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Getting the apartment in proper shape took us about three days. We had to go to great lengths to ensure that the AI couldn't access our internal communications. I practically had to install my custom firmware on all the smart electronics. Vega really sped up the process, so I owe her a big thanks. I also set up special cameras around the house that allow my assistant to project her hologram. It doesn't serve much of a purpose, but it makes Vega happy, so it's worth it. I'm planning to build a dedicated platform for her soon, but first, we need to get the workshop sorted out.
I've already enrolled the girls in the local school overseen by the AI, Nickel. They'll start next week, which should give them a chance to make some friends. Keeping them cooped up indoors would be a bad idea, and it's better if they have some experience interacting with their peers. The education is delivered via braindance glasses connected to the main system. The previous Alex learned in a similar way before I ended up in his body. The tuition is 5,000 eddies per year per person, which seemed reasonable to me. I've already reviewed Nickel's curriculum, and I have to admit, the AI knows how to teach — whether it has a conscience or not.
It wasn't until the fifth day that I finally got around to setting up our future workshop. I ended up spending a whole week in there, mostly working alone. Inga was just there to assist and spent most of the time standing by, watching my efforts with a thoughtful expression. The equipment we bought was bulky and heavy, so I had to hire a crew to move everything in and set it up where I wanted. After that, it was up to me to fine-tune the equipment and update the firmware.
"Finally, we did it," I said, looking around the room with satisfaction, pleased with the results of the work Kiwi and I had put in.
"Yeah, hooray," Inga responded weakly, rubbing her tired eyes.
"We can head home now. We've done everything, and the workshop won't be fully operational for another week anyway. We'll also need to remember to stock up on supplies and provide the megatower's AI with our business details for future advertising."
"Home?" Inga asked, sounding a bit weary.
"Yep." I picked up the sleepy blonde and left the workshop with her. "Now we can finally rest." I locked the door, activated the turret security, and then headed toward the elevator.
Along the way, we passed by some onlookers who stared at us with obvious curiosity. Their gazes didn't bother me at all—in fact, I found it amusing. Most of the locals had been raised in the "best" traditions of equality, leading to a predictable outcome. Actions like mine are seen as something out of the ordinary in this society. And considering neither I nor the girl in my arms has any objections, it results in exactly what's happening now — a crowd of curious onlookers watching an unusual sight in these parts.
"We're home." I crossed the threshold of our apartment with a satisfied look on my face, not in any hurry to set Inga down. "Want to walk on your own, or should I carry you to the bath?"
"The bath," the blonde yawned, shifting slightly in my arms.
"You're back," Lucy stated the obvious, standing by the front door with a can of juice in her hand. She had headphones around her neck, and the music playing through them was loud enough to hear.
"We're back and exhausted. I'll make dinner after we've had a bath. Is Roxy in her room?" I raised an eyebrow, glancing around for the missing girl.
"Yeah, she's busy with something in her room. I didn't ask for details," the blue-eyed girl replied with a casual wave of her hand.
"Got it, we'll be off then."
"Okay."
After our shared bath, Inga was completely drowsy, so I had to put her to bed earlier than usual. That left me to handle feeding the kids on my own. As soon as Roxy caught the scent of food, she emerged from her room, curiously watching my every move.
"How was your day?" I asked her.
"It was interesting, but I really want to stretch my legs," she complained.
"I'll start working on the cyber pets tomorrow, and then you'll be able to explore the tower freely."
"Thanks, Alex!" The silver-haired girl hugged me excitedly, then quickly blushed in embarrassment.
"No problem. Go get Lucy, and let's have dinner."
"I'll be right back..."
As for food, the situation with animals in this world took a rather unpleasant turn. In the early 2000s, they almost went extinct due to some virus. Livestock was infected too, forcing many corporations to find a solution to the looming hunger crisis. After years of research, scientists managed to clone meat, and soon the technology was mass-produced. By that time, synthetic food was nearly indistinguishable from the real thing, and now there's no difference at all. Natural food became a luxury reserved for the wealthy, a way to flaunt their status.
Synthetic food is divided into several classes, each one progressively improving in taste and nutritional value. For example, the cheapest synthetic meat costs five eddies per kilo, while the most expensive goes for fifteen. Back in the clan, I had the chance to try a lot of different foods, and I can confidently say that the cheap stuff feels like chewing on plasticine sprinkled with spices. One taste of it is enough to leave an unforgettable impression.
That's why food holds a special place for me. On average, we spend about 800 eddies per person per month. For comparison, the average person spends five times less, not to mention those in really tough situations. Ordering groceries is even easier. Each tower has a store where you can arrange for food to be delivered directly to your apartment door. Once the order is confirmed and paid for, the staff packs everything into a special container, and a drone delivers it. The container is included in the delivery cost.
"Already back?" I heard the pitter-patter of small feet behind me. "Want to help?"
"With what?" Lucy peeked over from my right, watching as I sliced vegetables into thin strips.
"With this," I said, pointing to the remaining vegetables that still needed to be chopped.
"Everything's a trick," the blonde muttered quietly, picking up a knife.
"Don't grumble, you little lazybones."
The girls were already quite independent, so I didn't hesitate to trust them with small household tasks. Nomads are very self-sufficient people, and their lifestyle forces them to learn a lot of skills. Cooking, laundry, and other household chores are taught to their children from an early age, which is something I really appreciated.
With six hands working together, we finished quickly, and within an hour, the table was completely filled. The mutagen had successfully integrated into the girls' systems, and with it, they discovered the joy of eating like kittens—consuming more than seems possible at first glance. Once their bodies fully mature, they'll need less food, but even then, the amount they eat now is enough to satisfy two fully-grown adults.
***
The next day, as promised, I began the process of creating companion pets for the girls. After trying out various options, I settled on large robotic cats. Many affluent residents of Night City had something similar, so it wouldn't raise any eyebrows.
Development in this field has been ongoing for quite some time. The first cybernetic pet was the K-9 dog. In 2004, the Canadian corporation PseudoWorks introduced the first artificial pet that could mimic a dog's behavior, though that was about the extent of its abilities.
The K-9 wasn't much to look at, but the technology didn't stand still. By 2007, PseudoWorks unveiled Pavlov Pets, the second generation of robotic pets. These robots were covered with synthetic fur and could perform simple commands. However, there were still issues — fully artificial animals required frequent recharging. It took a couple of decades for the technology to evolve to the point where pets could genuinely mimic real animals.
In 2014, PseudoWorks and BioResearch entered the market with a new line of pets called "Artificial Pets." Instead of real brains, cloned animals were implanted with electronic devices, though there wasn't much variety at first. The clones were all made from the same cat and dog.
Three years later, PseudoWorks adopted European technology and significantly enhanced the intellectual capabilities of these pseudo-animals. Over time, clones lost some market share to a new development: cyber-pets, created by the BioTech Corporation. They introduced genetically modified pets capable of interacting normally with cybernetic implants. Like humans, these pets can suffer from cyberpsychosis if they have too many implants, but they don't lose their minds after just one augmentation.
Meanwhile, the market for robotic pets also persisted. While regular people use artificial and cyber-pets, robotic animals are preferred by corporate security services and the police. Their modularity allows them to be quickly adapted to specific tasks.
The pet market is strictly regulated: all domestic animals must be registered, and those taken outside require a special license. There are also regulations on cloning and equipping pets: you can't create an artificial pet that resembles a human, nor can you make a cute kitten with a machine gun on its back or a giant killer dog—an animal's combat capabilities shouldn't exceed those of its living counterpart. However, these rules don't stop corporations or gangs from acquiring some four-legged killing machines.
The most challenging part of the creation process was developing the pet's behavioral matrix. For the animal to function properly, it needed a real brain, and that's where I hit a snag. I ended up ordering a specialized data drive from the BioTech Corporation, which contained the pet's neural model. It cost me a hefty sum—5,000 eurodollars. The chip had relatively weak copy protection by my standards, which I managed to crack successfully, and it was worth it. As I suspected, the corp couldn't resist secretly monitoring their customers. I had to delete several spyware programs, securing my secrets in the process.
With Vega's help, I rebuilt the matrix, making numerous adjustments and behavioral patterns to bring the pet's intelligence up to my required standards. Now, the pets could quickly react to their surroundings and protect their owners in case of danger. I also integrated a cyberdeck and a modified reflex module, allowing them to accelerate several times faster for a few seconds. On Vega's advice, I installed an additional computing module, enabling her to take control of the pets if necessary.
The framework of the robotic cats was made from the strongest and lightest alloys I could legally source. For power, Vega developed a mini-reactor based on my previous designs. It provided more than enough energy, but the reactor would need refueling once a month with constant use. Inside, I installed sensor blocks that could evaluate the environment and transmit tactile sensations, making it possible to pet the cats—and they'd enjoy it. Finally, the robots were covered with specially ordered synthetic skin, giving them a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
"Alright, time for the test run," I said, activating the power systems of the panthers I'd created.
Finally, I faced the most tedious part — calibration. Before the kids could receive their pets, I had to run them through various scenarios that could theoretically occur. Once again, Vega significantly sped up the process by running the robots through virtual simulations, saving me a couple of days of meticulous work. In short, she's already become an indispensable assistant, and at this rate, I'm worried Inga might start getting jealous of her.
"Thanks, Vega, you really saved me," I said, not holding back on expressing my gratitude.
"Glad I could help," the cyber-girl responded unusually cheerfully, giving me a playful wink.
"Wait, did she just flirt with me?" I thought, slightly surprised, as I watched the AI lower her gaze, trying to piece together a world that suddenly felt like it was coming apart at the seams. "Alright then, I should file an electronic protocol and register the cats with the Night City Police Department."
"I've already prepared the agreement," Vega responded instantly, sending me copies of the documents.
"Good, we can wrap things up here." I kept a straight face, still processing the unusual behavior from my assistant. Maybe she's just curious to see my reaction, but what's really going on in her electronic brain is anyone's guess.
"And what am I supposed to do with this?" My silent question to myself remained unanswered.