Chapter 419

“As you’re well aware, your parents are some of, if not, the best robotics engineers in the world.” Fel began as the two of them left James’s house and began making their way down the sidewalk. The hospital was in town, and they’d need to catch a train, but James wasn’t sure if that was before, or after, they dropped off the bomb.

“I wouldn’t know about in the world,” James countered, trailing off. It was true. His parents had always been sought after, as long as he could remember. And this government gig, was huge for them. They couldn’t tell him the details, but he knew it was the pinnacle of their work. From what he did know, they’d been given a once in a lifetime opportunity for their work, which was also why, he never begrudged them leaving him alone so they could pursue it.

“No one’s work can come close to that,” Fel said as she pointed towards Dagger. The robotic canine was walking between the two of them, a barely discernable bump on its back the only sign right now it wasn’t a living creature. That bump was presenting the privacy shield for the conversation.

“But, still, the world?” He pressed. That was a major claim. It was one thing to be the best on the continent. But the entire world? Then again, if they were hand selected by the government, that could add credence to Fel’s claim.

“If I ever get the chance to meet them,” she said with a smirk, “I’m going to tell them you doubted their skills.”

“Don’t you dare.” James hissed. He loved his parents. He respected them. He would never doubt their skills.

“Oh, and are you going to stop me?” She winked at him, and then flinched as Dagger growled. James couldn’t touch Fel. But he would bet on Dagger over Fel. That’s how skilled he knew his parents were.

“Right,” Fel glanced down at Dagr, shifted the bag on her shoulder, and continued. “I swear, Fido here is going to give you an ego you don’t deserve. Any who, you parents, are really good at what they do, let’s agree on that.”

“Never argued that fact.” James grinned. He was enjoying this, perhaps a little too much. And she was right, if he let Dagger’s protective ability get to him, he’d likely say or do something stupid to get himself in trouble.

“I swear to the gods.” Fel grumbled. “ANY WHO.” She stressed, “are you going to let me explain the situation, or not?”

“Sorry Fel,” James said, offering her a sincere smile, which caused his jaw to ache ever so slightly. “I may be destressing still a bit.”

“Uh huh,” she shook her head. “Most people would destress in much less risky ways, than poking someone like me, you know.”

James shrugged and motioned for her to continue. He could tell from the path they were walking she had a destination in mind that wasn’t the train station.

“Because of the skill of your parents, any and all projects they work on, are of importance.” She continued, after taking a deep breath and ensuring he wouldn’t interrupt. “On top of that, their notes, prototype, and everything linked to their research and projects, are viewed as matters of National Security.”

“Because of this fact,” she pressed on, “it is imperative to the government that none of their work, falls into the wrong hands.”

“Such as Cyb3ru5.” James added.

“Exactly like Cyb3ru5. While your parents’ field of work was robotics specifically, your new guard dog there is a great example of how complex and advanced their skillsets are. Even if it didn’t have to deal with immersion, the potential dangers your parents work could cause in the wrong hands, is terrifying.”

“Still,” James pressed, “why the need for that.” He motioned to the bomb. “Surely, that’s a bit overboard.”

“Honestly,” Fel sighed, “I’m not sure. I didn’t request it. Hell, until I met you, I wasn’t even completely certain you were their kid. Rach and Matt didn’t really give me many details, what with the time sensitivity of the mission and all.” She patted the bag, her face lost in thought.

“However, once I’d confirmed acceptance of the job, I was approached by a handler for my organization, and taken, quite quickly, to a secure location. There, I was linked to the VP, and instructed that while you were my mission to protect, nothing in that house could risk falling in the wrong hands. I was told to give my life, to ensure that no one hostile was left in the home. Which is why I instructed you to run, if things got to that point.”

“You didn’t mention you had a weapon like that on you. Would have made me a lot more likely to follow that command, if you’d had to give it, if that was the case.” James retorted.

“Would it have?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. “Do you really think you would have gone along with everything, knowing there was a VP in the room across from yours?”

“Fair,” James reluctantly mumbled. She had a good point there. “But, if that was the case, why leave me at the house at all? Why not secure it, and send me somewhere safe?”

“Where would we have sent you short notice?” She asked. “You’re a Dungeon Core. You need to immerse. Sure, Rue is great and all, but it’s your job to run the dungeon. And transferring you away from the house, would have raised more suspicions, not just for you, but for Cyb3ru5. Not to mention the risk of showing our hand completely to Cyb3ru5. The actions we took, were the best for catching them by surprise, and keeping you safe through the night.”

She laughed as they turned a corner. She was taking him further away from the train station, towards the outskirts of town. It was in a different direction than he’d gone when he met with Hades, but still, it was becoming easily noticeable that there were less people in this area, and that the buildings weren’t quite as well put together. Still, James did notice two birds that seemed to be paying quite a bit of attention to the two of them. Which made him glad for Dagger’s special bubble.

“Besides, I wasn’t going to lose to four half assed invaders from a hacking group. Digitally, yeah, they may have been able to best me. But four would be kidnappers, unaware of my presence there, didn’t stand a single chance in hell. The VP, was just to make the higher ups feel better about the whole thing.”

Her words made him feel a little better. She, at least, had been there to keep him safe. After talking with her about it, he knew she actually cared about his safety. But whoever was giving her orders, and whoever had given her that VP, definitely didn’t. He was certain of that much.

“Do you, know what’s in their workshop?” James asked. He’d never been allowed through those doors. Hell, he couldn’t even remember seeing them open. His parents used the workshop, he knew that much, but they never opened the door when he was in the room.

“No idea.” The tone in her voice, as she said those words, implied that fact really bugged her. He could tell she not only knew of his parents but admired them. Which meant the curiosity of being so close, and not knowing at all, had to be immense.

“Which is why, if you do ever get the idea to use your pup there and open the door, you better let me know.” She laughed and slapped him lightly on the back. “It’s the least you could do, after I saved your ass.”

“You were just doing a job. Besides, I thought I already paid that debt to you.”

“I mean, if you think finding the entrance to a floor in a video game, is worth the same as your life, that’s on you.” She winked at him, “but really, you should value your life a bit more.”

James stuttered, trying to find a good retort, but the words froze in his mouth. They’d come to a nondescript building, a warehouse of some sorts, and as they reached the rusted door, two figures appeared before them, as if from nothing.

The enforcers said nothing, and Fel slowed the two of them as the figures watched them intently.

“Stay here, don’t say anything, and keep Dagger back. I’ve no idea what deals your parents worked with the government, to get Dagger to you, but I doubt the government likes the idea of you walking around with tech like that. And, I don’t want you doing anything stupid, that would give them a reason to confiscate Dagger from you.” Fel’s voice was hushed, and stern.

“What makes you think I would do something like that.” James asked, slightly offended. He’d done some dumb stuff in the past, but he wasn’t completely stupid.

“Oh I don’t know. Maybe the fact Dagger could likely identify those Enforcers for you? Which, you know, the identity of an Enforcer is supposed to be completely secret.”

“Fair.” She made a good point. He had already been preparing to send Dagger a private message to see what the robot could figure out about the Enforcers. He was like a kid with a new toy, regarding Dagger, and seriously, he wanted to know just what the dog could do. That begin said, Fel had definitely caught onto his intentions, and he knew she was right. Testing out Dagger was one thing, but testing it out on secret, lethal, high tech shock troops of the government, was probably not the best idea. Especially not on day one.

“I’ll be right back.” She continued, glancing from James, to Dagger. “Whatever you do, please, just stay here, and stay quiet.”

“Will do.” James offered Fel a reassuring nod and a smile. She returned it halfheartedly, and then stepped out of the privacy shield, her face an emotionless mask as she made her way to the two Enforcers.

James wanted to listen to what was said but knew better. They likely had a privacy shield of their own up, or ways to detect anyone trying to eavesdrop, and Fel had made it very clear, the government didn’t care for him. They cared about his parents, and their tech. And it was in his best interest, and likely his parents, if he didn’t do anything reckless.

Instead, he stood there, awkwardly, as whatever was said, was said, and then one of the Enforcers opened the door, and Fel stepped inside. A moment later, as the door closed, the two Enforcers completely disappeared, once again. James was left, standing there awkwardly, waiting and wondering just what was going on, and more importantly, how long Fel would be.

She herself had told him how eager she was to get to the hospital and warned him against being late for his appointment. Now though, James was starting to wonder if she’d be the reason they were late. And if they were, what would they say when he tried to reschedule? Because telling the hospital he was delayed because they were returning a VP to the government, probably wasn’t the best excuse, even if it was the truth.

“Excuse me, James.” Dagger’s voice, low and unexpected, caused James to jump. He could only hope, if the Enforcers were still outside the building, and just camouflaged, that they hadn’t seen it.

“What is it Dagger?” James asked, his voice hushed. Even though they had a privacy shield up, he was on edge. This whole situation had him paranoid.

“I wanted to inform you I’ve got readings of a vehicle approaching this area at a high speed.” The dog’s voice was calm, but the words caused the hairs on James’s neck to rise. The last time he’d approached an unknown vehicle, he’d been abducted. And given where they were, and the whole situation going on, he couldn’t help but feel his adrenaline begin to flow.

“Any idea who it is?” He asked, looking anxiously back at the building. How long had Fel been in there? What was taking her so long?

“Too far out still to identify.” Dagger said simply. “It additionally has some sort of jamming system up, and my sensors are having trouble, as is, getting past the additional jamming those government drones are emitting.” As the dog spoke James received a feed from Dagger to his AR glasses, which had the birds that had been following them identified as government drones. He had figured that much, considering the VP. But still…

“We will give Fel a few more minutes,” James said tensely. “However, I’ll need you prepared to keep me safe, and get me out of here, if things seem dangerous.”

“But of course, James,” Dagger said matter of factly. “Your protection, is my purpose.”

James knew that. But he didn’t want to put Dagger’s protective skills to the test. Not now, and honestly, not ever. All he wanted, was to be a normal kid again. Was that too much to ask?