Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Best Girl by BJohn
   Chapters 26 - 29 (end)
   Chapter 26
   ------
   Let's double-clutch and shift style to macro-time.
   ------
   SEAN (Monday 6/5)
   What the hell, after showers in the morning, we bopped back to the Rio
for their buffet.  Better than me slaving over a hot stove.
   Why were they glaring at me and muttering comments all during breakfast?
Hey, I was just hitting my stride!  I was finally getting into some sort of
physical shape after being so wussy for years.  Maybe in a month or so I'd
be able to give my sweeties what they *really* deserved.
   Back to OTL and daily work.  BB showed up about 10:00, happy as an
Irishman who'd just inherited a distillery.  She waved her JPL check and
said, "28K!  Now I can fix my car."
   We hugged her good; she'd probably gotten chilly from the high altitude
at JPL.  I handed over her cards -- VP of Expansion -- along with her cell
phone, CE debit card and a check for $3,000 as her sign-on bonus.  Now we
had a really happy camper!
   Her car had been spluttering around for a week or so.  I called my usual
mechanic and arranged for them to pick it up and check it out.  I told BB,
"On the house.  We've gotta have good transportation so things look 'usual'
from the outside."
   She laughed and said, "I accept.  The only thing I know about cars is to
put gas in them." She eyeballed us all thoroughly and commented, "You girls
look like you were rode really hard and put away very wet.  I wasn't in
very good shape myself Saturday night."
   That set the OTL ladies off.  They Irished me hotly and told her how
badly I'd abused them for the last day and a half.  She ate it up, agreed
with them that I'd been extremely abusive and said, "And you loved every
minute of it, right?"
   "RIGHT!"
   We made a workspace for her.  She got a full system, not just a laptop;
I figured she'd be spending a lot of time there.  Hmm.  She did need a
decent chair, though, so off to Office Depot we went!
   They spent 20 minutes picking one out then we browsed for goodies.  Yeh,
we needed footrests, more in-baskets, folders, staples (stocked up with 5
extra staple removers), some odds and ends of pens and other stuff.  Eileen
complained, "We've all got these really comfortable chairs, but poor Margie
has to support herself in the air because a regular chair's too low for
her. She's wearing herself out!"
   Marge put on a good show of being worn out.  Right.  She'd gotten as
much sleep last night as the rest of us had.  But they were right (my word
against thousands of theirs).  We decided to check out Bar Stools R Us
after we got the current load of goodies home.
   After ducking around to the back of the store and porting our loot back
to OTL, we popped over to BSRU for more shopping.  We found a nice
adjustable stool with a comfortable back and all the other et ceteras.  Now
Marge could really lord it over us, even in the office.
   We treated ourselves to lunch and brought BB pretty much up to speed on
our CE plans.  Rita from Fillmore Sales had emailed the first drafts of the
promo over on Friday afternoon along with estimates for the notebook
printings and CD duplication.  Eileen made a couple prints (remotely) and
ported them over.
   We liked them.  I made a few corrections to my "resume" on it -- changed
a couple of the business types and added the Waystation -- then Eileen made
the changes and remote-emailed it off to Rita with our approval.
   They'd found an opening at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for a hall to
hold 1,500+ people on August 5th, a Saturday.  It seemed a reasonable price
and the entire place was familiar; I'd had several smaller seminars there
before.  Eileen remotely fired off a confirmation and acceptance email.  We
were on the way!
   Their bids for the printing and CDs were decent.  In lots of a thousand,
we could have The Book printed in a custom binder (the suggested artwork
looked great) for $7.35.  They suggested selling it for $25.  That would
work.  The CDs would run us about $2.75 apiece with a jewel case and
insert.
   The detail manuals were similar.  We'd offer a set for $300 and our cost
would be around $85.  Sounded good to our resident accountant.  The printer
estimated he could get them printed within the next three weeks.
   BB asked, "We're handling the shipping, right?"
   Marge said, _"Sure.  We'll just port them over to a storage area by or
in the hall.  The Fillmore people doing the registrations will pass them
out and handle all the sales."_
   BB said, "Sounds fine to me.  That'll save a bundle on shipping and
handling costs.  Where are you going to store them after they're printed
and before the seminar?"
   Well...  Hadn't thought of that.  What with ordering 1,000 CDs, 1,000
manual sets and 2,000 The Books, we made a SWAG they wouldn't all fit in
the living room, dining room and everywhere else we could stash them at
OTL.
   We paid for lunch and popped back to OTL to meditate on it.  BB did the
honors for us, "My first group port!"
   A case of 10 The Books would be about 1.5 cubic feet.  A detail manual
set would be about 3 cubic feet.  Marge racked her mind for a couple
minutes then came up with 3,300 cubic feet just for the first seminar and
not counting the CDs.  Lots of cubic.
   Kate suggested, "I suppose we could rent a space.  Something that big
would probably run well over a grand a month, though.  How about we get a
couple of those cargo shipping containers they use on ships?"
   Marge hopped up on Wikipedia.org and checked it out.  She told us, _"A
standard 8 by 8 by 40 feet container would hold about 2,500 cubic feet.  A
couple would do it.  Now, we gonna put them in the back yard?  Wouldn't get
my vote."_
   Eileen's suggestion sounded great to us, "Put them in the bedrock like
we've got our stash box.  Seal them up tight so water can't get in. 
Obviously no security issues."
   Great.  We _showed_ BB our stash box and got her set up on the nodes. 
There was plenty of room in the bedrock so that sure wasn't an issue. 
While we were at it, we "wired" her into the house shield system so she
could come and go as she pleased.
   I asked, "So, which one of you gorgeous creatures is gonna find them for
us?"
   Three of the creatures pretended to preen -- BB picked up on it in about
half a second.  Kate said, "I'll do it.  I don't mind spending money." As
if I knew any women who did.
   While Kate got on the Internet to do her search, I got BB started on her
study check list.  Figured it wouldn't take her long.
   ------
   EILEEN
   As soon as BB sat down and stayed still for thirty seconds, Geeser
decided to check out the new kid.  She claimed BB's lap and snuggled in. 
She must have liked something she found because she shifted around until
her head was buried in BB's crotch.  What an interesting place to be...
   I started on the thank-you notes for the wedding gifts.  We figured Kate
and I would split writing them.  Mona had found time Sunday to type up the
list she'd made on Saturday and had emailed it to me.
   Fun.  Now we had plenty of lucky horseshoes.  Marge darted around and
put one above the front, back and each bedroom door.  Anyone going into one
of the bedrooms probably *would* get lucky.
   Kate announced, "American Portable Storage in Wilmington has used
containers.  We can get 3 used 40-footers for 2 grand apiece.  Delivered in
L.A.  County."
   After a quick check with John, Sean told her, "Do the deal.  Have them
dumped in the back of the Tavern parking lot; we'll take them from there."
   Kate talked back into the phone and rattled off her debit card number.
She hung up and said, "They'll deliver them after midnight so there's no
traffic problems."
   Kate went on, "We should get a storage space of some sort too.  If we
get an IRS audit, we should be able to show some expenses for storage and
transportation so they don't get too interested.  At least we'll have a
basis for an acceptable truth -- one they'll buy."
   Yeh.  CE'd had no IRS problems up to then and didn't want any.  We
discussed it a couple minutes then decided to rent a small warehouse space
somewhere (maybe at the Reynolds' research lab?) and show at least a small
truck load of stuff going from the printers to the warehouse then to the
seminar site.  Yeh, do at least some personal transportation expenses, too.
Pain in the butt!
   ------
   Dr.  Sayes called.  "We got all the DNA results back from the lab.  As
we pretty much suspected, we've got a positive on Bridget being his and
your daughter.  Want me to mail them to you?"
   Sure.  Might as well have them.  They could go in the genealogy pile for
what it would be worth.  We'd already done a DNA match of our own; the
pattern matches were right for paternity.
   BB finished up her study check list around 4:00.  I showed her around
the computer system; Marge had already set her up with an Exchange account
so she was ready there.
   By now we were plenty hungry so we found a buffet in Vegas and popped
over for a little bite to stave off the hunger pangs.  BB loved the idea of
a long commute for supper!  We tried to make a serious dent in their
stockpile, but they just kept filling up the tables again.  BB didn't eat
quite as much as we did but did respectably.
   After we got back, Kate and Marge took off for a Skunk Works session. 
They had plenty to work on; filters, multi-media stuff, etc.
   BB, Sean and I kicked back and talked.  We snuggled her up between us
then BB told us about her younger siblings.  There were three brothers; two
in their late teens and one about our age.  The sister was 21 and out on
her own working her way through college.
   Her dad was a watch and jewelry designer and maker.  He and her mom ran
a small shop in Pasadena.  They'd managed to raise all five kids fairly
decently, it seemed.
   The oldest brother was semi-engaged while the sister wasn't seeing
anyone.  Not that she wasn't interested; she was working her butt off at a
full-time job plus college at night.  Hmm, I'd guess Kate would be able to
understand the difficulties she was having.
   BB wasn't seeing anyone herself.  She'd dated off and on during and
after college -- a bit more once she'd started at JPL and had more free
time.  Definitely interested in finding a good relationship and having
children.  "My career?  Well, that's up in the air.  The HR stuff at JPL
got to be pretty routine with the same-o, same-o, sic semper.  The
atmosphere was nice; it was exciting, but I wasn't going anywhere.
   "I can see things happening here.  Just from the little bit you've
talked about your relationship with the JRD execs, we're in for some really
exciting times.  Doing these seminars *helps* people.  What's the
Waystation I've heard about?"
   Well, nothing beats showing rather than telling.  We took her on a
virtual tour while I bragged on Sean, and he just filled in the facts and
tried to minimize his part.  I think BB got the better picture from me.
   Kate and Margie _told_ us they were staying for the Clann Reynolds
meeting so we got us a late snack and settled back again.  BB was really
relaxed and we were very comfortable together.
   Sean told her about the virtual meeting tonight.  "I'd like you to be
here since you're part of Cullen Enterprises now.  We're gonna review both
the Admin Scale and Org Board to ensure they're up to date.  Plus, since I
now have four other people working with me in CE, I wanna update the
corporate officers."
   ------
   SEAN (Tuesday 6/6)
   We got together right on time at 1:00.  I told everyone, _"Since I've
got four additional people full-time at CE, I'd like to take a look at the
corporate officers."_
   Maura, Teresa and Patrick immediately tendered their resignations. 
Teresa told us, _"With four women on your lines, you sure don't need us as
officers.  But take care, guy.  We're still gonna keep a pretty close eye
on you."_
   Okay.  I had two offices open and three eligible (legal aged) people.  I
nominated Kate as CE Treasurer, Eileen as Vice President and BB as
Secretary.  Since all three stockholders were present, we immediately had a
second for each and they were elected.
   I told the N&Bs, _"I'll be putting my Cullen Hotels shares under CE. 
That way I can set my slaves to work on everything while I sit back and
drink Kool-Aide in the shade!"_
   Only problem with that was three of the slaves were right there with me
and tried to create some significant bruises on my tender body.  It didn't
help that BB, Maura and Teresa joined in with _touches_.  I think the only
thing which saved me is they ran out of pillows to beat me with.
   Okay.  On to the Admin Scale.  We took a quick run up and down it and
decided it really hadn't changed since I'd first set it up over five years
ago.
   On the Org Board side, though, we had to fill lots of functions.  I'd
been holding the entire thing "from above," but now there were four
additional actual people.
   We plugged BB, Eileen, Kate and Marge in to the appropriate locations.
Actually, we still had a couple holes.  We could probably use someone in
the Public Division (Promotion and Sales) to interface with Fillmore and
other projects we might get into -- possibly another Waystation.
   Marge suggested, _"Let's keep an eye on the Clann web site.  We've just
got the word out about it and Mona said we've had several hundred visitors
already.  We could even put up job openings for CE."_
   Sounded good to us.  We exchanged a round of goodbye spirit-hugs and
_kisses_.  Everyone ensured BB got more than her "fair share."
   ------
   We got to work right at 9:00.  BB ported in right on time.  She told us,
"Sure beats commuting even if it's only fifteen minutes away."
   We started BB in on her The Book studies (with Geeser ensuring she
stayed working) while the rest of us ported over to the Tavern parking lot
to check out the containers.
   Yeh, they were big, a touch rusty and dented here and there but looked
sound overall.  Eileen suggested, "How about we sand-blast them then put a
coat or so of epoxy paint on them.  We can cover all the joints with epoxy
so the entire thing's pretty water tight.  That way we don't have to worry
about leakage."
   Yep.  I added, "We'll put in some valves and flood the inside with
nitrogen or argon.  That'll prevent any moisture or mold plus handle any
assorted critters that might creep in at the printers."
   I pointed out a couple spots in the Angeles Crest Forest where it was
dry and warm plus had a sandy soil.  "We can port sand in from most
everywhere for the sand blasting.  They won't really be noticed and the
heat and dryness will help the paint dry up as rapidly as possible."
   Eileen volunteered to shop for paint ("Nipple pink would be a nice
color.") while Kate located a good spot in the Forest, and Marge located
sand.  Well, since they had it all under control I figured I could go back
to OTL and take a nap.
   My social secretaries allowed as how that was a good idea -- maybe after
lunch.  Kate told me, "We've got early-evening birthday parties for Aile
and Deidre we need to shop for.  Rosheen's over for a sleepover tonight. 
*After* we get the shopping done, we'll take a nap."
   Sounded like a plan.  We hit several stores and got several nice goodies
for the nieces.  BB didn't know it, but she got stuff for them, too.
   ------
   EILEEN
   One thing I did in the afternoon was to drop off an "Irish by Injection"
pin to Sarah over at the Altadena Arms.  I told her, "We've got feelers out
for eligible men.  Maybe we can start you getting laid on a regular basis."
She was more than willing and loved the pin.
   I found paint.  Each container had over 1,400 square feet of surface --
on the outside.  Double that to do the inside.  Kate had found a good
isolated spot in the sunshine near the top of one of the mountains and had
ported the containers there.
   Kate, Margie and I went over the containers pretty quickly.  We
straightened out dents with _touches_ then gave them a good sand-blasting
inside and out.  We'd paint tomorrow.
   I spent a couple hours in the afternoon getting sign painters to touch
up several business signs, harassing landlords for needed repairs to their
buildings and other CE-business-related stuff.  Maybe by the time we made
the rounds next week, things should be up to snuff.
   ------
   Aile and Deidre's birthday party was a roaring success as far as we
could tell.  Caden and Connor wore dark pants, white shirts and bow ties
and acted as waiters.
   Aile told us, "Probably three-quarters of these are Brain Trust and
there's half a dozen Inner Circle prospects.  Lookin' good!"
   They'd managed to cozen Ted into coming.  He seemed to enjoy himself
even being two years older than most of the others.  He, Caden and Connor
told every girl there a couple of times how pretty and sexy they were and
how they made their hearts beat faster to be around them.  I think they'd
been listening to their uncle too much.  And yeh, even some of the
non-Clann girls were cultivating the right bumps and curves in their spare
time.
   Margie played the second-cousin-by-marriage really well.  She hugged all
the kids (the girls got an extra going over which left them thinking pretty
hard about making babies), sucked down punch, part of a hamburger
(carefully cut up) and several pieces of cake.  Even the experienced
cake-eaters were in awe of her ability to hoover down a piece of cake in a
couple seconds.  Ice cream didn't stand a bit of a chance.
   We physically introduced BB around to the adults.  They did me proud
with firm hugs and welcomes.
   Maura told us, "Teresa and I talked with the middle school councilors
Monday; once they made a call to Mrs.  Baer at McCambridge, we got a total
green light.  Bob Reynolds and company has a hefty presence in L.A. 
County.
   "From what Mona told me, most of the youngsters here are already Brain
Trust and Inner Circle -- or hot prospects.  Ted's impressive already; the
Passion Posse's claimed him.
   "By the way, get ready to handle both Aile and Deidre next week. 
They're really hot to trot now, especially now they have a stud about their
own age around a lot."
   ------
   SEAN
   I had a talk with Bob in the late afternoon.  JRD was interested in
setting up a content management system on their server, mainly to ensure
stuff didn't get lost and got backed up securely.
   Sounded good to me.  Wouldn't hurt at all to have the treasury books for
several years stored away -- all three organizations.  What with all the
genealogy and customs research going on, we could make it even more
centralized and easier to collaborate.  Yeh, sic Marge on it for setup.
   No sweat on warehouse space and transportation.  There was plenty of
"warehouse" room at the research lab and Reynolds Construction could supply
the truck and crew.  He agreed we should have an acceptable truth for the
IRS so we wouldn't attract attention.
   The birthday party was fun, especially since all we really had to do was
put in our appearance and fork over the gifts.  Caden, Connor and Ted were
running the show and doing an excellent job.
   Ted tended to have the Passion Posse hanging around him while the other
around-nine girls orbited around Caden or Connor -- especially the ones
with Talent.  From the looks of it, there'll be plenty of hot times in the
Old Town for plenty of nights.  [Old Town = nicely-renovated shopping area
in Pasadena]
   I'll slip a word to Caden and Connor: they'll need social secretaries. I
bet Ted already had three actively working on booking his female-services
time, probably to the three of them.
   ------
   We slipped quietly away around 7:00.  Marge scarfed down a bit more ice
cream and cake then popped back home a few minutes later.
   Rosheen popped over about 7:30.  She told us, "Hell of a lot easier than
taking the bus.  I'll probably let my bus pass expire."
   We settled in for a nice talk -- I got first-snuggle privileges and
Geeser pre-empted her lap.  BB had no place she had to be and all night to
get there so we kept her around to participate.  Being with us most of
every day, she'd be working with a lot of Clann stuff, so might as well get
her involved at the beginning.
   Rosheen was, by her words, doing wonderfully well.  "I'm productive for
the first time in something like fifteen years.  Having Kate around really
helped, but she was gone most of the time during the week.
   "Now, especially with the new computer and connection, I'm doing a ton
of research, handling the matchmaker line -- there's a lot of singles
around -- and lots of other worthwhile stuff."
   She'd found the Murrays all to have some Talent and was pumping them up.
Eileen told us, "The trainers from all the Clanns are getting together next
Sunday at the Nolans to work up a first-pass check list.  Seems they're
almost all the younger students since they have a bit more time available."
   Marge said, _"Hope they get some work done.  There were plenty of
butterflies around on the last get-together our young-uns had with the
Clann Reynolds elementary and middle school Brain Trust."_
   BB put in, "And from the way the girls were flocking around your nephews
and Ted at the birthday party, there'll be plenty of Clann Cullen games,
too."
   Right.  Social secretaries would be needed.
   In the honoring room, Rosheen was a sweet lady as I'd expected.  She
told me, "My body's getting a lot stronger; just doing the right decisions
have improved everything -- including my tits."
   Yep.  Definitely improved and quite responsive to the Sorcerer's Grip.
We spent a couple very nice hours walking the beach, splashing in a few
small waves and sharing gentle caresses.  She told me, "Last year, I'd
thought I'd never be doing this again."
   I reminded her since she was on the matchmaker lines she could take
advantage of it, too.  "Might as well abuse the position a little.  Take
first pick yourself -- male, female or both."
   She wasn't into other women at all.  "Intellectually, I've got no issue
with it.  It's just the way I've been all my life." Totally fine.  I wasn't
into guys myself.  Good thing or I'd have twice the honoring load!
   Well, while we'd been doing our honoring, Marge had taken off to spend
some time with George.  Eileen and Kate talked BB into spending the night
-- plenty of room.  No hanky-panky, they just slept -- after they'd Irished
me a little about all the abuse I'd heaped on them recently.  Right. 
Geeser stood watch over them to ensure they didn't cause too much mischief.
   ------
   (Wednesday 6/7)
   We took a "break" around 1:00 to review the Cullen Hotels Admin Scale
and Org Board.  For once, the Cullen Sisters didn't comment on the mix of
women in the house.
   Anyway, the Admin Scale and Org Boards were fine the way they were.  I
told the others, "I'm gonna sell my shares to Cullen Enterprises so we're
all interlocked.  The Arms dining room expansion seems to be doing just
fine; we've already tripled our weekly bodies in the shop stat."
   We talked about finding another hotel to buy into or building our own.
Maura said, "Building sounds great, but there's a tremendous capital
investment.  Let's look around for distressed businesses we can build up."
   Exactly.  On Maura's To Do List -- not the Honey Do List.
   Real Soon Now, Clanns Reynolds and Cullen would start surveys on
starting a Waystation in this area.  "Now they've all got The Book under
their belts, they've got a good working knowledge of what we need to do.
   "I expect to get Clann Cullen's tax-exempt status in just a few more
days.  Between it and the Clann Reynolds' exempt status, we can organize it
on our own.  I used the churches in Mesa mainly because they were already
there.
   "We'll get the local churches involved, of course; they do have
influence and probably have a few outreach programs of their own they could
merge into a Waystation.  It'll all depend on the survey and other research
results."
   ------
   EILEEN
   We didn't have to persuade BB very hard to sleep over.  Dayum, them's
some really fine diddies; barely needed the Inner Touch bra.  Maybe we'll
find out about the tasty furry fanny tomorrow.  Holy shit!  When she
shucked her long-sleeved blouse, she had this lovely downy pelt of silver
hair *all* over!  Dayum!  We've gotta check it out!
   She wasn't at all shy about eyeballing Kate or me either.  She told us,
"I'd better warn you; I like girls.  No where near as much as guys but it
was a lot safer, especially in college."
   We assured her we had absolutely no problems with that.  Kate told her,
"You'll find out soon enough how things work around here in the
Ceann-Harem!" Change that "maybe" about her tasty furry fanny to a "will."
   We let the bodies sleep.  Kate and I were still a bit knackered from
Sean's perverted attentions over the weekend.  The best part was we'd be
getting more of it!
   While Margie was out playing with George, we three finished up the first
coat of epoxy paint on the storage containers.  We could read instructions
and after the first can and some experimental spray-painting with
_touches_, we finished all three containers inside and out within a couple
hours.  They'll probably need another coat in a few spots but no problems
for now.
   We set up a solid shield around them and elevated the temperature inside
to about 125 degrees.  That'll bake it good by morning.
   Marge popped back in around 6:00.  Kate and I immediately started
joshing her about "getting some on the side."
   She cackled, _"On the side works just fine, too.  You should remember
that, Snapper."_
   She knoshed on BB's cute butt for a bit then told her, _"You're a
delicious young lady.  Hope you're up to a lotta lovin', 'cause we're the
ones who can give it to ya.  Hehehehe.  Love your fur, Honey!"_
   BB told us, "Sheila told me about your army.  The worst that'll happen
is I won't survive.  Oh, well.  I've got a will made out.  Lay on Macduff,
and damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'"
   Well, Scottish is okay; at least it's Celtic.
   ------
   In the morning, the entire group popped over to a buffet in Vegas.  For
whatever reason, Rosheen and Margie really sucked it down!  When we got
back, Sean presented Rosheen with a shamrock pin along with some snuggles
and cuddles.  She really loved it -- and had loved the sleepover.
   While BB and Kate hit their studies, Sean and I finished up the storage
containers.  Sean put in a few valves in opposite corners to let atmosphere
in and out plus a conduit connection then we sealed the doors.  We put
epoxy resin over all the seams on the inside and outside.  By the time it
cured, it should be water-tight (within reason) and fairly air-tight, too.
   We found three good spots in the bedrock close to our stash-box and
carved out the openings two feet larger all the way around.  They wouldn't
rattle much after we put bracing in and filled the gap with insulation.
   ------
   Yes!  Kate finished her last detail manual!  We gave her a good round of
hugs and kisses then Sean handed her the paper transferring 5% of the
shares to her.  "You're at $1,000 a week now that you're useful." He
grinned barely in time to escape a sound trouncing.
   He told BB, "When they finished their training, I gave each one 5% of
Cullen Enterprises plus went off their training salaries.  If you decide
you want to make a go of it with us in CE, you'll get the same.
   "Eileen and Margie don't get quite twice the salary -- actually once
you're owners it's a draw rather than a salary -- only because we can't
really use Margie in our public work.  On the other hand, she got a full
five percent and already serves as gorgeous eye candy and an arm ornament."
Margie immediately did her Clann-famous impress of eye candy.
   BB allowed as how it was fine with her.  "So far, I've liked everything
I've seen around here.  If I can keep up the pace on the study, we'll find
out pretty quick."
   Margie said, _"I think Kate deserves YASL for finishing.  For you
whipper-snappers, that's Yet Another Soo Laid."_
   I promptly agreed but pouted a little.  "Neither Margie nor I got a Soo
Laid when *we* finished."
   Sean groaned.  He said, "All right, already.  When someone finishes
their last detail manual, they get ownership, a draw increase *and* a Soo
Laid.  Retroactive.  Maybe I'll get mine sometime."
   BB asked, "Okay.  I'll bite.  What's a Soo Laid?"
   The rest of us eyeballed her good.  Margie did the honors, _"You'll find
out Real Soon Now.  Kate has three on account for acing her last college
exam.  We decided Sean gives us and the Passion Posse a night on the town
first.  I think we can persuade Sean to add you retroactively -- if you're
still interested by then."_
   ------
   SEAN
   The rest of the day, Eileen, Kate and Marge would eye BB and cackle
knowingly.  I was pretty sure BB already had a good idea what a "Soo Laid"
was just from the name.  We'll see what she thinks about the actuality
later.
   Right after lunch, we did an all-hands on finishing the containers.  We
ran two atmosphere lines from each container to the back yard.  With them,
we could purge the containers and keep them biologically inert.  I put a
small pressure gage on a line from each container.  While I was at it, I
ran conduit down so we could run wires and have electricity if we needed it
for some reason.
   While I was running the lines (around a hundred feet each), the others
ported each container into its hidey hole, put in braces to the bedrock
then foamed high-density insulation around the entire outside so the entire
cavity was full.  I think Bob or Papa Sonora would have been proud.
   The bedrock was around 65 degrees; the insulation would help in either
direction.  As soon as the Skunk Works had a filter worked up, I was
planning on putting argon or nitrogen in at five or ten pounds positive
pressure.  Definitely didn't want anything in there to get damaged.
   We found several small containers, filled them with seed packages and
ported them inside.  Since we now had a life form for an anchor, we coached
BB on setting up the shields.  We all got hooked in -- I put Vera and
Patrick in, too.  Done deal for now.
   ------
   Teresa _talked_ with me a few minutes; she wanted to get another
ceremonial staff made up.  Fine by me; I'd noticed it was getting a little
bit worn and shabby.  I told her to go for it.  _"You know what's needed.
Somewhat ornate but extremely durable.  As the official Clann Historian you
probably have the best idea how it should look."_
   She had several cabinet-makers and other artisans in mind already.  I
gave her pretty much a blank check, _"But try to keep it under $35K."_
   ------
   I wanted to get the print order out so I called another all-hands. 
"Everyone gets a couple manuals.  Eyeball them for layout.  We'll do one
set of double-sided for the printers -- it'll save on bulk -- and a
single-sided set for the clients to print.  They'll get both; plenty of
room on the CD."
   We eyeballed hard for an hour.  BB picked it right up; she was used to
handling Word from five years at JPL.
   We each found at least one needed tweak.  Margie showed BB how to
produce the PDFs we needed and everyone went to town.
   While the PDFs were pumping out, I called the printers and ordered a
proof for the notebook covers.  They'd have it to me by next week.  PDFs
were exactly how they liked their files.  They had an upload screen on
their Internet portal.
   I got an order number for the printing.  They liked to do a preliminary
imaging run before they made the lithograph plates; totally fine.  I made a
list of the PDFs and started uploading.
   I promised the ladies I'd feed them quite well tonight as soon as we got
done with the PDF production.  They responded eagerly; of course they had
been clever enough to do the double-sided ones first so I got them all
uploaded.  My clever people!
   So, off to dinner; the Altadena Arms sounded just fine.  I'd heard they
had decent food and service there.  Grin.
   Of course almost the entire staff had been at the wedding or reception
so they knew us.  I introduced BB around as being the brilliant mind behind
our soon-to-be-huge expansion of Cullen Enterprises.
   She obligingly pinked up.  It got a little deeper pink when the other
girls started dropping a quiet, _"*Soo* Laid!  *Soo* Laid!  *Soo* *Laid*!"_
A pink BB with her blonde hair -- yummy!
   After a round of thanks to the waiters and chefs and a quick inspection
of the reception area -- lots of pictures up now -- we popped back to OTL
for the night.
   Eileen announced, "Okay!  We've had dinner.  Now it's a shower and a
movie.  First-Date Night with the new girl!"
   We came back to the den in Altadena Arms robes -- a cool fringe benefit
of being an owner.
   Kate pulled out a chick-flick.  Okay!  They'd checked out the new home
theatre, but I'd really not paid too much attention before now.
   We made a nice BB sandwich with me on one side.  The other girls spent
twenty minutes or so each cycling through her other side -- Geeser found
something very interesting under her robe where her legs came together and
kept trying to slip her head in.
   BB's robe kept slipping open a bit, almost displaying a very pink
puckered nipple for a few seconds.  I didn't check too closely -- something
to do with a gift horse -- but I suspect some bond-mate _touches_ helped.
As the movie went on and we tormented her, they got a lot bigger and
harder.
   Interesting smell.  Seems four women producing pheromones and sex smell
was quite a mix!
   As the last obligatory "all loose ends resolved and they kiss" scene
started, I nuzzled her neck and ear lobe really good.  Kate on her other
side tag-teamed with me.  BB groaned, her nipples pushed out another good
half inch then she told me, "If you don't get me in bed within the next
three minutes, I'm gonna start biting something -- and you won't enjoy it."
   Geeser pulled her head from underneath her robe and started washing her
face rapidly.  I think BB really meant it.
   I'd only done a quick gestalt with her before; I don't think anyone had
done a deep _inspection_.  We got enough _join_ to feel each other really
well and we started.
   She was, em, furry.  It thinned out as it ran up her breasts and on her
face and hands, but everywhere else had a fine down which was delightfully
sensitive.  It was so fine and light it was barely visible; it was like
stroking a luxurious velvet.  Her fluffy muff was plenty long but still
barely visible.  I might have missed a few hairs, but I sure attempted a
100% inspection.
   She asked me, "I don't shave anywhere; don't think I need to.  Do you
mind?"
   I showed her how much I minded.  Delicious and exotic!
   Almost every inch of her body was sensitive in some way.  By the time I
nibbled a nipple, they were puckered up a good inch.  Her breasts were as
large as Eileen's had been with her milk in and were firm and very full. 
Twenty minutes of the Sorcerer's Grip left us both really ramped up.
   At almost 5' 11", she was able to carry them splendidly.  Hips to match,
with a lovely tush and legs running all the way to the ground.  *Totally*
yummy!
   Down Under was completely delicious!  I had to desist after a half-hour
though.  Our body shields kept flaring up when she beat my head with her
fists and pounded my back with her heels.  She was strong!  Dayum!
   We took a long wonderful Journey, riding waves of joy and surfing waves
of delight until we made a tsunami which flung us out beyond the planets.
   Our _blendings_ were joyously tender and we flared together brilliantly.
So nice, so deep and so loving.  I was hooked -- again.
   Eileen, Kate and Margie joined us.  Margie said, _"I figured it would be
like this.  Every time I'd talk with you, you felt like a deep ocean."_
   Okay.  Cold-blooded evaluation time.  Each of our _blends_ with her was
brilliant and full of rainbows.  Three and four-ways with her were even
brighter.  Our final _blending_ with the five of us was so ecstatic we
couldn't tolerate it very long.
   Only a couple gray specs; they were much like Kate's had been: wanting a
man of her own and several children.
   Our QQV with her?  Everything was high.  Since she was already
independent and had no attachments, it would work just great.
   ------
   EILEEN
   Our _blend_ with Kate had been like a complex molecule.  With BB in with
us, it was a wonderful stable compound of endless joy and ever-changing
complexity.  Be Jaysus and a couple hundred Janey Macks to boot!
   BB told us, _"I don't really know what to say.  My memories of love are
almost all wonderful, but this transcends them hundreds or thousands of
times.  I couldn't bear it for too long."_
   Kate told her, _"I had the same issues as you appear to have.  Just from
this short time, we want you in our relationship.  May I suggest a week's
trial then check everything again?  Should be good enough for a start."_
   BB thought that would be a Real Good Thing.  _"You've gotta meet my
family, too.  They've got touches of Talent; I haven't pumped them any yet,
but to me, they're some of the best people I've ever known.  Of course, I'm
extremely biased."_
   It was agreed.  This was wonderful!
   We slipped back to our bodies.  Kate, Margie and I had been getting it
on a little bit but had mainly _peeked_ at Sean and BB.  We let them sleep;
I changed the towels under her (*really*-nice) butt and Margie washed her
off lightly.  Gotta leave some for the manual cleanup!
   We talked, _blended_ lightly and enjoyed complex braidings and
interweavings together.  Each time was richer and deeper.  Love was
definitely there.
   Our bodies had slept enough (in Margie's opinion) so we nudged them
awake.  Margie declared, _"Soo Laid on BB!"_
   "*Soo* Laid!  *Soo* Laid!  *Soo Laid!*"
   She found out exactly what it was.  She stood up under it tremendously
well; I think she could have worn us out (except for Sean).  I'd have to do
a lot of practice myself to handle four other lovers at a time -- each
intent on driving me wild!
   Yeh, she had a really, really tasty furry fanny.  Sensuous blonde down
*everywhere*!  The down around her fanny caught a lot of the plentiful
tasty juices so very little was lost.
   It took us an hour at full throttle (hold off the grand slam!) before
she gave up.  "Enough!  I need to get into shape first.  I've come more
tonight than I've done in my entire life -- and I've got really busy
fingers."
   Kate asked, "How do you do it?  You say you're not used to it, but you
just keep on going -- or is it coming?"
   Bad.  Really bad.  Subtract one Soo Laid.
   BB grinned and said, "German strength with Oriental endurance. 
Vietnamese are basically Mandarin Chinese ancestry.  I used to listen for
hours while Mom and Dad made babies."
   Kate suggested, "Maybe that's how your fingers and hands got so strong."
   BB admitted it was a good possibility.
   We slept the bodies the rest of the night and went exploring together.
The containers were doing just fine; the foam had almost completely set up.
   Vietnam was em, interesting.  Tons of rain forest and lots of people
running through it with body remains everywhere.  Sorry, I'll take OTL any
day.
   ------
   (Thursday 6/8)
   Force of habit, I guess: we were up and around by 7:30.  After a quick
shower, we popped over to a nice breakfast buffet in Vegas.  Guess we'll
have to try them all out -- as well as the ones in Tahoe, Reno, New York,
Atlanta, the Caribbean...
   BB could definitely hold her own in the chow line.  She put down four to
our two.  Then again, she and Sean had been the main ones on the receiving
end last night.
   Back to the "daily grind." Sure wasn't a so much of a grind when you're
an owner!
   Kate finished her thank-you notes.  We popped them all into the outgoing
mail at the Altadena Post Office.
   No one had responded to Margie's ads about Geeser.  We had a little
five-minute party and formally adopted her with lots of petting and
_welcomes_.  She loved it.  Of course, having an extra meal of prime-rib
chunks didn't hurt.
   She was still a kitten even though she was up to a couple pounds. 
Ragdolls are big cats!  Guess she'd recovered her strength from when we
first found her because she started dashing around the house stomping her
feet.  Yeh, cats *do* stomp their feet!  It's something they can do to
cause an effect.
   We had a short conference call with Fillmore about the seminar.  Duane
told us, "We just put a link in our web site and we've already got 20
registrations.  Once we get the full promo up there, make sure you put the
link on your web site."
   We made a note to have Mona put it in.
   We made up a set of "coupon codes" for various discounts.  Basically
they were "CENTnn" where "nn" was the percentage discount.  They'd honor
any discount we offered.  Of course, their fee per student didn't change,
just our margin -- or loss.
   After we got off the conference call, Sean showed us how to set up
business cards in MS Publisher.  Piece of cake after ten minutes.
   We each created a discount card with the Coupon Code blank and a
placeholder for the web site registration.  Funny how the detail manual on
the Public (Sales) division had mentioned business cards.  Fancy that! 
More blank cards went on our list for the next shopping run.
   We had a quick discussion on the discount levels.  We agreed people
who'd taken the seminar before could have a refresher at 25% off.  People
in Sean's businesses (any of them) could get up to 40% off if they were
still being CE-financed or being sold.  Yeh, we'd take a net loss but they
might be in much better condition to be sold.
   If they were already totally on their own, we'd offer them a 20%
discount.  Everyone would win.
   ------
   Sean's mechanic brought BB's car back.  It had needed a major tune-up, a
timing belt (whatever that was.  Thought it was something to do with the
rhythm method) and brakes all around.  Fuck, we hadn't been in one of our
cars for days now, and we'd been all over the place.  Getting spoiled, we
were -- and loving it.
   We put BB's car right out front.  Guess we'd have to move them around
every once in a while (middle of the night?) so nosey neighbors wouldn't
wonder.  Of course, we'd already insisted BB be here with us at night;
we've still got lots of exploring to do.  Hehehehe.
   ------
   Business visits.  We put BB to work at her studies while Kate took off
with Margie and I went out alone (Sob.  Cry.).  I hit the two from last
week and checked out their progress on getting all the points in -- as well
as getting ready to sell.
   Doing pretty decent.  I made notes for any bank accounts which needed a
fresh injection.
   ------
   SEAN
   I gave BB a shamrock pin, an Irish by Injection pin and a family
pendant. "No matter how our personal relationship turns out, you'll always
be very special in our hearts." Normally, I don't care to make women cry,
but I made an exception this time.
   Margie commented about her Irish by Injection pin.  _"Nine times was
good for a start.  Ya've gotta keep it up, though; it tends to wear off."_
   BB didn't think that would be a problem at all.  I got the distinct
impression she'd enjoyed the night.
   While BB was studying (I did whatever checkouts she needed) and the
others were out doing useful work, I made up letters to introduce Sheila to
my various businesses.  I made up a general email about what CE was doing
and put a plug in there for her.
   I also made up a letter for her or one of her gang to take with them.  I
heartily endorsed them for caring about the client and putting the client's
best interests before theirs or the company's.  Hopefully, I'd wet a few
panties.  Thirty major leads isn't just lettuce, it's prime rib.
   I read over my emails and routed the appropriate ones to my able
assistants.  I did a bit of research on a couple ideas and gave BB a hard
time on her checkouts -- she was doing just fine.
   Dayum!  By the time Eileen, Kate and Margie got back, BB had competed
The Book.  Yeh, she'd been fast but knew the material -- the study check
list had helped tremendously.  She immediately got voted a Soo Laid.  Not
that she needed it but...
   The girls popped out to check out BB's wardrobe.  I figured she was
pretty well set with business stuff, but I'm just a guy.  What do I know
about that stuff?
   ------
   Okay.  We'd announced at the reception I'd be available to work with the
Clann members.  For now, we'd given the Keavys' phone number and they'd
been handling the calls with Liam and Maeve _listening_ in and helping out.
   Most of the calls were congratulations and stuff along that line.  A lot
of the rest, they were able to steer to the Clann Cullen (or CE) web site
where they were answered fully (we hoped).  Others were about the genealogy
part or matchmaking; they referred them to Rosheen.
   That left a good dozen calls for me.  Wedding approvals, business
questions, stuff like that.  Well, that's what I have a wireless headset
telephone for.
   The Keavys had put in the address (and phone number) in the memo so
before I made a call, I popped over real quick to see a) if they were there
and b) get a decent gestalt and a mid-depth _inspection_ to see what they
*really* needed.
   I started calls.  Several were about specific business advice; I was
able to extract and email them the appropriate articles in the policy
manuals.
   Three were about marriage approvals.  From the quick _inspection_ I'd
made, I recommended two of them study the study check list, QQV and Admin
Scale sections (I extracted and emailed them).  Questions or further motion
on the road to marriage, email me back.
   One marriage approval was pretty solid already.  If I were an old-time
Ceann, I probably would have approved it on the spot.  However, having a
bit more workable technology, I sent them the study check list, Admin
Scales and QQV articles and set up a meeting with them next week.
   I'd decided to give Clann Reynolds their royalty on the study check list
no matter how the person got it.  Every five bucks helps.
   Nice.  The Keavys were here for honoring.  I could tell Kate was a touch
nervous (her "first time"), but we muddled through.
   Ellen was a delightful lady.  They'd toughened up their bodies quite a
bit already, but they weren't really interested in a full stem-cell rejuv.
"Next lifetime, maybe.  For now, we're both in decent shape, and we'll let
the string run out when it will.  If we pick up babies, so be it.  From the
looks of things between the Clanns Cullen, Reynolds, Way, Leonard and
Fuerte, there'll be plenty of new babies.
   "Has anyone done a search for take-over bodies like Kathleen Donovan? 
There might be quite a few out there."
   Fuck.  Another issue slipped through the cracks.  It went immediately on
the Honey Do List.
   We enjoyed our time together.  Kate and Brian were doing great, too. 
Kate figured out how to do most of the "work" so Brian could just relax and
enjoy.  Funny how Ellen and I had figured how I could do the work.
   ------
   EILEEN (Friday 6/9)
   Margie and I kept BB from getting bored while Kate and Sean were out
Ceanning and Cean-Mating around.  Terrible job, but someone had to do it.
   We ensured she got good tastes of red-down and completely-bare fannies.
Such a luxurious pelt, delightful boobs, nibbly nipples and a wonderful
tush, too!
   She loved Margie-titties (with full feedback to her own) and
Eileen-titties.  Life was grand.
   ------
   Brian and Ellen survived.  They loved the shamrock pins we gave them at
breakfast (at the Circus Circus buffet this morning).  We discussed the
calls they'd been getting from the Clann folk and decided they were
handling them just fine.
   Kate's school grade came in.  She'd gotten a B+; even though she'd aced
the final, she hadn't started out that well.  Oh, well; she still had her
Soo Laids on account.
   We took off for our business visits; Margie went with me while Kate took
BB around.  All were progressing very nicely in getting their points in. 
The ones who wanted to buy their businesses had made a couple passes at
proposals.  They were fairly decent; we made several suggestions which
might be mutually beneficial -- we just plugged in to Sean for a couple
seconds.
   Tonight was green night for the Tavern -- full leprechaun for Sean. 
Margie had plenty of leprechaun shoes and hats now, so she was set.
   On the other hand, poor BB didn't have anything sexy enough, much less
in green.  We had to go shopping!
   We found several eye-poppers in light green, black, and a couple other
colors.  BB had a light tan (with bikini lines in some intriguing places)
and seemed to be able to wear any color.
   First we got our weekly trim jobs at Beauty Arts.  Jackie was delighted
to meet BB; all the girls loved her hair -- and her pelt.
   Jackie inspected her pubickers thoroughly and claimed it only needed a
few small adjustments.  For whatever reason, Jackie and BB were both, em,
damp by the time Jackie got done poking around.
   We got back home, showered and dressed.  Sean wore his "usual"
leprechaun outfit and looked...  like a leprechaun.  BB just glowed; her
sleek pelt picked up the color from her dress perfectly.
   We played around with her _touches_ until Margie was satisfied she was
provocative enough.  All our dresses looked like they'd fall off in a
gentle breeze and nipples were making escape attempts with every motion --
perfect!
   Sean had to adjust himself a couple times even before we left.  Hmm,
maybe he isn't getting enough?
   At the Tavern, the Cullen Sisters' eagle eyes immediately spotted BB's
pendant.  We dashed off to the female conference room along with the
Passion Posse and filled them in.  They were totally delighted with her and
the possibility she'd be part of our bonding.
   The Passion Posse had persuaded Ted to join us for dinner.  His family
was enhancing nicely and was more than willing to have him run around with
the Ceann's nieces, nephews and other family.  They paid lip service to the
chaperones, but probably knew what they were really doing -- and had no
problem at all with it.
   We had an all-hands discussion about expanding the Tavern.  We were
constrained on size by the lot here; about all we could do was optimize the
parking and perhaps expand a couple of the banquet halls a bit.
   What they were really interested in was opening another one, possibly in
Burbank or further East in Monrovia or the like.  The N&Bs had investigated
several possible restaurants for sale plus checked out building from the
ground up.
   With the young-uns out of school in a bit more than a week, they could
put them to work.  Of course, the Passion Posse volunteered Ted, too.
   We brought BB up with us for our gig.  Sean introduced her to the
audience as a major addition to Cullen Enterprises.
   He thanked several of the people by name (a quick gestalt brought the
data back) and thanked them for dropping by for the wedding reception.  We
had several Clann families there, too.  He called out their names and
thanked them for supporting the wedding and the Tavern tonight.
   BB could sing fine.  Her dancing was pretty good considering she'd never
done any Irish stuff before.  She fit right in with the hat tossing,
Bridget spinning and other shenanigans we put on.  Lots of welcome
applause.
   We ported back to OTL from the Tavern office; very convenient.  With
Blake and Louise's wedding tomorrow, it being a little chilly and Sean
being undernourished, we spent a lot of the night attempting to wear him
down.
   Fat chance.  He grand-slammed us all twice.  Margie was toughening up
and managed to live through one.
   The king-sized bed did hold us all.  Then again, we barely touched it
since we used the Custom Cloud Cushion mattress we'd developed with
_touches_.  We even programmed it into a nice plant next to the bed so we
didn't have to re-create it every time or keep it up.
   Chapter 27
   SEAN (Saturday 6/10)
   Eileen popped out fairly early to "help" set up for Blake and Louise's
wedding.  I figured the way Clann Reynolds ran things, she and the other
ladies would just flutter around and get in people's way.  I kept it to
myself, though; I am learning a little in my old age.
   In twenty minutes or so, she popped back in to get dressed.  She told
us, "So far, everything's running just fine.  We're concerned about the
ceremony; we haven't had a chance to talk with Majella about it." She
hurried off to the bedroom to get on her finery.
   The rest of us just looked at each other, grinned and shrugged.  BB
commented, "I've been to several weddings.  Seems the only thing which can
really go wrong is if one of the parties doesn't show.  Even if the
minister doesn't show, they can scrape someone up somewhere to do it."
   Maggie said, _"Yep.  I've seen some doozie,s but as long as the preacher
says, 'I now pronounce you man and wife' or whatever, it's all that really
matters."_
   The ladies trooped in to help Eileen and get dressed themselves.  I got
on my standard black suit with a black tie and bowler, and I was ready.
   Eileen popped back to Glendale to waylay Majella with the other ladies.
We took our time; *we* weren't in a rush.
   They came out and Jaysus they were gorgeous.  Really nice dresses, hair
just right and wearing their shamrock pendants.  They glowed.  Quite a bit
more demure than last night at the Tavern but still...
   I leered at them and asked, "What say we stay here and have a party of
our own?"
   Three pillows hit me at once.  If Geeser had been able, she would have
thrown one, too.  Oh, well.
   We popped over just in time to see Eileen, Ana and Elizabeth descent on
Majella and flutter around.  I offered Majella my assistance; Marge offered
to trot out Nana and suggestively clicked her teeth together.  They backed
down right away; they were outmaneuvered.
   Eileen introduced BB around; she played the innocent, but I'm sure they
saw through her.  Eileen told them she was provisionally part of our
bonding, and maybe we'd get her hooked in before she found out how badly I
abused my ladies.
   Elizabeth laughed and said, "If abuse makes you look that good, I'll
have a talk with my husband." Of course I did my best impression of
innocence.  Everyone relaxed and let the ceremony roll.
   We knew most everyone there, but only a few knew BB.  We had a great
time introducing her and watching people drool.
   ------
   EILEEN
   The ceremony was great.  The choir _sang_ to us with emotions,
sensations, words at a very low volume as well as the audible music. 
Wonderful; just wonderful.
   Majella left the bonding open to change and did a really good job. 
Louise was busting out all over with happiness, and Blake was right behind
her.  Steven, Janet and Henry were proud of their folks!
   We wedding women just backed off and let the good times roll.  The Clean
Place and the caterers knew what they were doing and politely redirected
our attention back to the reception.
   We gestalt-and-glad-handed everyone we hadn't met before; actually the
only ones were the people who worked with Blake and Louise at their office.
A couple had Talent -- bet there'll be some new Clann Reynolds members
pretty soon.
   I got a good belly-rubber dance in with Blake and tweaked him about
making another baby.  He didn't turn a hair.  "Yep.  We most likely will do
exactly that.  After all, we've done pretty good before; with the two of us
together we might end up with someone even better." Oh, yeh.
   Everyone loved BB right off.  She had guys (and a couple girls like
Janet, Bellana, Valerie and Cynthia) lining up for a dance.  No problemo!
She was in good shape, and we'd all had sufficient rest.  She could
belly-and-boob rub with the best of us.
   Ted and the Passion Posse were doing fine, too.  While they behaved
themselves in public, there was no doubt they were together.  While we
neither asked nor _looked_, I bet Margie we didn't have to worry any more
about Aile and Deidre getting popped in someone's back seat.  The four of
them had the well-laid glow we knew so well.
   Poor Caden and Connor.  There weren't any Clann Cullen or school girls
here (basically, the Core and families were invited) to circle around them.
Not to worry, Cynthia and Megan promptly "adopted" them and gave us a
tongue in cheek show of being totally enthralled.  Lots of fun.
   We packed in the food pretty good, too.  Between Sean abusing us so hard
last night and my getting here so early, I hadn't had much breakfast.  We
made Sean take it pretty easy on the whiskey, though; he had a performance
of his own to deliver that night.
   Margie and George sat together in a couple of conveniently-placed high
chairs.  There were mundanes around, so she wasn't wearing her cuties but
still looked really good.
   Every couple minutes, someone would bring some cake, ice cream or other
goodies by for them then would watch and clap as they obligingly hoovered
it down.  They sure didn't go hungry.
   Lots of talk-talk, circulation and everything.  Nothing much serious;
very little shop-talk, just one hell of a good time.  We eased outta there
around 5:00.
   ------
   SEAN
   Excellent wedding and reception.  I figured it was a wonderful start for
Blake and Louise.
   After a quick shower, we tidied up a few loose ends.  While Kate worked
on the last of the business-for-sale accounts, BB, Eileen and Marge brought
me up to date on their visits Thursday and Friday.  To me, it looked as if
everything was running smoothly.  Time will tell.
   Oh, my!  Lena Severin popped in with an overnight bag.  Yes!  Wonderful
lady.
   We'd chatted a bit at the reception; during our Org Board workshop we'd
pretty much arbitrarily put her in as the Clann legal department.  No
sweat; she was willing.
   Her assistant Jean was enhanced and pretty much trained already.  In a
few days, she'd be done with the teleportation check list and be ready to
rumble full-time.  The young-uns had already extended them invitations to
become Core Clann members.  They'd fallen all over themselves accepting.
   "Oh, yeh, we agreed to the confidential honoring customs, too.  They'd
better stay confidential, too.  Even a little whiff of this gets outside,
they'll be on you like ambulance-chasing lawyers.  The rag mags would
*love* something like this.
   "I doubt the DA or anyone could actually prove anything, but with the
way the younger folks behaved at the weddings and receptions, there'd be
lots of suspicion."
   I grinned at her and said, "Guess it's a good thing you're not an
ambulance-chaser then, right?"
   She laughed back and said, "Nope.  I don't chase them, I beat them to
where they're going.  As an Officer of the Court, I have no *actual*
knowledge of any 'crimes' being committed.  As a free spirit, though, I bet
there's *lots* of hanky panky going on tonight."
   BB handed her $10.  "I'm sure Clann Cullen is interested in hiring you
for legal representation and advice."
   Lena grinned at her.  "Clever girl.  Now since I'm on retainer to the
Clann, I have to keep my lip buttoned unless it's a life-or-death situation
-- and somehow I don't think I'll run into anything like that very often.
   "Now, the first bit of advice is to cease and desist sending those check
lists and such through email.  You're leaving yourselves wide open; email
is extremely insecure, and ISPs keep copies for months if not years.  For
now, let's just hope no one starts looking.  Maybe the emails you've sent
so far might, uh, disappear?  Of course, I wouldn't advocate anyone hacking
into any computer systems.
   "Now, let's get down and dirty to the fun stuff; who's fuckin' who?"
   Margie popped up her cuties full blast and laid a good lip lock on her.
_"Tonight, we'll all be fuckin' *you*.  Hehehehe."_
   Lean blushed up some.  "Damn, girl!  Caden said you were 93.  I didn't
really believe it, but with a set of tits like that, you've gotta be at
least 19.  Right?" Grin.
   We gave her the entire Margaret Sullivan, Bridget and Margie story.  No
doubt she was a believer after Margie pulled her shirt off and popped her
cuties up and down a few times.  Just to ensure they weren't an optical
illusion, Lena gnawed on them a bit, too.
   "Hmm.  Pretty convincing.  It's been a few years since I've noshed on a
boob, though.  I should compare them to something real."
   In a couple seconds she had six nekkid adult breasts available and more
than willing for comparison.  It took her a good fifteen minutes to do the
comparison.  In the end, she agreed Magie had a great set of on-demand
boobs.
   Yeh, things were getting a bit odiferous by then.
   She told us, "Don't expect Jean to be interested.  As far as I can tell,
she's completely male-oriented.  I've got decent enough gay-dar to tell."
   She was a delight in the honoring room.  She must be running after lots
of ambulances because she was in very good condition.  She managed to
survive several home runs and a grand slam with strength to spare.
   ------
   EILEEN
   Lena had a dayum nice body.  Didn't matter she was thirty-something.  We
did have to go over the Inner Touch bra with her; the young-uns hadn't
covered everything.
   She was definitely an accomplished boob and fanny nosher.  She (and BB)
loved Kate's puffies!  After she took a few seconds to get used to it, she
abused Margie's little clit unmercifully!
   We gave her a half-hour Soo Laid as a welcome-aboard present.  Dayum
nice!
   As we let the bodies sleep in our Custom Cloud Cushion, we filled her in
on who was doing whom -- to the best of our knowledge and suspicions.  She
knew about Margie and George by then but was concerned the nieces and
nephews were really too young; especially Aile and Deidre.
   Sean told her, "The blood Clann men and women mature physically and
sexually very early.  I've known some women as young as eight who were both
willing and able to accept an adult male if they worked up to it.  We think
it's a very high probability Aile and Deidre have already lost it to Ted.
Even if they haven't, we'll be seeing them here this week.
   "Maura and Teresa are *not* gonna get their daughters in a situation
they can't physically handle; talk with them if you wish.  As you've
probably noticed, I'm not a 'stallion' by any stretch of the imagination.
   "Over the thousands of years, the Ceann often took virginities where
they were both willing *and* able.  Even if a girl is hot to trot, the
parents and the Ceann really watch out for them.
   "I'm probably a bit smaller than average, actually.  My guess is the
genetics have made it that way so the Ceann can handle young pubescent
women.  Not that we're actually *required* to do so under the new customs;
it's completely consensual."
   I told her, "He may be 'small,' but he really knows how to use it and is
able to screw any woman I know of completely senseless.  You've gotten one
grand slam tonight; he could take us all and literally drive us out of our
minds at least three times each."
   Sean hung his head and apologized.  "I'm sorry I'm in such poor
condition.  I'm working hard on it -- hehehehe -- and figure in another
month I can put on a decent show."
   Just to prove our point, we took her on a decent two-hour Journey.  Yeh,
after another eight home runs and an asteroid-belt-reaching tsunami, she
believed.  We would have taken her even longer, but she was "old."
Hehehehe.
   ------
   (Sunday 6/11)
   We ported over to Vegas for a nice breakfast buffet.  I wouldn't say we
were gonna test every one available, but it might be an interesting project
to check them all out over several nights.  There's still Reno, Tahoe,
Atlantic City, the Caribbean and the rest of the world with buffets or
other decent dining.
   We had to wait a whole ten minutes in line.  We idled away the time
supporting Lena on her weak legs and tormenting her with _touches_. 
Hehehehe.  We were learning; didn't need Margie to point us the "right" way
*all* the time!
   We did justice to the food; after all, the Ceann had abused us terribly
last night!
   We popped back to OTL.  Sean presented Lena with her shamrock pin and
Irish by Injection pin.  This time, I was the one to tell her, "Ten times
might be sufficient.  It does wear off, so you'll probably need a booster
every once in a while.  If you ask the social secretaries nicely, the Ceann
might make office visits." Definitely corrupted.
   We did spend some time on business.  Sean filled her in on the change of
officers for CE and CH, moving his CH shares to CE and gave her minutes
noting all the changes.  She'd file them as she deemed necessary.
   She pulled out a couple of IRS forms.  "Here's the Tax ID Number for
Clann Cullen; your accountant might have already notified you.  Go ahead
and use it; he's already gotten you tax-exempt status so you can accept
donations as a tax deduction."
   Yes, another major step.  We could do our own charity work and treat
support to the Clann as donations.  Let Kate and the accountant figure it
all out.
   We brought her up to date on our plans for seminars, a possible
Waystation and one or more new Taverns.  She agreed; with our tax-exempt
status, we could be our own Waystation sponsors.
   She told us, "I'm sure you do already, but keep extremely accurate
records.  Too sloppy and the IRS will pull the tax-exempt status, and
you're down the drain.  I'll check with Vera Leonard at Waystation 1 to see
what they've done.  Have you checked out your accountant for Talent?  I
haven't."
   No sooner said than done.  Yeh, he had a bit.  We volunteered Lena to
enhance him; after all, she needed the practice, right?  She took off right
after that muttering something about sleeping the rest of the day.
   We did a quick email check.  Rita had sent over the web site link for
registration and said the Coupon Codes were ready to be accepted.
   We took a hard look at the site.  It looked really good to us, full of
benefits one would get from taking the seminar along with "just the facts"
about Cullen Enterprises and its businesses.  Yes!
   I sent off an email to Mona with the link so she could put it in.  We
promptly printed out twenty Coupon Code business cards each.
   Since we'd collected their email addresses, Kate sent off an email to
the people we'd met in Vegas last Sunday.  We used a bit of the Fillmore
promo blurb and gave them a Coupon Code for 10%.
   I sent Nora McMillan (the Clann dressmaker) an email with a 25%
discount. Our margin was probably around 30% so we'd still make money.
   ------
   Around 10:00 we ported over to the JRD offices for Margie to run their
Admin Scale and Org Board Workshops.  Sean stayed home ("You know how to do
it!") so she did the work while BB, Kate and I were interested observers.
   She ran them hard; nothing slipped by.  By the time they were done, they
*knew* what they had and that it was aligned the way it should be.  She
cautioned them to check pretty much everything they did against it; it was
the stable set of data.  _"Don't change it lightly!"_
   Apparently we'd had a few nibbles about JRD instructors off our web
site; Mona had sent them to Siobhan.  Bob told us they would send the
various company executives to our public seminars.  That way, they didn't
have to hire and train someone to do them, just have course supervisors in
the companies for staff training.
   Sounded good to us.  To get them started, we gave them a batch of our
Coupon Cards with a 10% discount.
   ------
   Time to meet BB's parents and family.  They had a very neat house in
upper Pasadena; nicely comfortable.  Her dad Carl was a big man, probably a
good 6' 5 and really blonde.  BB'd been right; her mom Della (Anglicized,
of course) was really built.  BB looked like a perfect blend of them except
for her platinum hair.
   Her siblings were equally nice and everyone had some Talent!  Why
weren't we surprised?  We had a second's _talk_ and arranged for BB to
start by enhancing her sister.
   BB introduced us as bond-mates; they didn't blink an eye.  Margie gave
everyone a good baby-shtick and went all-out on Carl and Della.  She was
good!  Lotsa goo; even the teen boys loved it.  She went to sleep on Carl's
shoulder while snuggling up really good.
   Her sister Melissa was a younger copy of BB with dark hair; they both
had the lovely oriental mixture exotic look.  Melissa worked at a kitchen
supply store in Altadena as a sales associate.  She recognized Sean and me
immediately from our hats; Ladies' Leather was right next door to her store
and she'd shop there occasionally during her breaks.
   She told us, "Ladies' Leather is a great place!  It seems really
efficient but very friendly at the same time.  The kitchen shop is just
kind of "there" and doesn't really seem to care much about customer service
or stuff like that.  I think it's a real miracle it's still in business. 
Then again, we're the only one around for quite a ways."
   That gave BB a good bragging entry point.  She filled them in on Cullen
Enterprises, the businesses, the fact we'd just sold Ladies' Leather to the
managers and the seminars.
   Of course we talked shop.  The entire family was familiar with Carl and
Della's shop and had worked there at one time or another.  The only reason
Melissa wasn't working there was there simply wasn't enough business.
   They were extremely interested in Sean's success rate.  BB told them,
"It's all because of his business policies.  I've gone through the basic
manual this week and have learned more on the actual methodology of running
a business -- any business -- than I did in the entire four years I spent
in college."
   Kate found a business card for Jewelry Arts in her purse.  Sean wrote a
note to the managers on the back and handed it to Della.  "Drop over there
sometime.  The managers will give you a full tour with full disclosure
about everything they do.  It'll give you an idea how the policies work in
the industry you're familiar with."
   Since Jewelry Arts was open today, Carl and Della decided they'd go over
there after we'd left.
   Della asked how much the seminar cost.  She winced a little at the
$1,000 fee, but said, "It might well be worth it for both of us.  We'll
take a look at it after we see Jewelry Arts."
   Sean didn't blink an eye.  He pulled out a Coupon Code card and wrote
the code in for a 40% discount.  That'd get them both there at a reasonable
cost for them.
   Melissa was working at the kitchen shop five days a week at pretty much
minimum wage.  "It's about all I can take.  I'd have had a second job if I
could, but I was already maxed out on my time with school four evenings a
week.  I'm taking the summer off and am looking for a second job to build
up my resources."
   She was going for an Associate's Degree in general business at Pasadena
City College and had only one course to go.  Kate immediately filled them
in on what she was doing.  "I'll finish my last course next semester, too."
   She had a day off from the kitchen shop tomorrow.  Sean suggested, "How
about you come over to the CE office tomorrow morning around 9:00.  We'll
show you around and you can dissect our network."
   Melissa grinned and said, "I'd love it.  I've had a couple of computer
lab courses, but I've never really gotten my hands on a real operating
business network."
   Kate gave her a card with the OTL address and phone numbers.  Maybe
she'd been taking lessons from Bob Reynolds; she seemed to have every card
available in that little purse of hers.
   BB told Melissa, "How about I just come by in my car and pick you up? 
That way you don't have to worry about the bus routes." Sounded good to
her.
   We gave and got a final round of hugs (Margie laid good ones on Carl and
Della) then popped back to OTL.
   Sean suggested to BB, "How about you pump Melissa up really good
tonight? If she responds, we can pop her out tomorrow morning."
   BB said, "Sure.  I'd love to have her out and about.  She's a really
nice girl and really smart -- even if she is my sister." Grin.
   ------
   We had "surprise" bachelor/bachelorette parties for Bob and Kathleen. 
We girls ported over to Elizabeth's while Sean went to Bob's place.
   Fun girl-talk, gossip about men, clothes, boys, jewelry, older men, and
food.  Kathleen was able to offer opinions on the entire age range.  Grin.
   We sent Madeleine, Valerie, Cynthia and Megan -- they won the draw --
over to Bob's party as strippers.  Yeh, we _peeked_; they were really
nasty! That Megan had some moves on her and Val simply made the blood boil.
   They came back dripping with sweat and pussy juice; smelled like Sean's
bedroom!
   Jaysus, we had a stripper, too!  Long red hair all over, a great beard
and nicely tall -- an Irish bear.  He made his tool dance as well as those
yummy muscles.
   He was one of us but none of us knew him.  Then again, he had a mask
across his eyes.  He didn't touch any of us except Margie and Kat.
   Margie he picked up and sat in his hand while he danced for her.  Margie
laughed, whisked off her shirt and managed to rub her cuties on his chest a
couple times.  He was good!
   He gave Kat a couple kisses then slipped away, striding like a proud
lion.  We _felt_ him teleport off.  Dayum!  We decided he could come see us
*any* time!  We had to air the place out again.
   The young-uns from all the Clanns were getting together today to work up
a preliminary training check list.  We _peeked_; yeh, we were hoping to see
some Butterfly Games.  Too bad, they were actually working.  There was a
long line of butterfly clips in the middle of the table, though.
   ------
   SEAN
   Bob's party was really fun.  Besides all the guy-fun, we had four
strippers pop in.  Yummy ladies ranging from around eleven on up.  We
didn't know them -- they had masks across their eyes.  Grin.
   Dayum, they could dance!  They made strafing runs on Bob; while one
worked him over, the other three would tease the rest of us.  We willingly
saluted their competence.
   ------
   (Monday 6/12)
   Overnight, Kate finished up the last of the business account look overs.
She told me, "They're all in decent shape, just a few things misplaced."
   BB kept increasing the power to Melissa every hour.  She was really
starting to stir around.  Lookin' good.
   In the morning, BB drove over and brought Melissa back for breakfast. 
Melissa was really ready to pop; she was extended a couple feet from her
body.  I had breakfast ready so everyone got some nourishment.
   After breakfast, the ladies took her on the OTL two-bit tour then ducked
into our bedroom for girl-talk while I checked over my email.  Five minutes
later, I _felt_ them chasing each other around playing tag.  She was out!
   The ladies gave her the first half-hour training then brought her back
to the office.  I gave her a firm hug and welcomed her to the world of free
spirits.
   We settled back for a little chat; Geeser immediately checked out her
lap and seemed satisfied.  As she'd implied yesterday, she wasn't really
happy working at the kitchen shop.  She told us, "Finding summer work's
gonna be tough.  Every high schooler and college student will be looking,
too."
   We sympathized with her.  I suggested she look over our office here;
maybe she could get some ideas.
   While BB hit her studies, Kate showed her the office and network. 
Melissa immediately loved the study check list and The Book.
   An hour later, BB took a break and we got together again.  Melissa
looked us over pretty good and observed, "BB, seems you're a bit more than
an employee here.  Somehow I'd bet you haven't slept at your place for a
while."
   What could have given her that idea?  Possibly the fact I had BB
snuggled up under an arm.  BB smiled.  "You betcha!  I'm on probation to
join their bonding." She went over the bond-mate concept with her.
   Melissa liked it.  "Sounds exactly like what it says.  Mom and Dad
noticed how you all were so comfortable together.  I think it's totally
wonderful you've found such lovely people, BB."
   We chatted for another half hour about relationships, bondings and a few
of the Clann Cullen customs.  She wasn't at all surprised about the Clann
nor that I was Ceann.
   Okay, down to business.  Eileen went over with her what we were doing
with the seminars.  I told Melissa, "What we're planning on doing is
getting a part or full-time person handling all the interfacing with
Fillmore, any of our suppliers and any of the venues.  They should be
somewhat familiar with sales or marketing and have at least some experience
in business.  You know anyone like that?"
   We all grinned at her.  She grinned right back.  Anyway, I made her the
now-standard offer and worked her up to a grand a week while she was
training.  She promptly accepted.  "I'll give the shop notice.  Business is
even slower than usual right now so there probably won't be any issues."
   We gave her a round of congratulatory hugs; she had no back off on
hugging right back.  BB handed her the car keys, "Go ahead and use my car;
we've got two others here if I need one."
   "Great.  I'll go over to the shop right now to give notice.  I'll give
you a call as soon as I know about it."
   Good enough.  Kate handed her a cell phone and charger.  "Now you're
half-official.  We'll have business cards and so forth by the time you come
back."
   She was off.
   I checked the CE web site.  Mona had put up the link to the seminar
registration site, plus she'd put a blurb about it right on the front page.
Great.  She, Melissa and Fillmore could get together and coordinate the
sites.
   ------
   Around noon, I had a quick _chat_ with Bob and relayed Lena's advice
about the check lists.  He agreed immediately.  _"Fortunately, we haven't
sent many by email.  Maybe we can get Maggie, Henry and Mario to look at
the email storage 'problem.' I'd say starting right now, we find every
electronic and printed copy we have anywhere then serialize them and
account for them.  Paranoid?  Maybe not paranoid enough."_
   I got hold of Teresa and updated her.  She told me, _"I think Lena's
right.  Maybe we should even keep our Clann-confidential stuff on a
separate laptop not connected to the network or Internet except for
printing."_
   Yeh.  I'd say this was a case of security overriding the concept of
central Content Management.  Maybe the Skunk Works could come up with
something else in addition.
   She told me, _"I've found a shop I like to make up the new staff. 
They've got a couple designs they'd like to go over with us."_
   Good.  She called the shop and we agreed to meet over there at 2:00.
   ------
   EILEEN
   Melissa felt like a good addition to the staff.  While I didn't get the
"tingle" I'd felt with BB, she still _felt_ really clean, and I'd bet she
was really competent.  Time will tell; maybe she'll grow on us.  Not that
we were actively shopping for new Ceann-harem girls.  Grin.
   Sean turned Margie loose on tracking down all the electronic and paper
copies she could find of the Clann confidential customs, teleportation
check list and the new training check list.
   BB kept on her studies; she was well into the first detail manual.  Sean
got Kate and me together with two laptops and projectors to go over the
seminar slides.
   He had speaker notes for each slide plus printouts.  He told us, "Go
through every slide and coordinate it with the notes.  You'll notice
there's usually a couple extra slides hidden away for each 'regular' one.
They're to handle details or questions if they come up."
   The main slides had hot spots for the extra slides.  We needed to know
the slide structure cold so we could go immediately to the one needed. 
Well, we had some work to do, so we got at it.
   Sean took off about 1:45 to see about the new Clann ceremonial staff. 
BB kept at her work while Kate and I alternated between studying the slides
and checking out the email, industry newsletters and the weekend's business
statistics.
   I printed up business cards for Melissa -- VP of Marketing -- and dug
out another CE debit card, cell phone and charger.  We were ready when she
was.
   She called BB about 2:15 and told her she was a done deal at the kitchen
shop.  There'd been no notice needed and everyone had parted on good terms.
BB told her, "Then get your cute butt back here and we'll put you to work."
   When she got here, Kate linked her in to the house shields, the stash
and the storage containers.  "You'll be able to come and go as you please
now.  The stash and containers you'll be able to handle when you do the
teleportation check list."
   Of course that raised the teleportation question.  We gave her a quick
rundown, then *showed* her by porting us over to the N&Bs.  Maura was there
so we introduced them; Melissa got a warm welcoming hug.
   Maura gave us information about dinner.  It was Aile's night and we were
taking her to a very nice restaurant in Hollywood.  Maura had made the
reservations for 5:00.
   Okay.  Back to OTL.  I showed her the study check list and told her
that's where she'd start tomorrow.  But first, she needed clothes!
   We did some measuring, some tactile metrics gathering (felt her up) and
decided she could wear my clothes and BB's.  She was a big lady, too, like
her sister.  They were definitely sisters in appearance.  Melissa had her
mother's jet-black hair.  No pelt, though.  Darn.
   We had a really good time showing her the Inner Touch bra.  She loved
it.
   Sean popped back just before 3:00.  I informed him of his "obligation"
for the evening.  He just grinned and said, "It's an onerous duty to escort
beautiful women around, but I guess I'll survive."
   Margie put in, _"We'll just have to ensure Aile survives."_
   We informed Melissa in no uncertain terms she was coming to dinner with
us.  She cried and wept but gave in.  Grin.
   Sean handed her a check for $3K.  "Signing-on bonus." I handed over her
business cards, cell phone and charger.  BB told her, "You're official."
   We cycled through the showers.  We played nice with Melissa and let her
take her own private shower while we other four girls tried to fit in the
master shower.
   Not quite a fit but it was sure fun trying.  BB told us, "To the best of
my knowledge, Melissa doesn't mind girls.  We've had our playtimes
together. It's been years so we'll have to feel our way.  Hehehehe."
Jaysus, she's only been around us a week and Margie's already corrupting
her!
   Kate laughed and said, "I don't think it'll be a problem.  I copped a
good feel of her arse and she wiggled it at me." Kinda settled that.
   All righty, then!  We got on our LBDs and pearls.  Melissa's loaner LBD
needed only a few tweaks; there were several sets of pearls which went very
well with it.
   Dayum, I've got some yummy lady friends.  We helped Melissa tweak in her
Inner Touch and the dress itself so her nipples could play hide and seek
like ours.  BB grinned at her and said, "Damn, Lissa!  You look good enough
to eat!"
   Melissa grinned right back and said, "Any time, BB.  Any time.  And that
goes for the rest of you, too." Oh, my.  If we hadn't already been dressed
with reservations we probably would have taken her up on it.
   She love Margie's cuties and checked them out pretty good.  Margie told
her, _"Private viewing only.  Once I can walk and talk a bit, I'm gonna try
passing as a Little Person.  Until then, I'm Baby Bridget."_
   Sean had on a nice black suit and his black bowler.  Goodness, almost
forgot them!  We found an extra one for Melissa and she was set to go. 
*Now* she's official.  Gotta order another set or two; our staff's growing.
Kate filled in BB and Melissa on the Hat Lady duties (look sexy to distract
them then nail them with the business!).
   Aile ported in at 4:30.  She looked *really* good!  She had an LBD of
her own (how had we known that?), pearls, and nice heels.  Her tidy bosom
and hard little nipples were fighting to escape.  Yummy!
   She got a round of hugs and kisses with an introduction to Melissa as
part of CE and a really good friend.
   We lined up for "inspection." Oops!  Seemed like every right nipple
popped out and back in then the left ones did the same.  Where's all the
control?
   Sean showed the appropriate male response and focused in good on Aile.
He told her, "This is *your* night, Aile.  If you want it, you'll get it.
I've gotta warn you, though, you're gonna have to work hard so don't overdo
the dinner goodies."
   Aile flushed right down to her breasts.  "I'll want it *all*.  I don't
know if you'll be here tonight, Melissa, but tonight I'm gonna wear out
*all* these imitation Irish!" She tossed one of her small black gloves on
the floor.
   We really had to stop laughing after a few minutes -- couldn't wash off
the mascara.  Melissa told her, "I probably won't be here tonight; I'm not
really part of this outfit yet.  However, any time you're ready, I'll take
you on mano a mano -- or boob to boob and clit to clit.  You don't scare me
even if you are Irish!"
   Em, I got the feeling she was part Irish already, even before Injection.
   We had to wait a couple minutes for an opening then Aile ported us down
to the restaurant.  "My first group port!"
   Margie told her, _"I know exactly what you mean.  Got a bit twitchy in
the twat, right?"_
   _"Right."_
   Lovely dinner.  Soft lights, soft music and great food.  Dayum, Maura
had even tipped them off about the birthday girl.  They brought out a
really girly cake with candles, and we all gave her a quiet Happy Birthday
song.  She pinked up, popped up those darling nipples and told us, "Thank
you.  I think I'll be getting birthday presents all night long.  You guys
better stoke up; you'll need your energy."
   Dayum she was a feisty critter!  We stoked up.  I told her, _"Beware of
the Ceann's Shillelagh, Honey.  It's been know to conquer four adult women
*and* Margie McLennan the same night."_
   If anything, those tittie hard-ons got harder.  _"Yeh, right.  You gals
are either too young or too old.  Betcha this body's just the right age to
take you *all* on."_
   We're gonna have to be really careful tonight.  The challenge had been
issued, and we'd accepted.  Sean hadn't really said anything but had a
good-natured glint in his eye.  He whispered to us, _"Okay, then.  Start
eyeing her like Geeser eyes her breakfast before she gets it.  We'll give
an extra Soo Laid to any who make her come before we get her in the
honoring room.  Kate, I'm sure you can tell Melissa what a Soo Laid is."_
   She could and we did.  Aile didn't have a chance.  Feather-light
_touches_, light phantom tongues and ghostly phantom fingers drove her over
the edge four times before we left the restaurant.  She tangled her ears
behind her head with her smiles.
   _"Is that all you can do?  Come on, guys, get with the program!"_
   We had to crowd around her on the way out of the restaurant.  The wet
spot on the back of her dress was a good eight inches across.
   Melissa did beg off the rest of the festivities.  She told us, "I'm not
fully part of you yet.  Besides, the rest of the young-uns are gonna run me
through the mill tonight."
   She took off in BB's car and we turned our attention to this upstart
challenger in our midst.
   ------
   SEAN
   After Melissa took off, we kicked back in the office to let dinner
settle.  Of course, the cable could feed us romantic music so we let it
roll.  Geeser took her cue, curled up in Aile's lap and stuck her nose in
her crotch.
   Aile filled us in on what was happening at her elementary school. 
"We've got the Brain Trust rolling and the Inner Circle pretty well filled
in.  Granted, Ted and Mona will be in middle school next year, but we've
got plenty of really good people to take over."
   They planned to scout out every student before the school term ended
then "chat up" the ones they wanted over the summer.  That way, when school
started next year there'd be a fully functional Inner Circle and
operational Brain Trust.  They'd be coordinating with the school councilors
over the summer through email.  "Won't take a lot of their time.  They
already know the students pretty well.  Besides, both counselors have
Talent -- wonder how that happened -- and we'll get them enhanced.  Should
be a dynamite combination."
   She had to stop every couple minutes as a release rolled through us.  My
sweet, innocent ladies were torturing her; Maggie had a phantom penis up
her butt, there were phantom mouths working her tidy breasts and two other
mouths lightly kissing her fanny.  I'm innocent!  I did noth-ink! 
Noth-ink!
   The Passion Posse was going full blast.  She told us, "Ted got us all.
My first with him was totally wonderful.  I've got plenty of memories of
first times, and he's been the best.  He was careful, gentle and loving.  I
know for sure Deidre got the same.
   "Uncle Sean, you won't be my first, but you're in an entirely different
class.  It's completely different."
   They weren't items as such.  Aile told us (and we understood
completely), "We're all too young for commitment.  It's not just fun and
games, though; there's lots of love.
   "Our _blendings_, Q and Q are just fine but the Viability is out the
bottom.  I'm not knocking Ted in any way, but Deidre and I are gonna do
some serious looking for a guy our age at our school over the summer.  Ted
and Mona are gonna be gone next year so it would be a long-distance
relationship for Deidre and me.  Probably won't happen.
   "On the other hand -- fuck, Kate, your tongue feels like a silken
breeze; a little bit to the left, please!  -- maybe we can find some
strapping young stud who's willing to play some games with all of us."
   She was completely delightful.  We didn't have to "worry" about her
virginity but still took care; my below-average was still significantly
bigger than Ted.  Macho-male-polish-my-fingernails!  Grin.
   She gave her best shot at wearing us all out.  She told us, "This might
be my only shot at Ceann Sean so I'm gonna go for it.  You Ceann-Mates --
and you, BB -- are totally wonderful people.  If I fall asleep in class
tomorrow, I'll just tell the teachers I spent a night of ecstacy.  Let them
figger it out!"
   She was more than willing to "entertain" the ladies one at a time then
everyone at once as she got used to it.  She totally loved the
Marge-titties with feedback!
   BB told her, "I'm on probation; not a real Ceann-Mate yet.  Forgive me
if I take liberties with your delectable, delicious body and share the love
I've found with you.  Now, get ready to bit the bullet really hard."
   Yeh, they all knew how to treat a lady.  In deference to her body age,
we kept it to solid base hits with a nice home run now and then.  She got
an hour's Soo Laid (carefully applied) ending with a grand slam which took
us all out to the asteroids.  We're even getting familiar with some of
them.
   ------
   Margie took off about 3:00 for a Skunk Works meeting.  She told us,
_"Sorry, but duty calls.  Sweet lovely Aile, I'm gonna come visit you some
night, and you'll really find out what experience can do on those tender
young titties.  Hehehehe."_
   We fed her Tahoe buffet in the morning and pretended to be completely
knackered out.  She knew we were playing but lapped it up anyway and
pretended to lord it over us.  "Wimps!  You're not really Irish after all!"
Long laughs and wide smiles from everyone.
   We got the last laugh, though.  We got her dressed in her school-girl
clothes, shamrock pin and pendant then made her port off to school.  She
did fall asleep in class several times.  Her class-mates (especially the
other Inner Circle folk) really ragged her about her "night of ecstacy."
Deidre couldn't wait to get hers.
   ------
   EILEEN (Tuesday 6/13)
   Melissa drove up right on time.  We girls filled her in on the night's
adventures.  She'd had her own training adventures with the other
young-uns. "I'm still in a bit of shock I can actually do all those things.
I'm gonna practice, practice, practice!" Mona had assigned her lots of
drills and wanted her to get on the teleportation check list by the
weekend.
   She'd hand-carried the new check list with her.  Dayum, maybe I'd do it
myself!  While it lacked detail (on purpose), it laid out a nicely gradient
set of theory (read it), practical (drill it) then do it (a full
probe/dossier, etc.).  Yeh, it really needed to be very classified.  Any
government agency getting wind of this would be very extra-legally
interested.
   We started her off on the study check list and let her run.  The rest of
us went over the emails and newsletters.  Sean pretended to doze and be
lazy, but I _felt_ him checking out lots of the possibilities some of the
newsletters suggested to him.
   Wimp!  A nine-year-old girl (with delicious boobs and fanny) had worn
him down!  Grin.
   Last night, the Skunk Works had done a preliminary run on the Moon Base.
They'd found some engraved maps, did a preliminary scan of the entire area
and had decided it had been vacated around 150,000 years ago.  Margie told
us, _"Not a lot of organic stuff left.  No paper or anything like that.  We
did find what looks to be a classroom, though.  We're gonna check out the
power and see if we can fire up and recover the data storage.  Fun stuff!"_
   Right after 9:00, I ordered three more sets of hats.  We needed an
entire set for Melissa, and who knows how far we'd expand after that.  We
Hat Ladies gotta be recognized!
   ------
   Bridget and Geeser were playing tag with each other.  Geeser would wag
her tail across Bridget's nose then "run" away slowly while stomping her
feet.  Bridge would crawl right after her and "tag" her.  Then Geeser would
chase her for a bit and fall asleep right on her back.  Terminally
baby-cute even if they weren't planning it.  Oh yeh, the digital camera
caught a lot of it so we could embarrass her ten or fifteen years down the
road.
   Bridget could now stand for several minutes at a time while holding on
to a table, chair (or curtain -- curtain-climber!).  Geeser took that as a
challenge and tagged her.
   Bridget took five steps after her before falling on her butt.  YES! 
First steps!  We'd all seen it -- Kate had the camera and had taken a
picture, too.  Yes, *yes*, YES!
   Geeser promptly rewarded her with loving rubs and Geeser-nuzzles.  Smart
cat!
   We applauded her quietly and tried to smother her with kisses and hugs.
She laughed loudly and said, _"Shit!  Flunk on me!  I was always coaching
myself on using the controls.  Flunk!  It's just *do it, body*!  If I mess
it up, tough darts.  Just *do it, do it, do it* until the job gets done. 
Coaching is for others to do for me._
   _"Okay, bear with me here.  I'm gonna let it all hang out!  I'm gonna
walk, I'm gonna talk, and some time down the line I'm gonna fuck Sean out
of his gourd!  You betcha!"_
   Yes!  A laudable goal.  Maybe we could work up from several of us to
*maybe* one of us wearing Sean out!  All of us, including Melissa,
eyeballed him really hard.  Good, he took the warning and shook in his
boots.
   We snuggled Margie up good for fifteen minutes and promised her five Soo
Laids for walking.  We'd negotiate on the talking but ensured her she'd
never lack for Soo Laids.
   Melissa shuddered, her nipples popped up, and she told us, "I'm gonna
work my fat ass off to get one of those!"
   BB immediately told her, "No fat on *your* ass, Lissa.  If there *is*
any fat hiding anywhere, we're gonna work it off -- one way or another."
   Progress.  BB and Melissa studied, we gave them checkouts, and the rest
of us checked over newsletters and other projects we were working on.
   Maura reported in.  She told us, _"We're getting the final polish on the
Waystation surveys for this area.  Once the young-uns are outta school,
we're gonna put their tender butts to work.  No mercy!  Surveys, research,
probes, the whole nine yards!  They're gonna have to work for their nights
of ecstacy!"_
   She reminded us Deidre was "up" for tonight.  She'd made dinner
reservations and the whole bit.  _"After Aile told us what went on, we've
been dripping all day.  I think Deidre is in heat 150%.  You guys better be
prepared!"_
   Holy smokes, the church's on fire!  We immediately decided to take a nap
before Deidre came over.  We spotted the breakfast buffet which looked good
for the morning.  Dayum, we had another challenge ahead of us!
   Melissa grinned at us.  "Too bad you've gotta carry all this load on
your shoulders.  I'll be snoozing away while you guys are trying to keep up
with *another* nine-year-old hottie who'll try to love you to death."
   Yes!  Bring it on!  We privately decided Melissa would get hers Real
Soon Now.  Twit!
   ------
   Okay, a pretty normal day even if the evening and night were gonna be
very interesting.  BB go through her first detail manual (the hardest,
actually) and was well into her second.  With Kate and me, we'd found the
more we did, the faster we went.  We (and BB and Melissa) found we looked
up a lot of words at the beginning then fewer as time went on; we
understood them as we ran across them.
   Melissa got through her study check sheet in good style.  She tried to
duck out of dinner with Deidre ("I'm not part of this yet."), but we wanted
to drag her along for moral support.  I think we were all a bit scared of
Deidre.
   Fuck, we had good reason.  We'd put on our LGDs (Little Green Dresses)
with Melissa dressed to the nines just before Deidre ported in.
   She was gorgeous!  Lovely bosom, great waist and lovely curves on the
hips and legs -- with an LGD and jewelry which went perfectly with her
fiery hair and green eyes.
   She tossed *two* light green gloves on the floor.  "Well?  You old
fogies ready for tonight?"
   ------
   SEAN
   Argh.  She was definitely related to the Cullen Sisters.  I figured
they'd been coaching her on the best ways to challenge us.  My wonderful
ladies took up the gauntlets and told her, "Ya gotta be kidding!  Margie
alone could get your clit in such a dither you wouldn't know if you were
coming or going!  Hehehehe."
   Well, maybe one for our side.  She Irished them right back about their
dubious ancestry, their staying qualities ("one-shot pre-adolescents") and
general lack of attraction to *any* sex.
   Get that red hair a-burnin'!  (BB stuck her head between Kate's and
Eileen's so she picked up the glow; Melissa's face got red).  They Irished
her right back about her lack of breast-works ("mosquito bites"), hips
("skinny bitch") and lots of baby-fat ("fat-assed pre-pubescent hussy").
   Hell, they had a great time Irishing back and forth.  Melissa and BB
held their own.  Me, I kept my mouth (physical and spiritual) shut and
rooted for both sides.  Broad smiles and laughter on both sides showed this
was a fun debate, not a serious confrontation.
   Dinner was great; downtown Los Angeles in a five-star restaurant.  My
ladies took it easy on Deidre; she only showed two of her five orgasms.
   Back at OTL, we relaxed and talked.  Deidre was a different person from
Aile; similar in some respects but still her own person.
   "Ted's a wonderful lover.  He's gentle when we need it yet completely
male-dominant when it's called for.  I think he and Mona will get along
great.
   "Yeh, Aile and I are fuck-buddies with them.  What the hell, we all know
it, accept it and have a lot of fringe benefits.  I'd say with the freedoms
our Clann customs give us, we're actually more conservative than many of
the other girls we hear talking.
   "At nine and ten years old, they talk about fucking, dick sucking and
how studly their men are.  90% is bull shit and is made up; 70% of the
biggest mouths haven't even seen a guy's cock!
   "Ted and the Passion Posse are different, and we know it.  Since we have
the freedoms, we're probably a lot more, em, knowing about what we're
doing. Ted's a delight, but even if we totally connected with him, Aile and
I are a good nine or ten years away from a committed relationship.  It's an
extended Butterfly Game for now with lots of respect and admiration among
us all.
   "Yeh, as Aile told you, this summer we're gonna look for a Real Nice Guy
around our own age.  Having the common denominators of school for some six
to eight hours a day together does mean something."
   My ladies and I agreed.  We'd gone through the same chaos ourselves;
luckily we'd survived.
   ------
   EILEEN (Wednesday 6/14)
   Dayum, she almost did us all in.  She'd had plenty of rest the last
several days, the abundant energy of youth and was hot as the fires of St.
Helena.
   She loved BB's tasty furry fanny (and didn't mind the red ones at all!),
worked Sean through ten home runs then blasted us all out to Saturn in a
final grand slam.  Fuckin' aye right she did us in!  A blood-Cullen she
was!
   After a hefty, early buffet in Tahoe we made her port off to school. 
Not our problem she walked very slowly and bowleggedly (yeh, I just made up
that word)!  Let her make up her own excuses for passing out in class, I
didn't think the teachers would accept "night of ecstacy" two days in a
row.
   Margie'd taken off half the night to meet with the Skunk Works but
promised Deidre they'd have a return engagement, _"George and Dermot can
show you a Real Good Time, too.  The Dermot Special awaits you, slut. 
Hehehehe."_
   The Skunk Works had investigated the Moon Base classroom a lot.  There
were books with plastic pages and a computer or something, but the power
appeared completely different from what we were used to.  They were really
excited about having a completely new problem to solve!
   We got a FedEx with the proofs of The Book and detail manuals notebook
covers.  We all looked it over and decided they would do just fine.  We had
Melissa call the printers and order the full sets of The Book and the
detail manuals.  She learned in a hurry how to send an electronic check. 
Yeh, she's really competent!
   Bridget said her first words!  She stood up next to us (after a few
steps) and announced, "DaDa.  MaMa.  BeBe.  'iss!" She told us, _"Couldn't
show favoritism, could I?"_
   She kept "babbling" away most of the day.  Irish, Spanish and English.
Real fun; she'd talk then *link* to our memories of what we'd heard, then
do it again until she'd done it somewhat near correctly.  Something like
the language trick, actually.  One hell of a rapid development!
   ------
   SEAN
   Bridget/Marge was talking!  Not totally comprehensible, but I wasn't
either at times.
   I met with the marriage approval couple in the late afternoon.  Having
no modern-day precedents, I decided to wear the daily kilt plus the
ceremonial staff.  Having the meeting at their home would be more
comfortable for them.
   Who cared if they lived in Los Angeles?  The port time was pretty much
the same no matter where they lived.
   They'd done the study check list and had done their Admin Scale.  I went
over it with them; they'd done an excellent job.
   I did a fairly deep probe of them both to ensure they hadn't held back
any important stuff from each other before they took the leap.  They'd done
dayum well!
   I had them make the decision to continue with the wedding.  They'd done
a good QQV analysis so were able to make both an informed and emotional
decision.
   I told them, "You don't really need me here.  All I did was ensure you
did your 'homework' so your decisions weren't based totally on the great
sex you've been having (good deep blush from them both).  I agree with your
decision and I approve of your bonding."
   As I'd done thousands of times before, I laid my staff on each of their
shoulders and chanted a brief prayer to the gods for their happiness and
long-lived love.
   Did I "believe" in the gods?  Not really.  The Clann Cullen concept of
"the gods" really boiled down to a set of basic principles of existence and
behavior which favored survival.  They'd made a good, pro-survival decision
for their happiness (their families were for the marriage too, so that
didn't hurt) so I was actually only reinforcing the correctness of their
decision.
   I'm sure they knew it too when I grinned at them and said, "Kinda silly,
right?  The idea of gods to appease and to pray to?  Well, you two are
sharp enough to see right through all that; you make your own happiness. 
On the other hand, we've got hundreds of other Clann members who'll be
really happy to hear the gods have blessed you.
   "That's okay.  Not everyone has your intelligence, love for each other
and sheer guts to take your beliefs and stick to them because they work for
you.  Good on ya!  Good on ya both!"
   I ported back to OTL and dropped an email to Rosheen to the effect that
"The Clann Cullen gods and the Ceann have approved the marriage between
Theodore Thomas and Rita O'Brian." Good copy; she'd get it out on the web
site for good Public Relations.
   The ladies had worked their butts off all day.  BB'd finished the first
manual, and Melissa had blown through the study check list and was well
into The Book.  Good on 'em!
   ------
   Had it been only a week since BB had joined us?  It seemed like a long
time.  Without even a thought, I knew the love and admiration among us had
grown deeper and richer.
   Nevertheless, we did a full QQV check.  BB was no longer interested in
"a man of her own." She told us, "On an intellectual level, I can't think
of a better man who'd have anything near your qualities, Sean.  Even if you
were a plain, ordinary, wonderful man and not the Clann Cullen Ceann, I'd
pick you.  On an emotional basis, I love you all so deeply and richly I
ache at night for the happiness I've found with you.
   "Margie, we all know you may not be with us after several years. 
However, the years you will be with us will be rich, happy and full of life
and joy."
   As the eldest among us, Margaret Sullivan put The Question to her,
"Elizabeth Della Bright, do you accept Kate Riona Hanlon, Sean Quinn
Cullen, Eileen Finian Cullen and Bridget Margaret McLennan as your
bond-mates to live and love together through sorrow and joy?"
   We wept tears of happiness when she said, "Aye, I do that."
   Margie asked the rest of us a similar question then accepted Betty
herself.  Our loving together throughout the night was sweet, gentle and
heartachingly rich.  She was ours and we were hers.
   ------
   SEAN (Thursday 6/15)
   As Eileen says, "A-Wunnerful, a-wunnerful!" While we'd had no real
doubts about BB, doing the formal checking and accepting her bonding made
it a commitment.  She was wonderfully sweet, and we knew she'd remain that
way.
   Bridget was really going to town.  In between her CE work, she'd wobble
around playing tag with Geeser while telling her what would happen when she
caught her.  Geeser didn't seem to mind being threatened with various acts
of mayhem; she just purred and licked Bridget's face.
   The ladies did their business rounds while I worked with Melissa on her
studies.  She was on a good roll.
   I handled several Clann calls.  Most were pretty routine.  I made a
couple appointments for some face-to-faces (after sending off the study
check list, Admin Scale and QQV references) about a proposed marriage, a
couple thinking of another child and another couple having marriage
problems.  My kilt was gonna get a pretty good work out.
   In the evening, we had a Clann Cullen officer's meeting.  I had N&B
bring the young-uns along, too.  Aile and Deidre were lookin' good and were
lookin' really happy.  Good on 'em.
   I kept Melissa over so all my ladies were there; they were right in the
middle of everything anyway.
   Lena went over the security issues on the confidential materials. 
Margie had tracked down every copy on our and the N&B networks.  The
young-uns knew where all the paper copies were so that was covered.
   Margie gave Teresa her old laptop for the confidential material storage.
It would be off the networks except for as long as it took to print
something.  Teresa would produce several serialized copies of the Clann
Cullen confidential customs and keep a log of where they were.  She'd store
them and the laptop in their stash box while they weren't in use.  Margie
would burn a CD backup periodically and store it in our stash box.
   Henry Merrill was taking responsibility for tracking the confidential
check lists for Clann Cullen and Clann Reynolds.  He'd already logged out
Melissa's check list to her.
   The young-uns had finished all their final exams (not a lot, really,
being in elementary school) and were ready for school to end.  The school
was having a year-end dance Friday evening so they wouldn't be at the
Tavern.
   Connor noted, "While the dances are a bit, em, lame because it's an
elementary school, we're gonna have a good time.  Ted and Mona have several
Approvals to do before they move on.
   "*We* at least are gonna have a great time."
   Chapter 28
   EILEEN (Friday 6/16)
   We ensured Melissa knew she was to come to the Tavern tonight; in fact,
Sean had me send out a message to all the Core members they had a standing
invitation.  Sean would treat; just let Patrick or John know so they could
reserve enough space.
   More business visits; Kate finished up the ones for which she'd
corrected the accounts.  I got BB this time while Kate had to make do with
Margie.  Kate told me later, "Bridget would walk around the store -- yeh,
people would marvel -- and make comments.  She can chin herself on a table!
She'd say, 'Nice!' for a good layout or make gagging noises if something
wasn't right.  When even a six-month-old can tell if something's wrong,
they really snap to!" Best daughter!
   My group of businesses was in fairly good shape.  Still a few outpoints
but coming along nicely.  Hmm, maybe put an entry on the Clann web site
about the businesses for sale?  We had three to "get rid of" where none of
the current staff were interested in buying.
   Of course we stopped by Shane's Shop, too; gotta have BB look at the
goodies!  Funny, we both found something to buy.
   They were very excited about Bridget's progress.  She got a lot of
congratulatory hugs, snuggles and kisses; of course she was "above all
that," right?  Not her!
   Celia told us, "We're due to move in to the Burbank shop next Monday. 
Good thing; we've got stock piled up in the back here, our place and at
Sharon's.  We had to rent a storage place, and even that's overflowing."
   I promptly offered the use of our storage containers for a week or so.
They politely declined, but thought it was a great idea if they needed to
build up inventory sometime.  Sharon had pretty much optimized her
back-room inventory by now so and Celia and Jack were going to do the same
ratio at their new store until they derived the buying patterns in Burbank.
   We got back home at a decent time and spent a couple hours doing our
homework on the business research and emails.  Sean told us, "While we're
not planning on larger businesses in the next couple of months, we need to
keep up with the research.  One of us might have a brainstorm.  Besides, we
can toss in ideas during the seminars, and maybe someone will run with
one."
   Kate and I had gone through all the seminar slides several times by now.
We had a quick CE meeting to discuss the presentation.
   Sean said, "One of the things I've thought of was the relatively poor
performance of attendees actually starting their own business after the
seminar.  Granted, I'm working with the statistics I have, but with only
10% of the attendees even trying to start their own businesses, something's
not right.  How do we punch up the start-up aspect a bit so they're more
willing?"
   We looked over the seminar agenda.  The current start-up stuff was at
the beginning.  True, that's where it belonged, but...
   Melissa suggested, "I see it's running from 9:00 to 4:30 now.  How about
you extend it another fifteen minutes or so and punch up the start-up
during the summary at the end?  That way, people would be leaving with the
'start' right in front of them."
   Sounded good to us so we put it in the speaker notes.  We assigned BB
the task to make a seminar-end survey: What did they like, dislike, were
they in a business now, did they intend to start their own business and
stuff like that.  If they turned in the survey, we'd give them a goody. 
What sort of goody To Be Determined; Melissa got that task.
   Sean had sent an email survey to the previous attendees along with the
updating instructions.  He and Mona had been pretty clever and had put the
actual survey on the web site so they could collect the results in a
database.  I downloaded the database and checked it out.  Dayum, over a
thousand responses so far!
   I spent a half-hour in Access setting up a totals query for the
database. Margie gave me a hand for a couple minutes, but she made me do
all the work.  Slave driver!
   The download statistic for the manual updates was well over 1,500 so it
looked like people were still interested.  We shall see.
   Between doing backups, Bridget stalked Geeser around.  Geeser had to
move a bit faster now; Bridget was catching up to her a lot.
   You've seen the old Cary Grant movie where he's in an Olympic walking
race?  Yeh, Bridget was moving just like that; she couldn't jog or run --
coming Real Soon Now, I bet!
   Around 5:30, Sean gathered us again in the den.  He got down on a knee
in front of BB and gave her a claddagh ring just like ours!  He told her,
"This is for you as an expression of the love and admiration we feel for
you.  Wear it as you will, our love for you will always grow."
   She cried, we cried.  She promptly put it on her left hand with the
heart facing her.  "Thank you all so much.  Sean, I know men don't usually
put the same importance on jewelry as we women, but this does have a
tremendous significance to me.  No matter what happens, I'll treasure this
for years, and your hearts will be part of mine forever."
   ------
   SEAN
   I was getting some idea of women's emotional attachment to jewelry. 
Guess I'll start making more clandestine runs to Jewelry Arts for goodies
to give to my sweethearts.
   Okay, then.  Tonight was black dress for the Tavern.  Since the schools
were having all their year-end dances, we'd have dancing at the Tavern. 
Not our usual entertainment gig but letting everyone dance who wished.
   The ladies had good excuses for another round of LBDs or BBDs (Big Black
Dresses) if they wished.  With the inventory they had and their
inventiveness, they sure wouldn't commit the social blunder of wearing the
same dress too often!
   I had no problem dressing; with two black suits and bowlers, I had
plenty of choice.
   The ladies lined up and demanded an inspection.  Jaysus!  Hope I don't
become inured to this beauty.  Slinky dresses ready to fall off with
beautiful breasts perfectly presented and wonderfully-stiff nipples trying
to escape.
   Margie stood on her own with her cuties (temporarily) full up.  Geeser
came stomping in, promptly stuck her head up her dress and tried to get in
a good lick.  Margie shrieked and popped up a good three feet.  The rest of
us laughed while she glared at us.  "Hey!  As much as I like her, you try a
sandpaper tongue on your twats!" I guess they forgave her.
   Anyway.  Melissa looked lovely, but was the only one without a piece of
shamrock jewelry.  I quirked an eyebrow and told her, "Guess we'll have to
find a way to get you at least a shamrock pin."
   She flushed, grinned and said, "Any time!" She heaved a good sigh. 
Oops! Her dress slipped off her shoulders.  Fortunately she was saved; the
emergency dress-catchers she had on her chest worked just fine.
   The Tavern was a little emptier than usual when we got there.  We
guessed parents were ushering their offspring off to the school fertility
rites.  Hehehehe.
   Patrick and John had taken the stage down and pushed the front tables
back a little so we had a decent-sized dance floor.  We checked it out and
decided it would do just fine.
   Lena and Janet appeared; Carmel, Liam and Maeve showed up a couple
minutes later.  Rosheen _told_ us she'd be there and to "start the orgy
without her."
   We introduced BB and Melissa around as they appeared.  The ladies
immediately zeroed in on jewelry and dresses then disappeared into the
ladies' room for a summit conference.  It left Liam and me to hold down the
fort.
   He grinned at me and said, "Looks as if you're taking your
responsibilities seriously.  Too bad there's so many single girls around
they stick to you."
   I sighed and said, "Yeh.  Too bad."
   Maura and Teresa came up; we just pointed to the restroom, and Liam
said, "Hen party." They didn't want to be left out, of course, so they
cackled off to join it.  Liam and I spent a couple minutes discussing the
possibility of expanding the ladies' room so it could fit everyone in.
   John and Patrick drifted up and cocked eyebrows.  John said, "Hen
conference, right?"
   The hen party appeared at the table about then so I pointed out BB's
ring to John and Pat and introduced Melissa as part of CE.  John and
Patrick made the appropriate male responses to the ring.  Patrick told
Melissa, "If you can't find comfort with that dirty young man, come see
*us* and we'll comfort you."
   I'd thought Melissa couldn't flush more, but I was wrong.  She was
quick, though.  While a nipple peeked out briefly, she told them, "Maybe
you can comfort me anyway.  I've just heard some pretty lurid stories about
how Sean treats women."
   I had to defend myself, "At least half of them are overblown."
   Teresa quipped, "I understand you *can't* be overblown!"
   Argh.  Genetics can be a bitch sometimes, right?
   Rosheen made her entrance so she got her look at BB's ring and an
introduction to Melissa.  For a couple seconds there, I thought we'd have
another hen party break out!
   The N&Bs kept drooling over Liss.  Hmm, maybe we had something here.
   We ordered dinner and danced some during the wait.  As we ate, Maura
filled us in on some happenings.  "The young-uns are off to their dance. 
Granted, we're prejudiced, but we think they look great.  Hope they don't
break too many hearts tonight.  Maybe Aile and Deidre will get a good start
on finding a stud of their own."
   Of course they then had to bring Melissa up to speed on the N&B
young-uns.  Melissa groaned and asked, "Where were the Cadens, Connors and
Teds when *I* was in middle school?"
   Kate offered, "They were hiding and grew up into the Johns and
Patricks."
   Patrick filled us in on their efforts on another Tavern and hotel. 
They'd found three restaurants for sale in the San Gabriel Valley and were
checking them out pretty closely.  John said, "If they're for sale, they've
done something wrong so we're checking them out thoroughly.  If they're not
in a good location to start with, we won't take much more of a look."
   They'd only found one hotel or motel up for sale.  Melissa asked, "If
I'm wrong, correct me, but does the area really matter to you all that
much? Since you actually have pretty much zero travel time, it could be in
Santa Clara up north or Long Beach in the south just as easy as right next
door here."
   Yeh.  From the mouths of babes.  The N&Bs looked at each other while the
lights came on.  Marge said plainly, "Soo Laid!  Liss gets Soo Laid!"
   The N&Bs cheered her and immediately claimed her for a round of hugs and
kisses.  Teresa stuck her foot in it, though, when she asked, "So then, old
woman; you can talk the talk, can you walk the walk?"
   Marge immediately demonstrated she could indeed walk the walk.  Melissa
said, "I understand she gets *five* Soo Laids for that."
   Marge cackled, _"Indeed.  I intend to collect from each and every one of
you."_
   The Cullen Sisters immediately reminded us I had a Soo Laid from them on
account for setting up their network.  The social secretaries (now
including BB) immediately went to work on the schedule.  They didn't ask
for my input at all.  Typical.
   We did some more dancing after dinner was cleared, and Teresa filled us
in on the happenings at the Altadena Arms, "The dining room income has
increased 50% so far.  The merchants' book ad will start coming out pretty
soon so we expect it to grow even more.  We'll probably have to hire more
waiters and an additional sous chef.  Too bad."
   Too bad indeed.  Melissa immediately took on the task of the CE
interface to Cullen Hotels.  "I figure the seminar stuff won't be full-time
for a while yet so I'd better earn my wages somehow." The N&Bs immediately
informed her they needed several long conferences with her which would
probably take overnight.  Somehow I got the idea they liked her.
   Maura whispered to me, _"Get her in the Clann.  She knows all the
customs and is interested.  We all approve."_
   We took a joint _peek_ at the young-uns' dance.  It was winding down by
now (around 9:00) so it wasn't very crowded.  From the looks of it, Caden
and Connor weren't having many difficulties in the social area; they had
three young ladies (with Talent) circling around them.  Probably just
waiting to get out of the public eye before they moved in for the kill.
   Aile and Deidre each had a young gentleman in very close attendance. 
The poor suckers, em, sacrificial lambs, em, lucky guys didn't have a
chance.  Fortunately they had Talent, too.  I recognized them from the
birthday party; both real good people.
   Mona and Ted didn't seem to mind at all the threat of loosing their
bedmates.  They were very wound up in each other; we figured there'd be
some hot times tonight in various combinations.
   Maura was the one to ask Melissa, "So, Melissa.  You want to become a
Core Clann Cullen member or do you want to pass for now?"
   Liss must have shown all her teeth with her smile.  "I'm in if you'll
have me.  I've never met such wonderful people as you.  It's not just the
way you treat me; I can tell you're all wonderful besides that."
   I figured I'd better give her fair warning.  I pointed my thumb at the
N&Bs and told her, "Fair warning.  These four seem to have their eyes on
you."
   She looked them over and said, "I'll take 'em *all* on!" We got treated
to a quick flash of a couple of very-hard nipples.  Guess Aile and Deidre
had rubbed off on her; even Marge hadn't had time to corrupt her that much.
   The rest of us applauded her.  Rosheen told her, "You tell 'em, girl! 
It's about time they got taken down a notch or two."
   As did many others, we took advantage of the dance floor for a while
longer.  I got passed around like a condiment among the various females;
Janet was definitely male-oriented and didn't mind snuggling right up.  She
told me, "I understand you've been taking liberties with my boss."
   "Well, liberty implies free, right?  Whatever we did cost us, too." She
believed me so I offered her some of the pedestrian rights options I had
left.  Grin.
   Melissa was literally hot; she was flushed and having a ton of fun.  She
asked me, "Do your sisters' husbands always flirt that much?"
   I laughed and told her, "You've gotten them out of their shells, Liss.
Usually it's the Cullen Sisters who do the flirting.  Their relationship is
theirs to explain; I have this idea you've really taken their fancy.  Now,
be warned, they'll probably be after *your* fancy.  Hehehehe."
   Back at OTL, we hit the showers.  Liss came out in a hotel robe and
showed no signs of leaving, so I snuggled her right up on the sofa.  Hmm,
some stiff nipples were flirting with the air, and she didn't seem to worry
about it.
   Geeser didn't worry, either.  She promptly claimed Liss's lap and buried
her head in her crotch.  Probably smelled as good to her as it did to me.
   The other ladies came out in their robes.  BB claimed Liss's other side
and they all started nipple and bush flirting.  Wonder what's on their
mind?
   BB and I double-teamed her ears and neck.  She groaned and told us, "I
sure hope this is going somewhere!  I've been dry for almost two years now,
and if you do that much longer, I'm gonna launch a pre-emptive strike!"
   In the honoring room, she was delightfully odiferous, hot as a pistol
and had a really short fuse.  She had wonderfully smooth skin all over,
luscious breasts, really chewable nipples and a scrumptious fanny which
kept overflowing.  She didn't bother with base hits; she went right to the
home runs.
   Of course the other ladies _peeked_ then piled in.  Marge announced,
_"We've hit the jackpot, girls!  Liss, I'll bet you can't eat just one!"_
   She couldn't; she gave just as good as she got.  For being out of
practice, she didn't have any problem coming right up to speed.
   BB called out, "Soo Laid on the new girl!" Ten home runs and a grand
slam later, we ended up floating somewhere around Mars.
   We went right into the blendings and QQV checks.  The V was right out
the top since she was "foot-loose and fancy-free" (we'd gotten quite a good
look at her fancy -- it was in excellent shape!).
   We had excellent QQs, too.  She blended with us hotly; probably around
80% of what we had with each other.  She fit right into our joint blending
and added nicely to our "compound" -- we still couldn't hold that together
very long before it got too intense.  Definite relationship material.
   BB told her, _"Sis, I think you'll do just fine.  I know we like to do
*you* just fine!"_
   Marge said, _"I'd say it's too early to tell, but I'd say you'd do very
well with us.  On the other hand, you seemed to get along very well with
the N&Bs tonight, too.  I've never seen them so, em, excited over meeting
someone before."_
   Kate's turn, _"I agree.  I think we need to throw her into the N&B briar
patch and see what happens."_
   We agreed.  Liss asked, _"Don't I get any say in this?"_
   Unanimously, _"No."_
   ------
   EILEEN (Saturday 6/17)
   We spent most of the rest of the night in our Custom Cloud Cushion.  I
ended up with my mouth in someone's fanny; it had down around it, so it
wasn't Margie's.  Someone else's mouth was in mine, so I didn't feel left
out.
   We slept in a little until 8:00.  After a really nice breakfast in Tahoe
(we teased Liss unmercifully) where we ate most of the buffet, we got ready
for Bob and Kat's wedding.  I knew better by now even to think of opening
my mouth about the ceremony.  I figured Majella knew what she was doing.
   Sean presented Liss with her shamrock pin and Irish by Injection pin. 
Kate did the Irish by Injection spiel this time; thirteen injections should
last her a day or so.  Hehehehe.
   My lady friends do clean up nicely!  Sean looked us over, saluted us
very nicely and asked, "Do we *have* to go out?"
   Of course!  It was a wedding!  Besides, what else would we do on a
Saturday?  All our pillows hit him.
   Bob and Kathleen had a lovely ceremony!  Majella left the bonding open
just as she'd done with Blake and Louise.  What's this "R." Robert
Reynolds? Betcha there's a story there.
   Every woman there was in the competition for the most cry-for-happy. 
PVC's _song_ just tore us apart.  We gotta check out our back line for
Cullen songs and see what we could come up with -- always good to have new
material for late-night loving and the Tavern.
   The reception was a blast.  We got kidded frequently about our
rapidly-growing harem; we ladies kept telling them we needed even more to
keep up with Sean.
   Margie had a blast.  The caterers weren't ones of us so she didn't wear
her cuties.  No real matter, she "ran" around with George (who was walking
and talking, too!), and they let their tongues roll in several languages.
Yeh, they did their cake and ice-cream hoovering gig from their high
chairs.
   Melissa got a lot of introductions and dances.  We noted she had a *lot*
of dances with John and Patrick.
   We managed to do justice to the buffet and helped Aileen, Donal and
David do stringent quality control checks on the Irish whiskey.  BB and
Melissa stayed with Irish beer; Sheila at least had the manners to down one
before she switched back to Corona.  Grin.
   By 7:00, we were pretty well done in.  Back at OTL, we did our round of
showers.  Liss didn't do a loner this time; besides, she could barely stand
up.  Between last night (yes!), all the dancing and the booze, she was
pretty well knackered.  We hid her keys; she definitely wasn't in any
condition to drive.
   We flaked out for a quick nap -- there was a Bob and Kat after-dinner
show at 10:00!
   We linked in with Sherry at 9:40.  Oh, my!  She was cuffed to her bed!
Poor thing!  We knew exactly what to do.  Hehehehe!
   Jaysus, it was hot.  Between the deep love flooding over us and
fertilizing an egg, we got all hot and bothered again -- and that was just
Act 1.
   Act 2 took a good three hours; we joined right in with our own
celebration of love and delight.  We joined them in their dance in the back
yard of the solar system and celebrated the love we'd all found.
   Sounds like we've just been making love and goin' at it all the time
recently?  You *bet*cha!  Our new bonding, bondings among our new friends
in Clann Reynolds, new spiritual freedoms for ourselves, long dry spells
before and nothing pressing.  What would you have done?  A little peck on
the cheek, roll over, fart and go to sleep?  Hah!
   ------
   SEAN (Sunday 6/18)
   We had another wonderful breakfast; this time we went to Atlantic City.
They got up three hours earlier than we did just to get ready for us!  We
talked Melissa into spending the day with us.
   I had a 10:00 meeting for a marriage approval.  On with the kilt and
pick up the staff!
   This one was different.  From my _inspection_, they'd really held lots
of really important stuff back from each other.  Not minor stuff, either.
Three busts for prostitution for her and five years in the slammer on drug
possession for him I didn't consider minor.
   Yeh, they'd done an Admin Scale, but it was all "sweetness and light."
White picket fence, a couple cars, that sort of "I'm so pure" crap.
   I told them, "I can't approve this marriage.  That's not to say you
can't go ahead anyway; I have no legal rights here.  You need to spend more
time together and *come clean*!  God, Motherhood and apple pie are the
politician's stock in trade, not a couple looking at spending their lives
together."
   I think they got the idea I wasn't happy with them.  They'd cleaned up
their acts, true, but as long as they were hiding that from each other,
their relationship would deteriorate, not get better.  They'd be tearing
each other's heads off in three months!  We're not talking petty
shoplifting as kids here!
   I guess I wasn't in the best of moods when I got back.  Maybe it showed.
Four beautiful adult women and a nasty old lady with a really sweet chest
and a fine tidy arse did their best to cheer me up with sweet kisses and
reminders of how much they loved me.  It only took ten minutes before I was
my normal nasty self.
   We went back to the Custom Cloud Cushion and took another nap.  Why not?
There was plenty we could do, business-wise, but very little we *had* to
do.
   We spent time sharing sweet lazy caresses among ourselves.  I got hard,
they got hard and wet then we let our bodies ache deliciously while we went
exploring.
   Off to the Moon Base!  Marge showed us around, sort of.  No light (not
that we really needed it), no power (so what?) and still colder than a
witch's tit in a brass bra (and?).  Very interesting, nonetheless.
   One of the things Clann Cullen had developed over the last couple
thousand years was an evacuation plan.  What with all the wars, we could be
overrun most any time -- we'd get one hell of piece of them before that,
though.  We'd set up dispersal routes, rendezvous points, caches of food,
weapons, clothing, etc., all meant to give the Clann the best possible
chance of survival in the face of catastrophe.
   That had dropped out for whatever reason after the Dark Ages.  Guess
we'd gotten complacent during the Renaissance.  Maybe it was time to dust
off those old plans and modernize them a bit with the technologies we'd
just discovered.
   Yeh, as spirits we could survive the doomsday weapons, methane
eruptions, super-volcanoes, plague or anything else which could destroy
human life or the planet.  Where's the fun in that?  Better we have
alternatives now and never have to use them.
   I shared my doom and gloom with my mates (Liss was a de facto acting
mate even if she wasn't part of our relationship).  They agreed.  Eileen
said, _"Insurance.  Just as Sheila keeps harping on insurance, we should
have human race life insurance.  Besides, if we have an evacuation spot, we
could always use it for vacations, orgies or something.  Everyone, think of
your favorite cross-Clann fantasies."_
   Megan Foster and Kathleen Donovan in a Custom Cloud Cushion with a week
to explore every square (round!) nanometer of lovely skin!  We all went,
_"Hehehehe!"_ Dirty minds think much alike.
   Marge said, _"We're gonna do our best to pick this place clean.  We may
not rehab it, but there's nothing to stop us from building something
similar anywhere else.  Betcha over the last several trillion years, we've
all been part of a space-faring, high-technology culture and can dig out
some workable data from our memories."_
   The entire base was buried some 1,000 meters below the surface.  Guess
they'd wanted to avoid surface impacts.  Access to the surface was through
some hundred tunnels, most with elevators or what looked like monorails.
   ------
   EILEEN
   Well, I guess preparing for the survival of mankind could expand our
horizons.  Who needs just a little business game?
   Today was our night on the town with the Passion Posse.  Kate had a Soo
Laid for acing her final to work off.  But, first things first, we'd never
really spent much social time with Aile, Deidre or Mona.
   They brought over an invitation for Melissa for dinner with the N&Bs. 
Well, that got things moving.  Despite her (weak) protests, we found and
fitted a) a nice dinner dress for going out and b) a suitably tacky
seduction outfit.  We made loud guesses at who'd be seducing whom.
   The Passion Posse swore they'd heard the Moms and Dads talking about
Melissa and how they'd really like to rescue her from the clutches of the
evil Ceann.  We thought they had *much* more in mind than just rescue!
   Since she hadn't even started her teleportation check list (lazy
broad!), Mona ported her and her outfits -- plus an overnight bag -- back
to her place.  Mona popped back and told us, "They grabbed on to her like
the Moms grab for whiskey at a reception.  Hope she survives in the briar
patch."
   Shopping!  Mainly for the Passion Posse, but we old fogies kept our eyes
out for some bargains.  We got a few girly clothes for them but
concentrated on outfits which would make them look even more mature but not
cost a bundle.  They were still growing really fast; maybe what we got
would last the summer at least.
   One fun thing we got was a whole bunch of temporary tattoos, like
decals. Put 'em on with water and they'd wear off in a couple weeks.  We're
gonna have fun!
   We decided on an early, dressy dinner.  A couple weeks ago, Aile had
found a place in the Caribbean which looked really interesting to her. 
Fine by us; BB did a quick port, made a local phone call and got
reservations for the eight of us in three hours.  Should be long enough to
get dressed for Father's Day!
   It was, barely.  We had to "supervise" the Passion Posse.  It took
several outfit changes before we were satisfied.  We ended up with dresses
and makeup which made them look well into their teens.  Of course, everyone
had cleavage, nipples and bush fighting to escape.  Margie decided she'd
mock up a bush, too, and pass as a Little Person.  She looked sexy as hell.
Definitely good enough to eat.
   We decided against the bowlers this time since it was strictly a social
occasion.  We magnanimously decided Sean could wear his if he felt naked
without it.
   He did.  He looked great in a tux (Cullen-plaid cummerbund, of course)!
The bowler was perfect with it.  He loved our outfits; he stammered and
stuttered a little.  I thought he was gonna ravish us all right there! 
Just what we wanted.
   A quick port later we walked into the restaurant.  Sean's forty to the
maitre d' got us seated by the window overlooking a wonderful beach; it
didn't hurt at all when we spoke in the local dialect and accent (with a
little Irish accent on the side).
   Maggie walked like she'd been doing it for years, and dignity (along
with sex appeal) oozed from every pore.  The Passion Posse looked great! 
We adult women just did what we usually did in circumstances like this; we
model-walked and leaked pheromones and scent.
   Wonderful dinner!  Wine (not a word was said about ID for the girls),
which Sean seemed to know a lot about, appetizers, luscious fish,
falling-apart prime rib and some unknown, sinfully-rich dessert.  We stoked
up just in case the Father's Day honoree had some ideas for later.
   I announced (in Irish), "Looks like my ovaries are back on line.  I've
got three eggs ripening."
   They would have mobbed me if we'd been alone.  Sean smiled and said,
"Looks like we've got some fertility rites to plan, right?"
   We fervently agreed.  We were gonna make some *really* good plans.
   ------
   SEAN
   Sure glad we had the sound shields up around OTL.  The girls got very
well-acquainted with each other and laid massive Soo Laids on Kate, BB and
Marge.  They dragged me in to put the icing in the cake for everyone; they
wanted Irish Cream filling.  I sighed and complained but finally gave in.
   We _peeked_ at the briar patch.  If we weren't so broad-minded we
probably would have said it was a fabulous five-some of fornicating flesh.
Looks as if Melissa had introduced them to the Custom Cloud Cushion because
they were all over the room.
   Mona noted, "Looks like they're getting along just fine.  Anyone wanna
bet she'll be spending a lot of nights with us?" No one even thought of
betting.
   Aile said, "Of course, we five young-uns need to approve of her being
there, too, right?  Colin and Caden started using live ammo last week;
maybe she can teach them what to do."
   Deidre said, "Aile, Mona and I have no idea how well-educated they are
in that area."
   They looked so innocent with their eyes blinking!  No idea?  Sure. 
Right.  Uh-huh.
   ------
   (Monday 6/19)
   We got together in the morning with the N&Bs, all the young-uns and the
briar patch kid for breakfast.  There's a nice, quiet buffet in Oakland
which had to put up with us.
   Liss looked like she'd been through the wringer, even with her
I've-just-had-10,000-massive-orgasms glow.  She kept falling asleep.  Must
not have gotten much sleep last night.  Grin.
   Of course the ladies _gossiped_ (that's, "Had a lively discussion on
sexual experiences in the recent past."); that's new?
   Even with school out now, the young-uns still had plenty to do with
training, surveys for a Waystation and looking for Tavern and hotel sites,
so we didn't spend too long over breakfast.
   Back at OTL, we dumped Melissa's body in bed to sleep off her
"hangover." At least she didn't have a headache!
   My able executives started in on the weekend statistics and their other
work while I took off for an interview.  A couple wanted another child and
asked for the Ceann's blessing.
   Very nice couple with a touch of Talent each.  They went right on the
young-uns' To Do List.
   They had one child already, a girl about a year old.  The baby was very
healthy and happy (and had Talent).  Their small house was neat and clean
and was two blocks from an elementary school.  They both worked; Sally's
half-sister Clara baby-sat while they were at work.
   Humph!  They were leaving out a minor piece of information.  They were
both very interested in having Clara be in their relationship but hadn't
said anything yet to each other or to her.  I told them, "Let's get Clara
in here, too."
   Well, Clara was a sweet lady -- with Talent.  Dayum glad it was easy to
add to the To Do List.
   I told them, "There's nothing here against your having another child. 
Clara, do you want a child, too?"
   She blushed a little and said, "I'm not married and have no prospects
right now." Wrong!  She had the hots for the both of them -- and hadn't
said anything; she was working up her courage.
   I told them, "I remember you were all at my wedding, right?  How many
got bonded?  I think you three have something significant to discuss among
yourselves before we go further with this."
   Yeh, they got the hint.  I told them to let me know as soon as they came
to a decision on their relationship then we'd talk about more babies again.
   After I left, I nosed around a little.  Celia and Jack were moving in to
their new shop.  They still had the windows covered and were porting stuff
in from their storage then getting it arranged.  There were several other
shops getting stocked at the same time, and the other shop owners were too
busy themselves to notice there weren't any trucks or other traffic for
Shane's Shop in Burbank.  Sneaky!
   At OTL, Melissa's body was still sound asleep.  She was a trouper,
though, and was well onto her teleportation check list.  Didn't need a body
for that all the time.
   Mona had posted the last three businesses for sale on the CE and CC web
sites.  BB got the task of promoting them in other places.  She asked if
she could use the prior seminar attendees as a public for them.  Why not?
Who better than someone who's had some training?
   Marge had spent an hour last night with the Skunk Works.  She told us,
"Apparently there was a lot of loving' goin' on around town last night. 
Wonder why?  Hehehehe.
   "Anyway, besides the other stuff we've got to do, we've added finding
specific deceased-body spirits to our To Do List.  Where's Bridget's father
now?  How about your parents, Nana and Seanathair, Sean?  If you've been
Ceann so often, why not others?  Let's see if we can locate them and make
them an offer they might not want to refuse; if nothing else, there's gonna
be lots of babies popping out Real Soon Now."
   Oh, yes!  How would having most or all of the Ceann line knowingly
around contribute to the Clann's well-being?  Go for it!
   They'd selected one plastic book sheet from the Moon Base, put it in an
insulated container (at 100 below) then ported it to their lair to warm up
gradually.  Marge said, "If we can get it up to room temperature without it
cracking, and it seems stable, we'll start pulling full books.  It's easier
to work with them in person."
   The business statistics looked good all across the board.  I called a
quick CE meeting and told them, "I'm gonna change the stat reporting
frequency to once a week rather than three times.  Everyone's doing well,
and they're self-correcting so I don't see any reason to do three times. 
So, which day of the week should we end on?"
   After several minutes' discussion, we decided to go for Thursday evening
after close of business.  It would give them all day Thursday to collect
the previous week, tack on the final figures from the day and ship it out.
Then on Friday they/we could start implementing any needed corrective
action.  Also, no one would have to work over the weekend on collecting
them.
   Good.  Eileen sent out an email to that effect.  It would actually cut
down our work, too.  I was interested in that because there was a lot of
stuff on the horizon.  The stat frequency was in the detail manual; we just
implemented the weeklies.
   ------
   EILEEN
   What a weekend!  I wouldn't say we were all loved out, but we'd probably
sleep well Monday night.  Liss was in heaven; N&B had loved her almost to
death -- and she'd done her best to wear them all out.  They had
wonderfully brilliant blendings together and their QQV was *way* up there.
They hadn't committed to anything more but were definitely planning on
investigating an expansion to their relationship.  Nice.  Really nice.
   We worked away while Sean was on a Ceann interview.  Bridget and Geeser
chased each other around and took naps together in a pile of fur and flesh.
Margie told us, "The muscles are strengthening up pretty fast.  George and
I have even got most of the bow out of our baby legs.  Lookin' good!"
   We had a five-minute Core meeting and decided to hold a Fourth of July
party for the entire Clann -- if we could find a place to have it.  Deidre
volunteered, _"We're already looking for Tavern and hotel sites; this isn't
much different.  News at eleven."_
   We took a Jacuzzi break around 4:00; neither BB nor Liss had
"experienced" it yet.  When Sean hit the water jets, we watched their four
eyes get really big in a hurry!  Several other things got big at the same
time.
   Liss said, "I could spend some time in here."
   Margie told her, "Bring the N&Bs over and spend all the time you want.
Besides, they haven't done a quality control check for a while."
   Yeh.  Kate sent out the invitation for the next day.
   BB looked really yummy with her pelt floating.  We spent some time
ensuring it wasn't getting water-damaged.
   Deidre told us, _"We've got a spot reserved in Oak Grove Park in La
Canada Flintridge.  Plenty of room, plenty of parking and it looks decent.
We'll handle the food and so forth; all you guys gotta do is show up."_
   We had a lazy discussion with pauses to let the water jets do their
thing.  We ultimately decided we could handle just showing up.
   Mona would post a notice and map on the CC web site while Teresa said
she'd have a postcard mailing out that evening (if Liss gave her enough
time.  Hehehehe.).
   We decided to show up at the Clann Reynolds meeting to see if everyone
had survived the weekend.  The N&B group said they'd meet us there.
   We popped over around 6:15; Sean wanted a quick talk with Bob about the
idea of a safe haven.
   They made Ceann-talk while we got the dirt on their weekend from
Kathleen.  No doubt she was glowing!  She told us she'd have a minor
announcement to make just before the meeting.  She wouldn't tell us!  Twit!
Bitch!
   She did ask if JRD could "make advances" to Carmel about an IT position.
I told her, "She's her own woman; there's no conflict of interest, so go
for it."
   Just before the meeting started she waved three fingers in the air and
patted her tummy.  YES!  Very pregnant!  Winner!  Of course most of us
demanded details, but Bob was a party-pooper and started the meeting.
   Margie and Bob brought up the human race life insurance.  Bob gave us an
"I've been thinking..." but included Sean.  Yeh.  They wanted us to expand
our groups rapidly, get a secure method for data exchange and check for
lost technologies.  Yep, the entire thing made sense.  The only drawback
was the faster we expanded Clann Cullen, the more work the social
secretaries had.  Then again, there were four Ceann-mates to help with the
load.  Grin.
   Nice meeting.  Just before we were ready to leave, Liss flushed up a bit
and told us, "I'm gonna spend the night with the N&Bs." All right!  We
teased her a bit about the briar patch but were really happy for her.
   Probably for the best, too.  I didn't think Liam could have handled five
horny women.  He and Maeve showed up right on time for their honoring.
   Liam was physically in pretty decent condition by now, and we took
advantage of it.  We ensured he got plenty of snuggling and a really good
taste of every nipple and fanny; he was more than willing to help damsels
in distress.
   Maeve seemed to survive Sean's attentions; long and slow was her
preference.  She got it in spades.  Since they didn't have to be at a J O B
the next day, we kept her awake most of the night.  She didn't mind a
little boob and fanny noshing for variety, but she really wasn't into it
much.
   ------
   (Tuesday 6/20)
   We fed them really well in the morning before they popped back home.  We
girls weren't too shabby at the feeding trough, either.
   Melissa joined us after breakfast.  She was in better shape than Monday
morning but still had a great glow-on!  Apparently the briar patch thorns
had penetrated frequently and deeply.  Hehehehe.
   Bob wanted to meet with us for a little while so we popped over there
around 10:00.  Jaysus!  Three Babies Within!  (Fun term.  Grin) We demanded
all sorts of details, but Bob and Sean insisted on some business talk. 
Well, more details later.
   Jaysus H.  Christ with a walker!  Through some twists and turns, Bob had
inherited control of a company worth two billion dollars!  Something like
Kat with JRD; those two could fall into a cesspool and come out smelling
like high-end French perfume.
   Anyway, he wanted to diversify ownership with people he trusted and
wanted to sell shares to Cullen Enterprises, Kat, Mario and Sherry. 
Apparently he trusted us completely.  Well, we trusted all the Clanns, so
that was acceptable.
   We CE folk had a _conference_.  Margie's first contribution was, _"Well,
guys, we wanted a big game.  Here's a chance.  Yesterday, the Clanns
basically committed to a major effort to create a safe haven for the human
race.  Well, that's gonna mean Big Bucks going out any way you look at it._
   _"While we don't know RRK's composition, it will probably have some
influence on the companies it holds and might well be able to get some
really good progress towards that goal.  We've got little idea right now of
what it'll take, but having another resource sure won't hurt."_
   Kate wasn't concerned with the time effort which might be involved. 
_"Our only commitments right now are to our companies and to delivering
seminars.  The companies will actually take less time now plus we're
selling them all, and so far as I can predict, the seminars won't really
take that much time either.  We can't just lay around and screw *all* the
time.  It would be fun but not fun."_
   Sean pointed out the N&Bs would actually be handling any Tavern
expansions, though we'd probably have a hand in it.  We'd have plenty to do
if we decided to fire up a Waystation or get another hotel or so, but a lot
of that we'd delegate anyway, especially with Melissa handling the CH
interface.
   As for exchange with RRK, we figured there'd be plenty along the line.
BB pointed out we'd probably have a lot of influence with the CE policies
and might well be able to make a more significant impact than if we tried
starting or buying larger businesses ourselves.
   Sean called for a shareholder vote.  We decided to do the deed.
   Bob was happy.  Kat told us, "Thank you.  Now we'll *really* have to get
some cross-Clann cultural exchange." These young folk; is that all they
think of?  Well, we weren't much better.
   All right.  Back to OTL.  Margie told us, "I think it'll work out great.
I'll probably be spending a good deal of time at night with the Skunk
Works; some of this stuff is turning out to be a must-have rather than a
nice to have."
   We assured her we'd miss her but would survive.  Kate told her, "We'll
save some for you.  Fortunately, there's an unlimited supply of love."
   ------
   SEAN
   I had a _chat_ with Rosheen, Maura and Teresa to go over the idea of
expanding the Clanns.  They were quite interested for various reasons. 
Rosheen was pragmatic, _"The more we expand, the more stable and secure we
are -- and the more singles we get to match up!"_
   The Cullen Sisters had a different slant, _"I dunno, Sean, you've not
caught up with honoring the ones we've got now!  We keep bringing it up,
but your harem seems to have the idea they need some time with you, too. 
We're trying to give you one day a week off."_
   I figured I'd let the rest of my social secretaries handle that zinger;
ya gotta pick the battles you have a chance to win.  I told them, _"You do
have a point.  How about you bring your crew over to OTL this afternoon,
and we'll soak your heads, em, soak in the Jacuzzi and discuss it.  That
is, if you wimmin can stay off the water jets long enough.  Hehehehe."_
   I got a good dose of spirit-Irish -- it's even worse than the verbal
abuse -- but they agreed to show up around 5:00.
   Melissa told us we'd gotten a promotional postcard from Fillmore.  We
gathered around and looked at it.  Yow!  We do all that?  Guess we do. 
Anyway, it looked great.
   We got on a conference call with Duane and Rita.  I introduced Melissa
and told them she'd be the main interface.  They'd worked with Mona an hour
or so on coordinating the CE, CC and Fillmore sites and considered they
were quite acceptable.
   Rita told us, "With two and a half weeks to go, we've got 850
registrations.  We'll hit them with another card next week.  Often, there's
about 10% walk-ins on the day of the seminar so it's looking real good. 
Maybe we can talk next week about how we're doing and consider scheduling
another one.  Sometimes it takes a couple exposures to the promo before we
find some buttons that click."
   Well, 850 is more than I've ever gotten together at once.  Sounded good
to us.
   Right at 5:00, we were inundated with N&Bs.  The Passion Posse
immediately hit the Jacuzzi; they were nekkid when they came.  Oh, yeh,
they remembered the water jets.
   I told them, "Now don't overflow that thing with pussy juice." They
didn't seem to appreciate the thought because I got three ripe raspberries.
   The adult N&Bs took plenty of time to lay some lovin' on Melissa.  We
other hosts got seconds.  At least we got some.
   We were crowded in the Jacuzzi and no one cared.  Teresa snuggled up and
told me, "We're gonna schedule us again pretty soon, so you'd better stock
up.  Stock up on the whiskey, too."
   We had a lot of discussion on expanding the Core.  They were all for it,
not only because it made us more stable, but it also spread our
communication lines out a lot further.  More ones of us meant more social
and professional networking which could well lead to finding the talent
needed to do off-world exploration.
   Caden asked, "We're looking at a colony, right?  Why not several
colonies?  Margie, do you know if anyone's done any extra-solar
explorations yet?"
   Margie said, "Colonies plural is correct.  I know Bob and Kat went well
into the Oort Cloud with no problems; so far we haven't found a distance
limit.  I don't really have a guess if there is one; the main concern I
have is that the intrinsic velocity difference over a decent distance might
get close to the speed of light.
   "How much energy would we need to match another world?  What happens if
the difference *exceeds* the speed of light?  Can it?  I think those
questions need some brave explorers to test the frontiers."
   Mona promptly volunteered Ted and herself.  "These other four have new
girlfriends and boyfriends to break in.  We're ready now."
   The adult N&Bs weren't quite so quick to accept their offering.  They
yakked back and forth for a bit until they appealed to the Ceann.
   I told them, "Well, all of you have very valid points.  I'd recommend
leaving it up to the Skunk Works to work out a set of experiments then look
for volunteers based on the requirements.  Speaking of the Skunk Works,
anything new and exciting, Marge?"
   Marge said, "The math we've developed says there's no physical-universe
distance limits to a spirit moving.  That's mainly a matter of discerning
the target location.  Einstein's and Hawking's math says we may have a
problem here and there, but we shall see what the practical application
finds.  It'll go on the list.
   "As to new and exciting, well...  We've let our plastic sheet from the
Moon Base warm up on its own so far.  It's around zero Fahrenheit right
now; we haven't seen any ill effects.  Probably tonight we'll let it start
warming faster.  Our main concern is thermal shock or cracking from
expansion.  We shall see."
   Maura said, "I like it.  Well, we'd better take off; you've got visitors
coming."
   We shared a round of hugs then they took off -- with Melissa.  Hmm,
third night in a row?  Sounded to us like something's going on.
   This was Celia and Jack Hanes' night for adventure.
   We took them to the Altadena Arms.  Since it was close to Shane's Shop
(now Shane's Shop in Altadena), they'd been there before but not for the
Hat Man special!
   We had prime rib and lobster; the chef outdid herself!  Great!
   The place was almost full.  The Hat Ladies eyeballed everything pretty
good; they should, three were getting a piece of the action now with the
other two later.
   Celia and Jack were ready to go in Burbank.  They'd spent Monday and
today stocking and arranging.  Jack said, "It really helped we'd pretty
much had the layout planned.  Still, just setting up the register took a
half hour.  The instructions were lousy."
   They were going on a franchise from Sharon.  My suggestion in The Book
was for a low franchise fee and a cut of the profit.  They thought it would
work out well.
   I ducked out for a few minutes and found Mary Murray.  She was doing
great!  Rosheen, Maura and Teresa had enhanced the entire family and they
were doing splendidly well.  Mary told me, "The baby's doing exactly as
expected.  The entire family's completely excited.  We've redesigned the
nursery room at least three times so far."
   Very well done!  Hmm, I'll leave it as an exercise for the social
secretaries if they get another honoring because they're now Core.  After
all, there was Mick and two teenagers who hadn't been honored.
   I got back to the table to find the Hat Ladies eyeing Jack hungrily. 
Celia snuggled right up to me and whispered, "He's gonna be so wasted
tomorrow for our Grand Opening."
   I whispered back, "*You* won't be able to stand for more than two
minutes at a time." She flushed down to into her blouse.  Glad the chair
seats are stain-resistant.
   She was sweet and warm all night and very enthusiastic.  We _peeked_ at
Jack during his trials and tribulations; he bravely was bearing up.  No
intercourse for Eileen, but she made do with lots of mustache rides and
Aussie kissing from the other ladies to fill in the time.  Grin.
   I asked if she and Jack were ready to start baby-making for real.  She
told me, "Yep.  After Bob and Kat's show, especially.  I firmly doubt we'll
put on a show like that, but we'll have our own private rituals."
   That idea seemed to give her renewed vigor, and she knocked off two home
runs one after the other.  A final grand slam for both Jack and her (wonder
how the Hat Ladies had done that.  Grin) left us all touring the Asteroid
Belt.  Lots of metal out there just drifting around.  We assigned our own
names to a couple, since we appeared to be visiting so often.
   ------
   (Wednesday 6/21)
   In the morning, we took them to Reno for a buffet breakfast.  BB passed
out their shamrock pins and Irish by Injection and Osmosis pins.  She told
them, "Six injections and thirty osmosis processes should be enough.  Next
time we see you, we expect to hear lots of Irish accent."
   Margie added, "Or we may have to do this all over again."
   Jack didn't quite pass out.  Celia groaned and said, "I won't be able to
stand for more than a minute at a time today."
   Back at OTL, we found Liss had survived her night.  She must be getting
into shape because she was able to stay awake.  Anyway, she finished The
Book and went immediately into the first detail manual.  We ceremoniously
presented her with her completion certificate.
   I met with a couple who claimed they were having marriage problems. 
They'd done a decent Admin Scale.  If it were true, they were aligned at
least.
   They were mainly bored with their lives.  They both had jobs (yech) they
enjoyed and made good money.  Their one child, an early teenager, was doing
very well so she wasn't a problem.
   I said, "Well, looks like we need some oomph here.  Intellectually,
you're both doing just fine.  Now, let's get some love back into the love
life."
   I assigned them one Date Night a week.  "This is a third-date night so
you're both gonna get laid *really* well.  Each time, make it as fresh and
new as if you'd never been together before.  Ask what feels good.  Tell
what feels good.  Then do it."
   To start them out, I gave them a Tavern and an Altadena Arms dinner gift
certificate.  I made them promise to call me in a month to report on how
they were doing.  I told them, "Don't make me wield my staff!" I waved the
ceremonial staff around a little.  For whatever reason, she looked as if
she wouldn't mind me "wielding my staff." Then again, since they were
Clann, they might have heard a few rumors.
   ------
   BB had mocked up a seminar-end survey.  I looked it over and made one
small correction.  I told her, "You did good for a girl who isn't Irish."
   She grinned back at me and said, "But I *am* Irish.  By frequent
injection, ingestion *and* osmosis."
   For a goody if they turned in the survey at the end, Liss had come up
with a playing-card size Admin Scale prompter.  She told us, "Your printer
can make them up for fifteen cents apiece in lots of a thousand.  Plastic
coated, one hundred to a box."
   Looked great to us.  She'd already sent the design over and expected a
proof back tomorrow morning.  Good on her!  Good on 'em both!
   Liss took off to the N&Bs around 4:00.  The entire family was twinning
with her as needed on her teleportation check list; they'd somehow found
time to work on it a little the past several days.
   ------
   EILEEN
   Thursday, Liss showed up with another well-laid glow.  We weren't
worried at all; we had one, too.
   Business visits for us all.  Liss worked on her studies in the morning
then Margie and I picked her up to do our last two in the afternoon.
   All my interested folk were ready to make firm offers on buying their
businesses.  Kate and BB told us their buyers were ready, too.  Well, we
told them to hold on a day and we'd get the meetings scheduled.
   Liss took off to the N&Bs as soon as we were done.  "We're gonna see if
I can finish my check list tonight."
   She did.  She ported herself over in the morning.  We poured on the
congratulations and just happened to observe her glow.  Good thing we can't
wear it out!
   The Admin Scale card proof looked great, especially with the CE logo and
web site prominently displayed.  Melissa ordered 2,000 to start.
   Friday, all the prospective buyers were ready.  Great!  As soon as we
got back to OTL, BB sat on the phone with Janet and called around to set up
closing appointments.  With some shuffling around, she got them all set up
for next week.  It's a-wunnerful, a-wunnerful!
   Tavern night!  Liss took off to the N&Bs to dress; it was a leprechaun
night.  Dayum, these dresses keep falling down, how does that happen?
   Margie found she had to slow down a little in her leprechaun shoes; they
weren't really made to walk in.  After a couple minutes, though, she
figured out a couple _touches_ to make them stay on.  Geeser loved
attacking the floppy toes!
   At the Tavern, we compared notes and dresses.  Hmm, it didn't take long
for us to spot Liss wearing a shamrock pendant!  That called for an
immediate adjournment to the women's conference room!
   She cried a little and told us, "They *all* asked me to join their
bonding.  Provisional, but they asked."
   We gave her lots of hugs for that -- the N&B ladies got them, too!
   Maura grinned and told us, "Of course, the Passion Posse had to work her
over good before they approved."
   Deidre laughed and said, "She managed to hold up pretty good for an old
fogy."
   Mona and Aile agreed, "She held her own."
   Mona tattled, "Caden and Connor had to get their licks in, too.  From
the sound of things, they got more than their tongues inside her. 
Hehehehe."
   Liss blushed all over and told us, "Well, someone's gotta teach 'em,
right?"
   Dayum!
   We danced, laughed, sang and showed off how happy everyone was.
   Patrick introduced Melissa to the audience as "a wonderfully warm
friend." She picked up our hat tossing and Bridget spinning really quick.
   We settled down a bit afterwards and just talked.  Teresa told us,
"Eavan McGlinchy popped.  The weekend will never be the same at the
Altadena Arms.  She's good!"
   The Passion Posse brought us up to speed on the goings on with the
school Inner Circle.  Aile said, "Mona and Ted are off in their own little
world.  We never have to wonder where she is; we know."
   Aile and Deidre had found two very nice young men who happened to be in
their grade.  Without actually saying it, they heavily implied the young
men wouldn't be "inexperienced" by the time Monday came around.
   Caden and Connor tried to look very innocent when Mona reported on their
social lives, "They've got three sweet young thangs panting over them. 
Good thing they know what to do now!"
   Chapter 29
   SEAN (Monday 6/26)
   We didn't hear any screams of anguish from the N&B area over the
weekend, so we assumed the Passion Posse's new young men had survived. 
Then again, with the training check list, they could have expired quietly
inside their shields.
   Apparently Caden and Connor had spent a lot of time with their three
lady friends, too.  They weren't talking a bit, but Aile suggested all five
had at least done quite a bit of taste-testing over the weekend.
   That's at least six new ones of us in school, and we didn't doubt we'd
pick up some family members along the way.  I figured with eleven young-uns
around, we could have several enhancement teams running at once.
   In a quick Core meeting, Caden told us, _"We've got our Inner Circle
pretty well set up.  Connor and I have three we've completely enhanced and
on the teleportation check list, and Aile and Deidre each did one.  I dunno
where they found the time to do any training, but everyone was out
exploring last night."_
   Of course the nieces thoroughly Irished them.  They were used to it,
though, and just _grinned_.  I think they'd been picking up sister-baiting
from me for years.
   Anyway, there wasn't any real time conflict with them working with the
Moms and Dads on the new Tavern(s), hotel(s) and Waystation surveys during
the day; most of the training was done in the evening or at night anyway.
   We ended up with five teams; the pairings were obvious.  Connor and
Caden would "share" their three ladies depending on how many they were
training at once.
   We turned them loose on the twenty Talents we'd found during the wedding
(and the possible new threesome family) and on the new young-uns' families.
The new young-uns were ready to start their teleportation check lists so
they had to work that in.  Betcha they'd still find time to lay a bit of
lovin' on each other, though!
   They were very aware of the security issues on the check lists and such,
so I didn't expect any problems there.  We worked out a straightforward To
Do List type of file for people we ran across to be enhanced; as someone
found a new one, they'd put the name and location on the list with maybe a
few notes.
   The enhancement teams would keep checking the list and add to the note
when they started their part.  Our Education Officer would eyeball the list
every so often and transfer the ones started to her training database then
track them from there.  Eileen told everyone, _"Slap the names, etc.  on
the To Do, and I'll take it from there.  That way, you don't have to worry
about doing any database entry or updating."_
   Since it took her maybe ten or fifteen seconds to add or update a
record, we could process quite a few new ones.  She'd set up the database
to store keywords about special abilities or talent, just like the Brain
Trust database.
   Okay, back to mundane business.  Melissa staggered in on time and got to
work on her detail manual studies while the rest of my able execs checked
out email and newsletters.
   We had three business sales to close today.  They didn't need all of us
at once, so between Lena and us we decided to send Eileen, Kate and BB to
sign for CE.  Me, I'd take a nap with Geeser to protect me!
   The first five hundred Admin Scale cards arrived via UPS.  They looked
really good!  We kept a pack of one hundred in the office and stored the
rest away in one of our storage containers.
   Eileen went right to work and found a sample inventory database for all
the seminar materials.  As stuff came in, she'd create a new inventory item
then log the quantity and storage location.  As more of the item came in,
she'd create a new record showing how much arrived and where it was stored.
As we took items out, we'd create another record showing how many, who did
it, and where it went.
   Yeh, we could easily _count_ what we had, but this way we could keep
some statistics.
   I did some serious memory research for lost technologies.  Dayum, the
memories just keep on going back!  I spent a good four hours listing ideas
and concepts, anything from making soap to an artificial gravity
generator/shield.  Some of the stuff I could probably create by rote
memory, but it didn't necessarily mean I'd understand how they actually
worked.
   The ladies came back from the sales closings.  Good!  Two companies had
paid cash -- their own financing -- and we were carrying the financing on
the third one.  Yes!  Shit, the escrow would dump about $900K into the CE
account in the next day or so, and another $550K plus interest over the
next six years from the CE-financed one.
   Marge spent some time working on "holograms." Since her cuties had been
such a great hit, she was researching how to train someone else.  She told
us, "If we want to change the color of the house, this should do it." Stuff
like that.
   Poor Geeser caught the brunt of it.  She kept turning different colors
from rainbow-colored zebra stripes to leopard and once "grew" a male lion's
mane.  She blithely ignored it all and went on her way stomping her feet
while chasing sunbeams, dust bunnies (very rare now) and other cat toys.
   Marge announced, "I'm gonna see what happens when I pump her up. 
There's plenty of life so maybe we'll end up with a super cat." Why not? 
Worst that'll happen is she'll be able to get her own food from the cans.
Talk about lazy people!
   We decided to head to the Clann Reynolds meeting.  The adult N&Bs (now
including Melissa) decided they'd go too, "to keep an eye on the Cullen
Ceann so he doesn't sell us into slavery." Why didn't I think of that
before?  Probably what would happen, though, is I'd have to pay someone
else to take them.  Even if I liquidated all my assets, I wouldn't have
enough.
   Shit, there was stuff happening!  Pat Derman reported there was a hell
of a lot of Sensitives floating around LA and San Bernardino counties --
and blamed the increase on us!  Aileen had a smart-ass comment about
leaking fertility rites.
   Wrong thing to say with the Cullen Sisters around.  They'd already told
me they were handling the entire thing; all I would be permitted to do was
show up and perform.  Argh.  Betcha they'll pull something.  Eileen didn't
seem to mind at all, so I kept my male mouth shut.
   Apparently the girls' male stripper had been from Akron, where David's
parents had just formed a new Clann.  Great!  Now maybe my four ladies
would stop sighing and moping around.  On the other hand, I wouldn't put it
past any of them to make a trip to Akron to check out the goodies a bit
more.  Cynthia was sure willing.
   Ben told us about the Moon Base.  Jaysus, it was big.  The living and
admin space alone would swallow Pasadena and Monrovia.  And there was a
huge hanger and a manufacturing facility, too!
   They had only some uneducated guesses as to how long it had taken to
build or even when.  About all they could really say was it was reasonably
old.
   The Skunk Works needed researchers.  Lots of researchers.  Well, that's
what all those 15,000 or so Sensitives were for, right?
   Hell, they were even making progress on searching out ancestors. 
Sounded good to me; I wouldn't mind having Da, Mum and Seanathair around
again.  Wonder if my memories of other Ceanns would be enough for a trace?
   After the meeting, we had a talk with Bob and Kat.  Bob volunteered
Megan Foster to be their Education Officer to keep track of all the
expected newbies.  Megan sassed him about what her exchange was, and my
ladies chanted their Soo Laid song.  Is that all they think of?  Me, I only
think of it 75% of the time.  Grin.
   I brought up the fact we paid our trainers $50 a shot, and that we now
had five teams working.  We needed a new-Clann implementation team so I
volunteered Maura to help Kat make up the check list.  I'd check with Vera
in Mesa to see if she was interested in being the pilot project.
   One thing Bob and I did was split our hunting grounds so we weren't
stepping on each other's toes.  We weren't concerned about poaching or
anything; that was the least of our concerns.
   Clann Reynolds took everything from the I-5 west, including Burbank and
Glendale.  They'd go south, west and north while we'd go south and east
into San Bernardino and Riverside counties.  With 15,000 known right off
the bat, there'd be plenty of happy hunting.  The young-uns wouldn't lack
for stuff to keep them busy over the summer -- and I'm not talking about
just shacking up with their new sweeties, either.
   Marge suggested, "Let's create a tag node in the ones we find.  That
way, we won't have them show up on our list half a dozen times and the
enhancement team can find them even faster."
   She, George and Mario made up a tag node in about five seconds and
passed it around.
   The N&Bs said they'd get the word to the enhancement teams so they knew
they had plenty more students coming up.  There was gonna be some busy
people.
   All right!  We popped back to OTL and settled in for the night.  My
bond-mates sent me to the honoring room to sleep alone.  Marge said,
"Tomorrow's the fertility rite so you need to save yourself.  Besides,
Geeser's plenty warm." I cried myself to sleep.  Grin.
   The social secretaries immediately got together and went off to plot my
demise tomorrow.  They probably were gonna work me to death.
   Oh, well.  I'd die with a smile, at least.  I decided to go hunting and
took off.
   I went up about 20,000 feet and _looked_ for hot ones.  Oh, yeh!  There
were a couple ones of us outside near Long Beach.  Well, go for it!
   Roy was Italian and his wife Mercy (Mercedes) was Puerto Rican.  Roy was
an aerospace engineer with Boeing (some 40 years worth) and was an
operations specialist.  In fact, he taught certification courses in
manufacturing processes and inventory control.  Good find!
   Mercy had been in the public school system for almost 40 years as a
high-level executive.  She definitely knew how to handle people and work
with an organization.  They were both retiring in a couple months.  Well,
we could use them if they were interested.
   I immediately got them together with Ted and Mona so they could pick
each other's minds and get everyone up to speed.  I told Mona, _"As soon as
they've got their basic training, get them over to Ben.  Betcha he'll work
their spirit-butts off."_
   I ported a couple seminar cards to their home; 60% discount.  We needed
experts.
   I _saw_ the ladies out doing their own hunting; apparently they were
finished with their plotting for a while.
   In the next four hours, I tagged 250 Sensitives.  It took maybe five
seconds to do a quick gestalt, put in the tag and to add them to the list.
It took longer to add them to the list than anything else; there was lots
of competition for the keyboard.
   Eileen told me, _"I'll have the N&Bs create their lists on their own
laptops then I'll consolidate them a couple times a day.  We'll do the same
so we can run flat out."_ Sounded like a plan.
   ------
   EILEEN
   Poor Sean; we made him sleep alone.  Somehow I didn't think Geeser was
quite the same company as one of his mates.  Grin.
   Yeh, we plotted all right.  The social secretaries dug out those
removable tattoos and put them all over my body.  Teresa had dug out Sean's
writeup on the symbols and their meanings, and they went at it with a
vengeance.
   Yeh, I had some skin surface uncovered but not much.  They were really
bright, too; pigments had come a long ways.  We let them dry (about 20
minutes) then Maura made me put on an opaque nightgown.  "No showing the
goodies until tomorrow night.  Keep him guessing -- and torment him all
day. Hehehehe." Corrupted.  Really corrupted.
   There weren't any on my face or hands; they'd be added tomorrow night.
So, I put the body to bed and went hunting with the rest.
   I found around 180 hot prospects.  While our hunting ground was away
from the aerospace companies around Burbank, there were still lots
available.  I tagged and logged (set up everyone on their own system so we
weren't fighting over the keyboard) for several hours.  I found lots of
engineers of all sorts: mechanical, electrical, aeronautical, metallurgists
and the like.  Real geeks like we needed.
   Plenty of others, too.  Kate found several linguists while Margie dug
out an environmental engineer (air, water supplies, that sort of stuff). 
By the end of the night, we'd tagged almost 800, and we'd barely gotten
into San Bernardino County.
   Well, just because Sean was dry tonight didn't mean we had to be.  BB,
Kate, Margie and I traded sweet lovin' for a while.  We made sure to leak
it out a little to Sean so he'd be "up" the next evening.  Nasty!  My
tattoos didn't smear a bit.
   ------
   (Tuesday 6/27)
   In the morning, we urged Sean to eat up.  Margie told him, "You're
really gonna get it good tonight.  Eileen's gonna wear you out, and that
shillelagh's gonna be sore.  Eileen's got three eggs almost to the uterus,
and you're gonna work until you've nailed them all!"
   Yes!  I was already wet and ready to start.  Sean made us work first,
though.
   We got the first set of surveys back for the Waystation.  Between city
officials, social services and churches, there was a good need and want for
the service.  While there were quite a few publicly-supported shelters,
there really wasn't much in the way of what a Waystation would offer.
   Add on the idea it would be self-supported -- getting its own funding --
and pretty much everyone agreed they'd cooperate and support one or more.
   Part of the survey was for locations.  Most thought the depressed areas
like "skid row" weren't suitable for one because of the nature of the
services.  Some hot areas appeared to be Burbank, North Hollywood and
several spots in the San Gabriel Valley (Monrovia, Pasadena and those
areas).  Okay, we'd put it up to the Clanns to kick around for the next
steps.
   Margie wrote up the tallies and routed them and our conclusions to the
Core and most of Clann Reynolds.  Figured we'd take a look at it maybe next
Monday at the Clann Reynolds meeting.
   Deidre had noted if we could find spots for a Tavern and a hotel close
to each other, they could promote each other's services.  While not a
necessity, it would be a plus point.
   So far, they'd found six hotels meeting their criteria and ten possible
Tavern sites.  With Melissa as CE's interface to CH, we'd let her handle
the initial check outs with the N&Bs.  It would give her something to do in
her spare time -- what she had of it after the N&Bs got done with her.
   In the afternoon, we had a phone conference with Rita and Duane.  They
now had 1,100 or so registrations.  They'd calculated a break-even point of
about 900 including one copy of The Book.  So, even if we didn't sell one
extra manual set or CD, we'd make a little.
   They pushed to start doing more.  Rita said, "We've mainly concentrated
on the Los Angeles area for this one.  I'd recommend one in the Bay Area,
one in Seattle then one more back here.  I'd say a month apart for now; if
we really get going and can handle it, maybe we could end up with two a
month or even simultaneous ones."
   We talked another half hour.  Sean decided, "Okay, go for them all.  The
only constraint we've actually got is ensuring we get the manuals.  The
printer's given us no indication there's any issues, and I don't foresee
any myself.  You want some more cash?"
   Of course they wouldn't refuse cash.  Melissa arranged an electronic
check for $200,000 to keep things going.  I'd say we were pretty well
committed.
   After we got off the phone, Sean said, "Even if it all goes to hell,
we'll still eat and live just fine.  We've only put out 250K so far to
Fillmore.  Add on about 26K for manuals, CDs, cards and about 10K for the
storage containers, and there's around 290K.  Still pretty cheap."
   Considering "we" had just dropped about $900K in the bank from two
business sales, we figured it was worth a little risk.
   Sean grilled us on the presentation, asking us all sorts of questions.
We had to find the proper slide, display it, answer the question then get
back into the flow.  Believe you me we learned, especially after the
Ceann's war club appeared in his hand a few times.
   Then he started in on the heckling.  We had to appear un-phased, handle
it then get back on track.  Dayum, he had some doozies!  One was a rant
that we were sinning against God by having a book -- the only book was the
Bible.  We handled that one by having Geeser jump him and drag him off --
while she was bright purple with a very fluffy orange tail.
   Margie wasn't spared, either.  Sean said, "We'll probably have seminars
for ones of us like we did for JRD.  You've gotta know it cold, too."
   He did relent a little and took us to New York for a nice dinner.  I had
to wear a cover-up dress, though, because of the tattoos.  I made up for it
by picking a very thin material.  Somehow my nipples just didn't want to
calm down.  No one else's did, either, and we kept them all pointed right
at him.
   Okay, time to get ready for the fertility rites.  The Cullen Sisters
popped in; they were part of it.  BB and Kate flipped a coin to see who
would be the link to the rest of the Clann.  Kate won.  Teresa said, "We'll
get to you in a little bit.  First, let's get the other stuff ready."
   They kicked Sean out into the den.  Maura told him, "Gather your
strength; you'll need it."
   Majella popped in, too.  She was the priest.  Yeh, Sean said the post
wasn't gender-specific.
   Margie pushed me into the shower while the others did their stuff in the
honoring room.  Margie washed me carefully.  "Get you real clean but we
don't wanna wear those tattoos off yet."
   We patted me dry.  One part didn't want to get dry.
   Majella said, _"It's time."_
   Maura and Teresa grabbed Kate and dragged her into the middle bedroom
where they used padded cuffs to tie her to the bed.  Teresa said,
"Precedence.  Otherwise you'd be diddling yourself and forget to _link_."
   We started hearing a deep rumble then drums in the distance.  Margie
said, "That's me; I'm the band tonight as well as a dancer."
   We _felt_ Kate start _linking_ people in.  Apparently there was another
precedence because lots of spirits took advantage of her condition.  Lots
of nibbles on those sweet hard puffies!  I think there was a brush fire,
too, because most of them tried to get her wet enough to put it out.
   Kate wasn't usually loud, but after five minutes or so she got really
noisy.
   The "band" got a little nearer and we could hear a flute-like instrument
in an atonal song.  I _heard_ the young-uns start an ancient _song_ of love
and hope for the future of the Clann.  Majella told us, "We're on."
   I _felt_ Kate link us in and _felt_ a lot of spirits on the other side.
Maura, Teresa, BB and Margie escorted me to the honoring room.
   Yowsah!  It looked like a camp in the woods.  The light flickered yellow
and red as from fires, we could hear fires crackling and hissing and the
room faded out into the darkness with bright stars overhead.  Margie's band
was barely visible with bodies moving in the dim light.
   The bed was piled with furs.  Maura whispered to me, "Faux fur
everywhere.  Sean told us this was a typical setting for the Ceann's
mating. I remember many very similar to this; the mating is so important
it's done in public."
   Yeh, we might as well be on the front lawn.  Well, I'd let them worry
about the politics.
   The band became a little louder and the atonal music changed to a
different melody.  We heard singing in the old Gaelic from beside the band.
   Maura, Teresa and BB painted me with paint from several different bowls
Margie brought in.  Face, hands, and outlines all over my body.  The
tattoos we'd put on stood out well in the firelight; a lot of the paint
they were putting on fluoresced in it.
   In ten minutes, the only part of my skin not covered was the soles of my
feet.  I glowed!  The fluorescence outlined the spirals and circles around
my breasts and over my uterus.  Everything below my waist pointed right to
my crotch; only a blind man could miss it!
   Jaysus!  I was dripping enough the paint on the inside of my thighs was
running.  Teresa said, "I guess that means you're interested in what's
going on."
   They carefully laid me in the middle of the bed and bunched the fur up
around me a bit.  Yowsah!  It felt wonderful!  Silky-smooth everywhere, and
it caressed me everywhere it touched.
   They spread flower petals all around and on me.  Their fragile scent
combated the scent I was flooding out.
   They faded back into the darkness where I could just see them sit and
watch.
   Majella danced in.  She wore a long brownish robe lightly tied at the
waist; it was open all the way above and below.  She, too, was painted;
fluorescent diagrams and symbols covered her face and all the skin we could
see -- which was a lot.
   The song changed; she chanted in the ancient Gaelic: an appeal to the
gods to draw near and bless us with their presence.  She went on for
fifteen minutes while the song got louder and faster.
   I was almost panting; I'd wet down the fur under my arse pretty dayum
good.  My heart was pounding, and I felt like I'd die if I had to wait any
longer.
   The song and the drums stopped abruptly.  I felt both full of fear and
full of lust at the same time.
   Majella announced loudly, "Gods of the Clann!  Bless us with an heir! 
The Ceann attends his mate!"
   There was a bright flash from the fires.  Sean stood still on the edge
of the firelight.  He was nekkid and covered head to toe with painted
symbols.  His eyes were surrounded with fluorescing circles, stripes down
his arms and legs gleamed, and his rigid tool was glowing red.
   With a loud boom, the drums sounded again.  The "flutes" -- it sounded
like there were hundreds of them -- wailed and another song began.
   Majella chanted an appeal to the Goods to bless the union.  Sean danced
a powerful, flowing dance punctuated with leaps and chants of his own. 
"Bless us, oh Gods!  Bless us so we may live down through the ages!"
   Every time he leapt, my nipples and breasts tightened up more, and I
squirted juice.  He kept his eyes locked on mine.  He told me, _"My mate! I
love you beyond all bounds of mortality.  The gods have foreseen our union,
and I pray they bless us with child."_
   The dance song changed to a low fast beat while the flutes quieted down.
Still fast, the meter seemed to change every several seconds.  I felt a
great spirit _presence_ which seemed to cover the glade.
   A tremendous orgasm swept through my body, and I screamed, "My love!  My
Ceann!  The gods have come.  Create the life!  Create the life within me so
the Clann may live!"
   Sean jumped on the bed by my feet and danced rapidly around.  He dropped
to his knees by my ankles and ran his hands up my legs almost to my
streaming pussy.  I felt the paint smear, and my hips thrust up towards
him. He crawled upwards without touching me and kissed me firmly.  "Our
love will live throughout the ages.  Our child will be strong and brave and
will lead the Clann through its trials after I am gone.  Rejoice!  The gods
are here!"
   He bit a nipple firmly -- another massive orgasm swept through us.  The
music became louder and faster.  He bit the other nipple and swept a hand
right across my pussy.  Fuck!  That climax almost pushed me out!  Sean
whispered, _"Hang in there, my love.  It's gonna get even better."_
   Majella's voice filled the glade, and the gods' presence became almost
tangible.  It filled us all with love and hope.
   Sean slid back and entered me in a single stroke to the hilt.  We
screamed out our joy as the scorching heat flooded through us and echoed
out into the world around us.
   We stroked against each other -- slow, fast, slow again then almost
frantically as I pulled him as hard as I could into me with my legs around
him.
   Harder and deeper!  The world faded away for us; he put my legs over his
shoulders and buried himself deeply inside against my cervix time and
again.
   I felt it approach and almost locked up.  Majella told me quietly,
_"Relax.  Relax and let it happen."_
   I relaxed as much as I could then felt him spurt deeply inside me.  We
both screamed as he flooded me!
   Majella screamed, "Create the child!  Gods of the Clann!  Help us create
the child!"
   I felt everything inside suck hard; my uterus spasmed time and again,
sucking in the life-giving fluid.  I screamed again as the heat burned us
but refused to be pushed outside.
   Sean said, _"The deed is done, my love.  It is now in the hands of the
gods."_
   YES!  I felt the fluid sucked deeply inside my womb.  The climax kept
rolling and flooding the universe with our passion, love and joy.
   Majella screamed again.  "It is done!  The gods have blessed us!  We
have a child."
   The drums and song went frantic; Sean and I screamed a final time as the
tsunami pushed us outwards to leave our bodies thrashing and screaming
behind.
   ------
   SEAN
   Rejoicing in our love and ecstacy, we sailed outwards beyond the feeble
light of the Sun.  We _blended_ time and again, the two of us, sharing our
hopes, admiration and commitment to the future.  We flared and possibly
created our own sun in the spirit universe.
   We could have stayed for eons.  We came back though; our duties awaited
us.
   Rejoining our bodies, we found them lying quiescent.  Eileen's hips were
propped up on a thick cushion of fur while I lay beside her.
   Majella told us, "You did well, my friends.  The gods are pleased with
your love and have blessed you and the Clann with three new lives.  Now,
rest from your labors and let the Clann rejoice at their fortune."
   We did take time to stagger in and take a shower to wash off the paint
and other stuff.  We had to hold each other up.  Eileen had lots of tattoos
all over.  She told me, "They'll wear off.  Fun, huh?" Yep.
   When we got back, we found someone had cleaned up the furs and the rest
of the room.  The furs were warm, comfy and delightfully sensuous.  We
wrapped them around ourselves in our Custom Cloud Cushion and let the
bodies go back to sleep while the firelight continued to flicker around
them.
   ------
   (Wednesday 6/28)
   In the early morning, we had a Ceanns-and-mate(s) meeting for shop talk.
Bob went over the concerns he had about safe havens, colonies, Clann
expansion and the Moon Base research.  Everyone was interested in
everything.
   Bill Reynolds suggested each Clann start out by finding some sort of
safe haven here on Earth.  Completely clandestine, of course.
   Eileen said, _"It could be build from scratch, which would give us
experience in developing a colony, or just find an obscure hotel or
something similar and get it independent of outside power and other
utilities."_
   Okay, something to check out.  What the hell; give the job to the
young-uns; they were already looking for hotels!
   Marge brought up, _"If we can decipher some of the technology in the
Moon Base and perhaps get it operational, we might be able to use the
manufacturing facilities."_
   We agreed.  Bob brought up the fact these projects would take money. 
Lots of money.  Even if everyone liquidated all their assets, it would
still just be a drop in the bucket.
   I offered a possibility.  _"In my wanderings around the Asteroid Belt,
I've seen lots of metal in varying degrees of purity.  I'm not talking just
iron and nickel but palladium, platinum and all the other rare ones.  If we
can develop that filter, I'll bet we can develop very large-scale metal
delivery anywhere on Earth -- or the Moon -- for just about anything. 
Implementation is left as an exercise for the student._
   _"Also, who knows what kind of technology the Moon Base will give us. 
By the way, maybe we should give the poor thing a real name.  I'll propose
RRRville, Bobsville, Reynoldston or something like that." Big smile._
   Bob _groaned_ while others offered similar suggestions.  He'd probably
get outvoted somewhere along the line.
   Kathleen brought up something we'd all experienced but hadn't really
investigated earlier -- the huge _presence_ we'd _felt_ during the rite. 
Bob's opinion was it was the all the attention and admiration from some 150
spirits at the same time.  Sounded good to me!
   We talked about training and implementation teams to assist in a Clann's
expansion.  Eileen told them about what we'd developed with the young-uns.
The Clanns outside of Southern California got a kick out of Aileen's idea
of leaking a fertility rite to help jumpstart Talent in the area.
   Ya know, I'll just bet one of the Clann Cullen Core had been doing some
leaking earlier.  I wouldn't bet a lot of money on it, but I highly
suspected the Cullen Sisters would have their hands in it -- aided and
abetted by a certain dirty old lady, of course!
   Susan Way started in about the _linking_ during the fertility rites. 
She implied Raymond had participated in the, em, rewarding which spirits
had given to Kate for being the linker.
   Alona from Cabo suggested we offer the same "treat" at times, even
without a fertility rite or other special event.  She nominated BB for the
next one.  Apparently others besides the Cullen bond-mates had some
interest in her luscious silver pelt.
   BB didn't decline out of hand.  Hmm, maybe we should build up to it. 
I'd ask Marge later what happened to the restraints they'd used on Kate. 
Hehehehe.
   Anyway.  We broke up the meeting and went on our merry ways.
   Melissa popped in right on time and went around dispensing hugs.  She
told Eileen, "You guys were *great* last night.  Three more Babies Within!
How are they doing?"
   Well, we took a _look_.  In our not-so-expert opinions, they were doing
just fine.  They were all continuing to divide, and two were pretty much
attached.  Eileen put a _touch_ on the last one to help hold it in place so
it might attach, too.  Lookin' good!
   Liss looked pretty tired -- again.  She told us, "Everyone was so
inspired afterwards we had our own practice rites -- for four hours.  Maura
and Teresa are seriously considering another child each.  Maybe just
Teresa."
   Marge asked, "And you?  When is that cute tummy of yours gonna swell up
so we can caress it?"
   Liss grinned and said, "We shall see.  If I do join the relationship --
and it's looking good!  -- that'll be on my priority list.  Then again, you
don't have to wait until it swells to caress it."
   We took her at her word and gave her a good molesting for fifteen
minutes before we went to work.
   ------
   EILEEN
   What a night!  Lots of fun and games, intense emotion and new Babies
Within!  I was already horny.  With Bridget I'd been horny all the time
with only my hands and a couple toys to compensate; Frank hadn't been worth
shit.  I'm sure Sean will be able to keep up.  Plus, we could step up the
honoring schedule.  Hehehehe.
   While Liss hit the books, we did more drilling on the presentation. 
Sean got really nasty with his heckling; he pretended to proposition us
with various degrees of overtness.  Didn't work too well because we always
accepted, usually with the offer to do it on the stage -- right then!
   We had a quick _chat_ with the young-uns.  Sean asked they look for a
safe haven site like a hotel, school or something.  They could figure out
the criteria.
   Apparently they _all_ had a good time last night.  While Caden and
Connor kept their lips zipped, the nieces had no compunctions about telling
us.  Deidre told us, _"There are three young ladies who are *very* happy
this morning.  A touch sore, perhaps, but very happy."_
   BB said, _"And I bet you three aren't feeling any pain either, right?"_
   Their _grins_ were sufficient.  Aile said, _"Ted and Mona had no
problems.  Our two still needed some training, though.  *Lots* of
training."_
   Mona told us, _"The Moms and Dads -- and Lissa -- went at it for a long
time.  Guess that's an advantage of having older bodies; more endurance. 
There was lots of talk about making more babies.  There might be some
swelling and telling around here before long."_
   Yes!
   We _talked_ with the Cullen Sisters, too.  I thanked them again for
helping last night.
   Sean asked, _"What can you tell us about all the leakage to the
mundanes? Maura?  Teresa?  Margaret Sullivan?"_
   Oops!  He nailed them good!  They couldn't hide their puppy-puddles very
long.
   Teresa protested, _"Hey, it should work, right?  It wasn't really very
powerful; we spread it out a lot."_
   Kate said, _"Yeh.  Probably through the entire San Bernardino and
Riverside Counties -- or more, knowing you guys."_
   The three of them took turns gleefully pointing spirit-fingers at each
other while claiming they'd been led astray by "depraved wenches" and other
interesting terms.
   Sean finally told them he'd have to check with Pat and Val to see what
the damage was.  He told them, _"There might be some repercussions.  We'll
talk about that later."_
   Maura said, _"Yeh.  Maybe we could get Bob to chastise the three of us.
Perhaps he'd get out his Rod of Chastisement!"_
   Teresa and Margie fervently agreed.  Sluts!
   We let them go so they could contemplate their sins.  Right.  They'd
probably chuckle for the next year.
   The printers called and told us they'd have the first thousand The Book
manuals ready tomorrow morning.  That's 100 cartons.  Reynolds Construction
had no problem scheduling a truck for us -- with a special loading crew.
   Well, the storage containers were ready.  If our calculations were
correct, there'd be plenty of room.  If they weren't correct, we'd have to
do some scrambling around.
   The escrow for the two sold businesses closed and CE had another $900K
in its account.  Nice.  Really nice.  This ownership stuff had something
going for it.
   The Clann implementation team (Maura and Shirley Way) told us they'd
done a successful pilot run with Vera Leonard in Mesa.  Shirley said,
_"Went really smooth.  We tweaked the check list a touch, but it works just
fine, especially since they already had most of the points in place.
   "They had eight others besides the four in the family so there's a round
dozen.  They know about the tag nodes; I think after Tuesday night, they'll
look at creating some wide-spread 'sensitization' themselves.  Hehehehe."_
   Jaysus, Margie didn't even have to be around people to corrupt them!
   Margie showed us some of her hologram work with Geeser as an unknowing
victim.  Margie said, "Those are all created from scratch or overlaying
something existing.  There's other things we can do, too."
   She showed us the outside den wall.  It popped up a view outside, just
as if the wall wasn't there.  "Pretty easy, actually.  Just create a node
in a plant or something near the source and let it funnel the 'signal' to
another node inside here.  Just a matter of transducers and programming."
   Yeh.  Just.  BB, our resident dumb blonde, asked, "What about sound? 
Smell?"
   Margie chuckled.  "Sound is a piece of cake.  All you really need is a
transducer -- like a loudspeaker without the cone and cabinet.  Put it on a
wall or surface to vibrate it, and you're off and running.  Since the node
at the other end is already receiving and sending light signals through its
own transducer, it's a piece of cake for sound.  It's a transducer used as
a microphone.  I used transducers against all six surfaces last night for
the band and everything."
   We could hear the Jacuzzi recirculating and some birds from the park
beyond the fence.  Kate experimented; we could turn the volume up, down or
off.  She asked, "Smell?"
   That was a bit more difficult.  We didn't want to bring the actual odor
molecules in -- which would mean porting them -- so we compromised on
creating a smell transducer at the far end (with some programmed
_touches_), relaying the signal.  We could interpret them as a spiritual
perception at this end.
   Neat.  We tried the Amazon River, the North Pole, the Serengeti in
Africa (with a couple lions -- Geeser hissed and fluffed up all over) and
Times Square.  Once we had the programming for one node, doing another
location was as simple as copying it into a local spot of life.  Didn't
really need much spirit-power at all.
   Kate noted, "That's a long-range viewscreen, right?  So long as there's
life at the other end, the range shouldn't make much difference."
   Margie said, "Shouldn't make a difference at all.  On the other hand,
since we're dealing with non-physical input transducers at the other end,
we can hold and power them from our end without having nodes there."
   We got a good "look" at the living/admin spaces and the hanger at the
Moon Base.  We found we could turn the light intensity up or down and
change the band by converting the wavelengths.  We could "see" the
different areas on the infrared band translated to an equivalent
visible-light band.  There wasn't much to see because most everything was
within a couple hundredths of a degree of everything else plus there was
literally no light except for a very dim glow here and there.
   The middle of the night in China, however, worked just fine.  There were
lots of light and heat variances.
   Kate's turn again, "How about touch?  I've heard lots of complaints --
my own included -- about how we can use phantom tongues, fingers and other
appendages, but there's no feedback.  However, I know I can directly _feel_
texture, smell, heat and the other perceptics.  Why not both at once, like
with a transmitter for the touch outwards and a receiver for the
perceptions back?"
   Margie thought a couple moments then laughed.  "Shit!  That's exactly
what I do with my tits!  I've got both 'transmitters' and 'receivers' mixed
together.  Kinda like an LCD screen; create a matrix of transmitter and
receiver 'dots' as fine as you want and you've got it.
   "Dayum!  A fairly coarse matrix for big work -- real easy to do -- then
make it more granular until it's as fine as you want.  Even down below the
molecular size.  The finer the grain, the tougher it is to create, but what
the hell!"
   She _showed_ us what to do.  Totally awesome!  I could _feel_ Geeser's
(real) fur while _petting_ her.  Touch, pressure, texture, smell, anything
my real body could do.
   BB said, "That's wonderful!  Granted, it's completely artificial, but
I'd say it's another breakthrough!  I vote two Soo Laids for both Kate and
Margie!"
   Yes!  I'd always vote for a Soo Laid -- mine or anyone else's!
   It worked great.  There were some very interesting spots on my
bond-mates' bodies -- and they found similar ones on mine.  Now *that* was
reaching out and touching someone!
   Margie noted, "While this body might still be developing, I can easily
tell the difference between touching something with it and _touching_. 
Anyone else?"
   Yeh.  Was it a quality issue?  Anyway, after a 45-minute test, we
decided remote sex wouldn't replace for-real humping with our honeys!  Sean
was *not* off the hook!
   Margie said, "We'll run it by the rest of the Skunk Works and polish it
up.  Looks like a technical bulletin or another check list."
   Not a real busy day besides that.  The young-uns found more possible
hotel and Tavern sites as well as some possible safe havens.  At the Moms
and Dads' suggestion, they'd worked on the entire U.S.  for the Taverns and
hotels and were investigating world-wide for safe havens.  News at eleven.
   Melissa popped out around 4:00; probably over the N&Bs for more fun and
games.  Ah, young love!  How sweet!  Hehehehe.
   ------
   Margie and Kate came back from a Skunk Works meeting around 5:00
Thursday morning.  Kate told us, _"Bob and George got the Moon Base power
plant up!  We've got lights!"_
   Of course that required a tour so Margie showed us around.  The power
plant was a bit of black magic to me, but neither Sean nor BB turned a
hair. BB said, _"JPL has been doing nuclear battery and thermionic
converter research for years.  Definitely not on this scale or with this
much success.  If we can duplicate it, there's our major power sources for
refuges and colonies."_
   I couldn't have said it better myself.  Grin.
   I liked the ships.  That little one-seater would make a nice
run-around-the-galaxy vehicle.  Might have to move up a size or so if we
did much shopping, though.  Grin.
   We were very interested in the manufacturing facility.  There were a few
lights on, but we didn't need them very much right now.  Margie told us,
_"When we get some engineers enhanced, betcha all we have to do is show
them this, and they'll be all over it like pussy smell on a Clann Cullen
woman.  We're gonna have a *lot* of fun."_
   ------
   The Reynolds Construction truck was at the printers at 9:30 as
requested. It was a medium-sized truck, but we all bet it would hold
everything.
   The cartons were on pallets at 10 to a pallet.  The printer's fork lift
driver ran the first couple pallets in and set them down.  After the next
two, we ported the two he'd just brought in to one of our storage
containers.  The truck would only hold 6 pallets on the floor, so we ported
4 outta there.
   Everyone was happy; the fork lift driver didn't care how many it was
supposed to hold, he just kept loading until he ran out of pallets or out
of room.  The Reynolds crew drove off and ten minutes later the truck was
empty.  We'd return the empty pallets on the next run.
   Once the crew knew the truck was empty, they ported it and themselves
back to the construction yard and took a break from all their hard work.
   We'd stacked the cartons all in one container; I entered them in the
inventory database and it was a done deal until the next load -- tomorrow.
   We pulled a couple binders out and looked them over closely.  The
artwork on the binders was excellent, the binders were very good quality
and the printing was straight and clear.  Any booboos would probably be
ours.
   Yeh, we found a couple things to tweak.  Typos, real awkward sentences,
stuff like that which really popped out at us.  We'll probably be finding
more.  Kate made the changes in the source documents (and updated the
revision dates and notices) so they'd be ready for the next print run.
   Okay, four more businesses to close today.  Slacker Sean sent us
overworked women to represent CE.  Oh, well, it's just money.
   Mine went smooth as silk.  Vera, Janet and I checked over the contracts
then I signed.  We were carrying back the paper on this one so we wouldn't
get much cash right away.  No big deal right now; it was $495K plus
interest over the next five years, though.
   Two others were cash deals at around $500K each; we were financing the
other one.  More money didn't hurt; we didn't know what we might get into
later on the colonies and safe havens.
   More presentation drilling.  Three-quarters of the way through, Sean
shut off the projector.  He told us, "Bulb blew.  No spare."
   We had that one covered.  Port our spare from OTL (get yet another one
in case we get into simultaneous seminars) and continue from the books
while the "bad" one was being replaced.  We'd replace the bulb later back
at OTL.
   More heckling handling and odd-ball questions.  We learned at what point
to explain it's fully covered in a detail manual and when defer the
question to Sean or for "further investigation." The entire focus was to
keep the seminar flowing and not bog down on any one point.
   ------
   SEAN
   Good stuff happening all over.  Businesses sold, attention off them,
money in the bank, my ladies figuring out all sorts of neat stuff and
everyone getting really good at the seminar presentation.  Of course, time
will tell on that; we'd all find out how we performed in front of a
good-sized audience.  Me, too.  The most I'd had at once had been 150.
   Rita told us they now had 1,300 registrations.  With a little over a
week to go, we'd probably hit the 1,500 mark easily and probably overflow.
Fortunately, the room could handle another several hundred easily, and we
had The Books to spare.
   Eavan McGlinchy from the Altadena Arms showed up on our doorstep.  All
right!  I'd known her since she'd started a couple years ago as the weekend
day manger; she was very competent and had a great personality.
   Usually, "great personality" means the girl's a dog in looks.  Not with
her!  Black Irish, striking blue eyes, wonderful faded freckles (we'd find
out how far they went later; no cheating!) and lovely everywhere.
   My ladies didn't really know her; only Marge and Eileen had even met
her, and that was only once.
   They made up for it.  They made her right at home, banished me to
elsewhere and immediately launched into girl-talk about the fertility rite,
babies, children, the Arms, etc.
   I knew when I wasn't needed right away so I popped over to Oak Grove
Park to check out the party site.  It was quite nice; plenty of grass and
plenty of shade.  Picnic tables all around.
   It had some litter and broken glass around so I took five minutes to
_pick_ it all up and dump it.  Just to be sure, I figured I'd check it next
Sunday night.
   The ladies probably could have gabbed the rest of the night.  I _felt_ a
lull in the conversation, though, so I popped back and said firmly,
"Dinner! Can't you see she's famished?"
   The girls didn't blink an eye.  Marge said, "Of course she is!  We've
gotta get her well-fed so she can survive the Ceann's Shillelagh *and* all
the Ceann-Mates tonight!"
   Eavan flushed right up and said, "Hopefully I can survive all of you. 
Fortunately, my will is already made."
   Not that I'm objecting, but most of the Clann women I've run into seem
to be bi-sexual.  Is it just because they're freed from the body or does it
tend to be a spiritual predisposition?  No skin off my teeth either way;
toss it on the list for the Skunk Works to mull over.  We mere mortals have
better things to do like feed and make love to beautiful women.
   Eavan had worn her business suit.  The girls decided that wasn't good
enough and trotted her off to the bedroom for a quick makeover.  Ah, well.
My brown suit and bowler worked just fine.
   They came back dressed to kill us mere men.  LBDs, only in Eavan's case
it was a Little Blue Dress I'd not seen before.  It was the exact color of
her eyes.  Margie pointed out the small live shamrock on her collar. 
"Hologram." 'Nuff said!
   Obviously Eavan had learned the Clanns' woman trick with the breasts. 
What more could a man ask for with ten flirting nipples and miles of
cleavage?  Dayum, they looked good!  Margie was going Little Person
tonight; she managed to shoo Geeser away just in time before she tried for
another sample under her dress.
   We popped up to a good restaurant in Sausalito (north of San Francisco
across the Golden Gate Bridge) for steak and seafood.  Kate set up a
garbling shield (sound shield that garbles sound rather than blocking it.
Thank you, Mario!), and we chatted away in Irish.
   Most of the stuff about Eavan I already knew.  Divorced, no boyfriend
(or girlfriend), no children, fairly well-off from her grandparents and
having a good time on the weekends at the Arms.  During the week, she had
her own consulting business designing and building customized GPS and
navigation systems.
   Hmm.  I didn't even have to bet; the girls had already ferreted that out
and had her set up on a team for the Moon Base (Reynolds on the Crater?  Or
is that Under the Crater?).  With a Masters in Electronic Engineering, she
might be able to hold her own.  Grin.  She had the last section of her
teleportation check list to do yet then she'd be fully cooked.  Now, for
the technical bulletins from Marge...
   In the honoring room she was wonderfully sweet and willing.  With lovely
smooth skin all over, we had a wonderful time playing connect the dots.
   Oh, my!  She was a screamer and didn't hold back!  Six home runs didn't
slow her down at all before the rest of my bond-mates descended on her.
   Now we had some screaming and not just from her.  She knew some stuff
which would turn you inside out; some were flat impossible, but we did them
anyway.
   We all loved the faux fur.  Wrap the victim in it then dive in top and
bottom and work your way towards the middle -- well, a little below the
middle - with frequent stops along the way.  Stir well and frequently with
a Shillelagh or tongue (phantom or otherwise) until the screaming stopped.
That meant a grand slam.
   Yeh, we managed three before she gave up.  She's no match for the CE Hat
Team!
   We ended up way outside the Solar System.  We looked around, decided it
was rather devoid of features for the time being and took her on a tour of
the Moon Base (RRRWeGonnaDoIt?).  She was hooked immediately.
   Roy and Mercy were there; they'd just finished up their teleportation
check list and were checking out the goodies here.  Roy was bouncing all
over; a kid in a candy store.
   Mercy was a bit more pragmatic, "He'll settle down after a while.  Then
I probably won't see him for days on end.  Boys and girls with their toys."
   She knew right.  Eavan had already found at least a dozen pieces of
equipment she wanted to dive into.
   ------
   (early Friday morning 6/30)
   The Skunk Works had warmed up lots of books they'd collected from what
they considered to be classrooms.  George was floating around and told us,
_"We've got a couple linguists in the wings being enhanced.  We'll probably
have them suckered in, em, I mean interested in the language by tomorrow."_
   Someone had been tracing and tagging power circuits since yesterday when
they'd first powered up.  Fortunately, Office Depot had plenty of tags
because they'd gone through over 2,000 of them so far.
   We did our own nosing around in the living/admin space.  Near as we
could guess, there were several thousand stores of some sort.  At least
they looked like stores with stuff on tables or racks.  Looked like a
computer terminal or register with slots for (paper?) money and perhaps
coins.  A "credit card" reader?  We had to stretch a bit to make our
analogies fit, but that's why we have sledge hammers, right?
   We had to drag Eavan off; girls and their toys.  Marge promised her she
could come back "after we finish screwing you out of your skin."
   Well, we tried, but she still had her skin on in the morning.  A quite
sore skin, but intact.
   Kate gave her the shamrock pin.  "I know you're Irish and Clann so I
won't give you any spiel.  Welcome, a thousand times welcome to our home --
and beds -- *any* time you wish."
   We ported her right off to her home.  Fortunately, she didn't really
have to walk around much for a while.  BB sent an email to Rosheen ensuring
she was on the "mate wanted" list.
   ------
   Since the ladies had five more business closings to do today, they stuck
me and Marge with grunt work.  The second 1,000 The Book manuals were ready
for pickup.  Since Eileen had figured out how to do it, Marge and I had no
problems packing them away in our storage container.  Marge even updated
the database.
   The CDs were ready for pick up, too.  Marge and I used the Volvo to pick
them up.  At half a cubic foot per case of 100, 10 cases neatly fit in the
back of the wagon.  They didn't stay there long; I made the entry into the
inventory database.
   We pulled a few CDs and spot checked them.  The artwork on the case and
the CD was great!  The five I checked spun up evenly (no vibration) and my
plain-o CD reader read them right away.  Yeh, they were ready.
   The ladies got back from the closings; all was well.  Four of them had
put the cash price into escrow, and we carried the paper on the other. 
Fine by me; there'd be another batch of cash into the account come next
Tuesday or Wednesday.  That should give us a bit over two million income
from the week to tide us over.
   I really laid it on during the last part of the presentation training. I
wanted them entirely competent and sure of themselves.  I'd give them the
weekend off (of presentation training) then a quick review maybe next
Wednesday or Thursday.
   Yep.  They done good.  We had a three-second discussion then decided we
should pass Marge as a Little Person and have her be a presenter, too.  Why
not?  She probably had as much experience in public speaking as all the
rest of us put together -- several times.
   Oh, my.  That meant they had to do an emergency shopping run for
suitable business clothes.  Apparently they hadn't found all they wanted in
Las Vegas.  Geeser and I took a nap (they'd worked me really hard last
night -- fifteen times) while they took off.
   They awakened me rudely ("Boyo!  Up off your lazy arse!") to inspect the
goodies.  As I'd suspected, they'd found some stuff for themselves as well
as for Marge.
   BB said, "Not really a whole lot of choices, but it'll do for this time.
Guess we'll have to go visit Nora for some custom clothes.  We found a
place to make custom shoes if we need; downtown Hollywood and a few other
places have stores catering to Little People."
   Tavern night again!  It was a dress-your-choice night, but they'd
unilaterally banned my leprechaun outfits.  Party poopers!  I made do.
   Yummy ladies!  Marge looked gorgeous with her cuties threatening to pop
out every other second -- just like the other three women.  I told them,
"Maybe we should make an early night of it.  I'm not really that hungry --
for food."
   I must be getting stiff (in my joints, not there!) because three of the
four pillows hit me.  Even Geeser (the traitor!) batted at my ankles a
couple times and twitched her tail.
   Yeh, Geeser was bubbling all over with spirit-energy.  If she had a
spirit-in-charge, she'd have been ready to pop.  She acted a hell of a lot
smarter, but so far hadn't been able to open her own food cans.
   Lots of Core came to the Tavern.  Rosheen, all the McLennans, the
Keavys, Eavan (somewhat recovered), Sheila, Lena, Janet, Jackie, the Hanes,
the young-uns, etc.
   The young-uns had brought their new SOs for a visit: three thoroughly
nice and competent young ladies and two well-mannered and blarney-tongued
young men.  Ted, of course, had Mona completely tied up, which didn't stop
either of them from flirting with everyone.
   With Marge "passing" as a Little Person, we trotted out the Kathleen
Donovan trick of introducing her as an adult.  We gave a small _package_ to
those who appeared curious.  I'd say we carried it off just fine -- let's
see how well we carry it off at the all-Clann party/picnic on Monday.
   We ate, we talked, we danced, we sang; all the usual fun stuff.  By the
time we got back to OTL, we were a bit tired.  It had been a hard week the
last couple nights, so we wrapped ourselves in our furs and loved on each
other for a while before we drifted the bodies off to sleep.
   End Best Girl Book 1
   This isn't the end.  Best Girl: Interesting Times coming soon to SOL and
ASSTR
   
  
Best Girl 26-end