John and his Lionesses went to bed after the meeting with the Trankarans. They woke up, John cooked a quick breakfast and had Jade feed them all a second helping. That done, they went to the Bridge. "Anything on the long-range scanners, Nia?" John asked as he sat in his Command Chair.
"Lots of wrecks," Nia said grimly. "They all showed characteristics of fusion damage. The rebels must have attacked them."
"The rebels are just doing what the Glowing Queen ordered them to do, and she's just doing what Larn'kelnar ordered her to do. All this is his fault," John sighed.
"We're about 10 minutes out from Demladuhr," Alyssa told him.
"Be on the lookout, a rebel Cruiser will be swinging by soon after we get there. Irillith, I want you to hack them and take out everything but comms. We want them screaming for help so the fleet around Trankara will be depleted sending reinforcements," John told his Wards.
"Got it," Irillith nodded.
They reached the right system, the Invictus going dark. Jade took them by Demladuhr, their scans picking up the bodies from the explosive decompression the station had suffered. Nia noticed the rebel Cruiser on the scans, and they got into position. When the Trankaran Cruiser passed them, Irillith struck. After a couple minutes, the ship froze.
"Lirrash, hail them," John ordered.
A Trankaran male appeared on the vid-screen. "Who are you?! What have you done to our ship?"
"I am Commodore John Blake, the Lion of the Federation, and I have been hired by the rightful leader of the Trankarans, Chancellor Niskera, to put an end to the rebellion. My hacker has slaved your ship. And now we're going to kill you. Say your prayers," John said, a bit dramatic, before ending the call. "Light but alarming damage, Calara."
Calara fired with the Gatling Lasers, picking off the Trankaran Cruiser's weapons and engines.
"They've sent out several distress beacons," Lirrash noted.
"Reinforcements inbound from Trankara," Nia reported.
"Alyssa, get us to Trankara," John ordered. Jade got them out of the system and then Alyssa took them on her path to the Trankaran homeworld.
They talked until they arrived in the Trankara system. Jade coasted them in until they were near Trankara, undetected by the Trankaran fleet.
"Calara and Jade, stay up here in case it turns into a space battle. Everyone else, load up," John ordered. He got equipped in armor, grabbed a Punisher Railgun, sheathed Kyth'vindathys over his shoulder, and went down to the Raptor alongside his Lionesses.
"Let's at least attempt to be stealthy," John said as they got into the Raptor's cockpit.
"We'll see how long that lasts," Alyssa chuckled.
The Raptor flew undetected towards the Trankaran capital. Rachel analyzed the atmosphere and deemed it unsafe for Terrans, they'd have to keep their helmets on. Alyssa landed them by the lava mining tunnels set in the cliff on which the Radiant Palace was built. They'd all studied the maps Niskera had sent, they knew the way.
They made it a little past halfway to the Radiant Palace before they were spotted. Then the gloves came off. John drew Kyth'vindathys and sent telekinetic blast waves at each group of rebels that fired on them. Alyssa and Lirrash fired both with the Punisher Railguns and with telekinetic lances. Dana made guns melt in the rebels hands and sent black holes to eat distant troops. Rachel and Irillith focused on maintaining shields around everyone.
They reached the Radiant Palace proper, and checked the throne room. Predictably, it was empty. They went to the Glowing Queen's panic room. "Irillith, if you would," John asked. Irillith hacked the door, opening it. John walked forward, his Lionesses taking out the 4 bodyguards with headshots. "Long live the queen," John said ironically before decapitating the rival Thrall. Rachel made sure to collect a blood sample.
They returned to the Invictus, went to the Bridge, and were soon on a course back for the Trankaran loyalists. "We'll get there tonight," Alyssa told them.
"Jade, I think you need to practice feeding girls with your tentacles before we reach Genthalas," John grinned.
After Jade double penetrated each of the girls with her tentacles and fed them John's cum when he released, they went to the Lounge to make a late lunch. "No training today, you all did amazing down there," John grinned.
"Jade and I didn't really do anything," Calara pouted.
"Well, like you said, the best way to learn is to teach. Fancy training Jade how to throw a punch?" John suggested.
"I'd be okay learning how to defend myself in my normal body," Jade agreed easily.
After the meal, Calara and Jade went down to the Gym to spar. John and the rest of the girls went too, but to enjoy the hot tub along with some alcohol. After a couple hours in the bubbling water, they tipsily went to take a shower and then to do whatever they wanted. Dana went to the Engineering Bay to work on reverse-engineering Irillith's laser rifle. Alyssa decided to browse the Holonet for any new articles on Astro-Navigation or fashion. Lirrash challenged Nia to a few games of chess. And Irillith stuck with John, just talking and relaxing in the Lounge.
They had dinner and then went to the Bridge to await their arrival at the loyalist fleet. After 2100, the Invictus fell out of hyperwarp. They were approached by a Cruiser and hailed. "Commodore Blake! Your speed is incredible," marveled a Trankaran.
John recognized the Rockman. "Warden Dalomherlig. We have an Ashanath Tachyon Drive and my Navigator is a genius, that's all."
"There are reports that the rebels are surrendering! They say the Glowing Queen's spark has been extinguished! I sense your hand in this, and thank you for saving my people!" Dalomherlig gushed.
"Happy to help, Dalomherlig. Anyway, we should dock with the Kerhom's Anvil. Have a pleasant evening," John wished before ending the call.
"Random thought, if you were bi that guy would be first in line to suck your cock," Alyssa mused.
"Why AREN'T Progenitors bisexual? If you're going to enslave people, why only enslave the women?" Dana wondered.
"We were designed by Xar'aziuth. He must have been terminally straight or homophobic. I'm Kinsey 0 straight, I get nauseous just thinking about having sex with a man," John told the redhead.
"Maybe it was so that a Progenitor couldn't beat and enslave another Progenitor and become twice as powerful," Lirrash mused.
"That makes sense," Irillith nodded. "If that thing gets off on watching all his minions wage war against each other, then one getting an unfair advantage like that would be boring."
Jade pulled them up alongside the Kerhom's Anvil, where a docking stanchion had been set up. She pulled them into it, locking them in place. They watched as Trankarans in space suits came out, towing Trankaran Engines and retro-thrusters. "Let's go meet Niskera and make her the offer," John said.
They went down to Deck 9 and opened the airlock. Niskera, Thandrun, and Vamred were waiting. They all bowed at John. "You don't have to do that," John told them.
"We're simply acknowledging your superior status, Great Protector," Niskera said reverently.
"I'm not superior. I mean, I'm immortal and psychic, but I'm still just a man, trying to do his best at this thing called life," John protested.
"If it bothers you, Great Protector, then we won't worship you. But the Trankaran Republic is in your debt," Niskera said, straightening up. "Already, rebels around the Republic are offering their surrender. You were right, slaying the Glowing Queen has freed them from her influence. You have rescued us in our darkest hour. How can we ever repay you?"
"Well, you're working on the Engine refit I asked for," John said, gesturing out the window at the maintenance crews. "How about the vu-karam?"
"Forgemaster Gilgrem says we have 4 tons in storage on the Kerhom's Anvil. It will be transferred to the Invictus presently. Anything else?" Niskera asked.
"I told you I wanted a personal favor," John reminded her.
"Very well, what is it?" Niskera asked.
"I want you to consider this offer: how would you like to be MY Glowing Queen?" John proposed.
Niskera's jaw dropped. "What… what?!"
"Niskera, the next War of the Heavens is coming. Larn'kelnar is already here, and there's dozens of hostile Progenitors out there in the galaxy just waiting to come after him. And that's not even the nearest threat. Now that the Glowing Queen is dead, you'll lose all sense of urgency. The rebels will languish in prison while you endlessly debate what to do with them, how to punish them for serving the Glowing Queen. Their ships will go unmanned, and your borders will suffer for it. In a few months, the Kirrix will invade. The death toll will be in the millions," John told the Chancellor.
"Great Maker," Niskera gasped.
"Like I said, he's dead. Praying to him won't get you anywhere. The point I'm trying to make is that the Trankarans need decisive leadership. You need an absolute ruler. I'm offering to let you be that ruler. If you refuse, then I'll take your suggestion for a female Senator you trust to take the role. But the Trankarans NEED a Glowing Queen to lead them through what's to come," John explained.
Niskera set her shoulders. "I'll do it."
"You haven't even heard the side effects of joining my network yet," John said warningly.
"I don't care. I live to serve the Republic. Even if becoming your Glowing Queen shortened my lifespan to a handful of years, I would gladly do it. I will rule the Trankarans with your blessing, Great Protector," Niskera said, resolute.
"The process will take 14 hours. Come onto my ship, we'll take care of you," John told Niskera.
The Chancellor, soon to be Queen, said something in Trankaran to Thandrun and Vamred, and followed John and the girls into the Invictus. She seemed fascinated by the grav-tubes, and let them lead her to John's quarters. "I'm ready, Great Protector," Niskera said, facing John.
"A few details I left out. To join my network, you have to drink my semen. And you'll imprint on the first man you're with. If you feed from me directly, that'll be me. You'll fall in love with me, be unable to think of being with another man. If I feed you indirectly, from a container, I can still add you to my network but you'll fall for another man. Which do you want?"
"You… you would have me as a life companion?" Niskera asked incredulously.
"After the Progenitor War is over, you can leave the Republic behind and spend eternity by my side. I'll change you to look like one of my women, and we'll have as many children as you want," John promised. "Assuming you want that, that is."
"I'll feed from you directly," Niskera said without a drop of doubt.
John sat on the edge of the bed and pulled down his pants. Niskera pulled off her robes. She was muscled like a weightlifter, and had gigantic K-cup breasts. She got on her knees and took John into her mouth. John's mind seeped into hers and she went into the trance. She deep-throated him mechanically until he filled her belly. He added her to the network under Alyssa, feeling the surge of energy. He blinked.
"I'm ready."
"Ready for what?" Calara asked.
Alyssa had wide eyes. "He's ready to confront his Guide."
"I'll do it tomorrow, once we get underway," John declared.
*I hope with all my heart and soul that you succeed, Baen'thelas,* Edraele told him through their link.
John tucked Niskera into bed, feeding her energy to put her through as much of the Change as he could without affecting her body shape. The rest of the crew had a shower and got into bed. John endured an Astral dream for adding Niskera, checking on his Wards in the middle of the night. He went to sleep when he was confident all was well.
They were woken up at 0800 by a bugle piece from Terran history named 'Reveille'. "Good morning!" Nia called from the vid-screen.
"I'd accuse you of being a morning person, but you don't even sleep so it doesn't apply," Irillith grumbled.
"I've talked to the Trankarans, they say the Engine refit will be finished by 1300," Nia informed them.
"That works out good, because Niskera will wake up around then," John sighed, wiping the sleep from his eyes.
"Oh, and they transferred the Onyxium to the Cargo Bay when I let them in to upgrade the Raptor as well," Nia added.
"Knew I forgot something," Dana muttered.
They got dressed and went to have breakfast. They trained until lunch, and then went back to their quarters, John carrying a glass of water. Niskera began to stir from her slumber. John helped her sit up and pressed the glass to her lips. She drank eagerly, opening her pupil-less eyes. She grinned when she saw John. "Hello, Great Protector."
"You can call me John, my Glowing Queen," John said fondly.
Niskera looked down at her body, admiring the lines of molten light. "You did it. Part of me didn't believe it would really work."
"No reason not to. Now, you're one of my Wards now. I restored your body to the peak of youth, and I gave you world-class fitness. You're a genius with a photographic memory now too. And, most importantly, any Trankaran who sees you will do exactly what you tell them to do. It'll be… isolating. If you ever get lonely, don't be afraid to call, okay?"
"Don't worry about me, John. I'm a Trankaran, we're rather tough," Niskera grinned.
Niskera got redressed, met each of the girls who welcomed her to the fold, and went out the airlock. John bid her goodbye with a kiss, despite the fact he wasn't physically attracted to her in her current form. John returned to the Invictus, and went up to the Bridge. He watched as Jade guided them out of the system, Nia having written software that restricted their new engines to the old level. Alyssa plotted a course to Epsilon Aquarii. "11 days," she said.
"Get armored up, if he wins I want you to take him out before he can blink," John ordered.
The girls reluctantly got into their armor and grabbed their Punisher Railguns. John led them all to the Cargo Bay, where they'd have plenty of room. He sat down on the floor, surrounded in a circle by his Wards. "I love you all," he told them, meaning every word.
"We know," Alyssa told him.
*One way or another, these will be the longest 11 days of my life,* Edraele informed him.
John closed his eyes and, with a heavy heart, severed his connections to Alyssa and Edraele. In a stroke, he lost his entire network. That done, he focused on the mental prison holding his Guide. He willed himself into it…
John opened his eyes to find himself in a pit of shadows. Across from him, dressed in black Progenitor War Armor, was his Guide, his evil twin. "Ah, so you've finally got the balls to come face me, huh?" John's Guide mocked.
John focused and he was enrobed in white armor covered in Kyth'faren runes. Kyth'vindathys appeared in his hands, the runes glowing blue as he funneled power into the sword. "Let's not waste any of each other's time. We both know how this ends."
John's Guide snarled, an Eldritch Focus appearing in his hand. "DIE!" he roared, sending a beam of psychic energy at John.
John moved at psychic speed, raising a spinning shield around himself. He closed with his Guide, who moved at similar speed trying to run away. John began to batter his Guide's shield, Kyth'vindathys flaring with each hit, robbing his enemy of psychic energy.
They had equal amounts of energy, but John had the experience of killing dozens of Progenitors that fought exactly like his Guide. In a shockingly short amount of time, John ran his sword through his Guide's heart.
"You… you cheated," his Guide sputtered, blood leaking from his lips.
"And you made my first life hell, so I guess we're even," John replied dryly. John focused and absorbed his Guide's power through his runeblade. The Guide shriveled to a husk before fading into thin air.
John opened his eyes, feeling whole and at peace in a way he hadn't since he'd first come back. "I won. It's me," John told his girls with a victorious smile.
"Prove that it's you and not your Guide pretending," Calara said, not taking her aim off John's heart.
John frowned. "Well, since he knows everything I know, there's no real way to do that. So I suppose there's no way to guarantee to you that it's me. In that case, maybe you should vote on whether you let me feed Alyssa and get you back in my network."
"It's John. Only he would be that stupidly self-sacrificing," Alyssa sighed in relief.
Jade rushed up to hug John when he stood. "I knew you could do it, Master!"
John gave Jade a loving kiss. "I should have more than enough power to get rid of those Achonin glyphs on your heart crystal now. How about you feed everyone, okay?"
Jade lovingly blew him, until her breasts swelled with his seed. She fed each of the girls, absorbing her own portion. John added them all back to his network, feeling intoxicated by the rush of eldritch power that filled him. That done, he removed the Achonin curse from Jade that was meant to make her turn double agent on her master. Once that was done, he gave Dana the full archive of Progenitor technology.
"I feel… lighter," Jade beamed.
"Holy shit, I've got everything from the kitchen sink to the Dreadnought!" Dana said, her eyes glowing gold. She shuddered. "The Soulforge is sick. I've got actual figures on how fast it kills the women who enter it."
"You'll figure out a way to fix it," John told her confidently. "Now, I declare a pool party!"
The girls got out of their armor, put the guns away, and joined John in swimming in the pool. They brought a few bottles of liquor to spice things up. They swam and laughed and talked until dinner, which John cooked with relish. Once the last bite was had, he ordered everyone to the bedroom so he could properly welcome them back to his network. They all had trouble walking the next day.
The second day of their trip, they were hailed by the Melpomene. John blew them off much as his Guide did in his first life, not wanting to risk altering the chain of events that led to Sakura ending up on the crew. That done, he went back to sparring with his Lionesses.
When they reached Maliri space, Dana sent a list of schematics to Genthalas for Edraele to make, among them flux heat capacitors, Progenitor heatsinks. She wanted to upgrade the Maliri Lasers that were replacing the Terran Lasers as much as possible. Given the time constraints, she just couldn't make Tachyon Lances or any Quantum weapons.
They arrived at Epsilon Aquarii, Jade taking them in towards Genthalas. They were hailed on approach. "Invictus, please go to Docking Bay 1, Matriarch Valaden is waiting to receive you," the Flight Command tech said, clearly following a script and confused as all get out.
"Thank you, we will," John said. The poor girl almost swooned when she got a good look at him.
Jade landed them in Docking Bay 1, which also held Edraele's personal shuttle. John and his Lionesses went out of the airlock, to see Edraele waiting for them with Luna a shadow behind her right shoulder. Edraele walked up to them regally, before cracking and sprinting into John's arms. "I've missed you so much, Baen'thelas!" she said breathlessly after a long kiss.
"Don't worry, first thing you're getting after we address the work crews is a full belly," John assured his Maliri Matriarch. John turned to Luna. "Hey, Luna. You want a kiss too?"
"Please," the assassin/bodyguard said eagerly.
John gave Luna a lingering kiss.
"Come, the work crews are waiting," Edraele said, clearly in a hurry to get John's cum in her stomach.
John walked onto a stage and up to a crystal lectern. 4 Maliri work crews, or 80 women, were lined up in front of him. They all stopped talking or fidgeting to stare at him like he was a living god. John spoke, a sound amplification system built into the lectern projecting his voice. "Hello. I am Baen'thelas. I now rule House Valaden. This is my ship, the Invictus. Over the next few days, you will be working to refit her with Maliri Lasers as well as a few other upgrades my Chief Engineer has developed. Work hard, and I'll have Edraele send each of you to Geniya to secure fathers for your firstborn. I'll be meeting each of you personally over the course of your work. I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Please do your best at the jobs assigned to you." John smiled charmingly and walked off the stage.
"Did you manage to make the elements I needed?" Dana asked Edraele.
"My chief scientist was very reluctant to follow my instructions until I… persuaded her to obey. We have stockpiled the amounts you requested, they're over there," Edraele pointed.
"Yes! Crystal Alyssium, here we come!" Dana cheered.
"Edraele, I'm passing the torch to you. You're John's primary Matriarch for the length of the refit. Just keep him fed and empty his balls 4 times a day and you're golden," Alyssa said with a grin.
"I'll be on call whenever you're ready to have me feed some kittens," Jade spoke up, beaming at the thought of being a tool to help John recruit more women.
"Well, let's get started," Rachel said, her business school training coming out. "Irillith, help me start coordinating the work crews."
John followed Edraele and Luna into the shuttle while his Lionesses started to work on the refit. John entered the luxurious transport, following Edraele and Luna to Edraele's bedroom on the shuttle. John got naked and laid on the bed. "Have at me," he encouraged Edraele.
Edraele blew him to the best of her ability, deepthroating without hesitance. John moaned and came after 5 minutes, feeding Edraele a full load. He added her back to his network, feeling Luna join too since their connection to each other hadn't been severed. "I hope you enjoy this, because that's the last full load you're getting for a while."
"I know, but I'm looking forward to all the new Wards you'll give me to look after," Edraele grinned, rubbing her belly.
John noticed something about the connection between Luna and Edraele. "You bonded already?"
"She served me faithfully for decades. I already trusted her as much as my old self could trust anyone. And we really grew close, keeping each other from getting lonely in your absence," Edraele said, smiling.
"I can't thank you enough, Baen'thelas. Not only have you given me the gift of your love, but you allowed me to find it in Edraele too," Luna beamed.
"I hope you two are very happy together," he said, totally sincere. "Now, what shall we do while I recharge?"
"Edraele tells me you're quite skilled with a blade. I'd like to test that," Luna said with a sharp, challenging grin.
"I'm up for it," John grinned.
Luna led him to the 'gym' on Genthalas, which was a compound that made the gym in the palace look like a couple barbells crammed into a closet. Luna, with the benefit of being Edraele's most trusted servant, not to mention the fact no Maliri could deny John anything, reserved them a training room. They grabbed dull practice swords their preferred size and faced each other. John ignored how the viewing gallery quickly filled with dark-haired Maliri.
"Feel up to 4 hours?" John asked, brandishing his blade.
"If you think you can manage it," Luna fired back.
John attacked with Lion Claws, the style that Luna had helped him develop in his first life. But Luna had over a century of combat experience, and was a natural prodigy besides. Their duels lasted for minutes at a time before one of them managed a solid hit. John lost himself in the physical exertion, pushing his body to the max as he clashed swords with his Maliri Ward.
"Time," Luna huffed after their last duel, glancing at the chronometer on the wall. "I think you're the most honest challenge I've had in my life."
"That's high praise, coming from you," John panted. "If my cum weren't reserved for others at the moment, I'd fuck you right here on this mat right now."
"Alas. Next time, maybe," Luna sighed.
Luna led John back to Docking Bay 1. He saw Alyssa was standing near a massive orb of Crystal Alyssium, distinct from plain Alyssium by the extra glittering, ice-like factor. *How many shapings you manage?*
*I got to octa-shaped, which makes us completely immune to lasers, and managed to get one more out of my poor, overworked mind. Nona-shaped armor plates are on the menu, followed by the frames for all the supplementary tech Dana wants to make like the Omni-phase Scan Array and the Null-Inertia Gyroscope,* Alyssa replied, sounding strained.
*Keep up the good work, honey. I love you and believe in you,* he reminded her before refocusing on Luna leading him to the shuttle. He went to Edraele's bedroom and took a Maliri shower with Luna. He was surprised to find Edraele had stocked men's clothes in her closet. The Maliri fashions felt comforting from his time as Protector of the Maliri in his first life. That done, Luna led John to Edraele's 'throne room' on the shuttle.
"Ah, Baen'thelas, you're right on time. These are Ilyana and Almari," Edraele said, indicating two dark-haired Maliri standing at attention in front of her.
"Hello. What has Edraele told you about me?" John asked the two assassins.
"She says you're the good version of the Mael'nerak. You don't punish bad girls, you reward good girls. She says you're going to be our king one day," Ilyana told him, her eyes drinking him in.
"She says you wish to bless us with your seed, turning our hair white and healing all our injuries. She says you'll even father our children if we serve you well," Almari said, all but panting in lust.
"All that's true. So I guess the question is, do the two of you want to join me?" John asked.
Ilyana and Almari both got on their knees.
John fed the both of them, splitting the load equally between them. He lifted them with Telekinesis and tucked them into Edraele's bed. "Dinner?" John asked.
"I presume you know how to cook with Maliri ingredients," Edraele grinned, leading him to the kitchen.
John cooked Edraele's and Luna's favorites, getting him effusive thanks. They ate the meal, enjoying some House Holaris wine paired with it. "I'll recharge in a couple hours. Who's next on the list?" John asked.
"I summoned all 16 of my Planetary Governors and both my Fleet Commanders. We'll need Jade to feed them all," Edraele informed him.
John talked with Edraele and Luna until he felt like his quad had refilled. He, Edraele, and Luna left the shuttle, a smiling Jade walking up to them. Edraele led them to a conference room, where the 18 most powerful women in House Valaden after Edraele herself were gathered. The room went silent when Edraele entered, and jaws dropped when John walked in. John grinned. "Hello, ladies. Today is the start of your new lives."
John asked each Maliri her name and at least one question about her, committing everything to memory. Then he stuck his cock in Jade's ass and she grew enough tentacocks to feed all of them. John blew quickly from the stimulation of 18 simultaneous blowjobs, Jade faithfully dividing his release and funneling it into each of the women's mouths. They all passed out in their chairs.
Edraele left orders to have each of the women checked on in 14 hours with the guards, adding that they'd all be very thirsty. Then Edraele led them all back to the shuttle. Jade grabbed a kiss from John before going to the Invictus to sleep. John followed Edraele and Luna to the bedroom where Ilyana and Almari were still resting, their hair now white as snow. John went to sleep with Edraele and Luna in his arms, remembering to shield himself. The Astral dream sucked, as per usual, and then he grabbed some dreamless sleep.