There are near infinite antithesis variations out there, the numbered models are just the most common versions. The uncommon types, we call them variants. You never know when you’ll encounter an antithesis model optimized for swimming, or living under the desert, or even electronic warfare. Never assume you’ve encountered everything the antithesis can throw at you, because there’s always more.

-Burning Eagles PMC - Primer for new recruits

—

I let Skyler check the next shelter while I gathered myself. I just sat there, staring at the model Twelve as it slowly dissolved.

You okay?

[Should I be? That fucking thing just almost flattened me. I’m lucky I was able to sink my sword deep enough into that thing’s skull to kill it.]

The mono molecular blade is an effective weapon, but it does have its limits.

[You’re not exactly helping the situation.]

Sorry. I may have billions of hours of footage of humans, but that apparently hasn’t made me any better at understanding emotions or how to comfort someone.

I didn’t reply.

So… want a suggestion on how to kill one easier next time? Artymis asked awkwardly. The tone of their voice made me smile, just slightly.

[Fine, how do I deal with it next time?]

Unlock the ‘Blades in the Dark’ Class II catalog. Between the Nines, Twelves, and miscellaneous antithesis in between, you have the three hundred points and token that you need to unlock it. As soon as you have the points, purchase the molecular disintegration blade.

[That doesn’t help me right now. If we run into another one of those things, I might not be as lucky.]

The chances of it happening again are so slim that it’s not even worth mentioning. As long as you move cautiously and engage any further Twelves out in the open, Skyler’s little bot can rip them apart. What you need to do is figure out how you can prevent this from happening again.

The tone was gentle, but something about what Artymis said touched me. They were right. I was obsessing over what happened instead of figuring out how to prevent it. The realization made me sit up straight.

[Thanks, I needed that. Are you sure you don’t understand anything about human emotions? You said exactly what you needed to get me out of that funk.]

Nope, I still don’t understand emotions, but I’ll admit that I did some simulations and figured there was a 86.4352% chance of breaking you out of your funk, based upon your particular mental models. So about that catalog…

The corner of my mouth twitched, but I let that comment pass. [Shouldn’t I save that for when I need it?]

Once you become a little more experienced, I would recommend hoarding a couple tokens for emergency use or unlocking more advanced catalogs, but early on I absolutely recommend unlocking a higher tier of your primary catalog. It just has a better version of everything you use—weapons, armor, enhancers, everything.

I grunted. [Fine. Let’s make it a priority, but don’t unlock it until I have enough for the sword. It feels foolish to run around without any contingency funds.]

Sensible. I’ll let you know.

I just started nodding when I heard the sound of the rusty shelter door opening. I glanced over just as Skyler stepped out.

“Are you feeling better now?” she asked, rushing over as soon as she saw me.

“A little,” I promised her, as I pulled her into a tight hug. “Artymis helped me.”

“She did?” Skyler asked suspiciously. “I didn’t think she had it in her.”

“She’s not the most empathetic, but she knows what to say,” I replied with a shrug. “How were things in the shelter?”

“They’re fine. The door is sealed properly, and they have plenty of supplies, so it looks like they’ll be able to hold out for quite awhile,” Skyler reported. “Guess that manager did handle things properly, even if he failed to engage the incursion protocols.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Fair enough,” I replied. I looked past Skyler to the rest of the squad, which was gathering up. “So now that we’ve cleared the area, back to the APC?” I asked.

“That’s the plan,” Emily replied. “There are plenty of other shelters we still need to check. We can look over our options back at the vehicle.”

“I’ll lead the way then,” I mumbled as I walked up to the hole that the first Twelve had created and looked through. Beyond the wall was a kitchen, which was in complete shambles. The ovens and counters had been smashed apart by the rampage, leaving a clear path right up to another hole in the front of the shop. There was a single Three still inside, chomping away at a pile of hotdogs, so I unslung my bow to put an arrow through its head before slipping into the store.

“Why don’t you use a gun?” Steve asked as we made our way across the now empty store. “It’d be faster than those antiques of yours.”

“I don’t like guns,” I grunted, hoping that he’d just let the subject drop, which of course he didn’t.

“Then didn’t you participate in militia training? Everyone in Cascadia needs to go through basic training once they hit sixteen, know how to hold a weapon and protect themselves for the antithesis,” he continued.

“Well I didn’t,” I snapped, turning on the soldier. Skyler was already giving him the stink-eye, and as soon as I swiveled the rest of the squad quickly got out of the way. I must have looked really pissed.

“My mother used her pull with the government to get me immunity because I literally watched someone shoot my grandfather in the head a couple months prior. Watching that happen and then immediately getting caught in a firefight between his bodyguards and the assassins left me a little bit of trauma and a deep distaste for guns, ok?” I growled as I marched up to the man.

He flinched hard, “Sorry! I didn’t mean anything by it,” he babbled quickly.

I took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then released it. “It’s fine. I really shouldn’t have reacted so badly, but talking about that time brings up really bad memories. I’d prefer not to discuss it, got it?”

“Got it!” Steve replied, nodding rapidly.

“Good,” I took another deep breath, “Sorry I snapped. It’s been a long day,” I mumbled before turning back towards the front of the shop again.

No one asked any more questions. Skyler already knew the full story, so she just stepped up behind me and rubbed me on the back, and the others were smart enough to not ask any further questions.

We didn’t run into anything else as we made our way out of the park. Despite having gone around the outer parameter, we’d still somehow ended up dealing with most of the antithesis in the area. There were a couple heavily damaged androids wandering around, but they wisely decided to not engage us when they saw us approaching the exit.

“Have a nice day, come again!” the ticket taker chirped as I passed.

“Not on your life,” I hissed back.

The APC hadn’t moved since we left Jockey had just closed up the ramp, and she lowered it again when she saw us coming. “Did everything go well?” she chirped as I stepped inside.

“No… but we managed to deal, and everything’s secure, so that’s a win,” I replied with a tired smile.

“Everyone make room! Howie coming in,” Skyler yelled from the door as her drone turned sideways and slowly made its way into the APC. I moved up to the front, where Emily, Skyler, and I had our talks. I flicked on the monitor and inspected the map we’d left there earlier.

While I looked over the map, Emily and Skyler pushed their way around Howie to join me. Emily took one look at the map and let out a long, low breath. “Jockey, are these maps accurate?” she asked.

“Updated five minutes ago, in an emergency update,” the perky driver answered.

“I was afraid of that,” she mumbled before turning back to Skyler and I. “We need to have a serious talk. It looks like the incursion zone is expanding.” She pointed at the center, which contained a cluster of small red blobs. “These are the landing zones, where the heaviest models and highest density of antithesis are. This second orange zone is known as the danger zone, where most samurai will be fighting,” she said, sliding her finger slightly closer to our position.

“How is that a problem?” I asked as I scanned the map.

“It’s expanding,” Skyler said. “The nearest shelters used to be in the yellow zone before, but now they’re in the orange.”

“Still not getting it,” I muttered.

“I’ve never seen the orange expand this much before. There are supposed to be a dozen experienced samurai in there, yet the zone isn’t shrinking; it's expanding. Although you two might be able to handle a couple of the teen models, my crew and I are not. It would be extremely dangerous,” Emily explained.

“So what are our options?” Skyler asked quietly.

“A couple of the shelters we were assigned to check are now in the shallow orange. If you two want to investigate, my team and I would be required to follow you. I can almost guarantee that we’d face some teen models. Extremely dangerous, but I think you two may be able to handle it after facing those Twelves,” Emily continued to explain. “If you don’t want to go further, we could also swing back towards where we saw the Seventeen, which is an entirely different problem.” She paused and took a deep breath. “The final choice would be to retreat out of the district. We’ve completed our primary objective, which is to get you some combat experience, and no one would stop us from leaving.”

“But that would mean abandoning a whole lot of people,” I replied quietly. Emily just nodded in response.

The three of us just stared at the map for a second before Skyler pointed at a shelter right on the edge of the orange zone. “I say we go to the closest shelter. It’s not too far into the zone. We’ll advance slowly and try to evaluate the situation. If, at any point, we think it’s too dangerous, we’ll pull back out and go elsewhere.”

“I second that,” I immediately agreed.

Emily stared at the two of us for a second before nodding. “It’s your call, deeper it is.”