***

--- Thaluilas, Elies Region ---

Date: August 2nd, 2026

Walking through the main hall littered with corpses, Pina was shocked by the efficiency of the Clanless and even by some of her own Knights, mainly Suissesse and Beefeater. Breaking into the palace was intense with the number of guards. If it was not for the Imperials who defected and Lartia knowledge of the layout, she would have had to call in the SAS or end the mission.

Entering the maids’ room, all she saw were a bunch of women by the corner, scared to death. Between them and her Knights was an older elf woman, dressed in fine robes. She stood up front, shielding the rest of the maids.

‘She must be the head maid that was acting as their last protector,’ Pina thought to herself.

“You have nothing to fear,” Pina tried to reassure them. “We are not here to harm you but free this city from the Empire and their League allies.”

The head elf gave a hateful glare toward them all and then spoke boldly, “You all come into my domain, scaring my girls half to death, and then declare you are not here to harm us? Warriors of the enemy?”

Realizing how this would look, enemy soldiers just burst into private servant quarters full of defenseless women. “ We are not going to violate you nor are we going to kill any of you.”

"We were told you would know where Legatus Fabius and General Albon are being held," O'iloiat said.

"I am Head Maid Cellica. I am sorry, but I cannot help you. Now please go; your war does not belong here."

"As I said, you have nothing to fear," Pina said. "I am Empress Co Lada of the new Sadera Republic. I am taking over the Empire from my brother and his cronies. I promise after this war all of you will be freed and have a better life but first, we just need your help.”

“Your title Empress means nothing here,” Cellica retorted. “We have a code and we stick to it. We do not talk about what we see or hear with anyone. Otherwise, all of us could be crucified or worse.”

“We are not going to crucify you,” Bozes said. “We are here to help. If you help us find Fabius and his allies then we can end this war. You will even be freed from servitude.”

“I am sorry, but you are Imperial Elites,” Cellica said. “We know the price of speaking. Even if you take over and all of the worlds becomes everything you desire, the world will not change for people like us. Most of us have nowhere else to go and know nothing else. If we break this code, then it jeopardizes all future prospects, either dead or living on the streets as a whore. This is more about our survival. My lord Lartia Aulus knows all too well.”

Frustrated by the lack of cooperation and inflexible rigidity by the maids, Pina struggled with why soldiers were willing to side with her and yet these slaves wouldn’t.

“Can you people ever think outside of your so-called code for once in your life and come to your senses?” Panache asked. “Even imperial soldiers are far more reasonable than all of you!”

Feeling the sudden tension between the Knights and Cellica stubbornness, Pina tried to find another way out of this mess. “Look, your code is going to get people killed. We are here to try and end the war.”

“When this war ends, another one will begin,” Cellica said. “You should not have come here.”

Feeling frustration move through her body, Pina placed her hand on her sword handle out of frustration but was stopped by a hand. Noticing it was Lartia, she watched as the feline moved between them.

“Hello Cellica, it was my idea for them to come here,” Lartia said, walking into the room. “Your persistence in your principle always impressed me” By her mere presence, the tense air began to subside. The maids relaxed as a look of relief and confusion showed on their faces. They huddled closer, each relieved to see a familiar face, and started asking questions.

Pina watched, impressed by how Lartia was handling them. It was clear the maids of this palace hold great respect for her. Probably come from the same background.

Lartia spoke with Cellica but then turned around, requesting everyone to leave so she could persuade them. Seeing no other choice, Pina ordered everyone out of the room. Bozes and Beefeater expressed concern that this was taking too long and acknowledged her agreement.

Once outside, Pina looked to Nelia as the neko leaned against the wall to listen in. “Can we trust your friend?”

“Of course,” Nelia responded. “She has always been loyal.”

“I was not inquiring about loyalty,” Pina said. “I have noticed your reactions to your long-lost friend. I can tell you have been struggling with reconnecting with your friend.”

The Neko's ears flattened and Nelia slowly responded, “That is true. When we were young we were so similar but now, we seem to be leagues apart.

For me, I was forced to learn to fight. Killing and bloodshed are what I know and I made peace with it. She, on the other hand, seems to have had a life of plenty. I grew to despise you privileged types but she is one of you. But, somehow, while different, deep down inside I can still see my old friend.”

“We adapt to survive,” Pina replied. “As the Other Worlders say, you deal with the hand you are given.” Hearing the door open, she saw Lartia exit the room. It was Panache who spoke first, asking if the maids talked.

“No, they did not,” Lartia said.

Taking a deeply frustrating breath, a part of her felt betrayed for trusting in a maid, regardless of the neko’s current status in society. They have no time for games.

“What do you mean they did not?” Nelia asked. “We came this way because we trusted you because I trusted you and these maids showed respect to you.”

“That’s it! No more games! This time, they're gonna talk or else,” Beefeaters angrily stated as she and the knights prepared to rush into the room.

“You do not understand,” Lartia said. “It is a culture no one can understand unless you live in it. Now your highness, two floors up toward the east side is where we must go.”

“Wait, I thought you said they did not tell you where they were,” Panache asked.

“It will take too long to understand,” Lartia said. “The thing is, there are plenty of clues and details of daily life. Like everyone, we have routines, places where we are allowed and not allowed to go. Each detail is like a puzzle and all you have to do is piece it together. The maids are no longer allowed to go into three rooms on that side of the palace, however, there was an increase of service in the rooms and chambers nearby.”

“Is that really enough to go off on?” Beefeater replied. “We don’t have time to run around in circles.”

“Trust me, I got us this far. Unless you have any other ideas on where to start.”

“Now are you sure about this?” Pina asked, now looking into Lartia’s eyes.

“I am certain.”

“Good enough for me,” Pina responded. “Everyone, let's go.”

With the possible destination, the group moved through the servant halls. Once they reached a fork in the hall, Pina asked, “Lartia, where do these paths go?”

“The one on the left will take you to the main hall,” Lartia replied. “That is the opposite direction we want to go. The right will take you up a floor to the main chamber but no further.”

“Why is there a maze inside a palace?” Sebille asked.

“Because elves do not like seeing their servants,” Pina responded.

“We all know elves enjoy pretending to act all high and mighty because of how long they age,” Boses added. “To pretend to act more civilized, however, they just hide it and everyone pretends not to see it.”

“Alright, we split into two groups,” Pina said. “Bozes, take Panache and head left. Cause a distraction and then regroup with us. Everyone else, with me.”

“Sebille, mind going ahead and scout?” Pina asked.

“Surely,” Sebille proudly said. “Will be right back.” The small fairy coiled up her little legs before jolting forward and way ahead of the group.

Rushing through the stone hallway barely lit by the small torches, Pina had to note how she had gotten used to the artificial lights at the NATO bases. Her eyes were forced to readjust to the darker tone of the halls.

Finally reaching the end of the path, they saw the fairy hovering in front of the trap door that led to the main hall. “I think I can see some people on the other side,” Sebille reported as she looked through the keyhole of the door.

Nelia placed her ear against the door and whispered, “I hear soldiers.”

“Roger, flash and clear,” Pina ordered.

“Flash and clear?” O'iloiat asked.

Jalin patted the man's armor as he pulled out a flash grenade. “Watch and learn, Fire in the hole!” He waved Elison Livarin over. The door is slightly opened and both tossed their flash grenades inside.

Thaluilas’ Knights commented on the strange device before an explosion, stunning everyone. The Rose Knights stormed into the hall and killed everyone they saw, securing the area.

“Room clear!”, Balalaika yelled.

“Ok, people would have heard that,” O'iloiat stated.

“Should we hide the bodies first? Like what we saw in the movies?” Beefeater asked.

“Are you going to hide the blood too?” Jalin asked. “It is everywhere.”

“Forget it,” Pina said. “We do not have the time and they know we are here. We need to move quickly! Pina stated, realizing that Jalin was correct, stealth was no longer an option, and every guard probably heard this engagement. With the order, the group moved.

Passing through a well-decorated hallway, the Knights encountered several guards stationed at a single door, armed and ready. The Knights marched towards the door, quickly surprised by an attack from a hidden corner, one knight blocked it with a ballistic arm shield and another knight behind stabbed the attacker through the heart.

The guards charge at the Knights, and they clash, pushing towards the door, and surrounding the guards. Eventually, the guards were outnumbered and slain one by one. The remaining guards quickly retreated behind the door.

The armor on the fallen guards showed that they were of imperial origins and some from other League vassal kingdoms as well as Ticaret ones.

With the defenders cleared, the Rose Knights formed outside the door.

Pina had to assume that the Head Maid was correct. This door was too well defended for it to be anything else. Something important must be behind the door. They tried to open it but they found that it was locked from the inside. Voices were heard by the guards inside the room.

Pina ordered Sebille to use her small size to squeeze through the gap underneath the door to take a look on the other side before going in.

“I detected ten men armed with crossbows at the door and ten more men with aimed pears at the corner as well as an elf charging his magic to ambush us the moment we rush inside. Furthermore, there is an elf being hanged from the ceiling and he is in a very bad shape,” Sebille reported.

“Jalin! Breach charge!” Pina ordered.

Jalin then placed the breach charge at the door and set it off before backing away. The breaching charge exploded sending wood debris to the other side of the door, causing the ambushing guards to fall down from the explosion.

Taking the opportunity, the knights and the Clanless rushed in and finished them off quickly and efficiently.

“Get him down!” Pina stated and the knights began to get the hanging elf down.

Once Lartia saw, she screamed before Nelia covered her mouth. “That is General Albon. What did they do to you?”

As the Knights helped Albon down, Pina kneeled next to him, “ General Albon, Are you ok?”

“Obviously not,” Albon weakly stated.

Taking a closer look, to Pina’s horror, the elf's ears were gone. Looking more like human ears than elf. The trademark of what an elf was, outside of their long life. It was considered humiliating for an elf if their ears were deformed to look like human ears, which is the cruel punishment the Imperials often subject to any elves that opposed them.

“Macarita! Get him some Bio-gel!” Panache ordered as Macarita takes out a syringe with bio gel to inject into Albon’s open wounds to stop the bleeding. Having received medical training from Jerry to act as a medic for the Rose Knights, she meticulously does the injection properly without hindrance

“Geez!” Macarita commented. “These bastards must have wanted you to die slowly. I can see multiple stab wounds across your body! Luckily we come in time or else you would have bled to death!”

“I am sorry for what happened to you, General,” Pina said. “But where is Fabius?”

Albon breathed heavily after spitting blood on the floor. “They…. They took him to their fucking garden.”

“Garden?” Pina asked.

***

--- Ticaret, Ticaret Conglomerate ---

Date: August 3rd, 2026

Malena had been to many cities like Sadera; visiting such places was like going to another world. The wonders people could build, how vastly different the citizenry acted from the ones outside. The size and scale of the structures always amazed her, always wondered how they were built and the centuries they took to complete.

Glancing toward the street, Malena noticed Aldon staring at two half-naked women dancing toward a crowd. Pulling the rob tightly to cover herself, she shook her head.

“The best part about the city is the lack of moral standards,” Aldon commented.

“You can worry about where you can stick your shriveled pike another time. Let’s hurry. I don’t feel comfortable like this.,” Malena said. “I can not believe I agreed to do this.”

“What?” Aldon asked. “If I recall…”

“Do not bring up that story you bastard.”

“What story? Oh, you mean the time I had to save the damsel in distress from that fight? You didn’t seem to mind that outfit. By the way, why were you at that party?”

“I told you, it was to kill that bastard and that outfit was necessary!” Malena stated. “And I did not need your help.”

“Keep it down you two! And stay focused on the mission. You two are gonna give us away with your bickering. You two do not act like slaver and slave should,” Andrew said while wearing thick local clothes and a turban-like hat, which Malena stole from clothes shop so Andrew could disguise himself.

“Do you even know how they would behave? You act like you’ve never been a slave before?”

“Because I haven’t.”

“I see,” Malena noted. “Anyway, he you are right. Let us get this over with.”

“I do not see the rush, my dear,” Aldon cockily said. “It is not every day I see my hardass of a leader in such a sexy state. I fully intend to enjoy every moment.”

“Aldon, I swear to all the gods that I will kill you,” Malena boldly whispered. “Even in that other fight, we did not wear so littl-.” Suddenly, she felt the chain around her neck pulled, silencing her. “You bastard…”

Listening to Aldon laugh, she knew it was all innocent fun. He had always respected her and followed every order she has ever given, no questions. But she knew she would get even.

Regardless of his demeaning attitude, it is why Malena picked him for this mission. While she has only met Sharpe and his Vanguard-7 for a few days and can only go off their reputation, she can already tell they would take the direct approach. While maybe not ‘guns blazing’ as the Americans would say, however, it would not be so subtle.

Seeing the number of guards throughout the city, it was clear the Ticaret was prepared for something. Malena wondered if it was because they were afraid that the Terrans assaulted Sadera twice, took Rondel, and defeated Legrath in a night. However, her intuition said it was more than the guards who were keeping the people in line. Among the people, she gets the impression that the populace was happy but there was a cold sense of worry. Worrying about what, she does not know.

The American warriors wouldn’t blend in well even with a big cloth to cover their entire body and almost everyone in Ticaret knew Rory’s face due to her exploits against the Ticaret in the past during the early days of the Empire. The only option she saw was her and Aldon going in as they could blend in and her teammate's special personal entertainment skill. The two would go into the city, her acting as a slave for sale, using her Warrior Bunny sex appeal and exoticness to their advantage to meet the higher-end class of citizens.

To Malena's surprise, Sharpe was quick to agree to the plan, seeing him as a typical alpha man who must remain in control. Glad to see that he does not let the ego override common sense. However, he still demanded one of his men go with them; Sergeant Andrew Steele was chosen to accompany them under disguise as a local. To add to the discretion, Andrew would only carry a combat knife and what they called a silenced M18.

During the planning phase from the Other Worlders ‘officers’ on how to get inside the city, Malena was reluctant about how she would degrade herself to pretend to be a sex slave for sale. But understanding that the mission was much more important than even these Other Worlder’s objectives, it was a price willingly paid. Aldon was impressed by her determination to see this through, as expected of their leader.

And besides, for him, he knew he would never get another opportunity like this to enjoy his fun. An opportunity he fully intends to push to the limits.

“If these are my final days then I shall enjoy them as much as possible,” Aldon teased as he eyed her boss.

“Bastard,” Malena mumbled.

“Jesus Christ, you two bitch like we do on deployment,” Andrew pointed out. “Can’t you focus on the mission, instead of the half-naked women?”

“I am not going to take that coming from the guy who volunteered to come to see them for yourself,” Aldon added.

“Which I found interesting as you are married,” Malena said. “You humans value marriage so I do wonder what she will think of this.”

“I was asked to, it was Rory, Alicia, and Sofia's idea for some reason…,” Andrew replied and then thought about what was said. “Do not tell my wife when I get home… shit.”

“Men are idiots,” Malena mumbled. “How did you fall for that so easily?”

With a laugh, Aldon responded, “you realized they tricked you so they could have dirt on you. Now they can use you as they please in their little games. Hah, I love it.”

“That is bullsh-.” Andrew stopped and thought about the situation. His eyes widened with the realization that he was tricked. "Oh fuck…"

“What is the meaning of this?”

Confused by who spoke that, Aldon turned to face an armed guard. “Excuse me?”

“It seems your slaves are giving you a hard time,” the guard said. “Keep them under check, here. We will not have them causing trouble.

With a loud laugh, Aldon responded with, “Hard time? Hardly.” He then elbowed the guard. “But I do say that I do enjoy a bit of fun from them, it makes the conquest more thrilling if you know what I mean."

The guard tilted his helmet up slightly, inspecting Malena before he chuckled. "I do say, I heard stories of the thrill of such prizes. Glad to finally see the once-mighty Warrior Bunnies finally making it to our markets. She is for sale right?"

"That is correct, good sir," Aldon said as he moved behind her and placed his hand under her chin to lift her face. "Once a high-ranking warrior within their ranks. I caught her while sleeping some time ago, escaping the enslavement of her people. Where can I take her, I am not looking for a common whore market. No, I only want the fine price. Those that can appreciate the splendor and fire in this specimen"

The guard glared at Aldon and said, "you are an outsider."

"Of course, how do you think I got the Bunny in the first place?" Aldon confidently stated.

"Why are you here then?" The guard asked.

"As I said, I came to sell this piece of fur," Aldon frustratingly responded, making sure to show his impatience. "No point selling to the Empire, their markets are devastated. And besides, when they win the war it will take years to recover."

"I see," the guard said.

The two began to talk, telling stories of past nights they had and other stories of where they had been.

Andrew tried his hardest to hide his shocked reaction as the elf handled the situation near flawlessly.

Once the guard left, Malena asked, "Where are we going?"

"The guy gave me three possibilities," Aldon said. "One is controlled by the Gummus House while the other is run by the House of Tozuko. He also mentioned the Tecim Union is a major buyer and seller of slaves. There are a few smaller ones but nothing of note.”

“We want nothing to do with the Gummus House,” Andrew said. “Our intel says they are the ones fighting in the Dumas Mountains with the League.”

“Lartia said the House of Tozuko and House of Altin is who we are looking for,” Malena added. “Let's not waste any time with the others and head straight there.”

“Tozuko. That’s that Kitsune who owns the brothels, right?” Malena asked.

“Yes, that one. According to the guard, she owns the Dark Moon and the Sand Dune,” Aldon said. “But, it seemed like the main establishment was the Half Moon. All her high-class clients go there, not just any walk-in though.”

“Then that is where we are heading,” Malena said. “Anything exclusive always means there is something important there. Get us there, Aldon.”

“But there’s still the issue of getting in.”

“We’ll figure that out once we get there. Now lead the way.”

The three moved through the massive city, passing through the crowds of people. There were a few incidents as people wanted to see the bunny, however, Andrew stopped them. Aldon explained that he was their security guard, protecting this high-value property.

The extra attention began to get on Malena’s nerves. With the extra attention, she did notice and was surprised by the diversity of the people within the city. From a few quick glances, she could see a lot of refugees from the Empire. Though she had seen villages and towns double in size because of the war, people were attempting to escape the violence.

In what felt like hours, the three finally reached the Half Moon. They stood outside gazing at the massive and admiring the details of the building. Remnants of the Elvish era were marvelously carved into the walls.

Once inside, the place was more glorious than they could have ever imagined, making even some modern establishments look shameful.

A Wood Elf approached in a fine, silk-like dress that highlighted all her features; made more prominent with each sway of her hips as she approached.

“My my, has a goddess herself descended from the realm of the gods to grace me with her presence. Well I must admit to be very honored,” Aldon flirtatiously said as he quickly reached for her hand and offered a kiss. A nudge from the back of his ‘slave’ snapped back into reality.

The elf merely giggled with a red face but quickly resumed her duties. “Such a charmer, but I am sorry my lord, but we do not allow walk-ins at this establishment. May I recommend the Sand Dune for your pleasure.”

“Oh, I understand the rules but I know you will make an expectation of them for my case.” Aldon confidently said as he eyes another passing lady. He then sharply turned to the elf and continued, “I did not travel this far and risked much to be turned away now. And not from a beauty such as you. No, I am here to partake in this establishment’s esteemed services. Maybe whisper in the ear of a few entertainers. I have heard only the best from here. As proof of my worth, I offer for sell my exotic slave here. She was no easy prize, but one well worth the price. .”

Hearing being called a slave left a deep chill down Malena’s spine. She’s vowed to never allow herself to be put in such a position, and yet she volunteered herself for the role. She merely shook her head as she looked back at her friends However, she noticed an entitled smirk coming from the elf which was a big mistake as she merely nodded slowly, warning him of what was coming. But for now, she was forced to swallow her pride and as she knew what was about to happen.

“My lady,” Aldon said. “I understand the need to vet your client. The wonders of what must happen in this house must be amazing. I admire your loyalty however, do you believe I came all this way, crossing the mountains that divide this land from the rest of Falmart, the famous freezing sandy desert to be turned away? Or that I did not have something worthy to sell at this establishment?”

Not allowing the elf a moment to respond, Aldon raised his hand and voice, engaging the passing clients and staff. “I have braved scorching challenges and risked my very own life for this trophy.

We have all heard stories of the Warrior Bunny tribes and their fearless Queen. But her,” Aldon dramatically spoke as he pulled on Malena’s chains. “ Was not the only one of them. Who I have here was once a great clan leader.”

Reaching out his hand, he snapped his finger.

Taking a deep breath, Malena realized that was the signal. She hesitantly removed the robe and revealed her almost natural form.

To her discomfort and disgust, everyone gawked at her curvaceous and enticing body. Eyes consuming the brown fur that flowed throughout her body. The scars from battle added to the illusion of the story that she was once a warrior back home.

As Aldon told a story about how he fought her by the edge of a river, he explained the duel lasted from morning to dawn; the warrior of civilization against the warrior of the barbarians. He flared up the details on how he captured her, making sure every key point was something she hated. While it was evident that it worked with each ear twitch, she continued to swallow her pride knowing if this worked, she could seek revenge later.

Once getting the crowd interested, Aldon took the elf's hand and lightly kissed it once more. Then he stared into her eyes and lightly spoke, “Now, shall we speak?”

After a moment of deliberation, the elf finally relented. “Certainly, sir. I will get the head. Please, make yourself comfortable while you wait.” the elf said and then left.

A moment later, a blue Siren approached.

"Good day my Lord. My name is Tyuwal, head Servant. Please follow me."

Following the Head Servant throughout the establishment, Malena saw much of the clientele: Statesmen, lords, the wealthy, and royalty. The sensitivity of her ears allowed her to hear much of what this place offered.

"Before I agree to anything, I wish to sell to Mistress Tozuko herself," Aldon said. "I do not deal with servants."

"I understand," Tyuwal replied. "As you can see, this is no normal brothel. Mistress Tozuko prefers to see each courtesan before purchase to determine if they are worthy of this establishment."

"Very interesting," Aldon said. "I expect nothing less of Madam Tozuko; bothering with menial tasks to maintain the quality of her products." Aldon threw in some compliments to which Malena, again, swallowed her pride at being called a product.

The four stopped by a beautiful moon-shaped door. The Siren turned around and said, "Sadly, Mistress Tozuko is busy with political business so it will be some time before she can speak with you. In the meantime, we would like to start our inspection of your offer."

A fairy approached Tyuwal and then left. An orange and black-haired neko, wearing a golden laced silk robe entered the hall by her side, bowing.

"In the meantime, would you wish to enjoy our services?" Tyuwal offered. "The first hour will be complimentary as a courtesy.."

Watching Malena’s comrade eye the neko whore, she couldn't help but sigh as he took the offer. However, the truth was that it would have raised suspicion if he rejected both offers.

The Neko’s hips swayed in an almost hypnotic rhythmic motion that stole his glare, refusing to release its trance. As she approached closer, nearly meeting his lips, Aldon leaned forward to meet hers. But she quickly diverted, moving slowly down his neck, making sure he felt her breath as she let out a sexual purr. She graciously offered him a peck on his neck while grabbing his hand to lead him away.

Aldon’s mind began to race as he was led out, nearly reaching the door but curiosity emerging from his mind stopped him, he needed an answer. “Are you sure it is wise to let customers try your products for free? An hour is pretty generous. Wouldn’t you lose money?”

“You will stay longer. An hour is just a taste, it will not be nearly long enough,” Tyuwal said with a smile.

Satisfied with the answer, Aldon was about to leave when he remembered his companion Andrew.

“Actually, if I may be so bold as to ask for a request, my companion here has been on this same strenuous journey with me. He might need some help relaxing as well. At least for an hour,” the elf finished with a smirk as Andrew gave him a deadly stare.

“But of course, you are under the care of House Tozuko, and we will never leave a client unsatisfied,” Tyuwal responded as she called in for another attendant; this one being a Medusae.

They were led out, Aldon with such eagerness, much to Andrew’s dismay with a flushed face.

Once they were taken away into their booths, Tyuwal took Malena into the back room where the rest of the courtesans prepared themselves. Even for her, she was impressed by the wealth being worn by these slaves, nothing like she had seen in other brothels within Imperial territories. The women even seem to be better treated almost to the same standards as brothels within NATO territories; a fact she learned from visiting the Dancing Princess in Alnus to retrieve a certain drunken elf.

"Stop here," Tyuwal ordered.

Another human woman surrounded Malena and began inspecting her body.

"I am impressed," Tyuwal said. "I expected much amusement and trauma. I would have assumed he and others would have used you."

"Aldon might be a whore in itself, but he is no rapist," Malena replied.

Glancing over to the Siren, Malena noticed a suspicious reaction. She then realized she did not speak like a sex slave who was taken against her will as she defended the elf.

"I see that he did not break your free spirit," Tyuwal sighed before replying. "This is not good. I am afraid this will decrease your value. We will have to either break that or reject you."

"Is that such a problem?" Malena asked. "The Imperials invaded our land because of our defiant nature. With the amount of wealth and class you have here, I would assume you would want someone like me for the male dominant type "

"This is the Half Moon, not a lower brothel," Tyuwal said. "Mistress Tozuko only wants submissive females as your type only brings more trouble."

"You will see that Mistress Tozuko will not tolerate any abuse against any of her slaves, by anyone," Tyuwal added. "We have tried your kind before with the same desire to resist. It only brings out the worst in men which risks all of our safety."

Surprised by the intelligence of this woman and the massive value on the slave's wellbeing, Malena wanted to meet this Tozuko woman. This mistress seemed not to be like most other brothel owners, only looking to make a quick coin at others' expense.

“Makes sense,” Malena responded. “The question is, if my kind only brings trouble then why do you want to buy me?”

“Your ears mainly,” Tyuwal replied.

Finding that response confusing, Malena inquired, “You Ticerat’s must have some strange fetish with ears, that makes no sense.” As she spoke, she then realized a possible context. Their mission here is to make contact with this House under the assumption they might side with NATO. With the amount of wealth and power inside this establishment, this Tozuko woman would be smart to listen in to conversations to gather dirt and information. The more she thought on the matter, the more she realized how smart and dangerous this woman was since most of the women in this establishment were both whores and spies combined into one.

“Unless… you want me to gather information on your clients.”

Tyuwal’s feathered flustered a bit with that response. Seeing the reaction she wanted to see, Malena continued, “The question is, what information are you interested in and from who?”

Tyuwal glared at the bunny, like her suspicion had been confirmed, she signaled the other women in the room to leave. Once they were the only two left in the room, she stared directly at Malena. “Who are you?”

Malena found that this blue siren was smart. Leaving her in a naked state as a means to show strength. However, this siren does not fully understand who she was dealing with yet.

“Is it not obvious? A slave-bunny who is being sold,” Malena responded.

“I have been doing this job all my life,” Tyuwal said. “I got to this position because of hard work and loyalty. And, knowing who to trust and not to trust. I have seen thousands of girls who came through here.”

Watching the blue siren speak made Malena smile. While Tyuwal spoke with authority, the Warrior Bunny could see a far different person hidden within her eyes. The question right now though was which side the House of Tozuko was on. Based on the culture of this place, she was starting to believe that Lartia was correct however, if she was wrong then that meant they were dead and Sharpe would have a full legion on his position before they knew it, but only if she survived this encounter. “Look unblood, I respect your loyalty to your master, I really do. But I need to know one thing. Am I spying against the House of Altin or the House of Gummus?”

Tyuwal carefully looked at her, “What makes you think we want you to spy on them?”

Without a direct rejection, it confirmed that Tyuwal does want her to spy on them, or one of them at least. Based on the NATO reports before coming here, Gummu and Tozuko(1) allied with each other to go to war against NATO, leaving Altin to dry in the sun.

Altin, being a powerful house in itself, is the logical choice, assuming that Tozuko’s allegiance is with the League still. However, with her senses and with Lartia’s claim, things may not be so transparent.

“We all know there is a war going on,” Malena said as she began to pace around the room but taking care not to break her gaze from the siren. “I assume you want me to sleep with your Altin clients.”

“And what made you think that?” Tyuwal quickly said.

Malena smiled, getting the reaction she wanted. She thought the Siren’s tough acting stance was adorable, but she could see right through her.

The Warrior Bunnies were known for their agility and unusual superior strength. What many didn’t know was that bunnies could also pick up sudden changes in someone’s behaviors and attitudes. It is how they can notice the Haryo Tribe’s shapeshifters so easily.

With this siren, Malena could see that she struck a nerve. She now realized that this establishment was secretly on Altin’s side. The gaze in Tyuwal’s eyes, however, showed more than a mere allegiance. It showed the deep love of someone within that house.

“That was the public reason but I knew that was a front as the Other Worlders would say,” Malena said.

Hearing that term ‘Other Worlders,’ shook Tyuwal as she swallowed a lump that suddenly appeared in her throat.

‘Something is not right here,’ she thought to herself. It was then that realized something, a small detail that she internally cursed at herself for not realizing sooner.

It was not a well-known fact except among slave dealers but after being conquered, Warriors Bunnies had the tips of their ears cut to prove that they were indeed a slave. But she stood there in shock at the realization that this one had two intact ears. ‘Who did I invite into this house?’ She thought to herself.

“You are not a slave, are you?” Tyuwal stated. The tone clearly showed that she already knew the fact however needed to hear it out loud.

“No, I am not,” Malena said. “I can see you have no ill-will with the House of Altin, ignoring the public enemy against the Other Worlders. Your eyes and tone defended Altin for some reason, meaning your heart is on their side. From what I can tell, Mistress Tozuko runs a respectable but tight ship. If she is using her whores to spy on her enemies, she would not keep someone like you who has feelings for her enemies.”

“Who are you?” Tyuwal asked.

“I represent an Other Worlder delegation,” Malena said. “I am here to see your master, Tyuwal. The war has arrived at your door and America is knocking. It is time to step up and pick an side.”