Chapter 36.1

 "Definitely gonna need these," Jason muttered as he chose the Stun Bolas over the Anchor Grapple. While the Anchor Grapple would be useful for disarming and hanging inattentive opponents, the Stun Bolas were much more practical; he could use them when preying on an unsuspecting opponent, during a battle, or even when an opponent is fleeing.

As he settled the last bit of modification, a thought crossed his mind. Couldn't he also add an anchor to the bolas? When the bolas went taut, the balls would connect and discharge a jolt of electricity, tasing the captive. At the same time, Jason could add an anchor into the twin weights with a cable that could launch itself in any direction. That way, the opponent would be hanging on a ceiling or wall while tied and electrocuted. Conversely, the Anchor Grapple's cable could also be made with conductive material that stuns an opponent like a taser before hanging them from the other end of the cable.

Not a bad idea, Jason thought after contemplating for a while. 

He quickly jotted this idea down on a notepad that was on the table but knew it wouldn't be possible to implement this idea until he had time to calibrate the final modifications to the Anchor Grapple first. [1]

It would be a very useful application. I could tie and hang Elizabeth up … mmm. That would be ... fun.

In his mind, he could already see the red-haired buxom tied and he salivated for moment when Melanie crossed his imagination. The thought of the petite Latina tied as he had his way with her made him smirk.

That little minx would enjoy it too ...

"Jason," Ava interrupted Jason's fantasy to warn him. "Alina and Alice have entered the Rubric Building. They will reach the Loft in exactly one minute and fifty-two seconds."

Jason nodded before realizing something and looking down. He was still wearing his armor, which was plated in only some places. Other areas were … form-fitting with leather-like bulletproof cloth, leaving very little to the imagination. Especially the more than notable bulge between his legs.

"Fuck!" Jason swore as he began stripping madly while running for the hoverlift. "Ava, clothes! Where're my spare clothes?!"

"Third floor, second room to the left," Ava called out to Jason who was already moving upwards while muttering to himself, "Down, down boy. Go down."

A minute later, the doors opened and Alina arrived with Alice in tow. Both were dressed in two different outfits; Alina was in jeans and a cotton shirt while Alice was wearing a cute shirt and skirt.

"Hey, Ava, where's - whoa," Alina saw the worktable and peered past Ava's shoulders to see the bolas and anchor. Her eyes flashed with interest and she turned to Ava. "What's that?"

"Something Jason was working on," Ava answered while sealing the worktable. Alina pouted a bit when she saw the table closing itself in the ground when an idea crossed her mind and she turned to Ava again.

"Think you can send me the schematics?" She asked while nearing Ava and placing an arm over the latter's shoulder. The way she was whispering and acting made it look like they were partaking in an illegal tradeoff but Alina couldn't help it as she was very interested in what she saw. The Bolas was a piece of staple equipment for ninjas in media, and the Anchor Grapples were very similar to a gadget from a game she couldn't quite recall.

"No," Ava answered calmly without glancing at Alina.

"No? Well, I didn't want to use this but I've got no choice," Alina said to herself before smiling at Ava. "How about this. Ava, you give me the schematics, and I won't tell Jason that you've been peeking into his … bedroom activities."

Ava was quiet but she sent a holo-file of both the Stun Bolas and the Anchor Grapple to Alina while the latter grinned.

"Appreciate it, thanks," Alina said with a smile that wasn't a smile as she unhooked her arm from Ava.

Alice who was watching the two with muted interest suddenly jumped and turned to look at Ava weirdly. She knew that Ava was just an AI but she never would've imagined that the robot would be interested in … relationships. Alice wasn't sure she wanted to know the truth behind Ava's reasoning.

"Hey, you," Jason came down the hoverlift while pulling his shirt down; he was wearing charcoal jeans along with a black v-neck t-shirt that snuggly wrapped itself around his muscles. Jason smiled and kissed Alice while picking her up and Alina sighed when she saw his arms which were twice the size of her thighs.

Damn him, Alina thought. Because of him my standards for men are too high. It'd be a miracle if I could find a guy that's half as good as him.

"What are you doing here?" Jason asked Alina while trying to pat the latter's head.

Alina dodged his hand and grumbled. "I had an inkling you'd be here sulking."

"I - I wasn't sulking," Jason refuted defensively while Alina and Alice both grinned. "Let's just get going. Ava, wanna join us?"

Ava looked at Jason with surprise. Her face was more expressive than even Asami's and she smiled.

"Yes. I'd like that," Ava said as she and Jason put their shoes on.

"So, what are we watching?" Alina asked while trying to smile. She didn't like Ava since she would act her emotions, portraying it rather than truly feeling. To Alina, it was fake and she disliked that. But regardless, she was also happy that Ava was joining them. It was like a real family going out, so much so than when it was just her and Jason.

"Eh, it's a secret," Jason shrugged with a half-smile while winking. He led the group out while holding Alice.

There's still a lot out there to do, He thought as he listened to Alina and Alice guess what movie they would be watching. A lot of mysteries and even more people to kill, not to mention Katelyn, Elizabeth, and Melanie … There's still so much I have to do.

But right now this, this, is all that I need, Jason held Alice tighter in his arms, giving her a slight squeeze before grazing his lips on her head, gently kissing her hair while smiling.

[1] Yep, just like those skill trees in videogames, Jason can't upgrade either of them till he gains both of the gadgets since they're inter-related.