Broken Then Fixed: Gruvia

Chapter 19:

The police received blueprints of the building from city hall. They figured we'd need it to pinpoint possible locations they're keeping Jamie. The building was an old police station. It was shut down because there wasn't much crime around here and they all transferred to a different location. That happened over 45 years ago. Even if any of those officers transferred to our local station, they either would be retired, or too old to remember the layout. We wouldn't bring elderly into this anyway. Also, it would take too long to figure out who even worked here. We needed to get Jamie out as fast as possible. After scanning the blueprints, we figured out a couple successful routes for the robot to take.

"Okay, the blueprints are old and we don't know whether the building has been modified or not, but we've found two good routes for the robot. This one will be route A. If something goes wrong, the robot will then take this route to avoid anyone else. That route will be route B. The cameras have titles on them, so we know a little about where they were stationed," I explained to the officer and Gray.

"The only thing we need to figure out is how the robot will take the covers off," another officer said.

"Correct," I agreed.

"What about we use the robot for cover?" Another officer asked.

"Yeah, like what if one of us goes in and since the robot has a camera we can watch, the others can tell the person inside where to go so they can uncover the cameras while avoiding Lyon or any accomplices," Another officer added on.

"That works. It needs to be someone fast and agile in case they get into trouble," I said.

"They need to be quick-thinking as well. Who out of you does the best under pressure?" Gray asked.

The officers all looked away. The chief facepalmed and the detective sighed. Gray and I looked at them in disbelief.

"Really?" Gray asked.

"None of you?" I added.

"We're . . . um . . . new," an officer admitted.

"ALL of you just started?"

They all nodded. The chief didn't meet our eyes. Probably with guilt.

"You sent newbies . . . on a mission that might decide whether my brother could die or not?" I asked, eye twitching in anger instead of annoyance.

"I-I . . ."

I sighed.

"Fine then. I guess we're doing it," I said. Gray nodded.

"Um, no. We promised-"

"You promised our parents we wouldn't get hurt. Not that we wouldn't be sent into the battlefield. It's still partially your fault for sending in these poor guys. You just had to put this much pressure on them. You couldn't have made their first job a break in or something?" I rolled my eyes.

"I actually agree with her, sir. It would be more appropriate for them to do a patrol instead. They haven't even done that," the detective agreed.

"But sending in kids-"

"Excuse me, but these 'kids' you're talking about know more about the situation than you do," I interrupted the chief, narrowing my eyes.

"You wouldn't have offered the internship if you didn't believe we had what it took. Consider this a debut of sorts. Or maybe an interview? Whether you like it or not, the two of us are the most suited to go in," Gray told him.

"They're small and will be harder to spot," the chief said out loud in thought.

"Do you two have any combat experience? According to the law, minors cannot have possession of firearms, but there is no law against minors using a knife to defend," the detective said.

"Thankfully yes. Wow, it's like our moms prepared us for this," I joked.

"And you're the one who said the self defense classes were useless," Gray jested at me.

"Oh shut up, I was 10," I mumbled. He chuckled in response.

"Okay, the world has officially blessed us with perfect police force candidates," the chief sweat dropped.

"Okay seriously, is there anything you two CAN'T do?" An officer asked in disbelief.

"Multiple things actually. Gray here has coulrophobia," I mentioned.

"Hey! You agreed not to tell anyone that!" He said.

"Oh relax, it's common," I rolled my eyes.

"What's that a phobia of?" An officer asked.

"Fear of clowns," Another said.

"How do you know that?" He asked her.

"Experience," she replied and shivered.

"See Gray? Common," I said.

"Whatever," they both mumbled.

"Okay, well is there anything YOU can't do?" The same officer asked me.

"Bugs," I said, "I don't do bugs. I'd rather stay away from snakes and spiders as well," I said.

"Are you afraid of them?" He asked.

"No, I just hate them. Bothersome insects," I mumbled that last part.

"And we're not all that good at cooking either. We get that from our dads since our moms are basically amazing at it," Gray mentioned.

"Y'know, I'd rather just say you're perfect candidates and move on," the chief said.

"I mean, we know basic cooking skills if that makes you feel better?" I asked, feeling a little awkward.

"A little. Now, let's focus on the goal. Fine, you two will go in, but if I see one part which I think is too dangerous, you will retreat immediately, understood?" He asked.

"Yes sir," we bowed in respect.

"Good. The robot will go in first and after about 5 minutes, you will follow. It needs to make sure the path is clear," the detective said.

"Yes sir," we said again.

"The rest of you, minus Officer Colden because he's controlling the robot, will move in when they need backup. We will be backup as well if something goes wrong and we need to help you get out. Make as little noise as possible, don't let nerves take over, and let's save the boy!"