“There is nothing we can do here, let’s get back to the Foxes and get everyone left alive out of here.” I said to Devoy, we both started walking towards the church in silence.
I may only be a three-day old Vanguard but I’m already sick of seeing the horrors that the Antithesis leave in their wake. I really wish I, or rather humanity, had a better way to shove these invading aliens off of the planet.
I clenched my fists in frustration, there have been years and years of Samurai before me, and yet no one has figured out a way to exterminate them yet. What we need is a unified front of Samurai, a true Vanguard. Sure, The Family is trying to organize Samurai into somewhat of a unified force but the problem is the Samurai are too individualistic. They are like fingerprints, all part of the same hand but unique in the way that they carry it out the fight against the Antithesis.
What we need is a unified Samurai unit, with everyone using tried and trusted tactics, training, and equipment. Individuality is important too, though; experimentation should be encouraged. It takes a village to exterminate a pest, or something like that. Ideas are best refined by many, that’s how science works. Someone makes a journal with all their data and information and then the peers challenge it. They dig through it and tear out anything that does not fit until the only thing left is truth or nothing.
“Penny for your thoughts, Mori?” Devoy asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“We will never win this war, with everyone pulling in their own direction. Unorganized, random fighting is not working. The Family has the right idea of it, but without someone to enforce their instructions, Samurai are just going to run amuck and do whatever they please.” I said, uncurling my fists.
“Just look at this mess.” I said, lifting my hands, emphasizing Beatty.
“Hank, bless his heart was trying to help Samurai get stronger by tracking hives, letting them grow, and then cleansing them before they threatened anyone.” I said.
“Yeah, and it has helped us get stronger. We have gained a lot of points and tokens for a day’s work.” He said.
“Yes, but at what price! Almost everyone here is dead or nearly so. Because of Hank’s or whoever’s oversight, an entire town has been decimated! Thirty-four survivors left from maybe a thousand!?” I practically shouted at Devoy.
He looks over at me with a frown. “I get your point, Mori, but at the same time we can now do something about it. The points and tokens we gained can be used to get upgrades and provide the means to protect even more people.”
I look at him shocked, my hand moving up to my mouth.
“You don’t seriously think that’s okay!? We can’t sacrifice people like that, I get that soldiers and people die fighting these things every day. But we can’t intentionally neglect them just so we can pad our points. Or has being on the front lines fighting these things warped your perspective?” I said to him with some venom.
He frowned and took a step back raising his hands. “Maybe you’re right, but this was not our fault. Don’t be mad at me about this, we can talk to Hank and make sure no other towns or cities around here suffer the same fate.”
“Good, let’s let the Foxes finish clearing the town and get the civilians to a shelter. Then head back home, I have a lot to look into and plan tomorrow, classes to teach, research to do, and possibly a gang war to clear.” I said ticking off the items on my fingers.
“Wait, gang war?” Devoy asked. “You’ve been a Samurai for three days and you’re already involved in a gang?” He said surprised.
“Mhmm, picking up the bulgogi I stopped some punks from collecting protection money from the owner.” I said sighing.
“That is impressive but let’s not forget you also discovered a super hive underground that we will have to remove, and all the small towns we will need to visit.” Devoy said adding up with his own fingers.
“Gee thanks, I guess I’ll have to find a way to never sleep again.” I said sarcastically.
“There are catalogs and upgrades to permit that capability.” Piped up Merlin, using my hat to talk.
“I was kidding, I am like a cat and need my fifteen hours of sleep a day.” I said, slapping Merlin.
Devoy laughs and said. “You’re not a cat, you’re a Diva. I would hate to see how grumpy you are without your sleep, though.”
We approached the church where our survivors were holding up, surrounded by a barrier of vigilant people itching to shoot aliens. Devoy approached Captain Stone, who rendered a salute to Devoy, who then returned it.
“Any changes here Captain?” Devoy asked.
“No sir, the civilians are tired and ready to get somewhere safe. Were you able to clear the hive, then?” The captain asked.
“We were, it had a surprise waiting for us, another new model. Which brings our new model count from here to two.” Devoy said.
“That’s alarming sir, normally new Antithesis show up separately.” The captain replied.
“I believe that with such a massive gathering in one location we will be seeing more experimental Antithesis designs.” I added in. “My money is on them only getting nastier, too.”
“Let’s get these civilians out of here, captain, then have the Foxes do a sweep of the town for anything we might have missed. This place needs to be deep cleaned, and there are a few holes around that need to be filled. Here are the locations.” Devoy said, then flicked his hand in a gesture some use to represent sending aug data over.
Mori, while you were fighting you have received several emails, they are non-critical so I figured I would hold them until you were not in combat.
One is from your company, it’s your new contract. Another from your school’s principal, and one from The Family, with an update on your friendly gang situation.
They can wait until you are home, but you should read them before Monday.
The Major supervised the loading of the civilians into one of the APCs. Without gear and equipment, they all fit into one easily.
“Mori, I’m going to ride with them for support, and to check in the PMC base directly. I’m guessing there is going to be a lot of preparation for the assault on the cave system, and the surface area.” Devoy said, climbing the ramp into the APC.
“Sure, I have a few things to look into as well. I’ll see yah around Major.” I said.
I turned to head back to my car but remembered something important.
“Devoy!” I shouted back turning around. He stops up the ramp and turns around.
“What?” He asked, looking confused.
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“Your Samurai name after your first mission, I have not given you one yet!” I shouted back at him.
His eyes go big, and he looks concerned. “Well, what did you settle on then?” He asked.
Grinning I said. “Nothing that bad, but I was thinking the name of Mordred!”
He chuckles, while shaking his head. “That’s not too bad I guess, not what I would have picked, but I’ll go with it.” He said before ducking back into the APC and closing the hatch.
I have a way to walk to get back to my car, so I decide to test out my new portal tech.
I select a nearby rooftop and activate the portal, the roof is about two hundred feet away and a story up. The invisible portal forms vertically in front of me and on the roof. I take a slow step into it; my hand and foot disappear but I can still feel them and move them around. I then pull them back to me with no issues, the portal still remains there unfazed.
I stick my hand back in then look at the roof at the other end and see my hand sticking out of nothing, I wave back at myself.
I hop all the way through and land onto the roof, the portal instantly shuts behind me.
It registers the mass of the object entering the portal, then when the entirety of the mass passes through the portal, it shuts behind you. That is why you can stick your hand or other body part through and it does not shut. It is also why you are able to bring someone that you are touching with you . There is a long mathematical equation to determine maximum mass per entry, but you should have no issue bringing another human with modest equipment.
None, it will not close while it detects your signature within its event horizon.
That is correct, you can however stick your arm in and drop something like a drone or grenade then remove your hand. The portal will malfunction, eject your body part and close because of the mass change, and you will need to wait ten seconds for it to be deployed again.
Momentum is retained upon entry of the portal. You can for example, enter the portal by “falling” into it and upon exit of a portal that is horizontally placed, you will “fall up” to burn off momentum.
Essentially yes, you can cheese physics a bit.
You asked about it earlier, and I have a few ideas, but some input from you would help narrow down the suggestions.
We can start simply looking into the Class I Hover Vehicles catalog for three hundred, then I recommend unlocking Class II Nanite Machine Technology for five hundred and a token. From there I have a very good range of options that I think will meet your requirements.
While we are conversing, I chain cast my portals across the town to get to my car quicker. It only takes me maybe a minute or so with the portals, it’s so much quicker than just walking. In fact, it feels like a slightly disjointed stroll at a leisurely pace. Make a portal, walk into it, keep walking and make a new one, and so on and so on without so much as breaking stride.
You’re not wrong, it will be expensive, but I highly doubt you will need to replace it. Since it will be made of nanites, upgrading it will be a breeze.
The vehicle, because I would hesitate to call it a car, would cost six thousand five hundred points. It would be entirely made from nanites, which by now you know, means it can be reconfigured to suite your immediate needs on the fly. Get it; on the “FLY”!
Hardly bad! Just read every single Xanth book and could not resist dropping a pun.
I sighed and shook my head, if I thought I could ban him from the internet I might consider it for humanities sake.
The vehicle will be able to fit anywhere from one to ten or so people, depending on your imagination and how comfortable you want to be. It will be protected by variable thick armor plating, from only good enough to stop the wind, to something that could stop an armor piercing 105mm round at point blank range. It will also, of course, be equipped with the Class II point defense shield emitters, and your Class II sensor suite, as well as being able to link with your hive mind augs for flight controls. Its onboard software will interpret your commands and fly accordingly. As for weapon systems; for offense, you will have an equivalent weapon system to your Tempest Staff, being able to conduct lightning strikes, and a launcher like your wand but with greater range and payload sizes. The vehicle will be able to travel at speeds in excess of fifteen hundred MPH. What do you think?
As you wish; loot inbound!
Class I Hover Vehicles unlocked!
Points reduced to: 9,434
Class II Nanite Machine Technology unlocked!
Points reduced to: 8,934
Tokens reduced to: 3
New Purchase: Class II Warcaster Integrated Tactical Configurable Hover Craft! (W.I.T.C.H Craft):
Points reduced to: 2,434
Nonsense, that’s what it’s called.
I fail to see your point. Whether I named it or not, that is what it is called. You’re welcome.
An enormous box plops down in front of me, between myself and my car. I mean HUGE box about the size of a city bus in length, and maybe fifteen feet wide, and neatly held together by a ribbon with a red bow.
Only the best deliveries for you, Morigana, I would hate to shirk my duties of delivering goods in less than excellent style.
Open it up already!
I don’t have pants!
Antics aside, I am excited to see what I have paid a metric butt ton of points for.
I walked up to the box and pulled on the ribbon, it released easily and pooled onto the ground. As soon as it was free, each side of the box fell, revealing my new toy.
In the box sat what I could only describe as a spaceship. It was sleek, pointy at one end and widened at the middle, then narrowed down to a slim tail sticking out behind it. On either side of the hull sat two wing like protrusions that split vertically into basically four engine nacelles. The ship was a deep black and purple, with purple lighting highlighting parts of the hull.
Technically no, but I did say it was a hover vehicle, not a car. I would even say it verges on an atmospheric multi-role strike ship. It took a few catalogs to make, and since I had the joy of using nanites I was able to take some liberties.
Kind of, like I said, when you link up with its operating system you will be able to control its intent with a thought and it will interpret that into action. Go ahead and touch the outer hull to begin the process and you will see.
Hesitantly I reached up to the side of the ship, the surface was cold, a little spark leapt to my hand. I felt my hive mind augs set a secure connection with the ships OS. In only a few moments I felt all the data flow into my mind; instantly filled with information on how the ship operates, and its functions.
Not quite, but better than some human pilots with years of experience. But that also isn’t saying much, so it’s a good thing you have me!
Well, when you’re an ageless super powered AI the size of a planet, you will know why I’m so confident in my abilities.