The chaos of the upcoming sieges grew more intense as they drew closer. There were still countless tasks to accomplish as the final hours came. The United Planets personnel ran across the corridors as fast as they could, increasingly paying less heed to tidiness. Amongst the turmoil, Anastasia walked through the busy halls carrying a black box. She navigated through a sea of people scrambling every which way.

  Anastasia tapped the shoulder of a young Aquis woman, getting her attention."Aurora, here are the samples!"

  "Thank the gods! Preparing for the sieges has been hellish! But at least something's going right!"

  "I certainly hope so! My team and I risked life and limp!"

  "It will be worth it!"

  "Will it? What could this Dr. Parker need ore from behind enemy lines for?"

  "Well, he has a weapon design-“ A thought appeared in Aurora’s mind. “Oh, no!"

  "What's wrong?"

  "I just remembered I have a ton of other work to do! I know you've been through a lot already, but please bring it to him?"

  "Fine! Since you're so busy!"

  "Thank you so much, special agent!"

  Later, Anastasia walked down the halls to Eugene's lab at the end of the corridor. She entered the room, seeing him at work on an experiment. She looked on curiously, gazing at his face, seeing him tinkering on a giant machine. But curiosity quickly became jubilant as a mistake with the device shocked him, making her laugh!

  "Who's there?" Eugene turned to Anastasia, hearing her laughter, stunned by her beauty!

  "Anastasia Nikolaev! A pleasure to make your acquaintance!"

  "E-Eugene Parker!" Eugene nervously stood up, walked to Anastasia, and extended his arm for a handshake.

  "I know! The boy genius, humanity's finest!" Anastasia took his hand.

  "I wouldn't go that far! But listen, I hate to be rude, but you have to go! I'm expecting someone!"

  "I know, Aurora! She was busy, so she asked me to deliver the ore!"

  "Really?"

  As an answer, Anastasia presented the black box to Eugene. He quickly took it from her, hurrying away. But as he went, he could still feel Anastasia’s grip on his hand. It was loose enough not to hurt him but tight enough to make him realize she didn’t want to release. However, he burst into a nervous sweat. “Anastasia?” Finally, she relented, allowing him to go to his lab table.

  "I-I can't imagine what I put our people through getting this, but it'll be worth it!"

  "You know it was my unit that got the mission! Special commando unit 4-G!"

  "Wow! Well, thanks! I owe you a thousand!"

  Anastasia hastily scanned the room from left to right, finding no one but Eugene and herself.

  "May I ask where your staff is?"

  "Lunch!"

  "While you're here slaving away alone?"

  "War waits for no man!"

  “When do you have time for your girlfriend? Or perhaps wife?”

  Eugene burst out laughing, drawing Anastasia’s bewildered gaze.

  “I’m afraid I missed the joke!”

  “I think we both know women prefer a quarterback!”

  “I suppose you’re an expert on women in addition to engineering?”

  “Just being realistic!”

  Eugene took the samples, examining them with surgical precision. But Anastasia strutted up behind Eugene, slowly pressing her breasts on his neck and wrapping her arms around him.

  “I’m a woman who prides herself on her unique tastes!”

  Eugene swiftly jumped out of his seat, sweating a storm! “All of a sudden, I feel hungry! I think I’ll go to lunch after all!”

  Eugene tried to leave Anastasia, but she forced him back onto the chair.”You can eat here!” She quickly sat down in his lap, opening her legs to both sides of his hips and looking at him inches from his face.

  "Anastasia, please, before you do something you'll regret! You should know I'm a loser!"

  "I'll judge that, thank you very much!"

  "But I-"

  "Owe me a thousand, remember? You have two hours of lunchtime to pay up!"

  Anastasia kissed Eugene with spirit, wrapping her arms around his neck in a vice-like grip. Eugene squirmed in shock, but as her succulent taste entered his mouth, he quickly calmed. He curled his arms around her body, enjoying her kiss. The sweetness of her beauty vanquished his inhibitions! But as his mind relaxed, Carter and Clive hurried into the lab!

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  "Doc Parker, I-"

  The men spotted Anastasia and Eugene in the chair with shocked eyes. The two didn’t notice them entranced in their embrace. But Clive soon drew their attention, bursting into a loud laughing frenzy, clutching his sides as they ached from jubilation. However, Carter only mustered a smile of surprise and joy as he saw Anastasia in Eugene's lap. The general couldn’t help but be proud of his scientist for landing such a beautiful woman.

  "We'll come back in thirty minutes," Carter said.

  "General Carter, wait! It isn't what it looks like, honest," Eugene shouted.

  "I apologize for my intrusion! Business before pleasure!" Anastasia Got off of Eugene.

  Anastasia hurriedly walked to the door but stopped as she opened it. "I'll find you later, Eugene!" Blowing him a kiss as she left.

  "Sirs, I would like to apologize for this!"

  "Never mind that, doc! I want to see my new sword!"

  "Of course, sir!"

  Eugene scrambled off his seat, leading Carter and Clive to a cabinet. He took two key cards from his pocket, swiping through the security scanner. As a loud beeping sound came, its doors burst open, revealing a sword! Carter gazed deeply at the blade's masterful craftsmanship. It was a beautiful, blood-red rapier with black circuitry shimmering below its surface. A sword whose every detail surpassed its predecessor!

  Carter took the sword in his hand, swinging it through the air. "Incredible! You've outdone yourself, doc Parker!”

  "Thank you, sir! The battle data from Planet Aqua was invaluable in making improvements!"

  "Such as?"

  "For one, it's far more resistant to heat and cold. I know you'll appreciate that!"

  "Too true!"

  "Secondly, I implemented my experimental power source, omega-X. It should make the energy attack more potent!"

  "Does she have a name?"

  "Yes, sir! Allow me to introduce the Alphas blade!"

  "Why don't you mass produce these?" Clive asked.

  Eugene pointed to the black box. "I would love to, but I can only make them with a special type of ore found behind enemy lines!"

  "Ore?"

  "Nimue ore! Only found on a water world with a single island, whose land radiates incredible energy!"

  "So do more with less! Story of my life! Thanks, doc," Carter said.

  "Of course, sir!"

  "Now that we've finished business. Let's talk man to man! If you want to get and keep a woman like that brunette dame-"

  "Leave my lab at once!" Eugene shouted.

  Later, as the sun set, Sarah again stood solitary on guard outside by the same door. But Lucas soon came.

  "Evening, Sarah!"

  "Evening, Fortis! How's your mom!"

  "Good, but overworked! Sarah, you won't believe what we're putting our farmers through!"

  "Sounds bad! Maybe you should request more leave time. Focus on caring for your mother!"

  "I tried to tell her that, but she wouldn't allow it! She wants me on the battlefield!" Lucas looked at Sarah deeply, observing her body from top to bottom, growing a nervous smile."And, well, with y-"

  Laughter burst from the door, drawing Lucas’ bewildered gaze toward it.

  "The happy couple's in there?"

  "My gods, for like the last hour! I've endured nothing but kissing sounds and the dumbest lovey-dovey speak!"

  "Sounds like torture! Why don't I take it from here?"

  "I can handle it!"

  "Why don't I stay anyway? I enjoy the company!"

  Sarah blushed, seeing Lucas'smile."F-fine! But it's your funeral!"

  Inside, Daisy and Carter cuddled together on a couch. She clung to his body with his arm wrapped around her, their eyes lovingly locked to each other. Carter gently cleared a strand of her hair from her face, looking at her like no other woman in the galaxy. And Daisy pulled Carter close, kissing him with roaring passion!

  "That was your best kiss yet, Damara!"

  "Why, thank you! But, General Carter, I’m starting to feel a little dirty! What would your girlfriend say if you keep seeing me like this?”

  As Carter heard Daisy, a surge of excitement rushed through his body. He was beyond surprised and overjoyed that she was indulging in role-play. And he kissed her back with the same passion.

  “What Daisy doesn’t know won’t hurt her!”

  “But seriously, can I admit something? It's making me feel bad!"

  "Shoot!"

  "A part of me is starting to like all this sneaking around! Something about having a secret romance feels exciting!"

  Carter kissed Daisy. "Don't feel bad! I'm in the same boat!"

  "Still, I wonder, will we have to do this forever? Or can we dispense with the secrecy when the war is over?"

  "I say we cross that bridge when we get to it!"

  "Maybe you're right! Let's focus on the sieges for now!"

  "It'll be hard not holding you like this for that long!"

  "Agreed!" Daisy kissed Carter.

  Meanwhile, Clive hurried through the streets, running to Ros, sitting by a fountain. His legs stiffened like boards, gazing intently at her beauty. The mighty warrior endured immense trepidation at presenting Daisy's gift to her. But he swallowed a lump of anxiety, forcing himself forward.

  "G-glad you could make it, Ros!"

  "Happy to! You're one of the few people I can talk to, Clive!"

  "Anytime!"

  "But I do have some extra work to attend to later. General Favian promoted me to captain!"

  "Congrats! Consider this a way of celebrating your new job!" Clive took a white box from a knapsack, giving it to Ros.

  "What is it?"

  "Open it and find out!"

  Ros slowly opened the box, gasping for air as she saw its contents! Inside laid a rainbow-colored shawl embroidered with stunning rose patterns! Ros slowly took the shawl, wrapping it around herself, enthralled with the coziness Daisy lovingly embedded within its threads!

  "It's so warm, Clive!"

  "I knew you'd like it!"

  Ros grew a frown, giving the shawl back to Clive."I do, but I can't accept it!"

  "Why?"

  "It's much too nice! It must have cost you a fortune!"

  Clive chuckled."Don't sweat it! I got it for free!"

  "You lie!"

  "I'm serious! My friend Daisy made it for me as a favor!"

  "You have a good friend, and she's immensely talented!"

  "Thanks!"

  Clive gently touched the side of Ros' face. Her heart skipped a beat, and her body trembled as if in the cold upon his touch!

  "C-Clive, please don't do this!"

  "I'm making you feel uncomfortable?"

  "Uncomfortable isn't the word I would use!"

  "Great! Because god, you're beautiful!"

  Clive placed his other hand on the opposite side of Ros’ face. And upon his touch, Ros trembled more as tears ran down her cheeks.

  "Please don't! You'll regret it!"

  "No, I won't!"

  "I've hurt so many! Please don't make me add you to the list!"

  "You won't!"

  As Clive pulled Ros closer, her trembling increased to its zenith. But inches from his face, Ros stopped, swiftly calming. As if in a trance, all her protests disappeared as she placed her hands at the sides of his face, readying to kiss him. However, as their lips neared each other's, the final and mightiest flare of rebellion came as Ros pushed Clive away!

  "This is sick!"

  "So we're from different species! Big deal!"

  "Clive, I'm a nemesis!"

  "So what? No one I know will give us heat! And for anyone that does, I'll-"

  "Let me finish! Do you know the average life expectancy for a nemesis?"

  "No! How much is it eighty, ninety years?"

  "Try around one thousand!"

  Clive's eyes widened with shock, scanning Rose from top to bottom."One thousand? Just how old are you?"

  "Consider me the nemesis equivalent of your human twenty-five years old!"

  "I-I don't care! I would rather have some time with you than none!"

  "I just can't do it!"

  Ros hastily ran away from Clive, crying. And Clive dropped onto the fountain, bowing his head in defeat as she went.