Three Square Meals Ch. 140

"Alright, run with it," Avery said, dismissing him with a weary wave.

"You got it, Chief!" Bill gushed, turning and running for programme scheduling.

"I've got your coffee, Mr. Gibson, Sir!" an intern gasped, carefully presenting him with a steaming mug.

"Thanks," Avery muttered, taking the mug and shutting his office door with a melancholy sigh.

The intern stared at him in shock, never having been thanked by the foul-tempered Chief Editor before.

***

"How may I serve you today, Matriarch?" the planetary governor for Aerona asked, her tone practically a sneer of contempt.

"I've just been reading your latest report," Phelora mumbled, coughing nervously before looking up again.

"Yes, matriarch?" the bureaucrat replied, her mocking smirk filling the holo-screen. "Did you need me to explain something for you?"

"It says here that you're having trouble with malfunctioning mining robots and you're requesting extra funds to fix them? That you've mined 27 million tons of iron so far, but you're now 5 million tons behind your target?"

"That's right, matriarch." The planetary governor said condescendingly, a sly smile appearing on her face. "I'm sure the extra credits I've requested will help us repair them in time to meet the quota."

Ignoring her request for more money, Phelora glanced at the previous productivity report that had been sent to Meriel Romenor.

"I've also been reviewing last month's report," she declared, her voice turning hard and cold. "Apparently, you told my mother that you'd mined 30 million tons to date. So what happened to the missing 3 million tons? Did the mining robots bury it under the ground again?"

The governor's eyes widened in shock as her ruse was discovered. "Ah no, Matriarch... I think you misunderstood-"

"I understand all too well, Gaelira," Phelora interjected ominously. "Now, do you wish to correct this erroneous report, or should I have you dragged outside and shot for corruption? I'm sure it would be a useful lesson to my other governors."

Gaelira blanched, turning a very sickly pale blue. "I-I'll correct the report, matriarch," she stammered in terror.

Phelora stared at her coldly for a long moment, the painful silence stretching onwards with Gaelira squirming in her seat.

"There better not be another mistake next time, Governor," Phelora warned her, before abruptly ending the call.

Unable to hold it in any longer, Kehlarissa burst out laughing.

Phelora spun her chair around and cheered. "I did it!"

"That was brilliant," Kehlarissa declared, feeling a surge of pride for her protégé. "'Did the robots bury the ore again?'... where did you get the idea for that line?"

"It just came to me!" Phelora marvelled, grinning with joy. "I've never been any good at sharp comebacks, but this time I knew exactly what to say. Thanks so much, Kehlarissa, I couldn't have done it without you!"

Phelora sprang from her seat and wrapped her arms around the other noblewoman, giving Kehlarissa an exuberant hug. Caught completely by surprise, she froze for a moment, then relaxed and returned the embrace. As they held each other, the Venkalyn matriarch couldn't help noticing how warm and soft Phelora was, the physical contact reminding her of their time in bed together with Baen'thelas. Unlike the exhilarating thrill she got from being held in John's arms, this embrace was strangely comforting, a feeling that she didn't want to let go.

They stood together for a long time, until Phelora slowly pulled back and looked at her curiously. "That was lovely. Thank you."

The Venkalyn matriarch blushed self-consciously and turned away. "You should return to your quarters. I've got some work I need to do before we leave for the party tonight."

"Alright, I won't disturb you any longer," Phelora agreed. She walked towards the door, then turned to study her friend. "Thank you for helping me today. I think you're amazing."

Kehlarissa was torn how to reply, but by the time she turned back, Phelora was gone.

***

John fell back on the bed and panted for breath, recovering after a powerful climax, courtesy of the two Maliri kneeling before him. Faranise and Garinia now had stomachs full of cum, both dazed from being mentally connected to him for a second time. He wasn't alone on the bed for long, as Edraele and Luna slipped around the comatose matriarchs to cuddle up next to him.

"You really enjoyed giving Faranise a full tummy, didn't you?" Edraele purred, gently cupping his aching quad.

"She's lovely," John agreed, reaching for the Maliri Queen and pulling her into a grateful hug.

Luna snuggled in closer, trying to get as much of her nude body in contact with him as possible. "It's so exciting seeing these matriarchs submit to you. I'm so envious of them."

"You are?" he asked, slipping an arm around her shoulders.

The assassin planted a tender kiss on his chest. "Mmm hmm. If they can make you fall for them hard enough, they've got a good chance of convincing you to start a family."

John chuckled and glanced at Edraele. "So that's your game plan is it?"

"I'm just fulfilling my role as your matriarch, my Lord," she replied softly. "My job is to take care of my wards and make sure they're happy... and what could make them happier?"

"I've fallen for you two pretty hard," John said, giving them each a loving kiss. "Maybe I should do my best to make both of you happy too?"

Luna and Edraele darted a shocked glance at each other, then turned to face him and both said simultaneously, "Really?!"

"I want to... so much," he admitted, stroking their backs. "You're both incredible women and seeing you together... you're so in love. I can't wait to watch you tenderly kissing each other, with my babies kicking in your wombs, reminding you who you belong to."

Grinding against him, Luna let out a lusty moan, her eyelashes fluttering as she brought herself off with that thought overwhelming her mind.

"Don't, my Lord... it's too tempting," Edraele groaned in protest, parting her legs to straddle his thigh. She whimpered through a mind-melting climax as she rubbed her throbbing clit against him.

He smiled with satisfaction to see them both looking up at him with glazed eyes. "Why not? We'd just have to keep the two of you far away from any fighting. Luna could still train me in swordsmanship before she starts to show and we can replace her as your bodyguard with a hundred of your best troops."

Luna's face lit up with hope, but Edraele bit her lip and reluctantly shook her head. "We can't, John. You need my daughters fighting at your side, and just think how much you want to get the three of us pregnant at the same time."

John was about to argue, but he couldn't deny her reasoning. "I'm sorry, girls... I didn't meant to tease you. I shouldn't have suggested it."

Far from being upset, Luna propped herself up on one elbow and gazed down at him in wonder. "Were you serious? Would you have done it, if not for needing Tashana and Irillith for combat?"

"You're gorgeous, Luna... and extremely bright, talented, and loving. I was telling Faranise and Garinia the things I find most appealing in a woman and you tick every box... so yeah, I was serious."

She let out a happy little sigh of contentment, then snuggled up against him again.

"Are you alright, Edraele?" he asked with concern.

"It's lovely to be so wanted," she purred, gently stroking his chest. "And now I get to share the afterglow with you too. Trust me, I have zero complaints."

"It is getting harder to resist," he admitted, savouring the feel of their statuesque bodies pressed against him. "So many of the new matriarchs are incredibly attractive girls and I know what they want from me more than anything. The problem is that I want that too, and the thought of getting the entire Council of Matriarchs pregnant is such a turn on."

"Even Emandra Holaris?" Edraele asked with a knowing smile.

He groaned in protest. "Alright, that's a good point. She always seems to just fade into the background whenever I fantasise about it."

"Give her enough time and she'll be as kind-hearted as Kali," Edraele said, relaxing in his arms. "I'm quite certain that you'll get to enjoy your fantasy eventually."

John gave them both a squeeze and said, "I'm so glad I asked you to join me; this was so much nicer than lying here alone."

Sitting up, he gestured towards the dazed matriarchs and levitated them onto the bed, where Luna and Edraele waited to tuck them in.

Luna noticed that his eyes were drawn to Faranise as she slept. "You really do like her, don't you?"

He nodded, and stroked the youthful matriarch's bare arm. "She realised that her mother and sisters would be even more abusive if they felt threatened by how smart she was, so Faranise hid her intellect and played dumb. She endured decades of cruel taunts from her family, yet she was far brighter and more gifted than any of them. She's a remarkable woman."

Edraele clasped his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Let's go transmit the schematics to the Ashanath, then you can come back to see her again. I'm sure Faranise would love it if you were here when she woke up."

John frowned with resignation. "I should probably see Beldrea and Kelenis before the party. They're the only new matriarchs I haven't fed a second time, so they'll be left with short hair."

"Let them wait," Edraele said with a mischievous smile. "I think it might do them some good."

He thought it over, then chuckled and nodded his agreement. The trio dressed and left the two matriarchs asleep in Faranise's bed.

***

Considering the vast size of the psychic communications device, with its delicate amplification veins that stretched for over a hundred metres, the size of the control system was tiny. A padded seat was set in a partially-reclined position, with telepathic sensors surrounding the headrest. Holographic screens displayed the digital information being conveyed, with each panel positioned at a comfortable viewing angle.

John eyed the device with a healthy degree of suspicion. "Maybe I should test this out first instead of you?"

Edraele laughed and pointed to the flashing note in the corner of the holo-screen. It read: "Don't let John get overprotective and take your place. We don't know how powerful he is now and he could blow out the entire psychic array!"

*I helped Sparks successfully test a prototype yesterday,* Alyssa explained, her soothing voice echoing through John's mind. *She increased the sensitivity for Edraele, which will make it much easier for her to control.*

*You really think I'd fry it?* John asked curiously.

*Well you can block me out of your mind, so I think we can safely assume you're stronger than I am,* the blonde replied. *We've already uploaded all the new schematics, so Edraele only has to focus on them and picture them in her mind. The psychic comms array will recreate that psychic projection, then bounce it across the upper Astral to the Ashanath's receiving device.*

*A bit like skimming stones across the surface of a lake?* John asked, trying to think of a useful metaphor.

*Yes, exactly!*

Edraele acknowledged the telepathic instructions with a nod, having been informed at the same time. Before she could begin, one of the holo-screens shimmered and Senior Councillor Ularean appeared, his image psychically projected across hundreds of light years in an instant.

"How marvellous to be able to make contact with you, EdraeleValaden!" Ularean gushed, overjoyed to speak to the Maliri Queen using telepathy.

"It's wonderful being able to speak to you too, Ularean," she replied, shocked by the warmth in his tone. "Your voice sounds so different from the Ashanath I've spoken to before."

"Ah... Councillor Rathus informs me that the psychic transmitters and receivers in this device are far more sophisticated than the ones in our voice modulators. The voice you are hearing now, is how all Ashanath sound to one another when communicating telepathically."

*The system replicates both sides of the telepathic conversation on the holo-screens, so that non-psychics can follow any discussion,* Alyssa helpfully explained.

"I have John here with me, Ularean," Edraele told the Ashanath leader, darting a smile at him.

"JohnBlake!" Ularean exclaimed, sounding delighted. "I was not aware you would be there to witness this historic test."

John was about to tell Edraele what he wanted to say in reply to the Ashanath leader when a faint silvery flicker caught his eye. He could see the wispy eldritch cord snaking away from Edraele to the psychic device, being drawn directly into the receiver. Acting by instinct, he reached out with his mind and made the lightest of telepathic contact to that ephemeral connection. He was instantly able to sense Edraele and Ularean, their minds like beautiful shining stars, glimmering with their own inner radiance.

"I can sense you, John!" Edraele gasped, turning to look at him. Her purple eyes widened in astonishment.

Ularean gaped at him too, his mouth falling open in shock. "Oh my goodness!"

*Are you alright, Ularean?* John asked telepathically. *Tell me if this is hurting you in any way and I'll stop immediately.*

John's face appeared on the holo-screen, positioned as if he was standing beside the equally startled Maliri Queen.

*I am unharmed,* the Senior Councillor murmured, a look of wonder on his face. *But your mind... the scale of it is like nothing I have ever seen before. You remind me of the radiant one... but so much more.*

*I'm very new at this,* John said, frowning with concentration. *Dana warned me not to overload the receivers so I'm trying to hold back as much as I can.*

*This is... not your full strength?* Ularean stammered, blinking rapidly.

*The machine isn't reading me directly,* he explained, glancing at the astral cord. *I noticed the psychic connection between you and Edraele, then I tried to make the lightest contact I could, so I wouldn't accidentally fry the receivers.*

*How fascinating...* Ularean murmured, listening with great interest. *So you were able to visualise our telepathic conduit?*

*Is that a problem?* John asked with concern.

*Far from it, if the talent is used with caution,* the Ashanath replied, his small mouth turning up into a smile. *There are a few members of the Collective who have that capability, but those that do take great care not to intrude on private conversations lest they cause offence.*

*So this is considered rude? I'm sorry about that, Ularean... I'll end my connection.*

*No, JohnBlake... you misunderstand,* Ularean replied, holding up a spindly hand. *My conversation with Edraele was not intended for her mind alone, so you caused no offence by merging with us. I merely mentioned it to give you an insight into telepathic etiquette... or at least how it is perceived on Ashana.*

*Okay, I'll bear that in mind next time we visit,* John said with a friendly smile. *Anyway, I hope you and the rest of the councillors are doing well, Ularean?*

*We are all in excellent health, thank you for the enquiry,* Ularean said politely. *Although Councillor Rathus and Councillor Talari are growing increasingly impatient as they wait for the design schematics from DanaBlake.*

John got the impression that the two Ashanath councillors must have been badgering their leader to hurry up and Ularean's reply was intended to embarrass them rather than expedite the conversation. By the look of amusement on the Senior Councillor's face, he guessed it had worked as intended.

*I won't keep you waiting any longer. I must admit, I'm curious to see what Dana's come up with myself,* John said, before turning to Edraele. *I'll disconnect now. I don't want to accidentally disrupt your transmission of the schematics to Ularean.*

The Maliri was studying him in fascination, and he realised that she hadn't said a word since he hijacked their telepathic conversation.

*Goodbye Ularean, it was nice speaking to you,* John said, before ending his contact with the psychic conduit.

"The pleasure was mine, JohnBlake," the Ashanath replied on the holo-screen.

"Are you alright, honey?" John asked, walking over to clasp Edraele's hand.

She rubbed at her eyes and nodded. "I can't believe how much your Astral presence has changed since you confronted your guide."

"Tell me about it afterwards," he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Of course," she agreed, before concentrating on the holo-screen. "I'm transmitting the schematics now, Ularean."

John turned to look at the new ships' designs and was amazed by their breathtaking profile. Alyssa had managed to find a perfect balance with the aesthetics, making it obvious that the beautifully styled ships were deadly and not to be underestimated, without making them appear overtly sinister.

Ularean looked overjoyed as he gazed at the new blueprints, admiring each ship's graceful lines. As he began to rotate the cruiser class vessel to study it from different angles, his big eyes widened to huge black pools.

"O-o-oh my goodness!" he stammered in an awed whisper.

His image turned fuzzy and indistinct, then the Ashanath leader abruptly disconnected from the psychic comms device.

"What happened to Ularean?" John asked, turning to look at Edraele in surprise.

"I'm not sure," she replied, shrugging helplessly. "He seemed delighted... and then I suddenly lost contact with him."

The minutes stretched on, with all of Edraele's attempts to re-establish psychic communications in vain. She rose from her chair and tried to contact the Ashanath High council via standard interstellar communications, but there was no response there either.

"Something must have gone badly wrong," John said with concern, as he stared at the blank comms interface. "There wasn't a psychic backlash or anything like that was there?"

"No, John... nothing of the kind," Edraele replied, looking equally perplexed. "I didn't sense any distress from Ularean before he disconnected, far from it in fact."

"Yeah, that was my impression as well," he agreed, rubbing his chin. "I guess all we can do is wait and try to get in contact with them again later."

They were just about to leave the psychic projection chamber when a light flashed on the holo-screen and a melodic chime announced an incoming call. Edraele hurried over to retake her seat and wasted no time accepting the Ashanath leader's psychic connection.

Ularean appeared on the screen, tears rolling down his tiny grey cheeks. "JohnBlake... I-I am lost for words."

John reached out to rejoin the psychic connection. *Are you crying? What the hell happened, Ularean?!*

The Grey leader took a moment to compose himself. *Please accept my humblest apologies. I was so overcome that I was unable to maintain the telepathic conduit; I had never seen anything quite so beautiful before. Councillor Rathus has had to lie down to recover.*

Astonished by their reaction, John shared a bewildered glance with Edraele. *Well, I'll tell Dana and Alyssa that you really liked the new ships. They'll be thrilled that you approve.*

*Oh please do!* he gushed, bobbing his head. *For many years we have struggled to encourage our people to volunteer for military service. I am quite certain that your wonderful companions have solved such recruitment problems in an instant. We shall have statues commissioned in the shipyards in their honour!*

*I'm sure they'll really appreciate that... thanks very much,* John replied, still just as bemused by the ecstatic reception the schematics had received. *We've included new weapon technology in those warships as well, so don't hesitate to contact Dana if your engineers have any queries.*

*Once again, we are overwhelmed by your generosity, JohnBlake. The day you first made yourself known to the Collective was a pivotal moment in Ashanath history. We wish you the greatest of fortune in your travels.*