Story 9: There's no place like home

rufusluciusivan
Posts: 1225
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2017 5:08 pm

Re: There's no place like home

Post by rufusluciusivan »

Jewel's comeuppance, starting with Amy's betrayal, was (with the scene with the pizza girl) the part of the story I enjoyed writing the most. Having a truly irredeemable villain with no positive qualities or sympathetic/understandable justifications was a nice change of pace (I took some inspiration from Dr. Chen and 'Glitch'); and it was really fun writing her and trying to give her as much flaws as possible. She's a snob, intolerant, haughty, condescending, a child-beater, way too overconfident, and ultimately a huge hypocrite who'd rather save her own skin instead of fighting to the bitter end. Each word she said and each action she took served one purpose: to make the moment she receives her comeuppance as satisfying as possible. Given your comments, I think this was a success. :D
Conversely, Amy ended up more sympathetic than she initially was supposed to be, given the fact that she's motivated by purely selfish reasons. I guess that she takes advantage of the comparison with her boss since she at least has some qualities, and even when writing the last parts I couldn't help but make her a little more sympathetic than intially planned by giving her a backstory to explain her motivations.

esercito sconfitto: Didn't Sigyn and her squad lose their boots along with the rest of their uniforms? ;) I don't remember. Although, don't worry, I'm not feeling pressured. ;) I just made that precision because I don't want to disappoint. This kind of scenario isn't the most likely to pop up in my stories. I have the ideas for a few characters for a story based on conscripts again, but no storyline.

Trackman281: These guards are indeed not very bright, and I decided to even turn it into a plot point: most of Jewel's recruits are uneducated gullible people who followed blindly her fanatical rhetoric. I'm trying more and more to add variety in the physical features of the characters. While they are secondary, I enjoyed giving Clover and Posy some personality. The same comment about the guards can be made about Jewel: I decided to turn her amateurism into a plot point, hence why Mikani completely humiliates her by pointing out that, at heart, she's just a dumb grown-up spoiled child throwing a temper tantrum. However, Jewel will never learn. She's way too full of herself to learn from her mistakes. ;)

tirepanted3: I was guessing that the "quick cut" would catch your attention. I know you appreciate them. ;) A perfect tool to avoid breaking the story's rythm. Amy's betrayal was planned from the start (one of the first things I planned with this story) and I tried to leave a few clues leading to it without making it too obvious. On the contrary, Marge wasn't supposed to appear again, but I just couldn't resist the idea...
I see your point with Zoé. I think this is linked to (what I regard as) one of my trademarks: I put the plot slightly over the uniform stealings when writing. Therefore I don't mind adding in the stories characters that can't take part in Uniform Stealings such as men or, in that case, a kid. I liked the twist that her inclusion brought; and the character development it is bringing and it will bring to Mikani. And I couldn't help but find amusing the surreal situation of her remaining unfazed by Mikani's muggings, as if this was an everyday occurence. Also, she gave me an excuse to add more stealing uniform stealing scenes: if they didn't have to bring her with them, Mikani and her companions could have kept their robes. ;) Though I can reassure you about one thing: this was the only time she's going to be involved in uniform steals.

Anyway, only the epilogue remains to be posted, with hopefully a few surprises. Writing is almost over and depending on how fast I finish work today and if I have the motivation (also depending on the time zone), you may even read it at the same time you discover this post.
Last edited by rufusluciusivan on Thu Jul 16, 2020 8:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
rufusluciusivan
Posts: 1225
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2017 5:08 pm

Re: There's no place like home

Post by rufusluciusivan »

Quick note for those interested: The answers to the comments for the previous part are in the post above. And now, for the Epilogue:

**************

Amy left the bunker from its secret exit in the woods nearby. The night was providing her with a perfect cover.

She was feeling ecstatic, but was also remaining level-headed enough to not let her joy cloud her judgement. A life of luxury was awaiting her, and she refused to ruin everything just because she couldn't remain focused at the gates of success.

Police wasn't only besieging the bunker. They were also searching the area around the bunker. The special operation forces were deployed.

Amy carefully moved forward, using the trees to conceal her figure. The assault had already begun, but there weren't any gunshot. Apparently, the guards protecting the entrance had surrendered without a fight.

Well, good for them I guess...

Amy hid behind some bushes when she heard footsteps. She noticed the lone uniformed woman checking the perimeter with her flashlight. She smiled.

Why bother hiding when you can just grab a disguise?

Amy silently crept behind her prey.

The policewoman was a tall and fit woman with a slightly tanned skin. She was part of the special operations forces. She was wearing a grey uniform jacket and grey uniform pants, both clothes having a camouflage motif on them. Her feet were protected by black thick heavy combat boots, her hands by black combat gloves and her torso by a dark grey sleeveless protective waistcoat. A radio and several weapons were strapped to her belt, and she was currently holding a machine gun. She was also wearing a black helmet.

However, there was one weakness in her uniform. The throat wasn't properly protected...

Amy attacked her from behind and locked the woman's head in her arms. She applied a vicious sleeper-hold.

The woman dropped her machine gun on the ground. She flailed desperately to try to grab her attacker, to no avail. Then the cut of oxygen flow made her lose consciousness and she went limb.

Amy dropped her on the floor. This specific type of sleeper-hold compressing the carotid arteries was fast-acting, but its effects would also wear off quickly.

She unbuckled and removed the helmet, causing locks of soft curly black hair to spill out onto the grass. She unzipped the protective waistcoat, and the jacket, before easing them off the woman’s shoulders. She propped the woman up and took off the white light flannel shirt and the camouflage green tank top that the special agent was wearing underneath. The removed clothes revealed a bright pink sports bra. A concession to your feminity, girl? She took off the gloves before taking on the lower part of the uniform.
She unlaced the black heavy combat boots and removed them from the woman's feet, also taking the white cotton socks. She unbuckled the weapons belt, slid it off and set it aside. Finally, she eased off the pants. Underneath, the woman was wearing bright pink boyshorts matching with the bra.

There were plastic zip-ties strapped on the policewoman's belt. Amy put them to good use. She seated the woman against a tree and zip-tied her wrists behind the trunk. With a second zip-tie, she bound the ankles. Then she shoved the woman's socks into her mouth to silence her.

“And enjoy the taste, moron!”

She cut the woman's tank top with the combat knife strapped on the weapons belt and turned it into a makeshift cleave-gag.

The black-haired policewoman stirred and moaned in her gag. Amy applied a nerve-pinch to her left shoulder. The agent went limp again.

"So much for the elite of the police... To say that our tax money is used to pay them..." Or perhaps was it that she was that good?

Amy took off her own clothes save for her grey underwear and socks, and donned her new disguise. She slipped into the white flannel shirt, then the pants. She put on the camouflage jacket and the protective waistcoat then zipped them. The heavy black boots were next. Finally, she put on the gloves and buckled the weapons belt around her waist. She enjoyed the sensation of wearing these newly aquired clothes.

She was beaming.

She had never felt more alive, with the exception of the day she left the hospital after overcoming her cancer. It was the same feeling. The same certainty that the world could be hers. That she could do anything, and go anywhere. She survived the sickness. She survived Jewel's mad projects. She was alive. She was rich. She had everything.

She won.

Amy grabbed the helmet, but then hesitated when she realized she was still wearing her wig.

She didn't want to take off her dark blond wig, even though it was making it more difficult to put on the helmet. It was her first wig, the one she bought when she knew that she wasn't going to die a slow painful death. She was attached to it...

She tied the dark blond hair as best as she could, then put on the helmet over them and buckled the chinstrap.

Amy quickly checked the black-haired policewoman's gag and bonds, listening to her slow and steady peaceful breathing. After she was satisfied, and sure that the woman wouldn't leave her tree for the next couple of hours, she grabbed the flashlight and continued to walk through the woods, playing the part of a dutiful policewoman.

**************

The police had given Mikani, Clover, Posy and Zoé blankets. The three women and the child were in a safe place, in the middle of police cars.

The raid was over. Thanks to their trick with Jewel's clothes, the cult surrendered without casualties.

The members of the Eye were put into different police van, to be driven to the police station. Jewel was among them. After one last mocking wave, Mikani, Clover and Posy had the pleasure of closing the door of the van themselves, making sure that their faces were the last thing she saw before being brought to the police station.

“Well, I won't have to read stories from books to the children now, I'll just have to tell them my own adventures...” Clover said.

Mikani looked at her quizzically.

“I will leave out the bondage-related details, of course.” the librarian added.

Posy chuckled. “Slight artistic licence... Though you might keep them if you tell it to teenagers.”

Mikani chuckled as well, then she noticed that Zoé was staring at her.

"Yes?"

“What will we do now?” the kid asked her.

The short woman kept silent. She could perfectly guess what the child had in mind. Zoé didn't want to go with the police and to be given to the child welfare services. But Mikani knew that she was not able to raise a child properly. She didn't think she could give her the kind of life suited for her, even with her friends' help.

However, how could she explain that to Zoé?

Ultimately, she didn't need to.

Zoé was clever, a lot more clever than the average child. She understood.

“Oh.”

“I'm sorry Zoé.”

The child hugged her. Then she nodded.

“I understand.”

A policewoman was approaching them to lead Zoé to a car.

“I will miss you...” Mikani said, returning the hug. She didn't think that she would get attached to the kid so quickly... "I will keep in touch with you, I promise..."

“Me too...” Zoé answered.

Mikani frowned. Did she just notice a hint of slyness in the child's voice?

But Zoé had already broken out of the hug, and a police officer was escorting her away.

Mikani looked at her sadly. She wasn't sure that she made the right decision...

Clover patted her shoulder sympathetically.

“I know this isn't easy.” she said. “We'll keep in touch with you too.”

Mikani nodded and smiled slightly. They had exchanged their phone numbers, and she also had Amber's number. Just for that, she didn't regret returning to Southern Cross. "I will have to introduce you to my friends." she said to the two librarians. "If you enjoyed mugging these dumb guards, I know one woman who will just be delighted to discuss with you about your experience..."

Posy smiled brightly. "Any place, any time!"

They quickly shook hands and embraced each other.

Then, Posy and Clover were also escorted by police officers. They were about to be driven home.

Mikani sighed when she realized that she couldn't see Zoé anywhere anymore.

She grabbed a police sergeant's arm. “I want to leave. Can you have a rented car sent to me, please?”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because I'm the one who single-handedly prevented a bombing this morning?” Mikani retorted, akready losing her patience.

“Even if it's true, we still have to listen to your deposition.”

Mikani groaned, then chose to do something that she swore she would never do. She grabbed the cellphone stolen from the guard and dialed a number.

“Yes, Hieron? … … … Yes, I know it's the middle of the night! … … … Yes, yes, I will buy you chocolates to forgive myself! But right now, can you do me a solid? I had a really bad day, what with me stopping a bombing, being kidnapped, and dismantling a cult of Olympian supremacists... And now there's a jerk who refuses to give me a car so I can go home. … … … Ok.”

She gave the phone to the sergeant.

“It's for you.”

Ten minutes later, she had her car.

**************

When she exited the woods, Amy had the bad luck of coming across a squad of members of the special forces. They were a dozen. Under the orders of their squad leader, the agents were scanning the area, using flashlights and spotlights to light the perimeter. Amy couldn't turn back without raising suspicions, as they had already seen her.

She decided that the best course of action was to play it cool. Between the helmet and the uniform, she was confident that she wouldn't be outed as an impostor.

The fake member of the special forces walked fast next to the dozen of armed men and women, as if she had received instructions to go elsewhere.

Nobody batted an eye.

It's working. Amy resisted the urge to smile. Such morons!

The squad leader looked at her, but didn't try to stop her.

Amy nodded to salute, and the woman saluted back. Then the impostor continued her walk without a word.

However, Amy felt that the officer was glaring at her neck and her back under the light of the spotlights...

Suddenly, the woman shouted: “Arrest her! She's an infiltrator!”

Amy didn't even have the time to react.

She was grabbed, disarmed, and immobilized. They took off her helmet, making the wig fall in the process.

“No!” Amy couldn't help but exclaim. What is going on? Competent police forces?! When did that ever happen?!

The squad leader smiled. “Surprised? We've received new trainings to recognize when we're infiltrated.” She grabbed Amy's chin. “Where's the original owner of the uniform? What did you do to her?”

Amy understood that it was over. She had lost. Playing the wise guy would only put her in more trouble.

“I didn't kill her if that's what you fear. She's tied up in the woods.”

The squad leader let go of her chin and nodded. She gave instruction to go rescue the agent Amy mugged, and started to walk away.

“Wait!” Amy called her. “At least tell me... How did you notice I was an impostor?”

The squad leader looked at her. Then she picked up the wig.

“It was the hair. There were a few locks of dark blond hair on your neck. Nobody in my squad has that hair colour.”

Amy's eyes widened. No way...

Caught because of her wig... The wig she refused to leave behind due to misplaced sentimentalism, even after she abandonded all her allies to their fates...

There was probably some kind of irony to it... Amy couldn't help but laugh mad.

The squad leader looked almost sorry for her.

“Confiscate her wig, her contact lenses, and her weapons. Then put her in one of the police cars and have her transferred to the police station.”

**************

Mikani sat behind the wheel and drove off. She quickly left behind her the bunker, the farm and the police lights.

She wasn't sure if she was going to drive to Aster's workshop at one go or if she was going to get some rest in a motel, but one thing was certain: she was leaving Southern Cross.

While she didn't regret coming back, especially since it allowed her to meet new potential friends, she also didn't regret leaving the town – probably for good. Ultimately, her true home was now with Aster and her other friends, and there was no place like home...

She was already driving for a long moment when she felt a tingling in the back of her neck. As if... she wasn't alone in the car.

She suddenly realized the terrible truth. She truly wasn't alone.

There was a presence on the backseat. No way, this stuff only happens in movies. I would have noticed by now if an adult was hidden here! Was the nightmare not over?

“Show yourself!” she exclaimed.

No reaction.

“I know you're here! Show yourself to me!”

A small figure appeared in the rear-view mirror. Previously, she was hiding on the car's floor between the backseat and the passenger seat, hence why Mikani didn't see her. The short woman's eyes widened.

“How did you...?”

The child smiled apologetically.

“Zoé! You escaped police custody?!”

Zoé Basileus of the Basileus Faction was apparently already very good at sneaking up...

**************

Hands cuffed in front of her, Amy was seated in the back of the police car.

For the fourth of fifth time since she'd entered the car, she carressed her closely-cropped chestnut hair. Her wig was confiscated when she was arrested, along with her contact lenses. Amy wasn't used to have her natural appearance anymore, after so much time spent changing wigs at least once per week.

Amy was feeling melancholy...

In what seemed to be a lifetime ago to her, Amarante Phocas used to be idealistic, she used to believe in Olympus and the glorious destiny of the Factions. She used to wish nothing but dutifully serve her people...

… and she used to despise her greedy father who only cared about money.

Then, she fell sick, and she realized that if she died, she would have so many regrets... She only lived to serve a grand cause, but she never did anything for herself.

Even now, Amy still perfectly remembered the resolution she made when buying her first wig. Since no matter what she did she would die eventually, she chose to live her life the fullest. And for that, she needed money. As much money as possible, to live a life of luxury until her death. No matter the means, she wanted money. Ultimately, Amy didn't love no man or woman. The only person that mattered to her was herself.

However, now, the dream was over.

“Well, if there's one good thing coming out of all this, it's that I'll never have to put up with Jewel ever again...” she said out loud to herself. “No more crazy schemes, no more ramblings about the superior people of Olympus or the holy war... No, sir! I'm done with all that!”

In a way, Amy was relieved. She was going to prison and would have to stay there for a long time. But, in a way, she was free. Free from Jewel and her mad projects...

Prison wasn't the worst place to be locked up anyway. Amy still remembered the hospital bedroom, with its white walls, its artificial harsh light, its bipping machines, and the disgusting stench of sickness and medecine.

At the next intersection, the driver of the police car turned left.

“Hey genius, you do realize that the police station is the other way?” Amy said to the policewomen driving the car.

The special forces weren't bothering with prisoner transfer. They had given this chore to normal policewomen, dressed in the traditional police uniform: black shoes, black pants, brown belt, and dark blue uniform jacket.

“We know.” the driver said.

Her tone made Amy frown.

“Who are you?”

Now that she was looking more closely at the two policewomen, they didn't look like they were from this part of the country...

“You will soon learn everything you need to know...”

**************

After the end of the civil war, Primrose and Yusufa kept their jobs in the police, even though they were from Olympus. The new government had chosen to remain measured when the time came to punish those who helped the old government's oppression. They mostly put the officers on trial. Providing they didn't commit heinous crimes, the low-ranked policemen and policewomen were allowed to keep their jobs as if nothing happened. Still, Primrose and Yusufa asked to be transferred to another Province.

Primrose was a tall curvy woman with brown eyes, a deep voice and a slightly pointy chin. Yusufa was of average build and height, but with a soft cute oval-shaped face and green-hazel eyes. Both had stopped to dye their hair. Olympian fashion was now not regarded with much favour in the country except in the Province of Olympus itself. Primrose's brown hair, tied into a midback-long high ponytail, and Yusufa's shoulder-long down light brown hair, were now devoid of any hair paint.

Primrose thought that, now, she and her girlfriend were safe from uniform stealers. After all, weren't they all working for the Rebellion? Now that the Rebels held the power, their infiltrators had no interest in mugging the police officers anymore, right?

She should have known better...

A good idea was often stolen, and now other groups were using the same tactics as the infiltrators of the Rebellion.

Primrose knew a great deal about that: she just got mugged by one of these new groups. And yes, she could compare with the times when she was mugged by the Rebels. The new infiltrators were using the exact same tactic as the old ones.

She and Yusufa were part of the forces assaulting the Eye's bunker. However, since the two women were from Olympus originally, their officers thought that it was more tactful to have them stay behind and stand guard rather than having to potentially shoot at fellow countrymen and women. However, this nice gesture left them isolated way behind the main force while they were watching one of the paths leading to the bunker.

Their aggressors didn't leave them any chance.

One moment, the two policewomen were chatting idly, planning a romantic dinner for tomorrow night. The next, Yusufa was letting out a small grunt and falling in her girlfriend's arms. There was a small dart embedded in her neck. Probably some kind of sleeping dart. And a fast-acting one at that, given how quickly it knocked out Yusufa!

Then the two women emerged from the bushes. They were dressed in black catsuits, with balaclavas. One was holding some kind of strange gun.

Primrose perfectly remembered what the leader of the duo said:

“I advise you to keep quiet, if you don't want things to become painful for you and your sweetheart.”

By that point, Primrose was already suspecting what was going to happen next. In a way, she had got the hang of it... And she knew that the best course of action was to go with the flow. Her aggressors didn't put Yusufa to sleep by accident. Primrose now couldn't do anything, especially not run for help, without leaving her girlfriend at the mercy of these two women.

“We kept you awake because we don't want to waste time." the leader added. "We only require your uniforms. And we would appreciate greatly if you could just give us your clothes so we can take your place.”

“And then you will leave us trussed up somewhere...” Primrose answered.

“Oh! So you already know the drill? Perfect! That way, we won't waste time. People usually ask so many stupid questions when it's their first time... Don't they realize that time is money?”

Primrose couldn't do anything else but obey. And watch one of the two women strip Yusufa while she was also taking off her own uniform. The other, the leader holding the strange gun, was watching her. She unbuttoned her jacket, opened it and took it off, before removing the white shirt she wore underneath as well. She unlaced her shoes, took them off, unbuckled her pants and let it slide on the ground, displaying her shapely legs. Primrose now stood in front of the leader of the duo, looking resplendent in her red-colored push-up bra and tap pants.

The other mugger was done too. Yusufa was stripped down to her blue boyshorts and brassiere. The criminals even wanted their socks, so Primrose removed hers as well.

"Your girlfriend's very lucky, that's for sure! Now, we'll make sure you two don't come to expose us while we take over your shift for the rest of the night..."

Primrose also perfectly remembered what she then asked...

“Since you will leave us trussed up for some time, can you at least bind us together, my girlfriend and I?”

Even now, Primrose couldn't believe she actually said that. But on the other hand, since she was going to spend the next hour (or even more) in that state, why not try to make the most of it? The two previous times she was left bound with Yusufa were unbelievable experiences, that she couldn't deny... No matter what roleplay she tried afterwards, she could never recreate these sensations.

The leader just said: “Well, I certainly wouldn't want to get between two fellow women's love...”

And she certainly kept her promise!

The two muggers first filled Primrose's mouth with a sponge, sealed her lips with several stiprs of tape and seated her on the grass. They used tape to bind her wrists behind her back and secure her shoulders and upper-arms. They secured Yusufa's hands and arms and gagged her in the same way. They also taped her legs. Next, they laid Yusufa on her girlfriend's lap and moved Primrose's legs to make them surround her girlfriend's waist and hug it, then they taped her ankles to secure the 'hug'. Finally, they wrapped tape around both of their bodies to press them together. Primrose could feel her girlfriend's breasts pressed against hers, and their faces were now very close to each other, at kissing range.

Then, the two women disguised themselves with the stolen uniforms. One was a tall, fit and busty woman with dark brown hair; the other had brown hair, a tanned skin and green eyes.

Before leaving, the brown-haired woman said:

“Well my two lovebirds, enjoy yourselves and try to make the most of it! As for us, we have to collect a member of the Eye, and to make sure that she doesn't miss an important appointment...”

They left the two trussed up lovers behind bushes, away from the path, and indeed trying to make the most of it while awaiting for their rescue was all they could do.

**************

The 'boss' who wanted to meet Amy was a red-haired woman with midback-long twin-tails.

“Howdie!” she said.

Amy frowned. “Have... Have we met?”

The redhead's voice was familiar.

“Only by phone.” the 'boss' answered with a smile. “My name is Selena Fitch. Pleased to meet you in person, at last. I have to say, getting your attention is very hard... Lizéa and Tiffany had to improvise to make sure you didn't fall into the police's hands...”

“Somehow, I'm not surprised to see you so soon after... my old boss' defeat...” Amy commented. “You knew about the raid?”

“Of course! As I've already told you, I have a little birdie. Who has contacts everywhere. We were in the bunker's area when Max told me about the upcoming raid. We didn't have much time to take action, but I'm working with experts at improvisation...”

Ultimately, Amy didn't care about the explanations however. She had only one question on her mind:

“Why did you save me?”

Selena's smile widened. “Leaving a professional like you to rot in jail would be a waste. As for me, I intend to break a few people out of jail. And I require your services for that.”

**************

Mikani was warmly greeted by her friends when she came back at Aster's shop.

Aster, Klenia and Shayna had heard rumours about her recent adventures, and they had been worried for her. The embraces were long and numerous. Mikani felt warm in her chest. She was home...

However, the short woman was also feeling apprehensive. After the defeat of the Eye, she had to face a little... complication.

“Girls, I have to introduce someone to you...” she said with an embarassed smile.

She nervously moved to the right, to allow them to see the small figure behind her.

Aster's, Klenia's and Shayna's eyes widened when they saw the little girl accompanying their friend, still dressed in her proper schoolgirl uniform with her hair tied into a proper braid.

Zoé gave them a polite smile and curtsied. “Pleased to meet you. My name is Zoé.”

“A kid?” Aster exclaimed. “Mikani, did you truly just kidnap a child?”

“I didn't kidnap her, she didn't want to leave me! She escaped police custody and hid in my car!” Mikani defended herself. “I panicked, okay? I didn't know what to do! I wanted to take her in a place where she would be safe!”

“What's with this girl anyway?” Klenia asked.

“She's the direct descendant of Constantin Basileus. The last of the bloodline still alive.”

“That girl?! But it means...” Shayna started to say.

“Yes. All the nostalgic wackos of Olympus' old order would gladly turn her into a rallying symbol for their cause... And I don't trust Cérès or our government to give her the care she needs either.”

“It's like when Klenia brought Macha and Hana with her... only a lot worst...” Aster rubbed her temples. “Let's just say that it's future us' problem. We'll think about it tomorrow...”

Zoé beamed and rushed in the shop, taking her statement as a permission to enter.

“Well, looks like we're going to become mothers now.” Klenia commented. “Hopefully, Zoé won't mind having four moms...”

“Klenia! You can't just adopt someone like that!” Mikani objected. “And I just said that I wanted to help her. I never said that we were going...”

“You're right. I'm not the mother-type anyway. I would probably be the 'cool aunt' instead...” Klenia said.

Zoé sized her up severely, with her big serious eyes.

“Mikani is cooler.” the child decided. “I think she's awesome!”

“Indeed she is...” Klenia answered with a smile.

“Klenia! Don't encourage her!” the short woman objected.

“When I grow up, I'm gonna be like her.” Zoé added.

Klenia's smile widened. She ignored Mikani's frantic gestures to urge her to stop. “Oh, truly?”

“Yes! I'm going to be a uniform stealer!” Zoé answered with a very serious expression.

There was a pause.

Klenia smiled proudly.

Shayna chuckled.

Aster rolled her eyes.

“Really Mikani...? I expected Klenia to corrupt the next generation... But you?”

“Come on! I didn't even do anything!”

The playful teasings lasted for several hours but, ultimately, it was still good to be home.

THE END

**************

Quick note: I thought I should inform you. Tomorrow at work, there's a reunion that'll change schedules for the next month. Depending on what is decided, I may keep the same rythm as during the previous month (still have 1 story in mind before taking a break to find inspiration) just as I may become completely quiet during June, or anything in-between. (There's very few chances to be one of the extremes, but just in case I'm telling you so you won't be surprised if there's a brutal change of pace...)
Last edited by rufusluciusivan on Tue Jul 07, 2020 5:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
tirepanted3
Posts: 1934
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:40 am

Re: There's no place like home

Post by tirepanted3 »

A great final chapter, and one that ties nicely in with the prior stories. Not only has Selena formed an alliance with Lizéa and her team, she's recruited Amy to help her as well. I'm quite eager to see how their forces combine to break Reka and her girls out of prison (especially since it sounds like Reka has some plans of her own).

Amy continues to be a wonderful character, both sympathetic and funny. Great scene with her and the policewoman, particularly her thought about the woman's femininity in underwear choice. And getting tripped up by her blonde wig was a clever twist. Perhaps a lesson about how wigs don't make as convincing disguises as uniforms. ;)

Poor Primrose and Yusufa - the third time still isn't the charm for them. :D No matter how many times they get transferred, someone is always waiting to swipe their uniforms. At least Primrose seems to be getting used to it at this point. Always good when a woman can make the most of a bad situation. :lol:

I'm quite interested in seeing where things go from here, whenever the next story becomes available.
rufusluciusivan
Posts: 1225
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2017 5:08 pm

Re: There's no place like home

Post by rufusluciusivan »

Thanks. A review that quick needs an answer just as quick. ;)

Yes, the team of antagonists for the 'jailbreak' story is being put together.

As I said, I made Amy more sympathetic than she was initially supposed to be. I liked the irony of her most treasured possession being also the thing leading to her downfall, so I'm glad you appreciated it too. Bringing back Primrose and Yusufa was fun to write, and having Primrose choose to 'make the most' of the situation was even more fun to write.

Without making a full road-map, the next story won't be the attempt to break Reka and co out. It will be a side-story featuring secondary characters (though hopefully you will like seeing them return), albeit still with a link to the main story, and it is supposed to be shorter than this one. Then, my next goal will be to try to finally tie these small storylines together with the 'jailbreak' story. The goal would be to make this story some kind of conclusion. I don't know how long I'll keep having ideas, but I would like to make sure to bring some conclusion to this universe in order to have no regret. Almost all the pieces are set now.
Trackman281
Posts: 1600
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2018 6:08 am

Re: There's no place like home

Post by Trackman281 »

Just to quickly respond to your answer from your before. :) So my very own "Glitch" gave you a hint of inspiration did she, well I'm not going to lie I'm genuinely pleased about that, so thank you and now onto your awesome epilogue. :D

This was a great epilogue, I think Amy definitely stole the show in this one, she was getting her groove back and everything, she managed to takedown that policewoman for her uniform with ease. Then oh dear, caught by her own wig, seriously that was a pretty cool little twist there and it was interesting to see that it seems that various teams are actually trained to identify infiltrators........I guess too many women have lost uniforms to infiltrators in their department before. :D ;)

I see that good ol Primrose and Yusufa make a fantastic cameo, hey maybe next time they'll be lucky because as the old saying goes. "All evil things come in three's." Which means in their next transfer they might actually be lucky enough to keep their uniforms.........But something tells me otherwise. :D

Tirepanted3 also took the words out of my mouth for I too am also excited about Reka's prison escape, especially now that Amy's been conscripted onto the rescue party and well I'm sure you know me by now when I say, I love my antagonists and you really have created some truly remarkable and memorable villains. :)

this epilogue was a nice way to finish of this story ARC, in bought everything is full circle, it showed Mikani's more sympathetic side which is always nice to see, I know you said you may of put the plot over the USB scenes in some cases in this chapter but I honestly don't mind that, it just showed that you cared and wanted to give us a well crafted story and I'm perfectly fine with that as I have enjoyed this from start to finish. :D

Absolutely fantastic work and I know you said for-coming chapters are a little bit up in the air right now and that's fine, I'll be looking forward to them all the same. :)
esercito sconfitto
Posts: 7096
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 12:06 pm

Re: There's no place like home

Post by esercito sconfitto »

Zoé is priceless :lol:



Rufusluciusivan, thanks for the now complete novel
rufusluciusivan
Posts: 1225
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2017 5:08 pm

Re: There's no place like home

Post by rufusluciusivan »

So my very own "Glitch" gave you a hint of inspiration did she
For the haughty 'bad boss with a huge superiority complex' personality, yes. While she's more tamed in her way of interacting with her subordinates, she still thinks herself as superior (notably intellectually).
I think Amy definitely stole the show in this one
She really grew up on everyone, including me, over the course of this story. Pretty good job for someone who was at first supposed to be just as one-dimensional and hateful as Jewel... :lol:
I guess too many women have lost uniforms to infiltrators in their department before.
Exactly. They've learned from their mistakes. (Of course, the people who used these infiltration tactics are now their bosses. ;) )
I see that good ol Primrose and Yusufa make a fantastic cameo [...] Which means in their next transfer they might actually be lucky enough to keep their uniforms.........But something tells me otherwise.
I wonder why... :lol: Really, their biggest chance is to stay under the radar and pray that I forget about them when writing the next big part.
I too am also excited about Reka's prison escape
Hopefully only one more side-story and we'll get down to it. I admit that I'm a little apprehensive, and that I may be postponing the beginning of this story more than I should. I don't want to encounter the same problems as with Rescue Operation.
it showed Mikani's more sympathetic side which is always nice to see, I know you said you may of put the plot over the USB scenes in some cases in this chapter but I honestly don't mind that
I really liked giving Mikani more spotlight, as she's always been the least developped of the main characters in previous stories. Yep, she's mellowed out a little compared to her beginnings. In the very first parts (that seems so far ago...) she didn't mind doing things Emery's way and even in the beginning of Part 5 she would have left Macha and Hana fend for themselves if given the choice. Her friends had a positive influence on her, and this was the occasion to highlight it. I'm glad the emphasize on the plot didn't deter from appreciating the USB story.
Zoé is priceless
Glad you liked her. This conclusion was the first thing written for this character.
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