02

        "Lynx! Lynx! Lyyyyyynnnnx!" came the cries from the meadow below.

        You'd think that Ailaurie was being murdered, I thought as I listened, peeked over the brush to watch the Lynx enjoying the two things she loved most in the world: the mountains and Cervine. Of course being held upside-down with Cervine plunging that tongue of hers in, maybe Ailaurie does think she's in Heaven. I smiled at that, the Doe had evolved into a Donna two weeks after I `got` her. There had been two important changes, first the two lovers could now fly deep into the mountains to enjoy time together. The second one was that she started becoming more comfortable with her size and strength, I thought as I watched the Donna standing, holding Ailaurie upside-down, with her hands on the smaller Pokègirl's hips and her face between her lover's legs, while the Lynx's head, arms and legs still twitched as they dangled, rather than windmilling as they always did at the beginning of a session. Cervine just loves these power games, I thought of my own wrestling matches with the Donna, She loves physically overwhelming someone, then showing them despite her complete dominance, her first order of business is protecting them. Helpless, but completely safe.

        Cervine set the now limp and unmoving Lynx across her back. The radio chose that moment to crackle. "Shyster, this is Home Base, how are you reading? Over." Janice's voice came over.

        "Home Base, Shyster, 5 by 5, what's the problem? Over." I wonder, when was the last time I actually heard my name? I thought as I responded, When I do, will I even know it's mine?

        "Shyster, you win. Those newbies got lost. They said they were headed to Bronson Canyon, but the RF gives a bearing of 263 degrees. You said they wouldn't be able to resist the 'Bridge is Out' sign and the waterfall. Now they can't climb out, poor babies. Over."

        "Yeah, what say I just cement them in there? I know, it's just a thought. Our two lovebirds are done, at least `Puss in Boots` is, I think we'll be finishing it up later. Over."

        "Well, hurry up and get those kids, then hurry back. Over and out."

        I think somebody's getting driven crazy by `our` kids, I mentally laugh at my first major blunder in the Pokègirl world, assuming Pokègirls could read, I mean, everybody reads, right? They're allowed to be, even encouraged to be educated, up to a point. 'Grooming' and 'Brooding' don't even look similar. I chuckled at this as I got up to walk towards Cervine.

        "I could you a laugh," Cervine said.

        "'Use a laugh', I think you'd better rest your tongue." That earned me a `ferocious` growl and being squeezed against her soft fur and even softer chest. Again, too strong for me to hope to resist, but not enough to hurt me. You really did hate being considered a weakling, didn't you? "I give up! I think the kids are driving Janice nuts."

        Cervine turned around and swatted Ailaurie on the butt. "Grooming! Grooming! Grooming Machine." All she got was a groan from the limp Lynx, while I was dangling in the air by my belt, in Cervine's other hand.

        "We all agreed that putting her through the process balanced things out," I reminded her. Not that anything would really break you two up, I kept to myself as I hung there, I do remember the looks on your faces, you were both so overjoyed, until you realized you really should have been mad. I also think the `punishment` you agreed to, was so you two could be pregnant together. I don't think you realized you'd be having litters, three each. I managed to hide my smile remembering the complaints. 'I'm swelling up like a balloon', the morning sickness, the backrubs and healing cycles, not to mention the truly awful things they called each other during their respective deliveries. You would have thought that Sukebe would have fixed that little problem. I guess he really wasn't the genius everyone wants to make him out to be, I considered the originator of my companions, Or he was terminally clueless, probably the latter.

        "Anyway," I said to break the revery, "The idiots didn't go to Bronson Canyon, they went to the bridge that isn't there."

        "Can't we just bury them alive?" Cervine asked, "Or dam that damned stream so it doesn't have that plunge pool?" She swung me onto her back behind Ailaurie. I picked the still-wilted Lynx up, so my holding onto Cervine would also keep the Lynx atop the Donna as well.

        "Master'ss cuuute," Ailaurie said drunkenly, then fell forward against Cervine and fell asleep.

        We were up in the air in a moment. Cervine racing towards the stricken tourists who'd ignored the 'The Bridge is Out, If you climb down you will be trapped!' sign and then tried to prove how cool and free-spirited they were by leaping 6 meters down, through the waterfall and into the plunge pool. Only to find out the walls were sheer and slippery, the bridge really was gone, and wouldn't be returning any time soon. "What do you want to bet they have just piles of climbing gear at the top of the cliff and all we'll have to do it drop it to them?"

        "No bet," Cervine said, knowing it happened much more often than not. "I will bet at least two trips to bring all injured back to the center."

        "You think they're that dumb that after somebody breaks their leg on the climb, they'll try again?"

        "Of course not," Cervine added with anger, "They'll send their Pokègirls."

        As angry as Cervine was at the prospect, I knew not to ask what the bet was. She's probably right, I thought as we flew in silence.

        As we flew over the site, I could see the clump of packs and coils of rope stacked alongside the stream where it plunged over the cliff in a breathtaking waterfall, with the most inviting plunge pool below. And so cold even an Ice-type would complain, I thought as Cervine scooped up most of the pile, then leapt off the cliff to the delight of the frantic faces below, But that just shows how tough and `frelk` they are. Like cool, mod, etc, frelk just means you've got a Master's degree in doing stupid things to appear better than those too smart to try. Why not stand in the town square and hit yourself in the crotch with a chainsaw? I thought as Cervine landed among them, Same difference.

        I loaded the wounded man and the Pokègirl with the broken leg aboard Cervine, with Ailaurie as onboard nurse. The others can be treated with the potions from their supplies and basic first aid, I thought as I made sure everything was securied. As I watched the two sail up into the sky, I noted all the faces figuring 'How many trips before she flies me back to the Pokècenter. So sad, too bad, she's only coming back for me, I thought, Since the human tried to climb after his Pokègirl got hurt, I'll be merciful. "Look, the wind blows most of the spray away from that side, so that's the side you should start your climb. Send up your best climbers, to set up a rope line and any collapsible ladders you have. Don't worry about collecting or trying to recover them. Cervine, Ailaurie and I will drop them to you once we get them lose."

        "She isn't going to fly us out?" one flushed woman asked in fear.

        "No, ma'am," I replied, "All three of us will have to get back to the center to see to your friends. The hike down isn't as bad as the hike up, or you could go back down the trail and take the trail to Bronson Canyon. It has a waterfall every bit as spectacular as this one, and a hot spring fed by a geothermal vent." Which is the reason we send all you ninnies to Bronson Canyon in the first Taming place, I managed not to scream at them at the top of my lungs.

        "Hey, Shyster!" came a call from the air, "You gonna be late for the meeting or what?"

        "We got wounded at the center, Janice will probably like some help with the kids while she puts them back together," I called back to the pair I named 'The Bobsey Twins', a Psidyke riding the Dracass. Although I still think she's a semi-reformed Dronza.

        "I HEARD that," the Psidyke shouted down.

        "And I think it every time I suppose you're reading my mind," I shouted back. The pair of `just friends` winged off down to the center.

        "Where did you meet them?" one of the kids asked as he stared wide-eyed at the readout on his Pokèdex, "Why didn't they attack?"

        I glanced at the climbers and realize I have time for a story. I wait for those not involved in the escape to cluster around. "About 2 years ago, I met them. They mine Evolution Stones up in the hills."

        "Can we go see their mine!" the kid asked enthusiastically.

        "What does your Pokèdex say?" I asked, watching the enthusiasm turn to fear. Good, I thought, That would be a disaster, and not just because of the terrain.

        "They weren't getting the best price for their fine stones, and I don't kid you, they are excellent. I don't like seeing anybody get cheated -" Especially when they're so liquored up just to deal nonviolently with that smarmy, sex-obsessed agent, they can barely see straight. "- so I offered my services as negotiator. For a third of everything over the price they usually got. Even after paying my commission, they still had a great deal more money than they usually had. So the next year, they hired me to handle that, for a standard 10% commission. The agent is up here to buy their Evolution Stones again."

        The faces nodded sagely as they understood, or failed to.

        Within an hour, Cervine was back and the entire crowd had climbed the slope, then sent people back down to tie ropes to their baggage to haul it back up to them. I did hold their drag lines to keep the package off the rocks.

        "Why didn't they get a guide?" Cervine asked in sotto voce, while she smiled and waved to them.

        "Money, and 'we know hiking, we've hiked mountains before'. All the usual idiot stuff," I told her quietly, "Now ask me why they didn't go to Bronson Canyon like we, their booking agency, the League TravelGuide people and probably the Sages of the Sunshine League all advised."

        "That one I know. Come on, let's get their ladders out of there and get home. The agent was expecting you, he's got a Boobtrio with him."

        "If she's bi, then the Bobsey Twins can have at her," I told Cervine, "Otherwise, what makes you think I'd ever touch a girl who want to be with him, Pureline or Pokègirl?"

        Cervine snorted as we took to the air to collect the rope ladders attached to the pitons. We removed the pitons as well. With the water and the constant freeze-thaw, in a couple weeks they'll look fine, but they won't hold.

        Then we're on our way home. The ambush was expected. Cervine immediately reached back to hold me tight against her while I looped my arms and legs tightly around her. Once secure, I begin searching the skies for the Dracass.

        "Five o'clock low," I told Cervine, "Not out of the sun this time."

        Cervine flew straight and level, drawing her friendly rival in.

        I will never fail to be amazed at how competitive Pokègirls are, I thought as the Dracass closed in, getting cocky, I hope these two like their `Christmas` presents, M.I.L.E.S. gear and head-mounted laser-sights, let them really duel in the air. Scoring hits and attempts.

        Suddenly the Donna slammed on the brakes to avoid the swipe, then leaned forward to run a hand along the Dracass's belly as she raced by. Cervine's laughter galled the Dracass as she curved in the air to fall in on our flank.

        "You've been practicing," the Dracass accused. Cervine only gave her a toothy grin in reply, I shrugged.

        Landing at the center had Cervine and me buried in small bodies, some from above, some from below. It was a mixed bag, some Donnas from above, some from below, ditto with the Lynxes. They aren't Recognizing each other, I thought of the sudden tickle attack, But some pairings are already forming. If the Recognized Pokègirls have litters, do the kids also Recognize? I'll find out. I grabbed two of them, a Donna and a Lynx and counter-attacked. They straightaway began screaming for help from their siblings. But the pairs' first loyalties are to their partner, and Cervine's got two Donnas that immobilizes their Lynx partners. Soon, the kids have given up on us. Cries of 'Aunt Mildred' and all six mobbed the Dracass, who accepted it with good humor.

        Cervine and I went inside to see what the medical situation was. The Agent was there, along with the Boobtrio. It was all I could do to keep from laughing. While what had been poured into the skimpy, skin-tight outfit deserved a good look, and I wasn't the only one looking intently, it was the outfit, more than the contents that I was focused on. I wonder where she got it, was it the same place Janice got hers? I thought as I struggled to keep a straight face, Sorry, I know Littletits believe that a rack is the most important thing, and yours is impressive, but the mind is the real playground of sex.

        I wonder why most people don't think. Pokègirls are extremely social animals, NurseJoys are usually by themselves at Pokècenters, like Officer Jennies are by themselves in their police stations. Both have a stream of needy, frightened but unavailable Pokègirls and Tamers passing before them, like conveyer belt of candy or steaks, but professional standards deny them the `right` to avail themselves. A local OfficerJenny or a videophone call to other NurseJoys are the only reliable links to others that most NurseJoys have. Pokègirls being Pokègirls, that talk turns to sex, humanoids being humanoids, it quickly becomes 'can you top this?' I glanced back at the Psidyke who'd walked up and rested her chin on my shoulder while staring at the Boobtrio as of she were the aforementioned candy, or steak. The Boobtrio didn't have to have well-developed psychic powers to know what was on the Psidyke's mind, or that while I was looking, I wasn't buying.

        "I agree, but an electric drill doesn't come with those attachments, I don't feel like rewiring the generator to three-phase. Besides, I don't have a spare nipple clip," Miranda, the Psidyke said, "And the cycle time on an air chisel is too short."

        The Boobtrio had been looking sultry and licking her lips, cupping two of her three breasts and smiling. Now she looked uncertain, even worried. She focused on Cervine, then her eyes grew wide as the Donna licked the tips of her own ears as she threw her own shoulders back and took a deep breath.

        Proof positive, I thought, Only two, but each with greater volume than all three of her's combined.

        "Does Janice really have an outfit like that?" Miranda whispered to me.

        Yeah, only two nipple straps instead of three, and it won't help the Boobtrio's negotiating skills. It's Janice's `failed Domina` outfit, I thought to Miranda, imagining Janice playing an over the top Domina, Except I, or Cervine, or Ailaurie always overpower her and - I `sent` a couple of images of Cervine wrestling the NurseJoy to the bed and forcing Janice's submission. The Boobtrio was `eavesdropping`, and was completely shocked.

        The Psidyke suddenly burst out laughing and pounded my back as tears rolled down her face. The Boobtrio had completely lost her composure and was actually trying to hide behind the agent, a balding, nervous little man who seemed to sneer at all existence, who made anyone who came in contact with him want to bathe. The Boobtrio looked like the young, frightened girl she probably was.

        You really want the truth about NurseJoys and OfficerJennies, I thought to Miranda, It's the hats, why do you think they both get so angry when someone takes their hats, unless the taker is a small child. A child gets a dialogue about the job and responsibilities of each type. It's almost a recruitment pitch. However, take the hat off and replace it with another, and her entire behavior changes.

        "Really?" Miranda managed between coughs as she tried to straighten up.

        Sure, Officer Casey came up a month ago. I took their hats off and replaced them, I added the picture of the local OfficerJenny wearing a Napoleon hat with the backwards 'N' and three long feathers, and Janice wearing a leather executioner's hood. I am not going to tell you what the three of us did.

        The poor Boobtrio's eyes practically bugged out of her head.

        "Thank you," Miranda told me, "I think I'm going to entertain your kids. Maybe we should drag the `lady` out and make her scream."

        "Please, I just ate," I teased her as she left with Cervine.

        I went to the locker where the Bobsey Twins left their cases of Evolution stones. I glanced at the inventory and used my Pokèdex to access the current market value. From that, I set my negotiating position. I saw the Boobtrio was still trying to return to being the distracting, mind-reading vamp, instead of the scared kid.

        "You've really . . . done it . . . with that Psidyke?" she asked worriedly.

        "You mean her in a harem costume and me feeding her peeled grapes? Something like that?" I pictured it clearly in my mind.

        "Yeah." She started shuddering.

        "Yes," I told her truthfully. It was live mice and rats while she and Mildred were watching the kids swim in the river, I remembered, hiding the thought behind images of burying the Widow's victims, But she doesn't need to know that.

        The Boobtrio looked ready to faint.

        "She and Cervine, my Donna and Mildred, the Dracass have considered aerial maneuvers that fighter planes can't attempt, except during mid-air refueling, sort of." I mentally added the images of disposing of the Widow's corpse and babies. That did it. The girl slid to the floor. "I believe that I can offer a very fair deal," I told the agent with a broad smile. Let's hear it for fan-wanking about telepaths, and possible defenses.

       

---

 

        "Heressss ta Ssshysster!" Miranda announced, grabbed my head to give me a sloppy, wet kiss on the lips, while she ground her groin into mine. "Yuck! Pew! Bleech!" she shouted as she ran straight into the river and dove head first into the icy water.

        "You do that every year!" I shouted at her when she surfaced, "It never changes!"

        Mildred poured another dollop of her home-brewed `wine` into my cup. She was still wearing her M.I.L.E.S. gear and her laser sight, even though she'd turned both off, because Cervine was unwilling to admit her defeat. I took another tiny sip of the notorious, `mountain distilled` rocket fuel that the others were enjoying by the cup full, and felt it burning all the way down. Then it covered my skin with a warm glow that was entirely worth the burn. I remembered the Psidyke and the Dracass had spent an inordinate amount of time with the kids. That pair seemed more disappointed when bedtime came than the kids were.

        "There are medical ways of accomplishing it," I told the Dracass, and the Psidyke as she lay down next to her lover, "I happen to know a NurseJoy who could get you a sample."

        "You'd let us . . . I mean - " Miranda asked hopefully.

        "In vitro," I said, "A Psidyke or a Dracass I'd have no problem with. I'd be nervous about a human child, both from your hard life and that human kids seem to need a male and female parent."

        "At least you're honest," Miranda commented from her place snuggled up against Mildred, "Did you really have to buy that little twist?" Miranda pointed her chin at `our` new Boobtrio.

        "I didn't have to be a telepath to figure out what was going to happen to her after she failed her mission," I replied, "No way I was going to sit by and let that happen. Besides, considering how she's already reacted to the facts around here, I think dominance games and 'I've got the biggest tits' aren't going to be a problem. By the time she gets her feet under her, Cervine will have made it clear who is in charge and what's acceptable." I looked over to where Janice was chatting and brushing the girl's hair. The Boobtrio still looked ready to jump out of her skin.

        "Any rats left, or just mice?" Miranda asked.

        "One rat, then you'll have to settle for mice, there's still a dozen," I told Miranda as I slipped on the heavy leather glove, "And you'll finish them off, no leftovers and no doggie bags."

        "I haven't eaten a doggie in so long," Miranda said hopefully. With her mouth, she easily caught the rat I tossed at her. Down it went, tail lashing outside her mouth for a moment, trying to gross me out.

        "Won't work," I told her, "After that Widow's nest and giving the bodies a proper burial, I don't think anything will disgust me ever again."

        "Too bad," Miranda said as she lay down again. "You ever wonder about it all? Life, the universe, everything in it, whether there's anything outside it?"

        "The shamans and religious all preached some kind of life after death, spirits, Heaven, reincarnation and Nirvana," I replied, "I still believe."

        "Few do," Mildred said, "I guess I don't because - we were made by some man." She heaped the word with disdain. "Not like you humans."

        "I always thought our sentience was the `image` referred to, free will and the ability to chose a relationship with God, or reject it."

        "But even Pokègirls aren't guaranteed sentience," Miranda said, propping herself up on one elbow, "We can lose it or gain it back, sometimes dozens of times in our life. What kind of God would allow that, what kind of God would allow Sukebe to make creatures like us."

        "The one who would expect the rest of us to make things right for you. Maybe Pokègirls are a test to the rest of humanity, like the U.S. Civil War. Asking all of us, what's a person and what's property? I don't try to fathom the grand Divine plan. I know it looks at things from a mindset I could never fully understand. What's brought up all this?"

        "Kids," Miranda said, "Mildred tried and failed with a Brooding Chamber about a year before you showed up, I had my second puberty about a month before we came in that first time. No parthenogenesis for us. If we want kids, we have to have them the old-fashioned way. I guess that's why we're both trying to spend a lot of time with you. Neither of us like men very much. The idea of . . . submitting - long enough to get pregnant . . . maybe Mildred could, but I couldn't. We've finally got money to fix our place up nice, some money in the bank if we get hurt, even a retirement plan. We're finally well-enough off to think about having and raising kids - and we can't. God told all the critters to be fruitful and multiply, we finally get into a financial position where we can, and do it right, and we can't because of biology." The Psidyke sighed and lay back to stare at the sky. "You get out in the mountains at night, look up at the stars, and you can't help think there's got to be something bigger out there. Maybe all the Pre-Sukebe preachers had the details wrong, but they can't have got it all wrong. Not when you stand in the darkness and look up at the mountains and the sky. Does He, She or It hates us because - "

        "The proscriptions I've read are when the population is low or God said 'You go get that woman pregnant.' A violation of the 'be fruitful and multiply' commandment," I explained, "Like I said, I think your problem, and the Ferals', it's a problem for humans to overcome to perfect their humanity. An old rule back when I was dating was that you took a date to a fancy restaurant, because however your date treated the waiter and staff was exactly how you would be treated pretty soon. How do a lot of humans treat someone they can hold such power over? Most of the guys I've met here, I'd like to take around the corner and introduce them to my Louisville Slugger. That's why I bought Francesca Orientales over there, I bet her real name is just Francis. I've got three girls who look after me constantly, follow my orders, and are willing to perform nearly anything I can think of, including girl-on-girl. Why would I want to even raise my voice to them, let alone my hand? My disapproval, disappointment and silence is scourge enough. It doesn't make sense."

        "Sense of power," Miranda said with disgust.

        "What? Like being able to walk up to any of them anytime, drop my pants and say 'now' and get serviced?" I asked, "You'd have to be a major executive or powerful politician to get that from where I'm from. The girls work tirelessly to keep me safe and happy. What's more powerful than that? If you have to yell and hit, it proves you don't have the control." The three of us were quiet for a bit, then Miranda and Mildred started to get up.

        "Please, you two stay," I told them, "I'm going to cuddle with the girls."

        "Always a good thing," Mildred said cuddling Miranda.

        "Okay, hand that bucket of mice over here," Miranda said as she and Mildred settled in each other's arms.

        Francis looked over at me expectantly, a mix of hope and fear. I nodded but continued past her and Janice to where Cervine and Ailaurie were resting. I admired each of the four girls in their swimsuits, real costumes for swimming, not for lying on the beach and attracting gawkers. A Boobtrio is supposed to be irresistible, I thought, All of the girls have no reason to be ashamed. I think they'll keep her off-balance for quite a while.

        Ailaurie was calmly grooming Cervine, working through her fur and hunting down and killing any bugs or other parasites. I saw and watched the two very domestic scenes. I know that Mildred and Miranda are allies, rather any than part of my `Harem`. The snort and thumbs-up from Miranda confirmed that. The other girls, I just don't think of them as a Harem, despite the fact they wear the collars I gave all three of them, and the Ident-Chips they have. I am glad some Tamer came up with collars with locators built in, so they can find me as well as I can find them. I'd rather think of us as partners rather than Master and slaves/servants.

        "Something bothering you?" Cervine asked, reaching for me.

        "A lot of things, where we are, where we came from, where we're going," I told her as I lay down beside her.

        "Let them have the semen," Cervine told me as she pulled me against her chest and wrapped her arms and legs around me, "They're good people."

        "I already decided to," I said, "But I am going to make sure they get Pokègirls as offspring. Call me close-minded, but my comfort level only goes so far."

        "I think 'kids' is more important than their type," Ailaurie said as she carefully picked apart a knot in Cervine's fur, "Everything that lives wants to pass on its genes."

        I nodded, wondering when I'd be able to pass on my genes with my selected partners.

       

---

 

        Janice looks at her Tamer as she hangs upside down from the wall. "Please don't do this!" she screams as he pulls back on the lever. When he throws it forward, she thinks, The rope will tighten. "Don't hurt me anymore! I'll be good!"

        "Really?" he asks, pushing the lever forward, a click at a time, the rollers turning slowly with great force, pulling the ropes tighter and tighter. Incrementally, watching, savoring her fear.

        She sees the mechanism turn the ropes attached, pulling them down so slowly. "I give up! Please! I'm a good Pokègirl, I am an obedient Pokègirl!"

        "You're right," he tells her as he pulls the whip off the wall, "You are obedient, but that isn't what I want."

        Janice sees Francis with tears flowing down her face, struggling with the bonds and her gag. Francis shakes her head, not caring that her head shaking is going unnoticed.

        "What I want," he tells her as he strokes her bare stomach with the whip, "What I demand is - "

        The alarm sounds in the room, someone had come through the entrance in need of help. "Dammit!" Janice exclaims, "Mongoose!" Her Master is already lifting her up to let her free her feet from the gravity boots, while she releases the ropes that looped around her wrists.

        "Pull on the rope in your hand and get over here and help us," he tells Francis as he tries to lift Janice farther to free her other foot.

        Francis stares at them bug-eyed.

        "It's just me! Don't panic!" Officer Casey comes into the Taming room, "I just wanted to - oh, sorry - hey can I watch?!"

        "Sure," Janice and her Master say, giggling together for a second.

        "Vertical rack, what is with you and fake violence?" Officer Casey asks as she examines the `rack's` ratcheting mechanism.

        "I see too much of the real kind," Janice says as her Master helps her back into the gravity boots so she can hang from the fittings in the ceiling, "I like the feeling of helplessness, the inevitability, and the hidden assurance it's not real."

        "Oh, Francis dropped the rope I told her to hold," her Master says, "In fact I specifically told her to hold onto it."

        Officer Casey smiles evilly. "She did, did she?"

        "Your hat's in the cupboard over there," Janice tells her friend. Who dashes over tossing her uniform off piece by piece as she runs, Janice thinks, Poor Francis, she actually believes that NurseJoys and OfficerJennies neither have nor need sex. Quite an eye opener. Oops, another eye opener!

        "You replaced the batteries!" Casey says happily, as she begins buckling her favorite toy over her pink, lacy underwear. "Taddah!" she announces proudly, "Where is the miscreant who requires punishment?!"

        It isn't the bullwhip or Napoleon hat that's got Francis so worried, Janice thinks as she watches the Boobtrio go pale in fear, It's the Evil Strap-On of Pain. So what, it's 25 cm. long and 8 cm. in diameter. It's those three rows of motorized metal-looking hooks that extend and pull back, as if to drag it deeper and deeper against any resistance. Like some hungry, pain-loving monster. Surrender Dorothy, resistance is futile.

        "She fainted," Casey says with disappointment, "Boobtrios are supposed to be psychic. She didn't think I'd actually stick it in her, did she?"

        "Probably, you two are very believable when you get into your roles," Master tells Casey as Janice takes the ropes he hands her, then he adjusts tension so they, and she, are taut, not tight. She nods to him, all ready. "What did you come by for?"

        "Oh," Casey says as she suddenly stand up from over the comatose Boobtrio, the didldo still eager to do it's wicked work. "Mildred wasn't drunk and dive-vomiting on our fine, upstanding citizens. I just was wondering what had happened."

        "She is curled around the kids' Pokèballs like they're a clutch of dragon eggs," her Master says as he stands at the lever, just resting on it.

        "You're ignoring me," Janice points out.

        "Haven't you ever hear the joke that the masochist says 'hurt me, hurt me!' and the sadist says 'no.'"

        Janice loops a rope around his neck and pulls. "No, why don't you tell it to me?" she asks with a smile.

       

---

 

        I still think it's odd, I thought as the soft patch of hair, like soft lambs-wool, rubbed on my member, Having girls eager to sleep with me, as well as have sex with me. It's Casey in front. I knew it's the OfficerJenny. She's only built like a swimsuit model. Two years ago, finding a girl like that in my bed would have had me doing huzzahs and handsprings. Now I think of her as slim and lithe, it's not her body that entices me as much as her passion and inventiveness. I felt myself growing hard as she made frantic little noises as she rubbed slowly, up and down. Dream, I realized, Maybe a time for a little reality. I'm glad Janice has healing powers or I'd never be able to move after a night with the two of them. Casey's dream had her well-lubricated, which lets me slip in easily. I move slowly, in time with her languorous hip thrusts. Her moans grew louder, faster, as dream and reality built upon each other.

        Her scream would have raised the dead. "You rotten bastard," she murmured as she rubbed her eyes, "Do you have any idea what I was dreaming?"

        "You were enjoying it, whatever it was," I retorted, ignoring her fierce expression, and the ringing in my ears. Earplugs next time, I reminded myself, Or a gag.

        "My first," she told me, "Gods, I was . . . it was some clumsy old man I'd never seen before and . . . the need . . . " She trailed off, covering he face.

        "Sounds like every teenaged boy," I told her as I slowly began pumping her, "A fur-lined knothole and a tape recorder would be all any of us needed."

        "Wha . . . what are you doing?" she moaned as she arched her back.

        I don't know why I do this, I wondered as I pinned her elbows to the bed. I could read the subtle signs that she's near the edge, and I worked on keeping her there.

        "Please, please," she breathed as she twisted, trying to get more friction or a faster stroke.

        "You called me bad names," I crooned back, smiling, "You haven't been a good girl." The dominance games, proving I can do what I like, and they can't stop me, I thought as I slowed even more, I do something like this every time, and she keeps coming back. And wanting me to do it.

        "Noo . . . " she plead.

        "You have to give in," I told her softly, "I can keep you this way for hours." Is that what they want? Permission and opportunity to be helpless and put upon? Is it that comforting? Is that why Cervine plays her games?

        "I apologize! Don't do this to me . . . " she whined, in direct contrast to her usual commanding demeanor, "Don't leave me like this . . . "

        I did leave her like that, whimpering on the edge, for what must have seemed to her an eternity.

        The souls in Hell must make a sound like that, I thought, Although I doubt they enjoy the inciting incident as much as she did. She laid quivering beneath me, as if still ringing from the noise she made. Janice helped me sit up, she sniffed disappointedly.

        "I'm glad I got the sample for Mildred and Miranda last night," she said soothingly, clearly teasing, "I don't think there's any left."

        "Eh?" I cupped my hand to my ear. That earned me a punch in the side.

        "Good morning!" Mildred entered, carrying a complete coffee service.

        "I thought you didn't like guys," I said as I try to cover myself, while Janice and Casey work on uncovering me. I gave up, much to their disappointment.

        "I need a few images to keep her from looking at certain things: where I hid the birthday and anniversary presents, my mother's crumbcake recipe, things like that. Subtle ways to let her know I'm not in the mood."

        "Glad I could be of service," I said, "Have you ever considered Tom Lehrer's Song of the Elements? He said it 'might be useful in a somewhat bizarre set of circumstances.'"

        "Also, I like to watch, I just don't want to participate," Mildred said.

        "Oh, in that case there're hats in the cupboard over there," I told her.

       

---

 

        "That's it?" Miranda asks as she peers into the microscope.

        "You were expecting an explosion or a baby?" Janice asks, "Even with a Brooding Chamber it still takes nine months. There are technologies to speed things up a bit, and I used all the safe ones. These embryos are the equivalent of three weeks, but that's as far as the accelerants allow, unless I override the safety factors."

        "No," Miranda says as she straightens up, and sits down next to Mildred, "I just . . . I've wanted this for two years, and now it's right there."

        "I have the genotyping report." Janice lifts her clipboard. "There's two viable Dracasses, a Psidyke, and a Psilady. There's also a Mountain Cat and a . . . a Xante."

        Mildred looks at her partner. "That explains a lot about your behavior."

        Before Miranda could retort. "Mildred, it's yours, so is the Mountain Cat," Janice says.

        Miranda looks smug.

        "Don't feel superior Miranda, both of the Dracasses are yours. The rest are questionable, I'd rather not implant them," Janice adds, "It's the last nine . . . they're human, healthy, boys and girls, some from each of you. Uh, you know that Adam and Molly Crane have tried . . . " she falls silent, rubbing her hands over each other, finally she can continue, "I talked with `Shyster`, he will support any decision you make."

        "What do the Cranes think?" Miranda asks.

        "What did you think - when he made the offer to you -?" Janice asks quietly.

        "I'm beginning to understand why he thought so hard about it," Miranda says, "It's an easy decision, when it's really somebody else's decision." The Psidyke looks around the room full of advanced medical gear.

        "Miranda," Mildred says, only her grip on the arms of the chair gives a clue to her mental state, "We've been given a wonderful gift. It would be wrong not to pass it on."

        "Looking at it that way," Miranda says, taking her lover's hand, "The decision is easy." She looks at Janice. "The answer is yes." She releases Mildred's hand and stands. "I think somebody else needs some cheering up." She looks at Janice. "Guys are just moody about some things. They aren't allowed to scream and shout or dance around to show their feelings, so they get moody. He really does love you, a lot."

        She left Janice blushing and Mildred staring into the microscope at their progeny.

       

---

 

        "Hey, Shyster? You okay?" Miranda asked as she sat down beside me.

        "Yes - no - I . . . I don't know," I shrugged and admitted, "It's silly, too silly to talk about, but it's something I can't get out of my head."

        "Well," Miranda drawled, "Since I already know what it is, let's talk about it. They aren't going to leave you, you know. They aren't going to find somebody `better`."

        "And I suppose it's ridiculous to think that somebody is going to come `rescue` me and take me back home?"

        "If you didn't want to go, they'd have quite a fight on their hands."

        "Look, Miranda, a big part of this . . . I was never very popular with girls back home."

        "That I have a hard time believing," the Psidyke admitted, "I can see it in your head, and I still can't believe it. Why would a Pureline girl put up with that kind of crap? A Pokègirl would have no choice, but I'd assume Pureline girls would have better taste."

        "Freedom means freedom to be stupid. 'But he's so cut and so frelk! He just makes me drool out of both ends!'"

        "Spare me," Miranda said angrily, "I've heard it, and they're the first and loudest ones to whine when musclehead treats her like he's treated every other girl. Look, let me tell you a big secret. The 'dex is wrong, Psidykes don't hate men. We hate the constant background hum of 'I bet if I stabbed her with my pork-sword she'd come around', 'Look at the hooters on that one, and the attitude, I bet she's just screamin' for a real man', 'Look at her dressed that way, she's just askin' for it.' Males of practically every species want to fuck everything that can't run away fast enough, you humans want to fuck all the time, if you had ten dicks you'd want to fuck her in every hole and tight crevice on her body," Miranda `quoted`, "Thank you for the imagery, please allow me to barf my guts out, before I beat your head in to make it stop."

        "I think that way - a lot - " I replied.

        "There's a difference between thinking about `playing` with Janice, and thinking about fucking everything that moves. Janice . . . she's a good kid, and . . . terribly lonely, terribly alone. Lots of guys wouldn't understand Janice wants to walk the edge, but not feel real pain. She doesn't want to 'walk the dark path', she wants to walk into the light, but she's too afraid. Afraid of what she's become. That she doesn't deserve to feel good without the threat of pain or even death. Before you, Ailaurie and Cervine got here . . . " the Psidyke sniffed and wiped at tears, she mastered herself before she continued, "She'd get the hurt in - when even a Level 5 Healing Cycle would only prolong their agony. All she could do, was hold their hand, never leaving their side, dying a little herself inside, while they . . . . Now when you go out and bring them back, all her toys and training, cheerfulness and enthusiasm might actually do somebody some good. She gets to hold their hand when they climb out of bed, to get up and go on with their lives as if nothing major happened. You two are good with each other, and good for each other. There's also a lot of thoughts between both of you about marriage, raising kids, making a home, growing old together, even a bitter old bitch like me doesn't mind getting thoughts like those dropped in her head. Makes me think I'm not the last romantic in the world."

        "Thanks," I told her, "I guess I'm like her. Things are good, I expect them to be ripped away. Like I said, I was never that popular. Suddenly I don't have to settle for girls who'll 'put up with me'. I know with Ailaurie and Cervine, I'll never be more than an aperitif before or a sweetmeat after, their real focus is each other. They're Recognized, that's the way it's always going to be . . . except, they both want me around, they both want me happy and satisfied."

        "It's about 'us' instead of 'me'. More than the pack instinct, it's altitudism, having high ideals."

        "Altruism, am I the charity case, or are they?" I asked, "Or do we trade off?"

        "They'll stay with you, long enough for you to pass on your genes, long enough for you to have a great big family," Miranda told him, she smiled until I smiled back, then she sobered, "If you really want something to worry about . . . what have you heard about what's going on up north?"

        "In what used to be Alaska? Something nobody wants to talk about. Casey keeps getting reports and rumors, nothing concrete, but it doesn't take a great lawyer to sketch out what's going on. The Ice Maiden preserve, something very strange is going on up there."

        "Let me tell you, there are other ways to get messages than through official channels." She pauses and glances around nervously. "You weren't here for Mao's `rebellion`, it was an insurrection, they weren't rebelling against anything except that they weren't the ones on top. They weren't going to make things right. They were just going to include humans in the oppressed class. A lot of Psidykes stupidly threw their lot in with them. Thank every god and goddess that the Sunshine League had people like Lian Alice and Granny, and that the factions could put aside their political wars long enough to keep that scourge off our shores. The SLIS and Stockton Legion stamped out any embers that even looked like they'd flare into pro-Mao movements. My mom was only a kid, but she told all her kits what led up to it. Mildred lived through it, and the Dracass fear that followed. The rumors I've heard . . . about what's going on up north . . . they read exactly the same way. I'm scared, and so is Mildred. Pokègirls step out of line like that again, especially after that Ranma Saotome and his little speech . . . why is it we start getting what we want, and somebody pisses in our nest? I'd swear it's a conspiracy."

        "Against Humans, Pokègirls, or both? Besides, the Huns would put down the Ice Maidens, the Sanctuary tried this before, about fifteen years ago. They lost Reykjavik and their Snow Queen ruler for their troubles, the Huns from the Philippines leveled the city. 'No stone atop any other', Thundering Wind ordered. Bedford Forrest and Heinz Guderian have nothing on that lady."

        "Don't you think they would have learned by now?" Miranda asked, "A way around that problem?"

        "That still leaves the fact the Huns are better fighters than the Ice Maidens. What were you planning to do? Go up there and fight? Lafayette Escadrille is a good idea, but it would take more than just you and Mildred to turn the tide of battle."

        "The government will take too long, so unless some Harem Master with more money than God puts together a force, we'll be facing whatever the problem is on our shores," Miranda said, "The WAPL doesn't seem to be taking things seriously."

        "Doesn't your pregnancy sort of preclude you from the battle?" I asked.

        "You wanted something else to worry about," Miranda said with a smile as she stood up.

        I `replayed` my last session with Casey in my mind.

        "Auggh! Yuck! No fair!" Miranda retreated back into the Pokècenter, leaving me with the worries she's raised.

       

---

 

        "Master?" came the timid voice, Francis peeked around the partition into the whirlpool bath.

        "We're in private, you don't have to call me 'Master'," I told her.

        "Esquire, then?" she offered tentatively, "It's more respectful than 'Shyster'." She wore the modest swimsuit she'd worn at the river. She looked over herself self-consciously. "Is there something wrong?"

        "Aside from the fact you're terrified, and practically every Pokègirl here except Miranda wanted a Taming or attention, nothing," I told her as I leaned back in the hot, swirling water, "I just hurt, everywhere."

        She stood next to the tub, staring down at me.

        "If you're going to drown me," I told her, "Now will be your best opportunity."

        She jumped back. "I don't - I am not - I can't - I - "

        "Sense of humor," I told her, "It was a joke. We tease each other, within reason."

        "Oh," she said as she stepped into the water, standing there with it swirling around her legs. She seemed disappointed I didn't reach up to grab her so we could churn the water to foam, I'm not even thinking those thoughts.

        You're going to have to ask, I thought, my ponderings hidden by a haze of pain. "If you're going to use the tub, set a timer. Janice doesn't want anyone in here for more than 20 minutes without her supervision."

        "I am of age!" Francis insisted.

        Where did that come from? I wondered, I never even considered that problem. "Who suggested you weren't?" I asked.

        "You . . . you . . . " she tried to explain.

        "I'm not from around here," I explained, "I don't assume I have the right. Like I said, all the girls wanted attention or Taming, so I'm too tired. If you want a Taming too, and I'm not interested, it isn't a knock against you. I do wonder if that's all you think there can be between us."

        "I - " She sighed, sending a shudder through her chest. "It is all I know. I grew up in one of the Pokèbrothels up north. I . . . I am very well trained. I'm good at telling what a man wants. But you don't seem to want anything. Not me at least. Most guys . . . you can guess what they want. I don't get anything from you, not lust, not any of the thoughts you have for the others. You keep thinking of me as a kid, like I'm not old enough."

        "How old are you? Fourteen? Fifteen? I'm twenty-eight, Janice is twenty-one, Cervine and Ailaurie are twenty-two, Officer Casey is thirty-four. You are a kid, compared to anyone except the kits. Give us a couple days to get used to you and how you fit in. Unless you're feeling Feral?"

        "No, I'll be fine for a couple days," Francis told me, "Thanks, I am used to being stared at, drooled over, lusted over. Suddenly, I feel like an unwanted outsider. I just have to earn my place."

        "You also have to figure out what you can do, other than just sex," I told her as the timer went off, "That's it for me." I started climbing out of the tub, Francis helped me up and dried me off.

        "Could I . . . ?" She looked at me with such hope.

        "Certainly," I told her, "I hope you don't snore."

       

---

 

        Francis, the Boobtrio hears her voice in her mind. She opens her eyes to look at that Psidyke. Ooo! Het-erotic to the core, I'm so offended and disappointed, Miranda thinks to her, You want this or not? Miranda holds the flask of white liquid. You got the chest for it, give him a little fantasy to wake up to?

        She nods nervously. Milktit milk? she thinks her question.

        The Psidyke smiles and nods. Just a little, she warns, Too much will make you swell up. No, you won't be bigger than Cervine, and you'll just look foolish and in pain, that's not what you want.

        Why are you doing this? Francis asks.

        Out of the goodness of my heart? The Psidyke offers, How about I want you to fit in, your worrying all the time is giving me a headache? Also, I want to give Shyster a little 'thank you' for what he's done. One I could never give myself, without barfing my guts out.

        Okay, she thinks, takes the tiny flask and drinks.

        I also wanted to see what you'd be willing to do, and who you'd trust. You need to learn not to trust a lot of people. Me you can trust, the kids here, but you trust too many others too easily. Miranda leaves, laughing in her mind.

       

---

 

        "Enjoy your breakfast, Shyster?" Miranda asked me as I left the bathroom. In my mind, I `played` myself eating a salad, flat teeth crushing vegetables, setting her to squirming slightly. "Gods I need a mouse," she said as she left quickly.

        I've always wondered why our relationship always has to be `jolly good fellows` who are enemies, I asked myself, but hid the thought from the local psychics behind the image of a fat banker in a speedo.

        "Oh BARF!" Miranda shouted from wherever she's mouse-hunting.

        The Psidyke was not alone in the ambush. Cervine, Ailaurie, Casey, Janice and Mildred were all waiting in the main room, all wore knowing smiles. I ignored them as I got some coffee.

        "Where are the kids?" I asked, letting the tension ramp up, "Still asleep?"

        I stood there, sipping my coffee, not needing psychic powers to know exactly what all of them wanted to ask. They knew that I was not going to give anything away, they would have to act.

        Cervine had another element to the ambush. She grabbed me in a bearhug, pinned my arms to my sides. "Kids I've got him pinned!" The kits boiled out of the cabinets to tickle me. Ailaurie and Janice grabbed a leg each, leaving me defenseless.

        "You will tell us what we want to know," Casey told me as I laughed uproariously.

        I caught the image of Francis standing at the doorway, watching all the activity. She smiled, ready to throw her lot in with one side or the other.

       

---

 

        Janice massaged my sides, having put the two popped ribs back in place. "You could have surrendered before we hurt you," she scolded fearfully.

        "And broken the idea that you are your own people? Never," I told her, my ribs still ached from the tickle attack.

        "I should have left you in here in pain while I implanted Mildred and Miranda," she told me.

        "Who's handling the Crane's implantation? And is he or she any good?" I asked, trying to still play the tough, stoic guy, "OW THAT HURTS!"

        "I am soooo sorry - Master," Janice replied, "Doctor Weaver and Doctor Kilabrew from Gofer Gulch. They'll use the equipment at the center. This is the most complete surgery in the area. I'll be `assisting` them."

        "You'll be running the gear and the two old men will be standing around collecting money and praying nothing goes wrong. Why can't you do it yourself?"

        "Because I'm a Pokègirl, and while everybody knows I could, it isn't legal for me to do it without a human doctor supervising," Janice told me, "I don't really mind, it's always good to have a second opinion and another set of skilled hands in case the worst does happen."

        "I still think you're making excuses," I replied.

        "It also means if something goes wrong, I can't be blamed for it," she reminded me, "That's also nice." She hopped up on the large exam table and lays down beside me, gesturing for me to lie atop her, "Thank you. For Miranda and Mildred, for the Cranes, and for Francis," she told me, while she removed her hat and shook out her long hair, "And for me."

        "You're welcome." I rested my head on her ample chest and let her drape her hair across my back, while her arms and legs wrapped around me. I felt the gentle healing energy course through me, easing the strains and pulls that I'd suffered over the past few days. Both of us were always left exhausted by the effort, so we had developed this near-ritual to it. In moments she was asleep, her face peaceful. Very different than when I first arrived, when she had nightmares nearly every night, I remembered, Nightmares she still refuses to talk about. Maybe I'm not the only one worried about waking up alone. It just seems so silly. The one thing they seem to want is belonging and approval. Even Miranda wants to keep our sparring friendly. Why can't everybody see that? There are guys, and even women in the local towns who'd spit on Janice's and Casey's shadows, if they didn't know they needed them. All this agony about 'are they people'? Hell, corporations are `people`, legally. They can be charged with crimes, sued, jailed, even legally `executed`. If a legal fiction that's just a mass of money and records can be a person, why not a thinking, talking, loving critter like Pokègirls? No answers came as I drifted off to sleep, with my lover in my arms.

The Girls:
Cervine - Donna
Ailaurie-Lynx
Janice - NurseJoy
Francis - Boobtrio

Casey - OfficerJenny

Mildred - Dracass
Miranda - Psidyke