Three Square Meals Ch. 084

"That fucking bastard!" John swore vehemently, glaring at the name.

***

Jade dipped the nose of the Raptor as she brought the gunship in towards the centre of the stone courtyard. At the last moment of her rapid descent, she feathered the retro-thrusters, bringing the glossy white ship down to land on the cold stone without so much as a tremor.

John led the group of weary girls up the loading ramp, then stood aside to let them pass, sharing a tired smile with each of them as they boarded the Raptor. Sakura was carrying a pair of black ninjato with her and he nodded to her in gratitude as she boarded. When the last of them had entered, John hit the button to start closing the ramp. "We're all aboard now, Jade. Let's go home," he said, over the team comm.

"I'll have you back in just a couple of minutes. Then you can get some sleep," she replied, hearing the weariness in his voice.

John glanced at the chronometer in his Paragon Armour's HUD. It was nearly six in the morning, and a good sleep sounded perfect. They didn't bother leaving the forward loading room, knowing that Jade would soon have them back aboard the Invictus. Just as she'd promised, the loading ramp opened again only a couple of minutes later, revealing an anxious purple sprite waiting for them in the Secondary Hangar.

"Is everyone alright?" she asked, her luminous eyes darting over John and the girls searching for injuries. "I heard Irillith had been hurt!"

Irillith was walking down the ramp behind John and she shook her head. "I'm fine, Faye. There's nothing to worry about," she said, giving the elfin girl a reassuring smile. "Rachel had me as good as new in no time."

"Any problems while we were away?" John asked, stopping beside the fluttering purple sprite.

"Nothing to report!" she replied, looking immensely relieved to hear they were all unscathed. "No vessels managed to escape from Mikaboshi's base and your guest is still fast asleep."

John smiled at her in gratitude. "Thanks for keeping an eye on things for us up here. I really appreciate it."

"We'll be able to show you how much soon!" Dana said with a broad grin. "I'm going to make a start on your new body when we're on holiday. Irillith said she'd write all the sensory input code for me, so you're going to be in for a wild time when we're done!"

Faye looked overwhelmed with excitement and her big eyes got even larger when she turned to gaze at John.

"I haven't forgotten you wanted to speak to me," he said, giving her a look of apology. "If it's alright with you, we'll all get some rest, then wrap things up here. Once this business is dealt with, you can have as much of my time as you want. Does that sound okay?"

She nodded, gazing into his eyes and suppressing the flicker of worry she felt. "Yes, that's quite alright!"

The crew walked across the hangar hand-in-hand, except for John, who put his arm around Sakura as she fell into step beside him. She glanced up at him and gave him a weary smile, feeling emotionally drained after everything that had happened. Alyssa and Calara were in the lead, so the blonde Matriarch pressed her hand against the hidden panel in the wall. The DNA reader flashed green and the concealed door opened, revealing the rapid grav-tube up to the Combat Bridge. After being swept up to the armoury, everyone stowed away their weapons, then stepped into the armour equipping frames to remove their Paragon suits.

"We've got quite a few sets of body armour needing repairs now," Dana said, glancing at the deep cut in Irillith's suit.

"I'll start patching them up tomorrow," Alyssa replied, stifling a yawn. "I'll go through the lot and octo-shape them all."

The redhead beamed at her in gratitude. "That'd be awesome, thank you!"

"How can you still be full of beans?" John asked, rubbing his tired eyes as he walked over to the second set of grav-tubes.

"You perked me up earlier, remember?" she replied, bouncing over to give him a kiss. "When Jade gave me that emergency top up."

Calara gave him a tired smile as she walked past with Alyssa. "It looks like I've got another reason to be annoyed at Mikaboshi."

"We'll make it up to you tomorrow," Alyssa said as they stepped into the grav-tube.

When they reached the bedroom, the girls shot curious glances at Jehanna as they walked past the bed towards the shower, looks of fascination on their faces. No one said anything until they were all in the shower, with everyone relaxing under the cascading water, letting the heat ease their tired muscles. There was soon plenty of chatter, with everyone wanting to know what John's plans were regarding the beautiful dusky-hued reporter.

"I'll introduce Jehanna to you tomorrow," John replied, standing under the warm streams of water with his arms around Sakura. "She's a lovely girl, I think you'll like her."

"She's really fucking hot!" Dana exclaimed, sharing a grin with Rachel, who nodded her agreement.

The brunette gave him a quizzical look. "I'm a little surprised she was willing to drop everything and run away to the stars like the rest of us did."

"Alyssa and I need to have a talk with her about her role tomorrow. She hasn't committed to anything yet," John explained, glancing at the blonde.

Alyssa gave him a knowing smile. "Well, she hasn't agreed to anything verbally at least. That doesn't mean she hasn't already made up her mind."

He studied her for a moment, pleased to see how much more relaxed and calm she was. Alyssa's fury at Mikaboshi seemed to have dissipated and aside from being exhausted, her empathic bond with him was full of feelings of happiness and contentment once again.

*Of course, we've got Calara back,* Alyssa thought to him, wrapping the Latina in a loving embrace and letting out a happy sigh. She kissed the brunette tenderly before saying, "It's so wonderful you're safe with us again."

John followed her lead, standing behind Calara and wrapping his arms around them both as he kissed them on the cheek. The rest of the girls quickly joined in the group hug around the Latina, kissing her on the arm or shoulder and telling her how much they'd been worried about her.

Calara looked around at the faces of her friends and lovers, and her voice was full of conviction as she said, "I never doubted for a second that you'd find me. You've no idea how comforting that was, knowing I had all of you looking out for me."

John looked around at the girls, smiling at them affectionately. "I think we all know what that feels like..."

Aware of how late it now was, they wrapped up the shower, quickly drying before getting into bed. John and Alyssa joined Jehanna in the middle, with Sakura cuddling up in John's arms, and Calara snuggling into Alyssa. The rest of the girls realised that the normal sleeping arrangements had been abandoned, so Dana and Rachel paired off, while the twins ended up embracing Jade.

"Goodnight everyone," John said, after sharing a kiss with Sakura.

They all wished him a goodnight too and the entire crew was soon fast asleep after the incredibly intense and emotional day. Faye settled back in her chair, happy to see her friends reunited safely aboard the Invictus, but watching over them with a conflicted expression on her face.

While she was thrilled to hear about Dana's firm plans to build her a physical presence, and couldn't wait to be able to interact with the crew, she still felt apprehensive about talking to John. He had told her he'd listen to anything and she desperately needed to tell him the truth about her recent feelings, that had left her with such a dilemma. She just needed to think of the best way to talk to him about it.

***

John woke later that day, feeling like a new man after a good sleep. He felt a couple of soft, warm bodies snuggled up against him and when he opened his eyes to glance down, he saw two dark manes of jet-black hair resting on each of his shoulders. Being careful not to wake Jehanna and Sakura, he stretched out his muscles before glancing over at the ship's chronometer. When he saw the time, he blinked in surprise. It was now one in the afternoon! He'd slept the entire morning away.

"It looked like you needed the rest, so I let you sleep," Faye whispered to him, her cute face appearing above him. "I didn't think it would be a problem, but I hope that was okay?"

"You're right, I feel much better now," John replied, nodding to her gratefully. He settled back against the pillow and gazed up at Faye as he added, "Any trouble while we were asleep?"

"There's been no activity at Mikaboshi's base. I performed active scans periodically to make sure!" she replied, her pixie-like face uncharacteristically serious. "I've also been monitoring the news networks too, to check what they were saying about last night's assassination attempt."

John looked at her with interest and asked, "Anything I should know about?"

Faye's eyes darted over to Jade as she replied, "There's been a lot of speculation about huge green animals seen around the Enigma building. Surveillance cameras picked up images of Jade as a Falcon and as a Tyrannosaurus Rex, so those have been all over the news for the last several hours."

"Alright, I suppose we'll have to deal with the fallout," John said, glancing down at the girl resting against his left shoulder. "Perhaps Jehanna can help us there."

"She's very pretty," Faye said, studying the girl's face. She stopped herself from adding wistfully, "And very lucky."

John looked into Faye's eyes and grinned. "I'm surrounded by exceptionally pretty girls at the moment."

Faye blushed a darker shade of purple, her cupid-bow lips lifting up into a sparkling smile. She leaned down and gave him a virtual kiss on the tip of his nose.

"Good morning, you two," Alyssa said, giving John a sunny smile as she sat up and stretched. She looked at them both fondly and added, "You make a very cute couple!"

While Faye somehow managed to blush an even darker shade of purple, John returned the blonde's smile. "It's lovely to see you back to your normal happy self. I must admit, you had me worried there for a few moments."

"I'm sorry for alarming you," Alyssa replied, sounding genuinely contrite. She leaned over the still-sleeping Jehanna to give him a tender kiss. "I was frantic with worry about Calara and staying furious at Mikaboshi helped me stay focused. I wouldn't have been much use to you if I'd been bawling my eyes out!"

"It's alright," John said, nodding his understanding. "As I'm sure you remember, I've had a few anger management issues in the past. I was just concerned for you, that's all."

"Well there's nothing to worry about," Alyssa said, giving him a radiant smile. "I feel absolutely amazing this morning! It feels like I-"

Alyssa abruptly stopped speaking. She didn't trail off and get quieter, she just closed her mouth mid-sentence. Suddenly those bright cerulean eyes of hers blazed with an inner radiance, white light shining out of her eyes.

"It's time," she said quietly, but it wasn't Alyssa who was speaking now.

John didn't attempt to untangle himself from Jehanna and Sakura, he just closed his eyes and focused his willpower inward, concentrating on peeling away his spirit-form from his body. The resistance was there as before, but he gritted his teeth and powered through it, fighting against the pull that tried to keep him anchored to his physical form. He lurched bolt upright and twisted to his side, just as a glowing girl rushed over and threw her arms around him.

"I wasn't truthful with you before!" Athena blurted out, startling him. "Now I've sampled some of what life has to offer, I want more! I was pretending to be calm, but I'm scared! I don't want to die!"

Wrapping his arms around the trembling girl, John hugged her tight. "Are you sure it's time? You might have made a mistake, you might still have a few more-"

"No, I can feel it!" Athena insisted, drawing back to stare at him with wide, frightened eyes. "Alyssa's surpassed my ability, she no longer has need of a guide!"

John stared at her, feeling completely helpless. He had no idea how to help the scared girl, having little understanding of this whole process, even though he'd inadvertently been the one that had created her. "Is there anything I can do?!" John asked, meeting her panicked gaze.

She looked desolate as she shook her head. "This is what is supposed to happen to guides. We're only meant to be a transitory step to let a Progenitor learn their powers." She hesitated for a second, a look of confusion on her face as she added, "But I should have been absorbed last night! I don't know why I'm still here this morning!"

"Maybe you made a mistake?" John asked, searching her expression for a reaction.

Wild hope reached Athena's eyes and she replied hesitantly, "I don't know... maybe... I suppose it's possible I have been wrong."

John felt a tingling against his skin where she had flung her arms around his neck and he glanced down in confusion. Athena's body looked normal at first glance, but then he blinked as it got harder to focus on the glowing shape of her slender limbs.

"It's starting!" Athena gasped, clinging to him in fright.

Realising there was nothing he could do now but comfort her, John ignored the bitter sting of failure, putting aside his own feelings for hers. "Shh, I'm here for you," he murmured, stroking her back as he held her against his chest.

He could feel her sobbing quietly, Athena resigned to her fate. She was growing more indistinct, her body slowly fading away as her essence was absorbed by the Progenitor she was always intended to merge with.

"Thank you for everything you've done for us," John told her, his voice earnest. "I'll never forget you."

Athena pulled back and he was shocked to see her face was translucent, although he could still make out her crystal-clear tears as they rolled down her cheeks. She leaned in to kiss him, her lips faintly tingling against his, but the sensation was so much weaker than before.

"Goodbye..." Athena breathed, little more than a faint outline now.

John closed his eyes as he felt no more resistance against his arms, the girl fading away into nothingness. He let his hands fall to his side and let out a heavy sigh, mourning the girl who'd been there selflessly for him time after time, but one whom he'd failed when she needed him the most.

"You didn't fail her, handsome," Alyssa said, her voice warm and full of love.

His eyes snapped open and he had to wince against the incandescent aura pouring from his Progenitor lover. Adjusting to the glare, he was shocked to see that there were two copies of Alyssa kneeling in front of him, although the faded, insubstantial one was clearly Athena.

"Come to me, Athena," Alyssa purred, opening her arms in invitation. "You have a beautiful voice and I wish to add it to our chorus..."

"But... I thought?" Athena replied, staring at her counterpart in wonder. "You need to drain the last of my essence to fulfil your maximum potential!"

"Where's the fun in that?" Alyssa replied with a playful smile. She leaned in and added with a staged whisper, "Now when John's fucking me, he'll be doing us both! How hot is that!"

Athena stared at her Progenitor mistress in stunned disbelief for a moment, then began to laugh, shaking her head in amazement. Alyssa joining her in a duet of melodic laughter that echoed around the Astral Plane.

"Merge with me now; everything will be alright," Alyssa said gently, wrapping her arms around the other girl. "You've looked after me all these months, now let me take care of you."

With a hopeful expression on her face, Athena closed her eyes and slid into Alyssa's glowing body. She was giving up her independence on the Astral Plane for a chance at so much more.

John watched in astonishment until there was only Alyssa kneeling in front of him on their bed. "What just happened?" he asked, thoroughly bemused.

Alyssa let out a happy sigh. "Athena's a part of me now... but I didn't take everything. I can feel her here," she replied, tapping her temple. "When you created Athena, you formed her from my mind. That's why we couldn't give her a body of her own."

John frowned as he said, "Why didn't you tell me what you were planning? The poor girl was so scared."

"I'm really sorry I couldn't warn you beforehand. I had no idea if it was going to work, and I didn't want to get your hopes up," Alyssa said, moving closer to him across the bed. "It was only at the last moment when the barrier separating us had fallen away, that I knew I could keep Athena intact."

"So what now?" John asked, looking at her in confusion. "Can I still speak to her?"

Alyssa shook her head. "No, it doesn't work like that. She can speak to me directly and now she'll be able to experience everything that I do." Straddling his lap, she linked her arms behind his neck and gave him a kiss filled with promise. "I plan to help her experience lots of very naughty things..."

John chuckled and hugged the mischievous blonde. "Thank you for doing that for her." He looked into those bright blue eyes for a moment and added curiously, "Is she happy?"

Tilting her head to one side, Alyssa nodded, a lovely smile on her face. "Yes, she's overjoyed. She's also grateful, excited, and very horny..."

"I promise I'll take good care of her later. For now, we need to have a chat with Jehanna, she'll be waking up soon," John said, giving Alyssa a brief kiss.

"We have eternity together, there's no rush," Alyssa agreed, but she made no move to let him go. She cocked an eyebrow at him and added, "How about fooling around for a bit on the astral plane first? At least until you get yanked out of here."

John nodded and kissed her, feeling a faint tingling as their lips met. Alyssa smiled at him, letting him know that she felt it too.

***

Jehanna let out a low groan, starting to awaken exactly fourteen hours since she'd swallowed her first mouthful of John's cum. She was aware of someone sitting on the bed next to her and she said in a raspy voice, "Would you mind getting me a drink, please? I'm really thirsty."

"Here you go," John said, handing her the big glass of chilled water.

She grasped for it with shaking hands then gulped the drink down, her throat bobbing as she downed a pint in just a few seconds.

"Would you like another?" Alyssa asked, offering the groggy young woman a second full glass and taking the empty one.

"Thank you," Jehanna replied, quickly finishing off the second drink too.

John reached out to take it from her when she'd finished, and asked, "Feeling better now?"

"Much better, thanks," she agreed, opening her eyes and smiling at him. The soft white sheets and sparkling white bed frame immediately drew her attention and she glanced around in bewilderment. "This isn't my bedroom!"

Shaking his head, John reached out to clasp her hand. "There was an assassination attempt made against the girls last night. We brought you back to the Invictus to keep you safe."

Jehanna gaped at him in shock. "An assassination attempt?! Are all of you okay? I hope no one got hurt!"

Alyssa placed the empty glass on the bedside table and gave her a soothing smile. "Everyone's fine now. The girls were out at a nightclub and there was an explosion. The group responsible also kidnapped Calara."

John gently stroked the back of Jehanna's hand with his thumb as he said, "Alyssa and I had to rush to help, but we were worried about leaving you on your own. You would have been vulnerable alone in your apartment while you slept." His smile was reassuring as he added, "Don't worry, I promise you haven't been abducted. We'll take you back home this afternoon."

Jehanna looked relieved, then bit her lip anxiously. "I really should check in with TFNN. They would have been trying to reach me to cover something this big."