Chapter Eleven - Iron Spines

Chapter Eleven - Iron Spines

Chapter Eleven - Iron Spines

This is going to be a fabulous merger, Im telling you.

Are you sure? We make prosthetics. They literally make bombs.

I know! Its a match made in heaven.

--Discussion between MetalArms CEO and CFO before their merger with Noeing in 2031

***

The mall hadnt changed much in the last hour or so. It still felt like a terrible place to be holding any sort of meeting, especially out in the middle of the food court where anyone could spy on us.

Then again, we werent planning to do anything too skeevy, were we? And a bit of public accountability couldnt hurt. I imagined it was the same reason why most companies didnt hold important meetings where anyone could overhear them.

Sprout was waiting at one of the central tables already, back bent over a trio of tablets which he was poking at and studying carefully. Next to him, a man in a militia uniform was standing at attention. He had a few pips on his chest which suggested that he had some sort of rank in the organisation.

Surprisingly, they both had frappuccinos next to them.

Hey boys, I said as I came over.

Sprout looked up, then smiled weakly. Oh, hello, he said.

Ey! Sprout! Havent grown too much since I left? Johnny asked as he flopped down onto the bench next to Sprout, wrapped an arm around the much smaller mans back, and pulled him into a bro hug.

No, not really, Sprout said. Like, really not much. The amount of points I make from my plants is kind of pathetic.

Hows that? I asked.

Huh? Oh. Well, you know how it is. Theyre not directly used by me, so I dont get as many points from them. But hey, passive point income is nice, theyre mostly paying for themselves now.

Oh, yeah, of course, I said. I cleared my throat. Anyone see Gomorrah around?

Shes coming, Sprout said. She went to the northern entrance. There was a small wave pushing at the barricade over there and she cleared it out. I, ah, heard some concerns about fire?

That sounds like a reasonable concern to have around her, yeah, I said. That didnt seem to reassure him much. What about Manic?

Whether or not she comes is up to her. She doesnt strike me as someone who does meetings, he said.

I nodded. And you? I asked the militia man standing next to our little table.

Im here as a representative, maam, he said. If you need anything relayed to the General, I can assist you. Im linked into the militias net as well, I can pull up information for you.

That made sense. The General probably wanted to keep tabs on us as well. Alright. Well, while were waiting on the others... Myalis, can I get some sort of mini-projector?

How small? I asked.

Forty to fifty models, usually on the lower end with a sprinkling of the bigger single-digits. By this late into the incursions we should be seeing double digits, maybe low twenties. This is far below what Id expect to see.

Huh, that does sound a little weak. Any ideas why? I dont know if the area was culled by a higher-tier samurai earlier.

The area around the city was, Sprout said. Once near the start, then again two days ago. There were lots of explosions and the weather shifted around. People were worried about it. We lost power for a while, but it was re-established. The internet went down as well.

Alright, I said. Something wasnt adding up then. Seeing as how Manics not here... should we proceed?

Proceed to what, exactly? Gomorrah asked.

Im thinking the wisest course of action right now would be to wipe out some of the nearest hives, I said. We can pair up--a noob and someone with more experience hitting hives together. Once weve cleared out the easy ones, well be able to range out farther, and itll mean that the new guys here will have more points to spend on themselves.

That sounds fair. Theres only two of us and three new samurai though, Gomorrah pointed out.

I dont mind staying behind, or switching out later, Sprout said.

Well, there you have it, I said. Ill go and see Manic. I should say hello at least once if shes technically my responsibility, right?

Gomorrah nodded, and I had the impression she was proud of herself under that mask.

Anyway. You, can you tell the general to increase the alert level while were out? There wont be as many samurai around to keep things safe. But if we succeed, thatll mean fewer aliens too, so I think the general will be happy enough with the trade.

Not that you need his permission, Gomorrah said.

Its just polite, I said. Will you be okay with Johnny here? I pointed to the big guy with a thumb.

As long as he doesnt touch me he won't get burned.

Oh, thats a hot mama, Johnny said.

Significantly hotter than you could ever manage, she said. It was a threat.

Johnny grinned, but he didnt push his luck, which was probably for the best.

Was sending him with Gomorrah a good idea? Probably not. But if she cooked him, then that was just Darwinism at work.

Right, Im going to check on Manic then head out to find some trouble. Sprout, keep me apprised. If Manic doesnt want to play, we might switch out.

I can do that, he said.

I patted him on the back. The dude could use some of Johnnys spine. And Johnny could use a bit less. Maybe sticking them together would end with a nice middle-ground? Id have to see.

***