Boneblades! - Chapter 30

Free Enterprise  -   Boneblades!  -   Chapter 30




Be it far from the Nietzschean Captain to admit that Kori's words were true, but he WAS feeling worn. Despite her warnings, he was working out, checking on the status of The Insurrection and Gilgamesh, and caring for his Matriarch. In other words, he was burning the candle at both ends and the middle.

They had both taken a sonic shower and were in bed. Tyr had just dozed off, when:

“Tyr.” Tamara singsonged softly. A human wouldn't have heard her, but super sensitive Nietzschean hearing did. Tyr opened his left eye first, then the right and peered at his consort, in the semi-darkness of his quarters.

She was sitting up on the left side of the bed, holding his left forearm in her lap and examining his leather gauntlet.

Tamara was not your typical run-of-the-mill Vulcan, but she was still as curious as a feline. Tyr knew one day she'd broach the subject of his boneblades, but wasn't sure when. Obviously it was now show time.

“Tyr, what ARE these?” she asked.

“They are gauntlets.”

“Why do you . . . . . . . all Nietzscheans wear them?” She asked.

“To protect the sensitive skin between each blade and support the radial and ulnar bones.” he replied. “In some instances, they are also a form of decoration and denote rank.” He continued.

Indeed Tyr owned a variety of gauntlets to chose from. No Nietzschean in their right mind would not have a proper selection, unless they were indigent . And even then they had at least one dress and one casual pair.

Tyr's were all black, except for the white pairs he had to wear with his Starfleet Class A's. They were all different and had unique designs, because like Human armorers, Nietzscheans had special people who hand crafted them. There was no such thing as one size fits all when it came to a Nietzscheans gauntlets.

“Must you wear them even when you sleep?” she asked shyly. Tyr smiled to himself because he knew Tamarra was not shy. It would've been impossible for her to be shy, and be a Starfleet Commander. This is only something she did when around him and he found it strangely endearing.

“No I do not, Tam. I merely neglected to remove them.” he replied, as he started removing the left gauntlet.

“No.” Tamarra said, putting out a hand to stop him. “If you show me how, I will take them off for you.” she continued. So, Tyr showed her. She unhooked them, and put them on the night table.

“Could you bring me that jar over there?” he asked as he sat up and rubbed his forearms. Tamarra brought him the large green jar of body butter and watched as he twisted off the cap.

“Here, let me do that.” she said, as she dipped her hand in, scooped out a bit of the butter, applied some on his bare left forearm and rubbed it in. Tyr flexed and fully extended his boneblades, the way an Earth Lion would flex and extend his claws. The Nietzschean looked even more dangerous, even though he possessed no external weaponry.

“Paul Musuevni genetically engineered Nietzscheans with these so that they are never weaponless. They are only to be used during mortal combat.” Tyr explained, as he returned the boneblades on his left arm to the resting position, flexed the ones on his right forearm, and Tam applied the body butter.

“May I?” Tamarra asked, with her hand poised to touch the boneblades.

“It is well that you ask. Nietzscheans do not allow anyone to touch their boneblades unless it is their consort or doctor.” Tyr said.

“Why?” Tamarra asked.

“They are sensitive.” Tyr replied.

“But they are bones. How can bones be sensitive?” Tamarra asked, puzzled.

“They are sensitive nonetheless.” Tyr replied. “Like Vulcans I have trained my mind to ignore the sensations. . . .” he continued, as he gently took Tam's hand and placed it across his right blades. Tam's immediate reaction was to pull back as if she'd received an electric shock. The sensation reverberated through their marital link like whiplash!

“Wow!” she exclaimed, as her bugged eyes stared back at him. Tyr gazed back at her with a mischievous smile on his face. Tam smiled in return, like a child who'd just discovered a new candy store.

“Are we going to sit here and stare at each other all night?” Tyr asked, playfully.

“Nope.” Tamarra replied.