Three Square Meals Ch. 034

Alyssa could read John's thoughts and plans like a book, and she swung the Invictus around to port, flying perpendicular to their previous course. They were now flying in the opposite direction to the fleeing Terran cruiser, and its flanking frigates, that were hurriedly evacuating to the jump point.

Calara activated the defence grid, setting it to automatic fire, while switching weapon control back to the laser cannons. As the Kintark fighters raced in, finally in range to fire at them with their plasma weaponry, they were enveloped in a bright orange sheet of Gatling laser bolts. The plasma weapons began to chip away at the Invictus' shields, but the dozens of Gatling lasers took a far heavier toll, the energy bolts shredding through the armour on the fighters and cutting them to pieces. As the wings of enemy fighters swept past to turn for another run, there were only five of them left.

The bombers had finally closed to within Torpedo launching range, but there were only two of them remaining, the rest shot to pieces by Calara's deadly accuracy with the laser cannons. The attack craft shuddered as they released their anti-ship missiles, but the Latina had taken manual control of the defence grid in anticipation of such an attack. The torpedoes had barely cleared the launch bays when they were hit by unrelenting streams of laser fire from the Gatling lasers. The first was cut in half by the laser bolts and disintegrated harmlessly, but the second was hit in the warhead, and a colossal green plasma explosion enveloped the bomber that had launched it.

The five remaining fighters swung around and peppered the Invictus with plasma gun hits, causing the shields to flare with green pulses after every impact. Calara flipped the defence grid back to automatic fire, and then manually targeted the remaining attack craft with the laser cannons. Despite the frantic evasive manoeuvres by the desperate Kintark pilots, the fighters and bomber were shot to pieces, scattering glowing debris around the assault cruiser as their vessels were destroyed.

"All strike craft eliminated, Commander," Calara said with grim satisfaction.

"Nice work, Lieutenant," John commended her.

"Shields at 87% and recharging. We'll be back at full shield strength in just under a minute," Dana informed him helpfully.

"Shall we turn and engage the cruiser?" Alyssa asked him eagerly.

"Only if they go after the Hermes. Let's get back up to full shield strength first," John said with a cunning smile.

They led the cruiser and the heavy carrier further away from the fleeing Terran vessels. As soon as Dana confirmed that their shields were fully recharged, Alyssa turned the Invictus to charge headlong into battle once more. The carrier began to launch fresh waves of fighters, and the green angular attack craft could be seen roaring out of the launch bays like angry hornets from a riled nest.

"We'll reach beam weapon range on the cruiser and the fresh waves of fighters at the same time," Calara informed him as she focused intently on the tactical map.

"Ignore the fighters this time, let the defence grid take care of them. I want you to hit that cruiser with everything we've got," John ordered her decisively.

"Performing active scans," Dana informed him, as they rapidly closed with the Kintark cruiser.

The enemy ship was approximately the same size as the Invictus, the base hull a white-grey colour, and the thick armour plating an opalescent green like the rest of the Kintark vessels. Its shimmering armour was marred by long melted gouges from the Beam laser attacks from the Hermes, and although the cruiser didn't seem to have sustained any serious damage, the battle scars were ample evidence that their shields had been knocked out recently. The angular and efficiently designed cruiser was equipped with a main battery of stubby heavy plasma cannons, that were all trained on the Invictus as though eager to begin firing.

"Displaying scan results!" Dana exclaimed, as detailed information from the active sensor ping returned to them, showing energy spikes located in the bottom right section of the Kintark cruiser.

"We've got the range advantage with our Beam lasers and the Mass Drivers, so make those shots count, Calara," he advised the brunette, who was studying the enemy vessel intently.

"Weapons in range in five seconds," Alyssa called out in warning.

Calara had reactivated the holographic targeting matrix, and as soon as the targeting computer confirmed that they were in range, she caressed the trigger on the weapon control in her right hand. The six orange beams slashed across the front of the Kintark cruiser, with five of the beams absorbed by the shields, causing brightly rippling circles as the deadly energy was absorbed. Unfortunately for the Kintark, this was enough to knock out their partially regenerated shield once more, letting the sixth beam through to cut a searing crevasse in the front armour plating.

"Firing main guns," Calara murmured quietly, falling back to Terran Federation protocol as she concentrated intently on her target.

The Invictus shuddered as the Mass Drivers unloaded their deadly cargo, and the Kintark cruiser visibly trembled on the tactical map, as the four shells pounded into the front of the ship, but towards the lower right. Armour plating was rent asunder by the awesome penetrating power of the tachyon waves carrying the ordnance, and the shells plunged deep inside the enemy hull, before erupting a second later in a cluster of savage explosions. One of the detonations ripped apart their main power converter, and primary power on the enemy ship guttered out a few seconds later, leaving the once proud vessel a drifting hulk.

"Open up a comm channel to the heavy carrier!" John demanded abruptly.

"Done," Dana replied a moment later.

"Kintark Carrier, if you don't wish to share the same fate, stand down, and surrender immediately!" John ordered them sternly. "Failure to comply will mean your imminent destruction."

There was deathly silence for ten long seconds, as the Kintark fighters, the heavy carrier and the Invictus all closed within firing range, but no-one made the first move to attack. With a sudden crackle, the viewscreen displayed the image of a reptilian visage, and the Kintark leader began to speak.

"My name isss Prelate Jarganth in command of the carrier Karlan'toh. It appearsss that your power greatly exceedsss our own, John Blake. We have no desssire to die at your hand, and we accept your offer, requesssting only that you adhere to Galactic League termsss of surrender," the Kintark commander said, his hissing voice filled with regret.

"I accept your terms Prelate Jarganth. Power down your weapons, shields, and engines, and withdraw your fighters. We will arrange for Terran forces to assume control of your ship, and take your men into custody as prisoners of war." John replied magnanimously.

"We will follow your commandsss to the letter, John Blake." Jarganth nodded, as he slumped into his command chair, resigned to his fate.

John leaned forward and pressed a button on his console, ending the call. He looked around the bridge, and all the young women assembled there stared up at him in amazement.

"We did it," he said with a relieved grin, and the girls went wild, whooping and cheering.

"I can't believe they just surrendered!" Dana gasped, shaking her head with a huge grin on her face.

"That carrier is massive! I thought we had no chance against it," Jade said, blowing out a big sigh with a relieved smile on her face.

"It's a big vessel, but it's no battleship," Calara explained, her own face lit up with excitement. "Most of a carrier is taken up with flight decks and launch bays, so it probably only had about the same firepower as the cruiser."

"That was very astute, John. Calara taking out their cruiser in seconds must have scared that carrier Captain shitless!" Alyssa grinned up at him appreciatively.

John returned her exuberant grin, and dipped his head acknowledging her praise. "I have to bring my A-game to keep up with you girls," he told them all proudly.

The women on the bridge laughed happily and smiled up at him, as he rose to his feet.

"Now all that's over with, maybe I can spare a moment to remove this armour," John chuckled, looking down at his ripped and shredded Phalanx armour. "Alyssa, can you open a channel to Charles please, while I stow away my combat gear."

"Sure thing," the blonde said eagerly, pressing buttons on her console to activate the communications relay on the Invictus.

John strode down the illuminated steps of the command podium, and headed towards the briefing room, but paused when he was about to pass Rachel, who was sitting quietly, staring up at him in wonder. She suddenly sat upright with a start, when she realised his attention was focused on her, and looked up at him apprehensively.

"Sorry we've been so rude and ignored you, you've caught us at a bad time," John said apologetically.

Rachel suddenly laughed, and smiled up at him warmly. "Yes, so I see, but as you saved my life today, I'm quite willing to let that slide," she said jokingly.

"Thank you for being so understanding," John said playfully, and disappeared into the briefing room to store his gear. He returned to the bridge a few moments later, having removed his armour and put away his railgun in the weapon rack.

"We're being hailed by the cruiser Hermes," Alyssa called down to him as he strode back up the steps on the command podium.

"Go ahead and put them through," John replied as he sat down in the commander's chair.

The viewscreen flickered, and the image of a man in an officer's cap and a Terran Navy uniform appeared in the centre of the bridge.

"This is Captain Harding on the cruiser Hermes," he began, his relieved face sporting a wide smile. "We heard your broadcasts Mr Blake. Thank you from everyone on the Hermes, you saved a great many lives with your actions here today!"

John shot a glance at Dana, who shrugged and grinned at him. "You're welcome Captain, it was our pleasure to assist." he replied with a nod. "Are you still evacuating for repairs?"

"No, we'll stay in-system until a relief force arrives," the cruiser Captain replied.

"John, I've got Charles on the comm," Alyssa said to him quietly.

"Apologies Captain, I've got another call I need to make. We'll stay in the system until help gets here," John volunteered.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Captain Harding replied, and then ended the call.

His image on the viewscreen was almost instantly replaced by the older face of Vice Admiral Charles Harris. His expression changed from worried to relieved, as soon as he realised who had called him.

"John? Thank goodness you called! I'm sorry I couldn't give you more information earlier, but executive orders be damned, this is too important. I'm getting reports of a fleet engagement at Port Medea. You have to turn around now, it's much too dangerous for you to go to Iota-Leonis!" The older man started in a rush.

"That's what I'm calling you about, Charles. We were caught up in the battle, but we manag-" John began, before being cut off.

"John, this isn't time for jokes. When we spoke yesterday, your call originated from Epsilon-Eridani. It's at least a three day trip from the core worlds to the Dragon March, so you've got a couple of days before you arrive, and I'm urging you not to go to Port Medea. Trust me when I say it's far too dangerous to head that way at the moment," The grey haired man said, his face deadly serious.

"I'm not joking, Charles. Look at where this comm channel is being broadcast from," John replied patiently.

Charles looked at the call details on his comm interface, and his mouth dropped open in shock. "That's impossible!" he protested incredulously. "Nothing moves that fast!"

"We gave the Invictus a bit of a tune up, or more specifically, the Ashanath did," John said, smiling wryly.

"But..." the grey haired man stammered, his eyes wide.

"Charles, that isn't important right now, listen to me for a moment. We arrived just as a Kintark heavy carrier task force began an attack on Port Medea. We managed to fight off the bomber waves to protect the facilities here, but the garrison forces have taken a pounding. We need reinforcements to help secure the heavy carrier we've captured."

Charles stared at him, completely bewildered, stunned by one revelation after another.

"If you need verification, speak to Captain Harding in command of the Hermes. We managed to save his cruiser from the Kintark forces, and he's staying in-system until relief arrives." John continued helpfully.

Charles just blinked at him in response, until a soft beep sounded from the computer built into his desk. He looked down and away from John on the viewscreen, to see an emergency update on the battle in Iota-Leonis, filed by a Captain Leonard Harding, commanding officer in situ. His eyes quickly scanned through the data, and then he looked up at John and let out an astonished chuckle.

"I don't know how you did it John, but that's one hell of a prize you captured! We've got reinforcements inbound, but they aren't due to arrive for another hour. If you can help hold the fort until then, I'd appreciate it," Charles said, finally pulling himself together.

"Sure, that's no problem," John replied agreeably.

"You mentioned going to visit the Maliri next, but you must come and visit me at Olympus shipyard before you leave. I'll need to debrief you on your recent exploits," he requested firmly.

"We'll depart as soon as the relief fleet arrives," John promised. "We should be with you in a little under a day."

Charles laughed again and shook his head in amazement. "I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow," he said with a broad smile, and then ended the call.

John rose from his chair, and Alyssa glided gracefully over to join him as he walked down the steps from the command podium, and over to Rachel. "You must be exhausted after a day like today," he said to her considerately. "Introductions and interviews can wait until tomorrow when we've all rested. If you'd like to follow us, we'll show you to your quarters, and you can settle in for the night."

Rachel stood to follow them, and waved a shy goodbye to the rest of the bridge crew who smiled back at her welcomingly. She walked up the ramp to join John and Alyssa who waited for her at the grav-tube, and when she arrived to stand with them, Alyssa offered her hand for the brunette to take. She did, and then the girls stepped into the red glow of the grav-tube, and sank down to the deck below.

"I'll be back shortly, but just let me know if there's any trouble," John told the girls, and they nodded to him, with earnest assurances that they had everything well in hand.

He stepped into the grav-tube behind the other two girls and then strode quickly after them to catch up. They had walked a little way down the corridor, and Alyssa had brought them to a halt by the now open doorway into one of the empty officer's quarters. This room was adjacent to Dana's, the second door down on the right hand side from the end of the corridor which housed the Commander's suite.

"These will be your quarters if you choose to join us as Chief Medical Officer," Alyssa said warmly. "You might as well use them until you decide, either way," she added with a smile.

"This room is huge!" Rachel gasped in amazement as she looked around the large room. "I've been sharing a dorm room for the last few weeks, so you've no idea how roomy this feels," she explained with a big grin on her face.

"Well make yourself at home," John said in a friendly tone. "We'd like you to feel comfortable here."

Rachel turned to look up at him, and was going to make some lighthearted comment when her lower lip began to tremble, and her eyes filled up with tears. John opened his arms to her, and the overwhelmed young woman stepped into his embrace, crying softly. He looked over her light brown hair at Alyssa, with a surprised look on his face as he held the young woman supportively.

*The adrenalin must be wearing off. I think she's finally reacting to the shock of the attack,* Alyssa thought to him, as she stood at their side, and rubbed Rachel's back soothingly.

"It's okay, you're safe now. We'll look after you." she said softly to the brunette.

Rachel let out a little laugh, and looked up at them both. "I barely know either of you, and here I am, sobbing into your arms," she said and took a big sigh, pulling herself together.

"Don't worry about it. I'm guessing this was your first experience of combat?" John asked the young woman, as he released her from the comforting embrace of his arms.

"How did you guess?" she replied with a self deprecating chuckle, and brushed away her tears with the back of her hand. "I must be making an amazing impression." she added sardonically.

"You handled yourself well," John replied with a dismissive shrug. "You followed my orders and got to safety, giving us time to reach you. You did exactly what we needed you to do."

"Thanks, John," The brunette said distractedly, her worries temporarily forgotten as she looked up at him with a captivated expression on her face. This was the closest Rachel had been to him so far, and she stared up at him curiously, examining his pointy ears.

"Yes, I'm not entirely human," he said with a smile.

"I never noticed before, when we first met back on Gravitus," she murmured, as she gazed at his elongated pointy ears.

"You were a little distracted at the time," Alyssa said coyly, and the two girls shared a knowing look, before Rachel blushed slightly.

"Sorry, I must seem terribly rude, I just find aliens species fascinating," Rachel said, looking embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it, it's human nature to be curious," John said with a shrug.

"Besides, if you like meeting aliens, you're in the right place," Alyssa laughed light heartedly.

Rachel smiled, and then looked up at them both, her face growing more serious. "I don't know why you'd come all this way to see me, but I'm extremely grateful you did. Thanks for saving me from the Kintark," she said earnestly.

Alyssa stepped forward and wrapped the brunette in a hug, while John placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"You're quite welcome. Besides, if you become our doctor, you're bound to end up saving us from one scrape or another. We'll be the ones thanking you in no time!" he joked.

Rachel smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood, and when Alyssa stepped back, the brunette let out a big yawn before quickly covering her mouth. "I'm so sorry! I'm used to Port Medean time, and it's about three in the morning for me right now," she apologised profusely.

"No need to apologise. The Invictus is on Terran standard time, which is about midnight right now, so we'll be heading to bed soon too," Alyssa said understandingly.

"We'll hand over that carrier to the Terran reinforcements, and then call it a night," John said to the blonde, who nodded agreeably.

"We're just down at the end of the corridor in the Commander's quarters. If you need anything at all, just come and find me," Alyssa told the girl, with a friendly smile.

Rachel stifled another yawn, and they left her to settle into her room, closing the door behind them. Walking hand in hand, they strolled back to the grav-tube and stepped inside, enveloped in a soft blue glow as they ascended to the command deck.

"Anything interesting happened so far?" John asked the girls curiously.

"We got a hail from Captain Harding on the Hermes. Apparently the reinforcement group should be here within a few minutes." Dana informed him.

"If we hadn't been here, the Kintark would have had enough time to destroy everything in the system, and jump out before the reinforcements even arrived," Calara said with satisfaction.