- Prof. Dr. Karl Helliwey, in an interview with the Tech-Bro magazine ‘Heart of the Machine’, 2050
“Upgrade them how?” I had some thoughts on how that might look, although I couldn’t be sure. Necromancy in general was not something I’d ever expected to see, so I didn’t have much of a reference to begin with. There were some examples in nature, the one that came to mind immediately was a form of parasite infecting insects.
I’ve read about it before, back in the clan days. At the time I was meant to produce a new type of toxin, part of my training regime. Originally I thought that I might be able to do something similar to that parasite, which is why I took some time looking into it, but I quickly realised that that was a dead end. The toxin I made in the end was something entirely different, something quick and painless.
Apart from that, the only thing I could come up with was perhaps somehow reinforcing my undeads. Or maybe get something that’d help them function even if parts of their limbs were missing. Certainly something that would be useful, although also likely reliant on a lot of resources.
As I mentioned upon your original purchase of the Deadlink Protocol equipment, you can obtain a dedicated AI to control your undead, which would allow for more autonomous capabilities and more thought out tactical maneuvers. Alternatively, you could also obtain an upgrade that would allow me full control, but that would come with increased long term cost.
In an effort to summarise your options, purchasing the upgrade for me to utilise your undead would be cheaper up front, but would require the same price for each additional system you might want me to take control of later down the line. If you were to obtain a dedicated AI instead, you would save points in the long run, as any upgrade for future systems would be much cheaper, and eventually nigh on without cost.
The AI will be able to be upgraded over time, and will learn how to react to your specific wishes and ideas. While by far not as sophisticated as I am, it will be more than sufficient for the task at hand.
“How much are we talking?” The idea of it wasn’t a bad one, and having my undead be able to fight more strategically would certainly be a boon. But that also depended on the cost.
750 points for the AI and the equipment required for it to take control of your undead. It is not a cheap purchase by any means, but it will be worth it and save you points in the future. For reference, purchasing the upgrade to allow me to take full control would be 300 points, and 300 points for each system you want me to take care of in the future.
That wasn’t cheap indeed, but they were right. It did sound useful and wasn’t exorbitantly overpriced.
“And what exactly does this upgrade offer?”
In short, a personality matrix to make decisions based on your movement on the battlefield, your preferences, and your orders. It would allow you to take control over more undead at the same time, and would work to prevent your undead from being ripped to shreds immediately, utilising more complex fighting styles to maximise the effectiveness of each individual body. You will still suffer the same point loss that you do now, but each undead should be functional for a longer period of time, and be able to deal with more dangerous adversaries on their own.
It is also a force multiplier of your own. Not only does it increase the effectiveness of each individual body, but also the group as a whole as it can utilise more advanced group tactics. While it likely won’t be as effective in the beginning, it will learn over time. You can obtain more pre-programmed responses to allow for specific tactics without the learning process, although that would be detrimental for long term growth.
Later down the line it will also be able to oversee the self-propagation of your undead, once you obtain the necessary upgrades to allow your undead such on their own.
I took that in, glancing around at my forces and the rest of the battlefield. I didn’t have too much time to waste, and it sounded like a worthwhile purchase overall. I just wasn’t sure if it was what I needed right now.
“How well would it be able to deal with my plan to set up a killbox?”
Upon purchase, it would require some time to properly learn the best and most effective strategies, but once that is done, it will be able to handle that plan nearly entirely on its own. That is, of course, unless more dangerous models show up. It is not a perfect solution and will require your assistance, especially in the early stages of development.
That said, it is very capable in the long term, and as you have displayed interest in future proofing your equipment, I believe this to be your best path forward for the time being. Once you obtain more points I do have more ideas for future purchases that are more focused on your personal combat capabilities, and your ability to defend fixed locations.
A change in the wind made me look past the gate. More xenos would be showing up soon, which didn’t leave me much more time to think about my options.
“Are there any limits to what models I can take over?”
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
Yes and no. Theoretically, you can take over any model, no matter the size and complexity, once it is dead. Of course, larger models will require a longer time to be turned, as the nanties need to work their way through the body, but there is no reason why they wouldn’t be able to take over a model in the 50s or higher.
Practically, there is a limit due to the number of nanites you have available. Of course, you can purchase more nanites, which can offset that issue, but you can only store so much as of right now, and at some point it simply is no longer point efficient. As long as you don’t try to take over a model Eight, or anything past a model Eleven, you should be fine.
“How likely am I to run into those models?” While I talked, I walked around the gate, trying to get some idea of the space I had available for my killbox. The more I talked to Stryx, and the more I thought about my options, the more a plan fell into place.
As of right now, rather unlikely. A model Eight would be not out of the ordinary, but as it is a non-combat model, you do not need to worry about it. Even if you were to meet and attack a model Eight, it would not try to defend itself at all. Everything past a model Nine would be unlikely. Model Tens are hive-tenders, so you won’t find them outside of a Hive in most cases. And model Elevens and up require more biomass and a longer gestation period, which makes it unlikely to see them this early in an incursion.
“Makes sense. And how would this upgrade help with the new model Six variant?”
Unknown. Since the capabilities of that variant are still mostly a mystery, it is hard to say how well your undead would be able to handle it. I recommend caution when confronted with it. You might be best served dealing with it yourself from range, if possible.
I nodded. All of that was logical and roughly what I had expected. But it had helped me form some plan to deal with it all. Now all I needed was to put it all into motion.
“Okay. I’ll take that upgrade. Do I have some sort of turret that I can purchase to act as an overwatch for my killbox? I don’t want to rely on my undead exclusively, especially since I need some way to get more of them.”
Not specifically, but you do have the parts available to obtain custom turrets. It will be slightly more expensive, but should be sufficient for the job unless things get wildly out of control.
“Good.” Turning back to the soldiers who were still watching me, I made my way over. “Best close up again. I’m about to turn the park entrance into a kill box to deal with the xenos nearby, then fortify as much as I can. I’d rather you don’t stand in the danger zone.”
It wasn’t a question, simply a statement. The soldiers seemed to understand that I wasn’t in the mood to explain more or go into detail of what I had in mind, simply nodding, saluting, then heading back into the shelter.
Ida was still talking with Herold, although she looked at me when she heard what I said. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
There was no judgment in her tone, simply curiosity.
I gave her a sideways glance, still not entirely sure what to think of the woman. “I have to get back and I can’t waste time by sitting on my arse and defending this shelter. The evacuation convoy needs help and Zuri can’t handle it alone.” A moment of silence followed, before I sighed, shaking my head. “You can fight, yeah?”
“Yes.”
“What?” Herold seemed genuinely surprised to hear that.
Ida’s reaction at her husband's surprise was not what I expected. She seemed… almost embarrassed. “I’ll explain it to you later, dear.” Turning her attention back to me, she gave me a nod. “I can keep the place safe, if need be. Probably need some better gear, though, and some ammunition.”
“Ida, I don’t think that’s a good idea!” Herold protested, worry and confusion evident in his voice.
“You never told him?” I couldn’t help myself but ask, finding the exchange almost hilarious.
“I did not… I didn’t want to worry him, but I suppose I probably should’ve told him afterall.” She sighed, shaking her head.
“Told me what?” Her husband seemed exasperated.
“What do you need?” I asked Ida, relenting on the point. As much as I didn’t like it, if she could help keep the place safe, I’d feel better going back to the other shelter. And I didn’t want to waste any more time. Every moment I spent here was a moment the convoy might be in danger.
Or Zuri might get hurt.
“Ammunition, a rifle, some surveillance. Armor I don’t think would be necessary. If possible I’d rather not fight at all, but if they get into the shelter I want a way to defend the place.”
I nodded, tilting my head to the side in the universal sign of listening to someone on the augs. Stryx understood my meaning.
You could certainly afford it, although that would prevent you from getting the upgrade to your undead immediately. It is not much of a point discrepancy, and you should be more than capable of obtaining the points needed quickly.
That wasn’t exactly good news. I could probably push back the upgrade to obtain her gear, but that would also cut into the time the AI would have to learn. It would be better if I obtained the upgrade first, and then got her gear once I got the points back.
“Alright. It’ll have to wait for a few more dead xenos, but I can get it for you. Just don’t make me regret it.”
“Are you still on that? If I wanted to fuck you over, I’d have plenty of time already.” Ida sounded a bit frustrated and hurt, which I guess was fair.
I didn’t reply, simply turning back to the gate. “Alright, Stryx, hit it.”
New purchase: Mark VIII Helix Antithesis Deadlink Extermination System!
Points reduced to: 77
No boxes appeared, instead a small window appeared in my vision, vanishing nearly just as quickly. It took maybe a second, before another window appeared in the corner of my vision, this one staying for longer.
‘Greetings, Yurei. I am HADES. Requesting standard operating procedure.’
The voice was male, deep, and definitely AI. It lacked the intelligence that Stryx held, obviously by far not as advanced. The request also wasn’t quite what I had expected, although I did have to admit that I was rather happy with that development.
“First priority, keep Zuri safe. Second priority, keep people safe. Third priority, kill any antithesis you can find. If possible, make sure to keep their bodies intact so we can use them.”
‘Standard operating procedure confirmed. Activating Deadlink Horde Protocol.’
I nodded, then turned to face the gate. “Alright, Stryx. I need some more weapons and gear.”
Time to turn this place into an alien graveyard. And I knew just how I wanted to make that happen.
discord! Come join me and chat!
patreon to get 5 chapters ahead for 'Thirteen Sins'!