Sarah's fingers worked methodically across her damaged forearm.
The synth-skin applicator hissed as it fused with her titanium endoskeleton, repairing the bullet wounds beneath.
She watched Serena's slow, steady breathing from her seat on the bed, the girl's vital signs blinking reassuringly on her HUD display.
"Are you in pain?" Sarah asked softly as Serena's eyelids fluttered open.
Serena winced as she tried to sit up, "Where...?"
"You're safe," Sarah reassured her with a gentle smile, "My husband and I took care of the people who attacked you and Megumi. I'm sorry about your apartment though."
Serena's hand clutched the sheets, "Megumi...?"
Sarah's ocular implants whirred slightly as she focused, "He's fine. A little shaken up after... everything that happened. He's in the living room with Miles."
As Serena relaxed back into the pillow, Sarah noted how the girl's first concern hadn't been for her own safety or lost home, but for Megumi.
Interesting.
---
The blue glow from the holoscreen cast shadows across Miles tired face as Agent J's image flickered.
"Cleanup crew secured Law's body. Good work," the agent said, "Your payment as been already sent and your ship's paperwork will be processed by morning."
Miles took a slow sip of coffee, "Better be an upgrade from this dump."
"Let's just say you won't be disappointed," Agent J replied before the screen went dark.
On the couch, Megumi sat staring at the sniper cartridge on the table before him.
The weapon he'd dreamed of using now represented a line he could never uncross.
Miles dropped onto the couch beside him, grimacing as his burns protested, "Second thoughts?"
Megumi ran a hand through his hair, "I didn't have a choice-"
"Nobody ever does in those moments," Miles interrupted, "You either act or die. That's not morality - that's biology."
"Can I just... pretend it never happened?" Megumi's voice wavered.
Miles leaned back, "You can try. But that cartridge won't let you forget." He took another sip. "Question is, what do you do now?"
Megumi stared at the gleaming metal, "I wanted to be someone important. A real bounty hunter. But now..."
"Kid, you either accept what it takes to survive in this business," Miles said bluntly, "or you walk away and find something that won't eat you alive. That's the harsh reality. Anyways, I'm going take a nap for day. Try thinking what's next for you." Slowly closing his eyes and entering the lands of slumber.
Megumi looked at the cartridge remembering his life before he today. How simple, how boring, and how unspecial he felt compared to everyone else.
---
Sarah found Miles asleep on the couch and Megumi standing on the balcony, his silhouette framed against the city lights.
"How you doing?" she asked.
After a long silence, Megumi spoke without turning, "I'm going to be a bounty hunter. To stop people like the ones who attacked us."
Sarah noticed the implant in his neck and the unnatural blue glow of his uncovered eyes, "Is that really what you want?"
"It's what I need to do."
Sarah studied him for a moment before nodding, "Go home tonight. Serena will stay here until she's recovered."
As she turned to leave, the distant neon signs reflected in Megumi's unnaturally bright eyes.