Genesis or Exodus

Chapter 11

Bo watched the Matriarch from her place across from the blonde, as her fingers seemed to juggle with the two data crystals in her hand. Her brow was furrowed, and Bo wasn't even sure if Lauren was in this room with her,or lost in her own memories and trying to figure out where to begin this supposedly eye-opening conversation. The Commander was skeptical to say the very least. What could Lauren possibly say that would make her re-think doing her duty, which would be to arrest Evony for The Alliance?

But that was the thing, Bo wanted to listen to the Matriarch. She also seemed to always want to believe in the blonde woman sitting across from her. She had found herself sharing things with Lauren, information and details about her life that very few people knew! She'd even eagerly allowed the Matriarch to examine and study her nanomites! She was baffled by the eagerness she felt to share herself with Lauren, not just on a physical level, but on an emotional level as well. Inthat moment, Bo decided that she wanted to grasp this opportunity and lay a few things on the table for the Matriarch to answer as well.

The Commander decided that the time was now to lay out her concerns and hopefully get some information from Lauren that she wanted to know. Not just what the Matriarch was willing to share with her.

"Before we begin may I..."

"Okay, here goes..."

The blonde and the brunette smiled at one another as they both decided to speak at the same time. Bo not wanting to lose her nerve, spoke first, "Seeing as you've stipulated that I am not to interrupt once you start your story, may I say something that's been bothering me for quite some time... basically since the first time we met,actually?"

Lauren gave Bo a lopsided half smile, "Since we first met, huh? My, my, that sure is a long time to have something bother you for, Commander Dennis. By all means, get it off your chest while we are still being reasonably cordial with one another," the Matriarch said with another enchanting smile, which completely disarmed the brunette and had her stomach fluttering and causing her heart to skip a beat.

"I couldn't possibly think that what you have to say could be as bad as all of that. I mean, we have had some rather fiery conflicts of opinion since my team and I came aboard Genesis and I'm still wanting to converse and interact with you, despite what has already transpired between us." Bo paused for a moment,frowning at what she had just said.

The Matriarch stopped fiddling with the crystals and placed them off to one side and leaned forward and met the Commanders thoughtful gaze. "What is it, Bo?" she asked softly, her voice washing over the perplexed brunette like a warm spring breeze.

Bo shook her head and puffed out a frustrated sigh, "I don't understand this effect you seem to have over me! We clash and butt heads constantly. You question my motives at every turn and constantly criticize everything I have stood for when it comes to being a high-ranking officer for The Galactic Alliance. And yet still I find myself completely enamoured with you and revealing so much of my personal baggage and secrets with you. I can't explain why I am so attracted to you and why I'm acting like a lovesick fool. Whether it's pouncing on you in your lab earlier or acting like a jealous, jilted lover when confronted by your obvious sexual relationship with Evony... I... I'm at a loss…" Bo finished her outburst by throwing her hands out in front of her for emphasis.

"Gee, thanks," the Matriarch said with a chuckle and a roll of her eyes. "You certainly have a way with building up a woman's self-esteem... Am I that horrible," Lauren asked, "that you find it unfathomable to be attracted to me?"

Bo blinked slowly and then shook her head, "Oh no, of course not! You're beautiful and of course I'd love to take you to my bed. You're misunderstanding me." The Commander took a deep breath and then blew it out slowly. "Is it hot in here?" Bo asked and without waiting for an answer, she took off her jacket and tossed it onto the chair beside her. The Commander then placed her now bare arms onto the cool metal table and allowed the chill of it to cool her hands and forearms as she leaned forward. She met Lauren's gaze and spoke sincerely and as plainly as humanly possible, "You are a stunning woman and you have an intriguing and mysterious air about you that makes me want to get to know you, despite the fact that you are obstinate and combative and constantly trying to piss me off. I am attracted to you, you know that. That's not the issue."

Lauren leaned forward too, and their gazes burned into each other, unfaltering and intense. "Then what is the issue, Bo, because you're not making much sense."

Bo felt the intangible pull to spill her guts and she pounded a fist down on the table, causing Lauren to jump in surprise from the outburst. "There it is!"

"There, what is, Bo?" Lauren kept her voice level and calm, but she had a feeling that she finally understood what the Commander was trying to say.

"The pull to spill all of my thoughts and secrets to you. I don't do that. I don't engage with potential lovers like that. Hell, I don't even share as much as I already have with you, to actual lovers. I let you study me, for goodness sake! I let you take blood samples. Why did I do that? It's like a compulsion. I mean, you've barely shared anything particularly personal with me, unless of course you are yelling at me because I've let my emotions or ego come straight out of my mouth without thinking and saying something stupid or insulting." Bo shook her head, " I'm just not quite like myself when I'm around you. It's a weird feeling and hard to explain. Just forget it, okay? Forget I said anything." The last few sentences came out laced with resignation and Bo leaned back in her chair, deflated.

It must be because of her heightened senses, Lauren thought to herself. I can't just let her think that she is imagining it. But do I trust her enough to tell her that's it's because of me?

Yes. Tell her. Genesis said inside the Matriarch's head, through their connection. She has entrusted you with her nanomites and she won't forgive you if she finds out another way. We need Bo as an ally, not an enemy.

You're right. Lauren cleared her throat. Her mouth had suddenly gotten very dry and the large conference room seemed to be closing in around her. The blonde pressed a button on the small console in front of her and a moment later, a pitcher of water with two stacks of tumblers beside it, came up through a newly opened hatch in the centre of the table. She poured a glass for both of them with trembling hands, as Bo looked on in sullen silence.

"Bo, you're not imagining it," Lauren said after sipping from her glass. "It's not you, it's me."

The brunette smiled at those familiar words, "Well that's the first time someone's actually said that to me. I'm usually the one saying it and what am I not imagining exactly?"

"Have you ever heard of The Keepers?" Lauren asked,before taking another drink of water.

Bo shook her head, "No. Should I have?"

Lauren drained her glass and placed it on the table with a clatter, her hands unsteady.

Be calm, Genesis said, sensing the Matriarch's distress at revealing herself and her special gift.

Bo was also keenly aware that Lauren was struggling within herself. "Who or what are The Keepers, Lauren?"

"I'm entrusting this information to you, Bo," Lauren started beseechingly, "Like you entrusted me with your nanomites."

"Okaaay…" the brunette responded slowly. "Please just tell me, Lauren. Your nervousness is freaking me out."

You can trust her. You know it. You can feel it in your heart, as I can feel it within me, said Genesis, giving the Matriarch the final push that she needed.

"I am a Keeper. It is the original ancient name that was applied to my race, when we came to be in this plane of existence. We are driven to learn and gather knowledge about EVERYTHING. And with that driving force, comes an innate gift, an ability, to help us achieve our prime directive for living."

"What kind of gift?"

"When people are in the presence of a Keeper, they experience feelings of ease and trust. They want to engage us in conversation and answer questions without reservation. Some Keepers were able to even plant suggestions into people's minds or make them forget that they'd even come into contact with us. The Keepers were all but hunted down and destroyed because of these gifts. All because of a few rogue Keepers who chose to use their gifts for other things... more nefarious purposes than the gathering of knowledge and technology. The few that remain are scattered and live relatively secluded lives."

"I wouldn't say that you're living a secluded life."

Lauren tilted her head to one side. This wasn't what she'd expected Bo to say first, after hearing everything she'd just revealed. "Why do you say that? I spend most of my time on this ship when I am not traversing the universe in search of knowledge."

"That's what I mean. You are essentially still living a Keeper's life."

Lauren thought about that for a moment. "I suppose that is true, but that's because there really aren't that many people out there who even know who The Keepers were. We look completely humanoid now. Well, I always looked mostly humanoid, but The Originals looked a little different."

"So, what I'm feeling for you isn't real? It's because of your gift?"

"What? No. Your urge to open up around me perhaps, but other than that... Our connection..." Lauren swallowed the lump forming in her throat at the look on Bo's face. It threatened to break Lauren's heart. She looked so vulnerable and uncertain. "Our feelings. Well, at least my feelings... I can't really speak for yours, but mine are certainly real. I do have feelings for you, Bo, despite you thinking the contrary because of our clashes and recent events. It's just that you infuriate me and get me riled up. I have a temper, you know," Lauren said her voice soft and warm with feeling.

"Oh, I know," Bo responded, unable to fully meet Lauren's eyes. "How can I really know for sure? I mean I don't usually fall so hard for someone and I'm not one to stick around after getting what I need from my lovers. This feels nothing like what I'm used to feeling."

"Well, shouldn't that tell you that what we have is real and worth pursuing?"

"I don't know what to think," Bo responded, her voice shaky and uncertain.

Show her. Genesis flashed up the memory of the kiss Bo had initiated, before things had gotten complicated.

Lauren stood up and walked around the end of the table.

"What are you doing?" Bo asked warily, the muscles in her biceps tightening as she clenched her fists and looked ready to stand and fight.

The Matriarch moved quicker and pushed firmly down on the Commander's shoulder and straddled her lap. Lauren placed her hands on the sides of Bo's face, her thumbs stroking this strikingly beautiful woman's cheeks as she stared deeply and penetratingly into the brunette's dark chocolate brown eyes. "Don't think. Feel," Lauren said as she brought their mouths together in a kiss that she hoped would express just how much Bo had come to mean to her, despite their many differences.

The kiss only lasted for thirty seconds before Lauren separated their mouths. But Bo had kissed her back after only a second or two of uncertainty. It would have been considered chaste compared to their steamy encounter in the lab earlier, but this kiss had meant more to both of them, if Lauren was reading Bo's facial expression correctly. Lauren traced a finger over Bo's lips slowly, causing the brunette to close her eyes with that simple touch.

"You felt it?"

"Yes," Bo whispered softly. "But I think, I'm going to need some time to assess how much of what I'm feeling is because of you and how much is the gift. Gosh, I'm sorry. That sounds terrible, doesn't it?" Bo placed a hand at the back of Lauren's neck, preventing her from getting off of her lap.

Lauren's hands were resting loosely on Bo's shoulders, "A little, but I understand your hesitation. Plus, I don't know how you are going to feel, after I show you the information on the crystals I brought with me."

The brunette sighed and rested her forehead against Lauren's breastbone, the woven fabric of the Matriarch's bodysuit, soft and warm against her skin. Lauren put her arms around Bo and just held her close, needing to hold on for just a little bit longer before she put Bo's loyalty towards The Alliance to the test and muddying the waters of their floundering relationship once more.

"We should get started," Lauren said softly, reluctant to stop holding Bo. This soldier, so strong, so capable and structured, felt wonderful in her arms. Bo was unguarded, and Lauren sensed, a little sad. "It will be all right," she added as they separated from their comforting embrace.

I was right, The Matriarch thought as she looked in her protector's eyes. She looks so sad.

"You don't know that," was the Commander's reply. "We better get this over with because I have a briefing with my team, remember?"

Lauren saw the shift in Bo, from woman to soldier. It was flawless, and the brunette always seemed more comfortable wrapped up safe in her duty and rules. To Lauren, as the Matriarch, there were no rules in this Galaxy, only guidelines that could be bent and even shifted if desired.

Lauren nodded and removed herself from Bo's lap and went back to her seat on the other side of the table,across from the brunette.

She poured herself another glass of water and took a steadying sip. "You want a top up?"

Bo shook her head and gave Lauren a small encouraging smile that didn't quite reach the soldier's dark eyes. "You're stalling."

Lauren returned the smile, "Perhaps a little. I suppose I should just lay it all out on the line, in the hopes that you can see that arresting Evony, shouldn't be a priority to you on this mission. That whether you like it or not, you are bound to obey my wishes while on this protection detail. My words are the law upon Genesis and I dictate that Evony is under my protection, which in turn puts her under yours as well."

"You have GOT to be kidding," Bo blurted.

"You promised to not interrupt me," the blonde reminded the woman across from her. Lauren switched from woman to Matriarch and Captain of the Genesis, knowing that it was easier to push her feelings for Bo aside for the moment, because they only clouded her judgment and resolve.

She had to keep order on her vessel and that meant ensuring that Bo would abide by her wishes. She hoped that showing her Evony wasn't all bad like the Alliance propaganda machine claimed her to be, would help her achieve just that.

Lauren placed the first crystal into the small access port on the console in front of her. A moment later, the stream of light passed through the console and a projection of its data files displayed big and bright just above the surface of the table, between herself and Bo. She selected an unnamed file and images started flashing before them, slowly, as a sort of montage to the good work Lauren and Evony had been able to achieve in aid of the so called rebels and trouble makers of The Alliance.

"What you are seeing in front of you, are pictures of the farmers, miners and refugees that have managed to stay independent and free with help of Evony and myself. We each have dozens of mementos from the grateful people displayed in these pictures. People that were being forced to grow food for your armies and being left without enough food to feed themselves. Miners worked to death in deplorable conditions withinadequate safety equipment, to mine the materials foryour weapons, ships, armour and bombs. Entire villages being forced to the outer regions of their own lands,without the supplies to rebuild and thrive in the harsher environments.

We smuggled food, medicine and raw materials to these poor souls refusing to renounce their customs and culture at the insistence of The Galactic Alliance. If there is a world that is rich in untapped resources, The Alliance swoop in to claim it. They claim to pay generously to the local inhabitants, but that is a bold-faced lie. They take what they want and they bully, intimidate and even kill if the locals refuse or get in their way.

Lauren paused the slideshow on a particularly disturbing and unsettling vision. In the picture were dozens of bodies, both men and women, lined up in rows, with the glowing embers of their decimated and burned village behind them. "This picture was taken on Sin Yun by me,17 years ago. There were no children amongst the dead. No one under the age of fourteen, that is. Anyone under the age of sixteen are considered children in my eyes, but not in some cultures. Their village sat on a rich Adamantite deposit and it was considered sacred amongst the people living above it, who refused to allow the visiting Alliance metallurgical engineers to take samples away from the sacred site. They did however allow them to test the purity of the Adamantite, after they agreed not to remove any from the source. Upon discovering the incredibly high purity of the nodes, the Alliance sent diplomats to try and negotiate an acceptable trade agreement, but that of course, failed. Their beliefs were strong, and their faith was unwavering. It was against their God's teachings to remove the sacred minerals that they lived upon and they refused every offer." Lauren brought up several more pictures, including pictures shot from a small cloaked shuttle that she had piloted a month after the massacre. The mining colony was fully functioning and removing kilotons of ore to aide their expansion efforts. "I took these pictures myself, just a month after the massacre, Bo. The children were taken to the same facility that your nano project took place. This was one of the worst atrocities done in the name of progress and unity, but the enslavement and abuse to those not strong enough to resist, is rampant and continues to this day. Evony may be a thief and a liar, but it isn't all self-serving. She comes to me with requests for vaccines and medicines, genetically modified seeds that are able to grow in the harshest of environments to feed the struggling populations of these in-dispute planets. Evony does more good than harm, Bo. She usually runs from any Alliance vessels that cross her path, only engaging when there is no other choice. This is why I ask that you do not pursue arresting her and allow her to continue her campaign to aid those in need. What do you say?"

Silence filled the room and Lauren turned off the visual stream so that she could see Bo clearly. Her face was unreadable, her eyes a shade darker than usual and they were looking through Lauren as if she wasn't even there. Bo opened her mouth, closed it again, not uttering a word. Lauren waited patiently, taking a sip of her water. The Matriarch watched the Commander reach out, grabbing her own glass and emptying it in three quick gulps before placing it back on the table.

She licked her lips and then cast her gaze straight into Lauren like a laser beam, "Did you procure weapons for these people? Arm them to fight against us? Is there more of the same on this other crystal of yours? Do you think that my team has been involved in any of these so-called atrocities? Do you know who was, has been and is still giving the orders to commit these crimes? Do you have video images or just stills? Because I was only 10 when you say you took these photos on Sin Yun." Bo frowned, "I don't know why but the name of that planet feels like it should be familiar to me. I think the name and it's like I'm supposed to recall something, but there's nothing there. Weird."

"Yes, strange indeed," Lauren responded warily. I definitely need to share what I discovered when I examined her earlier and the suspicions I have, the blonde thought. She looked at the time on her console. It will have to be after Bo briefs her team.

"Look, Lauren. I know I'm asking a lot here and that I'm sure Keepers prefer not sharing their knowledge, but I really do need some answers."

The questions had come out fast and furious like the firing of an automatic weapon and the expression on Bo's face unnerved the Matriarch, causing her to shift uncomfortably. And she also realised that she had been silent and lost in her own thoughts for several minutes. She relied on Genesis to help her answer all of Bo's questions in succession. Her symbiotic relationship with Genesis really did come in handy on occasion and certainly outweighed the pitfalls of being connected to her.

"I, myself, have never procured weapons to be dispensed to the resisting colonies, but I can't speak for Evony on that front. She may have traded with some of the more affluent resisters."

"So, what did you do to help Evony with these rebels? Did you give them information about the Galactic Alliance that could benefit them and give them a better chance of resisting Alliance rule?" Bo interrupted,needing to get answers.

Lauren could see that the soldier was struggling with what she had seen. Was she aware of what exactly goes on when the Galactic Alliance wanted something? Lauren thought to herself. "I'm not a spy Bo. I don't track everything the GA do! I help, when people in need reach out to me. Have you and your team been a part of the occupation missions? Have you been ripping people away from their homes?"

"My team is more specialized and don't participate in those types of missions. So, no, I have not been out there killing innocent civilians for no reason. Do you honestly believe me capable of it?"

Lauren looked at Bo across the table, and she saw the brunette's jaw muscle twitch. Things were getting heated again and that wasn't Lauren's intention when this conversation had begun. She just wanted to protect an old acquaintance, that was all.

When Lauren spoke, she used her voice and her ability to try to calm the situation down a bit. "No, I don't believe you capable of the atrocities that I have shown you. May I ask whether you truly think I am a spy?"

Then tension in Bo's shoulders visibly relaxed and when she spoke, her tone was less on edge, "I want to trust you, Lauren. I really do. I just don't know how much is because of these abilities of yours. I trust my gut! My instincts! And I'm worried they have been compromised because of the way I feel about you. Can you tell me what you contribute to Evony's humanitarian efforts?"

"I have a huge depository of seeds from countless sources, collected and categorised by generations of Keepers. I have been able to cross breed and enhance valuable, pest resistant and sustainable food sources for some of the harsh, often barren, landscapes that the displaced denizens have been forced to inhabit. These communities would have perished if it hadn't been for Evony and my efforts. That is why I beseech you not to apprehend Evony. She needs to be free to continue this work. I need her to help me with continuing my life's work, not just by procuring knowledge, but also by sharing what I have to benefit and enrich this troubled galaxy. Does this change your view regarding Evony?"

Bo stared at Lauren for a long moment before replying, "I concede that what I have seen and heard from you, is giving me pause and I will reserve judgement at this time. I still don't like her, but what you have her doing is both commendable and honourable. I know that everything isn't black and white, right and wrong. I know this. It is just hard to be confronted with this evidence of events that I had suspected were happening for quite some time."

"I'm sorry for that Bo. I know it must be difficult to process, but I felt that I had to show you. Shall I continue and answer the rest of your questions?" The Matriarch inquired, wearily.

The Commander leaned back in her chair and nodded in acquiescence.

"You asked about the second crystal and the answer is no, this other crystal is more personal in nature and concerns us both."

Lauren paused to listen to Genesis remind her of the next question and also registered the flicker of interest at her last answer, about the contents of the other data crystal. "Do I think you've been involved? I kind of answered that already, but I will reiterate that I never thought that the woman I have gotten to know these past months would ever do these horrible things. And as for who has been pulling the strings, High ranking council members have come and gone over the years, but there has been a constant throughout this campaign..." Lauren paused, uncertain on whether to reveal the name.

Bo leaned forward, "Who, Lauren? Give me the name if you have one."

Lauren sighed, "General Titus."

"Very well. Continue," Bo said evenly, giving the Matriarch no indication about if her answer was a surprise or not.

"And finally, yes, there is more footage if you'd like to see it. This information is from my private stores and I cannot allow you to access the information without mebeing present."

"Very well. I wish to see as much as you feel comfortable showing me. I request that you keep Evony on a very short leash, because despite all the good you insist she has done, I also know that she is indeed heavily involved in arms dealing. It makes it difficult for me to pardon her and let her completely off the hook."

Lauren met Bo's eyes and was drawn in by the intelligence and thoughtfulness she found there. Vex was right, Bo wasn't a mindless puppet and Lauren felt a bit ashamed for treating her like one. "I'm not asking you to revoke her wanted status or anything."

"I couldn't do that, even if I wanted to and I don't," the soldier responded, her voice still even and precise. "It would raise red flags and it would gain unwanted attention from the higher ups. So, what EXACTLY are you asking of me, in regards to Evony?"

"I am asking that you and your team don't detain her and allow her to leave freely and that she is allowed to leave this region of space without The Galactic Alliance being informed of her whereabouts. Is this acceptable?"

"Fine. But keep that bitch away from me," Bo paused, her face softening a bit, "and may I make a request?"

"You may ask," Lauren responded, "though, I may not answer." She gave Bo a playful smile.

"I ask that you try not to flaunt your relationship in my face. I don't want to hear her lewd comments about you and her."

"We haven't been intimate, in almost ten years, Bo. Honest. And I would hope that our earlier conversation would have proven to you that there is only one person I am interested in getting to know better and it isn't Evony."

"Lauren," Bo's sadness had resurfaced and it tore at the blonde's heart. "I need time to process what I'm feeling. I don't want to hurt you and I need to ensure that my emotional connection to you doesn't interfere with my ability to keep you safe from harm."

"Caring would surely only make you better at protecting me, right?"

"Not if Evony, or someone else for that matter, clouds my judgement and makes me act impulsively or recklessly and puts you in danger because of it."

Lauren's hand slid forward into the middle of the table and she looked deeply into Bo's troubled, worried eyes. "I think I have more faith in you than you do in yourself,Commander Dennis." Bo's hand joined the Matriarch's in the centre of the table and their fingers entwined.

Bo closed her eyes, "How can the simplest of touches,affect me this much?" she whispered.

"I don't know," Lauren responded, "but I want to explore it further, when you are ready."

Bo opened her eyes and gazed across at the woman that had cast such an incredibly powerful spell on her. "I feel so lost and helpless to resist you. It scares me."

The soldier's open honesty, once again shocked her, "Because of the abilities I possess?"

"Yes, but I know there is substance behind it too, so please be patient with me."

Lauren gave Bo a brilliant smile which was returned in full. "I have no problem with taking it slow, believe me. I haven't felt this strongly for another person in a very, very long time... Bo, would you come to my quarters after your briefing?" The Matriarch picked up both crystals but held up the one that hadn't been used. "I need to show you this. It's important."

"Commander Dennis?" Genesis' voice filled the room around Bo and Lauren.

It unnerved Bo and she released Lauren's hand, "Yes, Genesis?"

"Your subordinate, Mackenzie, has asked me to relay that she is starving to death and needs to eat. I informed her that she was in perfect health and was not in imminent danger of starving to death, but she insisted I relay the message."

Bo and Lauren both burst into laughter. "Inform her that I am on my way, Genesis," she said with humour still in her voice.

"As you wish, Commander."

Bo smiled over at Lauren, "I'll see you later, okay?"

"I look forward to it. I'll have a couple of drinks waiting," Lauren said, her heart lighter than it had been for centuries.

"Sounds good," Bo replied with a wink, then she activated her disc and was gone.

Authors Note: Hi and thank you for reading. I will try to update again soon, but I have more hospital appointments and a holiday coming up, so I can't promise anything. Thanks to Rafi and G for their input and support. And I thank each and every one of you for your patience and understanding. Take care.

Doccubus21 xo