Free Heart Of The Sun by Victoria Zagar

for who I am and what I want.”
    “Good.” The knot in Alan’s stomach loosens a bit and he lets go of Vash’s hand, driving the last few miles to the base. The sheer cliff-face opens up before them as they arrive and they are hustled out of the vehicle by a team of guards.
    “Commander Macey will see you in his office at once.” A soldier barks at them, then marches them to the elevator. Soon they are standing in Macey’s office.
    “Alan. Vash. You have returned.” Macey bids them to sit and they awkwardly do so. Macey questions them for hours and Vash tells the story of why he went to the desert and the story of his dying race.
    “I had no idea,” Macey says. “This is valuable information. I’m sure the High Command already knows this, but they share very little information with us lesser mortals, leaving us to decode messages without context.”
    “So you’ll support his asylum claim?” Alan asks.
    “Yes.  Alan, you will be his official sponsor. If anything goes wrong, you will be responsible for his behavior in his stead should he flee.”
    “Understood,” Alan says. Vash shoots him a look of concern.
    “Now, Vash, you are dismissed. Alan, I would like to talk with you for a few minutes, if I may.”
    “Yes, sir,” Alan says. Vash lets himself out. Macey waits until the two of them are alone before he speaks.
    “I had men watching the whole exchange,” Macey says. “They sent me some interesting video footage.” He waved his hand and a computer screen flickered into existence. The shadows of he and Vash making love were silhouetted against the fire and Alan felt his cheeks growing hot.
    “I hope you know what you’re doing,” Macey says, his eyes grim. “Letting your emotions cloud your judgement could lead to devastating consequences for both of you. Earth won’t be easy for an Exile; it never is, and more taboo still is the thought of having a relationship with the enemy, no matter how similar to us they are in body. You will be in danger both on the Heart Of The Sun and at home from those who believe Vash would be better off in a coffin.
    “I know that,” Alan says. “I’ll take care of him.”
    “Will you? You can’t just resign your military commission out of the blue; you’re in for two more years whether you like it or not. Standard regs don’t allow for alien partners to travel with the ship for security reasons. You’re lucky they’re taking him back to Earth on a military ship; after that it’s only going to get harder.”
    “You can’t talk me out of it, Commander. We share a bond that nobody can break.”
    “The Admiral said you were somewhat of a true believer. I say it’s foolishness that bends logic into madness, but do as you will; I can’t stop you. The shuttle will take you and Vash to the Heart Of The Sun tomorrow morning; be ready at oh-six-hundred-hours on the dot.”
    “Yes sir,” Alan says.
    “You are dismissed. Good luck with your mission, Lieutenant Karvakian, and with Vash. I pray to the Gods that you will not need it.”
    “Thank you sir. May the Gods be with you as well.” He walks to the door and closes it with a sigh of relief and more than a little resentment. Who is he to think he can watch us like that? What we did up there was private, sacred. When we really needed help, his men had to be contacted to respond to the situation. I sense he’s not really on our side at all; he would have sooner killed Vash than saved him.
    He walks to Vash’s room and notes with relief that it is no longer guarded. He knocks and Vash opens the door, beckoning him in. They stand in the middle of the room just looking at one another for a long moment, and then they let their shields drop. Vash seizes Alan, kissing him and disrobing him faster than he can think. He goes with the flow and watches as his clothes make a puddle around his feet before he starts to work on Vash’s.
    “I want a shower,” Alan says. “I think I have purple sand in every