- Excerpt from an Interview with historian Daniel Walter, 2050
With a final glance, I adjusted the orientation of the last turret. Stryx had tried to help by overlaying the optimal layout on my HUD, but I dismissed it. Not because I didn’t appreciate their efforts, despite my earlier distrust it was clear that they were trying their best to help me, but because I had my own ideas on what I wanted for this installation.
A part of me was kind of worried how quickly my doubts about them vanished, but I also couldn’t find any obvious manipulation attempts on their end either. And while I was of the opinion that caution was always the best way forward, there were limits to it as well.
With the turret properly oriented, I jumped down from the double stack of barricades. It wasn’t actually high enough to prevent anything sufficiently motivated from climbing over, but it would make it hard once the weapons fire started.
It had taken some effort, but in the end I had managed to get my undead on this side of the gate. Most of them anyway, I had decided to keep a small group on the other side to protect the shelter entrance. They weren’t as effective as the soldiers, but every little bit would help. And if things went to plan, I should have the numbers necessary once the fighting started.
‘Report: Multiple adversaries sighted. Should I prepare defensive measures?’
“Stick to the plan, Hades.” I had seen the aliens in the distance already, multiple model Threes walking along the edge of the tree line. Curiously enough, they weren’t rushing me yet, which worried me a little. Typically antithesis didn’t do smart, they just rushed you and buried you in bodies. Yet for some reason, these ones have been watching for nearly a minute already.
I also found it rather amusing how much Hades seemed to be eager to fight. I wasn’t sure if that was just him trying to be of help, or if the whole personality matrix made him a bit more human. Whatever it was, though, it was almost a bit endearing.
“Stryx, any more info on these new variants?”
I’m afraid not. Based on the behaviour currently observed, the chances of higher intelligence are rather high. Restraint is not something the antithesis are known for, and it is not something that is often observed in any capacity. I suggest you prepare for the absolute worst, this is quite unlike any model you should be encountering this early on in an incursion.
Their voice was still calm, but I was almost certain there was an underlying hint of worry. Maybe that was just my imagination, but I doubted it. And it didn’t bode well.
“Alright. Everything ready?”
Affirmative.
I kept my hand on the grip of my pistol as I walked along the defensive lines back towards the gate. Truth be told, I felt uneasy. The hesitation in the antithesis didn’t sit well with me. And if it made Stryx worried, I really couldn’t let my guard down.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly counted to ten, before I let it out. And with it, all my worries and worst fears vanished from my mind. I had to remain calm, cautious and sharp. Who knew how this would go? There was a shelter full of people who were depending on me to keep them safe.
The scent on the wind made it clear that more xenos were gathering. It was hard to get a good idea on how many there were, but considering the intensity of the stench, there had to be a good number of them. A guess that was proven right about a minute later, when they finally broke free of the treeline and started rushing over.
Immediately the turrets I had placed lit up, spewing hellfire upon the attackers.
From my vantage point towards the back of the killbox, I kept a close eye on the movements of the antithesis. Most of them were just as you’d imagine them to be. Rushing head first into death, trying to overwhelm you with sheer numbers.
However, there was some variation there. Antithesis weren’t smart, most of the time. But they had at least basic self-preservation instincts. They’d certainly throw themselves at you, even if they’d die, if they could reach you, but generally they’d at least try to get out of immediate harm's way. They wouldn’t blindly rush into a flame, for example.
Here, things were different. Some of them looked… off. I wouldn’t go as far as saying sickly, but certainly not normal. In a way, it almost reminded me of how their bodies changed when I turned them into one of my undead minions. And these few sickly looking xenos seemed far less worried about basically anything. They didn’t stop at all, just straight on charging at the defensive wall, ignoring any and all weapons fire if it didn’t kill them outright. They didn’t even stop in front of the wall, just running headfirst into the concrete.
Most of them died, of course, but some didn’t, and those tried to pick themselves up and climb over. It was a bit of an odd sight, to be honest.
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That behaviour is similar to what your sister has observed in her own run-in with this new variant. It appears that it utilises a sort of pheromone that overrides the pheromones at Zuri’s disposal, and changes the antithesis behaviour. So far I am not sure what exactly the effects are, although it is clear that a lack of care is part of it.
“Yeah… It’s almost as if they’re in some sort of frenzy. Just mindlessly doing things.”
I kept observing them, trying to get a better feel for what was going on. My turrets were still able to stay on top of things so far, and I wanted to get a better feel for their behaviour before I got involved personally.
One thing that became obvious almost immediately, was the fact that all those frenzied Threes didn’t become part of my undead horde. I had equipped all turrets with necromancy rounds, but even if they killed one of the weird ones, no green flash was apparent, nor did they change upon death.
“That’s a bad sign…”
Indeed. It appears that whatever mechanisms they utilise, it makes them both resistant to the influence of pheromones and your nanites. The only thing I am as of yet unsure of, is how exactly that works. Immunity to pheromones makes sense. That is a biological process and can be counteracted by other biological processes. But the immunity to your nanites is worrisome. It is entirely technological and mechanical, therefore it should not be affected by this weird state they are in.
“Unless, of course, it destroys their muscles.” I glanced along the barricades, and slowly started counting down. Soon I’d have to get involved myself, and I wanted to make sure that I had a good understanding of the battlefield dynamics.
Indeed. This requires further study. It might be a good idea to unlock scientific catalogues to better study the corpses once this battle is over.
I nodded. Typically that wasn’t something I much cared for, but I had learned how to do a basic autopsy during my clan days. Mainly to deduce how someone was killed, and replicate or prevent those events for a job. I wasn’t an expert, far from it, but I could see the point in studying your opponent.
For a couple more seconds I simply observed, watching as many of the corpses started to stand back up again to turn against their brethren. Then, finally, I saw the battle shift. It was time for me to get involved.
With a swift motion, I drew both my pistol and one of my daggers. Striding along the barricades, I shot one of the strange models to death, before I slowly started to turn and walk onto the battlefield.
My undead horde reacted to my presence. Hades was obviously paying attention, and while it was very clear that he was still learning, he did his best to utilise the undead to properly give me the openings I needed.
“Alright, Hades. Keep some forces back to protect the barricades. Otherwise, do what you can.”
‘Affirmative.’
I still couldn’t see the model Six, although it had to be close by. Likely near the treeline where the antithesis were coming from. So far these strange xenos weren’t that much of a threat, but I’d rather deal with the source before that changed. I could already see just how much chaos they’d be able to sow.
Making my way closer to the treeline was a lot easier than I would’ve thought. Hades was obviously still learning, many of the combat maneuvers were lackluster at best, but the difference was already night and day. The undead were disposable, so he used their bodies to keep me safe, which allowed me to save on ammunition. With the steady influx of new undead it wasn’t really a waste either. Maybe I’d have to give him some lessons later.
Around halfway to my goal, the battle shifted. More and more of the xenos turned to run into my direction, obviously trying to stop me. Part of it might just be that I was the closer target, but the suddenness of the shift told me that it had to be more than that. Maybe they were getting worried?
More and more xenos started to act weirdly, becoming frenzied and rushed for me. Hades intercepted most of them, but it appeared that those that were changed were a lot stronger and a lot more dangerous than their normal counterparts. My undead were simply ripped to shreds.
Raising my pistol, I started firing at them. The only reliable way to put one of the frenzied xenos down was to destroy their brain, it seemed like. It wasn’t easy, thanks to their erratic movement and speed, but I managed.
Then, finally, I got a glimpse of the Six hidden in the brushes among the trees. It was a weird looking thing, thin and almost sickly. Not necessarily weak, but certainly not like other xenos. I didn’t have the time to get a closer look, more and more xenos were rushing me, slowly overwhelming my undead horde.
With a step to the side, I evaded one of the weird Threes, cutting open its leg with my dagger. It didn’t seem to care one bit, rushing past me and into one of my undead, ripping it to shreds like a rabid wolf. A bullet finally put an end to the carnage, but the next one was already coming.
It quickly became apparent that my dagger would not be sufficient to deal with them, and my advance was halted. For a few moments I stood my ground, firing at any of the weird xenos before they could reach me, but I couldn’t make any more progress.
I needed better ways to deal with these things.
“What’s my points look like?”
You currently have 257 points, sufficient to obtain the equipment Ida has requested.
I nodded at that. Still firing, I slowly started to retreat, utilising my undead for cover whenever I had to reload. Hades quickly learned to pay attention to that, which made it easier.
“Do your best to keep them away from the barricades. Sacrifice the horde if you have to.”
‘Affirmative.’
I had to admit, having him there to control my undead was a godsend. It made everything so much easier.
Dismissing those thoughts, I didn’t have time to dilly dally, I quickly made my way back to the gate. I needed to get Ida geared up, and then get something that would help with those weird aliens. And I knew just the weapon that I would need. The only issue was that I really didn’t like the idea of getting it.
“Stryx,” my voice was taught, “Get the gear for Ida. Then, I need some better weapons.”
Of course. Any preferences?
“What are my options for Kusarigama?”
There was a moment of silence before they replied.
There are a few. But are you certain?
“I promised I wouldn’t let anyone die. And I need weapons that I know and feel confident with. Now what are my options?”
Very well. I do believe I have the perfect fit for your preferences.
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