Alyssa and I went to the motor pool and requisitioned a troop transport. While I did the paperwork, Alyssa called her squad and told them to meet us in front of the main barracks. I took the option for a driver so that we wouldn't have to worry about keeping an eye on it, and we climbed aboard to drive over to the barracks.

“Look at this guy!” Crush practically yelled as the troop transport came to a stop. “Letting us ride in style!”

“Hop in.” I said and they piled into the back. I pinged my AI and told her to come along, then turned to the driver of the transport and told him to take us to Alyssa's apartment. I climbed into the back with the others and sat down. “Okay, we need to talk.”

“We've got the next 3 days off.” Evilin said. “Can't it wait until then?”

“Unfortunately, no.” I said. “I haven't discussed this with Alyssa; but, I need to know what you plan to do.”

“We're going to party!” Crush said and pumped his arm in the air.

“Crush, he means when we come back.” Alyssa clarified.

“Oh.” Crush said. “Well, we'll go back to work. We're combat soldiers. What else is there to do?”

“That's what I want to talk about.” I said. “You're going to be reassigned when we get back.”

“We're not going to be babysitting you anymore?” One of the male cyborgs asked. “That's a relief.”

“Wait, what?” Cali asked. “You guys weren't part of the normal squad deployment?”

Alyssa shook her head. “We're Jack's personal guards.”

“Really?” Cali let a satisfied smile spread across her face. “Interesting.”

“Long hours of standing guard sucks balls.” The other male cyborg said. “What's her name is really annoying, too.”

“Sandra.” Evilin said. “Yeah, she can be a real pain in the butt, and we haven't been around that long for her to hate us being there.”

“Some people don't like having to be constantly watched.” I said.

Crush laughed. “Just like you when we first met.”

“Yeah.” I said and looked at Alyssa. “I don't feel that way now.”

“The benefits definitely outweigh the annoyance.” Cali said and winked at me.

“That's not...” I sighed. “It appears that way, but...” I shook my head. “The reason I wanted to talk to you is to discuss what's going to happen with military service from now on.”

“After what happened yesterday, no one is going to mess with us!” Crush said and held a mechanical clawed hand up, and one of the other male cyborgs slapped it in a 'high five' gesture, despite neither of them having fingers.

“That's the problem.” I said, and then explained to them what it meant for battles in the future, and what combat was going to become in a very short time. Everyone was silent as I laid it all down for them and let them know what their future roles were going to be like.

“Oh, my god.” Cali said and sat back, stunned. “We're... we're going to be...”

“Extermination squads.” I said sadly. “No more thrill of battle. No more besting an enemy of equal or near equal skill...”

“No more fun.” Crush said. “You're right. I'm not going to like that at all.”

“That's not the best part.” I said, and he groaned. “Once all the combat capabilities of the other caverns is eliminated...”

“Oh, damn.” Evilin said. “We're not going to be needed anymore, either.”

“You got it.” I said and looked at their sullen faces. The only one who looked happy was Cali. I nodded to her and she smiled.

“I'm sorry that you all think that not being needed for combat makes you sad, but you know my view.” Cali said. “I hate having to do it, and I only do it because I had to after the replacement surgery.” She said. “It was paid for by the military, so I had to work for the military.”

“Ranger...” Alyssa started to speak, and Cali put a synthetic hand on her arm to stop her.

“Yeah, I know you're all gung-ho for the military and that it's your whole life... but... that's not me.” Cali said. “It never was.”

Alyssa sighed and nodded.

“So, what are you offering?” Cali asked me.

I looked at their poker faces and played my best card. “Honorable discharge from the military, then full time employment as security for me.”

“Ugh!” One of the male cyborgs grunted. “No thanks.”

“Me, either.” The other male said. “I hate guard missions.”

Evilin looked at them and then at Crush, who shrugged.

“It doesn't bother me.” Crush said. “I got to stand in a normal lobby most of the time and escorted a pretty woman to work and guard her.” He smiled. “I can honestly say that some of them have a sweet life.”

“You got propositioned, didn't you?” Evilin asked, and Crush chuckled.

“I kept things strictly professional; but damn, she was hot.” Crush said.

“When are you seeing her?” Cali asked.

“Tomorrow night.” Crush said. “If I'm not going to be needed to bring the heavy guns to battle, I think going for private security isn't so bad.”

Alyssa nodded. “I'm a highly trained combat specialist, with extensive fighting techniques, and none of them were needed yesterday.” She said, then sighed. “Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be in the military. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted...” She shook her head. “It doesn't matter.”

“Things seem to be changing, and I can't tell if it's going to be good or bad for us.” I said. “I'm making this offer before things are set in stone.”

They all exchanged glances, and I sighed.

“You know I can't promise an exciting time, or a need for your skills, or even a day outdoors.” I said. “All I can offer is a job if you want it.”

“Then sign me up.” Cali said. “I already offloaded my micro-drone package back at the base, just so they wouldn't think I was stealing the damn thing.”

“Don't tell me they did that the last time you were on break.” I said, and she nodded.

“I had an afternoon pass and went to... well...” Cali's face flushed a little red. “When I got back, I was accused of espionage and had to get a complete overhaul and maintenance check.”

“Oh, no.” I said. “How long were you down for?”

“Longer than I was from that EMP blast.” Cali said, bitterly. “They even took apart the micro-drones looking for evidence.”

“I assume they did a visual records check?” Alyssa asked.

“I asked them to knock me out first.” Cali said. “I didn't want to know what they went through.”

I reached out and touched her hand. “I'm sorry, Cali.”

“Why? You didn't do it.” Cali said. “Anyways, I've got lots of reasons to take your offer.”

“Amanda?” I asked, and she poked her head through the transport wall.

“Yes, Jack?”

“You're still in good with the System (Military Grade) AI, right?”

“She's my aunt, so yes.” Amanda said, and I chuckled.

“What's funny?” Alyssa asked.

“Just Amanda being cute.” I said as Amanda stepped into the middle of the transport. “Amanda, can you...”

“Hermes and I traded some code, so sure.” Amanda said and initiated a limited Network.

“Whoa.” Crush said as his screen split to show everyone's view down the sides of his HUD as if they were in a combat situation. “Damn, Handy!” He said and looked at Amanda. “She's your AI?”

Amanda giggled and covered her mouth.

“Yes, she is.” I said, then frowned. “Wait, what do you mean you traded some code?”

“Um... nothing!” Amanda said. “Forget I said that.”

“Amanda...”

“Didn't you want me to do something for Cali?” Amanda asked innocently, and I sighed.

“You and I are going to have a little talk later.” I said, and she smiled. “Yes, can you put Cali in for an Honorable Discharge, effective immediately?”

“Geez, you're not wasting any time, are you?” Amanda asked and they all watched her generate a document and hold it out for me. I put my thumb on the virtual paper and it appeared there. Amanda bundled up the paper and tossed it over her shoulder out of the transport.

“It can't be that easy.” Cali said. “It takes me three days to requisition for new drones!”

“Unlike us, AIs work on a whole different level.” I said. “It might still take a few... no, there it is.”

Everyone turned to see where I was looking and saw a paper airplane approach the transport.

“What the hell?” One of the male cyborgs said and ducked as the paper airplane just missed him and Amanda caught it. She giggled again and made a digital copy, tossed a paper plane to Cali and handed me the other one.

“I took the liberty to add in hiring her into a new security firm to be named later.” Amanda said.

“This... this is...” Cali stared straight forward and read what was on her HUD, as was I. I read through the discharge papers and then flipped to the last page and read the hiring agreement.

“Amanda.” I said to get her attention and pointed to the salary. “What's this thing about paying Combat Points on weekends?” I asked, and everyone looked at me.

“It's a bonus for working on their days off.” Amanda said. “You give the same bonus to Nurse Deloris.”

“Wait, what?” I looked at her. “When did that happen?”

“She gets it every weekend.” Amanda said. “You said to hire her for Standard Points.”

“Yes, but...”

“Overtime is Combat Points, Jack.” Amanda said. “You can't hire people and think you're going to pay them all different amounts.”

“The jobs aren't the same!” I said, and she giggled.

“So, how much do you want to pay people that will be guarding your life?” Amanda asked.

“Yeah, Jack.” Crush said and leaned forward. “How much are you going to pay us?”

I opened my mouth for a moment, then sighed. “Fine. Standard Points and Combat Points for weekends.”

“Damn, he caved so easily.” Crush chuckled and sat back. “Where did your balls go, man?”

My eyes automatically flicked to Alyssa before I could stop them, and her face flushed red. Everyone started laughing at that, and Crush asked to sign up as well.

“Alyssa?” Cali touched her arm. “Are you...”

“I don't know.” Alyssa said. “I... I love the military. It's my life.”

“Yeah. It's mine too.” Evilin said from across the compartment. “Except, I have to agree with Crush. If I can't be useful there and if I'm going to be benched anyways...” She turned her head and looked at me. “I need to think about it a little more.”

“I'm still out.” One of the male cyborgs said. “You could give me Combat Points all the time and it won't make me like the job.” He said. “I'll stick it out until the end, whenever that's going to be.”

“Same here.” The other male said. “They are still going to need soldiers, even if the main fighting is over.”

“That's true.” I said. “They'll need lots of guards to keep people away from the factories and the HQ.”

“You know, I think you're trying to convince us to betray our oaths.” The male cyborg said.

I held up my hands showed him my palms. “I'm just telling you what I know is going to happen because you did guard me and didn't question it. I'm not trying to change your mind. I'm only trying to help you like you helped me.”

“Yeah, whatever.” The male cyborg said. “No, thanks.”

The troop transport came to a stop at Alyssa's living section and Amanda ended the small Network.

“This is our first stop.” I said and opened the door. “I'm tempted to tell you that you're still on private guard duty; but after this little exchange, I don't want you to be.” I stepped out of the transport and Alyssa followed me. “Driver? Take them to their homes, or drop them off wherever they want.”

“Sure thing.” The driver said.

“Hey, I'm taking the job!” Crush said.

“So am I.” Cali said.

“You two get a couple days off, just like the colonel ordered.” I said. “Those two...” I pointed to the two male cyborgs. “...are fired. They can return to the base when the order expires.”

“What about me?” Evilin asked.

“You're still deciding and you don't mind guard work, so there's no need for me to be harsh.” I said. “Don't wait too long before letting me know either way, though. Same timetable of a couple days.”

Evilin nodded and I shut the door, then banged on it to signal the driver to go. The transport took off and Alyssa and I went into her living section and down in the elevator. She let us into her apartment and I sat down on the couch.

“That was a bit harsh.” Alyssa said, and I sighed.

“Yes, and I'm sorry.” I said. “I'm... not in a good place right now.”

“Me, either.” Alyssa sat down next to me and rested her head on my shoulder. “I don't know what to do.”

“We've got a few days off, so let's not waste them.” I said and put an arm around her shoulders.

“I don't feel like having sex right now, Jack.”

“That's not what I...” I stopped talking when I received a ping. I opened the message and it was from Dennis, the Archive AI.

Dennis: Yer apartment's done, you ungrateful bastard.

“Oh, damn.” I said and took my arm from around her shoulders. “Alyssa, excuse me for a minute.”

“What is it?”

“I forgot to do a favor for a friend.” I said, and brought up the programs that I needed to use, then formed a secured connection to the System. I checked over the program and made a few slight alterations in the time management code, just like I had when I fixed the error in the food dispenser, and sent in the code. I waited for several seconds and then sent a reply to Dennis.

Jack (RETCONNED): Sorry about that. The error is fixed and you should see a change right away.

I waited another moment, then received a reply.

Dennis: Well, damn. They're giving me an extra year's worth of data! All right, I won't be angry at you fer forgetting.

I closed the messages and looked at Alyssa. “Guess what?”

“They're revoking your days off, aren't they?”

I chuckled. “No, the work on my apartment is finished.”

“Oh, wonderful.” Alyssa said and stood up. “Back to that huge and barely defensible place.” She said and went to the closet by the door. “I'll grab the things we need.”

“Alyssa, it's been great staying here, but I want to get back to my place.” I said and stood up, and she tossed my backpack to me.

“I know you've been biding your time here.” Alyssa said and grabbed a combat harness, 2 laser pistols, and 8 spare recharge packs. I slung the backpack on my back and walked over to her.

“I wasn't biding my time.” I said and touched her shoulders from behind. She didn't try to shrug me off, so I slid my arms down and around her waist. “You offered to let me stay here when I had nowhere else to go.” I said and kissed her cheek. “I appreciate that just as much as you guarding my life.”

“Jack...”

“I trust you to keep keeping me safe, no matter where we are.” I said, and she turned around in my arms to face me. “With you on the job, I'm not afraid of anything.”

“I don't think you've ever been afraid.”

“Shh. Don't tell my head of security. She might get a swelled head if she knew I had so much confidence in her abilities.”

Alyssa chuckled. “You think she'd get a swelled head just from that?”

“Maybe a little.” I said and helped her put on the combat harness and slid the recharge packs into place. “I wonder when...” I stopped talking when the driver of the transport pinged me with a message that said he was on his way back to park. “I'll tell the driver to come and get us.”

“We could just take the Tube.” Alyssa said and hung the laser pistol in her hip.

“Why waste having a private driver?” I asked. “Besides, it's getting close to noon.”

“You are not having him drive us to get food.”

“Of course not. He's driving us to my apartment... and stopping for food on the way.”

“Jack.”

“I'll get him some, too.” I said and opened the front door. “After you.”

Alyssa looked at me for a moment like she was going to say something, then she walked out into the hallway. I followed her and we went up to the lobby to wait for our ride.