Chapter eighteen:
Jared got up from the computer console in his quarters and stretched. He had been working out the details for their next mission since he had gotten up that morning. All of all his scout teams from Earth had already been recalled back to the ship, as he was certain that there wasn’t a resistance cell operating there anymore. Jared sat back down at the terminal to finish putting a few details in his report for the Commander regarding Earth. Once he was finished with that he forwarded it to the Commander and then switched the terminal off.
Funny how sitting at a computer terminal for most of the day had left him bit tired and there was no need to continue as the plans for scouting missions for the next assignment could wait until tomorrow. They wouldn’t even be leaving for another two days and it would also take an additional two days of hyperspace travel to arrive in sector fourteen. Jared stretched again before getting up and going over to the terminal to order some dinner. Once he finished the preparations for the next mission tomorrow he would have three days with little to no duties to be performed.
Jared sent the order for dinner off and then went to his room to change out of his uniform into something more comfortable. He pulled out a soft brown silk shirt and pants from the compartment in the wall by his bed and quickly changed. He left his boots by the bed as he enjoyed the feel of the soft carpet in his quarters. It was one of the first things he had done when he transferred to Sandra’s ship, as he preferred the feel of carpet to cold hard metal flooring.
Jared walked back out to the main room and sat down on the sofa to wait for his dinner. It was ironic that replication technology was so simple and yet because the crystals necessary were so difficult to cultivate perfectly that there was only two them on the entire ship, one for the officers and one in the sick bay. As a result one had to order what they wanted and there was a small crew whose only duty was to insure that the food was delivered to each person. And even then because this was a battle ship the replication was only used for officers, the rest of the crew had to make do with the food at the mess hall.
Jared remembered that in his previous post, since it was a smaller battleship it only had one for the sick bay and he had to make do with the tasteless stuff provided by the mess hall there. If Celestia was really so smart perhaps it would be a good idea to have her researching another method that didn’t require the crystals or to see if she could improve on the technology to make them. Energy was far easier to produce than food was. But without the crystals they had found that replicated food after a while left people with deficiencies in their diets as the replication was flawed.
Jared stretched again and put his feet up on the sofa. He had an idea of how to spend his time while they traveled to the next system. True to her word the doctor had sent him the report of Jason’s progress and he had been pleasantly surprised to read that according to the doctor he was completely recovered. The doctor stated that her estimate of several weeks and been inaccurate and that if he was a regular officer she would be clearing him for duty. When he had taken Jason to his quarters for the first time, it had been extremely difficult for him to leave. Just that brief touch had been enough to almost make him forget that he had planned to wait until he could use the drugs.
Other than Jason seeing him he had made a point of not being alone with him, as he didn’t want things to get out of control. If there was one thing Jared hated, it was not being in control. It was thrilling to be so powerfully drawn to someone, yet it disturbed him a bit to be so affected by his own desire for him. Although the doctor had said he was recovered over four days ago, Jared wanted to wait until he had a few days free so he could completely enjoy himself. Jared smiled to himself, besides it wasn’t like he didn’t have other ways of entertaining himself.
It was supremely ironic that the crew considered him so ruthless. Despite the threats and rumors he had never actually been with a woman. It was easier to use the drugs and have them think he had taken them. Twice he had used that tactic to remind his captive just who was in charge. They had died thinking he had taken the woman they loved. It was also ironic that a few of his choices had actually enjoyed the experience. Jared had never been in love with anyone but he had a few lovers he knew felt that way about him. They were so delusional that it didn’t even bother them that he didn’t love them in return. They still professed their love knowing that he was unfaithful to them on a regular basis.
He also found it supremely ironic and amusing that people could be so blind and foolish. Though they did make a nice diversion on occasion. It was funny how some of them practically fell over themselves for a chance to get into bed with him. Jared sighed, only four more days until the next mission, he would be finished preparing the details tomorrow. Not including the day of arrival, that left two whole days that he could do anything he wanted with Jason. It would be the perfect chance to make full use of the drugs and methods he preferred. It had been a while since he had the luxury of the full treatment. It was hard to wait, but nothing less would do. So few of his interests aroused such desire in him and he wasn’t going to spoil it by being impatient.
The chime indicating someone was at his door sounded. Jared voiced the command for the door to open. A young man entered carrying his tray; he took it over and set it on the table and then turned to leave. Jared smiled, as it was one of his lovers. He got up and caught his arm to stop him from leaving. He pulled the young man towards him, unfastened his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders, as the shirt fell to the floor he moved to kiss him, dinner could wait until later.
