Ch 39

Traveling slower (only at Ridiculous speed) and with Malinara cooling the feedback units on the operating engines, the XTS made it back to Earth.

John had Joan collapse the bubble at 60,000 feet. Drifting down on antigravs and thrusters, they were guided to a landing field in Nevada. It was inside area 51, but separate from the main base. Besides the large hangers, and a control tower, the only plane John saw was a C-130. Joan set down and shut down. A large tractor came out to push them into a hanger beside another XTS. There was also a crowd waiting for them. John had Bob bring the failed feedback units out with him.

John was pleased that Catherine Weaver was here with a couple of her Engineers. He made a point of going over to her and had Bob hand the feedback units to her. "Explain the problem, Bob."

Bob did, He told her about the overheating and Delilah figuring out how long they reliably lasted. Because they 'died' after the short time they were in use, he recommended six spare units for every 1000 light years they traveled. He also told her right now, there was no feedback unit in number two engine.

The NASA head was also listening. "How far did you go?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

John shrugged. "We didn't count mileage, but my best estimate is 4300 light years from Earth. Couple hundred light years back and forth trips also."

"You pressed this ship as far and fast as it could go?" The NASA man asked.

"Yeah, pretty much. We had long ways to go, and short times to get there."

"So as an inter system asteroid collector, there shouldn't be any problems?" Catherine asked.

John looked at Bob. Bob said, "Probably not. We also know what to look for now when a feedback unit is starting to go. If the feedback begins to fluctuate, it's about to fail. As you can see in these purplish cases, once the engine heat gets into them, it melts the cooling coils and discolors the case. I'd recommend a temperature probe be put on them, so we can tell that's happening before the unit fails. Once it fails, the unit's trashed. Catch it before it fails, you might be able to rebuild it."

"I will get a team working on that," Catherine stated.

A man from Washington asked where Edward Billings was. John pointed up at the sky. "He stayed on the planet Picon to help the peace efforts we've been making. Both sides wanted a representative from Earth to help keep the peace. He volunteered." John then waved Jennifer over. "We also brought back a cylon who's working with Delilah to help solve the problem of why they can't successfully have children."

The man eyed John and said, "Well I have to say you and your crew have done an amazing job. Still these ships are grounded until the problem is fixed.

John shrugged. "It is fixed. All we need is an appropriate amount of spares. Knowing how long they last, we figured out ourselves. Right now we need six new units and I'd say to be on the safe side, 12 spares."

"Six?" Bob asked.

"Yes two of the engines have been off since our first trip, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Bob agreed with a blush.

Jennifer came over and said to the government man, "Hi, I'm Jennifer Six, a Cylon."

The man smiled. "Pleased to meet you, Richard Matheson Secretary of defense. You look just like a human," he said, his eyes sweeping her body.

"Yes, many of us Cylons do. Others are more like your terminators." Jennifer explained.

"They are similar, but different," John said. "More advanced in some ways, not so much in others. That's why they needed our assistance to stop that war they were having. We have all the meetings on video if you want to see them."

"I would indeed," Mr. Matheson said. "Mr. Connor, I do thank you for taking this task on. Everyone appreciates your accomplishments. However, the president, and many others do think a real diplomat and NASA trained astronauts should be taking on missions of this nature."

John was about to agreed, but Jennifer quickly said, "Mr. Matheson, we know and trust John Connor and his wives. I can speak for everyone in our section of the galaxy, Cylon and Human, that we would prefer to keep dealing with him."

Mr. Matheson bowed slightly. "Then as long as Mr. Connor agrees, that's fine." To John he said, "We still insist at least the pilots, navigators and engineers come from NASA."

John nodded. "Send them, I'll have Joan, Bob, Allison and Malinara train them to fly the ship."

Being close enough to listen to them, Joan piped up with, "We can go home then?"

John nodded, "Right after you train your replacements."

"YES!" Joan, Allison, Bob and Malinara cried happily.

.

Hugh had been getting sicker every day. There were a couple days where he seemed to be getting better, at least coming out of his shelter to get fed and have Sonya pet him for a while. Sonya went down to feed him as normal. Going to the entrance of his shelter, she held out a fish.

Hugh didn't move. Looking closer she also say he wasn't breathing. His exhale tubes were still. She reached in and grabbed a tentacle. It was limp. Never were his tentacles limp. Especially being touched, if she grabbed a tentacle, it would wrap her arm. Damn. Sonya felt horrible. Her face twisted up in pain. She pulled Hugh out and held him.

Hugh had died.

Sonya carried him over to the ladder and climbed out to lay him stretched out on the side of the pool. She sat beside Hugh, tears came from her eyes.

"Sonya?" Bruce asked as he jogged up to her.

Sonya looked up at him. "Hugh died. I should have had the whole pool turned into salt water. It's my fault he got poisoned by the fresh water side."

Bruce knelt down and hugged her. "You didn't know that was a danger," he said as he petted her hair. "It's not your fault."

In a shuddering breath, she said, "I have to go call someone to … what do I do? Can we bury him?"

"I'll go call, OK?" Bruce told her.

Sonya let out a sob and petted the dead Octopus. In a shuddering breath, she said, "I'm so sorry, Hugh."

"I'll be back soon," Bruce assured her, then jogged back to the house.

A short while later, Bruce came back to tell Sonya, "I called the research team Officer Hanson works with. Are you OK with Hugh being used for research?"

Sonya nodded. "As long as no one eats him." She looked at Hugh's large body again. "I'm really sorry he died."

"Me too. He really liked seeing you," Bruce offered.

"Yeah," Sonya agreed. "I raised him. Well me and Officer Hanson. I'm going to miss him."

Bruce's phone rang. "Hello? Yes, Sonya is out here at the pool, she already has Hugh out of the water … "OK, hold on." He handed Sonya the phone.

"Sonya … yeah, I found him when I came out to feed him … That's fine, I'll help bring him out to the truck … I got a question, that place where you meet is kinda small, want this house? … I'm not going to need it any more. I'm going to resign … Right, both departments. I think it's time for me to move on … No, it's not a snap decision, I've been thinking about it for a while. Hugh dying just, well let's say it's something I have to do … For a while, I'll probably go back to Driftwood and check on the rest of my family … Yeah, I'm sure they'll have a fit … I took the jobs because they really needed me. The departments are stable now with a good force of police, I'm sure things will work out all right … OK see you in about a half hour."

"You're leaving?" Bruce asked.

Sonya glanced at Hugh and said, "Why don't you come with me? We can even go on a vacation. I really do want to see how my family's doing. Last I knew, Dad, Moms and Joan's whole clan were still out in space somewhere. School's letting out soon. I bet Jackie and Duncan are planning a trip someplace. I would like to see how their adopted boy, Jerry is doing too."

.

Jerry was doing great. He and Patricia had their first 'almost' sex session. Besides deep kisses, pets and suckling and rubbing those cute, soft breasts she was now going to keep, Patricia coaxed him into gently rubbing her slit. He found her clit and petted and teased that too. Kissing her deeply as he did, she suddenly arched back and planted his mouth on a breast as she shuddered out in joy and clung tightly to him.

Right after that, he got another long deep kiss, then she stroke him and slipped down his body and put her mouth around his pulsing hard shaft. It was all he could do not to try to thrust up into her mouth. She bobbed down, taking him in so far he felt the back of her throat.

"Ahh!" he squeaked out. When she pulled back she sucked hard. HOLY GOD, did that feel good! He wore he was getting harder. She went down again forcing him partway into her throat. He felt his groin, then his entire lower region tightening up. "Patty," he squeaked out. If this felt any better, he swore he was going to die!

She did it again and again, pulling mostly out, then plunging him back in until she winced. He was cramping up bad, He tried to speak but only a weak groan came out. He then erupted into her mouth in pulsing waves.

"Patty!" he cried as he blew his load. She sucked more and he could see her throat moving. She was swallowing it!

Feeling dizzy and spent, Jerry flopped limp. Patricia climbed up on him to give him a kiss and asked, "So, how was that?"

All he could to was hold her tight and kiss her. "I love you so much," he breathed out.

She snuggled into him. "I love you too. This was an awesome make out session," she said with a grin.

"It was." he agreed.

The best part was, they didn't get caught!

While they had their very first orgasms, Jackie was doing her very first solo flight in the Cessna. She did four touch and go's, then radioed in for a proper landing. Flying the plane herself, she wasn't as nervous about being in the air. Coming down, she made a perfect landing and taxied over to the hangers. Stopped, she shut the engines down, then went over to Duncan and her flight instructor who were coming to meet her.

'Congratulations!" her instructor beamed. "Jackie Connor, you are now certified pilot!" he handed her her license.

"Yes!" Jackie chirped. Beaming Duncan a smile, she said, "Now I can help you fly."

"You can, and our new plane will be here in two days. Catherine got it finished and is bring it in. She also has a buyer for the Cessna," Duncan explained.

"That is good news," Jackie agreed. "So we get the Cessna cleaned up and ready to be sold?"

"Cleaned and polished, and be sure we don't leave anything in it," Duncan agreed.

Duncan and Jackie spent the rest of the day inside his plane making sure everything was clean and removed all their personal things. One thing Duncan found they needed to remove was Amanda's 'passport kit' in the back storage compartment. It wasn't legal to make or modify your own passports. He didn't want anyone finding that.

On their way home from the airport, Jackie got a call. "Jackie here … Hey Joan you back! How was the trip? … Wow …" Jackie giggled, "Oh wow, you really don't to boring, do you? … At least you made it back home, so where are you now? … Speaking of planes, we're getting a new one … yeah a C-125. We're going to Australia and run cargo to pay for the trip … 25 June is when we're planning to leave … A couple stops to on and offload cargo, but pretty much a run straight to Australia … Yes, I'm taking my tail, wanna come? … It has those same motors you got on that C-200, only two instead of four … OK, well half passenger and half cargo plane, it has bedrooms in it over the cargo area, a kitchen too … I'm a certified pilot now, I got my license. Who'd have ever thought, right? … Well, get in your C-200 and come with us! … So, talk to JJ and get him to let you take it for a spin." Jackie laughed. "It's not quite a 'spin round the planet', only half way. Tell him it's an endurance test. Hey!, If you run cargo too, you might be able to make a few bucks… OK, yeah I can see your point. If JJ wants to come, now that Dad's back, he can … Well let me know what he says. K, see ya later."

Jackie beamed Duncan a smile. "Dad and Joan's clan are back from outer space. They went waaay far outside the solar system, even took a tip outside the galaxy to get real star positions. They even stopped a war between two species."

Duncan eyed her. "Sounds like they were real busy."

"They were, and coming back, their ship was starting to fall apart, but they made it back! Joan said they had serious engine problems. They couldn't go at Ludicrous Speed any more and had to slow down."

"Ludicrous speed?" he asked.

Jackie giggled. "Yeah, it's many times faster than light speed. From Joan and Cameron's best estimates, they were covering a light year every ten minutes or so even slowed down to ridiculous speed."

Duncan laughed, "I take it those are not standard measurements from NASA."

"Joan made them up. Not surprised." Jackie said with a grin. "She's going to call JJ and see if he and Kaede want to come with us. From what she knows, JJ has been swamped with work."

"We do have room for four more," Duncan noted.

Jackie pouted a bit. "If JJ's been working that hard, I hope he can make it."

.

Kaede had decided to give living with Sophie a try. She did so after a day of work. The fertilizing was done and the gardens they had were weeded and watered. Sophie had been working hard to keep up with her. It was getting warmer and they were sweaty. Knowing it was going to be a gaggle headed for the bath in Sophie's house, Kaede invited her to come clean up at her house. Sophie quickly accepted.

Going inside, they went in the bath to wash the grit from they day off them. Sophie was a bit nervous, she did notice Kaede had been spending more time with her. She was hoping hard that she was becoming a little closer to Kaede and Johnny accepting her. She started the water in the round tub they had and checked the temperature. Nice and warm, but not hot. "This good for you?" she asked.

From behind her, Kaede felt the water stream with one hand and her left breast with the other. "Hmmm, I'd say near perfect," Kaede cooed as she fondled Sophie's small globe.

Sophie giggled. "The water or me?" she asked.

"Yes," Kaede replied then let go to get out the towels and wash cloths.

Sophie turned with a frown. "Kaede! You're supposed to pick one or the other."

Kaede returned a crooked grin. "Why?"

"Because that was the choices," Sophie told her.

"So? You wanted an answer, I gave you one."

By the cooked grin, Sophie knew Kaede was playing with her. "So both?"

"Both what?"

"Me and the water?" Sophie coaxed.

Kaede nodded. "Yes, you are here and the water is coming in. When the tub fills, we get in and clean up."

"Are you avoiding my question?"

"No, I answered it."

Sophie cast Kaede a smirk. "Did not," she replied.

"Did too."

It was so silly, Sophie had to laugh at her. "OK, so you did, BUT, not the way I wanted you to."

"So?"

Sophie asked, "So what to you answer when the checkout lady at the counter in the store asks you paper or plastic? Do you tell her yes?"

"Yes." Kaede said firmly.

Sophie chuckled again. Seeing Kaede turn around to remove her shirt, Sophie grinned. All the times she tried to grab Kaede's boobs, Kaede seemed to know it and avoided her. Now, she had her chance! At Kaede took her bra off, Sophie slipped her hand under Kaede's armpits and hefted her boobs. She also paused at the weight. "Those are big and heavy!"

Kaede chuckled. "Surprised?"

Peeking around to see the big, soft globes she was holding, Sophie said, "Wow! I never thought they'd be this big!"

With a chuckle, Kaede asked, "Will you wash them for me? I'll do yours."

"OK." Sophie couldn't help but fondle Kaede's breasts. Besides heavy, they felt really soft!

"The tub's filling up," Kaede noted.

Seeing the water was indeed, coming towards the top, Sophie let go to shut the water off.

They got undressed, it was with a sigh of relief to settle down into the bathwater. Grabbing washcloths and soap, Kaede nudged Sophie and said, "Turn facing away, I'll wash your back."

Sophie did. Having Kaede wash her back felt great. When Kaede leaned her back into her, and slowly washed her chest, including some breast fondling, Sophie felt this was very intimate. It was also so relaxing she was tempted to fall asleep. "This feels nice," she said in a coo.

"Glad you like it. My turn."

Sophie wanted her to keep going, but Kaede was right, it was her turn. They turned around and Sophie washed Kaede's back with the same gentle care Kaede had washed hers. She then had Kaede lean back against her. Unlike Sophie's smaller mounds, Sophie could not wash both of Kaede's breasts at the same time. She lifted Kaede's left breast first and washed in and that side of her chest, then lifted and washed the right one. Each side she did slowly. She enjoyed the happy sigh that came from Kaede. Once she made sure she had washed Kaede completely, she hugged Kaede.

Softly, she asked, "Kaede, please, can I live here with you and Johnny?"

"Tell you what," Kaede replied. "How about if we try it for a few days and see how it works out?"

Sophie hugged Kaede a little tighter. "That would be perfect."

They heard Johnny call out, "I'm home, Kaede?"

"In the bath," Kaede called back and sat up. She turned to the door.

Sophie did too.

Shortly, JJ opened the door and asked, "Guess what?" he then stopped short and stared.

"Hi Johnny!" Sophie said happily, waving an arm to make her chest wiggle.

JJ turned red. Not only because he was seeing Sophie naked, but naked in the bath with Kaede. Weakly, he said, "Hi … ah, I take it you to are getting along?"

"Pretty much," Kaede replied. "You got some good news?" she asked.

JJ's jaw work a moment, then he said, "Dad's back, and … I should tell you later."

"Nonsense!" Kaede stated. "Shut the door and come in here and tell us about it."

JJ shut the door and sat down outside the tub to look at Kaede.

Kaede frowned, "Scared to get in with us?" she asked.

" …. ummm, a little," he admitted as he blushed.

"Don't be. Get your clothes off and get in," Kaede told him with a smirk.

"With Sophie here?" he asked weakly.

"I'm here too, aren't I?" Kaede asked.

"Yeah, but…"

"No butts, except for in the water," Kaede stated with a grin.

"Hokay," he relented. He didn't move.

"Hon," Kaede said firmly. "You got news, I got news. Come sit with us and we'll share our news."

JJ did get undressed and tried to ignore Sophie who was watching him. He faced away to put his clothes on the bench, then got in and sat down facing Kaede. He explained his news quickly. "Dad's home, but they will have to go out again. It won't be for a month or two. He's agreed to temporarily take my place so I can have a real vacation. Jackie and Duncan are going to Australia, Joan called me and passed on that Jackie was curious if we wanted to go too. Duncan has a new plane, an ex-cargo plane that has plenty of room in it. We can go for free, if we help with any cargo they get along the way."

Sophie slid over to sit by JJ and asked, "Where's Australia?"

"Far away, across the pacific ocean," JJ told her, then realized she was facing him. He tried hard not to look down on her cute tits. He shifted to look at Kaede. "They plan to be gone three weeks. Want to go?"

Kaede grinned at him. "Jackie, willingly riding in an airplane?"

"She's going to be one of the pilots."

Kaede laughed. "This I gotta see! I take it she's going to have her parachute with her?"

"It's float plane, and she is bringing her tail." JJ stated.

Rising up on her knees to pretty much show JJ everything, Sophie brightly asked, "Can I go too?"

JJ paused. Kaede chuckled. "If we go," she said. To JJ she said, "I've never been there before, it could be a fun trip. Ready for my news?"

"I got a feeling I now what it is," JJ said meekly. He had to admit, Sophie was a sexy looking girl. Especially beaming that bright smile and those hard nips at him.

Kaede explained. "Sophie and I have been hanging around a lot recently. I have to say I do like her company. I also have to admit, Sophie is no Yuka. Yuka did her best to try to pull Kouta away from me. Sophie won't do that. I also know her only real desire is to be with us. I was thinking to let her be with us for a while."

JJ stared at Kaede. "Hon, if Sophie come to be with us, it won't be a while. It will be permanent." JJ replied.

"Yes, permanent." Sophie agreed.

Kaede took on a thoughtful look then pulled Sophie over onto her lap. Sophie squeaked as she was dragged over to Kaede. Kaede latched into her breasts and fondled them. "JJ, think Sophie's boobs are good enough to play with? I do."

"Kaede! Let Johnny have a turn!" Sophie said meekly.

"Oh, OK."

Sophie then was moved over onto JJ's lap.

JJ grew hard, right up in between her legs. Sophie's eyes opened wide. Kaede chuckled. "Not pinned in place, is she?" she asked, then laughed.

"Kaede." JJ meant to admonish her, but didn't. He put an arm around Sophie. "You OK?" he asked.

"Very," Sophie said meekly and leaned back into him. She then sniffled and sobbed out, "Thank you so much!" She turned around on JJ's lap to face him and drew him and Kaede into a hug as she sniffled.

JJ looked at Kaede. "Are you SURE you're OK with this?" he asked.

"I am," Kaede assured him.

Sophie then cried out, "I'M so happy!" She then started crying as she hugged them close.

"I think we should probably get out, get some dinner then head for bed," Kaede coaxed.

JJ was expecting Sophie would want a 'honeymoon' night. Thankfully, she was tired from working all day and going to bed she was more than happy just to snuggle up beside him and hold Kaede's hand on his other side. An arm around each of them, JJ and his 'wives' settled down to go to sleep.

.

The day the C-125 arrived, Duncan, Jackie, Jerry and Patricia were there to meet it. It wasn't the biggest plane Jackie ever saw, but it was still but good sized. Entry and exit was off the rear ramp that dropped down. The thing that surprised Duncan, and Jackie was the engine right on the nose of the plane, giving it three engines.

Meeting the pilots who'd brought the plane in, and were going to fly Duncan's plane out, Duncan asked, "I thought those only had an engine on each wing?"

The man on amber sun glasses said, "No, the engine configuration was originally a tri-motor. They were built for short take offs. Besides the whole airframe being checked out and getting those new electric motors on it, it's a big higher than the original body, the extra was put on top and bottom so it can land on water. The front wheels now have three feet of hydraulic travel to raise and lower. We just kept them down all the way. That baby does take off quick especially empty, but only expect about 240 knots out of it."

"Needs a new paint job," Jackie noted, seeing it was part bare metal and faded paint, some bearing USAF markings.

"We'll got on it," Duncan said firmly. "Let's get a look inside." The then showed the man where the Cessna was and joined Jackie in going in their new plane.

This plane was old. The floor was smooth, but didn't have the rollers to help load cargo. Noting the low ceiling, he did see there was enough room to put up to shipping container sized crates, and by the length of it, only three.

The cockpit though held all modern instruments and control sticks. A few steps up into the cockpit there was another few steps up into the low overhead hallway behind the cockpit that had doors to each side. At the front of the hallway was a small kitchen area on one side and a table with benches on the other. He opened one door behind the kitchen, It was a bedroom with a curved ceiling just big enough for a bed and some storage area and a pull down cargo net above the bed. It wouldn't be luxurious, but it would work.