Ch. 1: CLUB KOI
Lieutenant Barbara Tholen and her partner, Captain Abby Gillam sat in their squad car outside of the Apollo's Coffee Shop in the Red Light District. Barbara took a sip of her coffee as Abby started to say something.
"You know, I hate the graveyard shift," She complained, taking a bite out of a donut.
"Aw, face it. It's better than working 3rd shift over in Sunnyvale. It's pretty quiet out here," Barbara responded, watching another squad car pass by. "That place is a monster. The highest crime rate in the entire city,"
"Yeah, but I hate the quiet. Jackson over in the Suburbs expansion area says that he has to deal with a crazy at least twice a night. I would love that life," She stated, taking a gulp of her own coffee. Barbara let out a laugh as she read the evening paper.
"Stilwater Gazette, July 12th, 2013
BIZARRE MURDERS COMMITTED IN STILWATER
Stilwater- The mutilated body of forty-two-year-old Claire Watson was discovered late yesterday in an abandoned lot not far from her home in Hackenshack, making her the fourth victim of the supposed "cannibal killers" to be found in or near the Hackenshack district in the last month. Consistent with the coroner reports of the other recent victims, Watson's corpse showed evidence of having been partially eaten, the bite patterns apparently formed by human jaws.
Shortly after the discovery of Miss Watson by two joggers at approximately nine o'clock last night, Chief Bradshaw made a brief statement insisting that the Stilwater Police Department is "working diligently to apprehend the perpetrators of such heinous crimes" and that he is currently consulting with city officials about more drastic protection measures for Stilwater citizens.
In addition to the murderous spree of the cannibal killers, three others have died from probable animal attacks in the Mount Claflin area in the past several weeks bringing the toll of mysterious deaths to seven." It read.
"Hmm, how would you like to transfer to Hackenshack?" Barbara stated, joking around.
"Are you crazy? No freaking way. Not until, those cannibals are caught," She stated, expressing her disgust in the word cannibal. Barbara laughed as a call came over the radio.
"Unit 31, what is your 20?" The Dispatcher asked.
"31 to Dispatch, our current location is 13th, and Belmont," Abby responded, picking up the comm.
"10-4, Unit 31. Respond to Club Koi. Public Drunkenness has been reported,"
"Unit 31 to Dispatch, we're on our way," Abby said, shaking her head, as Barbara started up the car.
The car jumped forward and sped off, down Belmont Street. The siren rang out through the streets and the lights turned the dark alleys and windows into flashes of red and blue. Barbara flew up Tenenbaum Drive and pulled to a stop at the Club Kio back entrance.
"Funny, this place closes at 9 o'clock sharp. It's going on 10:45," Abby stated, looking at her watch.
As they stepped out, a Sons Of Samedi gang member kicked open the backdoor and pulled out a AR50 XMC machine gun. Barbara dived behind the squad car as he opened fire. Abby unholstered her NR4 Pistol and ducked down.
"Public Drunkenness my behind," She yelled, before firing her handgun. "Get the 12 Gauge,"
Barbara threw open the passenger side door and grabbed the Tombstone Shotgun from between the two seats. She pumped it and set the barrel on the trunk. She fired and hit the gangster straight in the gut. He fell to the ground, a pool of blood forming around him. She pumped the shotgun again, as Abby slammed another magazine into her NR4.
"31 to Dispatch. Request med unit at Tenenbaum and Belmont," Barbara spoke into her walkie-talkie.
"10-4, Unit 31. Med unit is on its way," The dispatcher responded. A scream came from inside the club. Barbara motioned for Abby to check it out. Abby moved inside, keeping her gun in hand. Barbara kneeled down beside the ruffian.
"Hey. HEY!" She yelled, seeing him start to drift off. "You're gonna be just fine. EMT's on the way," She heard several shots come from inside. She turned her head at the sound of two other squad cars pulling up.
"Stay with him," She said, as she went to assist Abby.
Barbara cautiously entered the hallway and hugged the wall. She slowly moved into the main room and did a quick sweep. All clear. She followed the sounds of voices and snuck into the front hall. Her eyes widened when she saw Abby lying on the floor, with wounds in her torso. She went into the hall as the two crooks left. She kneeled down next to Abby taking her hand into hers.
"What happened?" She said, nearly in tears.
"Bastards shot me," Abby gurgled, blood leaking from her mouth.
Barbara grabbed for her radio, fumbling it in her hands. When her fingers found the talk button, she said "Dispatch, we've got an officer down at Club Koi. Multiple gunshot wounds to abdomen and chest. Request a med-evac and back-up immediately,"
"10-4, Unit 31," responded the Dispatcher. "Attention all units, Attention all units. Officers need assistance at Club Koi, Tenenbaum and Belmont. Repeat, Officers need assistance at Tenenbaum and Belmont,"
She turned back to Abby. "Don't worry, Abs. Ambulance will be here soon," She reminded her.
Barbara stood up, pumped her shotgun, and slowly walked down the hall. She kicked open the door that the crooks had gone through. They froze in their place, staring at her.
"Which one of you shot Captain Gillam?" She asked, with a cold look in her eyes. They pointed to each other. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. You boys shouldn't have that,"
One of them pulled a SKR-9 Threat Sub-machinegun, the other, a K6 Krukov assault rifle. She ducked behind the counter as the wall behind her took the bullets meant for her. The bullets suddenly stop firing.
"They're out," Barbara whispered to herself, hearing the magazines hit the floor.
She rose and fired a slug into one of the hoodlums. She pumped the gun, and turned to the other hoodlum. He dropped his gun and raised his hands; obviously scared to death. Barbara laughed when she noticed the wet spot forming in his pants. He looked down and nearly died from embarrassment. She handcuffed him and read him his rights as she walked him out to a squad car. After loading him up, she saw Abby being loaded into an ambulance. She ran over to the medic.
"Will she make it?" She asked.
"We don't know yet," He stated, walking to the front of the ambulance.
"Well, which hospital are you taking her to?"
"Sangre Sedianta," He responded, before speeding away.