Many months ago:

Kitty, Chryrie, and Mia all walked into Momus Manor. Tass had given Kitty the keys for the last time. She didn't look happy to be there at all.

Mia watched her mother and her aunt at length as the two quietly spoke to each other in moredhel. They thought she didn't understand, but she did.

"You need to decide what to do with it. He gave it to you." Chryrie softly murmured.

"I don't need to decide anything. People are still living here." Kitty retorted, looking more agitated the longer she stood there.

Mia wandered off into the library. It was her favorite place. It was quiet but full of so much. Each book was a friend. Even now, with him gone, the books tingled and quivered in response to her touch. Her small hands brushed over each spine as she walked along the shelves.

She was turning to go down another row when she nearly ran into her aunt. Dark chocolate eyes lifted to look at Chryrie. The woman smiled down at Mia, then bent down slightly so they would be at a more even level.

"Your mom had to leave. I wanted to ask you if you'd like to watch over the Manor. Just make sure everything here is watched over, and keep it tidy. Can you do that?"

"I can come to the library any time I want?" Mia asked hopefully.

"Every day, and as much as you like. You and Greebo can spend all day, every day here, if you want. Just as long as you keep up with your schoolwork and don't make a mess of the place." Chryrie assured her gently.

"Yes, please!" Mia nearly hopped in place with a smile.

Presently:

The glow of the arch welder could be seen through the darkness of the Momus Manor basement. Each flare accompanied by the loud Bzzzt Bzzzt noises of metal being fused to metal.

The figure wearing the welder mask lifted up the front to wipe the sweat off her young face. Mia looked to the hellcat that was keeping her constant company, Greebo.

"Now all we need is that final microchip."

Either Traeline didn't care what Mia had been doing, or she was curious to see what her cousin was going to come up with. Whichever it was, it hadn't been difficult for Mia to convince Trae to let Mia handle the transactions on her own. Traeline just provided the cred chip.

Mia moved to the computer and tapped on a few keys as she watched her creation light up with power. Waves of blue energy traveled from the arc reactor down a large cable that plugged into a space on its back.

It looked like a giant mechanical panther at first glance. Sleek lines and polished black alloy. A mix between a motorcycle and a mechanical cat at a second. Headlights for eyes shifted back and forth. There was a high powered suspension and pistons in it's powerful legs. She tapped a few more buttons and the metal beast began to transform, the charging cable disengaging.

Amid the whir of servos and gears, a new form took shape. A bipedal, anthropomorphic panther stood before Mia. It's form was dotted with blue lights, but it looked mostly friendly. She hopped on her toes as she tapped the computer button one more time as she did a little song under her breath.

"Happy kitty, dangerous kitty, little ball of deaaaath!"

The final transformation changed back to a quadrupedal form, but it was a beast of destruction. Fire belched from it's mouth filled with sharp metal teeth. Razors tipped the tail that twitched in a feline manner. Laser etched claws came out and retracted with the scrape of metal on metal.

Mia hadn't been entirely truthful with her mother. This wasn't exactly a science project, although it would certainly win her first prize. No, this was to be her new protector. Her new friend. Mia was tired of being afraid of venturing out into Rhydin. While Greebo was a great protector, the loss of her second father left Mia absolutely terrified to venture out into a city filled with evil beings that could hurt her without a second thought.

Upstairs the doorbell to the Manor rang. Mia suddenly squealed and ran for the stairs.

"It's here! Greebo, it's here!"

Greebo didn't particularly like this, but what could he do' He slunk along behind the teen girl as she ran to the door, ducking to avoid the flying welding helmet and gloves.

It took only moments, but it felt like an eternity to Mia as she signed for the package and thanked the very nice delivery man. She smiled and waved as she closed the door. The instant the door was shut she was running back into the basement.

Paper was flung aside. The box was all but shredded. Packing peanuts went in every direction. But from it all, Mia held up her prize triumphantly. It was a small microchip. It was an AI chip in the process of being beta tested. She had managed to get her hands on one. There were other routes she could take, but the processing speed in this chip was supposed to be off the charts.

She was giddy with excitement as she walked to the robotic panther. A few taps of the computer and it was back to it's bipedal form. That was what gave her easiest access to it's circuit panels. She walked to the beast, up onto her step stool so she could easily reach, and then was flipping open a panel on the back of his head.

Her hand was shaking with excitement. She had to take a deep breath to calm herself, then she very carefully placed the chip into it's home. Once it was secure, she flipped a latch to ensure it stayed in place. Then she closed the panel with a soft click.

"I think I'll name you..." Her breath quickened watching its head lift up and look at her. She grinned at an idea and made a few quick keystrokes. Soon she was giggling as the deepest, silkiest voice she's ever heard said,

"Zeno Online."