“Oh, hey guys.” I wave to a pacing Sam and a relieved-looking elf, Hynoda I believe, as I emerge from the earth and metal Magica-enlarged hole in the ground dragging a floating crate behind me. I note the mana lights are still flashing from red to purple to red, meaning the city martial activation is still enforced.

Sam runs up to me and says, “Where’s Aria? Did you find her? Is she alright?”

I pat his shoulder with a smile. It’s good to know that was the first thing he asked about. “I found her. She will be alright eventually. I have to report in. If you’ll excuse me.” Looking at the group of five humanoid defenders and a number of civilians, I call out, “Thank you all for your help.” Turning back to the only armed human, “Sam, we’ll be in touch. I’m sure Aria would like to see you when she . . . heals. And I owe you. I never forget my debts.”

[Flyer.]

I see a number of curious looks at the crate behind me and conclude this impromptu social endeavor before questions are asked. “Thank you again. All of you.”

My flyer drops down outside the defensive line and I walk towards it pulling the crate. Giving the Special-holding wooden box a nonchalant toss into the passenger area, I step into the cockpit and we head home.

***

Pulling the cart into our suite, I move it into the second bathroom, poke a single hole in it, wrap it in four metal bands I create out of six of the nearly 5,000 damascus bars I currently own, and walk to the couch. I’m ready to release Aria, take the collar off, and hope for the best when Jo speaks to me.

Vic, before you do that, you should know your presence has been recorded and you are required by law to report for assignment to defend the city. You should also know that Honor has ordered an emergency meeting immediately after this beast breakout crisis is resolved. Moreover, he has ordered all local assets to be activated under the cover of standard UFH forces. This includes you, but as a civilian contractor. Documentation has been received by Ms. Owens. After I sent shield and him a high-level summary of events on your behalf, he responded with a personal message in addition to the orders. . .

A personal message from Honor? I feel a slight chill down my spine at that.

[What is it?]

“Remember your responsibilities . . . Sword.” That is all. . .

[Confirm he used my designation?]

Confirmed. . .

I close my eyes and try to breathe deeply. Focus Vic.

[Heading in. Be right back.]

I lie back, close my eyes and appear on Peggie’s old branch. In front of me is Aria sitting safely against the trunk at the V of the three massive branches and away from the edges.

I kneel down in front of her and lay my hand gently against her cheek. “I’m sorry love. I don’t know if you can hear me but I love you and I’m sorry. This is Peggie’s old home. I was hoping it might have good memories. Anyway, I have to go help save a lot of innocent people’s lives and I don’t think you would be very pleased with me if I let them die while you were safe.” My voice cracks when I say, “Even if you are in pain. I’m so sorry. I love you so much.”

I whisper, “Please don’t hate me”, then gently kiss her forehead and vanish, a tear having fallen into her hair.

Opening my eyes I wipe away the others and ask Jo about what I should do as far as receiving my assignment.

You are already registered and have an assignment. Once equipped for combat, you should report to primary defensive station 2, which currently has the most casualties and is under the greatest strain under the assault. Four Specials are currently deployed there and are likely the only reason that station has not failed. . .

[Why don’t they just send me to attack the colony?]

I do not know. Likely it never occurred to them to do so because it would be suicide. . .

[Oh. Well, let’s help the defensive line, and then you can update my orders. I’ll need the freedom to go on the attack.]

Establishing a connection of sufficient depth to change the city security’s crystalline substructure will take some time, if it is possible at all. . .

[That’s fine, go ahead and give it a try. It’s not like I’ll let their absurd bureaucracy stop me from saving them. It would just be better if it was on their say-so.]

Walking to the infusion pad where all of our purchases arrive, I give Jo the go-ahead and I spend the next ten minutes doing an extremely abbreviated equipment check, dressing, and [Inventory]ing of the various arms and armor I purchased for myself. From projectors to explosives, I am ready to attack anything from an individual at a distance to a large enemy encampment from inside its walls. And I should be able to blend into any surroundings including urban, forest, jungle, underground, and underwater.

***

[Feels good to be fully equipped for once. Why the fuck did it take so long?]

Arrival in thirty seconds and many reasons. Your impatience, forgetfulness, and not thinking about it far enough in advance top the list. Production challenges and availability are additional reasons but primarily it is your fault, as always . . .

[Thanks for that. You always manage to boost my mood and self-confidence.]

It’s good of Jo to keep me distracted. I’m working really hard not to lose it.

Stepping off the flyer in a mass of flashing lights, explosion sounds, screaming humanoids, and chittering and screeching of ants is not a surprise considering my last combat entry. To everyone here, I will appear dressed in standard military gear but with no weapon visible, but it is actually a much higher quality set, specifically developed by MiliMech for SF formation combat. I follow Jo’s instructions to the local commander and present myself.

Registered. You are free to kill the ants once you receive your orders. . .

The elf in question is a red-headed fellow with a somewhat lower tone of voice, and eyes that tell me he has been in quite a lot of combat. This is an experienced fighter and I’m happy to see that.

Glancing down at the cryspad in his hand, he says “Michael Victory. You are assi-” Then stops and jerks his head up at me. “Victory?”

I smile and nod at him. “Yes. That one.”

His face breaks out into a relieved smile and says, “Would you mind going to kill some ants, please? Word of DP 33 has even hit me here and I would like to see you in action. And if you can save lives, please do so. We need the help. Desperately.”

My smile widens and I say, “You got it.”

It is a relief to have a component commander. You would not believe what I have been seeing, never mind what happened to Aria. Twice. . .

[Trying to focus here, Jo. Please don’t bring up how she got screwed repeatedly. I am trying to stay motivated to save all these people and not blow up the city.]

Right. Sorry. . .

Working my way to two meters back from the defensive line I stop and watch.

This location is one of three that the underground tunnel system was built to direct beast breakouts towards. Through the use of directed explosives, scent and sound creation crystals, mana shields, and infused walls, floors, and ceilings, most unintelligent beasts would naturally be directed to one of three pre-prepared defensive positions. Unfortunately, these ants are in numbers beyond expectation and corrupted, making it very difficult for the defenders to arrest their advance longer-term. . .

While difficult to see from here, I assume there is at least one hole created in a particular location with uncountable ants pouring through. What I can see is an army of ants being dropped, flashing into ash, and being replaced at a rate that is entirely unsustainable from the city’s perspective. Occasionally, I hear a scream and flash of black from the defensive line as humanoids fail to dodge, duck or hide from the killer cursed projectiles. What a world we live in.

Turning my body to what I believe would be at or near the center of the mass of flaming insects, I Summon my Twister from my [Inventory] and, simultaneously, covering myself in darkness and infusing earth mana into my legs, crouch and leap up and towards the field of uncountable ants. As I soar through the air looking down at the crawling horde many times the size at DP 33 and, with repeated turns of my wrists, my twister begins spinning beneath me and crackling with the lightning mana I am thrusting into it.

I slow my fall with air magica as violet crackles of lightning surround my form and staff, which vibrates and steams slightly. Glancing at my mana, I see only about 25% remaining. That should be enough.

When I fall to a 10-meter altitude, I mentally thrust downward releasing a detonation of light and sound that thunders throughout the city.