Fates Mates & Pirates - 13. Chapter 13

Marc Alexander

“Tug leader, this is Nova Provider. We are full stop and holding position. Request you attach to us for Docking maneuvers.”

“Nova Provider. You’re looking good. We’ll be alongside and locked on in 2 minutes.”

“Copy that Tug leader.” I stood in my position as Grandpa sat in his command chair. A squad of my Household Guard was already waiting on the dock itself, and Adam had another squad with him in the Hangar Viewing Gallery. It wasn’t as crowded as before just because we were coming in so late in the night cycle of the Station. The equivalent of 01:00 hours. I was still in my Armor and had everything packed and waiting in the briefing room down the passageway. Mike stood next to me watching the Pilot’s wrestle us into position. I felt the familiar clunk of the tugs attaching to the ship.

“Nova Provider, we are ready whenever you are.”

“Copy that Tug Leader. We are starting our approach under thrusters only.”

“Copy Thrusters only.”

“Helm. Thrusters only. 97 meters to port if you please.”

“Aye Captain. 97 meters to Port.” Slowly we started to shift to Port, and the tugs just held on as we moved.

“Captain, we’re a little sluggish. Request tug assistance.”

“Understood Helm.” I tapped the key. “Tug Leader looks like we need a push. Move us to Port 76 meters from my mark. Mark.” I felt the nudge as we moved a little faster.

“Copy that Captain. Counting down, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 holding position.”

“Copy that, Tug leader, we’ll continue the next 4 meters under thrusters. Standby.” I said. “Put us alongside Helm.”

“Copy Captain. Standing by.”

“Captain, in position in three, two, one. All stop and holding position.” Said the Helms person.

“Very well Helm. Engage Docking Clamps and both Locks please.” I came to attention and saluted Adam’s image on the viewscreen. He followed suit. As I lowered my salute. Several clunks later.

“Helm reports Docking clamps engaged and Locks extended. Finished with Mains and Thrusters. Request permission to secure.”

“Helm. Well done and you may secure.”

“Tug Leader, this is Nova Provider. You may detach and depart. Thank you for your assistance.”

“Copy that Nova Provider, Unlocked,” I felt the clunks, “And departing the area. Welcome back Captain. Tug leader out.”

“Safe travels Tug leader, Alexander out.” I turned back towards the Starboard side. “Engineering. You may secure Mains and Thrusters.”

“Engineering Aye.” I went around the Bridge and secured all the stations as I noticed Adam was gone. I turned the ship over to the Duty Watch and headed for my gear after saying goodbye to my grandparents.

15 minutes later, we stepped off the Lock Ramp onto the Dock as I approached my Adam. I dropped my helmet on top of my gravtrunk before I grabbed Adam in a hug and kiss.

“Welcome home, baby.” He said into my mouth.

“Hello love.” We separated as I looked at Mike standing behind me. Then I looked down at the rank of Marines. And snorted as I looked back to Adam. He had one eyebrow raised in question.

“Sergeant Major.” I called out.

“Aye Sa?”

“He managed to get the Comm information, so he has contact, but didn’t think to ask for tonight off. Much less have himself stationed in the front so he could at least look at his boyfriend’s ass while we marched. What are they teaching these kids at Boot Camp these days?” I thought he was going to have a coronary from holding in the laugh that I knew was there behind that smile.

“Sa. I have no idea Sa. Possibly we should establish a Sexual Education Course to bring the House Guard up to your high standards.” I snorted.

“Well said Sergent Major. Possibly. I’ll think about that tonight. Well, the sex anyway.” Adam grabbed my hand and squeezed it. Spinning a finger with his other hand, as said.

“Michael, form up with us. We are leaving.” I chuckled at Adam.

“You in a hurry to get someplace, dear? I just wanted to play with my Marines.”

“Our Marines and no teasing them.” Replied Adam.

“Yes dear.” I heard several chuckles from behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see Mike’s favorite Marine was behind us in the front now and apparently watching his ass as we walked. I smiled up at Adam as he smiled down at me. “Isn’t love grand?” He laughed as I dropped his hand and put my arm around his waist, pulling him in closer to me as we walked. He leaned over and kissed the top of my head.

“That’s cheating. Do I need to use my grav belt to do the same to you?” His eyes sparkled at me, but he said nothing. We made it to our quarters where he helped me take off the Armor and stow it. Then pushed me towards the fresher, telling me to come out to the kitchen and eat after my shower. 5 minutes later, we were to have a nice light meal as he told me tomorrow’s schedule. Due to our later arrival, I would get to sleep in until 09:00. Then I had plenty of work to do before we take off for our two weeks. My priority was to look over the documents for the new additions to our Corporation. We curled up in bed together as Adam held me from behind.

“Sleep tonight, baby. We have two weeks to have all the sex we want after we get through the next few days.” I slowly sucked his finger into my mouth. “Marc. You need to sleep, baby.” I spun around and rolled him so I was on top of him. I looked into the face, his smile, those eyes sparkling. I kissed him slowly, with passion. Letting him know how much I love him. He returned the feelings before I pulled away and snuggled into his arms and closed my eyes.

As is true most days of late, the morning came too early and I was alone in bed. I smelled… No, it can’t be. It smells like bacon. I opened one eye and grabbed my Link off the headboard. 09:00. I shut the alarm off and crawled out of bed, padding to the kitchen in my underwear. I stepped in, taking a deep breath.

“That smells wonderful. Is that bacon?” He chuckled.

“No, it’s seaweed from Oshrea. They say it tastes just like the real thing.”

“Well, it smells good.” I worked my way around the table and hugged Adam from behind, burying my head between his shoulder blades after I kissed the back of his neck. “I love you Adam Knight”

“I love you too Marc Alexander.”

“I love you more. I am your monster, after all.” He laughed and turned around in my arms.

“Yes Marc. You’re my monster, and I love you more.” He kissed me before spinning back around to flip the pancakes he was making. I just snuggled in and moved with him when he moved. When he finished, he spun again and lifted me off the deck, laughing all the way to the table before he put me down by a chair and told me.

“Sit.” Then he went back and brought our plates over. “I need to eat fast. I am already late. You have 30 minutes before your first meeting. Then meet me for lunch with the new corporations that are joining us. And if they meet your approval, we all sign the articles and they become part of us. Then we have to sit down with Captain Wynn, Lieutenants Peters and Anderson, about our trip and their training. Afterwards, we come home after dinner with my parents and you fuck me senseless again.” His smile lit up those eyes, and the sparkle was off the charts.

“What if I decide I want to fuck you senseless now? Then send you to your meeting.” He had a look on him that said I could probably get away with making that change in our schedules. Then it faded.

“Sorry. No going monster on me until after dinner.” I gave him my best pouting look. He shook his head no. “Love you for the thought, baby, and as much as I want you to, no. We have too much that must be done now.” I sighed.

“Yes. I know. I love you too.” We settled on a very deep kiss before he left and I went to get dressed.

My first meeting was with my grandparents. It seems all of them have things to say to me about our new corporate acquisitions and our Wormhole mission. I walked into the work room I needed to be in and made my rounds, hugging everyone before sitting in my seat.

“First off. Very nice find in the Wormhole. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay long enough to really exploit everything. With what you pulled in and the share for locating it, you could probably buy yourself all the toys you want for your mining ship, assuming it was needed.” I looked at Grandpa Alexander cautiously.

“Assuming it was needed?” Grandma Knight stepped in.

“Well, since it is already being refitted and you have Captain Wynn and his ship for your trips. We figured you might use the credits elsewhere.” Now I was confused.

“I haven’t finished refitting it yet.”

“Oh, I know you didn’t, dear. We did.” I looked around the table at all the smiles.

“OK. Thank you.” I said. That brought a round of laughter.

“Now, down to business. We are going to walk through what we know about our new acquisitions and what we don’t like about one of them.”

“Good. I feel a bit behind the curve on them, but what does Adam think?”

Grandma Armstrong brought her hand up to get my attention. “It doesn’t matter. He gave us his decision and now you need to decide. This is still majority rules. Which way you go may or may not decide the fate of one of these companies.” I nodded. 3 hours later, I had a lot to think about as I walked to the formal dining room. As a matter of show, I had two Marine escorts.

Entering the dining room with my Marines and looked around before heading to Adam to give him a quick peck on the lips, before moving to my seat at the head of the table, opposite Adam. Not a word was spoken until I sat. Adam went around the table and introduced everyone, and I gave each a nod while I waited. The wait staff came and went without a word as I studied each individual before speaking.

“Good afternoon, everyone. The fact that you are here means you take your merger with us seriously. I have read all the reports and spoken with my advisers. What I haven’t done is make a decision as yet. I have some direct questions and I expect direct answers. I am on a very tight schedule and have Alexander-Knight Interstellar Industries to run, grow, and protect. The fact that I picked your 6 Corporations out of all the Corporations that have applied is because you all share several common traits which I want as part of our Corporation. Should I decide if you are allowed to join us or not. We will also be going on tour rather soon. That will bring us through your respective areas of space. Call it an inspection tour if you like. It’s actually a vacation for Adam and myself, while I show him various parts of our domain. That being said. Who wants to be the first victim of my questions?” I ended with a predatory grin that almost made Adam laugh as I tucked into my soup.

Throughout the meal, I questioned each of the people present several times on issues I had with their specific corporation. Only one question hasn’t been asked yet. And I turned to the CEO sitting next to me.

“So tell me, Evelyn. Why should I protect your corporation in its current ongoing feud? When I could just roll over both of you and not even break a sweat doing it.” Everybody stopped what they were doing and silence could be cut with a knife. I could see the calculating behind her eyes as she thought that question over. “And as a part two of the first question and while I am thinking along those lines, what losses did you sustain in yesterday’s attack?” I continued to eat my dessert as I waited.

“Because an Alexander wouldn’t attack either or both of us just for gain unless provoked. We took minimal losses, but it is draining our funds to sustain this when we can’t openly mine for the materials we need without coming under attack.” I nodded.

“Let Adam know what materials you need and we’ll see what we can spare. I’ll also drop by your rowdy neighbors on the way through on our tour and see if they might be inclined to not bother you anymore, but rather defend you instead.” I didn’t stop the pace of my eating as I spoke between bites or change the tone of my voice. It was said as a matter of fact that it would happen and may already be happening. I looked directly into Adam’s eyes.

“Love, I think you’ll find we have a Blockade Runner or two heading in that direction in the next few days. Possibly, they have room for more cargo.”

“Of course, dear. I’ve already checked and we do.” I nodded as I continued to finish off the last of my pecan pie. Then I sat back.

“You know, this is one of the most relaxing meetings I have had in the last two weeks.” I said to the room in general, then looked at Adam. “We should do this more often.” Everyone laughed with Adam.

I tapped out a message on my Link and Adam nodded as our grandparents entered the room. Since the table was cleared, we just set the Articles of Merger on the table and went around the room getting the signatures we needed. I was the last person to sign each document, and I smiled down at Adam.

“And just like that, we have almost doubled in size.” Looking around as I spoke next. “Let me make myself understood to our newest friends and Board Members. Life, as you know it just changed. We have much work to do to bring you up to our levels, but rest assured, you now have the resources of Alexander-Knight Interstellar Industries to help you do it. And Evelyn, your rowdy neighbors are knocking on your door as I speak. Momentarily, they are about to learn the error of their ways when one of my battle groups drops out of cloak.” My predator grin was back again as I stood.

“Thank you, Sa. I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you will suffice.” I said to her as I looked around at the assembled people again. “I picked all of you because you are diversified and that is what we want. You’ll be merged into our working units over the next few weeks. Larger means more cost efficiencies. Diversification means we don’t depend on any one thing to support the whole. Some of you have some interesting tech we want to expand research in or merge it with our current research. I think you’ll find it has been a very good decision on your part to join us, as Adam and I are just beginning to build our dream Corporation. Welcome aboard everyone.” My Link chimed, drawing my attention. I smiled as I turned to Evelyn.

“I think you’ll find your neighbors are no longer rowdy when you get home. I’ll leave a few ships in the area for a while to see if they decide to return.” Just then, her Link chimed. She looked at it and her jaw dropped as I smiled at Adam when he mouthed, “Monster.”

Adam and I escaped finding a maintenance closet to grab a deep kiss in before heading to our next meeting together after we turned our new board members over to the merger team to indoctrinate them. We entered that room and everyone was there. I informed Captain Wynn of my detour when we got to Evelyn’s area of space. And so it began. We worked through our stops and the various Sectors we would be visiting. I also told the Officers at certain ports I wanted a Liberty rotation worked out for the crew and Marines. It was a simple thing, but I know what it’s like to be cooped up for long periods of time and a few places we would be at for two days. At the end of the day, we actually made a few changes. The Marines were coming along nicely and we now had his and his platoons with room for two more to make a full company. I was intrigued that Adam and the Officers were very vague on one of our stops and the fact we were spending two days there. Apparently, my love has a surprise for me. More importantly, we had to go to dinner with his parents tonight. I feel something is going on there too, but we will see.

We stopped by our quarters to shower and change for dinner. My parents are going to be there too, it seems. That’s good. We probably should invite everyone over here for dinner sometime. Adam led me to his parents’ new quarters and decided he wouldn’t hold my hand, but would put his arm across my shoulders while I held him with my arm wrapped around his waist. We stopped using the squads and just dropped to 2 Marines for each of us. It really wasn’t needed on this Station, but it looked good for the newsies and onlookers we passed. We entered, and I immediately saw what was important about this dinner. A female Captain that I highly suspect is Adam’s sister rose to greet us with everyone else. Adam took my hand and led me to her.

“Marc, this is my sister, Hannah Knight. Hannah, this is Marc Alexander. My boyfriend.” We shook hands.

“Very nice to meet you, Hannah.”

“And you also future Bond brother, if I read my brother correctly.” He smiled and wrapped an arm around me again.

“Yes, you read me correctly.” Adam said. She laughed as she hugged us both as a group hug. “I hear you’re going to Casi for a few days.” Adam stiffened under my arm as he made a subtle movement of his head. Her expression flashed a look, then the happy smile returned. Amelia interrupted and called for us to sit, asking if we wanted wine as she grabbed Hannah and moved her towards the kitchen discreetly.

“I didn’t know he didn’t know.” I heard whispered as they left. I almost laughed, but I kept a straight face as long as I could before I looked at Dad. He sighed.

“He already figured it out, Adam. You might as well just tell him. He’ll react like Dorothy said he would.” Adam took my hand again as I looked at him. He wasn’t mad, but disappointed he couldn’t surprise me.

“How long have you known?” I shrugged.

“I know you are planning something. All of our Officers are in on it. Our families too, it seems, and Dad wouldn’t have seen me smile if your Mother hadn’t reacted the way she did trying to protect your secret. If your sister had just made a few small comments vaguely about Casi Oceanus, after the look you gave her when you tensed up, I would have still been guessing.” He shook his head as he smiled at me.

“So I can’t ever surprise you?” Adam asked.

“Oh you can. You just can’t hide it from me for long. Like everything else rattling around my head, clues will fall into the right slots sooner or later and I’ll put it together.” He hugged me, kissing the top of my head before whispering in my ear.

“You are a monster. My monster. But a monster all the same.” I chuckled as I turned into his neck.

“Yes Adam. Your monster for eternity. You have plenty of time to surprise me, love.” They came back in and I smiled at Amelia. “Nice try at a save, but I already figured it out.” She just started laughing and Hannah just gave her mother the stink eye.

“All that for nothing, huh Mom.” Then she started to laugh too. Brendan just shook his head.

“Well Lloyd, if the spy contingent can get a hold of themselves. Maybe we can get down to business. I like Marc’s idea about working over meals.” My father laughed.

“Apparently, it had the right effect to get the answers he wanted.” I smiled innocently.

“I was just hungry, but yes, it worked. A comfortable environment and a slow pace. While seeming indifferent. Although Evelyn is hooked for life with me dropping a Battle Group in, on their way through to their appointed destination. The teams worked out good. Please pass my thanks to Uncle Fran.” He nodded and Brendan started.

“We have discussed it and decided that you are not traveling alone. You’ll take the Black Haven and they have a job to do besides transporting you, but also you are taking an escort.” Adam looked perplexed, but I just gave them my feral grin. My father started to laugh.

“No. They are doing a job as well. They will help Captain Wynn fulfill his mission and provide extra firepower if needed. Your job with Evelyn’s issue was well planned and they can’t cry because you had already signed the Articles of Merger. We may not be able to do that again.” I nodded, and Adam just looked at me questioningly.

“I ordered covert operations in all of their areas of space to see what was going on. We found out Evelyn was having problems and I already decided her corporation was a good fit, so, if she answered me correctly, I was going to intervene with a force so large that her rowdy neighbors would back off fast or be destroyed outright. We already had a Battle Group heading to another location. We just detoured them for a few days.” Adam looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. I turned back to everyone and looked them over before I asked the magic question.

“Who is our escort?” Now it was Hannah’s turn to smile.

“Why, that would be your sisters, of course.” Hannah said before Dad stepped in.

“Caitlin is bringing two Aggies and their 4 Destroyers as escorts and Hannah is bringing two Cruisers and four Frigates. You are the equivalent of a small Battle Group. We have the facilities at Casi Oceanus and two other stops to house all the ships of your fleet, Commodore Alexander. We expect results from our fact-finding missions.” Adam looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

“Commodore. How did I get that?”

“Brevet promotion so that nobody confuses you with the ship, Captain.” My father said. I gave a sharp nod. Adam handed me a small velvet case.

“These are for you.” He said as he opened the case to show me the set of Silver Stars of a Commodore. I looked at him.

“So. You can surprise me.” His smile lit the room as I kissed him slowly and with love.

“What powers do I have as a Commodore?” I asked.

“Standard Fleet Commander. Your only exception is your position as joint CEO of the Corporation. You have more latitude as to where your forces are deployed.” I looked at Adam.

“So joint CEO. Where should I take the fleet?”

“Wherever you take me.” My hold on his hand tightened as I looked at him.

“Everywhere then?” Those eyes sparkled.

“That would be nice.” My Mom cleared her throat.

“You’re not alone.” That caused some chuckles before we continued. We ate dinner while discussing the capabilities of the ships and our own trip as well as possible side trips, opening negotiations with other corporations near our borders. I looked at Adam and I could see the same thought going through his mind. We would need a vacation after our vacation.