No matter the time, no matter the apocalypse, the only thing that will move a corporation will be their bottom lines and stock options.

  If you trust nothing else, trust a corporation will make the worse possible decision for everyone else around them, and have an escape route planned for when that depravity is discovered.

  -Vanguard Black Log talking to a new Samurai after seeing their identity be erased because of a rounding error.

  Entering the meeting room, I was surprised to be the first inside. It was a large conference hall like a college lecture room I remember seeing in a game Cody made me play cause I lost a bet. Each chair was, thankfully, labeled. My seat was on the second row, six chairs in.

  It didn't take long for other Samurai to trickle in. A few faces I know, many I did not. Eventually, all the seats were filled, a total of forty six Samurai from across Arizona, all here to help eliminate this hive.

  Doma entered last, as usual, and took her place behind a podium.

  “Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for coming on such short notice. As of ten twenty six this morning, we became aware of a massive hive structure just outside the city.” The wall behind her showed the tunnels Outsider scouted. A wave of gasps erupted from the room at seeing the size of the network.

  “The mapping of this hive was done with the strictest stealth available, and as such we believe the hive is completely unaware of the fact that we know it's there. As such, the plan is to assault the hive at noon tomorrow in a five pronged force.”

  Five spots lit up around the tunnels, one in each cardinal direction, and one directly on top. “Four teams will navigate the tunnels, making their way to the birthing chambers while eliminating as many antithesis as possible, and distracting the antithesis from those four directions as a fifth group tunnels in directly from above at a thirty five degree angle. This team will consist of Shrew, Heracles, Fleming, and Apollo, and has a few slots available for others. The north tunnel team will be led by myself, and Weapons Locker, the East by Mirror Match and Bub the Worker. The south by Laser Lasso and Red Menace, and the West by War Games and Blizzard.”

  The map filled out with our faces on each insertion team. There was also a brief description of each of us and what we specialized in.

  “We need volunteers to both accompany each team, as well man the defenses of the city in order to catch any antithesis who slip past with Rocker Boy and the Groupies, as well as Mad Pack and his fleet. You should have received a link to this map, allowing you to request a dive team to team up with. It is first come first serve on each team, so if ten of you want to go with Heracles, but only one with Laser Lasso, some of you will be resigned to Laser Lasso to spread out the points.”

  “I must remind everyone here that this is a voluntary mission, and you being here does not mean you agree to go, just that you are interested. This is a highly dangerous mission with high chances of running into Models above Thirty, possibly even Forty. There is a real risk of death, and there is no shame in wanting to avoid that.”

  Silence filled the hall as her words sunk in.

  Then the first name appears on the east point, Dust Devil. Followed by another, then another. By the end, each team had three to five people sign up for the assault, with everyone else defending the city.

  I had three people sign up with Blizzard and I. Specter, Big Game Hunter, and Herlock Sholms. I took a quick glance at their profiles. Specter was, as expected, an assassin type, close ranged swordplay and long ranged heavy sniper fire. Big Game Hunter used a punt gun as his main weapon and was supported by a mechanical tiger, which was very cool. Finally, Herlock Sholms used a dual pistol setup with chemical grenades. He usually participated in smaller assaults or community problems. He probably decided that this was a good way to shoot up in terms of power.

  Doma smiled brightly at the room, “Thank you, everyone. We will break here and reconvene at nine am tomorrow on the south wall. That will give everyone the opportunity to meet your new teams and figure out your formations. For those who have traveled from other cities, rooms are meals will be provided. Please follow the navigation network….” She spent a few more minutes giving out instructions and advice before everyone began leaving the room. I decided to stay last, as Doma sent me a ping requesting to talk to me after the meeting.

  And soon, it is just the two of us left and I walk down to the podium.

  “I wanted to thank you, once more , for this information and for agreeing to help the visiting Samurai.” Doma says. She gestures for the door, and we walk out together. There is no one in the hallway by the time we leave the conference room, and we begin walking.

  “That said, I wish we could have pushed back the assault by another day or two. The deficiencies that have been discovered on just the south wall are staggering, and we have begun taking legal action against the city council for their actions.”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “Isn't the council run by a bunch of corps? With Bestlé as one of their heads?”

  She nods, “The three Corporations that act as the heads of the council, Bestlé, New Arizona Mineral Extraction and Refinement, and Montibello Construction Consulting, a joint controlling majority on the defenses of New Phoenix.” She opens the door to her office and steps inside. I hesitate for a moment, but follow.

  We take a seat on the couches, water glasses already on the table, and continue, “Let me guess, all three of them are siphoning funds and gear off the walls?” I ask.

  “In this case, no. Our investigations have shown that none of them have profited from these embezzlement. No, it was the ten other minor corporations who make up the council. They have made deals with different sections of the walls, different commanders and PMCs, and have been actively weakening the city's defenses for years. Black Log has discovered a paper trail leading to a different corporate conglomerate that is seeking to enact a hostile takeover in a few weeks.”

  I sigh and lean back on the couch. “And the legal actions The Family is taking? What is the purpose of it?”

  She sighed as well, rubbing her head. “While I am publicly known as the head of The Family in New Phoenix, that is only in regard to the Samurai portion of The Family. We are still a corporation, even if our goals are not just profit. A number of Family Heads from other cities have correctly deduced that by the end of the month, if not the end of the first week of next month, that the leadership of New Phoenix will be crippled, and open to specific actions.”

  I level an unammused look at her. “Is the Family going to beat that conglomerate to the punch and launch a hostile takeover?”

  The expression on her face was… interesting, but I could not place the emotions, “Not quite? We are removing Bestlé from the state, that is a given, which leaves about one quarter of the council missing. Due to the defense embezzlement, the ten other corporations will be sanctioned by our legal sector, which will further weaken the council. A few heads, namely from Texas, New New York, and Nashville, believe that it would be opportune to install a monitoring corporation in our council under the pretense of defense monitoring.”

  “So a Family backed or owned corporation with a direct hand on the city's power?” I ask.

  “Yes. They are wanting to use New Phoenix as a case study, to see how much power The Family actually has, and how effective we could be.” She at least has the decency to have some shame on her face.

  I wait for a moment to process. “Is there going to be another Samurai coming in to man this corporate plant?” I ask.

  “No, thankfully. They are a local corporation, New Phoenix Electronics, and they are run by someone trained by The Family, Jimothy Bears. I myself have had no real contact with him, but I have heard good things about his work ethics.”

  “Alright, I can understand why this action is taking place. Now. This begs the question. Why tell me?”

  “Because I want a fall back plan, someone I can trust who already had plans in place to manage the defense of the walls. I don't like this plan, namely because it is being pushed from those outside of Arizona. I had a long conversation with you AI commanders today, and we all agree that something feels wrong about this situation. The political scene is in turmoil, and that was before we accelerated our plans to deal with Bestlé. Thankfully, we have confirmed from multiple angles that no one else has any idea about that plan right now, so that's something.” She takes a drink of water.

  “In other words, you are expecting shit to hit the fan, and want me to be on standby to prevent it from getting too messy?”

  “Not quite with those words, but yes. Recruit as many as you can, train them up as soon as you can, and build up your forces. If it comes to it, you and yours may be asked to help evacuate people near the combat zones when the inevitable corporate war begins.”

  I nod, “Sure. I can do that.” I take a drink. “Is there anything else we need to talk about?”

  “No, that should be everything for now. If something comes up, I will call you or your commanders.” We stand as she walks me out. “Thank you for listening, War Games. I just hope things don't spiral too far out of control in the coming weeks.”

  “No matter what happens, the city will be fine.” I assure her.

  She chuckles at that, “Yes, the city will be fine.”

  ********************************

  I stood in the dry dock behind the living area, observing the machines. I could see the frame of the ship being formed above me, but the trickle of material meant that it would take weeks at this rate for finish. It was such a shame, really. A flying fortress on standby would do wonders for my peace of mind. I shook my head and made my way to the lounge section where my family was getting ready to eat.

  They were quiet, and very sore. Apparently today was a day of physical testing, testing the limits of their new bodies. Baba Yaga was back and had offered to cook for us since Buddy didn't have the strength to stand, no matter how much he argued the fact.

  Jill was the only one relatively alright due to her cybernetics, but her instructor, Hilda, made her burn through her stamina and mental energy instead. I helped Baba Yaga serve the shakes she made, as even using the usual tableware was too much for them.

  “Hey. Vic. Is it too late to back out of this training?” Roger asked wearily.

  I chuckled at his pain, “You can quit at any time, Roger. Retreat into your nice, comfortable room made of my alien nanites, enjoy the cooking skills Buddy hones, maybe sit back and get your ass beat by Cody in whatever game you deign to play with him.”

  Jill snorts, “You can quit the moment you beat me in a spar.”

  Roger groans dramatically. We all knew his pride would not allow him to quit.

  Buddy perks up after finishing half his shake, “So, what's with this ‘Attack the hive’ event you have blocked for tomorrow's schedule?”

  “Ah, yeah. There's a hive The Family is attacking tomorrow and I have to be there for it. I'm taking a few newbie Samurai from other cities point farming, while also testing out some new gear.”

  Cody looked at me funny, “You're leading newbies? You've been a Samurai less than a week, Victor.”

  “I'm not on my own, Blizzard will be there as well. When the attack is over, I'll ask her for an autograph for you.” I say rubbing his hair a bit hard. Tomorrow will be fine.