Zero Encounters

Welcome To Chaos

"Welcome to the party." Minhyun greeted Jisung sarcastically. Jisung had just stumbled into absolute havoc. The office was packed with officers and a few SWAT team members awaiting orders. Captain Lee answered the phones which rang non-stop while Hyesoo was drowning in paper work. Their once orderly office had become disarray in a matter of minutes. Papers were scattered throughout, pens littered all over the desks and he couldn't keep track of who came and went. At one point, the office felt like they were packed in like sardines. He had mentally prepared himself after being called in on his day off, but he didn't know to what extent he would be walking into.

"What's happening?" Jisung asked with a bit of hesitation. It was three o'clock on a Thursday and he's never seen the office so crowded. He didn't know where to jump in to support or if he should stand off to the side and out of people's way. Minhyun weaved through the office and almost had to hurdle a chair to get to the hallway.

"We got a tip. The three men who fled the hospital were last seen in a bottle factory in the south side of the city. Their names have shown up on a few black books when we raided the Seller's last known hideout. They're gang members who were expelled recently. The gunman we caught confirmed what we know and Captain Lee got a name out of him so it's a match." Inspector Choi handed him a set of keys. "Get the car and grab Minhyun on the way, we're heading out."

Zero turned on her work phone and waited for Minhyun to pin their location so that she can follow them. She went to the end of the parking lot where she hid her motorcycle and started it up. She pursued them closely for awhile, but grew impatient with all the lights they were hitting. She didn't understand why the sirens weren't flashing despite them being miles away from the factory. She pulled up right next to their SUV to see Jisung driving and tapped on the glass. She motioned to the sirens, but he didn't realize it was her until she sped off, cutting into the lane, nearly causing him to stomp on the breaks.

"That's a ticket right there." Inspector Choi chuckled and told Jisung to step on it. He turned the siren lights on and the SWAT car followed quietly behind them.

"Shouldn't you pull that cyclist over?" The SWAT car driver mumbled to Captain Lee. He lets out a sigh and redirected their attention to their SUV. From where they were, they could see Zero weaving in between cars before she was out of sight at the next exit. She arrived a few minutes earlier than the rest and because of what she had promised Kangho previously, she stayed out of sight and awaited orders. She checked the layout of the building Minhyun had sent and scoured the exits quietly.

Captain Lee ordered the SWAT team to circle the building and position themselves while his team overlooked the building layout with the other team captain. They handed each other bullet proof vets and went over the plan once more.

"Needing orders." Zero said into her mic with a hint of irritation. She anxiously tapped her foot while she watched the police do their work from afar. She concealed herself behind the deliver trucks in the empty lot over while watching the SWAT team assemble.

"How's Zero's arm?" Hyesoo asked while they checked their guns, "Should we have her in there first?"

"No, the layout is too open. The only way she would be able to get in without being seen is through this window, but it'll lead to the delivery docks." Minhyun pointed to their map, "The building is too old to have surveillance and I can only see so much from the office, here. If we use the drone, they'll hear us coming. I'm sure there will be stacks of recyclables for you to hide behind since this place is still in operation, but it's risky."

"Risk is part of the job." Zero said as she proceeded to crack the window open. She carefully lifted the rusted metal and realized she only had enough room to squeeze herself in.