I'll be the first to admit I'm no George Pitt or Brad Clooney, but I do know a thing or two about stuff and things and shit. For instance I am on first name terms with both George and Brad. That's right, we are best buddies. Here and now I'd like to state, for the record, that these guys are 2 of the finest accountants it has ever been my privilege to meet. They've saved me literally millions with their clever illegal money laundering schemes. I also know that if I'm going down I'm taking both of them with me. That's what friends are for. To share the good times and the bad. They were there when we laundered all that stolen money through off shore accounts and they'll be there, with me, being anally raped in a maximum security prison. Unless I can plea bargain the violent rape down to sexual assault, in a minimum security prison. My lawyers are very hopeful that they will be able to do this. Kristin Portman and Natalie Kreuk are also on first name terms with me. I'd like to state, for the record, that these gals are 2 of the finest criminal lawyers it has ever been my privilege to meet. You should see some of the monsters they've got off scott free for their despicable crimes. And best of all these 4 wonderful people take payment in cash, no questions asked.
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Despite Daisy's eagerness to return to the house they remained outside for another hour or so. Waiting for Ydrie and Scarlet to conclude their business. The usually serene Matriarch began to look tattered at the edges. While Pengelly and Taini were taking more video of the ship and themselves. Both blissfully unaware of her growing impatience. Eventually they were all done. For one brief moment it looked as though Daisy might tackle her best friend. The beaming smile returned as she changed her mind. Contenting herself with climbing back in the car. Pip rolled her eyes at Jake. He wasn't sure what she was alluding to there. He had noticed one of her screens though. One she never touched. It was scrolling continuously. Something on it, or a random nerve firing in his addled brain, brought things bubbling to the surface.

Ydrie and Taini were innocents drawn into a web they had no idea of. Their innocence and naivety made them dangerous. It was becoming apparent Daisy and Pengelly were involved with whatever Scarlet was doing. Whether they knew the truth or not, this rendered them dangerous. It didn't directly involve Fafindi he was certain. Their trip here was part of it, but not the main objective. Right now he was with the only one he could trust implicitly. As Raven had stated, that could change. For now he was happy. He knew her heart was true. Whatever that really meant. It was the two of them against everyone else. By far the least significant members of the group. Him being rock bottom in everyone else's estimation. Daisy treated him as a lovable idiot. As he'd once thought Scarlet did. Her recent actions, plus her previous ones in retrospect, said otherwise.

"Well they've gone at last. Shall we pop over to the replicators?"
They could have gone before. Why they'd waited for the five others to leave was complicated. As in it was hard to justify.
"Before we go, what's that screen there?"
He indicated the one which had caught his attention.
"I've got a couple of bots going over all Scarlet's said and done while she's been here." At least she looked ashamed of herself. "Not the sex.. Not principally at least."
He dismissed that with a grin.
"Can I take a look?"
Pip threw the floating virtual display over to his console. Jake studied the contents carefully. 
"Is any of this true?" He asked, unable to reconcile the facts with the woman he thought he knew.
"It's mostly truth adjacent. You could say her fiction is based on real events and characters. All of those characters would disagree with her version. Ellie especially I'd imagine. A lot of people would take issue with her interpretations. Looking back at her previous work we shouldn't be surprised. It's always about appearances with her. From the faked versions of our adventures to her need to be the center of attention. Image is everything. I've never been in any situation with her where she couldn't manufacture an alternative truth."
Some of this stuff was very derogatory and extremely inflammatory, in the right circumstances. Everybody talked about people behind their backs. Not in bulk like this though. She was selling the idea of coming with her, to Ydrie. Zero doubt about that.
"Let's take a look at our baby."
Managing to sound cheerful there, had taken considerable effort. His decision was made. Unless something came along to change it. Please something, get here as soon as you can.

The pair of them headed to the elevator, after Pip had linked up every device on her body to the ships systems. She had quite a few of those. To say the least. On their way there Fetu made his first real move for some time. The navigator was coming back. He'd strapped his battle ax, come cannon, to his back and had set off at a run. An easy looking pace that was eating up the ground. It did seem Fetu was in a hurry to get somewhere. Jake announced this to Pip. It could be another factor. No telling what tale Scarlet had fed him either. Not included in the triumvirate though. That counted for something. Plus Fetu wouldn't do anything without consulting Sade first. Besides, the big guy didn't go for subterfuge and internecine plots. He was someone you wanted on your side in a fight. Possibly incapable of lying. 

The hatch to the replicator opened. No impressive fog or flashing lights. The platform glided forward with a pristine Pantovian Death Sphere on it. No hint of corrosion or battle damage on this beauty. Perfect, right down to the variegated grey and black camouflage. Pip looked up at him curiously.

"Well? You're the expert here. How do you get into it?" The young lady inquired.
"I don't. These things are uniquely keyed to their operator. Once the key's been programmed no one else can operate it. You'll be the one operating the sphere. Think about it, there's no point me being in there."
She looked doubtful.
"Okay... How do I get in?"
He pointed.
"Put your palms here and here then think open. Not in words, but in pictures. That's how the neural interface works as well. You picture it doing something and it does it." As she reached out he forestalled her. "The teleport takes a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes to recharge. If you're in a fight it can take a lot longer. It's tough. Not indestructible. The Pantovian's send these things out in swarms. Casualties are not something they worry about. Either as a civilization or as individuals. That means crew survival was never a consideration. If this thing s disabled, getting out is hard."
This time her hands reached out more nervously. The sphere opened with only a low clunk and a couple of clicks. One segment gently lowering itself to form a ramp while the two, to either side, opened out.
"Do you want me to get in?"
"Yes please. The neural link will need to adapt to your brain. Which although very different to a Pantovian's, is not a problem. They supplied them to various allies."
She climbed up into the cradle inside. It adjusted to her form as the headpiece lowered onto her head.
"Is this going to hurt?" Pip asked with a tight stoical smile.
"It'll tingle and your eyes might sting."
She winced, blinked, then grinned at him.
"That's not so bad... Whoa. This thing has got a lot of weaponry. Nothing spectacular or super powerful. Missiles, torpedoes, mines... Proton beams to. I'm now a death sphere operator. Is there a practice mode? I can hardly give it a run around outside and using even these weapons in here won't be nice."
"Yeah there's a full tutorial system. Familiarize yourself with that." He took a long breath. "You'll be crewing this thing out there with me. Once I've made a few modifications."
She looked at him doubtfully.
"Are you sure you're skills are up to that kind of thing?"
"No. That's why you'll be doing the more technical remodeling. Shouldn't take long for you. The longest part will be this thing calibrating itself to you."
He explained what needed doing while they waited for the system to accommodate her. It took a while. During which Pip became fidgety. Eager to get back to her console. Looking at her long list of gadgets constantly. As soon as the thing chimed she was out of it. Peeling off the head ornament hurriedly.
"That's done. I'll take the neural link. Let's get back."
"No. Let's go for a walk. They're all busy doing their thing. We'll head away from the house so they can't see us."
Her face set into a defiant frown.
"Why would we want to do that?"
"You have been working very hard for hours. You need a break. Otherwise you'll burn out. I don't want that happening while you're helping me out with any trouble that comes our way. This is purely selfish on my part."
He dragged her along with him to the docking bay. Pip complaining every step of the way. Still mumbling curses as she slipped through the opening. Standing over him as he followed.
"If you like we can take a look at where they were fucking." She snapped. "Shit. Sorry. You can probably see their DNA from here."
"I can indeed. Now that you've mentioned it at least."
"Well there's enough of it to see from space. Let's get this over with, so I can get back to work. I know you think you're doing this for my good, but I'm fine. I've never felt better."
With that she spun on her heel and fell face first. Or would have done if Jake hadn't caught her.
"It scrambles your senses for a while. You might notice some dark shapes that aren't there. If you start hearing voices let me know."
Finally she was worried.
"Why?"
"So I can put a bullet through you before you go crazy. Oh no. Too late."
That got him a few slaps. Ending with a very fast hug.
"Don't baby me. Okay." Pip announced crossly.
"I'm not babying you."
Wobbling a bit, she crossed her arms, frowning at him.
"So what were those modifications about?"
"They were about protecting me. You're my most valuable asset. That fucking sphere is way behind you on any list. Another 10 would be of less benefit than you are. Are you alright to walk?"
"Give me a minute. My legs feel funny. Like they're on the wrong way round."

Her attitude slowly morphed into acceptance as they strolled. A couple of trips and stumbles followed by the bit where she couldn't say words without seeing them in her mind. After that she became much more civil. It was venting on her part. Coping with the betrayals and suspicions. The main target of her anger and animosity had her hands and mouth full right now. Ydrie was enjoying her undivided attention. Meanwhile the other two subjects were happily discussing what to have for lunch, in bed. Something on Pip bleeped. Jake stopped her responding to it. No struggle this time.

"Do you know what really stood out to me when they all came over here?" He mused.
"Ydrie's cock?"
He did a small double take for effect.
"As well as that. There was no mention of you or Fetu. Me I can understand. I'm the unwanted guest. It's like they're occupying their own little world. We all do to some extent I suppose. Just struck me as odd and not a little disturbing."
"Now that you mention it, that does stick out. It's like the three of us don't exist anymore."
It bubbled up from the swamp he was picking his way through. It had done so a few times before. Though he didn't want to bring this up, he had to. Otherwise it would be lost again.

"When you said you hadn't felt the same since the pygmy toxin, what did you mean?" He kept his tone gentle
"What do you mean what did I mean?" She gabbled, looking away.
This might not have been the best time to bring this up. He had to go through with it now. With all due respect to her feelings.
"Well I assumed you meant the experience reawakened memories of the Ashenram. Is that what you actually meant though?"
Still not looking at him.
"Well.. Sort of... And no. I can't explain it. Mainly because it's you and you can be funny about these things." A swift peep at him followed. "I've been having a lot more erotic daydreams... Sometimes. My body feels different. And yes the whole thing did reawaken memories of the Ashenram. It was both if you like."
There was a part of him that wanted to ask who the daydreams were about. There was a much larger part that hated him for those thoughts. Her personal revelation did bring up fresh possibilities.
"It's possible the others who got darted have had similar experiences. It would partly explain the sex marathon. Let's put a pin in that for now. Maybe check it out when we have more time." 
"Thank you for not asking. She'd have been interrogating me for ages. Acting like it was all a joke."
Oh no. She was crediting him with qualities he didn't have. Giving out undeserved praise.
"I did think about it, if I'm honest. So I'm not the paragon you credit me with being. I am deeply flawed. Possibly wicked and depraved."
Even though she wasn't looking at him he could see her ears turn red as she blushed.
"It definitely wasn't about you though. Imagine that... so nothing there to worry about..."
Stepping in now would help. He hoped.
"Believe it or not, even though I look like road kill, two women have fought over me before."
She looked at him skeptically.
"What?" Her doubt filled cry came back.
"It's true. Real full on fighting. They both wanted to kill me and neither would back down."
"How did that turn out?"
"Pretty good. They killed each other and only critically wounded me."
Pip chuckled.
"That sounds about right. I'll believe you." He didn't like the sound of this pause. "She's telling Ydrie more and more Jake. All of it distorted in some way. This is what she was like with that Ashenram. If it follows that same pattern, eventually she'll tell him everything. What the hell is she playing at?"