Chapter 1 - Chapter 1

This is a sequel to my story 'Redundancy'. It technically starts before 'Touching Herself', but I recommend reading that first, anyway.

Content: ff, fingering, ds, dubcon

Zyria paced and tried to think. It had been only an hour since she'd woken up in this room, in a body she hadn't been expecting, a prisoner of a woman who she'd thought was an ally and who now called herself her owner. And, because the SID used salvaged alien technology to copy the minds of its agents into custom-grown bodies, no-one who cared about her would even know she was missing.

Zyria kept glancing at her reflection each time she passed the mirror on the wall. She'd been surprised at the body she had woken up in: she looked like a humanoid cat, complete with tail, tiger stripes and -- she resisted pulling at it -- a collar with a bell. There was a neural induction pad in the collar, and as soon as she had been left alone she'd tried to rip it off, only to discover that it was more sophisticated than she'd expected: the moment she'd touched it, she'd collapsed to the floor as her body refused to obey her.

The other obvious methods of escape she'd tried had been met with similar results: touching the door had sent a jolt of incapacitating pain through her body, and the air vent in the corner -- though it looked too small for even her current, more skinny body, to fit through, had sent her bonelessly crashing to the floor again.

So, she'd decided to play along for the moment. She had been captured before, on missions gone wrong, and she knew that sometimes she just needed her time. A small voice in the back of her head had whispered that in those cases -- even during the complete disaster of her recent mission to Earth -- there had been people who were looking for her, and her captors had had only an impersonal interest, not the possessiveness that Irina Blaidwick had shown. Still, she'd investigated the closet and pulled together the most dignified outfit she could find. Which wasn't saying much, since she was now wearing a tight, partially translucent black top and a very short -- also black -- skirt over a minimal -- black -- pair of thong panties. She was getting an inkling of what color her 'owner' liked to seen on her. There hadn't been a bra, not that that was strictly necessary since the top held the small breasts of this body tightly.

She stopped and whirled around when there was a soft knock on the door. A moment later, it opened, revealing a short woman with short bubblegum pink hair who was wearing an actual, stereotypical, skimpy maid's outfit. It took Zyria a moment to recognize her.

"Miri! How did you get here?"

The woman, who had been keeping her gaze low, looked up at Zyria's exclamation. Here eyes went wide and she rushed over to Zyria, gathering her in a hug.

"Zyria! It is you, isn't it? That's a very different look for you." She looked uncertain for a moment until Zyria nodded.

Miri was one of the last people Zyria had been expecting to encounter here. They'd run into each other at headquarters only an hour before Zyria had found herself waking up in this place. She hugged back briefly, in relief at seeing a friendly face, even though she and Miri had never really been what she'd call friends.

Soon, though, she stepped back and repeated her question.

"How did you get here? I saw you just now!"

Miri's face fell. "I've been here for almost a year," she said, miserably. "Someone in the SID has been diverting extra Imprints and selling us. The Blaidwicks say it's the leadership know about it and use it to make extra money."

"A- a year? That bitch said the same thing, but she didn't say it's been going on that long!"

Miri shrugged and let herself fall onto the bed.

"All I know I was getting ready for the Stevenson mission -- he had a thing for twins, so we were going to do a double Imprint -- and next thing I know, I woke up here. At first I hoped they just had someone on the inside at the SID who managed to smuggle out an extra duplicate, but if you're here now, it means they still have access. Maybe it really is someone at the top."

Zyria sat down beside her. "Well, we won't find out from here. You've been here a year, so I assume that security is pretty tight?"

She tried not to sound hopeful. Miri had had the same basic training she'd had, but her missions were usually more focused on seduction and persuasion and not so much on sneaking and breaking in, so there was a chance that Zyria would be able to get out where she hadn't.

"We're pretty high up in a skyscraper in Landing City," Miri began, "and there's no ledges or anything outside the windows, so that's no help." She tilted her chin up and showed Zyria the choker she was wearing. "I'm sure there's a neural inductor in here, and I assume you've got one too. There's cameras everywhere," she pointed at the corner, by the ceiling, "and I think they're tied into a security system, because I get zapped any time I approach any of the outer doors. I haven't found any proximity sensors or anything, and I don't get hit when I simply walk past a door, so I think it's just the cameras and a pretty smart computer."

Zyria was surprised when Miri took her hand, then relieved when she felt Miri's fingers shift against het palm in the code that every SID agent learned.

Can't talk freely. surveillance.

It was only two quick gestures; the code wasn't designed for normal conversation.

She signed back, Weaknesses. Question.

Later, came the reply, while Miri continued speaking as if nothing was going on, "I haven't really found any weak spots, or I wouldn't still be here after a year."

She sighed -- a little too dramatically, Zyria thought -- and went on, "You'll get used to being here. It's not that bad. Now, I'm supposed to tell you the rules."

Possible way. 2 people needed. Later. Blind spot.

Zyria tried not to let the relief show on her face, schooling it into an expression of hopelessness.

"So, what are the rules?" she asked, despondently.

They weren't complicated; Miri explained them in only a few minutes, interrupted by angry exclamations from Zyria. They were supposed to call the Blaidwicks 'Master' and 'Mistress', weren't allowed to leave their room except when on their 'assigned tasks' -- "I have to do some light cleaning and cooking. They're rich enough to own bots for that, but I think they enjoy making me do it. You'll get you own tasks, I'm sure." -- or when one of their owners wanted some 'entertainment' -- "They mostly want us for eye candy, though sometimes there's other stuff, I'm sure you can guess what kind." They were supposed to be awake, showered and dressed by eight A.M. each day. Free time to be spent in their rooms -- "There's some exercise equipment through that door, and the screen on the wall has plenty of stuff to watch or read, but no outside connection."

"So mostly, they want to have us for the sake of having us, and to look at?" Zyria summarized.

"Pretty much. Occasionally one of them wants me to put on a show or, you know, 'satisfy' them." Miri made quotation marks with her fingers and shrugged. "I just pretend it's a mission, and that helps. I've gotten to enjoy it, physically at least," she finished, not looking at Zyria.

By the time she finished they were lying side-by-side on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"So what now?" Zyria asked.

"It's late about noon, if you didn't know, so we're supposed to tidy up the place before they get home tonight, and have dinner ready. Mr. Blaidwick -- Lee -- will be working late, so we won't have to cook for him."

Zyria shrugged. "It feels like I just woke up." She looked around. "There's just the one bed?"

"It's big enough to share. I don't mind. I'd say I was happy you were here, except I wish you weren't a prisoner as well."

"I understand," Zyria said, turning to the door. "Let's get out there, then. I want to have a look around."

***

They spent most of the afternoon tidying up the Blaidwicks' apartment. It was large -- in fact, it was large enough that it probably took up an entire floor, and there was a staircase down which she wasn't able to approach without her collar sending a warning tingle down her spine -- with floors of real, highly polished wood covered in thick carpets and heavy, antique-looking furniture. Still, Zyria doubted it wasn't large enough to require two people to keep it clean. She said as much to Miri as they were polishing one of the windows, which looked out over Landing City from a height. By Zyria's judgement, they were near the center of the capital somewhere.

"A basic set of cleaning bots would keep this place looking better than we ever could, and for far less than what it must have cost them to get these bodies made."

Miri sighed. "Yeah, I agree. But that's not the point, I think. It's about power, really. The fact that they can make us do it."

Zyria nodded, unhappily. There wasn't much she could say to that.

Tidying the apartment was boring, even if she used it to get a good  overview of their prison. There was only a single door to the outside, which had sent a jolt of pain down her spine when she'd even tired to get close, and though the windows opened, the outside of the building was smooth, without ledges or handholds. About three floors down, she saw a telltale shimmer in the air that indicated the presence of a capture field. It was probably intended as an anti-suicide measure, but would also be effective in catching anything she might throw to the ground to get a message out. The lack of traffic sounds meant that it was probably also tuned to block sounds. She hoped that Miri's promised intel would be useful.

***

Zyria normally liked cooking, on occasion. She tried to find the pleasure in it now, but the fact that she and Miri were being made to do it for someone else rather spoiled the fun.

There was a chime from the door just as they were putting the finishing touches on the food. Miri leaned in close as the lock clicked.

"Remember, call her 'mistress,'" she whispered, taking Zyria's hand. "I try to think of them by their first names, make sure I don't get used to being subservient, but be careful what you say."

Wait. Talk later, her fingers tapped out against Zyria's palm.

Mrs. Blaidwick - Irina, Zyria thought to herself - came striding into the dining room moments later, dropping into a chair and smiling thinly at them. She was wearing an expensive-looking charcoal grey pantsuit, looking slightly incongruous with her sharp, bright red fingernails and her pointed teeth.

"I see dinner is ready. Well done, you two. Now, serve it to me and you can eat in the kitchen."

"Yes, mistress," Miri said, looking down at the floor and scurrying into the kitchen. Zyria followed her and took a plate, her fingers holding it far too tightly. She took a deep breath and tried to look submissive as she filled it, then carried it out to Mrs.-- Irina and put it on the table in front of her.

Irina waved her off with a smug smile on her face as soon as the food was in front of her. The remote was on the table, close by her hand, and Zyria didn't like her chances at grabbing it, so she retreated to the kitchen, where Miri was already putting plates together for the two of them. Zyria at sullenly, barely tasting the food.

***

"Come, you two," came Irina's voice as Zyria was finishing her plate.

Miri jumped up immediately, raising her eyebrows at Zyria. "Better do as she says," she said, and lead her out of the kitchen, through the kitchen and into the sitting room.

Irina was sitting in a deep leather armchair, a glass of wine on the table next to her. Her eyes roamed over Zyria as she came to a stop at the edge of the carpet, next to Miri.

"I see you're settling in," she said, smirking. "That's good. Now I want to get a good look at what I've bought. Turn around, slowly."

Zyria hesitated for a moment, eyes flicking to the remote in Irina's hand, then obeyed, spinning in a slow circle and fuming internally. Think of it like a mission, she told herself.

Irina's smile was wider, and hungry-looking, when Zyria completed her turn. "Very good." She picked up the wineglass and swirled it around.

"I've had a busy day. I think I need some entertainment." She turned to Miri, who was looking at the floor. "Miri dear, show me all of my pet. And then show her what you've been taught."

Zyria raised her eyebrows as Miri approached her. "What--" she said.

"Just go along with it," Miri said, quietly.

"Yes," Irina added, "Obey. I promise it will feel good." She ran her thumb over the remote in her hand. Zyria wasn't looking forward to losing control of her body again, or to another jolt of pain.

She bowed her head. "OK, then."

She couldn't see Irina's expression, but she heard the anger in her voice. "That's not how you speak to me!" An unpleasant tingle ran down Zyria's spine; not pain, but something close to it. She decided to give in, for the moment.

"Yes, mistress," she said, trying to sound contrite.

"That's better," Irina said, smugly, as the tingle vanished. Its sudden absence almost felt pleasurable. "Now just stand still."

Zyria kept to her position, not looking up as she heard Miri come up behind her. She stood still as hands fumbled with her top and pulled it over her head. She twitched at the unfamiliar sensation as the fabric brushed her whiskers, but stilled at a sharp hiss of warning from Irina. Her nipples hardened at the sudden touch of cool air, sending an involuntary shiver of pleasure through her body.

Behind her, Miri stepped closer. Her whisper of, "You look nice. Just ignore her and focus on me," was covered by the sound of Zyria's top hitting the wooden floor.

Zyria swallowed and tried to block out her surroundings except for the warmth from Miri's body behind her. She was helped by the way Miri ran her hands down her sides, through the soft fur, until she reached her skirt. Slim fingers slipped under the waistband and slowly maneuvered the skirt down her legs. Zyria could follow Miri as she knelt behind her by the feeling of her hot breath moving along her spine. As the warmth reached her ass and she stepped out of the skirt, the thought occurred to her that in another time and place she would have been very happy to have Miri undress her like this. In fact, even in the current circumstances, she could feel a heat build between her legs.

"Very nice," came Irina's voice. Zyria fought to keep her face from showing her disgust, then to avoid a gasp as Miri stood up, her fingers trailing up the back of Zyria's legs and coming to rest lightly on her hips.

Zyria was still looking down, so she only saw Irina's legs as she came closer, stalking across the room. She swallowed a snarl as Irina's hand came up and pinched one of her nipples, then moved further and gently pushed her jaw, tilting her face up until she was looking Irina in the eyes. She wore an expression of cruel satisfaction as her hand trailed down again, fingers just barely brushing Zyria's throat and chest. Zyria hated the way the heat between her legs built yet more and that she had to resist leaning into the touch.

"I'm going to like you," Irina said, smugly. "I can see that you're starting to learn obedience, too. You deserve a reward. Stay there. Miri, reward her, and remember that I want to watch."

Zyria stiffened and watched as Irina stalked back to her chair sat down, her eyes roaming over Zyria's body. Miri's hands moved up again, skimming along her sides up to her breasts, fingertips brushing her nipples as Miri moved forward until her body was pressed against Zyria's back. She could feel Miri's nose touch her back as she embraced her from behind.

Miri breathed out, and even Zyria's enhanced hearing could only just make out her whispered words. "Just relax. Pretend we're just playing together..."

Zyria tried to comply. It was easier than she'd expected to just concentrate on Miri's touch. Then Irina's voice rang out, and Zyria's eyes snapped back to her.

"Legs apart a little further," she commanded. "Give Miri better access, pet."

Zyria shifted position until her feet were at shoulder width, Miri's touch and the anticipatory pleasure between her legs lessening the sting of obeying Irina. Then her attention went back to Miri as she felt lips brush her shoulder blade and fingers caress her hips.

"Beautiful..." Miri murmured against her skin. Her hands moved, circling Zyria's legs until they reached the inside of her thighs, then inching upward until her fingers just touched the outside of Zyria's pussy. Zyria's breath hitched at the touch, and she let out a gasp of pleasure. She could tell she was already getting damp by the way Miri's fingers slid slickly over her sensitive skin. Irina let out a chuckle, and as Zyria's eyes focused on her again, she saw that she had slung one leg over the armrest of her chair, spreading herself wide. She'd popped the top button of her pants and had stuck her hand inside, hidden fingers moving under the dark fabric. Her white hair had escaped from whatever had held it in place and was spread out over the back of the chair.

Zyria's gaze moved deliberately away from the display, sweeping over the smirk on the woman'[s face before moving town to her own body and coming to rest on the movement of Miri's fingers just visible behind the slight swell of her breasts.

Her legs trembled as Miri's fingers moved further, her middle finger sliding along her slit and flicking her clit.

One of Miri's arms moved up, holding Zyria around the waist as her other hand continued its teasing movements. She never slipped inside or lingered long over her clit, but moved all over the outside of her pussy, stroking the lips and teasing along her slit.

Zyria was very aware of Irina's eyes on her and the soft sound of the cloth of her pants as the woman played with herself, but Miri's fingers felt better on her pussy than she had expected, and soon there was, to her embarrassment, a thin line of fluid dripping down the fur on the inside of her leg.

Her breathing quickened then hitched suddenly as Miri, humming against her back, finally parted her pussy lips and gently slipped her middle finger inside. There was a gasp from Irina, in her chair, followed by her unsteady voice, "Yes, pet. Show me how she makes you feel."

Zyria felt a sudden rush of pleasure mixed with shame at Irina's voice and Miri's ministrations, and an involuntary moan escaped her lips. Miri hooked a leg in front of hers, pulling them together closer. Her soft breasts, covered only by a thin layer of cloth, pressed against Zyria's back, the pebble-hard points of her nipples clearly noticeable.

Zyria kept looking down, trying to block out Irina's eyes on her body as Miri's skillful fingers slid in and out of her and stroked her pussy, drawing more and more wetness from her. She had a thought that her current body had to be more sensitive than her normal one, because she was now, after only a short time, hornier than she had ever been. she shuddered as a wave of pleasure rolled through her.

"That's right, pet. Let her make you feel good."

Zyria;s gaze flicked back to Irina. Her 'owner' had shifted position again and had pushed her pants down her legs. Now she swat with both legs over the armrests of her chair, her pants dangling from one ankle. Her crotch was on full display, manicured finger circling around her clit and over the swollen pussy, pink insides contrasting against her skin.

Zyria couldn't pull her eyes way from the display. Miri kept pushing in close behind her, her breath hot on her neck and her fingers continuing to stroke Zyria's pussy inside and out. Another finger joined the first, both of them pistoning in and out of her pussy faster and faster.

Any thoughts of the reasons for her current situation were pushed to the back of Zyria's mind as the pleasure rose, moans of pleasure joining the wet sounds from both Miri and Irina's efforts and  filling Zyria's ears.

She gasped and trembled again as she felt her peak approach, letting her head fall back to rest against Miri's.

Then, suddenly, she gave an undignified yip as a sharp pain shot through her.

"No, pet!"  Zyria focused hazy eyes on Irina's face as her 'owner' went on, "No cumming until I allow it! And that won't be until I cum first!"

Miri's fingers slackened in their tempo, but at a sharp, "You keep going!" from Irina, she sped up again, whispering "Sorry," into Zyria's ear.

Zyria looked away from Irina and tried to breathe deliberately in an attempt to keep Miri from pushing her over the edge, but her fingers kept working in her pussy, pumping in and out, slippery with Zyria's wetness, and Zyria's pleasure kept building.

In only a few minutes, Zyria felt her internal muscles begin to clench around Miri's fingers, the feelings she was causing her, accompanied by the wet sounds and lustful moans from Irina that she could not block out pushing her closer and closer to orgasm. She contorted her face, trying to hold on just a little longer, to avoid another jolt of pain from Irina's displeasure.

Then, to her relief, Irina let out a sudden, wordless shout. Zyria's eyes snapped back to her; she was slumped in the chair, the hand at her cunt moving only slowly, both it and Irina's thighs glistening with fluids. Irina's eyes were closed and her breasts, visible behind her jacket, were heaving with the woman's gasping breaths.

Zyria looked away quickly, not wanting the sight of Irina splayed out before her to push her over the edge. She couldn't avoid letting out a needy whine between her own harsh breaths.

"Look at me." Irina's voice was returning to normal, though she was still lying bonelessly in her chair. "I came, just now. Do you want to cum, as well?" Her voice was mock-concerned, but her expression had an edge of cruelty to it.

"Y-yes," Zyria stammered. There was a short, sharp prickle of pain around her neck.

"Answer me properly."

"Y-yes, mistressss," Zyria said, her breath hissing through her teeth in an effort to keep from cumming.

"Then beg me for it." Irina was smirking at her, her eyes fixed on where Miri's fingers were still working at Zyria's dripping pussy.

Zyria thought about disobeying, but her lust-fogged mind couldn't think of anything other than finally cumming, and avoiding Irina's punishment if she did so before she got permission.

"Please let me c-cum, mistress. I can't hold out much longer."

Irina said nothing for a moment, gaze still locked on Zyria. Then she said, "We need to work on your begging, but alright then. Cum for me, pet!"

Zyria relaxed as she felt an unexpected rush of extra pleasure at her 'mistress'' permission, and as Miri thrust into her pussy one last time, she reached the edge and came. Pleasure so strong as to be almost painful radiated through her body from her cunt, making all her fingers and toes tingle. Her knees buckled and she almost feel to the floor, held up only by Miri's arm around her waist. Lights flashed in front of her eyes and the rush of blood filled her ears, blocking out her surroundings for an unmeasurable amount of time. Her last coherent thought was, I've never cum this hard.

When she came to her senses, she was sitting on the floor with her legs sprawled out in front of her, leaning back against at warm body that, with a moment's thought, she recognized as Miri's. As her vision swam into focus again, she saw a pair of naked, toned legs in front of her. She looked up, to find Irina, naked from the waist, smirking down at her. She tried not to let her gaze linger on the woman's arousal-reddened, shining pussy.

Irina leaned down and stroked Zyria's head. She was still too out of it to even attempt to shake her off. "Well done, pet. It took my Miri here a few more tries before she could wait to cum on command. I had to punish her a few times until she got it."

Zyria felt Miri stiffen behind her as Irina scratched Zyria behind her catlike ears, which felt far better than it had any right to. "Go to your room, you two, and clean up. Then tidy up the dinner things and return to your room. I don't think I'll need to call on you again, today."

Zyria struggled to her feet, helped by Miri, and turned to go to their room. Irina's hand shot out and took her shoulder. She had a sudden urge to claw the woman's face off, but restrained herself. Irina was still holding the remote in her other hand.

"I appreciate that you haven't been here long, but it's still good manners to thank your mistress when she lets you have an orgasm. Don't you agree, pet?"

Zyria gritted her teeth and nodded, not looking Irina in the face. "Yes, mistress. Thank you, mistress."

She caught Irina's smile from the edge of her vision as the woman's hand went to her head and petted her again. Zyria relaxed a little, involuntarily, at the contact and the post-orgasmic pleasure still filling her body.

Irina turned without another word and headed in the direction of the living room. Zyria followed Miri to their own room.

***

A little while later, they emerged again, freshly showered and wearing clean clothes -- Miri had put on another, identical, maid's outfit, and Zyria had found a tight black tube top and a pair of short, clinging shorts. With Miri's help and direction, Zyria began putting away the dishes, cutlery and cookware they'd used for dinner. She was relieved to find that there was at least a dishwasher, even if the Blaidwicks insisted on making her and Miri do the chores.

When they had nearly finished, Miri took the two half-full bottles of wine and pulled on Zyria's arm. Zyria looked around and followed her into a room that was full of shelves, all holding bottles of wine. Miri led her to a corner, behind a tall shelf, and pulled her close.

"The cameras can't see here, I think," she whispered, "and if we're quiet I don't think the microphones will pick anything up."

"So what did you have to say?" Zyria asked, eager not to arouse suspicion by staying out of sight too long.

The windows open, but there's no ledges and no other apartments in reach," Miri told her, "But a couple of months ago they made me help with some redecorating. Mr. Blaidwick builds model planes and stuff as a hobby. He's got a workshop with lots of tools, including stuff for working on electronics. We might be able to disable the collars."

"That sounds good. Why haven't you ever tried to use it?"

Miri shrugged miserably. "The collars activate when we try to get out. At least, when we try to use the doors. But the workshop is on the floor below, so we might be able to make it through the window."

"And?"

"We'll still need to fool the cameras. I found an accessible cable conduit, so I might be able to temporarily disable them. I snuck some looks at the system they're using, and I know the version they're using. They haven't kept it up to date. I can keep the system from figuring out that anything's wrong if I keep letting the camera make intermittent contact and corrupt the data stream, but I need to stay in place all the while, so I can't sneak through the window at the same time."

Zyria nodded and stretched out an arm, letting the claws slide from her fingertips. "If we can tie a sheet to something I think I can climb down and back up again with this body." She smiled. "their own fault for giving me the complete enhancement package. I suppose it might have raised alarms with the techs at the SID if they'd asked for a toned-down version."

"I think that they just like having someone physically powerful under their control, really," Miri said. "I've heard him brag about it to someone on the phone." She looked around the corner of the wine shelf and put one of the bottles she was holding in its place. "We should get back before we're missed. We'll talk again as soon as we can to plan."

Zyria smiled and patted Miri's arm. She left the wine storage, feeling considerable better about her situation.

***

When they'd finished, they headed to their room, passing through the living room on their way. Irina was sitting on the couch, working on a tablet. She ignored Zyria and Miri. Zyria narrowed her eyes and caught a glimpse of the tablet's screen. Here eyesight in this body was very good, if she ignored the reduced color vision. She though that the Blaidwicks might not have realized what that meant. Right now, it meant that she would see that her 'mistress' was writing a message to someone, and that she could make out some of the words, though the recipient was blocked by Irina's hand.

- settling in.
-eural modifications seem to be w-
-ollar on low to induce obed-
- pet.

Zyria frowned on the way to her and Miri's room, trying to puzzle out what it might mean. Something about neural modifications, and Irina insisted on calling her 'pet', so it was probably about her. She thought hard.

The technology the SID used to copy her mind into her duplicates worked on top of the basic neural structures and instincts that were built into the body. It had to, so that the duplicates didn't have to spend who knew how long getting used to controlling their new bodies. Things like using her claws and interpreting the signals from differently-wired eyes came automatically, and she'd sometimes noticed differences in her reactions to certain foods. There had also been the one time that she'd been dismayed by her sudden dual feelings about her attraction to women when it turned out that the modifications to a duplicate had, as a side effect, included a completely heterosexual brain.

As she settled into a chair in their room, she her chin on her hands as she worked through the implications. Modifications to a duplicate's brain could influence her mind. Not completely, if she thought about it; the post-mission playtime with her original had still been fun, but it had made things awkward at first. So if there were modifications having to do with 'obedience' and something with the collar, she could probably resist them. She'd have to be on the alert.

She sighed and leaned back in her chair. If the Blaidwicks had done something -- were doing something -- to her to make her an obedient pet, she and Miri had to get out of here as quickly as possible, before they succeeded.
