Immortal Assassin - Book 1 - Immortal Assassin - 3 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 -

One of the odd little advancements in technology that has occurred in the last few hundred years is the IFF pin; IFF standing for Identify Friend Foe. Originally this type of electronic device was devised to keep ships and aircraft from firing on one another and then later on combat vehicles and spaceships.

Recent developments in miniaturization however found one enterprising individual looking at the IFF pin in a new way, after working out the mechanics of it he was able to miniaturize it down to the size of a thumb nail and then sold the design to various star nations for use with their ground troops.

However not satisfied with the sales from that he went on to market it for commercial and private use as well, although it lacked most of the functions of the military units it found a niche amongst sales people and the rich during parties.

The main purpose of the commercial designed IFF pin is in the case of sales people or business is to broadcast their advertisements and information to any openly receiving other IFF or E-PADD in the vicinity while the Rich and famous use these to identify and either find friends or evade those they don’t wish to talk to. Although in recent years IFF pins have become extremely inexpensive and most people can be found wearing one on a day to day basis.

© 625 2E Elyena Firecat Author, Archeologist and One-Third Owner of Sargasso Deeps

In Her Book - The Technological Stagnation of the Human Race and Its Ancestors - Vol. I

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Sylph’s Boutique - Suzie, Eric, Lisette

Tuesday August 11th, 725 2E - 14:00 CST

Suzie had little Ned by the hand as they exited the dressing room with Cecilia and Holly bringing up the rear. The older woman and the little boy were just about knocked over by someone who didn’t even apologize as she pushed past them.

Suzie made sure Ned was okay and then focused on the woman who had bumped into them. Her mouth snapped shut as she saw with surprise that it was Aurora Morgan her next contract, she then whipped her head around as warning bells went off in her head as did the silvery sounding entry bells above the boutique‘s door.

Coming in the entrance was Lisette the same Seven Deadly Sins’ Horseman that had been in the club the night before. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow under the subdued lighting and being led by the hand with the wide grin still across her porcelain white face was the Mu that had once been a young woman named Janelle that she had also seen the night before.

Suzie’s face tightened in anger as she recognized the young woman. If thoughts could be murderous Santiago would have dropped dead in his apartment right that second as Suzie realized he’d willingly sacrificed the girl to the Mu to appease the monster’s appetite. Unfortunately Suzie was in a binding contract with Santiago and could do nothing to avenge the young woman.

Eric saw the blonde woman’s expression change from one of surprise to one of disgust as whoever had opened the door came walking in. Turning his head he let out a low curse as he saw that it was a Horseman with one of the zombie like Mu in tow like a small child.

Lisette had decided to get her new pet some clothes and had taken her to a boutique she had frequented with numerous past partners before becoming a Horseman of the Seven Deadly Sins she was especially surprised when she entered the boutique to find her old friend Aurora Morgan.

“Darling how nice to see you,” Lisette’s sultry pink lips split into a warm smile as she embraced the other woman warmly.

“Oh Lisette dear you look absolutely stunning in that outfit,” Aurora said referring to the full body pink mono-film suit the woman was wearing. “It definitely brings out the highlights of your lips and eyes,” Morgan gushed as the two women embraced.

“You might consider it yourself Darling. Being a horseman is so liberating,” Lisette said with a tinkling laugh.

“Oh you’re always telling me that but if I did I couldn’t stop the slander that the Theban Government is smearing all over your unique people,” Morgan told her breaking the embrace.

“Excuse me, we need to be going Miss Morgan,” Eric told his principal. One of his hands was edging slightly to the Beretta in a small of the back holster under his gray suit jacket.

For her part Lisette just pulled the former Janelle forward and showed her to Morgan. “Oh darling I’d like you to meet Janelle, she’s my latest convert to the Mu. I decided I would get her some decent clothes so she wouldn’t embarrass me as I took her around,” Lisette explained with a sultry smile.

Suzie watched the tableau as the Horseman and her contract embraced one another like old friends. The woman she was hired to kill and the thing she wanted to kill. “Just great,” She snorted to herself. She also noticed that Barstowe was edging one of his hands under the back of his jacket.

The frozen scene exploded into fragments as Ms. Applenapp the owner of the boutique came rushing up.

“Ah, Ms. Lisette, so good to see you again,” Applenapp gushed.

“Ah, Erma dear,” Lisette said greeting the shop owner.

Applenapp waved her hand at one of the other boutique girls and towards Lisette. “Adrianna please help Ms. Lisette in dressing room nine,” she ordered.

“Yes Ms. Applenapp,” the young woman said as she led Lisette and her Mu off to one of the dressing rooms.

“Holly if you are done helping Miss Marlowe you need to return to your other duties,” Applenapp ordered the younger woman with less than proper attitude.

“Actually Holly will be going with us for a little while,” Suzie informed the shop owner trying to focus her attention away from Morgan and her bodyguard.

“Oh and just where would you be taking her?” Applenapp asked in a snotty tone.

“She’ll be joining my niece, nephew, and I for lunch in appreciation of how well she has helped my niece pick out a new wardrobe,” Suzie said coldly.

“I’m sorry that type of fraternization is forbidden,” Applenapp snapped.

“OH, kiss off,” Holly told the woman and tossed her remote and work E-PADD on the counter.

“I beg your pardon young lady?” Applenapp said huffily.

“I quit,” Holly said following Suzie and the children out the door where Sanya was still waiting for them.

“I thought I told you to wait with the car,” Suzie said to him.

“Georg and Andre are with the car; I’m your personal bodyguard and since you turned down that buyout from TPP I think it wise for me to guard you a little better,” Sanya explained solemnly.

Suzie let out a long suffering sigh. “Alright Sanya, just don’t make too much of a habit of it,” Suzie said hiding a small smile.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Sanya answered with a stoic expression.

The five of them walked about two blocks to a small street side café with small quaint tables and had Holo-Vid projectors running showing various TV channels.

“Are you sure that was a wise thing to do?” Suzie asked Holly after they had gotten settled at a table.

“Probably not, but the woman was a total bitch and sucked up to all the clients that were jerks while being mean to the nice clients,” Holly paused long enough for the waiter to take their drink order.

“So what are you going to do now?” Suzie asked.

“I’m not really sure. I only had that job to make up for the monetary shortcomings my parents can’t afford for my college education,” Holly told her frowning.

“That’s a shame, maybe I can help with that, if I think of anything I’ll let you know,” Suzie told the young woman.

Holly shrugged, “Don’t worry too much about it.”

The waiter came back with their drinks and took their orders.

Holly and Suzie chatted quietly with one another about some of Caruthers City’s better nightclubs. Ned for his part was being pretty quiet as he played with a couple of toys that Cecilia had the forethought to bring with her.

Cecilia herself seemed to be engrossed in a sports program on one of the Holo-Vids. “What sport is that?” She asked turning to Holly and Suzie with a finger pointed at the Holo floating in the air.

Both women looked up at the Holo. “That would be the greatest sport in the Theban Cluster Grav Disc,” Holly told the girl.

“I’ve heard of it but never actually sat down and watched a game,” Suzie admitted.

“I used to play till I had an accident during a game. I even lost my sports scholarship because of the injury,” Holly said frowning for a second.

“It looks really cool,” Cecilia said her eyes lighting up with the first spark of interest Suzie had seen since Officer Martine had dropped the two children off last night.

“It is really very cool,” Holly said and started to explain the game to the girl.

“Okay, basically the game is played on a field of self-healing diamond very similar in appearance to an ice skating rink,” Holly started to explain.

“Self healing diamond,” Cecilia asked puzzled.

“Yeah with all the advanced technologies that have evolved over the last few millennia some wag managed to create an artificial diamond substance that automatically heals any gouges or other damage to it,” Holly explained.

“Oh,” the girl said probably still not understanding it.

“Now the game itself uses a foot in diameter ceramo-steel disc with a built in counter gravity unit underneath it, this basically keeps the disc from actually touching the ground making it easier for the players to get a hold of it, of course once the player has a hold on it the counter-gravity unit shuts off,” Holly explained.

“Now the main objective of the game is to get the disc through the scoring box,” Holly took a napkin and pulled a pen out of a skirt pocket and drew a sketch of a square with several smaller concentric squares in it. “Now the goal is made up of Holo-projectors that throw up four scoring areas, the outer most,” Holly said tapping the largest area. “Is worth 25 points, the next 50, the one after that seventy-five, and the inner most 100 points,” Holly said tapping the inner most box that if life sized wouldn’t have been much larger than the grav disc itself.

“Now scoring points through goals is the only way to win the game for the team but each player is rewarded points during the game,” Holly told the girl whose attention was firmly glued to her. “Each team member is awarded style points on how well they perform during the game. These points are awarded by a panel of three judges that watch the game during play and award the points; the game itself is a combination of figure skating, ballet, hockey, and rugby pretty much, as well as some aspects of a game called Frisbee,” Holly continued to explain.

“Now as you’ll notice all the players are wearing hard suits, these however are more flexible and way lighter than military or industrial suits, they basically only have enough enhancements to counter act the additional weight and awkwardness of the suits,” Holly explained.

“Why do they wear hard suits?” Cecilia asked.

“Well unlike Ice Self-Healing Diamond can be very dangerous and since diamond is such a hard substance standard metal ice skates can’t be used. Players have to use heavy duty durable skates with mono-molecular edges which pretty much have to be replaced after each game. Now the reason for the hard suits is due to the fact that the mono-edged skates gouge chunks, shards, and splinters of diamond from the surface and send them spinning at high speeds across the field and they can do some pretty nasty damage,” Holly said wincing.

“That’s actually the reason I lost my scholarship during a game. A splinter of diamond spun out and found a weakness in the ceramo-steel of one of my armor’s knee joints and embedded itself in there. They were able to get most of it out but even with modern imaging techniques they couldn’t find it all and I was unable to play anymore after that due to medical reasons. I can still play recreationally but no school or professional team will ever take me,” she said with a disappointed sigh.

“That’s a shame,” Suzie said. “But you also said that Grav Disc includes portions of ballet and figure skating as well?” she prompted.

“Yeah,” Holly pulled out her E-PADD and punched some buttons and flipped it around on the table for Susie and Cecilia to watch. “Now watch this,” Holly said pressing a key.

The screen showed a team in gold and black hard suits playing against a team in crimson and gray hard suits.

“Okay watch this player in the Black and Gold Hardsuit here,” Holly pointed at the screen.

Suzie and Cecilia watched closely as the player flipped completely over another one in the Crimson and Gray of the opposing team and snagged the grav disc out of the air; the player stopped with hips turned out and heels touching creating an almost perfectly straight line and then crossed her arms. The player’s first arm was extended to the side with the elbow slightly bent, the second formed a half oval over their head and the disc snapped out of the upper arm as it bent over the head towards another player on the same team.

“Now that is where figure skating and ballet come into play. The first thing the player did was a toe flip that took them over the player and that last movement,” Holly said pointing her finger at the frozen image is a Bras Croisé, with the feet in what is called the first position,” Holly explained.

“You’re the one in the black and gold armor aren’t you?” Suzie asked quietly.

“Yeah,” Holly said a bit wistfully.

“Aunt Suzie may I please play Grav Disc?” Cecilia asked her eyes bright.

“Well I, I’m not sure, we haven’t even gotten you enrolled in a school yet,” Suzie answered taken by surprise.

“Well I might be able to help with that,” Holly said. “The school I went to was Siemens Academy and they have an excellent Grav Disc program as well as having excellent teachers. They also don’t let sports interfere with a player’s academics, if a player is doing poorly they get benched immediately,” Holly told her.

“Do you even know any ballet or figure skating?” Suzie asked the girl.

“No, no I don’t,” the girl started out hesitantly. “But I really want to learn how to play and I’ll do anything that needs to be done,” she said in a pleading tone of voice with a hopeful expression on her face.

Suzie let out a sigh; but she was very happy that the girl had found something to focus on so quickly. “Alright we’ll give it a shot then,” She said and turned to Holly. “How hard is it to get into Siemens Academy?” She asked.

“Well entry isn’t all that rigorous and school doesn’t start for another six weeks. But they are expensive and so is playing Grav Disc, you have to pay for all the equipment including the Hardsuit,” Holly explained.

“Money’s not the problem,” Suzie said with a frown. “But with her not knowing any ballet or figure skating will they take her?” Suzie asked with trepidation.

“No, probably not but if you can get her started right away on Ballet and Figure Skating and get her some rigorous exercise they’d probably take her next year,” Holly confirmed.

Cecilia’s face fell at the answer.

“Hey kiddo don’t worry, you’ve already got pretty good muscle tone and are in good shape and move well, you just need to get trained in the moves you’ll need,” Holly reassured her.

“Alright well we’ll go to Siemens and get her and Ned enrolled tomorrow,” Suzie confirmed. “But I wouldn’t even know where to start to find a figure skating and ballet coaches,” she said thoughtfully.

Holly looked a bit sheepish. “I’m a certified ballet and figure skating coach,” she said hesitantly.

“You are?” Suzie asked surprised.

“Yeah, after the accident I took the tests for those thinking I would be able to teach. But most of the dance and skate schools don’t really like Grav Disc players,” Holly said a disconsolate shrug.

“That’s a shame,” Suzie thought about it for a second. “I tell you what, how about I hire you to teach Cecilia and I’ll pay you twice what you were making at the boutique, sound fair,” Suzie told the younger woman.

Holly’s eyes practically popped out of her head and she wasn’t able to think of what to say.

“Where are you staying at now?” Suzie asked helping her along.

“Ah, ahem,” Holly managed to catch her voice after a few seconds. “I live with my parents in one of the outer suburbs,” she finally said.

“How about I also throw in room and board that way you don’t have to travel so far and I’ll even have Sanya drop you off for your college courses everyday,” Suzie added to sweeten the pot.

“Really?” Holly said surprised. “Are you serious, all of that just for teaching Cecilia Ballet and Figure Skating?” The younger woman could hardly believe the job she was being offered.

“Cecilia keep an eye on Ned for a second please,” Suzie ordered.

“Sure,” the girl replied.

“Holly could you come here a second,” Suzie said standing up and motioning for the young woman to follow her into the small café.

Confused Holly stood up and followed her inside.

“Holly, Cecilia and Ned are orphans. They could probably use a big sister figure to help them along,” Suzie explained about what had happened over the last couple of months for the children.

“Oh, that is so sad,” Holly said.

“I know and I can’t always be there, I have a business to run and other commitments to take care of,” Suzie paused. “Will you take the job?” She finally asked.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll take the job,” Holly agreed and they shook on it and then went back out to the sidewalk table where Cecilia had a hopeful look on her face.

“Well kiddo looks like you’ve got yourself a coach,” Holly said hugging the girl.

The rest of that day was spent getting Ned some clothes as well as ordering some bedroom stuff for both children that would be delivered to the Penthouse in a few days.

Suzie and Holly also stopped at a dance supply store and ordered some stuff for the gym and with measurements in hand ordered several outfits for Cecilia while she and Ned were next door looking at toys.

Their last stop of the day was when Sanya dropped the four of them off at the Range Rover Dealership.

“How may I help you?” The receptionist asked as the four of them walked into the dealership.

“Yes, I’m Suzie Marlowe I’ve got an appointment with one of your salespersons to look at purchasing a new car,” Suzie told her.

“Hold on just one second,” the receptionist tapped a few keys on her consoles hard holography keyboard. “Yes, Mr. Duvale will be assisting you today. If you’ll wait right over there I’ll get him for you,” the receptionist indicated a lounge area that was located to one side of the reception desk.

The four of them sat down in some rather nice chairs and the kids started watching a program on the Holo-Vid.

“Holly could you please keep an eye on the kids for me while I’m getting this taken care of?” Suzie asked the girl.

“Sure, no problem,” Holly replied and went to sit next to the kids and all three watched some program on Vetalnese Orangutans.

Purchasing a new car didn’t take as long as Suzie thought it would and within an hour they were on their way home in a brand new Range Rover LWB County all-terrain/all-Weather SUV.

Rather than store the SUV in the building’s parking garage Suzie opted to actually park it in the three stall garage that was an integral part of the penthouse.

By the time they reached home everyone was starving again and they were greeted by the delicious smells of Sylvester’s cooking.

“You’ve outdone yourself again,” Suzie said staring down at the huge bowl of thick stew in front of her. The bowl could probably be classified as a tureen as large as it was.

Cecilia, Holly, and Ned had smaller bowls but they all dug in heartily and by the time dinner was over little Ned was nodding off from the effects of a long day and a full stomach.

“Cecilia why don’t you help Sylvester put Ned to bed,” Suzie suggested and the girl nodded her head vigorously although her eyelids were drooping counteracting her vigorous reply.

“Holly, why don’t you join me in the gym and we’ll take a look at what we need to do,” Suzie said walking over to the huge refrigerator in one wall and pulling out a bottle of Dwuervan Black Stout. “Beer?” Suzie asked holding one of them up.

“Yeah thanks,” Holly said taking the bottle and watching as Suzie pulled another one out for herself.

Suzie led Holly into the gym it was huge even for a place the size of the penthouse and Holly commented on that fact.

“Actually I tore out a couple spare bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as a formal dining room to get it this big,” she explained to the younger woman.

Holly looked more closely at the room; one entire wall was nothing but huge windows looking out over the cityscape. Scattered across the open space were several types of workout equipment including, a nautilus, weight benches, and a weight training machine; off in one corner was a hot tube and a climbing wall occupied another while several work out pads were scattered on the floor, ropes of various lengths and diameters also hung from the ceiling and a basketball hoop adorned one side wall; the final piece of equipment in the room was a rather small but fully capable Holo/audio playback system.

“Pretty impressive,” Holly said.

“Not really, I don’t get to spend as much time here as I would like,” Suzie confessed. “This room will be totally open to you whenever you need it, the only rooms not allowed to you and the kids will be my room and the den, those are off limits,” she told her.

“I understand,” Holly said running a finger down one of the arms of the weight training machine.

“Oh almost forgot, there is also an Olympic sized pool outside that has a retractable dome over it,” Suzie told her.

“Cool I haven’t been able to get a decent swim in for some time.” Holly said.

“I’ll be right back,” Suzie said and left the gym and going in the den. She rummaged around until she found a blank pass card and loaded the necessary security codes on it.

Back in the gym she found Holly sitting at the Nautilus machine examining it. “Here is your pass-card,” She told the girl handing it to her. “Without it you won’t be able to get past security,” she explained.

“Thank you and thank you for the job, and letting me be able to do what I enjoy the most,” Holly said seriously.

“Not a problem I like helping out people who could use a bit of a helping hand,” Suzie told her.

“Oh crap,” Holly said looking at her chrono. “I have to get home before my mom starts freaking out,” she said quickly leaving the den and grabbing up her courier bag style purse.

“Not a problem I’ll take you home now,” Suzie said. “Sylvester?”

“Yes Miss,” the silver orb answered gliding down the stairs from the second floor.

“Are the kids in bed?” Suzie asked.

“Yes Miss, Master Ned was asleep before we reached his room and after Miss Cecilia put him down for the evening she herself went to bed,” answered the auto-butler.

“Good, I’m going to take Holly home then, and run a couple more errands before returning; keep an eye on things,” Suzie ordered the AI.

“Certainly Miss,” the AI acknowledged.

The two of them rode the elevator down to the parking garage and Holly got an excited expression on her face. “Wow is this really a DB338 Aston Martin?” She said in astonishment running a hand reverently across the car’s glossy black hood.

“That it is; only 3,500 of these were made,” Suzie told her proudly.

“Kick-ass,” the girl said and got in after Suzie unlocked the door.

“So where do you live?” Suzie asked and fed in the directions that Holly gave her letting the auto-navigation system do the driving for once as they discussed where to start Cecilia’s training. Before they knew it they were at Holly’s parent’s house.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Miss Marlowe,” Holly said waving goodbye as the sports car lifted off the street and entered the air lanes above.

Suzie did have some errands to run before returning home but hey weren’t as innocuous as picking up some bread and milk. She set the car down in an alley a few blocks into the city proper.

“Alright Chuck engage active stealth systems, and let’s go dark maroon tonight,” Suzie ordered the AI.

From the outside if anyone had been watching it would have seemed as if an electrical charge danced over the surface of the car and as it passed the black glossy paint became a dark maroon the serial plates once again changed to those registered under a different name.

“Initiate Reversion Process,” Suzie ordered.

Sister 14 lifted the dark maroon sports car into the Skylanes; most of the vehicles flying through the air were on auto-nav and they let her through with out the drivers or the automated systems noticing. The automated traffic systems were ignoring her as well as she made her way to the downtown hotel district of the city.

There were a few times when cars not using their auto-nav systems nearly collided with the Aston Martin but Sister 14’s glossy black hands and legs easily maneuvered the car around these incidents without a hitch.

Upon reaching her destination Sister 14 set the car down between a pair of huge environmental units on top of the San Simian Arms hotel across the street from the Caruthers Hilton.

Moon and city lights ghosted along her glossy limbs as she languidly made her way to the edge of the roof and settled down to observe the penthouse suite across from her location.

There was a two foot retaining wall around the edge of the roof that every fifty feet or so had large gothic creatures such as gargoyles, chimeras, and manticores resting on it.

The owners of the San Simian Arms had hoped that the added architectural monstrosities would give the building more atmosphere but unfortunately the neo-gothic sculptures really didn’t mix in with the blued armor glass and copper tinged steel of the rest of the structure with most city inhabitants agreeing that it was probably one of the most ridiculous looking buildings in the city.

Sister 14 didn’t care much about other people’s opinions of the architecture and had no opinion of her own as she sidled up to one of the sculptures. Using the suit’s innate magnetic seal ability she plastered herself to the side of it and engaged her Nanno-rubber skin’s IR/Thermal/Optical damping camouflage.

Sister 14 had positioned herself so that the lenses of her mask were in a direct line of vision with the penthouse suite across the way and as the lens’ HUD functions zoomed into their maximum magnification the black nannites coating her face fed the images directly to her optic nerves.

The information in the Moly-chip had told her that there were a dozen of the bland black suits but it looked like the hotel had added some of their own security to the mix. Most likely they were there at the behest of the lead bodyguard Barstowe.

Speaking of Barstowe the lenses zoomed in further and picked up the gray suited figure of the bodyguard as he was arguing about something with his principal. Barstowe had his back to Sister 14 so she wasn’t able to make out what he was saying but by the tenseness of his shoulders he was berating the starlet for doing something stupid.

Morgan of course had her mouth in a grim line and her eyes had an ugly light to them as she angrily shook her head at what Barstowe was saying to her.

Interesting Sister 14 thought to herself; if the target was at odds with her bodyguards it may be easier to complete the contract.

The HUD fed her a constant stream of information as it noted the security systems of the penthouse, weapons carried by the guards as well as a thousand and one small minutiae. Another fact that Sister 14 was able to confirm from her briefing files was that Morgan swung both ways when it came to sex. She’d left one of the drapes open to her bedroom and Sister 14 could clearly see her as she returned to her bedroom where a pair of Tantalus Pleasure Drones awaited her. The two drones had the same hair color and same basic facial features that could even be discerned under their Nanno-skin coated faces so they must have been twins before becoming the Pleasure Drones; one male and one female. After about fifteen minutes Sister 14 stopped watching as the information provided wasn’t very useful.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Caruthers Hilton - Penthouse Suite

Tuesday August 11th, 725 2E - 21:25 CST

Eric was livid with rage but contained his anger as best he could and resisted the urge to strangle the starlet as she refused to listen to anything he had to say about keeping her safe and protected.

“I will not wear an armored vest during my speech; it’ll ruin the lines of my Vera Wang dress,” she said stamping her foot like a small petulant child.

“Then wear something that the armor won’t show through,” he suggested through gritted teeth.

“No I’m wearing the Vera Wang and that is final,” Morgan said and did an about face into the penthouse.

“Spoiled, ignorant, liberalistic bitch,” Eric growled under his breath.

“Anything wrong Sir?” One of the black suited Martel guards asked.

“No Lorenzo,” Eric said and went into the penthouse himself but paused before going all the way through and looked across to the San Simian Arms Hotel’s roof. Eric felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as if someone were watching him and stared for almost a minute before turning back around and walking into the penthouse. He could already hear Morgan pleasuring herself with her two pets as she referred to them, all he knew is that they were Tantalus Pleasure Drones and must have been related when they had been human.

In Morgan’s bedroom she pleasured herself with her two pieces of property. Laying naked supine on the bed the male Pleasure Drone pumped up and down with expert skill eliciting moans of ecstasy from the starlet and while he was doing that Morgan increased her pleasure by playing with the sphincters of the female drone.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

San Simian Arms - Rooftop

Tuesday August 11th, 725 2E - 22:30 CST

If Sister 14 had any emotions she would have felt surprise at the fact that Eric Barstowe had looked directly at her. Finished with her information gathering she released the magnetic seal of her skin sliding back along the ugly gargoyle she had been tucked against and shut off her IRThOp camouflage and left her observation point.

Sister 14 made her way back to the hidden car and left the hotel far behind before dipping into another backstreet alley to analyze the information that she had gathered, when she was done she sat silently for a few moments.

“Initiate Reversion Process,” Sister 14 ordered.

“Initiating Reversion Process,” CHCCC-14 told her. “That was kind of creepy,” the AI commented to Suzie.

“Yeah, I wonder if he actually saw us or if it was just some combat sixth sense,” Suzie said pulling back out into the Skylanes and heading back towards her penthouse.

“Hard to say, but personally I find it hard to believe that he actually saw us,” CHCCC-14 told her. “Your IRThOp camouflage was working perfectly to mimic the surrounding terrain and all systems were functioning at one hundred percent,” he added.

Suzie nodded to herself. “Well it’s something we should worry about in the future,” she said with a small sigh.

“I’ll run a data retrieval from Sister 14’s sensor systems and HUD; maybe I can figure something out from that.” CHCCC-14 told her. “Maybe some sort of light refraction caused a ripple,” he mused.

“Whatever you can find out Chuck do so before I actually go after the target,” Suzie told the AI.

“Roger Suzie,” CHCCC-14 told her falling silent.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Syntheria Arms - Penthouse Suite

Wednesday August 12th, 725 2E - 10:00 CST

As Suzie had ordered Darius Martine showed up in person to deliver the adoption papers and waited around for them to be properly filled out and signed.

“I don’t see why I had to deliver these in person and wait around for you to sign them?” Martine complained.

“Because you fucked up and dropped the ball Darius,” Suzie explained to him coldly as she filled in the last signature box on the E-PADD he had downloaded the papers to.

“I wouldn’t say I dropped the ball,” Martine said trying to weasel his way out of it.

“Yes, you did, those kids spent several months in purgatory because of your laziness and greed,” Suzie told him bluntly pointing the light stylus at him.

“Well maybe a little,” he relented.

“You’re lucky I need someone as dishonest and corrupt as you Martine, otherwise I’d pay someone to make sure you disappeared,” Suzie told him coldly as she handed the completed E-PADD to him. “Now get those filed properly and promptly and then we’ll see how our relationship is after that,” she ordered him.

Martine didn’t say a thing as he left.

Earlier in the morning Suzie had breakfast with the children and was now awaiting the delivery of the equipment for the gym. Sitting at her desk in the den with the door open she heard Cecilia and Ned being shown how to operate the penthouse’s various functions by Sylvester.

“Now to gain admittance to the penthouse itself from the elevator you must enter the correct pass code and then slide your Identi-Chip through the slot here,” Sylvester told the two children as they stood in the elevator one of his skinny silver arms indicating the correct slot.

“Identi-Chip, what‘s that?” Cecilia said questioningly.

“Oh dear, wait here,” Sylvester ordered bobbing back out into the foyer and through to the doorway of Suzie’s den.

Suzie looked up at a light knock on her doorframe and saw Sylvester bobbing at the entry of her den. “What are you needing Sylvester?” She asked.

“Miss, it seems the children don’t have Identi-Chips or even know what they are,” Sylvester told her.

Suzie looked at the auto-butler quizzically. “You are kidding me right?” She asked him.

“Sorry Miss but I’m not at all,” Sylvester sniffed.

“I hadn’t even thought of this,” Suzie told herself quietly. “Alright have the kids go get dressed in some semi-nice clothing and we’ll get it taken care of today,” She ordered.

Sylvester conveyed this information to the children who immediately cleaned up what they were doing and went to change into nicer clothes.

While the children went to get cleaned up and change clothes the now closed elevator door pinged and swooshed open as the air pressure between the two areas equalized. Standing in the elevator was Holly cracking her jaw to try and pop her ears; around her dozens of boxes and bags sat in a haphazard fashion. Some of the boxes were neatly labeled and closed while others spilled their contents all over the place.

“Hello Miss Haffenbakker,” Sylvester greeted politely. “I take it these boxes contain your belongings and that you are quite ready to move in?” The auto-butler asked with a bit of humor.

“Yup, sorry about the mess Sylvester,” Holly apologized to the Auto-Butler as she started dragging random bags and boxes into the foyer. Holly was wearing a torn jean skirt over black mono-film tights and a cut off t-shirt showed her muscled stomach off; heavy motorcycle boots clumped around the room as she started dragging box after box onto the gray tile.

“Let me get some of the building maintenance bots up here,” Sylvester told her and called down to the maintenance sub-level and requested a dozen of the bots to come up and help move the young woman’s belongings and carry them to the bedroom she would be staying in. Soon the maintenance bots showed up and neatly started moving the boxes and bags.

Forty-five minutes later Holly‘s things were in her room and she looked around. “Wow, pretty cool,” Holly said running a hand down one of the smart walls in the bedroom suite that included a bedroom, sitting area, and full bath. When she was done putting some of her stuff away in the room Holly went downstairs to find Cecilia and Ned in semi-dress clothing. Cecilia was wearing a blouse and slacks while Ned was in a polo-shirt and jeans.

“Hey Holly,” Suzie greeted coming out of her den and embracing the younger woman. “You get settled in then?” She asked. “Well I got my stuff up in the room,” Holly told her looking her over. Today Suzie was wearing a simple black short sleeved Nanno-rubber top with cargo pants and running shoes.

“We’ve got to get the kids Identi-Chips. Why the orphanage or child and welfare services didn’t deem this a necessary thing I have no clue,” Suzie told Holly.

“That’s going to be a bit of a pain,” Holly said.

“Yeah that’s why I’d appreciate it if you would go with us to help out,” Suzie asked hopefully.

“Not a problem I can finish unpacking when we get back,” Holly assured her.

“Great, let’s get the kids and get this done with, remind me when we get back to set up an appointment with Siemens Academy for an interview,” Suzie said over her shoulder as she ran back in the den and grabbed a lightweight jacket and then locked the door behind herself.

“Alright kids lets go,” Suzie said and the two of them reluctantly got up from in front of the Holo-Vid.

“Holly,” Cecilia shouted joyfully and hugged the woman.

“Just now noticing I’m here,” Holly said with a grin.

“Yeah, sorry I was engrossed in that nature show that Ned and I were watching,” Cecilia told her with a sheepish expression.

“Not a problem Kiddo, you ready to be poked and prodded by the bureaucracy that is the Caruthers City ID bureau?” Holly joked.

Cecilia made a face. “Not really, will there be shots involved?”

“Yeah but they use Nanno-injectors so you won’t even feel it, it’ll just be the standard round of inoculations,” Holly told her as she took Ned’s hand and led the two kids to the penthouse garage where Suzie already had the Range Rover warmed up.

“We’ll go someplace nice to eat for lunch,” Suzie told the three of them. “Too make up for having to deal with bureaucrats,” she told them dryly.

It didn’t take nearly as long as Suzie had feared it would and soon they were lunching at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Caruthers City. The Dolphin’s Spray was situated right on the tip of the promontory that jutted out into Caruthers bay on the edge of the city and was where all the moneyed and popular went. Suzie just went there because they had excellent food and service.

After lunch they returned to the penthouse and Suzie made an appointment with Siemens Academy for the next day.

“That was easy enough,” Suzie commented to Holly after finishing the call.

“It’s pretty easy to get an interview,” Holly told her. “But Cecilia will have to take various aptitude tests to actually get in no matter how much money you throw around.”

“That’s what I’m worried about, the Neo-Prussian Empire doesn’t exactly have the best educational system in the known galaxy,” Suzie said with a grimace.

“Cecilia’s smart but, she may have to have tutoring before and during the first year,” Holly said sipping from her beer. “But I’m sure she’ll score high enough to get in,” she assured Suzie.

“I hope you’re right, it would probably break her heart if she couldn’t get in and play Grav Disc,” Suzie said thoughtfully.

“Well they are installing the equipment in the gym as we speak and I’ve reserved a spot for five hours every day at the local ice rink so we can get her started on that tomorrow,” Holly told her

“Good, maybe if she works hard enough she’ll be able to get in the first time around,” Suzie mused.

“It’s hard to say, she does have good balance and spatial awareness, but…,” Holly trailed off waggling one hand back and forth.

The rest of the night went quietly with Suzie and Sylvester helping Holly sort out her stuff and get it put away and then showing her how to set the smart walls in the room to whatever color or design she wished.

Suzie spent some of her time watching the kids from the security panel in her den; most of the time Ned spent playing with his much worn and loved toys but every once in awhile Cecilia was able to entice him away to watch some educational program that she had found on Holo-Vid, other times she joined him either playing with his toys or tickling and play fighting with him.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Siemens Academy for Higher Education - Headmasters Office

Thursday August 13th, 725 2E - 11:00 CST

“So Miss Marlowe what makes you believe that your niece would be a good fit at Siemens?” The headmaster a rather thin gray faced man in a tweed suit and rimless spectacles asked.

“While my niece has not had the best of education while she was living in the Neo-Prussian Empire I believe however she is very bright and motivated and very responsible. She has also shown an interest in Grav Disc which your Academy has the best program on the planet for,” Suzie answered honestly with a small smile; she had dressed accordingly and wore a light gray dress with matching short coat with a string of pearls wound around her neck.

“Well we’ll have to run her through the full battery of aptitude tests,” the headmaster said musingly as he looked over the application on an E-PADD.

“How soon could that be done?” Suzie asked.

“We can actually start today if you wish. It will however take about six hours for the full battery to be run,” the headmaster told her. “I assume your niece is the young girl out in the reception area with Miss Haffenbakker?” He asked looking over the rims of his glasses.

“Yes that would be my niece,” Suzie confirmed.

“Okay, we’ll get started then,” the headmaster leaned over his desk comm and pressed a button. “Ms. Iliviera please take Miss Marlowe’s niece to one of the study rooms and get her started on the entry tests,” he ordered.

“Yes Mr. Mandalay right away,” his secretary replied over the intercom.

“You mind if I talk to my niece for a few minutes before she gets started?” Suzie asked.

“Certainly go right ahead,” Mandalay said motioning towards the door.

Suzie exited the Headmaster’s office to find Ned, Holly, and Cecilia engrossed in some magazines that were showing the latest in Grav Disc equipment and had several articles on star players and championship teams; well Holly and Cecilia were Ned was on the floor near the chairs they were sitting in making vrooming and whooshing noises as he played with his miniature aircars pretending one was a police car chasing a criminal.

Suzie paused before interrupting the tableau waiting till they had changed the page of the magazine. “Cecilia the Headmaster’s secretary is going to get you started on some tests for your entrance into the academy,” Suzie told her niece.

“Cool,” Cecilia said she and Holly bumped knuckles.

“But he said the test session will take approximately six hours to complete,” Cecilia told her niece.

“Wow, not so cool,” Cecilia said her face falling.

“Don’t worry I’m sure you’ll do fine, meanwhile I’m going to take Holly and Ned back to the penthouse and then run a couple of errands that I’ve been neglecting and then I’ll have Holly pick you up after your tests are done,” Suzie explained.

“You mean I’ll be here all by myself,” Cecilia said crestfallen.

“I’m afraid so kiddo,” Suzie replied. “Is it alright?” She asked.

“Yeah, it’s okay,” Cecilia told her aunt.

“Okay, you do well on those tests,” Suzie said hugging the girl as she stood up and was lead away by the Headmaster’s secretary.

Suzie led Holly and Ned back to the Range Rover and dropped them off at the penthouse and switched to the Aston Martin heading out to do her errands.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Siemens Academy for Higher Education - Study Room 339C

Wednesday August 13th, 725 2E - 12:15 CST

The Headmaster’s secretary lead Cecilia to a small room with dark wood paneling and wainscoting in dark gold, the room was occupied by a study desk with a hard-holography terminal and a chair, the schools coat of arms hung on the wall above it and a small comm unit was by the door.

“Once you complete the tests we’ll send someone for you, or you can just comm us when finished. Every last fifteen minutes of the hour the terminal will pause to allow you a break to get a snack or to take a restroom visit,” the secretary explained. “If you do not return before the fifteen minutes is up the terminal will restart and start docking you score points,” the secretary then left Cecilia alone in the room.

Some of the questions that were asked Cecilia had no clue about but she was able to follow and answer the questions to the best of her ability on most of the subjects and after six boring hours she completed the program.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Several Blocks Away From the New Liberal Consortium Conservatory

Wednesday August 13th, 725 2E - 13:00 CST

“Initiate Reversion Process,” Suzie ordered and Sister 14 was driving a metallic green Aston Martin through the air lanes the full stealth suite engaged. Parking the vehicle in a back alley she engaged her own IRThOp camouflage. From the alley she made her way to a one hundred and fifty story building across the street from the New Liberal Consortium Conservatory. Sister 14 reached the roof by scaling the side of the building using the inherent magnetic seals of her skin to climb the side of the building, her IRThOp camouflage keeping her from being seen as she did that amazing feat.

Camouflage still engaged the glossy black assassin extruded her PSG-99 from flux space and got into position to complete her contract.

“The ceremony will be starting in just fifteen minutes Sister 14,” CHCCC-14 informed her. “The contract will do a speech, supposedly a short one and then cut the ribbon commencing the opening of the New Liberal Consortium Conservatory,” the AI supplied.

“Information confirmed,” Sister 14 said the lens of her right eye sealed to the scope.

Sister 14 crouched completely still for the intervening fifteen minutes the HUD and the AI updating her as needed. The former Black Pariah watched emotionlessly the scurry of ant like figures 150 stories below her the dots resolving into clear resolution as they pass through the scope’s field of vision.

The fifteen minutes up the contract walked from an armored limo followed by her personal bodyguard and a half dozen black suits as she made her way to the podium on the raised dais in front of the recently finished Liberal Consortium Conservatory.

Sister 14 waited till the woman was approximately halfway through her speech and then slowly squeezed the trigger riding the recoil of the heavy weapon as the smart round bored down the barrel.

Once out of the barrel the smart round instantly jumped to a random angle as the reaction less engine and computer came on line. Ballistics would show that the round had come from a building three blocks away further down the east end of the street.

Following the course of the round through the scope Sister 14 saw it sweep around in an arc and then re-acquire it’s target as it reached it‘s terminal attack velocity.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Front Portico of the New Liberal Consortium Conservatory

Wednesday August 13th, 725 2E - 14:15 CST

“…that we push forward and make sure that the militaristic fascism of the current regime in control of the Theban Cluster government not be allowed to brow beat it’s allies and so called enemies with the might of it’s fleet and ground forces.”

Morgan’s speech was met by a huge round of applause as she paused for breath.

“And it should not be allowed to further indoctrinate our young into a life of war and conquering to satiate their own greedy needs…”

Eric was standing directly behind Aurora Morgan one second she was speaking with a fire and brimstone tone belittling all that the Theban Cluster held dear and the next instant she had moved to stand next to the podium. Eric was disoriented for a moment by the unexpected movement and felt the blast of displaced air as a bullet cut through where Morgan and been standing and whined past his ear to imbed itself into a marble balustrade blowing sharp shards of stone and dust all over the place.

Reacting immediately to the threat he knocked her to the ground and crouched over her as he drug her one armed behind the armored podium his BXP machine pistol in hand fanning around for targets. “Dog pile her and get her back to the limo,” he ordered the black suits with him and then looked up at the building across the street. He didn’t know how or why but he was positive that was where the shot had come from. Machine pistol clenched in one fist he made sure that three of the bodyguards were dragging Morgan back to the limo and then he motioned for the other three to follow him as he charged across the street.

“The sniper must be up on that building,” he breathed out as he ran. “We need to get up their and capture them before they can get away and try this again.”

“Yes sir,” the other three responded in unison.

The four of them made it across the street and into the elevator to the roof in record time and moments later were spilling out onto it fanning out with weapons drawn, two of the guards had small shotguns while the other had an FN P375 SMG and they started searching the rooftop.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Rooftop Across From the New Liberal Consortium Conservatory

Wednesday August 13th, 725 2E - 14:25 CST

All but Sister 14’s head stayed perfectly still as she swiveled it to keep the four bodyguards on the roof now in view as her HUD gave her information on all of them. One of them was the chief bodyguard Eric Barstowe and he was searching the rooftop just as diligently as the others.

“Don’t worry Sister 14 they only have a 2.5% chance of actually detecting you,” CHCCC-14 told the assassin.

“I am not worried, emotions are not present in any manner,” Sister 14 told him.

“Uh, yeah, sorry forgot,” CHCCC-14 and then cursed as he saw through Sister 14’s HUD that Eric Barstowe’s head had snapped around in their direction his machine pistol following the line of sight.

Sister 14 went into a diving roll as the machine pistol in the bodyguard’s hand started barking short controlled bursts at her missing but causing chips of ceramo-crete to flit into the air from the parapet. Sister 14 came up out of her roll with Katana in one hand and Wakizashi in the other and disengaged her IRThOp camouflage since it didn‘t seem to be helping.

“What the hell,” Eric thought to himself as the glossy black sniper appeared from thin air an archaic sword clenched in each of her Nanno-rubber skinned hands. “Stop her but don’t kill her; we need her alive to find out who hired her,” Eric ordered,

The first bodyguard brought his shotgun around in a looping swing to try and knock Sister 14 out but the woman brought her Katana up blocking the weapon and causing a small shower of sparks to fly. Holding the Wakizashi in a reverse grip she opened the bodyguard up from waist to breast bone spilling blood, organs, and intestines all over the rooftop in a spattered mess.

The other two black suits and Barstowe kept their distance after the display of cold blooded evisceration from her. One of the guards fired several shots trying to get her to surrender.

“Surrender,” Eric ordered. “You are surrounded and there is no way off this roof top,” he said pointing out the obvious.

Sister 14 didn’t answer and as they watched the Wakizashi disappeared with a backwards flick of her hand and when the hand came back down two silver shapes came hurtling at the other shotgun wielding bodyguard. The two thin throwing stilettos hurtled towards him, one entering the barrel of his shotgun just as he pulled the trigger causing the weapon to plug and explode and the other embedded itself in his forehead snapping his head back and killing him instantly.

“Son of a bitch,” the last black suit shouted bringing his machine pistol up and opening fire. The rounds impacted the glossy black skin of the assassin but all it seemed to do was make her skin pucker and then go back to normal as well as leaving a black spatter of nannites across the roof top.

As the bolt on the man’s gun locked back on an empty magazine Sister 14 was on him tearing the weapon out of his hand and snapping his neck with a simple move.

“Shit,” Eric cursed under his breath; tossing his BXP away he pulled out his combat knife flicking it to life. The mono-edged weapon tingled slightly in his hand as he brought it up to deflect the woman’s Katana although the weapon had powered molecule thin edge it didn‘t seem to do damage to the normal looking steel of the Katana.

“Sister 14 that weapon has a mono-edge if he gets a good strike in not even your nannites will be able to repair the damage,” CHCCC-14 informed her.

“Affirmative,” Sister 14 replied to the AI

Sister 14 tried to disengage from the fight but the bodyguard was all over her nearly taking one of her arms off with the mono-edged weapon.

Blocking a swift strike of the Vibro blade with her Katana Sister 14 extruded her Wakizashi again and brought it into battle only to have that quickly blocked by the Vibro blade; for a seemingly normal man he was incredibly fast.

“He’s enhanced, cyber, bio, or Nanno; you won’t be able to defeat him easily; we need to get out of here the news media is already showing up,” CHCCC-14 shouted practically in hysterics.

“An escape and evasion plan would be of much help,” Sister 14 told the AI.

Eric swung his Vibro blade nearly managing to take a chunk out of the assassin’s forearm but she was able to evade it at the last minute bringing her Wakizashi around to block the blow.

“Hold one second, let me re-run the combat footage,” CHCCC-14 said desperately.

“His level of enhancement is amazing, he’s testing even my Black Pariah enhanced systems,” Sister 14 told the AI clinically.

Eric dodged a swing of the woman’s katana and blocked a strike from her Wakizashi. He didn’t know who this fetishist female assassin was but she was good, had high enhancement and was very skilled. However he had massive enhancements himself and seemed to have a slighter edge against her even with the greater reach of her swords.

“Okay when he brings the knife up and around from the left side kick him in the ribs, drop a flash bang, and switch your IRThOp camouflage back on. You should be able to hop over the side of the building and get away after that,” CHCCC-14 told the assassin.

Sister 14 watched her opponent closely for the opening; when it came she drove the heavy sole of her boot into the ribs on his left side knocking him back and down with a loud woof of air.

Immediately after downing the bodyguard she turned and dove over the side of the building Sister 14 reabsorbing her weapons and engaging her IRThOp camouflage only to feel a stabbing pain in her left shoulder. Hanging from the side of the building she almost fell as her left arm refused to function as she clung to the side of the building by one arm, knees, and toes.

Eric had barely seen the kick coming in time turning just enough that it wouldn’t totally incapacitate him or break more than a couple of ribs he was able to recover faster than the assassin thought he would. As a last ditch attack he flung the Vibro-blade at her literally vanishing back as she dove over the side of the building.

“That Barstowe guy managed to nail you with his Vibro-Blade and it is currently sticking out of your back in the left shoulder,” CHCCC-14 reported to Sister 14.

“Damage Assessment,” She ordered slowly making her way back down the building her left arm dangling by her side until she swung it enough to seal it in place with the Nanno-rubbers magnetic seal.

“The trapezes muscle has been completely severed and the shoulder blade is fragmented into at least five pieces. Any higher and he probably would have completely cut your arm off,” CHCCC-14 told her. “At least you won’t bleed to death but you are dripping Nanno-fluid all over the place,” the AI informed her.

“Is the damage repairable?” Sister 14 inquired.

“Yes with a ton of rest and nannites,” CHCCC-12 answered. “But you’ll have to spend at least twenty-four hours in the bed,” he told her after doing some calculations.

“Oh yeah, you’re little rumble with the Martel goons was caught on live TV and it seems a couple of the news air vans that were filming the opening of the Conservatory caught the whole thing on Moly-chip,” the AI told her almost gleefully.

“Nothing can be done about that at this time,” Sister 14 said implacably.

“No not unless you brought the rocket launcher with you and want to shoot down the news air vans,” CHCCC-14 said jokingly.

“Collateral damage is not a viable option at this time,” Sister 14 told the AI as she slowly made her way down the buildings exterior.

“I was only kidding,” CHCCC-14 said with a sigh.

Sister 14 made her way back to the Aston Martin. Once inside the sports car she removed the Vibro Blade from her shoulder. “CHCCC-14 send Holly a message using Suzie’s voice telling her she’ll be out late and to not stay up waiting for her,” Sister 14 ordered.

“Affirmative, I’ll throw in some other extra details,” CHCCC-14 confirmed and quickly composed a message sending it via his wireless comm system.

Sister 14 sat back in the driver’s seat of the Aston Martin dropping into a semi-trance as she tried to get her nannites to do something about the massive damage to her shoulder but only managing to slow the leak of black Nanno-blood slightly as it dripped onto the seat of the vehicle.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Rooftop Across From the New Liberal Consortium Conservatory

Wednesday August 13th, 725 2E - 14:40 CST

Eric sat up holding one hand against his broken ribs as he watched the figure with his knife in its back disappear over the edge. Staggering to his feet he skirted the bloody messes that minutes ago had been three highly trained security specialists.

Looking over the edge he saw no sign of the assassin; if she had fallen to the ground he should have seen her glossy black body laying sprawled below.

“Must be some kind of IRThOp camouflage,” he mumbled as he slid to a sitting position against the roof parapet coughing slightly as a rib poked into one of his lungs. Along with the sharp poking sensation he could feel wetness on his lips as a bit of blood came up with the cough.

Something about the figure reminded him of something and also set off some sort of sexual attraction at the same time for some reason. Laughing a bit at that thought he grimaced as a broken piece of rib prodded his lung and bit back a cough. It was funny but he somehow found himself liking the assassin that had gotten away even though she had killed three of his men.

Eric was still laying against the parapet fifteen minutes later only half conscious as the paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital and the waiting regeneration tank.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Syntheria Arms - Penthouse Suite

Wednesday August 13th, 725 2E - 19:00 CST

Holly drove the Range Rover to pick Cecilia up from Siemens Academy and brought her home.

The two of them were greeted by Sylvester. “The Miss has left a message for you Miss Holly and she says that she’ll be out extremely late and that she had to make an overnight trip to San Cristo City,” the Auto-Butler told her.

“Okay, thanks Sylvester,” Holly said.

“No problem Miss, is there anything you will need before dinner time?” Sylvester asked.

“No, Sylvester, dinner is at 21:00 right?” She asked.

“Yes Miss,” Sylvester answered.

“Alright then, Cecilia and I will be in the gym till then, please keep an eye on Ned,” Holly told the Auto-Butler.

“Certainly Miss,” Sylvester replied.

Turning to Cecilia Holly smiled. “Okay time for your first dance lesson,” she told the twelve year old girl. “Go up to your room and change into your dance clothing,” she ordered.

“Okay,” Cecilia said and bounced away and up the stairs to change clothes.

While the girl raced up the stairs to her room and to change into her dance leotard Holly entered the gym to double check that the maintenance bots had properly installed the dance and gymnastics equipment that had been delivered earlier that day, after a few minutes of inspection she went to her own room to change into her leotard and tights that she would wear while teaching Cecilia.

When Cecilia reached her room she saw that Sylvester had laid her dance clothes out for her. Cecilia quickly changed into the opaque white mono-film dance tights and long sleeve black leotard then ran back downstairs to the gym where she found Holly already changed into a dark red leotard and white tights similar to her own.

The gym since that morning had undergone a dramatic change. There were now mirrors all the way along one of the short walls and a barre had been installed in front of them spanning the entire length of the wall. Also installed at that end of the high ceiling room was various gymnastics equipment. Holly was standing in one corner with a pair of ballet shoes in each hand.

“First off,” Holly said as Cecilia approached her. “We are going to have to do something about your hair, while the twin pony tails are cute if we don’t change the style we’ll both be getting whipped in the face by them,” she said with a small smile.

Cecilia just nodded and noticed for the first time that Holly had taken her hair out of their usual spikes and it was now pulled to the back of her head in a small tight bun, she hadn’t realized how long Holly’s hair actually was but from the size of the bun it probably would have been at least collar length if let down.

Holly gestured for her to come closer and they walked over to a small table with various items laying on it in the corner; a small jewelry style box and two pairs of toe shoes as well as hair brushes and even a lint brush sat on the table. Holly set the two pairs of ballet slippers down and opened the small jewelry box revealing that it held hair accessories. Quickly undoing the girl’s braids she expertly pinned it up in a bun on the back of her head making sure it would be held tightly in place.

“Okay now, there are some rules, from now to establish the teacher student relationship you must refer to me as either ma’am or teacher during practice,” Holly told the girl.

Cecilia nodded her head. “Yes Ho… Yes Ma‘am,” the girl started to say and then corrected herself quickly.

“Now to begin with we’ll be doing the various positions of basic ballet, you’ll mostly be wearing slippers but some of them will require you to wear toe shoes until we can get your toes properly strengthened to hold your weight,” Holly explained picking up a pair of ballet slippers from the table and handing them to the girl who quickly put them on. Holly smiled. “Don’t worry I won’t be a tyrant we just like I said need to establish the teacher student relationship otherwise problems may occur.” The girl smiled back at her. “Although I will warn you if at any time you start to mouth off or think you know it all I will stop teaching you,” Holly said with a more serious note the girl vigorously nodding her head in agreement.

“Now let’s go over to the barre and I’ll teach you some warm up exercises,” Holly said leading her to the long bar that ran along in front of the dance mirrors.

The first hour was spent showing the girl how to limber up properly to keep from injuring herself unnecessarily while allowing her to stretch her muscles the right way.

“Okay Cecilia this is the first position,” Holly explained as she took the position. Her hips were turned out with heels touching together to create an almost perfectly straight line.

“Now you try it,” Holly said.

“Okay,” Cecilia said and tried to mimic her teacher’s position.

“Close, very close,” Holly told her and moved behind the girl putting her hands on the girl’s hips adjusting them slightly then using her ballet slipper covered feet to move the girl’s feet so that they were in perfectly straight line.

Holly had the girl practice coming in and out of the first position for the next hour and had her hold it for as long as possible to help build up the muscles and stamina that would be needed in the future to allow her to play Grav Disc.

Finally Sylvester floated into the gym. “Dinner is served Miss Holly, Miss Cecilia,” he intoned and then floated back out.

“Okay I guess class is over for the night,” Holly told the girl. “You did real well even if I only had enough time to show you one position and to show you how to properly stretch and warm up.

“Thank you Ma’am,” Cecilia said grinning.

“Class is out of session so you can call me Holly again now,” Holly told her returning the girl’s grin. “Now go take a shower, change clothes, and then we’ll devour the food that Sylvester has made,” Holly ordered whacking her lightly on the butt as she left the gym.

The two of them quickly showered and changed into what they would be wearing to bed, Cecilia into a pair of comfortable spider silk pajamas with Holly wearing a t-shirt and cotton pajama bottoms. Once again Ned was half asleep by the time they finished dinner and the two of them put him to bed while Sylvester cleaned up.

The two of them stayed up for a bit to watch some Holo-Vid but both were near zonked out by midnight so they went to bed themselves.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Syntheria Arms - Penthouse Suite

Wednesday August 14th, 725 2E - 05:00 CST

Sister 14 once again shut Sylvester down before coming home. She had waited till the wee hours of the early morning to make certain everyone was in bed asleep. The assassin had spent the last fourteen hours in a parking garage with the Aston Martin hidden among the numerous vehicles there. It had been a painful fourteen hours even with Sister 14’s remarkable ability to block out the pain.

Finally when she deemed it late enough she had the auto-nav system return the vehicle to the penthouse level garage. Limping quietly through the penthouse she entered the den locking the door behind her. In the hidden room she again connected herself to the Pariah Bed.

What she hadn’t noticed as careful as she had been was a single drop of black Nanno-blood that had dropped to the floor near the refrigerator.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers System - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Syntheria Arms - Penthouse Suite

Wednesday August 14th, 725 2E - 05:13 CST

Cecilia yawned as she came down the steps from the upper level and headed for the kitchen. Half asleep but needing something to drink as she had woken up for some reason with a terrible thirst. Making her way to the kitchen she opened the refrigerator and poured herself a glass of milk she chugged it down. Returning the milk to the refrigerator and putting the glass in the auto-kitchen’s dishwasher she started to head out of the kitchen. Turning away from the refrigerator she felt something squish under her foot and sleepily she lifted her foot and saw a spot of black on her heel. Pausing she rubbed at it with the sleeve of her pajama top and headed back up the stairs to her room.

Once back in her room Cecilia buried herself once again under the comforter, sheets, and pillows rubbing sleepily at her eyes as she did so, unnoticed the black nannites flowed from the sleeve of her top into her tear ducts.