Re-Creator of Universes - Book 4 of Re-Forge

Empress of Morf

Ct Far entered the large bathing room in his new luxuriously appointed apartment. He scanned the room's information screen and saw that the water in the pond was maintained at the perfect temperature. He removed his robe and folded it neatly, before placing it carefully on the shelf. Then he slid silently into the crystal-clear water, that was dimly lit from below.

The coolness calmed his mind, and the addition of added chemicals relaxed his tense body. He sunk beneath the water and a set of transparent protective eyelids closed over his eyes. It was another reminder of his genetic legacy. He used his almost redundant gills to draw oxygen from the surrounding water so he could stay under the surface just a few minutes longer.

A moving Shadow caused Ct Far to look upward through the rippling surface of the water. He was surprised and a little worried to see the distorted form of a Morfin Female. Natural survival reflexes took over and just for an instant, CT Far froze so he would be harder for a predator to see.

He knew his body instantly changed to mimic the colour and texture of the pool. In a split second, his highly evolved conscience overpowered his instinctual survival instinct, and he turned from 'startled animal' into a cold, calculating, and reasoning predator.

Ct Far's tongue slid across his fangs as assurance that his primal weapons were still there. His toxin was weak as was all Morfin, except the toxin in the tail of empress. Only she had poison that kills in agonising seconds. He observed the intruder from the bottom of the pool, totally still, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Then Ct Far paused for thought. Ct Far was the ideal target in this situation. He admonished himself for being much too relaxed in this new apartment to be expecting violence. CT Far forced himself to relax as he realised that, had this intruder meant him harm, he would already be dead.

Then he thought: "This intruder is big, even for a female, so she must be of higher status. What would such a female be doing in his bathroom at this time of night? Immediately, his Supreme Commander's warning came to mind. This must be the test. What am I to do? A female could only be here for two reasons, either to kill me or mate with me. I'm in deep trouble, either way."

"Wait, let's rule out the killing side of things for a start. What if the female 'is' the test? Holy Morfin-eater. How can I stop this? If breeding her is the test, how can I fight against her breeding pheromones? One whiff and I'm a goner."

His decision made, Ct Far slowly rose to the surface, taking care to ensure only his eyestalks protruded above the water and he overcame the instinct to retract his inner eyelids, as female pheromones can enter his body through the moisture in his eyes.

For the first time, Ct Far was able to have a good look at the intruder. Instantly, Ct Far came to full danger, shocked, alert. Standing before him was the Empress. He almost leapt from the water in that instant, to fall prostrate at her feet, but the sheer ludicrous nature of the situation held him in check.

Indeed, her body was naked, and its shading suggested unavoidable seduction. She stood above him as carnal nature intended, but he was certainly aware that when a situation appears too good to be true, it usually is. Ct Far fought against his inner urges and maintained his position breathing only the oxygen in the water.

His body turned black under the water. It was the unconscious visual communication of his suspicious refusal to cooperate. Then his outer eyelids momentarily closed over his eyestalks as he thought about his predicament: "I die or live in this moment."

When he opened his eyes, the Empress look-alike said: "The air is clear of pheromones Ct Far. It's safe to come out of the water."

Swallowing his fear, Ct Far slowly rose from the water but stayed lower than the Empress's line of sight. He took a hesitant breath, then relaxed. The air was clear. He spoke for the first time, saying: "If you are not the Empress, then you must be here to test me?"