ATM Rewrite: B2 — 3. A-8233 ‘HAREM’

Author Addition:  Ryan wanted me to give some more detail on the twins' capture, so I added a bit here at the beginning.  Read the 3rd paragraph to the 7th for what was added to the twins' story.  ^_^7  Just a bit more fun antics.

PoV:

1. Sora Moore (Our Fox Girl Has A New Problem!)

ATM Rewrite Index

Previous Chapter

Google Document (In-line Comments)

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Sitting by the window on the moon train with Wendy, Sora stayed away from Fen’s white tail, trying not to think about what might happen if their paths crossed.  Now that things were settling down, it was sinking in that they were actually on the moon, and the moon had a freaking wizard tower.

Devlin gave them a brief overview of everything she or Wendy pointed out; apparently, the lunar base had a sort of cloaking device that had been achieved via another anomaly they’d discovered on one of Venus’ moons.  Sora felt like she’d entered a sci-fi movie; first, it had been the monster community, and now a whole new layer was peeling back.

The twins were fairly talkative about their own introduction to the Foundation.  Hinote was the responsible one that kept them out of the limelight for the better part of fifteen decades, only for his little brother to get snatched up by raiding the doggy toy aisle one year ago.

Unwilling to give up the squeaker in his mouth, he stunned the employees by transforming into a snarling Nogitsune, jumped onto the ceiling, and busted out of an air vent.

With reports about them reaching a local Foundation researcher that happened to be a dog lover, she was in a prime position to handle the situation.  It wasn’t long after Faia was drawn in by a charm disguised as a doggy bone and placed at the right location to lure the impulsive vulpes without his twin’s more disciplined influence.  He was out for the count.

The way Faia told it, he was practically the hero spiriting away his treasure and princess from the dungeon of a dragon, but his brother’s corrections peeled back the layers, making Wendy and her giggle at their antics.

Faia was a hyperactive bundle of questions and stories, two tails waving behind him as he tried to be friends.  Hinote was far more relaxed and seemed to be more of the listening type, but when his brother was this talkative, she could see why.

Fen couldn’t care less about them, but her aura showed a knot of agitation that kept twisting tighter and tighter.  She chalked it up to Faia’s comment about her man and tried to ignore her.  Sora had enough to distract her, in any case.

Dozens of facilities, futuristic shuttles, and a few dozen medium-sized ships went to various facilities.  Everything was compartmentalized, and security was taken extremely seriously at the site.

All of the researchers and guard personnel taking part in the research and protection of the site were well aware that their memories would be wiped at the end of their service.  Sora’s fur tingled at the occasional detection magic and technology scans that they passed; her senses were adapting to the chaos.

Naturally, the pay was phenomenal, according to Devlin, and a simple five years of research could set up a family for life.  Of course, only the best were even allowed to take part, and most that came here never wanted to leave.

The ever-silent and on-guard escort unit followed them when they entered the top containment facility of the lunar base.  Sora was beginning to feel a bit crowded, which meant it was time to test some limits.  Sure, having some vulpes to talk to was certainly something she wanted to explore, but later.  Plus, she was a little skittish around the black-haired vixen’s white tail.

She wanted to wander and explore with her friends—maybe Kari, too.  Gaining her bearings after the shocking introduction to the Foundation, she slowed her pace and cleared her throat.

“Devlin.”

“Mhm?”

The man gave her an amiable smile.  He’d been nothing but accommodating and truly believed in what he was doing here.  It was time to push to see how much wiggle room they would give her.

“Do you have, like… a phone or something that I could talk to Diane and the Senior Director?”

“Hmm.  I do,” he whispered, looking forward as everyone waited silently to see what she wanted if she was asking to talk to the big bosses.  “Do you still want to go to the area where the others are being held?”

“I do.  Umm.  Hmm.”  Sora’s mouth drew in, and she eyed Fen, Faia, and Hinote; she’d been determined not to be afraid anymore.  “I have to confirm some stuff with Diane and get a few things off my chest.”

Wendy bumped into her with a grin.  “Want to check out that Moon Wizard?”

“Definitely,” Sora laughed, staring up at Devlin.  “I mean, we gotta get some more info on him, but I don’t want any more fake words or tiptoeing around people.  We can do that soon enough, but I want people to be real with me.  How close are we to the nearest one?”

Devlin sighed and pulled out a black crystal rectangular device that projected a holographic screen.

“The closest is Aiden.  I do have to ask if you intend to also release Eric from the seal your mother put in place.  His resilience against almost any form of containment has been of great concern to The Foundation.  Aiden is also extremely versatile from what the investigation units have been able to determine.”

Faia jumped onto the wall, using magic to walk sideways on it and smile down at them.  “Why do you care so much?  If the Princess says she wants them out, then what’s the trouble?  What the Princess wants, the Princess gets!”

Wendy pointed up at him.  “See, I knew he wasn’t that bad, Sora.  Hehe.  You really are a fox princess, huh?”

Fen snorted, flicking her wrist and canceling the younger twin’s magic.  He managed to flip to the ground and land on his feet with a cheer.  “Can you do any thinking on your own, Faia?”

“Safe!  The crowd goes wil—ack!”  Another flick of the woman’s white tail sent him into a backflip to land on his belly.  “Not fair, Lady Fen!  I won…”

Hinote helped his brother up like this was just your average day as they slowed their pace a tad.  “It’s simple, Bro.  The Ethics Bureau is in the business of principles, and anything that can’t be contained or that requires the loss of a lot of life goes against their principles.  One or two caged monsters to save thousands.  Right?”

Devlin fiddled with the hologram, sending a message to get the site director and researcher on the line.  “I have to explain why we are releasing these dangerous anomalies out of a safe containment state to the Bureau leadership.”

He chuckled and gave her a sad smile.  “Just because Sora says so is certainly something I can say, but would you be okay with that response when the lives of people could be on the line?  Diane and the Senior Director will make contact in the next minute.  In the meantime, should I tell you about The Foundation’s experience with Eric?”

Wendy’s eyes lit up, and she held up a hand.  “Oh, I wanna know!  How did this giant secret organization of aliens, magic, and stuff let him be so bad?”

Sora’s thoughts returned to what the Succubus under Eric’s thumb had said and how terrified she’d been of him.  An unearthly vibration rippled from the hallway ahead of them as they came to what seemed to be a high-security containment wing.

“If I’m a foundation writer… fenris wolves are foundation devourers.  As Diane said, all of this is like fiction to my real powers…  Even below fiction.  Nothing here should be able to affect Kari or me, but we’re somehow trapped in this dimension, I guess.  Eric is a hybrid, though, so it’s different for him.  What’s this place?  It feels… off.”

Devlin looked as confused as everyone else at her explanation, which made sense to Sora after a few seconds of silence; they hadn’t heard the woman’s explanation on Founders.

“Uh… I guess?  That’s not my expertise.  We’ll need to wait out here since all electrical equipment is to be left outside of this next area.  Please, put anything that has technology inside of the lockers to our right.”

Sora held up her hands with a smile.  “I got nothing.”

“Me too,” Wendy laughed.  “How long has it been since I didn’t have a phone on me?  Crazy.”

The vulpes were as technology-less as them, but their security detail put quite a bit into the lockers, sealing them with a special code.  Instead of the advanced-looking weaponry they’d initially carried, they replaced it with modern military rifles and glowing, magical bullets.

Devlin held up his phone, the light projecting out to show a life-like projection of Diane and Vondoom.

“Something catch your interest, Sora?”  the woman asked with a small smile.  “I hear you want to investigate the Wizard’s Tower.  We do need a lot more information on the Moon Wizard.  He has stated he won’t speak to anyone who can’t prove themselves by entering his domain.  I’d like to accompany you on the trip.  Doesn’t it sound like an adventure?”

Wendy crossed her arms with a glare.  “Right to what she wants.”

Sora ignored Diane’s direction shift and moved over to the twins, sparking their interest as the soldiers changed equipment.  “I want to give Fen, Faia, and Hinote more freedom in what they do.  I get they may be dangerous, so I’ll ask them straight up…  What would you three do if I freed you?”

Vondoom’s mouth tightened at the question.  “Sora, I understand you grew up in the safety of a First World country that is skittish around slaves or forced labor, but we’re not talking about ‘law-abiding citizens.’  Vulpes left unchecked are quite dangerous.  Think about what could happen if they played a ‘prank’ in releasing a Duke-Class anomaly with their trickery.”

Faia’s ears drew back, and his tail tucked under.  “I would never!  I’m such a good boy.  Aiko told me I was one all the time during the First World Occult War!  Tell them, Bro.”

Hinote popped his tongue and glanced to the left.  “You did trick Kazuko into that hole to live amongst that fox burrow for three days.  She was looking for her big sister for days.”

“Humph.  She was stealing all of Aiko’s attention,” Faia complained.  “She only had food poisoning for, like, a little bit from eating the raw birds.  She was fine!”

Fen’s chest shook with silent laughter.  “If your intention is to take pity on us, then don’t bother, Sora.  If I were able, I would find another one of your aunt’s private gateways and leave this universe altogether.  I’m not even gaining Tail Points since this is Mia’s territory.”

Wendy mouthed the two worlds with a furrowed brow.  “You… get Tail Points?”

“It’s a figure of speech, Sweetie,” Fen grunted, showing off her white tail.  “I need to prove myself to Inari, and obviously, you aren’t on any terms with her, which makes my proximity to you… a tad uncertain.  I don’t know how she will respond, but I also don’t expect your mother to allow me to jeopardize your existence to her big sister.  You see my position?”

Not just that, Sora internally sighed.  Jin is likely to kill you if I wake her up.  That… is a problem, and I don’t think she’d be thrilled about working with humans.

Everyone’s gaze shot to Diane’s thoughtful face as she tapped her bottom lip.  “I have no problem with you releasing them.  They’ve served their purpose.”

“Diane?”  Vondoom hesitantly questioned.  “You’re not going to let them run free in my facility, and do you, heh, see where they are?”

“Hmm.  Yes, it would be bad if they caused trouble in the Bellbind Restriction Zone.  How about this…  I’m sure Sora still has many questions, and she’s feeling rather crowded.  So… why not send the vulpes to the residential area—under guard—obviously, but it will give time for Sora to adjust and the vulpes to unwind.  That is…”

Diane flashed her teeth and glanced at Fen.  “What would you say to be bound by a contract with Sora?  You can laze about, read, make friends, and explore the less restricted zones.  No soul-eating, Fen, or deadly pranks, boys…  What do you say for a little taste of freedom?  Private time with Jian, Fen.  Hmm?”

Fen’s fingernails flinched at the name’s mention, bottom lip pulling in as she rubbed her left elbow.  “You… don’t know what you’re talking about, Witch.”

Her aura said she was definitely going to accept, but she wanted more.

Faia jumped to land on the ceiling, body bobbing back and forth as he chimed, “I’m sold!  I want to see some alien food.  What about you, Bro?”

Hinote’s head tilted to the side as he smiled at Fen.  “We all know you’re salivating right now.”

“Shut up!”  Fen snapped.  Her tails rose in a threatening way that made him back up and hold up his hands, not wanting the smoke.

“Just having fun.”

“Humph.   Mmgm.  Fine.  I require a fashion designer, a personal cook, a lot of quality sake, and good reading material from the Qing dynasty period.  I’m interested in seeing how things differ in this universe from the one I originated from.”

“I’ll have someone overlook those accommodations,” Diane said without a second thought.  “Sora, if you could be so kind.  I’m sure instituting a warning system for them that conforms to your ethical standards would do the trick.”

“Wait, we can ask for more stuff?”  Faia asked, falling from the ceiling to flip around and land on his feet.  “I want some—”

Diane cut him off.  “Too late, Honey.  I’m very busy.  Talk to someone else about it.”

“Aww…  I wanted gaming friends.  I always wanted to try the video games stuff.”

“What about you, Hinote?”

He turned to Sora, hands in his pockets and showing an unhidden curious gleam in his eyes.  “I’d like to stay around Sora if she’d let me.  I’ll sulk in the background.  You’re interesting.  I just want to see what you’ll get up to next.”

Sora shrugged.  “If you want to chill, then I don’t really care, I guess.  I just don’t want to be crowded.  So… these soldiers?”

Vondoom crossed his arms and gave Diane’s innocent smile a brooding stare.  Sora had the same thought that she was definitely up to something by complying so easily with her request.

“They must accompany you to get… whoever you’re taking out of that containment facility.  Mr. Devlin will explain things to you on the way, I’m sure, but I sincerely hope you know what you’re doing, Sora.  Be aware, you hold everyone in this facility and perhaps the entire world in your hands by the decisions and anomalies you choose to release.  Please, think carefully about how you act.  Is there anything else?”

Sora was shocked.  He’d basically given her free reign.  By his sharp gaze and grave tone, it was Diane that was convincing him to give it to her, which then went from her up to the ECC.  A new set of thoughts were forming in the back of her head from their discussion.

“No… I guess not, at this time, at least.  I have a lot to think about still.”

They both nodded and left in a fritz of static.  Something was up, and Sora’s money was on the ECC using Diane.  The woman even hinted that top management was interested in her actual nature as a Singular Being, rather than what good she could do.  She had to be careful.

Devlin puffed out a long breath that spoke of the stress he felt.  “Well…  I don’t want to go into this wing, but we have to if we’re going to get your friends back.  Just… don’t talk to anything that talks to you.  Keep focused on just us.”

“Spooky,” Wendy whispered, staring at the ominous dark-gray metal doors that said, ‘Maximum Security Site: Black IV.’

Faia jumped forward, and even Fen was already staring at her expectantly so that she could leave.  On the other hand, the older twin hung back, waiting patiently while studying her.

Sora was quick to weave her Desire Magic, her weave obliterating the restrictive charm at the base of their tails.  She glared at the shy look the younger twin gave her as he presented his tails and the squeak he gave when her spell touched it; it was probably a cultural thing she didn’t get.  Wendy’s impish smirk made her want to tackle her best friend.  When it came to Fen, Sora was a lot more careful.

“Separate your tails…”

“Hmm?  Why single my tails out,” Fen huffed, crossing her arms defensively as she pulled them closer together.  “Are you saying you’d feel dirty touching them?”

“What—how did you get that thought?”  Sora grunted.  “No.  Just… do you want to meet Jian and have your time together or not?”

“Oooh,” Wendy and Faia cooed together.

The woman snarled and pulled her white tail as far away as possible, showing some discomfort; Faia and Hinote even looked away, cheeks coloring slightly.  “I’m not… used to stretching them like this—it’s embarrassing…  If you intend to keep humiliating me, then…  Ugh.”

She was extremely careful and specific when it came to Fen, swiftly casting the spell and keeping as far away from the white tail as possible.  She took her mother’s warning about triggering her second transformation seriously.

“Humiliating you?  Okay.  We’re going to have to go through vulpes customs sometime in the future because I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Whatever…”

Fen stormed off with two of the guards and an excited Faia following her.

“Good luck charming Sora, Big Bro; I’m on your side!  Hehe.”

Hinote shook his head and sighed.  “Stupid.  Don’t bother with him.”

Sora chuckled, spotting Wendy’s silent laughter as things started to settle down.  Devlin took them toward the door, taking out a host of IDs he hadn’t used until this point; she even sensed magical weaves laced within them.

“Getting back on track, let’s get into Eric and why I’m not keen on unsealing him.  Eric’s file begins nearly three and a half years ago when he first made an appearance and took out a rather powerful and isolated werewolf settlement in Russia.  They were safely contained.  Still, nothing could stop Eric.

“Not long after, the Foundation sent in an advanced containment team to keep him from spreading out…  They were utterly slaughtered.  After that, the Foundation Site Director overlooking that area took a different approach.  It was this that made us aware of his… unusual nature that marked him as a Gray-Alpha: Duke… possibly Abaddon-class threat.”

Sora shivered at his tone as he inputted a string of passwords, two hidden ID cards disguised as one, and order-necessary biological confirmation sequences.  The hair on her tail bristled as a cute, teenage girl’s voice spoke from the console.  A monotone [Redacted] voice interfered at various points, making her shift comfortably while looking at their somber guide.

“Level-4 Access Granted.  Welcome to Area-[Redacted].  Failure to complete subsequent access checkpoints will immediately result in full containment breach protocol, it’s very sad, but I’ll be forced to initiate [Redacted].  Please, enjoy your [Redacted].  I hope I won’t have to kill you.  I’ve been so [Redacted].  Won’t you please [Redacted].”

“Well, that’s not creepy,” Wendy hissed, getting closer to Sora.  “Horror vibes.  Is, uh… it alive?”

Devlin cleared his throat.  “Please, whatever you do, don’t pay her much mind.  She’s a Class-V Sapient AI that has some very… aggressive and possessive personality traits.  She will try to build a relationship with those that interact with her.”

“Woah.  Why did you make something like that?”  Wendy mumbled, scooting closer to Sora.

The man shifted around his shoulders.  “She was already here when the base was built.  She’s a sort of advanced guard dog that wiped out the previous unknown alien species that created her.  Before her safe containment, she had trapped and killed thirty-five top Japanese engineers, convincing them they were in a relationship with her.  And… that’s how she gained her current form.”

Sora’s focus shot to the console as the girl’s huffy voice responded.  “No need to be so rude, Devlin.  We [Redacted].  Oh, White, I hate you!  [Redacted].  You’re always inter—[Redacted].  Haaa.  I hope you enjoy [Redacted].  Dammit!  I’m fine.  Hehe.  I’m fine…  I’m just your friendly [Redacted].  Enjoy your stay!”

Wendy’s mouth sealed shut while glancing at her.  This was where they were keeping Aiden, Kari, Eyia, and Jin?  If that wasn’t enough, the vibes Sora got made her stomach squirm.  There was more to this AI than just technology.

Hinote rubbed his chin with a grin.  “Interesting.  Is there magic in her voice, Devlin?  It’s not just projected brainwaves in those signals that are being disrupted but weaves that affect the spirit.  What kind of alien race was this?”

“I’m glad you asked!”  the charming AI chimed.  “I was designed as a [Redacted] by the [Redacted] for those on long journeys across the stars.  There were so many wonderful species that we found and cataloged, but… then they tried to [Redacted].  Threatening my [Redacted]!  Bastards!  [Redacted].  Hehe.  Oops.  See, I’m here to give my guests all of my [Redacted].”

“As I said,” Devlin groaned.  “Don’t give her any leeway.  She’s also a notorious liar.  You can’t trust any origin story she tells.  You can talk about her but not to her.  We just need to get through the containment area without giving her more Attention Power.  She is safe, so long as you follow proper protocol.”

They all nodded as the girl’s pouty voice returned.

“Meanie!  You can be so [Redacted].  I’ll be nice!  Stop it!  [Redacted].  Don’t [Redacted].  Hello, guests.  I am officially Code: H.A.R.E.M., but isn’t that too long?  I like HAREM.  Some people call me [Redacted].  Can you believe it?!  I think it’s rude.  I’m not a strangling plant!”

Devlin continued the complex process of opening dozens of gear locks, digital passwords, card swipes, and biological scanners.

“Oh, please be responsible—d-don’t be responsible—when visiting The Matrix and follow proper protocols.  Do not feed the anomalies or provoke the HAREM, or they will put their [Redacted] up your [Redacted].  Please pet [Redacted].  Haaa.  Pay attention to me!  Humph.  No fun.”

“She has been instrumental in keeping Alpha-class anomalies locked up and acts as a researcher replacement.  Due to her… persuasive nature, as you pointed out, Hinote, her interaction scope when it comes to visitors is filtered by a Class-III moderation Superintelligent AI that keeps that aspect of hers in check.  It’s not… always so perfect at it, though, since she’s always adapting.”

The soft and welcoming voice of the AI sighed when they went past the second door.  Gears and steam hissed out, with magical defensive fields lowering and ritualistic signs dimming on the smooth, deep gray metal surface.

“[Redacted].  I’ve enjoyed the new company, Mr. Devlin.  If only they could [Redacted].  I do hope you make it past the next one.  Hehe.  I almost had to kill you on our last [Redacted].  Are there more [Redacted] for me to welcome into my [Redacted]?  I so look forward to the initiation process.  Level-4-B Access Granted.  You’re so close!”  She clapped.  “I’m [Redacted] for you.”

The man imputed the final sequence, the hair on the back of Sora’s neck prickling as the sweet, feminine voice started to mature slightly.

“Devlin… [Redacted], why has there not been an initiation form sent?  Mr. [Redacted].  Hehe.  You’re not…  You’re not one of my [Redacted]?  You don’t have the authority to [Redacted].  You can’t take away [Redacted]!  Devlin?  Don’t [Redacted], Devlin!”

“She’ll be muted by AI-White-006 now that she’s becoming hostile; So long as we don’t interact with her, then the timeout won’t be reset.  This ‘auto-built’ facility is known as A-8233-1.  The AI itself is A-8233-2 since she can escape if given access.  It’s how it moved to this wing and A-8233-1 in the first place.  As for the robotic dolls…

“They’re known as A-8233-3 and didn’t use to look like this.  Before HAREM’s infection of this wing, they were spread across the surface of the moon and abducted any astronauts they could find.  We aren’t sure when the anomaly appeared, but it was after the first lunar landing.

“The Foundation contained all instances of A-8233-3, also known as ‘Little Devils,’ and contained them within HAREM.  It’s unknown if they were always a part of A-8233-2 or if she incorporated them from another anomaly.  In any case, they act as her wardens now under strict protocols monitored by a 24/7 team of ten software engineering experts.

“Please, go to the carts and… don’t stare too long at the Little Devils.  If you give them too much attention, they’ll take it as a sign of interaction.  I’ll continue our previous discussion.”

Sora looked around the bright hallway as the furious AI went silent.  She was instantly drawn to many cute, pink-haired girls that all looked alike, lining the hallway, except for the style of outfits they wore and their age.  Every one of them was unique and vibrant, staring at them as if waiting to be of service.

“Why… are we here again?”  Wendy hissed, gripping Sora’s hand as if their faces would spread apart with spinning blades for teeth and arms peel back for swords to slice them up.

She could feel the coiling animosity from the beginning, yet now that they were inside, she was all bubbly and welcoming.  It was almost like this computer was actually alive and wanted nothing more than to wrap a rope around their necks and drag them off to some ‘reeducation center’ to learn how amazing it was to be confined by her.

The truly frightening part was the spine-tingling sensation that told her this thing was only just barely contained.  She wanted to break out and show everyone the joys of being held in her ever-present embrace.

Trying to put the thought behind her—and wanting to get Eyia and everyone else as far away from this yandere AI as possible—Sora tried to ignore the attentive robots.

Devlin confirmed that many of those within this restricted site was deemed too dangerous for most standard methods of research, requiring this AI anomaly’s use.

Also, naming it also brought it extreme joy and power, which was why it was redacted; she suspected it had something to do with the name Diane gave the area earlier.  It performed these experiments on the Foundation’s behalf using its Matrix Simulation abilities to trap the target’s mind, body, and spirit.

“Ahem.  Back to Eric, the local Site Director was dealing with another anomaly that would appear every twelve years in a new city.  It always came during the fall and winter months.  Always went in a different pattern.  Always added newly developed cities to its target list if a new one sprung up.  And, it always lasts at least 70 days…  A-783.”

Wendy forced a laugh, trying not to look at the screens lining the hallway or the Little Devils; the girls took on a more sinister appearance from time to time.  The displays showed a pouting pink-haired anime girl, seeking attention.  “It sounds like a good ghost story, but, uh… this one is real?”

“Very real,” Devlin whispered.  “It was dubbed, The Man that Twists.  It only attacks people when they are alone, indoors, and at twilight or sunset; The Time Betwixt, as some of the researchers call it.”

Sora had to question if the pink-haired AI girl could take control of the vehicles they got into and force them to crash, but Devlin said there were many protocols in place to stop such a thing from happening.  The carts were totally mechanical and ran on a magic-based battery.

It was hard to focus on Eric’s story as she saw the terrifying danger this AI posed.  She was happy as a kite with them here, running about inside her, but the moment they tried to leave, she knew HAREM would take on a whole new personality.

Sora felt the unusually large and potent aura the AI had.  The fact it had one at all, and that they were traveling within ‘her space’ made Sora’s stomach queasy.  She was powerful, and this whole thing was one mistake away from disaster.  She’d have to bring it up to Devlin later when they left.  HAREM was close to wiggling out of her restraints.

Devlin took them down the eerie, seemingly endless hallways devoid of life except for the Little Devils and the occasional screen of the glaring pink-haired girl.  Sometimes she was smiling and waving; other times, it was fuzzed and showed [Redacted].  The AI was no doubt trying all sorts of methods to get them to interact with her.

His story about Eric went on.  “Its victims are always alone and indoors.  It broke, contorted, and healed its victims in an endless stream of torture; its effects were also left on the house, distorting space and equipment that tried to capture its image.  Its true dangers became known when a pit to an extra-dimensional space was discovered…  The Twisted Man’s home.”

“The Foundation sent in an agent to guide Eric to a house we’d prepared in the next town to be struck.  It did.  And Eric devoured it…  Extra dimension and all.  It was then the Foundation put him in the path of other dangerous anomalies.  Nothing stopped him.  Just think about that.”

“Sure…”  Sora couldn’t see the intimidating half-fenris wolf as the threat the Foundation saw after witnessing Jin’s attack on him and his cousin—niece?—manhandle him.  “I… get it, but I’m going to leave it up to Kari and Aiden.  Let’s get everyone together.”

It didn’t take that long once they reached Aiden’s cell, and HAREM seemed delighted when she woke him up.  Sora had to hide her face upon seeing the Firebird, causing the fox twin to snicker and tease her; she took a note from Fen’s book and muted him for five minutes.  She make an illusion of clothes around the blonde boy since he wore what was basically spandex short-shorts, revealing his muscular physique.

The Firebird was as confused as Mary at first but was very adaptive.  Sora couldn’t believe her eyes when he bumped fists with Hinote; apparently, they’d met, and Hinote had no clue they were talking about this Aiden.

Internally grumbling about Aiden’s ridiculous causality ability, she was happy to have it more on her side now.  It made sense why her mother talked about him and his family line that he didn’t even seem aware of.

Eyia was next, practically tackling her to the ground, fearful bright blue eyes totally on guard as she prepared to take out every HAREM bot in the area.  After cooling down that tense situation, they only came away with a few attention points gained for the AI; the pink-haired AI was practically dancing in the hallways at getting someone to notice her.

Unfortunately, Jin was still unconscious, even after she snapped her mother’s seal.  Eyia explained that it had to do with her own unique biology as a Dragon Founder; she still sounded hurt and unsure what to make of her first friend keeping such a secret from her.  The guards put her on the cart to take back with them.

Sora kept everyone’s true identities a secret for the time being.  Finally, they stopped at Kari’s room.  Devlin opened the complex locks, and Eyia jumped into the room before the soldiers, securing it as if the commander.  Hovering alien probes circled her, projecting light over her body as HAREM tried to understand Kari’s existence.

Sora saw the unconscious sixteen-year-old girl strapped to a bed by a golden thread.  Just like Eyia, her clothes were replaced by what closely resembled spandex gym clothes that she’d occasionally seen people wear around Miami.

It really said a lot about Kari’s self-image that even when passed out, she took on her human form rather than her wolf.  A spike of sadness hit her heart for some reason as she used her magic to unbind the restrictive thread.

Yet, an uncomfortable realization sank into the pit of Sora’s stomach as Kari stirred, with Aiden rushing to help her to sit up, a weakness that had slipped Sora’s mind for too long.  “Is… Sela here?”

Devlin’s eyebrows knitted together.  “No.  She was transferred to another facility designed for Unseelie.  Uh… I can have her brought back?”

“Yes!  Do that.  Umm.  Kari?”

“Mmgm?”  the black-haired girl groaned, somehow gaining a massive mane of dark locks after her full transformation that put her own to shame.  “Ugh.  Where the hell…”

“Can we, uh, save the explanations until later?  In fact, yeah, let’s not get Eric right now.  Can we go, Devlin?”

Kari’s muscles locked up at the name of the brother, goosebumps running along her arms and her mane of hair literally spiking.  “W-What did you say?”

HAREM’s sunshine and rainbows background turned to dark clouds and thunder.  “Hmm?  No!  You [Redacted]!  You aren’t taking away my [Redacted] bodypillows!  You [Redacted].  [Redacted].  [Redacted].”

No doubt, a stream of expletives and frowny-face robots followed their exit from the wing, Kari still recovering from what seemed the beating her brother gave her.  She really needed time with Mary, and that would be their first destination after exiting this psychotic AI containment wing.  After that, maybe it was time to check out the Wizard’s Tower.

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