They woke up to a beautiful piece of classical music, using instruments unfamiliar to all but Irillith and Tashana. Nia sang in Progenitor about the glory of the godking, who blessed his brides with love and children. "That was beautiful," Jade sighed.
"That was a Thrall battle hymn, but you changed the lyrics. The original was much more dark," John noted.
"I took some artistic license," Nia shrugged.
"No change from the Brimorians, they're still picking off the Kintark piecemeal," Obi informed them.
"Training day, then," John yawned. "Jade, ready to give everyone a pick-me-up?"
"How come it's always her? We can hollow out our breasts too!" Betrixa pouted.
"She's the Matriarch, that's why," Neysa rolled her eyes like it was obvious.
"If it really bothers you, we can start a rota," John offered his Nymph lovers.
"Knew he was the best master in the galaxy," Ailita grinned.
"I want to learn to fight!" Leylira announced.
"Calara can show you the ropes," John agreed, focusing around the delightful sensations of Jade's mouth and throat.
"I want to start learning medicine from Rachel. I can apply first aid when she's unavailable," Marika spoke up.
"Happy to take you as a student!" Rachel grinned.
John blew, and Jade fed everyone. John dedicated a small (by his standards) stream of energy into all his Lionesses. The Nymphs began to glow and they all went to get dressed. After breakfast, Kelli, Perl, and Ailanthia went down to the Firing Range to work on their aim. Most of the girls went down to the Secondary Hangar to do their psychic training, Gahl'kalgor's shuttle having been moved to the Primary Hangar. John took Calara, Sakura, Leylira, and Valeria to the Training Room to spar. Dana started to put some serious effort into upgrading the Progenitor weapons to make the Invictus even deadlier. Jade and the Nymphs worked on their shapeshifting, except for Marika who was learning basic anatomy and physiology from Rachel.
They were having lunch when Obi alerted them to a hail from Zorlin. John took it on his wrist communicator. "Yes, Zorlin?"
"The Brimoriansss are on a direct courssse for Kinta! 7 of the 8 fleetsss that invaded! What ssshall we do, John Blake?" Zorlin asked.
"We'll upload the schematics for EMP torpedoes to your shipyard, have them produced and outfitted on every ship in the homeworld defense fleet. My Tactical Officer, Calara, will provide you with a number of traps and delaying tactics to slow down and reduce the incoming invasion fleet. When they do arrive, the Invictus and you will team up to wipe them out," John said confidently.
*Nkkrrit is very pleased that her kind's technology will be used against the Brimorians,* Alyssa informed John.
*How is she?* John asked.
*She's an old woman laying in her deathbed, but where before she was alone, she now has a kind friend with her 24/7. She's content,* Alyssa reflected.
"We will follow your commandsss to the letter, John Blake," Zorlin bowed. He ended the call.
"Nia, upload the EMP schematics to Mar'Trinark Shipyard. Calara, put your brilliant mind to work to make the Brimorians rue the day they invaded the Kintark," John ordered.
"I'll work better if I have a little dessert," Calara grinned.
Jade fed everyone John's second load of the day. John went to his Ready Room and hailed Tamolith. She answered on her private console in her throne room. "John Blake. Zorlin has informed me of the Brimorians sudden charge for my homeworld. I'd be much more concerned if you weren't on our side," Tamolith said calmly.
"I want you as my ally, Tamolith. And I have a personal dislike for the Brimorians, which I can explain to you later if you're interested. Now, many of my crew have never been in the Kintark Empire before. Since we'll need an audience this evening anyway, I was wondering if you'd be willing to play hostess," John requested.
"I'd be happy to show you and the Lionesses my home. I'll even introduce you to my darlings, though don't expect my nieces to be particularly friendly. Baledranax, for all his faults, was a much more caring father than his brother," Tamolith told John.
"Calara will stay on the ship to work out the plans with Zorlin. Otherwise, the rest of us will be coming down. As a show of trust, we won't be bringing armor or weapons. But keep in mind we're all psychic, and you have a history of betraying those close to you. If you make a move on us, your darlings will become orphans. Am I understood?" John asked.
"You must think me as bad as Malganth the Betrayer. You have taken much from my people, John Blake, but you've come offering even more. And you've already proven yourself capable of slaying a dragon twice over. I'd be a fool to try anything against you or your crew. And I can't abide fools," Tamolith argued logically.
"Very well. We'll take the Raptor down to the imperial palace," John said.
"I will come to greet you personally," Tamolith promised.
John ended the call and went to the Raptor, his Matriarchs gathering the crew there. "Obi, keep an eye on Calara, remind her to take breaks for water and to decompress," John told his male AI.
"Roger," Obi nodded.
Nia took them down to the Kintark capital. The lush jungle world was broken up by cities made of metal ziggurats. They landed at the landing pads next to the imperial palace, and the form of Tamolith waiting by the entrance was unmistakable. Rachel analyzed the atmosphere. "Trace amounts of sulfur dioxide, but no more than if we were breathing the air near an old coal power plant. We can breathe the air just fine."
John and his Lionesses walked out the loading ramp, almost 2 dozen strong and each a formidable psychic. Any Kintark extremists who wanted to take a shot at the 'evil' Lions of the Federation were in for a shock. John walked up to Tamolith, kissed his hand, and laid it on her snout. "Hello, Tamolith."
"John," Tamolith grinned. "I think that's more affection than Kindralax showed me in the last decade alone."
"I'm only sorry you were forced to marry such a poor example of Kintark men. Out of curiosity, I know you intend for Zulkayr to mate with his cousins. But what about the rest of your children?" John asked.
"Sadly, they will not find mates. Baledranax killed the scientists who engineered the royal caste and deleted the research; he didn't want any rivals for his throne," Tamolith sighed.
"Rachel is quite literally one of the smartest women in the galaxy, and a skilled geneticist. And we're going to investigate the lab of Mael'nerak, the Progenitor who created half the Galactic League's species. Once she reads and understands his research, she could easily apply herself to recreating the process to make dragons," John told the empress.
Tamolith's eyes lit with interest. "Is that so? I'd be most grateful if she could find a way for my other 4 darlings not to be lonely. Though one has to wonder about the drain on the empire's resources, keeping multiple generations of dragons fed. But that's a problem for the future. So, tell me, who was this Mael'nerak?" Tamolith turned and led them into the palace.
"He was a Progenitor who came to this region of space 72 thousand years ago. He wiped out the Achonin in what's now the Unclaimed Wastes and then claimed the Maliri. He took up creating species as a hobby. He made the Nymphs, the Ashanath, the Trankarans, the Terrans, and the Drakkar. He died 10 thousand years ago in a suicide attack against my invading father, Rahn'hagon," John explained to Tamolith.
"How is it that you were born in Terran space, John?" Tamolith asked, not noticing or caring how every courtier who saw her went about-face and scurried back where they came from. She had quite the reputation for randomly killing those who annoyed her.
"Rahn'hagon survived the attack, crash-landing on a planet in Kirrix space. My mother was part of a research crew that found and surveyed the planet. He got her pregnant and let her crew find her so I'd be born in Terran space. His plan was that I'd claim the Maliri and wage the Progenitor War, until there were none but us 2," John said steadily.
"So he made you as a tool to wage the greatest war in history and ensure his own survival while he stayed safe in the middle of nowhere. And I sense you don't hate him or bear him ill will. You must have the patience and understanding of Tergonoth the Tolerant," Tamolith noted.
They reached the throne room and a young female voice shouted "John Blake! You killed my father! Prepare to die!" A dragon whelp launched from behind the door for John. He caught her in a telekinetic grip. She struggled, flapping her wings, but she stayed stuck in mid-air.
"My apologies, but I offered Baledranax the chance to surrender. He refused. He sealed his own fate. If you can't accept that, then that's your problem." John lowered her to the ground, looking at her with his eyes glowing with power. The young dragoness quivered.
"Did you think yourself Valstraz the Vengeful?! Ruvith, go to your room and think about how you could have restarted the war with the Terran Federation and brought the Kintark to utter ruin! You will not have dinner, and don't bother begging the servants for food because I'll kill any you talk to!" Tamolith roared at her niece.
"Yes, Empress," Ruvith said in a small voice, turning to walk out the throne room.
"I tried to stop her, Mother, but she wouldn't listen!" The largest male dragonling spoke up, from where he approached with his siblings and other cousin.
"The wise don't need advice, and fools won't take it," Tamolith sighed. She licked the young dragon's snout. "I don't blame you, Zulkayr. But don't be afraid to take a firmer hand with your future wife. Not that she had a prayer of defeating John Blake, but I wasn't wrong about how if he'd been injured the Terran Federation would be out for blood. Even if we survive this debacle with the Brimorians, the Terrans could still make us their slaves easily in the aftermath. To say nothing of the Maliri, of whom he is King."
"I didn't think of all that, I just thought she was angry and being stupid. I need to learn to think like an emperor, see all these consequences!" Zulkayr declared, puffing up his chest.
"I know, you'll grow to be ten times the man your father was," Tamolith said fondly. "Anyway, my precious darlings, this is Admiral John Blake, who is also King Baen'thelas, and his mighty Lionesses. He has come in our hour of need to help us against the Brimorians and offer us a place in his alliance with the rest of the Galactic League."
"I'm Zulkayr, the heir apparent to the throne," Zulkayr told John, trying to sound older than he was. "You met Ruvith. This is her sister and my future mate, Ondyrth. And these are my siblings, Etheiss, Tondax, Damopha, and Chysenteil."
"It's an honor to meet the royal family of the Kintark Empire. I've met Kindralax and Baledranax, but I find you to be the most impressive dragon I've yet seen," John grinned, a paternal air settling on his shoulders.
"Really?!" Zulkayr lit up with childlike glee.
"Hey, what about me!" Tondax spoke up, not wanting his older brother to outshine him.
"Well, Tondax, you haven't grown as much as Zulkayr. By the time you're his age you might be twice the dragon he'll ever be," John said placatingly.
"As if!" Zulkayr snorted.
"Welcome to Kinta, Admiral Blake," Etheiss bowed her head. "If I might ask, how can you be part of High Command and the Maliri King at the same time?"
"Technically, I'm retired from the Terran Federation Navy. The Fleet Admiral just considers me a friend and has granted me all the power and privileges of an Admiral while in Terran space. My true station is as King Baen'thelas in the Maliri Kingdom," John explained.
"What's Baen'thelas mean?" Damopha asked curiously.
"In ancient Maliri, it means 'Righter of Wrongs'. The Maliri gave it to me as my Maliri name. I answer to it as if it were my Terran name."
"Do you have another name too?" Chysenteil wondered.
"Yes, but only my family knows it," John said with a secretive grin. "But since Tamolith has agreed to be my mate one day, that makes you my stepchildren. My true name is Kyth'vindathys, which means Revenge of the Kyth'faren reborn."
"MATE?!" Ondyrth gasped. "Empress, how could you agree to lie with the most heinous war criminal in Kintark history?! How is that even going to work?!"
"Are you questioning me, Ondyrth? I must have misheard you," Tamolith hissed, emitting fear-inducing pheromones.
"N-no, Empress. I misspoke," Ondyrth bowed her head.
"How IS that going to work?" Zulkayr had the courage to ask.
"You notice how all my crew are the same shape?" John asked. "A Progenitor, like me, can rewrite the DNA of women with his psychic powers. When you take the throne, Tamolith has agreed to let me change her into one of my women."
"Oh, is this a politics thing? Is that why you agreed to help us against the Brimorians?" Zulkayr asked, scratching his head.
"I would have helped you all regardless. Tamolith becoming my mate was her personal choice when I explained all she had to gain if she agreed," John told the Kintark royal male.
"I'm trying to picture it, when I'm as big as Father or Baledranax and Mother will be the size of a Terran," Zulkayr said, screwing up his face in concentration. "It hurts my head."
"I'll always be your mother, my precious darlings. I'll just be taking a different shape. And John Blake has promised me children when I'm through with the Change. Chysenteil won't be the youngest anymore," Tamolith said fondly.
"Yay!" Chysenteil cheered.
"Where do babies come from?" Tondax asked.
"You're too young to know. And believe me, once you do, you'll wish you didn't," Etheiss grimaced.
"Really? I think babymaking is the most beautiful thing in the universe," Alyssa chuckled.
"Alyssa, please don't corrupt my innocent darlings," Tamolith scolded.
"Now I really want to know!" Tondax whined.
"I'll tell you when we're alone," Zulkayr whispered to his brother.
Tamolith sighed. "My only regret in having you kill Kindralax, John, is that he is no longer available for me to foist the TALK onto him. Though he'd likely have forced me to give it anyway."
"So, who're all these ladies? Some of them look funny," Damopha asked, moving past the mystery of how babies were made.
"They're my Lionesses, the crew of my ship, the Invictus. They're all here except Captain Calara Fernandez, she's busy planning what to do to the Brimorians with Zorlin," John explained.
"I thought lionesses were a female cat from Terra. Who's the purple man?" Ondyrth asked, regaining herself after almost pissing herself at Tamolith's anger.
"I'm Obi, one of John's AI. I'm the exception, otherwise the crew is all-female," Obi spoke up.
"I looked up the Lionesses on the Holonet. There's a video of one of you turning into a dragon! Was that real or fake?" Zulkayr asked.
Jade grinned. "That was me. I'm a Nymph. I'm a shapeshifter, and John made me powerful enough to become a dragon the size of Baledranax."
"No way!" Zulkayr gaped.
"Perhaps a demonstration is in order?" John posed to Tamolith.
"Very well, I'm curious to see this myself," Tamolith admitted.
They all followed Tamolith to a large courtyard, practically a park inside the palace. Jade went to an open area, stripped down, and shimmered. In a dizzying rush, she became an emerald dragon with wings whose tips almost touched the walls of the courtyard.
Tondax said something in Kintark that made Irillith laugh and Tamolith smack his rump with a claw.
"All my sisters can become dragons too, though they aren't strong enough to become this big," Jade said, lowering her volume so her bigger vocal chords didn't blow out their ears.
"You have 6 dragons on your crew? You're unstoppable!" Etheiss gasped.
"We've yet to lose," John nodded.
"What else can you turn into?" Zulkayr asked Jade excitedly.
Jade shimmered and became a Tiger the size of an elephant. She let out a roar that shook leaves off the trees. Then she turned into a bird and flew around the courtyard. She turned into a monkey and clambered up a tree. And then became an octopus, gave them a cheery wave with a tentacle, before becoming a Nymph again. She walked over to her clothes and put them back on.
"Mother, I want a Nymph!" Zulkayr begged, like he was asking for a toy.
"They're people, not possessions, Zulkayr. And I'm afraid they all belong to the Progenitors anyway," John told the dragon youth.
"Aww," Zulkayr whined.
"What's a Progenitor?" Chysenteil asked, confused.
"We're the most powerful race in the galaxy, at least that we know of. We rule empires around the Milky Way. They're all very bad men. I'm getting the Galactic League ready to face them, that's why I'm offering the Kintark Empire a place in my alliance," John explained.
"What exactly will you be giving us?" Tamolith asked.
"You already have Brimorian Shields. What would you say to Ashanath Power Cores and Tachyon Drives, Trankaran Engines, better heat sinks than those found on your capital ships, as well as a lot of supplementary tech from the Progenitors?" John told the empress.
"I would say that Dirgis the Merciful is smiling on us, for you are a gift from the gods come at our darkest hour," Tamolith breathed out in awe.
"I upgraded the Trankarans' Fusion weapons when we visited. I could reverse-engineer Plasma weapons before I leave if you'll give me the schematics," Dana offered.
Tamolith whistled, an impressive feat without lips. A courtier appeared from a nearby hallway and approached. "Yesss, Empresss?" he hissed.
"Have the schematics for every Plasma weapon, from the Rifles to the Plasma Lances on our Battlecarriers, transferred to the Invictus. Lioness Dana is going to improve upon them before she leaves the Empire," Tamolith ordered.
The courtier gaped, but underneath the empress' eye he bowed. "At once, Empresss," he said before scurrying away.
"You know, there's a Terran saying: 'You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar'. I know you see them as beneath you, lesser lifeforms, but it wouldn't hurt to try leading by respect instead of fear," John told Tamolith quietly.
"Respect and fear are one and the same, in my experience," Tamolith told him.
"You must not have had many positive experiences then," John countered.
"I suppose," Tamolith allowed.
Tamolith led the Pride and her children on a tour of the imperial palace. Tashana found the archives fascinating, and John promised her a visit again when they had the free time. They went to the banquet hall for dinner, Tamolith having alerted the chefs to prepare for 20 normal sized diners. Nia and Obi declined, not needing to eat and being vegetarians besides. John enjoyed his cut of some large Kintark animal, cooked to perfection and spiced with exotic Kintark herbs. He kept a small portion, and followed Tamolith to her royal quarters as she told her children to go to sleep. John asked Zulkayr which room was Ruvith's. Zulkayr pointed, a grateful look on his face. John knocked on the door and let himself in.
"What do YOU want?" Ruvith hissed, glaring at him.
John laid down the plate. "I thought you might be hungry."
"Is it poisoned?" Ruvith asked suspiciously.
"If I wanted you dead, I could have snapped your neck when you pounced at me. Believe it or not, I've got nothing against the Kintark. Baledranax was a casualty of the war with the Terran Federation, a war he was goaded into by the Progenitor Larn'kelnar. Are you telling me that if the Terran Federation invaded the Kintark Empire and you had a chance to kill the Fleet Admiral and stop it, you wouldn't take it?" John posed to the female dragon.
Ruvith reluctantly shook her head. "I loved my father, John Blake. And I had to watch Tamolith kill my mother. I will never forgive you… but I'm sorry for attacking you. It was selfish of me, and apparently doomed to fail."
"I don't approve of how Tamolith seized the throne. But I can't change the past," John said, aware that he was being a flaming hypocrite in saying that. "I hope you can find happiness with Zulkayr, at least."
"He's nice. He gives me flying lessons," Ruvith grinned. She walked forward and took the meat into her mouth, chewing and swallowing. It was a show of trust. "Thank you for bringing me dinner, John Blake."
"You missed this part, but Tamolith is going to be my mate one day. I consider Zulkayr a son already. That makes you my daughter-in-law. Hate me all you want, but I'll always look out for you."
Ruvith started to tear up. John turned his back, his own show of trust, and opened the door. He ignored how Zulkayr and his siblings all backed away, pretending to have not been eavesdropping. "Where's Tamolith?" he asked.
"She took your Lionesses back to the Throne Room. She's waiting for you," Etheiss said.
"Did you mean that? That I'm your son?" Zulkayr asked, a vulnerable expression on his face.
John leaned down and kissed Zulkayr's brow. "Every boy needs a proper father. Kindralax failed at the job. I'm hoping I can do better."
"Kindralax was Father. Is it okay if I call you Dad?" Zulkayr asked hopefully.
"I'd like that very much, Zulkayr," John told his future stepson.
All Zulkayr's siblings demanded their own kisses, naturally. Once John was done, he followed the hallway back to the throne room.
*I am so hot for you right now,* Alyssa told him mentally.
*Don't ruin the moment, I'm feeling all paternal,* John rolled his eyes.
He reached the throne room, where Tamolith was curled on her dais. "So, John Blake, how shall you work your powers on me? You said something about drinking your DNA?" Tamolith asked.
"Blame it on the man who genetically engineered the Progenitors, but my powers are based in my semen. You have to drink it for me to make you my Ward and put you through the Change," John told the 40-foot dragoness.
"I'm not sure that's entirely feasible," Tamoltih said, licking her razor-sharp teeth.
"I'll use Jade as an intermediary. I'll fill her up, and she can pump it into your mouth," John explained.
"Very well. I am ready," Tamolith declared. John pulled down his pants. Tamolith raised a brow. "I think, proportionally, you're over twice the size of Kindralax. I don't know whether to be excited or frightened at the idea of mating with you."
"You'll stretch to take me, you'll feel no pain, and if at any point you do I'll stop," John promised, even as Jade got on her knees and took him in. John enjoyed the familiar feel and technique, until he orgasmed. Jade, her breasts swollen, walked up to Tamolith and stretched her arm into the empress' mouth. She pumped out John's cum from her fingers, and Tamolith swallowed every drop. She collapsed onto the dais, already snoring.
John reached out and added Tamolith to his network under Alyssa. He pushed her to become stronger, smarter, healthier, without changing her basic shape. He also imbued the Fire and Air runes into her DNA, giving her a third helix and making her psychic. Automating a stream of energy that would fill her until the active connection ended, John turned to his crew. "Let's get back to the Invictus. Obi, did Calara eat?"
"Does a couple nutri-bars at her console count?" Obi asked dubiously.
"And you all call ME obsessive," Dana scoffed.
They went to the Raptor and returned to the Invictus. John went up to the Bridge and placed his hands over Calara's eyes from behind. "Stop. You can't plan for everything Calara. You've spent all day working on this. The Kintark and Brimorians will still be there tomorrow. You need to rest."
"Fine, but if there's an orbital bombardment like from your first life, I'll never forgive you or myself," Calara sighed.
"I shouldn't have told you that, you're overcompensating," John sighed.
"No, it was an important lesson. Sometimes the enemy will snap and behave irrationally. And sometimes, they just want to be cruel and inflict maximum casualties. I need to learn to anticipate the acts of depraved men, the Progenitors will make the Brimorians look like schoolyard bullies," Calara said heavily.
"I just fed Tamolith, but you're getting a full belly tonight. Now can I convince you to unwind with some vodka and conversation with your sisters?" John asked.
"Alright," Calara agreed, swallowing a yawn. They reached the Lounge, where Dana was swiping at a holo-reader and chatting with Nia and Obi about ionization rates. "How come I have to take a break while Sparks gets to work?" Calara protested.
"Because I spent all day fucking around the palace while you tried to arrange a perfect victory for the Kintark against the Brimorians. You're fried, I need to burn off my daily quota of brain power," Dana countered without looking up.
Alyssa handed Calara a lime vodka spritzer, just the way she liked it. "Relax, my love. We're better prepared and have better guns than we did in John's first life. The Brimorians are doomed."
"I wish I could believe you," Calara sighed.
They relaxed with drinks until John felt himself recharge. He took Calara to his bedroom and made love to her before feeding her at the end, his cock slick with her juices. He fell asleep cradling her belly, longing for the day it wasn't his cum rounding her out.
The Brimorians arrived, reduced from 7 fleets to 3, in the late afternoon. The Invictus, Raptor, Valkyrie, and the Kintark Navy fell on them like a shark on a minnow. For their war crimes earlier in the invasion, they did not get the chance to surrender. The Fishmen were wiped out to a ship.
*The Kintark border fleet is attacking the last Brimorian fleet as we speak. They threw almost everything they had into this invasion. If you or Lynette or Niskera had any desire to annex them, now would be the time,* Edraele let John know as he leaned back in his Command Chair.
*Lynette is making the plans as we speak, coordinating with Niskera. Between the three of us, we can take the whole Enclave in a week once the fleets cross the border,* Alyssa reasoned. *What's the plan?*
*The Maliri are plenty big as is, and the Trankarans have no desire to expand. Let the Terran Federation take the Brimorian Enclave as a vassal state. They'll become second-class citizens on their own planets, and the Terrans can liberate and educate the Abandoned,* John decided, casually choosing the fate of an empire. Such was his power.
"Lirrash, hail Tamolith please," John asked his Ashanath lover.
Tamolith, her whole demeanor seeming somehow softer after all the positive energy John had introduced into her psyche, answered. "Zorlin has already informed me of our near perfect victory. How can I ever repay you, John?"
"Be a good mother to our children and a good leader to the Kintark," John answered. "Now, there's a way for you to get a permanent telepathic connection to Alyssa. You two need to learn to trust each other though. We'll spend a couple days with you until you're ready to let her into your mind."
"Very well. I invite you to rest in the imperial palace as my guests of honor. You and your crew will want for nothing. And the children are quite eager to spend more time with you," Tamolith grinned.
They took the Raptor down to the imperial palace, Calara getting her first look at Kintark architecture. Tamolith and the kids were waiting eagerly at the landing pads. The whelps commandeered the crew's whole attention, Tamolith watching fondly. Ruvith and Ondyrth were quiet but respectful and polite. They had dinner, Alyssa gabbing away at Tamolith like they were already best friends. They were personally escorted to a suite worthy of a visiting head of state, and went to bed after working out the Kintark shower.