Three Square Meals Ch. 123

There was no mistaking his conviction and Hallister was shocked at the thought. Dacres wasn't the only one to have nightmares after the Battle of Terra, but hers usually involved hordes of green Kintark warships tearing the Notus apart. "Less than 10% fleet losses?" she asked incredulously.

Dacres nodded, then surreptitiously glanced around the Bridge to make sure no one was in earshot. Stepping closer to Hallister, he whispered, "Have you noticed that the Lion's been taking out all our hostile neighbours? I'm sure the Brimorians days are numbered... you might even get to see Blake and his Lionesses in action."

Before she could reply, one of the tactical officers turned their way and called out, "Admiral? I'm picking up lots of contacts on our long-range sensors..."

He frowned and turned to look at the holographic map, where a swathe of unknown objects was being displayed at the edge of their sensor range. "Are they Brimorians? Could they have slipped past the fleet?"

The tactical officer hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't think so, Sir." Pointing to a couple of objects further back that were now circled in green, he replied, "There are friendlies there... but no one's moving."

"Perhaps the border fleet fought off an attack," Dacres said pensively, leaning forward in his seat. "Hail them."

After a painfully long minute, the communications officer shook his head. "No response, Admiral."

Dacres shared a worried glance with Commodore Hallister, then they watched as the advanced fleet flew towards the mass of sensor contacts. When they drew close enough for the sensors to start receiving more detailed information, the holographic Tactical Map began to display three-dimensional images.

"Oh my God..." Dacres muttered under his breath, staring in horror at the scene of devastation spread out before him.

"That's the border fleet!" Hallister gasped, her hand going to her mouth.

There was no mistaking the wreckage of Terran Federation warships, their titanium plated hulls grey and lifeless against the black backdrop of space. The only signs of movement were the slowly dying fires in several of the burned-out wrecks, the entire fleet reduced to a mournful graveyard for the many thousands of people who had died there. Even the false hope the green sensor contacts had given them proved to be a lie, those ships little more than battle-ravaged hulks.

"Transponders must still be active..." the Tactical Officer mumbled, staring appalled at the carnage.

Shaking off his shock, Dacres said, "Get closer and start scanning those wrecks, we need to rescue any survivors. Locate escape pods and let's get those people to safety."

The communications officer turned to him, a hand at his headset. "Sir... I'm not picking up any distress beacons."

That left only two possibilities for the escape pods. Either the Brimorians had taken all the Terran survivors prisoner... or the Enclave forces had committed a terrible atrocity.

There was silence on the Bridge as the fleet approached the battlefield, until the Chief Engineer choked out a strangled cry. "Those fucking bastards!"

Dacres looked at him questioningly, but the zoomed in holo-image that the man displayed gave him the answer he was dreading. There was no mistaking the distinctive red and white stripes of a Terran Federation escape pod... even with the blackened scars from particle bolts marring its shattered surface.

"Scan the wrecks... there might still be people alive," Dacres said, slumping in his Command Chair.

"Sir... more contacts..."

The admiral looked up and saw a carefully ordered formation of sensor contacts at the extreme edge of sensor range. They were moving steadily across the map, travelling from left to right.

"That's the border with the Callopean Shoals," Hallister said in a hushed voice. "The Brimorians have reclaimed their territory..."

"Alert High Command," Dacres said, turning to make eye-contact with the communications officer. "Tell them what happened here. Tell them... we've lost the border fleet and the Callopean Shoals."

The comms officer acknowledged his order with a shaky nod, then initiated a broadcast with the pulse generator attached to the Hera's communications relay. He was quiet for a long moment, then said, "The message was acknowledged, but there was no other reply."

The Terran advanced fleet spread out amongst the wreckage, carefully searching for any sign of life. It was a painstaking process, with each Federation ship performing an active scan to look for Terran personnel in the battered hulks.

"Still nothing?" Dacres asked, looking back at the comms officer who had been checking for new messages from High Command. When he received a rueful headshake in answer to his question, the admiral turned to his Chief Engineer. "And you're sure there's no survivors?"

"The Brimorians deliberately killed them all, Sir," he replied, his voice breaking. "They scanned the wrecks for survivors and blasted any they found."

"Fucking animals..." Dacres snarled, glaring at the massive Brimorian fleet parading along the new border between the two empires. "Alright, prepare to withdraw. The Brimorians must have done something to the nearest comms beacon, or the border fleet would have called for help. We'll head coreward until we can re-establish contact with High Command and await new orders."

The helmsman let out a heavy sigh, then set a new course that would take them away from the border and back towards Terra.

"Wait!" the Chief Engineer suddenly blurted out. "It's the Hyperion... they found someone!"

The engineering officer patched through the vid-feed he was receiving from the Terran battleship. Crashed into the broken remains of a Federation destroyer was a badly mangled Claymore fighter, the gunship's fuselage barely intact. Both wings had been shot off and what was left of the hull showed hits from a dozen particle bolts. The tail had been scorched by flames when the engines had been destroyed, but the tailcode was just visible amidst the blackened scars: "HCJ-C-1482".

***

Lynette awoke the next morning and turned to reach for Charles, then her heart sank when she remembered that she'd slept the night alone. After the awkward conversation the previous evening, she knew there was something else bothering him... and the veiled reference to her reminding him of Alyssa gave Lynette a pretty good idea of what it was. A glance at the chronometer showed that it was 6:07 am, so she rolled out of bed, wanting to catch her fiancé before he started his day.

Heading into the shower, Lynette was determined to clear the air and remind Charles just how much she loved him. Soaping herself down under the jets of water, she idly ran her fingers over her beautifully sculpted stomach, tracing the toned muscles as she felt that familiar hunger in the pit of her belly. Lustful thoughts turned to anxiety and she wondered again about telling Charles the full story behind the Change...

She really didn't want to keep any secrets from her fiancé, but Lynette had no idea how he'd react to hearing the truth. Charles knew that John had healed her near-fatal injuries and triggered this miraculous rejuvenation of her body, but he didn't know the intimate details of the process. While Lynette had never actually had any sexual contact with John, she'd spent several glorious days with her stomach swollen with his cum, courtesy of Jade who kept her constantly stuffed full.

When the Change was complete, Lynette had then actively pursued Charles, seducing him with her youthful alter-ego Marie. While there was no cross-over between being kept topped up and dating Charles, the timing was awfully close. She imagined various disastrous ways that awkward conversation could pan out, then sighed and quickly rinsed herself off.

Dressing in her Fleet Admiral's uniform, Lynette walked through the lounge to the kitchen, then turned on the comms interface as she made herself a salmon bagel. Her eyes swept down the dozens of new messages that morning and she was surprised to not see any notification from Vice Admiral Dacres confirming that he'd reinforced Admiral Morgan in the Callopean Shoals. She thought about contacting the Hera to check they'd arrived safely, but didn't want to badger the recently promoted officer, in case he mistook her concern for lack of confidence in him. Finishing off her breakfast, she headed for the door with a spring in her step, eager to make things right with her fiancé.

Hitting the button to open the door, it slid open and Lynette nearly walked right into Admiral Harris who was standing right outside. "Charles!" she exclaimed in delight.

"Lynette!" he blurted out in alarm, shoving her back into her quarters.

She blinked in surprise, looking at him in astonishment as he hurriedly sealed the door behind him. "What's wrong?"

He let out an exasperated sigh, then turned her to face the mirror in the lobby. Lynette saw her own bemused expression as she stared at herself... the youthful reflection of a stunningly beautiful 20-year-old girl.

"Oh shit, I totally forgot!" Whirling around, Lynette gave her fiancé a grateful hug. "Thank God you were there, I nearly blew the whole thing!" She paused and pulled back to look at him. "What were you doing out there anyway?"

Charles coughed awkwardly and blushed. "I... ah... couldn't sleep. I wanted to say I was sorry."

"Oh, darling... you had nothing to apologise for," she gushed, her hazel eyes softening. Slipping her hand into his, she led him back into the lounge. "You were right about the way I handled the Chapman situation... I was much too harsh. I should have encouraged him to stand down, rather than push him into a public confrontation like that. I'll see that he receives a dishonourable discharge rather than having him executed for treason."

"I know that your motivations were good... and it must have been frustrating with him being deliberately obstructive," Charles said as he sat down on the sofa. He paused and looked at his fiancée in surprise as she knelt on the floor rather than taking a seat. "Lynette?"

She looked contrite and humble kneeling before him. "I forgot my disguise because I was distracted this morning. I was rushing to see you, so that I could tell you how sorry I was... and how much I love you."

Charles gently cupped her cheek and smiled. "I feel the same way. I spent the night tossing and turning, worried that you were going to break off the engagement."

Lynette turned and gently kissed his hand. "I would never do that." She studied his pensive expression and continued, "Charles, have I ever given you the impression that I would be unfaithful to you?"

He looked at her in surprise, then shook his head. "No... of course not! What made you think that?"

"When you woke me yesterday, you made a comment about not expecting to catch me sleeping with someone else this quickly."

"It was just a joke..." he said, with a half-hearted smile.

She looked him in the eyes and said, "Please be honest with me, Charles. Are you worried that I'm going to leave you?"

He paused for a moment, various emotions flashing across his face until he suddenly deflated. "I was married before, Lynette. She left me 25 years ago for another man and it still hurts today. Emma said I was 'married to the military' and that I was a terrible husband for neglecting her... and she was right."

"I was married to the military too," Lynette said with a self-conscious smile. "But we got divorced when I met you."

Charles couldn't help chuckling. "I feel the same way. I suppose that makes you my third wife."

"So the engagement is still on then?" she asked, her smile broadening as she held up her left hand and wiggled her ring finger, the big diamond sparkling in the light.

He didn't answer right away, his gaze sweeping over Lynette's statuesque body, then back to her exquisitely beautiful face. "Lynette... with the way you look, you could have any man you want. Are you really sure you want to be married to me?"

Lynette nodded and said earnestly, "I promise I'll never leave you, Charles. I'll be yours for as long as you want me."

Charles caressed her cheek and said quietly, "There's a 34-year age gap between us now... physically at least. Are you still going to feel the same way in 30 years?"

"Definitely," she replied, without the slightest hint of doubt.

"How can you be so sure?" he asked, surprised by her vehemence.

She interlaced her fingers with his and gently stroked the back of his hand. "It's a Lioness thing. We're dedicated to our man... and you're all mine."

His eyes flickered with uncertainty. "I know you've got a special connection with Alyssa... and with John too..."

"Is that what you're worried about?" Lynette asked softly. "I don't want you to worry about a problem that just isn't there."

Charles chewed his lip nervously, then replied, "I want to respect your privacy, but I can tell there's some things you don't want me to know."

With a quiet sigh of resignation, Lynette squeezed his hand. "It's more important that you don't have any doubts. Just ask me about whatever's bothering you... I promise I'll tell you the truth."

"Did you sleep with John?" he asked her apprehensively.

She smiled and shook her head. "You've asked me that before and the answer's still no. In the spirit of full disclosure, I kissed him once... but it was more of a good luck kiss before he went into battle."

"But you are connected to him and Alyssa? There's some kind of... psychic link between you, where they can hear your thoughts?"

Lynette sat back on her haunches and carefully uncoupled her fingers from his. "John is a Progenitor. His species creates a psychic network with all the women they're connected to and use a Matriarch to manage the eldritch energy they provide."

Holding her hand out flat she said, "John." Placing her other hand underneath, she stated, "Alyssa." Moving both hands lower, she kept them flat and touched the tips of her index fingers together. "All of the enthralled women in the network... or as you know them, his Lionesses."

"So you're 'enthralled' by John?" Charles asked with a grimace.

She tilted her head to one side. "If he was a regular Progenitor, I'd be his mindlessly obedient slave... but John's not like that. He can't read my mind, it's only Alyssa that can hear my thoughts... and just the things I want to share with her. She can use my psychic energy herself, or give it to John... which is why Jehanna and I were so tired yesterday; they used our energy to fight against Larn'kelnar. The process is harmless, but it left us exhausted."

He nodded thoughtfully, as things fell into place. Raising an eyebrow, Charles looked at her again and asked, "You said you're dedicated to your man... but what about women? You made that comment about just sleeping with the really pretty girls, which I assumed was a joke at the time, but now it's got me thinking. Have you slept with Jehanna?"

Lynette smiled and nodded. "You put us in bed together, remember?" She quickly added, "But nothing sexual happened between us... and it won't. Jehanna is one of John's girls and I belong to you now... it wouldn't be right." She blushed as she continued, "Although, in the spirit of full disclosure, I have been to bed with Alyssa... and we didn't do much sleeping."

Charles gaped at her in shock. "You had sex with Alyssa?!"

"I was single at the time and it happened before I started trying to seduce you," she informed him, her manner open and honest. "Alyssa cares a great deal about the girls she's connected to... and she's gentle and kind, and so very beautiful."

He swallowed and shifted awkwardly in his seat.

Lynette gave him a coy smile. "I take it you don't find the thought of us together too distressing?"

Charles coughed and turned bright red. "Ah... no."

She giggled and stroked his thigh. "Good!" After a pause, she made eye contact with him again and continued, "It was a one-off though and it won't happen again. Like I said before, I was single at the time, so it was alright. Now I'm with you, the situation has changed, so being intimate with any of John's girls would be inappropriate."

He looked at her perceptively. "But girls who aren't connected to John?"

Lynette studied his expression, watching for any sign of discomfort. "I would never do anything behind your back, Charles... but if you found a girl we were both attracted to, I'd be very open to the idea."

"You really want to go to bed with another woman?" he asked, fascinated by the erotic images that conjured up.

Gazing into his eyes, her voice lowered into a throaty growl, "If seeing us together would turn you on, then definitely... but I'd prefer to see you with her..."

He gaped at her in shock. "You're joking?"

She shook her head and gently stroked his shaft through his trousers. "This isn't a joking matter."

Charles groaned at her seductive caress. "God... you're incredible!"

"Would you like me to take care of that for you?" Lynette asked breathily. "I've been craving your taste ever since I woke up..."

He nodded, too worked up to reply in any coherent fashion.

Lynette deftly unzipped his trousers and engulfed his shaft in her hot mouth, letting out a sultry moan as she deep-throated everything he had. It was a fast, efficient blowjob, with both of them desperately seeking his release. When Charles began to spurt down her throat, Lynette hummed with delight, gently massaging his balls as she sucked them dry.

"That was delicious, my love," she purred, after releasing his softening shaft from her flushed lips. "Thank you so much."

"Jesus..." he blurted out, staring at her with wild eyes. "I think I'm the enthralled one around here!"

She gave his wilting cock a tender kiss, then fastened up his trousers. "Now, is there anything else you'd like to ask me? I want the future father of my children to know in his heart that I'll never betray him."

Charles shook his head, then smiled as he removed her Fleet Admiral's hat so he could stroke her hair. "Consider me very reassured."

Lynette let out a sigh of relief, then gave him a lovely smile. "I'm so glad we talked."

"Me too," he agreed. After a moment's pause, Charles continued, "I can tell there's something else... something you don't think I'll want to know. If it happened before we got together, I don't really care what it is. I trust you, Lynette... and if you want to be with me, I'd be a fool to question my incredible good fortune."

"Thank you," she said gratefully, for a whole host of reasons.

Charles smiled and offered her his hand. "Sit up here with me."

Lynette rose to her feet and sat sideways across his lap, then nuzzled into him and whispered, "Would you stroke my tummy? That always feels so good when I've swallowed your cum."

"Of course," he agreed, doing as she asked and drawing a sigh of contentment from the happy brunette. They sat there quietly for a few minutes, then he continued, "I'm supposed to be meeting Lina for lunch today to tell her all about the engagement. We better come up with a convincing story."

"You could just tell her the truth?" Lynette suggested, gently kissing his throat.

Charles blinked in surprise, then leaned back so he could look at his fiancé. "Why on Terra would I do that?"

Her lips curled into a flirtatious smile. "Well, it depends on two things. First, do you think she's trustworthy? And second, would you like to fuck a hot redhead?"

"What?!"

She giggled at his shocked reaction, then pulled back to give him a sly grin. "Come on, Charles. Lina's been flirting like mad... you must have realised how much she wants you? If she does join us for a threesome, she'll find it hard to miss what I really look like when I'm eating your cum from her pussy..."