We, the United Lumberjacks for Eco Preservation, protest against the recent actions of the Greensoil Action Party.

Yes, the oil drilling was an atrocity against man and nature and only added to pollution and climate change. And TethysCon has escaped the consequences of its actions for too long. And sure, the facilities at Loes Creek were terribly maintained and leaking pollutants straight into the river. It clearly had to go.

However, destroying the only bridge over the creek is beyond the pale. Any effort to clean up the site will require the removal of the heavy equipment, which is now impossible. Furthermore, the heavy machinery will be leaking fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluid for decades, further impeding regrowth and eco-recovery.

Next time, if you don’t want the scrap value of the machinery for yourselves, call us, and we’ll confiscate the equipment for you.

-- Posted on many forums regarding climate change.

***

When I triggered the cutting goop, I was expecting a slow, silent melting of the metal. Instead, I got a loud, sputtering hiss as the stuff heated up and shot off little metal bits. Within a second, the metal was cut through and fell, fortunately, towards me. I caught the plate, finding the edges rough and hot but not sharp. I lowered the freed plate and rested it against the wall beside the newly opened door. Beyond, a couple middle-aged people stared at me from the filthy bedding they sat on.

As I lifted a finger to my lips, I saw them take on the glazed-eyed look of a person getting a message from their augs.

Attention, prisoners of the Cult of the Ever Seven! The Vanguard Xenovir is here to free you. Please stay quiet and calm, and we will see you out soon.

With no cell door, I was free to move beyond it to the corridor. I poked my head out and looked to the right, and I instantly realized we had overlooked one thing. The rooms on the corridor ahead of me leaked dim light from the windows into the cafeteria, but the other direction was pitch black.

I sent the order directly to Corie as I settled on one knee in the doorway. A samurai box appeared beside me. One-handed, I fumbled with the box until I felt Kaitlyn pulling the latches and opening it up. She put a squishy ball in my hand.

“Squeeze the balls to light’em up. The surface becomes sticky on impact.” Corie informed us all via the phone conference.

A quick squeeze and a toss had the ball stuck to the wall like a pile of mashed potatoes. It started to glow, and soon a dim light covered half the hallway. “How long do they last?” I asked. At the same time, I added a couple notes to my upgrade list: Night Vision. Thermal Sight.

“Six hours. I could set them to be longer, but they wouldn’t put out as much light.”

Kaitlyn leaned over me and tossed another at the ceiling on the long side of the prison. After she pulled back, I stood up and moved into the hallway, rifle at the ready. For some reason, the light seemed to awaken the people, and they started to poke their heads into the cramped corridor.

I selected one at random by pointing at them. “Is there a prison patrol going on right now?” By chance, I had picked a younger person, or maybe they were shorter than average. Between the loose clothing and the dirty face, I had no guess about their gender. They shook their head. “I’m going to stand guard here. This nice lady behind me is Kaitlyn. She and her friend Ginny, who is making another exit, are going to get you to a safe spot. Stay calm and follow their directions. There’s only the four of us, so anyone able-bodied will need to help the others get about.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

I moved up toward the doors into the cultist’s main base. The person I singled out moved up with me.

“Are you the Samurai?” they asked.

“Yes, I’m Xenovir.” It was easier to use the name than explain why I didn’t have one yet. “We should have you all out soon.” I jerked my head behind me in dismissal and crouched in another doorway near the entry. The doors looked to be a pair of swinging plates, as if someone had stolen the doors off a shipping container or two. Light leaked around the doors and frame. I did not see an opening mechanism.

Behind me, I heard Kaitlyn giving directions and the shuffling of several people. In the distance, Tara’s voice echoed with instructions to move into the side rooms.

--There are several. Do you want something to see through that door?

--There’s a probe sensor on the SuperEye Improved Optics Drone. That would fit through most gaps and keep you back where you can react if they come through. Oh, it also has infrared sensitivity. 20 points.

"Purchased: SuperEye Improved Optics Drone

Cost: 20 Remaining points: 410”

A long-legged, spider-like drone with an extended body appeared. I linked to it via my augs, and it moved up to the door under Corie’s control. The drone found a crack at the foot of the door and extended a cable through the space. In the video, I could see a brightly lit room formerly dressed in corporate chic. From the tables stacked high in the farthest corner and the waist-high cabinets, I guessed this had been an extension of the cafeteria. Green and black sigils scrawled across the walls with the occasional stick-figured antithesis. Between the sigils, thick black curtains draped over the walls. I supposed they might be called banners since an odd sun-like symbol appeared on most of them. The design was misshapen on most of the banners and completely unrecognizable on others.

“We have a problem,” Tara said. “I’ve been counting people as they pass by. We’re twelve people short—the girl with the broken leg is missing.”

In the far right corner, a short platform had been built, filling a quarter of the room.

On the raised area, a number of people huddled, flinching away from others pointing rifles at them. From the low angle, it was hard to recognize or count people, but sticking out of the huddle at an awkward angle was a small leg in a brace.

“I see her. Tara or Ginny, go to the windows and check on the dangling people. Are any of them moving?” The cultists all wore green in some form or another. Many only had an armband, while others had a full shirt. One was positively drenched in it, down to the poorly dyed digicam cargo pants. Only a couple had the bulky, flat torso that indicated body armor. They carried long hunting rifles and a few pistols, which would be intimidating to civilians. But I knew they were definitely the wrong tool for what was coming their way. “Corie, I need a breaching charge.”

“Purchased: Class 1 Breaching Charge

Cost: 5 Remaining points: 405”

A conical device dropped into my hand. It had directions painted on it, and I quickly set the charge in the center of the door. An electronic trigger linked with my hind-brain to show in the glasses’ UI once it was armed and ready.

“None of the ones I can see are moving.” Ginny’s voice sounded choked, and I could easily envision her disgusted expression. “But the Anti’s are doing something. They seem to be moving toward the same wall as the balcony. And more are coming in the door. There’s a lot of bigger ones too.”

“Thank you. Please double check the rooms, starting with those closest to me. Kaitlyn, please help her, then come cover me. I’ve found the missing people, or most of them. Including the girl. They are with the cultists and seem to be fine for now. I’ll be breaching the door in 1 minute.”

While waiting for the ladies to do a last check, I panned the probe left and right, memorizing the layout of the cultists and getting a good count. Most of them had their attention directed to the left, where a pile of cloth blocked my view. I counted fifteen of the cultists, but there were certainly more to the left.

--Sure can do.

I slung the Tribulator over my shoulder while taking one last look at the drone’s camera feed. Seeing no change, I drew both pistols, took a deep breath, and turned to Kaitlyn. “As an instructor, I’m obligated to tell you: don’t try this at home.” The explosives on the door burst through the blocking bar, blowing the two panels outward. On the heels of the explosion, I strode into the room, arms spread apart, each seeking a cultist with deadly intent.