Triptych

by S. C. Mitchell

  “Are there tinfoil long-johns under your pants to match?” she asked, shooting him a suggestive wink.

  “To find that out, we’d definitely have to take this someplace a little more private.” His eyes narrowed. “And by the way, you passed the test as well. As soon as Mary and Carlos sign off on your other aspects, I’m ready to certify Triptych as a full member of Xi Force.”

  She took his hand, pulling him toward the door. “Then we should celebrate. I’ve a new bottle of Jameson’s I’ve been savin’ for this.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Why does that not surprise me?”

  ~ ~ ~

  Paul clinked his glass against Maggie’s. “Congratulations.”

  The burn of the liquor down his throat only added to the flame of passion smoldering in his gut.

  With the aliens gone and Guinevere eliminated, he’d determined he could take his time training Maggie. But she’d been determined to make the team. From now on she’d still be training, but not at the grueling pace he’d originally set.

  “An’ don’t you go givin’ me any slack,” she’d told him.

  He hadn’t. She’d earned her position on the team through grit and hard work. And Xi Force was the stronger for it.

  Still, there’d been precious little time for them.

  Now, if the world could leave them alone for a few weeks, they’d have time to explore this thing growing between them.

  Thing? Hell, this is love.

  He wasn’t afraid of the word or the implications, but he did want to make sure what they had was real and would last. He’d had a couple of relationships go bad, and they’d hurt worse than taking a bullet.

  Other women had burned hot, then burned out.

  Maggie was different. She smoldered, sparked, flared, then smoldered some more. Maybe it was because they’d been friends first, and that friendship went as deep as the affection. Or maybe they were simply right for each other. Soul mates.

  In any case, he knew. “I love you.”

  The smile broadened on her luscious lips. “I know.”

  She probably did. She knew him that well. Still, she could have said it back.

  “When did you become Han Solo?” he chided.

  “Look, princess, I’m not here for your rebellion, and I’m not here for you.” Her quirky smile had him captivated. “I expect to be well paid.”

  He raised an eyebrow even though the reference had him inwardly chuckling.

  Then she winked and added, “But I do accept kisses and stuff as legal tender.”

  He put his drink on the table and pulled her into his arms. “I happen to have a wealth of kisses and stuff reserved only for you.”

  He drank in her kiss, relishing the lushness of her body against his. He was still hard, from their contact in the gym. The new exoskeleton did a good job of containing his erection, but his cock was begging to be freed.

  “God, what you do to me,” he said when they separated.

  The exoskeleton was soft and supple. It reacted to outside impulses. If he was shot or punched, it would go steel-hard instantly on impact. It sensed his arms straining and reinforced the action all on its own. A pretty incredible piece of technology.

  He disconnected the top from the power pack on his belt, and pulled the shirt off.

  Maggie ran her hand down his chest and abdominals. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about.”

  “You did say kisses and stuff.”

  Her hand slipped lower, caressing his restricted erection. Her voice took on a huskier tone. “Yeah, stuff.”

  He toed off his boots and dropped his slacks. “We’ll need to unwrap these tinfoil long-john’s first.”

  Her fingers slid under the elastic at his waist. “Oh, let me. Let me.”

  His cock was so hard it popped from the exo-pants as she slid them down.

  On her knees in front of him, she curled her fingers around the hardened shaft. Then she kissed the tip.

  “Oh, God, you’re—” His statement was cut short by the apartment front door opening. The doorway was behind him, but the voice issuing forth was familiar. “Is this a private party, or can anybody join in.”

  Chapter 24

  Morgan leaned against the door frame. Morgana sat on her haunches in front of Paul, his cock in her hand, and her mouth looked ready to . . .

  Really?

  Well, Morgana had always been the more adventurous one. Taking things head on.

  Head on?

  She almost laughed.

  “Morgan,” Morgana said, chuckling. “Get in here and shut that door. I think there’s enough of Paul to go around.”

  Paul’s eyes widened. “M-Morgan, Morgana, I hadn’t even thought . . .”

  Morgana blushed. “You thinkin’ Morgause is gonna be pissed?”

  His gaze traveling between them, Paul gulped. “I . . . um . . . would this be considered cheating on her?”

  They hadn’t even thought about setting ground rules under these circumstances. Poor Paul. The last thing Morgan wanted was him conflicted.

  “Not cheatin’ because she’ll get the whole experience later when we recombine.” Morgan began to strip out of her costume. “I, on the other hand, don’t plan on standing back and just watchin’ you two go at it.”

  What she wanted was that cock Morgana was playing with, shoved between her legs. They’d have to work that out. She’d never been in a Ménage à trois before. Never even considered it. But with Morgana, it wouldn’t really be that, would it?

  Right now, she wanted whatever she could get of Paul. He looked good enough to eat.

  Struggling out of the last of her costume, she closed on him.

  Morgana wrapped her lips around his shaft and Paul groaned.

  We’ve never done that before, she sent, not sure about how she felt . . . or would feel about it once they recombined.

  Paul seems to like it.

  Twisting to the side, he took Morgan in his arms, kissing her deeply, seemingly surrendering into their no-ground-rules situation. He palmed her breast and flicked the nipple, sending a passionate spike through her core.

  Who cared what’s going on down there? She was doing just fine up here.

  Paul kissed, caressed, and fondled, lavishing his attentions on both of them. “I think this might go better if we took it to your bed,” he suggested.

  Hand in hand in hand, he pulled them toward the bedroom.

  Morgana took the opportunity to strip out of her costume while Paul tossed Morgan on the bed. “My turn.”

  He climbed between her legs and bent to draw the peak of her breast into his mouth. His tongue flicked and tortured her nipple and it tightened in response as orgasmic sparks lit up her core. He kissed his way down her torso as his fingers explored below.

  He spread her damp folds. His tongue glided along the slickness before he pulled her clitoris into his mouth, sucking gently. Her core clenched in response.

  “Oh, oh.” She could definitely get used to this. The man had more magic in his tongue than Morgan had in her whole celestial-powered body. And right now that body was thrumming with orgasmic waves that carried her up, up, and away.

  The incredible sensation of his mouth on her had her reeling in ecstasy. Passion crested with a soul-shattering orgasm that rocked her core like an erupting volcano. Wave after wave of passionate heat rolled over her.

  Paul slid up her body and held her as she quaked.

  “My turn,” Morgana said climbing onto the bed.

  Then another voice thundered from the doorway. “You started without me?”

  ~ ~ ~

  Sure, I spend a little extra time helping Mary check out Jimmy, and Morgan ends up quivering on the bed. Still, Morgause looked forward to gainin
g the experience when this was all over. And she sure as hell planned to get her part in.

  Paul’s eyes widened as she strode intently toward the bed.

  “Hey, I was here first,” Morgana pleaded.

  “So you had plenty of time to get some action.” Now that she was here, Morgause refused to be left out. She stripped off her top and facemask.

  “No, you guys showed up too soon.” Morgana pleaded, hugging Paul from behind, her arms around his middle, her fingers inched toward his erect cock.

  Paul held out his hands. “Wait, wait.” He was breathing heavily.

  “Come on, Paul,” Morgana taunted. “Isn’t this every man’s dream? Three women at the same time?”

  Though his eyes shown with delight, he shook his head. “Maybe when I was eighteen and stupid about sex. I’m old enough to know there is no way I can satisfy three women at the same time. Maggie O’Donnell, pull yourself together. And don’t you dare claim I was cheating on you. After all, you started this.”

  Chuckling, Morgause dove into her sisters.

  ~ ~ ~

  As Maggie came back into herself, all the passion of the past moments from all three aspects flooded into her, rippling through her body. Morgana’s sexy improvisation, Morgan’s soul-wrenching orgasm, and Morgause’s desire combined. Maggie’s core clenched hard as waves of passion rippled through her in another orgasmic release.

  “Oh, God!” So much Paul, and he hadn’t even had that wonderful cock of his inside any of them . . . her.

  He pulled her into his embrace. His cock pulsed hard against her stomach. “You okay?”

  “So intense.” She pulled in a deep breath and sighed. “I was pretty wicked to you though, wasn’t I?”

  His smile was broad. “Do you see me complaining? I have to admit, when we started, I forgot it was Morgana and not you. Are you mad?”

  Mad? How could she be? “Morgana is me. They all are. And we had an incredible time.”

  “Good, now how about you?”

  His cock throbbed boldly against her stomach, and her core clenched with desire.

  She kissed the tip of his nose. “I . . . want more.”

  Chapter 25

  A week later, the Xi Force call to action reverberated throughout the complex. Maggie sighed as she rose from Paul’s bed and began pulling on her costume.

  She’d gotten a week of relative quiet to train, study, and make love. With Paul she’d found a whole new level of intimacy, grown so much closer to him, while still maintaining that level of comfort and friendship she’d always had.

  True bliss, but she knew it couldn’t last. Xi Force was always on call. Something big and nasty would eventually rear its ugly head.

  Xi Force assembled in their ready room. Aaron and Shade were already pacing as the team entered and took their seats at the big, round conference table.

  Like King Arthur and his knights, except she now knew Arthur had been an asshole. The legend, blown out of proportion and tainted by the viewpoint of the victor. Essentially, an ancient fake news story.

  “They’re back.” With two words, Aaron captured the attention of everyone at the table and had Maggie’s stomach fisting.

  The big display screens around the room were all focused on the saucer-shaped, Sha’Xari mothership once again hovering over Megopolis.

  “Militaries around the world are mobilizing again,” Aaron continued. “Troops closest to Megopolis have been kept on high alert and should be on their way back to the city to take up positions within the hour.”

  Paul rose from his seat. “I’ll send the bulk of my rangers ahead by car and helicopter. That way we’ll have vehicles and mobility in the city if we need it.”

  Shade nodded. “I’d still like you and ten of your best in the Xi-1 with us, as support when we land.”

  Paul nodded and left to make the arrangements and troop assignments.

  Pike’s Rangers now numbered over one hundred troops. Paul had been recruiting and training vigorously. There was certainly no room for all of them on the Xi-1 anymore.

  As Xi Force added heroes, extra seating on the Xi-1 for Pike’s Rangers shrunk. It was expected the need for the extra troops would diminish as the super-team expanded, but that wasn’t happening. The situations kept escalating.

  And this one was huge. Everyone would be needed.

  Shade caught Maggie’s eye. “I’m going to split you up again. You good with that?”

  “Yes.” Maggie trusted Aaron and Shade would have a well laid out plan.

  “I want Morgana and Birdy in the cockpit. Have Morgan stick close to Carlos and do . . . whatever you guys do.”

  Their magic still wasn’t understood, but it was becoming more accepted and even relied upon by the others. The assignment gave her and El Brujo more latitude to make their own decisions in combat. Morgan had the power, Carlos had the knowledge, and together they made an awesome duo.

  Aaron cleared his throat. “We’re sending Dr. Logan, Dr. Cullen, and Morgause to set up a field hospital near wherever the fighting breaks out. You’ll fly in a separate helicopter and be met by military medics and supplies on the ground. The Venom Helicopter will remain at your disposal for medical evacuations and any other utilizations you may need. Can we rely on Morgause to fly it or should I assign another pilot?”

  “I can handle it,” Maggie assured him.

  The Bell UH-1Y Venom wasn’t simply an evac vehicle. It had been specially equipped with weaponry and Morgause could use it to defend their position as well as evacuate the wounded. Her flight skills were still in demand, and she didn’t mind in the least.

  ~ ~ ~

  Morgana let Birdy take the pilot’s seat in the Xi-1. He’d earned the honor. Over the past week she’d carved out time to spend with him training. He’d passed every test she’d thrown at him.

  She slid into the co-pilot’s chair and scanned the monitors. Fuel and ammunition were at maximums. The craft was ready for combat.

  The big hanger door opened to the outside as Birdy lifted the Xi-1 straight up from the floor, then fired the engines to send the jet shooting out of the hanger doorway toward Megopolis.

  She’d made the trip between headquarters and Megopolis so many times, she knew the route by heart. Birdy seemed to have developed a good feel for the track as well, as he hardly wavered from her chosen route.

  Messages came in that police had cleared the mall parking lot for their landing pad. There hadn’t been many cars to move this time. The building had sustained such heavy damage during the previous invasion most of the stores in the mall hadn’t had time to reopen.

  Curiously, no attack ships had launched yet from the Sha’Xari mothership. Telemetry showed a sudden shift in its location. Its energy signature indicated the craft’s engines had fired and it was now headed straight toward the Xi-1.

  “A different tactic?” Birdy asked.

  “Yeah,” she said.

  If the aliens wanted to make this an air battle, she was fine with that. The Xi-1 probably didn’t have near the firepower that would be needed to bring down a ship of that size, but the Air Force had fighter jets incoming. They’d only need to delay the aliens a bit, which would also give civilians in Megopolis more time to evacuate the city.

  “Arming air-to-air missiles,” Morgana said. “Stay on course.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Birdy appeared ready for the confrontation.

  Morgana brought up the targeting controls and readied four of the AIM-54 Phoenix missiles. They were almost within range.

  The Sha’Xari mothership wasn’t even over Megopolis anymore. Radar indicated only farmland and forest below the alien craft. Hopefully casualties on the ground would be low if she did manage to blast a chunk out of the Sha’Xari ship.

 
The Xi-1 shook with a sudden vibration. “What was that?”

  “Don’t know,” Birdy replied.

  Readings indicated they were within range for the Phoenix missiles. Morgana chose her targets and hit the buttons to launch.

  Nothing happened.

  A red light began blipping on the control panel in front of Birdy. “Electronics failure in the weaponry system.”

  Shit. The whole craft had recently been thoroughly checked out. Had someone messed up? “Get us out of here, Birdy. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

  Birdy pulled back on his control column and turned the handle to bank the jet to the west.

  Again the ship shook, but it never changed course.

  “Birdy?”

  He grunted as he fought the controls. “Something’s taken over. I can’t turn her.”

  Morgan, get up here, she messaged, then jammed the fire button on the Phoenix controls again. How she’d love to send a missile up that mothership’s ass.

  Morgan’s voice drifted in from behind, “What?”

  “I think they’ve taken over control of the Xi-1. Anything you or Carlos can do about it?”

  ~ ~ ~

  Look with eyes that see.

  Carlos’s words echoed in Morgan’s mind as she stared out the cockpit windshield. In the air around the ship, waves of energy sent from the alien ship radiated toward their jet. Electronic claws ripped through the Xi-1’s defenses and infiltrated every onboard system.

  “Carlos,” she called over her shoulder.

  “I see it,” he answered. “I will try and dislodge the infiltration. Can you follow the signal to its source and see what you can do to disable it there?”