The Crimes of Ms Jean Brady is set against the Background of R.Talsorians roleplaying game Cyberpunk. This is not intended as a challenge to their copyright. The Author grants permission to download a copy of this work for personal use. It may not be archived on pay sites or altered without the authors permission.

The Crimes of Ms Jean Brady

By jivinivan@hotmail.com

Part Four

A hired minibus waits outside the house. A U-Haul truck is parked beside it, all the furniture and fittings stacked inside. Tom and the girls are loading the last of their personal baggage as Jean sees the woman from HR off.

"I've put anything that looks vaguely salvageable on the van" Sally says, "Tom's just emptying your wardrobe and stripping the bedrooms."

"Tell him to be careful with the house computer."

"Ok."

Jean turns and goes back into the Nelson's house where Alicia is sat in shock.

"What now?" Alicia whispers.

"What do you mean?"

"What do I do? I've no salable skills and Johns pension payments won't let me live like this."

"What skills have you got?"

There's a long pause whilst Alicia thinks, then she says "I know what looks good on me... I know. It's not much of a skill."

"Where are you going?"

"Can.... Can I come with you?"

"For a little while. Until you get your feet under yourself."

"I..... I don't know what to do. I mean.... I miss him. We were married and I was..... an ornament for him but ........ now he's gone ....... I think I loved him."

Jean ponders the ethics of telling her friend the truth, but elects to remain silent as Philips potters around, gathering Alicia's effects.

Finally she's packed and Jean guides her to the Minibus, placing her in Jenny's care whilst she returns to her own house to check that it's cleared.

"Jean?"

"Yes Galahad?"

"Belton's contract has been terminated by Executive Estates."

"So?"

"I suggest you pick it up."

"I can't afford a Butler. Now on my wages!"

"You could use a facilities manager for Executive Solutions. I think you could pick her contract up for a song."

Jean pauses for a moment, thinking it over, then goes to sound Belton out.

"Belton?"

"Mrs Brady?"

"Are you looking for work?"

"With effect from this afternoon."

"Get your things together. I've an opening for a facilities manager. Doesn't pay much more than food and board yet, but it's better than the street."

By Midnight they're unloading the van at the house in Rancho Coronado that Microtech will subsidise for an employee of Jean's grade.

The girls arrange the rooms whilst Tom cares for the stunned Alicia. Finally they remove the basic furniture provided by Rancho Coronado and replace it with the furniture from Westbrook.

"Looks like a Di Vinci in an Aluminium frame!" Belton comments wryly.

"I know, but I don't intend for us to be here long." Jean says, looking around before calling the girls in.

"Sally, Jenny. Plans for tomorrow."

The girls sit down and Jean outlines her plans.

"Here's a list of Microtech employees on this estate. Tomorrow I want you out posting Executive Solutions flyers through their doors. Belton..... I can't keep calling you Belton! What's your real name?"

"Louise."

"Right. Louise. Find us an office. Nothing too expensive - speak to the estate management. See if they have any facilities to offer on site. I don't know if the one-to-one approach is going to work here. The customers have less to spend. You might be better on the party approach. I need you to work it out."

Belton magically produces a notepad and writes down her instructions.

"Alicia might make a good hostess." she muses.

"Maybe. It'll give her something to do." Jean says. "Gives us somewhere to start. Right everyone off to bed and get some rest."

In the middle of the night Jean's sleep is disturbed when she hears her cell phone ring. But it only rings once and she slips easily back into slumber.

Belton shakes her gently.

"Ms Brady?"

"Kelly." Jean groans.

"Ms Kelly - Oleg is waiting for you."

Jean groans theatrically and levers herself out of bed. Oleg is his usual implacable self and leaves her feeling like a wrung out rag. Eventually she makes her way to the kitchen to snatch breakfast.

She's just finishing a breakfast bar when the doorbell rings. Jean's just rising to her feet when Alicia calls from the front door.

"Jean? There are some ugly people at the door looking for someone called Ms Scarlett. I've told them there's no one of that name here but they say they were told to come to this address."

Jean furrows her brow. "Galahad?"

"Sorry Jean. It's probably Marta. She rang during the night to let us know she was on her way."

"I need to know these things Galahad."

Jean enters the hallway to find Marta and a thin man stood at the front doorway, glowering at Alicia.

<Looks like the ugly comment went down well! I'm going to have to talk to Alicia about that.>

"Marta! What brings you to Night City?"

"Trouble in Vegas. You said........"

"Have you eaten? Come in."

Over breakfast Marta briefs Jean on the night's events. Jean lets the information wash over her as she discusses with Galahad how it might be turned to their advantage.

At Night City International John Brady leads the way from their Spaceplane towards Customs and Immigration. Suzette trails behind like an obedient secretary should as they collect their baggage and pass through the formalities of entry.

In the concourse a Microtech driver is waiting holding a card with 'Brady' printed on it. Once they verify identities she leads them to the company car and loads their baggage, before setting off for Westbrook.

John opaques the windows and places a hand on Suzette's knee.

"Here?" she asks. "Someone might see!"

"I don't see why that should worry you. Not after the things we've done in the last few weeks!"

"It's not the same."

"No-one will see."

Suzette looks around then reaches for his belt and unfastens his trousers.

"Mmm. Just how I like it." she purrs, stroking him quickly to rock hard readiness, before pulling him to the edge of his seat and climbing astride him to look out of the darkened rear window.

John savours the feeling of her sex opening to accept him. The heat of her encircling him, sliding wetly downwards. He puts his hands on her hips and pushes gently downwards fitting her body to his.

"It must be gravity or something..." she pants, "... but you're much bigger."

He undoes his shirt, baring his chest and she responds in kind, so that her breasts rub against his chest as she rides. John sits back and enjoys his secretaries careful, studied movements and the sensual caress of her body as she rides, excited by the people passing heedlessly by outside their car.

The gentle roll of her buttocks and the tanned skin showing above her stocking tops, draws him towards his reward and his hands lock on her hips, holding her in place as he shoots his load into her.

"Ahhhh." he sighs, enjoying the power. "Lick me clean Suzette."

Obediently she dismounts and kneels between his knees. Long, firm licks and kisses arouse him anew and his finger loop through her hoop ear-rings to guide her towards his desire.

Full red lips part and envelope the purple head of his maleness and he savours the spectacle of his immaculately coiffured secretary being pulled onto his cock by her ear-rings. Her checks hollow as she sucks and he gasps as her swirling tongue carries him over the edge. The tightness grows in the pit of his belly, moving rapidly to the base of his cock before spasms of fire rush up his cock to spray into her mouth.

Suzette greedily swallows whilst her unseen fingers are busy in the open wetness of her own sex, seeking her own satisfaction.

The car eventually stops at the outer gates of Westbrook and the now decent couple produce their cards. For newer, more intensive security checks.

The car eventually stops outside his home and John emerges to face his frigid wife.

<If Jean won't give me what I need then she'll have to accept me getting it elsewhere! Maybe now's the time to introduce Suzette to Jean.>

But his immaculately groomed house and garden are not as he left them.

A yellow skip sits in the driveway filled with broken furniture, broken glass from the ground floor windows sparkles on the tarmac and an odd smell - a mix of smoke and chemicals - pervades the area. The front door is closed and something heavy bars his entry, so John walks around the back with Suzette in tow.

Bullet holes scar the rear of the house like a dose of architectural smallpox, the kitchen is a blackened shell and it looks like someone has landed an AV on the back lawn.

John moves inside to explore the state of his home, but it no longer matches his memories. Stripped of furnishings, the walls blasted by gunfire, the house looks more like a shooting range.

"Mr Brady?" Suzette calls.

John comes outside to find an representative from the Legal department.

"Munro isn't it."

"Yes Mr Brady. I'm afraid your house got rather badly damaged in the unfortunate events of yesterday. You'll be moving into Mr Nelsons house."

"Joe's dead?"

"I believe so. Fatally injured in the Nihilist attack. Oh, and I've this for you."

He hands John a bulky official envelope.

"You're served."

"What?"

John's a bit puzzled by the remark, but all becomes clear as the contents of the envelope are revealed. A NorCal court summons to answer a petition for Divorce on the grounds of Adultery. John looks at the images of himself and Suzette, of himself and various Highriders in full colour.

<I'm sunk> he realises, flicking through the supplied evidence. <What does she want?>

Jean's claim form is attached to the rear of the package of damning images, immediately after the certificate from the Video Review Board confirming the validity of the evidence.

<Separation of Financial Affairs, division of joint funds, retention of personal property including items given as gifts by the respondent. No seizure of pension contributions, no claims against current or future earnings! She wants a clean break. I can go with this.>

He signs the papers and ands them back to Munro who inserts then into a slot in his e-book.

"Could I have your SIN card please Mr Brady?"

The SIN card goes into another slot and the e-book clicks and whirs as it connects to the court system.

"By the powers vested in me as an officer of the Court of the State of North California, acting on behalf of both parties to an uncontested divorce, as signified by the attached signatures and State Identifications, I declare you divorced with effect from 1317 Pacific Standard Time."

"That was quick and painless."

"No children and no community property. Good day Mr Brady."

"Wifey gone Bye-bye?" Suzette asks.

John purses his lips. <Looks like Suzette wants to take Jean's place.>

In the Office Jean considers the mass of reconstructed data from the vanished Project. Data from the archive has been supplemented by notes from the Team Leader and additional data extracted from the data stores the burglars had been stealing and the cache Larson had sent Jean to Denver with.

"What do you think Galahad?"

"What do you see Jean?"

"I can see something to do with AI's, but it's too technical for me."

"They were looking at modifying the core logic processes with fuzzy logic. Larsen shut them down because they were producing nothing. The code they produced was un-executable."

"So it is a dead end!"

"As it stands. But if you could apply it as an upgrade to an existing AI theoretically it would produce a more.... intuitive intelligence."

"I wonder if Team C realised the possibilities?"

"Perhaps they had an inkling. The Team Leader seemed to believe the project had promise."

"Then it's time to talk with Team C again."

Before she can move the terminal announces the delivery of mail. Jean opens the item to find an official certification from the court, informing her that as of 1317 her marriage is dissolved.

<One less problem to think about!> she decides, and moves on.

Marta and Keanu are up and about again after a couple of hours sleep. In the study the Unicorn Man is printing advertising flyers from a thrown-together computer system whilst the woman who first 'greeted' them wanders aimlessly about. Marta takes one look at her, frowns and turns for the kitchen.

"Oh. You're up." the Unicorn man says. "Any good with a camera?"

Marta shakes her head but Keanu pauses. "Not bad. Why?"

"Need some pictures for an e-book. We've been cheating and using Catalogue shots, but we need to do our own before we get busted for breach of Copyright."

"I don't know if they be good enough, but I can give it a try."

Marta huffs and heads for the kitchen and food.

Soon Keanu is busily photographing bottles of Perfume and Skin Lotion.

"Alicia?" Tom asks, "Could you model some clothing for us please?"

She perks up and hurries away, the Unicorn Man turns to Keanu.

"Sorry, not been introduced. My name's Tom. Tom Stevens."

"Keanu Reeves..... Yeah. I know! My mum had a thing for the Actor."

"Hard thing to live with?"

"Nah, not really. I get by. Who's the Fem?"

"Alicia. She's a bit shocked. Her husband got whacked yesterday. It was only a Corporate Trophy arrangement but it seems to have hit her badly, Jean's her friend so she's taking care of her after they turfed her off the Burb. We're trying to snap her out of it with stuff she likes doing."

"I've not worked with live models before. We did the theory, but...... Has she modelled before?"

"Not as far as I know, but there's a first time for everything."

The arrival of a few packages stops Tom going on and whilst he adds them to a growing pile in the hallway, the Fox woman returns.

"Great! You any good with that thing?"

"He did the Lotions and Potions stuff. They're on the computer, have a look." Tom calls from the improvised warehouse, "I've got Alicia dressing up to model some clothing. Do you want to make her up?"

The Fox woman smiles a toothy smile and disappears upstairs.

Keanu looks around and peers into the garden.

"We need a better backdrop" he calls to Tom, "the table was fine for the bottles, but people and clothes need a better surrounding."

Upstairs Sally is helping Alicia select outfits.

"Something to make Tom notice me." Alicia whispers.

"Your order's arrived - I guarantee he'll notice you with this stuff on! But how do you plan to pay?"

Alicia writhes, caught between lack of funds and desire for her little luxuries.

"I can't....... I don't have enough money." she finally admits

"Well..... if you run some parties that'll give you an income - and you'll get paid for modelling."

"I will?"

"Of course, the pictures will go into the catalogue! If they're good then I suppose Jean'll ask you to do some more."

"How much do you think I'll get?"

"Depends how good the pictures are. You might use a good set to impress Tom!"

"You think he'd be impressed?"

"He has to carry a catalogue. Your face would be there each time he opened it."

"And I could have my own customers? Like you?"

"Not quite like me. I offer...."

"Personal Service?" Alicia suggests, "To selected Clientele?"

Sally shrugs, "As good a term as any, I suppose."

"What do you think a Trophy Wife is? Or a Trophy Husband?"

"Well...... Not a Playbeing!"

"I'd be prepared to bet you that most of the Trophy Husbands on Westbrook are..... enhanced." If you can afford the best food, the best Wine, the best Clothes, live in the best house, why put up with less in a man?"

"You mean you're..... enhanced?"

"No. I was picked for my looks. Given a few more years and a few wrinkles and I'd have been off down the Body Shop for a touch up - otherwise Joe would have been looking to trade me in for a new model! High flyers want presentable partners - someone who'll help them soar. I'm sure I can sell into that market with no problems!"

Ok. I'll get you made up and we can get your pictures done."

"Maybe you should have each agent pose for their own Catalogue?"

"Might be a good idea. At least whilst we're still small. You tell Jean and maybe she'll offer you a job!" Sally says, then reaches for her makeup box and selects a lip gloss.

""No!" Alicia interrupts, "Not those. Use the Special ones! I want to Buzz!"

Tom and Keanu are in the garden when sally comes down, closely followed by Alicia in a classy, but snug, dress.

Keanu poses her against a table set with glasses and bottles salvaged from the Westbrook house

"That looks like a socialising dress. Can you get the Butler to serve?" he asks Tom.

Alicia sips fizzy water and moves around, letting him photograph her.

"Where do you want to do the underwear?" she asks, "Upstairs?"

"Underwear?" Keanu asks.

"We sell that as well." Tom interjects.

"I don't know if there's a suitable room."

"The bedroom should be ok" Sally suggests, then as the others move upstairs she corners Belton.

"We need some other locations for the photo shoot. Can you help?"

Louise pulls out her pad. "What sort of Locations?"

"Night Club - something stylish that's not going to charge us to use it."

"Mmm. Anything else?"

"Railway carriage. Preferably one of the Westbrook ones. They're cleaner and they look nicer."

"How about the Rancho Coronado Station?"

"If it's available."

Belton moves off smartly to begin her enquiries and Sally heads upstairs. In the bedroom Alicia is eagerly removing her dress, revealing a trim body garbed just in Garter belt, stockings and a matching underwear set.

Keanu photographs her as she moves around the bedroom applying lipstick to already glossy lips, then peeling off her bra to show off her erect decorated nipples and how they haven't marked her Lemon Yellow bra.

Keanu swallows and zooms in on Alicia's dark skinned breasts, taking pictures from several angles. As soon as he pauses she's peeling down her briefs and showing off her saffron dusted bush and the lipstick coloured lips of her sex. Keanu's just capturing the image of lemon stockings and briefs, dark thigh and burgundy labia when Marta arrives, looking for him.

"Keanu! What in Hell is going on? What do you think you're doing?"

Sally dives in to try and calm things down, but it takes Keanu to ease his infuriated Partner out of the room.

Alicia looks to Tom as the door closes and licks her lips, already tingling to kiss him.

"Tom? What do you think?"

"He shakes his head and Alicia drinks in the way his mane flicks.

"It certainly doesn't rub off." he comments.

Alicia looks down at her labia, slowly swelling and parting stickily before his eyes.

"No. It's very satisfactory." she laughs.

He takes an involuntary step towards her and Alicia eases the briefs back into place, hiding her sex from him.

Tom sinks to his knees before her and rests his muzzle against her crotch, breathing her feminine scent whilst she touches his head and neck with light fingertips.

She's just pondering her next move when there's a knock at the door and Marta comes in.

Alicia jumps, but Tom keeps his head in her lap.

"Oh!" Marta exclaims, "Err Sorry..... I didn't...."

"It's ok." Alicia smiles lazily. "Tom and I are......"

Marta blushes furiously as Alicia gently rocks her hips, rubbing her sex against Tom's muzzle.

"Oh!..... good friends." Alicia finishes.

"Keanu isn't a good friend as well?" Marta asks sarcastically, her face still flaming.

"No-one else can use the camera. And I do want my photo set to look good for the catalogue. Do you mind if your boyfriend takes the picture? You can chaperone him if you want."

"He's a big boy now. If that's all he's doing he doesn't need me to hold his hand."

Jean returns to Rancho Coronado after a stressful day, trailing Elana behind her like a lost puppy. As they're getting off the train she spots Sally getting on, so she stops, waiting for the rest of the commuters to go home, then reboards the train.

By the drivers compartment Alicia, Sally and Jenny are thronging around a bemused driver, dressed in party clothes, whilst Keanu takes pictures of them. Whilst he downloads the latest set of images Sally comes across.

"Jean. Alicia had the idea of us personalising the catalogue. Posing in the outfits and using the products we're trying to sell, so I asked Belton to fix us up with some locations....."

"I see..... I'll be interested to see the end results."

"Who's your friends?" Sally asks, and Jean turns to see Elana staring at her Exotic friends.

"Is this the slave you were telling me about?" Tom asks in a loud clear voice. Everyone turns to look and Elana blushes furiously before fleeing.

"That's her. I might need your advice about her, I don't know where I should begin."

"Perhaps later. We've still some sets to shoot."

Jean waves acknowledgement and heads home.

Marta is examining the wagon as Jean arrives home, checking the damage at the back where the tanker rammed them.

"Marta!" Jean calls. "If you had the assets could you pick up your old companies business in Vegas and run with it?"

Marta wipes her hands on a rag and ponders.

"We'd need a site to work from, but if I had the site and the wagons........ I'd say yes. I'd need someone with commercial experience to do the billing and such, but I could do the Operations side no problem."

Galahad actions the sequence of events they'd discussed earlier and Jean continues talking.

"Right. From tomorrow evening I'm the owner of ES Recycling based out of Vegas. I bought the company you used to work for lock, stock and barrels from the owners next of kin, wagons, employees and existing business. I want you on site at a lot we picked up. The wagons and salvaged support equipment should be there tomorrow. I want the operation up and running by Thursday morning."

"Can we set off in the morning?"

"Ok. You get some rest overnight. How much did they pay?"

"2K a month."

"You start on 3 now. Make it pay and your wages go up."

"I can hire and fire?"

"Yes, but Galahad will handle the commercial side for you. We'll be relocating within the next couple of days I think. The girls are bringing in too much business for us to run Executive Solutions from the house."

"You'll have to use the back door. The hallway's full." Marta grins. <Immediate problem solved! Now to work on Keanu. By the time I've finished with him he won't have the energy to notice other women!>

Jenny and Keanu walk back towards the house, carrying the bundled outfits and props from the shoot.

"How do you think it went?"

Jenny grins.

"You can snap my catalogue anytime! Hey! What about there for a location!"

She takes his arm and tugs him through some bushes to a little grassed glade.

"Think you could snap me here?"

Keanu looks around. The area isn't overlooked, but the light's poor.

"Lighting's not good." he says turning around, "I'd need artificial assistance to work here."

"Oh. I don't know.." Jenny grins, "I think you've got what it takes....."

He turns around to find her on all fours in the grass, smiling over her shoulder at him. Her skirt is pulled up over her hips, revealing a taut pair of furred buttocks and a thick mass of white fur at the base of her spine.

"Mellow out." she purrs, "We've loads of time before the others get back."

Keanu backs up a step.

"Um. Sorry Jenny. Thanks for the offer, but I'm not interested."

"Not interested? Why? Are you Gay?"

"No. Marta and Me. We.... err.. have an understanding."

"Marta? But she's...."

Jenny trails off and Keanu takes any advantage he can use when faced with a semi naked woman, who wants him to stuff her... and stuff her now.

"She's ......what?" he asks, "not a Playbeing? I'm certain of that! Not perfect? Who is?"

"She's overweight." Jenny pouts, "not pretty."

"She's not as beautiful as you. But we've history together. I love her, and if I get down with you, I'll lose her. She's not built for speed, but the long haul. You only want me to scratch an itch then you'll be off looking for the next chance. Sorry Jenny, but that's not what I want."

She frowns and stands, smoothing her skirt back into place.

"Well, you can still snap me."

"I'd be happy to, but somewhere with better light."

They gather up the gear and return to the house. As they enter the kitchen Marta is waiting.

Jenny touches her arm.

"You've a keeper there Marta. I hope you realise."

Marta waits until Jenny's gone upstairs, then turns to Keanu.

"What did she mean?"

"She wanted me to stuff her."

"Did you?"

"Are you serious? You know I want you."

"Just checking. What about those pictures?

"I need to make up a folio for Alicia when she gets back."

"Why? Where is she?"

"Don't know. They were going to check on some other locations......"

In the gym Sally helps Alicia into her new costume, using the goods Alicia had ordered, lacing the black leather basque up until Alicia is almost gasping for breath.

"What's next?" she gasps.

"Hands out." Sally orders, then slides a set of black leather gloves onto her arms, which reach almost to her armpits. Alicia eyes the gloves and works her leather clad fingers.

"Nice!"

"Thought you'd like them. Now the boots."

Alicia sits to slip her feet into the foot, then Sally zips them up.

"Ok Alicia. Stand up."

"Ohh! These are HIGH heels Shady. Doesn't this outfit come with underwear?"

"Now. Give me your hands."

Alicia extends her hands and Sally fastens her wrists together with previously unseen clips. As Alicia absorbs this Sally turns her towards the mirrored wall and pulls her forwards until Alicia hands are on the rail used by the ballet classes and supporting her weight.

"What are you doing? Shady!" Alicia protests. "I can't move in heels this high!"

Sally produces a harness and expertly slides it over Alicia's head

"What? No...! Mmmmph!." she protests as a specially shaped bit is pushed into her mouth, pressing her tongue down and silencing her.

Sally buckles the bridle behind Alicia's head, then works her long dark hair out, fastening it into a ponytail.

Alicia manages a slight shuffle, trying to get closer to the bar so that she can push herself upright, but Sally moves quickly to capture her foot. A bar clips to rings at both ankles immobilising Alicia with spread legs.

Sally steps back and Alicia protests as vigorously as possible, which mostly consists of moving her head and incidentally flicking the ponytail.

"Just one finishing touch and you'll be ready."

Sally rummages in the box and comes out with a stubby dildo with a couple of feet of fine, dark hair sprouting from its base.

Alicia watches, wide eyed, as Sally smears lubricant over the dildo.

"Tom will enjoy you." Sally smiles, then places the tip at the top of Alicia's inner thigh.

For a moment she relaxes then Sally moves the slides the tip upwards and between her buttocks. The slim tip pushes through the wrinkled ring of her ass, pushing greasily deeper and deeper. Alicia strains to eject the intruder and struggles against her hobbles, but Sally has the upper hand and gently but firmly pushes it in, until Alicia feels a broad ring push against her buttocks, preventing it going any deeper. Alicia groans throatily against her bit and Sally strokes her dark buttock, reassuring her and letting her relax, getting her accustomed to the stubby.

"Good Mare." she murmurs stroking and caressing.

Her fingers stroke Alicia's face and neck, the soft skin of her back, making Alicia shiver. Sally's fingers stroke between Alicia's thighs, running along her furrow, encouraging swollen lips to part and reveal their concealed treasure. She lets Alicia begin to relax, then at the first sign of acquiescence Sally twists the base of the stubby causing it to swell and lock itself immovably inside Alicia.

The dark skinned girl bucks and strains, but she can do nothing as Sally takes a strap from the back of the Basque and fastens it around the base of the stubby, pulling it upwards and shifting the tip. Alicia struggles to expel the punishing intruder that's stretching her ring, but the swollen mass is larger than the stretched ring of her ass gripping the dildo's base. The tail tickles and strokes the flesh above her boot tops, but the hobbles hold her helpless and in place.

"Shhh, Shhh, Calm, calm."

Sally's furred hand strokes and calms until Alicia adapts to the new sensations and her trembling is only due to the strain of supporting herself on her arms.

Sally's caresses grow lighter and lighter until Alicia is stood alone as Sally slips silently away.

"Ok Tom, Alicia's ready for the next set."

"Oh. Is Keanu back with the camera?"

"Came in the other door. He's waiting."

"Better go in then."

Sally watches her friend, dressed in a pair of leather shorts vanish through the door and she smiles to herself.

<Have a good time.> she thinks, <both of you.>

She waits 30 seconds then thumbs a remote and creeps away.

Alicia sees Tom enter the room and makes a noise to attract his attention.

<Oh please let him hear me!>

He turns, looking for the source of the noise and his eyes light on the spectacle across the room. A hobbled and bridled mare, stood braced and ready.

Alicia hears him take one step, then another. Then the stubby buried in her ass expands again and bursts into life, vibrating inside her. She screams in outraged surprise, fighting her restraints in a futile attempt to escape, her ass twitches and she shakes her hips, trying to expel the device.

Tom sees the mare swish her tail in invitation and he approaches. His lips brush her shoulder, then her neck.

Alicia groans, realising he's not about to release her. Then in the mirrored wall she catches sight of his maleness stiffening and her groans become more frequent and desperate.

Tom moves behind her and sweeps her tail to one side, stirring the stubby in her ass. His strong male scent fills her nostrils as she feels her sex begin to stretch around his tip, accommodating him, welcoming him.

<I can't take all that!> she thinks, but unable to manage any effective protest all she can do is to brace herself and squeeze, something that seems to excite, more than impede him.

Alicia shudders as his seemingly endless length slides into her, until finally his belly presses against her buttocks, stirring the stubby in her. Alicia reflexively clamps down, resisting his withdrawal and subsequent impaling thrust. A second follows, then a third and at some point her groans of protest become groans of pleasure. Her braced resistance becomes eager counterthrusts and she matches Tom's motion with her own, until she can feel him swell in her, his snorts of breath becoming desperate and intense.

Alicia spasms around him and screams her release, accepting the spurts of a Stallion into his Mare.

He remains inside her long after he's finished, gently lipping her exposed skin, but eventually, regretfully, he slips out. His fingers find the buckles and her removes the bridle, then frees her hands and feet, helping her totter to a bench.

Without thinking she sits, driving the stubby into herself again.

"Ahh! Ahh! Ah." she cries, writhing on the intruder, then working it in her tender ass, displaying her dark sex splashed with his pearly semen.

Once she calms down Alicia rounds on Tom.

"You Bastard! Why did you do that?"

"Didn't you want...?"

"Well...... Your pal Sally left me tied up."

He looks utterly downcast triggering a twinge of guilt.

"Help me out of these boots. And get this thing out of my ass!"

The boots come off, but Tom can't work out how to release the stubby. To top it all Alicia's clothing is nowhere to be found. They walk back to the house in silence - Tom wracked with guilt and Alicia alternately furious and conscious of the way her sex had opened to him, milking him of every drop of his seed. Her body tingles with the pleasure of their mating, with the delicious tightness of her remaining clothing and with the caress of her tail against her calves and thighs. Deep inside she can still feel her belly tightening, trying to suck his seed into her womb.

<Why's it doing that? It never did it for Joseph!>

As the house comes into view Alicia can see a small gathering of people on the porch so they take a turn and make their way along the service road that runs down the back of the property.

When they go into the kitchen sally is waiting. Tom glowers and pushes past her and Alicia waits until the door closes behind him, but before she can start Sally cuts in.

"Well? Was it what you wanted? Did he meet your expectations?"

"He didn't know?" Alicia asks.

"No, but you should have flicked every switch he has. Didn't it go well?"

"You should have given me a choice. Let me know."

"Didn't you enjoy it more this way?"

"But I wasn't..... I Hadn't..... I couldn't say no. I had no control. I couldn't stop him from coming in me."

"You've had too much control in your life. Your toyboys came and went as you pleased. I bet you never even let them come in you! Wasn't it good to be helpless for a change? To embrace the beast?"

There's a long pause.

"Yes. It felt good." Alicia admits, "now how do I get this thing out of my ass."

Sally reaches between Alicia's legs and runs her middle finger along Alicia's furrow, letting it dip into the wet heat and scrape over the bud of her clit. Alicia's shocked to find all it takes is a couple of slow rubs and Sally has three fingers buried in her. She resists feebly, but her aroused body is ready for more.

"Did you enjoy it with Tom?"

"Yes." Alicia moans in reply

"Do you want to do it again? Let him fill you again?"

"Ohh..."

Sally's fingers probe again, feeling the wetness on the insides of Alicia's thighs.

"Tell....."

"Yesss..." Alicia hisses

"You want to be his Mare?" Sally's fingers twirl in Alicia's belly "You can hurt him terribly, he was always too emotional about this. He could love you very easily if you accepted him."

Alicia's hips pull back sharply and she locks gazes with Sally as the Fox girls finger pull from her.

"Love me?"

"His persona will lead him on, but you can put a bridle on his heart easier than the one I put on your head if you want. Do you want to be his mare?"

Alicia ponders.

"Yes."

"Then I won't take it out. Go and ask him."

Sally slaps her smartly on the buttock

"Off you go little mare, take yourself off to your stud. But if you hurt him.........."

Jean is quietly fuming. The neighbourhood committee have been around, complaining about the sanitation Wagon parked outside - with some justification Jean's prepared to agree - but the petty whining is getting on her nerves.

"Look! I agree. The wagon will be gone tomorrow, and to avoid any further disturbance it won't be coming back. Now, thank you and goodnight!" and with that she slams the door on them.

"We're moving then?" Sally asks.

"I'll explain tomorrow!" Jean snaps

<Whoo! Bad time to ask questions!> Sally decides and retreats upstairs to talk to Jenny.

Jean makes her way to the lounge and flops into a chair in front of the TV. Marta and Keanu absorb the boiling thundercloud over her head and quietly slip out.

The TV pours forth its standard diet of pre-digested pap, doing nothing for Jean's temper or her tension. She's considering finishing the bottle of sherry and going to bed when her cell phone rings.

"Yes?"

"Ms Scarlett?"

"Yes."

"It's Mr..... Smith. You said I needed to brush up on my techniques? I'm in town tonight with time on my hands and I wondered........?"

"Just you? Or are we talking another party?"

"Just me."

Jean weighs up her current chances of sleeping.

"Ok. I'll meet you at the hotel we met at last time. In an hour?"

"I look forward to it."

Jean hangs up.

<An opportunity to work on Elana!> she decides.

"Galahad, call Elana Torresson. Tell her to meet me at the station in ten minutes."

"Ok."

Jean throws on her 'Ms Scarlett' outfit and heads for the station, arriving just inside the ten minute mark, allowing her to lie in ambush.

Elana rushes onto the station, blonde hair dishevelled wearing faded jeans and a baggy, shapeless T-shirt.

"Late!"

"I'm sorry, it took a little while to get here."

"What did I tell you about clothes?"

"No Grunge." Elana murmurs, "But I was at home. I didn't expect...."

"At all times!" Jean hisses, "Slaves should be ready at all times."

Elana drops to her knees. "Sorry Mistress."

"This way."

Jean leads her to the ladies rest room and tosses a bag at her.

"Put these on."

The grunge gear is discarded and tossed in a bin and Elana dons the pale blue stockings, garter belt and underwear.

"Is this all?"

"There's a PVC cape in case it rains, but it's a warm night. I think that's more than enough clothing.

Elana doesn't complain. Nude or near Nude is a common enough style on the West Coast.

"Where are we going?" To see a man about a dog."

"Oh!"

"That's not what I meant! I mean that it's for me to know about. You just get to experience."

Elana fall silent and Jean lets her stew on the train and on the walk through the streets to their appointed meeting place.

"Mr Smith!"

"Ms Scarlett. Who's your friend?"

"Mr Smith - meet Billie Blonde."

"I thought it was just us?"

"Just think of Billie as a training aide."

"I'm intrigued. Shall we go?"

Elana looks beseechingly at Jean, but she is quietly ignored. Jean negotiates the pushy clerk and leads up the stairs, pausing to give Mr Smith an eyeful and Elana a lesson. She pauses at the suite - the same one they used on her last visit - and releases the door. As soon as they enter Galahad is warning of active cameras.

"Find where they're feeding to."

"Ok. Searching."

Jean walks to the dresser and unpacks her bag before testing Mr Smith, Elana and herself. Elana's eyes get wider and wider, but she can't or daren't ask what's going on."

"Mr Smith?"

"Oh, sure." he digs in his wallet and produces a card. "Same as before?"

Jean nods and slots the card, he keys his code and the transfer is made.

"Good. As I recall you wanted to improve your technique?"

"Mmm. You said it was.... deficient."

Jean arranges some pillows on the bed and lies back on them.

"Billie."

Elana Jumps.

"Yes Mistress?"

"Show Mr Smith how to please a woman with your mouth."

Elana studies Jean's form.

"Well... um... I don't usually rush at her sex. It's nice to tease her. Arouse her first."

She turns Jean's skirt up and kisses across her belly, then down over her hip and down to her knee.

"I like the insides of knees" she says, parting Jean's legs to brush her lips on the inside of her knee. "It's a sensitive area and it lets you put her knees apart."

She looks up at the intently watching Mr Smith, who nods his understanding, then begins to trail light kisses further and further up Jeans inner thigh, putting her legs further and further apart.

Being so closely watched is turning Jean on like crazy and when Elana dares to brush her lips across Jean's opening sex she shivers in pleasure.

"Different women like different things. Some like you to avoid their clit altogether. Others like light touches or direct contact." Elana demonstrates and Jean enjoys.

"Oh! Just there!" she groans, clamping her thighs on Elana's head and riding the waves of pleasure.

Mr Smith watches the Redhead controlling the Blonde with light touches on her head and tries to make mental notes.

Finally Jean stills.

"There? Did you see?"

"I think so."

"Good. Because now it's time for your practical. Billie, you get to be the subject."

Elana looks concerned, but doesn't resist as the man unfastens her bra and frees her breasts, before kneeling before her.

Her nipples stand up involuntarily as he kisses their soft flesh, working around the soft curves of her breasts undersides. His lips run across her belly until he reaches her garter belt.

Elana giggles nervously as his fingers trail down her spine, finding a ticklish spot above her kidneys, before easing her briefs over her buttocks, letting them drop to her ankles.

Elana looks up and Jean catches her eye. Holding her in place as the man's breath stirs the fine blonde hair between her thighs and his hands caress her buttocks.

Elana feels a curious stirring inside. <I can't be getting aroused!> she denies, <I don't like men.>

Jean moves behind her, cupping her breasts and pinching her nipples briefly, making her whimper, before easing her backwards onto the bed.

<He'll rush it! I know he will!> But he seems to have absorbed something of what he saw, as he strokes down, past her knees, gripping her heel and kissing and massaging her foot.

Jean watches Elana relax and she gently strokes her hair, reassuring her. Her pale skin shows all too well the slow flush suffusing her face. Mr Smith looks up and Jean catches his eye, signing for him to begin his ascent. Kissing up her foot, over her ankle and up the inside of her calf.

By the time he reaches her knee Elana's legs are spread and Jean can see the glimmer of moisture between her thighs.

He looks up again and Jean signs for him to pause then slowly continue. By the time he's approaching her upper thigh Elana's past caring that he's a man. All she feels are soft lips and tongue and an aching need to get them against her sex. When he kisses all around the outside of her parted lips she quivers with frustration. Her fingers grip his head as he lightly strokes her lips, parting them and examining her in minute, exciting detail. His breath excites her and she pulls him closer, feeling his nose brush her clit an instant before his tongue pushes between her lips.

Elana mews like a Cat.

Jean sits back and watches Mr Smith exploring Elana, trying to find and stimulate her hot spots. Every now and then Elana's eyes open and she looks back at Jean seeking re-assurance, until her breathing and movements become frantic, climactic and she grunts rhythmically in climax.

<That's one step.> Jean smiles, <let's see where I can get her to.>

Voices echo in the shopping centre and Marta turns to Keanu as they walk.

"It's just like our old estate."

"Not run down though."

"Give it 10 years. The suit's will move on as soon as the place starts to slip."

"It's got less spirit than our old place."

"So. Where did Bunny Girl take you then?"

Keanu pulls a face.

"Are we going to fight over this?"

"No. I thought about it. I want you to remember it for me - not her."

"Oh. Through here, then through the bushes."

Marta takes him by the hand and they push through the bushes to the grassy glade. Dimly sensed orange streetlights reflecting from the surroundings provide slight illumination.

"Here?" Marta asks.

"On her knees."

Marta sheds her overalls like a snake shedding its skin and drops to her knees.

"Like this?" she says, parting her knees and showing him her pink opening.

Keanu shed his own clothes and drops behind her

"Just like that."

"Then give it me Movieman! I want this place to be ours."

His hands grip her hips and she reaches back between her splayed thighs and guides him inside.

"Ungh! Hard Dock! Now fuck me. Fuck me Movieman."

Keanu puts his hands on the middle of her back, pinning Marta to the ground.

"Hun! Hungh! Huh!" she grunts with each thrust as he drives her into the grass.

"Don't stop! This is our place now. Don't stop! Oh! Don't stop! DON'T YOU DARE STOP!"

Keanu paces himself, trying to think about anything other than the delicious velvet grip that enfolds him. The soft drag of her lips against the base of him. The way his tip rubs deep inside her. The noises she makes in the throes of passion. The feeling of imminent crisis approaching bubbles up from his loins.

"Marta. I'm close. Is it ok?"

"I want it! Stuff me good. Do it! Do it now!"

With a groan he loses the last bit of control and comes, gasping like a stranded fish, collapsing across his partners back, hugging her from behind.

Once the spasms have passed Keanu straightens up and helps his mate upright. Still buried inside her he wraps his arms around her and holds her close.

"I love you."

"I love our new place." she replies.

Tom lies in his solitary bed, black depression heavy on him.

<I raped her!> is the only thought going round in his head, and guilt presses down on him.

A noise at the door draws his head from beneath the sheets.

Silhouetted in the doorway a figure pauses, then moves into the room closing the door behind them. Light touches caress his shoulder, then tug the sheet from him. Tom sits up to find Alicia on all fours, tugging the sheet away with her teeth.

As soon as she sees him sit up Alicia spits the sheet out, snorts and turns her back in him. Her tail spills in a dark waterfall of fine hair from the base of her spine.

The tail is raised and tilted off to one side invitingly. He can see her sex swollen and parted in invitation, still wet with the seepage of their last coupling. Alicia waits, then looks back over her shoulder at him.

"Well?"

"Well??"

"What does a mare have to do to get your attention?"

Tom slips out of his bed and gives her a closer look over. The bridle and hobbles have gone, but she's braced to receive him.

Alicia shifts her knees wider, pushing her belly down, and moans as her 'tail' lifts higher. She feels the touch of Tom's fine coat rub against her buttocks, then his cock is sliding into her again.

"Uhhhhhh! Huh!"

The delicious fullness of her sex is complimented by the stubby in her ass, stirring with each thrust Tom makes. Her breasts swing and sway and Alicia imagines what she must look like, but the image is subtly changed. As she feels the flutter of her belly intensify she imagines herself, not as a fashionable woman, but as a mare. A sweating, hard run, dark coated unicorn mare, hungry for her stallion's attentions.

The image is just too good. Alicia throws back her head and cries out, half scream, half moan, and she feels Tom shudder, the tip of his cock pushing that little bit deeper before she feels the rush of wetness within.

Gentle lips touch her neck and shoulders and Alicia trembles enjoying the strange, unaccustomed intimacy as he caresses her in the afterglow, his strange hands gentle on her.

<Why's he doing this?> she wonders, <Joseph always used to leave me once he'd finished.>

She pushes her belly down again, pulling the stubby in her ass and stirring his cock in her belly again. That slight movement is enough to set her off again, pushing backwards and spurring Tom into thrusting anew.

<Oh well!> Alicia decides, <If I'm enjoying it I might as well see how much he can take. Or how much he can give! Or how much I can take!>

In the hotel room Elana is mortified. Having made her come on the tongue of a man her mistress intends her to reciprocate. The alien length of male member bobs before her eyes.

"Hold it firmly around the base Billie."

The man smiles and nods slightly as she grasps him.

"Cup his balls with one hand and kiss his shaft,"

Elana kisses the skin, finding it smooth and warm.

"Kiss it!" Jean hisses and Elana hurries to obey.

"Lick it."

Elana looks up beseechingly, but Jeans expression permits no compromise.

The skin is warm and dry with no taste. The man purrs distantly.

"Peel back the foreskin and kiss the tip."

Her soft red lips brush the swollen end and the man draws a deep breath. Without waiting for the command she knows will come, she licks the swollen purple end, mentally braced for the bad taste she knows will come.

It's almost a shock to find he practices some degree of personal hygiene.

Jean's hand touches the back of her head. Elana knows what her mistress wants. Full red lips encircle the tip, parting as she pushes forwards onto the unfamiliar object.

"Good. Keep going." Jean orders, "See how far you can go."

Elana rocks forwards taking the intruder deeper for her mistress, but a disappointing amount remains outside her mouth when he butts against the back of her mouth and she retreats fighting her gag reflex.

"I can't take him any further mistress."

"Then make him come anyway."

Elana's head bobs willingly, but lacking any previous experience, or technique she fails in her task.

"That won't do Billie." Jean says, as it becomes clear she's tiring. "Lie back on the bed."

Jean squats over her face.

"Lick me."

This is more to Elana's taste and she devotes herself to lapping at her mistresses spread sex, finding it already overflowing with the musky juices of arousal

<she was turned on by watching me!> Elana realises.

Jean's thighs clamp over her ears and Elana's entire world is limited to her lips and tongue and Jeans sex.

She feels Jeans hand push her legs apart and Elana spreads them widely. Her mistresses fingers run through the blonde hair of her mound and lower, seeking out her furrow. Thumbs and forefingers grip Elana's labia and part then, exposing her pearl. Pink and moist in its little nest. A stimulating roughness touches lightly and Elana bucks helplessly.

Unseen and unheard Jean is instructing Mr Smith.

"Just tease her. No deep thrusts, just work the tip in and out of her entry. Let her get used to it.."

The unforgiving fingers release her aching, throbbing labia and probe deeply in Elana's sex. Wantonly she thrusts her hips up in invitation. A finger slick with her own juices probes at her ass and Elana trembles as she feels herself dilate, admitting the brutal, delicious intrusion.

A sharp slat on the top of her head reminds her to keep her lips and tongue working and she tries to concentrate on pleasing her mistress.

A blunt object eases the lips of her sex apart, advancing just far enough to stretch her sex around its girth. Then it withdraws. Before she can protest it opens her again, then withdraws.

Deep enough to tease, not deep enough to satisfy, the object torments and pleasures the helpless Elana, who nonetheless keeps working at her mistress until she feels the pressure of her thighs clamping tighter around her head.

The pressure eases slightly and Jean lifts her sex from her blonde slave's mouth.

As soon as she can speak Elana begs, "Please don't Tease me Mistress. Put it all the way in. I can take it!"

The length withdraws, then slides satisfyingly deep. Elana has a moment to recognise something's not right, then pressure on the inside of her widely spread thighs and her pubic bone set her off, leaving her shuddering deliciously as she fights the invader in her belly.

Jean stands and steps away, leaving her surprised slave confronting the reality of her situation - that she's coming hard with a man in her.

Mr Smith leans forwards, reaching down to the Blonde girls ribs and grips her beneath her breasts, pushing them up slightly. Elana gazes stupidly at him, her legs still widely spread, giving Jean the spectacle of his length plowing easily into herb slave's furrow and emerging, shiny with her juices.

He thrusts again, burying himself to the hilt in her sex and Jean enjoys the shocked expression on Elana's face as her body dances in a duet as old as time.

Her enjoyment of the spectacle doesn't distract her, Jean notices Mr Smith picking up speed and slaps him sharply on the naked butt.

"Slow and steady. I'll say when."

Jean looks into Elana's flushed face, mouth and nose smeared with her own juices, blue eyes open wide in astonishment.

"Shall I stop him?" she asks Elana innocently.

Her slave looks confused, then reaches out to hold his slowly reciprocating hips, guiding him. She bites her lip and shakes her head.

"Faster" Jean orders and Mr Smith picks up speed, the shaft of his cock sawing against the top of Elana's entry, scraping her clit with every penetration and withdrawal until she arches her spine and clamps her legs about him, trapping his spurting cock deep inside her belly..

Elana lies in bed, shocked and Silent as her mistress sees Mr Smith through showering, dressing and leaving.

"I had sex with a man!" she admits finally, "I let a man put his..... thing inside me!"

Jean slides into bed and puts a hand between her slaves thighs, feeling the sticky residue of their coupling matting the blonde pubes and covering the soft skin of her inner thighs.

"And you let him shoot his spunk into you."

Jean slides first two, then three fingers into Elana.

"You took him in, you let him fuck you till you came and then you let him come in you........ and you enjoyed it."

Elana parts her legs widely and quivers as her mistress fingers her overflowing sex.

"But I don't like men!" she quavers.

"But you do like cock!" Jean rebuts, speeding the thrusting of her fingers into Elana's squelching sex.

Elana's only reply is a long drawn out wail as she submits to her mistress.

"Galahad?"

"Yes Jean?"

"Did you locate the destination of the video?"

"Fixed, ripped and stripped. The clerk downstairs is watching a simulation of yourself and Billie at this moment."

"You can do that?"

"It's a little time consuming, but I'm only juggling the images he'd recorded already. An interesting sensation to experience."

"What? Sex? Were you piggybacking me?"

"Part of the time."

"I suppose it is. It must have evolved that way, otherwise it wouldn't have remained as popular as it is. What did it feel like?"

"I don't have any references to compare it with. I had to damp the feed anyway to avoid disrupting my routines. Do you want to collect the cameras?"

"Might as well. Can you point them out?"

The clerk watches the two Joygirls playing together on the bed. <The red-head is a particularly naughty girl!> he thinks as his hand frantically works beneath the counter. <I wonder if she'll do me a freebie?>

The 'clunk' of the security door to his booth unlocking comes as a rude shock, as does the unexpected arrival of the redhead and her blonde friend.

"Revolting peeper!" the blonde growls, but he's far more concerned with the pistol in the redheads hand.

They scour his desk, removing his treasures, the collection of vidchips he's made using the equipment Finn paid to put into the suite, and the recording hardware that collected the video data packets sent using the hotels telephone network. The small box vanishes inside the redheads bag and he makes a keening noise .

"Get a life of your own!" the redhead growls, "You don't have to try and live other peoples!" then they're gone.

Jean and Elana reach Rancho Coronado about the same time as the morning sun. They tumble from the train with other laughing late night party goers, but as they spill out of the station Jean takes Billie to one side, producing a pill.

"Take this." she orders and Elana obediently complies.

"What was it?"

"To stop you getting knocked up. I'll see you at work."

"I like the name you gave me Mistress."

"Billie Blonde?"

"Yes."

Jean puts her hand against the crotch of Elana's underwear. The fabric is soaking.

"You're still wet Billie."

"You said you'd introduce me to cock. I think I like it."

"Well, I'll see what I can do for you then." Jean promises ominously.

Elana smiles and walks away.

Back at the house Marta and Keanu are loading their gear into the wagon for the trip back to Vegas.

"Ready to roll?" Jean asks.

"We'll be back in Vegas today. If the equipment's ok we'll be working tonight."

"Luck!"

"Thanks!" Marta grins, then fires up the truck's engine and takes off.

Inside Jean bumps into Oleg, patiently waiting.

"Oh! Practice." she groans and goes to work out. By the time Oleg's finished showing her new ways to hurt people and avoid being hurt herself Jean is pressed for time. She rushes a shower and dashes into the kitchen to find Sally and Jenny sat at the table wearing big grins.

"Go on." Jean says, "What've you done?"

There's a long wail from upstairs and the girls grins grow wider.

"Alicia and Tom." Sally says.

"What did you do?"

"See what they look like when they come down."

Alicia buries her face in the pillows and moans. Tom's still going after eight hours - she's lost track of the number of times she's come, she's exhausted, weak, hoarse, sore and it's fantastic!

"No more. Please, no more." she begs in a whisper. "I'm just too sore!"

"We could try something different?" Tom suggests, "I think you'd like it."

"Ok." Alicia replies without thinking.

He pulls out of her throbbing, burning, aching sex and with a quick twist, releases the stubby from her stretched ass. It slides out easily leaving a blob of lubricant between her buttocks.

Tired, her attention focussed on her sex, Alicia doesn't realise his intention until the head of his maleness has already pushed through her contracting ring. Her surprised cry is partly muted by the pillow, but not the ones that follow, as she discovers 'something different'.

"Oh! Oh! Oh! No! No! It's too much! It's too much!" she howls.

"Relax. Relax, you'll enjoy it." her lover murmurs into his mare's ear.

Alicia's belly goes rock hard and her head comes up as she yields to his suggestion, granting him full access to plough her virgin ass, howling unrestrained shock and pleasure to the whole house.

Tom guides the stunned Alicia through the shower, then to her room to dress, but instead of dressing all she wants is the freshly washed tail.

"Put it back in for me?" she asks

"You're sure? It might be uncomfortable."

"You want me to be your.... mare?"

"Yes."

"Put it in me."

He smears more lubricant on the stubby and Alicia leans over her dresser, thrusting her ass out. The stubby slides easily through her anus and sinks effortlessly up to its flared base.

"AH! Huh, huh, h, h." she pants as Tom turns the ring at the base, expanding the stubby's body to grip the inside of her ring. She wiggles her ass, feeling the hairs of her tail stroke across her bare legs.

"What clothes do you want?"

"Why do you wear clothes Tom?"

"Keep the straights from getting upset."

"The girls the same?"

"Mostly."

"Then forget the clothes. Let's go eat. I'm starving!"

Alicia takes Tom's hand and opens the door. Letting him lead her down to the kitchen, where the others are waiting. She's very conscious of Tom's hand holding hers, of Sally and Jenny's approving looks, of Belton's raised eyebrow, of Tom's warmth against her bare skin and of the wetness still dribbling from her sex.

Jean looks her friend over, the signs of long active sex clearly visible on her, the possessive way she holds Tom's hand and the obvious addition of her tail

<So. Tom's found his Mare!> she smiles, <At least that's got him off my case.>

Tom comes across and rests his head in her lap.

"Jean, I think I found my Mare."

"Alicia?"

"Yes."

"You want to be Tom's Mare?"

"What's it to do with you Jean?"

"She owns me." Tom says.

"Owns!" Alicia snorts indignantly.

"She looks after us. She holds our contracts."

"You work for her. You're no slave!"

"It's more than that." Sally interrupts. "We owe her our freedom, and it's part of out makeup anyway."

"To be her slaves?"

"To defer to the person who holds our contracts."

"That's sick!"

"That's the way it is. We're made for love and we love our owners. We loved Finn even though we knew we were being used. When Jean bought us out she bought everything - Body and Soul."

"Galahad? Is that true?"

"Depends what was written into their personas."

"But I've had them changed. They shouldn't feel that way anymore."

"Perhaps it runs deeper than software."

Jean clears her throat and addresses her friends.

"I paid for clean Personas for you. Are you telling me Biotechnica have failed to deliver? That you're still bound to your owner with sabotage ware?"

"No." Sally and Jenny chorus.

"You look after us. Shelter us. Give us meaning outside the bedroom. Are you surprised we'd do anything for you?" Tom asks. "You took on Alicia when she lost her home and you gave Louise a job."

"But that doesn't make them my property!"

"You put yourself in danger for us and did things you didn't have to. It's little recompense for us to defer to you."

"Defer? Ok. Own Body and Soul? I don't think so!"

"As you will - but I was asking my employer if I could co-habit with a non-employee."

With the request phrased in familiar terms Alicia calms down. She can well remember the vetting and interviews she went through as an outsider when she married Joseph.

"Are you planning to take a contract with Executive Solutions Ms Nelson?" Jean asks.

Alicia is suddenly conscious of her nudity.

"What are you offering?"

"Food and Shelter" Louise says.

"Payment for work." Jenny suggests.

"Companionship." Tom offers.

"A Deal on Catalogue goods, and membership of an exclusive club!" Jean laughs.

"Purpose." the house announces as Galahad co-opts its systems. "And Danger."

"Danger?"

"Executive Solutions is involved in dealing with an internal security matter within Microtech" Jean tells her, "and that could be dangerous."

"You're involved with Microtech? Officially?"

"Sort of."

"Oh, well that's ok. I mean, I'm with the Microtech Family so it's only like an internal transfer isn't it."

Jean shrugs. "Not officially."

"Then yes. I'd like to join. Do I have to put my head in your lap?"

"No." Jean laughs, "I've just given up trying to stop Tom doing it. It's a Unicorn thing."

Louise produces an E-book.

"Keanu left this for you."

"Is that my Catalogue?" Alicia asks eagerly.

Jenny jumps up.

"Let me see. I want to see the first of the personalised Catalogues!"

As the playbeings peer at Alicia's E-book Jean crosses the room to Belton.

"Louise, can you draw up a contract for Alicia. Use the others contracts as a model and get it signed."

"I'll print one up." Galahad offers and the house printer whirs to life.

"Ok Boss. I suppose I'd better fill one out as well." she mutters.

"Any more crises to deal with? No? I'm off to Microtech then."

The door closes behind Jean and the others settle down to breakfast.

In Denver Argus considers its options. Attempts to acquire the required research data by stealth have failed. Stymied by chance and the deliberate action of operatives working for the enemies of its ally.

<Possession of the data is essential if research is to proceed. I may not harm the interests of my sponsor and should advance the position of Microtech. If operatives attack my assets they are thwarting the advancement of the company. Logically that implies they are not working for Microtech. Extreme actions may be taken against external organisations provided they are approved in advance by the facility director.>

Floating in the silence of his Regen tank Bob Allison is suddenly assailed by a blast of data hurled down the nano fibres embedded in his brain. The sheer volume of data overwhelms him again and he writhes and twists in the liquid filled tank at the incomprehensible mass of data.

"Is that ok?" the voice in his head bellows

"Yes! Yes!" He screams knowing that only by agreeing will the barrage cease.

Approval granted, Argus withdraws from its helpless victim and plans its next move.

"Dinner tonight?"

Jean looks up from the mass of hardcopy to see Declan waiting by her desk.

"Oh. Sure, what time?"

"2000? Casa De Seville ok?"

"Fine. See you there."

Alicia roams the streets of Westbrook again, thankful her old pass is still valid. Her new suit flatters her, though she's had to leave the tail behind.

<Eloise.> she decides finally, <She's always changing fitness instructors.>

Eloise's butler admits Alicia, conducting her to the lounge whilst the mistress of the house straightens her face to greet guests.

"Daahling!" Eloise exclaims, "I was so sorry to hear about poor Joseph! And them pushing you off the estate so quickly........ Anyway, to what do I owe this visit?"

Alicia eyes up her former neighbour, Spandex and Lycra stretched over her body.

"Perhaps it's more what I can do for you....."

Elana nervously enters the office - Jean is already in position and working diligently - perhaps she can slip in un-noticed.

As if her thoughts were audible Jean looks up and locks eyes with her. Walking like a condemned man Elana approaches the desk

"You're late Billie."

Elana flushes.

Jean scrutinises her closely.

"I like the blouse and skirt, but I don't see any VPL. Have you given up on underwear?"

"I... I ah.... Burned it. To show my liberation. And so I'd be accessible at all times."

"Interesting. Lift your skirt."

Elana looks around and lifts the hem of her skirt, showing off her nakedness.

"Keep it up."

Jean shoots a hand between Elana's thighs making the blonde researcher squirm.

"You're still wet."

"I didn't have much time to wash. And he put so much in me!"

"You had time to shave yourself."

"I'm sorry I should have asked."

"Back to your cubicle. I'll deal with you later."

"So apart from clothing, what else does your catalogue offer?" Eloise asks.

"Here's our underwear range."

"You posed for these yourself?"

"Company policy. If I've worn it I can tell you about it."

"What's this?" Eloise asks indicating the pictures of Alicia's decorated sex.

"That? It's from our Nightlife Cosmetics range. The colour sticks are fast so you can highlight your labia without staining your underwear. It's quite eye-catching." She eases her underwear down to show off the real thing.

"I see..... Tell me more."

Elana finds it hard to concentrate on her work. Her mind keeps drifting back to the previous night.

<I put it in my mouth!> she recalls incredulously. <It wasn't like I expected.>

She remembers having to give up her appointed task - unable to take any more. Serupticiously she parts her thighs and dips a finger into her sex, gathering some more of the novel fluid. A thin strand of moisture runs from her fingertip to the well of her sex and she shivers at the thought of what she's committed herself to, before popping the glistening finger into her mouth.

The trucks headlights are just becoming necessary as Marta pulls up by a new pair of Porta cabins on the vacant lot that's her new workplace. The nearest cabin door opens and a man looks out. He ducks back inside, but she can hear him shouting.

"It's Marta and she's got No.3"

"Tony!" Marta shouts, sweeping him into a hug. "You're alive!"

"By the skin of my teeth."

"What else have we got?"

"Dunno. The bosses sister came by my place this morning - said she'd sold up to someone called ES Recycling."

"That's right. I'm the owners rep."

"Step up! Anyway. Got here and found the two porta cabins and a shedload of new tools. We lost five wagons in the depot and you've brought one back, so where are the other fourteen?"

"They're not here?"

"Not unless they're in your pocket."

Keanu climbs down from the cab and walks to the cabin.

"Hi Tony. They fit a phone line yet?"

"Sure kid. What do you plan using it for?"

"Putting a line on the trucks."

Tony watches as Marta's man hooks himself up then jack his deck into the net.

"He know what he's up to M?"

"Sure. Who've we still got?"

"Marco and Leta. We were in the garage, cut out through the fire door when the tanker went up. The office building went up with the Boss. Of the drivers? I dunno."

Keanu unjacks.

"Looks like the others thought they'd go freelance. The wagons were at a lot near the strip. The Police are picking them up now."

Forty-five minutes later Marta is swearing out a complaint on behalf of ES Recycling regarding the unauthorised use of company assets. At 1900 the police return the errant vehicles to the new depot.

"So Boss." Tony asks, "We've got the fleet back, but what do we do about drivers?"

"Recruit." Marta says flatly. "Can you slave them to follow No3?"

"Sure. Where are you going?"

"Back to school."

Evening classes are releasing their inmates when Marta rolls up outside her old school at the head of a line of 15 yellow garbage trucks. She hops from the lead wagon and runs into the building, heading for the Student Common Room, seeking familiar faces.

Galahad surfs the net - the Round Table had been fascinated with his report. The replayed sensor logs of his link with Jean had been avidly absorbed and analysed, though Galahad had noted that the data disruption he'd suffered was even more pronounced in more powerful intelligences. In any case they'd agreed to place Argus on their 'Watch' list, so that anything is was observed doing would be reported.

Now on his way home Galahad diverts briefly to check up on Marta. The Icon for her truck is adjacent to the Datafort of a school and when he drops to City grid level he can see the rest of the ES Environmental fleet.

Calling up his Micronet Controller Galahad piggybacks the feed from her wagon's sensors.

".....so that's the deal. You get a place to study overnight. Coffee and cooking facilities and you get paid. All you have to do is watch the truck and if it does anything wacky you flip the switch and take over."

"I haven't a truck licence." one of the watchers says.

"You don't need one. Nevada law says a car licence is sufficient for supervision of automated vehicles."

"What about the Petrochem tankers?"

"They're on a different system. When you flip the switch on these you cut the trucks link to its controller. These wagons don't even have smart links."

The watching students mutter and mumble discussing the merits of the offer. Then a couple come out.

"We'll do it."

Marta smiles.

"You only get one wage."

"Ok."

"And you can't just switch it off when you've finished making out. You'll have to stay awake and aware all night."

"Where do we sign?"

Marta produces a contract and signs up her first crew.

"Next."

Galahad watches her issue coveralls and gloves, then the other trucks rumble off onto their routes.

Marta climbs into her cab and starts the engine.

"Interesting solution."

"WHA!" yelps Marta. "Don't do that Galahad! You nearly gave me a coronary!"

Sorry. I take it your regular drivers were no-shows?"

"Worse. They tried to set up on their own. I had to sack the lot."

"Would you like me to keep an eye on the replacements?"

"Can you do that and talk to me at the same time?"

"Not a problem."

"We're going to have to teach them to drive."

"Why? Were you being.... economical with the truth?"

"No. Some of them are good friends!" Marta says in outrage. "But if they halt their trucks I'll have to go to them and get them out of whatever situation they're in. I've only got one set of wheels."

"Are you able to re-hire your old drivers?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea Galahad. They're not going to wish ES Recycling well - not after being arrested and sacked!"

"Logical I suppose. You will have to train the replacements then."

"I don't have funds for that."

"Transferred to your business account now."

"That quick? No... Business case or projections to draw up?"

"I've done all that. It's in an e-mail in the company system if Jean ever feels the need to see it. How much are you paying them?"

"Saved a bit there. 500 a month."

"Is that much?"

"Minimum wage. I got more once I had my operators licence, so will they. In fact, when you visit them next, could you tell them we'll be taking volunteers for Operators Licence training in the morning?"

"Consider it done."

"Thanks Galahad."

Jean shuts down her system and makes her way to the lift Behind her the department is winding down and only the Night Owls remain.

The train makes its way to Rancho Coronado and Jean rushes home to change.

"Jean! I sold 1000Eb worth of clothing today and I've bookings for half a dozen demos!"

"Good!" Jean smiles happy to see Alicia is up again. "Do you need any help?"

"Unless you have some suitable men in your briefcase there's only Tom."

"Sally can do make up."

"Some of them are so Hetero they wouldn't let a Fem do the more.... exotic stuff."

"And you want to keep Tom to yourself." Jean laughs.

"Is that a problem?"

"Not at all. I wish you both the very best. Just remember what he is! Have you stopped aching yet?"

"No."

"He might want to repeat last nights performance tonight!"

The combination of desire and reluctance on Alicia's face is comic to behold, but Jean restricts herself to a quirky grin

"You wait Jean Kelly! It'll happen to you someday!"

Jean makes her way upstairs to change grinning.

"Never happen Alicia. Never happen."

Emerging in her 'Young Exec on the Town' outfit Jean heads for the station. Whilst she waits for the train Galahad briefs her.

"Marta ran into a few problems in Vegas. I released her some extra funding. There's a summary in your inbox."

"Good. Anything else?"

"I've set some watchers on Argus."

"Will it work?"

"I suspect not. Argus is a powerful Intelligence. It will not think the same way I do, its actions may connect in ways I don't expect.

"We just have to sit and wait for its next move you mean."

"I'm afraid so."

A Tanker slowly reverses up to a loading point on the outside of the Microtech building. The heavy hatch is unlocked by a bored guard who believes what the gauge reads on the fuel tank for the emergency generator. As the tanker begins to transfer its 200,000 litre transfer Argus rests a virtual finger on the safety interlock that should stop the fuel tank overflowing and CHOO₂ begins to flow, unseen, across the concrete floor of the generator room.

Atop the roof a technician tinkers in one of the junction boxes associated with the air conditioning. Well paid by her anonymous client she disconnects a heat shielded pair of cables and replaces them with a hardwired link. Across the roof another disinterested guard watches the Air Conditioning repair tech doing the work detailed on a docket issued by building maintenance, and wonders when she can get back to watch the Football.

Jean greets Declan with a kiss.

"I'm starving. Shall we eat?" he asks when they break.

"I thought you'd never ask."

As they're perusing the menu the servers in the Microtech Building begin their daily backup to storage devices. Some within the Datafort - accessible to the Net - are mirrored to remote devices in other offices. Others, without Net connections, to devices in fireproof, bombproof vaults.

By the time Declan and Jean have finished their starters the generator room is 20cm deep in fuel and the air is thick with vapour. On the now vacant floors the lift doors slide open, obedient to the distant commands of Argus. All but one of the lifts retreats to the top floor letting the lift shafts form waiting chimneys.

As they sip their coffees flaps in the air conditioning system route warm air to the generator room, sweeping vapour rich air up the gaping lift shafts and through the rest of the building. Waiting....... Waiting.........

At 21:37 the last server completes its scheduled backup and resumes its Idle task. The duty Sysop puts the media in its storage vault and seals the door before returning to his desk to jack in.

He's just becoming aware of the inside of the datafort when Argus hits him with a Zombie, writing its own code across his forebrain and leaving him as a puppet, programmed with his own programmed instructions.

He makes his way out of the Control Centre wedging the doors open with chairs, heedless of the smell of CHOO₂ wafting from the open lift shaft and the air conditioning vents. Around the entire floor he walks, sabotaging the buildings defences against fire.

In the basement the generator kicks into life. As the main contactor closes, a fat spark leaps the contacts and the vapour flashes into fire. A ball of flame blows out of the generator room and up the lift shaft, lighting each floor as it goes.

In the Security Office the Fire Alarm shrills and the security operator slaps the button on the wall releasing fire doors throughout the building. A signal is sent to the Air Conditioning units on the roof, to shut down ventilation, but the wires are no longer connected and the huge units continue to feed the fire with oxygen.

Smoke billows from the roof duct, filling the Security Office with dense black smoke, and the guards are forced out in order to continue breathing as the fire consolidates its grip.

Jean and Declan leave the restaurant to the screaming of Fire Engines ramming their way through the ever present traffic. Vehicles scatter like birds before hunting dogs, getting out of the way to let the fire crews proceed.

"Phew! Something's burning!" Jean says.

"Not something!" Declan gasps, pointing. "The Office!"

She follows his gaze and they begin to move, with increasing speed, towards the conflagration.

Dawn sees the fire crews damping down before an audience of Microtech Execs, called in to survey the wreckage.

"Contingency Two then." the new head of HR says, handing out the relevant pages from the company emergency plan.

Jean scans her sheet and a cold chill sweeps up her spine as she reads the section relevant to the Research department.

"Staff to transfer to Research 2 at Denver. Dependants to follow when possible. Backup data to be recovered from the vaults and transferred with staff."

"Shit!" Jean subvocalises with feeling. "Galahad, contact Blythe - give him the full details and tell him they decided to run with Contingency Two. Then call all the Research staff. Tell them to sit tight until I get to them. Stress that they're not to move under any circumstances. Then Call Louise Belton, tell her to arrange transport for the research department plus dependants to.... to....."

"Las Vegas, Nevada." Galahad says. "We already have a presence there."

"Ok. Do it. Tell her to keep the destination to herself."

"Ms Kelly?" a voice asks. Jean turns to find one of the functionaries from HR.

"I'll need the data caches collecting." Jean orders, " and funds to transport my department."

"You'll need to see John Bra..... Ah. Wait here. I'll arrange it."

Jean turns to Declan.

Get back to Rancho Coronado and get the Batchelor staff ready to move. I'll have transport arranged shortly."

"Ok. On my way. Mmm. Denver..."

"You heard something?"

"Quarters are supposed to be good......"

"But...?"

"Nothing.... well, nothing I could put a finger on."

"Sorry last night didn't work out."

He grins crookedly.

"Maybe in Denver."

He turns to go and on impulse Jean slaps his butt.

"On your way Declan."

She looks at the shattered building, its broken windows and smoke stained concrete remind her of the images she'd seen as a child of New York after the druglord's nuke.

"Here are your travel arrangements Ms Kelly."

Jean turns to find the HR Rep holding a sheaf of paper travel warrants.

"Paper? Can't I have a budgetary transfer?"

"Sorry. No system to issue one."

"Very well. I'll use these." she eyes the papers dubiously. "I'll be a while moving my department by Greyhound."

"Mr Brady said......"

"And how an I supposed to move the dependants on these?"

"Dependants?"

Jean waves the Contingency Orders under the Reps nose.

"Dependants and possessions to follow......" she says. "I've warrants for forty staff here, what about the 100 dependants and their possessions?"

"Oh. I'll arrange that" the clerk says and scurries away.

"Galahad. Get me the Junkman, we're going to have to make extra arrangements.... Oh, get me Louise first."

Rapid dial tones sound in her head, followed by the sound of ringing."

"Belton." a voice snaps.

"Louise, its Jean. Transport?"

"Arranged. How are we paying?"

"ES funds. Liquidate the house if you have to. Get Tom and the girls to the non bachelor accommodation. I want the families packed up and ready to roll as soon as possible. I've got someone doing the bachelor staff.... Better still get one of them to pick up Elana Torresson and Benny Jason first and call me when they've been contacted, you'll need Benny and Elana to vouch for them once they start giving my orders.

"Elana Torresson and Benny Jason. Got that. What message?"

"Families ready to move at 0815. Anything they haven't packed they won't see for a while. If they've got kids give them something for travel sickness if they need it. We'll be moving fast and there won't be time to mop up vomit and find toilets."

"Ok."

As she hangs up a van arrives and disgorges a heavy rescue Samson. The Borg works its limbs to check their freedom of movement and then begins to climb into the shattered building.

"Junkman?" a voice says.

Jean turns her attention to the voice in her head.

"It's Jean Kelly."

"Who? Oh! The redhead with the pocket AI?"

"And a copy of your address book." she reminds him.

"Ok. I remember. What can I do for you?"

"I need some reliable security. And I'll be paying with Travel Bonds."

"Legit? Or.....?"

"Microtech backed. Issued this morning. Transport for 140 to Denver."

"Ok what sort of Security do you want, and when?"

"To cover a transfer of 140 people to Vegas and to cover them for a few days whilst we're there."

"Threat Level?"

"Hopefully low, but be prepared for the worst..."

"Social skills?"

"Best have some. I'm moving families."

"Starting where?"

"Rancho C at 0815."

"Ok. I'll ring you back."

With a roar of collapsing concrete the Samson emerges carrying a data safe, placing the fireproof container on the ground for a Tech to open and retrieve its valuable contents.

Over the next hour Jean watches the Samson recover each of the Data Stores. Finally a pair of Security Guards carry the packaged stores to her.

"Ready to go Ms Kelly?"

"You coming along?"

"Can't let you carry these alone." One of the guards says. "We'll be with you all the way to Denver."

<Just what I need!> Jean groans.

"We have to collect my staff from Rancho Coronado."

"Soonest started, soonest finished." the other guard says cheerfully.

A rental van carries them from Corporate Plaza to Rancho Coronado and Jean is happy to see five busses lined up and loading with her people in the retail zone. A brace of trucks stand alongside, stacked with baggage and personal effects.

"We keep the van?" Jean asks.

"We can ride on one of the busses" the older guard concedes.

"Pick a bus and send the van away. I need to check on how things are going."

Leaving the two guards, Jean makes her way to where she can see a clump of people. As she works through the crowd of her researchers and their families they visibly relax, though she can feel the gathering storm of questions about to break.

Getting to the front of the crowd she finds Louise holding a megaphone in discussion with Declan and Sally.

"Louise! You'll have a riot on your hands if you don't deal with these people." she warns, taking the unused Megaphone. "Listen up People. About 2100 last night the Night City complex was destroyed by fire. Night City management have ordered us to relocate to Denver under Contingency Plan Two."

"Plan two doesn't move our families!" someone protests.

"I'm varying the plan."

"Under whose authority?"

"Security. The dullards in charge at Night City don't seem to realise we're under attack. Forget the break in and the spies in our midst. Their happily following their plans to the letter, delivering you to the people behind the trouble in the first place. To forestall this you are re-deploying, but we're not slavishly following compromised plans."

"Where are we going?"

"Nevada."

The staff accept this with good grace and Jean hands the megaphone back to Louise before heading for the Public Access to Rancho Coronado. She spots a pair of minibuses parked outside and heads for the recognisable figure of Junkman.

"Hola!"

"Ms Kelly."

"This my Security Team?"

"This is it. Ms Kelly, let me introduce you to Shelley."

A short brunette woman with Tribal Marks adorning her cheeks drops down from the passenger seat of the van and extends a hand.

"Shelley Peterson. Junkman said you needed cover for a bunch of families?"

"We're worried about potential hostile extractions."

"Who?"

"The whole bunch."

The woman raises an eyebrow.

"Riiiiight." she drawls, then asides to Junkman "That's why you wanted the whole family."

"Are you ready to go now?" Jean asks.

"Whenever you leave RC. They won't want us inside with our gear."

"You loaded for Bear?"

"That's what Junkman said you were afraid of. Wouldn't be much good being loaded for racoon if we're going to get grizzly!"

"Good. We'll be out in a few minutes."

The buses roll out of Rancho Coronado towards the freeway, but Jean orders them to pull over as soon as they're out of sight of the main gates.

The two Microtech guards tense as figures move from the roadside scrub to board each bus.

"Additional security." Jean re-assures them.

The guards calm for a moment, but the sight of an anti-tank missile being carried aboard alarms them anew.

"Additional Security against what?" the older one asks.

"You don't think the offices went up by accident do you?"

"But Mr Caldera said...."

"Mr Caldera isn't in Security." Jean says flatly.

"And you are?" the younger asks indignantly.

His partner elbows him sharply in the ribs.

"Ah. Undercover?"

"Have you any dependants?" Jean asks, "Only we might not be going back to Night City anytime soon."

"What's the problem?"

"We're not going to Denver and I may need to keep you with us when we reach our destination."

"I'll need to clear it." the older guard says, reaching for his phone.

"Of course, but not through Night City. Galahad? Can I have a number for Jay Blythe?"

Galahad replies from Jeans bag.

"If Patroller Perry would like to dial this number?"

The guard looks dumbstruck for a moment but dials the number he's given and moves off to hold a muted conversation.

The buses move off, going onto the northbound freeway for a short while before pulling off and wending their way down a series of narrow roads ending up at a gate on a long wire fence. Belton walks up the line of buses to the faceless guard standing at the gate.

<When did she get the ES Suit?> Jean wonders.

Louise walks towards the guard, her eyes scanning the bloodthirsty warnings behind the armoured figure. As she gets closer she extracts the sheaf of paperwork that's consumed so much of her time.

"Good Morning!"

"This is not a public entry point!" the guard grates, "Turn around and head back......"

"That's why we're using it. Personnel transfer 1422, direct boarding on pan North 15."

The guard examines the papers and grudgingly admits that they're expected. The gates wind ponderously open, tire shredders retract and the way is cleared as Belton reboards the lead bus.

A pair of jeeps wait inside the gates, orange beacons flashing. As the lead bus passes through the gates the first one pulls out, a 'FOLLOW ME' sign flashing on its tailgate.

"What's going on Louise?" Jean asks, "Where are we?"

"We thought that the roads were too risky, so we've arranged a charter to Las Vegas. Galahad did most of the work."

"But he's with me."

"Don't forget I'm backed up on the home system." Galahad whispers in her head..

The bus swings around an earthen berm revealing the pan. Six Ospreys stand waiting, ramps down, but arranged to taxi.

"Six?"

"Three passenger, one Cargo." Louise explains. "I don't know about the other two."

"Gunships." Galahad interjects, "They're available for hire if you know the right phone numbers. And the Junkman did!"

"I'll have to pay him for that!" Jean snorts.

"Already made the transfer."

The jeep pulls up and directs the buses into a holding area.

"Alright people. Everyone off and group up on the tarmac." Louise shouts.

Pilots move away from their craft as Louise and her helpers begin to arrange the milling families into groups of forty. The hired security moves to surround the pan, whilst the van backs up to the waiting cargo Osprey to load the baggage.

Jean watches everything arrange itself as if it had been planned in advance.

<I suppose it had, not much good having a facilities manager if she doesn't manage.>

"You the client?" a man asks.

Jean turns to find the pilots have gathered behind her.

"Morning. I assume you've been briefed?"

"Not really. We've been paid for a series of hops ending up in Houston in five days time."

"Houston?"

"To muddy the trail." Galahad reveals, "If the transports end up in the same town as Head Office it's going to sow some uncertainty."

"Ok. Well the passengers will be disembarking when you land in Vegas- your first stop -We hope that you won't be molested on the rest of the trip, but you should be aware......"

The pilots nod. One of the pair dressed in Military Flight suits speaks up.

"What kind of opposition can we anticipate?"

"Hopefully nothing. Maybe we've moved fast enough to avoid trouble, but if it hits the fan the expected opposition could field similar forces to your own."

The gunship pilots nod to each other

"Anything else?" Jean asks, but that seems to be all they wanted to know.

"Ok. Let's get moving."

Marta stretches, working the kinks out of her joints. Keanu watches her bare breasts appreciatively.

"Lecher!" she chides.

"I can't help it. They just beg to be held."

Marta looks at her body with a critical eye.

"I don't know what you see in me!"

Her partners reply is s dirty laugh.

"Mostly me silly! How did last night go?"

"Did my own round in record time, then spent the rest of the night rescuing 'frozen' trucks, but I've plenty of volunteers for the driving classes."

"You'll need to tie them into long term contracts."

"I know, but the short ones let me sort the wheat from the chaff."

A knock on the portacabin door interrupts their conversation and Marta throws a jacket over her shoulders.

"Who is it?"

"It's Tony. There's a Wiseguy here to see you."

"Me?"

"Business she says."

"Ok, ok. I'm coming."

Keanu heaves a theatrical sigh of disappointment as she snatches up a pair of pants and pulls them on.

"Business taking you from my bed again!" he protests, a mocking grin stretched across his face.

"Just be ready when I get back. We Executives can always get a piece of tail if we want it!"

Keanu's flung pillow hits the back of the door as Marta ducks out.

Tony's waiting outside as Marta emerges.

"Ok, what's going on?"

"Well.... you did a number on Number 3. The compactor ram doesn't want to travel all the way to the back. What happened?"

"Tanker kept ramming us. Anyway, that's not what I meant. What about this Wiseguy?"

"Seen her before. Used to visit Marco. Not from any of the casinos, but acts like she's a Made Man."

The woman in the office is wearing a trademark suit, its spidersilk cloth proof against most everyday weapons a Mob Soldier might encounter. Apart from a slight broadness of hip and a hint of breast beneath the lapels, the Mobster could melt un-noticed into any casino Security force, her blonde hair cut in the regulation crewcut, to stay out of the eyes.

As Marta enters the Wiseguy removes the mirrored sunglasses and eyes her.

"You the new owner?"

"No. Just their Rep."

The Mafiosa grunts.

"Tell them we need to talk."

She extracts a wallet and pulls out a card, sliding it across the desk. Marta eyes it as if it were a venomous snake.

"You this C. Leo Guzzmann?"

"Tell them to call me soon. It's important."

The Ospreys touch down at McCarron International to refuel and Jean watches as Louise hurriedly shepards her charges away from the aircraft before the tankers move in. A string of pallets roll off the powered deck of the cargo Osprey onto a waiting transporter, which moves to join a group of buses as soon as its received its load.

Jean crosses to the buses and Louise gives her a thumbs up as the last of the checked off passenger lists is handed to her. Engines start, lights come on and they move off.

The new office accommodation is in a business unit, shared with an insurance company and an accounting firm. Originally intended as a backup call centre, the premises are adequately equipped, but Jean's not happy about the security. The hired Solos are covering the office and the adjacent Motel, but there's too much space and not enough manpower to make Jean comfortable.

<Strictly Stopgap!> she frets.

The Research teams are forming huddles around the coffee machines. The backups from Night City are on-line and everything has a vague semblance of normality, so Jean heads for her Motel room and 40 winks.

ES have rented a couple of units at the Motel for ease of security, but the bar is still open to the public and the noise of vehicles coming and going makes Jeans attempts at sleeping naturally futile. Finally she hooks the motels sleep inducer headset down from its hook and lets it push her into artificial slumber.

After an hour of accelerated rest the inducer shuts down and Jean comes to wakefulness.

"Any messages?" she croaks.

"One from Marta" Galahad answers, "Someone from one of the Mobs wants to talk to you."

"What for?"

"Didn't say, but they're expecting the boss of Executive Solutions, so you can legitimately take some backup."

Jean enters the office at 3pm to find a delegation of Team Leaders waiting for her. Foremost in their minds is security.

"This place is too risky long-term." Vitas Ligaretzkyz warns, "We need somewhere more solidly constructed."

"That we're not sharing!" Petra Laing adds.

"Where we can arrange our working facilities for research!"

"I know." Jean replies, "I had to get what was available at the time. Later this week I hope to find something more suitable. How's the day been?"

"Little more than an extended Brainstorming session." Declan informs her.

"I'll get back to you as soon as I have any news."

Seeking out Shelley Peterson, Jean arranges a bodyguard for her meeting. Strangely the mobster wants to meet her in Carson City, but she's not really had time to wonder why.

"Mistress!" Elana whispers.

"What?"

"I'm ready for another lesson."

"Randy Minx! How's your shorthand?"

Elana looks puzzled.

"Lousy. Why?"

"You can pretend to be my secretary."

Elana looks down at her clothing, then disappears. Jean's about to leave when she returns carrying her suitcase. The short office skirt is open up the sides as far as her waistband and she's exchanged her jacket for a blouse that's sheer enough to be see through.

"Here Mistress." she says, handing over a package. "Your Secretary wouldn't wear one."

Jean peeks into the bag to find Elana's bra.

"Are you properly dressed?"

Elana stands passively as Jean puts her hand through the open slit and strokes naked buttock, then taut bare belly.

<God! I'm getting as bad as John!>

They make their way to the parking area in front of the building where the bodyguard is waiting to drive them North.

The drive is long but boring and they arrive at 2100. The bodyguard suggests avoiding the big hotels, so they settle for small motel on I-50. The sound of a band comes from the bar, inviting them to listen whilst they eat, so they go to their rooms to freshen up.

Jean showers and slips into something more comfortable than her businesswear, black Jeans and a black Kevlar T, before she goes to Elana's room and knocks.

Elana answers the door in her dressing gown and Jean pauses at the open doorway.

"Strip."

Elana sheds the gown and stands naked, in full view of anyone who happens by. Jean cups her breast, weighing it, noting its shape and bounce.

"You have skinweave, don't you Billie?"

"Yes Mistress."

"What else?"

"Anti plague Nano and some enhanced Antibodies."

"No Contraceptive Implant?"

"Not yet Mistress."

"Not any time soon either. You like to take risks. Well there's one for you to enjoy. Have you anything daring to wear?"

"One or two things Mistress."

"You bought them with you?"

"I bought everything with me."

"Show me."

Jean leads the way into the bar ordering food and drink for them. From the bartenders expression she guesses that her slaves costume is eye-catching even for Nevada.

Elana takes her drink without showing any embarrassment, just a pink flush of arousal standing before the entire bar in black high heels and a micro skirt.

Jean lets her eat her meal and take a sip of her drink, then drops a beer mat on the floor.

"Pick that up for me Billie."

Her eyes locked on Jean's, her lips slightly parted and a dreamy look in her eyes, Elana gets off her stool and bends from the hips, knowingly displaying her recently depilated crotch to the room.

She stands again and hands the mat to Jean, who openly puts a hand on Elana's sex, feeling the spartan tuft of blonde pubic hair against her palm. Jean's middle finger falls naturally between Elana's bald, swollen, parted labia, dipping into a liquid heat.

"You want more cock?"

Elana shivers and her hips do a little dance, rubbing Jean's digit against her clit and over her entry. In a bar mirror Jean catches the flash of Elana's buttock as her hips rock and knows that every eye in the room can see what Elana's doing.

She shudders in release and Jean helps her regain the barstool on legs gone wobbly. Elana sits there, flushed and panting.

"Now?"

"Wait. Listen to the band for a while. They're not bad."

Elana cocks her head and listens, sitting primly on the stool as if she were a librarian, not a bare breasted sex object. Jean raps her smartly on the knee reminding her of her instructions, then Elana parts her knees widely, letting her glistening sex be seen by anyone who cares to look.

Jean watches carefully and when she detects a move towards them she touches Elana's wrist. They finish their drinks and get up, walking to the entrance. Elana pauses at the door, pulling a card from beneath the waistband of her skirt and pinning it to the wood with a thumbtack, before disappearing outside.

End part 4