“You’re just going to laser us when you’re done,” Lulu said.
“We can do that, yes. But I am a man of my word. And if I tell you I will do something, I want you to know I will do it. As a gesture of goodwill, I will send the coordinates of a large nearby settlement of refugees from nearby towns. You will have ten hours to collect themand bring them back to the safety of your stronghold before the next attack on your base. In addition, I will provide you with ten more supply crates, including a platoon of ten Peacekeepers.”
“No,” Roger said, “decline the Peacekeepers.”
“Lulu,” I called, thinking fast, “remember what you said about that video with Cannon Fodder? We can’t let them mute us.”
My sister met my eyes. She nodded and then slammed the button down. “We don’t want any of those Peacekeeper murderers in camp. If we see any of those fake-ass RMI soldiers, we will shoot them. And I want to renegotiate part of your demands.”
Opel raised an eyebrow. “Renegotiate? You’re hardly in a position. I will refrain from sending Peacekeepers, but there’s nothing else I am willing to do for you.”
Lulu’s voice shook. “Did you see the stream of the fight between my people and Team Cannon Fodder a few days ago?”
He didn’t answer.
Lulu continued. “Look at the comments. Look at the views. It’s the most watched video of the campaign so far.”
“Wait, is that true? Is it really?” Sam asked.
“It is indeed,” Roger said.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me? You mean when I tea-bagged that guy?”
“You didn’t tea-bag him,” I said. “You showed him your dick and peed on him.”
“That’s practically the same thing!”
What Sam did at the end of the fight was a highlight, but the part before that was what had really gone viral: when Roger had suggested that Chode’s father was cheating on his mother.
“Your point is?” Opel asked.
Lulu hit the button. “You are getting hammered with negative press, and our video is one of the few highlights. You want more video like that, you gotta allow us to continue to trash-talk your ‘customers.’ ”
“Tell him we want a good PA system! One we can use to hurl insults!” Sam added.
“I am not going to ask for that.”
Roger beeped. “Actually, it’s an interesting suggestion. We can print one, but anything we can get from them would likely be superior.”
Lulu sighed and relayed the request.
A small grin played across Opel’s face, and then he started laughing. “You are quite bold, Miss Cindy. I’ll give you that. I think you and I will be getting along just fine. Very well, I will allow you to communicate with the players, and I will see to the requested materials. But if we catch wind that you’re attempting to relay any propaganda beyond simple player-specific insults, you will regret it. If I have any more instructions, I will send them through Cordelia. Keep this tablet monitored at all times. Good day.”
And with that, he disappeared. The screen went black. A moment later, it blinked back on, showing a map. The light blinked, showing a location near the eastern coast of the peninsula: the cliffs. Some people had fled to the cliffs. Their backs were against the ocean.
On the console, I saw the lights shift. Roger had just assigned several drones, along with a scout to go to them. He would offer them space at the ranch. Lulu silently reached up and approved the movement.
Outside, the terrified shouting continued. They probably thought we were under attack.
I just sat there, replaying that whole conversation. I could feel my heartbeat in my throat. Had that just happened?
Next to me, Rosita clutched onto my arm. Axel and Tito stood in the back of the room like statues. Axel hadn’t said a word this whole time. Lulu remained at the console, her knuckles white. Sam, too, stood tense.
“That was quick thinking on both of your parts, Lulu and Oliver. One gold star for Oliver. Oliver friend number three also gets a silverstar for his suggestion of a PA system.” The robot placed a silver sticker on the wall just below the chart.
“Hey, why just him?” Lulu demanded.
Roger tapped the chart on the wall with the frowny sticker already in place. “You swore multiple times during the parley, Lulu. Swearing is indicative of a weak, uneducated mind.”
