The elevator opened onto a large, open atrium area decorated with brushed metal and fake wood paneling. I knew that the place normally catered to a higher-class clientele, and not many people came here for the view anymore, but I was surprised at how few people there actually were wandering around. Most of the visitors appeared to be sitting in the various large glass lounges and meeting rooms spaced around the interior of this floor.

  I didn’t get it. Why would someone bother to come all this way and not bother to go outside and enjoy the view?

  As we stepped off the lift, a couple people raised their eyebrows. I couldn’t exactly blame them since most of the people around here were wearing designer suits and dresses, so we probably looked a little out of place wandering in wearing jeans and hoodies.

  A pair of well-dressed security guards, dressed in three-piece suits, stepped away from their positions on the far side of the landing and started heading our way. Or, at least they started to before Bob stepped off the elevator.

  When we were just walking down the street, most people saw him as some sort of goofy mascot. Up here, people saw him in a different light. As a threat.

  The guards immediately straightened up, and the closest one approached us with a lot more respect.

  “Would you happen to be here to meet with the other samurai, ma’am?” He asked Jane, causing Jeniffer and Eddie to giggle.

  “Yes, I am,” I announced, drawing the man’s attention. “Could you direct me to where I could find them?”

  The big man winced and shied away, almost like he expected me to hit him over the mistake. Kind of ridiculous since he was about three times my size. “Of course, they’re out on the observation deck, this way.”

  As he led us through the area and out through the large doors on the other side, I noticed the various onlookers had quickly dispersed. I’m sure they thought that judging the ‘lower classes’ wasn’t just something they could do; it was expected of them. Looking down on a samurai, on the other hand, was probably one of the fastest ways to end up destitute at best and dead at worst. Although I’m sure many of them would consider being destitute to be the far worst option.

  Beyond the large double doors was a large enclosed observation deck. Not only were there massive plate glass windows, angled so you could lean out and actually look down upon the city, but the outer half of the walkway was glass too.

  The Space Needle would have towered over most traditional buildings at ground level, and now that it was mounted upon one of the largest mega buildings in the city, it had a breathtaking view. Well, at least it probably would have been breathtaking if we hadn’t been living on a flying fortress for the last week and been staring at similar scenery all day.

  Still… the kids hadn’t had much of a chance to check out an urban environment since we left Calgary, so they’d probably enjoy it for a couple minutes anyways.

  After following the observation deck counterclockwise around the building, we quickly ran into a couple familiar figures.

  To one side were the twins Claire and Alise Monte, better known as the samurai Celestia and Altantica. The pair were dressed up in matching powersuits. Claire’s had subtle orange detailing, while Alise had blue, matching the colors of their samurai outfits. The one difference they had is their wavy, shoulder-length black hair was styled slightly differently. Claire wore hers up, in a no-nonsense bun held together by an elegant jeweled clip, while Alise wore hers loose.

  Across from them was another pair of women, who were wearing equally upscale but more subdued clothing. The closer woman was someone I didn’t recognize. She was a little taller, had orange-red hair, and had a stern face. She kind of gave me the feeling of authority--like she was a CEO or something.

  If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  At her side was another familiar face, Maggie Artell, also known as Magpie. I’d met the energetic brunette several times before, and every time I’d seen her, she’d been either bouncing off the walls or talking a mile a minute. It seemed like today wasn’t going to be an exception. Maggie was practically bouncing in her seat as she swiveled between the twins and the woman next to her, keeping up multiple conversations simultaneously. When she saw us approaching, she jumped out of her chair and waved energetically

  “Evelyn, hey, hi, welcome!” Maggie chirped. “Long time no see!”

  “Not since Jasper. Good to see you again, Maggie,” I replied politely as we stepped up to the group.

  “Everyone, let me introduce Claire and Alise. They’re the ones that directed the veritable army of samurai that retook Seattle when it was overrun by the Antithesis a year ago,” I said, gesturing to the two women. “And over here we have Maggie and…”

  “Valerie,” the auburn-haired woman declared with a smile. “Valerie Artell, Maggie’s wife.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Jane exclaimed, stepping forward to shake everyone’s hand. “I’m Jane, Evelyn’s sister, and these are Alan, Jennifer, Eddie, and Isabelle.”

  “Siblings?” Valerie asked, surprised.

  “Adopted,” I explained, tapping the kids on their heads. “Our former foster parents taught us that it was important to look after those that can’t look after themselves, and when they died, we followed their example and picked up these three when they were abandoned.”

  “Abandoned?” Valerie repeated, eyes going wide in surprise.

  “We live in the Calgary undercity, and until recently it was a fairly common practice. Most ended up in the gangs,” I said. “Once I became a samurai, I made it a priority to improve the conditions around us, so fewer kids end up on the street.”

  “That’s very kind of you,” Valerie replied. Although she delivered the line rather flatly, her eyes softened and the corners of her mouth rose ever so slightly. I couldn’t tell if she was just feigning her concern or if she just had trouble expressing her emotion.

  “I hope you’re all hungry,” Alise declared once there was a break in the conversation. “We booked a couple tables at the restaurant on the lower level. Our reservation isn’t for half an hour, which should give you all plenty of time to enjoy the view! I personally recommend taking a look at the harbourside. Many samurai vessels either glow or have some sort of high-powered spotlight to help spot aquatic Antithesis, so the view is rather spectacular.”

  “Any pirate ships?” Issi asked, completely seriously.

  Alise thought for a minute. “There are a couple that are stylized after old sailing ships, if that’s what you mean.”

  “Neat!” the tot exclaimed. “Come on, Bob, let’s take a look!”

  When the big bear gave me a questioning look, I just nodded, sending him plodding after the kids. Alan followed, leaving Jane, the twins, Maggie, and Valerie standing together, enjoying the view.

  “Were you aware there was a welcoming committee waiting for us downstairs?” I asked.

  “No, but I’m not super surprised,” Claire sighed. “Although the different factions promised not to approach you without provocation, a couple still wanted to keep an eye on you. Apparently my word that you weren’t involved wasn’t good enough for them.”

  “Normally I wouldn’t give two shits about their suspicions, but I can’t have a bunch of twitchy samurai following me while the kids are around,” I said. “The guards might be able to handle mundane threats, but other samurai?”

  “Yeah, it’s probably not worth the risk,” Alise muttered.

  “I could go have a talk with them, or maybe give the kids some personal protection tech to help keep them safe while they’re here,” Maggie exclaimed as she started digging into the bag at her side. Slowly at first, but more excitedly as she pulled out more and more objects. “I have all sorts of things: grenades full of quick-drying riot foam, ultrasonic disorienters, short-range teleporters, shield generators, city-wide emps, disintegrators!"

  Valerie reached out and placed a hand on the other woman’s arm, which had an immediate calming effect. “Maggie, Honey, it’s nice you want to help, but it’s probably best if you don’t give the kids any of your untested, possibly unstable devices. No matter how useful they may be.”

  Maggie looked at the small pile of devices in her arms and pouted for a moment before nodding. “You’re right. Better to give this stuff to other samurai, who can handle the side effects, than children. I could buy some new equipment especially for them, if it would help.”

  “We appreciate the offer, but even if you’re a friend of Evelyn’s, I’m not sure we should be giving the kids anything they could accidentally trigger and hurt themselves with. The bears have proven to be effective guards and deterrents to this point. I’d like to leave the kid’s safety to them,” Jane slowly explained.

  “That’s understandable. I’ve seen what those bears can do. They can probably even give most samurai a run for their money,” Maggie exclaimed as she unceremoniously poured the handful of devices back into her bag.

  Everyone simultaneously took a step back, half expecting something to go off, but nothing did. Once she was done, Maggie looked up. “What?”

  “Nothing,” I replied, still eyeing up the bag. “Just admiring your safety standards.”

  “I make sure to wear all my personal protective equipment while in the lab, Val insists!” Maggie replied excitedly.

  “And outside the lab?” I asked.

  “Why would I need it outside the lab? I’m not taking apart dangerous devices outside!” Maggie exclaimed.

  I glanced at Valerie, who shook her head tiredly. I could tell this was a discussion they’d had before.

  “You know what? Never mind,” I said. “Let’s go collect the kids. It’s almost dinner time.”

  Discord!

  Check out my Stories:

  Support me!

  Finally: Big thanks to all those people that review my draft, the chapters would be a lot rougher without your feedback!