You want to know how long it takes a samurai to start doing the impossible? Seconds. As soon as they’re selected by a protector AI they have access to technology beyond the most cutting edge stuff available on earth. They’ll slice through solid steel, shoot through walls, and kill more antithesis in minutes, than most PMCs could in hours.

Even if they’re newly awakened you either treat them with respect, or risk having your career cut tragically short

- Burning Eagles PMC - Primer for new recruits

—

“Are you really a samurai?” someone asked from behind the barriers.

“No, I just get a kick out of trying to kill aliens with nothing more than a fucking sword,” I replied sarcastically as I sheathed my weapon.

“You wouldn’t be the first or last, fucking crazy to try it,” someone else yelled.

“I just fought my way down from the street to help you,” I snapped. “But if you don’t want my help opening up the shelter…”

“Sorry!” the same voice shouted out an instant later.

By the time I made it to the back of the room, the survivors had managed to open a small opening in the barricade for me. There weren’t actually that many people here—maybe a dozen, including guards, but they were well armed. The building security all had semi-automatic rifles, which was pretty standard for an upper-class building, and several of the civilians had self-defense weapons. They probably could have held out for quite a while if the big one hadn’t shown up.

When I stepped through the gap, the security team surrounded me, staying noticeably out of sword range, weapons at the ready. “You really know how to give someone a warm welcome,” I muttered.

“Our priority is to protect the residents from any threats, be that antithesis or looters. You may actually be a samurai, but you honestly don’t look like it, so we have to be careful,” the guard closest to the shelter said. The man was different from the other guards. He was very rough looking, had a slightly different uniform, and carried a much larger and more vicious looking rifle than the others. He honestly didn’t look that impressed when I entered, he just casually leaned against the shelter door, scratching a rather pronounced claw shaped scar on his neck.

“You’re in charge?” I asked him suspiciously.

“I am when everything goes to complete shit like this. Adam Stevenson, building incursion safety officer,” he replied. The big man turned and kicked the shelter door, “I check all shelters once a month, but it looks like someone came in and changed the security protocols of this big bitch since the last time I was here. I don’t know who would be so fucking stupid… but it nearly cost all these people their lives.”

“Oh, I have some ideas,” I grumbled. “May I take a look?”

Adam gestured towards the control panel, a massive old school LCD touch screen. “I honestly don’t know if you’re a samurai or not, but if you can get this thing open, we’ll all owe you one.”

I nodded, trying to ignore the sensation of everyone staring at me, and the fact that the entire security force was following my every move, and stepped up to the panel.

“Artemys, is there a way to communicate with you without talking out loud?” I whispered, slightly embarrassed by the attention.

Most samurai prefer to use subvocalization, just talk without making noise, and I can read your lip and throat movements. Alternatively, you could just communicate to me through your augs.

[Fuck subvocalization] I immediately typed into my augs. [If I did that, I’d probably look more like a crazy person, not less.] I poked at the ancient display and brought up the main menu, which displayed my father’s corporate logo. [So, can you get this thing open?]

Absolutely. It will require a few purchases, like the Class I Network Intrusion Protocols catalog, and the Mark III security bypass protocols. Even though this system is isolated from the surrounding networks, I should be able to access it using the cybernetic data jack on your hand.

I stared at the thin metal connectors that ran down the back of each of my fingers, coming together on the back of my hand, before disappearing under the skin of my arm. It was specifically designed to access doors like this, doors that were intentionally isolated from the network to make them even more secure. The problem was that part of my implant was supposed to be completely isolated. Impossible to manipulate.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

[You can do that? Does that mean you can access my security keys too?] I asked.

Of course, but I wouldn’t do that without your permission and access to the right catalog. I’m lightyears more complex than anything humans have access to, even the other samurai, but I won’t abuse my abilities. My purpose is to assist you in unlocking tech, developing a fighting style and eliminating the antithesis. I have no need to steal your secrets.

[That’s… great. We’re definitely going to have a more serious discussion about this, and what the limits of your powers are later, but for now I still need to get this door open. Do I have the points to get the upgrade?]

Yes, it would cost you a hundred and twenty for both, and you earned a hundred and forty in that last battle.

[That’s fine, do it.] A moment later, a small shard appeared on the slanted console and immediately started sliding off. I snatched it out of the air, and as soon as it touched the connectors on my fingers, I felt a slight jolt. I was aware that something had changed in my vault. A new function had been added as the chip disintegrated into dust.

I stared at the pile of dust for just a moment before wiping off my hand and reaching for the display once more. Once I felt the connection, I just gave it a little push [Open].

As the massive vault-like door groaned, and began to rotate open, I heard the people gasp, cheer, and cry in relief. Adam just lifted his oversized weapon and smiled, “Alright, we’re finally in business.”

Once the door cracked open enough for people to enter, the civilians rushed in, followed shortly after by the security team. “I’m guessing you’re not following us inside,” Adam said, pausing at the door. “And there’s nothing I can do to change your mind,” he continued with a smirk.

“I’d consider it,” I admitted, “but the truth is I’d feel guilty if I hid inside a shelter until the incursion finished. There may still be people that need help out there.” I half shrugged awkwardly, then held out my hand. “Take care.”

The big man took my hand and performed a bone crushing handshake, “Stay safe.”

As he stepped into the shelter and the door began to close, I had a thought. “If you find any extra shit in there, feel free to drag it out and burn it when this is all done. The owner is a fucking asshole and deserves it,” I called. I heard a couple people chuckle briefly before the door finally slammed shut, cutting off all sound from the inside.

“Fuck… Anything else I should know about? Is my father dangling puppies outside windows to attract the antithesis or set fire to any orphanages in the area?” I asked sarcastically.

Nothing directly related to your father, but there were a few other hotspots in the area. I don’t know how things have developed in the last few minutes, but it would probably be worth checking on the situation at street level, Artemys reported. You also have the points required to undergo Discipline Muscle Reflex Enhancement, and I’d recommend getting that before returning to the surface. It would vastly increase your chances of survival.

I idly adjusted my backpack as I did the math in my head. “Shouldn’t I be a few points short? I should be at a hundred and forty-seven.”

You earn points for saving civilians, not just for killing antithesis, so you earned another fourteen by helping the people here.

“Guess that kind of makes sense. If you didn’t incentivise samurai to save people, some of them might ignore the civilians in order to earn a few extra points on the aliens.”

You think most samurai would ignore people in danger?

“I think you should never underestimate human greed,” I grumbled as I made my way back towards the stairs. “How long would it take to integrate the muscle enhancements? I’m not going to do it if I have to spend an hour cowering in my safety closet.”

Normally it would take around ten minutes to reinforce your nerve and muscle fibers, but I can also provide you with a slower acting serum that would allow you to remain somewhat active. The downside is your body needs time to adapt to the new reflexes, and if you don’t give it time, you might find your motor control compromised during combat situations.

“Those are my choices? Fuck…” I paused where I was on the stairs and considered my options. “What about those hotspots? What was the most urgent situation?”

A small Private Military Company, or PMC, were escorting people out of the district, and one of the transport trucks broke down. They were protecting the civilians in a nearby storefront while waiting for reinforcements.

“And will reinforcements arrive in time?” I asked.

Unlikely. The PMC defending them is experienced, but the local antithesis are converging on the area. They will likely be overwhelmed before too long.

“Always do your best to protect those that can’t protect themselves, right grandpa?” I muttered. “Gimme the slow acting version and that location,” I said. “I’ll head off in a minute, I just need to make a call first.”

A box appeared on the stairs in front of me, just as I flipped my augs open and selected the top contact from my favorites. I grabbed the little injector and stabbed myself in the leg while it rang. After a long minute, and too many rings the automated system picked up. “This is Skyler Madison, Attorney for Synthesis Systems. I cannot take your call at the moment, so leave a message.”

I swallowed, and waited for the beep. “Hi Skyler,” I started. “I know the city is in emergency lockdown right now, and you’re probably stuck hiding in a shielded shelter somewhere, but I just wanted to let you know I’m fine. I ran into a little hiccup dealing with my father, but I took care of it… I really hope you’re okay,” I took a deep breath to center myself before I continued. “I might be busy when you call back, so don’t worry if I don’t pick up, I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Love you.” I disconnected before I started getting too emotional, and took a brief moment to get myself together.

“Alright, Artymis,” I whispered, “show me how to get to those civilians.”