After a good night's sleep, Paul didn't even want to wake up from his slumber but his blanket was slowly getting pulled by an energetic Bahamut.
"OKAY, OKAY!" He then stands up and looks at the wardrobe, taking his replica US Army Formal Greens but coloured Black and its symbols replaced with that of Eldwoods. After checking its medals and the ribbon rack, he quickly checks the Oxford shoes and leans in to see if it's still well shined. Confirming everything, he looks at the digital clock on top of the flat screen TV and sees that it is 5:45 in the Morning, a time which he wasn't used to waking up at all.
A knock then came to the door, he looked at the peephole and could see it was a Colonel.
"Ahhhh... fuck. I knew it."
He partially opens the door, hiding himself behind it.
"Good Morning Sir! Colonel Moore reports to you that the Mayor has requested your presence!"
"Yes Colonel, thank you. Anything else?"
"Yes sir! Hassan has also requested a meeting with you and the other generals!"
"Okay. Thank you Colonel."
"Sorry for the disturbance sir!" He makes a snappy salute and walks to the elevator in the hallway. Paul then looks back and stares at Bahamut.
"You woke me up because you knew he was coming didn't you?"
"Maybe."
"Grrrr..." Though his body was different and more fit, his soul was still the same and went back to bed. Sleeping nicely. After a few minutes, Alana was finished and noticed him who was in deep sleep. Knowing the time, she leans in close and whispers to him.
"If you don't wake up, I'll suck your blood and make you my servant." As if you have his life threatened, his eyes open wide, scanning the room and are shocked by the Countess' beautiful pretty face up close and personal.
"Okay, I'm awake." He looks down and around notices that the Vampire was wearing nothing, knowing the chance, he takes a long good look at her silky white skin, porcelain and clean and most of all her busty body. A true lady in all aspects.
"Oh, it stood up. Fufufuuu..."
"OHHHH OKAY, MA'AM. SPACE." In panic, he worms his way to the end of the bed and combat crawls to the bathroom where he proceeded to do his business. After 40 Minutes, he goes out of the bathroom in full Black Service uniform. Ready to go, he takes the room keys and picks up Bahamut and puts her in his jacket's inner pocket.
"Countess, ya ready?"
"Mhm."
They both go out and exit the Hotel, greeted by an M-ATV MRAP parked on the valet area with a Sergeant waiting for him. They board the mine resistant vehicle immediately and Paul instructs the soldier to first stop by an Apartment building. After dropping off the Vampire, the MRAP deviates from the direction of the City Hall and instead to the Docks.
"Sergeant, why are we going the other way?"
"While dropping off Madame, I received reports that Sir Hassan is awaiting your presence on Pier One."
"Ah, I see. What is it now I wonder."
Though traffic was relatively light, it still took twenty minutes to arrive at the Main Gates of the Dockyard where soldiers saluted the MRAP which then parked underneath a Crane where it was picking up something from a large cargo ship. Paul disembarks and immediately feels the chills of the cold Northern air of Dragovh.
"Should've bought my leather trench coat. Ugh..."
The Sergeant then led him to the staircase of the cargo ship, where he waited for a few minutes when Hassan with Trevor appeared, going down from the bridge and to the deck, talking to the ship's Captain. They say good bye and Hassan puts his hand on his shoulder.
"Pilot. I want you to look at the Crane, see what it's about to unload from the ship."
The crane slowly lifted its hook which revealed an M1A2C Abrams with the Trophy System mount.
"Woah, Sepv-Three?" Trevor then replies.
"Yep, the Men of the Woods and United Regions agreed we'll help them produce and upgrade existing Abrams models to the Sepv-Threes while in return, they give us resources. Everything is in full swing right now. We might be able to complete the second Iowa Class Battleship sitting in our Docks."
"Oh dang..."
"Yep, come. We have something else to show you."
They lead him to a nearby Warehouse, its gigantic aluminum door sliding up, revealing thirty to forty M1A2C Abrams with Trophy system attached to it, all tightly packed inside.
"Holy shi-- how many?"
"We ordered about Six Hundred if possible. By next year we'll see if that'll come true."
"Talk about the ware and tare of our production lines."
"Don't worry about it. We have so much resources now that we could justify running trains with a hundred cars like in the American states."
"Wow, really?"
"Yea and hear this. Your next assignment is guard duty. A train on the North of Geraldia, It's a short line. Only about Five hundred kilometers, it's supposed to connect the Capital of the Men of the Woods to the Starman Guild, aka the crazed Spacemen."
"When will I start?"
"In a few days, for now. Let's head to the City Hall and start plotting."
"Alrighty."
Inside the City Hall, Paul is in his office with Trevor, talking about nonsensical stuff while they wait for the Conference Room to be fully prepared.
"The Kingdom was full of low levels, like, I get it if they wanted to be a beacon or some crap but you can't go on the game without becoming powerful. So I walked in, in the intention of telling them to not go with it, and ended up taking on an entire army alone."
"Did you even have any idea how much that rose your notoriety?"
"Trev, bro I was just a lonesome Knight doing edgy things out in nowhere."
A knock then came, a beautiful brunette with a big chest partially opened the door, showing her mature and pretty face.
"Conference room is ready."
The two Generals who were having a grand time procrastinating were forced to animate themselves and get into serious mode. Lazily walking to the hallway.
"Dang, she looked nice, I wonder what Cup sizes those two plots are."
"Probably D or E."
"She could probably give that Vampire or yours run."
"Dude, she doesn't hold the coin when it comes to Alana. Vampires have otherworldly Beauty or Handsomeness for a reason, It's a weapon and it's their deadliest one."
"Then how does hers feel?"
"Haven't touched it yet. But maybe one day, I will. Have seen it though, and man, is it beautiful, pink, unGodly well rounded and plump." Paul then winked two times, taunting Trevor.
"Man, you lucky man. Guess your usual bad luck in Dark World doesn't work here."
Laughing and having a great time, the two proceed to the conference room. Little did they know this mysterious secretary was inside Paul's office. Rummaging through the files littered on his desk and taking one Folder with a big marking of "CLASSIFIED". Inside the Conference room, Hassan wasn't even there yet and the City Hall staff was still preparing everything. They run to his room and find that the files pertaining to the manifest of a Freight train he was supposed to guard is missing.
"Uhhhh... what the fuck."
"Paul, might we have been bamboozled, probably fooled..."
Now in immense suspicion, the two generals ask around if they have hired a secretary of sorts. To their dismay, this woman was not in the staff nor even a citizen as they do not have a record of someone who looks like her. Defeated, the two sit on a bench in the Main Hall, talking to the soldiers stationed there to look out for a woman. Paul then taps on his jacket, waking up Bahamut.
"Guard my Office. Make sure not a single soul gets in that place."
"Mmmm...? Sure M'Lord." Bahamut lazily appears out of his jacket, slowly flying to the third floor where his office was.
"AND DON'T EAT THE PAPERS!"
The bolo was sent fast, and one Sentry Patrol already reported seeing a woman of the same description going to an alleyway North of the city. The two generals come to life and board Humvees parked outside, telling the soldiers to follow them. Paul didn't hold back, immediately calling for some of the brand new M1A2C Abrams to come into the city and help look for the woman who stole documents while Trevor had his Marine Corps UH-1Y Venoms to scout the cityscape for her.
When they arrived at the alleyway, both exits were already blocked by MRAPs and traffic was halted as more soldiers arrived to surround the block. Even though the two men were still in their Service Uniforms, they didn't hold back and started scanning the tight concrete and brick path for any signs of life.
"We should send skeletors to check the basements."
"There's like seven stairs here leading to basements, we need more people in all cases."
As they called in more men, one of the squads headed into the middle most basement and shots were immediately heard inside. Automatic gunfire and shotguns, the door was then shut and locked, a firefight was still occurring inside, prompting the men in full combat gear to rush in. With their assault rifles up, the Breacher was about to blow a hole into the lock when the door exploded on them and a Bike flew out, the one driving was a woman for sure in leather tights. Not having any of it, Paul materializes his revolver, shooting the lady, in retaliation, she uses wind magic to distort the bullet's trajectory, making the rounds miss.
"Damn!"
Seeing as both of the exits of the alleyway were blocked, she pulls out a lever action shotgun from a holster mounted on her bike, shooting a back door open of a restaurant and going inside. When Paul was about to scream to Trevor to get in, he was already gone. Running like a madman with soldiers, he rounds the corner, planning to trap the lady when she bursts out of a shop's glass window. Scaring the pedestrians and civilian cars.
One of the players with them was about to shoot when Trevor immediately lowered his gun with his left hand. M-ATVs then appear, their tires screeching as it turns to chase down the woman on the bike.
"Hannibal to all aircrafts, to all aircrafts, I want you to fly to my location right now! Anyone with Thermals is to lead the chase! Watch your RoE, we have civies everywhere!"
Not wanting to back down, a convoy of Mine Resistant Vehicles worm their way through busy traffic, chasing down the woman. In the next block, a Peterbilt Semi truck is backing a dry van into the street, blocking her route when she purposely skids her bike underneath the trailer.
"Okay, driver turn right. TURN RIGHT!"
"Not that I can help it!"
The driver of the MRAP didn't waver and ram through the empty dry van. Destroying the towbar and armored cage of the armored vehicle while cutting the 53ft trailer in half. Paul was on edge so much he didn't even notice that he had taken off the passenger handles.
Even after going through tight alleyways, construction sites and busy traffic, the driver of the M-ATV didn't waver off, professionally driving through the areas while having the mine resistant vehicle get more battered and damaged as it rams through obstacles and objects on the road.
"CALM DOWN! WE HAVE HELICOPTERS CHASING HER!"
"I PLAYED DIRT RALLY FOR THIS VERY MOMENT SIR!"
"YOU CRAZY FUCK WILL RESPAWN ALL THREE OF US HERE!"
"NOT IF I CAN'T HELP IT!"
The chase leads to the outskirts of the city where finally, weapons are free to use. Being on a small bike, she dodges the 20mm Tri Barreled Rotary Cannon of the AH-1Z Cobra tailing her, skimming the shoreline as Marines in RHIB rubber boats start to open fire on her with the mounted M2 Brownings.
"Hellhound to Hannibal, permission to fire Hydras on her."
"Negative! That road she's on is a hazard for rock fall! She can't go anywhere else other than the steep stonewall to her right and the lake to her left!"
"Affirmative, out."
Slowly, the MRAP gets closer to the bike. Just when it was about to ram it, the classified folder flew into the passenger side windshield, prompting Paul to tell the driver to stop immediately. Now with the armored vehicles gone, she only has to worry about the helicopter and boat. Though there were more following, they were lagging behind the chase, needing to cover a few more hundred meters to actively join in the chase.
Seeing this, she sees a hairpin turn, tilting the bike up, lifting its front wheels up in the air and flying into the lake where the Marine RHIB was.
"Oh shi-" The bike slams into the Rigid Inflatable Boat. Destroying it and starting a cook off of the .50 caliber bullets stored on its bow. Angered, the AH-1Z following her opens fire around the water where she was last seen. After a few hours, the conference starts and it opens with the recent espionage attack.
"So, she's gone?"
"Yes sir. Disappeared just like that even after my Cobra unloading a hail of Twenty Mike-Mike rounds into the water and a pair of Hydra rockets." Trevor tugs Paul's arm, telling him to speak.
"She also was supposed to make a deal with some players. Don't know which Guild though. Their bodies all respawned."
"This has become troublesome. I'll delay the freight run and gather more security forces."
"I recommend helicopter patrols and soldiers on every crossing."
"It will be done."
"But who was she though?"
"None of our business now Trev. Unless you send some of those Black Ops of yours to do some investigating."
"Yea sure even though we're not supposed to be a Detective firm."
"Do not worry about such feeble things. That woman will reveal herself, I know of it."
"That's true, it's not like these Femme Fetale types weren't a thing in Dark World VR. But now, the threat they pose is thrice of what it once was."
"Well, let's leave that for later Paul. For now, let's talk about our gameplan on the movement of those rocket parts."
It was nearly Five o'clock in the afternoon and they finished the conference, four hours of nothing but planning and talking. As Paul and Trevor exited the room looking haggard and tired, they met Dennis, Phillip and James in their formals. Ready to go in.
"Doctor's pretty talkative today, have fun guys."
After exchanging some greetings and jokes, the two proceed to the Main Lobby. Deflating on the same bench they sat on that Morning.
"What a shitshow."
"You can say that again."
"Paul, I got news that the United Expedition force has actually uncovered some Ancient Secrets in Dragovh. We might finally have a way home."
"Eh, yea. So I guess we just have to last long enough?"
"Something along those lines."
"Fuck, I want to go back to sleep."
"Hassan told you, they're delaying the Freight run for a few weeks. Better be prepared to be sent back to vacation."
"Do I really have to? Like, I'm all good I swear."
"Dude, after the shape you were in. Pretty sure the other guys are deeply concerned."
"Arrghh, okay. Well, Imma pick up the Vampire and go."
"Alrighty. Gotta get Bahamut, she's probably asleep."
Paul goes back to the third floor, upon touching the door knob, he feels immense heat from it. Making him jump as his hand is burnt. Angered, he kicks the door in instead, revealing two burnt bodies underneath Bahamut who was in a form as large as a Husky.
"Oh shit..."
After some time, the Paramedics arrived. Taking in the bodies, they're recorded as Natives of the Land and after some more talks with Trevor and this time with the other head Knights of Eldwood, he finally gets the all clear to head home. A driver was then assigned to him, transporting him to the Apartment where Alana was. He hastily opens the door, looking insane to the man in the Reception desk.
"May I ask, what room did a beautiful Vampire ask for entrance?"
"Room Eight Four Two, Floor Twenty Seven."
"Domo."
Looking around the lobby, he sees a small elevator which he uses. Annoying elevator music was playing all throughout the way up to Floor 27. Wanting to go home even more, he quickly walks to their room. Knocking on the door. Immediately, a voice of a mature woman greets him.
"Who is it...?"
"Alana, it's me. Open the door will ya'?"
After hearing footsteps inside, the door was opened wide. Revealing Alana wearing an Apron with a caption "Kiss The Cook" over her magnificent gown and holding a bowl with her right arm, this sends Paul's sides to the heavens. Laughing at the sight of a dangerous Purebred Vampire looking like a normal housewife.
"Oh wow! Did you unlock the Housewife skill? AHAHAHAHAHAH!"
"Excuse me, you did order me to learn how to cook."
"Oh, so the Doll knows how?"
"Yes! And they're excellent at it! I heard that mortal men like Beef too, so I prepared some just for you. Speciality of the Minuit Estate."
"Ohhhh... you know, I've had a long day so I won't say no to that."
With a smile on his face, he closes the door behind him. Putting his hat in the coat hanger and unbuttoning his jacket, letting Bahamut fly out and check the room. The little dragon immediately started scanning the wooden floor, wiping her feet at the floor mat.
"Oh, and remove your shoes next to the entrance." the voice came from the left, where he could smell Beef cooking nicely. Feeling the hunger, he removes his Oxford Shoes and puts it next to Alana's high heels which were perfectly sat down next to a pair of childrens shoes.
Rubbing his hands together, he makes a right turn, revealing a small family table for five. Alana was busy with Alice, teaching her how to cook. Paul was curious as to her excellent cooking ability, approaching her as she cut some slices of Beef.
"So Alice, where did you learn to cook like this?"
"I think my Creator wanted a Wife of sorts as when I was questioned by Miss Alana about cooking, I seemed to have a database of how to cook."
"He probably uploaded a PDF file on everyday cuisine on your Soul or something. Well, nonetheless. Seeing a beautiful woman cook you Dinner is truly a sight to behold."
Alana giggles and looks at him. "Don't look too hard now, you might fall in love."
"Yea right. Also, that gravy smells crazy. It seems that you have a knack for this oh great Countess of the Night."
"Oh please, this is but a chore."
As he sits down on the small wooden chair, Bahamut is seen with a tiny skirt jogging out of a room as Jenny grabs her tail, slowly pulling her in. The small Dragon could only panic as she's dragged back into the room.
"Good luck." He whispers as he looks around for anything to read or get his attention away from the busy day.
"So how was your day?" As if to hit a string, Paul never felt so happy for someone to ask him something.
"Stupid, Boring and Annoying."
"Really? I heard there was a big chase that happened between the people of Eldwood and a person in a vehicle."
"Yea, I was there. Actually was in the lead vehicle. My driver really outdone himself. I don't know if I should give him a commendation and a pat on the back or an earful for making my heart beat faster than light."
"Are you fine though? It must've been a pretty bad day for you."
"No, I'm not. I'm really hungry and sleepy. I never knew I'd have this much of a hard time chasing down a woman, thank the Lord I didn't try it back in my world. I already have enough on my plate... I really wanted to have a family..."
"You should still try it, you know? As a human, love is something you might only come across once or twice."
"Yea, I know. I actually wanted a beautiful wife and two children but... yea. Work and the company exploding made things different for me. I became so busy and into my work that I forgot a lot about living."
"Well, I'm sure you can find someone."
"We'll see, I feel like I'll die first before having someone."
"Oh, don't be so negative. Sometimes you mortals sound worse than the Vampires that have lived for thousands of years and are bored out of their soul."
"What can I say? We're bound by our years. Might as well find all the emotions you can. You only get to experience all of this for once."
"Also, how do you want your Beef? With gravy already or set it aside?"
"Aside please."
Alice then suggests something.
"By any chance Mister, you'd like some Mash Potatoes?"
Paul then slowly looks at Alice, with his eyes wide open.
"Fucking yes. A bowl if you can."
After a while of more lighthearted chit-chat between him and Alana, Dinner was finally ready and everyone was on the table, except for Bahamut who was given a Dog bowl. Alana then turns around, holding a plate with an All-American Beef Steak, complete with Gravy and Mash Potatoes. Paul couldn't help but shed a tear at the magnificent sight, beautiful food being served by two beautiful women. It's everything he could've asked for in life.
The Countess was the first as she had the Knife and Fork, giving Paul the big ribeye while cutting the rest precisely into smaller slices. Without a second thought, he immediately gets the Mash potatoes and mixes in some of the gravy. He then takes a bite.
"Sooo... how is it?"
He swallows and his face lights up even more.
"Are you sure you want to be a Countess? I feel like cooking is something more suited for you."
She smiles as the light atmosphere takes everyone in. Having a good dinner and the Vampire didn't hold back, fetching some Wine and a Wine glass. Elegantly drinking it and eating the Beef Steak she cooked.
"You really are a Noblewoman. Like, never in my life would I never eat that properly."
"Well of course, it's a normal trait for us Vampires of higher status to be more posh than the others. It takes some getting used too, but it's extremely helpful in giving yourself discipline in the presence of others."
"Not only that, you're giving off an air of luxury and just, You can't touch this for a hundred years. Ahahahaha!"
"Then that means it's working isn't it? Ehehehe..."
After a long night of eating and chatting, the trio says their goodbyes to the two. Paul picks up Jenny and gives her a Silver Star that is on his uniform.
"You know, I got this Medal after defeating one of the biggest enemy bosses of the Eastern Seaboard with nothing more than a Sword and a Revolver. I'm giving it to you, be a strong little one. Life is about the journey, not the destination."
"Boo, cheesy." Alana jokingly teases his quote.
"Like you can say something better."