by Riker Kane
Higashi crossed his legs and leaned back in his seat. He stayed staring at me but I was more focused on how flavorful the turkey in my sandwich was.
“The gauntlets appear to have been rendered useless,” he said. “The engineers are examining them but they’re not giving an energy signature. It doesn’t appear they’ll be able to salvage them.”
“That’s a shame. I guess the Slayer Project is officially over.”
“You have no idea. What you did was foolish, reckless, irresponsible, short-sighted, and selfish.”
“Is that all?”
“It was also dangerous. The Legion has been studying Pandora for more than forty years. With the recent appearance of the Heralds and now your foray into Anarchy, you’ve drawn the ire of those who threaten us directly. It’s likely those who threaten to destroy us will ramp up their efforts to make sure we can’t make any advancements.”
“The others… That’s who Lynx was talking about.”
“That seems the most reasonable assumption. Since you are responsible for what happened to Pandora and the subsequent increase of the threat level, you must face appropriate repercussions. You and your companions will serve one-year in federal prison.”
My heart sank a little. Not because of the jail time. I would’ve spent the rest of my life behind bars if it meant seeing my father again. But Jade and Alisa and Redgrave… I couldn’t let that happen.
“I understand,” I said. “I deserve it. But not the others. They were along for the ride. I convinced them to do it.”
“They’re all old enough to know the consequences for their actions. You do understand why unauthorized ventures into Pandora are prohibited, don’t you? If word of this were to get out, certain individuals all over the world would attempt to do the same. We can’t have people attempting to be ‘vigilantes’ unmonitored in Pandora.”
“Jade… She’s a real Omega. She’s only doing what she thought was right. Alisa wanted to do her part, too. Just like everybody else who wants to become a part of the Legion. And Redgrave… You already know about all of his contributions.”
“I’m well-aware of what he’s done. It’s the reason his sentence isn’t more severe.” Higashi got up from his seat and straightened his tie.
I thought about begging but I was too tired. That and I knew pleading with a man like him wouldn’t do anything except feed his ego.
“Enzo.” His tone had changed suddenly into something more relaxed. I wasn’t even sure it was the same man talking to me. “I meant everything I said about what you did. But there is no denying what you accomplished either. You did something nobody at your level has ever done before. Dr. Redgrave mapped a path for you and you ventured through it without hesitation. You might not realize it. You might even resent it. But every Shadow you defeated was helpful to our cause.”
I realized it but I didn’t resent it. I was more indifferent than anything else.
“I’ve spoken to the others in charge,” he continued. “Because of your actions, we’re willing to temporarily suspend your sentence. The same for your companions.”
A guy like Higashi never gave someone something without there being some strings attached.
“What’s the catch?”
“The catch is you never do something like this again.”
I smirked at the thought. “I think my days in Pandora are done.”
“Just because you can no longer be the Slayer doesn’t mean you don’t have something to offer. The Legion will gladly take you in and allow you the opportunity to become an Omega… But perhaps it’s for the best that you’re not interested in continuing in a different capacity.”
Higashi already knew the response I was gonna give him, so he didn’t bother waiting for it.
“In the meantime, you’ll have a day to recover before you’re transported back to Newmire. Feel free to make use of the facilities in the Central Square.”
“How about you, Higashi? What are you gonna do now?”
“I have a lot of work to catch up with at the other Districts. Rest assured I am as vigilant as anybody associated with the Legion.”
Higashi moved back to the door and it slid open. He paused for a second before taking a step back to let the door close.
“Something wrong?” I said.
He didn’t respond immediately. Something was up. Judging from our conversation, I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. But he didn’t seem upset.
“Off the record, if it was my daughter who was trapped in Anarchy, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to get to her. I understand why you did what you did. I’m sorry you weren’t able to save him.”
Higashi was as serious as always. There was still some compassion in his eyes though. I couldn’t see why someone like him would lie about something like this. So I could be honest with him, too.
“His name was Oliver Drake,” I said. “He was an Omega. Do you remember Oliver Drake?”
“I do.”
“You make sure you tell as many people as possible. Let ‘em know what he did for the Legion, for the entire world, for humanity. How he put everybody else ahead of himself. How he took the risk nobody else was willing to take.”
“I’ll see to that. But he wasn’t the only one willing to take the risk. There was another Slayer who came after him.” He smiled as much as he could before bowing his head and finally leaving.
Things weren’t nearly as bad as they could have been. The others were safe. Higashi wasn’t that pissed. The gauntlets were gone but at least I made it to him.
I polished off the rest of my sandwich and smiled knowing I’d done as much as I could.
48: Clarity
Even though my detainment was still official and the guards were keeping an eye on me, the atmosphere was a lot more relaxed than usual. I didn’t know if Higashi was in charge but he had enough power to make sure nobody messed with me while I was here at the Vegas District.
Not that I cared too much about starting any trouble. The sooner I got back to Newmire, the sooner I could go back to the ordinary life waiting for me.
I left my holding cell with an escort of guards and made my way over to some place called the ARC. Judging from the fancy treadmills and swimming pools, I figured it was some kinda gym. It was empty, since all of the Omegas were on leave at the moment. That meant I had the entire place to myself.
But a workout was the last thing on my mind. Even after napping for a few hours and getting my injuries healed, my trip to Anarchy left me more fatigued than anything. I felt like I did back when I was a fighter.
I knew the perfect place to recover after a fight was in a nice warm spa. The ARC had exactly what I was looking for.
Inside the small pool of water, I sank into my seat and enjoyed it all. The jets massaging my back and pressing the warm water against me. The steam rising and clearing my lungs. The room was small and might’ve been the most ordinary place in this whole LOD facility. I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else.
My head fell back as I looked up toward the clear ceiling. The sky was bright and blue as a few clouds drifted by. My eyes closed on their own. The soft bells and chimes over the speakers made it even more relaxing.
“Nothing like a jacuzzi to ease the pain away…”
“I know.”
My eyes shot open to see Jade standing at the entrance of the small room. She had a towel in her hand but nothing else. The black bikini she wore didn’t leave much to the imagination. Her top was barely managing to keep her breasts from spilling out with how hefty they were. Her slim, fit frame on display, she showed off just how long her legs were. Smooth, pale skin covered every inch of her. There was some definition on her stomach. You couldn’t avoid having some muscle as an Omega.
“It’s good to see you,” she said. “I’m glad you’re all right.”
“Yeah,” I sighed. “I’m glad you made it, too.”
She dipped her toe in the water of the small pool and gently lowered herself in. She kept h
er eyes locked on me the entire time, giving me a seductive stare I didn’t acknowledge. Or maybe it was just because of how foxy here eyes were.
“So… This is what it’s like to be an Omega?” I said. “You go through Junctions then you get to relax in pools like this. I can’t remember the last time I was in a jacuzzi this comfortable.”
“The LOD takes care of every Omega. It only makes sense they would give them a place to relax like this. I was told this ARC in particular was only recently constructed. The size of the pool. The temperature of the water. The sounds coming from the speakers. Even the view above. Everything was specifically tailored for maximum recovery. And if anybody needs recovery, I think you would be the one.”
Thoughts of Anarchy lingered in my mind but I bit my tongue. Jade seemed to understand as she just sat across from me without saying a word. She splayed her arms out and held the edge of the pool as her head rocked back. The steam rose and covered her but left her chest and face exposed.
My eyes started to close again when a voice came from the entrance.
“Hey!”
I opened my eyes to see Alisa skipping across the side of the room. The blond had her hair tied up in a bun, her black bikini matching Jade’s. She was shorter than Jade, so she didn’t have the same long-limbed look as her. But Alisa’s body was as athletic as it was petite.
She splashed into the water between Jade and me and took another side of the square-shaped pool of water.
“Ungh… This feels so good… It’s so hot. So relaxing… I wish I had one of these back home.”
“If you become an Omega, you can use this thing every day if you want,” Jade said.
“Become an Omega just to use the springs… There’s an idea. I’ll have to consider it.”
Jade and Alisa giggled at one another. I was too tired to react though the sight of them both smiling and uninjured was nice to see.
“I think it’d be a little weird though,” Alisa said.
“What do you mean?” Jade asked.
“It’s just us three right now. But aren’t there usually hundreds of Omegas in a District. These springs are barely big enough to hold four people. I figure they’d get pretty crowded.”
“Everybody gives one another space. It’s never been a problem.”
“Not to mention all the men and women coming in and out. Can’t imagine the people running this place encourages all the hanky-panky. I’d say that’s a hell of a distraction.”
Jade laughed and nodded. “In some cases, it’s just the opposite.”
The way Alisa’s eyes widened you’d think she just got told she won the lottery. “Really?”
“Think about it. Most Omegas are recruited when they’re fresh out of high school. Young teens. Twenty-somethings who are young enough to be in college. Fraternization is inevitable. And what better way to relax?”
“I can see your point. Didn’t think it’d be encouraged though. I mean, I just waltzed right in here. What’s to stop some guy from coming in and bothering me when I don’t wanna deal with him?”
“There are separate men’s and women’s springs. There are safeguards put in place to prevent access and maintain privacy. Since Enzo was the first one to arrive, it was up to him to stop us. It appears Enzo here had intentions of letting us come in.”
“Ha!” I scoffed. “Like I knew how things work around here. All I wanted was to sit in a pool of warm water, let these jets massage my back, and forget about everything that happened for a second before they ship us back to Newmire. I think I’ve earned a moment of peace.”
“A moment of peace.” Alisa grinned at me. It was the kinda grin you gave someone when you were up to something. “Since this is the last time we’ll be together in a District, I say we make the most of it.”
I would’ve asked her what was on her mind if it wasn’t so obvious.
She floated the short distance across the water right next to me and put her face to mine. Alisa forced her tongue into my mouth like she was trying to lick my throat. She might’ve been smaller than me but she acted like she was stronger.
“I suppose an accomplished mission deserves its reward.” Jade slowly moved toward me until she was on my left side, opposite from Alisa. “And you definitely accomplished your mission, Enzo.”
I turned away from Alisa toward Jade. Compared to Alisa, Jade’s kiss was soft and gentle. She’d lick my tongue with hers but pull away, teasing me just enough to make me move my face forward in search of more.
“You think the guards are still watching us?” Alisa asked. “They could come in at any moment.”
I looked over at her and smirked. “Would that stop you?”
She didn’t say anything. Her mischievous grin said enough. Her blue eyes stayed locked on me as she reached underneath the water. A pair of shorts were all I had on, so it wasn’t much trouble for her to reach inside. With two girls pressing their warm, tight bodies against me, it was hard not to get my own body to react. I was already swollen and firm enough for Alisa to pump her hand around me.
Alisa worked her fingers on me like she’d done it before. She coiled around me, squeezing me with just enough pressure but not so hard it was painful. One hand on me, she worked her other hand behind her back to remove her top and reveal a small pair of breasts. My hand gripped one of them completely. Probably a B-cup.
While Alisa moaned as we had our hands one another, Jade leaned forward and trailed wet kisses along my neck until she was nibbling on my ear.
“I want you… Now…” Her whispers warmed the side of my face and made me even firmer in Alisa’s hand.
Jade didn’t even bother trying to ask me. She slipped out of her bottoms in the blink of an eye and her top was gone just as fast. Her swollen breasts were pale, matching the rest of her body.
“You’re a lot bigger than I thought you’d be.” Alisa stared wide-eyed at Jade’s chest.
“I try to keep everything close,” Jade said with a giggle. “It’s hard to fight when everything’s moving around… But now I’m free to let everything move around.”
“I’ve got him right where you want him.”
Alisa stopped stroking and held my length pointed up. Jade climbed into my lap and gripped my shoulders. We stared into one another’s eyes as she lowered herself down.
“Almost there.” Alisa guided me into her. First my tip was in Jade’s folds. That was enough for Jade to move down completely.
My whole body jerked from the tightness wrapping around me. My hands reached up and gripped Jade’s chest, holding the mounds of flesh like they would help me brace myself.
Jade leaned her head back and began riding me. Her rhythm was slow but she made me feel all of her. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down. The water splashed gently around us.
“Look at you…” Alisa put her hand on my chin and made me face her. “This is the only time I’ve seen you in such agony.”
I wasn’t in a position to argue. Jade felt so damn good I was definitely making a face.
“Yeah… Just like that…” Jade sighed as she leaned back and increased her pace. I lowered my hands to see her firm breasts heaving to her own rhythm. Her black locks were wet, swaying back and forth over the water as she pushed herself even harder.
Her hands gripped my shoulders tighter like she was trying not to fall off. I squeezed her waist and started driving my hips up and into her, trying to push her to an end I knew she was near. Our bodies slammed together beneath the water. I worked furiously until she suddenly seized up on me.
Jade’s violent spasms made her tighten around me. Her mouth hung open but nothing came out. Her moans caught in her throat until finally piling up enough to force their way out. She let out a stream of whimpers as she convulsed. I held her through her orgasm until she finally sank on top of me.
Her face red and wet, Jade fought back a grin as she leaned forward with a kiss to seal our moment together.
“My turn.” Alisa stood up and lowered her bottoms
. A smooth mound with a pink slit just underneath looked as appetizing as anything I’d ever seen. She turned around and leaned over the edge of the water, presenting a perfectly pear-shaped backside for me to take control of. Alisa pointed her ass at me without any shame. And that just made me more eager to give her what she wanted.
Jade climbed off of me and floated to the other side of the small pool. She leaned back with her arms splayed out. “I’ll just watch, if you don’t mind.”
I didn’t need Jade’s approval but she gave it to me anyway. It was just more motivation for me.
I moved right behind Alisa and gripped her waist.
She turned around and smirked. “Be gentle.”
I paused for a moment, not sure I’d heard her right. “Are you serious?”
“Of course not.” She stuck her tongue out at me. “Do I look like the kinda girl who—Ahhh!”
Alisa shut up when I plunged into her tight folds. Her groan was followed by a giggle full of delight.
I rammed into her without any remorse. I didn’t hold back. I just squeezed my hands around her tiny waist and thumped into her. My hilt clapped against her tight, firm ass. The water splashing around us made the sound of our bodies even louder.
“Yeah! Just like that! Harder!”
Alisa had no shame at all. She was demanding and begging all at the same time.
“Harder!”
She screamed it out, pleading with me to give it to her.
I pushed myself to try and meet her needs as well as mine. Every moan. Every whimper. Every plea. I moved harder and faster with every thrust.
My hips worked like a jackhammer and Alisa could do nothing but take it.
The sight of her tan, petite body in front of me was enough to make me fall over the edge. But I held on long enough to force Alisa into her orgasm first.
“Ahh….” She held back her moan as she started to shake. Spasms made her tremble in my grip but I only squeezed harder to make sure she didn’t fall off of me.
The blond kept writhing underneath, squealing like she was trying to break free before falling over the edge of the pool defeated.
“Oh… Enzo…” she sighed as she turned around. Blue eyes full of satisfaction, that devious grin of hers hadn’t gone away.
