The Praetorians, a fantasy cop drama. (Game thread Started/CLOSED Prologue)

[CrazyGirl17]

Again, Cali bit her tongue. She knew Archibald was right... but she would not give him the pleasure of knowing so.

Instead, she just said, "...Fine. I guess we have no choice then." Reluctantly, she followed after him, glancing behind her only for a second.

 

[Voidrunner]

"Well done to everyone." he called out to the group he'd taken in the car. "B+ all round!"

Collin waved cheerfully back at Novak from his desk, a grin on his face. Despite his outwardly carefree attitude, Collin had almost been worried that someone would appear and tell him that his assignment to the Praetorians had been a mistake and he should leave. He wasn't built like a mountain, nor did he have a dozen non-regulation weapons but he was still a Praetorian and that was something to be proud of. One thing was for sure, the role of Loose Cannon was already occupied and Collin would have to figure out his own role later.

"We couldn't have the local crooks thinking the Praetorians are afraid to chase suspects into the sewers," said Collin, leaning back in his chair. "They've got to learn that Draven will hunt them down anyway," he shot a look over at Draven, "and that they shouldn't take her stuff without asking," he added with a grin. "It's a rule."

 

[Trasch17]

"Well done to everyone." he called out to the group he'd taken in the car. "B+ all round!"

~A what?~

Was that a human saying or something like that? She shook her head and focused on cleaning the blade again, but she soon stopped as she noticed that cleaning an already clean weapon was rather pointless. She put the sword away, stood up and made her way towards Mordecai.

"We couldn't have the local crooks thinking the Praetorians are afraid to chase suspects into the sewers, they've got to learn that Draven will hunt them down anyway and that they shouldn't take her stuff without asking. It's a rule."

"And you broke it. But... since we're colleagues and since there are way too many witnesses in here, I'll forgive you. But only this time. Oh, erm, and by the way: what's a 'beeplus'?"
A valid question since she was not familiar with the human education system and it's grades.

 

[Voidrunner]

"And you broke it. But... since we're colleagues and since there are way too many witnesses in here, I'll forgive you. But only this time. Oh, erm, and by the way: what's a 'beeplus'?"

"Nothing overly important," Collin waved dismissively, presumably because he hadn't received a great many B+'s in his time. "Just part of the education system you see, students submit assessment pieces, could be an essay or exam or a speech and teachers have a system of grading them using letters. A+ is the highest you can get and it decreases from there to A, A-, then B+ and like that from there. 'A' is excellent and 'B' is good so B+ is pretty much saying very good."

 

[Belmarc]

Rat lingered a moment behind, remembering his time before the city. Even if they were the scents of criminals, he felt like he belonged. He shook his head of the matter and jogged to catch up to the rest of his squad. He gave Cali a friendly bump and a grin as he pulled up alongside of her. "We'll find 'em," he whispered to her, just low enough that Archibald wouldn't be able to quite catch what he said.

 

[Terratina.]

Chris read over his report over and over, doubling checking for any mistakes. Then without further ado, he handed his report in. As he left the office, dread overcame him. It wasn't because of a fear of getting snacked or anything like that. While he was ambivalent about the job, he did care about what others thought of him. Chris was certain that he gave an impression of an indigent back-pedaller, a toady, a yes-man and a coward. Maybe shutting himself up in the mansion wasn't such a bad idea after all? Regardless of that, Chris made his way back to his desk and began fiddling with the assorted objects there, just to distract himself from the dread of waiting. There was always the choice of chatting to someone, but in his sorry state, Chris didn't feel up to it.

 

[Ruedyn]

"Just part of the education system you see, students submit assessment pieces, could be an essay or exam or a speech and teachers have a system of grading them using letters. A+ is the highest you can get and it decreases from there to A, A-, then B+ and like that from there. 'A' is excellent and 'B' is good so B+ is pretty much saying very good."

'Humans are weird.' Marc could've piped up with something about Dark Kin grading methods-- though they were likely outdated, he figured-- but he ended up just sighing. His report was finished, not his most impressive work, but it'd do for a standard report. The fact it was almost 10 pages and filled with near exact details from the mind of one with an eidetic memory was just a plus!

He slid his feet off his chair and got up, he didn't mean to sit like that, it just sort of... happened. It was more comfortable than you'd think. He dropped off the report, and sat back in his office, spinning his swivel chair against the desk.

He would never get tired of that.

 

[Pappytech]

"...Fine. I guess we have no choice then."

Clicking his tongue once in approval, Archibald turned away from his sqaudmates. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see them cluster together and whisper conspiratorial words, but he didn't care enough to find out exactly what they were saying. No matter what they thought, this was the proper course of action. If they couldn't see that, then it was only further proof that he needed to take charge of the situation. Somebody had to ensure that they did the rational thing, after all.

Striding over to the gathered group of locals, the officer made sure to thank them all for their time and help. Without actually giving a definite time-table, he assured them that the thieves would be tracked down and brought to justice.

To Julie Mathers, he once more expressed his condolences on the death of her cat. While he believed similar fates had befallen the other missing animals, he did not say as such to the other victims; there was no need to tell them that their pets were dead without complete proof. A little hope wouldn't hurt them.

Then, nodding respectfully in farewell, Archibald led the rest of his squad back to the precinct. Undoubtedly, they'd have some explaining to do.

[hr]

"Captain Ackerman, ma'am," Archibald began, standing in front of his superior's desk with his shoulders squared, hands tightly clasped behind his back. "Constable Ampère reporting in. My squad and I have returned from our, ah, 'patrol'."

 

[Dogmatic99]

"Very good, Constable. I expect your unit's reports on my desk before the end of the day." The captain nodded. "And please send in Constables Hunt and Co while you're at it."

Mabel waited patiently as the trio of Jason, Marc and Chris filed in and took their seats opposite her. She locked eyes with each of them in silence as them came in, her expression was more or less impassive with a little bit of the stern school mistress trying to creep in.

"So." She broke the silence, shuffling the papers before her. "Your unit split up, leaving an officer on their own and another in a precarious position. Leading to an officer discharging their weapon in the company of unarmed teenagers and one officer laying hands on another. So... where shall we start?"

 

[Ruedyn]

Marc was retrieved from his desk not first, it seemed. He was also kind of dizzy, from chair spinning, add in tired from the night and report, and he really didn't want to get yelled at right now. But he sighed, trying to will his body into not collapsing on the floor. The captain seemed to be keeping a hard neutral expression, and the office was kinda plain.

'And now for accusations, yelling, reprimanding. Rebuke, reproof, admonish, reproach, scold, finger wag.'

"Your unit split up, leaving an officer on their own and another in a precarious position. Leading to an officer discharging their weapon in the company of unarmed teenagers and one officer laying hands on another. So... where shall we start?"

"... Censure." the night kin finished out loud, looking more tired. "Wait, those were actual kids?" Marc mused, looking kind of quizzical, not completely familiar with others anatomy.

"Anyways, I feel like a lot of those could've been avoided with 4 units instead of our three. My report covered my logic in choosing to split up. Apparently it was wrong..."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

As Ackerman began her introduction to their dressing down, Jason sat with his back straight, meeting his superiors' gaze with what he hoped came across as a mixture of strength and humility. He didn't want to come across as aggressive, prideful, or unapologetic. There'd been enough of all that for one day. However, he also didn't want to be a boot-licker, stumbling out excuses and letting himself take the flak for things that were not his fault. This would be an uncomfortable road to walk.

"Wait, those were actual kids?"

It was all Jason could do not to visibly pound his head against the wall.

"Anyways, I feel like a lot of those could've been avoided with 4 units instead of our three. My report covered my logic in choosing to split up. Apparently it was wrong..."

"Your 'logic' might have had more basis if you'd chosen to share it with anyone at the time." Jason hissed, trying to sound as calm as he could through gritted teeth. "And perhaps now is not the right time to start challenging the Captain's deployment of resources, when we still have so much to answer for."

As it happened, Jason was actually in agreement. At the production lines in Redfields, the quotas had always been nice and rounded. Jason liked it that way, it kept things more efficient for everyone involved. However, he wasn't about to let Lloyd know that. Not just yet anyway.

"We were patrolling all as one group when a piece of furniture was thrown out of an upstairs window into the street, almost hitting us." Jason told her. "I wanted to take a closer look, to make sure that what was going on wasn't more than just a heated argument or even an accident. While my colleagues were not as enthusiastic as I was, neither seemed forthcoming with any clear dissent, so it fell on me to make the call. In retrospect, the call I made was the wrong one, and I apologise. However," Jason shot another filthy look at Lloyd "I do not think the quality of my judgement, with the benefit of hindsight, is any justification for Constable Lloyd's decision to abandon his fellow officers, especially considering that it later transpired that he was withholding information that would have made the entire farce a moot point in the first place."

 

[Ruedyn]

"I do not think the quality of my judgement, with the benefit of hindsight, is any justification for Constable Lloyd's decision to abandon his fellow officers, especially considering that it later transpired that he was withholding information that would have made the entire farce a moot point in the first place."

"... What was that?" Marc asked, raising an eyebrow. "... Do you mean when I said I 'knew' it wasn't them? I didn't know. I just used educated guessing. If it was anyone dangerous, they wouldn't use a lamp. That was in my report." Marc added.

"I didn't share my logic as you were half way up a fire escape. That was in my report as well. I do think that it was nothing but a heated domestic report, which Jason could've handled as well alone or with Chris. I stayed within running distance of the building they were inside of, and I figured a yell would get me attacked by the... kids, apparently. I fired a gun as there were several armed combatants around me." Marc had tucked his legs in again, he noticed.

"I don't think what we all did was wrong, but that is me being biased. I just think we went about it the wrong way at all times."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Well, if you didn't know, then you shouldn't bloody well say that you know." Jason snapped back. "You'll excuse me if I'm not keen on potentially staking people's safety, and my career, on your 'educated guesses'; and don't even try that crap about me not letting you speak up either. You had plenty of chance to make your case, you just chose not to, and I wasn't about to wait around for you to get over whatever this malfunction you have is when it comes to dealing with people. I'm not your damn therapist!"

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Just part of the education system you see, students submit assessment pieces, could be an essay or exam or a speech and teachers have a system of grading them using letters. A+ is the highest you can get and it decreases from there to A, A-, then B+ and like that from there. 'A' is excellent and 'B' is good so B+ is pretty much saying very good." Collin said as he explained to Sameera a prospect that was no doubt new to her.

"Yeah, as you say Collin, a B+ may not be perfect, but it is pretty exceptional, and for a first day on the job, and the first investigation; I would say that was an outstanding performance by all, well done everyone." Mordecai said with a smile as he stood up from the desk, the first aid kit in one hand, and the requisition form in the other.

"Now then Miss Draven, I think you asked me earlier to have a look at those cuts you have; since it appears that all our current affairs are in order for the moment, it might be a good time for me to treat them before something rather unpleasant happens. Fortunately, I have the tools and a room set up as a temporary medical bay."

 

[Trasch17]

"Just part of the education system you see, students submit assessment pieces, could be an essay or exam or a speech and teachers have a system of grading them using letters. A+ is the highest you can get and it decreases from there to A, A-, then B+ and like that from there. 'A' is excellent and 'B' is good so B+ is pretty much saying very good."

"Huh. So we did good. Why not excellent?", Sameera asked with obviously feigned indignation. "Interesting system. We have a different one." She left that statement as it was, without explaining any further.

"Yeah, as you say Collin, a B+ may not be perfect, but it is pretty exceptional, and for a first day on the job, and the first investigation; I would say that was an outstanding performance by all, well done everyone." Mordecai said with a smile as he stood up from the desk, the first aid kit in one hand, and the requisition form in the other.

"Now then Miss Draven, I think you asked me earlier to have a look at those cuts you have; since it appears that all our current affairs are in order for the moment, it might be a good time for me to treat them before something rather unpleasant happens. Fortunately, I have the tools and a room set up as a temporary medical bay."

"Oh, yeah, uhm, ok. Almost forgot. Young one's first." She stepped aside and waited for Mordecai to walk ahead since she didn't know the way.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Oh, yeah, uhm, ok. Almost forgot. Young one's first." Sameera said, soon stepping to one side to allow Mordecai through.

"And here I thought it was ladies who went first." Mordecai said with a smirk as he passed.

The pair soon left the Reports Room, and took a short walk down the corridor, passing the Captain's office, who they could hear giving a lecture to on the other side. They soon arrived at an unmarked door, and Mordecai opened it, entering into a almost empty room, save for a table and a couple of chairs. There was also a small basin of water that Mordecai brought in earlier so he could clean off any tools he used.

"Alright then, I know it's not much, but it was the first free room that I came across; it'll have to suffice until something a bit more permanent comes along. Anyway, if you could just get yourself seated on one of those chairs Sameera, and whilst I get set up, perhaps you could tell me how you managed to get those cuts and lacerations, please."

 

[Trasch17]

"And here I thought it was ladies who went first." Mordecai said with a smirk as he passed.

"Not always. Besides, I think it would be a little too much calling me a lady", Sameera grinned as she started following Mordecai. When they passed the Captains's office, she slowed down to 'accidentally' overhear what was going on inside.

"...whatever this malfunction you have is when it comes to dealing with people. I'm not your damn therapist!"

Well that didn't sound too good. Sameera shook her head and catched up with Mordecai again, entering a rather spartan room with a table and a few chairs.

"Alright then, I know it's not much, but it was the first free room that I came across; it'll have to suffice until something a bit more permanent comes along. Anyway, if you could just get yourself seated on one of those chairs Sameera, and whilst I get set up, perhaps you could tell me how you managed to get those cuts and lacerations, please."


She made herself comfortable on one of the chairs. "Well...", she started as she examined her right hand again, "... I got the cuts from smashing the window of a car. The laceration's from my forehead hitting the dashboard of our car, after said car performed a full breaking while I wasn't buckled up. I was even unconcious for a few seconds if that's important. And I was in the sewers right after that."

 

[Dogmatic99]

Ackerman listened in silence as the two of them bickered like school children, a look of stern disappointment on her face. She let the three stew in silence for a moment. Lloyd seemed steadfast in his belief that he was totally and utterly right, though his mindbogglingly thorough report didn't seem to agree. Not by her understanding anyway. Though reports couldn't always be trusted completely.

Spoiler: The Verbal report of Constable Lloyd

"I have a few questions where that's concerned actually, Lloyd. What were these youths armed with exactly? Since you haven't brought in any as evidence and how exactly did they threaten you?"

Marc responded almost immediately, "Nails and teeth, all about as long if not longer than the one I brought in. Aside from threats, they formed a ring around me. Like predators in the wild."

"Legally speaking, nails and teeth do not qualify as weapons." Though given how some kin chose to fight that left a massive loophole but the legal system was still trying to catch up with the change in the world. "Other than that they invaded your personal space. How exactly did they threaten you? Quote them for me as closely as you can." His report certainly suggested that he could.

And the dark kin delivered, citing their jests and jeers, even imitating the voices to an extent. It could almost be seen as him having fun. He concluded with the last one he heard before his non lethal counter attack.

"Rather colorful." Ackerman said, raising an eyebrow. "But not once there did I hear any outright threats of violence. What I heard was a group of young, disenfranchised, men acting like macho idiots. It is not standard protocol to discharge a loaded gun and assault people for being rude, Constable."

Marc frowned, he knew he was wrong, but he had to find a way to word it that would not get him fired on the first day. "True... I may have read between the lines to much. I was told it was gang territory, perhaps I took that to mean they would all have records. And to not be friendly to police. I tried to find a way to scatter them before an attack, in a way that would get my companions as well."

"Could it be said that you would have felt less threatened if you had had back up?"

"Unlikely. I'd prefer it, but it would have had a similar result with more people in danger."

Ackerman's brows furrowed. "I see. Now what exactly were these talins doing before this incident, how well did you manage to observe them beforehand?"

Marc gave a small smile, "I've been meaning to get to that. It looked like they were taking a bribe from an elderly 'human' male." The night kin began, going into an explanation of the man's face, as well as descriptions of the kids who took it and exact location.

Captain Ackerman bridged her fingers and was silent in thought for a moment, her hands gripping together and then relaxing again. "Mr Lloyd... going by your description what you witnessed was a drug transaction." Her voice brimmed over with suppressed anger, had they really not been taught this in training. "One pair handles the money and they then send the buyer onto the drug handlers. The merchandise is spread out among the group while others serve as decoys. Sometimes these decoys like to provoke officers and lure them away from the main group or allow time for those handling any real evidence to get away. Much like this talin seems to have done." She gritted her teeth quietly behind her lips.

Marc frowned, and leaned forward. That was what he'd thought going into it, though he didn't know that bit. He had messed up more than he thought, should've kept hidden and observed. "So, absolutely no use from my observations, and the bigger deal got away." Marc shuddered with rage, before returning to his normal position and neutral expression.

"Mistakes were made, Constable Lloyd. However these tactics are relatively new and your lack of knowledge is the fault of those that trained you. For that reason I am inclined to be lenient. However leaving your group to wander alone; in an area you knew to be dangerous is something I cannot overlook. Please leave my office. I'll inform you of how I intend to deal with this in due course."

Marc wanted to defend himself further, but he sighed for the mercy he was afforded. He offered a weak smile that didn't touch his eyes, offering a bow as he left the room.

Ackerman watched Marc go like a sentry before slowly turning back to Jason and Chris. "Now what to do with the two of you? Constable Hemingr, according to all the evidence you seem to have acted sensibly throughout this incident and may have at least tried to keep the peace. You may consider yourself dismissed." She turned her attention completely onto Jason. "You however, Constable Hunt, have made your own serious blunder. Nigh on assaulting a fellow officer is a very serious offence which would normally lead to a very serious dressing down and suspension at least. But these are not normal times and we find ourselves in desperate need of manpower. Luckily our latest report has offered you a chance to redeem yourself. Sergeant Novak will give you more details. This is not me letting you off."

*****​

After going over Archie's report it appeared that the thief (or thieves) left a few days between thefts and they'd been leaving less and less time between each job. Someone was getting cocky. The day had been a mixed bag overall and Ackerman was determined to make a win out of it.

With that in mind she went about assigning members of staff on a stake-out of the neighborhood. Jason, Rat, Rory and Cali were assigned to Novak and a car detail. They drove back to the neighborhood in question and were left to find spots where they could observe as many angles as covertly as possible. Novak himself stayed in the car. He explained on the way how the captain's thinking was that bringing the combined senses and insight of all the wargs on staff (along with Cali's superior night sight to back them up) would give them a better chance at catching any suspicious characters. Dusk had sunk its claws in a long time ago now and night was setting in with gusto.

Meanwhile, back in the precinct, Captain Ackerman emerged from her office to observe what was going on in her domain. No doubt it was time to start getting to know her subordinates.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Well..." Spoke Sameera as she examined her right hand again. "... I got the cuts from smashing the window of a car. The laceration's from my forehead hitting the dashboard of our car, after said car performed a full breaking while I wasn't buckled up... And I was in the sewers right after that." During this time, Mordecai was busy laying everything out on the near by table. After Sameera was done, Mordecai put on a pair of surgical gloves and then walked over to Sameera, and first examined the cuts on the back of the hand.

"The sewers you say? Well it's a good thing that you had those gloves on earlier, otherwise all sorts of bacteria could have gotten into the wound, making it rather infected. Least you had the common sense to wash once you came back, that should of washed all the debris and dirt out of the wound; but just to be safe, I'll have to clean the affected area with some soap and water, along with applying some antibiotic ointment and a bandage." Mordecai then went to fetch the basin of water, two flannels, the ointment, some gauze pads and a roll of bandages.

First he folded the flannel in half and submerged it in water, squeezing out the excess water and then applied the soap soap; Mordecai then gently cleaned the hand, making sure that every cut was done. He then submerged the second flannel and after squeezing out the water, cleaned off the soap so the ointment could work more effectively.

Speaking of ointment, he unscrewed the cap and applied some to the gauze pad.

"Due to the antibiotic nature of the ointment Sameera, it may sting a little on first application, so I do apologize in advance." Mordecai said with sincerity as he gently wiped the gauze pad across each scar, a couple soliciting a small yelp from the Dark Kin. He then cut a length of bandage with some small surgical scissors that were with the kit, and proceeded to wrap the hand.

"Now then, those cuts on your hand should heal into scabs in a few days, at that point it should be safe to take the bandage off. You may find that the scabs will itch, my advice is to not pick or scratch at them, as they'll drop off on their own accord, revealing the new skin underneath. Right, let's have a look at this here cut on your head." Said Mordecai, advising on the best procedure, before examining the cut, and performing mostly the same procedure as he did with the hand.

"Alright, that should it be it Sameera, but there are somethings I should mention to help with recovery for the head. If you can find them, try and take some painkillers to help ease the pain; avoid drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs, apply an ice pack if ones available, but most importantly, try and get some rest. At best you have a minor concussion, should clear up eventually, so long as you follow my advice. If it starts getting any worse, then seek the help of a more qualified medical practitioner, or better yet hospital." Mordecai then gathered up everything, disposing of the used gauze pads in a nearby bin. After closing up the medical kit, he turned to face Sameera.

"Before I let you leave Sameera, I need to ask two more questions. One, did you understand everything I was telling you earlier? Second, do you have any questions for me?"

 

[Voidrunner]

"Insane," Collin chuckled quietly, leaving it ambiguous as to whether he was referring to himself, his co-workers, or his day at work. "Missing a few screws alright, probably even more than I'm missing from all that stupid flat pack furniture I keep buying." The report was done, he hadn't been assigned elsewhere yet and he was hardly going to spend the rest of his time muttering to himself. No, Collin decided it was time for a sandwich. He strolled over to the platter Draven had brought in earlier and grabbed all the sandwiches he could get a hold of. Ok, a lot of sandwiches, it had been a long day. After clumsily bumbling his way back to his desk, Collin deposited his stack of sandwiches onto one side of his desk before eagerly stuffing one into his mouth. His task done, Collin slumped back into his chair and casually swung his boots up onto the part of desk not occupied by sandwiches. He probably had some deep insights to share at that moment but they were regretfully lost into unintelligible mumbling through a mouthful of sandwich. Without a doubt, it was the best part of the job.