Chapter Fifty-Five - Hunger of the Masses


    Chapter Fifty-Five - Hunger of the Masses


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    ***


    So, what are they complaining about, exactly? I asked. It was a semi-rhetorical question. I was on my way down and out of the hotel--using the elevator, because why would I sneak out--while eying up the protestors media feed.


    Would-be-protestors. They were still huddled up in their homes, for the most part. A few had gone out to meet each other, it seemed, and the urge to do something was clearly spreading as people egged each other on, but for the moment things had yet to start popping off.


    A quick scroll showed a lot of people complaining, and a lot of people encouraging each other to get out there and do more than just complain online.


    It felt a little like I was watching the pressure building in a can that was about to burst. It needed a release, and I was worried that the release would cause some serious trouble. Most of all for me.


    I didnt mind people wanting to protest and hell, they were right, shit wasnt fine. The problem was that while their protests would certainly kick things into high gear when it came to fixing some issues, it would also cause a number of new, fresh issues as well.


    The complaints seem to be divided along three main points of contention. Four, really. The first is the quarantine that has been implemented across the city.


    Theres a quarantine? I asked as I got out of the elevator. A few of the guards looked at me suspiciously, but if I was leaving, then I wasnt going to be their problem for long.


    Its not in full effect. But there are Stay-At-Home measures in place at the moment. People travelling out of their homes will receive warnings. There are forms that can be filled to justify the leaving, and these can be filed in advance, but the restrictions are chafing.


    I frowned, then went searching for some of those forms myself. I could see why people were annoyed a moment later. The form was top of the line bureaucratic bullshit. The first half asked for manual entry of information that my augs should have provided already, then I had to give a reason why I wanted to leave, where I would go, and when Id be back. Failure to disclose the right information or come home late, or not go where I was supposed to, would result in a fine.


    Or it would, for a normal person, I wasnt going to bother with this.


    Okay, that needs streamlining. Who implemented this?


    The militia and the city government. Its meant to reduce the number of people on the streets and in dangerous areas. Its also meant to help keep track of citizens. Its wildly inefficient, and there are several ways around it. The fines being credit-based also mean that anyone with sufficient resources can merely ignore them. But, they have proven to be successful in reducing the number of bodies on the streets and outside of their own designated housing areas.


    I nodded along as I left the building. I wasnt sure where to go from there, but I started towards the centre of the city. I wanted a walk to think, in any case.


    A little under half a million.


    What the fuck, that doesnt make any sense, I said, my other trains of thought entirely derailed for a moment.


    Those are registered restaurants. Most of them are ghost restaurants. Several fronts all situated within the same industrial kitchen serving the same food across multiple brands.


    Ah, capitalist fuckery, I said. That made more sense. How many cooks, then? I asked.


    A few thousand are registered. Do you want me to send a call out for them?


    Do it. Tell them to show up at the Mall at... nine-thirty. Sign it with my name. Tell them that well be... appropriating a few of those restaurants to start serving people throughout the city. Fuck, were going to need an app or something.


    That seems amusing. Ill take care of it. Perhaps we can start competing brands between ourselves and the citys other Vanguard? Chez Stray Cats?


    Youre a riot, I deadpanned. You mentioned a fourth problem?


    Indeed. Theres a growing envy of the Kittens.


    You mean the people Lucys working with? I asked.


    Yes, since the positions are limited and theyre seen using Vanguard technology and assisting on the front lines, the active members of the Kittens have begun to brag. Naturally, this has created a slight schism between them and those who cannot or will not join.


    Thats the stupidest shit, I said.


    A number of people within the ranks of the organisers of this protest agree. Its the most hotly debated point of contention among them. I dont think anything will come of it, not as long as new opportunities to join the Kittens group arise.


    I took a moment to wonder at the incredible stupidity of humanity. Unfortunately, a moment was all I could spare. Is Intel-chan awake yet? I asked


    Their alarm went off six minutes ago. They are still doing their morning ablutions.


    A bit too much information. Tell them to call me as soon as theyre free, I said. Were gonna put them in charge of the logistics for the food thing. Do you think the protestors will calm down?


    Its possible. But I doubt it. Youve mitigated several of the reasons they have to protest, or will, in any case, but the anger has risen already. It will take more than that to calm them down.


    Any advice, then? I asked, because I didnt know what to do about it.


    ***