The Sigournate Virus

Chapter 2


Tawney nearly leapt out of her seat when Lazarus' voice came from behind her.

"Lt. Madison, if you wouldn't mind, I need your assistance in retrieving any information we have on the planet Mottera from the computer." The silky voice said.

Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Tawney turned to face Lazarus with a polite smile. "Of course, sir." She said, her voice trembling just a fraction.

"Excellent." Lazarus replied, and then motioned for Tawney to follow him to the Conference Room.



When they got to the room that housed the mainframe computer, Tawney immediately spoke in a clear voice, while she switched on the screen nestled into the table in the center of the room. "Computer, I need a complete scan of the data we possess in regards to the planet Mottera. Located at coordinates 3752 bi-lateral by 2394 tripolar."

"Yes, Lt. Madison." The electronic voice replied.

While they waited for the information to be processed, Tawney tried very hard to pretend she didn't notice how close Lazarus was standing beside her. She felt her breath hitch a bit, when he shifted position and his arm brushed up against her's. He was close enough that Tawney could breath in his scent. He had a scent that was all his own. Very distinct and pleasing to her.



She chided herself viciously.

She enjoyed the contact, but it did little to help her calm her body's reaction whenever the good doctor was near. It seemed that all he had to do was walk into a room or speak within her hearing distance, and she found herself overwhelmed with the desire to throw herself at him. That would be a very awkward situation indeed, so she held herself in check. She was surprised that he hadn't picked up on her state of arousal, what with his heightened sense of smell, his species were so well known for.

And therein lay the problem. If he were any other person besides someone of another species, she would have at least hinted at her interest. But she knew that the Mak'tar were very peculiar when it came to the subject of relationships. She knew that the Mak'tar only mated once in their lifetime, and they did not just have casual flings before they found their true mate. The stayed celibate until said mate was located and identified, then and only then did the Mak'tar show their feelings for that individual, and the mating would commence.

If, after the mating, something happened to one or the other and they were to die, then the surviving half would forever mourn the loss of their mate. For they did not only mate by body, but by soul. When they consummated the act, they were connected by a bond forged between their souls. And if one of the souls were to perish, then the other would feel incomplete for the rest of their lives.

Tawney knew all of this. When she had first began to feel what she felt for Lazarus she had researched every bit of material she could find on the Mak'tar and their customs. She imagined she knew them better than Dr. Lazarus himself. She had went over every little detail, and found that never in the entire history of their race, had they EVER mated outside their species.

So she was pretty damned sure that she was a hopeless case. She would never be able to have him. Might as well squash this infatuation, and set your sights on someone else.

Commander Taggart was forever flirting with her and showing her his interest. But for the life of her, she just could not find it within herself to enjoy the commander's company. Tawney knew of Taggart's reputation with women. He had led a very colorful life in the dating department, and Tawney had no desire to simply become Taggart's next conquest, to be enjoyed for the moment, then discarded when a newer, more exotic person came along.

She glanced over at Lazarus as he bumped into her again.

As if that was something new. The commander never listened, even though Dr. Lazarus was his Advisor, it didn't stop Taggart from charging in full steam ahead with his motto of, 'Never give up, never surrender.'

Beside Tawney, Dr. Lazarus was having his own mental debate.

Just then there was a beeping from the computer, and it started printing out the information on Mottera.

Lazarus and Tawney both reached for the paper at the same time, causing his hand to come to rest on top of hers.

He told himself mentally.

Finally, the hand slowly withdrew itself, slightly caressing Tawney's, as if of it's own accord, while doing so. Lazarus couldn't help but notice how smooth her skin felt. Like satin.

The back of Tawney's hand felt as if tiny arachnipi were crawling over the the place where Lazarus' skin had touched hers. Had he really just done that? Tawney slowly allowed her eyes to trail in his direction. She noted how close they were to one another, and she raised her eyes to his face to find him looking at her a bit apprehensively.

He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted when the entrance panel slid open, and an excited Taggart sauntered into the room. Tawney jumped back to put some distance in between herself and Lazarus and couldn't help but notice that he did the same.

"Well guys, what have you got for me?" Taggart asked, as he walked up to stand, a little too close in her opinion, beside Tawney.

"Uh, yes Commander. This was just printed out. Dr. Lazarus was going to go over it with me before you came in." Tawney stuttered a little as she spoke, making Taggart look at her funny.

Tawney took the printout and handed it to Taggart. Then glanced at Lazarus to find him looking to her as well. The both diverted their eyes immediately to look back at Taggart as he began to speak.

"Well, according to this, the planet Mottera is a Flora planet. It is uninhabited but for the occasional explorer or miner and a few odd species of animals. None of which are dangerous enough to attack anyone." Taggart skimmed over the list of information, really only glancing at the highpoints. "Well then, I say we go get suited up to visit the surface. Mottera was just coming into range when I headed back here."

"Yes, Commander." Tawney said, softly.

Lazarus simply nodded, oddly not saying anything.

Lazarus watched as Tawney walked out ahead of himself and the Commander. He had no idea what had possessed him to do what he had done. And he hated to even think about what she would have done if he had actually said what he had begun to. He thanked Ipthar that the Commander had come in when he had. What would have Tawney Madison thought if he had asked her did she know how beautiful she was?

Best not to think of it now. They had a landing party to organize.

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