The Harem on the Hill (Part LXXIV) (Patreon)

Before Bernadette and Tina can join forces, you slip into the sitting room and creep along the wall toward the antechamber.  The open floorplan of your mansion, with loads of windows and natural light, is great for entertaining and for views of the valley; however, it isn't great for sneaking around.  Glares, shadows, and reflections follow your every move.

Fortunately, you have the home-field advantage.  In a large window near the front door, you spy Bernadette's topless reflection as she loiters in the hallway.  The freakish distention of her stomach makes it appear as if you're looking into a funhouse mirror, but you know better.  You'd wager her pained expression has as much to do with the dozen donuts digesting as the uncertainty of her situation.

Bernadette's mouth opens, then shuts.  She's clearly debating whether she should bellow for Tina again or commence a sneak attack. The thought of Bernadette sneaking up on anything other than a donut makes you smile.  She isn't as elephantine as most of your herd, but she moves with all the deftness of a pregnant yak.

Despite the absurdity of it, the lardy librarian chooses the latter option and inches towards the living room with her back pressed against the wall.  With bare breasts and a pistol clutched to her chest like a crucifix, she looks like one of Charlie's (fallen) Angels.

Unfortunately for her, she doesn't have a prayer.

When the burn of wall stucco against her back forces her to reposition, you dart up from behind with a bear hug, pinning Bernadette's arms--and your stollen gun--against her sides.  It isn't an ideal attack, anyone with fighting acumen could break free and do some damage in the process, but your gambit that the cat-loving librarian isn't adept at Jiu-Jitsu pays off with a girly scream and a dropped weapon.

Using your portly prisoner as a shield from ambush, you force your way down the hall and into the living room.  With no sign of Tina, you hurry through the heavy wood door and down the stone stairwell that leads to your basement compound.

Bernadette is surprised when you push her past the door to her quarters.

"W-w-where are we going?"

"You'll see."

You march the topless tub to the corridor's end, where a steel door hides a room very few in your harem have seen.  Bernadette's actions today have earned her membership in that exclusive club.

With the beep of a button, the door slides open to reveal a cavernous room bathed in hospital-white light.  Bernadette blinks rapidly to adjust her eyes...then continues to blink at the intimidating assortment of sophisticated-looking equipment at the center of the otherwise austere chamber.

"Don't be afraid," you say, escorting the dumbstruck blonde inside.  "I'm not going to hurt you."

Your statement is true--technically--and relaxes Bernadette enough that she allows you to guide her to the elevated platform in the middle of the mechanical maelstrom.

"I know this wasn't your idea," you say, sitting with her on the edge of the platform's padded surface.   "So why don't you tell me what Tina has planned?"

Bernadette stares at the floor and says nothing.  Her silence speaks volumes, however.  She's more afraid of Tina's wrath than she is of yours.

Nodding solemnly, you walk to a computer connected to the myriad of machinery.  After a couple of clicks of the keyboard, you remove a mask from a nearby respirator and fit it over your head.

Bernadette stares at you quizzically.  Then, just as realization flashes across her pretty face, she slumps onto the platform unconscious.  You don't leave the gas on for long.  Just long enough to strap Bernadette to the table and prepare her IV.  She begins to stir a few minutes later.

"Since you won't tell me what Tina's up to I suppose I'm going to have to go find her myself," you say as Bernadette lifts her head--the only thing she's able to move.  "For your sake, I hope it's quick," you add, pressing a final button that brings the machinery to life with a series of beeps, whirs, and hums.  "Because I'm not turning this off until I do."

Time to find Tina.  What do you do first?