Taming Miss Oberon - Part 1
01/11/1999 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 

A Psi-Kicks story by GF Willmetts.

Night flights gave way to deep thoughts, Cameron McKensie decided. They went hand in hand, mostly because so few people used them for anything else. No restless kids. No irritating adults. Nothing else to do if you couldn't sleep. The tourists who travelled in them were returning home, still under local time having had one last celebration, were exhausted and slept. No in-flight movies. Well, at least, not until morning. Everyone, but the flight staff, asleep at 25,000 feet gave plenty of time for contemplation of recent events.

Beside him, curled in a ball, in her seat, was the object of his thoughts: Kataya Oberon. Whether she was really asleep wasn't something he wanted to try prodding her to find out. That could still be regarded as a dangerous to one's health by anyone in the know. Just over week ago, she was little more than a subject of a report and his assignment...

Reports never gave everything, Cameron McKensie decided, as he arrived at the Stable's regional headquarters. They were too impersonal with everyone covering up some small or major fact that might put themselves in a poor light. For security, a lot of pertinent info was omitted or encoded anyway.

With the impunity offered to the Psionics, they tended to be the most honest of all. They had nothing to lose. Human Baselines and Blanks needed to either look good or hide the mess they made. It looked as though this time it was one of his own, the Blank, Maxine Caruthers, who had over-stepped the line and was hiding a mess by her silence on the matter. The best excuse was her still being on the critical list.

After that other Blank's death, hadn't it dawned on the silly bitch that she had to be cautious when dealing with Psionics. Her abrasive manner probably hadn't helped. Just because the Fey were not mentally adept Psionics, didn't make her the exception. Acquiring physical attributes didn't make them any smarter or emotionally better than a Baseline. They were still prone to any regular temperament problems. Combine that with acquired physical animal attributes and they could practically be called 'super-human'. You simply didn't put yourself in a situation where you had a direct confrontation with a Fey. Caruthers had got that message the hard way.

Out of habit, McKensie looked at the Compound map on the main desk as the PA pointed out his own quarters. Like all regional headquarters, they were masked as a regular military base with a series of offices, quarters and floorspace. This site had some minor modifications made to accommodate their resident Fey, chiefly as a chain of hidden complex training areas.

A large section of the factory space had been converted into a series of gymnasiums and one Olympic-size swimming pool as well. The staff here must have thought they'd gone to heaven when it was installed as any facility the Fey wasn't using could be shared by them. Officially, it was declared a military exercise area and a platoon was occasionally brought in to complete the image.

The PA, Elaine Forster, was the model of efficiency. She waited quietly until she was spoken to. Many of the Stable staff were recruited from the Forces, with few knowing the true nature of their work other than it was an Intelligence department. Admin was Admin the world over. They didn't need to know what they were administrating or guarding, just turn over the paperwork as instructed. Move up through the ranks and you get shifted to an out-station. For the Stable Consultancy, that was where the real action and busier Psionics were based.

As far as most staff here were aware, they housed specially trained agents. The one difference was them not knowing how 'special'. The code-names meant little to them. They were a means to conceal not to reveal. It was better not to know much in an eyes-only situation. Forster fitted the pattern. Ex-Wren. She knew the score, as far as her job was concerned. A tallish thin tight-lipped brunette who probably only smiled off duty. Wouldn't be long before she was reassigned and moved deeper into the picture.

'Where is the Fey at the moment?' McKensie finally asked.

'Combat One, Sir', the PA replied. 'She gives herself a very hectic exercise schedule.'

'Do you like her?'

'Permission to speak candidly, Sir?'

'Please. I won't learn anything without it.'

'Miss Oberon is a bit of a man-eater, Sir. We'd been expecting a row between her and your predecessor for some time now.'

'Hardly over a man, That's hardly answering my question. How do you get on with her?'

'I'm glad my boy-friend is not within fifty miles of this base, Sir. Miss Oberon is a Manx. She draws the men like flies and drops them as fast. Hasn't been good for Base discipline.'

'This doesn't stop you working with her professionally, Lieutenant Forster?'

'We rarely see her professionally either, Sir', Forster admitted, 'other than arranging exercise schedules. Making sure the equipment is still usable. Your predecessor handled any problems. Miss Oberon's not stand-offish. Always say hello. Polite in an odd sort of way, but no long social chats. Uses some foreign language occasionally. Lacks discipline for someone who appears so physical. Refuses to take part in any group games...we've finally got a hockey league running. Offered an olive branch to get her to join a team. Begged off joining.'

'But she doesn't mix? Probably a woman thing. Not everyone's a team player, Lieutenant. What about meals?'

'Eats mostly alone, except when her grandfather is here. I watched once. They eat on the floor. He has nearly the same effect on the women. The cooks are concerned about health and hygiene over the amount of raw meat requested...by both of them.'

'Keep them in line. The Fey have particular dietary habits. Beyond that is either mine or a Bureaucratic problem. Remind them they're under orders. As to men. She promised the Board months ago not to chase anyone on Base. The invited platoons haven't been approached? You're to let me know if she breaks this promise and I'll worry about it. I take it you haven't placed yourself in a situation to form an opinion either way?'

'Not my place to have an opinion other than professionally, Sir', Forster replied curtly, 'She can raise the heckles on most of the women here when she chooses and has men equally dreamy eyed just walking past. I deemed the latter the biggest danger and schedule the men away from her as much as possible. She might not chase them, but they still have a crush on her. The women don't have to be told to keep their distance.'

'Fine. You're doing a good job, Lieutenant. See my bags are sent to my quarters. I'm off to visit Combat One.'

o O o

One thing that could be said about Stable Compounds, even without resident Psionics, Cameron McKensie decided, was that they were always damn spacious. Contrary to military belief all the open flat shrubland made it very difficult to hide intruders. Electronic traps recorded everything else. Psionics noted the presence of anyone but Blanks. The Fey was on par with them so it appeared, even without any apparent mental abilities.

Most of the classified combat arenas were excavations with the soil used to raise the ground level. With an automated net system they could be covered to conceal them from satellite detection at night or unused. Not that that would stop rival Psionics from scanning if they knew where to look. The Fey were a unique breed and as far as the Stable knew, they had the only super-human in active service in the world.

Now where did he come from?

A man had suddenly appeared not 50 metres away from McKensie. His portable detector tied into the security net system hadn't bleeped. As far as he was aware, there were no Psionics with the ability to teleport, or as they often called it 'skip'. There was one other possibility. He kept walking towards the man. If the stranger was as fast as this in his dotage, running away would not serve any purpose.

The stranger was wearing an open large overcoat and appeared to be lightly dressed under it, despite the chilly damp weather. A wide-rimmed hat did much to conceal the rest of his features. They didn't conceal an impressive length of grey-brown sideburns. Medium height. The walk was effortless and quiet. Even a Stealth Psionic would admire the poise. The stranger could probably walk across a room of soggy tissue paper and not leave a ripple.

'Are you the Blank?' The stranger asked. The voice was curt but without any underlying threat. An accent that was hard to place. The wrong answer and he'd probably keep on walking than attack.

'Are you Fey?' McKensie asked.

'I'm glad you didn't say, "Are you a Fey?" It's extremely embarrassing these days to be asked if I'm a fairy...and then say yes.'

McKensie extended his hand, 'Cameron McKensie. You must be Rex Oberon. I read the Full Moon report. You had a very eventful war, Sir. A pleasure to meet you.'

Rex Oberon grasped McKensie's hand and shook it firmly. There was a hidden strength in his grip. The back of his hand had enough hair to make Robin Williams look plucked. Oberon smiled widely presenting an obvious pair of sharp fangs before laughing. Pale, almost white, eyes glinted from under the hat.

'I'm retired now. You have good composure. Caruthers was a little spooked the first time she met me.'

'Understandably. It's not every day you meet a legendary wolfman. I'd have thought baselining with a wolf would have worn off by now, Sir?'

'Legacy of my DNA your medics told me. Exposed for too long. Suggested I take on another animal to neutralise the effect, but I've become rather fond of this appearance over the years. It's human enough not to arouse too much suspicion. One of the reasons why they suggested Kataya mix with a different species. Hirsute women are rather too obvious in covert activities.'

'I take it you're here because of the report?'

'No, son. I'm here to see my grand-daughter. At my time of life, one has a different set of priorities.'

They both continued in the direction that McKensie had started out towards. A small out-house that accessed a lower observatory bunker facing into Combat One.

'Has your grand-daughter given any reason for her behaviour that put Caruthers in hospital?' McKensie probed, 'Part of my job is to make sure it doesn't happen again. It would be easier if I knew informally so not to step on her toes.'

'It shouldn't happen with you, son', Oberon smiled again, but not showing his fangs this time, 'She likes men.'

'That, Sir, as far as I understand, is part of the problem. Men also like her.'

The out-house was a simple design. The men entered after McKensie used his passcard to permit access. A few sparse pieces of furniture and a TV set. It wasn't designed to be anything more than that. McKensie entered a code into the TV remote to open the bunker access lift. The majority of the Stable staff here were not permitted to see the Fey working out. Most of them weren't aware that the key operatives were even Psionics, just very special agents.

From what McKensie remembered from the maps, the bunker carried a surveillance equipment, medics lab, a shower and changing room. No expense was spared in this area. The Fey was entitled to the best to ensure that she was kept at peak performance.

Wordlessly, they let the elevator take them down the three floors to the bunker. The monitors were buzzing with images. The main windows faced out into Combat One. Lights were arranged to allow it to be lit were really shining upwards to give a day appearance. A city street obstacle course was the set-up. No sign of the Fey. Part of the practice was ensuring she was not seen unless she wanted to be seen. The exercises focused primarily on exposing her position.

On the table were the remains of a meal, looked like raw meat, and a knapsack. A small kitchen was half-hidden in an alcove. One of her early coaches had suggested the Fey watch the tapes of her own performance as a means to self-improvement. There had been no objections but ever since she had avoided the cameras, even in combat. Even the tracking cameras couldn't get a line on her.

Was she that good? Or was she demonstrating her obvious superiority?

Oberon went to the small refrigerator and pulled a can of beer. 'You thirsty, son?'

'Wha..?! No, Mr. Oberon', McKensie turned from the bay windows, 'I'm surprised there was any beer in the camp.'

'Kataya arranged it for me. Very considerate girl. Always thinks of the finer details and of her grandfather.'

'Right. How do I see her perform?'

Oberon came to the window and slurped some more beer as he looked around. 'Turn the cameras off.'

'You can't see her either then?'

'I didn't say that. She's just camera shy. Avoids being filmed but promised to let you see her...briefly. Kataya got fed up having to slow down to be photographed while performing.'

Performing? Slowed down?

'And she left them on?' he asked.

'Probably for your benefit. This is a performance. Turn them off. She'll know the difference.'

McKensie flicked the buttons systematically turning the cameras off and then the over-ride for the bunker lights to be off to improve outside contrast. The darkened room made Combat One's street lights seem brighter as McKensie's eyes adjusted.

Down the far end, McKensie could just make out a small figure. She hadn't been there a moment ago. Appeared just like her grandfather.

Oberon reached under the bench and handed the Blank a pair of binoculars. By the time he looked again, the figure was gone. Or rather she had moved forward and was bounding up the side of the building. McKensie found difficulty keeping up with her speed. The Fey barely paused jumping across the buildings, zig-zagging across the streets.

'I thought this was a combat zone...?'

Machine gun fire echoed from one of the buildings. The Fey spun in the air and landed in a tree. Using one of the branches she spun up and smashed through a window and seconds later a torn dummy came through the open window where the machine gun fire had fired.

'Blanks?'

'No challenge. Real conditions. Live ammunition', Oberon was watching the scene intently absorbed. 'She's letting herself be shot at for your benefit. You should benefit from seeing her in action. She's been asking for the combat stakes to be taken up more. This is far too easy for her.'

The Fey was out on the roof and leaped for the tree a second time to get across the street. In mid-air, the tree exploded and the Fey was left grasping air as she was flung back the way she came. A perfect somersault had her back through the window and moments later out through another window and climbing up onto the roof.

'Real bombs, too', added Oberon. 'The street is littered with them so she's been avoiding the street. No sense destroying the road for the sake of it. Puts the site out of use for too long.'

'All of this isn't from her tiger baseline? A tiger couldn't do a fraction of this.'

'Your Stable chose the tiger for its strength and savagery. Her agility and speed owes more to the domestic and feral cats in the Compound', Oberon explained. 'She is not pure animal but a synthesis of human and animal physiques, getting the combined advantages of both. A tiger would be afraid of fire. Kataya would make a more intelligent judgement to avoid or run through it.'

'I've lost her again', confessed McKensie.

'Follow schedule, gorgio. Was only supposed to take out a machine-gun loaded sniper', a husky voice said from behind. 'This practice. In outside world, wouldn't been seen or shot. Hello, Grandfather balormengro.'

'Hello, Kataya romani chi matchka.' Oberon turned to face his grand-daughter. 'You looked off-peak.'

'Keeping in sight slowed me a little. Agree though. Due for zoo visit. All arranged, gorgio?'

McKensie observed the Fey's reflection in the window before turning. The Fey stood at 5 feet 6. Short wavy haired but fluffed up with orange and black streaks. Elfin. Even had the pointed ears of a pixie. Not even out of breath. Her face had a mischievous look with a hint of hostility. Labelling them Fey was not a bad judgement. There was certainly an element of faery about them. An odd sort of beauty that tended to make you stare waiting to see what she wanted. Shouldn't have that kind of effect on a Blank. Her accent was odd to place like her Grandfather's. English but hard to place the origin but certainly not unpleasant. The broken English a puzzle considering how well her Grandfather spoke.

'I've only been on site less than an hour. I thought the zoo trips were all a pre-arranged schedule? I'm...'

'McKensie. The new Blank here to review future with the Stable. Plan to stop zoo trip, gorgio?'

'No.. I...want to make sure everything goes to plan. What time are you scheduled to visit the zoo, Miss Oberon?'

'Seven tonight. Time to eat before. You eat with us, gorgio?'

'Is that a request or an order? You seem to be dictating the pace, Miss Oberon.'

The Fey smiled, 'You 'fraid of me, gorgio? 'Fraid like Caruthers?'

No veiled threat. It was on record that she was a capable killer. She was testing boundaries.

'That we'll have to discuss. Upstairs would rather you settled your differences with staff in a more verbal manner.'

'I only scratched her.'

'Medical says you nearly disembowelled her.'

'Fhuh! She didn't back away. The cow lunged at me with a combat knife. Her fault, gorgio. Only defended self.'

There was no apology in her manner. The plea was self-defence. How well did she control this killer instinct?

'A misjudgement', McKensie said, realising he was inviting an angry response. 'We can discuss ways to avoid such problems later...'

'When my Grandfather isn't around, gorgio?' Kataya turned to the wolfman. 'I think the gorgio is intimidated, Grandfather.'

'Mr. McKensie would probably prefer to talk business in private', Rex Oberon said consolatory. 'I would do it up on the grounds, son. Surveillance isn't so good up there.'

Surveillance? No wonder the Fey is touchy. 'If Security is over-reaching their authority. I'll ensure any recordings are erased. We'll talk above.'

Who the hell is running the show here? Do the Bureaucrats think that because she can't read minds or scan that she's open for easier observation?

Rex Oberon gave a curt nod of his head. 'You kids go ahead. I want another beer.'

Kataya kissed her Grandfather on the hairy cheek and picked up her knapsack. 'See you at dinner. They've fresh beef.'

'Yum! Would I leave without saying?'

'Come, gorgio. Let's enjoy the fresh air.'

o O o

The sun peered through the clouds, dashing streaks into the nearby ocean. The coastal weather changed rapidly and although still breezy, the climate was warming up. It was a glorious sight. Kataya Oberon stood watching it, sniffing in the air. Despite her short stature, the Fey seemed to stretch out to absorb the atmosphere. She seemed much taller all of a sudden. As if she was becoming one with the world.

'What can you smell?' McKensie asked after a while.

'Try yourself, gorgio. Should be within sense of smell.'

McKensie sniffed. 'Sea water. That's about all. What are you doing? Counting the salt particles?'

'Fhuh! You joke poorly, gorgio. Salt odour. Doesn't particulate in spray. Is vapour. Odours indicate other things. A shoal of fish out there. Birds feeding. Strong wind above. Should break up the clouds. Means clear night at zoo. Tigers don't like wet when confined.'

'Your senses can tell you all of that?'

'Not just show or nose, gorgio. Applied metrology and folklore', Kataya turned to the Blank, 'You have something to say, Mr. McKensie? Am reprimanded for Caruthers' injury?'

'Upstairs would rather you didn't attack your own side.'

'And...?'

'For the present, I'm here to observe and prepare you for the next assignment.'

'Observe, gorgio? Observe what?'

'Reports don't always give all the circumstances. They get clouded by emotions. They can be too economic with the truth. I learn more by observing. I don't make snap judgements. I like to get the work done.'

Kataya sniffed in his direction. 'Then I, too, will observe, gorgio. Perhaps we both learn?'

The Fey looked innocently at the Blank and shook her head slightly. In the sunlight, the black in her bright orange hair gave it an almost tiger-like pattern, McKensie decided. Her eyes were light green with feckles of golden orange. Would they reflect light in the dark? The Fey blinked a couple of times before giving a warm smile. A sexual allure. There was a developing sweet, and definitely not unpleasant, musky odour in the air. McKensie swayed. The hairs on his arms were rising. There was definitely arousal. He was getting an erection. What was the Fey doing to him? Shouldn't he be immune. It had an almost mesmerising effect.

'Wha...What perfume do you use, Miss Oberon?' McKensie took deep breaths and shook his head, hoping it would overcome the spell.

'Fhuh! Baselines use animal musk to hide nature smells. This all me, gorgio. You like it? Do you feel camova? Make you feel good? Feel good inside. Thought Blanks immune to psionic influence?'

'Outside of physical change. Can't be scanned. What is it? Essence of tiger and Fey?' The effect wasn't wearing off but McKensie felt himself more in control of himself.

Kataya gave a hearty chuckle. 'Something like that. Grandfather says it a pheromone. Make men wild for me. Do you feel wild for me, Mr. McKensie? Does it give you lustful thoughts? Would you like to release those tensions? Would you like to feel...good?'

McKensie shook his head and turned to the sea, willing the sea air to mask the pleasurable musk. The Fey was rubbing her hand down his shoulder now, purring slightly. He hadn't even noticed her get that close to him. Was it her musk or that ability to suddenly approach without him realising that was unsettling him now?

'I...I have to go. Unpack. I'll join you...and your Grandfather for dinner.'

'Is that all, Mr. McKensie?' The Fey asked innocently as he walked off.

McKensie turned briefly. Kataya was standing with her hands at her hips. Not threatening. The symbol of desire of pure woman. Except she wasn't pure woman. She was a Fey. A tiger in a woman's body. Highly dangerous when provoked.

'No, Miss Oberon. I'm going to have a very long cold shower as well.'

McKensie was sure she was laughing as he walked to the Compound. He didn't trust himself to turn around to see if she was.

o O o

With what he'd seen today, McKensie wondered if these zoo trips had to be so regular. Stable guards were discretely posted around the zoo to ensure no unsuspecting keeper came across the scene he was watching. Even the guards didn't know what was going on. They followed orders implicitly and weren't looking in on the scene. Even if they did, they were far enough back to see nothing important. Both Fey had gone past them without being spotted anyway. If there were any questions, cover stories ranging from a VIP visit to a practice drug hunt were ready to be circulated. Kataya Oberon was in the enclosure playing with tigers who would, under normal circumstances, treat her as another meal of raw meat. He watched from a sloped road at a higher level.

That reminded him of the meal earlier. Both Oberons had elected to eat on the floor. McKensie had no problems with that as he sat cross-legged opposite them, having ate in a similar way in Japan. Although there, they used chopsticks, not bare-hands. Their diet wasn't sushi either but shredded raw meat. The serving chef smugly ensured a bowl of rather more cooked meat was left near his hands. He made a note to arrange for vegetable dishes to be sent to his quarters if he was to have a balanced diet. As there was no cutlery, McKensie followed suit with the Fey and ate with his fingers, much to their pleasing grunts and his burning fingers. McKensie doubted they ate their meat raw to impress him but had more to do with the change merging with animals did to them.

About time he did something right in her eyes, he decided. When playing with animals, do what the animals do. Were the Fey really animals merged with humans or humans merged with animals? Where was the distinction? If legends were to believed, this family history could be traced back to the Middle Ages. The Full Moon file explained the Oberon clan roamed amongst the Romany gypsies and accounted for the myth. How did they cope with the Fey? They were superstitious enough from all accounts. The Fey would have accented these fears, not be accepted. The subject seemed to avoid any text books he'd read about the Romanies on the way down here. A taboo subject?! They hid the reality as a myth. Remarkable.

Now here was the same woman, a Fey, making friends with a group of tigers as if it was second nature. Reading the reports and watching this Fey in action were two quite different things, he decided. She had entered the enclosure and sat down and waited for the tigers to surround her. Neither side had shown any fear or provoked an attack. She then began to feed them meat out of her hand from the bucket she brought in with her. A reminder that they were at least equal but she was in control as they made know moves on the bucket. Whether the tigers would survive a fight with her was pure speculation. He's bet on the Fey. A lot of the Psionics he'd worked with had some unusual habits and pre-occupations, but the Fey were in a class of their own. Physical Psionics. The ability to physically take on the attributes of animals. A lesser generation might have called them werew...

'How ya doin', Mac. Long time no see. Beautiful sight, ain't it?'

McKensie turned to face a large rangy sandy-haired older man watching beside him before turning back to the scene. The guards knew him and he had an authority card. Alex Pope was classed as a low-key Psionic. A Doolittle. Capable of communicating with anything. The Stable tended to focus Pope on animals more than anything else. A Doolittle. An animal-talker.

'I thought you were in America, Alex. Giving directions to pumas to stay in a national park?'

'That was last month. Just a short visit home and off again. Africa this time, I think they said. Gotta talk a few elephants from thieving crops.'

'And you'd thought you'd have an unauthorised visit to see the Fey before going home.'

'Not really, Mac. Authorised. The 'crats thought I ought to give you a hand and talk to the tigers before and after the pretty miss putty-cat plays with them.'

'So nice of them to tell me. I'm only the supervisor here...'

'Look, Mac, I'm not here to ruffle anyone's feathers. You know you'll see the report. I'll do a verbal before I go if you'd like. They're just interested in knowing something about how it works from the tiger point of view. It's the first time schedules have matched in yonks.

'With people like Chris Lancier, it's almost an osmotic sharing with gains all round. No one's quite sure what's going on here other than the Fey develop physical characteristics similar to that of any animal they're closely associated with. The tigers don't become human-like, but they become almost civilised in her presence. Could be Sharing. Is the actual mechanism a copying, a leach process or symbiosis. The Fey are hardly standard Psionics. Nice to fill in the gaps.'

'And you think the tigers will be able to tell you something about the process over afternoon tea?' McKensie asked, 'The Fey's fed them already. You'll be living off a promise. Do you think they'd know how it's done?'

Both men looked at each other and burst into grins. Any outsider listening in would have thought the conversation crazy. Just because Pope could understand animals was no reason that they could explain something in human terms. The Bureaucrats were just looking for answers at distance again. Probably explained the now discontinued extra-surveillance. A phone call had confirmed it had only been done since Caruthers had been hospitalised.

'Just orders to ask. They're main interest is being regularly fed. They're still baseline tigers. They don't acquire human characteristics. They don't know much more than that. Whatever Kat is acquiring is one-sided.'

'Good thing, too. They'd be asking the Stable for a Sharing fee. What else, Alex?'

'There's no way to determine if what the Fey develops is camouflage or survival mechanism. They see Kat as a friendly tigress while she's here. They can't really distinguish her from their own pack. 'Course, there's no male tigers in there to see how they react to her. No one wants to risk that yet. Have you noticed how her hair has developed orange and black stripes? Wouldn't surprise me if her eyes reflect light in the dark? Have you looked yet?'

McKensie shrugged. 'I only arrived this afternoon. I've got enough problems dealing with her pheromones. I'm beginning to understand why she's got a reputation as a man eating magnet.'

'That a fact?' Pope chuckled, 'As a Blank you should be immune to such things.'

'After that TK incident, we're become very cautious as to just exactly what we're immune to. Pheromones are organic. The effects are quite strong. I'm not sure why I wasn't more affected. I'm wondering if it wasn't an adverse reaction to them that made the Fey attack Maxie Caruthers...or the other way round.'

'A tribal leader thing? I thought it was just an argument? Maxie probably infringed on her territory. Tigers don't like that either.'

'Things are still unclear. Maxie's still in intensive care. Neither she or the Fey have given much elaboration.'

'And you're both walking on velvet claws', again Pope gave that irritating chuckle. 'Sorry, Mac, but you have to lighten up a bit. If Kat's baselining from tigers, she'll automatically be registering everything physical about you. She'll have your scent. Know when you're scared or angry. If she feels threatened, she might just lash out...or seduce you if she likes.'

'And you think that's what happened to Maxie? They worked together for a few months. Then that happened.'

Pope had his turn to shrug, 'Not my place to say, Mac. I can't see Kat seducing Maxie. You're a man. She probably wants or needs a mate. Just don't provoke a bad reaction. She may bite.'

'I'll just have to keep pussy-footing around her. Work out what makes her tick. The thing is, I'm sure the Fey was deliberately releasing the pheromone to see if I was affected by it.'

'No. She's always releasing it. It's a natural scent. That's not to say she wouldn't have tried it on.' Pope gave that irritating chuckle again.

'So what's the cure?' McKensie asked. 'You're obviously not affected?'

'Essence of skunk. Use one smell to counter another.'

McKensie sniffed, 'You don't smell of skunk.'

'Different technique. Before I was sent off to foreign parts after joining the Stable, I let Chris Lancier find my neural switches and give me conscious control. Spaking with animals gives an unusual friendliness affinity. Switching off stops any female or male fighting over me as a potential mate or rival. Same control keeps Kat Oberon at bay. She says I smell like a skunk!' Pope laughed his irritating chuckle again, 'Pity you're a Blank. No Psionic can do that to your brain.'

'Thanks a lot, Alex. Maybe it's a matter of regular chemistry this time. You've given me an idea...'

'Say, Mac, I thought her grandfather was here today. Where's he gone?'

'Visiting some old friends, he told me. Dancing with wolves I expect.'

'That I must see. See you later, Mac.'

Pope walked off in one direction and McKensie turned to find Rex Oberon waiting behind him, somewhat in the shadows.

'You've been listening, Mr. Oberon?'

'I have my grand-daughter's interests to consider, Mr. McKensie', Oberon said rather sagely, 'A responsibility you reminded me of earlier. I did introduce her to the Stable after all.'

'Can I ask a question, Mr. Oberon?'

'We can all ask questions, son', Oberon said gravely, 'It doesn't mean we all have the answers.'

'Well, this should be easy to answer. Have any of your family...clan ever gone crazy baselining with animals? Yours isn't the only family who are Fey, are you? Are there any reported instances?'

Oberon's fangs glittered in the descending sun as he gave a wry wide laugh. 'That's more than a single question. We live with your media myths that man-wolves are homicidal murderers. I am an example that is not true. At least, not without losing my temper.'

'World War Two?'

'The Nazis killed many Rhomanies we associated with. An unforgivable crime. I took my share in their blood, but only when attacked. Baselines aren't really that much of a challenge.'

'But it wasn't a reaction from your wolf baseline? You'd have killed them if you were purely human?'

'Wouldn't anyone, son?'

'I guess. Yeah!'

'We Fey acquire animal characteristics, but it is a synthesis that makes us neither human or animal. We get the best of both worlds. If Kataya was purely tiger, she'd sleep two-thirds of the day. Eat perhaps one day in three. Kill her own prey. What is regarded as the 'human' side dominates. We get the best of both worlds. Few of the disadvantages.'

'That sounds like you're quoting.'

Rex Oberon chucked. 'One of the Stable scientists drew up the conclusion in a report he wanted me to comment on. It's a reasonable if limited assessment.'

'But doesn't it ever get lop-sided? I mean, adjusting to these new characteristics? It's not as though you're born with the animal developing within you? There must be some sort of reaction to the Sharing?'

Oberon looked vague, as if searching for a particular memory. 'The ability sometimes skips a generation but we tend to mix with animals from birth. We have an affinity that develops with us. Much like how your domestic Psionics grow with their abilities. For us, it can be a matter of taste. Are you a dog or cat person, Mr. McKensie?'

'I've never really noticed. Did your grand-daughter's always have an affinity with cats? I know the Stable wanted tigers for more powerful abilities...'

'And you think this is making Kataya unstable?'

'It's all I have to go on. If it is, I have to tell upstairs to abort her next assignment and get some other team to do it. At least, until she stablises. They're fearful of a loose canon in a foreign country. Might raise the wrong questions.'

'Regardless of what you think of Kataya, Mr. McKensie, she is a good girl. She won't fail you or the Stable. She would probably thank you for treating her as a person than a freak.'

'But...but I'm not.'

'She has a name, Mr. McKensie', Oberon looked into the Blank's eyes briefly with what could be called animosity, despite his rather opaque white eyes, and intently before staring out into the red and yellow streaked sunset. 'Calling her a Fey all the time treats her as an object. Maybe it would help you if you got to know her better.'

'She keeps calling me a gorgio...a non-gypsy...'

McKensie turned but Rex Oberon had gone. No doubt off to the wolf enclosure. Probably get there before Alex Pope, he decided.

Kataya Oberon looked up from the tigers, kissed one on the ear and got up. Her session was nearly over. There was a certain amount of electricity from mixing with the tiger tribe. Not sexual, but certainly loaded with energy. It was odd, that even he, as a Blank, could even feel that. Probably some reaction deep back in human ancestry. It was bringing some interesting questions that should be addressed about Blank immunity.

The dipping sunlight deepened the orange in her hair as she stood up and the Fey sniffed the air. She stood poised and relaxed as a couple of the tigers got up and looked at her. She was dressed only in shorts and open-necked shirt. A fantasy painter would have a field day with such a scene.

It would be glorious to hunt right now, Kataya Oberon thought. Partying would be cool, too. The Blank would never know. There was a need to express what she felt right now. What he didn't know would never enter his report.

o O o

The fourth night, McKensie parked his car and, for the third time, decided not to enter the pub. There seemed little point when all he could do was watch as the Fey stirred up the local menfolk. She brought a whole new definition to being the party animal. Best to catch her after the act and say she was out of order when he had definite proof of infringing her Stable contract in being unobtrusive to the local inhabitants. He was sure the Fey would deny everything otherwise. All he had to do was wait for the appropriate moment...

After the zoo trip, the Fey had vanished for the night. What she did when she was supposedly off-duty technically was her own affair. None of the Psionics were prisoners, although some of them preferred isolation to keep their own thoughts in order and others out of their heads. With an impending assignment looming that could send them both across the world within hours, she should leave notice where she could be reached. To wander off was unprofessional.

Rather than stay on base the first night, McKensie decided he really ought to see some of the local village life and found a pub. Before entering, he used his cell-phone to notify the duty desk where he was. It would have been equally stupid had he not done so. There was always the chance the batteries would run down.

Discretely in a corner, he sipped a fruit juice and contemplated his thoughts. The pub was large but quiet. The jukebox in the corner was quiet. A few of the locals were supping beer at the bar. None of the Compound personal would be here. The Stable had thoughtfully provided them with their own social club with low priced drink so there was no real need for them to stray and cause unwanted questions with the locals. Security was best served through pleasure off-duty than a deprived hardship. He was surprised that the Stable hadn't figured out how to provide them with married quarters but most personal were selected for being single initially.

Like the Psionics, Blanks didn't really have a role here outside of working hours. As the authority figurehead, his presence would hinder any relaxation the personnel felt if he hung around. Staying in his quarters was boring and he had had his share of books for the day.

When he worked with other Psionics, they at least gave them a mutual shared company when both needed it. Rex Oberon and Alex Pope had also gone. The Doolittle had offered no real further information. The tigers had been pleased to see the Fey and felt energetic rather than deprived of leached energy. Did that have anything to do with the feeling he had felt when the Fey left the cage? Or was that her pheromones again?

Off-duty, the Compound could be a prison unless one sought out other pursuits. McKensie couldn't deny the Fey would want to go off base to relax but disregarding protocol and not saying where was not on. Especially after a Sharing period. All it would take would be another fracas and another 'scratch' and they'd be hiding a murder charge.

Supposed she got kidnapped? Yeah, right. Poor kidnappers! In a crisis, any Psionic was usually up to the task of looking after themselves and resolving any situation as far as was known. The Fey's battle prowess was frightening, based on the reports he'd read. Suppose she injured or killed a villager in her current fits of temper? The Stable Bureaucrats would do their usual cover-up, but the entire base would have to be moved. Certainly, Kataya Oberon's active status would certainly be curtailed.

His afternoon clothes had been sent off for analysis before tea with the Fey. Alex Pope had only confirmed a possibility that he was already exploring. The initial report came back before he had gone out that night. There was two distinct pheromones that had been partially neutralised by each others presence. Chemically, although not seen before, they weren't that complex to duplicate. Initial test sample deodorant neutralisers would be ready in two days if he could provide one of the pheromones in isolation. If he was going to keep his head straight when dealing with the Fey it was important to avoid such distractions. Visiting the Fey's quarters, McKensie found her missing and procured a set of her used underwear from the linen closet. The note that went with them to the science lab was to treat with extreme caution and return cleaned when sampled. Quite what the lab personal would make of the sample material wasn't really his problem. They'd want to see the effects of this pheromone for themselves. Even with protective gloves and filter mask on, McKensie still felt some of the effects. Without the Fey there to re-enforce the scent with fresh odour, the sexual feelings didn't last or she'd have all men baying after her.

McKensie wasn't sure who was most surprised when a crowd of people came in. At their head was the Fey, Kataya Oberon, herself. Judging by their demeanour, it looked like they'd already been on a pub crawl. The jukebox went on and a heavy disco beat filled the air. The idle bar-staff were suddenly too busy selling drinks to worry about the extra noise.

So much for a quiet evening, McKensie decided. At least he knew where to find the Fey. Deciding to return to the Compound, he quietly got up and found himself looking into the Fey's eyes. The orange feckles in them were more fiery than the afternoon. In shadow the pupils swelled to human circles, not like the slits he saw earlier.

She turned briefly to the crowd and her irises shrunk and briefly resembled cat's eyes before expanding again, 'Don't want to stay and party, Mr. McKensie?'

'I..I..ah only stepped out for a while. I've got to get back. You have a physical and exercise run at 6am. I'd like one of us to be awake for it.'

'Fhuh! Worry too much, Mr. McKensie. Night is young.'

A hand reached around and groped the Fey's breasts. McKensie was sure her irises shrunk briefly as if assessing before relaxing to the scent of a friend.

'Not forgetting me, darling?' a deep voice asked. 'Who's this? Another boy-friend?'

'Get off, you bugger. He's someone I work with.' She turned to the tall dark-haired man behind her and said in a loud whisper, 'He's my boss.'

Why don't you tell everyone you work for the Stable? There's enough people in earshot.

'He don't look like no craftsman.'

'Daft bugger. He's an executive. Deals with money.'

'I've got to go', McKensie said getting up. 'See you in the morning, Miss Oberon.'

As he made his way to the exit, there were giggles and laughter.

'So who's this Miss Oberon? deep voice asked. 'You told me you were Kisaiya Matchka.'

'I used to be on the stage. I'm a rawniskie dicking gueri matchka. You English find it a mouthful.'

'I like it when you talk dirty.'

'And you're a weshen-juggal.'

'What does that mean?'

'You dog. I'm not telling you.'

o O o

The next morning, Kataya Oberon had nearly finished her medical when McKensie arrived. The doctor acknowledged McKensie's presence with a brief nod. Stable Medics were cleared as far as knowing their patients were unusual but not necessarily about any of their other activities. Gave a more honest judgement. This base was also used as the initial stages for recruits of Baselines into the Stable before they were were fully informed. It was a little more difficult where the Fey was concerned. This base was the only one available and had a lot of work done fast to accommodate the Fey.

'Overslept, Mr. McKensie?' Kataya asked innocently.

'Research. How is she, Doctor?'