The Invictus dropped out of hyperwarp at the edge of the Nerus system. Alyssa, moving the angular warship with all the grace of a swan through water, brought them on approach for Port Heracles. Mabui, with professional speed and grace, accepted the hail from Flight Command and confirmed their berth. The tech sounded a bit bemused that they were pinged as civilians, but private owners of decommissioned naval ships weren't unheard of. In less than 20 minutes after entering the gravity well, they were locked with their assigned docking collar.

John stood, buttoning his suit jacket. He wanted to look his best for when he had to confront Commander Grant and also make a strong impression on Clive Steeran when he met with the man for lunch. Wearing his old dress uniform complete with medals and campaign ribbons would have been a step too far, so he'd settled for a charcoal suit that had cost more than the down payments of some hover-cars.

*I like you in formalwear, you carry yourself with a little more distinction and confidence than you already do,* Alyssa complimented via Telepathy.

*Feeling's mutual, honey. You look dressed to kill,* John sent back with admiration, enjoying the sexy yet classy figure his Matriarch cut in a skirt-suit of similar cut and color as his own. In her 4-inch stiletto heels, she was almost as tall as him. They looked like quite the power couple. *And our girls clean up nice too,* John added, regarding his 3 other lovers getting ready to leave the Bridge.

The trip from Alpha Centauri had been sufficient for John to finish the Change for the Gravitus Gang. Despite vastly different body types to start with, the trio were now identical to Alyssa in that they were 5'9 bombshells with waist-length hair and heart-stopping faces. Fiona was in a dressy top with a drawstring bodice that drew focus to her new boobs, along with skinny jeans that looked painted on. Monica had opted for a figure-hugging black dress that she wouldn't have had a prayer of fitting in before the Change had burned off all her fat. And Mabui, who'd shot up 5 inches almost overnight to John's preferred height, was in a pantsuit that swished with every movement of her now-longer legs. All outfits borrowed from Alyssa's closet, since they were now the exact same size.

"Ok, ladies, let's get going," John ordered once he was done enjoying the view.

They went into the elevator, coming out on Deck 9. They went out the airlock into Port Heracles, following the hallway through the docking collar to the space station proper. Following helpful signs, they went through near-deserted hallways until they reached the main concourse.

"Whoa," Alyssa gasped under her breath. She'd never seen aliens before, unless you counted John. The Port Heracles central plaza, though, was filled with non-humans. Terrans were the majority of those in the room, but various species were visiting the starport for business or to resupply and were dotted throughout the crowd.

John allowed Alyssa a minute to just soak up the sights, sensing similar feelings of awe from Monica and Mabui, who had lived their whole lives in the Core Worlds. Fiona, though, was both older and had served in the Marines so she'd had experience with other species aplenty. Once he felt they'd had enough, he cleared his throat. "Come on, girls, let's keep moving. Got a lot we need to do today."

They headed for Administration. As they were walking through the crowd to the nearest elevator, they happened to pass by a Bolon trailed by a couple robotic porters. The large sphere of gel was colored a bright green at first, but as they neared John observed it transition swiftly to a soft yellowish-white like the flame of a candle. He felt a hesitant knock on his mind-shield, how most telepaths tried to initiate conversations with each other. Curious, he allowed the sapient mass of bacteria in. *Yes, how may I help you?*

*This entity begs your pardon, only what manner of creature are you? You and your females appear Terran, yet you all shine like stars with psychic potential. We have never encountered such a phenomenon,* came the voice of a crowd speaking in unison. John sensed awe and wonder on the verge of reverence emitting from the non-mammalian psychic.

*I'm from a very rare race of psychics from beyond the borders of the Galactic League. It's a long, complicated story as to how I was born in Terran space. I am able to gift psychic powers to volunteers. My women were born Terran, now they're a bit… more,* John explained succinctly. *Not to be rude, but that's all I'm comfortable telling a stranger on first meeting.*

*We appreciate your answer, and wish to apologize if our inquiry breached the rules of courtesy. May you and your companions have a pleasant day!* the Bolon wished, pausing in its squelching along to let them cut in front of it.

*No worries. I wish you a pleasant day in turn,* John gave a mental nod before continuing to walk towards the bank of elevators.

*That was a Bolon, right?* Alyssa checked once they'd passed the orb-like alien.

*Yep. Each cell is an individual bacterium that functions as an organic triple-helix DNA computer. They clump together, communicate and share information like neurons in a brain and a consciousness emerges from the noise. They're an interesting species and generally polite. The one that raped Tashana was a major exception to the norm. They're one of the dozen minor empires that exist independently within or around the Trankaran Republic,* John answered his Matriarch.

*Hypothetically, what would happen if you tried to recruit one?* Alyssa asked.

John shrugged. *I'd get an already psychic Ward, which would mean a bigger power boost than normal. But I honestly have no idea how the Change would react to a non-eukaryotic organism. Either it just wouldn't take or my powers would try to mutate the Bolon into a mammalian female. On the off chance we find a willing volunteer after the Progenitor War, we can experiment and see for ourselves.*

*Part of me wants to recruit a Ward from every intelligent species in the League just to see what happens. Hell, could you uplift lower animals to sapience? What would happen if you tried to make a Connection with a plant?* Alyssa idly wondered, even as she kept pace with John and sneaking glances at nearby aliens.

*Priorities, honey,* John gently chided. *First we save the galaxy, then we can have fun trying to recruit every lifeform in the book. But I draw the line at the Kirrix. That's just not happening.*

*Okay, not every species,* Alyssa conceded.

They got into the first open elevator and went to the right level. John was aware of the looks thrown their way as he led his girls through the halls, both their civilian clothing and the girls' bewitching good looks drawing a lot of attention from the Port Heracles military staff. But it's surprising how far one can get with nothing but a confident attitude and determined gait. They made it all the way to the Station Commander's office without anyone stopping them to check if they were authorized to be there or question where they were going. John paused in front of Grant's ADC's desk, the girls arrayed behind him.

The glorified secretary made a point of pretending to ignore John up until the Progenitor cleared his throat. Then the 40-something male looked at John like he was personally insulting him with his very presence. "Are you lost, sir?" he asked, not hiding his derision at a mere civilian.

"Commander Blake to see Commander Grant," John said, maintaining his temper at such blatant disrespect.

The ADC sat up a bit at hearing John's rank. Still, he asked "Do you have an appointment?"

"No. But call it in and see if he'll see me anyway," John insisted.

"Sir, Commander Grant is a very busy man-" the gatekeeper to Grant's office tried to say.

"That was an order, not a suggestion, Lieutenant," John cut off the uncooperative lackey.

John could practically see the moment the ADC decided to just pass the buck and make John his boss' problem. He activated the intercom. "Sir, a Commander Blake is here to see you."

"Send him in," came the eventual reply.

"Just you, sir. Your associates stay out here," the ADC said. He wasn't even trying to hide his leering glances at John's Matriarch and Wards.

*He's making the girls uncomfortable,* Alyssa informed John.

*So make him uncomfortable,* John replied. Then he walked through the opened door into Rupert Grant's office, leaving the pervert to Alyssa's tender mercies.

Grant was a portly middle-aged man with a face only a mother could love. His sneer didn't help. "Ahh, the irrepressible Mr. Blake. I read about your exploits in Lieutenant Fernandez's report, but I'm surprised to find you aren't eight foot tall and breathing fire. What can I do for you?" drawled the slimeball, slouching in his desk chair.

"You can grant Second Lieutenant Calara Fernandez an indefinite leave of absence. You can report your numerous crimes and turn yourself in to the courts. You can live the rest of your life in prison, thinking on your sins," John said slowly and clearly.

Grant snorted. "No idea what you're talking about."

"You're colluding with Everett Hitch and his pirate gang. You're embezzling funds from the Terran Federation. I could go on, the point is you're a traitor and we both know it. I'm offering you one chance to confess and face the government's justice," John countered in that same calm tone.

Grant tensed. John noticed his hand sliding towards where most military desk jockeys kept a holstered gun. "And what happens if I don't?" he asked mockingly.

John allowed a small sliver of his ire with this pathetic excuse of a man to show on his face. His eyes started to shine with eldritch power. "Then you face my justice. I guarantee it won't be as pleasant for you."

Grant froze like a deer in headlights. "W-what the fuck?!" he stammered, eyes wide with fear.

"You will pay for what you've done. Whether it's at the hands of man or my hands is entirely up to you," John said, his voice echoing slightly.

The sour scent of piss filled the air as Grant wet himself. "Th-th-this isn't happening! I don't believe in Hell!" Grant screamed.

"Do as I say, and you never have to see me again. Refuse, and I'll be the last thing you see. Run, and that'll just piss me off." John reined in the display of power, by all appearances just a pointy-eared man in a suit once more. "Your choice, Grant."

Grant looked in danger of passing out from sheer panic. Finally, he reached out a trembling hand to activate the intercom. "Lieutenant, push through the paperwork on authorizing an indefinite leave of absence for Lieutenant Fernandez. Then inform the Station Marshal that I wish to see him urgently."

"Sir?" came the confused reply.

"DO IT, DAMN YOU!" Grant snapped.

"Affirmative, sir," said Grant's ADC, sounding bewildered but compliant. The intercom cut out.

John turned to leave, his business done. "W-w-wait!" On a whim, John paused and looked over his shoulder at the shaking, soiled man. "W-what are you?"

"The Righter of Wrongs," John answered, before turning forward and striding out of the room. Alyssa, Fiona, Monica, and Mabui fell into step behind him as he strolled out of the office and back towards the elevators.

*Jeez, grow a spine, man. All you did was make your eyes glow and he nearly had a psychotic break. Did you do something extra I didn't notice or was he really that big a coward?* Alyssa thought to John as they reached the lifts and waited for one to arrive.

*Remember when I mentioned to Calara that auras are a thing?* John began to explain. *Most non-psychics can't consciously perceive them. But subconsciously, that's another matter. All he saw was my eyes glowing and hear my voice get a little reverb. What his lizard brain perceived was a being with enough power to squish him like a bug was close enough to do so and considering it. Not sure how his mind filled in the blanks, but flexing my aura a smidge was enough to put the fear of God in him. There's a reason the Trankarans worshiped Mael'nerak as a divine being, honey. Powerful psychics' auras can get so potent that even actively suppressing them can't stop them from affecting susceptible species on some level.*

Alyssa hummed as she considered that new information. *Kind of like gravity? The more psychic 'mass' you have, the more pull you have on nearby minds?*

*Pretty much,* John nodded. *I was able to relax around the family because I'd empowered you all so much you were nearly on my level. But near the end before I came back, if I didn't squish my aura as small as possible then I couldn't go out in public without people losing their minds just being in my presence. Women and gay men literally threw themselves at my feet, criminals or those with guilty consciences ran screaming, people did anything I told them to do without me having to use a hint of compulsion because their instincts were screaming so loud to just do what the nice god told them to do lest they feel his wrath.*

*I'm sure you just loved that,* Alyssa thought with a wince.

*It's a reality of reaching the psychic big leagues. I'll take it if the alternative is not having enough power to beat the other Progenitors,* John shrugged. *Though I have been enjoying the chance to reexperience being a relatively normal person while it lasts, I must admit. Anyway, what'd you do to the ADC?*

*He's going to get a taste of his own medicine. I left a compulsion to check out the station's gay bar. A solid evening of getting hit on by men he's not attracted to on any level ought to be suitable punishment,* Alyssa thought with a chuckle.

*Are we sure anyone is going to hit on him? He was pretty pinch-faced,* John joked as the elevator doors opened and the 5 of them loaded in.

Their next stop was the Barracks. While Maisy had been admitted to the hospital for treatment, Jojo and Calara had been medically cleared after the pirate attack thanks to John healing them. Whereas Jojo had been reassigned back to work almost immediately, though, Calara hadn't gotten any fresh orders. She'd essentially been stuck on unpaid vacation while Grant made her sweat before attempting his fake court-martial scheme. John led his crew of lovers through the halls to the right door and knocked.

Calara opened the door, her whole face lighting up when she saw who her visitor was. "John!" She rushed into his arms to hug him, John only too happy to return the embrace. The Latina eventually pulled back, looking up at him with a pleased, knowing smile. "I was just waiting around for you guys to show up like you promised when I got an official memo from Grant's office. I've been granted leave indefinitely. You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you?"

"I know you said you'd retire to join my crew, but I didn't want to put you in that position. This is a happy compromise. You can serve on the Invictus for as long as you want and still technically be part of the military. If you want to formally retire anyway, that's of course your decision," John grinned down at her.

"I'll admit, it's a load off my mind that I don't have to explain to my family why I left the Navy less than 6 months after graduating the Academy. I don't know how to repay you, John, you've done so much for me!" Calara beamed.

"No repayment necessary, a good deed is its own reward," John assured her, actually meaning it.

"What am I, chopped liver? Where's my hug?" Alyssa playfully complained.

Calara chuckled and went to give the taller blonde her own hug. She pulled back and looked at the Gravitus Gang, who were all regarding her with polite smiles. "I'm guessing these visions are my fellow crewmates?" Calara asked, her perceptive gaze noting how they were the same basic shape as Alyssa.

"So you are onboard to become my Tactical Officer?" John checked to confirm.

"Try and stop me," the teenager said brightly. "I'm already packed and everything."

"Then yes, these are your new crewmates," John confirmed. "Calara Fernandez, meet Fiona Faraway, Monica Geller, and Mabui Rai."

"Though we're all going to end up Blakes at some point, aren't we handsome?" Alyssa chuckled.

"I wouldn't mind if any of you hyphenated your last names once we're married," John assured them.

"Nice to meet all of you!" Calara grinned. "So, we want to do introductions here in the hallway or should we all just get me moved into your new ship?"

"We're set to have lunch with Jojo and her new boyfriend in an hour. But why don't you take your things and go with the girls back to the Invictus? You can get to know each other and get squared away," John suggested. "I need to visit Maisy in Medical."

Calara's smile turned into a frown of concern. "Are you sure that's a good idea? She seemed really opposed to the Change before, and she's only gotten in a worse mood."

"I don't plan to recruit her, just see how she's doing and try to help her out of a dark place," John told Calara.

Calara fetched a duffel bag filled with all her possessions, then followed John's lovely crew back towards their ship. John, with a promise from Alyssa to keep an eye on everyone, split off and went for the medical facility on Port Heracles. He arrived at the all-white waiting room and went up to the receptionist. She looked up at his approach. "Hello, sir, how may I help you?"

"I'm here to visit Second Lieutenant Maisy O'Reilly. Is she cleared for visitors? She's in psych for observation," John explained his needs politely.

The middle-aged woman checked her console. "Ah, yes, though I'm required to disclose that there's surveillance in the visitation room. I'll just need to see some ID to log your visit, please."

John handed over his ID, then followed the helpful directions to the psychiatric ward. An orderly led him to a small room with comfy chairs, cheerful art on the walls, and no sharp edges. John waited patiently and then the orderly returned with Maisy. John felt his heart break a little when he saw the clean white bandages on her lower forearms.

Maisy regarded John with dead eyes when she came in. John was sadly familiar with the look of a person so deep in their pain that they had lost the will to live. "Oh. You."

The orderly told them both they had the room for half an hour and he'd be just outside if either needed him. Then he gave them the illusion of privacy, leaving John alone with the suicidal woman he'd saved from pirates.

"I won't insult you by asking if you're doing well. I'll just ask you this directly: do you want to get better?" John asked.

"No shite, Sherlock. I also want a billion credits, but that ain't happening either," Maisy said dully. "I'm broken, and I want nothing to do with your freaky way of fixing me."

John took that as a 'yes'. He focused on the Empathy rune and reached an eldritch finger out toward the redhead. He sensed her emotions, a negative cesspool of anguish and misery and listlessness. He invested enough energy to get her to what he felt was a reasonable baseline of happiness and contentment.

Maisy let out a shuddering breath, closing her eyes. "What did I just say?" she said, trying to come off as annoyed but it wasn't very convincing.

"There's options other than the Change, Maisy. Do you like how you feel right now?" John asked plainly.

"Yes, but it's going to go away as soon as you leave, isn't it? And I'm not selling you my soul by joining your crew just to make the pain go away," Maisy said darkly.

"And I respect that," John assured her. "Still, I want to help. I can't make this permanent, but I can make it last for a few weeks. Long enough for you to go to therapy, process the pirate attack and all your other issues, and be prepared to handle life on life's terms once this little pick-me-up wears off. Like a crutch when you have a broken leg, it'll be a temporary aid while you heal your mind and heart."

"I don't want to die," Maisy said, blinking away tears. "I just have no idea how to live. Part of me is sick of trying to figure it out."

"You will," John said confidently. "You'll find a way to be this happy without my help. You'll be even happier in time. And when life gets hard again, which it will, you'll be strong enough to wait it out until the good times come back. Just let me help you find your feet as you're starting out."

Maisy looked at him, face open and showing her mixed gratitude and confusion. "Why are you being this nice to me?" she asked.

"I saved your life, Maisy. Far as I'm concerned, this is just me still saving you. As for why… it's the right thing to do. I can't put it any way other than that," John tried to explain.

Maisy snorted, wiping her leaking eyes. "I'd say you're restoring my faith in humanity, but you're not even human."

"Well, I was raised like one, that's something, right?" John chuckled.

"And if I told you to just walk out and take this feeling with you, would you do it?" Maisy asked.

"Yes. I won't force you, Maisy, that would be wrong," John said, making his position clear.

Maisy was quiet for a minute. "I'll take the 'pick-me-up', I guess. Maybe they're right and I tried to take a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Would be nice to feel like this all on my own one day."

John nodded and focused, injecting positive energy into Maisy's psyche and giving the working as much energy as he could get away with before tapping himself or his network for life force. Satisfied that he'd made the psychic antidepressant as long-lasting as possible, John withdrew from Maisy's mind.

Maisy got up, prompting John to do the same. To his surprise, she went to give him a hug. "You're not so bad, Blake. If you didn't have the wrong plumbing, I'd be all over you."

"Alas," John chuckled. "I wish you all the best, Maisy. Jojo has my comm code if you ever want to get in touch."

"Might just do that," Maisy said before pulling back.

John left Maisy to begin her mental health journey, satisfied he'd done all he could to help her. He got back to the main plaza of Port Heracles and honed in on the dining complex. Jojo claimed that the Italian restaurant was the only one worth the name for a formal lunch, so John had made a reservation for 8 so he and his crew could meet up with his Ward and her imprint. He arrived and checked his smartwatch, noting he had arrived 10 minutes early. *How is everyone?* he checked in with Alyssa.

*The Gravitus Gang are just fine. Calara is high on life. Far as she sees it, this is the start of an adventure. She's getting along with the girls plenty, though she hasn't really addressed the elephant in the room that we're all sleeping with you and each other. We're just leaving the Invictus now, we might be a tad late,* his Matriarch faithfully replied. *And I'm picking up butterflies from Jojo, she really wants you and Clive to hit it off. She's probably more nervous than she'll be introducing Clive to her actual dad. Rachel's bored at work, Eleanor is stressed but she's a freaking Admiral so what do you expect, Ursula and Phoebe seem to be doing ok from what I can feel.*

*And how are you?* John pressed.

*Any day with you is a good day, don't worry about me,* came the sincere reply.

Satisfied all was well with his network, he gave his name to the host and warned him the rest of the party would be arriving shortly. John sat down at the head of their table and began to peruse the menu and wine list.

"John!"

Grinning, John got up and accepted a hug from Jojo. He pulled back and looked her over. "Well, look at you. You're radiant, Jojo."

She chuckled and batted his shoulder. But really, she was practically glowing with health and happiness. The Change had spruced up her looks, but there was now a certain x-factor that only seemed to surround people in love. Turning to the distinguished gentleman at her side, Jojo reached out to take his hand. "Clive, this is my friend John. John, this is Clive, my boyfriend."

"Nice to meet you, Clive," John said, holding out his hand to shake.

"Likewise, John," Clive said with a grin. "Jojo's told me all about you. You have my eternal gratitude for saving her life."

"All in a day's work," John declared. The 3 of them sat down. "Order whatever you want, it's on me."

"Oh, that's not necessary," Clive tried to protest.

"I insist," John waved off.

The waiter came with water for Jojo and Clive. Jojo, taking John's generosity at face value, ordered a bottle of prosecco for a toast. "So… is there a reason that I feel like a suitor meeting his girl's father?" Clive asked half-jokingly.

"That comes when we both can take the leave to visit Valia's Gate and you can meet my parents," Jojo chuckled. "John's just the guy who saved my life and seems determined to keep looking out for me. He's very protective of his friends."

"Well, you know what they say about the life you save," John shrugged.

"Oh, how's Maisy? You were going to visit her, right?" Jojo asked in concern.

"We had a good talk. Something tells me her recovery is going to go a bit more smoothly going forward," John said with a pleased grin.

"That's a relief. Glad you got through to her," Jojo smiled.

There was a tangible shift in the room. Heads turned as everyone stopped and stared at the entrance to the restaurant. John grinned and stood to greet his crew as they walked up to him like models strutting down a catwalk. *You always did love an entrance,* John teased as he kissed Alyssa's cheek when she got up to him.

*Hey, you got me curious after what happened with Grant. I'm doing it right, right? Flexing my aura?* checked the psychic blonde.

*A bit too much. Tone it down before you start a riot or an orgy,* John instructed. The atmosphere in the room was getting charged rather fast.

While Alyssa stopped projecting her raw psychic presence, John greeted his other crew with cheek kisses. Including Calara, who blushed rather prettily. They all sat down and a dazed-looking waiter rather obviously pitching a tent came to give the girls their water. "Jojo, Clive, these are my private crew. My XO, Alyssa Marant. My Marine Officer, Fiona Faraway. My Cook, Monica Geller. My Comms Officer, Mabui Rai. And my new Tactical Officer, Calara Fernandez," John made introductions.

"So, Clive, what are your intentions with our Jojo?" Alyssa asked with a faux-severe expression. She cracked and burst into girlish giggles. "Sorry, I couldn't resist!"

"Um, well, we're dating," Clive said, a little out of it just like every other heterosexual male in the whole restaurant after Alyssa and her Wards had entered the restaurant.

"Alyssa, don't tease him," Jojo huffed.

"Oh, relax, Jojo. If he's good enough for you, he's good enough for me. In all seriousness, Clive, I hope you and Jojo have a wonderful relationship. You make for a cute couple," Alyssa said warmly.

The bottle of prosecco arrived. Once all 8 of them had a flute of the sparkling wine, John held his glass up in a toast. "To Jojo and Clive!"

They all sipped, and then started to engage in conversation in between glances at the menu. John was aware that all eyes were still on them, but he was used to that. The only ones who seemed not fully at ease at the table were Calara and Clive. The waiter, a bit recovered from earlier, took their orders for appetizers and entrees.

"So, John, I have to ask. What's it like having a Stellar Cluster?" Clive asked around the time the soups and salads were being polished off.

"It's just a shiny medal, really," John shrugged. "People make it out as this big deal, but I would have done what I did at Galon Prime even if I wouldn't have gotten any credit."

"This marinara sauce is watery," Monica critiqued as she finished off a slice of bread dipped into the offending dish. "I should go back there and show them how it's done."

"We'd be here for hours as you rearranged the entire menu and kitchen, honey," John chuckled.

"What's your point?"

"So, Jojo, got any siblings?" Mabui asked.

"Little sister, and I'm very close with all my cousins. Is that your natural hair color? I know the gene for white hair is more common in some parts of the Core Worlds," Jojo fired back.

All told, it was a very nice meal, and John was assured that Clive was one of the good ones. John settled the bill and they all got up to leave.

"Don't be a stranger, Jojo," John said, giving her one last hug.

"Thank you for everything, John," she whispered with heartfelt emotion in his ear, giving him an extra squeeze.

John watched his Ward walk off hand-in-hand with her imprint, then turned his focus back to his crew. "So, that's all I planned to do here on Port Heracles. We're on a bit of a schedule, but does anyone have anything they want to do before we leave?" he checked.

No one spoke up, so John nodded and led everyone back to the Invictus. They all reached the Bridge, Fiona and Monica standing out of the way while the rest of them took their stations. Alyssa activated the Tactical station and Calara eagerly took her official seat. John supervised Alyssa flying them away from Port Heracles until they'd reached the Nav-Beacon. "12 days, we'll arrive mid-morning our time," Alyssa announced once they were in hyperwarp towards Karron.

"Good work, XO," John nodded. "Well, let's all get changed into something a bit more practical. Alyssa, Monica, Mabui, I want you to spend the afternoon in the Firing Range, at least for a couple hours. Fiona, I feel like working off that lunch, go down to the Gym and get warmed up. Calara, we should get started on your Change. Just to remind you, the first dose of my semen will knock you out for 14 hours. Also, you'll imprint on the first man you're with. So, last chance to back out, would you like me to feed you directly or should I get a container?"

Calara had flaming cheeks at so openly discussing oral sex, but then again she'd known what she was signing up for. "I want to be with you, John. I want to be one of your women. No container needed."

John looked her in the eye, then nodded. "Well then, let's get to it."

They took the elevator down to Deck 2 and the 6 of them all went to the Commander's Quarters. Alyssa and the Gravitus Gang filed into the walk-in closet to change, while John casually disrobed right there in the bedroom. He turned, and Calara's jaw dropped. "Um… something you forgot to mention?" she practically squeaked.

"It won't hurt, if that's what you're worried about," John reassured her. "But, yeah, Progenitors are packing. And yes, I have 4 balls, nicknamed the quad. If it helps, I've gotten nothing but rave reviews from numerous sources."

"I'd joke about you ruining me for other men, but you're the last man I'll ever be between the imprint and the eternal youth thing," Calara said, calming down. She set her shoulders and went to kneel at John's feet. "Reporting for duty, sir," she said in an attempt at a sultry tone.

John grinned down at her and allowed the natural physical response to a pretty girl on her knees in front of him. 5 minutes later, he withdrew his wilting length from Calara's mouth, a pleasant tingle in his emptied quad. He scooped a comatose Calara up and laid her on the bed. Undressing her, he stole a moment to just rub her convex belly possessively before tucking her under the covers. With an effort of focus, he made the Connection with his newest Ward.

His other lovers had been silently enjoying the show, not that Calara had noticed once his precum sent her into a trance. John grinned at them. "Well, another addition to the family. How do you feel about that?"

"She's perfect, she'll fit in just fine," Alyssa grinned.

"Are we staying up late or waking up in the middle of the night for when she snaps out of the first 14?" Fiona checked.

"I'll have my Astral Dream and wake up probably just a bit before she does. You all can get a full night's sleep, I'll take care of her," John answered the redhead.

"How are you going to explain how you're already head-over-heels for her?" Monica asked. "Soon as she wakes up, she'll feel the echo of your emotions."

"She's part of the crew now, so I'll read her into the fact that I'm a time traveler, not really a precog," John shrugged. He'd of course been honest and upfront with the Gravitus Gang about his biggest secret as soon as he trusted them to keep it.

Mabui shrugged. "Guess this means your cum is off the menu until she's through the Change?"

"Yes, but she can always get a meal 'flavored', so don't worry that you'll be neglected, honey," John chuckled. "Besides, eating one of you out will be a nice bonding exercise for both of you."

Questions and concerns addressed, John got into sparring clothes and led his harem down to Deck 7 for a productive afternoon of training.