ROOTS
Act I: Pigment Failure Chapter 1 : The Write-off ( Introduction to fear, Lars's decommission ) A siren. Not the one that wailed at the " Pigment-8 " chemical plant, heralding the end of a shift. This one was different. Thin, steady, piercing. Sterile. Kael froze. The spoon of synthetic gruel stopped an inch from his mouth. Down in the courtyard-well of their " Brunette " block, a dazzling white van hissed to a stop with the sickening sound of hydraulics. The "Sanitation Patrol." Two figures emerged from the van. They weren't people – just white suits with dark slits for eyes. " Color Inspectors ," unmistakable, as were the consequences of their visits. They didn't look around. They always knew where they were going. The door to the third entryway. Apartment 312. Kael went cold: 312. That was Lars – old man Lars, the former foundry worker. "Mom," Kael hissed, not turning around. "They're at Lars's...