Chapter 8

  "Hmm the plan? Oh it went great and all! Until the floor decided that it was cheering for the Antithesis" – An un-named Samurai to a local militia member after returning to a safe zone-April 2th 2041

  I looked at Jack for a moment before "I can't say that I'm sure as of yet. But will tell you once I figure that out." I said. He smiled "I will stick to your name for now. Unless I slip up in battle. Such have been known to happen" He replied as he took the magazines with a frown "I'll go and get a bag for these and send the others over as well." He then turned and walked a way carrying the gun and the stack of drum magazines in his arms.

  Alone for a moment I took the chance to actually look around the room. It was a large room perhaps it was once was a show room of some kind. But now the old smooth stone floor had clear marks of times passage. On the left side of the rooms were I was standing, was a line of three blackjack tables a bit worn but well-maintained. Towards the front of the room was a short wall with a door leading in to what looked like an exchange area, of course it was barred off and had only small opening to exchange things for the chips the place used. The walls painted a quite pleasant calm blue and all the lights in the ceiling were still working, a rare sight at least if the buildings I had to run through to get here is anything to go by.

  On the other side of the floor where two roulette tables, The right one having had one its legs replaced with a normal kitchen table leg Otherwise they did look to be in good condition.

  Glancing back towards the front room I saw one of the casino guards walking over. She stopped in front of me. Looking a to be in her late twenties. Long brown hair tied up in to high ponytail. And over all soft facial features and scars crossing the front of her neck. “I was told to come and pick up a new gun” She said voice a bit on the raspy side, I nodded and motioned to the table “Pick one and take the magazines too.” I said as she reached out for one of the rifle. “These will make quite a difference out there. Some of them can take too many shots from our old guns, do these take standard ammo too or will we have to come to you if we run out?” At that I frowned and spoke. “Give me one moment. Fen..”

  Ah yes I should have told you. They do take normal rifle rounds anything from the old 5.56mm to the more modern 6.5mm, The chambers will resize for the ammo used.

  She raised an eyebrow at me a hint of a smile crossing her lips. “Quite new indeed.” I laughed at the comment and nodded. “They will take normal rounds. From 5.56 to 6.5mm.” I said with a shrug. “Not that I know much about rifle ammo honestly. I do have a feeling that my own.. is a bit odd.” She laughed softly as she moved the magazines to pockets. “That is good to know. Names Jessica by the way. And what makes you say that.” I shrugged. “I have heard of a few different rifle calibers and such.. From entertainment mostly. And never heard of 4.2mm rounds being used by anyone. Oh and Evan.” I replied.

  She'd laugh “Oh not sure I have hear-.. Oh! No I have from an old movie.. Can't remember its name though. But I need to get back to the front.” She said before turning around and walking away. “See you around Evan and don't die too early.” Shaking my head as I watch her leave then going back to scanning the room. Along the wall on the other side of the room there are a line of old slot-machines it, Handles so worn down that the colour is all gone leaving the plastic exposed. “Seems like those games are popular.” I said to myself only to almost jump at the sound “Yes, those are the most popular game we have here. As its easy and no real rules.” Said someone with a heavy Russian accent from across the table his voice having a soft rumble to it, looking over I see two what I could only describe as muscle giants. Faces all sharp angles and short buzz cuts, But quite kind eyes the two of them looking identical with the exception of a scar of the right ones left cheek.

  “I see that does explain the handles” I said and the one without the scar nodded. “Take it Roberto sent you over for some hopefully better guns?” I asked.

  Oh! You wound me! Anything, and I mean anything I can provide you is better then anything you can find down here.

  Smiling a bit at that “Yes and name's Yegor Alesnarovich, and this is my brother Yakov.” He said motioning to the one with the scar. “And I did have a question. You wouldn't be able to spare a bag of medical supplies too. I was a medic back in the day.” Yakov asked and Yegor sighed shaking his head. “Roberto told you not to ask. As we have our own.” I looked between the two “I can get you somethings. If it will help us getting out of here.” I said as I tapped the table a bit.

  A Class I combat medic kit comes with a bag that holds five class I Nano-Regenerative Suits five WoundStop and five Hemo-Restore, would cost you 160 points. The bag is a Combat medic's goodie waist-bag it will keep any medical supplies clean and fresh for as long as they remain in the bag. Shall I get this kit? It will contain instructions on how to use the different devices

  I nod once “Go for it.” Yakov and Yegor both looked at me for a moment.

  New purchase:1 x Class I combat medic kit – 160 points

  New total: 234 points

  Just as Yakov was about to speak a gray bag appears on the table in front of him, an emblem on the bag featuring a head thats half hidden by a dark hood only thing can be seen under the hood is a slightly glowing skeletal grin and a pair of eyes glowing a soft cyan right under the hooded head a glowing cyan cross can be seen. “A combat medic kit. It comes with instructions on how to use the equipment within. And It will keep any medical supplies you put in to it clean and fresh.” I said as their eyes went a bit wide. “Roberto is going to.. What do you say blow his top? Or was it socks off. At you little brother.” Yegor said as Yakov took the bag. “He might.. He might but I might actually be able to fix him if he hurts himself doing so.” Yakov said. I looked between the two as they took their rifles and the bag. “Just make sure you kill as many antithesis as you can and keep the others up and I will be happy.” I said they both snapped of a simple salute each before turning and heading away. “That we will and see you out there.” They said as they walked away.

  I went back to looking around the room as the two of them left, eyes drawn to the far wall with the stage and the people a few of them looking my way, I ignore noting the doors at the side of the stage leading somewhere. The stage is made out of simple wood or synth wood that's clean if not again a bit worn by time and use. The red curtains are currently closed. Looking back to the front room I see a group of five walking my way quickly. One woman and four men. The first man to the right a tall blonde guy wearing a bandana covering most his face, his green eyes narrow and he got a quite hard gaze. Next to him is the woman, she's broad shouldered with a roundish face kind smile and soft round brown eyes. Next to her walks what could only be an partial copy of Jack. Big muscular guy but his skin is a soft tan. Wearing a helmet and some goggles covering his eyes, his mouth set in to a line. The last two look quite similar the one furthest to the left slightly shorter then the one of the right, wearing the same helmet and goggles as the big guy. They stop in front of the table and the big guy speaks as they look to be in a bit of a hurry. “I'd introduce us but we need to get back to the line quickly. I do hope you don't mind” He said. I nodded “Grab the weapons and magazines we can talk later” I said and he nodded as they grabbed the gear and quickly walked back seeming to avoid running.

  That was a bit rude.

  Shaking my head I spoke. “I have a feeling they just saw the others with new guns and rushed off the battle-line or something.” Still you should at some point unlock Class I pranks and tricks. And get back at them.

  Raising an eyebrow I speak as I see Bill walking over. “That.. Does not sound real you know..”

  Bill just looked at me “I did-.. Oh the voice in your head. Well don't mind me too much but.. There was something about a new gun?” He looked at me with amusement in his eyes. I sighed and then just pick up the box Fen highlighted for me. “Very funny Bill. And I now think that I should really listen to that voice in my head.” I said with an almost evil grin. Bill chuckled a bit but did have a worried look in his eyes. “I Will regret saying that won't I?” He asked as he opened the box and went still. Running a hand over the shotgun within. “Oh.. Isn't this a beauty” He said pulling the gun out and looking at it “Semi auto.. And not too heavy I will have some fun with this one.” He then took out some tubes from the box “And speed-loaders.. You spoil us. I.. I have to go.” He said and before I could say anything he ran away looking a bit to much like a kid on Christmas morning.

  Oh it is quite real. And it do have great stuff I'll ear-mark it for later then. And seems like your friend did like the gun.. Maybe a bit to much. But now I really need to be serious for a bit. As you are arming these people you need to know that you will actually get points from what they kill. Only partial points even less then when you wound the antithesis badly and someone else kills them.

  “In other words I might get some points back from this?” I asked and looking behind me finding few tables and chairs spread out In front of a bar. The bar having shelves with a few bottles cheap of booze and home-brewed booze it looks like most of them have been removed or taken since this all started. The bar top is a stainless steel one the sides and front synth wood paneling. With simple steel bar stools lined up in front of the bar.

  Yes more or less. It isn't as effective as fighting yourself. Now as we actually have a calm moment you might want to get something to drink. I can get you a great juice box for one point. Don't let the sound of that put you off. I have been told that they are quite tasty.

  “A juice box...?” I deadpan only to blink as one appears in my hand.

  New purchase

  1 x Juice box -1 point

  “Fenris..” I said calmly. “I only asked about it. Didn't agree to get one..” Looking at the box in my hand a white small box with 'Booming apple juice' with a straw on the side. “You owe me a point” I mutter before taking the straw and pushing it in to the box. My eyes going wide at the first sip then shaking my head. “I take that back. Great choice”

  See I knew you would like it. Besides I was sure that you agreed back there. It will keep you going until you get time to actually eat something.

  “Is.. That a juice-box” I hear David ask from behind me. I turn around with a shrug. “I didn't get a choice apparently.” I said just before draining the box and placing it on the table. “Here for the gun?” I asked. David nodded. “I am and to see how you are doing with getting shot and all that.” Shaking my head as I pick up the next box putting it down on the table and pushing it over. “I will live. It only hurt a bit as if someone pushed me. Quite happy I was wearing armor” He took the box and opened it and picking up the rifle with in. The rifle having a long barrel with a long flash-hider at the end, A gas tube going back in to the hand guard under the barrel from about half way down the barrel. The stock a gray thing with some white streaks going across it was one piece all the way to the stock with its adjustable cheek-rest. The scope looking like someone attached a box to the side of it. One side of the box having a lens pointing the same direction as the barrel and a screen on the other side displaying numbers that change as he moves the rifle.. The pistol grip looking quite simple with finger-groves and a heavy disk below it. And right in front of the trigger guard sits a simple box magazine.

  “The sight will zero itself at what ever you aim at. Or that's what Fen told me” I said before leaning against the table. “How are things out there and do you know If Martin is on his way? I do need to talk to Jack and Roberto again.” Looking at me David smiled. “Oh I can send him over. Mind if I run and test this thing?” Smiling I shook my head. “Remember to take the magazines too.” I said as he grabbed them and rushed away.

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  “They really like the new guns.. All of them this far have rushed away..” I said with a sigh tapping the table waiting for Martin

  As we got nothing else to do. I could start actually doing my job here. Lets talk about upgrades!

  “Upgrades? What like new gear?” I asked

  No. Well not this time at least. Things like Augs, Body strengthening extra organs stronger organs and that kind of thing. Your current Augs are as I think I said before good by human standards so there was no need to rush that upgrade like others would have had to do. But you can get so much better. There is also the things you need for that transformation we spoke about earlier. If possible it would be good if we did add somethings to that. Like stronger muscles, bones and skin. Class I Bionics should work quite well for you in this regard. Along with Class 1 Bio Sculpting and Class I Bio engineering, and if you can get the Class I Moonstalker Technologies this combined with the others will give you a few options. But I have a quesiton want to keep using nanites for healing or should we go bionites instead?

  “That sounds quite expensive of a list and what is the difference between Nanites and Bionites. In how they work I mean.” I lean down and lift up the last box on to the table as I wait.

  The difference. Other then the fact that one is mechanical the other biological. Comes down to effectiveness with different kinds of upgrades. For example Nanites can quite effectively repair both flesh and mechanical components such as cybernetic limbs and organs. Bionites on the other hand are less effective with those and in some cases not working at all, But is really effective with biological matter. So that's the trade off. And I ask because it will effect what kind of upgrades I recommend. You don't have to pick now. But might be good to make the decision before you now.

  Standing up as I see Martin walking over with quick steps. “That's a lot to think about.” I said. As Martin grew close I pushed the box over. “Last one to receive something. I couldn't get you a better hammer though” I said as he grinned. “Oh no need to worry about that I can use firearms too. Just good to have one person with something to break down doors if needed.” He said as he opened the box and froze. “Is.. This a Trench-gun?” He slowly pulls the gun out of the box and shakes his head a bit. The gun having a magazine tube under the barrel that went out almost all the way to the end of the barrel leaving a few inches of space for a bayonet lug. The stock and pump being made out a synthetic material that would make it a bit lighter over the barrel was a metal mesh that glowed a soft white with cyan streaks going through it every now and then and on top of the receiver was a built in hooded reflex sight. And at the back of it facing the stock was a screen reading out what kind of ammo and how much was left. “No.. Its close though. Very close” He said before looking up at me with a grin. “Oh my brother is going to be so jealous you know.” He added. “Your brother? And where can I find Jack? Need to speak to him.” I asked and motioned to the speed-loader's in the box. “And don't forget those.” I added as he nodded. “Oh yea you didn't know Hal's my older brother. And I'm the young trouble maker of the family. And Jack is upstairs.” As he said that I went around the table and moved out in to the front room and turned right to the stair.

  Once up the stairs I found and myself looking at an other exchange counter on fine looking wood, this one not hidden behind bars. The walls a soft warm red with wood paneling towards the bottom. I slowly turned around seeing windows along one wall all of them now open with people shooting out of them. Spotting Jack at the end of the room shooting out a window. As I made my way over towards him I let my eyes wander around the room. Fine fake art on the walls new two new looking blackjack tables and one roulette table in the corner. And a well-stocked bar at the end with soft arm chairs and tables not far from it.

  As I got to Jack I took a look outside the situation hadn't changed too much. The pile of dead Antithesis was a bit bigger. Seeing the square from here I can see the Den to the right of the building and an old post office right across the street. Broken market stalls littering the ground under dead or rushing model 3's and 4's with a few 5's here and there. There were only three ways in to the square one road going between the casino and the Den the other on the far side where the antithesis were rushing from. And the one two buildings down leading up to the missing gate.”Are they only coming from that direction” I asked taking my own rifle and aiming out to shoot a few of the rushing Model 3's “They are at least for now. We can't hold this place for too long. It was stacked with ammo in case of trouble, but not this kind.” He said and I nodded along. “I could help with that. But what is around that corner?” I asked. “The street goes on to a bridge over an old river. And before you ask yes, there is still... Water in it.” I looked towards him as he said that. “Why did you say it like that?” He just laughed. “The water is there sure.. But its closer to slurry of mud trash and what ever else have been dumped in there over the years. If you fall in you will sink and the harder you pull the more stuck you get kind of slurry” He said before lowering his gun a bit. “Why do you ask?” He was looking over at me. “If we blow that bridge.. Is there any other way a cross they can use?” He nodded at my question. “A sky bridge if you go past the pit and down the street from the other side.

  “Just thinking out loud here.. But if we.. Lets say blew up the bridge that would slow them down allowing us to fall back and get to the pit.” I said slowly and Jack frowned before a huge grin formed. “You know.. That might work. I'll get Roberto and see about pulling together a group to head out with you. Bill will and I will join too. And we'll leave Martin and David to keep the defenses as strong as we can” He said as he quickly make his way to the stairs.

  Oh! Finally! What kind of bomb do you want for it? I have all kind all from boring normal explosives. Not that boring they do go boom but.. Compared to a Class I MK-1 Micro nova bombs. Or Class I Hell-fire bombs MK-3. Then normal ones look boring. Oh the Micro nova bombs creates an insane gravitational pull for well less then a second before containment fails and it blasts a wave of force in all direction. The hell-fire bombs are a bit more special they burst in to roaring fire that burns through near everything. It is short lived but quite effective too. Perhaps not the best for a bridge.

  I nod slowly as I make my way down to the stairs putting my mask back on to speak more privately. “So the slurry then can we do something to stop them from trying to cross?” I turn and head down the stairs only to find Roberto along with the twins standing waiting with Jack. I stop and hold a hand up for them to wait and put a hand up to my ear to signal that I'm talking to someone.

  “And you never mentioned how much I will need for.. the upgrades minimum at least.”

  Oh yes we can do something about that or rather with that Slurry. If it is as sticky as they say then if you get a Class I clean up catalog the one I'm thinking of is a steal only 40 points. But it will give you some more options in your Esoteric single-use explosives. A non-replicating Antithesis eating nanite swarm usually deployed with cylinder for a larger area like the square left there to slowly release until the area is clean. But you can get this swarm to deploy quickly with some mud skipper grenades and the payload changed to the nanite swarm.

  “That sounds doable. So I just throw these in and they will do the rest?” I asked as I started to walk again “And unlock it. I have what 230 something points?” As I got to Jack he looked at me. “We will have to head to the Den and down in to the tunnels that connects some of the houses. We can get up in a building right next to the bridge that way.” He said before pointing out the window. “Just need to cross that. Guess we are going with your grenade and run thing.” At that I did pat the bag at my side as I toggled the speakers on the speakers in the mask. “I have a few left and can get more a few more. But as its not that far it should do actually you should toss some of the grenades.” I said and pulled out one of the shakers handing it over to Jack. “It will cause anything running close to it to get pushed to the ground repeatedly.” I said as we moved to the door.

  You currently got. 516 points. And now 519. Well climbing slowly. But yes you can get it.

  Unlocking Catalog:Class I Slow Battlefield cleanup and restoration. - 40 points

  new total:491

  As we got outside and moved to the side ready to climb over the barricades and run I could see Jack toss the shaker up in front of use giving us space to pass by it. I pulled out a resonator and tossed it. The thing went through the air as it started shrieking like an angry banshee. “Fen is it suppose to sound like that?” I asked as I ran tossing an other resonator followed by a shaker. This run was not only much shorter the others running were shooting anything that looked like it had a chance in getting past the barrier of sound and shifting gravity. I saw more then a few model 3's face-planting as they ran towards us. And that made me grin.

  Once we passed in to the building I could see Jack run right to a door stop and quickly step in yelling “Clear” As the others followed I pushed the door closed behind us. It was a small room with the only thing in there being an empty shelf and the stairs leading down. Cables lining the ceiling. Jack took the lead with the twins following and Roberto moving to walk behind me covering our rear. Quickly moving in the silent underground until Jack stopped and fired twice. And from the ceiling up ahead a model 4 fell. “Keep an eye out there might be more” He said walking slowly scanning the corridor pausing the movement over some pipes that were running along the wall. He'd then keep moving.

  After not too long and no more surprises we got to an open door. Jack moved up to the edge before quickly clearing it. And used some kind of hand signal that the others understood as they followed. I moved my rifle ahead ready as we slowly walked up the stairs the door up the stairs had been torn off it's hinges laying in the small room. We quickly exited it into the lobby of a very old apartment building. The walls an off yellow that might once have been white the lights broken so that the only light was from the neon signs hanging off the walls outside. And a few holographic ads that were still playing.

  Outside we could see a pack of Model 3 being followed by a few Model 4's as they ran past us. Once they rounded the corner we moved in to the street this one was in a bad state. Broken windows and all kinds of cans of plants some real, some fakes tossed into the streets. One of those worm things moving slowly between the piles. I tensed up expecting one of the others to fire upon it but they ignored it. Behind me Roberto spoke in a soft tone. “We have been fighting with samurais before ending up down here. So we know about a few models.” He said.

  The bridge was one of those old stone and steel ones and it had seen better days. Broken glass littered it and one of the four streetlights that were still standing on both ends of the bridge had fallen down. We moved quickly on to the bridge as a pack similar to the earlier one just a bit smaller only having four model 3's and one model 4 came around the corner. Looking at the others I moved up beside Jack and raised my rifle. Aiming allowing the aim assist to do its thing as I took down the four and one of the threes before they got too close for the aim assist to have time to work properly. And I started firing at them aiming all on my own. Missing a few shots before killing killing an other three. Then the twins and Jack opened fire taking down the last two.

  “Set up a defensive perimeter as Evan gets the bomb set up.” Jack called out to the others as I moved quickly out on to the middle of the bridge to the spot that Fen highlighted for me. Kneeling down. “That nova thing Fen. And give those other grenades to the twins and inform them what to do.” I said

  Ohh finally! Boom! And of course.

  New purchases

  1 x Class I MK-1 Micro nova bomb – 20 points

  2 x Class I Frog-leg mud skipper grenades (nanite-swarm) – 12

  New total: 537

  With a small whomp a sturdy black box with some tubes running along the top of it and a screen appeared in front of me. I It had some white smoke coming off it and some flashing soft cyan light that almost gave the mists an eerie look. I shook my head not the time to get distracted. “Fen what now” I asked looking back at the others real quick. I saw how the twins tossed the grenades in to the river.

  Press the screen and all you need to do is press confirm I will detonate it once we get off the bridge.

  Nodding as I pressed confirm got up and began to move off the bridge when Jack yelled. “Contact! Model six!” I glanced over my shoulder and saw a large six-legged creature with an ugly almost flat looking head and what looked like bones covering the thing. Running fast towards me faster then I could move as an other large group of Model 3's and 4's came around the corner behind it. I turned and raising my rifle and started firing. Some of the bullets pinging off the big one. The others were doing the same as they moved backwards.

  Quickly moving my hand down to the side just as I got off the bridge to take and toss a shaker. The grenade landing right in front of the big thing and, Whomp it stumbled but didn't fall then an other whomp and the big thing tripped. For just a moment I smiled under my mask until I saw the model six still coming at me. I jumped to the side just a bit too late and got tossed back only to come crashing in against a wall. Somehow I still had my rifle lifting it hurt as I fired four times in to the large model it wasn't moving.

  Then loud thump could be heard followed by a bright ghostly green flash drowning out all other light for less then a second as a loud explosion rocked the street. Windows that weren't shattered did so. I tried to get up but my side flared up in pain.

  Do not move one of your ribs are broken two bruised. You need to get a Nano-Regenerative suit and a Automated bone wrangler kit before you can move.

  “Do it.” I gasped out. Heard movement and went to raise my rifle As I saw Yegor come running, no he had a medical bag it must have been Yakov. As he got close Fenris spoke.

  New purchase

  1 x Class I nano-regenerative suit – 20 points

  1 x Class I Automated Bone wrangler kit – 15 point

  Two boxes appeared just as Yakov arrived. He looked at them then nodded and opened the larger one and pilled out what looked like an auto-syringe he then looked me over and said in his accented voice. “This will sting a bit” As he pressed it to the exposed skin were the rebar had been lodged only hours earlier. And it did sting. He then then opened the other box and pulled up the re-breather I was use to and pushed it to my mouth. “I will carry you as those two work. Sorry about this” He said before grabbing me and tossing me over one shoulder like a bag of potatoes.

  “Now we move out and hope that the others are still alive” Jack called as we headed back to the tunnel. The trip down in to it was quite boring all I had to do was to stare down at the ground behind us as I swear I could feel one of my ribs moving a bit.

  Now that you are just hanging there! Did you see that boom! That's why those are the best so customizable! Oh and you got quite a few kills there too. And the swarm is working. Normally it wouldn't do much against living Antithesis as they wouldn't stay in the field for long enough. But if they get stuck in the slurry then it will have time to act also!

  Enemies eliminated:

  1 x Model 6 = 30 points

  14 x Model 3 = 140 points

  7 x Model 4 = 105 points

  4 x Model 5 = 80 points

  Points gained from gear used by others = 61

  New total: 953 points.

  And as we have been talking about and we kept getting interrupted you will need between 1000 to 1500 to go through all the changes and upgrades in one go. Now that isn't needed and you need to save some for getting new stuff once all is done too.