Anti-antithesis

No, I'm not answering your questions while I'm on a date. If you don't fuck off, I'll introduce you to Betsy and she can answer your questions.

It's only a simple yes or no! Do you prefer women because-

Alright! You asked for it.

-Recovered conversation from the corpse of unnamed journo, discovered splattered on the roof, speculated to have been dropped from extreme heights.

When I talked with Black Log about getting the conference set up today, and I had this really cool idea to do shock and awe with the MAF Pandora popping up, I didn't know just how much planning would have been involved. The whole family woke up early, with our guests joining in on the huge early morning breakfast as everyone had the intention to be on the MFA Pandora for the launch. Well, almost everyone as Eddie had another appointment, apparently. Quarterly sweep of the sewers started today, and he couldn't not be there. One of the reasons he took so many pictures last night.

Then, Kira had me arrive three hours early to go over the script Outsider made for me, which, fair, I should probably have a script and they knew more than I did about what I should say. She made some micro adjustments to my normal armor, stars on the shoulders and two button lines that framed my chest. Then there were the planned photo ops that I had to pose for both on my way to the conference podium as well as when I was leaving. I was expected to walk a certain path, but I vetoed any handshaking and the like.

She did ask if I wanted to take the Doma approach in writing out the questions ahead of time, but I wanted to see if the journos were really as bad as their reputation online made them out to be. Plus, I couldn't throw people into the air like Doma as a threat.

I decided to do the meeting with my mask and helmet invisible, but the beret on instead. Much as I wished to have the mask as a fall back to hide any flaws I make in controlling my face, I also knew that it would send a greater message if I didn't. That I'm not afraid of the media, that a young man has the power to wreck an entire column of a multinational corporation and come out on top. It should also lessen some criticisms directed at me if they see I am this young and not some twenty five year old middle manager.

Soon enough, the journalists arrived and started filling into the conference hall. I did a breathing exercise to stay calm as I went over my script. It did help that Synaptic was projecting it in my augs, but still. Then I got a video request from Roger.

I picked up smiling, then my face turns to shock as I saw the other end of the call. Everyone was sitting in the theater room in the lower deck of the MAF Pandora with popcorn and snacks. The chairs were also those huge lounging chairs that were closer to beds fully extended. The only ones I couldn't see there was Rogal, Jim, Bahamut, and Synaptic's eye. There were a number of Ravens, owls, mannequins, and penguins taking their place, however.

Roger waved at the camera. “Hey, bro!” he said oudly, the biggest shit eating grin on his face. “Since this is your first official public appearance, we decided to make a watch party out of it.”

Alice chimed in from Opal's lap. “And I thought it would be a great idea to stream our reactions to you! You know, to help keep things light.”

I glared at them as they laughed at me. I asked Synaptic a question, and her answer brought a smile to my face. I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, sure, whatever. Not like I can just shut the feed off remotely or anything.”

Morrigan threw some popcorn at the camera. “But that would be so boring!”

I saw the countdown activate, letting me know to head out in ten seconds. “I'm muting myself, you gremlins, as well as deafening. I will undo it once i start taking questions. Going on in five.” I said, causing them all to quiet down. Sands, I hope I didn't fuck this up.

Walking out of the prep room, I entered through the stage door. I didn't realize how big it was when I saw Doma on it, but after stepping onto it myself, I realized I could fit four shuttles end to end on the stage. That also meant the amount of journalists in attendance was far greater than I had anticipated. Well over two hundred different journos filled the theater-like seating, with even more cameras on each one.

I walked the path that allowed for the greatest amount of angles of my left side, keeping my back ram-rod straight and my hands behind my back. Arriving at the podium, I took a deep breath.

“Good morning, everyone!” I began, keeping my voice level as the speakers installed made sure everyone could hear me normally. “My name is War Games, a Samurai that awakened during the last incursion, but under very unusual circumstances. As I am sure many of you are aware, I was involved in a series of incidents a few days ago, and I will go over not only my involvement in those matters, but also the actions that occurred leading up to those events. I am sure many of you are wondering why I, a new Samurai, am the one heading this conference, and the answer is simple. I am using this as both a way to introduce myself to the wider community, as well as to explain how I plan on assisting the city going forward. Before I get too far into things, I will say that my public Family Samurai profile has been updated with not only my general abilities, but also the hive assaults I have partaken in.”

I heard a murmur pass through the audience as they open their augs and started reading. I saw Alice ask Roger something, but I paid them no mind.

“Everything that has happened over the last few days has been in response to the actions of one corporation, Bestlé, and their declaration of war. Three days ago, four squads of soldiers captured the family members of four Samurai, with the intent of using them as hostages in an effort to take over New Phoenix. It was almost a success, but due to the collaboration between High Noon, Black Log, and myself, we were able to foil the attempt before they left the city. The aftermath of which I know has circulated already. This was, of course, the first part of their three stage plan, where the second would have been to weaken our defenses even further by destroying the defenses on the southern part of the Wall, as well as start numerous riots to keep our PMC forces spread thin and tied down. While we spent time trying to subdue the riots, Bestlé and their troops would have been able to march through our Wall basically unmolested.”

I saw a few journos jump up and shout questions, but I raised my hand. “I will only accept questions after I have finished. Any further outbursts will be met with the sudden loss of network access, followed by the destruction of cameras of the offenders who persist.”

That shut them up fast. I rapped my knuckles on the podium, then continued. “Thankfully, with the aid of Shrew, we were able to destroy the column Bestlé sent our way, and no further armed responses had been detected. Following that, I aided our current PMCs with the suppression of the riots, inadvertently discovering and subsequently shutting down a Dollhouse in Megabuilding 21B-127. I had initially decided to only offer support to our PMCs, as I believed that they were merely caught off guard by the ferocity the gangs who were rioting displayed. However, once my commander, Rogal, arrived on scene, the situation became clear. As he was evacuating the victims of the Dollhouse, he came to the conclusion that the Ground Badger PMC should have easily overwhelmed these rioters with the assistance we had already provided. Frustrated, we came to the conclusion that we had to directly intervene in order to minimize further casualties. Over the course of the next three hours, Rogal and his squad successfully cleared four of the seven rioting megabuildings on his own, which further cemented our understanding of the state of our defenses.”

I paused for dramatic effect. “On the twenty third of last month, a few of my other commanders discovered, by accident, the dangerous state our PMCs had left our Walls. Extreme embezzlement of funds and munitions, less than eighty percent of the minimum required troops to man the antithesis defenses throughout the city, not to mention the abysmal quality and security of those weapons designed to defend us from the alien threat.” I could feel some rage building up within me as it began to show on my face. “This was a completely inaccessible situation, and me and my team began the process of rectifying it.”

The screen behind me shifted to reveal the new symbol of my PMC. A large, purple twenty-sided die with crossed axes behind it. “As of the second of this month, my PMC, the Monster Box, has begun taking in recruits with the intent of replacing and absorbing the current PMCs who have failed in their contractual obligations to protect our city and our families. Over the next week, my troops will begin patrolling the Wall as well as certain sections of New Phoenix that have gone underserved, while we begin the process of consolidating the six PMCs who have failed us. In order to better assist in the detection of antithesis, we will be releasing a series special helpers who will patrol the streets and sky tunnels as well.”

From above, six Ravens glide onto the stage and land beside me, each of them wearing various street outfits ranging from suits to baggy pants and chains. “These Ravens will act as early warning systems and detectors for antithesis materials, as well as tip lines for citizens to report suspicious activity they detect. They will work hand in hand with the Companies of the Monster Box in order to protect our homes, our families and friends, and our futures from any who threaten them.”

I took a deep breath, then exhaled. “I will now be accepting questions.”

A wall of sound slammed into me as every journo stood and shouted and the call undeafens. It was a good thing that Synaptic was able to parse every question asked and filter down the questions I wanted to answer.

I chose my first question and a light shines from below the journalist chosen. Everyone quieted down as I wave for her to go ahead.

“Bunny Gardner, Light under the tunnel. You are going to be the first Samurai run PMC in New Phoenix considering Rocker Boy and the Groupies refuse to take on such a label. Does that mean you will be accepting contracts from private citizens and corporations as well as your self-appointed duties as Wall guards and cops?”

“Yes, however we will screen each potential client and ask for as much detail as possible in order to make sure we do not go against our core values. Those being the safety and protection of civilians from antithesis and unjust slavers.”

[Going the super righteous route, bro?] Roger asked teasingly.

[Just calling out the corporations directly, isn't he.] Yerlette said, concern tinting her voice. [Is that wise.]

Another wall of sound hit me before I decided to just mute my helmet until I needed to answer a question. I saw another question I wished to answer.

“Dubald Harold, Silver Lining, about Blizzard's Gala, there are reports that Billy Morgan was removed from the event after losing his arm. Is it true that you ripped it off in a fit of rage as he hit Cari Mikosano?”

I raised my eyebrow. “You know, I knew rumours turned to monsters if you left them alone, but that's actually crazy. No, I did not rip his arm off because he hit Cari Mikosano, I disintegrated his arm and the gun it was holding because he shot me in the face for telling him to, and I am quoting myself exactly here, ‘Either keep walking in a different direction, or I deperson you.’ He didn't take kindly to that.” I chuckled darkly. “Not to mention, if he touched Cari, he wouldn't have had a body to remove the Gala.”

The journos were quiet for a heartbeat before they jumped up once more.

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