Chương 73: Book 2 - Chapter 2 - Learning Experiences

"So, you can't find them either Nyx? How is that possible?" I asked. After leaving the Terminal, it occurred to me that Nyx could do the same job as the Ravens, just much faster and more efficiently. At least, that's what I thought. I'm actually surprised the Ravens were able to find anything. There are very few security cameras in the Undercity, most of them are clustered around highly secure locations like Leah's clinic.

They managed to locate the Guiding Light zealots because the group wandered a little too close to a corporate facility. I did manage to identify the vehicle as it passed two additional locations during its escape, and three additional times during the last three months. I cannot identify exactly where they came from, but it is somewhere in the southern part of the city. I will say, I believe they've been intentionally avoiding camera systems.

"Wonderful." I sighed, "At least I have a place to start looking now." I stared out the window, watching the mess of concrete buildings that made up the undercity passed by. As far as I could tell, I had two options going forward: flood the streets with squirrels, and make sure I could track down Guiding Light before they could cause more issues, or flood the streets with bears and prepare for a fight. The bears could cause more issues in the long run.

I didn't want to take over from the gangs, and if I sent armed bears into gang territory a lot of the idiots would take that as an act of war. It didn't matter that I was a Samurai, and they wouldn't last seconds in an open battle, there would still be people that'd try and take me on. That'd just be annoying to deal with. Maybe I'd just build up some forces and keep them in reserve, just in case. As the truck pulled into the shelter and stopped, I shook my head.

No matter what I chose to do, I needed to perform some setup. I needed to upgrade my production capabilities before anything else. I was still pondering the best way to prepare when I stepped back into the living area, where Jane was teaching Jennifer and Eddie. The thing that drew my eyes though was a tiny pair of legs poking over the top of the couch nearby.

"Issi… why are you upside down on the couch?" I asked.

"I'm bored! I want to learn too, but what those two are learning is too hard, so I have to wait my turn." The little girl didn't move from her position, she just twisted her head slightly so she could see me standing over her.

"You have better Augs now, you could watch some shows while you're waiting."

"Nuh-uh. I don't like any of the shows. They're all things like Captain Cola, and his quest to rid people of bad flavor, or the technicolor pals, which you need to buy the dolls to interact with the show. They're all bad scams, like the bad people in the markets!" I raised an eyebrow, "Are all children's shows terrible?"

"Most them are even worse, you have no idea how many shows I had to watch, and blacklist, before allowing the kids access to media," Jane said, as she checked Eddie's paper.

"Fu…" I barely got a single syllable out before Jane's head shot up and she shot me a death stare.

"Fulming corps, it's all about money with them." Convinced she prevented me from swearing in front of the kids, Jane went back to her work.

"So Issi, what do you want to do right now?"

"I want to learn, so I can be helpful to everyone when I get bigger." I smiled down at her, "You don't have to worry about that for now."

"Still want to do it! I'm going to be a smart assistant for Teddy in the future." The little girl squirmed, struggling for a moment to right herself, before staring at me with wide eyes.

"Can't I do that?" Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Of course you can." As the cute little girl stared at me, I got an idea.

"How about I get you all some personal teachers? Jane, Alan and I do our best to teach you, but let's face it, we're relying on our own limited knowledge. I can probably plug some pretty effective teaching AIs into some of my bears. That way you can all learn at your own speeds, and Jane doesn't need to monitor you all the time." Everyone looked up at my suggestion, their expressions ranging from excitement, to distrust.

"That doesn't seem like a great use of your 'points', wouldn't those be better used to fight aliens?" Jane asked.

"I made more than enough points to get by in Seattle. A couple points to help the munchkins won't hurt my totals." Jane glanced between Isabelle and myself, before sighing.

"Fine, I'm not going to tell you how to spend your points, but only one to start. If it works out, you can buy more."

"Sounds good to me. Nyx, would it be possible to put together a teaching bear using my current catalogs?"

"Froggy!" Issi said, jumping up onto the couch.

"Teaching froggy instead." I gave her a stern look, which caused her to sit back down.

"Please." I nodded, "That's better. Nyx, teaching frog." You have most of the parts, I would recommend a Class I teaching catalog. The rest of the parts can be covered between your modular combat robotics, facades, and AI catalogs.

"How much?" It'll be one hundred points for the Class I Basic Teaching catalog, another fifty for an adolescent teaching program, one hundred and fifty for the chassis, two hundred for the AI and twenty-five for the facade. I would also recommend getting all the kids a tablet to work on, those are class zero so they're only three points each.

"Five hundred thirty-four points in total? I'll pay that." Purchased: Class I modular autonomous combat unit - 150 points Class I Basic Teaching Catalog - 100 points Adolescent Teaching Program - 50 points Teaching AI Core - 200 points Advanced Facade - 25 points Class 0 Tablet x 3 - 9 points Points Remaining - 106, 432 A fairly large box, three feet long and a foot wide, appeared in front of me, and after a moment the robot inside unpacked itself.

It was a frog, as Isabelle requested, but it was a frog in a purple suit, with a top hat and a monocle. The entire room turned to look at the odd-looking robot as it dusted itself off, then took off its tophat and bowed.

"Sir Froggington, at your service. I believe this young one wishes to learn? I applaud your enthusiasm." Issi made a high pitched 'Eeeeeeeee' noise and rushed forward, which required me to intercept her before she broke my newest purchase.

"Just remember, the frog is your teacher, not a toy." Her face fell, "But… hugs?"

"Are acceptable for diligent students. I will give you one now, and more after your lessons, but I expect you to study when asked. Do you understand, young lady?" The little girl nodded enthusiastically, then pushed forward for a hug. Once it was done the frog held out one of the tablets to the small girl.

"Now, we should head to your room and do a short test, then discuss what you want to do in the future. I can make some lesson plans from that." Isabelle nodded, then grabbed the frog's arm and dragged him down the hallway. After a few seconds, I heard the sound of her door slamming down the hall.

"This is going to be ok, right?" Don't worry, I will monitor Isabelle's results and help Froggington customize a learning plan for her. I noticed Jane giving me one of her looks, so I smiled.

"Nothing to worry about. Nyx is monitoring everything. Let's give it a week and then evaluate how her new education is going. If we like her progress I can get a couple more teachers for the kids, maybe even a bot to teach you cooking!" Jane's eyes narrowed slightly, "Just because you're a Samurai doesn't mean I can't hurt you."

"I'm kidding! Sort of. Anyways, since you're all busy with education I'm going out to the garage. Going to spend some of those points I was talking about to get properly set up. Call me if you need anything." The kids waved at me as I left, but I couldn't help but notice that Jane was already giving me the silent treatment.