We don’t have the funding of the PMCs, the tech of the Samurai, or the training of any of the militaries. It's almost impossible to get time off work these days to even train at all or go gun shopping. But, our homes, our families, our friends are right behind us and we have nowhere else to run to.”
Militia member – 2055
“Congratulations! Only one Samurai death, but it was Captain Carnage so do not consider it a failure my fellow Americans! Today’s victory was grand! No line broke, no land lost, and everyone fought heroically, bravely, and more to preserve what we have left!” Uncle Sam’s voice boomed out from a makeshift stage. His huge smile felt almost unnatural, but it was hard to make out with the blinding bloom of fireworks that exploded behind him at the end of his short speech.
He always was one for theatrics.
Everyone could see a huge black smoke cloud from the battlefield in the distance. After seeing my little… “accident” earlier they decided to take advantage of the flammable nature of what they were still spraying everywhere and used it to light the huge wall of antithesis on fire to burn the bodies. After letting them melt to a goop some of course.
“Yes, this was one of the most successful incursion defenses we have seen in a few years!” Uncle Sam continued to call out as his long white hair flowed in a breeze that I couldn’t feel. Suddenly his large hand, covered in a elegant and perpetually clean white glove, swung down and motioned to-
Oh fuck. Me.
“While many of us did our jobs well and as planned, special commendation must be given to our newest Vanguard, The Anachronist!”
Wellllll shit.
“While brand new his cannon allowed us to shock and awe the alien invaders from a distance, striking their hive without putting any of our own at much risk! On top of that his valiant defense of the front line drew the aliens to him, taking on far more of the scourge causing the pressure on the rest of our brave defenders to lessen! Not only that his courageous actions allowed us to recover the body of Captain Carnage! While I do know many of us have had our issues with him-“ I could hear the others shifting around me. Yeah, ‘issues’ was putting it lightly. “-it is good that his gear was recovered so we can learn more and his body will be able to be laid to rest. A round of applause for The Anachronist!”
All the Samurai started to applaud me. Frankly? It felt really good. Sure my (now last) job had given me recognition once in a while, but not often. It was nice to have people actually let me know just how good of a job I did.
It was also clear there was a reason for it too.
I could see all the other Samurai looking at me with hope in their eyes. I knew why too. Right now our area only had 4 Samurai. Well, 5 with me now. Eager Eagle, Sally Shrapnel, Uncle Sam, and Arsenal. That was it. No real cleanup crews, hunters, or anyone else.
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Pretty much any Samurai that was found in the area soon left and everyone knew why. Politicians constantly trying to make them help out with some cause or election campaign, military corporations hounding and stalking them for any tech they could get, the local press desperate for ANY Samurai news since there were so few, and the fact that few Samurai meant more work for those that stayed.
Not only were all of those good reasons to get out of here but a lot of people were not even from here. Politicians and their staff from whatever area they crawled out of, imported contractors for the mili corps, and just the normal transients meant that quite a few Samurai just went home. Others got good offers or just took the chance to fuck off to one of the nearby settlements. Hell, Philly had a TON more Samurai than we did.
With Captain Carnage now dead they needed me more than ever.
I gave everyone a nod and finished off the hot dog I had been eating. All of us Samurai were off in our own little area having a BBQ sponsored by The Family. A little celebration of a job well done with the press kept way back from us by some PMC and military guys.
It was nice.
“Hey! The Anachronist!” A playful… was that a chirp? Anyway, Eagle was calling out to me so I turned around with my mouth full of questionable tube meat in a cheap bun. Tasty as fuck though.
The man jogged up to me and I grinned seeing his head. A beautiful head of white feathers, eyes that only looked intimidating from the sides, and a long curve beak poked out of the armor. Eager Eagle had opted for one of the more extensive body mods. Rumor had it he wasn’t a bald eagle originally, but Uncle Sam kept annoying him until he changed.
“Hey. Now that you are a Samurai and all we were hoping you were going to stick around.” He looked at the other three with a small smile. “We… really need the help and your setup is already filling a need we have. None of us are really good at defense.” He confessed before looking back at me with a huge smile.
“Also, I wanted to extend a nice, warm, happy invitation to join and work for The Family!... WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME NOW!?” He squawked in frustration as I spat out what little food was left in my mouth as I fucking lost it.
“I- I’m sorry man.” I finally choked out. “But I already work for them!”
His head tilted with those derpy eyes looking me over in full confusion and I lost it again. Damnit if the antithesis didn’t kill me laughing at this dude would!
“But… you… You just became a Samurai? How were you already working for them?”
“I worked in the sales department.” I confessed once I could finally breathe again. “I went around to the nearby settlements where Samurai fled to and bought tech from them to sell to the local groups.” I explained between nice and deep breaths. Smoking is not good for you kids! “I didn’t handle local deals though. Higher ups did due to The Family not wanting to chase off what few of you were left.”
He let out a long sigh and slouched forward a little. “Aw, was looking forward to giving you a whole talk and being the one to bring you into The Family.” He admitted with a cute little trill. Yup, the noises are coming from him.
For someone covered in armor whose head was a bird of prey he was pretty cute.
“It's alright.” I patted his shoulder. “I am not leaving The Family. They treated me well when I worked for them so I am going to stick around with them. They will help keep the worst of the corpos and stuff away too.”
I looked behind us towards the spires. The Woods, Fairburke, and Tyson spires standing tall and proud. There had been others at one point, but those were the three left intact.
“Are you staying?” He finally worked up the courage to ask.
I looked over at him and gave him a warm smile. “Yeah. Got family in the area. While I wasn’t born here I still consider it my home.” I answered as I looked at the other Samurai who all let out a long sigh of relief.
“Oh thank god.” Uncle Sam groaned out. His characteristic smile turned into a grin of pure relief.
Just how fucked was the situation on the Samurai’s side!?