Blames it on you.

“You let her in on it, Vic, old friend.” Dak remarks. “Still, there are plenty worse people you could have chosen. She’s a good one. Shame about her parents.”

“Yeah.” You reply.

“You pack your things while I keep her company.” Dak says. “You do have an assignment, after all.”

“Several, apparently.” You remark, moving off into the bedroom to gather things. You also go into the storage room and find some of your nephew’s old clothes that appear to be close enough in size to what Penelope will need. You toss them to Penelope, telling her to try them on. After a quick check on all the clothes, she picks out the best fits and discards the rest, giving her a seven-day wardrobe of blue jeans and shorts and ten T-shirts to pick from.

“I think you should give her the full Darwin, don’t you?” Dak asks.

“If she wants it.” You say.

“What’s the ‘full Darwin?’” she asks.

“He’s referring to a few abilities he passed on to me, including the ability to pass on these abilities to others, in whole or in part.” You reply.

“Such as?” she asks.

“Nigh-instantaneous healing, extended lifespan, psychic powers, gift of tongues and an instinctive understanding of machines, for starters.” Dak says. “I evolved him as much as I could without altering his physical appearance beyond one or two...enhancements...to make him more desirable to those with whom he wishes to breed.”

“Some kind of alien experiment?”

“I’ll explain along the way, Penelope.” You say. “Remember, though. With great power...”

“Comes great responsibility, I know.” Penelope says. “Why do you think I use my hacker skills to stop bad hackers from getting into other people’s PCs?”

“She’s just like you, only more intense because of her **** youth.” Dak remarks.

“So do you want the full Darwin?” You ask.

“If it’ll help me protect people’s rights.” she says.

“You better believe it, sugar.” You quip, touching Penelope’s forehead.