Keiko rose softly from her slumber into the waking world thanks to the natural mimicry of the shrine. The sunrise and bird calls were soothing to her resting senses. She was facing the ceiling and both of her hands were free of Seth's hold. The mercenary was found on his side as she turned his way, his back towards her. It was an unprecedented moment of vulnerability on his part.

"My first night with a man," Keiko whispered with a hint of self reproach, unafraid of the slightly warm feeling developing in her chest as she watched his resting body.

"And much to my distress you're still fully clothed," came Seth's sleep shrouded voice. She growled at him.

"Do you ever stop?"

"On occasion, my lady," he replied, rolling over to face her and removing the comforter from his body. She was surprised to see him looking at her seriously. "Are you well? Were there nightmares?"

"I...there may have been. I don't recall," she replied after a moment of contemplation. She was looking at his stubble. "I'm fine, Seth."

"My lady is sure?"

"I am. You have morning breath," she informed him with a cute smile. Seth breathed out through his nose, pushing himself upright and inclining his head in apology.

"I apologise for assaulting you with my commoners' breath," he joked, back to his usual self now that he'd confirmed Keiko was past the worst of the immediate aftermath. Her eyes followed him while drinking in his form, clad in a basic pair of boxer briefs and an undershirt.

"You've already done far worse, mercenary. You held my hand," Keiko accused, narrowing her eyes playfully.

"I would do so again in a heartbeat, especially if you prove capable of such exquisite murder. Now don't give me that look, my lady. Your visage was much more appealing when you were taking your time with the...male form." Seth threw her a final smirk before retreating to the shower, leaving Keiko gaping after him.

"That human is just-" her inevitable disparagement was halted as a small indicator appeared on her lens. She had a message...from Seth's program. Opening it, she saw that the missive was intended for Seth, though she'd received a copy thanks to how she'd acquired the application. Unable and unwilling to respect Seth's privacy, she opened it immediately.

Seth, Alex was great as always. That cat really knows how to work a girl's ass. I almost passed out when he came. Speaking of ass, that piece of ass that was sitting in your lap seems to have the golden touch...or the golden gun. Too sensitive to discuss over the net. I'm coming over now. I know it's late but don't eat breakfast. Kisses. -Sybela

Upon his return, Seth found Keiko sitting upright in shock, the telltale look of someone staring at their lens on her face. He checked his quickly as a look of exasperation came over him. "Ah, I see. You have my sincerest apologies, Lady Keiko. As you can tell Sybela doesn't turn it off...ever," he lamented.

"Does she always inform you of her escapades?" Keiko asked, sneaking a final glance as Seth threw on his pants. He didn't turn back to her.

"Ever since I failed to satisfy her. It's something of a game to her at this point, I believe," he replied roughly. Keiko's ears wilted. He turned back and their eyes met. Anger bubbled in his chest. "Spare me your pity, my lady. I'm the last of a proud race, or so you say. Though I should have expected such discussions would only intrigue you. What is it? Snuck into the harem a few times too many?"

Keiko glared right back. "And saw things you'd never believe, mercenary...but I'm sorry. Whatever happened to Sybela that's not fair to you."

"And that is the absolute last thing I need, the princess of Alhamkara inserting herself into team dynamics," he insisted hotly, only to have her snap right back at him.

"Fine, I get it! Just keep on killing people and wilting like a flower every time that size queen of a rabbit gets reamed! What kind of human are you?! How am I supposed to help you kill those bastards if you shut me down over something as stupid as what I assume is a one night stand? Agh, why do I even care about you and her?!" Keiko shouted, more at herself than at him. Seth watched her intently as she stood to take her turn in the bathroom, his eyes wide with surprise.

"It seems Alhamkara's pride and joy, on the other hand, is no wilting flower," he remarked once he was alone. Behind the wall Keiko had her head in her hands, groaning in embarrassment.

"What am I doing?!" She wondered, not quite willing to admit that even her verbal sparring matches with Seth were getting her heart beating. That didn't change the fact that the rabbit in question was coming for breakfast. "Guess I'd better get ready for that woman."

Keiko took time to recenter herself, washing her face and ensuring that her fur hadn't matted during the night. When she was satisfied with her appearance she pulled her nightgown over her head, turning her naked body slowly in front of the mirror and slightly adjusting her various piercings. "I wonder if Seth has a camera in here," she murmured, feeling her hips cock and her chest push outward at the thought of intimidating him yet again with her bare body. She delighted in the momentary fantasy of a lady of the harem, the eyes of powerful and famous men enraptured by her form. It was hard to believe that for all his competence Seth might be a disappointment in the bedroom, but after reflecting on the last couple of days Keiko admitted it was a possibility. Everyone had something to hide. "Ugh, look at me. So eager to be away from that stuffy palace that I'm contemplating the love life of that wolf. Pull yourself together, Keiko. This is all about the mnyama."

After quickly cleaning her teeth Keiko smiled for the mirror, happy to find that Seth had splurged a bit and purchased a model that had low intensity UV tech installed. She knew she was being a tad vain, but even in front of a mercenary like Seth she wanted to ensure her breath was fresh and her teeth were presentable. After all, unlike his they featured quite prominently in her mouth. That and she absolutely intended to give no ground to that bunny. Talented as she undoubtedly was, she'd done nothing but doubt Seth and her. The human, on the other hand, had shown her trust and an extraordinary amount of openness given the situation. Despite his anger he'd stayed with her the night before and helped her execute her impromptu plan to rescue Savannah and get Octavia a message. For that morning, at least, Keiko knew whose side she was on. After dressing herself, taking another calming breath, and standing straight, she turned and headed for the main room. She was surprised to find Seth standing there, waiting for her with a conservative posture.

"I owe you an apology, my lady," he said, meeting her eyes bravely.

"Seth?"

"I allowed a bad personal memory to cloud my judgment. Integrating you into my team is exactly what I desire, and something I hope you will accept. Sybela might be hardest and I wish you could meet Talon or Argos first, but they…"

"We'll explain together when the time comes. And for what it's worth, Seth, I'm sorry too," Keiko replied, unwilling to remain mad after his sincere apology.

"My lady? You've done nothing wrong," he insisted. Keiko worried her hands together and adopted a modest tone. Something had been bothering her since the night before, other than murder.

"I called you a human fetishist when you first took me here. That couldn't be further from the truth. I don't understand your relationship to your own people or what's left of them, but this shrine is delightful now that I've had the time to appreciate it a bit. And after seeing what Savannah did to herself...I know where the real evil lies when it comes to exploiting the image of the human divine," she finished on a hard note. Seth nodded.

"I maintain you owe me less than nothing, Lady Keiko, but I humbly accept your apology. Shall we have tea while we await breakfast?" He suggested. She smiled.

"That sounds nice, actually. Would you like some help?" Her question seemed to catch Seth off guard, but he nodded with a slight smirk.

"I could use some company while watching the water boil; dreadfully boring that is."

-----

When Sybela opened the door to the shrine, bag full of breakfast swaying from her paw, she found the two of them sitting cross legged and blissfully sipping green tea at Seth's small table. They looked like a couple. Her mouth felt dry.

"Should I come back later?" She asked sarcastically, prompting Seth to turn to face her. The wild dog with the wild eyes was already staring her down. "What the fuck happened to your face, Seth?"

"I happened to his face, something he very much deserved in the moment. And after last night I think you've done plenty of running away...and 'cumming'. Seth and I could use some breakfast. Sit down already." Keiko fired the first shot, watching as Sybela's large ears, one of which featured two red glowing hoops, twitched indignantly. Eventually the rabbit smiled. The look on the princess' face told her she knew it was forced. "I got your message, Sybela. I'm glad that jaguar didn't turn you inside out. Seemed a nice enough fellow I suppose."

The albino rabbit's pale ears developed a distinctive flush as she sat down at the head of the table, presenting her peace offering to Seth. "Should have known better than trying to verbally spar with the princess of Alhamkara. And I guess we'll just ignore the fact that she's reading your mail, monkey. You hungry?" She asked, withdrawing all manner of containers from the bag.

"Oh American! It's been so long!" Keiko exclaimed, laying eyes on scrambled eggs, toast, sausage, bacon, and pancakes with small containers of artificial syrup.

"Seth, what's she talking about?" Sybela asked in confusion, glancing at the human.

"You should do your homework, Sybela. It's the country and people that apparently pioneered the concept of a hearty breakfast. While not particularly complex, the cuisine seems to have eventually gained popularity among even the culture of those who developed this planet, if only as a curiosity. Thanks, by the way."

"Don't mention it," Sybela replied, leaving discussion of the finer points of humanity to the human himself and the seemingly knowledgeable princess. All that mattered to Sybela was the fact that he'd saved her ass that one night. "I uh…should probably apologize."

"Oh? You, apologize? Do tell," Seth requested eagerly, a glance at Keiko confirming that apologizing was not something the lagomorph did often.

"Cram it, you furless oddball. Princess, how'd you know that girl was wrapped up with the Oro's genetic experiments?" Sybela asked curiously. Keiko's ears stood on end, a bit of pancake hanging from her fork inches from her mouth.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"That woman, the one you 'saved' last night. The cheetah girl. How'd you know?" Sybela tried again.

"What was I supposed to know?" Keiko queried earnestly with a tilt of the head, causing the jackrabbit to throw her head back in exasperation.

"Seriously?! Seth, she's luckier than my foot, maybe both feet!" Sybela exclaimed.

The mercenary finally spoke, having dug right into the meal. He'd already devoured a sausage and a couple of eggs. He pointed his fork at her. "Stop with your roundabout nonsense and tell us, Sybela. You know you're here to synthesize all the crazy shit out there on the net, not make riddles about it."

"Ooh, grown some balls now that the princess has shared your bed?" Sybela teased.

Seth was about to turn away but Keiko's foot touched his leg under the table, she smiled at him. "He's surprisingly proven to be quite the gentleman, with a gentle touch. I also didn't see you killing any mnyama scum last night, Sybela."

"Not my job," the rabbit deflected.

"Then stop beating around the bush and do yours!" Keiko snapped, brandishing another plastic fork full of eggs at her. "I won't presume to know what happened between you and Seth, but right now I care much more about breakfast and whatever is going on with the Oro than your inability to be satisfied by anything other than an oversized, barbed cock knocking your organs about."

"Don't you have servants or something to tell you not to speak like a commoner?" Sybela barely managed to reply. Keiko pressed on for the kill.

"I find it liberating. Not to mention the victory of having my counterpart change the subject. Don't presume to know what being a princess of Alhamkara really means, Sybela," she finished, taking a large bite of sausage and throwing the rabbit a wink. Her stomach was positively buzzing with excitement and embarrassment at engaging in such lewd banter. Sybela shook her head in resignation.

"Fine, I concede. Let's just eat, yeah? I'll fill you all in fully after we're done. Seth...we may need to bring Talon and Argos up to speed. I think Octavia is going to move on this one," Sybela warned, spreading jam on toast and taking a bite. Seth nodded but said nothing, clearly thinking through scenarios behind his distracted eyes. Keiko's mind wandered as well, worried for the Sekhama if they went hot into hostile territory.

-----

"So based on the logs from Talon, that girl made it to the palace with her kids just around midnight. He spotted Octavia about five minutes later and ended the mission. Now watch this," Sybela instructed, directing their attention to a holographic projector that she'd paired to the various electronic devices embedded in her skin. After a couple of touches against the slim panel in her left wrist, a stylized model of the local Alhamkara network appeared. She pointed to a highlighted cluster surrounded by thick barriers.

"This here is your home, princess. What I'm showing you now is normal traffic, before that girl made it inside. And yes, the palace is subject to that level of cyber attack on a regular basis. Whatever else you want to say about the Sekhama's net techs, they play damn good defense. See there? Ooh, that was a good one. Anyone on the other side of that hack just got a face full of terminal shrapnel!"

"Sybela!" Seth cut in, motioning that she return to the subject at hand. Keiko looked uncertain at the rabbit's description of certain palace countermeasures. "I assure you, my lady, anyone attempting that sort of breach deserves a bit of facial reconstruction."

"What he said," Sybela agreed, much more friendly with Seth now that they were discussing an operation. "I'm going to roll it forward now. Check this out." As Sybela guided the display they watched as a sudden explosion of traffic emanated from the palace. "Let's overlay the capital, shall we?" Sybela sang happily, projecting a three dimensional model of the city atop the network map.

"Oh, Talon is going to love this one," Seth mused, seeing that the vast majority of outgoing traffic was terminating in a cluster of buildings in a slum adjacent to the corporate district. The rest of the attacks targeted one of the nearby skyscrapers. "Those lines of sight will be juicy."

"Juicy?!" Keiko demanded as Sybela laughed.

"Juicy as in if any mnyama are on those rooftops their heads are going to be split open like ripe melons," the rabbit clarified, enjoying the disgusted look on Keiko's face. Nevertheless the princess injected herself into the discussion.

"How many people can see this, Sybela? Do the Oro know?" She pressed.

"Doubtful. The net is highly fragmented; every corporation and mnyama has their own little pocket in addition to the public infrastructure. It took me and Seth...how long would you say?" She asked, looking at the human.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Six months at least," he supplied.

"Yeah, six months plus to install spikes at enough physical access terminals to assemble this map. Only the Sekhama, the military, and the Wildfire have the kind of resources to maintain full access like this. We had to do it on the cheap and I doubt our spikes will last more than a year or so," Sybela explained. It set Keiko at ease to know the Oro probably didn't know they were being targeted, but the idea of the Wildfire having capabilities on par with the Sekhama was most disconcerting.

"Do you know what that traffic is?" Keiko asked. Sybela shook her head.

"No. If I burrowed in there I'd get a face full of slag too. You ever meet one of their net assassins in person? They're probably more machine than faunum and they can fuck you up six ways to Sunday if you've got any tech they feel like exploiting...and they can get into just about everything." Sybela shuddered as Keiko recalled Idris introducing her to a particular meerkat back when she turned sixteen and began learning about the darker side of the palace's efforts to combat the vile underbelly of the capital. The sheer amount of metal and plastic in his body was the stuff of nightmares. The Commander had explained the authorization for the modifications had taken years.

"But I don't think we really need to get inside to know where Octavia is going to strike," Sybela continued. "There's two targets, this Oro base and the Psygenics Ltd offices. My guess is if the raid comes up with any dirt at all you'll see them frog marching those suits out of their glass tower the next day. Oh, I can't wait to watch the vids, maybe see if Alex wants to play…"

"If the Oro do end up destroyed I think Seth and I might go out for dinner, maybe a movie?" Keiko replied easily, loving the shocked looks on the faces of the two mercenaries. "What? I've never gotten to go to a normal theater."

"I just can't win around her," Sybela lamented, seeing the honest smile on Seth's lips. "Anyway, Seth this traffic died before sunrise. The Sekhama got what they need quickly, probably blueprints, access points, and the like. I've been monitoring the news but there's been no press conferences or royal declarations or anything. I think they're going to risk it."

"Seth!" Keiko implored immediately. He placed a hand comfortingly over hers where it rested on the table.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure your captain is successful, my lady. We may not see eye to eye on many things, but we share the same goal."

"The enemy of my enemy," Keiko whispered. Seth nodded.

"How the hell are you going to break this to Argos and Talon, Seth?" Sybela asked pointedly. "They may not even agree to this."

"Fear not, Sybela. I can assure you they will."

-----

After breakfast had been consumed and enjoyed, complete with Sybela ribbing Seth about the other tied off takeout bags next to the door, the three of them gathered around Seth's terminal as he pinged both Talon and Argos. The tiger's gruff voice was the first to reply.

"I don't like being kept in the dark, Seth. What's going on? We finally getting together?"

The human gave Keiko an apologetic look. "A couple of complications with the princess, nothing more. We'll hit up the Sakura soon enough, but I have another job. This one I think you'll both be interested in."

"Another job? Seth, what the hell was last night all about?" Talon squawked as he joined the call. "I know you're money good, man, but seeing some slut and her kids to the palace? The fuck is with you?"

Sybela had to slap a hand over Keiko's mouth as the wild dog made ready to verbally bite Talon's head off. It was Argos who spoke instead.

"What happened last night, Seth? This isn't like you," Argos insisted in a worried tone. "We've been working together for months, man. Does Sybela know about this?"

"I know," Seth countered patiently. "The abduction of the princess has presented me-"

"He means us, by the way," Sybela cut in sharply. "How you boys doing?"

"Heya buns! Didn't know you and Seth were back together," Talon called. Keiko thought the sniper seemed almost put out by the news.

"We're not back together, you birdbrain! I'm here because Seth is telling the truth. This is a big op, easy job. And the employer...let's just say she's money good too."

"She?" Argos demanded thoughtfully. "Seth, are we working corporate now?"

"Something like that," Seth replied.

"Dude this is bullshit. Give us the details or I'm out!" Talon insisted.

"We're going to aid the Sekhama in killing the entirety of the Oro," Seth snarled. "How's that for details?"

"Seth...what the hell did you get yourself mixed up in? And what about the princess? She's still there with you, right?" Argos eventually asked after a long moment of silence on the channel.

"She's accepted her place, Argos," Seth replied without remorse. "There won't be any issues during the op. As for the job, let's just say our little heist garnered the attention of an idealistic individual with very deep pockets and a...favorable moral compass."

"So what, we're going to kill the people that pay us?" Talon squawked. "Am I the only one who thinks that's insane? Am I insane, Argos?" The tiger gave a disbelieving chuckle.

"You are, but that's not the point. We get paid enough we won't have to work for the mnyama anymore."

"Fuck you man, I thought you were on my side!"

"And you know how I feel about the Sekhama," Argos growled. "Seth, I'm in but no more games, no more secrets. We pull this off and we meet with this employer to take payment, all four of us. Then we go drinking, all four of us."

"You got it, big guy," Seth agreed, shooting Keiko a satisfied look. "Talon, you in?"

"Yeah yeah, I'll be ready. I'm clearly outnumbered here. When do we move?"

"Before dusk. I'll send you the details. Sybela and I are working them out now, monitoring traffic. Be ready to deploy on a moment's notice," Seth advised. Talon and Argos signaled their affirmation and ended the call, leaving the three of them to plan the next move.

"I know my place?" Keiko demanded angrily, cuffing Seth on the back of the head. Sybela copied her and gave the princess a wink.

"Yes I suppose that's only fair," Seth admitted, swatting at Sybela who jumped out of his reach. "I couldn't tell them over comms. They need to see for themselves. At a minimum there will have to be some apologies on my part. I hope you'll be willing to come with us."

"On the op?" Keiko gasped. Sybela laughed and unceremoniously rested a hand on her shoulder.

"No, he means to go drinking after, bit of a tradition we developed. Besides, doesn't matter how flashy you are, you don't have armor or combat training. Leave this one to the professionals, princess."

Keiko was torn between offended anger and begrudging acceptance that she didn't belong on a battlefield. Nevertheless, Seth stepped in to defend her.

"She was more professional than you are in terms of assassination, Sybela. Still don't understand why you took that job to off some Trang'aul all on your own."

"Oh would you shut up about that? You got yourself a net jock out of it!" The rabbit protested.

"He might if you stop bringing up your one night stand," Keiko suggested, watching as the two mercenaries looked away from one another. "My word, I've seen little children more mature than the two of you!"

"None of your business, your majesty," Sybela shot back. Seth just closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. He pushed the conversation forward.

"Sybela, are you going to remain here or head back to the den?"

"I'll be there; I've got everything set up already. Just need to tell it to start looking for anything Oro related, as well as the usual Sekhama stuff. Damn hard to pin down Octavia, but I'll let you know. Princess, it's been a pleasure," Sybela said with some amount of sincerity before gathering her things and leaving.

"She even left us the garbage," Keiko muttered after the door closed. Seth moved to stand beside her.

"It's a good thing she's one of the best net technicians I've ever seen. Makes tolerating her much easier," he admitted.

"Still don't want to talk about it?" Keiko asked, glancing his way.

"Would you want to discuss your sexual failings with a princess, my lady?"

"At least you've had a sexual anything," Keiko retorted, eliciting a bout of coughing from the human. "But enough about that. You're really going to help Commander Octavia? How?"

"Finally, a subject of conversation that won't have anyone's undergarments twisted into knots. Shall we? Perhaps this can be a teaching moment." Seth gestured to the table and they seated themselves anew.

"What do you plan on teaching me?" Keiko asked, allowing her curiosity to show through.

"A bit about how someone like me thinks about a job, decides where or when to act. And if my lady is feeling generous I hoped you might give me some insight into how the Sekhama-"

"I'm sorry Seth, I can't do that. I won't do that," Keiko clarified abruptly. Seth seemed unperturbed. He waved it off casually.

"I had expected as much, my lady. Please, there's no reason to be looking like that."

"I hate how much I want to trust you, Seth," Keiko lamented, finding a pair of sympathetic brown eyes looking back at her.

"It would be easier, wouldn't it?" He agreed. "You feel as though you're among people who are on your side and we get deeply privileged intelligence on the Sekhama."

"You don't need to use that tone, Seth. I understand just how ridiculous that sounds," Keiko replied. They both smiled thinly at one another.

"And so you chose the hard path, as a just ruler must. It matters not, my lady. I will ensure my team is in place before dark. Perhaps you can tell us a story while we wait?"

"Talon and Argos?"

"I suppose they can do without the story...or you can use this," Seth said with a wink, using his own lens to direct her around their team's little program. A handful of options could be found below the icon that allowed one to communicate with the whole team. "You would have to be near my terminal, of course, which I will leave open and partially accessible to you, my lady. That icon you see there will garble your voice. We use it whenever we are in an area of significant hostile network traffic or when we have reason to believe someone is listening on the other side. It is entirely up to you, but I'm never above playing a practical joke on my teammates."

"I'll think about it, Seth," Keiko promised before returning them to the subject at hand. "Will you teach me a bit about what's going to happen tonight?"

"Yes, of course. Pardon the distraction, Lady Keiko." Seth stood and walked over to his armor, rummaging around until he located a holodisc just like Sybela's. He returned and set it on the table before them, taking a moment to drink Keiko in.

"Seth?" Her voice was more curious than anything else. She sounded so pleasant to him in that moment.

"Would a bit of nature be to your liking?"

"I...yes, that sounds nice," she confirmed. At her affirmation Seth fiddled with his lens for a moment and the sounds of the midday savannah surrounded them.

"I have it set to only activate in the morning and evening. It helps with sleep, I find, but should you ever wish it just let me know," he offered. Keiko found herself able to relax a bit, leaning forward on the table and extending her legs.

"Shall we talk, Seth?"

"Let's talk, my lady," Seth agreed, activating his holo and showing her a map of the capital and the surrounding environs. After a few moments of searching he highlighted the palace, a fortified military airfield outside the city limits, the Oro's den, and Psygenics main office. "That should just about do it. Now then, my lady, given that we know Savannah survived, spoke with Octavia, and delivered your message, what do you believe he's likely to do?"

"I told him to act at his discretion, which means he'll do whatever he can to make a raid happen…but…" Keiko trailed off.

"Yes, my lady?"

"How dangerous is this area?" Keiko asked, pointing to the neighborhood that bordered the corporate district. "Idris won't send them into a death trap."

"No, history says he won't...unless the opportunity justifies the risk," Seth clarified.

"What do you mean?"

"Let's check the news, shall we?" Seth suggested, extending his terminal on a metal arm that allowed it to turn and face the table. After a few adjustments he had three separate news broadcasts up, including the palace's, as well as a quadrant of the screen where he threw in a few search terms. "Oh yes, my lady, I believe your Sekhama think they've got a big one on their hands."

"How do you know that?" Keiko demanded, not enjoying how this mercenary seemed to know more about the Sekhama than she did.

"Let's review, shall we? We know thanks to Sybela that the Sekhama infiltrated both Psygenics and the Oro last night. Those taps are not ongoing. We know that, reasonably, your Commander Octavia does not lead stupid raids just to bring back a bunch of mnyama pelts. There will always be more mnyama than Sekhama."

"But the Trang'aul was different, right?"

"Correct, Lady Keiko. All of Alhamkara watched that particular drama unfold. No one, not even the Wildfire would have interfered. Can you imagine the outrage if they had? Trying to stop the Sekhama from retrieving you from the clutches of those dastardly hyenas? The commoners would have opened their homes to the military itself if it meant the Wildfire's destruction."

"Perception is everything," she whispered.

"Precisely, my lady. Today, however, there have been no announcements from the Sekhama. The palace has said nothing other than that the search for you is ongoing. They aren't even announcing that Octavia knows you're alive. For now that appears wise to me, keeps the enemy on edge. After a week or two they will be forced to reveal something as the populace wonders if the Sekhama are impotent."

"I suppose I can understand that," Keiko agreed. "Honestly, Seth, would people be that upset?"

The human gave her an appraising look. "You wish an unvarnished evaluation of yourself?"

"Of course!" She yelped. "My handmaidens only ever say what they think I want to hear, Lyria exempted. As dear as she is to me, she only understands a palace perspective. Now tell me!"

"Many people in this city would die for you, Lady Keiko," Seth told her seriously. "And before you protest, allow me to finish. You've been a public face since you became a woman. You struck out often into your city, if under heavy guard. It's understandable. Many would do you harm and it only takes one to succeed. You advocate tirelessly for the Sekhama, who enjoy a sterling reputation compared to both the police and the military, and you are the reason we can drink the water from our taps again. Every roof, even in the foulest slum, has a durable, easily maintained solar powered purifier thanks to your insistence that funding be diverted from the restoration of various human monuments throughout the nation. For every well to do fanatic you angered, hundreds praise your name for making those blueprints free. Sybela's old corporation even helped install some of them as part of a charity outreach."

"Wait, Sybela used to be corporate?" Keiko asked, her ears already jingling happily as Seth told her of the success of her first real initiative as heir to the throne.

"Yes, and on the way to the top. She was undercut and betrayed. More is not for me to say," Seth said, scratching his chin. "She may be an annoyance, but she values loyalty above all else."

"Alex?" Keiko cocked her brow skeptically. Seth looked remorsefully at the wall.

"So long as her credits are good Alex will always be there and willing to serve her as she requests. He won't get killed in a gang war, he won't meet a mercenary's end, their relationship isn't subject to the thorny intricacies of the heart. He is exactly what she wants."

"And what is it that you want?" Keiko whispered, suddenly yearning to know. His facial expression hardened until it resembled his mask.

"I told you, death and vengeance."

"What does your heart want?" Keiko pressed, narrowing her sunburst eyes at him. "You'll never survive this if you don't want anything afterwards!"

"As I said yesterday, survival isn't-" Seth was cut off as Keiko slammed her fist on the table.

"Shut up! You think Markhan will fall to someone like you?" Keiko yelled. "Why do you think I tried so hard to get the Sekhama access to the harem? I don't care if your answer is something depraved or lacking in sensibility. If I'm going to work with you I need to know that you have the will to not leave me locked up in here and die!" Seth only spoke after a long, stunned silence as the hologram flickered between them.

"We were just speaking about tonight's-"

"Well I'm not! I'm going to be queen of Alhamkara, Seth. Unlike you, apparently, I plan to survive this war you want to fight. I have to think of the long game. Everything you can tell me here today is valuable, but it means nothing if you die and I lose my sword."

"Your sword?" Seth asked, honestly unsure how to reply to the princess's insistence that he was now her instrument. I suppose this is what they refer to as the tables turning.

"Am I wrong, mercenary?" She accused, placing both hands on the table. "An idealistic woman with deep pockets and a flexible moral compass, I believe you said?" He smiled wickedly.

"Indeed. Woe to your enemies the day you ascend to power, my lady."

"I already have power according to you, Seth. You are not leaving this room until you tell me something, anything, that will compel you to come back. I don't care what it is; it could even be-" Keiko brought a hand to her mouth as she realized where her rant was about to take her. Seth's eyes were wide as dinner plates as he finished for her in a panicked voice.

"No my lady, you cannot-"

"Me!" Keiko finished fiercely the moment he told her she couldn't. "Even if it's me. Even if barbaric, human lust for your princess is what gets you back then that's acceptable if you kill them all. Now continue to instruct me, Seth. We've gone on a bit of a tangent."

"I appear to be in far, far over my head," Seth admitted, looking over at his terminal screen to shield him from the gaze of the princess that he felt might shatter him. "As you wish, my lady. There doesn't appear to be any attempt by the palace to influence public opinion regarding the Oro or Psygenics. Given what we've already discussed why do you think that might be?"

Keiko tapped a finger against her lips for a long while before replying. "This isn't really even about the Oro, is it?"

"I'm inclined to agree, my lady. Even with advanced warning a mnyama can only do so much against an unobstructed Sekhama operation. However…" he led her, hoping she would understand his meaning.

"If Psygenics is working with them and they knew a raid was coming they could tie off loose ends!" She answered proudly. Seth smiled at his 'pupil'.

"And then there might be more Sybelas in this world," he concluded. "Yes, my lady, as it stands I believe if the Sekhama move at all they will do so without warning, secure whatever they can, and use it to make arrests of anyone involved from Psygenics. I had thought Savannah simply got some new breasts and removed her tail, maybe got unique lenses. It would appear the truth runs much deeper. Let's hope your medical staff is up to the task. As for us, perhaps we might discuss the Sekhama in a way that does not involve you revealing their secrets to me. If we are to aid them, we must anticipate their movements."

"The airfield? That's only one of many," Keiko mused, looking at the other glowing compound on the map.

"I doubt they'll risk walking. I admit my knowledge of the Sekhama's access to military assets is limited, my lady."

"And I have no intention of telling you, Seth, not until you and Octavia speak to one another."

Yet again Keiko managed to render him speechless for a long while. "The long game indeed, Lady Keiko. All I will say for now is that in all my time I've yet to properly pin down how, when, and where the Sekhama will move."

"Should we contact Sybela? See if she has any other insights?" Keiko asked, noticing it was already the early afternoon.

"In a moment. Come here?" Seth requested, indicating that she should sit next to him. Keiko did so warily.

"Already decided to cave to your base male desires?" She teased. He shook his head.

"You are taking every advantage of your freedom, aren't you?"

"Yes, of course."

"I just want to see your lens, my lady. It's about time you were added to this program properly. If only so you need not read about Sybela's exploits," he explained. Keiko granted access and watched as he made the appropriate changes to add a fifth member.

"You really think that bugs me, Seth? I'd say it gets to you far more than me."

"It is not talk fit for a princess," he insisted, giving her status indicator the designation 'sunburst'. Keiko smiled and nodded to indicate she approved of the codename.

"Seth, a rabbit taking a jaguar in her ass is nothing. I've seen a woman take seven men at once in the harem. A couple of them were very well endowed species," Keiko informed him with no small air of superiority. "I love that stupid look you get when girls act like they have needs too. The harem is one of the crown's greatest assets. I just decided to educate myself a bit early."

"I didn't know the palace allowed their staff to be... used in such a way," he replied, trying hard not to think of such a depraved act in too much detail with Keiko being so close.

"Seth," she said with a devious smile.

"Yes, my lady?"

"She was the client."