The default Scanian living arrangement is three to six families, each with private living quarters, living with a shared kitchen and recreational space. The exact configuration varies, as does the...

The benefits of this arrangement over the outdated private and atomized apartments are many, from stronger social ties and a greater sense of community to more shoulders to carry any burdens that might appear.

--"Scania, wikipedia article", current

***

When I got back home it was closing in on evening. I headed down to our living area to find a surprise; Mother was home.

I had stepped inside to find her coat and shoes in the entryway. I released my helmet and pulled it off, then stepped into the communal living room to find Mother and Dad seated in the couch, watching a news programme on the TV.

"Mother, what are you doing here? I thought you were working late."

"One moment Sylvi." she replied, turning her attention back to the TV.

"...leading some to speculate we might soon have a new administrator for sector 8. In other news, the.." The TV was cut off as Mother muted it. She got up and smiled towards me.

"Welcome back, Sylvi. It has been too long, although it was supposed to be longer. It is good to see you again." Mother greeted me.

"It has been a while. A lot has happened though, I'm a Valkyrie now."

"Yes, however did that happen? I never would have imagine my little Sylvi as one of the vaunted heroes of the world, yet here you are." She looked me up and down, taking in my armour, her gaze lingering on the plasma caster sticking up over my shoulder with a hint of distaste.

"Ah yes." I reached around and took off the arm assembly, then put it down on a chair. "Sorry about that." I said a bit sheepishly.

"No matter. We are going out for dinner tonight, so you should probably change into something a bit more comfortable." She stated.

"Aww, can't we just stay at home tonight? I have to leave again tomorrow. I'd rather spend the time here."

"You're leaving again? So soon?"

"Yeah, I'm supposed to go with this ranger squad into the northern forests and hunt Antithesis."

Dad looked a bit concerned at this, but Mother just forged on.

"That is all the more reason for us to celebrate while you are back. Come come, we have reservations at nineteen, go get ready." She said firmly.

I relented, and went into my room to change into something appropriate. It wasn't the biggest of rooms, but it was cosy, with a nice thick rug on the floor, a large bed that took up most of the space and a few posters of my childhood heroes, various Valkyries, on the wall. I really should get rid of some of those, I wasn't fifteen anymore. Especially that one of Ghost Widow in her tight, body-hugging silver and black skin-suit, her lovely face set in a stern expression, silver locks flowing in the breeze. I quickly turned away, and focused on the task at hand, starting by taking off my armour then found some slacks and a blouse to put on instead.

I pulled at my hair for a while, trying to get it to cooperate, before giving up and leaving it. I flew a drone around me to check my appearance, then considered. Probably couldn't bring those everywhere? I landed them on my dresser and tuned them out.

I shuddered. The world had become quite small all of a sudden. Maybe I could bring just one? I considered my Wasp. Could I disguise it as a hair-ornament or maybe a brooch?

I tried it on on as a brooch, posed with splayed wings. It didn't look half bad. Good enough.

I appeared to find Mother and Father waiting for me. Mother tutted once, probably disapproving of my hair or pants or something, and Father just smiled at me.

"You look lovely, sweet pea." He said and kissed me on the forehead.

Then Mother shooed us out of the door and down the elevator. We headed off across the skybridge, then took a train and soon found ourselves at one of the fancier restaurants in town. It was annoying not being able to see behind myself. There was so many people, and I could barely see half of them.

Regardless, the food was excellent, but the conversation less so. Mother talked about work, and was excited about a new promotion opportunity that had presented itself, and while Dad tried to shift the topic a few times, it wasn't until he brought up my newfound Valkyrie-ness that it stuck.

"Yes, this brings up so many new possibilities for us." She began. "With access to Protector grade augments and tech, our productivity and value will sky-rocket. So many new opportunities!" She turned to me. "How many points do you have, anyway? Can you buy anything for us now, or will we have to wait?"

I was caught with a spoon in my mouth. I quickly swallowed. "Uhm, I'm not sure? I hadn't thought about it, to be honest, but I think I will need the points I have right now."

"Hadn't thought about... Hm. Yes, well, that is to be expected, I guess. You are new, after all. We will talk more about this when you get back from your little excursion. Hopefully you will be in a better position to be useful, then."

The conversation faltered for a bit, then Dad, bless him, picked it up and started talking about a new poet he was collaborating with.

I wasn't sure how I felt about spending my points to further Mother's and Father's careers, to be honest. On one hand, I loved them and wanted to help if I could, on the other, wasn't these points meant to be spent fighting the Antithesis? Or was that being selfish, to only spend them on myself like that?

I wallowed in my own thoughts for a while, and barely noticed the rest of the meal. Luckily it wasn't long before we were done and heading back home, where I claimed the excuse of an early morning tomorrow and headed to bed early.

The next day I got up early and grabbed breakfast with Dad, a notoriously early riser. We were the only ones in the kitchen at this hour. He was visibly nervous, and kept asking me if I was really going to be okay. It was a bit annoying, in a sweet way.

"Relax Dad, I'm just going to hunt a few Antis, get a few points. It's no big deal, really."

"You say that, but what if one of them gets you? All it takes is one moments bad luck, and..."

"It'll be fine," I interrupted him before he could get going. "I'll be with a group of professionals, and even if something bad were to happen, which it won't, I have access to all sorts of medical tools to keep me in one piece."

"Yes, but..."

I stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth.

"No more, Dad. I'm a Valkyrie now, I can handle myself." I smiled at him, and patted his hand.

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He chewed for a bit, then swallowed.

"Fine, if you say so." He said with a sigh.

That settled, I then went back into my room and sat on my bed to collect my thoughts. I had put on a brave front, but his nerves had rubbed off on me a bit. And then last night came back to me, and while I stewed on that I became less and less sure of myself.

Eyon, I should probably get some more Wasp drones, right? Should I leave these other two here? They are slower and less versatile, and have no offensive capabilities, but they could still prove useful and I shouldn't spend points frivolously...

[Relax Sylvi. Take a deep breath. You should spend your points however you see fit. They are yours to spend, after all, no one else's.]

I took said breath.

[Now, if you want my opinion, and I cannot see why you would not, the Aerial Reconnaissance Drones are strictly inferior to the Wasp drones, except in that they might appear less frightening. This, however, is not a concern where you are going today, so I recommend we get you set up with a small swarm to get you ready for your mission.]

"Okay." I said.

Okay, let's do it. Nine more drones, please.

New Purchase: Wasp Mk 1 Recon Drone x 9 - 450 points

Points reduced to... 388

Nine boxes the size of my hand appeared on my bed.

Couldn't you have... never mind.

I opened the boxes one at a time, and connected with the drones in them, and set them flying around me in circles. I tried to split my attention between them, adding them one after the other, until I got a headache and vertigo at seven. Right. I then dialled it back down to six, where I felt a mild strain, before settling on five. I then had the other five drones follow the five I was directly controlling, and spent a few minutes chasing myself all over the room in elaborate manoeuvres.

When I was confident I had control over them, I put on my armour, plasma caster and helmet. I checked the time. I was a bit early still, but that was alright. I went to the roof, using my drones to scout ahead and behind of me in the hallways on the way there. It felt a bit claustrophobic in the elevator up, but once I was out on the roof I let myself spread out.

Eyon, how long range do I have with these Wasps?

[If you mean how long can you fly them for, the answer is about a week before they need a recharge. If you mean how far away you can control them, then the answer is about five kilometres without a signal booster of some kind.]

Recharge... how will I do that?

[There is a backpack-style attachment to your Exo armour suit that will serve as a shelter and recharge point, both for the Wasps batteries and their neuro-toxin reservoirs. It also has limited repair capabilities. The same arrangement can be made on a larger scale with a truck or other vehicle, possibly with the addition of construction functionalities.]

I see. Earmark that backpack, for now.

[Of course. I already had it on the shortlist.]

I kept one drone-pair sitting on my back, ensuring I had a clear view behind me and flew the others out over the city, relishing in the feeling of freedom of flight. Okay, so technically I wasn't flying, but even more technically, I was experiencing flight four times as much as the next person, even if it was at reduced resolution. I'd take it.

Soon enough I noticed the car approaching, and gathered my drones back to me.

It landed, and a woman with one cybernetic arm stepped out and saluted.

"Ma'am, I'm here to take you to Military HQ."

"Thank you. Let's get going."

If she was surprised by my having ten rather large wasps sitting on me, she didn't let herself show it. I got in when she opened the door for me, but left four drones outside, clinging to the sides, back and bottom of the hover car. I wanted a better look than the windows afforded.

Soon after we lifted off and flew towards Military HQ and came in for a landing on the roof. It was strange seeing the ground get bigger like that, until it was so close I surely couldn't fit anymore, only of course my drone could. I gathered them around me in a loose swarm as I got out of the car, finally getting a reaction from my driver when I landed one on her shoulder. She flinched, but kept her composure apart from that.

"Thank you for the ride." I said and nodded to her. "Where am I going today?"

"This way, ma'am."

She led me across the roof to where the IFVs were parked, next to which I saw two of the squad from yesterday from above. Ranger Squad Three or something?

[3rd Squad, 2nd Special Reconnaissance Ranger Company.]

Okay, so I hadn't studied quite as much as I maybe should have. I was pretty sure I had the names down at least, even if I wasn't quite sure which name went with which person.

[I will just keep the tags up then, shall I?]

Yes please. I replied a bit mulishly.

My drones went ahead of me, of course, and so I caught a bit of conversation between the two of them before they noticed us approaching.

"...think she'll pull her weight?" Speedy asked.

"It doesn't really matter, just having ammo and meds on tap is worth the hassle." Another woman, Red, answered.

"This one seems alright, though. Not all stuck up like that last one."

"Thought he was some kind of tactical genius." A snort. "Damn near got us all killed with that reckless stunt."

"Yeah. I have a good feeling though. Wonder what her shtick is?"

"Maybe she fires bees out of that cannon on her shoulder?"

Then we walked around a parked IFV and came into view and Speedy shushed Red, then stood to attention and saluted.

So, that was something to keep in mind. Seems I'd have to prove myself a bit, and hopefully not make a fool of myself. Again.

Well, at least I wasn't going to assume tactical command and order people around, that much was certain.

"Ma'am" Speedy said as we got closer.

"Be easy?" I tried.

She chuckled. "Thank you, ma'am. At ease."

"Oh, right. I didn't do very well in basic training, kinda went in one ear and out the other. They flunked me out pretty quickly."

"And yet here you are."

"I guess."

I nodded my thanks to the driver, who saluted me with a small smile and walked away.

"So, where are the rest?" I asked.

"Keen is bringing up the the heavy guns with Grif, Pingo and Rash. They should be here soon. I see you brought some friends as well." She said, motioning towards the Wasps I had hovering nearby.

"Yeah, these are my drones. Hopefully they should make this trip a bit easier than my last one."

Speedy and Red both smirked at me.

"We saw. Nasty how that tree jumped right at you."

I resisted the urge to facepalm. Of course they had found the videos. I was going to boil Red Knight.

I coughed. At least they couldn't see my face flushing.

"Yes, well. This time I am a bit better prepared."

Feeling a bit petty, I landed a drone on each of their heads, then crawled over their faces.

Red shuddered, but Speedy took it remarkably well. She brought up a hand and picked the Wasp off of her cheek. I had it let go, lest she pull her face off or something.

"These are cute. Do they have names?"

"No, I figure naming them is a bad idea. Don't want to get attached to them, and anyway, soon I'll have too many to name."

Speedy whistled. "I see. Working on a swarm. How are they against Antis?"

"Should be alright. I haven't tested them yet, but the stinger isn't just for show." I took pity on Red, who was trying not to move, and had the Wasp take off.

I then noticed the Lieutenant, Keen, come up the stairs with the rest of the squad, a small armoury worth of guns between them.

"Ah, there they are now." I said.

Speedy and Red both looked confused, so I elaborated. "They're bringing over the guns."

At that, they both hurriedly got back to packing the IFV with backpacks, and finished just in time for Keen to walk around the IFV blocking the view.

"Hornet." She nodded, her hands twitching but full of guns as they were, she didn't salute.

I stepped aside and let them get their gear into the IFV. That stuff looked heavy. And was that a machine gun?

Keen returned from the back of the IFV, and approached me.

"Let's talk Ammunition."