A Perfectly Logical Guide to a Superhuman Apocalypse: 58

A Perfectly Logical Guide to a Superhuman Apocalypse: 58

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Arksoul

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I did my best to avoid Latin America for a good number of reasons.

But, mainly, I didn’t want to deal with the cartels.

They were powerful, violent, and lethal before superhumans came to be, and they only got better at doing what they did when superhumans got introduced into the rest of the world. They used superhumans to bridge the last little gap that they had between having a well-armed privateers and an actual army. The only reason that they didn’t become a threat to the United States was the simple fact that they kept each other in check, and they wanted the United States whole, healthy, and buying the strongest drugs that they could make.

In short, I kept my visits and vacations in Mexico, Central America, and Southern America purely as a tourist. Even with the prospect of a massive payout, I didn’t take any jobs down there, because I didn’t want the trouble.  I went there for the food, the culture, and the nice beaches, then went back home without raising up a fuss.

Qin was located in the Caribbean and making her way up the gulf towards Louisiana.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

Why bother thinking about the Cartels if you’re heading into Louisiana?

That’s American territory, right?

Now, if the world hadn’t gone to shit, I’d agree.

However, the world has gone to shit, so I wasn’t at all surprised what I found myself looking at once I arrived on the city’s after a brief trek through the swamp.

Yep.

A small cartel has moved in to make use of the Louisiana sea port, since all the others in Mexico were taken.

Not the best thing to hear, but in their defense, they were rebuilding the place since no one else was.

One amazing, cultural and culinary paradise gone, and in exchange there was a small port town used by a cartel for shipping drugs all across the Caribbean.

Yeah, Maelstrom’s going to have a field day with this with her unification plan.

…

“If you need help destroying this place, Anderson, I’m more than willing to provide it.” Maelstrom was ready to lay down the law after getting the briefing. Our little group was getting a lot of attention from the local populace, which were mostly Mexicans. Most of the structures around the harbor were new and lots of them were on platforms. The place probably got hit with a hurricane or two after things collapsed, so most of the old city was just gone or looked drowned and in disrepair. “You don’t plan on letting this continue, correct?”

“If I my troops weren’t spread so thin, I would’ve attacked this place. Your offer is appreciated.”

Yeah, these guys are on borrowed time.

“I’m confused as to how their business is proliferating. Demand must have sunk with the end of the global economy.” A combat gynoid came along as Parvati’s host this time around. All covered up in armor hidden in a tarp that muddled its outline against any surface, the thing was comparable to the average superhuman even without the guns it was carrying. At the very least, Parvati was taking venturing down here seriously. “Are they selling more than just recreational drugs?”

“You hit the nail on the coffin there, Parv.” Wallace gave the AI a nickname already. Of course he would. Hell, he’s already attached. Great job being compromised already, idiot. It’s a wonder how you’ve survived this long, even with how tough you are. “The Cartels sell all sorts of things. Performance enhancers, revitalizers, medicines, and other stuff. They had big pharm losing loads before they had to get nationalized.”

Ah, if there’s anything good about the end of global civilization, it’s the end of those assholes making money off of people’s misery.

Granted, a lot of people die of the common cold now, so I guess it’s still terrible.

Once generics are back in the market, though, I’ll be laughing it up just fine.

“Of course, I hadn’t considered that. Thank you, Clancy.” Yeah, the big guy’s itching to bone every model Parvati’s got. Not a surprise. You know that you’re literally falling for the AI’s tricks, right? It can’t even feel. Whatever sounds you’re making it make is all just meant to make you feel good. That’s just masturbation. “Egress, I know you know more.”

“Winners don’t do drugs, smoke, or drink.” I gave Parvati a peace sign and earned myself a round of groans. Only Miss Girlscout herself nodded in approval. Guess the AI doesn’t think much of me not partaking. I mean, I gave drinking a try, but I can get miserable just fine without any assistance from alcohol. And, they’re all expensive on the wallet and on the body. I want to live as long I can, and I’m not in the mood for getting medical treatments for things that I can avoid. “I only know what I know, and I barely know a thing about the Cartel.”

Surprisingly, Anderson stepped in.

“The cartel inhabiting the port of Louisiana is made up of several destroyed ones banding together. They call themselves the Unidad.” Ooh, mocking the United States with your naming convention. Or, maybe, laying claim to the United States by choosing that name. Y’all are in for a treat. Maelstrom’s already got that faraway look in her eye and barely not hovering imperiously off the ground. “Their main export is Paz, or Peace, and it’s a stimulant that causes intense highs, a perfect pain reliever, as well as an antibiotic that offers a measure of regeneration.”

I looked over at Clancy for the layman’s explanation.

“Meth and cocaine had a baby with healing powers.”

“Right, that sounds dangerous as hell.”

“It is. They’re spreading it all over the south. It’s their opening move to create a society of dependents on their product, until they have a labor pool and an army.” I never visited the Southern United States that thoroughly. Just popped by to great restaurants and see some museums. Heard a lot of bad. Heard a lot of good. Still, I didn’t think they, their kids, and grandkids deserved to be turned into a population of addicts under control by Cartels. Can’t speak for the people they actually hurt, but I’ll just work off my own feelings rather than think too hard. That’s for other people to fight over. I’ll settle for keeping kids who just want to survive through a cold not becoming soldiers for a meatgrinder. “My people are helping refugees from this place as we speak. The withdrawals cause immense pain and suffering. Those we stop from killing them beg for death, and many don’t retain their minds even with our best help. We have no one in our ranks who can formulate a counter-agent.”

“Anderson, I know we have different opinions and beliefs, but know that on matters such as this I don’t wish to stand idly by. There are some things that transcend borders. This is one of them.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Maelstrom.”

Right, nothing like mutual enemies who are terrible people to bury the hatchet over… or, I guess in this case, bury the hatchet into instead.

Anyhow, we made our way towards the township kinda like a bunch of idiots walking right into a trap.

Of course, if the trap was sprung, we wouldn’t be the only idiots involved in the situation.

…

“Well, that’s a first.”

“Guess strolling in works just fine when you’ve got plenty of heavy artillery, huh?” Clancy gave a low whistle. Alarms had rung as soon as our group was sighted. I felt a few gazes on me, but I was sure people started abandoning their posts after seeing Walker and Anderson. Either someone had good connections or long memory in there, or both. Maybe, some sort of ability to foresee the future and choose the one that doesn’t end in ass getting kicked. Whatever was the case, we walked through the front door and Qin’s ship was at the end of the long, main road that went through the settlement. “And, it looks like everyone’s bunkered down. Not even a greeting, huh?”

“They have chosen shelter thinking that I would stay my hand and not initiate the conflict. They are wrong. Or, they would be wrong, if we did not have more pressing matters to attend to.” Anderson stated simply. She looked at the place like it was a miserable pile of garbage that she wanted the opportunity to throw into the incinerator. “I will return when time permits to remove this place from existence.”

Maelstrom didn’t share her thoughts, instead Kaede Walker stared at the place with a cold, analytical demeanor. If I had to guess, I’d bet that she was mapping out where and how she should hit this place. Congrats, Unidad, you’re going to get introduced to a sentient hypersonic kinetic kill vehicle that’ll just bulldoze this place without a scratch.

If the leader of the place decided to meet with us, I’d tell him to take everything he could and skedaddle back to wherever he and his people came from.

But, as I thought, no one came and we reached where Qin’s ship was.

A portion of the docks was secluded from the rest by some barricades made from materials salvaged from the surroundings. Blocks of cement, fences, a prefab here and there, made up a boundary that separated the converted cargo ship from the rest of the settlement. It was easy to see why Qin chose this place to dock. Even with most of the place in disrepair, it was obvious that this was a place meant to service the container ship. It could stay here for a while without any issues.

Perfect to place to set up, while you went out and tried to find your daughter in a massive continental area.

And, as dangerous and powerful Unidad was, Qin didn’t mind the neighbors.

Why would she?

She can tear through this whole town in a few minutes without breaking a sweat. Clancy could do the same. Hell, if I was willing to step on a few toes, I’d be able to do it as well.

People who’d pick a fight on principle got weeded out early.

“Clancy. Egress. I see that you’ve brought guests.”

“And, you’ve gotten better.” Most of the group was startled by Qin’s sudden appearance between me and Clancy. She’d slipped past both Maelstrom and Anderson. Not a good look for those two, but… “Not good enough, though.”

Qin frowned for a second, before scowling.

“Yep, we’re back on the good, old rock in the middle of nowhere.” Everyone else tagged along after I said I’d go talk to Qin. However, even if everyone else had assets I didn’t or nations at their back, that didn’t mean they were going to get to talk to her first. “Black silk and golden thread for a tie? Someone’s enjoying the high life.”

“And, you’re still the same. Threatening my life upon first meeting.”

“You used your power first. This is self-defense.”

“I still have nothing that can overcome your defenses.”

“And, I’d be an idiot to take that risk.” I walked about the island for a bit, before I reached it. One of the shelters Parvati paid me off with. I was trusting the AI to honor its end of the bargain and not be tracking it. Of course, I swept it for bugs first, but I highly doubted that I could find whatever it cooked up. If you’re watching me Parvati, you’ve got a lot you might lose. Trust is hard to regain. Essentially, I was betting on the AI knowing that it’d be hard for me to trust it if didn’t hold up its end of the bargain. “Come on in. I’ve upgraded my personal assortment of islands in the middle of nowhere”

“So, now you can simply imprison people, instead of starving them to death?” Qin was as glib as always, but took off the leather shoes she wore right before coming into the prefabricated building. The size and shape of a universal cargo container, but the inside was like a studio apartment complete with kitchenette and shower. The water purifier turned off after the tanks were filled, too, and the batteries were charged by the panels. Nice. “Who is the fool who would supply you with all the prison space that you desire with your abilities in mind?”

“I asked for shelters that I can put anywhere I want to hide out. Not for prisons. They just pull double duty.” I found a foldout table on the wall and unpacked it. The chairs were also folded against the wall. Parvati really went out of its way with each and every one of these. I wasn’t even detecting any signals being sent out or in the shelter. Man, I really got paid well, didn’t I? “Just like the Donor Weapons you’re toting around in the ship of yours.”

Qin blinked at that word.

“You Americans retain your orbital infrastructure? How?”

“There is no American and we didn’t retain jack shit. America’s gone. Everything’s new, fresh, and wild as hell. We’ve got a pseudo-republic out on the West Coast. A Theocracy taking over some parts of the south and the Midwest. Cartels coming from Mexico and… I honestly have no clue what’s going on the East Coast and Canada.” I went over to the fridge and got some of the food stocked inside, then slotted the containers into the kitchen’s small oven. I stored some long-lasting meals in fridges for the first five of my bugout places. Nothing like a warm, soothing meal to enjoy while running for my life and not risking going back home. “I operate independently and at my own discretion with a few employers here and there that have problems that only I can fix, which they can pay me a lot for… so, this is all me. And, you know how I feel about Donor Weapons.”

Qin is the deadliest person that I know. She was born with killing instinct and had the talent for it. The fact that she was superhuman just amplified those traits of her, while the experience she gained from fighting just piled on and on.

In other words, if she could kill me, she would’ve already.

Since I’m still alive, we both knew that I had all the leverage, and I wasn’t asking for much.

Qin sighed and shook her head.

“The Donor Weapons are standardized and composed of clone tissue. A life support system for little more than a brain stem, lungs, and heart all in a single, replaceable cartridge.” Qin told me what I wanted to know, and I reached out and plucked one of the weapons from over in Louisiana. She growled at me, but opened the suitcase while I watched. When the shielding came off, I felt it… and even if I didn’t like it… it wasn’t as bad as I thought. “Well?”

“You’ve made superpowered, cyborg worms. Congrats. I’m done here. Go have fun explaining yourself to Maelstrom, Clancy, Anderson, and the world’s most dangerous AI.”

“AI!?”

With that said, I sent her back.

I’m going to enjoy a meal before I go back to that shitshow.