Three Square Meals Ch. 110

He couldn't help smiling wistfully, trying to remember the days of his youth when he was an eager junior officer. Fresh out of the academy, he'd been hungry to make a name for himself, wanting to shine amongst his peers and accelerate his career towards his ultimate goal of joining the Admiralty. Where had all that enthusiasm gone? Now, over thirty years later, he'd finally achieved that goal... but the prize felt hollow compared to the glories he'd dreamed of as a boy.

Morgan had been forced to make compromises over the years, avoiding confrontations with the Fleet Admiral so as not to torpedo his own career. He'd always pitied Admiral Kester, thinking the man politically naive for voicing his often-scathing criticisms of Buckingham... but now, he found himself envying the man his integrity.

Focusing on the holo-screen again, he read through a series of reports, several of which stood out amongst the mundane. They'd received their first batch of Claymore fighters, which he knew would create quite the stir on the carriers, those advanced gunships having performed magnificently during the Battle of Terra. The next was an update from Fleet Admiral Devereux, advising him that as soon as the advanced fleet under Vice Admiral Dacres had been fully refitted, they were being sent to reinforce him on the Brimorian Border.

That news was a real boon, with those state-of-the-art vessels having proven their lethality defending Olympus and spearheading the counter-attack that wiped out the Kintark armada. Morgan had never been a particular admirer of Lynette Devereux, but he had to admit that he was impressed by the energy she was throwing into her role as Fleet Admiral. The cynical side of him wondered how long this verve would last, but there was no denying the shockwaves she had already sent through the Admiralty.

There was a bewildering update from Admiral Zelig to High Command, notifying them that the Lion had single-handedly liberated Carolus III. The Kirrix fleet losses were reported to be staggering, but Morgan had seen reports of the devastation the Lion had unleashed on the Kintark armada and could well believe the Invictus capable of such a victory. He smiled, knowing that Commodore Redding would be overjoyed to hear that his homeworld had been liberated; the man had been a nervous wreck for days waiting for news of his family.

Finally, there was a follow-up on a disturbing incident logged by Captain Bexley aboard the Janus. Morgan's eyes narrowed as he flicked through the report, the notes elaborating on the brief summary he'd received from the portly captain late the previous night. He finished reading and sighed, massaging his temples with his fingertips. As exhaustive as training in the Academy was, it hadn't prepared him for a scenario quite like this.

The door chime echoed around his Ready Room, the airy sequence of notes failing to reflect the gravity of the upcoming meeting. Looking up, he said sternly, "Enter..."

The door opened and Commodore Douglas Redding strode into the room, escorting a haggard-looking Commander Mason Newmont. Redding glared at the younger officer with thinly veiled contempt, before turning back to face Morgan. "Commander Newmont, to face charges of Dereliction of Duty and Conduct Unbecoming an Officer, Admiral."

Morgan studied Commander Newmont for a moment, who looked down, obviously deeply ashamed of his current predicament.

"Thank you, Commodore, that will be all," Morgan said, nodding to the Momus' commanding officer.

Redding hesitated, obviously expecting to attend this disciplinary meeting, but Morgan gave him a brief smile and shook his head. While the admiral appreciated the dedicated officer's support, he knew the strain the Commodore was currently under and didn't want to burden the man further.

Redding ran his finger and thumb over his goatee, then nodded respectfully to Morgan before leaving the room.

Morgan turned his attention to Commander Newmont, his gaze hardening. "Tell me, Commander... is it your intention to destroy your career and see yourself serve a prison sentence?"

"No, Sir!" Newmont hurriedly replied, his head snapping up.

"Really? Because you're going the best way about it!" Morgan barked, shaking his head in disgust. "I've just read the report from Captain Bexley... I've never been so appalled by the behaviour of a junior officer in my entire career!"

Newmont flushed red with embarrassment, cringing at the admiral's stern rebuke.

Morgan glanced at his holo-screen and began to read the report aloud. "Commander Newmont failed to attend the Bridge for his allocated night-shift, where he had been designated Officer-in-Charge of the Janus. After investigation of the Commander's quarters, Newmont was located, and found to be in a state of extreme intoxication. Upon rousing the Commander to take him to Medical, Newmont turned violent, attempting to assault the security detail assigned to him. He was heard to be shouting numerous profanities, mostly casting aspersions as to the parentage of Fleet Admiral Devereux..."

The admiral glared at Newmont, his eyes like flint. "If you disagree with this summary of events, please feel free to stop me at any time."

"Yes, Sir..." Newmont said in a subdued voice, but raised no objections.

"Upon reaching Medical, the Commander broke free from the security detail, managing to damage a medi-scanner in the ensuing melee. He was finally restrained, whereupon he delivered a litany of abuse, mostly consisting of threats aimed at High Command, until he was sedated and rendered unconscious." Looking up at the young officer, Morgan continued, "That seems to have been the ignominious conclusion to last night's drunken rampage. Now, was that report accurate?"

Newmont swallowed and nodded. "Yes, Sir."

Leaning back in his chair, Morgan steepled his fingers as he studied the man standing before him. "I know there are extenuating circumstances, with the events surrounding the death of your father and the media vultures circling for blood, but this is no way to honour his memory. If it weren't for your years of exemplary service and Captain Bexley's impassioned plea for leniency, you'd be facing serious charges."

Nodding his head, Newmont sounded despondent as he replied, "Yes, Sir. I understand."

Morgan looked at him with concern. "The most disturbing part of this whole incident is the sheer vehemence of your verbal attacks on senior members of the military. I know you were almost paralytic, but as the saying goes: in vino veritas..."

"I have no justifiable excuse for my behaviour, Sir," Newmont said in a quiet voice.

"Tell me what happened," Morgan said, his voice sympathetic. "Why did you allow yourself to get so drunk?"

There was an uncomfortable silence for a long moment. "It was hard losing my father... but then the media and the Fleet Admiral... they've been blaming him for everything! Trying to make him out to be a monster! I only intended to have one or two drinks, just to stop thinking about it all... but then..." his voice trailed off and he flushed with shame.

The admiral leaned forward and made eye contact with him. "Mason, do you still wish to serve in the Terran Federation military?"

Newmont straightened up as he nodded curtly. "Yes, Sir!"

Raising a hand, Morgan shook his head. "I want you to take a couple of days and really think it over. If you believe there's any chance of more of these... incidents... you should seriously consider resigning your commission. There would be no shame in an honourable discharge and you'd be able to make a new life for yourself outside the military. That would be a far better outcome than what will happen if you can't keep yourself under control. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal clear, Sir," Newmont said, standing to attention.

"Give your future some serious thought, Commander," Morgan said, looking him in the eye. "You're dismissed."

He watched Commander Newmont leave the Ready Room and couldn't help noticing the repressed anger in the young man's stiff posture, or the way his hands were clenched into fists.

***

The girls began to leave the bedroom, with Calara and Sakura collecting the trays of empty plates to return them to the kitchen.

John looked at the twins and asked, "Are you two available for a chat?"

"Of course," Tashana immediately agreed, with Irillith nodding and hugging her sister.

"I hope the three of you have a good talk," Alyssa said with the hint of a smile.

John looked up at her and frowned, then reached for her hand as she climbed off the bed, holding her back. "Wait a moment, beautiful. I'd like to speak with you too."

The twins saw the pensive expression on his face and knowing what had upset him, they both slid off the bed. "Let us do the clear up," Tashana offered, jogging over to collect the stack of trays from Calara.

Irillith ran her fingers along Alyssa's arm. "We'll give you some privacy." She glanced back at John and gave him an understanding smile. "Just let us know when you're finished."

Alyssa sat demurely on the bed, the rest of the girls departing and leaving the two of them alone. She looked back at John and said quietly, "I didn't tell you what the Hive Mind did to me, because I'd already punished them for it... and I knew you'd be furious."

John gathered her in his arms and gently laid her back on the bed. "I'm not concerned about retribution."

She raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her full lips.

"Alright, I do want to slaughter the Hive Mind for assaulting you like that," he reluctantly admitted, grinding his teeth in anger. Then his expression turned to one of sympathy and concern, "But much more than that, I'm worried about you. What you experienced must have been horrific! Are you sure you're alright?"

She stroked his cheek and nodded. "I snapped out of it pretty fast and before it could get really nasty. The Kirrix made a mistake in the vision they forced on me and my mind realised it was fake."

John brushed his fingers through her golden mane. "It's me, honey. You don't have to hold it in..."

Alyssa's calm facade cracked and her eyes welled up as she hugged him tight. "The pain was so intense... I've never felt anything like it," she finally admitted, her voice breaking. "They've done that to so many people, John... it's such a terrible way to die!"

He held her in his arms and let her weep, her body trembling as she clung to him for support. John tried to put aside his outrage, focusing instead on Alyssa's pain and trying to help her deal with it. He murmured soothing words, stroking her until she settled down in his loving embrace. They lay like that for a few minutes, John letting her draw strength from him until she was calm and composed once more.

"Thank you," she whispered, tilting her head up to look at him. "It felt good to just let that go..."

"Any time," he said, giving her a warm smile.

She sighed with contentment, enjoying being wrapped up in his arms. John let her relax like that for a while, then he eased back and let a hand slide across her blouse, methodically unbuttoning the buttons at her waist and working upwards.

Alyssa raised an eyebrow and glanced down at her bared midriff. "Don't get me wrong, I'm always up for some action, but telling you what happened wasn't supposed to be foreplay..."

John shook his head and peeled back the material of her blouse, exposing the tantalising oval of her toned abdomen. He placed his hand on her soft skin, the weight comforting and possessive. "Your gorgeous body belongs to me," he said firmly, gazing into her cerulean eyes. "What would happen to anyone who tried to do something like that to you?"

Her mouth lifted into a knowing smile. "You'd make what I did to the Hive Queen look like a Sunday picnic in the park."

"That's right," John agreed, his fingers slowly circling her navel and leaving a trail of goosebumps. "What the Hive Mind showed you was cruel and sadistic, but there is no possible way it could ever happen... so no nightmares, okay?"

She looked up at him with big eyes and nodded her agreement. "I promise. I know you'd never let anything like that happen to me."

"Good girl," he said approvingly, before leaning down to reverently kiss her belly.

"I belong to you..." she whispered in a blissful state of euphoria, running her fingers through his thick hair.

"That's right," he agreed, his lips lovingly brushing her skin. "I love you... and so does Calara, and so do the rest of the girls. We'd stop at nothing to protect you if you were in danger."

Alyssa arched her back, a soft sigh escaping her flushed lips. "We're all so lucky to have each other..."

He blew on her tummy and she giggled when he found a ticklish spot. John propped himself up on an elbow to smile at her. "Feel better?"

"I really do, thank you," she replied, sitting up and kissing him tenderly. She paused mid-kiss, her cerulean eyes widening. "Oh, wow! I've just had a great idea!"

"I don't suppose you're going to tell me, are you?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Let me talk to Rachel first!" she exclaimed, giving him a quick peck on the nose and slipping off the bed. Rushing out of the bedroom, she called back over her shoulder, "The twins are on their way!"

John lay back on the bed and folded his hands behind his head. He could tell that he'd really helped Alyssa to deal with the aftermath of her confrontation with the Kirrix Hive Mind and knowing that filled him with a huge surge of relief. He wished that he could help Tashana recover from her torments so easily, but after everything that poor girl had suffered through, he knew it would be a long road to recovery.

He heard the sisters approaching long before he saw them, their confident stride giving them a distinctive step as they walked along the corridor. They were speaking quietly in Maliri, the soft sounds beautiful to his ear.

John sat up as they walked through the door, greeting the identical twins with a smile. "Hello, ladies. I'm sorry for making you wait."

They were both wearing the long dresses that Maliri women favoured, showing tantalising glimpses of blue skin through the subtle slashes in the figure-hugging fabric. The sisters sat on the end of the bed, slipping off their shoes and folding their legs under them as they turned to face him.

"Alyssa needed you," Tashana said with an understanding smile. "There's no need to apologise."

"She seemed particularly ebullient, even for a Terran teenager," Irillith noted with a quirk of her lips. "Yet she didn't waddle out of here with her tummy swollen with your cum... Have you changed your methods of comforting distressed young women, John?"

"I realised I need to raise my game after the ribbing I got from you two earlier," he replied archly.

Tashana faked a pout. "How disappointing..."

The three of them shared coy smiles, the atmosphere between them charged with electricity.

John's expression turned serious and he beckoned them closer. "As much as I love bantering with you both, I'd like to talk about what happened on the hive ship."

The twins shared a pensive glance and he immediately knew that their jokes had been a way of avoiding this subject.

"Can you hold us while we talk?" Tashana asked in a quiet voice. "The physical contact helps... it makes me feel safe."

"Of course, honey," he said, holding his arms open. "Whatever's most comfortable for you."

The sisters crawled across the bed, then gently pushed John so that he was lying on his back. Each took a side, draping themselves across his body and leaning against his chest, so that they were looking down at him from above.

John encircled them in his arms, placing his hand on the small of their backs. "Does that feel okay?"

"Lovely," Tashana agreed, relaxing in his embrace.

Irillith nodded, glancing at her sister before focusing on John again. "This is good."

He stroked them reassuringly and said, "Okay, so we've all avoided talking in detail about what happened to Tashana in the past. I've not brought it up because I didn't want to trigger any painful memories. I also haven't discussed it in front of Irillith because..." He hesitated and looked at her. "Why do you think that was, honey?"

She sighed and glanced at Tashana, realising John wanted her to be honest. "Because I still feel guilty whenever I see you in pain over what happened."

John nodded. "Good girl, thank you." He glanced at Tashana. "That's one of the reasons you've avoided talking about it too, isn't it?"

Tashana nibbled at her lip and threw an anxious glance at her twin. "I know you blame yourself and I hate seeing you get upset like that."

They hugged each other, tearing up as they embraced. John just rubbed their backs to soothe them, waiting until they'd both regained their composure.

"Does it feel better getting this out in the open?" he asked, looking at each girl with concern.

Tashana nodded, darting a glance at her sister. "We've been tiptoeing around the problem for weeks... which is silly after we made that big breakthrough and bonded with each other."

"You're right... and I think I've been holding us back since then," Irillith admitted, looking shamefaced. "I was just so horrified when I experienced everything you'd been through."

John reached up to brush the tears from their cheeks. "Which is why we need to help you both get past all this."

Tashana smiled at him affectionately. "You're making it sound a lot worse than it is. I'm already feeling so much better about... everything really."

Irillith's violet eyes twinkled as they met his. "He's not going to be content until we're ecstatically happy all the time, Shan."

"That's my goal, yes," John said, looking at each of them in turn.

Tashana looked startled. "You're really serious, aren't you?"

He ran his fingers through their long, snowy-white hair, gently caressing both girls. "Maybe a constant state of ecstasy is aiming a bit high, but I definitely don't want to see either of you in pain any more. I think we managed to take the sting out of a lot of the trauma with all those psychic blocks I put in your minds. That gave Tashana a chance to recover and stopped Irillith torturing herself with the guilt. Those mental barriers have been gone for a while, but you'd both long outgrown them... you're very powerful women now."

The twins looked touched and took it in turns kissing him, a look of hope and optimism in their eyes.

"So what's the next step?" Tashana asked, clearly intrigued.

"I thought we could get together and talk through your worst experiences," John said, his tone gentle and sympathetic. "Perhaps if the three of us discuss those horrible events, it will make them less likely to cause flashbacks for Tashana." He looked at Irillith. "And I know you're aware of what happened to your sister because you experienced all of her dreadful memories. As Tashana gets more comfortable talking about her past, then hopefully, the guilt will ease for you too."

"Actually, I've got a better idea!" Alyssa announced, striding into the bedroom with Rachel at her side. "Going over everything in detail like that will be a long painful process, but I reckon we can help them get over this in one go."

The twins untangled themselves from John and the three of them sat up, looking at Alyssa quizzically.

"That sounds too good to be true," John said, an element of caution in his voice.

"Rachel thinks it'll work; don't you, beautiful?" Alyssa replied with an excited grin, putting her arm around the brunette.

Rachel frowned, her anxious expression not inspiring John with much confidence. "There's a good chance it will... but you're not going to like it," she replied, darting a worried glance at John.

"I'm definitely interested to hear any ideas either of you might have," John said, looking at each of them in turn. "My main concern is helping Tashana and Irillith... you know I'm willing to do whatever it takes to do that."