Three Square Meals Ch. 085

Jehanna bit her flushed lower lip, then slowly spread her thighs invitingly, gazing at the blue-skinned Maliri girl over her own cum-stuffed belly.

***

Dana completed a final check to make sure the miniaturised shield-modulator was correctly hooked up to the personal shield generator, nodding to herself as the power readings were within expected limits. She reattached the interior plating to the back of John's Paragon Armour, slotting it home with a satisfying click. Using a series of quick, well-practiced movements, she moved the multi-tool from one mag-bolt to the next, sealing up the panel and then reattached the multi-layered shock-absorbing padding that would protect his back.

Glancing to her right, she called out, "That's me done! How are you getting on?"

"Just hooking up the last shield generator," Jade called back, flashing her a brilliant smile.

Dana stepped away from John's armour equipping frame and walked over to the busy Nymph who was working on a female variant of the armour. "You seem in an especially good mood this afternoon," the redhead noted with an airy lilt to her voice.

"Jehanna's a lovely girl," Jade said happily. "She'll make a fine mother for John's children."

"She's a hot piece of ass alright," Dana said, grinning in agreement. She leaned against the armour equipping frame and let out a happy sigh. "Just imagine when we're all knocked up. I can't wait to see Rachel with a huge baby bump!"

Jade paused for a moment then leaned out of the armour to gently place her dark-green hand on the redhead's bare midriff. "I must confess, I'm really looking forward to seeing you the same way. John's nearly as fond of you as I am, Dana."

The redhead blushed, then fanned herself with her hand with an embarrassed giggle. "Look at me, you're making me as bad as Sakura!"

"You must be looking forward to another two weeks with him," Jade said, giving the redhead a knowing smile, before ducking her head back into the armour again.

"That first time feels like so long ago," Dana said a wistful look in her eyes. Her voice sounded full of longing as she added in a whisper, "Just gazing into his eyes and being the absolute centre of his attention as he filled my tummy with cum, over and over again. I'm not going to lie, I've been dreaming about it for weeks."

"I know what you mean," Jade replied, her muffled voice just about audible over the clicks and whirs of her multi-tool. "I was lucky though, I had so much time alone with him during the two-week refit at Genthalas."

"Weren't you feeding twenty Maliri engineers each time then?" Dana asked in confusion, resting her head against the armoured vambrace set against the wall.

"But he was inside my body, allowing me to pleasure him," Jade replied with a dreamy sigh. "Every time he told me I was his good little Nymph... I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!"

"I didn't know you were religious, Jade?" Dana mumbled distractedly, but her attention was drawn to the crystal Alyssium vambrace beside her cheek and she didn't hear what the Nymph said in reply.

The sparkling white metal looked different somehow, more detailed... it was as if she could make out the individual elements in the metal and the bonds linking them together. She remembered that same sensation when Athena had filled her with psychic energy and activated her third helix. Staring at the metal in fascination, she reached out with her hand to touch it, watching as even more detailed information appeared. Her view into the metal delved deeper, until she could see the atoms forming the structure, the patterns they formed... she'd never seen anything like it.

She noticed what seemed to be distortions in that lattice, weaknesses and imperfections that she knew would affect the tensile strength of the armour plating. Working more by hunch than any kind of well-reasoned process, she imagined what the structure would look like if it was completely flawless.

The metal in the vambrace seemed to ripple and a fluid wave swept through the armour plating, the intricate atomic structure leaping to obey her will. Jerking her hand back in surprise, she leaned closer, staring at the armoured vambrace in wonder. The uniformity of the lattice was breathtaking to behold and she lost herself in its exquisite perfection. That was, until a soft touch to her arm made her jump in surprise.

"Your eyes are glowing!" Jade exclaimed, her voice full of concern. "Are you alright?"

Dana blinked at her, looking startled. "Yeah, I'm fine, but this shit is amazing!" Quickly detaching the vambrace from the armour-equipping frame, she turned around and ran for the grav-tube leading down to Deck Nine. She called back over her shoulder, "I'm going to run some tests! Come and meet me in my workshop when you're done!"

Jade watched the redhead as she dived into the grav-tube and disappeared from sight. She shook her head in amusement and went back to finishing the shield upgrade to the last of the Paragon suits. That was one part of her life that she really loved; working for the Grand Engineering Overlord was certainly never dull!

***

Seated around a huge new purpose-built meeting table aboard Genthalas station, the assembled Maliri Matriarchs gazed up at the holographic Empire Map, floating above the centre of the room. The map was focused on the lower reaches of Maliri Space, specifically highlighting the border with the Kintark Empire. The bulk of that border fringed the edge of House Loraleth territory and their coronet sigil was emblazoned across the area in blue.

"I've received reports of extensive fleet movements along the border," Kali Loraleth said anxiously, before looking towards the map and pressing a button on a remote.

Edraele carefully studied the image as House Loraleth's sensor net was super-imposed over the area marking their territory. The advanced Maliri sensors extended well beyond that boundary, encroaching some considerable distance into the Kintark Empire. Flight paths began to appear, showing what appeared to be the arrival of new fleets all along the border, each one linking up with the existing defensive formations.

Kali looked at her House's territory with a worried frown and said, "Most of my forces have been stripped from the border for the refit at Genthalas. Could the Kintark be seeking to exploit that vulnerability?"

"They can't seriously be planning an attack?" Valani Naestina blurted out, sounding bewildered. "Such a move would be suicidal!"

Leena Ghilwen nodded in agreement with her friend. "The Kintark Empire has only just established a tentative truce with the Terran Federation. I can't imagine for one moment that they would consider open warfare with us."

"I thought the Kintark had suffered significant Fleet losses against the Terrans?" Tsarra Perfaren asked, darting a curious glance towards Edraele. "They can hardly be best placed to launch another offensive."

"That's correct," Edraele confirmed, examining the fleet manoeuvres with interest. "When John intervened to save the Terran fleet at Regulus, the Kintark lost hundreds of heavy vessels. However, from the limited intelligence my spies managed to ascertain before the Kintark borders were closed, the Emperor still has a considerable reserve force at his disposal."

There was a moment of quiet as the assembled matriarchs considered that revelation. House Romenor's Matriarch looked at Kali with concern and asked, "Is it possible that he's moving those reserves to strike at House Loraleth?"

"The Kintark Emperor is an enigma and I cannot claim to know his mind," Edraele said cautiously. She slowly shook her head as she continued, "But to commit those forces to battle would be reckless indeed and initiating hostilities against us would demonstrate a complete abandonment of all reason. I strongly suspect that he has something else in mind."

"Should I move my forces to the Kintark border?" Kali asked. "Perhaps a show of force will dissuade them from initiating hostilities?"

Edraele considered it for a moment then shook her head. "Half your fleet is already in drydock; continue with the refit as planned. If the Kintark should attack in the next few days, then I'll repurpose the fleet I intend to send to Ashana. With the upgraded Tachyon Drives those ships have been equipped with, they'll be able to strike at the Kintark within three days."

"And if they attack after that fleet has departed?" Kali asked anxiously, glancing towards the centre of Maliri Space, the location of Genthalas station and all her fleet.

Edraele pressed a couple of buttons on the console in front of her, showing the planned patrol routes for the newly-upgraded House Valaden Fleets. "The rest of House Valaden's ships are in the final stages of their refit. As soon as they're ready, I'll be dispersing them to patrol the boundaries of Maliri Space, including the border with the Kintark. If the Emperor has gone insane and launches an offensive, I will order my patrol ships to fight a delaying action. Even massively outnumbered, their upgraded speed and firepower will inflict significant losses on the Kintark, slowing down any potential invasion. That will allow more time for your fleet to complete their refit and launch a deadly counterattack."

Gaenna Baelora glanced at Edraele with a look of respect. "It's a sound plan. The Kintark wouldn't be able to penetrate deep enough into Maliri Space to threaten any populated worlds, not before we exterminate them for their impudence."

Edraele smiled at her graciously, then said, "I'll keep John appraised of the situation and let all of you know if he suggests an alternate approach." She turned to look at Kali once again. "Keep a close eye on the Kintark forces. If you should see any reports of larger numbers massing along the border then inform me immediately. Otherwise, I think it wise to just observe them for the time being. Let's not disrupt the schedule for the refit of our forces unless absolutely necessary."

Kali looked greatly relieved. "I'll stay in close contact with my Fleet Commander and let you know if anything changes. Thank you, Edraele."

"You're quite welcome, my dear," Edraele replied, giving her a kind smile. She looked at the rest of the Matriarchs and continued, "As we discussed yesterday, John has suggested increasing trade between ourselves and the Terran Federation. Have any of you made any decisions regarding the exclusivity of the trade goods each of your Houses specialises in?"

A number of the newer Matriarchs to the alliance appeared ambivalent, struggling between their eagerness to assist John and centuries-long history of coveting their Houses' speciality resources.

The House Holaris Matriarch lifted her chin to get Edraele's attention. "I've discussed your proposal with my advisors. While they concede that the lowering of tariffs between our Houses has seen an immediate boom in trade revenues, they are still strongly against trading the prized wines of House Holaris. However, I would like to discuss it further with you in private."

"Of course, we can speak after this meeting," Edraele said, rising from her chair. "With that matter dealt with, I believe that concludes our business for the day, ladies."

The Maliri Matriarchs rose from their chairs then walked from the meeting room, speaking pleasantly with one another as they left. Edraele exchanged smiles with the other women as they passed by, secretly marvelling at the radical transformation in their behaviour. Mere months ago, such a meeting would have ended up with several of these women trying to gouge each other's eyes out. Before the Young Matriarchs assumed control of their Houses, most of their predecessors would have been lining up to attack Edraele herself.

Edraele smiled at the Matriarch of House Holaris as she stood beside her. "Emandra, let's meet in my study and we can discuss your proposal."

Emandra fell into step beside her, appearing slightly nervous as they walked along the corridor and out into the Lounge area of Edraele's suite. The door to Edraele's plush study opened as they approached and the House Valaden Matriarch gestured for her guest to proceed inside.

"Please, take a seat," Edraele said politely, gesturing to one of the chaise lounges in the study. She walked over to the table between the two long sofas and gestured to the bottle of wine. "This is from the crate of that exquisite Holaris wine you gave me as a gift. Would you like a glass?"

"That would be quite fitting considering the subject of discussion," Emandra replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

Edraele poured out two glasses of the amber liquid then handed one to her fellow Matriarch. Rather than sit on the opposite chaise lounge, she sat beside the other woman, turning in her seat to study her as she sipped her wine. Emandra was slightly older than herself, perhaps by a couple of decades, the lines around her eyes revealing her advance through middle-age. She had magenta eyes that stared back at her intently and a short shock of white hair, courtesy of John's brief meeting with the new Matriarchs before he rushed away to save Ashana.

"The vineyards on your homeworld are a rare treasure," Edraele said, after savouring the wine's delicious flavour. "I can see why your advisors would urge you to caution."

Emandra took a sip herself then nodded distractedly. There was a slight flush of embarrassment to her cheeks as she gazed at Edraele, the woman obviously unsure how to broach her terms.

Giving her an understanding smile, Edraele placed the glass on the table then folded her hands in her lap. "Although, I imagine that for someone from House Holaris, such an exquisite beverage might well have lost its charm over the decades. For the Matriarch herself, who was able to sample the very best her House had to offer, a wine like this might seem... dare I say... mundane?"

"That's true," Emandra conceded. "Although I do enjoy the finest of Holaris wines, I must admit they've recently lost their usual appeal."

Edraele arched an eyebrow as she added, "Perhaps an epicure such as yourself might be seeking to taste the truly exotic once again?"

Flushing a darker shade of blue, Emandra appeared startled at how perceptive Edraele had been. She smiled hopefully at her fellow Matriarch and asked, "Do you think that might be a possibility? I must admit I've been impressed and somewhat envious of the sudden... flush of youth... you seem to be experiencing as a result of such exotic fare."

Returning her smile, Edraele replied, "I'm sure if we ask politely, John might be amenable to the idea. He's a very accommodating man and always eager to help his friends."

The House Holaris Matriarch looked thrilled and she gazed into Edraele's eyes as she took another sip from her drink. "You can be certain that House Holaris is a friend of House Blake. I think my advisors need to be reminded that we're fully embracing this wonderful new era of cooperation. Would you be so kind as to tell John that I'll be delighted to begin trade of Holaris wines as soon as his new trade network is established?"

Bowing her head graciously, Edraele said, "I'm sure he'll be overjoyed to hear that news. Knowing that he has strong allies that will be standing at his side for the many long years to come will be a tremendous relief, I'm sure."

Emandra's angular magenta eyes sparkled with excitement and she couldn't help licking her lips with anticipation.

***

The Raptor's retro-thrusters flared quietly for a moment, bringing the gunship to a gentle stop on the landing-pad atop Jehanna's apartment building. The front-loading ramp had already started to descend, and John walked down to the roof hand-in-hand with the dusky reporter.

"Can you get to your apartment from here?" John asked, glancing around the rooftop garden that flanked the landing area. "We didn't think to grab any keycards when we left last night."

Jehanna pointed towards a small building on the corner of the roof. "I'll be fine. The elevator over there has a DNA scanner, so no keys required."

He nodded thoughtfully, then looked at her and smiled. "Is it just me or did this suddenly get a bit awkward and formal?"

She laughed and wrapped her arms around him. "It did, but I'm not entirely sure why." She leaned in so that she could whisper in his ear, "I had a wonderful time with you. Thank you for letting me into your life and placing so much trust in me, it means a lot."

John stroked her back as he embraced her. "I loved spending time with you too. I'll let you know when we'll be heading back to Terra, but it'll be at least a week. Promise me you'll think hard about my offer?"

Jehanna gave him a passionate kiss, then said, "I doubt I'll be able to think about anything else..."

They reluctantly separated and John smiled at her as he said, "You should be getting inside, it's cold up on this rooftop. I'll keep an eye on you until you're safely indoors."

After a final parting kiss, she walked away, glancing over her shoulder at him several times as she made her way across the rooftop. John watched her glide down the steps to the garden area and head over to the elevator. Jehanna pressed the button to call it, then waved goodbye as the doors opened and she stepped inside. Once she was gone from sight, he turned and strode back up the ramp into the Raptor, hitting the button at the top to raise the loading ramp.

"Was it hard to say goodbye?" Faye asked sympathetically, after appearing in a purple flash.

He was startled by the winged girl's sudden appearance, but he shrugged that off and replied, "Surprisingly so, but it was definitely the right thing to do. I have to give her a chance to walk away if this kind of life isn't something she really wants. Jehanna's different from the rest of you and doesn't need quite so much rescuing."

"That's true, I wouldn't even exist today if you hadn't rescued me from the hacking deck," Faye said, her luminous eyes gazing at him intently.

"I can't take the credit for that, Dana and Irillith did all the hard work on your new server," John said, giving her an affectionate smile. "Besides, that was for very selfish reasons."

She looked at him curiously and asked, "Selfish reasons? Your actions seemed quite selfless to me."

Leaning forward he whispered conspiratorially, "Having to set up rotas to watch the Bridge would have been a huge pain in the ass! With our lovely Watch Commander looking out for us, I've been sleeping like a baby instead of being stuck with the graveyard shift every night."

His irreverent tone triggered a special expedited execution call in her humour detection programs, letting her know that he was joking. Faye had a choice between one of eighteen different set responses and she selected a cute giggle in less than a nanosecond. Subsequent analysis of his joke informed her that there was an eighty-seven percent chance that he was using self-deprecating humour to lighten the mood of the conversation, so she chose her following response accordingly.

"It is important you get your beauty sleep," Faye replied, her eyes twinkling as she grinned at him.

John chuckled at her joke, then glanced at the loading ramp. "How long until we arrive on the Invictus?"

"Just under a minute. When we've docked with the ship, would you like me to set course for New Eden or Jericho?" Faye asked him politely.

"Neither actually. Just hold position in orbit around Terra for the moment, please," John replied, looking thoughtful. "I want to speak to Irillith when we arrive on the Invictus, I need her help to track somebody down..."

***

"Okay, let's see what you've got," Alyssa said, gesturing out over the Lagoon. She reached across to place her other hand on Tashana's rounded blue tummy, winking at her encouragingly. "You should find your abilities even easier to control loaded up like this."