Chapter 202: Chapter 202

I found Nyssa resting on the lower bunk in the guest cabin. And since I had my medkit with me, what was supposed to be just a quick check turned into some minor surgery. I administered a sedative and some painkillers first, then spent a good thirty minutes or so extracting as many bullet fragments as I could from my little sister's abdomen. Once I was finally finished I patched her up and applied a proper dressing.

Sarah was waiting for me when I finally emerged from the guest cabin, and I was happy to let her take charge of me. She guided me to the mess and fed me a light snack and a glass of juice, then took me into our cabin and got me undressed before helping me into bed.

I was asleep almost the moment my head hit the pillow, but that only lasted a couple hours. We were both woken by the sound of someone at our cabin door. Sarah got up to answer it, and found Rebecca in the corridor looking pretty rough.

The cute blonde pulled our other girlfriend into our cabin then helped her out of her clothes before laying her down in bed with the two of us.

"How are you doing Amanda?" Rebecca asked weakly as she got settled in between Sarah and myself. "And how's your sister?"

I cuddled against the tall weary redhead, and wrapped my tail around so it was across both her and Sarah's thighs. Then I replied softly, "I'm alright. Lots of little bruises, a few small cuts, but nothing serious. And Nyssa's going to be ok too. She was shot twice but I got most of the bullet fragments out."

"I'm sure she's going to want a turn in the Re/Gen pod after this," I added, "But honestly she'll heal up just fine on her own, as long as she's careful."

Rebecca nodded quietly as she murmured, "Good. I'm glad."

Sarah asked from where she was curled up against the boss's other side, "What about you Rebecca? How are you doing?"

Our girlfriend let out a long deep sigh before answering, "I'll be fine. Same as Amanda, just some bruises and a few scrapes."

After a second or two she whispered, "Ella died about a half hour ago. Preston and I were with her. I know she really wanted to see Jace one more time, but..."

Both Sarah and I hugged her a little tighter when we heard that news.

"There's still a ton more work to do out there," Rebecca added after a long pause. "There's more VDF medics on the way, and folks are coming from the capital. We don't even have a proper casualty count yet, how many people were killed, how many wounded."

All three of us were quiet for a bit as all that sank in. Then Sarah asked, "Are we sure this was just a simple raider attack? Four gun-sleds and two troop carriers feels a lot more organized than any of the other attacks we've seen here in the past."

The boss nodded slowly, "Maybe."

"The second attack during our first visit," she continued in a thoughtful tone, "That was similar. In fact if we weren't here back then, that attack would have turned out a lot like tonight. It only went our way back then because I was able to stop the troop carriers and the fighter before they got here..."

Her voice trailed off, then she sighed. "Before Ella died she asked me to find whoever sent those raiders. Whatever wannabe warlord or petty bandit chief was behind the attack, she asked me to find him and finish him. For her, for Jace, and for Ganvis."

"I left a Lieutenant Maguine in charge of things for now," she added with a yawn. "They've got some prisoners to deal with, plus they captured both troop carriers. One way or another we're going to find out where the attack came from, and who's behind it. Then I'm going to honour Ella's last request."

"All that can wait until morning Rebecca," I stated.

Sarah agreed, "Right now you two need rest."

The boss nodded once, and it wasn't much longer before the three of us drifted off in each others arms.

"Just under two minutes left," Rebecca commented after a quick glance at the little panel on the end of the Re/Gen pod.

I responded, "I'm so glad Jenny was able to use those files we got from the outpost's Re/Gen unit."

My girlfriend moved back to stand by my right side as she grimaced, "Same. Things are rough enough for Preston as it is. If he'd had to deal with his son suddenly becoming his daughter on top of everything else that happened last night... I don't know, that might have been too much for the old guy."

Nyssa glanced at Rebecca then looked at me and asked, "What do you think Jace will look like?"

She was standing just to my left, and while Rebecca and I were fully dressed and with our side-arms on our belts, my little sister had nothing on but a pair of sandals and a short nightshirt.

I shook my head, "No idea sis. The only thing we can say for sure is he'll be an eighteen year old boy."

"And you're supposed to be in bed recovering," I added with a frown. "I know you're hoping to get a turn in Jenny's Re/Gen unit, but you really don't need it. Your injuries aren't life threatening. You'll heal just fine, assuming you actually follow my medical advice."

Nyssa rolled her eyes and insisted, "I'm not just here for that! I'm here for Jace! I'm worried about him, ok? I want to make sure he's alright."

I looked at her again, "But you still want a turn in there too, don't you?"

"Well duh," she laughed. "Of course I do! I want my fox ears and tail, Amanda! And I think I've earned it, considering I got shot last night!"

I sighed, "That'll be up to Jenny. You don't need her help, so she's got the final say. And if she says no then you're coming back up to the main deck with the rest of us and getting back into bed so you can heal. I'll even bring you breakfast in bed, ok?"

"Whatever," my sister pouted.

Dawn had finally come to Ganvis, after a very long and difficult night. We'd already heard from Lt. Maguine, she sent a report about an hour before sunrise that the entire settlement was secure and everyone was accounted for, including locals, raiders, and her own people.

Rebecca and I were going to meet with the lieutenant in about an hour, but first we had to deal with Jace. Then we were going to have breakfast. Sarah and Cammie were working on that, they were up in the galley with Jenna getting things ready.

There was a hiss as the Re/Gen pod unsealed right on schedule. The door raised up slightly then rotated back out of the way, revealing the new young and fully healed Jace Wheeler. And all three of us ended up staring wide-eyed at the capsule's occupant.

"Oh hell," Rebecca mumbled a moment later.

"Oh wow!" Nyssa gasped with an excited smile. "Jace? Is that really you?"

And I gave my sister a hard look, because I knew one way or another she had something to do with Jace's new body. Which was very much not the rugged masculine form we were expecting.

That left my head spinning a bit because I'd have bet money on Jace being a cis man. And unless there was some last-minute problem with those recovered body files, he should have had seventeen male templates to choose from. So I was very curious to know why he opted to become a busty athletic teenage girl instead. I was also left wondering what pronouns they'd prefer.

Meanwhile the attractive young brunette in the capsule opened their pretty new hazel eyes and blinked a couple times. A smile settled on their face as they focused on my sister. Then they responded in a distinctly femme voice, "Hey there Nyssa. Yeah it's me. How are you doing?"

They pulled themself upright while they were speaking, and that's when they finally realized they were stark naked. Their cheeks went red as they reflexively moved both hands down to their groin to cover up.

Rebecca stifled a sigh then wordlessly offered our guest the usual bundle of generic grey coveralls and a pair of slip-on shoes.

"Thank you ma'am," Jace mumbled as they quickly scrambled into the ill-fitting outfit.

They finally got to their feet after pulling on the shoes, and I noted they'd lost a few inches in height. They were about the same size as Nyssa now, and the two of them ended up staring at each other for the next couple seconds like neither knew what to say.

My sister ended up breaking the impasse, "So um, are you ok with us still calling you Jace? And do you want us to start using different pronouns for you?"

"Oh right," the brunette grimaced as their cheeks coloured again. "So it's not very imaginative, but I was thinking 'Jaycee' would fit my new look a little better? As for the pronoun thing, to be honest I don't much care either way. I was just talking about that with Jenny, and I'm comfortable with anything. He/him, she/her, they/them, it's all good. So maybe just go with whatever's easiest for you folks? If I change my mind about that later on I'll let you know."

I couldn't help feeling surprised again by the pronouns thing, but I kept quiet about it. I wasn't sure if that meant they identified as gender fluid, pan-gender, or maybe even agender. Whatever their situation though, it seemed like they were comfortable in this new form and that was the main thing.

Meanwhile Jaycee asked, "Do y'all know if my folks are alright? Jenny said mom got banged up pretty bad..."

My sister pulled her friend into a tight hug and whispered, "I'm really sorry Jaycee. Your mom didn't make it. I'm glad you're ok though. I was worried sick when I found out you were hurt."

The brunette's eyes closed as they held Nyssa. They were silent for a few seconds before sighing, "I guess I better go talk to my dad then. Do you know how he's handling things?"

"Preston and I were both with your mother when she passed," Rebecca explained in a soft sympathetic tone. "He was understandably upset, but he seemed to accept it. I'm not sure how he's going to handle your situation though."

The young brunette frowned slightly, "I know it'll be a shock, but I'm sure dad will understand."

Jaycee and Nyssa were still hugging during all that, and I noticed neither of them seemed to be in any hurry to let the other go. Which left me wondering just how close the two had become during their mission to Korantis-12, and the time they'd spent together after returning to Deveron-8.

"Want me to come with you when you talk to your dad?" Nyssa offered.

I reminded her, "You need bed rest sis. You're still recovering."

Jaycee gave my sister a worried look, "Did you get hurt last night too?"

"It's nothing," Nyssa tried to downplay it. I knew she was trying to act like a little badass from the way she added casually, "Just a couple bullets in the gut, no big deal. But I got one of those bastards last night! Thanks to you Jaycee, and all that training you gave me." Thıs text ıs hosted at novelꞁire.net

They glanced at the Re/Gen pod and asked, "If you're wounded maybe Jenny can help you too?"

"That's what I've been saying!" my sister grinned. Her expression became serious again when she added, "But that can wait. If you want me to come with you I'll put on some clothes and we can head out right now."

After a pause the brunette shook their head, "I appreciate the offer Nyssa, I really do. But your health comes first. And anyhow, I think explaining all this to my dad is something I have to do on my own."

"Why don't you let Jenny help you," they added, "And I'll be back here to meet the new you when you're all done."

Nyssa nodded slowly, "Alright Jaycee. Good luck with your dad. And I'm really sorry about your mom."

Then she leaned closer and planted a kiss on her friend's cheek before asking, "Can you give me a hand up into the pod? It hurts to move around too much."

With their newly-enhanced strength Jaycee had no trouble lifting Nyssa off her feet. I sighed quietly as I watched my sister get comfortable in the pod. Then she kicked off her sandals and asked, "Someone push the go button for me please?"

"Jenny?" I asked as I glanced up at the intercom speakers. "Are you there? Are ok with this?"

Our AI responded immediately, "I'm here Amanda. I assumed Nyssa would be eager to make use of my services as soon as I found out she'd been wounded. I'll meet with her for a consultation, and we'll go from there."

"Yeah!" my sister grinned. "Thanks Jenny!"

Rebecca glanced at me, from her expression I knew she was basically asking if I was ok with Nyssa doing this. I stifled another sigh but nodded to my girlfriend.

Then I moved to stand next to my sister as I told her, "Try and behave yourself with Jenny, ok? And please don't ask her for anything too crazy. I'm going to miss this version of you, but you'll always be my baby sister. No matter what."

Nyssa rolled her eyes like she thought I was being too dramatic, "Yeah whatever Amanda, I love you too. Now push the button already!"

Rebecca reached over and tapped the panel, while Nyssa gave Jaycee a wide smile as the capsule's door rotated back into place. It sealed shut, then five or six seconds later the panel indicated my sister would be processing for just over eight hours.

I exchanged another look with the boss, then we both turned towards our guest.

"I know you're probably in a hurry to go and speak with your dad, but breakfast should be ready now. If you're hungry you're welcome to join us," I told them.

Jaycee looked a bit torn as they considered the options. Then they nodded, "Breakfast sounds good. It'll give me a little more time to figure out what I'm going to tell my old man."

"Come on then," Rebecca said as we all headed back towards the lift in engineering. "Let's go reintroduce you to the rest of the crew."

When we reached the mess we found Jenna and Cammie sitting at the table, while Sarah was putting the finishing touches on the meal. All three of them turned to stare though when we joined them.

"Hey everyone," our guest smiled awkwardly. "So ah, if you don't mind I'd like folks to start calling me Jaycee from now on? And I'm not fussy about pronouns, I'm good with whatever you like."

Cammie was the first one to respond. Her tail and ears were all standing up in excitement as she grinned, "Oh gosh you look great Miss Jaycee! Or Mister Jaycee? Mx Jaycee? Are you really ok with whatever pronouns?"

"All those work fine Cam," they replied. "Or you can just call me Jaycee, you don't need to bother with the mister miss mx thing."

Rebecca and I sat down next to each other at the table while Cammie and Jaycee were talking. Then my girlfriend leaned a little closer to me and whispered, "I have so many questions for Jenny. Although I suppose half of them should be directed at Jaycee here."

I replied quietly, "I'm sure I'll have just as many questions for Nyssa when she's done."