Max Intel: Melinoe
Chapter 3 - Learn

Max awoke feeling well rested with her nose buried in a mass of soft black hair. Max carefully stretched out as Agatha was still sleeping and gently untangling herself. When Max was free to stand up next to the bed, she started stretching out in earnest and started her daily kata routine.

Agatha opened her eyes and saw Max going through a slow dance in the small cabin. She sat up and watched the tall woman with interest and eventually Agatha got up and started copying the movements. Max caught Agatha in her peripheral vision as the alien girl began mimicking her movements and responded with an encouraging smile.

Max inhaled a cleansing breath and Agatha followed her example. "Martial arts has been a part of my life for a long time, if you're interested, I would love to teach you."

Agatha smiled broadly, "Oh yes, I would love to learn."

"This is called a kata," Max explained, "It is meant to center you and strengthen your body while allowing your mind to focus."

Max nodded, watching her as she followed the movements of the kata. After going through the entire kata three times, Max was pleased with Agatha's progress.

Max and Agatha took a hot shower afterwards to start the day and then cooked and ate breakfast together.

After doing the dishes, Max set Agatha up in front of the comdesk with half a dozen educational programs. "I'm going to try and fix the sensor display now, but it might not be possible." Max explained to Agatha.

"If I can help you, please let me know." Agatha replied with a resplendent smile. Max kissed her forehead and walked up to the bridge.

Max fiddled with the guts under the sensor station for hours, she only had a basic understanding of this level of repair work and the manual display on a holo at her side didn't help. After some trial and error she concluded she might be able to canabalize the necessary components from either the comdesk or perhaps the small device next to her.

Max just didn't know for sure. She decided that switching the sensor station to the comdesk in the cabin was the only sure way to deal with this FUBAR and not screw up the situation even more.

Max pulled herself out from under the station and stood up into a long stretch and decided to inspect the comdesk: she walked to the cabin then stopped at the door.

Agatha was working at the comdesk and Max stood amazed as she watched Agatha complete two example problems, one in mathematics, the other in biology, at the same time, with one hand working on each problem.

"Wow!," Max said out loud.

Agatha stopped and turned to Max with a smile, "Hi Max, I really enjoy learning, there is so much information! Some of it I knew, but so much I didn't!"

"You're like a sponge," Max looked at Agatha with pride.

"Oh, I learned about those, They are multicellular organisms that have bodies full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them, consisting of jelly-like mesohyl sandwiched between two thin layers of cells. The branch of zoology that studies sponges is known as spongiology."

Max's jaw dropped, "You're amazing!" She walked closer and kneeled down next to Agatha. Being this close, Max noted that her thin frame was filled out more than it was earlier. She was happy about it, since Agatha had been a bit emaciated before, so she decided not to comment. Instead, Max smiled and said, "I think you should learn anything that you want to." At that point, Max remembered why she came into the room in the first place: but felt conflicted about ruining the comdesk by changing it into a sensor station.

Agatha was staring at her, "I can learn things to help you, too! I want to help."

Max still in a daze, nodded, "Yea, that would be really good cuz I could really use the help right now. Anything you can do to increase the efficiency of the ship would be greatly appreciated."

"I will try to learn everything I can to help you so i can increase the efficiency of the ship, Max." Agatha turned and began rapidly punching up the Category: Computer hardware engineering on the comdesk.

Max stood up, turned and walked back up towards the bridge; but she stopped in the corridor.

Max's mind was turning over what she had just witnessed in her head: She realized she had just seen vivid proof that Agatha was on a whole different level when it came to learning as humans couldn't absorb information or multi-task like that.

Max didn't want to abuse Agatha's abilities because she liked her gentle and inquisitive nature; but it was obvious to her it already felt like Agatha was now part of any future Max had.

Max felt two arms encircle her waist and smiled as the smaller woman hugged her, "I felt you. I can't help feeling you. I will do anything you want me to, Max."

Max slowly turned in the girls arms and returned the hug, pulling her close, "Agatha, I need you to know that no matter what you are, I really like who you are, be yourself, I won't run from you."

Agatha gazed up at her, "I will Max, thank you for being so supportive."

Agatha returned to the cabin with a playful spring in her step and immediately returned to absorbing information.

Max returned to the bridge and upon sitting down at the command station, punched up the comm holofeeds from the core again.

Vice Admiral John Blake, the Lion, and his Lionesses were busy again. This time they were repelling a Kirrix invasion in Trankaran space and the TFNN report was chock full of brutal combat footage. The capital ships the Invictus was going up against were a great deal larger... The Invictus was also fighting with at least twenty to one odds against her, and with no fighter screen. A suicide mission if Max ever saw one.

Agatha appeared at Max's elbow obviously feeling how Max was reacting to the holonet footage. Max pulled her into her lap as they both watched the footage.

The ground combat was surreal: It was more like some of the popular virtual wargames played throughout Terran space than reality. The small group was outnumbered by at least a thousand to one and they were giving the Kirrix holy hell. Max couldn't even comprehend the training required for that level of squad based combat: Lionesses in their signature white power armor were tearing through whole legions of horrid opponents using munitions she had never even dreamed of. And their tactics: absolutely flawless coordination of firepower with minimal cover and no casualties. It was art in motion, it was breathless, it boggled the mind.

Agatha was silent, completely entranced by the display, absorbing everything.

They slowly staggered their attack though the combat zone, step by gory step, as they laid the bugs low all while covering the progress of a group Trankarans who were also laying down cover fire for their much bulkier yet somehow more fragile group in the center.

Max shivered, the Kirrix: she began remembering stories from veterans of the last purge. They were on the TFN KOS list and for good reason. No single alien race caused the same kind of primal abhorrence; even the brutal Drakkar carnivores had a better reputation.

In the aftermath, the broadcast showed dozens of grateful Trankarans surrounding the Lion who, to a person, showed a deference to him like a reigning monarch. Max couldn't blame them, not after that mind-numbing show of force and tactical acumen. That was the single biggest adrenaline rush next to ducking incoming fire she had ever experienced. "Oohrah, Admiral Blake!" Max intoned as she raised a hand in salute.

Jehanna Elani's beautiful face appeared on the screen a moment later and she slowly shook her head as she glanced at her fellow anchor. "This is the fifth time I've watched it and I'm still moved..."

Bill Armstrong nodded, a genuine look of awe on his face. "I have a newfound respect for the incredible servicemen and women in our armed forces, Jehanna."

"I'm sure the Trankarans feel the same way," she replied, with a warm smile. "It makes me feel proud that the Terran Federation was able to help our friends and allies in their time of need."

Max was wondering if Joon had watched this yet because she felt the same way.

Agatha turned to Max after broadcast ended, "Who were those people Max?"

Max explained to Agatha about the heroic group: The Lion, John Blake, and his Lionesses: Pride of the Terran Federation. The single most elite fighting force associated with the TFN. The speculations surrounding them was ridiculous, but no one could dispute their capabilities.

Certainly not after THAT broadcast: the force multiplier they brought to the table from what Max has seen previously had grown exponentially.

Agatha listened to the reverence in Max's voice and felt the emotions that accompanied it. She felt pride, awe, and a yearning within Max, feelings she wanted to feel directed at her one day.

Agatha, after a moment's reflection on that thought, moved to get up and Max let Agatha slip off her lap. With a smile and newfound goal, she returned to her studies in the cabin at the com desk

Max looked again at the opened guts of the sensor station, resigning herself to more staring at things she didn't really know enough about with a datapad full of schematics but no instruction as to how it all worked; and she did that for a few more hours.

Max was ready for food, a shower, and a long nap.

She was greeted by Agatha in the galley, heating up two bowls of mac and cheese. Max thanked Agatha when she handed her the warm bowl and a utensil. They ate quickly, with little conversation.

Agatha collected the dishes and washed them. Max sat there just watching her, delighted with how she fell into the routine as if she had always been there. Agatha glanced her way and winked, smiling.

They showered together as Agatha talked about all the things she was learning; with the comms up, a huge amount of information was now available to her.

Agatha had processed a great deal of data, giving Max a brief overview of computer hardware engineering: she lost Max on half of it, but had no problem answering her questions.

They toweled each other dry and lay down on the bed. Max noticed that Agatha looked like she gained even more body weight and muscle mass: she was efficient at everything it seems.

Agatha cuddled up next to Max, and the pair drifted off to sleep, an hour later Agatha woke and quietly got up, heading to the galley.

Looking around the pantry she found a fifty pound case of protein bars, she sat down naked on the deck of the pantry and opened the case and started eating the bars and drinking fruit juice.

Two hours later she finished: her abdomen was tremendously extended and she waddled as quietly as she could into the cabin and then into the bathroom where she laid down on the floor of the shower. She smiled and closed her eyes and her body began to glow a soft pearlescent aura.

Max woke and stretched a bit before she heard the shower running and thinking Agatha must be taking a shower first thing; Max knew how much she enjoyed them.

"I need to use the toilet, hope she doesn't mind," she said to herself.

Max groggily wandered into the bathroom; unlocked the toilet and sat down while yawning and rubbing her eye. Max looked at Agatha in the shower then rubbed her eyes again as she saw a double image. She blinked and then looked again, but the image didn't change.

Max wondered why she was seeing double as she kept rubbing her eyes. Then the double image moved...

Separately.

Agatha had handed a towel to... Agatha, who used it to dry her hair and then wrapped it around herself, as the first Agatha reached for a second towel and did the same thing.

Max's brain couldn't understand what she was seeing.

Agatha walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek, "Good morning, Max, how did you sleep?"

Max just sat there with her mouth open: she had stopped urinating a while ago but she was still trying to process what she was seeing.

The other Agatha kissed her on the other cheek, "Max, do you have any more jumpers?"

Max just closed her eyes,..

Max opened her eyes again and the twin Agatha's stood side by side in towels looking at Max with very worried faces, "Did I do something wrong Max?" they both asked in unison.

"I..." Max stopped, and restarted, "I... wish," Max stopped and started again, "I wish I knew you could do that."

Both Agatha's knelt down in front of Max with concern crossing their faces. "I didn't know what I was doing, not really, but it felt right." said both Agatha's in unison, the steriophonic effect was almost painful.

"Stop." Said Max in a harsh tone, "Just one of you talk, both is too disorienting."

The two Agatha's looked on the verge of tears and Max instantly regretted being terse.

"I'm sorry, come here sweetheart." Max reached out with both arms and the two Agatha's stood and moved together fluidly hugging Max in unison each straddling one of Max's knees.

"Okay, tell me what happened and what you did." Max stayed on the toilet while the Agathas took turns talking.

"Yesterday you said I was like a sponge," said the one Agatha.

"In some regards you may have been more accurate than you knew," Said the other.

"It seems my species are a colony of sorts," said the first.

The second Agatha expounding, "multa corpora anima una, according to a broad human scientific classification anyway."

"I might suggest a term like multi-sapient, one mind multiple bodies." Agatha stopped talking and both of her looked at Max with worry etched across both their faces.

"Ohh kayyy." Max held up a finger to pause the dialogue: "Let me just finish up here and let's adjourn to the cabin." Max smiled weakly.

Both Agatha's stood up and finished drying off and went into the cabin, sitting side by side on the bed.

Max came out of the bathroom feeling decidedly very different than when she went in.

Max sat on the bed as well and faced the two girls. "So how did you do it?" asked Max with a soft, neutral voice.

"I ate fifty pounds of protein bars," said Agatha, the one closest to Max. Her tone of voice giving away that she was afraid.

Max needed to change this dynamic right away so she got up in the middle of the bed and laid down and motioned for Agatha to cuddle in on both sides. Max could instantly feel the stress in the cabin plummet.

"How were they?" Max asked, looking left.

"They were kind of dry," said Agatha on Max's left.

"So I washed them down with a quart of fruit juice that was in the pantry." finished the Agatha on the right.

"What happened next?" inquired Max.

The Agatha on Max's right answered, "I decided, because I didn't know exactly how it was going to happen, to try and avoid any unnecessary mess."

Agatha on the left continued, " I thought the bathroom shower would be the best place to do it."

Max thought about that as the twin Agatha's rested their heads on her shoulders, "So what was it that you did?"

The Agatha on the right responded declaratively: "Mitosis,"

Max thought about that... "Can you do it again?"

Left Agatha responded, "Yes"

"Are you going to?" asked Max

"I was going to see how much more efficiently I could perform first," said right Agatha.

Left Agatha continued, "I want to help you anyway I can."

"You said, 'Agatha, I need you to know that no matter what you are, I really like who you are, be yourself, I won't run from you' and I knew you had faith in me." the left Agatha quoted Max, as the right Agatha was cuddling with her.

Max teared up a little at the thought, and the Agathas kissed Max on both cheeks.

Max's thoughts took an abrupt left turn, "I guess this makes it much easier to explore physical sexuality and pleasure."

The Agathas froze, then the twins looked at each other over Max's chest. "I hadn't thought of that." Agatha whispered in unison.

"Would you like me to leave you alone for a while?" asked Max with a crooked grin.

Both Agathas glanced at Max, "If staying doesn't offend you, I don't mind at all." whispered Agatha in unison.

Max shivered from the steriophonic whisper, but also from the visualization of Agatha exploring herself.

Max put her hands behind her head, and decided to be a spectator for a while.

Agatha got up on her knees, one on each side of Max, and both reached out and caressed a small breast on the other; gasping in unison. One of them placed both of her arms around the other's neck, pulling her into a kiss.

Max just stared as the two exotic bodies of the same girl started snogging above her. Watching them kiss deeply while occasionally pulling away allowed her to see two long agile tongues dancing between them.

Max scooted up against the headboard of the long bed to give Agatha plenty of room and watched the girls as they embraced more closely; hands began groping firm flesh as soft gentle moans slowly grew louder. Somewhere in all that excitement, the moans stopped being in unison; but Max wasn't even sure when that happened as she was enjoying the show way too much to pay attention to such minor details.

The Agathas laid down across the bed from opposite directions while gently licking and sucking nipples; and each moved slowly down the other's body as the sounds of excitement continued to grow. Finally, they each raised a leg together and locked it around the other in perfect symmetry all while long tongues licked, kissed, and sucked in a continuous display of eroticism which led to those impressive prehensile tongues plunging into vaginas. Moans soon turned to grunts.

Long minutes crawled by as grunts turned louder and their sensual movement became more erratic and more frantic. It was then Agatha orgasmed. They did so together, in unison, squeaking as their arms wrapped around each other's spasming bodies.

Releasing each other, they laid back staring up at the ceiling, panting hard, recovering.

"How was that?" Max inquired, "Because it looked absolutely amazing, I couldn't keep my hands off myself." she said, licking her fingers.

"I know." the Agatha closest to her turned to look at Max with a smile, "It felt very good, but the feelings I got from you is what kept me going."

Then the other Agatha spoke, "I will do that again, just to practice, but unless you're there to enjoy it, I don't think it will be anywhere near that intense."

"Do I really give off that much,.. um, feeling?" Max asked surprised.

"Oh yes," they both replied at Max, then only one spoke, "When I was in the middle of that, the feelings from you were like a living thing, they made me feel incredible."

Max smiled a crooked grin, "I am glad I could contribute so much to your stimulation.

Agatha giggled in stereo

"What would you like to do now?" Max inquired, unsure who to look at when asking.

Agatha closest to Max responded, "I can learn at the comdesk at the same time as I am helping you with the sensor station."

Max nodded in understanding. "That's definitely more efficient."

Both Agathas beamed a smile

Max went over to her go bag where she had a second black knit jumper: she dug it out and handed it to Agatha.

Both Agatha's put on their jumpers and Max dressed in her soft BDU's, one Agatha sat down at the comdesk and scrolled through an index of topics, and began studying. Max headed up to the bridge with the other Agatha in tow.

They both knelt down under the station and Agatha shimmied her way into the open area, turned on a torch, and surveyed the situation. After five minutes she shimmied out again and, laying down on the deck next to Max and looking up, she gave her assessment.

Max listened to Agatha's report and her recommendations.

Max nodded: as she feared, the least complicated and easiest plan was to strip the station of specific components and upgrade the comdesk in the cabin.

Max laid down on her belly next to Agatha and propped up on her elbows. "You did incredibly well just now, that was a very thorough and comprehensive report, I am very proud of how well you are adapting."

Max leaned over and kissed Agatha on her black lips, Agatha closed her eyes and purred.

Max looked at the exotic girl next to her, "I'm going try to give you every advantage I can, teach you everything I know so you can keep yourself safe." Max thought for a moment, "lets get all of you healthy and strong, first. Okay?"

Agatha beamed her response, "Okay, Max!"

Max climbed up to her feet then gently pulled Agatha to her feet and they both went down to the cargo hold.

The odd container was still there surrounded by the cut locks and the cutting tools used to open it. Max tossed the pieces into the container itself then, with a frown, picked up the discarded tools. Max wasn't normally the kind of person to leave a mess.

Agatha crouched down over the weapon, discarded and forgotten about a day before.

Max turned and watched Agatha, "Do you know what that is?"

Agatha looked up at Max, "Your customized XR75."

Max nodded an affirmative and then smiled, "Go ahead and pick it up,"

Max closed the container, placed the cutting tools on it, pushed the container up against the wall, and then picked up the tools again.

Agatha gingerly picked up the bullpup style combat rifle, "It's heavier than I thought it would be."

Max walked over to Agatha and watched her holding her deadly weapon, "I was extremely derelict in leaving it here, and even worse while involved with an unknown alien, it was unconscionable and I should be brought up on charges.

Agatha's eyes grew large and she stared at Max, "You're serious."

Max nodded, "Human society has only survived because we have laws and order."

Max turned to walk around the cargo hold with her hands full and crossed behind her.

"The Terran Federation is the single largest collective of humanity in our history, and every day it gets bigger, it is full of laws and rules to keep so many humans in a free and functioning society."

Max continued, "I believe in law and rules, I try to follow them and be mindful of them.

"So when I say I was unable to finish the mission I was given by my superiors, I will be lying, I will be breaking the law."

Agatha was still staring, "You would do that... for me?"

"Ag's," Max smiled, using the nickname consciously for the first time, "I already have."

Agatha slowly walked to Max, knelt down and lifted the rifle cradled between two upraised hands. "I don't remember seeing this here, not at all."

Max's face displayed a variety of emotions at Agatha's gesture, Agatha didn't need to see it, she could feel Max quite clearly. "Lets swing by engineering then go to the armory, so I can show you how I should have properly stored that weapon."

Agatha smiled, and they walked together.

Max showed Agatha the engineering bay, which was little more than a tool room with a mounted wallcom. With a few racked datapads and hundreds of tools, engineering was located just ahead of the propulsion bay.

Max spent the next two hours explaining every weapon type in the armory, how to field-strip a XR75, how they were used, and general and specific weapon safety.

Max promised live fire practice in the future.

Max then showed Agatha how to wear and use armor and explained how to use nanoweave before going into tactics and strategy,.. then Max's stomach growled.

Agatha led Max to the galley and the three of them ate together. Max had a surreal moment as she hadn't seen the other Agatha for hours, and wondered if there were differences between them.

"Ags, tell me what it is like to have two bodies, please?" Max inquired, looking at the Agatha directly across from her that had just swallowed a mouthful of mac and cheese.

Agatha looked like she was thinking, with her head tilted to the side for a moment, then she answered, "It's like having two hands instead of one, it takes a little more concentration, but is far more convenient and flexible."

Max thought about this, then thinking of a possible situation. "Well, I think you may have to learn how to pretend your separate bodies are individual people, especially in front of people who don't know you.

Agatha blinked and turned to her twin, "Do you have any idea what Max is talking about?" That Agatha swallowed, looked at Max then turned to the first, "I think she means well, Max wants us to integrate smoothly into human society, and I for one appreciate her concern."

Max smiled, "That was excellent, you can show some physical interaction, perhalps a casual display of affection, but nothing sexual as that might be taken poorly."

The second Agatha put her hand on the firsts shoulder, and raised an eyebrow at Max.

Max nodded, "casual familiarity between sisters is expected in human culture. and you two make perfect identical twins, I'd almost,.." Max stopped for a moment and thought about it.

"What is it Max?" the first Agatha looked curious, the second Agatha just looked at the first.

"I was going to suggest that you work up a twin routine, with a name and different personality, as everyone will assume you are different in some fashion, but then you said you might make more of yourself, so that might prove inadequate ," Max rubbed her chin after voicing her opinion.

First Agatha glanced at the second, "What would I even call you?"

The second Agatha rubbed her chin, looking at a smirking Max, "Una", said the second Agatha. "Shortened from, multa corpora anima una?" The first Agatha asked the second. She only smiled meekly in response.

Agatha turned to Max, "What do you think, will that work, even if I only use it in front of people who don't know me?"

Max nodded, "I think that will be fine, and if you only show two of... yourself, you'll have an established... extra identity... to work with.

Agatha looked into Max's eyes, "You really want me to be successful, don't you Max?"

Max smiled, "Yes, I do. But I also want you to be safe. I would like you to be around for a long time to come."

"Max," Agatha said softly, "I am so glad I peeked into your dreams."

Max blushed, "Me too Ag's, me too."

Second Agatha looked back and forth from Max to first Agatha several times, "Should I leave you two alone, or are we going to have a little orgy here in the galley?"

Max laughed out loud, "Oh that was brilliant, yea, you'll be fine out there."

The twins smiled together at Max's approval.

"Okay," started Max, "How much does physical fitness mean to your species?"

First Agatha pursed her lips, but second Agatha spoke: "We need to find out. I can get sleepy, hungry, horny, and full of poop: I need to see if I can get fit."

Max chuckled at the comment.

All three of them went down to the cargo hold.

It wasn't a huge space, but it was the largest compartment on the ship at sixty feet by thirty feet; barely enough space on the small ship to be physically active.

Max showed Ags how to stretch. They then did some basic calisthenics before going through a cool down.

Max explained that a good physical program was dependent on pushing a persons limit very slowly, so the body had plenty of time to grow, too much too quickly would just hurt and you would lose the eventual benefits while recovering from over-exertion

Agatha was determined to be careful not to get overworked after Max described what happened if you pushed yourself too far.

"I'd like to do our exercise together, once a day, and eventually start martial arts training. Sound good?" asked Max.

Both Agathas nodded in agreement.

All three headed back up to the cabin and took a shower. Afterwards Max gathered all the clothes she and Agatha had worn, including the black body sleeve. One Agatha slipped into the comdesk chair and got back to studying.

Helping carry the laundry, the other Agatha got an abbreviated tour of the quarter deck from Max.

The flight crew cabin was six bunks and a moderately sized bathroom. Max wasn't familiar with its layout or even what equipment it came with. It was located on the other side of medical from the command cabin. Max would have never gone there normally and she thought it would be worthwhile looking into as possible crew quarters, eventually.

Medical was a small space mostly taken up by six cryopods; four of which were occupied. It had a med scanner, a diagnostic table, a comdesk, and medical storage. Max assumed a Medic would bunk with flight crew.

The troop compartment was located adjacent to the armory one deck below the quarter deck. It was large enough for ten marines to cohabitate, had it's own bathroom, a shower large enough for four, two toilets and two flip-out urinals.

Agatha stared at the urinals.

Max shrugged at the urinal, "Male's have different plumbing, and can utilize those easily. I can use one if I try really hard, but they just aren't very practical for females."

Max started a load of laundry with the small facilities there. She stood nude next to a nude Agatha explaining how the machine worked and how on a fully manned ship after a week there would be a queue to use the machine.

Max also mentioned that walking around nude on a starship would be considered very unusual behavior; Agatha giggled.

They both looked over the troop compartment. It was a room honeycombed with bunks and cubby holes, filled with go bags but no personal items.

"How many people were on this ship?" asked the nude white skinned girl with jet black shoulder length hair.

"Fourteen." replied Max with a consciously neutral tone.

Agatha turned and looked at Max, "Getting me... was that important?"

Max nodded, "Oh yes, some of the admiralty would stop at nothing to study you; and not even for your own sake, but to have an advantage over other admirals."

"Humanity is a mix of people, of all kinds." Max continued, "I have known many honorable and noble humans, I have also known some truly despicable ones."

"Thats why you want me so well prepared," Agatha stated matter-of-factly to Max, "You saw me not as an alien to be used, but as someone to be cared for and encouraged."

"You were in a box, dying, I was never the kind of person to see anyone suffer, especially not when I could prevent it."

Max paused, "The whole "feeling you as you died" was really not something I wanted to experience."

Agatha gasped, "I am sorry... I really didn't want to die."

Max pulled Agatha into her arms, "The way this worked out was just fine, I was going to resign after this mission anyways."

"Why would you resign, Max?" Agatha asked laying her head against Max's breast.

"Partially, I was done learning what I needed to, but mostly my long term goals were fulfilled for me." Max explained.

Agatha looked up at Max, "I don't understand."

So Max told her the story of Deirdre and how she was murdered and how a much younger Max swore justice for her. She told her about Max's and Joon's commitments to bring the killers and those who hired them to justice. Finally, she told her how Vice Admiral John Blake, the Lion, and his Lionesses brought hell fire down upon the organization that killed Deirdre after turning over information and evidence to authorities on the people who hired her killers.

Agatha was in Max's arms during the entire story, feeling every emotion Max didn't show with the telling, with tears staining her pretty face.

"Oh Max," Agatha cupped the taller woman's face, "I am so sorry you went through that."

The device that was cleaning and drying the clothes stopped with a beep. Max walked over to the small door, opened it and pulled out an article of clothing, shook it out and folded it and dropped on the adjacent bunk.

Agatha watched Max folding laundry. "So what are you planning to do, Max?"

Max shrugged, feeling unable to articulate her feelings. "I'm not sure, I just have a few Idea's, I need to talk to Joon first, though."

"Can you contact her with the comms array?" Agatha tilted her head slightly with that question.

"I could, but doing so might place her in danger if she is being surveilled. Any contact with us would look like she was involved with a "black" asset which, as a civilian, is illegal."

Agatha looked uncomfortable, "I don't want Joon to be in danger."

Max kissed Agatha on her forehead.

Max finished folding the laundry and picked up the tall stack and winked at Agatha as she headed for the cabin, Agatha followed in her wake.

Max put down her body sleeve, her BDU's, and her underwear; then laid out her two black jumpers.

Max yawned and stretched then noticed how both Agatha's looked at the bed. "Is there enough room for you with both of us?"

Max blinked and crawled on the the long bed and stretched out and patted the bed on either side of her.

The two Agatha's cuddled up to Max, pulling up the duvet. Max thought about Joon wondering what she would think about Agatha. Her roiling thoughts started to wane as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Max sat back on the uncomfortable stool: it was dark and lot's of people were talking. The crisp local beer in her hand was delicious and the pub Max was in started to quiet as a petite figure carrying a beautifully crafted double necked guitar walked onto the small lit stage.

For months now Joon had been performing at one of many local pubs and had gained impressive notoriety. She was limited to days when she could perform because of school; but Max never missed a performance.

The pub was silent as a teenage Joon began with a moving strum intro and quickly dove into the melody with amazing finger work as she utilized various tapping and lifting techniques on the upper neck's nine strings. Her other hand dropped to the lower set of six strings, plucking out a bass line and thumping her elbow, tapping out percussion with her thumb.

The songs were intricate and lively and they were her interpretations of popular music hits that everyone was familiar with. The entire pub was mesmerized by her talent. The long medley concluded in silence which evaporated in a roar of applause and cheers.

Max was so proud of her: Joon had worked so hard to do this for as long as they had known each other. Max could feel something else for Joon too, something deeper, something more profound.

Max awoke slowly, and seemed to be covered in limbs. She opened her eyes and peered around seeing soft jet black hair in front of her, behind her an exotically shaped beautiful face portrayed the calm serenity of sleep.

Max actually felt reassured that Agatha slept: it was at least something they held in common physiologically speaking.

Wondering what would it be like to have more of Agatha around, Max smirked and immediately thought about a much bigger bed; thinking now about Joon and whether her brilliant wife would accept Agatha in their family.

Max thought about how fascinated Joon was about the Lioness Jade and how maybe an alien would appeal to her curiosity.

Max hoped she would be as enthusiastic with Agatha: Joon could learn so much; and teach even more.

A kiss on her neck pulled Max out of her morning reverie, "Good morning , Max, I had no Idea Joon was so talented, she was absolutely amazing."

Max blinked.

Agatha turned around in front of her, pulling hair out of her face with a smile.

"Your still looking in on my dreams?" Max's voice was steady with only a hint of concern.

"Oh, Max, I am so sorry, I didn't want to upset you, I will stop if you don't like it." Arms from both sides wrapped around Max, Agatha looked into her eyes with concern.

"It's not that I am upset, just surprised, I thought you had found what you were looking for when you were in that damn box."

Agatha gently laid a palm on Max's cheek, "I love seeing your dreams, it gives me insights into what makes you who you are."

Max thought about this for a bit. "Okay, just don't be surprised if it gets really naughty."

The three of them giggled together.

Agatha disentangled both of her selves from Max and the three of them started stretching and limbering up.

A very nude Max headed out of the cabin down to the cargo hold: Agatha followed of course, also sans clothing.

Max started with her daily kata and Agathas joined in soon after; the three of them in a near synchronicity of the beautiful dance-like moves. Then Max started doing a short series of calisthenics and she kept going until she just starting to feel a hint of burn, then immediately began a cool down.

Both Agathas were sweaty with exertion and smiling and Max headed back up to the cabin and the waiting shower.

The hot water melted into Agatha's bodies as she stood under the the deliciously warm water; holding herself there until they were both moaning. Max lathered up the two very relaxed versions of the girl, enjoying the platonic pleasure.

Showering with two Agatha's was a bit cramped, but still fun. Agatha made sure Max was completely clean and, with four hands pampering her body, Max did not mind one bit.

Toweled dry and dressed, Max and Agatha made breakfast together and discussed the sensor station as well as the comdesk. Agatha went down to engineering and collected the necessary tools, anxious to get started.

Max eventually just ended up mostly watching Agatha work; her skills being applied to both locations at the same time. Max helped with the heavy lifting here and there and in less than an hour the sensor station was now installed and operational in the comdesk.

Sitting at the command station, Max nodded to Agatha who was at the pilot station and at the comdesk in the cabin. Max punched up the Nav system, studying the course.

The Nav computer's suggested route was fairly oblique and it was looking like a forty-six hour travel time to Jericho.

Max inhaled and exhaled slowly. "Agatha, lay in a course, let's go see Joon."

Agatha beamed a smile while she began tapping out the commands and bringing the corvette around. She engaged the FTL drive and the corvette leapt into the black of space.

For many hours Max just relaxed in her chair, reflecting on the fact she knew she wouldn't have accomplished this without Agatha.

Max started to allow herself to feel more positive about her future with the four of them.

The holoscreen jumped to life in front of her, instantly transporting her through time and space more than a decade earlier in her life.

There was Joon walking up the stage with her custom designed and crafted double necked acoustic guitar, She perched herself atop a tall stool and the audience fell silent.

Max sat mesmerized for seventeen minutes in the commanders chair, tears running down her face as she watched her future wife play a perfect set; again.

After the holo was over Max looked at Agatha, who's face was also tear stained, and mouthed the words, "Thank you."

The Comms beeped.

Agatha looked through teary eyes at Max, who returned the same look.

They both stared at the queue and the title of the communiqué.

TFN Admiralty, Fleet Admiral Buckingham, Captains only.

Max had no idea what to do.

"What does it mean Max?" Agatha's concern was obvious.

"I don't know Ag's, it's not addressed to us specifically, this message is fleet wide. Max tried to open the file, it required a command security code to open. "I need Commander Yance's Captains code if we want to open it."

Agatha trotted into the bridge, carrying Yance's go bag.

Max raised an eye brow, but she still accepted the go bag from her: Agatha nodded and skipped back to the cabin.

Max knew it would never be that easy, but it had to be done anyways, just to make sure.

Personal go bags varied a lot, Max had several over the years, mostly for personal equipment. It wasn't regulated so almost anything was acceptable.

Commander Yance's go bag was of exceptional quality, It fit his image perfectly.

Max opened the go bag.

Inside the bag was immaculate, everything was compartmentalized. There was a whole section with paperwork, including three separate personal devices.

Max felt bad about going through her deceased commanders things and private possessions. She supposed he would understand the need; she wondered if he would have done the same.

A small, black, old fashioned, moleskin note book caught Max's eye, it only had three letters embossed on the cover in gold.

Max held the small book and leafed through the pages, hundreds of code phrases and access codes with the particulars related to them. Max sat stunned, looking for something relevant to her current situation. On the last written page was the mission code for alien132.

"I don't believe it."

Max entered the "Captains code" next to the ship code for Charlie Alpha Tango.

"Thank you for being a meticulous, anal-retentive, posh twat, Commander Stephen Yance."

The comms reconfigured into an order format as Max witnessed the stern foreboding figure of Fleet Admiral Buckingham recalling all ships from patrols and the periphery to converge on the planet Terra forthwith.

"What the hell...?" Max sat muttering in shock, then in quiet contemplation.

"What do you want to do Max?" Agatha sat at her station with a worried look.

Clenching her jaw, Max stared that the image of the highest ranking official in the Terran Federation.

"No change, hold course."

A wave of fatigue washed over Max: her thinking wasn't sharp.

Agatha stood up from her station and walked over to Max.

"You look exhausted, let's go eat, shower and get some rest."

"I have to keep an eye on the ship," Max argued unconvincingly.

Agatha pouted, "You won't be any good to anyone if you are too tired to function." She pulled at the tired human's arm a little.

Max smirked, "Yea... ok... fine."

Agatha led Max to the galley and sat her tall friend down on a chair before she headed into the kitchen. Putting together a cucumber salad and thee bowls of mac and cheese, she took her other self her dinner then set Max and herself up at the table.

Max ate slowly while thinking about their situation; and what the Fleet Admiral's orders meant.

"Tell me what you're thinking Max, please," Agatha got up and started a pot of coffee.

Max grimaced, "I have a feeling something very bad is going to happen, I have never heard of a Federation wide recall of warships... ever...in the entire history of the Federation."

Agatha peered at Max for a moment, "No matter what happens Max, I won't leave your side... you're my Captain."

Max gawked at Agatha for a moment... Then nodded to her as their eyes locked.

Max watched her set up the coffee pot and dump the small bag of grounds into the filtered section.

"How do you know how to do that?" Max raised an eyebrow.

Agatha glanced at Max, "Holonet."

Finishing her prep, Agatha pushed the start button then walked over to the table and gracefully sat down next to Max.

Max watched her movements and realized her thighs were a bit thicker. "You are remarkable, every time I think I've figured you out, you surprise me."

"I would hate to be boring for you," Agatha smirked a crooked grin.

Max blinked, "oh wow, using my own smirk against me? Dirty pool Ag's!"

Both Max and Agatha giggled at that.

"Seriously though, your abilities outshine any I have ever encountered, I hope I don't outlive my usefulness." Max's face had a melancholy set.

Agatha's Steel-grey gilded in silver eyes went wide, she looked into Max's soft brown eyes, "Please Max, please don't say that, I need you to trust me." "I don't know as much as you think I do! I rely on your wisdom and experience and most of all..." Agatha stopped and leaned closer to Max.

"Most of all: I love you."

Max sat stock still, "Ag's you've known me for two days."

"Okay, I will accept your wisdom and experience on knowing when you love someone," Agatha sat back and with another smirk added, "After all, in a manner of speaking, I was born yesterday."

Agatha quickly held up a single finger for Max to hold her thought, then stood up and walked out of the galley. Returning just moments later with the empty bowl from her other self, she gathered up the dirty dishes and took them to the kitchen, washed them, dried them, and put them away.

Max looked at the Alien girl in a new light as she worked, she was very new at all of this and completely trusted Max to guide her.

Max nodded to herself in concession that Agatha deserved some trust in return.

Agatha pulled down a large insulated spill-proof mug and, after she examined it, she filled it with coffee, some sweetener, sipped it, and nodded.

Max stood seeing Agatha motioned to her to follow as she began walking ahead of her and out of the galley. Handing her seated self the coffee, Agatha went into the bathroom. Max followed, glancing at Agatha sitting at the comdesk with the mug of coffee who glanced back with a mischievous grin.

Max and Agatha stripped down and stood under the hot shower. The smaller woman started washing Max's body and Max happily returned the favor.

Max noticed that Agatha's breasts were fuller; larger than they were earlier that day.

They rinsed off the suds and toweled each other dry. Max and Agatha walked out to the cabin and climbed onto the long, soft bed of the Captain's cabin.

Max stretched out, but Agatha didn't cuddle up with her. Instead, Agatha knelt on the bed next to her.

"Roll over on your tummy, please," Agatha asked very nicely.

Max gave Agatha a questioning look, but complied with her polite request.

Agatha started softly chopping Max's broad muscled back with the edge's of her small hands,

"Oh!," Max exclaimed.

Agatha's chopping traveled down the long torso of her back moving back and forth and spanning Max's whole body. She continued across her buttocks and down the back of her thighs then made her way back up to where she had started.

When Agatha repeated the exercise a little harder, Max moaned in response.

Agatha then straddled Max's thighs and, looking down towards her feet, she pulled up Max's lower left leg. Gripping her long narrow feet in her hands, she drove her fingers over the tendons and muscles.

Max was in heaven, the small thumbs were like twin beacons of pleasure. Agatha switched to the other foot and did the same. Followed by working out stress and tension in Max's calves.

She straddled a little higher on Max's hips as her thighs were next. Max just moaned in pure delight.

Agatha then tackled Max's tight ass cheeks; working fingers through her flesh. Max could feel Agatha's damp sex on the small of her back and enjoyed the warmth of her sex against her skin.

Agatha might have lingered on those buttocks to grind her vulva into her spine, but it could've been just Max's imagination.

Max didn't mind.

Not at all.

Changing direction after so many delightful minutes, Agatha mounted that well worked ass facing up the bed surveying Max's well defined torso.

Those delightful hands now started at the edges of Max's pelvis, working in and up, coating her hands with the fluid she left behind. Agatha pushed deeply into Max's muscles.

Max gasped with pleasure on the edge of pain; the small hands pushing muscle groups along her spine. Agatha could feel the vertebrae readjusting under her thumbs.

Agatha began moving her hands from the center out to Max's flanks. Kneading out in strips, inch by inch. Max couldn't believe what she was feeling. It was so delightful.

Agatha slid down again to the small of Max's back while gripping the trapezius and pulling herself forward. Max knew at that point that Agatha was just enjoying herself. With fingers holding her shoulders, her thumbs began easing up Max's neck. Max let out a slow moan.

Agatha began kneading those shoulders and Max actually shivered. She then massaged Max's long arms ending in pushing thumbs into her palms.

Agatha dismounted kneeling next to the larger prone woman, "Max... would you please let me take you back into the bathroom, you need another hot rinse before you fall asleep."

Max muttered something incomprehensible, but she did slowly lever herself into a partial sitting position after a herculean effort.

Agatha led her once again into the bathroom, turning on the hot water and soaped Max up as well as herself.

A few minutes later Max found herself being toweled dry, being led into the bedroom, and being gently laid down and cuddled up next to.

In less than a minute Max was unconscious.

With earwigs in, Agatha sipped some coffee as she stayed on watch at the comdesk.

She switched from massage techniques to intermediate starship piloting and basic starship navigation.