Counting Down

Amusement (old)

The police station was buzzing, and for the first time in a long while, Tsukauchi had high hopes that he would be able to get a full eight hours of sleep. Two of the most pressing cases were being dealt with right now.

Yunta's killer was in custody as of this afternoon, having been located and brought in by a relatively small group of policemen. The information Zero had supplied was enough to get the man locked away, and yet Tsukauchi still found himself interrogating the murderer.

Through his quirk, he had reinforced the evidence of Sunta Jihyu being the killer, and how she had thought she planned out everything. She left no DNA--no traces. She had called up an "alibi" and even had a recording of herself walking home. What she failed to consider was her alibi falling through when double checked and for her friend to admit that she was the figure walking to Jihyu's house--albeit only after knowing her friend committed a murder. Either way, Tsukauchi felt better knowing justice was going to be served, and that the case was sound.

Currently, he was considered "On Call." A term used to display that he was not yet forced to become a backup to the group of heroes and police busting the Trafficking Ring, but as a third resort. With such big operations, multiple backups were considered "On Call."

So far the first backup hadn't even been called.

Tsukauchi remained suited up and near his computer.

He was also monitoring the hero health stats, notifying the health team to check specific heros for injuries once they left. Powerloader had come up with the hero suit addition, made to monitor suit damage, signaling possible injuries the wearer may maintain.

So far, the device worked wonders for medical teams attempting to find and attend to wounded heros more efficiently than normal.

The clock behind Tsukauchi's desk kept tick tick ticking as moments turned into minutes. A tense air was felt around the room before a ring cut through the atmosphere.

Quickly he accepted the call from his computer.

"Tsukauchi speaking." He answered, voice tense.

"Raid success, forty three Ring workers taken into custody, including the boss and main members. Sixty or so kids were saved, a little less than half had been just transferred from the 'supplier trucks.' We sent someone to trail their automobile to scout if any more relayed rings can be found." Came a thin, masculine voice.

"Injuries?" Tsukauchi hummed, moving around his desk to sit comfortably in his seat as he spoke.

"Worst on the hero team is a broken arm. Police team: someone has a broken elbow and dislocated knee. Children: scrapes and are malnourished. Scared too. Other than that, no major injuries and no deaths." There was a pause and a shuffle from the other side of the computer before the voice returned. "You know, when you first spoke up about the oddly specific plan and strategy of this raid, I thought you were too sleep deprived to be thinking straight. But, I have to admit, I think this plan of action really saved our butts. Without the element of surprise and input on the worker's quirks, I don't think the teams would have nearly made it out as unscathed as we did. So thank you, Detective." The man spoke up, voice strong as he spoke his mind.

Tsukauchi let out a genuine chuckle, unable to hold his humor at bay. "You're welcome," he managed to speak up.

Moments later the communications went out, leaving Tsukauchi to himself.

So Zero was an insanely good strategist and information gatherer... He mused.

Tsukauchi hated to admit this, but he could really use Zero on the police force. Such skills would be immeasurable to the operations that he was in charge of.

. . . . . . . . . .

"--cal police have turned the convicted villains in to the Hero Commission, who have yet to put out a formal statement. On the other hand, the children who have been saved are safe and back home with their families. We will keep you all updated on this when more information comes in..."

The female newscaster spoke, her voice barely steady as she finished retelling the horrendous story. Her brows were furrowed in both sadness and disgust towards the evil villains that had hurt innocent children.

"Speaking for myself and the rest of the news team, I am very grateful that these children are now out of the Trafficking Ring and back into the safety of their homes. I hope their recovery goes well-"

All for One clicked off the television, a smile slowly rising on his face. He set the remote down, aligning it to the edge of his bedside desk perfectly. Bubbling from his lips like froth, a deep chuckle escapes. His face stretches as the corners lift impossibly higher. The scars that ripped up his nose and eyes slightly crack under the pressure of his muscles rearranging his grin. Eventually his laughter runs into coughing and his body begins to shake. He felt his lungs burn as he coughed more and more.

Eventually, he calmed down.

"So...amusing." He whispered, a menacing yet amused air forming around him. His breathing was thin and uneven. Afterall, the damage to his lungs was immense and is still healing. But he was proud of the doctors he managed to pull into his grasp. Afterall, their work was helping him heal faster than even he thought possible.

. . . . . . . . . .

Momo was pulling at her hair internally, ripping even the smallest of stands from her scalp. But she couldn't possibly show her stress because her parents were sitting in the massive living room with her.

Her father, a relatively tall man who prided himself in having all possible designer suits possible, sitting on the opposite couch, newspaper opened and in hand. But his eyes had trailed away from the articles supplied and up to the screen above the intricately designed fireplace.

Her mother was a cushion away from her father, yet had her legs crossed and was poised elegantly. With her back straight, and eyes gazing at the news with half-hearted interest, the mother looked like a Greek statue. Her tall yet healthy frame was beautifully realistic. Especially so since Momo got her looks from her mother.

"Those poor children." Her voice echoed softly through the room once the story changed.

"This was a big crime bust for the station." The father agreed, turning his gaze back to reading an excerpt from the local newspaper. It crinkled under his nimble fingers.

Momo refused to speak, having bitten the inside of her cheek.

Of course the teen was thrilled about the saving of innocent children, but she also had an odd feeling bubbling inside her stomach, forcing it to churn.

For some reason, she felt like the police weren't the only ones to have a hand in the takedown of the trafficking bust. And yet she knew deep down she couldn't bring up her worries to Mido. Momo pursed her lips, watching the screen change to yet another story.

Words flew past her head as her thoughts drove her away from the present.