Three Square Meals Ch. 102

Jade met the jaguar-spotted girl's curious gaze. "John just wants you to be happy. You only have to be yourself, Neysa," she replied, then paused when she saw a look of confusion cross the Nymph's lovely face.

"This one exists to give her Master pleasure," Neysa murmured to herself, before her face suddenly lit up with joy. "If this one performs every sexual technique she knows with Master, then he can pick which he prefers! Thank you, Jade, this one is so very grateful for your assistance!"

Jade was quiet for a long moment as she studied the Nymph's elated expression. Her conversation with Betrixa and Marika had gone much the same way, with all four Nymphs unwaveringly focused on their new master's sexual gratification. She felt a pang of sadness and was unable to keep the disappointment from her face.

"Did this one say something to upset you?" Neysa blurted out, looking alarmed.

"It's not your fault," Jade replied softly, trying to give her a reassuring smile. She looked away into the distance and sounded forlorn as she continued, "I was just hoping for something more... and starting to realise how much we've lost..."

***

Jehanna turned to face John and said respectfully, "Thank you for sparing me some of your valuable time for this interview, Vice Admiral Blake."

"Happy to be of service, Miss. Elani," John replied, inclining his head with a polite smile.

She grinned at him and gave him a thumbs-up. "That was perfect, thank you!" Turning to look through the window at the sterile lab beyond, she slowly shook her head. "I can't believe Buckingham managed to hide all this right in the Sol System... If he was still alive today, this would have been the most explosive career-ending exposé in Federation history."

John interlaced his fingers with hers and they started walking back towards the lifts. "Thanks for agreeing to discuss this with Devereux before you release it. I don't want to conceal what Buckingham was up to, but I don't want to end up making things more difficult for her when she becomes Fleet Admiral."

"You're that confident she'll be voted in?" she asked, glancing up at him. "I heard High Command's elections can be a cutthroat business."

He shrugged and scooped her up in his arms, before activating flight mode and stepping into the ravaged lift shaft. "There's no guarantees, but I don't know of any other candidates that would stand a chance against her. Admiral Caldwell might have been a possibility, but his association with Buckingham and failures in the Battle of Terra will have cost him a huge amount of credibility." With a heavy sigh he continued, "It's a shame he turned on me. I liked Edwin when we first met, but he convinced himself I was a threat to the Terran Federation."

"Fear makes people behave in irrational ways," Jehanna quietly replied, then glanced down at the yawning drop below them and shuddered. "For example, I'm afraid of heights and I've suddenly got an overwhelming urge to kiss you..."

John laughed and stepped out onto the top level. "You're right... who'd want to do a crazy thing like that?"

He leaned over to put her down on her feet, but Jehanna clung to him like a limpet. "In my frightened condition I might stumble and have a bad fall." She gave him a coy smile. "I think it might be sensible for you to carry me out..."

Strolling back towards the poorly-illuminated security passages, John nodded, holding her close. "That makes sense; the footing is treacherous around here..."

She grinned at him and snuggled closer, resting her head against his shoulder. It took very little effort for John to carry Jehanna, what with his psychically enhanced strength, and he was actually glad that he was able to distract her from the scenes of carnage in the corridor. The young reporter was made of stern stuff, but even she had started to look a bit queasy when they'd passed the eviscerated soldiers on the way into Tartarus.

He was still astonished at the scale of the destruction that Jade had unleashed on the base. Her path down to the lower levels had been littered with scenes of total devastation, her draconic form levelling everything in her way. Men, turrets, reinforced bulkheads, she'd just smashed her way through without hesitation.

Alyssa's quiet voice breezed through his mind. *Jade basically stood there and willingly took a bunch of broadsides from that destroyer at point-blank range to protect her sisters. I don't know if it was intentional, but you've made her very, very powerful...*

*I'd really like to take a look at the Tartarus camera footage. I didn't get to see much of her fight against the cyborgs at the nightclub,* he replied, remembering her last big fight when she was in T-Rex form.

*You're forgetting the battle on the astral plane,* Alyssa reminded him. *That was the first time she transformed into a dragon.*

*But that was just a dream, that wasn't reality,* John said, thinking about the terrifying monsters in that demonic sub-plane. *They're two completely different things.*

*Are they?* Alyssa asked quietly, but didn't elaborate further. *By the way, I think you should talk to Jade when we get back. She really needs to speak with you.*

John frowned with concern, then paused to activate flight mode and soar across the bridgeless chasm. *Jade, are you okay?*

*I just realised a few uncomfortable truths today, John. I'll be alright,* the Nymph replied, but there was no mistaking the undercurrent of profound sadness in her voice.

*I'll be back on the Invictus in a few minutes, would you like to talk to me about it?* he asked, worried about the normally upbeat girl.

Jade sounded despondent as she murmured, *Okay... I'll be up in our bedroom.*

"What's the matter?" Jehanna asked him, staring intently at his face. "You were distracted, like you usually are when someone's speaking to you telepathically, but now you look worried."

"It's Jade, she's upset about something," John replied, activating his psychic speed and running the last few hundred metres to the stealth shuttle at an incredible pace.

When he set Jehanna down on her feet inside the cockpit of the small black ship, she wobbled for a moment, disorientated by the shift in accelerated time.

"Wow, that was quite a rush!" she exclaimed, gaping at him in surprise.

"Sorry, I was in a hurry," John replied, tapping the button to close the airlock then sliding into the pilot's seat.

*We're all heading out in the Raptor at the rear of the base. We'll see you soon,* Alyssa informed him.

John powered up the shuttle's engines, then lifted off the deck. *Find anything interesting in the base?*

*Irillith's found a lot of data; she'll need help from Rachel to analyse most of the research notes,* she replied, her tone purposefully neutral.

*How about prisoners or test subjects?" he asked hopefully, angling the small ship out of the concealed hangar and heading towards the Invictus. "I assume they'll need Rachel's attention. How many were you able to evacuate?*

*There were no survivors,* Alyssa said, her voice deeply troubled. *The soldiers executed all the prisoners...*

John's heart dropped in his chest as he had a sudden thought. *It wasn't while we were sleeping was it?!*

*No. Rachel examined the corpses and estimates that they were killed when Weber gave the order to evacuate the base. The prisoners died at least ten minutes before we arrived to intercept his ship.* She sighed and continued, *Most of them were Terran prisoners being used for virus testing, but the guards shot nearly a dozen Trankarans too. We counted 57 bodies in total...*

*I'm so sorry, John,* Jade murmured, filled with remorse. *If I'd waited for you, then maybe-*

*Then maybe Weber would have escaped and we'd have never seen Jehanna or the Nymphs again,* John said firmly. *Don't blame yourself for this, Jade. Even if we'd all been there to join you in the assault, we wouldn't have been able to save the prisoners without spending hours planning how to infiltrate the base without triggering any alarms. We didn't have hours to prepare, we had minutes...*

The Nymph stayed quiet after that, which did nothing to alleviate John's concern for her. He watched the Raptor sweep ahead of them and dock in the Invictus' Secondary Hangar, while he guided the tiny shuttle towards an open space in the Cargo Bay. The Primary Hangar remained closed, the Tormentor-class destroyer inside hidden from view by the plasma-scarred armour protecting the enormous sealed doors.

John powered down the shuttle as soon as he landed, then opened the airlock door. Taking Jehanna's hand, he led her outside and found Alyssa waiting for them in the Cargo Bay.

"Hey, you two," she said with a welcoming smile, before stepping forward to link arms with Jehanna. Glancing at John, she continued, "Let me look after our lovely guest, I know you want to speak with Jade."

"Thanks, honey," John said, before giving Jehanna an apologetic frown. "Sorry to dash off like this. I'll see you in a few minutes, okay?"

"Go help Jade, that's more important," she replied, waving away his apology.

John gave her a grateful smile, then jogged towards the open set of double-doors leading to the corridor beyond. The rest of the girls were disembarking from the Raptor and they waved cheerfully at him before he disappeared from view, striding towards the grav-tube.

*Today's really taken its toll on everyone,* John remarked with concern, as he rose in the blue field. *First Calara and Dana got upset, then Sakura, now Jade...*

*It's been pretty relentless for the last few weeks,* Alyssa said quietly. *It's not just the girls feeling the strain, I've been getting short tempered too. I was really unfair with Edraele earlier... she was only trying to help and I bit her head off.* She hesitated for a moment, then spoke to the Maliri Matriarch, sharing the conversation for John's benefit. *I'm so sorry for the way I behaved earlier, Edraele. I hope you can forgive me.*

*I know all about the pressure you're under,* Edraele immediately replied. *There's no need to apologise.*

*Still, I promise we'll kiss and make-up when we arrive at Genthalas,* Alyssa said, relieved and grateful in equal measure.

John stepped out onto Deck Two and strode towards his bedroom. *We all badly need a vacation. All of you girls are incredibly resilient, but everyone has their limits.*

*Leave it with me,* Edraele said, sounding excited at the prospect. *I'll make sure you all have a relaxing time when you come home.*

*I really appreciate it, thank you,* John said, wishing they could head to Maliri Space immediately.

He walked through the open doorway into the bedroom and saw Jade curled up on the bed. She was in her natural catform and the way she was huddled seemed to just radiate sadness. Although John desperately wanted to rush to her side to make everything better, he was still fully-clad in Paragon armour, so he darted into his walk-in-wardrobe to remove it. Standing inside the armour-equipping frame as the robotic arms deftly removed his bodyarmour, he was eternally grateful to Dana for making the process so fast. Mere seconds later, John was stripped of the battle suit and able to return to the dejected Nymph.

"What's wrong, honey?" he asked quietly as he climbed onto the bed and wrapped his arms around the petite catgirl. "We've just rescued four of your sisters... You seemed so happy and contented earlier."

"I thought they might remember," Jade replied, her tone heavy with grief. "But they've forgotten everything, just like I did..."

"Their memories might not be permanently lost," John said optimistically, stroking her silky-soft fur. "Don't give up hope; your memory took a little time to come back, remember?"

Jade turned in his arms so she was lying on her back looking up at him. She was quiet for a long moment, before she finally whispered, "Seeing them like they are now... I finally understand what we are. Nymphs are simple creatures, made to mindlessly obey and pleasure our master. After being with you these past few months, I'd started to believe that there was more to me than some shapeshifting sex doll..." A tear rolled down her cheek. "But I was wrong..."

"Don't ever think that," John said firmly, catching the errant tear with his thumb. "You're an amazing woman, Jade. Kind, compassionate, brave, resourceful, and so loving with the girls; they all adore you as much as I do!"

She shook her head, a disconsolate expression on her face, "But I'm only-"

"Our pilot? Dana's assistant engineer? Our nurse?" John interrupted. "You've also saved most of our lives at one time or another... and what about the devastation I just saw you unleash on Tartarus trying to rescue Jehanna and your sisters? You just saved their lives too! You've grown into an incredible person, Jade, you should be very proud of everything you've accomplished."

Jade gave him a sad smile. "Don't you mean: everything you've accomplished..." She looked downcast as she continued, "It was you that changed me into something so much more than I was. The drive and ability to do everything you mentioned came from you, not from me."

"Sorry, but I completely disagree," John objected, shaking his head. "Every time I fed you, I wanted you to get stronger and more independent, but that was the end of my contribution. If we go down the road you're suggesting, then you could argue the same for the rest of the girls, and I'd never for one moment believe I could do the things they've been capable of. I might have given you some enhancements, but the thought and effort behind everything you've accomplished came from you. I refuse to take credit for your achievements, Jade."

She traced her finger affectionately along his jawline, but he could see she wasn't convinced. Jade spoke softly as she said, "In my heart, I know that I'm really just like my sisters. You made me into what I am today, but if you hadn't, I'd still be referring to myself as 'this one' and be single-mindedly obsessed with pleasing my master." Looking at him fondly, she added, "Even that hasn't really changed very much..."

"But you have grown, honey, you're not the same person you were when we first met," he insisted. "Who you are now is what's important, not your original species..."

Jade cocked her head to one side and looked at him askance. "You don't believe that."

He frowned at her in confusion. "Yes, I do. Why would you think otherwise?"

"You've let me hear your thoughts..." she gently reminded him. "I know how you feel about being a Progenitor."

He froze. "That's... different."

"Is it?" she asked perceptively. "Do you remember what Leena told you? That the thing that scares you the most is your own nature? Is it so hard to believe that I might have similar concerns?"

John was silent for a while as he mulled over her point. "It's different, honey, trust me. All I've done for you is get rid of your limitations, freeing you to become the wonderful woman you are today. I'm constantly struggling to add more limitations to myself, to stop me turning into the monster I could so easily become."

Jade thought about that for a second, then was shrouded in a verdant haze, shifting into her more familiar Nymph shape. "You're right, I am very different from my sisters and that's a good thing. In fact, you did a good thing... helping me like that."

"I'm really glad you see it that way," John said with relief. "I wouldn't want you to resent me for the changes I've made to you."

"I've never resented anything you've done for me. Rachel was right, being changed by you is a gift," she said emphatically. Jade's emerald eyes softened and she gave him a look filled with sympathy. "But now I finally understand what it's like for you..."

Looking at her in confusion, he asked, "For me? What do you mean?"

"I thought I was the only one of my kind left, but now that we've found more Nymphs, I know that I'm unique in the galaxy," she said, a wistful look on her beautiful face. "You're the same, but you're desperately clinging to your uniqueness, trying to be the only Progenitor who fights his nature to conquer and destroy instead of embracing it."

John deflated as he nodded, seeing her point. "Being the only one of your kind in the galaxy, you can't help feeling alone..."

"Exactly," she said, leaning up to give him a tender kiss. "I think everyone wants to belong, to feel like they're a part of something bigger than themselves."

He smiled at her, his expression brightening. "At least you won't feel like that for long. Once I've spent some time with your sisters, I can help them to overcome their limitations. Eventually they'll all be like you."

"They won't understand right now... but thank you for freeing them," Jade said, encircling his chest with her arms and hugging him tight.

"You're welcome, my lovely little Nymph," John said, embracing her back.

When they finally pulled apart, he could see the heartfelt emotion in her eyes.

"John, when I have your children... please can you free them too?" she asked, a pleading note in her voice. "I can't bear the thought of our daughters meeting a man and having all their memories wiped away... my girls being turned into unthinking sex slaves."

He was quiet for a long moment, his heart pounding in his chest as he saw the desperation in her eyes. "I don't want that fate for them either, but I... can't, Jade... not with our daughters."

The crushing disappointment on Jade's face nearly broke his heart.

"I'm so sorry," John said softly, hugging her close. "I can't be with them like that..."

*You might not have to,* Alyssa suddenly interjected. *Rachel's on her way, she wants to talk to you both.*

John shared a look of hopeful surprise with Jade and held her close while they waited for their tawny-haired doctor. Rachel didn't take long to arrive, jogging down the corridor, her magnificent unfettered breasts bouncing with every step. She was completely nude and her cheeks were flushed as she swept into the bedroom, joining them on the bed.

Seeing John's curious gaze, she gave him a sultry smile. "I was with the girls in the Observatory. We were waiting for you so we could start celebrating, but one thing led to another..."

He nodded and put his hand on her hip as she lay down beside Jade, pulling her closer. "Sounds like fun, sorry I called you away... So what was it you wanted to talk to us about?"

The tawny-haired girl propped herself up on one elbow, then looked intently at John as she placed her hand on Jade's tummy. "I've been spending some time thinking about you breeding Jade..."

"I have too," the Nymph replied, turning to give John a doe-eyed look of adoration.

John leaned down to give her a quick kiss, then turned his attention back to the brunette. "What were you thinking about specifically?"

Rachel's slender fingers traced a slow circle around Jade's navel. "We all know that you plan to keep breeding her for years, rebuilding the Nymph population." Jade moaned at the thought, her muscular thighs rubbing together as she writhed on the bed. Rachel smiled at her, then looked up at John. "Even with four more Nymphs helping Jade rebuild their population, it's still going to take you decades to bring their numbers up to the hundreds. Even then, they won't have a future as a self-sustaining species, not when they can only be made pregnant by a Progenitor."

John looked at her in surprise, then nodded as he realised she was right. "So what are you suggesting?"

"You have a few options, but all of them will involve altering Jade's DNA, so that her offspring will be different to the original Nymphs," Rachel carefully explained. "For example, you could change her so that she can have male children... That then raises the hypothetical question of allowing a male Nymph to impregnate a Terran female; would their offspring be pure-Nymph or a hybrid? Alternatively, if you keep the Nymphs as an entirely-female species, you could modify them so they can have children with Terrans, or make them genetically compatible with multiple species."