Reborn as a Fire Mage!, page 31
“You’re choosing man-horses over a cool firefighter slash fire mage?”
“That’s right,” Selene laughed, then turned toward the door and formed her hands around her mouth like a megaphone. “Saddle up, Oliver, let's get out of here.”
“I think that Scarlett has gotten you a little bit tipsy,” I said.
Scarlett crossed her arms. “Really? I only gave her four shots of this stuff you call whiskey.”
“Four shots? Man alive!” I said with wide eyes.
Selene belched then giggled. “Excuse me.”
“So, my hot ass succubus, how is the flying coming along? You were gone for a while today.”
“It’s going very well, thank you for asking.”
I motioned for her to keep talking. “Soooo, where did you go? You’ve started to leave the perimeter.”
“Is that a problem?” Scarlett asked.
“No, no problem at all.”
“Good, I went several miles south then turned back. There are large herds of fiends in that direction. It gave me the creeps.”
I raised my voice in nervous excitement. “How far away are these herds? Are they coming this way?”
“I saw small herds of fifteen or less, but I saw herds of fifty plus. The large herd was going south. The smaller herd just wandered around aimlessly.”
“I’m going to guess that the large herd had a couple of augmented fiends holding the reins,” I replied confidently.
“I agree,” Scarlett replied with a nod.
Selene scoffed. “Yeah, augmented fiends are a real pain in the ass.”
I rubbed Boz’s back. She was quiet, and I wanted to know why. “Are you doing okay?”
“I’m sorry that I’m not sociable. My mind is preoccupied right now.”
My interest doubled, and I placed my arm around you. “Anything you want to talk about?”
“My thoughts are with the citizens of Festerfield. I can’t imagine their suffering right now. The centaurs have taken over and killed many of them. Gods know what they are doing with the ones they took prisoner. I am ashamed that I was unable to help them.”
“Boz, there was nothing you could do. There was nothing any of us could do. If we’d gone up against the centaurs, we’d be dead or imprisoned right now. I’m sad we couldn’t help them either, but we did what we had to do,” I replied with a compassionate but stern tone. Boz needed to understand that she couldn’t blame herself. This is all on the Bureau and the centaurs.
Selene began rubbing her back on the other side. Her red glasses reflected Boz’s face in the moonlight. “Mason’s right. We did what we had to do. I’m hurting inside as well. I’m not only sad by the death. My livelihood was taken from me. I’ve spent two years running that shop. I started with nothing, but I worked hard to make it into one of the premier places to shop.”
Scarlett exhaled and shook her head. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea it was that bad in Festerfield.”
“We need to regroup and return. I fear many sleepless nights unless I help those people. We have to do something. I can’t just sit here like everything’s fine when those people are suffering,” Boz’s eyes were filled with tears.
“I’m with you Boz, something has got to be done,” Selene added.
“If you like, I will fly to Festerfield and scout the area. I will give you a status update. We can decide on a proper strategy,” Scarlett said with confidence.
I shook my head and held out my hand. “No, that’s too dangerous. You can’t go all the way to Festerfield by yourself. I’m not against helping Festerfield. I think it's the right thing to do, but we have to be smart about it. We can’t just let our emotions drive us. That’s how you get yourself killed. Hell, that’s how I got killed on Earth. I let my emotions take control, and I got myself in a situation I didn't need to be in. I paid the price with my life.”
“I’ve heard this story, Mason,” Scarlett said. “You also have to remember that you saved two lives, and one of them was a baby. Your emotions saved lives.”
Selene nodded. “That was a very honorable way to die. I’m fine dying if I can help some people there. A lot of children lived in Festerfield. I can’t imagine the fear they feel as we stand here right now. We’ve gotta do something,” Selene sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her hand.
“Mason, I’ve got to go check it out. Please let me go,” Scarlett pleaded.
“No, it's too dangerous, and I can’t bear the thought of you being hurt, killed, or captured. If we do something, it has to be together.”
“I agree with Mason. It's too dangerous and too far away for you to go by yourself,” Boz said with tear-filled eyes.
Selene placed her hand on Scarlett’s hand on the railing. “We just met today, and I’m certain you don’t care about my opinions yet, but I agree with these two. You weren’t there. You didn’t see how savage this centaur army was. Please don’t go.”
“Alright, alright. I won’t go. We need to have a house meeting with the others in the morning to come up with some sort of plan.”
“I’ve got no problem with that. We’ll talk after breakfast in the morning.”
All of us decided to go to bed a few minutes after our conversation about saving Festerfield. I crawled into bed between Lola and Piper. Scarlett and Boz followed shortly after. I laid in the middle of four drop-dead gorgeous women. I didn’t think life could get much better than this. My stomach dropped a couple of seconds after I thought that. I pictured the citizens of Festerfield in a makeshift prison. I see corpses of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters decompose on the streets. We had to do something, but I just didn’t know what. Our best offensive was left behind, and I didn’t know if we had the RP funds to replace it. We couldn’t just roll into town on Oliver’s wagon. I tried to push the images out of my mind. If I didn’t, I would never get to sleep. If I didn’t sleep, I wouldn’t be able to put a good plan together. I took some deep breaths and pictured myself in my beach chair, listening to the waves crash on South Beach. A few minutes later, I was gone.
“Mason!” Selene shouted from the kitchen. I jolted awake and rolled out of bed. I darted down the hallway in only my boxer shorts.
“What, what happened?” I asked as the others trailed in behind me, wiping the sleep from their eyes.
I found this note on the table. I raised a brow and grabbed the small piece of paper. The message was from Scarlett.
My dear loved ones,
I know that I wasn’t supposed to go to scout Festerfield, but I’m going anyway. Hey, I’m a succubus. We don’t follow the rules. I’m sure Mason will be livid, but he’ll get over it. I’ll be fine, and I’ll contact you when I get there. Don’t call me while I’m flying. It isn’t safe to talk on the communicator and fly. Right? Anyway, I love you all, and I will call you soon!
Your favorite succubus,
xoxo
Scarlett
Chapter Fourteen
“Dammit, Scarlett! She told me that she wasn’t going to go!” I shouted and threw the note on the floor.
“Yup, she said in the note that you’d be livid. She was right,” Lola said with a shallow nod.
“Really, Lola?” Piper shook her head.
Boz broke her silence. “What are we going to do?”
“We’re going to hope she gets there okay. She says she’s going to contact us when she arrives,” I sat down on one of the dining room chairs and began scratching the back of my head.
“She also said she wasn’t going to go to Festerfield. So, I’m not so sure we can believe she’s going to call,” Lola said at an almost inaudible volume.
“Not helping,” I said dryly.
“You’re right, sorry. I’m going to be quiet now.”
“Well, that’s a first,” Piper scoffed.
Lola cut evil eyes at her sister, but she kept quiet.
“I saw her flying around after we arrived yesterday. She’s pretty fast. It shouldn’t take her long to get there,” Hestia added.
“We don’t know what time she left, though,” Selene said.
“I bet we hear from her really soon,” Hestia smiled warmly.
Boz turned around and darted toward the bathroom. She slammed the door behind her.
I pinched my eyebrows together. “Is she alright?”
We heard a noise that sounded like she was vomiting. Piper walked down the hallway to the door and knocked on it. “Everything okay?”
A couple of moments later, Boz opened the door and nodded. “I’m okay.” The lizard girl walked over to one of the plush chairs in the living room and plopped down on them. She exhaled loudly.
“Boz, you’ve been sick ever since the ride home from Petunia’s farm. You were nauseous then, and you didn’t feel well last night on the roof. Do you need some more nausea meds?” I asked with concerned eyes.
“No, I’m alright. I know what’s causing my nausea issues.”
“Have you been eating something that doesn’t agree with you?” Piper asked as she put her hand on the lizard girl’s shoulder.
“There’s really no easy way to say this. I am pregnant,” Boz said as tears welled up in her eyes.
I spit the coffee that I had just poured in my mouth all over the kitchen table. “What?”
Lola screamed in excitement. “Holy fucking shit! I’m gonna be an aunt!”
“I can’t believe it. You and Mason just did it one time, right?” Piper asked with a brow raised.
“Yes, just the one time,” Boz replied.
“Well, that’s all it takes,” Selene responded.
“Mason, are you going to say anything or just sit there?” Piper asked as she crossed her arms.
I exhaled and shook my head. “Did I hear Boz right, or am I going completely insane? She’s pregnant.”
“You heard it correctly, you bad boy you!” Lola laughed.
“I’m sorry, Mason. I know this is something you don’t want,” the lizard girl began to sob.
I stood up and walked over to Boz. I knelt in front of her in the chair and embraced her tightly. “Don’t be sad. I’m just a bit shocked. I didn’t know that humans and lizardkin could procreate.”
“Umm yeah, you have a dick, and she has a pussy...right?” Lola asked.
“Well, of course, but on Earth, lots of animals have pussies, and I can’t get them pregnant,” I replied with a shrug, then I looked back at Boz. “I’m excited. This just took me by surprise, especially with everything else that has gone on this morning.
“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said anything until Scarlett is back home and safe.”
“I’m glad you did. I’m your husband, and I need to know these things. Don’t worry about the timing,” I lifted the lizard girl’s chin and kissed her softly.
“What are you going to name it?” Lola interjected loudly.
“Well, we haven’t gotten that far yet,” I replied sarcastically.
“Congratulations, this is wonderful news,” Selene said as she walked over to hug us both.
“What’s the gestation period for a lizardkin?” I asked.
“Three months,” Boz responded quickly.
“Wow, six less than human babies, interesting,” I replied with a nod.
“Mason, come in, Mason!” Scarlett’s voice blasted through the communicator. Her voice wasn’t normal. She sounded scared.
I put my finger on the communicator behind my ear quickly. “Scarlett! God, you had us worried! Are you okay?”
“No, Mason, I should have listened to you,” Scarlett said through sobs.
“Oh shit, what happened?” I asked with terrified eyes.
“As I flew around the city, there was a centaur hitting a young child in an alley. He kept on and on. I just knew he was going to kill the little girl. I swooped down and slit his throat. Other centaurs in another area of the city saw me dive to the ground. Right after I killed the centaur and checked on the little girl, I was surrounded. They took me to this woman, who’s supposed to be the queen of these monsters. Her name was Mazara, and she told the centaurs to beat me then throw me into a cell. I’m chained to a wall in a jail cell in the basement of the Festerfield Jail.”
“Oh my God, you said they beat you? How bad?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“I don’t have a mirror to look at, but my face is bloody, and my left eye is swollen shut. They stomped on my right knee, but I don’t think it is broken. I’m so sorry, Mason. Why didn’t I listen to you?” Scarlett began to sob once more.
“Don’t you worry about that at all. We’re going to get you out of there! Hang on, okay?” I pleaded with the succubus.
“Oh no, the guard just saw me holding the communicator. They’re going to rip it out of my neck. NOOOOO! STAY AWAY FROM ME! MASON, HELP ME!” The signal was lost after that. I was angry and flipped over the kitchen table.
“Fuck! They have her! We’ve got to go! Shit, we don’t have the Bulldog!” I shouted in unbelievable frustration.
“I can take you,” Oliver said from down the hallway. I had forgotten the little gnome was even here.
“Thanks, buddy, but you’ll get yourself killed. We need something that is fast and has weapons. We need a fucking Bulldog!” I yelled toward the ceiling. “Oliver, I’m not yelling at you, man.”
“I know that. Don’t worry. I wish I could help you,” Oliver replied warmly.
“There is one thing you can do.”
“Sure, anything,” the gnome shifted his brown floppy cowboy hat.
“Boz can’t go with us. She’s pregnant. I need someone to stay with her. I would ask one of the girls, but I’m going to need them all if we’re going to get Scarlett.”
“I will be happy to do that for you. No problem,” Oliver replied with a nod and a tip of his hat.
Boz stood to her feet. “Mason, I’m fine to go. I’ll be careful.”
“Absolutely not. You’re carrying our baby. You’re staying right here. We’ll be fine.”
“What are we going to do? Walk?” Piper asked.
“Nope, I’m fixing to blow through our RP reserves, I’m afraid. I need to find something with armor, guns, and speed.”
“I’m fast. I can run there then run in and try and get her out that way,” Hestia added.
“No, I appreciate the offer, but that’s suicide. Let’s say you do get in there. She’s injured and you won’t be able to move as fast to escape. That’s not going to work.”
“You’re right, and I didn’t even think about that. Shoot,” Hestia replied with a head shake.
I darted over to the terminal and booted it up. I could have used my wrist terminal, but the main terminal was easier to navigate and quicker. I flipped through the pages on the store for the next five minutes until I found what I wanted. The price tag was 300,000 reward points. I had just enough to buy the thing, but there wouldn’t be anything left over for upgrades. We needed the RP scraps for ammo.
M1A2 Abrams Tank
120 mm L/44 M256A1 smoothbore gun (40 rounds)
1 × .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun with 900 rounds
2 × 7.62 mm (.308 in) M240 machine guns with 10,400 rounds (1 pintle-mounted, 1 coaxial)
Maximum Speed 42 mph
“Fuck yeah, this is perfect,” I pumped my fist then hit the purchase button. The tank was enormous, so I had to put it outside. There was room in front of the gate where we parked the Bulldog. I moved the red outline of the tank out to the spot, and the outline turned green. I clicked the purchase button again, and we were the new owners of a fucking tank.
We darted outside and stood in awe of the steel monstrosity at our disposal. This tank was legendary and would serve us well against the centaurs.
Lola’s jaw dropped. “This is fucking awesome. I mean...wow.”
Piper stood there speechless, but her eyes said all she needed to say.
“Do you know how to drive this? It looks like it’s going to be awfully complicated,” Hestia said as she walked around the new vehicle.
“I can do it. When I sit inside, a tutorial will pop up, showing me what to do. You guys can handle the guns and let me do the driving. I’m a terrible shot anyway.”
Piper looked confused. “This thing looks great and all, but it’s going to be really slow...right?”
I shook my head and patted the tank like it was a horse or dog. “It’s one of the fastest tanks ever created. Its max speed is 42 mph. We’ll arrive in Festerfield in a little over two hours. There’ll be no stopping for fiends, and this thing will plow right through them.”
“Eventually, we’ll upgrade it to use plasma weapons, but I already looked, and it’s costly to upgrade. Rest assured that these stock weapons will do the job. This thing is a beast. These centaurs won’t know what hit them.”
Selene stuck her head through the hatch. “Alright, guys, I’ve gone through the tutorial. I just did the basics, so we could get this thing moving. I can do the advanced tutorial on the way there. Let’s hit the road!”
She dropped back into the bowels of the steel behemoth and cranked it up. The engine roared and sounded like a hungry monster.
I jumped up excitedly, followed by the cat girls. “These smaller guns on the sides of the hatch are the 7.62 mm, and the big one at the front of the hatch is the 50 caliber.”
“What’s that long gun on the front?” Lola pointed.
“It’s the smoothbore cannon that shoots 120 mm rounds. It will fuck shit up big time,” I chuckled, then dropped inside with Selene.
My excitement was at a fever pitch to use this machine. I sat beside the German hottie and watched her take the controls. We slowly moved forward and trundled out of the gate.
“Wow, this is powerful as fuck,” Selene said as she gave me a high-five.
“Hey, now. I’m the girl that’s known for giving high-fives. Don’t leave me hanging!” Lola shouted as she gave Selene and me a forceful high five followed by an ear-piercing scream that was supposed to be a battle cry or something I gathered.
The road was smooth enough that we were able to maintain the tank’s max speed. We plowed through an entire herd of twenty fiends on the road. This tank was amazing. I called Boz when we got to the halfway point on our journey to take on the centaurs. I wanted to make sure she was okay. The lizard girl kept apologizing for not helping us in the rescue. She even started to apologize about the pregnancy. I have only myself to blame for her feeling terrible about the pregnancy. I didn’t handle her announcement as well as I should have. The news came out during a stressful time worrying about Scarlett’s capture, but I could have reacted much better. The old saying, “it takes two to tango,” applies here. The thought of getting someone pregnant hadn’t crossed my mind since arriving on Lelara. I had no idea why it wouldn’t. The pregnancy was ultimately my fault for being an irresponsible bonehead. I didn’t cum in girls back on Earth without a rubber on. Why would I do it here?
