Chapter 3 : Bartering and politics.

Maik was somewhat dismayed with the current turn of events, and not least of which due to the incredulity that his hosts were clearly feeling with regard to his proclamations and explanations. Its seemed as though, unlike in his classroom, most of the school was of the firm belief that this was some kind of mass delusion phenomenon. Or some kind of stress response to the weirdness everyone was feeling coupled with the complete loss of all advanced tech. They just weren't hearing what the teen was saying and were in the middle of making it plainly clear that they didn't want to hear what he was saying.

The principles tone was clearly laced with pain and effort, factors that undoubtedly contributed to the undercurrent of agitation in the woman's voice as she rubbed the side of her forehead. “Young man. This is the most progressive and well funded high schools in all of central Florida. I assure you, if there were any legitimate grounds for this...” She takes a moment to hold up the note pad and reference the title. “Qigong nonsense you've brought me then we would most assuredly have a class on the topic, if not well documented literature on the subject, at the very least.”

Her ire slowly shifted from Make to Boyd as she took on a disappointed motherly tone, at least while still taking the teen. “Now, I can understand a youth like you grasping at such straws in this situation.” Then her tone was fire and brimstone as she focused on Boyd though. “Buy you should know better.” Boyd lowered his head and looked ashamed as the various angry glares from the assembled head faculty bore into him.

The principle continued. “I knew letting you take on a main stream class would cause trouble, with the kinds of ideas you tend to espouse too but this !” Her gesture to the teen standing beside the chastised teacher was as cutting as her words. “Get back to your class and see to it that proper order and discipline is maintained, and Maybe, Maybe ! You will only get knocked back down to a substitute teaching position when this is all over. Dismissed.”

Well that accomplished a Whole Load of Jack, which was quickly followed by shit. The outcome was less than optimal. Bitch. Maik and Boyd passed other people who where were waiting in the same line they had waited in for no less than 30-40 minutes earlier and now the line seemed even longer. Is it really such a wonder that she had no patience for us. We have nothing more than eye witness testimony as evidence that what we proposed was useful and even then its just one step above circumstantial evidence. Existential Dread. Oh yeaaaaah. You could totally be right and we are all suffering from a mass delusion. Or maybe its just us, drooling on our self in the corner somewhere, probably tied up for our own safety by now too. Flat rejection of that idea. That's the spirit. If we really have gone this crazy then we may as well make the most of it. But if were not... Understood. Logically, we can only act upon the information we have available. Long have we come to terms with that fact. We shall continue with standard procedure then and act as though our perceptions are reality. What about Mr. Boyd ? We already have a thing going back at class but maybe he could use some encouraging words ? Bribe Him.

Maik waited until they were outside of early ear shot of the those in line to see the principle before starting up conversation. “The line was even longer when we left than it was when arrived.”

Boyd's voice was distracted, his gaze lightly downcast. “Uhh huhh.”

Insufficient. Were going to need to put some more emphasis into this to make it work. Adjusting. “It makes sense that the principle wouldn't have time to hear us out given how many people are clamoring for her time. It would have been good for her to be able to take an hour or 2 to sit down and meditate using these exercises but I can see how someone in her position just doesn't have the time right now. I guess we'll just have to produce some solid results and that's going to take time. When we get back to class I think it would. Be best... If ?”

Maik trailed off after Boyd stopped, leaving the teen to walk another couple paces without him. Turning back to look at one of his more favored teachers, Maik didn't like the look he was getting back, full of contempt and scorn. Whether those emotions were directed at Maik or himself the teen didn't know.

The middle aged man voice was... almost hostile. “You speak as though you've already got things figured out.”

Oh we very much do not. We're just better at accepting this crazy situation due to how often we question our own sanity. Self affirmation. Hush, he's still talking.

“And Given the reactions of the other students, heck even my own experiences had me thinking that you did have some kind of handle on the situation, somehow.” Boyd looked disappointed and a little defeated. “But now that I look I can see that your still in a lot of pain by the way your walking funny.”

The teacher starts pointing out Make's issues both verbally and with hand motions. “Your posture is off too. I didn't really notice with how rough everyone was looking and with you just sitting back at class but looking at you now.” Boyd starts shaking his head.

Correct his misunderstanding. We cant tell him were in the middle of a sex change transformation.... Can we ? The situation is quickly spiraling out of control so we need to tell him something.

Maik blurts out a response before Boyd can continue. “I used the modification point to alter myself and.... I'm still in mid transformation. And it hurts.”

Boyd's chin juts out as the man tilts his head with an affronted look in his eyes. “So what, like you chose one of those..” The teacher makes air quotes. “Other races ? Should I expect pointy ears or something ?”

Maik groaned. Just tell him. Ohhh my god this is going to be soooo weird. Given how far along in the transformation we seem to have come it should not be difficult to prove. I would estimate or progress to be at just about 40%. That is truly remarkable speed for just a few hours.

Physically swallowing to help push his fears and the lump in his throat down, Maik takes a step closer before leaning in. “Okay, I'll tell you but this stays between us, okay ?” Boyd's chin was still jutting forwards but he nodded. “Sigh. Alright, I uhh, made the alteration to change my gender to hermaphrodite.” Boyd just lifted his head to stare off into the distance. After a moment Make added. “A hermaphrodite..”

Boyd clearly doesn't need any further elaboration sense he cuts the teen off with a wave of his hand and starts retorting. “I know what a hermaphrodite is. Its just... Why is that making you walk funny ?”

Sheepishly the teen explains. “Well, my pelvis is getting bigger and... everything down there hurts because of that fact.”

The teacher was rubbing his eyes. “So I would have to visually inspect you to verify this huh ?”

Maik frowns. “That is... less than ideal but if that's what it takes.”

Boyd gestures to the bathroom. “Alright then, lets see this.”

Boyd looked and sounded like a man teetering on the edge at this point and that just made Make all the more anxious. Ummm. What if he tires something ? Its Boyd, He wont try anything. We Trust him. Okay. There was ample space in the large stall at the end of the bathroom, quite sufficient for their purposes.

Maik was nervous as he strained to unbuckled his belt, only now realizing that this was probably part of why his hips hurt as much as they did. Trying to unbutton the pants was even harder and Maik actually broke the button off to get them undone. He was going to need new pants and soon. In the end the pants had to be pealed off of him and Maik legitimately worried that he would not be able to get them back on.

Now exposed, his teacher was able to see what he had going on down there but the teen could not help looking himself as this was an opportunity to verify if what his minds eye had been showing him of his progress was accurate. The penis remained but there was no longer a nut sack dangling below it. Further more, when Make lifted his flaccid member up the beginnings of a new orifice was clearly visible, folds of pink skin opening up like the early bloom of a flower with only 2 pedals..

Boyd's chin was no longer jutting out but his eye brows were so furrowed that it looked they were trying to become a uni-brow or reach for his nose. The teacher knelt down with lips pressed tightly together, forming a thin line and examined more closely. He pulled at the skin separating folds of the new flower just a little, poked at the flesh and verified that a vaginal hole was indeed in the middle of forming and this wasn't just some trick of makeup or silicone covering, but actual flesh. He even gave Maik a few commands to flex different part for good measure.

For the inner working of Maik mind it was quite the trip. Holy shit we are exposing our self to our teacher. Embarrassment. Remain calm and breath deep. The last thing we need is to get aroused right now. Well the amount of pain we are in is at least helping with that. His touch is very gentle. Did he just command us to flex our vagina ? Its probably to verify that its actually part of our body. Comply. He poked the opening ! Oh My God, our heart rate is increasing. Remain calm. Can feel his breath. (GOOD STIMULATION) We getting horny now. No. Deep breathing. Its happening man, erection has started forming. Okay we should probably ask him to stop now. Let him keep going. Ohh but I thought we trusted Boyd. I'm changing our mind, abort. Abort. Feels nice, let it continue.

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Maik was gritting his teeth and red face from how much he was struggling with himself when his teaches seemed to finally be Satisfied that either Maik had always been like this or that this was indeed a result of using the alteration points and given recent events one was certainly fare more likely then the other. Boyd got up with a gesture and a command. “Get yourself dressed.” before going over to the sink to wash his hands and then his face.

Now hot and bothered, the teen was left to pain staking stuff himself back into his pants. Re-buttoning the garment was out of the question but thankfully Maik was wearing underwear and the belt could still reach around to buckle, although with only one hole left to spare. To hide the state of his trousers the teen didn't tuck his button up shirt back in, instead letting it hang over his pants for concealment. Once Maik was dressed again and the teacher face dry, they addressed the possibilities Boyd voicing concerns first. “So why haven't I seen any others show signs of changing like this ?”

An explanation of how much the process accelerated when Maik gained the tier 4 skill later and the teen was wrapping up his explanation. “Given how much faster my transformation started to progress after I streamlined the flow of more concentrated Chi through my system.... Minus my progress from before I made those upgrades.... divide the amount of time sense.... I think I would only be at about 20% of the way through my transformation at this point, rather than the roughly 40% I am currently at.”

The teacher was slowly nodding when another student came in, presumably to use the bathroom. There was a short but awkward silence between them that lasted until Boyd simply turned and walked out, Maik following behind to catch up with Boyd in the hall. “So anyway, like I was saying, when we get back to class...” Boyd shoots Maik an uneasy side eye but doesn't interrupt. “We should work on passing around the instruction manual I produced and maybe even start on another group that I can quickly run through the process like I did with you and the others. I should still have enough Chi to do one more group of that size.”

Boyd did a double take, almost faltering in his stride but quickly recovered. “The purple bar, Your running close to empty I take it ?”

Maik nods. Yeah, I've been going pretty none stop, even while changing and its kinda wearing me out. My visions even getting fuzzy now.” The strained way the teen was walking conveyed as much about how tired he must be as the words did but he powered on. “I want to rest, I really do but Boyd..” Maik puts his right hand on the teachers left arm to halt the middle aged mans advance. “Tell me honestly. How bad is it out there ?”

There is a long pause while the teacher mulled that question over. Today had been taxing for the man, more taxing then he had ever though possible even after the scare of a school shooting just the next county over last year. Maik could see much of the weight which bore down on the teacher shoulder as Boyd contemplated the answer. A reassuring pat on the hand was how the teacher started the reply. “its rough out there, and we probably aren't going to be able to send the students home, not today at least but we have provisions and people are working hard to get everything back up and running. I mean...” Boyd gestures up. “The lights are still on, so its not the end of the world, just another natural disaster, like a hurricane. Now come one lets get back to class you when we get there, you should probably get some rest.”

Maik was strained and he hurt but the power that filled him also filled him with wonder and a craving to keep at it, to advance, to progress and become stronger. The pain still did a fair bit to dampen that drive though, so he didn't push the matter further as they made their way back to class.

Back in the classroom the atmosphere was tense. Some people were making copies of the instructions sheets while others stood guard over them, a standoff between them and some of the other students. There were also a couple other teachers in the room. Boyd Quickly relieved Nathan by introducing him to Make. “Make, change of plans. Do me a big favor and lead Nathan here through the beginner training until he has the first tier 3 skill, would you ? Also Check with your friend to see...”

But he was cut off by a voice that Make only recognized because of how much it had pissed him off earlier today. “Oh, back from the principles office so soon ? Must not have gone well. Not only that but you are already showing favoritism to your class pet ? I guess your back so soon because the principle saw through your offer for the snake oil that it really is. So why not stop holding out on the rest of us ? We deserve just as...”

It was Eugene that stopped him. The guy never did have any patience for hypocrisy. “A man, which is it ? Are they pedaling worthless snake oil and it doesn't matter or is what Maik's figured out so valuable that he needs to stop what hes doing to personally tutor you ? Cus you can't have it both ways man.”

Make was rather thankful for the save as the complete and utter conflicting nature of Mr. over priced shoes argument had his brain short circuiting. Boyd's too from the look of it, but now they had recovered and Boyd dismissed the boy to address the 2 other teachers in the room, one of whom was standing beside the complainer.

Make wanted to leave Boyd to it and go speak with his friends but just gestured for one of them to come over. It was James and answered the call Jose seemingly busy staring down the leader of some other group of students. Make wasted no time and got strait to the point. “The fucks going on man ? There's almost 3 classes worth of people in here.

James just shrugged with his trademark smile and cocked his head towards a rather flabbergasted Mr. overpriced shoes who was busy having and loosing a staring contest with or supersized Mexican friend. “Well Tristyn over there..” He points for emphasis and then waves when the boy in question notices James pointing. “So yeah, that guy. Well he took off as soon as you and Boyd left to invite some of his other friends over and they've been trying to take over reproducing the instructions you wrote up...” The jock delighted in presenting a mocking imitation of Tristyn's earlier arguments. “I just thought that, sense your all tired from the exercises, that it would be more helpful to bring others in to make the copies.”

Suppressing a groan was an act of will. Still, Maik sighed deeply, head tilting back as he stretched his back. “Sigh. Nnnnnnuhhh. They never mention how the phrase 'No rest for the wicked' seems to also mean no rest for the righteous.”

Turning his gaze to check out the hushed argument between the 3 teachers almost tempts Maik to just let Boyd handle them. Boyd might need our help. We earned a break. The point man is outnumbered and behind enemy lines men. He needs reinforcements. Despite the pain the teen smiles to himself.

James raises an eyebrow in the facial expression of asking what was so funny, but Maik waves it off before suggesting with a sideways whisper. “I don't like how their ganging up on Boyd. I like who brought one of them here even less.... Speaking of, whats the deal with the other teacher, who is she ?”

James grinned, an infectiously mirthful thing that made you want to get in on the fun as he whispered back. “Well that's Miss Harper and shes here on behalf of Elisha. I know Mr. Boyd's your favorite teacher but when Tristyn started trying to rally support from the rest of the class to... procure all the copies of the instructions here Elisha smacked him down with her sliver tongue. You know he she is. The fool actually stormed out announcing 'Ill be back.' like a total cartoon villain, ha haaahh. Anyways. That's when Elisha decided to go invite Harper over to even the scales and its been a standoff ever sense.”

So Boyd isn't surrounded. Its the other way around. Can we rest now or is there more food ? (WANT SIT) I think we can move on from here. Still I think it would be a good show of solidarity if we sent over to reinforcements. You just want to tell someone to reinforce Boyd. And just how often would we get to use a line like that ? This is a golden opportunity. Fine but then we sit.

Turning to James and then eyeing Nathan after a moment of consideration Maik starts outlining his thoughts. “Could you take over for Elisha in dealing with the students siding with Tristyn and Miss Davis so that she can go over to reinforce Boyd ?” James lightly shakes his head while grinning but nods affirmation so Maik continues. I want to go over and offer Harper and some of her supporters the speed run course that you guy got earlier and get to work on that. Is there any word on when more food will be sent out way ?”

James and Maik both looked up at the clock. 2:48. The jock grumbled while his brow furrowed. He turns to makes, his voice lacking the usual joviality, in fact the man gaze only grew more and more desperate the longer he talked. “School days almost over. You hear anything about whats going on out there ? Because what I've been hearing is pretty bad. They say none of the cars are starting in the parking lock and that all the vehicles on the road stalled and wont start either. I hear that there are wrecks all over and on just about every street but no medical services are able to get to them.”

It is true that we are both 18 and technically adults now but were still in high school, even if it is the last semester. Tell him to suck it up. Its not that bad, right ? I mean, Boyd would totally have told us if it was that bad out there, right ? Boyd has been a good teacher and has worked with us so far in this situation. Reluctant agreement. (WHY ARN'T WE SEATED ?) Still, maybe we bring up the subject of these rumors with him later when we get the chance ? That would probably be prudent. Agreed.

Maik puts a reassuring hand on James shoulder and offer is best, calmest smile. “I asked Boyd about it after the principle pretty much threw us out for talking crazy talk...” The look on James's face said that he was going to need more information about that comment but Main continued. “and Boyd told me that while it was rough out there that there were professionals working to restore order and service out there. I mean, they got the light working and foods being delivered, right.”

The Jock nodded as though those word were a life line to help him make it through the day before shaking himself of the melancholy and plastering his signature self assured smile back on. “We can ask Sara about checking on the food. Shes just been helping Stacy tend to the people who seem to be having it the worst, though everybody is awake now, there are quite a few who seem to be in a lot of pain.” The jock eyes Maik up and down as they make their way over to the girls, his facial expression asking if Maik was alright better than most words could.

The teen shrugged it off just before they reached Stacy and Sara. “I selected some physical modification right off without considering the possibility that they wouldn't happen instantly and now I can feel some of my bones changing shape.”

Stacy had looked up as they approached and caught the end of that statement. “Oh ? So you went with more than just perception then ? How are the eyes by the way ?” She was looking Maik over with the critical eye you only see from someone who was aiming to go into the medical field when they graduated. “You didn't go furry on us did you ? Your walking kind of funny.”

Maik snorted a laugh and 2 other people grumbled a complaint. This drew the teen attention instantly and even at the current early stages of their transformation one could tell that their faces were changing shape and starting to sprout fur on their arms. I say we take out 10 foot pole and Not touch that subject with it. Fascinating. I wonder what bonuses they will get. Will they be fluffy ? Focus, we have work to do.

Maik shakes off the errant thoughts and turns his attention back to Stacy. “No, still human, just a modified version that offers me... more options.” That wasn't lamely evasive at all. “Anyway we have a rough plan on how to help Boyd deal with... what is face and Miss Davis.” Maik pointedly addresses Sara just as James was leading Elisha over to join the conversation “We were hoping that you could check on the food situation and the Elisha here..” A quick gesture acknowledges her presence in the conversation. “Could provide backup by reinforcing Boyd against Davis.”

All 3 of the girls roll their eyes but it was Elisha who voiced their opinion. “She isn't evil Maik. She just... Concerned about recent event, just like the rest of us.” The look on Maik's face when he pointed eyes Tristyn changes her tune. “Alright, I see your point but why aren't you and Boyd with the principle right now ?”

What follows is a recap of events and Maik's personal reasoning as to why the head faculty were so unwilling to hear Maik out. Grim faces regard the teen for delivering such depressing news so Maik moves on to outline the rest of the plan of action he and James had gone over as well as to pass on the assurances which Boyd had imparted upon the teen back in the hallway. With everyone caught up to speed Maik and Elisha make their way over to try their hand at diplomatic relations.