Gifts Galore


    “I am a servant of the city, and its people. My skills are at their service, and my heart beats with a desire to defend the innocent and helpless of this city.


    Qilin, the Warrior Sage, during an acceptance speech for a civic award for heroism.


    “Why is it every martial arts master in the community has to make it sound like they’re on a mystic quest for justice. If you like to fight, just admit it! No one is going to judge, you know?”


    Victor Dred, after the speech when talking to the press.


    "Solaris, if you will step into the scanner area, we''ll get your sizing while I have an assistant show her to the weapons locker." He smirked. "Is there an allowance I should know about?"


    “I don’t think so. I doubt she’s going to go hog wild.” Solaris stepped in the scan room stripped down and posed for the scan. She came back out. “That is a fascinating bit of tech. Any changes? “She asked


    "Only very minor. Even you apparently will adjust if not eating for several decades." He called up an image. "You''ve always been doubly patriotic, so I''m sticking to the red, white and blue pallet. The top is blue, moving seamlessly into a lightly pleated skirt, with white daggs in the pleats, and along the curve of your hips to give a look of shape. I have a feminine bit of puff that quickly returns to tight a cloth along the arm, blue transitioning to red, with heavier outer gloves over inner gloves that will allow fine touch and tech use. Leggings of a dark blue down to red and white boots, with small chunky heels. The tiara, of course, is integrated, as are concealed utility pouches."


    “Patriotic but not to garnish.” She shook her head. “I’ll probably bounce back in a few weeks. Still unchanging.” The last words almost muttered. “I assume tear away sleeves and skirt so they can’t be grappled?”


    "Yes, though you won''t be able to tell, of course. The body suit and leggings will be class III body armor, for pure durability. There''s no reason to go stronger, as it just won''t matter to you, and the cost to benefit ratio just isn''t there. Class III will be enough to keep the average nearby explosion or near miss from shredding anything."


    “And durability is a key issue for me. I assume you have someone who does shoes? Go a higher durability on those. I actually need all the basics in day-to-day shoes as well. I killed another pair of pumps the other day.”


    "I get my shoes made by your company, who has a custom service." He chuckled. "They allow you to choose several aspects of the shoe. I just have it ''unfinished'' and do the skinning myself with appropriate materials."


    She laughed. Well, I might as well support my company. Can you order me a nice selection with grade three skinning. Shoes take a heck of a beating.


    "I''ll order you a set of basic footwear, and some running shoes. Do not ignore the Sneakers, dear."


    “I won’t they are lovely to run in, Penny got me a pair.


    "Good, glad to hear it. Now shall we go find her and look at the vehicles you were asking about?"


    “Yes. Marcus, wait here, I know you want to see your Granny’s, outfit.” Solaris turned to follow the Tailor.


    They took the elevator up a level, and stepped into a playground of handguns, rifles, and high-tech weapons that she wasn''t sure how they''d work. There were multiple tables, stacks of ammo, batteries, and fuel containers under the displayed weapons. Penny stood at a table, a small selection of weapons resting on it. "Okay, I get the Stun pistol, rifles, and cannons. Police Forces are slowly getting them to replace tasers, but where did you get the laser systems?" She held up a hand. "I know, I know, suppliers. Still, I''m impressed, and resisting any urge to check your licensing."


    “Still wrapped up in Toyland? Find anything to play with? Or are you just running up one of everything.” Solaris said in a teasing voice


    "Oh, yeah” Penny said turning with a grin. “A crate of ammo types for my forty mike-mike that I didn''t have, I’m going to have to redesign the multiload system for it. "I also got a Stun cannon for the suit, pistol for my coat, and a flight system I thought I was going to have to build from half understood descriptions on the internet." She chuckled. "Nothing major."


    “It’s always fun to get toys. I was going to go look at vehicles if you want to join me. I was thinking of getting Marcus something nice to go with his new suit.”


    "He does lack a movement ability, so that''s not a bad idea." she admitted. "I suspect we''re still discovering things he can do, but flying isn''t one of them."


    "Now, you mentioned a motorcycle. Are you thinking something he might go on fairly long rides on, or a city pursuit kind of deal?"


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    “If I have to choose a preference, I’d go for city driving. Long range is nice, but not as important I tend to be in urban areas.”


    "So urban, we can do that, and we want something that looks sharp too. Here''s my first suggestion. This is a BMW R 1250 R cruising bike. It''s good city or long drive, and it''s the same base as the most popular police motorcycle worldwide.”


    “That will work, BMW is making motorcycles? Do you think we can get some switch panels to flip between civilian and hero mode?”


    "Ahh, my dear, you got ahead of me." he chuckled. Walking over he switched the bike on and flipped a few switches. The gas tank shifted from black to grey, concealed LED lights lit up in decorative lines, and a few small decorative panels slid out of view, leaving the bike with a more ''naked'' design. "Hero mode, so to speak. This uses red lights, but we can have a bike with blue to go with his costume easily. Perhaps add chrome and leave it more naked in it’s civilian mode just to change it up." The Tailor made some quick notes at Solaris’s nod.


    "My tech also disassembles the entire machine, and replaces stock parts with upgraded performance parts, while we replace the lines, oil, fuel, what have you with stronger, essentially bulletproof versions. Where possible, we also remove the cosmetic body panels and remold them in armor quality ballistic plastics for durability. Also, I only offer the police types to the white cape side of the house, so he won''t bump into any gray capes with a similar bike. I don’t deal with black capes, because I like not getting robbed. The paperwork with the Network is nearly lethal itself”


    Solaris chuckled. “Paperwork is how we know we are civilized. Definitely go with the blue, and maybe include a spot on the front to put the shield tonfa, so he can duck under it for cover.”


    "Ooooh, kind of a bracket to turn it into a windshield. I can do that and have the civilian windshield slide away. Nice touch. We can also add hard saddlebags for cargo storage, which he can pull off when he doesn''t need them." The Tailor said, waving his pen. He could see why Solaris was in his grand aunts VIP book. Money was great. A polite and creative client was a gem. "Oh, and it goes without saying, they get upgraded security to prevent theft."


    “Our set just can’t resist the urge to steal each other”s stuff.” Solaris admitted. “I remember one time a dumb teenager decided to steal Toth’s car.”


    "It’s how you all keep score. That''s why we put trackers in them. And admittedly keep a few spares if we have to replace one." He shrugged. "It is what it is. We collect. I can have this ready at the same time as the other items. Now, was there something else you were interested in? Command vehicle, armored recreational vehicle, submarine? No, wait, that isn''t ready for the field yet, and the buyer got himself creamed but I can’t stand to leave a project undone. But, other than that, what else?"


    “Penny, do you need anything vehicle wise for your suit? I don’t know what kinds of mobility systems you have planned for it. You mentioned a flight system you were getting here.”


    "Yeah, but it''s going to be short range. I honestly will have to finish the suit before I can think about transport solutions. I won''t know what I need till I''ve got it running and know for sure what it is. I''m in the art more than science stage of things."


    “We will explore that later then.” Solaris said, “I don’t need a car of my own yet, so that should do vehicle wise for now. Oh, please add on a bike trailer. I almost forgot that.”


    "Oh, I had assumed." He chuckled. "Although, thinking, I may have a suggestion for you. It''s a bit avant guard." He moved over towards an ATV. "A Polaris, with all the whistles. This model has a second seat that can be easily removed, and considering it''s carry weight, would be suitable for some power armor to use, depending on the agility of suit and pilot. And with the features included here, this is street legal. It might not suit Ms. Ward, but it might very well suit Dreadful."


    "It looks like a baby jeep. Solaris giggled. It''s adorable! What are they normally used for, cause the naughty part of me wants one myself."


    "Well I can certainly get one in your preferred color tones as well. They''re popular with people who own large, rugged properties, hunters, nature wanderers who aren''t hikers. This is a street legal version, even, so technically it can be driven on the streets as well. Now, if you want a comparison to a jeep, I can show you that too." he chuckled.


    “Shall we go see how the others are doing? I want to see what Granny Ruan gets put in.”


    "Oh, I think she''ll like it." the Tailor chuckled. "Right this way. Oh, coincidentally, while I don''t keep aircraft around, I do have techs who can do similar upgrades to aircraft if desired."


    "You look fantastic Grandma." They heard Marcus before they saw her.


    "Of course I do. Where do you think you get your good looks from. Not your grandfather. Face like an ax, but hands like a sculptor."


    "I didn''t need to know that."


    Mrs. Ruan was wearing a red ao dai, though not as tight as a younger woman’s might be. Red, with gold accents and embroidery with full sleeves. Slits allowed the loose pants underneath to be seen when she moved, a slightly darker red. "And I could hide my Berretta in so many places." She nodded. approvingly


    "Not to mention all your knives." Solaris said with a smirk, she had no doubt the old soldier that was Granny Ruan, was the best armed person in any room she entered. "That red is perfect on you."


    "Bah, only two. Easy to hide in anything but a bikini." she wove off. "He had a green one I liked too. Apparently, he thought buttering up Granny was a good idea." She waved a finger at the man. "You don''t fool me. Clever man."


    "Ah, but is it working? Oh, and I had this arranged for." An assistant brought him a case and he opened it. "I of course have my people look into customers before they come. Common sense. I understand you prefer an older 92 series. This is a new 92xi in the Vietnam Tiger Stripe camouflage pattern, as they are producing a series of guns in classic camo patterns as homage to American military tradition. As this was also your own, I thought you might appreciate it. With four ten round magazines, as New York is a silly place with magazine limits."


    Solaris smiled at the slightly poleaxed look on Ruan''s face as she took the gun, cleared it, then sighted down it. "You know good guns. Maybe I send you cookies."


    “And don’t forget the over robe, good for cool weather, and protecting you in the case of a firefight or actual fire! the assistant said holding the soft cream-colored garment for her.”


    "Of course not." She slid it on, patting it. "I like being warm and protected. And armed. He is tricky Ms. Solaris. Do not trust him, but definitely do business with him!"


    "She is so like my grandmother, truly." The Tailor sighed. “She says the exact same things.”