Chapter 311

Deep Space

Almost certain of the answer, Dave asked the AI, anyway, "Surely, there's some way to track them? Some way to determine which way they went?"

"As you know, we can detect the ascension to warp and the breakout for a normally functioning warp drive out to approximately one light minute, but there is no known way to determine direction once a ship has achieved warp. However, I did detect an abnormality to their warp signature. As expected, their drive appears to be badly out of synchronization ... and we know that the aliens have been repeatedly testing it, most probably in their efforts to synchronize it." There was a slight hesitation before the AI went on, "Consequently, my data indicates that the drive will not be able to sustain warp for an extended period of time, perhaps, no more than one or two minutes." Again, there was a slight hesitation, "A warp drive that is not perfectly synchronized is very likely to tear itself apart – explosively – and that should be detectable at a much greater distance, as evidenced by our first detection of the aliens."

"So, if the drive blows, we'll probably know, but if it doesn't we don't have a clue about the direction they have taken," Dave summed up as he let out a sigh.

"Essentially, yes," the AI agreed.

Evie looked over at her mate, then back at the forward screen. They had become accustomed to working with AI's during the simulator training. She knew that Ship's AI's were quickly becoming more accustomed to humans, and their interface was changing to a more normal manner – normal for humans. "Uh, did I detect a 'but' in there somewhere?" she asked the artificial intelligence.

With a raised eyebrow, Dave looked over at her, but before he could voice his question, the AI responded. "I once would have given numerical probabilities based on my calculations, but Ship has altered my programming so that I might better interact with your species, not only in the utilization of your spoken language rather than of our normal mode of communication, but I am also forced to use more general terms to report the probability of certain occurrences happening." There was an underlying tone that suggested he did not totally agree with Ship on the matter. "Therefore, in response to your comment/question regarding the direction taken by the alien ship: Indeed, my instruments are incapable of determining the alien ship's route or destination, but ... considering the poorly functioning drive and the alien's mining of the asteroid belt, I surmise there is a strong probability that they would maintain close proximity to the source of minerals they have been mining."

"So, you don't think they're heading to Earth?"

"Considering the status of their drive, that would be highly unlikely at present..." There was a hesitation, "Warp breakout detected," it announced. "I suggest that we proceed parallel to the asteroid belt using maneuvering thrusters only, while maintaining full stealth. The alien ship is less than a light minute away."

"Do it," the husband and wife team said in unison.

The Retreat

With the pulse rifle training that was ongoing for the women, plus Christmas day on the near horizon, the group's morning runs had not been as consistent as they had been in the past, but Sunday morning had begun at four A.M. for the three jogging down the driveway. Carter joined them with a greeting of, "Morning, Colonel, Ladies," as they turned onto the county road, the greeting exuberantly returned by Jeff and the two women.

A few minutes later, they made the first turn on the steep and winding mountain road, snow banked high along the sides from the snowplow. Jeff glanced over at the big man. He barely makes the minimum run requirement for the team, but excels at most of the other requirements. He would give his life for me or any other member of the team, not to mention any of my family. He's obviously concerned with his running, hence all the extra work he puts into becoming faster. Shit, he's as fit as any member of the team, but he's so big that running fast and dexterity of movement aren't ever going to be his strong points. But he's intelligent, gets along with his teammates, and, like everyone else on the team, I would trust him with my life – and have, for that matter. But I hate to see him struggling to maintain his requirements with the team.

{{{ You could enhance him }}} Little One said in his mind.

"And that would mean I would have to enhance the whole team. Then, what about Security? They train just as hard, and they're just as loyal as my team. Then, what about the troops at the base, or the other teams? Where would it end? And where would you be while you're enhancing all those people? I want you with me and my family. You were able to save Arlene because you were here. Had you been at the base, she would have died."

Little One didn't respond immediately, and the group jogged on down the mountain. As the miles slid by, Jeff's hearing picked up the change in Carter's breathing, although the big man was trying to conceal it. He's struggling, but he hasn't slacked up a bit. Dammit, he's never going to be a distance runner, but he walked/jogged for miles with a wounded buddy on his shoulder, and he wouldn't let anyone else carry him.

Moving closer to Carter, he slapped him on the shoulder. "Get in the van. We just passed the six mile point. You've done enough this morning."

"Respectfully, Sir," he gasped out, "I've got another mile in me. With your permission, I'll stop when that one's done."

Jeff opened his mouth to order him into the van, but hesitated. "One more, then the van."

"Yes, Sir."

Over the next hundred yards, the Prime began to gradually slow, but Carter picked up on it. "Respectfully, Sir, I either do it right, or I won't do it, period," he struggled out between breaths.

Jeff resumed speed, his mind in a turmoil. When they passed the seven mile marker, Carter moved to the side of the road and came to a stop, leaning forward, his hands on his knees as he gasped for breath. A few seconds later, he got in one of Security's vans. Jeff picked up the pace, Arlene and Kayla easily staying with him.

Arlene moved up beside her father. "He tries hard, Daddy, and he's improved a lot. He's just too big to be a distance runner."

"And we've been enhanced and he hasn't," Kayla added as she moved up to Jeff's other side.

Shit, he thought. There it is again. But I won't have Little One leaving the proximity of my family. And I won't have her tied up 24/7 enhancing people. What would be next? Her working in a hospital emergency room forever? How do I choose who lives and who dies? Who gets the use of the Healer and who doesn't? Then once word gets out, the government would be here to try to take her away from me. Then the politicians would get into it and they would control who gets enhanced and healed, and you can bet they would come first on that list.

Overhearing his thoughts, Little One responded. {{{ I would not obey them. I have been designed to be a Prime's Healer. I obey your orders. If your government took me – assuming they could – I would activate stasis. Nothing they could do would harm me and nothing they could do would make me obey them. }}}

"And if they took me and my family as hostages, what then?"

{{{ Ship would destroy the politicians }}} she responded with a mental sneer.

The miles slid slowly by, Kayla first dropping out to ride in the van, then Arlene. Without conscious thought, Jeff brought his pace up to what was comfortable for him, and ... impossible for anyone else.

{{{ Again, as we have discussed in the past, I suggest that you reactivate the troop Healers. Each of the teams could have one, as could Security. The troop Healers cannot achieve full enhancement as can I, but they could increase each trooper's capabilities as well as stabilize a combat casualty, in addition to healing minor wounds both on the battlefield and off. }}}

"And ... increase the chance of the public becoming aware of their presence," Jeff finished with a mental sigh. "And ... we're right back where we started."

Later, as he approached the bottom of the drive, Kayla and Arlene got out to jog up the steep incline with him. After the first turn, he dropped behind them so he could watch their asses as they climbed. Both women knew what he was doing and grinned at each other. Although they didn't realize it at the time, both thought in unison, What other man would be interested in pussy after just running thirty miles – particularly at the speed our husband did it?

Neither realized the irony of their wanting him just as much after jogging ten miles. All three walked the last hundred yards, Jeff in the middle with his arms around his wives.

In the big shower, both Arlene and Kayla tried to be good, knowing that breakfast would soon be on the table. Jeff had other ideas. As soon as the water was off, he helped dry each of his women, then as they were toweling their hair, his hands began to explore.

"Daddeee, Mom will be pissed if we're late for breakfast," Arlene scolded as he stood behind her and reached a hand around to cup her pussy. He liked that, so he cupped a breast with his other hand, massaging it and stroking a soon-turgid nipple.

Arlene, like her mother, was never far from an orgasm if Jeff had his hands on her. With a fingertip, he circled her clit, not quite touching it, then slid the finger inside her to gather moisture. With wetted fingertip, he again circled her clitoris, occasionally brushing it with a feather touch.

She leaned back against him, resistance – if there ever was any – instantly forgotten. Worry about being late for breakfast was no longer part of the equation. "Oh, Dadddeee," she whispered, again dragging out the word as his stimulation became stronger and her first orgasm thundered near. She tried to remain still, but her body bucked and her groin thrust rhythmically against his hand.

Kayla had not been idle while her husband pleasured Arlene. Pushing her breasts against his back, she reached around to slide a hand between the couple. Finding Jeff's cock wasn't difficult; it was already erect and tucked along the crack of his daughter's ass. Instead of trying to stroke him, Kayla cupped a hand around his balls and gently massaged them as Arlene's squirming continued to stimulate him.

When Arlene's second orgasm tapered off, she leaned forward, propping her hands on one of the seats made into the wall of the shower. Kayla, almost automatically, lined his cock up with her sister-wife's dripping entrance. A long, slow push and he was nestled in her to his balls, the head of his cock pressing against her womb.

"Oh, yeeessss," Arlene hissed out as she bucked back against her father's groin. "Fuck me, Daddy. Fuck meeee."

A little later, "Finish her, Baby," Kayla said. "I know they're waiting breakfast for us, but please save some of that wonderful cock for me. You know what watching you fuck her does to me."

Jeff increased his pace as his daughter began to whine, the whine growing louder as she rammed her ass back against him. Finally, with a piercing wail that seemed to echo off the walls, she thrashed her ass against him, her pussy spasming around his cock. Gasping, she shuddered one last time and collapsed. Expecting it, the Prime held her tightly until her pussy calmed, then extracted his still-hard cock. Gently, he propped his semiconscious daughter in a sitting position against the shower wall.