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Authors: Katy Stauber
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you."
Max nodded. This was actually one of the reasons Texas had been chosen as the site of their new server farm. Obviously they had much more important reasons, like the plentiful sun and wind they would need to power their warehouses of equipment. Putting a security firm in the middle of one of the poorest and most-crime-ridden spots in America was like hiding your favorite dessert at the back of the refrigerator behind a bunch of health food. Just as camouflaging chocolate brownies keeps them from your greedy siblings, hiding server farms full of secrets in the least likely place worked too.
Harmony cut in, "One of the things we have tried to downplay is that outside organizations are heavily targeted by the terrorists. Many cities don't want to have to protect a new company from terrorists or deal with the fallout if you do get hit by the terrorists."
"Is it really that bad?" Max asked.
"Not here." Clio replied quickly. "We've never had a terrorist attack in this area and we don't have any worries about water or power in Ambrosia Springs."
"That's true," Harmony agreed. "But one of the reasons we are so anxious to have Omerta here is that we could really use your expertise on security issues, both for Floracopia and the city. We do what we can, but..." She shrugged.
"If the terrorists target outsiders, what would you guys have to worry about here? Wouldn't you be in more danger if we moved here?" asked Seth.
What they said sounded plausible, yet he was having a hard time envisioning these women anxious for anyone to rescue them from anything. If they hadn't been worried about the terrorist problem for the last ten years of attacks, why would they be worried now?
Clio and Kalliope shot a glance at their mother who shook her head slightly before answering Seth.
"Sometimes the terrorists kidnap locals and hold them hostage in exchange for weapons or money," admitted Harmony. "Again, it hasn't happened anywhere near here, but it pays to be safe. And for all our poor statistics, is there really anywhere in the world that's safe these days?"
"Is there any food that's safe from your Uncle?" Kalliope asked Seth. She watched in fascination as he polished off another bowl of guacamole and stack of tortillas. Max smiled and shrugged, but didn't stop eating.
"We do feed him at home. Sometimes." Seth laughed.
"The presence of attractive women stimulates my appetite," Max declared, wiggling his eyebrows theatrically. Max made a habit of flirting obviously with every woman he met.
"It's nice to see a young man like yourself with such good manners," Harmony laughed as he helpfully poured another round of beer.
"Ah, the ability to recognize beauty is ageless, madam," Max replied. "And I'm not so young as all that."
The conversation wandered to local cuisine, current events, and how to tell whether a mariachi band is any good or not. As the evening wore on, Kalliope eventually left with the mariachi band after belting out a few Spanish serenades in her husky voice. After repeatedly swearing to Harmony and Clio that his head was clear, Seth drove his half-asleep uncle back to their tent.
"You talked me into it," mumbled Max blearily.
Seth had not sworn to the Somata women that his uncle's head was clear. Seth was hoping that the smooth ride of the hovercar would keep Max from throwing up all over the seat.
"What?"
"I said you have convinced me. I will stay with you in this adorable heathen country. Obviously Omerta needs both of us at the new server farm," Max said without opening his eyes.
"Uncle," Seth sighed, "I don't know. There's something weird going on here. There's something about these Texas terrorists that they are not telling us, for starters."
"I know. Isn't it nice? It's settled then." And with that, Max began to snore so loudly that Seth left him in the car to sleep it off.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"S o are you boys settling in alright?" Clio asked as she put a steadying hand on Seth's shoulder. They were trying to
Max nodded. This was actually one of the reasons Texas had been chosen as the site of their new server farm. Obviously they had much more important reasons, like the plentiful sun and wind they would need to power their warehouses of equipment. Putting a security firm in the middle of one of the poorest and most-crime-ridden spots in America was like hiding your favorite dessert at the back of the refrigerator behind a bunch of health food. Just as camouflaging chocolate brownies keeps them from your greedy siblings, hiding server farms full of secrets in the least likely place worked too.
Harmony cut in, "One of the things we have tried to downplay is that outside organizations are heavily targeted by the terrorists. Many cities don't want to have to protect a new company from terrorists or deal with the fallout if you do get hit by the terrorists."
"Is it really that bad?" Max asked.
"Not here." Clio replied quickly. "We've never had a terrorist attack in this area and we don't have any worries about water or power in Ambrosia Springs."
"That's true," Harmony agreed. "But one of the reasons we are so anxious to have Omerta here is that we could really use your expertise on security issues, both for Floracopia and the city. We do what we can, but..." She shrugged.
"If the terrorists target outsiders, what would you guys have to worry about here? Wouldn't you be in more danger if we moved here?" asked Seth.
What they said sounded plausible, yet he was having a hard time envisioning these women anxious for anyone to rescue them from anything. If they hadn't been worried about the terrorist problem for the last ten years of attacks, why would they be worried now?
Clio and Kalliope shot a glance at their mother who shook her head slightly before answering Seth.
"Sometimes the terrorists kidnap locals and hold them hostage in exchange for weapons or money," admitted Harmony. "Again, it hasn't happened anywhere near here, but it pays to be safe. And for all our poor statistics, is there really anywhere in the world that's safe these days?"
"Is there any food that's safe from your Uncle?" Kalliope asked Seth. She watched in fascination as he polished off another bowl of guacamole and stack of tortillas. Max smiled and shrugged, but didn't stop eating.
"We do feed him at home. Sometimes." Seth laughed.
"The presence of attractive women stimulates my appetite," Max declared, wiggling his eyebrows theatrically. Max made a habit of flirting obviously with every woman he met.
"It's nice to see a young man like yourself with such good manners," Harmony laughed as he helpfully poured another round of beer.
"Ah, the ability to recognize beauty is ageless, madam," Max replied. "And I'm not so young as all that."
The conversation wandered to local cuisine, current events, and how to tell whether a mariachi band is any good or not. As the evening wore on, Kalliope eventually left with the mariachi band after belting out a few Spanish serenades in her husky voice. After repeatedly swearing to Harmony and Clio that his head was clear, Seth drove his half-asleep uncle back to their tent.
"You talked me into it," mumbled Max blearily.
Seth had not sworn to the Somata women that his uncle's head was clear. Seth was hoping that the smooth ride of the hovercar would keep Max from throwing up all over the seat.
"What?"
"I said you have convinced me. I will stay with you in this adorable heathen country. Obviously Omerta needs both of us at the new server farm," Max said without opening his eyes.
"Uncle," Seth sighed, "I don't know. There's something weird going on here. There's something about these Texas terrorists that they are not telling us, for starters."
"I know. Isn't it nice? It's settled then." And with that, Max began to snore so loudly that Seth left him in the car to sleep it off.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"S o are you boys settling in alright?" Clio asked as she put a steadying hand on Seth's shoulder. They were trying to
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