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Grey Chronicles
One
(09/14/06 0715 Austin, Texas League)
Iain pushed the door shut and made sure the lock had engaged while Pandora alertly scanned the street behind him. She spoke without looking in his direction. “Why can’t this wait? Magdalene said we could stay here as long as we wanted and we have only been here a few hours. She’s not even here and she said she won’t be back for at least a week.”
“I will not impose on Magdalene any more than absolutely necessary.” He glanced at her as he stepped off the porch. “If you want to stay here that’s fine. I’m just going to the land office. I don’t really need an escort.”
“Yes, you do. And just for the record I’m not the only one who isn’t sure this is a good idea.”
“She’s right.” Eve appeared with Dominique. “We don’t even know where we want to live, do we?”
Iain shrugged as Ninhursag teleported in and ignored the Megami-sama’s question. “How are the others?”
The Elfqueen smiled briefly. “April, Canaan, Zareen, Sofia and Raquel are watching Vanessa. They’re fine. And while I agree that staying here is a bad idea, Eve is right in that we have no idea where we’re going to live.”
“I do.” Everyone stared at Iain. “I did live in a version of Texas, remember? I’m not sure where in the league we will want our primary home to be but it would definitely behoove us to have a place here in the Austin area. We’ll need a base for visiting and the Sisterhood will be able to rent it when we’re not around. They’ll need a place here so they can try to find more Celestial tamers for all of those lonely Megami. I happen to know a good place down in the ruins of Old Austin if someone else hasn’t already bought it.” He stopped and scratched his chin as he looked around. “Ok, ladies, you need to remember that I wrote about this place and so when I start talking about things we don’t know, like the fact that the land office is on Capitol Street, just understand what’s going on.”
Dominique grinned. “You mean you want us to pretend to understand, just like we’re pretending to agree that a place without a government is not going to be a madhouse.” She nudged Eve gently. “I wonder if this league would make an Officerjenny’s head explode.”
Ninhursag looked at Iain. “Do you think we need to send up aerial reconnaissance? I don’t see a lot of flying pokegirls around.”
“We’re in New Austin. I think we don’t want to look like we’re hunting for a fight.” He pointed north. “Capitol Street is five blocks that way.”
Eve fell in beside him as they began walking. “You drew a map of the area for your stories?”
He flashed a quick smile. “No, I asked Magdalene for directions before she left. I hate making maps. That’s why I originally wrote in the Blue League.”
Dominique looked puzzled. “What do you mean that’s why you wrote in Blue?”
“I picked the Blue League to develop because I suck at mapmaking. You have to understand that the pokegirl prime map was made by someone who wasn’t the slightest bit concerned about the poor scuts who would be developing the leagues. It was very vague and the scale was that of a whole planet Mercator map. That means it’s always inaccurate since there’s distortion of large objects like continents. That made it easy for the cartographically creative since they could do almost anything they wanted and nobody could say it was wrong. For me, however, being cartographically challenged, the United Kingdom was the least changed place on the pokegirl prime map from what existed in the real world and so I could use real maps when I wrote instead of spending weeks making ones for me. Someone else had been writing there but he’d been gone from the genre for a few years and I tracked him down and got permission to take it over.” He chuckled suddenly. “Of course, during the weeks it took me to find him, I could have made maps but I really do hate mapmaking. And later I found out that most people didn’t make any maps. They just winged it when putting cities down, which aggravated the hell out me since they didn’t make any sense. Anyway, that’s why Poppet and Jamie ended up in Blue and why most of my writing was done there.”
“If the maps were accurate and you could have developed any place on the planet, what would you have chosen instead?” Dominique shrugged when he shot her a sharp glare. “It’s a good question. If you create what you write then the Pendragons could have been somewhere else and I’d have a different accent.”
“And if I’m just writing what I view it would have changed nothing in your life.” He shook his head. “I really don’t know. Texas was underwater in the original map and I wasn’t excited about what had been done to Australia, Japan or Africa. If I’d done the original documentation on prime there would have been scores of leagues instead of the handful that existed. I mean the entire Soviet Union becoming one league? Get real. Ruby didn’t have a large standing army and countries are always trying to break away from what was the Soviet Bloc. Japan and China hate each other with a passion and to slam them into a single country without expecting constant civil war is to completely ignore history. After all, that’s what happened every time Japan tried to conquer China or when China invaded Japan. Hell, for years Chinese propaganda made the Japanese out to be following pregnant Chinese women around in hopes of getting them alone so they could cut the baby out and eat it while it was still fresh. And everyone hated the Koreans who hated them back. The same thing was happening with the Vietnamese, Laotians, Tibetans, Indians and pretty much every other Asian country. Lump more than one of them into the same league and you’d have at best a series of low grade civil wars raging for the next thousand years. The creators of prime went with a more simplistic view of the world and made everyone get along within the leagues. It was much easier, but bland. I remember when I instituted rising nationalism in Blue it raised a lot of eyebrows in the forums and in the groups. People thought I was insane. Then people started copying a lot of the things I did in the field guide.” He stopped and pointed. “There’s Capitol. We turn left here and go another six blocks.”
Eve was watching the people moving up and down the streets. “I’m surprised how much traffic there is this early.”
“There’s pretty much no electricity, Eve, and glassblowing skills to make oil lamps and the knowledge of candle making are both dying arts at the beginning of the Revenge War. People rise with the sun and have things to do before sundown. After dark they head to bed fairly soon unless they’ve got a specific reason to be out and about in the night.” He glanced at her. “During the middle ages they had similar levels of technology and the guard in the various cities tended to treat anyone out at night as a prospective criminal unless they happened to be nobility. It’s becoming the situation in many of the leagues as they fall backwards.”
Pandora frowned. “What about Texas?”
“Texas doesn’t have police. Texans tend to be heavily armed and so criminals tend to find other places to ply their trade. Or they end up dead. If they hit upon the idea of killing all of their victims, they tend to get hunted by organized groups of civilians led by psychic or celestial pokegirls and then they end up dead.”
The building he stopped in front of said that it was the Texas League Post Office, the Texas League Volunteer Defense Force Station, the Austin Polling Depot and the Texas League Land Development Office. A smaller sign in the door frame said “Gone Fishing, back after noon”.
Iain stared at it and then began swearing sulfurously. He broke off and grabbed for his holster when gunshots sounded from somewhere behind the building. Ninhursag was just as fast. Her bow materialized in her hands as she snapped out orders. “Eve is in the air, Pandora is with Iain and Dominique is with me.” She lunged around the building with Dominique close behind as Eve shot straight up. Pandora summoned her magical armor and leveled her shotgun as she and Iain followed Ninhursag and Dominique.
Behind the building a pokegirl and a man were aiming pistols at some pieces of wood that had been propped up. They whirled when Ninhursag and Dominique ran into view, aiming at the newcomers. Iain began yelling as soon as he saw them. “Everyone stand down! They’re supposed to be here!” He slowly holstered his weapon. “I’m sorry, Sally, Buck, but we thought there was trouble of some kind.”
The man looked at the array of weapons being put away and smiled. “If we were in trouble, I’d be glad to see your little group. You know me, but I do not know you, sir.”
“Ladies, this is Buck Hartman and his Chocoboob, Sally. I’m Iain Grey and your sign made us think you weren’t anywhere around. The silver haired woman is Ninhursag, the redhead black woman is Dominique and the purple haired woman with the shotgun is Pandora. The woman circling around to land behind us is Eve. We were hoping to purchase some land this morning.”
Buck grinned. “Sorry about the sign. We had to go out this morning to meet with someone and couldn’t resist trying out our new toys.” He motioned with the pistol he held.
Iain blinked. “That’s a Haven recoilless 10mm, isn’t it?”
Sally grinned. “You’re familiar with Haven?”
“I’ve got a passing familiarity with them.” He frowned. “But you got those before,” he broke off. “Um, what day is this?”
“It’s Sunday.”
“I mean, what is the date?”
“It’s September the 14th, 2008.” Sally was watching him curiously. “Is there something the matter, Iain?”
Oh, yes, Iain said through his bond to the ladies around him. “No, not really.” There’s a problem. Magdalene said it was July of 2009 and it’s not. Either she made a mistake or something is wrong here. He reached out through his twee. Theodora?
The AI responded instantly. I am here.
Do not let any of my writing go to the other AIs or anyone else until I specifically give permission for it. And don’t discuss them with anyone else, please.
I hadn’t planned to, Iain. One never knows what one can accidentally reveal that one might instead wish to sell.
Good girl, Theodora.
Thank you, Iain.
Buck looked over the group with an appraising eye. “I don’t suppose you want to join the TDF, do you?”
Eve gave him a puzzled look. “TDF?”
“The Texas Defense Forces.”
“Maybe later,” Iain replied, “but not right now. I was hoping to buy some land this morning.”
“We’re fishing. Come back this afternoon.”
Sally shook her head. “Buck, I don’t think they’re going to be put off by that excuse. Sell them the land and then we can go back to having fun.”
Buck sighed and put the pistol in his holster. “If I have to suffer then so do you. Come with me.” Sally grumbled but followed him through a back door into the store. Once inside he leaned against the counter and waved Iain and the others around to the customer side of it. “What do you want to purchase and where is it?”
Iain nodded to Pandora, who produced a fair sized steel canister from her pack and put it on the counter. “I want to give this to you first. I doubt I’ll be able to compete with Kerrik when Caradoc starts supplying coffee, but I thought you might like some.”
Before Buck could say anything, Sally grabbed it. “I’ll put some water on and thank you Iain. Be very nice to the man, Buck.” She disappeared through a doorway.
Buck chuckled. “That was a smart move, Iain. Sally has missed coffee something fierce. You know, I spent time in Ireland when I was in the military so I recognize your accent, which tells me where you’re from. What are you doing here, half a world away?”
“I’m actually a Texan, Buck. I just spent the last few years in Ireland and picked up an Irish accent. I don’t like the way Blue is going and I can’t count on the queen winning the war or even changing things much if she does. Ireland’s government isn’t that different so I came home with my family. I’m not really willing to fight the English for the Irish, but I’ll fight the people trying to conquer Texas.”
The rich smell of coffee began to seep into the room and Iain could almost watch Buck’s nose twitch. “What land did you want to buy?”
“I want to get a handful of acres around the Barton Creek Spring. It’s where Zilker Park used to be.”
“I know where it is.” Buck pulled a large ledger from a shelf filled with them and opened it up. “I don’t think anyone has purchased it, but let me make sure before we go any further.” He leafed through the tome for a few minutes before looking up. “Nobody has bought anything that far south along the river, so you’re fine. How much of the area do you want?”
“I want the springs and the pool. That’ll let us conserve the salamanders, presuming any survived the Red Plague and then the later pokegirl assault and we will be able to control access to the springs. Give us a square based around that.”
Buck pulled open what looked like a poster display rack like you’d find in a department store. It held maps under the protective plastic. He flipped through it and picked up a ruler. “For that, you’d have to purchase twenty five acres of land. Right now land in the ruins is running a dollar an acre. That would be thirteen thousand SLC an acre if you want to go that route.” He gave Iain a speculative look. “A Haven crown is the equivalent of the Texas dollar and we take those. However, I could let you take the land in trade.”
Iain and Ninhursag exchanged a look. I have the money in my pack, the Elfqueen said over their bond.
His expression didn’t change. Let’s find out what he wants. If it is something we can do, it’ll build goodwill.
He’s right. Eve joined the discussion. These people will be our neighbors and having someone in the government on our side has proven to be good for us more often than not.
The entire aside took less than a second. Iain shrugged. “I’d like to know what you have in mind before I commit to your proposal.”
“Smart, I like that. This morning I got in a couple of tons of supplies. I’ve got someone guarding it but nobody will be able to help me move it for another day or so. Like I said, I’ve got a guard on it but he doesn’t have a pokegirl and since it’s out in the open, it sits in the back of my mind and nags me about how some of it could be stolen or damaged. If you’ll move it into storage for me, the league will pay you for the work. Twenty five dollars sounds about right, so I’ll deed you the land and we’ll call it even. What do you say?”
Iain looked at Ninhursag. “You have anything against a little honest work?”
“Of course I don’t. I’ll send Dominique to get the others while Buck shows us where the supplies are and where they’re supposed to go.”
Iain turned back to Hartman. “You’ve got a deal.”
***
(09/14/06 0740 Austin, Texas League)
The guard was a shaggy headed blond young man armed with a double barreled shotgun. Of course, it was of limited use considering he was sprawled across some crates and snoring loudly enough that Iain could hear it from a dozen feet away. It was almost as loud as the grinding of Buck’s teeth from where he stood next to Iain. The postman finally sighed. “That idiot is lucky we’re not feral pokegirls.”
A malicious smile appeared on Ninhursag’s face. “Would you like us to be? If we scare him out of a year’s growth he might stay awake next time.”
“I’m not sure there will be a next time since I can’t trust him. Besides, he’s got that scattergun of his and he might hurt someone with it.”
Ninhursag looked at Iain. “Well?”
He looked at Pandora. “Want to play a little?”
She nodded. “I do.” She blurred forward and snatched the shotgun from where the man was cradling it. With her other hand she grabbed his leg and jerked him into the air to dangle helplessly. When he started yelling, she smacked him on the head with the shotgun and snarled like an angry Tigress. He froze, staring at her in shock.
Iain glanced at Buck and strode forward. “And now you’re dead.” Pandora lowered the guard until his head touched the ground. Then she released him to fall. He yelped when his legs smacked into the ground. Iain squatted in front of him. “Sleeping on watch is a good way to wake up half digested. Ferals can’t be reasoned with and they don’t give second chances.”
“You bastard!”
“Good guess but it’s wrong.”
Buck tugged the shotgun from Pandora. “Dave, I think I’ll hold on to this for a few minutes until I’m sure you won’t try to shoot anyone with it. I’d hate to be responsible for this nice young thing having to dismember you. Now why were you sleeping on the job I hired you for?”
“I was sleepy,” Dave said defensively as he slowly sat up. “There wasn’t anything going on. I’m a light sleeper. Nobody was going to sneak up on me.”
Pandora folded her arms as Buck snorted. “It already happened, Dave.” He tossed the shotgun to the sitting man. “You’re fired. Come by later and I’ll give you what you’re owed.”
Dave clambered to his feet. “This isn’t right!”
Eve cocked her head. “You were hired to guard something and you didn’t. You got off lightly. I was beaten when I failed to do my job.”
“I can’t do that,” Buck muttered. “He’s my sister’s boy. What I will do, however, is tell her about the stellar job you did for me, Dave.”
Dave’s eyes went wide. “There’s no reason for that, Buck.”
Eve smiled slightly. “I believe you have hit upon the method for motivating Dave, Buck.”
“I’m sorry, Buck! It’s hard to do this when I’m out here all alone.” A sly look crossed his face as he glanced around the group. “I’d probably do much better if I had a pokegirl of my own to help out.”
Sally snorted. “If you want a pokegirl, then try being nice to one, you little snot. Or pay someone to catch you a feral pokegirl, but then you can’t be so picky about what you get.”
Dave gave her a defiant look. “Maybe I’ll do just that! Buck, I’ll be by after lunch for my pay.” He almost stomped off, stopping dead when he saw Zareen and Raquel trotting up the path. The Nightmare was carrying Sofia and April while Vanessa, Canaan and Dominique were riding the Rapitaur. “Holy shit.” He waved to Zareen, who slowed. He pointed at Sofia. “Hey, want to be my pokegirl?”
The Peekabu’s ears went flat. “¡No! ¡Usted le guarda lejos de mí demonio!” She exploded off Zareen’s back and blurred to hide behind Iain. “¡No lo deje tomarme! ¡Usted prometió!”
Iain took her hand, wincing when she squeezed it with desperate strength. “Nobody is taking you, Sofia. I am not breaking my promise to you. The young man is just hoping to find a pokegirl of his own.”
“He frightens me,” Sofia said in thickly accented English. She tended to fall back on her native Spanish when upset or excited, so the return to English was a good omen. “And you are my tamer.”
Zareen was laughing so hard that April had to slide off or risk being thrown. The Duelist gave Iain a confused look. “Iain, what is going on?”
“This is Dave and he’s looking for a pokegirl. Apparently he’s going to try asking any he comes across to be his maharani.”
Raquel snorted. “He is wasting his time here.” Several people chuckled.
“It’s not funny!” Dave was almost dancing with rage.
Iain strode forward, dragging Sofia when she refused to let his hand go. “It’s not, Dave,” he said soothingly. “What happened is that all of these pokegirls except Sally have chosen to spend their lives with me. Most of them wouldn’t have reacted to your suggestion like Sofia here did, but she was very badly abused before coming to me and she’s still working through the trauma. I promised her that she’d be safe with me forever and your request, as well intentioned as it was, terrified her.”
Dave looked at Sofia’s face and his eyes filled with a different anger, the bridled fury of an honorable man raised to protect the helpless. “What happened to the ones who abused her?”
“When she’s feeling better and is ready, she and I are going to pay them a visit and they won’t hurt anyone ever again.”
He nodded once. “Good. If you need help, I’m in.”
Eve blanched. “Iain.”
“Dave is a man, Eve. If he wants to help and we need his help, I will ask for his aid.” Don’t worry. We won’t need his help with Sofia’s family.
Still, he’s not a bad man; he’s just young and inexperienced. Can we help him?
Dominique cocked her head. The land you purchased has been empty for a while, right? Then it most likely has a feral or two on it or in the neighborhood. Invite him to hunt them with us and let him keep one or more of them.
He should get just one pokegirl. Pandora was watching Dave closely. He is very young and inexperienced tamers do not do well unless they acquire pokegirls at a reasonable rate. Otherwise there is too much trouble within the harem to successfully face any external threats. Will you be instituting something similar to the Shepherd program for new tamers?
Not me, but we might try to set something similar up later. Iain turned to Dave. “Dave, I’m Iain Grey. You seem like a good person and I think it’s just that you’re unfamiliar with pokegirls. I’m buying some land in the ruins of Old Austin and I think I’d like your help in clearing it after Buck finishes up the paperwork. If nothing else, I’ll need a guide in getting to my new property. There’s likely to be a feral or two in the area and I won’t let them live around my home. It’s just too hazardous for everyone involved. After we capture them, I don’t see why you can’t have your pick of the lot as payment. I’ll even throw in a couple of pokeballs and a handy piece of equipment called a pokedex.”
Sally’s mouth dropped. “You’ll what? Where did you get pokeballs and pokedexes from? We just got some in this shipment.”
Iain shrugged. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I did earlier mention to you that I have a passing familiarity with the Kingdom of Haven. I’ve got a source of supply for pokeballs and other pokegirl related equipment. As for aiding Dave, where I came from there’s a tradition of veteran tamers helping new ones get started and I’m just carrying it on here.”
Dave was just staring. “You’ll really give me a pokegirl?” His eyes swept over the group of females in front of him and he flushed slightly.
Iain shook his head. “I’ll let you chose a feral and help you safely tame her. These ladies are part of my family and claim they’re happy with me.”
Dominique slid off of Raquel. “Girls, this is Buck and his Chocoboob Sally. I don’t know the other man since I have not met him before. Iain called him Dave.”
“I’m Dave Pruitt.”
“All right, he’s Dave Pruitt.” Dominique pointed to each pokegirl in turn. “Raquel, Zareen, April, Vanessa, Canaan, Eve, Pandora, Ninhursag, I’m Dominique and you already know Sofia. The man is our tamer, Iain Grey.” She grinned. “Now tell me everyone’s names back.” She held up a hand when he stared at her in shock. “Just kidding.”
April nodded towards the pallets of stuff. “That what we’re here to move?”
“Yeah. Buck still has to show us where it goes though.” Ninhursag nudged a pallet thoughtfully with the toe of her boot. “There are only a couple of tons of stuff here. It won’t be that bad.”
“Who is guarding Iain?”
“Panodora is unless you need her.”
The Duelist turned to Raquel. “Eve’s going with you. See those ruins over there?” April turned and pointed her finger at the wall of debris a kilometer or so away. “You two find and bring back some fairly straight metal poles or five by ten beams at least two meters long. We’ll slide the poles through the pallet holes and carry them like they’re stretchers.”
Buck frowned. “What’s a five by ten beam?”
“It’s metric for a two by four inch stud,” Iain explained. “I doubt you’ll find a lot of intact wood, April.”
Buck shook his head. “She will. There’s lots of it in the ruins if you’re not too particular about what it looks like. That’s where a lot of the lumber and other building supplies for rebuilding the new part of Austin came from.”
“That’s good,” April stated as Raquel raced off for the rubble with Eve taking to the air in hot pursuit. “Ninhursag, we need security.”
The Elfqueen nodded. “Canaan, Vanessa and Sofia are on watch. Pandora is with Iain.”
Iain blinked. “I want Sofia and me with Vanessa instead. Canaan and Pandora are some of our strongest pokegirls and should help move supplies. With this group a sentry is a tripwire and I’m sure Sofia and I can scream as loudly as anyone else if trouble happens.”
Ninhursag turned a halfhearted glare on Iain, which he returned. “This is a new place and everyone is going to be twitchy about your protection for a while.”
Iain pushed his sleeves back to reveal the tattoos of Eirian and Aurum on his arms, making the movement look like a man preparing for a physical fight. “I will be fine with Sofia and Vanessa. If there’s an emergency, Vanessa can evacuate us to where we came in while Sally gets Buck to safety. It’s not like Sanctuary or the McMahons would be chasing me here.”
Ninhursag knew he was referring to the shuttle sitting at Novolazarevskaya Station in the Antarctic. She also knew that Skye, Ling, Matilda, Beryl and Emerald were tattoos elsewhere on his body. She still didn’t have to like the plan or the idea of his dead harem protecting him. It was supposed to be the job of his living harem. It was supposed to be her job. But not liking the plan and putting up with the fact that he was right were two different things. “All right.”
Buck was watching with shrewd eyes. “What is going on?”
“There were some people chasing me,” Iain said slowly. “Once in a while I got separated from most of my ladies and got captured. I got free, too.”
Canaan’s antenna twitched and she snorted loudly. “If I remember correctly and I have an eidetic memory, you also got bits and pieces lopped off each time that happened, didn’t you?”
“Well, yeah, there is that. But Vanessa won’t take any chances with our safety and you know it.” Iain shot her a look that the Splice returned with a serene smile. “Maybe in my next harem I’ll have more of a totalitarian power structure.”
Canaan laughed. “You feel free to do that in your next harem.” One of the pallets lifted off the ground and floated over to hover near her. It landed and the next one lifted off as she began neatly lining them up for transport. She sobered and spoke in a term of humble respect completely unlike her normal slightly amused tone. “Mr. Fearless Leader, sir, did you ever find out where this stuff is supposed to go?”
Iain blinked and smiled slightly as he watched the Splice fight not to laugh. “I delegated that responsibility to Ninhursag so it’s not my fault we don’t know yet. But since she’s busy, Buck?”
Hartman grinned. “It’s a couple of miles that way. Sally, let’s go show him.”
“Yessir.”
The Chocoboob’s body shifted to her running form and Buck clambered onto her back. Hartman gave Iain a lazy smile. “Coming along?”
Zareen snorted and shifted sideways until her side bumped Iain. He slipped onto her smoothly. “Let’s go.”
“Sofia, go with him.” Ninhursag ignored his glare. “Vanessa, you’ve got sentry duty by yourself until they get back.”
Vanessa nodded. “No problem.”
Iain looked down at Sofia. “Run or ride?”
The Peekabu was shrugging out of her pack. “I would like to ride but I can protect you better if I run.” She glanced up with the faintest hint of a smile. “I would ride behind you. In front, your pito pokes me and it makes me think about things I am still not ready for.”
Zareen glanced over her shoulder at him. Just like everyone else she’d learned Spanish when they went to the Silver River League. “Your whistle pokes her?”
“It’s slang for penis.” The Nightmare’s gold eyes widened and she snickered loudly. “Pretty much. How about you make her regret not riding and stretch her legs a bit during this?”
“It’s only a couple of kilometers at best,” Zareen said quietly. “We’ll be there in less than a minute even as slow as she moves.”
Buck had been whispering to Sally and suddenly she shot away, accelerating to full speed within six paces. Not to be outdone, Zareen threw herself forward into the pursuit. Iain was almost unseated and had to grab her waist to hang on. Behind them, Sofia cursed in Spanish and gave chase.
Sally pulled up in front of a concrete bunker with heavy looking steel doors. The concrete of the bunker had been mostly buried and grass grew on it while the doors had been painted the same color as the dirt around the bunker. Buck dropped to the ground and began opening a combination lock while she changed back to her human form and jumped onto the roof of the bunker to stand sentry.
Iain slipped off of Zareen as Sofia ran up and took station near him, her tail rigid with fury at being left behind. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly, “but Sally is faster than you and we had to keep up with her or risk losing sight of her.”
Sofia blinked and her tail drooped as she deliberately forced it limp. “I am not angry.” When his eyebrows rose her face went blank. “With you or Zareen,” she amended.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Buck was wrestling with the doors and Iain grabbed one of them and pulled it open. Long disused hinges shrieked in protest as it swung wide. Buck blinked in surprise. “You’re stronger than you look.”
Iain shrugged. “A fellow who exercises with his pokegirls tends get caught up in the competitiveness they all seem to have.” He peered inside, his eyes adapting to the semi-dark instantly. The bunker was a squat rectangle thirty meters long that extended into the hill behind it. It was almost empty except for some racks at the back which held a handful of automatic weapons. Behind the rack he could see a door and some stairs headed down into the gloom. The air was still and dank with moisture, rust and the familiar oily smell of Cosmoline. “What is this place?”
“It’s a munitions cache from when Texas seceded from Indigo. We built it when Washington sent our troops north and filled it right before the secession. Later we emptied it out and put the stuff in here to work out in the field.” He squinted into the darkness. “I wish we still had flashlights. I didn’t think to bring a candle.”
Iain released one from his pokepack and handed it over. “I’m not your typical genie but here. Careful, it’s very bright. Consider it as a gift. It’ll recharge in sunlight.”
Buck grinned and clicked it on. “You’ll do for now until a real genie comes along.” He shined it into the bunker. “I didn’t realize someone left some weapons. We’ll have to get those out of here one of these days.”
Iain snorted. “I know that smell from my time in the navy. Someone probably left the things rather than spend the time to scrape the Cosmoline off of them.”
“You could be right. I know I don’t want to do it.” He shrugged. “They can stay for now.”
“You know, these crates won’t do much to fill this place up. I’m looking to buy some real land later and I can give you a similar deal to the one you made with Kerrik Wolf unless you’ve decided to use him as your exclusive supplier.”
Buck shrugged and put the flashlight in his pocket. “Let’s see how quickly the league can move these and then we’ll talk.”
Iain pulled the door shut. “Please leave it unlocked or one of my girls will probably cut the place open.” He slipped onto Zareen and, reaching down, grabbed Sofia by the hand and jerked her up behind him. “If there’s a problem you can get off then.”
The Peekabu gave him a grateful look and grabbed onto the straps crisscrossing the back of his pack. “Yes, Iain.”
Zareen looked back at him as Buck began climbing onto Sally’s back. “Do I race her back?”
“Yes, but let her barely win.”
The Nightmare scowled. “I am much faster than she is.”
“Yes, which means you have nothing to prove here.”
“I do not like logic. I want to crush her.”
“And I would really appreciate it if you didn’t. Never show more of your abilities than you have to, remember? Otherwise you could just teleport back and win instantly.” Iain pointed to the front. “And Buck’s comfortable on Sally’s back.”
Zareen whipped her head around just as the Chocoboob zipped away. “Bitch!” She shot forward. She glanced over her shoulder. “I have not forgotten your request.” She closed until Sally accelerated to full speed and then slowly let the Chocoboob pull away.
Sally grinned at her when Zareen arrived at the supply drop point. “I won!”
Zareen scowled for a second and then a gleeful smile spread across her face. “You did.” Her smile widened when Sally suddenly looked suspicious. She glanced at Iain as he and Sofia slid off of her back. I understand now. You wish to let her win a few times and then I will win handily, proving that I was always holding back. It will make her defeat that much more satisfying. It is a good plan.
Iain just didn’t want to piss off a prospective friend for no useful reason, but if the misunderstanding made Zareen happy then so be it. I’m glad you think so. He looked around. Raquel and Eve had returned with a bunch of metal and wood poles and, as he watched, Canaan lifted a pallet of supplies into the air. As it hovered at waist height, Pandora slid two poles through the fork holes until they protruded out the back. Eve took one end of the poles while Pandora took the other. “Where’s Dave?”
Ninhursag pointed towards Austin. “He went back to town. He’ll meet us at the land office.”
“All right. Ninhursag, I know where we’re supposed to take the supplies. Can we move them all in one trip or do we need to split our forces?”
“Vanessa, you and Sofia are keeping guard over the supplies while we make two trips,” the Elfqueen replied. “Zareen can take us to the storage site.” She eyed him expectantly and nodded approvingly when he sighed and dropped his pack next to Vanessa’s. Thank you for not arguing with me in front of outsiders.
You’re the tactical expert. As much as it sometimes grates, you know a lot more about it than I do and I trust you not to waste my skills just because you’re feeling protective. He felt the sudden glow of pleasure over his bond with her as he looked for a good spot to stand sentry.
After the first load of supplies was on the way, Iain headed over to where Vanessa was. “Can you spare me for a few minutes,” he asked quietly. “I won’t go far and I’ll set Eirian and Aurum as my guards.” When she frowned, he hastily continued. “I think this could be important.”
She nodded. “All right, Iain. Just be careful and stay in sight.”
He headed away from the supplies, careful to remain in view of Vanessa and Sofia. When he was a couple of dozen meters away, he stopped. “Eirian, Aurum, come forth.”
The Dragonesses poured from his arms and formed in front of him. Eirian’s silver scales scattered the morning sun in a dazzling array as she bobbed her head in greeting. “My lord.”
“I need you two to stand guard over me so Vanessa will feel more comfortable with me being all the way over here. I know you’re always standing guard over me, but,” he shrugged.
“She desires a visible sign of our protection,” Aurum said shrewdly. “It is understandable, considering how valuable you are to them. You are as valuable to us, if not in quite the same way. Fear not, my lord, we will visibly protect you.”
“Thanks.” Iain closed his eyes. “Magdalene, I know that you’re coming back soon and I know that I probably shouldn’t be calling you right now, but I ask that you come here if you’re not too busy.”
“I believe that is the politest summons I have ever received.” He opened his eyes to see Magdalene standing in front of him. “Still, I agree that you have no reason to call me that I am aware of. So, I ask why you have summoned me.”
“There may be a small problem. You said that this was July of 2009 CE or 7 AS. It is actually September of 2008.
Magdalene frowned and then shrugged lightly. “Time is fluid and I could have made a mistake. It is of no consequence.”
“Actually it could be. Have you gotten a copy of my writings in the pokegirl universe, specifically Bhavacakra?”
“I have not. Why?”
“It covers Kerrik and his harem moving to Texas and taking up residence there. Instead of coming out where all of the events in that story are comfortably in the past, we are instead currently in the final arc of that story. I’m concerned that I could accidentally reveal something that would change the outcome of that story.”
“How could it be significant?”
His face became very serious. “I must have your oath not to reveal any of this to anyone without my releasing you from your oath.”
An elegant eyebrow rose. “I could just read your story.”
“I know, but you haven’t and revealing certain things to Kerrik right now would stop his harem from going through an experience with him that would cement them into a solid group.”
She frowned. “You have piqued my curiosity. You have my oath.” The air shimmered around them. “And you also have my protection from scrutiny for the moment.”
He didn’t hesitate. “In a few days the Sunshine League will invade Texas and they will head straight for Kerrik’s new home. He will destroy them with his harem and while doing so will discover that the soul of Shikarou’s lost love, Kebi, has taken up residence in one of the survivors. He will release that soul, waking Kebi. If events do not unfold as they did, Kebi’s soul may not be discovered and could be lost. That would significantly affect your son’s happiness and future.”
Her eyes widened. “What must happen to keep events unfolding as they should?”
“It would be best if I didn’t meet Kerrik until after October first. Whisper is a powerful psychic and she might accidentally discover something in the minds of some of my harem.” He shrugged. “I would say that it would be best if he didn’t even know I exist until then, but Theodora has already met the other AIs in this system. As soon as I realized what was going on I requested that she not discuss my writing with anyone outside our family and she’s agreed.” He smiled crookedly. “I remember your statement that you’d kill us if we interfered with you and your family’s futures.”
“I am glad you remember it, but it would be hard for me to know to take steps to protect a future that has not yet occurred. I am once more in your debt, Iain Grey.”
“That wasn’t my intent, Magdalene. I merely wanted to make sure that things happened as they should. I’m not a Wolf or a Starr but I am rather fond of both families and I wish the best for them. I see no reason not to try to help that best come about if I can.”
The Kirin’s ears flicked. “You act as if you were my friend. May I call you friend, Iain?”
Iain blinked. This wasn’t his goal but it wasn’t something he was stupid enough to turn down. “I would be pleased if you did.”
She smiled warmly. “I don’t have many friends. I cherish the few that I do.” She glanced behind him. “Your harem has returned and is,” she broke off and blinked. “That’s a creative way to move those supplies.” Her attention returned to him. “What are your plans?”
“We’re here because we’re trading the work for some land in the ruins of Old Austin along with the goodwill of Buck and Sally Hartman. Once we finish that transaction we’ll set up shop there and begin building a home. Later we will buy more land on the eastern side of Texas to set up the members of the Sisterhood who wish to move here. You’ve got a nice place but it isn’t ours.”
“I can understand the sentiment. I prefer my true home to these temporary abodes. I’ll bring you a housewarming gift when you’re settled. Now if you’ll excuse me, I should be going.”
“Be well, Magdalene.” He turned to Eirian as the Kirin vanished, but the Dragoness was nowhere to be seen. “Ladies?”
The Dragoness’ voice came from under a nearby bush. “We are here, lord. As you have been hiding our presence so as to keep our foes unaware, we hid when your harem returned with the human and his bird. Vanessa saw us take cover and is therefore not concerned.”
He stuck his hand in the bush. From the distance it would look as if he were reaching into it for something. “I want you two back where you belong.” He felt the coolness as they flowed onto his arm. “Thank you, ladies.”
You are welcome, my lord, Aurum replied.
He sauntered back to Vanessa. She gave him a hard look. “Why was she here?”
“Jealousy is so unbecoming in a woman so pretty.”
She humphed. “Your words are flattering but I’m not going to be distracted. Why was she here?”
“I asked her to come because we had something I needed to talk to her about.” He glanced at Buck and Sally waiting nearby for Ninhursag to get everyone ready for the second and final trip. “Not here. We’ll discuss it later when we’re alone.”
“Ninhursag has confirmed that this will be the last trip. We’re supposed to go with them. Do you wish me to fly overwatch and carry you?”
He loved flying and looked forward to when his powers developed enough that he could do it unaided, but Vanessa’s pregnancy made her flights irregular to say the least. She had this disturbing tendency to suddenly crash. Being almost invulnerable it didn’t bother her much, but he wasn’t nearly as tough as she was. “You ride on Raquel. I’ll have April put her cards on security. You’ll be safer there.”
Her eyes narrowed and then relaxed as she gave him a rueful smile. “Suddenly I begin to understand how you feel when you’re being protected by us. I’m arguably the best fighter on the planet and I get to ride,” she broke off and shook her head. “And yet I have no urge to fight right now. The life growing inside me is paramount, just as your life is paramount to us.” She poked him in the shoulder gently. “The difference is that your life is not paramount to you.”
“That’s not entirely true, I just hate letting everyone else take all the risks. I still let them do it.”
“Which is a lot better than he used to be.” April slipped her arm through his. “Did I hear you take my name in vain?” She’d actually been summoned via delta bond, but this worked as an excuse since Buck and Sally were headed their way. “What can I do for you,” her voice dropped, “that doesn’t require a large fluffy bed?”
Iain laughed. “Put a couple of cards on sentry duty, my dear.”
“Is that it?” April pulled some cards from her pocket and created the Dark Magician and the Dark Magician Girl. “Patrol around us as we move and warn if you encounter any pokegirl or humans.”
The Dark Magician bowed and zipped into the air. The Dark Magician Girl curtseyed to April and her face lit up when she saw Iain. She gave him a shy wave and beamed when he returned it. Then she shot away.
April smacked him. “Are you trying to add a card to your harem?”
“She’s sweet on me, April, and I’m not even sure she’s anatomically correct. How about I don’t worry about it?”
Sally was watching the two figures race away. “What was that?”
“I’m a Duelist. That’s an evolutionary variant of the Tarot. Those are two of my cards I’ve set up for sentry duty.”
“Would I understand that if I knew what a Tarot was?”
April blinked. “I forgot that people don’t have regular access to pokedexes here or even the old pokegirl bestiaries when they were published in paper format. As a Duelist I can use my life energy to activate cards. If they’re of creatures or people I can bring them to life and make them do my bidding. If they’re of spells or techniques I can make the effect happen. Most of the cards I use come from a card game called Duel Monsters but I can use any card game or regular playing cards.”
Sally was staring at her. “That’s some pretty impressive magic.”
April grinned. “Thanks.”
“There was no comparable game system to Duel Monsters produced on this world since things went to hell before they could have been published,” Iain said quietly. “The Duelist may not exist here except for the ones that were imported.” He glanced at her stomach. “Of course, our children will add significantly to that number.”
April grinned at him once more in reply.
Ninhursag tapped Iain on the shoulder. “We’re ready to go. We’ll be moving too quickly for you to walk, so you get to ride.”
He nodded. “Sofia will be with you. Vanessa and I will ride Raquel unless you want something different.”
“April will ride with Vanessa on Raquel. You will go on Zareen. She can protect you better if there’s trouble.”
Iain decided that this protectiveness that everyone was showing because they were someplace no one had been before had better soon start showing signs of abating or he was going to have to have another one of those talks with Ninhursag. “Fine.”
***
Iain Grey
Living Harem
Ninhursag - Elfqueen & maharani
Eve Grey - Megami Sama
April Grey - Duelist & beta
Dominique - Blessed Archmage
Pandora - Fiendish Fallen Angel
Canaan - G Splice (Hunter Amachamp & Alaka-Wham)
Zareen - Nightmare
Raquel - Fiendish Rapitaur
Sofia - Peekabu
Vanessa - Evangelion
Dead Harem
Eirian - Silver Dragoness
Aurum - Gold Dragoness
Skye - Blue Dragoness
Emerald - Green Dragoness
Beryl - Red Dragoness
Julia - human
Ling - Cheetit
Matilda - White Tigress
Twau
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