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RETURN OF THE LABYRINTH: EXPECTATIONS AND REALITY

Mary and Cid lay naked, facing each other on their sides, in the middle of the main room, on layers of thick blankets and their heads resting on pillows, displaying skin glistening with sweat. The only source of illumination was the ridiculous amount of candles surrounding them and setting on every flat surface at safe distance from their spot. Both were still breathing a little hard, smiling at each other's face and tenderly caressing each other's body. Although it was very hard to see with her required very short haircut, she too had black hair just like him. It was one of many things Cid loved about her and envisioned a possible future where they had kids with black hair just like them.

“So are you seriously considering retiring from the Council Guard this early in your career?" He asked her expectantly.

“Someone eager for me to settle down and be his content classic house wife?" She teased.

“Not at all. I just thought we were both kind of already married to our work. Kids can wait a little longer. There is no rush." He assures and shuffles down to occasionally kiss her belly.

Mary roles over onto her back and let's him resume the usual sensual affections he gives her.

“I really like the work I am doing, but somehow feel I should be doing more. I want flexibility while also continuing to protect people. Judith and I have been talking…"

“Oh... Judith." Cid interrupts dryly and flops over onto his back.

Mary giggles and slaps his head lightly.

“Yes Judith. Anyway… Her and I been talking about retiring early together and become Privateers. There certainly is plenty business for such people now… with the increased Sentinel raids on caravans and all."

Cid roles over onto his belly and props himself up on crossed arms.

“Kind of a big gamble for just two people starting out."

“It doesn't have to be two. It could be four." Mary hints.

“Ah. I see. Did you have two other people in mind?" He teases.

“We may have two solid prospects in terms of experience and skill. The trouble is… are they willing to retire early as well." She answers with a hint of insinuation.

Cid begins to slowly crawl back up next to her, just as she raises her head and looks him right in the eye and grins. The guardsman returns the grin and then thrusts himself up on top of her, eliciting a moment of laughter from both of them.

“I wouldn't happen to know one or both of these two prospects?" He teases.

“One you known your whole life and the other is a good friend." She returns coyly.

“Hmm. That narrows it down a lot. I am very choosy about who I call friend these days."

“Which is why I am sure you will approve of him being offered the opportunity."

“Him? I thought this was going to be like an all-girls sort of thing." He teases again.

“It wouldn't be very wise to try something like that. Besides, it adds a little balance to things."

“You think he will accept the offer?"

Mary's smile disappears and she politely has Cid get off of her, before raising up to sit cross-legged and face away from him. The guardsman gets up on his knees and shuffles up behind her, then begins rubbing her shoulders.

“I hope he will. Him and the other one almost didn't come back from one assignment alive. At least the lower risk assignments both take now makes them more available and maybe more willing to accept what this new career will offer them. Sure, we will still be dealing with Sentinels…"

Cid moved around to sit cross-legged next to her and put an arm on her slumped shoulders.

“...but at least this way. The Sentinels will be coming to us and not us going after them."

Both then looked at each other and Cid spotted a single tear on her cheek. He reached up and took it on an extended finger, then brought that finger to his lips and sucked the tear off quietly.

“So… Just this one last assignment and you both are done?" She asks hopefully.

“One last assignment. When we meet with the Council, later this for the scheduled interrogation, Matt and I plan on bringing up the subject. Considering the level of dedication we have shown to the Citadel's security, I honestly don't see the request being denied." Cid assured her.

Mary threw herself at him and hugged him tightly as they both tumbled onto the blankets, kissing long and passionately. About that time, a polite knock was heard at the door.

“Cid, you up yet?"

The kissing couple broke their kiss and snickered loudly to each other. Mary then collapsed right into Cid and began giggling, as he reached over to a blanket corner and yanked the whole thing over them. The draft created from it's quick movement caused some candles to go out, before it settled down over them to create visual decency.

“It's open Matt. Mary is here too, but come on in." He announced and began giggling with her.

Matt was heard briefly talking to someone, before the door opened and he walked in, quickly closing it behind him. He then looked beyond a large table, lined at the edges with candles and the empty remains of a previous dinner, to see Cid looking right back at him and grinning. The guardsman could tell both were likely naked under the blanket, after seeing the exposed feet and half-covered back of Mary. She raised her head, then turned it and looked at Matt, while also raising a waving hand.

“Hey, Matt. You have another fun night."

Matt simply allowed a smirk to appear on his face.

“We will take that as a Yes." Cid assumed.

“I actually did a little business first, then had fun and sleep as reward." Matt replied himself.

Mary carefully got up onto her feet and made sure she didn't step on Cid in the important spot, while getting the blanket wrapped around her.

“I'll just be in Cid's sleeping quarters, getting cleaned and dressed. You boys carry on without me. I can listen from the other side of the door." Mary commented while stepping onto the stone floor.

Cid couldn't resist the opportunity to raise up into a sitting position, with his legs splayed out in front of him, then give her a light slap on the one exposed calf.

“Oh!" She exclaimed lightly and briskly walked away. “It's not like I wouldn't actually be listening. I know Council Guard policy for such things silly." She quipped before ducking behind the door to the quarters and closing it.

Both guardsmen exchanged a snicker, as the naked black haired one got up onto his feet and walked over to the table. Matt poured some water for both of them and then sat at the table with Cid.

“Special occasion?" He inquired, after looking around at all the burning candles.

Cid just shrugged from beyond the drinking cup and then sat it down on the table.

“Mary sent word ahead she felt like celebrating a little. So I then sent word out for a nice spread and lots of candles to be delivered to here." He finally answered.

Matt briefly looks past him and around the edge of the huge blanket suspended in front of the big double window. The edge of the metal frame began to show signs of faint orange light from outside. Another morning shift was upon them and this one would likely prove to be real work.

“Did you get plenty of rest?" Matt asks with a hint of suspicion.

“We didn't fuck all night… if that is what you are implying. We fucked right after dinner, slept the night and then had one very vigorous fuck just a moment ago, to get the day started."

“Make sure you maintain that same energy level later today. You may need it."

“I take it you had promising success?"

“Definitely. Which means today will be…"

“...interrogation day." Cid finishes for Matt and sets an empty cup down firmly.

“I had yet to tell you if the talks with the four witnesses was even successful."

“I know you well enough Matt. You are better at talking to people than me. If anyone could pull off the requested investigation, with any measurable level of success, it would be you."

Both look at each other and chuckle.

“Okay, all dressed and ready for my ritual early morning sneaking-back-into-the-sanctuary." Mary announces, as she appears from beyond the room in men's civilian clothes.

The cooler time of year also made it easy to conceal the curve of her breasts with an open long coat. She then pulled a soft front brimmed cap from one of the oversize outer pockets and gave it a firm shake to restore it's proper form, before slapping it onto her head and yanking it down to her brow.

“Good enough to pass as a younger man now?" She asks expectantly, after walking up to Cid.

“With your facial structure… definitely." Matt teases, before taking a drink.

Mary reached over and lightly punched him in the shoulder, causing him to sputter.

“You punch as good too." Cid quips.

Mary then gives him a light slap to the back of the head and walks over to the entry door. Both guardsmen snicker and then look her way.

“I can see my task here is done and need to be going now. Don't grill them too hard boys." She comments before opening the door and assumes a man's walking gate past it's threshold, then closes it behind her.

“You two would make great kids." Matt observes and looks back at Cid with a warm smile.

“Isn't that the truth." Cid remarks, while getting up and then walks into his private quarters. “They would also prove to be challenging teenagers, once they got older." He announces from past the door. “Then once that is out of the way, they would make great guardsmen or even Privateers."

“Already planning out their lives before they are even born. You sound like a dad already."

“Yeah, yeah." Cid counters amid mild splashing of water in a bowl. “Anything significant to report about the research above us yet?" He asks, once the splashing stopped.

“The project leaders seemed expectant of me staying for their continued presentation. I personally would be quite interested what more there is to see and how relevant it will be towards what we are getting involved with out in the Wilderness."

“You and me both… to be honest." Cid comments.

“Maybe finally get that out of the way after interrogation today?"

“Providing there is nothing else for us to attend to."

“Of course."

“Sounds like a plan then."

Cid appears from beyond the door, in standard tan cotton shirt and pants undergarment, hopping on one boot and getting the other one yanked into place. Within two hops, it slipped on and he straightened up to stand solid on both feet again.

“Well, I'm half way dressed, while you have yet to get rid of your civilian clothes and clean up for the work shift." Cid observes.

“Hint is taken. Be back out in a moment." Matt returns and chuckles, before getting up and walking over to his private quarters. “By the way, already got cleaned up before coming back here." he calls out from beyond the opened door.

“Damn your upgrading. Now it's play partners that will fuck and bath you."

Both guardsmen laugh, before Matt begins changing clothes.

The Domicile lift came to a stop, with the usual slight jerk and clank, shaking Mary out of her brief inner thoughts. She raised her head up a bit and looked beyond the brim to check for other occupants. No one was around, save for the usual two horse handlers and horses just beyond the walls. Not giving a random person a chance to pop in through one of the two entries and spot her, she swiftly walked off the lift and into the mechanical room. Once there, she slowed her gate and ducked out of sight beyond the wall, where Max was doing his usual grooming of his horse before shift change. The handler remained out of immediate sight and gave no sign he knew she was there. But his enhanced equine sense of smell knew she was just beyond his horse. His equally keen ears could hear her slightly elevated breathing. Both equines remained in their spot on the other side of the drum.

“Morning Mary. How was last night?" He asked without breaking the brushing strokes.

Mary allowed the horse to see her and then slowly walked around the drum and approached the horse at a respectful pace, before giving him pats and rubs on the side. Max finally let his visual focus drift and give here full recognition, then grinned right at her.

“Last night was Cid's usual performance level… if you must know." She reluctantly answered, while pulling the cap and long coat off, then tossing them to the side onto a nearby work bench.

“Your proper uniform is in it's usual hiding place." He reminds her.

“Oh yeah. I was kind of in a hurry last night. Appreciate Don and you helping out with that." Mary then looks over her shoulder and smiles at Don across the expanse of the mechanical room. He obviously had just finished brushing his horse and was just standing there talking to the stallion. They both exchanged a wave, as he smiled back.

“Just looking out for our own kin." Don assures her offhandedly. “So, did Cid notice the beginning of your changes yet?"

“The room was not that well lit last night, regardless of the crazy amount of candles he placed everywhere. So he didn't notice the slight decrease in my breast size yet." She then turns her head back to Tony and leans toward him a little. “He certainly had no complaints about my clit being a lot bigger and sticking out a little now. He actually thought it was kind of hot and admitted that he didn't mind if it got bigger."

Her and Max then broke out into a muffled giggle, to make sure they didn't spook the horse.

“Well." The handler pauses a little. “That is certainly interesting, but encouraging news."

Mary then clears her throat softly and gets a bit more serious.

“So how long does the transition take?" She asks him.

“So long as we continue the syrup exposure at the current rate of increase, you shouldn't be showing any real signs of becoming a male before he leaves for the expedition." Max assures her.

“I have to admit. It's getting a lot more tempting to increase that rate. I have never desired my own pussy being filled this much outside my cycle before."

“Completely normal sex drive increase. Get used to that urge getting triggered a lot more often. The desire of wanting sex that much is all part of being a male like us. Especially when it is all new to your body. By the way, that need to have sex so much won't go away either."

“So... basically puberty all over again, but the mentality of a boy teenager." She summarized.

“Pretty much. We are here for any more questions you or Judith might have about the process. After all, both Don and I have been where you two are right now."

Max finally puts the grooming brush aside next to the long coat, then turns back to Mary and gives her a long comforting hug. Both then politely get interrupted by Don clearing his throat from across the mechanical room. Mary breaks the hug and then looks his way. The horse handler motions with his hand for her to come over to his side of the room. She makes it about half way and then hears the distinct zipping sound of the number tag cable nearby. This motivates her to quicken her pace and walk briskly past Don, to duck behind the lift drum. Both handlers just shrug, as Max walks over to read the tags. The other handler then walks over to Mary and ducks down behind the drum with her.

“Thanks for the heads up." She compliments him.

“That actually was not the reason I wanted you over here, but that works too."

“So what is the reason then?"

“Judith got a message to us, shortly after you went up to Cid. The main councilman herself wanted to see you both this morning about something very important."

“That's it?"

“That's it. What more did you want?"

“Point taken. We know not to ask why, but just to comply."

“Exactly. Now after the lift passengers leave the building, get going back to the Sanctuary through the secret passage and don't be late."

Both then heard the familiar voices of Matt and Cid just beyond the mechanical room. Mary at that moment finally let herself consciously acknowledge that the morning sun was about to break the horizon. She knew it was unlikely the interrogation would be this early and thus there was obviously time for a quick scheduled discussion by a certain Councilman. Once they were confident the guardsmen had left the building, she gave Don a quick hug and then got on her feet. She turned and had walked right up to the large locker on that side of the mechanical room, when she heard a soft whistle from behind her. The moment she turned her head, her long coat and soft cap was already airborne and effortlessly caught in each hand by Don. He then spun around and tossed them to her. Both exchanged a nod, before she turned back around and opened the twin locker doors. She reached up to the middle support bracket for the storage shelf and used her own weight to make it slide slightly downward. A soft click was heard and the back panel with the shelf swung inward away from her.

The square gray stone interior space beyond the false wall was already lit with a single small glow crystal mounted at chest height on a solitary thick black metal pole. There were no windows or outside source of light to be seen, yet the room was well lit. She stepped onto a white painted four by eight foot metal grill platform. It's two short edges and one long edge connect with the immediate three walls, while the remaining edge connected in the middle with the pole itself. To the right of the pole was two thick black horizontal metal bars, that connected the pole with the one wall. The top one at chest height and the bottom one half way down to the platform. Beyond the open space left of the pole was a single white metal grill triangle, setting lower at a distance of an average stair well step. It was followed by another and many more, tracing a spirally path down what was obviously a hidden vertical short shaft. The triangles overall shape warped according to where they were and how they connected to the nearby walls. There was no rail to grip. Only the pole in the middle.

Mary looked back and exchanged a nod with Don, before stepping onto the platform and reaching to her right for the shelf bracket. A firm yank triggered the panel to swing back shut with an audible click that echoed down the short shaft. She could see the surrounding stone walls well enough to judge where the steps were actually positioned and began her descent down them. The distance traveled was only about two floors and ended with her feet making contact with the same colored stone floor. She turned a little to the right and began walking down a squared stone tunnel, that connected with the shaft diagonally where there should have been a walled corner. White support arches marked it's path every eight feet and a single continuous white middle support beam running the length of the eight foot tall ceiling of the passage above her. At each intersecting point with the arches, a small glow crystal could be seen mounted above and lighting the way down the long tunnel. She immediately adopted a jogging pace to get to the other end as quickly as possible. Upon reaching the halfway point, she spotted the distinct red outfit of a Sanctuary Guardsman appear at the bottom of the companion stairwell and had a brief moment of fright as she stopped.

“What the bloody hell did you stop for Mary. It's me Judith. Now get moving, so we are not late for meeting with Sister Councilman."

Mary breathed a sigh of relief and simply nodded, before resuming her jugging. Once she reached Judith, they both hugged and then promptly helped with getting her changed into the guardsman uniform and tossing the civilian clothes into their usual corner under the steps. She then retrieved her veil from a concealed pocket and walked up the steps to the platform above. Once they made it to the top, they stood and paused at the secret entrance long enough for Mary to normalize her breathing and put her veil on. Unlike the other shaft, this one had an additional overhead large glow crystal protruding a little through the flat ceiling at a curious angle and the obvious source point of the relayed illumination.. Immediately beyond the entrance was the familiar stained light wood interior of a large garment locker, with it's matching back panel sitting open to the left. Mary stepped though the locker and it's open double doors into their private quarters. Judith was right behind her and made sure to trigger the panel to close behind them, before walking onward across the room to it's entrance. She then paused and looked back at Mary, who had just closed the garment locker doors.

“Ready?"

“Ready." Mary confirmed and joined her at the entry doors.

Judith then let out one exhale and gripped a horizontal black handle above the door handle. It was attached to another matching metal rod that ran vertically the full length of the door and down into the red marble floor. She then lifted it up a short distance and rotated it all the way to the left, before letting it back down to rest at a slightly higher position. Mary repeated this action before both slowly opened the doors outward and stepped into the hallway, then closed the doors again. There was a gentle cool morning breeze blowing in through the nearby open exit doors to the Sanctuary Garden. Beyond them was a private grove of shade trees still shaded by the shadow of the Eastern garden wall. They had already changed color as a sign of harvest season being upon them once more. Both women stood there and allowed themselves a brief moment of personal time, while watching a few colored leaves break free and float to the grass below them.

“Good morning sisters." Came a familiar voice from behind them.

They turned and saw the unmistakable black robe of a Councilman. All three exchanged a polite nod across the length of the hall with the one standing right under the bottom glow crystal of the Sanctuary tower. Judith and Mary then immediately began walking her way at a respectable pace.

“Good morning Sister Councilman." They both greeted after reaching her position and exchanged one more polite nod.

“I trust you slept well and ready for what the day brings?" The obviously older councilman asked with a hint of urgency in her tone.

“Yes we did sister."

“We are certainly ready."

“Splendid. I take it you received prior word that I wish to meet with you privately to discuss something important?" The councilman asked expectantly.

“Yes we did sister."

“Where shall we go for this discussion?"

“I have some place in mind that is perfect this early in the morning." The older lady replied. “I actually know just the spot. Please follow me."

All three women proceeded to retrace the path of Judith and Mary, then walked on out the exit and onto the stone path beyond it, that traced a straight line directly through the grove to the guarded entrance of the Sanctuary Garden. Initially Judith and Mary thought they were likely going to one of" the private meditation spots within the garden, but after seeing the councilman maintain a straight path towards the entrance itself and not detour for any of them, they were becoming quite curious about where this meeting was being hosted. That curiosity reached a concerning level, when they reached the large black gates and then were cleared to pass on through into the Citadel public area. Once the gates closed behind them, the councilman paused for a long moment and then turned left, before taking a new path that led directly to the open air back part of the mechanical room for the nearby domicile. Now the curiosity had reached an almost intolerable level. There was no logical reason for important Sanctuary business to be discussed in the presence of men. Just as they reached the domicile, the councilman had them stop and then turned around to face them.

“What is about to happen from here forward, is to stay between the three of us. No word of it goes back inside the walls of the Sanctuary. The project this is related with is simply too important. Do I have your sworn word the privacy of this moment is kept between the three of us sisters?"

There was a tone of firm seriousness and genuine concern in the councilman's voice.

“Of course sister." Judith replied

“We are most curious." Mary dared to comment.

“I heard some hesitation sisters. I ask that you speak freely of your concerns." She pleaded.

“I think I speak for both of us, when I say that we are understandably concerned for the very unorthodox manner in which this is being conducted so far." Judith admitted.

“This treads dangerously close to violating the established rules of conduct." Mary added.

The councilman nodded and then paced a short distance back and forth in front of the Sanctuary Guardsmen, then stopped and spoke again.

“But you have respect for the possibility that this is a necessary compromise, due to this discussion being conducted by me alone?"

“We trust your judgment."

“You have never given us reason to do otherwise."

“This is why I requested a personally secured audience with you two this morning." The councilman assures them. “Both of you have consistently proven just as reliable and trustworthy as two other male guardsman I know of. I am concerned about how the Sanctuary will be managed once I am gone. I love the people of the Citadel and have strategically fought the established trend to try and make us as progressive as possible, without rousing suspicion from fellow councilman within and outside this citadel. It has not been easy over these recent years, with the emergence of this new spicy gossip among the men. I need to know the nature of the source and then decide if this is something to be eliminated or cleverly integrate into citadel life… in order to maintain the healthy harmony of the community. The fact I allow Shamus to conduct business as usual at his end of the Citadel serves as persistent proof of how genuine my intentions are in regards to being so progressive."

“I'm sure all the men within the Citadel appreciate your generosity." Mary observes.

“Yes. This is why I find it hard to believe that the men would then engage in activity that would damage the unique harmony I have created jointly with Shamus within these walls. I am aware that the man himself does not think much of councilman in general. We certainly have the very non-progressive past to thank for that unfortunate animosity and honesty don't hold that against him. The two of us simply coexist and respect each other's boundaries. I want that to continue."

“Of course sister and we completely agree with that sentiment." Judith assures.

“Splendid. Now that we have that out of the way, let's make constructive use of this morning and carry on with the intended business I planned. The first thing to take care of is the request for early service retirement filed by the two of you. Had the surrounding circumstances been any different, I would have pleaded for you to delay said retirement. But a recent project related event has given me an opportunity to be more objective and grant that request."

Judith and Mary immediately looked at each other, as excitement plastered across their faces under the red veils. They then composed themselves and turned their attention back to the councilman.

“We honestly were prepared for it to be refused and then advised to not bother requesting it again for some time." Judith admitted.

“We of course would have been understanding and respected that judgment." Mary adds.

“Thank you for the kind consideration." The councilman comments. “That now brings me to the second thing and it is actually related. I want the two of you to also file for Privateer certification."

Judith and Mary looked at each other again, said nothing and looked back at the councilman.

“I need two trustworthy Sanctuary Guards to operate with the freedom of a Privateer and help me maintain personal eyes on another project that is being planned by the Council itself. I don't trust how this would normally be handled and I have a rather personal stake in the project itself. It would thus be prudent to have these two personally appointed women in civilian clothes while performing this requested task for me. Are you interested?"

The councilman politely excused herself and walked over to where Don was working, to talk with him and give the other two a moment to discuss the offer with each other. The keen equine nose of the horse handler of course smelled her approaching and didn't need to turn around to know she was nearby. He just kept standing there, supervising final orientation day of the four new whelps with Max and exchanged a sideways knowing glance with him, confident his herd mate smelled her too. He then slowly turned around and simply acted a little surprised, when seeing the councilman approach him.

“Well good morning councilman. What brings you to the Domicile?"

“Good morning Don. Remember the discussion we had yesterday, concerning a little pet project of mine?" She inquired.

“Why, yes I do." He confirms and looks past her to see the other two that came with her.

He took a long breath in, then immediately recognized Judith and Mary by their scent.

“I take it everything has gone as planned and you found two candidates to begin training with our special long distance horses?" He politely asks.

“It has indeed and appreciate you offering your services for such a personally risky endeavor."

“Your secret remains safe with all of us involved on your personal project. You can be assured of that by every handler hired for the job."

“Thank you Don. I will now leave you to the task of beginning the two guardsmen training." She replied and started to walk away... “Oh. Do make sure they are fitted with proper civilian clothes, to better blend in and have the uniforms directly sent back discreetly to me."..then resumed her path back to Judith and Mary.

Don watched her have a brief conversation with them, before all three nodded and she parted ways, to walk back to the sanctuary Garden Entrance. Judith and Mary then approached Don, just as Max turned around to face them as well.

“You think she knows that your training has… technically started already?" He asked the two guardsman and grins.

“Does it matter either way?" Don inquires.

“No. Not really." Max returns. “I guess this means the transition work will now resume at Cranston with this special project."

“That it does. Seth already made arrangements in anticipation of such a scenario."

“He did?" Judith finally speaks up.

“That will certainly make all of this easier." Mary observes.

“The aim is for the herd to make the transition as easy as possible for women." Don assures.

“We are sure you will love Cranston. Trust me, what you and other outsiders have heard doesn't begin to describe what it really has to offer for those receptive of it's special hospitality." Max adds.

“So when do we leave?" Judith asks.

“As soon as you get changed into your new farming attire and Seth gets back here with his mate, to take over supervising the Domicile." Don replies and then motions for the two ladies to follow him out of the mechanical room.

Although it was still early enough in the morning for them to likely not be noticed by anyone within the domicile, they still proceeded cautiously across the open main floor behind Don and then up the stairs with Max right behind them. The four whelps left behind in the mechanical room already knew their role in the midst of this new circumstance and proceeded to tag-team two each per horse, making sure each of them knew the process thoroughly enough to be trusted by themselves running the lifts on a regular work shift.

Matt and Sid stood patiently across the hall from the same Council Chamber doors that had previously been the site of a very fascinating conversation a couple days ago, while the Council itself was conducting a closed meeting with Stan and Luke. The chamber would soon be host to another closed meeting that Matt himself hoped proceeded just as smoothly. All six of them that were gathered back at the Sanctum the previous night went over all the interrogation scenarios him and Nathan could think of, to get the four witness guardsman comfortable with a process meant to trigger the exact opposite mood. Both guardsmen briefly did a visual assessment of who was on duty at the doors today and didn't recognize the faces. All they had to go on was the goatee on their faces. One of them was obviously blond and the other one was a rare brilliant red haired type man. Once they had enough of that, they passed the time by talking about the brief conversation Mary and Cid had before Matt came back to the quarters from the Sanctum.

“So her and Judith are really serious about taking that on?" He asked Cid.

“As serious as a marriage commitment."

“Damn. It's tempting."

“Wait. You would actually consider that as a career option?"

“Why not. Don't you think we have taken enough extreme risks?"

“Yeah. Mary said something a lot like that and admitted it bothered her that we are still serving and not setting any boundaries yet about what we will take on."

“As in what level of danger is actually too much?"

“Exactly. We have served long enough to gain sufficient seniority to start doing that."

“Considering how well the interrogation proceeds, the Council may be inclined to sit longer and review such a request. If they agree, then it is a matter of getting this one last one out of the way."

Both then stood in silence for a short while, before Cid broke it.

“I want to tell you something and honestly don't want the kids, going with us on the excursion especially, to hear it. Don't need them getting ideas I am going soft."

“Go on." Matt encouraged and chuckles to himself.

“I'm actually beginning to get a little excited about this new assignment for some reason."

“You sure it has nothing to do with possibly retiring after it and getting more time with Mary, while out on the road escorting caravans?"

“Cheeky, but no."

“Then what?"

“It's like that whatever we find, it will be something new. Things will get shook up a little and get all these people to thinking about the possibilities and start... living again. You get what I mean?"

“Yeah I get it and honestly had the same thought myself. It doesn't matter if the Council attempts to piss all over what we find and make it seem like it is nothing more than just finding another lost community. From what we know already, this will end up being something too wild in nature for them to control their usual way. It is change, Cid. We all know the historical tragedies about those who tried to stop change."

“It made things very messy."

“Yup."

“They would be stupid to let that happen here."

“Why Guardsman, do I detect a bit of rebellion in that statement?" Matt teased.

“I wouldn't call it that… nor did I ever say I was blindly loyal to the Council."

“None of us men truly are."

“I just focus on doing my job right and not give them reason to unleash wrath on my life."

“Now Mary has presented you with an opportunity to break free of that mild oppression."

“Fine. You win. What she said does have a little to do with it."

“Told you."

Both share a chuckle and then hear a courtesy knock at the Council doors. The blonde guardsmen turns and cracks the door behind him open. There is an obvious brief exchange of words and then bobs his head briefly, before turning towards Matt and Cid.

“The Council is now ready to see you and the witnesses." He announces and closes the door.

Matt straightens up and adjusts his uniform, before Cid looks far down one end of the hall and whistles loudly towards a group of four men in civilian clothes, standing to the outside of the corner and chatting with each other. They responded right away with a wave and began briskly walking towards the two guardsmen. Once all six were gathered outside the door and confirmed they were ready, the same guardsman then opened the door and walked in to announce their entry.

“Lady Councilmen, I present the witness guardsmen and presiding support Matt and Cid."

He then stepped aside and allowed the six men to walk on through, before stepping back outside and closing the door to resume his guard position.

“Hey, you recognize those four blokes in civilian clothes?" The red haired guardsman asks.

“No. Should I?"

“Of course you should. Those are the famous witnesses from that one story."

“Those guys are not those witnesses."

“How can you be sure?"

“They didn't look like someone that survived a Sentinel raid as bad as the one in the story. No scratches or bandaged arms. They looked just fine."

“Maybe they didn't get all that damaged, because they had help."

“From whom? Wasn't it supposed to be just the four of them?"

“What about those bull beasts mentioned in the story?"

“Just added into the story to make it more interesting."

“Then how did they survive the attack?"

“Because the actual attack was not all that bad. The real damage was most likely from the horses panicking and smashing wagons, just to get away from the Sentinels."

“What if the bull beasts are real?"

“There are no Minotaur alive. The Sentinels killed all of them, then turned on the people that created them in the ancient cities."

“How do you know so much about that?"

“I read."

“I read too and never came across any history like that."

“Not reading the right books then."

“Care to share where you got your books?"

“An acolyte owed me a favor. He got me a some history books from the Archology."

“What if the books are wrong?"

“Let's say they were. Then how does that change the circumstances of the story."

“If the books are wrong, then the Minotaur are alive. If they are alive, then they likely helped out the four witnesses and thus why they didn't look all that damaged."

“You seriously are not letting this one go."

“What is wrong in believing the Minotaur are real and helped them come back alive?"

“Because if they are alive, they would not have let the guardsman return. Instead the men would have been taken back to wherever they live and never be seen again."

“How does that make sense."

“Think about it. You are something that used to be ceaselessly hunted and supposed to be extinct. Then decided to do a decent thing and save some men. Now you have witnesses, that could tell other people you are alive. People that are of the sort that would want you dead."

“So the men would then be kidnapped?"

“Kidnapped or persuaded to go back with the Minotaur."

“Hmm, maybe that is what happened with the vanishing caravans."

“Which ones."

“The ones that showed no sign of attack. They just disappeared."

“I somehow have a little difficulty seeing caravan men, that live citadel life, choose living out in the Wilderness without sufficient proper motivation."

“Maybe the Minotaur has something the men can't get inside a citadel."

“It would have to be something very potent and irresistible in nature. Without that being involved, it is simply a case of the men themselves arranging a disappearance."

“Why do that?"

“To get away from their old life and start a new one somewhere else."

“I'm having as much trouble with that, as you are with my Minotaur scenario."

“I didn't claim it was realistic. Just passing the time with you."

The interrogation inside the Council Chamber was proceeding more quickly than what everyone attending expected, with the tone and mood beyond the doors rarely getting tense. It felt more like a focused job interview by the four witness guardsmen in question. Usually circumstances like what they experienced would leave men in an emotional state that would cause their individual perspectives to conflict with each other about what happened to them as a group. This situation would then require the Council to utilize uncomfortable tactics to extract the relevant information and disregard anything strongly influenced by emotion. The behavior of Jason, James, Jack and Terry was contrary to what the Council especially was used to dealing with in such situations. All four witness guardsman were fairly unanimous about what they experienced and were surprisingly calm about the encounter with the Minotaur themselves. They had genuine respect for their beastly defenders. Not fear.

“So it is the final word, all four of you delivered and was recorded on these papers in front of the council itself, that the truth about what you collectively experienced has now been spoken?" The oldest of the five councilman asked firmly, while pacing slowly between the council table and the four guardsman, waving around the written statements.

“Yes honored Council." Was the unanimous response.

The councilman stopped her pacing in front of Jason, looking at him directly from behind her veil, then sighed and turned towards her other four sisters. She spoke some more.

“Well then. Does any of my sisters have any additional questions to ask, before we proceed with assessment and finalization of this astounding historical event?"

“No Sister." Each one answered in succession, as they were looked at directly.

“This has certainly proceeded a lot differently than I think all of us anticipated and thankfully with a lot less stress than an actual interrogation." She observed before walking back to her chair. “Does the appointed guardsmen, presiding as advisory council to the witnesses, have anything themselves to add?"

“No honored Councilman." Matt and Cid responded.

“The six of you may retire for a brief recess, while my sisters and I deliberate the full account given. You are excused guardsmen." The older councilman issued.

All six guardsman then stood up from their row of chairs and retraced their steps back to the entrance they came in. Matt approached them first and politely knocked. This time the other door opened and the red haired one met his eyes.

“We are granted a brief recess while they deliberate. Some fresh air would be appreciated."

The guardsman nodded and opened the door further, to let the men through and gather across the hall at the archways. He closed the door as soon as Cid exited as the last one in the group.

“Begging you pardon brother, but I was hoping you could resolve a bit of a debate between Scott and I." He asked Jason directly across the hall.

“Sure. What is on your mind?"

“He seems to think that four of you in particular are the same blokes that have become famous rather quickly, among the men in the Citadel during private conversations." Scout declares before the red haired one could get a following word out and let's out an exasperated sigh in response.

The six guardsmen snicker and chuckle for a moment, as if sharing some private joke.

“Mind if I ask in what way we became famous so quickly… uhm?" Jason starts.

“Brent. My name is Brent." the red haired one finishes for him.

“Brent. Well Brent, we have quickly learned that the men sharing the story are likely those that frequent the Grove and Sanctum. Stories from there tend to get exaggerated a bit. However we did have something of an extraordinary experience. One we soon won't forget and just told the Council itself. Whether or not the final official statement gets released to the general public is another matter all together and completely out of our hands. All guardsman however will be receiving copies and thus I really don't see any harm in telling you." Jason answers.

“So to make this all simple and satisfy Brent… Yes, you are those four witnesses."

“Yes they are." Matt spoke up.

“It's safe to say, guardsman life outside these walls will likely get pretty interesting." Cid admits, while standing separate from the group and begins chewing on his fingernails.

“What about the bit with the Minotaur?" Scout asked flatly.

Matt looked around at the other four and finally over to Cid. The silent prolonged pause got his attention. He looked around, to see Matt shrug with a smile and then sighed.

“It would seem they exist after all." He answered hesitantly, then went back to his fingernails.

“I'm not sure if this is reason to be excited or actually more cautious. That depends on how the encounter itself actually happened." Scout admits.

“Take it from my squad mates and I. The bull beasts don't wish any of us harm and have just as much dislike for those mechanical monsters as we do." Jason assures him.

“If they wanted to harm us, we wouldn't be here." James adds.

“They would have torn us to pieces…" Jack chimes in.

“...like they did those Sentinels." Terry finishes. “Hearing all that metal being smashed, bent and tore up, was humbling to hear."

“Whoa. So they are really that big and strong?" Brent asks.

“Your head is right about where their hips set." Jason assures him.

“I think we told them enough already." Cid advises everyone and walks over to one of the doors, before placing an ear to it and then immediately steps back. “I think they are done deliberating, Matt. Everyone get ready."

The door behind Scout is opened wider than the first time by a councilman.

“We are ready to resume honored guardsmen." She politely announces and steps aside.

All six of the attending men step back through in the same order as they left earlier and walk back to their chairs, exchanging polite nods with the four present and standing councilman. Everyone remains in place until the fifth councilman rejoins her sisters and then sits down with them.

“Please be seated gentlemen." The older woman invited with an extended open hand.

The six guardsman then sat down and waited quietly, as she looked over a statement one more time, before setting it down on the stack with the other five. She resumed speaking.

“First… it is the decision of the Council that the statement given by the surviving witnesses, and further objectively verified by the two attending guardsmen as truth proxies themselves, is undeniable truth itself. The usual conditions and punishment applied for speaking of things, that under any other circumstances would be deemed destructive to the harmony of Citadel society, will be spared. Additional copies of these statements given will be circulated to all guardsmen, with official word from the Council itself, suggesting they become familiar and comfortable with the reality presented within. We also realize that once word gets circulated abroad, the six of you are likely to experience frequent public interruptions to your daily routine and thus we run the risk of you loosing focus. Therefore, due what you four witnesses have experienced, the council has decided you have been through enough stress for now and earned something of a break from your work."

She paused for a short period and allowed the six attending guardsmen to exchange words privately with each other. Then continued once she saw them direct their attention back to the Council.

“Second… it is also decided that what knowledge and wisdom you have gained from surviving the overall event within the Wilderness, could prove useful towards a current ongoing special project sanctioned by the Council itself. We are therefore relinquishing the usual expected observation protocol assigned to such circumstances and remanding all the usual Council related responsibilities to guardsmen Matt and Cid, for the entire duration and completion of the special project. You are to make all necessary preparations for a long trip and then transfer sleeping arrangements to the same domicile occupied by the other project members. For the duration of the project, you will be permitted to wave the expected formalities and use you own names for more efficient project communication."

She paused for another short period and allowed the six attending guardsmen to exchange words privately with each other once more. Her and the other four councilmen also engaged in brief private conversation among themselves and stopped shortly after the six guardsmen.

“Before we proceed further and bring this interrogation to a close, are there any questions desired from the Council." She asked the six guardsman politely.

“No honored councilman. I believe we are just as ready as you to conclude this event." Matt answered for all of them.

“Very well. The four witnesses are free to leave right away and make the arrangements discussed a moment ago. Matt and Cid, I would like for you to remain a moment longer."

Everyone in the Council Chamber then stood and politely bowed to each other across the table. The four witness guardsmen then excused themselves and retraced their steps back out of the chamber. Once the doors closed again, everyone sat down.

“What is the progress on the research project itself?" The elder councilman asked Matt directly.

“It would seem that during the in-between times of our private investigation and normal daily duties, the core research team itself has successfully accessed everything on the machine and have resolved quite a few mysteries regarding the conflicting data, that has plagued the recorded excursion journals and maps over the years." Matt and Cid looked at each other and nodded.

“Fascinating. I'm sure that whatever updated map data is generated by the team, will prove most beneficial to all citadels." The councilman observed. “Agreed sisters?"

All five of the seated councilman nodded with a hint of eagerness to the motion.

“With the council's permission and depending on what I finally see for myself tonight, I recommend that the project be possibly moved out into the field beyond the citadel within a day. Considering what everyone just heard within this chamber, I think we can all agree that the sooner we make contact with this proposed lost community and it's bull beast protectors… the sooner we can begin making progress towards gaining the upper hand once again, with our continuing defense against Sentinel incursions."

“Are you certain the research team is ready for this demanding task?"

“I think they are more than ready and show a perceptible eagerness to take the research project to it's logical progression point." Cid answered for Matt.

“I see. Unless nothing more is discovered and manifests within the research over the next day, we will grant you the authority to finally take the project out into the field guardsman. The Council has also been recently reviewing the service record of you two over the years. It is nothing short of exemplary. My sisters and I are astounded you two are even alive and feel that perhaps with the dawning of this new endeavor, it is only fair we grant the two of you much deserved and earned retirement from your service. This will by no means absolve you of your current responsibility. We prefer to keep the two of you on board and will simply have you officially designated as primary project leaders and special envoys of the Council itself. This will allow you to maintain your new civilian status and preserve all access privileges of guardsmen."

Matt and Cid looked at each other again and smiled with a bit of noticeable excitement, before looking back to the Council.

“Thank you honored Council." They politely responded.

“Unless there is nothing else to discuss, my sisters and I will retire back to the Sanctuary and look forward to being on site, when the research team departs from the Citadel tomorrow morning."

Everyone then stood once more.

“Until then gentlemen." The elder councilman concluded, before departing with her sisters and exiting the Council Chamber. It was customary for them to leave first.

“So. What did you think of that easy squeeze interrogation?" Matt asked Cid.

“I don't know about you, but I was expecting the usual ambush survivor scenario."

“It is curious. Probably should keep an eye on them." Matt suggested absentmindedly.

“It couldn't hurt. Don't want them to become a liability during a possible Sentinel attack, expecting their bull beast friends to show up again to help."

“Considering what you and I have observed of Sentinel behavior in the past, they are not dumb machines. If any happen to be tracking us and we simply don't see them, they may leave us alone."

“How do you figure?"

“I want to tell you, but more curious about what you think. You're the strategy genius. What does your keen mind tell you about that whole initial encounter situation?"

“All right. I'll bite. The encounter itself feels off. It is like those bull beasts were following and watching them for a reason. They probably have some interest in them specifically we don't know about yet. There is a lot we don't know about them, outside of scant written legend. Something tells me that once we are far enough away from the Citadel, those same bull beasts are likely to shadow us. If they really are as capable as that one guardsman mentioned, a Sentinel would do well to keep a safe distance from the research team or risk getting turned into scrap metal.

Which brings us to the whole liability concern of mine. I don't think it is so much about them becoming useless motionless soldiers in the middle of a Sentinel ambush... as much as those four blokes simply deciding to get adventurous and try to sneak away to go searching for the bull beasts on their own. That will make things complicated. Good thing there are six of us appointed guardsmen. It may take two of us alone to keep tabs on the four ambush survivors. I suggest that remain our concern alone and let the other four focus on the research team themselves."

“Damn you're good."

Cid huffs and grins, before turning and leading the way back to where the other four guardsmen exited the chamber. Along the way, Matt made the customary announcement with added volume.

“Council Chamber is clear. Open the doors."

The massive open white room then echoed with the sound of all four sets of double doors opening at the same time. A brief brisk cool morning breeze blew throughout the expanse of it and greeted the two guardsmen, by the time they were halfway to their exit. Scout and Brent stood at the opened doors and gave them the customary nod. Just across the outside open air hall stood the other four guardsmen. They had yet to leave.

“Why are you four still here?" Cid asked.

“We were curious why you remained in the Council Chamber and decided to simply wait for you two." Jason answered.

“Nothing more was discussed about you guys, if that is what you are wondering." Cid returned.

“We remained behind to simply give our update statement on the research project itself. Turned out the Council itself had an announcement for us." Matt added.

“Oh?" James chimed in.

“We are being granted retirement from service. Effective immediately."

“So does that now mean you will be removed from the project?" Jack inquired.

“Will they at least give you time to get all of us orientated with it?" Terry asked additionally.

“The Council is letting us remain on the project. They are also putting us fully in charge of it and giving us special envoy status. That way we can be civilians and preserve the access privileges of guardsmen. In a way, nothing really changes for the team." Cid answered this time.

“The only real change will be adding you guys." Matt added. “Speaking of… the whole packing and prepping thing can wait. Let's go introduce you to the rest of the team right now."

Everyone then looked at Cid and expected him to possibly object. In light of the very recent positive career news delivered by the Council, he was about to surprise them.

“You guys go on ahead and I will catch up with you guys at the Domicile later. I need to go check up on someone and see if they received their own equally positive news already."

Cid then clasped forearms with each of the other guardsmen and departed from the group.

“Is Cid feeling okay?" Jason asked no one in particular.

“Cid is fine. His girlfriend is also seeking retirement and told him that she would be receiving word today if that actually happens or not." Matt replied.

He then began leading the guardsmen down the hall towards the connecting bridge to the Domicile destination. The four guardsman made sure Matt was fully updated on everything they knew about the developing Minotaur situation along the way. They especially focused on the village of Chaney, explaining that Minotaur existence would soon begin there. This eventually lead to the subject matter of how the situation of the women would be handled during the initial transitional process of officially introducing the bull beasts into village life. Fortunately the usual morning traffic had dissipated and most everyone else was busy with tasks elsewhere, giving the five guardsmen plenty of privacy on their walk. Once they started across the bridge, Matt got his answer and found the explanation satisfactory. He however had more specific questions that was now nagging him a bit.

“So let me ask you this. Since the Minotaur can change a human, via the process of temporarily making the person into their own cock, what functional purpose would it serve to change the women into bull beasts as well? It's not like they have any way to produce that special cum like men can."

“The women that get changed, have already undergone the process of transitioning from woman to man. So there is no actual woman being changed when that time comes." Jason answered.

Matt stopped the group halfway across the bridge.

“How exactly does that work and does it even hurt them?"

“From what one of the bull beasts told me, the syrup all five of us now carry in our balls immediately begins the process of assessing what body type is absorbing it and what changes need to be made to insure more syrup is created." James answers.

“Naturally with a man, there is a lot less to change inside. Just his balls." Jack quips.

Everyone briefly chuckles.

“But with a woman a lot more has to be changed and in order for that change to be permanent, they have to become a man. Thus the whole transition process." James resumes.

“The transition process is done slowly. The Minotaur are aware that a lot of fundamental mental changes have to happen, to make the person better adapted to their new life as a man." Jason adds.

Matt then resumes walking and everyone else follows.

“So what about the whole situation of the entire village eventually ending up changed and you have no humans left.?"

“As best as we could understand it, people younger than a certain age could not be changed and were not affected that way. The syrup itself just somehow knows this." Terry answers.

“Hmm, so that could be why the village has recently acquired the curious reputation of marrying men and women at a younger age. That and have children almost right away." Matt suggests.

“We came to that same conclusion ourselves." Jason admitted.

The group stopped at the Domicile entry, waited for Matt to unlock and open the door, then close it behind them. Once inside a familiar lift cage, Matt added the appropriate number tags to the zip line and sent it down. The bell below rang, then the lift lurched slightly to life and began making it's ascent up through the floors. The moment it came to a stop at the top floor, they were immediately greeted by a grinning Justin and Mike in uniform.

“I take it that interrogation went a lot better than any of us expected. Otherwise, why else would these four blokes be up here in the restricted area of the research project?" Justin observed.

“How and why did the Council decide to add more people?" Mike asked.

“These questions can be answered after we get upstairs and get some much needed food in our bellies. We got an earlier start to our day then the rest of you this time." Matt reminds them.

“That you did. Just go on up and use our private knocking system, then slide this guy here under the door." Justin advises while handing Matt a square skin colored clay tile the size of a fist.

“What is that for?" Terry inquires.

“Our personal security system. You will see." Matt answers and grins.

“So what special circumstance requires something as curious as colored tiles?" Jason asks.

“Such that is similar to that at the Sanctum." Matt replies on their way up the steps. “Those two downstairs and I had an interesting conversation this morning. Turns out that the research team knows a little bit more about what is happening than I realized. They also now maintain a very relaxed work atmosphere up in this guarded research loft. One I am confident you will appreciate right away."

Matt then knocks once, pauses, then four times on one of the double entry doors. He then squats and slides the tile under the door, before straightening back up and waits. No sound of sandal wearing feet is heard approaching the door, before Matt was greeted with the familiar voice of Tony.

“Welcome back Matt. I see you have guests."

Jason raised an eyebrow and smirked towards Matt. A closed fist was held up in front of him and then extended a single finger and pointed back at Matt. Then three more fingers extended and all were splayed out to point at the four guest guardsmen, before the hand was taken away. All four of the men then silently mouthed recognition of the connection with the knocking rhythm and nodded.

“We do indeed have guests. They are new additions to the research project and completely fine with the special work conditions." Matt responded.

“Alright then." The door clicked and opened, to show an older stocky naked gray haired man holding onto it. “Welcome to the research group gentlemen. The same honesty policy as back at the Sanctum applies here too." He greeted, then shook hands with each new guardsmen walking past him.

Their noses was immediately assaulted with the smell of warm breakfast food, that was spread out across the nearby table. The other members of the research group, that were seated at the table and also naked, paused their eating to wave and greet the new guests from their sitting positions.

“Well. I'm feeling a little overdressed and plan on fixing that right away." Terry announced, then began shedding his clothes and then tossing them to the side beyond the entry.

The guardsman then led the way to greet and shake hands with the other seated project members, as Matt and the others followed the example, while Tony then closed the door to the loft. Once the introductions were out of the way, the seated men then got up and everyone shuffled about to find new seating at the breakfast table. Stan sat back down at one end of it near the loft entry, with Bruce and Trent flanking him. Lance and the three acolytes then sat next after Bruce, while the four new guardsmen took a seat across from them and after Trent. Matt then sat down after the guardsmen, with Tony across from him at the other end of the table. The loft then once again came alive with the sound passing of plates, bowls and baskets.

Stan led a conversation from his end of the table, to give the new guardsmen a general description of everything being done on the project so far and the nature of the research subject matter itself. Matt and Tony engaged in their own separate conversation, to get the guardsmen updated on everything that happened. There was also additional information exchanged to clarify exactly what was happening now. Eventually the two conversations ended up merging and exchanged across the entire table, after everyone finished eating and the acolytes began cleaning everything up. The new unified conversation effectively got everyone on the same page about the progress of the research project, as well as the recent surrounding events that were experienced and obviously connected with the target subject of the project itself. The world was about to change in an interesting way.

“In light of what has now been shared with everyone, it is now safe to assume that the whole reason for launching the field expedition part of the research project seems less important now." Matt started. “At least that is the way I see it so far. Yet, Tony assures me there is still just as much validity in going through with it, due to the nature of the new videos you were able to finally access. As the new officially designated project leader, I think it is time I finally saw all these videos and then make a more informed decision about the new direction this project may take outside the citadel walls."

The guardsmen then looked away from the table, to see the three acolytes had already finished with their immediate cleaning task and was getting the machine powered up. Stan and Tony then got up and took their chairs with them over to the other table. Everyone else seated copied the action.

“What you five are about to see initially will probably be more or less like a recording of what you would see in the Grove and Sanctum." Mason started, while accessing the appropriate files.

“From what the three of us have heard from the rest of you, it will be a little familiar, but as each video progresses to the end…" Luke resumed and then looked towards the other two next to him.

“...it will get pretty interesting in some places." Mason finished.

“Especially the last tile of videos we show you." Jacob added, as they sat down on the side of the machine where the lettered tiles were at and Mason started the first video.

Everyone else got their chairs in place, positioned in a gradual bending ark on the other side of the table, then sat down. Matt was seated right in the middle, with Stan and Tony flanking him. They kept their voices down to whispers delivered with mouths close to the guardsman's ears. Lance seated himself in between Bruce and Trent on Tony's side, while the four new guardsmen sat on Stan's side. The same system of playing and pausing between each tile was adopted. Matt found himself walking over to the map table and looking down at the revised wilderness map and then the new one that outlined the dominant terrain features of the mysterious hidden valley itself in the video.

Although the new detailed valley map looked to be only twenty five percent done, what was already inked on it, displayed a massive winding network of paths and possibly tunnels running throughout the expanse of the entire valley. There were also a few small voids existing in the middle where the paths obviously met. Based on the lighting level in the videos, along with seeing cleared vegetation at those map locations, the research team suggested they are the open spots initially seen from above by Stan's dad and most likely where the men live. During the break after viewing the last colored tile, Matt decided to make it last a little longer with a brief discussion about the Minotaur.

“I think Shamus is up to something and possibly trying to find a way to establish a piece of the valley within Citadel walls. The Sanctum specifically." He announces to the research group.

“Based on what we just seen in those videos, I am inclined to agree." Jason added.

“Considering the Minotaur have already covertly established themselves there and obviously have been close friends of Shamus for a couple years at least, it would not surprise me if their mutual end goal is to change the entire Citadel into another place like the valley." Matt suggested.

“Tony? What do you think? Next to Shamus, you and dad are the eldest of the wolves in this place. You and Shamus are pretty close." Stan prompts his uncle.

“In light of what I shared with all of you about my last meeting with him, it would be smart to also assume the Herd is on board with such a plan as well." The elder wolf suggested.

“Based on what the Minotaur at Chaney told us about the Herd, adopting Cranston the same way their village will soon be adopted by the bull beasts, I think that is a safe assumption." James adds.

There was a noticeable pause, that Bruce himself finally broke with the seemingly obvious question he suspected was immediately on everyone's mind now.

“So is anyone else now wondering what else Mike has been keeping to himself about his home village all these years?"

“In light of the information in our hands now, It is safe to assume all of us are wondering how much about this Mike actually knows. But it will have to wait for now." Stan assures him.

“Okay. I am ready to see that Black tile now." Matt tells the three acolytes.

“The Black tile it is." Mason echoes and returns to the machine.

“Who wants to help with retrieving the blankets?" Tony asks, while walking away.

“We can help with that." Jason replies, then spots Matt look at him confused. He just shrugs.

“Hey." Stan says and gives Matt a tap on the shoulder. “You can help me and Lance with moving the chairs back to the table." He tells the guardsman, after meeting his eyes.

“Is this possibly going where I think it is?" Matt asks while grabbing a chair with each hand.

“A pointless question to ask, when you are among naked men and beginning to get a hard cock in anticipation of what is likely to be viewed next on the Black tile." Lance replies.

Both briefly look down at each others crotches and see the other man's cock swelling up.

“Point is taken." Matt returns and chuckles, while carrying the chairs.

Tony and the four guardsmen were quickly getting all available blankets retrieved from the surrounding rooms and effectively creating a thoroughly padded large area in place of the row of chairs, to provide an adequate spot for everyone to spread out and get comfortable. Everyone but Mason helped out with getting the last of the chairs moved and then replaced by the blankets in their proper places. By the time he had finished inputting crucial commands, to allow the Black tile to play all the videos unattended, he then walked around and joined in the task. Everyone then found their comfortable sitting spot and waited for the first video to begin playing. The two wolf magistrates sat with their legs splayed out in front of them, reclining back on their hands, with their respective acolyte reclining back against them. Bruce and Trent did the same with Lance and Mason. Matt and the other four guardsmen simply lounged together as one big group.

Matt had the same reaction as the core research group, when viewing the introduction video and realizing the huge black beast standing behind the man was one of the Minotaur. He also could swear he could spot very subtle muscle flexing movement in the man's arms. The hands were never seen the whole time and very likely fondling the man's cock. The guardsman was quite sure Stan's father had sex with the Minotaur the moment the video was done. Each video that played after that, kept Matt silently enthralled with the various new and exotic sexual things he was seeing on the vertical machine's screen. The variety of the locations and those participating was simply too much for one to logically keep track of, while watching and slowly stroking himself. Jason then leaned towards his ear.

“Just think. That will soon be us."

“Fuck." Matt barely whispered in response.

The scene that was currently playing out was that of a large cave style room. The lighting level was a little dim and filtering in on visible light beams coming from various holes above, that were lined with hanging plants. There was a perceptible haze in the air, that was kept replenished with an unseen pulsing and hissing source. The fog covered floor was occupied by large stone blocks as tall as a man's waist, scattered about the chamber and covered with very thick looking dark red blankets. Every single visible one was occupied by a man laying on his back and displaying a very rounded middle section. The men were also being fucked by a white horseman. Very little moaning could be heard. Just the odd subtle organic gurgling sound of something being swallowed or pumped through hoses.

The person recording was walking around the chamber and appeared to be looking for something, then walked up to a fair skinned man. He was predominantly smooth, with red hair and a full beard. There was also red hair under his arms and at his crotch. The man was clearly one with a hefty body build and looked to be getting a significant body increase, in the form of his entire middle section being completely rounded. His legs were resting slack against the thighs of the white horseman, whom was holding them in place. The closeness of their bodies showed that the beast was all the way inside the man. Matt's mind was spinning with thoughts of how it was even possible for a man to take that much beast cock inside him and not feel any discomfort from that or being filled full enough to have a completely rounded belly. A prolonged look at the face of the man's sideways turned head, showed that he was only feeling pleasure from the whole experience.

The guardsman's eyes then spotted sight of two thick green flexing vines, that connected from somewhere up in the ceiling down to roughly where the man's cock would be on his body and connecting with where the horseman's anal entrance would be on him. It was then confirmed they were the source of the ambient liquid pumping sound and displayed this in the form of subtle ripples traveling up the one attached to the man and down the one that was likely buried inside the horse beast's ass. He then realized the man himself was not making any expected moaning sounds. The person recording moved in close to the man's face, to show that the only sound being made was the occasional soft gurgle, as a familiar clear substance persistently rolled and rippled out of his open slack mouth. A hand appeared and waved in front of the red haired man's blank face. He showed zero response and kept staring off towards some unknown location beyond the recording view.

Matt knew what that stuff was and remembered what he saw back at the Sanctum. His thoughts then settled down and he simply accepted what he was seeing, then allowed himself to enjoy the moment vicariously with the man being filled. He could only imagine the mind shattering pleasure that man must be feeling in that moment, being filled with a throbbing cock that huge and in turn being filled so full with that familiar stuff that it completely saturates your body, transforming one into a persistently cumming milk cow. The one recording the video then looked up, past the one being filled and milked, to see another horse beast standing by himself by an unoccupied blanket covered stone block. One could also plainly see the fully erect and bobbing pink equine shaft. The white stallion was looking right at him and waving a hand to join him. The recording bobbed up and down and then moved around the current joined couple, before walking right up to the horse beast. He immediately began stroking his huge pink shaft in anticipation of burying it inside the man.

“Your balls are looking pretty plump and full. I bet there is lots of data stored in them. Let's get some syrup running through your system and get them emptied Drone." The horseman invites.

The view points downward and shows the man to be well tanned and quite hairy, along with displaying a belly and above average cock, that was already hard and bobbing itself. The perspective moves back up and forward, as the horseman holds his bobbing cock steady and aims it down out of sight. One immediately hears the distinct slurping and gulping sound of cock sucking, as they see a white hand reach up out of view and shows the attached arm moving in a familiar petting motion.

“Yes. That's a good drone. Drink until you feel that fuzzy ambient warmth spread through your body again. Take as much as you need to make that happen."

The entirety of the stallion's cock then came back into view, showing the end wet with saliva and the pulsing opening generously dripping with that familiar clear substance.

“Now, get that horse cock hungry ass up on the stone. We got some ball draining to do."

Matt at this point was completely laying on his back and watching the video from the side. He barely noticed Terry slowly ease his legs up and then down around the waist of the guardsman, as a throbbing dripping cock then slid in between his ass cheeks. Back in the video, the man had already climbed onto the stone and laid down on his back. He looked down past his belly and watched as that hard dripping horse cock glided back and forth across his own, while the stallion held his splayed legs up in the air by the ankles. The man remained motionless and moaned softly.

“Keep watching that cock move Drone. It will be doing the same inside you soon enough."

At those words, the equine shaft was fully retracted and then dipped down out of sight. The view then pointed up at the dark shadowy ceiling, just as the moans got louder.

“That's it. Keep that hole relaxed and keep swallowing my cock. No rush. I'll just let gravity smoothly push it on in… and there we are at last, that second door. No hurry going through there yet, let's do some fucking first and get you primed for that final plunge."

The view then tilted down and now showed the stallion's head very close to the recording device. He had his eyes closed and the front of his muzzle was below the view. One could hear the distinct sound of deep kissing, along with both of them moaning, as the equine head slowly bobbed from one side of the view to the other. One could see the view itself slightly bob up and down, demonstrating that the man was now being fucked slowly by the stallion. The big white beast then broke the kiss and pulled back up to a standing position. Two familiar looking green vines were now visibly hanging over the man.

“Now for the milking. Remember to just relax and let it slide on into your guts Drone."

The view once again switched to looking right up at the hidden ceiling.

“Oh fuck yes." The viewer finally got to hear the man say. “Sink that beautiful warm horse cock into my hungry belly. It needs to be filled so bad again."

“That's good. That's real good. I'm sliding on in and not needing to stop. You are making great progress Drone. Before you know it, you will be taking equine sausage in one smooth plunge directly into your guts. Welcome to your new life."

Matt then let out a soft moan, as Terry completely bottomed out in his ass and began pumping syrup into his belly. Neither guardsman made eye contact and simply kept watching the video. Stan and Tony had already changed and had their respective acolytes sitting in their laps, with their throbbing canine cocks fully knotted inside Luke's and Jacob's bulging bellies. Bruce and Trent had also changed, hugging a happily knotted Lance and Mason against their chests. Mason was beyond words, experiencing his first ever syrup saturation. They very quietly moaned, while rubbing their bulging bellies. Jason, James and Jack patiently waited for their turn to add their own syrup load inside Matt. They slowly stroked with one hand, while licking the other one clean of syrup, before alternating them.

Back in the video, the stallion had already sunk in all the way to his balls and had begun filling the man, while guiding one of the slowly descending vines towards his buttocks. Once the blunt end made contact with his pulsing anal doughnut, it started to become slick on the outside and wiggle it's way inside his guts through his guiding closed hand.

“Now let's get you connected next Drone."

The man then looked down towards his expanding belly and watched the horse beast guide the other vine down out of view, beyond the man's rounder belly and right to his throbbing cock. Everyone could tell when the vine had successfully attached itself and begun milking him. The view swung back up to the hidden ceiling, as the man began to emit rapid very short and soft moans, that soundly a little like gasps. It was obvious that the pleasure was still quite intense for him.

“More." He finally said.

“Oh. More is coming." The stallion assured him.

That distinct gurgling and pumping sound was soon heard, as the man's mind was swallowed up in lust and went blank in the midst of cumming continuously. The syrup flowed into his guts and saturated his system, before moving to his prostate and transport his own syrup with it out through his throbbing cock. His body soon went completely limp and his head rolled to the side, as the stallion completely relaxed his control over his syrup flow and proceeded to fill the man at full force. At that point any structured thought was crushed under the persistent flowing wave of lust that kept the man's mind blank and open, for all of the information he gathered to now flow freely with the syrup and out of his body. All that mattered to him now was to just be a throbbing bloated syrup producing extension of the white horse beast's cock. The surplus syrup then found it's way up his throat and out of his mouth. In persistent pulsing ripples.

Matt was not quite experiencing the same level of saturation, but the four guardsmen collectively made sure his belly got round and were now taking turns draining the syrup back out of his body through his cock. The ones being knotted sat limp in the laps of their breeding wolves, with that same distinct blank look on their face and syrup pulsing out of their gaping mouths in ripples. The air in the loft was now saturated thoroughly enough with the scent of the flowing syrup, that an inexperienced man would walk in through the door and find his logical thinking mind assaulted, then shoved out of the way in his head. The more impulsive thoughts would then take over and assist with submerging him in a sea of pure lust, sending him down onto his knees in willing submission, as his throbbing cock began persistently dripping precum upon exposure to the infused air.

By the time the final video was playing, the research team members had taken their break and were once again engaging with each other sexually. This time, the wolves had the four witness guardsmen lay on their backs and knotted them in that position, while the same previous sex partners took up the reclining position again and sat down on a guardsman's throbbing cock. This allowed both them and the guardsman to experience the bliss of being a pulsing continuously cumming mindless syrup receptacle. Matt simply sat and watched the spectacle, while slowly stroking a syrup coated cock. Then when the moment came, he was more than happy to help drain everyone. When the next shift change came around and it was dinner time, nobody bothered to clean up. Upon entry into the loft, Justin and Mike handed over the dinner baskets and stripped off their uniforms right away, just as their cocks began dripping syrup persistently. They then had a brief sixty nine session between them.