“Concierges, please disengage our guests from the command interface modules. We will be serving refreshments in the library in twenty minutes,” Erin Caracal instructed.

The rows of modules were mat black and trimmed in a soft royal purple light. When Gordon ordered the colors, he’d claimed it would make the entitled feel majestic, like lords and ladies instead of wealthy bubble heads.

“Ms. Caracal, if that demonstration was supposed to impress me, it failed miserably. I didn’t even get to use my weapon,” A patron complained.

Erin assessed him with a gaze, Timothy Gnomes, she realized might not be the kind of person who was really cut out for this organizational level test.

“Yes, we noticed you have weapons’ proficiency complications. I am sure we can find a way to make it up to you, Sir.”

Beside Erin, a module hatch slide aside and Vision Dynamics CEO stepped backward out of the pod and took in a deep breath.

Timothy paled and with a quick nod, he hurried away, not wanting to face the granite faced man in person.

“The sync rate was spectacular Erin, not as good as the purely driven AI team,” Gordon adjusted his sleeves and checked his cufflinks, then motioned for a Concierge to bring him his blazer.

“Yes Sir. The AI’s will still serve as the direct-action teams, but inhabited combat soldiers are effective for line soldiers, though training might need to be a little stricter if we are going to allow surrogates to be on direct action teams,” she said as her gaze slide over to Timothy who was still trying to get all the electrode’s removed from his skin.

“Yes, well, an inexperienced hand at the wheel will always be an issue. Other than that, how was his performance?”

Erin paused, seeming to weigh her words before using a taloned finger to push her cat’s eyeglasses, “He failed the tutorial, his weapons proficiency was non-existent. Sir, you can put a child in a Maserati, but you can’t expect him to win races,” Erin replied evenly.

“Pass him onto the next round, we will provide and AI assist and see if he improves, if he doesn’t meet muster we can reset him,” Gordan caught Timothy’s eye and flashed him a smile that the young man returned faintly.

“Very well, Sir, the matter of the Private Military Company? Do you wish to keep them on retainer? Colonel Garshack will not be eager to use his own men after the last incident,” Erin asked and pulled down on her white blouse to even out any creases, imaginary or not.

“The Marine Corporation will do whatever I fucking tell them to do,” Gordon growled and buttoned up his blazer, “however, Professional Tactical Solutions feels we still owe them a favor, so if we can use them for the next trail, all the better. They might even be cut out to deal with that Outsider issue,” Turning to face Erin, Gordon put both hands on her shoulders, then looked into her steady gaze.

“Keep Rooker away from here. I don’t want him, or his people sniffing around, is that clear?”

“Yes Sir,” Erin said, but Gordon saw something in her eyes and raised a brow.

“You have questions, Ms. Caracal?”

“No Sir, that would be presumptuous of me,” she said intentionally keeping her tone even.

“You think keeping them around is a bad idea? I was made aware of your initial objections after the incident,” Gordon chuckled.

“It’s not my place,” Erin responded, growing more reserved by the moment.

“No, it isn’t. You keep your focus on making these elite rich assholes happy. They want to feel like super soldiers, we let them ride along, hell if they are high enough level, they can even be assigned a role, but the ground forces are Haskins problem,” Gordon took a few steps passed Erin, then paused.

“Erin, you have been the perfect personal assistant. You know your place, and I value that commitment. This technology will change the balance of power in Pacific West, and I will need you at my side as the technology is proofed, and after if continue to display such high levels of acumen.”

Erin swallowed and her eyes. “I’m forever your servant, Mr. Gordon.”

Gordon once more adjusted his cuff, then in a tone that could have been used to sooth small children he added, “There are a lot of ways to control people, Ms. Caracal, I would very much like to keep yours voluntary.”