“I had to put on a brave face as long as there were still people counting on me. That's the only reason I kept going.”

Local militia leader P. Garvey- 2050

I looked around as the party… well, whatever this little meeting was, wound down. I knew there was a problem. A big fucking problem, even.

There was no way we could do this.

I mean sure we could probably hold off a bunch of more antithesis. We might could hold off until more Samurai appeared, but as it stood there was no way our small team was going to be able to hold the area on our own. Sure we had a decent spread of skills and specialities, but there was no way it was going to be enough.

I let out a long sigh as I looked at all the soldiers and PMC members walking around. Laughing, drinking, collecting what they could as they enjoyed the victory. Most of them were probably looking at very nice paychecks probably.

There was one more group though.

I could see them all gathered around a campfire passing around some booze and laughing. Their faces looked like they had been through hell which was fair considering what they had just gone through. All their gear looked different with some having plate carriers while others looked like they duct taped pans to themselves. Oh wait, one did.

I knew what they had to be: Militia. Poor bastards had pretty much nothing. A few managed to get some of Arsenal’s goods and were holding onto the items like their lives depended on it. Some had some higher end private market weapons, some had beat up weapons probably nabbed from a dead PMC or soldier, and a few had weapons that I was shocked worked!

I always thought about joining a militia group, but most of the ones around here were… not exactly right if you catch my drift. Typically they were more about “resisting government and corporate overreach” than actually helping the people out in these trying times. Those poor souls down there though? They looked to be the real deal.

Desperate people passed over by the PMCs and militaries or just wanting to do anything they could to defend their homes on their own terms. They held the line because their homes, families, and friends were behind them and not for some paycheck.

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I felt bad. Always getting the short end of the stick, looked down on, and with the only luck they could hope for was to survive and MAYBE find a gear upgrade in combat. Not many of them though. Guns were pricey these days and the time to practice could be even more expensive if you lived paycheck to paycheck.

Hmm…

I got up and walked up to the group who froze. All looking at me like I was here to beat the shit out of them.

“Hey uh… if arsenal or any of the companies want their stuff back we will give it to them. Don’t worry.” One of the older men around the fire spoke up. Poor dude was scared I was after something since Samurai never came and spoke to them.

As I looked over the tired and scared group I had made up my mind.

“Nah, not here for that.” I plunked down on a nearby chair and lit up a cigar.

All of them looked at each other wondering what the fuck a Samurai was doing sitting with them then. They were just militia after all.

“So… The area is pretty fucked.” I started out with. Yeah not the most heroic opening but ah well. No sense in trying to lie to them since they knew what was up better than anyone else really. “The military and PMC stay in their areas unless they get paid to go somewhere. Any new Samurai keep fucking off too.”

He looked at them. “Let me guess. Some of you were the first to get here?”

He saw them wince with a few nodding.

“Yeah.” The old dude spoke up. “I live just down the street. When the first few started to trickle in I was right by the cops and security team for the museum fighting the things. Didn’t take long for the rest to show up, but if they didn’t pick a spot with some guards already on site I woulda been chow.”

The others shuddered and I gave him a small nod.

“Fair. I can tell you all are not well armed. I bet most of you are struggling to even afford this much.” I point out getting a wince from many of them.

“But this does give me an idea.”

I saw the looks of confusion as they wondered just what the brand new Samurai had swirling around his brain.

“We need a force that is spread out, armed, trained, and ready to attack at a moment’s notice. Not a force able to hold off Antithesis on its own, but enough to hold them back and keep people safe until the PMCs, military, or maybe one of us few Samurai show up.”

I looked around at them with a grin. “A well armed militia that ISN’T bat-shit or posturing. Trained and armed by a Samurai that is there to help their communities rather than for a paycheck. Since all of you would be spread out at home and work and shit then that means you will have the coverage needed for this.” I leaned back with a smile.

“Add in the fact I will be arming and helping you all train and that takes out a lot of the financial issues. Hell. If I get some financing I will even offer some pay if I can to make it so that more can join up.”

All of them nodded. “We are in.” The old guy said with a grin.

“This sounds kinda like the Minutemen…” One of the others mused.

Well… if the name fits the theme I got goin…

“To the new Minutemen!” I yell out getting a cheer from all those around me. Did I have any idea what the fuck I was getting into? No. Did this have to be done? Yes.

Hours of RTS and other weird videogames don’t fail me now!