A double ping sounded throughout the ship. The ship would be entering normal space in moments. Riley grabbed Zed’s bicep. She needed something to brace herself against, and it was there. It had gotten to the point where she barely noticed how naked she was among those with clothing.

Zed hunched over the console, gripping the sides. Vgg-r eyed him and followed suit, hunched over the console while gripping its edge in his clawed paws.

Looking at the wolf-man, Riley was struck by how similar the two standing men were. They were roughly the same size and bulk, each with eyes that burned as they glared at each other across the console. Vgg-r was covered in fur with a thick lion's mane and pointy dog ears. Zed was bald, barefaced, and very human-looking, except for his unnatural size.

Zed’s eyes darted towards Riley, “You should grab a seat.”

Vgg-r answered, “The same risks you take, I take.”

Zed looked at him and grinned. Riley gripped Zed harder. There was no way she was going to be seen as weak in front of these two chest-thumping apes… or dogs… men in general.

“True enough,” Zed said evenly, “We’ve been through some rough spots.” He smiled, showing a grin that was warmer than Riley could ever imagine on such a hulk of a man.

“That we have,” the wolf nodded. He, too, smiled, although it was far from comforting. Downright unsettling, actually.

The ship lurched, and she gripped Zed’s arm tight. There was a moment of weightlessness, an unsettling feeling of queasiness, and then everything snapped back to its proper place. The shifting colors outside the viewport vanished and were replaced with comforting black void dotted with stars.

The hatch hissed open and the navigator entered the bridge. He shook his head, “It’s as bad as she said.”

“Fuck,” Zed hissed, “let's get a ping and start working on the next jump. We’re going to the starport in the Mykriam System.”

The navigator returned to his seat and began working, “We’re in the pipe. Spinning computer up… About five minutes to lock down jump co-ords.”

Vgg-r’s predatory eyes glanced at Riley. Naked there was little she could do to cover herself from the wolfman within breathing distance. She pressed herself to Zed’s arm.

“Jump when ready,” Zed told the navigator.

Vagg-r’s gaze went back to Zed. Neither one moved to take a seat. Even though the jump made Riley nauseous and weak, if the men weren’t moving, then neither was she. If she staggered and fell, Zed was right there. And Vgg-r. She was sandwiched between them as they stared each other down.

Vgg-r finally broke the awkward silence, “I’d like to sample your slave.”

“I’ll just bet you would,” Zed said. He made no move to cover or protect Riley. Instead, he stood staring over the console at the wolf. The Navigator’s eyes darted, looking at one, then the other, then buried himself in jump calculations.

“I still have a bottle of that Vuluvix wine. I’d be willing to share it.”

“What are you proposing?”

“Only what I’ve offered. I could enjoy the wine alone, but it’s much sweeter sharing with a respected packmate.” Vgg-r said.

“Hmmm, maybe some music, and some dance,” Zed glanced down at Riley.

Vgg-r’s gazed followed with a smile, “Like old times. After the breakout, and that first job.”

Zed laughed, “Just enough for a night at that brothel, but we couldn’t afford two slaves…”

Vgg-r practically purred, “Yes. Good times. Simpler times.”

It was a low, friendly growl, but to Riley, it sounded menacing. She squeezed Zed’s arm hoping this wasn’t going where she feared it was. The Navigator looked up cocking an eyebrow, Riley could read his lurid imagination playing on overdrive just from the grin.

She hated that they were talking about her like a commodity. But that’s what she was. Every moment on the ship she was reduced further, closer to being a thing. At the same time, the thought of being shared made her giddy. She felt wanted, desired. Her mind screamed no, but every nerve was amped up, excited at the prospect. Naked, in front of three men, talked about, inspected, she couldn’t help but squeeze her thighs together and feel spikes of warmth shoot through her.

Looking up at Zed she hoped he would decline. And hoped he’d accept.

There was a double ping from the speakers. Zed and Vgg-r stared at each other, while Riley noticed the navigator looking at her with a lecherous smile. The ship lurched. The stars distorted. Colors bathed the bridge. The nausea hit Riley and she staggered. A wave of weakness swept through her and she lost the grip on Zed’s arm.

Staggering, she fell backward. Right into the wolf. A furred arm wrapped around her. Then a thick, ruddy-skinned one did. The fur was so soft. The skin was so firm. All against her bare flesh. The contradicting sensations overwhelmed her. She was frozen, caught between the two hulking beasts. Both men moved in closer, surrounding her, engulfing her. She was tiny, lost between them. Trapped in their arms.

Riley looked up at Zed, hoping he would accept. Hating herself for wanting such base wanton desires. Praying he would decline. Praying he would accept. Unable to breathe or think.

Zed’s eyes caught hers. She could tell that he knew everything. Knew all about her careful considered upbringing. The focus on school, not social activities. Not many friends, no boyfriends. Never had she imagined being with multiple partners at once. And yet here she was on the cusp of having it occur twice. Two men. Two men. Zed could see how much she wanted it. How much she didn’t want it. If she had to choose, she’d be torn in two.

She realized suddenly how easy it was to let another choose. She didn’t have to think, to weigh choices and consequences. No lists of pros or cons. This was something she could relax into. The decision would be made for her. It was somehow freeing. Zed, of course, could see all of this on her face. See all of it to the core of her brain. When he looked away she was relieved, he was no longer reading her mind.

The two men stared eye to eye, nose to muzzle.

“Navigator, how long in hyperspace?” Zed said without moving his gaze.

“A short jump, three and a half hours.”

Zed spoke to the wolf very slowly, “That sounds pretty good, old friend. Get that wine, I’d love to sample it with you.”

Vgg-r gave a very fangy grin, “Aye, Captain.”

Sorry – just a tease for now – will post the juicy bits tonight.

First Part:

Degenerate Star Part 1