“Don’t open your eyes yet,” Claire warned Zoe as she activated her new V4 Eagle Vision.

“Don’t use the zoom when you do open them,” Sonya added while removing the gauze over Zoe’s eyes. “You might need some time to get used to things all over again.”

“And when you do use the zoom, don’t do so on my nose,” Zane quipped. “I can’t imagine seeing someone’s nose hairs that close up.”

Zoe and Sonya chuckled.

“Zane, you’re not helping,” Claire said.

“Zoe and Sonya thought my joke was amusing,” Zane replied.

“Not really,” Sonya said.

“Yeah, the laughter was more to make you feel better,” Zoe added with a smile on her face.

“I see how it is. Just remember that when you want ice cream or a steak,” Zane replied. Zoe could hear the mirth in his voice and knew he was just teasing her.

“I married a big child,” Claire muttered.

“But one you love all the same,” Zane replied.

“True enough,” Doc Brown agreed, giving her husband a loving look.

“Hey Doc, can I open my eyes now?” Zoe asked.

“Impatient, aren’t you?” Sonya asked.

“Well, yeah!” Zoe replied.

“Open your eyes slowly. The V4s should adjust to the light much quicker than your older Kaisers did,” Claire said. “At least, that’s what the documentation states.”

Zoe did as Doc Brown instructed. The blinding light quickly dimmed, and the blurry shapes of the others rapidly resolved into people. Zoe blinked and then blinked again.

“Is everything ok?” Zane asked. Zoe blinked once more instead of answering. Her eyes tracked everything within the scope of her vision. Her eyes zoomed in and tracked a hair that fell from Sonya’s shoulder to the side of the bed she was in. The hair looked as thick as a rope. In fact, everything looked much sharper, colorful, and just clearer than it had with the V2s.

“Holy crap!” Zoe exclaimed with a look of surprise on her face as her eyes adjusted and her vision returned to normal.

“Zoe?” Claire inquired, concern in her voice. Zoe explained what had just happened.

“That’s cool,” Sonya said. Zane nodded in agreement.

“Try the thermal vision,” he suggested.

“Ok,” Zoe said as she activated the function. She blinked as the people around her became red and orange. The air around them became purplish. Zoe noticed that the AC duct was a darker blue, almost black color. She described that to the others.

“That’s great and means the Kaisers are working correctly,” Claire said with a smile on her face. “Your system has accepted the new implants quicker than I thought it would.”

“I think I’m jealous,” Sonya said.

“I know I’m jealous,” Zane said. “I want them.”

“Both of you have V3s,” Claire said.

“But honey, thermal vision, the improved motion tracking, and zoom are new,” Zane replied.

“That’s true,” Sonya agreed. “Bill will want V4s too.”

“You’re all turning into implant junkies,” Claire said shaking her head.

“Doc, I see that look in your eyes,” Zoe said, giving Doc Brown a smile. “You want them too.”

“Maybe,” Claire said returning Zoe’s smile. Zane and Sonya smiled as well because they knew Claire wouldn’t admit that she wanted the new V4s too. “Anyway, rest up. Sonya will start going over the VR net with you tomorrow.”

“Really?” Zoe asked.

“Why not me?” Sonya asked. “Zane and Bill are the meatheads of this group, which left me to be the slicer.”

“Hey!” Zane said mock angrily.

“You know I love you, big guy,” Sonya replied.

“Knock it off,” Claire said. “I’m the only one allowed to flirt with my husband.”

“We weren’t flirting,” Sonya replied with a huge grin on her face. The grin became a frown. “Doc, did you mean to give Zoe V4s or the newer V4.5s?”

“The plain V4s. Why?” Doc Brown replied. She didn’t meet her nurse’s eyes when speaking though.

“The technical specs show she got the 4.5s,” Sonya answered giving Claire a nod of understanding.

“What does that mean?” Zoe asked. “Other than costing more, that is.”

Zane laughed. “It means you hit the lottery.”

“What my big lug meant to say is that the newer version explains why your system accepted them so easily and you’re not having to retrain your brain to use them,” Claire added as she scanned the technical documentation. “And even better news for you is that they only cost a few hundred credits more than regular V4s.”

“Ok. I’m sure I want them now too,” Sonya said.

“No kidding you’re sure,” Zane replied. Zoe laughed as the trio left the recovery room bickering and joking. Claire stepped back into the doorway.

“Zoe, don’t try the VR mode until after Sonya starts training you, ok?”

“Sure.”

“Zoe…”

“I promise,” Zoe replied crossing her heart.

“Good enough,” Claire said before turning and walking away.

Zoe spent a few minutes switching between regular sight and thermal vision. After a few minutes, she didn’t have to blink as her sight transitioned between the two modes. Half an hour later, the switch was almost instantaneous. Zoe was tempted to try the VR mode but decided to keep her promise.

“And while I liked my old Kaisers,” Zoe mused. “I think I’m already in love with these new ones.”