“What kind of frame do you have?” Zoe asked.

“Like most cyberdocs, I use a Harada Electronics Composer.”

“Why, is that one popular for cyberdocs?”

“The Composer has an elegant, yet simple interface with open-source coding that works extremely well with every cybernetic implant on the market,” Doc Brown answered. “That is what makes it popular amongst us.”

“That makes a lot of sense and I just thought of a question,” Zoe replied. Claire nodded. “How do people get their information from frames? Does everyone get eye replacements?”

“No, not everyone gets eye replacements, though I do recommend it. Most use either contacts or glasses that are paired with their frames. In fact, every low-end frame comes with glasses, the mid-tier frames come with contacts, and the higher end ones come with both.”

“What kind of frame would you recommend for me?”

“We’ll skip the Conductors, Concertos, and other cheap to mid-range options,” Claire said. She tapped her chin in thought. “In fact, let’s skip most of the high range options too.”

“Why? I thought the high range stuff would be what I would need.”

“There is a difference between high range fluff and high range working class frames. With what you want to do, there are only a few choices.”

“What do you mean fluff?”

“Stuff like this Saito Encore. The Encore is popular with artists and musicians because it has good base RAM and a decent buffer. While those are important, the Encore doesn’t allow for any modifications and comes with a lot of junk software preinstalled.”

“And I’ll need something that can be modified,” Zoe concluded. “But why would I need to modify a frame?”

“Changing out memory and processors or overclocking processors is important to certain kinds of people. Why buy a whole new frame, when you can just upgrade the processor and a couple of other components gaining an edge that way?”

“Makes sense.”

“Yep. Raven’s Fusion wouldn’t be a bad choice if you want something that can be modified yet comes packed with ICE as well as software like a word processor if you don’t want to raise too many eyebrows,” Doc Brown replied.

“But you don’t think I should go with something like that, do you?” Zoe asked. Claire smiled.

“No, I don’t. I’ve narrowed my list to two frames.”

“Ok. What are they and what is the advantage of each over the other?”

“Good question,” Claire replied. “The first is Laurent’s Overture. It’s a high-end, practical, and spacious frame featuring speedy RAM recovery and overclocked processors. Its advantage is that it can be heavily modified too. This makes the Overture popular amongst Slicers and Coders.”

“That sounds good.”

“The second choice is CyberBonic’s Allegro. Processors and RAM can be custom built as well as the software installed in this frame. In fact, the processors and RAM can be made from Biochips. This makes the Allegro extremely expensive, yet a much tougher nut to crack or slice.”

“I’ve not heard of Biochips before. What are they?”

“Biochips are micro devices created by using a person’s DNA, protein, or microfluid.”

“So, a person has to give blood or something for them?”

“A swab of the mouth or nose works fine if you don’t want to give blood,” Claire laughed.

“I suppose since the Biochips are made from a person’s DNA or whatever, that adds an extra layer of security in addition to the ICE.”

“Correct. Your storage space will be made from Biochips by the way.”

“Huh. I hadn’t even considered what the space would be made of. I guess I assumed it would be crystals grafted into my brain.”

“That would be barbaric! Just what did they teach you on that farm?”

“No more than they were required to,” Zoe admitted blushing a little. Noticing Claire’s expression, she continued, “I read a lot after I had to give up gymnastics.”

“Gave them up because you couldn’t compete with cyborgs?” Doc Brown asked.

“Yeah,” Zoe answered bitterly. “A pure human can’t compete with a person that has a frame correcting her movements, much less one that has replaced their legs or whatever with cybernetic parts and pull off tricks a normal human never could.”

“What have you been doing to keep yourself in such good shape?”

“I run when I can. But I haven’t done much since I arrived in the city.”

“Streets too crowded with people and junk?”

“Yeah.”

“Have you ever heard of parkour?”

“No. Why?”

“It’s basically running using the environment to assist you. Like jumping off walls or vaulting over pipes,” Claire explained. Zoe’s eyes eagerly widened.

“That sounds fun. But where would you do that?”

“The people that I have heard of doing it, do so on the rooftops, sides of buildings, or anywhere else for that matter.”

“A frame and other implants would help with that a lot, wouldn’t they?”

“Indeed. That said, people have done parkour for years without them,” Claire said showing Zoe a video on the desk of people running and jumping on rooftops.

“Yeah, that looks like so much fun. I’ll try it after I get my frame and maybe some other implants besides the weave,” Zoe replied sitting back in her chair.

“Have you decided on which frame you want?” Doc Brown asked.

“How much money has Mr Capone agreed to spend on my frame?”

Claire smiled. “As much as needed. Do you want the Biochips to go along with the Allegro?”

“Yes ma’am. Can we look at software too?”

“Call me Doc or Claire instead of ma’am or doctor. I’m not that old or snooty yet.”

Zoe smiled. “Thanks Doc.”

“Want to see the daemons too?”

“Of course.”

“Zoe?”

“Yes?”

“I’m going to throw in some nanorelays to improve your reflexes and synthetic blood vessels to improve your blood flow, recovery, stamina, and overall health when I’m installing your weave,” Claire said. “So, prepare to be in pain and out of commission for a few days.”

“I can’t afford that! How much does it add to the 10000 I already owe for the weave?”

“Nothing. I said I was throwing them in. In exchange for the implants, you’ll have to run some data and small packages for me from time to time.”

“Implant deliveries and the like?”

“Maybe.”

“Could I get Eagle Vision instead?” Zoe asked hopefully.

“No. Eagle Vision is way too expensive to give away on top of the existing debt you’ll owe me. V1 starts at 2500,” Claire answered crushing Zoe’s hope for improved vision. “But I can always over charge for the frame and add the cost of Eagle Vision V1 to the bill…”

“Can you get away with that?” Zoe asked as hope blossomed once more.

“Yes,” Claire answered smiling at the younger woman. “Be sure to look at the defensive software while I get a swab so we can get a DNA sample.”

“Why should I do that? Is that different than ICE?” Zoe asked as Claire stood.

“Yes. Defensive software gives you the knowledge of how to defend yourself through armed and unarmed means,” Claire said as she walked out of the office.

“How long will the Biochips and frame take to manufacture?” Zoe asked when Doc Brown returned. She was looking at other cybernetic implants instead of software. “Oh! Cat ears!”

“Three days or less depending on how busy CyberBionic is currently,” Claire answered grinning at Zoe’s excitement over cat ears. “Do you want cat ears too? I didn’t think you would be up for something like that.”

“Maybe. I think they’re cute,” Zoe replied.

“They’ll let you hear better than your normal ears besides just looking cute,” Doc Brown said. “But let’s hold off the ears until you can pay for them.” Zoe nodded her agreement. “Now, open wide.”