by the passion present in every word spoken by the young woman. Suddenly he was overwhelmed by appreciation for the magnificence of the ironclad it sliced through the stars, like a sword through canvas. It really was beautiful. Everything here was beautiful.

A moment later he moved his eyes from the frigate back to Jessica. She still possessed the excitement of a child, hands and nose pressed against the dome and eyes glimmering in the starlight. Her half-removed jumpsuit trailed behind her, and her blue-and-blonde hair swirled every which way. Still, he was awestruck by her elegance, and the perfection of this moment. He wanted to reach out and pull her against him, and never let go.

Feeling his eyes upon her, she turned to him, smiling at the sight of a young man that was experiencing so much for the first time. Jessica reached behind her back, releasing the clasp of her bra so that it could drift away. Jericho's eyes now fell upon two new wonders, and he felt the flame of his desire stir within him.

The fox felt this flame as well, as the lynx's erection crested the rim of his trousers. She kicked off, drifting towards him and pushing him against the floor. She'd shed her jumpsuit mid flight, and now struggled to remove his as well.

"A word of advice: if anyone ever tries to persuade you to take up zero-g wrestling, I'd decline," Jessica said playfully, pinning him to the floor.

"How would that even work?" he asked, kicking his foot out of his suit and trousers so that only her panties kept his manhood from reaching her. They drifted upward now, and he pulled her waist against his. His length caressed her groin and she closed her eyes, shuddering in desire before quickly regaining her senses.

"Guess you'll have to find out if you intend on using this," she said, voice low and sensual as she wrapped her fingers around his cock, stroking it for only a moment before pushing herself free of his grasp and floating like a fiery missile across the semi-spherical space.

Jericho shook his head, smiling and calling her name as she evaded his grasp. On the other side of the room, Jessica removed her panties and attempted to fling them in his direction, instead sending them haphazardly adrift, immediately to be forgotten. The lynx bounded toward her, narrowly missing her legs as she flew overhead. Unable to stop, he kicked off from the far wall using his powerful footpaws, and rocketed towards her. This time he managed to get ahold of her arm, and the two cancelled out each other's momentum, spiraling and laughing as they bounced off the dome above.

He knew he had her, but he let her kick off from the floor nonetheless, dragging him along with her. The lynx grabbed her body tightly, holding on as they crashed into the transparent metal once again. She was breathing heavily now, but not from exhaustion. Jericho worked his way down her body, kissing and nibbling until he reached his new target. He pressed his tongue against her sex, tasting her excitement. Concerned for a moment that his rough tongue might be unpleasant, he lapped cautiously, waiting for any sign of protest. His ears were met instead by a stifled moan, and he redoubled his efforts in kind.

Bringing his fingers into play next, he slowly worked them inside of her until he could feel her muscles gripping them, reacting to his every move. Holding her waist with one hand, he began working her inside and out, tongue pressing against her clit while his fingers slid in and out in steady rhythm. On a whim, he pressed upwards, pushing her against his tongue from the inside. She growled in pleasure, signaling he'd hit the mark.

"Yes, just like that," she gasped. He continued exactly as she instructed, and soon her moans and whimpers grew in intensity. Cock throbbing, he relished the thought of being inside her. His instincts demanded he claim her, fill her until she burst with his seed. As if reading his mind she grabbed his hand, her body quivering as she panted.

"I need you. Now."

This was all he needed to hear. In one swift movement, he pulled her towards him, grabbing her hips as she wrapped his legs around his body. Their lips touched as her pussy met his manhood for the first time. The ensuing kiss muffled her chirps of ecstasy he pressed into her, taken aback by the force required as she sank him to the hilt. As they adjusted to each other's bodies, he gripped her shoulders, pulling her tightly against him. His fingers dragged through her thick fur to the base of her neck, and he applied a little pressure, using it to guide his thrusts as he began fucking the fiery young vixen with every ounce of vigor he could muster.

Breaking their kiss, he moved his attention to her neck, this time biting a little harder than he had before. She let out a gasp, and he felt her tighten around him.

"Does this mean I won?" Jericho asked, the words rising and falling in volume with each thrust.

"Let's just agree," Jessica replied between short, excited breaths, "it's a tie."

Together they drifted, weightless in a sea of pleasure, surrounded by stars. The cool atmosphere of the shuttlecraft caressed their bodies, even as the warmth building within them threatened to spill forth like magma at any moment. They had forgotten about the other ship, and the pilot. They had forgotten how and why they'd met and that, barely an hour ago, they'd been total strangers. Their uncertainties, their fears, their doubts--all faded away as the scope of their consciousness shrank to include only the needs of the other.

As they each hit their climax, filling the dome with cries of mutual release, it was all they could do to hold one another in a trembling embrace, each wanting nothing more than for the moment to continue ad infinitum. She felt the heat of his seed fill her to the brim before escaping into the space around them, each opaque droplet like a glimmering pearl, added to the field of stars.

When their grips finally loosened, and their muzzles separated, they let themselves drift apart, connected only by the remnants of their lust until the cold air brought them back together. Jericho ran his claws through her hair and down the back of her neck, smiling as she shuddered each time.

"Exemplary performance, cadet," Jessica swooned, nuzzling against him.

"What can I say. I was taught by the best."

Her fingers traced the outlines of his muscles, and followed the path of his spine to his tail. She gripped it playfully.

"Hmm," she sighed, "Sometimes I miss my tail. I think you would have liked it."

Jericho's tail was bobbed, a trait of his genetic ancestors. But he knew that foxes, as few and far between as they were, had a reputation for the opposite.

"How old were you?" He asked, giving her rump a delicate squeeze as his hand passed on its way to examine what remained of her tail fluff.

"Ten. I wanted to have it docked when I was eight, but I think my mom and dad were hoping I'd change my mind. But," she looked him in the eyes, her tone bittersweet, "you can't wear an envirosuit with a three foot tail hanging off your bum, can you?"

He frowned sympathetically, sensing the conflict in her words. "Did it hurt?"

"Not really. I didn't even cry until I turned around and saw it layin' here on the table. Kinda felt like saying goodbye to a friend, in a way. But it was what I wanted. And it was one choice among many that brought me here, with you."

He clasped her against him once more. They stayed like this for what felt like hours, telling stories of their childhoods and friends they'd left behind, until the outline of the ironclad grew so large in the dome above that it nearly consumed the whole of it. Only then did they pull apart to sheepishly search for the various articles of clothing that still drifted about the shadowy space.

With one final kiss, they descended into the main cabin, sealing the door behind them, leaving it just how they'd left it.

The couple took their seats, only now realizing how sore their endeavours had made them. The tight harnesses pressed against tender muscles, and worse still, kept them separated.

"Cadets, collect your personal belongings and prepare to disembark to the Falchion. You will report directly to Lieutenant Commander Wells for orders," spoke a voice over the intercom.

And with this final condemnation, reality reintroduced itself. The shard of utopia the lovers had found drifted from their grasp, joining the others that formed the promise of something worth fighting for. Something greater than themselves.

Something real.