Notes From The Underground

"Probably to allow the bird to fly faster and longer" said Cathy.

"Makes sense" said Erin. "Seems Zax thinks of everything."

"Indeed" said Cathy.

"So what do we do now?" said Kelly.

"It's quite simple" said Erin. "We replace all the crackers with the regular variety and then we go immediately."

Cathy was both surprised and taken aback. It had only been a week since they replaced one of the crackers in India's quarters with one from the Ranch's main kitchen. They were a common variety and readily available. Stacy had sent the cracker out for analysis and the results had come back yesterday. Cathy had studied the report herself, although biochemical engineering was definitely not her specialty. As she went over the report with Stacy, they had been forced to research the uses of each compound listed. Stacy's report was therefore not a surprise to Cathy rather it was Erin's eagerness to proceed immediately. "Not so fast Erin" said Cathy. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Erin frowned at her lover. Cathy had become increasingly temperamental in the last two days, and the tension between them was becoming obvious to even the most casual observer. "I don't think so. This is the piece we have been looking for, the secret key to Prudence's plan. Now that we know her secret, we can neutralize it and proceed without further delay. What else is there to do?"

Cathy also frowned and fought to keep her temper. Erin could be so irritating when she was obsessed. Taking as deep breath Cathy said "The signal India is supposed to send is intended to be received by someone close by. I researched the flight capability of various birds and found that speeds of 20-30 miles per hour are common with speeds up to 60 miles per hour possible, at least for short distances. Assuming a distance of 10 miles this means that 10 to 20 minutes after our departure the birds would reach their destination."

"So?" said Erin. "None of this matters, since there will be no birds to signal whoever is waiting."

"True" said Cathy, "however transports are noisy and easy to spot from afar, especially out here where ours is likely to be the only one. Moreover, my guess is that Prudence knows we must act soon especially with India reporting our plans and every move to her. As such, just leaving abruptly is not going to go unnoticed by whomever Prudence has sitting out in the woods watching us."

"I don't understand" said Kelly. "So they see us leave. So what? Without a signal from India, they won't know where we are going or why. What's the problem?"

"The problem is we are at the eleventh hour with our plans" said Erin. "We must act now, or loose our chance forever. Prudence knows this, as do, no doubt those who are watching us."

"I still don't get it" said Kelly. "You mean we can't do anything after all this?"

"No not quite" said Erin. "But Cathy is right. We need to be careful."

"Huh?" said Kelly still confused.

"Look at it this way" said Cathy "if we take off in the middle of the night (or any other time for that matter), lights flashing and engines roaring Prudence's agents are going to take notice. They are going to wait 20 minutes or so and if no birds with blue feet or feathers or whatever show up, what do you think they are going to do?"

Kelly looked ant Stacy who was also confused and both women shrugged.

"Well I'll tell you what they are not going to do, and that's go back to sleep" said Cathy.

"OK" said Stacy beginning to catch on before Kelly. "So they send a signal. But Zax won't be sure what we are up to. So what's the point?"

"That's true. But my guess is that if they haven't previously gotten a message from India that we have a trip planned, we are very likely to have a welcoming committee waiting for us when we raid the storage facility."

"But why then bother with the birds at all?" said Stacy.

Cathy shrugged. "Insurance. It guarantees that will be there. However at this late date Zax might be willing to risk a bit of embarrassment to insure that they don't miss us. After all, they know we must act soon, so if not this time, the next for sure."

"What about telling India we are going for another look, but this time we do the raid instead?" asked Stacy.

"Same logic" said Cathy. "At this late date they will be waiting for us. We would only be telling them we were coming."

Erin nodded solemnly and putting her hands together, index fingers extended and pressed the tips to her mouth. As usual Cathy's logic was flawless. Prudence's spies would need to be found and neutralized first. "OK" said Erin so we find whoever Prudence has waiting in the woods and watching us before we leave. We can then prevent them from reporting back, at least until we are done."

Kelly and Stacy looked at each other again and nodded.

"I agree" said Cathy.

"Let's do it then" said Erin.

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It took longer and required more effort than Erin had thought. Stacy had been closely monitoring the area around the Ranch for several months watching the comings and going of various small groups of campers, backpackers, and other recreationalists that frequented the rugged but scenic region. It was not uncommon during the high-season to find anywhere between 20 and 50 groups (typically composed of two to six women) camped in the woods about the Ranch. Most stayed a few days to a week or so enjoying the forests, lakes, and small streams and rivers that dotted the country side. Occasionally a group or two would stumble into the Ranch, dusty and tired, and Erin would offer them hospitality for a night or two. These 'visits' were almost always well received by both the women or Varinia and the weary campers. In fact, the Ranch had developed quite a reputation in the local backpacking community for being outstanding hosts.

Fortunately, it was not yet high-season any only a handful of campers were currently in the area Stacy was monitoring. However, after some careful investigation Erin, Stacy, Cathy, and Kelly were able to eliminate all of them as possible Zax agents. In most cases this was easy, since most campers passed through the area in a day or so and did not return. For the few that did hang around, Erin was forced to send a couple of women from the Ranch, posing as backpackers, out to investigate. They would approach the group in question, setup camp nearby, and make casual contact in an effort to determine the outsider's intentions and identities. This proved both arduous and time-consuming, but in the end Erin was able to eliminate everyone within 10 miles of the Ranch as possible Zax spies.

This unfortunately forced them to widen their search out to 15 miles which quadrupled the area they needed to investigate. After about a week, Stacy located a group of two women camped some 12 miles from the Ranch. They would linger for a few days in one spot and then move on, sometimes getting closer to the Ranch, some times moving away. They usually stayed near well marked paths and known camping sites, but their overall route seemed to be random and they never strayed much more than 12 miles from Varinia's headquarters.

"It's got to be them" said Stacy.

"I agree" said Cathy. "But we need to send someone out, just to make sure."

"Who's turn is it?" asked Erin.

"Pam and June" said Kelly. "They are not going to like this though. Pam hates camping and June's feet are still sore from the last time."

"Tell them I'm sorry, but I think this is the group we are looking for. Have them start tomorrow and report back as soon as possible."

"OK" said Kelly, turning to leave.

"Well that does it. We should know for sure in a day or two" said Erin.

"Yes" agreed Cathy. Events were rushing towards their final conclusion. Soon they would all know for sure.

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When Kathryn woke up she was surprised to find that she was alone in Katrina's bedroom. Looking at the rumpled sheets where her lover had lain, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. As her somnolence left her and her mind cleared, fragments of the previous night's wild happenings flashed through her mind and Kathryn let out small involuntary gaps as she vividly and instantaneously relived the most shameless of those events.

Even though she was alone, Kathryn blushed as she recalled what she had so easily and willingly done. So this was what happened on one's wedding night! No wonder no one talked openly about it. Kathryn was deeply ashamed of herself just thinking about it alone and in private. It would be absolutely impossible to talk about even to Katrina (who had also been a participant). In fact, Kathryn was glad the older woman was not there at the moment.

Looking down, Kathryn surveyed her body and the bed. The sheets and covers lay twisted and disheveled about the bed, as if there had been a fight. Her enormous breasts and the chain between them obscured the view of her lower body but Kathryn's skin felt slightly sticky and she could smell herself through the sheets. Wrinkling her nose she said aloud to herself, "God! I need a shower."

Getting up she walked into the adjacent bathroom. The room was enormous with a sunken tub that resembled a small swimming pool more than a bathing area and a shower that could have easily accommodated a dozen women. As she stepped under the shower head warm water immediately flowed over her body and Kathryn sighed contentedly as the soothing liquid revived her body and mind. When she was done, Kathryn dried herself and returned to the bedroom. There was nothing for her to wear and for that matter she was uncertain about what she should do. Katrina was gone and she had said nothing definite about her plans. For a moment Kathryn stood, naked, looking about the plush and ornate bedroom. Never in her life had she seen so much luxury concentrated into one area. By contrast her own bedroom at the Schoolhouse seemed plain, Spartan, and primitive. In fact, all the luxury made her uncomfortable. Kathryn was afraid to even touch anything, least she get into trouble.

Then she remembered her diaper. Perhaps it was in the next room. Although she disliked the humiliating garment, at least no one could fault her for putting it back on. Moreover it was clean, as she had not been forced to soil it and in any event it was better than being completely naked. However as she walked into the next room, Kathryn stopped short. Laura stood tapping her foot next to the open elevator door looking impatient, as usual.

"Let's go slut, I don't have all day."

Kathryn was momentarily shocked into immobility. What was Laura doing here? Worse, why was she taking her away? And to where? Surely not back to the dungeon. Katrina had said that…

"Don't make me tell you again" said Laura, the level of menace in her voice rising with each word.

"But…but.." stammered Kathryn.

"But what?" asked Laura sarcastically. "What do you think this is a hotel?"

"No Mistress" said Kathryn reflexively moving towards the elevator. "Its just that Mistress Katrina said that…well…I don't understand…"

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" said Laura. "Get in the elevator NOW slut."

"Yes Mistress" said Kathryn hopping through the open door. "But Mistress Katrina said I was hers, that we were married."

Laura looked at the young women slyly and stepping into the elevator said "We are all Mistress Katrina's."

"But she told me…"

"I talked with Mistress Katrina this morning" said Laura cutting her off. "She said you needed more training. It's back to the dungeon for you slut."

What that, the elevator doors closed and Kathryn's sprits descended like the floor beneath her feet.

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"Well that does it" said Erin. "We found them."

Cathy nodded in agreement. Pam and June had reported back that afternoon. It had taken two days for them to reach the site where the two women in question were camped. When they got there they were greeted coolly by the other pair. This had immediately raised their suspicions since the informal rule in the recreational community was one of hospitality and open kinship. But it was Pam's memory that provided the confirmation they need. She recognized one of the women as a member of Alex's staff from her days in the dungeon on the Island. And if that wasn't enough, she latter spied the trademark red axe, symbol of Zax, tattooed on the other woman's hip (as she secretly observed the strangers bathing in a nearby stream).

"It's them alright" said Pam. "I'd stake my life on it. They were the most unfriendly pair I've every met too."

"You are" remarked Cathy. "In fact we all are."

Erin nodded grimly. "Good work" she said. "Unfortunately, I am going to have to ask you two to go back out there in a couple of days. The task falls to you to neutralize their communications when we leave."

"OK" said Pam. "But how do we do that?"

"Stacy will explain".

Stacy held up a small cylinder, about a foot long and an inch or so in diameter. "With this; it's a simple EP generator. It will destroy any electronic device within 100 yards or so. All you have to do is twist one end and within 15 seconds and poof! Everything electronic will be wiped out. You'll need to be careful of course that you don't destroy your own communicators. I suggest one of you wait about half a mile away while the other does the deed, so to speak."

Pam took the cylinder and examined it. The thick rod-like device was surprisingly heavy. "Do I need line-of-sight to use it?" she asked.

"No, just make sure you are within 100 yards. Twist the top, and wait 30 seconds to be safe and that's it."

"OK, will do" said Pam.

"Thanks" said Erin. "Get some rest. I'll have Kelly let you know when its time to go."

"Alright" said Pam turning to leave."

"Now, what's the latest from your end, Kelly?"

"India has reported that Echo left a few days ago on her vacation. She apparently deposited the latest update to her records when she arrived in the city. India will be back tomorrow evening, so we're good to go as soon as she's here."

Erin nodded again. "Stacy?"

"I ran into a snag while going over the storage facility schematics" said Stacy. "It seems there is a stasis alarm in effect between midnight and six in the morning. It protects the contents of the storage facility including the containers unfortunately. The good news is that it won't go off when we enter the facility. The bad news it's that if we move anything inside, we'll trigger it."

"That includes Echo's memory blocks, I assume" said Cathy.

"Yes" said Stacy.

"Damn!" said Erin. "Yet another problem."

"Is there a way to by-pass it?" asked Cathy.

"Not directly" said Stacy. "However it's a rather simple alarm and it's on a grid."

"Meaning?" asked Erin.

"Meaning, that if we interrupt the power to just the containers the alarm will reset. This takes about a minute or so. During that time we can remove the memory blocks and copy them."

Cathy looked at Erin and said "I'm not sure I like this."

Erin frowned and said "Are you sure this won't cause yet another problem?"

"Yes, we should be OK. I thoroughly analyzed the schematics. The container power is completely localized. The storage facility designers considered them low-priority security risks and decided to isolate them from the rest of the building's security systems. After all there is no point in locking down the entire facility just because someone forgets to secure her container or gets careless."

"Makes sense" said Erin. "So I assume you figured out how to cut the power locally?"

"Yes" said Stacy. "But we won't be cutting the power, just interrupting it for a second or so. That will cause the alarm to reset which should give us enough time to scan all the memory blocks."

"Good" said Erin, relieved. "Then as far as you're concerned, we're good to go?"

"Yes" said Stacy. "We're good to go."

"Cathy?"

"I am still concerned about this power-interruption that Stacy's planning. I went over it with her, and in principle, it should work. However its pretty last minute and I am worried."

"Do you need more time to analyze?" asked Erin.

"No…" said Cathy. "Stacy did a fine job. Maybe I'm just skittish."

"I think we all are" said Erin. "But I need a go or no-go from you. What is it?"

"Go" said Cathy, reluctantly. She was still not very happy with the plan, but Cathy knew Erin was determined. The fact was, she would never be completely satisfied with their plan. There were still a lot of nagging unknowns and these would probably never be resolved to her satisfaction. She had discussed her concerns with Erin over the past few days and voiced her fears, in private, with her lover.

"I'm still worried Erin. It's not that I don't trust and believe in you and Varinia and what we are trying to do. It's that I am afraid of Katrina and Prudence, and Zax in general. They are an extremely formidable foe and our resources are very limited. I just get the feeling that no matter what we do or how hard we try we're going to end up loosing in the end. I don't want to loose you again; I can't go through that one more time."

"I know" said Erin. "I'm afraid too. But we can't just give up either. Zax will have won then, by capitalizing on our fears and intimidating us into inaction."

Tears started to fall from Cathy's eyes and Erin hugged her. When Cathy stopped crying Erin said "Look, if you still think it's too dangerous we can call the whole thing off. I can't say I'll be happy about it, but I respect your feelings and intuition too much to proceed against your better judgment."

Cathy had been surprised by her lover change of tact, but she could also see that Erin was sincere. "Thanks" said Cathy "but perhaps I am just being overly cautious and pessimistic. I know what this means to you and the others and I can't just call it off because I don't feel one-hundred percent about everything. If you waited until I felt that way, we'd never do anything."

"Well nothing is absolutely certain" said Erin "that's for sure. Still I trust your intuition. I have to admit I've been a bit too hasty on more than one occasion here and though I may not have been happy at the time, I was thankful that you stepped in with your level-headed reasoning and saved me from making some catastrophic mistakes."

"Thanks" said Cathy. "But I suppose I'm just plain scared. Now that the raid is upon us, it seems more real and frightening. I guess I'm just a coward."

Both women laughed for a second, breaking the tension. "I have to admit I'm scared too" said Erin. "However what I said stands. Just say the word you don't have to give me a reason."

"No" said Cathy. "We should proceed unless we have something more definite to go on. You are right we can't let Zax intimidate us into doing nothing."

And that's where things stood and remained. Cathy knew there would always be some excuse or reason not to go or to delay for another week or month. Eventually their plan would be rendered moot through their own inaction. Better to go now and trust fate.

"OK" said Erin. "Let's meet tomorrow in my quarters and go over everything one more time. After that we'll be set."

The other women nodded in silent acknowledgement.

Cathy sighed. In a few days it would all be finally and completely over. She would have been quite surprised if knew how correct she was.

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Echo was still going through her messages when Karolyn came in. Her vacation had been all too brief and in her absence Prudence's had further accelerated her plans leaving Echo busier than ever. Echo's first order of business had been to take Karolyn to the city for her judicial review. As with Kathryn the trip had been uneventful but tiresome. However Karolyn was now officially a slave and as such, she could now be diapered at any time. Her 'wedding' was scheduled for the following week and Krystyn's and Krystal's conversions would follow soon after (Echo was already busy with the details). Then it would be Kourtney's turn. With respect to Karolyn all that remained was to plant the idea that she was no longer a 'virgin'; hence the reason for her visit.