I have just the thing! Class I Bio Sculpting for fifty points, and Class I Integrated Cybernetics one hundred points. We can use multiple catalogs in conjunction to compile a synergistic system between your armor, weapons, body, and mind.

“I’m liking the sound of this, go on.”

Well first, we enhance your internal organs with restorative ballistic nanite coating for one hundred points. They will shed kinetic energy across the nanites spreading out the impacts. They will also be able to conduct repairs to your body automatically over time. This will install multiple nanite generating structures in your body so they will also be naturally produced by your body.

“So far sounds good, what else?”

We can also engineer your bones with stronger compounds increasing their total toughness beyond normal human limits for three hundred points, then we can inject musculature enriching bio nanites to attach to your muscles making them stronger and more elastic for one hundred points. Essentially you will be stronger than say five peak males combined.

“As long as it does not make me look like a roided out five human male sized girl. I’m on board”

It will not, at most you will have more defined and toned muscles. Next, we will infuse your skin with a conductive alloy that will harden in response to external stimulation, it will also form a complete circuit with your armor should you be electrocuted and dump it into the ground, as well has routing heat into your armor like a heat sink, this will cost two hundred points.

“I’m liking the sound of all this so far, how long is all this going to take?”

It will, take a while seventy-two hours if done at lower costs, but there is one more item I think you will like as well. Biological Nanite Neural conversion, this will remove your current augs and replace them with a full body networking nanite hive mind. Essentially all your nanites work in tandem to increase processing power and workload. You will likewise notice that your ability to think and process information will expand well beyond normal human limits. This will be three hundred points.

“Merlin, where exactly will these nanite factories be going?

They need to be in locations that can quickly disperse the nanites to areas that are taking damage or need repairs so, one in each breast, and two on either side of your glutes.

“I knew it! I guess this will save me from having to get a BBL or implants.”

Yes… If you are unhappy with your physical appearance, we can use a sculpture device and change any features you wish.

“No Merlin I was kidding, I’m fine with what you're proposing really. So, the total points will be one thousand two hundred and fifty?”

That is correct, and you will be able to withstand a far greater range of damage, your skin will be bullet proof up to roughly 20mm shells, immune to most electrical and fire attacks, super strength, and endurance, increased cognitive abilities, and moderately quick healing. Most of these upgrades will be tied into your nanites, including your armor.

“Stars yes, let’s do it!” I say still laying on the grass.

Class I Bio Sculpting unlocked!

Points reduced to: 1781

Class I Integrated Cybernetics!

Points reduced to: 1681

New Purchase: Restorative Ballistic Nanite Coating:

Points reduced to: 1581

New Purchase: Bone Enhancement Augmentation:

Points reduced to: 1281

New Purchase: Musculature Enriching Bio Nanites:

Points reduced to:1081

New Purchase: Non-conductive Alloy Skin Graft:

Points reduced to: 881

New Purchase: Biological Nanite Neural conversion:

Points reduced to: 581

One large box drops on my chest releasing an “Oof” from me.

I have combined all the upgrades into one large dose. Please remove the injector and place into a thigh. You will feel a pinch and some unpleasantness as the mass is injected into your body. This process will take several days to complete, you will notice fluctuations in your body as changes happen. You should notice slight gains within the next few hours, so try not to die before they complete.

“Thank you Merlin, I will do my best not to expire before then.”

Grabbing the injector from the box, I try not to think about how large it is as I jam it into my thigh. A thick molasses like sludge pushes its way into my body. Unpleasant feeling is putting it mildly, I can feel the sludge inch its way into my body and spread out.

“Feels like hundreds of little worms wiggling around my leg, thanks for that.”

You are most welcome Morigana, they will go a long way in enhancing your duties as a Vanguard.

I sense Hank entering my area of detection, he’s strolling across the field towards me.

I roll over onto my stomach and prop myself up onto my elbows.

“Would you look at that.” He says looking around at the carnage.

“You’re a natural. I really don’t see advice I can give on your performance other than you should run perpendicular to threats that are thrown at you like the car. Seems yah got a good head on your shoulders, you will go far in this work.” Hank says with a smile.

“Thanks, really, I guess it was nice knowing I had a safety net should I need it.”

“No worries here, it’s always a blessen to meet the new Samurai, always interesting how they will develop.” He says.

He hikes his thumb behind him and says. “But looks like you're about done fer the day yeah? Do you need a lift home, or what not?”

“I appreciate it, but I have my own car, and yeah home and a shower sounds divine right now.” I say back.

“Right you are, dirty business this, I’m sending your AI my info, look me up any time. I don’t particularly like fighten but I do this for the people, yah know?”

He pulls a beer out of nowhere, pops it and takes a sip. “Reckon I’m off too, oh and I guess it’s customary for the first Samurai that runs into a new’n to name them. You cool with that?”

I’d forgotten about that part, there are some truly dreadful Samurai names out there and I don’t want something stupid. I must have made a face because he continues talking.

“Now now, I see that face it’s no biggy it’s just a custom you can call yer self whatever you want. But I reckon I have a good one for yah if you want.”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

I sigh.

“Yeah, alright I guess.”

“Witch of the West, simple yea but you’re looking mighty like a witch and your name fits so…there yah go.”

“Sure, I’m fine with that I guess.”

I think it’s rather fitting myself, congrats Morigana, Witch of the West!

“Any ways, I updated the family for yah as a new Samurai if you need assistance from them go for it. Just remember you don’t really have to do anything they tell you.” He pauses. “Right, I’m off, take care now!”

Before I could muster up any response, he was gone. Like poof just not there anymore.

“What the heck was that, Merlin?”

If I had to guess he has some sort of teleportation technology unlocked. Considering he gave you an emergency teleportation device it would make sense. By the way I have linked the puck with your sensor suite, the response for fatal incoming damage has been greatly increased.

“Aww, you know the sweetest things to tell a girl.” I say grinning.

“Can you look into a practical pathway for my own teleportation please, don’t go into them now, just look.”

Of course Morigana, I have noted several options for later.

Getting up my whole-body aches, looking down at myself I cringe in disgust. My original clothes are all but gone thanks to the fire, they were expensive too. I’m also covered in ash, soot, blood, Antithesis gore, and drenched in sweat.

Never before have I desired a long soak in a bath more than I do now.

First though I check the school’s network to check on the bunker and kids. The doors are still closed and locked, that’s good.

“Merlin, can you sweep the school for any more Antithesis, just to be sure?”

I have been closely monitoring the school the entire time, I do not detect any more Antithesis on the premises.

I consider going to the bunker to check in but the tragic condition I’m currently in, I don’t know if it would be wise to show up looking like a hot mess in front of the kids.

“Thanks, how’s the rest of Vegas look? I ask.

I start making my way to where I parked, hopefully my car was not destroyed in the attack.

There were only a few incursions that made land fall. Other Samurai have responded and have either cleared them or about to finish. Overall minimal deaths were reported. The most significant event is the creation of a new Vanguard.

“Are you talking about me?”

Indeed I am.

“You know how to make a girl feel special, Merlin.” I say sarcastically.

I make it across campus to the parking lot to find my car in one piece, small miracles.

I own a very bougie car and I know it, but I love it. It’s a two-seater sporty hover car, royal purple and sleek all over. That’s about all I know, I mostly bought it because it looked pretty. It’s not my fault my job pays well, but I’m not some rich brat. I give to programs that help schools and feed children. I believe that everyone should get a chance to make something with their life. I don’t think it’s fair that some kids are born rich and get the world handed to them on a silver spoon.

Before getting in I want to slim down my gear a bit.

I open my armor settings in my augs to adjust them.

I see that there are pre-set options one being casual wear. After adjusting the settings to my liking and initialize my selections. I feel the nanites shift across my skin and gather into a nice white blouse top with a cute little tie, a black thigh length pencil skirt, and to top it off some lacey thigh high stockings and black comfy pumps.

I drop into my car seat, set the autopilot for home, and lean back with a sigh.

I still have my wand in my hand since it’s not built from nano-tech, with a lack of a better option I open my glove box and drop it in.

The city seems to have calmed down; traffic is hardly a bother at all. My car zips through the city, I watch as the tall buildings go past, mostly casinos and apartments. I own my own place in one of the high rises farther south in the Summerlin area. The only real issue I have and it’s not even a big deal is that it’s almost the exact opposite direction from where I work.

Work, oh no! I’m a Samurai now, it will be difficult to do my projects and travel around fighting the Antithesis. Or will it? I have my own direct access to all of the Vanguard data ever! Yes!

“Merlin, do you know what I do for a living?” I ask.

Of course, you are a Vanguard, or Samurai if you prefer. You are also a scientist who integrates Vanguard tech with modern earth tech to advance your civilizations technology. A noble pursuit, and one the creators highly encourage.

“Really they do?”

Yes, they very much want Earth to advance itself to better handle the Antithesis on its own.

“So, would you be willing to aid me at work? Help understand the tech and develop new uses for it?”

I would indeed, I am more than capable of teaching you with lessons instead of just giving you the answers. You will need to unlock technical manuals in catalogs however before I provide in depth information.

“Whew, that is a relief, and it makes sense. I would not learn much during my work if you just told me what to do instead of the whys and how. Thank you."

Naturally, I am here to help you in whatever endeavors you wish. Some who are chosen never go off to fight, and that’s okay too.

“I have heard about those, but that’s not what I want to do. I will gladly fight but would also love to continue my research.”

I pause to think, can I just make my own gear and tech instead of using points? If I’m going down the path of nanite use, can I just program them to do what I want? Like what if instead of using printers like I know some Samurai do, I made nanites, then programmed them into my tools and weapons, I would make my own blueprints or buy them.

“Check my logic here Merlin.” I say.

Okay, I’m listening.

“If I were to produce my own nanites in some way, not important for this theory.” I say waving my hand dismissively.

“Could I get a program to assemble them into my weapons, armor, and self-enhancements? Say without needing a huge printer and blueprints and such?”

That would be an interesting plan for progressing, and as far as I know has never been done before. However, with your skill set and expertise I believe it could be done yes.

A shark like grin spreads cross my face.

“In that case, what could I do to produce nanites in mass quantities without needing a huge printer type set up?”

You could instead get a nanite replicator, it would only ever produce nanites, but you could build it out of nanites, and it would be relatively cheap. It would essentially be a more robust version of the nanite structures growing in your body right now.

“And how much space would be required for the replicator?”

Not that much really, you appear to have a mostly un-used room in your dwelling. It would be sufficient for your needs; you would still need a way to acquire raw materials to manufacture the nanites.

“Would it be cost effective to use points to just summon in the materials? I have a catalog for elements, would I need the Class II catalog?”

Not really, it would be better to acquire them locally for processing.

“Hmm, I think I’m going about this the wrong way. Why not have my company pay for the materials, then I can use it to my benefit as well, and they get access to more direct Vanguard tech. Yes! I am genius!” I shout out excitedly, bumping my hands on the ceiling.

“Merlin, call the CEO of my company please!”

One moment please.

I hear a voice come through my augs a moment later.

“Who is this? How did you get my number and why did I have no choice in answering?" Says the voice, I’ve never actually met the CEO or heard him so no idea what he sounds like. So, like this guy I’m guessing.

“Hello yes, this is Mr. Vanderik?” I say.

“Yes, now what is going on?” He asks, I can hear some irritation seeping into his voice.

“Sorry to bother you, but I am Morigana Luxanne, I’m one of your researchers in Vanguard Tech…” He cuts me off before I can finish.

“What are you doing bothering me, don’t you have a supervisor to report too instead? You’re going to be in deep trouble if you don’t have a good reason for disturbing me.” I can tell he’s past irritated he sounds like he’s about to rage.

“Like I was trying to say Sir, I’m your biggest researcher and just recently became a Samurai. All your other questions can be answered by saying my AI did it, say hello Merlin.” I say with some smugness.

“Greetings Mr. Vanderik, I am indeed Morigana’s Vanguard AI, I am responsible for initiating this call on behalf of my charge.” He says using his stuffy professor voice.

Silence fills the air.

“A Samurai? On our payroll?” I hear the mental cogs adjusting in his head, and dollar bills flooding out of his ears.

“Yes, that’s what I wanted to discuss with you. I have been talking with my AI about advancing the corp in a mutually beneficial way.”

“You are under contract Miss Luxanne, so any research you do belongs to Tip of the Spear Technologies. I’m glad to have you with us, we can possibly look into increasing your pay.”

Now it’s my turn to get irritated.

“No Mr. Vanderik, I don’t think you understand, I will be getting a new contract from you and some new terms. If you don’t like it, I can always contact another corp and I’m sure they would love to have a Samurai on the books. And before you say anything else, realize that my AI can get in and purge the very existence of my old contract, and if that’s not good enough, I would love to see you enforce it on a Samurai.”

More silence.

“I see. Perhaps it would be best if we spoke in person tomorrow morning?” He says, I can practically see his teeth grinding.

“I would like that, say 9 AM tomorrow morning then?” I say cheerfully.

“See you at 9AM Miss Luxanne.”

I mentally close the call in my augs. “That went well.”

Would you like me to destroy your current contract Morigana?

“No, I think we will see how he does tomorrow, perhaps find it and be ready to just in case.”

Naturally.

I arrive home shortly after, my car parks itself in the provided garage and I climb out.

I enter into my house proper and B-line it for the bathtub.

“Merlin, the nanites, what do I do with them if I don’t need any of them?

I can remove them from your person and store them wherever you wish. Once your nanite structures in your body are complete they could be stored there for future use.

“Maybe just have them reform on the counter in their normal form please.”

My armor crawls off my body and in short order I’m standing in my underwear in my bathroom, my armor neatly folded on the counter.

Looking into my full-length mirror, I inspect myself. I’m still covered in blood, and Antithesis gunk.

I strip out of my underthings and jump into my shower to first rinse off all the crud then crawl into my giant tub turning the water to scolding hot.

I let out a sigh of contentment.

“Yes please.” I say to no one slipping under the water.