Pride X Familiar ReVamp (Pride X ReVamp Book 1)

by Albert Ruckholdt

  How could I have been so stupid to think that I was over her?

  #

  (Caelum)

  I was slapped Wednesday and Thursday.

  But on Friday, the fourth of the Princess’s girlfriend’s chose a different delivery method.

  She kneed me in the groin.

  Then she left me cavorting in pain on the cafeteria floor, in full view of the seated student body.

  I had decided to face my punishment in an open, visible environment.

  My hope was that the Princess’s male followers would not take action if they perceived I was suitably punished by her girlfriends.

  I rocked on the floor for a half minute but came to a stop when a girl squatted down beside me, close to my head. Her posture gave me a clear view of what her skirt was hiding.

  White and lacy, with a French cut.

  I looked up at the girl’s heart shaped face and almond eyes. “Girlz Pride?”

  She nodded.

  My pain was slowly easing. “You…you wore them…for me?”

  She nodded.

  I swallowed past the pain in my lower body. “Why?”

  “Congratulations on surviving to the end of the week,” she said in monotone.

  I choked back a sob, then another. “Caprice…I’m so…I’m so touched.”

  She nodded and made a little ‘humph’ sound.

  I squirmed a little closer for a better look.

  Suddenly a palm-slate blocked my view. Caprice held it close to my face.

  “We’ve been summoned,” she stated softly.

  I tried peeking around the palm-slate at the treasure between her thighs.

  Caprice blocked my every attempt.

  I sighed in defeat and read the message.

  REPORT TO THE STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM – THE COUNTESS.

  I sat up gingerly, holding back a pained groan that welled up in my throat. “Why does she call herself the Countess?”

  Caprice stood up. “Count Dracula. Countess Alucard. Something along those lines.”

  I accepted the hand she offered and rose to my feet with her help. “Oh, I get it now….”

  We had to hurry. Afternoon classes would resume in twenty minutes.

  We arrived at the Student Council room a few minutes after leaving the cafeteria, and the doors opened for us before Caprice could knock on either of them. I realized the corridor was being watched from inside the room.

  Just how extensive were the surveillance systems inside the Academy? Did they spread to every nook and cranny in the school grounds?

  The Countess was waiting inside. She was lying sideways on the president’s desk, her head propped up on one arm. She smiled and gave the two of us a little wave.

  I caught the scowl on Caprice’s face before she grew expressionless once more.

  The three other occupants were Severin Kell, Maya Khayman, and the other girl I’d met at the beginning of the week.

  Rina Sayen.

  She was slender, with a long black hair tied into twin ponytails. She had pleasant features. In a word I would call her cute enough to make a guy’s heart skip when she smiled.

  She looked embarrassed to see me, whereas Maya didn’t even glance my way. The latter’s expression was as frosty as an ice comet.

  As for Severin Kell, he simply nodded at our arrival. Clearing his throat politely, he said, “I’d like to thank all of you for coming. We’re short on time so we’ll begin right away.”

  He then waved his pen remote like a sorcerer.

  The lights in the room dimmed, and the holovid projection system came into play.

  I crossed my arms and studied the images that appeared.

  It looked like a collection of buildings of various rectangular dimensions. Some were wide, others taller. Walkways and bridges connected the buildings to each other. As the image slowly rotated I noticed it was possible to get from one building to every other building by using these bridges.

  Maya sounded confused. “What is this? A new commercial block being planned inside a habitat?”

  Severin shook his head faintly. “No, this is one way to represent our Academy’s information network.”

  I laughed. “This is the school’s computer network?”

  “This is one way to look at it. These buildings represent domains and sub-domains. The floors can be considered levels of data storage. Databases, files, folders, all of it represented as rooms, cabinets, shelves, lockers, and so on.”

  I studied the collection of buildings and noticed one of them lacked windows and floors. It resembled a featureless black box. There was a single bridge connecting it to a larger building.

  I pointed at it. “That black one—the one that looks like a box. What’s in there?”

  “We don’t know.”

  I looked at Severin, and spared the Countess a glance. Now she was sitting on the edge of the desk, swinging her legs slowly. “How can you not know what’s in there? It’s your network, isn’t it?”

  “It’s our Academy’s network. However, we’re not responsible for it. We didn’t design it, and we don’t maintain it. Nor are we in a position to make changes to it.”

  “Huh?”

  Severin enlarged the area around the featureless building. He focused on the point where the lone bridge connected to the black wall. Seven doors stood like dominos on the bridge, as though to prevent access to the black building.

  He said, “These doors represent the seven security layers that prevent access to this part of the network. So far, five of them have been breached. Based on past experience, we expect that Crescent will have little trouble getting through the last two doors.”

  I shook my head, feeling frustrated by the questions beginning to well up in my head. “I still don’t understand how it’s possible that you don’t know what’s in there?”

  Severin sighed. “I said it before. We don’t run the network. We have very little authority over it. That includes the way it is protected, and what people choose to put inside.”

  I pointed at the black building. “But can’t you just ask someone what’s in there?”

  “We did but they’re not telling us. In fact, we’re not getting any support from the network administrators nor any answers from the private consulting firm that implemented this security model.”

  Maya asked, “Why not?”

  The Countess slipped off the desk and walked over to Severin.

  Student Council President and Vice-President stood almost shoulder to shoulder. They regarded each other for a short while before facing us. It was Severin who answered Maya’s question.

  “Everything the Student Council is doing here…is not sanctioned by the members of the Prides responsible for managing the Academy.”

  I heard the mixed reactions from my fellow Familiars.

  The Countess said, “The Powers-that-be are aware of the problem, but they’ve chosen to leave us out in the cold. They’ve chosen not to involve us in the matter. As a result, we’re not able to get any support from them.”

  Severin added, “Everything we’ve done has been without express approval. This includes enlisting the help of various trusted clubs within the Academy, and bringing the four of you together.”

  I asked guardedly, “Then why do it?”

  Severin answered, “Because it’s our Academy, and the Student Council has a responsibility to ensure that our Academy is safe, and that its students and teachers are not placed in harm’s way.”

  I muttered bluntly, “That’s rather benevolent of you.”

  Severin arched his eyebrows at me.

  The Countess cut in smoothly. “However, while we don’t have their express permission, the Powers-that-be haven’t done anything to stop us except refusing to answer our questions, and refusing to supply us with the resources we request.”

  I frowned. “That’s a little odd. It’s like they’ve put you in a box but are letting you run around freely inside it.”

  Severin and the Countess l
ooked bemused at my remark, then shared another long look.

  The Countess shrugged. “I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

  Severin looked uncomfortable but appeared to agree. “To all intents and purposes, the Powers-that-be have decided that there’s little we can do about the situation. So for now, all we can do is wait and see how they react to the four of them being brought together.”

  The Countess looked uneasy. “Perhaps they’re waiting to see what solution we come up with.”

  Maya asked, “You mean this is a test? The people in authority over this school are using this situation to test us and the Student Council?”

  “Quite possibly,” Severin said, “or they’re simply ignoring us because they’re too busy with matters on their end. Put simply, we don’t know what they’re thinking or what they’re doing to stop Crimson Crescent.” He shrugged heavily. “For all we know, they could have given up.”

  The Countess spoke quickly. “However, we of the Student Council have decided we’re not going to let them have their way. Neither the Powers-that-be nor Crimson Crescent. We will not tolerate Crescent setting foot in our Academy—period.”

  I shared an uneasy look with Caprice.

  Going it alone against Crimson Crescent?

  She gave me the faintest of shrugs.

  Severin’s next words caught me by surprise. “That being said, while we have the consent of your Guardians to enlist your help, we cannot order you to help us. We can only ask for your help.”

  I frowned. “Are you saying we can choose to walk away from all this?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Your Guardians have left the final decision in your hands.”

  Maya whispered, “My mother is letting me decide?”

  The Countess nodded sagely. “She is indeed. The choice of whether to help us or not lies with you. We will not hold it against you if you choose to walk away.”

  I studied the slowly revolving image of the Academy’s computer network. The black building or box kept drawing my attention, as did the blinking domino doors at the end of the bridge.

  I took a deep breath and shoved my hands into my trouser pockets. “I have no love for Crimson Crescent. I’d gladly screw up their plans. Count me in.”

  Caprice said quietly, “If he’s in, then so am I.”

  The girl, Rina Sayen, shrugged as she wrapped her arms protectively about her. “I don’t know what help I can be, but I’ll do what I can…if you’ll have me.”

  In the corner of my eye, I saw Maya Khayman stare at the carpeted floor. She was shaking her head slowly. “I don’t know what my mother’s thinking, but I think she’d want me to help. So I’ll do what I can to protect this school. Besides, my younger sister is here. Even if I’m a disappointment to my family and to her”—she looked up and stared at the Countess—“I no longer want to be a disappointment to myself.”

  The President and Vice-President stared at the four of us for a long while before bowing respectfully and thanking us.

  I almost took a step back, shocked to be treated this way by two Aventis. Actually I was more than shocked. I felt a little repulsed.

  Why the Hell are Aventis acting so respectful to us?

  Maya looked uncomfortable at first, then bitterly turned away.

  Rina looked embarrassed and continued to hug herself.

  Caprice was staring at the President and the Countess through narrow eyes.

  She spoke in her customary flat voice. “What do you want us to do the next Crimson Crescent invades this Academy?”

  The Countess folded her arms. “We want you to let them break in.”

  I saw Caprice stare at the mysterious black box. “So that you can learn what’s inside?”

  Severin and the Countess nodded guiltily.

  “And then what?” she asked. “Will you instruct us to move against Crimson Crescent’s operative?”

  Severing answered her. “Yes. If the opportunity presents itself, we’d like you to apprehend them—”

  “—and steal their Fragment,” the Countess declared.

  Everyone looked at her, including the President.

  With a cunning smile, she admitted, “I know the Powers-that-be will not allow us to keep it, but I’d like us to be the ones to steal it from Crimson Crescent. It might gain us some goodwill points with the Powers-that-be.”

  I burst into laughter, which earned me a kaleidoscope of looks ranging from confused to annoyed. “You want us to steal the Fragment for you.”

  The smile on the Countess’s lips widened.

  Caprice muttered, “Assuming we can capture the intruder….”

  The Countess waved a hand lightly. “I have no doubt you can do it.”

  I gave the other two Familiars a flat look, and turned down the corners of my mouth. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I’m completely serious,” Simone claimed.

  “Are our Handlers aware of this?” Caprice asked.

  I grimaced inwardly when she used the term ‘Handler’.

  The Aventis preferred to call them Guardians. In fact, Severin and the Countess had been referring to them as Guardians all along.

  Our Guardian was Arisa since she was responsible for us, and was ultimately accountable for our actions. That included any successes and failures. But I felt referring to her as our ‘Handler’ was somewhat demeaning to her and to us.

  Arisa was one Aventis I felt I could trust.

  However, I realized Caprice was making our relative social ranking clear by doing this.

  Simone looked offended but recovered her composure a heartbeat later. “Yes. Your Guardians have agreed to the terms.”

  Severin cut in smoothly. “Consider this a test. A demonstration of how well you can work together. A demonstration of trust.” He smiled thinly. “Of course, if you fail to apprehend the intruder we’ll all be held responsible.”

  I snorted. “We go down, you go down.”

  “Unfortunately,” he agreed.

  I exhaled loudly and looked up at the dimly lit ceiling. “Well then, I guess it can’t be helped. We’ll just have to nab the intruder and steal their Fragment.” I had a sudden thought, and looked down at the Countess. “Assuming we capture this individual and you get the Fragment, do we get a prize for our hard work?”

  The Countess looked puzzled. “A prize?”

  I nodded. “Yep.”

  I heard Caprice sigh loudly, as though she were an inflatable doll that had just been punctured.

  “Dear gods,” she muttered. “You’re not serious are you?”

  “But I haven’t said anything yet,” I began to protest.

  “You don’t have to. I know you well enough,” she retorted despondently, dropping her emotionless persona in the process.

  “Ara ara, could it be?” Simone crossed her arms, but then chose to tap her lips with a fingernail. “Well, at least you’re easy to satisfy.”

  “But I haven’t asked for anything yet,” I stated.

  Simone stopped tapping her lips. “Ara ara, are you saying you don’t want a prize?”

  “I haven’t said that either.”

  She gave me a smile full of regret. “I’m sorry, Caelum, but I can’t give you the prize you desire.”

  I kept my eyes on her face. “You can’t?”

  She shook her head. “I cannot.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I make it a habit…not to wear any.”

  My mouth fell open. “You mean, you’re not wearing underwear?”

  She dropped her hands to her skirt. “Would you like to see?”

  I raised my hands and waved them quickly. “No, no it’s quite alright. I’ll take your word for it. Please, don’t lift your skirt.”

  Simone laughed and calmly folded her arms under her breasts.

  I glanced at the room’s other occupants.

  Severin regarded me as though I’d just confirmed his worst opinion of me.

  Maya considered me akin to toxic waste.
>
  Rina had tears of shame in her eyes.

  Caprice gave me a dead pan look as her emotionless persona slipped back into place.

  I tried pleading for leniency. “But I didn’t do anything.”

  Severin Kell cleared away the holovid and the room’s lighting returned to normal. “I think we should end things here for now,” he announced dispiritedly.

  The Countess smiled brightly as she said, “In that case, Caelum. Would you be so kind as to help me out with an errand?”

  I gave her wary look. “An errand?”

  She nodded while continuing to smile. “Yes. It won’t take long.”

  Reflections – 5.

  It wasn’t the blood of an Aventis that made me stronger.

  It was the parts of the Symbiote swimming around in it that gave me a ‘power up’.

  Described simply, the Symbiote is like a thread that winds itself through every nook and cranny in the human body. Maybe it’s more accurate to describe it like a vine that has access to almost ninety seven percent of the body’s internals. As result it’s able to heal injuries quickly, and fight off disease, bacteria and viruses well before the human body is even aware of the dangers lurking within.

  The Symbiote has an innate understanding of what’s harmful to a human.

  It’s almost like an immune system built upon our immune systems. What the human body knows, it knows. On many occasions it actually knows better, and prevents the body from stupidly harming itself.

  In short, without the Symbiote life is a lot tougher.

  Aventis, humans that are receptive to the Symbiote, get its full benefits.

  Regulars, those that aren’t receptive to the entity, get to live life the hard way. It’s not to say modern medical science doesn’t play a hand in helping Regulars out. Injuries can be healed almost as quickly, but it requires specialized equipment or specially cultivated healing agents.

  The Symbiote handles all the repair work the human body needs.

  It also makes humans incredibly strong compared to a Regular individual. As such, an Aventis can recover from physical punishment that would land a Regular in hospital.

  I’ve said all this before, but what I want to clarify is that it’s the elements of the Symbiote swimming around in an Aventis’s bloodstream that bring about a Familiar’s true strength.