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The AdvAnTAGE Project

By

Mantrid Brizon

Episode 16: The Ferryman

With his eyes softly fluttering, Agent Sharpe slowly awakens. He'd somehow managed to fall asleep on the hard, lumpy futon. Perhaps he was just that tired? The recent turn of events has been far more eventful than anything to occur since the AdvAnimals were made public knowledge. The past several years has been relatively quiet. A vaguely familiar beeping noise catches his attention. Blinking several times, he rubs the sleep from his eyes, which gradually adjust to the afternoon sunlight that beams in from outside. It peers through the curtains that cover his sliding balcony doors, giving his sparsely furnished living room a gentle, golden hue.

He lifts his head, looking around the room. What's that smell? Seated in the only other article of furniture, a nicely padded chair that matches the futon, Krystal leans back, her paw-like feet resting atop the table, ankles crossed. Turning his attention toward her, she flashes a little smile and wiggles her toes. Having cracked open a can of Coca Cola, she takes a loud sip.

“I should've known you'd-" He pauses as he sits up, looking down at his feet. “Oh... You took off my shoes."

Krystal nods, then points to where she'd placed them. They sit beside the front door. The bell continues to ring, so Krystal slides out of the chair and walks toward the stove, her hips swaying as gracefully as her bushy tail. Once again wearing the dress and cardigan, she's also found the shoulder holster and speed-loaders that match her Colt Python. Agent Sharpe furls his brow and softly growls. She's been digging through his closet while he was sleeping.

Slipping on an oven mitt, Krystal pulls down the oven door and removes something from inside. After taking a moment to use a butcher's knife on her project, she returns and presents Agent Sharpe with a freshly cooked and neatly cut, pan pizza. She even brings him a Coke, cracking open the can and presenting it to him. He hesitantly takes the can, not used to being taken care of, and gazes up at the chipper AdvAnimal girl.

“Well... Thanks. I wasn't expecting this, considering our first night together."

With a little smile and a dismissive hand wave, Krystal seems to forgive whatever offenses they'd caused each other. As they eat their breakfast, Agent Sharpe looks toward her, unable to ignore how often she glances at him. With a softened brow and innocent eyes, she almost appears to be begging him for a compliment, as though she's desperate to please him.

“It's good. This was very thoughtful of you." He speaks with a genuine warmth.

“Hm!" She smiles rather bashfully.

“Kris, I... I hope you aren't upset about yesterday."

“Mm-mm!" She shakes her head.

“Oh, good... So... Did they tell you my name?"

Krystal's smile fades and she slowly shakes her head.

“It's Daniel... Daniel Sharpe."

Her smile returns and the pair share a long gaze.

“I just thought... If we're going to be working and living together, I thought you should know that..."

Rising from the chair, Krystal moves around the table and takes a seat beside him. The fearless Agent finds himself growing nervous as the busty AdvAnimal girl leans closer. Her stare is as intense as her persona was during their work at Gold Base last night. She stretches out an arm, running it past Agent Sharpe. Her fingers creep closer, walking over the backrest before she reaches out and rests her hand on his bicep. She eyes his form, something that hasn't happened in months, if not years.

His work simply does not allow for the opportunity to find any sexual partners, and Agents are strictly forbidden from falling in love. It's for that reason that Agent Sharpe kept his true relationship with Amy Chen a secret. Delilah Van D'Steen was the last to show such an interest in him, and his most recent rendezvous with the wealthy widow was last December. His eerie, inhuman persona frightens everyone else he's forced to come in contact with, as it's meant to.

Krystal caresses his arm and slides a little closer. The look in her eyes shows her intentions as her snout inches toward his lips. Reaching up a hand, Agent Sharpe lifts a piece of pizza. Seeing the partially eaten slice, Krystal narrows her eyes, leans closer, and in the most sensual way possible, bites a chunk from his pizza. He cannot help but chuckle as she licks her lips, a string of cheese dangling down her chin and clinging to her snow-white fur. She scoops it up with a claw, bowing her head rather bashfully.

He scoots a little closer, his leg brushing hers. Placing a hand on her side, just beneath her large breasts, he nuzzles her snout and works his way toward her cheek. As he gives her a soft kiss, Krystal runs her hand down his side and toward his pants. She tugs at the top button, eager to reach what's beneath. As he presses her into the futon, his lips run along her cheek.

“Is this a mission?" He suddenly whispers into her ear.

Krystal's icy eyes grow wide with surprise.

“Hm?!" She looks to him.

“What you're doing... Did they tell you to do this?" He speaks very softly, almost whispering, before tenderly kissing her cheek.

Krystal's expression shifts from surprise to nervousness. As he moves back, she pulls her arm away and turns, pressing her back into the futon and looking toward the coffee table. He lets out a sigh and runs his fingers through his hair. Krystal glances at him, watching his movements very carefully. He collects a notepad and pen from his suit jacket, which lies over the back of the futon, and begins to write. After a moment, he turns the pad, showing her the message.

“Read?"

She looks to him and nods her head. Agent Sharpe flashes a little smile and lets out a silent chuckle. He lifts the notepad and continues to write.

“I know they're listening. I appreciate your zeal in following orders. I've been following orders since before you were born, so don't think you can play me." His next note says.

Krystal grows increasingly anxious and lifts a hand, biting the claw of her thumb and running it between her front teeth. She turns her eyes toward him, silently confirming his suspicions. He turns the page and writes another, much longer note.

“I became suspicious last night. I have known AdvAnimals for a long time, so I understand that modesty isn't always a high priority, but your efforts were too obvious. I am not disinterested because of what you are. I happen to find you quite stunning. You're a beautiful woman, so don't think that I'm rejecting you. I'm rejecting your orders. If your only interest is following your orders, I will continue to reject you. If you sincerely feel something for me, that's a different story."

Reading his note, Krystal's anxiety has reached its peak. She visibly trembles, alarming Agent Sharpe, who hastily drafts another note.

“I would never turn you in!"

He drapes an arm over her shoulder and gives the side of her head a tender kiss. Krystal's nerves begin to settle, her shivering slowly subsiding as he comforts her. After holding her for a few minutes, he pulls his arm away and writes a final note.

“Don't try so hard. Make an effort to know me and I will do the same for you, then we'll see if your mission will be a success."

Looking over to him, the smirking Agent Sharpe gives her a wink, making her softly chuckle. After a moment of pondering, she nods her head. Suddenly, Agent Sharpe's cellular phone rings.

“Show time." He remarks, holding up the phone. “Yes? ... What kind of situation? ... I see. Are you certain they can handle this? ... Thank you, sir, but I had help... Yes, she's a very good partner." He glances at Krystal, who grins and shyly bows her head. “Well, if you're certain they don't need our guidance... I'm just concerned. Chief Officer Koen's complacency could be an ongoing-... Alright... Yes, sir. I understand. We'll begin right away."

Ending the call, he sets the phone atop the coffee table and turns toward Krystal. She looks nervously at the phone, then gazes into his eyes. Placing a hand on her cheek, he strokes her face with his thumb, in a manner that's startlingly comforting.

“We need to prepare. They've asked me to transfer to Blue Base. We're being moved to Oregon."

Her shy smile fades and she furls her brow, visibly worried.

“I don't think it's anything we did, Kris. If it was, the orders would've been far more vague. I wouldn't worry. Blue Base isn't anything like the others, and it certainly isn't Red or Green."

As he rises from the couch, she reaches out a clawed hand, grabbing onto his wrist. He turns and looks back, startled by the anxiety he can see in his partner's face. She lifts a finger and points between them, then presses her first and second fingers together.

“Oh! I don't think they're going to separate us."

Krystal breathes a sigh of relief.

“You're my partner, Kris, and as an Agent, I have total authority. The only people above me are Sovereign Six, and any Agents carrying out their orders. If we're going to Blue Base in a supervisory role, you'll still be with me. I'll insist upon it, and they won't refuse me."

Her hand slides from his wrist and into his hand, which she then gives a gentle squeeze. His thumb brushes the soft fur on the back of her hand and he carefully pulls at her arm, directing her to rise to her feet. She stands before him, one hand in his and the other resting on a shoulder.

“Come on. We need to get ready."

Heading for the bedroom, Agent Sharpe and Krystal prepare for their move. He retrieves two large suitcases and a duffle bag from beneath his bed, only to pack his firearm collection into the suitcases, which hold them in place with a large sheet of foam, cut to fit each weapon. Krystal lovingly packs his suits and her clothes into the large duffle bag, and within an hour, the bedroom and bathroom are nearly void of furnishings and toiletries. Agent Sharpe leaves Krystal to finish packing up the living room and kitchen, using totes and a cooler that he keeps just for these occasions

He stands in the bathroom and takes off his button up shirt, then slips off his pants, underwear and socks. The shower is already running. He steps into the shower, the hot water cascading over his toned body, which he promptly lathers. They have just enough time to clean up before the crew arrive to whisk them away, where they'll be flown across the country. Suddenly, he hears the door opening.

“Kris?"

He reaches for a stainless-steel revolver, which hangs behind a sheet of plastic, near the soap basin. As he attempts to grab his shower gun, the curtain is swiftly pulled away.

“Oh!" Krystal covers her mouth.

“I'm a little busy in here." He turns to her.

“Mmhmm..." She coos, staring at his naked form.

“Hey... My eyes are up here."

She lifts her head and looks him in the eye, but after a few moments of staring at each other, she shifts her gaze to look upon his manhood. Krystal doesn't even attempt to hide this from him. She gently bites her bottom lip, unable to control herself.

“Ahem... Did you finish already?"

“Mhm!" She nods her head.

“All of it? Even the food?"

She nods again, still staring at his manhood.

“Oh... Okay... You can close the curtain now."

With a lustful grin plastered on her face, she very slowly closes the shower curtain, only to lean over and take one last peek at him before leaving him alone. He cannot help but chuckle. After washing and climbing out of the shower, it's Krystal's turn, and though he exhibits far more self-control, he cannot help but notice her feminine beauty as she strips in front of him and climbs into the shower. Within a few hours, as soon as the darkness has fallen over the city, a team arrives and collects the pair, loading their belongings onto a single, heavy-duty cart.

They hastily pack a solid black, windowless cargo van with their belongings, while Agent Sharpe and Krystal follow them in his issued Chevrolet Impala. After an hour-long drive into the country, they reach an undeveloped airstrip, where a C-130 waits for them. Rather than load their belongings, the team simply drive the cargo van and the Impala up the rear ramp and lock the wheels, before raising the ramp and buckling themselves into the seats mounted along the sides of the fuselage.

In the dead of night, the C-130 with a jet black and crimson striped paint job, takes off from the improvised airstrip and sets a course for rural Oregon. The uneventful flight allows the Agent and his partner a little more time to sleep, though it's predominantly a result of boredom. As the dawn approaches, they're awoken by the flight crew and the collection team, who are always assigned to the Agent's until they've reached their new destination. Agent Sharpe glances out of a window as the plane taxis in.

“We don't normally do a transfer during daylight." Agent Sharpe speaks through the provided headset.

“This isn't your new transfer, sir. We're picking up more, first." The leader of the collection team replies.

“Someone is transferring directly from Blue Base? Staff?" Agent Sharpe asks.

To his well-hidden shock, the collection team merely glance between each other. They do not answer him. The only explanation for this is that they do not know or they aren't allowed to say. He isn't sure which of those possibilities scares him more. With their vehicles and belongings locked away, Agent Sharpe and Krystal are lead from the plane through a side door, into a Humvee on the airfield, and then driven toward the facility, on the other side of the property.

Entering the facility, they're waved through security, as Agents often are. They briefly question Krystal's presence, but true to his word, he doesn't allow them to be separated. Walking down the hall, several staff notice Krystal and her distinctive outfit, taking second and even third glances as they pass her. She seems rather proud, hooking an arm around one of Agent Sharpe's arms, as though she was his woman. They're brought to a lab, where a doctor waits with his staff. Hearing the doors pushed open, the older Caucasian man with poofy, Bob Ross hair, turns around and smiles.

“You must be Agent Sharpe! But, uh, you have a second..." He furls his brow, looking curiously at Krystal.

“She's my assigned partner. That order comes straight from the top." Agent Sharpe coldly replies.

“I see... Well!" The doctor claps and rubs his hands together. “Are you ready?!"

“I'm afraid I was not properly apprised, doctor."

“Oh! I'm, sorry! Dr. Gunderson, at your service!"

The doctor holds out a hand, which Agent Sharpe merely tilts his head and glances at. Clearing his throat, the doctor retrieves a clipboard.

“We've got some big things going on here. Dr. Keller's probes collected a ton of data! Real fascinating stuff! I'm thinking that in a few short months, we might be able to repair the underdeveloped portions of a first generation's brain, and then they'll be able to talk!"

“Interesting." Agent Sharpe speaks in a dry monotone.

“We'd begun trials here, and had excellent results but the research is being moved. We've had an incident, you see..." Dr. Gunderson nervously chuckles.

“What sort of incident?"

“Well... Perhaps I'd better show you..."

Motioning with a hand, Dr. Gunderson leads Agent Sharpe, Krystal, and the entire collection team down the hall. Passing a security checkpoint, the doctor rambles on.

“We were so excited to find out that, with a simple treatment of neural stimulation and a synthetic hormone therapy, we're able to actually reconstruct the underdeveloped portions of the brain! Now, in order to keep them safe - as you know we're not allowed to actually risk their health or get down to scalpels - we had to keep the dosage at a minimum, and use only external conductors. As a result, we can improve speech-center functionality by 1.45% per treatment! It's real remarkable stuff! Anyway, we had a volunteer and it was coming along wonderfully, but then we hit a bit of a snag..."

“What kind of snag, doctor?"

“See for yourself."

Presenting the Agent and his party with a window, a two-way mirror, he calls to his staff on an intercom.

“Bring her in."

“Yes, doctor!"

“I'm sure you'll be happy to see her... Er... Or recognize her, at least." Dr. Gunderson remarks, eying the stoic Agent Sharpe.

Entering the room with two orderlies at either side, Agent Sharpe struggles to maintain his inhuman composure as he finds himself staring at Harriet! With a hand under her belly, she's visibly pregnant.

“May I see her?" He asks.

Dr. Gunderson turns to the Agent, visibly surprised.

“Uhm... Sure! I don't see why not."

“Clear the room, please."

The collection team slowly trickle out of the room, and though Krystal attempts to obey the order, Agent Sharpe reaches out and grabs her wrist. She looks to him, only to see him subtly shake his head. Krystal can sense his growing tension, hearing him gulp as he prepares himself. Dr. Gunderson opens the door leading into the room where Harriet sits atop a medical bench, swaying her paw-like feet and humming a tune. She turns her attention toward the door, which slides to the side.

“Hello, Harriet." Agent Sharpe says with a little smile.

“Sharpe! Hi!"

He's taken aback. So great is his shock that he removes his mirrored sunglasses. Dr. Gunderson and Krystal both notice this, with Krystal growing concerned and the doctor chuckling with amusement. Krystal looks around the room, as if making sure that no one is reporting her partner for breaking character. Harriet slides off of the medical bench and waddles over to him, her hand supporting her belly. With her free arm, she gives the familiar man a hug.

“Good see you." She speaks in strangely broken English.

“It's good to see you, too. Look at you... All grown up." He glances down at her belly.

“Yeah." She smiles rather innocently.

“Harriet here is expecting. This is why you're here, Agent. Harriet and her family are being moved. They'll be the first residents of Telivima!" Dr. Gunderson chirps.

“Telivima?"

“Well, the proper designation is 'Purple Base', but a lot of us thought that wasn't clever enough. All that Greek and Latin we love to use, you know! It's a portmanteau of 'final step'. Catchy, isn't it?" The doctor briefly raises his bushy eyebrows.

“I suppose..."

“Yes, sir! Just Harriet, her parents, her sister, me and my staff, for medical and monitoring purposes... Oh, and her husband!"

Agent Sharpe turns his head as he listens to the doctor, who notices his sudden curiosity.

“That's right! New policy, I've been told. AdvAnimals take their mates with them... Or were you surprised that she has one?"

Agent Sharpe is at a loss for words, staring in shock at Dr. Gunderson.

“So, uhm... Would you care to meet him?!"

“Please..."

“Right this way!" The doctor chirps.

“Bye, Sharpe!" Harriet waves.

“Bye, Harriet." Agent Sharpe looks back, still in shock.

As he's led away by the doctor, an increasingly nervous Krystal takes his sunglasses from his hand and returns them to his face. She doesn't dare let other Agents see him in this state.

“Oh, he's a nice young man. Just about Harriet's age." Dr. Gunderson continues. “A loner. Real open-minded kind of guy! Sort of needs to be, with a girl like her. I'm sure you'll get to know 'em real well. They'll be in your neighborhood!"

“I'm sorry?!" Agent Sharpe exclaims, struggling to maintain his persona.

“Well, you're moving there, too! You and your partner, I presume. Why did you think you were here?" Dr. Gunderson flashes a toothy grin.