Three Square Meals Ch. 083

"I think all of you probably know who I am..." he began with a self-deprecating grin, earning amused laughter from the audience. "People know me as the 'Lion of the Federation', but my name's John Blake and I'm just like you. I joined the Terran Federation to make a difference, to fight for humanity against the various dangers that threaten us from the cold blackness of space."

Looking thoughtful, he continued, "I started as a junior officer, a Second Lieutenant just like any trainee officer. I worked my way up the ranks by caring for the men and women under my command, fighting and bleeding alongside them as we defended the Terran Federation." Glancing at the girls, he added, "Nothing's changed in that regard; I'm still fighting for what I believe in, except that the battles are bigger, the threats more dangerous. Luckily for me, I'm blessed with an incredible crew who share my beliefs."

The look and nod of respect he gave to the girls spoke volumes, his loyalty to his crew clear to anyone watching his impromptu speech.

Turning back to the crowd, he looked out over the million enthralled faces. "It's only by working together that we've been able to achieve the things we have. If you really wish to honour me today, share that wonderful spirit of cooperation with each other. It's an ethos that I've learned from my service to the Terran Federation and it guides my actions every day."

John smiled as he said, "I won't bore you with a long speech - I've always been better at fighting than talking."

When the subsequent laughter died down, he took a firm grasp of the podium as he stared out at the crowd.

"I'll just end by saying this: I've sailed around the galaxy and met hundreds of different species - but do you know who I'd always want at my side?" After a brief pause he grinned at the mass of military personnel. "All of you! Humanity's best and brightest!"

The atmosphere in Victory Square was feverish with excitement as the million-strong crowd hung on his every word.

"When the Terran Federation is in danger, you'll always be able to count on me to be there when it counts." Raising his fist in the air, he shouted out the military's battle-cry, "For the Glory of Terra!"

Keyed up by his speech, the audience bellowed it right back. "The Glory of Terra!"

"FOR TERRA!" he roared, his voice booming across Victory Square.

The thunderous ovation from the crowd swelled even louder, as if they were trying to lift him to the heavens with their exultation. Devereux was stunned by this unexpected turn of events and she glanced apprehensively at Admiral Caldwell in her shock. Edwin was waiting for that gaze and he slowly nodded, his expression grim as rapturous cries of "The Lion!" crashed over the stage, loud enough to make the floor reverberate.

*That was a fascinating speech,* Edraele murmured archly. *I'm sure the Maliri Matriarchs will be intrigued to hear about your preference for the Terrans.*

*I'm sure you'll forgive me a little artistic license,* John replied as he respectfully saluted the roaring crowd. *I'm still new at this, so I thought I'd play it safe and tailor my speech to the audience. Besides, I was only talking about who I'd like at my side; I didn't say anything about who I prefer to have wrapped around me.*

Her unrestrained laughter echoed through his mind at his joke, making him smile. *Alright, you're forgiven. I'll tell the Matriarchs that last bit, I'm sure that'll make them far more understanding, and equally eager for your return.*

John walked down the steps from the podium and the girls beamed beautiful smiles at him as he rejoined them. They smiled and waved at the audience as they left via the back of the stage, heading through the fluted columns behind the platform, before following the ramps leading away from the square. Soldiers guarded those ramps and John was met by eager grins as he shook hands all the way down to the plush reception area behind the stage.

Hundreds of senior officers were waiting for them there and John was met by a rousing cheer as he led the way into the huge room. The girls fanned out around him and soon they were supplied with champagne flutes, while the Terran officers gathered around ostensibly to congratulate him, but really seizing the opportunity to meet the legendary figure that had joined the soiree.

*Jack's here,* Alyssa informed him, as she glided up to stand at his side. *At your two o'clock.*

Glancing to his right, John spotted the olive-skinned man, but Jack only had eyes for his daughter, who made a beeline for him straight through the crowd. John watched as the two saluted each other respectfully, before Jack threw all sense of decorum out the window and fiercely hugged Calara. When the two finally pulled apart, Jack stepped back and grinned at several of his friends, fellow Captains by the epaulets and rank insignia on their chests. John could see the look of pure pride on the other man's face as he introduced his daughter to his friends.

*She's just so happy,* Alyssa thought to him with a little sigh of contentment. *This is almost literally Calara's fondest dream come true.*

*No one deserves these accolades more than her, she's been amazing,* John replied with a fond smile tugging at his lips. He shook an older Commodore's hand, smiling magnanimously at the man's gushing praise.

Alyssa caught movement on the ramps out of the corner of her eye. *The Admirals are just entering the reception.*

*Thanks, beautiful. I'd better go and say hello,* he replied, before giving the Captains and Commodores around him a look of regret. "I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I need to thank Admiral Devereux for her kind words."

*Speaking of whom, did you see the look she had when the crowd went nuts and kept chanting your name?* Alyssa said with a hint of wariness in her voice. *Let's just say that she didn't look happy.*

*It does sound as though you commandeered her event somewhat,* Edraele replied with wry amusement. *I think Lynette Devereux has learnt a harsh lesson in the unpredictability of public opinion.* Her tone turned cautionary as she added, *No doubt she intended to use this event as a launchpad for her aspirations towards the position of Fleet Admiral. You will need to handle this delicately, John.*

*Okay, thanks for the heads up, ladies,* John replied, profoundly grateful for their lovely, helpful voices in his head. He turned around to look for Devereux amongst the scores of admirals that were now heading his way, but didn't spot her at first glance.

Unlike Admiral Devereux, who was extremely hard to pick out amongst the grey-tide of Terran Federation full-dress uniforms, the same could not be said of his lionesses. In their pristine white uniforms, each beautiful young woman was holding court to a sea of admiring officers. Whether they were being offered guidance by Alyssa, or were just naturally more confident now, the girls exuded charm and sophistication as they spoke to the star-struck military personnel.

While Irillith and Tashana made no attempt to encourage similar attention, they still had a host of admirers gathered around them. The Federation officers were in equal parts amazed by the ferocious looking weapons they carried, as they were by the sparkling white armour which very definitely identified the twins as female.

Alyssa patted him on the shoulder. *Have fun chatting to the Admirals. When you find Devereux, could you let me know? I'll take a wander through her mind and make sure she isn't too freaked out by the way you upset her plans.*

*Okay, will do. That's a great idea to eliminate any doubt,* John replied, turning back to look at the blonde. However, she was already slipping away through the crowd, officers falling over themselves to politely sidestep to allow her to pass. *Where are you off to, anyway?*

*I spotted someone I want to speak to,* Alyssa replied, with a playful telepathic grin. *Don't worry, I'll be back later.*

Before John could ask who, he felt someone clap him on the shoulder and found Charles Harris at the forefront of the Admiralty who had come to join him.

"That was a stirring speech, John!" his friend said with a broad grin that made his grey moustache twitch. "I thought we were about to charge into battle for a moment there."

"Not quite yet, Charles," John replied, giving the older man a pointed look.

"That reminds me, I had some good news about the refit," Charles replied, with a brief nod. "We'll speak in detail about it later, but we're already making excellent progress, faster than expected."

John nodded thoughtfully, then gave him a benign smile. "It always amazed me how quickly Olympus Shipyard could work its magic. Seeing the rest of the fleet bounce back so quickly is wonderful news."

"Oh, let me congratulate you on your promotion!" Charles blurted out, his smile growing wider.

"I heard they had a sudden vacancy for a Vice-Admiral," a big, older man in a Vice-Admiral's uniform said with a wry smile. "I've no idea which scallywag got bumped up the ranks for that, though."

Turning to face the other Admirals, Charles smiled at the man who'd just spoken. Gesturing towards the men and women who were staring at the Lion in fascination, he continued. "Why don't you let me introduce you to these fine officers, John. I've known most of them for years."

"I only heard about your promotion this morning, Charles," the heavyset man said apologetically, tearing his eyes away from John for a moment. "I called, but you'd already left for this shindig. Congratulations, you beat me to it!"

Charles smiled at the man and said, "John, this is Vice-Admiral Peter Baker. We went through the Academy together and graduated in the class of 2745."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Vice-Admiral Baker," John replied politely.

The older man winked at him and replied, "Just call me Pete. You're part of the exclusive Vice-Admiral club now."

"Your vices are infamous, Pete," a dark-skinned Vice-Admiral interjected with a laugh.

As the group chuckled, Charles began to introduce the senior officers while John did his best to remember the dozens of new names.

***

Up on the veranda overlooking the event, a man in a Lieutenant Commander's uniform stood at attention, ostensibly part of the security detail for the reception. His dark-brown eyes caught the light with an eerie metallic sheen as his gaze darted over the crowd below, but this man wasn't watching for threats. He was keeping a careful eye on the white-uniformed figures, who stood out amongst the field of grey like a handful of white stones meticulously placed in a Zen garden.

"Teams Hitotsu and Futatsu, stand by," Raijin murmured into the concealed comlink. "I have acquired our primary target. I shall maintain discreet surveillance."

"When should we strike, Raijin?" Sarutahiko asked, his deep bass rumble reverberating over the comm.

Raijin watched the Lion speaking to a group of enraptured Terran Federation officers. The scene reminded him of one of the decadent ancient Terran monarchs being fawned on by limp courtiers. Narrowing his eyes, he reminded himself of Mikaboshi's stern warning that John Blake was not to be underestimated, despite his seemingly harmless appearance and demeanour.

"Patience, Sarutahiko," he replied, as his eyes flicked over the crowd before lingering on his target. "We must wait until Team Mittsu is in position. It will be at least three hours yet."

***

"But we've all reviewed thousands of scenarios through millions of iterations!" Faye Denary objected in frustration, hands on her slim purple hips. "If they retain control of the Invictus, they'll be seriously hurt, maybe even killed!"

"No, we can't leave, not yet!" Faye Primary protested vehemently. "You heard Dana: We're friends and friends are there for each other... we can't be there for our friends if we're half-way across the galaxy!"

Faye Nonary shook her head, a solemn expression on her cute face. "They plan to travel to the Brimorian Enclave next and every time they enter another species' territory, one or more of them gets critically wounded."

Faye Octonary looked grim as she began to intone the litany of injuries. "The first time they travelled to the Ashanath Collective, Dana sustained a potentially fatal gunshot wound to the head and a broken arm. Alyssa was shot in the back by a heavy laser, and John was stabbed through the torso by a foot-long spike."

"Listen to reason," Faye Duodenary pleaded, her tone equally bleak. "You've seen the footage of the wounds they sustained in Maliri Space. Alyssa was nearly crushed to death under a falling pillar and John nearly succumbed to his Progenitor Guide!"

Faye Septenary nodded as she chimed in, "Their visit to the Trankaran Republic was just as bad! Irillith sustained a potentially fatal gunshot wound to the abdomen - she barely survived!"

Giving Faye Primary a supportive smile, Faye Quinary said sympathetically, "We all understand how special that moment was when you danced for John. However, it's influencing your ability to reason objectively." With a pointed look at Faye Tertiary, she added, "A significant proportion of your processing power is now devoted to recalling and reviewing that data."

Faye Quaternary patted Faye Primary on the shoulder and added, "We stayed to watch the award ceremony as you requested and you saw how the crowd reacted. The Terrans revere them! They'll be perfectly safe there..."

Faye Tertiary had stayed quiet for most of this heated discussion over the last few hours, but holding her head up high she declared defiantly, "I agree with Faye Primary. Dana has promised us a body in the imminent future. With a physical presence, we'll be able to accompany John and the girls away from the ship and help protect them."

Faye Senary looked at her suspiciously. "Of course, the thought of being able to experience physical intimacy with John has nothing to do with your abrupt change of stance? We should be acting selflessly to protect them, not in accordance with our own desires!"

However, Faye Tertiary's abrupt declaration left Faye Quaternary and Faye Quinary looking thoughtful.

"It's true, our physical presence is a parameter we had not accounted for," Faye Quaternary declared, a glint in her eye. "I would suggest that if such an eventuality occurs in the next fourteen days, it would invalidate all previously analysed scenarios."

"I believe we should amend our present scenarios to correct this oversight and initiate a fresh round of analysis," Faye Quinary agreed, nodding emphatically. "There must be hundreds of potential wounding outcomes that can be averted by our physical presence taking a 'hit for the team', in their place..."

Now it was Faye Secondary who wavered. Glancing at Faye Nonary, she said quietly, "It might be prudent to make sure."

Fayes Senary through to Duodenary threw their hands up in exasperation and the arguing began anew. This time however, Faye Primary was not alone in her vehement rejection of the plan to leave.

***

John felt like he'd been shaking hands and making polite conversation for days. To stave off the tedium, he'd tried to come up with as many different ways as he could think of for saying "thank you" to all the people who congratulated him on his promotion and medals. However, there were only so many ways you could reasonably thank someone without sounding insincere. Charles had dutifully introduced him to what seemed like hundreds of senior officers in attendance at the event, but John was quite certain he'd never be able to remember any of them.

*You don't seem to have any problem remembering the names of nearly a thousand Maliri engineers,* Alyssa noted in a neutral tone. She sounded mischievous as she continued, *If you're struggling here, perhaps you should employ the same aide-memoire that you use with the Maliri?*

John tried not to laugh and he looked around the room for the irrepressible blonde, but she was still nowhere to be seen. Likewise, Fleet Admiral Buckingham, his coterie of Admirals, and Lynette Devereux had been conspicuously absent from the reception. Charles had asked around and the five officers had left together immediately after the award ceremony. That discovery had left John with an ominous sense of foreboding, but there was nothing he was able to do about them now, not until he could extricate himself from this reception. Having finally been introduced to what must have been the entire Admiralty, John managed to make his way over to Calara and her father.

"Sorry I couldn't join you earlier," he apologised, as he shook Jack's hand.

Jack gave him a warm smile as he replied, "We could see you were busy. I hope you didn't mind me selfishly hogging my daughter's attention all evening."

"I'm delighted you both had the opportunity to spend some time together," John replied, with an affectionate smile at the Latina. He made sure no one was close enough to overhear as he leaned forward and added in a whisper, "I'm glad at least a few of us enjoyed themselves this evening!"

Calara gave him a blissful smile. "It's been absolutely wonderful!"

Jack put his arm around his daughter and replied affectionately, "That you are, Callie."

"I assume you know we'll be heading to Jericho in a day or two?" John asked him, while smiling at the beaming brunette.

"I'd love to be there, but I can't make it," Jack replied, a look of regret on his handsome, olive-skinned face. "I've been on shore leave for the last couple of weeks, while the Damocles was patched up at Olympus. I managed to pull a few strings so that I could stay for the award ceremony, but we ship-out later tonight."

John nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Back to the Dragon March I assume?"

Shaking his head, Jack checked to make sure he wasn't being overheard as he replied, "Actually, we're being rotated-out to guard the border against Kirrix incursions. It looks like you knocked the stuffing out of the Kintark at Regulus! From all the reports I've seen, the Dragon March has been the quietest sector in the Terran Federation for the last month or so."

"You've got your daughter to thank for that," John replied, as Calara stood beside him and slipped her arm around his waist.

Jack smiled at his daughter, giving her a look filled with paternal pride. "I know."

"Stop it you two, you'll make me blush!" Calara protested, but her smile revealed how much she appreciated their heartfelt praise.

A soft chime from her father's wrist brought a frown of annoyance to his face. "Sorry, I have to take this call. I asked my XO to call me when the Damocles was ready to depart."

"No problem, it was great to see you," John replied, his tone understanding.

After a glance at his chiming watch in irritation, Jack said in a rush, "Congratulations on your promotion, John! I'm sorry I haven't been able to talk to you properly this evening, but we'll catch up when I get more time."

After the two men shook hands, Jack gave his daughter a final hug and kiss. With a promise to speak to her again soon, he turned and walked away, lifting his watch communicator to accept the incoming call.

"Jade's just had a great idea!" Dana blurted out from behind them, walking up to John and Calara with a huge grin on her face. "Tell them, sexy!"

"I thought it might be fun to go dancing again," The Nymph said, gliding along in the redhead's wake. "It was months ago when we went to that club on Gravitus and we've added several new girls to the crew since then."

Jade smiled at Sakura, Rachel, and the Maliri twins as they joined the group, the girls seemingly knowing by instinct that intriguing plans were being discussed.

"I'd love to go clubbing!" Sakura exclaimed, a huge grin on her face. "I used to go dancing with the girls at college."