When we arrived home Jao put Jeo bed, while I had Bob pce the lure in a er before heading out to guard the pce. I could see An wasn’t thrilled with the situation, but I wasn’t leaving it outside, it was expensive.

  Ohat was done I gathered everyone else for a family meeting. “So, I’m just going to e out and say it, we’re moving.”

  Everyone just stared at me, not quite prehending what I just said.

  Jane came out of the bad gave me a death stare. “Expin it properly. Quietly.”

  “Fine, over the st forty-eight hours I’ve had to fight aliens, made friends with other Samurai, and made enemies of some of the gangs around here. The truth is, you guys are no longer safe here, because you’re associated with me.” I took a deep breath, “Fortunately one of the Samurai I met today is rebuilding the shelter as we speak, and he agreed to build some additional housing for you guys.”

  I g An, he was gl again. “You don’t HAVE to e, but it’s much safer. I’m also probably going te some prote for you.”

  “What sort of prote?” Eddie cut in.

  “Robots,” Ja in, “Teddy is NOT giving you ons.”

  I just nodded, which caused Eddie to sit back, half moping.

  “The new pce will be much better for everyone, but don’t expect me to spoil you. Same rules apply, everyone will still o pull their ow, get it?” Issi, Jane and Eddie nodded, An just tio frown. Fug grump.

  “Any other questions?”

  “How did you make an enemy of the gangs? You always had a policy to avoid the violent ones, and to only i with the others when absolutely necessary.” An asked.

  “One of my bots cut Ripjack’s arm off when he came to fight me, then I sent a video of the frontation to every ang in the area.”

  His eyes widened slightly at the news. “You’re insane…”

  “Maybe,” I shrugged, “Any other questions?”

  Issi raised her hand, I’m not sure where she learned such manners. It wasn’t from me. “ I bring my frog?”

  I just ughed, Jane scooped her up into a hug, “Of course you sweetie.”

  There was a beat of silence, so I stood up. “Now, for being a good audience, a treat. Nyx, how much for one of those meals Humboldt shared with me?”

  Three each. Do you want a specific fvor?

  “Give me five, and just choose something tasty.”

  Purchased - Banutritional Meal 3 x 5 = 15 points

  Points remaining - 7098

  Five boxes appeared in my hands, which I quickly distributed. Isabelle audibly gasped when she opened up her box. I could see even An was salivating. For the first time i history, it was a mostly quiet meal.

  Isabelle and Eddie devoured their meals, and were obviously disappoihat it was over. I reached into my own box, broke the cookie in half and gave each of them a piece. It was okay to spoil them occasionally, the look of joy was worth it.

  —

  I spent the m looking after the kids with Jane, which I found calming after spending all that time killing aliens. It also gave me some time to think, and put together some upgrades for everyone.

  “Nyx, is there a basic Aug upgrade I could buy? Maybe ohat I could use to track the kids iure? I don’t want what happeoday from ever happening again.”

  There are civilian Aug upgrades avaible in the Css 0 catalog, with trackers they’ll cost you fifteen points each.

  “What the heeeeck is css 0.” When Issi gnced up I realized how close I was to swearing; Somehow I mao filter myself at the st moment. Issi just smiled at me.

  All the generic equipment that doesn’t require advaech, or is essential for Samurai to operate. The food you provided st night is an example.

  “And why is the civilian Aug upgrade under css 0?”

  Most Samurai find it difficult to do their jobs when they know friends or family may be in danger, a little peaind allows them to funore effitly.

  “I guess that makes se’s not going to be as traumatic as my upgrade is it? I don’t want to submit the kids to that.”

  The civilian model acts over several minutes, it’s unfortable but not painful. Most Samurai must apply their upgrades during bat, so they suffer disfort in exge for speed.

  I hmmm’d. “Gimme oo start.”

  Purchased - Civilian grade Aug upgrade with trag - 15 points

  Points Remaining - 7083

  I took the box that appeared and pced it down oable in front of Jane. She eyed me suspiciously.

  “What’s this?” She asked.

  “A way to upgrade ys to the current standard, with a built-in tracker so I find you all. I don’t want ao go missing again.”

  She nodded, “So why are you giving it to me first?”

  “I want to give oo everyone, but o make sure it’s fine befiving oo the kids. I already have an advanced upgrade.”

  She paused, then gave me a stern look. “You wao be a test subject?”

  “It’s safe… I think. You just o pce the disks on your head and neck.” I gave her my brightest, least threatening smile. She was not amused.

  “Fine. For the kids.” She opehe box, took out the two disks, examihem briefly, then put them on.

  There was a moment of silence.

  “Sooo… how do you feel?” I asked, examining Jane’s face.

  “Fine, a little dizzy. How long is this supposed to take?”

  I shrugged, “A couple minutes.”

  “Well I don’t see any… oh, something’s happening. What is this?”

  “Apparently it’s the city work, now you pull up information if you want.” I waved my hand in front of her fad had it almost immediately spped away.

  “Stop that. I think everything worked fine, no pain or anything. You track my location now?”

  I sent a mental and to my Augs and almost immediately had a map showing the area. A tag beled ‘Jane’ appeared in the area where the burrow was located.

  I nodded, “It works. Now help me give oo everyone else.”