Chapter Fourteen - Mayoral Image

Chapter Fourteen - Mayoral Image

Chapter Fourteen - Mayoral Image

Protesting as a form of protest--that is to say, the gathering of large crowds rallying for change--is dangerous to the economy, to the health of the individuals, and to the health of a government.

That is why taking immediate, violent action against the protestors is often recommended. It puts a complete stop to the protesting action early with a minimal loss of potential revenues and a heavy reduction in the amount of property damage suffered, all for the cost of a few lives.

--Copcore Promotion Material, 2029

***

I woke up an hour shy of noon the next day, and the first thing I did, while still half covered on the bed with a softly breathing Lucy next to me, was check my messages.

There were lots. Most of them I dismissed while skimming through. The Mayors office had sent me a reminder about our meeting in... about forty minutes. The Family sent a long form with requisitions and updates on the whole sewage situation.

I rubbed at my fleshy eye as I read over a kindly worded message from Peter Silverbloom about that prosthetics clinic. Right. Forgot about that, I muttered. Myalis, can we set up a meeting with him tomorrow?

Certainly. And good morning, Catherine. I was contemplating waking you up soon. You still have time to shower and dress for your meeting with the mayor.

Did I want to shower and dress for a meeting with the mayor? No, no I did not.

But I had to. Not only did I not want to come off as the sort of person that couldnt be held to her word, I also... wait, actually that was really the only reason. Well, that and Id just end up having to put off the meeting.

Besides, the mayor had some explaining to do. The buck was supposed to stop at his corrupt office, not at my doorstep.

I slithered out from under Lucy, giving her head a peck when she grumbled sleepily, then I trudged over to the showers and stood under scalding hot water for a while. The building had some sort of water recuperation and filtration thing going on, separate from the rest of the citys water grid. This was a luxury few people would be able to afford soon if I didnt get moving.

With time ticking onwards, I rooted around the bedroom for something to wear, then decided to head out fully kitted. That meant a clean undersuit, good samurai boots and a long coat, all with enough stealth tech to make me a nightmare to corner. The helmet came on last.

Make another note, I said. We need to go clothes shopping at some point.

I couldnt just wear samurai stuff all the time. I needed threads for more casual stuff. Lucy was having fun printing T-shirts, but I sure as shit wasnt going to wear a shirt that said Wired Wrong or My Girlfriend Has Vibrating Fingers on it.

The shirt with I Know Where Cats Reset Button Is on it was just too lewd to be seen in public. Although... it might embarrass the mayor.

Oh well, next time. I was already dressed and I had twenty minutes to get to the meeting which was nearly halfway across the city from here.

I snuck out the front of our place, noting that some of the Kittens were already up and some hadnt gone to sleep yet. I waved them goodbye before heading out.

It was, of course, raining, so I slipped on my helmet (which Id definitely need to drive around anyway) then walked over to my bike which Id parked near the mech. Myalis was kind enough to punch in the location data before Id even started the bike up, so it knew where I was going before I even took off.

The flight was what Id expect from a flight across New Montreal. Long and tedious, even if I was cutting across traffic and zipping through no-fly zones the entire time.

The Mayors office was in the city council building, which I noticed had a bit of a crowd forming at the front. Dozens of people, some with cheap signs, others with holographic projectors sending out banner messages over their head. Then there was the police and the news, all crowding closer to the front.

And I was right there, in the background, arms crossed but with the framing it probably looked like I was tacitly supporting him.

The absolute fucker.

Our city is facing a myriad of issues, and I assure you, they are not being ignored! It pains and yet gladdens me to see so many gathered here in protest. You are right to be upset but we will overcome this challenge together. We are too resilient, too tough to allow some adversity to put us down.

Dupont stepped to the side slightly and gestured back towards me. Suddenly I could feel thousands of eyes on me.

How long had he been planning this for? Since I made that appointment? Did he know Id park out front? Fucker.

Ladies and gentlemen and others, meet Strat Cat, one of New Montreals own, a hero and symbol of the Citys strength, and of course a valiant friend of the Dupont management and proof that we will solve your, and our, problems!

No, I said. No one heard me though, one voice against Duponts which was being blasted out from some speakers somewhere. Dupont, you sack of shit.

With the help of New Montreals own samurai we will-- and on and on he went, political nothing, but people were listening because I was here.

If I was in that crowd, what would I think?

Samurai were fucking mythical to some people who didnt know better. Id been one of them, one of those to think that we could fix anything. And now Dupont was rubbing himself all over that image.

I was only aware that Id pulled my Trenchmaker out of its hip-sheath when Duponts voice cracked.

Probably because the barrel was pointing unwaveringly at his head. No, I repeated. Myalis, patch me in.

Done.

You dont get to use me as a fucking prop to cover up more empty-promises. You were given a chance to fix things. I warned you already. Today was meant to be your second and last.

Duponts own mic cut off. An aug? An aide pulling the switch? In any case, when he next spoke, it was just between the two of us. Youre going to threaten me in front of this entire crowd? You can only get away with so much. Im the rightfully elected mayor!

You had power. Had. You wasted it, didnt even try to make things better. My voice rang out over the square.

Stray Cat, this isnt a nice image.

Fuck your image, I said. Then, before he could talk me out of it, I pulled the trigger.

Dupont flopped to the ground, the upper half of his head sprayed out behind him. The crowd, predictably, screamed. The cops were clearly undecided on what to do next.

I turned to the crowd while tucking my gun away. Go home, I suggested. Or dont. One way or another Ill fix this.

Waking up before noon was a mistake. It left me so damned grumpy.

***