Chapter Four
The Perfect Evening??
As Aerick returned to the hotel in his mother's airspeeder; he felt a little apprehensive. Even though he and Crystal had been together for a year, he still got flitters in his stomach whenever he knew they'd get time to themselves.
"Oh, Aerick. Linna stopped by the other day," Aerick's mother said, bringing up the subject of his ex-girlfriend. "She told me to congratulate you on your wedding and to give you these." His mother pointed to the back of the airspeeder where a small pile of gifts lay.
"When you see her again, tell her I said thank you."
"There are a few there for Crystal, too."
"Tell her we both say thank you, then. She didn't have to do that…" Aerick said, scowling.
"She still cares about you, Aerick. Not that I blame her. After all, you are a handsome young man."
"Thanks, mom," Aerick said, a trace of sarcasm in his voice. He glanced out the window and did a double take. "Sithspawn…Mom, stop the speeder."
"What's wr…"
"Just do it." Aerick opened the door the second the speeder stopped and hurried to one of the shops lining the street. He threw open the door and scanned the room, looking for the man he'd spotted.
Aerick walked out the shop a few minutes later, hanging his head in defeat.
"What happened, Aerick?" His mother asked.
"I thought I saw someone…I guess not."
"Anyone in particular?"
"Don't worry about it…"
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Johann stepped out of the refresher inside the shop Aerick had scanned. He knocked on the door to the back room and walked in when the door opened.
"You're late," Reinna said.
"Sorry, Captain Needa saw me. He followed me, but I lost him."
"You'd better have. I can't have him interfering with our plans. He has to be out of contact when I spring this."
"He'll be out of contact. I guarantee it."
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Aerick pushed the door open to his room, carrying a stack of wrapped wedding presents. A droid porter carrying the rest of the wedding presents followed him.
"Aerick? What is all that?" Crystal asked, standing in the doorway to the bedroom. She was clad in a robe, although it wasn't closed and Aerick could tell that she was still wearing undergarments.
"Gifts from family and…er…friends." He said, placing the packages on the bed and sitting down next to his wife.
"Aerick, don't lie to me. You know I hate that."
"If you must know, most of them are from my ex…"
"I see."
"The thing is, most of there are for you."
"Really?" Crystal picked up one of the packages with her name on it and ripped it open. She held up a medium sized knife, the blade plated in gold and the handle was studded with Corusca gems. There was an inscription on the blade. It read; "Aerick Needa and Crystal Sandskimmer" and gave the date of their wedding.
"Aerick…this is really ornate. Are you sure it's okay to accept these?" Crystal asked, examining the blade.
"Why not? Linna's family has more money than they have sense."
"Linna? Is that her name?"
"Yeah. We dated for a while. She got a little too attached and I wasn't ready for a serious relationship at that point in my life. The day after we broke up, I left to join the Rebellion. That was about two months before Endor." He grabbed another of the packages and ripped it open. He opened the box, looked at the contents, and, just as quickly, closed it. "This one's for you, hon."
Crystal opened the box and her eyes grew wide. She pulled out a corset that was made of a sheer material that looked like silk. It looked a few sizes too large for Crystal, but Aerick figured she could exchange it for something in her size. Aerick felt the garment with his forefinger and thumb. Well, it feels like silk, too, he said to himself.
"It isn't," Crystal said, responding to his inner musing. "Its something called memosilk. Krinu was telling me about it. She bought a…well...she bought a garment that was made of it. It starts out a few sizes too big for anyone. Well, except a Hutt. Anyhow, when you put it on, it conforms to the wearer's dimensions. Fits like a glove. But it's only a one-time thing. Once it conforms, it maintains that size. I don't know how, but that's it."
"Must cost a fortune…"
"Not really. In fact…" Before she could explain, she was interrupted by the comm.
"Yes?" Aerick answered.
"Captain! It's Renn."
"Renn? Where ARE you guys?" Crystal stood and walked into the refresher and Aerick spoke into the comlink.
"What do you mean? You and Commander Sandskimmer…you sent for us, didn't you?"
"What? Wait, slow down…" He heard a murmur over the comlink, then another voice issued from the speaker.
"Captain, it's Krinu. Where are you guys?"
"The Coronet Hotel. Room…Uhhh…we're in the penthouse suite."
"I won't ask. Renn, Tamika, Anissa and I are coming up. The rest of the squadron…"
"Bring them. I'll call down for a few rooms."
"Are you sure? Isn't that a little…"
"Expensive? Don't worry about it. Just get yourselves over here ASAP."
"Call it…two hours," Krinu said.
A second voice was just barely audible. "Krinu, we're ready to go…" He heard a dull thump, as if Krinu had nudged him in the stomach with her elbow.
"We've got some…things we need to finish here. You two should relax for a while."
"We'll be here. And Krinu…"
"Yes, Cap?"
"Thanks." Aerick clicked off his comlink and set it down on the nightstand. "Crystal? Where are you?"
"I'll be out…umf…in a minute, urg…" She said, a rustling noise coming from the secured door of the refresher.
"You okay in there, hon?" Aerick asked.
"I'm…gah…fine. Aaahh. Much better." The door to the refresher opened and Crystal stepped out, clad in the memosilk corset and a white garter belt that held up a pair of silk stockings. Her ample breasts were about to spill out of the snug garment. The corset left nothing to Aerick's imagination, sheer in all the right places, allowing her silken skin to be seen. Her strawberry-blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, terminating halfway down her back.
She stepped across the room and cleared the bed of all obstructions. Aerick stood in the center of the room, staring at Crystal. His face was frozen in a look of admiration and desire. A moment later, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He pressed his lips against hers, drinking in the scent of her perfume as they kissed. Aerick caressed Crystal's back, feeling the sheer material that obstructed the feeling of flesh on flesh.
As Aerick rubbed Crystal's back, she started removing his shirt. As she unbuttoned the garment, she placed one hand on his bare chest, feeling the fine hair tickle her palm. As she unfastened the last button, Crystal slipped the shirt off Aerick, tossing it next to the bed. She started working his pants off, undoing the zipper and button, then pulling his pants and underwear off in one motion.
As Crystal removed his clothing, Aerick started to unzip her corset, then realized he couldn't find a zipper. He felt his way down her back, but couldn't feel any fasteners at all. Moving his hands around to her front, he started groping around. He still couldn't find any form of fastener. As Crystal took his pants off, she felt Aerick's feeble attempts and took one of his hands into hers. She guided his hand between her legs to a trio of clasps that were hidden next to her groin. He undid the snaps and started to remove the garment. Crystal wiggled out of the memosilk corset, revealing her soft, supple skin. She tossed the garment onto the floor, then turned to face Aerick.
He gazed longingly at her. Her strawberry-blonde hair was tousled, due to the fact that Aerick had run his fingers through it. Her penetrating blue eyes locked with his, burning with an intensity Aerick had never seen before. She nodded slightly and Aerick continued his way down her body. Her lips were painted a deep red color and were slightly parted, just enough so that Crystal could lick her lips in anticipation. His eyes continued down her body, sweeping past her long, graceful neck. Her ample breasts heaved with every breath she took and Aerick could see she was aroused; her nipples were hard and erect. He gazed at her breasts, desire mounting inside him. He continued down, following the contours of her flat stomach down to the perfectly-trimmed triangle of pubic hair.
Unable to contain his desire any longer, Aerick wrapped his arms around Crystal and pressed his lips against hers, pushing his tongue into her mouth. Crystal responded, her tongue entangling with his as the pair kissed. She wrapped her arms around him and felt his erect penis jutting against her stomach.
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"Krinu, are you sure this is okay?" Renn asked as the pair walked into the lobby of the Coronet Hotel.
"I'm positive. The Admiral contacted me ten minutes after I talked to Crystal. He wanted to know what was going on. I told him about our meeting with Captain and Commander Needa. He told me to push up the time of our meeting."
"But why just us? What about Anissa and Tamika?"
"No, Aerick and Crystal trust us implicitly. If Anissa, a newcomer, or Tamika, a recluse, were to join us, it would put the two on guard. With just us, we know they'll be at ease and willing to discuss more than they would with anyone else…except the Admiral or higher ups."
"I see," Renn said, nodding. As the pair approached the turbolift, the droid operator asked the floor number. Krinu indicated their desire to ascend to the penthouse suite.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. That suite is currently occupied. Its occupants requested not to be disturbed."
"Do you think they're…" Renn started. Krinu shushed him.
"You don't understand," Krinu removed her military ID and showed it to the droid. "I am Lieutenant Commander Krinuv'ani, second officer of High Flight Squadron. This is Lieutenant Renn Shrike, pilot in High Flight. The occupants of the penthouse suite are our Commanding Officer and our Executive Officer, Captain Aerick Needa and Commander Crystal Sandskimm…er, Needa."
"I see," The droid said, studying the IDs. "Please hold while I contact the hotel manager."
"Dark Lords of the Sith," Renn swore. "All we want to do is…"
"Can I help you folks?" An older gentleman dressed in the uniform of the Coronet Hotel.
"Yes," Krinu said. "We need to contact our CO and XO. Both are in the penthouse suite and they've asked that no one disturb them. However, we've received orders from Admiral Ackbar…" Renn held out a datapad. "Thank you, Renn. Orders for Captain Needa's eyes only."
"I understand. Eye-Threepio here isn't programmed to perform that sort of privacy override. However, I am. If you folks will follow me, we'll get you to your associates ASAP."
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Ten minutes and a hundred and fifteen floors later, the turbolift stopped just outside the penthouse suite. Renn and Krinu stepped off, then rapped on the door before them. No one answered.
"Krinu…I think they're…uh…busy."
"I know. And I wish I could let them have enough time to consummate their marriage. Unfortunately, time is of the essence." Krinu knocked harder. She heard a muffled cry of ecstasy.
"I told you, Krinu. They're busy. And when did you receive orders from Admiral Ackbar?"
"I didn't. Now, Renn, please. Have some faith in me." Krinu reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a small device that Renn couldn't identify. Krinu held the device up to the door lock, then punched a series of buttons. The unit hummed, then beeped. The door opened a second later. Renn's jaw dropped.
"Krinu, aren't those illegal?"
"Well, yes. But, don't tell anyone." She winked at him and one of her lekku twitched up and down. "Okay, Renn. Get a drink for the two of us, then sit down and stay quiet. I want to surprise our leaders." Renn grinned and nodded. He poured two glasses of an expensive champagne, then sat down next to Krinu, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder and sipped at her drink. The pair heard their commanding officers in the room next to them. The bed they were on was squeaking and Crystal was uttering a cry of joy every few seconds. The tinkle of glass shattering accompanied one of those cries. Krinu smiled and looked up at Renn. He had an amused grin on his face as well. A moment later, Aerick and Crystal cried out in unison.
"Ready, Renn?"
"You betcha." Krinu set her glass down on the table next to her. She stood walked over to the door leading into the bedroom. She knocked softly, then threw open the door. Aerick and Crystal dove under the blanket, covering their naked bodies.
"Sithspawn!" Aerick swore. "What are you two doing here? Get out!!" Renn fled from the room as Aerick threw a pillow at him. Krinu closed the doors as she exited.
"That'll get their attention," She commented. Renn nodded, then burst out laughing.
"Did you see how they scurried under that blanket? Oh, man. That was great!"
The doors opened, and Crystal stepped into the living room. She finished tying the belt on her robe and sat down in the recliner across from Krinu and Renn. She smiled.
"I hope you two enjoyed your little prank. I assume Krinu has a binary lock pick?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I appreciate the fact that you waited for us to…uh…finish our business," Crystal said, blushing.
"Yes, ma'am."
"By the way," Renn butted in, "what was that crash we heard?" He felt Krinu jab her elbow in his side.
"Excuse me?" Crystal asked.
"It was the lamp," Aerick said as he pushed open the door, revealing the scene. Sure enough, a lamp rested on the floor, shattered into a million pieces. The bed was a mess, the blankets all in a state of disarray.
"So, what was so urgent that you two just couldn't wait?" Crystal asked.
"Well, that's what I wanted to ask you two," Krinu said.
"What do you mean?" Aerick asked.
"Well, we received a message from you and Crystal saying you needed us here as soon as possible. It sounded important."
"I didn't…Crystal?"
"Don't look at me. I've been too busy with other things."
"Krinu? Are you sure the message was from us?"
"Of course not. The message was text only and it came in over public frequencies. Printed out in the comm center. It took us a few hours to find it."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Crystal asked.
"Reinna? You think so?"
"Reinna? Who are you guys talking about?" Renn asked.
"Long story," Aerick deferred. "It could be her. Why, though, is a mystery."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Krinu, this message, what did it say?"
"I have it here. Hold on," She started rooting through her flightsuit. "Ah, here we are." She cleared her throat. "
"'To: Lieutenant Commander Krinuv'ani.
"' From: Captain Aerick Needa.
"' Krinu, Crystal and I require the squadron to report to Corellia as soon as possible. Orders from above. Cannot elaborate on open channel. Top Secret. Do not attempt to reply or inform the Admiralty."
"Hmm," Aerick tapped his index finger against his forehead. "I never sent that."
"We've established that, dear," Crystal chided. "Didn't Reinna say something about the squadron?"
"I…I can't remember. I was…preoccupied."
"With what?"
"I just…wanted to get out of there," Aerick said. "I wanted to spend time with you."
"I bet," Crystal snorted, a smile crossing her face.
"Anyhow," Krinu said, bringing the conversation back on track. "Now that we're here, what's going on?"
"Well, it's like this…" Aerick started. He told Renn and Krinu about his conversation with Johann. And Reinna. About her fiancée being a guest of the Empire. "…So that's it."
"And Reinna didn't give you much of a choice?" Renn asked.
"No. She said if we don't comply…well…"
"I understand. Well, the squadron is ready. We'll follow you anywhere."
"Thank you, Krinu. We know that. Okay…let's gather the squadron…tomorrow. We'll go over the mission specs and try and iron out all the bugs. In the meantime, Krinu I want you to get on the comm and contact Admiral Ackbar. Tell him the squadron is fine and we'll be out of touch for a while. Tell him we've got some unfinished business and, if he needs more information, I'll give it to him as soon as possible."
"The Admiral will never go for that."
"On the contrary, he knows we have some leave coming. The entire squadron does. Tell him we're using that leave."
"But…your honeymoon…"
"This is more important. Crystal and I talked about this. She accepts it, and so do I."
"Okay. I'll get that message out as soon as I return to my room."
"Make sure the rest of the squadron gets settled in. We've got a lot of work tomorrow."
"I understand, sir," Krinu spun on her heel and grabbed Renn by the collar. She dragged him a few feet to the door, then shut it behind her.
"Dammit, Krinu! What was that about."
"We've got work to do and they need some time alone."
"But they've had…"
"Not enough. C'mon. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
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Aerick and Crystal locked the door to their suite and turned out the lights in all but one room. As they prepared to bed down for the night, Crystal gave Aerick a kiss on the cheek.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing, Aerick?" She asked.
"Don't worry about it, hon. We'll be fine." As he kissed her soft, supple lips, Aerick started untying her corset.
"Before we do this, Aerick, there's something you should know."
"Can it wait until tomorrow, hon?"
"Well…I guess." Aerick's hands continued their dance down her body, untying the silk garment.