Chapter 151: +16 Riveria and Emilia’s views. Enchanting the Panama Canal. Derek got out.

You press closer against Riveria's back, sliding one arm beneath her breasts to cup the right one through thin lace while your other hand traces down her flat stomach. Your fingers brush over her panties, cupping her mound gently through white fabric that's already warm from her body heat.

Her breathing catches audibly. You lean in, lips finding the sensitive curve where her neck meets her shoulder, kissing softly before murmuring against her skin.

"Look around and imagine," you say quietly, knowing Emilia can hear every word. "If I had already claimed your virginity, in what position would you want me to enjoy you right now?"

Riveria stiffens momentarily in your arms. Her royal training wars visibly with the vulnerability of her restricted clothing and your intimate touch. When she speaks, her voice is steady but carries undeniable heat.

"Bent over the forward rail," she answers without hesitation. "Hands gripping the metal. Watching those ships drift aimlessly while you take me from behind. Demonstrating that I've chosen this servitude willingly - that being claimed outdoors, visible to anyone who might see, is my acceptance of what I am now."

Emilia's violet eyes widen slightly at the frank admission.

You loosen your hold on Riveria, hands shifting to gentle massage along her sides and lower back - comforting rather than demanding. She relaxes incrementally under the touch.

"I asked Riveria a sensitive question," you explain, meeting Emilia's gaze over the elf's shoulder, "because I have a sensitive question for you as well."

Emilia's posture shifts - not defensive, but attentive.

"When I made the open question of how each of the girls would like their virginity taken, I was surprised to hear your answer. A frozen lake or winter forest. Somewhere that honors what you are." You pause deliberately. "We've spent very little time together so far. Why?"

Emilia considers this carefully, silver hair catching the morning light. "The question wasn't about now," she says finally. "It was about if we reach that familiarity. You've made...a good impression so far. Treating everyone with care, even when you have absolute authority over them." Her hands clasp together, fingers interlacing nervously. "I would like to consider getting closer. Learning who you are beyond the power you wield. But I'm not ready to lose my virginity yet. Answering the question felt like...planning for a future I might want, rather than committing to it immediately."

Riveria turns her head slightly, still within your arms. "A rational approach. Brad doesn't demand immediate intimacy from those not contracted to him."

You smile at Emilia's careful answer, recognizing the caution beneath her words. "Thank you for the answer I was hoping for," you tell her warmly. "There are certain mountaintops that stay snowy almost year-round - places I'm familiar with. We can teleport there any time after you've decided."

Emilia's violet eyes widen slightly. "Teleport? Just like that?"

"Just like that," you confirm, then turn your full attention to Riveria. The elf stands perfectly still in your arms, her breathing measured despite the intimate contact of your hands on her bare skin.

"It's my turn," you murmur, capturing her lips in a single slow kiss. She responds immediately, her upbringing unable to suppress the heat that flares between you. When you break away, you continue speaking against her mouth. "Me leaning back against these rails. My Riveria's knees around me, rising up and down as she willingly rides her tyrant. The sight of the horizon behind us."

Riveria's breath catches audibly. Her jade eyes darken with want despite the morning light.

"There are several forests north of where we met," you add, hands sliding down to grip her hips through thin lace. "Almost overgrown. You have your choice - wide and sunny, or dense and foggy. I'll use magic to check it's safe and appealing."

"Dense," Riveria answers without hesitation. "Foggy. Where the trees close overhead and the world feels... smaller. More controlled."

You turn her gently at the hip, drawing her into another kiss - this one soft, slow, deliberate. She melts against you for three heartbeats before you release her completely.

"Continue your watch," you tell them both, stepping back toward the ladder. "I trust you."

The climb down to the flight deck is smooth. Once there, you pull out your phone and begin casting. The first Scry spell forms easily, your vision expanding outward across hundreds of miles of ocean and land. Panama Canal infrastructure sprawls below - massive locks, elevated train tracks running parallel to narrow waterways, control stations at regular intervals.

Your perspective shifts, systematically cataloging targets. Each elevator is connected yet requires separate interface screens. Each train needs individual control terminals. The elevated platforms hold monitoring equipment.

"Arcane Eye, Teleport." repeating from your position, invisible spheres of perception appear and enter identified locations. Six total - covering the Pacific end of the Canal.

Your Spectral Hand materializes beside the first control screen, translucent fingers pressing against glass. Enchanting . Energy Conversion, Repair, Interface - the standard package flows through your magic within seconds.

You repeat the process. Lock stations. Train control stations. Backup monitoring terminals. Each enchantment takes mere repetition now, your familiarity with the framework making placement almost automatic.

Thirty minutes pass. The Pacific side infrastructure glows with active enchantments across your mental map. You are partially surprised, the canal must be hydroelectric powered, it has active generators producing 2,400 kW.

Your vision expands outward, sweeping across hundreds of miles of ocean and land until it reaches the distinctive infrastructure of the Panama Canal's Atlantic side.

Gatún Dam appears in your magical sight - massive concrete structure holding back Gatún Lake, the artificial reservoir that feeds the canal's lock system. The lake sprawls across your perception, its surface calm under morning sun. Your awareness shifts to the dam's control stations, locating monitoring screens showing current water levels at 73% and 36% capacity.

"Interface, Energy Conversion, Repair," you murmur, your Spectral Hand teleported beside the primary monitoring terminal. The enchantment flows through in seconds, connecting the system to your network. The dam's generators flare to life in your magical perception - another 2,400 kilowatts joining your infrastructure.

You layer the automated triggers carefully. "Change Weather - activate when reservoirs drops below fifty percent. Rain pattern, moderate intensity."

The enchantment settles into place, its conditional logic successful. Your network now monitors Gatún Lake and Alhajuela Lake's water level constantly, replenishing them if needed.

You sigh with relief, "That's finally done... well, the parts I'm willing to intervene in anyways." you speak into the mostly empty flight deck. "Right, I should probably check on that slaver..."

Your attention shifts to the American southwest, vision flashing as Phoenix comes into focus. The airport facility sprawls below - someone's operation has expanded significantly since your last check.

The main terminal building shows heavy fortification. Sandbag barriers ring the structure, with clear firing positions at regular intervals. Two helicopters sit on the tarmac, both bearing fresh combat signs. A third shows recent repair work - bullet holes patched, rotor assembly replaced.

Your perspective drifts to the nearby Costco. The building's exterior looks intact, but the parking lot has been transformed into a training ground. Two dozen figures move through combat drills - former prisoners learning basic squad tactics under the supervision of three instructors wearing tactical gear.

You locate Derek inside the airport's old administrative wing. He's converted what was probably the operations manager's office into his command center. Maps cover one wall showing Phoenix and surrounding territories marked with colored pins. A radio setup occupies the desk - military-grade equipment.

Derek himself stands beside the window, speaking with two other men you don't recognize. All three wear practical combat gear - no slave-trader aesthetic, just functional military surplus. One of the men gestures at the map, pointing to several locations northeast of the city.

"Enclave markers," you note, studying the pin placements. Derek's operation has clearly moved beyond simple territory consolidation into active intelligence gathering.

You cancel the scrying and descend through the interior stairwell, activating the telepathy web with a focused thought. "Musashi, Yoruichi - meet me in the command center. We're visiting Phoenix."

Musashi's mental voice arrives first, carrying amusement. "Finally something interesting."

Yoruichi's response follows immediately. "About time. We were racing redwoods."

The command center hums with quiet activity when you enter. Albedo stands beside the primary console monitoring approach vectors, her white gown pristine and elegant. Rika leans against the communications station reviewing handwritten notes - Webb's intelligence summary. C.C. occupies the captain's chair with characteristic indifference, watching projected regional maps. Robin sits at the navigation console cross-referencing coordinates, while Violet maintains her position at the weapons monitoring station.

Rika looks up as you enter. "Webb transmitted cruise ship data twenty minutes ago. Royal Caribbean concentrated their fleet near Jacksonville after outbreak confirmation. Icon and Oasis both went silent - zombie overruns confirmed via last broadcasts. Remaining vessels report female and child passengers only; adult males either turned, abandoned ship during panic or kicked off. They're rationing supplies. Best estimate gives them three weeks maximum."

Albedo turns from the console. "International enchantment requests processed. Forty-two vessels awaiting infrastructure packages across six regions."

Footsteps announce Musashi and Yoruichi's arrival. Both women move with casual confidence - Musashi's hand resting on her katana's hilt, Yoruichi stretching like she's just finished warm-up exercises.

"Albedo," you address the succubus directly. "Change into your armor. We're visiting Derek at Phoenix Airport."

Her golden eyes narrow fractionally before comprehension settles. "Checking our sponsored slave dealer's progress."

"Yea." You gesture toward Musashi and Yoruichi. "Derek's taken control nicely. I want to see if he's located any other dimensional travelers. Same protocol as last visit - I open the Gate, Albedo enters first. If they attempt combat, I trust you three can secure the room."

Albedo's form shimmers as her inventory activates. The white evening gown vanishes, replaced instantly by layered black plate armor - pauldrons, breastplate, gauntlets manifesting in smooth succession. Enormous black wings unfold from her back, nearly brushing the ceiling. Golden horns catch the overhead lighting.

Musashi grins widely. "I like this plan already."

Yoruichi cracks her knuckles. "Three against however many contractors he's recruited? Should be quick."

"When I looked a few minutes ago there were only the three of them in the room." You turn to Rika. "Will you enter with me last?"

She pushes off the communications station, tactical vest settling as she moves. "Sure." Her expression shifts into a teasing smirk. "What, don't you want your maids with you? I thought Hinata and Kurumi were desperate to be at your side."

Robin glances up from navigation. "Scouting mission or combat assessment?"

"Just intelligence gathering," you clarify. "Derek's operation has expanded significantly. I want to know what he's found from the slave and black markets."

You raise your hand,"Gate." mana coalests into the familiar shape of your Gate spell. The shimmering oval splits reality cleanly, revealing Derek's Phoenix Airport office on the other side. The same converted administrative wing, same tactical maps on the walls.

"Go," you tell Albedo.

She steps through immediately, black armor gleaming under fluorescent lights. Her wings fold tight against her back as she scans the room with golden eyes. Derek sits behind his desk, mid-conversation with the two contractors you recognized earlier - both men freeze as the armored succubus materializes.

"Clear," Albedo announces through the Gate.

Musashi and Yoruichi follow casually, strolling through like they're entering a café rather than a potential combat zone. Musashi's hand rests on her katana hilt out of habit. Yoruichi stretches languidly, purple hair catching the light.

Derek rises slowly from his chair, hands visible and empty. "Brad. Wasn't expecting a visit."

You step through with Rika at your side. The Gate left open behind you. "Information gathering. You had contacts in the slave market - what's the newest intel."

Derek's expression shifts through several emotions before settling on something between amusement and resignation. "Had contacts. Past tense." He gestures at the maps behind him showing enclave locations, rescue coordination notes. "I'm out of that business entirely. The airport and Costco you gave me? That was the exit I needed. I only dealt in that shit to get resources and legitimacy. Now I've got both without needing to traffic people."

One of the contractors - the former SEAL you'd mentally tagged earlier - speaks up carefully. "We're running rescue operations and combat training for freed prisoners. Legitimate consolidation."

You study Derek's face, searching for deception. Find only tired pragmatism.

"So I wasted a trip," you say flatly.

Derek shakes his head. "Not entirely. I was given access to a VIP slave-trade communications channel for you when I pulled out - encrypted radio frequencies, coded callsigns, regional networks. Someone's very interested in you, and didn't know how to pass it on to you, I kept the information expecting to make contact eventually." He pulls a folded paper from his desk drawer, sliding it across. "Frequencies, encryption keys, authentication protocols. Everything you'd need to make contact."

Rika picks up the paper, scanning the contents with professional assessment. "This is current?"

"As of three days ago," Derek confirms. "Market's shifting fast, but the infrastructure should still be operational. Underground networks adapt quickly."

You take the paper from Rika, folding it into your inventory. "Appreciated."

"We done here?" Yoruichi asks, sounding almost disappointed at the lack of excitement.

You nod, walking back through the Gate to the Anchorage command center. Albedo goes through first again, followed by Musashi and Yoruichi. You and Rika step through last, the portal closing behind you with finality.

Back in the command center, Robin looks up from navigation. "That was quick."

"Derek went legitimate," you explain, holding up the paper. "But he gave us slave market access codes."

You slide the folded paper across the tactical table, Rika picks it up immediately and scans the contents with professional efficiency. C.C. leans over her shoulder, violet eyes tracking the frequency listings and authentication protocols.

"They got out before we needed them," you mutter, half to yourself. "It's frustrating that Derek went legitimate before we could've used that connection. Though I suppose it's partially my fault for not keeping track of him daily."

C.C. moves to stand beside Robin at the communications station, her clothes almost form-fitted as she studies the encryption keys. "The frequencies are current," she observes. "Military-grade equipment, pre-war civilian bands repurposed."

Rika pulls a encrypted radio from the equipment rack, beginning to input the first frequency. "We'll need either a representative from their network to manage ongoing contact, or one of our combatants will have to keep these traders as regular company." You pause, considering the implications. "They're definitely going to start asking for power and fuel sources everywhere once they realize what we can provide... Probably why they left Derek with an open line."

"Obviously," C.C. says dryly, adjusting the radio's gain control. "Underground markets thrive on scarcity. You're offering abundance."

Rika keys the first authentication sequence, her voice shifting into clipped professional tones. "This is Shadow-Seven requesting network access. Authentication: Romeo-Delta-Nine-Four-Victor."

Static crackles through the speakers for several seconds. Then a male voice responds, cautious and measured. "Shadow-Seven, authentication accepted. State your business and regional identifier."

Rika glances at you briefly before continuing. "America West Coast operations. Seeking intelligence on dimensional traveler acquisitions and current market pricing structures."

The voice on the other end goes silent for a moment - you can almost hear calculations happening. "America West Coast regional contact is Platinum-Three. Switching frequency now. Stand by for handoff."

The radio clicks twice, then a different voice comes through - female, older, with a distinct Texas accent. "This is Platinum-Three. You're new on the network, Shadow-Seven. What's your angle?"

Albedo leans forward slightly, golden eyes narrowing with interest. Robin pulls up a notepad, preparing to document the exchange. C.C. watches with her characteristic detachment, though her posture suggests she's cataloging every detail.

Rika meets your eyes, waiting for direction on how to proceed with the contact.