CHAPTER 5

Starship Enterprise NCC 1701 E

Earth Orbit, Sol Sector

Stardate 2359.9

Captain Picard was sitting in his ready room. He was talking to Admiral Jericho through a priority one subspace communication.

"How long do you think she will remain there, Admiral?" He asked.

"I truly have no idea, Captain. But Ambassador Moor had especially requested extra surveillance for her safety. He made it clear to me that we should keep a distance from her, Captain. She must not know that we are around her."

"Understood, Admiral."

"Good luck, Captain." He ended the communiqué.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard frowned, thinking about the mission he was going to carry out. He was human, French of origin, and bald yet charming. He had been a captain of the flagship for over eight years now. He was proud of his crew he had been carefully selected. They were of top performance and loyalty. Especially his second in command Commander William T. Riker, whom he used to call Number One. Despite of many offers to command his own ship, which meant a promotion to captaincy, he remained with him on the Enterprise. He said that he had fallen in love with the ship. Unless he got to command the Enterprise, which was very unlikely, he refused any promotion.

Captain Picard tapped his comm. badge, "Picard here. All senior officers to conference room immediately."

One minute later, the conference room was filled with all senior officers. They all sat neatly and patiently waiting for their Captain.

Commander William T. Riker sat by the right sight of the table. Next to him was Lieutenant Commander Data, an android with golden skin and yellowish eyes as the Science Officer. Next was the CSO (Chief Security Officer) Lieutenant Commander Worf. He was a Klingon Warrior. His long hair was tied neatly behind his head. He had ridges on his forehead that differed his appearance from human.

On his opposite sat a beautiful lady, the CMO (Chief Medical Officer) Dr. Beverly Crusher. Next to her the Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Geordy Laforge. He was blind since childhood so he wore a specially designed optical instrument in his eyes that enabled him to get the images based on the heat and air wave that was sent by the instrument to his brain. This instrument also enabled him to get images from force field waves or other waves of energy that was unseen by naked eyes.

Next to him sat another beautiful lady, the ship’s Counselor Deanna Troi. She was an empath who read other people’s thought. She looked exactly like human, but she was in fact a Betazoid. All the people of planet Betazed are born empaths. Her rank on this ship was a Commander, yet she preferred to be called Counselor Troi.

Captain Picard entered the room and quickly sat down on his chair at the head of the table.

"I just received a communiqué from Starfleet Headquarters. We’ve been assigned to a very delicate mission, I might say." He stopped for a while to let the words sank in.

"I am sure you have heard about Princess Salvia." He continued.

Lt. Comdr. Data cocked his head to the right side as he accessed his positronic brain for the information.

He let out the information by saying, "Princes Salvia. Origin: Dnunia Empire, an ally to the United Federation of Planets. One of the twin children of Emperor Xegore, the ruler of Dnunia. Born 20 earth standard years ago. Together with her twin brother Prince Eryk founded the humanity organization The Soul…."

"Mr. Data… thank you … We all know who she is." Captain Picard smiled to him. He liked and admired Data, but sometimes he just didn’t have the patience to tolerate the machine side of him.

"Yes, Sir." He replied him.

"Well…" Captain Picard continued, "Princess Salvia, apparently had penetrated Federation space intentionally using a cloaked shuttle craft. This action however, had been reported in advance by Ambassador Moor who acts on behalf of the Embassy of Dnunia Empire in Federation space. He had warned Starfleet Headquarters neither to shoot nor to stop the shuttle from landing in Egypt. Ambassador Moor is now "visiting" the Starfleet Headquarters to guarantee that this action has nothing to do with espionage." He stopped and looked around too see his officers’ reaction.

"Visiting?" Comdr. Riker smiled to him.

"Yes, Number One." He smiled back.

"Visiting as if in the terms of being held temporarily." Laforge couldn’t help commenting.

Dr. Crusher shook her head, chuckling.

"What is the purpose of her landing in Egypt, Sir?" Data asked the Captain.

"I’m getting to that part, Mr. Data." He continued. "According to Ambassador Moor, the Princess is visiting a friend who is the owner of a resort. His name is Mr. Ardeth Bay VII."

"THE Ardeth Bay?" Deanna asked.

"You know this man, Counselor?" Captain Picard asked.

"Not personally, Captain. But he is very famous in Betazed. He is an artist. His sculptures are sold at the highest price in galleries and exhibitions. His songs are the most beautiful. Not to mention that he is liked by women, too. He once elected as the sexiest man of the year." She smiled.

"Ah, I see…." Captain Picard looked around and saw everybody was either smiling or chuckling.

"Hmmh. So the Princess is visiting the sexiest man. What’s behind the story?" Lt. Comdr. Worf looked impatient to knowing the mission.

Before the Captain could speak a word, Data answered. "He’s not only known for his sculpture, Mr. Worf. He’s the best negotiator in The Soul Foundation. He had brought peace more than any Starfleet Officers can. Unlike him, we are bound by our Prime Directives not to interfere with internal affair of any world unless they directly request our involvement."

"Our mission," The Captain demanded their attention again, "in connection with the Dnunia Empire is to help protect the Princess without she knowing it. While in connection of our interest, we have to find out what the purpose of this visit, why it should be held secretly as if this action is done out of the Emperor’s knowledge."

"Mr. Data." He addressed the android.

"Yes, Sir."

"You and I will beam down to this Hamunaptra Resort. We will not disguise ourselves, but we will act as if we were on a shore leave."

"Aye, Sir." Data nodded his head in confirmation.

"Number One, you have the ship and maintain communication with General Gunn who had followed the Princess but agreed to Starfleet terms to wait in the outer rim of Saturn. He is in command of a Dnunian Vessel called HORSK. Oh by the way, Mr. Data and I will keep our comm. badge active so you can monitor us and record everything. Any questions?

When non of the crew raised any question, he dismissed the meeting and hurriedly packed some civilian clothes in a bag.

Fifteen minutes later, Captain Picard and Mr. Data beamed down to Hamunaptra to begin their mission.

CHAPTER 6.

Hamunaptra Resort

The Penthouse

Salvia was lying on the bed, wearing nothing on her except for the metal belt around her waist. Ardeth was on top of her, licking her breast and nibbling on her nipples. He loved the sound of her groan and moan while he was doing it. It was the third time they made love since she arrived. After the embarrassing scenes in the turbo lift they both had released their passion on the floor of the room because they had barely made it to the bedroom. They had fallen asleep for an hour or two, and when they woke up they started again.

Seven months was a long time for a man like Ardeth. After knowing Salvia for almost 2 years, he could not enjoy making love with earth women anymore. They all seemed too dull and boring for him. He had changed partners so often during the time but non-of them could satisfy him like Salvia. Amazingly, his thirst for sex was getting worse when Salvia was around. He wanted to make love to her over and over again. He became addicted to her.

Salvia moaned softly as he inserted his tongue in her femininity. She jerked a little when she felt the warmth of his tongue inside her. Ardeth sucked her.

"Ardeth.. please… don’t.. tease.. me…" She said breathlessly. She spread her legs wider, hoping that Ardeth would insert his manhood soon.

Instead, Ardeth let go of her and went up to level her gaze. He caressed her breast, touching her nipples. He wanted to feel her soft skin against his palms. She was so white, like a snow, like a ghost. Yet she looked so sexy and the gleam in her eyes challenged him to do more to please her. They had played fast sex, then rough one that had caused more wounds to Ardeth’s back and chest. The wounds had been instantly healed with a medical tricorder, leaving no trace whatsoever to his skin. Now all he wanted was a slow and romantic one. He didn’t care if she screamed or begged… he wanted to tease her more.

"Sssssh, my love. Now it’s my turn to play. My way." He whispered in her ear, then licked it up.

"I’m not your toy." She protested, pushing her hip to meet his manhood.

"How I hate your G-belt." He said as his fingers went up to her caress her belly.

"That Gravity Belt keeps me from killing you…." She said softly, arching her waist up.

He merely shook his head smiling, then took her mouth into his, kissing her passionately, sending shivers to her spine. His hands worked their ways exploring every inch of her body, caressing her soft skin.

Once again he went down to meet her femininity, and started licking it. His hands were squeezing her breasts, playing with her erected nipples. Salvia’s body jerked and tensed, she gasped more air to her lungs as she became overwhelmed by the electric sensation that flowed from her feminine part to her head.

She screamed and groaned wildly. Her hands clutching the bed sheet tightly. Her hip went up and down in reflex to the waves of sensation she received.

Ardeth wanted to be inside her so badly now. He couldn’t hold himself any longer hearing her screams and moans. He led his manhood inside, penetrating her femininity and pushed all the way in. Salvia screamed as she felt him inside. She put her arms around him and pulled him closer to her as they started the rhythm together.. in and out of her. He increased the pace, going in and out faster. Salvia’s hip rocked up and down at the same rhythm. Faster and faster until she exploded and screamed out calling his name. Ardeth groaned as he came simultaneously.

Salvia’s head was filled with the heavenly sensation. She felt like she exploded inside. When the feelings subsided she was out of breath. Ardeth too, he was sweating all over and lied down beside her. His chest was heaving up and down. They both lied down for a while. When their breathing reached normal pace, they held on each other, kissing and licking each other passionately. Starting from the very beginning…..

Suddenly Ardeth broke the kiss. "Stop. Stop. We need to talk."

"Maybe you do, but I don’t." She answered him and started nibbling his ear.

"Salvia, we won’t be able to talk if we keep on doing this." He let go of her hug and sat up.

Salvia looked at him, disappointed. "I don’t want to talk, Ardeth. I want you."

"Sweetheart, you can have me anyway you want after we talk." He smiled at her, caressing her cheek with his fingers.

Salvia put on a long face. "No." She said stubbornly.

Ardeth’s smile grew wider. He loved seeing her pouting like that. It made her look cute. He knew she was a spoiled young woman and he knew best how to handle her arrogance and stubbornness. He kissed her cheek lightly and caressed her hair.

"Just for 10 minutes, my dear. That’s all I ask." He whispered in her ear.

Salvia blew some air out of her mouth loudly, showing him that she was protesting.

"I hate it when you say ‘we need to talk’. That’s what we’ve been doing for the last 7 months over subspace communication. And each time it ended in a fight. Each time, Ardeth. I don’t want to fight with you. It hurts." She pushed her head against his chest, hugging him tightly.

One of the things that Ardeth loved in her was her honesty. He held her, caressing her long beautiful hair.

"Please….. Princess?" He whispered.

This time Salvia lost her patience. She pushed him away from her.

"NO! Can’t you understand the word NO, Ardeth? I have traveled a long way to see you. I spent almost 52 hours in that shuttle craft to get here. Now, that I’m here, I don’t want to have that useless talk. I WANT YOU. Period!" Her green eyes glared at him angrily.

Ardeth sighed. He didn’t say a word, instead he got out of bed and got dressed. Salvia watched him in disbelief. She watched his every move but she kept lying on the bed, naked. She kicked off the blanket that covered her and sat watching him get dressed with a confused look.

Ardeth walked towards the door and it whooshed open.

"Where are you going?" Salvia asked him.

Ardeth turned around and look at her, trying to hide his smile as best as he could. "To find someone else to talk with." He said coldly.

Salvia frowned. Suddenly she was standing in front of Ardeth. She moved like a tiger, fast but graceful. It was hard for Ardeth to play tough in front of her. Seeing her standing in front of him with a menacing look, wearing nothing but her G-belt made his heart beat faster. He wanted her badly. He couldn’t believe that after making love three times with her, he still wanted her that badly.

"Who?" She asked.

Ardeth blinked. He got lost in his thought for a while, but he got a grip of himself and his act quickly.

"Monica, of course. She always listens to me." He answered her, turning his back and pretended to walk away.

"You love her, don’t you?" She screamed in desperation.

"Yes, I do. I love Monica." He answered calmly.

Suddenly Salvia grabbed his arms, screaming, "No! Don’t leave."

Ardeth’s heart leaped in triumph hearing the voice. He turned around and saw tears flowing down her cheeks. He suddenly regretted what he had just done. Maybe he was playing her too much this time.

Salvia hugged him, crying like a child. "No. Don’t leave me, Ardeth. I will listen to you, I promise. Please, don’t go….." She said some more words that Ardeth couldn’t understand because she was sobbing hard.

Ardeth held her in his arms. A smile cracked on the corner of his lips. He caressed her hair and led her back to bed.

"Hush.. hush… my love… don’t cry. I’m here now, aren’t I?" He whispered.

Salvia looked into his brown eyes, she wiped the tears on her face with the back of her hand.

"Do you love her more, Ardeth?" She sobbed.

"Who? Monica?" He asked. Salvia nodded. Ardeth almost laughed out loud realizing that Salvia was now jealous of Monica.

Ardeth smiled and landed a light kiss on her forehead, "I love you both very much, equally. I love you because you’re my lover, the light of my life. And I love Monica because she’s my sister and my best friend. Even though we’re not bonded by blood because she was adopted by my father, but our hearts are bonded as brother and sister. And I talk to her about everything and she to me. Now, will you listen to what I’m going to say now?"

Salvia nodded, wiping her tears again.

Ardeth covered her still naked body with the blanket as he sat beside her, holding her.

He sighed and started speaking in a way he spoke to a child "Salvia, just this once, I want you to listen to me carefully. Put aside your emotions and use your logic. It’s a very serious matter. All right?"

Salvia nodded again as she pulled the bed cover over her body. She leaned against the head board and waited patiently for Ardeth to speak.

"While you were sleeping, I went down to the shuttle bay. I checked on your shuttle craft. Well, for the last 2 years I have piloted many kinds of Dnunian’s transport vessels, but I’ve never seen anything like this one before."

"What did you do that for?" Salvia asked, smiling at him temptingly, "You’re not planning on stealing our technology, are you?

Ardeth smiled, he shook his head slowly, "Like I care."

He sighed and his face changed more serious, "It’s armed with quantum torpedoes, and it has cloaking device, Salvia." He looked into her eyes for confirmation. Salvia merely stare back at him.

"Salvia, tell me you’re not penetrating the Federation space in a cloaked ship." He asked seriously, afraid to hear the answer.

"I did." She said naughtily.

Ardeth closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "And when did you decloak?"

"After entering the atmosphere, just before entering your shuttle bay." She said innocently.

Ardeth closed his eyes again, he clenched his fist as he re-opened his eyes. "How did you get away with that kind of shuttle from Dnunia anyway? Don’t tell me that’s your standard shuttle craft, because I know it’s not. "

Salvia smiled, caressing Ardeth face with one finger. "A friend sneaked me out of Dnunia. A trusted friend."

That was it. That was what he had been afraid of. "Who? Who knows about your being here with me, Salvia?"

"Well, it’s General Gunn, of course. Who else could get me a top secret clearance to leave our system without either my father nor my brothers knowing? He’s an officer of the highest rank. And he likes you. You’ve worked with him for the Foundation, remember? Don’t worry about him, Ardeth. He’s on our side. He likes you a lot." She said cheerfully.

"Salvia, this has nothing to do with whether he likes me or not. Like you said, he’s a top rank officer. He answers to your father directly. Maybe to your brother Troy too. For God sake, Salvia, we have agreed not to tell a soul, not one person, about our relationship…."

"You told Monica!" She interrupted.

"I didn’t. She figured it out herself after your visit." He sighed and continued, "That’s not my point, Salvia. The point is…. well…" Ardeth was so nervous that he lost everything he wanted to say.

He composed himself and started again. "Salvia, look at you. You’re a member of a royal family. You’re a Princess. The Princess of Dnunia, which by tradition could only get married to a Prince or a Warrior. Look at me, Salvia. I’m no Prince. I’m no Warrior. I’m just an artist who happened to be active in your organization. I’m nobody. Your family cannot and will not approve our relationship."

"I don’t care." Salvia said stubbornly. "I love you, Ardeth. And that’s all that matters."

"I wish we could just not care about this, my love. But it was you who told me that any advances by ordinary people, you said those exact words, towards you, would be regarded humiliation towards the emporium. With the penalty of either death, or thrown into a penal colony."

Salvia was about to open her mouth, but Ardeth signaled that he had not finished.

"If they come to get me and kill me, the case is closed. I’m dead." He continued.

"Salvia, I’m not afraid of them. I’m not afraid to die for you. What I’m afraid of is if Dnunia Empire, would bring this matter to UFP. The case would become a case of UFP insult against Dnunia. You know how arrogant are those Admirals. Salvia, an action causes reaction."

Salvia’s expression suddenly changed as if she was just realizing her mistakes.

"I… I… never thought of it that way…." She whispered. Her hands holding Ardeth’s tight.

"Salvia that’s just one problem. We have one bigger problem regarding your shuttle craft. Do you actually think that Earth sensors could not pick up your decloaking process? They can, Salvia. For heaven sakes, they are probably watching our every move from orbit. Your action might be considered espionage in the Federation’s territory. Your shuttle is similar with ours we use for intelligence purposes. My father was a Starfleet officer, Salvia so I know about these kind of things."

Ardeth covered his face with both his hands and closed his eyes. He suddenly had a headache. He couldn’t erase the thought of UFP pointing its finger to Dnunia for spying on Earth. This thing about the shuttlecraft was enough to start a cold war with Dnunia Empire. Both rulers were arrogant people, so it probably ended up in a war.

Ardeth shook his head. Before Salvia arrived he had been busy preparing for his trip to Rigel IV, to have a meeting with an investor. He had been sure he would get the money to pay the remaining 1/3 installment to the Ferengi Trader. But now, he was not even sure about anything anymore.

"Ardeth, don’t worry too much. This whole thing will not get out of hand like you said."

Ardeth looked up to her, "Salvia, this matter is already out of hand." He murmured to himself.

"What did you say?" She asked.

"Never mind, dear. Go get dressed. I’ll walk you back to shuttle bay. You must leave now while we have time."

Salvia shoved his hands, "You’re ordering me to leave?" She said in disbelief.

"Yes. You must go home, now."

"How dare you!!" She slapped Ardeth’s face.

Ardeth understood her anger, but he had no other choice.

"Salvia! We have not time for this. Now get dressed." He grabbed her arm.

Surprisingly, Salvia tackled his legs, sending him tumbling down the floor.

"NO!! I want to stay here with you." She shouted, crying. "I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t care if they would kill each other because of us. If they kill you, I’ll kill myself. I don’t care. I don’t care anymore. I don’t care if it’s the lowest way to die. I don’t care!!!!!! She cried so hard.

Ardeth walked over to her, he had no idea how to make her follow his words.

"Don’t tell me you don’t care, Salvia. I know you do. You care a lot about war victims. You care when people lost their loved ones at war. You care because you know your duties. You know your responsibilities as a Princess. You know you can make a difference." Ardeth said in softer tones.

Salvia looked at him in the eyes, crying, "I never ask to be born as a Princess!! I’m tired of duties and responsibilities! I only want to be with you. Is it too much to ask?" She sat on the floor, hugging her knees, sobbing.

Ardeth gave up. He knew he couldn’t make her leave.

"Maybe it is, my love. I don’t know anymore." He whispered. He sat beside her and held her close. She was trembling. He carried her back to bed and covered her body. He lied down beside her, holding her tight.

"Let’s just run away, Ardeth. Let’s run from it all." She was still sobbing.

"And being hunted down like fugitives? No, my dear. I told you I’m not afraid to die. I’m glad if they just come and kill me right now, rather than having a war between our worlds." He said.

"Why don’t you get some sleep, Princess? I’m sure things will get much clearer in the morning. Let’s just hope that Earth’s sensors didn’t pick up your shuttle when it decloaked. All right?" He said calming her down, although he didn’t actually believe in what he had just said. He kissed her and held her tight. She was still crying, feeling confused and insecure. Ardeth knew what to do at time like this. He loved singing for her and watched her sleep. So he pulled her closer and started to sing softly.

He was glad when not long after he could feel the regular rhythm of her breathing, indicating that she had fallen fast asleep. He didn’t believe he could even close his eyes. He was dead tired, mind and body. True he didn’t go out at all today, he had been making love with her all day. But making love with a Dnunian required so much extra energy. Only absolutely strong human could endure the process. It was not only tiring, but also painful, yet the climax was worth the world. And he had made love three times with her. His body was aching now, screaming for rest, yet his mind wondered to the problems at hand. Only half an hour later his mind finally gave up to his body. He closed his eyes and fell asleep, still holding her beloved woman close to him. Tomorrow will take care of itself somehow, he remembered his mother had used to say.