Max Intel: Melinoe
Chapter 5 - War

Please note: There are quotes from Tefler's work The Chronicles of John Blake and they are used with the Author's permission.

Max slowly opened her eyes. She stared at the ceiling; not sure what color it was.

She always assumed it was the same light grey all ship interiors were in the TFN; but now it seemed too vibrant to be that depressing a color.

In her experience, Joon was the only person who really understood how she thought. But now there was another person in her life; in both their lives.

Joon and Max gave each other every indication that, in this instance, they were willing to complicate their marriage, and what a complication it was.

Agatha was complicated.

If she were just an average girl she would have been smart, talented and sexy. She was, in fact, the opposite of average.

Max had met other species before. The Ashanath were diminutive and quiet, the Trankarans were huge and stoic. But they lived in a similar way to humans, mostly. They were born, they grew up, learned some stuff along the way, met someone, and procreated.

Agatha was fundamentally different.

She was born... maybe. She was sent off into the black unknown to find her own place in the universe... alone. Just like thousands of her siblings.

Max wasn't even sure her species had a sex.

Agatha could reproduce asexually, or as Joon coined it: macro-mitosis. She mentioned she had parents, but never knew them. But all this cultural crap was completely unknown to her, Max didn't think she even needed oxygen until she shaped herself into a form based on dream impressions.

It was completely bizarre. Yet so perfectly simple, her basic communication was emotions. She could read anyone with emotions like a book. Max remembered the intense feelings from Agatha when they first met. Agatha was as pure a person as Max had ever known.

Not that Agatha didn't have a naughty side, Max recalled that projection of lust from the alien when Max was trying to instruct her on human experiences. It wrapped Max up and used her, it was glorious.

Yet Max had never seen or felt Agatha angry. She was unfailingly polite, patient... fragile.

Joon snuggled in closer, in her usual place under Max's left arm. Max peered at Joon, her elfin face so sweet in repose.

Max glanced to her right and saw a slightly different and new face of Agatha. She no longer had stark white alabaster skin or black eye markings and lips that she took from Max's dream Agatha, who was a black and white feline.

Her new pale skin did look good on her though, and helped her blend in with humanity. Agatha's cat-like, steel-grey, gilded with silver eyes opened as Max was looking at her, and she smiled.

Her heart jumped seeing those eyes.

"Good morning." Max whispered. Max felt a gentle brush of feeling from her, safety...support...love. Max then felt a kiss on the side of her left breast. One of Joon 's grass-green eyes looked at Max as she smiled and stretched.

Joon's mouth found Max's left nipple with soft suction and a swirling tongue

Max gasped, pulling her wife to straddle her. Their mouths mingled in a kiss.

Agatha grinned then slowly slipped under the duvet and began climbing between and gently spreading Max's long legs.

The deep kiss of the married couple continued, becoming heated.

Max lifted her knees pulling her feet up the bed, she felt gentle kisses on her vulva. Max moaned.

Joon softly broke from the kiss, "Is she going down on you?"

Max nodded gasping.

"Describe it to me." The whispered command from her tiny wife, set Max on fire.

"She's kissing my pussy," Max began," Now she's licking my clit."

Joon stared into Max's soft brown eyes, watching them dilate.

Max gasped," Oh, her tongue just went inside me."

Joon's eyes grew large watching her wife writhe on their girlfriend's tongue for the first time.

"Is she tongue fucking you, my love?" Joon's sweet voice asking such a dirty question, Max's breathing quickened.

"Her tongue," Max grunted, "So long."

Joon rose up, now gently pulling on both of Max's sensitive nipples, increasing her stimulation.

Max's eyes screwed shut as her mouth opened. Max began bucking in orgasm underneath her as Joon's breasts bounced while she watched with glee.

The duvet, which had shifted down from all the activity, revealed Agatha finishing off her girlfriend.

Agatha sat up behind Joon, licking her lips.

Joon turned at the waist, pulling Agatha in for a kiss, and thrilled at tasting her wife on their girlfriend's lips.

Joon dismounted and then slipped off the bed as she headed to the bathroom. Agatha was right behind her.

Max followed... eventually.

The bathroom wasn't quite crowded, but it was definitely cozy. Everyone got a turn at the toilet and a wash up at the sink.

Joon turned an eye towards Max, "Kata?"

Max nodded, "Yep, down in the cargo hold."

Joon smirked, "nude?"

"Of course, it's customary." Max sniffed.

Agatha giggled.

Joon sighed, "Of course, we would hate to break with tradition." Joon amended, "No nude aerobics though."

"No torturing the wife: understood." Max leaned down and kissed her better half.

Agatha giggled again.

Joon turned to Agatha, "And how are you this morning, sweetheart, recovered from your ordeal I assume?"

Agatha nodded, "I feel much better; full of energy and ready to be human."

Joon beamed as she took a look at Agatha's new coloring, "You make such a cute human: I just might have to flirt with you."

Max glanced at Joon, "Flirt?"

Joon raised her index finger in warning.

Max raised her hands in submission and just smiled.

Agatha giggled at the antics.

Max loved the friendly teasing interplay, and knew Joon did too.

Finished with washing up, the three of them headed down to the cargo hold.

As they left the command cabin, three additional Agathas joined them in the corridor: all six of them delightfully nude.

In the cargo bay Max faced the rear cargo door and had a thought. She walked up to the massive door's DNA lock and thumbed it open.

Hydraulics whined as the door opened, revealing the hovercar and the dawning forest.

Facing south, the morning sky was glorious.

Joon squeaked as the morning chill rolled in and had a decided effect on her bare nipples.

Agatha breathed in deeply, enjoying the musty scent of decaying leaves, the rich aroma of pine sap, and the noises of the animals in the woods.

Max stood tall and bowed to the assembled women.

They bowed in return and the kata began.

For Joon and Max, the kata had been deeply ingrained for many years; they were both ranked by the planetary guild in this martial art.

Even though Agatha was a novice, her form and symmetry were impeccable.

After three rotations were completed, they all bowed together.

Joon was a Master's daughter: she had seen a hundred exhibitions and she knew good form when she saw it. So, naturally, Joon squealed in delight, complimenting Agatha on her form as Max thumbed the cargo bay door closed again.

The six women went to their respective bathrooms and hot showers.

Joon and Max delighted in soaping up Agatha together with her hands high on the wall, legs spread. Joon took special delight in washing Agathas nethers, glancing at Max with half-lidded eyes.

Max smiled at Joon, nodding encouragement.

Joon knelt down behind Agatha and lustfully buried her face into her girlfriend's ass. Agatha began moaning loudly while Max gently held her upper body as she fondled her breasts; all while her diminutive wife explored Agatha's sex with her mouth.

Joon, satisfied with what she found, stood up and kissed Agatha.

Max began washing Agatha's hip-length jet-black hair while scritching her scalp: she purred in joy.

Agatha started to lather up Joon's strawberry-blonde shoulder length hair and Joon loved hearing Agatha purr behind her. Agatha just soaked up the lustful feelings in the shower and kept purring.

Max's dirty-blonde hair had such a hard curl to it that keeping it marine-short was much more practical.

After a long hot rinse and a towelling dry, the three stepped out into the cabin.

Not having a change of clothes handy, Joon was forced to wear the same clothes she wore the day previous.

Max put on her usual, well worn, soft BDU's and appreciated the fact that getting them to that point took dozens of launderings.

Agatha preened in her new clothes: pleated skirt, loose blouse, and canvas deck shoes were the uniform of the day.

All four lined up together for Max and Joon in the command cabin. Long black hair in a thick braid, the identical girls looked sharp together.

Two Agatha's went to the galley, one to the bridge.

Max raised a knuckle to her chin in thought. Joon saw that and gave Max a curious look.

"I wonder how she would look in battle dress uniforms." Max pondered.

"Better than I would," Joon nodded sagely.

Max smirked, as Joon was wearing one of her old BDU jackets. "I could argue with that."

Joon smiled broadly, "You think I'd look sexy in uniform?"

"Yes ma'am, delicious even." Max's eyes went half lidded looking at Joon.

Joon's eyes danced at Max

Agatha looked at Joon, "Max might spoil her breakfast though if she fills up on sweets."

Joon gasped at Agatha, "That's terrible and wonderful all at the same time! I love your sense of humor!"

They all giggled together at the ribald humor.

Joon grabbed Max's and Agatha's hand in turn, and sat them both down on the edge of the long bed.

She stood in front of them and had a very dominant look in her eye.

"Listen up you two: I need to make some things clear."

Max had seen this side of Joon before and braced for it.

"I am Max's wife, so her needs are my first priority and I will only deviate from that priority with her leave." Joon made this statement clear with a hard edge to her grass-green eyes. Then those eyes softened, "That said: I really appreciate that you both waited for me."

"I know you were very tempted to become involved without me; and I felt the emotions behind that temptation," She nodded at Agatha.

"Max knows how much I love her and I really want to find out how much we can both love you, Agatha." Joon smiled at Max and Agatha in turn. "Just know... you both have my trust." Joon nodded, "That's all I wanted to say." She reached out and held both of their hands.

Max and Agatha gently pulled Joon into a hug and kissed her face and lips in turn.

Agatha quietly said, "Breakfast is ready?" with an uncertain inflection.

Max and Joon looked at the alien girl.

Joon said with no small amount of irony, "Welcome to humanity."

Max, Joon and all four Agathas ate breakfast together while the day's plans were discussed in detail.

Joon nodded sagely, "So two Agathas will remain here to keep and eye on things, Agatha and 'Una' will come with us to town."

Agatha nodded, "I am confident I can deal with anything here with two."

Max looked curiously at Joon, "Should we pick up some essentials from the flat? I know you need clothes and other things."

"Oh yes, I hate wearing the same clothes two days in a row." Joon responded.

"Actually," Max clarified, "I was focused on 'other things'."

Joon looked puzzled until Max made a pantomime of strumming a guitar. She blinked, "Why are you thinking of my music now?"

Max tilted her head and gazed lovingly at her wife, "Because someone here is a huge fan of yours."

Four heads nodded enthusiastically.

Joon beamed, "Well then, I guess I have to take care of my fans!" Joon giggled.

Joon tilted her head in thought and looked at Max again. "You should bring your bows too."

Max thought about it then nodded in concession, "I've never spent this much time at the range without shooting."

"Okay then," Joon stood, "Let's get this show on the road."

Two Agatha's cleaned up after breakfast, one went to the bridge. Max changed into civvies, and Joon was tracking down her 'purse'.

Agatha looked quizzically at the bright green accessory when Joon put the shoulder strap over her head.

Joon smiled, taking it off again, and on the command cabin's long bed, showed it to Agatha. She calmly unfolded it, removing the thick flat magazine that attached seamlessly to the top of the weapon. She unloaded it, checked the chamber and handed it to Agatha.

Agatha held the compact weapon in her hands, "It's so light! Is it a good weapon?"

Joon nodded, "It's pretty sweet actually, very well engineered." She showed Agatha the fifty round magazine, "These rounds will not penetrate body armor, but they are moving fast enough that they should instantly down an unarmored attacker from the fluid shock alone. It's only 5mm, but when set to a three round burst it can last a while." Joon explained, "I love how light it is."

Joon held her breasts in her hands, "These are more than enough weight for me to carry around."

Agatha's eyes lingered on Joon's breasts, making Joon smile at her. She found Joon's thin, petite frame attractive: a small round butt and slight hips might give the impression of adolescence. Her breasts however strongly indicated that she was an adult.

Max watched the firearm breakdown and explanation while she changed.

Joon's mother, Mercedes, was not a firearms enthusiast; not in the least. Howard managed to convince her that ignorance made firearms far more dangerous, however: so, as a family, they were all instructed on firearm usage and safety and were instilled with general firearm knowledge.

Watching Joon pass along that knowledge made Max realize that Agatha filled the niche that an offspring might have occupied, at least temporarily.

Max watched Joon as she re-inserted the fully loaded magazine into the cleverly designed SMG and refolded it.

Returned to it's innocent looking and prettily decorated configuration, Joon slipped the shoulder strap over her head once again.

Joon glanced at Max and blew her a kiss as she slipped off the bed; dragging Agatha and Max out of the cabin with her.

Another Agatha waited in the corridor and Joon glanced at her, "Are you going to be Una today?"

That Agatha nodded.

"Okay, where are the other two?" Joon demanded.

One Agatha emerged from the bridge, the other from the galley. All four Agathas had the same perplexed look on their pretty faces.

Joon walked over to the Agatha who emerged from the bridge and pulled her into a kiss. After the kiss concluded Joon smiled and said, "Be good, stay safe, we'll be back as soon as we can." Joon turned to the Agatha who was in the galley and pulled her into an identical kiss.

Max was grinning ear to ear.

Again, after the kiss, Joon repeated her farewell to the alien girl.

Joon turned to today's "Una" and gently took her by the hand heading to the cargo bay.

The remaining Agatha's all looked at Max.

Max just smiled, "She really likes kissing you." and followed her delightfully odd better half down to the cargo bay with an Agatha in her wake.

Joon was waiting by the door of the cargo bay, tapping her foot. "Remind me to remind you to add my imprint to this ship's systems." Joon smirked at Max.

Max pursed her lips, "Actually, I should do that before we leave,.." She looked chagrined, "I need to add Agatha as well." Using the codes available in Yance's moleskin notebook Max was able to update all security DNA impressions and delete any obsolete ones, the process only took fifteen minutes.

Joon managed to snog with two Agatha's to pass the time.

Max wasn't even a little jealous, she loved seeing Joon enjoy herself.

Finally, without any further delays, Max, Joon and two Agathas piled into the late-model dark-green hover car and headed to their flat.

Joon was piloting with Max seated next to her in the passenger's seat.

Joon had a predatory look on her face as she thought about their situation and, If the flight had been a longer one, Joon would have insisted on joining Agatha and Una in the back seat.

The complex where they lived was in a quiet neighborhood: there wasn't anyone around to witness their arrival. Max thumbed the DNA lock of the flat and stepped inside: Joon and both Agathas followed.

Joon wasted no time and immediately headed for the bedroom

Max glanced at Agatha, "Go ahead, make yourself at home."

One Agatha went after Joon, through the living room to the bedroom. The other raised her eyebrow at Max as if letting her know, 'I'm the one staying with you'.

Max nodded, and headed for the storage room.

The storage room was fairly well organized with a few shelving units loaded with boxes. In the corner were three luggage style cases, Max pulled one over to a low table in front of a shuttered and curtained window. Laying the case on the table, she clicked open the case and inside was a beautifully crafted, composite, competitive, target class, recurve bow.

Composed of a rich, honey colored, Hickory heartwood and layers of pristine White Hickory sap wood laminate. The combination giving strength and elasticity to the natural wood bow. It was hand made by a master craftsman and was perfectly balanced and tuned. The limbs were thick and scalloped.

Max lifted it and handed it to Agatha to examine.

Max waxed nostalgic as she watched Agatha handle the bow. Agatha could taste the emotions Max was feeling.

"Look up '67 Jericho olympic archery" Max requested softly.

Miles away on the bridge of the corvette: Agatha watched on holonet feeds a replay of a younger Max Anders shooting her target recurve, winning her 33rd consecutive olympic match in archey for gold.

Agatha stared at the bow with a new understanding of Max's profound skill, "This is a piece of you."

Max nodded with half a smile, "Basically."

Agatha looked in the case at the score of beautifully lacquered, white fletched arrows, the quiver, the old worn shooting glove, and arm guard.

Agatha carefully handed the bow back to Max.

Max returned it to the case and closed it; setting it by the door. Max walked over to the next one: a smaller case with a much more worn appearance. Max again placed it on the table and opened it. Inside was a much smaller bow: lighter and worn with use, it's green stained wooden limbs faded.

Agatha looked in the case: the dozen or so arrows looked abused and ratty with some of the barred fletching having chunks missing from them.

"You learned on this bow." Agatha looked up into Max's eyes, feeling the nostalgia again.

Max smiled, "This one, Deirdre bought for me."

"Your first adoptive mother." Agatha reeled from the emotions emanating from Max. Agatha hugged Max as a single tear ran down her cheek.

Max kissed her forehead.

They finished the hug and Agatha stepped back as Max closed the worn case and placed it by the door.

Agatha glanced at the third case, then back at Max.

Max made a negative face.

What is it Max?" Agatha asked.

"Well," Max begins, "There's a bow in that case, but I've never shot it."

"You haven't? Why not?" Agatha asked with a look of surprised curiosity.

Max picked up the third case: it was much heavier. Max laid it on the table, popped the four locks. and opened it. Inside the heavy reinforced case was a limited edition Bjornwerks Panzer, a beautifully engineered, top of the line, compound hunting bow.

"It was a gift from some corporate suit trying to get me to sign with them after the '67 games."

Max inspected the weapon closely, pulling it up out of the case, It weighed less than her target recurve. Completely decked out with every accessory Bjornwerks made, the compound bow was worth a small fortune. In the case were fifty highly polished, slick carbon shafts, one hundred field points, and twenty switchblade style, razor sharp broadheads. The field points and broadheads all had the same weight and they were interchangeable on the shafts.

Max could hear guitar strings, like a lover calling from a dream. She replaced the compund bow in it's case, shut it, and picked it up as she also grabbed her target recurve case and walked out the door

Agatha picked up the worn recurve case and followed.

---

Joon ran into the bedroom pulling open dresser drawers and throwing underwear onto the bed.

Agatha peered in through the door and watched the small vortex of energy and clothes from a safe distance as Joon pulled together a growing heap of mixed clothing from closets and drawers.

Joon pulled out two instrument cases from the back of her closet and Agatha noted they were different shapes.

Joon leans them against the bed and goes back to the closet and pulls out two large, soft sided duffel bags.

Agatha looked at the instrument cases: they both looked to be made of a ceramic composite. Joon started putting clothes, hangers and all, into the first duffle. Agatha watched the smaller woman fill up both duffles: Joon packed them full and closed them with some difficulty.

Joon dragged the two heavy bags over to the door.

Agatha raised her hand and Joon stoped her mad rushing and blinked.

"Do you need any help?" Agatha asks.

Joon smirked, "I'll let you know."

Agatha noded and maintained her safe distance.

Joon dove back into the closet returning with a garment bag. She turned back towards the closet, pulling out a number of dresses on hangers and carefully laid them in the garment bags.

Agatha stared at the clothes

Joon looked up from the bag, "Too much?"

"I have no idea: I didn't know anyone could have so many." Agatha answered.

Thinking of the sheer volume of her closet, "You're right, I should be more conservative."

Joon snapped her fingers, "I'm going to grab both of Max's dresses."

Agatha smiled, but still had a confused look on her face.

Joon showed Agatha two dresses, one black and one silver. "She's all packed," Joon giggled.

Joon thought again, "Let's take a load down to the car."

Agatha knelt down between the two heavy duffles and slipped the shoulder straps over her shoulders.

Joon grabbed the garment bag and led the way.

Down at the hovercar, Joon thumbed the rear hatch open and showed Agatha how she wanted the bags layed out, then she laid the garment bag across them.

Joon went over to the pilot side door and got in as Agatha got in on the passenger side.

Joon tapped up the syscom register and thumbed her authorization. She tapped a few more times and pointed at the DNA scanlock, asking Agatha to put her thumb on it.

Joon tapped a few more times, "Tada! now you can fly my hover car."

Agatha blinked and Joon smooched her cheek.

They both go back in and back to the bedroom Joon manages to find another bag and starts filling it with shoes.

Agatha watches her with interest. "How often do you do this?"

Joon looked at her, "Do what, move?"

"I don't know, maybe?" Agatha looked uncomfortable.

Joon nodded, "I understand sweetheart, this appears chaotic."

"I'm just trying to take things that mean something to both Max and I."

Agatha nodded, "Nostalgic."

"Exactly,.. and underwear, and socks: you can never have enough socks."

"Is that why you got me sixteen pairs?" Agatha inquired.

"I have a trick I do with those," Joon started, "If you snip them right with some scissors, they make perfect arm warmers."

Agatha's eyes grew large, "That's so awesome!"

Joon nodded sagely.

"So: I'm sure you are very curious about those two cases huh?" Joon smiled evilly at Agatha.

Agatha recognized a baited trap when she heard it... at least, now she did.

"Mayyybe?" Agatha looked suspicious.

Joon giggled. "Okay, let me show you."

Joon dropped the shoe filled bag by the door and pulled one of the instrument cases up on the bed.

She opened it and Agatha recognized the beautiful, double necked guitar from Max's dream and the holonet.

The upper neck was broader with nine strings, the lower neck had six with mostly bass strings with the fret spacing reversed as the fret board went through the body of the guitar to be played with the right hand.

"This is my baby: mum and daddy got it for me when I was sixteen. I had practically worn out my first guitar." Joon went over the nine strings of the upper neck listening critically to the tuning. "I had been sketching out designs for what I wanted for months, then settled on this design." Joon went over the lower neck strings in a similar fashion. "And when I cracked the neck of my first guitar, Max showed my parents the final sketch design without telling me."

Joon tapped the strings at certain frets listening to the harmonics. "So on my birthday, there it was, like a dream."

Joon thumped the body of the guitar with her right elbow in low percussion while her thumb made a higher one.

With the same hand, she placed two fingers on heavy strings along the body of the fret board and tapped as a bass line took shape. She made a quick swipe and an enchanting melody leaped out from the upper neck as she pulled and tapped with the fingers of her left hand. Then she began thumping the beat with her thumb and palm heel while plucking and sliding the bass with three fingers.

Agatha was mesmerized: Joon was playing in front of her and she was amazing to witness. Max appeared in the doorway with a huge grin on her face. Both Agathas kneeled down on the carpet together listening to the driving beat of the song and Max moved and sat on the bed, closed her eyes, and just listened.

When Joon finished the song there was applause.

"And I hardly flubbed at all!" Joon seemed amazed.

Max leaned over and shared a kiss with her.

Joon carefully returned her precious instrument to the case.

"Why do your cases look armored?" Agatha asked

"Oh, that," Started Joon, "They are humidity proof tempcontrol cases."

Max pulled over the other case, as Joon put the first aside.

"And this one," Opening the other case revealed an ornate looking instrument, "Is a classical twenty one stringed harp guitar. Max got it for me for our tenth wedding anniversary earlier this year. I haven't yet learned to play it well; but I really want to."

Both Agathas stared at it, the iridescent green colors shining through the instrument were stunning.

Joon closed the case then looked at Max, "I need to stop by PharMart."

Max blinked then nodded, "Do you want me to pilot?"

Joon smirked, "It would make it easier."

"As you desire, my love." Max received a kiss. Max carried her two bow cases, Joon carried one of her instruments, the Agathas carried the rest.

Arranging all the cases in the back wasn't difficult, but none of the cases wanted to stack together so it took a few moments for everything to get loaded.

Max waited for the seat to finish adjusting as Joon and Agathas got in.

The old hover car made its way to PharMart. Joon insisted she would only be a few minutes so the three of them should stay in the hovercar.

Twenty minutes later Joon emerged carrying a large bag and slipped into her seat, "See, very quick."

Max snorted, and Agatha giggled in stereo.

Then both Agathas gasped in surprise and their eyes went wide.

Max and Joon stared at them, wondering what was going on.

"The Terran Federation Admiralty just publicly announced that the Kintark Empire is invading... and that Vice Admiral John Blake, The Lion of the Federation, is a traitor." an Agatha reported in a soft voice.

"That's bollix!," Joon exclaimed.

Max looked at her, "Of course they would say that, now things are starting to make sense."

Joon turned to stare at Max.

"The Lion isn't a traitor, but everything I saw was under wraps." Max explained.

"Buckingham wants everyone to think Blake's betrayed the Federation."

Joon looked very upset.

Max rubbed Joons back reassuringly, "I have been in some dark places in my career, love, and trust me, a few of the admiralty are more than corrupt enough to try to pin this on The Lion."

Max hugged her and Joon pulled an Agatha in as well.

Max eased back to look at Joon, "We should talk to Howard."

"Your the one with special clearance, how is daddy going to help?" asked Joon, with a raised eyebrow.

"Easy...Howard has a hundred times more contacts than I do; he can gauge far easier if people are buying this rubbish." Max defended.

Joon nodded, "But we introduce Agatha my way." Joon said with an evil glint.

"To the Smith's!" Max announced.

The Smith residence was divided into two very specific zones: a pristine entertainment area, and the rest.

The pristine entertainment area included the main entrance, a magnificent foyer, living room, dining room, and lavatory.

Dr. Mercedes Smith entertained; and she demanded those areas of her house to be in optimum condition at all times.

Howard kept those areas in such a condition out of love and understanding of his wife's professional and social needs.

The rest of the house was his domain, and that meant warmth and comfort.

Joon and Max parked far to the far left of the main entrance of the fairly modest home, Mercedes' expensive emerald-green sport hover car was parked front and center.

Max and Joon made their way through the side gate to the kitchen entrance.

Joon thumbed the lock on the kitchen door and walked in while Max waited outside with the Agathas, giving them an encouraging wink.

Sitting across from each other at the breakfast nook, Joon's parents sat in house clothes topped in long comfortable robes, Mercedes' strawberry-blonde tresses were up in a pair of artfully placed, ornate hair sticks.

They had obviously already finished breakfast and upon Joon entering the kitchen they both looked up from their tea.

"Hi mum, hi daddy," Joon smiled at her parents.

Mercedes blinked, "Well, good morning, darling." Howard just smiled.

Even without makeup, Mercedes was a beautiful woman; her incredible figure notwithstanding.

She was taller and more substantial than her petite daughter and her bust was even larger at 48h.

"Are you both up to meeting some new friends?" Joon asked hopefully.

Howard nodded, but Mercedes pouted. "I look atrocious dear, perhaps another time?" Mercedes asked.

"They are standing outside the door with Max and they are very interested in learning the sacred art of cosmetics." Joon said with a devious glint.

That gave Mercedes pause, her own grass-green eyes narrowed in appreciation of her daughter's manipulation.

"I suppose meeting them now would be acceptable." Mercedes' full lips turned into a wry smile.

Joon opened the door and Max allowed the Agathas to both walk into the kitchen with a pleasant smile.

"Mum, daddy, this is Agatha " Joon introduced the alien girl.

Mercedes eyes widened at the exotic twins. Howard just raised both his eyebrows. "Oh my! Good morning, you two." Mercedes looked back and forth, "You are very identical."

Joon smirked as Max walked into the kitchen and closed the door.

Mercedes glanced at Joon with confusion, "So what is Agathas sister's name dear?"

Joon smiled wide at her mother, "Agatha doesn't have a sister." Joon thoroughly enjoyed the confusion on both her parents' faces.

Mercedes glanced at Max, "Jooniper, what are you talking about, these girls are obviously twins."

Joon smiled, "Actually, mother, she is the same girl."

Mercedes peered into Joons eyes, "You're not serious."

"Agatha," Joon addressed her without breaking eye contact with her mother, "Please answer my mother's questions... in stereo."

Mercedes raised her eyebrow and glanced at her husband.

Howard shrugged.

Mercedes turned in her chair and looked closely at Agatha's faces, immediately noticing her slitted pupils.

"Are you human Agatha?" Mercedes asked in a clinical voice.

Agatha responded in soft clear voices, "I am not, Dr. Smith, though I currently resemble one."

Howard leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed, remembering the odd comm call previously, now very curious about his daughter's new friend.

"If this is a magic trick, Joon, I am impressed," Mercedes murmured without taking her eyes off Agatha.

"Keep asking her questions mum, the magic has just started." Joon replied, glancing at her father who raised an eyebrow at her.

"Agatha, would you tell me why you are here?" Mercedes asked.

" I am under the care, tutelage and protection of Max Anders, your daughter in law, who rescued me from imprisonment and imminent death." One Agatha looked at Max and smiled, "This morning I was assisting Max and Joon in retrieving items of value from their flat: they felt the need to discuss an important event with you so we came here."

Mercedes was lost in thought.

"Alright, Jooniper, well played." Mercedes turned back in her chair with a smile for her daughter.

"Your new friend is exceptional, thank you for introducing her to us."

Mercedes turned to her husband, "I think I'll take the day off."

Howards eyes grew large and running a huge hand over a shaved head he softly said, "Will wonders never cease!"

Max walked up to the table and leaned over and kissed Mercedes on the cheek, "Morning 'Des."

Then she walked over to Howard, kissed him on the cheek, "Morning Howard"

"Max," Mercedes looked up at her tall adoptive now daughter in law. "Are you this girls guardian?"

Max nodded, "Yes ma'am, I am also her Sensei."

That got Howard's full and undivided attention.

"But we have larger problems," Max looked serious, "I take it neither of you have seen the holonet today."

Mercedes made a face, "I can't deal with stupidity before noon, Max, you know that."

Max nodded, "I understand, but I think we may have to sacrifice good taste today."

Max led the way into the family room, and turned on the Holo, and the rest of the family filtered in.

Mercedes and Howard had their own chairs; but between them was a large, overstuffed loveseat that Max and Joon always used.

Max pulled an Agatha onto her lap and wrapped her arms around her as Joon sat the other Agatha next to Max and draped her legs across them.

The Smith family watched the holofeeds and all of them were immediately absorbed in the unfolding events.

Very rough reports filtered into the holofeeds as massive feets assembled in the Sol and Alpha Centauri star systems.

"My god,.." Howard whispered as he sat; stunned into silence.

"Buckingham says the Lion betrayed humanity." Max muttered.

"Bollix." Howard responded softly.

"That's what I said," Joon nodded.

Mercedes didn't say a word, she just stared at the raw images.

They watched as the situation unfolded before them.

Agatha whispered in Max's ear "Vehicle approaching from the Northwest."

Max's eyes grew large, her mind races. Max glanced at Joon who was just updated by the other Agatha.

Max and Joon stared at each other.

Max whispered to Agatha, "Suit up, and recon."

Agatha looked at Max with apprehension, Max nodded at her, "You can do it."

On the corvette, Agatha ran to don Max's body sleeve. It is a loose fit, but wearable.

The second Agatha on the corvette assists while monitoring the sensors on the mirrored data pad. After six tense minutes of gearing up for the mission and doing all her checks, Agatha engages the nanoweave and drops out the breaching boom airlock. The second Agatha returns to the bridge and continues to monitor sensors and all other ship's functions.

Agatha quickly climbs up the ridge, carrying Max's customized XR75. She sees the ship's sensor data overlaying her mental perception, She ends up shutting off the sensor relay in her HUD since the information from it is redundant. Utilizing the weaponlink and telescopic visual data of the accessory instead.

Slowly cresting the ridge, she scaned the range: three humans are moving in from one vehicle.

Agatha stays low and moves quietly as she tries to observe the subjects while looking for a good place to settle in.

---

Joon glanced at Max as the Smith family sat watching dozens of independent feeds from the Sol system.

Mercedes gasped at the graphical breakdown of the Kintark forces.

The minutes drug by and as the battle approached Howard began flexing his hands, feeling helpless as he was unable to actually affect the information he was seeing.

The holofeeds shifted to Olympus, as a fleet of Kintark appeared at the edge of the system: the handheld broadcast showed a large force on active radar.

Then almost simultaneously a smaller fleet of TFN ships fired from nowhere, they had been lying in wait for just this moment.

Howard beamed.

They all started watching as the TFN force began leading the Kintark force on a merry chase.

Max watched as the defending force seemed much more mobile than the attacking force.

The TFN force, now marked as Dacres' fleet, began tacking. Cutting back and forth in concert in front of the pursuing, much larger Kintark fleet.

Joon murmured, "That maneuver is inspired."

Max glanced at her, "What do you mean?"

"Dacres is using his strongest weapon attacks from his broadsides when he cuts across while the Kintark, being slower, can only use their weak forward arrays in return." Joon nodded in appreciation.

Max returned her attention to the feed; seeing the "maneuver" illustrated again and again.

The holofeeds started showing the opening shots in the Sol system.

Two solid walls of capital ships were exchanging fire and the Kintark forces were faring better in the exchange.

Within minutes the TFN warships were being shredded and soon sections of the Terran wall were ablaze in green plasma fire.

The Smith family were unable to move as the events in the Sol system unfolded.

---

Agatha determined the subjects were a male and two females. The male and one female were adults, the remaining female was adolescent. The male and adolescent female were utilizing the archery range. The adult female was only there to observe. The adolescent female went to the target lane furthest from the other subjects, she carried a case similar to the male subject.

"Margo!" the male shouted, "Don't go wandering off, stay on the range."

"Okay, Liam!" Margo shouted back, "Try not to get Tina pregnant."

"Arrgh!" replied Liam.

After a few minutes the subjects settled in and bows were produced from the cases.

Subject Liam used a compound bow, his stance was correct but his technique was erratic.

Subject Margo was using a laminate recurve, her stance was correct and her technique was consistent.

Subject Tina was praising subject Liam's performance, her flirtatious manner and use of makeup suggested she was interested in subject Liam sexually.

Subjects Liam and Margo continued archery practice for several rounds, scoring and retrieving arrows every round.

Margo let loose her last arrow of the round, it creased the top of the target and deflected up at a high angle.

She watched it arc up and over the ridge, "Shit." she said.

Agatha's eyes widened as the arrow sailed by her position and landed down the ridge, in full view of the corvette.

Agatha ran through a myriad of scenarios in an instant: she settled on action that would prevent the discovery of the corvette; but she had little time as subject Margo had already started walking down the target lane trail.

Agatha moved with alacrity while still trying to be as quiet as possible.

The arrow was fletched with bright yellow, and was easy to spot. Agatha retrieved it and scrambled back up the ridge, she crested the ridge and spotted subject Margo just rounding the target butt below.

Agatha stuck the arrow into the ground just below the top of the rise, and quietly faded into the underbrush.

Subject Margo was approximately five foot three, she had a fair complexion and dark brown hair that was tied in a ponytail. Agatha estimated she was twelve or thirteen.

Margo had been watching her footing while she was climbing up the ridge and she almost went past the arrow Agatha had planted. Margo saw it and stopped, confusion played across her face.

Agatha held her breath.

Margo glanced around wide eyed, then plucked the arrow from the ground and quickly made her way back down the rise.

Agatha exhaled slowly.

---

Holofeeds from Olympus showed a significantly reduced Kintark fleet now in range of the massive station itself. Huge laser emplacements opened fire on the invading fleet while the colossal shield kept Kintark plasma fire at bay.

The network made a change to show feeds from Terra as Kintark ships began entering the atmosphere of the homeworld. They were troop ships landing and quickly disgorging the invading Kintark army.

Terran forces engaged the Kintark troops outside of the Citadel battlements for the first time on Mother Earth herself. In the skies above the Dreadnaught Shiva the Destroyer was blown apart.

Howard groaned in despair.

Mercedes had gone to him at some point and they were both sitting on the floor holding each other.

Max found herself on the floor holding Joon in one arm and Agatha in the other, the remaining Agatha clung to Max's back.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

---

Subject Liam received a comm call, Agatha zoomed in with her helmet HUD.

"What did you say?" Liam looked very upset.

The holo showed a man who also appeared upset but Agatha could not hear that side of the conversation from this distance.

"Margo, pack it up, we're leaving!" Liam yelled, with a hint of hysteria.

Subject Tina had begun to cry. Subject Margo packed up her archery case with a worried look.

All subjects moved to the hovercar and departed, Agatha stayed in place to be sure there were no other perimeter breaches.

---

Holofeeds returned to Olympus showing the siege of the station was continuing.

Plasma fires dotted the station; ample evidence the shields had failed and the dwindling Kintark forces were throwing massive salvoes of plasma bolts in a desperate attempt to cripple its defenses.

Then, on the eve of total destruction, displayed from a hand held holocam, a lone white battlecruiser appeared within view of the station.

Almost immediately, a pinpoint of light appeared at the bow of the iconic ship. It quickly grew in size and intensity. Suddenly, and without any warning, a virulent beam of ultra bright white energy emanated from the Invictus! It gouged through a Kintark capital ship, severing it in half like a hot knife through warm butter.

The invictus banked and the energy beam slashed through a second Kintark battleship, having lost none of its overwhelming energy.

Two smaller vessels departed from the invictus but the holocam operator was unable to track them and stayed with the white battlecruiser.

Suddenly the Invictus began to bloom with blue energy in a deadly cloud that surrounded the battlecruiser while reducing the entire Kintark fleet shield strength to...nothing. Within mere seconds, the entire Kintark fleet was made vulnerable.

The unstoppable force named Invictus, the Undefeated, rolled and unleashed a devastating and withering salvo into a Kintark battleship, vaporising it's topdeck and bridge...the entire attack completed in less than 5 seconds.

The Smith family cheered, the emotional rollercoaster Agatha was feeling from her new human family was beyond her imagination, she wept freely and celebrated the triumph with them.

"Amazing!" exclaimed Max, "Can you believe the firepower?"

Joon crowed, "Can you believe her deadly accuracy! The ship's fire team has not missed a single shot! That is just impossible!"

Dacre's fleet re-engaged the Kintark adding it's firepower to the Lions attack.

Kintark ships died at such a phenomenal rate as the Invictus drove through them with impunity that no one could keep a count of them.

Abruptly: The Kintark carrier group to the rear of the fleet formation killed their shields in surrender to the overwhelming power they faced.

Howard, Mercedes, Joon, Max and both Agathas all sat together in a family hug, tears on every cheek, watching the holofeeds.

The pure white battlecruiser reaquired it's smaller vessels and departed the Alpha Centauri system at incredible velocity.

---

Agatha slowly patrolled the perimeter as she dealt with the waves of emotion the Smith family was exuding. She, too was delighted for the Lion's victory over the Kintark at the siege of Olympus. She slowly stepped through the shooting lanes eyeing the structure of the range.

Something yellow caught her eye at the last target lane, so she cautiously approached. It was a piece of folded yellow paper stuck in the slats of a lane bench: she examined it closely before touching it.

Agatha didn't see anything dangerous so she picked it up and opened it.

To the faerie or ghost who got my arrow back: thank you, Margo.

It seems Agatha needed to work a bit on her stealth; but she smiled anyway and pocketed the note.

---

The Smith family were exhausted by the stress as the morning crawled by.

Howard went to the kitchen to prepare a large pot of tea.

Mercedes needed a break from the holonet as well and Joon took her upstairs to the bedroom.

Max and both Agathas went into the kitchen after Howard.

Mercedes washed her face in the master bathroom then sat down at her vanity; seeing the stress of the morning on her own face.

Joon sat on the bed watching her.

Mercedes looked at her daughter in the mirror; realizing Joon wasn't the little girl she had always seen.

"Jooniper?" Mercedes began... then stopped.

"Are you okay, mum?" Joon asked her, worry etched her elfin face.

"No, not really," Mercedes turned to her daughter.

"Neither am I," Joon nodded, "I'm not cut out for invasions."

"I don't think anyone is cut out for them, but no one asked us, did they?" Mercedes asked.

"It seems we stuck our foot in it with the Kintark," Joon reflected.

Mercedes' expression darkened, "Federation leadership has made some very poor choices."

"I hope you don't think less of me for my choices." Joon pouted.

"What brought that on darling?" Mercedes looked questioning at Joon.

"I know you never really approved of Max and I," Joon looked down at the floor.

Mercedes gasped, "Oh darling, you're very mistaken and I am so sorry I ever gave you that impression."

Joon looked into Mercedes eyes, "I remember how you reacted when I was fawning over Max at sixteen."

"But you were sixteen: that is exactly what one does at sixteen." Mercedes half smiled.

"Now you two are ten years married, and I couldn't be happier for you both."

Joon looked unconvinced, "I know you were interested in grandchildren."

"Well, yes," Mercedes confessed, "Every mother thinks about those, you know."

Joon nodded, "It's a little different for Max and I, mum."

"You were always a little different darling, and that's perfectly acceptable, that is exactly what makes you... who you are." Mercedes smiled.

Joon looked into her mother's eyes, gathering her resolve, took a deep breath and said, "Mum, Max and I are also with Agatha now."

Mercedes just smiled in response.

Joon blinked, "You knew!"

Mercedes nodded," Yes, of course I knew! It was obvious. You might as well have shouted it from the rooftop."

Joon's jaw dropped.

"Sweetheart, you and Max have been inseparable for a decade, then you bring this girl home, and you both sit with... one of her... on top of each other..."

Joon pursed her lips in thought, "Yes... I suppose that was pretty blatant."

Joon looked curious, "What do you think of her?"

"I honestly don't know her yet, Joon darling, but I trust your judgment more than you give me credit for." Mercedes turned back to the mirror and winked at Joon in it's reflection.

"She is really special mum, Max and I agree she's worth it." Joon watched her mother in the mirror.

Mercedes noded, "Max did agree that she was Agatha's guardian: Max wouldn't do that capriciously."

Joon nodded, "Max tends to be meticulous while I'm the mercurial daughter," almost talking to herself.

"Joon, you and Max make a brilliant couple; you compliment each other wonderfully." Mercedes reflected.

"Agatha is lucky to be with such a team." Mercedes smiled.

Joon beamed with her mother's approval.

She stood up from her vanity while still devoid of cosmetics, "I could just murder a cup of tea."

Joon giggled and followed her mother down stairs.

---

Max had followed Howard into the kitchen and she leaned across the island while glancing at the Agathas still in the doorway of the kitchen.

Max nodded and looked at the breakfast nook and Agatha wandered over there and sat down as she began watching Howard fill a large kettle.

Howard was a very quiet, thoughtful man; but seeing him cry during the holofeeds of the invasion had changed Max's perception of him.

He was human: just like her.

"Howard?" Max asked.

That one word was enough: he had just put the kettle on and slowly turned around.

Max had never seen this man look so vulnerable. She walked around the island and wrapped her arms around his massive shoulders.

Yes, Howard was a marine; and had inspired Max to be a marine.

He was still only human.

Howard gently returned the hug with massive paws. Howard released the hug and looked into Max's soft brown eyes.

Max looked into Howard's eyes; they reminded her of chips of obsidian.

"So you're a sensei now," Howard said softly: it was not a question.

"Does she know the kata?" That was definitely a question.

Max nodded, "She does."

Howard slowly shifted his gaze to the breakfast nook, "I would like to see."

Both Agatha's eyes widened.

Max smiled as Howard turned off the kettle. The four of them walked slowly, purposefully, almost in ritualistic steps to the dojo. The dojo was open air; but it was kept immaculate.

Agatha took off her shoes and then the loose fitting blouse. When Agatha started taking off skirts, Max had to stop her. Max thought she saw Howard smirk, but she might have been mistaken.

Howard was aware of Max's habit of performing the kata nude.

Howard knelt at the center of the rise at the northern end: the master's place, to observe.

Max knelt next to and behind: as a student or visiting master would.

Max nodded to Agatha.

Both of the Agathas walked to the center keeping exact distance and in step.

Max nodded again and both Agathas bowed in perfect synchronicity and they both then began the kata.

While watching, Max was reminded why this kata was so important. It held every tenet of this art and, like chess, the basic moves were easy to learn; but the act of performing the kata showed levels of skill, balance, power, and understanding.

Agatha was only a novice, yet she performed the kata on an equal skill level with Max.

Max saw Howards stoney gaze: he wasn't watching one thing; he was watching all of it. He was absorbing the information Agatha was telling him.

Then the kata finished.

Howard only had one suggestion and it was not even a correction of form; and Max realized Howard was telling Max, not Agatha. Howard saw the slight edge-turn of Max's kata in her students.

Max was amazed the deference Howard afforded her as a sensei. Howard motioned for Agatha to come forward to the rise. Speaking to Max, Howard turned, in his soft voice, said, "Please allow me the honor of instructing the students of my student."

Max's eyes stung a little as she witnessed the respect he showed her: she had never heard Howard speak that way before.

"Of course Sensei," Max managed to say without breaking, "We would be most honored."

Howard stood, removing the long robe and then removing his shirt. His wide bare feet walked him to the center of his own dojo. Howard Smith was a 9th dan Grand Master of over thirty years. He motioned for both Agathas to stand behind him and follow his rendition of the Kata.

He bowed, and the kata began.

His form was flawless, he flowed like a force of nature: his balance and power put Max in awe. He was massively built and still so graceful: describing him as a quiet brick wall wasn't very far from reality.

As a close combat instructor, Sergeant Major Howard Smith taught marines how to tear people apart for three decades before he retired eighteen years ago.

Howard was almost seventy years old, but looked less than fifty.

Both Agatha's attention was glued to every nuanced aspect of Howard's kata, faithfully reproducing on their first attempt his grace, power, and skill. It was breathtaking.

Max never got tired of seeing Howard perform the kata; it was like watching a sunrise, or listening to a thunderstorm. It was over before Max realized.

Howard bowed.

Howard and Agathas redressed.

Agatha was still absorbing every subtle nuance and emotion: recording in her sponge of a mind Howard's entire rendition of his kata and his bearing. Howard stopped in front of the rise, and softly said. "I believe I was going to make tea."

---

As Joon turned on the kettle, Mercedes sat at the breakfast nook and watched as Howard, Max and the two Agatha's walked in from the back yard.

Mercedes smirked at her husband, "Oh, I think someone got to unwind in the dojo."

Howard walked up to his beautiful wife and kissed her gently on the cheek.

Mercedes actually blushed. She then gracefully directed Agatha with a smile and a hand to join her at the nook.

Joon hugged her father, "Did Agatha pass muster, daddy?"

Howard just nodded affirmatively and smiled as he began preparing the large tea pot.

Mercedes studied the two Agatha's, marveling at the independent articulation of the two girls who shared the one mind.

"Agatha, darling," Mercedes began, capturing their collective attention, "Were you born with two bodies?"

Joon joined the nook, interested in Agatha's response to her mother's question.

Agatha explained what she knew of her species and their life cycle, her unfortunate encounters with nefarious circumstances and her rescue and imprinting with Max.

"So you have four bodies right now?" Mercedes inquired, "How many can you have?"

Agatha had no idea what the upper limit would be.

"Remarkable." Mercedes looked amazing and enthused.

As Agatha concluded her narrative, Howard had finished making tea and everyone took a moment of relaxation and reflection.

Joon eyed her mother who was lost in thought: she knew Mercedes delighted in just these kinds of discoveries.

When tea was finished Max and Howard cleaned up.

Eventually the Smiths returned to the family room but no one was eager to return to the carnage that awaited them. They were pulled there, however, by a force they could not resist.

Howard was the one to perform the difficult and thankless task of turning on the holonet once again.

Agatha knew what awaited them, as she had never ceased witnessing the unmitigated brutality of the invasion of Terra, silent tears began to stain her faces immediately.

The overall scope of the battlespace was very one sided.

Terran forces did not have the same resilience as their Kintark adversaries and now, with only pockets of resistance, the Kintark invasion appeared to be a foregone conclusion.

Then a single feed showed something different as elegant golden shapes appeared out of hyperwarp at the edge of the battle. They held themselves in formation: aesthetically beautiful ships whose lines were only rivaled by the mighty display of armament that dared the foolhardy. It was like something out of a dream.

Then another feed picked up the image, then another. The spearhead formation of the new fleet was centered on three large ships which were surrounded by a cloud of smaller ones

Jooniper looked upon the golden hulls with crystal domes with confusion, "Who the fuck are they?"

Mercedes laid her hand gently on Joons shoulder for the use of profanity, but Joon remained oblivious.

Howard and Max stared wide eyed at the sight, both turning to look at each other and dreadfully whispered the same thing at the same time. "Maliri."

"Wait, what?" Joon exclaimed.

"Those are Maliri," Max reaffirmed, Howard nodding in agreement.

Joon just sputtered, "The Androids?"

Mercedes answered, "We don't know what they look like darling, the Maliri being androids is just a wild theory."

Then the holo feeds lit up with three massive white beams of unstoppable energy: instantly destroying every ship they touched.

Those massive beams dissipated and only scattered remnants of the hapless Kintark vessels remained. Decisively showing who the Maliri were here to assist.

Two feeds changed abruptly from the elegant golden hulled Maliri ships ravaging Kintark formations, to a single white battlecruiser incoming at unbelievable speed.

Every feed abruptly flared out then refocused: all to the same scene...

A partially demolished Citadel, seat of power of the Terran Federation Government.

"Holy fucking shit!" Joon exclaimed. Mercedes just stared, slack jawed.

Emerging from a massive hole that had recently been burrowed into the structure was a colossal draconic form.

Mercedes spoke, "Is...Is that...a dragon?" her question barely asked.

The live feed was broadcast via hyper pulse generator all over Federation space.

The black scaled draconic titan held something in its massive claw, it only took a moment for the image to focus, It was a flailing man screaming in terror.

The man was easily recognized: his uniform was completely askew for all his futile attempts of escape: Fleet Admiral Vincent Buckingham was a mere toy in the grip of this medieval monster.

The Dragon's deep rumbling laughter drowned out the Fleet Admiral's fearful cries. "NOW BEAR WITNESS, PEOPLE OF THE TERRAN FEDERATION!" the majestic creature boomed, his thunderous voice carrying over the battlefield. "I AM BALEDRANAX, EMPEROR OF THE KINTARK EMPIRE! I HOLD YOUR VAUNTED LEADER IN MY FIST, JUST LIKE THE KINTARK EMPIRE HOLDS YOUR HOMEWORLD AT OUR MERCY!"

The Emperor held Buckingham aloft then slowly squeezed his hand shut, the Fleet Admiral's cries of fear turning into agonised screams. Blood seeped between Baledranax's armoured fingers and Buckingham thrashed one final time before flopping lifelessly in the dragon's clenched fist. Baledranax's huge maw twisted into a sneer of contempt and the Emperor hurled the Fleet Admiral's broken body across the battlefield.

"HOW PATHETIC... A PUNY LEADER OF A WEAK AND CORRUPT SPECIES," the dragon bellowed, his look of disdain obvious to all. "THE TERRAN FEDERATION IS BROKEN. THE KINTARK EMPIRE CLAIMS YOUR WORLDS AND YOU WILL NOW SERVE YOUR IMMORTAL EMPEROR!"

The holofeed abruptly ended.

It was completely silent in the Smith family room, it stayed that way for a long, long time.

Max could only think of every time she held her wife close to her as she did now, embraced by both that were two parts of the girl they allowed only recently into their hearts.

Howard carefully held his precious wife in his arms, strong arms that he knew could not protect her from this tragedy, Mercedes was catatonic.

Joon only wept in Max's arms, mewling in sorrow.

As suddenly as the holofeeds had cut out, they reappeared

A hazy stormcloud covered the battlefield and lightning forked through the skies above the Citadel.

Then lightning flashed again, and again. A massive Kintark ship was suddenly wreathed in bright electricity and it fell from the sky.

The Smith family stared, unable to respond, they could only witness.

The handheld cam image bobbed as the operator changed angle to what looked like flaming humanoid figures running across the battlefield immolating Kintark troopers one at a time.

Eventually the figures began running in a huge circle on the broken ground with Kintark troopers shooting at them; but they were unable to wound the flameform apparitions.

The circle wound tighter and a wall of flame began to appear. The circular wall grew taller and still kept moving inwards as it continued growing brighter and hotter.

Kintark soldiers began to flee and the now whirling vortex of flame began to move like a tornado.

Like a hellspawn cyclone, it tore across the battlefield charging and engulfing Kintark troops and armor alike as everything it sucked into its maw just fed the flames.

The single feed changed to a shot of the Invictus in the space battle tearing through Kintark ships in a continuous barrage of deadly weapons fire.

Howard spoke softly, but everyone one could hear his baritone voice. "The Lion stands: and all who stand against him shall wither and die."

Mercedes reached up and touched her husband's cheek, Howard gazed into her eyes and smiled.

A single feed showed the Lion's Mech attacking a whole fleet of capital ships: initially butchering a Kintark battleship whose companions had formed a row while bombarding Unity City in an obvious attempt at eradicating the massive civilian population.

The Mech: It went from one to the next, crippling and or lobotomizing the massive ships one at a time. The remaining number turned to open fire on their sister ship in an attempt to destroy the tiny, deadly threat. But they only succeeded in improving the Mech's kill ratio.

Six more feeds came online, all from different angles. The colossal draconic figure stalked towards a man in a white suit of power armor.

"The Lion!" Max announced to the captive audience of the Smith family room.

"YOU DID SAY THIS WOULD BE OVER QUICKLY, LION," the Kintark Emperor boomed, his rumbling voice full of scorn. "I HAD HOPED YOU MIGHT MAKE FOR AN INTERESTING CHALLENGE... ALAS, YOU ARE JUST AS PATHETIC AS BUCKINGHAM..."

The massive beast lunged, swiping with claws just catching a dodging Lion with edges across his armor sending him flying back with terrific force, crashing into ruins and out the other side; cartwheeling across the ruined landscape and eventually stopping at a broken wall with a clamor where he dropped to the ground.

Baledranax climbed over the ruined bunker, the partially demolished walls collapsing under his great weight. "ANY LAST WORDS, LION? BILLIONS ARE WATCHING YOUR DEMISE... PERHAPS YOU SHOULD APOLOGISE TO THE TERRAN FEDERATION FOR FAILING THEM SO BADLY?"

A collective gasp filled the room.

The Kintark Emperor rose up for the killing blow. The Lion moved into a crouch looking like he was flailing in pain.

"TIME TO DIE, LION!" The dragon bellowed.

Somehow the Lion dodged away from the massive striking claws. The Lion's melee weapon suddenly appeared in his hands and with unearthly strength he swung that incredible blade across the dragons talons. The sword cleaving through the black plates covering them and pinning the great paw to the ground. The Lion then roared as he began using his rifle like a pistol, unloading it along the dragons forearm.

The Emperor roared in pain as bright yellow blood splashed freely from the shredded limb. The massive beast jerked his arm back and the Lion rode that momentum; going up over the dragon's shoulder he narrowly avoided those huge jaws. Somehow the Lion was able to somersault with his rifle still trained on his target and he then fired at the Emperors back.

The massive beast spun, whipping a fast strike and took the Lion out of the air, sending him flying into more ruins.

"YOU'RE ONLY DELAYING THE INEVITABLE, LION!" The dragon raged.

There was a distinct crack sound as the beast looked over it's own shoulder at the damage the Lion had done to it's back.

The brilliant white blade shot away from the Kintark Emperor's massive paw, right into the waiting hand of the Lion.

"We could have been allies, Baledranax," The Lion spoke, his ornate two handed sword dripping with dragon's blood, "We could have worked together against a common foe..." The Lion's sword was instantly enveloped in an unearthly blue flame, "But you've chosen your fate now..."

The family room of the Smith household erupted in pure elation.

The Emperor bared its teeth, "YOU AND YOUR TERRAN FEDERATION ARE WEAK AND PATHETIC. BOTH OF YOU ARE NOTHING BUT PREY FOR MORE POWERFUL PREDATORS."

The beast leveled the ship class plasma cannons at the Lion and fired

John Blake charged the beast and, as it tried to compensate, he began zig zagging and running up it's own long limb; hacking into the dragons armor, brilliant blue flames burning to the the Kintark Emperor.

With a following dismount while avoiding a swiping paw, the Lion carved off a long claw from the dragon. Dodging in the opposite direction the Lion leveled a massive blow removing the other forelimb at the wrist.

Yellow blood and blue flames in equal parts patterned the Kintark Emperor.

The Lion said something inaudible to the dragon.

The beast actually began to back away. "YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR STRENGTH, LION... PERHAPS IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CONSIDER AN ALLIANCE?"

The Lion's eyes actually started glowing blue, "Don't be ridiculous, it's far too late. You need to pay for the atrocities you've committed; the massacre in the Dragon March and the bombing of Unity City..."

Before the Lion could finish listing war crimes, the massive form of the Kintark Emperor crouched and leapt into the sky. "YOU WILL REGRET SPURNING MY OFFER, LION. BUT THIS ISN'T OVER YET AND ONLY THE VICTOR GETS TO JUDGE HIS ENEMIES!"

Immediately the airborne dragon came under fire from Lionesses employing their deadly and powerful weapons, tearing through the dragon's shields in only seconds.

With no shields to protect vulnerable wings, the vicious Lioness' weaponry chewed through wings, armor and flesh. No longer airworthy, the mighty Kintark Emperor plummeted hundreds of meters. Crashing to the surface of the world he had invaded with a cataclysmic sound.

The Lion simply walked to where the once mighty dragon lay, half embedded in the broken ground.

At the Lions approach it growled a low pitch sound, raising its head enough to glower in a hate filled rage. "ENJOY YOUR HOLLOW VICTORY, LION. YOU MIGHT HAVE DEFEATED ME, BUT THESE WOUNDS ARE JUST A TEMPORARY IRRITATION AND WILL HEAL IN TIME. THE TERRAN FLEETS HAVE BEEN SMASHED, MY OWN FORCES TRIUMPHANT..." The dragon paused in it's misplaced bravado, "I WILL GRANT YOU SAFE PASSAGE FROM WHAT USED TO BE THE TERRAN FEDERATION IN EXCHANGE FOR MY FREEDOM."

The Lion just tilted his head, "That's a generous offer, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

The dragon sneered at him with derision. "MY FLEETS WILL-"

The Lion interrupted, his tone calm and even. "Your fleets have been wiped out almost to a ship."

"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE..."

The Lion responded while watching the dragons face, "I brought the Maliri with me...

"NO..." The dragon gasped, trying to right itself on the broken ground, "NOOOO!"

The Lion lunged forward and punched the dragon, bits of shattered scales flew from blow "You were used as a pawn, Baledranax. Your ally played you for a fool and your stupidity in believing him has cost the Kintark Empire everything."

"IT'S NOT OVER! I'LL KILL YOU, YOU MISERABLE INSECT!" The unhinged dragon roared.

Grasping his sword in a two-handed grip, The Lion stared into the dragon's eyes and intoned, "For war crimes against humanity, I sentence you to death, Baledranax."

Before the dragon could respond, Vice Admiral John Blake drove that magical blade wreathed in brilliant blue flame into the dragon's throat: it was consumed in that azure pyre within moments.

The entire Smith family now cried with tears of relief, there were no words now for how they felt, the words would come later.

Howard Smith carefully helped his beloved wife back into her chair and said softly, "Relax there my love, I'm going to make some delicious food for everyone."

Max kissed Joon deeply as Agathas hugged them.

Mercedes just smiled at her four lovely daughters.

After a while Mercedes coaxed Agatha upstairs to begin her education in the high art of cosmetics.

Joon beamed and Max smiled as they cuddled up on the loveseat together.

Leaning her head on Max's shoulder, Joon asked, "What's going to happen to you, Max?"

Max blinked at Joon's question, "Shit, Joon, I have no idea, I've never been 'off the reservation' before."

Max started thinking about it, "I will probably be court martialed and imprisoned, or even executed."

Joon's face immediately crumpled, but she managed to not cry, "Why would they execute you?"

Max's face softened, "Breaking serious laws have serious consequences."

"But, you did nothing wrong, you didn't kill anyone." Joon sputtered.

Max's lips thinned, unable to explain, "I didn't follow protocol, and I let Agatha out of containment."

"Thats crazy, you saved her life!," Argued Joon.

Pain etched Max's face, "I don't think they will see it that way, my love."

Joon's elfin face twisted in frustration, "Then we need to make sure they don't find out what you did."

"Sweetheart, I can't run away from this, that's not who I am," Max pleaded with her tiny wife.

"You're too damned honest, Max." Joon's face creased in pain.

Max gazed anxiously into Joon's grass-green eyes, "What would you have me do, Jooniper?"

"Let me think about it: don't go marching off to your execution just yet, Okay?"

Joon's face relaxed as Max agreed to wait to make any decisions.

Max and Joon retrieved some fresh clothing from their hover car and washed up in the tiny 'kids' bathroom adjacent to their old room in the house.

During that time, Agatha had learned a great deal about cosmetics from Mercedes.

Looking very different from each other, one Agatha had a crimson hued eyeshadow with a black mascara and eyeliner, the other was done similarly; but in a brilliant azure.

Agatha explored the room Max and Joon had shared in their teens, It was small, but cozy.

An hour later the Smith family sat around the resplendent table in the coveted dining room.

Howard had thrown together two Quiche Lorraines with an Arugula Cashew Pesto Salad. Everyone complimented Howard on the food after inhaling the meal. He quietly bowed and smiled.

Mercedes studied Joon and Max, "Do you know what you're going to do next, Max?"

"I'm not sure..." Max replied hesitantly, "Joon and I are discussing it."

Mercedes nodded, "If there is anything we can do to assist you..." she smiled and left the offer as it was, when Howard nodded his agreement.

Joon stared off into thin air, deep in thought. Both Agathas watched her thinking, tasting the emotions at play.

Howard glanced at Mercedes who was observing her biological daughter ponder something.

"You're not going back, not after what the Lion did for you." Joon announced.

Mercedes and Howard looked at Joon with vacant faces. So Joon explained that the Lion and the Lionesses destroyed the assassins guild and sent all the information to the authorities on who hired them.

The Lion had gotten justice for Deirdre, and so Max didn't need to be in the TFMC anymore and could resign and live quietly on Jericho.

"Max, have you contacted your command directly?" Joon asked, glancing at Max.

"Not yet," Max replied nervously, "I only looked in the..." She stopped.

Joon raised an eyebrow, "The what?"

Max tried to explain about the backdoor network.

"Dark Corners," Howard said softly.

"You know about that?" Max's eyebrows raised in surprise.

Howard chuckled softly, "It is a poorly kept secret."

So Max explained how she was able to find out about the Kintark invasion and the admiralty's covert preparations for it.

Mercedes and Joon both looked angry.

Howard looked disappointed.

Agatha felt those emotions. They were not on the same scale as the ones she felt during the invasion; but it was another flavor she did not enjoy.

"Can you return to the 'dark corners' to recon the admiralty?" Agatha asked, trying to apply concepts she fully understood.

Max blinked.

Joon smiled, "That's brilliant!"

Max shook her head, "I would place this family in jeopardy if the admiralty did a backtrace."

Howard looked thoughtful.

Then Agatha said, "The syscom ID on the corvette isn't listed."

The entire table looked at the two Agathas.

She shrugged together, "I have run full diagnostics on all applications aboard the corvette."

Howard gazed at Max with an awed expression and softly said, "You're a ghost."

Joon and Mercedes looked at Howard with confusion.

Mercedes asked, "What does that mean, darling?"

Howard explained in his soft baritone how Max was officially listed as special forces, but she was in fact something else.

There were rumors of an unlisted division in the TFN that did things very quietly: some rather nasty things, including 'grey' and 'black' operations.

No one in the division would be open to discuss it, or anything surrounding it. Max would be held accountable under the official secrets act, and could be executed for treason.

Joon stared at Max, "That's why you never told me about that nanoweave stuff... you couldn't."

Max stayed silent with her head bowed eyes looking down at the crumbs on her plate.

Max sat very still, her mind racing, if her family found out about all the horrific things she had done in the name of the Federation, she would lose their love forever.

Howard said softly, "I understand. I knew a long time ago what lengths you would go to in your quest to get justice for Deirdre."

A teardrop fell on to Max's plate, then another.

Mercedes quietly stood and walked around the table to stand next to Max's chair, she gently laid her hand on Max's shoulder. Agatha sat silent, tears streaming down her faces ruining her makeup as she felt the torture of Max's total self-condemnation.

Mercedes inhaled, "You are one of us, you will always be one of us, no matter what you have done. We love you."

Max didn't move: her plate was filling with tears. Years of black op kills filling her mind's vision.

Joon just stared at her, "You've done some really bad things, haven't you?"

Max just nodded, unable to speak.

Joon bit her lip, "Did you do them because you wanted to... or did you do them because it was your job?"

Max looked up a little, seeing Joon through the tears.

"That's what I thought," Joon smiled and, with tears of her own streaming down her cheeks, she eased her chair back and went over wrapping her arms around her wife.

"I love you Max, with all of my heart." Joon kissed Max on the cheek.

Howard sniffed, softly speaking. "Ghost or not, you will always be my daughter, I love you too."

The Smiths contemplated Max's revelation and confession as they cleared the table together.

Max washed every dish. Howard dried them and put them away. In the kitchen Howard rubbed his adoptive daughter in law's shoulder, knowing it would be a long time before Max would reconcile over her career decisions.

The bright yellow star known as Epsilon Eridani was setting for the Smiths on the planet Jericho.

Max and Joon watched as Agathas hugged and kissed her new parents goodbye, then they followed suit.

They all promised to keep everyone in the loop now that so much was out in the open between all of them.

Max brought the hover car to altitude and tapped in the range as their destination and the hover car slowly gained velocity.

"I hope you can forgive me, someday." Max said quietly.

"Max! Quit that!" Joon fussed, "I get it... I really do... so you're NOT going to wallow in this for the rest of your life and make us miserable."

"Did you learn all the things you needed to get justice for Deirdre?" Joon inquired.

Max nodded.

"Then, as long as you're not going back, I am satisfied."

"You did a hard job, orders of magnitude harder than I thought it was." Joon continued.

Joon turned Max's head and kissed her, "So stop thinking I can't handle you... little miss 'I am not all pure and noble.'"

Agatha was quiet in the back seat, but they both laid a hand on Max's shoulders in a show of solidarity.

The quiet forest in twilight was disturbed by the hovercar descending to land next to the corvette as it stood adjacent to the archery range.

Max hopped out to thumb open the cargo bay door.

Ten steps before she could reach it the doors began to open.

Agatha then disengaged her nanoweave and Max just stopped, "Oh shit, Agatha, I am so sorry you're still out here!"

Agatha smiled, "That's alright, you've had a lot on your mind."

Joon giggled as she pulled out the garment bag.

The other two Agathas started carrying cases and bags into the ship. Max carried the two heavy duffels up to the command cabin.

Twenty minutes or so later Max found herself sitting in the command seat on the bridge.

Joon was putting her clothes up, with two Agathas assisting her.

Max glanced at Agatha sitting at the pilots station, she really could multitask.

"Ags, what's going on in the Sol system? Give me a sit-rep please?" Max asked.

Agatha turned in her chair and updated Max on the mop-up procedures, reported safety hazards in Unity City, and rescue operations in hundreds of locations in the Sol system.

Max nodded, trying to fathom such operations, it was going to be a long time before the Terran Federation would recover from this.

Then Agatha updated Max on the Kirrix incursions beginning to take place on the periphery.

Max was shocked: those were countless more lives now in peril from just one order of the deceased Fleet Admiral.

Max decided to check some of the TFN boards and chat rooms.

A plethora of glowing praises to the Lion and the Lionesses followed with a surprising number of scathing reviews of the TFN admiralty.

Of the holofeeds of the aftermath of the almost successful invasion, two stories in particular were especially prolific.

Lioness Rachel Voss: 'The Angel of Terra', was shown healing the wounded defenders on site at the Citadel.

Vice Admiral John "The Lion" Blake's melee combat with the Kintark Emperor was on a continuous loop every news cycle.

Max was tempted to peek into 'dark corners'.

She wasn't sure if it was worth the risk, but she needed information on Int Ops.

Max again centered her resolve and logged into the account and entered dark corners.

Max, as Ms_Muffit, first went to the chatroom where previously there were hundreds of users.

It was completely deserted.

Max navigated Ms_Muffit through a long series of maze-like structures, checking every chat room she could find. Max spent ten minutes in dark corners, never seeing another user. the boards and posts logs were completely blank.

Dark Corners had been sterilized.

Max went to the log out, suddenly overcome with an eerie feeling.

Max logged Ms_Muffit out.

---

Joon smiled, satisfied with all the clothes she had in the once forlorn closet.

Her shoes were also on display below, she glanced at the two pairs of Max's shoes that she brought: her running trainers and a pair of sleek black suede heeled half-boots.

Joon was well aware that Max hated heels; but Joon hoped she would one day get her towering wife into some sexy boots. Agatha was helping Joon set up the closet and was appreciating the variety of clothing Joon owned. Joon pulled out a lacey diaphanous white baby doll lingerie ensemble.

Agatha recognized it immediately

Joon smiled, misinterpreting the reaction.

"Would you like to see me in this?" Joon asked.

Agatha smiled, "I already have."

Joon's confusion was brief as she figured out how Agatha could have seen her.

"So Max was dreaming of me wearing this?"

Agatha nodded together, "Max was enjoying that lingerie on you very much."

Joon briefly looked off into nothing, a naughty smile forming on her face. Joon sighed happily, smooching Agatha on the cheek in turn. "Just wait until you look into my dreams, and what I want to do with you."

Both Agathas smiled broadly.

Joon peered at Agatha, "Are you still on patrol?"

Agatha nodded, "Yes, it seemed like a good idea."

Joon frowned, "It's late, come in and let's get her washed up, I bet you're tired."

Both Agathas adopt a look of endearment.

Joon and the two Agathas met up with the combat suited Agatha in the armory. With all the extra hands, she was quickly divested of nanoweave, armor, and munitions.

Joon saw how ill fitting the black body sleeve was.

"Fuck, Ags, you're swimming in that, we'll just have to get you something that fits correctly." Joon dragged all three of the Agathas to the flight crew quarters where all of them stripped down and started laundry.

Joon went into the FCQ bathroom and turned on the showers, walking into delightfully warm waters and three Agathas joined her for a long bathing session where every nook and cranny was well cleaned and spotless.

Joon emerged from the bathroom giggling and flopped down nude in one of the bunks.

Agathas all sauntered out, one cuddling up to Joon on each side and one at her feet.

Joon's half-lidded eyes peered at the Agatha at her feet, She then slowly spread her legs and crooked her finger at the Agatha.

Joon giggled at the obviously slow decent letting it increase her anticipation.

"Wait," Joon gasped, "show me your tongue."

Agatha opened her mouth and slowly stuck out her tongue.

Joon watched it, panting. "All the way."

Agatha's tongue was easily nine inches long beyond her lips.

Joon just moaned and she was just beside herself, "Oh Ags, please fuck me with that beautiful tongue."

Agatha licked all over Joons vulva as Joon lifted her thin legs to her chest and framed her huge breasts. Her flexible body allowed Joon to put her feet behind her own head. She stared at Agatha as the alien drove her incredible tongue deep into Joon's vagina.

Joon squealed in delight, feeling her girlfriend licking inside her. Panting and crying in ecstasy, Joon was in heaven as the other two Agatha began to suckle at her nipples.

Joon came in seconds, covering Agatha's face in her juices. Agatha just closed her eyes and kept going.

Agatha next to Joon whispered in her ear, "I did see your dreams last night."

Joon gasped as Agatha between her legs began circling her puckered rosebud with a middle finger, already soaked with Joons juice.

"Yes, oh fuck, yes," Joon panted still recovering from her first orgasm.

Agatha gently drove her middle finger into Joons primed and hungry anus. Joon immediately bucked, as the long tongue and stiff finger worked in tandem.

---

Agatha glanced back at Max but Max didn't return the glance and instead raised an eyebrow.

"I'm fucking Joon." Agatha confessed.

Max blinked then looked at her, "Where?"

"In her vagina with my tongue, and her ass with my finger." Agatha accurately reported.

Max smirked, "I meant what compartment."

Agatha blinked, "Oh, sorry, in the flight crew quarters."

Max immediately got up and headed down to take a look.

Agatha followed.

Max peered around the doorway and saw her petite wife being serviced by three Agathas. Max just stared. The Agatha that followed her wrapped an arm around her waist, "Is this okay Max?"

Max looked down at her, "Oh goodness, yes, absolutely, I've never seen anything so amazing! She looks like she is in heaven."

"How about you?" Agatha's eyes gazed into Max's soft brown eyes.

"Uh," Max blinked as Agatha undid her civvy pants.

Max closed her eyes as Agatha pulled her into a kiss. She slowly stripped out of half her clothes: her pants and panties lay on the deck.

Agatha knelt in the doorway and Max lifted one leg and held it with her hand. Agatha put her shoulder under that leg and began licking, sucking and kissing Max's pussy.

Max, through hooded eyes, watched her adorable wife orgasm again while she rode Agatha's tongue herself.

Almost an hour later Max found herself holding Joon in the shower of the FCQ, with three Agathas gently bathing them both.

Max's vulva was just slightly sore and she was grateful that Agatha was so very gentle as she bathed her guardian.

Max smiled her appreciation.

Joon looked incredibly satisfied, and walked only a little gingerly through the FCQ and continued on to the command cabin.

Max started picking up her discarded clothing and Agatha helped.

"Thank you, sweetheart" Max smiled.

Agatha nodded with a smile, "My pleasure, honey."

Max blinked

Agatha's eyes went wide, "Too much?"

Max smiled lovingly at Agatha, "No sweetheart, just unexpected."

Agatha smiled.

They continued to the command cabin and saw Joon was already quite unconscious on the bed.

Max carefully gathered her diminutive sleeping wife in her left arm and Joon instinctively cuddled in.

Agatha cuddled in on the left and looked at Max, who raised an eyebrow.

"I want you to know how much I appreciate you letting me into your life, I love you."

Max nodded, "You're welcome Ags, I love you too."

Agatha pulled up the duvet and cuddled in.

Drifting slowly into slumber Max couldn't fathom how lucky she was.