Lyra's smile widens. "Well, we're thrilled to have you. Especially you, Casey. It's not often we get human pilots of your calibre interested in joining us."
I step in, playing my part. "Casey's not just any human pilot," I say, allowing a note of pride to enter my voice. "She's the best I've ever seen. Quickening Gliders would be lucky to have her."
Casey shoots me a grateful look, and for a moment, I forget it's all an act. The pride in my voice, the admiration in my eyes - it's all real.
Lyra nods approvingly. "Well, you'll certainly have a chance to prove that. But first, let me show you to your quarters. You must be tired after your journey."
As we follow Lyra across the complex, I can't help but marvel at the operation around us. Everything is sleek, efficient, and screams of credits - lots of them. Whatever Quickening Gliders is into, legal or otherwise, it's clearly very profitable.
We're led to a luxurious apartment with a breathtaking view of the Ovan sky. Lyra leaves us with instructions for tomorrow's orientation and a promise of exciting times ahead.
As the door closes behind her, Casey and I share a look at each other. The reality of our situation sinks in. We're here, alone, undercover in the heart of our mission. The tension between us, which has been simmering for days, threatens to boil over.
"Well, darling," Casey says, her voice a mix of teasing and something deeper, "looks like we're home."
I nod, my mouth suddenly dry. "So it does...sweetheart." She shoots me a smile, but it doesn’t hide the nervous glance as she looks from me to the king-size bed we’re supposed to share. I feel a need to address the sleeping arrangements. "Don’t worry, I’ll take the couch."
Her large breasts rise and fall as a sigh escapes her parted full lips. "Are you sure? I don’t mind taking the couch, I’m much smaller than you."
I shake my head. "No, it’s fine."
As we begin to unpack, I can't shake the feeling that this mission is going to change everything. Not just for Quickening Gliders, but for Casey and me as well. Whatever happens, one thing is certain - it's going to be one hell of a ride.
Chapter 5 - Casey
The morning sun streams through the vast windows of our apartment, painting the room in hues of gold and lavender. I stretch, my body still adjusting to the slightly lower gravity of the floating complex. In front of me, Stryker is already up, bending down touching his toes, his pink skin glistening as he goes through a series of stretches. It’s an impressive sight and my pussy quivers.
He looks up from his stretches, his silver eyes meeting mine, and I swear he just caught my eyes greedily drinking in the rippling muscles of his shirtless torso. "Ready for the grand tour, sweetheart?"
I nod, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach at his use of the endearment, even though I know it’s just part of the role-playing. "Born ready, darling." I wink and the corner of his mouth hitches. The side-smile does something to my insides...and the apex of my legs. I throw the cover back and rush for the bathroom. scared of the pulsating feeling coming from my pussy, and what it might make me do.
AN HOUR LATER, WE'REfollowing Lyra through the gleaming corridors of Quickening Gliders' main facility. Every turn reveals some new marvel of technology that makes my inner gear-head squeal with delight.
"This is our primary research and development lab," Lyra explains, gesturing to a vast room filled with holographic displays and partially assembled gliders. "Here's where we develop and test our latest innovations."
I can't help but gasp as I spot a sleek, arrow-shaped glider suspended in a zero-gravity field. "Is that the new Starstreaker model?" I ask, unable to contain my excitement.
Lyra smiles, clearly pleased by my enthusiasm. "Indeed it is. You've got a good eye, Casey."
"More than a good eye," a deep, melodious voice chimes in. "I'd say we have a true aficionado in our midst."
I turn to see a tall, impossibly handsome Equanox man striding towards us. His skin is a deep, shimmering cerise-pink that seems to catch and reflect the light. But it's his eyes that capture me – a swirling mix of gold and green that seem to see right through me.
"Harlan Mertok," he introduces himself, extending a hand. "CEO of Quickening Gliders, and personally invested in every aspect of our operation."
I take his hand, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact. "Casey Peace," I manage to say. "And this is my manager, Stryker."
Stryker’s chest puffs out. “Her partner,” he adds quickly.
Harlan's eyes flick briefly to Stryker before returning to me, his gaze intense. "Casey Peace," he repeats, as if savouring my name. "I've enquired about you, and I’ve heard remarkable things about your piloting skills in the underground race circuit. I look forward to seeing them in action."
I feel Stryker’s gaze burning into my profile. A flush creeps up my cheeks. "Thank you, sir. I hope I can live up to the hype."
"Oh, I'm sure you will," Harlan says with a smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "And please, call me Harlan."
As we continue the tour, I can't help but notice how Harlan seems to position himself near me at every opportunity, making sure he’s in-between Stryker and myself. His questions are insightful, his knowledge of glider technology impressive. I find myself drawn into deep discussions about thrust ratiosand stabilizer configurations, barely noticing as Stryker grows increasingly quiet on the other side of Harlan.
The tour concludes at the instruction hangars, where we'll be spending most of our time. "You'll start with beginner classes tomorrow," Lyra explains. "But today, we'd like you to familiarize yourselves with our training gliders and simulation programs."