Three Square Meals Ch. 140

"I fed you just this morning, Kali," John said quietly, his hand dipping down to caress her lower belly. "You're already at the peak of fertility and ready to be bred tomorrow night."

She moaned and wavered unsteadily, leaning against his arm to stop herself swooning.

Turning his focus to Sarene, he circled her navel with his fingertips. "I think we should give you another full tummy, just to make sure that your new personality is flawless. If the two of you are serious about starting a relationship together, then I want to make sure you're able to cope with all the heady emotions that go with it."

"I agree, Baen'thelas," Sarene said softly. "I don't want to take any risk that I might harm Kali, emotionally or physically."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure that she's in safe hands," he said with a reassuring smile. "Now, I need a bit of recovery time as I've only just fed Lyvia and Marsendra. Why don't we all go to the kitchen and I'll make you both some dinner. Then we can come back to bed and relax. I'll make love to Kali, then I'll feed you, Sarinia; how does that sound for a plan?"

They both beamed at him as they nodded, then John offered them both a hand and led them from the bedroom.

***

Nymaleth reclined on a chaise longue in her command suite, reviewing a technical report from the fleet's senior engineer. The recently fitted components in her warships had vastly exceeded expectations, with the performance of each device shattering all previous records. While in drydock at Genthalas, her ships had been refitted with new sensors, shields, thrusters, engines, heatsinks, a new hyper-warp drive, and even the power cores themselves had been upgraded. Just one of those new devices would have made a tremendous difference to each ship's combat capabilities, but combined together, her fleet had become exponentially more deadly.

The comms interface chimed, interrupting her thoughts. Nymaleth swept aside the holographic report and accepted the call, the beautiful face of her flagship's captain appearing a moment later. Darana's hair was now as white as a gleaming star, the pale colour a striking contrast to her azure skin.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Fleet Commander," Darana said respectfully.

"That's quite alright, I wasn't asleep," she replied with a warm smile, waving away the apology. "Is there a problem?"

"We're approaching Waephyra and have detected a sizeable fleet stationed in the home system."

"Thank you for informing me, I'll be there at once," Nymaleth replied, rising from her seat and ending the call.

She glided out of her command suite onto the Bridge and felt the eyes of the crew follow her every step as she approached the Command Chair.

"Have we been hailed?" she asked the Encaren Valar's captain.

Darana shook her head and grinned. "They haven't spotted us yet." She gestured towards the holographic map that dominated the centre of the huge room. "We're still far outside their sensor range."

As Nymaleth took her seat, she brushed her fingers against Darana's. To an outside observer it might have seemed like an accidental contact, but they wouldn't have noticed the captain furtively returning the gentle caress before removing her own hand from the armrest.

"Hail them please, Eletha," Nymaleth said, making eye contact with the battleship's communications officer.

"Yes, Fleet Commander!" the young woman gushed, eager to obey her captivating leader.

The interstellar signal bounced through the network of comms beacon and was rerouted to the House Waephyra fleet. It didn't take long for them to respond and the House Ghilwen insignia faded away from the holo-screen, the winged chalice replaced by a dark-haired officer's pensive features.

"This is Fleet Commander Idenvae," she declared, darting a nervous glance off-screen. "May I ask why you have encroached on House Waephyra territory?"

"My name's Nymaleth, Fleet Commander for House Ghilwen," she replied, giving her peer a reassuring smile. "I've been sent here by Queen Edraele to verify that Vestele Waephyra is safe and well. Your matriarch was expected at Genthalas several days ago, but she failed to return and has not been responding to Queen Edraele's communications."

Idenvae tried to keep her expression blank, but Nymaleth noticed the momentary flash of worry in her eyes.

"Your concern is appreciated but unnecessary," Idenvae replied, adopting an authoritative tone. "Vestele is merely indisposed at present with important House business. You may return to Genthalas now, Fleet Commander."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Nymaleth replied, firmly shaking her head. "I am under orders to investigate Vestele's wellbeing and Edraele will not be satisfied unless I speak to her personally."

"Well it seems we are at an impasse then," the House Waephyra Fleet Commander said with obvious annoyance. "For I am under direct orders from Vestele Waephyra not to allow anyone entry into our territory. Therefore, I cannot grant you permission to remain in House Waephyra space and must ask you to leave immediately."

Nymaleth leaned forward on her seat and said ominously, "I wasn't asking for permission, Idenvae. We shall be arriving in-system in nine minutes and I fully intend to launch an expedition to Waephyra to establish contact with your matriarch."

"This is outrageous!" Idenvae snapped, dropping all pretence at civility. "You dare invade my House's territory and threaten to launch a planetary invasion?! I'm giving you a final warning: Any ships that encroach in our home system will be considered hostile and fired upon!"

"That would be most unwise," Nymaleth said, looking at the Maliri officer with grim resolve. "You were at Lambda Aquarii... you know the upgrades Baen'thelas gave to the Houses allied with him; my fleet has been refitted with all of those new devices and more. Don't throw away your ships on a meaningless act of defiance... you have no chance of defeating me."

"You heard my warning!" Idenvae snarled defiantly, her eyes ablaze with fury. "We'll destroy anyone that enters the system!"

With that declaration made, the House Waephyra Fleet Commander abruptly ended the call.

There was an uncomfortable silence on the Bridge, then Darana asked quietly, "How should we proceed, Fleet Commander?"

Nymaleth drummed her fingers on the armrest of her command chair as she mulled over the situation. House Waephyra was only ranked seventeen out of the nineteen noble Houses and possessed fewer fleet assets than House Ghilwen at rank six. Unfortunately, half of Leena Ghilwen's forces were still being refitted at Genthalas, while Idenvae had every ship House Waephyra possessed at her disposal. The Waephyran Fleet Commander could also call upon planetary-based strike craft squadrons, as well as any static defences constructed in the system.

While there was no denying that Nymaleth's forces had an impressive tech advantage, the outcome of the battle was far from guaranteed, not with so many enemies arrayed against her. Even if she was able to defeat Idenvae, it was highly likely that her fleet would lose a significant number of ships in the process. She remembered well Edraele's warning to preserve her forces at all costs, an edict that ran contrary to fighting Idenvae to establish contact with the missing matriarch.

"Proceed towards Waephyra," she ordered the helmswoman. Turning towards Captain Darana, she quietly added, "Send an urgent message to Queen Edraele requesting her guidance. I will await her response in my Command suite."

***

*John, I need you!*

The urgent telepathic call jolted him awake, jarring his subconscious from a pleasant night spent in Athena's delightful company. He found himself in bed with another lovely girl, his arms wrapped protectively around Kali Loraleth.

*Edraele?* he replied, rubbing at his bleary eyes. *Is everything okay?*

*I need your assistance to avert a battle! The House Ghilwen fleet I sent to investigate Vestele's disappearance is being refused access to the Waephyra homeworld. Nymaleth believes that the opposing fleet commander is afraid and will back down if we call her bluff. While I trust Nymaleth's judgement, I do not wish to take any chances, not with so many lives at stake.*

*I agree, you did the right thing waking me,* John said, carefully disentangling himself from Kali.

He realised that Sarene was no longer sleeping beside him and glancing around the room, he found her sitting cross-legged in an armchair at the side of the bed. She had what appeared to be an easel set up in front of her and held a delicate stylus in her slender hand.

"Baen'thelas!" she said in a hushed whisper, her golden eyes wide with surprise. "Is something wrong?"

"Duty calls," he replied, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb Kali. "Edraele needs my help."

"Can I assist in any way?" she asked, half rising from her seat.

"I don't think so, but thanks for offering," he replied, hastily pulling on some trousers. *Edraele should I wear the outfit Alyssa made for me?*

The crystal door spiralled open and the Maliri Queen glided into the bedchamber. "There's no time, John," she said, eyeing him speculatively. "Follow me!"

He hurried after her, the Maliri matriarch leading him through the lounge and into her private study. She activated the comms interface built into the ornate desk and gestured for John to sit as holographic panels sprang into life before him.

"Can't we just order Nymaleth to hold position while we decide the best course of action?" John asked with a frown. "As long as she stays clear of the Waephyra system, there won't be a battle."

Edraele shook her head as she initiated the holo call. "She suspects that some misfortune has befallen Vestele and the Waephyra Fleet Commander is trying to conceal it for nefarious reasons. If Nymaleth is correct, and I believe she is, the longer we delay, the more time we allow the perpetrators to cover their tracks and escape."

The crossed swords of House Valaden appeared before him and John caught his reflection in the shimmering holo-screen. "Edraele, I can't talk to them like this!" he protested, looking at his dishevelled appearance. "I look a right state!"

She cast an appreciative glance at his bare chest, then ruffled his bed-hair. "I couldn't disagree more. You look positively scrumptious."

John paused for a moment then rolled his eyes. "Alright, I get what you're doing. I'm sure I should feel offended at being objectified though."

Edraele leaned down to whisper in his ear, "You can punish me later if you like, my Lord?"

He chuckled at her brazen invitation, then focused on the holo-screen as the image shifted.

The House Ghilwen Fleet Commander answered the call, then gasped when she saw his appearance. "John!"

"Hello, Nymaleth," he said, greeting her with a warm smile. "It's good to see you again."

She blushed furiously, turning bashful and tongue-tied. "Y-you too!"

"Edraele tells me that you suspect Vestele's Fleet Commander has gone rogue?"

Nymaleth managed to pull herself together and nodded. "Idenvae is definitely hiding something. She seems to be violently opposed to any attempt to make contact with her matriarch."

John glanced at Edraele and said, "Any idea what could've happened?"

"I'm afraid not," the Maliri Queen replied with a rueful frown. "I know that Vestele is still alive, but I don't know why she's not communicating with us. If Idenvae was seeking to supplant her, then surely she would've assassinated her former matriarch?"

"I guess we'll find out soon enough," he said, before turning back to Nymaleth. "Can you contact Idenvae's ship again? I'd prefer to resolve this diplomatically before you jump into the system and everyone starts shooting. How much longer until you arrive in Waephyra?"

"We'll reach the outer edge of their gravity well in two minutes," Nymaleth replied, before glancing off-screen. "Eletha, re-initiate comms with the Vacaryn Saria and connect Baen'thelas to the call."

"At once, Fleet Commander," came the prompt reply, then the communications officer hailed the Maliri battleship.

They didn't have to wait long and the House Ghilwen Fleet Commander appeared on the holo-screen, an angry scowl on her face. Idenvae's composure shattered in an instant when she saw John and the Maliri gaped at his bare chest in awe.

"Do you know who I am, Idenvae?" John asked, locking eyes with the stunned officer.

"Y-yes, Lord Baen'thelas," she managed to stammer.

"Vestele Waephyra pledged fealty to me, which means that you and all of your forces are under my command. Nymaleth is following my orders to investigate Vestele's disappearance... so would you care to explain why you're committing treason and threatening her fleet?"

Idenvae quailed at his stern tone and obvious disapproval. She shrank back in her command chair, mortified that she'd offended him.

"I beg your forgiveness, Lord Baen'thelas!" she pleaded, wringing her hands together in contrition. "I wasn't going to fire on Nymaleth, I was just trying to scare her away!"

He leaned forward and stared at her intently. "Why? What are you trying to hide?"

"This isn't my fault! I haven't done anything!" she protested. "This was all Ryallae's idea!"

"And who is Ryallae?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's the planetary governor on Waephyra!" Idenvae blurted out, desperately throwing her co-conspirator to the wolves in an attempt to save herself. "There was a fight... Vestele and her daughters went berserk and starting slaughtering each other. Ryallae said we just had to wait... then we'd be free of Vestele's tyranny once and for all."

"Wait? Wait for what?"

"One of Vestelle's daughters shot her in the back," the Fleet Commander explained in a rush. "The physicians have tried to save her, but she's been mortally wounded."

John leaned back in his seat and frowned at the new developments. "Did any of the daughters survive?"

"No, my Lord," she replied obsequiously. "All six of them were slain in the fighting."

He glanced behind the Fleet Commander at the shocked crew gathered on the battleship's Bridge. "Which one of you is the captain of the Vacaryn Saria?"

"I am, my Lord," one of the Maliri replied, staring at him wide-eyed.

"Did you know about any of this? Tell me the truth, because I'll be able to find out if you're lying."

"I knew nothing, my Lord!" she exclaimed, quickly shaking her head. "Ryallae contacted us several days ago and demanded to speak to Idenvae in private. I had no idea that our matriarch had been injured until now."

"Good. I want you to arrest Idenvae while we verify her story," John commanded.

The captain's eyes hardened and she whipped a laser pistol out of its holster, then pointed it at her former commander. "Seize her!"

A pair of armoured Maliri trained their weapons on the Fleet Commander and cautiously approached.

"But I didn't raise a hand against Vestele!" Idenvae protested, darting a worried glance at the two guards as she was disarmed.

"No, but you had a duty to report what happened to both me and Queen Edraele," John said with a disapproving frown. "You knew what you were doing was wrong, otherwise you wouldn't have been so secretive. It wasn't your place to wait until Vestele died of her wounds, then attempt to seize power for yourself."

Idenvae's shoulders slumped and she offered no resistance as she was led from the Command Deck.

"What's your name, Captain?" John asked the ranking officer on the Bridge.

"It's Aemira, my Lord."

"Aemira, I'm temporarily promoting you to Fleet Commander. I want you to assemble all of House Waephyra's forces and set course for Genthalas."

Aemira performed a sweeping bow. "We shall depart at once, Baen'thelas!"

"Excellent. I'll look forward to thanking you personally when you arrive. Have a safe journey, Aemira."

She beamed at him in delight, then started barking orders at her crew, who all rushed to obey. Nymaleth had been closely following the conversation and she ended the call to the House Waephyra flagship. The House Ghilwen Fleet Commander reappeared on the holo-screen a few seconds later, an oddly-conflicted expression on her face.

"It looks like you sympathise with her, Nymaleth," John said, studying the woman curiously. "Do you agree with what Idenvae did?"

The Maliri's eyes widened in alarm and John could see that she was about to deny it furiously. He quickly held up his hands in a placating gesture.

"I'd prefer it if you were completely honest with me. I promise that I won't be offended either way."

She relaxed and let out her breath. "I do feel some sympathy for Idenvae," she cautiously admitted. "If my old matriarch had been injured in such a manner, the temptation to let Aradrea Ghilwen die of her wounds would be very hard to resist."

"And what about Leena?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's nothing like her mother!" Nymaleth declared vehemently. "I'd give my life to protect Leena from harm. If she were mortally injured, I would stop at nothing to get her the medical assistance she required."

"Leena's very lucky to have you as her Fleet Commander, Nymaleth," he said with a warm smile. "Can I leave you to handle the rogue governor? I want you to arrest Ryallae, then locate and medevac Vestele Waephyra. Let us know if she doesn't survive the journey back to Genthalas, otherwise I'll see you in a couple of days' time."

"We'll act with the greatest of haste, my Lord," Nymaleth said, inclining her head respectfully.

"Thank you for keeping Edraele informed of the escalating situation," he said with gratitude. "You did well today."

John glanced at his Maliri matriarch. *I'd like to spend some more time with Nymaleth. We need to work on creating a bond between you and all the Fleet Commanders. Two-way telepathy will be invaluable.*

*That would give our forces a decisive edge against Progenitor fleets,* she said in wholehearted agreement.

Nymaleth blushed furiously, and her eyes gleamed with arousal. "You won't be disappointed, my Lord..."

John suspected that whatever message Edraele had telepathically relayed to Nymaleth wasn't quite the same comment she'd just made to him. He closed the call, then pulled the Maliri Queen into his lap.

"I'm not sure I want to know what you just said to Nymaleth... so what are your thoughts on the Vestele situation? Did I handle that okay, or was I too heavy handed?"

Edraele kissed him on the cheek, then snuggled into his embrace. "I thought you dealt with it perfectly."

"Thank you... but did Ryallae and Idenvae actually break any laws?" he asked with a pensive frown.

"It's somewhat of a grey area," Edraele admitted. "Prior to you claiming the Maliri, if all the members of a Noble House were wiped out, then I suppose a planetary governor or a fleet commander could assume the mantle of matriarch. However, they would need all the notable figures within that House to acknowledge their authority, which would be a very difficult proposal indeed. An even bigger problem is that the House ranking would be decimated, making their territory easy pickings for rival matriarchs. It's extremely unlikely that a House would survive intact if the ruling family were slain."

"They must really hate Vestele if they were happy to just sit back and watch her die," John said quietly.

"The old matriarchs were all cruel tyrants," Edraele reminded him. "In all honesty, I'd be just as eager to escape from Vestele's clutches if I were in Idenvae or Ryallae's position. That's not to say they should be excused for how they acted... but it is understandable."

He let out a heavy sigh. "I'm not really sure what to do with either of them. I'm leaning towards removing them from positions of authority, but not punishing them beyond that. Does that seem fair to you?"