"The last federal police force collapsed a few weeks before the government itself. Instead, states, new state-state unions, and city-states hired private companies to take charge of law enforcement. These cases vary in incidence, level of professionalism and level of corruption.

"They're still better options. Others disagree and want government control over law enforcement. But with most of the new North American countries spending large budgets on reconstruction and rearmament, this is unlikely. ”

—The Rise of the Mall Police, published in late 2037

***

I don't know what I should do, unfortunately it's very common.

There's so much to do and you don't know which one to focus on. I had to figure out what all these people were going to do, and then I had to check on the kids upstairs and escort them down, and ...... And then we'll see.

There must have been two or three hundred people in the parking lot. Most of them gathered in groups of three or five around pillars and parked cars. Most of them are office workers, and there are also some children mixed in, and some robots that seem to be overwhelmed. I even saw drone robots circling around near the far end. It's amazing how anyone has bothered to keep this robot active for so long.

A group of people next to him looked important, and a man in a security uniform, knee pads, and a vest was talking to several other people who looked like teachers. He commanded loudly, and his roar could be heard everywhere I was.

I was about to walk over when I was stopped by three or two people. Sue me, the orphanage only shows copyright-free movies and shows.

"Hey, Miss," said the fat man of the two. "That's a good gun, but I'm afraid you'll need to hand it over."

I looked him up and down, from his confident,-eating smile to his ruffled jumpsuit with the logo on his shoulder. Mall Police, only the best. He had a gun strapped to his hip, a strange thing with a light that looked like a laser pointer and a miniature scope on it, all matte black. It goes well with his tactical bulletproof vest.

His partner was taller, thinner, and had the same outfit, but his vest didn't cover his big belly.

"I don't think so," I said.

"It's for your safety and that of others," he said. His smile turned ugly. "Don't want us to confiscate it."

"Look, bastard," I whispered. I made sure I didn't reach for the gun, I didn't have bulletproof yet. "I need to talk to your boss over there, coordinate things, and then I'll go."

"After you hand us the gun and we search you, you can leave. Don't make our lives hard. ”

I licked my lips and cursed the little guy inwardly. "Myalis, is there any way to announce who I am?" I asked.

"My name is not Maya, child," the man said.

Of course. Do you want me to hack the local server and announce your existence? I'm afraid it's irreparable, but it might help. Most human interest groups understand the value of the vanguard.

"Go ahead," I said.

The man in front tilted his head and looked into my ear. "You're talking to someone—"

Everyone in the room stopped, and the discussion stopped for a moment. When people looked at the screen that I couldn't see, I saw the old school phone vibrating and my eyes glazed over.

Then every pair of eyes in the room turned to me.

The puppets in front of them all took a few steps back, their faces a little pale.

"Miaris, what did you send them?" I hissed.

Your current profile and personality.

"Can I watch it?" I asked. It looks unsettling.

System-wide warnings

Pioneer Cats are here to save the world!

"Why pink?!" I asked. Then I stare at my photo, grinning, and giving the viewer a thumbs up. It's not even a formal photo, it's a moving image that plays on a loop. "When did you get it?"

I've created a mock of your appearance based on observed reflections, public profile images, and local camera images. It's simple to get your model to strike the desired pose. Ha.

"It's embarrassing," I said. Gaze takes on a whole new meaning. I think half of them think it's some kind of prank.

"Please change it."

Very good. I'll try to create something more serious and more suitable for your station.

Everyone frowned again.

"For fucking sake," I whispered. "Show me next time."

Oh. You just have to ask!

System-wide warnings

All business within the -2nd to 12th floors of 2517 Trudeau Avenue is now controlled by this wandering cat. Follow her instructions or risk losing your stamina or money!

Current Pioneer Profile:

Alias: Cat

Age: Restricted

Combat Readiness: High

Kills: Sorted

Specialized:

- Kinetic firearms

- Medical utilities

"Are you embarrassing me like that?" I want to know.

Yes!

I felt my eyes twitching.

The guy who looked like the head of security stamped his feet at me and saluted me. "You're a cat?" He asked.

"Guess so," I said. Now is not the time to mess around. "You're in charge here?"

"As much as I can," he said. "Do you have an order?"

"Honestly, no. Tell me what you need and I'll do my best to provide. Can't stay here forever. There was a large crowd of people on two floors. I'm going to escort them here. We thought we could fly out of here on a hovering bus. ”

"The ......" he paused, licking his lips, seemingly not quite fond of the idea. Our agreement is to stay and protect the building and its inhabitants and workers until we breathe a sigh of relief. ”

I snorted. "Do you see the city? The only relief you can get is in the grave. If you can get to the grave and not the stomach of the aliens. I shook my head. There's no way to live here. ”

He frowned. "If you say so, ma'am."

"Ma'am?" I asked.

He shrugged. "All samurai are awarded the rank of captain by default. Technically, you're at a higher level than I am. ”

I blinked. "Well, damn it, it's convenient. Do you need guns or something? ”

"We have set up quarantine areas for crowd control. Rubber bullets don't do much against aliens. We do have some real guns, but not enough for the people I have here, and even fewer for those who volunteer to help. We plan to sweep the building soon and get everyone to this level, but I can't do that with a pea shooter. Hum! ”

I bit my lip and thought about it. "Can your rubber bullet gun shoot normal bullets?" I asked. I wish I knew more about guns so I could know without asking. "Also, do you have a name?"

"Simmons, and...... Yes, we should be able to. He pulled the gun hanging from his waist from the holster, jerked the magazine out, and pulled the bullet out of the gun. He showed me it with a black tip on the copper case. "These things are meant to hurt rather than kill. Each bullet has a lower charge, but it is a standard nine-millimeter bullet. We can fire normal bullets, but our slide can explode. Our guns are terrible, and I don't want to approach those beasts with batons, no matter how much they pay me. ”

"Okay," I said, taking his gun and twisting it around. "Myalis, is there any ammunition available? Or would it be better to just give them new guns? ”

A standard box of nine-mm bullets, if the charge is slightly reduced, you will lose a point.

I raised an eyebrow. "How many bullets are there?"

Five hundred. They will be less lethal, but they can be effective against lower-ranked beasts.

"," I said. "At this price, uh, I'm twenty-seven?"

You are.

"Give me two boxes, uh, three foxtooth guns."

New purchase: Foxteeth Model D x 3

points reduced to... 12

New purchase: 9mm Reduced Ammunition - 500 x2 Box

The score is reduced to... 10

The box began to appear around my feet, and I saw a glint of pure joy in Simon's eyes. I don't like to lose that many points, but it might be worth it to make a good impression.