Obsidian Detective

by Michael Anderle

  “Training?” Jia suggested with a shrug.

  “Exactly, and what does training do? It produces habit. For humans, habit is one of the most effective ways to control people because once a habit is established, it’s hard to break.” Erik grunted. “I’m glad the captain’s finally seeing things our way, but I think if we march up there and ask him to allow us to go after one of the top politicians in the city, a man connected to the largest of the corps, he’ll tug on our leash and pull us back. He’ll revert to defensive habits, the ones he’s developed over thirty years, and it’ll be too late.”

  Jia looked hesitant. “Do you really think we need to go after him right away?”

  “Yes,” Erik replied. He fell silent for a moment as a uniformed officer strolled by munching on a fruit bar before he continued, “When Naric was keeping his mouth shut, I’m sure his sponsor didn’t care. Don’t you get it? That’s how corrupt this city is. On the frontier, at least people know that they might get in trouble if they get caught, so they take more precautions. Here, everyone acts like they never will. They don’t try to hide their actions. They just try to make it so it’s not blatant enough to force anyone’s hand. That’s because everyone from the politicians to the police is ready to look the other way so they can pat each other on their back and say how great Earth is.”

  Jia sighed. “It wouldn’t be too late. We have Naric. You said it yourself. At a minimum, he tried to kill us, and he had Emma. He’ll testify. He’ll want to plead under some sort of agreement that might at least give him some small hope of freedom.”

  “If Winthorpe gets offworld, we’re done.” Erik pointed at space once more. “A man like him will be able to sit safely offworld for a long time, playing the bureaucrats against each other, making up excuses. If he thinks he’s going to get hit, he’ll run, and unlike Naric, he has the connections and resources to take him anywhere in the UTC. We’ve got a small chance to grab him, and we only have that chance because we’ve been defying expectations for most of this investigation.”

  Jia shook her head. “We can extradite him.”

  “Do you really want to take that chance after all the work you’ve put into the investigation? After being shot at?” Erik scoffed. “Who do you think gave us that clearance to get into the Shadow Zone? Who do you think told Naric to expect us?”

  She looked away. “The thought had occurred to me.”

  “Exactly, and that means Winthorpe set us up. He just miscalculated how quickly I could shoot someone.” Erik furrowed his brow. “And that’s our big advantage right now. I’m a wildcard. These people are like you when we first met. You didn’t know what to expect from me, so you couldn’t predict my actions. We can use that against them by taking this bastard by surprise.”

  Jia thought for a moment. “I’m just not sure. This isn’t like going after some criminal in the Shadow Zone. This is going after a council member, and if we’re wrong, then Naric’s right; we are both finished, and the real people responsible for all this will get away.”

  “I joined the police to pursue justice,” Erik insisted. “And justice isn’t only about going after scum in the Shadow Zone. I believe everything I told him in there. We need to stop the people at the top if we’re going to have any chance of helping their victims.” He thought about telling her why he had joined the force, but decided against it, less because he didn’t trust her and more for her own safety.

  Jia averted her eyes. “I understand what you’re saying, but this is huge. This will rock the entire metroplex. It’s not going to be something they can cover up.”

  Erik nodded. “That’s true.” He started walking again. “I’ll handle it. I believe Naric that Winthorpe is dirty. If I pull the trigger on this, I’ll drag everyone along with me. They won’t have a choice. The captain can yell at me, but it’ll already be done. This is your classic forgiveness versus permission scenario.”

  Jia let out a long, weary sigh as she caught up with him.

  Erik shook his head. “You’re not talking me out of this.”

  Things had changed more than he realized. The police position was just supposed to be a means to an end, a way of gaining the investigative tools he would need to figure out what had really happened on Mu Arae, but he’d let Jia’s idealism rub off on him. He wanted to take Winthorpe down. He wanted the man to rot in a cell and realize that two low-level cops had put him there.

  Erik sped to a jog, a grin creeping over his face. No one said enforcing justice couldn’t also be fun. Jia matched his pace. The few other people in the hallway eyed them as they sped past.

  “There’s really nothing I can say to talk you out of this?” she spoke over the slap-slap of their shoes hitting the floor as they trotted past the posters.

  Erik shook his head. “Nope.”

  “And if I told the captain?” Jia ventured.

  “I’d still go,” Erik insisted. “Any chance he had of a remote override is probably gone now that I’ve got Emma in my system. Speaking of which…” He tapped his PNIU. “Emma, start up. We’re going for a ride. Look up Councilman Trajan Winthorpe, and see if you can find out where he is right now.”

  “My net search suggests he’s at home in his mansion,” Emma immediately replied.

  “Working hard, I see,” Erik mumbled.

  Jia shook her head. “You’re leaving me no choice, Erik.”

  He grunted. “Do what you need to do, Jia. I’m not going to hold it against you.”

  Jia smiled. “I don’t think you understand what I’m saying.”

  He glanced over. “Huh?”

  “I’ve been insisting this whole time that we need to pursue justice,” Jia offered, determination building on her face. “There’s no way I can back off now, just because it’s going to be politically messy. I’m not happy about what I’ve learned, but it’s like you said…turning away from the truth won’t make it go away. The minute I offer a blind eye out of convenience, I’m no better than my old partners or the captain.” She touched him on the arm, grabbing his attention as they left the building. “What kind of partner would I be if I didn’t have your back?”

  Erik’s grin was genuine. “Let’s go bag ourselves a councilman.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  We’re doing this, Jia thought. It’s not a mistake. No more hiding, no matter who you are.

  Jia kept taking deep breaths as the MX 60 cruised toward the councilman’s mansion.

  Brief ideas of contacting the captain remained, but she agreed with Erik. A quick arrest would shock the corrupt system, and put everyone on notice that whatever they were used to getting away with, it would stop.

  If there was any chance of turning Neo SoCal into what she believed it should be, it needed to start at the top. Corruption flowed downhill. Once they gave the people a few high-profile examples, everyone else would fall back in line.

  The traffic grew sparse as they closed on their destination. The sprawling grounds and wide single-story building took up an entire high-level residential platform by itself, complete with multiple ponds and its own forest in the back.

  Everything about the estate struck Jia as wasteful.

  Her family had wealth, but she’d still grown up inside a residential tower, not on their own private platform.

  Erik slowed his MX 60 and chuckled. “Public service has its rewards, and if he’s got his own platform, he’s probably got his own security.”

  “Don’t trash my new body,” Emma insisted. “I like it.”

  “It was mine first,” Erik asserted. “I paid for it.”

  “Well, it’s mine now, Detective,” she shot right back. “Possession, in my case, is one hundred percent of ownership.”

  The comm crackled to life. “Attention, incoming vehicle. You are flying in restricted airspace. You are to immediately turn around, or you may be subject to arrest and/or fines.”

  Erik nodded at Jia. “You want to do the honors or should I?”

  She took a deep breath, tou
ching the talk interface. “This is Detective Jia Lin of Enforcement Zone 122. We are coming in to ask some questions about an open investigation. I’m sending our police ID codes now.” She transmitted her codes with the help of her PNIU.

  “We’ve IDed ourselves,” Erik muttered. “They can’t justify shooting us.” He didn’t look certain.

  Jia glanced at him. “Whatever happened to desperation?”

  “I said they can’t justify shooting us.” Erik grinned. “I didn’t say they wouldn’t, but this time we’re going to be prepared. Get it out for me, will you?”

  Jia moved a foot and reached below to pull the TR-7 out of the hidden compartment, along with several magazines. “I’m still not comfortable with you using this monstrosity, but I don’t deny your ability to intimidate people with it.”

  Erik’s grin slowly faded. “Notice something?”

  “What?” Jia looked around. The mansion platform looked much the same to her. She didn’t see any movement except for a few camera drones circling the area. No flitters, no men stepping outside to greet them.

  “They didn’t reply,” Erik answered. “Nope, this is going to go hot. Emma, take control and bring us in low and slow. After we get out, circle the area, but keep high so they don’t take potshots at you.”

  “I thought you didn’t want a machine doing all the work?” Emma responded, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

  “I can’t fight and fly remotely,” Erik replied. “I’ve got you for good or ill. I might as well use you.”

  “Taking control,” the AI responded cheerfully.

  Erik reached over to take the TR-7 and magazines from Jia and stuffed them in his duster pockets. “Go ahead and send a high-priority message directly to Malcolm requesting backup. Don’t send it through the dispatch system. I’m willing to bet the good councilman’s got a few people running interference.”

  “Malcolm?” Jia blinked, confusion evident when she leaned over to look into his face. “Why not the captain?”

  “Because I’m willing to bet Malcolm has crappier political instincts and will overreact. That will get units to us sooner.” He adjusted his holster. “At least, that’s the plan.”

  Jia nodded and dictated the message.

  Emma brought in the MX 60 in front of a bubbling fountain with a holographic statue of a stone mermaid in the center, only a slight error in shadow revealing the deception. The doors opened and Erik and Jia stepped out, weapons at the ready.

  Erik glanced at her stun pistol. “You’re going to have to get something other than that toy if we’re going to keep ending up in situations like this.”

  “We don’t have to kill everyone to do our job,” Jia insisted, eyes roaming. “I still believe that.”

  “I’m not saying you have to,” he eyed the upper windows, “but if it comes down to you or them, make sure you win.”

  The trees swayed slightly in the wind. The active tinting on the windows concealed the inside of the house. No one was around.

  Not even a gardening bot.

  Erik glanced at a nearby bench, then a tree, before looking at the steps leading to the massive covered porch and huge wooden double doors at the front of the home. He furrowed his brow.

  “Follow me,” he explained. “And keep low. I wouldn’t put it past them to have a few snipers.”

  Jia swallowed and nodded. Her PNIU chimed, and the message appeared on the edge of her smart contacts.

  It was from Malcolm. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m going to scream my head off and get you help! Don’t die on me, Detective.

  “You sure you don’t want to wait for backup?” Jia looked to the right and then back again.

  Erik darted toward the bench, followed by Jia. “Nope. He might run at any second. Emma, if you see any flitters leaving, ram them. Bring them down on the platform.”

  “Are you insane, Detective?” Emma replied.

  “Just be smart about it,” Erik counseled. “I don’t want you to trash my flitter, but I don’t want anyone escaping. I’m sure some big fancy military AI like you can pull it off without totaling your new body.”

  “I’m still not convinced I’m military,” Emma muttered. “But I’ll see what I can do.”

  Erik and Jia finished their approach to the porch. He nodded at the access panel. Jia touched it, but nothing happened.

  “Emma, can you route through my PNIU and see if you can pick this lock for me? Is that something you can even do?”

  “Accessing,” the AI related. “And of course it’s something I can do. I’m more than just a smart girl who can open doors in gangster warehouses and fly your flitter.”

  Erik looked above the door. He didn’t want anyone leaning over for a free shot. “Definitely need to carry more explosives in the future.”

  Jia grimaced as she looked around, seeing the flitter moving in the air. “I think that’s a bit much for intimidation.”

  Erik grinned. “I was thinking more skeleton key than intimidation.”

  “Let’s just stick to having the AI do it, shall we?”

  The lock beeped and the door unlocked.

  “Three, two, one,” Erik counted. He threw open the door before he even completed the motion, pushed Jia to the side, and leapt back. Bullets struck the porch where they’d been standing.

  Jia frowned and put her back against the wall beside the door as several more shots followed. She looked at him, her head sideways. “I’m beginning to develop a real dislike of being shot at, Erik.”

  “It’s not like I love it. I’m just used to it,” Erik muttered. “It might be nice to have a tactical suit and an exoskeleton. Maybe stashing more gear in the MX 60 for quick raids wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

  “How many quick raids do you expect us to do?”

  “I didn’t expect this one!”

  “Don’t have to be exact. How about an average per week?” she hissed at him.

  He flipped his TR-7 to single-barrel mode but didn’t fire. “Go ahead and give them a chance. They might respond better to you. Otherwise, we’ll do this my way.”

  She aimed her mouth at the open doorway and yelled, “This is Detective Jia Lin and Erik Blackwell of Enforcement Zone 122,” she called during a lull in the shooting. “We contacted you ahead of time. We’re here on a lawful investigation. Lay down your weapons, or we will be forced to defend—”

  A bullet ripped through the wall near her head. Jia hissed and backed farther away from the opening.

  “Seriously?” She reached up and picked a bit of concrete out of her hair. “I’m going to be pissed if they have messed up my hair.”

  “Hold that thought,” he told her.

  “Too late.” She flinched when another hole appeared.

  Erik shrugged. “Can’t say we didn’t give them a chance.” He spun toward the opening to fire a burst. A man screamed from inside. Two more quick bursts from Erik ended with more screams. He rushed inside and slid behind a wood-grained table, grunting as he pushed it over to use as a shield.

  Jia followed him into the building. Erik’s three victims were dead, all men in gray and black uniforms, pistols next to their bodies. They all lay near the back of the cavernous living room. She leapt for the table cover as more men emerged from a back room and opened fire.

  “You’re firing on cops, you idiots!” Erik shouted.

  They fired another volley in response. The bullets bounced off the table with sparks. It might look like wood, but it was hard and dense enough to deflect bullets.

  Jia’s heart continued to pound as she reached around the edge of the table and fired a few shots. She stunned one man, while Erik downed two with quick shots to their hearts.

  “I’m rolling forward on three,” Erik whispered. “Cover me. You ready?”

  Jia nodded.

  “One, two, three,” Erik counted, and sprinted toward the back door, firing a few rounds for suppression.

  Another uniformed man popped out of a side door, but Jia placed two
stun bolts into him before he could get off a shot. She moved her gun back and forth, watching the other doors as Erik finished his advance and glanced around the corner. “We’ve got a hallway, a big door, and an intersection at the end. Check our backs before we advance.”

  Jia ran to a side door and threw it open, sticking her head in to look. No one was inside. Several paintings hung on the wall. The next side room, the one the earlier guard had emerged from, was a small reading room with several couches. The next two rooms lacked men.

  Her PNIU chimed with a call. The ID appeared at the edge of her smart contact. It was Captain Monahan.

  “Basic request, accept call,” Jia murmured, eyes roving.

  “What the hell is going on, Detective Lin?” Captain Monahan shouted. “We’ve got the fool from Digi-Forensics running around telling everyone you need backup at Councilman Winthorpe’s home. I’ve barely managed to get him to shut up.”

  “Naric gave him up, sir,” she explained, sticking her head around a corner and then pulling back. “We stopped by and identified ourselves as police officers, but now we’re being shot at by multiple men.”

  Erik crept into the hallway and Jia jogged his way. The long corridor ended at a T-junction, another massive set of arched double doors at the end.

  “I… You… Councilman,” Captain Monahan sputtered, his rage fueling his incoherence. “Are you two out of your damned minds?”

  “Are you sending backup or not?” Jia snapped. “We clearly identified ourselves, and his people ambushed us. I told Erik we should go directly to you, but he thought you would fold because you’re more concerned about politics than doing your job. Now, which is it going to be…sir?”

  “Just…stay alive. It’s too late now to stop you, so I might as well help you. I’m not saying going after Winthorpe immediately was the right move, by the way.” Captain Monahan ended the call.

  Multiple panels slid up along the walls to reveal several six-legged spider bots, each the size of a large dog. They all had thin rectangular cores and a single glowing silver stun rod sticking out the front. They scampered along the walls and floor before rushing toward the detectives. Some moved along the sidewalls, but a few took to the ceiling.