You’re suffering from multiple contusions, your ribs are bruised but not broken. Your friend's right humerus is shattered, and has multiple lacerations across the torso. You both need urgent care, but thankfully nothing critical.

“Great, we’re not going to immediately die, just survive a few more minutes before getting eaten.”

Dante shot me a concerned look, “What was that?” he was cradling his arm in pain, but at least he was conscious.

“I’ve either become a Samurai, or suffered hallucinations due to head trauma.”

“Seriously?”

I hate to break up this RIVETING discussion, but you should probably arm yourself and get your companion to a safer location before you’re swimming in Antithesis.

I stumbled a bit, but did manage to make it to my feet before heading over to Dante. “Can you walk?”

“Bastards didn’t get my legs, arm hurts like a bitch though.”

“Good, we gotta go. We’ll head for Leah’s clinic, we need medical attention and the entire building has bars over the windows and reinforced doors to keep people from trying to steal the prosthetics and drugs.”

“Shit, that’s the opposite side of the shelter."

“Yeah, but all the residential buildings around here are those concrete prefabs. Flimsy budget doors that don’t stop intruders, never mind alien monsters.”

I reached out for his good arm, a small smile on my lips. “Come on, I’ll give you a reason to keep living; Let me tell you what I found below.”

We kept the conversation short, the last thing we wanted to do is make much noise and risk another attack. The trek across the ruins afterwards was both short and terrifying. The attack put me on edge, and I was convinced that another one was going to jump out at any second. The only Antithesis we saw along the way were chasing someone else. I felt bad, but it was better them than us.

We saw Leah’s clinic from a long ways off, it was a monolithic structure that, from the outside, looked more like a prison than a clinic. Small, heavily barred windows, reinforced doors and security cameras on every approach. I could only hope she was inside when the chaos started.

I banged on the door. “Leah, please tell me you’re there.” I paused for a minute listening, a sinking feeling in my stomach. I banged on it again “Please…”

The door opened. Beyond it stood a woman with wild red hair, barely kept under control by the head scarf tied across it. Leah was normally a bundle of energy, and to be honest, was a better doctor than the district deserved. She looked exhausted, I could only imagine what the situation was inside.

“Teddy! I’m so glad you made it. Dante, you look like shit. Get in here quick.”

There were already about a dozen other people huddled together in the waiting room, a couple kids, mostly locals, everyone was terrified. A couple of West Lane gang members were standing guard at the door. They almost drew on Dante before Leah gave them a scathing look. “You try and shoot a human in here and you can try your luck outside. Got it?”

The two of them nodded, hands off weapons.

I wasn’t surprised, Leah had a reputation. If anyone wanted to get a new aug, prosthetic or gunshot wound looked at they came here. That also meant a lot of people wanted to get their hands on her equipment for some easy credits. The last junkie that tried a smash and grab here found why stealing from a doctor was a bad idea, when she broke his arm before he got away, then refused him treatment. People stopped fucking with her after that.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

The three of us made our way toward the back of the clinic. “You want to tell me why neither of you decided to immobilize that arm, or at least put it in a sling before coming here?”

I shrugged. “Didn’t know what to do, and we were in a rush at the time. Giant killer aliens and all.”

She shot me a disapproving look. “I’ll look at it. You sit over there, don’t think I haven’t noticed how you’re cradling your ribs.”

There was no point in arguing, so I saluted.

There was a snort, “You’re lucky you’re cute. Sit.”

I did.

While Leah and Dante were occupied Nyx decided it was time to pipe up.

I think now would be a good time for your first lesson on being a Vanguard. Settle in, it’ll be a minute. Ask questions if you have them, I’d hate for you to die because you didn’t understand the basics.

First things first, you earn points by killing Antithesis and rescuing people. The more you kill, or save, the more points you earn. As a new Vanguard you get 100 points to start with, and you managed to earn 10 points for each of the model threes, the type of Antithesis you killed earlier, and you saved 1 person giving you a total of 131 points.

“And I can just buy anything I want?”

Yes and no, the different equipment you can buy is organized into different categories, or catalogs, and you need to spend points to access each one. There are more advanced catalogs, but I think it’s better to cover that later.

Do you have any idea what you want to start with?

“Fuck, I don’t know. I’m a terrible shot, that SMG felt like it dislocated my shoulder, and the Antithesis have probably spread to every corner of this district by now, how am I supposed to find them all?”

There are a number of options with recoil compensation and aim assist. There are also a number of catalogs that contain various methods of tracking.

I stared up at the ceiling, an idea forming; in the background I could hear Dante yelling in pain.

“Could I bring them to me?”

In theory. There are ways to lure Antithesis, but I wouldn’t recommend taking on that many Antithesis alone.

“So what if we evened the odds?”

How so?

“Distribute weapons to other people, automated turrets, robots, mines.”

Possible, you currently lack the points to deploy any significant numbers.

“Hmmm… then basics first. I need a weapon, something with aim assist, recoil reduction, and preferably a punch. A rifle maybe? I could distribute rifles later.”

The Class I Battle Rifle Catalog fits your requirements, it costs 50 points to open. How many points are you thinking about spending on a weapon?

“Is fifty enough?”

Fifty is more than sufficient. Five points would get you a conventional rifle, ten would get you a next gen model, for fifty I could give you something like the CAR-156. It’s semi-automatic, comes with a 25 round drum, and instead of conventional ammunition it fires a variety of micro missiles that cost a point each.

That took me a moment to process. “Neat.”

Quite. I could recommend several models at a lower cost if you want.

“Only if there’s something with lower recoil or better aim assist.”

Lower recoil yes, there are a number of energy weapons available, but very few things are more accurate than guided missiles.

“Gimme then.”

Purchased - Class I Battle Rifle Catalog - 50 points

Purchased - CAR-156 Battle rifle - 50 points

Points remaining 31

A package appeared at my feet, nondescript, plastic.

“That was anticlimactic.”

Confetti costs extra.

“Smart ass.”

I crouched down and popped the top off. The rifle was 2 foot long, made of matte black metal, obviously a lot more advanced than anything you’d see in the undercity. It was pretty in a way. And fucking heavy.

It took me a minute to realize the room was silent. I glanced up and found both Leah and Dante staring at me, open mouthed. I guess Leah had finished fixing up Dante’s arm.

“Teddy, What the fuck?"