Fixers

Chapter 8:

[Liara POV]

[7:00 AM, March 2nd, 2016, Midtown South Precinct, Manhattan, New York City]

It has been a couple of months since the 10th precinct attack. Those who survived either quit the police force or reassign to a safe desk job. As for Murphy and I, we transferred over to a new precinct over on East 51th, still willing to keep up the fight. When I drove to the new precinct, Murphy was waiting for me out front. "What up," I say, walking up to him. "We got ourselves a case, it's an odd one," Murphy says grimly. "What makes it strange?" I ask. "Our witness is the killer himself," Murphy says, pointing off to the left of the building. Looking; there was a group of officers dragging a cuffed man into the precinct. "I didn't do it! I didn't kill him! I'm innocent!" the man yells. "What happen?" I ask. Crossing his arms, "According to the first responders. They found the suspect standing over the victim's dead body, with the murder weapon in hand." "Seem like an open and shut case," I say. "Maybe, but we're still going to talk to him. Get his side of the story," Murphy, making his way into the precinct.

The interrogation room. Murphy and I sat across from the suspect. The man looks nervous and fearful. He kept his eyes train on his hand still somewhat stain with blood. "Mr. Carlton, we would like to hear your side of the story. Tell us what happen," Murphy says. The man looks up at us with guilt-ridden eyes, "What's the point, you won't believe me," says the man. "Try us," I say. Carlton took in a deep breath and began telling us his story.

"After a long day's work, I went to Inn-Diner for some coffee and breakfast. Not long after a man enters the diner. Walks toward me and sits at my table. 'Entertain me,' the stranger says, 'I want you to take that knife, go up to the waiter at the counter and stab him. Keep on him sticking until I tell you to stop.' My body started to move, acting on its own. I take the knife, go up the waiter from behind, and drove the blade into his back. Stabbing and stabbing and stabbing. I wanted to stop; I tried to stop, but couldn't. It was like suffering from an episode of locked-in syndrome. Aware of what's going, but have no control. Everyone in the Diner started screaming, yet I keep on going. Jumping out his seat, the stranger yells for everyone to shut up. And everyone did. They all quiet in perfect unison. The fear in their eyes was gone. In fact, there was nothing. The light were off. Now it was only dead looks. The cops showed, gun drawn. The same thing happens to them. Walking over to the two officers, 'You never saw me,' he stated. He turned to face me and told me to stop, then he left. Once he was gone, everyone snaps out of their trance. The cops tackle me to the ground. I start yelling to them, explaining to them what had happened, but they didn't listen. They didn't listen."

Outside the interrogation room. The story Carlton told us was hard to believe, but not impossible to imagine, considering everything we've witness. 'The guy he encountered was a Zeo user.' Though I never met a Zeo user personally, I knew a fair share of info. Sighing, "We're going to need to call in Sigma," I say. "Don't bother they're already here," a voice said from behind us. Turning around, my wide when I see the person who spoke. "Kahles?" I say.

[Raijin POV]

[Underground Station, Bronx, New York City]

"I got to say the Graphbyne suit feel more comfortable then the graphene suit," I say, walking into the base. "It ought to be. I made the outfit combining both Biotechnology and Nanotechnology. Like the suit's predecessor it has regenerative armor and its light weight. The new edition comes with a built-in wing-suit. An inner gel layer fabric to regulate temperature, so to operate in an extreme climate. It's also fire and electric proof," she tells me. I move toward the computer station and pull up Nelson Branco's and Drake's files. Seeing what I was doing, Karai walks around me. "Nelson Branco. Age: 30. A violent career criminal that desires nothing but power. An ambitious leader who can win over people for his cause with fear and intimidation. To keep his men in line, he uses brutal methods to make an example of them when they fail a task," Karai says, "So this guy is the head of The Syndicate?" "More like he's one of many," I say. Her gaze switches to Drake's profile. "Drake. A psychopathic enigma with a regenerative healing factor," she comments, "Like a fucking Hydra." Karai made her way to the training floor, stretching her arms, "Care to join me in a quick sparring match?" "Sure," I say following her to the practice area. Once we were in our fighting stance, we went at it. Going in full boxer mode, I swung a right hook then an overhand left. Both Karai blocks easily. Dropping low, Karai dash to the right, striking an elbow to my left knee, dropping me to one leg. As she about to throw a kick to my face, I swiftly grab her and drop her onto her back. Reacting fast, Karai swung both her legs around me, putting me in her guard. Not wanting her to start punching the shit out of me, I grab both her hands by the wrists and pin them down to the mat. Karai breaks free from my hold, rolls me on my back, positioning herself in a mount. Taking hold of my arm, swings a leg over me, drops to the side, putting me in arm-bar submission. Feeling my arm about to break, I pull my arm back, roll up to my feet, lift karai off the ground then slam her back down. Getting up, Karai swings elbow shots, hitting me in the jaw. Dashing around my back, throws her arms around me, throwing me over her back first to the mat. "I'm getting better," Karai says. Grunting in pain, "That you are," I say to her. Karai walks over to me and helps me to my feet.

Suddenly our eyes meet. In the 17 years, I've known Karai; this had to be the first time I notice how beautiful her blue eyes were. 'Clear as the bluest ocean.' Karai places her arms around my neck, leans up toward me, and put her lips on mine. The kiss starts slow then it quickly become fiercer. We only stop to come up for air. "What brought that on?" I ask. "Been wanting to do that for a while now," Karai tells me, "Besides it's not like we never locked lips before or shared a night together." "True," I comment. We kiss again, then decided to release some other pent up tension.

Later, I awoke to find Karai sleeping beside me, her bare frame partly covered by the bed sheet. When I move to get up from the bed, Karai woke up. "Well, that was fun, Partner," she says with a smile. "A casual friendship has its benefits," I say. "Casual? Pfft. You and I both know we're far from casual, Raijin," Karai remark, "We may not be lovers, but don't call this casual. We're Parabatai. Fixers who fight and survive together as lifelong partners." Karai's right. We have been through hell and back since we started this crusade, calling it casual is an insult. I nod then begin to gather my gear. Getting on the motorcycle, I drive off to patrol the city.

[9:00 AM, Hell's Kitchen, New York City]

Running through the rooftop; patrol was relatively quiet. Almost nothing was happening. At that moment, I notice a woman with dark red hair walking down a secluded alley. A small group of seven followed her. Five men and two women. The red hair woman stops at a deadend. Turning, she sees the seven. Studying the unknown redhead, she didn't seem afraid or nervous. Without warning one of the seven goes in for an attack, swinging a lead pipe at the redhead. The woman quickly steps back, dodging the attack. Taking on the first attacker first; the redhead drops low, goes around the man, throws in some hard body punches, striking his kidneys. Grabbing the attacker; tosses the guy to the two standing close by, knocking them down. One assailant came behind the redhead and grabbed hold of her by the waist. Another thug came at her. The redhead kicks the thug back, getting her arms free, she began to slam her elbows to the assailant's face until he finally broke his hold on her. When he drop his grip, the redhead grabs the guy's arm, get him in a jumping armbar submission, breaking the man's arm. Seeing enough, I decided to jump into the fight. I land next to the redhead, pistol at the aim. "You," the redhead says surprised. Quickly, the woman moves in my line of fire, "Do not kill them. They are not acting in their own will. They under Vadik's influence." With that, I set the pistol on stun and fired away, dropping all the remaining attackers. "These people are going to need medical attention," the redhead says, pulling out her phone to call the 911.

"It is good you came when you did. Truthfully I was hoping to find you to ask for your help," The redhead says. I turn to look at the young woman, "My help? Help with what?"