Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. - Chapter 345

Chapter 345: Zulu’s shit list.
The morning show had just ended. The bright ON AIR sign had dimmed, leaving the studio wrapped in a lazy hum of silence broken only by a faint rustle of papers. The smell of fresh coffee lingered.

Lisha leaned back in her chair, letting out a long sigh of relief. “Thank God, the show is over, one more minute of you saying something absurd and I would pluck those feathers out.”

“I can sue you for animal cruelty!” Zulu answered, feathers furling tightly especially the colored ones.

Lisha scoffed. “Let us discuss about tomorrow’s show, specifically how not to offend more people than you already have. What were you thinking by bringing up Tommy Kirkland and his girlfriend’s secret forbidden romance? You do know that he can electrocute you, right?”

Zulu squawked and laughed. “If they don’t want to be seen, they should hide deeper. They kissed in front of Miss Tuchi’s frog. He is the biggest gossip on this base for your information.”

Lisha was amazed. Truly. The mutated animals’ world was like another dimension the humans were excluded from. And she so much wanted to be a part of it. Everyone did.

But that did not mean she did not find Zulu’s behavior any less abominable. “For a bird that used to know ten words, you sure talk a lot.” She said.

Zulu ignored her, dipping her beak into a can of pumpkin seeds.

“Are you ignoring me deliberately?” She asked the bird.

Zulu raised her head, “Your cat understands Ninety percent of what you say to him. The fact that he deliberately ignores you should be more concerning than my responses.”

The studio door opened. Sunshine walked in first, sharp eyed wearing a light blue jacket that was half zipped. It was just like the similar jackets provided to all the superhumans on the base. A part of their official outfits.

Father Nicodemus followed, his eyes darted between the microphones and the parrot perched atop a desk behind one of them. The tiniest headphones he had ever seen were resting around its neck.

Lisha put her headphones on the table. “Suni,” she said lightly, in a delighted voice. “Are you here because of what happened during the morning show? No animal was injured during the airing. I can assure you of that.”

Before Sunshine could respond, Zulu tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief. “Here comes the big bad purple haired wolf, there is nothing wrong with expressing my opinion.”

Lisha shot Zulu a warning look. “Shut up you chatterbox! I warned you a thousand times to stop talking recklessly.”

Sunshine waved her hand calmly. “Relax Lisha, let her talk. And don’t worry, we are not here about that.”

Lisha frowned. “Oh…then, what are you here for? To make a special announcement perhaps?”

“To talk to Zulu.” Sunshine answered.

Zulu flattered her wings, suspicion sharp in her gaze as she hoped down from the recording table. “Wait, you are here together.” She pointed a feather at Father Nicodemus. “Brother Nico….tell me you did not go blabbering your mouth to the human!”

Sunshine and Lisha scoffed. Brother Nico! Human! Father Nicodemus was also a human. The wings did not make him a different species no matter what Zulu believed.

Father Nicodemus’ face turned slightly pale. “Listen Zulu, I apologize. It was…..”

She didn’t let him finish. “You traitor!” Zulu squawked in believable disbelief.

His voice softened, contrite. “It was the right thing to do; I apologize if you feel betrayed….err sister.”

Lisha burst into laughter.

Father Nicodemus’ face turned an interesting shade of red.

Sunshine stared at them in disbelief, then a scoff came from her. “You do not need to apologize for anything father. It is my base, and I am entitled to know everything that goes on within. And what is going on here? Brother Nico, sister Zulu. Is this some kind of family reunion?”

The parrot folded her feathers like a human crossing their arms across their chest.

Sunshine stepped in front of the parrot “You should have told me the second you got that information Zulu.”

Zulu ruffled her feathers. “Watch your tone, Missy! I told the priest because he is family, I wanted him to be safe out there.”

“And here I thought that I was family too since I provide you with security inside these walls, food, a radio show and peace of mind.” Sunshine shook her head. “Just tell me one thing Zulu, is it true?”

Silence.

The air tightened in the room, the only person who was relaxed was Lisha and maybe her cat.

Sunshine’s jaw clenched. “I swear Zulu that if you keep playing games with me….I will throw you out of the base myself. Do you think you will survive long? Either hungry humans or other birds and animals will eat you. I look at you now and see roasted parrot.”

Zulu burst out in squawks that sounded like curses. “You can’t throw me out. You need me.” Her eyes gleamed with pride. “Do you know how many people would be happy to have a talking parrot….and especially one that can bring information from other animals? My value already went up purple.”

“Zulu!” Father Nicodemus shouted.

“Shut up you treacherous brother,” Zulu turned her attention back to Sunshine. “I am the only mediator between humans and animals; do you still want me gone? Think carefully before you answer that.”

Sunshine opened her mouth but found no words. Was she being threatened or blackmailed by a bird? . And it was not wrong. She needed Zulu more than she cared to admit.

Lisha rubbed her temples. “See what I am dealing with?”

Father Nicodemus stepped forward his tone calm but heavy with concern. “Zulu, I know you are still angry because your lawsuits were thrown out. But anger and hatred cloud your judgement….if this place falls you would not be safe out there too. Not every human is like Bruce Lumberjack.”

Zulu’s eyes narrowed. Her feathers bristled, and for a moment the playful creature vanished. In its place, a dangerous creature capable of killing. “Do not speak that name in front of me. Until I get a proper apology from that kid, he will remain on my shit list.”

Father Nicodemus sighed.

“You have a shit list!” Lisha was astounded.

Zulu moved her feathers in what looked like a shrug. “You don’t!”

“That is the opposite of forgiving your enemies Zulu.” Father Nicodemus said.

The parrot laughed, like the priest had just said the most embarrassing or hilarious thing in the history of the world.

Sunshine exhaled slowly, watching the tension between the winged relatives play out. “What if I made him apologize? Will that melt your anger?”

Zulu’s beak clicked. “Then I will cooperate, and it has to be a real apology. Mmmmm….”

“What else?” Lisha asked. Knowing Zulu well there were more demands coming.

The parrot stretched its wings, shaking off a few loose feathers. “I will think of something, just know that you owe me half purple haired Sunshine Quinn.”

Sunshine shook her head. “Okay, tell me what you heard.”

Zulu cleared her throat. “The animals were lounging and gossiping when the the yellow chicken said that she heard the watchers say another mutant human had been dumped in the Drift lands of Javed desert successfully.”

Sunshine nodded. “What else?”

“That was it.” Zulu said.

“A superhuman was taken to the Drift lands! Why? What is there?” Lisha asked eagerly.

Sunshine’s stomach twisted. Zulu would not say more without that apology. It was best not to push for now. “Zulu, I am going to need you to spy more…find out more information on that matter and anything else the watchers are talking about.”

Zulu gave a dry laugh. “You want me to be a spy? That is premium service, I need VVIP treatment. If the watchers find out, I am dead meat. They don’t like those who thwart their plans, like you. Boy, do they hate you.”