She was just getting ready to continue when there was a knock at the door. "Well, there is a negative. We can't see who it is and someone just walked up with no notice."
Dobin reached over and hit the open button. Standing at the door was Leo. He walked over to Lana and said, "We need to talk about that" and pointed to her chest. The reaction around the room was mixed with Dobin speaking up. "They just get that big sometimes, sir."
There were smirks around the table. There would have been laughter had not Leo been so serious. Only Kattie and Vorden knew what was under her shirt. It was getting time to make him a new bottle anyway.
She pulled the little baby out from her bra and, cradling him in her hands, showed him to Leo. She explained how she found him. She then continued imploringly, "I pieced it together. The plants said a boy with dark curly hair killed a snail thing which made a loud sound. This then woke that beast that killed his classmates which apparently you ultimately killed because you fit the description and were in the area." While he was blind and it would have no effect, she still looked him in the eyes, "Could you do it, Leo? Could you take an innocent life whose only crime was to be born at the wrong time in the wrong spot? He would have died if I had left him behind! He deserves the chance to live, to be loved!" She had tears welling up in her eyes. While Leo couldn't see her facial expression, he could see her emotions.
She then turned to the others, "Quinn is NOT to know his actions resulted in the death of his classmates. He has enough burden. Don't put this on him as well!"
He thought about everything she said and relented, "I want you to promise me if that thing becomes a danger to humanity, you will kill it."
"Deal" then right after there was a "meow". That got a giggle out of Kattie who was reminding Sven that Caser was a friend, not a tasty snack.
Leo nodded then looked around. "Where exactly are we?"
She smiled, "I'm in the employ of the Green Family to test field kitchens since I like cooking outside so much. I have even done commercials for them. This is their luxury model that is not on the market yet. We've been in here about 30 minutes and I already have some suggestions to make it better."
"You sure know how to keep yourself busy, don't you?"
"Yes sir, while the Greens and I are in different fields, it's still science."
"Are those strawberries on that table?"
Lana chuckled and offered the bowl so he could grab a few then he headed out the door. "I intend to speak to your teacher about allowing you to walk around an orange-portal planet by yourself. That was too risky." He then turned and walked away. Dobin closed the door behind him.
About 15 minutes later, Leo was standing in front of Nis looking very unhappy. "Explain to me why you allowed a student to wander around an orange-portal planet by herself!"
Nis explained everything that happened that day. How Lana not only helped her class but saved them as well. That she needed to leave if she were to save more lives. Leo then contacted Fay to request a score change for one Lana Plantwell from the assessment to match that of the other group.
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Back in the field kitchen, Lana was explaining what Duff explained to her about Pucket's plans for her. Vorden had told Sil to listen up because he had a feeling Sil was going to need to provide some influence here. He was already in potential trouble for going against Quinn. If Lana gets caught and ends up in the dungeon with Peter, there was no way he could control Sil. Normally he would make sure Sil didn't hear such a thing. But the idea of going against both of them in the same day and Sil finding out terrified him.
"What do you guys suggest we do?"
Vorden was the first to respond, "Lock you and Kattie up in my room while us boys take care of this."
"Cute dream. Next."
Dobin, "I agree with Vorden."
"Dobin, do you even fully understand what's going on here? We need to END this which means spring the trap and flip the switch in a way which gains us the evidence we need to end Duke. Pucket is just the tool here. And if I'm going to be frank, didn't I hear that Duke is after you as well, Vorden? This has to work tomorrow."
Vorden offered, "Logan provided us with communication devices when we saved Peter and Erin from Truedream. Maybe he could again and we could try to protect you that way?"
"The biggest problem is that we don't know exactly what he has planned. Duff is just supposed to get me in the park tomorrow night."
"Then we just need to be ready for anything," Almin responded.
"Don't worry," Alto said, "We won't let him hurt you."
She nodded "I think for right now, you guys should go get some rest. I want to test this place out a bit more. Duff, here is a new book. Alto, can you add water in the bathroom? I want to test the sink and shower since the toilet has been so expertly tested already…"
"Oh, Kattie. Did you want to watch me make his food really quick before you go? Guys, please wait for her. I don't want her walking by herself."
Lana to Katie, "I should have thought of this before I cleaned the kitchen…"
Kattie smiled softly, "You have a lot on your mind."
Lana then heated the stove up and followed the directions. She added the ingredients at the times specified by Kattie's father and soon a big batch was made. She filled a few jars that Alto had gotten out of her store room. She placed them in the little refrigerator to cool.
She turned to Kattie, "did I do well?"
Kattie laughed, "Do you ever make a mistake?"
Lana laughed, "all the time!"
The five then left her and Vorden alone to test the other features.
Sil swapped out as soon as Vorden closed the door behind her friends. "Can I feed Caser?"
Lana smiled, "Of course but he stays in my bra." She took off the uniform then the under shirt giving Sil easy access to feed Caser. He set her on the counter, moved in closer and held the baby's filled bottle. Caser ate with gusto. Lana's bra got wetter by the second as milk leaked from the bottle and his mouth then Caser latched on tighter. He seemed to get the hang of it. Kattie's father did warn her this could be a problem at first because they could tell the difference between a bottle and a nipple from their mother. Caser started purring and put a paw on either side of the bottle and started making biscuits, kneading the sides of the bottle. Sil took off her boots and socks while her feet were dangling.
Once he was done eating, Lana then gently used a towel from her bag to rub the wetness and his tummy just a bit to see if there was a burp that needed to come up. Sil relieved her of the burden of her wet bra and put it in her bag. The baby was asleep in moments. She left him wrapped in the towel in the top of the bag with it open so he would feel safe.
Sil grabbed her by the hand and headed toward the shower that he would gladly test out with her.
Chapter 52 – Venue Change
Sil got the shower ready and refused to allow her to undress the rest of the way. He enjoyed unwrapping his present. He went to remove his shirt and she slapped his hand and took care of that herself. Soon they were both ready to test the shower. The water temperature heated up fast so they didn't need to let it run long.it was ready before they were. The water disbursement from the shower head was perfect in both their opinions.
He started caressing her, "I don't want you out there tomorrow."
She put her hands on his shoulders and jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist. "None of us want to be out there. There is monster on the loose and he needs to be stopped. You wanted to be a super hero. So be mine." She looked him straight in the eyes when she said that. She leaned in and kissed his neck ever so tenderly. "You have three abilities right? How about invisibility to protect your identity if you can find it, Dobin's level 8 earth ability, and level 7 teleport. Stay invisible until he grabs me then touch him. We need him to talk."
Sil had fire in his eyes and pushed her against the wall to test how long the water would stay hot for.
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18 minutes.
Not for the length of time for the hot water to run out but for the water tank to empty.
Then they tested out the cot. It wasn't the most cozy but with a field mat on it, it should be good. Other than that, the bed worked just fine. They just couldn't atest for how good it was for sleeping.
Without knowing how long cleanup was to pack it back up, they stepped out at 8pm. Since her bra was coated in beast-milk, she had to put her clothing on then use level-1 armor to support Caser who was still sound sleep. They took the beast formula from the fridge and put it all in her bag. They hit the clean all then fold button then walked out. That was harder to find. It was under help. Lana thought about having that changed but then the thought of someone hitting it on accident came to mind. Best to leave that alone.
Vorden and Lana stood outside watching to see how long the process took. It was only 5 minutes.
This time they walked back to the dorms together. He walked her to her door and would not leave until she was safely inside.
Lana sent a message to Logan of the suggestions she had. She added in moving the sink to share a wall with the bathroom and have the tanks up against each other with a sensor. If someone was in the shower and needed more water, they could get it from the other tank or vise versa. He asked her to bring it up so he could adjust it but she had to tell him she could not. She was under strict orders to not leave her room without her team. He came down to her instead and made the adjustments in her room. She was feeding Caser again while Logan was working so she had to show off the cute little guy. Logan was unphased and his curiosity was fleeting. It wasn't any form of science or technology.
As Logan was leaving and she was bidding him goodnight with another sandwich, she realized something. Had her venus fly trap not died, the luxury kitchen would not have fit in that spot and she would not have been able to put it up in the Agricultural area. She was still sad about her plant but at least its death had meaning now.
The next day was upon them before they knew it. Caser was able to feed himself through the night due to proximity of the bottle but it was empty come morning. There was no wetness due to leakage over night which made her happy. Progress has been achieved! She wrapped the baby who had already gone back to sleep with a towel again and placed him in her bed with the covers while she showered. She made it quick to make sure she got him safely tucked away. She felt better with him on her. She didn't want him to be discovered.
She went to class as usual with her regular escorts. Vorden left the canteen early, presumably to go get abilities. He tapped Dobin on the way out. Who knows where he was going to get invisibility from but it was integral to the plan.
From his homeroom class: I got the two abilities. Just need his.
Lana exhaled not even realizing she was holding her breath. Thank you!
I'm skipping elemental class today and joining your class.
Okay.
Classes went as normal. After lunch, Del is making me go practice for this damned tournament.
Okay.
NOT okay. I'll see what I can do.
Lana smirked, Going to find me to heal an injury?
Smile emoji
Smile emoji
In Agricultural Club, Duff brought his watch over to show her just as they were getting ready to switch to the second half which she always spent in her tree.
Change of plans. Keep her there.
"Tell him I always stay late anyway at my tree."
Duff did and nodded to her.
Lana sent a message to Dobin and Kattie: Change of venue. My tree after class.
She received two thumbs up in response.
As soon as the first half of the class was over, she went to her tree. This month they were discussing fruit trees. She thought exploring plants with huge leaves would suit her better. She liked the results of the elephant ear when tested with Leo. He was strong so it much be okay to use against weak opponents but not strong ones. Though… Those thorns growing against that suction thing was interesting too. Would that be more beneficial to explore? Four-inch spikes could really be painful. She decided to sit on the ground under her tree and explore what she was feeling when that happened.
She built up her armor to stage-2 and brought her mind back to that moment. She was elated that she got those two hits in and saw the threat coming from the corner of her eye. She was mid-move so she couldn't stop it from getting her so she had some panic in her. Then she felt.
The spikes came out. She felt the extra weight even though it wasn't that much. She smiled. Come get me, Pucket.