[Note: This is a romance story with some erotic scenes. It is
not
a story with erotic scenes in every chapter. Some chapters have incredible sex scenes, but many others have none.]
A Very Brief Intermission
Harry spent two weeks searching for information about The Foundation. He couldn't manage to decrypt any more of The Foundation's database. He agreed with Claire that going after more of The Foundation's "People of Interest" would be a waste of time.
Instead, he tried to replicate what they did last time, to replicate chemicals and resources The Foundation would need for cloning. After two weeks of work, he came up with a prospect. A warehouse, a transshipment point, just outside of Baltimore, Maryland.
Claire seemed to retreat back to her former self. She no longer was so complaining or demanding as she had been in Nanqu. But neither was she as playful or affectionate as she had been in Hilton Head. She was something in the middle.
She and Harry continued to make love. Claire had her menses right before they left Nanqu, so now she was fertile again. She and Harry agreed to keep trying, even while they tried to track down The Foundation.
Harry wondered what it would be like if they were successful. Once they returned to Nanqu, would Claire become less considerate, less loving again? More importantly, how would she react to the presence of the child clones?
Harry had a hunch that while she might tolerate Harry bringing his own clone back to Nanqu, there is no way she could be convinced to raise Goldie's. Claire had already speculated that her parents would "love it" if they had another child to raise. She, clearly, would like to see Goldie's clone dropped off with them.
They would deal with that when the time came. If Harry were faced with a choice of choosing between a clone of Goldie as a four year old, and Claire, what would he do? Even Harry didn't know the answer. Only one could give him the kind of female companionship he needed. And yet, to see Goldie again... even as a child... could he really give that up?
All these thoughts were circulating in his head as he and Claire went to the warehouse near Baltimore.
They went at night, and cut their way through the fence. When they got inside the warehouse, however, they were totally surprised.
"It's empty," said Claire, shining a light at the shelves. "It's totally empty."
"Well, not totally," said a very familiar voice.
Goldie
"Goldie!" Harry cried.
"Hello, Harry," said Goldie calmly. She was wearing a black jacket and black pants, and she was carrying a compression pistol, and aiming it in their general direction.
"Goldie how-" Harry began, but Claire cut him off. "What's with the gun, sis?" she said, raising her own. She casually started walking to Goldie, until they were mere feet from each other.
"You can never be too careful in dark places, sis," said Goldie, who was now clearly pointing her gun at Claire.
Harry had his own compression gun; they all did, but Harry didn't know where to point his.
"Goldie, what's going on here?" said Harry. "I saw you die."
Goldie raised a finger of her free hand. "No, Harry, you didn't. You heard me saying I was going to the air car. Then you saw the air car explode. That's not the same as seeing me die."
Harry paused. It had all happened so quickly. He had just assumed. "You didn't die?"
"You were always so quick on the uptake, Harry!" said Goldie. "And before sis sticks her tits into it, no, I'm not a clone. I'm the real thing, Harry." She turned to Claire. "How're you doing, sis? I hear you've been having Harry bang you. How's that been working out for you?" She paused, and made a face. "You know, I just realized, it seems all the MacPherson girls have been programmed to fuck you, Harry. If only we could get my mom involved, we could have a perfect trifecta!"
"Goldie, what happened to you?" Harry asked.
"They captured me, Harry. The Foundation. They nabbed me, and held me prisoner, for a while," said Goldie, never taking her eyes, or her aim, off of Claire.
"For a while?"
"They eventually sent me out on missions, Harry."
"Then why didn't you... why didn't you contact me?" Harry asked.
"Because they programmed her, Harry," said Claire. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Do you like my necklace, Harry?" Goldie asked, tilting her head up so he could see it better. There was a solid golden circlet around her neck. "It's not only a great transmitter, it also contains 2 micrograms of solid explosive. Let's just say I was given a powerful incentive not to contact you."
"But why, Goldie? Why did they want to separate us?" Harry asked.
"So you could pork Sis here," said Goldie. "It was a joint project of The Foundation and the Society. You remember the Society, Harry? They're the ones who set you up on that romantic date with Jerri."
"I remember," said Harry, in a dark tone.
"Well, anyway, they decided that you and sis here would make a perfect couple, sis with her high IQ... and her very functional uterus," said Goldie. "But unfortunately, there was one thing in their way."
"You."
"You were always sharp, Harry," said Goldie admiringly.
"So they waited until we were apart... and then grabbed you and faked your death... so I would...."
"Make little Harrys with Goldilocks here," said Goldie.
Harry looked at Claire. "But, that would mean...."
"That's right, Harry. Claire is the one who's been programmed. And she's been programmed with only one thing in mind. To get fucked by you," said Goldie.
"That's not true! You're the one who's been programmed!" Claire cried.
