Chapter Twelve - Almost Cool

Chapter Twelve - Almost Cool

Chapter Twelve - Almost Cool

Omg! When Deus tripped over a pipe and bashed her face against that wall?

That bit after, where she stomps her feet, its already a meme.

How can someone so dangerous be so cute?

--Chat from Samurai Bloopers.net, 2048

***

Myalis, got a bead on Manic?

Her location is known. Shes past the west-side barricade, about three hundred metres out, close to the waterfront. I can guide you there, if you wish.

Thatd be nice, I said as I stood up. Sprout had run off to check on things already, and Gomorrah and Johnny--who really needed a proper samurai name already--were walking out. Shed pointed to a hive just to the south, which was close enough to both Downtown and River Heights that taking it out would help both.

By the looks of it, Manic was faffing about some ways from the place everyone else was working to protect.

I couldnt blame her though, she was killing aliens and thats all that mattered. There was a suspected hive a few blocks over from where she was, so we would hit that after saying our hellos.

I feel a little under-dressed for alien hunting, I said with a tap against my chestplate. The gear I had was probably more than enough to tango with some single-digit plants, but if we were going to hit a hive, then Id want something a little tougher.

Besides, I wasnt properly armed.

I nipped into a washroom, because while I didnt mind eyes on me, the body suit I was wearing under my coat was so tight in some places it looked painted on, and I didnt need Lucy seeing images of my ass across her media feeds. Scoring higher on the popularity boards wasnt worth it.

You remember that armour you showed me in the Mesh? I asked Myalis.

I dont forget much. Is that what you want now?

Yeah, I said. But make sure its heat-proof. Good cooling and stuff. Were working with Gomorrah often enough that not having something fire-proof is just asking for trouble.

Thats understandable. Do you want the usual otherwise? Thagomizer tail, finger-mounted blades,shoulder-mounted guns?

I nodded along. Sounds perfect, yeah. Oh, and those jumpjets from last time.

Those will be difficult to fit in... I can add smaller ones, but their range will be somewhat limited unless you want to purchase a whole new catalogue specifically for that kind of technology.

How limited?

I mean, fair, but isnt that cheating?

You could argue that everything a Vanguard does is cheating.

I laughed until I had to stop to focus on my breathing. Soon enough, I was by the barricade and I stopped my run to a slow jog and finally a normal walk.

The barricade wasnt much to look at, but it was still impressive in its own... mishy-mashy way. A group with brown bands around their arms were off to one side, grinders screaming as they cut through some metal plates. Others were behind a small partition, the actinic spark of welders going off brightening up the entire street.

The wall itself was made of cars turned on their sides, with metal braces bolted in place to keep them there. There were enough of them stacked up that they rose a good five or six metres up. Theyd built catwalks behind the cars just high enough that someone could stand up and see over the edge of the wall. A few guns were mounted up there too.

Hey, I called out to a militia guy who jumped to attention. How do you get to the other side? I asked.

He looked at the wall, then back at me. Theres a tunnel, under the street, he said. We use it to get to the other side when we need to burn the corpses. Um, you can get around through that building too, but its locked up to hell, maam. He gestured to one of the buildings next to the barricade.

Ah, thats alright then, I said.

I walked up to the wall, bunched my legs up under me, then jumped.

And then I landed about a foot ahead.

Myalis, I growled.

Yes, Catherine?

Was it not obvious what I was trying to do? I asked.

It was. But now I have a video of you doing a bunny hop while thinking youd look very cool.

Dont you dare, I said.

Sent to Lucy already. I apologise, Catherine. She asked nicely.

I grumbled. Well, Lucy would enjoy it, and I was pretty much immune to embarrassment at this point. Just turn on the jumpjets this time? People are watching.

Certainly.

I jumped again, and this time the jets near my ankles fired with a nearly-quiet hiss that propelled me up and to the side of the catwalk. I latched on and used the momentum to swing myself over, then I planted a foot on a small ledge and basically stepped over the top of the barricade and leapt off the other side, coat flapping with a snap behind me.

I landed with a grunt, knees bending so much that I almost hit myself in the chest before I stood and continued to walk. I was vaguely aware of people over the wall staring.

Thats more like it, I muttered. Now, wheres Manic?

***