Three Square Meals Ch. 102

She shrugged nonchalantly. "You gave me lots of warnings that was going to happen, so don't feel bad about it, I certainly don't have any regrets." Her hips started a sensual rocking motion as she purred, "Tell me more about the lucky girls..."

"They're Maliri Matriarchs and they rule four of the biggest Noble Houses," John explained, caressing her slender waist. "Their families were wiped out by assassinations, so they're all eager to start rebuilding their Noble line. They're all wonderful women; lovers not fighters, just like you..."

Jehanna paused, giving him a sultry look. "Are you trying to proposition me? If so, it's working..."

He shook his head, then smiled as he replied, "Actually, I'd love for you to join in our victory celebration later, but that's not why I mentioned the Young Matriarchs. I was just thinking about what you said earlier, about not wanting to fight. There's no reason you can't just continue being a TFNN journalist as we discussed before."

She looked at him in surprise. "So I wouldn't have to become a soldier like the other Lionesses?"

"You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with," John said, cupping her face. "You could still have a long, rewarding career, but stay a 'secret Lioness' like Devereux."

"I wasn't sure if me being captured changed anything..." Jehanna said anxiously. "My interrogators knew that we were... friends. I'm not sure how 'secret' I'd be now."

John frowned as he looked at her cuts and bruises. "I'm so sorry you got hurt trying to help me. I was worried that all the pro-Lion broadcasts you were doing would make you a target."

"Those bastards actually suckered me over a lead on the Nymphs," Jehanna admitted with a wince. "But that appeal for information on the Lenarrans worked like a charm! I can't believe we rescued four of Jade's sisters! Getting slapped around a bit was well worth it for that." She grinned at him then and added, "Weber's team actually did all the hard work for you. Just think how much effort it would have been trying to track down the Nymphs and liberate them from their owners!"

"That's true, I hadn't thought of it like that before. We guessed that any surviving Nymphs might be owned by the rich and powerful, so extracting them could have been really awkward." He glanced again at her injuries and continued, "But I would've cancelled the whole thing if I'd known you were going to be abducted. I've taken steps to make sure that doesn't happen again..."

"What kind of steps?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

He was quiet for a moment, then looked into her deep brown eyes. "I told Devereux that if anything happens to any of the people I care about and we find out someone in the admiralty is behind it, then they're done. I'll remove all the existing admirals and replace them with girls who are working for me. She knows I'm not bluffing... she'll make sure High Command is looking out for you like a guardian angel; their continued existence depends on your safety."

Jehanna looked stunned for a moment, then her eyes softened and she leaned in to give him a gentle kiss. When she eventually pulled back, she suddenly frowned and asked, "Wait a minute... you don't actually want me to stay with you on the Invictus?"

"I'd love for you to stay here, close to me so I can protect you myself, but we've discussed what'll happen if I keep feeding you." He caressed her slim stomach and continued, "It wouldn't take long, honey. You'd get sucked into all this too and before you knew it, you'd be there with us on the battlefield."

"I thought we weren't making bad puns?" Jehanna asked with a grin, before licking her lips suggestively and grinding against his cock. "Although sucking something big and hard sounds really good right now..."

John reached up to brush the backs of his fingers down her slender neck. "I can't think of anything I'd like more, but we better limit you to three times. That'll be enough to make a connection with Alyssa, but your appearance won't radically change."

"What about my personality?" she asked, tilting up her chin and enjoying the feel of his fingers caressing her throat.

"We don't know for sure how fast those changes kick in, but now I think about it, it probably only takes one time," John replied, enjoying the feel of her soft brown skin under his fingertips. "I've fed a few really horrible Maliri noblewomen before and their personalities transformed dramatically as soon as they woke up."

Jehanna looked down at him in surprise. "But I don't feel any different!"

"You were a lovely girl long before we met," he replied, smiling at her affectionately. John then gazed off into the distance, lost in thought. "The different outlook on fighting might be linked to you completing the full physical Change, but I don't know for sure." He sighed with frustration. "I'm sorry I don't have all the answers for you."

"So what now for you and me?" Jehanna asked quietly. "Can we still see each other?"

"We'll make the connection, then you can go back to your life as the shining star of TFNN," John replied, meeting her curious gaze. "I'd love to keep seeing you whenever I visit Terra, then when we've stopped the other Progenitor-"

"Larn'kelnar..." Jehanna prompted him with a smile.

"When we've stopped Larn'kelnar, then I'm going to retire and focus on my family." Stroking her smooth cheek, he continued, "You can continue with your career for as long as you want to, for decades if that's what you decide. I can always give you your youth back at any time, just like I'm doing for Devereux. When you do want to settle down and raise a family, then I'd love for you to join us in Maliri Space."

Her face lit up with happiness and she leaned into his hand, "That sounds so wonderful! It would be like getting to lead two lives... I could have a successful career without worrying about my biological clock, then start again and be a dedicated mother!"

"Immortality does have its perks," he agreed with a wry smile.

She shook her head in wonder. "You're amazing... but I don't know how I can ever repay you for this."

He eased her backwards and supported her with one hand, then traced a heart pattern over her lower belly. "Yes you do..." he said, looking up to meet her smouldering gaze.

Jehanna moaned with need and crossed her wrists behind his neck. "I'm 26... is that too young to retire?" she purred, before giving him a scorching kiss.

***

Alyssa strolled along the corridor towards the reinforced door, twin streams of glowing orange laser fire from the two defensive turrets hammering at her hexagonal shield. She gestured towards the Gatling Laser turret on the left and hauled it out of the wall to the grating squeal of twisting metal. Dropping it to the floor with a leaden clang, she pointed at the second and ripped it free of its housing, abruptly killing off the second stream of blistering energy bolts.

It was a relief not to have to listen to the annoying high-pitched whine of the Gatling weapons any longer and she could finally relax, enjoying the peace and quiet. Up ahead, past the sealed door, were the last squad of special forces soldiers that had escaped Jade's brutal assault on the Barbican. The Nymph had demolished her way through Tartarus' defences, but she'd been focused on rescuing her sisters, rather than scouring each level of enemies. As soon as Alyssa had sent a psychic pulse through Tartarus, she'd been able to quickly identify any survivors who'd fled from the enraged dragon and now the Lionesses were hunting them down.

*I've cleaned out levels 24 to 14,* Sakura reported, as the Asian girl raced alone through the tunnels. *They were doing some horrible stuff here... I see why everyone I've met has been tagged in red.*

Rachel sounded disgusted as she said, *I've found evidence of live alien dissections and horrific experimentation, illegal cybernetic surgeries, weaponised virology with tests on Terrans... This place was involved in every immoral field of research I've ever heard of.*

*We've found a few dozen more hangars, but they were all demolished when Ganymede was blown up,* Dana informed her, having entered the lower levels at the rear of the base. *Looks like Weber's men dug out the destroyer then repaired docking bay 249.*

*We'll continue exploring the original tunnels,* Calara said, the Latina keeping a watchful eye on their Chief Engineer, just in case Dana's enthusiasm to investigate overcame her caution. *From what we've seen so far, this was part of a robot manufacturing facility. No sign of any Nexus servers so far.*

*I've reached their command centre with Irillith,* Tashana chimed in next. *I suspect most of the garrison fell back here to escape from Jade. They made a valiant last stand, but we've dealt with them all...*

*I've hacked my way into their digital network,* Irillith quickly added. *I've located their server farms and started downloading their archives.*

*Thanks for the updates, girls,* Alyssa replied, pointing both fists at the reinforced door, psychic energy swirling down her arms. *John's arriving at the upper hangar with Jehanna in a minute. Let me know if you find anything else interesting.*

A pulsating nimbus of white energy enveloped her clenched fists, slowly throbbing in time with her heartbeat as she channelled more eldritch power into that roiling orb. Alyssa could feel the energy building to a critical point and felt a thrill of excitement as she reached that crescendo. Tashana was right; practice did make perfect and this was getting easier every time. Unleashing her will, the incandescent beam of pure white light blasted outwards with a bass boom, coring straight through the wall ahead of her. She swept the beam across the door then along the wall, melting a broad rift through the room beyond.

Just as suddenly as that blistering beam had burst into life, it flickered out again, leaving a few motes of light in its wake. What was left of the reinforced door crashed to the floor, the noise deafeningly loud in the sudden silence. Alyssa walked up to the ravaged doorway and peeked inside, noting with satisfaction that the soldiers hiding behind the computer consoles had been obliterated to a man.

*I've taken care of the last of the soldiers on the top level, let me know if any of you need help,* she said breezily, then strode back towards the hangar, eager to meet up with John.

***

"How's the armour fit?" John asked, as he walked out of the stealth shuttle's airlock, then held out a hand for his companion.

"It's surprisingly comfortable," Jehanna replied, looking up at him through the clear-crystal faceplate of her Paragon helmet as she clasped his hand. She glanced down at her chest and raised an eyebrow. "I don't fill it out quite as well as the rest of the girls though."

He shook his head and smiled. "Are you fishing for compliments? You know I think you're gorgeous, right?"

She grinned at him and replied, "I certainly won't object to some flattery..."

"In that case, you're a sultry, dusky-hued goddess with a bewitching exotic sensuality," Alyssa purred, strolling over to join them.

Jehanna flushed at the effusive praise. "I'd forgotten what a silver-tongued devil you are."

"I'm looking forward to giving you another reminder back on the ship," Alyssa said with a flirtatious grin, before turning to face John. "I've cleared the top couple of levels, Sakura started from the bottom and is taking out the rest of the bad guys. The girls are just checking to see if there's anything interesting but they should be done in about thirty minutes or so."

"Thanks, honey," John said, before returning his attention to the raven-haired girl beside him. "Are you sure about this? Won't coming back here stir up too many bad memories?"

Jehanna stood up straighter and was firm as she said, "I want to remember this place after you've sacked it, not as it was before. Besides, this will be a hell of a story! Avery's going to have a stroke when I give him an interview with the Lion from inside a top-secret illegal research facility!"

"It's quite a mess in there," Alyssa said softly, looking at her with concern. "You might need to brace yourself; Jade wasn't very happy about her sisters being abducted..."

"I'll be alright," the reporter replied, giving her a grateful smile.

"Is Irillith looking for cam footage?" John asked the blonde. "I'd be interested to see Jade in action."

Alyssa tilted her head to one side, her eyes losing focus for a second. "Yes, she's already downloaded it."

They walked across the hangar, circling the charred wreckage of the shuttle that Faye had destroyed to stop anyone escaping. The Invictus' Pulse Cannons had made a fine demonstration of their destructive power, the shuttle torn apart by scores of powerful laser bolts. The trio reached the airlock door that Alyssa had already forced open, then started making their way along the lengthy security passage. The first real sign of Jade's handiwork was at the end of the corridor, where the security doors had been smashed asunder, a huge hole battered through what had once been the titanium-reinforced doorframe.

"Oh wow..." Jehanna murmured in awe, when she saw the scenes of devastation across the yawning crevasse.

Alyssa nodded, pointing to the deep claw marks gouged through the floor. "Yeah, this is where Jade embraced her inner-dragon. It starts getting messy from here..."

***

Jade listened to John's thoughts and smiled to herself as he surveyed the carnage she'd wreaked while storming the base. She felt his astonishment and admiration for the way she'd battered her way through reinforced bulkheads and dozens of laser turrets. In truth, she'd been so focused on reaching her sisters as quickly as possible, the defences and soldiers had just been an annoying obstacle in her path.

A gentle touch to Jade's lips brought her attention back to Neysa and Leylira, the Nymphs sitting with her on one of the wide sun-loungers next to the Lagoon.

"What made you smile, sister?" Neysa asked inquisitively, her fingers tracing the outline of Jade's upturned lips.

"I can hear our Master's thoughts," Jade explained, reaching for the girl's hand and kissing her fingertips. "He's proud of me for rescuing you, but unsure how to punish me for disobeying his orders and leaving the ship just before a big battle."

Leylira gasped, her cat-like eyes widening in disbelief. "You disobeyed Master?!"

Jade nodded, a sombre expression on her face. "I didn't want to, but I had to rescue you from that place; your lives were in danger."

"This one could never disobey Master's orders!" Neysa exclaimed vehemently, sharing her fellow Nymph's look of incredulity.

"No, you're very good girls," Jade said, opening her arms to the green-skinned beauties, who immediately cuddled up to her as she reclined on the chair. "John's going to love you both very much."

The two Nymphs sighed with happiness and snuggled in closer, their cool skin warming up as they started to get aroused by lustful thoughts of their master. The jaguar-spotted and tiger-striped girls started to purr as Jade stroked them, making her smile. They were so eager to please and took real delight in making Jade or Helene happy, recognising them as their Master's mates and therefore deserving of great respect.

Jade looked out across the aquamarine water and watched Helene continuing her swimming lessons with the second pair of Nymphs. Helene was supporting Betrixa in the water and encouraging her with warm praise, while the leopard-patterned Nymph listened attentively. Marika floated nearby, having fun splashing in the water, as she practiced the strokes that she'd just learned from the kind aquatic girl. It had come as a surprise that none of the four Nymphs had been able to swim, with Leylira sinking like a stone the first time she tried it. The tiger-striped Nymph had not been the slightest bit upset when Helene had rescued her from the water, simply giving the teal-skinned mermaid a grateful smile when she crested the surface.

While Neysa and Leylira had been occupied by Helene, Jade spent that time speaking to Betrixa and Marika, hoping to learn more about her Lenarran sisters. She had so many questions that desperately needed answers, not just for her own peace of mind, but for John too. He was just as intrigued to learn more about the Nymphs and their enigmatic Progenitor creator as she was. Jade's gentle quizzing of the first pair of Lenarrans had been... frustrating... but she still had two more sisters to speak with. Neysa and Leylira seemed relaxed and happy, cuddled up with her on the sun lounger, so Jade decided it was time to find out what they might know.

Looking down at her nubile companions, she asked quietly, "Would you two mind if I asked you a few questions?"

They both shook their heads and looked at her with open, trusting expressions on their beautiful faces.

Jade glanced at each in turn and asked hopefully, "Are either of you able to remember anything about Lenarra, our home planet?"

"This one has not heard of such a place before," Leylira replied, her expression reflecting her concern that she might have disappointed Jade with her answer.

Neysa shook her head, looking equally rueful. "No, sister. This one does not remember either."

"How about a Progenitor called Mael'nerak?" Jade continued, watching their faces for the slightest reaction. "We think that he created the Nymphs, so he was probably our first master. Do you remember anything about him?"

"This one does not know Mael'nerak," Neysa replied, giving her a helpless shrug.

Leylira shook her head. "This one has no memories of him either." She hesitated for a second, then asked tentatively, "Would Jade mind if this one asked her an important question in return?"

Jade smiled at her in encouragement, wondering what aspect of their past the Nymph might be interested in. "No, I don't mind at all. What would you like to ask me?"

"Why hasn't Master taken this one yet?" Leylira asked with concern. "Has this one displeased him somehow?"

The abrupt change of topic startled Jade, but she quickly recovered and caressed the tiger-striped Nymph to soothe her. "No, he's very happy with you. He wants to spend time nurturing each of you to help you grow strong, just like he did with me. That takes time though and there's another woman he needs to help first. Just be patient; John's a wonderful master and so much better than any man you've been with before. When it's your turn, the experience will be wonderful."

Leylira let out a low moan of excitement. "This one desires Master so much!"

Jade gave her a wry smile, knowing exactly how she felt. However, her smile faded as she realised that Leylira's response was just an instinctive response and not yet based on any genuine emotions.

"Do either of you remember anything about your previous masters?" she asked gently, disturbed by the sudden thought that they might have suffered the same kind of abuse that she had over the centuries.

"This one's last master was called Carl Weber," Neysa replied in a neutral tone. "He was slain before this one could give him pleasure."

Leylira nodded, her expression unreadable. "This one was owned by the same Terran. He died this morning."

"Can you remember anyone before him?" Jade asked, pleased that they were able to remember that much.

The two Nymphs shook their heads, then looked concerned when they saw Jade's flicker of disappointment.

"May I ask a question, sister?" Neysa asked, an excited sparkle appearing in her eyes.

"Of course, you can ask me anything you like," Jade replied warmly.

"Is there anything special that this one can do to please her Master?" the Nymph eagerly inquired. She held her breath, eyes wide and unblinking as she waited for an answer.