Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Cozca's Devils part 12: Starting Places

The Computational Resources building was just as big and important as the rest of the facilities in the research center. In many ways it was one of the most important. It was certainly centrally located, and as such, it was like a mall unto itself, with a commercial area to support the massive amount of employees, as well as non company customers as well. There was a library, a food court, a major grocery store, and several other big box stores within its walls.

Outside, in the back of a van, Camilla and Valerie helped Veera get suited up in a flowing sky blue dress to match her electric blue eyes. Wires ran all over the inside of the outfit providing power for all the electronics. The electricity from her thigh mounted batteries would not only power her wing mounted soundsystem, but a set of synchronized lights sewn into her dress at the last minute.

The two helpers locked the wing armature down, then carefully folded the array of hanging speakers. They covered up the mechanism and disguised her with a long tan trench coat, making her look like a hunched-back detective.

As Veera finished her makeup, and then concealed her identity further with a wide brimmed hat and aviator glasses, she announced a last minute suggestion. "I could do a flip. I should do it. It would make the show cooler to have the wings just launch out as I do it."

"No!" Camilla shouted. "The rig will barely work as it is. Darling, we've only tested it with a normal deployment. There's no telling how it would react to you being all topsy turvy."

Valerie nodded along. "And the wires too. They'd pull out and tangle. It would stop the show right there."

Veera pouted, but let off on the idea.

Camilla let out a relieved sigh. "Right. Now remember, if anything does go wrong, Val and I will be in the nearby cafe with an overview of a good portion of the mission."

"I'm sure it will be fine," Veera gave a dismissive hand wave and pushed the van doors open with her foot.

***

Myre whistled a radio tune as she wheeled her old fashion ice cream cart into the atrium. She went to painstaking effort to look her usual self. It was a brand building moment as well as a pseudo-heist. She had on her low cut, red Canvas shoes, jean shorts, a black tank top, and her ice cream stained pink apron. All of this stretched by her bulging round stomach. All in all, she was pleased, and not nervous.

There was a difficult moment as she wheeled back and forth looking for a ramp to get to the security gate, but a kind passerby pointed her to the foliage obscured ramp along the central wall of the atrium's water feature.

"Oh, I don't live in the city," Myre explained to the security guard at the first post. "I live in Cliffrun. That's where my shop is too. Looking to expand into the city though. Thought getting some local business people to try my product would be a good way to build recognition. Actually, you may have seen my ice cream in stores up here already!"

The guard scratched at her thick curls. "You know what, I have seen it! I think. I haven't tried it though. Listen, I'm just a security guard, but maybe a better logo or something eye catching would help. I mean, I remember what the case looked like, but uh, only just barely."

Myre smiled. "I'm actually considering some options. Thanks for the advice though!"

"No problem babe, you can go through."

***

Maia fixed her vibrant red lipstick in her pocket mirror, then snapped it shut. Using her bad romance book, 'Loaves of Love', as a cover, she watched the stretch of space between the first and second security gates - a wide criss crossing atrium connecting with a ton of low security offices. She sat up taller, scanning the crowd. Myre rolled past. Valerie and Camilla took their places in a cafe that perfectly lined up with the security corridor. She didn't see Veera yet, but her disguise was supposed to hide her. It was working.

She was tense without having a formal roll. Any moment she may need to step in and do... Something...

She waited.

***

In a business suit, Jackie sat at a different but nearby restaurant, sipping a fancy coffee, waiting for Kelri to enter. Watching. Deciding. The caffeine didn't help her jitters about the whole operation. It would just take one call to end it, and that thought made her phone weigh very heavy in her breast pocket.

***

Kelri sat on a bench outside the building, breathing heavily from the strenuous work of heaving her huge belly all the way there from the car. If there was one thing she was grateful for in that moment, it was the clothes that Camilla provided her. Despite her size still drawing views, the very fact that she looked professional with her cardigan and hip hugging skirt did a lot to mitigate any attention she looked. The shirt being able to stretch all the way around and under her belly also helped in that regard. She was just a fat business woman, and not some trashy cow wandering into a building for business.

I could stop the risk right now, she thought to herself while rubbing her stomach for comfort. Regardless of what the Secret Advisor says, I doubt he would really take care of me if this fell through. He'd tuck his tail and run the second any authorities caught my trail. She slumped down and ran her hands back over her head to slick back her wind blown hair. I could just call it off. I'd have just the same amount of answers as if I got caught. And then I wouldn't have the guilt of everyone else getting caught with me.

She let out a long sigh. Shit. I'm not even worried about the why. It's just the 'getting caught' part that's on my mind. All the belly stuff - the subterfuge - none of it feels wrong here. This fucking guy... It's too late to back out. Everyone is already in position. Come on Kelri, let's do it.

Kelri gripped the wrought iron arm rest of the bench, and heaved herself to her feet. Another long trek inside waited. The task, plug in a USB drive to a secure computer, was underway.

***