Chapter 13
Isabella looked down at the village. “Welcome to Killarney.” She shifted her pack. “How do we play this?”
“We’ll start with the sheriff. Rowan suggested that we don’t tell them about our land grant in the hopes that they’ll deed the one from the previous ranch to us and then we can claim more land.”
“That’s a good idea.” She chuckled. “I like sneaky.” Her head swiveled suddenly. “Speaking of sneaky, where’s Camilla?” Nicodemus nodded past her and she twisted to look. The Weepingbutt was almost completely hidden in the brush, her head slowly turning to watch the area. “Ah, there she is.”
Isabella gave a short whistle and Camilla broke cover to come trotting over. “Yes mistress? It’s time for me to go up, isn’t it?”
“For now,” Isabella replied. “You make people nervous and I don’t want you getting hurt because someone overreacts to your presence.”
The Weepingbutt blinked. “You don’t want me to get hurt,” she asked in a wondering voice. “Thank you, mistress.” She smiled as she vanished into the containment beam.
Isabella didn’t bother to look at her husband. “Don’t you say a word.” She turned to give him a brief glare. “I mean it.”
Nicodemus gave her an innocent look. “It was going to be complimentary, but as you wish.”
An elegant eyebrow rose. “If you’re going to compliment me, then please continue.”
He waved an idle hand. “Oh, I’d never want to go against your wishes. I was going to say that you’ve adjusted well and that I couldn’t do any better than you are doing now.” His eyes scanned the town. “Killarney has a population of around fifteen hundred and there’s a gym here. According to the entry, the sheriff’s office isn’t far from the gymnasium.” He nodded in the direction of a massive building visible on the north edge of the town. Flags of the Blue League and Ireland flapped desultorily in the late morning breeze. “That’s probably it.”
“Do we proceed with or without pokegirls?” Isabella stretched slowly. They’d left camp on foot this morning and Camilla had been the only pokegirl out for the moment. “I think pokegirls could draw more attention than we want right now.”
“I agree. We’ll keep them up and try not to look like Tamers.” He snorted when she giggled. “Yeah, sure, I know the story won’t fly. Strangers who enter the town without pokegirls obviously must have them or they would have been eaten on the trip. However, keeping a low profile isn’t a bad idea.” He grimaced. “Lily and Lucretia.” He was already releasing his Ladyien as he spoke.
Isabella quickly let her Rapitaur out. Lily looked around curiously. “Where are we, mistress?”
“Outside Killarney. You and Lucretia will be our escorts.”
Lily nodded and gave him a slightly anxious look. “I presume we will be walking, sir?”
Nicodemus nodded. “That’s right, but why did you presume it?”
“Tabitha was very descriptive about what would happen to me if I carried you, sir while she was still able to do so.” She smiled slightly. “Jenny, too, but Tabitha understands that you might order her to carry you.”
“She threatened you?” Nicodemus looked surprised.
“Yes sir.” Lucretia nodded. “She did so at great length to Lily, Jenny and to all of the Ponytaur that pulled our wagon.”
“That would mean she’s done it more than once.”
“Yes, sir, it does.”
Nicodemus looked thoughtful and finally shrugged. “I don’t want Lily to get hurt because I was feeling lazy. I guess that means I’ll walk.”
Isabella glanced around as they entered the village. Killarney had two pubs and a small café along with a shop that catered to Tamers. There was also a store where the locals could purchase everyday items on the outskirts of town.
One portion of the community was devoted to the boot production that was the mainstay of the Killarney economy. Several different types of skins were shipped here and turned into a laminate form of leather that was comfortable, water repellent and long wearing. Killarney boots were sold all over the world and commanded top prices for custom orders. The shoes they made were also outstanding, but it was the boots that Killarney was known for.
Looming over the town was the gymnasium. Isabella nodded towards it. “So, have you read about it, Nico?”
He gave her an amused look as Lucretia and Lily stopped to look at him. “The Killarney Gym is run by Guliano Riccio. He likes electric and ghost types, but doesn’t limit himself to them. His gym assistants don’t either.” He rubbed an ear. “It’s supposed to be a good fight, no matter what kind of harem you have.”
“Is there a pokegirl center?” Isabella glanced around as they headed down the road. “I don’t see it.”
Nicodemus shook his head. “No, the gym has the only pokegirl healing machine in town, although we will want one for ourselves. Humans have to make do with Leanne. She’s a retired NurseJoy pokewoman who’s settled here with her former Tamer. She’s got a practice here.”
“What about her master?” Lucretia looked curious. “What does he do?”
“I’m not sure.” Nicodemus raised his voice slightly. “Excuse me, miss.”
A woman had been coming out of the store. She paused and looked them over. “May I help you?”
“Would you be so kind as to tell us where the sheriff’s office is?”
A look of surprise crossed the woman’s face. “Yes, it’s down two streets and then you turn left. It’ll be another block down, on your right. Is everything ok?”
“Everything is fine. I just need to talk to the sheriff.”
The sheriff’s office was a solid looking building with some stocks standing out front. Isabella eyed them with a look of distaste. “I’ve heard about what happens to people who get put into those. They get raped when the sun goes down.”
Nicodemus nodded. “I’ve heard that too. If you do something to get put into them, I’ll rescue you.”
She gave him a sly smile. “Instead, how about you keep killing anyone who tries to rape me?”
Lily frowned. “Perhaps we should just keep my mistress out of them.”
“I think Lily has the best idea of all.” Nicodemus gave her a wink and she colored slightly. “Let’s just stay out of them and avoid all the associated unpleasantness.” He pointed at a bench. “Lucretia, Lily, have a seat.”
The Ladyien frowned. “Sir, perhaps you should put me into my pokeball so I’ll be available for use.” She glanced at the Rapitaur. “Her too.”
“That’s better than leaving them out here,” Isabella muttered.
“Very well.”
“Very well.”
The inside of the sheriff’s office was neat and well lit. A man in his mid to late thirties was seated at a table across from an OfficerJenny. Both held cards and a cribbage board sat near the pokegirl. Without looking up, the man spoke. “Is anyone bleeding?”
Nicodemus exchanged a confused look with Isabella. “No,” he said cautiously.
“Then whatever you want can wait until I finish this hand.”
Isabella glanced at her husband. “We’ll be outside.” She took a deep breath once they were back at the bench. “What a polite man.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
“If I remember correctly, you’re sometimes that way about a close game of darts.”
Isabella shrugged. “Darts are important.”
“So is my beating the pants off of Kelly.” The man stood in the doorway. “I’m Sheriff Solomon Sadler. Let’s go inside.”
The OfficerJenny was making some tea. She gave Sadler an impish look. “You’re better off just ordering me to remove them, sir. You’d also have a better chance of success with that method.”
The sheriff gave her an amused smile while his words were aimed at his visitors. “Do you think she can cheat?”
Isabella blinked while Nicodemus looked thoughtful. “OfficerJenny are genetically designed to obey any official law. If you posted an ordinance against cheating at cards then you wouldn’t have to worry about it.”
Kelly gave him a startled look while Sadler chuckled. “Now that’s an idea.” He settled back at the table. “If you want some tea, Kelly here will make you a cup. I’ll have to warn you though; she only appears to be able to make it one way, strong enough to strip paint.”
Kelly shrugged as she brought her Tamer a cup. “You didn’t want me for my domestic skills, sir, which is a good thing since I don’t have any.”
Sadler sipped at his tea. “Since you’re newcomers to my fair community, why don’t we start with introductions? You already know who I am and that’s Kelly.”
Nicodemus nodded politely when Kelly motioned towards the teapot. She busied herself making him a cup while he sat down. “I’m Nicodemus and this is my wife, Isabella.”
Isabella smiled as she accepted a cup of tea from Kelly. “We’re licensed Breeders and we’re looking the area over with the idea of setting up a ranch here. It’s our understanding that there have been some other attempts, but that they didn’t succeed.”
Sadler nodded. “There have been five ranches started over the last hundred years. None has lasted more than a year. The most recent one was about ten years ago, just before we settled here. The owner and her pokegirls disappeared one night and were never heard from again.”
Kelly settled down with her own cup. “The story around town is that they’d gotten a large grant of money from the government and they ran off with it to another league.”
“Do you think it was something different?”
Sadler shrugged. “The investigation was over when we arrived and the previous sheriff had tossed all the records of it.”
Isabella choked on her tea. Finally she got her coughing under control. “That is strong.”
“I warned you.”
She put the cup down and pushed it away from her. “It’s definitely too strong for me.” She looked up. “It might help us to talk to someone who lived here during the last attempt. Can you recommend someone?”
Sadler looked at his pokegirl. “You know the people here better than I do.” He caught the look of surprise on Isabella’s face. “Pokegirls are accepted as part of the terrain here. I’m a human and even though I’ve been here for a decade, I’m still a newcomer. If you stay here, you’ll understand what I mean. You’ll be old and gray and they’ll still be calling you the newcomers at the ranch.”
Kelly frowned. “Riccio would know. He was here then.”
“The gym leader?”
The OfficerJenny nodded. “He grew up here and when he retired from active Taming, he took over the gym. That was fifteen years ago.”
“He’s probably a very busy man. Could you arrange an introduction?”
Kelly glanced at her Tamer, who was looking at Nicodemus. When he nodded, she smiled. “I don’t see where that would be a problem. When would be a good time?”
“We just got into town and we need to clean up first.” Isabella’s voice was firm. “If you’d be so kind as to point us in the direction of a good place to stay, I’d be grateful.”
The sheriff grinned. “There’s only one inn here. It’s the Killarney Inn and it’s up the street about three blocks. It’s not bad, but I’d suggest you eat somewhere else unless you’re really fond of grease.”
“Thanks.” Nicodemus rose and offered Isabella his hand. “I could use a hot bath.”
Sadler finished off his tea. “Meet us here around six and we’ll introduce you to him over dinner.”
“You eat dinner with the gym leader?”
Sadler flashed a smile. “Kelly was completely correct when she said she doesn’t have any domestic skills to speak of. Riccio is a member of the local government just like I am and he’s taken pity on an old man who’s down on his luck.”
Kelly’s eyebrows rose. “I’ll agree with the down on the luck bit, sir, but when I tell my alpha about what you just said, I do believe she’ll have some choice words for you.”
The sheriff blanched. “Now, Kelly, there’s no reason to trot out threats. I didn’t really mean it that way.”
She sniffed disbelievingly. “Of course you didn’t.”
***
Sadler led them around to the back of the gymnasium and stopped at a security door. He pulled a keycard from his pocket and ran it through the electronic lock with a smile. “The gym closes at five unless there’s a rush of Tamers. That only happens once in a while.”
Isabella nudged her husband when she realized he was eyeing the keycard with an interested expression. He blinked and gave her a quick grin of apology.
Kelly pulled the door open. “Sir, I’ll introduce them to Riccio if you want to go find Leanne.
Sadler nodded. “I would. I’ll catch up with you at dinner.”
He headed down a hallway while Kelly opened another door. “This way, please.”
Isabella looked curious. “Is that the retired NurseJoy?”
Kelly flashed a quick smile. “Yes. She’s my alpha.”
“Oh.” She dropped her voice. “I guess we know who she belongs to now.”
The OfficerJenny led them down several turns until Nicodemus was completely lost. Finally she stopped in front of a door and knocked on it. “Master Riccio, this is Kelly.”
“Just a moment,” a female voice called. Kelly shrugged at the two humans and leaned against the wall. A few minutes later the door opened and a domesticate Vixxen smiled at them as she buttoned her skirt. “Sorry about the wait,” she said brightly. “A girl has needs, you know.” She blinked when she spied the two humans. “Oh, I am sorry,” she repeated more contritely, “master, mistress, I didn’t know you were there.” She twisted her head to call into the room. “Sir, Kelly has brought guests.”
“Just a minute,” a gruff voice called. There was the sound of an aerosol spraying. “Let them in, Minnie.”
The Vixxen stepped out of the way and bowed as she gestured them into the room. Nicodemus tried not to sneeze at the sudden odor of roses as he stepped into the room. It was very strong and nearly covered the tang of sweat and sex.
The walls of the office were lined with photos of different places. Each held a group of pokegirls and a human man. While some of the pokegirls changed from picture to picture, the man remained constant, aging slightly as the pictures curved around to the desk where Riccio sat.
While his black hair was starting to be salted with gray, this was the only sign that Guliano Riccio wasn’t as young as he once was. His muscular physique and clear gaze belonged to a much younger man. He smiled, revealing small, even teeth. “Who do you bring to see me, Kelly?”
Kelly bowed slightly. “Sir, I bring before you Nicodemus and Isabella. They’re looking to set up a ranch in the area and wanted to talk to you.”
Riccio gave them a curious look. “Minnie, let the kitchen know we’ll have two more for dinner.”
“Yes, master.” The Vixxen darted out the door.
The gym leader waved at some seats. “Make yourselves comfortable. I’m afraid I don’t know much about ranching but I’ll help however I can. A ranch here could be very beneficial.”
“We’re really interested in talking to you about the previous ranch. Specifically I want to know why it failed.”
Riccio blinked. “I’m afraid there’s not a lot to know. Constance Pennyroyal was determined to make a successful ranch here and she was doing a good job of it up until the day that she and her entire harem vanished, leaving behind several pokegirls that I had to find homes for.” He leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands over his stomach. “Nobody knows why she disappeared. It’s said that she ran off with the grant money from the league, but she’d already put most of it into equipment. Stuff was still arriving for a couple of months after she vanished.” He frowned slightly. “Most of the equipment was mothballed and is still with the buildings. If you stay, you’ll be deeded them as part of your initial grant from the city. The mayor would love to get everything to an owner so he can start collecting taxes on them again.”
His teeth flashed in a bright grin. “I’m the deputy mayor, more by proxy than anything else and I get to hear him bemoaning the lost revenue annually.”
“So there would be a grant from the city?” Isabella gave Riccio a glowing smile. “We weren’t sure, but we’d hoped something like that would be the case.”
“Aye, there’ll be somewhere in the neighborhood of two thousand acres, the buildings and the equipment. Understand that they’ve been vacant for a decade, but we’ve been keeping them up since that’s where the vault is located.”
“The vault?”
“The pokepower vault is on the ranch proper. It’s on the other side of loch Léín where the village will be safe if there’s an accident.”
Isabella sighed. “I see. Will we be expected to provide the girls for execution?”
Riccio looked startled and then gave them a warm smile. “I’m not really all the happy with the concept either, so I understand how it bothers you. No, the league will provide condemned pokegirls for the power plant.” He scratched his beard while looking thoughtful. “And if you find one that’s not deserving of execution, I can probably come up with one who is while you rehabilitate the original.”
He and Isabella exchanged understanding looks while Nicodemus stayed still. Finally he nodded. “Thanks. That would be greatly appreciated. Will we need to meet with the mayor?”
Riccio nodded. “Yes, you will, if only so he can decide if you’ll get the grant. It’s largely a formality; the land is too far from town to be wanted by anyone who doesn’t have a death wish. The grant includes some heavy forest and there are some mountains on either side of it. Both have lots of feral pokegirls.”
Nicodemus’ eyes gleamed with interest. “That will be very helpful.”
Riccio grinned. “I thought it might. I’ll set things up so you can see the mayor tomorrow afternoon. I’d recommend visiting the ranch beforehand. It’s very likely he’ll have the paperwork all ready for you to sign at your meeting.”
Isabella blinked. “Taxes aren’t due until the first of the year and we won’t be liable for the back taxes since the property went to the village.”
Riccio’s grin widened. “You remember that, because if you don’t, Mayor Tennant might try to collect anyway. He’s not a bad man, it’s just that he has a lot of plans for the village and those plans require our money to complete.”
Kelly had been standing so quietly that Nicodemus had forgotten her presence until Riccio turned to the OfficerJenny. “I take it that since you brought them here, Sol has signed off on them?”
“Yes sir, he has.”
“That’s rather sudden. Usually you and Sol reserve judgment until you know someone a lot better.”
She flashed a quick smile. “Sir, we do. We had advance notice that they were coming here and our contact gave a sterling recommendation.”
Riccio looked surprised and pleased. “Really? Do I know who this contact is?”
The OfficerJenny shook her head. “No sir you don’t. Her name is Margaret and she’s a member of the London police.”
Isabella looked stunned. “You know Margaret?”
Kelly grinned widely. “Of course I do. She’s my daughter.” She glanced at Riccio, who was frowning. “I had a parthenogenic litter before we ever came here and they were sent to a nice ranch. I’ve kept in touch with all three of them and we’ve even gotten together for a couple of quick reunions.” She turned to Nicodemus. “She gave both of you high marks and I trust her judgment.”
“That’s quite a recommendation. We’ll try to live up to it.”
***
Nicodemus released Tabitha. Isabella was inside the inn, settling up their bill. The mayor wasn’t able to meet with them until tomorrow, so they were going to take the day to investigate the ranch. Depending on what they found, they’d spend the night there and return in the morning.
The Raptiaur looked around quickly. “Sir.”
“Did you threaten Lily and Jenny?”
Tabitha suddenly looked wary but answered truthfully. “Yes sir. I am your steed.”
“Yes, you are, and if I have to ride Lily or Jenny it will be because I have no other choice at that time. You will not go thrashing them just because of the situation.”
The Rapitaur knelt and pressed her head against his knee. “I will obey.” He could feel her trembling against him.
“Tabitha, get up.” She scrambled to her feet. “I’m not angry with you, I’m just warning you. You will not punish anyone for a decision I make. Now change.”
She blinked as he released her saddle from his pokepack and quickly shifted to her quad form. He lifted the saddle onto her back and started buckling it in place. “We are not going to have this talk again, understand?”
“I have been warned. Next time I will be punished.” She nodded cheerfully. “I understand.”
“She looks happy that you’ll beat her.” Isabella shook her head slowly. “I don’t understand that.”
“Mistress, my master follows his rules. It’s good to have rules that are followed.”
Nicodemus swung into the saddle and offered a hand to his wife. “That’s all they want, consistency. They’ll take more if you give it, but that’s all you really need for a strong harem.”
She swung up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
They headed south and once they were out of town he released Elena. The Thundercunt stretched out her wings. “Elena, you’ll take up overwatch.”
“Yessir!” Elena vaulted into the air and took up a figure eight pattern overhead, spiraling outwards farther with each orbit. His earbud crackled. “Radio check, sir.”
“I read you loud and clear, Elena.” He released Lucretia. “Stay close.”
“Yes master.” She lifted into the air and followed as he nudged Tabitha back into motion.
The road curved around the eastern edge of the loch before heading south. The area was flat and not very far away began climbing steeply. A dilapidated sign announced that they were on the N71. The ranch was marked with an old wooden sign that merely said “Killarney Ranch” with an arrow pointing along a dirt path. Tabitha turned to follow it.
The ranch itself was set a couple of hundred meters from the shore of the loch. A high stone wall surrounded the sagging rooftops of buildings and a moat surrounded the wall. The remains of a bridge had partially collapsed into the moat.
Isabella kissed him on the back of the neck and slid off Tabitha. “What do you want to bet that the moat has pokegirls in it?”
Nicodemus gave her an amused look. “I am not going to bet on the losing side. Lucretia, check it out.” He slid off of Tabitha and released Naomi, Brenda and Ruth as Lucretia climbed and headed for the moat. “You might want to get ready, there’s a chance the pokegirl or pokegirls already know we’re here and might not bother with the flying pokegirls they can’t reach.”
Brenda moved to stand behind her Tamer as was her wont. Tabitha flashed her harem sister a quick smile and moved next to her.
Isabella blinked and released Camilla, Kay and Ana. “So they might come for us instead? That makes sense.” She turned to her pokegirls. “We’re going to be catching some feral pokegirls. Water types are the most likely but you never know what might appear. Ana, you’re my protection in case they get past Kay and Camilla.”
The Amachamp nodded. “Yes, mistress.”
Nicodemus released two items from his pokepack and tossed them at Ana. “Here’s something to make your job easier.” He dropped the pack and pulled his pokedex from his belt.
The Amachamp plucked the items from the air and a smile bloomed on her face as she hefted the new maces. “Thank you, master.” She spun them in a blur. “These will indeed help.” Her eyes turned coy. “But there are only two and I have four hands.”
“I’m sure you’ll adapt.”
Isabella laughed. “Stop trying to claim my pokegirls.”
Lucretia went into a hover over the moat. “I see something.” She drifted downwards and then whipped sideways as water shot at her as her unseen opponent used water spear. “I think there’s more than one, sir.”
Water exploded as four pokegirls surged out of the moat and the leader made a fluting noise when she spotted the humans and their pokegirls. As a group, they turned to face their new foe.
Each of them had short muzzles filled with small, sharp teeth. Heavy claws graced their webbed fingers and toes. Their tails were long and muscular, with deep flukes for propelling them through the water. Their scales were a soft bluish green that was much lighter on their stomachs and breasts and darkened as it rose to their backs. The largest hissed and charged. The other three spread out and quickly followed her lead.
Nicodemus scanned them with his pokedex. “We’ve got Surfmelons,” he announced quietly. “Isabella, call it.”
“I’ve got the two on the left. You take the leader and the rightmost.”
He nodded. “Tabitha, you’re my reserve for the moment.” His eyes flickered skyward. “Elena, thunder on the group.”
There was a crack as the Thundercunt used mach breaker to accelerate as plasma began to swirl around her. She shot through the middle of the Surfmelon and released the attack as she banked upwards. Lightning shot from her to hit the unsuspecting water types and arced from each of them to the others in a pyrotechnic display so bright that Nicodemus and Isabella had to shield their eyes. The Surfmelons were thrown like debris amidst a cacophony of screams and bellows that was almost hidden in the thunder that rolled across the battlefield.
“Camilla, vine whip. Kay, telekinetic pummel.” Isabella spoke her commands calmly.
“Ruth, you’ve got the big one. Naomi, you’ve the other. Ladies, take them.”
Kay glanced at her harem sister. “Team tactics.”
The Weepingbutt nodded. “Yes, alpha.” Vines whipped from beneath her skirt and she snapped them at the closest Surfmelon. Kay used her telekinesis and slammed her target violently into Camilla’s just as the vines struck, hitting both pokegirls squarely. Kay’s target went limp and vanished as Isabella nailed her expertly with a thrown pokeball.
The second Surfmelon let loose with a wild water spear, which shot straight at Isabella. Ana stepped into the path of the attack and grunted when it hit. She hurled a mace, which took her attacker in the chest with a loud crunch of ribs snapping. Isabella hit her with a pokeball before she collapsed.
The air seemed to dim around Ruth as a crackling ball of darkness appeared in front of her. The Umbrea fired her dark bomb at the largest Surfmelon and the blast sent her cartwheeling across the battlefield.
Naomi’s ears went flat and she screamed her fury into her psychic attack. Her target went into convulsions as blood sprayed from her eyes, ears and nose. Nicodemus hastily threw his pokeball before she could die.
Lucretia hit Ruth’s victim with a pokeball and the Surfmelon vanished.
Naomi bobbed her head in a quick apology. “Sorry sir.”
“Just be a bit more careful from now on. Dead they’re only of use to Camilla.” He glanced around. “Brenda, see to Ana.”
“Yes sir.” The G-Poindexter trotted over to the Amachamp and smiled. “May I heal you?”
“I would appreciate that.”
Kay used telekinesis to collect the pokeballs and deposited them into her Tamer’s hands. “Mistress, you might want to consider keeping one of them. They are supposed to be extremely loyal and neither you nor master Nicodemus has any water types.”
“It seems like a good idea and we’ll evaluate them with that in mind.” Isabella stepped in front of Ana and gave her a quick kiss. “Thank you. That was well done.”
The Amachamp flushed. “It was my pleasure, mistress.” She glanced at her mace. “May I keep these?”
“I doubt my husband wants them back. Use them with my full approval.”
Ana straightened proudly. “Yes, mistress.” She stalked off to retrieve her other mace as Isabella turned to her husband.
“What do you think of Kay’s suggestion?”
“I think it’s a good one. You just need to decide if you want to add another pokegirl to your taming regimen.”
She flashed him a smile. “You are getting spread a little thin, aren’t you?”
“Any more and you’ll be able to see daylight through me.” He rolled his shoulders. “Ladies, I must commend you on a job nicely done. Elena, ferry Naomi and Ruth across the moat and keep overwatch while they explore the buildings. Ruth, Naomi, do not try to open any door that is locked. It might be someplace you don’t really want to go. Do not engage in pitched battles, either. You mission is to evade and report.
Ruth grinned. “What if the pokegirl is weak?”
Lucretia growled into the radio from where she still hovered over the moat. “You have your orders. Carry them out.”
“Yes alpha.” The two Eva evolutions raced in the direction of the moat while Elena began circling overhead.
“What about the rest of us?”
“Isabella, I thought we could patrol around the area. I want to check the beach for signs that we may have more company. We might as well have a look-see while we’re doing it.” He released his Whorizard. “Hestia, you’ve got overflight on us. Lucretia, back up Elena.”
Lily appeared and Isabella slipped onto her back as Nicodemus slid into Tabitha’s saddle. “Shall we?”
***
Nicodemus peered into a doorway and sneezed. Tabitha gave him a sympathetic look and nodded. “Mold.” He shined a light inside, not trusting the sagging roof enough to venture farther. The entranceway was littered with debris and bits of rotting wood, but the walls were made of stone and looked to have held up reasonably well under the passage of the years.
Decades, he reminded himself. They’d found a sidewalk near the moat that had a date from over eighty five years ago. Apparently each succeeding attempt had used the original site. The buildings might be original too, but at this point he had no evidence either way.
His radio chirped. “I found the pokepower vault.” Compression stripped any emotions from the transmissions, but he’d be willing to bet that her voice would have sounded just as emotionless if he’d been next to her.
“I’m on my way.” He turned to Tabitha and suddenly sneezed again. “Isabella. Take me to her.” He tied a rag around his nose as she shifted to her quad form and knelt. He clambered onto her bare back and nudged her with his knees. The Rapitaur rose smoothly and trotted away.
Isabella was in a more open area and Nicodemus sighed as a clean breeze swept around him as he pulled the rag off his face. “I didn’t know you were allergic to mold,” she observed as he sneezed again.
“It’s only a problem if it’s in really high concentrations.” He slipped off of Tabitha’s back and looked around. “I’m not an expert, but the walls of most of the buildings seem ok. They’ll all need new roofs, but we may be able to cut corners and use them.” He wiped his face with a handkerchief and blew his nose loudly. “I found some crates in a building that’s in pretty good repair. If I read the notation on them correctly, we’ve got a storage system, a healing machine and maybe a transporter too. If this works out, we’ll be off to a serious head start on the gear.”
The vault was built into what looked like one of the main buildings. It was as massive as the one they’d seen before and once again the roof was made of concrete, covered with aluminum. He eyed the vault door without any overt enthusiasm. “I understand the transmission lines are underground and run around the lake.”
Isabella nodded. “That’s what I heard from Kelly last night.”
“While you don’t like it, if we stay here Isabella, we will be the custodians of it.”
She sighed. “I know. I know that only condemned pokegirls are supposed to be used, but who condemns them? What did they do wrong?”
“If it makes you feel better, we can do what the sheriff suggested and evaluate each of them ourselves. If we think they should be kept, we will. Just remember that a pokegirl will have to be used and she’ll have to come from somewhere if we keep one that’s supposed to be used.”
Isabella slipped her fingers into his. “That’s why I have you. You’ll be able to do this, won’t you?”
He didn’t pull away. “Yes, I will.”
“What do you feel when you kill?”
Nicodemus gave her a curious look. “Why do you want to know that?”
“I want to know under what circumstances you can kill.”
“Any. Killing is a means to an end. I don’t feel anything in particular, except perhaps pleasure that this problem has been dealt with.”
“Maybe that’s why you didn’t kill me. You do feel something for me.”
Nicodemus looked into her eyes and smiled. “I think perhaps you are right,” he lied.
***
Nicodemus Azrael – Coordinator
Ladyien – Lucretia
Thundercunt – Elena
Umbrea – Ruth
Espea – Naomi
Whorizard – Hestia
Rapitaur – Tabitha
G-Poindexter – Brenda – Noncombatant
Rapitaur – Jenny
Isabella Maria Carmen de la Vega Azrael – Master Tamer
Ka–D–Bra – Kay
Amachamp – Ana
Rapitaur – Lily
Weepingbut – Camilla