The tan Galaxy came to a screeching halt next to over half a dozen parked patrol cars blocking both ends of the Market and Kearney intersection. Desperate screams could be heard above the wailing of approaching sirens, people in severe shock wandering around aimlessly, their hands in front of their faces as if it would somehow erase the images they had witnessed.

Steve was the first to exit the Galaxy, Mike in hot pursuit, as they crossed the small distance to the front door of the nightclub, where a patrol officer was busy ushering out patrons, many of them covered in blood, their eyes wide in fear.

Amidst the utter chaos, names were being called out in hopes of finding survivors, loud, heart-wrenching sobs could be heard here and there when the search turned into bitter confirmation.

Bloody handprints lined the frame of the front door, as well as much of the siding of the nightclub and nearby buildings, signs of people stumbling out of the bar turned deathtrap, before collapsing from their injuries.

Much to his horror, Mike noticed several fatalities along the sidewalk, unsure whether they died from their injuries there, or were executed as the shooter left the crime scene.

Over in the corner, shielded behind a parked patrol car, a gathering of injured patrons sat on the sidewalk, tending each other's wounds, an officer by their side assuring them that help was on the way.

Ignoring the parallels to the war his keen mind was drawing instantly, Mike flashed his badge at a couple of the nearby patrolmen, as they approached the front door.

Next to him, Steve slowed down, his face ashen, understandably hesitant to enter what would be the largest murder scene the young Inspector had ever encountered in his career, and hopefully never would again.

Reaching over, Mike placed a reassuring hand on his partner's lower back, gently guiding him toward the nightclub and the horrors that would await them within.

"Can you guys help triage in there?", the attending officer asked as they approached, never glancing up, his voice strained with overwhelming fear.

Triage.

It was their code word for multiple fatalities and a heartbreaking search through a mass of bodies hoping to find some victims that were still alive.

"We'll take over from here, Sergeant.", Mike assured him and reached for the man's shoulder, as he pointed toward the parking lot of police cars, "Get in touch with your Captain. I want this area sealed off in an eight block perimeter. All units on deck. Come on, let's go."

Nodding understandingly, the man finally glanced up, his expression that of utter horror, mixed with an iota of relief when he recognized the well-known Lieutenant.

During the brief conversation, Steve had moved past his partner through the narrow door and hallway that lead into the entrance area of the nightclub. Even in the dim light, he could see bodies strewn across the dance floor; some sprawled out on the bar and corner booths, their arms and legs dangling lifelessly.

The odor of blood, alcohol and gunpowder hung heavily in the air, filling his nostrils and causing bile to rise in his throat. As he glanced around, trying to ignore the unsettling quietness of a place typically loud enough that people couldn't hear themselves think, Steve's trained mind noticed the countless gunshot holes in the walls, not a single intact liquor bottle left at the bar, the puddles of spilled alcohol mixing with those of blood.

A couple patrol officers were near the back corner of the dance floor, checking for survivors along the disc jockey stand.

Feeling his senses growing dull at the solemn task he was about to undertake, Steve swallowed hard, as his mind tried to come to terms with what his eyes saw and his heart couldn't fathom.

Deciding to forget that he was a human being for now to make room for professional distance in a situation that would undoubtedly shake all of them to the very core, the young Inspector moved toward the bar area, wading through the piles of bodies one at a time, carefully reaching into people's collars to check for a pulse.

Thirty-seven victims later, he still found no survivors.