Long distance travel for Awakened usually occurs in one of two ways. There's a third option of traveling under your own power, but realistically who wants to spend that kind of time.

  First option is via Portal. This requires that you know the Energy Pattern Address for your destination and be allowed to go there. If you aren't authorized you'll be unable to make the trip, or at best you'll be stuck waiting for someone at the other end to let you through. EDN access can help with finding the appropriate address, as can having someone at either end establish the connection for you.

  Second option is Hub Transit. This is typically slower and comes with an Energy fee at embarkation. You enter the transit system and follow the pre-defined route then exit at your destination. The greatest benefit of Hub Transit is that it allows for bulk transport of mundane goods that cannot be stored in Vaults and that are too large to be transported through Portals.

  ~ * ~

  Anya kept an eye on Seb as he drove them home. Despite his brief nap and his seeming recovery from the shock Valene had dealt him, she could still feel bursts of panic coming over the band. It wasn't enough that she was going to make him suffer through being a conscious passenger to her driving, so instead she spend the ride focused on sending feelings of stability and reassurance.

  I'm fine Anya, he sent as they were nearing the house. I'm just working my way through what happened.

  I know, she answered. You've been there when I needed you to be, even when my anger was making you glare down my mother. It's my turn.

  Seb smiled and pulled into the driveway. Thank you.

  As they got out of the car Sam pulled up and the four of them stepped into the garage.

  "This your only entrance?" Yshe asked as she looked at it.

  "Yes?" Anya answered.

  "Stupid to put it in the garage if you expect anyone to live here. Only useful if you're using the Construct as your residence."

  "It's been useful for groceries," Seb chimed in. "Although it would be nice if we didn't have to come out here every time."

  "Easy enough. Sam, make a note to add a second entrance as you plan out what needs to be done."

  "Yes Auntie."

  "We're on the job boy, it's Engineer," Yshe sent with an exaggerated eye roll.

  "Yes Engineer."

  Anya stepped over and opened up the Construct, leading everyone in only to stop when Yshe paused in the entryway.

  "Sebastian was it?" At his nod Yshe continued. "You'll be glad to hear that you weren't imagining what you saw. What you saw as staircases downward are Depths connections, you'll be able to create Portals leading to staging points. The stairs up are typical Portal network and Transit Hub access."

  Easier access down into the Depths, Anya sent as she saw Seb about to ask. Staging points aren't exactly Portals but they let you skip some of the travel. Valene's door would have been part of the Portal Network and Hub Transit the Awakened version of Mass Transit and Cargo transportation.

  Anya saw Yshe nod at her as Seb paused rather than interrupt.

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  "Portals means you got yourselves a Core, I doubt Lys knew what it was or they would have kept it for themselves."

  This time Anya was just as lost as Seb. "A Core?"

  "I forgot, you're not Engineers. Three types of independent Constructs. Basic Constructs, which is what this place looks like. Basics are also the individual rooms like your Meditation Room and Training Hall right there," Yshe explained as she gestured to the doors. "Hubs include one or more dedicated power generators. Lets them tie into the Transit system and support much larger collections of rooms. So really just a Basic with a generator."

  "Cores on the other hand are a bit more special. They don't usually have a generator, you can always get one installed if you really need the power, but somewhere under our feet in the support sections is an Energy Core that will power everything. It also gives this place a unique signature that lets it tie into the Portal Network."

  "Support sections?" Seb asked.

  "Maintenance tunnels, crawlspaces, wiring. All that stuff no one wants to look at except us Engineers. I'll head down there with Sam in a bit. You'll need to get the Core bound and registered to establish your Holding. If you point me to your EDN Terminal I'll see how soon we can get a Seer out here to certify."

  "We actually need EDN access, that's part of why we were sent to meet you," Seb answered.

  "Sam. Go grab an EDN connector from your Vault along with a terminal to install in that main room."

  Sam rushed off without a word.

  "I thought I had a Holding," Anya said as he ran off.

  "What do they teach kids these days," Yshe muttered before shaking her head. "I'm sorry my Lady, you have a Construct on independent land so you are Landed. For this construct to be a Holding you must have a Core bound to the ruling line."

  "Oh," Anya muttered. "Valene said he was assigning his protege to visit in the next few days and answer questions."

  "Well then we'll just have to find out when she'll be here and I can bring Sam along and get the Engineer side of things done. Now is there anything else you can think of you might want added right away? We won't be able to add any new rooms or expansions today, need to plan that out properly."

  "You mentioned Portal Network and Dive Staging Points?" Anya replied.

  "Portal network shouldn't be too hard. Have to stick it on this wall for the moment until we can design the core of the Holding the way you want it." Yshe answered while slapping the wall next to her. "Staging Points will need some redesign, you don't have any hallways to tie into."

  "Well," Anya hesitated and glanced at Seb then nodded to herself. "Can anything be done to upgrade the training hall? The plan is to go Diving once we get everything settled and Seb never learned to fight. I can show him some basics but I fight like a human, which…"

  She trailed off as Yshe erupted into laughter.

  What did I say?

  No idea, Seb answered.

  "SAM," Yshe hollered as she finally recovered from her laughter. "I might stop calling you child after today. She wants improved training dummies."

  Turning back to them she wiped a tear from her eye. "Sorry. I gave him a hard time on the way over for being lazy and not looking into you at all. He was betting you wanted combat capable training dummies and you got this as a gift or inheritance to use as a Holding until you could inherit fully."

  Anya bristled, only for Seb to step between her and Yshe before taking a small step back to nearly bump her into the wall. She started to snarl only for him to make his intentions clear.

  Anya, she doesn't know, neither of them do.

  "Engineer Yshe. This Construct was an Inheritance gift but as part of an agreement with her Godparents. She is still considered the Heir to Holding Lys but only until her sister comes of age and can formally take on the role. This Holding is freedom, she is not being spoiled and indulged."

  Seb paused for a moment and Anya was startled to feel a spike of anger through the band as he continued. "I might not know how to fight right now, you might feel dangerous enough to make me grit my teeth when we shake hands, but I will not have either of you implying such things about my Lady."

  Yshe took one look at both of them then held her hands up in apology. "Don't worry boy. I knew she was estranged even if my nephew didn't. I'm simply telling you what he guessed and why it made me laugh when she asked for the upgrade. He might have been right about how she got this Holding, but not about the rest, and I'll make sure he doesn't make that mistake."

  Yshe glanced down the hallway and a moment later Sam stuck his head out. "I'm sorry m'lady. I meant no offense."

  Anya? Seb prompted, his posture relaxing as he stepped out of her way once more.

  "I accept your apology," she called out to Sam before turning to Yshe. "Estranged is accurate. I'm not sure who wants me there less, me or most of the Courtiers."

  Yshe nodded knowingly then changed the topic. "Portal, Training Hall Upgrade, EDN Access and Terminal. Sam's already working on the last. Let me check on his work, take a look at the Core and support sections and then I can get the Portal installed while Sam walks you through what we can do for your combat needs."

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