The current antithesis number system is based entirely upon the order that humanity encountered them. Although the model order loosely represents how strong they are, don’t assume the higher models are always stronger. There may be another reason why those models arrive later in an incursion.

-Professor AJ Hawk, Protectorate Studies

—

Skyler’s finger hovered over the map display, constantly updating us on her drone’s location while Emily relayed directions to Jockey. As our APC flew through the streets, trying desperately to catch up to Skyler’s drones, she finally gave us the news we’d be waiting for.

“I’m close. Half a dozen strands all going into the same building. I could check it, but that would let the Seventeen know we’re on to it. Should I?” Skyler asked. She’d been so stressed by the situation that she’d put the cat carrier on backwards and was slowly petting Lala through the open zipper. I admit, I was a little bit jealous.

I checked the map, and we were about five minutes out. “Just have them patrol the area for now. Maybe make it look like you’re searching but haven't found anything,” I suggested. “When we’re about a minute out, rush one of them in to get confirmation.”

Emily pulled her head away from the driver’s seat and nodded. “My crew and I have never faced a Seventeen before today, but I’ve heard stories about what they can do to a PMC. If you’re sure it’s in there, then we’ll try and blitz it. Pull up in the APC, storm its hiding place, and squash it. If it’s not in there, or it gets away, we run back to the APC and gun it for the gates. Hope it’s too busy running away to stop us. Any questions?”

“What exactly are we looking for?” Steve asked.

“Something the size of a small dog that the other antithesis are protecting,” I replied. “If you’re unsure, look for one of Skyler’s drones. They’ll be hovering around.”

“I’m staying here,” Skyler declared. “It’s hard to control the drones and walk at the same time, and the place seems like some sort of convenience store, so I’ll have trouble finding clear shots for Howie anyways. If it pokes its head outside, I’ll turn it into paste.”

Emily glanced at the map. “Right, we’re about a minute out. Send in your scout and be prepared to lead us in with a second one as soon as we stop.”

I shoved my way to the back of the APC and took my place by the door. The APC slid around a corner, nearly throwing me into the side wall, before screeching to a halt. I immediately slammed my hand down on the ramp open button and jumped out. We’d stopped right in the middle of an old, refurbished industrial section. There were half a dozen low cost residential buildings surrounding the plaza, old factories made livable—but what drew my eye was a small, modern-looking convenience store tucked into the corner of the nearest building. Or, more precisely, the drone hovering in front of it.

I jogged over and waited for the rest of the team to catch up before I kicked in the door. The inside of the shop had been completely ransacked. The shelves had been knocked over, and there appeared to be cleaning solution spilt in the corner, but there was surprisingly little mess. I guess the antithesis didn’t bother to remove the packaging before devouring their snacks.

I hopped up on the side of the toppled shelves and hopped towards the back of the room, trying to keep up with Skyler’s hovering drone. It wasn’t exactly moving quickly, but since it was unimpeded by the trash, it was making better time than the team. I caught up with it just as it entered the back room.

I was lucky the drone was leading, because as soon as it slipped in the door, a dozen spines embedded themselves in the outer case. I immediately jumped back, flipped to Spectre Vision and grabbed my bow. I couldn't make out what models were in the other room, all I could make out was vaguely blobs of color, so I just sent the first penetrator straight into the closest one. I was drawing the second arrow when Bulldog finally made it to me. “Fives! Destroyed the drone,” I barked as I fired my second arrow.

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“Then what are you sitting around for?” the big man asked as he rushed past me. I turned to watch as I sprinted into the next room, firing the entire time. There was a second of silence before I heard him shout, “Hurry the fuck up. We don’t want the thing to get away.”

I threw my bow back over my shoulder and slipped into the room right behind Ratchet. The entire place had been trashed, probably by the antithesis even before we arrived, and there was a long line of bullet holes in the back wall, only interrupted by the spaces where the three remaining Model Fives lay dying.

“I can’t believe you did that!” Ratchet hissed, “You have no sense of self-preservation!”

“We’re in a hurry,” Bulldog replied with a shrug before looking back at me. “Which way?”

I blinked for a moment, unsure until I realized I could just ask.

{Rei: We lost the drone! Which way!}

{Sky: On the far side of that room was a door into the old factory where containers had been turned into temporary housing, and the Seventeen is hiding inside. I didn’t want to spook it earlier, so I just caught a look and backed off!}

“Far side,” I said, vaulting the nearest shelf. “There should be a connection to the rest of the building.”

“Here!” Steve reported. I hadn’t seen him come in or pass me, but he’d already found the connecting door.

I slipped around the nearest shelf and up to the door, nodding towards Steve before shoving the mangled door open. The next room looked more like a shipping yard than a residential area. It was just row upon row of dented shipping containers stacked up. There were permanent walkways built at each level, and many of the containers had been painted bright colors, so apparently some people had been living here awhile. Unfortunately, I also saw signs of containers being ripped open or entire stacks toppled over, so someone must have tried to shelter within their home. Thin steel was no match for antithesis tenacity.

“Which way?” Emily asked as she caught up with me.

“I don’t know. Skyler said it was in the back somewhere,” I replied as I entered the cavernous room. I could hear the sound of movement elsewhere in the room but couldn’t see any antithesis or the drone, so I quickly made my way down the nearest aisle of containers.

“This place is massive,” Ratchet whispered from behind me. “It’s going to be gone before we can find it.”

[Arty! I need ideas, quick]

Take off your glasses. They’re good, but their options are limited.

[How will that help?]

Just trust me!

As I pulled off my glasses, it took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I could see a lot more than I expected, considering it was pitch dark by now, but the most eye-catching thing was a handful of small strands spread out at my feet.

Your glasses may be better for night vision, but your new vision does have a slightly wider range than you’re used to. As you can see, the strands glow slightly in the UV spectrum.

[Excellent! Thanks]

Anytime.

I took off at a slow jog, careful with my footing as I followed the strands. They weaved through the containers, heading towards the back of the complex. I’d gotten so focused on following the tiny threads that when I turned the last corner, it took me several seconds to even register that there were antithesis in front of me.

Most of them were familiar to me except for the dog-sized tick standing right in the middle of the little pack. It studied me with insectoid eyes for a moment before booking it in the opposite direction. It’s entourage charging forward to delay us.

I drew my blade and decapitated the six leading the charge with a single swipe. I tried to bypass the remaining antithesis and chase the Seventeen but the antithesis weren’t going to let me by that easily. One of the Fours fired its tentacles into the nearest container to block my way, while the other tried to skewer me, but I simply severed the offending limbs and ran past the duo. A couple Threes turned to follow me, but before they could, they were cut down by the squad as they finally caught up.

“It’s getting away!” I yelled. As I sprinted at the little bug, the doorway collapsed, and a wall of chitin like plates swept in front of me. I turned slightly and saw a pair of massive twitching feelers aimed right at me. The Fourteen.

“Oh, it’s you again,” I remarked dryly.