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"I had expected you to be the voice of reason. Not try and lead me further to temptation." Samantha said.

"Sorry, just being honest with you." Alice said.

"Truthfully, I do appreciate it." Samantha did appreciate Alice's honesty, even if it wasn't what she expected.

Jenny donned her lab coat. It tended to be a little on the cool side in the lab. She fired up her computer and clicked on a the rest of the lights. Then checked for any deliveries that had came in late last night or early this morning. Nothing of great importance to her, just quarterly reports. She set those on Alice's desk and sat at hers to check e-mail.

Jenny finished up a little paper work and went back into the lab to run the monthly diagnostic tests on their equipment. All the machines preformed self checks when they were started up. These were a much more detailed check and required her to start them manually. Some took longer than others, just depended on the complexity of the machine.

"Hello Jenny. Is Alice around?" Christina asked. She was a medical lab tech, and a was a cute little mouse like Alice.

"Not today. She had a few too many drinks last night. So I am running solo today. Something I can help you with?" Jenny asked.

"I will catch her another day. Nothing important she just wanted me to check on something for her." Christina said with a smile.

"Okay, she will probably be down tomorrow." Jenny said a little curious what it was about.

"Thanks. Talk to you later." Christina said and walked back down to her lab.

"I work with so many cuties." Jenny said with a little laugh. The low tone of a machine finishing brought her back into the lab forgetting about the thing Christina was looking up for Alice.

Jenny was writing down the results in a log book when Kathrin stopped by. "Hey there. Alice not with you today?"

"Nope, a few too many drinks last night. What's up?" Jenny asked.

"We got a meeting to go too. Guess you are stuck going to it with me." Kathrin said.

"Well that sucks, can't be helped." Jenny said and got up after she finished writing in the log book.

"Shouldn't take more than an hour. With no digs till spring we are starting the preliminary hiring to replace the people we have lost. Also we will see about getting interns for when things do pick back up." Kathrin said.

"That isn't so bad. The budget and other meetings are sooo boring." Jenny said.

"I'm with you on those. Still Frank and I will need to hire people." Kathrin said as they walked down the halls to the meeting rooms.

"It's probably time too. How are we working the Frisco thing I have heard a little about.?" Jenny asked.

"Frank will be in charge and I will be second. Do to the scale and environment it will take a large crew." Kathrin said.

"As long as I don't have to dive." Jenny said and Kathrin laughed.

"Trust me, you will not have too." Kathrin giggled as they walked into the meeting room. At least with her lab coat on Jenny looked a little more professional.

The meeting wasn't too bad. Rather straight forward and she could answer any questions asked. Plus being a little less informal than most made it more comfortable for Jenny who disliked having to sit still so long.

Actually the meeting went by rather quickly. As did the following hour as they all sat around talking about a number of things. It was a nice change from the daily grind, well for some of them. Cause there were lots of days Jenny and Alice did not have to work hard.

When she got back to the lab the rest of the machines had finished. It took her another hour to write down all the results in the log book. "Hopefully Alice will have something to do next week while I am gone." Jenny said aloud to no one. She hung up her lab coat and turned off her computer and the lights.

Jenny was a little surprised to find Samantha and Alice chatting away when she got home. "Are you both feeling better?"

"Yeah, we just got back from lunch actually." Samantha said.

"No wonder I am hungry. The meeting went through lunch." Jenny said.

"There was a meeting?" Alice asked.

"Yeah, to start the hiring things to replace the staff we have lost. I ran our monthly diagnostics on all of our equipment. Everything checked out fine." Jenny said as she dug in the fridge for something to eat.

"I had forgot about both, sorry you got stuck doing them." Alice said.

"Its all right, neither were that hard. Christina came looking for you." Jenny said.

"Oh, did she say why?" Alice asked a little nervously.

"No. Just she would catch you another day." Jenny said and closed the fridge after finding left over steak.

"Okay." Alice was relived Jenny didn't catch her nervousness and Christina had not said anything.

"So besides lunch, you two do anything?" Jenny asked as she sat down.

"Just sat around talking. Alice told me the two of you have fooled around with both boys." Samantha said.

Jenny giggled. "I was a bit tied up at the time."

"Oh she told me that part too. I didn't know you were that naughty." Samantha said.

"It was the only way we would be sure I wouldn't change my mind. Because truth be told I was a little frightened about the idea." Jenny said.

"Why is that?" Samantha asked.

"Well given how insanely strong they are and the fact I had only had sex with a guy a few times... The two of them was a little intimidating." Jenny said.

"I can see your point. So how was it?" Samantha asked.

"I was bound, blindfolded and gagged. I was starting to freak out by the time they came in the room and started touching me. They only did enough to drive me nuts at first and I never thought they were going to ever touch me where I wanted them too." Jenny said and put her plate in the sink.

"Doesn't sound very pleasant." Samantha said.

"It was, but it wasn't. They slowly and I mean slowly began to remove some of my bonds. Once they quit teasing it became a very wonderful experience. To be bound and helpless between them and both of them inside of me... Out of this world." Jenny said wide eyed and with a big smile.

"I told you her opinion would be a little different." Alice said.

"Well you neglected to say how tied up she was." Samantha teased.

"The real trip is the contrast between the metal scales and the thick fur." Jenny said.

"Only because you don't have fur all ready." Alice said.

"I also have a lower body temp, so when they were deep inside I really noticed it." Jenny said.

"You lost me on the body temp thing." Samantha said.

"Jenny is more human than animal, so she has the regular human body temp like you do. Since both of them and I are more animal, we have higher average body temperatures. You haven't noticed Sherman feels hotter than straight human males?" Alice asked.

"I have, just never gave it much thought. I agree with the fur thing, it feels so erotic." Samantha said.

"Did you tell her about the tongue thing?" Jenny asked.

"Tongue thing?" Samantha said.

"No I didn't." Alice said.

"It's weird but feels so incredible." Jenny said.

"That isn't very helpful." Samantha said.

"That's because it is the hardest thing to describe. Nodrog has a very light electric charge in his mouth. So when he goes down on you, you get a little tingle from it." Alice said.

"Actually that does sound interesting..." Samantha said.

"Well I don't hear any fighting this time." Nodrog said as they stood outside the apartment.

"I guess that is a good thing." Sherman said as Nodrog opened the door.

They were sitting nearly where they had left them earlier. "Feeling any better?" Sherman asked as he walked over to Samantha.

"Much better." Samantha said as Sherman kissed the back of her neck.

"I only just got back myself." Jenny said.

"Did the two of you eat anything?" Nodrog asked as he went over to get a bar to munch on.

"Yeah, we had lunch." Alice said.

"Still a little bla, but I am feeling a whole lot better." Samantha said.

"Well that's good to hear." Sherman said.

"I bet with a little help he could make you feel a whole lot better." Jenny teased.

"Oh, I am sure of that." Sherman whispered in Samantha's ear causing her to blush.

"You know that's not fair." Samantha said quietly.

"I was thinking it wasn't fair that you got to kiss Jenny and not me." Alice teased.

"We did interrupt them the other day, we could always leave." Nodrog teased.

"You wouldn't dare? Sherman..." Samantha grabbed his arm.

"No I wouldn't just leave you here with these miscreants." Sherman said.

"Hey now, I resemble that remark." Jenny said and acted hurt.

"Resemble? Your picture is next to the word in the dictionary along with misbehaved and horny." Alice said and squealed when Jenny pinched her ass.

"Well I am glad to see Alice is feeling better. Should we make a get away before anything else happens?" Sherman asked as Alice jumped over the couch to chase after Jenny.

"Yeah lets." Samantha said as her and Sherman made a quick retreat.

"Hey where did they go?" Jenny asked after Alice had tackled her to the floor and was sitting on her legs.

"Probably someplace quiet." Nodrog chuckled.

"Well that's... oh you cheating little... oooo." Jenny's words quickly trailed off and turned to purring as Alice ran her tongue along her tail.

Jenny's tail was like her feet, give either the right touch and she melted like butter. "You're in a lot of trouble kitty."

Jenny moaned as Alice stroked the base of her tail. It was the oddest place to be erotic, but it never failed to get her full attention. Alice's hands cupped her firm cheeks and teasingly worked their way under her shirt and along her sides. Alice had the tip of Jenny's tail in her mouth making it impossible for Jenny to try and get away. "What a naughty little... mouse..."

"Oh no, I haven't even started being naughty yet." Alice whispered in Jenny's ear.

Jenny shivered as Alice sat up running just the very tips of her fingers along her sides. She lifted her hips as Alice's hands moved around her belly to unfasten her pants. Jenny was getting more aroused by the fact Alice wouldn't let go of her tail as her pants were pulled down.

Alice motioned for Nodrog to come over and she gently pulled Jenny up on her knees. She got off Jenny's legs and with one hand holding the base of the kitties' tail used her other to spread her soft and wet lips.

"What are you twooo... hehe meow." Jenny moaned as Nodrog pushed his entire length into her. Alice let go of her tail and Nodrog grabbed it in the same place.

Alice stood up and locked the door before shedding all of her cloths and sitting in front of Jenny. She smiled as Jenny squirmed as she started to masturbate just out of Jenny's reach.

They really weren't playing nice Jenny thought as Alice played with herself just out of reach and Nodrog worked very slowly in and out of her. It was a little embarrassing how wet she had got from a little tail fondling. Finally Nodrog let go of her tail and she picked herself up to fully being on her hands and knees.

Alice crawled to her and gave Jenny a kiss before laying on her back to get farther under Jenny. Jenny moaned as Alice raised her head a little and started licking. Jenny managed to pull her shirt and bra off despite the position she was in. With that out of the way, she could enjoy whatever else her punishment was going to be.

Sherman and Samantha went to his apartment. "You know a hot bath might help you feel better." Sherman said as he put his arms around her from behind.

"Oh really?" Samantha said and sighed as he kissed the back of her neck.

"Sure, maybe a shoulder and back rub to ease some tension away..." Sherman said and slid both hands under her shirt.

Samantha guided one of his hands lower. "As long as you don't mind massaging other places."

"Anything you want." Sherman whispered in her ear.

"You and me, in the bath tub right now." Samantha said and pulled him along.

The following morning.

Alice woke up early despite the late night. After a quick shower and quick breakfast she left the apartment to head down to find Christina. She stopped by her own lab first and got a few things powered up before heading down to the medical lab.

"Feeling better today Alice?" Christina asked as Alice walked in.

"Yeah, I was doing much better after lunch yesterday. So?" Alice asked and the two glanced around to see who else was in.

"I have the results in my office." Christina said and the two walked past some other techs and Christina closed the door after Alice.

"I hate keeping secrets from people but I have to know first." Alice said and sat down in a chair. Christina handed her the report.

"I'm sorry Alice, you were right. It's the beginning of stage one." Christina said.

Alice managed to choke back the tears. "I had a gut feeling about it. Thanks for not telling Jenny."

"I only did what you asked. I ran the test three times just to make sure. We caught it early enough, if you asked you might get in the trial for the medication for it." Christina said.

"At least that is a blessing. I know the medical division has made enormous strides in fighting it. You know, my grandmother died from Black Blood." Alice said.

"I lost an aunt. It's too early to toss in the towel Alice." Christina said.

"Do you have any more copies of this?" Alice asked.

"Yeah." Christina said.

"Delete them. I will take this one and talk to Dr. Phillips later this morning. I know it's a lot to ask, but don't tell anyone about this." Alice said.

"I won't tell a soul. Let me sign that one so he knows I checked it for you." Christina said and scribbled a little note and signed the bottom before handing it back to Alice. "If anyone can fight it and win. Its you."

Alice smiled. "Thanks Christina, for everything."

"I'm always here if you need anything." Christina said.

"And I am going to be here for a long time." Alice said. No point in crying over it, she was going to fight it till the very end.

"That's the spirit." Christina said and Alice turned and left her office.

Granted she would have to tell Nodrog, she figured he all ready knew something was wrong with her blood. She couldn't tell Jenny or her parents, they wouldn't take the news very well and as of now it could possibly be treated. It was the sixth stage that was a death sentence, the other five a person could live very comfortably for a long time. Which is what Alice was going to do.

It was surprisingly easy to keep it a secret. Dr. Phillips and Alice would discuss the matter while Jenny was out of town the following week. Jenny went out with a few friends for lunch so Alice took Nodrog out for lunch.

"So what are you going to do for a week by yourself?" Nodrog asked as they sat at a little table outside of a small bistro.

"I don't know... I could catch up on some reading or take a nice relaxing bath without interruption." Alice said and took a bite of her cake. They had eaten lunch all ready this was just a light dessert.

"We are not that bad." Nodrog said with a smile.

"No, you are not bad. I'm sure by the end of the week I will be eagerly awaiting the two of you returning." Alice said with a little smile.

"I'm sure." Nodrog said. Alice finished her cake.

"I need to tell you something, but you are not to repeat it to anyone. Understand?" Alice said.

"I do. Is this in regards to your blood?" Nodrog asked.

"It's a relatively new illness. It was first discovered during the era of madness just prior to the mass suicide. It is called Black Blood and I have the first of six stages." Alice said quietly.

"While I did not know it's name. The day you awoke me, I knew something was wrong. If I had told you sooner..." Alice interrupted Nodrog.

"It wouldn't change anything. There is no reason to be alarmed at this point. Next week I am meeting with one of the foremost research doctors studying it. I and one hundred and twenty other people will start the first round of human testing of a treatment for it." Alice said and thanked the waiter when he brought the check.

"Why are you telling me and not Jenny?" Nodrog asked.

"Because you will notice any changes the medication may or may not cause. And Jenny would freak out." Alice said and pulled out some cash. "You got any singles?"

Nodrog pulled out a handful of cash. He didn't carry a wallet, just his ID and a wad of money. "Yeah I got a few."

"Leave two, I got the rest. The other reason I am telling you, is... Maybe you know someone who might be of more help if the treatment does not work." Alice said and put the cash in the little book with the bill.

"I highly doubt that, we do not succumb to human illness. So there is little or no magic pertaining to such. It's not what you want to hear, but I don't want you to get your hopes up now, only for you to find out later. But, I will ask for you." Nodrog said.

"I see your point, a gunshot or any wound is pretty straight forward." Alice said as they got up to walk around down town more.

Chapter.

The rest of the week was rather uneventful. Monday came around and it was time for the three of them to pack for their trip. Jenny and Nodrog said goodbye to Alice and met Sherman down in the motor pool where they would take a shuttle to Collens' estate.

"I haven't been out here in a long time." Jenny watched the familiar giant estates go by as the unmarked van tooled along the narrow and twisting road.

"Must be nice." Sherman grunted as they rode past in his mind ridiculous homes.

"Of all things it was for a shooting tournament. I wonder if Ms. Bartlet is still mad at Grace for putting a bullet in that priceless statue?" Jenny said. The lady was a cranky old woman then, if still alive, she must be really old and cranky now.

The driver stopped at a rather plain looking gate to buzz in. Several of the homes shared a private air port. It wasn't much but for those who owned their own planes it was enough.

"Christ this place is huge." Sherman said as they stepped out after a near ten minute drive from the gate to the house.

"If I didn't hate my parents so much I would take you out to that house. Thankfully Collens has better taste in landscaping and paint than my mom." Jenny said as she slung her one bag over a shoulder.

"Has a little old world charm to it." Nodrog remarked as he handed Sherman his bag.

"Wouldn't this be the new world, to you back then?" Sherman asked.

Nodrog and Jenny just looked at him. "You get my point." Nodrog said.

"What, you have lived so damn long it's hard to keep track of everything." Sherman grumbled, ears laid back.

"He does have a valid point." Jenny giggled as they walked to the front doors.

Sherman was pleasantly surprised that Collens answered his own door. "Good morning. I hope you don't mind staying here for the night."

"Not at all." Jenny and Sherman said.

"I hope it is no inconvenience to you." Nodrog said.

"None at all. If not for all the crap my family has collected over the years I would move." Collens said as they walked into.

Collens showed them to their rooms for the night and gave them a little tour of the house and grounds. "Hey I recognize this statue. When did you get it?" Jenny asked as she jogged over to a mostly naked woman statue with a bullet hole square in her ass.

"The elder Bartlet boy gave it to me when she passed away. My father, myself and Wendy's father John were the only ones who found it amusing. I couldn't let them throw it out." Collens said as they walked over to the statue.

"It is not a very tasteful statue." Nodrog said as he looked over the rather ugly thing.

"That's why we dared Grace to shoot it in the ass." Jenny said with a big grin and her tail flicking excitedly.

"It is a good shot." Sherman said.

"Especially considering it was near one hundred and ten yards with a pistol. You and Grace were thirteen I think." Collens said.

"Yeah, I couldn't sit for two days. Still totally worth it." Jenny said.

"I can sympathize, your father gave me a lengthy ass chewing for laughing and encouraging stunts like that. The way some of you kids' parents acted is still mind boggeling. Good thing they didn't find out about the stuff my dad let you do over here." Collens said as they left the statue behind.

"I still can't believe how hard he laughed after I smacked a croquet ball through a window." Jenny said.

"I find it hard to believe you know how to play that." Sherman said.

"That was what made it so amusing, none of them did. Ten little kids and a sixty year old man chasing the balls around with hammers... It took a week to find all the parts to the set." Collens said and chuckled.

"You and Mr. October seem to share a dislike of other people in similar positions." Nodrog said. They could see the small runway and tower from his lawn.

"That is why we get along so well, we do. If he was not so damn good at his job, Jenny's dad wouldn't have a job. The two of us come from families that earned it's wealth, not just inherited it. Most of my family's is from treasure hunting and deep ocean salvage. Mr. October spent two summers with myself and my grandfather on our salvage ship, Hunter IV. During that period we logged over eighty hours of dive time." Collens said.

"I didn't know he could scuba dive." Jenny said as they sat down in a gazebo for some shade.

"He was never very adept at it, but willing to try. However he has very skillful hands despite his enormous size. One of our divers got a nasty gash on his arm from jagged chunk of hull. Mr. October managed to stitch him up on rough seas better than some doctors in a land based hospital could have done." Collens said.

"He had mentioned his interest in becoming an ER doctor." Sherman said, the more they talked with Collens the more he liked him.

"He would have made a damn good one. If not for his father, he had considered joining the army to be a field surgeon." Collens said.

"I never noticed your tattoo before." Jenny said pointing to his arm.

"That's because I kept it covered most of the time, especially when you kids were around. Heaven forbid a wealthy person be in the Navy." Collens said and picked up on Sherman's curiosity. "I commanded a PT boat. Fun little ship with twin seven hundred horse Rolls Royce engines."

Sherman could tell Nodrog was lost from the slang. "PT in this case stands for patrol boat. Lightly armed but very quick. As for the engines, ask Alice."

"PT-250 was mine. Four torpedo tubes and a 20 mm cannon." Collens said.

"And now you teach engineering." Jenny said and laughed.

"Yeah, had a great deal of fun on the sea, never got into the treasure hunting. I enjoyed solving problems and fixing the machines we used. So I house sit and teach while my sister runs the actual family business. Mr. October is one of our suppliers for equipment. We also do a little research and development for him." Collens said with a smile.

"So you were trying to recruit Jenny for treasure hunting?" Nodrog asked.

"I was, until I found out she was afraid of open water." Collens said.

"That was my only problem with the offer. Well and Alice all ready was working here." Jenny said.

"Technically she still hunts for treasure." Sherman said.

"Mostly I sit in a trailer and run tests. I only go into the places after everyone else has spooked the bugs and snakes away." Jenny said.

The afternoon passed rather quickly. Sherman didn't think Collens had any staff until someone came out to get them for dinner. "Part of being a good host. It would be a very long and uncomfortable flight if I cooked you anything." Collens chuckled as they followed the girl inside.

"Sherman is not much of a cook, so I am sure he understands." Nodrog said and patted Sherman on the back.

"Says the metal eating dragon." Sherman could hear the sizzle of something grilling.

"I just had then grill up some steaks, and roast some potatoes. Hope that is all right?" Collens said as they sat down.

"Sounds good to me." Jenny said.

Sherman's eyes about popped out of his head as a girl set down a plate with what had to be at the least a 18 ounce porter house on it. "I would have to say this is fantastic."

"I am going to need a diet after this trip." Jenny said as she was given a fairly large chunk herself.

"If every meal is like this, I might give up eating metal." Nodrog chuckled and was delighted his was a little warmer than if it was alive.

"Mr. October said you had a peculiar diet, so I tried to keep that in mind." Collens said.

Jenny could usually put away the food, but she couldn't finish everything on her plate and had to turn down cheese cake. The two girls that brought them their food however...

They sat around and talked the rest of the evening away. Jenny calling it an earlier night then the guys. Nodrog retired to the room he had been given but did not sleep. Alice had bought him an electronic book just for the trip. She had even uploaded several, with a few of her favorites included.

No one was surprised to find the dragon up with his bag sitting by the door ready to leave. The chef fixed them a fairly large breakfast to hold them over to the first stop of their flight over.

Mr. October showed up just as they finished eating. He introduced them to Roslyn White, a middle aged otter anthro who was their pilot. If you asked the three of them, they all thought she was attractive for her age. With everything loaded in the Hummer, Jenny followed Roslyn's directions down to the airport.

The ground crew had prepped the plane. All they had to do was tie the truck down and take off. A little like the gunship, the plane was a new old design. Roslyn explained she had been flying it for the better part of twelve years as Mr. October's unofficial pilot.

"So this isn't your first rodeo." Sherman said as they strapped in. He and Nodrog let Jenny sit up front.

"Nope, probably done this same kind of thing a dozen times. I am staying at a place on the airport grounds. I keep my phone on me at all times, give me ten minutes notice and this plane will be ready for takeoff when you show up." Roslyn said.

"We are thinking that everything will go smoothly." Jenny said and didn't know what to think when the older woman laughed.

"I've heard that before. I do hope those muscles are more than just for looks." Roslyn said as she glanced back.

"You will have to forgive her. I would bet I am a better killer than you are a pilot." Nodrog said with a shark like grin.

"Mr. October told me you were very experienced in dealing with situations. Lets hope we don't need it." Roslyn said and gave him a wink. She clicked on her mic "Wake up and give me clearance Tom."

Roslyn laughed as the man scrambled around to give her clearance to take off. Roslyn flipped on the auto pilot and kicked her seat back. "Easiest flying gig I have ever had."

"So what did you do before this?" Jenny asked.

"Air Force after school, did a little stint as a water tanker pilot fighting wild fires and was a brush pilot. Well still am a brush pilot, just with much better pay." Roslyn said.

"How did you meet Mr. October?" Nodrog asked.

"I met him when he and Frank had a little trouble down in Africa. I was the only pilot dumb enough with a brush plane that would land right next to their camp to pick them up." Roslyn said with a chuckle. "I didn't give him much thought after dropping them off, but he remembered me when he needed another two minutes ago kind of job."

"So short notice is your specialty." Sherman said.

"You could say that. Plus I didn't ask questions. He liked the way I worked and offered me an under the table contract. For cases like this or needing something shipped unnoticed. I told him the only way I would do it is if he bought my airplane. To which he said it was a pile of junk and he would get me any kind I wanted that would haul light to moderate cargo and cross oceans." Roslyn said.

"And here we are." Nodrog said.

"Yup, this is the second plane he has bought me. Better than a diamond ring." Roslyn chuckled.

"Does that mean the two of you are close?" Jenny asked.

"We have our moments. Our worlds are a little too different for the other to be comfortable in... He can at least tolerate the rich fucks he has to deal with. We tried dating but it really didn't work out. He is a little young for someone my age, but I don't think you need to know much beyond that." Roslyn said.

"I guess that was a little personal. Sorry." Jenny said.

"It's alright, besides you are the first person brave enough to ask." Roslyn said.

"I don't think brave is usually the word people use to describe my actions..." Jenny said and glanced out the windows. They were over the ocean all ready.

"I'm sure Alice would disagree." Roslyn said and laughed. "Don't act so shocked, I heard the good news from him the day he found out."

"I get the feeling nearly everyone was wondering when you would ask Alice." Sherman said.

"Most of us were waiting. A girl dreams about finding someone so selfless to love like Jenny. Course most of us would prefer a guy instead of a girl, but you get my point." Roslyn said with a shrug.

"She is a good kid." Nodrog said and laughed when she gave him a dirty look.

"I hope you brought your own in flight entertainment, cause I don't do entertaining." Roslyn said with a chuckle.

"Well the two of them will fall asleep. I will be fine." Nodrog said.

"Speaking of that, switch me spots. I have flown enough I don't need to look out the window. And she might like company that doesn't snore." Jenny said and unfastened her belts to get up.

Nodrog and Jenny switched places. Roslyn laughed because after an hour the two young'ins were sleeping soundly.

"That didn't take long." Nodrog said.

"I hope you fair better than they did." Roslyn said and gave the metal monster a lengthy look.

"I don't sleep. After a four hundred year hibernation, I don't think I need to even take a nap." Nodrog said.

"I had heard. Mr. October almost sent me out to get you. However Jade had made arrangements before he could. I admit, you are not what I was expecting." Roslyn said.

"What were you expecting?" Nodrog asked.

"Someone older looking. For what, seventeen-eighteen hundred, you look maybe thirty." Roslyn said.

"I am not the only one who does not look my age." Nodrog said and Roslyn smiled.

"Well thank you. I do work out." Roslyn said.

"It certainly shows." Nodrog said with a smile.

"You keep it up and I might not let you off my plane... Besides don't men prefer younger women?" Roslyn asked and nodded in Jenny's direction.

Nodrog chuckled. "You are younger."

"You got me there. But that isn't exactly what I meant." Roslyn chuckled.

"I haven't been in this era for a full year. So I find women such as yourself intriguing. After all, strength and independence was not a womanly quality from the time I am used too." Nodrog said.

"I'm intriguing... That is certainly a new one. I think you might be one of the very few men I will enjoy talking to during a flight." Roslyn said.

Tuesday was a drag for Alice. Jenny had sent her a text saying they were about to take off in the morning and that was pretty much it. Her appointment was off base at the medical school in town. So to pick herself up a little she hopped in the Lotus and killed a little time before hand.

Part of the research was being done at the school to make it more accessible for those that did not work for Evo. Plus grad students were free labor. Alice knew all too well how hard it was to be a grad student. Alice was not expecting to run into Jennifer at it though.

"Hi Alice." Jennifer said as Alice walked over to her. "Alice this is my dad Russ."

"Pleased to meet you." Russ said.

"Pleased to meet you. I wasn't expecting to know anyone here." Alice said.

"I know the feeling, what are you doing here?" Jennifer asked.

"I have stage one." Alice said solemnly.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Jenny didn't come with you?" Jennifer said and teared up.

"No, because I haven't told anyone. Right now there is little point. Especially if this works." Alice said.

Everyone found a seat and got quiet as Dr. Phillips took to the podium. "I want to thank you all for coming. For those that have not met me. I am Dr. Phillips and will be personally over seeing every step of this trial. I will also personally be checking on each and every one of you through out."

"As you know, Black Blood is strictly a cardio system illness. We have determined it is passed by genetics only and you cannot infect anyone with it. However, the people it effects are, for a lack of a better term, random. It can and has skipped multiple generations." Dr. Phillips paused as someone unseen brought up a power point behind him.

"Black Blood has six stages. The oddest part being the first four. Because unlike your normal thoughts of what an illness causes, feeling better is not one of them. Your health will improve; to a point; until the middle of stage four. That improved health comes at a cost as Black Blood over charges your metabolism and immune system. Which for a simple explanation means it greatly shortens the body's ability to fight infection and aging." Dr. Phillips said and the power point changed.

"The final two stages are were the illness gets its name. By the end of stage five and all throughout stage six, your blood is indeed black. Used motor oil is a good analogy. As the blood turns it first starts losing its ability to carry nutrients, than the white blood count dramatically drops. Death is usually caused by slow suffocation, as stage six progresses the blood will simply no longer carry oxygen." Dr. Phillips said and waited for the quiet murmur to pass.

"I need to make something very clear. I do not have a cure for Black Blood. What I have developed seems to halt the illness' progression. At least in tests we have done to this point. You are going to be the very first people to try this treatment. If we can succeed in halting its development, we can move on to trying to reverse it. Unfortunately it is not a quick illness and this testing will likely take years. I just needed to reiterate those two points." Dr. Phillips said.

The rest of the actual meeting was going over the details and explaining how often each person would need to check in with Dr. Phillips himself. Alice and the few other stage one patients would see him the least. Those in stage four and five would see him the most. At this point stage six was untreatable, the only thing that could be done for those was to make them comfortable. With a high number of people choosing to kill themselves before reaching that point.

Alice understood their feelings behind taking their own lives before the illness did. Suffocation was up there with drowning in her list of ways she did not want to die. She was actually surprised how well she was taking the news. But given how slow the illness affected the body, she really didn't have to worry until she was closer to forty five or fifty. As quickly as the medical field has been advancing, twenty plus years was plenty of time.