Read Online Storm Force: Book Three of the Last Legion Series by Chris Bunch - Free Book Online
Authors: Chris Bunch
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He had, already in place, a staff of twenty-four. He asked if this’d been especially prepared for him, was told by his head-of-household, a calm man with shifty eyes named Kerman, the apartments had been previously occupied by … “but I must not use his name, sir. He was a member of a Cumbrian spy network our wonderful Protector sniffed out.”
Cumbrian spy network?
Of course Kerman, and Yoshitaro assumed everyone else in the household, was reporting to Celidon and then Redruth. No matter. He didn’t talk in his sleep, nor did he carry anything that’d give his mission away, except those four com chips he still had hidden.
He was in the middle of investigating the kitchens and bar areas when Kerman came to him again.
“
Leiter
Yohns, some possible candidates for your private quarters have arrived, and wish to know if you’d be interested in interviewing them.”
“Private quarters?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How’re these people different from you, or the maids, cooks, bakers, and laundry people I’ve already got?”
“If you’d care to accompany me, sir?”
There were half a dozen women, two blondes, two brunettes, two redheads. All were most attractive, seemed intelligent, and very interested in him. Yoshitaro took Kerman aside.
“I think I’ve got it. These women are applying for the job of my bed partner?”
“But of course, sir. We use the term companion. There are also men who serve similar functions, if you wish.”
Yoshitaro said he wasn’t interested in boys this week, then called one woman out of the room, a sultry-eyed brunette named Brythe.
“You want to become my … companion?”
“But of course.”
“Why?”
Brythe blinked. “Because that’s what I’ve been trained for.”
“What pressure, sorry, what encouragement did they put on you to become what you are?”
“Pressure, sir? I worked very hard in my training to be selected as a potential companion for someone of high rank, as did the other women in there.” She smiled. “I must say, sir, that I think I’ve got particular talents they might not have.”
“If I choose you, what happens?”
“Whatever you wish, whenever you wish.”
“No, I meant, what benefits do
you
get?”
“Well, I’d be permitted to live here, if you wished, which is much nicer than my own place, which is only a couple of rooms. Or I can merely come when you wish whatever services you want from me. Of course I get an increase in my living and clothing allowances. I’ll be able to shop in special stores, which are only open for high-ranking members of the government and their immediate staffs, and when I go to the stadiums sit in special sections. My parents also would be raised in status.”
“Um.” Yoshitaro had an idea. “Brythe, what would happen if I chose more than one of you?”
“Why, you’d be no more than a normal man. And, to be frank,” and she licked her lips, “some of the … pressure, to use your word, might be taken off me.”
Yoshitaro covered his reaction. Redruth’s regime programmed the citizens in more than one way.
“Very well. Come with me.”
He went back into the room, pointed to two blondes, a redhead.
“You three, and you, Brythe, can stay, if you choose. As for the rest of you, thanks for letting me meet you.”
The other two didn’t seem disappointed, but twittered about how gracious and noble the
Leiter
was, and perhaps they’d meet at another time, and were gone.
“Is there anyone else that’s going to get added to my retinue?” Yoshitaro asked Kerman.
“Only your personal bodyguards, sir.”
“Good. I’ll let you choose them. Get me big hulks. Male. Quiet ones. They ought to have military experience, and it wouldn’t hurt for them to be missing an ear or maybe be scalped.”
“Sir?” Kerman sounded shocked.
“I want any social misfit who’s thinking of harming me to know I’m well guarded,” Yoshitaro said. “Guys with scars are a good advertisement.”
“Yes,
He had, already in place, a staff of twenty-four. He asked if this’d been especially prepared for him, was told by his head-of-household, a calm man with shifty eyes named Kerman, the apartments had been previously occupied by … “but I must not use his name, sir. He was a member of a Cumbrian spy network our wonderful Protector sniffed out.”
Cumbrian spy network?
Of course Kerman, and Yoshitaro assumed everyone else in the household, was reporting to Celidon and then Redruth. No matter. He didn’t talk in his sleep, nor did he carry anything that’d give his mission away, except those four com chips he still had hidden.
He was in the middle of investigating the kitchens and bar areas when Kerman came to him again.
“
Leiter
Yohns, some possible candidates for your private quarters have arrived, and wish to know if you’d be interested in interviewing them.”
“Private quarters?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How’re these people different from you, or the maids, cooks, bakers, and laundry people I’ve already got?”
“If you’d care to accompany me, sir?”
There were half a dozen women, two blondes, two brunettes, two redheads. All were most attractive, seemed intelligent, and very interested in him. Yoshitaro took Kerman aside.
“I think I’ve got it. These women are applying for the job of my bed partner?”
“But of course, sir. We use the term companion. There are also men who serve similar functions, if you wish.”
Yoshitaro said he wasn’t interested in boys this week, then called one woman out of the room, a sultry-eyed brunette named Brythe.
“You want to become my … companion?”
“But of course.”
“Why?”
Brythe blinked. “Because that’s what I’ve been trained for.”
“What pressure, sorry, what encouragement did they put on you to become what you are?”
“Pressure, sir? I worked very hard in my training to be selected as a potential companion for someone of high rank, as did the other women in there.” She smiled. “I must say, sir, that I think I’ve got particular talents they might not have.”
“If I choose you, what happens?”
“Whatever you wish, whenever you wish.”
“No, I meant, what benefits do
you
get?”
“Well, I’d be permitted to live here, if you wished, which is much nicer than my own place, which is only a couple of rooms. Or I can merely come when you wish whatever services you want from me. Of course I get an increase in my living and clothing allowances. I’ll be able to shop in special stores, which are only open for high-ranking members of the government and their immediate staffs, and when I go to the stadiums sit in special sections. My parents also would be raised in status.”
“Um.” Yoshitaro had an idea. “Brythe, what would happen if I chose more than one of you?”
“Why, you’d be no more than a normal man. And, to be frank,” and she licked her lips, “some of the … pressure, to use your word, might be taken off me.”
Yoshitaro covered his reaction. Redruth’s regime programmed the citizens in more than one way.
“Very well. Come with me.”
He went back into the room, pointed to two blondes, a redhead.
“You three, and you, Brythe, can stay, if you choose. As for the rest of you, thanks for letting me meet you.”
The other two didn’t seem disappointed, but twittered about how gracious and noble the
Leiter
was, and perhaps they’d meet at another time, and were gone.
“Is there anyone else that’s going to get added to my retinue?” Yoshitaro asked Kerman.
“Only your personal bodyguards, sir.”
“Good. I’ll let you choose them. Get me big hulks. Male. Quiet ones. They ought to have military experience, and it wouldn’t hurt for them to be missing an ear or maybe be scalped.”
“Sir?” Kerman sounded shocked.
“I want any social misfit who’s thinking of harming me to know I’m well guarded,” Yoshitaro said. “Guys with scars are a good advertisement.”
“Yes,
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