Null Protocol || Ramattra x Reader

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Eat." She obeyed, digging into the food with an appreciative look his way, and he let her get a couple bites in before beginning. "I was informed of a sweatshop somewhere in this city in which my people were forced to work long hours with no pay until they collapsed or caved into servitude, and I was able to locate it on our trip into town. I had planned to raid the city with my forces, bring the city to its knees for letting such atrocities go unchecked against my people, but I am willing to hear what you think is best."

(Y/n) swallowed her food, tapping the bun of the burger in her hand nervously. "So you were gonna do the same thing here as you did in Rio de Janeiro and Toronto?" He nodded curtly, studying her expressions as she searched for a solution. "If there's only specific people that're hurting omnics, why not bring them to justice?"

"Because their sins run deeper than just those that perpetrate the act. Everyone in that city turns a blind eye to what is happening, and some revel in their corruption and hate while my people are complacent to the abuse they endure."

"But how can you quantify that? You can't be no judge, jury, and executioner." She caught a grumble of disagreement but she ignored it. "Just because some eggs are bad don't mean you throw out the whole carton. The reason Null Sector is labeled a criminal organization is because they attack the whole carton, not just the bad eggs, and all those good eggs they hurt drive people away from the goal you're striving for." She took another bite of her burger as he mulled it over, then she continued. "So you go after the people that most everyone would agree are rotten eggs: the people in charge of these sweatshops, the ones hurting omnics. And you help the omnics back on their feet, get them to safety – you could even hand them over to Overwatch since they're the 'good guys' as a sign of good faith-"

"I do not trust my people in their hands," he grumbled shortly.

She dipped her head to showcase backing down and took a bite of her burger before continuing. "But you're gonna hafta completely rebrand Null Sector and that's either gonna take a mighty long time or drastic action – and I know how little you like waiting." Her smile was teasing, earning a scoff from the omnic as he pushed off the table to pace. "This could be a good first step in the right direction."

"So what are you suggesting I do with these..." His hands curled into fists at his sides. "...slimy humans?"

"Well, if you wanted to show 'em diplomacy, you could let a court of law handle 'em." She pointed her burger at him then took a bite as he tch'd at the very idea.

"If your pathetic law enforcement had done its job, the sweatshop would not have existed in the first place."

"Then make an example of them." He stopped, suddenly very interested in what she had to say, and she squirmed in her seat trying to get comfortable. "Ruin their business, maybe divert their funds towards helping the omnics back on their feet. I reckon something like that'll do the trick!"

He hummed, leaning back against the table with a thoughtful upturn of his head. "That was a remarkably tame suggestion, but I expect nothing less from you."

She stopped chewing, wide eyes on him as he threw the tails of his scarf back so they dangled by his feet once more and she could see him clearly. "What did you have in mind?"

"I appreciate your suggestions, princess, but I will handle the details from here." Just like that, his plans were swept back under the rug, and while part of her wanted to know just what he was thinking, she knew exactly why he kept her out of it. Then her eyes snapped up in surprise, her mouth falling open at how easily the petname slipped out of his voicebox, and sensing her shock, he cocked his head at her. "Something the matter?" She knew he called her that because of how docile her suggestion was – especially in comparison to whatever he had cooking up – but that familiar fluttering feeling returned all the same and it was like he knew.