"Officer Enrique.  I'm bringing two people from Police Chief William Ryan." Enrique said toward the speaker.

"Uh oh." Cybersix said as she craned her head to look at the mansion through the trees.

"What's wrong?"  Jacinta asked.

" Bethany's room light is on."

"That's not good?"

Cybersix glanced at her, "She's seven, and shouldn't be up this late."

It WAS late, since she didn't realize, until she stepped out of the police car, that Bethany was her cousin, and that the people who owned the mansion in front of whose imposing facade she was standing was her aunt and uncle.

"Woah!" she said, glancing up and sideways, trying to take in the size of the place.  There was a rustle in the tree off to her right, but she didn't see anything when she glanced at it.

"Must keep up appearances, you know!" Cybersix chuckled at her reaction as she walked up to the door and rapped it lightly.

"Miss Cybersix!" the man who opened the door exclaimed, "So good to see you here!  Come in!  Umm, and who is this?" he asked, a bit warily, as Jacinta followed her aunt into the mansion.

"Family." Cybersix replied, "What's the problem, Harold?"

Harold beckoned to the staircase, "We were settling in for the night when Miss Bethany awoke, screaming and crying, about a half hour ago.  We tried to calm her down, and had almost succeeded, when we heard loud machine gun fire from the town center.  That set her to crying again, and Miss Cheng bounding out the window, muttering something about, ahhh..." here, he glanced at Jacinta, sized her up, and continued, "'blowing somebody's fucking head off'."

They reached the top of the stairs and were heading down a hall toward a door around which a few people were clustered.  Jacinta slowed down and let the two go ahead of her when she heard a child's sobbing coming from the room.

"Umm hmm." Cybersix murmured, thinking.  She went into the room and walked up to a woman holding a red-haired little girl in her nightgown, who was sobbing her heart out.

"Honey!" The woman exclaimed in a voice that made Jacinta start, "Look who's here!"

The girl shook her head and wouldn't look.

Cybersix got down on one knee, "Now what's all this fuss about, hmmm?"

"AUNTIE SIX!"  Almost immediately, the little girl's embrace had changed from her mother to Cybersix, "OhIwassoworriedaboutyou!  Ithoughtyouwerehurtbythosebadguysinthecar!"

"It's okay, Bethany!  It's okay!  See?  I'm just fine!" Cybersix comforted her niece.

"Oh, so THAT'S Bethany." Jacinta thought.  Her attention turned to Bethany's mother, and she received quite a shock to see the near likeness of Bethany's mother to her own mom.  She pulled her eyes away, and was shocked again at seeing her own mom, sitting on the bed next to her!  She glanced between the two:  There were slight differences, to be sure, but the likeness was startling.  Her mom, noticing she was at the door, winked and pursed her lips slightly, the Velasquez signal to "shut up and be quiet."

Cybersix untangled herself from Bethany and set her back into her mother's lap, "Now, explain the dream you had, since that's probably the reason why you awakened the whole household."

Jacinta was a bit puzzled as, slowly and carefully, Bethany gave the description of the attempted drive-by shooting, stopping when Cybersix had rolled into the street lamp.

"Well, as you can see, I'm all in one piece!" Cybersix stood up, held her arms out, and showed Bethany that she was quite intact.  She then held up a foot and let the shoe on it dangle from her toes, "Except for my shoes."

"Ewww!" Bethany made a face, "Bad guys!  Is Uncle 37 okay?"

"Everyone's okay.  Did you see the license plate of the car in your dream?"

"No.  It was covered."

"Everything's clear."

Jacinta blinked at the oriental-looking girl who had suddenly appeared at the window and was stepping inside.

"Hi Erin!" Cybersix said, "It wasn't a threat to the mansion.  Attempted drive by shooting of 37 at the police station."

"Sounded like automatic fire to me.  An AK? At 37?"

Cybersix nodded, which seemed to please the girl.

"Well, Bethany, since I'm here, I've got a couple of things to tell you." Cybersix knelt back down, noticing that she was still looking a bit shaky.

"What?"

"Firstly, I was visiting Type 37 to get a job fighting some the bad guys as an undercover citizen cop.  I'll be able to help your friend, now!"

"Oh goody!  And the second thing?"

Cybersix grinned, turned to the door, and beckoned for Jacinta to come up.  Jacinta blinked, glanced at her mom, noticed the slight nod of her head, gulped, walked in, and knelt down beside Cybersix.  Glancing at Bethany, she was struck by the swimming blues and violets in her iruses.  For her part, Bethany was equally startled and fascinated with the flecked gold of Jacinta's iruses.

"Bethany, I want you to meet your cousin, Jacinta." Cybersix introduced, "Jacinta, this is your cousin Bethany.  Your mothers are batchsisters." she added, glancing at the two women technos sitting on the bed.

"WHAT?" Serena gasped.  She turned to Magdelena, "WHY didn't you tell us when you came here?"

Magdelena smiled a little smile and shrugged, "Could I, ah, explain that later?  In private?  Besides," she said with a bit of irony, "when DID I have an opportunity to get a word in edgewise?"

Cybersix smiled when she heard Cyprus' gruffaw, then felt a light tap on her shoulder.  Glancing up, she saw Erin jerk her head toward the hall, so she got up and followed her out, "What is it?" she asked.

"Lemmie get this straight.  You've got a job as a cop, and the first thing you did was stop an assassination attempt against the Police Chief?  Shit, girl, it sounds as if you could use a hand out there."

"Could have used you tonight."  Cybersix confirmed, "However, the intent is for me to tackle the small fry and leave the big guys with the big guns to the real cops."

Erin shook her head, "Take some time to listen to Bethany.  Her friend is a pickpocket working for the mob.  They've got their tentacles everywhere, their filthy fingers in every pie in the city.  Attack one part of the crime problem, and the whole mass will react!  Yeah, there are about four, five bosses out there, each at each other's throats, but they'll band together and fight anything and anyone what represents the law."

"How'd you know all this?" Cybersix asked, fascinated.

"37 asked me to do a computer security check on the police computer system.  Pathetic.  I lifted the entire database before installing the security software.  Do you know how much Trodden Import/Export loses in theft off the docks and at the warehouses?"

"A lot?" Cybersix hazarded.

"Too fucking much, that's for sure," She waved in the general direction of Cyprus, "HE isn't telling us a tenth of the shit that's happening, for fear a Cyber or two will be pulled out of the field to handle the problem."

Cybersix frowned, "Is he paying protection money?"

Erin shook her head, "I don't know.  But if he is, do you think he'll continue paying when he knows a Cyber's out there ready to bust ass?"

"Not likely." Cybersix confirmed.

"Not that that would do much good, though."

"You mean, there's more?"

"Damn straight there's more.  One of the more profitable routes is the Singapore to Sidney run.  Would you believe we've lost over ten shipments to Pirates in the Malacca straights?"

"Pirates??" Cybersix blinked.

"Pirates." Erin confirmed, "Oh, not the 'Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum, patch over the eye' set that used to visit Meridiana a couple of centuries ago.  Now a days, they use small, fast boats with gun fired grappling hooks to aid in boarding ships.  The crews are armed to the teeth with automatic weapons.  Cyprus has taken to organizing convoys to lessen the risk.  Naturally, his ships bring up the rear."

"Pirates." Cybersix murmured thoughtfully.  She then grinned, "So, you want a piece of the action?"

"Hell, yes!  Gives me something to do waiting for my new battery.  Speaking of which, when the hell is Dr. Zack going to have it done?"

"Didn't you have an opportunity recently to ask?"

"I couldn't get much out of him after the lift I gave him from the airport."  Erin said, chagrined, "Some guys just can't handle high speed turns.  Could you ask him tomorrow when you get to school?"

Cybersix glanced at her watch, "You mean, when I see him today?"

"Yeah.  Today."

"By the way, how ARE you doing?" she asked, concerned.

Erin looked grim, "I've lost two hours of hold time over the last three months.  I have to plug myself in at night and trickle charge for eight hours at least.  Eight FUCKING hours!  Would you believe that?  Another three months, and I'll have to plug myself into the damn computer I'm working on just to get through the day!  What's the hold up?"

"You're his first REAL use for it, Erin, and he's nervous.  If you want a battery that lasts 10 years, its gotta have enough energy to ionize twenty city blocks if it malfunctions."  Cybersix looked grim, "This is night work.  Are you sure you can spare the time away from the charger?"

Erin thought a moment, "I'll charge during the day." she said finally, "I can move into a cubicle and get some privacy while I work."

"By the way, where DO you plug it into yourself?" Cybersix asked, grinning.

"Despite your mom's efforts, your old man has a fuckin' dirty sense of humor.  I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."

Cybersix chuckled, "I'll talk to him." she assured Erin.

"Good.  Oh, and if we're going to work together, you'd better get something better to wear.  I've sparred with you Cybers, and I know how you fight.  THAT's a hot number, there, but it'll ride up your waist in no time."

"Uh huh.  And you were jumping around outside in THAT?" Cybersix grinned, looking askance at Erin's oversized nightshirt.

"Touche," Erin conceded, "But at least I've got working clothes.  But I don't recommend Cammo.  Raises the paranoia level of people in this hemisphere something fierce," she turned her head, having noticed that Serena, Magdalena, and Jacinta, were approaching them, "Later, girl.  Take care."

"You too." Cybersix reached out, squeezed her hand briefly, then turned to the trio, "Ready to go home?"

"Vittorio is bringing the limosine around to the front door." Serena said.  She led them down the stairs and out the front door.  "Now don't you go hiding on me again, batchsister!" she said to Magdalena, giving her a hug.  "And YOU-" She turned and hugged Jacinta, "-don't you be a stranger here!  You come visit often, you hear me?  At least for cookies and milk after school?"

"Yes Aunt Serena", Jacinta smiled.  As if she needed encouragement to return.

Serena turned to Cybersix, "Thanks Six.  You've been a big help," she said, wiping at her eye and giving her a hug too.

Cybersix smiled grimly, "Let's hope I didn't screw this one up as bad as the last time I tried to help a techno out."

"Oh, I doubt that!" Serena said, turning as the Trodden Limosine pulled up, "I mean, who wouldn't like another niece to love and send presents to on birthdays and Christmases?"

"Nobody,"Cybersix thought privately,"I just know that some wouldn't like me getting the credit for outing that particular niece."
------
"Oh wow!  What a night!" Jacinta hugged her Aunt as they stopped in front of her apartment building.

Cybersix smiled and pecked Jacinta on the cheek, "There'll be a lot more days like this night.  Get lots of rest.  You'll need it.  Just don't forget me, okay?"

Jacinta had been sitting between the women, so she scooted over next to the window as Cybersix got out.  She poked her head out the window to take a better look at the building, only to gasp when she saw her Aunt leap up and flip gracefully through the topmost window.

Vittorio chuckled at the look on her face, "I think I looked like that the first time I saw a Cyber do THAT."  He shook his head, "Their strength, agility, and speed are amazing, but nothing beats seeing them jump 20 meters.  You never get over it."

Jacinta glanced at her mother, who was grinning in amusement, "I asked her what being a Cyber involves, and she said that I'd find out." she turned and glanced at the apartment through the rear window, "I sure did."
-------
"Long night?"

Jacinta stifled her yawn and grinned sheepishly at Lori's question, "Yeah.  Long night.  But it was worth it!"

"Oh?  How so?"

"Discovered family I never knew existed.  Just, ah, popped right in, out of nowhere literally.  Met a niece, two uncles, and two aunts, with more to meet later!"

"Really?  What did it feel like?" Angela asked excitedly.

"Like getting hit with-" Jacinta caught a glance of Dr. Zacharias opening his office door, "-Uhh, gotta talk to Dr. Zack!  You know how bad the math sub was, and I didn't get my homework done last night!"

"Right!" Lori made a face, "Good luck!  Fill us in later, okay?"

"Thanks!" Jacinta ran into Dr. Zack's office as the older man was sitting down, "Dr. Zack, Can I talk to you about the math class?  The Sub was awful, and I couldn't understand his explanation for factoring polynomials!"

Dr. Zack made a face, "That makes the third complaint I've heard today.  However, I can't go over the subject again, or we'll fall behind schedule."

"But if we don't get this right, how can we get what's coming afterwards?  I mean, you said that learning math is like building a building, with one addition building on what's already put in.  How can you put in the fifth floor without-"

Jacinta had stopped because Dr. Zack's attention was diverted from her to something behind her.  She turned and saw Mr. Seidelman standing in the doorway.

"Uhh, Adrian?  Can I get back to you later?" Dr. Zack asked him, "I'm with a student."

"Oh Tony." Adrian stepped in and closed the door behind him, "You gotta give them a break. I mean the sub has been positively awful." Here, he took off his glasses,  "You really should go ask Lucas, who's seen the sub in action and knows how math should be taught."

Jacinta blinked.  Mr. Seidelman's voice slowly changed, softened, and became positively feminine by the second sentence.  It took a few moments, after the glasses came off, that Jacinta recognized her, "Aunt Six?"

"Morning honey." Cybersix leaned over and pecked Jacinta on the forehead, lingering a few instants longer than usual, "Got enough sleep last night?"

"No." She admitted, feeling ready to yawn the moment the word 'sleep' was mentioned, "Too excited." She glanced at Dr. Zack, "Are you a Techno?"

Cybersix laughed, "No!  He's a friend of the family.  A very important friend, I might add."

Dr. Zack waved a hand, "Enough of that!  Normally, I don't approve of the national custom of Fawning Nepotism.  However, your intervention motivates me to investigate the matter.  IF I decide to redo this section, we'll have to push hard to get back on schedule.  No promises, however!"

"That's all I'm asking, Tony." Cybersix said in Adrian's voice, putting her glasses back on and "becoming" Adrian again.  "He" then pulled out a mirror, glanced at his image, pulled out a stick of lipstick, and daubed at his lips, "Oh, Erin wants to know when the quantum battery will be ready."

"I did some figuring on the flight back, and decided my worries were groundless. I'm starting the power transfer tonight, which would make it ready for installation by the weekend."

Jacinta watched, fascinated.  Although the voice, glasses, clothes, and hair style helped, there were other, subtle changes in her posture and the way the muscles tensed in her face that turned her into "Adrian", "Wow.  THAT is something!" she breathed as Adrian left to his first class.

"Yes." Dr. Zack agreed, "Their training is simply amazing.  So-" he looked at Jacinta, "-they now make sense."

"What?"

"Your eyes.  Your parents are technos, aren't they?  Something about Techno genes that does something to the iruses.  Whatever." he got up, glanced at his watch, fished through his desk drawer, and tossed her a hall pass, "Better get going before even THAT doesn't get you out of trouble!"

"Yes sir!"

She was halfway up the stairs to the second floor when she stopped and gasped, "Oh SHIT!", before breaking down in laughter that caused her an extra two minute delay.
----
Jacinta (C) Black Inque
Erin (C) Syberkat
Bethany, Serena, and Cyprus Trodden, (C) Bethany Trodden
Dr. Anthony Zacharias, (C) Ptah Aegyptus
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Chapter 12
Chapter 14