“Still can’t let go of the old ink and paper, huh?” comments Jack as he passes by the sergeant. “What can I say, old habits die hard,” admits Cantis, turning to another page of his newspaper.  The events of the previous evening are on the front page, citing multiple injured civilians and two dead due to the wild firing of the gunman. “Gives me a good reason to see Chloe, too,” he chuckles, winking at Jack. “I must say though,” continues Cantis, “these reporters work ridiculously fast.” He shows an article to Jack. “I’d just worked on this case yesterday with Nyx, not to mention the whole debacle last night.” Jack skims through the article, pushing his glasses in to secure them in place. “The antique store?.. Oh, this one,” he says. “I’m literally here to pick up the inventory report on its missing items from Bob.” Cantis raises his eyebrows. “Hah, what a coincidence,” he remarks. 

Cantis folds up the newspaper. “Anything you need from me? I have to head out in a bit.” Jack thinks for a while before replying, “Hmmm, nah I should be good. Where’re you headed?” Cantis stands up and stretches his old joints, then scratches his thick white beard. “Gonna see Lucy. Haven’t checked on her in a while.” “I take it you’ve heard the news from Luke as well, then?” asks Jack. “Yup. Vector Bridge. We were prepping a unit for that anyway, but with things as they are now, we’re a little shorthanded,” answers the sergeant without turning around as he packs his bag. Slinging it over his shoulder, he turns to Jack, “Call me if there’s anything. I might be a while since I gotta drop off Inyun on the way, too.” He gestures to the teen leaning forlornly on her cousin’s desk, looking down at the floor. Officers passing by sometimes give her a pat on the shoulder, telling her not to worry and to cheer up, but her usual sparky self is nowhere to be seen. 

“Nyx is keeping his distance from her. I don’t particularly blame him though, since I wouldn’t want her getting caught up in anything like last night ever again.” Jack looks around for a bit. “Emily’s off today?” he wonders. “She came in earlier this morning, but left to see Wü at the Curie. I promised her I’d look after Inyun if she came in,” replies Cantis. He pats Jack on the shoulder as he heads to the pitiful looking teen. “Come on now, Inyun. No point staying here anymore. I’ll drop you off at school.” Inyun hangs around for a bit more, turning around to have one last look at Wü’s and Emily’s desk, before slowly panning over to a likewise empty seat at Nyx’s desk. She sighs, and obediently follows after the sergeant.

Inyun is silent the entire way to the car, her head swaying from side to side some times, drooped to the side and staring blankly at the ground other times. Her lips are curled in her usual smirk, but her eyes belie her expression. The stark contrast to her standard attitude is depressing to watch for the sergeant. He  sighs as he opens the door to get into his bulky jeep, a relic from a bygone era. Cantis, like many of his generation, still retains vestiges of a time when cars ran on petrol and the pen was the preferred writing tool. Inyun lingers outside for a bit, takes one more longing look at the entrance, and then hops into the jeep herself. The next time she returns might be a while.

It’s a quick five minute ride from the precinct to the nearby high school, but the silence and heavy atmosphere made it feel like forever. Cantis parks the car and turns to Inyun, still sitting in her seat, twirling her fingers. He sighs again. “Look,” he begins, “You’re still welcome at the precinct no matter what. Just... don’t go getting yourself into such dangerous situations.” Inyun pouts. “I just got a little excited this time. Thought I’d miss out on something if I didn’t get closer…” she admits. “This time?” questions Cantis. How many times has she been tailing police activity?? But he quickly puts the matter aside. “Whatever it is, no more of these antics.” Cantis unlocks the door. “Take some time off. Focus on school. When you’re feeling better, and ready, we’ll be seeing you at the precinct again.” He smiles.

Inyun doesn’t look up and quietly nods. She takes another moment before stepping out of the vehicle. Cantis overhears a soft “Thanks” as she closes the door, and his smile glows warmer in return to Inyun’s own weak smile. He watches her make her way up the steps, turning around once to wave goodbye before disappearing through the entrance doors. Recalling the times his own granddaughter had trouble at school, Cantis begins pulling out of the parking lot. If only she were a bit more amenable…

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Jack sees them off, shaking his head. So much has happened in such a short time, it’s certainly taking its toll on everyone. He just hopes things can get back to the way it was soon. As the liaison between the IT department downstairs and the uniformed officers up here, he’s well acquainted with both teams. More so with the officers given how quirky and welcoming they are compared to the demure team he’s part of. Jack continues on his usual route, dropping off documents and picking up reports, occasionally making conversation here and there.

He eventually makes his way to Bob, who’s still sat at his desk with the same old blank look on his face. He rounds the desk to the woman with dark brown hair tied neatly in a bun, a few strands loose, staring intently at her screen. Before Jack can say anything, a report is thrust onto his chest. “Woah,” he exclaims, grabbing it before it falls. “Thanks, Anna.” The long, slender arm it came from retracts back onto the keyboard, the click-clacks emanating from it doubling. Bob’s partner doesn’t look up from her desk, continuing to type into her PC. “You should take a break sometimes, you know,” mentions Jack. Annabelle gives a very quick thumbs up and nods in acknowledgement, her face still glued to the screen, and resumes her work. Jack shakes his head as he walks away, scanning through the report when he suddenly stops. He looks closer at the items listed on the page. No way… He breaks into a sprint, dashing through the office space past empty seats before bursting into the meeting room. “Captain!”

All heads turn to see Jack holding the report above him, panting as he leans against the door. His large body isn’t built for speed, regardless of how short the run may have been. Captain Lycruz was in the middle of debriefing those involved with the chase the night before. Jack quickly picks himself back up and fast-walks to the front of the room. Handing the report to the captain, he sifts through the list and points out what had gotten him all worked up, still breathless.  Upon seeing it, the captain thanks Jack and turns to the rest of the room, “Change of plans, people.” 

“As you may know, Detective Everton has been undercover in the Mafia for a while now, and has been feeding us information on their movements, albeit very little.” Jack finishes setting up his laptop and projects onto the screen what looks to be a series of blueprints. The captain continues, “These blueprints are from Electrowave Labs. They weren’t listed among the missing inventory during the break-in, but our detective has determined that it’s exactly this that the Mafia have been working on. Interestingly enough, it was developed by one of Electrowave Labs' own leading scientists; the same psychopath from last night.” Murmurs from the crowd begin to rise, trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle. 

“They’re calling it an electromagnetic pulsator, capable of shutting down any electrical device within a ten kilometre radius.” More whispers and gasps. Strategically used, the device could potentially decimate the city power grid. And not just power supplies, but maglev vehicles and electro-prosthetics would suffer as well. It would have a devastating impact on the entire infrastructure, and an uncountable number of casualties. 

“From what we’ve gathered,” the captain motions for everyone to settle down, “a series of prior thefts initially considered to be unrelated events are now pointing to Mafia efforts at completing this machine.” Morgan recognises the picture on the screen. “We have reason to believe that they plan to set it off here; Vector Bridge. It seemed as though we’d still have some time to pry further and prepare countermeasures, however, new information has come to light, and we’ve just discovered that the Mafia now have their hands on the final piece.” Captain Lycruz stands at the centre, his stern aura emanating throughout the room. The current situation would now be the force’s top priority. They could complete the device at any moment now. It’s a race against time.

When the captain next spoke, not a single other sound could be heard besides his voice. “Suit up, full riot gear. We need teams to secure the area surrounding Vector Bridge. I need patrols along the river bank as well. Move, people!” Without hesitation, the entire room stands and rushes out. Morgan quickly gets to Jack through the crowd, “We’re gonna need that blueprint if we want to know what to look for.” Jack nods in agreement, when suddenly, “Mr. Sharp! Crow!” calls the captain. The two quickly meet up with him as they proceed out of the meeting room. Lowering his voice, Argon instructs the pair, “We need to pull Everton out. His last contact was cut short, and I’d rather not risk it any further. I need the both of you to-” 

The news report that had been broadcasting on the TV suddenly flickers and switches off. A second later, it switches back on, and an insignia familiar to all appears on screen. The captain is seething. Back in the meeting room, Jack hurriedly begins typing away at his laptop, attempting to track the signal. A voice so well known in the force echoes from the speakers. One whose authority would not be questioned. “Ferros…”