“Whatever you do, don't tell Jane.” After finding out about the missiles the first thing I did was bring Sharron into the garage, and update her on the current situation. I couldn’t help but notice her eyebrows were slowly growing higher the longer I explained.
“So… As soon as you got back a dangerous cult showed up, but you had to stop chasing them temporarily, because a couple of the most dangerous gangs in the area got ahold of rocket launchers, and are planning to attack you. Is the undercity always this dangerous?”
“No… at least, I’ve never heard of any gangers getting their hands on heavy weapons. Before I became a Samurai I tried to avoid getting close to any gang fights, and turf wars.”
Sharron stared at me for a moment, “That was sarcasm, Evelyn. I honestly don’t think corps giving gangers rocket launchers is a common occurrence.” She sighed, “I can keep an eye on things while you’re gone, but I doubt you can keep this from Jane. Even the most oblivious person would notice an entire army leaving this place.”
I knew she was right, but years of listening to Jane’s angry lectures conditioned me to avoid telling Jane about dangerous jobs until they were done. Sure, I was a Samurai now, but that wouldn’t stop Jane from berating me. On the other hand, the kids could be in danger if I didn’t warn them ahead of time.
In the end, all I could do was slink back to the residence and let Jane know what was happening.
“Alright, you should go deal with that before they get out of hand, dinner’ll be at six.”
I eyed Jane up, this was not at all what I expected. “You ALWAYS tell me to avoid dealing with the gangs. In fact, you just berated me for working with Dante a couple weeks ago. What gives?”
“That was before you became a Samurai, and could take care of yourself. You just got back from another city where you fought killer plants from outer space, and I didn’t complain then, why did you think I’d be worried now? Do you think they’ll be any real threat to you?” She stared down at me, judging.
“Well, no. I purchased some anti-projectile tech while I was in Seattle, so it should be a cake walk.”
“There you go then. Go deal with them before they cause some real issues. Shoo.”
As Jane turned back to the kitchen, I just stared at her back. I just didn’t get her sometimes, but at least I didn’t have to worry about another hour-long lecture when I got back. As I turned back to my garage I finally noticed that Sharron was loitering in the door. She patted me on the head as I passed by. “See, no problems. Go deal with your gang problem and I’ll keep an eye on things here.”
“Thanks…” I mumbled numbly as I passed, I guess I was still a little overwhelmed from Jane’s reaction. While I walked through the garage my brain started to re-engage. I sent out commands for the bears to organize, and prep the IFVs.
“Nyx, can I mount some of those APS systems on the APC and IFVs?”
Certainly. You would need the Class I Vehicle Auxiliary Mounts catalog for a hundred and fifty points, but each mount will only cost you ten after that. I can make minor adjustments so the PAWS will work for no extra cost.
“Good, let’s do that. Remind me that we need to reinforce the shelter’s defenses when we get back too.”
Purchased
Class I Vehicle Auxiliary Mounts catalog - 150 points
IFV APS vehicle mount 7x5 - 35 points
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IFV PAWS Systems 7x50 - 350 points
Points Remaining: 24397
As soon as they appeared I jumped up on the nearest vehicle to inspect it. The tiny turret had an unobstructed forward firing arc, pretty much nullifying any threat those missiles posed. At least, to anything close to my armored vehicles. I jumped down, satisfied with the changes.
“I’ll leave three IFVs here to protect the area, just in case. The rabbits can flank in the APC, and we’ll just drive the remaining IFVs right up to the front door.”
Are you sure that’s wise?
“People keep telling me that I suck at planning, so I’m not going to overthink it. There’s no reason to be subtle, since my last demonstration didn’t seem to work, I plan on going all out this time.”
Very well. Do you want to load less-than-lethal ammunition for this operation?
“Nope, I want standard rounds in the rifles, and explosive rounds in the IFVs. I’m not heartless, I’ll give some of them a chance to surrender, but I’m not going to pull my punches here. Do you have the ability to prevent specific people from using their augs?”
Of course. Accessing augs with the most state of the art anti-intrusion technology is quite simple for me, the out-of-date systems found around the undercity are even easier.
“Good,” I replied, stepping up to the nearest IFV. Most of the bears were loaded and ready to go, they were just undergoing final prep now. “Cut off all the outgoing comms for any Void Walker, Wrecker, and Carnage gang members around the shelter, and en route to the Void Walker’s stronghold. I don’t want them to see us coming. Once we’re within sight of the stronghold, cut off all outgoing comms for the people inside.”
Only outgoing?
I stepped into the IFV, and the door closed behind me. I could feel the hover engines hum to life below me. “I have a few select words for our friends when I arrive, I’d hate for them to miss it.”
The Void Walker stronghold was right in the northeast corner of the city, right against the outer wall, so the ride was relatively short. I watched the streets fly by, through the monitors within the IFV. As we approached the final destination I noticed more and more people panic, and run away. Some of them were probably part of the gang, trying to warn the base that I was coming, but the majority were probably regular people just trying to stay out of the line of fire.
When the base was only a few blocks away I had the IFVs stop, then jumped out to take a look myself. The area was a mess of makeshift barricades and fortifications. It looked like the Void Walkers had ‘requisitioned’ four adjacent residential buildings, closed off the streets and alleys between them with scrap metal barriers and blocked most of the lower windows. I could see a couple of gang members sitting at windows on the upper floors, weapons out, desperately trying to contact someone.
I glanced upwards, and was just barely able to make out the APC making its way across the top of the undercity. I doubted anyone would notice it up there with the IFVs approaching from the front, and out in the open. Once the assault began the APC could easily slip close and drop the rabbits off on the roof.
“Nyx, please transmit this to all the rank and file gang members of all three gangs. I don’t give a shit if they’re here or not.” I cleared my throat. “Hello fucktards. I’m sure you already know who this is, but if not, you can call me Teddy. You know, the Samurai that took up residence in the area. Your moronic leaders decided to try to fuck with me, despite my previous warnings, so… I’m going to make an example out of them. Thankfully, I don’t really give a shit about most of you, so I’m going to give you a chance. Drop your weapons, and walk the fuck away. Forget the Wreckers, Void Walkers, and Carnage existed, because if I ever hear those names again, I’m going to send someone to fucking annihilate whoever’s using the name. You have five minutes to run before I lay siege to the Void Walkers’ stronghold, seize the missiles they have, and level the building.” I paused, “Oh, and I would suggest you don’t warn the leadership, because if they open fire on me, or try to escape, I may open fire early. I hope you make the right decision. Time starts now.”
Quite the speech.
“Yeah well, it got the point across.” I turned to the bears piling out of the IFV, specifically Bandit and the other foxes. I hadn’t noticed before, mostly because I had been distracted by Heavy, but Bandit looked pretty different now. His ears were huge, probably fifty percent larger, and looked adorable poking out of his little ghillie suit. I shook my head, it was not the time to get distracted by cuteness. “Split up and monitor the building. The instant you see any sign of missiles, or one of the leaders trying to escape, let me know.” The foxes nodded, then sprinted into various buildings nearby.
I just leaned against the nearby IFV and eyed up the future pile of rubble. There were already a handful of people rushing from the building. Those were the smart ones. In a few more minutes I’d find out exactly how many would remain stupid.