He had been told from basically everyone there was a little he could've done. The construction mech was slow and cumbersome unlike it's A.D police counterpart. However Jacob couldn't shake the feeling of utter failure. If Hikaru hadn't saved him he would still be alive. It was something he couldn't but contemplate. Sighing he looked away from the window. Irene was most likely with her grandfather already and safe. She hadn't spoken to him after Hikaru died, neither did he for that matter. Whether she blamed him for her fiancé's death was unknown to Jacob. Would blame me or would she blame Mason?. A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Standing from the chair he limped to the door. His right leg has suffered a minor and was in a cast. There were some heavy bruising on the chest but luckily nothing up there was broken. Reaching the door he peered though the peephole. Upon seeing Linna he unlocked the door. Opening it he put on a mask of indifference. He couldn't help but find Linna attractive. Slender but powerful body, with perfect black hair and soft eyes. Easy boy. Jacob told himself before shoving his feelings to the depths.

"What is it?" He asked.

The pain from the beating made it hard to walk and he had been advised to rest. It only left him alone with his thoughts.

Linna looked worryingly at him. "Sylia asked me to check up on you," She said stepping inside. "Cynitha told her your in a rut"

Jacob nodded. "You could say that," He closed the door and took a breath. "Do you want anything to drink?" He asked her.

"You got any tea?" She inquired.

Jacob nodded. "Tea you shall receive" He jokingly said.

Jacob limped to the kitchen applying as a little pressure to his injured leg as he possibly could. Linna watched him as he grabbed a tea cup. At least he's got some of his humor. She mused to herself.

"It'll take a minute for the water to boil" He said dryly.

Linna shrugged. "I don't mind," She told him. "

Filling the kettle with water Jacob placed it on the stove and turned it on. Turning he leaned against the counter and faced her. Cynthia always worried about him.

"So what brings you to my neck of the woods?" He inquired.

Linna leaned against the door frame, her gaze meeting his. "Just checking up on you to be honest," She replied. "You've been... distant"

Jacob grimly nodded. "I have," He agreed. "I'm... still processing what happened"

Linna figured that much. "Jacob it was a C-55. There was nothing you could do about it" She responded calmly.

"I could've with a bit more experience" He muttered.

Linna stepped closer. "Maybe but not in that construction mech," Linna met him halfway. "Even alone in a hardsuit is hard as is" She added.

Jacob nodded as the kettle whistled. Turning he poured the water into a teacup. Putting the teabag in he began stirring.

"You want some sugar with it?" He asked her.

She nodded. "Two spoons please" And Jacob compiled.

Handing her the cup she graciously accepted it. "At least Irene made it out. Hopefully I don't have to see her again," Jacob said. "I can only imagine what she would do to me"

Linna shrugged. "Best we don't think about it," She replied. "Fortunately you won't see her again"

Jacob shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. Ya never know weather we'll see her again," He said. "I'd rather not make any bets on it"

Linna was in agreement. "I see your point," she replied. "Never make a bet you can't pay"

"Agreed" Jacob nodded.

Sipping on her tea she nodded as well. It was a tad sweet but she didn't complain. It was better than what Priss could cook up. Jacob looked up at Linna. He sheepishly smiled. Linna returned it.

Fuck it. He thought. "So any new boyfriends as of late?" He inquired.

Linna shook her head. "No," She replied. "I'm surprised you've haven't asked the others" She hadn't expected it really. She figured either Priss or Sylia would snag him due to his exotic nature.

"I'm not sure Priss is interested in men," Jacob replied. "Plus I'm Sylia's employee. I don't think that will go over well"

Linna agreed. Priss was an enigma when it came to men. The thought of her sleeping with Jacob crossed Linna's mind. She had no doubt that Priss would be the dominant one.

"I can see that" Linna commented with a giggle.

Jacob smiled. "So you wanna hit up a movie later?" He asked her.

Linna very much enjoyed the idea. Jacob had never made any move against them and even kept Priss from throwing her drunken self onto him. He even put her top on so he could avoid seeing her soft breasts.

"Yeah," Linna said, placing the tea cup down. "How's 8pm?"

"I've got time" Jacob replied with a joyous smile.

With Mason.

If he wasn't in shit before he was now. The super boomer files were gone and other files with it. Files that Quincy would most definitely notice the disappearance of. For Mason it was an unmitigated disaster!. Mason grimaced as he stared out his office window. The city scape gave him no comfort. It felt even further away now more than ever. Sighing to himself he could hear a pair of footsteps just the door.

"Quincy" Mason grumbled.

The door and then closed. Quincy stepped in wearing a white suit. His face was of stone as he stared at Mason. The younger man turned looking directly at his boss. Quincy looked ready to kill.

"One employee stole vital info and now that info is in the wind thanks to your foolishness!" Quincy did not waste anytime getting to the point.

Mason grimaced and nodded. "I'm aware of that. If those Knight Sabers hadn't been there that info wouldn't have leaked" he said moving a bit of the blame.

Quincy snorted and moved up to Mason's desk. "Don't give me that Knight Saber crap. They're just a bunch of thugs with power armour" he chided.

Mason clenched his right fist. His face twisted into a scowl. "Those thugs have destroyed 3 of my projects and set us back by years!. How can you even say that!?" Mason inquired nearly shouting.

Quincy picked up a pen and studied it. "Mason we are a multi-billion dollar company and they are just everyday people. One day there hate will subside and the money will dry up. It's only a matter of time" Quincy stated his reasons.

Mason began to cool. "Fair point," Mason reluctantly said. "So where do you plan on lumping me"

Quincy placed the pen down. Looking to Mason he held a serious look. "I'm thinking a few months in housing sector should pay for the damage" Quincy said.

Mason was annoyed but he noted it could be far worse. "I don't understand. I'll get down there tomorrow" Mason said.

Quincy nodded. "You better," He told him. "If I find you working on you're projects in before those 3 months are up I'll have you taken care of" Quincy said before waking to the door.

Once he was gone Mason clenched his fist yet again. Bastard!. He cursed internally. Flopping down in his chair he sighed to himself. I've got to find out who those Sabers are...even if it kills me. Mason thought grimly. Grabbing a cigarette he lit it. Even with Doctor stingray's tech he still couldn't place it on who would want Genom to be destroyed so badly. Unfortunately the list was a few miles long. Suddenly an idea came to him. The driver that Hikaru had saved could be tied to the Knight Sabers. Mason realised. All he had to do was find the little bugger. Luckily those boomers he'd sent had transmitted their progress and photos via their optic sensors. He just had to find a picture which was in the main data base. It wasn't related to one of his projects so he was in the clear with Quincy. Hopefully he was right about this.

With Nene.

Nene looked at the wrecked car and was taking note on what was destroyed with Sylia. The back and front windows were gone. The rear had been rammed twice and the driver side had been rammed as well. The window on the passenger side had been blasted away as well.

"Jeez they really did a number on it" Nene said in surprise.

Sylia who opened the trunk nodded. "It's a miracle the trunk can even open" she added.

Nebe looked and saw the sizeable dent. It was two times larger than her head. "Yikes," She muttered. "They don't build them like this now"

Sylia agreed. "I can see why it was chosen. What we're gonna do with it I don't know" Sylia admitted.

Fixing it and painting it would be a good project for her brother Mackie and it would help Jacob clear his head. It would be a win win scenario in her book. A happy employee equals a productive employee.

"You know I think she would look good in red" Nene said.

Sylia glanced at her with a small smile. "I think your right," Sylia said. "How about we get some coffee and see a movie?"

Nene was surprised by this. Sylia was a lot more relaxed today. Deciding to enjoy life for a moment. Keep up the appearance and keep friends.

Nene nodded. "I could use a night of fun after all that running around yesterday" She playfully said.

"Alright, tonight say 8pm?" Sylia inquired.

"Yeah that's fine. I've got something's to take care of before then so see you then" Nene responded cheerfully.

"It's a date" Sylia said as they exited the garage.

End chapter.