Reverse Harem (Sci-Fi)

Prolouge

There were two shots of whiskey that sat next to the map being rolled into a scroll by her tall companion. He put the map away in the top desk drawer and picked up both shot-glasses in his hands - extending one to her; “only take the other shot if  ...” Zapra teased the idea, then took the double whilst she patted Tyrone on the left side of his chest:  once-then-twice. “A great way to break the ice.”  

He had the single ready to drink but stopped to observe Zapra standing to attention then breaking it by walking in circles: slow-paced circles around her well-lit office.

Zapra walked to the triangular window when the end came to her thoughts, “I’ll take mine,” but still, she held it close and her hand trembled while she awaited Tyrone to consider the future of their race in Lerus. All they had been through, fought for,  planned and succeeded. Tyrone’s was a single; and their eyes met immovably awaiting who would blink first when she was able to face him again.

The Grim’s history seemed like a wink away. The ongoing war with the Om. Helping Earth sustain its durability. Safe havens. Tests. So many of those behind operations that were still unsure. Engineering and splicing … to … to … “you haven’t blinked yet?” Her words grew more lighter than the feet she balanced upon.

“Neither have you” -

“I lost everything” -

“I know.” His eyes remained perfectly still, but she saw the softening blow with a slight twitch of his lower lids – and the Adam’s apple that convulsed up-then-down in a gulp. “But a woman of your calibre has shown this planet that we can go on.” That was carefully plucked with enough steam for Zapra to feed upon.

It reenergised her confidence. “We should give it another attempt. While the pool is ripe and the women are at their most fertile. Eight-out-of-ten fail each time” -

“And that leaves us with one-or-two for these newly launched projects . I surely think that the boys will not let us down. Your idea to the up the number of intake from the female breeders has worked wonders. Pure genius, Zapra. Excellent. As the base commander of Earth I’ve heard nothing but praise from board members about your continuation to keep the Grim one step ahead adventitiously. “

“I think you overdo it.”

Tyrone raised the shot in his hand and titled his neck with a grin; “never! I’m not much of a storyteller. You know that. And as your good friend, I can only tell the truth: our planet was dying. Still is. We needed a solution and you helped us get the hell out of there too!”

“A hardnut I am.” Zapra plunged the whiskey down her throax and slammed the shot-glass onto the desk. Tyrone had been taken by surprise, and looked upon a dull-faced Zapra lifting a framed photograph from the window sill she walked towards. She removed the photo from behind  the frame and her eyes became glossy and full of an absent tinge. “Time. We’re running out of it.” The  old picture of her family recouped that reality.

“Don’t think about such negativity.” Tyrone puts down the single and made his way to her. “This was meant to be a celebration.”

“I’m not much into the spirits for festivities. The Om are forever on our backs to nihilate. I always said Tyrone ... one step forward will be two steps back. A popular earthlin saying. There is much left to do.”

“But it’s working. All of it. We may just be ok.”

“Let me take your shot?” -

“Zapra” –

“Before those boys get here! I need another. For all I know … they think I’m the hero, and that they're are doing the Grim a great service.”

“I trust these boys. Young. Hip. Obtainable. Much of what is needed to go on.”  A static ring went off in Tyrone’s earpiece as he adjusted the reception to receive the incoming message. “Ah, they’re here. Should I let them come in?”

“Have they been briefed?”

Tyrone turned his back to Zapra with his hand on the earpiece, and asked; “have the boys been briefed? Zapra and I are very busy. We can only give them a few instructions and then off they’ll have to go.”

After more than twenty seconds Tyrone returned to Zapra who had the single -shot in between her thumb and index. “They have.”

With the glass raised high; “then here’s to the boys.” Zapra downed the whiskey; wiped her lips briskly; and pursed her lips unprettily; “and the part they’ll have to pay.” One cough arose … two coughs - and a choky clearance from the depths of her throat is cleared before the four boys came into the room.

Zapra had never looked-and-felt so strained, but she composed herself and stood upright attentively. It would all have to be attempted. There was no other way to go around it. And with that, she smiled politely and welcomed the boys into her fold. They would learn to love Lerus just as much as she did.