“Maam, yes Maam” Tasha snapped to attention. “The journey to Antares is two light days from this location.  There are two star systems enroute that have posed challenges to for the Crown Princess over the centuries of this enthronement process.  If we have the most up to date intelligence based on the information we have garnered from the Allegran data bases there is reason to expect a challenge from the planet Alexi.”

“Quite impressive” the Princess interjected.  “That is where I would expect a challenge.” 

“Go on” Porter was struggling to listen as she must.  She would not lose Christina.  If Christina had not cut off her declaration everyone would know that she was in love with her.  In love, she mused.  How did one fall in love with a Vulcan?  Did Christina love her?  Was that possible?  She had been so consumed by the mating that love had not crossed her mind.  Serena’s voice broke her reverie.

“The Duchess of Alexi of the House of Alexis has always yearned to ascend to the Crown.  The Lady Samantha who would be her heir is of age to be my Consort.  If the House of Alexis were to overtake the Royal Vessel in transit their dreams would be fulfilled and Alexis would rise in the Spectrum after almost a century of obscurity.”

“Any other serious challengers?”  Porter asked absorbing this information.  Worlds and galaxies may have different names but the familiar struggles for power seemed to dominate most.

“No, there are always fringe elements as we have seen today.”  The Princess smiled. 

Bette was taken aback by the smile.  The Princess was Kennard’s twin and for a moment she was shocked at the playful expression in her tone and face.  She wished for a moment that she was melded to the emotional Princess.  She could revel in the fire of this one. 

The legendary Captain Christina Kirk Porter emerged full of charm. Smiling slightly she spoke softly turning to her quarry.

“Do you fancy the fringe element, Princess?”

“Actually, I have lived my life on the fringe with great pleasure” the Princess responded to the invitation in the Captain’s voice that she had not heard before.  She walked around the room working her assets to their best advantage.  She was a beautiful sensual woman and she knew it. 

“So Joshua or Henry does not appeal to you?”  Bette allowed herself to enjoy the floor show that the Princess was putting on.  This was the Christina of her fantasies right before her eyes. 

“What do you think Captain?  Do I seem like the type of woman who would be satisfied by the mundane no matter how arrogant or noble?”

“So Commander Henry or Captain Port doesn’t qualify as fringe enough for you?”

“Not by a long shot” the Princess answered raking her eyes over Bette from head to toe.

She succeeded in igniting the brunette’s passion; the fire in her eyes was unmistakable. 

“Christina…” the minute to name was out of her mouth she returned to herself.  “Commander Kennard” she turned to the woman who held her heart and met the dry hot desert of Vulcan.

“Captain” the Vulcan answered. 

Fuck, fuck, fuck… Bette’s mind raced.  She was in serious trouble.