ExtremeCircumstances (4 page)

Gates grabbed Julian’s chin and forced him to meet his gaze
as he took a step closer. “You aren’t going to die.” The warmth of his breath
caressed Julian’s skin as he spoke.

He pulled back from Gates’ touch. It was too much. He
already had a hard time being alone with the object of his wet dreams. After
the stress of the last week, he didn’t think he could handle much more contact
from the man without snapping and doing something unthinkable. “Thanks for the
morale boost, boss.” Even Julian could hear the dry bitterness in his voice.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“I’m not the rookie you keep trying to make me out to be.
This may be my first mission with your team but I have been around the block a
time or two. I know that, as my commander, it’s your job to tell me I’m not
going to die. Kind of makes the words hollow when someone is being paid to say
them.” He turned to leave but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. “Don’t touch
me.” He tried to shrug Gates’ hand off but he held tight.

“You’re scared and stressed. Your adrenaline has been at
peak levels for four days. And you’re having a hard time getting your hormones
under control.” Gates pulled on Julian’s shoulder as he spoke, turning Julian
to face him. “It’s your first time going through it. You
are
a rookie.
But we’re all dealing with it. Snapping at each other is only going to make it
worse.”

Every word Gates spoke was the truth but there was so much
more. “That’s only part of the problem.” His nostrils flared as he pulled in
harsh breaths. Gates was too close. And he was challenging Julian. Every atom
in Julian’s body demanded he show dominance.

“We’re all dealing with it,” Gates repeated. As if hearing
the words a second time would make a difference.

“I don’t think you have a fucking clue what I’m dealing
with. If you did, you wouldn’t still be touching me, sir.”

“Do you want to go a couple rounds? Work out some of that
aggression with hand-to-hand?”

Julian’s sharp peal of laughter broke through the night. It
just proved how right he’d been when he’d called Gates clueless. That along
with the hormones and endorphins flooding his system made him bold beyond all
reason. “I have no desire to kick your ass, sir. So if that’s what you’re
offering, we might as well go back to camp and call it a night.”

Gates stared at him in silence for a second as if trying to
understand what Julian had just said. He could probably make it clearer for the
man. But Julian wasn’t in a particularly giving mood. He was at the end of his
rope.

“If you don’t want to fight me, I can get one of the others.
You’re teetering on the brink and need to work off some of the extra
adrenaline.”

“I don’t want to fight.” His words were clipped with what
little control he had left.

One of Gates’ eyebrows arched in question and then his thumb
skimmed over Julian’s arm in what could only be considered a caress. Julian
closed his eyes as his entire body shuddered in response.

“Fuck.” The surprise in Gates’ voice made Julian smile.

He opened his eyes and stared at his commander. “Exactly.
Now. Are we done here?” Now that Gates knew where Julian stood, surely the man
would give him some space to cool off.

“No.” Gates’ face was an emotionless mask but his voice was
harsh—demanding. Some of Julian’s frustration dissipated as uncertainty started
to roll through him. Was Gates going to reprimand him? And if so, for what?
Julian might have been disrespectful but Gates had pushed him to it.

Before he could consider the possible fallout any further,
Gates’ mouth descended on his in a show of crushing dominance. Julian let out a
slight whimper of surprise but then he began to burn with the heat of the kiss.
Needing to feel Gates’ body against his, Julian grabbed Gates around the waist
and pulled him closer. But it still wasn’t enough. Julian had to have more so
he brushed the tip of his tongue against the other man’s lips. Gates shivered
and moaned at the contact and he opened his mouth to Julian’s explorations.

Gates tasted of coffee, mint and raw power. Julian took a
second to enjoy his flavor before he ran his hands up Gates’ muscular back so
he could wind his fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. The kiss itself
was a struggle for control. But it was so intoxicating that Julian quickly
found himself bowing to Gates’ authority. It felt too good not to. And Gates
immediately responded to the surrender. He moved his hands down the length of
Julian’s body until he reached his waist. With one quick tug, Julian’s shirt
was free of his pants, allowing a gentle breeze to drift over his skin. They
broke the kiss just long enough for Gates to pull the shirt up and over
Julian’s head. But as soon as the piece of clothing hit the jungle floor,
Julian fell back into Gates’ embrace.

He shouldn’t be doing this. This would make everything more
complicated. But this was the best he’d felt in more than a month. Gates knew
how to kiss. Already Julian’s mind was fuzzy and his body longed to be touched
so badly that he hurt with it. He pushed away from Gates just a fraction of an
inch but Julian had no intention of stopping. He only wanted to undo the other
man’s pants. He’d been waiting for this for so long. Endless days hiking thought
rough terrain and sleepless nights fantasizing about Gates’ touch and taste had
left him dangerously close to the edge. So close that the harsh hiss of the
metal zipper as Julian slid it down almost made him come.

Unable to wait any longer, he pushed Gates’ pants and boxers
down over his hips and then wrapped his hand around Gates’ erection. This was
what he’d been craving ever since they landed on this forsaken planet. And now
he held it in the palm of his hand. Gates moaned and flexed his hips, thrusting
his cock into Julian’s grasp and immediately Julian wanted to drop to his knees
and suck Gates’ cock deep into his throat. But he didn’t want to give up the
frantic kisses that were making his heart race and his body tingle. He wanted
every touch, every taste and every sensation so he let Gates thrust into his
hand as he caressed the tip of Gates’ erection with his thumb until he couldn’t
bear the temptation any longer. After one last delve into Gates’ mouth, Julian
went to his knees in front of him.

Julian looked up at Gates as he slowly took Gates’ cock into
his mouth. The look of pure tortured pleasure Gates gave him made sacrificing
the kisses worth it. And when Julian closed his mouth around Gates’ cock the
man groaned and tangled his fingers into Julian’s hair on either side of his
head. The slight bite of pain was just enough to take the edge off Julian’s
hunger and made it so he could enjoy sucking Gates off. With sure, confident
thrusts Gates plunged into Julian’s mouth as Julian cupped Gates’ ass and
kneaded the muscular globes. It might make everything more complicated but even
Julian had to admit that it felt good to have Gates fucking his mouth.

It felt better than good. It felt right. Julian moaned with
pleasure as he trailed his fingertip from Gates’ ass to the tight, puckered
opening of his anus. Instantly Gates grew even harder in his mouth. And as
Julian imagined what it would be like to fuck Gates’ ass his own erection grew
painful behind his zipper. This was exactly the release he needed. Julian
moaned deep in his throat as he penetrated Gates’ ass with a fingertip.

“Fuck.” Gates pulled Julian’s head tighter to him and
shuddered as he came down Julian’s throat. It was warm and salty and Julian
happily swallowed every drop before he pulled back so he could lick Gates’
still-hard cock.

“Stand up, Jules.”

So he was no longer “rookie”, then. If he had known a
blowjob was all it took to get rid of the horrible nickname he would’ve gone
down on Gates that first night. “Yes sir.”

As soon as Julian was standing, Gates pulled up his boxers
and pants and then kissed Julian again. Julian opened his mouth to the kiss and
allowed Gates to taste himself in Julian’s mouth. It was hugely arousing to
know the man’s flavor clung to him. Apparently the turn-on was shared by Gates.
He couldn’t seem to get enough out of the kiss. Without breaking the contact,
Gates pushed against him and Julian took a couple steps backward until his back
brushed against a tree.

Gates unfastened Julian’s pants and then slipped his hand
down the front of them to caress Julian. The touch was simple but it sparked a
tempest of need in Julian so intense that his knees nearly buckled. He had to
brace his weight against the tree’s trunk in order to stay upright.

As Gates stroked Julian’s cock he left a trail of kisses
down Julian’s neck. And when he got to the sensitive skin where Julian’s neck
met his shoulder Gates bit down. It wasn’t hard enough to leave a mark but it
did make Julian’s stomach cramp with desire and his body tense with need. Need
that was quickly becoming all-consuming. The sensations were overwhelming. He
couldn’t think past the rough slide of Gates’ hand and the firm kisses the man
left against Julian’s skin as he worked his way down his body. It all combined to
leave Julian lightheaded and breathing hard.

Gates licked and nipped at Julian’s nipples and then kissed
the flat plane of his abdomen as the calloused fingertips of his free hand slid
over Julian’s ribs. The attention was as decadent as it was thorough. And by
the time Gates knelt in front of him, every inch of Julian’s body had been
touched, kissed and caressed in some manner. Julian had loved sucking Gates
off. But this was so much better. Even more so because he knew the best was yet
to come.

As if reading his mind, Gates pulled Julian’s pants and
boxers down beneath his hips and then took a moment to look at Julian’s dick.
As if sensing the attention, Julian’s erection became harder under the
appreciative stare.

He had just begun to worry he was going to come before Gates
could even take him into his mouth when Gates leaned over and ran his tongue
over the tip of his cock. Pleasure rippled through him. He wanted to push
himself into Gates’ mouth and down the man’s throat. But as Gates swirled his
tongue around Julian’s head a few more times, Julian decided he enjoyed the
slow, torturous attention Gates was giving his body too much to stop him.

Gates dipped his head and took all of Julian’s cock into his
mouth as he cupped Julian’s balls in his palm. Everything felt so good. And
when Gates started to suck on his dick, Julian had to bury his fingers in
Gates’ hair just to steady himself.

Julian’s climax gathered in the pit of his stomach and made
his balls tighten against him. And just as an intense current of pleasure
sparked down his spine, he came into the warmth of Gates’ mouth. The muscles in
Gates’ throat tightened around him as Gates milked as much of the semen as he
could out of Julian’s cock and then he swallowed. And for the first time in
four days, Julian felt at peace. The strain and frustration that’d eaten at him
since he saw Gates in the waterfall were gone. It was amazing.

He took a deep breath and then looked down at Gates as
reality came racing back. Oh god. He’d just sucked his boss off. And his boss
had returned the favor. What did he say? He couldn’t thank the man, could he?
It seemed like a shallow move. “That was fantastic.” It was the truth and it
seemed more flattering than simple gratitude at getting off. It would have to
work. Julian held out his hand and helped Gates get back onto his feet.

Gates’ mouth twisted into a small smile. “Glad I could
help.”

They walked back to the campsite together only to discover
everyone except Diller, who was taking first watch, had already turned in for
the night. Apparently they hadn’t been missed. Diller waved to them and then
went back to staring into the jungle. Gates and Julian went their separate ways
as soon as they got into the camp. Once in his tent Julian smeared the spider
repellant over his body then wrapped himself in the netting. For the first time
in a week he was feeling optimistic as he drifted to sleep.

All sixteen men had made it through another day alive.

The next morning Gates woke feeling light and stress-free
for the first time in a week—maybe longer. This mission had finally taken a
turn for the better. They hadn’t had any more run-ins with bizarre animal
hybrids and the spiders were manageable. And they only had about two or three
days left before they reached the goal. Things were definitely looking up.

Of course his sunny disposition could have something to do
with the amazing blowjob Julian had given him the night before. His cock
started to harden at the thought. He probably shouldn’t have kissed Julian. And
he definitely shouldn’t have taken it further. But when Gates saw that look in
Julian’s eye—when he figured out what Julian’s problem was—he couldn’t stop
himself. He’d been living under the impression that the attraction was only one
way for days now. That was part of the reason he’d sent Julian off on the
scouting mission. He’d hoped a little space would help him clear his head.
Unfortunately being away from Julian only made him obsess about the man more.

He sighed as he pulled the netting off himself and then sat
up. They slept fully dressed to discourage bugs from taking up residence in
their clothing or boots, so the brisk morning air that hit him didn’t bother
him. It was still quiet outside and no sun shone through the thin material of
his tent. Morning was on its way but hadn’t quite broken. He liked this time of
day. And he liked being the first one up and about. It gave him time to collect
his thoughts before the organized chaos of military life descended upon them
all.

As soon as he stepped out of the tent he stretched and then
nodded to Jones, who sat on watch. Third watch always sucked. Gates warmed up
some rations and coffee over the fire and then handed them to the guard.
“Anything interesting happen last night?”

Jones shook his head as he grabbed the food and then shoved
a forkful of it into his mouth. “Everything was quiet, sir. A couple of spiders
meandering about.” He took another bite and swallowed. “But they seemed to just
be checking things out. They made for pretty good target practice.” He touched
the weapon at his hip as he answered.

“Good.”

“They give me the creeps. It’s as if they’re keeping tabs on
us. Just waiting for us to screw up.” Jones shuddered as he looked around the
jungle.

“They’re spiders, Jones. Not ninjas.” Gates smiled to hide
his own wariness. The arachnids gave him the creeps as well. He’d been watching
them and over the last couple of days they seemed to be coming in groups to
scout out the camp. They were almost organized in their movements. Which he
knew was ridiculous. But he couldn’t shake the feeling. “Just make sure
everyone checks for bites when they wake up and reapplies the oil. It’s going
to be a long day. I don’t want to have to stop every five minutes because
someone just remembered they hadn’t put on a new coat of spider poison.”

“Yes sir.” Jones blew on his coffee and then took a sip of
it. “I’m all for getting this done as quickly as possible.”

Gates turned to see several of the other men had stumbled
out of their tents and were starting to warm up rations and wander off into the
jungle to take care of their basic hygiene needs just as his own bladder told
him it was time for him to take care of a couple of his own.

He’d only just made it out of the camp and unzipped his
pants when he heard twigs snapping behind him. His hand immediately went to his
weapon but a quick glance over his shoulder told him it was Julian following
him through the foliage. “What is it, Jules?” Damn, his dick seemed to
recognize the name. As soon as Gates said it he started to harden.

“I didn’t have a chance to hand over the readers last
night.”

The mention of last night brought back memories and only
made him harder. “That’s okay. You can give them to me when I get back to
camp.”

“That’s not all.” Julian stood close enough to him that
Gates could feel his breath on his neck. Gates was certain Julian hadn’t meant
it to be seductive but it still sent a shiver down Gates’ spine. “I read the
files on one of them last night.”

He didn’t know what to say to that. The information on those
readers was most likely classified. But they hadn’t been marked nor had Gates’
superiors given him any orders on what to do if they were found. “I take it
they made for an interesting read?”

“You have no idea.”

“I’m sure. But this isn’t exactly the time or the place. Why
don’t you go back to camp and we’ll discuss it when I get back.”

Julian snorted. “Trust me, you do not want to talk about
this with a lot of ears in close proximity. Just pee already. Unless my
presence is too distracting.”

Gates didn’t have to turn around to imagine the shit-eating
grin on Julian’s face. “You wish.” At the challenge he pulled his dick out of
his cargo pants. He took a breath and closed his eyes as he willed his muscles
to relax. He was so relieved when he started peeing that he nearly smiled. “So
what is it you don’t want the others to know?” He shook his cock and then
slipped it back in his pants and zipped up before turning to face Julian.

“Ever hear of Dr. Antihway?” Julian turned on the reader he
held in his hand and pulled up a file before handing it to Gates.

He took the reader but his attention stayed focused on
Julian. “No. Should I have?”

“He’s a military geneticist who went insane. Rumors say he
was working on hybrid-genetic studies. He’s currently on the top of the
military’s most wanted list.”

“And that affects us how?”

“This planet was once his government-funded laboratory.”
Julian gestured at the reader with his head. “It’s all there.”

Nervous tension caused his shoulders to tighten. There was
nothing to do but read the file. And as far as military files went, it was
pretty short. Still, Gates knew he’d feel the weight of the words until his
death. “So the reptile men and the spiders?”

“Are part of the planet’s security system. Specially created
to kill modified soldiers.”

Julian had been right to show him the report in private. It
gave him a moment or two to collect his thoughts. But he couldn’t keep this
information from his men. “I have to tell the men. They have the right to know
what’s out there.”

“I agree. Especially since there’s more to this story than
just spiders and reptile men.” Julian took the reader back and pulled up a
couple more files. “It looks as though the team that came before us had a bit
of forewarning before they were dropped on the surface.”

Gates took the device back and stared at the list of
hostiles. His attention immediately focused on a carnivorous plant that grew
like moss on certain parts of the planet. It’d been designed to draw the
nutrients out of any living organism that came in contact with it.

Julian’s attention seemed drawn to that one too as he said,
“Even the plants have been modified to kill us.”

“Yeah. It looks as though Dr. Antihway knew we’d be coming
and leveled the playing field.”

“Leveled? I’d say the cards were stacked in his favor.”
Julian looked around them and his shoulders had suddenly become rigid.

“Now that we know what we’re walking into, we can prepare.”

Julian snorted. “And how do we prepare for mummy plants?”

“Don’t walk barefoot on them. There, problem solved.”

Julian chuckled at what Gates knew was an
oversimplification. “If only that stopped the reptile men.”

“And the spiders.” A shiver of dread swept through Gates’
body. He didn’t know if he’d be able to see a spider ever again without having
flashbacks. He’d probably be seeing a counselor for the rest of his life for
that one.

Despite the macabre conversation and images, Gates did
manage to relax again as they walked back to camp. Yes, this mission was
fucked-up. And he was more than a little concerned about being left in the dark
by his superiors. But having someone to talk to about it helped. He and Jules
might not be equals in rank but they didn’t need to be. Not for this.

Gates would happily shoulder the responsibility for
everything that went wrong on this mission. As the commanding officer it was in
the job description. But he enjoyed having someone to bounce ideas off. Someone
who answered honestly and didn’t just tell Gates what he thought Gates wanted
to hear. That was rare after one reached a certain rank. Somewhere along the
line his friends had started treating him as their boss.

As soon as they got back to camp Gates went to clean up and
then decided it was time to face his men. He kept the message brief and to the
point. He wanted them to know what they were up against but he refused to allow
any melodramatic slant. They were the best of the best and they were stronger
and tougher than any other group of soldiers. They could handle this.

His men didn’t seem as certain though. They took turns
staring at the readers and talking to one another about what it meant for them
and for the mission. Gates could’ve told them the truth. It didn’t mean shit.
The mission still needed to be done and they weren’t leaving until it was. It
turned out he didn’t have to though. Julian looked up from the reader and
snorted.

“Come on. Are you seriously telling me you’re going to write
“Fear of moss” on the mission report when you run back home with your tail
between your legs?”

“This planet is fucked-up.” Jones took a threatening step
toward Julian as he spoke.

But Julian didn’t back down. “Damn straight it is. Didn’t
the reptile men and egg-burying spiders clue you in on that?” He looked at the
other men. “So really, the only thing that’s changed is the moss. Thankfully we
wear boots.”

Several of the other men snickered at Julian’s comment,
signaling the turning of the tide. “We’re five days in.” Gates kept his voice
sure and calm as he spoke. “And despite the hostile environment, we’re making
good time. Three days and we’ll be at the goal. Three days and we’ll have a
real roof over our heads and protection from the dangers of the planet. It
would take us almost twice as many days to hike back to the shuttle.” He took a
second to look at each of his men. “We knew this was going to be rough. And
there are never guarantees in the military. But I’m willing to bet that if we
abort this mission we’ll be pulling shit tours for the rest of our enlistment.”

The men’s heads bobbed in an uncoordinated nod. Gates was
happy to see even Jones agreed. “So let’s get ready, eat, break camp and get
another day closer to safety.” He turned and walked to his tent. He should eat
some food but his stomach was still tight from the confrontation. He’d have to
grab something before they headed out but he could easily deal with cold
rations right now.

He emptied out his tent and placed each item in his backpack
before starting on the shelter. It came down easily, which wasn’t a surprise,
given how often he’d had to take one down over the last four years. He had it
folded and stowed with the rest of his stuff in a matter of minutes.

A quick glance around the camp told him the others weren’t
far behind. Within the hour the entire area had been cleared and all their
supplies had been packed up. The group seemed a little skittish as they started
out but he wouldn’t complain about that. They should be on edge. It would keep
them alive longer.

His men stayed quiet and alert throughout the morning’s
hike. No one seemed at ease until they reached what Gates deemed a good spot
for lunch. It would only be cold rations but it gave the soldiers a chance to
relax for a bit. This time, however, they threw tarps on the ground and
reapplied the spider poison to their skins before anyone sat down.

The protein bar scratched his throat as he swallowed it and
landed in his stomach like a ball of lead but he ate every last bite of it.
He’d already skipped too many meals on this assignment. With their genetically
fast metabolism, modified soldiers only had so much room to play with their
diet before they started passing out. Showing any weakness would cause more
dissent. And he couldn’t afford an outright mutiny right now. His control over
the group of soldiers was already tenuous at best. The next crisis might very well
sever it.

He gulped down some water to wash away the lingering taste
of the rations and then stood to stretch. “Let’s get this area cleaned up and
head out.”

“Yes sir.” The call rang out as several soldiers answered
simultaneously.

His men followed the order without complaint. And as they
hiked deeper into the jungle, the tension seemed to have lightened. They still
kept as silent as possible. That was just common sense when walking through a
jungle filled with genetically modified creatures. But the men appeared calm
and confident again. Their movements were sure and their gazes held focus
instead of skittering around the landscape constantly.

“Sir, movement.” Jones’ whispered words were all the warning
he had before he heard the whistle. Without thought his right hand reached up
to grab the object but pain raced up his arm at the contact. He looked down at
his hand in confusion. Someone had shot an arrow at him. And if he hadn’t been
modified it would’ve hit him. Nothing in the folders talked about a life form
advanced enough to build weaponry.

He dropped the arrow as he heard another whistle. Only it
came from his left. But he couldn’t simply grab the arrow this time. Jones
stood on Gates’ left, between him and the attack. And Jones seemed too
transfixed by the blood dripping from Gates’ hand to do anything but stare at
the injury.

Gates jumped on Jones and tried to push him out of the way.
But with the confusion of the ambush and the throbbing pain of Gates’ wound, it
was taking everything a second or two longer to process than it should. As they
both hit the ground, red ribbons of blood spilled from Jones’ neck onto the
jungle ground around them.