Chapter 26: The Algorithm of Cruelty
The war had turned the South Ward into a grid of occupied zones and free-fire areas. Max stood on the balcony of the rebuilt gym, now fortified with steel shutters and sniper nests. He wasn't looking at the sunset. He was looking at the smoke rising from District 9.
"They're rioting," Russo said, standing behind him. The old mobster looked thinner, his skin papery. The stress of the last month had aged him ten years. " The locals. They're tired of the crossfire, Max. They're blocking the supply trucks."
"They are disrupting the logistics," Max corrected. His voice was devoid of inflection. It was smooth, calm, and utterly indifferent.
"They're hungry, Max. They're scared. They need food, not ammo."
Max turned. His eyes were clear, but deep within the iris, the black void swirled slowly. He activated his Mastermind's Eye.
Problem: Civil Unrest in Sector 9.
Cause: Fear, Hunger, Vittorio Propaganda.
Solution A: Distribute rations (Cost: $50,000, Time: 12 hours).
Solution B: Tactical Suppression (Cost: $0, Time: 1 hour).
Optimal Path: Solution B.
"Graves," Max spoke into his comms earpiece.
"Go for Graves," the mercenary leader's voice crackled back.
"Clear District 9. Use tear gas and rubber bullets. If they don't disperse, switch to live rounds for the instigators. I want the trucks moving in sixty minutes."
Russo gasped. "Max! These are the people we're supposed to be saving! This is the neighborhood you grew up in!"
Max looked at Russo. He didn't feel guilt. He didn't feel shame. He felt only the cold, hard friction of an obstacle.
"I am not saving them, Russo. I am saving the city. To save the body, sometimes you have to cut off a gangrenous limb."
"You're sounding like Kaelen," Russo whispered, stepping back. "No... you sound worse. Kaelen was greedy. You... you're just a machine."
"Kaelen lost because he was emotional," Max said, walking back to his desk where a holographic map of the city hovered. "He wanted love. He wanted respect. I only want efficiency."
Max looked at the map. A red dot blinked in the North. The Vittorio counter-offensive was preparing. He calculated the casualty rates.
Projected Civilian Casualties: 45%.
Acceptable Margin: 60%.
"Get out, Russo," Max said, dismissing the old man without looking up. "Go manage the books. Leave the war to the generals."
Russo left, shaking his head. Max didn't watch him go. He was too busy watching the live feed from District 9, watching the gas canisters explode, watching the people run.
A prompt flashed in his mind.
Status Update: Morality Decrease.
Reward: Willpower +10. Resistance to Psychological Trauma Increased.
"Good," Max whispered. Feelings were just lag in the system.