Immortal Assassin - Book 1 - Immortal Assassin - 5 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 -

Neo-Prussian Empire - New Imperial Sector - Hamburg System - New Hamburg

Imperial Palace

Saturday August 17th, 725 2E - 09:00 CST

Soon to be Emperor Nathan V waited in the fitting room restlessly at the back of the throne room as the Genetic Slaves around him went through clothes closets and trunks searching for the coronation regalia that he would have to wear when crowned Emperor of the Neo-Prussian Empire.

“You’re majesty,” a slave said from the doorway.

“Yes Amberton,” Nathan V said languidly waving one hand at the Genetic Slave.

“Sire, we’ve found the royal regalia,” he informed his emperor.

“You did, where was it hiding at?” Nathan V asked with little interest.

“Sire it was still being designed by Viquez Diliqux at his studio here in the capitol, his assistants just delivered it,” the slave told him.

“Viquez Diliqux isn’t he the one that designed my mother’s wedding dress and her protective bodysuit?” Nathan V asked showing a slight bit of interest.

“Yes your highness, his clothing medium seems to run towards Nanno-Rubber Sire,” the slave explained.

“Was there a coronation outfit for Marjorie as well?” Nathan V asked the slave.

“Yes Sire, there is one for her Imperial Highness,” the slave replied.

“Well bring them in then, or at least bring mine in and take the other to Marjorie so we can get ready for the coronation it’s only taking place in about half an hour,” Nathan V said standing up.

“Yes sire,” the slave clapped his hands and another slave with his barcode stamped across his forehead came through the door with a large garment bag.

“Here is your coronation outfit Sire,” the slave told him handing the garment bag to another pair of slaves that quickly stripped the bag away to reveal a glossy black Nanno-rubber full body suit with panels of gray running down the sides.

Atop the outfit he saw was a re-breather mask similar to the one that his mother had worn most of her life. “Is this some kind of joke?” Nathan V bellowed.

“No sire, your father left you a written note with the designer and it is right here sire,” the slave said bowing deeply and holding the sealed envelope up for the Emperor to take.

Nathan V grabbed the envelope and tore it open.

Dear Son -

If you are reading this letter it means that I am dead and have passed before I could see you take the reins of the Empire in hand. You probably think that the outfits that have just been presented to you are rather on the odd side. But I had them designed as homage to your mother’s perseverance and fortitude, a small way to honor her with the last of my power.

I ask that you and Marjorie wear these for your coronation ceremony, after that you may discard them as you see fit.

- Your Loving Father - Emperor Nathan IV

Nathan V snorted and shoved the letter back in the envelope. “Bring me my best suit, I’ll wear that instead of this outfit,” He ordered.

“That won’t be possible Sire,” the first slave told him quietly.

“And why is that Slave,” Nathan V said emphasizing the last word.

“Sire, your father before his death changed the coronation ceremony to where you and princess consort Marjorie must wear the outfits during the coronation,” the Slave told him.

“Well we’ll just change that little stipulation,” Nathan V ordered.

“I’m sorry sire but you won’t be able to do that,” the slave informed him meekly.

“I tire of you telling me what I can and cannot do slave,” Nathan growled and the slave shrunk back from his master.

“Once again I’m sorry Sire but the Empire’s constitution specifically states that until the coronation ceremony is complete and you are crowned emperor you can make no changes to any state function,” the slave told him shaking slightly at his master’s wrath.

“Fine, leave me I shall dress myself,” Nathan V ordered and kicked the slaves out of the room.

“Damn you father,” Nathan V muttered as he pulled on the Nanno-rubber suit and magnetically sealed the mask over his face.

“No damn you son,” a voice whispered in Nathan V’s ear and he fell to his knees as the Nanno-rubber constricted tightly across his body and black nannites poured from recesses hidden inside the mask of the re-breather.

“You always were a weakling,” Nathan IV commented as he pulled the re-breather mask back off and took a look at his new body.

“Time to go see how my Princess Consort is doing,” Nathan IV said pulling a small remote from the garment bag that was still hanging from the clothing rack and then placed the re-breather back over his face.

Nathan IV once and future emperor of the Neo-Prussian Empire left his dressing room and stalked down the hallway to the dressing room of Marjorie Olander his son’s wife.

“Hello my love,” Nathan IV said entering the small dressing room that was devoid of persons save for his son’s wife Marjorie.

“You actually caved in to your father’s demands about wearing these ridiculous outfits,” Marjorie said angrily flipping her hand at the Nanno-rubber suit and re-breather hanging from the garment rod.

“The coronation laws stipulate that we have to wear these outfits for the ceremony, I won’t be able to change the rule till after I’m made Emperor,” Nathan IV told her.

Marjorie sighed and stared at the outfit. “I realize your mother had to wear one of these most of her life after her disfigurement but it’s just so ugly and tacky,” she practically whined.

“Let me help you into it then,” Nathan IV told her and slid the suit off the hanger and held it as Marjorie stepped out of her clothes.

“Hopefully the ceremony goes faster than what the program says so that I can get out of this ugly thing,” Marjorie said slipping her feet into the legs and down into the thick soled and high heeled integral boots.

“Oh it will be over more quickly than you think my dear,” Nathan IV told his daughter in law. He slowly and caressingly pulled the Nanno-rubber up her legs and hips then pulled it up her back and then pulled the cowl up over her hair. Reaching around to her front Nathan IV ran a slow finger up the magnetic seal of the suit closing it.

“Someone seems to be in a good mood,” Marjorie said as he caressed her sides and fondled her nipples through the thin material.

“Oh indeed I am my dear Marjorie,” Nathan told her as he slipped the re-breather mask over her face and sealed the magnetic lock. “You see my dear I’ve found a new body and a new wife,” Nathan clutched the woman tightly to himself.

“Nathan you’re holding me to tight,” she said struggling slightly.

“You see Marjorie I’m not your husband, I’m actually his father,” Nathan IV informed his daughter-in-law.

“You’re joking right Nathan?” Marjorie asked. “Nathan?”

“And you my dear will be my new Sister Superior or Sister Superior II,” Nathan IV informed the woman and held the small remote up in front of her face pushing the button.

The woman’s body seemed to freeze in his arms and he felt the Nanno-rubber suit bond to her skin. He could almost hear her choking as the black nannites filled her mask and obscured her face for all time. On her left breast the Imperial Church symbol swam to the surface in exacting silver detail. Unlike the first Sister Superior who had required an AI to be physically installed in her chest to act as her voice and as a command circuit that was run by an outside computer; the new Sister Superior II had the latest Nanno-artificial intelligence installed and disguised as the Imperial Church symbol. The AI itself shared a sub-space flux channel with that of the Emperor’s brain through his link to the computer buried in the bowels of the palace.

Nathan released the black Nanno-rubber clad body that had been his daughter-in-law and stepped back. “Are you ready to serve your emperor Sister Superior II?” He asked.

“Yes my lord how can Sister Superior II serve her Emperor,” the glossy figure said crouching on her heels her arms held loosely between her legs.

“Good,” Nathan IV said rubbing a hand down the top of Sister Superior II glossy black head. “From this point on until told otherwise you shall imitate the mannerisms of Marjorie Olander,” Nathan IV ordered.

“Yes Master,” Sister Superior II replied to the order.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Syntheria Arms Apartments

Sunday August 18th, 725 2E - 17:00 CST

“…and as a homage to my mother-in-law,” Marjorie Olander said during the Holo-Vid newscast. “I shall continue her work with the Imperial Church and take on her mantle of improving the lives of the common folk of the Neo-Prussian Empire, so hence forth I shall be known as Sister Superior II,” Princess Consort Marjorie finished.

Suzie snorted in disgust and tossed the Holo-Vid’s remote onto the den’s couch and took one final look in the mirror, she still had an hour before she needed to leave for Aurora Morgan’s going away party.

She had chosen another black Viquez Diliqux dress this one had a high neck that ended just below her chin and a keyhole cut out hinting at the fullness of breasts, the sleeves were long and had integral gloves and she wore black mono-film tights under the dress that contrasted sharply with the glossy black Nanno-rubber of the dress. Her short blonde hair was pushed back from her forehead with a black headband made from a single piece of onyx and tear drop shaped onyx stones dangled from her ears, a triple row of black pearls encircled her throat and delicate black flat soled slippers adorned her feet.

Suzie made her goodbyes to Holly and the kids and was picked up by her hover limo on the penthouse floor’s landing skirt. The ride to the Caruthers Hilton took only a few seconds and her limo deposited her on the hotel suite’s landing skirt.

A frock coated butler opened the door for her and as she stepped out announced her presence.

“Miss Suzanne Elizabeth Marlowe, CEO and President of Marlowe Athletic Clothes & Equipment,” the butler announced in a loud stentorian voice.

Suzie made her way down the short flight of stairs from the landing skirt and started mingling with the crowd. She received quite a few stares from various men, both young and old and not a small amount from women in the crowd as well. That was another thing she liked about Nanno-rubber it almost always made her the center of attention as it accentuated her proportionately muscled body and help accentuate her wares.

“Ah Suzanne,” Aurora Morgan cried out as she came up to her and gave her a full on the mouth kiss with no small amount of tongue.

At first it caught Suzanne off guard till she remembered that was the reason she had worn the outfit. Aurora was bi-sexual and usually singled out the best looking person at the party; be they male of female. And while Suzie generally swung the other way she relaxed into the kiss giving back as much as she got and felt Aurora groping her ass through the Nanno-rubber of her dress. Hopefully this would give her an opening to eliminate the woman in a secluded spot.

“How are you dear? I think the last time I saw you was at Sylph’s Boutique last week,” Aurora said breaking the kiss and laying her arm across Suzie’s shoulder.

“Yes it was at Sylph’s,” Suzie confirmed. “I believe however that you were distracted by a friend that had just showed up,” Suzie said.

“Ah yes Lisette,” Aurora said laughing. “Did you know she used to be a man at one time before she took a job with the Seven Deadly Sins,” Aurora whispered loudly to her.

“I hadn’t realized that,” Suzie replied.

Aurora kept Suzie in her clutches as they mingled, the drunken hostess would occasionally fondle Suzie’s breast or pinch her ass; there was even a couple of times she had dipped her loose hand underneath Suzie’s extremely short skirt. The first time she had smiled at Suzie noting with per probing fingers that Suzie wasn’t wearing any panties underneath her mono-film tights.

As Suzie walked pretty much in lock step with her target she scrutinized the security arrangements. Three dozen black suited security personnel; probably a mix of hotel security and Martel personnel either stood around the periphery or made short circuits through the packed crowd of several hundred people mingling on the penthouse deck.

“Everything going okay Mr. Barstowe?” Aurora slurred drunkenly the man’s last name coming out Barshtoe.

“Security is good and your guests seem to be enjoying themselves,” Eric told his principal as her saw her drunkenly hanging off the blonde haired woman that had disembarked from armored limo an hour ago. He watched as Aurora fondled the woman‘s breast. For her part the woman didn‘t seem to mind and only smiled faintly at the clumsy play. “Miss Marlowe, nice to meet you,” Eric said bowing slightly.

Eric for some reason found himself intrigued and infatuated by the woman wearing the black Nanno-rubber designer dress that covered her from fingertips to neck line with an extremely short skirt that ended just past her hips, the black mono-film tights she wore giving an odd contrast between glossy and matte.

“Nice to meet you as well, Mr. Barstowe,” Suzie said studying the man and finding he was even more ruggedly handsome in person than he was through the analytical lenses of Sister 14, he was also impeccably dressed in a well cut gray suit.

“Barshtoe you stay out here and keep an eye on things, Miss Marlowe and I are going to go discuss something privately,” Morgan ordered her hand dipping under Suzie’s skirt to rub at her.

Thankfully with all the times that Santiago had done the same thing she was able to keep from blushing or show a look of surprise as she allowed herself to be led towards the penthouses interior.

Shame, I might have actually asked her out on a date myself, Eric thought to himself watching as Aurora fondled the woman openly under her skirt as she led her presumably to her bed room.

Eric could only shake his head in disgust at the way the drunken hostess was acting and then returned to his duties on the patio.

In Morgan’s bedroom Suzie waited as the other woman locked the bedroom door and then came over to her. “Well shweetie pull of those tights and we’ll get started,” Morgan slurred.

Suzie slid her feet out of the slippers and paused. “Do you mind if I freshen up a bit first?” She asked.

“Go right ahead but don’t take to long or I might just follow you in there,” Morgan teased with a leer.

In the bathroom Suzie had to keep herself from throwing up at the woman’s drunken groping. “Initiate Reversion Process,” Suzie ordered Chuck.

“Initiating Reversion Process,” CHCCC-14 confirmed.

Sister 14’s black face stared back from the mirror and she dipped into the neck of her Nanno-skin pulling out the triple strand of black pearls that Suzie had been wearing and extruded another set from Flux space to replace them. The original strand went back into flux space and Sister 14 put the new set around her neck and watched as it sank under the black glossy Nanno-rubber skin of her body.

“Initiate Reversion Process,” the assassin ordered.

Suzie looked in the mirror and then bent down rolling her mono-film tights down and slipped them off.

Back in the bedroom Suzie found Morgan on the edge of the king sized bed waiting for her. Walking over to her Suzie stood still as the woman ran her hands down her body, she groped and pinched Suzie’s tits and then held Suzie’s skirt up and examined her.

While the woman was distracted with her examination Suzie raised her arms and unclasped the topmost strand of her replaced pearls pressing down hard on the two outer most. There was a tiny little click and then the pearls on the strand slid equally towards each end creating a handhold with a series of tiny clacks. Suzie looped the now exposed mono-filament garrote and slid it over Morgan’s unsuspecting head and tightened down.

The reaction she got as the strand of mono-filament tightened down wasn’t the one she was suspecting and instead of the woman choking and scrabbling for her neck she found herself thrown against the wall of the bedroom and confronted by something she really hadn’t expected to see.

Suzie rolled with the throw and hit the floor.

Sister 14 confronted the figure that was standing in front of her and realized her tactical analysis of the situation had left her under armed to confront her current foe; all she had was the mono-filament garrote and that would have to do to take down her target.

Aurora Morgan’s pouty features had been replaced by a black Nanno-sheathed figure with lens like eyes that glowed like black fire.

“It’s a Tantalan Infiltrator,” CHCCC-14 informed Sister 14.

“Yes,” Sister 14 replied.

“They are the toughest and fastest of the assimilated and nearly indestructible,” CHCCC-14 continued.

“Will decapitation stop it?” Sister 14 inquired.

“That’s about the only thing,” CHCCC-14 moaned.

The black Nanno-sheathed figure stared at Sister 14 for a few seconds and then spoke. “We know who you are Suzie Marlowe, former play thing of the Neo-Prussian Emperor. Join the Hive Mind and finally be at peace and not have to worry about the atrocities that you performed as a puppet of the Neo Prussian Empire. Your skills and knowledge would gain the Hive Mind Much,” the figure told her in a mechanical voice.

“I am Sister 14, I care not for what Suzie Marlow worries about,” she informed the Tantalan.

“So be it, if we must subdue you to make you submit to the hive mind we shall,” the metallic black figure moved forward menacingly.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Caruthers Hilton

Sunday August 18th, 725 2E - 18:39 CST

After the racket from the bedroom was reported to him Eric rushed to the door and proceeded to kick the thick portal in. Even his cybernetically muscles had a rough time of it but he was finally able to kick the three inch thick wood door out of it’s frame causing it to go sailing through a hole in the wall of the room.

Looking around the room he saw the decapitated head and body of Aurora Morgan a look of extreme surprise on her face. Turning away from the sight of his failure he spotted the black clad body of Suzie Marlowe sprawled on the other side of the bed her mono-film tights and slippers off.

Rushing around the side of the bed her picked her up in his arms and carried her into the next bedroom. As he carried her out of the room he noticed that she wasn’t wearing any panties and he tried to pull the short skirt down to cover her but his hand slid off the glossy material and accidentally brushed against her, with embarrassment he watched her moan and blush in her unconscious state.

“Should we call for an ambulance?” one of the black suits asked as he entered the room only to be blocked by Eric as he tried to step in further.

“Yes call one for Miss Marlowe and call the Galactic Patrol and a coroner for Miss Morgan,” Eric ordered.

“The principle is dead?” the black suit asked stunned.

“Yeah, seems she lost her head over something,” Eric said dryly.

It took nearly ten minutes for the ambulance to show up and another thirty for the Galactic Patrol and Coroner.

Before the Paramedics arrived Eric found a blanket to cover Suzie’s lower extremities so as not to embarrass her.

One of the paramedics did a physical exam while she was unconscious and the other ran a bio-scanner over her body.

“I’ve got a small knot on the back of her head here,” the one paramedic said.

“Yeah it’s showing up on the scanner, swellings already going down though, the only other thing the scanner is showing is higher than normal core temperature but that could be due to the nannites that it’s detecting in her blood stream,” he other paramedic said looking at his screen.

“How far did you say she was thrown?” the first paramedic asked.

“About ten feet and left a pretty good sized dent in the wall afterwards,” Eric told him. After taking Suzie to the guest bedroom he’d examined the crime scene visually.

“Well, she must have collided and then fallen just right,” the other paramedic commented. “She’s not even going to have a concussion,” he finished.

“That’s a relief,” Eric said letting out a breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding. For some reason he really wanted to make sure that this woman was safe and sound.

“We’ll wake her up now,” one paramedic said and pushed a Nanno-injector against her neck releasing a stimulant into her blood stream.

“It’ll take about two or three minutes for her to become fully cognizant again,” the first paramedic told him.

“We’ll be going now seems someone was hit by a door that came flying out that hole in the side of the penthouse,” one of the paramedics said as they gathered up their stuff and left the room.

When Suzie came to her vision was slightly blurred and she saw a gray figure standing over her, she almost struck out thinking it was one of the Neo-Prussian Empire’s Ship Sisters, the naval counterpart to the Emperor’s Black Pariah Regiments. However her vision cleared enough that she was able to quickly ease the tension from her body.

“How are you feeling Miss Marlowe?” Eric Barstowe asked as he leaned over her with hands in pockets.

“Like I got thrown against a wall,” she told him.

A small grin twitched across the grim line of his mouth for a second. “Well considering that’s what happened I’m not surprised,” he told her.

“What happened?” She asked sitting up in bed and put a hand to her throbbing forehead.

“Well I’d say the assassin that tried to kill Miss Morgan a few days ago came back and succeeded and either you were thrown against the wall from the explosion of her entry or were tossed by her physically. It’s rather hard to tell which,” Eric explained pulling a chair up next to the bed.

Suzie ran a finger down the blanket that covered her from mid chest and gave Barstowe a questioning look.

He looked embarrassed for a second. “I didn’t think you would want everyone to see your private concerns,” he told her blushing slightly.

“Thank you Mr. Barstowe,” Suzie said quietly and felt guilty as he questioned her about what had happened in the room.

Shortly after Eric got done questioning her two Galactic Patrol Detectives showed up.

“Suzie, what the hell are you doing here?” Sgt. Enrico Martine shouted as he hurried up next to the bed.

“Don’t you know Sergeant I’m on the A-List of guests these days,” Suzie joked weakly.

“Are you alright?” Martine asked.

“I’m fine Enrico,” Suzie assured him patting one of his hands.

The Galactic Patrol Sergeant wasn’t mollified by her answer but he was still a police officer and he turned to his work before he found himself saying more than he should.

The questioning went on for twice that of Eric’s but they were trying for more of a detailed picture than the bodyguard.

“You need to be more careful Suzie,” Martine said as he and his partner left the room to start their investigation of the crime scene.

“Friend of yours?” Eric asked walking back into the room.

“Yes, he helped me out during an accident I had when I first came to Caruthers world,” Suzie explained.

Eric just nodded his head and sat down in the chair again. “Anything I can get you?” He asked.

“Well if you wouldn’t mind could you comm my bodyguard and have him bring me the small bag out of the trunk of the car,” Suzie blushed hotly. “I really don’t want to be parading around without something covering my nether areas; just in case a breeze decides to come along,” she said blushing again.

“Not a problem Miss Marlowe,” Eric said pulling out his comm.

“Suzie,” she told him quietly.

“I’m sorry?” Eric said his comm half raised.

“Call me Suzie Mr. Barstowe,” she repeated a small smile on her face.

“Then call me Eric, Suzie,” the two of them sat or stood frozen for a brief second.

“What was your bodyguard’s comm code?” Eric finally asked almost physically shaking himself.

“345-89-ZR58,” Suzie told him as he punched the Comm code in.

“This is Sanya,” the bodyguard’s voice said from the comm speaker.

“I’ve got Miss Marlowe here to speak with you,” Eric stated and then handed the comm to Suzie.

“Sanya I need you to bring me my overnight bag from the trunk of the limo,” Suzie told him.

“Is everything alright Miss Marlowe?” The bodyguard asked worry visibly tingeing his voice.

“I’m fine Sanya I just need a change of clothes please,” Suzie told him.

“We’ll be there in five minutes ma’am,” Sanya said and he could be heard giving commands to the Limo’s driver before he shut his comm off.

“Thank you,” Suzie said handing the comm back.

“You are most welcome Miss Mar-, I mean Suzie,” Eric said smiling at her.

“So Eric are you free for dinner tomorrow night?” Suzie asked.

“Excuse me?” Eric said confused at the change of topic.

“I asked you if you would like to have dinner with me tomorrow night.” Suzie paused. “Well actually with me, my niece and nephew and my assistant Holly,” Suzie finished with an impish grin.

“Sure, why not I like kids,” Eric answered still a little surprised at the question.

“Don’t worry I’m usually not this forward,” she assured him.

Eric was about to say something else when Suzie’s bodyguard Sanya entered the room carrying a black overnight bag and handing it to her.

“Thank you Sanya,” Suzie said taking the bag. “Now if you’ll excuse me gentlemen I need to change clothes,” she said brusquely.

“Oh, certainly,” Eric said slightly flustered as he left the room with Sanya closing the door behind the two of them.

Suzie stood up from the bed and removed her jewelry; she put these in a side pocket of the bag and then pulled the designer dress over her head and tossed that on the bed.

“You know you were extremely lucky, if he’d have come in a few seconds sooner he would have caught you turning back,” CHCCC-14 admonished her.

“I know Chuck, I know,” she muttered to him as she pulled the clothing out of the bag. Frowning she held up the outfit that had been packed in the bag, “I forgot this is what I had packed in here,” she grumbled and changed into the new set of clothes.

Eric was talking quietly with Sanya the two of them trading bodyguard stories when Suzie came out of the bedroom and his eyes about fell out of her head.

Suzie walked purposefully out of the bedroom and up to the two men. “Trading war stories are we?” She asked with a smile.

Eric couldn’t say anything as he looked Suzie up and down, she had changed into a skintight pearl gray long sleeved Nanno-rubber top, a dark gray skirt that reached her knees, and black almost combat like boots that stopped just short of those knees. She’d removed her jewelry and make up but still looked absolutely gorgeous to him.

“Mr. Barstowe was telling me about some of the people he has body guarded over the last decade and how difficult some of those people had made their job,” Sanya explained with a hint of dryness to his tone.

Suzie turned to Barstowe. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow night then Mr. Barstowe,” she said.

Eric couldn’t think of much to say and just nodded, she rubbed up against him and he could feel her nipples through the material of her shirt as they pressed against his chest, and he felt her slide something into his hand.

Suzie started walking away from Eric and motioned for Sanya to follow; over her shoulder she gave him a small smile.

“I’ll certainly be there, with bells on,” Eric said and then wanted to slap himself after the woman had left the penthouse.

“With bells on,” Detective Sergeant Enrico Martine said as he came out of the main bedroom.

“Don’t start Enrico,” Eric said to his old friend.

“Let me clue you in buddy,” Martine said walking around in front of the bodyguard. “Something hurt that woman in the past and even as long as I’ve been a GP officer on this planet and known her I still haven’t figured anything out, that and the fact that she just sort of appeared about ten years ago. Of course that could have something to do with the fact that she’s originally from the Neo-Prussian Empire and their lousy record keeping. But she was also hurt some time in the past, so tread carefully because most of the officers like her. She’s donated millions of dollars to the GP charity organizations and even supplied the entire Caruthers World GP branch with exercise clothing free of charge.”

“Enrico, I’m starting to feel insulted, you know I’ve never treated any woman badly,” Eric said with a frown and a bite to his words.

“I know buddy, I know,” Enrico paused for a second. “Just be careful, she’s damaged goods,” he told Eric with a warning look.

Eric nodded his head pocketing the Moly chip comm card she had slipped into his hand and heading for the penthouse garage where his rental sedan was at.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Syntheria Arms Apartments

Sunday August 19th, 725 2E - 22:29 CST

Suzie was exhausted when she fell into the chair behind her desk and looked at the list of comm calls she had gotten. A lot of the calls were just solicitors trying to sell her everything from banana plantations to zebra farms. There were half a dozen from a Tantalus Pleasure Products representative that seemed hell bent on changing her mind about selling the company and the final one was from Roger Donelgan telling her that his wife had set up a dinner at their house on the twenty-fifth of next month and he would appreciate a return call confirming the date.

Suzie sat staring at the frozen call for a second and then sent a simple text message rather than a verbal one to confirm the date and saying she would be bringing four guests with her.

Done with her messages Suzie decided to turn in early.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Syntheria Arms Apartments

Monday August 20th, 725 2E - 09:30 CST

Monday morning dawned clear and bright and Suzie joined Holly and Cecilia for their run through the park and then even changed into a leotard and tights to practice ballet with them.

“I didn’t know that you knew ballet Aunt Suzie,” Cecilia commented after they were done with practice.

“I took it a long, long time ago,” Suzie said with a faint smile.

“For someone who took it a long time ago,” Holly said with a faint smile of her own. “You sure have stayed pretty limber,” Holly commented.

“Well I figure if I’m going to sell athletic apparel and equipment I should at least stay in good enough shape to show off the wares and use it,” Suzie said wiping sweat from her face and then laying the towel over her shoulders.

“Well I guess that’s as good a reason as any,” Holly said and Cecilia giggled at the answer.

“Alright ladies I need you to be on your best behavior tonight, we have a dinner guest coming so we’ll go semi-formal,” Suzie told the two girls.

“Yes ma’am,” Holly said giving her a pretty good approximation of a salute. “Come on Cecilia you still have skate practice to take care of today, so let’s get a shower and get changed for it,” Holly ordered leading the girl from the room.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Syntheria Arms Apartments

Monday August 20th, 725 2E - 20:00 CST

Eric arrived right on time and found himself ushered by the lobby guard to an elevator that the guard had to slide a card into just to open and then indicated which button he should push before returning to his desk.

Pushing the button Eric barely felt the elevator accelerate as it shot up two hundred and fifty stories to the penthouse apartment where it dinged open and he was greeted by the silver orb of Suzie’s auto butler.

“Good evening Mr. Barstowe, my name is Sylvester may I take your coat for you,” the auto-butler greeted and asked.

“Uh, sure,” Eric replied handing his lightweight overcoat to the auto-butler who extruded to thin arms to take it.

“The Miss and the others are currently in the living room, dinner will be served in one half hour and if there is anything you need just call,” the Auto-Butler informed him as it floated away with his coat.

Stepping further into the foyer Eric took a slow look around noting the gray on gray wood paneling and floor tile as well as the beautiful landscape photos that were hanging on the paneled walls. A small but comfortable sitting group sat in the exact center of the room.

Eric was just about to walk towards the door into the penthouse itself when Suzie came striding out.

Eric about stumbled into the seating area as he took the sight of her in, she looked even more stunning than she had earlier that day.

Suzie strode into the room and the foyer’s recessed lighting causing her hair and clothing to glow slightly. Her short platinum blonde hair was slicked back showing her perfectly formed ears which were adorned by simple diamond studs. She was dressed in a beautifully tailored Nanno-rubber outfit. A white Nanno-rubber half top showed off a tanned midriff and was covered by a light white linen jacket that only came to the bottom of the top, white Nanno-rubber slacks covered her legs flaring slightly to reveal highly polished white leather mid-heel pumps, a diamond bracelet sparkled from one wrist and a Movado watch adorned the other. The glow from her clothing and hair didn’t compare with the glowing warmth of her wide smile as she saw Eric. White eye shadow accented her blue eyes and white lipstick covered her full lips, he also noticed that her fingernails had been manicured and lacquered a bright white.

“Eric, I’m so glad you could come,” Suzie said walking up to him and grasping his forearm.

“I’m glad I could make it as well,” Eric stuttered slightly, her hand felt slightly feverish through the thin material of his gray suit coat.

“Come on in, I’ll introduce you to everyone else,” Suzie said pulling on his arm and Eric followed her into the apartment’s living room.

“Everyone this is Mr. Eric Barstowe,” Suzie told the three people in the room as they stood up.

“Hi,” Eric said rather stupidly.

“Eric I’d like you to meet my niece Cecilia,” Suzie said motioning to a girl in a dark green summer weight dress and green mono-film tights. “My nephew Ned,” the little boy was wearing a white dress shirt and black slacks.

“I’m only four years old,” Ned told him solemnly.

“And my assistant, and Cecilia’s Ballet and Skate instructor Holly,” Suzie said indicating a blonde haired girl with streaks of blue running through it; she was dressed in a white peasants blouse and wore a black skirt that came to above the knees, black mono-film tights encased her legs and simple but fashionable low heeled shoes adorned her feet.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Barstowe,” Holly said smiling and putting out a hand to shake.

“And you Miss Haffenbakker,” Eric said shaking her hand.

“Well we have about half an hour until dinner is served,” Suzie said sitting down on one of the couches in the living room.

“So Mr. Barstowe have you enjoyed your visit to Caruthers World?” Holly asked opening up the conversation.

“I’ve found it interesting to say the least,” Eric said smiling at the younger woman.

“We saw you fight that assassin on the roof top on the news,” Cecilia piped up. “It was a pretty good fight, whoever she was she knew some pretty cool moves,” the twelve year old said.

“Yeah she managed to do some pretty good damage to me in the process but I got a piece of her,” Eric replied.

“Yeah she’s probably missing that arm after you nailed her with that Vibro-knife,” Cecilia said.

“So Mr. Barstowe I hear you have resigned her position with Martel Security Services?” Suzie said questioningly.

“Yes, but I’ve decided to stay on Caruthers World and open my own business,” Eric said with a faint smile.

“Oh and what type of business would that be Mr. Barstowe?” Suzie asked him staring into his eyes a small smile playing across her white clad lips.

Eric found himself unable to answer for a second as he fell into those deep blue pools. “I’m starting a private investigation and body guarding agency,” he told her matter of factly.

“Ah, and have you found offices yet?” Suzie asked interestedly.

“Actually I believe you know the building I’ve decided to rent offices in,” Eric said returning the smile.

“And what building would that be?” Suzie said quirking one perfectly sculpted platinum blonde eyebrow.

“The MACE building, I believe you own it,” Eric said with a grin.

While the two of them had been making cow eyes at each other Holly had ushered the kids into the family room next to the den and had them play a Holo-Vid game. Standing in the doorway to the family room Holly had a faint smile on her face at the two’s antics.

“Hey Holly watch what I can do with GAVRA racer,” Ned said from the couch in front of the Holo-Tank.

Holly shut the door and went over to where the two children were sitting playing a racing game; it seemed that Ned was lapping Cecilia pretty badly.

Out in the living room Suzie and Eric chatted while waiting for dinner to start.

Suzie and Eric were interrupted by Sylvester’s announcement that dinner was served, that was when she realized that Holly and the children were no longer in the living room. The two of them had been so engrossed in each other that they hadn’t even noticed the passing of the time or the woman and children leave the living room.

“Seems we ran them off with our chatting,” Eric said with an easy smile.

“Probably if Holly hadn’t dragged them off to the family room you would have found Ned in your lap and him explaining solemnly that he was four years old and today’s exploits at day care,” Suzie told him humor dancing in her eyes.

“I wouldn’t have minded one bit, he kind of reminds me of my nephew Billy when he was that age,” Eric said offering her a hand up from the couch.

Suzie took the offered hand and felt a strange tingle run through her body at his touch.

Placing her hand on the crook of his arm Eric followed the Auto-Butler into the dining room with her on his arm. Her skin still felt almost feverishly hot even though his suit jacket. “Are you alright?” He asked with concern.

Suzie raised one blonde brow questioningly.

“You feel like you have a fever,” Eric explained concerned.

Suzie let out a tinkling laugh. “That, don’t worry about that, when I was a teenager in the Neo-Prussian Empire the Nanno-doc botched a treatment and ever since then my core temperature has been a few degrees higher than it should,” she explained.

“That’s good I’d hate for you to become sick right after I’ve met you, it would kind of put a crimp in me asking you out for dinner tomorrow night,” He said surprising himself as the words left his own mouth.

“I’ll certainly be glad to,” Suzie said. “Although I won’t be free until quite later; Cecilia has a Nanno-sheath bonding tomorrow and I want to be there for her,” Suzie explained as Holly and the two kids came out of the family room and Cecilia looked at her aunt at the mention of her name; Suzie smiled back at the twelve year old.

“That’s fine I won’t be available until later in the day anyway, but why is she being bonded with a Nanno-sheath so soon, I mean it’s not uncommon but it does seem odd?” Eric asked puzzled.

“That’s because I’m going to play Grav Disc,” Cecilia said with her hands on her hips.

“Ah, I see hard suit integration then,” Eric said and then paused snapping his fingers. “I knew I recognized you,” Eric said pointing a finger at Holly. “You were the captain of the Siemens Highlanders when they made it to the galactic finals,” Eric said in recognition.

Holly blushed slightly at the recognition. “Yeah that is until I tore up my knee right before the final game,” Holly said in disgust.

“Yeah I heard about that, it’s a shame,” Eric said consolingly.

“True but if I’d been playing professional Grav Disc I would have never met Cecilia and Suzie and Ned,” She said smiling and patting Cecilia on the shoulder. “And I find myself rather liking teaching ballet and figure skating. Once we get past those I’ll be teaching her the basics of Grav Disc,” Holly said proudly.

“It’s good to see you enjoying yourself and able to use your skill set for something,” Eric said nodding his head.

“Which reminds me Suzie, I need to get my hard suit out of storage and we also need to get Cecilia one,” Holly said to Suzie.

“Okay, where do we get one?” Suzie asked as Eric held a chair out for her at the dining room table.

“There’s a place down town that makes custom fit suits for Grav Disc players, it’s going to be pretty expensive though,” Holly warned.

“I seem to be hearing that a lot lately,” Suzie said dryly. “We’ll discuss it later,” Suzie told her.

Holly nodded her head in ascent.

Sylvester served them dinner, each person was served a large plate with lightly seasoned baked white cod fish with lightly sautéed vegetables followed soon by a triple layer mousse chocolate cake for desert, the beverage of the evening was a dry white wine for the adults and milk and juice for the kids.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Syntheria Arms Apartments

Monday August 20th, 725 2E - 22:00 CST

“That was an excellent dinner Suzie,” Eric said loosening his tie as he sat down on one of the couches in the living room.

“Yes Sylvester does have quite the touch when it comes to programming the auto-chef,” Suzie said taking off her white linen jacket to show off more of her tanned bosom and muscular arms.

“So what made you decide to stay on Caruthers world?” Suzie asked crossing one white Nanno-rubber covered leg over the other.

Eric stared for a second and then answered her question. “Well I’m originally from the UNSF and their gun laws and such are becoming more and more restrictive. Those laws make guarding oneself and any principle incredibly hard, that and all the other laws and regulations that they have been passing lately, especially the tax bills,” he explained.

“I can understand that,” Suzie.

The two of them talked well into the night with Suzie heading to bed later than she normally did on a late night after showing Eric out.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Siemens Academy - Nanno-Lab

Tuesday August 21st, 725 2E - 17:00 CST

Cecilia lay nervously on her back and she was wearing only a thin disposable gown. She could feel the cold steel of the table she was laying on through it which caused her to fidget and shiver slightly as well.

A firm slightly overly warm hand grasped hers and Cecilia felt reassured as her aunt clasped her hand giving her strength.

“Miss Marlowe,” the Nanno-doc said over the intercom.

“Yes Dr. Knapp?” Suzie queried.

“We’re going to be starting the procedure and I need you to step back, you’ll be able to stay in the room but we’ll be sealing her up here soon,” the doctor told him.

Suzie squeezed Cecilia’s hand reassuringly and stepped back from the table as the sides slid upward and a lid came down closing off the girl.

“Stay strong Cecilia,” Suzie told her niece.

The lid closed with a clank.

Inside the Nanno-Chamber it was completely pitch black and Cecilia blinked her eyes several times but still couldn’t see anything. All around her was a click and whirr, she sensed more than felt or saw movement and then felt something press tightly against her and an odd tingling coursed up and down her body.

What felt like few minutes after the tingling had started she felt a cold slithering sensations that quickly covered her body and soon she felt her arms and legs pulled tight against each other as the nannites from her newly bonding Nanno-sheath pulled tightly across her body and conformed to it. Just as she thought she wouldn’t be able to take it anymore sudden light shone in her eyes and she found herself looking up through the lenses of her Nanno-sheath and started noticing as telltales started popping up on the lenses of the Nanno-sheath.

After another couple of minutes the constriction faded and she found that she could freely move he arms.

“Okay Miss Marlowe that was a quick three hours and it wasn‘t so bad was it. Now we’re going to run some diagnostics on your Nanno-sheath,” Dr. Knapp told her.

“Wow that was three hours,” Cecilia said catching the sound of her own voice through the layer of the Nanno-sheath and the odd reverberation that it had to it.

“Now look at your Aunt if you would please,” Dr. Knapp ordered gently.

Cecilia looked over at her Aunt and saw her clearly through the lenses.

“Now miss take a look at your sidebars in the lenses and we’ll first go through your palette control system,” the Doctor told her.

“Okay,” Holly answered and focused on the area of the HUD and a circular menu popped up and a spun through the eight options, on each option as she rotated it a thin line streamed out to the side listing what it was. “Hey there are eight palette options here,” Holly said in surprise.

“Consider it part of an early Christmas present,” Suzie told her smiling.

“Okay now we’re going to check your environmental status indicators,” Dr. Knapp said and one by one he remotely activated the tell tales telling her how to use them.

Basically all Cecilia had to do was focus on the icon and it would enlarge with a line running off telling the status.

Cecilia found out that her aunt had bought her more than just the palettes, the Nanno-sheath had a sixty hour oxygen supply, full vacuum capability, a Nanno-repair function that allowed any damage to the sheath to repaired more quickly without it being retracted, she’d also bought her the clothes mimicry circuit, of course it had the hard suit interface that was the whole purpose of getting it in the first place.

It took Cecilia a least an hour to run through the entire inventory of upgrades which also including, heating and cooling circuits, IFF/Rescue Beacon, and also 2x Tele-optics and hearing enhancement.

“Okay I think that’s everything then,” Dr. Knapp said over the PA as she finished her two hundredth cycle of shutting off and restarting the Nanno-sheath.

“What about the clothing mimicry circuit?” Cecilia asked.

“You won’t be able to use that until your HUD has examined and downloaded the various clothing articles that you own, although…” the doctor trailed off. “Cecilia look at your aunt please,” the Dr. ordered.

“Sure,” Cecilia looked over at her aunt sitting in a chair.

“Okay now focus on the CMC and activate it,” Dr. Knapp told her.

Cecilia activated the circuit and a wire grid appeared over her aunt’s clothing and a bar with a percentage above it appeared and when it reached 100% the grid disappeared.

“Okay Cecilia I need you to focus on the CMC icon again and it will give you a list of clothing that has been stored in its memory.”

Cecilia concentrated on the telltale and an image of her aunt’s severe gray suit popped up and two smaller tell tales flashed one said mimic and the other was cancel. Concentrating on the mimic button she felt the Nanno-sheath covering her body squirm and then she found herself wearing a black miniature version of her Aunt’s suit although it had a faint glossy sheen to the material. She also noticed that the HUD was still visible over her eyes. “How’s come I can still see the HUD?” Cecilia asked the doctor.

“You’ll be able to see it all the time as the HUD is linked directly to your optic nerve, if you want to all you have to do is concentrate and the HUD will shut down although if it is shut down it will take a little longer for the Nanno-sheath to activate,” the Doctor explained.

“Cool,” Cecilia said with a twelve years old penchant for understatement. She’d leave the HUD up she decided. It probably wouldn’t take her that long to get used to the objects floating in her vision and if she concentrated she could cause the icons to shrink to almost dot size and move to the corners of her vision.

“Well I guess that means we are done,” Suzie said standing up and coming over to hug Cecilia. “How does it feel?” She asked.

“Kind of weird and it feels like my skin is all itchy,” Cecilia said.

“That’ll wear off in the next twenty-four hours,” the Nanno-doctor assured her and then a nurse led Cecilia back to the small room where she had changed into the gown.

Suzie was waiting for Cecilia when she came back out wearing the slacks and simple blouse she had been wearing when they had arrived at the Academy to get the Nanno-sheath bonding done.

Suzie and Cecilia made it home just in time for Suzie to change and drop her niece off and then she was out the door again heading for her dinner date with Eric.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - San Sebastion Restaurant

Tuesday August 21st, 725 2E - 20:45 CST

“Sorry I’m late,” Suzie apologized as the maitre de brought her to the table that Eric was already sitting at.

“Not a problem I realize that Nanno-sheath bonding can take longer than it’s supposed to,” Eric said waving the maitre de away. Standing up he pulled the chair out for Suzie and then pushed it back in as she settled herself.

Sitting back down in his own chair Eric found himself once again staring at Suzie, again she glowed radiantly, white lipstick and eye shadow once again accented her tanned face and her white lacquered nailed hands deftly unfolded the napkin and set it in her lap. Tonight her platinum blonde hair was spiked slightly with a white ivory hair band pushing it back from her face. She had worn a long sleeve Nanno-top that flared at the hem that was almost long enough to be considered a skirt and her tanned legs were encased in white Nanno-rubber tights, delicate white slippers covering her feet. He noticed that she was wearing the same simple diamond studs from the night before in her ears but it was accented by a diamond and emerald choker that delicately wrapped her tanned throat. The jewelry was completed by a platinum bracelet on her right wrist and an ivory inlaid Movado watch on her left, a belt of delicately thin white gold chain work wrapped her waist. The overall effect of the outfit was extremely stunning and he could see other men staring at her.

“So how did the bonding go?” Eric asked as he perused the menu.

“Cecilia did very well during the bonding process and is probably still playing with her Nanno-sheath as we speak,” Suzie replied an amused quirk curving her white lips up at the corners.

“My sister was the same way when she got hers and she was in her thirties at the time,” Eric chuckled.

“I guess there is a bit of the child in all of us,” Suzie said looking into his eyes. Suzie looked over Barstowe instead of his usual severe gray suit, he was wearing a light tan suit a white shirt and a matching tie.

“By the way,” Eric said. “Has anybody ever told you how stunning you look in white,” he told her.

“Not recently,” Suzie said a twinkle in her eye and her lips once again quirking into a small grin.

“Well let me be the one to break that chain,” Eric said smiling in reply.

“Why Mr. Barstowe I do believe you are trying to flatter me,” Suzie said running white lacquered nails down the front cover of the menu in her hands. “And I must say you look very handsome in your suit, although I never thought I would find you out of that gray one,” she commented with a small grin.

Eric chuckled. “It’s a bit of a trademark for me, I have a whole closet full of them, specifically tailored for me and capable of holding numerous tools of destruction,” he told her.

“Oh an entire closet full of them, so where do you keep that suit then?” Suzie asked teasingly.

“Oh this old thing,” Eric said fingering the lapel of the tan suit. “I usually keep this in a closet in the spare bedroom but thought I might need it for this trip so I packed it along,” he said sheepishly.

“So are you having your personnel effects shipped here to you?” Suzie asked genuinely interested.

“No I’m actually going back to Plymouth at the beginning of next week and be gone for almost three weeks,” Eric explained.

“That’s a shame, I do believe I might just miss you while you’re gone,” Suzie teased.

“Well then why don’t you and the kids come with me and Holly of course,” Eric added quickly and then almost blushed at his own brashness.

“Well, this is a little abrupt,” Suzie said with a lazy smile. “But I’m sure I can arrange something,” she told him tapping one white lacquered nail against her white lips as she thought.

“You’d actually be interested in coming with me?” He asked surprised.

“Why not and we can even take the company yacht,” Suzie told him smiling.

“Company yacht?” Eric asked surprised.

“Yeah, it’s another monstrosity that the company has foisted upon me. It’s about the size of a battle cruiser but has it’s own crew and tons of facilities and Holly should be able to program one of the Holographic Interaction Studios as a ballet studio and skating rink,” Suzie said still tapping that neatly manicured and perfectly formed finger against her full lips.

Eric found himself staring at those lips and wondering what it would be like to smear that white lipstick.

The waiter returned to interrupt both their thoughts. “May I take your orders now?” He asked.

“Do you mind if I do the ordering?” Suzie asked with a perfectly formed raised eyebrow.

“Certainly be my guest,” Eric said with a gesture to the waiter.

Suzie ordered their meals in fluent Italian and after taking it down on his E-PADD the waiter bowed backing up.

The time between their order being taken and the food delivered to their table was filled with small talk as they chatted of inconsequential things such as places they’d been, people they’d met.

Dinner itself was spent in relative quiet as each person concentrated on their own meal.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Shillelagh Bar & Grill

Tuesday August 21st, 725 2E - 23:15 CST

After dinner Suzie drove the two of them to a small Irish Pub that Suzie had been to a few times before.

“So you come here often?” Eric asked as they walked through the smoke shrouded air of the bar.

“Every now and then,” Suzie said smiling at the barkeep as they passed who just nodded and went back to cleaning the glass he had in one hand.

Suzie led Eric to a back booth in the shape of a horse shoe. Sliding into the booth he expected Suzie to sit across from him but found her bumping one white Nanno-rubber clad hip against him forcing him to slide over.

“So what would you like to drink?” Suzie asked smiling at him.

“Does this place have any Cutty Sark?” He asked.

“Sure,” Suzie said tapping some keys on a small pad imbedded in the surface of the table, and then letting her hand drift downwards she slid her hand down along his leg.

After a few minutes a waitress brought their drinks and they sat sipping them quietly as Suzie let her hand run slowly up and down Eric’s leg. After a few minutes of that he set his arm around her at waist level and she snuggled up against him. His arm rested around her waist and he lightly cupped her right hip with his hand the glossy smooth Nanno-rubber feeling somewhat odd.

“I..,” Suzie paused. “I’m usually not like this,” she said quietly to him as she snuggled into him.

“I didn’t think so, and neither am I generally,” Eric said sipping his Cutty Sark.

“I just feel attracted to you for some reason,” Suzie said and then blushed slightly although it was hard to tell against her tanned skin. “That didn’t sound quite right,” she said in a strangled voice.

Eric chuckled, “I feel the same way towards you as well Suzie.”

“Can I…,” Suzie said quietly.

“Yes,” Eric said and Suzie kissed him as he leant down towards her. With the touch of her lips he found out that the white lipstick was actually some sort of Nanno-rubber application but her lips were just as soft and supple as he thought they would be.

The kiss lasted a long time and when the two pulled apart from one another they were breathing hard and both had spots of color on their cheeks.

“Wow,” Eric breathed out.

“Really,” Suzie asked her manner suddenly shy.

“How about I take you and the kids to lunch after Cecilia gets done with her TET session Thursday,” Eric suggested.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Suzie said quietly. “Not because the kids don’t like you or anything but Cecilia will be extremely exhausted after her treatment,” Suzie explained.

“Friday night perhaps then; or maybe Saturday?” Eric asked sounding almost desperate.

“Unfortunately for the foreseeable future I’ve got plans with Holly every Friday and Saturday night,” Suzie explained. “Why not spend time together tomorrow,” Suzie asked.

“Oh,” Eric said. “Unfortunately I have some paperwork to take care of and some apartment hunting to do,” He explained.

Suzie saw the man’s crestfallen expression and cupped his face in one white lacquered nailed hand and kissed him again. Pulling back she looked into his eyes. “Eric we’ll be spending at least a month with you while you get your affairs in order,” Suzie told him consolingly.

“Well there is that,” Eric said with a crooked grin.

“Yes there is,” and the two of them kissed again like two teenagers.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers System - Caruthers World

Caruthers City - Syntheria Arms Apartments

Thursday August 22nd, 725 2E - 01:28 CST

Nathan stood up in the girl’s bedroom and found that it had changed quite a bit from when he had been there previously, he took a moment to search through her closet where an entire new wardrobe had been added, as well as a dozen school uniforms, a Skinsuit, and several dance leotards. Riffling through the girl’s dresser drawers with her own hands he found new under clothes and several dozen pairs of regular and thermal mono-film tights.

Seems that little Sister 14 is doing quite well for herself, Nathan thought to himself as he glanced in the mirror on the wall seeing the girl’s night black eyes as he looked out from them.

“Well let’s do a little exploring,” Nathan said swinging the girl’s arms and leaving the bedroom.

The first room he looked in was empty save for a bed and some basic bedroom furniture, the girl’s little brother was asleep in the next, the décor of the third bedroom showed that of young woman with clean and dirty clothes strewn about and an overflowing jewelry box with mostly glass and paste jewelry. Several posters on the walls advertised various music bands and a pennant from Siemens academy flew over the bed. A bookshelf was filled to overflowing with science fiction books and various college level books in chemistry, engineering, and archeology, as well as a dozen different books for languages.

“So Suzie has either got herself an assistant or a baby sitter,” Nathan mused. Checking on the last bedroom he found the door locked, ignoring it for the time being he walked down the stairs to the main level.

Descending the stairs he found himself in a huge living room with a pseudo fireplace and a huge Holo-Tank entertainment center against one wall. The room was decorated in stark whites and blacks, the couches and chairs a dark black suede color with the tables being some sort of dark wood that was almost black as well. The floor had thick white rugs and the walls were white wainscoting with a very light colored wood supporting them The dining room off to one side through an archway in contrast was decorated in warm colors, the wall painted brown with dark cherry and walnut paneling, the large dining table was heavy black oak as were the chairs, another archway led into the kitchen which was all gleaming chrome and the latest in culinary equipment.

Nathan found himself confronted by a locked door which he ignored for the time being and then wandered over to another door that led into a huge airy home gym, one wall was entirely taken up by armored glass windows and another by mirrors fronted by a long exercise bar similar to those found in ballet schools.

He wandered around running the girl’s fingers over the various exercise machines and the weight benches scattered across the open floor, he gazed at the sauna built into one wall and stared at the empty hot tub.

Leaving the gym Nathan peered into the foyer looking at the gray and white color scheme before navigating the girl’s body back up the stairs to her room and letting the girl’s body go back to sleep.