Chapter Twenty-Seven - Nun Too Soon


    Chapter Twenty-Seven - Nun Too Soon


    H-hi everyone!


    My name is Giga Shimmer Aurora Dove Love Magnet Cosmic Dreamer, and Im the magical girl thats going to save your sorry asses! Can... can I get an uwu?


    Please?


    --Beatrice Quantum Lovely Bubble Pop Honey Bliss Laser Ranger Smith, during her first livestream, 2040


    ***


    I stared at the part in my right hand, then the one in my left. They had grooves designed to interlock together. I knew this, because I had seven more nearly identical parts, all slotted together, sitting on a table in front of me.


    I pushed the two parts together.


    They didnt fit.


    What the fuck, I muttered as I tried shoving the two parts together with more force. Unfortunately, more enthusiasm didnt do anything.


    These doohickeys all fit along a line that ran from the mechs leg up into a sort of little actuator in the shoulder. The actuator needed replacing, which meant that I had to take apart all of the little clamps that kept the line in place.


    It had taken a few hours, and was rather tedious, but Id figured it out and became pretty decent at it by the end. There was some skin missing from my knuckles, but it wasnt all bad.


    Now I just had to put it all back together. The new actuator had fit into place like it belonged there, and these fiddly bits I was working with were the old ones, they should have fit in well because Id literally taken them out an hour ago.


    That was only if I could get them to click together. I tried again, but the part didnt fit into its opposite. Squinting, I looked at the two, then noticed that they were slightly different. Myalis, whats going on?


    Thats part 256B that youre trying to fit into 257G. They arent meant to be together.


    Theyre all different? I asked.


    Yes. 257B is on the table to your left. 256G is currently linked to 257C. The parts happen to click into place, though the tolerance is off.


    I did that like, ten minutes ago, I said. You knew!


    I did.


    Thats what I thought, I muttered. I picked up a rag and started to wipe my hands free of grease and oil. I walked back into the house and found the kittens mostly lounging around lazily, though Junior currently had Nose in a headlock and was frozen staring at me, her knuckles buried in his hair. Whatd he do? I asked.


    Spat in my cereal, she said before shrugging. It was the last of it.


    I nodded and walked on past, ignoring Noses cries for mercy and help.


    I found Lucy in the bedroom, lying on her back with her legs up against the wall. She was staring at the ceiling with the kind of dull-eyed focus that people had when looking at their augs. She looked up and at me as I came in. Hey. Done with the work?


    Just taking a little break. Gonna head downstairs. I think Gomorrahs stuff has arrived. Figured Id talk to her, see if she needs help.


    Oh, Lucy said. She flopped to the side, then climbed to the edge of the bed.


    Youre coming? I asked.


    Nah, you go. I dont want to get roped into helping move boxes. But I will make a cake! Thats what all the old-timey housewives do in the vids when they have new neighbours.


    Well, as long as you dress like one of those old-timey wives, I said.


    Lucy grinned. If thats what you want, I can certainly try. She curtsied, which mostly meant pulling up the edges of her oversized t-shirt until the lower part of her belly was exposed.


    Mhm, I said distractedly. Ah, right, anyway. Ill be back in not too long, I think.


    I got changed into some new casual wear. Cargo pants and a graphic-tee with a pouty Deus Ex on it, then I splashed some water on my face to clean it off before heading to the elevators. They were the only way down, unless I wanted to drive to the parking garage a few floors down, but that just seemed silly.


    I only realized that I wasnt armed when I was three floors down. I felt a small shock of unease at the realisation, but I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. I was home, I was probably safe.


    If I wasnt, then it was only a few seconds work to arm myself right back up.


    The door dinged a few more floors down, and I narrowed my eyes against a blast of stale, warm air. I hadnt been down to the parking garage in... a while. I was vaguely aware that the mecha cats that we had at home for protection tended to patrol the entire public space in the building, usually while stealthed, but that was the most interaction Id had with this place.


    It was strangely empty of cars and such. Then again, maybe that wasnt so strange. I took up two floors, and a number of others were vacant. I was pretty sure that no one had really started to fix up the lower areas with the shops and such.


    I found the van parked not too far from the entrance, the Fury resting next to it. Franny was in the back, along with two others that looked... nun-like, even if they were dressed casual. Something about the straight backs and proper postures gave me those vibes.


    Heya girls, welcome to the cat house. You need any help with those boxes?


    ***