Chapter 13:
The Grid
Cordelia had a skip in her step that morning as she headed for Renaldo’s Bakery; she and her Hornets had settled into a state of domestic bliss beyond anything she had ever hoped for.
Meaning she was having multiple earth shattering orgasms whenever she could, and sometimes even when she couldn’t.
She had settled into a routine as well when it came to getting to work: once bundled up for warmth in the chill air she would trek to the bakery before the sun came up, her breath fogging in front of her as she walked through the quiet streets.
Whether due to Loskins’ pride, or the arrogance of youth, she always took the straightest route, one that brought her close to one of the many shanty towns around the city.
A dangerous course given the desperation of the people living there, especially in the dark.
She wasn’t yet halfway to work when a harsh voice cut through her cheery mood like a hot knife through butter.
“Oi! Give over the crown then, or I’ll cut ya.”
She yelped in surprise and whirled to face the source of the threat.
“What the fuck? Don’t sneak up on-”
“Didn’t you ‘ear me, ya foul mouthed bint?! The shiny! Give it over!”
Algrade’s streets boasted a full complement of solar powered lights suspended on wires above, but she was just at the edge of the grid, and the last of their energy was nearly expended as their panels waited for dawn’s arrival.
The dim orange light they gave off cast the scrawny man’s face in shadow, though it was enough to reflect off of the short knife he was directing at her.
Her heart nearly stopped at the sight of the blade, but Cordelia Loskins was not one to be cowed lightly.
Especially when her assailant was shorter than she was.
“You going to trim my nails with that thing? Fuck off!”
Out of reflex, she spoke loudly to draw attention, the opposite of what he wanted.
He had mistaken the solitary woman for an easy mark, but was now taken aback by her words, flinching away and looking from side to side in alarm.
But poverty is a great motivator, so in a bid to get his way he doubled down on his threatening posture, drawing himself up and stepping closer to her, trying to intimidate her with his nearness.
She felt a faint twinge of fear then, but it was short-lived as a pair of her Hornets landed on him before he could come within striking distance of their queen.
One other thing she had to get used to: with the crown on her head, at least one of Oldeera’s hive had to be near the heartstone within it at all times.
This meant that she was never truly alone, even when she might want to be, the compromise then was the Hornets buzzing along above her to keep her safe while not intruding on the private ritual of her morning walk.
“Oi! Gerroff!”
The knife clattered to the street as they quickly subdued her assailant, his face pressed to the ice-cold cobblestones.
“Be silent!” One of them commanded, the barbed tip of her lance pressing into his cheek.
He froze.
“Seriously, what kind of an idiot tries to steal a Hornet queen’s crown?!” Cordelia griped, brushing of the worried attention of a third monster girl.
“Let me go! I weren’t going to ‘urt anyone, honest!”
His voice cracked mid-sentence and she realized then that the ‘man’ trying to mug her was little more than a teenage boy.
With him safely restrained, both arms held behind his back by the angry Hornets, she leaned in to get a better look.
He was dressed in a worn woven coat that was too big for him; in the dark it made him look larger than he was, but once she was closer she could see that the shoulders were comically bulky and he even had to roll up the long sleeves to accommodate his shorter arms.
“Holy fuck, how old are you?”
“Piss off your royal fatness!” He snarled in response.
Her ears burned at the insult, sure she had gained a few pounds under the spoiled attention of her hive, but she could hardly be called fat!
The lance dug into his cheek harder as its owner felt her queen’s irritation.
“How dare you!”
“You wanna die?” The other one threatened, pressing him to the ground with more weight.
He gave a distinctly unmanly squeal at the promise of death, struggling mightily in their grip.
“Alight! Enough already girls, sheesh. Let him up.”
The Hornet beside Cordelia narrowed her eyes as her sisters hoisted the cursing teen to his feet.
“We should leave his body in the gutter as a warning to others.” She suggested menacingly.
The royal baker rolled her eyes.
“Oh for- no! He’s just a kid! What’s your name?” Her finger came up threateningly before he could answer; “And if you call me fat again, I’ll kick you in the balls!”
His mouth closed, apparently thinking better of whatever he had been about to say, though his chin lifted defiantly when he found his words again.
“Known as Cutter.”
“Not with that dinky knife you aren’t.” The Hornets on either side of him responded.
He squirmed between the two monsters, looking sullen.
“I could be… you don’t know.”
“How about the one your parents gave you?” Cordelia said drily.
His head rose and he suddenly looked like he swallowed a lemon.
“What would I need parents fer, eh princess?”
Once again he felt the barbed tip of a lance against his face.
“She is a QUEEN! And she asked for your name!” The monster holding it declared.
He took a minute to measure the resolve on the Hornet’s face before finally muttering something under his breath.
The lance didn’t move.
“Louder!”
“Oliver! Relax wouldja? Not like a name means anythin’.”
With two fingers Cordelia retrieved the little knife, only to discover that it wasn’t a knife at all, but rather a cheap brass letter opener.
“Oliver the Orphan? Seriously?”
He bristled at her tone, despite the grip of the monsters holding him.
“You take that back, I aint never touched no ‘orphs’ afore!”
She rolled her eyes at his mistake, then tried a different tact.
“Why were you trying to steal my crown?”
Seeming to have realized that he was in no immediate danger, the teen was already pushing the limits, his attitude back in full force while he snorted at her as if she were slow.
“You kiddin? Man’s gotta eat, and that thing’d be worth a mint that would!”
She struggled somewhat to make sense of his thickly accented brogue, when she had parsed his meaning though, she adjusted the crown on her head and tapped the yellow heartstone embedded in its center.
“Not really, especially given that the stone inside belongs to a Hornet hive, my Hornet hive.”
He squirmed some more, the grip of the warrior monsters unrelenting on his narrow biceps.
“Could still ‘ave pawned it fer summat. Am I fer the clink then? Cuz I ain’t goin to no digsite!”
“You go where we take you.” The Hornets on either side said in unison.
Their eyes were distant and their antennae wiggling, a sign that Oldeera was speaking through them.
He looked from one to the other before turning to face Cordelia again.
“Why they gotta talk all t’gether like that? Unnatural it is.” He complained.
Tucking the letter opener into the pocket of her coat she gave him a serious look.
He may have tried to rob her, but in the end he really was just a teenager.
She certainly didn’t miss the way his eyes kept darting to the faint outline of her breasts through her thick clothing.
Using one finger under his chin to tilt his head up and keep his gaze appropriate, she pursed her lips speculatively.
“My eyes are up here smart-ass. Now when’s the last time you ate something?”
“Ain’t ‘ungry, less you got some coins?” He asked hopefully, not the least bit embarrassed for having been caught ogling her.
The Hornet next to Cordelia crossed her arms over her own armoured breasts.
“When are you going to realize that you’re our prisoner?”
“Prisoner’s get fed don’t they?” He replied, quick as a whip.
The young baker shook her head slowly and couldn’t help but smile.
“Bring him along, Renny sets aside the day-olds for just this sort of thing. Though he normally drops them with the relief agencies.”
His nose turned up and he sneered at her.
“Don’t need your charity then do I?”
The smile fell off of her face rapidly and she scowled at him.
“Stop blustering you little shit! You just asked for coins! After trying to mug me!”
“Ain’t charity iffin I ask for it! An’ it definitely ain’t charity iffin I take it!”
“He’s right about the second part.” One of the Hornets holding him murmured.
Cordelia threw up her hands in disgust and turned away, resuming her trek to work, the Hornets in tow with their prisoner.
“Oi! ‘Elp, it’s a kidnapping! Oi’m bein abdicated!”
She pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache beginning to throb behind her forehead.
__________
A few hours after Cordelia struggled to see a squalling teenage boy fed, elsewhere in the city a Lapine was stirring in bed after the wildest night of her life.
Rebecca woke with a long stretch, shivering slightly as her blanket shifted off of her shoulders, her naked skin prickling in the morning air and waking her fully.
A moment later she sat up, her ears turning and folding flat over her head as she yawned and stretched some more. She welcomed the invigorating rush of cold as her blanket fell into her lap, gooseflesh washed over her shoulders and breasts, her nipples hardening.
Finally fully awake, she wrapped the blanket back over her shoulders and stepped out of her room in search of breakfast.
Sandra was gone, her classes started early, which was just as well; Rebecca felt more than a little guilty for the ruckus she caused with Carol the night before.
She shuddered again, though not from the cool air in the loft, but rather at the memory of the orgasm that Carol had all but ripped from her athletic frame.
It was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
When she stepped into the kitchen the first thing she spotted was a wicker basket on the counter next to the ice box, it was full of raw carrots, a pink bow wrapped around the handle with a folded piece of paper pinned to it.
With a hint of trepidation, she took up the note and unfolded it.
Sorry if I was too aggressive last night. It had been a while for me. Hopefully you’ll deliver me another package soon so I can make it up to you.
xoxo
-Carol
The bunny’s knees wobbled as the memory of the dark encounter washed over her again.
In retrospect she wasn’t just intimidated by the older woman: she was actually frightened of her. After their sexual adventure they shared a quick snack before Carol took her leave, much to the bunny’s confused disappointment.
Now seeing the basket of simple and delicious veggies made her heart swell with delight and she smiled at the thoughtfulness of it.
Evidently Carol had learned to cater to the Lapine’s simpler tastes, and Rebecca shook her head slightly as she wondered how she managed to get fresh carrots in the middle of winter.
It was her day off, and she spent most of it puttering around the loft, before stepping out in the late afternoon for a quick run.
She found herself torn between seeking Carol out again, and going to visit with Cordelia in her hive.
Ultimately she opted to visit the baker, as she didn’t want her mature new lover to think she was too clingy.
Soon enough she was in the hive sitting on one of the circular couches across from Cordelia, who in turn had another Hornet standing behind her and brushing her thick hair.
Oldeera and Christine were both still out, the queen busy working with the local law enforcement and the mechanist student still working at the university.
Just as well, as the Lapine had just finished recounting her previous night’s encounter to her baker friend, sparing little in the way of detail.
“It was incredible Cordelia!” She gushed.
The baker’s lips were pursed at the Lapine’s enthusiasm.
“Doesn’t sound very romantic.” She observed simply.
“What? No! It was! But like, in a different way. It was super intense.”
Cordelia still wore a skeptical expression as she slowly shook her head.
“You’re really smitten with this woman huh?”
“Yeah, I am.”
She measured the bunny’s demeanor carefully for several seconds before asking a rather important question.
“Are you… sorry, maybe I’m not supposed to ask this, but are you thinking of giving her your heartstone?”
The Hornet’s hand paused in working the brush through her hair.
Becks gave her a look of complete exasperation.
“I know I’m pretty swept up in this, but I’m not an idiot! It’s way too soon for that!”
“Right, right.” The baker held up her hands; “Just looking out for you, that’s all.”
“And I appreciate that, I do. But I’m a grown-ass bunny.” She said with a certain degree of swagger.
“Look at you acting all tough just cuz you caught some strange!” Cordelia said with feigned incredulity.
“‘Caught some… strange?’” Rebecca giggled; “Humans are weird!”
They shared the laugh, but then the brunette gave the Lapine an arch look.
“And yet you’re all tied in knots over one?”
Again Rebecca laughed, but brushed aside the observation and changed the subject.
“So anyways, what were you saying about this morning?”
“Not much, just that I got mugged. No big.” Cordelia said drily.
The Lapine’s mouth fell open to reveal her thick front incisors.
“WHAT?! Carrot sticks!” She cursed; “Are you okay?!”
The baker waved away her concern.
“I’m fine, just a dumb kid. My darling Hornets protected me.” She threw a wink over Rebecca’s shoulder to some of the monster girls behind her.
They returned doting smiles to their queen, but her guest still looked more than a little alarmed.
“How did this happen? I mean, where in the city?”
“Edge of the grid. And I know what you are going to say!” She forestalled the mixture of condemnation and alarm on Rebecca’s face; “‘Stay away from the slums’, but if I kept to Honnold Street the whole way it would take me twice as long!”
It had been one of the first things the Lapine had said to her: ‘Hi I’m Rebecca, call me Becks, and steer clear of the shanty towns unless you’re looking for trouble’.
Carol’s machine shop was actually just beyond the reach of the solar light grid, but Rebecca could run a helluva lot faster than Cordelia could! Plus she had never had any issues delivering to the shop…
“Cordelia-” She began worriedly, but the baker cut her off.
“What was it you just said? I’m a grown-ass bunny, er, woman.”
Once again the Hornet brushing her hair paused in her work, a look of steely determination on her face.
“We will keep our queen safe, wherever she chooses to go.”
Rebecca drew in a steadying breath as she came to realize that Cordelia really was fine, somehow she had forgotten that the brunette currently picking flour out of her nails had a small army at her beck and call.
“Well, as long as you’re okay. But what about the guy that jumped you? What did you do with him, or rather his... body?” She asked delicately while shooting a careful look to the many Hornets around them.
To her surprise, Cordelia burst out laughing.
“There was no body! All I did was give him a kick in the ass, some breakfast and a stern talking to, before sending him on his way!”
Rebecca’s mouth fell open again.
“You let him go?! What if he tries to rob you again?”
She realized the absurdity of the statement even as she said it, her cheeks turning pink and her ears turning and going flat.
Cordelia’s only response was a raised eyebrow, so Rebecca backpedalled.
“A-anyways, geeze, I guess we’re both having an eventful couple of days!”
“Fair to say. Although…” The Brunette narrowed her eyes and smirked; “I can guaran-fucking-TEE you that I’m getting more strange.”
“Oh! HEY!” Rebecca’s blush deepened and she threw a little pillow at a now-laughing Cordelia.
At least she wasn’t the only one blushing though: the Hornets around the room, and especially the one looming behind Cordelia, turned pink as well.
Suddenly one of them struck the butt of her lance against the floor.
“The queen returns!”
The harsh sound cut through the amusement and Cordelia rolled her eyes when the Lapine flinched.
“Do they have to do that every time?” Becks complained.
“No.” The brunette shot a pouting glare at the offending Hornet; “In fact I asked them not to...”
“Ah, sorry... my Queen. Force of habit.”
Oldeera buzzed down from above then, a broad smile on her face as she all but landed in her bond-mate’s lap.
“Hello honey!”
Her lips found Cordelia’s and they shared a deep kiss, Rebecca watching them with a slightly wistful smile.
Like all monster girls, she yearned for what the Hornets had.
“Mmmph, hello to you too.” The human managed between kisses; “You seem particularly randy this evening?”
The Hornet queen let out a sigh and shifted to sit next to her, settling her arm onto Cordelia’s thigh.
“We seized another shipment of contraband and arrested a number of high value targets. I’m always horny after combat.”
“Combat?” Rebecca asked with wide eyes.
“Yes, some of the men were armed, no one died, but they had to be subdued.” Oldeera offered the Lapine a welcoming smile then; “Hello by the way Rebecca, it’s good to see you again.”
“Please, call me Becks, um, your Majesty? But wait, hang on a second, armed? As in: lost-tech?” The Lapine asked with wide eyes.
The Hornet queen’s smile fell into a dour expression.
“I’m afraid so. This is the city for it, with so many digs going on it’s easy for the smugglers to move their product. In the last few years the black market here has really gotten out of hand.”
They all fell into silence for a minute as worried thoughts filled their heads.
“You’re... careful right?” Cordelia worked hard to keep her voice steady as she expressed her concern.
Oldeera squeezed her thigh reassuringly.
“Always. But don’t fret honey, you remember Miranda Holt? She arrived in the city a few days ago, and is hunting for the source of these weapons. She is one of the finest operatives I’ve worked with, so she’ll get it done.” Her eyebrow rose and one of her antennae dipped down to meet it; “Until then though, no more shortcuts through the slums.”
Cordelia rolled her eyes.
“I didn’t go into the slums! Just... near them.”
Sensing the beginnings of a potential lovers’ quarrel, and feeling very distinctly like a third wheel, Rebecca quickly took her leave.
As she walked home she found that she couldn’t stop thinking on the Hornet queen’s words.
More than anything in the world, she wanted to be part of the Aegis, to be part of that world, but in her entire life she had never even seen a lost-tech weapon.
So to hear a Hornet queen talk so casually about arresting people who actually wielded them was a mite intimidating.