For experienced Family Members being called on by newly initiated Samurai, there are a few guidlines we request you follow.

  First, unless the call in question is an S.O.S. call, we encourage you to offer advice to the new Samurai on gow to grow in their situation, and not rush it to save them, as that does hinder their long term potential.

  However, if it an S.O.S. call, you are permitted and encouraged to drop everything and go save them, collateral damaged be damned.

  -Exerpt from The Family internal FAQ page in regards to "Why the fuck shouldn't I save every new Samurai who needs help,"

  Congratulations for the successful upgrade, Victor. May I recommend purchasing a suit of armor to replace your now unusable clothes?

  “Yeah. I mean, yes please. The Commander Type”

  Purchased: Class I War Swarm Commander Type Armor

  Points reduced to 1980

  A new box appeared next to me on the floor. It was once more a shoe box with a ribbon on top. With my new eyes. I could see the intricate micro patterns in the ribbon itself. Concentric circles, stars and moons, and glittering silicone.

  “Beautiful, Synaptic.”

  Thank you for noticing the work I put into each delivery. This also stands as a practical test for your new augs! Her voice, while maintaining the same soft, sultry tone, I could sense a bit of joy.

  Opening the box, there was a thermos of silver metal, unadorned with the only blemish being a line that ran the circumference. It was roughly a foot and a half tall, and eight inches wide. Lifting the terms. I was both shocked at how heavy it was, being heavier than one of my swarm cubes, yet also how easily I lifted it with one hand. Popping the top, I saw even more silver metal inside, filling the thermos to the brim.

  In order to use the armor, please place a finger into the nanites. It will move up your body and cover you with its default appearance. Afterwards, you may customize it as you please.

  I nodded in silence, plunging my index finger into the nanites. They were cold at first, then quickly warmed up as they flowed up my hand and over my body.

  It took mere seconds for them all to settle. I flicked open a new menu with my augs labeled “Cosmetics” and saw my armor for the first time.

  Reminiscing of a military uniform, pressed silver metallic cloth with intricate detailing of stars and sands on its shoulders, leading down a stripe on the sleeves till they hit the cuffs, which melded into a pair of gloves that I could feel as if they had a haptic feedback system, only better. The chest was a bit padded with armor, remaining unadorned, yet also shaping to my newly defined muscles. The hem melded with the pants which also had stripes running down their outsides from hip to boot cuff. This stripe was also adorned with intricate detailing of stars and sands. The boots were heavy duty, sleek silver combat boots with no laces.

  On my head was a cowl that covered my head, melding into a sharp military style cap. Covering my face was a solid, blank curving piece of opaque dark blue glass or plastic. I looked sharp, and radiated an aura of command.

  On the Cosmetics menu, there were several tabs for preset outfits. Opening a new tab, there was a full 3D model of me. Fully naked. A bit of a shock, however, also a great way to see what I looked like now. Before I could marvel at the wonders that Synaptic wrought upon me, one detail stood out far more than any other.

  I was bald. Fully devoid of all hair on my body. No eyebrows, lashes, public or chest hair. And nothing on the top of my head.

  “Synaptic,” I said, a small bit of panic rising, “How much for a Biotic or cybernetic hair implant?”

  If you wish to go for Biotic hair, you will need a new catalog. For Cybernetic hair, you do have options for as little as five points, and as much as fifty!

  “What does a hair augment that cost fifty points entail?”

  Full, controllable RGB lighting and color spectrum on the fly, length control, volume control, and the ability to emulate a windy effect!

  “That seems so extra. What is the cheapest option that is also fireproof?”

  The ten point option. It will not grow, will resist cutting forces, and is fireproof.

  “That one, pleas”

  After a bit of fiddling, I have my old hair back, short dark brown hair, as well as set up a few casual outfits that my suit can switch into at will. I also learned that when in combat mode, so long as the integrity is not compromised, it is environmentally sealed with an air filter.

  Stepping out of the van, I feel amazing and light on my feet, basically bouncing. Then, the feed from my Swarms kick in and I see that, surprisingly, there are no roots in the garage.

  In full combat gear with my helmet down, the nanites being absorbed into the armor, I enter the shelter.

  “Sweet Sands, Ant. Does that armor draw those muscles on you, or are those actually yours?” Jill announced with both shock in her voice and a flash of hunger in her eyes.

  If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  The hunger surprises me, then I realize it's hunger for the same transformation I went through.

  “These are mine, Jill. The armor shaped over them,” I responded, seeing that hunger grow in her. “Now, we can ogle me later, but for now I have news that changes everything for the worse.”

  That sobered everyone up.

  “The last swarm I purchased, as you know, was the Scout Swarm. I assume you heard Synaptic's sales pitch for it, so once I connected to it, I discovered a horrifying truth. The hive that is here has been growing with the building since it was made. It is entwined with the foundations, supports, and critical infrastructure throughout the entire building. The shelters might be compromised, and if I take out the hive, the building will come down with it.”

  “Fuck!” Roger shouts. He rubs his head vigorously. “We need to leave, now!”

  “Can't, Dragonfly,” Cody responds, using his code name instead, something he only does when either on the job or extremely serious. “Shutters are locked down tight due to the Incursion alarm. Only two ways to open them. Either an outside Samurai gives the all clear signal to the area, or we manually open the lockdown from the security station on the thirtieth floor.”

  “Why can't I use my swarms to cut a hole through shutters and just fly us out? I have enough points to purchase some upgrades for my Assault swarms, increasing speed and power for them, and I can get a launcher for them and torrents for point defense.”

  I will answer that. The shutters and other outward facing defences are made of Class II materials. I am not sure which Samurai supplied the materials, however, the only way you can cut your way out with the van is by utilizing Class II Swarms.

  “Dammit.” I exclaim.

  Silence takes over for a bit. “Synaptic, can we call The Family and let them know the situation, see if they can send reinforcements to deal with this?” Cody asks.

  There is no ECM preventing outside contact. I can indeed reach out to The Family and connect you with a representative.

  “Please do, Synaptic. I'll take the call.” I say.

  A few seconds go by. The call connects.

  “Good afternoon! Thank you for calling The Family's New Samurai Emergency Help Desk! My name is Anthony. To whom do I have the honor of speaking with?” His voice is a well practiced and honed customer service tone. He sounded like he was in his late thirties.

  “Good afternoon. My name is Victor Optics. New Samurai as of four hours ago. I am in megabuilding 358-C11, the parking garage on floor fifty six. I am reporting a situation of extreme urgency. The entire megabuilding is infected with a hive on a foundational and structural level. I am sending a data packet with my findings, including multi floor scans from floors fifty six to fifty, and the containment device that was discovered around the hive roots. The entire building is sealed with Class II materials, per my AI, and the only manual override is on the thirtieth floor, which according to the cameras, has been flooded with hundreds of antithesis, with confirmed sightings of Model Sixes, as well as variant Model Fives. I have four survivors confirmed, however, due to the sheer infestation of the megabuilding, I have strong certainty that all the shelters are compromised, either by root tunnels of Model Sevens. I am requesting reinforcements, or baring that, advice on how to continue. Please advise.”

  After my report, Anthony was silent for nearly a minute, before he finally said something. “This situation is being elevated, please wait on the line for me to contact an available Samurai and transfer you over to them. Please hold,” Posh waiting music began playing shortly after.

  “Well, that's good news at least,” Roger chuckled, “Being escalated to an active available Samurai should help us get out of here faster.”

  The music ended, “Hey, newbie! What the actual fuck have you gotten yourself into?” A deep female voice with a Texas accent took over the call. “I read the report you send and Holy shit, your more fucked than rat in a barrel of poisoned cheese at high noon! Fucking hell.”

  “Good afternoon, Miss. Glad to hear your professional opinion of how fucked I am. I would love to hear that same opinion on how to unfuck myself.”

  She cackles at me for a solid five seconds, “Hot damn, you've got some spit an’ venom in you, newbie! Been too damn long since I've had someone roll with my vibe. Oh, shit forgot to introduce myself. Names Laser Laso, and I'm currently on the other side of the Incursion from where you are. Tell me, newbie, what do you specialize in?”

  “Nanite swarm control. One swarm can melt ten Model Threes in under four seconds. I have Builder and Collection swarms for resource gathering and management, and the Scout Swarm that, well, you saw the report I sent. Currently have four swarms of Assault types, one of the others. I can currently control a maximum of fifty swarms.”

  “Shit, newbie.” Her tone turns respectful. “You are one dangerous brat, ain’tcha.” She humms and haas on the line for a bit. “Alright, here's the plan. I need you to head to the nearest shelter and figure out if it is actually compromised. If it isn't, guide the people there to the parking garage you're holed up in, do the same for each shelter you can reach. If they are compromised, deal with that. Keep me appraised on what you find in each shelter. Make a push towards the thirtieth floor, earn as many points as you can, build up your swarms. With your potential firepower, you could easily solo that tower so long as no double digits show up. I am currently dealing with this Incursion, and once it's clear I will make my way over to you and get you and as many people as you can save out. Don't worry about the hive, we will deal with that. If you can access the security station, see if you can't hack into any servers and pull everything in them. We are going to need as much info as possible to figure out who made this mess and fuck ‘em up good,”

  I exhale sharply, “Very well, Laser Lasso. I will go check on those shelters and kill as many antithesis as I can. Can I get a potential ETA for rescue?”

  “Chill you tits, newbie. Secure the garage, secure the civies, get stronger. I'll make my way over once I can. You got this, kiddo. Looking forward to naming you once we meet!” The line dies. Silence depends on our shelter.

  “What the fuck kind of advice was that?!” Jill shouts.

  “The kind where it allows Victor to grow stronger with a vote of confidence that he won't die horribly.” Buddy responds. “I, for one, see that as a positive.”

  “While that may be the case, it doesn't get us out of here any faster,” Cody grumbles.

  “At least I still have some direction to move forward now. Here's the new plan which is just the old plan. I will buy you guys some armor and weapons and anti-Seven pills, I will make my way up to the shelter and see If I can determine how fucked things are. Afterwards, we will either have more survivors, or I kill more antithesis and buy more swarms to, apparently, solo the tower.”

  Roger places a hand on my shoulder, “You have always been the quiet rational one, and while the rational bit has definitely increased with your new brain, you have always been brave. If the shelter ends up fucked, cut your sight to the swarms and order them to clean up. You do not need to see the slaughter of Seven zombies if that is what is there. We may have done some fucked up things in life. But those have always been to those in the life,” after saying his piece, he pulls me into a hug.

  Roger's concern is transmitted perfectly. A wry smile plays upon my lips. “I hear you loud and clear, Dragonfly.” I hug him back, knowing full well that if those shelters are compromised, no matter what, I have to see it through. It's the least I owe those I would be unable to save.