The Cruel Hand of Fate.
The Cruel Hand of Fate chapter one
Disclaimer: Not mine
Author's note: * means the race of the Ambassador, Susan had to deal with, the one who spoke through someone else and sealed negotiations with sex. Anyway, I can't remember his race so I am using * to stand for it. If anyone knows please let me know.
John sighed a sigh of relief, grateful that the negotiations were over. They desperately need the * s help. Over the past week he had been sealing the deal. Remarkably, it had been seeing Down Below that caused them to agree. Go Figure. It was too much trouble to explain that Down Below was not a means of separating the " evils" of society from everyone else.
He had thought of telling Susan to deal with them. He had even approached her. She had been working on fixing a conduit and hopefully keeping the oxygen system from overloading. She had looked exhausted. Her fingers had been torn and her eyes had deep bags under them. He couldn't do it to her.
So over the last week he had been dealing with the * Ambassador, who spoke through another. This had fascinated Stephen. But he had been watching the Ambassador. It was not the station or Down Below which fascinated him. It was Susan. About two or three times a day they had run into each other when he had the Ambassador and his friend with him. Each time Susan had been polite but had left quickly. He grinned. He knew why. Aside from the fact that she hated diplomats, she even more hated mental communication like the Ambassador and his friend had.
Every time, they ran into her. The Ambassador 's eyes would be glued to her. Not that John could blame him. He had long ago decided that Susan was a beautiful woman. She was the subject of many of his fantasies. Better not think about that now. The Ambassador was talking.
" We will seal the deal traditionally. This can be done through intercourse between a member from each side of the negotiations. In this case your beautiful first officer."
John gasped. He shook his head in disbelief. The Ambassador added, as if sensing his reluctance to agree, " without it, we will be forced to withdraw our support."
Damn, the needed the * help. Needed it badly. John began to recover his wits and said, " It could be dangerous, the females of our species are notoriously for passing diseases to alien males. Diseases which do not effect humans but can be fatal to other species..."
He left it at that hoping that the Ambassador would leave it. He was wrong. The Ambassador considered this for a moment. In that case we will watch you with her. This evening will be convenient.
The Ambassador swept out of the room, his friend following, leaving John alone in the room with his thoughts.
Damn.