Jacob walked us over to a dispy s, ohat was just hanging in the air. Jane checked behind it, ran her hand above and below, it wasn’t a trick. “.”

  “Indeed,” Jacob swiped his hand across the front of the dispy and the image ged. The new image appeared to be a blueprint for the shelter, at least as far as I could tell. It could have been a circuit diagram for all I knew.

  “This was the inal design for the shelter,” Jacob said. “It was inally po be two floors, a ground floor and a basement. It was io shit, probably because they never pnned on finishing it in the first pce.”

  He shook his head then pulled up a new diagram.

  “This was the design I whipped up based upoher shelters I’ve helped build. Subterraneaers are more secure, so I was going to build everything underground, I guess I could build you something on top. Having a Samurai on hand would definitely make things safer for the people. What exactly are you looking for?”

  “Ummm…” I really should have thought about that before this point, fortunately Nyx was around.

  “An area for fabrig bots and ons, and a rge area for ste. Leaving it wide open would allow for future expansions. A giant garage basically.” Jaodded, taking down notes.

  “And a small area separated from that with living space for ten or so people.” I added.

  Jaurned and looked at me, eyes questioning.

  “I’m not going to leave everyone living in the Burrow, even if it’s a fortable pce to live. If anyone finds out that you’re all associated with me your lives could be at risk, especially now that I’ve pissed off the gangs.”

  “You did what?” Jane’s voice went up two octaves.

  “They started it! I was trying to clear up the Antithesis and the Wreckers attacked me. I just defended myself.”

  “That is the most reckless thing you’ve ever done.” Jane grabbed the front of my hoodie and started shaking me. “What would we have done if they killed you?”

  I heard Jacob chuckle behind me, “I’ll give you two some space, it’s time for me to get started anyways. This shouldn’t take too long with all my bots w on it, you should be able to move in after a couple days.”

  Just before he walked away I remembered something. “Before you begin, would you mind helping me recover something from one of the basements?” I asked.

  Jaopped shaking me for a moment, Jacob raised an eyebrow. “What is it you want to recover?”

  “A fabricator. A friend of mine almost died wheried to salvage it, I feel like I owe it to him.”

  “Was this that big job you were talking about earlier this week?” I could see Jane’s eyes narrow. “The one you wouldn’t tell me about?”

  “Yessss….” warning, danger!

  “With who?”

  “Dante.”

  “You promised nang jobs!” Oh, Jane was really mad now. I couldn’t bme her, “I did promise, but we were also hard up for cash. You know that.”

  “We will discuss this ter,” she dropped me and huffed.

  Jacob just ughed. “I retrieve your device, what do you wao do with it?”

  I paused, Dante was in bad shape. I didn’t have a clue how he’d move the thing, I’d have to ask him ter.

  “ you keep it here until the shelter’s done? I’ll get him to e collect it before tonight.”

  Jaodded, “I do that.”

  ************

  Jane was still ranting when we arrived at Leah’s pce a couple mier. “It doesn’t matter that we only had three days of ratio, you promised no gang work!”

  “The Scorpions are barely a gang, they’re more like a neighbourhood watch, and they offered to pay me whether or not we found anything. You know Dante is a trustworthy tact.”

  Jane grabbed my head like a cw, digging her fingers into my scalp. “Not the point Evelyn.”

  “Gd someone has a good opinion of me.” I hadn’t expected Dao still be in the ic after the all clear, but I was gd he was here. I needed a distra to escape. His arm was still in a sling, and he looked like he hadn’t slept, or showered since I st saw him.

  Jane’s eyes jumped to the cast, her fingers eased up slightly. “I have nothing against you Da’s more about this one breaking a promise to everyone.” She poked me in the ribs, hard. Rude.

  “No offeaken, I did tempt her with a det haul. Guess that’s all gone now.”

  I squirmed out of Jane’s grasp and moved closer to Dante. I definitely wasn’t thinking of using him as a shield in the case of an emergency. “Not true at all. The Fabricator is still intact, and the Samurai that’s rebuilding the shelter said he’d hold on to it for you until tonight. You o find the truck though.”

  “Really?” Dante perked right up, “If that’s the case I o get some boys together. Thanks Teddy, I owe you one.”

  I saw Jane’s eye twitch at that. Distra successfully turned into further aggravation. “Don’t worry about it. Please.”

  Before Jane could grab me again I scampered towards the ba desperation. “Leah, check-up time!”

  As Leah stepped out of her office I briefly thought I’d made a mistake. Leah looked like shit. Her curly red hair was even more unruly tha time I saw her, the scarf discarded at some point. Her entire being screamed exhaustion, from the heavy slump to the bags under her eyes. At least she deterred Jane.

  “I could e back ter,” I said.

  Her eyes slowly swept ay ente, then locked on to me, “That’s a lie ah know it. You probably would have avoided the checkup if Jane wasn’t chasing you.” I couldn’t deny that. “Get in the chair.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Leah pulled a mae over and waved the attached ser ay entire body. “No broken bones or cerations. Just some surface tusions. You were lucky,” she tucked the ser away then gave me a gentle look. “I’m gd you’re safe, you kids take too many risks.” Behind her I saw Jane give me a ‘I told you so look.’

  “And you,” Leah said, turning on Jane, “Give Teddy a break. I’m not sure what she did, but I’m sure she wouldn’t have do if she had a choice.” Jane's smug face fell, just a little.

  “Now, both of you get out of here. I haven’t slept properly in two days.” Leah practically pushed us both out of the id smmed the door behind us.

  Jane and I exged gnces. “You know, Leah always does a lot for us, now that I’m a Samurai it’s time to do something nice for her.”

  “Like what?” Jane asked.

  “I’m not sure, but whe home Nyx give us some suggestions. e on.” With great effort I pulled Jao her feet. It was time to head home.