Tyron arrived on the interplanetary shuttle the following work period. He hefted his satchel over one shoulder as he headed for the military wing of the station. It would be good to be on a mission again. He was getting restless more and more often lately, but doing a special job for his brother Mike was just the ticket to take him out of the doldrums.

His golden hair was a bit longer than standard military cut, earning him a few looks from the uniformed women bustling around. They knew darn well what he was, if not exactly who he was. Men were so rare, few seldom ventured off their homeworlds and even fewer took the risk of working actively in the military on one of the stations. No, the only males seen up here were Sons of Amber going to and fro on their various missions both military and civilian.

Atlantia Station was the most well-defended station, seeing as it served as this sector’s HQ. His brother, Commandant Michael Amber ran the show from this little orbiting gun platform and oversaw the defense of every planet, ship, station and colony in the sector. It was a big job and Ty didn’t envy Mike the enormous responsibility, but he knew there was no better man for the job. He admired Michael and counted him among his closest friends.

Ty would do just about anything for Michael, and he knew the feeling was reciprocated. They’d grown up together -— at least as much as Sons “grew up” after coming out of the incubator. They’d been in the same instructional classes and had partnered for fighting exercises and in other tasks. They worked well together, their skill sets complimenting each other, and more than that, they genuinely liked each other.

The same could not be said of all Sons, though most of them shared some basic comradeship simply because they were Sons. They were the only males of their kind and that bound them together somewhat.

Ty smiled at the women who watched as he passed, winking at a few—either making dour faces smile or young cheeks blush. He liked women of all kinds, though more and more lately, he’d found his many encounters with the female kind lacking in some way. He didn’t understand it, and had no idea what he was looking for, but nevertheless, it was there. Oh, he enjoyed the sex. Scratch that. He loved the sex. But he wanted something…more. What that ‘more’ was, he didn’t quite know, but he was beginning to suspect, like some of his other brothers, he was looking for one special woman with whom to share his life.

He wasn’t actively seeking her—he knew he had a job to do and that precluded tying himself to just one woman—but he still felt the lack. Was it love he was missing? He didn’t know. He wasn’t sure he’d ever experienced love, but he was intrigued enough to consider the possibility, though he would never act on it. No, his duty lay in repopulating the human race. Even if there were one special woman out there for him somewhere, he couldn’t commit to her and go against everything he’d been created to do. Better he go on these missions and do his duty, protecting the remnants of the human race and forget his foolish yearnings. Mike would help get his head screwed on straight. If there was one Son of Amber who always lived up to his responsibilities, it was Mike.

Ty found Mike’s private apartment and announced himself at the door, which would relay the signal to those inside. Mike had to be off-shift at this hour, so Ty had come directly here, bypassing the office and more formal surroundings. Ty wasn’t a formal man.

Mike answered the door with a drink in his hand and a look in his eye that said he’d had more than one. Ty was more than a little surprised.

“Rough day, brother?”

Michael Amber leaned one arm up against the door frame and sighed.

“You could say that.” He stepped back to allow Ty entrance. “Thanks for coming. What can I get you?”

Ty sat his bag down by the couch, then took a seat himself. Michael had nice living quarters -— a bit Spartan for Ty’s tastes -— but still nice and comfortable. Big, solid furniture that he could sit in without worrying if he’d break it somehow and strong enough to support his tall frame. Ty stretched his tired muscles as Michael moved to the sideboard where a number of decanters sat on a small tray with glasses.

“I wouldn’t mind some Scotch.”

Michael poured out the alcohol and served it up before collapsing into one of the overstuffed chairs placed in a grouping with the couch.

“I’m glad you could make it.”

Ty sat back, savoring his first sip of the fine brew. “I’m always glad to help, brother. Truth be told, I’ve been a little restless lately. This kind of assignment ought to be just the thing.”

“Leah told you about it then?”

Ty noted the odd tone of Michael’s voice and it puzzled him. Mike was usually the steadiest of men. The slight waver when he spoke his XO’s name concerned him.

“She sent me the pertinent facts. I can infiltrate out in that sector pretty easily. I’ve laid the groundwork for years. A few of the tamer pirates know me and will vouch for me with the others.”

“That’s good.” Mike knocked back his drink and leaned his head against the back of the big chair, stretching out.

“You want to tell me what’s wrong? Does it have something to do with Leah.”

That got Mike’s attention. His eyes popped open and he glared in Ty’s direction.

“I’m not even going to ask how you figured that one out.” Mike sighed heavily and his eyes closed again. “It’s nothing. She’s the best damned XO I’ve ever had.”

“And the most beautiful. Not to mention capable.”

“She is that,” Mike agreed. “But she’s besides the point.”

“Maybe.” Ty decided to let the matter of Leah drop. He’d seen them interact. There was more to that story than either one would admit, but he figured they’d sort it out in time.

“So what’s this restlessness about? Want to change careers?” Mike knew him better than that, but Ty recognized the wry, almost teasing tone. He decided to come clean. Mike knew him well. He was also highly placed. Maybe he knew more about the situation with the Sons who’d found life mates than he’d let on.

“I think it has to do with those marriages lately. I never thought Zeke would take himself off the market.”

“Yeah, I was a little surprised at first, but his Angela is one hell of a woman.”

“You’ve met her then?”

Mike’s eyes held a knowing gleam Ty recognized immediately. Every once in a while Sons gave each other a hand with a woman. It was rare, but they’d all done it a time or two. With the highly sexual way they’d been designed and raised, it seemed only natural for them to want to experiment with more daring forms of pleasure on occasion.

“Angela is perfect for Zeke. I think they’ll have a happy life together.”

“I hope you’re right.” Ty leaned forward on the couch. “Mike, do you think there’s a woman for each of us? Lately I’ve been feeling…I don’t know…a little incomplete. I feel something strange when I see some of our brothers partnering up with just one woman. Like maybe that’s what I want.”

“You got a special woman in mind?” Mike’s eyes studied him.

“Maybe.” Ty was reticent. “I don’t really know what love is. But I think I want to find out.”

“When you figure it out, let me know.” Mike’s eyes were haunted and Ty thought his brother might have a bit more knowledge than he realized.

They talked of the mission and set up lines of communication they could use. Leah had prepared a set of chips for Ty before she went home for the day and they went through the details of the operation before Ty took his leave an hour or two later. He’d grab some sleep, then head out on the next shuttle. He had a job to do.

Copyright (c) 2007 by Bianca D'Arc. All Rights Reserved.