They made it back to the shop. Sun was already up.
Xiao Qi and the woman were still inside. Doors locked. Windows shut.
Jax knocked.
"It's me."
The door cracked open. Xiao Qi's head peeked out.
She saw him. Her eyes lit up.
"Uncle!"
She ran out. Hugged his leg.
Jax looked down.
"It's okay now."
She nodded hard.
"Okay!"
The woman walked to the doorway. Looked at Jax.
Light in her eyes.
"Thank you."
Jax shook his head.
"No need."
He walked in. Sat at the workbench.
Old Joe followed. Dropped into the chair across.
"Kid. What happened tonight? You can tell stories about this for the rest of your life."
Jax didn't answer.
Pulled the repaired Type-7 core from the drawer. Put it on the table.
Old Joe glanced at it.
"Thought you fixed that already. Why's it still here?"
Jax looked up.
"She needs it."
He nodded at the woman.
Old Joe blinked.
Then got it.
The woman's core was wrecked. Jax hooked her up to a backup, but that wouldn't last. The only thing that could really fix her? That original Type-7 core.
Old Joe was quiet for a few seconds.
"You know what that thing's worth?"
Jax nodded.
"Yeah."
Old Joe looked at him.
"And you're still giving it away?"
Jax looked back.
"When you brought her back, did you think about worth?"
Old Joe blinked.
Then grinned.
"Alright. You win."
He stood up. Headed for the back room.
Stopped. Turned.
"Oh. Before you install that thing, check the wiring. Don't fry it again."
Jax nodded.
---
Old Joe left. Jax sat there.
Stared at the core. Long time.
Then stood up. Walked to the woman.
"Lie down."
She blinked.
"What?"
Jax pointed at the bench.
"Installing this. You got three days otherwise."
She looked at the core.
Demon Heavy product. The thing that made her what she was.
But she lay down anyway.
Because Xiao Qi was watching.
"Mom. Uncle's really good at this."
She closed her eyes.
Jax picked up his tools.
**[Ding! Quest triggered: The Final Repair · Continued. Objective: Install Type-7 Power Core for Test Subject M5-0047. Rewards: New Coins +300, Mechanical Repair EXP +200.]**
---
Three hours.
Jax's hands didn't shake.
Chest panel off. Backup power out. Circuits cleaned. Interfaces adjusted. Core slid in.
**Click.**
Soft sound.
The woman's body jerked.
Then her eyes opened.
Brighter than before.
Xiao Qi ran over.
"Mom!"
She sat up. Hugged her.
Her mechanical arms weren't stiff anymore. Moved like real flesh.
Jax put his tools down.
"Done."
The woman looked at him. Something in her eyes.
"Thank you."
Jax shook his head.
"No need."
He turned. Walked out.
At the door, he stopped.
"You can stay."
She blinked.
Xiao Qi's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Jax didn't turn.
"Shop needs cleaning."
He pushed the door open. Walked out.
Xiao Qi's laughter followed.
---
**[Chapter Eleven · End]**
**[Ding! Quest complete: The Final Repair · Continued. Rewards: New Coins +300, Mechanical Repair EXP +200.]**
**[Ding! Achievement unlocked: Breaking the Cocoon. Basic EXP +200.]**
**[Ding! Test Subject M5-0047's favorability toward you +50.]**