Notes From The Underground

"Hmm. Well at least that part makes sense" said Phoebe. In fact, it was the only part of Kathryn's story that did make any sense.

"So what do you think?" asked Kathryn.

"I don't know" said Phoebe. "One things for sure though, it seems you will be spending more time in the dungeon."

Kathryn nodded grimly. However before she could say anything Laura appeared and said "On your feet sluts. It's time to resume your training."

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They left about an hour after dark, the same day India returned from the city. India had been surprised by the sudden turn-around but had said nothing. As they sat in the semi-darkness of the transport, Erin reviewed their plan one more time, going over all the details in her mind.

The plan itself was simple, although not without its subtle points. The five of them (Kelly, India, Cathy, and Stacy) had left just after dark, headed for the City. Cathy had suggested the day and time of their departure. "Better to leave as soon as India gets back. If nothing else it will most likely surprise her and throw her off balance."

Erin had agreed. No point in giving her more time to prepare. It was unlikely that India, or rather Zax, had any more tricks up their sleeves, but why give them any more time? As it was, Erin had seen India discreetly scatter a handful of cracker crumbs on the ground near the transport as they were boarding. Of course, she had said or done nothing. In fact, she would have worried if she had not seen India leave her silent signal. The crumbs were, of course, from regular crackers; the crackers India brought with her had been replaced days ago. There would be no signal but just to be sure, Erin had sent Pam and June out two days ago to shadow Zax's agents in the woods. By now, Pam would have acted, disabling their communications and foiling Prudence's plans.

In a few hours they would land on the roof of the storage facility, make their way via the emergency escape to the street, use Echo's access code, and enter the building. From there, Stacy would proceed directly to the power center, and cut the power to the storage containers. Erin and Cathy would then open and copy the contents of the memory blocks, and then they would all depart the way they had come. Simple, clean, and neat. Erin smiled grimly to herself. Her experience 20 years ago raiding Zax Island had left her somewhat less sanguine about the execution of their plans. In reality any number of things could go wrong. The entire thing was risky and if for any reason they were caught inside the storage facility, well…best not to think about it. Still Erin knew they had an excellent chance of success. Discovering Zax's plan to use India to signal their departure had been the key. With any luck they would be back at the Ranch before morning, no one the wiser, except Varinia, of course. Then the fun would begin. But Erin forced herself to concentrate on the present, not the future.

Bringing India was also a clear risk, but less risky than leaving her behind. Stacy had cut all outgoing communications just before India had returned and there was really no risk of her alerting Zax. Still, they may have overlooked something. Besides they were short staffed enough with Pam and June away during operations. No point in leaving India unsupervised to make mischief while they were away. Better to keep your enemies closer than your friends. Erin had tasked Kelly with supervising India to insure that there wouldn't be any problems.

To be doubly sure, the previous evening they had gone over everything in Erin's quarters. Cathy had been grim but resigned to proceed. "It's as good as its ever going to get" she had remarked. Erin was forced to agree still she was still a little surprised at her lover's resigned acquiescence. Cathy had been reluctant almost the entire time, now she seemed determined to proceed. Erin was not sure if it was because she had grown tired of arguing or because all her objections had been eliminated. This worried Erin a bit, but on the other hand it was also nice to have Cathy fully on-board with their plans. Glancing sideways she looked at Cathy and as their eyes met, she turned up the corners of her mouth in a slight smile. Cathy replied in kind, but then closed her eyes resting her head against the back of the padded seat where she sat.

Stacy, of course, was all confidence and absorbed entirely with the technical aspects of their plan. Erin doubted that she ever contemplated the risks of what they were doing. Rather she seemed to place her trust and faith entirely in Erin's hands. This left her free to devote one-hundred percent of her energy to work. And work she did. Stacy had gone over every aspect of the storage facility: its location, communication network, and of course the security systems. She had every detail memorized and Erin did not doubt that she could have walked in and out of the place blindfolded without so much as stumbling over the smallest object in the giant room. This of course was reassuring, but it also placed a heavy burden on Erin: to be right.

As for Kelly, she was her usual bright and enthusiastic self. Like Stacy, Erin doubted that she troubled herself with the risks they were taking. For her it was all just another adventure. Glancing sideways she watched as Kelly and India chatted merrily about some nonsense, as if they were school girls on an outing. It must be nice, thought Erin.

As for Erin, she realized that Cathy was fundamentally right. Mathematically her luck was due to run out. They had been extremely lucky when they had raided Zax Island two decades ago. Now she was pushing that luck beyond its reasonable limits. If they survived this, she would have unquestionably used up her nine-lives, so to speak. It would definitely be time to retire, formally marry Cathy, and bask in her success. Although Erin did not plan to leave Varinia, it would be time to pass the torch. Kelly and Stacy were both likely successors. But again, this would have to wait till their return. Best rest now, if she could, or at least clear her mind. It was going to be a long night that was the one thing that was certain.

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Gloria hated camping. She had been out in the woods for almost a month now with Elaine moving around every few days watching and waiting. Carmen's instructions had been clear: keep moving, avoid contact, and wait. Carmen was the head of Zax's Island security force. An Amazon of a woman, she reported to Alex and, along with her team, was formally part of the dungeon staff. In practice, the dungeon staff and the Island security force were separate entities. Alex delegated responsibility for security entirely to Carmen and her team while Laura and her much smaller crew were responsible for running the dungeon. Given Zax's busy social calendar (and the lack of any substantial threat to the Island), Alex spent most of her time with Laura ensuring that dungeon operations ran smoothly and to schedule. As for security there was rarely, if ever, a problem; the occasional curiosity seekers, ill-behaved and uninvited guests, and pranksters who tried to make trouble were no match for Carmen and her well trained team. In fact, the last real problem had occurred over twenty years ago when Varinia had tried unsuccessfully to raid the dungeon. Up till then, there had been no formal security force; but after the attempted raid Prudence had decided not to risk another indecent and had established the Island security force, to be headed by Alex.

Of course, this required expanding the dungeon staff, which Zax had done. However, securing the Island and running the dungeon were completely different tasks, requiring (in many ways) different skills. As such, Alex had put Carmen in charge of security and allowed her to hire and train the required force to secure the Island. Gloria had hired on during this period and had been part of the security team ever since. Being part of the Zax team was a popular and prestigious job. Applicants were many and the chosen were few. Of course, Zax's notoriety as well as the novelty of the job insured its popularity. Needless to say the requirements were surprisingly strict; an applicant had to be in top physical condition, well educated, and very disciplined. Zax only took the best of the best. Gloria had been one of the lucky few chosen to join the elite force, and all in all, she had no complaints. For almost twenty years she had enjoyed the prestige and benefits of being part of the elite team.

For the most part, work was routine but interesting. Gloria was a communications specialist and as such, spent most of her time in the com-center monitoring both incoming and outgoing electronic traffic to and from the Island. Elaine, her partner on this assignment, used to be part of the dungeon staff until she had tired of the odd and often long hours. If anything being part of the dungeon staff was considered an even more prestigious job than Island security. Unlike security, these positions were by special appointment only. In Elaine's case, she (like most of the dungeon staff) obtained her position via personal connections. Rumor had it that she knew (or someone in her family knew) Libra Johnson, the Consul General, one of Zax's executive board members. However after about tens years of living and working in the dungeon, Elaine had decided the job was not for her. This was not uncommon as the duty was in reality, not as kinky and glamorous as it might at first seem. Alex's staff was notorious for working long and often uninterrupted hours as they fought to keep up with Zax's constantly overbooked calendar. In short, there was always something happening on the Island: a party, visits by various dignitaries, special events, etc. As such, the dungeon staff was literally a slave to its work and Elaine had found that months could go by where she never saw the light of day or for that matter anything except the red-lit back-stone walls of the dungeon. After tens years she had, had enough and transferred 'top-side' to the Island security force where the hours were shorter and more evenly distributed. On occasion she would return to the dungeon to help out with some big event, such as the recent public humiliation of Zax's latest diapered slave, but for the most part she enjoyed working out-of-doors.

Elaine therefore did not particularly mind her current assignment as much as Gloria did. It was a chance to get away from the Island and enjoy some independence from the usual routine as well as to be out in the open. In fact, except for the discomfort of living in a tent outside, this current assignment was almost a vacation. In a practical sense there was little to do, except move camp every few days or so. For the most part the two women idled the day away, keeping an eye out for the bio-engineered birds they were tasked to look for and the rare transport that few across the sky. In fact, boredom was their biggest problem, especially for Gloria who had grown tried of having little to do but sit and watch the sky. Although she and Elaine were only casual acquaintances (at least until this assignment), Gloria more out of boredom than anything else, had suggested that they might relieve their routine with some sexual activity. Elaine had agreed, although she was more content with her situation then her partner. Both women were aggressive when it came to sex, and as such, their couplings were heated, intense, and short, although not infrequent. Typically the pair went at it several times a day, stripping down for (as Gloria liked to put it) some 'serious pussy sucking'.

They had just finished their latest session as the sun was setting and Elaine sat up, fanning herself. "God! I hope we didn't scare the bears, again" she said.

"Hmm" said Gloria, not feeling as sanguine as her partner. "It will be dark soon. I'm going to take a dip in the lake to cool off. I'll be back in five."

Elaine nodded but said nothing. Although she didn't mind Gloria, the woman was a bit too serious for her taste. Worse she had grown irritable in the last week or so. It was clear that her partner did not enjoy the outdoor life and being out for so long had started to grate on her. It did not help either that their assignment required that they avoid contact with other campers and recreationalists. The last group that they had encountered consisted of two women, somewhat older than themselves. One of the two had looked familiar to Elaine, but she could not quite remember where she had seen her before. Not that it mattered. As per their instructions, they had 'chased' the pair off (mainly by being rude). That had been a week or so ago. Elaine sighed. Oh well, she thought, in a few days their relief would arrive. It would be nice she had to admit, to have a warm shower, a good prepared meal, and a soft bed.

As it started to get dark, Gloria returned, carrying a wet towel. Grabbing her clothes off a nearby rock, she quickly put them on. It was time for their nightly routine. First, they would check their communication equipment and then examine the detectors for the birds. The two women silently set about their task. They had done this so many times, that it had become second nature, and neither spoke as they deftly went about their work.

Gloria went through the commutation equipment, verifying that everything was functional and in working order. Elaine checked the detectors around their tent, verifying that each sensor was in proper working order. The birds they were tasked to watch for had been genetically engineered and programmed to find the detectors after eating food laced with certain bio-triggers. Once the chemicals were ingested the bird's bio-programming would cause them to fly at top speed into one of the detectors, which acted as a sort of trap. The ingredients in the bio-triggers contained stimulates and energy enhancers allowing the birds to fly longer and faster than their metabolisms would normally allow thereby permitting them to cover tens miles in less than twenty minutes or so. Of course, this exertion would induce a fatal increase in heart rate, breathing, and liver function which would kill the bird. But not until after it reached its destination. Once inside the trap, an alarm would sound, alerting the waiting women. All that would need to be done was to retrieve the dead bird from the detector and examine its feet, which should be blue, thereby confirming that the signal had been sent.

Gloria and Elaine were not sure what was being signaled; their task was merely to confirm that the signal had in fact been sent, and then to alert Carmen. It was simple, but dull work. Gloria had hoped weeks ago that they would get such a signal, since it would signify the end of their assignment and hence a return to civilization. Perhaps tonight, they would get lucky she thought. Not that it much mattered, since they would be rotated out in a day or so. Still, any relief was welcome at this point.

When the women finished their task, Gloria started a small campfire while Elaine prepared their dinner. After dinner, the women would take shifts watching the sky for transports and waiting for the detectors to chime. Gloria looked at the star-filled sky and sighed. It promised to be another long night. In a little while she would find out how right she was.

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Pam stepped silently against the tree trying to breathe quietly. About 50 feet away, in the clearing she could see the two women, sitting silently by their camp fire, eating. The woods were quiet, but luckily the moon had not yet risen. It would be hard for the pair to spot her, Pam knew, but she needed to be careful, least she stumble in the dark and give herself away. Looking at her watch, she noted the time. Twenty minutes to go.

Erin and sent them out two days ago. June had grumbled, but had said nothing. This was their second trip in almost as many days, and Pam was tried and a bit sore. It was a good haul from the ranch to their current spot, about 12 miles out. The walk had been pleasant enough except for a few steep and rocky parts about two miles back. They had arrived early that afternoon and located their targets, the pair now sitting comfortably around the campfire just yards away. June had retreated about half a mile back and was now waiting for Pam. In a few minutes, Pam would twist the top of the heavy cylinder she now held in her left hand, wait 30 seconds or so, and then join June. They would then hike a few miles back towards the ranch and make camp and wait for morning when they would return to the Ranch.

It would be nice to get a hot meal and shower thought Pam, closing her eyes and resting her head against the tree. Yes, and sleep in her comfortable bed too! Oh well, business before pleasure. She glanced at her watch again: ten minutes to go. In the distance she could hear the women eating, the clang of metal utensils on metal plates broke the normal sounds of the forest. Just a few more minutes to go.

Pam had been surprised when Elaine had not recognized her. She had spent many years in the Zax dungeon before Erin had come along and secured her release. Elaine had been one of Alex's chosen dungeon staff and Pam remembered her well. She had been notorious for her strict observance of dungeon protocol. Pity the poor slave who failed to lower her eyes quickly enough or keep her white uniform absolutely spotless. Elaine had disciplined her more than once for such minor transgressions and Pam shivered as she remembered the punishments. Rubbing her face with her right hand she shook her head. Best to stay focused. Looking up she could see the sky through the tree tops; the stars shown brightly in the clear sky. Then in the distance a new star appeared on the horizon, faint at first and growing brighter. Checking her watch she noted the time. Right on schedule. As the star grew larger a faint rumbling could be heard. Glancing into the clearing, Pam noted that her two silent companions had also noted the sound. Both women were looking at the sky, tin plates and utensils resting on their laps. As they got up Elaine pointed at the sky in the direction of the new star.

Time to go. Stepping way from the tree, Pam twisted the top of the cylinder and waited. The results were disappointing, as there was nothing visible or audible to confirm that the device was working. The star was now bright and large and its rumble filled the woods with a growling sound. Pam glanced up and saw the transport pass overhead, carrying Erin and the others towards their destiny. God! I hope it works thought Pam. I hope it works!

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"That's it!" said Elaine pointing at the brightening light in the sky. "Carmen said we might expect them tonight."

Gloria nodded. "Good! With any luck we might finally get out of these damn woods!"

Elaine nodded. Looking at her watch she said "Thirty minutes."

Gloria nodded again and went into their tent. They were instructed to wait thirty minutes to see if one of the birds showed up. If so, they would signal its arrival to Zax. If not, they would contact Carmen and report the sighting of the transport. Why, Gloria was not sure, but instructions were instructions. Going to the back of the tent, Gloria removed the communicator and fingered the power switch. Instead of lighting up, the device remained dark and inert. "Damn!" said Gloria out loud. I just checked the damn thing not more than half and hour ago. Surely the power supply could not have died so suddenly.