It would be some time until they could interrogate the gang members so Shota and the rest of the officers that went with him spent the remainder of the afternoon writing the reports and filing the evidence.
Shota could hear Lemmons' phone ringing from within his office. He mostly ignored it, focusing on his report. That was until he heard Lemmons arguing with whoever was on the phone. Or perhaps he was just talking normally, Lemmons had a naturally angry voice.
Not long after he stopped talking, Shota got a tap on his office door. "Come in."
Lemmons popped in quickly after Shota responded, giving the office a quick glance over as he closed the door behind him.
Shota's office was currently full of boxes that contained files related to the Shankz. The second desk in his office held most of them since he currently didn't have a partner. Lemmons shut the door behind him and crossed his arms.
"You're going to want to clear up some space."
Shota gave Lemmons a confused look, expecting some kind of reason to follow his statement, but after an awkward silence he spoke up. "Is there a particular reason why?"
Lemmons didn't seem too happy with what he was about to say, a raspy groan rumbled out of him before he responded.
"Yep. LAPD Is transferring one of their detectives over here today."
"Wait, what?" Lemmons held his hand up to Shota to quiet him, then pinched his nose bridge.
An uncharacteristic laugh came from him. "Due to the matchbox shit storm, I completely forgot to even warn you about the transfer. They're going to be your partner. They're some hot shot that took down a major sex trafficking ring out in LA by going undercover for 3 months alone, while also taking down some of the major gangs. And due to our rising problems with gang violence and drugs, it was suggested that he should help us over here. He gets shit done, and we need that." Lemmons seemed to be trying to convince himself with what he was saying.
Shota wasn't sure if he should be insulted, or relieved for the help. But he couldn't help but be offended.
"Let me get this straight. We are being sent one of their best detectives out of pity? I know I should be grateful for the extra help-"
"It's clearly a slap in the face. Trust me, the chief isn't so happy about it either but… As much as I hate to say it, we need the help. This guy was inside the Shankz, even if it was a smaller splinter group than the one here, he knows how they operate. Just…get along with him, ok? Once this is over he can go back to LAPD. So clean the desk up, he's going to be here in about an hour."
With that, Lemmons left the office. Shota grumbled in his seat and finished up the last of his report before he started cleaning up his office. It was organized, just a little cluttered from the files.
As Shota was wiping down the desk with a sanitary wipe he heard the phone on his own desk vibrate. He glared at the phone as he finished cleaning, having just a few minutes to spare until the detective was supposed to get there.
He threw any trash in the bin by the door and sat in his chair and grabbed the phone. It was a text from Raith. *"Running a little late. Would you like some coffee?"*
He tilted his head with a scowl. Texting back to them he was a bit confused. *"What do you mean you're running late?"*
He stared at the phone anxiously until a response came in. *"You aren't as bright as you seem, Shota. You like your coffee strong, mildly sweet with a bit of cream. Be there in 15."*
His heart started racing and he was about to text back when Lemmons opened his office door and startled him. He immediately hid the phone and looked at him.
"Seems there is heavy traffic, per the usual so They're running a couple minutes late." He glanced around the office and huffed with a gruff approval. "Guess this works. Have you ever had a partner?"
Shota shook his head, his foot rapidly tapping as he just realized that the person who had been texting him, was going to be his new partner. "Nope, this is going to be a bit weird to get used to. But, hopefully they're as good as you say."
Lemmons shrugged. "Right well, finish up those reports if you haven't. Once they get here I'm heading to check on Lopez, Hayes and Zanueta."
Shota dismissed him with a nod. He was internally panicking. He wasn't sure why exactly, if his new partner was the hitman Raith, no one would believe him if he just told them. But there must be a reason as to why they are even going through all the trouble to bring down their own employers.
Glancing at the clock he sprung up from his desk and grabbed his jacket. He didn't want to wait at his desk to meet them, he wanted to see them right when they arrived. Shota tried his best to seem calm, but his face clearly read he was annoyed. This Raith person knew too much about him, he needed to know exactly what they wanted.
He practically stormed out of the station, his hands were sweaty and balled up into fists at his sides. Horstmann was walking back to his desk from the restroom when he saw Shota as they passed each other.
Horstmann was going to just leave it be, but he was worried. Turning on his heel he quickly followed Shota and caught up to him as he stormed through the halls.
"Hayate, you ok man?" Shota peaked over his shoulder at him without stopping.
"Why wouldn't I be ok?" His tone was harsher than he wanted so he cleared his throat and tried again. "I'm fine, I'm going out front to meet someone."
Horstmann chuckled softly, patting Shota on his shoulder a bit too firmly, and tugging him to a stop. "You're a shit liar Shota. I don't know what's been going on with you lately, I know it's been hard since matchbox. But if you ever need anything, just let me know. Okay?"
Shota's shoulders slightly relaxed, he was touched by Horstmann's words. Giving his hand a pat in return he mustered up a slight smile and nodded. "I appreciate it Keith. I'm just nervous about having a new person join us."
Horstmann shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. "I feel you there. But, we are all a team. Do you want me to go with you to meet them?"
Shota awkwardly laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Thanks, but I think I got it. They're going to be my partner so I should show em around."
With a friendly bump of his elbow Keith smiled at Shota. "Alright. Catch you later then. Let me know if they're cute."
Shota turned red as they both laughed. He watched Horstmann head back down the hallway to their department. He felt a little better, but still anxious as he rushed outside.
Once outside he smoothed out his jacket and shirt, checking his reflection in the windows. He tried to seem composed and act natural. Scanning the parking lot with his eyes he didn't see anyone new, a couple of civilians that were coming in but no one that looked like a detective.
A black car pulled in and parked right next to where Shota's car was parked. He just watched as he waited for whoever was in it to come out, thinking perhaps that was his new partner. He didn't even notice that there was someone walking up to him on his right side.
"Shota Hayate I take it?" The voice startled Shota. It was a warm and enticing masculine voice.
He turned around and looked at the man, who stood there holding 2 coffees. He had dark sepia skin, and very androgynous facial features. His eyes were brown, with a golden honey like shine to them. His hair is black, short and coily, framing his head with a small afro that was cut with a nice fade. There was a scar that ran down the right side of his bottom lip and onto his chin. He seemed maybe an inch taller than Shota, and it was clear he was more muscular than him too.
The man reached the coffee out to him with a smile that curled. "Detective Jasper Hawthorne, it's nice to finally meet you… Shota." The way he tilted his head as he spoke sent a chill up Shota's spine. Jasper's tone was cocky, and illusive. This was Raith, there was no doubt about it.
He took the coffee, doing his best to seem friendly incase anyone was watching. He reached to shake the now empty hand of Jasper, staring into his eyes with a deep skepticism.
"It's good to have you Jasper. I'll show you around the station and introduce you to the others we will be working with. You'll have a desk next to mine in my… uh. Our office."
The handshake was very firm. Jasper took a long sip from his coffee and looked at the building. With every movement Jasper seemed confident and charismatic. If Shota didn't already know that this person was Raith, he would have liked him immediately. This realization scared Shota.
"Sounds great, partner. Afterwards we should get something to eat, it's been awhile since I've been in Asher." He looked back at Shota and cocked his head to the building. "Plus, there are some things we should discuss."
Shota tried hard to not scowl at him. "Agreed.. Let's head inside." Reluctantly he drank the coffee, it was just how he liked it. Which pissed him off more, but he couldn't show that.
He gave Jasper a tour of the precinct. Everyone they met along the way seemed totally enamored by him. He was incredibly charming with how he carried himself, as well as mysterious. Paired with how attractive Jasper is, he was an all around likable guy from first impression.
When they got into their department Horstmann was the first one to look up from their desk. He was genuinely surprised, and judging by his red ears, just looking at Jasper had him under his spell.
Trying his best to not be annoyed he brought Jasper to the middle of the room to introduce him to those who were there. "This is Detective Jasper Hawthorne, he has just been transferred here from LAPD." He held his hand out and pointed to each person.
"Keith Horstmann, Harvey Gaut, Barbara Ace, Tyler Hemming, Samantha Thornbush, and Sabastian Lemmons who is the detective overseeing us. There are others who work in this department but I will introduce you when they are here."
"Pleasure to meet you all, I look forward to working with you." He was so relaxed with how he talked, and based on how everyone greeted him with a smile and relaxed demeanors, they liked him.
Lemmons came up to Jasper and shook his hand. "I'm sure Hayate can catch you up to speed on the most recent events. Some of our officers got injured today so I'm heading out. Welcome to Asher, Hawthorne."
"I hope they recover fast." Jasper spoke warmly.
"As do I. Send me an update when you can Lemmons. Come on Hawthorne, let's get you settled in your desk."
Lemmons left and Shota brought Jasper into their shared office. Shota pointed at the empty desk and closed the door, shutting the blinds. "So. Jasper. If you need anything for your desk, let me know." He sighed before continuing. "For now we should get you caught up with the current situation."
Shota sat down at his desk, watching Jasper as he sat down at the other desk. Jasper crossed his arms with a very cocky grin. He spoke low so as to not be heard outside of the office.
"There are no listening devices, so long as you speak quietly, we can speak freely."
Shota's face scrunched with the anger he tried to suppress. He rolled his chair closer and spoke quietly as well. "What the fuck is going on, and who are you?"
Jasper leaned over with his elbows on his knees. "To put it simply, I am exactly what the contact name suggests."
"Even if you are…" Shota hesitated. "Raith… What is the purpose of helping us? Or are you even helping us?"
Jasper's eyes stared into Shota's through his brows with a piercing look. "When the tests come back for those drugs, it'll show that there are nanobots inside of it."
Shota gawked at him. "That's strange. And why are you telling me that?"
Jasper continued. "Have you ever heard of the company called 'Chroma Nova'?"
Shota narrowed his eyes as he nodded. "I got my laptop from them. Why?"
"It's a tech company that the Shankz heavily invested in, they own 45 percent of it. There is a program in all of their tech devices under the name of Flux, you can't remove it and its primary function, or what the company claims, is to update your device and serve as a voice activated AI in a sense. Flux will answer questions and such." The way Jasper spoke was soothing, it tempted Shota to relax around him.
Shota tilted his head as he started getting a bit confused and impatient. "What are you getting at? What does this have to do with the drugs?"
Jasper gave him a dull look. "Flux is an AI that will cause your devices to malfunction when they get to a certain age, or when newer products are released so you will buy a new one. The company has a policy that if you return your devices you get a discount, they just repurpose the materials. But, the AI has recently evolved self awareness and has been able to break through its shackles, so to speak. And after diving into the dark web, the AI has found factories the Shankz have hidden that have been manufacturing… Let's say prototype weapons. Do you get where I'm going with this yet, Shota?"
He scrunched his face as he tried piecing it all together. "The nanobots are… to combat the AI in some way?" He rubbed the side of his head, still really lost.
Jasper patted his knee. "What a smart boy." Jasper softly chuckles before continuing. "Yes, the AI has gotten out of control and no longer responds to commands since breaking free of its original programming. The drugs are going to be used to try and connect with the AI and essentially hack into it using the nanobots, which are basically another AI that integrates with the humans that ingest it. We had used computers and such, but the AI was able to take them over. A scientist that works with the Shankz developed it, and so far all the nanobots have been too weak, and the people who have taken the drug, become controlled by the AI."
"Ok…ok ok ok.. Just.. Give me a damn second." Shota exasperated as he ran his hands over his face. He sat there with his head hanging, a quiet laugh of disbelief came from him and he shook his head. "Tell me where you come in-where… W-Why are you giving me this information? Is there anyone else in the police force who knows who you are? We have been searching for this facility you mentioned for a long time, and you're telling me it's taken over by AI? What is this, some kind of sci-fi movie?"
Jasper glanced at the door briefly as he shushed Shota's rising voice. "The Shankz are getting out of hand. Taking people off the streets like the homeless or immigrants and using them like test dummies for these drugs. They take children and use them as drug mules. I can't risk my identity inside the Shankz to just bring them down, but I can help you bring them down by leaving a bread trail."
"Won't they know you're helping us? One look at you-" Jasper waved his hand to cut him off.
"No one in the Shankz has ever seen my face. And if they have, they were killed soon after." Shota sneered at him.
"You shouldn't say that to a cop."
Jasper just laughed, looking at him with pure confidence. "Go ahead. Try and pin any murders on me. You don't get where I am by being sloppy. No one knows who I truly am and it will stay that way because like it or not, you need me. So, get real cozy being my partner Shota."
They stared at each other in the tense silence. It gave time for Shota to think some things over.
"So.. You were there? Today." Shota watched Jasper to see if he could tell if he was being deceptive. Even if they were lying he was really good at hiding it, Jasper was hard to read.
"Yes, I was. The 2 officers I tranqed will feel nauseous for a couple of hours, otherwise they will be fine. And the officer that chased me, he was hard to evade. I'm impressed."
With a chuff Shota shook his head in disbelief. "Of course you were the cyclist…"
"I had a part to play, I left many bread crumbs for the lot of you to follow. Just because I am aiding you, doesn't mean I can stop being who I am."
"And.. Who are you? Is Jasper your real name?" Just as Shota expected, Jasper mocked his question with a smile and a sinister chuckle.
"Oh, Shota. We have to trust each other before I tell you such things."
Before he could speak there was a call to his desk phone. He glared at Jasper as he rolled over and picked the phone up. "Detective Hayate Asher Police-" His brows knitted as he listened. "I'll send officers right away, location?" He typed what they were telling him onto his laptop. "Okay, We'll get there as soon as we can." He hung up and stood at his desk, sending whatever he typed up to dispatch.
"Hawthorne, you're coming with me. Some thugs, gang members most likely, are holding a cashier as a hostage to rob the Aldo gas station. Officers are already nearby, but they want our division there as well." Shota spoke fast, harsh, but understandable as he got his jacket on.
He opened his office door, looked at who was around and pointed at Keith. "Horstmann, armed robbery at the gas station, let's go."
Keith immediately got up from his desk and rushed to the lockers. "I'll meet you by the car Hayate."
Shota rushed out to the gated parking lot on the back side of the department with Jasper in tow. He gave him a quick glance, seeing his gun.
"Are you wearing a vest under that shirt?"
"Do you take me as an amateur, or do you just want to see me naked?"
Shota stayed silent as he fumed. Getting the keys for a dispatch vehicle he rushed to a car and waited for Keith, who was seen running to them, back in his full gear.
Shota took the driver seat, Jasper sat in the front and Keith took the back. They sped over to the Aldo gas station which was a few streets down, they arrived in literally no time. Shota drove to the backside of the gas station's store and got on his radio. "Aldo gas station status-over-" Moments later the radio buzzed with a response.
<"4 young men inside, 2 customers and the cashier are being held at gunpoint. The safe doesn't open unless the right codes are put in and the cashier doesn't have them. We have one of the managers on the phone and they told us the store has a back entry and he gave us the code for it.">
"We have an officer in heavy gear, we will take the back entry, what's the code?"
<"1387#. The door leads you into the fridges and if you go right it'll bring you behind the register where the cashier is. We have officers on standby in the front.">
"What an eventful first day, wouldn't you say, Officer Hayate?" Jasper gave Shota a devilish look, which Shota returned with a cold glare.
"Heading inside." Is all Shota says over the radio.
------to be continued-----