Cosmic Kiss

Erik led the way to the teleporter, Charles following closely behind, mind whirring a million miles an hour. He flinched when Erik reached back and clasped his hand in a loose grip.

A frission of tension lit him from within at Erik’s lightest caress. His skin rose in goose bumps, heart racing he tried to hide his trembling physical reaction to his mate.

~You have the strength to push past the barrier the bracelets provide, but only with great effort. Don’t strain yourself. You can speak to any one with just a touch~ Erik pressed lightly into his mind.

Charles’ eyes widened at that ~Thank you. I’m sure I’ll have a lot of questions about the trial~

~You’ve read our laws~

~As many as I could, but there are a few millennia worth~ they dropped hands as they made it to the bridge and stepped onto the teleporter.

Erik chuckled at his observation, a low rumble deep in his chest that warmed Charles from within. He wondered if Erik had the ability to impact him from within as well.
He was desperate to find out more about their bond, about parenthood, about the life he was now bound to lead.

In the next instant they were standing in an empty, steel gray room. It was massive and intimidating, the ceiling shaping a massive dome just above their heads. Charles felt like an ant in the coliseum. He immediately grasped Erik’s hand again.

~What is this place?~

~The prison ship~

~I’ve never seen anything like it~

~It’s my own design. The entire construction is ferrous metal. I’m in full control of the structure even in the depths of space~ Charles felt his pride and joy at the Charles’ simple praise.

“It’s amazing,” he said softly.

Erik looked down at him for a long moment, eyes gently shifting shades of blue. Ethereal and beautiful. He held his gaze for a long moment before looking away, unable to express all that he was feeling.

“Would you like to feel it?” Erik offered softly. Charles nodded, knot in his throat as Erik turned to face him and gently linked their fingers. The he felt a faint hum start up in his blood. It grew stronger with each moment until it surrounded and consumed him. Until it was stronger than the very beat of his heart.

Charles pulled away with a gasp, trembling at the force of Erik’s might. He could crush the ship with a clenched fist in a matter of moments.

Erik tilted his head to one side, lips a thin, colorless line. “I meant to reassure you of our safety in spite of the criminals housed here.” He feared that every overture he made pushed Charles further away.

Those bright blue eyes darted to his in shock. “I know I’m safe with you.”

Erik felt the tension in his chest ease at his words. Perhaps there was still a chance for their bond to go well.

Charles pursed his lips and took another look around the massive chamber, “we should go.” Erik inclined his head and led the way

~~

There was a dull roar on the other side of the panel. Erik turned to him and straightened his tie, giving him a searching look, "Alright?" Charles lifted his chin and gave a sharp nod. Erik faced forward and gestured for the panel to open.

The entire room fell silent and stood to attention when they entered. Erik inclined his head slightly and lead the way to a small opera box set to directly over look the courtroom floor. The sudden lack of sound was disorienting and briefly deafening in its own right.

Charles was awed by the sight before him. The courtroom was more of a classical theatre complete with a sunken center and seating for thousands. Each place was filled with Federation Military and upper echelon Genoshian politicians and civilians. He had never imagined so many species existing in the universe. It was a humbling sight.

Charles recognized several world leaders among the crowd, wearing ear pieces that Erik later explained were mechanized translators. His team was seated in the front row wearing what appeared to be full American Military dress uniforms. It comforted him to see them.

Sean caught his eye, looking tenser than Charles had ever seen him. Moira was seated between him and Armando who was flanked on his other side by an unsmiling Captain Summers. Moira sent him a small smile, affecting an air of cool, calm and collected that was surely a façade. He could only hope he came across half as well to the billions of beings he knew were watching.

Charles felt a thousand curious eyes on him like a physical touch creeping over every inch of his skin. He kept his head up and eyes focused on Erik’s broad shoulders as they made their way to their seats.

When they arrived, the stood side by side, waiting in silence with the rest of the room. Charles reached out and squeezed Erik’s hand in thanks for the bracelets. He wouldn’t have missed the trial for anything but had a real concern that this environment would have driven him mad with his telepathy unrestricted.

Erik squeezed back and gestured to the courtroom floor where a small panel opened and three figures in neat white robes stepped out. Their faces were concealed by the depth of their hoods. Charles stood up straight and leaned forwards, nerves jangling with the awareness of being in the presence of other telepaths for the first time.

There was a certain aura of certainly and power about them that had the hairs standing up on the back of his neck. He wondered if they were reading his mind even now, among all the minds in the room, though it seemed unlikely.

The figures took their places on the raised stage at the far end of the court floor, seated equidistant from one another, becoming the focal point of the room. Charles felt more than a little relived to feel the burden of attention lift from his shoulders.

Then a resonant voice filled his mind and echoed through the room. “Let the trial of these sworn Genoshian citizens commence.” Erik sat and Charles followed his lead, only then did the rest of the spectators take their seats.

He suddenly thought of Erik’s words the day of the surrender. ‘Your various cultures, your way of life has changed forever. The sooner you come to terms with that, the better.’ He had been so very right. If only the accused had listened and understood, Earth wouldn’t be in the position they were now.

Erik took his hand once more, but didn’t look away from the stage. Charles realized he was trembling and took a deep breath in an attempt to bring himself under control.

Another panel opened and 183 humans were lead out by a row of guards. The humans were dressed in identical, neatly pressed, maroon uniforms. He felt himself relax as he took in the sight of them, they all appeared to be clean, well dressed and in full health.

That would play well on Earth, that they hadn’t been tortured or mistreated in spite of their accused misdeeds.

Once they were settled in a line, equidistant apart, the voice spoke again, “The Genoshians before us have been accused of aiding and abetting an enemy force. Knowingly supplying goods, supplies, services, and material goods to a terrorist force that killed 783 independent Genoshian citizens on the day of our newest colony’s induction into the Intergalactic Federation. We will hear their pleas.”

Suddenly Charles felt a band of power wrap around his mind tightly, drawing his full attention to the judges. He flinched at the feeling and sucked in a surprised breath.

~It’s a telepathic/empathic bond that disallows lies and obfuscation~ Erik explained, as one by one, the accused plead guilty to their crimes, some clearly struggling not to, but unable to resist the pull of honesty.

When the last of them fell silent the voice rang out again. “The accused before us are sentenced to labor in building the distant colonies. One Federation day for each Genoshian life taken in the attacks. Sentences to begin immediately.”

Charles was shocked by the sentence; he hadn’t expected that they’d be sent away from Earth or the Fleet. They were leaving now. With no chance to return to Earth, see their loved ones or say their goodbyes. Many of them began to sob after their sentence was announced, and Charles felt a spark of pity deep within his heart. They were escorted from the room by the same guards who’d led them in.

After a moment, another panel opened and 347 humans were led out, dressed in identical, neatly pressed, navy blue uniforms. Charles frowned at the color difference.

~They were kept in different portions of the prison, based on the severity of their crimes~ Erik said softly.

The voice came again. “The Genoshians before us have been accused of being members of a terrorist force that killed 783 independent Genoshian citizens on the day of our newest colony’s induction into the Intergalactic Federation through the use of political subterfuge, explosive devices, and sabotage of the Anti Aggression Shield. We will hear their pleas.”

Murderers.

Charles remembered the sight of Sean and Raven bleeding out on the stage. One of those people had shot his friends. He remembered the face of the man who detonated a nuke just feet away from them. They were murderers and without their actions, none of this would be happening, it was hard not to hate them. One by one, the accused plead guilty to their crimes, some spitting the words with angry defiance and still others breaking down in tears.

“The accused are sentenced to labor in the comet mines. One Federation month for each Genoshian life taken in the attacks.”

Charles’ jaw dropped. That was insane, they’d all be dead well before then, was that a sentence of hard labor? That’s what he thought the first sentence was!

~None of that is hard labor by our standards. No human could survive it. They’ll be fine, Charles. They’ll all survive their punishments~ Erik assured him

Charles was trying to process that when another panel opened and three humans dressed in neatly pressed, forest green uniforms were led out. Moira flinched at the sight of one of them and mouthed the word Stryker, but made no sound.

The voice rang out. “The accused have been interviewed and judged. Their guilt is without question. They will speak their crimes in their own words so that they may face sentencing.”

Charles tried to focus on the words the men-the masterminds- were speaking, but the buzzing in his ears made it difficult to concentrate. He felt on the verge of collapse.

He looked at Moira who was looking down at her former colleague with a mix of anger and disgust. General Stryker stood alongside another man of similar age, Nathaniel Essex, a well known terrorist leader. And handsome young man who looked to be in his early thirties, Lieutenant Jason Stryker, his son.

The elder Stryker stood tall and spoke the unequivocal truth, his co conspirators followed his lead. Without any emotional explanations or excuses, their crimes felt more visceral and horrific than Charles could have imagined. Stryker and his compatriots confessed to planning, organizing, and executing the attacks. They had budgeted for thousands of dead humans.

They considered them collateral damage.

They spoke of the dead like their lives meant nothing.

The air in the room was thick with loathing for the accused and Charles couldn’t blame them, the men were unrepentant and repugnant in their single minded focus.
He was on the edge of his seat waiting to hear their sentence for their crimes.

The voice rang out once more. “The accused are sentenced to consecutive life sentences to be served in separate maximum security facilities. One life sentence of 75 Federation years for each Genoshian life taken in the attacks.”

Something about that niggled at the back of his mind, but he couldn’t place it at the moment and it hardly seemed important in the face of the real human drama occurring before his very eyes.

The men were led back out of the room, stiff with shock. Charles thought they'd planned to become martyr's for their cause. With that goal destroyed and no hope of returning to Earth, they had nothing. It was a bittersweet realization, one they would all have to learn to live with.

Finally a panel opened and a very tall, muscular male with thick, powder blue braids down his back and glistening crystal skin was led out. He was dressed in a uniform that matched Erik’s but without any of the trimmings.

Charles had never seen such and he looked to Erik in confusion. The other man was frowning deeply, sitting perfectly still and unblinking. ~He’s been stripped of rank. He was one of my men and he betrayed us~ he said shortly. Charles felt the anger and betrayal underlying those words and laced their fingers tightly in solidarity.

“The accused, former Joint Chief Engineer of the Northern Fleet stands accused of knowingly and willingly lowering the Anti Aggression Shield leading to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries on Genoshian soil.

He has been interviewed and judged. His guilt is without question. As the only son of his parents, his line will be allowed to continue as his mate already bears his young.

He is sentenced to death by incineration for his betrayal of his people and our values. Sentence to be carried out immediately.”

Erik let out a small breath but otherwise didn’t move.

Charles was horrified. The guards brought Jason Stryker back into the room. He was stone faced and had a brittle look about him. Charles supposed finding out you were going to die alone in an alien prison would do that to anyone.

The crystal man turned to him and spoke in a deep, echoing voice, “Take care of our young. I hope I’ve proved myself worthy of you.”

Jason looked baffled, “Our what?”

Charles felt an entirely unexpected surge of sympathy with the incarcerated young man. Both of them actually. He could practically feel the love the other man felt for Jason radiating off of him.

He wondered how far Erik would have gone to impress him if chaos had been his goal. It didn’t bear thinking about.

“I searched the stars for you, and though our time together was brief, I wouldn’t change anything,” he said softly.

“Brief? Our young? What are you talking about Svelik?” Jason snapped. He was tense as the other man pulled him into a tight embrace and pressed their cheeks together for a long moment. “Remember my sacrifice.”

The guards lead him to the very center of the courtroom floor and stepped back. Nothing happened for several moments, and then a light appeared beneath his feet and slowly began to consume him as it grew in intensity. In its last moments it was so bright that Charles had to shield his eyes.

When he looked up, Svelik was gone from existence, not an atom left of him. Jason gasped, pale and trembling, he looked like he was going to be sick to his stomach. Charles knew the feeling.

The guards helped him from the room with more tenderness than Charles could have imagined ~He's just lost his mate. He'll be afforded every comfort~ Erik assured him gently.

The voice rang out a final time, “The trials have concluded. Justice has countered injustice and truth has prevailed.”

The cloaked figures rose as one and exited the room via the same panel they’d entered through.

Erik helped him to his feet and moved to stand at the very front of the opera box as a receiving line of dignitaries formed to greet them. Fortunately, Charles wasn't expected to do more than smile and nod as Erik performed his duties as host. Erik turned to him during a small pause in the line and pressed hot fingers to the nape of his neck, sending a shiver down his spine~They'll expect more of you in the future. There's a well known, steep learning curve for joining the Federation. They're all eager to meet the man who captured my eye~ he quirked his lips in a small smile and turned back to the receiving line.

Charles held a smile and basked in the light of Erik's adoration, it bolstered him when he was weary. He took the time for some much needed introspection into all that occurred, he made a mental list of all he needed to do once they got back to their rooms. He felt like his work as ambassador would never be done.

~~

That thought process is why Erik's request shocked him so deeply. They had just returned to their chambers, Charles was removing his tie when Erik turned to him and said. "There are many Earth customs that I've come to admire. There is one in particular that I've been considering. I think a honeymoon would be good for us."

Charles opened his mouth but said nothing. Erik continued on, watching him closely for a negative reaction. “You showed me your world, let me show you mine. You agreed to give us a chance once this was all over. Will you come with me?”

Charles was shaking, the stress of the past week was finally catching up to him. He was more exhausted than he could ever remember being, but knew he wouldn't be able to sleep. The thought of dealing with his burgeoning powers, his political responsibilities, and an uncertain future of Earth was enough to bring him to his knees. And on top of that he had promised to give them a chance. Which in many ways would be the best thing he could do for Earth and humanity itself, he reasoned.

Erik held his breath, worried that Charles would refuse, would turn his back on the Federation and on Erik and live their lives keeping him at arm’s length as was his right.

He looked up into Erik’s changeable eyes and remembered the bonds of friendship they’d formed over the course of their travels. At the time, he’d had secret daydreams of declarations of love and a future together. Now he had his wish and the chance to turn it away. Charles could refuse. Erik would be disappointed, but he'd allow it. And after all he'd pulled, he deserved it.

Erik said nothing, willing to wait until Charles came to him with open arms, even if that day never came. He had waited this long, he would wait forever.

Charles’ tablet chimed several times in a row with requests for meetings from his team and several Earth governments. He didn’t have the strength to keep going. He’d given his all and it wasn’t enough. It felt like it never would be.

But he was enough for Erik, more than. He was his other half. It was intoxicating to be loved so intensely. To be appreciated for all that he was and all that he had the potential to be.

Just then, his tablet chimed again several times in quick succession. He glanced at the screen then tossed it aside, turning to Erik with a sigh. “Take me away from here.”