After an exhausting day of infrastructure planning and placement, I was ready to kick up my feet and relax.

It was not to be.

First, I was wrangled into dancing again and while I kept it slow and simple, it lasted for a few hours. Every lady wanted a spin and even a few of the lads. I shrugged and went with it. It was just dancing after all and if they got a little handsy, it was socially acceptable to break their nose.

Sally and Megan did their rounds, and we ended up in a weird revolving dance of one then the other then both and back again.

Tried casting regrowth on myself a few times to keep up. They however seemed to be unflagging in their pursuit of another turn.

It was nice to be popular for once. Even if most of it was for my sweet, sweet magic, and sick trade deals.

Second, after the dancing and the feasting, Amanda wanted to know when the next batch of lumber would be ready. Another couple of days at the soonest. Then she wanted to know my next plans.

She didn't like that part of my future plans would be to establish an outpost in the city. I couldn't really explain everything right now, so I went with it was necessary for my goals.

Amanda's tsk told me everything I needed to know about what she thought of that.

I swept my hand around the whole area. "This, more of this. Everywhere I can get it going. Until there is so much the Corps can't stop it and it keeps propagating itself. It's not the best plan, it's the only plan. While I'm stuck to one or two places, I'm easily controlled or eliminated. I have to keep spreading out."

She stared at me, "Sounds like a virus."

I nodded, "Yes. It does because that's the strategy they've evolved into. Spread fast or get crushed."

We tried to come up with other ideas, but slow wasn't going to work. Unless I could figure out a way for other to control the Probes and the Wisps. and Alina told me it was hard coded into them not to accept any commands but my own.

Megan thought maybe we should build more hidden places. Underground maybe? Or inside old abandoned buildings. Sure the amount we could do with the limited space was miniscule but discovery was less likely.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

Sally wanted to be more aggressive. They wouldn't be looking at our bases if we harassed them elsewhere. I could see the merit. But I needed stronger units. I certainly wasn't going to involve the nomads in that level of risky operation.

We batted more thoughts around until we ran out.

We were all about to head to sleep, when I felt a buzzing in the back of my head. I focused on it.

'Young One, Alina has intercepted a plot. They are headed toward you right now.'

'Who?'

'Arasaka they have been observing you since last night from a satellite. We only just found out. They ordered local assets to sweep the area and snatch all high level personnel. The rest are to be disposed of.'

I felt the blood drain from my face.

They may not know what kind, but it was obvious that the Photon Cannons were defenses. They thought they'd have some way of defeating them. Or they wouldn't even attempt this. While it was certain they would get chewed up. I-We couldn't risk it. If any of them made it to people, who knows how much damage they could do.

I yelled, "Get everyone out of here, now!"

Amanda didn't even question me. She dashed out barking orders.

Sally and Megan both tried asking what was going on.

"Arasaka. They spotted the outpost from orbit. They saw everything. I'm their target. You have to go, they have orders to kill everyone. Save your people."

Sally shook her head, "What about you?"

I got up, "Oh, I'm going to run too. Just slower than you. Hurry, so I have time to get away."

I called all the Probes.

We left the tent to find most people in or near their vehicles and already peeling out.

I got to the Galena and my main crew of Probe attached to it.

I set the other on the Supron and sent it on ahead to the Sunset Motel. Arasaka shouldn't bother with that, it was too out in the open. I was going another way.

Amanda messaged me, Where?

Scatter. Wait and meet me at the broken bridge in a few days. They'll be watching.

Sally and Megan took off and I waited until everyone had left the area.

I kept waiting. Car idling and ready.

Now that they had a head start, I wasn't as worried about the Aldecaldos. They knew every trick to throw off pursuit, even the satellites. They had hundreds of hidey holes all over the Badlands. No, I was worried about me. Worried about the outpost and all that work wasted.

Okay, of course, I was terrified Sally and Megan would get caught, but they had a far better chance of making it out and avoiding capture than me.

What was the best way for me to hide?

My hands were shaking. Not from fear, from frustration, from anger. The Corpo bastards couldn't have just left it alone.

As dumb as it at first seemed, I thought heading to the city was a good bet. Hide in the masses. Scan out some new tech ideas. Steal a different vehicle, get back to base and start on a different plan.

I felt the Cannons all report contact. All of them at once.

That didn't make any sense. I looked up at the stars to think.

Oh.

The Cannon started firing up into the air above the center of the Outpost.

They were dropping in.

I couldn't see them but the Cannons were reporting their positions. Stealth technology. What a good idea.

The Khalai had some excellent cloaking options, and I could've adjusted it to suit my purposes.

Fuck!

No time to beat myself up about it.

Who the hell was I to try to outthink a Megacorp?

I floored the pedal and aimed for the city.