It didn't come across my mind for a while after I gave birth to Yume, but when it did, it hit me like a boulder. When I'd found out I was pregnant, my initial concern had been for my friends, and how I'd be able to help them if Genom started putting out Boomers again. But now that I had my daughter, I was worried sick all over again. What if we Knight Sabers had to don our hardsuits again? What was I going to do about my daughter? What would happen to her if I ended up hurt? Or killed?
As much as I missed the thrill of battle, I preferred the thrill of motherhood far more. For the first time, I prayed that Genom was out of the picture forever. I never wanted Yume to see a Combat Boomer with her own eyes; I prayed she'd never have to.
And as for her bastard father…I never would have admitted it to anybody, but part of me was scared of him. He'd know sooner or later that the child I bore was his; whether he'd give a damn or not, I didn't care. But what was I gonna do when Yume started asking about her dad? The truth? No…the truth would be too brutal for a little kid. Maybe when she was older, I'd tell her all the details. But right now, maybe I'd just tell her she didn't have a dad.
I hoped my status as a world-famous singer wouldn't affect her too much. Oh hell, what was I saying? Of course it would! I'd just have to teach her the best way to handle reporters, I guess. I wouldn't teach her the so-called 'one-finger salute' until she was old enough, though, heh. I was sure people wouldn't be too thrilled if they ever saw a picture of a three-year old flipping someone off! Oh well, to hell with them.
As for the Knight Sabers…
"Mama?"
We were sitting on the roof of our apartment building, sharing a lunch, when Yume turned and looked at the huge building in the distance. She was four years old.
"What, Yume?" I asked, biting into my sandwich.
"What's that big mountain over there?" She pointed at the building. "It looks funny."
"That's Genom Tower. That's where Boomers are made."
"Boomer robots?"
"Yeah."
"I don't like Boomer robots."
"I don't either, Yume."
"Can we break them?"
"I wish we could." I pulled her into my lap, at the same time smirking. A long time ago, I used to 'break' Boomers, but not anymore… "Some Boomers are good, and some Boomers are bad. The bad ones are the ones that need to be broken."
"What Boomer robots are bad, Mama?"
"Bad ones are the ones that hurt people. When they do, the police come out and take care of the Boomer."
"What if the police are hurt?"
I smiled and stroked her hair, gazing into her inquisitive eyes. So innocent…I hoped that innocence lasted forever. "Then another group of people comes out and takes care of the Boomer for them."
"What other group, Mama?"
"Well…let me tell you a story, ok?" I handed Yume the last of my sandwich; she grabbed it eagerly and bit into it. "It's about a group of people called the Knight Sabers…"
