Three Square Meals Ch. 043

John nodded cautiously, and then turned to look at the other girls. "I'll wait here and catch up with Ceraden while I wait for Dana to get back. You might as well head back to the Invictus, unless there's anything you want to look at specifically this afternoon?"

Alyssa smiled in response, and replied, "We all have things we need to do back on the ship. Just come and meet us later, when you're done."

With that, Dana departed with Rellathis, while the rest of the girls headed back to the ship, leaving John and Ceraden to stroll back to the lounge to relax and chat.

***

Rellathis was courteous and polite with Dana, but not overly chatty as he led her out of the Maliri Trading Commission, and then through a cleverly concealed door in the arcing wall of the Merchant District. When she followed him through the door, she found herself standing at the top of a stairwell, that led down to the maintenance tunnels built under the Merchant District.

Dana glanced down at her heels and figure hugging crop-top and skirt, and said to Rellathis wryly, "Unfortunately I'm not really dressed for crawling around maintenance ducts."

His laughter was genuine as they descended the steps, and he looked back at her and shook his head, "Fortunately that won't be necessary. You'll see why in a moment."

Dana smiled at him and followed him down the steps until they reached the bottom. There was a hover vehicle of some kind parked in the broad and spotlessly clean maintenance tunnel, finished in gold with a crystalline bubble canopy. Rellathis walked over to it and the canopy swung open, allowing Dana to climb in elegantly, before sitting down in the comfortable seat. Soon Rellathis had them racing silently away down the tunnels as soon as the canopy had swung down above them, sealing them securely within the craft.

"Your anti-gravity technology is marvellous," Dana complimented him. "We use anti-grav cyclics, but they take a few moments to warm up, and make an audible whir."

The Maliri engineer started to respond enthusiastically, but then caught himself in time, and just said, "Thanks. Yes, it's very useful technology."

They arrived at their destination a few minutes later, and when the vehicle drifted to a halt, the canopy swung wide open. Rellathis clambered out quickly, and then walked around briskly to offer Dana a hand as she climbed out of the hover vehicle. She thanked him gratefully, strolling along beside him as he guided her into some kind of control station, and then down a corridor before a sturdy door opened smoothly in front of them.

"Here we have the air filtration system for the Merchant District," Rellathis said brusquely, as he pointed up at the long cylindrical piece of equipment that dominated the room.

Dana smiled when she realised this was likely going to be the extent of her tour, and she looked around the room curiously. "Hmm, that's odd," she said out loud a moment later.

Rellathis sounded startled when he asked, "What's odd, is there a problem?"

Dana just waved a hand dismissively, and said, "Oh, I just thought with the way this system is configured, you'd end up having a complete shutdown in the case of a broken power regulator, but I'm sure I've missed something. Not to worry, let's head back."

"Wait! How did you know that?!" he said in shock. "That happened just last month, and we couldn't figure out why. The backup power should have kicked in, but didn't."

Dana pointed at a couple of protruding components that were encased in delicate crystalline casings. "If I'm not mistaken, that looks like a inverse coupling that must feed the cooling mechanism for the filtration system," she said casually, "and isn't that the backup power regulator right next to it?"

Rellathis looked up at the components and nodded. "Yes, that's right, but I don't see what..." he suddenly gasped as he realised what she was getting at. "So the sudden surge of power through the backup power regulator when it gets activated creates a feedback loop with the inverse coupling!"

"And shorts it out," Dana concluded with a playful wink.

He shook his head, as he stared up at the components. "We wasted hours trying to find the cause of that problem!" he said in amazement.

Dana smiled at him benignly. "Well, I'm glad I could help out. Anyway, we should probably head back... unless there's anything else you're having a problem with?" she asked him innocently.

Rellathis turned to look at the air filtration system, and paused for a moment before he said speculatively, "We have been seeing inexplicable power fluctuations every evening, but I haven't been able to figure out what might be causing it."

"I'd be happy to take a look," Dana offered with a smile. "Do you have the schematics on hand? I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it in no time!"

Rellathis looked at her, shaking his head as he said regretfully, "I'm not supposed to show you those."

Dana smiled at him disarmingly. "It's not like I'll be taking a copy. Besides, as you can see from this dress, I haven't got any room to stash a recording device," she said with a laugh, as she did a little twirl for him.

Rellathis chuckled and only hesitated for a moment more, before turning to a computer panel built into the wall. He pressed a couple of buttons, and then a large holographic display appeared, nearly two metres square, displaying the design schematics for the air filtration system.

The redhead's eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to face the hologram. "Now, let's see if I can help," she said eagerly, as she stared at the detailed Maliri blueprint in fascination.

***

The Invictus arced in a long gentle curve around the devastated freighter outside Geniya Space Station. Jade was currently at the controls, with Alyssa standing attentively at her side, offering advice and instruction. The Maliri Traffic Controller had graciously given them permission to fly back and forth in the zone around the station, as long as they had promised not to cause any disruption to incoming or outgoing vessels. Alyssa had beamed her most sparkling smile at the man in gratitude, and he had chuckled in amusement before closing the comm channel.

Jade had logged dozens of flying hours in the Raptor, and the Invictus was, in comparison, much simpler to fly. The ship just had considerably more inertia, which took the Nymph a little getting used to.

"It feels like I'm flying through treacle," she said with a cute frown, as she brought the assault cruiser around for another pass.

Alyssa's musical laughter echoed around the Bridge, causing Calara and Rachel to glance up at her and smile, before returning to their work at their own stations.

"I'm not surprised, that gunship is exceptionally manoeuvrable," the blonde said, as she patted the Nymph's shoulder affectionately. " You're picking it up fast though," she added encouragingly.

Jade smiled up at her, before glancing over at Calara, where she was working on her designs for upgrading the Tactical Station. The Nymph paused for a moment, looking thoughtful, before she asked tentatively, "When Dana has finished helping Calara, perhaps she could take a look at the Invictus' flight controls and make them more... tactile and responsive?"

Alyssa looked down at her thoughtfully, and then smiled approvingly. "That's a great idea," she agreed, impressed with Jade's initiative. "After Dana's upgrades, we've got loads more retro-thrusters than the Invictus was originally designed for. We might as well make better use of them!"

Jade beamed up at her happily, and then returned her focus to rolling the Invictus around for another circuit around the ruined hulk of the freighter.

***

Rellathis shook his head in astonishment as Dana tapped away at the computer panel. With an elaborate flourish, she hit the final key, and then stepped back, surveying her work with pride.

"There. You had a maintenance subroutine scheduled to run at eight, and the filtration system was also set to purge the filters on the hour. That was causing the power fluctuations, compounded by the inefficiencies in the energy stabilisers. Now that I've recalibrated those for you, and rescheduled the subroutine, we're all done," she explained happily.

Rellathis peered at the holograph and nodded eagerly as he examined her work. "This is incredible, Dana, thank you so much! The Engineering Consortium will promote me for sure!" he exclaimed with delight.

"It was fun, I love being able to fix things," she replied enthusiastically. She then glanced at him with a sly smile, as he immersed himself in scrutinising her modifications. "Anything else broken that I could help you with?"

The Maliri Engineer stood up straight, and cupped his chin in his hand, thinking for a moment. "Well, we've been having problems with some of the targeting systems. The defence grid in Section Fourteen has been playing up, and is having trouble tracking more than ten targets at a time. I've been trying to figure that one out for weeks, but I've been getting nowhere," he admitted, sounding extremely frustrated.

"Sure, I can fix that for you, if that would help," she replied confidently, with an easy-going shrug.

Rellathis nodded excitedly, and turned to the door. "Come on, this way!" he said eagerly. "The fire control systems aren't far."

Dana sashayed out after him, with a pleasant smile on her face, and he beckoned her onward impatiently when she strolled into the corridor.

*Oh yeah, now this is what I'm talking about...* she thought to herself, desperately resisting the urge to leap up and down with excitement.

*You're such a bad girl,* Alyssa thought to her in amusement.

*What? I'm just being helpful,* Dana protested with a telepathic giggle, while happily recalling the plans for the air filtration systems, which she had memorised perfectly.

***

John spent a few hours chatting away with Ceraden, enjoying the chance to catch up with the amiable Maliri trader. They sat in some comfortable chairs set up facing each other in the corner of a pleasant little courtyard, with anti-gravity fountains arcing water across from one side of the room to the other. The clear crystal ceiling let in lots of light from the bright yellow sun, reflecting off the gold spires of the starport, and the room was a riot of colour, from the beautiful rainbows that formed in the water droplets.

At one point, while John was recounting some of his adventures against the Drakkar, Ceraden looked up, and then stared across the room. John continued for a few moments, before he noticed that his friend was distracted, and he twisted to follow Ceraden's stare. Standing behind him, leaning against the doorframe, was a golden armoured Maliri who seemed to have been staring at them for some time.

"Yes Irillith, what do you want?" Ceraden asked bluntly.

She stood up straight immediately, and snapped, "Tread carefully Ceraden! There's only so much of your impudence I'll tolerate."

She turned to leave, but glanced back at John once, before she strode away determinedly. John looked back at Ceraden with a raised eyebrow, and the Maliri merchant shook his head and shrugged.

"Sorry, I've no idea what that was about," Ceraden said apologetically. "Please continue with your story. I'm eager to find out how you vanquished the Drakkar!"

John grinned and continued, carefully editing the story so as not to mention Jade turning into a tiger, or the encounter with the Progenitor. Ceraden was fascinated by the tale, and leaned forward eagerly, as he waited to hear of their final victory. When John told him of the fifty foot Etherium statue of him and the girls on Ashana, he laughed and applauded.

"If I was not aware of your recent exploits against the Kintark, I'd dismiss your story as a fanciful, albeit charming, tall tale. It appears I have to take your story at face value however, and I find myself having to re-evaluate you and your astounding crew of bewitching young temptresses," he said with a chuckle.

"Well I'm glad you were entertained," John said, smiling at his friend.

"Ah, it looks like your enchanting engineer has returned," Ceraden said, as he rose to his feet. "Welcome back, Dana. I hope your tour proved to be of interest."

The redhead glided into the room, followed by Rellathis who was walking with an added spring in his step.

"It was amazing, Ceraden, thank you so much for arranging it. Rellathis was a great guide!" she said happily, and with a grateful smile towards the Maliri Engineer.

"It should be I thanking you, Dana!" Rellathis said, sounding positively overjoyed. "Your advice and assistance has saved me weeks of work!"

She smiled at him graciously, and the Maliri Engineer gave her a sweeping bow, before strolling back the way he came, whistling to himself tunefully.

Ceraden seemed to be watching Rellathis disappear down the corridor, before he turned and inclined his head towards Dana. "I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed yourself, and you certainly seem to have made a good impression on Rellathis," he said, his voice sounding curious.

John stood and then turned to the Maliri merchant. "Thanks for your hospitality Ceraden. I think I'll head back to the ship before I wear out my welcome," he said politely.

"Not at all John, I've enjoyed your visit immensely," Ceraden replied, as he walked over towards the corridor that led out of his offices. "I'll send word when Meruan has returned, but feel free to drop by for any reason while you're here at Geniya."

John grinned at the Maliri and then shook his hand. "It's been great to see you again Ceraden, I've really enjoyed catching up with you," he said sincerely.

"Likewise my friend," Ceraden said, sounding genuinely pleased, and he led them through the airy corridors until they reached the reception area to his offices, where he bade them farewell.

John and Dana walked back across the huge foyer of the Maliri Trading Commission, and Dana practically skipped at his side, which was impressive in four-inch heels.

"You look very happy with yourself," John said, smiling at her ecstatic good mood.

She turned to smile at him coyly, and then said, "I've been a VERY good girl, I think you're going to be very happy with me."

John arched an eyebrow at that, but Dana refused to be drawn out any further, so he held her hand as they strolled along, just enjoying the company of the lovely young woman. They walked back through the Merchant District, weaving through the crowds of exotic aliens, and listening to the bartering going on as the merchants hawked their cargos. It didn't take long before they were back at the Invictus, which was waiting for them in Docking Bay Twenty Four where they had left it, Jade's flying lessons now over for the day.

Walking up to the airlock, John placed his hand on the DNA reader, and the sultry synthetic voice gasped, "Oh, John. It's so good to have you enter me again."

He laughed heartily as he looked at Dana, and she doubled over with laughter at the expression on his face. "Sorry, I couldn't resist throwing that one into her list of greetings," she said with a smirk, delighted to have been there for his reaction.

They walked in through the airlock, and John shut the door behind him, before pulling Dana into his arms. "I assume you didn't want to talk earlier, in case we were being overheard. I'm dying to know what you've been up to!" he said eagerly.

She grinned at him, her sky blue eyes flashing with excitement, and this close to her, he could see the golden corona flaring around her iris. "Trust me, you're going to love it. But can you give me an hour? I can show you then, and it will make it even better!" she pleaded with him, as she stared into his eyes.

John laughed and nodded, so she leant in and kissed him lightly on the lips before she pulled away, and walked over to the double doors that led into the Cargo Bay. She opened them and then walked inside.

"I'll head up to the Bridge," he called after her, as she strode away purposefully, lithe and graceful in her stiletto heels.

Dana turned before she reached the loading lift that went up to her workshop, looking over her shoulder at him, and grinning as she caught him watching her. "Try and resist the urge to fuck any of the other girls," she requested with a coy smile. "You're going to want to give me a reward when you see what I've been up to."

John grinned and nodded, waving her goodbye as she ascended on the platform, looking ravishing as she posed for him seductively. He then strode over to the grav-tube, and stepped inside the blue glow, so that he could float up to the Command Deck. Alyssa spun her Executive Officer's chair around, and beamed a beautiful smile at him when he walked out onto the Bridge.

"I missed you!" she said happily, as she rose from her chair and then glided down the illuminated steps on the Command Podium to greet him.

He held his arms open for her and she moved into his embrace with a contented sigh. John reached up to cup the back of her head in his hand, pulling her in for a tender kiss, and she returned it passionately.

"I missed you too," he told her with a grin, when they finally parted. He looked around the Bridge, but it was only the two of them there, so he asked, "Where is everybody?"

"Let's go and relax in your ready room, and I'll fill you in," Alyssa suggested, and when he nodded, they walked over to the room to the left of the bridge and strolled inside.

There were several comfortable sofas on this side of the room, where the commander could have informal discussions with his Bridge Crew. They seemed quite appropriate, so he sat down, with Alyssa sitting sideways across his lap. She was still wearing her suit, and looked elegant and refined as she sat demurely in his arms. He stroked her toned, athletic legs in her cream pencil skirt, and let his hand drift up to her slim stomach, slipping inside the material of her blouse so that he could brush his fingers over her deliciously smooth skin.

The blonde gave him a smouldering look, then wet her lips with her tongue, making them glisten in the light. She smiled coyly when she felt him get hard underneath her, and wriggled slightly in his lap as she looked at him from under her long lashes.

"You only have to say the word, and I'll be on my knees, servicing your big hard cock," she purred at him in a deep throaty voice. She then grinned at him impishly, and said teasingly, "But you're waiting for Dana!"

John chuckled, and then grabbed her, before tickling her remorselessly. Her excited squeals of laughter echoed around the room, before she finally begged for mercy, and then sat panting in his lap grinning at him happily.

"Okay then, mischief, what have you girls been up to?" John asked her playfully.

She took a big breath, and then blew it out, before snuggling against his chest with a broad smile on her face. "Well, I took Jade out to practice piloting the Invictus. She's a phenomenal pilot, and will be better than me in no time," she said, proud of her student.

John smiled down at Alyssa and kissed her blonde head tenderly. "Your flying is pretty amazing, she can't be that much better, surely?" he asked curiously.

"She has excellent spatial awareness, and her reflexes are even faster than mine," Alyssa explained, before leaning up and kissing him under the chin. "Despite what a wonderful makeover you gave my body," she added gratefully.

"Why would the Progenitors make a species so perfectly adapted for combat, and then not let them use weapons?" John mused, thinking back to the revealing conversation with Rachel.

Alyssa sat back and frowned. "Yeah that's been puzzling me too. She had no problem firing the weapons on the Raptor, and she's proved how deadly she is in her Tiger form, so she's not exactly a pacifist. Why prevent Nymphs from using guns, when she can do all the rest?" she asked in confusion.