"Why do I use weaponry longer than I am tall? Why the fuck wouldn't I? I'm a bitch, and bitches love cannons."

  — Hailey 'Bitch Bertha' Cross

  Quinn was excited, it was time to buy new guns!

  "So, what kind of new guns would you suggest?" She asked Irys, who was still sitting across from her in a virtual fancy armchair.

  "Well, there is a caveat. In order to use phasing or skipping technology the round needs to be made of matter, so some form of physical projectile is needed. That being said, your current loadout, while a balanced set, leans somewhat heavier on crowd control and less on penetration and larger targets. As such, I'd suggest considering leaning your loadout towards anti armor."

  Quinn sucked on her inner lip. That seemed sensible, she definitely felt like it took more to deal with the larger threats than the swarms of smaller models.

  "Okay, any other things I should think about?"

  Irys paused, then answered. "Yes, if you got a grenade or rocket launcher, you could make use of the esoteric explosives category to bring to bear a variety of payloads, allowing you to adapt more easily if something comes up. I was given some leeway with you that's allowed me to deploy primed explosives and similar, but its pushing the boundaries of what I'm allowed to do, and being able to cease such would make me more comfortable."

  Quinn paused at that, she hadn't realized she was getting special treatment like that, even if it was minor. Well, she could oblige.

  "So I've liked the combination so far of having different guns on each arm, so I think I'll continue that. Maybe some sort of heavy machine gun, a grenade launcher." she paused. "Can the back weapon also be easily swapped out like this?"

  "Yes, it can. And that does remind me of a second caveat, in that the dimensional technologies will work better with fewer projectiles. As a alternative to that, perhaps I could sell you on something like the 'War Pick' 80mm ECT Autocannon."

  At this point Irys gestured and a scaled down Model of Cassie was standing next to her, with an entirely new weapon replacing the laser rifle. It was a bulky thing, with a single huge barrel shooting out of a thick, blocky casing. Two jet engine like protrusions poked out the back on the trapezoidal rear, and massive vents covered the sides. A thick belt of shells ran from a a raised box magazine, slightly offset from center, and fed into an opening on the top.

  Quinn gazed at it with barely contained glee. "What does ECT mean, and what are the jet engines for?"

  Irys waved a hand and the model started silently firing, with each shot the cannon rocked back, but the engine like bits fired off in response. "They reduce the recoil to manageable levels. ECT stands for Electro-Chemical Technology. Rather than merely using a chemical propellant to fire the shell via a spark, an ECT weapon uses a plasma cartridge to both ignite and enhance the propellant. This makes the burning of the propellant significantly more reliable, and allows us to use higher performance chemicals without running into a number of engineering issues."

  Quinn nodded. "Okay, I'm sold. So autocannon on the right, grenade or missile launcher on the left? I'm guessing the missile launcher has better accuracy and penetration, while the grenade launcher has more oomph per magazine?"

  "Correct." Irys smiled in response. "That roughly sums up the advantages and disadvantages of both"

  "Okay, so I guess the only other thing is a potential back weapon?"

  "If you would like, there are options for that too, yes."

  Quinn looked Irys dead in the eyes as she immediately responded. "I want a cannon, a really big cannon."

  Irys cracked a bemused smile "That is achievable, do you have any specific style of large cannon in mind?"

  "Maybe something long range - Ooh could I get an artillery cannon?"

  Irys chuckled. "That can be arranged. Would you prefer purely artillery, or able to be used at closer ranges as well."

  Quinn didn't need to think long. "Both, if possible."

  Another wave of Irys' hand and the particle lance on Cassie's back was replaced by a huge cannon, as promised. Its long, telescopic barrel was capped with an oversized muzzle break, and a trio of thick cylindrical bumps set along the middle of the barrel.

  "This is the 'Skypiercer' 160mm coil assisted Howitzer. It fires shells via propellant further accelerated by a coilgun system. Its designed for both standard shells but can also fit rocket assisted munitions, which allow for a greater range and small adjustments of the trajectory in flight. Its capable of both direct and indirect fire, and with rocket rounds can hit with some accuracy to about 136km."

  Quinn boggled, that was a long range.

  Irys apparently wasn't done though. "Additionally it can be loaded with esoteric munitions if desired, same as with your other weaponry."

  Quinn was sold. "Sounds extremely useful, add it and the autocannon to the shopping list?" She paused, coming to a decision on an older question. "And maybe a rocket launcher thing for the other? Any suggestions on that front?"

  This time, Cassie was replaced by a pair of weapons. One was a a bank of barrels, four by three, while the other seemed to have a revolve esque cylinder.

  "The one with the cylinder is the 'Quill Hunter' rapid firerocket launcher. It fires a heavy rocket with an impressive payload in burst of up to six. The larger one is a 12 rack missile launcher, while a smaller payload it both supports seeking missiles and can unload its entire set in a single volley."

  Quinn studied the two projections. "Why does the racked launcher not have a fancy name?"

  "It does." Irys replied. "But its epithet is 'The battle cry of a doomed warrior before a storied last stand'."

  That got a snort from Quinn. "That seems a little complicated for the name of a weapon."

  "In the Yrassian culture the weapon originated from, they had a single word to sum up that concept. Your culture does the same."

  "We do, like what?" Quinn leant in, curious.

  "Petrichor, the earthy smell produced by rain falling onto dry soil, is one of the more apt examples."

  Quinn nodded. "Do you think it would be cultural appropriation to just call it the 'Sparta"

  Irys paused for a few seconds, unusual for her. "No."

  Quinn glanced at her. "Wait, how do you know?"

  "I asked a fellow Vanguard AI to ask them."

  "Like.. ask a Yrassian?"

  "No, they asked all the Yrassians. They operate a real time cybernetically enabled direct democracy, typically allocating a couple of threads to relevant votes. 89% of Yrassians were in favor, with 12% finding the context amusing enough they attempted a vote to change the modern equivalent's name."

  Quinn blinked. "That sounds like a cool as hell society. Can I talk to one of them?"

  "No." Irys' tone wasn't nasty, but it was final. "That is a poor idea for a number of complex sociological reasons."

  "Okay, fair nuff."

  She thought back on the discussed weaponry.

  "I think I'd like the Sparta, the autocannon and the howitzer then. With that, the manufacturing stuff, spare points for the skipping or phasing, how much does that cost and how much do I have left?"

  She paused a moment before adding. "Also, I'd like to set aside some points for an emergency medical fund. If I do that can you buy and use them on me if needed?"

  "I can purchase them, but it would require purchasing a utility drone to administer them, which would increase the cost. It is a wise choice regardless."

  Quinn tallied the list in her head. "Okay, and how much would that all cost me?"

  Irys made a first, then raised fingers as she counted them off. "950 points and one token for the industrial equipment. I'd recommend setting aside 1000 points and one token for the dimensional technologies, and 250 for medical. Finally the weapon upgrades will require 580. The three weapons are 175, 200 and 75 respectively for the autocannon, howitzer and missile launcher, with an additional 30 points to upgrade your existing drone shunts, 90 for new equipment shunts, and 20 for the loadout switcher drones. That sits at a total of 2780 points, which would leave you with 1557 points remaining."

  "Okay." Quinn responded after briefly considering. "That sounds good to me. Can you set that aside for me, then fully purchase it when appropriate?"

  "Of course, Darling."

  New Purchase: Automated Material Forges - Tier 1

  Cost: 100. Points reduced to... 4247

  New Purchase: Automated Material Forges - Tier 2

  Cost: 250 points, 1 token. Points reduced to... 3997. Tokens reduced to… 1.

  New Purchase: Tritanium Autoforge

  Cost:200. Points reduced to... 3797

  New Purchase: Automated Machine Tool Fabricators - Tier 1

  Cost: 175. Points reduced to... 3622

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  New Purchase: Machinist Autofabricators - Tier 1 ×5

  Cost: 225. Points reduced to... 3397

  Points Reservation: 1250

  Non reserved points total reduced to 2147

  Token Reservation: 1

  Non reserved tokens reduced to 0

  New Purchase: 'War Pick' 80mm ECT Vehicle Mounted Autocannon

  Cost: 175. Points reduced to... 1972

  New Purchase: 'Skypiercer' 160mm coil assisted Howitzer

  Cost: 200. Points reduced to... 1772

  New Purchase: 'Sparta' 12x Guided MLMS System

  Cost: 75. Points reduced to... 1697

  New Purchase: Drone Shunt, Capacity Upgrade Kit x2

  Cost: 30. Points reduced to... 1667

  New Purchase: Weaponry Dimensional Shunt x3

  Cost: 90. Points reduced to... 1577

  New Purchase: Yrassian Field Load-out Adaption Drone x2

  Cost: 20. Points reduced to... 1557

  Quinn watched the list of purchases scroll past in the air next to Irys, vanishing once her eyes left the last of them.

  "Now, darling." Irys began, meeting Quinn's eyes. "There's one more set of purchases I would like you to consider."

  "Augmentations?" Quinn asked in response.

  "Indeed. Do you have any specific directions you would like to explore, or should I make suggestions?"

  Quinn wavered on whether to express the desire that came to mind, but decided to play it safe for the meanwhile.

  "Sure, what suggestions do you have?"

  Irys shifted and held a hand to the ceiling, before a holographic image of Quinn herself holding stock still appeared above it.

  "First, the essentials." The image zoomed into the skin, before the various layers could vaguely be shown. "For defense, we should reinforce your skin, while also adding a healing nanite colony or similar to improve your ability to recover from otherwise fatal wounds." The image moved until her thigh, showing muscle and bone was visible. "Next is general physical enhancements. We already improved your skeletal structure and musculature, but improving it further is a valuable option, and there is room for that prior to tier 2."

  The hologram moved upwards, showing her face. "Sensory upgrades are always valuable, and we can upgrade any of them you wish, but visual, audible and olfactory are likely the most valuable. Alternatively we can also give you additional senses, whether that be thermal, electrical, echolocation or other more exotic options."

  The image zooped up before showing her brain. "Cognitive enhancements are of course a serious boon, and you would likely benefit much from them. At minimum I would suggest a dream learning module, which will allow you to acquire the knowledge and skill set appropriate for a law degree while you sleep. Additional processing power for your mind is also powerful, whether that be speeding thought, allowing for parallel processes or offloading certain things into a submind of some kind."

  As the image returned to her full body, a myriad of lines all up and down lit up. "And last but perhaps not least, nervous system upgrades would allow for greater reaction speed, and in general are recommended if you improve your physical capabilities much further to reduce diminishing returns. Despite how it may seem, you still use your nervous system as is when piloting Cassie, so improvements here would improve reactivity while embarked as well."

  A small glow lit up on her wrist and eyes. "While not an essential, more externally focused augmentations are also a viable choice if you so desire them, such as integrating basic hardlight shielding into you for constant access, or upgrading your augs. Usually the latter is a high priority for beginning Vanguard, but yours are high end enough its less of a concern. If you wished we could even work on giving you access to a personal momentum drive."

  The lines faded, and Irys glanced back over to Quinn expectantly. "I would highly recommend all of these and more in the long term, but if I were to order it currently the priority would likely be defense, nervous, cognitive, sensory and then physical in that order, though the difference between the top and bottom of that list is not large. Do you have any particular desires in this regard?"

  She paused, before returning to add. "And while a tangent, spending a small amount of points, 200 to 300 or so perhaps, into personal armor would also be a wise investment."

  Quinn nodded looked over the 3d representation of herself, which was a little odd, before replying.

  "I think I'm okay with the defense items you mentioned first being a priority. I don't really care how you do the skin reinforcement as long as it doesn't have any permenant negative side effects or make me look obviously different."

  Irys produced an antique looking notepad and pen with a flourish, before quickly jotting down notes Quinn couldn't see, before motioning for her to continue. After a moment to digest this visual, her train of thought re-railed itself and Quinn continued.

  "I'm not sure I want any external tools right now, so we can save on that. A nervous system upgrade and brain enhancement sound good to me, how is that on my points total so far."

  The scratching of Irys' holographic pen paused as she looked up. "Highly depends on the level of cognitive and neural enhancement you desire, but based on my knowledge of your predilections I'd estimate… perhaps 600 points left?"

  Quinn scrunched up her lips. "I think maybe light physical augmentation then? Not Blade Dancer levels but like… impressive for a normal human maybe? Then spend the rest on some armor?"

  Irys signed off on her notes with a flourish, before pocketing the pen and flipping back to an earlier page.

  "Very well, lets start from the beginning. Avoiding side effects the strongest skin enhancement that's at all cost effective at tier 1 will set you back 120 points. The Kevlar Cartilage weave will make small caliber small arms rarely if ever pierce, and larger small arms will do less damage. To combine with that, we'll add a burst repair nanite colony. Since you don't participate in direct combat as such, this will over time build up a storage of similar nanites to the nanite repair suite, then release them when you take a serious injury. It does nothing in between, and for those expecting to take many smaller injuries is worse than more consistent options, but for your purposes it fits quite well. That will set you back 200 points, leaving you with 1257. Is this acceptable thus far?"

  Quinn nodded, then paused and asked. "Do I need categories for these?"

  Irys shook her head "You've already purchased three cybernetics catalogs, which should cover everything here. There are slightly better options in specialized catalogs, but unlikely to be worth the cost of yet more catalog unlocks."

  "Gotcha, so 1257 points."

  "Correct. Next.." She flipped a page. "Lets save the nervous system discussion for the moment and go straight to cognitive. A basic dream learning implant would be 25 points, but I would recommend the advanced version for 75 if you're not opposed to the effects."

  Quinn began to open her mouth but Irys cut her off. "That being that the advanced version allows for the creation of faux memories, which essentially act as a limited amount of experience personally performing the skill as opposed to just the basic knowledge of it. To assuage concerns the memories will feel like dreams, and so won't feel like you've remembered a period of your life that doesn't exist."

  Quinn shuffled over to the headboard and leant against it as Irys continued. "From there a law skill package would be 30 for the basic, 60 for the advanced and another 15 to include law for all currently known human legal systems globally. The last would likely necessitate a memory augmentation of some kind however to be effective."

  There was a loud bark of laughter from outside, fading as someone drunk sounding walked past her door. Irys waited a moment before resuming her spiel "For more general enhancements, I could suggest from a pain editor, a simple hindbrain, and the aforementioned memory augmentation. Unlike many AI, I personally prefer recommending holding off on direct cerebral enhancers until tier 2."

  Quinn mulled what each likely did. "I'm assuming that's some way to modify pain levels, no idea on the hindbrain, something to store memories, and a general mental improvement?"

  Irys nodded. "Yes, and the hindbrain is an augment that allows for a basic threading, allowing you to assign basic mental tasks to it. You could walk down the street entirely thinking on a problem without running into anything, or consider a law argument while looking through a list for something. To sell the memory augment slightly, it would reroute your memories such that future memories would all be stored there, giving you perfect, photographic recall from that point onward."

  Quinn grimaced a little. "What if it gets destroyed, would I forget everything?"

  Irys just gave her a 'Really' look. "If the memory enhancer is destroyed, the chances of you still being alive are minimal. It can however be backed up once a better solution for your mortality is acquired."

  Yeah, she deserved that one.

  "Okay, fine. I'm kind of not sold on the hindbrain yet, but I like the other two. Why don't you like the general enhancements though?"

  "They are not cost effective, take some time to truly adjust to using, and the solutions in tier 2 make them obsolete. In some cases I might recommend them, but for you I believe waiting till tier 2 is the most optimal path."

  She kind of still wanted to ask for them, who didn't want to be smarter? But decided to trust her AI.

  "Okay, how much for the pain editor and memory augmentation?"

  "50 points and 155 respectively."

  "Jot me down for those and the dream learning stuff then, the full package."

  "Understood. 902 points remaining."

  Quinn thought back. "I thought you had estimated 600 points after cognitive stuff."

  "I had expected you to push for the cognitive enhancements, but I'm not unhappy with you having taken my advice."

  "Well then. Senses. I'm not sure I want or need an extra sense to worry about right now, so maybe just improved eyes and…" she paused. "How much to get cat ears?"

  Irys chuckled. "I had equal bets on cat or fox. For 280 I can get you enhanced hearing cat ears, and eyes with better visual clarity, zoom capabilities and tracking."

  She had thought she'd be okay with it, but something about replacing her eyes was suddenly giving Quinn the squick.

  "Actually can we skip eyes for now? How much for just the ears?"

  "150."

  "Sure. Then maybe spend 400 on the best combination of nervous system enhancements and other physical stuff you think is good, then armor?"

  "Of course. Did you have any preferences in that department."

  Quinn pondered. "I'd kind of like it if it looked not entirely like I'm going into battle all day. Is that doable?"

  "How about the Type 90 Ablative Suit." She waved and the picture of Quinn was back, wearing a neck to toe bodysuit in all black. It had a few sections covered in geometric plating that partially blended in to the whole thing. It was form fitting but not excessively so, and a gem like device sat below the chin in the top of the neck. "With your hardlight shielding catalog I added in an emergency reactive shield that will protect your head, though it has limited use before requiring a recharge."

  Quinn gave it an appraising eye. It wasn't too bad but it still… was a little revealing. "Can I wear other things on top?"

  "Yes, it is thin enough, and it can also shift hues to compliment an outfit." The image shifted to include a skirt and jacket on top, and the legs of the suit morphed to mimic tights.

  "Okay, I'm okay with that."

  "Excellent. I believe that comprises all the purchases for the moment, shall I submit them?"

  Quinn gave a thumbs up.

  New Purchase: Kevlar Cartilege Weave - Tier 1

  Cost: 120. Points reduced to... 1437

  New Purchase: Burst Repair Nanite Colony - Tier 1

  Cost: 200. Points reduced to... 1237

  New Purchase: Advanced Dream Learning Implant

  Cost: 75. Points reduced to... 1162

  New Purchase: Dream Learning Module, Advanced Law

  Cost: 60. Points reduced to... 1102

  New Purchase: Dream Learning Module, Human Law Data Addendum

  Cost: 15. Points reduced to... 1087

  New Purchase: Pain Editor

  Cost: 50. Points reduced to... 1037

  New Purchase: Memory Augmentation Co-processor and Storage Implant

  Cost: 155. Points reduced to... 882

  New Purchase: Transfeminine Grade Enhanced Hearing Synthetic Cat Ears

  Cost: 150. Points reduced to... 732

  New Purchase: 'Star Blazer' Nervous System Enhancement

  Cost: 210. Points reduced to... 522

  New Purchase: 'Punchup' Muscle Performance Mutation

  Cost: 160. Points reduced to... 362

  New Purchase: Light Body Armor Catalog - Tier 1

  Cost: 100. Points reduced to... 262

  New Purchase: Type 90 Ablative Suit, Integrated Reactive Hardlight Helmet

  Cost: 240. Points reduced to... 22

  A large number of boxes flumped onto the bed. She started picking through them, finding a wide variety of pills, injectors and other such devices that she applied as instructed by Irys, feeling a little bit of a pincushion by the end. She stood up to take the bodysuit to the desk, turning around to find Irys standing up and looking slightly awkward.

  "I apologize, but I did have one request before I put this form away for a time."

  Quinn cocked her head. "Uh, sure, whatcha need?"

  "Can I give you a hug? I've had the urge to do so a number of times, but now seems like an appropriate moment."

  Quinn gave her a confused look. "I thought that form was entirely just a projection."

  Irys nodded. "It is, but I can simulate the appropriate senses via your cerebral link, should you consent."

  Something within Quinn took over, and she was nodding her agreement before her mind even quite caught up. A moment later she was swept up in a hug by the digital woman, feeling exactly like she'd expect a hug to.

  "I'm very proud of you, Darling. I hope you know that."

  That proved too much, and she burst into tears, letting what felt like years of self doubt pour down her face. Irys stayed with her, gently rubbing her back until she ran dry. Eventually they disengaged, and a wave of exhaustion rolled over Quinn.

  "I will let you rest, the various augments will need time to install, but the first dream learning session for the law package should start tonight. I wish you pleasant dreams otherwise, Darling."

  Quinn gave her a slight smile, wiping away the rest of the tears, and Irys' model dissolved into nothing. Within minutes, Quinn was asleep.