41 comments/  40823 views/  59 favorites

Project Phoenix Ch. 01

By: yaoi_lover_21



Hello Guys! This is my first erotic story. I plan on writing more chapters to Project Phoenix depending on the amount of interest there is for the story to continue. Any and all feedback is welcomed. Enjoy!

xxx YaoiLover21 

Prologue

In only a few thousand years mankind had come from a struggling primitive race to a full out destructive parasite. By then planet Earth was suffocating in its own waste. All of the world's oceans, lakes and rivers had become polluted beyond repair. Almost every tree on the planet had been cut down. All forms of animal life were extinct even cats and dogs. 

With man's advances in technology and medicine the human population ran rampant ravaging the planet and leaving wastelands and toxic swamps in their wake. By 2064 the Earth could no long support life. The pollution on the planet caused many diseases to flourish and new ones to develop. Cancer, TB, and Cholera swept through the major cities wiping out thousands. Soon the cemeteries filled to capacity and they started burning the bodies. The sky was gray across the globe for weeks. 

Then in 2069 a new virus appeared called EDTS, Environmental Degenerative Tissue Syndrome. Unlike all the other modern plagues this one was gender specific. Only females were susceptible to the disease. Once a person was infected their reproductive system was attacked. Every woman on the planet eventually died from massive blood loss or complications during the surgeries trying to fix them. It was fast but horribly painful. No women survived; men were left alone on a dying planet. 

The National Federation, the ruling body on Earth, decided on a proactive but radical plan to ensure mankind's survival. A group of doctors and engineers under the behest of the National Federation came up with a solution. In a neighboring star system a planet named Rius 22 was seen to be able to support human life. Originally part of a plan for relocating Earth's population, it was chosen as a testing ground for the Federation's new experiment. 

Surgeons had found a way to stop mankind from going extinct by implanting an artificial, modified female reproductive system in males, complete with a fully functioning uterus and ovaries. The only differences were that men would not experience a period due to the uterus growing a thicker membrane able to hold an egg until fertilization. Impregnation was only possible through anal intercourse. A microscopic duct was created in the rectal wall that could only be opened by the chemical reaction induced by sperm cells that cause the duct to expand. 

The National Federation decided to keep the project a secret while sending out a test expedition to Rius 22. The criteria for the program dubbed "Project Phoenix" had to be healthy, single, and most of all gay. The Federation didn't want to use straight subject in those early stages. 

Their main objective was to see if male impregnation was a viable option for propagation. Since the all-male population was mostly single (and straight) they chose to assign companions by personality traits, interests, and flaws. All of mankind's hopes were hinged on the success of Project Phoenix; hopes for a better world and a new chance at life.

Chapter 1

"Identification Pass Card" the burly Starship Guard barked at Mitch. 

"Here you go" Mitch replied. He was grumpy from being up so early but everyone who was part of Project Phoenix had to report two days before take-off. Mitchell handed over his Pass Card and looked at the Guard. He was built like a UFC fighter. With black hair, brown eyes, muscles everywhere which were covered in Laser tattoos; he certainly looked the part.

"You're cleared. Report to deck E, level 12 for briefing. They'll give you your work clearance, room number and tell you who your assigned companion is. Next!" The Starship Guard stepped to the side allowing Mitch to pass.

"Gee Thanks" Mitchell said. Work, room and boyfriend all at once huh, can't wait, he thought as he rolled his eyes. 

Mitch was twenty-eight, six foot one with dirty blonde hair that hung almost to his shoulders. He was built like a swimmer, tall and lean but muscular. He was definitely handsome not that he didn't remind himself daily. Mitch was very self-absorbed and prided himself on being the sexiest person on the planet...or so he told himself.

Mitch heaved his pack up and stepped onto the Prudential, a Federation Starship Cruiser. It was a huge, black, moving city with twenty-six different decks and over a hundred floors. It contained everything a person might need. The Starship was the largest in its class. 

Mitch went to one of the ele-ports and pressed Deck E. With a flash of light he was instantly transported to E deck. From there he took the hover stairs to sub-level 12. He followed signs to the E Deck Admissions Hall.

The Admissions Hall was a large room with white walls and hover chairs set up in rows. There were no windows just a row of clear InfoScanns in the front of the hall. There were maybe sixty people in the room. Some had sim-coffee; others just sat on their hover chairs looking either like living statues or scared out of their minds. Mitch took a seat near one of the walls.

A man about Mitch's age walked into the briefing room. He was strongly built with wide shoulders and a hard square jaw. He was about 6'5 or so. His body showed hard years in the Federation army, muscular and toned. The man was clean shaven, had short brown hair and wore the blue uniform of a Federation Starship Captain. Wow he's hot, Mitchell thought.

"My name is Dex Ordenal. I am the Captain of this Ship. I have chosen to brief you all personally because you will be matched with the senior official staff of the FSC Prudential" He spoke with a deep, rumbling voice. It sent shivers up Mitch's arms.

"In addition, as all of you are engineers you have been assigned the whole fifty sub levels of E Deck. Your clearance will be for this level, and your assigned work level. You are strictly prohibited to access any other level not allowed to you with your pass card. Offences will not be tolerated. We have placed a ship guide along with the rules and regulations code eBook in your rooms. Please read all of the material carefully." Captain Dex spoke sternly and directly making eye contact with members of the audience. 

"Before you are assigned your companions, I want to express the magnitude of our mission and stress its importance to us and our species. Try your best to assimilate and build relationships with your new companions." The Captain spoke these words quickly as if they burned his tongue coming out.

"Now please come up to the InfoScanns to receive your work assignments, clearance, and the profile on your companion. Please wait for the printout so that you have a copy." The Captain finished his speech, turned and walked briskly out of the hall. Mitch followed Dex with his eyes, watching as his round ass turned the corner. He licked his lips.

The men slowly rose from their hover chairs and walked up to one of the InfoScanns. An InfoScann was how information for large groups was displayed. The screen was made of clear memory glass with several heat sensor keyboard laid out on an outcropping ledge. One by one people got their assignments and found out the names of their mates on the printout.

Finally it was Mitch's turn. He walked up to the InfoScann and inserted his pass card into a small slot next one of the keyboards. The section of glass before him shimmered then pulled up his information. The computer spoke with a feminine voice, monotone and direct.

"Lieutenant Mitchell Stone. Your work assignment is Engineer to Deck G and all sub levels. Your room assignment is suite Starboard." Mitchell almost turned away until it continued reading.

"Official authorized additional clearance to the Ship's Helm and Control Room". The InfoScann spat out another piece of sim paper. Who would authorize an additional level clearance? And to the Helm no doubt, Mitchell thought. He picked up the piece of sim paper its powdery texture making his hands itch. At the bottom of the page it said: Matched Companion, Captain Dex Ordenal.

Mitch stared at the paper in disbelief.

"No shit?" He said out loud to no one in particular.

The Starship suite was a one of the best rooms on board. It had a large king sized bed, a recreation room and a spacious bathroom. Mitch smiled at the deep Jacuzzi like tub with a connecting shower. The room was fully furnished and covered in blue material, similar to silk, with silver painted accents. The room looked how the night sky used to look decades ago. Now if you wanted to see the blue sky you had to read an eBooks or visit a museum.

Mitch walked to an expansion closet next to the door that led to the bathroom. He opened it and a revolving belt with clothes on it moved until a section of free space was available to him. The storage capacity was expanded way beyond regular closets. Mitch assumed the clothes already there were the Captain's. Mitch was putting his shoes in the lower compartment when he heard a pass card being swiped through the outside access port. He turned around as the suite door slide up and open. He watched as the sexy and even bigger-in-person Captain Dex strode into the room.

"I trust you're getting settled easily. Dex's voice made Mitch shiver again. He hoped the Captain didn't notice. He did.

"Yea. I put my things away." They both stared at each other not sure what to say.

Mitch got the idea that the Captain was uncomfortable and even shy but he didn't know why. He was determined to find out.

"How long have you been Captain of the Prudential?" Mitch asked as he walked closer to Dex. He liked how the Captain took a step back.

"Six years."

"A man with experience I see" Mitch was standing maybe a foot away. Dex could smell his cologne.

Captain Dex shifted from foot to foot, like he was agitated. "Well, the voyage to Rius 22 will take approximately 3 weeks. Hopefully by then we'll be better... acquainted... and more comfortable." He didn't mean for it to come out sexual but Mitchell snickered anyway.

"Yea I look forward to getting better acquainted." He said then winked. The Captain seemed taken aback by Mitch's flirting and promptly turned on his heels and left. He called out that he'll be back for dinner around eight.

Mitch smiled to himself. He couldn't wait to spend more time with Captain Dex. He could wait even less to get him into bed.

When Dex returned to the suite Mitch was lying in a lounge chair in the rec room listening to some music on his digi player. He was lying on his stomach with his eyes closed wearing a black wife beater and matching boxer briefs. He didn't hear the Captain come in over the whirring music. Dex took the opportunity to take in Mitch's body. 

His strong shoulders and muscular arms, his tight thighs and small waist but most of all, his round firm ass. Dex got a mental picture of him pulling down Mitch's boxers and kissing each supple globe before running his tongue in between. Dex was shocked at his erotic thoughts and even more so at the fact that he was semi-hard. He cleared his throat. Mitch's head popped up from the lounge.

"Hey I didn't hear you come in." Mitch said as he turned off his digi player.

"Yea, the music. Are you ready to eat?" Dex said quickly trying to get the mental picture out of his head.

"Sure but first listen Captain," Mitch got up and went to stand in front of Dex. ", I know it's going to be a bit awkward because of the nature of our mission but why don't we try to make the best of it, okay?" Mitch came in closer to Dex, put a hand on his bicep and ran the other down Dex's chest.

Dex stepped back and removed Mitch's hand. 

"Only if you listen and realize that this is a mission from the Federation and not time to party and have fun. Business not pleasure understand?" Dex went to take a seat at the rec table. Mitch took a seat across from him.

"Right. Business. So what do I call you? I feel funny saying Captain all the time" Mitch said with a half grin he didn't believe Dex for a minute. He could tell the Captain was into him.

"Dex."

"Dex it is then. Are you ready to order Dex?"

"Yea sure I want a Deluxe." Mitch nodded then went up to the suite's ComPort and punched in the code for meal orders and punched in what they wanted. A clear tube in the corner near the table made a weird whooshing sound then two silver square packs about the size of a notebook appeared suspended in midair. 

Mitch walked over and picked them up then placed them in what looked like a microwave. He pressed a button and in three seconds it beeped. He pulled out two large trays piled with steaming food. Baked chicken, corn, mashed potatoes and a brownie for dessert were included. 

Mitch slide one tray in front of Dex and pulled the other one closer to him. Dex dug right in wasting no time. Mitch though it was a perfect moment to ask a particular question that was on his mind.

"So we're supposed to have sex pretty soon right?" 

Dex made a choking noise and spit out his mouthful of food on the table and looked up, his eyes huge. Mitch was staring back innocently, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"What!?" Dex said struggling to get his breath.

"Sex. That's the purpose of this project is for us to have sex and have kids right? You were the one reminding me about our business. Which involves sex doesn't it?

"Well when you put it like that then yes, but that's not how I meant it." Dex said trying to get himself under control.

"So when do you think we'll get to that exactly" Mitch had an evil glint in his eyes.

Dex could only stare. He'd never been addressed so directly.

"I really don't think this is the appropriate setting for this conversion, do you?" Dex said raising another spoonful of food to his mouth.

"How about after we eat?" Dex spit out his food again.

"No!"

"Oh pretty please" Mitch said beaming. "I know you want me I saw that hard-on you had when you came in. I vote we just get to it. The sooner we do it the sooner we can accomplish our mission." Mitch had the most devious look on his face. Dex was at a loss for words. He just stared at Mitch, his eyes bugging out.

"I promise you'll enjoy it." Mitch was smiling so big his white teeth were glinting.

"I said no Lieutenant." Dex addressed Mitch with his military title. Mitch held up his hands in mock surrendered but the smile wasn't gone from his face.

They returned to eating their food. Dex tried to not show that he was rattled but he did want Mitch, badly. Sleeping in the same bed tonight was going to be a challenge, for both of them.

"Want me to tuck you in?" Mitch asked. He and Dex were lying in bed under the sheets. Mitch had his head turned to Dex while Dex stared very intently at the ceiling. 

"No." Dex's mind was all over the place. As they were getting ready for bed he had watched Mitch strip down to nothing while Dex pulled on a pair of boxers. Dex caught a glimpse of toned abs, a nice cock and that juicy looking ass that drove him crazy. Mitch coughed. Dex's eyes shot up to Mitch's face to see that he had been caught staring; he quickly got in to bed. 

Knowing that he was in bed next to a naked man, especially one that looked like Mitch had him fully hard before his head hit the pillow. What the hell, he thought; you're a damn Captain of a starship get a hold of yourself!

Mitch wasted no time and decided to make the first move. Sitting up he leaned over Dex and planted his lips on Dex's. At first there was no reaction then very slowly Dex gave in and he returned the kiss. Mitch pushed on, running his tongue along Dex's lips. Dex yielded and opened his mouth. Soon they were French kissing deeply, hands roaming over arms and backs and shoulders.

"Wait!" Dex said out of breath trying to push Mitch off him. He was trying to focus but his head was spinning and his body seemed to be on fire.

Mitch didn't slow down and instead kissed Dex even more passionately. He slid his hands along the Captain's washboard stomach until he reached his cock. Dex let out a hearty groan as Mitch wrapped his hand around the meaty shaft. Dex had a thick cock. Mitch pulled back the covers so he could gaze at it. It was deep pink with a fat purple head already shiny and wet with precum.

"Relax Captain, I'm a pro" Mitch said as he lowered himself down and engulfed Dex's cock with his mouth.

"Unnng!" Dex gasped out. His eyes rolled back into his head and his hands gripped the sheets. It felt amazing! Mitch's mouth was so hot and wet. Mitch moaned around the cock in his mouth until the flared head bumped against the back of his throat.

Dex let out another loud groan and arched his back off the bed. He was going to come soon if Mitch kept this up.

Mitch could feel Dex's balls tightening in his hands as he deep throated Dex further. Dex started grabbing Mitchell's hair forcing his mouth to open wide to take more of his cock. He was so close. 

"I'm...I'm gonna come!" Dex nearly hollered out. He could feel his orgasm building from his toes headed straight for his cock.

Mitch didn't back off. He kept sucking on the thick shaft then did something that sent Dex over the edge...he started humming. The vibrations went through Dex's cock and he felt himself explode.

"Ahhh!" Jet after jet of sticky cum spewed out of his cock and down Mitch's throat. Mitch gagged at the first blast then moaned deeply as his own cock started to shoot come onto the sheets. 

Mitch swallowed every drop then kept sucking to keep the Captain hard. Dex's whole body was limp; he'd never come so hard in his life. 

Mitch rose up, his cock still dripping cum. He scooped some up and rubbed it against his puckered hole. He crawled up onto the Captain and straddled him. Dex didn't realize what was going on until Mitch took hold of his cock and placed it at his entrance. 

Mitch let out a sigh as Dex's large cockhead popped past his opening. Dex inhaled sharply, his body tense. Mitch pushed against the Captain's fat cock and slowly sank down the length until he felt the Captain's pubic hair brushing against his ass. Mitch moaned as his ass muscles rippled around the invading cock.

Dex was in heaven. Mitch was tight and if he hadn't already came in Mitch's mouth, he would have the second his cock was buried balls deep inside of that sexy ass.

"Fuck your tight!" Mitch smiled down at the Captain and slowly started to rise and fall onto his cock. The head was bumping against his prostate every time he sat back down driving a sexy gasp from his mouth every time. 

Mitch placed one hand on the headboard and the other on Dex's shoulder.

"Come on Captain fuck me...that's an order!" He said looking straight into Dex's eyes. 

Something inside of Dex switched on and the urge to cum took over. He grabbed hold of Mitch's ass, spread the cheeks and starts thrusting hard and fast up into Mitch's body.

Mitch screamed and gripped Dex harder. His cock was drooling all over Dex's chest.

"Yes Captain yes! Ugh God! Fuck me harder!"

Dex let out a growl and flipped Mitch onto his back, his cock slipping out. Mitch let out a pained cry until Dex thrust his cock back inside. Leaning down Dex leaned down and kissed Mitch hard, wrapping his fingers in Mitch's long blond hair. 

He picked up the pace and started pounding Mitch for all he was worth. Mitch cupped Dex's ass pulling him in deeper. His cock was wedged between both of their hard bodies. He reached down and grabbed hold of his long slender cock and started to pump his fist in time with Dex's thrusts. 

Dex was pounding Mitch as hard and as deep as he could. Sweat was dripping off his face as he continued to ram his cock in and out of Mitch's ass.


Project Phoenix Ch. 01



"Fuck I'm cumming!" Mitch yelled as his cum spurted from his cock. It landed on his chest and slid down his fist as he kept pumping. Mitch's ass clamped down on Dex's cock and Dex groaned deep in his chest as Mitch's ass milking him. Dex came so hard that his whole body froze up and his legs started shaking.

Dex collapsed onto the bed as they both tried to catch their breath. All you could hear was panting and a low moan occasionally as they came down from their sexual high.

Several minutes later the clear transport tube made a whooshing sound and a letter appeared. Mitch sat up slightly and turned his head.

"Dex it's a letter could you get that? I don't really have the use of my legs right now." Mitchell had a sloppy grin on his face. 

Dex could only nod his mouth not able to form words at the moment. He got out of bed slowly to retrieve the letter. It was addressed to Lt. Mitchell Stone. Dex handed it to Mitch.

"It's for you Lieutenant."

Mitch rolled his eyes as he took the letter. He opened it and sucked in air rapidly as he read its contents.

Dex eyed him suspiciously. "What is it?"

Mitch didn't look up from the letter. "My surgery has been scheduled."

Dex's mind was still foggy and thoughts of regret were slowly seeping in. "What surgery?"

Mitch turned to Dex, annoyance written all over his face. "The one that'll make it so I can carry a child; that surgery."



Project Phoenix Ch. 02



Hello Guys! I am so thankful for all the supportive comments I got for Chapter 1. I tried to take my time with this chapter and flesh out the characters better and set up some plot points for the future. I agree with you that Dex and Mitch needed their personalities to shine more so I attempted that with this chapter. I hope this chapter contains less grammar and spelling errors. I've also included some hints to Dex's past as well. The next chapter will focus more on Mitch's modification surgery and Dex opening up more.

Also, just to address some of the comments comparing my story to The Harvest... the two stories may be similar in the fact that they both involve male pregnancy and are set in the future but that is where the similarities end. And as I continue to write more chapters that fact will hopefully become more apparent. The Harvest is EXTREMELY well written and I have great respect for both NMT and WendyDru, but I do think its a bit unfair to say that the subject of male pregnancy is now off limits. I understand that readers of both series really cannot help comparing and NMT has set the bar really high for me but I hope that as the story continues for Dex and Mitch readers will see that this series is not intended as a copy and really has a life of its own.

Again any and all feedback is welcomed.

Enjoy!

xxxYaoiLover21






Project Phoenix 

Chapter 2 

Three Years Ago, New Hope National Federation Base. 

"What the hell! Are you cheating on me!?" 

"No! Jesus Kay, it's not what it looks like." 

"It looks like I caught you screwing around with your damn Navigating Officer!" 

Dex's wife, Kay, was standing in the middle the FSC Prudential Control Room. Her pale face was red, her piercing blue eyes wild and red rimmed staring right at Dex. 

Dex was hastily trying to button up his uniform shirt as his Navigating Officer pulled up his pants and grabbing his shirt ran from the deserted Control Room, his youthful face embarrassed and ashamed. 

"Kay it's...it's nothing! It meant nothing." Dex was caught red handed. He didn't know what to say. His beautiful wife had just walked in on him fucking one of his officers. Dex had told Kay that he had to report to the Prudential for a systems check. The Prudential was ghostlike, barely anyone was on board. 

"So you admit it! Dex I'm your wife! What the hell were you thinking". Kay was screaming and crying as she advanced on Dex angry. She picked up a metal communicator and threw it at him. Dex was nearly two feet taller than his petite wife, and easily avoided it. He met Kay and grabbed her arms, tight. 

"Kay! Listen to me! It meant nothing. It's just a fuck. I love you!" 

"Fuck you. Love? This is how you show you love me? Cheating on me, and with a man on top of that!" Kay started thrashing around hitting Dex in his chest. She wrestled free when she caught Dex under his chin with a right hand. She ran towards the Control Room door but turned before she left. 

"How could you?" She was calm but she looked so destroyed; it broke Dex's heart. 

That was the last time Dex saw her alive. 

　 

　 

Dex sat up, reaching out at nothing. He was covered in sweat and his heart was beating fast. It took him a minute to figure out where he was. Dex was laying on a portable bed in his office down the hall from the ship's Helm. 

Dex swung his legs over the side of the the bed and took a deep breath. Last night he'd left Mitch, naked and alone in their suite after receiving the letter scheduling Mitch's modification surgery. 

Dex been equally surprised by the surgery notice. It brought Dex crashing back to reality fast. So many emotions came over Dex in that moment. He was torn between wanting to comfort Mitch to being overwhelmed with guilt and disappointment. 

Dex prided himself in the fact that he was a good Captain and good soldier. He always followed orders and obeyed commands from the Federation. But this time he felt like he couldn't go through with it. Dex had made a promise to his wife and that promise conflicted with his current assignment. 

So in that moment when he was naked in bed watching Mitch read that letter Captain Dex had chose the easiest option, he ran. He got dressed and left as quick as he could. 

Dex had never felt anything romantic for a man in his life. Dex had had sex with men of course, he always liked the feeling of a hard body under him. The feeling of lean muscle and strong arms grabbing his waist was an instance turn on. But love? Never. Love wasn't something Dex believed he could feel for a man short of the brotherly love shown between Federation soldiers. 

But Dex had to admit he had felt something for Mitch. The look of shock on Mitch's face when he read the letter made Dex want to wrap his arms around him. Dex couldn't deal with those feelings so he had stayed away from Mitch and their room. 

Dex got up off the bed and went to stand in front of the wide window in his office. He gazed out at the base, watching as people flitted about reading the ship for take off tomorrow. Captain Dex stretched and felt his muscles protest. His whole body was aching and not just because he'd been sleeping on a flimsy portable bed. His body craved Mitch. Dex desperately wanted to return to the suite and tackle Mitch. The feeling of Mitch's mouth on his cock skillfully bring him to the brink of and orgasm made Dex groan. Dex wanted to bury his cock in Mitch's ass until he came deep inside him. 

Dex put his face in his hands. 

"What the hell am I gonna do?" He had to return to change his uniform at least and he didn't think he could take sleeping in his office another night. 

Dex growled and got dressed. It was 4am but he couldn't sleep so figured to he'd get an early start to the day. 

But all day the feelings of frustration and wanting plagued him. He was a Starship Captain with years of experience. He was trained in handling his emotions, to make hard decisions, but for the life of him he didn't think he could stop whatever feeling that were growing for Mitch. 

Dex eventually came to the conclusion that he had to face Mitch and what ever feeling were waiting for him back at the suite. His sanity depended on it. 

　 

　 

"Dammit! Work!" Mitch angrily kicked at the orbital decompressor with his foot. He'd been on E Deck level eight trying to get the floor's decompressor to work. If it didn't relieve the pressure on the level then they'd have to clear the whole floor. Mitch has been at it for over four hours and the stupid thing still would not kick on. 

"Hey, easy. Be nice". A gravelly voice floated into his ear. Mitch turned around to see another engineer leaning against the door way to the maintenance room. 

They guy was handsome. He was tall with dark brown eyes, full lips, and wavy black hair almost as long as Mitch's. His body was tight, like he lifted weights often. Bulging arms with laser tattoos swirling around them were crossed in front of him. He looked tough, strong, and pretty hot in a bad boy sort of way. 

"I'm always nice" Mitch said returning the engineer's wide smile. Mitch was still annoyed but he was a natural flirt, he couldn't help it. 

"I hope not too nice" the man said with a wink. He stepped away from the door and walked closer to Mitch. He looked Mitch up and down like he was a steak ready to be eaten. 

Mitch watched the guy eye him. Mitch knew he was hot and usually being hit on by a stud really got him going but the Captain was still on his mind. 

"So what made you so angry that you were taking it out on that decompressor?" The engineer ran his hand along the equipment like he was caressing a lover. He looked sideways at Mitch. 

"Boyfriend troubles I guess." Mitch wiped the sweat off his brow and backed up against the maintenance room wall. He sighed and put his hands in his hair. Mitch had been in a bad mood since the other night when he and Dex had slept together. Mitch still couldn't believe how the Captain had reacted. 

"What a shame." 

"Yea you look really sad to hear it". 

"Sad for the other guy maybe. My names Larsten Copeland, by the way but call me Sten." The engineer said holding out a hand to Mitch. 

Mitch stepped close and shook it. 

"Mitch." Mitch backed away. He wasn't really in the mood to deal with being hit on. It was nothing new but he couldn't get the picture of Dex's emotionless face out of his mind. How could Dex just stand up got dressed and leave the suite without even saying a word! 

"Ass" Mitch said to himself. 

"Excuse me?" Sten was staring at Mitch confused but the predatory look was not gone from his eyes. 

"Oh sorry not you. Just thinking about my...my um..companion". Mitch felt weird saying the word. 

"Well how about you tell me about him while I help you get this decompressor to work" Sten offered. 

Mitch didn't really want his help but he was frustrated already and figured he could handle Sten if he got out of hand. 

"Sure why not". Mitch and Sten stood next to each other fiddling with the decompressor as Mitch gave him a quick run down. Sten was barely paying attention he couldn't keep his eyes off of Mitch's body. 

　 

　 

"Thanks for the help today" Mitch said to Sten. They were standing outside of Mitch's suite. It had taken another two hours to get the orbital decompressor to work but they'd finally managed it. 

Mitch was happy it was over. Sten had wandering hands and more than once Mitch had to remove one from his back or legs. Sten kept trying to cop a feel. 

"No problem. So can I come in?" Sten said staring into Mitch's eyes. 

"Um no. With launch tomorrow I'd better get sleep. Plus don't you have a companion of your own to get back to?" Mitch really wanted Sten to leave. 

"Yea but he's some Navigation Officer. He knows who's boss. He can wait. I promise I won't keep you up...too long". Sten moved closer to Mitch wrapping a thick arm around him. 

Mitch leaned back and put his hands on Sten chest. He really didn't want to be that close to him. 

"I said no." 

"Come on don't be a tease." Sten leaned in and started sucking on Mitch's neck. Mitch tried to push him away but Sten stuck another arm around him keeping him still. 

"Get off!" Mitch brought up a knee and hit Sten right in the balls. 

Sten yelped and jumped back, bending over. He looked up at Mitch, fury in his eyes. 

"You fucking tease!" Sten stood up and pulled back a fist reading to strike Mitch. 

Suddenly two hands were around Sten's throat. Sten gasped and clawed at the big hands that were cutting off his oxygen supply. 

Dex brought his face close to Sten's. 

"He said no. Now I suggest you leave before I have you up on charges for assaulting a superior officer, Corporal!" Dex shouted at Sten. Dex's eyes were large, his voice low. He let go of the man's throat like he was tossing a wet rag from his grip. 

Sten collapsed to the floor, sputtering and coughing. He stood up and ran; his eyes still bright with hatred as he turned a corner then was gone. 

Mitch was frozen still. The sight of Dex strangling Sten, his arms swelling as Dex used all his power to squeeze the life out of Sten. It was the hottest thing Mitch had ever seen. He was still thoroughly pissed at Dex for walking out the other night but hell if he wasn't completely turned on by the Captain's manly display. 

Dex was breathing heavy trying to calm himself down. He was facing with his back to Mitch and didn't see Mitch's eyes burning into him. How dare that asshole lay a hand on his companion!? Dex was furious. 

He had been on the way to the suite to try and talk to Mitch when he'd seen Sten and Mitch talking outside the room. Dex recognized Sten as the companion to his Navigating Officer. Mitch seemed uncomfortable as the guy clearly was coming on to him. Dex just watched until Sten had forced himself on Mitch. Dex had suddenly become filled with rage and a feeling of possession at seeing Sten touching Mitch. 

Dex was letting out a slow growl like an animal. Mitch groaned, his cock hard. He stepped around Dex and attacked Dex's lips with his own. Mitch was so turned on, his body was on fire. 

Dex was caught a bit off guard but soon returned the kiss, harder and deeper. He pulled Mitch in close and devoured him with his mouth. His anger at Sten turning into white hot lust for Mitch. Dex forgot all about his shyness and guilt from the other night. 

Mitch pressed against Dex, his cock hard tenting his pants. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his Pass Card. He managed to swipe it through the port and both he and Dex stumbled into the suite their mouths never breaking apart. 

Dex's grip on Mitch was hard, almost bruising. His mouth was everywhere trying to taste all of Mitch. Dex's cock was hot and throbbed painfully. 

Mitch broke the kiss and pushed Dex on the bed. He stared down at the Captain all hot and bothered breathing heavily as his face turned red. Mitch saw the outline of Dex's magnificent cock through his pants and bit his lip. 

"So I guess...I should thank you for coming to my rescue in a sense." Mitch could barely get the words out. 

Dex shook his head, trying to clear it so he could understand what Mitch was saying. His mind was clouded by lust and his body was pulsing. 

"I also guess I should reward you huh?" Mitch said a sexy smile on his face. He didn't wait for Dex to respond. He quickly stripped off his clothes and crawled onto the bed with his legs straddling Dex. 

Dex's hands roamed over Mitch's chiseled chest and stomach. Mitch's body was hard and sweaty. Dex sat up a bit and ran his tongue up Mitch's abdomen then latched his mouth onto one of Mitch's nipples causing him cry out. 

Mitch cradled Dex's head as Dex played with his nipples. Mitch reached down to unbuttoned Dex's shirt. He got frustrated after a couple buttons and tugged hard, ripping it and pulling off of Dex. 

Dex growled as Mitch tore off his shirt and encased Mitch in his arms as he sat up still sucking on Mitch's chest. Mitch moaned and went to undo Dex's fly. He moaned as Dex's thick cock sprung free from his pants. 

Mitch disentangled himself from Dex's arms and wrapped a hand around Dex's manhood making Dex shudder and moan. 

"Fuck" Dex said as his cock weeped precum onto Mitch's hand. 

Mitch pumped his fist slowly over Dex's cock watching as it jerked in his hand and it swelled even bigger. 

Mitch let go of Dex for a second to slip his hands into Dex's pants and pulled them down. 

Dex kicked them off and took Mitch's hand and placed it back around his cock. 

Mitch and Dex stroked in unison, staring into eachothers eyes. 

Mitch thought about all the nameless encounters he'd had with guys over the years but he'd never felt anything so electric as when he was with Dex. Dex made his whole body yearn to be touched. Mitch had never felt anything as intense. 

Similar thoughts were racing through Dex's mind as Dex helped Mitch stroke his cock. Dex never wanted another person as bad as he wanted Mitch. It felt so right having Mitch's naked body pressed against his with Mitch's cock drooling onto his thigh. But still Dex felt a twinge of guilt. A picture of Kay came into his mind, her face flushed with tearing streaming down her face. 

Dex let out a groan at the memory. His hand stilled over Mitch's, stopping their hands from gliding up and down his engorged cock. 

"Hey, hey" Mitch said concerned. He saw a pained expression come across the Captain's face. He kissed Dex softly on the lips. Dex's jaws trembled. 

"What is it?" Mitch was trying to comfort Dex. Mitch's body desperately wanted Dex inside him but he ignored his body's pleas. 

Dex had his eyes shut tight. He could feel his body throbbing, begging for release but the image of his wife wouldn't go away. 

"I..I can't" Dex let out a sigh. 

"Why what's wrong?" Mitch searched Dex's face, trying to read his expressions. "Is it about last night?" 

Dex groaned lightly. The guilt and fear from that night slowly creeping back into his sex crazed brain. 

"Partly that. There's just... I can't... Kay" 

"Shhhh" Mitch didn't know what Dex was talking about, he assumed it was about the modification notice he's received. He didn't know who Kay was but he had the hunch that he needed to stop Dex from thinking. 

"It's okay Captain, just feel don't think" Mitch leaned down and kissed Dex. He wrapped his hand back around Dex's cock and started stroking again. 

Dex tried to tell Mitch to stop but that his body was vibrating again. He let out a moan instead as Mitch worked his cock. Thoughts of Kay slowly disintegrating. 

Mitch kissed his way down Dex's chest and ran his tongue on the underside of Dex's cock. Dex's hips jerked. 

Mitch ran his tongue in circles on Dex's cock as he tasted the precum dribbling down the side. He moved his mouth up and sucked on the head. 

"Ahhh fuck!" Dex gripped Mitch head trying to make him take more. 

Mitch smiled around Dex's cock and opened his mouth wide as Dex rammed his fat cock inside. 

Dex started to face fuck Mitch hard. Mitch just moaned and sucked, willing Dex to let go and stop thinking so much. 

Dex didn't last long. He howled as his cum shot down the back of Mitch's throat. His toes curled as his balls released their store of cum into Mitch's gut. 

Mitch choked a little when Dex's cum hit him in the back of his throat. He tried to swallow as much as he could but some of it ran out the sides of his mouth and dripped onto his chest. 

Mitch cleaned off Dex's cock and layed down beside him. Dex was panting fast. 

Mitch pulled Dex onto him and kissed him. Dex could taste his own cum in Mitch's mouth. 

Mitch hadn't cum and is cock was an angry red. It slide up between Dex and Mitch's body as they made out. 

"Suck me" Mitch said to Dex as Dex was sucking on his collar bone. 

Dex froze and looked up Mitch. 

"What is it now?" Mitch said. He wanted to cum bad and this time he couldn't stop his body from screaming it in his mind. 

"I've umm....never..you know...?' Dex managed to blush a bit. Mitch thought it was cute, he loved the Captain's shyness. 

"Its tastes good, you'll like it" Mitch said sexily running his tongue over Dex's lips. 

Dex's blush deepened as he felt Mitch grind his cock up into his groin. 

"I don't think I can." Mitch let out a whine and pouted. He really needed to come. 

"Ok well you seemed pretty comfortable last night ramming yourself inside of me. Lets go with that then." Dex smiled nervously and looked away, but nodded. 

Dex spread Mitch legs apart and got between them. His cock had grown hard again from making out, it jutted proudly from between his legs. 

"Good boy" Mitch said as he spit into his hand and wrapped it around Dex's cock. It was still sticky with cum and Mitch's spit. 

Dex shuddered slightly as Mitch worked him. He sat back a bit and took hold of his cock. Dex pressed the head against Mitch's hole. 

Mitch swore as Dex's fat cockhead entered him. The pain and pleasure making his body tingle. He arched his back as Dex leaned down towards him, his cock sliding slowly into him down to the base. 

Dex sighed as he felt his long, thick cock completely encased by Mitch's tight ass. He gripped one of Mitch's legs and placed it on his shoulder. 

Mitch moaned as Dex started to thrust into him. Dex would nearly pull all the way out before sliding back in slowly. Mitch gripped the sheets as his ass was worked open by Dex's big cock. 

Dex started to pick up the pace. He started ramming into Mitch driving small yelps from Mitch's mouth. Mitch was so tight he wanted to stay inside him forever. 

Mitch's cock was flat against his belly, pre cum steadily flowing out as Dex assaulted his prostate with every thrust. 




Project Phoenix Ch. 02



"Fuck yes Captain. Make me cum!" Mitch felt his balls tighten. He screamed as cum sprayed from his cock, driven out by Dex's cock in his ass. 

Dex hissed as Mitch's ass clamped down on him. He cried out too as he came for the second time. 

Dex fell forward onto Mitch, letting Mitch's leg down from his shoulder. 

Mitch moaned. He liked the way Dex felt laying between his legs, his cock still buried inside him. Mitch flexed his ass muscles making Dex jump and yelp. 

"Don't do that!"

Mitch laughed as Dex pulled out of him and laid on his stomach next to Mitch, his body twitching slightly. Mitch thought it was a good moment to confront Dex with what had happened the other night. 

"Are you gonna run out again like yesterday?" Mitch said slowly, he was trying to tread lightly. 

Dex turned his head away from Mitch and rested his head on his arms."No" was all he said. 

"So what was that about?" Mitch was surprised to hear the hurt in his voice. Dex really got under his skin. 

"It's complicated." Dex didn't want to talk about last night. He didn't want to think he just wanted to enjoy the post-sex afterglow. 

"I'm in no rush." Mitch said. He wanted to get all he could out of Dex before he shut down on him. 

"Look I'm..sorry about...the uh...the other night." Dex didn't even turn to say it to Mitch's face. 

"Yea you seem really apologetic" Mitch scoffed sarcastically. Mitch sat up and pulled the sheet up to cover him. 

Dex turned over and looked at Mitch. He didn't want to hurt him but he wasn't ready to talk about his feelings or Kay or anything else. 

"What else do you want me to say?" 

"I don't know know maybe tell me why the hell you high tailed it out of here last night? You didn't seem in a hurry to get away when we were in bed!" Mitch said angrily as he got out of bed and reached into the closet to get some shorts. He pulled them on and turned to glare at Dex. Why did Dex have to be so damn mysterious?! It was driving Mitch crazy. 

"You do realize we're supposed to be companions, right? I mean for fuck's sake I'm gonna have a surgery to make it so I can get pregnant! If a fuck scares you and sends you running for the hills how are we going to got though with this?!" Mitch said the last words with a defeated sigh. He sat down heavily on the bed. 

Dex didn't know what to say. He wanted to comfort Mitch but something held him back. Being affectionate with another man was still too much for Dex to deal with. He scooted up behind Mitch and placed his hand on his shoulder awkwardly. 

Mitch shook his head as he felt Dex's hand resting on his shoulder. He was angry but also hurt and that confused him. One second he was on fire for the guy the next he was totally annoyed. 

"I really am sorry. It's just there are things that I'm just not used to. Getting a boyfriend pregnant surpringly not being number one." Dex said to Mitch's back. 

"Done this before have you?" Mitch said not turning to look at Dex. 

"That's the thing no I haven't. But it's not even the pregnant thing its the boyfriend part. I've never been in a relationship with a man." Dex looked away staring off to the side. 

"Well you didn't seem like a virgin." Mitch shifted back onto the bed to lean up against the headboard. 

"No I've had sex with guys before just never...anything...I don't know...more". 

"Me neither believe it or not". Mitch and Dex stared at eachother. Mitch could see the turmoil Dex was in. Dex was used to being in control of his feelings this was new to him. 

"I get it Dex but somehow we have to work it out. We don't have a choice." 

"I agree. Could we just take things one step at a time? It's just too much." 

"Fine." Mitch said suddenly softening, his anger gone. He really liked Dex, he didn't want to push him further but he hadn't forgotten about Dex talking about someone named Kay. He made a mental note to bring that up later. 

Mitch was surprised at how relaxed he was with Dex. He was used to protraying this sexy, confident heart breaker but with Dex it was different. Mitch really cared about what Dex thought of him. He didn't want to come off as this cocky ass (which never bothered him before). 

Dex wasn't looking at him, he seemed to be in his own world but he appeared calmer. 

"So, Lieutenant, when is your surgery scheduled for?" Dex said snapping back to the present. 

"Ugh! I hate it when you call me that." Mitch said. "The day after take off." 

Dex took a deep breathe and stared into Mitch's eyes. Take off was tomorrow. Mitch was afraid but not as much as he thought he would be. He'd always wanted to have children someone day, granted not exactly like this. To be honest Mitch was more afraid of what secret that Dex was keeping than the surgery. 

"Well I'm here." Dex said slowly. 

Mitch just nodded. 

They both eventually got out of the bed and cleaned up. They didn't speak. So much was left unsaid but neither one of them was ready to ask the questions or hear the answers. They were still unsure of their feeling for the other and Mitch was full of questions he wanted to ask Dex but the emotional rollecoaster had exhausted them both. 

Mitch was asleep first. His dreams a mass of confusion; Sten cornering him in a hospital room as faceless doctors closed in on him, Dex nowhere in sight. 

Dex was haunted by his own nightmares about Kay, watching her scream and cry telling him how he betrayed her...again.



Project Phoenix Ch. 03



Hello Guys, I'm sorry it took me so long to post this chapter. I had to go back and edit the chapter a few times until they'd accept it (and I'd kept adding things to it lol).

But I'm really proud of this chapter. I really wanted Mitch to come off more sympathetic. I also wanted to try and portray, as accurately as I could, the feelings of man who was faced with the mind blowing idea of being able to get pregnant and what that would mean for his self-esteem. In addition I wanted Dex to start to face his past and his feelings for Mitch.

Overall my goal was to make the characters seem as human and genuine as possible. I hope I succeeded. I can't wait for your comments!

Enjoy!

xxxYaoiLover21


Project Phoenix


Chapter 3


Take off for the FSC Prudential was delayed for another day due to mechanical problems on board. Luckily the engineering, mechanical staff and the other crewmen were able to fix the malfunctions. Mitch and Dex didn't see much of each other before take off. Mitch was constantly repairing equipment and running from level to level supervising ship mechanics. Dex had his hands full with running system scans, checking over spaceship plans, and double checking everything in between.

Finally the FSC Prudential launched off into space. The take off was smooth with no mishaps. A sigh of relief seemed to ripple through the ship. The atmosphere had been pretty tense the first couple of days. With people getting situated and meeting their companions. Understandably people had been on edge for awhile. 

Mitch had to check in for the modification surgery soon. He wasn't in a rush. The idea of carrying a child didn't scare him as much as he thought it would. He always wanted to be a dad, he just didn't see it happening quite like this so he just pushing the thought from his mind. Mitch believed in the program and wanted to help his planet.

Mitch was in the gaming corridor on level 10 when Dex walked up beside him.

"Hey!" Mitch said surprised.

"Hey. Where you headed?" Dex looked a bit tired but seemed happy to see Mitch.

"The Arena. I'm gonna play a last game of HoverBall before my surgery." 

"Ah. Mind if I join you? I have a few hours until I have to return to the Helm." Dex was in a good mood; the stress of preparing for take off finally off his shoulders.

Mitch was taken aback at Dex's positive attitude. He was usually such a closed off guy. Mitch didn't know whether to trust it or not.

"Umm, sure." Mitch said hesitantly. They hadn't really spoken since their awkward talk the day before. Mitch still had a lot of questions but that didn't seem like the time to bring them up.

"I just have to warn you I played lead on my university team." Mitch smiled full of pride and intimidation choosing to go with the flow for as long as it lasted.

"I think I can take you Lieutenant". Dex seemed sincere enough.

"We'll see about that, Captain". Mitch raised his eyebrow.






Two hours later Dex collapsed onto the Arena floor exhausted. Mitch dropped down next to him. They were both shirtless, having removed their uniform tops as they started to work up a sweat. Dex was able to hold his own in HoverBall but Mitch wasn't lying when he said he was great. He was able to throw the hallow titanium ball across the hover field with ease and perfect aim. The score was 14-10 Mitch.

"Not bad for an amateur." Mitch said out of breath at Dex, he was beaming proudly. He'd really enjoyed spending time with Dex without the black cloud that seemed to hang around the Captain.

"Huh, I'm pretty sure you cheated at those last two throws." Dex layed back on the sim-grass. It was cool and rubbery against his skin.

"You wish." Mitch was looking Dex's body up and down. Their eyes caught as Dex watched Mitch examining his physique. 

Dex nervously cleared his throat and looked away."You worried about your surgery?" Dex tried to break the ice.

Mitch was brought out of a particular naughty daydream of Dex learning the art of sucking cock.

"A little." Mitch shrugged off the question. Dex got the feeling Mitch was avoiding talking about it.

"Well you've got to be a little nervous. I mean its the core of our mission to Rius 22, Lieutenant. I have to admit, I am." 

"I said a little, didn't I?" Mitch was getting annoyed for some reason. Why couldn't Dex use his mouth for something other than talking?

"And besides, what's put you in such a chatty mood? I'd think you'd be freaked about my surgery?" 

Dex had to admit that the idea of Mitch having surgery so he could have Dex's child did terrify him, but it was what he'd signed up for. He knew going in what Project Phoenix was all about and what would be required of him. His new attitude was partly attributed to that. As Captain of the FSC Prudential, Dex felt that it was his duty to lead by example. After all, he was the one at orientation urging everyone to try to assimilate and get to know their new companions.

"I am freaked out but its part of our mission. And I intend to follow my orders." Dex didn't mean for it to sound so cold. He failed miserably.

Mitch stiffened at Dex's statement. So all this was just him following orders, huh? Anger swept over Mitch.

"Following orders!? Well screw you too, wait... already did that." Mitch said with a deadly edge. He stood up off the sim-grass and put his shirt back on. Dex just had to spoil the moment didn't he?

"Wait, Mitch, I didn't mean to upset you!" Dex was backtracking fast. "I just meant-that I'm going to follow through, you know? Hold up my end of the bargain." 

"Bargain? Please, just stop talking." Mitch stood glaring at Dex as Dex got up and put on his shirt as well. Mitch was still fuming but he tried to keep his composure.

"Mitch, I'm sorry." Dex mumbled. Why did dealing with Mitch turn him into a stuttering teenage boy?

"I said stop talking." Mitch was clearly aggravated.

Suddenly a voice came over the ship's com unit.

"Attention. Lieutenant Stone please report to the Maintenance Room on G Deck level 24. Repeat, Lieutenant Stone please report to G Deck." Mitch silently thanked the heavens.

"Well that's me. Look I've got to go."

Dex only nodded, figuring it was safer not to say anything.

"My surgery is tomorrow at 3pm on M Deck, Sick Bay. You can..umm...come if you want." Mitch whispered quietly before he left.

Dex smiled and nodded again. Mitch returned the grin but his heart wasn't in it.

As Mitch stepped onto the ele-port outside the arena he couldn't help but feel that suddenly the clock was ticking down to his doom. 






Dex returned to the ship's Helm silently kicking himself for upsetting Mitch. The Captain's mood took a turn for the worst when he saw his Navigating Officer, Sergeant Nathaniel Zimms sporting a black eye.

"Good morning Captain." Nathaniel greeted Dex. A chorus of good mornings followed as the other members of the flight crew addressed the Captain as well. 

The Helm was always noisy. There were officers talking and displaying maps, machines beeping, and the whooshing sounds of hover screens turning on; a few companions were there too. It seemed that some people adjusted pretty fast to being part of the Project Phoenix.

"Good morning Zimms. What happened to your face?" Dex asked but he already knew the answer.

"Oh..erm... nothing, Captain. I was playing around with some of the guys yesterday and got clumsy. It's nothing." Nate seemed to be reassuring himself more than Dex.

"Lying to a superior officer is punishable with up to 1 year in the stockade. Do you really want to go there with me, Zimms?" Dex was not in the mood to beat around the bush.

Nate let out a sigh and looked down. Nate was short, with green eyes, milky skin and a mass of red curls. He looked much younger than his 25, especially when he smiled and showed off his dimples.

Nate wrung his hands together and and let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. It was Sten. He was pretty angry last night. But Sir he didn't mean it! He's already apologized." Nate was talking fast like he was covering for a friend when they skipped school. 

"Zimms- Nate, this isn't a good sign." Dex put a hand on the young officer's shoulder. "You should go to the Project Office and request a different companion. I'm sure they won't hesitate since you have proof of abuse". Dex spoke in a low voice so only he and Nate could hear. Dex had been protective of Nate since all those years ago when they used to be lovers.

"Thanks Dex, but it won't happen again. I promise." Nate grabbed Dex's hand quickly and squeezed it before turning and walking away.

Dex watched Nate turn away. He wanted to have Sten up for court martial for hurting Nate. But his hands were tied. Unless Nate chose to report Sten to the Project Office then there was nothing he could do. 

Dex shook his head sadly and walked over to the Captain's chair and sat down.

"Good Morning Captain Ordenal." the feminine computer acknowledged him.

"Good Morning I.N.E.S" Dex pulled up the navigational unit in front of him. He saw Nate take his own seat to the right of him.

"Are we on course?" Dex asked the Internal Navigation and Exploratory System. INES was the state of the art on board computer that helped the flight crew chart expeditions and controlled the equipment for other world settling and exploration. The com units, ports, and InfoScanns had her voice but were run by the ships AI network. 

"Yes Captain. Warp Drive is engaged and we will arrive on Rius 22 in 20 days, 3 hrs, and 17 minutes." 

"Thank you INES. Bring up the course charts for me on hover screen." Warp Drive expanded space behind a stationary object in space while narrowing space in front of the stationary object to narrow. Thus bringing the stationary object forward, and moving faster than the speed of light. However, engaging Warp Drive was still very dangerous and a lot could go wrong. Special technicians and engineers were trained in monitoring the equipment and computers that helped it function.

The air in front of Dex shimmered then a 3 dimensional view of the Galaxy appeared. The planets and stars were blinking and rotating completely realistic like you could reach out and touch them. The sun was a bright orange ball, flares spinning off of it every couple of seconds. The other planets in the solar system were displayed clearly as well; Mars with its red surface shifting with wind storms, Saturn's rings slowly orbiting the planet. 

The asteroid belt and the outer planets were visible as well. There was Kronesta 17 a planet made mostly of ice. And Hexalon which was used for mining precious metals. In the farthest reaches there was a large, egg shaped planet named Yolaris. It's atmosphere was dark gray and it seas were yellow with and it was covered in rainforest. 

People back on earth once thought that Yolaris could have been a possible relocation sight for the planet just after the onset of EDTS but the National Federation had deemed the planet uninhabitable and set it under quarantine. was a small green planet with two large oceans, a dozen continents and little inland seas scattered all about, Rius 22. A white line traced through the sea of dark blue space from Earth to Rius 22. Dex examined the course with expert eyes, committing it to memory.

The voyage looked like it would be uneventful until it came almost within orbit of Rius 22. Rius 22 was similar to Earth but, in addition to a moon, it was also surrounded by what they called a Meteor Net. 

A meteor net occurs only in deep space when chunks of rock and ice come in contact with a strong orbital energy field. The meteors are not dense enough to penetrate the atmosphere so instead they hover outside of it. Meteor Nets pose a large threat to space ships trying to go through them.

"Nate, is there a break in the Net around Rius 22?" Dex was concerned about whether the large Prudential could navigate the net safely.

"Yes Captain. But the break is erratic, occurring at will between points 89, sections 3 and 4." Which meant they had to get through the clearing as fast as they could before it closed in on them and they were crushed.

"Great." Dex rubbed his temple the stress slowly settling on his shoulders again. He was responsible for the safe passage of everyone involved in Project Phoenix. Worry lines creased his forehead as he studied the map trying to find any other ways of landing on Rius safely.

"Sir?" Nate was looking at the Captain, well at least trying to since his left eye was slowly swelling shut. Dex ground his teeth.

"Yes?"

"Sir if we go around Rius 22 then loop back by Hexalon we can approach the planet from underneath. The Net doesn't extend that far down."

INES traced the alternate route on the 3D map. It looked simple enough.

"That would bring us closer to the energy field extended further out horizontally that way though. Its a gamble." Dex had to choose between trying to maneuver a large starship filled with the fate of the human race through a mine field or risk disrupting the Warp Drive and getting blasted to some unknown location.

Dex frowned harder and ground his teeth. Being a Captain on a Starship wasn't easy and he was the best their was. Dex went with his gut.

Ok, Zimms. I.N.E.S alternate the route on the maps to go around Hexalon and approach Rius 22 from the south.

"Yes, Captain Ordenal." INES swung the hover map around a re charted the map.

"Good eye, Zimms." The Captain addressed Nate. He was genuinely impressed. Sergeant Zimms was proving himself to be a very capable Navigational Officer.

"Thank you Sir." Nate said smiling, showing off his dimples.

Dex couldn't help but smile in return. He and Nate had a special relationship. It had been 3 years since Dex's wife had caught them sleeping together and afterwards Dex had almost fired Nate. But Nate was sweet, childlike, and reminded Dex of Kay. Eventually they had developed a brotherly relationship grown during long missions in deep space and the haunting memory of Kay's death.

"Don't let it go to your head Sergeant." Dex said breaking out of his revelry. Dex still made sure Nate understood that no matter their past Dex was still the Captain of the FSC Prudential first and foremost.

"Yes sir, of course not sir, thank you sir." Nate stuttered, turning back to a set of flight plans.

"Captain Ordenal you have a message waiting for you from M Deck level 12 ." INES stated.

Dex turned his head in time to see the transport tube near him buzz then a letter appeared. Dex reached for it and opened it. It was a reminder that his companion Lt. Mitchell Stone was scheduled for surgery that day at 3pm.

"Wait, this cant be right. Mitch said it was tomorrow." Dex was speaking to himself, frowning. Nate turned to the Captain curiously.

"Hey is that a surgery reminder? I got mine today too! I'm so excited. Hey! I forgot to ask you about your companion. Is everything going well?" Nate was talking fast, his smile huge.

But Dex wasn't listening. He slowly stood up and started heading, gaining speed as he neared the Helm Door.

"INES what time is it?" Dex called out as he neared the doorway.

"3:15 Captain."

Dex started running. 






Mitch stood outside door to Sick Bay where he had to report for his surgery. He'd been standing outside for about 20 minutes so far but couldn't bring himself to walk in.

Stepping through that door meant that the world Mitch knew and what was expected of a man, of him, would change forever. Mitch was sweating and his eyes darting around. 

A green light flashed about fifty feet down the corridor. A human figure suddenly appeared on the ele-port pad.

"MITCH!" Mitch jumped and stared hard at the imposing figure walking fast towards him. 

Shit! It was Dex! Mitch didn't want him there especially not pissed off like he was now.

"Sorry can't talk!" Mitch hollered down the corridor at Dex quickly before stepping forward causing the automatic door to slide open as he stepped inside the Sick Bay.

He was hit with a blinding white light. Mitch had to blink a few times and cover his eyes before he could see properly.

Sick Bay was a white washed room with hover chairs placed in the waiting room. A sickly blue glow pulsed under the floor as bright white lights shown down from the ceiling. It smelled like rubbing alcohol and plastic. Mitch swallowed, becoming nauseous. About a dozen FSC officers were sitting on the hover chairs. There were engineers of every field, technical crew men, mess hall workers, scientist and clerks all seated and waiting to be called.

There were was no furniture in the room besides the chairs. The men looked scared and like they were ready to bolt at the first sound. The only piece of decoration was a recruiting poster for the National Federation Army hanging above the check-in desk that was next to another set of white double doors.

Mitch felt sick and his head started spinning. He couldn't do this. The look of pure fear on those men's faces scared the hell out of him. 

"Lieutenant M.Stone?" A tall thin man asked appearing beside Mitch. He looked like on of those creepy janitors you used to see in old horror movies. He was bone thin, with yellowing nails and a bald head. His eyes were a dull blue and his teeth were stained brown. The guy had on a lab coat and a set of white scrubs.

"Y-yes?" Mitch heard the door behind him open and could feel Dex's angry presents at his back.

"Mitch you lied to me!" Dex said in a low, angry voice before Dex noticed the other people in the room and their fearful faces. His own face instantly lost his color and his mouth snapped shut.

"Lieutenant your surgery was scheduled for a half hour ago, they've been waiting for you. I'm Doctor Welsh I'll be your primary physician and will be assisting in your surgery. Are you ready to-"

The doctor's words were cut off as a the white double doors that led to the surgical unit busted open. Everyone jumped and turned wild eyes towards the doors. Dex instinctively took a step closer to Mitch and put a protective arm around him.

Another doctor in white scrubs came barreling through the doors with his scrubs covered with blood. Mitch couldn't see what he looked like because half of his the surgeon's face was covered by a surgical mask. 

"Doctor Welsh! We need your help in unit 6 quickly, the patient is hemorrhaging!" The doctor was out of breath and speaking loudly.

Dr. Welsh didn't hesitate but followed the man back to the surgical unit.

Mitch didn't even wait until the doors had shut before he bolted for the exit. Dex snapped out of his trance and caught Mitch by the elbow.

"Let go of me!! I can't do this!" Mitch yelled and pulled away from Dex. He was free for about half a step before Dex wrapped both arms around him and pulled him away from the exit door.

"Calm down, Mitch!" 

"No! Fuck you! Did you see that guy? He was covered in blood!" Mitch was trying to wrestle out of Dex's grasp. Mitch was a pretty athletic guy but Dex held on to him tightly.

"Just calm down! Its not as bad as it seems. I read all about the procedure its-"

"I don't care! I thought I could handle it but I can't! I can't be pregnant!" Mitch was kicking at Dex as his companion pulled a chair out and turned him around. 

"Sit down and relax." Dex spoke as calmly as he could, like he was talking to a frightened horse.

Mitch was red in the face, his eyes constantly moving and his whole body seemed to be shaking. He felt like a sheep in a wolf's den. All Mitch's mind could do was scream: RUN!

"To hell with you! Relax? Are you kidding me? They're gonna cut me open and put chick parts in me so I can get knocked up. I'm a good soldier but not THAT good." 

At that little statement the entire lobby broke out into hysterics. Some men started crying others jumped from their seats and headed for the exist as well. A couple guys just stayed seated and stared straight ahead. One guy took two steps then fainted. Their companions tried to comfort them and soothe them but it wasn't helping. Mostly all of them were being restrained by their companions.




Project Phoenix Ch. 03



Mitch knew he could probably out run the Captain but he had to figure out a way to get around him first. Now that Mitch was staring face to face with his surgery he was scared shitless.

"I said SIT DOWN LIEUTENANT!" Dex roared. Mitch's military training kicked in and he sat down with a thud on the hover chair behind him.

Tears came to his eyes and his hands were shaking uncontrollably. Dex walked over to the a com unit and said something into the speaker. He came back and crouched down in front of Mitch.

Mitch looked up and he felt tears running down his face. Dex's eyes were worried and he had a welt on his chin.

"Did I do that?" Mitch asked with a quivering voice.

"Don't worry about it. Listen everything is going to be ok." Dex cradled Mitch's hands in his own. He felt awkward doing it but he could tell that Mitch was on the edge of either crying or screaming.

"I-I-can't Dex. I thought I could but I can't! " Mitch put his head down and let the tears fall.

"It'll be ok. The surgery isn't that dangerous. That guy probably had a pre-existing medical condition." Dex ran off the facts he'd remembered from his briefing before take off. "The surgery itself is relatively simple and quick." 

"Dex, come on! I mean your not the one who was chosen to have a uterus implanted in them! I mean one personality test and they get to decide if your gay enough to carry a kid. Jesus, Dex!" 

"I don't make the rules, Mitch. You can't leave. You signed up for this." Mitch stared at Dex like he was an alien. Why was Dex acting like this was some regular mission or assignment. This went above and beyond the call of duty.

"Yea that was before it really hit me! I'm going to be changed forever. My body re-designed to do something it was never meant to do. There's going to be life growing inside of me. Life! I can't wrap my head around this. I CAN NOT DO THIS!" Mitch yelled the last sentence into Dex's face.

Dex looked away as the exit door opened and member of the ships P&E (Police and Enforcement) team stepped through them. They had what looked like dart guns in their hands.

"What the hell?" Mitch yelped as a blue tipped dart struck his neck. He screamed, pulled out the dart and looked to Dex for help. He didn't find any.

"Just relax it'll all be over soon." Dex spoke in a steady but stern voice. His eyes looked sad but there was a hardness to them. Dex caught Mitch as he slumped towards him almost unconscious. The enforcement team had shot all the patients with the sedatives. Some of them just dropped where they were; others collapsed into their companions arms, moaning groggily.

"Dex, you ass. You called them!" Mitch uttered scathingly, his anger keeping him awake for a bit longer.

"I had to. Protocol." 

"Protocol my a-" Mitch collapsed sideways unconscious.






The last thing Mitch remembered was him feeling terrified and then sleep overwhelming him. He didn't remember anything at first until he heard Dex speak.

"Mitch? Mitch? You awake?"

Mitch's eyes shot open. Everything came rushing back to him. Mitch took in his surroundings. He was laying on a hospital bed in a room that looked similar to the lobby; white, blue light coming from the floor, no decoration or furniture but a hover chair by his bed. Dex was towering over him, to his right. A man Mitch didn't know, in full Federation uniform, was standing at the foot of the bed. 

"You son of a bitch!" Mitch shouted, reaching out and snapping Dex's head back with a well aimed punch. Dex grunted and hit the wall behind him. Surprise was written all over his face.

"You let them drug me?" It really wasn't was question, more of an accusation. Mitch tried to sit up but he felt this white hot pain shoot up his left side. He gasped and clutched at his ribs. Frantically he removed the hospital gown from his top half and looked down. There was a thin, red scar running down his left side from his ribs to his hip. The scar wasn't bleeding but it was sore to the touch. Mitch's eyes shot to Dex's asking the unspoken question.

"The surgery was a success." The officer at the foot of his bed spoke before the Captain could get a word out. Dex stood up straighter and rubbed his jaw.

"And who the hell are you?" Mitch said fury in his eyes. The guy was forgettable. He looked like the average Joe, nothing special about him. Average height, average build with brown hair and brown eyes. 

"I'm a representative for the Head Council of the National Federation. And as such I would like to thank you on your planets behalf for making this great sacrifice to better our species. And even though you tried to disobey your orders to continue with your surgery and The Project, I would like to present you with this letter of gratitude and this Medal for Bravery Lieutenant Stone." The man spoke proudly and fast.

Are you kidding me? Mitch thought. This couldn't be for real. He just stared at the officer not taking the letter and medal. Dex swung in and accepted them then walked the officer to the door as Mitch just sat up in shock.

"Mitch I'm sorry it happened like this but it was protocol." Dex looked uneasy, none of his Captain confidence coming to his rescue. He placed the items on the Hover Chair next to the bed.

Mitch didn't look at him or respond.

"Mitch did you hear him? Everything went fine. There were no problems." Dex smiled weakly. He wanted Mitch to say something, anything.

"How could you?" The words stung Dex. He heard his wife's voice echoing the same words. Dex stepped back as if bitten.

Mitch turned to him. His face expressionless.

"How could do? You have no idea what this feels like. To have your manhood taken from you. Get out, now!" Mitch didn't even blink.

"M-Mitch, wait. Your still a man! Having the surgery didn't take that from you. Your still a man, your still tough, and strong and ...sexy." Dex admitted shyly.

"I said GET OUT!" Mitch was screaming at the top of his lungs as he clenched at his side. Dex walked backwards repeating the words "I'm sorry" over and over again. He heard his wife's voice yelling at him. As Mitch kept telling Dex to leave he just shook his head, his eyes wide. All he could hear was Kay's voice coming out of Mitch's mouth. 

Dex stumbled from the room. He slumped against the wall and sank down to the floor. Both Kay's and Mitch's voices were ringing in his ears. He had betrayed Mitch just like he did Kay. Dex put his head in his hands and cried for the first time in three years. Soon nurses and doctors went rushing into Mitch's room as his screams drifted through the door and down the hall. And all the stern, straight-laced Captain Dex Ordenal could do was cry as his new companion was sedated for the second time that night.



Project Phoenix Ch. 04



Hi Guys! Sorry it took me so long to post this chapter. Life still goes on and mine has been very chaotic lately. I've also been focusing on editing, since it's my weakest link. I tried to keep the personalities of Dex and Mitch intact and as realistic as possible. This chapter involves the National Federation and the men who work for them. And word to the wise, Sten's involvement in this story is not quite done yet ;) As always comments, feedback and suggestions are welcomed. Enjoy!

xxxYaoiLover21





Three Years Ago, St.Agnes Hospital

"Sir. Sir?"

Captain Dex Ordenal looked up from his seated position in the surgical waiting room. His eyes were red rimmed, dried tears leaving pale streaks on his face. His strong hands clenched together, half in prayer half in anger.

"Y-yes." Dex's throat was dry and his body ached as he stood up to face the middle aged surgeon who addressed him.

The Surgeon was a tall, handsome black man with short hair and a long face. His dark eyes were sunken in like he hadn't slept for awhile . His body was slouched, deflated; a sad expression on his face.

"Your wife came into the Emergency room today just after 2pm. She was in a lot of pain and had heavy uteral bleeding. She exhibited the signs of Environmental Degenerative Tissue Syndrome so we put her into surgery right away. We did the best we could to stop the bleeding, but sir I'm sorry... she died." The Surgeon looked away like he was ashamed, like it was his fault.

The cases of EDTS were streaming in by the dozens an hour and 80% were fatal within the first 24 hours. So far the skilled surgeon had operated on 15 women, all died within a day. He didn't think he could take telling another family member that their loved one bled to death and no one in the world knew how to stop it.

Captain Dex's hands were shaking and the tears started to flow freely again. Kay couldn't be dead. It wasn't possible. Dex collapsed into the chair and laid his head in his hands and cried silently for a few minutes before speaking to The Surgeon again.

"Can I see her?" Dex could barely get the words out.

"It's against NF protocol but I don't see the harm in it. EDTS doesn't seem to be contagious in males so....this way." The nameless surgeon lead Dex down a series of hallways and corridors until they came to a room with a hospital curtain pulled across it. The Surgeon turned to the Captain.

"Take all the time you need." He said then was gone.

Dex took a deep breath before he moved the curtain and stepped into the room. It was an operating room, walls were lined with surgical kits and necessities. A large overhead light hung above a polymer operating table. And on the table was the outline of a body covered by a sheet.

Dex slowly walked up to the table and moved the light away so it didn't shine directly down on the figure below. He removed the sheet and let out a low, whining moan as the face of his young wife was revealed.

Her face was paler than usual, her lips blue. Her hair was stringy and wet. They had shut her eyes but Dex opened them, their once vibrant color forever dulled. His whole body shook as he pulled Kay into his arms and cried. He mumbled and apologized for what she had walked in on earlier, his words so soft and pleading. Dex repeated her name over and over again as he rocked her body in his arms, almost chanting.

Blood started to seep threw the thin material of the sheet from the swaying motion and Dex only cried harder as the stain grew. 

It was 4 hours later when he final left that room and went to the front desk to make arrangements for transportation of the body.

"Ahhhh!!!! Dex!!!!!!" Mitch was on the floor of the bathroom, naked, clutching at his sides. He had just gotten out of the shower when another flare of pain hit him. Ever since the modification surgery he'd been plagued by these debilitating bouts of intense pain. His doctor said since the surgery was experimental nothing was really expected. He just prescribed Mitch doses of an intense pain killer called Nuroxitin. 

Captain Dex ran into the bathroom to see his companion hunched on the floor, gripping at the tiles and gritting his teeth. Dex had took a leave from the Helm to help Mitch recover from his surgery and tried to help Mitch as best as he could, but Mitch always seemed to be pushing him away.

A horrible scream snapped Dex back to the present and he rushed over to Mitch, the Nuroxitin shot in his hand. He crouched down next to his screaming companion and pressed the purple circular tube against the flesh of Mitch's thigh and pressed the white button on top. Six needles filled with the drug dug into Mitch's skin providing instance relief. Mitch sighed and his hands unclenched. His eyes glazed over and his breathing slowed.

Dex was concerned about this new pain killer. It was introduced recently and though it worked miracles it was rumored to be highly addictive. Mitch had only needed the shots maybe once or twice a day but now it was up to almost triple that. The Captain didn't like it but he couldn't deny Mitch. 

Mitch's face still haunted him from the day of his surgery. The look of betrayal and fear on his face had reminded Dex so much of his wife Kay's final hours that he'd been almost in a constant state of emotional shock since then. He'd left most of the flight duties to Nate and the navigating computer INES. He wanted to talk to Mitch, explain to him what had happened but Mitch just always gave him a deadly stare and that stopped Dex from saying a word.

"Ahh, much better." Mitch said as he sat up against the shower door and pulled a towel over himself. His face was sweating but he was calmer. 

"Do you need me to call Dr.Welsh?" Dex wanted to see if maybe there was something else he could give Mitch for the pain.

Mitch shuddered at the thought of seeing his creepy primary physician and facing that blinding white hospital room. He'd woken up with nightmares ever since the surgery.

"No, no. I'm good now thanks. Plus, I see him tomorrow for post anyways." Mitch stood up. Dex tried to help but Mitch shrugged him off, he's hadn't let Dex touch him.

"I've got to go to the Control Room and make sure we're still on course and everything's fine." Dex hadn't been to the Helm in a week.

"Sure, whatever." Mitch just turned and limped out of the bathroom, clutching his side.

Dex dropped his head in frustration and just walked out of the suite. Mitch couldn't have cared less.

Mitch went to stand in front of the wardrobe mirror and look at himself. He didn't feel sexy anymore. The scar was a symbol to everybody that he was no longer a man. He felt like everyone who saw him could tell what had been done to him and what he was. He was no longer hot, no longer desirable, just some freak designed for breeding. Mitch sat down on edge of the bed.

The only thing that stopped those thoughts was the Nuroxitin. At first Mitch had used it as prescribed for the pain, but eventually he started using it whenever the walls closed in on him. He could tell Dex was becoming suspicious, but fuck him. He'd let them do this to him. 

Mitch thought about how at first he wasn't afraid of having the modification surgery. But his feeling changed when he walked into that lobby. All those terrified faces. What had really scared Mitch was seeing companions together and realizing that Dex wasn't there. Dex was never going to be able to handle any of this. The reality that Mitch was facing this alone broke him and all he wanted to do was run...and the one thing Dex should at least have been able to do was let him.

Mitch was tired of feeling like some freak medical experiment and decided he wasn't going to wait around for another awkward dinner with the captain. Mitch went into the wardrobe and pulled on the tightest pair of dark jeans he owned and a black, long sleeve, sheer shirt. He left a note for Dex saying he had went out and would be back later. Mitch was determined to get his old self back.



Captain Dex spent a couple hours in the Helm checking over flight plans and navigational boards. His crew were highly skilled and had handled things well while he had been caring for Mitch. Dex got back to the suite later that night and found the note on the bed that Mitch had left.

"God damn it." Dex growled. Mitch shouldn't be out in his condition. He'd just been through an experimental procedure and anything could happen. He should be in bed. 

Dex changed out of his uniform and put on back slacks and a white shirt then walked over to the ships locator. He punched in Mitch's Name and ID number. A green pulsing dot appeared on the map showing that Lt. Mitch Stone was at the Opulence Bar on R Deck Level 1.

Dex was furious! He was clubbing?! Dex grabbed a jacked and left the room.

Dex appeared on the ele-port pad on R Deck with a flash of green light. His skin always tingled when he was instantly transported. R Deck Level 1 was full of bars and clubs. There were sports bars like Strike and posh officer clubs like The Common. But the real action was at the thumping, techno clubs like UTurn, Fist, and of course the Opulence Bar.

Captain Dex walked past the the rows of entrances until he came to The Opulence Bar. He could feel the vibrations from the music coming through the door. A bouncer dressed all in black was standing in front, his hands behind his back.

"Can I help you?" The bouncer said. He was about the same size a Dex but a bit wider at the shoulders and sported a thick beard and spiked hair.

"My companion's in there." Dex tried to go around the guy. The bouncer put a firm hand on Dex's chest.

"Listen, I don't give a fuck who's in there. We're full so fuck off." The guy said as he stared Dex down.

Dex grabbed the bouncer's hand with his free left and twisted it hard at the wrist and punched him in the stomach once his right was free, making the bouncer double over.

"No you listen! I'm Captain Ordenal of this ship and your going to let me in or I'll have your ass jettisoned into deep space with the trash!"

The bouncer nodded quickly and stepped aside. Dex swiped his Pass Card and walked into the bar.

Opulence was one of the most popular hang outs on the FSC Prudential. The drinks were cheap, the music was current, and there was always a great selection of sexy man meat to feast your eyes upon.

Dex looked around the club. It was dark and neon lights were flashing all around making it hard to see. Dex bypassed the crowded dance floor and made his way to the yellow, glowing bar. He signaled the bartender over.

"What can I get ya?" The bartender was a typical twink. Skinny, with bleach blond hair and small frame. Dex thought he recognized him as one of the servers in the mess hall.

"Nothing. I'm looking for this guy." Dex held up a copy of Mitch's Pass Card with his picture on it. "Seen him?" 

The bartender took the picture and looked close then nodded. "Yea he's in the VIP room, in the back. But he's with his companion though." The bartender said handing Dex back the ID copy. Dex ground his teeth and muttered a thanks before heading off to the back rooms.

Dex made his way to the back VIP area. It was sectioned off by a red velvet curtain. Dex ducked inside and was standing in a hall with more curtained off rooms on both sides. Some were closed but you could hear people inside, others were open and empty. Dex peaked into each one searching for Mitch.

He found him in the last one straddling a guy he couldn't see and making out with him. Dex ripped back the curtain.

"Mitch! What the hell are you doing?" Dex stormed into the room and pulled Mitch off the guy he was lip locking with. The glass table behind him was littered with empty glasses and a couple Nuroxitin containers. Mitch had his pants undone and his shirt was partial open up top. The other guy was topless with only jeans on.

The other guy was Sten. 

"You!!" Sten stood up and swung at Dex hitting him in the jaw. Dex let go of the intoxicated Mitch. Mitch slumped to the floor, feebly trying to get up. Dex punched Sten in the stomach and grabbed him and threw him against the wall.

"How fucking dare you touch my companion again. I warned you didn't I?" Dex was hollering at the top of his lungs. 

Sten dug his fingers into Dex's eyes and pushed him back then punched him in the chest.

"Fuck you! He wanted it. Your companions a slut don't fault me for it!" Sten was advancing on Dex as Dex was rubbing his eyes, trying to get his vision back.

Mitch was slowly standing up.

"Hey fuck you man! I'm not a slut." Mitch slurred his words and pushed at Sten. Sten back handed Mitch knocking him down.

Mitch may have been drunk and high but hell if he was going to let some prick beat him up. He pulled himself up and twisting his hips landed a hard right hand to Sten's temple. Sten crashed down onto the red couch almost unconscious. Mitch dropped to his knees his energy gone.

Dex shook his head as he gained his vision back and pulled Sten up off the couch by his hair not knowing that Mitch had just landed a killer punch. Dex positioned Sten over the glass table in the middle of the room.

"I should kill you for touch Mitch! I SHOULD FUCKING KILL YOU!!" Dex was yelling into Sten's face but Sten was out of it.

Mitch screamed as a series of sharp pains shot down his side. He scrambled for his pockets trying to find another Nuroxitin injection. 

Dex still was yelling into Sten face as a flushed and terrified Sergeant Nate Zimms came into the room. Nate was in a pair of jeans and a loose t-shirt. His gasped as he took in the sight in front of him. Sten was in a death grip by the Captain over a glass table and a moaning, topless Mitch was jabbing an injector into his arms.

"Dex don't!" Nate ran up to Dex and pulled on one of his arms. Sten kicked away from Dex. Dex caught sight of Mitch on the floor and walked over to him and bent down to him. Nate went to Sten and went to reach out to him.

"Babe, are you okay?" Nate's big eyes were filled with concern.

"Don't fucking touch me." Sten grabbed Nate's forearm roughly and tossed him aside. Nate let out a yelp.

Dex heard the sound and his head shot back up to Sten and he rushed him. Dex's shoulders hit Sten in the gut as they went crashing into the wall. Dex threw Sten down on the ground and started kicking him in the ribs, feeling some shatter at the impact.

"Captain please don't! Let him go." Nate crawled over to Sten and layed on top of him stopping Dex from landing any more blows.

"He just hit you! In front of me! How can you defend him?" Dex roared. Mitch started moving around somewhere to his left.

"I'm not. I'm defending you! If you kill him you'll go to jail." Nate looked up at Dex's angry face, crimson with rage and freckled with bruises and small cuts. "I care about you too much to have you jeopardize yourself like that."

Dex looked over at Mitch, intoxicated on the floor; Dex dropped Sten. Opulence security came into the room and saw it destroyed. Dex identified himself as the Captain and told them to have P&E put Sten in overnight lock up. Nate said he wanted to go file for a different companion so Dex assigned him an escort.

After everything had been cleared up, Sten was in laser cuffs and Nate was on his was to the Project Office Dex went to deal with his companion. Mitch was still sitting on the floor but was leaning up against the red couch and holding a piece of ice to his head. Dex reached down and dragged him up by his arms.

"Ow your hurting me, Dex!" Mitch was trying to pry Dex's finger's loose as Dex dragged him out of the crowded club.

"Its Captain Ordenal to you Lieutenant." Dex shoved Mitch outside and onto the ele-port with him and they disappeared in a haze of light.

"WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?" Dex hollered at Mitch who was sitting on the bed while Dex stood, towering over him.

"And telling them that he was your companion? Sten? You could go to jail for that you know!" Dex was livid. Here he was feeling guilty this whole time since the surgery about betraying Mitch and in the meantime Mitch was getting it on with his Navigating Officer's Companion.

"I don't care!" Mitch yelled back as he stood up. "Arrest me! It's better than being here with you!" Mitch pushed past Dex and went to the wardrobe to change his clothes.

"Oh really? I'm that bad am I? I've been the one taking care of you since you got out of the hospital! It's me who wakes up to your screaming in the middle of the night to give your your fix!" Dex was shouting at Mitch's back.

Mitch whirled around with anger in his eyes.

"My fix? I'm some drug addict now? Well tell you what Captain Oh-High-And-Fucking-Mighty maybe I wouldn't need the drugs if YOU had been the one to get the surgery! Ever thought about that you selfish ass?! It wasn't you who was stripped of their manhood. It was me! ME! I'm the one who's expected to be fat and pregnant by some guy who doesn't even care about me; who looks at our relationship as just a mission, work!!"

Mitch went to swing at Dex but Dex caught Mitch's fist and pinned him up against the wardrobe with his body.

"Your manhood wasn't taken away! Your still sexy. Your still hot. Jesus I've wanted you since the first day I saw you. And yes I'm and asshole for saying those things about this just being a mission but Jesus Christ give me a break!!" Dex had his whole weight against Mitch; their hard, angry bodies smashed up against each other.

"I've given you enough breaks! You haven't let me in once Dex! I'm now able to carry a child inside of me do you understand what that means? And I have no I idea who the hell you are! Your a stranger and you seem perfectly happy to keep it that way." Mitch could feel Dex's muscular chest against his and his hard thighs wedged between his own. He was furious at Dex but his body always betrayed him. He shook suddenly and side stepped out of Dex's grasped. He relaxed as he felt his body cooled down.

"You know who I am Mitch. I'm the Captain of the - "

"No! That's your title, what you do. I know that but who are you? Where were you born? Do you have any other family?" Mitch hesitated for a moment. "Who's Kay?"

Dex sighed and dropped his head down then walked past Mitch and sat on the lounge. Mitch joined him and slid in close then put his hand on Dex's thingh. He tried to put his arm around Dex's shoulder but his side still hurt too much.

"Dex I'm sorry I made out with Sten. I just needed to feel wanted. Like I was still desirable. I've gone my whole like being this sexy guy and I feel...felt like the surgery took that away from me. I just needed to feel that again. That I wasn't just some lab rat." Mitch spoke slowly as he caressed Dex's thigh.

"Dex who's Kay?" Mitch asked again.

The Captain looked up and stared straight ahead staring at nothing. He didn't speak for awhile and then a single tear fell from his eye.

"She was my wife." Dex spoke low, almost in a whisper. "She died on the 4th day of the EDTS outbreak. She caught me cheating and later on that day she was infected." Dex hung his head, tears falling onto the carpet.

"Oh my god Dex. I'm so sorry." Mitch squeezed Dex's hand and kissed his neck, feeling him shiver.

"The worst part was that she suffered, alone. I wasn't with her when the bleeding started and the pain hit. I got a call from the hospital a coupler hours later telling me she was at the hospital and in surgery. I found out later that she'd been... been..." Dex choked on the last few words.

"What? What else did they say?" Mitch tightening his grip on Dex's clenched fists.

"That she had been 7 weeks pregnant at the time and the baby had been destroyed when she was infected." Mitch rushed out.




Project Phoenix Ch. 04



Dex looked up into Mitch's eyes. Dex's eyes were red and full of tears long overdue.

"Destroyed Mitch. The doctor said that the desiseas had literally eaten the baby away. And Kay had wanted a baby for so long..." Dex shook his head. "That's probably why she came to the ship that day; to tell me the news." Dex wiped his face trying to regain his composure.

"I betrayed her Mitch. And I betrayed you. I'm so sorry." It was barley a whisper. Mitch looked at this big, strong, army captain with tears streaming down his face and Mitch started to cry too. He took Dex's face in his hands and turned it to look at him.

"You didn't betray me Dex. I knew what I was getting into but I was too chicken shit to really think about what it would all mean. And once I was there it scared the hell out of me, but what scared me more was that I felt like you weren't there for me, for me. I...I love you Dex and I need you." Mitch was crying hard now as he dropped all his guards and facade of confidence and bared his soul to Dex.

Dex reached out to Mitch and pulled him close. He held Mitch's body to his own just feeling Mitch's head resting against his neck and felt their hearts beating. Dex leaned back and kissed Mitch softly on the lips. Mitch opened his mouth and deepened the kiss.

They made out slowly for what seemed like hours. Every touch sending comfort to the other. Mitch broke the kiss and went to sit on the bed and held out his hand to Dex. Dex walked to Mitch and they layed back onto the bed, their lips rejoining.

Mitch pulled off Dex's shirt and and unbuttoned his pants. Dex helped slide them down and off. Mitch ran his hands down Dex's hard, muscular back feeling the ripples of muscle under his hands. He grabbed Dex's firm ass in his hands and ran his fingers between the two cheeks.

Dex moaned as Mitch's hands explored his body. They were strong and slightly calloused from working on machinery. Dex sat up and tugged Mitch's tight jeans down. Mitch kicked them off wanting to feel Dex's hard cock against his. When Dex went to unbutton Mitch's shirt Mitch grabbed his hands quickly.

"The-the-scar. I don't want you to see..." Mitch spoke quietly and shy for the first time when it came to sex that he could remember.

Dex just knelt his head down and kissed Mitch. "I want you." 

Mitch removed his hands and allowed Dex to unbutton the black shirt. As Dex gently pushed the shirt back over Mitch's shoulders; Mitch gigngerly pulled his arms out. Dex stared at the hard, chiseled chest of his companion and let out a growl that made Mitch smile and grow harder. Dex ran a finger lightly down the pink scar on Mitch's side and bent to kiss it. 

"Your beautiful." Dex said. Mitch just moaned and pulled Dex into a tight embrace.

They made love that night for the first time. Their connection was no longer just physical and they didn't rush. They explored eachother's bodies and relished the feel of their naked skin pressed together.

Hours later Mitch collapsed onto Dex out of breath. Sweat was dripping off of him and Dex was panting hard. Mitch could feel Dex's softening cock, lubricated with his cum, in his ass as he was cradled by his strong arms.

Mitch slide off of Dex's weak body and let Dex pull him in. Dex looked down at Mitch, his eyes closed and couldn't help but smile. He knew that he was coming to care about Mitch and that made him uneasy but it felt too good having Mitch in his arms. They spooned and held eachother tight as they drifted off to sleep. 

It was 6 days later when Mitch returned to work. He seemed to be in constant pain. Sometimes the pain would be a dull, persistent ache. Then other times it would swoop down on him and bring him to his knees as he injected himself with the Nuroxitin. The pain would have driven him mad if he didn't have it. And rumor was some men aboard the Prudential were doing just that.

There were talks that people were dying from the surgeries or that their bodies were rejecting the modification and the men were getting addicted to the Nuroxitin. The large, buzzing ship seemed too quiet. Men were disappearing, being "reassigned" and never seen again. Meanwhile the higher-ups representing the National Federation set up temporary booths on all floors handing out Nuroxitin injections like free candy.

Dex had assured Mitch that he would look into it and that at an upcoming meeting with representatives from the National Federation he would get to the bottom of it. 

Their relationship has blossom almost overnight. They were more comfortable with eachother and even though neither Dex or Mitch brought up their feelings verbally they could both feel it. They knew what their hearts were telling them.

Mitch was in line at one of the Nuroxitin booths on H Deck, before heading to work, when a haunting voice spoke into his ear.

"Hey bitch, getting your dose of Nuro so you can be a good little breeder?" Sten's gravely voice sent shivers up Mitch's spine, but he didn't move.

"What do you want asshole?" Mitch took a step forward as the line moved up; Sten right behind him.

"Oh nothing. I was just passing by when I saw your tight ass in line. You still owe me a fuck if I remember correctly." He said as he reached out and groped Mitch's ass.

Mitch turned on him and and grabbed Sten's hand, squeezing hard, hearing the knuckles pop.

"And if I remember correctly the Captain, my companion, said if you laid your hands on me again you were going to jail. So fuck off unless you want me to call P&E." Mitch said in a deadly voice as he gave Sten's hand a quick jerk and turned back to the booth to get 3 injectors of Nuroxitin.

"Oh I remember everything, you fucking tease!" Sten yelled after Mitch as Mitch stormed off to work with the Nuroxitin clenched tightly in his hands.

"So overall 55% of the test subjects have successfully been modified without complications." One man addressed the group sitting at a long table in a conference room near the Helm. Captain Dex Ordenal was was seated near the head of the table lined by NF clerks, scientists and and junior representatives of the National Federation.

"Fatalities are under 15% which is acceptable at this point." The man was reading from a clip board. He spoke in a casual tone like he was reading the sports scores out loud.

Dex sat uncomfortable in full NF uniform next to Lester McMahon, a senior Representative of the National Federation assigned to spear head the radical expedition to Rius 22.

Lester McMahon was of average height. He had a hooked nose, salt and pepper hair and shallow set gray eyes. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit instead of a military uniform like all of the other members in attendance. He sat stiffly in his chair listening to the statistics being read off by the scientist.

Captain Dex didn't like Mr.McMahon. He didn't trust him. McMahon had a reputation for being overly strict and cold hearted when it came to National Federation business. Dex shifted anxiously, wanting the meeting to be over. He wished he didn't have to be there but as Captain of the FSC Prudential his presence was mandatory.

Lester McMahon cleared his throat and the room instantly went quiet.

"I have heard that there are many complications with the surgeries and that most of the test subjects are now becoming dependent on the pain killer Nuroxitin. Is this true?" McMahon addressed the scientist slowly like he was speaking to someone who didn't speak his language.

"Y-y-yes Mr.McMahon. Even with more than half the success rate the procedure has turned out to be quiet painful and the Nuroxitin is the strongest medical solution we have." The scientist spoke quickly with fear in his voice.

"The rate of successful modification is not adequate and the side effects of the Nuroxitin could compromise the overall fruitfulness of the experiment. We need healthy pregnancies and children, not strung out parents and under weight, detoxing infants born prematurely." explained Lester.

Dex couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew for sure now that the Nuroxitin was bad news and he defiantly didn't want Mitch taking that stuff now.

"I understand Sir but there is nothing else we can do." The scientist responded uneasily.

"Oh but there is." Lester sat up straighter and queued up the hover screen. It projected a see through image of a modified male in thin air. It highlight the new uterus and ovaries as well as the brain and neuro-network which was bright and sparkling with life.

"The entire survival of the human race depends on the success of Project Phoenix. We can not, and will not allow it to fail. We have exhausted all other options and at this point I'm making an emergency medical order. All patients who were successfully modified shall no longer be given Nuroxitin and will be ordered to report to their nearest Sick Bay for an abdominal CSD intravenous series."

Anyone who knew what CSD was gasped or stared dumbstruck at Lester. The hover screen switched to a visual enactment of the procedure. The translucent male figure switched to laying on his back as 4 large needles were injected into his stomach. The CSD viral cells spread out and branched through the subject's neuro network and then slowly parts of the brain began to dull until the brain was spotted with little black dots.

The scientist spoke up. "But Sir! Chemical Synapses Destruction was declared hazardous and its injection was outlawed for use on live human subjects. It would stop the pain but heaven only knows what it could do to their mental state! That combined with the withdrawal from the Nuroxitin could be fatal."

"Relax Doctor," Lester McMahon crooned, "all CSD series will be accompanied by precriptions for anti-viral medication to help ensure the deterioration of brain tissue is localized and minimal. And in addition to a permanent solution to the pain issue CSD was shown to increase estrogen and PHS levels which will certainly help increase the rate of successful surgeries."

The projected image displayed a chart that showed the increase of certain hormones and the computer estimated a 17% increase in successful modification surgeries.

The captain was disgusted. The treatment McMahon was suggesting was extremely dangerous and put his companions life at risk. CSD had been outlawed for a reason. It stopped pain but it could also turn the patient into a vegetable or turn them homicidal and/or suicidal. Dex could no longer stay silent. This approach put the life of every passenger on board at risk and he could not allow that to happen.

"With all due respect Sir," Dex stood up and saluted before continuing, "my companion's surgery went well and even though I do not like him being on the Nuroxitin I would prefer that as a temporary option instead of injecting people with CSD. And as Captain, I speak with the same authority of the National Federation when it comes to the safety of the crew and passengers of this ship and I will not allow this measure to be implicated." Dex finished strong with his jaw set and his eyes locked firmly on Lester McMahon's.

McMahon didn't seem upset at being challenged by the Captain. Instead he looked almost pleased and a small smile played at the corners of his lips.

"Well Captain, according to the Code of the National Federation, Regulation 29 dash B6, and I quote, ' full National Federation authority shall be endowed solely upon the Captain of a Starship of any class unless during a State of Emergency in which full authority shall then be transferred to the senior National Federation Representative aboard said Starship'." Lester finished his recital with a smirk.

Captain Dex growled low in his throat. McMahon was right. A state of emergency had been declared 3 years back and by law McMahon had all the power. Dex sat down silently steaming but forcing himself to contain his anger.

"Good boy." spoke Lester. 

"Now back to business. I want this measure put into effect immediately. All temp Nuroxitin booths are to be taken down and all injections confiscated. Every man who's been modified should be scheduled for a CSD series by 9am tomorrow morning." Lester spoke quickly and loudly bringing the meeting to an end.

"Excuse me Sir, one thing..." Dex asked as everyone started to rise from their seats. Lester froze for a second then sat back down and nodded towards the Captain to continue.

"What is to be done with those men who were not modified and are dependent on the Nuroxitin for the pain from the failed surgery?"

Lester's eyes glinted and his face took on a heartless expression as cold as marble.

"They are to be euthanized."

Dex returned to the Suite to find Mitch relaxing in the tub. He charged in quickly and without giving Mitch a chance to speak, reached into the tub and lifted him out and then carried him into the bedroom and placed him on the bed.

"What the hell!?" Mitch was naked and soaking wet. One second he was calmly soaking off the grime and grease from the machinary in the engine rooms, the next Dex storms in and hauls him out and tosses him on the bed.

"No time to explain. Just pack some clothes quickly. We have to get to the Helm now." The Captain was moving around the room fast, throwing clothes into a duffel bag. Mitch was still naked and in shock on the bed.

"Now Lieutenant! " Mitch brain snapped into focus and the urgency in Dex's voice quieted any challenge he had. He picked up his bag and starting packing. He put on boxers and his uniform. In 5 minutes they were ready to go and were headed to the Helm.

"Dex, whats this all about? Whats going on?" Mitch was trying to keep pace with Dex who was jogging down the corridor.

"No time." 

Dex stepped through the sliding door and into the Helm. All of the flight crew and their companions were there. Some had one their uniforms, others looked like they'd gotten dressed in a hurry. Everyone had a nervous expression on their face.

Mitch noticed the angelic looking young man from the other night, Sten's companion. His arm was in a sling and wrapped in a bandage. There was no sight of Sten.

"I know this is last minute but I had to call you all here." Dex spoke to the crowd. "The National Federation Representative is planning on implementing a dangerous medical protocol that puts all of our companions' lives in danger. They want to give all of our companions who had successful modification surgeries shots containing Chemical Synapses Destruction viral cells."

There were quick intakes of breath that rippled through the small crowd. Dex continued. "They also plan on killing anyone who's surgery failed." Dex said the last bit and everyone went quiet. One member of the flight crew, a tall ginger headed, burly looking man pulled his companion, black haired and half his size, to him and kissed his forehead.

"As Captain I won't allow that to happen so I need your help. I need to disabled all com units between Decks unless relayed through the control room and we need to isolate the P&E and NF officials in their rooms. The representative McMahon will try to alert the Federation. I suggest we call a fire drill then seal all the doors and override them all from here." Dex spoke as fast and as clear as he could. 

Everyone shouted their agreement. Many of the crewmen had been with the Captain for years and trusted him with their lives. The punishment for treason was death, but now that their companion's lives, men that they were growing to love, were in danger they're faith in their Captain only deepened, no matter the consequences.

"Good. Now I need all flight members to come with me. We need to get to Rius 22 now. All members of tech crew get to overriding the systems and shutting down the coms."

Dex issued orders for a couple minutes and told all non-military companions to report to their partners quarters in the Helm. Dex turned to Mitch who was standing next to him.

"I need you to go to my quarters and wait there."

"The hell I will!" Mitch exclaimed. He was a trained soldier and after hearing about what the Federation planned on doing Mitch was determined to help. He knew exactly what CSD could do to a person and he did not want that to happen to him.

"I can help. I can help the tech crew out with the door overrides." Mitch said dropping his pack at his feet and crossing his arms in front of him.

Dex smiled a little and saluted. "Lieutenant report to Officer Fargus for further instructions."

Mitch returned the smile and went in search of the officer.

Captain Dex jumped into the Captain's chair just as the fire alarm system was triggered by his crew. In the case of a fire on board everyone was required to return to their rooms or the nearest Sick Bay where the walls could be filled with a fire proof foam. Dex's crew sealed the doors shut and denied access to the ports once they were inside. 

"INES bring up our ships location and current course." Dex said quickly to the Internal Navigational and Exploratory System.

"Yes Captain." INES brought up the ships location in space on hover screen. They were still weeks away from Rius 22 but maybe if they used full Warp Drive they could get there instantly, but that was extremely dangerous.

Sergeant Nate Zimms sat down next to Dex in his own chair. He rested his bandaged arm on his leg and started to log into the computer and pull up their flight information.

Captain Dex's anger ignited at the sight of Nate injured. Dex was aware that Sten had been released earlier that morning and he made a mental note to ensure he was up on charges for assault, but first he had to land the ship.

"INES if we use Warp Drive at full capacity will be able to bypass the Net around Rius 22?"

"Calculating."

"No." Nate responded immediately. "If we try to warp to Rius 22 we'll either over shoot or crash directly into the Meteor Net." Nate informed the Captain with certainty in his voice.

"Sergeant Zimms is correct Captain Ordenal." INES confirmed.

Dex ground his teeth and thought hard then used his finger tips to rotate the galaxy map 30 degrees. They needed to find a Haven where Lester McMahon and his goons couldn't contact the Federation and where everyone would be safe.

"Fine what if we overshoot, but on purpose? Can we land safely on Yolaris?" Dex said, coming up with a genius idea. The quarantine on Yolaris would be like hiding in plain sight. There were not communication satellites near the planet since it was quarantined. 

Nate looked confused and bit his lip like he wanted to say something but held his tongue. "Yes we could make it, but our generator might be damaged." Nate was unsure. Navigation was his thing not mechanics.

"MITCH!" Dex called out behind him.

His companion rushed up to him, slightly annoyed since he was in the middle of helping deny access to the doors on board.

"What?"

"If we warp to Yolaris would our generator be damaged?" Dex inquired of his companion.

Mitch frowned a bit, his brain working fast.

"Yes and no. It would be active but the core would be burnt out. We'd have to replace the cell burners probably and re-jump the system. Wait, did you say Yolaris? Why are we going to Yolaris?" Mitch asked Dex repeatedly coming closer and closer to Dex's faces trying to get an answer as Dex kept moving around readying the ship for Warp Drive.

"Dex!" Mitch shouted. Dex turned to Mitch and caught him off guard when he pulled Mitch's head down and kissed him. Dex kissed him hard, almost painfully and pulled back to look at Mitch.

"Go back to helping with the doors. I've got this." Dex turned back to the controls in front of him. Mitch just nodded in shock and went back to helping Officer Fargus and his men.

Dex couldn't have saved Kay three years ago. But Dex realized that he loved Mitch and cared about him and that this time he could save his companion. The love he felt for Mitch had snuck up on him quietly and unexpected. But hearing what Lester McMahon's plans were made Dex realize that he would do anything to keep Mitch safe, including performing what would be considered an act of treason.




Project Phoenix Ch. 04



Dex and Nate prepared the ship for Warp Drive as the other crew men shut down the ship, killed coms and locked down the ship.

The Captain pressed a button to patch into the ships communication system and his voice echoed throughout the empty halls and into all the rooms filled with Prudential personnel.

"Attention this is your Captain speaking. Due to extenuating circumstances the FSC Prudential will be performing an emergency landing on Yolaris 442E. It has come to my attention that the National Federation is inclined to enact a policy of medical malpractice and as Captain I have chosen to disobey a direct order. Please do not panic and try to remain calm."

Dex released the button and took a deep breath. Nate did the same as they both took hold of the controls of the Federation Starship Cruiser Prudential. 

Mitch came up behind Dex and laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it firmly. His eyes shown with unspoken feeling and understanding. Mitch knew that the Captain would never do anything like this unless he really did love him. Dex was a good Captain and was going to do the right thing.

"INES initiate Warp Drive to Yolaris 442E." Dex spoke out clearly.

"Initiating Warp Drive in 5....4....3....2....1, Warp Drive Initiated."



Project Phoenix Ch. 05



Hi guys! I am so sorry you have been waiting so long for chapter six. I have absolutely no time to write since college takes up all of my free time. I have however extended this chapter for you. I do not know when I will be able to write Ch. 06 but I have certainly not forgotten about the series or its fans. As always comments and feedback is greatly appreciated! (But please leave editing issues out of the comments thanks)

Enjoy!

Xxx YaoiLover21

*

"Captain Dex Ordenal, you are hereby under arrest for disobeying a direct order and for committing treason against the National Federation." Lester McMahon spoke in a clear tone but you could tell he was thoroughly and completely pissed. His face was red and his shallow eyes were fuming with anger.

The FSC Prudential was currently docked haphazardly on an old bay on the planet Yolaris. Dex and Nate had successfully gotten the FSC Prudential to Yolaris and managed to land the large Starship safely. Now they had to face Lester.

Dex, Mitch and the flight crew who were part of the plan to disobey a NF order and gone renegade were now in laser cuffs in the Helm. After they had docked, Dex had insisted they release the overrides and evacuate the ship. Hundreds of portable living shelters were being raised around the docking bay which was in a large grassy plain on Yolaris. The entire passenger manifest was ordered off the ship and started to set up a temporary town.

But the second they released Lester McMahon from his room he stormed into the Control Room with P&E guards and put everyone under arrest.

"With all due respect, go screw yourself." Mitch responded to McMahon before his companion could say anything after being charged.

"You're under arrest as well. You all are!" Lester McMahon barked out, getting angrier and angrier by the second.

"Like we care!" One member of the flight crew shouted out.

"Yea, we did what was right!" Shouted another.

"You were going to have us dosed with CSD and risk our lives and kill the rest of us! Are you really surprised that we didn't stand for it?" Mitch asked hotly. If he wasn't in Laser cuffs he would have too a shot at McMahon. He was playing with people's lives like they were nothing, just part of being a good soldier.

"Shut up! All of you!! And you Lieutenant I will see to your court martial personally." Lester said to Mitch as he stepped up close and put his face next to Mitch's.

Mitch head-butted the senior member of the NF and was rewarded with a fiery white pain in his laser cuffs and being tackled to the ground.

Lester McMahon shouted out as he held his head then collapsed to the floor.

"You're going to jail forever! You hear me?"

"Fuck you" Mitch said through gritted teeth as he was being restrained by P&E guards and shocked with laser guns.

Dex was in the corner sectioned off from the rest of the group. He had on laser cuffs on his arms and was placed inside a Trans mobile single holding cell that the guards had brought in at Lester's orders. Dex let out a roar as he saw Mitch get tackled and shocked repeatedly. But he was locked inside the unit, like a caged animal.

"Lester!! This has nothing to do with them! Deal with me." Dex said in a low tone laced with animosity and hate.

Lester turned his fiery eyes to Dex and walked up slowly to the cage.

"Oh I will deal with you very shortly, Ordenal." Lester said in a slow voice.

"Screw that! You're not even in command anymore!" Mitch shouted out as Lester turned to leave, the P&E guards pulling the cage containing Dex away to god knows where.

Dex's eyes shot to Mitch, his mind racing trying to get what Mitch was saying. Lester McMahon turned around slowly, his whole body tense with fury.

"What did you say?"

"You're not in charge anymore. Now that we're on a new planet full authority of the National Federation gets transferred back to the Captain." Mitch spoke proudly. One good thing about being and engineer was all the manuals you had to read including Codes and Regulations.

Dex smiled wide. "He's correct. I'm in charge now. LET ME OUT!" Dex shouted at the guards who jumped back afraid of the tall, strong man in the cage; looking like he wanted to tear something apart.

"No! I'm in control!" Lester said repeatedly shaking his head. The guards were so confused. They just stood looking back and forth between the demanding NF member in a navy suit and the enraged captain being held back by polymer laser bars.

"Guard I order you to release me. Your Captain just gave you a direct order!" Dex commanded the guard with the pass key to the cage. Very slowly the man inserted the key into the slot and turned it forward then back. The pulsating polymer bars blinked out and the cage door clicked open.

Dex jumped out and grabbed Lester McMahon by the collar.

"INES."

"Yes Captain?"

"How many personnel did the Prudential transport?"

"Three hundred and twenty-seven, Captain."

Dex lifted Lester up until he was standing on his toes and spoke directly into his face so that the heat from his breathe made Lester's eyes water.

"You, Lester McMahon, are under arrest for 327 counts of attempted assault and attempted murder. And I will see to your court martial personally." Dex was almost growling by that point.

"Guards release my men and put Mr. Mahon in the stockade."

"No! You can't do this! I'll have your head on as-"

"Save it!" Dex shut up McMahon.

The guards quickly got to uncuffing the crew and put Lester in the cage and took him away. The second Mitch was free Dex grabbed him in big bear hug causing Mitch to cry out.

"Ow!" Dex loosened his grip quickly and held Mitch away from him.

"My side babe, it's still sore." Mitch explained after noticing the worried expression on his face.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Dex was taken aback at being called babe.

"Excuse me Sir?" said Nate Zimms.

Dex let go of Mitch, reluctantly, ad turned to face his Navigation Officer who was rubbing his scorched wrists from the cuffs.

"Yes, Sergeant?"

"What do we do now?"

The Stockade

Lester McMahon sat fuming in one of the holding sells on board. How dare that Captain treat him this way? He was a member of the National Federation whose power and control was beyond measure. Lester was determined to have Dex and his tart of a boyfriend put up in front of a firing squad the second he was able to contact the Federation.

A cough from the adjacent cell caught Lester's attention. Lester couldn't see the man clearly in the dimly lit room. All he could do was make out the figure of a man with an athletic build.

"You look pretty angry there boss." the man's voice was raspy.

"Angry doesn't even suffice." Lester responded.

"I heard the guards talking. The Captain throw you in here?"

"Yes, the fool! But I'll have his head on a platter as soon as I get out of here." Lester preached.

"Well maybe I can be of service. He threw me in here too, the prick."

"Really?" Lester replied skeptically pushing himself as close to the laser bars as he could; trying to get a better view of the man. "What's your name?"

The man finally stepped into the light. He was Hispanic, with an athletic build, a few laser tats. He had some pretty bad bruised on his face and his lip was cut.

"Sten. Sten Copeland."

Yolaris Settlement

"Fuck! This is all wrong. You have to change it now." Mitch told the development and construction engineer.

Mitch was standing next to a collapsed home that was slowly sinking into the mud. Mitch had been assigned to oversee the construction of the settlement on Yolaris. Mitch didn't know much about community development but Dex had insisted.

"This is just a glitch." Explained the fat, bald man in a white suit.

"Glitch? The house is sinking! This whole ridge is not solid enough to support homes on top of it. You have to move the homes inward towards the common."

"The Common is supposed to be spacious grassland not built upon. We have no other choice but to go with the frame work." Insisted the portly instruction engineer,

"Listen to me. If you put people in those houses they will die. Look, just put up more temporary homes on the common just for now until I can talk it over with the Captain to find a more permanent solution, ok? Good." Mitch didn't wait for a response he just headed off towards the largest building in the makeshift town square that served as the court house as his boots sunk into the soft earth of the marshy plain they were settled on.

The area they had docked on was marshland mostly and was hell to build on. If it wasn't for the hover platform even the FSC Prudential would have sunken into the mud by now. The polymer framers they were using to construct the temporary homes were holding out for a little while but eventually they'd start to subside. He had to find Dex and convince him to allow them to explore the forest that lined the marsh maybe 7 miles out. Dex had forbidden anyone from traveling too far from the security of the Prudential but if they didn't do something soon people would be living on top of each other. So Mitch strode off to the court house were inside he'd find the Captain.

The Courthouse

Ever since the Prudential had landed the entire crew and all the passengers had looked to Dex like their leader or King or something. They'd come to him to settle disputes, to ask questions about buildings, equipment, housing, even payroll! He'd eventually had to do his best and set up a court system and unfortunate he had to be the judge. From morning til night he heard case after case from everything to disputes about someone setting up a home too close to another, to a case of a missing box of laser tools that the J Deck mechanics accused the R Deck mechanics of taking. It was tedious, but someone had to keep order.

But there were also serious cases like ones involving ending of companionships like the one before him right now. His Navigational Officer Nathanial Zimms was standing in front of a podium on the right. He looked paler than usual with bags under his eyes and he kept gripping the podium every so often. Sten Copeland was standing, in laser cuffs, in front of a podium to the left.

"As I was saying Captain, after so much abuse both physically and mentally I can no longer put myself at risk by being Copeland's companion." Zimms said clearly and to the point.

"Mr. Copeland do you have anything to say in your defense?" Dex asked.

"I admit I smacked him around a few times but it wasn't that bad. There's no need for all this."

The Captain turned to the Project psychologist who was sitting in a booth close to his bench.

"And you Dr. Carmichael, what is your official assessment of the pairing after observation and analysis?"

Dr. Carmichael was a tall broad shoulder man with sandy hair, slight freckles and brown eyes; he looked like a G. I. Joe doll.

"My official finding is that the relationship between Sargent Nathaniel Zimms and Private Larsten Copeland is extremely violent and abusive. It is a typical case of domestic abuse." Stated Dr. Carmichael.

Dex flexed his neck to the left and rotated his shoulders. In all these proceedings he had tried to remain unbiased but Nate and he had a history and for the entire world he wanted to condemn Sten to death. Instead Dex took a deep breath in and fought his anger.

"Thank you Doctor. It is the order of myself and this court under the authority of the National Federation that this union between Sergeant Nathanial Zimms and Private Larsten Copeland be dissolved and divided forever."

Nate let out a small sob and a smile graced his angelic face while Sten looked unconcerned.

"In addition," Sten and Nate looked back up at Dex, "Sargent Zimms is allowed permission to choose his new companion himself using the private database under NF representative supervision." Dex winked at Nate.

"Hold up a fucking minute! That shits not fair!" Sten yelled at the Captain. "It's supposed to be random. How come the faggot gets to choose?" Sten was being restrained.

"And furthermore, as for you Private Copeland, you will no longer be part of Project Phoenix. You will not be paired with another individual and will continue as simply part of the engineering crew. You will not face anymore jail time but you are hereby placed on a probationary period of 24 months. If during that time you make a single offense you will face a dishonorable discharge and a court martial, do you understand?" Dex said in a steely voice, leaning down over the bench like a jaguar about to pounce on his prey.

"Go to hell."

"Good." Dex said cheerily and sat back. "Next."

Mitch ran into Nate on the way in.

"Hey your Nate right? We were never properly introduced. I'm Mitch." Mitch held out his hand to the cherub faced Navigational Officer. Nate took it and squeezed it affectionately.

"Yes, hello. The last two times we met weren't really our best moments". Nate said referring to the club brawl and the escape to Yolaris.

Mitch laughed awkwardly and ran a hand through his hair.

"Yea I guess you're right."

"Well ain't this a cute little picture." Sten walked up to the side of both Mitch and Nate, standing nearest Mitch. His voice made Mitch's skin crawl. Nate grabbed a hold of Mitch's arm and his eyes went a bit wider, Mitch assumed it was from being near Sten.

"Just keep walking." Mitch warned.

Sten just smirked and went on his way.

"God, I hate that guy. Wait! Man, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said...I mean he was your... um," Mitch was tripping over his tongue when suddenly Nate turned a blue, pitch forward a bit, causing Mitch to step back, and promptly threw up. Mitch swung to the side and rubbed Nate's back and handed him a rag he had in his back pocket.

"Hey, man are you alright?" Mitch asked concerned.

Nate dabbed his mouth with the greasy rag. He swallowed a few times and straightened his uniform then cleared his throat.

"Ah, yes, yes I'm perfectly fine. I'm just feeling under the weather. The Yolarian atmosphere doesn't agree with me." Nate said faking a smile.

"Well it could be something serious, you should see a doctor. After all, this planet was quarantined for a reason. Dex tried to find out what the reason was but he couldn't get past any of the security without alerting the Federation that we were here." Explained Mitch who was had a hand around Nate's waist, partially holding him up.

"No Lieutenant really I'm." Nate righted himself and stepped away from Mitch. Mitch frown at the military title and took the hint but Nate knew he wasn't buying it. Never the less Mitch let the officer go on his way.

The Stockade

"And you are positive you know how you get me out of here Mr. Copeland?" Mr. McMahon asked the burly, engineer.

"What did I tell you? Its Sten. Got it? St-e-nnn. And yes, I'm sure." Sten replied as he continued to fiddle with the locking mechanism on the side of the cell that held the charged National Federation Representative.

Soon there was a buzzing sound and a spark as something short circuited. Triumphantly Sten stepped back as the cell door swung open; he had some tools in his hands and a fistful of torn florescent wiring.

Lester McMahon stepped out into the stockade hallways and buttoned up his suit jacket as if he was stepping off an elevator instead of being illegally released from prison.

"Right. Now we need to reach the Council and have a full garrison here immediately and have that insolent, prick of a Captain and his little tart companion court martialed before they even know what hit him." Lester spoke slowly. Every word laced with malice and deadly intention.

"His crew as well, sir. Don't forget them. Especially his Navigation Officer, no way they could have made it here without him." Sten chimmed in.

"Oh yes, of course," agreed Lester as the duo hurried from the Stockade, "one thing to keep in mind Mr. Copeland, never follow the leader, be the leader."

The Court House, Back Chambers

Dex was rubbing his temples in small circles trying to get the migraine to go away but the insistent arguing between the building constructor and his own companion was making that impossible.

"The buildings will hold. I assure you."

"Assure my ass. They're sinking as we speak! Dex. Dex. Dex!" Mitch shouted and snapped Dex out of his quiet place.

Dex took a deep breath and stood up.

"Engineer Rintel I am confident that you know what you are doing," Dex said addressing the construction engineer. At that Mitch got all puffed up to refute that when Dex silenced him with a nice deep kiss.

God that felt good. They'd barely had time together since they'd landed; they'd both been so busy. Dex had to use all his strength to stop the kiss and finish the kiss. He was out of breath and a bit red when he continued talking.

"However, I trust the opinion of my companion as well so you see Engineer Rintel I have a dilemma."

Mitch shook his head to clear the fog and adjust his pants to hide his hard on and spoke.

"Dex, we need to search the forest for a settlement area. This plain can't support the entire manifest."

Mitch groaned. The forest was off limits and potentially dangerous. He had no idea what was on Yolaris or why it was quarantined so he sure as hell didn't want to go exploring it.

"Captain," said Engineer Rintel, "I suggest we continue building on the plain and not risk unnecessary risk with exploring the forest. The polymer is light enough and if we make a wider base they will hold."

Mitch shook his head and crossed his arms in front of him.

Dex sat down again and thought of all the options then came to a conclusion that was best for everybody.

"Rintel will go ahead with the construction of homes on the plain."

"But Dex-"

"However, I will take a small crew including my companion to explore the forests for a settlement area if there is one and if there is all construction on the plain will cease immediately and the settlement will be moved there, understood? Good." Dex didn't wait for a reply.

Edge of the Forest, Yolaris

"I hate these suits, they make me itch." Mitch was referring to the protective exploration suit he was wearing, so was everyone else in there party. The suits were dark blue made of a material that was resistant to most chemicals and flame retardant; they even circulated oxygen throughout the suit and into the mask through florescent tubes.

Dex just smirked at Mitch's whining and went to check on Nate who was fiddling with INES. Nate still looked pale but he looked a bit better.

"Zimms, is INES ready?"

"Yes sir." Nate confirmed. INES was linked up with an exploratory model that looked like the robots bomb crews once used. INES could read soil samples; take chemical readings of the air along with a million other things. Nate was in charge of controlling her.

There were several other members of the crew presents for the mission to help find a better settlement area. Dex briefed them on their mission.

"Our goal here is to find a safe, stable place to settle on. We'll scout in a line with INES in front. Keep it tight. I don't want any surprises, understood?"

"Yes Captain!"

"Good. Move out!"

The Yolarian jungle was amazing. The trees were as tall as skyscrapers with dark purple bark and the underbrush was full of plants that glowed a light pink and had huge leaves. Some areas had thick vines as thick as tree trunks that they had to cut through with a laser cutter. Overall the jungle was dense and it didn't show any signs of having ay clearings large enough to build a settlement on.

INES led the way through some tricky spots of soft earth and hollow ground that they bypassed easily. They found a tunnel system that Zimms marked on the map so they could explore later. Mitch was walking next to Dex when he heard a slight crushing sound. Mitch turned stopped and looked over in that direction but didn't see anything at first then he saw something scuttle in the underbrush.




Project Phoenix Ch. 05



"Dex look!" Mitch said as he chased after whatever it was. Dex called after him to stop but Mitch was too far ahead so Dex to run to catch up. He found Mitch in a small clearing staring at what looked to be a cross between a rabbit and a squirrel. It was pink like the plants all around them and was furry but had a long bushy tail.

"Mitch." At the sound of Dex's voice the creature darted off and Mitch turned on Dex and rolled his eyes.

"You big oaf." Mitch said as he slowly advanced on the Captain that sneaky grin of his on his face.

"Oh no you don't. We don't have time for this. We have to get back." Dex tried to reason as Mitch came closer then pulled his mask off and took Dex's off too.

"Shut up, Captain." They kissed deeply each on fighting for control until Mitch yielded and let the Captain have his way.

"How the hell do we get these suits off?" Mitch asked in between hungry kisses. Dex laughed and unfastened the top of Mitch's and pulled the top coat off and helped him unzip the pants and slid them around his ankles. There was no way they could get them over the boots but the good parts they could certainly get too.

Mitch copied the Captain and unfastened the Captains top coat around the back, exposing his hard chest and ran his tongue over the sensitive nipples. The Captain groaned as Mitch gentle nipped at them then he turned Mitch around and pushed him up against a tree a ran his tongue down his spine.

"Uggnnn, fuck!" Mitch arched his back as the Captain went lower and licked between his cheeks.

Dex's cock was hard and straining painfully against the protective suit. He licked Mitch's puckered hole, getting it nice and wet before inserting one finger causing Mitch to buck forward.

"Jesus! Fuck yes!" Mitch cried out as Dex inserted another finger into his ass. He wanted Dex's cock badly. His own cock was leaking and was jutting out proudly in front of him. He wrapped his hand around it as Dex continued to finger him.

Finally Dex couldn't take it anymore and he pulled down his own pants to his knees and lined up his hard cock with Mitch's asshole.

Slowly he pushed forward until he felt his large cockhead push past Mitch's tight ring. Mitch gasp as Dex sunk slowly into him.

"Mmmm, yyyessss." Dex's whole body shivered as his cock was encased by Mitch's ass. Dex started to pull back then thrust back in, building a quick almost stabbing rhythm that drove the air from Mitch's lungs.

Mitch reached behind him and grabbed Dex's back, pulling him into him, making him go deeper. They were both moaning loudly as their orgasms approached.

"Shit, I'm gonna cum!" Mitch yelled.

"Yes, cum for me baby. Cum, cum." They both nearly screamed as they came together. Mitch's cock jerked as his cum squirted all over his hand has he pumped his cock in time to Dex's thrusts. Dex couldn't hold back after feeling Mitch's ass milking him as came deep inside Mitch's ass.

They were still slumped against a tree when they heard the first laser shot being fired.

"What was that?!" Mitch barely got the words out before the Captain had both their suits up and was running back towards the rest of the crew and the direction of the shots.

"Dex, wait!" Mitch caught up pretty quick and then quickly through himself to the ground when a laser shot whizzed past his head.

He looked up and saw a frenzy of people and white hot laser rounds firing in all directions. There were small groups of the scouting party hiding behind trees or clustered together firing back at some unseen foe. Mitch spotted Dex trying to direct a group containing Nate his Navigational officer back towards the Prudential while providing cover fire.

Mitch crawled over to a giant tree that seemed to pulse and stood up and looked to his left. He saw an opening to get through the laser fire and to Dex and help him provide cover to the retreating group. Mitch spun to his left and took off running as fast as he could. He jumped over fallen logs, dodges bushes and laser blasts. His training in Hover Ball really came in handy as he skidded to a stop next to Dex and slammed his back into the tree Dex was firing from behind.

"Dex we have to retreat with the others!" Mitch shouted as he unfastened his weapon and started firing in the direction he thought the other shots were coming from.

"I shouldn't have left them," was all Dex said with a grim face as he kept firing.

Mitch gritted his teeth. He knew Dex must be feeling guilty for sneaking off for a quickie when they were supposed to be keeping their guard's up and searching for a settling ground for the people aboard the Prudential.

Suddenly Dex let out a grunt and crashed to the leaf strewn forest floor, blood running down a laser wound in his shoulder.

"DEX!" Mitch grabbed him and pulled Dex closer into the shadow of safety provided by the tree. The shots were coming from everywhere and most of the exploration detail was out of sight, hopefully almost back to the settlement.

Mitch holstered his weapon and turned to Dex. "Can you walk?" He asked as he reached down and helped Dex stand.

Dex nodded, his mouth a thin line as he tried to hide the pain, they started shuffling as fast as they could back towards the Prudential. Dex's wound was bleeding steadily and he was slowly turning pale but he was still trying to help Mitch and keep up. Mitch kept a firm grip around Dex's waist and just kept going trying to get his companion to safety.

They were almost in sight of the edge of the forest when they saw the rest of the crew just standing huddled together. Mitch stopped suddenly and Dex almost collapsing to the floor. They were still a ways back so Mitch leaned the Captain against a large boulder and reloaded his laser gun.

"I'm going to see what's going on."

"No I should go. I'm the Captain." Dex tried to object.

"You've lost too much blood and you can barely stand! Plus something weird's going on. Just stay here and watch my back."

Slowly Mitch walked forward towards the group and called out to them, "Hey!"

No Response...so he took a few more steps.

"Hey!"

No Response.

"Are you guys-"Mitch had about 3 seconds to register what he saw before a stun bard dug itself directly into the center of his chest. He had seen all the members of the scouting team gagged and tied together.

"Dex! Run!" Mitch yelled as quick as he could behind him as his whole body became paralyzed and he dropped to the ground, stiff as a board.

He heard some thrashing and movement in the leaves and underbrush and soon an even paler and closer to death Dex was thrown down beside him by what only Mitch could describe as Indians.

They had yellowish skin, were tall and lean with light golden hair that they let hang loose down their backs. They wore loin clothes and were covered in necklaces and bracelets of twines and beads but they didn't make any noise when they moved. They were beautiful with sharp green eyes and high cheekbones. They walked so gracefully that the leaves didn't even make noise under their feet as they walked. The only thing that signaled that they knew of technology was the Laser Guns on their hips.

Mitch tried to speak to Dex, to get him to open his eyes; he'd fallen unconscious from the blood loss. The paralysis drug was doing its job too well, Mitch couldn't even blink.

Suddenly there was noise behind Mitch and then about a dozen men came into view. National Federation Officers! They walked right up to the Natives, ignoring the people tied together and the bodies on the ground. They had on full Exploration Gear and carried Laser Guns and knives in their boots. Their shoulder patch signified the were part of the elite Exploration and Reconasance of Deep Space program that few people knew about and even less got accepted into. What were they doing here?

One of them, the head guy Mitch assumed walked up to Nate and removed his gagged. Nate had been one of the people bound together. His cherub like face was red and there were tears streaming down his face.

The leader of the ERDS Team was well over 6 feet tall and was built like a house. His shoulders were wide and he had a crew cut. His face looked like a bulldog and he probably had the disposition to match.

"Who is in charge here?" The man spoke in a deep, commanding tone with an edge of danger to it. Nate didn't answer.

"Don't play that game with me because guaranteed you'll lose." The man warned.

"I'm acing Navigational Officer Nathanial Zimms." Nate replied is a shaky voice. Mitch held his breathe. He knew what Nate was doing. Nate's training was telling him never give up your superior officer so since Dex was unconscious he had given the name of the person in charge after Dex...himself.

The leader turned to one of the tribal men, "Take the others to the village."

Then he turned to one of his own men, "Kill the Navigational Officer." And with that the man signaled to one of the other soldiers who pulled out a large knife walked towards Nate.

"No! Stop!" Nate started to struggle as the man came closer. "Stop, no! Wait! You can't! I'M PREGNANT!"



Project Phoenix Ch. 06



I sincerely apologize for taking a year (jeez I can't believe it took that long) to write the seventh installment to this series. I had no motivation or will to write and I abandoned it. However I am proud to say that I worked very hard to produce this next chapter. This chapter just came to me in a flood of inspiration. I am starting to really have the outline for where I want this story to go and how I want it to wrap up. This is going to be one of the last chapters before I say farewell to the world of Project Phoenix. The pace is picking up and I focused more on setting up the climax that's in the next chapters and all the emotional upheavals that are soon to come. If there is any serious editing issues I will correct them, if they are minor please politely disregard. As always I appreciate and value all feedback and suggestions. 

YaoiLover21xXx





Mitch was fading in and out as he was being dragged down what looked like the rusted out hull of an emergency landing ship. His boots and those of his captors made loud clanking noises as he walked/ half stumbled down the walk ways. He got glimpses of the vibrant Yolaris jungle through holes and tears in the sides of the ships. Mitch could feel the sting where the paralyzing barb was in his chest every time he took a breath; he longed to pull it out but he had a hard time keeping his eyes open and his legs moving. 

"In here," says one of the Exploration and Reconncense of Deep Space Program Team members that had been directing him down corridor after corridor. They were in front of a rusted door with the faded letters on it. The ERDS member punch in a code into a dull keypad next to the door and it slowly raised open and they walked through. The room was an old electro-brig with electro conductive gel cells on the walls that pulsed a sickly green color. The ERDS member turned Mitch around and pushed him up against the wall. Immediately the gel attached itself to the Mitch's skin and held him fast to the wall; Mitch felt a light shock. 

Other members of the exploration team of the Prudential including Zimms were there and were hastily stuck to the gel-cells along with Mitch about a foot apart from each other. Little white streaks of electricity shot through the green gel every now and then sending slight shocks to the prisoners and making the hair on their airs stand up. The Captain was not among them. The head of the Deep Space Team came in a stood in the middle of the room.

"We have your head of command, but we want to know what exactly what you are doing on Yolaris since he's not talking." He spoke clearing and without losing that threatening tone.

Mitch spoke first. "We don't know anything." Mitch slowly got out through his drug induced haze. With that the Leader went over to the wall closest to Mitch and pressed a red button and a flash of light shot through the green gel into Mitch's section of the cell wall. Mitch let out a scream as an electric shock pierced through his body. The leader of the Deep Space team let go of the button.

"Lies like the one that this solider just told me will be severely punished. Now I don't want to cause unnessary pain but I will if I have to."

Mitch groaned and his had slumped forward, but his body stayed stuck to the wall. He felt like is pores were on fire. The leader again addressed him this time grabbing him but his hair and spoke to him face to face.

"Now, let's try this one more time. Why did the National Federation send a Starship to Yolaris?"

Mitch spit onto the floor and then tried to focus on the Leaders eyes. "To keep the human race alive."

"Alive, huh? And how is that?"

Mitch didn't answer so the Leader proceeded to press the button again which reward him with another shock from the wall.

"Project Phoenix!" Mitch shouted out. "Fuck" Mitch's face was bright red and his breathing was erratic.

"Go on."

Mitch was blacking out. That paralyzing drug mixed with the shock treatment was too much.

Zimms spoke up, "It's an experiment sanctioned by the National Federation to repopulate the Earth. We're the first wave of human trials. We were supposed to go to Riuss 22 but we had to emergency land on Yolaris. Please stop hurting him!"

"Human trials? Continue."

"A NF representative was going to start administering Chemical Synapse Destructive cells to use to help increase the rate of viable male pregnancies. Our captain and senior staff decided to disobey that order to we landed here. We thought it was quantined, no life.

"Ah but that's one place your wrong. My exploration team was sent here with two missions 10 years ago: to help find a new place to move Earths population." The Leader turns to look at Mitch. "Second to find to native population and inter-breed."



Dex opened his eyes and all he could see was white all around him. "Hello! Anyone there!?" Dex looked all around and every direction he saw just a white expanse.

"Dex," Dex felt a small hand on his should; he spun around.

"Kay!" Dex dropped to his knees. "Kay, where am I? How am I...? Am I...?"

"Shhh." Kay smiled down at Dex as he wrapped his strong arms around her waist and laid his head against her soft stomach. "Your safe, but you cannot stay. I've come to take you back."

"Back where," Dex looked up.

Kay just smiled. "There's someone who needs you now. You have to go back to him." She said as she stroked Dex's hair.

"Kay I'm so sorry for what happened. I love you. I never meant for you to see..... Please forgive me." Dex started to cry softly.

"I know you love me Dex, but Mitch needs your love now more than ever. You two will be faced with a heartbreaking decision and you, Dex will be faced with a horrible choice. But go to him now. Your time will come, but it is not today." Kay kissed Dex's forehead and suddenly Dex was falling.

Sick Bay

Dex woke up on a hover medi-cart in what he assumed as once a sick bay but now one of the walls was completely missing and the rest of them were slowly being taking over by the Yolarian jungle. Vines and planets had crept and woven their way into the interior of the ship and the polymer and steel carriage was being oxidized and rusted out by the heavy acidic Yolarian rain. Dex guessed that the ship had been abandoned in the jungle for over a decade.

Dex looked down. He was in laser cuffs attached to the medi-cart and he was still in his exploration suit though there was a large burn in the side of hit. Dex flexed his chest and felt a slight twinge and felt into the hole in his suit, a laser scar. Someone had patched up a pretty deep wound. Dex sat up and swung his legs over the side of the medi-cart and clutched at his side as it protested against the movement. All that was going through Dex's mind was the safety of his companion and the team he had brought into the jungle with him.

Dex scanned the decrepit sick bay for anything he could use to break free from the laser cuffs. He saw that whoever had helped seal his would had left the laser scalpel on a stack of crates a little away. Dex reached out as far as he could, he whole body straining, his side burning from the position and grabbed the laser scalpel. He set to work burning off the cuffs. Soon he was free, and with the instrument in his hand set off into the dilapidated old starship in search of his companion who needed him, just like Kay said, more than ever.

Brig

"Ahhhhhh!!!" Mitch and the others let out another terrible screams as the white electricity shot through the gel cells and entered their bodies.

"Now I know you Mr. Zimms are no Captain, so who is? All of you are only making it worse for yourselves? Why stick to National Federation code of honor? They were going to kill you. Inject you with a dangerous chemical but still you remain silent." The Leader who had introduced himself as Sargent Garret Watts started his head and wiped the sweat from his faces then proceeded in a calm voice. The members of the FSC Prudential moaned and cried silently around him, stuck to the tortuous walls.

"Give up your Captain and your pain will be over. My men will see to it that you fed, clothed and get a good night's rest. Now doesn't that sound nice? And you Mr. Zimms you can't keep thinking of yourself. You have another life to think of now, mmmh? What about your child inside you? This can't be good for it, do you think so?" Watts was walking slowly back and forth talking, looking into the face of every member of the Prudential.

"All one of you has to do is give up your superior officer. He will come to no harm I assure you." Mitch shook his head. He knew that was bullshit. He was in so much pain. Every muscle and tendon in his body hurt and his skin seems to be on fire, but he was not in a million years going to give up Dex, wherever he was. Mitch said a silent prayer that Dex was ok and would make it off the ship and back to the Prudential, because he knew he would die in that cell. Little did Mitch know Dex wasn't going to give up on Mitch either.

Dex had gone down countless corridors silently, removing his boots to walk barefoot. Every now and then he would turn a corner and hear some ERDS guards talking or walking down an adjacent corridor. Dex would drop down low and position himself against the walk, the scalpel in his hand ready to strike, but every one passed by without noticing him. The lights were dim but out in most places which cast the whole ship in shadow. Finally Dex saw a map in a communications room that had a map of the ship and he figured that Mitch and the others were probably being held in the Brig, so he set out to find them.

As he approached the still open door he slid to the side, hiding in the shadow to listen to what the guy in the room was saying.

"End your suffering! Why hold on?" The man seemed to be very frustrated as he paced the floor quickly. Dex crouched down low to the ground and peaked briefly in around the corner. Gel-cells...and Mitch was directly in front of him. He could see Zimms and his demolition specialists as well as one other member of his crew, the others were obscured.

"You know what? Let me finish telling you why I and my men are here." The man pulled a metal chair from somewhere off in a corner and sat down in the middle of the room.

"We were sent here by the Nation Federation to explore Yolaris for possible terra-forming purposes. When my team realized that was possible we radioed back to the NF and they gave up the go ahead to start mapping the planet for Deep Drill Settlement. However it was during preliminary set up that we first came into contact with the indigenous population on Yolaris. I'm sure you seen them, those yellow people. They call themselves Ningini, but we call'em Canaries cause of their skins. Now they weren't hostile, but according to regulations we couldn't proceed with the Deep Drill. So the National Federation, just after the outbreak of EDTS issued a new directive, for us to populate with those canaries!" The man shouted this out in an outrage and stomped his feet.

"Now the problem was the Ningini are only male. Now if the National Federation expected my men to turn into faggots and start playing hid e the sausage with some yellow skinned canaries they thought wrong." He spoke in a menacing tone and spit at it feet.

"So we broke from the NF, used our battleships to destroy the NF fleet that they sent and we've been here ever since. We decided to train the Ningini a little with low powered laser rifles for patrols in case the NF tried to step their foot back on this planet, but so far they've kept away....until you guys showed up."

Dex slowly crept into the room. The man had his back to him and was fixated on the prisoners and telling his story. Dex was going to slit his throat before he got another word out.

"Now since you are here then the NF knows you're here and that's bad for me and my men. So-"

Dex leaped at the Sargent and wrapped a burly arm around his throat. The Sargent brought his left arm up just in time to put some space between Dex's muscular bicep and his own throat while he held Dex's wrist and the scalpel away from this jugular. It was a battle of strength and will until the Sargent kicked his chair back and caused it to hit Dex in the stomach. Dex lost his grip and the Sargent jumped up and ran at Dex. Dex blocked the first punch but the second one landed. The blows kept raining down on Dex like hail. Dex ducked low under a right hand and dropping the scalpel brought his own right up for an uppercut under the Sargent's chin. 

The Sargent staggered back, dazed. Dex picked the scalpel back up and advanced back on the Sargent. He placed the scalpel in a pocket in his exploration suit and started working the Sargent's midsection over. Mitch started to come to and saw the fighting he didn't know what was going on. He didn't realize it was Dex fighting until Sargent Watts caught Dex with a left hook and Dex stumbled into him. 

"Dex!"

Dex looked up into the eyes of his companion and new life came into him. He had to end this and save them. Dex spun around on the Sargent and caught the Sargent's fist in his hand. He held tight and ducked under his harm and twisted it back and brought the arm around behind the Sargent. Then using all his strength, Dex pulled the scalpel from his pocket and jammed it into the Sargent's shoulder blade with a fire hot sizzle.

The Sargent screamed in pain and collapsed to his knees gripping is shoulder and calling for back up. Dex went to the panel next to the button for the electricity shock was and turned the dial to release a fluid that sprayed from the top of the ceiling and doused the prisoners but released them from the gel-cells.

Dex helped Mitch stand because Mitch had collapsed the second he was set loose. 

"Mitch! Mitch! Baby we have to go! "Dex was shaking Mitch trying to get him to come to. Mitch opened his eyes and with the help of Dex rose to his feet and promptly threw up and nearly collapsed again. Mitch's arms were a fiery red from the electro shock, his eyes were glassy, and his skin color was a sickly pale white. 

Dex heaved Mitch up and shouted for everyone to start running. The Sargent was starting to move and he had pulled a leave pulling the security alarm. Red flashing lights turned on through the dark ship and a horrible buzzing noise echoed throughout it. Dex and Mitch staged together behind the rest of the crew flowing the arrows for emergency exit routes. They could hear ERDS guards stomping and shouting down corridors and behind them. Dex kept checking behind them to make sure they weren't too close. 

Suddenly the whole group kept to a dead stop, Zimms at the lead. Dex removed Mitch's arm from around his neck and leaned him up against the wall. "Will you be ok?" Mitch tried to smile and just nodded. Dex frowned, but kissed him and then went to see what the holdup was.

"What is it Zimms?" Zimms just pointed. In front of them was a 7 foot tall Ningini with a laser gun pointed at them. His skin glowed yellow even in the darkness of the ship and his green eyes were fluorescent and piercing. He had beaded bracelets on each arm that went almost up to his elbow.

Dex walked up slowly to the Ningini with his hands out and slightly up in a sign of peace, showing he was unarmed.

"Please we need to get out. Do you understand me? We need to leave. There are bad people here, we must go. Can you understand?" Dex stood still and watched as the Ningini cocked his head to the side and made a few clicking noises in the back of his thought.

"Understand". The Ningini spoke in a low voice that seemed to echo all around them and through them. Dex realized the Ningini was speaking telepathically to all of them.

"Please let us pass. The people you trust are bad people. They hurt others. We need to leave. Please, we need to get out."

"We do not trust. No choice. Guns are pain. Deal for out." The Ningini wanted to bargain.

"Anything." Dex needed Mitch to be safe and their time was running out.

"Out for my people."

Dex nodded. The Ningini bowed his headed then turned around and stepped through the door. Dex ran back for Mitch and heaved him up again. "Ok everyone let's get the hell out of here."

Yolarian Jungle

The group followed the Ningini through the dense Jungle for almost an hour before they came to a clearing in the woods. Everyone was exhausted, but Mitch was coming the paralysis drug finally wore off and he was walking on his own.

The Ningini was just standing in the middle of the clearing. Dex walked up next to him.

"Where do we go now? We need to get back to my ship. I can only protect my people and yours from there. We need to get to the Prudential." Dex was getting annoyed. Why was the Ningini doing nothing?

The Ningini didn't reply. He just pointed at the setting sun. Suddenly a ray of light flash on a boulder and a brilliant, sparling light started to shine there. Everyone walked over to it but kept their distance, afraid to touch it but too curious to look away. The Ningini picked up the object; a giant diamond rotated it and placed it back in a deep fixture in a large stone wall covered in yellow vines. A rumble was heard and then the boulder slowly started to shift backwards first then to the sides revealing an entrance to a tunnel.

"Those tunnel systems! It must be how they travel throughout the planet. INES picked it up on the scan," proclaimed Zimms. He was no worse for wear but his hand never left his slightly round stomach.

They all followed the Ningini into the tunnel and heard the entrance slam shut just as the sounds of the ERDS guards started to drift towards them.



Project Phoenix Ch. 07



Hello All!

It has been such a LONG time since I last submitted a chapter to Project Phoenix. I abandoned it for 2 years; I just didn't have the time. But I would come back to it and read you guys' comments...it inspired me to finish the story. So I am dedicating this chapter to all my fans who have been waiting for the next chapter for so long. I am very happy to announce that the ENTIRE story is completed and I will publish it in sections over the course of a couple weeks! This is Chapter 7 (in Chapter 6's I mistakenly wrote "chapter seven") I hope that you all enjoy the Chapter and are happy to see Dex and Mitch back. I worked pretty hard to edit it, but if there are still some minor mistakes please disregard because I don't think I will have the time to correct them. As always, your comments are extremely welcome! Enjoy!

xxxYaoiLover21xxx

*****

The tunnel that the Ningini was guiding them through was nearly pitch black except for the iridescent moss that was growing on the walls. The Ningini seemed to have no problem finding his way through. The members of the FSC Prudential just followed the native, since his skin was visible in the blackness. 

Nate Zimms was walking next to the Ningini, bombarding him with questions.

"Are all your people able to talk telepathically?" Zimms asked inquisitively.

The Ningini cocked his head slightly, but kept his head faced forward.

"I think it's cool. So can you hear my thoughts or do I have to speak out loud?"

"No more talk." The Ningini said into Zimms' head.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I bothering you? I didn't mean to-"

"No bother. Noise echoes here, best to be quiet," the Ningini explained. Zimms nodded and made the gesture of locking his mouth shut and throwing away an invisible key. He'd seen the gesture once in an old visual program, called a movie, when he was younger. The Ningini just shook his head .

Captain Dex Ordenal was at the back of the line with Mitch. Mitch was still pretty weak, but he was walking on his own. Still Dex didn't want to leave his side.

"How are you feeling?" Dex questioned with worry in his voice.

"I feel like hammered shit." Mitch's voice was hoarse and he kept gasping whenever his arm touched the wall of the tunnel.

"We should be near the settlement I think. I'm taking you straight to sick bay," Dex stated. He wanted Mitch to be checked over right away.

"I'll be fine. You should make sure everyone's safe and start preparing our defenses. Those ERDS members aren't going to stop hunting us down." Mitch said grimly.

"I'll protect you. I'll protect everyone." Dex affirmed.

Edge of the Yolarian Jungle

A section of solid stone slide away from the tunnel and blinding light streamed into the tunnel making everyone wince. They stepped out into the Yolarian Jungle again, but the FSC Prudential was visible on the right, maybe 5 miles out.

"Safe now. " The Ningini said to Dex who had left his position at the rear to gaze upon the FSC.

"Thank you so much. Your people should come here. We can protect them." The Captain was going to hold up his end of the bargain. The native had trusted them and gotten his companion to safety.

The Ningini nodded and then turned and walked away, but before he got to the tunnel Zimms ran up to him. Zimms grabbed the Ningini's arm; he turned to the Navigational Officer. Zimms just stared at the native and the Ningini cocked his head to the side, listening to Zimms' unspoken words. Then the Ningini leaned forward and Zimms kissed him on the cheek. 

"Aw, sweet." Mitch said dismally as he leaned up against the trunk of tree and slid to the ground. He winced at the pain from the friction.

The Ningini turned from Zimms and entered the dark tunnel once again. Zimms came to stand by the Captain as the rock entranced closed behind them.

"What are we going to do?" Zimms said ignoring what had just happened between him and the Ningini.

"We need to get back and warn everyone. Get some kind of defenses up," the Captain explained.

Zimms nodded and started across the marshy plain with his hands held on the side of his stomach. Dex went to Mitch and helped him back up. They marched across the plane as quickly as possible, not knowing how close the ERDS team was.

ERDS Team, Yolarian Jungle

"Where the hell did they go!?" The ERDS leader bellowed to his men. His shoulder was still bleeding, but he wouldn't let anyone look at it. His eyes were full of fury and he was pacing back and forth in the clearing where they had lost sight of the FSC crew.

"I don't know sir." One of his men spoke up. 

"Maybe something in the forest ate them or something," Someone else suggested.

"Really? Ate them? You are all fucking idiots! They were just here and now they are NOT!" The leader picked up a large stone near his foot and hurled it at his men. They jumped out of the way as best they could.

The leader threw a rather large rock at the head of the team member who had spoken first. The ERDS member ducked and the rock crashed into the stone face behind him. Then suddenly there was a slight clicking sound and the stone slid away revealing a tunnel entrance.

"Those sons of bitches. God damn Canaries!" The leader spoke half in anger and half in amusement.

"I should have known those yellow skinned fags would help them. Come on!" And he led the way into the Ningini tunnel.

FSC Prudential Settlement

Everyone rushed to help the missing crew members when they arrived back at the settlement. Mitch was taken to sick bay along with a couple others. The Captain followed and stayed by Mitch's side the entire time. The doctor ran a series of scans on Mitch while another med-tech patched and healed some of his superficial wounds.

The doctor pulled Dex aside to speak to him privately.

"Captain, your companion is not well." The doctor informed Dex. The doctor was of medium height with a black mustache and sandy blonde hair. He had olive skin and shallow green eyes.

"He was put in an elctro gell cell; he was burned pretty bad, I know." Dex agreed and lowered his head.

"It's not his burns. They'll heal fine. It's the fetus. Being so early in the term it is quite possible that it may not survive."

Dex jerked his head up, his eyes wide.

"Wait what? What do you mean fetus? He's not pregnant." Dex stared hard at the doctor in disbelief.

"Yes he is. Only 5 weeks or so, but he is definitely pregnant. But the shocks and the sedatives that he was injected with harmed the fetus and there may be a chance that it may not live to term." 

Dex shook his head back and forth and stared past the doctor into the room where Mitch was being placed in a medi-chamber.

"But...but he never said anything. " Dex spoke in a low voice.

"It is possible that he didn't know," The doctor reasoned.

"The baby is going to die?" Dex strained to talk. It felt like his throat was closing on him. The vision of Kay laying cold on a hospital hover bed made Dex's blood run cold.

"The electro current threw off the fetus' heartbeat. It's erratic and slower than it should be. The fetus seems to be in distress."

"There's nothing that you can do?" Dex asked as calmly as he could. He couldn't lose another baby.

The doctor frowned and took a deep breath before he spoke.

"There may be one thing. We could JUMP the fetus. But that would be dangerous." The doctor let the idea sink into Dex's head.

JUMP'ing was the artificial procedure of speeding up the growth rate of a living organism. It was mostly used on crops and vegetation in order to supply food after humans nearly destroyed the planet. It had never been tried on humans before, but theoretically it was possible.

"What could go wrong?" Dex asked, afraid of the answer.

"The fetus is already growing at an accelerated rate from the modification surgery. If we were to JUMP, then we would have to be very careful not to progress the growth too far or the large size of the baby could kill your companion."

Dex rubbed his head and tried to breath. His chest was tight and he felt dizzy. Was this the decision that Kay had spoken of in his dream? If he tried to save the baby the procedure could kill Mitch. But if he didn't do something the baby would die. 

"Is Mitch awake so I can ask him what he wants to do?" Dex asked.

"He was a bit groggy when you brought him in but he should be awake enough to talk. Please make your decision quickly, you don't have much time." The doctor urged him then walked away.

Dex approached the medi -chamber that encased Mitch in an air tight glass cocoon. Mitch had his eyes closed but he opened his them when he heard Dex pull up a chair.

"What did the doctor say?" Mitch asked. His voice was still hoarse, but his eyes were no longer glassy and unfocused.

"I don't know how to tell you this." Dex looked down at his hands.

"Just say it. I'm a big boy. I can take it." Mitch tried to smile.

Dex looked up and lightly let his fingertips touch the glass near Mitch's stomach.

"The doctor says that you're pregnant and that the baby is in trouble."

"WHAT?!" Mitch shot up in the medi-chamber and hit his head hard against the glass. Dex jumped and fumbled with the controls to open the chamber. Mitch fell back onto the bed, clutching his forehead.

"The fuck you mean I'm pregnant!? Already? I mean Jesus! How- well not how but when...why...what is going on!?" Mitch was frantic and was pushing at the glass that surrounded him as Dex finally found the button to remove it.

Dex grabbed Mitch up in his arms and tried to calm him even though he wasn't feeling too calm himself.

"Your only a few weeks in. The doctor said you probably didn't know. But babe you have to calm down and listen to me." Dex pulled the mumbling Mitch away from his chest and looked him in the eye.

"The baby is in trouble. The shocks you took altered his heartbeat. They want to JUMP the baby's growth in order to speed up the pregnancy." Dex spoke slowly and kept his eyes locked with Mitch's.

"JUMP? Like what they do with cabbage? " Mitch yelled and shook his head frantically.

"I'm not going to have my kid put in a microwave so it can cook faster! And besides what will that do to me?" Mitch yelled into Dex's face and tried to get out of the medi-chamber. Dex held him tight.

"There is no other way to save the baby. The baby will die." 

Mitch froze instantly at Dex's words. He looked down at his stomach and was quiet. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes and tears were soon flowing freely down his face.

"How could I not have known, Dex?" Mitch questioned, the tears chocking him up. "I went off into some Alien jungle and put my baby, that I didn't even know I was carrying, in danger." Dex tried to soothe Mitch.

"How were you supposed to know how it would feel when you became pregnant? Mitch, its and honest mistake, but we need to figure out what we are going to do." Dex hugged Mitch to him. He felt Mitch's muscular arms wrap around him and Mitch's stumbled chin graze across his skin. 

"What could happen to me if I agree with the JUMP?" Mitch asked in a whisper.

"You...you could die." Dex spoke hesitantly but he didn't know how else to say it. Mitch was a soldier after all. He could take it.

Mitch pulled back from Dex and wiped his nose. 

"Do it." 

"Are you sure?" Dex wanted to make sure Mitch was 100% positive about his decision.

"Yes, I'm sure. I didn't go through all that pain from the surgery just to let my baby die." Mitch felt extremely protective of the life inside of him, even if it did screw his mind up pretty bad.

Dex just nodded and leaned in to kiss Mitch. Dex didn't know if he could have chosen between Mitch or his unborn child.

Yolarian Plains, FSC Settlement

"Quick! Put those crates on the west side. Stack 'em on top of each other if you have to!" Nate Zimms ordered the crew of the Prudential. He had on a fresh uniform and his cuts and bruised were faded and hardy visible. His round baby bump was clearly visible through is shirt, making Nate's back arch slightly.

"Break down all the homes on the East side. We need to be able to get to the Pru fast." Zimms was directing technicians, engineers, labor crews and anyone else who came into view. He knew Dex was with Mitch in Sick Bay so he needed to step up to the plate.

Nate was directing the placement of a laser force field dock when he sighted movement on the plains. He ran closer to make out what it was. 

"They can't be attacking already?" Zimms said out loud to himself.

But as the moving mass came closer, the staggering height of the forms came into view. Yellow skin was reflecting in the light of the Yolarian suns and millions of twinkling beams radiated off of the beads and bracelets coiled around their tall bodies.

"The Ningini!" Zimms yelled. He immediately ordered people to get into transport vehicles and go and meet the native of Yolaris.

When Nate reached the group of Ningini he scanned the crowd for the one who had helped them escape. There were maybe 60 or so Ningini. Some were broad shouldered and strong, but the majority were older; their skin was dull and they walked slightly hunched over. They were all males.

Zimms yelped when he spotted the Ningini that had helped them. The native was helping an older Ningini get onto one of the transports. Nate ran up to him, one hand on the side of his belly.

"You're okay. I was worried." Zimms smiled. His cherub face nearly cut in half from the beaming grin.

The Ningini made a bowing motion.

"Safe. You are safe." The Ningini took a step towards Zimms and looked down at his stomach. Nate blushed as the Ningini stared at his swollen abdomen. The Ningini reached out a large hand and placed it on the top of Zimms' stomach.

Nate shuddered slightly and closed his eyes for a moment.

"We need to get you and your people to the settlement. Those ERDS members could attack at any minute." Nate said breathlessly as a blush spread across his milky cheek, making his freckles stand out.

The Ningini took his eyes off of Zimms' stomach and removed his hand slowly. He bowed again and walked away to help some of the other Ningini get onto the transports.

Nate shook his shoulders slightly and bit his lip. He soon followed the Ningini and helped get everyone moving.

Sick Bay

"Are you ready?" Dex asked Mitch as he held his hand tightly. Mitch was laying on an operating table in a make shift surgical room. Mitch's eyes were darting around the room rapidly.

"No." Mitch said flatly. He was scared shitless.

"You'll be fine. I won't let anything happen to you." Dex tried to reassure his companion.

"You don't really have control over this, babe." Mitch said through tight lips. The doctor came up beside the couple. He was wearing a surgical mask that hid the bottom of his face. Mitch felt sick.

"Your chances are good, Lieutenant. But the risk is still there. I want you to be sure that you want to proceed before we get started." The doctor leaned near Mitch when he spoke and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"No offense, but this situation sucks either way. But I'm not going to let my...my ...baby die. " Mitch was resolute, but that didn't stop him from freaking out.

Dex just held Mitch's hand tighter and tried not to cry. Mitch was putting himself at risk for a baby that he had just found out was growing inside him. Brave was not a strong enough word to describe Mitch. Dex felt overcome with love for his companion. Mitch had rolled with the punches and even now when his life was in danger, he put himself last.

Dex made a pledge to himself to let Mitch know every second of every day from here on out how much he loved him.

"Shit, shit, shit" Mitch went into a chant as they wheeled him further into the room. Dex was led out of the room and instructed to wait.

Communications Unit

"How do you work this thing?" McMahon asked Sten. He was fumbling with a comm unit trying to upload his video message to a NF satellite near their orbit. Sten grabbed the comm and shook his head.

"What do they teach you guys? Just how to order people around?" Sten asked annoyed. Dealing with McMahon was starting to annoy him, but he was a means to an end. Once NF soldiers got here and obliterated everyone he would finally have his revenge on his snot nosed ex-companion, the Captain and his cock tease mate.

"They teach us diplomacy and how to rule men, you brutish Neanderthal." McMahon shot back and snatched the comm back from Sten.

"A neo-what?" Sten looked confused.

"A Neanderthal. Pre-historic human." McMahon educated Sten with a know-it-all tone.

"Whatever." Sten rolled his eyes and went back to fidgeting with the satellite uplink. 

"Shit! The closest satellite is over a light year away!" Sten punched the screen of the comm unit he was using and cracked it.

McMahon jumped at Sten's violent display.

"There is no way we can get a message to the National Federation?" McMahon started to sweat. He needed his power back. He needed the National Federation to come swopping in and restore order.

"None. Nothing is close enough. Even if we sent out a message it could take decades for it to reach Earth." Sten clenched his fists and started turning red.

"Well figure out a way you useless lout! Fast!" Sten turned his burning eyes to McMahon. He rose from his crouched position and towered over McMahon. McMahon saw the look in Sten's eyes. He backed up fast, tripped over a box of equipment and fell backwards.

Sten stood over McMahon and looked down at him.

"Are rulers supposed to be afraid of, what was it called? A Neanderthal?" Sten spoke in a deadly tone and raised an amused eyebrow.

"You can't touch me. I'm a NF representative. You'll be executed!" McMahon was stuttering and shaking.

"The NF isn't here. No one knows we are here. And no one will notice you're gone." Sten reached down and snapped McMahon's neck before the representative could get out a scream.

Edge of The Yolarian Jungle

"Is that the ship?" One of the ERDS team members said out loud.

"Yes it is boys. Time to call in the cavalry." The leader, Watts, raised a large gun and fired it into the air. A bright green flare shot into the sky and exploded.

Yolaris Settlement

"There here!" Someone yelled.

Nate Zimms was standing next to the Ningini that had rescued them. They were distributing food and water to the Ningini refugees. 

Zimms turned his head and saw a flare streak into the sky.

"We need to get Dex." Zimms started for the Sick Bay. His Ningini protector was right behind him. 

"Your leader. Where?" The Ningini asked Zimms.

"Sick bay. His companion was hurt pretty bad." Zimms picked up the pace as he neared the doors to the Sick Bay building.

Zimms burst through the makeshift doors and made straight for the operating entrance. A burly looking mad in a a white lab coat tried to stop Zimms from going in. In an instant the Ningini had sidestepped Zimms and grabbed the burley employee by the collar and raised him 4 feet off the ground. 

"Do. Not. Touch" The Ningini screamed into the man's head. The man clenched his eyes shut at the pain from volume.

Zimms touched the Ningini's arm.

"I'm ok. He didn't hurt me." Zimms said.

The Ningini growled low in his throat and tossed the man aside like he was made of air. The man fell to the floor and scrambled to get out of the Sick Bay as fast as he could.

"Did not like." The Ningini said to Zimms.

Zimms smiled softly at the tall native with his warrior physique and captivating eyes.

"What is your name by the way?" said Zimms.

"Name?" The Ningini did not understand the question. He was still too preoccupied with the Sick Bay guard who had long since disappeared.

"What do they call you?"

The Ningini looked at Zimms for a second trying to understand.




Project Phoenix Ch. 07



"Zhorne" the Ningini answered. Zimms smiled wider.

"I'm Nate." The Ningini returned the smile.

They looked at each other for a moment longer before stepping through the nano wall in search of The Captain.

Recovery, Sick Bay

Nate and Zhorne found Dex in one of the recovery rooms. Mitch was lying on a hover bed, motionless and white as a ghost. But what was unmistakable was Mitch's enormously round belly that raised the sheet above him. Dex was holding his hand and panting.

Nate gasped when he saw the scene and covered his mouth with his hand. 

"Oh my god Dex! What happened? Is Mitch pregnant?!" Nate's eyes were wide and he approached the hover bed. There was a white tube in the corner of Mitch's mouth that was vibrating slightly. Machines near the bed were humming and beeping slowly.

"Dex? Dex are you ok? What's going on with Mitch?" Nate questioned again. Dex seemed to be in a trance. His eyes were glued on Mitch's face while he rocked from side to side.

"Dex honey, tell me what happened?" Nate peered into Dex's eyes trying to find any sign of recognition.

Dex turned his eyes to Nate. The tears kept flowing and the muscles in his jaw were twitching.

"Dex?" Nate touched his check and caressed it slightly. The Ningini, Zhorne, hissed slightly at this.

"He's in a coma." Dex said so quietly that Nate wouldn't have known he had spoken if he hadn't been looking Dex in the face.

"We found out he was pregnant, but the baby was dying. They decided to JUMP the pregnancy. I shouldn't have let Mitch risk himself. I was so selfish." Dex said just as quiet. Nate was shocked by the news but stayed silent.

"The JUMP went well, but whatever those fucking thugs shot us with thinned his blood. He started bleeding out." 

"Is he going to wake up?" Nat asked cautiously. Dex let out a sob and dropped his head. "I don't know. He lost a lot of blood. It's Kay all over again." Dex's legs started to give out and he started to collapse.

"Zhorne help me!" Nate called to the Nigini. Zhorne caught Dex on his way down and placed him in a nearby chair.

"Nate he can't die! He can't!" Dex was screaming and crying hysterically.

"Dex! Listen I know this is horrible for you, but they're here. The ERDS. We need you." Nate tried to talk over Dex's scream. At the mention of the ERDS, Dex quieted and looked at Nate. His eyes were empty and red.

"They're here?" Dex asked Nate.

"Yes. And we need you to lead us. They'll kill Mitch and all of us if we don't do something." Nate placed his hand on his own rounded stomach.

Dex shook his hand and stood up on shaky legs. He crossed to where Mitch lay and kissed him gently on the forehead.

"I'll be back. I love you." There was a fire is Dex's eyes. Those men had done this to Mitch. And they were going to pay.



Project Phoenix Ch. 08



Hello All! 

I am SO sorry that I have not fulfilled my promise of releasing a new chapter every week as promised. As always, life happened so I was unable to edit and upload any new chapters. However, after a few very scathing emails from some fans I put it at the top of my list. And now I present to you...Chapter 8 of Project Phoenix! There is only one or 2 more chapters left! They are completed; they just need to be edited. I hope you enjoy! And as always, comments and suggestions are always welcomed!

Enjoy!

xxxYaoiLover21xxx

*****

Edge of the Yolarian Jungle

Dozens of well-armed men had formed at the edge of the forest. They had laser guns, incendiary orbs, transport vehicles and hover crafts. 

"We attack head on. They're on a science expedition. They won't have much in the way of weapons." The leader reassured his team. He was strapping a few incendiary orbs on his hips. The orbs were filled with a highly combustible liquid. Once the orbs were shattered and the liquid was hit by solar rays from the sun it exploded and would engulf everything in flames.

"Fire as soon as your close." The leader marched onto the plains and headed straight for the FSC Prudential. His men let out howls and shouts. The thought of blood shed making them shiver with anticipation. "Kill them all!"

FSC Prudential Settlement

Dex was barking orders at everyone. He looked like a rabid dog. His eyes were bloodshot, he hadn't changed his clothes since getting back from the ERDS compound; he was dirty and disheveled. 

Men were readying the small amount of munitions they had. Others were making makeshif weapons out of whatever they could find. Companions stayed together and prepared each other for whatever was coming across those plains. 

Dex kept his eyes on the horizon and the black shapes speeding towards them. He picked up a mini cannon and charged the rounds. Mitch was in a coma because of them. Who knew if Mitch would ever wake up and Dex was going to let them feel all of the pain that he was in.

"Get ready! Wait til I give the order then give them everything we've got!" Nate came up beside him, a laser gun in his hand. Seeing Nate's stomach small and round reminded Dex of Mitch's large belly that he now had. Dex was going to kill every last one of them even if he had to rip them apart one by one.

Sick Bay

"AHHHHHHHHH!" Mitch let out a piercing scream and his eyes shot open. All he felt was heat and a terrible throbbing pain all over his body. Mitch bit down on his tongue and tasted blood. He could barely breathe and he felt like something was chocking him.

Mitch reached up to his mouth and found the tube there that was supplying him with oxygen. He coughed as he pulled the tube out and leaned over the side of the bed as he vomited up bile.

Mitch tried to sit up but he felt like a weight was on his chest. He looked down and saw his huge, swollen stomach. He had went from washboard abs to 9 months pregnant in a day!

"Holy shit!" Mitch yelled. He felt his stomach lightly and the hard mass there. He could feel the heat radiating off of him. Suddenly, a small ripple went across his bell and the small shape of a hand appeared on the surface of his skin as his baby moved for the first time. 

Mitch gasped and clasped his hand to his mouth. It felt so alien, but so completely normal at the same time. He hesitantly touched the spot on his belly with the tips of his fingers and tears started streaming down his face as the little life inside of him pressed back.

"Dex?" Mitch kept his hands on his protruding stomach and called out for his companion, but he was nowhere in sight.

"Dex?" Mitch called out again and struggled to sit up and swing his legs over the side of the hover bed. He immediately felt dizzy and nauseous so he took deep breaths and shut his eyes for a moment.

Mitch heaved himself up and felt like he was going to collapse back onto the bed. A loud siren sounded abruptly. Loud explosions and then what sounded like laser cannon fire.

Mitch looked at the door and the distance in between. He needed to get to Dex. He took one unsteady step and then another. His body was awkward to him and he felt like the room was spinning.

"He's such an ass" Mitch said to himself referring to Dex as he exited the room on slow, unstable feet.

Yolarian Plains

The members of the FSC Prudential and the ERDS team soldiers were locked in a battle on the open plains of Yolaris. Laser cannons were screaming as they shot huge bolt of electrified energy into the air. White hot laser rounds were whizzing by like bolts of lightning. Incendiary orbs were exploding everywhere. All you could hear was screaming, explosions and the roaring of hover transports.

Dex was taking cover behind a crashed hover transport. He fired at the ERDS members, picking them off one by one. He didn't know where Nate was. 

Rising above the sound of the battle came a loud screeching cry. Dex turned his head behind him back towards the settlement. A dozen giant Ningini were charging into the fray. Some carried laser rifles while others had these iridescent long staffs that were nearly as tall as them. They bellowed out war cries and attacked the ERDS members with a fury to match Dex's own. 

Dex caught sight of Zhorne who was grabbing a man off of a hover craft and impaled him on the large staff he carried. Some of the Ningini were hit with laser rounds, but they kept going. Florescent blood shined on all them as they threw themselves into the battle.

Dex continued firing at any ERDS members that came into his view. Something silver and metallic rolled near Dex's foot and he looked down. He kicked the orb away from his just before it exploded, but he was thrown backwards from the blast. The ERDS leader appeared through the fiery smoke and advanced on the semi-conscious captain.

FSC Prudential Settlement

Thankfully the Sick Bay was directly under the FSC Prudential. Mitch was able to walk to one of the hatch elevators and get on board. Mitch didn't know how much longer he would be able to stay standing, but he had to get a view of what was happening.

Mitch nearly fainted by the time he got to the Control Room and the Helm. He fell heavily into the Captain's chair and had to fight to stay awake.

"INES. Un-shield the Control Room window screen." Mitch spoke out loud to the on board computer.

"Hello Lieutenant, Stone. Opening control room window screen." INES queued the sliding solar wind protection shield away from the front control window screen. Mitch took in a heavy breath when he saw the scene before him.

Fires were everywhere and as far as he could see there were people fighting each other. Hover crafts spewed out smoke and smog as they shook from the impact of an incendiary orb hit. Laser rounds flicked in the sun and fires sliced through the marshy landscape. Hundreds of people in a swirling, rippling mass of destruction. 

"INES, do we have any weapons systems still on board? Mitch asked as a planned slowly formed in his head.

"All phase cannons have been removed, Lieutenant. The asteroid deflector mortars are also not currently operational." INES informed Mitch.

Mitch shut his eyes and unconsciously embraced his pregnant belly. He thought hard. What could be used as a weapon? What could he do?

Mitch let out a frustrated groan and huffed. Then an idea came to him. 

"INES, is the ships core strong enough to emit an electro wave?" Mitch asked with crossed fingers.

"The ship's core capacity is at 32%, Lieutenant." INES responded.

"Is that a yes!?" Mitch shouted annoyed.

"Yes, Lieutenant. The core is capable of emitting an electro wave." INES said.

Mitch punched the air in triumph and smiled. He started punching in his engineering code and got to work bypassing the security settings in order to use the electro pulse.

When that pulse reached the plains every hover craft, laser gun...everything...would instantly be rendered useless. And Mitch hoped it would give the FSC Prudential soldiers an advantage somehow.

Mitch was putting in the final access cold when a voice behind him made his blood run cold.

"What are you up to...you fucking tease?" Sten said menacingly.



Project Phoenix Ch. 09



Hello Everyone! It is finally here! I present to you...the final chapter of Project Phoenix! I really want to thank all of my hardcore fans that have been reading this story since I started it 4 years ago. Your emails and comments really pushed me to finish the series. It has been a long time coming, but the story of Mitch and Dex needed to have a proper ending. And you guys deserved a hell of a final chapter after such a long wait. I hope I haven't disappointed you. Thank you for reading! And as always, comments and suggestions are more than welcome!

Enjoy!

xxYaoiLover21xxx





FSC Prudential Helm and Control Room



"Fuck" Mitch whispered as that voice echoed throughout the empty control room.

Mitch didn't turn around. He needed to finish putting in the override codes to initiate the electo-wave. He moved his hands very slowly, putting in the final 15 digit authorization override and watched as the screen blinked twice and a 90 second countdown appeared on the screen.

"90 seconds till electro-wave activation." INES said over the coms.

"I'd get away from that control panel if I were you" Sten said, raising a laser cutter up.

"I can't do that." Mitch said calmly. This wasn't good. Mitch was too weak and way too pregnant to take Sten on face to face. He needed to get some space between them; give him time to think. He snatched the detachable control e-pad off of the unit and slowly started to inch himself to the left trying to put the Captain's Chair between him and Sten.

"You don't have a choice." Sten followed Mitch's path. "And look at that belly! Gods! I don't know why I ever wanted to screw you. Ha! No one will after you have that thing inside you." Sten let out a loud laugh, Mitch clenched his teeth hard while fury lit up his eyes.

"What the fuck do you want, Sten? Our men, NF soldiers, are dying out there. We need to help them." Mitch kept inching around the Captain's Chair with Sten following, a measured merry-go-round. 

"Those fuckers can die out there. I could care less. If I had my way that little red head ex-companion of mine would get it first. Hell, I'd kill him myself if he was here. Now give me that e-pad and stop the initiation sequence." 

"You're sick! He's pregnant you know! With YOUR child! And you'd just kill him? You're just going to watch all those people die out there? What is the matter with you?" Mitch was furious. How could someone who called himself a soldier allow his brothers to die? Mitch had, had enough! In lightning speed, Mitch accessed the Emergency Fire Protocol on the e-pad and activated the fire retardant foam hoses in the ceiling and the walls.

The white, rubber substance sprayed down on them both. Fog and mist engulfed the Control Room and Sten's Laser cutter fizzled out. Mitch new the Control Room pretty well so while Sten was wildly thrashing around, screaming in rage, Mitch walked/ran around the Captain's Chair and ran to the control screen. 20 seconds! Almost most there.

With the force of a MACK truck Sten slammed into Mitch knocking him sideways onto the control unit. His abdomen slammed sideways into the heavy metal. Mitched screamed out in pain and collapsed onto the floor. He fell onto his back and holding his belly with two hands he tried to use his legs to push himself backwards away from Sten. But Mitch's movements were awkward and the new weight of a 9 month old baby inside of him didn't allow him that much range of motion.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU FUCKING TEASE!" Sten bellowed out and charged at Mitch. 

Mitch rolled over onto his stomach as best he could and dragged himself under the Captains Command Chair and through the other side.

"You really need to get over that!" Mitch shouted back as he heaved himself up off the floor.

The Emergency sirens were going off and white smoke rushed and swirled all around. The fire-retardant foam started to cover everything in a thick mass of white goo, flashing blue lights flickered frantically. 

Sten couldn't see a thing. He hollered in frustration and indiscriminately attacked objects and shapes in the mist while Mitch headed towards Dex's sleeping quarters.

He reached the wall and laid his head next to the keypad. His whole body was in pain, sweat was streaming down his face and his breathing came in short gasps of air. He entered his clearance number and nearly fell into the room. The light from the inside illuminated the Helm and the Control Room.

Sten's eyes shot madly to that light. His eyes and body movements were more like a rampant beast than a man.

"IM GOING TO KILL YOU!" Sten ran full speed towards Mitch who was struggling to lean against the wall inside of the room.

"Not today you're not!" Mitch yelled back and slammed his hand down on the keypad. The nano door rippled and in an instant was as solid as granite. 

Sten had built up so much momentum that he couldn't slow himself down and ran directly into the nano wall, full speed, and knocked himself unconscious.



Yolarian Plains



"Captain" said Watts, leader of the ERDS Team. He was standing over Dex. The orb hadn't directly hit Dex, but the blast was able to throw him some 20 feet and blister the side of his face. His uniform was smoking slightly.

"You should have never came here." Said Watts. "There's nothing for you here. This is MY planet and I'm not going to let any NF flunky take it from me." 

Watts un-holstered a rapid laser gun from his hip and aimed it directly at Dex's head.

"Time to die, fag." He went to pull the trigger.

Just as Watts' finger squeezed the trigger a bright and overwhelming green light shot forth from the FSC Prudential and fanned out encompassing the entire Yolarian Plain. Instantaneously, every single electrical or laser operated weapon shut down and stopped firing. 

The Ningini didn't stop their attack and while the ERDS members stood staring dumbstruck at their now useless weapons the Ningini pounced and attacked with full force. The loud war cries of the alien race awakened everyone from their stupor and the soldiers from the Prudential, with their mostly makeshift weapons, joined the fray and started to gain the upper hand.

Watts repeatedly pulled the trigger on his weapon, never noticing that Dex had regain his awareness and was slowly reaching out to grab a torn shard of shrapnel from a downed hovercraft.

It was too late when Watts realized what Dex was up too. Suddenly, Dex brought his left knee up hard hitting Watts right in the balls. Watts let out a yelp and collapsed. Dex rolled out of the way to the left and quickly got to his feet holding the sharp piece of metal in his hand. Watts stood up and turned his angry eyes to Dex, one hand still on his crotch. Watts saw a piece of a broken Ningini staff near his foot; he bent and picked it up.

The two men faced each other and stared into the other's eyes. One of them was going to die.

"You and your people," Watts stretched out his arms wide gesturing to the war zone around them, "all fighting to become lab rats for the Federation? The Federation doesn't give a shit about you! The only thing the Federation cares about is self-preservation; retaining the power to rule over people lives. That power doesn't exist here. WE make our decisions! WE HAVE THE POWER!" Watts screamed out and rushed at Dex.

Dex sidestepped and dodged the first stabbing jab and elbowed him as he hurled past. Watts grunted and spun around, broken staff in his right hand, aiming for the side of Dex's head. Dex threw himself back barely avoiding the blow. They faced each other again and this time Dex made the first move. He took one step towards Watts and dropped to the grown, stretching his leg out and swiping it across the ground, hitting the Watts in the legs and knocking him down. Dex pounced on him and angled the shrapnel blade at Watts' throat. 

Watts grabbed the blade with his left hand making his hand bleed. He tried to bring his right hand up to stab Dex, but Dex backed off and rolled onto his side trapping Watts' arm under him. Dex dropped the shrapnel and started to pound Watts in his chest with his right shoulder while slamming Watts' hand that held the staff repeatedly into the ground.

Watts reached up and grabbed Dex's hair and pulled, he clawed desperately at Dex. Dex finally knocked the weapon out of his hand. Watts tried to bring an overhand punch, but Dex blocked it and slammed his own fist down hard onto Watts' throat. He let out a chocking, gurgling sound and clutched at his neck with his free hand. Dex watched as Watts started to cough up blood and stopped fighting in order to try and breathe. Dex stood up and retrieved the piece of shrapnel from the ground and stood over Watts.

Breathing heavily, Dex said, "We are not fighting for the Federation. We are fighting for the people that we love. For our companions and our friends. Something that you would never understand. You're no better than the Federation that you despise. You're just as power hungry and cruel....but that ends now."

Dex raised the blade high and swung it downward with all of his strength, bending his knee, and stabbed Watts directly in the heart. 

Watts' eyes went wide and he let out a gasp for air and then laid still, dead.

Dex picked himself up and turned to look at the battlefield. The Ningini and NF forces had won. All of the ERDS members were dead. NF soldiers stood still in shock with some still holding their improvised weapons and others down on their knees bloodied and exhausted.

Dex went in search of Zimms. He found him leaning against Zhorne. He had a black eye and his red hair was matted with blood and dirt and besides a few scratches he seemed fine. Zhorne was protectively embracing Zimms. Zhorne had laser burns all over and a large laceration on his upper left shoulder was bleeding steadily. 

Zimms looked up to see Dex and ran to gave him a hug. He started crying. Dex could feel Nate's round stomach on his.

"Are you okay?" Nate examined Dex, spinning him around inspecting him.

"I'm fine. I'm fine" Dex assured Zimms. "How's Zhorne?" and he nodded to the Ningini.

"Oh, he's okay," said Nate turning loving eyes to the alien warrior who returned it in his own way and spoke to Nate telepathically, making him blush.

"Where did that electro-wave come from?" Dex asked as he looked towards the Prudential.

"It was the ship, but someone had to manually activate it" said Nate.

It couldn't be...could it? Mitch? Mitch was alive?

Dex took off towards the spaceship.



FSC Prudential



Just as Sten crashed head first into the nano wall a streaking pain shot across Mitch's stomach and buried itself in a knot directly above his belly button. The incision sight for his modification surgery started to pulse and twitch.

Mitch groaned and dropped to his knees, cradling his stomach.

"AHHHHHH! GODS!!" Mitch screamed constantly as the pain bombarded him nonstop.

Dex ran into the Control Room. "MITCH!" 

Dex scanned the room frantically. It was still foggy and difficult to see, but the fire system had stopped. There was a gooey film over everything in the Control Room.

"Mitch! Babe are you here?!" Dex screamed out as he coughed and walked around the room.

"AHHHHH!" Dex's head spun around in the direction of his sleeping quarters and saw a body laying against the nano wall. At first Dex started to run to the figure, but then he saw all of the laser tattoos and instantly knew it was Sten and not Mitch.

"AHHHHH! FUCK!" Dex heard Mitch's voice scream out again from the other side of the nano wall.



FSC Control Room, Sleeping Quarters



"FUCK THIS!" Yelled Mitch. The pain was unbearable! The scar on his ribs felt like it was on fire and his muscles were contracting. 

Mitch curled himself into a ball and clutched at his swollen belly. 

"It's trying to kill me." Mitch thought in is head sarcastically. "I'm dying. I know it." The pain was so intense Mitch could barely breathe and was close to passing out. Then he heard Dex's voice calling to him.

The nano wall shimmered and then disappeared. Dex rushed into the room and almost tripped over Mitch who was laying curled up next to the entry way.

"Dex!" Mitch shouted out.

Tears started streaming down Dex's face as he realized his companion was alive. He turned to Mitch and dropped to the ground to hold him, but Mitch angrily pushed him off.

"Oh my gods. Mitch, are you okay!?" Dex was looking at his mate. Mitch was sweating and his mouth was open in a silent scream. He was breathing hard and his eyes were close.

Suddenly Mitch's eyes shot open and his arm reached out and he grabbed Dex hard around the collar and jerked him close.

"DEX! The baby...it's trying to come out. It's ripping me apart for fucks sake! GET IT OUT!!" Mitch shouted into Dex's face then he hunched over as another wave of pain went across his abdomen.

Dex looked at his companion's large belly and remembered that Mitch was technically 9 months pregnant since the JUMP was performed. But Dex had no idea what to do.

"I...uhh.."

"NOW! DEX!"

And then thankfully Nate and Zhorne appeared at the entrance to the room.

"Is that Sten?" Nate looked at the unconscious body lying on the floor in a heap like dirty clothes. Zhorne let out a low growl at the mention of that name. Nate had told him everything.

"GODS THIS HURTS! GET IT OUT! GET IT OUT!" Nate's attention switched to Dex and Mitch. Mitch was basically clawing at his stomach in obvious pain while Dex was kind of just in shock. Nate jumped into action.

"Dex. Dex. CAPTAIN ORDENAL!" Shouted Nate in the most stern military voice he could muster. Dex's head shot up and his training kicked in.

"Get this man to Sick Bay immediately!" Now that he had some kind of orders, Dex kicked into gear and helped pick Mitch up off the ground. Mitch screamed out and tied to punch Dex, but Zhorne stepped in and help raise Mitch as he and Dex, each with a shoulder around their necks, carried Mitch to Sick Bay.

"THIS SUCKS!!! AHHHHH!!!!"



Sick Bay, 2 hours later



"Wow." Mitch said as he looked down were a small, healthy baby was snuggled in his arms.

Mitch was on a hover bed, propped up with a dozen pillows to help support him. After he had arrived, being half carried by Dex and Zhorne, the doctor immediately took Mitch into surgery and performed a C-section and an hour later he was holding his child.

Dex was basically laying on the bed with Mitch staring in wonder at the little form in front of him. He was afraid to hold the baby.

"Mitch....I can't believe....I mean....look....I, ah." the Captain couldn't even form a complete sentence.

"Yeah, yeah." Laughed Mitch as he adjusted the little hit on his newborns head. The baby was perfect....she was perfect.

In Mitch's arms was a beautiful baby girl. Her hair was dark like Dex's, but she had Mitch's oval face and cheek bones. She was the first baby to be born in over 3 years....and she was a girl.

She moved a little in Mitch's arms, adjusting herself.

"You're holding her too tight," Dex said chastising.

"No I'm not! She's fine." Mitch snapped back. "You know what? If you think you can do better, then here. You hold her." And Mitch transferred their daughter into Dex's arms. Though he held her head and made sure Dex didn't drop her.

Dex's eyes were wide as he held his daughter for the first time. He couldn't believe it. He was a father! He touched her little hands and her nose. She was perfect in every way. Dex couldn't help but think of the baby that he had lost. That awful day when his wife and unborn child was taken from him. And now, in his arms, was the most beautiful thing that Dex had ever seen. He couldn't help the tears that fell.

Nate and Zhorne stepping into the room. 

Nate, Zhorne and Dex had their war wounds treated while Mitch was in surgery. Nate had on a clean uniform, though it was a bit tight in the mid-section, Zhorne was in his normal tribal wear, but he sported a bandage on his shoulder.

"Oh my gods!! Dex! Mitch!" Nate ran up to the bed and gazed down at the baby.

"It's a girl." said Mitch proudly. He had not only gotten pregnant, but he was the first person, the first man, to have a baby girl. He felt that this officially made him a badass on a whole new different level.

Nate sucked in his breath in shock. "A girl!" Nate basically snatched the baby out of Dex's arms. 

Nate and his cherub like face started to walk around the room slowly, cooing to the child. Dex tried to get his daughter back, but Nate kept pushing him away. Mitch found it hilarious and just sat back to watch.



FSC Settlement, Yolarian Plains, 10 months later

"Lieutenant!" Mitch let out a sigh and turned from fixing a water treatment valve and looked to see his massive companion marching towards him, a chubby baby in his arms who was twisting and turning like a hurricane.

"What Dex?" Mitch smiled as his frustrated companion reached him and let the baby nearly pull itself into Mitch's waiting arms.

"She is a pain! I have to proceed over 15 cases today and you left me with her." Dex complained. He was back to being judge and jury for the settlement which had moved deep into the forest near the Ningini village once was. Dex rolled his large shoulders and cracked his neck. "She is a terror."

"No she's not. Are you Kay? No, no you're not." Cooed Mitch. Kay giggled happily in her father's arms and gave him a sloppy kiss and then tried to stuff a handful of Mitch's long blonde hair into her mouth. They had named her after Dex's late wife.

Dex grunted. "She likes you more," he said a little pouty.

"No she doesn't." Mitch dismissed Dex's comment. Kay was energetic, happy, and smart; she was already trying to stand at nearly 10 months. And even though Kay and Mitch had a very close bond, she would only sleep when Dex held her close at the end of the day and slowly talked to her. He told her how much she meant to him and how happy he was that she was his daughter. Then not long after, Baby Kay would be asleep. Dex never put her in her hovercrib. She slept on his chest every single night.

"Well, anyways, I can't watch her either. I have to finish repairing this valve or we'll have sludge instead of water to bathe in." Mitch said as he playfully tossed Kay up in the air. She laughed hysterically. Dex always sucked in his breath when Mitch did that. Why did he have to toss her up so high?

"I'll watch her." Said a tired, but soft voice behind Dex. Dex turned and moved aside while Mitch peered around him. 

There stood Nate....a very pregnant Nate. Nate's face was even rounder than before and his small frame was now soft and slightly bloated, but his face was lit up and glowed like the moon. His stomach was round and he rested one of his hands on the top. 

"I'll watch her while you two work. I have nothing else to do anyways." Nate said as he untangled Kay's hands from Mitch's hair and brought her close to him.

Baby Kay adored Nate and loved to rub her chubby little hands on his belly whenever Nate's unborn baby moved around inside of him.

"Thank you, Officer." Dex addressed Nate in his military tone. Nate ignored him and Mitch rolled his eyes.

"You're due soon aren't you, Nate?" Asked Mitch. Male pregnancies seemed to range from 9 to 10 months, but Nate was pushing 11.

"Yes." Nate said excitedly. "Overdue actually."

"Baby come soon. No work. Not safe." Zhorne spoke into the minds of the four men present. Zhorne and the Ningini people had fully integrated with the FSC people and they all lived in the new settlement together. Some Ningini had even taken NF soldiers as companions and became couples like Zhorne and Nate.




Project Phoenix Ch. 09



"Zee, I'm not working. I'm just watching Baby Kay for a few hours. I promise." Said Nate and he reached out a loving hand to Zhorne and touched his arm. Zhorne frowned, but nodded. 

"Thanks Nate, we appreciate you watching Kay. We just have so much to do today." 

"No problem Mitch. Anything for you guys." Nate kissed Mitch and Dex on the cheek and walked away, a giggly Baby Kay in his arms and the protective Ningini at their side.

Captain Ordenal turned to Mitch.

"Sten is being sentenced today." Dex's face was angry, but his voice was calm.

Mitch remembered how Sten had cornered him during the war and sent him into labor. It was later that they discovered the body of Lester McMahon in a communications tent. Sten had been made to do intensive work duty and hard labor while he waited to be sentenced.

"What are you going to do?" Mitch said to his companion while trying to sound unbiased. He secretly hoped Dex would sentence him to being blown into a million piece by a laser cannon, but he doubted that would happen.

Dex sighed and looked down. "I don't know."

"I'm sure you'll do the right thing. Just focus on the charges Captain, not on me." Mitch said as he leaned into Dex and kissed him passionately. 

Dex wrapped his strong arms around him and pulled Mitch to his chest. They made out for what seemed like forever before Dex pulled away. They were both out of breath and had raging hard-ons.

"Do you have any time before you have to go sentence that jerk?" Mitch whispered as he rubbed his hand on the bulge in Dex pants. Dex hissed and closed his eyes.

"Maybe a few," he said in a low throaty voice. Mitch smiled wickedly and led the Captain towards an equipment shed and shut the door behind them.

"We have to be quick," Dex said as he tore off his and Mitch's clothes while Mitch devoured his mouth. It had been weeks since Mitch and Dex had last been together. With the moving of the new settlement, a 10 month old, and their various work duties it was hard to find the time.

"Gods I want you so bad." Mitch pulled his pants down and kissed along Dex's hard chest and gently bit his nipples as Dex unbuttoned his pants.

"Uhh, fuck!" Dex put his hands in Mitch's hair and pulled his mouth to his. Mitch moaned as their drooling cocks rubbed against each other.

"Fuck me. Please" Mitch said pleadingly. Dex bit into Mitch's shoulder and turned him around. He rubbed his hard cock into the Mitch's fantastic ass, using his precum to lubricate Mitch's twitching hole.

"Don't fucking tease me." 

Dex smiled and then slowly reached down and guided his throbbing cock deep inside of Mitch. Mitch pushed his ass back onto Dex's cock and groaned loudly.

"Gods!" Mitch twisted his body and locked Dex into a kiss as Dex started to thrust slowly.

"You're so tight." Dex whispered breathlessly into Mitch's mouth as they both started to breathe heavy as Dex's thrusts went deeper and became faster.

"Fuck! Don't stop, please, don't stop!" Mitch faced forward and desperately threw his ass back onto Dex's cock. Mitch's ass gripped Dex's him making him gasp.

"Mitch...Mitch. I'm gonna cum!" Dex was pounding hard into his companion. He had both hands on Mitch's hips and was shoving his thick cock in and out as fast as he could. Mitch reached an arm back and grabbed Dex's ass, pulling him in deeper.

"Cum. Cum in me." Mitch begged. Dex moaned as his hips froze and he buried his cock as deep as he could into Mitch's tight ass and came hard. Mitch was jacking his own cock furiously when he felt Dex's hot seed filling up his hole. He whimpered as his own cock throbbed then stared to shoot load after load of cum all over his hand.

Dex leaned heavily onto Mitch as his cock finally stopping spasming inside of him. They were both breathing heavily and just stood still for a while. Dex's cock started to soften enough to slide out of Mitch. Mitch moaned and stood up straighter and Dex stepped back. 

They cleaned themselves up and gave each other a few more loving kisses before they slipped out of the shed and went back to work.



Courthouse



"After reviewing the testimony of Lieutenant Mitchell Stone and the evidence from the visual footage inside of The Helm and The Control Room recorded by the ships Internal Navigation and Exploratory System on the date of the offensive; I hereby find you, Corporal Larsten Copeland, guilty of one count of attempted murder and one count of murder in the case of Lester McMahon. Therefore, I sentence you...to death.



Yolarian Settlement



"Fuck you!" Shout Sten as he was forcefully laser cuffed by the P&E (Police and Enforcement) team and pushed into a small evacuation pod.

Dex, Mitch, Nate and Zhorne looked on as Sten was strapped inside the small spacecraft.

"I'll kill you! Every last one of you!!" Sten let off with a string of insults.

Mitch was holding baby Kay in his arms and covered her ears as Sten cursed them out. Dex kept his jaw tight and Mitch smiled evilly at Sten as he struggled. Nate's face was hard to read, even Zhorne seemed concerned.

"Fuck you too! You red-haired bitch and that monster inside of you!' Sten spat out at Nate. Zhorne took a step forward, but Nate held up his hand stopping him.

Nate, heavily pregnant, tired and uncomfortable, walked up to Sten and punched him so hard in the face that he sprained his wrist.

"Ouch!" Nate yelped and clutched his hand. Dex, Mitch and Zhorne ran forward in shock. Mitch looked inside the pod just in time to see Sten's head slump forward.

"He's secured, Captain" said a P&E soldier.

Everyone stepped back and let Dex press the automatic pilot button on the small control unit of the evacuation pod that would be Sten's resting place. Dex then closed the hatch and stood next to Mitch.

The spaceship's engines burst into life and the ship started to leave the ground. Everyone's face was cold, even Nate's who was gently resting his sprained hand on his belly. The spaceship shuddered then shot up into the sky and disappeared from sight as it left the Yolarian atmosphere and steered itself into space. 

Mitch let out a deep breath as Sten was sent to die somewhere in space. 

Dex took Kay from Mitch and kissed his companion and held them both close. He would protect his family by any means necessary and as long as Sten was on the planet, Mitch and Kay would never be truly safe.

Mitch watched as Dex gazed off in profound thought and Baby Kay snuggled close to Dex's chest and started to fall asleep.

"OWWWWAAHHH!" Nate doubled over and fell sideways into Zhorne. Nate's hands were on his belly and his face was scrunched up in pain.

"Dex! Nate's going into labor!" Mitch and Dex hurried to him. Baby Kay woke up and was about to cry in protest until she saw Nate being picked up by the Ningini. Kay cocked her head sideways and suddenly spoke!

"Baby!" 

Everyone instantly went silent and slowly turned their heads and wide eyes to look at Kay in astonishment; even Nate stopped his huffing and puffing to stare in awe at Kay who was giggling happily. Mitch and Dex especially were looking at their daughter like she had 2 heads. She wasn't even a year old!

Then another contraction kicked in and Nate shrieked. Zhorne looked down at Nate and without a word started tearing towards the settlement's Sick Bay, Nate cradled in his arms. 

"FOLLOW!" Zhorne yelled into Dex and Mitch's heads as he sprinted towards the Sick Bay. Dex and Mitch were still looking at their daughter like she was some strange supernatural creature. Baby Kay started to fight and fidget as Zhorne and Nate got further away.

Mitch stared at Kay for a bit longer. Was it some side effect from the pain meds that they had given him after his surgery or was it the JUMP that had affected Baby Kay? Talking at under a year old! She was a baby genius for fucks sake!

 Mitch pulled himself back to the present and slowly removed his dazed eyes from his daughter and looked towards the fast moving figures of Nate and Zhorne.

"Last one to the Sick Bay has to change sim-diapers for a week." Mitch said pulling Dex's attention from Kay, at least for the moment. 

Dex smiled.

"You're on... Lieutenant." 

"You're such an ass." 

Dex held Kay tight to him, and then all three of them went off after Nate and Zhorne.

"Baby! Baby! Baby!" Kay repeated cheerfully all the way there.