Three Square Meals Ch. 055

They both let out contented sighs as he caressed them, and he said, "Once we've finished the weapon refit, so probably tomorrow afternoon. You're all such lovely girls, and I'd love to be able to take my time, so that I could really enjoy being with each of you individually. Sadly we have to leave late tomorrow, and I can't afford to delay our departure."

"Will you be away for a long time?" Syndra asked mournfully.

He shook his head, saying, "Hopefully not too long. Edraele is my ally now, and I'll be working closely with her in the future." A flicker of fear crossed their faces when he mentioned their Matriarch's name, so he quickly added, "Please don't be scared. Edraele's had a change of heart recently, and she's going to try and improve the lives of all the Maliri in House Valaden."

Thessalia stared at him reverently, and asked, "That was your doing, wasn't it?"

Figuring there was no point in lying to them, especially as they'd be linked to Edraele and him soon enough, John nodded, saying, "Yes. I don't like the way women are treated in the Maliri Regency, so I decided to do something about it. I want you to be able to lead happy, fulfilling lives, without the constant threat of torture or death."

The looks of startled disbelief had stopped recently, the girls having become used to this remarkable man in their midst, and were now replaced with ones of adoration. The Maliri didn't say anything, but they didn't have to, as the sincere gratitude in their eyes spoke volumes.

*Will you be long?* Alyssa asked him with a tired yawn. *All that psychic shaping's starting to catch up with me.*

*No, not long. Go ahead and meet me in Edraele's state rooms, and I'll be with you shortly,* he replied to her soothingly. He yawned as he added, *I must admit, I'm feeling pretty shattered myself.*

He rose to his feet, and the Maliri looked heartbroken when they sensed by his body language that he was leaving them. "Do you really have to go?" Filaurel asked in a tremulous voice.

"Afraid so," he replied. "Alyssa needs my help to get ready for tomorrow. Make sure you all get a good night's sleep, as we've got a busy day ahead of us."

He could see an eager gleam in their eyes, as they pondered his plans for them tomorrow, and they waved him goodbye as he started making his way to the maintenance gantries. Calara was speaking to a couple of her engineers, but she left them talking together when she spotted him, and strolled over to meet him as he walked along the hull.

"You look tired," Calara said to him with concern. "Make sure you don't overdo it."

He stifled a yawn, and said, "I'm just going to catch up with Edraele and Alyssa, then I'll turn in for the night."

She nodded, and said, "We're making good time with the armour, and with you helping out, the weapons refit has gone much faster than we anticipated. We could finish the rest of the weapon installations just using grav-hoists and cranes and still be on track."

"Great work, Lieutenant," he said to her with a smile.

Calara gave him a kiss, then waved him goodbye as he walked over the last few dozen metres of hull until reaching the maintenance gantry. He walked along the metal platform, his boots making ringing noises with each step until he reached a good vantage point. Turning, he looked out over the Invictus, and nodded with satisfaction at the work done so far. The weapons on the topdeck had all been replaced, and the flanks of the ship were now fully sealed in glossy white armour plating. The teams were going to swap locations in the morning, with the armour team moving to plate the topdeck, while the weapons team installed the Pulse Cannons and Beam Lasers on the flanks and underbelly of the Invictus.

He jogged down the steps, winding his way around the gantry stairwell until reaching the ground floor. The Raptor was positioned between the Invictus and Edraele's golden ship, and he could see the engineers working away under Jade's command. As he'd suspected, their short dark hair had changed colour to pure white, which he was sure would cause a flurry of gossiping and speculation amongst the other Maliri. Jade saw him approach and she bounded over to him, a brilliant smile lighting up her dark-green face.

"Everything going well?" he asked her with a smile as he gathered her into his arms for a hug.

The Nymph nodded eagerly, and exclaimed, "They slept for about four hours, and now they're full of energy! Several of them have offered to continue working through the night, but I told them it wasn't necessary."

John nodded, saying, "Fitting the new Central Core in the Invictus is going to be the most time consuming thing tomorrow. I think we'll be finished with the other tasks several hours before we're completely done."

Jade gave him a coy smile as she said, "I thought my team might be able to substitute for the other teams when we feed them tomorrow. Then we shouldn't really lose much time at all."

"Good thinking," he agreed. He reached out and gently stroked her face as he added, "Thank you for helping with my plan for the Maliri. It must be frustrating having to put all the work in, then not being able to enjoy having a full stomach afterwards."

The Nymph giggled, and said, "I don't consider blowing you to be 'work', and besides, it's tremendously rewarding to know I'm helping these women conceive." She studied him intently, and added, "Although I wish I was getting them ready to carry your babies."

He chuckled, and joked, "Sadly, we don't really have time for that."

"Actually, we do," she whispered to him quietly. "With my ability to create tentacles, I could help you impregnate dozens of them at a time."

John blinked at the thought, and as much as it turned him on, he shook his head as he said, "It's better this way. After what happened with my parents, I refuse to abandon my children. I want to be around to look after them, and be there as they grow up. With this other Progenitor stirring up trouble, I don't think I'm going to be able to make that kind of commitment until this situation is resolved."

She gave him a loving smile, and hugged him tightly as she said, "I thought you'd say something like that, but I wanted to offer anyway."

He stroked her back, and embraced her for a while as he watched her team working quickly to replate and rearm the gunship. They glanced his way from time to time, giving him a warm smile or a friendly wave, and he realised there was something different about them, aside from their hair changing colour. The Maliri seemed settled now, calmer and content, and no long just staring at him in devotion. Feeling too weary to try and puzzle out their change in behaviour, he relaxed his embrace with Jade, and she gave him a final kiss before striding back to rejoin her crew.

Continuing on to the golden Maliri ship, he saw the crystal door of the airlock rise up as he approached, revealing Luna who was waiting on the other side. She greeted him with a wave and sparkling smile, and when he stepped through the airlock, she stood aside to let him enter, closing the door after him.

"It's wonderful to see you again, John," she said to him reverently, her voice sounding rich, clear, and vibrant.

He blinked in surprise, and said, "Your voice sounds lovely! I assumed you spoke the way you did because you were quiet and serious."

She gazed into his eyes, and her voice throbbed with gratitude as she said, "My vocal chords had been seared in the gas attack that injured my larynx, but when I woke up, you'd healed me. Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome," he said with a smile, then looked up at her now pure white hair, and added, "It looks like your voice wasn't the only thing that changed."

Luna looked self-conscious, and asked hesitantly, "Do you like it?"

He lifted his hand to brush his fingers through her short white-blonde hair, but he paused just before making contact, and asked, "Is this okay?"

Her angular yellow eyes were hooded, as she said breathily, "You don't need to ask permission to touch me."

Taking her at her word, he placed his left hand on her slim waist, and pulled her towards him so that her stomach brushed against his own. She gasped at the contact, and her eyes went wide as she felt him stiffening against her belly. He reached up with his other hand, and gently ran his fingers through her hair, before tenderly cupping the back of her head and tilting her backwards for a sensual kiss. She was breathing heavily when their lips drifted apart, staring up at him with longing.

"What about your other injuries," he asked her meaningfully.

She gazed up at him, and whispered in wonder, "I don't know how, but you did it. We confirmed it with a medi-scan, and I'm ready for you; all three of us are."

John was delighted for her, and eased back a little so he could run his right hand over her lower belly. She moaned with arousal, her lips parting as she let out a little whimper of desire.

"Work with Almari, Ilyana, and Edraele, to keep all of you safe and it won't be long," he promised her, as he stared into her eyes.

She nodded slowly, and in her lovely, richly timbred voice, she said, "I swear, I won't let you down."

He nodded solemnly, saying, "I know, I trust you, Luna."

Alyssa's impatient voice filled his mind, as she said, *If you've finished motivating the troops, I need you up here. Give her a nice kiss, then get your ass in the elevator.*

*Will you be long, my Lord?* Edraele asked him curiously, and he could hear the eagerness in her tone.

He tried hard not to laugh, but Luna saw his mouth turn up in a smile, and she asked him, "What is it?"

He grinned at her, and said, "I'm sorry, it was lovely speaking to you, but Alyssa and Edraele are getting impatient. They're both contacting me telepathically, and asking where I am."

She laughed heartily, and said with genuine sympathy, "Don't worry, I understand. I've spent most of my life answering a Matriarch's summons. I don't envy you having to answer to two of them."

He gave her a quick kiss, and smiled as he said, "Thanks Luna. If we don't get another chance to talk before I have to go, please take care of yourself, alright? I'll look forward to seeing you again when I return."

Her eyes gleamed as she said, "As will I..."

She accompanied him to the elevator, but didn't enter with him, and simply waved him goodbye. The crystal door closed silently, blocking her from view, and the elevator ascended a few levels before it reopened. He strode along the short corridor to Edraele's state rooms, and when the door opened into the palatial audience hall, he found Alyssa and Edraele waiting for him. They both looked delighted to see him, and walked over to meet him half-way, but similar disapproving frowns appeared on their beautiful faces as they reached him.

"Calara wasn't kidding, you look worn out," Alyssa told him with concern.

Edraele nodded knowingly, and asked, "You've been using your personal energy reserves to heal Luna, Almari and Ilyana, haven't you? You need to be careful doing that, especially as some powers use much more energy than others."

Alyssa and John looked at her in surprise, and he asked, "You know how the energy transfer stuff works?"

She nodded, and said, "Only after I submitted to your Progenitor side. Before he had me service him, he told me how he was going to use me to control his legions, and fuel his powers."

"How does it work?" Alyssa asked excitedly.

"I'll explain later," Edraele replied with a smile, stepping closer to John. "For now, both of you need refreshing."

She leaned into him, and kissed him lovingly, and his lips tingled where they brushed against hers. He could feel his tiredness evaporating, as though a heavy burden was being lifted from him, and he encircled her in his arms, kissing her back enthusiastically.

"Wow! That was some kiss!" he exclaimed, as Edraele gazed into his eyes, and smiled at him with satisfaction.

Alyssa was standing close by, watching the action, and she gasped as she got a clear look at his face. "You look tons better already!" she said in surprise.

Edraele nodded, smiling at them both cryptically, then took Alyssa's hand, and led her over to the throne. "Now, we need to reenergise you, too," she said firmly, as she started slowly removing Alyssa's clothes. "You've used a lot of energy today, and will need a boost for tomorrow."

Alyssa didn't resist, and waited patiently while watching Edraele in fascination. The Maliri Matriarch took her time getting Alyssa nude, her hands lingering in intimate places as she gently caressed the blonde girl. Edraele then started carefully removing her own clothing too, her deft fingers peeling back the layers in a slow seductive manner as she shot John an enticing smile.

*Oh, I like this new version of Edraele, she's sexy as hell!* Alyssa told him approvingly, as she reached out to help the Maliri woman undress.

John watched Alyssa run her hands appreciatively over Edraele's body, before she stepped behind the Maliri Matriarch, and helped her remove her long robe. The satin material pooled at her feet, leaving Edraele gloriously naked. She smiled at John coyly as Alyssa's hands snaked around to stroke the soft skin of her blue-toned stomach, before the Terran girl reached up to cup and massage her full breasts.

They both gave him a smouldering look, and his cock throbbed in approval, the rejuvenating kiss he'd received earlier having fully energised him. Edraele beckoned him over, and when he stood between them, they slowly divested him of clothes, trailing suggestive kisses over his skin.

"Would you care to sit, my Lord?" Edraele asked him playfully, glancing at the throne.

He chuckled, and nodded, sitting on the high-backed throne, while Alyssa giggled with excitement. The blue-eyed blonde and the purple-eyed Maliri then knelt before him, and smiled at one another, before leaning in to kiss. His cock felt hard as steel as he watched his two Matriarchs kiss each other lovingly, and they both darted fiery glances up at him as they embraced. His cock pulsed with need, and they turned together, spreading his legs so that they could move closer.

Staring down at them with disbelieving eyes, he watched as they licked up and down his shaft, velvety soft tongues making him glisten in the light. Edraele reached the crown and she made eye contact with Alyssa, raising an eyebrow as if asking for permission. The teen nodded eagerly, and Edraele engulfed his head, sucking on him wantonly.

*Is this exciting, my Lord?* Edraele asked him eagerly. *I'm the leader of millions, and here I am, kneeling for you submissively, worshipping your cock.*

Before he could answer, Alyssa's tremendously aroused voice filled his thoughts as she said, *This feels so naughty! It's so fantastically disrespectful, it feels like something I'd come up with!*

They switched, and Alyssa deep throated him immediately, then bobbed up and down, while staring intently into his eyes. Edraele knelt beside her fellow Matriarch, her deep-purple eyes flashing with excitement as she gazed up at him.

As she stroked Alyssa's long blonde hair, she said, "Alyssa's been such a good girl for you today, my Lord. Are you going to reward her belly for all her hard work?" She didn't wait for an answer, and leaned down to lovingly lather his balls with her tongue, as though urging them to feed her blonde compatriot.

John groaned, as his quad lurched with excitement, and he cried out as Alyssa began to hungrily suck out every last drop of cum that he had. He arched his back as he held her to his groin with one hand, blasting long ropes of spunk into her stomach while she moaned in ecstasy. With the other hand he kept Edraele in position, as she lapped at his balls with gusto. Once he was done, he collapsed back in the throne with a disbelieving chuckle, while Alyssa finished milking him for every last drop.

"You're one sexy bitch," Alyssa said to Edraele approvingly, as the Maliri gently stroked her swollen tummy.

Edraele smiled at her and said, "Thank you. I enjoyed that a lot." She looked up at John, and arched an eyebrow as she inquired, "Did you approve, my Lord?"

He chuckled, and nodded saying, "That was extremely hot, thanks both of you."

He helped the girls to rise, and they scooped up their clothes, then followed after Edraele as she led them through to the bedroom. They let Alyssa go in the middle so they could both stroke her rounded abdomen, and she sighed contentedly at their touch.

She turned to look at Edraele, and said, "I must admit I felt a bit jealous at you becoming his Matriarch too, but that was amazing, thank you."

Edraele smiled at her, and said deferentially, "We might both be his Matriarchs, but we aren't equals. I have no desire to try in any way to challenge your position as his most favoured woman."

Alyssa reached out to give her a hug, and said gratefully, "That was very kind of you to say, thank you."

When they separated, Edraele gave her a warm smile, then leaned on her side, and resumed stroking Alyssa's tummy. She looked at them both, and asked, "Would you like me to explain about the energy transfers now?"

John smiled at her, and replied, "Yes please, we're both really curious to find out more."

Edraele nodded, then looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "Although your Progenitor-side wiped out my original personality, he implanted this knowledge in my mind, so that I would be able to serve him.

I think the best way to describe it, is somewhat like a pyramid. The Progenitor is at the top, with a Matriarch below him, and the women linked to her are at a lower level. Every person contains a certain amount of psychic energy that can be drawn when needed, and that is typically channelled through the Matriarch up to the Progenitor. The amount of energy a person holds grows with their experience and psychic potential, and a Progenitor can use his own reserves of energy if he is unable to tap his thralls for power for any reason.

In times of great need, a Progenitor or Matriarch can draw on a thrall's life force once their psychic energy has been exhausted. Doing so will burn them out, leaving them an empty drained husk, killing them in the process."

John's eyes narrowed as he said, "It sounds like the Matriarchs are their Achilles-heel. What happens if a Matriarch is killed? Is a Progenitor cut off from the rest of his thralls?"

Edraele shook her head, replying, "No, a Progenitor can drain his thralls of energy directly, if his Matriarch is slain or unconscious."

Alyssa looked at John, and asked, "Do you think that's what happened when we fought the Fulmanax? I was knocked out, so Progenitor-John drained Calara and Jade of energy to heal himself, then fight that huge behemoth."

John nodded, then looked confused, as he asked, "So what's the point of having a Matriarch then, if a Progenitor can just access his thralls directly?"

Alyssa poked him with a finger, and exclaimed with a playful air of indignation, "Hey! Are you saying I'm pointless?"

He gave her an apologetic smile, and said, "Of course not, I couldn't do without you. I was just curious."

Edraele smiled at them indulgently while they bantered, then explained, "Progenitors normally let the Matriarch control the energy transfer from the thralls, to avoid unnecessarily burning his women out. A Matriarch is telepathically linked to her thralls, so she can issue them commands, and monitor their status."

"I'm not doing any of that, except for having telepathic chats with the girls," Alyssa said with a frown. Her expression brightened as she added, "Actually, I wonder if that's why the Progenitors use the Matriarchs as a go-between? I love chatting to all the girls, but it can get pretty hectic holding multiple telepathic conversations at once!"