Project - Prometheus Ch. 46

"They can do that? Blacklist people from being entered into the bounty rosters?" Zuzanna asked, having heard of the guild and how it worked, to some extent.

"They can and have, especially with those who are in good standing with the guild! While Pree and I aren't the most profitable hunters, we pay our dues on time and have never crossed the guild or violated any of its rules," Inari told the group.

"So, since you two are in good standing with the guild, they would likely do it?" Alex asked, hoping he had the right of the idea.

"Yup! Once the Council decides to enact a Blacklist over anyone in particular, then any member of the guild is forbidden from accepting a contract on the Blacklisted individuals! But, that's not to say that there are those who wouldn't take the job if the bounty was high enough. Then, there are those who style themselves hunters, but aren't part of the guild," Inari said with a note of disgust.

"I take it that those types aren't looked upon favorably?" Shazza guessed.

"That's putting it mildly! Rogue hunters have always been a problem for the guild. No matter how many are taken down, there are always those who try to operate outside of the guild's jurisdiction. But thankfully, with how often we shut down anyone we hear of, they are few in number," Priya stated.

"Well, knowing about this Blacklist protocol will certainly make things easier! At least we won't be facing the full might of the guild coming for us!" Korsa said with a sigh of relief!

"True, but we have to get hold of the Council first! Once we've contacted them and sorted things out, then we should be OK," Inari reminded them.

"Hon, let's worry about that tomorrow, OK? I mean, it's good to keep our eyes out for what's coming, but we should really focus on the moment!" Priya reminded her girlfriend.

"I know, but I still worry! You know that!" Inari groused while looking sheepish at the same time.

"Yeah, but right now, we should probably get down to the planet. The rescue operation is done up here," Priya told her.

"What? How?"

"That group of people that Aesha and Tahral found? They were the last survivors! They are busy being looked after and processed on the carrier. There's no one else out there to save, so our job is done!" Priya said.

"Oh! Where are Tahral and Aesha now?" she asked.

"Talon just contacted me over the comms a moment ago. They are floating towards the airlock, after Captain Johnson dropped them off outside our ship. She's helping them with coming through the airlock right now," Priya stated.

"Why are you so concerned with heading down planetside right now?" Alex questioned.

"Because there's a party going on down there, and it's being thrown for us!" Priya said, exasperated.

"What?? A party??"

"Um... yeah! Because we were the ones to help Tanith's Gully sort out the unseen problem of the Confederacy, the folks down there have decided to throw us one! Everyone else is down there, celebrating our victory over these asshats! Everyone, except for us! It would be awfully rude of us to miss our party, wouldn't it?" Priya queried.

"Damn straight! Let's get those two inside and head on down!" Alex enthused, excited at the prospect of a celebration. He wasn't the only one who was eager to get back down to the planet, as the women there were also looking forward to it! It had been a while since anyone there had been part of such a celebration, and they wanted to savor it!

Natalya and Kasumi went to the port side airlock to check on the progress that Artucian had made in getting inside the ship. They were already in, with Taal'ani helping the pair out of their suits, which the human women hastened to help with. Inari and Priya were already in the cockpit, only powering up the Darkstrider once they knew their friends were safely inside.

They made a beeline for the settlement of Tanith's Gully, seeing many fires and the odd flare going up from within the town. As the ship neared their landing pad, they could all see that people were walking about without a care in the world. Nearly everyone had a drink of some sort in hand, and they were all laughing, carousing, and drinking their faces off. With all the intoxication and public lewdness that was going on, it reminded Alex and Kasumi of New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

"Damn!! Looks like things are in full swing down there!!" Kasumi observed, while stifling a yawn.

"Is a party really the best idea at this point? I mean, given our friends' states right now?" Aesha questioned.

"Well, I could do with some more rest, but I'm pretty sure people here would be offended if we refused. Besides, staying on good terms with the folk here would be the best thing to do," Alex replied, as he flexed and moved his limbs about.

"All right, but if it gets to be too much, bow out and rest! We still don't know what sorts of effects you might suffer because of the heavy use of this... Aether," Zuzanna advised.

"Noted, doctor," Korsa replied with a smirk, glad to see that Zuzanna was still in doctor mode.

"Well, let's see what this party will bring!" Inari smiled as the ship touched down with a gentle jolt.

Inari then activated all the safeties and putting the Sentries, along with Delilah and Stanley, on high alert. The group stepped lively down to the bottom level, where the loading ramp was located after they got ready. Once they were presentable, they assembled at the ramp and it was lowered, letting them down to the ground.

Pandemonium erupted as the ramp hit the ground, with people cheering and toasting their heroes. While most people hadn't been told the specifics, they were told enough about how this ship and her crew had been instrumental in turning the tide of the battle. The tumult became almost deafening as they stepped down to the ground. Everyone pressed in, wanting to shake the hands of their new heroes who had defended their home.

As they reached the landing pad, Dagan Min strolled up with a massive case of beer in his hands. He plonked the beer down in front of them, taking care not to break any bottles inside. The man then reached in and pulled a few beers out, offering them to the crew. They accepted them and popped the caps off the bottles, just as captain Min spoke.

"It seems the people have found true heroes in you lot this day! Truth be told, so have I! To the heroes of Prodosia!" Dagan toasted and everyone cheered, raising their glasses, bottles or flasks, and drinking.

"We all may be weary from the fight, but it is a time of celebration!! The prisoners are sequestered and under tight guard. The shield is being repaired and we have full control of the skies and our system!! Let us all eat, drink and merry tonight!!" Dagan crowed and everyone there shouted their agreement as they all continued with their party animal behavior.

"Certainly didn't waste any time in throwing the party, did you?" Inari asked with a smile.

"When there is a good reason to party, absolutely not!!" Dagan replied shamelessly. "Besides, it gives me an excuse to break out the good stuff for everyone!"

"I can tell! This is some damn good beer!" Priya remarked after taking a hearty pull.

"It also gave me reason to make the Black Kettle a bit more... festive than is usual! There is much in the manner of food and drink to be had there! All of it, on the house for those who fought the Confederate fleet!!" Dagan told them.

Perking up at the prospect of free food, the crew all decided that food should be on their list! With Dagan laughing the whole way, they all made their way to the Black Kettle, eager to get some grub. They arrived there pretty quick, with the whole town making way for their new heroes.

As they walked into the bar, they saw that indeed, things had become much more festive inside. Instead of the usual subdued atmosphere, it was a lively and jovial kind, where everyone was having fun and living life! The entire bar was rocking, with everyone heading up to the massive table and grabbing themselves a plate, and loading them up with food.

"Everyone, let's hear it for our heroes!" Wade called out from behind the bar as he spotted the crew. Everyone there started clapping, but it happened in earnest when they saw the Darkstrider crew had just walked in the door. Some even came up to congratulate and welcome them to the place, happy to have them there.

"You all right there, kid? You little a bit peaked!" Dagan commented, giving Matthias a look.

"Yeah, it's just I... never had this... before," Matthias responded, still overawed that all of this celebration was partially for him and his mom. Gloria was next to him, with tears in her eyes, but smiling beautifully the entire time. It was clear this was a new thing to her as well, but she just kept smiling all the while.

"Trust me, kid. You'll get used to it," Inari told him with a smile.

Matthias blinked and nodded, but followed the crew as they walked up to the table in the middle of the bar. The table was loaded with so much food and drink that you could almost hear it creaking through the noise of celebration. Wade then ambled up with a grin that was nearly as wide as his face.

"I am so glad that you guys came when you did! If you hadn't... I dread to think what would have happened!!" Wade confessed to the group, happy that things would still be as they were, with the chance at them getting better.

"I'm glad that we were here in time to help! Don't know what I would have done if those I called my friends were enslaved to those bastards!" Inari stated as she pulled Wade into a hug.

"I always believed in you, Inari! Always will! Because of the heroism you have all shown, you and your crew will be welcome here, with anything you want, on the house!" Wade told them.

"Does such an offer extend to me?" Dagan asked with a sly smirk.

"For you, Dagan, you and yours get a discount. I do run a business, you know!" Wade replied with a laugh. "But for tonight, it's all free!"

"Ha, ha!! Let us all eat! Saving our home is hungry work!" Dagan laughed jovially.

With that, everyone dug in, loading up plates and going to sit at the biggest booth in the bar, stuffing their faces. There was much talk, laughter and drinking, with everyone having themselves a good time. There was even a good deal of sexual banter going back and forth, which was much more liberal than usual. Everyone there took it all in stride, knowing that among the crew, there were no issues or secrets.

Zuzanna then excused herself to go and get a round of drinks for everyone. Priya watched her go, then stood up, following the woman to the bar. As Zuzanna waited for the drinks, Priya rolled up into her personal space, catching the woman off guard. The blonde woman wondered what this was about, but saw the fire behind Priya's eyes.

"I know this is a celebration and that you and Inari had something, but stay away from her. You were her past, I am her future, so let's all be friends and keep things that way. Got it?" Priya told her with the undercurrent of a threat.

"Easy there, hot stuff! I get that you and Inari have something going, but how about you let Inari decide what Inari wants? She's a big girl, so you should let her make her own choices!" Zuzanna snapped, not one to take threats, direct or implied.

"Well, I don't appreciate when someone from her past starts rolling up and being super friendly with her, drink or no!" Priya growled, not backing down.

"You need to cool your jets, honey! Stop being such an overprotective bitch, because that's going to bite you in the ass one of these days!!" Zuzanna fumed.

"What did you just say?!?"

"I didn't stutter! I said, 'Stop being such an overprotective bitch!'" Zuzanna said as she glared bloody murder at Priya.

"That's what I thought you said!" Priya replied in a tone sharp enough to slit someone's throat.

She then launched a punch at Zuzanna, who saw it coming and blocked the attack, while she countered with one of her own. It hit home, snapping Priya's head back, but it wasn't hard enough to draw blood. Not yet. Zuzanna pressed her advantage and followed up with another punch, which Priya redirected and countered, putting Zuzanna on the defense.

Before the fight could escalate any further, both women then felt a sharp pain on the sides of their heads. Using their peripheral vision, they saw Inari held them both by the sideburn, forcing the pair to their toes. The look on the woman's face was pure rage, and they both knew they were in deep shit.

"Wade?? Chill Room??" Inari asked, her voice seething with pure anger.

The man smirked and gestured with his head towards a door that was right behind him. The 'Chill Room' was a room where troublesome patrons would be put, with a couple of bouncers to cool down. It had seen plenty of use and was more than equipped to hold strong and rowdy patrons when they lost control.

Inari nodded and dragged Zuzanna and Priya with her to the door, which Wade opened up to permit them passage. The lights came on as they entered, and Inari pushed both protesting women inside and slammed the door behind her. It was a spartan room, only decorated with a couple of chairs and a small shelf at the back, which held a few small, cheap statues on it.

"OK, what the fuck is the matter with you two?!? Starting fights while we're supposed to be celebrating?!?" Inari yelled as she rounded on them, making the women wince at the decibel level she was reaching.

"She started it!" Zuzanna protested, gesturing at Priya, who was glaring at Zuzanna like she wanted to start another fight.

"I don't care!! You, of all people, should know better!" Inari admonished Zuzanna. "And you!! Starting shit with someone who has been nothing but kind to us and also been a help in figuring out how to outplay the Confeds?? What the fuck were you thinking??"

"I was just telling her to back off!!" Priya replied defensively.

"I don't take well to threats, you twat!" Zuzanna retorted.

"You need to keep your greedy mitts to yourself, bitch!!" Priya shot back.

"ENOUGH!!!" Inari screamed, startling both women. Neither had heard Inari use her voice like this, except on those rare occasions where Inari was well and truly pissed. They both knew that they had taken shit too far and cooled their tongues, not wanting to see the woman get any angrier.

"What the fuck are you two fighting over? What would make you want to tear the other's throats out??" Inari demanded.

"YOU!" both women replied in unison, startling each other with the vehemence with which they spoke. Hearing this word surprised Inari immensely, as she was oblivious to this. They were both fighting... over her??

"Why?"

"Because I don't like the fact that this bitch is being so damned friendly with you! In fact, she's too fucking friendly!" Priya accused.

"That's because I'm still in love with Inari!!" Zuzanna replied, before her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hands.

"Wait, what?!?" both Inari and Priya replied incredulously.

"It's... it's true!" Zuzanna said, taking her hands away from her mouth and thinking, 'Fuck it!'. "Yes, Inari, I am still in love with you! I know I was a complete bitch for how I treated you in the past! I shouldn't have judged you like that! Not after everything we had and what we went through together!"

"The simple truth is... I still love you after all this time. Even though I thought I didn't, I never stopped! No matter how much I tried, I couldn't just switch it off or deny my feelings! You being here, helping us, like you used to in the old days, just reinforced it! I am in love with you, Inari Zafira Sunara!" Zuzanna confessed as tears streamed down her face.

"You're not the only one who loves this woman! I have loved her since the day we met! I just never fully realized it until we would meet again, years later. The truth is, I have never wanted anyone else in my life, nor have I ever thought that I could feel real love, until I met you! Inari, I am and always have, been in love with and will continue to love you to the day I die and beyond!" Priya said, putting her feelings out on the line for Inari to know.

Now Inari's heart and mind went for a tilt-a-whirl! Both of these beautiful and amazing ladies declaring their unadulterated love? For her?!? Now this was something Inari had never thought about or expected!! She loved Priya, no question, but seeing and interacting with Zuzanna had dredged up old feelings. Feelings she had thought were long dead, but were simply buried.

All of this was pushing Inari into trains of thought that she had never explored! So much was off the rails, and she didn't think any of these ideas were possible! But, with both women being genuine with their intent and affection, it was clear that all evidence pointed to the same conclusion. Inari took a few breaths, then walked forward to Priya and pulled the woman in for a carnal, tonsil knocking kiss.

Zuzanna teared up at this, certain that she had lost the battle to win Inari back. Sniffling, she turned to leave, not wanting to interfere with Inari's choice. Then she felt a hand grab her shirt and bra, pulling her close. Looking down, she saw the hand was attached to Inari as it dragged her to the woman.

Confused, Zuzanna wondered what this was about as she saw Inari then let go and put up a finger, gesturing for her to wait. Inari finally let Priya up for air, with both women catching their breaths as they recovered from the kiss. The short-haired woman then turned to Zuzanna and kissed her just as passionately as she had Priya.

This shocked Zuzanna, but she quickly melted into the kiss, letting all her passion come to the fore. Those old feelings, which she was preparing to bury, surged through her, igniting her soul and making her feel alive again. She kissed Inari back, letting her see and feel just how much she was missed. The pair lost themselves in the kiss and only came up via a polite cough from Priya.

"Um... love? What... what is this?" Priya asked, looking like she had been kicked in the heart.

"This is me, showing the both of you how much I love you both! Pree, you have been with me though a lot of problems and we have fought and bled together, and still held on! Zuzie, you helped me through my darkest times and brought me back from the lowest I have ever been and made me feel worthy of love! I don't and can't just love one of you! I love you both and... if you'll have me, I want both at my side... to the end," Inari confessed, as she looked at the two of them, hope and fear in her eyes.

Blinking, both Zuzanna and Priya looked at Inari, then at each other, then back again. Their minds were in a state of shock as they processed what they had been told, trying to make sense of it. Zuzanna chewed on her bottom lip while Priya put her chin in her palm while they thought everything through. It didn't take long for either woman to come to a decision, but Zuzanna was the first to respond.

"I... I am willing to... try. If Priya is," Zuzanna replied, looking at both women.

Priya blinked, not expecting this answer, as she had thought Zuzanna would try to be greedy and want Inari to herself. This was... not an unwelcome answer, as Priya was starting to take a liking to the woman, despite her and Inari's past as lovers. Then there was Priya's adventurous and kinky side who honestly didn't mind this. She thought that maybe, if Inari could see a woman worth loving, then she would see it too.

"I love you unconditionally, babe! And if you love us both, then I trust you and know that you won't leave either of us or hurt us, because I know that your love is strong," Priya stated, accepting what Inari was proposing.

"Come here, you two!" Inari said through happy tears and embraced them both. They all hugged and kissed each other, letting their feelings for one another come through. When Priya and Zuzanna kissed, it was awkward at first, but the moment their lips touched, a surge of energy coursed through both of them. Their kissed deepened and became passionate, surprising them and Inari, who nearly had to pry them apart.