[CHAPTER 14]

“And that’s the last person.” Kat said as she slumped into a chair someone had brought up to them.

Leo shoved the last of the pill boxes into a nearby trash can. “I’m just glad we’re not on puke duty.”

Kat chuckled. “If they didn’t almost worship us already, I’m pretty sure they did after we gave them that Protector-grade cleaning stuff. It practically makes any mess disappear without a trace.”

He couldn’t deny that as he watched one of the people on that particular duty sprinkle some of the white powder on the result of the latest person being de-Sevened. The pile seemed to shrink on itself before the person cleaning simply vacuumed it up. “It’s kinda crazy how useful some of this Class 0 stuff is.”

Kat simply nodded as she tipped her head back to rest against the chair. They sat like that for a few minutes, providing the Model Seven pills to a couple stragglers who had to shove their way to the front. Eventually she spoke up, “So, what's the plan from here? I don’t think you ever found that Hive, and the local network is still overloaded.”

Leo sighed and sat on the table while he thought. “I’m fairly certain those Sevens came from the hive. Using my Predator’s Gaze I’m sure I can figure out where it’s at by following their path.”

“So you’re going back out there? Directly to the hive?” she asked, giving him a look.

He just nodded. “It’s the best way to make sure we end this incursion as fast as possible. Hopefully once it’s cleared we can get some other Samurai to help with the clean-up.”

Kat was still watching him, her face unreadable.

“What?” He asked.

She shook her head. “I don’t know whether to be jealous of your ability to just go into a hive, or if I need to try to smack some sense into your head. I decided to figure it out later, when do we leave?”

“I was going to finish getting this mess cleaned up and then head out so probably in about ...Wait, what do you mean ‘We’?” Leo froze partway through his sentence.

She scoffed. “You think I’m going to let you go off on your own again? Last time you did that you apparently got hurt so bad you had to sleep it off. And that was after you took Samurai grade meds!”

Leo took a breath and then let it go. He had no argument. Something in her expression told him nothing he could say would change her mind either.

“Exactly. So, when do we leave?” she asked

He sighed, “We’ll take off here in a few minutes. Make sure we got everyone and get the defenses set up again. How are you on points? You’ll likely need some more fireproof gear.”

Achievement: Save 100 People

Reward: 1 token

Leo focused back on Kat to see her staring into space, presumably listening to her own AI. “I’m guessing Kat is getting the rundown as well?

“Fair enough. I’ll save it for later. What are my points at?”

He saw Kat focus back on him. “Ready to go?”

She nodded. “In a minute. Apparently I can use your catalogs to make sure you don’t burn me to death accidentally.”

“Take your time. I’m gonna get the door open and get defenses set up.” With that, he activated the door panel to check the cameras while Kat entered the room he used when he got his upgrades. Cycling through the few cameras he could see Leo did not see any Antithesis so he opened the doors and turned to Reid.

“Hallway’s clear. Get your guys out there and man the defenses. Me and Kat will be heading out soon to hopefully clear the hive that is set up somewhere.”

Reid stood at attention, “Yessir!” before gesturing at a few nearby guards.

“I thought I said there was no need for the formalities?” Leo asked, exasperated.

Reid just smirked. “Yes sir.” before stepping out the door to direct.

Leo chuckled. “Asshole.” As he was stepping out, he noticed the two guards from the second floor were still following him. “Did y’all need something? Also, what are your names?”

The older of the two stepped forward at attention. “Sir! My name is Ethan Hawkins and this is Matthew Burns.”

“Don’t worry about the formalities. Just call me Leo, or Phoenix if you want to. Anyway, what can I do for you Ethan?” Leo said, waving off the other man's strict demeanor.

Ethan relaxed a bit. “A few things actually. I’m not sure about Burns here, but I prefer my last name,” Burns nodded. “So we would prefer you use them. Second, we wanted to join you to the hive.”

“You want to do what? That’s going to be dangerous for us and we have Samurai tech protecting us!”

Hawkins just nodded. “We are aware of that. We have experience in assaulting hives from our PMC days and could be valuable assets for you.”

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Leo put his hands on his head as he paced before turning back to the two guards. “Absolutely not! I can’t be sure I can protect myself, I won’t put two others at risk when I can’t guarantee their safety.”

“Sir…Leo, it’s not only that. Me and Burns talked it over while you helped cure the shelter. The trek down here reminded us why we joined the PMC all those years ago. The excitement, the feeling of actively helping. It’s something we didn’t know we’ve been missing. Please, let us help.” Hawking was almost pleading with him. Leo put his face in his hand as he thought.

‘Aegys, what do you think?’

‘Do people really do that? Follow a Samurai in the hopes of getting chosen?’

He nodded. It made sense that the Protectors would avoid that. He looked back at Hawkins and Burns. Their expressions were resolute but with some undercurrent that Leo couldn’t quite make out. “You know what you’d be throwing yourself into right? I can’t guarantee your safety and you very well might die.” They both nodded, a single, sure nod. “You both know that this doesn't mean you’ll become Samurai right? I have no power to even recommend you.”

“Honestly, I don’t even know what I would do with those abilities. I’d be frozen with indecision.” Burns finally spoke up. Leo idly noted that his voice was the kind you would expect to hear in a meditation class, smooth and relaxing to listen to.

Leo stared at them for a handful of seconds, waiting to see if they would back down. “Alright, fine. Let me message Kat and see what she says. If she has no issue, then you can go.”

He pulled up his messages with Kat.

L: Hey, those two guards I brought from the second floor want to join us.

K: Seriously?! They know they could die right?

L: I grilled them already. They are ex-PMC and are dead-set on going. I swear they almost gave me puppy-dog eyes.

K:...

K: Fine, but make sure they know that we can’t guarantee anything.

L: Already done

L: Hey, those two guards I brought from the second floor want to join us.

K: Seriously?! They know they could die right?

L: I grilled them already. They are ex-PMC and are dead-set on going. I swear they almost gave me puppy-dog eyes.

K:...

K: Fine, but make sure they know that we can’t guarantee anything.

L: Already done.

“Seems like she’s okay with it. I can at least make sure I won’t accidentally cook you. Aegys, what can we do for them?”

‘What about weapons, will the SMGs I gave them earlier still be fine?’

“Do it.” He looked at Hawkins and Burns. “These are for you two. They will protect you from most ambient heat that I’ll cause, but don’t go standing in any bonfires please.” A large box appeared in front of each of them.

New Purchase: Firebird Gear Package x2

Points reduced to - 130

“Additionally, you have access to thirty points each to buy ammunition and medical supplies. Once we get to fighting, I authorized you to buy a new weapon so long as I have points since the SMGs I gave you earlier are only really good against the single digit models. Aegys will connect to your augs to facilitate the purchases so all you need to do is speak to him. Any questions?”

Both guards shook their heads. “Good. Go get suited up then and meet me outside the doors.” Leo watched as they picked up the boxes and went to a vacant room nearby to change.

He headed out to the hallway and helped make sure the defenses were getting set up. After he noticed more than a few people eyeing the coffee bar with sad eyes, Leo refilled all of it after getting rid of the two full decaf dispensers.

Some time later Hawkins and Burns walked out. Instead of their previous black and purple uniforms from The Nexus, they now wore light body armor that was charcoal black with veins and accents of red, orange, and yellow. It made it look like they wore the remains of a smoldering fire. The cloaks similarly were charcoal black but the light would catch as they moved making it seem like small gouts of flame.

‘If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you wanted to be a fashion designer.’

Out loud, “How's the new armor?”

Hawkins replied for both of them, as seemed to be normal. “It’s amazing! It beats even the highest grade custom armor we ever had. Doesn’t hurt that it’s impressive to look at as well.”

“Hah! I wish I could take credit for that part. Aegys definitely has a flair for the dramatic. All we need to do is wait for Kat and then we can head out. In the meantime, let me set you guys up with the team comms.” Both of them nodded and moved off to the side where they started talking to a couple nearby guards who looked extremely jealous.

Leo stood there for a couple more minutes, after they accepted the comms invite, working through a map Aegys had found to try and figure out where the Hive might be when a voice spoke up from behind him. “Are you ready to go?” He turned around to let Kat know they could leave immediately before he froze.

She stood in the shelter doorway wearing a black ankle length duster with silver armor plating. As she walked he saw she wore black calf height combat boots which led to close fitting armored pants that highlighted the curves of her legs. The body armor he saw peeking out from the opened front of the duster showed that it was similarly close fitting, but boasted more robust armor that still allowed high mobility. Across her chest was an assault rifle. The last thing he noticed as she came to a stop in front of him was the choker she wore. He was finally able to tear his gaze up to her bright green eyes as she smirked at him.

“Earth to Leo, you doin’ alright there?”

“Uhm…uhh…hmm…” He opened and closed his mouth as he tried to get words out.

Aegys snickered.

Suddenly an arm went around his shoulders. “We’re ready to go whenever.”

Kat glanced at Hawkins. “I’m assuming you two are the guards he mentioned?”

“Got it in one! I’m Hawkins and that there is Burns. Phoenix here hooked us up with some basic gear and an allowance so we shouldn’t be too much dead weight.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m assuming Leo gave you the rundown?”

“Yup, we know how dangerous it is. We were both PMC who did assaults on hives and decided we missed the excitement. I got the map here as well so we can navigate if needed.”

She just nodded. “Good to hear. Let's get going then.” She led the way down the hall following the path Leo had marked out earlier with her duster billowing slightly behind her.

Hawkins leaned closer to Leo. “You may want to close your mouth there son. Gonna catch a few Model Ones.” He slapped Leos back hard enough to make him stumble and walked off laughing while Burns followed.

Leo hurried to catch up and followed the paths highlighted by Predator’s Gaze.