CHAPTER 4

Author's Note: Sex is an important part of human life. Unlike animals, we humans have sex for reasons other than procreation. I like to see my characters deal with their sexuality. It makes them vulnerable, and human.
If this is not what you expect, I'm sorry. I'll get back to mech p0rn shortly :LOL:


Draconis Combine Dormitory, Kobe,
Solaris City, Solaris VII,
Freedom Theater, Lyran Alliance,
January 17, 3075

Kayoko woke up feeling like she was floating in the clouds.

Time went by so fast, yet she remembered every detail of it. The Paradise was wonderful, a high-end restaurant that served food she didn't know exist. The sushi was particularly out of this world. They had to split the check for that, but she didn't mind. For food that good, she'd pay anyway. The spa, massage, manicure, pedicure, everything was rejuvenating. She felt like a new woman. The strolls through the main boulevards of Solaris City were the icing on the cake. If her Comstar account didn't have spending limit, she would have bought everything she would look gorgeous on.

Then there was the game. Of course, she was at Solaris VII. She had to watch one of those famous gladiatorial games live. And since Isamu had inside sources, he could pull some strings and got them the hot seats, watching battlemechs bash each other's heads off at Steiner's Coliseum. As a mechwarrior, Kayoko rarely saw mech battles from the 3rd point of view, and to be able to do that at one of the most famous Class-6 arenas marked the pinnacle of the visit.

But of course the real festivities started after all those sparks faded. The Dormitory was not what she had in mind when she spent the night with a man for the first time, but it was not too bad. It was a warrior's mess, with minimal accommodation, and minimal rent. It was the first time she raised a question about Isamu's background. A high-ranked Solaris mech jock, as Isamu so fervently claimed, shouldn't be staying at a budget dorm. However, it had shower, plushy bed, and sound-proof walls, everything she needed for a night full of passion.

Men were challenges, and Kayoko had her share of men of all types. She was pleasantly surprised to find out that Isamu was a rare 'delicacy'. He knew his way around her, and he used that knowledge for her sake. Their lovemaking was protracted and vigorous. Added to that his hard, well-toned muscles, and his staying power, and she had the time of her life, notwithstanding the deficiency of the dorm room. And he had this penchant of her breasts, playing and pampering them in every possible way. Kayoko knew that her breasts were the highlight of her body, but she had never had somebody that was so enamored with it.

Waking up, she gladly found out that Isamu was still doing it.

"Oh My God, how long have you been at it?" she giggled as she playfully shoved his head from her chest.

"Not long enough," Isamu kissed her breasts rather forcefully, against Kayoko's resistance. "It's raining, no game worth of watching, and a gorgeous pair of boobs. What is anything out there better than this?"

Kayoko would lie down and have Isamu have his way with her all day, but his mentioning of 'game' made her a bit self conscious. Isamu had a life, a reputation, and a tournament. She understood that for a Solaris mech-athlete like Isamu, fighting in the arena was sacred. It was their way of life. She didn't want to be selfish, especially now that she saw some future with him. She wanted to be a supportive partner, no matter how small the chance would be.

"I'd love the way you pamper me, but you have a tournament," she pushed him gently, trying hard not to upset him. "Not that I don't like making love with you. I do. I do very much. But perhaps it's time for you to practice. When is your next game? I'll cheer for you."

Her remark seemed like slamming the brake. Isamu instantaneously stopped. His body tensed, and his exasperated sigh felt hot in her damp skin. He rolled over her and sat at the edge of the mattress, burying his face in his palms.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound like a jerk," Kayoko shot up from the bed.

"No, it's not you. It's me." Isamu stayed motionless for a moment, then turned and looked into her eyes in the earnest. "I've not been completely honest with you. In fact, I haven't been honest at all."

"So you're not a mech athlete?" Kayoko suddenly wished Noloty was there with her. "What are you, then? Yakuza? Ninja? Drug cartel operative?"

"I'm a mech jock, alright, but I'm not the top mech jock. I'm uh…" Isamu struggled to find words. "I'm uh… a B-rated mech jock. A frakker. A seatfiller. I was in the tournament to make a chance for myself, but I got beaten. My mech was totalled. I have nothing left."

Everything started to make sense. The cheap dormitory, the way Isamu reacted to the guy at the bar that teased him, the lavish food and spa and the Coliseum's front seat. Everything was just like Noloty predicted. Kayoko suddenly felt the urge to go back to the dropship and find Noloty's shoulders to cry on, probably for the rest of the day.

"Why are you doing this?" Kayoko stood up and started gathering her clothes. "Is there any truth between us?"

"Yes, that is the only thing that's real!" Isamu caught Kayoko's hand. "When I saw you at Thor's Shieldhall, I knew that I would never have the chance again. You're the best thing that ever happens to me. I just have to have you, even for a brief moment. I would never forgive myself if I let you go without saying a word. But I don't want you to remember me as something I'm not, because I really really really like you. I want you to see me as what I really am." He shuddered a little. "I am sorry. I don't know what else to do."

Kayoko looked into his eyes and found remorse and honesty. She took pity on him. And the truth was, she liked him too. He was brash, but so do any other Solaris jocks. He lied to her, but she decided that his intention justified his means, now that she knew that he did it to be with her. Every man lied to some degree to get the woman of his dream. Isamu came clean and told her the truth, and she respected that.

Kayoko thought she might regret this decision, but she dicided to stick with Isamu.

"What can we do to get you back to the game?" Kayoko said as she put on her clothes.

"I'm not going to ask that to you," Isamu somberly walked toward the refrigerator.

"That's not the warrior I know."

"You don't know me."

"I know enough."

Isamu turned and stood butt naked in front of Kayoko, wondering why Kayoko hadn't stormed out of the dorm. "Why are you doing this?"

"I see a man down on his luck. A man that is not afraid to look me in the eye with everything he has to offer. And to tell you the truth, I really like you too. You gave me the best 30 hours I had as a mechwarrior. I never had this much fun since I joined Kuritan military. I appreciate your effort to make me feel like I'm the most important woman in the world, and I am returning the favor."

Isamu stood dumbfounded. He expected the worst, everything that he deserved. Instead he had a chance of a liftetime, a chance to get back in the tournament with support of the most beautiful woman he ever laid his hands on.

"VEST Invitational is a double elimination tournament," he scrambled for his clothes and his dignity. "I can crawl my way up through the 'loser' brackets. But I need a mech. My Hachiwara was destroyed. I need money to rebuild it." He looked at Kayoko, not knowing exactly what to do. "I can't ask you for money, yet it is the only way I can get back in the game."

"I think I can do you one better," Kayoko's lips curled into a devious smile. "Stay here. I'll be right back."


International Zone,
Solaris City, Solaris VII,
Freedom Theater, Lyran Alliance,
January 17, 3075

Noloty woke up with raging testosterone in her blood.

She missed her paramour. She missed the way he filled her up, physically and mentally, in the best way possible. She had learnt ways to suppress her need, to drown herself in chores and military duties, and wait for the sweet time when they fell into each other's hands again. But last night her body rebelled against her, and he was not there to give her 'comfort'. And it drove her mad.

She tried to focus on jobs at hand, but her mind took her a few weeks back, the last day with she was with him before leaving for Solaris. He said he had something to remember him by, and proceeded to give her that sweet, passionate love that melted her inner core. But in the heat of the moment he backed off, leaving her wondering what on earth he was doing. His reply was just a mischievous smile, and he repeated the process, driving her closer and closer to the peak only to leave her hanging. Noloty had never been so desperate to cum, and the feeling was maddening. But he ignored her cry and tortured her with pleasure until her entire body practically screamed for release. When he mercifully let it happen, her world exploded in fireworks she had never had before, and the intensity almost knocked her out. And everything he did after that was magical, until she did finally pass out from sheer exhaustion.

Against her will, her hand moved by itself inside her pants to add a little 'action' to the sweet memory.

"Noloty! Noloty, are you awake?" Kayoko's voice echoed in the metal walls at the worst possible time. "Noloty, please let me in. I need to ask a favor, a very big favor."

Noloty tried to ignore Kayoko but she added door-banging to her rude intrusion, and the mood was gone. Cussing, Noloty shot up from the bed then opened the door, firing dirty look at Kayoko. "What? What do you need?"

Kayoko stared blankly at her best friend, draped only in tanks and shorts. Her face was flushed and her knees trembled in an obvious way. "What the hell are you doing in here?"

Noloty quickly grabbed Kayoko's shirt and dragged her in the officer's quarter. She locked the door and took her blanket to cover herself. "That is none of your business! What do you want?"

Kayoko realized that she had interrupted Noloty from her tender moment, and she regretted it, but there was no turning back. "I uh… well, I met a man. Great guy. Nice bod. Smart. Very respectable. A good man in need. He was in the tournament, but he had a bad luck. His mech is totaled. He wants to get back in the tournament, and he could win, if he had a mech. I was thinking, could you possibly authorize the Marauder -5S for him? The one you said I could pilot?"

Noloty spent the next minute staring blankly at Kayoko, not knowing exactly what to say.

"I know what you're gonna say," Kayoko continued sheepishly, expecting Noloty to explode any moment. "But hear me out. I have my share with men, and I can pick out good ones from jerks. Isamu is a good man. He treats me with respect. He just need some boost in his career until he can stand on his own feet. So can you be a good friend and help a good but unlucky Solaris jock in need."

"And how long have you known this 'Isamu'?"

"Uhm… a day and a half?" Kayoko cringed.

"So he picked you up, buttered you up with fancy dinner, then asked for a battlemech? Can you not see what he's doing?!" Noloty flared. "He's using you to get what he wants! He doesn't want you! He doesn't even care about you! All he wants is a battlemech! I told you about this kind of scums on Solaris! I can't believe you shove one on my face less than 48 hours after I told you! Do my words not mean anything to you anymore?!"

"You have every right to feel that way toward him, but you were not there," Kayoko replied. "I was there. I was there when he opened up to me. I can see the genuine, honest look in his eyes. He is not like some schmucks I dated that only wanted to get in my pants. He liked me for real. He's a keeper."

"Sounds like desperation," Noloty huffed.

"All I'm saying is trust me on this," Kayoko started begging. "I know what I'm doing. He's not looking for a battlemech. He just wanted to be with me. In fact, the Marauder thing is my idea."

"Your idea? It's my gift to you!" Noloty erupted. "What the hell are you thinking, Kayoko? The Ryuken-go is a Kuritan military unit, not a Solaris stable or a mech shop! We don't lend mechs! Especially to Solaris chums who date women of ranks to get free goodies!"

"I appreciate you thinking of me, but that mech is the wrong mech for me to begin with," Kayoko started to get annoyed by Noloty's constant berating of Isamu. "It runs too hot. You know I am poor with heat management. And there's no targeting computer. I am not a good shot. Energy weapons with no TarComp will fry me in the cockpit. I am not being ungrateful, Noloty, but you know well I won't last long in that Marauder. So why can't we use the Marauder in a way that's best for everybody?"

"Still, it doesn't mean we can lend it to somebody."

"Just until he wins enough money to fix his mech. Come on, I supported you 110-percent when you were establishing relationship with Tai-sa Sandokan."

"Don't' drag him into your problem!" Noloty growled. "We'd known each other for months before we even began to go out! I didn't spread my legs the moment I met him, no matter how much I wanted to!"

"Ow, that's low, Noloty, that's really low," Kayoko started fuming. "I came to you because I thought I could count on a friend. Instead I get a prissy bitch, with prejudice to boot!"

"I am your friend! I am being your friend more than I have been all these years," Noloty sighed. "I understand that you're enchanted by these people. They're superstars, with flashy skills in equally flashy battlemechs. But they are also egocentric, narcissistic, manipulative assholes whose only goal in life is fame and money. Use your best judgment. A day and a half is not long enough to know what kind man you're dealing with."

"I think I'm not the only one who needs to use best judgment," Kayoko folded her arms on her chest. "You never met him. You don't know anything about him. What facts did you base your judgment about Isamu on? Solaris Game Network? MRBC? Your own assumption?" She leaned forward and spoke with much gentler tone. "I understand your burden as 2nd in Command, especially now that Scarlet is gone. But we're not going to hurt the team. Give it a try. You might like the result."

"I don't care about the team as much as I care about you," Noloty shot an empathic stare at Kayoko. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'll be fine. I'm not gonna get hurt. Isamu is gentle, and kind, and respectful." Kayoko leaned more. "I think he might be the one." She gave Noloty that large, puppy eyes. "Come on, be a supportive friend. I could use one right now."

Noloty suspected Kayoko was under heavy influence of oxytocin. She was not thinking clearly. But part of her argument bore the truth. She didn't know what kind of man Isamu was, and the worst thing she could do was to make mech jock generalization. She trusted Kayoko in many situations before. Perhaps she needed to trust Kayoko what was best for her own life.

"The only way Scarlet would approve was to treat this as a recruitment process," Noloty muttered almost inaudibly. "I authorize the Marauder because I want to see his performance. But he has to promise that, if I see him fit, he will serve the Ryuken-go for a year. He will do what I ask him to do. No questions asked."

"Hmm… that'll be rather tough," Kayoko was taken aback. "He's a mech jock. Solaris is his home. All he knows is to fight in the arena. He doesn't know anything about fighting in a combat unit. Is this the only way?"

"This is the only way," Noloty looked at Kayoko, hoping her best friend would see things her way. "I'm breaking a lot of rules for you. I cannot authorize the Marauder without restrictions. We are not that kind of unit." She put her hands on Kayoko's shoulder. "If he really likes you, if he sees you the same way you see him, then he will take this deal and go wherever you go. If he refuses, then perhaps he's not the one you want to invest your future in."

"I guess you're right," Kayoko solemnly nodded. She smiled and pulled Noloty into a warm embrace. "Thank you. You are a true friend, Noloty. I'm sorry I put you into this situation. I'm sorry I called you bitch. Just so you know, I regret it. I take it back. I can't ask for a better friend than you."

"Alright, you overdo it," Noloty pushed Kayoko gently. "Go. Tell him what the situation is, and let me know what he thinks. Call me immediately. I wish you the best."

"Thank you. Thank you!" Kayoko squeezed Noloty's shoulder, then burst out of her room.

"Scarlet is going to kill me," Noloty sighed then went back to her bed, burying her head under the pillow.