As they rounded the main trunk of the tree, they saw the branches part and a beast as tall as the tree was fast approaching. This thing reminded Dobin of what an ogre would look like in kids' fairy tales. It was large, muscular with green skin and no hair. It had a club in its hand. It saw Lana coming its way and it went to swing.
Blaine used telekinesis to keep the arm from swinging but he was struggling against the monumental strength.
The branch Lana was on dipped slightly then sprang up as she was tossed into the air. She flipped through the air and landed on the beast's shoulder as if that had been her target. While in flight, she created herself a whip. As she landed, she looped the climbing rose around the beast's neck then walked down the back slowly as she choked it. Adding the white energy to her whip always made it stronger. She noticed the thorns were also sharper based on the amount of beast blood she was seeing so she decided to try a sawing action.
Soon there was no resistance and she was falling. She pushed off the beast to send it to the side while she went to the other. While she landed gracefully on the beast, she didn't land so gracefully this time. The beast was falling and so was she. All she managed to do was avoid getting hurt as she landed on her back.
Lana then noticed Kyle was there with his hand out, obviously he had been using telekinesis. She smiled at him. Dobin ran over to her while Alto removed the beast crystal.
Taking Dobin's outstretched hand, "thanks Dobin! We have been too effective in our hunting. We have killed too many of their food sources. There are not many of this higher level but the trees said there are 3 more. If we can find them, that's more points for us."
"Shall we finish breakfast?" Chekof asked. "Also, no fair for not letting us know the beast was coming."
Lana smiled, "such a beast is no match for the party. But we can go looking for the rest if you guys want. I agree on finishing breakfast, though. Especially since we are going hunting."
The group finished breakfast and continued the pattern throughout the rest of their week with no further mishaps. The night before they left, they registered all their crystals. The top three groups for the outing were Paul Techno, Lana Plantwell and Blaine Abel.
They returned to their routine. Three days after their return, the headlines in the media read:
[Wood Family Heir Convicted in Court Martial]
Later that day, General Hansen, leader of the base, received a call.
"General Hansen, why am I finding out my grandson was inappropriately touched through the media instead of your mouth?" Barica Abel asked. "I'll be there in 10 minutes. I want to review every file with relation to the assault on my grandson."
"Yes ma'am. I'll have everything for you in my office." Her hologram vanished from his watch as he finished the last word. He hastily typed into this computer to ensure all the files were available. The military was privately funded and Abel Genetics was one of the highest contributors. He couldn't afford to anger her.
All too soon, Ms. Abel entered his office trailed by a very frantic looking captain who was his secretary. "Ms. Abel, Sir!"
The general waived his hand and the captain scurried from the room like a scared rat. The general then extended his hand to shake hers but she was having none of it. "Files, General."
He began playing all the videos the team had taken as well as the continued protestations from Star that he loved her but that girl was preventing him from knowing it.
"My grandson clearly never invited such actions by this girl. Her punishment?"
"She's to be in confinement for the remainder of the term and is on cleaning duty under constant watch."
"Not enough. I want her transferred to my custody."
The general gulped. The girl came from a prominent family but he dared not upset the Abel family so he had to agree with a nod.
"Who is this blond girl the deranged girl tried to kill?"
The general cleared her throat, "she is an orphan who had an issue in beast weapons class. Your grandson helped her and they are friends. They mentioned the potential for them to pretend to be dating to prevent any further… incidents but I don't know if they decided to do that or not."
"I see. I want to see them both. Now."
----------------------------
Sergeant Kodiak once again knocked on Lana's door. Class had just ended and she was there to change out of her uniform before returning to her tree but had not started to undress yet.
She answered the door to see the sergeant and Blaine standing in front of her.
"Cadet Plantwell, you are to come with me to General Hansen's office."
She was shocked and gulped, "let me get my bag." She ran to her bed and grabbed it and quickly left with them. The sergeant didn't even make them march, deciding it would take seconds longer and he was told to get them there fast.
Five minutes later, Sergeant Kodiak escorted the two students into the general's office. Blaine stopped dead in his tracks when he saw who else was in there and he went pale.
She held out her arms to him, "come here my grandson. I only found out today what that wretched creature did to you on that outing." Almost against his will, his legs carried him to her and she hugged him. "Why didn't you tell my you were treated so poorly? Why was such a creature on your team?"
"All the other teams were filled so we were… stuck with her."
She nodded then looked at Lana who was also pale. Barica wasn't putting off any aura to terrify her but Lana looked at it herself. She didn't like it. "You must be Cadet Plantwell. I want to thank you personally for protecting him against such a harlot, but I must ask. Why was he laying down like he was injured?"
Lana gulped then explained what happened.
"Are you well experienced with that particular plant?"
"Only some. The doctor has arranged for me to help him one day a week to gain experience."
She nodded. "I wonder, is there room in your schedule to increase that?"
Lana thought for a second. "Do you think it's possible for me to work with the doctor 2 or 3 days a week during the second half of club class?"
Barica looked at the general, "make it happen."
"One more thing, Blaine." Her eyes had a glint of evil, "I was told there was potential for the two of you to pretend to be together to prevent future attacks. Is this a final decision?"
Blaine quickly responded, "it's not. We tried holding hands during our outing and it felt… wrong. We don't feel confident we can pull it off."
"Tell me girl," with a curious expression on her face, "are you a virgin?"
Unable to talk, Lana nodded.
Barica's expression turned to disgust, "I see." She looked to Blaine, "I want you to find comfort in holding her hand in public. Only her hand. If she's willing to protect you, I'm willing to allow her to. Honestly, it's embarrassing to read in the paper someone touched you inappropriately. This matter is not settled. Now leave us. I have further business with the general."
As the door closed behind them, she turned to the general, "the harlot. Bring her."
Ten minutes later, Star stood before her. She had no make-up on but looked normal otherwise.
"Who are you?" she said with disdain.
Barica slapped her so hard she crumpled to the ground. "You dare speak to me without permission?"
"Yes, I see now. The punishment does not suit the crime. I'll rectify that. We'll be leaving now, General. I'll see you in a few months." She left with a wicked grin as if she was going to enjoy the next few months.
Back at Lana's room, "Blaine come in with me." He nodded and followed her. Kattie had not yet gone to the tree for dinner since Lana was called away. They all agreed to give her 30 minutes to return before putting up with the D-FAC. She was back in 20. Kattie quickly sent a message off to Dobin that she had returned.
Seeing the paleness of their faces, "what happened?" Kattie asked.
"Not yet," Lana said. "Blaine, take my key and pick out something for me to wear. I need to get out of these boots before I do anything else."
Within seconds, Blaine had her closet open, knowing exactly what he wanted her to wear. He lay a dress with a climbing rose design on her bed. "I need to go change. I'll be right back. Don't leave without me."
She nodded, massaging her one exposed foot after hours in those torturous boots. She quickly changed then massaged the other foot. The others got there before Blaine left and were herded into the kitchen until Lana finished changing. She was just finishing rubbing her foot when Blaine returned.
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