Three Square Meals Ch. 133

"Why would you warn us the minefield is there?" he muttered aloud, staring at it suspiciously. "And why tell us its exact size and location?"

He drummed his claws on the console, the dull clicks the only sound on the ominously silent Command Deck. The Enclave armada continued onwards, drawing closer to the sweeping minefield blocking their path.

"Is this another bunch of garbage pods like the last? Or was the previous minefield a fake just to make me think this one is too? Have you planned a feint within a feint and this minefield is actually real? In which case I should navigate around it to avoid the trap entirely... but what if you knew I'd be suspicious again and decided to lay cloaked mines on the most obvious path to circumvent the minefield?"

Shoal-Commander Libtegh looked at his leader with alarm, wondering if Kaelotegh was starting to crack under the strain.

The Shoal Master shook his head, a feverish gleam in his eyes. "A lesser tactician would choose a vector at random, assuming that there was no possible way that it could be predicted... but you and I both know there is no such thing as pure chance. I would not choose the fastest diversion around the minefield to avoid befalling the same fate as the nebula, nor would I choose the longest route which someone might pick because it is the least-desirable choice."

Rasping his teeth to get his leader's attention, Libtegh said quietly, "Shoal Master, what are your orders? At our current speed, we will enter the minefield in eight minutes."

Kaelotegh glared at him in irritation, then activated the fleet interface. "Hold position and launch strike craft. I want a reconnaissance of the outer layer of that minefield."

The Brimorian armada dropped out of hyper-warp and a lone carrier flew ahead to within deployment distance. Agile fighters raced away from their carrier's launch bays, quickly forming up into wings as they readied for combat. The Shoal Master leaned forward and held his breath as the wave of strike craft closed on the outer edge of the minefield. They began their attack runs and just like before, the fighters swept back and forth for several minutes, strafing the mines with particle bolts without triggering an explosion. The Brimorian pilots then slowed and drew alongside the scattered wreckage to investigate further.

One of the fighter pilots hailed the fleet, his helmeted face appearing on the comms screen. "More garbage pods, Shoal Master. The minefield is a fake, just like the last."

"Proceed inside... I want a visual check that they're garbage pods right across the field."

"As you command," the pilot replied.

Wings of fighters flew through the minefield at a steady pace, the pilots visually confirming that all the globes were the same size and shape as the ones they'd already destroyed.

"They all appear to be garbage pods, Shoal Master."

Staring at the map with suspicion, Kaelotegh contacted the strike craft again. "Sweep the last dozen rows clear in a kilometre wide channel."

The fighters acknowledged the order, then began carefully clearing the path that their leader had requested. It took half an hour to eliminate them all, but the strike craft did so without triggering a single explosion. Kaelotegh had been concerned that the enemy commander had left a few nasty surprises hidden at the end of the fake minefield, so he sighed with relief when it was clear that this was all just an elaborate ruse.

"Ha! I knew it!" Kaelotegh gloated, sitting forward eagerly in his Command Chair. "Another bluff designed to make us waste hours on an entirely unnecessary diversion!"

Libtegh nodded, his spirits raising as he realised his leader had outwitted their adversary.

Kaeolotegh adjusted the fleet formations so the Brimorians were now arranged with a narrow front no more than 200 metres wide. He set a course directly through the minefield, then ordered the first fleet to lead the way through.

The Shoal-Commander beside him hesitated, years of training telling him that this was a terrible idea. However, Libtegh dreaded to think what other deadly traps might lurk in the space surrounding the minefield, so decided to stay silent and place his faith in his leader. He watched as the Brimorian warships cruised through the uniform ranks of garbage pods, their broad blue and purple hulls knocking aside the hollow containers as they went. The minutes ticked by without incident as the Enclave forces safely navigated half the way across the field.

Libtegh relaxed and shared a smile of relief with Kaelotegh. "I must confess I was concerned, Shoal Master."

A sensor contact suddenly flared to life on the outskirts of the minefield as a ship that had been hiding on minimal power activated all its systems. It appeared as an ominous red light on the map as it turned and flew towards the Brimorian fleets.

"What is that?!" Kaeolotegh blurted out in alarm.

"It's only a corvette... I believe it's a mining drone carrier?" the Wave-squire on tactical replied, sounding unsure.

"We've got movement!" Libtegh warned, pointing to the minefield.

Dozens of tiny sensor contacts flickered into existence on both flanks of the armada, then began to drew closer. The Shoal Master zoomed in the holo-display and the image showed mining drones pushing garbage pods towards the fleet.

"All ships open fire!" Kaeolotegh yelled into the fleet command interface.

The warships opened up with their defence grids, spraying particle bolts at the approaching drones. Much smaller than a fighter, the diminutive craft were hard for the gunners to target with any degree of accuracy and streams of yellow energy bolts zipped past without landing a hit. One of the heavy cruiser gunners was a good shot and blasted the garbage pod the drone was pushing, triggering a crimson explosion.

Kaeolotegh stared at the detonation with dread, feeling his heart sink in his chest. All around his fleet, the gunners desperately tried to shoot all the mining drones, many explosions confirming their success. However, some still managed to get though the waves of gunfire, pushing their garbage pods into the hulls of the Brimorian ships. A cruiser was the first casualty, the contact-mine blowing apart the warship's starboard flank and leaving a gaping crater in the armour plating.

The Shoal Master sank back in his chair, his face a picture of misery as explosions rippled through the Brimorian fleet. He'd been outwitted again.

***

Rachel stretched with contentment, then rolled over on the bed to face Sakura, her cum-filled stomach brushing against the Asian girl's rounded belly.

"You were so in tune," the brunette gushed, smiling at her bedmates. "That was amazing!"

"Two souls in perfect harmony," Sakura whispered, turning to gaze adoringly at John over her shoulder.

Spooned behind the former assassin, John caressed her curved abdomen. "I hope you're not still worried that you aren't as close to me as the other girls?"

Sakura blushed and shook her head. "Not after that impressive bit of overcompensation... how could I be?"

John laughed and kissed her shoulder. "Yeah, maybe I did go a tad overboard."

"What new ability did you give Sakura?" Rachel asked, looking at them both in fascination. "It seemed like you were totally synchronised with each other."

"You know how frustrated I've been, trying and failing to break through hex shields," John explained. "I figured that Sakura would be the ideal person to help me overwhelm a Progenitor's psychic defences."

"You two are the only ones that favour melee weapons," the brunette mused, nodding her understanding. "Coordinating your attacks like that was very effective."

John let his fingers drift from Sakura's golden brown tummy to stroke Rachel's tanned midriff. "I hope you don't mind that I cheated to break one of your shields?"

Rachel shivered with delight at his gentle touch, then smiled and shook her head. "You're forgiven."

"I'm amazed you held us both off for as long as you did," Sakura said, looking at the brunette with admiration. A worried frown appeared on her face as she continued, "But if Progenitors are all that powerful, we've got our work cut out for us."

"We have to assume they are," John agreed. "My father said that Larn'kelnar had been weakened after living under the Shroud for a year."

"Yes and he was still quite the handful," Rachel noted, frowning as she rubbed the spot on her chest where she'd been impaled by a telekinetic lance.

John nodded, his expression grim. "Exactly."

The door to the Dojo's bedroom opened and Leylira entered, then she sat beside John on the bed. "It looks like I was too late to spar with you, Master."

Sitting up, John greeted the tiger-striped catgirl with a hug. "It's not too late, honey. If you give me a few minutes, I'll take a quick shower then get geared up again."

Leylira leaned over to stroke Sakura's cum-packed womb. "There's no rush. I'd prefer to fight you after you're... fully rested."

He blinked in surprise, then grinned with anticipation, knowing the fierce Nymph's real reason for requesting a sparring match. "I'll look forward to it."

She kissed him, then padded out of the bedroom with a seductive sway to her hips. Leylira glanced back over her shoulder and smiled with satisfaction when she saw he was entranced by her delectable figure. "Goodbye, Master."

Rachel watched him with an enigmatic expression on her face, then turned to Sakura. "Who would you like to feed? Ailita or Jehanna?"

Sakura's brown eyes shone brightly at the prospect. "How about we switch half way?"

"Perfect," the brunette agreed, rising from the bed.

"I'd like to do more shield-breaking practice in the future," John said, getting up too. "Would you be up for that again sometime?"

She scooped up her clothes, then gave John a parting kiss. "If every session ends like this... absolutely."

"It usually does," Sakura noted with a smile of satisfaction.

Rachel laughed then nodded. "Count me in." She waved goodbye and left the bedroom.

John picked up the rest of the clothes scattered on the floor, then dropped them on the bed in two neat piles. "I'll come up to the Observatory with you and we can get a shower together after you've fed the girls."

Sakura watched him for a moment, then reached out to catch his hand. "John..."

"Yes, honey?"

"I know the real reason you gave me this new ability..." she whispered, her eyes filling up with emotion. "Thank you."

John hesitated then sat down next to her. "I'm really sorry that you got upset. I feel awful that you ever felt like that. Everything I said to you before was true, but I wanted to show you in a tangible way just how much I need you, Sakura."

She looked at him with reverence. "You showed me alright... I didn't think it was possible to feel as close to someone as the way I do to you right now. Your body felt like an extension of my own... it was just magical."

He pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear. "My High Priestess of Justice deserves nothing less."

Sakura giggled then hugged him hard. "I love you so much."

"I feel the same way about you," he replied, then tilted up her chin to give her a tender kiss.

*Are you trying to turn me into a love drunk again?* Alyssa asked with a playful telepathic smile.

*Just trying to make it up to Sakura,* he replied, offering the Asian girl a hand as she climbed off the bed.

*Well you did that in spades,* his blonde matriarch said with amusement. *By the way... have you forgotten that we'll be reaching Kinta in just a couple more hours? I thought you were planning to load up the girls right before the battle?*

John picked up his clothes and followed Sakura out of the bedroom, neither of them bothering to get dressed. *We got a bit carried away after the training session... but I doubt the Brimorians will give us too much trouble.*

*I don't think they will either, but I wanted to double-check with you before the girls fill up Ailita and Jehanna.*

*I'm not planning on taking any chances,* John replied, accompanying Sakura along the corridor towards the Lagoon. She slipped her hand into his and they shared a smile as they passed the grav-tubes. *We'll help the Kintark destroy what's left of the Brimorian invasion force, then leave as quickly as possible. Getting to Genthalas is still my number one priority.*

*Speaking of which, Calara wants to discuss your plans for the Maliri fleets.*

*I'll take a quick shower then join her on the Command Deck. Can you tell her I'll be ten minutes?*

*No problem.* Alyssa hesitated for a moment, then continued, *Just to let you know, I'm going to be incommunicado for a while. Charles just called Lynette and asked to see her. She's worried sick, so I'm going to give her my full attention... okay?*

*Of course. Thanks for helping her, beautiful.*

***

Lynette Devereux fidgeted nervously, looking very much like an anxious twenty-year-old, rather than the undisputed leader of the Terran Federation. She was wearing her full dress uniform, but she hadn't activated her holo disguise as she was in her quarters.

*What am I going to say?!* she asked, her voice edging towards panic. *God... I'm so nervous... What if Charles doesn't want to be with me anymore? I think I'd die without him!*

*Stop it Lynette!* Alyssa said sternly. *Pull yourself together! You're not some simpering schoolgirl, you're the Fleet Admiral of the Terran Federation!*

Lynette inhaled deeply, then let it out in a shuddering breath. *I thought you didn't like the admiralty?* she joked with a tremulous smile.

*Yeah, they're mostly a bunch of heartless assholes... but you're letting the side down by falling apart over Charles,* Alyssa replied, playing along with her. *Now, chin up, I'm going to help you through this.*

*Okay... so what should I say to him?* Lynette asked, wringing her hands together.

*Nothing.*

The brunette blinked in surprise. *What?*

*Please don't make me repeat everything, I know you heard me,* Alyssa said with a mock frown. *I don't want you to say anything to Charles when he arrives.*

Lynette frowned in confusion. *But why?*

*Get up and go into the bathroom.*

The flustered young woman did as her matriarch requested. *Okay, I'm here.*

*Take a look in the mirror... what do you see?*

The Fleet Admiral glanced at her reflection. *Me... in uniform.*

Alyssa's melodic laughter echoed through Lynette's mind. *Wow, the novelty sure wore off fast. Really take a look at yourself, Lynette.*

The brunette gazed at the mirror, seeing the beautiful young woman staring back at her.

*You're absolutely gorgeous,* Alyssa murmured softly. *I'm not exaggerating when I say that Charles will never be with a woman anywhere near as stunning as you... because there aren't any.*

Lynette calmed down and took a moment to really appreciate the youthful beauty of the woman staring back at her. Enchanting hazel eyes gazed back, bright, clear, and sparkling with life. Her heart-shaped face was exquisite... with flawless skin, high cheekbones, and an adorably cute nose. A cupid-bow mouth completed those spectacular features, her ruby-red lips plump, succulent, and perfect for kissing. As a finishing touch, that breathtaking face was framed by a lustrous mane of thick chestnut hair, which cascaded over her shoulders and down her back in a glorious brown curtain.

A few weeks had passed since Lynette had undergone her makeover and Alyssa was right... she'd forgotten just how dramatic the miraculous transformation had been.

*You're not just a stunningly beautiful young woman, you're also intelligent and compassionate, loyal, caring, and honest. As well as being a lovely person, you have the most powerful job in the entire Federation... and you're using that ultimate authority to improve the lives of billions of people. You're the ultimate catch, Lynette... the best of the best... a grade-A prime piece of ass, with the money, power, smarts and charisma to go with it.*

Standing taller with pride, Lynette smiled at herself in the mirror and her reflection beamed back, lighting up her lovely face. *Wow.*

*Yeah... wow,* Alyssa said with an affectionate grin. *So you're not going to fall all over Charles, begging him to take you back. You did nothing wrong... and don't have anything to apologise for.*

Lynette frowned with irritation. *You're right! The Change was completely over with by the time I start dating Charles. I've been completely faithful to him!*

*Yep, exactly,* Alyssa agreed. *Now head back to the Lounge and get to work before he arrives... because you're very busy and important.*

Stifling a giggle, Lynette flounced into the Lounge and activated the holo-interface built into the sofa. She paused for a moment, then displayed a map of the Terran Federation, expanding the holographic image until it was ten metres wide and dominated the centre of the Lounge. Rising from her seat, she crossed her arms as she studied the territory she controlled, which included the recently annexed lower-half of the Kintark Empire.

Her hazel-eyed gaze drifted across to the far right of Terran Federation and the stars collectively known as the Outer Rim. She stared at the Kirrix invasion corridor and the systems caught up in that disaster. Menganus IV, Tasmaris Prime, Karron, Valia Gate, Brecken's World, and Carolus III... Lynette had memorised the names of all those worlds.

*Tell me your assessment of the situation with the Outer Rim colonies, Alyssa,* she said, her voice confident now and ringing with authority.

***

Admiral Charles Harris dragged his feet as he walked through the section of Olympus Shipyard reserved for high-ranking members of the Admiralty. He'd spent the time since the Invictus' departure trying to get to grips with his feelings for Lynette, which had been sent into a tailspin after his meeting with John. His fiancée was an amazing woman and Charles had no doubt that he loved Lynette, but he wasn't sure how he felt about the fact that she'd been intimate with his best friend.

Strictly speaking, Lynette and John hadn't had a sexual relationship, but the mechanics required to put her through the "Change" were shocking to say the least. Charles couldn't deny that the results were spectacular, transforming the dowdy middle-aged admiral into a stunning young beauty. Unfortunately, he was struggling to get past the thought of the two of them being involved together at all.

He still hadn't completely made up his mind what to do, but Charles missed his fiancée and wanted to check she was alright, having not spoken to her at all the previous day. Outside the Fleet Admiral's quarters, the maintenance teams had worked quickly to repair the corridor after the terrorist attack, with all the bullet holes and blast damage to the wall segments completely replaced. Pausing for a moment, he found it quite unsettling to be there, knowing that a grenade had killed eight men where he stood only a matter of days ago.

Straightening his peaked hat, Charles cleared his throat and tapped the intercom by the door. "It's me... just Charles."

There was a long pause, then Lynette's clear voice replied in a neutral tone. "Enter."

He frowned, hoping for a warmer welcome than that, but entered her quarters when the door slid open. Walking through the foyer, he was surprised that Lynette didn't come out to meet him at the door. Removing his hat, he carried on into her quarters, then relaxed when he found the brunette standing in her lounge.

Lynette didn't turn to greet him, instead she stared intently at a vast holographic map of the Terran Federation, her focus on the Outer Rim. Numerous worlds were highlighted and she studied the Colonial Administration assessment of each of those planets, her face a picture of concentration. Seeing her like that was a sharp reminder that Lynette was not just an extremely pretty face, she also possessed a brilliant mind. Her arms were folded across her chest and Charles happened to glance at her left hand... and was shocked to see Lynette had removed his engagement ring.