– He's already dead, Ted, so it's not going to make him any better or worse. – Michael turned to Theodore.

– Neither am I! – Theodore replied dryly and headed toward the jeep.

– Neil, take care of the car. We need to show it to the service center and deliver it to the customer,” Fred said to his subordinate, and then he put the boys in the jeep, and they drove toward the house.

Fred: “Sorry, kid. I don't think your father will mind, but since my men will be doing most of the work, the amount of money for doing it will go to us.”

Michael: “I think that would be fair. You have done a lot for us and continue to do so. You have always been, and still are, a member of our family.”

Fred smiled: “It's nice to hear you say that, Michael. Very nice.”

Michael: “Tell me, how did you find us so quickly? After all, the Logiste was wrecked, the phones were taken out and probably turned off, and the geolocator was messed up.”

Fred: “On the last signal from the Logiste and your phone. The problem with outcasts isn't that they're stupid, it's that they think a lot of themselves…”

Michael: “Do you know who this Reno guy was? That was the name of that mercenary who injured Dad and killed Father Theodore.”

Fred: “No, I don't. But trust me, it's not that important. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time people have encountered an armed band of outcasts in the desert or anywhere else. That's why you and your father better not ride around unprotected and play heroes anymore. You don't know what people like them are capable of.

Michael: “I think we get the point. Thank you again.”

In his heart, Michael was ashamed in front of Theodore for his behavior during the danger. Why was he, a boy of almost fifteen, scared to death while his younger companion pragmatically made some rescue plans in his head? Why was a child of twelve comforting him while he himself was in a state of despair? It should have been the other way around. Michael was supposed to take on the responsibilities of an older brother. He thought about it until his eyes closed and he fell asleep.

The boys dozed off in the back seat. They heard neither the noise of the engine, nor the sound of the wind, nor the conversations of the mercenaries in front. The children's bodies needed at least a small dose of rest after such a difficult day.

Three months had passed since the incident. It was the end of June. Summer was in full swing. Ounvilshen was overflowing with greenery, which added color to the urban environment. The search for Father Theodore's body during this time had been unsuccessful. Perhaps the ambulance had disposed of his body upon arrival at the scene. And since he had a basic LSC, the remains were not provided to the relatives of the deceased. Theodore didn't want to go home, but never voiced the reason, though it was already clear. As soon as the services discovered that a minor child was living alone, he would quickly be adopted into some family and the house would be listed as a frozen estate. So Ted continued to live unofficially with the Silver family.

George has now been released from the hospital. He still had a little difficulty in moving, but in general – recovered. Michael returned to his normal life: he was fulfilling orders for his father's company, but now only under the cover of mercenaries, who accompanied him throughout the route. It was lucky that Michael went to practice at this time. After all, George had been out of the work process for quite some time. And if it wasn't for Michael, the family would have had a very difficult time financially. However, something had to be done about Theodore's stay. Even though Michael's parents continued to pay for his bronze status LSC, he was still a child. Without officially registered parents or guardians, he could not continue to live with them. At any moment, the police could come and start asking unnecessary and inconvenient questions, up to and including forcibly taking the un-legalized child away from the Silvers and imposing a huge fine. So it was decided at the family council that Ted would be officially adopted into the Silver family.