As the rain began to fall, Nick turned on an old computer, praying that it wouldn't die on him. Most of the technology in this house was old and outdated, but they serve their purposes. This computer had been passed from family to family before the disaster, and for it's time had been high end. It had been upgraded so many times though, that the black and red case may be the only original part left.
When the screen finally responds with the startup, Nick sits back and sighs. He looks over at the teen sleeping on the couch to check that he was still asleep and turns back to the computer.
He brings up all of the files of his mission into the Beltran house. There wasn't much, and no information that the package was a human. It did specify where to find the package and the types of locks that he had to bypass. Everything but the War Machines and the boy was as the mission said.
Nick folds his hands under his chin, thinking. He couldn't take the boy to the Crystal Order, not yet. The boy would not be able to survive if he was brought to the Order, and until he could, Nick was not going to send this boy to his death. The Order had not required a return time, merely that the package was secured and away from the Beltrans.
Nick pulled up a message program on the computer and sent:
Order High Leader,
The package is secured. Until further notice, the package will remain within my custody. I will keep you updated on it's status.
Yours in faithfulness,
Shadowspy.
Nick hit send, turned and froze, a knife inches from his throat.
The teen near growled as he said "Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right now."
Nick tilts his head as he studies the teen in front of him. "I'll give you three. The first is that if you harm me, you won't be leaving this house alive." The teen's eyes narrow. "The second is that if the Order does not receive updates from me at certain times, they will send people to find me. The third is a more personal reason."
Nick takes a breath and says "Within the city are two children, not much younger than you. I am their only caretaker." Nick watches the teen's face as he speaks. The teen considers the reasons Nick gave him and eventually backs off before sitting on the couch.
Nick stands and walks to the kitchen and pull a few cups off of the shelves. "Tea?" he offers.
". . . Yes. Thank you." The teen's voice is cold. "Where are we?"
"Outside the city. I'll bring you back once you recover." Nick sets a kettle over the stove and waits for the water to boil. "You can call me Nick. The android preparing a room for you is Kaber. What's your name?"
The teen is silent for a bit, then "Luke."
Nick smiles as he finishes preparing the tea. He brings a cup and a plate of dinner over to Luke and sits in a chair across from Luke. Neither spoke until the sky outside grew black.
Nick stands and takes the dishes to the sink to wash them. "It's best to get some sleep tonight. Your room is over there," Nick points to an open door where Kaber had finished preparing the bed. "I'll be upstairs if you need anything, and Kaber will remain down here."
Luke nods, walks into the prepared guest bedroom, and closes the door. After finishing the dishes, Nick heads up to his room to sleep.