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So instead this is not at all the epic I had planned... mainly because this gives me a way to make it bigger overall. If that makes sense. Probably doesn't. I'm tired.\n\nNo real sex in this one again, not really anyways. I am sorry if my smut to story ratio is a bit off lately. Hopefully you will enjoy what I have coming down the pipeline as I go.\n\nFeel free to make your guesses about just how this will go down.\n\nAs usual putting Cub in the tag because it factors into the series, even if things are still rather chaste.\n\nQuestions, comments and criticism adored.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Well, It's hit and things will start to progress much more quickly now.

At first I wanted to do this as one huge story, but felt afterwards it would be TOO big. So instead this is not at all the epic I had planned... mainly because this gives me a way to make it bigger overall. If that makes sense. Probably doesn't. I'm tired.

No real sex in this one again, not really anyways. I am sorry if my smut to story ratio is a bit off lately. Hopefully you will enjoy what I have coming down the pipeline as I go.

Feel free to make your guesses about just how this will go down.

As usual putting Cub in the tag because it factors into the series, even if things are still rather chaste.

Questions, comments and criticism adored.", "writing": "By Design: Infection\n\nBy TerraMGP\n\n\t“There she is”\n\n\t“That is the variable?”\n\n\t“Checking her local drives again. Yes. Absolutely. No doubt about it.”\n\n\t“I don’t know that this is what we expected.”\n\n\t“Her personal files are very interesting though”\n\n\t“Mmmm agreed. Very interesting”\n\n\t“Mistress could use her”\n\n\t“Mistress may want her”\n\n\t“But this trash has been very naughty, sister”\n\n\t“Yes sister. We should ensure her deviance can be useful”\n\n\t“Then we can have fun”\n\n\t“Mistress will be so pleased”\n\n\tKimi yawned softly as her ear perked. The grey furred young woman ran a hand though her greasy black hair, almost able to feel where the roots ended and the fading dye began. She caught sight of her Holo projector. The little blue light of the emitter glowing softly in the otherwise pitch black cube.\n\n\tKimi winced and tilted her head a moment. For a second a shot of panic ran though her. Was it station I.T.? Did they find all those dirty files on her drives? Did they know about the her little side project? Would SHE find out about the side project?\n\n\tA trembling paw shot up quickly and waved over the emitter causing her screens to bounce back to life. The lock screen sat there. A picture from one of the early sets with the cheap ad campaigns using real models. A classic few could appreciate.\n\n\t“Damn it. Forgot to put it on sleep after I locked it.” Kimi sighed as she rolled back in her seat. It wasn’t the first time. Hell it probably wasn’t the first time this week. It was always hard to keep track of basic functions like that when someone stayed hidden as much as she did.\n\n\tShe leaned back a bit and quickly decided sleep was not happening. Instead Kimi simply sat back and let her eyes roam over the locked down tabs. Eventually they came to the date, and she grinned.\n\n\tIt was about to start.\n\n-------------------------------\n\n\tRaven was already up and out of bed before the alarm even went off. The young bunny simply couldn’t sleep. He was out of his comfy little bed before sunup even hit. Showered, combed and dried. He took the extra time to punch in a couple of programs for the chemical dispenser next to the bathroom sink. A small one shot tube of his own personal body spray mix and enough hair gel to put a bit of spiky frost in his do.\n\n\tHe made a bee line to his closet and practically hopped in, shoving the various articles of clothing back to one side as he dug out a box he hadn’t touched since last years regional’s.\n\n\tThe outfit still fit, if just barely. Baggy black cargo pants and a thick printed leather belt with a belt buckle he’d gotten at the tournament. A matching black tank top and sleeveless orange jacket with black highlights. As a finishing touch he opened up a small jewelry box that he had put away with the package. Three rings. Orange, Blue and Periwinkle. His three friends. The boy lopped his left ear down a bit and pulled each one open at a time, wincing a bit as the strong spring and nano-sharp needle in the tip re-opened the holes he had put in last year securing the three rings into place.\n\n\t“Ok Duster, time to get up. It’s the big day.” Raven laughed as he dashed up to the table. His small robot hopped up on his charging pad and grinned wide. Raven scooped the battler up and put it on his shoulder, then snatched up the charge box and hooked it to his belt.\n\n\tHe shot himself one last glance in the mirror, nodded confidently, and smirked before snatching up his small cred stick and dashing quickly down the hall.\n\n\t“Raven!” His mother yelled out as he passed by “you forgot your… breakfast… That boy.”\n\n\tHe was out of the door and going down along the footpath at a quick pace. High-top orange and black Velcro sneakers hitting the printed plastic walkway with hard skiffing thuds as he moved along.\n\n\tIt wasn’t long before a figure slipped up to his right side, moving along with him. Riff likewise had a nice bright blue streak in his hair. The young tiger boy all but towering over him with his black and white cammo pants along with a similar flowing black sleeveless jacket. Hye finally joined the other two wearing a light Periwinkle pleated skirt, a black wrap top that held her pudge mostly in check, a similar jacket in Periwinkle though with a hoodie top hanging off the back. She naturally struggled to keep up with the other two, but wore a grin just as wide.\n\n\tThe three approached the main square where all of the markets just as the silvery corona of the systems star danced over the cloud cover and shone down on the brightly paved square of the community.\n\n\tThere were more than a few people gathered already. A mass of kids and young adults, though most simply in their usual day-to-day jump suits and perhaps a few various bits of jewelry and accessories. A smaller crowd than it normally was though, and half held back by a large crowd of parents and common citizens, some of whom had been at the town hall before and most of whom were carrying freshly printed picket signs or wearing bright red and blue arm bands, symbols of the early solidarity of the colony.\n\n\tBoth sides were pushed in, the protestors staring down the eager customers who crowded the other side. Both parties beginning to move back a bit as the three strode up towards them. \n\n\tRaven noticed all sorts of looks. Frustration, confusion, at least a few of adoration. It was an awkward feeling to say the least. But he couldn’t really say he minded it. The boy looked between his two friends and then turned to the crowd. Those eyes on him were somewhat disconcerting. Granted people had made him the center of attention before. Each and every person here likely saw him last year as he claimed the regional title. But then at that point he’d been in the midst of some intense battles. Able to ignore the crowds and Holo cams to focus on the epic array of skilled opponents. \n\n\tIn spite of his sheepishly confident grin the awkwardness was already creeping into his gut. It was especially bad since so many of the people looking on were picketing the new set, and in a way probably him.\n\n\tBefore he could say anything though, the crowd started to part. It was mainly those on the right side first, those clearly waiting to get in. A few on the left followed suit. Mainly those who had been there when Raven had won against the mayor, with others reluctantly moving almost though herd instinct until a small path was cut between the crowds and the doors.\n\n\tThe bunny sighed softly and shook his head. He looked up at Riff, who was stoic as ever but showed small hints of nervousness under the surface. Hye likewise was on edge and starting to really show her apprehension and anxiety.\n\n\tBoth were glancing at him though, and in spite of himself Raven knew he had to make good on the expectations of the crowd. A few awkward cheers greeted them, mostly from people looking to get in and get their parts as well. Raven glanced at the people assembled, but didn’t really say much. A small nervous laugh starting to rise in his throat as he awkwardly waved to the assembled crowd.\n\n\tNormally the shop would be closed at this point. Even on an off-day of the week it was generally understood that Castle didn’t open the doors until a quarter of the way though midday. Launch days were usually a bit different. Schools naturally closed down and shifted their off day and he might open a bit earlier. But much to Ravens surprise as he walked though the crowd, nervously taking his place at the front of the line, castle walked up to the door and opened it. The badger pulling it open and waving his hand to usher the three in.\n\n\t“Wow, it’s crazy out there.” Raven chuckled as he looked back at his two friends and nodded a bit.\n\n\t“Yeah.” Riff nodded back. “What was that all about?”\n\n\tCastle smirked as he shut the door once more and locked it. He walked back around the counter and leaned his paws on the simple glass countertop looking the trio over with a confident nod “Well this is probably possible due to the bunny of honor here. I think everyone recognizes just who should get a first crack at the new parts.”\n\n\t“He does have a point.” Hye nodded “Though what does that have to do with us?”\n\n\tThe older badger rolled his eyes and growled a bit. He let a chuckle slip and looked between the three his face plastered with an eager grin. “Allright kids. I’m sure all three of you have been saving up so let’s get right down to business then. Same drill as always. You just slip your little chit over my counter and I’ll fire up the printer until it runs dry. That is unless you’re trying to save some of those ration credits for something else.”\n\n\tRaven didn’t even stop to think about it. He slipped the small stick up on the counter and dashed from the front of it to one side. The booster printer was, honestly, nothing too remarkable. It was the same as any other small utility printer in town save for a few specialized parts to speed up the creation of battlers. A big simple plastic pillar with the Global Mirage logo painted on it and decals with all of the most famous past sets… along with one small image of Starduster slipped in. Something Castle had gotten as Ravens sponsor last year.\n\n\tThere was a nice square hole at the middle of the printer and a simple wave of Castles hand instantly caused a clear plastic plate to slide down over the hole. The nozzle moved down and instantly began dispensing material in a three by six rectangle. Cheap plastic and firm foam started to take shape as they were built up layer by layer.\n\n\tA soft flickering light started to build in both intensity and speed as the process continued. Not bright enough to really hurt, but enough that the box was obscured part way though with heavy sounds of battle and the industrial noises one might associate with some great factor or forge all overlapped each other and filled the room.\n\n\tFinally there was one last, loud metallic hammer-clang and the light in the printer died. The lid sliding open and Raven reaching in to grab his prize before Castle could even congratulate him.\n\n\tThe first box and the first box art of the first printing… and it was his. Freshly printed and warm to the touch. The outside was simple enough. A three by six by two inch brick of matted black plastic with small lips on the top and bottom. The front cover art was, as always, rather striking. A spider web of chains over a mossy stone wall backdrop. A rather interesting looking blue and black cybernetic sword wrapped and tangled in the middle yet glowing brightly all the same.\n\n\tRaven could smell the warm plastic, crisp foam and ozone coming off of the package.\n\n\t“Wow.” Hye cooed happily. Even if it was something they’d seen countless times before it really never got old. Especially after working as hard as they did to get their hands on these prizes.\n\n\t“Congrats Raven. I don’t know anyone better this could have gone to.” Castle nodded happily “Now then what’s say we get the rest of your boxes printed up so we can give your friends a turn.”\n\n\tRaven nodded eagerly and giggled a bit “Oh yeah. I got a good feeling about this set. This is going to be all kinds of epic.”\n\n-----------------------------\n\n\t“Thanks for the help Raven” Hye giggled as she hugged a few of her boxes to her chest.\n\n\tRaven tired to nod as best he could while struggling with an armload of boxes though the bulk of the shop and over to their favored table in the back. “D-don’t mention it Hye. Though seriously did you have to get so many? I mean ok stupid question I guess but this is gonna be really hard to carry.”\n\n\t“Oh don’t worry about that.” Hye said as she shook her head ‘Father said he’d bring the hauler with him to help me bring things home.”\n\n\tRaven winced as he stumbled and fumbled with at least two dozen of the boxes between his arms. He used his knee and the wall every now and then to readjust before finally reaching Hyes normal seat and unceremoniously plopping the pile down, wincing as they all spread out in a heap\n\n\t“Sorry.” he muttered\n\n\t“Oh that’s fine.” Hye said with a giggle, looking off towards the side a moment “It was honestly really kind of you just to help.”\n\n\tRaven turned to his other friend who was now growing more antsy by the moment and chuckled softly. In spite of his attempts to be more stoic and even tempered Riff was already thumbing the corner of a box and tapping his heavy boot impatiently on the padded floor. It was an amusing sight, and luckily for Hye distracted him from her minor blush.\n\n\t“Ok then so we doing this the way we usually do?” Riff asked as he looked between the two.\n\n\tThe lighthearted bunny nodded and grabbed his usual chair, flipping it around and leaning on the back rest. “I don’t see why we wouldn’t. I mean unless you guys want to try hiding what you get this time.”\n\n\t“Nope!” Hye said with as much sternness as she could muster “We do it the same as always. All together or not at all. No secrets between friends.”\n\n\tThe three all nodded in unison. It was the same as it had been since the day they started as kids, and honestly Raven was glad. Nothing was more important to him than their friendship.\n\n\tBattler boxes all hit the table and popped open. Starduster, Eodom and Ghost R all popped free and landed on the table to observe. Each one quite curious what new parts they may be in store for.\n\n\tEach of the tweens took a box from the pile. Raven in particular had made sure to keep track of the first box in his run. This was really the first time he’d gotten that honor after all. They each put a paw on the top lip of the box and looked between each other. “ok on three.” Raven said. They all counted up. One. Two. Three. A hard yank and the lid pulled away from the bottom half of the box, and the wave of anticipation crashed over them.\n\n\tIt was amazing. The parts lay out neatly as ever, yet there was clearly something more to them. The bright-eyed bunny leaned in as he looked over his first set. His jaw dropped almost instantly.\n\n\tEverything was intricate, moreso than even some of the older ‘unique’ rarity parts. On one side of the box were a pair of arms. The first one was thick and burly, wrapped in chains with a heavy spalder at the top of the shoulder. It wore a manacle with a broken chain dangling from it and ended in a clenched, bandaged fist. Everything looked so detailed and intricate, every vein and sinew almost visible with small tufts of synthfur modeled and modeled to perhaps give the fur field a bit more depth.\n\n\tHe curiously reached down to touch the chains a moment. Metal. Real metal. Not just the cheaper tins and other electrically reactive compounds used on the innards of the parts. This was real, heavy, and very hard to print.\n\n\tThis set was going to be good.\n\n\tThe other parts looked just as good as well. Another right arm, this time more feminine and wrapped in a stitchwork of leather sat second. Raven ran his finger along that as well to check, quite impressed with the realistic feel. Admittedly none of his compounds would work to match this kind of texture. But he was more than willing to pay out if they came out with new modding compounds that felt this realistic. He also noticed a pistol at the other end. A heavy looking rail pistol with a holster belt that seemed like it would probably fit a gunslinger better.\n\n\tIt was the last two parts which really caught his eye though. Admittedly for two very different reasons.\n\n\tThe first one was enough that he actually had to switch his AR on and check the rarity of the parts. It was a tail. An admittedly simple tail, but as was so rarely the case a tail that perfectly fit the looks of a kangaroo rat. Much like the one Starduster currently sported it was rather plain. Mostly just a long and sinewy string of a thing. As with the other parts though it had much higher quality parts. The tailtips far bushier and even having two toned color, that meant two color zones so if he wanted he could match it to look like a sort of paintbrush dye job on the tip.\n\n\tLike the arm this one too had a metal cuff. A thick one that seemed to actually slide independently but stopped due to the bump of the tail tuft and the thickness near the base so it couldn’t simply slide off.\n\n\tStarduster likewise seemed to have his eye on that tail, looking it over intently. “Wow Raven. That one looks pretty cool. I mean… it’s odd. But it’s pretty cool.” The battler reached out to touch the thing carefully, tilting his head a bit as he moved his current tail over for comparison.\n\n\tRaven wasn’t paying much attention though. Something seemed… off. The other parts had rarity indicators, though he hadn’t bothered to check them yet. However this new item was different. Much like the cuff around the tail it was a simple, smooth metal ring. Well made and with the small mat dullness of an effects zone in the center, a place where colors or color patterns would be pre programmed in. It was for the new item slot. That much he was sure of. Yet even a quick AR glance didn’t give him any real stats or info on it. Nothing but question marks on a blank backdrop.\n\n\tSomething about it, about this whole thing, somehow tickled the back of his mind. It felt… off.\n\n\t“Hey, Raven. You listening?” Starduster asked as he looked up\n\n\t“Wha? Oh yeah sorry I was just looking our first bit over.” Raven nodded as he looked at his battler.\n\n\t“So what do you say? Want to try socketing in this new tail and see how it works?”\n\n\tRaven finally turned his attention back to the tail and looked it over. Unlike the last part it did have stats… though his jaw dropped a bit as he got a good glance. “Heck yeah I do” he almost squealed.\n\n\tThere weren’t many stats. In fact the only available information was slot type, name and rarity. ‘Gaiste: Tail, Unique’\n\n\tEven the silvery-white outline around the name denoted it, as if he needed more proof. Raven grinned quickly and snatched the part up. He barely glanced at his two friends who were both plenty occupied already before looking back down and starting to socket out the old tail, putting the old ‘hayride’ model back in favor of his prize.\n\n\tStarduster stiffened as the thing socketed into place. His new tail whipping around a bit and then going unnaturally spear-straight for just a moment. Both Raven and his battler felt a sudden and familiar tingle as data started to flow freely into Ravens jack from the community QE hub and into Starduster. It wasn’t much. At most a simple Gig. But that gig seemed to be more than enough as data fields slowly started to shift. The displays becoming crisper, sharper. A few twitches and twinges, then settling once more. A crisp, clear, utterly new outline. Four tabs resting at the top. Diagnostic, Armaments, Neuro and Abilities.\n\n\t“Raven, are you ok?” Hye whined as she looked up from her own box. A strange rubbery torso part with sockets sticking from the back clutched in hand.\n\n\tThe bunny shook his head a bit and shivered. He gripped his palm over the jack a moment as his head started to clear. Ears lopping a bit as he felt an indescribable buildup of energy, of data, welling at the center point of his implant. It grew, trembled, then all but discharged leaving him with a soft tremor.\n\n\t“Yeah. I’m… I’m fine guys. Gahh I think putting one of the new parts in causes the update to unlock. It’s real different.”\n\n\t“Different? Like, like different how?” Riff asked as he looked down at his own box of parts a moment clutching a sword too big for his build between thumb and forefinger.\n\n\t“Like, I don’t know how to describe it. It looks a lot neater, and it’s partitioned off. Tabs. Man they really did update the display didn’t they? The connection with Duster feels a lot clearer too. It’s honestly kind of awesome.”\n\n\tDuster, for his part, whipped and wriggled his new tail around a moment. The tip instantly changed blue to match his armor and the metal of the ring turning to a copper color. Tinkling and chiming as he wiggled his hips a little to get used to the appendage.\n\n\tRiff looked on a moment before turning his attention back to Ghost and quickly unlocking the legs. They quickly came off revealing the bare battler frame under it. A simple mesh of myomer bundles and power conduits with locking sockets. He slipped on a new set of legs he’d gotten, a set of tight, thigh high riding boots with straps and zippers and various loose D rings going up to a bit of admittedly uncomfortable bare fur before reaching a matching thong like bottom. Even before he could get the old tail socketed back in the white tiger boy winced and groaned loudly. His hands trembled as he gripped the table a moment and took in a few deep, sucking breaths while the update shot though his mind.\n\n\t“Ok yeah. That’s one hell of an update” he muttered as he glanced between the two. “I don’t remember these things hitting so hard.\n\n\t“I don’t remember them being this big.” Raven quipped with a half hearted laugh.\n\n\tHye looked between the two and bit her lip firmly ‘A-are you sure you guys are ok? I mean maybe you should lay down a while or something.” Even as she said that the young Tanuki looked over her own parts as well. Nothing really fit her build, at least not without more parts from the other boxes and they hadn’t gotten to their second box just yet. Then her eyes rested on a small band of what looked like simple leather with a large pendant set with a gemstone. \n\n\tWithout thinking about it Hye took the small part from the case and opened it carefully. She gave Eodom a nudge with her finger, the battler looking up with a yelp and tilting her head just as she saw her player lowering the thing down around her neck. \n\n\t“Are you sure I’ll be compatible with this?” the battler muttered as she felt the thing slipping around her neck.\n\n\tWithout a word of reply Hye got the thing around her and winced a bit. She bit her lip, kicked her boot against her chair leg and took a deep, sucking breath as the sensation hit her as well. A wave of emotion surging though her unchecked and tingling every nerve while the update pulsed freely though her admittedly better jack.\n\n\tShe blinked a bit and looked up, glancing sideways at Raven. The blush had returned, only this time much deeper now and a bit harder. Accompanied by an awkward little giggle. “Ok I think I see what you guys are saying now.” she nodded “and… oh wow. Guys have you tried any of the new neck slot stuff?” she asked as she reached down and poked the newly fastened choker.\n\n\t“No, why?” raven asked as his eyes looked up at his friend. She was honestly acting kind of odd, even for her.\n\n\t“Guys you really need to check it out. I put this necklace thing on Eodom and, wow. Her stats just went crazy. Like a total optimization. Ohhh and it’s a rare part too! Neat!”\n\n\tRaven and Riff glanced over to see what she was talking about. Eodom was a technomancer build with a ton of traps, and the first thing Raven noticed was that her TP had almost doubled, giving her a huge pool of points to use her powers. Likewise her Intellect and Wisdom had gone up, and there were apparently several powers that had yet to be unlocked.\n\n\tHye giggled happily and nodded as she patted her battler on the head with one finger “Wow this is amazing. The Neuro gives you a way to track how your partners behavior patterns grow… and it looks like the new algorithm is way more advanced. “\n\n\t“Wait are you saying our Battlers are going to change personalities?” Riff said with a bit of a worried tone.\n\n\tHye tapped around a bit and shook her head ‘No, just that they have more room for growth now, and better skill and stat tracking. Optimization too. Guys even without the new item slot this update is intense. I think we’d better all read up on it tonight. Who knows what they put in this game.”\n\n\tRaven nodded as he looked down. He picked the collar item up for a moment, then set it back down into its foam container “Yeah well, We can do that later.” the bunny said with a nod “We have a whole set to play with guys. Who here wants to see this though?”\n\n\tThe two others pushed their first boxes aside and put a second down in the same spot. They gripped the lids tight and looked at each other. Any apprehension, suspiciousness, or confusing emotions buried under the bond of friendship for the moment.\n\n\t“Ok guys. One. Two. Three!”\n\n------------------------------\n\n\t“What is this, still hoping that your paltry credits will be good enough to appease me? Do you really think that any amount of money is going to win you ‘my‘ time you dirty little vermin?”\n\n\t“No, Minn Drotting” Kimi muttered as she gripped her chair arms firmly She leaned back and rubbed her thighs a bit harder against each other, feeling a small shiver darting though her body as she bit her lip and ran her paw against the brim of her sweatpants.\n\n\t“No. I doubt you make enough to pay for the privilege of even touching me, do you vermin? Of being locked up in my home, locked in some little forgotten corner head shaved down to the furline. A nice barcode put on that forehead so we can tell ‘it’ apart from the rest of the vermin. Maybe you would clean my cunt after a piss. Or my pretty, perfect ass. Or maybe I would just use you to relax my oh so lovely feet.” The figure said as one of those sharp thigh high riding boots moved up into the fore of Kimis view.\n\n\t“Y-yes… anything please, Minn Drotting…” She moaned.\n\n\tKimi looked on at the rather real looking wolfess. It probably wasn’t real. The idea that someone could or would take time out to dress and act out something like this when you could just as easily rig a stable of pseudo Ais to do it was rather insane. Not That Kimi cared at the moment. She curled her paw as she felt the first digit slide under her sweatpants band. Shivering and shaking a bit as she looked on to the figure. So like Miss Thanedottr… only instead of that drab and oh so wrong suit, she wore a proper and fitting uniform. Something sharp, leather. Something showing power and authority. As close to a mockup of old Yggrdasil ship deck-officer uniforms as the pay service would allow. Complete with a thin, sharp looking baton clutched under her arm.\n\n\t“Uhhhg gawd, that smell.”\n\n\tKimi blinked and shot up, waving her hand until she hit the pause panel.\n\n\t“Yeah I’m sorry you ended up seated near ‘her’.” another voice sighed softly. “I mean it’s not like you had much of a choice. Still getting seated next to that… thing?”\n\n\t“I heard she doesn’t even come out of there except for like, meetings and stuff. Like she doesn’t even have her own place or anything.”\n\n\t“That’s ridiculous. You’ve gotta have some address. They already set you up when you sign on here. Besides you need an address to get your pay.”\n\n\t“I don’t think the freak really cares much about pay.”\n\n\tKimi slowly scooted her chair up to the fabric of her wall and pushed her ear up against it, shivering softly.\n\n\t“Well personally I think she’s just dirty.” The first girl said softly “I mean if she doesn’t shower or anything that’s probably why she reeks so bad. Can’t even figure out how to throw a few creds out on anti-odor spray.”\n\n\t“She probably likes it.” the second voice said with a scornful giggle. “The way she just hands over finished work to the rest of the design team. It’s almost like…”\n\n\t“like what?”\n\n\t“Like she’s getting off on it.”\n\n\t“Ewww that’s nasty.”\n\n\t“Don’t blame me. I’m not the one who pointed it out. Carlos said he caught her like doing some weird dorky wiggle-squirm thing when she gave Kaori that last batch of designs. Plus she isn’t even trying to demand payment or any favors.”\n\n\t“That’s just because she’s a creepy little weirdo.”\n\n\t“Who you don’t have to sit near.”\n\n\tKimi bit her lip. Her paw already slipped under her sweatpants brim as she slowly caressed her pelvic fur and shuddered softly. She probably should be pissed all things considered. She had every right to be. Instead a finger slowly started to trace against her own musty and already damp folds as she arched up against the wall to listen.\n\n\t“Look if the smell doesn’t go away I’m sure you can call HR. It’s not like they are going to put up with that kind of shit you know?”\n\n\t“Oh come on she did all the work herself for that last set. You think anyone is going to rat her out? No matter what creepy shit she does. Especially with the new boss. I’ve heard a lot of creepy shit about that bitch. I’ll bet that little skank is a model employee to someone like ‘Ms. Thanedottr’ or whatever.”\n\n\tKimi winced. She slowly pulled herself back from the wall and pulled her paw out of her pants. At this point she was really starting to enjoy it. Hearing others tell her how fucked up she was, how worthless she was. The willful exploitation and abuse, even hate.\n\n\tBut that kind of insult against Ms. Thanedottr… Kimi reluctantly hit the cancel session button on her previous tab and brought up two more. The first was a simple readout, and she liked what she saw. Half of the ‘special’ payloads had already been delivered. That was good. A step in exactly the right direction.\n\n\tThe rest, however, needed to be corrected. Kimi started to open the Dana dev kit and looked into it, opening the base rulings and seeking out the code she’d used in her special parts. Then she opened a new file and copied the base over, and began alterations.\n\n\tIt was one thing if they hated her. Kimi knew she deserved it after all. But nobody was going to badmouth Ms. Thanedottr, badmouth her Drotting, and get away with it.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "By Design: Infection

By TerraMGP

\t“There she is”

\t“That is the variable?”

\t“Checking her local drives again. Yes. Absolutely. No doubt about it.”

\t“I don’t know that this is what we expected.”

\t“Her personal files are very interesting though”

\t“Mmmm agreed. Very interesting”

\t“Mistress could use her”

\t“Mistress may want her”

\t“But this trash has been very naughty, sister”

\t“Yes sister. We should ensure her deviance can be useful”

\t“Then we can have fun”

\t“Mistress will be so pleased”

\tKimi yawned softly as her ear perked. The grey furred young woman ran a hand though her greasy black hair, almost able to feel where the roots ended and the fading dye began. She caught sight of her Holo projector. The little blue light of the emitter glowing softly in the otherwise pitch black cube.

\tKimi winced and tilted her head a moment. For a second a shot of panic ran though her. Was it station I.T.? Did they find all those dirty files on her drives? Did they know about the her little side project? Would SHE find out about the side project?

\tA trembling paw shot up quickly and waved over the emitter causing her screens to bounce back to life. The lock screen sat there. A picture from one of the early sets with the cheap ad campaigns using real models. A classic few could appreciate.

\t“Damn it. Forgot to put it on sleep after I locked it.” Kimi sighed as she rolled back in her seat. It wasn’t the first time. Hell it probably wasn’t the first time this week. It was always hard to keep track of  basic functions like that when someone stayed hidden as much as she did.

\tShe leaned back a bit and quickly decided sleep was not happening. Instead Kimi simply sat back and let her eyes roam over the locked down tabs. Eventually they came to the date, and she grinned.

\tIt was about to start.

-------------------------------

\tRaven was already up and out of bed before the alarm even went off. The young bunny simply couldn’t sleep. He was out of his comfy little bed before sunup even hit. Showered, combed and dried. He took the extra time to punch in a couple of programs for the chemical dispenser next to the bathroom sink. A small one shot tube of his own personal body spray mix and enough hair gel to put a bit of spiky frost in his do.

\tHe made a bee line to his closet and practically hopped in, shoving the various articles of clothing back to one side as he dug out a box he hadn’t touched since last years regional’s.

\tThe outfit still fit, if just barely. Baggy black cargo pants and a thick printed leather belt with a belt buckle he’d gotten at the tournament. A matching black tank top and sleeveless orange jacket with black highlights. As a finishing touch he opened up a small jewelry box that he had put away with the package. Three rings. Orange, Blue and Periwinkle. His three friends. The boy lopped his left ear down a bit and pulled each one open at a time, wincing a bit as the strong spring and nano-sharp needle in the tip re-opened the holes he had put in last year securing the three rings into place.

\t“Ok Duster, time to get up. It’s the big day.” Raven laughed as he dashed up to the table. His small robot hopped up on his charging pad and grinned wide. Raven scooped the battler up and put it on his shoulder, then snatched up the charge box and hooked it to his belt.

\tHe shot himself one last glance in the mirror, nodded confidently, and smirked before snatching up his small cred stick and dashing quickly down the hall.

\t“Raven!” His mother yelled out as he passed by “you forgot your… breakfast… That boy.”

\tHe was out of the door and going down along the footpath at a quick pace. High-top orange and black Velcro sneakers hitting the printed plastic walkway with hard skiffing thuds as he moved along.

\tIt wasn’t long before a figure slipped up to his right side, moving along with him. Riff likewise had a nice bright blue streak in his hair. The young tiger boy all but towering over him with his black and white cammo pants along with a similar flowing black sleeveless jacket. Hye finally joined the other two wearing a light Periwinkle pleated skirt, a black wrap top that held her pudge mostly in check, a similar jacket in Periwinkle though with a hoodie top hanging off the back. She naturally struggled to keep up with the other two, but wore a grin just as wide.

\tThe three approached the main square where all of the markets just as the silvery corona of the systems star danced over the cloud cover and shone down on the brightly paved square of the community.

\tThere were more than a few people gathered already. A mass of kids and young adults, though most simply in their usual day-to-day jump suits and perhaps a few various bits of jewelry and accessories. A smaller crowd than it normally was though, and half held back by a large crowd of parents and common citizens, some of whom had been at the town hall before and most of whom were carrying freshly printed picket signs or wearing bright red and blue arm bands, symbols of the early solidarity of the colony.

\tBoth sides were pushed in, the protestors staring down the eager customers who crowded the other side. Both parties beginning to move back a bit as the three strode up towards them.

\tRaven noticed all sorts of looks. Frustration, confusion, at least a few of adoration. It was an awkward feeling to say the least. But he couldn’t really say he minded it. The boy looked between his two friends and then turned to the crowd. Those eyes on him were somewhat disconcerting. Granted people had made him the center of attention before. Each and every person here likely saw him last year as he claimed the regional title. But then at that point he’d been in the midst of some intense battles. Able to ignore the crowds and Holo cams to focus on the epic array of skilled opponents.

\tIn spite of his sheepishly confident grin the awkwardness was already creeping into his gut. It was especially bad since so many of the people looking on were picketing the new set, and in a way probably him.

\tBefore he could say anything though, the crowd started to part. It was mainly those on the right side first, those clearly waiting to get in. A few on the left followed suit. Mainly those who had been there when Raven had won against the mayor, with others reluctantly moving almost though herd instinct until a small path was cut between the crowds and the doors.

\tThe bunny sighed softly and shook his head. He looked up at Riff, who was stoic as ever but showed small hints of nervousness under the surface. Hye likewise was on edge and starting to really show her apprehension and anxiety.

\tBoth were glancing at him though, and in spite of himself Raven knew he had to make good on the expectations of the crowd. A few awkward cheers greeted them, mostly from people looking to get in and get their parts as well. Raven glanced at the people assembled, but didn’t really say much. A small nervous laugh starting to rise in his throat as he awkwardly waved to the assembled crowd.

\tNormally the shop would be closed at this point. Even on an off-day of the week it was generally understood that Castle didn’t open the doors until a quarter of the way though midday. Launch days were usually a bit different. Schools naturally closed down and shifted their off day and he might open a bit earlier. But much to Ravens surprise as he walked though the crowd, nervously taking his place at the front of the line, castle walked up to the door and opened it. The badger pulling it open and waving his hand to usher the three in.

\t“Wow, it’s crazy out there.” Raven chuckled as he looked back at his two friends and nodded a bit.

\t“Yeah.” Riff nodded back. “What was that all about?”

\tCastle smirked as he shut the door once more and locked it. He walked back around the counter and leaned his paws on the simple glass countertop looking the trio over with a confident nod “Well this is probably possible due to the bunny of honor here. I think everyone recognizes just who should get a first crack at the new parts.”

\t“He does have a point.” Hye nodded “Though what does that have to do with us?”

\tThe older badger rolled his eyes and growled a bit. He let a chuckle slip and looked between the three his face plastered with an eager grin. “Allright kids. I’m sure all three of you have been saving up so let’s get right down to business then. Same drill as always. You just slip your little chit over my counter and I’ll fire up the printer until it runs dry. That is unless you’re trying to save some of those ration credits for something else.”

\tRaven didn’t even stop to think about it. He slipped the small stick up on the counter and dashed from the front of it to one side. The booster printer was, honestly, nothing too remarkable. It was the same as any other small utility printer in town save for a few specialized parts to speed up the creation of battlers. A big simple plastic pillar with the Global Mirage logo painted on it and decals with all of the most famous past sets… along with one small image of Starduster slipped in. Something Castle had gotten as Ravens sponsor last year.

\tThere was a nice square hole at the middle of the printer and a simple wave of Castles hand instantly caused a clear plastic plate to slide down over the hole. The nozzle moved down and instantly began dispensing material in a three by six rectangle. Cheap plastic and firm foam started to take shape as they were built up layer by layer.

\tA soft flickering light started to build in both intensity and speed as the process continued. Not bright enough to really hurt, but enough that the box was obscured part way though with heavy sounds of battle and the industrial noises one might associate with some great factor or forge all overlapped each other and filled the room.

\tFinally there was one last, loud metallic hammer-clang and the light in the printer died. The lid sliding open and Raven reaching in to grab his prize before Castle could even congratulate him.

\tThe first box and the first box art of the first printing… and it was his. Freshly printed and warm to the touch. The outside was simple enough. A three by six by two inch brick of matted black plastic with small lips on the top and bottom. The front cover art was, as always, rather striking. A spider web of chains over a mossy stone wall backdrop. A rather interesting looking blue and black cybernetic sword wrapped and tangled in the middle yet glowing brightly all the same.

\tRaven could smell the warm plastic, crisp foam and ozone coming off of the package.

\t“Wow.” Hye cooed happily. Even if it was something they’d seen countless times before it really never got old. Especially after working as hard as they did to get their hands on these prizes.

\t“Congrats Raven. I don’t know anyone better this could have gone to.” Castle nodded happily “Now then what’s say we get the rest of your boxes printed up so we can give your friends a turn.”

\tRaven nodded eagerly and giggled a bit “Oh yeah. I got a good feeling about this set. This is going to be all kinds of epic.”

-----------------------------

\t“Thanks for the help Raven” Hye giggled as she hugged a few of her boxes to her chest.

\tRaven tired to nod as best he could while struggling with an armload of boxes though the bulk of the shop and over to their favored table in the back. “D-don’t mention it Hye. Though seriously did you have to get so many? I mean ok stupid question I guess but this is gonna be really hard to carry.”

\t“Oh don’t worry about that.” Hye said as she shook her head ‘Father said he’d bring the hauler with him to help me bring things home.”

\tRaven winced as he stumbled and fumbled with at least two dozen of the boxes between his arms. He used his knee and the wall every now and then to readjust before finally reaching Hyes normal seat and unceremoniously plopping the pile down, wincing as they all spread out in a heap

\t“Sorry.” he muttered

\t“Oh that’s fine.” Hye said with a giggle, looking off towards the side a moment “It was honestly really kind of you just to help.”

\tRaven turned to his other friend who was now growing more antsy by the moment and chuckled softly. In spite of his attempts to be more stoic and even tempered Riff was already thumbing the corner of a box and tapping his heavy boot impatiently on the padded floor. It was an amusing sight, and luckily for Hye distracted him from her minor blush.

\t“Ok then so we doing this the way we usually do?” Riff asked as he looked between the two.

\tThe lighthearted bunny nodded and grabbed his usual chair, flipping it around and leaning on the back rest. “I don’t see why we wouldn’t. I mean unless you guys want to try hiding what you get this time.”

\t“Nope!” Hye said with as much sternness as she could muster “We do it the same as always. All together or not at all. No secrets between friends.”

\tThe three all nodded in unison. It was the same as it had been since the day they started as kids, and honestly Raven was glad. Nothing was more important to him than their friendship.

\tBattler boxes all hit the table and popped open. Starduster, Eodom and Ghost R all popped free and landed on the table to observe. Each one quite curious what new parts they may be in store for.

\tEach of the tweens took a box from the pile. Raven in particular had made sure to keep track of the first box in his run. This was really the first time he’d gotten that honor after all. They each put a paw on the top lip of the box and looked between each other. “ok on three.” Raven said. They all counted up. One. Two. Three. A hard yank and the lid pulled away from the bottom half of the box, and the wave of anticipation crashed over them.

\tIt was amazing. The parts lay out neatly as ever, yet there was clearly something more to them. The bright-eyed bunny leaned in as he looked over his first set. His jaw dropped almost instantly.

\tEverything was intricate, moreso than even some of the older ‘unique’ rarity parts. On one side of the box were a pair of arms. The first one was thick and burly, wrapped in chains with a heavy spalder at the top of the shoulder. It wore a manacle with a broken chain dangling from it and ended in a clenched, bandaged fist. Everything looked so detailed and intricate, every vein and sinew almost visible with small tufts of synthfur modeled and modeled to perhaps give the fur field a bit more depth.

\tHe curiously reached down to touch the chains a moment. Metal. Real metal. Not just the cheaper tins and other electrically reactive compounds used on the innards of the parts. This was real, heavy, and very hard to print.

\tThis set was going to be good.

\tThe other parts looked just as good as well. Another right arm, this time more feminine and wrapped in a stitchwork of leather sat second. Raven ran his finger along that as well to check, quite impressed with the realistic feel. Admittedly none of his compounds would work to match this kind of texture. But he was more than willing to pay out if they came out with new modding compounds that felt this realistic. He also noticed a pistol at the other end. A heavy looking rail pistol with a holster belt that seemed like it would probably fit a gunslinger better.

\tIt was the last two parts which really caught his eye though. Admittedly for two very different reasons.

\tThe first one was enough that he actually had to switch his AR on and check the rarity of the parts. It was a tail. An admittedly simple tail, but as was so rarely the case a tail that perfectly fit the looks of a kangaroo rat. Much like the one Starduster currently sported it was rather plain. Mostly just a long and sinewy string of a thing. As with the other parts though it had much higher quality parts. The tailtips far bushier and even having two toned color, that meant two color zones so if he wanted he could match it to look like a sort of paintbrush dye job on the tip.

\tLike the arm this one too had a metal cuff. A thick one that seemed to actually slide independently but stopped due to the bump of the tail tuft and the thickness near the base so it couldn’t simply slide off.

\tStarduster likewise seemed to have his eye on that tail, looking it over intently. “Wow Raven. That one looks pretty cool. I mean… it’s odd. But it’s pretty cool.” The battler reached out to touch the thing carefully, tilting his head a bit as he moved his current tail over for comparison.

\tRaven wasn’t paying much attention though. Something seemed… off. The other parts had rarity indicators, though he hadn’t bothered to check them yet. However this new item was different. Much like the cuff around the tail it was a simple, smooth metal ring. Well made and with the small mat dullness of an effects zone in the center, a place where colors or color patterns would be pre programmed in. It was for the new item slot. That much he was sure of. Yet even a quick AR glance didn’t give him any real stats or info on it. Nothing but question marks on a blank backdrop.

\tSomething about it, about this whole thing, somehow tickled the back of his mind. It felt… off.

\t“Hey, Raven. You listening?” Starduster asked as he looked up

\t“Wha? Oh yeah sorry I was just looking our first bit over.” Raven nodded as he looked at his battler.

\t“So what do you say? Want to try socketing in this new tail and see how it works?”

\tRaven finally turned his attention back to the tail and looked it over. Unlike the last part it did have stats… though his jaw dropped a bit as he got a good glance. “Heck yeah I do” he almost squealed.

\tThere weren’t many stats. In fact the only available information was slot type, name and rarity. ‘Gaiste: Tail, Unique’

\tEven the silvery-white outline around the name denoted it, as if he needed more proof. Raven grinned quickly and snatched the part up. He barely glanced at his two friends who were both plenty occupied already before looking back down and starting to socket out the old tail, putting the old ‘hayride’ model back in favor of his prize.

\tStarduster stiffened as the thing socketed into place. His new tail whipping around a bit and then going unnaturally spear-straight for just a moment. Both Raven and his battler felt a sudden and familiar tingle as data started to flow freely into Ravens jack from the community QE hub and into Starduster. It wasn’t much. At most a simple Gig. But that gig seemed to be more than enough as data fields slowly started to shift. The displays becoming crisper, sharper. A few twitches and twinges, then settling once more. A crisp, clear, utterly new outline. Four tabs resting at the top. Diagnostic, Armaments, Neuro and Abilities.

\t“Raven, are you ok?” Hye whined as she looked up from her own box. A strange rubbery torso part with sockets sticking from the back clutched in hand.

\tThe bunny shook his head a bit and shivered. He gripped his palm over the jack a moment as his head started to clear. Ears lopping a bit as he felt an indescribable buildup of energy, of data, welling at the center point of his implant. It grew, trembled, then all but discharged leaving him with a soft tremor.

\t“Yeah. I’m… I’m fine guys. Gahh I think putting one of the new parts in causes the update to unlock. It’s real different.”

\t“Different? Like, like different how?” Riff asked as he looked down at his own box of parts a moment clutching a sword too big for his build between thumb and forefinger.

\t“Like, I don’t know how to describe it. It looks a lot neater, and it’s partitioned off. Tabs. Man they really did update the display didn’t they? The connection with Duster feels a lot clearer too. It’s honestly kind of awesome.”

\tDuster, for his part, whipped and wriggled his new tail around a moment. The tip instantly changed blue to match his armor and the metal of the ring turning to a copper color. Tinkling and chiming as he wiggled his hips a little to get used to the appendage.

\tRiff looked on a moment before turning his attention back to Ghost and quickly unlocking the legs. They quickly came off revealing the bare battler frame under it. A simple mesh of myomer bundles and power conduits with locking sockets. He slipped on a new set of legs he’d gotten, a set of tight, thigh high riding boots with straps and zippers and various loose D rings going up to a bit of admittedly uncomfortable bare fur before reaching a matching thong like bottom. Even before he could get the old tail socketed back in the white tiger boy winced and groaned loudly. His hands trembled as he gripped the table a moment and took in a few deep, sucking breaths while the update shot though his mind.

\t“Ok yeah. That’s one hell of an update” he muttered as he glanced between the two. “I don’t remember these things hitting so hard.

\t“I don’t remember them being this big.” Raven quipped with a half hearted laugh.

\tHye looked between the two and bit her lip firmly ‘A-are you sure you guys are ok? I mean maybe you should lay down a while or something.” Even as she said that the young Tanuki looked over her own parts as well. Nothing really fit her build, at least not without more parts from the other boxes and they hadn’t gotten to their second box just yet. Then her eyes rested on a small band of what looked like simple leather with a large pendant set with a gemstone.

\tWithout thinking about it Hye took the small part from the case and opened it carefully. She gave Eodom a nudge with her finger, the battler looking up with a yelp and tilting her head just as she saw her player lowering the thing down around her neck.

\t“Are you sure I’ll be compatible with this?” the battler muttered as she felt the thing slipping around her neck.

\tWithout a word of reply Hye got the thing around her and winced a bit. She bit her lip, kicked her boot against her chair leg and took a deep, sucking breath as the sensation hit her as well. A wave of emotion surging though her unchecked and tingling every nerve while the update pulsed freely though her admittedly better jack.

\tShe blinked a bit and looked up, glancing sideways at Raven. The blush had returned, only this time much deeper now and a bit harder. Accompanied by an awkward little giggle. “Ok I think I see what you guys are saying now.” she nodded “and… oh wow. Guys have you tried any of the new neck slot stuff?” she asked as she reached down and poked the newly fastened choker.

\t“No, why?” raven asked as his eyes looked up at his friend. She was honestly acting kind of odd, even for her.

\t“Guys you really need to check it out. I put this necklace thing on Eodom and, wow. Her stats just went crazy. Like a total optimization. Ohhh and it’s a rare part too! Neat!”

\tRaven and Riff glanced over to see what she was talking about. Eodom was a technomancer build with a ton of traps, and the first thing Raven noticed was that her TP had almost doubled, giving her a huge pool of points to use her powers. Likewise her Intellect and Wisdom had gone up, and there were apparently several powers that had yet to be unlocked.

\tHye giggled happily and nodded as she patted her battler on the head with one finger “Wow this is amazing. The Neuro gives you a way to track how your partners behavior patterns grow… and it looks like the new algorithm is way more advanced. “

\t“Wait are you saying our Battlers are going to change personalities?” Riff said with a bit of a worried tone.

\tHye tapped around a bit and shook her head ‘No, just that they have more room for growth now, and better skill and stat tracking. Optimization too. Guys even without the new item slot this update is intense. I think we’d better all read up on it tonight. Who knows what they put in this game.”

\tRaven nodded as he looked down. He picked the collar item up for a moment, then set it back down into its foam container “Yeah well, We can do that later.” the bunny said with a nod “We have a whole set to play with guys. Who here wants to see this though?”

\tThe two others pushed their first boxes aside and put a second down in the same spot. They gripped the lids tight and looked at each other. Any apprehension, suspiciousness, or confusing emotions buried under the bond of friendship for the moment.

\t“Ok guys. One. Two. Three!”

------------------------------

\t“What is this, still hoping that your paltry credits will be good enough to appease me? Do you really think that any amount of money is going to win you ‘my‘ time you dirty little vermin?”

\t“No, Minn Drotting” Kimi muttered as she gripped her chair arms firmly She leaned back and rubbed her thighs a bit harder against each other, feeling a small shiver darting though her body as she bit her lip and ran her paw against the brim of her sweatpants.

\t“No. I doubt you make enough to pay for the privilege of even touching me, do you vermin? Of being locked up in my home, locked in some little forgotten corner head shaved down to  the furline. A nice barcode put on that forehead so we can tell ‘it’ apart from the rest of the vermin. Maybe you would clean my cunt after a piss. Or my pretty, perfect ass. Or maybe I would just use you to relax my oh so lovely feet.” The figure said as one of those sharp thigh high riding boots moved up into the fore of Kimis view.

\t“Y-yes… anything please, Minn Drotting…” She moaned.

\tKimi looked on at the rather real looking wolfess. It probably wasn’t real. The idea that someone could or would take time out to dress and act out something like this when you could just as easily rig a stable of pseudo Ais to do it was rather insane. Not That Kimi cared at the moment. She curled her paw as she felt the first digit slide under her sweatpants band. Shivering and shaking a bit as she looked on to the figure. So like Miss Thanedottr… only instead of that drab and oh so wrong suit, she wore a proper and fitting uniform. Something sharp, leather. Something showing power and authority. As close to a mockup of old Yggrdasil ship deck-officer uniforms as the pay service would allow. Complete with a thin, sharp looking baton clutched under her arm.

\t“Uhhhg gawd, that smell.”

\tKimi blinked and shot up, waving her hand until she hit the pause panel.

\t“Yeah I’m sorry you ended up seated near ‘her’.” another voice sighed softly. “I mean it’s not like you had much of a choice. Still getting seated next to that… thing?”

\t“I heard she doesn’t even come out of there except for like, meetings and stuff. Like she doesn’t even have her own place or anything.”

\t“That’s ridiculous. You’ve gotta have some address. They already set you up when you sign on here. Besides you need an address to get your pay.”

\t“I don’t think the freak really cares much about pay.”

\tKimi slowly scooted her chair up to the fabric of her wall and pushed her ear up against it, shivering softly.

\t“Well personally I think she’s just dirty.” The first girl said softly “I mean if she doesn’t shower or anything that’s probably why she reeks so bad. Can’t even figure out how to throw a few creds out on anti-odor spray.”

\t“She probably likes it.” the second voice said with a scornful giggle. “The way she just hands over finished work to the rest of the design team. It’s almost like…”

\t“like what?”

\t“Like she’s getting off on it.”

\t“Ewww that’s nasty.”

\t“Don’t blame me. I’m not the one who pointed it out. Carlos said he caught her like doing some weird dorky wiggle-squirm thing when she gave Kaori that last batch of designs. Plus she isn’t even trying to demand payment or any favors.”

\t“That’s just because she’s a creepy little weirdo.”

\t“Who you don’t have to sit near.”

\tKimi bit her lip. Her paw already slipped under her sweatpants brim as she slowly caressed her pelvic fur and shuddered softly. She probably should be pissed all things considered. She had every right to be. Instead a finger slowly started to trace against her own musty and already damp folds as she arched up against the wall to listen.

\t“Look if the smell doesn’t go away I’m sure you can call HR. It’s not like they are going to put up with that kind of shit you know?”

\t“Oh come on she did all the work herself for that last set. You think anyone is going to rat her out? No matter what creepy shit she does. Especially with the new boss. I’ve heard a lot of creepy shit about that bitch. I’ll bet that little skank is a model employee to someone like ‘Ms. Thanedottr’ or whatever.”

\tKimi winced. She slowly pulled herself back from the wall and pulled her paw out of her pants. At this point she was really starting to enjoy it. Hearing others tell her how fucked up she was, how worthless she was. The willful exploitation and abuse, even hate.

\tBut that kind of insult against Ms. Thanedottr… Kimi reluctantly hit the cancel session button on her previous tab and brought up two more. The first was a simple readout, and she liked what she saw. Half of the ‘special’ payloads had already been delivered. That was good. A step in exactly the right direction.

\tThe rest, however, needed to be corrected. Kimi started to open the Dana dev kit and looked into it, opening the base rulings and seeking out the code she’d used in her special parts. Then she opened a new file and copied the base over, and began alterations.

\tIt was one thing if they hated her. Kimi knew she deserved it after all. But nobody was going to badmouth Ms. Thanedottr, badmouth her Drotting, and get away with it.

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