I open up my augs and review the active tracking for the Model Sixty. An overlay of the desert pops up with a green line depicting the path of travel that the Model Sixty took when it fled. The line heads North out over some random mountains that no one cares about. It eventually leads directly over to one of them and stops.
The tracker ends with a giant ??? over the location.
The signal from the tracker stopped sending at that point, according to the logs the signal cut out 32 minutes after it stopped at that location. It’s safe to assume since I don’t see it on any satellite images that it went underground.
Those are the most likely options, that or the Model Sixty used its EMP to shut it down, we will know if we find it.
I agree, I am adjusting the scout swarm to head that way and see if we can find something before we arrive.
I open my aug phone and initiate a call with Hank.
After only a few rings Hank picks up.
“Ah, hey Mori, how yah doin?” He says in his heavy Texan drawl.
“I’m good Hank, Devoy and I are about to head out on a date, hunt down some Antithesis that have developed some sort of tracking tech.”
“Oh heck, that’s good to hear. I’m glad yer…oh wait a date?” He said surprised.
“Yes, we were going to do dinner but something about scientific field work gets the blood moving you know?” I said back, with a grin on my face, not that he could see it.
“Oh, uh yea, I guess so! Be safe out there yeah? And let us know what you find of course.” Hank said.
“Of course, I’m sending over the location in case we need something. I’m guessing it’s underground, possibly part of the cave network we discovered. On that front, has any sort of plan been made to eliminate that problem?” I asked.
“Kind of.” He said sounding a bit irritated. “The problem with Samurai is that they all have ideas and want to handle it in their way. So, when a bunch get together to figure out a plan it goes sideways quick.” I could practically hear him shaking his head. “So far, the only thing we have decided on is to send someone who specializes in stealth and scout the area out. We should hear back from them soon.”
“I sympathize with you Hank, I can’t imagine leading a gaggle of cats.” I said with a chuckle. “Any way, I just wanted to let you know, if you don’t hear back from us in say twenty-four hours, maybe send someone to find us?”
“I’ll do just that missy, I’ll let Valkyrie know just in case, she specializes in rescue.” He said.
“Thanks Hank, I’m off to my date now. Byeee!” I said ending the call.
I get a ping as soon as the call ends, it’s an address and a message from Devoy.
Here is my address, since I’m guessing you don’t actually know where I live.
* Devoy
Smarty pants, I knew I was forgetting something. I roughly know the place. The address is in Henderson, in a questionable part of Vegas, that area changes from decent to absolute garbage depending on what side of the road you are on. Following the traffic, as a normal citizen of the country should, I make my way to his place.
I arrive at a huge apartment complex that spans at least two blocks. It’s one of those mega complexes that house somewhere around six thousand people.
They were designed by some corp a long time ago in a pitch to the government to build super affordable housing, with room for entire families to live in.
What we ended up with was essentially a mini town in one giant building, with its own micro culture and society. Supposedly living in one of these was… an experience. The place was glowing with neon-signs, billboards, and all sorts of graffiti, and not to mention the hordes of people milling about on the roof, decks and any semi flat surface.
We are being hailed by the complexes air traffic control. They are sending us instructions for landing near Devoy’s apartment. I have overlaid their instructions for your use.
A navigational plot popped up into my mind to follow, it meandered in a roundabout way avoiding specific areas. Following it gave me an estimated arrival time of five minutes. Yeah, no. I pointed the Witchcraft at the end point and headed directly to where his apartment is.
Or not, I’m not your supervisor.
Since when is a date official Samurai business? I have informed them to mind their own damn business anyway.
That is some circular logic if I’ve ever seen it, however you are technically correct, the best kind!
I land with hardly any fuss, just some dodging of random traffic and a few near misses but thanks to my amazing pilot skills, manage to miss everyone!
His apartment was on the twenty-second floor and had its own parking platform extending out from it with his hover-car parked on it, and a hover-cycle. With not really enough space for me, I just had my craft hover in the air next to the platform and extended a ramp down.
Just so you are aware, I am actively blocking nearly fifty-nine adds, or solicitations every fifteen seconds since you have entered the airspace, what a wonderful place.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Amusing, gladly…and done!
Stepping down the ramp I approach his door, a glass slider tinted for privacy. I gently tap the door announcing my presence if he did not know I was here already.
The door hisses open revealing a fully armored up and ready to go Devoy. His armor was striking with its black and red, very imposing and yet comforting. Knowing I had a beefcake of a man protecting me from the evil plant monsters.
Not that I needed it of course, but it’s the thought that counts.
I rush up to him and give him a hug, surprising him. I had trouble wrapping my arms all the way around his bulk but my fingertips just barely touch. After a second his arms wrap around me completing the embrace.
“It’s good too see you too, Little Witch.” He said, with a chuckle that moved through his chest and into me.
“I have had an interesting week so far, I needed that.” I said letting him go.
“So, I’ve tracked the Model Sixty to a mountain range, where the tracking data stops. Most likely it’s in that cavern we found, or it managed to disable the tracker somehow. Either way we have a location to start looking.” I said, grabbing his hand and leading us back to the Witchcraft.
“Well, this should be an interesting date, then.” He said.
“The best kind, and we need to capture a few so I can study them. Preferably ones that have the new tracking pheromone.” I said, settling down into the pilot’s seat, while he took the co-pilots seat.
“Yeah, you mentioned that and I have something that might help.” He said, sending over a data packet on his augs.
“Oh?” I said as I opened the packet.
In it was a schematic for a bullet. A 7.62 round that fit in his current rifle but it was elongated with a gravity grenade sub-component in the rear. Once it fired the round flared in the targets body and the grenade would initiate causing the victim to be pulled down with a varying degree of strength anywhere from 1-200gs! Holy smokes!
“You know how to spoil a girl! I love it, this should help me hit them with my containment devices.” I shouted, pumping my fist. He chuckled and said. “I figured you would like it; they are a bit expensive but their effect actually has a decent range and could take out multiple at once, more than paying for it.”
“I need to look into something like that too, that would be fun to play with.”
While we were talking, I raised the Witchcraft into the air, ignoring the traffic controllers and headed directly out to where the Model Sixty was last seen.
“So that’s an interesting place you live in, Devoy, not to insult your housing but don’t you get paid decently for being an officer in a PMC?”
He looked over at me, retracting his helmet, revealing a smirk. “We can’t all be big corpo researchers, and it does have decent pay, but Vegas housing market is just too expensive, and with the Antithesis causing supply interruptions for inbound supplies cost of living is skyrocketing.” He explained, making me feel a bit guilty.
I knew that those things were problems, I even saw it affect my students and the other faculty at the school. I guess I stuck my head in the sand a bit too much. Mentally kicking myself, I made a mental note to try and find a solution for lowering cost of living, or at least clearing shipping lanes.
“I’m sorry, I guess I can get a bit closed minded if it does not involve my students or job. I think it would be a good idea at some point to try and fix those issues somehow.” I said back to him, sheepishly.
“It’s okay, I know you did not mean it as an insult, but yes, it would be good to figure something out.” He said, reaching over and giving my shoulder a squeeze.
“Let’s talk about something else besides my questionable living arrangements.” He said, thumbing his nose.
“Where is your family?” He asked. I felt a lump in my throat as I thought of what happened to them.
“Well, I normally save the depressing and self-pity for later, but It might be nice to let it out to someone.” I said, feeling a bit defeated I slump down in the seat.
“Both my parents died on a cruise ship a few years ago. An aquatic Antithesis swarm attacked the ship.” I said.
His face scrunched in sympathy, his lips dropping in a frown. “I’m sorry to hear that, Mori.” He said placing his hand on my shoulder again, this time leaving it there.
“I thought that Samurai were paid to protect those ships for that exact reason?”
“You’re right, there were three. In fact, they did manage to repel the attack with minimal damage and loss. Or so the report went, but what they did not say, is that those minimal losses were about twenty people on a smaller boat heading out to do some diving.” Tears started to crawl down my cheeks. I have not had to face this in such a long time, it being tucked away in my mind kept me dredging it up.
“My parents were both on that boat, and were swallowed up by a whale type Antithesis, and were lost almost instantly.” I said, between sobs.
Devoy got up and kneeled next to my seat, embracing me fully.
I will pilot the craft, Morigana.
I let go of the controls and lean into Devoy’s hug, letting out my sorrows.
“It’s not okay Mori, and nothing I can do will take the hurt away. But I am here for you, and I promise you that we will take that fight to them and ensure that we can protect as many families as possible from the pain and loss that you have suffered.” He said in a whisper into my ear.
“Thank you.” I suck in a breath, before continuing.
“But that’s not all. I’m the reason they were on that cruise. They were having some marital issues, and I thought a cruise together to relax and spend time together would help.” I relax and take a breath, focusing on the firm embrace that Devoy has me in.
“My sister blames me for their deaths and has not spoken to me ever since. So, I moved out here to Vegas to start over. To try and live my own life and find a way to redeem myself, and help fight Antithesis. Developing tech to fight them was the best I could do, that is, until I became a Samurai.”
I pull away, and look up to Devoy, tears streaming from my face dripping all over his armor. I use my hands to try and move the tears away, succeeding only in smearing them on my face.
“So, there you know my biggest darkest secret, I killed my parents and it’s also why It hurt so much when I almost killed you. I don’t want to be responsible for anyone else’s death. Ever since, I’ve been a recluse and have been hesitant to let anyone else into my life.”
“I’m Sorry Mori, I had no idea. I do not blame you nor do I think you should blame yourself for what happened. There was no way to know that would have happened to your parents. As for what happened to me… the law of unintended consequences reared its ugly head.”
He leans forward, taking my face in his hands, gently looking into my eyes.
“Mori, you should not blame yourself, I now have the unique opportunity to help more people than I could have ever hoped to as a simple PMC officer. I can help the whole planet! So, too, can you!” He said, laying in with his strong voice filled with meaning and determination.
“Because of you, we know of a super massive infestation under this whole state, and maybe even larger! We have the chance, because of you, to save millions of lives! Hope, Mori, you have given us hope and a chance.”
He said, leaning forward kissing my forehead.
“Let’s unpack this sorrow and turn it into action to help others. Come, Mori, let us bring wrack and ruin to these Antithesis like they have never seen before!” He said. “And, when we are done, we can try and reach out to your sister again. If she loved you, she should be able to get past what happened, and if not… Then was she really your family? Real family is always there for you, thick or thin. I will always be here for you Mori, I promise you that.” He said, firming his voice up.
I look into his eyes, and see acceptance, determination, warmth, and safety. I nod with a weak smile. “Yes, I would like that.” I said shakily.
For what it’s worth Morigana, I too shall never leave you, and will do my absolute best to support your goals in removing the Antithesis scourge from your planet.
As an update to the outside world, we have arrived. I have been circling the mountain and found the entrance to the cave. The scout drone has also done a preliminary pass and has found some interesting activity.
I gently push Devoy, back towards his seat. “We are here, and I need to focus on this, to help distract myself from this for now.” He looks over at me with concern, but gives me a warm smile in understanding, and a promise to listen again in the future if I need it.
“Yes, let’s go kick in the Antithesis front door and crash their party.” Devoy said, with a grin, punching his fist into his hand.