“We’re all gonna die.”

  “Why? Things are going well.”

  “The plants, they’re gonna eat us all.”

  “No, the Samurai will stop them.”

  “Will they?”

  – Conversation at a bar

  A few days later, I was back at the PMC HQ grabbing a bite to eat between sweeps. While it was nice to not be in combat all the time, it is a pain to cover all that ground on foot. Even if I am actually several feet above ground. I have acquired a bunch of stuff for this incursion. I don’t want to leave anything behind, in case I needed it, nor do I want to buy something again because I left the first one elsewhere. Then there is my transportation needs. If I’m going to travel between Sheridan and Gillette, I need something so I don’t have to depend on others.

  “Hey Ysys, I think I need some transportation.”

  What kind? I have millions of options.

  “Well, I think I’ll need to go between here and home a bit, so I need something that can handle the distance and the environmental hazards. Faster than surface travel, since I’ll likely be responding to an incursion. It needs to hold my stuff. I’d like to use it as a shooting platform or a god’s eye observation point. And I’d like it to aid me in incursion cleanup by having advanced sensors.”

  Sounds like you want a utility combat vehicle. You would need to open the Class I Armored Assault Vehicles catalog for 500 points. You would also need the Class I Advanced Sensor Technologies for 200 points. Ease of use while shooting means an open top. That way, you could switch direction you are shooting at a moments notice. Adding a hard light shield, and you keep out the weather. Likewise, when traveling, it will keep out the wind. All this is found in the Hunter-Tracker type JQ, with advanced sensors for 500 points. It is similar to one of the hover vehicles from Safari Hunter. It should be able to sense hidden antithesis out to about one hundred fifty feet on average. It also comes with some stealth features to make it harder for antithesis to locate you from a distance. While unarmed, it has hard points for mounting all sorts of weaponry or other equipment.

  “Can you show me what it looks like?”

  Suddenly, a round vehicle, like a shallow pot was displayed. It looked like it had two bench seats to sit or lie upon, and a number of screens spaced all around the inside. It could probably seat six comfortably. Beneath were three hover engines, and a number of mount points for weapons. Ysys even placed an image of me laying on one bench, with my overwatch aimed over the side. Another me was seated on the other half, and a third standing between the seats facing outward.

  “Nice. I can see how I could use it. Tell me more about it.”

  The HT can travel over three hundred miles an hour, yet be a rock steady platform for shooting when stationary. It can also maintain station over you for the god’s eye view. Storage areas within the vehicle are more than sufficient for you and your PMC squad. Out in the open, this would give the squad superior protection and mobility, while still enabling them to shoot as many antithesis as they want.

  You had earlier mentioned you wanted better armor for yourself. You can get the Class II Hard Light Systems for 400 points. For 150 points, you can upgrade your armor, and for another 50 points, you can have the superior hard light on the HT.

  “Let’s get it, and the improved armor for both.”

  Opened Class I Armored Assault Vehicles catalog – 500 points.

  Opened Class I Advanced Sensor Technologies catalog – 200 points.

  Opened Class II Hard Light Systems catalog – 400 points, 1 token

  Hunter-Tracker type JQ, with advanced sensors and superior armor – 550 points.

  Upgraded Hard Light Armor – 50 points.

  New Total – 2195 points, 3 tokens

  People gave me a few looks, briefly, but since people knew I was a Samurai, they didn’t last long. I finished lunch, and loaded my stuff into the new hover craft. With my augs linked, I headed over to where the rest of my squad was, with it following.

  “Hey guys. Look what I bought. It has storage space for everyone, and great sensors to find every bit of antithesis. Come check out my ride.”

  I triggered the hard light steps to deploy so the others could easily get in. Sargent York said, “We can try this. I want two of you in the APC following, and the rest here. We’ll see how it works.” Turning to me, he adds, “Head over to the APC, and we’ll then head out.”

  After dropping off two of the squad, we headed out to the next area to clear. As we started scanning and clearing, it was readily apparent we were going nearly twice as fast. One of the tools Ysys had me activate was a pair of holographic maps showing the overall search area and the local search grid. We could easily see how much had been completed, and how far we had to go.

  While I was getting points by finding and killing assorted small antithesis, Ysys provided some concerning information the next morning.

  “Jane, I have analyzed yesterday’s results, and I think we may have a problem.”

  “Oh? How so?”

  “While we should normally see more antithesis as time goes on, the amount we found yesterday was significantly more than previous cleared areas. If today repeats this heightened level, I’ll be forced to conclude we missed a lot in our initial clearing.”

  “That’s not good.”

  “True, but even if we did miss some, there is still some good news.”

  “Having to redo cleared areas is not good news.”

  “Correct. The good news is that your HT will clear the area better and a lot faster. Even if we wind up redoing everything, we will still finish ahead of the original estimation.”

  “I see. That is good news. Still, I can hope for the best.”

  “As shall I.”

  Another change in our operation was the deployment of my Zin Spiders. The equipment on the HT logged all spots of dead plants, and I was able to have them go out and zap all the little spots when the squad was burning the larger portion. Scanning a swath about three hundred feet wide meant we could shift over two hundred fifty feet when we reversed course. That evening, as we were about to head back to HQ, Ysys used the HT’s speakers to speak to the squad.

  “Samurai, Sargent, today’s results have confirmed some bad news. We are finding too much antithesis. This means we missed some before we used the HT. It looks like we need to re-clear what we have already done.”

  Sargent York said, “Ouch. HQ is not going to like this news.”

  I replied, “Of course not. No one likes more work. But they will authorize it. No one wants another incursion. You want to tell them, or shall I?”

  “Ysys has the info, so you should. But I’ll go with you, as I can verify the change with the new vehicle.”

  After dropping the men off, Sargent York and I went to HQ. We were both surprised by the commander’s ready acceptance of Ysys’ conclusion. He then said to continue with the current plan, but to re-schedule all previously cleared areas after the uncleared areas.

  After nearly two weeks of clearing all our sector, we finished. A few days later, when all the other sectors were cleared, I got a notice.

  New Total – 2678 points, 4 tokens

  Finally, I could go home. On the way, I thought about the cost of the fancy ammo I was using.

  “Ysys, that expensive ammo I bought. How much would the blueprints be?”

  The blueprints for the Class I Long Range HE Armor Piercing bullets would be only 2 points. However, you don’t have the capability to print them. For that, you would need to open the Class II Matter Reconfiguration Machines catalog for 400 points, and buy a Class II printer like the Attoscale Architect Mk I for 500 points. Then you could print those bullets, and most other Class II ammunition.

  “Lets get the Architect, and several blueprints of a few Class II bullets. I want some variety in options for the payload.”

  Class II Matter Reconfiguration Machines catalog – 400 points, 1 token.

  Attoscale Architect Mk I – 500 points.

  Blueprints for a selection of bullets – 10 points.

  New Total – 1768 points, 3 tokens

  When I got home, I set it up, and started printed a selection of bullets. I set one of the smaller drones to feeding it matter, and placing the magazines in small crates. Relaxing finally, I contemplated how I could protect my city. The Family had indicated insufficient shelters in certain areas, and that my Defensive Structures catalog could likely help. I sent off a message requesting them to get some good blueprints for making a shelter. I figured some Samurai had already provided something like that. On the way home, my supposition was proven right. Some Samurai named Barricade supplied several, along with suggested questions to determine which to use.

  The next day I dug into the question, and to the limits of my equipment. The biggest problem was the fact I only had a single fabrication engine. And I didn’t have enough points to get more blueprints for construction. So I tried finessing it.

  “Ysys, are their any cheap drones I can get a blueprint for, that can aid in construction to the scale I would need to make a lot of shelters in a short time?”

  There are some, but the amount of help would be small. However, there is another source you should consider.

  “You have some way for me to get more drones and such?”

  While you could do that as well, I was thinking of another way. Why do you need to buy or make drones? Surly there is construction equipment already in the city you can hire. And you can pay for them by making other things with your engine. In fact, if you contract out the simpler bulky things, you can greatly increase your production.

  “What do you mean?”

  You already sold blueprints for some weapons, so you can make them as well. You have also bought blueprints for some medicine, but have not sold it. You could instead make those meds and sell the product to get credits to hire the equipment you want. You could even buy other blueprints.

  “How could I have overlooked that? I am so stupid, sometimes.”

  You are not stupid. You were too focused on a method to consider other methods.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Thanks, Ysys. Can you look into something I can make large quantities of, that cost few points in blueprints? Something this city needs?”

  Sure. Accessing city records… Accessing corporation marketing data… Done. Of those things that satisfy your limitations, here are the most likely things. 1) Guns, any kind. Everyone wants more guns, some even to go against the antithesis. 2) Meds. The medical infrastructure could use some shoring up, and a ready supply of superior meds would be welcome. And 3) a better VR headset for games. It seems several corporations are researching a better one, but are not there yet. If you make a protector grade headset, it will likely dominate the market until another vanguard starts some competition.

  “I think I’ll leave the guns alone for now. I don’t want to step on my own existing customers. But I might buy something better to make for them, exclusively. Meds do sound good. But the VR headset sounds interesting. Do you have something with expansions and upgrades that can be added as update kits? Then I can have several rounds of sales.”

  Between the Hard Light and Advanced Sensors catalogs, I can combine them to make a series of VR headsets. Here is a hologram of the base headset: The Virtual Illusion Superior Objective Reality Headset, for 7 points, along with a tactile upgrade for 2 points, and an augmented reality upgrade for 1 point. The latter will allow games to access current reality as a base for the game’s reality. This would allow you to play in an extended area with real obstacles as part of the game.

  “Do you think you can adapt a copy of Safari Hunter for these?”

  Given your Cyber Warfare Utilities, yes. Assuming the game doesn’t have protector level code.

  “It’s a game company, so I doubt it. It’s cheap enough, get me one, please, and load it with the modified version of the game.”

  Virtual Illusion Superior Objective Reality Headset – 7 points

  VISOR Tactile Upgrade – 2 points

  VISOR Augmented Reality Upgrade – 1 point

  New Total – 1778 points, 3 tokens

  I then headed to the kitchen to stock up for research. I got all my favorite snacks, and headed to the couch. I was going on a safari for the rest of the day. It was late in the evening when I finished. As soon as the unit was off, I rushed to the bathroom. A body has needs.

  Back in the kitchen, I said, “I’ll try out the AR later, but I’ll buy the blueprints now. Can you print up ten more? But don’t load them up with anything just yet. Also let me know how long it will take per set.”

  Blueprints for Virtual Illusion Superior Objective Reality Headset – 70 points

  Blueprints for VISOR Tactile Upgrade – 20 points

  Blueprints for VISOR Augmented Reality Upgrade – 10 point

  New Total – 1678 points, 3 tokens

  Sure. Here you go. As the engine can fit several sets at a time, it will take less that a minute on average for the VISOR, and each upgrade half of that time. I will mark them as your prototypes. Later, we can add whatever logo you want for marketing.

  I wanted the samples as a way to entice the people I wanted to back my new company. By the time I finished my late dinner, they were done. When I went to collect them, they all looked like they were in protector boxes. I found a used shopping bag, and put them inside.

  “Ysys, lets add blueprints for WoundStop, Cleanse, Hemo-Restore, the Model Seven Proofing Pill, and a simple Medical Scanner to the mix. Then print up a kit with those meds and the Nano-Regenerative Suite suitable for trauma centers. Print up the scanners separately. For now, lets make 100 kits and 50 scanners.

  Blueprints for WoundStop – 50 points

  Blueprints for Cleanse – 50 points

  Blueprints for Hemo-Restore – 50 points

  Blueprints for Model Seven Proofing Pill – 1 point

  Blueprints for Class I Handheld Medical Scanner – 500 points

  New Total – 1027 points, 3 tokens

  I’m taking the liberty of adjusting the ratio printed based on the documented need of trauma centers of the city.

  “Thanks. I appreciate that. And load up the HT with a med kit and a scanner as well.”

  The next day, I contacted Richard.

  ‘Hello, Jane, what can we do for you?”

  “Several things. But first, I wanted to let you know I decided to help out with the shelter situation.”

  “That’s great news. I’ll be sure to let the city council know.”

  “There is just a slight problem. I don’t have enough points to solve it very fast. My AI, Ysis, however, provided a workaround. I can sell some stuff I make for credits, and use the credits to hire construction companies. I can also fabricate the more complicated parts of a shelter, but would use local resources for things like walls and doors. You may have heard I acquired Samurai level shelter blueprints, so the results will be top notch.”

  “I see. Still, that will get the shelters built. What part do you need us for?”

  “That’s the several things I mentioned earlier. I’m already printing up some medical kits to sell to trauma centers. A simple selection of common meds Samurai use, and also a medical scanner for quick diagnosis. I could use some help setting up a corporation for the production of this and other things.”

  “I’ll have a Family lawyer contact you. We can do the work, or just provide you with a task list of what needs to happen, so you can hire your own lawyer. That’s one thing. What’s the next?”

  “I have no clue what construction assets are in the city, nor who should I hire. Nor do I know about sourcing the bulkier material to build the shelters.”

  “That’s best handled by your AI. Ysys, you said? However, there are a number we have used in the past, and I will forward you our information on them. Anything else?”

  “Yes. While the medical stuff will make money, I don’t think I should charge too much, as I want to be seen as a patron of the city, not a leach. That means the credits won’t be that much, and that I need another item to sell. Which I have.”

  “Don’t be so sure about that. Meds are always in high demand. If they are the kind that can be stored in shelters, even more so.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t even thought about stocking the shelters. Just means they’ll cost a few more credits.”

  “What is the other item you want to sell?”

  “A gaming VR headset, protector grade.”

  “Oooh! I’ll buy one, and I think I can get a number of sales from my gaming group.”

  “I don’t know how much I’ll be selling them for!”

  “Protector grade? Whatever you price them at, they’ll be worth it.”

  “Oh. Well, again, I don’t know what I’m doing, but I figure I can use the same company for the headsets as for the medical supplies. But I’ll need to make contacts in order to make sales.”

  There was a brief pause before Richard spoke. “Get me and some of my friends some of these, and get us tickets to the Lvl Up Expo in Vegas, and you will have numerous reps from gaming companies. The Family can set up a private room for demos and schedule meetings for you.”

  “Ysys? Can you get them in?”

  “Richard, Ysys here. How many are in your group?”

  “A fair number, but there are only four of us hardcore gamers.”

  “Done. You now have four suites reserved, and tickets for the convention in two months. I’ll send the details.”

  “Thank you, Ysys. The gang will love it. Jane, how soon will you have some stuff to sell?”

  “I already have ten sets of gaming equipment made. I should soon have a hundred kits of meds and half as many scanners soon.”

  Ysys interrupted, “They are already done. I can load them into the HT if you want.”

  “Do it. Then I can come to the Family’s offices.”

  “I’ll see you in an hour.”

  Since this was official Samurai business, I decided to dress up in my Samurai outfit. Then I took it off.

  “Ysys, I need a new Samurai outfit. One suitable for a business setting, yet still Techno-Sheena.”

  Business-Sheena outfit – 3 points

  New Total – 1034 points, 4 tokens

  A box appeared, and I opened it. Woah! Ysys outdid herself. A light tan leather outfit, with gold and silver accents, along with some boots made from some kind of thick reptile leather. My assorted gear seemed like it was made with it in mind.

  “Ysys, this is nice. I’m surprised at how well my gear goes with all this.”

  “It was easy. When you set up your avatar’s looks for the biosculpting and attire, I generated a theme for you. This outfit, although in a more business style with a long skirt, and vest, is also in this theme. Both uncivilized savage and modern corporation are encompassed in the outfit. I thought you’d appreciate it.

  “I do, I do. Thanks.”

  As I was about to get into the HT, a drone came up and handed me my overwatch.

  “Thanks, Ysys. A Samurai on business should never be without their weapons. Can you let me know the market price for the medical supplies and equipment? I want to sell them for a bit less, to insure good will.”

  I stowed it on top of the other boxes, and headed out to the Family’s offices. Ysys gave me their value before I left the building.

  Richard and another person met me at the parking lot. He had me park next to a delivery van.

  “Hello, Calamity. This is one of our drivers. Ysys sent a list of what you were bringing, and your prices. Our AI found you some buyers, and all we need do is deliver them. If we can put the boxes in the van, our driver can handle the delivery.”

  “Sure thing.” I pointed out what kind of boxes needed to get loaded, and all three of us put them in the van. Scanners on the left, and kits on the right. When that was done, Richard sent the credits to my account.

  “Follow me, and bring the headsets. Let me introduce you to my hardcore friends.”

  I picked up the bag of VR stuff, and my rifle, and followed him into the building. We soon entered a small conference room where two other guys and a gal were waiting for us.

  “Miss Calamity Jane, please meet my gaming buddies. Gearhead, Matador, and Cyclone. Oh, and I’m Autolycus.”

  “Since we’re sharing handles, I’m Xanadu.”

  They all greeted me, and we sat down.

  “As for today, you may want to call me Santa Clause. Check these out.” I dug into my bag and pulled out four headsets and handed them out. I was about to ask if they had any games, when I saw they were already loading games into the headsets.

  Quietly, I asked, “Ysys, can you load my headset to see what they are seeing?”

  Yes.

  I donned my own full set, and watched what they were playing. I recognized three of the games, but not the last one. Still it was only a few minutes before Richard stopped them, and asked how it went.

  It was unanimous. They’d never had such good gear.

  “You think that’s good? Here’s the first upgrade.” I then handed out the Tactile upgrades, and pointed to my own.

  Someone asked, “What does this do?”

  Someone else replied, “Let’s find out.” then they all went back into their games.

  Almost immediately, they all started making surprise sounds when they started to feel everything. A few minutes later, they again came out.

  Matador asked, “That bag’s not empty. You got anything else?”

  “I do, but they require game updates. May I have my AI update your games? Only the copy in the headset.”

  They all nodded, and I asked Ysys to not only modify the games, but to place a copy into my headset so I could check them out as well, but later. I handed out the augmented reality module.

  When they started, there was stunned silence as each game morphed to the layout of the city, with them starting out in the parking lot.

  Gearhead said, “Augmented Reality? I recognize this building, and the area nearby.”

  Cyclone said, “I found a menu where you can set its location to any mapped location, real or fantasy.”

  Richard said, “I think this will take a little longer. Do you mind?”

  “Not at all, I am monitoring what you are seeing, so I can get a feel for how it works on your favorites.”

  When nearly two hours had passed, I spoke up. “Hey everyone. I think it’s time for this gaming session to end. It is officially work time. I think.”

  Richard sorrowfully said, “You’re right. At least I can claim this as research into getting you set up with gaming contacts. I can see I have a lot of work to do.”

  “Yeah, about that. I want to introduce the two upgrades over time, to keep up interest, and to keep the competition lagging behind. So I don’t want anyone to know about them just yet.”

  “Of course. I’ve already got everyone to agree to secrecy, since I know you are trying for a sale of something new.”

  “Thanks.”

  The others put the equipment back into the boxes, and pushed them over to me.

  I said, “Keep them for now, and stress test them. The tactile should work on everything, but you’ll need me to modify games for the AR.”

  They all erupted in grins and happy sounds. Richard then escorted me back out.

  “Thank you, Jane. Not only for the gear, but more importantly, for the meds. They will be welcomed. Have you any idea when you will be able to start construction?”

  “Not yet. Too many independent pieces with conditions that need to be met first. I should have something a few days from now. I do plan on making more meds while I wait.”

  “Just call when you have some to deliver. We’ll send the van and take care of everything.”

  “Thanks.”

  I headed back home, and started printing. I had the collection rats head out for more resources.

  After lunch, I asked, “Ysys, I think the best way to improve production is to have additional engines.”

  You don’t even have points for one more.

  “True, but I will someday. But that is not my goal. I want blueprints so I can make more. Then I can go to town, full production.”

  That will take a lot of points. Hope you can save enough, come next incursion.

  “I plan to. There aren’t many Samurai in the area, and none are big league, so I’ll be involved whenever they come. While some points will be spent during the incursion, hopefully not too many, and I can build up a buffer.”

  Sounds like a good plan.