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Chapter 44

Corporate Get-Together

After Tommy, Gareth, and Bishop were welcomed into the coven, everyone was relaxing, settling down after a quick dinner that Zarch, his sons, and Uniko put together. Master Egad, Galen, Uniko, and Zhal, along with everyone else, were in the living room of the villa, drinking some chamomile tea, explaining the rules of the coven to the new members, as well as telling them of Egad's castle back on Vhaldaria while Reggie and his tribals trained outside in the gardens, preparing themselves for any unexpected encounters.

"I see. So the rules of the cover are as follows: We cannot harm each other or ourselves, we must take care of our bodies with good diet and exercise as well as keep clean and in good hygiene, and we cannot pleasure ourselves or each other without Master Egad's permission?" Gareth said as he went over the rules.

"Yes." Galen answered. "The rules are simple, and not that difficult to understand or obey."

Bishop nodded. "Agreed. Well, they sound easy enough. We should have no difficulty staying within those bounds. Still, this castle you have on Vhaldaria... It sounds like a very intriguing place, as well as a nice home."

"That it is, Bishop." Zhal said. "I look forward to returning there with you, Gareth, and Tommy. Vhaldaria's climate isn't like Tarion III's though. There, we have all four seasons, whereas here it's basically summertime all year."

"Sounds like certain areas of Sepharth." Bishop said. "Back there, certain areas of the planet experienced the four seasons, though they were only near the polar circle areas. In fact, the home me and Gareth had on Sepharth was located in one of those polar circles, so we have experience with the seasons."

"Yeah." Tommy smiled. "I actually remember my first snow when I was seven years of age. I ran around and rolled in it when I found the ground covered with snow that morning. I ended up catching a minor chill afterwards, though."

"Seven years? How old is that in Kalendas?" Uniko asked, curious. "That's a measurement of age in Vhaldaria customs."

"Well, from what you have told me, seven years is equivalent to about fourteen Kalendas." Tommy explained.

"I see. From what it sounds like, you were very curious and whimsical as a young child." Uniko said. "Well, you can look forward to seeing another snow season when we get back home. Don't worry, despite the little amount of clothing we are wearing right now, Master makes sure to keep us warm during the cold season with extras to our regular outfits that helps to make sure we don't catch any colds and get ill."

Gareth nodded. "That does give me relief, now that we know Vhaldaria has all four seasons."

They paused their conversation as they watched Mick walk into the room with Xen and Symon. Mick was on his phone, talking with someone on the other end.

"...Inspector, can you repeat that? ...What?! You're serious? ...Why would officer Dale Smith be investigating me or my finances?! That's none of his damn business! Hell, that's a violation of both my rights as a citizen of Tarion III, and my galactic rights as a whole! ...Okay, okay. I apologize for being crass and getting snippy, Inspector. This is just causing me much unwanted irritation, and I already have other matters I need to attend to on top of it. ...Okay. Again, thank you for bringing this to my attention, Inspector Ticcoran, and thank you for informing my attorneys ahead of time... Yes, you have a good night, too, and stay safe. Au revoir, Jean." Mick then hung up and put the phone back in his jacket pocket, letting out an audible growl of irritation.

Egad looked at Mick with concern. "That doesn't sound like good news."

"It isn't." Mick answered. "As you know, I try to retain a cordial relationship with everyone, even law enforcement. Though not everyone returns that courtesy. However, this is the first time someone has taken their suspicions and paranoia too far. One of the officers in Jean's precinct is a very over-zealous and fanatical type when it comes to enforcing law. His name is Dale Smith, a German Shepherd. Also, I think fanatical is an understatement now that I think about it. To be honest, Dale has had an extra stick up his ass just for me and Xen, apparently. Ever since we moved here, Dale has had distrust and suspicions about us almost to the point of delusional paranoia. He's made multiple "watch runs" by our beach house, sometimes going on for weeks to an entire month every time something happens in the city. However, this is the first time he's crossed the line: Inspector Ticcoran just told me that Dale has sent a subpoena request to the courts for a bank where me and Xen have a joint account for an investigation into our finances for 'links to possible criminal elements.'"

Bishop sighed. "You're not the only one he's targeted. When I was working with Cailus, Dale's name popped up more than once. Cailus had me go after certain pieces of evidence that Dale was trying to acquire to use against him, and either had me hide them away or have the items disposed of."

"Well, at least we're not the only one being bullied." Xen said. "I just hope our two attorneys will be able to get this denied. They have dealt with Dale before. A lot. I just hope they can get him off our backs."

"Don't worry. I'll help to make sure that he does get off your back." Egad answered, getting out his cell phone. "I'm going to call my entire attorney team as well and have them join yours in assisting your defense. Just give me the names and numbers of your attorneys, nephew, and they will take care of the rest."

Mick smiled with relief, getting out a notepad and pen. "Alright. Here are the names and law offices of our attorneys, along with business addresses and phone numbers." Mick jotted down the info and handed Egad the pad. "...Thank you, uncle."

"No worries, nephew. Besides, this action taken by Dale is outrageous, and I'm not going to stand for it." Egad said, putting in the first number for his team on his phone. "Also, I think it would be a good idea for you, Symon, and Xen to come with us back to Vhaldaria for a while. It will give you both a respite from this, as well as let the heat from law enforcement cool down. Plus, it will be a slap in the face to Dale as a nice bonus."

Xen chuckled. "Totally agree, there. We will definitely do that."

"No arguments there." Symon voiced his agreement.

Egad nodded and called the number. After a short conversation with his legal team, Egad hung up. "I've given my legal team permission to work with your attorneys. They will contact them and start on the denial process in the morning. Don't worry about it any more tonight, we have enough to deal with."

"Agreed." Bishop said. "So, Master... If I may ask, when is this business meeting that you need to attend?"

"It's tomorrow night, at six o'clock sharp at the Halo Building in Moon City." Egad explained. "It's located in a commercial/office-oriented part of the city known as the Grace Commerce Hub. From all the recent events that have made the news, the organizers have called for tightened security, and not just for the event. Also, a company that has a contract with Cailus will be present as well, so it is very possible that someone representing my brother will be there, as he hardly attends these high-profile meetings in person due to his elevated paranoia. The organizers have requested that I bring bodyguards with me to accompany me at all times during the event, saying that I can have up to a maximum of three."

Galen sat up from leaning on the couch. "I volunteer."

"So do I." Bishop said. "After all, it's the least I can do."

"Well, Bishop, if you're going, then so am I." Gareth said. "Besides, alone we may be powerhouses, but working together I'm sure we can be one hell of a safeguard to you, Master."

Egad nodded with a smile. "Then it's settled. I'll need to inform Hatred to prepare some bodyguard outfits for all of you. He's well-versed in weapons and armor from his early days before joining the coven, and still studies the field in my service for self-defense and protection purposes."

"Okay, good." Mick said. "I could drive them to the event in my Audi, and you could take the Lamborghini, Uncle. After all, since we modded it with the transporter computer and engine upgrades, we also added bulletproof and laserproof panels, as well as shatterproof glass."

"Indeed." Egad said. "However, due to the high status of this meeting, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to drive myself. Though that doesn't mean someone else can't drive me there. I know that Symon won't be able to, since his hands are full with Silva and Eli right now. But it doesn't mean I can't quickly teach someone."

"Oh yeah, that's right!" Mick said, catching on. "You can relay knowledge directly to someone's mind and memory with your magic!"

Egad nodded. "Yes, and I can also relay the knowledge of someone else to an individual of my choosing in the same way. Mick, if it is alright, I would like to relay your driving knowledge and experience to someone who can drive the Lamborghini to this event."

"No problem, uncle. I'd be happy to help in that way as well." Mick said. "Who did you have in mind?"

Egad turned to Tommy. "Tommy, would you be alright with this?"

Tommy smiled. "I would be honored and privileged, master."

"As are we." Bishop and Gareth agreed in unison.

Moon City

Halo Building - Grace Commerce Hub - Entrance

The Next Evening...

Bruce Norman, a snow-white saber-tooth tiger waited in front of the Halo Building with his bodyguard, a Doberman named Eric Cardigan, watching the rest of the participants and guests arrive as they were dropped off by either their butlers or valets, walking with their bodyguards down a red carpet lined with media reporters. Bruce was here on Cailus' request to represent him for this meeting, as his boss wasn't going to attend due to the fact that his brother, Ryan Foxmoore was going to be present as well. Bruce wasn't stupid, he knew that Cailus and Ryan were total opposites and never got along. If Cailus attended this meeting in person, it would have a very high chance of coming down to physical blows between the two, possibly even a gunfight due to Cailus' recent mood.

"Just remember, Eric: Don't speak to or start any fights with Ryan or his entourage." Bruce reminded. "No conversations, debates, or provocations of any kind. If I hear so much as a taunting peep from you, consider yourself fired on the spot. Though, if a fight is started by them first, you have Cailus' and my permission to finish it by any means necessary. Are we clear?"

"Crystal." Eric answered, observing their surrounding with vigilant caution.

The next arrivals drove up: A black Audi SVX-4000 and a Midnight-Blue Lamborghini Diablo GT-VTX. The Driver of the Lamborghini, a black dragon with blue scales on the front dressed in a classy yet skimpy butler's outfit that was normal for the planet's climate, parked the car temporarily. Then he got out and walked to the other side, and opened the door, helping Ryan Foxmoore out of the car, who was dressed in a very high-end business suit.

When he saw and recognized the dragon, Bruce's eyes went so wide they nearly popped out of his head! "Eric!" He quietly hissed. "Am I seeing things, or is that Tommy, the missing slave that was taken from Pete's Fantasy House that Cailus told us about?"

Eric activated the computerized contact lenses he was wearing, zooming in on the dragon's face. "...It sure is, Master Bruce. No doubt."

The tension and intrigue only skyrocketed from that point as the doors to the Audi opened up. Stepping out, dressed in bodyguard outfits and joining Ryan at his flank with identity cards pinned to their chests were three tall individuals varying in size: A lion with tan and cream fur and a brown mane, a BlackWarGreymon, and a Sepharthian Dragon with black scales with red on the front. The lion was the shortest of them at eight feet. The BlackWarGreymon stood at a height of ten and a half feet, and the dragon stood at a massive height of eleven feet. All of their bodies were very well-built and solid, backing up their gargantuan height!

The bodyguard outfits consisted of form-fitting, armor plated suits, complete with long black overcoats with many pockets, and tactical holodisplay eyepieces on their heads. Their pockets filled with weapons, shield generators or decoy devices they could only guess. The dragon was the only exception to the overcoat theme, since his massive wings were folded around him like a cloak. The dragon didn't go without some storage clothing, though as he wore a pocketed vest.

The armor suits, despite covering their bodies aside from their heads, hands and feet were still quite a sight to look upon, as they form-fit the guard trio as if they were born to wear them. The suits showed off all the tone and curves of their glorious bodies. Even the cod pieces left little to the imagination! As for their hands and feet, they were still revealing yet well-adorned with armored combat gloves, as well as armored boots that covered yet showed off each individual toe that had thick bottom soles. However, the toes of the boots still had openings for their claws to fit through, as well as the gloves on their hands!

Eric's brows furrowed as he recognized two of Ryan's bodyguards. "Holy shit. That's Bishop and Gareth Jaren..." Eric whispered to Bruce.

"Indeed." Bruce agreed as Ryan's entourage walked down the red carpeted entrance to the building, passing the news reporter barricade, cameras flashing and recording. "Suddenly, this meeting has clearly become one-sided, and not in our favor."