Three Square Meals Ch. 104

Alyssa smiled at the Nymph, then brushed her fingers through Lynette's lustrous chestnut hair. "I'd like you to tell me why you felt those emotions. You can trust me to be the soul of discretion, I promise."

Lynette took a deep breath, then let out a heavy sigh. "Okay... Well, I felt regret, because I suddenly wished that..." She hesitated, blushing harder. "That I hadn't just thrown Lina and Charles together like that."

"And that burst of jealousy?" Alyssa asked, giving her a look of practiced innocence that was fooling no one.

The brunette's cheeks turned a shade darker as she stammered, "I-I never expected her to start flirting with him like that. I've known Charles for years, but something happened aboard the Hyperion..." When she saw the blonde's quizzical look, she elaborated, "We hugged... and it was nice... comforting."

Alyssa shook her head reproachfully. "And now that redheaded floozy is all over him, so you're worried he'll be looking for hugs elsewhere... that scoundrel."

Lynette laughed and rolled her eyes. "Alright, I suppose I'm being ridiculous."

"He did ask you out for a drink," Alyssa said with a broad smile. "I think he might like you..."

The brunette looked hopeful for a moment, then her face fell. "But Lina's clearly interested in him... She's ten years younger than me and much prettier; how am I supposed to compete with her?"

Alyssa and Jade exchanged a grin, before the blonde replied, "Trust me, that won't be a problem. John won't mind you letting Charles in on your little secret and it won't be long until you look like us..."

Jade cocked her head to one side and said, "Unless Lynette wants to make sure Charles likes her for her mind, not just her new body..."

Wrinkling her nose with distaste, Alyssa frowned at the Nymph. "Hey! Don't start giving her any dumb ideas, she should use every asset she's got!"

Lynette thought about it for a moment, then smiled. "Actually, Jade's right... I think I will keep using my disguise around him."

The blonde groaned and rubbed a hand across her face in frustration. "This is starting to sound like the plot to a bad rom-com..."

The older woman laughed and shook her head. "I'm not deliberately trying to be difficult, although I must admit that I am curious to find out if Charles would date the old me. I'd just rather not get into the details of how the Change works... so it might be wise to take things slowly with him until that's finished."

Alyssa ran a hand over the brunette's cum-filled tummy and gave her a wry smile. "Alright, that makes sense; we probably want to avoid letting him see you like this..." Propping herself up on one elbow, she continued, "Now, if we're going to get you back in the game, there's a few things we need to sort out. The Fleet Admiral normally hangs out in the Citadel, right?"

Lynette couldn't help smiling at the blonde's flippant disregard for the Fleet Admiral's duties. "I wouldn't call it 'hanging out' exactly, but traditionally the Fleet Admiral is stationed there, yes."

"Well that's no good," Alyssa said firmly, shaking her head. "You've got no chance against Lina if you're stuck on Terra, while she's all over Charles here at Olympus..."

That wiped the smile off Lynette's face and she frowned at the troublesome situation she'd inadvertently created for herself.

Jade stretched like a cat then gave her a comforting pat on the arm. "Don't worry, Alyssa's very good at this. She's got John wrapped around her little finger..."

"What's your secret?" Lynette asked, finding herself waiting with bated breath for the stunning teenager to reply.

"Actually, it was easy." The blonde gave her an enigmatic smile. "I just dedicated my life to making my man happy..."

***

"So, what're your plans for this afternoon?" John asked, watching Jehanna as she dressed. She shimmied the form-fitting skirt up her long shapely legs, which hid her delicious coffee-hued skin from his sight, much to his regret.

"I'd like to speak with the Angel of Terra; Rachel's hot news right now!" she replied with an eager grin. "After that, I need to finish the interviews with the rest of the Lionesses before you leave." As soon as she finished speaking, she realised what she'd just said and her face fell.

"We'll be back soon," John said, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'd love to take you with me, but we're heading into a warzone... again..." When her eyes lit up at the idea, he held her gently by the shoulders and shook his head. "I know that's every reporter's dream, but you've had quite enough excitement for a while, honey. Unless you've changed your mind, you need to get back to TFNN... I don't imagine your boss would take too kindly to you disappearing for a few more weeks."

Jehanna sighed and nodded. "You're right, Avery would blow a gasket if I left with you. I do still want to keep my job, but it's hard to leave you... much more so than I ever imagined it would be."

He leaned down to give her a tender kiss. "Just remember to think like an immortal; you don't need to rush to join us if you still want your career. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it if you decided to retire when we do, but that door is always open. Whenever you decide you're ready, then I'll be there."

"To whisk me away to join your harem," she replied with a playful smile.

"And as many curious Maliri girls as you can handle," John replied with a wink.

She blushed but made no attempt to hide her interest.

*Hey, handsome,* Alyssa interrupted, taking advantage of the momentary lull in conversation. *Dana wanted a bit of help with the repairs whenever you're ready. She said to bring your sword and wear a Paragon suit...*

*Okay, beautiful, I'm on my way,* he replied, before focusing on Jehanna again. She was looking at him in fascination, her beguiling smoky eyes closely studying his face. With a frown of regret, he said to her, "Duty calls I'm afraid..."

"It's no problem, Alyssa just told me about Dana asking for you," she replied, her expression turning to one of wonder at being included in the telepathic conversation. "I really am part of your family now, aren't I?"

He nodded, meeting her awed gaze. "A very important part. What Lynette is trying to do with the Terran Federation is critical to the future prosperity of billions of people. You'll be able to help show them all the good things the new Fleet Admiral is accomplishing." He looked into her eyes, his voice dropping an octave as he gently caressed her midriff, "And when you finally decide to join me, I plan to spend a lifetime showing my appreciation."

She practically purred as she responded to his touch. "For an immortal, that's a very long time..."

"It's a good job I love you then, isn't it?" he said with a lopsided smile.

Jehanna's gaze softened as she looked up at him, "I love you too, John."

He wrapped his arms around her as they kissed, her full lips eagerly seeking his. It was a tender, intimate moment, but there was also passion in that kiss, reflecting the fierce attraction they felt for each other.

"You're making it very hard to leave you," he said with a wry smile.

"I was just about to say the same thing," she replied, before reluctantly pulling away. "And I don't just mean for this afternoon..."

They parted ways in the corridor, with John heading towards his bedroom and the express grav-tubes that would take him down to the armoury. Jade had already left, but Alyssa and Lynette were still there, the blonde helping their newest recruit into a curve-hugging dress that stretched obscenely over the bulge in her tummy. The brunette turned to greet him with a smile and caught his eyes roaming over her figure, as he studied his handiwork with a professional eye.

When she blushed, he blinked in surprise then gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable by staring like that. I was just checking to see how the Change was coming along."

Lynette quickly shook off her embarrassment. "I'm not going to ask for a mirror again, even though I'm dying to see... but I would like to ask you something, if you don't mind?"

"Sure, go ahead," he replied with an accommodating smile, before greeting Alyssa with a kiss.

After a momentary pause, Lynette finally asked, "How are you actually changing my body?"

He stepped closer to her, his hand drawn to her curved tummy. He hesitated for a second, then asked politely, "May I?"

"Of course," she replied, relaxing as he fingertips brushed over her.

"If I keep feeding you like this, you'll get taller and more athletic until you eventually match Alyssa's body shape. Swallowing my cum transforms women until they fit the standard template for a Progenitor's thrall... but it also acts as a psychic catalyst. While you're full like this, I'm able to use my abilities to heal you, like I did with your gunshot wounds. I'm also able to make more fundamental changes to your DNA, which is how I gave those psychic abilities to the girls." He raised his hand to stroke her cheek and smiled. "In your case I'm doing something a little different. I'm visualising the changes I want to make to your appearance... then rewriting your genetic code to reflect the new you."

She looked puzzled, her brow furrowing at his reply. "Why do you need to change my DNA to alter the way I look?"

"Did you think it would be a bit like a body-sculpt procedure? Only making changes at the superficial level?" John asked, guessing at her confusion. When she nodded, he smiled at her. "I suppose I could have done that, but when you eventually have children, I assumed you'd want them to look like you... the new you that is. Was that a bad call?"

"No, not at all." She gave him a grateful smile. "That actually makes a lot of sense; I wouldn't want the father to start wondering why our children don't look like either of us."

"Yeah, that could lead to a rather awkward conversation," Alyssa said with a giggle.

John chuckled as he nodded, before focusing on Lynette again. "Does that answer your question?"

"It does, thank you," she replied appreciatively, before a quirky smile appeared on her face. "I suppose that means that right now, I'm like putty in your hands..."

He nodded in confirmation. "You've placed a huge amount of trust in me; I hope you know that I'd never abuse it."

"I do... I feel it in my bones," she replied, surprising herself with the certainty of that feeling.

He smiled at her, then leaned in to give her a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Welcome to the family, Lynette."

She returned his smile, then glanced at Alyssa. "Thank you. I really do feel that... welcome, I mean."

They came together for a three-way hug, before John took his leave and headed down in the express grav-tube to the armoury. He quickly donned his armour and sheathed his sword on his back, then took the next grav-tube down to the Secondary Hangar.

*Dana's up on the topdeck,* Alyssa informed him as he strolled through the open hangar door.

*Okay, I'll be right there.* Activating flight-mode in his suit's HUD, John lifted off the deck, arcing through the air as the thruster on his back sent him soaring.

The maintenance bots were out in force, the anti-gravity platforms where their legs would have been, letting them float over the charred aft section of the Invictus. They held plasma torches in their six-fingered grips, the bright bursts of light illuminating the blackened superstructure they were busy cutting away. He could see how much work they needed to do, as a huge section of the hull around the mangled engine mountings would have to be replaced.

John spotted Dana as soon as he rose up to the topdeck, his Chief Engineer perched on the armoured bulkhead that protected the Bridge. Instead of watching the maintenance bots, she was looking out over the midship gun decks, her blue eyes studying the massive heavy-calibre barrels of those cannons. He followed her gaze and his eyes were drawn to the battered turret-well that had been destroyed during their last fight with the Kirrix.

He landed lightly beside her and removed his helmet before sitting down. "Are you thinking about replacing the missing Heavy Cannon?"

The redhead jumped in surprise, then gave him a warm smile. "Hey, John! Sorry, I was miles away..."

"I should be the one apologising, I didn't mean to startle you," he said, putting his arm around her waist, then leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "Alyssa said you wanted my help, so I thought you were expecting me."

"Yeah, I was; I just got a bit distracted," Dana said, her sky-blue eyes darting back to the Heavy Cannons. "And no, I wasn't thinking about the Heavy Cannons, just the weapon hardpoints..."

He raised an eyebrow and waited for her to elaborate.

She turned around, her face lighting up with her enthusiasm. "So here's the problem: we've got six big turrets for the Heavy Cannons taking up a huge amount of space on the topdeck... but they basically suck."

John glanced back at the double-barrelled turrets. "They do take up quite a lot of room..." he said tactfully.

Dana wrinkled her nose as she smiled at him. "Yeah, you think they're rubbish too." She waved away his protest and continued, "They are much better than the standard Terran versions, but compared to the guns the Invictus is packing now, their firepower is pitiful. I mean, we've got Nova Lances, Singularity Drivers and Tachyon Lasers... the Heavy Cannons suck ass in comparison."

"You mentioned upgrading them to those Quantum Cannons you invented," John asked, wondering what had the redhead so excited. "Are you thinking about trying to do the upgrade before we leave?"

She paused for a second, then grinned at him. "No, I'm going to skip those and go for the real deal... Quantum Flux Cannons!"

His eyes widened in surprise. "I can't believe you've worked out how to build them already!" He frowned as he glanced back at the gun batteries. "But they won't fit in the turret wells... unless you've managed to make them smaller!"

The redhead laughed and held up both hands. "Woah! Hold up a sec." She smiled at him affectionately and continued, "I really appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm still trying to figure out how to modify those cannons. As for miniaturising them..." Shaking her head in amusement, she added, "This tech is radically advanced stuff. I'm barely able to follow the theory behind the schematics, let alone start improving on it..."

He ruffled her hair and returned her infectious smile. "You've got your reputation as a miracle worker to maintain... I'd expect nothing less." He suddenly looked at her in confusion. "So if you haven't figured out how to make the new guns, what's got your attention?"

"While I was up here, I started looking at the hardpoint layout and thinking how I'd like to rebuild the topdeck." The redhead frowned in irritation. "I'd show you what I've got in mind, but I didn't bring the holo-reader with me."

"How about asking Faye to upload the Invictus blueprints to the Paragon HUD? You could show me that way," John suggested, picking up his armoured helmet.

Dana reached for her own helmet, then her hands froze and she turned back to give him a thoughtful look. "Actually, let me try something first..."

Her eyes started to glow with a soft golden light and she started to move her hands, her agile fingers swaying back and forth as if she were conducting a symphony. As her hands moved, a glowing shape began to form, one that was soon recognisable as the Invictus. Dana rapidly recreated the ship in a golden wireframe image, with neat Progenitor runic script annotating her blueprint.

John's mouth fell open as he watched her sketching in the air before him. "How are you doing that?!"

Dana glanced at him and grinned. "I just remembered what Tashana said about pushing herself, so I thought I'd try something new! It's a bit like writing Progenitor runes on that dome you made, but a lot more intricate." Turning back to her drawing, she zoomed into the middle of the ship by spreading her hands apart. "So that's what the ship looks like right now and you can see the six pop-up turrets for the Heavy Cannons..."

He nodded, studying the turret wells and the ammunition feeds leading from each one to the magazines. Narrowing her eyes in concentration, Dana began to reshape the golden image, removing the two middle turrets, then lengthening the fore and aft turret wells so that they could accommodate a significantly longer barrel.

"Four Quantum Flux Cannons," John murmured, staring at the new hard point layout. "That'd be one hell of a broadside off the topdeck..."

"Fuck yeah! Remember the firepower the Legacy was packing?" Dana agreed, darting a glance at him out of the corner of her eyes. "Four of those bad boys might give us a fighting chance against that black ship!"

"True, but we're looking at a huge amount of work to rebuild all that superstructure," John said, grimacing when he saw the scale of the changes she was proposing.

"Normally, I'd agree with you," she said, clicking her fingers and dismissing the glowing schematics of their battlecruiser. "But what's the middle of the ship made out of?"

"Crystal Alyssium," John immediately replied, before his eyes widened in surprise. "So you think we could just reshape the whole topdeck?!"

"Yep!" Dana exclaimed, giving him a dazzling smile. Her cheerful expression wavered for a moment, then she reluctantly admitted, "Actually, it probably won't be quite as easy as I made it sound. We've got non-shapeable materials running through there too, like all the cabling that provides power to the guns. We'll have to be a bit careful, but I reckon we can still rebuild it all in record time."

"Sounds like a good plan," John said, rising to his feet, then offering her a hand. "We're certainly going to be busy when we get back to Genthalas."

She stood up too, then patted her stomach with a gauntleted hand. "I think it might be sensible to keep me topped up on the way back to Maliri Space... just to make sure I've got all the schematics in advance."

"Is that right?" he said, giving her a knowing smile. "I suppose we need to be fully prepared."

"Definitely," she agreed, her tone serious, but she couldn't help breaking into a grin.

They had a quick kiss, then John turned to look back at the Invictus' plasma scorched stern. "So what's the plan on the repairs? I assume there's a reason you asked me to bring my sword..."

Dana pulled on her Paragon helmet, then beckoned for him to follow as she jogged over the topdeck. "The superstructure back here is Titanium, so your sword will go through it like butter! If I point out the bits that need to be removed, you can just cut through the damaged beams, then pull them out the way with your super strength."

*I'm waiting down here, handsome,* Alyssa said, a mischievous undercurrent to her voice. *Just toss the damaged bits aside and I'll catch them.*

Glancing at him over her shoulder, Dana nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, that's a great idea! I was going to get you to just drop the busted bits on the docking bay deck, but that would've made a hell of a mess!"

"I doubt Charles would've been too impressed at me vandalising his station," John said with a wry smile. "Okay, where should I start?"

The redhead bounded over to the upper levels that had been incinerated in the plasma fire and pointed to a huge section of partially melted stanchions. "Right here!" She froze for a second, then her smile widened. "I just thought of something!"

Before John could say a word, Dana's eyes had started glowing again, the golden corona flaring around her pupils as she used her abilities. She gestured towards the charred decking and a glowing golden arrow appeared next to the first beam, with a similarly coloured stripe circling the blackened titanium strut. "Cut here!" the accompanying runic script declared in bold glyphs.