23 - IENN

“Welcome to IENN, Integrated Earth News Network, I’m your host Vanida Niran. Breaking news: a new settlement has been added to the Sullivan Survival Society’s alliance of settlements, this time in the former nation of the Russian Federation. Sources say that Maya Sullivan is making a major military push to secure the city of Moscow from mana mutations. What do we know of the current Russian government? What do the locals say? Where are these troops coming from?

“This all comes as mana mutation swarms have been detected across several continents. Un-contacted human enclaves are being left high and dry as the 3S shuts down the Sullivan Box deliveries and operations as they shift resources toward Russia. What will this move cost humanity? Already sources are saying that trade has ground to a halt in many settlements as they can no longer access the Emporium.

“This also occurring as reports of inventory management inaccuracies plague the Emporium. Many customers claiming that items that were listed suddenly disappeared and they could no longer purchase them. One woman even claiming that she paid for her items and did not even receive it, only getting a sad face emoji and a note to call the customer hotline. Which as far as we know, has yet to be fully implemented. Calls to Yosi Sullivan have been, as of yet, unreturned.

“What does this mean for the men and women in the desperate combat zones of China, Japan, and Nigeria? Does the sudden absent of hundreds of items correlate to the new Brigade that Maya Sullivan is sending to reinforce Russia? Current military experts claim that the 3S cannot yet call upon the Mobile Infantry she has been recruiting for. Again, where are these troops coming from?

“What we do know is that Maya Sullivan has made contact with an alien species and has hired a thousand mercenaries to fight on her behalf. This only applies to 3S Alliance settlements, of course. With the state of the world as it is, there are settlements that are already trying be the first to obtain these soldiers to clear out the horrors they are facing. Local defenders and soldiers are hesitant about allowing an alien species into their settlements, claiming that these high leveled aliens are only there to take the credits and the experience they would earn. Although it is a known fact that it will take several more Cage days to see their arrival from their home system.

“We have an exclusive interview with Bellmoro Domakun, the Alchemist, who refutes the idea that mercenaries are a frowned upon force in the multiverse. We have military advisor Captain Ramon Sanchez of the Peruvian Settlements with some choice words about mercenaries and the new doctrines of combat that are evolving from having people with powers.

“And finally, calls from Alliance settlements are demanding to be allowed to send their own people to the Sullivan Accelerated Occupational Program, as news that Izumi Kaname, the Japanese Astronaut, has cracked the method on how to create enchanted gear. Astronaut Kaname has yet to release any words regarding this extraordinary development, but concerns are already growing that Maya Sullivan, leader of the 3S and owner of the Emporium, will attempt to hold onto the knowledge that Earth’s First Enchanter has gained.

“All of this occurring while the participants of the SOAP, locally dubbed Suds, have been pulled from classes and interaction with visitors to the Cage. Reports are that they are working on some top secret project. Does it have to do with Russia? Is it to help the Americans, a country that is reported to be the homeland of Maya Sullivan. We have tried contacting Astronaut Hanna Rogers, Worker’s Advocate and Village Head of Sanctuary Nexus, but have yet to get a response.

“This is Day 31 since Integration, current global population is estimated at one billion two hundred million.

“Let us begin with our first story: Russia.

***

“Shoot me,” Hanna said.

“Okay, if you insist,” Maya responded as she looked up from the engineering schematic she was creating.

“Hold on, this isn’t like when Izumi said to hit him, is it?”

“Maybe…”

“I thought Niran was going to make a little high school-ish parody of a news program, but that woman can work,” Hanna sighed. “Since she’s gotten the ‘okay’ from you and Yosi, she’s been everywhere, demanding questions and coming to conclusions.”

“That’s the press for you,” Maya said. “She was pretty invasive when she interviewed me.”

“I read the interview. You were pretty evasive and full of bad jokes,” Hanna said.

“It’s the press’ job to get answers, it’s not my job to give them,” Maya grinned. “But truthfully, I kinda like the whole news thing. Freedom of the press and accountability; we all need a little check and balance on occasion.”

Hanna sighed but agreed with her.

***

“With no, as of yet, leader of the Russian Federation, it has devolved into factional groups trying to survive and at times coming into conflict with each other.” a new woman was speaking. Kannika Nasem, Vanida’s partner in the news business. “From the information given to us by Astronaut George Hazel, we know that Cosmonaut Yuri Volkov was the first to use the Mana Stripper 2000 and cross over into Moscow from the former International Space Station. His mission was to discover the remnants of the Russian government and to also establish a settlement where he deemed it necessary.

“It appears that Cosmonaut Volkov has activated this settlement deed. Do we know any details about it?” Vanida asked.

“Sources tell us that Cosmonaut Volkov has established a defensive settlement and has been accepted into the 3S Alliance. With Cosmonaut Volkov’s previous military experience and close connection with Maya Sullivan, it seems that she is fully invested in seeing that Moscow does not fall.” An image of a figure in red armor appeared, carrying a large axe. They swung it into the a furry monster that was rushing them. “Twenty Cage hours ago, Maya Sullivan was given information that Moscow was about to be overrun by a low-grade mana mutation surge, estimates put it at around fifty-thousand mutated creatures. With the factional divisions within Russia, this would have lead to the death of possibly more than half million people.”

“What can you tell us about these new Brigade soldiers?”

“Currently the battle in Moscow is still a ongoing event, but we have had some communication regarding the Brigade as it was named. They seem to be mid low-grade in levels. The weapons and skills used are in line with combat orientated occupational paths. We aren’t sure who they are as anyone with an Inspect, Analyze, or even Know skill have yet to learn any information. The only thing we do know is that they are simply called Redemption Soldier, that’s all that people can glean from them.”

“So these aren’t the mercenary aliens that are supposedly coming to help settlements?”

“No, they’re human.” The view changed to one of the red soldiers tea-bagging a dead furry animal. “As you can see.”

“So unknown humans fighting for Maya Sullivan.”

“There is also this,” the soldier on the screen turned and on the helmet it wore was a stylized version of a happy face. “Sources tell us that this smiling face correlates with the maddening humor that Maya Sullivan indulges in-“

***

“Boo!” Maya shouted, closing her schematic. “I’m shutting this news service down!”

“So much for freedom of the press,” Hanna said. “Just because you own the Cage, own the power, water, food, and the very air they breath, you didn’t think they’d be kind toward you.”

“My humor is not maddening!”

Hanna made a face.

The comm chimed and Maya activated it. Nan, in holographic human form, appeared.

“Nan, long time no see,” Maya said, grinning. The woman grinned back, revealing sharp teeth. “How’s business?”

“We are at acceptable levels, no real injuries beside training accidents and what are brought in from various settlements. I am informing you that Bad Blood has awaken.”

“Oh, yeah. That.” Maya sighed. “I’ll be there in ten.”

“Acknowledged.”

“You wanna come?” Maya asked Hanna.

“Nah, I’ve got a meeting with one of the worker’s leaders. Apparently you pulling them into overtime and refusing to let them mingle with the visitors is causing some morale issues.”

“There was a clause in their contract just for this,” Maya said. “If they read it, they’d know that.”

“Yeah, yeah, but people are still pissed about it.”

“It’s literally what they’re here for. To level up their occupational skills, to learn system tech, and to- ugh - I’m not going into this rant anymore,” Maya said. “Make them see reason and get them back to work.”

“Aye, aye, boss,” Hanna said, still glued to the news report. “Y’know, I’m apart of the Privy Council and know all of this stuff she’s talking about, but its kinda weird to see it being covered like real news.”

“There’s no ‘privy council’ and that is real news.”

“Yeah, that’s the disconnect,” Hanna said. “Back when I was an awesome Astronaut, it didn’t really bother me. There was a lot of press and media surrounding every mission, but that was just the way it was. This time, it feels different. It’s like its my first time all over again.”

“Gross,” Maya said.

“Shoo, child. Go see your little cannibal friend and maybe get her to make peace with her Flesh Mother and let us focus on the real things. Like contacting France and getting some real wine.”

“Make piece,” Maya chuckled as she left the room.

***

“Oh, did you change you body type?” Maya asked as she entered the new Infirmary. Nan looked up from where she was doing some work, her sharp tooth smile radiating.

“Yes, I made some minor adjustments to my form,” she said. “I found that it caused a 10 percent increase in my patient’s calmness.”

“Looking hot, that’s why,” Maya said.

“I have been told my attractiveness has been distracting,” Nan said, brushing back a holographic lock of long dark hair. It wasn’t just light, but with some of the new gear they had obtained, the holographic image of Nan was almost real to the touch. Maya resisted the urge to touch the doctor.

“Shall we?” Maya said.

Nan nodded and she led the way into the back rooms. A blank wall slide aside and they entered a clean white tunnel which lead to another airlock. Inside a large circular room was a single bed that Bad Blood occupied. Ironwatcher had returned to the RSH to organize and feed the people.

“Merchant Sullivan,” Bad Blood muttered weakly.

“Bad Blood, it’s been a while,” Maya said, summoning a chair and sitting down on it. “You’ve looked better.”

“There were intense disruptions to her mana channels,” Nan stated. “Her blood was also becoming toxic due to mana build up.”

“That’s a thing?” Maya asked.

“Yes.”

“Alrighty.”

“The Mother’s Touch,” Bad Blood said. “She curses those that would defy her with it. It is a slow and painful death”

“So it’s like a spell?” Maya asked.

“It’s a disruption of her mana channels, causing the mana already within her to toxify,” Nan said.

“If there’s no mana in the RSH, what has the Mother been using?” Maya asked.

“She has taken our tesseracts and she already had a massive store of mana stones at her disposal. She no longer needs to consume flesh, only mana. The Flesh of the Mother changes to her will, she has somehow stabilized the mana within her area, allowing those who were stripped of their mana to regain it and function again.”

Maya frowned, Yosi and Bell and Bad Blood had all been stripped of mana when the mana purge began. They had all collapsed and nearly died, but thankfully Bell had several mana potions on him, allowing him to top them off before they succumb to the lack of mana. The Mother seemed to have an ability to manipulate mana even when it had been purged from the RSH.

“What Tier is she?” Maya asked.

‘I don’t know, many believe she is Tier 3 or higher.”

“Although mana consumption is a Tier 4 ability, there have been many cases where it has been achieved before Tier 3,” Nan said. She gestured to Bad Blood. “The Tarvana themselves are an example, although they do not consume ambient mana, they still consume mana stones that supplement their diet.”

“Even with the Purge, Whiteclaw’s people were still moving about easily,” Maya remembered. She shook her head. “What are we looking at in regards to this whole Harvester Army, numbers and levels?”

Bad Blood was quiet for a moment. “We are heretics. She is sending the entire Army against us. Fifty thousand low-grade warriors, ten thousand mid-grade, and several hundred high-grade.”

It was Maya’s turn to be quiet. “Fuck,” she said. “Any chance peace is an option?”

“No. We must be eradicated or the Mother will face rebellion in the Motherland.”

“Just because of you five hundred?” Maya asked.

“We have shown the Children that they need not consume their brethren to stay alive. That with the Purge on, we can move more easily than the rogue AIs and possibly set up trade with you for food.”

“I’m gonna need you to recreate everything you remember about the Motherland and your meeting with the Flesh Mother,” Maya said.

“Why?” Bad Blood asked.

“If it comes down to it, I’m going to have to have a conversation with Big Mama.”

Bad Blood was quiet for a long moment again. “I told her about the Cage,” she whispered.

“Well, shit.”

***

Maya adjusted the system tech component and it clicked into place. The schematic went from a red hue of non-functional to green, signifying that the build was successfully activated. Maya rubbed her eyes and sat back in her chair, watching as the schematic was run through its paces. The computer creating scores of simulations to test the extent of the device.

A chime sounded and a moment later Hanna walked into the room. She practically dragged herself to a couch and lay down on it, sighing loudly. Maya ignored her and kept watching the simulations of the device. Hanna sighed loudly again.

“I don’t need anymore issues on my plate,” Maya said.

Hanna sighed again. “Have you no heart?”

“Nope. Heartless and cruel, the dominator of species and planets, ’tis I.” Maya replaced a component and the simulation’s efficiency increased slightly.

“The workers are going to go on strike,” she said.

“That’s unfortunate,” Maya mused. “Shall I hire scabs, there are literally millions who want in.”

“The working conditions are depressing. I’ve been to your workshops, they are… horrible.”

“Whoa, easy there, little missy. Those workshops are fully functional and have everything they need. After their overtime shifts, they can return home to their dorms and Sanctuary Nexus. What I need for some zipped lips as they finish up the project, then once it’s done and this whole mess with the Tarvana is over, they can go skipping back into Chiriya’s diner and mingle with whomever.”

“No I mean literally. Those workshops are depressing as all hell,” Hanna said.

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, this again?” Maya groaned. “Because it ain’t pretty to look at they’re gonna strike?”

“Unfortunately.”

“They signed a contract, they agreed to this, if they’re refusing to work then that’s a violation of the contract. If they violate it, they’re gonna be eighty-sixed outta here.”

“You’d do that?” Hanna asked. “The entire group is from Ko Sumai, you would cause some alienation from the place you’re supposedly setting up your capitol.”

“How many times can I say that we are in the middle of an apocalypse. Because they’ve had two weeks of clean sheets and hot meals, they think that that world is fine again? Millions are dying everyday and we need to move to protect the very Cage they’re living in. And the answer is ‘Yes’ I will alienate anyone and everyone if it means that this Cage survives to continue helping other people.”

Hanna sighed again.

“Look, Hanna. I like you, you’re a good person, funny, and sometimes you call me out on my own shit. In this case, I’m your boss not your friend. I need those workers working. I need the weapons they’re working on finished within the next few days. I need them to work faster and harder than they ever did before, because it’s not just their jobs on the line. It’s their whole fucking survival. Got it?”

Hanna blinked. “Yeah…”

“There is over sixty thousand Tarvana marching against Bad Blood and the Hanganathorie, the Flesh Mother knows of the Cage and she’s out to grab it for herself, and we’re low on weapons and materials because some fuckhead decided to be all patriotic and send it back home.” Maya glared at Hanna. “I do not need the people, who are being paid a handsome sum to work in safety and plenty, to go on strike because they don’t like the hours and the assembly plant they’re in. Get them working or get them out of the Cage.”

Hanna nodded and left without a word.

Maya shut down the simulation she had running and flopped onto the couch, rubbing her eyes. She opened a window and watched as the IENN broadcast was still on-going.

***

“-news! The United States has found a cabinet member of the previous administration still alive within the city of Denver, Colorado. Apparently the Secretary of Labor, Amelia Collins-Stone, suffered food poisoning and was getting treatment at a hospital when Integration occurred.

“What we know about Amelia Collins-Stone was her hardline stance against monopolies in the tech and entertainment industries. She was known as a champion of unions and took a heavy stance against the use of military forces outside of the United States-“

***

Maya shut the window and lay on the couch. “Great,” she muttered.

A moment later her comm beeped. She sighed and activated it. “What’s up?” she asked.

“Maya,” George said, “I’ve received a message from the new President of the United States.”

“I hope it’s congratulating me for the work I’ve done and the people I’ve saved,” Maya said, “and telling me to keep doing the great job I’m doing.”

“Uh… no,” George said.

“Spill it, buddy. I’m short on time and patience.”

“She has called you into a meeting in Denver in four hours, MVT, to discuss your role in the reclaiming the USA.”

Maya chuckled. “She’s calling me into a meeting? You know I can’t leave this damn Cage, right?”

“I tried informing them that it would be impossible, but they’re still insisting. As an American, I thought you might want to know that your president is reaching out a hand to get you on board with helping our country.”

“Pass. Maybe once we’ve dealt with Russia, the RSH, and the Pigs and Crows, we’ll have time to discuss her goals for America and how I can help,” Maya said.

“One of the issues is the Pigs and Crows. The President has issued a statement calling for their eradication, root and stem. It appears Denver was subjected to a Crow raid not long ago, many died, including her husband.”

Maya looked to the ceiling of her room for a long while. “Eradication,” she said. “Does she realize these aren’t animals or mana mutations? That they’re living, breathing, thinking people.”

“I’m not sure. I’ve forwarded the data we’ve gathered, but as of yet I haven’t received a response.”

“If she goes with this plan, she’ll become an Enemy of the Cage, got it? If she goes forward with trying to commit genocide, she’ll have to go down.”

“This is the President of-“

“I. Don’t. Care.”

George was silent.

“Set up diplomatic relations, tell them we’ll meet with them when we’ve resolved our current issues, tell them that if they proceed with genocide, we’ll have to react to save lives. Up to and including removing her genocidal regime.”

George was silent again.

“Are you having a crisis of loyalties again?” Maya demanded. “Do you wish to resign? Say the word and you can go home. I’m sure your expertise and Engineering skills will be welcomed in California.”

“I already stated this is the place I can do the most good,” George said.

“That’s not an answer and you know it,” Maya snapped. “This isn’t just about America, this is about the whole damn world. You want to do the most good? Then help the world.”

“I’ll send the message,” George said and deactivated the comm.

Maya closed her eyes and breathed in slowly. Her comm beeped once more.

“Maya,” Yosi’s voice came through, “we have a problem.”

***

“-as cities burn and billions lay dead, the people across the world aren’t giving up. It is due to a simple thing, the human resolve to fight and to struggle on. As the mana mutations increase, as the mana renders continue to spew out horrors from other worlds, and as what we once knew is shattered, we continue on. Armored in resolve and armed with hope. Hope that one day we shall see a better tomorrow.

This is Vanida Niran, signing off on Day 31 since Integration. The human population is estimated at one billion two hundred million and we are not giving up.”