Chương 30: Chapter 29: Flipping the Script

"That's exactly what I thought," I said, the grim intensity completely melting off my face. One at a time, I reached down, grabbed the young enforcers by the heavy fabric of their vest straps, and pulled them back up to their feet. To patch things up, I tapped into my mana pool and cast my minor healing spell, sending a warm pulse of energy into the kid's face. Within seconds, the tiny nick on his cheek knit itself closed, leaving the skin perfectly smooth. The kid blinked, rubbing his cheek in total disbelief.

"Wait a second... you were never actually going to carve me up, were you?"

"Hell no," I chuckled, sheathing my knife.

"I told you, I was a cop here. I'd never intentionally hurt an innocent kid just doing his job. But did you two completely sleep through your interrogation blocks at the academy? They literally teach you how to use psychological leverage, theatrical bluffs or lies to trip up a suspect." Both officers stood there looking completely dumbfounded and entirely speechless. Watching them process the absolute mind game I'd just played made me laugh even more.

I reached around, unbuckled their heavy duty belts, and set them aside before performing a quick, thorough pat-down for any hidden secondary weapons. Like almost every street cop out there, both of them carried folding tactical blades clipped inside their pockets, and the level 6 enforcer even had a backup small-frame revolver secured in a neoprene ankle holster. I lined the gear up on the hood of a nearby cruiser, turned back to them, and let my tone turn serious.

"Let me give you guys a genuine piece of advice. You don't look quite old enough to have kids of your own yet, though I could be wrong. But I know for a fact you've got parents, siblings, or people you love out there who are counting on you. As the days tick forward over this next week, the grid isn't coming back, and things are liable to get a hell of a lot more violent once the local pantries run dry. Both of you desperately need to get back home and fortify what's yours."

I paused, letting the weight of the reality sink in before offering them a lifeline.

"With that in mind, I'm going to give you a choice. Option A: You guys can take off into the night right now, but you leave your duty belts, your armor, and your weapons behind with us. Or, Option B: You can actively help us load the logistical supplies we came here to secure. If you choose to help, I will personally guarantee that when the truck is packed, you'll walk out of here fully armed and equipped to protect the people you love. What's it going to be?"

The two enforcers exchanged a brief look, assessing the situation. Realizing that driving out into a broken world completely defenseless was a death sentence, they both agreed to pitch in. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. I grabbed my keys, unlocked their handcuffs, and instructed them to fetch a pair of heavy-duty bolt cutters from the nearby carport to pop the master padlock on the central cargo container.

The heavy steel jaws bit down, the padlock snapping with a sharp metallic crack, and we swung the massive doors open. When I peered inside, a wave of disappointment hit me. The interior wasn't anywhere near as packed as I had anticipated. The total volume of ammunition crates sitting on the wooden floorboards was only about a third of what the department used to maintain back when I wore the badge.

It meant one of two things: either municipal funding had taken a massive hit in recent years, which was highly plausible, or a few entrepreneurial officers had already cleared out a significant portion of the reserves for their own personal stashes when the System initiated. Probably a mix of both. Still, as I took a rapid inventory of the green stencil text on the crates, it was a massive haul: 5. 56×45mm NATO ~10, 000.

40 S&W ~6, 000 12-Gauge Buckshot (2 ¾") ~2, 000 Even if it fell short of my initial expectations, this volume of firepower was a massive strategic victory. It gave our extended group a definitive edge for the upcoming high school operation. Under Joe's watchful, intimidating gaze, the two young officers began lifting the heavy wooden and metal ammunition crates, transferring them methodically into the wide cargo area of the Suburban.

Meanwhile, Pete and Johnny focused entirely on stripping the storage house, hauling out stacks of tactical vests, ballistic plates, helmets, and riot gear. I paced over to Joe, lowering my voice so the kids couldn't overhear us.

"What do you think about pushing our luck and clearing out the main armory inside the precinct? There's only one body left holding the building. If I utilize my sneak ability, I can likely slip through the back corridors, drop into the dispatch office, and secure the master key override without anyone noticing." Joe glanced over his shoulder, gesturing toward the sagging rear suspension of his vehicle.

"It's definitely a solid tactical move, Derrick, but we're physically running out of real estate in the back of the truck. This suspension can't take much more weight."

"I already factored that into the logistics," I replied with a grin, pointing toward the dark side yard of the property.

"See that older white Ford F-250 diesel parked on the other side of the house? That's the utility rig the department uses to haul the heavy community barrier trailers. It's an older mechanical build, meaning its electrical system likely bypassed the EMP pulse, and I know for a fact that suspension can handle whatever we throw at it. If I can secure the armory keys, I can grab the ignition ring for the Ford at the same time. I just need to flush out the Commander to clear my path.

And I think I have the perfect plan for that." Joe looked at the heavy truck, then back at me, a sharp glint of approval in his eyes.

"If you truly think you can pull off the infiltration without triggering a hornets' nest, go for it. We've got your back." I nodded, stepping back over to the two young enforcers and calling them to a halt. I picked up their discarded duty belts and handed them back. However, before letting them buckle the leather, I systematically ejected the magazines from their sidearms, cleared the chambers, and slid their spare mag pouches into my own vest pocket.

"I'm guessing TJ was still the junior commander on the roster before the world ended, which means he's likely occupying the corner office closest to the precinct's rear entry doors, correct?" I asked. Both kids nodded affirmatively.

"Perfect. Here is all I want you two to do," I instructed, leaning in close.

"I just need you two to walk through that back door and pace casual-like right past his office door. You guys have been completely cool and cooperative so far, so do not mess this up at the finish line. I might have been bluffing about carving you up with a skinning knife earlier, but I wasn't telling a single lie about what I am willing to do to ensure I return home to my wife and kids.

If either of you tries to pull a hero move or tip off Vance in a way that jeopardizes my family's safety, I won't hesitate to put you down for good. Do we completely understand each other?"