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Message: <blockquote data-quote="tglassy" data-source="post: 7105107" data-attributes="member: 6855204">James opened his eye as his internal alarm went off.  He wished he could say it was simply a biological thing.  A talent he'd learned during his years out in the wilds, hunting down rogues and getting whatever sleep he could.  Back then, he'd been pretty good at waking up when he meant to.Unfortunately, his internal alarm wasn't biological anymore.  It was an actual alarm.  He could see in his HUD, which appeared above and below his vision, that it was time to get up.  Exactly when he was supposed to.  And while he was always the type to force himself out of bed the moment he got up, now he didn't have to force himself.  He was wide awake.  It wasn't natural.  A man needed coffee before he could wake up, everyone knew that.  He got up and made himself a cup anyway, not even hearing the subtle whirring and clicking as his cybernetic parts moved for him.  He downed half his coffee in one go before Jo woke up.  Like clockwork, he thought, getting a bottle from the dispenser.  He went to the Jo's room and found her standing in her crib, cryin' like the world was crashin' down on her.  "Hey there, little one," he said softly as he picked her up and handed her her bottle.  "No need to get all in a fuss.  Daddy's just gonna be gone for a few days.  Yer gonna stay with yer Aunt Clara.  Isn't that nice?"Jo didn't really seem to like this idea, but it could just be because she needed a diaper change.  Oh the joys of parenthood.  You were supposed to be here for this, Millie, he thought.  You were the one looking forward to this.He pushed that thought away shortly after it entered his mind.  He needed to be composed today.  Today, he went back to work.  He set Jo down in a play area while he showered and shaved.  Make a good impression, that's what his pa always told him.  Make a good impression and you don't have to work so hard to change it later.  He dressed quickly, donning his Combat Mage armor, and the duster over it. Then he found his Stetson hat (cowboy hat) and put it on, looking at himself in the mirror.  He looked like a lawman.  Clean shaven (for once), armor peaking out from under his duster, revolvers on his hips.  His Wingboard rested by the door.  He'd grab that before they left. "Come here, baby girl," he said as he picked up Jo.  She dropped a toy and cried, so he had to bend over and pick it up as well. "Yer gettin' heavy.  Just like yer Daddy."He grabbed her things and headed over to Clara's.  Clara was Millie's sister.  She'd come to Fort Refuge before the fall of Tolkeen.  Before James had even met Millie.  Oh, Millie, he thought, unable to keep it at bay.  Clara was nice enough, but she didn't much like James.  She sure did love little Jo, though.  And it was nice to have someone he could trust to watch the little one while he was gone.  A man had to make a living, after all.  The world needed to be a hell of a lot better if it was going to be worthy of letting Jo grow up in it.  ****James strode into the office, seeing the others seated before Koddin.  He tipped his hat at them."Howdie," he said, then looked to Koddin.  "James Cahill, reportin' fer duty."</blockquote>

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