It’s estimated that as eighty-five percent of vanguards, or samurai in the North American vernacular, awaken after receiving nearly fatal wounds while fighting antithesis. Many of those samurai survive and go on to have illustrious careers, but I can’t help but wonder why is that number so high? Do fatal wounds prove something to the protector AI that choose who to uplift? And if so, what makes that fifteen percent that go unscratched so different?
- Analysis of samurai uplifting trends, October 2051 (Vol 1 of 3)
—
Since there was still intermittent gunfire downstairs, I retreated up to the second floor hallway before speaking with my so-called AI.
“So why the fuck did you choose me to be a samurai? I have absolutely no fucking interest in running around, fighting monsters.”
Two reasons. Despite your insistence that you have no interest in being a vanguard, you have morals, and better martial skills than the majority of people in the area.
“Wonderful,” I mumbled, “and the other reason?”
The shelter across the street has been compromised, and the residents cannot close it without help. You were the only aspirant in the area that was close enough to help. If you don’t intervene, the antithesis models nearby will chew up the survivors and drag their biomass back to a hive to expand the swarm.
“Compromised how?” I asked suspiciously, “I may have some technical knowledge, but I don’t know enough to fix a shelter.”
Your father decided to ‘borrow’ the shelter to store some of his ill gotten gains. He removed the security protocols, and now the thing can’t be opened without intervention. His changes can easily be bypassed with some protectorate tech.
“Fuck, why am I not suprised that flaming dumpster fire is involved,” I took a deep breath to calm myself, “You seem to know an awful lot about how to motivate me, for some AI from another planet, that I’ve never met before today,” I said indignantly.
All protector AIs do a complete background check of prospective samurai, along with a personality profile to make sure they’ll be compatible with an AI companion.
“I’m not exactly a paragon of humanity, so I have a hard time believing that I was chosen exclusively based on background and personality.”
I know that, despite all your attitude, and grandstanding, you’ll feel responsible if you don’t take action. Personally, based upon the data, I think you’ll make an exceptional partner.
“Yeah, well, sounds like I don’t have much choice,” I sighed, then put my back against the wall, sliding down till I was sitting on the floor. “Now what?”
You spend some points. You get a one time hundred point stipend, plus the ten points for killing the Model Three. I could suggest some basic catalogs, introduce you to some firearms, but I know you hate wasting time, so I would suggest jumping directly to either a melee weapons catalog, or racial catalog covering a wider range of specialized equipment.
“What the fuck are racial catalogs?” I asked.
Humanity isn’t the first race uplifted by the protectors. Many of the races that were chosen before developed their own equipment to help protect their people. This tech is then offered to newly uplifted races, for an additional cost.
I chewed on my lip for a moment, I considered asking more questions, but the more time I wasted here, the lower the chances for the people across the street. “Fuck it, if you really know my background, and skills, what catalogs would you suggest?” I asked quietly.
I have two suggestions. The first is the Shadowstalker catalog. It comes from a society that prefers stealth, and hit and run attacks. They rely on their extreme speed, and agility, to dart in and perform killing blows before they’re even detected.
The second is the Blades in the Dark catalog. Unlike the Shadowstalkers, the blades rely on extreme reaction speed, and precision, to continuously advance and cut down their enemies. Better for extended, close combat engagements.
They are similar, but their focuses are slightly different. The Shadowstalkers have more mid range harassment options, while the Blades in the Dark are focused on close combat.
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I blinked slowly, going over the options in my head. “Why these specific catalogs?” I asked, suspiciously.
You’ve shown an aversion to firearms in the past, and you already learned various martial arts, so you’d be comfortable using a blade as your primary weapon. Racial catalogs also have the advantage of providing a wider selection of items than the base ones. Weapons, armor, and support items are all available, just more specialized versions.
“I’m sensing a but…”
Astute. Opening these catalogs would be more expensive than most base ones, but still less expensive than most racial options. Most people prefer ranged combat, so melee based catalogs are typically slightly less expensive. It’ll still cost you the vast majority of your points to unlock one, which means I’d suggest continuing to use your grandfather’s katana temporarily.
“Not going to happen,” I replied, indignantly.
Look, you could open any one of a billion catalogs, but I honestly believe these two catalogs are your best choice. You only need to use the blade for another few minutes of combat, then you can upgrade. You can even purchase things to repair and restore the blade if you want.
I clamped my hand around the sword's hilt, considering. I couldn’t just leave innocent people to die, and I was pretty sure my grandfather would prioritize people over things, even something as important as his blade.
“Fine,” I replied through clenched teeth. “I’m not happy about it, but you’re right, I am averse to firearms, and I do want to help those people. If I open up the ‘Blades in the Dark’ catalog, what will that get me?”
After opening the catalog you’d be left with only ten points, I’d recommend purchasing the awareness boosting serum. It duplicates the effect of their augments, accelerating reflexes, boosting perception, and focus, but it has extreme side effects if you use it for too long.
“Fuck me, of course it does. I’d ask what’s in the Shadowstalker catalog, but I’m guessing the options are similar. At the end of the day I’d rather fight straight up, then waste energy jumping around.” I went quiet for a moment, and noticed the gunfire in the background had suddenly stopped, which probably wasn’t a good sign. “Will it be enough to get me across to the shelter?”
More than enough. By the time you cross the street you should have enough points to replace your sword, and invest in some more permanent upgrades.
“Good. I’d honestly like time to go over my options, but since the antithesis have overrun the building security, I don’t think I really have the time. Give it to me.”
A small plastic box appeared on the floor next to me. It looked like something you’d get a basic delivery in, not exactly what I expected from a super advanced alien race. Carefully, I lifted it up, placed it on my knees, and cracked it open. Inside was some sort of flexible metallic armband, with a couple vials on it.
Strap it on your arm and I’ll trigger it when you get to street level.
“You never mentioned it had to be activated manually.”
I need to monitor it, ensure the dosage is correct, and cut off the drugs when you’re done to prevent side effects, or aneurysms.
“Fucking what?”
Time’s limited. You better get going.
“When this is over, you and I are going to have a discussion about what you’ll be required to disclose about all my purchases going forward,” I said, while strapping the device to my arm.
I look forward to it.
I sighed, then pushed myself to my feet. The area was quiet, so I cautiously pushed the door to the stairs, listening for movement, before pushing in and making my way down. The body from the bottom of the stairs was gone, which wasn’t a good sign, so as soon as I hit the ground floor I peeked into the lobby.
There were only three of the ugly plant dogs inside, dragging whatever they could find out into the street, but I could see dozens more outside, along with a couple ugly tentacle beasts. I ducked back as soon as I saw them. “This serum better be something special, or I’m going to be the shortest lived samurai ever,” I whispered to myself.
You don’t have to worry about that, you’ve already outlived many samurai. As for the serum, it will do its job, as long as you stay calm, and remember your training.
I took a deep breath, held it in, then let it out slowly. “Fuck it, lets do this,” I whispered, before standing up straight, and stepping into the lobby.
The antithesis took notice almost instantly. They dropped the bodies they were dragging, turned, and charged. I was calm as I drew my grandfather’s blade, almost unnaturally so, as I waited to receive the antithesis attack. When the closest dog was about three feet away, things changed.
My awareness expanded, I could feel the blood pumping through my veins, hear every heartbeat, and was aware of the position of each and every muscle. At the same time the dogs slowed down, like they were suspended in molasses. I should have been surprised, but I was too focused on my foes.
The first dog pounced, trying to rip out my throat, much like that of the security guard earlier, but I simply stepped to one side. Instead of biting out my throat, it ate steel. My sword caught it in the mouth, sliced halfway down its flank, before emerging from its side. The creature tumbled away, but I didn’t bother to check, its friends were a bigger threat. The second beast lunged for my leg, and lost its head when I sidestepped and brought the blade down upon the back of its neck, the third lost both legs on its left side when I reversed the blade, performing a low, sweeping strike.
It took mere seconds to do, but I knew the little biters would never be able to touch me. Too slow, too predictable. Across the room a wave of antithesis burst through the windows, stampeding towards me. I let them come.