(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Shark in the water Chapter 97: Shark in the water Lunch passed quickly, and Kellen and Brent headed back down to their office to plan out their first day.

After confirming numbers with Casper, they would make sure that they had at least 20 uniforms ready, and in two days, they were going to have their first training session.

Kellen and Brent followed Casper’s advice and booked out the obstacle course room for the next two days.

One day to give them time to set up, and the second day for the actual training session.

Now that they both had an actual day, Kellen was able to give Brent things to do for the set up, which took away Brent’s stress about helping to lead a class.  Uniforms, booklets, info on flora and fauna, workout plans, weight suggestions, everything that Kellen wanted, Brent was in charge of wrapping it up in a little bow.

Of course, that didn’t mean that Kellen did nothing.

He was the one busy running around and getting all the physical aspects together.  He gathered the uniforms together on a moveable clothing rack and organised them by size.

Since there were so many components to the uniforms, this took quite a bit of time.

By the time he checked in with Brent, it was time for the end of the day, and his guiding session with the Captain.

Having heard nothing from anyone, he assumed he was up in the conference room again.

After telling Brent he was done for the day, and that he was going to work out in the gym after if he wanted to join him.

Brent passed on it, and Kellen headed for the elevators to get out of the storage area and meet up with the Captain.  While on his way up, he received a message from Taylor.

She was confirming that he was on his way with the Captain, and Kellen responded.

He let her know he was on his way to pick him up, and then they would be on their way down.

Taylor sent a little thumbs up, just as the elevator doors opened on the conference room floor.  Kellen, slightly worried since he hadn’t seen or heard anything from the Captain all day, only from a few people around him, was hoping that the Captain was doing alright.

If he hadn’t run into Pamela in the hallway earlier, he would have run around the whole tower looking for him.

Thankfully, he could hear quite a few voices compared to before as he headed for the conference room 1, and as he turned the corner, he was surprised to find someone he hadn’t met yet.  Through the doorway into the conference room, Kellen could see that the room was at full capacity again, and everyone was chatting or working away.

The mix of civilians, Espers, and Guides made his heart feel a little bigger.

But what got his attention the most was Pamela, up and away from her table, in a heated conversation with another woman.

This tall woman wore a dress suit with a tight pencil skirt, with a matching blazer, with a dark purple dress shirt underneath.

Her black hair was cut into a sharp bob, and her back was to Kellen.  Pamela caught sight of Kellen first, and closed her mouth quickly before smiling at him.

Her eyes were glowing pink, and her blonde hair which had been down before, was now up in an elaborate braided hair style on top of her head.

It kind of looked like a crown.  “Guide Woods.

How was lunch?” She asked and the lady who towered over her turned on her black pumps.

She gasped when she caught sight of Kellen, before a smile split her face.

Her glowing orange eyes dimmed slightly before she approached him, her arms wide open.  “Guide Woods?

You’re so formal, Pamela.

Everyone knows what a darling Kellen is.” Kellen chuckled, before wrapping her up in a hug.

Pamela’s eyes were huge as she watched them.  “It’s so good to see you, Mrs.

Bradford.” He told her, giving her a squeeze.

She threw her head back and laughed.  “Please, no one calls me that anymore, not since the divorce.

Just call me Rene like everyone else does.” She pulled away, kissing his cheek with affection.

“Oh, you’ve grown up since the last time I saw you.

You barely came up to my shoulders.” Her dark eyes sparkled as she looked over Kellen and Kellen felt his shoulders relaxed while Pamela continued to stare at them, clearly surprised.  “It’ll be hard to call you Rene.

I’ve called you Mrs.

Bradford for a very long time.

It’s good to see you looking so well.” Kellen told her seriously, and something clicked in the back of his head.

They had been discussing a Rene before, and that must be why it felt so familiar and strange.

They were talking about her.

“I remember the Captain and Pamela discussing a Rene, but I hadn’t connected the dots that it was you.” Rene’s smile was warm as she looked over Kellen, and Kellen’s expression matched hers.  “I’m surprised.

You’re usually so much smarter.” She joked, and Kellen laughed as they stood, arms still wrapped around each other.  “Well, I’m allowed my moments, aren’t I?

So, you’re working for the Nemesis Guild now?

Good for you.

Captain Sergei is a good guy.” She chuckled, covering her smile with her hand.  “Kellen, you shouldn’t compliment another Captain when you have your own.” She scolded, and Kellen grinned.  “I’m sure the Captain will be understanding.

I have no plans to go to any Guild besides the one that he runs, but I am allowed to have respect for others.” She shook her head before glancing back at the shocked expression on Pamela’s face.  “Oh, sorry dear.

I forgot to say.

Kellen and I have known each other since he was a child.

His Mom was a good friend of my ex.

After they left me, they cut all ties with them and violently chose my side.

That is partially the reason I was able to stay working in my industry.” Rene was clearly having fun teasing Pamela, who looked like she was in complete shock.

Kellen rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what kind of person Rene truly was.  “That’s not true.

You’re giving my parents too much credit.

You are an amazing lawyer, and I knew that before you were able to negotiate the deal you did regarding the gate Mom needed your help with.” Kellen said.

She pulled away before gently smacking Kellen’s shoulder teasingly.

He appreciated it, since her powers would be overwhelming for someone like Kellen.  “Kellen, you’re too sweet.

I’m glad you were able to find your pair.

You were pushing yourself too hard on the front lines with any backup.

Now, your parents and I can rest easy since you have such a powerful man behind you.” Unsaid was how her previous husband had not had her back, and had not been a powerful man.

The way he hadn’t supported her was the part that had hurt her the most.  Kellen had some core memories when it came to Mrs.

Rene Bradford.

One of them was before, and during her divorce proceedings.

The man she had given her heart to had chosen to drag her through the mud professionally and unprofessionally, and Rene would often come to the Woods’ home for comfort during that time.

Kellen remembered coming home from school one day to find his Mom and Rene on the couch in the living room.

His Dad was in the kitchen, fixing up some food while Rene sobbed into his Mother’s arms.

Kellen had just awoken his Guide powers at the time, and had no idea about compatibility, but that hadn’t stopped him from trying to comfort someone who had so clearly been in pain.  Kellen had put away his school stuff before coming out and joining Rene and his Mother on the couch and holding Rene’s hand.

He couldn’t stop himself from Guiding her, since her emotions were so turbulent, almost as if his guiding had been pulled out of him.

It actually brought back the memory of how the Captain had treated him as well.

When they had first guided, but on a lower level.

While for the Captain and Kellen it had spoken about how compatible they were, for Rene and Kellen, it spoke to how incompatible they were.  Kellen looked over Rene, now that they had greeted each other.

She looked good.

Happy.

He’d seen her through her highs and lows, and hadn’t had too many chances to see her over the seven years he’d been on the front lines.

She’d sent a few letters, checking in on him over the years, but it was good to actually see her.

And see her happy.

He never wanted to see her that torn up ever again.  “Thank you Rene.

I really appreciate your kind words.

What were you and Pamela discussing so seriously?” Kellen watched as her eyes slowly turned to orange again, and a predatory, lawyer smile crossed her face again.

She crossed her arms, leaning to one side casually.  “Oh, just the final touches on an agreement with our labs.

I heard that you suggested hiring the Nemesis Guild for the new gate?” She said mildly, her eyes sparkling, and Kellen smiled.

He could feel his Guide smile growing on his face, matching Rene’s energy.

He glanced at Pamela in slight confusion.

Pamela had spoken about contracts, but this was quite sudden.

He had a feeling, if he knew Rene, she had brought this agreement to fuck over the Guild.

It was a classic tactic on her part.  “Of course.

Everyone knows that you get great resources from the gate that Captain Sergei managed to get the rights to.

Everyone also knows that the scientists your Guild hires are also top notch and are able to handle almost any request.” She chuckled at the way Kellen spoke about the Nemesis Guild.  “Oh?

Then the mock up of the deal that I made should be easily approved if you understand how important our people are.” Kellen glanced at Pamela again, who was now shaking.

Kellen knew that she was good at her job, but Rene made her flustered.

Rene, like a shark, could smell the blood in the water, and was loving this.

It unfortunately made sense to Kellen.  Pamela wasn’t quite a head shorter then Rene, but given who Rene was usually spotted with after the divorce, Pamela was exactly her type.

Hard working, cute, earnest, Pamela hit every box that Rene went for.

Rene must have made the first move, and Pamela had rejected her, at least out loud.

The poor woman didn’t know how to handle her after that.

At least, that was the impression Kellen was getting.  “Pamela, is it alright if I look over the deal?” Kellen asked, and Pamela nodded, handing it over.

Kellen glanced over the papers, and smirked.

He glanced up at Rene.

“While I appreciate you having so much respect and care for your people, these are ridiculous demands.

We are a business, Rene.

We would see no profit from a deal like this.” Kellen handed the deal not back to Pamela, but back to Rene.

Her smile grew wider.  “It’s just the first draft, Kellen, but you’re going to reject it without negotiating?” Kellen could see that Pamela was beginning to panic behind her, and Kellen knew that Rene had pulled this exact phrase on her before.

“Are you sure you don’t want to work with us?” Kellen laughed, impressed by her one two punch.  “I think you have something twisted here.

It is a privilege to work with our Guild in this situation.

Sure, your Guild has an A class gate, and you have wonderful people working for you, but once news breaks that our Guild almost bought the second poison gate that has come into existence, there will be thousands of people clamoring to work with us.

The notoriety of working with us during this time will be great, and even bigger once we clear it.

You are currently undervaluing what we are bringing to the table, so yes, I am outright rejecting this deal.

Come back when you have something better suiting both of our needs, since I know you aren’t going to walk away from this deal completely.

You don’t have the balls to.” Silence, before Rene threw her head back and truly laughed.

She clapped her hand on my shoulder, her grip tight, and her eyes glowing orange.  “That was wonderful, Kellen.

It was like I was back in school facing off against your Mother.

Oh, what memories.” She wiped a fake tear from her eyes.

“Alright, since you dislike the deal so much I will be back with a better one.

A shame you saw through me.” She winked, clearly not upset at all that her first draft was rejected.

She turned to Pamela.

“Bye Pamela sweetheart.

I’ll see you next time.” She blew a kiss over her shoulder at Pamela who watched the two of them with wide eyes.  Kellen had a feeling that as soon as Rene was out of hearing, he was going to get an ear full.

Apparently, he should have been the one worried about getting a strip ripped off of him, not the Captain.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Rene is such a mood.

And you get to see how another physical type Esper uses their powers.