Gabrielle flung herself towards Karl, and he took her in his arms. As he returned her kiss, his hands began roaming across her back, tugging at the fastenings of her robes until they slipped from her shoulders.

She let her garments tumble to the floor before locating the seams of Karls own uniform with practised efficiency. Before long, they both stood naked, Karl sliding his hands through her hair as he bent to kiss her breasts, then lifting her up and carrying her over to the bed.

He laid her down on the soft sheets, taking hold of her wrists and pinning them against the pillows above her head. She responded by wrapping her ankles around his thighs as he slid on top of her. Within moments he was deep inside her, and thrusting hard.

She delicately nipped the soft tissue of Karls neck with her teeth, hearing him groan in response. She was conscious that his hair had streaks of grey in it. Uchidans in general, and Demarchists in particular, did not approve of overt body modifications, seeing them as a slight offered to God, including even such changes as made one look younger.

Something about the confrontation with Cassanas had charged the atmosphere, so that Gabrielle felt her orgasm building more quickly than usual. She could see it was the same for Karl: barely a minute or two had passed before she felt the muscles of his body go tense. He let out a restrained grunt before collapsing on top of her, finally releasing her wrists and leaning his head down to kiss her.

Her orgasm, when it came, washed through her like a warm tide. She tipped her head back, her breath emerging in sharp gasps. She had carefully taught herself not to cry out; though Cassanas might be easily blackmailed, the same could not be said for others who might overhear them, should they be passing anywhere near the door to her chambers.

Karl finally slid over to one side. I cant stay long, he declared.

You never can, she replied with a groan. I just want all this to be over.

Hey. He squeezed her shoulder with one hand. Its going to be all right. He was still breathing heavily from his exertions.

She laughed shakily. You say that, but . . .

But what?

We never talk about what comes after. After weve gone after weve escaped. Where do we go? Where can we possibly live?

A long way from here, he replied. Ive made arrangements to get us off Redstone and out of this system as soon as possible.

But where, exactly, are we going to go? she insisted. Arent they bound to come looking for me?