I spent the entire trip home in silence, thinking about the situation. I DID have to deal with the missile situation as I had no doubt that those maniacs would have started firing upon populated areas, but it still didn’t feel good to be responsible for so many deaths. I really thought I’d be ok with killing some known killers after fighting all those Antithesis. I was wrong.

I couldn’t do this again. If I was going to make things better, and protect the people I cared about, I’d need a better way of doing it. That was something for later. I was too tired to think about it now.

There was just enough time for me to shuck my armor, and put on something more casual, before we arrived back home. I left the cleanup to my bots, and shuffled back into the residence. Sharron and Jane were at the table, there was no sign of the kids. Jane must have seen the confusion on my face, “The kids are all studying with Sir Froggington in Issi’s room. Apparently he ‘makes learning fun’, and he’s made individual learning plans for each of them.” She sighed, “I’ve been replaced.”

I didn’t laugh, I was too tired for that.

When the two older women realized I hadn’t said anything, or moved, for a few seconds they looked at me worryingly. “Did something go wrong with the raid? Did they get away or something?” Sharron asked.

“No, I managed to retrieve the missiles and shut down their operations. Everything is fine, I’m just tired,” I muttered in reply. “I’m just going to lay down.”

“What about dinner?” Jane asked, clearly concerned.

“Nyx, can you provide Jane with a way to order food with my points for her and the kids?”

“That’s not what I’m…”

Of course, I already have access to her augs to keep track of her location.

“Great, let’s do that then. And put money on both her and Alan’s cards when they get low.”

“Teddy…” Jane was upset, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care at this moment.

“Going to lay down now, talk to you later.” I left them both at the table, wandered back to my room, locked the door, and collapsed on the bed.

Evelyn your biorhythms are showing that you’ve fallen into an abnormal mental state. I recommend doing a quick scan prior to sleeping.

“Nyx, shut up.”

I’m just concerned about your well being. At least consider taking care of yourself before you go to sleep.

I didn’t reply, I just lay there in the dark until I fell asleep.

I couldn’t say I had a restful sleep. In fact, I barely felt like I slept at all. Somehow I still managed to drag my body out of bed, in order to find sustenance.

As soon as I opened the door I needed to pause, “How long have you two been standing there?” I asked Issi and Jeni. The two girls were just standing in the hallway, blocking my way.

“Jane said you weren’t feeling well, and we were concerned,” Jeni said as she was inspecting my face. “She was right, you look like shit.”

It took me a few seconds to process. “Language!” I replied grumpily.

“Please, even Issi knows how to swear like a sailor when the situation calls for it. You can’t go two feet without someone swearing down here.”

I looked down at Isabelle, who was looking back at me with her wide, innocent eyes. “Is that true?”

The little girl just smiled, then grabbed me in the biggest hug she could manage. I had to admit, it made me feel a little bit better.

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“You didn’t answer my question,” I said, while petting her gently on the head.

The little pressed her face into my stomach and giggled, “Jane says I shouldn’t lie, so I’m not going to.”

I laughed in spite of myself, “Fine, I’ll keep your secret, pipsqueaks.” I pulled Jeni into the hug, which lasted until my stomach started rumbling and I realized I hadn’t eaten at all yesterday. Issi, who was closest to the offending organ, immediately backed off and started yanking my hand.

“You can’t skip meals! Jane says that all the time, you never know when your next meal will come!”

“I think we’re beyond that point now, Issi,” I laughed, but I still let her pull me forward.

Everyone else was in the kitchen when we arrived, including Alan. I saw his eyebrows raise as soon as I entered. “You look like shit!” he said, and was promptly smacked by Jane.

“Language!” she said sternly.

I shared a look with the two girls, which caused us to all burst out laughing. Jane just looked at us all strangely.

“Well, it sounds like you’re feeling a little better. You definitely didn’t seem like yourself last night.”

I grabbed a bowl from the counter and poured some nutrient mush into it, and sat down at the table. “I wasn’t. I dealt with the problem yesterday, but if I’m being honest it’s something I never want to do again.” I shoveled the tasteless mush into my mouth and swallowed down a spoonful. Disgusting, but filling. “I need to figure out a better way of improving things. Shooting people is not a solution.”

Everyone at the table nodded, including the kids, which kinda made me feel a little stupid. I really should have figured that out BEFORE going out there.

After a few more spoonfuls of the goop, which honestly had the consistency of snot, but tasted worse, I turned back to the kids. “Do you really find that toad thing…”

“Sir Froggington!” Isabelle corrected me.

“Right, Sir Froggington. Do you honestly find him that helpful?”

Jeni nodded, “He taught me math and computers yesterday, and today is mechanics.”

My spoon paused halfway to my mouth. “Wait, computers? Mechanics?”

Jeni nodded, chewing on some toast I wasn’t even aware we had. “He knows a lot of things. He said I can even earn the equivalent of a diploma, without the corporate filler, and maybe even a post secondary education, if I’m interested.”

“You’re all enjoying learning?” I asked, looking at Eddie specifically.

The boy didn’t react for a minute, he was too occupied with his sugary cereal, but he nodded when he finally noticed me staring at him. “It’s fun. He’s teaching stuff I want to learn, and he’s using my augs and stuff to make it more interesting.”

“And what, exactly, are you learning?” I asked him

“Accounting basics,” he replied, without looking up.

“And poetry,” Issi suddenly spoke up, her face absolutely covered in jam. Eddie turned a shade of red I wasn’t sure was natural, or entirely safe, so I let him off the hook for now. All this talk of education was giving me the beginning of an idea. It would probably be a little difficult to implement, but worthwhile in the long run.

“What are you scheming now?” Jane asked, “I hate it when you get that look on your face.”

“Nothing bad this time, I promise. After breakfast I need to check on the status of my squirrels, then I was thinking about dropping by Leah’s place. I still owe her for her help.” I nodded, convinced that I was making the right choice, and pushed the remaining mush away with one hand. I literally couldn’t take even a single bite more, it was too disgusting.

I poured the remaining sludge down the drain, which earned a glare from Jane, then I cleaned up the bowl and put it away.

“You all study hard,” I said while messing up Eddie and Jeni’s hair. I looked at Jane “And you... relax a little will you.”

She glowered at me for a moment, then her expression softened. “I don’t know what was up with you yesterday, but I’m glad you’re feeling better. Whatever you do, just stay out of trouble today. You’ve been trying to do too much lately, and it’s taking a toll on you.”

I wasn’t sure exactly what to say, so I stared at her for a few seconds, then nodded. “I… can do that? Probably.”

“Why did you sound so unsure about that?” Jane asked, she left her chair and stood over me. She always did this when she wanted to intimidate me. I had to admit, even though I was a Samurai now, it still worked a little.

“I will do my VERY best,” I replied, looking her in the face. “I can’t predict every single thing that could happen, but I won’t go looking for trouble. Promise.” I gave her my best cocky smirk, hoping to get her to back down.

She stood over me for a few more seconds before backing off. “Alright then, I’ll trust you this time.” As I slunk by her intimidating frame she patted me on the head. “Have a good day!” She said with a smile.

I decided to evacuate the area as quickly as possible. I was never sure what Jane would do next.