Hybridization

Chapter 162 – Negotiations

Chapter 162 – Negotiations

“As far as we can tell, despite humans being a base template for many races, there aren’t many freely available methods of enhancement. Possession, vampirism and lycanthropy are the main avenues that don’t require divine intervention, but they all have drawbacks. Possession is a completely different person. Vampires are far too limited based on environment. Lastly, werewolves don’t seem to mesh well under non-para command structures which poses a problem for any branch of service. All that comes before the possible religious implications of these… effects.” – Discussion on the future of modern militaries, Bundeswehr Headquarters (Von-Hardenberg Barracks, Strausberg Germany)

“It isn’t that bad.” Val said soothingly as she rubbed Kurt’s back. “Between Jade’s pack, Ra’s and Justin’s, we will only have like thirty-something werewolves living here.”

“And how many will there be in a couple months?” Kurt sniped back. “How about this time next year? Where are we going to put them all? Is it only werewolves or other para’s too?”

Kristi popped the top on a beer and passed it to Kurt before handing out one to everyone else. “That sounds like something you need to talk to Jade and Jay about. Your land, you can set the limits. Even though you wouldn’t turn away anyone that actually needed help.” She said confidently.

“Did you hear how they are paying for all this?” Kurt asked, seeing them shake their heads. “Turns out Ra and Justin are working on Order business and pumping their paychecks into this place. Jade managed to get a contractor role for her squad and they get paid only when working with us.”

Val shrugged. “Sounds like they have it figured out and aren’t complaining about it. I doubt their individual overhead is very much here, since they don’t have to pay rent or anything. If they have a problem, that can be something for ‘Future Kurt’ to deal with when it comes up.”

“What about present Kurt who likes to have a plan?” He asked before taking a very long pull.

“Well, present Kurt can get off his butt and greet his friends.” Val said and pointed to the driveway where a familiar van was pulling in. Kurt stood and walked down the porch steps to wave Alec over but heard a few comments from Rindi.

“I’m sorry but ‘future’ Kurt? Is he experienced with prophecy too, or no?” She asked Kristi.

Kurt just ignored them and reached out his hand to Alec. “Hey bud. How’s it goin?”

“Ah, good enough.” The dwarf said and waved to the girls. “Are we drinking already?” he asked after seeing the beer in Kurt’s hand.

“It’s been a long day.” Kurt said but Alec took the opportunity to summon a beer from his own ring while Na just scoffed and wandered over to chat with Val and Kristi.

Alec popped the top on his own bottle and pinged it against Kurt’s. “Good enough for me. So, what’s the deal with the Ford dealership over there?”

Kurt then explained how he had inherited a bunch of werewolves and they were now living in a bunker under the barn. Alec listened intently as he tried to get the dwarf up to speed on the recent politics that he had gotten caught up in without over sharing.

“So, you have a cult.” Alec stated as they leaned on the porch railing looking at the rolling fields and empty pastures near the house. 

“Not much of a cult when you are actually becoming a god.” Kurt muttered. “And no Kool-Aid jokes around the wolves, they take it pretty seriously.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll lay off around them.” Alec assured him before storing his empty bottle back in his ring with the other three empties. “So, how about the tour?”

Val ended up leading the way and showing them the house. It was pretty much a done deal, so she didn’t have to work too hard. Despite that, she channeled her best inner realtor and worked hard to ‘make the sale’.

Eventually Alec and Na went off to have a moment alone to talk things over. They had to go back to their car to have any privacy since all of them could hear them quite easily but that was beside the point.

After only a few minutes they came back to the porch. “Alright, we’re in. As long as this Renee character and I can come to an agreement.” Alec declared with his usual bluster.

Na scoffed and flicked his ear. “You will take it either way. It’s only another ten minutes of drive time to Hamlets and the rent is pretty much free.”

They had decided that the official ‘rent’ would be that Alec and Na handle the utilities and day-to-day maintenance on the home. Making sure the yard was mowed, the furnace filters were changed, softener salt refilled and so on. Kurt would handle any large purchases that would be needed for repairs, but the rest would be up to them.

The werewolves would all be moving into the Den after the duo moved in, not wanting to intrude and insisting it was more comfortable underground. Kurt wasn’t sure if they were just being polite, but he had also felt like the Den was cozy.

After hashing out the details, they all drove back to Kurt’s house where he began getting dinner ready while Val and Kristi went to fetch Renee and escort her through the portal. That left Kurt and Rindi to entertain their guests. Unfortunately, since Kurt was cooking, the entertainment was Na and Alec getting to know Rindi.

“How did you meet Kurt and the girls?” Alec asked.

Rindi, having no idea what was considered polite conversation on Earth, answered honestly. “Oh, he took over my slave contract after my last master tried to kill him and failed.”

“Akah, KILL?” Na shouted after nearly choking on her wine.

“Slave?” Alec turned a very confused and accusatory look at Kurt.

“Well yes, we were hired to kill him and when he instead killed my master, my slave contract automatically transferred to him.” Rindi answered. “That is how the mark works for enslaved criminals. It’s not like he had a choice in the matter as it is a divine accord and a god enforces it.”

“Ok.” Alec patted the air with his hands. “How about we do the sensible thing and start the fuck over.”

That led to the remaining time the girls were away being filled with Kurt’s half assed story telling as he was busy trying not to burn the food while Rindi answered a lot of pointed questions about her past. Most of it was information he had heard before, living with her for the past several days, but some new.

One of the new things that she talked about was the other worlds she had been to and what they were like. While she had been born on Talth, like Kristi, she hadn’t stayed there long after her sentencing and sale to her first master. From there she had traveled to several other connected realms on the lower strata of the universe where things were very different from Earth.

Those worlds had less in the way of technology and often had unique cultures or strange rules. Most of them seemed to have more mana density, according to her, and there were more people capable of using that mana. It seemed that the low mana levels of the upper realms tended to have a tradeoff for more scientific development. It made him wonder if Earth would ever get the light-based technology that Verdant had.

His thoughts, and the conversation in general, were interrupted by the return of the girls. They came trooping in through the breezeway door, laughing about something as Renee had to tuck her wings to get through the smaller entrance.

“What’s so funny?” Kurt asked, causing both of them to laugh all the harder. He was hoping that it wasn’t something at the expense of their gargoyle friend. He was sorely disappointed.

Val stopped laughing long enough to answer. “Renee. Automatic door. Wings.” Well, she didn’t so much stop laughing as much as she wheezed out answers between breaths.

Thankfully, Kristi got control of herself. “Renee got her wings stuck in the automatic door that leads into our area of the Order. Then when they fanned out and flapped, the doors opened but when she tried to pull them away… they closed.” Her control vanished and she stifled a laugh that sounded half way between a chuckle and a paint mixer’s rumble.

“It looked like the door was chewing on her.” Val rushed the words before excusing herself to another room.

Renee looked very unhappy and adopted an imperious expression. “Never in all my days would I thought I would be eaten by an appliance.” She scoffed. “Especially after I left Stalvantol and its mimics behind.”

“Wait, you lived on a world with mimics?” Na suddenly interjected, drawing the gargoyle’s attention to her. ‘Ah, sorry. I’m Na’sec but you can call me Na.” she said after Renee glared daggers at her.

“Renee, this is Alec and Na. Alec is the one I was telling you about.” Kurt made a hasty introduction while pulling a hot pan from the oven. “He also has problems with automatic doors.”

“What? It’s not my fault they don’t calibrate the sensors right. Half of them look right over me unless I approach from dead ahead.” Alec threw his hands up in exasperation.

Kurt wasn’t sure why automatic doors didn’t like Alec, he wasn’t any shorter than a lot of people that could use them at a bit over five feet tall. He figured it must be something else or just a random quirk with one franchise’s doors in particular, since he hadn’t noticed anything recently.

“Automatic doors at Cabela’s aside, dinner is almost ready.” Kurt cut into the conversation to spare both of them from getting questioned about their door problems.

“And what is for dinner?” Alec asked, craning his neck to get a look from where he sat on the couch.

“You know those little pastries with the chicken and cream cheese filling I make?” Kurt said, randomly picking something that he knew the man liked.

“OH, I love those!” Alec grinned.

“Tough shit, I made steak pinwheels again.” Kurt replied and watched Alec’s face go from elated to angry then back to pleased.

“Not sure if I should be disappointed or not. I’ll go with not.” The dwarf said before making his way to the table where Kristi was already setting out glasses of water and bottles of wine.

Everyone followed shortly after, loading their plates and getting drinks before digging in. They ate and chatted happily, making some polite conversation while getting to know everyone. Renee seemed rather interested in Rindi after learning that she also had wings. She did, however, decline to show them off at the moment, stating that it was best for another time. Apparently, she was a little shy about her wings but nobody pressed her on the issue.

Eventually they moved to the living room and settled in with drinks to talk about the details of Alec joining Renee in running a business. They both seemed pretty much set on the idea but the dwarf still had questions.

“So, what exactly are you needing help with?” He asked. “I know you run some sort of arms dealing company but not the specifics.”

Renee bobbed her head while perched on the ottoman, allowing her wings and tail to rest easily. “Things have gotten really busy lately. The Order itself is increasing the amount of purchases from me, and I have a growing reputation that is bringing in more and more customers.”

Alec chuckled. “Sounds like good problems to have.”

“Well, yeah but it’s hard to keep up when it only me running things.” Renee’s wing tips rubbed together. “I am being run ragged trying to keep up with the Order, the enchanters supplying me and just running the store front.”

“So, you want to handle things on which end of the house? Back or front end?”

Renee considered for a moment while tapping her clawed fingers on her beer bottle. “I think back end for the most part. It’s my business and I want to make the operating decisions.”

“That’s reasonable.” Alec agreed. “I mostly do front end stuff and manage sales currently. I don’t have any experience in the smithing side and know next to nothing about magic trinkets.”

Na was looking from one to the other with a confused expression. “So, you are just going to work the counter?”

“That and the rest of the sales floor.” Renee confirmed. “We don’t have a range or anything so nothing that needs more staff. Actually, I could probably do with another person to help with back end and inventory management.”

“Like the paperwork side?” Alec asked and got a nod from the gargoyle. “Well how about you Na?”

“Why me?” She sounded utterly confused. “I don’t know about guns.”

“No, but you do know about magical items and the sale and trade of them. Plus, you handle all the finance for your family investing firm anyway.” Alec pointed out the other facet of the business Renee had mentioned.

Na was silent for a moment, taking a sip of wine while she thought it over. “I guess I do know that stuff. Are you actually hiring though?”

Renee pulled out a notebook from her ring and flipped it open. “With the numbers I clear every week and the hours I work I think I could. That would help extend our hours and I wouldn’t have to push people out or deny them when they get off shift.

“I spend about 12 hours a day working, six days a week, so the help is needed just so I don’t burn out. If I could have some coverage on one end or another that would be great. Like pick a schedule and let’s roll with it.” She finished looking very excited.

Alec and Na shared a look before he turned back to Renee. “Alright, let’s work out the specifics. I think it’s safe to say we are both on board as long as the pay fits.”

The rest of the conversation devolved into the three of them discussing details with Kurt only providing some promise of access through the portals. It would be a short commute for the couple, given they only had a couple mile drive from the farmhouse to Kurt’s Order entrance. Assuming the wolf pack didn’t eventually get one of their own.

Eventually they called it a night with Val and Kristi taking Renee back to the Order while Alec and Na headed home. That left Rindi with Kurt to help tidy up for the night until the other girls got back.

“So how long have you worked for the Order now?” Rindi asked after glancing at him several times and a lot of heavy breathing. She had been working up to something and now was the time.

“Oh, I think it’s like seven months and some change.” Kurt answered while tying off a garbage bag to take to the bin.

“I thought it would have been longer with how many connections you have.” She sounded surprised but it was hard to tell with her inflections through the translation device. “You seem to know a lot of people very well.”

Kurt shrugged. “Comes with the job, I guess. I knew Alec from way back and Renee was one of the first people I met through the Order. Besides our team I mean.”

A few moments of silence passed before she asked another question. “Do you like the job?”

“Sure, I do. I mean, it has its ups and downs, but I like to think my life is better now than it was before.” He freely admitted that it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but he had a lot going for him.

There was another strange silence as the two worked around each other before Rindi started talking again. “Do you think you will stay in this role for long?”

He let that question hang for a moment while he considered. “I think so. I don’t really have a reason to change roles or positions.” He then looked at the visibly tense felitaur. “Why do you ask?”

Rindi pawed at the ground with her front feet, thankfully leaving the claws in to not scratch the floors. “I, ah, I was just wondering if maybe…” Her words trailed off and she looked like she was going to either cry or be sick before she suddenly rushed the words out.

“I was just hoping that maybe, if its not too much trouble, I could stay on and keep working with you and Val and Kristi. You guys are really nice, and I haven’t ever been treated so well by a master and like we don’t have to annul the slave contract right away and, and… And I’m just scared of what will happen if I am suddenly not bound to you…”

She trailed off after a short rant, seemingly having stressed about the topic for long enough that she visibly sagged after getting it out. Kurt couldn’t blame her, with what little he knew about her past, it didn’t sound like she had a good life. If being on his team was the first time she had been shown kindness…

“Rindi, I promise not to make you quit the team or to kick you out on the streets. You work well with us, and I think we all get along very well considering how we met.” He quickly assured her. “But, I won’t tolerate you being a slave.”

Her initial relief at his response vanished when he brought up her slave status, but he pressed on. “So, at our first opportunity we are going to annul that mark. Until then I need you to consider yourself free and a full member of our team, not just my contracted battle slave.”

He had been thinking about the issue for a while now and she had brought up the perfect opportunity for him to address his thoughts. It also helped that he was being particularly blunt and stating things clearly.

“So just act… free?” she asked, some of the color returning to her complexion though she still looked at the ground.

He stepped a little closer and clapped a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “Yes, as best as you can.” Kurt confirmed, glad that his frank assessment and blunt honesty were getting through. “You don’t need to ask permission on every little thing either. Feel free to explore your agency and relax if you can.” She looked up and he tried to give her a reassuring smile.

“Can I…” She began but snapped her mouth shut with a click before she got the question out. Kurt was about to ask what she wanted but was surprised when she suddenly lunged forward and gave him a quick hug around his waist, pressing her cheek to his chest as she leaned in. “Thank you.”

She broke away immediately after, taking a large step back as she began wringing her hands in front of her. Once again Kurt was about to say something but was interrupted by the door opening. He looked over to see Val and Kristi walking in.

“Oh, did we interrupt something?” The kitsune asked, a light smile on her lips as she tilted her head slightly.

Rindi blushed red before going very pale but Kurt came to the rescue. “Just had a little talk about the future. Rindi was worried about her spot on the team, and I assured her I wasn’t going to kick her off. I think she got a little excited and gave me a hug.”

“Not professing undying love to each other then?” Kristi asked with a smirk.

“Come on, leave her alone. She was worried and needed reassurance.” Val said as she walked over to Rindi, linking their arms together. How about we go find a movie to watch before we call it a night?” She then began leading the way to the basement.

Kurt and Kristi shared a look and a shrug before following after them, making sure to grab some drinks and bottles of water on the way. It had been a long day and he had his doubts about movie night but he figured waking up in a cuddle pile wasn’t the worst thing.

*****

Earlier that day-

Jade watched as Kurt and his group left the farm. She was happy that he had given his blanket approval for her to manage the property and the wolves that they had brought in so far. She even got his buy-in for more as long as she let him know what she was doing. But, now that he was gone, she had her next appointment to keep.

She and Gus hopped into one of the pickups and set off for the neighboring city. She was meaning to follow up with a certain police chief after her previous encounter. She hadn’t done much last time besides scouting him out, asking about his character and getting public opinion.

The opinions she heard were mostly positive and the only real detractors were more in relation to his son’s previous habits. As far as she knew, that had all been resolved after a chance encounter with a certain someone. Naturally that was to be expected from an encounter with her lord and master, Kurt.

After an hour, Jade and Gus pulled into the parking lot of the Traverse City PD and walked in the front door. She immediately went up to the desk and waited for the clerk to greet her. He was a young man, wearing an embroidered polo shirt with the police logo, but not a uniform, so she doubted he was an officer. When he slid the glass panel open, she got a nose full of him.

“Yes, miss? How can I help?” The young werewolf asked.

Jade wasn’t expecting to find another werewolf here but wasn’t surprised, Kurt had mentioned that a few were on the force. “Hello, I am here to speak with Chief Henry Schmidt.”

“Ok, did you have an appointment?”

“No but I think he will be more than happy to talk to me if you can make an introduction.” Jade gave him a winning smile and flexed her borrowed aura. The little pulse gave her a slightly enchanting visage, almost like she was perfectly at home in any situation.

The man blinked, taken aback for a moment before he nodded and swallowed hard. “Ah, sure thing.” He gestured to the hallway near the reception area. “I will show you the way to his office.”

They waited for him to exit the small front office and lead them back down the main hall. Jade took in the various photos and awards hanging on the walls, many of which showed the chief in one capacity or another.

Eventually they arrived at an open office door and the young man knocked on the door frame. “Hey da- umm, Chief Henry.” That clued Jade into who the youth was, the chief’s son who had an altercation with Kurt.

A sigh could be heard from the office and a gruff voice answered. “Yes, David?”

“I have a lady here to see you.”

A chair creaked. “Who is it?”

David paused and glanced at Jade. “Umm, I-”

“Jade.” She filled him in with a kind smile. “We have a mutual acquaintance in mister Kurt Rosk.” David’s face when pale, the color draining like water from a basin. He suddenly looked like he wanted to be anywhere but that hallway and his eyes darted from her to Gus and back.

The chief must have herd her voice because he was at the door a moment later. “Ah, miss Jade. Please do come in.” Henry stepped between her and his son. “David, why don’t you go take five and then head back to the office.” He muttered in a low voice before giving the kid a little push to get moving.

Jade and Gus stepped around the chief and into his office as he closed the door behind them. The chief gestured to the small seating area to one side of the room with a couch and a couple chairs. They settled in and Henry sat heavily on one of the chairs, looking at them with a mix of curiosity and hostility.

As the silence stretched, Jade took the opportunity to size the man up. She thought he was a well-built werewolf, at least as far as she could tell in his uniform but more importantly was the spiritual half of the man. She flexed her aura and sampled the energy rolling off the chief.

He reeked of command, of an intent to… Hmm, what is this I sense? Jade thought to herself. She felt the edges of his aura as it wafted about him. It felt a lot like her master’s in many ways. At least in its nature if not its power. Guardian, that’s what it is.

Jade smiled as she leaned in while once more radiating her borrowed divinity. “Chief Henry, I do believe that I have an offer for you. It is one that I think you would do well to hear out and better yet to accept.” She then launched into her sales pitch.

She wouldn’t use her power to force the man, but there was much she was willing to offer him. She even had her secret orders from Jay along with the authorization to extend certain compensation, given that the situation with Kurt’s land had changed. Now she just had to get him to bite.