Harris Saga Chapter 20
His face carefully neutral, Devon stood silently as Lamya and Tess approached. Kathryn watched them impassively from beside him. “It looks like everything is in order, so we’re ready to go.” Lamya took his hands. “Thanks for all of the help. I didn’t even consider that Hatsumi might have been to the Orange Islands and having her teleport Morgan there will make my travel a lot easier. I hadn’t been looking forward to a long ocean voyage and I’m grateful I can avoid the whole thing.”
“Well, we are glad to help. Please be careful.”
“I will.” She stepped into his arms and kissed him. “I’ll see you in a year as we discussed and I’ll vid you as often as I can.” Her eyes searched his. “Are you mad at me?”
He smiled weakly. “Maybe a little, but I know you have to do this.”
“Yes, I do.” She stepped back, smiling as she motioned Tess forward.
The Armsmistress pressed her body and mouth against his as if trying to crawl inside him. Devon held her fiercely. “I am going to miss you so much, husband.”
“And I you. I hope you can forgive me for asking you to do this.”
She smiled and rubbed her cheek against his. “I’m actually proud that you trust me to bring her back safely.”
He sighed sadly. “Remember, only if she wants to come back.”
“I remember.” She favored him with a wink. “I, on the other hand, will be coming back no matter what. I’ll keep in touch as much as I can.”
“Good.”
Lamya released Morgan as Tess stepped away from Devon. The Cheshire stretched and looked around as Lamya returned Tess to her pokeball. She took the Cheshire’s hand and suddenly they were gone.
Devon slowly let out a long breath as Kathryn watched from the corner of her eye. “Ye took that better than I thought ye would.”
He straightened his shoulders and composed himself. “I’ll fall apart later. Right now I still have work to do.”
Almost on cue, their radios came to life. “Master Devon, please come to the door of the com room.”
“I’m on my way.” Devon hurried inside, closely followed by his alpha.
The door to the com room was cracked open. Devon peered through the opening and Rhiannon grinned from her chair. “Come in, Master. Lord Crimson has already ended his com message.” Devon noted she’d curled her hair up in her lap to keep it off of the floor as he settled down next to her.
Kathryn followed him into the room and stood behind him.
Devon took a deep breath. “Let’s see what he had to say.”
“I’ve already cued the vid up.” Rhiannon tapped a button and the Team Viper logo on the display blanked as the screen split. Cameron’s face appeared on one side while Rhiannon’s appeared on the other.
“Greetings, Lord Crimson.” Rhiannon ducked her head in a salute.
Cameron looked surprised. “Portia. Why are you manning the com? Where is Connie or Mark?”
Rhiannon smiled ingratiatingly. “My apologies, Lord Crimson, but the Director has turned Connie over to Ciel for reeducation and he is overseeing her training personally. I am standing watch in her place.”
Cameron drew a sour look. “I see. What did she do? Never-mind, Mark probably just wants a chance to get some human ass for a change.” He took a deep breath. “Is anyone else available?”
“Just me, Lord. The others are investigating a report of a Tamer who had seen a Sphinx not too far from here a couple of days ago.”
Kathryn snickered. There had been a Sphinx in the area a couple of days ago. Nearby in fact.
“Inform the Director that my engines have been repaired and that we will arrive in seven days. Tell him that the transfer of pokegirls is to take place as scheduled and that there are not going to be any changes in the plan as we had arranged it.”
“I expect to get confirmation as soon as the transfer is complete.”
“Yes, Lord Crimson. Are we to send the video of the death of the hostage as was originally scheduled?”
“No, not yet. I think we should save it until after I arrive.” He shook his head. “That is the other reason I called. I have a report that the Conservatory may be trying to locate where the pokegirls are being sent. The tech I talked to told me that it might be possible, but it would be unlikely that they would figure out where they are being sent until after our prizes had already arrived.”
“Even if they figure out where we are, it will be too late.” He grinned. “And they have no jurisdiction and more importantly no agents in the Dark Continent. However, inform Mark to start preparations to evacuate the base two days after I arrive. We’ll be moving to a provisional base in the Indigo Plateau.”
“Yes, Lord Crimson.” Rhiannon ducked her head again. “It will be as you order.”
“Excellent. Lord Crimson out.” The screen faded back to the Team Viper logo.
Devon leaned over and wrapped his arms around a startled Rhiannon’s neck. “Wonderful job.”
The Dark Lady almost purred as she melted against him. “Thank you, Master.” She gave Kathryn a glare as he slowly pulled away. The Ladyien gave her a stony look in return.
Devon glanced up at Rhiannon and, taking her arm, stood, pulling her up with him. She looked at him curiously. Devon bent her forward and with a smooth motion drew his khukuri and hit her hard in the ass with the flat of the blade. She yelped and was driven up onto her toes. She spun to glare at him.
“I saw that. I warned you about getting an attitude about my Alpha.”
She blinked and quickly looked down at the floor, her face contrite. “I’m sorry, Master.”
“You had better be sorry that you did it as opposed to sorry that I saw you.” Rhiannon’s face turned bright red. Devon shook his head. “I am serious. Screw with Kathryn and you will be biting off much more than you can chew. And after this, I won’t lift a finger to protect you.”
Rhiannon eyes lifted to meet his. “Master, why would you think I would need your protection from one such as her?”
“I see a steep learning curve in your future.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Kathryn, would you please put Bellona on watch here? It would also be a smart idea to only have the three pokegirls who were part of Team Viper in here from now on, in case they send the VideoGirl they’ve got. I’ve had the rest of the computer network physically disconnected from the com system so that should take care of any possible problems.”
Kathryn nodded at him. “It shall be as ye command.” She gave him a sly smile. “Leave it to me; I’ll take care of everything.”
“Very well.”
***
Devon knelt on the floor as he kneaded Siobhan’s shoulders with his powerful hands. The Nogitsune lay on the mat next to his desk and grumbled, pretending not to enjoy her Tamer’s touch.
He knew she was pretending because every time his hands slowed, her grumbling became louder, only dying back down to a low rumble when he resumed his previous pace.
He glanced at the door when the knock sounded, but otherwise continued his ministrations. “Come in.” One of Siobhan’s ears cocked in his direction and her grumbling stopped as she tensed slightly. Her body relaxed when Devon dug his fingers in harder.
Kathryn and Hatsumi slipped into the room. Devon nodded in the direction of the couch and they sat. Siobhan turned her head to watch them, her ears folded halfway back in aggravation.
“What do you want?” Devon went back to watching Siobhan as he worked. He was still learning her mannerisms and this was a good way to continue doing that.
Kathryn cleared her throat. “Hatsumi has finished testing everyone for magical ability, and I wanted to give you a report. I brought Hatsumi along in case you have any questions that I can’t answer.”
Devon nodded. “That sounds reasonable. What do you have to report?” Siobhan twitched underneath his hands. Devon suspected she was attempting to make sure she had the majority of his attention. Nogitsune were often like that, and Siobhan seemed typical of the breed in that regard from what he had seen so far.
“To start with, every member of your harem except Ming Die and Zelda has some magical abilities. I have some minor abilities, and Hatsumi, Rhiannon, Paulette, Bellona, and Siobhan all demonstrate the potential to have powerful magical abilities.” Kathryn smiled. “As per your instruction, almost everyone who can has started taking lessons with Hatsumi in healing magic.”
Devon frowned. “I remember my instructions being that everyone who has any magical abilities will learn whatever curative magic they can. There weren’t any exceptions.” Siobhan tensed under his hands again and her ears went flat at his tone.
“Yes, I remember that too.” Kathryn looked him in the eyes. “However, two individuals are not taking lessons as of yet.”
“Let them know that I do not intend for this particular order to be negotiable.” Anger stirred in Devon’s voice. “Do I need to talk to them myself?”
Kathryn shrugged. “It may be the only way. One of them is notoriously bad about receiving orders from anyone.” She gave him an unreadable look. “I suspect that only you can make them do this.”
Devon took a deep breath and let it out in a growl. “Who is it?” Siobhan was almost rigid beneath him.
“One of the two people is Siobhan,” Kathryn nodded towards the Nogitsune and continued relentlessly. “She is proving resistant to the whole idea. The other person is you, Devon.”
Devon’s hands stilled momentarily on Siobhan’s back and then resumed their work. Both of her ears were rotated to point directly at him as she listened for his next words.
“That was very well done.” His tone was even, almost pleasant. Siobhan relaxed. Kathryn and Hatsumi, who knew Devon better, tensed. “You made sure I wouldn’t have a way out before letting me know that I had been tested. You should tell Paulette what you accomplished. It would probably raise her opinion of you.”
He shook his head and smiled. Kathryn let out a breath she hadn’t been aware she’d been holding and Hatsumi grinned. “So, you tested me. What did you find out, Hatsumi?”
“Hatsumi’s testing indicates that you could be a very powerful mage. You register as powerful enough that Hatsumi would recommend that you go study at a magical academy. Formal study would be of the most benefit to you.”
“That would mean at Vale, wouldn’t it?”
“Hai. Vale is the only acceptable choice. The Goths of Sanctuary have some small schools dealing in necromancy, but most of what they know is self taught and would be of only limited benefit to you. Vale would be the best available choice.”
Devon gave her a curious look. “The who of where? I remember you and Sexmet talking about this Sanctuary, but unfortunately the conversation was between two people who already knew what they were talking about, so I wasn’t able to learn much.”
Hatsumi squirmed slightly. “Hatsumi apologizes, please forget Hatsumi said anything. Knowledge of Sanctuary has been vigorously protected since the place was first settled and the outside world knows little about it.” She gave him a serious look. “Speaking of it in public would earn you another group of enemies who would seek to destroy you or, perhaps worse, bring you into their service.”
Devon smiled. “Not to mention I got the distinct impression that Sexmet doesn’t particularly care for them and if I want to protect Jennifer I probably don’t want to get involved with people she dislikes.”
“Hai! Sexmet’s dislike stems from the fact that the S-Goths encouraged the slaughter of the Cheetits in the southern part of the Dark Continent to secure their borders.”
“So this Sanctuary is located somewhere in the southern Dark Continent?” Devon gave her a shrewd look.
Hatsumi’s return look was cold. “Hai. Master is clever, perhaps too much so.”
“I won’t ask anymore about it, at least not right now.” Hatsumi’s eyes warmed. “So when do you want me and Siobhan to start lessons?”
Kathryn exchanged a look with Hatsumi. “Hatsumi could be waiting outside for you two in, say fifteen minutes?”
Siobhan turned her head to fix him with one eye.
Devon shook his head. “We’re busy right now.” Siobhan turned back to her original position. “We’ll start tomorrow. Would sun-up be ok, Hatsumi?”
“Hai, Devon, that would be fine. Hatsumi will be waiting.”
“Good. After that, Kathryn, we are going to be starting some intensive training for the next three days. I’ve been working out a plan of attack for when Cameron arrives and I want to go over it with you after dinner today.” He sneered. “It wouldn’t do to have Lord Crimson disappointed by his reception.”
Kathryn nodded. “I’ll let everyone know that they need to get a good night’s sleep.”
“Ok, if you two don’t have anything else, that will be all.”
Kathryn slid to her feet, followed by Hatsumi. “I’ll see you later, Devon.” Hatsumi just bowed.
“Fine.”
Siobhan started grumbling again after the door shut behind them.
***
Siobhan looked around in the semi-dark. “This is dawn?” Insects sang in the darkness.
Hatsumi chuckled. “Hai. Devon, are you ready?”
“I suppose. I hope the magic won’t care that I grabbed a bite to eat before coming out here.”
The Demon-Goddess shook her head. “Then let us begin. Hatsumi has asked Ming Die to help out, since Devon isn’t instinctively magical and will need some help in learning how to focus in order to use magic.”
Siobhan looked curiously at Hatsumi. “Will I need that kind of help as well?”
“Hatsumi does not think so. Nogitsune are magical creatures by nature, and you will only need help accessing a power that is already active in you. Devon’s power has never been activated before and may need some help.”
Siobhan poked Devon in the shoulder. “I’m already better than you,” she informed him proudly.
Devon grinned. “I already knew that.” She blinked at the compliment and then preened.
We are wasting time. I could be asleep right now. Ming Die swung around to face Hatsumi. Are you going to work with Devon first?
“Hai.”
Devon frowned. “How is Ming Die going to help? I thought she couldn’t do any magic?”
It is correct that I have no magical abilities of my own, but I am going to link your mind with Hatsumi’s so that you can see what she is doing as she teaches you.
“Ah. Shall we get started?”
“At this time Hatsumi is only trying to awaken your powers. Hatsumi does not expect you to actually cast a spell at this time. Once your powers are activated, then the real work of training you will begin.”
“How long will it take me to learn these spells?”
“Hatsumi is not sure. It varies from individual to individual, but Hatsumi expects your training to take several days.”
“Lovely.” Devon sighed.
Ming Die looked at him. Clear your mind. You will see and feel what Hatsumi does. Do not attempt to direct any activities or imitate what Hatsumi will be doing. Do you understand me?
“I do.” Devon knew that this could be very dangerous for everyone involved if he did anything that could upset the link and resolved just to observe.
“Then let us begin.” Hatsumi moved to stand next to Devon and slipped her arm through his.
“I’m not going to have to bite holes in people’s arms again, am I?”
Hatsumi grinned and shook her head. “No.”
Ming Die glanced at him. I do not see why that would disturb you. No one you have bitten has regretted letting you. She switched to tight-beam mode. I surely do not, each time that you do it. Desire crept lightly across with her thoughts.
Siobhan looked worried. “He hasn’t bitten me yet and that makes me perfectly happy.”
No, it doesn’t. You just don’t know it yet. Satisfaction filled Ming Die’s thoughts as she moved to stand on Devon’s other side. Siobhan’s eyes narrowed and she grabbed Devon’s hand before Ming Die could. Are you sure you want to do that? You could be taken along on this little trip if you are in contact with Devon.
“I’ll be fine.” Siobhan’s voice was openly hostile.
Suit yourself. Ming Die took Devon’s face in her hands. Hatsumi, begin.
As Hatsumi cast the spell Haste, Devon saw and felt everything that she did to manipulate the magic within her to produce the effect she desired.
As she was doing this, Devon felt something within himself trying to rise with her and he worked to force it to remain still.
When Hatsumi was done, Ming Die looked into Devon’s eyes. I felt it too. Are you going to be all right?
“I should be. It just looks like Hatsumi was right.”
Hatsumi nodded. “Just remember, magic is very individual. What works for Hatsumi may not work for you or may not work the same way for you.”
“I’ll remember that little safety tip.” He shook his head. “Do what you did, but do it my way. That is as clear as mud.”
Perhaps we should move a small distance away, just to be safe.
“Hai.” The three pokegirls moved to place themselves a handful of meters from Devon.
“Thank you for the vote of confidence.”
Siobhan leaned over to Hatsumi. “I felt something too. Will that help me as well?”
Hatsumi shrugged. “Perhaps. Hatsumi has never taught this way before. Hatsumi does not think that it could hurt.”
BLAM
There was a flash of light and Devon was blasted into some bushes. “Perhaps Hatsumi was mistaken.”
Siobhan burst into laughter. She quickly sobered, but was still grinning. “Sorry, but that was hilarious.”
He is in pain but does not appear to be seriously injured. She turned to Hatsumi, who was examining something on the ground. I presume that he accessed his magic, did he not?
“Hai, that he did.” She bent down and picked the something up.
So will you be able to teach him spells from now on?
“Hai. Or Hatsumi will be able to once Letitia gets here.” She licked the bloody stump of Devon’s hand. “This will have to be put back on before Devon will be trying more magic.”
Ming Die stared incredulously for an instant as Siobhan turned green. I will get her immediately. She vanished.
“Hatsumi thought you might see the gravity of the situation.” She went back to licking the stump as Siobhan retched and then went searching through the bushes for her Tamer’s hand.
***
It was warm and someone soft was spooned back against him. Devon opened his eyes and saw nothing but pink. For an instant he thought something had gone wrong with his vision and then memory kicked in.
“Letitia?”
There was a soft chuckle and she pressed firmly back against him. “You needed some rest and for some reason I like sleeping in this position with you the best.” She twisted around to face him. “Can you think of any reason why that might be?” She kissed him gently.
He smiled. “Possibly one or two.” He looked down her body. “From what I can see, you look pretty good.” It was still too early for the pregnancy to cause a lot of changes in her body, but he could sense a vitality that had been absent before.
She smiled primly. “Thank you. I can’t stay but I wanted to spend what time with you that I can.” The NurseJoy propped herself up on her elbow. “While I would love to spend the rest of the day in bed with you, Kathryn also told me that you still needed to get in some training while it was still daylight.” She reached for his arm. “I just want to get one last look at your wrist before I clear you for full activity.”
She glanced up at his eyes before turning her attention to his wrist. “I’ve met the newest additions to your harem, and I’m mildly concerned about one of them.”
“Rhiannon will be fine. She just needs to do some adjustment about the way life is run in my harem.”
“I was actually thinking about Siobhan.” She patted his wrist and released his hand. “While all of your new pokegirls have some issues, considering where they came from I would be concerned if they didn’t.” She cocked her head and gave him a look. “Bellona appears to have the normal issues considering what has taken place and Rhiannon is a Dark Lady.” She shrugged. “Psychologically, Dark Ladys are off the chart according to the literature as well as what little experience I’ve had with them. Kathryn filled me in on how you are working to control her, and I am faintly impressed with the results.”
“Faintly?”
“It is still too early to tell how well your technique is working, but I suspect that you are on the right track.”
“So what are you concerned about that involves Siobhan?”
“Devon, do you understand what causes a Kitsune to evolve into a Nogitsune?”
“Before I answer that may I make the observation that I am lying in bed with a beautiful nude woman that I haven’t seen in a little while and apparently she just wants to talk about my other pokegirls?” He shook his head. “This is one of the things I love about you.”
A flush spread down her body. “You say the prettiest things. Now about the Nogitsune?”
Devon took a deep breath. “I know the pokedex answer. Nogitsune evolve from Kitsune when their personal honor is lost. Since each Kitsune has her own unique code, then the circumstances in which that loss could take place varies from individual to individual. According to the Nogitsune that have been interviewed about the experience, the loss of their tails is one of the costs of this loss of honor.”
“I also understand that if a Tamer can help a Nogitsune to feel that she has been redeemed, she will evolve into a Dark Kitsune. However, that is all that is commonly known and that also exhausts my store of knowledge on the subject.”
Letitia settled back down, using his shoulder as a pillow. “Correct.” She eyed him warmly. “Do you know what I did for the police force in Glasgow?”
“No, but I presume that even though you would be spectacularly successful as eye candy you did more than that for them.”
“Thank you for the compliment and yes I did. I was, of course, a general medic, but I also worked as a therapist in criminal assessment.” She smiled. “The department is always short of NurseJoys, so I was assigned to the ambulance service for day to day operations. If you remember, I normally don’t spend a whole lot of time in the precinct buildings and was only there to assist the police trying to contain the damage you had done during your incident.”
“That’s a nice way of putting it. Incident.”
“That’s right.” She smirked and kissed his shoulder. “It was very lucky for me that my ambulance was in the area. Anyway, as far as Nogitsune are concerned, there are several pokegirl types that you just can’t apply any sort of yardstick to as a group and Siobhan belongs to one of the more difficult of them. Each of them has to be individually evaluated since, as you pointed out, their evolution is a physical response to a profound loss of self, as represented in their loss of honor.”
“I don’t know all of the details involved in Siobhan coming into the family, since I haven’t had a chance to question Kathryn yet, but I know that she seems very devoted to you. In fact, she shows definite signs of being obsessive about you.”
“Well, I think that having her be concerned about my safety isn’t really a bad thing.”
“That depends on the degree. After you were injured, Siobhan wouldn’t leave your side. When you were brought in here she had to be physically removed by Bellona and after I lay down with you, she snuck back in here twice. All she did was curl up on the foot of the bed and watch you, but it shows some disturbing signs.”
Devon looked concerned. “Did she show any signs of aggressiveness toward you?”
“No. If she had, we would be having an entirely different conversation right now. However, it is entirely possible that she may become aggressive toward anyone that she thinks may be threatening you, no matter what you think of the situation. You’ll need to watch her carefully.”
“I would agree.” Devon’s eyes grew distant for a moment. “However, I would also have to say that this is a good sign.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because my ultimate goal is to help Siobhan achieve that redemption. The evolution of her into a Dark Kitsune isn’t that important to me, except as a method of showing that I’ve managed to make her happy. From what you are saying it sounds like I might be on the right path.”
“Be careful, husband. That path may just lead you over a precipice, should Siobhan attack a vendor because he yelled at you while you two were haggling or a child who hit you in a fit of temper.” She stroked his face gently. “That is the level of obsession that she could reach if you are not very careful. Encouraging this behavior could prove to be a disaster.”
“I see. So what can I do to keep her from becoming a danger to those around me while still letting her work through her problems?”
“I don’t have any specific answers for you. I haven’t had the chance to evaluate Siobhan and to do that properly could take weeks.” She shook her head. “Unless you give me specific orders to the contrary, I’m not going to be able to stay that long. Pokegirl therapists are few and far between and it turns out the Conservatory only had one before I arrived. She was so grateful to see me that she promptly dumped over half of her workload on me.”
“I don’t mind, she has children to care for and I don’t, at least not yet. But it does mean that I’ve assumed a lot of obligations to my patients there and I can’t just walk away from them.” She shrugged. “Even if you were willing to send her with me, I really don’t have the time to see anyone new, at least not with any regularity.”
“A lot of the breeding pokewomen at the Conservatory have some pretty serious issues, but that only makes sense, considering what we go through during our lives.” She cocked her head.
“You know, you have a pretty good track record of helping your pokegirls with any special needs they have. Have you considered becoming a psychiatrist when you end your Taming journey?”
“First Hatsumi wants me to go to the Vale Academy and now you want me to go to medical school.”
Letitia stretched. “Hatsumi told me that she thought you could be a powerful mage. I know of one place that is using magic in therapeutic work and they have achieved some spectacular results.”
“Be that as it may, everyone seems to forget the corollary to me going to either place.”
“What would that be?”
“I did some research when I was younger. I wanted to go to Vale but Poppet wouldn’t let me be tested for magical ability. It turns out that even if I tested out of the first year, Vale would still take six years to complete and med school isn’t any better. While doing that, how am I supposed to take care of my harem, not to mention my children?” He shrugged. “While I’m not sure if I could take my harem, I seriously doubt either place would want kids running around.”
The NurseJoy rubbed her stomach thoughtfully. “I, of all people, should have considered that. I’m sorry, Devon.”
“I suppose I’m pleased that everyone thinks I have all of this wonderful potential, but right now all I want to do is squash Cameron.” He sighed. “I’m not worried about what happens beyond that. I should be, but I just don’t care.” He sounded suddenly weary. “Let me get through this and all I want to do is rest for a little while.”
Letitia sat up and touched his face gently, concern etched on her features. “Do you have anyone you can talk to about this?”
“If you are asking if I have a confident in my harem, then the answer is yes.” He slid out of bed and reached for his clothes.
“Talking with her about your concerns should help you to deal with them.” Letitia kissed him on the cheek, grabbed her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. The door swung shut behind her.
Devon eyed the door as he dressed. “I’ll do that.” He muttered. “Just as soon as Tess gets back.”
***
“How does he do it?” Kathryn looked up at the question. Bellona stood next to her, arms folded and tail twitching slightly.
She followed the DragonQueen’s gaze to where Devon was leaning against a tree, panting as the sweat poured off of him in streams. “What are ye asking about?”
Bellona pointed at him with her chin. “We’ve been training for over six hours with only a few breaks. Zelda collapsed hours ago and all of us have been through the PPHU at least once, most of us more than that. He’s been in the thick of it with the rest of us the whole time. What is he made of, iron?”
Kathryn made a noncommittal sound. “Well he’s got the bloodgifts of Recovery and Endurance, but mostly I think he’s just very determined and very very angry.”
Bellona snorted. “I hope he never gets that angry with me.”
“He won’t.” Kathryn shook her head. “I have seen Devon furious with someone in the harem before, but he won’t offer any of us violence.” She glanced at Rhiannon, who was squared off against Paulette. “Well, he does give Rhiannon violence, but only because he has to.”
“Do you think he enjoys it?”
Kathryn shook her head. “I dinna think so. If he liked hurting people, he would have taken it out on at least one member of the harem and that hasn’t happened.” She got a thoughtful look. “Ye know, we’ve talked about what I like when we are together, but I dinna remember ever talking about what he might like.” She frowned. “It just never came up.”
“Letitia asked me if he talked about himself.” Bellona was still watching Devon. “She wanted me to tell you that she’s worried about him. She wanted me to ask you if he’d talked about his mother and how he felt about her death.”
“Yer asking the wrong pokegirl. I am his alpha and he loves all of us, but if he talked to anyone about stuff like that it would have been Tess.”
“But Tess is gone.” Bellona glanced at the Ladyien. “Who would he be talking to now?”
“I dinna know. Tess was the only one as far as I know. As ye remember, she’s a mite protective of that particular function she performed for Devon.” She shook her head. “Did Letitia say what she was worried about?”
“No, she didn’t.”
“I’ll call her tonight or tomorrow.” She frowned. “Perhaps I’ll ask Hatsumi to take me to the Conservatory so I can talk to her. Devon is right that we should be operating under what he called a communications blackout but if Letitia is worried then I need to know what it is she is worried about.”
“Do you want me to come along?”
“I would, but one of us has to stay near Devon at all times.” Kathryn sighed. “I’ll record the conversation for ye and if ye have any other questions then we might send you to talk to Letitia later.”
“Is this something Letitia is good at?”
“Aye. Letitia is as much a doctor as we can become, and her specialty is psychology. If she’s worried about Devon, then I’m worried about him until I know better.”
***
Bellona jerked the coffle to a halt. Strung out behind her on a rope were the four human prisoners from the base. Rhiannon held the other end of the rope taut. In order to keep the prisoners from getting ideas, Hatsumi and Siobhan walked on either side of the line. She didn’t think they needed this many guards, but Devon had insisted.
She looked around and spotted Devon, who had been waiting for them. The light of the rising sun dimly illuminated his grim face.
“Master, here they are.”
Siobhan was keeping her face carefully neutral. Bellona knew she was unhappy because she suspected that Devon was going to turn the prisoners loose.
On the other hand Hatsumi looked smug, and Bellona suspected that heralded darker things, even though she knew Devon hadn’t told the Demon-Goddess anything that he hadn’t confided to his Beta.
“Thank you, Bellona.” Devon’s voice was uninflected and oddly formal. As he stepped towards the little group light flashed briefly in his hand.
The former base commander, Mark, turned to face him in the semi-dark. “Now see here,” Mark began when Devon, in mid stride, took his head. He struck three more times in rapid succession. Four bodies crumpled to the ground.
He faced his pokegirls as he wiped down his sword and sheathed it. “Bellona, Siobhan, Rhiannon, I wanted you to see that they would be punished. Hatsumi, will you dispose of this trash?” His face was cold.
“Hai”
Devon nodded. “That will be all.” He turned and paused. “Hatsumi, feel free to eat your fill but do not be late for training this morning. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
“Hai, Devon.”
Bellona watched him stride off towards the base, invisible through a kilometer of forest. Kathryn needs to know what just happened and I think she needs to talk to Letitia about this right away.
***
“Who are you?” The man looked suspiciously at Devon.
“I’m Hugh. The Director sent me to do the pickup.” Zelda had found a cap for Devon before he left and he kept it pulled low.
“Right. I’ve never seen you before. You got any proof you are who you say you are?”
Devon jerked his thumb to his side. “Will she do?” The Team Viper member looked over to see Rhiannon glowering at him.
He started with surprise. “Mistress Portia!”
Her eyes narrowed. “Stefan, you piece of trash, when I tell my Master that you were so stupid he’ll send you to Ciel.”
Stefan jerked the door open as he turned white with fear. “Please come in.” He stumbled in his haste to bow them in. “The pokegirl transfer is scheduled to begin in fifteen minutes.”
Devon eyed him as he stepped into the Wellham pokegirl center. “Is the VideoGirl monitoring the transfer?”
“You know about her? What is your rank?” Stefan sounded suspicious again.
Devon sneered. “Obviously high enough to know about her. Answer the question, fool.” Both Rhiannon and Bellona had stressed that he was supposed to be arrogant. All of the high ranking couriers were. He wasn’t sure why Bellona had also repeatedly reminded him not to kill anyone, but no matter.
“She’s monitoring the transfer from the Conservatory end. She won’t come here in case the Blue League has been alerted as we planned.”
“Excellent. We don’t want her tracked to here.”
The tech looked at Devon as if he’d just announced that water was wet, but after a glance at Rhiannon he maintained his silence.
“Where is your partner?” Rhiannon sounded bored.
“Jubala is making sure we don’t have any visitors. One of the NurseJoys stays here each night and he’s Taming the slut to keep her away from here.” Stefan smirked. “We only need one person to monitor the transfer and edit the records. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be busy for the next little while. Why don’t you grab an e-mag and wait over there?”
Devon settled down and opened his PDA. He pulled up some of the latest pokedex updates and settled down to read while keeping an eye on Stefan. Rhiannon stood near the doorway and glowered at everyone, perfectly playing her role of someone who thought the whole thing beneath her.
Stefan fussed with some transfer cases that had been set up to house the incoming pokeballs while Devon read. One of them was turning out to be difficult to set up. He looked up. “Hugh, could you give me a hand?”
Devon shrugged. “On one condition.” A worried look crossed Stefan’s face. “Promise that you won’t tell anyone. Us super secret courier types aren’t supposed to lower ourselves to being useful.”
Stefan blinked and grinned. “Promise.” Devon returned the grin and with his help the case proved more obedient. Everything was ready well beforehand.
When they were done Stefan smiled. “Look, we’ve got some time, and if you are interested I’ll show you where Jubala is. I’m sure he’d be willing to share.”
Devon felt his gorge rise, but no sign of it appeared on his face. “Thanks, but I’ve had bad luck with NurseJoys.” Behind Stefan’s back, Rhiannon gave him a smirk.
“Suit yourself. They can be a lot of fun.” Stefan pulled up some porn on his monitor and settled back to watch.
Devon returned to his updates until his watch chirped. Stefan glanced at him and then jumped up when the transporter quietly gave an alert. “Incoming!”
Devon just looked at him calmly. It seemed to steady Stefan down. He quickly got to work, loading the pokeballs into the transfer cases. One ball arrived every ten seconds, giving him enough time to handle them in turn without having to leave them in the transport queue. Eighty three pokeballs came through over the next fourteen minutes. Finally the last one came through.
Stefan printed off a list of each case’s inventory and put it in the case with the pokeballs. “There, that will help to keep everything in order.” He snapped the cases shut. “Four cases and eighty three pokegirls. You are ready to go, Hugh.”
“I want you to send the authentication signal to Lord Crimson.”
Stefan shrugged. “That wasn’t the plan, but whatever.” He tapped a couple of buttons on the console. “Done.”
Devon was just watching Stefan. “You seem to have more on the ball than most techs I’ve had to deal with recently. How long have you been with the Team?”
“Oh, I’m freelance. I’m not member of your team.” He eyed Rhiannon nervously. “The Director made sure we understood we were under his authority. Frankly, after what he let that pokegirl do to me, I may never work for Team Viper again.”
Devon nodded. “I understand. I promise you that the Director will have to answer for his actions here, and I’ll remember what you said.”
Stefan perked up. “Great.”
“What about Jubala?”
“Oh, he’s hardcore Team Viper.” Behind Stefan, Rhiannon nodded. Stefan continued. “I don’t think I should say anything else.”
“So what happens with you now?”
‘I’m guaranteed passage back to the Blue Continent. I’ve already got another contract lined up working for a corporation on their security systems.” He looked hopefully at Devon. “I’ve already got all of my stuff ready to go.”
Devon smiled. “Well, let me make a quick com call and I’ll get you some transportation. I hope Belfast will be all right.”
“Sure. I’m actually Welsh, but Belfast is just fine.”
Devon called the base. “Hello, this is Hugh. The transport went perfectly and I need Paulette to come straight here. I’ve got some work for her.”
Bellona stared at him out of the screen and then nodded. “She’ll be on her way as soon as I brief her. Is the coast clear?”
“Crystal. Paulette is going to take care of Stefan, but I am unsure of how we are supposed to extract Jubala. I think he needs to be reunited with the rest of his friends, now that his job is done.”
Bellona grinned. “I know where he lives and I’ll have Hatsumi take care of the reunion as soon as he gets home.”
Devon smiled. “Thanks. It’s nice to work with some professionals for a change. Hugh out.”
Paulette appeared as she teleported in. “Master Hugh, you needed me?”
“Yes. This is Stefan. His job is done, so I want you to take him to Belfast and let him go on his way.”
She gave him an odd look as she examined the order for a double meaning. Devon gave a slight shake to his head. She nodded in reply. “As you command.” She turned to Stefan. “Are you ready to go?”
Stefan grabbed a backpack. “More than.” Paulette took his arm and they disappeared.
Rhiannon gave Devon an uncertain look. “Why did you let him live, Master?”
“First, don’t call me that here. My name is Hugh. Second, I don’t think I need to punish a mercenary. They are valuable resources. Next time I may need his help.”
She nodded slowly. “And what about Jubala?”
Devon smiled. “He’s dead.” Rhiannon grinned back.
Paulette reappeared. She looked amused as she handed Devon a tightly wrapped piece of cloth. Devon peered at it uncertainly. “What is this.”
“Your new friend tried to pokeball me.” She grinned. “I only took one finger.”
Devon shook his head and tucked the package into a pocket. “Maybe he’ll change his name to Frodo.” He jerked his chin at the transfer cases. “Both of you get these moved back to the base.” He continued as Paulette started to speak. “I won’t move until you get back.” She nodded and grabbed two cases. Rhiannon followed her seconds later.
Devon packed up his stuff and got ready to leave.
***
Devon looked at the pile of tubing with delight. “This is ingenious.”
Bellona glanced at him as she picked up some sections. “So what is so wonderful about the docking tower?”
Devon blinked and grabbed a couple of sections. “Sorry. Let me help.” He followed her into the clearing where the concrete pad now lay exposed, thanks to Zelda and Kathryn’s work.
“What I meant was that we had experimented with portable docking towers at the Conservatory, but the amount of training needed to get the pokegirls comfortable with erecting it was prohibitive. Many of them don’t have any skill with tools and when they get frustrated things often get broken. This design gets around most of that quite neatly.”
“This tower only needs minimal tool use. Instead it counts on having pokegirls with enhanced strength being available.” Devon squeezed a heavy looking steel clip. “These can only be operated by individuals with enhanced strength, but their holding power equals that of most bolted fittings. So a pokegirl just clips everything together as she works. Only the bottom part needs to be bolted to the support pad anchors.” He grinned. “I need to remember to get some good vids of the clip design. We can use this at the Conservatory for our own tower and stop having to rely on Jerrik.” He chuckled. “If this isn’t patented, it soon will be.”
Bellona, Siobhan and Rhiannon continued putting the tower together while Devon and Paulette located the control lead plugs and started setting up the portable power cables.
In a couple of hours the tower began to take shape. The only time Devon was annoyed was when his harem ganged up on him to prevent him from climbing the tower to string the power leads. He grumbled as Paulette and Hatsumi flew up, attaching the cables as they went. He had to agree that it was safer, but a lot less fun.
He checked his watch when they were finished. “Five hours. Very impressive. A bolted tower would have taken twice that long.”
Siobhan sighed. “Be careful everyone. If Devon takes any more of a liking to that thing, he’ll be trying to Tame it next.” Everyone, including Devon, laughed with her.
***
Ming Die let go of Devon’s hand as he looked around. Letitia waited for them, her hands crossed behind her back. She smiled and gave him a hug and quick kiss. “Thanks for coming.”
“No problem.” Devon gave her a puzzled look. “I’m not sure why I’m here, but Kathryn said that you called the situation serious. What is going on?”
“This is kind of official, so why don’t we go to my office?”
“Ok.” Devon turned to Ming Die. “I don’t know how long this will take.”
I will be fine. I think I will wander around the Conservatory and let several of the security cameras see me. If the VideoGirl is around, she’ll be able to report me here. Poppet will undoubtedly come looking for me when she learns I’m here, since she wants to question me about why I joined your harem and when I will be leaving it.
“I hadn’t thought about that. What are you going to tell her?”
I’ll tell her whatever it takes for her to leave me alone. Part of the truth will probably work just fine. There was a feeling of amusement. All of the truth might cause her to stroke. I would recommend that if she tries to question you, refer her to me. Call me when you are ready to go.
“I will.” Devon followed the NurseJoy inside the building.
Letitia’s office was comfortably furnished. The desk was nice, but not big enough to be threatening while the couch looked very comfortable. There was a tall backed chair off to one side. It looked uncomfortable. Letitia shut the door and settled into it as she motioned towards the couch. “Please have a seat.”
Devon’s eyes narrowed as he sat down. “This isn’t about my harem, is it?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s about what happened this morning.”
Anger swelled inside Devon, but he pushed it down. “You mean the executions.”
“Is that what you are calling them? I heard they were murders.”
“I know the difference.” Devon’s voice was flat.
“Do you? Did they have a trial? Are you a judge or lawyer?” Letitia kept her voice even, but her eyes were unhappy. “What is going on, Devon?”
“They didn’t need a trial. They killed Vivien and Seraphina. Nobody made them join Team Viper. They chose to become criminals and they paid the price.”
“Is that what you have in store for your father?”
Devon looked away. “I haven’t decided yet what is going to happen to Cameron. Poppet’s suggestion sounds interesting, but I’m not really inclined towards it.”
“Devon, call him your father. That’s who he is.” She glared at him. “I don’t think you can kill your father and survive the experience, not and remain Devon.”
“He’s not my father. He has never done any of the things that a father is supposed to do.” Devon’s voice was a snarl. “All he did was contribute sperm towards my creation. After that his work was apparently done.”
Letitia tried a different tack. “This is the highlands of Scotland. Blood here counts for everything. You can’t kill family.”
“Tell that to my mother.”
“Devon, you know your father never considered her human. That is why he was able to do what he did. I’m not trying to justify his actions, but that is the truth.”
“Under that rule, since I know he’s scum, I can kill him, too.”
“Devon, you know that’s not the truth.” Letitia gave him an exasperated look. “He is your sire. Here that means he’s your father. You were raised to protect your family even when they did wrong.”
Devon shook his head, like he was trying to brush off a fly. “Why are you pleading for Cameron’s, I mean my father’s life. Why is it important to you?” He gave her a suspicious look. “Did he bond you?”
“Devon! That is an insane thought and the fact that you even have it shows just how unstable you’ve become.” Devon suddenly looked uncomfortable.
“Sorry.” His tone was unemotional but his eyes were still hot. “What do you counsel me to do?”
“Don’t slaughter your father.” She sighed. “Look, I’ve never met your father, but I understand he’s a right bastard. Even so, killing him would cross a line for you that I don’t think you can survive.” Her hands twisted in her lap. “Devon, you need to remember that your life, our lives, will continue past what will happen in that jungle in the Dark Continent. You will have to live with whatever you do there, and I don’t think you want to have to try to deal with the fact that you murdered your father.”
“Yes, murdered! Kathryn told me the plans you have been making, and if your father survives them, he will be helpless and in your hands.” Her voice dropped. “You will have to make a decision at that point. One that will affect you for the rest of your life. Make the right one and give your father up to the law. Let them punish him.”
“Devon, you aren’t yet sixteen years old and already you can kill casually. You’ve already deliberately taken four human lives that were helpless in your hands.”
Devon snorted. Letitia had to strain to hear him. “More than that.”
She gave him a suspicious look. “Does your comment have anything to do with your earlier statement where you said you knew the difference between an execution and murder?”
Devon gave her a suddenly blank look. “There is no pokegirl-client privilege.” She waited, but he remained silent.
“I see. So let us assume for the sake of argument that you have killed more than four helpless people. That only makes things worse. If you are not careful you will become that which you are trying to stop.” She grimaced. “Didn’t Nietzsche say that he who fights with monsters might take care lest he become a monster?”
“He also said: You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” Devon looked angrily back at her.
“Sometimes your perfect memory can be very annoying.”
For the first time, Devon smiled. “Perhaps.”
Letitia smiled back. “Can you promise me that you won’t kill your father out of hand?”
Devon stared at the floor for a moment. “No.”
“Why not?”
“If you really want, I’ll try it Poppet’s way. But I’m not going to endanger anyone close to me to not kill him. If I can capture him, fine. But if it looks like he’s going to hurt a member of my harem, I will kill him without a thought.” He looked up at her. “That is the best I can offer.”
She nodded. “Then that will have to do. You will capture him and give him to Poppet.”
Devon shook his head. “Done.”
Letitia looked satisfied. “See it wasn’t so hard to decide not to kill your father. Now we only have one other thing to address.”
Devon suddenly looked wary. “I’m not going to discuss any theoretical murders with you.”
“We’ll talk about that another time.” Letitia frowned at him. “I was very hurt to discover that you lied to me, Devon.”
He looked startled. “Huh? I’ve never lied to you.”
“So what were you doing when I asked you if you had someone in the harem you could talk to? Knitting perhaps?”
“I didn’t lie to you. I do have someone in the harem who I talk to.”
“Tess! Who just happens to not be in the harem anymore.”
“Yes she is. She’s just like you and Jennifer, not around. That does not mean that she isn’t a part of my harem.”
“But she’s not where you can talk to her, is she?”
Devon gave her an odd look. “You only asked if I had someone I could talk to.”
Letitia smacked the arm of her chair with a hand. “Well, from now on you can talk to me.”
“That is not going to work.” Devon frowned. “You want to argue with me, not listen. If I want arguments, I can talk to Zelda. Now I know that if I want an argument, I can also talk to you.” He shook his head. “Maybe it’s because I’m your husband and you are emotionally involved with me, but so far you haven’t been listening. In fact, you’ve been doing most of the talking.”
Letitia stared at him for a moment. “You are absolutely correct.”
“I know, don’t get used to it.”
“Huh?”
“That’s what all of the pokegirls here at the Conservatory used to tell me whenever I was discovered to be accidentally correct about something. ‘Don’t get used to it.’ They’ve told me that since I was five.”
She shook her head. “I’ve heard stories about how you were treated here while growing up and sometimes I wonder how you are as sane as you are.”
Devon shrugged and stood. “Sometimes I wonder if I am.” Letitia blinked. “I really need to be getting back to the base. We’ve still got a lot of work to do and Ming Die and I are really the only ones who know how to troubleshoot electrical systems in case there is a problem with the tower.”
“How do you compartmentalize like that?”
“What do you mean?”
“A minute ago you were mad enough to chew rock, and yet suddenly you aren’t.”
He gave her an odd look. “I imagine that there is this tremendous door behind which I can lock all of my anger. I just shut it and bar it when I have work to do.”
“So you never deal with your anger? The room behind the door, how big is it?”
“I don’t know. Big enough, I guess. I had to learn to do this because when I showed a temper as a child I got beaten by whoever was closest. So I learned quickly how not to show any temper. Look I really have to go.”
Letitia followed him outside. Ming Die was already waiting for him. He took her hand. “Devon, one quick question?”
“I think you’ve had enough questions tonight, but all right. What?”
“You said you weren’t inclined towards Poppet’s idea. Why not?”
“I just didn’t think it was right.”
She suddenly looked wary. “Poppet wasn’t going to kill your father, right?”
“Yeah.”
“What did she have planned that you didn’t think was right?”
“She wanted to keep him alive to use his sperm for breeding the pokegirls here at the Conservatory. She thinks his problem is environmental, not genetic.” He shrugged. “She considers his genetic potential superior to that of the donors we’re using now.”
“So why did you have reservations? You didn’t want him breeding?”
“No, it’s just I didn’t think what Poppet was going to do was right.” He frowned. “She doesn’t need anything but his sperm, so to ensure he can’t escape she wants to cut off his limbs and remove his tongue. After that all she needs to do is mechanically harvest his sperm for artificial insemination. I thought death would be better for him.”
Letitia was staring at Devon in growing horror. “That’s monstrous!”
Devon gave her a crooked grin. “Maybe you need to quote Nietzsche to her.”
“DEVON JAMIE HARRIS THIS ISN”T FUNNY.”
She’s using your full name. Ming Die’s voice was for him alone. Has any pokegirl ever used your full name for anything you wanted to stay around and hear?
No. Please take me home. They disappeared as Letitia started to hit her stride.
What do you think she will do? Ming Die asked as the appeared in his bedroom at the base.
“Maybe she’ll go yell at Poppet.” Devon grinned.
That could be unhealthy for Letitia.
Devon gave her a grim look. “That would be unhealthy for Poppet and she knows it.”
Poppet would not be stupid enough to let you get close enough to harm her if she killed Letitia.
“Sure she would. She’s not aware that I know I’m her pet project so if I act contrite enough she’d let me get close enough to put a knife in her.” He looked thoughtful. “I’d just have to hurt her enough with the first blow to keep her from teleporting.”
You are becoming more ruthless.
Devon looked surprised at her tone. “Is that a bad thing?”
You are starting to behave like my sisters would. Planning for unlikely eventualities in which you must kill those around you. Have you made plans for me?
“Of course not!” Devon was shocked. “Am I really acting that badly?”
Yes.
Devon leaned back against her and let his eyes go blank as he searched his mind. Finally he raised his head. “I don’t see it, but then it is me we’re talking about. Help me to look more neutrally.”
Ming Die reached into his mind and helped him to sift through his memories. After a while he blinked and shook his head. “Enough.” He rubbed his eyes. “I’ve become my father.”
No, you have become like Cameron. You are still willing to listen to the opinions of others which means that you are not him. What are you going to do?
“I need to take him alive. I want him dead, but I’m afraid Letitia is right and that killing him just might be the final straw.” Devon took a deep breath. “So much anger directed at him.” He gave her a glance. “He deserves it.”
I agree. He deserves death. But if you are the one who gives him that blessing... There was a pause. Letting him live would hurt him more.
“Then life it is.” Devon sighed. “Now I just have one problem left.”
Only one?
He chuckled. “One that is very important to me at this moment.”
What is that?
“How do I apologize to Letitia without seeming like such an ass? And how do I accomplish this while keeping her from yelling at me for an extended period of time?”
I am afraid there is only one solution.
“There isn’t any way I can pull this off, is there?”
No. You will have to let her vent her anger on you, while you apologize profusely. In the long run it may help your relationship with her, that you are willing to take your lumps when you are wrong.
Devon looked up at the stars for a moment and then stood. “No time like the present.” He took Ming Die’s hand and they vanished once more.
***
Devon poked his head in the door. “Got a minute?”
Bellona looked up from her computer. Devon had recently purchased the devices for anyone who wanted them. So far no one had turned them down, although Devon suspected Zelda used her mainly for games and he wasn’t sure she was acting alone.
“Sure. I never realized that being a beta could be so much work. Have you given any thought into investing some of your money?”
“Later. Let’s take a walk.”
Bellona followed him outside. They walked for a time through the darkness, neither of them seeing a reason to speak. Finally Devon turned to the DragonQueen.
“I’d like to ask you for a favor. I need someone to talk to, someone who will just listen. Someone to bounce ideas off of. Could you do that for me?”
Bellona looked off into the distance for several moments. Finally she slowly spoke. “I would like to say yes, but I am not sure I can.”
“May I ask why not?”
She gave him a long look. “I know Tess was your sounding board and she made it plain before she left that no one was going to take that job away from her. She was quite emphatic about it and in fact she and Rhiannon came to blows over it. She almost killed your Dark Lady.”
Devon stared at her for a moment. “How almost?”
“Rhiannon was missing several important parts and only prompt healing from Hatsumi kept her alive long enough for us to get her into her pokeball. Tess was VERY emphatic about this.”
“Why didn’t I hear anything about this?”
“It was harem business, my lord.” Her eyes were suddenly wary.
Devon chuckled. “I’m not mad, so you can drop the sudden formality. I do think I need to sit down with Kathryn and redefine exactly what harem business I should have no part of.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Actually I’ll need talk to you about it as well, won’t I, since you are my beta. In your opinion should I replace Kathryn as alpha?”
She froze. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him. “Please don’t ask me to answer that question.”
“Why shouldn’t I? You are my beta.”
“I would like to resign.”
“No. Answer the question. Why don’t you want to answer my previous question?”
Bellona looked down at the ground. “Because your harem works. Everyone in it is relatively happy and removing Kathryn would destroy her as well as shatter the strength of your harem.” She met his gaze. “You would be better off to merely kill her. It would be faster and would damage your harem far less than if you removed her.”
“My harem is that fragile?”
Her voice was fierce with emotion. “No, Devon because it is that strong!”
“I think that is the first time you have used my name.”
She glared at him. “It’s the first time you’ve been so pigheaded.” Her hands clapped over her muzzle as her eyes went wide in shock.
Her eyes went even wider when he laughed. “You win. I’m a jerk.”
“Iamsosorrypleaseforgivememylord.” Bellona threw herself flat on the ground.
Devon took her arm and pulled. She refused to move. “Fine.” He threw himself on the ground next to her, reached out, and turned her head to look at him. “I am not mad at you. Please believe me.”
“But I called you pigheaded.” Her voice was thick with fear.
“Bellona, you obviously thought I was being pigheaded, so you were right to call me on it. In retrospect I think you were right. That’s why I agreed with you.”
“I know that you haven’t really been here more than a handful of days, and I threw you off in the deep end when I made you my beta, but it was only because I believed in your ability to cope and to get the job done. I have yet to question that decision. You have actually exceeded what I thought you would be capable of and I know full well that Kathryn has dumped a lot of what should be her job onto you and we are going to have a talk about that.” He gripped her muzzle as she tried to say something. “I’m not done yet.” She nodded slowly.
“I have watched you these last few days as you helped to train everyone and I can honestly say that Tess couldn’t have done a better job and I only expect you to get even better as you learn more about how to motivate our people. You have given far more than I thought you capable of and I am very proud of you.” Her eyes widened at his words.
“I need someone to talk to. Someone who will listen and help me to make sense of my life as it spins out of control. Someone who won’t judge me or try to tell me what I should do. Figuring that out is my job. I just need someone who can help me to see the whole picture so I can make a decision.”
“I know that this is hard to hear, and frankly I’m trapping you into saying yes by telling you this, but if you won’t do this then I’m out of luck. Tess isn’t here and I don’t trust anyone else to do this with me.”
Bellona licked his fingers. Devon smiled and let go of her muzzle. She sighed. “You really don’t believe that anyone else can do this?”
“No. Kathryn and Zelda would try to ‘help’ me, Hatsumi would agree with everything I said, Paulette doesn’t have the breadth of experience, Ming Die is still learning to deal with emotions, Siobhan is too focused on doom and gloom and do you really want me using Rhiannon as my sounding board?”
She smiled slightly. “Not while I am in your harem.”
“Yeah, me either. Unfortunately that means that it is either you or I am on my own.” He gave her a hopeless expression. “And I don’t think I can swing this on my own, or else I wouldn’t be begging you to do this.”
She gave him an odd look. “You are lying in the dirt.”
“That would be your fault. You were down here first.”
“Will you protect me from Tess?’
Devon looked thoughtful. “I will not allow Tess to act against you for helping me in this way. I will not give you blanket protection from anything you might do that would give Tess a real grievance against you.”
She smiled. “You sound like a lawyer.”
He gave her one in return. “You sound like you are going to say yes.”
“I am.” She gave him a fondly exasperated look. “How can I say no to someone who’s going to stay such a big jerk until I agree?” She flinched slightly and then relaxed as Devon rolled over onto his back, laughing.
***
Portable Pokegirl Healing Unit
Size: 8x8x8 inches (20x20x20 cm)
Weight: 5.5 lb (2.5 kg)
Cost: 375000 slc
The unit has no internal power supply and must be connected to an external power source to operate. It can be powered by a pokegirl electrical converter. A standard external battery will provide enough power for four healings.
To use the PPHU, place a loaded pokeball into the single station and close the lid. The unit will automatically run a cycle and may be set to either beep, flash a small light or do both when the cycle is complete.
The unit can hold one pokeball at a time and can perform all of the healing functions of a standard healing unit such as those found at a pokecenter. It does cure any status conditions.
The PPHU requires two minutes per pokegirl. Interrupting the healing cycle at any point is 75% likely to result in the pokegirl receiving no benefit at all from the PPHU. The unit cannot provide conditioning or cleaning programs of any level.
The pokegirl is returned at full strength and can immediately be used in battle, however, use of the PPHU is not a substitute for sleep and any exhausted pokegirl will remain exhausted until given four to six hour of uninterrupted sleep.
Travelers are cautioned that the sale of these items is unrestricted and that police are reporting an increasing frequency of use among abusive Tamers and outright criminals.
Name: Harris, Devon Jamie
Age: 15
Residence: Highland County, Blue Continent
Region: Scotland
Status: Active
Rank: 40
Security Clearance: Theta
Licenses
Tamer Y
Master Tamer Y
Researcher N
Watcher N
Breeder Y
Active Harem
Name Species Level
1 Hatsumi Demon-Goddess (Hunter) Steel/Magic/Dark 86
2 Bellona DragonQueen Dragon/Dark 46
3 Rhiannon Dark Lady Magic (Infernal) 41
4 Paulette Neo-Iczel Magic 39
5 Kathryn Ladyien Bug/Flying 30
6 Ming Die Alaka-Wham Psychic Unknown
Notes:
Alpha: Kathryn
Beta: Bellona
7 Siobhan Nogitsune Dark/Magic 35
8 Zelda Pia Electric 20