Week 1: Saturday, 8th Dec 2029, Morning

0800

Another sunrise bleeding gold through the arcology’s glass veins. The alarm vibrated faintly on my wrist; I silenced it, rising alone from the tangled remains of last night’s sheets. The girls are already gone, immersed in their preparations.

I strolled out, finding Jennifer already waiting, tray in hand. She’d prepared something simple, black coffee and toast. She knew I usually skipped breakfast, but after last night’s activity, she apparently decided I’d needed the sustenance. I caught her eyes, still heavy-lidded, lips curved sly, and took the mug.

Yoko barged in, her energy a brash counterpoint to Jennifer’s quiet efficiency. No knock, just the clicks of her high heels. “Vivian’s got the news,” she announced, only half-apologetic. “Sorry, Master. Would’ve knocked, if I’d known you were awake.”

I sipped my coffee, gave her a lazy grin. “That’s fine. Just know you’re compounding the interest on your punishment.”

She rolled her eyes, mouth quirking. “Like you ever need an excuse to punish me.”

I couldn’t hide the smirk. After two nights hearing others moan while she worked, Yoko was wound tight, and tonight she’d be left wanting again. If everything fell into place, Vivian would be the main course.

“So, Vivian?” I prompted, savoring another sip.

Yoko sprawled on the sofa, all long limbs and attitude. “She woke up to a polite little disaster. Security company told her it was Mikhail, even paid out three times the contract, courtesy of her mom’s reputation. I don't think he can make up the other seven to make the ten she promised us.” Her fingers scrolled updates on her pad, the soft tch-tch-tch of bad news spreading.

“Mikhail?” I pressed.

Yoko’s grin sharpened like a blade. “Yeah, he’s finished. Lost more than half his crew. He got too used to hiding safely inside the arcology. His goons can’t handle an outside job, especially without him barking orders in person. I tapped his lines; he’s begging for loans. If you ask me, he’s about to bolt any minute.”

“Isn’t his arch nemesis waiting for him outside?” I asked.

Yoko shrugged, thumbs dancing over encrypted feeds. “That I don’t know. He’s not reaching out to his Iron Fang contacts, so he might just slip out and gamble on the shadows. He’s not exactly a genius strategist, Master.”

Time to pull Vivian into the day’s web. I picked up my phone and dialed, letting the steady buzz fill the space as my girls watched, half-amused, half-attentive.

“Morning, Vivian,” I drawled, pitching my voice smooth and affable. “Sorry if I’m intruding, but we’re all eager for our shipment, it’s time to get this operation firing. If things go as planned, I’ll have Mikhail’s entire business snuffed out by month’s end.” I let a little knowing smirk slip into my tone, feeling the sting of salt finding every open wound.

She responded with practiced calm, but I could hear the tension coiling underneath. “About that, Mr. Moxie… My security team’s **** a change of schedule. The earliest I can deliver is next Monday. I’ll compensate, of course, twice the value of your shipment in credit. Late delivery fee.” Too rehearsed. She’d had this excuse holstered, ready to fire.

I let silence settle, heavy and tactical. Jennifer caught my eye and nearly cracked from holding back her laughter while Yoko mouthed a silent “watch this” from across the room.

Vivian cracked quicker than I expected. Her voice, fraying at the edges, broke the tension. “Three times the value. I promise you’ll have the shipment by Monday.”

Still I waited, letting the weight twist the knife a little deeper before I responded with a silken calm. “Let’s not talke over the phone. Meet me in my office later, this afternoon. We’ll discuss the details face to face.” I ended the call, not bothering to wait for her reply.

Yoko arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her gaze. “You’re not worried she’ll go crying to her mommy?”

“That’s the final resort for her. She still thinks she’s got a chance if she plays it right. I want to see her in person, read her nerves. If we keep the pressure just right, she’ll stay in my orbit.”

I turned to Jennifer. “Prepare the training plan for Mikhail. She's finished. Her future is in our hands now.”

Jennifer gave a nod, and a smile. After all, breaking man into sissies were her forte long before I even joined the slaving business.