The Tent & The Change Series "Starward" Part 3
#3 of The Tent & The Change Series "Starward"
The Tent & the Change Series "Starward" Part 3 by thwale ©2011 - 9/10/11
Sorry for the delay, college has kept me busy so writing has been slowed.
Writers note: If you have not read The Tent & The Change Series "Earth" Parts 1 - 7, please do (as it was posted August 13,2011) although the "Starward" series could stand alone, not having a background on the main characters might make it confusing in places and less then enjoyable. It will also introduce you to my style of writing, while the "Starward" series is still in the process of being written. I would also like to point out that I am not used to writing yiff, so when it does appear, don't expect Shakespeare & Aphrodite. If you wish to use any inventions, characters, places or ideas I come up with please ask me first, as they are ©me and give credit where it is due. --Thank you.
The planet Trihs has a rotation period of roughly 40 Hours (40 hour day), but due to its axis and a slight wobble the Nights are three times as long as the days. (40 hours times 60 minutes = 2400 minutes) 10 Hour Days and 30 Hour Nights. Of course this is using Earth equivalent measurement. Measure as 10 Hours of Day or DW, and 30 Hours of night or NW. So if the time was 9:1340 DW it would be daytime, at 25:1001 NW it would be night time. The 25 stands for Hours and the 1001 stands for minutes. Using Earth-Time designation the time would be 25Hours and 1001Minutes, or 25:1001 O'clock. -Ed
( 1434 Hours )Ship Time ( 9:1340 DW ) Trihs Home world time
As we entered the space around the planet Trihs, I was able to see vehicles of every possible configuration, and many that shouldn't be possible. We from Earth just stared out the view plate at all the activity.
"We are proud of our system, every ship out there is perfectly controlled, we also have the lowest rate of accidents on record" Drevono beamed proudly, it looked like he was going to preen.
At this point a small holographic board with a display and four buttons appeared in front of Drevono "this is a landing control, if the automatics or homing beam go offline for any reason I can manually land with this."
Fortunately for us everything went smoothly. I was able to see some of the landmass of our world and noticed there was far more land then sea.
"Drevono, is the planet Trihs more land then water?" I was curious.
"Yes, in fact according to Galactic records the only worlds that naturally have more water then lands are either water worlds or Earth."
I let that slide for now, but I was going to look it up later.
I guess Flo was feeling ignored "What should I expect since I am not Alotl?"
Drevono was prepared for this "we have quarters already set up for us; the spaceport is designed for different species comforts." As he said this we started to get buffeted by the atmosphere. To keep from burning up the ship altered descent to lessen the friction, and the rest of the ride down was cake.
As we exited the cloud cover we were treated to a view that was unlike anything we had ever seen. The spaceport was huge and looked to cover many hundreds of kilometers. Around the port were sections of jungle and lakes with small villages or towns.
Vrit just stared like the rest of us; at least I think he was staring "I have never seen your planet before. Is there really so little forest?"
"Yes, but it was not due to us, the only place the forests could grow was near water and the only access to usable sources of water are the springs."
"What about well drilling?" Flo was on top of it.
Drevono gave her an odd look "unlike your planet, life on our planet would be damaged if just one well was drilled. Most of the springs originate from confined aquifers, drilling a well would remove the pressure and the lake would eventually dry up."
"And the sources of water that are not confined aquifers?" this from Vrit.
"These pockets of groundwater are considered emergency sources, protected from use."
I had read plenty of science fiction so I knew this next question was valid "what about mining Comets or other sources of water from off planet?"
He was prepared for this as well "The introduction of contamination from these sources makes mining them difficult and expensive, making those safe to use would constitute an unacceptable use of resources."
"What about population, wouldn't the number of Alotl eventually use up the resources?"
"No, we have a sort of natural birth control. Did you not read about this on the computer?"
I was a bit embarrassed "I never got that far, just to the part about multiple male partners for every female..." then it hit me, there are more males then females, population control indeed.
He watched me as the truth hit; I think everyone including Vrit understood at that point.
"Since we Alotl only give birth to one child at a time, and more often than not these children are male, there would naturally be more males then females. The number of males on the planet is kept stable by using those excess males for off planet work."
So I was going to have status above other Alotl just because of my sex? Very interesting...
Drevono must have read my mind "Nuree you are naturally going to have control of a house, in earth terms a male harem, or as they are called here a Res."
I suddenly felt wonderful and scared "I will have a harem, I mean Res? Hmm..."
Elden gave me an odd look, I could not resist "don't worry love; you are my first in everything this includes mating..." Drevono then cut me off.
"Sorry Nuree, but custom says you must be mated by each of the males in your res when you come into heat, so choose them well."
"As long as I let Elden mate me first, the chances of another male giving me a child are reduced, is that correct?" I hoped it was. But hopes fade as quickly as they come.
"No Nuree, but our biology means you can be impregnated at anytime during your heat, until now there was only Elden and me. Since your last heat was over before I mated you the chances are about 100% that the child is Elden's."
Poor Elden, this is going to make it hard on us to keep our vows, and then an idea struck.
"Drevono what if I chose not to have a res and just lived with Elden?"
"I don't think this would be allowed, you may have been human before but now as an Alotl you have to follow Alotl customs, this is one of them" he looked genuinely sorry.
"Actually Drevono, since I do have some power I think I will use it, I just need to figure out how."
Before he could answer we landed with a small jolt, looking out the window we watched wheeled vehicles roll out onto the tarmac and start attaching cables and hoses to the ship.
"We are home!"
We had to wait until the ship had been cleaned, decontaminated and checked for radiation before we were allowed to exit. As we stood on the exit lift I had that same feeling of unease about standing on air as before, but it quickly dissipated.
The lift ascended and entered another tube that had dropped down and attached to the ship, we were going to be sheltered all the way.
Arriving at the main port proper we were visually introduced to the galactic community, we just stood and stared again. Yeah we do that a lot, if you were here you would to, anyway the sights and sounds were too numerous to describe in detail.
( 15:2105 NW ) Trihs Home world time
But the smells..!
They were not bad just alien, and I mean truly alien. Our new ability to smell things made this an experience that almost overloaded our capacity to scent anything.
Flo was as stunned as we, but she at least did not have our acute sense of smell adding that extra dimension of alieness to this almost surreal visual and aural experience.
We gave up trying to classify and memorize the different odors and just let it waft over us, something we had not needed to do until now, least now we know we can. Renai gaped with her nose twitching a mile a minute, her eyes went unfocused then closed, shrugging she went back to feeding.
In Large numbers throughout the arrival port were Alotl, our new race. There was almost every size and fur color combination imaginable, piercings tattoos fur and nail colors were abundant. Style and individuality was just as important here as any place on Earth. Some things are universal. Almost every state of dress and undress included.
Mixed with the Alotl were beings obviously from other races, which crawled flew and slithered, moving upon two, three, four, six and even eight legs. Had wings, feathers, hide, hair, fur, skin, scales and chitin.
I was looking for Vrit's people when I recalled that his people had yet to be fully introduced to the galactic community, he received a few looks himself but nothing much more than passing curiosity.
As we looked on, one of the aliens... well, people as it were, detached itself from a group near an information kiosk and headed our way. This being resembled a Ladybug with boots and a hoodie, it looked very officious.
"We have been expecting you, let's see" checking a metal disk that displayed dots of light being held in her front claw "ah yes, we have your room ready, please follow me" she? Led us to a lift disc and made some noises, it began to move upward, we had one last view of the crowds before we entered another tube.
We stopped at a hallway with evenly spaced doors running its length. Each hex shaped door had what looked like a picture of swimming circles in its center, room numbers? They were spaced about ten meters apart.
Flo was the first to ask "Pardon me, but how do we properly address you?"
The Ladybug stopped and turned "I do apologize, I forgot you were new to Trihs, my name is Gyptr, and I am a Hrudry and your host and information's officer while you stay at the port" it was genuinely proud "If you need anything I am who you would seek."
That seemed to answer that question and it quickly returned to its previous course, heading to the third door on the left from the lift, tapping it with the metal disk it preceded to iris open and we followed the Lad... no, a Hrudry, into the room..
The suite was large, large enough to have a room for each of us, one for the Alotl us, Flo and Vrit. The central area had a wall with a large display and 4 cylinders, evenly spaced around the room, about a meter high and half a meter wide, surrounded with three chairs of a design to suit both Alotl and Human, Vrit did not require one. Each "table" had circular indents on it.
The floor was covered with material similar to the ships but instead of being slightly sticky it gave the feel of deep pile carpet, with a bluish shade.
Gyptr was explaining everything "the tables in the communal area have small lifts built into them, any food or drink you order will be sent to the table it is ordered at, the display is for news, information and communications. Each room has its own communication kiosk for your convenience and privacy."
Elden asked what I had been thinking "Excuse me Gyptr, and I hope I am not being to forward" it stopped and looked at Elden "but are you male or female, we need to know so we can properly address you."
The Hrudry looked startled, well that was the impression we got from its reaction and voice "Is this something your previous species did?"
"Yes it was... is... still is our way to respectfully address others."
"In that case I would be what you would call Neuter, neither female nor male, that is a choice we make when reproduction is required."
"So we just address you as Gyptr?"
"Host Gyptr would be my title."
"Thank you Host Gyptr."
The Hrudry twitched her antennae in acceptance of the accolade or was it a smile?
"To continue, the restrooms are your standard non specific species design, we apologize for any inconvenience, but we are a multi-species institution. Redesign of each room when needed would be next to impossible; this is to your satisfaction I hope."
"Yes, yes it is more than satisfactory."
Again with the antennae twitch.
"If you wish to contact me for any reason, use any communications device and ask for Host Gyptr. Keep in mind each interface also has a built in translator, digital location map and almost any other information you may seek."
So we may ask Host Gyptr for something but it would prefer we didn't... I saw the others had concluded this as well.
"I must be going now, other people to see and assistance to give, have a pleasant night" it curtsied with its front pair of legs and began to exit.
"I wish I could give you a tip but we don't have any money."
Host Gypter stopped and turned slightly, I would swear it gave us a confused look but as its face was as immovable as a bug, this may have only been in my mind.
"Is this another one of your previous species actions?"
"Yes."
"If I understand you correctly, you wish to pay me for assisting you."
"That was our intention."
"Though I am flattered, it is not necessary as I get compensated by the Port.
I was going to ask for clarification of that last statement, but with that it left our suite, the door irising closed with a soft hiss.
"So what do we do now Drevono?" I felt it worth asking.
"I suggest we eat, time to try some real food, local fare."
We all agreed, he went to the main display and called up food, after being questioned on both species and preferences. The display presented numerous items for consumption by each species.
After we knew what we wanted we each chose a table and spoke our preferences. In about 3 Minutes I smelled food, with a whisking sound the dish ordered appeared along with eating utensils resembling chop sticks with a mallet on one end.
"The mallet is for breaking the shells of the sloftoger, a shellfish greatly prized by Alotl."
I had a plate of what looked like a baked 6 winged chicken and psychedelic Turtle Shells, covered in a green sauce.
"Um, what is this six legged chicken?"
"It's known as Lemtofta, native to the Eastern Continent, we are by the way on the Northern Continent."
I checked to see that Renai was comfortable then ate; I was never that good with chopsticks so had a bit of trouble there. But the Mallets made eating those shellfish easy. It is not that hard to describe the flavor, the Lemtofta tasted like chicken and shrimp, and the Sloftoger once extracted from their shells tasted like Spiced Apples, the green *sauce* had almost no flavor at all, I think it was only for looks. I consulted Drevono and he confirmed this.
"Much like Parsley or Lettuce is used as a garnish on earth, the sauce is known as Glea, and is traditional to Alotl cooking."
I was curious what Vrit ate and decided to see for myself. He was pulling strips of vegetable material off a large ball on the table in front of him. Like a wad of String Cheese but made of vegetable matter. He pulled the strips under him and they vanished, I was not really sure I wanted to know where the food went. With a sort of morbid curiosity I watched until the string cheese ball was consumed before turning to see Flo watching me.
"Are you going to ask him what he ate or should I?"
While I headed over to ask Vrit, Elden decided to question Drevono about the status of Alotl males.
"It is an old society, and old customs based on our biology, since there are roughly ten males born to every one female, the female controls the breeding. She will choose those she sees fit and add them to her res, her harem as it were. This does not mean those males un-chosen go homeless, 99% of the time they are accepted into another res. The other 1% receives a job until there is a res available, we are very advanced in how we treat the individual. The males being so numerous are given jobs such as mine, or dangerous jobs like mining and Xeno-sciences. The Females are protected and given a higher status in Alotl society."
"Vrit, may I ask what it is you just ate?"
"Certainly Nuree, its a plant native to my homeworld, a staple in our diet. The name is unpronounceable, the best way to define it is as Rice is a staple to humans, so this is to us. Our version has a higher nutritional content though."
( 21:1601 NW )Trihs Home world time
"I think we should sleep until tomorrow" Drevono said "we will have plenty to do and see, with many introductions and arrangements to be made."
We all agreed, Flo headed to her room while Vrit went to his, we Alotl went to our room and pressed up close to each other for comfort. I had one last though of what this world would look like from the ground and was asleep.
( 5:2204 DW ) Trihs Home world time
I awoke to the smell of cooking bacon and eggs and realized me and Renai were the last to awake. I headed to the shower and bathed us then dried off and combed her out. " Elden? could I get a brush please?"
"On my way dear" he rushed in with a comb ready and as he did I noticed he was already groomed "Did Flo do that for you?"
"She did."
"I must thank her when I get the chance" then I relaxed as he brushed out my fur, when he got near my vagina he proceeded to lick it once before he finished combing me. I shivered and suddenly found myself wanting to mate him here and now.
"Elden, please mate me, I need you."
He wasted no time quickly locking the bathroom door then dropped to his haunches and proceeded to nibble and lick my vagina. This I did not expect and I had to make sure I did not drop Renai, I shivered and this must have been his Que for he grabbed me from behind and thrust his member deep. My legs went numb and I trembled as he worked me like a wild animal.
I had to turn on the dryer to mask the noise of his grunting and my moaning as he thrust vigorously and single mindedly into me. He was not into taking his time and just rode me hard. I loved it and him as I had the first orgasm, shaking and quivering. He continued to thrust then trembled and snorted as he slammed himself hard into me and released his load.
The feeling of his warm seed entering my womb was sheer bliss, this triggered another orgasm and we shook together. I soon felt his release slow to a dribble then cease, my labia was quivering and his organ was twitching slightly.
He withdrew "I think we need another shower" I agreed, we kissed deeply then headed to the showers and bathed together. Finished and re-groomed we exited the bathroom.
Flo had just finished eating, Vrit was at the screen looking up information on Trihs and Drevono was watching us as we exited. I looked at him shrugging and smiling, he returned the look with a knowing one and was silent. I knew he knew and almost wished he could have joined us, almost.
"'Thank you for Elden, Flo, it was appreciated."
"Your welcome, now have something to eat, you look starved" and indeed I was.
After another good and filling meal we were ready to leave. We exited the suite and headed for the lift, once on the ground floor I was again assailed by alien smells and sights, spotting Gypter we called it over.
"Will you be returning?"
"Not for a while, you were a very good host, host Gypter."
It seemed to do a curtsey and waved its antennae wildly " I am very pleased to hear that, your bills have been settled with port authority, may you have an excellent cycle."
"You as well" we all waved to it as we exited the port building. Heading for what I figured was the parking lot we arrived at and climbed aboard a piece of sheet metal with handles and braces on the top. The underside was covered with hexagons and cubes that glowed a subtle violet. It just hovered there about a foot off the ground.
"Does everyone have something to hold onto?" this from Drevon.
"Yes" from all of us.
Then he spoke to the air "House Xees, nominal speed with quick stop option on command."
A voice popped out of thin air "you are cleared for South gate port exit, thank you for utilizing Trihospotis spaceport Drevono and company. We hope you will use us again for all your travel needs."
The vehicle rose about 4 meters into the air and headed for the south gate exit. As we proceeded to exit the spaceport the road went from the Alotl equivalent of asphalt to what looked like melted rock. We passed a few vehicles entering the port, each looked different but traveled by the same means. We waved and a few of the passengers waved back.
Drevono explained "environmentally speaking, a dirt and gravel road is a better choice, many of our vehicles move on cushions of air or ions, none on rubber tires so no need for paving like an earth road. And the toxins produced and released from paving materials into the environment is not an issue."
"But it looks like its been been paved or melted, and the port had what looked like earth asphalt."
"It is melted gravel and soil, this keeps it in place and makes road repair a snap, just roll out and remelt any part that has cracked or started to wear out. The addition of heat does not pollute the environment. And melting the material makes it much easier to keep a road looking like a road. The port uses an organic mixture of local rock, deep planet minerals, all of course non radioactive then mixed with mineral water and set."
As we flew out over the road I had a chance to really appreciate my new homeworld, the smells and sounds were so familiar I could almost imagine having been born here. The looks on both Elden and Renai's face must have mirrored my own..
Vrit seemed less enthusiastic, and who could blame him? This is not his world, then I began to wonder how much he missed his home. I decided to ask him, maybe he would be more at ease.
"Vrit?"
"Yes Nuree?
"I hope this is not impolite but I was going to ask how you were feeling. You seem subdued and I know since this is not your homeworld you may be feeling a bit lonely."
"I have been trying to find scenery or plants and animals that are familiar to my home, yet everything here is so alien to me."
I was even more curious now "how so?"
"The sky is the wrong color, there is only one sun and this one is to young, the soil is mostly dry and the plants do not grow right. Chlorophyl is non-existent on my planet. My life and home are based on silicon, lithium, fermium and cerium, with trace amounts of noble gasses and alkali metals."
So non-carbon based, really neat and rare, or was it? "Our, I mean Earth scientists always speculated on non carbon based life but they were never really able to locate any. I guess there is such and you are proof of it ." I was impressed.
"This is correct, to be honest until we ran into carbon based life we did not expect it to exist either. We were certain our forms were the blueprint for life and any life that might exist elsewhere had to be based on silicon and lithium like us. Though as you have guessed the names of elements I am using are from earth periodic tables, we of course call them by different names at home."
( 8:0450 DW ) Trihs Home world time
As he finished I saw we were nearing a particularly beautiful jungle oasis, I could smell moisture and green things. This must be the home of Xees and her res, and of course Drevono.
As we flew up to the house I was surprised to see that the roof was the only thing that looked primitive, the rest of the house looked very modern and seemed to blend into the ground.
A large group of Alotl were waiting as we flew up to the parking area, we landed with a soft bump amid an odd assortment of vehicles.
The only Alotl female, Xees, waved, as we were greeted by her entire res.
"Welcome home Drevo."
"Hello Xees, I see everyone is still standing."
"Of course, and were is our little Renai?"
I lifted her up and Xees rushed over, she made a motion to hold Renai and I hesitated for just a moment to long. I had also never smelled another female Alotl up close, her scent was similar to mine but different more refined. We smelled eachother for a moment (my scent memory could now find her with my eyes closed) then she broke off and looked at Renai.
"I see your instinct to protect your child is a strong one, but do not worry I am just going to examine her to make sure she is healthy."
I was going to tell her Vrit did that but was stopped mid thought.
"I know that Vrit examined her, but if you'll forgive me Vrit an Alotl is better at such."
Vrit did not seem upset "I fully understand."
I let her hold Renai reluctantly, she held her in her paws and Renai did not cry, just sniffed Xees paws and fur. Xees continued with a keen eye examining her from top to bottom, she then removed Renai's diapers and examined her genitals, then replaced the diaper and returned her.
"A good healthy female, you are to be congratulated" then she glanced at Elden "and you, you I will be seeing shortly."
Elden flinched, blushed then looked at me, for just a moment I remembered Drevono on the ship and decided no double standard, ha! take that voice!
"He would be glad to, er, join you later."
Elden relaxed and smiled like the cat who ate the canary.
"Splendid! I look forward to it, Elden."
She turned and swung her hips in a fashion meant to arouse, the males around me got a bit excited and Elden just drooled.
"And welcome again Flo of Earth and Vrit of *snapping twigs and crickets*, how does it feel to be on another planet?"
Vrit nodded and Flo replied "Not that much different, its a bit easier to walk and the air is crystal clear, not many places on Earth are like that anymore."
" I am sorry to hear that, its part of the reason we try to stay as close to pre-technology as we can. Why would anyone want to lose this?" She waved her arms in a wide circle then turned towards Drevono.
"And I must speak with you in private Drevo."
"Nuree introduce everyone and yourself to my res, these are your people now" and with that he walked away with Xees and entered the House.
I was a bit shocked when suddenly I had 21 male Alotl pressed up against me trying to see Renai. All of them were slightly aroused and I must admit I had more then a few thoughts of mating with all of them. The smell was intoxicating but my conscious mind fought off the animal instinct and replaced it with simple arousal.
--To be continued in Part 4--