SCMR Chpt 14

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==Chapter 14 - Self Configuring Modular Robot==
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Arthur is five today...
...and he's a bright child. He's playing with one of Victor's toys, "Arminus, The Victor", a remote-control 'Mech that his big brother received as a Christmas gift the same year he was born, and lost interest in when the hormones kicked in.
Arthur Steiner-Davion, however, is delighted by the machine, and its control systems. He's a bright child, and creative, and the learning toy (made for children 11 and up!) has become something of a constant personal companion thanks to having two older brothers who are more interested in Girls and showing off than in their little brother, (and two sisters, both of whom just aren't interested in it, or him, at all.)
His Arminus is a matched set with "Hermann" thanks to a present from Grandmama Katrina, and Arthur's learned that with both of the remote control drones active, he can teach them better tricks than he can teach either of them when they're the only ones active.
They're his playmates. That worries both his parents and his Au Pair or Nanny.
"It's not natural for a child to be alone without playmates, Milord. It's not healthy, I tell ye." Cheryl Francois managed to get appointed to the Royal Household straight out of Mrs. Fitkins' academy-a trade school for domestic help with deep roots in the Capital.
This time, with the threat of the Machine Plague on Callison, Hanse is listening. "And what do you recommend?"
She huffed, "The boy needs companions, Milord, boys and girls his own age, clever ones, or he'll lose interest!"
It was a minor problem, almost beneath the notice of a First Prince, but not beneath the notice of a Father.
Arthur needs other young people, young people able to keep up with what was clearly a burgeoning genius intellect.
The First Prince puts his role aside, and instead, discusses it with his wife.
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"He's too bright." Melissa Steiner-Davion dismissed at first, "We tried play-dates with his peers, remember?"
"I know." Hanse looked off the balcony of the palace as his youngest son marched the robot toys around the immaculate gardens of the palace. "He's smarter than his brothers." he confessed, "or just really talented with machines. We need to find someone safe for him to play with who can keep up."
"Yes." she agreed.
orders were cut, and profiles from LIC, Lohengrin, and MIIO were ordered opened. 
The criteria:
Exceptionally bright young people from good families in Arthur's age range. Must have strong mechanical aptitudes and score in the upper 99th percentile within 1-2 years of the fifth Steiner-Davion child's intellect, with parents who will understand the value of the offer made, or no parents to object.
The offer is for Fosterage with the Royal Family, a path that opens doors, and because it opens doors, the background checks have to be immaculate.
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