The Miami Broncos Chapter 3: Broken Lenses Written by Francois Guint-Riel (FGR) It had been just over two months since the wonderful, nay, magical reunion between Lua and her parents at the resort. The moment had been nothing short of a miracle, and still found itself a regular subject of conversation between me and my friends Hermann, Cassa and Estrela, respectively okapi, gazelle and jaguar. I couldn’t help but feel terrible for the little ocelot kitten though, as if my returning to her status quo wasn’t quite enough yet, and that the scholarship I’d given her father for her to continue her studies was so natural as to be just a footnote. She’d grown up in nothing less then poverty, and though her father did what he could to offer his family the best he could, after having shared my roof with Lua for the better part of a week, I’d grown attached to her, a feeling which she returned, calling me uncle Ulrich as a token. The work for our placement at the resort had slowed to a crawl, just routine maintenance of the charitable fund we’d set up in it’s name and the regular book keeping that any business had to deal with. Hermann took care of most of the latter, escaping off with Estrela to some isolated hideout in the woods to play hooky and whatever else those two nutcases came up with to entertain themselves and their primitive instincts. Cassa and I basically lived together as well, the gazelle a beautiful creature in anyone’s book, and the sharpest wit I’d ever known, though our liaison dated back to the beginning of our studies had only truly ignited scant weeks past. Still, we got along like two peas in a pod, and the owner of the resort, Juan Callao, Estrela’s uncle, as it would be, found it cute as anything to check on us and see us cuddle up on a sofa with a laptop stowed somewhere to serve a proof that we were owing of our pay nonetheless. On the odd day, I took time off to visit Lua and take her and her folks out for some fun, the family not minding in the least the company of a sympathetic and all-around good black panther either. Our destinations were pretty predictable though, mostly based on the kitten’s whim, as well, we kind of did everything under the sun to make sure she was happy. The city was big, and there was no lack of parks and ice cream parlors to linger around in, some of which no longer asked for our orders anymore. Unfortunately, it was at one of those that I found myself face to face with another hydra to assault, and complicate my already interesting life with. It was a Saturday, though the exact date I could never remember, so slowly did time pass in the Utopia that I’d been living in. I’d passed by early around ten to see the ocelots, driven in by one of the daily convoys responsible for supplying the National Guard regiment camped near the hotel, the CO of which was a good friend of mine and who didn’t shy up on offering me bootleg from time to time, in return for invites to the hotel lounge for his rest and relaxation. Lua’s father, Guillermo, was the first at the door, calling out “Ulrich!” as he gave me a hug, as he normally did when I popped by. He wasn’t as built as me, and just as automatically, I lifted him off the ground a few centimeters, the cat laughing as I put him down. -Ulrich, it’s so good to see you, said the ocelot, inviting me into the family’s new home, only days old. Come, Oria and Lua are getting ready upstairs. -So how’s the new place? I see you’re painting the living room already. -Sim, it needs it, nodded Guillermo. After all, we do have to put some work into this old box before we can really call it home. -I hear you, you’re a great man. Ah! There are the ladies! -Ulrich, called Lua, running up to pounce on me. -Hey kitten, I replied, hugging the girl. So, do you think you’d be in the mood for, I don’t know... a sundae? -Sim! Sim! Pai, can we go to Sol’s? It’s so nice there. -Sim, why not? That it, if Ulrich doesn’t mind... -Oh come now, how you ever heard me say no, I answered, putting Lua on my shoulders. Our walk was pleasant, the warm sun toasting us as we made our way to the parlour, just two blocks from the ocelots’ home. Lua talked my ears off about how school was, and bombarded me with questions about anything that passed through her black-haired head. As we passed by the supermarket, Oria signed to her husband that they needed some groceries for supper, and invited me to continue on with Lua, promising to meet us there as soon as they were done. I nodded and carried the kitten in, letting her place her order before asking for my customary catmint milkshake, an indulgence that I always relished in. The attendant smiled and gave us our orders, freeing us to take a window seat looking out to the streets outside. To kill some time, I got out a pen and paper, inviting Lua to a game of hangman, which she never refused, always interested in the words I came up with. She was good, and after three, she just closed her eyes and purred as she leaned against me. I ran my hand through her hair, concentrating so much as to fail to notice an anteater walk up to the table and introduce himself. -You must hear this often, signor, but your kitten is very cute. -Hmm? I know, and she does too, I replied, half-friendly, half-apprehensive. -So many people would be happy to have one so beautiful, you’re quite lucky. A picture of her would make the sun seem dim. -Picture, I muttered, eyes not narrowing yet, but right on the verge. Come now, what’s a picture? -Ah, many things, replied the aardvark, taking a small envelope from his pocket and handing it to me without much ado. It depends. I was curious to see what the devil this wretch had on his mind, and just opened the letter to see inside, seeing a good handful of bills packed inside. The entire timeline slammed into place like a ton of bricks – pictures of Lua, money – it all amounted to what she had told me before about men coming to her village and taking illegal pornographic pictures of the children in exchange for payoffs to their parents. In the corner of my eye I looked about to see if there was someone looking out for him while he made his offers, but only saw Lua’s parents entering the parlour, which was my cue to start my own dance. I shot up, reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out my Beretta, holding it discretely in the small of the anteater’s back, pushing him towards the door with a sharp dry recommendation to cooperate. Guillermo and Oria looked at me with a shocked air, but I quickly informed them to see to Lua while I stepped out. The location of the ice cream joint couldn’t have been better, with a small yard behind it that doubled as a garbage dump for the weekly pickup. How convenient, I needed a quiet place to get some information from my visitor. I threw him on the ground and putting away my sidearm, picked up a weighty garbage bag from the ground. -So, we’re a child pornographer, are we, I said to the anteater, aren’t we? -Please, it’s only a job, I only do it for the money, he replied, cowering back. -The money, I called, slamming the bag hard enough to throw him to his side. The money then! Who pays it? -I – I can’t... -You can’t what? Sleep at night? Go for a piss? I disagree with that last one, it looks like you just did. Well, what can’t you do? Tell me who pays you? Of course you can. Come now! -They’ll kill me, said the creature, protecting himself from the green bag that kept bouncing against him as we talked. -Listen, you shit-sucking asshole, I whispered, picking him up by his collar, my name is Ulrich Luther, Don of the Miami Broncos. Do you think I won’t if you don’t tell me? Do you think I’ll let you walk ten paces without driving a piece of lead through your head? Give me names and addresses, or you’ll wish I’d do just that. I threw my pencil at the aardvark and let him write a few lines on a piece of newspaper before knocking him out with a sucker punch and throwing him in a dumpster. As a further measure, I stopped two police walking their beat and informed them of the events, though I omitted my beating of the offender. From their looks as they went to retrieve him, I surmised that they’d be giving him a good time as well before taking him to jail. With that taken care of, I returned to the ice cream parlour and took a jolly demeanour for the rest of the outing, though insisted I had to leave because I’d forgotten a report for Juan at the resort. Either convinced or too happy to bother asking why, the ocelots hit the trail back to their home, offering me an open-ended invitation for supper. I thanked them as they closed the door and scurried off to find a telephone booth, dialling out to Carlos Tomas, my friend in the National Guard. The captain picked up the call and sounded glad to hear from me. -Ulrich! I thought of popping by later and stealing a few bottles, said the coati. Would you mind? -If I can bother you to fulfill your Good Samaritan’s action of the day, I replied. -Sounds like something exciting, grunted Carlos. What does it comprise of? -Dismantling a child pornography ring here in the city. I have names and numbers here, from a generous former member of their group. Are you up for it? -I never give up on a good cause, said the coati, especially when it comes to that kind of sick crap. I’ll meet you at the pickup in half an hour, with a few friends from here. -Bring party favours, I chuckled. We have to be good guests, after all. -Yes, one mustn’t indeed. I hung up the phone and walked to the bus stop that doubled as one of the waypoints for the guardsmen’s transport runs. I leaned against the signpost and relaxed a bit, contemplating what I’d do when we actually got into the situation, coming to the conclusion that this was a make-up-as-we-went deal, without much doubt. I soon heard a rumbling that could be nothing else then a diesel engine, and as I opened my eyes, I saw my coati waving at me along with five of his men, probably either his best friends or the best of the crop, good to have with us either way. -Ulrich, how are you, said Carlos, tossing me a flak jacket for the operation. Put this on and we’ll make out social call. -Here’s the invitation, I replied, passing the newspaper scribble to him. -Right. Julio, take us there, amigo, ordered the coati, giving it to the driver. I called our friends at the police and they were so nice as to give us a white card. What we need to do, we do, if you get what I’m alluding to. -Clear as glass, I nodded, checking my pistol. It wasn’t long before we were parked in front of a shabby two-level warehouse, badly run-down but still inhabited, as a number of lights inside professed. The driver stopped the vehicle and took his rifle from behind the seat, forming up on Carlos and me as we eyed the building. -Best head around back, said the coati. More surprise, and hopefully less resistance. -Agreed. We go in yelling, though. -What, we’re giving them a warning, grinned Carlos. Fine. We jogged in single-file to the back doors of the structure, four men flanking the door as the group’s heavy weapons specialist joined the coati and me in breaching it. The ingress flew open quickly enough for us to flood inside, weapons training on anything that moved. There wasn’t a living soul to be seen for all we could tell, but across the way and over old skids and crates we could make out the offices, which seemed to contain a few. Using them as cover, we dispersed into a fifteen-meter spread as we made our approach. Three of the men stayed in the warehouse area to cover the windows and support us, including the heavy specialist. Once more, we flanked the door of the main foreman’s quarters situated on a windowless wall, and on the count of three, kicked it in. I rushed ahead of Carlos and took a stance in the room, finding a single chimpanzee looking back at me from his office chair, obviously surprised at our appearances. Before he could say a word, Carlos had sent the butt of his rifle to the side of his head and he passed out cold on his keyboard, promising us the conservation of our surprise. I nudged open the office door, glancing down the corridor to see what else it gave access to, noticing four doors oriented towards the outside wall, and the main entrance down the hall. I whispered my finding to Carlos, who nodded and signalled to his three rear guards to take positions in the foreman’s while we moved ahead. Four doors meant we each had one to break in, though with the cover of the three guardsmen, we had more then enough protection. We took a listen to each of them before giving a visual count to five and taking them out. I gave a hard quick against the handle plate of mine, it’s owner yielding and slamming open to allow me access. I sidestepped in and took toll of the situation. Two preteen girls, a bat and a fennec kit, were holding each other on a well-illuminated bed, obviously in a promiscuous act, while two men, another chimp and a bear, filmed them with a high-end camera from the other end of the room. I raised my bead on them and yelled for them to get on the ground, just noising on to make them afraid enough that they’d cooperate. The bear turned to the chimp, who’s hand dropped to his coat, a signal for me to rock and roll. A pair of shots rang out as I dropped the primate, two penetrating deep as my hollow-pointed rounds fulfilled their duty, then another as I shattered the bear’s femur at mid-leg. The girls hadn’t moved an inch, actually grasping each other even closer as they stared at me while I turned. I put aside my handgun and gave my all clear, echoed by the others as another pair of shots rang down the hall. -What was that, I yelled. Who fired? -Me, called Carlos. It’s all right, I got the boss and he’s down. -Let’s get the police in here and some transport for prisoners and evacuees, I said, turning my attention to the two frightened girls. Are you all right? Did they hurt you? -A bit, said the bat, her eyes steaming tears as she let the vixen go. -When, I asked, looking her over, where? -Just my arm, said the bat. -They pulled us here after they made us take off our clothes, said the vixen. -Shut up, menaced the bear, or your parents are dead! -You be quiet, I muttered, walking over and kicking the ursine in the head to pass him out. It’s all right, you’re safe, don’t worry. The bat nodded, then held out her arms in a sign to hold her. I crouched down and put my arms around her, hugging her hard as she sobbed, the intensity of the events far too much for one her age to bear. The vixen held up my arm and joined in the embrace, just as devastated, but as I held them and wrapped covers from the bed around them, they settled down, just whining a bit as we walked out of the ‘studio’. I caught sight of two other guardsmen guiding children out, their commander instructing them to get something on their backs before we vacated. The sirens of the incoming police were sounding loud as we walked out of the warehouse, as well as two ambulances to pick up dead and wounded. As the boys in blue saluted our group and made their own quick sweep, we sat the children in the car and tried to get their names and backgrounds from them. I took the fennec kit that seemed the less solid of the bunch, trying to be as gentle as possible. She didn’t talk until I sat aside her and hugged her, but then just closed her green eyes and answered in a steady voice. -What’s you name, I asked, rocking her a bit. -Paula, said the kit. -What’s you family name? -I don’t know, she replied, looking at me for a moment. I don’t have a family. -Where did you live before they took you? -In the city. I stole when I was hungry, but one time, they caught me, and said that if I didn’t do what they wanted, they’d kill me. -What happened then, I asked. It’s okay if you don’t want to say it. -They took me there, replied Paula, pointing to the warehouse. -So then they took pictures of you? -No, first they made me take off my clothes and put their things there, she said, pointing between her legs. There and in my butt. It hurt a lot, but I was too scared. Then they stopped, and locked me there with food. -How long was that? -Not long, maybe three days. Can I have something to put on? I’m cold, and I have to go find supper. -Carlos, I sighed, turning to the coati, how are the other kids? -Bad, sneered the captain. This was a horror story, Ulrich. -I say we bring them somewhere safe then contact the police to find a place for them to live. -Agreed, let’s get going. Oh... by the way, what did you have in mind for them? -You have a regiment downtown, right? -Medical facilities and warm beds, nodded Carlos. Also, I know the shrink there, a good guy. He debriefs first-timers when they come back from their first rounds of duty, and everyone comes out smiling from his office. -Sounds like a solution to me, I grinned. The guardsmen boarded the jeep in a bunch before the driver turned it around and headed for a large bunkered building, which served as their army’s command post in the capital. It was a monastery once, from the architecture of the primary structure, but they had added a few extensions as more needs came up, though it was obvious they tried their best not for it to take away the original flavour of the style. Carlos gave a quick salute to the guards outside the gates before we continued, ordering them to have the psychologist meet us in the reception area, wherever that was. I looked about with divided interest, trying to concentrate both on taking in the place and looking after Paula, who had leaned against me and fallen asleep on the drive in. She came around after a gentle shake so we could disembark and head inside the massive double doors of the old monastery hall, where echoing marble floors clicked under out feet as we met up with an older coati, who looked just like Carlos, at first glance. The psych looked at the captain, then took a step forwards and gave him a hug. -Good morning, son, said the coati. I see your mission paid off, eh? -Sure did, pappy, smiled Carlos, shaking his hand. Ulrich, this is Stephan, my father. Dad, this is Ulrich, the panther that helped us during the uprising. -I’m in your debt for having watched my son’s back, greeted Stephan, shaking my paw. Now, let’s get these children to my office, down the way here. Did you talk to them? -We did, just first things off the top, I replied. They where kidnapped from the streets, apparently, and then quite abused before being forced to do whatever bidding those scum told them to. -Dehumanization, sighed Stephan. A broken spirit doesn’t complain when no one listens, but with luck and effort, we’ll see then through. Carlos, while we’re doing this, you should go register them as refugees at the main offices so they can stay here for a while. -Right. All right, the rest of you disband and find yourselves some rest. We meet back here in 300 to head back home, and you can thank Ulrich here for your time off. Carlos paced off to take care of the paperwork while Stephan and I escorted the four children to the coati’s workplace, a small meeting room that looked more like a salon then a conference room. A pile of clothes sat in a corner as well as a red panda, a nurse from her habit, already waiting for us inside, nodding to the psychiatrist as we walked in. -This is nurse Anika, said the coati, but you can call her Red. She’ll look at you to make sure that you’re all right, okay? She’s very nice. -I’ll do a full medical, said the panda. You’re Ulrich, there? -Yes, I replied. I hope you didn’t hear anything horrible about me. -Actually I’m an old friend of Estrela, said Red. I met him the other day and he told me about you. All the best, of course. I raised as questioning eyebrow as the nurse smiled and turned her attention to the children, getting them one at a time to come sit on a table with a hygienic cloth as she checked them out, inside and out, writing her conclusions as she found them. For the most part, the girls had the usual rough edges that anyone who lived on the street could be expected to have, vitamin deficiencies and such, but also a few nasty bruises here and there. Both the bat and vixen had been sexually abused, and there was evidence of some irritation around their rectum and vagina, but it wasn’t permanent, though the response from Red was a low growl that I didn’t know her kind made. As Paula got off the table, she turned and gave her verdict. -Well, they’re fine, considering. Those two will have some discomfort down there for maybe another day or two, but they’ll recover. It’s your show, Stephan. -Thank you, Red. I appreciate your help. -My pleasure, grinned the panda as she passed us, stopping to whisper to me. Speaking of which, I’ll get off as soon as you swing by the infirmary, Ulrich. Estrela exaggerates sometimes, but... I blushed hard as her tail swooped out the door, but Carlos’ father didn’t seem to notice, too busy talking to the children as he started his artful speech. He insisted that I stay during the session, but the hour-long talk was good to assist, seeing encouraging improvement every minute in the girls as they came to terms with their ordeal. He was skilled, without contest, guiding them towards the conclusion that their suffering was not their fault, and that there would never be anything like it again in their lives. By his request, I seconded his declarations on the odd occasion, reinforcing his soft words, until the girls shared a group hug, ending the session. Stephan seemed self-contented by the results of his work, and asked me to show them to the infirmary, where they would be staying for the time being, while some room was made for them in the guest quarters. I held the bat and Paula’s hands as we walked to the second level, where I saw Red preparing the beds for the children, showing them to the ones they had been assigned to and tucking them in before turning off the lights. -Good things there aren’t any other patients right now, said the red panda, taking a quick look inside before closing the door. I have two colleagues in the next room looking in, in case they need anything and ring their buzzers. -I’m sure they’ll find a way to use them in a game, I grinned. They’re kids, after all. -It’s terrible to see things like that, sighed Red, reaching to get my hand. No one should have to live through that. -I know, Red, I replied, holding her palm. I didn’t know you pandas growled like that, though! -We usually just chirp when we’re happy, laughed Red, giving a few sharp notes. -That’s better to hear, I said with a smile. So you’re getting off? -Not just yet, said the panda with a wink. You mean off duty? Yes. -Listen, there must be a little cafe around here somewhere. How about we got for a cup? -You’re on. The panda jogged to change into her street clothes, a long black trench coat that matched her dark fur perfectly, and flowed nicely as she walked besides me out of the compound to the city streets. We looked around a bit before finding a place that suited our selection criteria, but as soon as we had spotted a back-alley cafe with dim lighting and some crazy reggae playing as ambiance, we entered a zone of peace and relaxation that we both enjoyed thoroughly. The only obstacle to perfection was the lack of a catnip-based drink for me, but a strong cup of dark roasted bean was enough to compensate as we took a table and talked away. -So you’re from the states, said Red. Miami, was it? -You sources are great, I replied. I was the son of the local Don there, but I switched fields before things got... interesting. -Heard that too, giggled the panda. So, if you don’t mind me asking, did you really bed Estrela? -Yes, I grinned. He came on strong as a hurricane, and almost threw me in. Nice cat, though. -I would’ve paid to see that, commented Red. If you also don’t mind learning, I masturbated to that for two days. Man, two big guys like you, whew! That’s a lot for a girl to handle in one blow. -Not that shy, are you? -Nope, smiled the panda. But don’t think for a minute that I’m easy. No one ever shared a night with me yet. -Oh, an elusive prey then, I growled. Well, I’ll need a good net. -Not if the prey jumps on the predator first, replied Red. You just finish your cup, and we’ll take a walk somewhere comfortable... I narrowed my eyes with a hard purr as Red winked at me, letting her insinuation sink in. No sooner had we hit the bottom of our porcelain did she wave her head towards the door and hitting the concrete again, led the way to a small quadruplex two streets away from the National Guard building. Her place was on the top floor and looked just great, the walls painted a dull steel grey while the furniture was evenly black, giving a vibrant, industrial look to the decor. -Wow, this is nice, I called. You have a good eye for style, to say the least. -Thanks, it took me a while. I bring in a decent salary, but some of these toys didn’t come cheap. Let me show you a sparkling example of one of those, right here. I smiled as she gave me a ‘come hither’ finger and showed me to her bedroom, where a massive, solid black bed frame held a queen-size mattress, with beige sheets. As I looked around, she reached down her pant leg and pulled off a Velcro holster, her service sidearm. I nodded and reaching inside my coat, put my own aside hers, getting an interrogative gaze from her. -You’re a bad panther, carrying a gun like that, said Red with a military tone. I order you to proceed to a complete strip search right now. Take it off, bad panther. -Yes ma’am, I replied, casting off my clothes and showing off a non-regulation stiffy, which tore a gaping air from Red. -That’s good, bad panther, she commented, lying on the bed. Now strip the panda before she gets more ideas. I grinned, slowly and sensually taking off Red’s coat, blouse, bra and pants, though I stopped at the last item as my eye caught sigh of something apparently out of place. Red gave an almost embarrassed expression as I looked at her nice, full chest, then at the bulge in her silk panties. I gave in to my curiosity nonetheless, and taking hold of the panda’s underwear, pull them off, revealing a cock that rivalled my own, but further down between her legs, a wet-lipped clit. Red reached out and took my wrist, looking at me in the eyes as she spoke. -Ulrich, I know it looks disgusting, said the panda. I’m sorry. I.... I should have told you I was a hermaphrodite. I just thought that since you had relations with both sexes, you might... be all right with having sex with me too. -Red, I said, caressing her face, you’re a beautiful red panda, no matter what anyone says, and it doesn’t matter how nature endowed you, just that you savour the fruits of life just like anyone else. I lay over the panda and kissed her hard, grabbing at her breasts with sure hands while she wrapped hers around me, revelling in the joy of our encounter. Her red fur, only covering her back and upper legs and arms, was all that could be discerned within the mass of black fur moving on the bed, moaning, purring and chirping as we built ourselves up, ever closer to our decision of how to approach intercourse. Red was about to ask that very question as I leaned back and opened her legs, alternating my efforts between eating her out and sucking on her comparatively very soft-skinned member. -Oh Ulrich, you animal! Suck me crazy, kitty! -Here you go, and here you go there too, I said, testing both locations. Now, let’s try something fun... I drew the panda’s clit open and slid myself in, and as I started to go in her, grabbed her cock with one hand and pumped her while the other massaged her rear. Red’s eyes bulged and she cried out as the very definition of orgasms was re-written, every muscle in her body exalting pleasure. Her tail flailed about out of control, and her hands grabbed her sheets and breasts as she came more times then I could count. I finished in her before pulling out and offering my rear to her, bending over comfortably to let her bugger me. Red didn’t even say a word, just raised my tail and thrust herself in, tearing a sharp breath from me as she screwed me hard, holding my hips solidly as she let her bouncing breasts beat against my back until she ejaculated in me. I didn’t let her rest for an instant, turning to disengage from her, then grabbing her waist, manoeuvred her to have my face in her clit again while she curled over and gave me head. Considering one combination left unchecked, I pushed her down and lifting her fluffy tail, did her in the ass, slow and passionate. I was the first to fall though, laying flat on the bed, feeling Red lay on me and slide herself into my rear again, fucking me a second time before pulling out and collapsing on me, closing her eyes and sighing long. - Ulrich, said the red panda, that was incredible, I never thought I’d feel that kind of total, complete pleasure in my life. -Nothing like getting it three ways, I smirked, reaching down and putting two fingers into Red’s channel. Nor like having hetero and gay sex with the same person, either. -You don’t meet pandas like me every day, smiled Red. I don’t mean to sound greedy, but you could stay here while this intervention’s fallout gets looked after. -What a polite hostess, I said, kissing her sharp-toothed mouth. Do you accept payment in sex? -We also take AmEx, laughed the panda, but there’s a conversion factor to consider when you pay in favours. -I’ll make good. Night had fallen while we’d undertaken out tantric gymnastics, but I needed the rest more then I would’ve liked to admit. The intervention had been the utmost in stress, pushing me to a level that I hadn’t needed to achieve in my career, even when having broken the rebel ambush that had seen Carlos and I fight side by side for the first time. I took the time to call up some supper from a local take-out, footing the bill for the luxury, my special new friend giving me a smooth back massage in return while we waited for it to arrive. I was intrigued about Red, where she’d come from and all, and over the local variation on tapas, I brought it up. -From your accent, I don’t think you’re from here, are you Red? -No, I’m not, smiled the panda. I grew up in England, with my folks and all. They were nice, and helped me cope with the stress and pain that came from my... inherited traits. -Inherited? So it runs in the family. -My mother, nodded Red. My father couldn’t deal with a second generation though, and when I was eight, he divorced her and left. Times were tough, but we got through because she found a position at a local hospital. She was a doctor, by the way. Kind of what got me into medicine too. She caught something, a pulmonary condition, from an improperly contained case, and by the time I reached twenty-six, she was in a catatonic state, and passed in her sleep. -I’m sorry, Red. My deepest sympathies, panda. -I know, smiled the red panda, taking my hand. Well, that’s when I left for here. I needed to lose myself to find myself again, and eventually joined up as a civilian member in the National Guard. It’s a cushy job, and I have great hours. -Nice! -And yourself? -My parents were... -Yes? -They were assassinated, I completed, breathing out the word. It’s painful to remember, but Estrela told you that I was Don-heir, right? Well, one of the hitmen in the Family took a contract on us all, but I disappeared before someone killed him and basically saved me. At least, that’s what I’ve come to piece together with time. I was already in college, and this is my first real job here, at the Banco resort. -So I’m with a cute little schoolboy here, joked Red. I’m sorry Ulrich. I didn’t want to seem out of place. It’s hard to be an orphan so young, with so much in your life. -You smart panda you, I said, hugging the redheaded nurse. -You hunky panther you, replied Red, running a hand under my shirt and over my chest. Hum, it’s late, and I’m kind of sleepy. I’ll just throw these leftovers in the fridge... -Right behind you! I helped Red clean up, waiting until she’d finished putting the cartons in the refrigerator before picking her up and carrying her to the bed, laying her down in the sheets and taking off her clothes. A cute, irresistible panda smile later, my skivvies had flown to the ground and I had Red sprawled on me, resting her head on my shoulder as her ochre hair flowed over my black fur. I reached down and rubbed her cock against my leg, getting a muffled laugh and smile from her in response. -Hey, put that down, she grinned. -Looks like it’s going up, as of a matter of fact, I kidded. -The rent’s due, smirked Red, rolling to have her back to me. -Yep, I chuckled, grappling her against me as I penetrated her. Oh boy, wet panda. -Could also, you know... -Spare sock... and here we go, I replied, taking one of Red’s sport cottons and slipping it over her penis. Your sheath’s so soft! -Oh God, oh baby yes, muttered Red, letting herself get tossed like a rag doll as I worked on her and suckled her closest tit. Harder, Ulrich, harder, kitty! -Oh it’s warm, I moaned, feeling Red fill her sock and taking it off. Let’s see... hey, that’s kind of sweet... -Did you just lick my cum, asked the panda, almost laughing. Did you? -Yep. Ahh, here’s mine! Right... in... there! -Yeah... fill me to the rim, you bad cat. Just stay still, I’ll play cowgirl for a second... I didn’t protest as Red turned and mounted me, her back chest bouncing as she gave herself a wild ride. Distracted, she didn’t reach to my taking hold of her and jacking her off again, this time sucking her off all the way. She finished both intercourses with a high-pitched chirp, falling on me with a loud sigh. Face to face, tit against tit, cock against cock, we fell asleep, arms wrapped around each other as we snored away. I woke up with a head full of red hair in my face and a matching white-marked panda, looking down at me with a kind smile. I reached out and caressed her face as I got up, sharing another sent-in meal with Red before we tidied up and dressed decently for what amounted to another day’s work. After all, there was still the matter of getting a proper suit together against the pornographs, as well as seeing to the children’s placement and wrapping up the whole affair before the medias got involved. The circumstances of our intervention, after all, were in the grey areas between excessive and justified force. Still, Red didn’t seem to preoccupied by it, turning the television on while we ate in her living room, cuddling up for a while before heading out. Red headed directly to her infirmary as soon as we reached the compound, giving me a discrete wave and wink as I continued on to see Stephan and Carlos. I hoped that one of the coatis would be at the shrink’s office and true enough, the pair of them were sharing coffee and bagels as I knocked on the door frame. -Hello kitty, said Carlos, pulling the third seat of the office aside him to face is father. So where were you yesterday afternoon? I saw you heading up to the hospital wing, then no one saw you after that. -Oh, just some personal stuff, I shrugged. I’m sure it’ll seep through the grapevine sometime and warm your ears. So did you get any news on the kids? -They slept great, said Stephan, like logs. That’s a good sign, first of all, and it means that they’ve made the greatest step in their treatment. All and all, I think that as soon as they’re in their welcoming families, they’ll make a full recovery. -The first thing that we'd need to build on would be a story from one of the children, said Carlos. -That wouldn't affect them that much at this point, shrugged his father. I couldn't do it, though. Ulrich, could you volunteer? -In a heartbeat, I replied. I'll try Laura the fennec kit again. -She seems to trust you already, nodded Stephan. She mentioned you a few times in the sessions, almost as a valiant knight myth-motif. -I'm like that with the ladies, I grinned. All right, I'll leave you be, and as soon as I have a good tale to tell, I'll drop by. Carlos gave me a slap on the back as I left the room, jogging to the infirmary, to which I'd memorized the way by then. I caught sight of Red, exchanging a wave with her before continuing on to find the children playing with a few toys that Stephan had sent to them to keep them busy and happy. The vixen turned as I approached, and put down the construction set she'd been obsessing with to give me a hug, introducing me adamantly to her new friends. -This is Ulrich, he's the one who saved me and Helena! He's an angel, I think. Are you? -Not exactly, I replied, rubbing her between her long ears. Laura, can we talk? -Sure, nodded the kit with a cute smile. What about? -Let's go take a walk, I offered, guiding her to a reception room down the hall. -You seem sad, offered Laura. Are you sad? -No, not at all. Laura, you know we caught all the bad men that did things to you? -Doctor Stephan told us. Are they going to jail? -We want that, I nodded, hugging the kit, who rested her head against me. But to do that, we need to know everything that happened. I need to know everything you do about it. Can you help me? -Sim, growled Laura, if they go to jail. A bear came and offered me some money one night. -Where were you, I asked, writing down her story. -Alone, on a street. Another guy came from behind and put his hand over my mouth, and took me to the warehouse. Helena was already there, but no one else. They took out knives and told us to take off everything or they'd kill us. We were scared, and we did. -What happened then? -They took thing like bananas and holding us against the bed, put them in there, and there. We screamed, but they didn't care. Then, they took pictures of us, and gave us food and told us to sleep. They did that, and made us do things they wanted. -What things? -They liked when I touched Helly there and held her. They made us do that for a while then you came. -Ah, I nodded, correcting a few typos as the account ended. Did you hear any names when you were there? -No, they just say what they want. Ulrich, can you give me a hug? -Sure, I said, holding Laura. Are you okay? -Sim, smiled the kit. Want to play a bit? -Do you know how to play cards? -No. Can you show me? I stayed with Paula for well over an hour, teaching her rummy and poker, talking about anything that she felt like, even getting a few more details about her experience during the game as small things came up in her mind that the stress had hidden. Still, I was in something of a hurry to get the original in Carlos’ paws so he could forward it to the police and see how they were doing with the prisoners. I almost ran into him in the stairs heading down, the coati apparently heading to see how I was doing with my bit. I showed him the transcripts from the conversation, getting a mix of emotions in return, but mostly satisfaction, knowing that it was as good as gold in the eyes of a jury. -There’s just one more thing that could seal this shut, said Carlos. -A confession, I suggested, from one of the guys we took in? -The police haven’t been that lucky with any of them. They’re keeping shut, even under threats. And of course, they can’t take extra measures, it you understand. -I do, I said with a smile. What did they say other then that? -Well, that as soon as you had this finished, they’d appreciate you coming down to give them a hand with that detail. There’s a cruiser waiting at the front gates, at any rate. -Ah, I was wondering what kind of a workout I’d be getting today, I laughed. I’ll go take a look. So, how about lunch, one-ish? -I’ll be at the mess hall with my old man, grinned the coati. See you, kitty! -Ciao, coati-man! I jogged out of the building, seeing the car parked with two officers inside dozing off in the bright, warm sun. The driver had his window down and heard me approach, rousing his partner to greet me as I got in the back seat. -So there’s a problem with your suspects, I said, passing them the transcript. -Sim, they seem to be mutes, chuckled the passenger. -They’ll be talking like parrots soon enough, I replied. Shall we? The police station was but a few blocks away, and looked like a bigger hole in the wall then the guardsmen’s home. There were a few parking spots in front of it though, and a generous complement of officers keeping the place under close watch. The two guarded me through them to the reception desk, where they gave the papers in to be passed on to the commissioner’s desk. Making sure that no one was paying special attention, they showed me to the restricted area where the detainees were kept, two of their associates selecting my old aardvark friend from the bunch and guiding him to a interview room, the suspect looking over his shoulder at me and voicing his protest to his unenviable fate. I signalled for the policemen to give me some time with him, exiting the room with a variety of grins and smirks, all too happy to see some rough justice come to be. I waved for the anteater to sit down, then as he hesitated, walked behind him and pushed his shoulders down into the seat before taking a seat on the wood table and asking one of the officers for the Sao Paulo telephonic directory. One of the men laughed and passed me a tome, not Paulo’s but the regional one, still weighty enough to be on consequence. Placing it aside me, I started the interview, looking at the anteater with a smile. He seemed nervous, but clearly afraid more then anything else. -Hello again, Lester. That’s your name, isn’t it? An American citizen too, apparently, eh? -What do you want, said the aardvark, taking a quick glance at me. -Ah, you’re generous this time, aren’t you? Well, if you’re so talkative, I’m glad to listen. Can I have a recorder in here? -I don’t- -Just a moment, I asked, getting a tape deck from one of the waiting officers and pressing the record button. Yes, you were saying? -I don’t have anything to say, said Lester. -Nothing at all? Not even something like a little story about what you and your friends were doing in that warehouse, how long you’ve been there, who pays your bills and such? -No. -And here I was thinking you were a reasonable chap, I said, pressing the stop button and putting the recorder down. -What are you doing? -Being... imaginative, I replied with a mean smile. I need a pair of cuffs and for the blinds to be closed, please. The same officer who had given me the tape deck obliged my request, his vengeful air unmistakable as he whispered “give ‘er to him”. I returned a nod as the horizontal blinds closed and I turned to Lester, holding the handcuffs and motioning for him to get up. The detainee resisted, but I was able to get them on him and push him to the ground. With a chair on his chest and my knee holding it in place, I pulled down his pants and took the telephone book, looking at his briefs with a calm air. -Well Lester, it seems you’ve really stepped in it now, I announced. You see, you’re alone in here. No one knows I’m here either, and those guys outside don’t like you. You see, no one like fuckers like you who abuse kids. Actually, it pisses them off pretty bad. Now, I’ll give you a simple choice. Either you answer my questions with a song-filled voice, or I’ll pound your useless Wang with this directory. Simple, isn’t it? -You can’t do this! -Can’t I now? Let’s get a better look, shall we, I said, pulling down his underwear. Holy cow, that’s a small dick! The Lord put all your length in your nose, didn’t he? I bet you couldn’t even masturbate that with two fingers! Or did you make those girls with smaller hands do it for you, eh? How about that vixen, eh? She had a nice pair of tits, didn’t she? A nice, tight clit, I bet you wanted to take her, didn’t you, Lester? Those dildos in her really did it for you, didn’t they? -Look, I can get any girl in bed with you, pleaded the aardvark. Any kind, any age, all right? Two, three, even. Even pictures, all you could ever want! Just don’t make me do this! -I didn’t need to hear that, Lester, I said, grabbing his balls and flexing my claws into them a bit. Well, look on the bright side, after a few good hits down here, you won’t feel a thing. Not like you need it anyway... -God no, called the anteater as I raised the book. Okay, I’ll do it! I’ll talk! -Go ahead, I said, taking the recorder. -Our boss here, Victor, met this guy in Utah, who wanted kid pictures. He sent us cash and passports to get us here, and paid us to set ourselves us here. We got the warehouse cheap and started going to shit hole villages and paying anyone who got their kids ready for us. We did that for a while, and we kept getting cash but then this revolution came up and screwed it up. Victor decided that we had to start doing more, and we got those girls from the streets. We were supposed to get guys next too. -And what did you do to them when you got them to the warehouse? -We made them strip and screw with us, continued Lester, now crying profusely. Shit, we’re all pedos, man. I bet even you got off a bit when you saw them, right? - The guy in Utah. His name. -Shit... Quinton, Quinton Moseley! He ran the web site. -Web site? -Yeah, yeah, the site. It’s some weird name... -I suggest you work your memory quite hard, Lester. -4e978hjjx.jjx003.net, answered the anteater. The password’s latina69. -Good boy, I grinned. Looks like you pissed yourself. The guards will hose you down, and I suggest you stay pretty quiet about this, eh? Consider this your plea bargain. The anteater didn’t say a word as I pulled his shorts back up and thumped him down on the chair, ignoring the stain on the concrete as I left the room. -What do you know, he talked, said one of the officers. -Just like that, I replied. It’s my personality, they just can’t say no. I need a secure computer, if you can manage one. -Right over here, said the officer, showing me to his office. That web site? -Indeed, I said, typing in the address. I figure that when it gets out that these bitches have been jailed, the guy in the states will go on the run. -I’ll go sent out a warrant for him, said the officer. Great job, panther. I nodded and shook hands with the policeman as I typed in the password in the anonymous-looking site, fronted by some miracle-healing source water. The archives of the site were massive, but I downloaded the entire thing onto a DVD, as well as two extra copies, one to leave with the police and another to bring with me as insurance in case someone in the station decided to play hooky with the evidence. There were a few pictures of the girls we’d rescued, the comments for which almost made me stride out of the office and gun down the suspects. No, I thought, prison life is good for their kind. I gave them a year on the outside... maybe. The officer came back an hour later with news that the gentleman in the states had been arrested, and a massive amount of material was being seized at his place. As I suspected, I tried to get onto the site, but it no longer existed. -Don’t tell me it’s gone, moaned the officer. -It’s right here, and here, I said in a reassuring tone, passing him the copies. Nail these sons of bitches. -The kangaroo court will slap them so fast they won’t even have time to sneeze, grinned the policeman. You’re in our good books, panther. -I’ll keep my nose clean, I replied, shaking his paw one last time before heading back out to hitch a ride back to the compound with one of the beat patrols. The two coatis were already in the cafeteria by the time I walked in to see if they’d beaten me to it. Stephan pulled up a chair and signed for me to get something and join them. As any military institution, the food was at the state’s cost, and considering the favor that I’d made it, I took a good slab of ham and steamed vegetables before joining them. I was used to puns on my dietary habits, and took in stride the single comment that Carlos made as I sat down. -Imagine if we’d be bunking and he ever feels like a midnight snack, said the coati. We’re toast! -Come now, you know me better then that, I chuckled. -We’re safe? -No, I’d roast you with onions first, I replied with a laugh. So how’s the day? -You tell us, said the psychiatrist. How did it go? -Marvelous, just marvelous. I got a full confession out of the suspect without having to resort to anything more then a few persuading comments. All and all, they seemed to be confident that it was more then enough to land them behind bars until the moon falls from the sky. -Last time I checked, the superglue was holding it pretty well, said Carlos. Well, to your, Ulrich. It’s good to know you’re on our side. -True, I nodded. Still... -What? You don’t look that satisfied, commented Stephan. Something about this doesn’t suit your tastes? -You know, everywhere I’ve ever been, the criminal element had a structure, be it barons or a Family, but this city just welcomes chaos. -Are you asking us to swallow that you’d want a Family to set itself up here? -It wouldn’t be so terrible, I shrugged. There’s a certain code of honor that the Family upholds that doesn’t give any room for this kind of perversion. Sure, you have your baker’s dozen of laundering fronts, prostitution, drugs and such, but you’d have to take me for a blind kitten to think that I could believe that there isn’t anything like that here already. If anything like this would even try to set itself up again, those responsible for it would be in the river with cement bags before sundown. -The incentives are there, nodded Stephan. In the meantime, here comes company. -Hello kitty, said Red as she took the seat aside me, pulling out a bag full of bamboo shoots from her lunchbox. Care for some branches? -Never tried them, I grinned. Ham? -We’ll trade, announced the red panda, helping herself to a piece of the steak. Hmm, not my favorite. -These are hard, I replied, trying to get a few teeth to pierce the shoots. Kind of sappy, eh? -I find them sweet, shrugged Red. So how’s the head doc? -Lacking entertainment, said Stephan. Not that much action these days. I think I’ll go for a vacation next week or something. Carlos? -Sorry dad, I’m back at the outpost tomorrow. I have to make sure that Ulrich shows up for work too. -So soon, grunted Red. -Sorry panda, I said, taking her hand. Hey, do you have any days off? -Plenty! Not like I have much interest in holidays, why? -Come to the hotel, I offered. The week’s on me, room and board. -I’ll be signing my leave sheets as soon as I finish these, smiled Red, leaning over to kiss me. -Good panda, I purred, holding her shoulder as I let my tongue play on her sharp teeth for an instant. I tell you, it tastes like sap. -Ulrich, I ought to... -Lucky two, smiled Carlos. Ulrich, you know that... -He does, quite well, smirked Red. -All right, muttered the coati, blushing hard. I’ll be shutting up now. We shared a few laughs until we disbanded the rest of the day, myself going for a walk to kill the time until Red finished her shift. (Shift to Red) I walked back upstairs to fill out my timesheets with a double stir, as I called being both hard and wet at the same time. That panther had a way to get me to say what he wanted, but then again, free resort time, what the Hell? I’d take that any day instead of signing off immunization certificates and looking at the routine scrapes that the guards came in with. I knew their looks, that they would rather have one of my assistants look after them, with their sweet smiles and caring eyes. I’d had those when I started, but then the gossip just ruined it, and I became bitterer. It wasn’t fair of them to talk about me the way they did sometimes. I have feelings too! I care, grieve and love, just like anyone. Kidding behind my back that it must be fun to be able to screw yourself isn’t fair... I almost felt like shedding a few as I sat at my desk and pulled out the sheets, but I took a breath and thought of Ulrich for a moment. There are people like that too out there, who look deeper then skin and bone. And God what a lover! I liked being touched, apparently, and for a week, that cat’s mine. I scribbled a few comments about cases this week to satisfy anyone who looked at the papers, and wrote off the next six days as leave, the seventh a sick day, which I had plenty of in store. I had a gift maybe, but I’d yet to even get a cold this year, and accumulating them just didn’t do anything useful. It took me a while to work through the rest of the pile of forms, but as I threw them on a clipboard, I felt two hands slip under my arms and massage my breasts. -Ulrich, I said, turning my head slightly to see the cat’s half-open eyes, is there something I can do for you? -Nothing comes to mind just now, he replied, still molesting my chest. Maybe putting down that pen and taking off for home would be an option. You don’t work more then eight hours a day, do you? -Not in recent history, I said with a smile, letting a hand slip under his shirt and caressing his stomach. Mind letting the panda up before you continue groping her? -Oh, for a moment then, he answered, getting his paws out from their resting place. I called ahead to a restaurant down the street and made reservations for two... hope you don’t mind that either. I grinned as I slipped my coat on and gave a full-handed slap on Ulrich’s rear to get him going, starting out walk out of the compound to a medium-end bar and grill. I didn’t get out much either, on account of it reminding me how alone I was, sitting by myself at a table with an empty chair. Not that I didn’t try to cruise a bit, but taking to a lady with a bulge in her panties just didn’t jive with anyone I’d met. Still, holding the panther’s hand and waltzing into the place felt good, and the ensuing three-course meal did miracles to make any doubt of my happiness wash away. I played footsy with him during the meal too, letting a black-furred leg wander anywhere that I could think of to get him to blush. He held fast to my frustration, only purring louder when I tried harder. I eventually gave up as the server gave Ulrich a wink, sign that he’d somehow settled the bill in stealth, and the panther nodded to ask if I was finished. I conceded that I didn’t have a grain of appetite left, least for food, and he pulled my chair to help me up. It was dark by the time we left the restaurant, but I wasn’t any less fervent then when I’d entered it to have Ulrich in bed again until we couldn’t persuade our mortal shells to sustain another second of pleasure. I could read in his eyes that his thoughts didn’t deviate too far from that line, either, and as soon as I’d closed the door behind us, I felt those hands again at the same place as before. I laughed and slowly undid my belt and pants, pulling off everything from the waist down. -Just suck it, I groaned, holding my cock with two fingers and putting it in the panther’s maw as he kneeled. That’s right, suck the panda, kitty, suck her good. -The panda’s bad, whispered Ulrich as he lifted me off my paws and carried me to the bedroom, still holding my member in his mouth. -Does the panther like it when I do him in the butt? -Heck yeah, chuckled Ulrich, stripping and opening his legs. Bang, bang, panda, bang. -Thought you’d never ask, I said, easing myself into him and taking off my shirt and bra. Here you go, kitty, here you go... -Uh-huh, and here you go, panda, he replied, sticking his fingers up my clit and rear. -Then you take this, I moaned, taking his dick and jacking him off. Do you like having a beautiful herma panda with you, kitty? -More then words can express, he returned. I smiled and closed my eyes as let every tingle overtake my nerves, soon coming three times in a row, my dark eyes shooting open every time as I let a few sharp cries out. I narrowed my eyes and really opened up on Ulrich’s penis, the cat soon warning of imminent disaster. Not wanting to spare him a pleasure, I let him come over his chest, and drop by drop, I licked him clean, the panther’s air just plain dumb happy as he purred his heart out. A generalized toweling later, we slumped down in each other’s arms and fell fast asleep, dreaming away in the dark of the night. I actually dreamed of the panther, walking together in the woods, but there was also someone else with us, someone I felt I knew, but who was looking at me in a different way, as if from the outside in. Time would tell, perhaps... As had been the case the previous morning, I woke up before Ulrich, and rubbing my white-spotted face a bit, leaned over and placed a long kiss on his charcoal muzzle. I saw one of his gray eyes just open for an instant, then close again as two strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me against him. -Cuddly panda, smiled Ulrich, still not opening his eyes, running a hand through my hair. Cuddle, cuddle. -Hot panther, I replied, brushing my hand against his whiskers. Come on kitty, the poor coati will be late at his camp and you’ll be late for work if we don’t get up, it’s already eight. -Darn, grunted the panther, lifting me up over to the washroom. Up goes the panda, splish splash. I played along a docile pet as he washed me, then pounced on him and returned the favor, the cat doing everything in his power to get me totally soaked before I was able to reach the safety of a towel and dry myself off. We hurried for the rest of the hour we had left before Carlos’ departure time ran out, reaching the compound in time to see him asleep at the wheel of a jeep. Ulrich did the honors of sneaking up on him and grabbing his sides, getting a sharp squeal from him as he startled awake. He reached back and sent a hand into the cat’s armpit, getting a reasonable vengeance before starting off on the road. -All right, no messing around in the back seat, he joked as we left the city. This isn’t our car, after all. -Like you’ve always been a stickler for procedure, I prodded. -It happens sometimes, laughed the coati. My men left last night, so they’ll be at the camp already. I take it you’re both going straight to the resort? -I don’t want to waste a second of my vacation, I commented. -Understandable. I’ll drop you off before going on my way, though you can expect my tail to wave around your place for supper, at least. -We’ll have some leftovers to microwave for you, said Ulrich. -Still beats what they send us sometimes... Carlos was as good as his word, letting us off in the roundabout in front of the Banco before speeding off in a cloud of dust to his tent village. The bellhop took my luggage and carried them to the suite beside Ulrich’s room de facto, not asking a single question as the panther shoved a twenty in his coat pocket. Without having to think about those, Ulrich took me for a tour of the building, pointing out the amenities as we passed them. A well-groomed Main Coon came to greet us as we passed in front of the pool, introducing himself before talking to Ulrich in a familiar tone. -Good day, milady, said the Coon. My name is Juan Callao, manager of this fine establishment. I hope that you’re here with us long enough to truly enjoy our hospitality? -A week, I replied. I’m Anika Burnham, but everyone calls me Red. I’m with the panther. -Good job, Ulrich, Juan said with a smile. Ulrich, I was meaning to contact you, but I didn’t have your number. -Did something happen? -Well, yes. You see, Cassa had to return to the United States. I don’t know if she told you, but her father had contracted Hepatitis, and she had to be there for him. She hoped that you would understand, and apologized about keeping it from you. I’m sorry, Ulrich, I know that you two... were close. -Cassa, muttered Ulrich, looking at the ground in a dejected fashion. I didn’t know, actually. Thank you, Juan. I’m sorry, but I might need a while to deal with this. -Looked serious, I whispered to the Coon as the cat paced away, his tail no longer waving, but curled to the negative. -They were college sweethearts, replied Juan. They were very close since they got here, to the point they moved in together. Well, these things happen, sadly. Could I offer you something in the lounge? -Thanks, I’d like that, I answered, feeling guilt climb up my stomach like a heartburn. The cat was polite, leaving me to my drink as soon as he’d made sure that the bill was waved and I’d received it. I toyed with the martini glass with a growing sadness, the whole hopeful feeling that I’d built up over the last two days melting away until I simply leaned on my hand and gave a long sigh. Pandas never got lucky, apparently. As I was feeling the drink dampen my dejection, I heard a familiar voice from behind me. -Red? Already hitting on the barmen here, called Carlos walking up to my side. Mind if I take a seat? -Sure, sure, I sighed, seeing him out of uniform. Already off duty, coati? -The camp’s boring sometimes, and today’s one of the routine days where it’s so quiet you could hear a mouse fart, not meaning to be vulgar. You look sad, Red. Is there something wrong? -Oh, nothing, just my usual luck, I replied. Ulrich had a partner here at the hotel. -You couldn’t have known, said Carlos. -I know, I know. Still, I feel terrible about it, and now, she hard to return to the States on urgent family business, so he didn’t even get to say goodbye. I feel like crap. Really wet crap. -Red, these things happen. We never know when we just meet someone out of the blue. It clicks, then it falls apart. -But Carlos, I moaned, feeling tears streaming down my cheeks now, he was the first one for me. Who the Hell wants something like me, eh? A freak that can’t even deal with her own loneliness! Who wants that, Carlos? -Red, don’t cry, said the coati, holding me to offer a shoulder to lean on. You’re a wonderful woman, everyone knows that. -Woman? Don’t be cruel, Carlos. -Listen to me, it doesn’t matter what you look like, you deserve a good man to have and hold, affirmed the coati, holding my shoulders. Anyone who has eyes to see and a deeper heart then a commoner would give half his life to be with you. Heck... -What? -I had my eye on you for a while, grinned Carlos. The cute panda in the infirmary, the big GI Joe from the guard, you know, it has its legendary background. -Then you learned that I... -I knew then, assured the coati, hugging me tight. I just didn’t have the nerve to say anything, still didn’t up to now, I guess. I’m a big old mush mellow, when you know me. -All right, I said, looking him in the eyes. Kiss me then. Carlos nodded with a smile and slipping a hand behind my head, leaned over and planted a long embrace on my lips, and a feverish, delicious one it was too. I brushed my face to fluff my fur and forget my tears before hugging the coati hard, feeling his hands running on my back. -I can’t offer you much, Red, said the officer. I just have my pay and my quarters wherever I’m posted. I’ve saved up a lot in the last years, for the day that I’ll resign my commission and find a real employment somewhere. -Oh, but you do have a real employment, I insisted. Come now, you didn’t climb the ranks to captain and become such a great man to simply leave it behind! You’ll make general one day. I just know it. -That’s very kind of you to say, panda, said the coati, giving me another kiss. As for you, you went even faster then me, didn’t you? Head nurse in what, five years? That’s a first to my knowledge. -I do what I can to make people happy, I replied, running a hand down his face. -And high time it is for the favor to be returned to you, Carlos said with a smile. What do you feel like doing here? Anything I can be of service with? -Well, I was thinking of a massage and some time at the pool first of all, I replied, letting my whim take over my judgment. Then maybe... playing around with a crazy old coati? -Sounds like a bundle of fun to me! Maybe you could inverse the two first activities though. -Why? -The second and last can be... arranged in sequence with very little effort. -Naughty coati... Carlos offered to help me unpack as I changed into my bathing suit, careful not let him get any free peeks before his turn had come. He grunted and smirked each time I foiled his efforts to counter my defenses, but finally gave up with a “fine then” as I waved and left to float around in the outdoor pool. I dove right in and ran a few laps, getting comfortably tired before playing the board in a corner of the waterhole for an extended ten minutes. As I was getting out, I caught a glimpse of Carlos looking through the wire fence from the National Guard’s temporary mess hall in the back parking. I gave him another distracted wave and headed up to my room to change, feeling two hands cope my rear from behind as I was unlocking the door. -Carlos, I asked, is that you? -No, it’s the Easter Bunny, giggled the coati, giving my buns a good squeeze. So, is the panda ready for her therapeutic rubdown? -You’d better believe it, I replied, swatting him with my tail as we headed in. Are you ready to see the panda as nature made her? Carlos smile and reaching over, slipped a finger under my shoulder straps and pulled my suit down, pausing at my breasts to suckle on them for a moment. I chuckled as he continued, my cock dropping as my suit hit the floor. Carlos didn’t even flinch, to my surprise. I’d expected something, a comment at least, but he even withheld any of those as he laid me on my stomach and started the massage, placing towels wherever he wasn’t working. He was good, without the shadow of a doubt, his strong, powerful hands finding every muscle under my fur and rubbing them into jelly. I gave a few chirps as I closed my eyes and smiled, letting have his way with my mortal shell for a while. As he finished, I felt him lie down on the bed with me, but his warmth was enough to tell me he wasn’t exactly in uniform anymore. Before I knew it, I felt him raise my leg and penetrate me missionary style, but only enough to tease me, surrendering him position to turn me on my back and kiss me hard, nuzzling my chest and stomach. -So how do you like it best, panda? -I’d like to take you right in the ass, I answered with a grin. Any objection? -I have to admit it wouldn’t be my first, but if that’s your vote... -Oh, really now? -Yes, you see someone we both know gave me a surprise a few weeks back... on the other hand, that should maybe be left out. -Ulrich jumped you, I exclaimed. Where, in your tent? -Yeah, blushed Carlos. I just headed out to get a bottle opener for a vat of whiskey we were going to share, and he welcome me back with nothing but the bottle. I didn’t exactly expect that. -Those are the best times... -In a way, perhaps. -Then you’ll love this, I chuckled, lifting his legs and sliding right in. -Lordy! How the... whew, Red! You’re a mean panda! -You have no idea, I replied, screwing him. Like this, eh? -So soft, so good, moaned Carlos, holding my chest. Good panda, good pandaaaaa... -Bang, take this captain coati, I called out, finishing in the coati. -My turn, he said, hopping off me and returning the favor, though selecting the natural choice for his target. Hmm, smooth all the way in, isn’t it... The coati was huge, for his stature, and quite the professional in his methodology. By the time I felt the heat of his load, I’d hit three good, big time orgasms, Carlos looking quite self-satisfied with his performance. I didn’t say much, but the mirthful air on my face must have said everything I could’ve wanted to, and the coati slammed down aside me, wrapping an arm around my waist. I did the same as I pulled a cover over us, signaling a nice long nap to recover from the massive burst of energy we’d deployed, a Dirac function of lust, to put it softly. We came around half an hour later, Carlos combing back my hair as he looked down on me, apparently in no hurry to awaken his sleeping nymph. I smiled and pulled myself up with his shoulders, guiding him to freshen up before we made our appearance for supper. Carlos almost forgot to pull up his fly, though I only told him at the last minute, getting a playfully scornful gaze back before he stuck his tongue out. I hopped forwards and grabbed it with my teeth, getting a little squeak from the captain before he started laughing. Our good humor held high, we rode the elevator down, bumping into an okapi and jaguar, apparently on their way to the restaurant as well. -Hello there Carlos, said the okapi. I take it things are quiet in town? -More or less. Did you catch the news this morning? -Yes, something about a raid in a warehouse or some incident like that... oh, was that you? -And the panther, nodded the coati. You and Estrela were going for a bite? -Sure were, replied the cat. Please, share it with us, friends. -Speaking of friends, I’m Hermann Vitter, and this Estrela Callao, miss..? -Anika Regina, but please call me Red, I said, shaking their hands. You’re Ulrich’s former schoolmates, then? -I was, nodded the okapi as we entered the restaurant. This beautiful cat’s from here though. -So you’re an item, I asked shyly. -Well, grinned the okapi, reaching over to pull Estrela in a kiss. Maybe we are, aren’t we kitty. -Purr, replied the jaguar. Poor Ulrich probably won’t be joining us, though. -Why, asked Carlos. Is something wrong? -His heart, in metaphor, sighed Estrela. Cassa Wells was the third student that came here, and they were very, very close. For her to leave now is hard on him. After all, since we two fell in together, she was the only heart that really beat in time with his. -He’ll pull through, reassured Hermann. He didn’t live a bachelor all those years we were at the college, and if a lady or gentile doesn’t fall for him, their blood must be ice. -How about you two, asked Carlos did you decide what you’d do after this? -I applied for a few jobs back in the states, declared the okapi, and my Latino sweet applied for citizenship. Fingers crossed, we’ll be moving somewhere north by the term’s end. -All the best to you, I said, patting the jaguar’s paw. Carlos, do you have a staff medic? -Only a stitch man, answered the coati. Why, are you thinking of coming in the regiment? –If it means being with you, I said with a blush, sure. -I think I might have beaten you to it, laughed Carlos. When I came to meet you and Ulrich the other day, it was actually because I was passing by the Colonel’s office to officially accept a transfer to strategic command at the capital. Surprise! -Then move in with me, I offered. My place’s too big for a lonely gal, and you won’t need a second room... -Woof, called Hermann. Carlos my man, it looks like Lady Luck just gave you a slap on the butt. -God be praised for pandas, nurses and panda nurses, whispered Carlos, taking me in a hug. Don’t mind if I bring my comic book collection with me? -They’ll compensate for my Harlequin bookshelf, I replied. -You two are too cute, giggled Estrela. I offer a toast to two happy couples... -And the future conquests of the panther Don, seconded Carlos. -Oh, I blew in the coati’s ear, I’m a really cheap drunk, by the way... -Waiter, ordered Carlos, a glass of fine rosé for the lady...