The tunnel entrance was a bit tight, but after a couple feet it opened up to a larger cavern, maybe ten feet wide, that led off into darkness. I heard some scraping, and could barely make out the forms of two model threes charging towards me in the dim light. I called down my nanites from above, imagining them covering the aliens like a blanket. I figured the nanites were heavy enough all together that I could probably just crush aliens beneath them. I had to fend off the two model threes for a moment with my bat, then the tunnel was flooded with a blue and silver cascade. The aliens tried to escape the oncoming rush of metal, but a couple hits from my bat gave my nanites enough time to envelop them completely. As the nanites kept piling on, I heard Cyara's voice in my head.
Targets eliminated!
Points awarded: 20
"Huh, I didn't actually think that would work. If I can just keep doing that, this will be a breeze."
Some nanites were damaged by the model threes' struggling, and I doubt this will work on anything beyond model fours.
"Maybe, but it's still a good way to clear out smaller models safely."
I walked as we discussed, but soon ran out of light.
"Cyara, now that I have a few points, is there a way for me to be able to see down here? I may have forgotten about the fact that it's dark underground."
Yes, there are a few options available. I recommend the Light Module from your Class I Applied Nanites catalog for the immediate future.
"Sounds good, I'll get that."
New Purchase: Class I Nanite Light Module
Points remaining: 10
A tube of colorless liquid appeared, slightly larger than a soda can.
Pour that over the nanites, they'll do the rest.
I did so, the nanites seeming to absorb the liquid completely. A moment later, I had light shining from a small portion of the blue and silver mass. Then I sniffed, noticing something peculiar.
"Is it supposed to smell like flowers underground?"
What you are smelling is the scent lure produced by model fours. I suggest getting a breathing apparatus if you intend to spend much time down here. The gas, in large amounts, can cause hallucinations, hysteria, and paranoia. None of which would be very helpful in most situations.
"Yeah, I can see how that would be unhelpful. Can I afford anything like that right now?"
You cannot. There is a quite cheap solution in the Class I Medical Utilities catalog, which, as you might remember, I did suggest you buy. As a reminder, it costs 50 points.
"Alright, I guess I'll just have to save up a few more kills for it."
I continued down the tunnel, having the light nanites perched on my shoulder like a shining parrot, the rest creating a wall in front of me to block any attacks and to detect any hiding aliens. Any time they ran into one, I had my nanites swarm over it to crush it. This happened quite regularly, enough that after only a few minutes, I was able to make the suggested purchases.
Class I Medical Utilities Unlocked!
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
New Purchase: Disposable Mask, Box of Five, Five Units
New point total: 9
It was well timed, as soon after that, I ran into my first model four. It was clinging to the ceiling, waiting in ambush for anything to pass beneath it. It was quadrupedal, like the model threes, but where the neck and head should have been looked like the back end of a squid or octopus, just a mass of writhing tentacles. With it sitting on the ceiling, an idea struck me.
I had most of my nanites form into a bunch of spikes, and positioned them directly under the model four. The rest of my nanites I sent up the wall of the cavern, the forward to the model four, surrounding it. Then, all at once, I had them form spikes and press into the model four's legs. It made no sound, but it must've felt the pain, because it let go of the tunnel roof, falling to the spikes below.
As it fell, it twisted its feet around to land like a cat, and sent tentacles flailing wildly, but it only was able to rotate halfway before it was impaled on my spikes. It continued struggling for a moment, then finally went limp.
Target Eliminated!
Points awarded: 15
New point total: 24
I was about to move on, when Cyara spoke again.
Now that you have enough points, I suggest buying a Class I Flesh Deconstruction Module for your nanites, which will destroy any antithesis flesh so you don't leave behind biomass that will feed the hive. It will repurpose a portion of your nanites permanently, which will self-replenish from your other nanites should any get destroyed. They work quite slowly, but I believe it to be worth the investment. Especially as you start to climb the tiers and more specialized options become available.
I agreed, and another tube of liquid appeared before me. I poured it over my nanites, and the small group that absorbed it flowed over to the model four corpse, and started working.
New purchase: Class I Flesh Deconstruction Nanite Module
New point total: 4
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It took about ten minutes for the nanites to fully dissolve the model four, and set off again, taking care of any antithesis that showed up in like fashion. I got through four more groups of model threes and fours, which came at an increasing frequency, before Cyara had more advice for me.
You are deep enough now to start seeing higher number models. I would expect you to start seeing models five, six, and nine in these tunnels. Actually, you probably won't see the model nines unless you're really lucky, or quite good at spotting them. Once you get deeper in, you should expect at least a few model thirteens, which as it stands now, is a big problem. If they see you as you are, you will be dead before you can react. So let's not run into one of those without some major upgrades.
"Yeah, probably a good plan. Any helpful tips on how to deal with the other models you mentioned?"
Model fives look like a cross between a bear and a porcupine. They are quite large, and have quills that they can fire at high speeds, in addition to some other biological weapons they can deploy. Don't let them get in close, and don't get hit by the quills. They can take a bit more punishment, mostly due to their larger size.
Model sixes are heavily armored, and usually come with a pack of smaller models. They are a sort of front line command model, and as such are harder to kill and much smarter than any other models under ten. It takes a lot to take them down. Not to mention they command and coordinate the smaller models around them.
Model nines are perhaps the most dangerous of the models under ten, as they have an uncanny ability to change their skin color and texture to blend in with almost any surface or object. They use this ability to ambush prey and avoid detection. I will do my best to identify them, but even I am fallible. Be on your guard and watch out for anything your gut tells you isn't right.
"Noted. Any special vulnerabilities?"
Not really. Do enough damage to vitals, like the brain, and all of them will go down just like any other model.
"Alright, go for the head. Seems easy enough."
I continued through the dark, winding tunnels, and soon found that Cyara had been right on the money with her prediction. I came across a wider open chamber, with a crack in the roof filtering sunlight down into the tunnel. There I found a group of about ten antithesis, mostly model threes and fours, but with another, much larger model in the center. It had six legs, instead of the standard four, and armored plates covering most of its green and black body.
I kept my nanites back a ways and tried to sneak closer, to get a better look. As I watched, I could hear little snuffling grunts it gave, and the surrounding aliens moved in a more orderly way than I had ever seen before. As I tried to get just a little closer to see if I could find any chinks in the model six's armor, my foot hit a small stone, sending it skittering away from me. The antithesis all looked up at the small sound, their beady eyes fixing on me.
I cursed my luck and called my nanites forward as more than ten aliens charged my way.