A Far Out Galaxy: Deovolante Space Opera, #1

By Marjorie Thelen

Travel on a spoofy, romantic romp from the far out Deovolante Galaxy to the Milky Way with mismatched mission commanders, Will and Vita, who are trying to save renegade planet Earth from itself. Will, a warrior king, likes to be in charge but so does Vita, queen of info tech for Deovolante, making for a rocky start to the mission. Our commanders are charged with calming the endless wars on planet Earth. But the well-intentioned mission is plagued with a series of untoward events that threaten to destroy it. Through it all, Will and Vita have to decide if they will team up to bring a successful conclusion to the mission and in the process work out their feelings for each other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marjorie Thelen
• Release date: Oct 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393495499

Book preview

Also by Marjorie Thelen

Mystery-in-Exotic-Places Series

The Forty Column Castle

The Hieroglyphic Staircase

Fiona Marlowe Mystery Series

Designer Detective

High Desert Detective

Heroes in the End

Deovolante Space Opera Series

A Far Out Galaxy

The Next Universe Over

Hoodoo Canyon

Earth Rising

Historical Romance

Wings of the Wind

Cover Design by Rachel Bostwick

A Far Out Galaxy

Copyright Marjorie Thelen 2013

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination, or were used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real.  All rights reserved. The republication or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic or mechanical or other means, not known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law.

www.MarjorieThelen.com

By Way of Acknowledgement

As ever, a round of applause for the Harney Basin Writers, faithful writer friends who read and comment on my manuscripts in their various forms and laugh in almost all the right places, and who offer endless encouragement in the often lonely business of writing. A nod to my romance writer friends from Washington Romance Writers who long ago read and commented on early versions of this story. And thank you my dear John for staying ever by my side.

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

Arthur C. Clarke's Third Law

Space is not what we once thought it was.

Brian Greene, The Fabric of the Cosmos

Chapter One

Queen Vita had had enough.

I will not engage in sexual union with any male, commander, king or otherwise, she said. Not now, not ever. She was, after all, Queen of Oriana, the most important techno world in the Deovolante Galaxy. She gave the orders here.

Zia stepped close, uncomfortably close. Vita could feel the heat radiating from her red tipped, pixie-pointed ears, a sure sign she was about to launch a barrage. She was someone to reckon with, being second-in-command of Oriana, and possessing powers beyond the realm of ordinary original line humans. She wasn’t afraid to take Vita on.

Our cloning system does not work, Zia said in the higher decibel range of an already higher than normal voice. We’ve tried and tried to produce another you in a test tube, and we get nothing, nothing, and nothing. Will you stop pretending that we’ll discover who tampered with the cloning system? You have an obligation to the entire way of life on Oriana to reproduce. Sexual union with Commander Will is the only reproductive option available to us now.

I’m not pretending. I know what my obligations are. But it’s not going to happen with that arrogant bastard. He and I will be lucky if we complete this mission alive as co-commanders, let alone being mates. There’s only one way of doing things with him – his way or no way. The Oversee can’t be serious about pairing us.

The cargo bay door to the lab was open to the darkness outside, and a night breeze ruffled Vita’s blousy trousers and sleeveless top. Even so, the atmosphere felt oppressive, and she pulled up her hair, trying to catch a breeze across her bare neck and arms.

Zia’s boots made exasperated little tapping noises as she paced back and forth. Behind them techno drones zoomed around the info tech lab. The frenzy of packing and loading equipment for the upcoming mission produced a tension in the air that didn’t help Vita’s already frazzled nerves. She wasn’t her usual calm, unflappable self.

The Oversee is deadly serious, Zia said, still pacing. You know how important procreation is to the galaxy ruling powers. Maybe the reason Will is being so arrogant is because you intimidate him. Maybe he’s afraid of forming a bond with someone like you.

What do you mean someone like me?

You know, super smart, strong willed, opinionated.

That’s supposed to melt my heart?

Zia grasped Vita's arms. The stern expression on her face did not fit with her big, golden eyes and rosebud mouth. The Oversee has given you the opportunity to pair with an original line male, a very eligible male might I add, by assigning you to command this mission with him. So far they haven’t ordered you into a union with him, but this is a big hint. At least try to be nice to him.

But Vita had passed her boiling point. She shook her head and pulled away. Nice? To someone who ignores everything I say? I’ve heard Will would blow up his own planet, if the act furthered his career in the elite regiment.

She glanced at Zia to find her face wrapped in a pixie grin.

We’ve never seen the likes of Commander Will on this techno world, Zia said, slyly.

She could find something good smelling in a heap of dung.

Vita sighed and tried to rub away the fatigue that had settled between her eyebrows. All right. Will’s not bad looking. I’ll give you that. But he is too male. I mean all those muscles. Is that supposed to impress me?

Zia nodded vigorously.

It amazed Vita how obstinate Zia was about this commander. She launched a return volley. Here’s the problem. Our experience with original line human males would fit on the tip of one your pointy-toed boots with room to spare. Will's a real, live, walking, talking male, and we're used to dealing with drones and robots. Big difference.

Zia bounced on the tips of the pointy-toed boots. Of course, there is a big difference. My-oh-my, don’t you love the way he walks? What a stride he has, as if he were commander of the Woochadi Universe.

Stop, stop, stop. Vita’s head pounded with the changes that threatened the peace and security of her world, and she longed for the ritual and safety of everyday routine. But she was on a course of no return. She knew deep down she was being foolish to resist the inevitable. And there was a bigger complication. Her body behaved in a peculiar fashion around Will. When she looked at him she felt these strange, fluttery sensations. How could he be so irritating yet so intriguing?

Vita sighed. I guess I should tell you. Something else is going on.

Zia leaned so far forward she almost tumbled over, intent on Vita’s every word. Tell, tell.

Will makes me break out in tiny bumps all over whenever I look at him.

Really? Zia broke out into the toe-tapping dance. Wonderful sign.

Wonderful?

Your hormones are kicking in. Those female hormone tablets you’ve been taking are working. They are enhancing your sexuality.

You’re not serious. You’ve been giving me sex hormones and didn't tell me? I thought they were vitamins. No wonder I have these strange sensations and flutters in my body.

Zia tapped a finger on her upturned nose, looking only half-contrite. I didn’t think you’d mind. It was only a little test, and I knew if I told you what they were for, you wouldn’t take the tablets. She laughed and threw up her hands. This is wonderful, just wonderful.

It’s not wonderful, it’s weird. I get these feathery sensations all over me when I look at Will. They flow down through my body, into my thighs, even down to my toes. I don’t like it.

Fabulous, fabulous. That’s a sure sign of sexual attraction. Zia danced a circle around Vita. This is so exciting.

Zia, I don’t need sexual attraction on an intergalactic mission. I have no experience with this.

Zia waved away Vita's misgivings with a flick of her hand. They say you enjoy the feeling after you get used to it. She leaned closer, and her voice took on an excited hush. "Do you realize how rare Will is? My stars, he's a royal original line human male. And he has all the right equipment."

How do you know?

Well, those form hugging body suits he wears reveal quite a lot. I wonder if he does that on purpose, sort of like displaying the goods. 

Zia!

You two could produce babies, and our world wouldn’t die.  Zia’s eyes glazed over in her own kind of ecstasy.

Produce babies? Vita clutched her throat. Black dots formed in front of her eyes. How uncivilized. Really, Zia, do you know what you are saying? Cloning is much less messy. Progeny should be created in a lab.

Shh, not so loud. Here he comes, said Zia. She put her shoulders back and a huge smile on her face.

Vita thought for a moment she might have to restrain Zia as Will strode into the lab. He stopped within an arm’s length and saluted Vita, like she was some sort of military type. He bowed to Zia.

Vita tried to make her lips smile and her head nod. She gazed over his shoulder because if she didn’t meet his eyes, she wouldn’t have to deal with the strange feelings he evoked in her.

Well, Queen Vita, are we ready? Will asked, rubbing his hands together briskly.  He continued on without waiting for a reply. My lieutenants are waiting for my command to lift off from Oriana. I take it you are finished with your preparations.

He continued on, expounding on his state of readiness, the efficiency of his crew, the fun of travelling at the speed of dark, how great the space ship was, the need for haste. He asked question after question about her state of preparedness. What was her final crew count, did they complete the tests on the recycle vacuum procedure, was she sure it would work because after all that was the reason they were on this mission, how much weight did she estimate they had to load, were their food replacement supplies adequate? And on and on.

She ignored him, determined not to let him rattle her composure which was wobbling badly, and concentrated on completing the last test of the recycle vacuum equipment. Taking her time and several deep breaths, she signed off on the Orb and signaled to a techno drone to haul the last of her equipment to the cargo loading area.

Number One drone hurried over and carted the equipment away. She knew he was Number One drone because he wore the number on his brown lab coat. The hundreds of drones who worked in the info tech lab were identified by number, since they all looked exactly the same, good clones that they were.

Vita turned toward Will when she realized his monologue had stopped. Was he finally waiting for the answers to all the blessed questions he asked?

Will grazed at her, a curious tilt to his head. Are you listening to me? he had the audacity to ask.

He stood much too close like he was using his mere physical presence to intimidate her. He towered over her even though she was tall like the rest of the original line humans in the galaxy. Worse, he took a step closer and the heat of him sent those strange sensations ricocheting around in her body. She was forced to look up and hated making eye contact because that meant she had to acknowledge his existence.

Of course, I’m listening, Vita said, returning his intense gaze. The crazy sensations streaked all the way down to her feet. I can listen and work. You ordered us to make the greatest haste to get the Lander loaded. I’m following directions. She tried not to sound too sarcastic.

Zia was right. She needed to make the attempt to be nicer. The success of the mission depended upon it, and she did want this mission to be a success. This was her first intergalactic mission and to be specially chosen by the Oversee was a great honor. The technology they had developed for this mission might ensure the peaceful existence of many of their colonies, and Vita was proud to be part of the venture.

She glanced at Zia who shifted from foot to foot, alternating looks between the two commanders squared off like ancient adversaries. She caught the twinkle in Zia’s eyes and knew she was enjoying the scene.

The Commander continued to stare down at her, like he was trying to get a fix on what kind of human she was. She didn’t think she looked bad. She had the normal original line human equipment. One head, two arms, two legs, two eyes, one nose, one mouth.

We’re ready, Vita said, making a valiant stab at civility. "The drones are loading the last of the equipment. If you will excuse me, I will get some rest so I can be on the Lander before dawn. I think that’s the time you indicated we will lift off for the Maximum."

Excellent. You are to be commended, said Will, smiling at her. Rest we all need with the arduous trip before us. I hope to make Earth orbit in record time. We’ll take the main superhighway out of the galaxy, and a new, faster worm hole to the Milky Way Galaxy. We’ll be using the argoblast method of distiller propulsion that I perfected. I know you’ll be impressed. We’ll be orbiting Earth in no time.

I’m sure, said Vita. In fact, she could care less what propulsion method they were using and what worm holes they’d zip through. Space travel was not her forte. Maybe she could get interested. It was going to be a long mission.

Will locked his gaze on Vita. She hated when he did that. She did not want to look into those dark eyes, and she hated when he smirked.

Anyone not on board at the crack of dawn we leave behind, he said.

She knew he was serious. We’ll be on board, don’t worry. I wouldn’t miss this trip for all the stars in the Deovolante Galaxy.

He was still smirking.

She had to brush by him to get to the exit. He didn’t give an inch. The jolt of energy that arced between the two of them might have knocked a lesser mortal to the floor. She quickened her pace and steamed out of the lab without a backward glance.

Zia had to run to catch up with her.  Vita, you could have been a bit more civil.

That’s as civil as I get.

She caught Vita’s arm, forcing her to stop in the hall outside the lab. Before you retire why not eavesdrop on Will and Lemana? They might do something sexual. You could get some pointers. She batted her eyelashes, accompanied by an encouraging grin.

Vita eyed her suspiciously. You’ve been spying on them.

Zia’s grin turned more mischievous. I just happened to tune in last night by accident, and they were having a real good time. You’ll find their behavior fascinating.

Accident Vita did not believe. Nothing Zia did was accidental. She was spying. But Vita considered the implication of Zia’s comments. It was Lemana’s job to see to all Will’s wants and needs. All of them. He didn’t know that Lemana belonged to a class of artificial intelligence indistinguishable from a real human female. Vita hadn’t bothered to tell him that Lemana was AI. Would it matter?

Vita had been so busy she had not even thought to spy on him. But now with these crazy hormones circulating in her body, she had to admit she was a little curious about original line human sexual activities.

Zia picked up on Vita’s hesitation. I'm sure that Will, being the male he is, knows all the right things to do. Her eyes glazed over again. You might even fall in love.

If romance was in the air, Zia was sure to be close by.

Vita studied Zia’s rapt face with incredulity. Fall in love? Zia, you have really gone off. Orianan clones do not fall in love.

The thought was so outlandish Vita started to giggle uncontrollably. The Queen of Oriana fall in love? She threw back her head and laughed aloud till tears streamed down her face.

Zia grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her gently. Vita, are you all right?

Vita covered her mouth with her hand and looked at Zia through teary eyes. The giggles subsided, but now Vita had the hiccups. She gave a wobbly nod to let Zia know she was okay.

Really, Zia, she managed between hiccups. You say the most outrageous things sometimes.

Zia gave her a look that bordered on the maternal. The strain is telling on you, dear. But before you go into rest mode, why not tune into Lemana’s Orb? Something might pique your interest.

All right, all right, said Vita. She took a deep breath, and the hiccups quieted.

Until later, my dear Queen. Zia faded away, and the twinkle in her eyes was the last to disappear.

VITA SAT BACK AND LOWERED the volume on the Orb that looked at the world through Lemana’s eyes. Will hadn’t returned to his quarters yet, and Lemana seemed intent on housekeeping activities before her charge arrived. Maybe Will and Lemana would do something sexual. She knew the escorts were programmed for it, and Lemana was the best AI they had created. She was built for intelligence and stamina.

Vita gazed out the wall of windows that overlooked the valley vista below. Her living quarters nestled in the high starkness of the only mountains on the planet. Luminescent rocks in stationary falls gave an eerie glow to the landscape below.

She remembered the whispery sensations she experienced when she was around Will and wondered if sexual union could be pleasant. What would it be like to be a full functioning woman? To not live automatically in her world of info technology. What was it like to be held in a man's arms? To experience him physically. To have a relationship with a man. To love. There was that word love again, but it wasn't funny now. These were troubling thoughts for a clone queen, for someone who prized emotional distance and objectivity above all else, for someone who didn’t get any closer to feeling than what came out of a test tube. Vita gazed at the finely etched landscape of mountain and canyon she had always found so comforting. She found no comfort there now.

Movement on the Orb caught her attention. Will was back, and Lemana was giving him a body smoothing. Vita's eyes widened. He had no clothes on. Well, of course, he wouldn't, she chided herself. How else did one get a body smoothing? She had never seen a man without clothes but then naked had not been that intriguing before.

Will was stretched out on his stomach, chin resting on his hands. Vita stared at the ripple of his muscles, as Lemana's skillful hands worked down his back to his buttocks. Her hands lingered on Will's thighs, kneading muscles as she went. Will groaned at the pleasure of Lemana’s attentive ministrations. This was a different commander than the one Vita had left in the lab. The lines of Will’s body looked sculpted by a master. Fluttery sensations danced about Vita’s body as she watched, mesmerized by the unfolding scene.

She punched up a menu on Lemana's control panel and studied the selections.  Sexual Passion glowed red among the selections. Without hesitation, she voted for passion.  

Lemana’s kneading took on a slower rhythm, and her movements became caresses. Her hands lingered on Will’s inner thighs. She started kissing his back, moving slowly down, lingering across his buttocks, his thighs.

Vita could almost see flames spring from the sizzling kisses Lemana planted. Vita pressed a select for physical sensation, and Lemana's body sensations moved through the sensory nodes where Vita placed her palms. She closed her eyes, as the sensations washed over her and listened spellbound to Will's low moans. She had no idea sound was such an important part of sexual union. His moans seemed to vibrate through her entire being. The sensors heated up, and her eyes flew open. Will turned slowly over, catching Lemana's arms as he did, and drew her to him.

Vita caught a glimpse of Will in all his male glory.

Look at the colossal size of that appendage, she said in hushed awe.  What did they call it, anyway?  She would have to look it up.

Lemana's face was within inches of Will's, and then his lips met hers. Vita's mouth tried to mimic the movements of their lips. She gave up in frustration, turned up the volume, and leaned closer to the Orb, losing herself in the novelty of it all.

Chapter Two

Will bounded off his rester in the predawn light. What a romp. Lemana had taught him some moves even he didn’t know. Too bad she wasn’t going on the trip, although there was something funny about Lemana that he couldn’t put a finger on. Something in how she responded to him. But she made an excellent escort and certainly was more accommodating than Vita.

He frowned at the thought of his co-commander. What a pain she was. He wondered if she were human. Maybe she was artificial intelligence, though there had been nothing to that effect in the preliminary mission report. She acted AI, all technology, all business, no human warmth or feeling.

The bathing pool, nestled to one end of his guest quarters, beckoned. Will eased into the water and floated on his back, admiring the trumpet shaped flowers that cascaded down the rocks surrounding the pool. He washed in the center fountain and, after a few surface dives, deftly hauled himself up on a smooth ledge and stripped water from the muscles in his arms, chest, and legs. A drying stall stood by the pool. The stall powered on with a warm flow of air, and he turned slowly in a circle, bending and flexing to aid the drying process.

He snapped out a fresh black body suit from his travel pack and pulled it on, pressing together the wondertabs that sealed the garment from crotch to collarbone.  He liked the way it fit like skin and wondered if Vita would notice. That out-of-nowhere thought stopped him mid-action. The woman was a clone. She used an asexual method of reproduction. There probably wasn’t a sexual bone in her long, well-shaped body. Why would there be, if she only needed a lab technician to produce offspring?

What a waste of well put together female flesh. His gaze had lingered on her long, lithe legs when she wasn’t looking, imagining how they would look without the blousy trousers she wore, imagining what she would do if he stepped up behind her and pressed his body into hers. Stop right there. He splashed cold water on his face and rubbed hard with a towel. Calm down. He might have to have his testosterone levels tested and adjusted. The play time with Lemana jacked them up. It was going to be a long trip without a playmate.

Vita’s image pushed back into his awareness. If he touched her, she probably would smack him. She acted like he had an infectious disease, and he wasn’t used to that kind of behavior from a female. He brushed his hair straight back. She sure did have nice eyes. They sparkled like amethysts, especially when she was mad which seemed to be most of the time. But he would not let her attitude detract from the adventure of the trip. He had a great crew, a great ship. He’d relegate her to her own wing on the Maximum and ignore her. Or try to ignore her because something in him kept trying to engage her, even if it were only for negative reaction.

As he