Advent Provides

by ThisIsARealAccount

Sometime after Advent arrived and established dominion over Earth, things are starting to heat up again. The terrorists have been reinvigorated, and are causing chaos in the city. A cynical Advent VIP with a checkered past, and a distrust of aliens, tries to navigate through this new world without being killed.

9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I'm in the limo again, sitting down in the back. I look around and see that I'm sitting on the ceiling. There was a body of an advent trooper in the middle of the cabin laying in an increasing pool of orange blood. The floor had broken glass sprinkled around it. I felt the weight of something in my hands, so I looked down and saw I was holding a magnetic pistol. There were no sounds around me, just the rhythmic beating of my heart. The door to the limo was open, so I pointed my pistol at it.

A young man poked his head in through the door. He looked to be in his early twenties. He wore this tattered grey armour that bore symbols I didn't recognise. None of them were Advent. He gestured for me to come outside. I didn't want to shoot him, but his sudden entrance, and the fact he wasn't Advent caught me off guard, so I pulled the trigger. All three shots I fired hit him in the face, which sent a tidal wave of blood into the limo. Covering me and the inside of the limo in red liquid.

The blood didn't reach my face, but the rest of my body was covered, even the corpse of that Advent trooper was a new shade of red. I was horrified, and I felt the gun slowly slip out of my hands before hearing it clatter on the floor. I sat there for a long time, just staring at the headless body of that guy. I felt compelled to do what he was gesturing for me to do, so I started crawling towards the door. As I reached it I felt something grab my leg and throw me back to where I was sitting.

I looked up and saw it was the advent trooper. He pointed at me and said. "Stay in the limo." With that weird voice they all had.

I wanted to see what was out there, I had to see what was out there, so I grabbed the magnetic pistol and shot him. A hole was punched in his chest. Orange blood sprayed out of his body, as he tipped over on his back. As I crawled out of the limo, I saw rebels surrounding the area. All of them wore the same grey armor balaclava outfit, and were wielding assault rifles. There was nothing that individualized them. They did not react to my presence. I heard what sounded like struggling, so I looked to my right and saw a viper coiled around a rebel without a mask.

Both the rebel and the viper looked me in the eyes. I stood up and pointed the magnetic pistol I was holding at the viper and yelled. "Drop him!"

The viper snorted and looked annoyed. She bit down on the rebel's neck. I watched him convulse and scream for several moments before he was still. She released his body, letting it fall to the ground. I watched her closely and hovered my finger over the trigger. She cautiously approached me. Slithering at a creeping pace, like a predator sneaking up on its prey. When she got within 5 feet of me I couldn't take it anymore. "Don't come any closer, or I'll shoot!"

The viper halted and cocked her head. Her tongue was flicking out slower. "Why would you want to do that, Lucas?"

What, how did she know my name? I looked at her shoulder pad and saw 117-45-LH printed on it. What is she doing here? 11-7 started to slither towards me. I braced myself and kept pointing the gun at her. "Why are you here?"

An innocent looking smile crept across her face."To protect you, silly." She paused for a moment after speaking, and continued to slither towards me.

I kept pointing the gun at her. She didn't look like she meant harm, but I remember what happened here. "Go away 11-7, I don't want to have to hurt you!"

She halted at my outburst and looked confused. "Are you sure that is your wish, Lucas?"

I waved the pistol in a direction. "Yes, leave now!"

She looked dejected, but turned to leave. "I will comply." was all she said.

I saw her slither off. The rebels surrounding us parted for her, and moved back together once she passed through, swallowing her up in a sea of bodies. I looked around, the area was empty except for the limo, that corpse, and the rebels. I felt an uneasiness pervade through the air. One of the rebels left formation and walked up to me. I didn't point my gun at him, I only watched his movements.

He spoke with a gruff sounding voice, that made me guess he was in his 40's. " Lucas Hickey. You have been charged with conspiracy, knowingly aiding the enemies of humanity and lying to the public, high treason, fraud, and murder. You are sentenced to - death, may god have mercy on your soul, - Advent scum."

I pointed my gun at him and emptied the clip. The magnetically propelled bullets ripped through his torso, and knocked him to the ground. "It wasn't supposed to end like this!" was all I was able to say before the rebels surrounding me began firing their rifles.

I screamed as the bullets hit my body and woke up sweating. I was in my bed, but no light streamed in through my window. I looked at my phone and saw the time 4:00 AM. I can't take it anymore, this has to end. I have to do something about this. I grabbed my phone and messaged Manny. I told him I had been having horrible dreams about what I saw at the speech incident, and that it was affecting my sleep. I did not mention any details. I asked him for a recommendation on what I should do.

I set my phone down, expecting to get a response tomorrow, but as soon as I laid back down I heard a ding. I sat back up and looked at the message.

"Dear Mr. Hickey, I am sorry to hear this. I am not a therapist, but I would recommend heading to the nearest clinic as soon as possible." Maybe he only sleeps for like 4 hrs too, like 11-7.

"I don't want to be prescribed a bunch of pills. Is there anything else I could do?"

I waited for a few moments, and got his response. "There is a mind and body wellness center that is new and popular with the public, but it is difficult to get in short notice."

"If you can get me in, do it. I wouldn't be asking you if this wasn't serious."

He responded immediately. "I will see what I can do. Have a good evening Mr. Hickey."

"I appreciate it." I set my phone back on my nightstand. Maybe I'd finally get some respite from these dreams. I didn't feel like going back to sleep and having more dreams, so I figured I'd go watch some TV.

I threw on some pants and a shirt, and went out into the hallway. 11-7's bedroom door was closed, but I could hear the tv was on. Did I forget to shut it off last night? No I'm sure I... wait, - she was back. Thank god, I was really worried there for a while. I rushed into the living room, excited to see her again, and saw something I wasn't prepared for. She was in the kitchen - deep-throating a large hunk of meat I couldn't identify. It was grey and veiny on the outside, with a white tender looking center. It was huge, maybe like the length and thickness of my whole leg, and she was probably about halfway through eating it. While I was gawking at her, she seemed to be enjoying herself. Her eyes were half-lidded, and they slowly drifted over in the direction I was standing. Upon seeing me, her eyes went wide, and she froze. We locked eyes for a few agonizingly long moments, the only sound in the room coming from the tv. I didn't really know what to say.

Seeing as her mouth was currently occupied, I decided to try and break the awkward silence. "Uh, having a midnight snack I see, heh." She continued to stare at me. "I'll just go sit on the couch."

I sat down on the couch to watch tv, and let 11-7 finish swallowing whatever the hell that was. Some action movie was playing. It wasn't one I had seen before. Hmmm, must be new. A few minutes later I saw 11-7 slither into view. I could see a clear bulge on her body well below her waist. No wonder she can eat so much, she has a long stomach. She kept her distance from me, and didn't look me in the eyes.

I saw the tip of her tail curl up as she spoke. "I'm sorry you had to - witness that Lucas. I try to eat when you are asleep."

She's been eating with me all day, and at night she eats large chunks of meat? I'd hate to know how much it costs to feed just her, much less a whole platoon of vipers. "It's fine, - I'm fine." I sighed and tried to force a smile. "It's not anything I haven't seen you do before. It was just... bigger."

She looked at me, and scanned my face. Probably trying to figure out if I was lying. Little did she know, I was too tired to lie, too tired to care. "This doesn't bother you?"

"Well, I didn't want to see that, but I'm not scared. I gotta be honest though, this wasn't the kind of reunion I was picturing in my head." I chuckled after saying that last line.

She relaxed. Her curled tail flattened out. "Thank you, Lucas." She paused for a few moments taking some time to look me over before speaking again. "What are you doing up so early?"

How much does she know about my sleep schedule? Either way, I am not sharing my dreams with her. "Just woke up early, and didn't feel like going back to sleep... How was the hospital?"

She gave me a curious look, but let me change the subject. "Unproductive, it was a busy night and they took a long time to treat me." She pulled the sleeve up on her right shoulder to reveal a small circular patch of lightly colored orange skin. "The physician said the scales will grow back in time." She pulled her sleeve back down.

"That's good, to hear. I wouldn't worry about the scar too much, they tend to look cool. Want to watch tv?"

She shook her head. "It is my time to sleep. I will awaken in 4 hours." She turned to slither away.

I spoke loudly down the hallway. "Night then." She flicked her tail in my direction as she closed her bedroom door. I guess it was a gesture of her acknowledgment.

Well, I get some alone time then I guess. I watched tv for some time, and eventually fell asleep. When I woke up sunlight beamed through the window directly into my eyes.

"Agh. Damn sun." I rubbed my eyes and stood up.

11-7 was sitting in her usual spot on the other side of the couch watching tv. She glanced over at me as she spoke. "Sleep well Lucas?"

"Huh, yeah I did, actually. Why'd you pull my blinds up?"

She looked at me and frowned. "Are you afraid of the sun?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm just wondering."

She gestured to the window. "Unlike you, I enjoy basking in sunlight."

I looked over at her, and sure enough, she had positioned her body to soak in the sunlight that was coming through that window.

I smirked and mumbled to myself. "Heh, just like a snake. Maybe I should get her some substrate, and a big rock to lay on."

11-7 squinted her eyes. "What did you say?"

"Oh, nothing..." I walked over to my room and grabbed my phone. I had a new message from my manager.

It read. "Mr. Hickey, I have secured you a spot at the Advent Relaxation Center today. Your appointment will be in the afternoon at 2pm. Make sure you are there. You will receive a full treatment, compliments of Advent. Do enjoy yourself, and inform me if it helps. If it doesn't I can organize an appointment for you at the nearest clinic."

Manny, you are a miracle worker. It was strange how much he's been helping me out lately. Who knows, and who cares. I walked back into the living room with a big smile on my face, and plopped down on the couch.

11-7 looked over at me. "What are you so happy about?"

"I just got a ticket to the Advent Relaxation Center today."

She cocked her head and her tongue flicks slowed. "What is that? Why are you going?"

"It's a place that people go to to relax and unwind, and why not, could always use more relaxation."

11-7 stretched out lazily and leaned back on the couch. "I do not disagree."

"Yeah, Ron should be getting here around 1pm, or so. So, we've got some time." I leaned back on the couch and watched tv for a bit. My stomach grumbled and reminded me that I haven't eaten anything yet.

I looked over at 11-7. "You hungry?" The moment those words left my lips, she looked at me with focus. "You're serious? I mean you did eat a big chunk of meat like 4 hours ago."

She blinked. "It was 5 hrs and 43 minutes ago that I last ate, I am hungry."

"Well, since I'm hungry too, I guess I could whip us up something."

11-7 nodded her head. I went out into the kitchen and checked the freezer at the bottom of my fridge. "Ah perfect, still got some synth-sausage patties." The whole thing was actually there, still unopened. I threw some bread in my toaster and started heating up a pan. I threw some butter in a pan and waited until it melted. Once I started cooking the sausage patties I heard some rustling over by the couch and felt a presence behind me.

I turned my head and saw 11-7 right behind me stretching her head out over my shoulder staring at the pan. Her tongue was flicking in and out faster than usual, but hanging in the air longer. "Jesus Christ! Do you even know what personal space is?."

She ignored my comment. "What is that?" She pointed at the sausage.

I shook my head and chuckled. "What, you didn't hear about this in one of the cooking shows you watched? It's imitation pig flesh, or as the package calls it: Synth-Sausage Patties."

She nodded. "They smell good." She was entirely focused on the patties frying in the pan.

She really is still hungry after sucking down a chunk of meat larger than my leg 6 hrs ago. "I guess you can have the first one." Not long after, we were back on the couch. I was enjoying my sandwich, but 11-7's was long gone.

As I was eating a thought occurred to me. "So, you've eaten butter and cheese. I'm pretty sure snakes aren't supposed to have dairy." I took a bite of my sandwich.

11-7 looked over at me and snorted. The natural scowl that adorned her face deepened "You should not compare me to your terrestrial snakes. I am not a snake, or a - reptile."

I smirked and gestured to her body. "Well..." I swallowed a bite of my sandwich. "You are very snake-like in appearance, and you swallow food like a snake." I paused for a few moments to think of other things to say, she did not look amused as I continued. "You eat a lot of meat, and you are currently basking in the sunlight."

11-7 crossed her arms and gestured to me. "I could compare you just as easily to your terrestrial apes. For one thing, you both stink. For another, you are both hairy." She chuckled in a snake-like manner after saying that.

I pointed at her. "Hey, I bathe daily, and I'm not completely covered in hair."

I saw the edges of 11-7's lips curl upwards slightly. "And I do not only consume meat. Do your terrestrial snakes have arms?"

I gave up. "Okay, fine. I guess you got me. I was just trying to make sure you weren't gonna get sick, or something."

She looked indignant, and gestured at me. "I won't get sick. I am not a child, who just eats whatever is put in front of me. I am aware of what I can and cannot eat."

"I see, well that's good to know... So, you're an adult?"

11-7 squinted her eyes and crossed her arms. "I am. Did you expect Advent to assign a child to guard you?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, it's not like I've studied your biology. - I don't really know anything about you."

Her expression changed from being annoyed to being interested. She looked me up and down before smiling. "It seems that I am at an advantage." She gestured to my body as she spoke. "I was taught some of your basic anatomy, - but it was purely for combat purposes. Mainly, where to shoot, bite, or constrict. I told you before I learned some of your history and language. But, before I lived here the longest time I've interacted with a human was a period of a few minutes, and she aggravated me. I've learned much since my arrival."

I'm surprised she cares about humans at all. Can't say I ever gave vipers more than a passing glance before that terrorist attack on my speaking event. "I remember you saying something about that the other day. So, what does that make me then, a science experiment? - Is Advent involved?"

She started giggling. "No, it is for my interest only. I am not the only one who is learning, you are as well, whether you are trying or not." She paused for a few moments and looked away in thought. Then she looked back at me. "You can ask me any questions you want, unlike you I am not afraid of certain questions."

Was she really offering to answer any question I had? I could learn anything I wanted to about her. I looked at her face, it didn't seem like she had any ulterior motives, it seemed like she wanted to teach me something. But what to ask, she kind of put me on the spot here. Maybe I'll just ask something simple to break the ice. Something that she couldn't possibly make weird. "Anything I want, huh... How do your venom glands work?" Perfect, simple anatomy question, and they're probably in her head anyway.

She looked confused and her tongue flicks slowed. "My - glands? - I thought you were scared before?"

What did she mean by that? I guess she's still hung up about when she bit me. "Hey, I'm over it. It's not like I need to be scared by that anymore."

She smiled. "You surprise me, I'll tell you." She moved closer towards me. "You remember from the physician, how much venom my kind can inject."

I nodded. "It was like - enough to fill a small glass, right?"

She nodded. "Affirmative. I can bite more than once, and inject more venom." She tapped above her nostrils with a clawed finger. These glands are too small for that, I have another set of glands that store even more venom." I started to get the feeling I made a mistake when she looked down at her chest. It became more apparent when she grabbed her boobs and jostled them a few times with her hands. I felt my face start to warm up. "What did you call my glands yesterday... tei - tsss? I understand human females have something similar, but I think they are not for storing venom... What purpose do they serve on humans?" She looked up at me, while still lifting up her boobs.

I wasn't sure how to react, how do you react in a situation like this? She clearly didn't know why they had an affect on me, but she knew that they did. Is she intentionally trying to fuck with me? This is apparently gonna keep coming up, I should say *something* to sate her curiosity. I looked away from her. "Uhhh, they are for - nursing babies."

As I looked back at her, she let go of her boobs and cocked her head. "Nursing? - What is that?"

I wish I didn't have to go in more detail. I cleared my throat. "They produce milk, - and babies drink it until they are old enough to eat regular food."

She leaned her head back slightly and scrunched up her face. "Humans produce milk, - and your young drink it? Like the animals do?" She paused for a few moments. She squinted her eyes and pointed at my chest. "Do - you produce milk?"

That caught my attention. I shook my head and gestured with my hands. "No, I do not produce milk! Only women do that."

She stopped scrunching up her face. "Intriguing. It is good to know I do not have to worry about you releasing any milk."

"You know what, I think you're messing with me."

She crossed her arms, and turned her head away from me. "I am doing no such thing. What are you meaning?"

I smirked, and pointed at her "venom glands". "I don't believe that your tits are venom glands. That doesn't make any sense."

She smirked right back at me and leaned her head forward, arms still crossed. "You said you didn't know anything about me, now you act like you do."

Now she's getting me riled up. "Look, this is just too weird for me, - and - you're acting weird." I gestured to her as I spoke. "If your venom glands were actually in your chest that would be absurd."

She furrowed her brow. "It is as - absurd as producing milk from your chest. How would you possibly remove the milk? Humans don't have fangs."

This is too much. " - Let's not get off topic here."

She stopped talking and looked away in thought for a few moments. Then she looked back at me and a wide grin spread across her face. "You don't believe me, - there is an easy solution. I could give a demonstration."

I walked right into this one didn't I, but I'm not about to back down. "Ok fine, but you are keeping your shirt on."

She giggled. "I never said I was going to remove it." Before I could respond she slithered off to her room.

A few moments later she came back with a bucket and a sheet of some kind of plastic material. She set them both down on the coffee table and stretched the plastic material over the bucket. The plastic looked like it had a rubbery texture to it.

She wrapped the tip of her tail around the bucket and held it in front of her face using her tail. Her eyes focused on me as she leaned forward and opened her mouth. I watched as her intimidating fangs unfolded from the roof of her mouth, and she bit into the sheet over the bucket. It made a strange sound as she bit into it, it sounded like someone rubbing a balloon. Which sounded familiar... "Naaw whach heee." I chuckled a little as she spoke with a bucket in her mouth, but she ignored me. She turned sideways and I watched as she grabbed both of her "venom glands'' with her hands and squeezed. I heard what sounded like liquid shooting into the plastic bucket.

I figured it would be just like a quick squeeze and done, but she kept squeezing them. Her hands were large, much bigger than my own. Each hand perfectly cupped each gland. Her glands looked soft and pliable, with some weight to them. They honestly seemed like regular boobs. I could even see some of them poking out in between each of her fingers as she gripped them... After a few moments I realized I was staring a little too closely at her breasts. I quickly looked up at her face instead. She was staring at me. She didn't see that, right? Whatever the case she stopped squeezing after some time, and removed the bucket from her mouth.

She practically shoved the bucket in my hands using her tail. "Look."

I looked in the bucket and sure enough, there was some lime green venom sloshing around in there. I looked back up at her. "Ok, so there is venom in here, - but how do I know it came from your - other glands?"

"I knew you would say that." She put her hands on her - hips, and thrusted her chest out. "Do you notice anything different?"

I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be looking for, but I got the hint. I examined her glands, and they looked - smaller? "Did they get smaller?"

She nodded, and smiled slightly. "Yes, this is your proof."

I couldn't believe it, who the hell comes up with this stuff. I mean, venom glands inside her chest that happened to be shaped like breasts? This sounded like an excuse to slap tits on something that probably shouldn't have them. But here they were, right in front of me, functioning just like she said they did. "I guess you're right. It's not where I would have put them, but that's what they are." I set the bucket down on the coffee table.

She slithered back onto the couch and laid down. "And where would you have them? Would you prefer it if they were on my back?" She laughed.

I chuckled a little in response. "No, I just meant it's a - convenient spot for them, is all."

"Well I won't argue about where my venom glands should be." She looked at my clock on the wall and back at me. "We have more than enough time until - Ron arrives, ask me another question."

At this rate I'd end up asking something that would take a weird turn again. I shook my head. "Yeah, uhh. Nah, I'm good. - I think I'll just watch some TV until we leave."

She was laying on her back now, looking up at me. "You sound frightened of asking me more questions. Are you certain you are an adult?"

I chuckled. "Yes, why, you want to go out drinking or something?"

She put a finger up to her chin. "That would not be a good idea, remember what happened the last time?"

I waved a hand dismissively at her. "Pshhh, I'm immune now. You could bite me all you want, and I wouldn't even have to go to the hospital." I said as smugly as I could.

She rolled over onto her belly and got an intense look on her face. "Is that an invitation?"

This banter is getting too real. "Uhhh... no?"

She winked at me. "Let me know if you change your mind." She laughed after saying that.

I smiled sheepishly and turned up the volume on the tv. We watched it until it was time for me to go.

0-

After some time passed, I was outside chatting with Ron, while 11-7 took her sweet time getting ready. He was smoking a cigarette and sitting on the hood of the standard black Advent sedan he always picked me up in. I was leaning up against the metal garage door of my house.

Ron took his cigarette out of his mouth. "... that's the thing with women, always taking as much time as they can. Ain't surprised one bit that the snake's doin the same thing."

"Well, she does have to put on body armor, so she might have an excuse."

He chuckled. "Never said she didn't have an excuse. - So, what's this business with that terrorist attack the other day?"

I looked at the ground and shook my head. "Man, I don't even know what to say, bad luck." I looked back up at him. "I've been in two of them in the same month. This is probably the worst luck I've had in a long time."

"I'll say, you sure seem to be good at findin trouble lately." He cackled and coughed as he said that. He cleared his throat and spit on my driveway. He got a serious look on his face. "Shits gettin worse out there, reminds me of what things were like after the invasion, -chao-tic."

That caught my interest, Ron almost never talks about what his life was like before being my driver. "Oh yeah, what were things like back then?"

He raised an eyebrow at my question, but his look of confusion dissipated quickly. "Oh yeah, you weren't 'ere in the city back then. I always am forgettin that you haven't been here so long." He took a long drag of his cigarette, and blew the smoke out slowly. Seemingly savoring the chemical comforts it provided. "I've told ya I was in the army before Advent arrived, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, you've told me a little, but not much."

"Ah, well ya see I wasn't discharged or nothin, and I didn't stick around til' the bitter end. Me and my squad deserted once the war stopped bein winnable. Hell, I think even callin it a war at all is givin us too much credit..."

"Were you in combat? What was that like, if you don't mind me asking?"

He chuckled. "Oh, I'm not nearly drunk enough for war stories, maybe another time." He took a quick puff from his cigarette. "Anyway, so I come back 'ere to see my family. Luckily when I bought my house it had this cold war era bunker in the backyard." He paused for a few moments and shot me a look. "Did you learn about the Cold War in school, before the invasion?"

I nodded. "I did. United States vs. the Soviet Union, proxy wars in forign nations, fear of nuclear destruction, and all that."

He smiled. "Good, 'least they taught you somethin important before the schools closed. Now, I never thought I'd be thankful for keeping that bunker stocked with food, but I always did, just in case. Well this was a just in case event if I've ever seen one."

"So you lived in a bunker, - how long?

He scratched his chin. "Bout' two years. Had enough supplies to last a few more, but Advent cracked open my bunker early. Instead of killing us, they offered me a job. They looked me up in the old government records they had, and found out I was a soldier. Wanted me to become one of their lackies; offered me all the gene mods I wanted and a great salary. But, Ol' Ron knew better." He smiled and tapped on the top of his head with a finger. "I turned them down and asked for something else, and that's how I became a driver."

Adjusted my leaning position and chuckled. "Well that's one hell of a story."

Ron took another puff of his cigarette before responding. "It is, and trust me I left a lotta details out of it, but this city wasn't better after Advent took over, and honestly - it wasn't their fault. Sentiment towards Advent right after the war was anger for most people. An' you had all of these young people, and veterans from the war, just eager for a fight to free mankind and all'a that. Why, I think we had some terrorist attack happen every other week. This city was a madhouse."

I nodded. "Sounds about right, we've had two terrorist attacks in two weeks. So, how did Advent quiet things down?"

He snorted and looked at the ground. "The same way they always do: churn out a buncha peacekeepers an' kill em all."

This was starting to get a bit gruesome. I shook my head. "I'm not sure if that'll be enough this time, I've seen so many of those troopers get slaughtered, like - well animals."

Ron nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm not sure what's changed in the last month, but they seem more organized than I've ever seen." He paused for a moment and took the cigarette out of his mouth. "You wanna know what I think?"

"Go ahead and shoot Ron, noone is here except for you and me."

He looked side to side before continuing. "You remember that news report about that gene clinic attack earlier this month?"

"Course I do. Advent said they stole something important, but wouldn't say what."

He nodded. "Yeah, now don't go a'callin me crazy. But, what if... it wasn't a what, - but a who?"

I chuckled. "What, you think they kidnapped a scientist or something?"

He frowned slightly. "No, not that. I think they kidnapped a general. I dunno how, or why they would have convinced one to help them. Maybe it was a turncoat, but that's my honest opinion."

"Listen, I'm not one to turn down a conspiracy theory immediately. But, what'd Advent do: keep some like super great general frozen in a tube at a poorly guarded gene clinic? I don't think they are that stupid."

"I think yer right about that. - Well, maybe a general was gettin gene work done, and they made a deal with him and planned to extract him from there. I dunno, but the organization I've seen from the terrorists lately means they got new tactics and likely new leadership."

"I'd believe it, that sounds more realistic."

We stopped talking for a bit, long enough for Ron to finish his cigarette. 11-7 was still not out yet.

Ron was somehow simultaneously the first and the last guy I should ask this question to, but it's not like I have a whole lot of options. I looked over my shoulder and didn't see any alien cobras exiting my house, so now was my chance. "You know, 11-7 has been acting kinda weird lately."

He chuckled. "She's a snake from some planet far off in outer space Luke, weird is as weird does."

I crossed my arms. "I know that, I mean she's acting weirder than she usually does."

He raised an eyebrow. "That's not a whole lot to go off of..."

I am not telling him what happened exactly because I know what he'll say. "The specifics aren't important, she's just been acting weirder is all."

That response piqued his interest immediately, and he smiled. "Weirder than usual, huh. Do ya want my honest opinion?"

I smirked. "I asked you an honest question, didn't I?"

"Well, judging by how many details yer omi-... omi-ttin. In my experience, and trust me I got plenty. When a lady acts weird around you, chances are it means she likes ya."

This was a mistake. "I don't know if I'd say that..."

Ron cleared his throat. "Slow down there cowboy, let me ask you this: is she nice to ya?"

"Yes, but that's her job."

He smiled. "Advent Burger workers get paid to be nice, bodyguards don't. I know you were blackout drunk, but that night after the nightclub, she was freakin out over ya the whole ride home. I explained the situation, which calmed her down a little, but she was still mad at me because I didn't tell her nothin about the nightclub, or what you might do there beforehand. And she was bein all feisty with me when I offered to help bring you inside. She is most definitely - sweet - on - you."

"Sorry about that, she can be - overprotective. I'm sure it was because she just didn't know you very well. - But, that doesn't mean anything, - we're - uh - friends, she was just worried about me and probably her job."

"Aha, so you are friends then." He looked away for a few moments, then looked back at me. "Thought you didn't like them aliens? Least, that's what ya told me."

"Normally I wouldn't, - and I still don't like aliens. She's just - different, an exception."

He adjusted his thick glasses and regarded me with an interested expression. "Ah. Different, how?"

I'm gonna have to tread lightly here. I trust Ron, but I don't want to get her in trouble for misconduct or anything. "I don't know how to describe it, she's just not what I expected at all. Nothing like the troopers I had guarding me before. She actually has - a personality."

"Well, ya do seem to keep weird company, me included." He cackled after saying that, then he wiped the smirk off his face. "But, be careful how close ya get ta Advent personnel. You know she'd sell you out sooner than you can regret it."

I thought for a few moments on what to say. "Aw come on, you know how long I've been in this game. I'm not stupid, I'm not gonna do anything illegal in front of her."

He nodded. "An' lord knows, maybe she is differnt, but I'm warnin ya boy, don't get too comfy round her."

"Wouldn't dream of it, old man."

We made small talk until 11-7 showed up. Turns out she was having trouble getting her body armor on, and when Ron climbed into the car she whispered to me that it was because of her demonstration with her glands earlier. Soon after we were in the car and headed to the Advent Relaxation Center. We were making small talk on the way there, so I decided to ask Ron about the facility.

"So what's this place like?"

Ron turned right and weaved in between two cars. "You mean the A-R-C? Great place from what I hear. If that manager of yers got the full treatment yer in for a treat. That place is like a super spa."

"Nice, sounds like I'll be doing something worthy of the title vacation."

Traffic was terrible, but with Ron's immense knowledge of the city's road system I made it to the ARC early. The area was fenced off, and we had to go through a guarded metal gate. But when we got to the building it was like nothing I had seen before. There was plenty of foliage out front and a sizable fountain. The entrance was rounded, there were large windows that gave you a good view of the reception area. The building itself was like two stories high and it was built with this beautiful reddish stone, that wasn't bricks. Above the automatic glass sliding doors there was black lettering that read "Advent Relaxation Center", the first letter of every word on the sign was that advent font and slightly larger than the other letters.

"Damn, that's a purdy building. Didn't know Advent cared to build things like that." Ron commented.

11-7 looked over at him and responded. "Advent constructs buildings like this when it being aesthetically pleasing is essential to its function."

"Well I am not waiting around here. See you later Ron."

He nodded at me. "I'll be back when yer done, let me know if you get out before 7."

"Aye, aye, captain." I chuckled after saying that. I exited the car and waited for 11-7 to follow me. Ron drove away and exited the facility quickly once we started walking up to the door.

I was feeling quite jaunty as we walked up to the door, and apparently I was wearing it on my face because 11-7 made a comment. "You look happy." I looked up at her but I didn't know what to say. She broke the silence after a few moments. "You should enjoy this, let me worry about the rebels today." Then she smiled warmly at me.

"Thanks, I think this place will be just what I need."

We walked through the front doors and up to the grey receptionist's desk. The inside was more impressive than the outside. There were plants everywhere and multiple water fountains. There was a small waterfall made with grey stone directly behind the desk. With "Advent Relaxation Center" written above it, just like the sign outside.

There was a woman typing on a computer at the reception desk, so I walked right up to her. She was wearing a black side button up shirt that had ARC printed on it in white text. She looked up at me as soon as I approached the desk, and spoke in that standard friendly customer service tone. "Hello sir, do you have an appointment with us?"

11-7 slithered up beside me and the woman looked slightly unnerved at her appearance, but she didn't say anything. "Yes, I have an appointment at 2, my name is Lucas Hickey."

She typed on her computer for like half a minute before responding. "Ok Mr. Hickey, I'm seeing you signed up for the Deluxe Premium Diamond Exclusive Platinum VIP package today, is that correct?"

That's a long ass name, but whatever I'm getting must be good if it's got all these expensive sounding adjectives attached to it. Manny set me up good. "Yes."

She typed some more on the computer. "And I'm seeing you paid in advance. Ok, please take a seat in the waiting room and someone will be with you shortly, enjoy your time at the ARC."

We went into the waiting room, there were a few other people in the waiting room, who glanced at 11-7 occasionally, but it was quiet. There was a news report playing on a tv on the wall about the terrorist attack yesterday. The reporter was on scene and talking about how the terrorists were successfully repelled, but they may have stolen important data relating to Advent's operating records. This wasn't exactly something I wanted to hear about while I was supposed to be relaxing. 11-7 caught wind of my sentiments and offered to change the channel. I let her.

Not soon after a woman wearing the same black button up shirt as the receptionist called out my name from a door. I stood up and walked over to her. "That'd be me."

She smiled. "Ok, if you'll follow me I'll take you to the..." She paused for a moment after seeing 11-7 slither up. "Is this - viper with you, sir?"

I nodded. "Yes, this is my bodyguard and she must be with me at all times."

The woman looked like she was about to object, but then decided against it. She let out a short sigh and spoke. "Very well, If you'll both follow me I'll take you to your private hotspring."

We followed her down a hallway lined with doors. The decor had a homely appearance. They utilized a lot of wood, and it was a breath of fresh air to see lighting that wasn't fluorescent white. The spa worker turned left and waved the bracelet she was wearing in front of one of the doors and held it open for me. I walked in, and found myself in a small circular room that was dimly lit. The only light came from a large steamy pool in the center of the room.

11-7 followed me inside and so did the spa worker. She grabbed a remote and pushed a button. Suddenly the entire room lit up and I found myself on a mountain range. I looked around and even the floor looked like it had a grey rocky texture to it. I was in awe at what I was seeing. The only thing that broke the illusion was the regular looking door that was seemingly suspended in midair.

I heard the spa worker chuckle behind me, so I turned around to look at her. "It's beautiful isn't it? Almost as good as the real thing." I nodded. She smiled and handed me the remote. "This one is called scenic mountain retreat, there are a few other scenes to try out."

I pushed a directional button on the remote and suddenly we were in a desert environment with a few palm trees and limited foliage in the immediate area. This was one of the coolest things I'd seen in a long time.

"I can see you're eager to get started, so I'll make this short. The remote is completely waterproof, so do not be concerned if you get it wet. Do not touch the screens in the room, you could be liable for damages to them. You have an hour in here before you move onto the next part of your package. Make sure to change into that robe on the floor before I come to get you, the simulation will shut off a few minutes before that happens."

"Is there like a bathing suit for me to put on or something?"

"Oh, I thought you'd preferred to bathe nude? - Don't worry sir these rooms are cleaned after every client, soundproof, and completely private, so you don't have to worry about anyone seeing you. I can bring you a bathing suit if you'd prefer, but you won't get the full benefit of the healing mineral spring water if you're clothed."

"I guess it's not a big deal..."

The woman explained to me how to use the remote and what I could do with it before leaving. As she left and the door faded away I realized that I forgot that 11-7 was in the room with me. She didn't look too impressed with the simulated desert around us, she was just casually looking around.

"Hey, uh could you turn around while I get in the spa?"

She looked at me and cocked her head. "Why?"

"Because I need to - uh, strip down to climb in."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, and you're afraid of me seeing you without clothing on. What exactly are you hiding from my sight?"

I swear she has like no social-awareness whatsoever, and it is starting to annoy me. "My cock and balls, alright!" Her eyes widened slightly and she reared her head back at my outburst. "I don't have - like - contraband in my underwear or anything, if that's what you're thinking. Just the fucking genitals I was born with. So could you - please turn around."

She kept looking at me but didn't say anything for a few moments. "I apologise, I do not understand your cultural taboos. I did not intend offence by prying" She lowered her head and her hood contracted slightly as she spoke.

She knows so little it's almost comedic. I took a deep breath and sighed. "No it's fine, I overreacted. This is just - awkward for me. Most people don't like to be seen naked, well at least the ones that are not whores."

She nodded slowly. "I - understand." She turned around, and I quickly got undressed and climbed into the spa. The water felt amazing, and was just the right temperature. I grabbed the remote and turned on the jets, which made the water foamy and difficult to see through.

"You can turn around now." She turned around, but did not say anything. She coiled up her body and laid back on it like a bean bag chair. I flicked through some of the scenes, there was a rainforest one, some sort of a orental setting, then there was one that looked like an alien forest, and there were stars above me, I decided to stay on that one. I sunk down into the warm water and leaned back. I tried to relax, but after 10 minutes I realized I still felt bad about snapping at 11-7 earlier.

I moved around the edge of the hot spring until I was facing her, she was laying deep in her coils . So much so, that I couldn't see her. "Isn't this cool?" I gestured to the area around the spa.

She poked her head above her body and looked at me. She scrunched up her face and shook her head. "I have seen simulations like this before, but it was less calm."

"Oh, that's cool... You know the water is nice and warm."

She cocked her head slightly. "I am aware of this, you do not have to tell me."

I chuckled. "I was trying to say you could come over and dip your tail in it or something, I'm sure you would like it."

She squinted her eyes and appeared to mull over my offer. She set her gun down, and silently glided across the ground towards the spa. It was interesting to watch how she moved. Her whole body was in motion at the same time, it was like watching someone untangle a piece of rope in one smooth motion. She tentatively poked the tip of her tail in the water a few times, before she slid the rest of her tail in.

A soft hiss escaped her lips as she slid part of her body in, and she looked slightly embarrassed by the sound she made. She laid by the edge of the jacuzzi and rested her head on her arms. "You are correct, I do enjoy this."

"Yeah, it's real nice and supposedly the minerals are good for your skin. Probably good for scales too."

She made a noise that sounded like "Mmhmmm." and didn't say anything else. She started to move her tail around in the water which had a stirring effect on it.

We both awkwardly looked around the room occasionally making eye contact, for a few minutes. I decided to break the silence. "Hey, I'm not mad about earlier or anything, it really wasn't a big deal."

She looked over at me and blinked twice. "Yes, thank you..." Her voice trailed off, and it was a minute before she started talking again. "I understand why you would want to cover up your - reproductive organs. I had previously inferred that is where they were located based on your behavior and my training, but I was not certain of it until now."

"Previous training?"

"Yes, we are told that area on male humans is a weak point, and that if we are injured or unable to overpower a male human, we should strike there. But, we were never told why. - I understand now."

"I see, well don't strike me there, or I may need to think about replacing you." I chuckled after saying that.

She snorted. "Why would I ever strike you? My main duty is to protect you from harm. That would be a foolish way of failing." She leaned sideways on her elbow, and started inspecting her claws. "Not to mention, it would be completely unnecessary. I could easily overpower you if there was in a situation in which I needed to." As she said that she glanced my way and smirked. Her tail was still swaying in the water.

I lifted one of my hands out of the water and gestured at her. "You sound so confident. What if I ran up a flight of stairs," I raised my eyebrows, "- and there wasn't an elevator?"

She frowned and stopped inspecting her claws. She slammed her hand down on the ground and leaned over the spa. "You sound confident you would be successful in reaching the stairs."

"Hey you never know, I'm pretty quick on my feet. Especi..." I stopped talking because I felt something bump into my ankle and wrap around it. It didn't freak me out, I just looked at the water and back to 11-7. Her tail had stopped moving, and she was smiling.

She didn't say anything for a few seconds, so I decided to speak. "Hey, it's..." She tugged on my leg a little and it cut me off.

"Could you go climb the stairs now?" She laughed and I felt her release my ankle. "You talk too much, you should be relaxing."

"I..." I looked away from her and wiped some water off of my face. "You're - probably right, but just so we're on the same page. If I reached the stairs I'd be home free." As I leaned back against the wall of the spa and closed my eyes.

I heard her giggle and whisper something under her breath. Couldn't quite make it out though.

Some time later the sim shut off and 11-7 woke me up. She turned around while I put on my bathrobe and I was led to the next parts of my package. Next up was a manicure and a pedicure. Apparently Manny was not aware that this part of the package is usually reserved for women, but I went with it anyway because I hadn't cut my nails in a while. I made a joke that 11-7 was the one that should be getting her nails trimmed. Next they put some crud on my face and had me sitting in a mud bath for a while. I got cleaned up and moved on to a sauna, which was nice, but it was too small for 11-7, so she had to wait outside of it. Then after I was cooled down I got an amazing massage from some woman. 11-7 was giving her the stank eye the whole time.

After that I was on to the last part of my package. I was led into a room with a strange looking bed in it. It was grey and looked like a comfy dentist chair. Well, a comfy looking dentist chair with a big open helmet looking thing where my head should be. The inside of the helmet had hundreds of small circular disks in it, it almost looked like it was covered in scales. The woman who led me in there directed me to sit on the chair. I sat down on it, making sure to keep my head away from that thing as much as possible. 11-7 slithered over to my side and watched the spa worker closely.

She was wearing that back side button up shirt that they all wore, and she was typing away at a computer that was attached to the chair I was sitting on. "So what exactly is this thing?"

She smiled and gestured to the chair. "That is the mind revitalizer. We can't label ourselves a mind and body wellness center without having something to help your mind."

I looked back at the weird helmet dome thing attached to the chair. "What does it do?"

"It helps you deal with mental trauma, I can give you the full explanation once I finish the startup sequence."

Mental trauma? Could this thing actually help me? I don't like the idea of Advent messing with my brain, but I can't stand these dreams anymore. I'd do anything just to stop having them. "Interesting."

The woman typed on her computer some more, and eventually she stopped. She started talking in a way that implied she had said these same exact words a hundred times before. "So, what's gonna happen is once you lay down and put your head in the dome. This machine will read your mind, and it is programmed to sense things that are troubling you. It will read out a report to me..."

She looked annoyed as I interrupted her. "I don't know if I want my thoughts on display."

"Do not worry sir. The read out I see and will share is not specific. It only gives a general idea of what the problem is, which only the patient can understand."

"Ok, that's fine."

She sighed and continued. "After I share the readout. You will close your eyes and try to sleep. The machine will help you fall asleep, and smooth out your anxieties that were listed on the readout, while giving you a pleasant dream."

"A dream, what kind of a dream?"

"It is a pleasant dream that takes you to a place you'll enjoy. I can't say exactly where because it's different for everyone."

"Oh, will it just be me there?"

"That depends on what you want. The machine will craft you a fun outing that you'll enjoy, and it'll feel just like you're there in person."

A machine that can affect how you view things and can simulate reality through a dream, - sounds like a mind control device in the making. "Wow, that sounds amazing. How does a fantastical machine like this work?"

"Unfortunately I do not know. I only operate this machine, I did not design it. Now if you would please lay back on the chair, we could get started."

I looked over at 11-7, she was watching the technician closely, but she glanced over at me and nodded once she noticed I was looking at her. I guess it's either this, or more bad dreams, and the chair did look pretty comfy.

I laid back in the chair and the technician pushed a button on her computer. I heard a whirring sound as it started up. After a few moments I started to feel a light buzzing sensation around and inside my head. It was not unpleasant, and it felt kinda nice. The technician looked at her computer and started scrolling around.

After a few minutes she spoke. "Hmmm, seems you're a very conflicted person Mr. Hickey. You are conflicted about many things."

"I see, well..."

"You don't have to tell me anything, the machine does all the work. This readout is just to let you know what will be fixed." She continued. "You feel guilty for something you did a long time ago, actually you are feeling guilt for a lot of things." She's starting to sound like a damn fortune teller, but she isn't wrong. "Hmmm, you have feelings for someone. I'm not supposed to know this, but from the data I can tell it's someone you are close to, but you are conflicted about that too. Well, looks like we have a lot to go through, but do not worry that's exactly what this machine is for. Now if you could please close your eyes and try to sleep."

"I'm - uh, not actually that tired."

"Don't worry, the machine helps with that."

"Oo-kay?" I tried to get comfortable and closed my eyes. I laid there in darkness for a few minutes. Nothing changed. This is dumb, I can't believe I thought this would change anything...

0-

I was laying on what felt like warm asphalt. I opened my eyes, and was almost blinded by the sun. I squinted and lifted my hand up to my face to block it out. As I sat up off the ground, a few pebbles that were stuck to me fell off and made a sound as they hit the ground. I looked around and saw I was laying in an empty parking lot, there were hundreds of parking spots, marked with fading white paint. All of these spots were empty, besides the one I was laying in. I felt a gentle breeze brush against my face and rustle my hair. Where the fuck am I? I looked forward and saw an amusement park in front of me. There were like 12 ticket booths and a big sign above them that read "Fun Adventure Park". I recognized the name, but I couldn't quite think why. I thought about it for a minute or two, and remembered. I think it was the theme park my family and I used to go to. It was when I was young, so it had to have been before the invasion. And here it was in front of me - in pristine condition, and completely empty.

I looked down at my hands, I had all ten of my fingers. I pinched myself. I felt the pain, but didn't wake up. Huh. I looked around, past the parking lot. There wasn't anything else around me besides open grass fields and an empty highway. I stood up and brushed some of the rocks and sand off of my pants. I cautiously walked up to one of the ticket booths. It was a standard looking ticket booth, it had a glass pane in front of it with a hole cut in the middle and the bottom for speaking and for getting tickets. I was surprised to see there was a person inside of the booth. The guy in the booth looked young and disinterested. He was wearing a red and white striped shirt with suspenders.

He turned his head to face me. "Ticket please, sir."

"I, uh - don't have any tickets."

The guy sighed. "Well, what would you like? The all day unlimited passes are on sale." He lazily pointed at a sign on the wall behind him.

I read through some of the pass options, but the currency symbol next to the numbers was one I didn't recognize. I made my selection and reached into my pocket to pull out my wallet, but couldn't find it. Oh shit, did I leave it in the parking lot? I reached into my other pocket and felt a piece of paper. I pulled it out and it had "Fun Adventure Park, Unlimited All-Day pass" written on it. Ok, so I could get in now, but what about my wallet? - Wait a second, my wallet? Physical money went out of style years ago, I don't have a wallet. I looked at my wrist and my phone wasn't there. What the hell is going on?

"What would you like, sir?"

"Oh, uh. Heh, I guess I did have a ticket." The man sighed as I handed it to him.

He looked at it for a moment and spoke again. "Sir, - you handed me two tickets."

"What?" The man held up the ticket I handed him and pushed on it to reveal another ticket behind it. "Huh - that's weird, why would I have two tickets?"

I felt someone touch my shoulder. "That is because the other ticket is for me, silly." That voice was familiar, feminine sounding and hung half a second too long on the S's.

I turned my head to where I heard the voice and saw 11-7 slide into view. "11-7? What are you doing here?"

She moved past me and stuck her arm towards the booth. The guy working there reached forward and put a paper band on her arm. While he did that, she turned her head almost 180 degrees to look at me. "Don't you remember? You said you wanted to take me here."

I scratched my chin and looked at the ground for a moment. "I don't remember, but where's your armor and stuff?" She was wearing a black low cut top, that was nice looking, but also distracting for obvious reasons. Specifically, two decently sized ones.

She reached forward and gently grabbed my wrist. I was pulled forward towards the ticket booth. As the guy put a similar band on my arm she replied. "There are patrols all around this place, so it is not necessary." She let go of my arm as she responded.

I watched her maneuver through the metal turnstile. She didn't have any difficulty getting through. She slithered into the park a little before turning around to face me. She waved at me and smiled. "Are you going to enter, Lucas?

Something was strange about this place, but I couldn't quite place my finger on it - yet. I didn't feel in danger, but something was definitely off... Well, I'm not going to say no to a free theme park pass. I pushed through the same turnstile 11-7 did and walked towards her. "I guess I am. What did you want to ride first?"

She scanned the area and pointed in a direction. I looked where she pointed, but before I could process what it was, I felt her grab my hand and drag me off towards it. I focused on keeping my footing as we headed towards whatever she was interested in. After a few seconds she stopped abruptly and I looked up. I saw a sign that said "Evicerator" in purple text.

I ripped my arm from her grasp. She turned her head to look at me. Her eyes had widened. "Why are you dragging me everywhere?"

She smirked. "It is because you are being too slow. If we went at your pace we wouldn't be able to ride anything before the moon appeared."

"Well, you don't have to drag me around like a child."

"You needed a push." I watched her tail slip behind me, and felt something push against my back.

I chuckled. "Maybe you're right."

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am." She pointed at an empty maze of waist height metal bars leading to the ride. "Look, there is no one in line. Let's go before there is one."

This time I led the way, and she was right. There was absolutely no one in line. Strange for an amusement park, but maybe this ride wasn't all that popular. As we got closer to the ride following the iron bar path, I realized this was a rollercoaster. I saw a line of steel lead out from the small roofed building we were walking towards. I could see some of the track, it went up, down, had some loops in it. Seemed like a decent ride. My analysis came to an end once we finally made it to the seating area for the coaster.

There was a teenage girl standing by a podium with a small microphone on it. She was wearing the same red and white striped shirt as the guy I saw in the ticket booth. I could see her legs and she was wearing tan slacks. The coaster itself had 10 cars, and they appeared to be three seaters. It was made of metal, and each car was a sparkly purple color. No one else was here, so I climbed into the first car of the coaster, 11-7 followed me in. I saw there was a seatbelt, so I buckled mine, she did the same.

I looked over at the girl who was managing the coaster. She was chewing gum and typing on a box she was holding in her hands. A smartphone? That's old tech, I don't think I've seen anyone use one after the invasion, or since Wearable Personal Computers (WPC's) became popular. Course, we kept calling them phones, but they weren't just phones anymore. Whatever the case she was ignoring us while we were waiting for the ride to start.

I cleared my throat to get her attention. "Hey, uh, I don't think anyone else is coming." She rolled her eyes, and set her phone down. She walked over to us and looked at 11-7.

"Ma'am all body parts must be in the ride at all times." I looked over at 11-7 and saw her tail was still laying out of the car.

11-7 looked over at me. "Mmm. There isn't enough empty space in the car... Would you mind it if I wrapped my tail around you Lucas?"

Normally something like this would absolutely terrify me. But I trusted her, so I wasn't scared of getting crushed. I shrugged my shoulders. "I guess, if you have to."

"Thank you, it'll only be a small amount." She moved her tail into the car and filled the space on the floor and in between us. I felt the weight of her tail slide across my lap, and around my back. She moved carefully, clearly trying to not hurt me. She curled her tail around me a few times before she reached my chest below my arms. "Are you comfortable?"

I could feel some heft to what she had wrapped around me. Considering it was only part of her tail, she probably weighed a lot, course it might be rude to mention that to her. Being wrapped up like this was not unpleasant, she had coiled around me loosely, and I could still move around comfortably. I gave her a thumbs up. "Yeah, I'm fine."

The girl spoke. "Great, you're all comfortable now." She walked over and tugged on both of our seatbelts, then she walked over to the podium and pushed a button. The bars on each of the carts went down, locking us in place. She started to give us some spiel about how this is the Evicerator, and to keep our arms and legs inside the ride at all times. Then without warning the coaster shot forward and started getting pulled up the incline.

11-7 looked at me, her eyes were wide and she was shaking. I could feel the shaking because she was partially wrapped around me. "This is exciting is it or not."

I chuckled. "First time on a roller coaster huh?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, I am feeling excitement, anticipation, and fear all at once. It is strange."

"I think you'll really enjoy it once we get over the peak." I pointed at it.

She turned her head to look at the peak, and I felt her body tighten around me slightly.

After some time passed we were at the peak. I spoke as we went over. "It's more fun if you put your hands in the air." I raised my hands up.

Soon after we were rushing down the hill, and through twists, turns, and loops. I couldn't help but yell "Wooooo!" and smile as we sped across the tracks. I could barely hear anything with the wind in my ears and everything around the cart was a blur. I looked over at 11-7 partway through the ride, and unfortunately she didn't share my enthusiasm. She tightened her tail around me as much as she could without hurting me and had a death grip on the safety bar. When the coaster slowed to a stop, I got a better look at her. Her hood was extended as far as I had ever seen it. She was breathing heavily, and her body was completely stiff. I'm certain her knuckles would be white from how tightly she was gripping the bar, if they were not covered with scales.

I snapped my fingers in front of her. "Are you ok? The ride's over now."

She slowly turned her head to face me. "Y.. yes. I am okay. Is this ride supposed to be that scary?"

I chuckled. "Kind of." I pointed at her hands. "You need me to pry you off the safety bar, or can you manage that yourself? And you're gripping me a little tight."

"Oh." She released her four fingered death grip on the bar. Then she looked at her tail wrapped around me. "Oh!" She loosened her tail. "I apologize for that."

"It's fine, but maybe I should pick the next ride."

As the bars went up she shakily nodded her head. "That would be acceptable."

We exited the ride and started wandering around the park, while I tried to look for something significantly more tame. 11-7 tried to assure me she wasn't actually scared, and that she did enjoy the ride, but I didn't buy it. As we walked around the emptiness of the park became more apparent. There really was no one here except for the staff running the park, and us. It was like the park had been rented out for just the two of us or something. Maybe the whole park wasn't that popular. As I was thinking about it I noticed the tamest ride possible. The tea cup ride. I was worried 11-7 wouldn't want to ride it because it was a ride for kids, but then as she spoke I realized she knew nothing about theme park rides, so that wouldn't be a problem.

Another disinterested worker directed us into our seats inside of one of the colored metal bowls, with a wheel in the middle, and the ride started. We spun around in a circle, and I grabbed the wheel in the middle and started spinning it, which rotated the bowl around. 11-7 helped me spin the wheel for a bit, but looked bored by the ride, until she got an idea. She told me to let go of the wheel, and she wrapped part of her body around its axle. I could only watch helplessly as she ripped her body away from the axle, and like a top, the bowl spun at speeds I'm sure it wasn't designed for. As I was stuck to my seat and the wall behind me I heard the ride creak and groan. Everything beyond the ride was a blur, and I could only look at 11-7. She was laughing and cheering, while I tried to find something to latch onto, so I wouldn't fly out of the ride. She must have seen me struggling because she grabbed my waist with her tail and held me down in my seat until the ride ended.

She let go of me. "I am much, - so much, sorry for that."

I laughed, "Don't be, that was pretty fun, I was just worried about flying out. Thanks for the save."

"You're not upset?"

"Heh, why would I be. I love this place. It was one of the last times I had a lot of fun, before the inva- liberation I mean." She seemed to be thinking about what I said. "Don't worry about it, there's still more rides here."

She nodded, and off we went. We rode on a few more rides, the swings, one of those ship pendulum rides, and the bumper cars. She didn't enjoy the bumper cars much because she weighed so much her's barely moved, but I had a fun time ramming into her over and over again for a few minutes. Now that I'm thinking about it, she barely fit into any of the rides at all. Every time she climbed in I was certain the staff would stop her, but they didn't. I'm not an expert, but she's probably violated every safety rule for each ride we went on. Whatever the case, we were both hungry, so we went to some stands to get food. Even the workers there were kind of distant, and not very enthusiastic. It was strange, so I decided to bring it up with her.

I took a drink from my soda, which was free from Advent branding for some reason. "So, uh don't you think it's kind of weird how all the workers are kind of apathetic, and the ones that aren't acted like dicks?" I took a bite of the cheeseburger I was holding.

11-7 swallowed a piece she ripped off of a tenderloin and looked at me. I'm not quite sure why, but she seemed nervous. "What do you mean?"

I swallowed. "I mean, this is an amusement park, I figured working here would be fun."

"Would you prefer if they were happy?"

I took another drink from my soda. "Yeah I guess, them being dicks certainly isn't enhancing my experience."

After I said that 11-7 did something weird. She set her tenderloin down and stared off into space for a few seconds. Then she blinked her eyes a few times, before picking it back up and resuming eating it. Weird, but then again this whole place was weird.

We finished our food, and started looking at the gift shops. As we were walking around I kept drinking my soda. Most of the workers looked happy in the area we were in, guess it was those few that were unhappy. I also noticed everything around here was free from Advent branding, I decided to mention it to 11-7.

"It's so weird, I haven't seen a single Advent logo since we walked in."

She got that nervous look on her face again, like she was trying to hide something, and she started fidgeting with her hands. "This... This park isn't owned or sponsored by Advent."

I chuckled a little, but when she didn't tell me it was a joke I became concerned. "Really?"

She nodded her head and looked confused. "Yes, is that so outrageous?"

I took another drink of my soda. "Well, kinda. Pretty much nothing gets built without Advent funding, or at least their approval. And, you'd have a hell of a time trying to find workers without access to the Advent civilian labor pool." I paused for a few moments and added to my statement. "It's not impossible I guess, just almost impossible."

She looked away from me. "They have managed to do it, so it is the exception."

I frowned and pointed at her. "And another thing, how do you know so much about this park, and I know nothing. Even though I invited you to come here, supposedly?"

That subtle nervous fidgeting had stopped being subtle, and she was looking around wildly for something. Then she pointed at something. "Ooo, that stand looks cool, let's go over there." then she sped off behind me going god knows where.

I decided to let it go for now, and turned around to find her. Surprisingly I found her at one of those airbrush name t-shirt stands. She was looking at all of the examples in the stand, while the worker looked quite happy, and was spraying a shirt.

I laughed. "You want a t-shirt huh? I shouldn't be surprised, it's the only thing you wear besides your armor." She didn't respond, and kept looking over the designs closely. "What would you even put on it?"

She turned around to look at me. "I was thinking about that too, I am considering about acquiring one that said Elle."

I raised an eyebrow. "Elle? - Is that short for Ellen or something?"

She crossed her arms, scrunched up her face, and smiled. "No, silly. It's short for Eleven. The - nickname you gave me."

I rubbed my chin. "A nickname of a nickname, huh. I think it fits you, wonder what I'll put on mine. Maybe I'll get Lou written on it." She looked confused. "Short for Luke, you know L - U." I drew the letters in the air as I said them.

She nodded. "Yes I understand. Double nickname from Lucas, an equivalence." But she didn't laugh.

We waited around and picked our designs, while the guy working there cheerfully painted them up. I decided to be clever and got a snake on mine. The artist decided to paint it to look like 11-7 even though I didn't tell him to.

We both threw on our shirts once they were finished and turned around to look at each other. She had gotten a plasma rifle painted on hers, and she frowned when she saw mine. Clearly she wasn't able to appreciate my advanced humor.

"What, you don't like it?"

She shook her head. "Maybe I should have had a hairless ape painted on mine."

"Well, I think it looks cool, maybe you should take it as a compliment. Now I'll pay the guy, since you paid for the food." I think she said something as I turned around, but I couldn't make it out.

I walked over to the guy. "How much do I owe you." Oh shit, I just realized I don't have my phone.

He shook his head. "Nothing, it is free."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "Free, what do you mean."

"It..." He froze for a few moments before responding. "Your wristband pays for everything."

I scratched my head. "Even souvenirs? That doesn't sound right, is there a limit."

He froze again for a few moments before responding. "Yes, just this shirt."

"Huh, but..."

"I am closed now goodbye." He started packing up all of his supplies and refused to speak with me further.

I walked back to 11-7, looking at the ground. "That was so weird, no payment. I've never heard of an amusement park ticket that gets you free souvenirs." I looked up at her and she was fidgeting with her hands again. "- It's all so strange, and you're acting weird too." I pointed at her as I accused her.

Suddenly her nervousness dissipated. Looking calm, she slithered up to me and placed one of her hands on my shoulder. "Lucas, you worry too much." She lowered her head to be at eye level with me. "How long has it been since you've been at an amusement park?"

That question gave me pause. I looked into those piercing red eyes she had, and I felt compelled to be honest. "It's been a long time, - so long I honestly don't remember."

She grinned slightly. "Do you remember what happens at amusement parks?"

"Kinda, - I don't remember exactly how it works."

She chuckled and lifted her head back up. "Then why be concerned." She offered her hand forward for me to grab. "Come on, there is still a whole amusement park to explore."

I looked at that orange scaly four fingered hand, and realized something. Something was off about this place, for sure. But, I could keep questioning all the weird shit I was seeing, or I could have a fun time. I looked at my own hand, and made my decision. I reached out to hers and gripped it firmly. "So, uh. What did you have in mind."

She put a finger up to her chin and pretended to think. "I saw some games over by the entrance, let us try some."

So we headed over to the entrance. Of course the first one she honed in on was a shooting gallery. The girl running the game got us set up with these BB guns that were clearly made for children. And, our wristbands let us play the game for free. 11-7 glanced at me over the small wooden gun she enveloped with her large hands and smirked. She moved her scaly brows up and down a few times. Clearly confident she would win, too bad for her I wasn't just gonna throw in the towel before the game began. I may not have much experience with guns, but I've done a little target practice before. I used to live on a farm for god's sake. My dad would be ashamed of me if I lost a game like this to an alien. Course he'd probably be ashamed of me for talking to one too.

The buzzer rang, and three rows of bullseyes moved across the board in opposing directions. I took my time aiming my shots, and hit a target most of the time I pulled the trigger. Hearing that resounding ping sound for every BB that struck the metal bullseyes. Unfortunately for every one of my pings, I heard two or three extra pings that were not mine. In the end the score was tallied up. She had beaten me 35 to 13.

She was holding her gun up in the air with one hand, and smiled at me. "Don't feel upset, this is what was expected. I have been trained for years in combat."

I frowned. "Best - two - outta - three."

She squinted her eyes and aimed her gun at the targets and the game began again.

Best two out of three, turned into best three out of five, and so on and so forth. I gave up at best 7 out of 12. There was no way I was going to beat her at a shooting game, I had to admit that, but maybe I could beat her at something else.

We played, the ring toss, knocking over bottles with a baseball, throwing darts at balloons, and skeeball. I lost every contest multiple times, she even beat me at shooting hoops. I don't know how she did so well with a basketball, but I'm sure her having the ability to move higher than the hoop helped. I guess technically she had the ability to be as tall as she wanted, so long as she had enough of her tail on the ground to keep from tipping over. With her speed and height, she'd probably make a good basketball player as long as she didn't pop the ball. I clearly needed a change of tactics, I just wanted one win.

11-7 put her arm around me. "Don't feel so bad, I have many talents that make me suitable to protect you. But I did win, so you must admit defeat now." She laughed after saying that.

"Not yet, we still have yet to play the ultimate challenge."

She stopped laughing and looked at me with a serious expression. "What game would that be? I believe you are a sore loser."

I scanned the area. "I'm not a sore loser. It's, uh..." The only thing I could see in the immediate area was a - claw machine game... Perfect. "That one over there." I pointed at it.

She looked where I was pointing and snorted. "The cheap looking glass box?"

"Yes, that is the ultimate test of skill."

She crossed her arms. "Very well, but after I win this game you must admit defeat."

"Ok, but what if I win?"

She chuckled. "I will admit you beat me, - at this game."

"I'm fine with that."

We made our way over to the claw machine, and I pushed the start button. It didn't need any tokens for some reason. I gripped the joystick and with the precision of a seasoned claw machine veteran, I plucked a stuffed bear out of it. I waved my prize in front of 11-7. She ignored it, and moved up to the claw machine. She started the game, moved the claw to a spot, and grabbed - nothing.

I put my hand on her shoulder. "This game requires a master's touch. You shouldn't feel bad about losing."

She snorted. "Besst two out of three."

She tried a few more times before she gave up. "Alright, you are better at this game than me."

"That's right, and don't you forget it. Lucas, the master of the, uh - claw machine. Doesn't sound that impressive of a feat now that I said it out loud."

She nodded. "Yess, and I am the - master of the skeeball and the basketball and the... "

"Don't wear yourself out now."

She snorted and smiled. "I am tired of these games, we should go on more rides."

I was getting bored of the carnival games too. "Sure."

We rode on more rides. I steadily worked 11-7 up to more thrilling rides over the course of a few hours. I eventually got her back on a roller coaster, but she was still scared.

We climbed into the seat easy enough, but once she wrapped me up with her tail like last time, she got all apprehensive. She tightened her tail marginally to get my attention. "I'm not sure about this, Lucas."

"Ree-lax, this one is way more tame than the other one you rode on." That didn't assuage her concerns, so I decided to tease her. "You know if you're so scared, I could hold your hand." I chuckled after saying that.

She looked at me with a blank expression and blinked her eyes. Then, while making a hmph noise, she turned her head away from me. "I may be scared, but I do not need to hold your hand like some child." I figured that would be that, but then she extended her hand to me. "But, if you want to hold hands for enjoyment I won't stop you." She had an intense look on her face that did not match this cutesy gesture at all.

Now, she had me all wrapped up with part of her body, which was arguably more risque than holding hands, and we had held hands a few times today, but something about the way she looked at me made it seem more - intimate.

I reached my hand out and grabbed her's. It was soft, smooth, and I felt a subtle warmth from it. That serious look she had softened, and she genuinely looked surprised. I couldn't think of what to say, and she didn't say anything either. Maybe nothing needed to be said. We enjoyed that ride.

After a few more rides the sun was going down, and with it about to be dark, I figured now would be the perfect atmosphere for the last ride we hadn't tried yet, the Ferris wheel.

The ferris wheel itself was a sight to behold. It was huge, towering well above everything else, and because it was dark now the lights had been turned on. Various shades of blue and orange light skirted along the spokes out from the center and around the edges of the wheel to create an impressive lightshow. 11-7 was captivated by the lights as we got closer to it. I saw the light show reflected in her wide eyes. I found myself staring, It was a pretty sight. Perhaps I was more captivated by her eyes than what they reflected...

"How many?" I was taken out of my thoughts by a cheerful man in front of me.

It would seem we finally made it through the maze of barriers. "Uh, two." I responded.

He gestured to the open cabin in front of us. "Climb in and I'll start the ride."

The cabin was fully enclosed, and spacious on the inside. There were two benches across from each other, and some glass on the walls to see out of, otherwise the inside was the same shade of blue as the outside, and there wasn't much to look at. Not that that mattered, you're supposed to look outside of the cabin anyway. I sat on one bench, 11-7 sat on the other, and the ride began.

There was enough room for both of us, but her body was taking up most of the empty space in the cabin, which made it feel tight. She was enthralled with the view outside, and pressed her face up to the glass as the ferris wheel began to slowly spin, and raised our cabin up above the amusement park. I looked out the window and saw the other rides in the park get smaller. It was a sight to behold, all the rides had their own lights, and each one was moving in it's own pattern. They looked impressive individually, but together, all moving and flashing various colors, each in their own dance under the night sky, it created a sight that was picturesque and uniquely beautiful. But, my thoughts were not on the beautiful sight that lay below me now, but on the creature I shared this cramped cabin with.

I felt conflicted, so many thoughts and feelings all together; all centered around that orange and yellow serpent. It would take me hours to address all of them, but the longer I thought about it, the more the white noise dissipated, and soon I had reached a conclusion.

I broke the silence "Hey, 11-7." She turned her head away from the window. "I've uh, had a lot of fun today. I honestly can't remember the last time I went out and did something like this. It's nearly impossible to find the time, and there's always safety concerns... So, thanks for uh, coming along."

After hearing what I had to say, she squinted her eyes and turned her whole body to face me. I guess she could tell I had something important to say. "Yes, I have received much enjoyment as well. You do not seem interested in the view, you should look, it is nice."

A shadow from one of the spokes passed over the cabin for a moment. We had been through quite a bit together, hell I practically hated her in the beginning, and now we were friends. Yeah, friends... Something about that word didn't sit right with me, like I was lying to someone, - lying to myself. And I'm starting to think that maybe there is something more there. Something I'm not sure I fully understand yet. A new dimension to our friendship was growing and I had no control over it. I felt a warmth every time I saw her smile, happiness whenever I was around her, even just seeing her in the morning made my days a little brighter. Is that affection? I never thought I'd say these things about an alien, course I never wanted to befriend one either... No, she is more than just an alien, her name is 11-7. She's not completely foreign to me, not anymore. There was a genuine understanding between us, and I'm certain she knew more about me than she let on. The shadow passed and I saw that cute snakelike face of hers again. It held a subtle curiosity as she continued to flick her tongue out and observe me.

My concerns started to dissipate, and I felt compelled to continue down this uncharted path. I cleared my throat. "Uh, Why would I look outside, when - the view I have in here is so much better." I smiled awkwardly after I said that.

She cocked her head and blinked her eyes a few times. I saw something flash across her face for a second, but it quickly went away and turned into more confusion. "What do you mean?"

She clearly doesn't understand subtlety, I'm going to have to be more direct. "I'm trying to say I like - you - 11-7." I pointed at her for effect. "I, uh, like you a lot. Maybe more than just as a friend."

Her expression changed, and I couldn't read it anymore. "You - love - me?"

I felt my heart rate quicken, was this really happening right now. "I... I think I do."

She froze for a few moments, and then she giggled. "Oh, my. Confessing your love for me, while you know you're inside a dream. How bold."

This took a 180 degree turn. "What?"

She sat up off of her seat and started moving towards me. "You humans are so empathetic, - even when there's nothing there, or the things you empathize with would kill you if you gave them the chance."

She stopped moving once she was right in front of me. I didn't feel fear as she got closer, but my heart was pounding against my ribcage. "What are you getting at?"

She brought her face close to mine, so close that every time she flicked her tongue out it tickled the tip of my nose. "I am saying you should be scared of me, but you are not." She got a serious look in her eyes. "Did you mean what you said, do you truly love me?"

"I, uh..." My mind went blank, I couldn't think of anything to say. And here was 11-7 two inches from my face demanding an answer. I had to think of something... What the hell, she was right, this is a dream anyways. In this moment I felt my inhibitions lifted away. I leaned forward and looked at her face. Our lips met, and I felt electricity shoot all around my body. I must have caught her off guard because her hood flared out and she tried leaning backwards. But, after a few seconds she leaned into me. Surprisingly, her lips were not coarse, but a spongy texture, and I could feel the shallow grooves between her sleek scales. Our tongues danced at the edge of each other's lips, neither of us being adventurous enough to venture any deeper. I wrapped my arms around her, and she hugged me back. We held each other in this close embrace for a few moments, the warmth of our bodies mingling together, before I realized something. I hadn't woken up yet and I was still kissing her.

I pulled away from the kiss for a moment to catch my breath. I blinked my eyes, she was still in front of me and I was still in a ferris wheel cabin. What the hell was going on, why was I still asleep? I wasn't given much time to think about that. 11-7's tongue darted out and moved across her lips. I saw a deep hunger in her eyes, a look I think I was familiar with. She repositioned herself while I wondered what would happen next. She moved her face close to me and started curling her body around mine. Before I could react, her head lunged forward, like a snake biting into prey, but instead of biting she brought me into another kiss. Her body was completely pressed against mine, and she was much more aggressive now. Her hands were moving all around behind my back, touching and grabbing it. I felt her smooth bifurcated tongue enter my mouth and intertwine with my own. This kiss was sloppy, I felt her hot breath in my mouth, against my face and neck. Saliva coated the outside of my mouth, and dripped down my face, I wasn't sure whether it was mine or hers. She was using her whole body to hug and rub against me, smothering me completely with her affections. A fire was being stirred inside me and I was compelled to push back against her. I moved my tongue into her mouth, I couldn't reach much, but I felt the bottom of her fangs, and the front of her velvety mouth. I hugged her as tightly as I could, but her ability to wrap around me outclassed my efforts. For some time our bodies were twisted together like this: kissing and moving against one another, each groping whatever we could reach.

We pulled away from each other for a moment to catch our breath. We were both breathing heavily. I chuckled "I - uh, really thought I was gonna wake up after that first kiss."

She tried to slow her breathing and smiled. "You watch too many movies Lucas. - That would have been cinematic and poetic, but this isn't a movie. There won't be any fading to black."

So, - here I was, tangled up with an aroused Viper after passionately mixing our saliva together for several minutes. "Right, so - uh. What now?" Her body was still pressed up against mine, including my crotch, and all this movement was making me think of some dirty things.

She raised her eyebrows and gyrated her hips against mine. "I could think of a few things we could do." She caressed my face with the back of her hand after saying that.

As her hand left my cheek, I shuddered. The thought of being even closer to her was exciting, and I'm not sure if I've ever wanted anything more... But I - had to - consider some things. What would happen after I woke up if we did, and I did not know what her sexual anatomy was like. "I have some, minor concerns. What will happen when I wake up, after - this?"

She snorted, but held onto that predatory gaze. "You humans, always concerned about something. Never fully letting yourself enjoy anything, when everything you've ever wanted is right in front of you." She stopped speaking for a few moments, letting me think about what she said presumably. "You'll have to decide if the rissk is worth the reward."

"What about your body?"

She chuckled and looked down at her chest. "What about it?"

"I - uh, don't even know if you have a - pussy, or where it would be. Is it like at the end of your tail like a snake, or where your hips are like a human." I looked down at her waist and still didn't see anything. "Do - do you have both?"

She giggled. "How brash you are, going right for that when we barely know each other." That statement kinda conflicted with what she said before, but before I could respond, she continued. "But you are right, I cannot have something you haven't seen before. This presents a problem." She put a finger up to her chin, in thought.

I crossed my arms and smirked. "You sure are ruining the illusion of this being real now."

Her squinted eyes darted over to me. "You didn't want to play along, so now we're playing a different game." She moved her face close to mine again. "One where I know what I want, and I know exactly what - you want." She lightly poked one of her claws into my chest as she said you.

She started moving against my body again. I was no longer sitting on the bench, I was sitting on and leaning back against part of her body, and she was all around me. I could barely see the ferris wheel cabin anymore. "I see, what - did you uh, have in mind."

She held the back of my head with her hand, and moved in slowly to kiss me. At the last second she turned her head, and rubbed her face against mine as she brought her lips close to my ear. Her face was not soft or meaty like a human's, but it was smooth as glass. I felt her scales rub against my cheek and the faint heat they gave off. She moved her jaw slightly, rubbing the side of her mouth against my temple. Her hot breath tickled my ear as she whispered to me. "You know that I have a mouth." She nibbled on my earlobe with her lips, and I felt a chill move across my body.

She moved her head back and looked me in the eyes. I saw all her desire projected in those half lidded scarlet eyes, and she winked at me. This was actually about to happen. I wanted to feel her against me in any way possible. I didn't even think about it. I swallowed audibly and "Ok." was all I managed to spit out.

That soft smile grew into a devilish grin. "Let's not waste any time then."

I grunted as she grabbed my crotch with her right hand. She looked down there and kneaded it with her hand through my pants. She didn't seem satisfied with what she felt, and without warning she mashed her lips against mine, and again we were locked in another passionate kiss. She continued to fondle me, as she grabbed my hand and forced it against one of her breasts. I took the hint, and ravished it in kind. Her whole body undulated against me from all angles, and she rubbed her torso against me fiercely. With all this - stimulation, it did not take me long to reach full mast, and she took notice immediately. She withdrew her tongue from my mouth, and leaned back. I tried to follow her lips with mine, but she pushed me away with her hand, and coiled around my torso with the end of her tail.

I could still move my legs, but my torso was immobilized, she had stopped just short of my neck with her body, and stroked the top of my head with the tip of her tail. Being wrapped up like this didn't bother me, - this was the third time she had done it today, but it was clear she didn't want me moving. I chuckled. "Is this really necessary?" I looked down at her coils as I said that.

She made a noise that sounded like, hm. "Ensuring I have a good grip on you." She reached her hand forward and booped me on the nose. "Can't have you squirming around. Do not worry, you will enjoy this."

She moved down to my waist, and I felt her fingers rub against my thighs as she pulled my pants and underwear down to my ankles. I expected cool air to brush against my naked body, but there was no sensation. I looked over at one of the windows and saw it was covered with condensation, guess things were getting a little hot in here. My member stood to attention, and she was observing it, with - pride? I didn't have time to think about what that meant because she engulfed my full length with her mouth in an instant. The inside of her mouth was soft and tight, and I glided in with ease.

As it slid in I passed two fleshy bumps at the front of her mouth, the base of her fangs. I should have been scared, but the thought of rubbing against them gave this experience a sense of danger, which only excited me more. My reflexes kicked in and I bucked against her face. I grunted "fuck." as she kissed the base of my manhood effortlessly. She was so warm, and her hot breaths caressed my groin as she moved. I was already a mess after she practically swallowed my dick, then she brought her tongue into the equation. She moved her head back, and slowly curled her tongue around my length. Starting at the tip, and working her way down to the bottom, outside of her mouth. I felt that smooth and warm appendage rub against every millimeter of my cock. The sensation was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

I was surprised that she just went for it, and disappointed there was no foreplay, so I stammered out something to voice my concerns. "It's - not - a chee-eeeseburger.".

She snorted, and presumably elected to ignore my statement. Once she had completely enveloped it she started bobbing her head, and her tongue moved along to the rhythm. She started out slow, her tongue dragging along my shaft, leaving a trail of saliva and a feeling of coolness as she moved away from me, and returning it back to that warm fleshy hilt as she moved closer to me. Her soft orange lips, and that voracious mouth followed not far behind, attending to whatever her tongue was not.

She somehow knew what she was doing, which raised questions. I felt every coil of her tongue bump against my head, which sent wave after wave of pleasure across my body. I began to feel a warm pressure gradually building in my groin. If she was trying to make me cum as fast as she could, she was well on her way to succeeding. I had to grit my teeth and focus on containing myself to make this last a little longer. I could not think anymore, I was here in the moment, enjoying everything she was lavishing me with. I managed to have some success holding back, because I heard her snort out of annoyance.

She released my member, and slammed me down. I could not see her above what she had coiled around my torso. I groaned in protest, but before I could say anything, she was back to it. This time bringing my testicles into the mix. Gently caressing them with her tongue, as she redoubled her fellatio efforts. Pumping faster and faster, and sucking with her powerful throat. I felt that pressure steadily build up and up until I was teetering over the edge. I couldn't take it anymore. "I - I'm gonna C-" I felt a jolt of pleasure shoot up my spine as I released everything I could into her eager gullet. I felt nothing but bliss as my vision went white.

0-

I opened my eyes and tried to sit up immediately, I banged my head against the metal helmet thing it was inside. "Ah, fuck!"

As I laid back down and groaned, I saw 11-7 slither into view. "Lucas, are you alright?"

I scootched forward a little and slowly sat up, avoiding the metal helmet this time. I rubbed my head as I responded. "Mmmh, yeah, I'm ok. Just banged my head." As I shifted my legs around I felt something sticky on my thighs. Shit, I looked down and saw a wet spot on my robe. Of course I did, I shouldn't be surprised after all that. Maybe she won't notice.

Her forked tongue flicked out slower, and she started looking around the room. "What is that smell?"

I tried to play it off. "Hmm, What smell?"

She furrowed her brow. "I don't know what it is. I've smelled it before, but it was only in your room and it was fainter than it is now." She slithered around the room flicking her tongue out slowly.

Shit. "I'm sure it's nothing important. Say, where is that technician?"

She responded as she continued her investigation. "She left, and she said that you could wash up in the bathroom over there, change into your clothes, and leave. Once you awakened."

As she moved around the room she was steadily getting closer to me. "Oh that's cool, I think I'll go do that then." But before I could get up and clean off my shame, 11-7 was standing right in front of me and staring at the wet spot on my robe, flicking out her tongue.

"You uh, figure out that smell?"

She nodded, and looked at my face. "It is coming from you. What is it?"

"Oh, it's probably semen." Why in god's name did I just say that.

She raised an eyebrow. "Sea - men? What is that."

"It's - you know, genetic material for reproduction. Nothing to concern yourself with." I just did it again.

She squinted her eyes, and I got the feeling she didn't believe me. "What did you experience?"

"I had a pretty interesting dream. You should try playing basketball sometime by the way, you'd probably be really good at it."

She cocked her head, and looked as confused as I had ever seen her. "Do you feel any different?"

I checked over myself, and I really did feel different. "I do, there's no more anxiety, no fear." I looked around the room and smiled. "My conscience is clear." I jumped off the bed and grabbed her shoulders. "Oh, I feel like a million credits 11-7, - pure - euphoria, like nothing else matters" She moved her head away from me as I spoke.

That confusion on her face quickly turned into concern. "You should sit down."

I chuckled. "Sit down, why would I? I feel - great. Now, I'm gonna get cleaned up and be out in a second. You tell Ron to come back and pick us up. I'm ready to go home."

I didn't wait for her to respond, and rushed into the bathroom. Soon enough I was cleaned up and on my way home. Ron asked me how it went and I told him it was amazing. He was glad to hear that I enjoyed it, and said I looked a lot happier. At least he was happy for me. 11-7 was not taking her eyes off of me at all, observing me closely the whole way home.

Once we went inside I sat on the couch and started watching TV. 11-7 joined me, but she was constantly looking over at me. I didn't care about the TV, I couldn't stop thinking about that dream I had and what it meant. What the fuck was all that? How the hell did that machine work? Why did it give me a sexy dream, was it intentional? There was a bathroom in there to clean up in, so It's possible. Whatever it did to me it really made me feel better, and that dream made me realize something. I looked over at the viper sitting across from me on the couch and smiled. It showed me what I wanted.

But, there was something different about her in my dream. Was the viper from my dream really 11-7? Is she some sexual beast just waiting for an opportunity to be set loose upon me? I looked over at her, she was watching TV, coiled up in a pile on the couch. I wasn't picking up on any lustful predatory vibes like that, watching her. Is that how I view her, or is that what the machine made? I wonder could she love me, does her kind even have that capacity? I... I don't think I know the answer to those questions. But I can say with certainty, that was a dream, it wasn't her. I'll just have to find out who she is for myself, dreams and fantasy won't tell me anything. I'll have to be careful and tread lightly. This is a path few, if any, have traveled, and there isn't a map.

I should do something for her, a gesture she'd really appreciate. Hmmm, but what does she like? Food, video games, learning - I guess, movies... That's perfect, I'll take her out to the movie theater, and I'll let her pick the movie. I leaned back on the couch and smiled, I hope she has good taste.

I made small talk with 11-7 as we watched various movies on the tv. She got bored after a while, so we played a game together for a bit. I got tired after a while and finally decided it was time for bed. I bid her goodnight, and climbed into my bed. Excited for what tomorrow would bring, and happy there would be no nightmares tonight. Things were starting to look up for me, finally. I hope they stay this way, if only for a little while.

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Some authors notes: Hey guys, If you couldn't guess by now, I've been uploading stuff that I had already written. I was originally posting updates to pastebin, but I moved it to here and another site to ensure it wouldn't get deleted. I have now reached what I have written up to this point, so from now on new chapters will take longer than the ~4 day intervals I was posting at. I am currently working on the new chapter, and I tend to post at ~2 week intervals, but I make no promises with how long I'll take. I have no experience with this site, so I wasn't sure where to put this so people could see it. I figured this was a good enough spot, but I'll probably delete these notes in a week or two.

It has been fun writing this story, and I appreciate any feedback. I am trying to get better at writing, which is one of the things that motivated me to start writing this. So, if you are so inclined, let me know what you think, good or bad I want to hear it. I have been getting some great feedback from the other places I have this story posted, which has helped me improve it. With my obligatory begging for feedback out of the way, thanks for reading, and I hope you guys continue to enjoy the story.