54 lines
2.4 KiB
Plaintext
54 lines
2.4 KiB
Plaintext
―Nikki, follow me, emergency!, Vaughan yelled as he passed Nikki's office without stopping.
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She sighed, and jogged to catch up with him.
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―What's up?
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―Meadowlark protesters over by the Barns, looks like it's gonna get violent. We need Calvin to do something about it.
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Nikki groaned.
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―Goddamn religious fanatics, she murmured under her breath.
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He nodded.
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Adam was going through some files, and protested as Nikki and Vaughan walked by his desk and made for Calvin's door.
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―He's busy, Nikki. He said to keep everyone out.
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Nikki stopped, and gave Adam a firm glare until he dropped eye contact and retreated to his busy work, leaving Nikki and Vaughan to walk into Calvin's office.
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Calvin started when they walked in, and set down the book he had been reading.
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― I thought I'd asked Adam to minimise interruptions, Calvin said.
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He sighed after a moment and gestured for them to sit down.
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―Sorry for the interruption Calvin, Vaughan said, it's the Meadowlarkers protesting by the East Side.
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They're lining up with torches, and there are some refugees making a counter demonstration.
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It's looking like it could get violent.
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―Where's the City Guard? Nikki asked. This seems like a local issue, not something that needs the President.
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Vaughan hesitated, in what Nikki thought was a particularly despondent way.
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―There's some guards there, but they've basically stepped aside.
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I think the protesters have avoided doing anything too drastic while they're there, but half the City Guard is part of the Meadowlark flocks.
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―For fuck's sake! Nikki yelled. You didn't think to lead with that?
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Nikki opened her mouth to continue to yell at Vaughan, but Calvin raised a hand and she stopped and tooko a deep breath.
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―Sorry Vaughan, she forced herself to say.
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He nodded in acceptance.
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―We need to send in the Presidential Guard to clear the protest, as soon as possible. Show that we're serious about protecting the Barns.
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―Absolutely not! Vaughan, just picture it. Presidential guards coming in to stamp out the Meadowlarkers? We'd be voted out, if they hadn't murdered us by then.
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—Then what's the plan? Wait until they kill someone?
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—They've been waiting for years to play the victim card, and if they see Calvin's personal troops doing anything close to stopping them free expression of religion, we're scoring an own goal, Vaughan. It's crazy, we can't do it.
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—Nikki, this is
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