Chapter Thirty-Eight - The Rat and the Hungry Tiger


    Chapter Thirty-Eight - The Rat and the Hungry Tiger


    The System started in 2022.


    Its not really surprising. Well rank anything; its a species-wide fixation. The best car, the highest ranking web-serial, the most popular creators. Give us a dataset, and people will organize it from best to worse.


    The System is complex though. There are a lot of things to take into account with it, and some of those are very much speculative.


    Fortunately, we like speculating too!


    --Documentary except from an interview with the creator of The System, 2029


    ***


    The city halls entrance was a grand and ostentatious place, tax-paid marble, bribe-paid paintings, a few repossessed statues on plinths. It was genuinely nice. Very intimidating.


    I walked past men and women in suits, who often stopped to stare. I dont know if it was my armour or Racs Racness. It was sort of disappointing that I wasnt making any noise as I moved. It would have been appropriate to clang and clunk with every step.


    There was a small line before the reception desk, a long counter with inch-thick glass over it and some secretaries behind. Three of them currently served some forty-odd people in three columns.


    I considered cutting to the front, but that was just rude. I was here to scare big important politicians, and most of those in line looked like normal folk. Middle-class people in their Sunday best, clutching paper documents and staring off into space with the boredom appropriate for someone waiting in line.


    The woman behind the bullet-proof glass was overweight, her third chin decorated by a couple of gaudy infomercial necklaces, and her eyes was very obviously focused on anything but the man standing before her.


    Whyre we waiting? Raccoon asked.


    Because it might make things easier in the long run, I said. I couldnt help but notice the security guards gathering on the edges of the room. They were eyeing me the way a rat might eye a hungry tiger.


    The guy at the very front moved out of the way, walkin off with a huff. One of the people ahead of us spotted me, then stepped aside and shifted to the next line over. Awfully kind of them. That left us one person behind the front.


    What? the man asked in a low hiss.


    The fat woman behind the desk spoke with the low drone of someone who had no shits to give. You brought the document in duplicate, but it needs to be in triplicate, and these are dated for today. The deadline is today, which means that its too late.


    Isnt it inclusive? the man asked. This is unreasonable! If I dont have this, where will I stay?


    There is a nine month waiting period for an affordable housing unit. Please see form AF80. Can I help you with anything else?


    You... argh, he groaned before stomping off.


    I looked at Rac and she shrugged. I aint ever filled out any paperwork before.


    Fair enough. I stepped up to the counter. How may I help you?


    Im looking for... whoevers in charge here, I said.


    Thats not this department, she replied.


    Well then, which department would know where the mayors office is? I asked.


    The guard before me moved to enter the elevator, so I stepped up and grabbed him by the collar. He let out a rather undignified squeak as I lifted him off the ground, then carried him over to the counter, his feet brushing the floor as he kicked out.


    There was a young secretary-looking guy behind the counter. He wasnt watching any soap operas, but he was filming.


    I shut off my invisibility, aware of the guns pointed my way by the three other guards. Hi, I said. Id like to make an appointment to speak with the mayor.


    Uh, the secretary said.


    Right now, please, I said. Being polite was tiring.


    Put me down! the guard I was holding up screamed. The other three were shouting too.


    Fine, I said as I let go of the guard. Tell the mayor that Stray Cat is here to see him.


    Stray Cat, the secretary said. He looked at something on a nearby screen, and then blanched. Oh. S-stand down, stand down, everyone! he said as he stood, both arms waving up and down.


    The guards paused in their useless screaming and glanced his way.


    Miss Stray Cat here is a samurai who is coming to, ah, visit the mayor.


    I should have opened with that, I muttered.


    We wouldnt want to insult one of the top fourty thousand, the secretary replied.


    What? I asked.


    He blanched even further, if that was at all possible. Its, ah, just your ranking... miss?


    I frowned. My ranking on what?


    The ranking?


    He has a screen opened to a site that ranks Vanguards. Specifically those in the North American continent. You are currently ranked number 48,094. Out of nearly fifty thousand active Vanguards in the region. Your international ranking is significantly worse.


    Theres rankings? I asked. Based on what?!


    The system is relatively complex. Active duty time, level of perceived threat, some popularity polls.


    Huh, I said. Wheres Gomorrah?


    Currently at 47,947.


    I frowned harder. And Deus Ex?


    2,581st place. The higher rankings move less often.


    Well... lets go see the mayor and get those rank numbers down, shall we? I asked. Come on Rac, no ones going to hurt you without getting shot right after.


    ***