The introductory tune of the news sounded at Gerry's Pizza.
Everyone paused imdiately
"Good evening citizens, this is the six o'clock news. Word is reaching us that the Zero Labor community has organized a protest against the planned demolition of the Municipal Water Treatnt plant as a result of the High Regent's petition…"
Yesu was dragging a bag of flour from the back
"Hey boss, could you help out a little?" She called out to Gerald who was supposed to be waiting tables but just stood among the custors, staring at the TV like everyone else.
"Boss..
He waved a hand dismissively without even glancing in her direction.
"...Located in the heart of the district, the Water Treatnt plant is a source of employnt to many Zero class citizens…"
Yesu sighed, lifted the sack with all her strength and it hit the kitchen table with a dull thud, a cloud of white puffing from the seam. No one seed to notice.
"... coming out to say how depriving it would be for the lowly citizens who earn a living from the factory…"
Yesu saw that the spaghetti on the stove was boiling over so she turned it off. The spaghetti looked ready.
"...We will now take a look at the ensuing protest through the eyes of Jessica Freeman who is live at the scene."
"This is Jessica Freeman and we are alive…"
Catcalls rang through the restaurant. Jessica Freeman looked beautiful as always, unshaken.
Gerald seed startled at the sudden noise. He looked over at the counter just in ti to see Yesu bring down the steaming pot of spaghetti from the stove and tilt it towards the sink.
With her bare hands.
"Shit…Yesuin" he called out, dashing to her.
Yesu turned in confusion, pot in hand.
Gerald yanked the pot from her and sort of pushed it back to the stove, using fire subtly to keep himself from getting burnt
The custors were staring at them, although everything had happened so fast that they couldn't have grasped the fire usage part.
Gerald laughed humorlessly. "Sorry, nothing much to see here."
The custors hesitated for a mont, staring at Yesu curiously then faced the TV one after the other.
"What were you thinking?" Gerald said under his breath. "Are you alright?"
"What?" Yesu was still confused.
"You're kidding," Gerald grabbed one of her arms flipping her palm open, "you've burnt…" he stopped.
Her palm wasn't burnt at all.
He took her other arm and flipped the palm open. It wasn't burnt either.
There wasn't even a spot on both palms. No burns. No redness. Nothing.
He turned her palm under the light, looked closer. Like sothing might appear if he waited.
He stared at her blankly. She took her arms away
"I told you I didn't like the napkins." She said simply.
He had bought them months before, they were brown, Yesu couldn't rember when she had stopped using them.
Gerald just stared.
Yesu frowned slightly, like she didn't understand what the fuss was about.
"Don't look at like that, I don't like the colour. I can be sensitive sotis too, you know."
Yesu took a stack of pizza from the counter.
"It's fine, it's not that hot.
She marched to the door. Gerald's gaze followed her till she was out.
"Is she good?" A custor sitting closest to the counter asked.
"Yeah…" Gerald said. He reached for the pot, and his fingers brushed the tal. He jerked back instantly.
It was hot.
"... that's not right." He was looking at the door.
****
Outside, Yesu arranged the stack of pizza into an insulated box mounted on the rear of the new delivery bicycle.
Gerald had refused to buy another motorcycle.
"Be careful out there," said an elderly man sitting close by. "All protests beco an excuse for sothing."
Yesu smiled at him. "I will." She put on a helt and cycled away.
It seed like everyone was watching the news, and the voice of Jessica Freeman followed her down the street.
"... here with … Zero rights lawyer Elena Vance…"
The cara shifted.
"Employnt isn't a privilege granted at convenience. It is a structure. You don't remove stability from people who have nothing else and expect order to remain."
The voice was strong, confident, and familiar.
Yesu slowed slightly, staring at a TV by the window of a shop. It was the sa lawyer who had gotten her out of the station.
****
Both workers in uniforms and agitated civilians marched right outside the Water Treatnt plant factory, holding up signs and chanting desperately in one voice.
"Let us keep our jobs. Zeros are citizens!"
There were multiple CCD vehicles around. The Officers seed a bit on edge, a few kept their hands near their holsters.
Officer MacKayden stood by his vehicle a little far off, studying everything. Officer Cee Cee stood beside him.
"I sense a storm brewing." She remarked.
MacKayden dipped a hand into his pocket. Seconds later he lit a cigarette and took a slow drag.
"Let it brew." He said calmly, puffing out smoke
Elena Vance, who just finished her interview with Jessica Freeman, caught sight of them and walked away from the crowd.
"It's that lawyer again." Cee Cee said in distaste.
MacKayden watched her approach.
"Hello officer," Ms. Vance looked him over. "Section 25 of the CCD Act requires all officers to maintain conduct befitting the badge. Is smoking while threatening these citizens part of that?"
MacKayden gave a dry smile. "You seem to be enjoying the attention."
"You seem to be enjoying the chaos your system caused."
"Do I look like the High Regent?"
Ms. Vance maintained eye contact. "We will win this fight."
MacKayden smiled again. "Let's wait till demolition arrives. Then we'll see how far 'legal' gets you."
Ms. Vance gave a cold smile to match. "The ZCP will be ready for that."
And she walked away.
"You two got history or what?" Cee Cee asked.
"Vance and I go way back."
"What do we do when the demolition gets here? These Zeros won't move, you know that."
"We do the needful."
Cee Cee glanced at him. "Sir… the mandate."
MacKayden exhaled slowly, smoke trailing into the air.
" 'Abilities are not to be used in Zero districts… except when necessary.' "
A small pause.
"I'm aware."
Cee Cee didn't respond.
MacKayden's eyes remained on the crowd.
"Tell , Cee Cee…" His tone didn't change. "Does this look like sothing that resolves itself?"
Cee Cee looked at the protesters standing in front of the building.
The demolition convoy was already pulling in.
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