Back on Active Duty
Nick is sitting at one of the random tables in the briefing room, waiting for Zack. He would look around in somewhat timid state since he's surrounded by cops who don't like Orcs much and then he hears murmuring from the doorway and there he saw Zack entering with a look on his face that can even scare an Orc, like himself. Nick knows that look well since it only comes from when he deals with people who mock or offend his wife.
Zack silently walks up to the table where Nick is and they both look at each other. Zack's eyes looked in a particular direction, making Nick look and saw Pollard there with a glare. He's the one who just offended Zoe, he knew this.
"Harloff, nice to see you back." The Police Captain said from up front.
"Cap." He simply greeted. The woman officer sitting next to Nick nudged him to get his attention.
"Hey, is that your cousin?" She asked him, showing a profile sheet on an Orc who is charged with sexual crimes.
"No." Nick answered in an annoyed tone.
"Tonight's the trifecta. Full moon, Friday night, summer heat wave. That means: clear your calls fast, help your colleagues clear theirs, get me out of this deployment period without another murder, I'll buy you all coffee. Sergeant Ching, all yours." The captain explained to every officer in the room. Then Ching, who was up on the stand, stood up straight.
"Alright, after I call your name, get your shotguns and radios and deploy. I don't want to see you here unless there's bad guys under the desks." Ching told them all. Nick looked underneath the table, somewhat confused.
"Three-Mary-25, Pollard. Three-Mary-55, Kim. Three-Mary-60, Thomas. Three-A-21, Pippen and Gosser." She listed off officers who then stood up and walked out to their shifts and patrols. Pollard made one last glare at both Zack and Nick, who in turn glared back.
"Three-A-54, Hancock and Wheeler. Three-A-80, Crawford and Duncan. Three-A-9, Harloff and Jakoby." Upon hearing their names, the two stood up.
"Go ahead and hit the kit room, I just need to sort something out and I'll meet you at the gas pumps, okay?." Zack told Nick.
"Alright." He nodded and walked to get the necessary tools.
"Three-A-34, Jones and Morengo. Three-A-82, Ortiz and Mencia…." Ching continued to list off as Zack waited for everyone to leave. Once they did, he walked up to Ching.
"What is it, Harloff?" She asked him.
"Has any of the other officers done anything to Nick while I was away?" He asked him. He's hoping that nothing actually happened to him since he'd more than likely not say to keep him calm.
"No, they just stare at him and talk behind his back. Nothing major." She told him. He let out a subtle sigh of relief to know that he wasn't beat up or anything physical like that.
He then walked to the police vehicle he and Nick would use for patrol and he saw him walking his way with a shotgun. They nodded and when Zack saw what was on his back, he sighed in frustration. It was a piece of paper taped on his back saying 'kick me'. He grabbed it and showed it to him.
"Was anyone laughing at you on the way here?" He asked him. Nick's eyes widened in realisation, now understanding why the officers were laughing at him. He then nodded.
"I swear, they are still immature children in adult bodies." Zack growled as he scrunched up the paper, threw it and got in the vehicle as Nick put the shotgun in.
The cop duo are now patrolling the hot streets of LA. And as they made their way down an alleyway and made it to the other side and turned left, there were some Orcs hanging out. Some were males, and the rest were women and children, and they happen to be from the Fogteeth Gang. This made the pair on edge as they stopped beside the group of male Orcs looking at them.
"Gents." Zack greeted them. One of the Orcs, wearing a football jersey and a silver chain stared at him.
"Your ass is still alive?" He asked the human. He knew of that incident with the shooter, and how he asked the question made it seem as though he was involved in some way.
"Know anything about that?" Zack asked the Orc in Vukht, the Orc language in a growl. At this point after learning for a few months, he became fluent in the language.
"It wasn't me, Broadtooth." The Orc said back, referring to the clan his wife came from. Zack narrowed his eyes at him, trying to act all innocent.
"Okay, you better listen. You get the fuck off this street, otherwise I'll call your PO, and tell him you're out drinking with your folk." He threatened him. The Orcs just stood there, not knowing if he's actually serious.
"I mean it. I will not tell you twice." He doubled down in Vukht. That got them to step back and actually get the hint. Zack looked behind them to see their girlfriends or wives and kids. He frowned, seeing how Orcs are better than this.
"And you take your families home." He added.
"Let's go." He then said to Nick, who was silent the whole time and they drove as they looked to see a child Orc lift a truck so that another kid could grab the soccer ball that was underneath it.
After they distanced themselves from the Fogteeth Orcs, they reached a more regulated area.
"Nick, I need to know that if shit somehow goes south with them Fogteeth grunts, that you have my back as I have yours. I trust you, afterall." Zack said to Nick.
"Don't worry. I got your back." He reassured.
"It really is sad to see Orcs like this." Zack said, looking out the window. Nick was going to say something when the radio came alive.
"All Westlake units, three-A-4 is requesting assistance. Sixth and Whitmore. Sixth and Whitmore." It blurted out. They activated the sirens and sped up more to get to the designated location.
Upon arriving, they saw a bunch of cops, including Hicks using physical force to restrain two Orcs who looked beat up with blood on their heads. A perfect display of where things are with how some people view the Orc race.
"Nick, tell me how much being a cop means to you. I need to ignore what's going on here." Zack begged his partner as he breathed heavily through his nose to try and keep calm. Nick of course obliged and rested his hand on Zack's shoulder.
"I've wanted to be a cop since I was a little kid. I have nothing else right now. My badge means more to me than the air I breathe. And being your partner and friend is just as important to me." He said in a way that managed to calm Zack down.
"Three-A-9, 415. Fifth and Westlake. Code two, incident 2415." Dispatch radioed directly to the two.
"Three-Adam-9, roger, show us en route." Zack acknowledged.
"Thee-A-9, roger." Dispatch replied.
"Let's get out of here." He told Nick and so they continued on.
Once they approached the location, they saw some crazy, dirty looking hobo man swinging a sword about and some of the citizens were freaked out as they looked on. They parked right next to a cop car and exited the vehicle. Zack then saw the person who was by the cop car. It was one of his friends, Rodriguez who is a Sheriff.
"Hey, Rodriguez. Long time, no see." Zack greeted with a smile. Rodriguez smiled back.
"Oh, shit, man. I thought you were dead." He shot out of his mouth. As these two greeted, Nick got out and pulled his gun out, pointing it at the hobo.
"Hey, I couldn't just leave my wife behind. Plus, I have to tend to my garden." Zack replied as he laughed. Aside from being a cop, Zack did some gardening as a hobby and he had a special touch that made others seem like they're not trying.
"I hear ya." Rodriguez agreed.
"I would've thought you'd be out having your zillionth baby right now." He said to him since the family was big with more than 2 children.
"Nah, man. Marisol's a week late. We're inducing next week, though. Number five." Rodriguez told him. This made Zack smile proudly at his friend.
"You just don't know when to stop." He joked, which made the Sheriff laugh. Nick, on the other hand, decided to try and resolve the situation at hand.
"Sir, drop the sword." He said to the man through the loud speaker. The man himself looked at him and pointed his sword at him.
"You. The Army of Nine Races fought shoulder to shoulder to give you the world you neglect." He jibbered out of his mouth.
"Tell him to shut the fuck up." Zack requested Nick.
"2,000 years ago, we fought them with swords and arrows." The man continued.
"Sir…." Nick said but stopped since the man didn't listen and spewed out stuff as though he was some Oracle or Prophet.
"And now, the Dark One returns to reclaim Orc hearts!" He then said, more louder than before.
"Nearly everywhere I go, why have Orcs always gotta be the bad guys?" Nick asked exasperated.
"Hey, don't look at me, man. Mexicans still get shit for the Alamo." Rodriguez explained, understanding his situation.
"Get back! Get back!" The man warned, swinging the sword more, making the citizens of humans and Orcs back away, worried they'll get attacked. Zack, Nick and Rodriguez grabbed their guns and moved forward.
"Hey! Sir, unless you want to die, drop the fucking sword, right now!" Zack loudly ordered him as he pointed his gun at him. The man himself did as he was told.
"Nick, cuff him, I'll grab the sword." Zack told his partner and he nodded as the three moved in closer, pointing their guns.
"Turn around, sir." Nick ordered the man.
"Hands on your head." He then ordered as the man turned.
"I'm doing it man, jeez." He muttered as he put his hands up.
"On your knees." He was then ordered.
"I- Alright." He stuttered before he got on his knees. Nick then holstered his gun and pulled out handcuffs and moved closer to the man, cringing at how dirty he smelt. Zack moved towards the sword.
"Don't move." Nick told the man.
"Having a little fun." He said casually right when Nick started cuffing him and complained by how tight they were. And then Nick dragged him towards their patrol vehicle.
"Three-Adam-9, one in custody." Zack informed over the radio.
"All units, code four. Fifth and Westlake, suspect in custody." Dispatch said as Zack placed the radio back on his belt and grabbed the sword. As he looked at it, he saw that it was medieval and looked like it was used in many a fight.
Nick put the man in the back seat as Zack walked back. They nodded as they walked past each other.
"Hey, real quick. Gang intel said Fogteeth's been smashing like a motherfucker, and Altamira's gangbanging like it's 1999. Watch your backs out there." Rodriguez warned Zack.
"You, too." He nodded as they bumped fists.
"Kiss your family for me." He then said before he put the sword in the trunk and got in the passenger seat.
They were driving back to the station and while Nick was driving, Zack filled in the Daily Field Activities Report. And then the man, still cuffed, was coughing all of a sudden and leaned closer at the railing separating them.
"Can you sit back, sir?" Zack asked him as he looked back. The man didn't comply.
"Mate, you reek. So, sit back." He requested in a firmer tone which made him do as told.
And then the man just suddenly vomited and the two cops squinted their faces because the stench got worse from the vomit.
"Just when he couldn't get more dirty." Zack muttered under his breath.
"I have a message from the Shield of Light. Remember the old ways. Remember what you are." The man then spoke in Vukht directly at Nick, catching the two off guard.
"When and where did you learn that?" Zack angrily asked him, but he didn't answer.
"Remember your traditions. Only clan ways can save you. The Prophecy has chosen you. The man with you is blessed." He continued, freaking them out more.
"Alright, you shut the fuck up right now!" Zack warned him and the man stopped.
"What the hell did any of that mean?" He asked Nick.
"I-I don't know." Nick hesitantly replied.
Once they got to the station, Nick took the man and sword for interrogation and questioning while Zack had to clean up the vehicle with a hose, which grossed him out.
By the time he was finished, he saw movement in the corner of his eye and turned to see the captain, along with two men in suits, most likely Feds if Zack had to take a guess.
"Where's Jakoby?" The captain asked him.
"Booking our body, ma'am." He said. He then looked at the two men. They both had short back hair and a trimmed beard.
"Who are you two?" He questioned. The taller of the two pulled something out of his pocket and placed it in front of him for Zack to read. His eyes widened seeing that they're Internal Affairs. The man placed the I.D. back in his pocket.
"That's right, all fucking day long. Now, let's review, kids." The shorter of the two remarked.
"Some pigskin piece of shit puts a load of buckshot into your trauma plate. Shithead foot-bails, Jakoby pursues… corners his asshole in, what, a dead end alley?" He then said, making Zack remember that day.
"Jakoby states dude tackled and disarmed him. Then jumped on a fire escape ladder and evaded arrest." The taller one continued as he pulled out a file.
"Jakoby's signed statement." He then said as he pulled out said statement in front of Zack.
"Ladder's 13 feet off the ground. We measured. No Orc has a six foot vertical." The short one stated a crucial fact. One that Zack realised that there's something going on. He knew well that Orcs aren't that good at gymnastics and were slow runners. And the tone of their voices implied something.
"What are you suggesting here?" He asked them slowly.
"Oh you know what. Jakoby kicked loose that pigskin fuck who blasted you. Do the math." The tall one said. This instantly made Zack frown. There is absolutely no way Nick would ever do that. He heard from his own mouth how much being a police officer means to Nick, which was at the cost of him being in an Orc clan.
"Orcs hold Clan Law above all else. That's a fact." The captain then said, seemingly agreeing with the Internal Affairs agents.
"Yeah, it is. And it's also a fact that when an Orc isn't blooded like Nick, Clan Law doesn't work. You're just making it seem this way because you're biased." Zack pushed back firmly.
"Look, the Jakoby situation is sensitive. The world's watching. We can't fire him without cause." The captain said. Zack took a step back in shock as his eyes widened. She's actually considering firing him all because she and some others are racist.
"Which is why you're gonna get him to admit it and you're gonna record him." The short man said as he and the taller one stepped closer and pulled out a digital recorder. Zack narrowed his eyes at the two. They want him as some snitch.
"Sod off. You lot clearly don't understand Orcs and Orc culture like I do. And I don't snitch like some lowlife, corrupt cop." He pushed them.
"Oh, right, I forgot. You're married to a pig fuck. Of course you'd defend him." The tall one teased him and Zack instantly snarled and clenched his fists so hard that they were shaking, since he just used the exact same racist remark he accidentally used on Nick. The captain knew what would happen if she didn't hold him back so she held him.
"You call my wife that again, or even lay a finger on her. I will split your racist fucking head open." He hissed.
"Harloff, don't. Don't throw away your job like this." The captain reasoned him as the tall agent smirked, smugly. Zack knew that they wouldn't leave him alone and might actually get to Zoe. He really had no choice. But he won't use it. He'll actually trust Nick enough for him to tell him the actual truth.
"Just give it to me." He muttered. The agent held it up and Zack grabbed it.
"Now get out of my sight." He then said. The two then walked off, feeling satisfied.
"It's just business." The captain told him.
"No, this is abuse of power." He corrected her. She frowned and walked off.
Now that they're gone, Zack let his fury out and punched the wall to his right. There was a huge dent and his knuckles were red, potentially going to bleed as it stung.
After he calmed down, he pulled the vehicle out and waited for Nick. He knows Nick didn't let that shooter go. Of course he suspected that he wasn't telling the exact truth about what happened but he just knew that Nick didn't do that.
He then looked to his right when he heard a car parked and doors opening and closing. He saw a human in a suit as well as an Elf with long black and blue hair, wearing a dark blue suit. They then walked off to who knows where and Zack saw Nick walk past them and then towards him.
"Did you see those two guys? I think they're Feds. Could they be here for me?" Nick asked Zack instantly on edge.
"Feds unfortunately don't give a damn about the LA Orc community." Ge reminded him as he walked to the passenger side.
"Yeah, you're right." Nick said. He noticed that Zack was in a mood. He looked truly angry about something, but he didn't know what. The two entered the vehicle and drove out of the station, ready to continue working.