Three Square Meals Ch. 103

She was quiet for a long moment as if considering it. "I could stop pretending to be a real girl, but it's a fun challenge to try and make myself seem as natural to everyone as possible. Besides, the amount of processing power needed is tiny."

"Well, do whatever makes you happy," John said, stroking her back. "But you don't need to go to these lengths for my benefit. I was fond of you when you were just a hologram."

Faye tilted her head up and kissed him on the chin. "I know and I'm very fond of you too."

The double doors at the other end of the Officers' Lounge swished open and Alyssa strolled in with Dana. "Hello you two lovebirds," she said playfully, walking over to join them.

The purple sprite blushed furiously and leaned into the blonde's hug. "Hi!"

Dana frowned at John and poked a finger at his chest. "I've got a bone to pick with you... No more letting dragons use you as a chewtoy! Your armour was totally mangled!"

"Actually, Baledranax just smacked me around a bit, he never got a chance to gnaw on me," John replied with a grin, pulling her into a hug. "Have you fixed my armour already?"

"I'll finish it up after dinner," the redhead replied. "Alyssa's shaped all the armour plating for me, but I need some parts for a replacement thruster on the back. The Mass Fabricators are churning out bits for the Valkyrie at the moment, but they'll be done by the time we've eaten."

"Do you need more Mass Fabricators?" John asked, looking thoughtful. "You've still got lots of space in your workshop and you've only got four at the moment. It seems like we're always waiting for them to make all the parts we need."

"Yeah! That would be awesome!" she enthusiastically agreed. Dana laughed and rolled her eyes at herself. "I got so used to making do with what I had in my Karron workshop, I suppose I got into the same mindset here. We could fit in another four and still have plenty of space left for big projects."

"I'll ask Charles for them when we arrive at Olympus," John said, giving her an indulgent smile.

The rest of the girls followed shortly after, with Calara and Sakura bringing out the big serving dishes full of rice and chilli. Everyone was famished after sleeping through lunch, especially after all the frantic action of the battle that morning. Aside from compliments to the chefs, conversation was limited as everyone was too busy eating. The only exception was Helene, who was amazed by all the new flavours and asked lots of questions about the meal between bites.

John finished eating first and relaxed back in his chair. "Now that was a damn fine meal," he said, raising his glass in toast to Calara and Sakura. "Thank you, ladies!"

The rest of the girls raised their glasses, while the two brown-eyed beauties took a grateful bow.

"Just to let you know, we've jumped into Alpha Centauri," Faye announced from her place at the end of the table. "I've set course for Olympus, we'll be there in ten minutes."

"Fantastic, thanks Faye," John said, with a grateful nod. He glanced around the table at the girls, watching them finish their meal. "We'll probably be at Olympus for a couple of days to finish our repairs, so perhaps you could give me an update on whatever you're working on, during lunch tomorrow?"

His longer-standing crew nodded, expecting his request, but the four Nymphs and Helene seemed unsettled.

Helene glanced at him, looking a bit lost. "John... is there any work you'd like me to do?"

He gave all five newcomers a reassuring smile, before focusing on Helene. "Just relax and have fun for a few days. Our spaceship was damaged in a big battle, so we're going to be busy fixing it for a while." He reached over to clasp her hand and continued, "Sorry if you're feeling neglected."

She quickly shook her head. "No, it isn't that, everyone has been wonderfully welcoming. It's just that I'm used to working on the kelp beds or in the nursery for twelve hours a day; I don't think I've ever had so much free time before!"

Alyssa gave her a warm smile. "You can keep me company if you're bored of swimming in the Lagoon. I know John has some special plans for you though..."

"You do?" the aquatic girl asked, sounding excited.

John nodded, looking at each of the new arrivals in turn. "All five of you in fact. I'd like to try and make a permanent connection with all of you tomorrow."

Dana smirked and raised an eyebrow. "I must have missed some sneaky blowjobs... I thought you hadn't fed any of the Nymphs yet? Three times for each of them, plus Helene too; your poor quad will be sucked inside out!"

He shook his head and glanced at Jade. "If your sisters are like you, then I suspect that I'll only need to feed each of them once to make the connection. Hopefully that's the case, then we can connect them, Jehanna, Helene, and Lynette all on the same day."

Jade paused for a moment with a wistful smile on her face. "Yes, that's right, I remember our first time together..."

The blonde nodded her agreement. "She popped into my mind after only one feeding. The other Nymphs are just as psychically responsive as Jade was, so I'm sure they'll behave the same way."

"Is this an attempt to minimise the trips to the Astral Plane?" Tashana asked, looking thoughtful.

"Yes, with a bit of luck," John replied, grimacing at the prospect of another visit to that nightmarish place. "I don't know about anyone else, but I'd rather not go back there seven times..."

There were murmurs of agreement, the room going quieter, with the girls dreading the thought of being sucked back into another showdown with the astral monsters.

"Will there be any ramifications of adding so many girls in one go?" Tashana pushed, her violet eyes locked on John. "Perhaps we'll get pulled deeper into the nightmare?"

John frowned, his expression growing tense. "I hope not... I hadn't thought of that being a factor."

Helene looked worried and she squeezed his hand. "I don't understand... is there anything I can do to help?"

He hesitated, trying to think of a way to explain it. Beckoning her over, he sat Helene sideways across his lap, making her smile again. Placing his hand on her tummy, he stroked her soft teal skin. "Do you remember how Jehanna looked earlier? Well after I feed her a third time tomorrow, she'll have a special connection to Alyssa and me, which is a really good thing. The problem is that whenever I connect like that to a new girl, I have a bad dream... but this bad dream can be very dangerous."

"How can a dream be dangerous?" Helene asked, wide-eyed with a mixture of fear and fascination.

"It's hard to explain... but when we're sucked into the dream the creatures there try to kill us," John explained, trying not to terrify the sheltered young woman.

Her expression suddenly brightened and her hand caressed his. "So that means you plan to make me look like Jehanna twice more by tomorrow!"

"Starting later this evening, if that's alright with you?" John asked, interlacing his fingers with hers.

She nuzzled into him and kissed his ear, before whispering, "That will be wonderful..."

He held her close, then turned to look at the Nymphs. "I'd like to get together with you tomorrow evening, as long as you ladies don't have any objections?"

"Oh, this one can't wait, Master!" Leylira gasped with delight, her three sisters echoing her sentiments.

"Am I going to be their Matriarch?" Alyssa asked, her airy tone hinting at something. "I assume Helene, Jehanna, and Lynette will all be connected via me... but what about Jade's sisters?"

John eased back in his chair, subconsciously stroking Helene as he mulled it over. "You're not talking about Edraele being their Matriarch, are you?"

"No, I'm not, I was thinking about someone else entirely..." Alyssa threw a pointed glance at Jade.

"Me?!" Jade blurted out, her cat-like eyes growing into wide black pools with shock. "You can't be serious!"

"Who better to guide a Nymph on her path to freedom and self-discovery than someone who's already taken that journey?" John asked quietly, meeting her astonished gaze.

"But... that wouldn't be right," Jade faltered, her muted whisper reflecting just how stunned she was at the thought.

"I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't feel comfortable with," he said with a reassuring smile. "Think it over, then let me know your answer by tomorrow evening. For what it's worth, I think you'd take excellent care of them."

Alyssa nodded, getting up then hugging the shocked Nymph from behind. "You've looked after all of us when it counted... I think you'll be a natural."

Jade patted the blonde on the arm but couldn't take her shocked gaze from John. "I-I'll think about it..."

Faye rose from her chair and said, "We're approaching Olympus Shipyard and we've been allocated Docking Bay One... Charles has specifically requested Calara's presence when we land."

"Me?" the Latina blurted out in surprise.

"I can't think why that might be," John said with a grin. He slid Helene off his lap, then rose from his chair. "Would you do me a favour, honey?"

"Of course, John!" Helene immediately replied, brightening at the prospect of being able to do something useful.

"Could you look after Jade's sisters for an hour or so?" he asked, looking at the Nymphs. "I don't want them to be frightened if we're met by a big welcoming committee."

Jade stood up and shook her head. "Let them come and see. Trust me, they'll love it..."

Alyssa grinned as she put her arm around Betrixa and Marika. "Might I suggest we pick out some clothes first? As scrumptious as they look in the nude, we don't want them stealing Calara's thunder."

"You'll have to be quick, we're on final approach!" Faye warned them with a broad smile. "We'll be landing in just under three minutes!"

The blonde beckoned Rachel over and the pair urged the Nymphs to follow them.

"Go ahead," John said with a reassuring smile, when four sets of cat-like eyes darted to him for permission.

"Lioness uniforms?" Calara asked with a grin.

"Might as well put on a show," John said, nodding his approval.

Dana sprang to her feet and dashed for the door, calling back over her shoulder, "I'll grab some holo-emitters for the twins!"

The rest of the Lionesses glanced at each other then jogged after the redhead. "We'll go and get changed," Sakura said, grinning at Tashana and Irillith.

John started collecting plates. "I'll tidy up here and meet you down at the airlock."

Faye shook her head and picked up a plate herself. "You need to get into your uniform too! Let me clean up after dinner, I can get it done very quickly."

"Thanks, honey," he replied with a grateful smile, then offered a hand to Helene. "Keep me company?"

She had been watching everyone in bewilderment, then nodded and slipped her slender hand into his. "I'd like that, thank you."

They walked towards the double doors, watching as the girls rushed ahead down the corridor.

"It's not normally this crazy," John said, gently squeezing Helene's hand. "I need to see an old friend and help start the repairs, but we'll spend some time together later this evening. Sorry if you're feeling neglected..."

She gave him a bright smile. "You don't need to apologise to me, I've been having a wonderful time! I wanted an exciting adventure and that's exactly what it's been so far!"

They walked out into the Deck Two corridor and John said, "I'm really glad you've been enjoying yourself. Is there anything you'd like to ask me about so far?"

"To be honest, I struggle to understand half of the things you and the girls talk about," she admitted, her smile fading as she looked self-conscious. "All of you use a lot of words that I'm not familiar with. I must seem awfully stupid to a man like you..."

He gave her a startled glance, then put his arm around her. "I'm so sorry, honey. We never meant you to feel that way! No one thinks you're stupid, I promise."

"Really?" she asked, looking up at him with doubt in her sky-blue eyes.

John stopped and turned to face her, brushing aside some soft strands of her light green hair, then cupping her head in his hands. "I really mean it. This is the first time you've left your homeworld, so you just lack experience with some things the rest of us take for granted. That doesn't mean you're stupid, far from it. You seem like a very bright and capable young woman to me; I'm really looking forward to getting to know you better."

She blushed and leaned into his hand. "You say such lovely things... I've never had anyone praise me like this before."

He pulled her into a hug. "Well you better get used to it. I plan on giving you lots more compliments!"

Helene giggled and leaned further into his embrace with a happy sigh.

Faye's holographic form popped into view beside them. "Ninety seconds!" she warned, a playful smile on her face.

John gave his teal-skinned companion a theatrical wince. "I better get moving!"

He took Helene's hand and led her down the corridor at a jog, with the aquatic girl laughing as they ran. The walk-in-wardrobe was a scene of complete chaos, with Alyssa buttoning up a white shirt, while discussing a variety of outfits with a topless Rachel. She had tugged on her Lioness trousers and was directing the Nymphs to try on different dresses. John carefully skirted around the bedlam, grabbed his Lion uniform and backed out into the bedroom.

Helene was waiting for him, sitting on the end of the bed. She watched in fascination as he started dressing in the white formal uniform and exclaimed, "I've never seen clothes like that before!"

"It's my uniform for important, official events," John explained, slipping his hands through the sleeves of his jacket. He gave her a wry smile and continued, "Calara saved the lives of everyone on the space station we're about to visit. I expect a few of them might want to greet us and say thank you."

He started fastening the buttons, until Helene stepped forward and said softly, "Let me..."

Her nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons as John pulled on his peaked hat. He straightened it, then stepped into his shoes. "There, all done."

"You look very handsome," Helene breathed, glancing up at him through thick eyelashes as her fingers traced over the golden lion on his chest.

Alyssa strolled out in her Lioness uniform with a pair of shoes in one hand and a long dress folded over her arm. "Looks like you two share a love of formal wear..." She glided over to the starry-eyed young woman and added in a conspiratorial whisper, "Put this on, then watch how John looks at you."

Helene flashed a lusty glance at John, then slipped off her aquamarine tunic and skirt, standing naked before him. He couldn't help admiring her gorgeous toned physique, his gaze lingering over her curves.

"Alright, he loves your birthday suit too," the blonde said with a laugh, as she helped the teal-skinned beauty pour herself into the figure-hugging purple dress. She crouched and slid the shoes onto Helene's feet, then grinned at John as she stepped back. "What do you think?"

The vibrant purple of the shoulderless dress helped emphasise the aquatic girl's exotic skin tone, while the slinky material clung to every inch of her luscious body. Helene giggled when she saw John's enraptured expression, but her laughter abruptly died when he reached out to brush the backs of his fingers over her toned stomach. She leaned into his hand and his sensitive ears picked up her quiet moan of desire.

"Yeah, I thought so," Alyssa purred with satisfaction, stepping behind Helene and joining John in stroking her svelte tummy. "Jade told you what that means, didn't she?"

Helene nodded, her breath quickening. Before she could reply, the rest of the girls began to appear, with the Lionesses in their uniforms, the Nymphs wearing elegant dresses in a similar cut to Helene. John reluctantly pulled away from the aquatic girl after sharing a smile with her, then turned his attention to the rest of the girls.

"You all look very beautiful," he said appreciatively, making eye contact with his crew, then each of the giddy Nymphs.

Dana clipped a couple of devices to the lapels of Irillith's and Tashana's jackets. "There you go. Now let me just hit this button..."

She clicked the metallic objects and the Maliri girls' faces flickered for a moment as the micro holo-projectors sprang to life. Then their blue skin changed to a healthy bronzed tan, just like the redhead.

"You're hot twins, whatever the species," Rachel said with a grin, slipping her arms around their waists.

Tashana nodded, her new blue eyes appraising Irillith. "She's right, you make a sexy Terran."

Irillith winked at her flirtatiously. "I couldn't agree more, little sister."

Alyssa hooked arms with Helene and turned for the express grav-tubes. "Come on, better not keep everyone waiting!"

John offered his hand to Calara and she grinned at him as they followed after the blonde. He gave Jehanna a final glance to make sure she was okay and saw that the reporter was fast asleep, a contented smile on her face as she cradled her curved stomach. They left the bedroom and headed down to the Secondary Hangar, where the Lionesses lined up, following Alyssa's telepathic direction. Calara waited at John's side, while the rest of the white-uniformed girls stood directly behind them. Helene and the Nymphs formed a second rank at the back of the formation, all of them curious to see what was waiting for them on the station.

"Wait for me!" Faye called out, springing out of the grav-tube and running over to join them.

She was wearing her own version of a Lioness uniform but sized considerably smaller to fit her tiny five-foot frame.

"I felt bad that she missed out last time, so I made her a uniform now she has a body," Alyssa said to John, while hugging the petite girl. She stepped back to smile at the sprite. "You should have been with us at the award ceremony, Faye."

Dana grinned at her purple friend. "You look adorable!"

Faye did a quick twirl. "Really?" Her eyes darted to John, seeking his approval.

"She's right, you look fantastic," he said with a broad smile. "And you're just as much a part of the crew as anyone else. You deserve to be here."

"Stand next to me," Alyssa said to the delighted elfin girl, taking her position at the end of the line. She gestured towards the control panel for the Hangar door. "Okay everyone, it's show time..."

The massive door began to rise up into the ceiling and John heard more than one gasp from behind him as they got their first glimpse into the vast room beyond. Docking Bay One was by far the largest bay in Olympus Shipyard, easily big enough to hold three Terran Federation battleships. Currently the Invictus was the only vessel parked in the bay, leaving an enormous space to the side of the battlecruiser. Not that it was empty though...

Almost every square foot of the bay was occupied with Terran personnel, row after row of ship crews, marines, and base staff lined up in dress uniform. At their forefront was a contingent of Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals, easily identifiable by the rank insignia on their epaulettes. Charles was amongst them and as the highest-ranking officer, had been nominated as the spokesman for the group.

He strode towards the Invictus crew with a broad smile on his face. He stopped just before John and Calara then stood at attention and gave them a sharp salute. Behind him, tens-of-thousands of personnel followed his lead, the sound of booted feet like rippling thunder as they snapped to attention and matched Charles' respectful salute.

When John and Calara returned the gesture, Charles said, "We were all stationed on Olympus during the Kintark attack and would have been killed if not for your incredible efforts to defend the station. All of us here today owe you our lives and you'll always be considered honoured guests at the shipyard. Thank you, Lion of the Federation."