As we exited the Menagerie and entered the outdoor vehicle compound, I was surprised by how quiet things seemed. Numerous ProteC security personnel bustled about loading cargo, much of it with hazardous material and biohazard warning labels, into the backs of armored trucks. Several other personnel besides us were heading back to the mainland for various reasons, most travelling light.

We were quickly guided to the back of one of the truck by the attending security personnel.

After we sat down and strapped in, I asked the gunner about the lack of monsters.

"Attacks have really died down in the past few days," he replied. "Some of the creatures are dumb as hell, but the majority seem to have realized that assaulting this compound or our truck convoys results in an immediate ass whooping. They mostly avoid us now, although it's common to see things watching from the jungle. It will probably be an easy ride today, but there are no guarantees. You can be sure if they think we are vulnerable, they'll have a go at us."

He was right. The trip to the docks was surprisingly uneventful, although there were several blasts of gunfire from our vehicle turret and others. After a brief wait at the docks for security sweeps and cargo transfer, we were on a boat back to ProteC Ecuador, where I promptly fell asleep with my head in James's lap while Mia rested her head on my rump in turn.

"Hey Eris, wake up, we're here."

"What?" I peered around blearily. "Oh. Yay." I shifted, causing Mia to mumble uneasily in her sleep and grab my ass, evidently perturbed that her warm pillow was trying to escape.

"Hey baby, rise and shine," I said quietly, running my invisible fingers through her hair.

She opened her eyes slowly. "Eris? Oh, I fell asleep? You're so soft," she whispered, smoothing my ruffled fur.

"The better to be your pillow with. Let's go get on the bus."

Once transferred off the boat and onto the bus, the short trip from the docks to ProteC Ecuador Lodging was uneventful. We watched as the jungle gave way to large buildings and robot-manicured lawns, eventually coming to stop in front of the massive lodging facility. Once we got off the bus, I noticed the mail icon blink in my ARHUD. I activated it, bringing up an brief email message.

Advisor Sky,
Please check your authorized modes of travel at ProteC Lodging. Have a nice trip!
- Director Stephens

"Huh," I said. "Let's go check at the hotel desk, I guess." Together we walked up the steps to the massive hotel-like structure. I already knew what to expect inside, as I had spent several days living here while training before my assignment to the Menagerie, but it still awed me when we passed through the main doors and into the huge central foyer. I paused for a moment, looking at the indoor trees and the towering waterfall that dominated the central park under a distant skylight far above. "It's so beautiful in here every time I see it," I said over the pleasant chatter of the water.

"Very," James agreed. "Kind of wish the Menagerie was nice like this."

"I'm sure the new one they're building will be better," Mia said hopefully.

Together we proceeded towards the main check-in counter, pleasantly located beneath a tree near an in-floor stream with walking bridges over it.

The girl at the counter smiled politely at me. "How may I help you, ma'am?"

"Um, I guess we need to find out what kind of travel we are authorized to use?"

"Ah, certainly, ma'am. If you would sweep your wristbands through this hologram?"

We did so, one after the other.

"ProteC follows a tiered travel package system," she explained. "You may be authorized different means of conveyance depending upon your rank or special mission, up to and including personal aircraft or chartered flights." She peered closely as a readout popped up. "Okay, Mr. Ruttege, currently you have access to ProteC buses, boats, aircraft, and other set-destination mass conveyances. Miss Carson, same for you."

They both shrugged.

"There's a regularly scheduled plane from here to ProteC Texas," the attendant suggested helpfully. "It's a favorite of people heading out on vacation, as I assume you are doing." She scrolled further. "Oh, wait a moment. Miss Sky, you are authorized additional economy personal vehicles."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You have a higher tier travel access plan. If you wish, you can choose from a selection of ProteC-owned ground cars to use at your convenience."

I found myself grinning widely. "Really? I can just take a car?"

The girl peered at me. "Uh, you DO know how to drive, don't you?"

My smile faltered. Driving basics had indeed been a part of the ProteC initiation course, but I had not been particularly good at it. The ATVs were easy enough, but full-sized cars made me nervous. "I, uh... well, I'm not so good at it."

"Well, you can sign a vehicle out and let one of your companions drive it if you like," the lady suggested.

My smile returned. "That sounds great! Uh, where do we go?"

She pointed at an elevator. "Take that to the floor marked Garage. Pick any economy class vehicle you want, your wristband will assign it to you. Just be aware you can only have one vehicle signed out to you at a time."

I thanked the woman, and eagerly moved towards the elevator, Mia and James in tow.

"Uh, Eris?" James asked. "Where are we going?"

"To look at the cars," I answered without hesitation.

"But we haven't decided where to go yet."

We all piled into the elevator and I tapped the Garage button with a hoof. "Um, well, I mean, we could go to New Monterrey, they have that Mexican restaurant-place," I suggested. "It's not far from here."

"Yeah, but where do you want to go? We could go anywhere, well I mean within reason. But maybe like Vegas or something?"

"How about Disney World?" Mia suggested. "We could stay at a resort hotel, and after we try the rides all day, we can go home and you can ride my face all night!"

"Let me think about it," I replied noncommittally as the doors opened to the underground parking garage.

The room was huge and well lit, each parking space containing an inductive charger to keep the electric vehicles parked on them in ready to use condition. I saw buses parked in one area, and closer to us a collection of white cars and vans with black ProteC lettering on their sides. "Those must be the ones," I said, pointing with a hoof. We moved towards the vehicles, and I looked with interest at the different kinds. "Huh, what's this?" I muttered, approaching a low-slung sports car.

"Aww man, a Tesla street rod!" James exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. "Let's try it!" He held out his arm to the car, and frowned as a red X beeped on his holobracelet.

"Access denied," the device spoke softly. "You are not authorized to activate a personal vehicle."

"Here, let me try," I suggested. "I'm the one who has authorization for-"

"Access denied. You are authorized economy class vehicles only."

I tried again.

"Access denied. You are-"

I dropped my hoof back down. "Well. So much for that. What do they mean by 'economy' anyway? Aren't all these vehicles electric?"
"I think they mean cheap to purchase," he replied, somewhat sourly.

We moved away from the expensive vehicle, James casting back a gaze full of such regret that it was almost comical.

"Buck up, honey," I said, patting his arm with my hoof. "We'll find something good."

Past the small collection of expensive cars, we found a swarm of tiny compacts.

"Ugh, these only seat two people," James frowned. "This sucks."

I frowned as well. "There's gotta be something."

"Hey guys, try this one?" Mia called from behind a pillar.

James and I hurried around it, heading towards her voice. As we cleared the pillar, we were greeted by a large white recent model hybrid electric SUV.

"Ohhh," I gasped. "Please let this work."

I swung my bracelet at the door handle, and it unlocked with a friendly click. "Yes!" I quickly climbed up into the driver's seat. James waved Mia to the front and got into the back seat behind me.

The holographic dash interface came alive as I settled in behind the steering wheel. "Welcome, Eris Sky," the display flashed at me. Then, "Register Additional Drivers? Y/N."

I tapped Yes, then made James and Mia sweep their bracelets as well, enabling them to drive the vehicle. Once this was finished, I sat back in the chair.

"Are you gonna drive somewhere, babe?" Mia asked me. "What do you want to do?"

I put a hoof to my forehead. "Ah. You know, I don't really have a preference, but..." I trailed off as an idea occurred to me. "Uh, Mia? How would you and James like to visit Equestria?"

Her eyes grew bigger than I thought possible. "R-really? We could do that? But access to the Gate is restricted, we can't-"

"I have full access," I interrupted, grinning. "I have authority to bring both of you as my guests, any time I want to."

"Really? Oh, Eris! Yes! Please!" She leaned over the center console and put her arms around my neck, strangling me with happiness. "You're the best!"

"Blerk," I said, patting her gently with my hoof.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" She released me quickly.

"It's okay," I gasped. "James? Are you okay with this?"

"Hell yes I am," he answered, vehemently. "When do you want to leave?"

"No time like the present." I glanced nervously out the windshield at the terrifyingly congested parking garage. "But maybe you can drive?"

"Sure. Change places with me."

James got out of the truck, and I crawled between the front seats and into the back. While I was worming my way back, James opened the driver's door and groped my ass.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, I couldn't resist. That tiny skirt is too powerful when it rides up your tail like that, babe."

I giggled. "Well, if you put it that way... But we need to get lunch first. I'm getting hungry."

"Okay. Wait here, I've gotta go grab something. Ten minutes." He closed the door and took off, walking briskly back towards the elevator.

"I wonder where he's going," Mia said curiously, taking her boots off and replacing them with heels from her backpack.

She left the boots sitting on the floor panel, tucked up under her seat.

"Maybe he needs to use the bathroom?" I mused. "When you gotta go, you gotta go."

We waited for about twenty minutes before James reappeared, dragging a large black wheeled locking case behind him, which he pulled around to the back of the truck and began trying to lift into the back hatch door.

"Took you long enough," Mia said, leaning around her chair. "What is all that, anyway?"

"Party favors," James winked, and slammed the rear hatch shut. He came around the driver's side and hopped into the seat, pressing the power button to bring the vehicle online. The holographic readout flicked on while he turned to us. "You girls belted in?"

I quickly slid into the middle position of the back bench seat, pulling the belt across my shoulder and waist to click into the latch.

"I'm good."

"Then let's roll!" He pushed the accelerator and the heavy electric hub motors hummed to life, driving us almost silently out of the garage and towards my homeworld.