The Invictus pulled into Epsilon Eridani, the third-closest system to Sol. Alyssa took them in towards Jericho, an Eden-class planet with very large polar ice caps. "Nervous?" John asked Calara.
"A little," his Tactical Officer nodded. "But even if they reject and disown me, I'll have you guys. That's comforting."
John grinned, pleased Calara felt that way. "Lirrash, be a dear and call Rachel," John requested.
Lirrash pulled up the number from their list of contacts at her station and started the call. Rachel Voss appeared on the vid-screen. "Hi, John! You caught me on my way out the door, my shift starts in 10 minutes."
"I'll be quick then," John said. "We're about a day from Port Medea and we need a Medical Officer. Can I tempt you?"
Rachel's eyes lit up but she frowned. "I'd love to, but I'm locked into a 5-year contract with the Terran Federation."
"I've got friends in high places, I can call in a few favors and get you transferred. Are you interested?" John asked.
"Oh, I'd love the chance for an interview!" Rachel beamed. "When can you be here?"
"Tomorrow evening," John answered.
"Great! I'll see you then," Rachel said before ending the call.
"Let's hope we get to her before the Kintark Royal Guard eats her," John said to himself.
"You worry too much," Alyssa chided.
The Invictus went into Jericho's atmosphere, landing at the spaceport nearest the Fernandez house. The Raptor, now the same sparkling white as the Invictus, took them out the Docking Bay. Jade flew them to the Fernandez townhouse, landing on a landing pad in the backyard. They exited out the airlock, breathing in the mountain-fresh air of Jericho.
"Damn, that's the stuff," Dana said, breathing deep and making her chest rise distractingly.
"It's very different from the air I'm used to, but it's quite pleasant," Lirrash commented.
"Incoming," Jade warned, her sharp eyes spotting movement behind the backdoor of the house.
"Callie!" Maria Fernandez cried, running up to her daughter.
"Mom!" Calara shouted, going to meet her mother. They hugged tight for a minute. Calara pulled away and guided Maria to her crew. "Mom, these are John, Alyssa, Dana, Jade, and Lirrash."
Maria surprised John and Alyssa with a hug. "Thank you so much for saving Calara from those pirates! I don't know what we'd do without her!"
"It was no trouble, ma'am," John said, almost saying 'Mom' by accident. This woman had been a strong maternal figure to him in his first life.
"Please, do I look like a ma'am? Call me Maria," the Latina grinned.
Calara had gone to hug her older brothers who'd followed their mother into the backyard. The crew and Maria walked up to the siblings, the boys all seeming to notice Calara's transformation simultaneously. "Whoa! Calara, what the fuck happened to you?" asked the shortest.
"My psychic boyfriend rewrote my DNA," Calara said with a straight face.
"Yeah right," said the middle brother, rolling his eyes.
"If you're too embarrassed to admit you had a bodysculpt, just say so," the tallest teased.
"Eduardo, language! We have guests," Maria scolded.
The brothers focused on John and the crew. The oldest walked up to John and shook his hand. "I'm Mateo. Thank you for rescuing Calara, we care about her deeply."
"I care about her too," John said with a friendly smile.
Mateo turned his attention to Alyssa. "You helped too?"
"That's right, I took out the Largath," Alyssa nodded.
"My sister didn't mention her rescuer was so beautiful," Mateo flirted.
Alyssa smiled angelicaly. "Well, Calara never mentioned her brothers were so handsome either. You're a Navigator, right Mateo? That's something we have in common." Alyssa led Mateo away.
"I'm Eduardo," the youngest brother said before hugging John. "You're at the top of my cool list for saving my baby sister!"
John clapped Eduardo on the shoulder. "Happy to help."
Eduardo pulled back and noticed the Raptor. "Oh wow. Is that what I think it is?"
"Well, it's a Raptor-class gunship. Is that what you thought it was?" Dana asked with a playful grin.
"How'd you guys get one of those?" Eduardo asked excitedly.
"Gift from High Command for the whole thing with the Kirrix and pirates. Come on, I'll show you something cool I installed. I'm Dana, by the way." The redhead took Eduardo into the Raptor.
The last brother shook John's hand, a serious cast to his face. "I'm Dylan. Calara is very dear to us. You have our gratitude for saving her."
"Just doing the right thing," John shrugged.
Dylan looked at Jade and Lirrash. "Begging your pardon, but what species are you two?"
"I'm a Nymph," Jade said.
"I'm an Ashanath hybrid," Lirrash answered.
"Fascinating. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?" Dylan asked politely.
The two aliens took Dylan to the side.
"And then there were 3," Maria chuckled. "Come in, I'll make coffee."
They entered the townhouse, which had a very homey feel to it. Maria poured the 3 of them cups and offered milk and sugar. "Where's Dad?" Calara asked.
"Some important briefing came up. He promised to be here by dinner, though," Maria said. "So… is John really psychic?"
"I'm a Progenitor, a race of psychics from beyond the Galactic League. My father crash-landed on a planet that my mother's research crew ended up surveying. Biology took its course, and I was born in Terran space. For the record, I had Calara's informed consent to put her through the Change," John explained.
"Calara, are you happy?" Maria asked with weight.
"More than I've ever been," Calara said honestly.
"Then I'm happy for you," Maria grinned, and that was apparently that. "So, John, what else can you do besides rewrite women's DNA?"
John let go of his coffee cup, which stayed floating in place.
"Wow," Maria said with wide eyes. "Guess the galaxy is full of miracles. So, I couldn't help but notice that all your crew are the same shape. Did you put the rest of them through this Change?"
"Yes," John nodded, carefully not explaining exactly how the Change worked. "Their bodies are in peak fitness, their brains are enhanced, and they have psychic powers."
"You're psychic now, Callie?" Maria asked in shock.
"John gave me Prescience. I can see a few minutes into the future, and I'm only going to get stronger," Calara said with a self-conscious shrug.
"Incredible," Maria said to herself. "I don't suppose I can sign up for this Change myself?"
"I only do it for women who join my crew. The process takes a few days, and there's a few side effects as well. I wouldn't do it for you and mess up your life," John told the matriarch.
"Ah, well, no harm in asking," Maria shrugged. "So, tell me about yourself, John."
"I was raised on Terra by my grandparents in the family restaurant. I joined the Academy and served as a Marine for 12 years. I retired after Galon Prime and worked as a trader for a decade. I got a big score with some Tyrenium, I was actually on my way to Olympus to sell it when I rescued Calara. Now I'm rich and kind of just doing whatever I want," John laid out.
"What about your parents?" Maria asked.
"My Dad stayed on Arcadia when my mother's crew left for Olympus. She abandoned me and stole a ship to run back to him. As far as I know, they're still there," John said flatly.
Maria winced. "I'm sorry, John. That's rough."
"I made my peace with it," John sighed. And he had. Rahn'hagon had been acting in self-preservation, launching his plot to have his heir wipe out the other Progenitors. And Jessica was a victim of Rahn'hagon's mind control.
"I'll go check in on the bozos, I won't see them again for a while," Calara said after she finished her coffee. She got a kiss from John and walked out the backdoor.
"So… what are your intentions with my daughter?" Maria asked.
"Shouldn't Jack be the one asking that?" John said with a chuckle.
"He'll probably do it too, but I'm just curious, not confrontational like he'll be," Maria waved away.
"I intend to make her my wife, the mother of my children, and one of the happiest girls in the galaxy. Not necessarily in that order," John said.
Maria blinked. "You've known her for a month."
"I love her. She loves me. We'll be together the rest of our lives," John stated with complete certainty.
"Hmm. How old are you, John? About 40 if your dates line up," Maria asked.
"That's right. But pardon my saying so, isn't Jack 10 years older than you?" John fired back.
"Touche. I don't really have a leg to stand on when it comes to May-December romances," Maria laughed at her own expense. "Well, Callie's happy, and that's all a mother can ask for. I won't make a fuss."
"Thank you," John said.
John and Maria made small talk for an hour, Maria happily telling stories from Calara's childhood. Calara came back in from the backyard. "The boys are asking about dinner."
"That's my cue, I guess," Maria nodded.
"Allow me," John said, going to the kitchen.
"You're our guest!" Maria protested.
"And I want to reward you for being such a good hostess. Paella sound okay?" John asked.
"I usually make one when the boys are on leave," Maria said hesitantly. Her jaw dropped when Calara washed her hands and began to chop the vegetables John handed her. "You cook now, Callie?"
"John taught me," Calara nodded.
"But you never let me teach you! You were too busy reading tactical reports," Maria gaped.
"John made it fun," Calara shrugged.
"How do the boys feel about calamari?" John asked.
Maria shook her head and laughed, accepting she'd been kicked out of her own kitchen. "Very much pro."
20 minutes later, everything was simmering. John and Calara were talking with Maria when a dropship came to hover over the backyard. "Dad's home!" Mateo called. They all went out to the backyard, where a Latino in his 50s in Terran Federation uniform hopped off the back of the dropship's ramp and waved it away. He dropped a duffle bag and saluted. "Captain Fernandez reporting for duty!"
Maria rushed to get a kiss from her husband, the boys going to get hugs. Calara went up to hug her father, who squeezed her extra tight. "We were so worried about you, Callie!" he exclaimed.
"I'm fine, Dad, really," Calara told him. She turned to her waiting crew. "This is my boyfriend, John Blake, and my crewmates: Alyssa, Dana, Jade, and Lirrash."
Jack shook John's hand. "Jack Fernandez. I'm in your debt for saving Calara."
"You don't need to owe me anything, I'd do it again in a heartbeat," John denied.
"Still, you ever need anything, just ask. Now, how about dinner? Is that paella I smell?" Jack asked.
They went inside and sat at the dining table. After the first bite, Maria informed the men that Calara had been the cook. They all gaped. Calara blushed. "I just helped with prep, John's the real cook."
"Honey, I'm sorry, but this is the best paella I've had in my life!" Jack told Maria.
They all enjoyed the meal, and went to the living room to talk over coffee afterwards. After an hour to digest, Jack got a funny grin. "You know, John, we have a tradition in this household. When we're all on leave, we like to work off dinner with some friendly sparring."
The brothers all eyed John with anticipation, ready to give him the 'Full Fernandez'.
John shrugged and laid a hand on Calara's shoulder. "Fine, but you have to beat my student first."
The brothers raised a stink at having to fight their little sister, but Jack made the executive decision to allow it. They all got dressed in workout clothes and went to the family dojo. Maria and the crew sat on the sidelines, cheering everyone on. Dylan handed Eduardo his glasses and went to face Calara first. In less than a minute, Calara won. "What the fuck?" Dylan asked from where he'd been thrown to the floor.
"Consider this payback for years of benign neglect," Calara grinned viciously.
Eduardo patted Dylan's shoulder and stepped forward. "Don't worry bro, I'll show her."
"Please! I could beat you with my eyes closed," Calara said. In fact, she did close her eyes.
Eduardo turned an interesting shade of red, and threw a punch as soon as Jack started the fight. Calara caught the fist, put her brother in a joint lock, then jumped and grabbed his neck between her legs. They rolled onto the mat, Calara holding Eduardo in a painful pin. Not once did she open her eyes. "You peeked!" Eduardo shouted.
"If you say so," Calara shrugged.
Mateo stepped up, the only brother to seem to take her seriously. They clashed, and Calara won after 8 minutes of intense combat. "You're a prodigy, Callie! How long has John been teaching you?" Mateo asked after Jack called the match.
"Since I joined his crew, so about a month," Calara said, panting from the exertion.
"Unbelievable," Mateo shook his head.
Calara went to the bench, and John and Jack got on the mat. They bowed to each other, and Mateo said "Ready? Fight!" Two masters of martial arts fought. Jack had been practicing MMA since his childhood. But John had been practicing since his teens, and had been training at an intensity with Calara that was rarely achieved by most practitioners. John managed to unbalance Jack and threw a punch that stopped a millimeter from Jack's nose. "Win," Mateo said in disbelief. Jack NEVER lost.
They showered and returned to the living room. Jack stopped John. "You fancy a beer outside?"
John took a bottle and followed Jack to the pagoda in the backyard. They sat and sipped their beers. "This is good stuff," John complimented.
"It's locally made. Supposedly it's to do with all the minerals in the mountain springs," Jack shrugged. "Been a long time since I lost. You're good."
"Thanks," John nodded.
"So, I pulled your record when Calara told me she was dating you," Jack stated. "Most of it was redacted, but what was left was an interesting read. How'd you get the Stellar Cluster?"
"Galon Prime. I led over 200 Marines in an assault of the rebel flagship, and less than 20 of us survived. For some reason, I got all the credit," John said, taking a long pull on his bottle.
Jack winced. "Yikes. Sounds like you earned it. Anyway, what's it like being retired with your own ship?"
"It's the best, actually," John grinned. "Go where we want, do what we want."
"What's next for you and your crew?" Jack asked.
"We're picking up a doctor, then I'm taking us on vacation to Oceanus," John said.
"Oceanus? How rich are you?" Jack gaped.
"I've sold 30 tons of Tyrenium to the Terran Federation. I'm set for life," John shrugged.
"Guess I don't have to worry about whether you can support Callie then," Jack chuckled.
They finished their beers and went inside, joining the conversation around the table. After an hour, Maria walked up to John. "Can I talk to you outside?"
"Of course," John agreed. They went to the swing bench. John braced himself. "Let me guess. You know I'm sleeping with the other girls too. What gave us away?"
"Jade was the first clue," Maria said, her eyes judgment free. "Nymphs need a master, it's just how they're wired. As for the others… you're like magnets. You move, they move. It's like they're waiting to jump in front of a bullet for you."
"The Change is sexual in nature," John told his future mother-in-law. "For whatever reason, a woman needs to drink my semen in order for me to work my powers on her. Part of the side effects I mentioned is imprinting on the first man they're with. Again, I got informed consent from Calara and all the other girls. They knew what they were signing up for."
"I see," Maria said, her lips pursing in thought. "You could abuse your power terribly, couldn't you?"
John debated how honest to be with the woman. "Progenitors rule empires throughout the galaxy, hordes of women they've enslaved with mind control. If I were raised like a typical Progenitor, I'd have no care for women beyond disposable tools and breeding stock. Thankfully, my grandparents raised me right. I love each of my girls, from the bottom of my heart. I know it's not what you expected, your daughter ending up in an alien's harem, but I genuinely want to marry her someday and raise children with her. I'll just be doing that with all the other members of my crew as well."
"So I'll have more grandchildren than I can count?" Maria asked with a smile. "I believe you love Calara and she loves you. That's all I want. I wish you all the best of luck."
"Thank you, Maria," John grinned. "Though maybe keep this to yourself. I doubt Jack or the boys would be so understanding."
"Oh, of course," Maria nodded. She mimed locking her lips with a key.
They returned to the living room. After another hour, Alyssa gave John a telepathic reminder. "Well, we better get going," John said.
Calara hugged each member of her family. Then the crew got into the Raptor and returned to the Invictus. Alyssa took them out of the system and into hyperwarp towards Port Medea.
"Now, not to sound crass, but I'm very backed up. I'll feed Lirrash, then I'll recharge and fuck you all blind," John said.
The girls had no complaints.
They passed out in sexual exhaustion, waking up around 0900 the next day. They had a quick breakfast then went to the Bridge. "Lirrash, please call Charles," John requested.
The Vice Admiral appeared on the vid-screen. "It's not a good time right now, John. What do you need?"
"There's a medic at Port Medea, Rachel Voss. Can you approve a transfer to the Invictus? She's fresh out of the Academy, no real loss to the Navy," John said quickly.
Charles chuckled. "Going by the rest of your crew, I can only imagine what she looks like. Sure, I can do that… wait a minute! Port Medea?! You're headed into the Dragon March, John?"
"Is that a problem?" John asked.
Charles seemed to chew his tongue before typing at his console. "I've green-lit a transfer. Just promise me you'll get in and out as fast as you can, John."
"We will," John nodded. Charles ended the call. "Okay, Calara and I are going to the Gym. Lirrash, Firing Range. The rest of you do whatever you want."
As promised, John taught Calara the forms of Wushu, which she mastered by lunch. They had the meal then everyone went up to the Bridge. Within an hour, they were hailed. A stern-looking man in Terran Federation uniform appeared on the vid-screen. "This is Captain Maddox on the Medusa. Identify, Assault Cruiser."
"Commander John Blake on the Invictus. I'm conducting a crew transfer at Port Medea," John reported.
Maddox frowned. "If your story doesn't check out, you will be detained." He put them on hold.
"The Medusa is a Heavy Carrier. It's the biggest ship in the picket group," Dana observed, reading the long-range scanners.
Maddox reappeared after a few minutes. "You're cleared to enter the Dragon March, Commander Blake, but we'll be watching you."
John ended the call in the rude man's face. "What a tool," Calara frowned.
"Yeah, he's a tightass. But he dies during the Kintark invasion, and no one deserves that," John said grimly.
"Is there no way to save him?" Lirrash asked.
"Short of talking Baledranax out of the invasion or the entire Terran Federation Navy being present at Iota Leonis to repel the initial attack, no," John sighed. "Port Medea is doomed. We're just delaying the inevitable today."
"5 hours to Port Medea," Alyssa said in the silence that followed.
"We'll stay on the Bridge," John decided.
They spent 3 hours talking about nothing and everything, until they got pings on the long-range scanners. "That's the caravan of damaged ships," John informed them.
"That's almost a quadrant fleet!" Calara gaped.
"And those are the survivors," Jade noted.
"Norwood and Lynton's treachery at work," John sighed. "At least she has the excuse that she's just following Larn'kelnar's orders. He's operating on some 'the ends justify the means' philosophy in tearing down the Terran Federation and replacing it with a shiny new Terran Republic in alliance with the Kintark."
"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions," Lirrash mused.
When they were 10 minutes out from Iota Leonis, they got ready. Jade gave John a kiss and went to the grav-tubes to go to the Raptor. When they arrived, Calara analyzed the data in a matter of seconds. "Alyssa, take us for those Bombers heading for the orbital refineries. After that, go for the dropships headed for Port Medea. Jade will protect those transports."
The Raptor launched from the Invictus and took off. The Invictus went for the Bombers and dropships. Calara's aim was phenomenal, picking them off at maximum range. They took out all the Bombers and as many dropships as possible, but at least 2 survived to dock with Port Medea. Alyssa docked them with the starport and then went with John to get armored and armed. They raced for the airlock, and the second they were clear the Invictus took off to save Jade from the Fighters that had come after her.
John called Rachel on his wrist communicator. The panicked doctor answered. "John! Port Medea's being attacked by the Kintark!"
"I know, I'm here to help. Gather every civilian you can and get to the administrative wing," John ordered.
Rachel nodded and ended the call.
John and Alyssa stalked through Port Medea. They got to the main plaza and found Kintark troops firing on a Terran security contingent. John and Alyssa, moving as one, picked off the Kintark with headshots. "Commander John Blake," John identified himself. "Which way's the administrative wing?"
"Corporal Gibbons," said the leader of the contingent, a man John would run into again at the Second Battle of Terra if things worked out the same as last time. "It's that way," he pointed.
John nodded and led Alyssa at a jog. They reached the administrative wing, most of the lights malfunctioning. Another group of Kintark were attacking Terran forces on a stairwell. John and Alyssa took them out with the same speed and efficiency as they had the last group of Lizardmen. Then John and his Matriarch followed the bodies to a room with two levels. On the upper level, some Kintark soldiers were escorting a Royal Guard, the mini-dragon trying to batter his way into a locked doorway.
John and Alyssa floated up to the upper level and took out the regular Kintark silently. John drew Kyth'vindathys and floated up above the unaware Royal Guard. John let gravity do the rest of the job, dropping down and his Alyssium sword piercing the giant lizard's head. The crimson-scaled body collapsed senseless to the ground. John pulled his runeblade out of the Royal Guard and sheathed it, leaving the blood to dry so Rachel could examine the DNA.
John used his super strength to tear open the damaged door. The people inside screamed in fear before they realized it was a man, not a lizard. "Is there a Rachel Voss here?" John asked.
"John?" Rachel asked, coming forward wearing a white lab coat.
"Hey, Rachel. Thanks for getting these people to safety," John grinned.
Alyssa walked forward. "You want a hug now or should we wait until I'm out of armor?"
Rachel rushed into Alyssa's arms. "I can't believe you came!"
"Well, of course. We had an interview scheduled," Alyssa said lightly.
Rachel burst into hysterical laughter.
When Rachel calmed down, John led her and Alyssa back to the main plaza. He walked up to Corporal Gibbons. "We cleared out the administrative wing, regroup with the forces there. I need to get to the docking bay the Kintark landed in."
"There's a security elevator that should take you straight there. Here's my keyfob," the corporal said helpfully.
"I know what he's talking about, follow me," Rachel said, leading her rescuers to the elevator. They took it down to the docking bay, and Rachel hung back as John and Alyssa took out the Kintark guards. They entered one of the dropships, John sneaking up behind the pilot and snapping his neck. Heaving the body out of the way, Alyssa took the pilot's seat and flew them out to the Invictus.
"Follow us," John said, leading Rachel to the grav-tubes. He briefly explained their function and then went up to the Bridge. John and Alyssa took their seats, John having to lay Kyth'vindathys on the floor so he didn't pierce his Command Chair. "Lirrash, hail the Kintark Cruiser and Carrier," John ordered.
Lirrash made the hail. "Attention, rogue Kintark warband. This is John Blake on the Invictus. I slaughtered your cowardly brethren who tried to take Port Medea. Now I offer you the chance to flee like the cravens you are or face death at my hand. Choose well," John said, somewhat grandiose, before ending the hail. "That ought to get their attention."
"Was that wise? You'll be outnumbered," Rachel worried from where she was standing awkwardly to the side.
"Just sit back and watch," Dana recommended to her future lover.
Alyssa and Calara worked together flawlessly, taking out the Kintark Cruiser before they lost half their shield strength. Lirrash hailed the Carrier on John's order. "Kintark Cruiser, surrender or die. This is your last chance."
The vid-screen came on, showing a Kintark with a resigned expression. "Thisss isss Prelate Jarganth. Your ssstrength clearly exceedsss our own. We will sssurrender, asssking only that you keep to Galactic League ssstandardsss of taking prisssonersss."
"Recall your Fighters and power down. Terran Federation forces will board your ship to take you and your men as prisoners of war," John said firmly before ending the call. "Now Charles, Lirrash."
John's friend appeared on the vid-screen. "John! Fuck orders, this is too big! You gotta turn around right now! I've just received word that Port Medea is under attack!"
"Charles, look at the signal origin," John said calmly.
Charles frowned and glanced at his console. His jaw dropped. "Impossible… nothing's that fast!"
"Nothing but state-of-the-art Ashanath ships, no," John said with a grin. "Anyway, we got here in time to help. We saved the orbital refineries and Port Medea, and we also captured a Kintark Carrier. I need you to coordinate taking its crew prisoner."
Charles gaped at him in disbelief before his console beeped. He'd just gotten an AAR from the Cruiser Hermes that corroborated John's story. Charles burst into relieved laughter. "I don't know how you did it, but thanks John!"
"Happy to help," John shrugged.
"Reinforcements will arrive in a couple hours. Stick around until then and then come here to Olympus to debrief. How soon can you be here?" Charles asked.
"Tomorrow night," John replied.
"Unbelievable," Charles shook his head. "I'll have a drink ready for you, John." Charles ended the call.
John turned to Rachel. "So, ready for that interview? The job's yours if you want it."
Rachel blinked. "I accept! I can't think of a single reason why I wouldn't want to be part of this crew! Only, why did you pick me? You should have been looking for a medic with at least 5 years' experience!"
"Let's go to the Briefing Room," John said, leading them all to the door. John and Alyssa put their Railguns away and got unequipped. They sat at the table, Rachel taking the seat next to Jade when the catgirl indicated it. John sat at the head of the table. He took a deep breath. "Let's start at the beginning. I'm not Terran."
"Really?" Rachel asked. "You look very similar. What are you, exactly?"
"I'm a Progenitor, an all-male race of psychics from beyond the Galactic League. I have the power to rewrite a woman's DNA under certain circumstances. You can be my Medical Officer and nothing more. Or you can agree to go through the Change," John told the trillionaire's daughter.
"Rewrite DNA?" Rachel asked dubiously. "Do you have any proof?"
"I got this," Alyssa told John, accessing the Invictus' memory banks. Before-and-after photos of the whole crew except Jade appeared on the vid-screen. "That proof enough?"
Rachel put on her glasses and peered at the images in disbelief. "I can't believe it. But it can't be bodysculpts, not without months of recovery between surgeries. Alright, I'll accept that John can rewrite my genes if I agree. What all would he be giving me?"
"Each of my girls has the body of a woman in peak fitness, the absolute best for their shape and size. Their brains have been enhanced, giving them genius IQs and photographic memory. I give each girl psychic powers I feel are best suited for them. And each time I work my powers on you, I'll heal all damage to your body, including aging. In essence, you'll be functionally immortal if you stay with me," John told Rachel.
"If that's true, I can't imagine any reason I'd refuse," Rachel said with wide eyes.
"There are some personality changes inherent to the Change," John said warningly. "Bisexuality, polyamory, submisiveness, a desire to be bred, everything needed to be the perfect harem girl. And you'll imprint on the first man you're with. And the way to go through the Change is to drink my cum."
Rachel looked around at the crew. "You're all sleeping with him?"
"Honey, we don't get much sleep," Jade grinned.
Rachel blushed. "And this is completely voluntary? I stay just a part of your crew, or I can join your harem and go through this Change?"
"That's correct," John nodded.
Rachel thought about it before grinning. "I say yes."