Miss Applebaum didn’t give me time to overthink it. As Danny came over after talking to the guard and he was smiling, at least the man is having fun. I turned to Danny with my hand holding on to Schneider holding her little bowl after she finished her porridge in a hurry. Now its clean and empty but a little sticky.

  The girl got her own quirks, I think it’s just cute. One of those cute girl doing cute things.

  “What got you laughing about with the security guard?”

  Danny Hebert perked up and smile “Ah him, well…He was an ex dockworker and we lost contact, James here didn’t know we’re rehiring. I should have reach out harder to people if I knew he was just rotting away here as a homeless. Just a little glad he got his life in shape. Thanks to you Jason, He told me about reeducation facility. Really Jason? A neural inhibitor? At least it’s temporary”

  I sighed and wondered if reeducation and reformation was a good thing using Neural Inhibitor and a reeducation facility was a good Idea. Seems like it was a good idea. I was told by Monica it didn't have that many side effects if used in conjunction with a neural inhibitor. I'm glad it worked out but this method should be phased out eventually once we have a proper system in place.

  “Well, it was an emergency, I needed to rehome the homeless and make sure they aren’t wasting away with drugs again, Had to make sure everyone is clean and away from that shit”

  Danny just nodded in agreement “Yeah, he mentioned it was bad trying to stave off from the addiction using conventional means. Your method seems the most humane even if it is a little invasive for my taste, I aint gonna judge you for what you did, but maybe some folks if they knew the truth wont exactly took that in the right way since you kind of forced them into it”

  I scoffed “Screw it, just blame the big bad Cape doing the big bad Tyranny and being a dictator, I already look like an El-Capitan ..might as well roll with it”

  Danny sighed “You know that’s now what I mean, lots of folks are grateful to ya, We just …dont want anything bad happens to you that’s all. And that includes bad PR. Mayor Christner isn’t too happy with you lately, he’s been lobbying with the folks from Downtown and the Commercial district”

  I thought about the location of that area “ Isn’t that E88 territory? You think he’s lobbying for racist money? Damn…the Mayor is getting desperate huh?”

  Shadow Stalker and Vista came in without the many kids that swarmed them earlier, Vista looked visibly happy, on the contrary, Shadow Stalker looked rather pitiful as she seethe and spat out “I hate…kids, never again”

  Vista just giggled away “ You don't really hate it, You even gave that boy an autograph. He really thought you were a dude hehehe!”

  Shadow Stalker glared back at Vista “Not another word gremlin, I’m hungry, when are we gonna eat?”

  I was gonna reply before Miss Applebaum came and, clapped her hands once sharp, practiced, the kind of sound that carried without being loud. The kids responded almost immediately, attention shifting toward her like iron filings to a magnet.

  “Alright, everyone,” she announced, warmth threaded with authority, “we’re heading to the Tarsonis Terrace. Today is the Grand opening courtesy of our Commander right here”

  That got a reaction.

  “That’s our que, It's a new Restaurant for a concept I wanted to try” I said and the rest followed through.

  Excitement rippled through the courtyard as the kids line up eagerly, just a rising buzz among the Orphanage,, whispers turning into grins, kids tugging at sleeves and pointing toward the elevated promenade where the restaurant’s glass-and-steel structure caught the afternoon light. The place is just next door after all.

  I followed as the group moved out, keeping to the back without meaning to. Old habit I guess just following others from behind. These days it seems like I’m always ahead of things, Its nice to just follow the crowd sometimes.

  The restaurant dominated the plaza like a polished jewel set into the city’s spine. Curved trans steel walls revealed the interior with layered platforms, soft amber lighting, holographic menus drifting lazily above tables.

  Futuristic? Yes. Very Terran Poi- I mean. It’s Tarsonis..ish.

  The architecture was unmistakably Terran, Tarsonis-inspired, all clean lines and quiet paneling, designed to make people feel small in a good way. Safe. Looked after even if its all made to look like glasses. It’s actually Plasteel.

  Above the entrance, glowing text resolved into place:

  TARSONIS TERRACE AUTOMATED KITCHEN

  The doors parted soundlessly.

  Inside, the scent hit first.

  Warm bread. Seared protein. Something citrusy and sharp underneath, like spiced kelp or starfruit. It triggered a memory that wasn’t mine, cultural echo baked into the cuisine files. In a way its design to trigger comfort food signals in your brain.

  Drones glided overhead on near-silent grav-thrusters, delivering trays and projecting gentle prompts for seating. In the open kitchen, articulated arms moved in elegant choreography, you get to see robot arms chopping, searing, plating each cuisine with precise motion exact, fluid, tireless…just like a machine.

  And yet, it didn’t feel cold to me, Made by robots, but design by Terran ingenuity. The Chefs legacy lingered among the stars even if the owner is forgotten, his recipe lives on.

  Three people stood near the central console.

  The manager, former drug addict, posture still stiff like he expected to be yelled at but he was trying very hard not to look overwhelmed. Beside him, two quality assurance staff monitored output feeds, tasting, checking texture and temperature, adjusting parameters with a seriousness that bordered on reverence. Pretty sure I remember those guys. Ex convicts, homeless…it’s good that they could assimilate well to this place, One of them look awfully familiar. Chinese guy, fattie, ah right.

  They noticed me and Froze for half a second.

  I gave them a nod. Just that.

  Ahh right. Its Mr Chow. The Chinese Englishmen I beaten up when I revisited the Warbus scrapped 2 weeks ago, Mr Chow came a long way. Didn't even know his name from two weeks ago till now. I mean...he's wearing a tag name stating "Mr. Chow" I didnt peg him for a Chow? maybe a Feichai-

  “Sup Chow, no longer beating up random capes?”

  The other guy relaxed while Mr Chow just gave me a wry smile “Haha..you got jokes huh? Want me to get you a bottle of woota?”

  I just smile “Sure…get me a bottle of woootaa”

  Chow just grumbled and said “fucking prick..Can’t believe the shylocks my boss now.”

  I just shake my head, okay. Perhaps not everyone changed.

  Danny Hebert arrived a moment later, slowing as he took everything in. His eyes tracked the flow of people, the efficiency, the sheer order of it all. I could almost hear the gears turning in his head, Mr. Union man, logistics-minded, seeing both opportunity and trouble in equal measure, I thought he could wind up a little.

  Vista spun in a slow circle, head tilted back, eyes wide. She looked small in the space, dwarfed by design that was meant to awe without intimidating her too much.

  Shadow Stalker leaned against a column near the entrance, arms crossed, pretending not to care while absolutely clocking every exit and blind spot as if anyone will attack this place.

  And then there was Schneider.

  She stayed close to me, not touching, just… really small and being there. My little petit tiny guest, eyes moving from plate to plate as food was delivered to tables. When a drone passed overhead, she flinched just ever so slightly but I can tell she’s interested in the drone more than the food on the table, she then relaxed when it didn’t acknowledge her like a tiny little animal, ever so curious about things.

  We were guided to a long table overlooking the plaza. Plates slid into place automatically.

  Tarsonis cuisine, adapted for Earth Bet.

  Grain loaves with a crisp shell and impossibly soft interior. Protein medallions glazed in something sweet and smoky. Vegetables engineered from hydroponic Terran stock, bright with color and flavor that didn’t exist naturally on this planet. I’ve been trying to bring back pseudo organic plants from space, for now this is the best it can do. Everyone was rather curious about the food.

  Schneider stared at her plate for a long moment.

  Then she picked up her fork.

  She ate carefully at first, like she was afraid the food might disappear if she moved too fast. Halfway through, she forgot to be careful. By the end, she was focused in that intense, quiet way kids get when they’re doing something that feels important.

  I watched the three staff members work checking readings, talking quietly among themselves.. The system supported them, but it didn’t erase them after I’ve taken control of things here. I still wondered if forcing my way through things was the right play, I was always waiting for some sort of pin to drop. But nothing happened.

  Doesn't change the fact that I’m still wary about things, wary and waiting for things to sour and turn for the worse but nothing seems to happen after 2 weeks. Is it weird of me to want things to fail so it would feel normal?

  I’m not used to things not blowing up in my face.

  Waiting for a riot, and there was none.

  The most I get is just a radio station with Brockton Bay complaining about what I did, and the my mind went to the worst case scenario instead nothing really happened. Miss Applebaum sat across from me, hands wrapped around a cup of something hot and fragrant, at least the meal was comforting.

  I should check up on the rest of the Crew since they were brought back from the Dead. After lunch, Miss Applebaum and the rest of the kids went back to the orphanage but Schneider wouldn’t let go of me.

  Miss Applebaum gathered the children with the efficiency of long practice and noticed I have trouble with her youngest charge.

  Schneider didn’t move.

  She stayed standing right next beside me and decided she didn't want to go back to the Orphanage, “Schneider,” Miss Applebaum called gently, pausing near the doors. “Sweetheart, it’s time.”

  Schneider shook her head, nine years old and she’s already started to rebel. Is this what I was waiting for? Something to go wrong in the worst thing possible? A future psychic child being petulant and then boom- Dead bodies everywhere. Another tragedy from a psychic outbreak.Same reason why I brought people like Applebaum and the rest of the experts to just to confirm it.

  Who knew, they would be real psychics in this world. I mean…if alien powers exist why not? I shouldn’t be too surprised since I was brought here by supernatural means.

  I felt it before I fully registered it to my mind, it’s that subtle shift in weight, in intention. The way she leaned a fraction closer to me, like I was an anchor point instead of just someone she knew, I’m not dense…

  I knew she wanted to go with me. I ‘m just not sure if that’s actually a good thing.

  “I want to go with him,” she said. Her voice was quiet, but there was no uncertainty in it. The room went still in that way that only happens when you realize a child is serious.

  Miss Applebaum walked back slowly, crouching so they were eye level. “You know you can’t do that. The Commander has a lot on his plate and-”

  “I don’t want to go back,” Schneider said. “Miss Applebaum straightened, exhaling softly through her nose. She didn’t look surprised. If anything, she looked… resigned. Thoughtful.

  “She’s been like this since the day you left her with me,” she said to me, quietly. “Whatever it is back then, you made quite the impression for her to latch on to you like that.”

  I rubbed a hand over my face, staring out through the glass walls at the city beyond the lights coming on one by one, the soft glow of Tarsonis-style infrastructure humming into its night cycle.

  “I’m not… equipped for this,” I said. “You know how dangerous it is and I can't be a…”

  “A parent?” Miss Applebaum finished, not unkindly.

  She studied me for a long moment, then glanced down at Schneider, who was still watching me with that steady, unblinking trust that scared me more than any Endbringer ever could.

  “Whether you like it or not Commander, You already are, you just haven’t realised it. This place relies on you. That makes you a parent for all of us” she said.

  I let out a short, humorless breath. “You know that’s not what I mean….”

  Miss Applebaum smiled faintly. “ You found her when no one else did. You fed her. You gave her a place where she didn’t feel like a problem to be managed, I can imagine she wasn’t treated well even when her parents were alive. I’m psychic, remember? Her thoughts often lingered through old memories. Most of the kids here do, it’s just I’ve seen how she was treated and even for a brief moment, that child had more of a connection to you than her mother ever did”

  I sighed and wanted to protest “ But it’s not safe with me, you know this..What am I gonna do if someone attacks me?”

  She hesitated, then added, “ You’re the Terran Commander, They would be a fool to attack you directly, the safest place to be is by your side, to her you’re much more tangible a safety net, I can feel it from her thoughts,, a hero that stopped the Merchants rule, she kept hearing your praises everyday since she came here, you certainly made an impression on the little girl”

  Schneider stood up then, small hands gripping the edge of my coat.

  “I’ll be good,” she said, like that was the deciding factor. “I won’t break anything.”

  Fuck me…

  Miss Applebaum folded her arms, expression careful but earnest. “Jasons sir, permission to speak freely?,” she said, using my name for the first time, “I’m not saying this lightly. But if you’re willing… you should consider adopting her.”

  The word hung in the air.

  Adopt?

  Legal. Permanent. No undo button?

  I’m really not cut out to be a Dad, I don't think I did much for my past life as a father but doing it again on the second time? I looked down at Schneider. In the city I’d built outside these walls. At the orphanage that, for all its good intentions, would never be more than a waiting room for her. And here I was, hesitating over one small girl who had already chosen me.

  I crouched in front of her.

  “You know,” I said slowly, “if you come with me, things won’t always be easy. I’m busy. I make enemies. Sometimes it’s dangerous.”

  She nodded, solemn. “That’s okay.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  She thought about it for a second.

  “Because …it’s safe with you.” she said.

  Miss Applebaum’s shoulders relaxed, like she’d been holding her breath for weeks. “I’ll help with everything, If you worry so much, you should consider visiting Legadman at the Academy” she said softly. “The girl should learn how to safely use her powers for her protection and yours as well.”

  Schneider slipped her hand into mine.

  It fit.

  I picked her up and carried her, light as a feather. She should eat more.

  I felt them notice before anyone said a word. Vista was the first to clock it. She always was. Spatial awareness was her thing, after all. Her eyes flicked down, then back up at me. “Uh,” she said, drawing the sound out. “Why is the kid attached to you?”

  Shadow Stalker snorted from behind her. “Kidnapper aesthetic really isn’t your look.”

  Danny stopped short.

  He looked at Schneider. Then at me. Then back at Schneider again, slower this time, like he was recalibrating his understanding of the situation. I exhaled through my nose and tightened my grip just a little, more reassurance than restraint.

  “She’s coming with me,” I said. “Tonight. And… probably longer than that.”

  Vista’s mouth opened, then closed. “Like. A sleepover?”

  “No,” I said. “Like I’m starting the adoption process.”

  That got their reactions. Who would have thought, me adopting and cant say no. Vista’s eyes went wide with shock of course Shadow Stalker actually stopped leaning on the railing. Danny’s eyebrows climbed halfway up his forehead. Vista mouth kept opening and closing until she said it “B..but how old are you? Aren’t you a little too young to be a dad?”

  Schneider didn’t say anything. She just stood there, calm as ever, like this was the most obvious outcome in the world.

  Danny was the first one to recover. He rubbed a hand through his hair, staring at the skyline instead of me. “Huh,” he said. “Didn’t have that on my bingo card.”

  Shadow Stalker tilted her head, studying Schneider with something closer to curiosity than contempt. “You sure about this, kid?” she asked her. “J here isn't right in the head… like a lot.”

  Schneider nodded. “ ok”

  That earned a low huff of laughter from Vista. “Okay, she said…”

  I looked at Danny. “You’ve got thoughts.”

  He sighed, long and tired, the sound of someone who’d been a father longer than he’d ever planned to be.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I do.”

  He crouched a little, not quite down to Schneider’s level but closer. “You still hungry?” he asked her.

  She shook her head. “No, I ate.”

  “Cute kid.” He nodded, then stood back up and looked at me square in the eye. “Alright. Take some advice from another Dad, Here’s the thing no one tells you.”

  I waited. “Alright Danny, hit me”

  “You don’t need to be perfect,” Danny said. “You just need to be there. Over and over. Even when you screw it up. Especially then.”

  He gestured vaguely around us. “You’ve already done the big stuff. Roofs. Jobs. Safety. That’s important.” He tapped his chest. “But kids don’t remember that first. They remember whether you listened. Whether you came back. Whether you meant what you said.”

  I glanced down at Schneider.

  She was watching Danny now, very seriously, like she was filing this away for later. Danny followed my gaze and softened a bit. “She’s gonna test you,” he added. “Not because she’s bad. Because she’s scared you’ll leave.”

  “That coming from experience? I don't get the impression that Taylor was that kind of a girl,” I said.

  “I know damn it..she’s just too good for me,” Danny replied. “Just make sure your girl knows it too. Every day I realize it too late, but I’m making up for it alright? Just…don't do what I did..”

  Vista swallowed. “You’re… really doing this. You really serious about being a Dad? What the hell?”

  “I wonder myself the same thing, It’s not like I could ignore her.” I said.

  She smiled, small but genuine. “Oh umm…good for you I guess..”

  Shadow Stalker clicked her tongue. “Huh. Guess you’re not just a warlord with a god complex after all. Don't ask me to babysit, I rather do console duty than bother with kids.”

  “Low bar,” I said.

  She smirked.

  Schneider tugged on my hand. “Can we go home now?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go home.” What is home anyway? The command Centre? or should I really start building a civilian life? Ugh...getting blindsided like this. I know I should just roll with the punches but I really need to start working on a proper civilian Identity if this keeps up. As we started walking, Danny fell into step beside me. “For what it’s worth,” he said quietly, “you ever need advice, or someone to talk to? Call me.”

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  I met his eyes. “What? You don't have other Dad friends to mingle with?”

  Danny just shakes his head “No I don't. This way I get to have a buddy to bitch about raising a daughter on my own. You’re my comrade now”

  I gave the keys to the Stinger to Danny,” You’re Driving, Drop me off at the Command Centre and you can keep the car, Vista, Shadow Stalker. You guys need a ride with Danny or are you gonna resume with your patrol?”

  Vista and Shadow Stalker look at each other “ It’s a little too far from the Boardwalk, Just send us back to the Docks and we can resume from there”

  Danny just smile “Guess Im your driver today, Never thought Id drive capes around as a favour”

  I just rolled my eyes “Small Price to pay Danny boi,you got a free car with a Gatling Gun. Just drive”

  ………………

  The Stinger purred as it rolled through the lit streets, smooth enough that Schneider had fallen asleep almost immediately. She was curled against my side in the back seat, breathing slow and even, one hand still gripping the hem of my jacket like she was afraid the world might vanish if she let go.

  Vista and Shadow Stalker were already gone, dropped off with quick goodbyes and off they go to do ward things,Them being child soldiers didnt change things for what it is, The PRT still hasn’t provide Vista with the necessary safety gear despite my warnings, One of these days I think I’ll have to intervene directly with the PRT regarding safety issue.

  . The car felt quieter without them. Quieter in a way that invited talking. Danny kept his eyes on the road. The city slid past the windows after a full meal. Slow day today with nothing much changed on the outlook. Unlike the first few weeks when I was here. I was always rushing to build stuff, fearing for my safety, now that I have that safety blanket… I wonder If i’m getting too complacent with this slow life, knowing whats out there even if I couldn’t see it.

  S9? Scion? Endbringer? Not to mention the Blashphemy’s They seem so far away…

  I lowered my voice. “Thanks. For driving.”

  He nodded. “No problem. She’s out cold.”

  “Yeah,” I said. “Guess that’s a good sign.” A few seconds passed. Engine noise. Tires on asphalt.

  “So,” I said, because the silence felt like the kind that needed filling. “How’s Taylor doing lately, I mean?”

  Danny’s shoulders shifted, just a little. Not tense. Just… heavy from worry.“She’s okay,” he said after a moment. “I think. Better than she was.”

  It better be, or else Shadow Stalker is gonna get another sitting down from me, according to her, she stopped and even apologize but there’s still the Emma issue. Danny kept talking- “Still quiet. Still keeps things to herself. But she’s eating properly again? Comes down for breakfast more often now compared to…well, before.”

  “That’s good,” I said, and meant it.

  “It is and I’m not sure how long it will last.” Danny agreed. “But it’s also the kind of ‘good’ you learn not to trust too much. Like calm water after a storm. You keep wondering if there’s another one coming…Will she start going back to her old self? Will I revert back to the old me? I often wonder if I would mess up.”

  I glanced down at Schneider. At the faint frown she wore even in sleep.

  “Kids get good at hiding things from the adults. I know I used to do it when I was younger.” I said.

  Danny huffed softly. “Yeah…kids should think about their parents. Not like I’m asking much it’s just…she worries me.”

  He changed lanes, then added, “She’s been asking questions. About the docks. About what I’m doing there now and wondering if Im a cape or something, About you too. Word travel far that I’m working with the illustrious Dreamhack.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “What about Me?”

  “She saw the mechs, Saw what I wore to work one time” he said. “Hard not to. And she reads the forums more than I like. I tell her not to believe everything she sees online, and she tells me not to believe city hall.”

  “Cats out of the bag..what are you gonna do about it? Shes smarter than you give credit to.”

  He smiled, just barely. “She’s smart. Always has been. Too smart, sometimes. I worry she carries the weight of the world like it’s her responsibility.”

  “If only you knew what I know.” I said quietly, thinking about the Queen of escalation, the girl who could kill Alexandria by choking her to death. The girl who could be the warlord of Brocton Bay after the Endbringer hits. That girl isn’t her but there’s still a possibility that a spark of that still exist. She is essentially the same person afterall.

  And that makes Taylor Hebert quite scary.

  Danny nodded. “You’d know I guess, being an actual cape.”

  I let out a breath. “I’m not great with kids. I mean…” I gestured weakly, then stopped when I realized he couldn’t see it. “If it’s an consolation, I dont think you’re a bad Father, just maybe you had a moment of weakness, happens to the best of us..”

  “She chose you Jason, My girl don’t get to choose me, she’s just stuck with me. It’s different.” Danny said simply.

  The man really need a boost in self esteem and not just blame himself too much.

  “She doesn’t know everything about you,” he continued. “But she knows enough. Enough to decide you’re safe. Wish I could say the same for myself.”

  The Stinger rolled on, lights flickering across the windshield.

  “I lost my wife,” Danny said, voice steady but softer now. “Two years ago. And some days I still feel like I’m guessing. Like I’m one bad call away from screwing Taylor up for life.”

  Annette Hebert, never met her, but she left a huge whole to both father and daughter.

  “I don't think Taylor expect perfection from me” he went on. “She just need me to be honest and try my best.”

  Schneider shifted, murmured something incoherent, then settled again. I adjusted my jacket so she stayed warm.

  “Taylor’s lucky,” I said. “But you’re lucky too, You have Taylor as a daughter. If you were my dad, I would have whooped your ass 2 years ago for being such a pathetic idiot.”

  Danny snorted. “She’d argue with you about that.”

  “I hope she does,” I replied.

  Maybe i’ll really find out if the Administrator had her hands on her yet or maybe it wont and it’s just Taylor with her sheer will. I haven’t exactly bothered her much due to how differently things have already changed lately. Butterflies flap their wings and sooner or later, things are gonna change so much I won't be able to rely on foresight anymore.

  The Command Centre came into view in the distance, lights low and discreet, the outline of Terran architecture blending into the night like it had always belonged there.

  Danny slowed the car.

  “Jason,” he said, before the silence could take us again. “If you ever need help with her? School stuff. Paperwork. Just… talking to someone who’s been there? I'm your guy.”

  “I’ll take you up on that, although I think it’s better if you thought about that more than me. Ever thought of transferring Taylor to a different school?” I said.

  Danny smiling face turned to a frown “Why? Did something happened?”

  Should I say it? No I should. Knowing Danny, he trying to take two steps forward and completely miss things, and if Taylor Hebert is still the same naive little girl before she triggered, things will probably remain the same.

  I think sometimes its better to take a play in my own playbook and just move with it and roll with the punches regardless of what happens. Unlike Danny, if something we’re to happen to my people…to Schneider? I’ll raze everything to the ground till there’s nothing left. Fuck the world, I’ll just destroy it and rebuild it again.

  Am I petty? Yes. Absolutely.

  Beats beating around the bushes like Danny until its too late.

  “Danny,” I said quietly, “there’s something you should know. About Taylor.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel. Not dramatically. Just enough that I noticed he knew that things were becoming heavy.

  I went on before I could second-guess myself. “She’s been bullied. For a long time. At school. By Emma Barnes and her friends. I thought you knew about it, but it doesn't seem to be the case.”

  The name landed like a land mine.Danny didn’t speak right away. He didn’t swerve. Didn’t curse. Didn’t even look surprised. The car kept rolling forward at the same measured speed, he sure knows how to keep the lid covered properly when he’s angry.

  “I see,” he said at last.

  Two words. But I knew what that meant. In my head, I’d imagined shouting. Rage. A father exploding. That wasn’t Danny Hebert. Danny processed first. He always had the capacity to process things, just…a little slow on the uptake when it isn't too obvious. I wonder if this makes Danny a type of dense protagonist? Could be? The trope checks out.

  “How long?” he asked.

  “Months,” I said. “Since your wife passed away, It got… systematic. Isolation. Social pressure. Teachers looking the other way, I suspect the school knew about it but decided to look the other way. You familiar with the Barnes family? Well…”

  Another pause. Longer this time.

  “And Taylor didn’t tell me,” he said, not as a question.

  “I suppose not, no. Don't blame her for this, she’s a teenager. Most kids her age thinks they got it handled on their own.”

  He nodded once, eyes forward. “I…why wouldn’t she tell me?.”

  The Stinger stopped. The gate recognized us and slid open, metal whispering against metal. Danny didn’t pull in yet. He let the car idle.

  “I want to be clear,” I said. “This isn’t on you. Or on her, the adults failed her, The school failed her. Under normal circumstances perhaps something like this would be resolved if someone stepped up but you really can’t do anything as a kid alone in the system when even the teachers ignored it”

  “She didn’t tell me because she didn’t think it would help, I..why is this happening to her..why? ” he continued. “Did she not want to be a burden? Or she thought she deserved it.” His jaw set. “Or all three.”

  The calm scared me more than anger would have.

  “What are you going to do?” I asked.

  Danny finally looked at me.

  “I’m going to document everything,” he said. “Dates. Names. Patterns. I’ll talk to Taylor! Just..not to interrogate her, but to listen. I’ll ask for her permission before I act, but I will act.”

  He took a breath, slow and deliberate. “Then I’m going to school and confront them.”

  That sounded worse in my head for some reason, so it probably is. They are gonna stonewall him like usual.

  “That seems like a bad Idea, you’re escalating things”

  “What do you want me to do?! Are you saying I should just leave it?! I can’t do that!“ he hissed! I didn’t miss the way he avoided mentioning Alan Barnes even if I knew about it, Not to mention Shadow Stalker was into the bullying before, that’s why I had her apologize before all of this blow up before the PRT, even though we both knew who Emma’s father was I don't think I could sideline it completely towards her side of things.

  Danny looked back down at the dashboard, then at Schneider, sleeping between us like a reminder of what was at stake.

  “ I need to make sure she’s safe Jason,” he said and he meant it. “I failed her,” Danny said quietly.

  I shook my head. “You didn’t know, Honestly? You couldn’t have known until it got worse than it is right now. Knowing your daughter, she seems like she could just keep it all bottled up and just take it.”

  “My daughter…shouldn’t have done that, She can be so…that’s not the point.” he replied. “But knowing now means I don’t get to hesitate right now, fuck…what should I do?”

  I looked down at Schneider again, at the way her fingers twitched in her sleep, and thought about how many kids slipped through cracks because the world assumed they’d be fine. I sighed and thought of an obvious solution.

  “Get her out of there. Transfer her to Arcadia. Don’t explain anything and just do it. Say that your wife always wanted her to go to Arcadia but you didn't have the money or something, you’re the adult here, and she’s under your protection, just make stuff up Danny, tell her that her education and future is more important than letting her rot in that sorry excuse for a school and put yer foot down, you’re the Dad, act like one”

  He laughed dryly, "It's that easy?”

  I just sigh “It doesn't have to be complicated Danny. You only need to do the right thing for your girl. That Barnes girl will get what comes to her, a personality like that? Wont survive the real world once people find out about it”

  Danny kept quiet and then said “ I knew Emma, she was Taylor's best friend…”

  I shook my head and stared at him “Danny, not to be blunt, but you haven’t been there for her in a…very long time. You wouldn’t know if she still have friends or not after your…wife passed away”

  “Are you mocking me Jason? And here I thought I was the one who should give you advice”

  I rolled my eyes “You’re the one complaining about not having Dad friends, From a new Dad to another Dad, i gotta come clean for the Dad-code. It’s only right you should know if another fellow Dad messed up”

  “Fuck..you’re really dont mince with your words at all, I can’t tell if it’s sarcasm or just pure bluntness”

  “I’m Asian Danny, I don't do sarcasm. If you’re fat I’m gonna call you fat boi no filter”

  Danny send me as I carried Schneider in my arms still sleeping away soundly like a littl doll her finger still twitching grabbing into her tiny bowl, I didnt even realize she brought that thing with her, Peculiar little oddball.

  With her bleary eyes she took one look at me and went back to sleep on my chest again, The kid really needs to learn not to be so unguarded. I turned to Danny still fuming behind the Driver seat as he clenches his grip to the steering wheel, I could even see the rubbery protection on the steering wheel starting to turn white.

  “You’re gonna be alright Danny? The thing with Taylor… Just, don't do anything drastic that you will regret, You gonna do right by her or you gonna seek revenge? What are you gonna do?”

  Danny took one big breath and let it go “I’ll do as you say, I’ve been doing things on my own and things never panned out good for me, It’s better if I just take your advice instead. I’ll proceed with transferring her to Arcadia, whether she likes it or not..She can hate me for it, Id’ probably deserve it”

  I just frowned at this hardass dude, why does he gotta be so stubborn “ You’re thinking too much Danny, She wont hate you for something like this, If she did? Well, it’s probably temporary. Teenagers…man. She will learn to get over it, Arcadia will be good for her, I promise you. I’m thinking of enrolling Schneider there too…so cheer up”

  “Alright, See you later Jason.”

  And he drove off, at least not as angry as before. I forget that I just let an angry dude with a four wheel drive gatling gun. He wont do something stupid like shoot Blackwall or burn the school wont he?

  …

  Eh..whatever.

  Danny’s got it.

  I hope.

  I heard D.Va is here in the Mechbay factory that produce the Viking, I would rather settle Schneider in with her sleepy head after lunch. Food coma? Probably food coma. I should probably wake her up since it’s not good for her but, she looks so peaceful sleeping away without a care in the world, and doesn't seem to wake easily even when there’s loud noises.

  She slept through the whole conversation I had with Danny.

  Not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.

  Before I could head into the Command Centre, I found Hana in the hangar, the Viking had been pulled into a maintenance cradle, half in Assault mode, half stripped down to its skeleton, panels floating around it on mag-lifts like someone had paused an explosion mid-frame. And right there, perched on a toolbox with a datapad balanced on one knee, was Hana Song aka D.Va

  Pink jacket tied around her waist, flight suit sleeves rolled down, hair pulled back into a messy ponytail that said she’d already forgotten what sleep was. She looked… happy. Genuinely, happy. Never thought I’d meet a girl who likes mech just like the boys do.

  She didn’t notice me at first. Her eyes were locked on the Viking’s leg assembly, fingers flying over the holographic overlay.

  “Saekiiya!, shibal! this isn’t working,” she said to no one in particular, “The Viking actuator ratio is insane. This thing is basically cheating! So this is the predecessor for the base MEKA design? I never thought starcraft Viking was the real thing”

  I cleared my throat, right I forgot. Back in that world…Starcraft does exist. I wonder what she think about all of this, did she really think it made any sense that a game she used to play professional as a kid is the real damn thing?

  She looked up, eyes widening just a bit—then immediately lit up.

  “Oh Hey..Wow, It’s you Jason Lin aka MyHunter of the Malayan Tiger Squad, wow! My Dad used to watch your replays with God Flash on Broodwars,” she said. “Oh my god. You’re real and you haven’t aged abit!”

  The fuck is she talking about? Wait? Do I actually exist on the other side? That’s my old team name back in Dreamhack 2011.“Uhh…How the hell did you know that?” I replied. “I’m flattered, but I never fought Flash..are we even talking about the same Flash? Lee Young Ho?.”

  She laughed, quick and bright. “Wow really? That’s weird…I could have sworn I watched old recordings of you against Grandpa in 2011 Dreamhack.. You’re a Starcraft Terran Legend..”

  So alternative timeline me? When did this happened? She hopped off the toolbox and walked a slow circle around the Viking, like a shark around a very cooperative submarine.

  “This is Terran tech fo sure,” she said. “But not stock Terran. Somehow whatever it is…the mech design seems a little off..”

  “StarCraft Terran,” I said. “There’s a lot of things I don't understand either , but yeah the tech is real, and it works..”

  She snorted. “Dont need to tell me twice, I’ve checked the blueprint, it’s very similar to our Korean MEKA design. I’m still trying to get used to being in another world. Who knew there were different realities out there? Think there’s another reality where the game Mecha Guardian V is a real thing? It’s the game I played professionally before I got recruited to fight the Gwihin Omnics.”

  I didn’t deny it “Who knows, the multiverse is huge, I don't really think about the complicated stuff”

  She stopped at the cockpit section and tapped the canopy. “So this is where the tech loses me the most. G-force tolerance, neural lag, vestibular overload..I don't get how Vikings can operate in gravity space with this.”

  “It probably runs the same logic as aircraft but when it switches to Assault mode, they lose that part as well. Part of the reason I brought you and Tobjorn back to see if we can put our heads together to solve the mobility issue,” I muttered, remembering the vomiting.

  Hana grinned. “MEKA had the same problem. We solved it by letting the pilot fight the mech instead of riding it and left controls to AWACS and other systems to handle mobility, Im surprised that the viking got none of that, It’s surprisingly simple”

  That got my full attention.

  “Go on.”

  She pulled up a new schematic, overlaying it on the Viking frame. “I was thinking Hard neural sync. Not full-body override, too risky but predictive intent mapping. The mech moves where you mean to move, not where you physically input. It could improve reaction time compared to APM with a joystick”

  “Latency reduction for piloting? What about it?” I said.

  she added. “A mech shouldn’t feel like a tank. It should feel like a fighting game character kinda like snap movements.”

  “Okay,” I said slowly. “Now I know you’re a pro.”

  She beamed. “Former pro I guess, just like you Harabeouji. Still undefeated in my heart.”

  I choked “dont call me grandpa, that’s not nice”

  We walked together beneath the Viking’s wing as she kept talking, hands moving as much as her mouth.

  “StarCraft mechs are built like RTS units. They assume command distance. Overwatch MEKA is built like an FPS avatar. First-person instinct. You put those together?” She whistled. “You get something that reacts faster than thought.”

  I nodded. “That’s what I’ve been missing.I’m trying to sorta upgrade all of the Terran mech design to suit modern combat needs, You build machines that play fast and play hard capable of guerilla warfare and various mission parameters without sticking to the base design of infantry, anti air and siege design.”

  “Yeah..,” she said. “Also, your armor distribution is dumb.”

  “Hey..Neosteel isn’t dumb”

  “Not like that, In a good way,” she amended. “You overbuild survivability on the torso. MEKA spreads it to limbs because we expect to get hit while moving. Mobility is defense. The problem is the weight. Doesn't Terran technology have anything lighter?”

  I nodded “ We do, I haven’t gotten to producing Palladium Neosteel Mk3 yet, it should solve the issue of the weight problem”

  Hana smiled “That’s good. I was hoping there’s some sort of alternative than Pure Neosteel, the thing is hard like diamond, but I wasn’t exactly looking to get hit.”

  She glanced at me sideways. “Have you ever played StarCraft competitively lately?”

  “ I shook my head “Not since I’ve gotten here. Starcraft didn't exist here” I said.

  “ You know what I’m talking about right? Even if you said you’re different from the MyHunter from my reality, do you also main a Terran?” she rolled her sleeves while wiping away the oil from her hands.

  “Terran main,” I said. “Macro-heavy. I win by outproducing problems.”

  She laughed. “You’re the same as him too, just like Grandpa. I was a Terran main too, Zerg killer. Aggression, tempo, forcing mistakes Terran tactics are very diverse when you think about” That explained a lot.

  “You know,” I said, “most people see mechs and think of war, What do you see? From one ex-pro to another when they are forced to fight in a war and as someone who piloted the MEKA for the Mobile Exo Force of the Korean Army. they treat you alright before Overwatch?”

  Hana looked up at me. “I serve my country before I joined Overwatch, I have my teammates to fight on the homefront while I joined Overwatch,I see a controller with too many buttons and not enough style. Starcraft is nice and all, but I’m not like my Grandpa or Dad, I’m more of a fps player, I prefer to play with my teammates.. So my battle strategies tend to be more Micro than Macro”

  I laughed despite myself. “Real Meta talk, that was interesting,” I said. “You want a base frame, a factory slot, and permission to mess with my tech?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “Yes?”

  Then Dae Hyun, one of the Mech engineers I brought back from Engram. Hana’s trusty mechanic and …possibly boyfriend? I’m not sure what their relationship is, but they are close.

  “Oh -hey boss, didn't see you there. Hana…What the…”

  He look at the half dismantled Viking and then looked at me and started panicking “ T-The boss Viking y-you..dismantled…Hana! We’re supposed to build a new MEKA not vandalising an existing mech!! So sorry about this Jason boss sir!”

  Wait..that Viking was mine?

  “I’m telling you,” Hana said, pointing her stylus at the hologram, “the thruster placement is fine. I need that upward acceleration for dodging, just trying to see if the Viking has similar specs so I don't need to build one from scratch”

  Dae-Hyun didn’t even look impressed.expression flat in that long-suffering way only a mechanic in love could master and probably regretted it.

  “And I’m telling you,” he replied calmly, “that if you keep pushing that much output you’ll cook the regulators. Again. I don't think the Viking is designed that way Hana!”

  “That was one time.”

  “It was three times already! This is the third actuator you busted! You’re glad Miss Monica doesn’t care about the materials we wasted!” he corrected. “And one of them caught fire ... .We really should be careful Hana.”

  “Only a little fire.”

  I coughed into my fist to hide a laugh.

  Hana spun toward him. “You’re overthinking it Daehyun. Terran Vikings run hotter than this and they’re fine, their tech is supposed to be 200 years into the future compared to old boring MEKA. Have a little faith to Terran Supremacy!!”

  Dae-Hyun slid out from under the mech and finally looked at her. “Vikings don’t have a human pilot sitting two meters from the reactor core…they actually move the Reactor towards the thrusters. It’s safer that way.”

  “Details..don’t sweat it Hyung.”

  “Important details! It's basic Engineering law 101!”

  I glanced up at the MEKA’s reactor housing, then back to them. StarCraft tech was resilient absurdly so but Overwatch MEKA systems were designed around pilot comfort, neural stability, and long-term maintenance. Not to mention it has a self-destruct button.

  Hana pushed limits. Dae-Hyun made sure those limits didn’t push back. Hana crossed her arms. “You always do this. You’re afraid of performance.”

  “I’m afraid of you ejecting at Mach two because you wanted ‘more style,’” he shot back.

  “Iv’e done that before, it’s called confidence! Being a pilot of a mech you always need to have confidence!”

  “It’s called physics Hana, one of these days you’re gonna get yourself killed”

  She huffed and turned back to the hologram, resizing a leg actuator. “Fine. Then we reinforce the joint. Jason has the materials.” I felt my name come up like a bat signal.

  “We do,” I said mildly. “But reinforcing that joint increases mass. You’ll lose turn speed.”

  Hana brightened instantly. “See? He gets it. Tradeoffs, we don't really need turnspeed if you will just let me install some thrusters for that.”

  Dae-Hyun looked at me. “Wait? You’re encouraging her? What she’s creating isn't safe!”

  “Should we get Tobjorn and Briggite on this?”

  They went back to it almost immediately and ignored me entirely. Hana leaned into the cockpit frame, muttering, “If you’d just let me swap to the higher-output capacitor maybe…”

  “And void the safety margin, and my sanity,” Dae-Hyun replied without missing a beat.

  “That’s not the point!”

  “That is exactly the point!”

  Dae-Hyun smirked. Hana stuck her tongue out at him.

  What the hell did I get myself into? Two mech nerds fighting over OSHA and overspeccing? Schneider woke up and saw two bickering strangers and said “Are home yet?”Still groggy, still quiet, but awake. She sat up just a little, blonde hair mussed, clutching the edge of my arm like it was an anchor. Big eyes took in the hangar: the towering mech, the lights, the noise, the people.

  The two of them broke away from fighting each other and squealed “Soo Cuteeee!”

  “Oh my god.”

  She crossed the distance in three quick steps, crouching in front of Schneider like she was approaching a wild animal . “She’s so cute. I thought you were holding a bag or something, I didn't think it was a little cutie!”

  “I don’t joke about children..and…you really thought I was holding the bag? what?” I said, quietly. Did they not see? You know what, nevermind. It’s the cape isn’t it? I really need a new costume. This Commander Outfit isn’t cutting it.

  Dae-Hyun set his tools down with exaggerated care, as if any sudden movement might spook her. “She’s…soo tiny, it’s no wonder we didn’t notice her at first”

  Schneider blinked at them. She didn’t smile. Didn’t speak. Just watched, eyes curious, unafraid. Hana pressed both hands to her cheeks. “She’s so cute I’m going to explode. Jason, why didn’t you warn me you have a little daughter!! Oh you’re so cute!”

  “I didn't? I just brought her back today,” I said. “You were arguing about capacitors.”

  “That’s not the same thing oh hush!”

  Hana leaned closer, lowering her voice instinctively. “Hi,” she said gently. “I’m Hana. This is Dae-Hyun. We build big robots. Very responsibly.”

  Dae-Hyun snorted. “That’s a lie.”

  Hana shot him a look. “Not now minnion!”

  Schneider tilted her head, considering this information. Her gaze drifted past them, up to the suspended MEKA frame, eyes widening just a fraction with the skeletal of my former Viking.

  “…big,” she murmured.

  Hana clasped her hands together. “Can we keep her?”

  “No,” I said flatly.

  Hana deflated instantly. “I was joking.”

  “You were not.” Dae-Hyun smiled despite himself. He crouched down too, keeping a respectful distance. “You like robots?”

  Schneider hesitated, then nodded again. Smaller this time. “Good,” he said. “Then you’re already smarter than most people! Big stompy robots are the coolest. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  She looked at him for a long moment… then shuffled closer to my side, pressing lightly against my arm.

  This is gonna be a long day-

  **********************

  A/N

  More slice of life stuff, no action, just ..introducing characters slowly methodically, maybe im losing the plot but no rush..not yet anyway. There’s a few more Overwatch characters.