Chapter Seventeen - Local Sorts of Problems

Chapter Seventeen - Local Sorts of Problems

Chapter Seventeen - Local Sorts of Problems

"Do you want to die like a coward, or do you want to die with a gun in your hands, god damnit?!"

--Winner of the New Militia of New Montreat under-16 recruitment poster contest, 2041

***

"Go on, bossman, what's the meat like?" I asked.

The general gave me a flat look, then gestured to the map. Saint-Jrome was laid out on it, the bigger buildings sticking out a little from the surface. Most of the city was painted in a dull orangey-green, with clearer greens around a blob to the south and along the northern wall.

"We've set up logistical locations here and here," he said. Two spots of blue appeared, one at the south of the city, the other next to highway 117. It looked like it was a few dozen metres away from where we were right now. "And there's a logistical route from the south to the north using the highway. It's above ground and easy to secure. Patrols are working along that route to keep it clear. So far we have no issues." A thin cyan line linked the southern logistics dump and the northern one.

I nodded along. I wasn't so stupid as to think that logistics weren't important. "How are we doing for supplies?" I asked.

"We have enough to keep all of the troops here garrisoned for three days," Thibodeau said. The general tapped something in mid-air, probably something on his augs, and a spreadsheet appeared on my own augs. Probably vetted by Myalis. "Our food and medical supplies are being stretched having to accommodate the local militia, but otherwise things are holding steady and within expected ranges."

"The militia?" Gomorrah asked.

General Thibodeau's lips drew into a thin line. "According to the Constitutional Act of 2037, all corporate and civilian organisations have the legal right to military aid in the formation of a militia. There are rules and stipulations that complicate such formations, of course, but Saint-Jrome definitely fits within the parameters for the creation of a temporary militia. Which means we owe them assistance."

"Are we talking about a serious militia, or just people trying to get free food?" I asked.

"Both," he said, sounding a little waspish.

"Sir, if I may?" Juno asked before turning to address us. "The militia here are civilians, police officers, security personnel, some retired army and PMC. They've formed a small guard contingency. Most of them are... what do we call military LARPers?"

"Oh," I said. Dudes in tacticool, got it. "Well, if they keep people somewhat safe, I guess there's no harm?"

Juno shrugged. "They can shore up locations of low importance for us at the cost of being inefficient and annoying to handle."

"Moving on," the general said. "We've managed to clear the obvious antithesis threats throughout the city thanks to your push earlier today. Now we're doing a two-part quick sweep."

I glanced at the others. Hedgehog was the only one who seemed to know what that meant. "What's that?" I asked. Fuck it, I'd play the role of group idiot then. I was kind of suited for it.

The general didn't seem to mind. "We're currently sweeping the city street-by-street and looking into every easily-accessible building. The Tenth Engineer corp is inspecting the city infrastructure as well. This sweep is meant to be fast. If aliens are noticed, an appropriate amount of force is called in to deal with them."

"Saint-Jrome should be cleared out of any lingering Antithesis within the next two days," the general said.

"That's good," I said. "So the army will hold here for that long?"

"With... other news coming from the Martian front being what it is, yes. It was determined that staying relatively close to New Montreal would be for the best," he said.

"Is that news classified still?" Gomorrah asked.

It earned her a look of concern from just about everyone in the room, excluding the Brigadier General himself. "Yes, it is. It's leaked, of course, but we're keeping a lid on it for now. We need to prepare a reaction to the news that'll keep everyone's minds in the game."

"Are we expecting some mass panic?" I asked.

"No. The Family and the government are both preparing things to quell any sort of panic. A new Family-endorsed Samurai-made gacha game will be launching in three days, there's a few major sporting events coming up, and I've heard through the grape-vine that some political scandals have been cooked up. The entertainment corps are all-in on the big distraction."

I blinked. "Holy fuck, are we the bad guys?"

Gomorrah looked at me, then shook her head. "No. We're doing this for everyone's own good. It's different."

"Actually, there is one more thing that might be of interest to you," the general said. "We've noticed a small town nearby, Saint-Colomban. The town should have been overrun, but the antithesis have met resistance. It's not corporate, from what we can tell."

"A samurai?" I asked.

"Possibly. We'll be sending someone to meet with them tomorrow morning. With Saint-Jrome retaken, the local antithesis population has been drastically reduced, there are fewer of them pushing towards the town. They'll keep until morning."

I frowned. "Wouldn't sooner be better?" There could be a newbie bleeding out over there, and this moron wanted to sit on his thumb instead of checking things out.

"That's the soonest we can get a negotiation team ready," he replied.

"Fuck that," I said. "Gom, we're taking a detour on the way back home, alright?"

"I suppose. And please don't shorten my name to Gom," Gomorrah said.

I nodded and pretended like I wouldn't forget that. The meeting was winding down anyway, so I gave the bunch of them a fake salute then stomped my way out of the tent.

I hadn't noticed it, but the sun was set now. "Dammit, I'm going to be late for supper."

***