Ready Room

[Bernard]

Gathering room for group updates and assignments.

[Bernard]

((continued from training room/ gun range))

Kei followed her sister into the ready room noting a number of new faces among her fellow officer as she looked around the unfamiliar space. “So much has changed.” she thought taking a seat next to her sibling. If wasn’t long before a staff sergeant arrived at the podium immediately bringing order to the chatter filled room.

”Good morning.” The decorated officer began. Her former partner was one of the few faces that the returning law enforcer recognized. He smiled softly as their gazes met.“As you may know Deputy Detective Carlyle is accompanying Chief Murphy at a press conference at City Hall putting in some much needed face time with the public as we try to establish trust once again among the public.”

He looked down briefly at his notes before he continued.

”Rumor on the streets is that Club Exxel’s recent hiring spree is a front as the Ace’s begin to rebuild their numbers. As to what end or who is running the show we are currently uncertain. Right now, we will provide a strong police presence and patrol the area to hinder any would-be recruiting before it begins. It won’t be a hundred percent effective but perhaps we can get an idea of the players and possibly turn some informants before their new network gets fully established.”

”I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome back Constable Hyogo K. back to our ranks. Kei has been cleared for duty and will be partnered with her sister, whose colleague has recently been accepted to our Full Metal Enforcer program."

”Ok folks, grab your assignments and hit the streets. Get out there and make tomorrow’s difference today.”

[FG Admin]

Jack Bennett looked like he barely had two hours of sleep for the entire week and was running purely on caffeine. His clothes were wrinkled as if he had slept in them, his beard was scruffy and unkempt, and he had a lit cigarette dangling from his lips and a clipboard in his hand... yet another promise to quit smoking was broken once again. He hated Hydra corp, and as luck would have it, the new OPD building was moved to that exact location so that they would have more room for their new heavy robotics division. The irony. He would now be working inside of the Hydra building every single day.

He scuffed as he walked into the room and tipped his fedora at the officers that were gathered in the ready room. "Sorry I'm late. Thank you for getting things started... Don't go just yet, there are a few things I would like to cover before you go." Bennett said to the decorated officer that had started their meeting as he walked over and stood beside him. He didn't bother taking his hat off, and he casually put his hands inside the pockets of his long black trench coat. Bennett turned to face the officers to fill them in on the details of what was going on with the OPD and the city.

"As some of you were aware, I was attending the press conference with police chief Murphy. He has decided to appoint me as head of the special task force for the Full Metal Warrior program. As a suggestion from one of our top ranking pilots-" Bennett didn't say any names, but he tipped his head to the Hyogo sisters sitting in the crowd. -"We have decided to rename the program to be called the Full Metal Enforcers." There were a few low-key claps, cheers and whispers as they congratulated their colleagues Keiko and Kameko. There were also a few snickers as well as Bennett recapped what was already said by the decorated officer, at which point, the man leaned over to whisper to Bennett about what was already discussed.

"Ahem... Alright, moving on. I have a few special cases that need to be investigated, a few of them are new, others are being opened back up as unsolved cold cases. First up, we have the power struggle with the gang wars, rumors have it that the Aces are rebuilding, but the Vile Sharks and Sons Of Lobo are also trying to re-establish dominance in the area. As of the moment, we have ZERO Intel about what is going on in the streets, we need eyes and ears out there to know what is going on, people. It might be a slow job and it may not have any leads, but it is a necessary job for us to keep the peace. Let's get those thugs talking to see what they know.

Next, we have a few murder cases... A man was killed in the elevator of the Ink and Wells paper press building; there were no witnesses and no leads. The trail had gone cold for awhile, until another similar case just popped up again down at the docks. Both victims were strangled to death with what appears to be a thin sharp object, which we believe to be piano wire. If we have a serial killer out there, we need him off the streets!"

"The second murder case happened not far from here in the new OPD headquarters. One of the tech engineers from Vaiacane LTD was shot several times in the chest, but get this... it happened with arrows. We believe the shooter shot from across the rooftops from the tenth floor of the neighboring Namtouch Automations building, we need additional help looking into that one."

Bennett looked down at his chart to see any other cases. "Last but not least, the biggest cold case we may have in awhile... the Hydra Corp. massacre. As some of you are aware, there was an assault on this very building and several high profile employees were killed in the attack, including Mr. Rycroft. Currently, the killers behind the assault are still on the loose.

Based on the damage done to the main hall, we have reason to believe there were multiple Sensitives involved. If you take this case you will have full permission to use the Enforcer suits to get the job done. We are going into this case blind as we have zero surveillance footage since it was wiped clean, but Hydra corp. is a big building, someone somewhere must know something. If we have rogue Sensitives running around killing people, we have to bring them to justice."

"If you are interested in any of these cases, let me know and I will give you full details to cover the case with you about what we know so far. Our numbers are stretched thin right now after the major terrorist attack that happened in the city a few weeks ago, so some of you will be working some unorthodox jobs around here until we get settled in. Since I am only over the FME unit, which will be tasked with capturing Sensitives and dealing with other highly hostile scenarios, you will need to talk with the newly appointed Police Deputy Carlyle for additional details about the other murder cases, and report to him about any leads you find out about the gang activity. Overall, we will be working jointly together due to the large threat of Sensitive activity. That is all, you are all dismissed." He waved a hand to shoo them all away.

[Bernard]

”…Overall, we will be working jointly together due to the large threat of Sensitive activity. That is all, you are all dismissed." Chief Inspector Bennett waved a hand to shoo them all away.

Keiko excitedly elbowed her partner forgetting about the bruised ribs she had inflicted only hours earlier. Turning to Kame the words began to flow out of her mouth. ”You hear that!, The Hydra Corp Massacre! Maybe we can finally get some answers.”

”Slow your roll sis. You’re just returning after some major trauma.” Kameko insisted. ” Is this about your obsession finding the Consumer that almost killed you? There hasn’t been any indication that your yellow eyed monster is even alive.”

”Oh IT’s still out there” Keiko insisted. ”I can feel it! Besides, Bennett said that we would have access to the Full Metal Enforcer suits. We’d be working with Masa.”

”I know I said it would be good for you to get back into action. But, don’t you think that you should ease into the heavy assignments? Maybe street patrol and the gang thing is just what the doctor prescribed.”

”We came here to make a difference! Keiko huffed.

Kameko snapped back. ”We came here because Aya needs us! I don’t want to lose you to.

”I’m ready Kame!!You can’t keep handling me with kid gloves. It will get us both killed. I seemed to myself just fine this morning. Or are you just slipping?”

The sibling’s escalating disagreement was beginning to draw attention.

”You’re right.” Kame conceded. ”You don’t need a mother hen. You need a partner. Can we at least meet somewhat in the middle? The arrow murder may be a good start. Quirky enough for you? Maybe Atsu can hook you up with some upgrades while we are there.”


”You’re a real comedian sis. Let's find Carlyle and get posted to the assignment.You can take your new act on the road. Not like a venue change will make you any funnier. Just remember one thing sis, I'm driving!”

[Bernard]

The room had all but emptied by the time the sisters made their way to the front of the ready room where Sergeant Goliath stood by the exit to see his comrades off to duty.

”That was awkward.” Kei giggled as she approached.

”Good to have back! Thought I had lost you up there. Good thing Masa arrived when she did. You ready to stop Johnny Misdemeanor from becoming Johnny Felony once again Kei.” Her former partner commented as he skipped protocol extending his arms wide to embrace his former partner in a hug.

”That’s just it Walter” Kei began. ”Maybe if we take out a few more of the crafty catfish out there right now the small fish will figure out there is a piranha in the pond and stop indulging themselves.”

The Sergeant laughed. ”If I’ve learned anything being partnered with you is that once you get the notion to sink your teeth into something there is little stopping you. We’ll miss you on patrol. Good luck with this one Kame, she’s like a dog with a bone. But you already know that don’t you? That’s what will make her a great detective.

”So what fish do you two plan to hunt first?” Walter continued.

”The archer.” Came the simultaneous response.

”looks like the two of you will be reporting to Chief Detective Carlyle himself. Unfortunately he’s still at the press conference with Chief Murphy. Don’t see it ending anytime soon. Not like Johnathan to give up an opportunity to preen in front of the press. No doubt you make enough collars for him he’ll be running for Mayor. Here’s the initial report. There isn’t much. Why don’t you two get out the scene while it’s still fresh. Who knows you might find something that was missed. I’ll let Carlyle know you are on scene and maybe he can bring you up to speed on any recent developments.”


((To be continued OPD Garage))