"So, what's your rank?"
"Police Officer III. If I recall correctly, it's equivalent to corporal."
"Nice. Gonna start leading them to battle, huh? Kick more criminal ass? Anyways, the General is a very busy woman. This better be worth her time," the blonde specialist from the Special Forces commented. "Specialist Cage, I assure you that this information is valuable to her," she responded concisely, and kept a neutral expression on her face.
"It better be, or else it's my ass she's going to kick."
Specialist Cassandra Cage requested permission to enter her office, then saluted the general, and PO3 Valdez couldn't help but notice their striking similarity. The general questions Cage about this interruption, then dismisses her. The police officer is left to face the general alone.
Saluting one of the highest-ranking officers of the US Special Forces out of respect, she introduces herself. "PO3 Erika Valdez from PNP-SAF, reporting for duty, General Blade." Sonya Blade salutes back, her visage marked with a stern look as ever. "I'm assuming this is important enough for your superiors to send you here. Moreover, important enough for Specialist Cage to bring you in."
"Yes ma'am," she calmly replied, trying to mask the tension underneath her. "My superiors sent me here to personally relay Black Dragon intel we managed to gather," Valdez started, pushing her shades higher up the bridge of her nose. "Intel from Black Dragon's splinter in Southeast Asia had been scarce. Anything we can dig up from there would be valuable," the General remarks, her expression sour. Valdez merely swallows and lays out a brown envelope on the desk, and the no-nonsense general started to sift through the files.
"This is Kuro Yamada. Japanese. 25. Six foot-one." Valdez informs her. "He is the son of Black Dragon leader Kano."
The corporal tried to discern the subtle changes on General Blade's expression; the small twitch from her eyebrows was more than enough to tell that this piqued her interest. "This has to be investigated. This is new information. And how this eluded us is beyond me," Blade replies, slightly disturbed. "Didn't know that bastard had a son."
"The PNP-CIDG and the NBI had been cooperating with the Interpol for this particular criminal, General. His records had been mostly wiped from government databases. Thankfully, his mother cooperated with us."
Sonya internally shuddered at the thought of Kano touching a woman. Kuro's existence leads to a few unfortunate implications; Valdez herself looks uncomfortable when she relayed this information. "Yamada's in charge of the Black Dragon splinter in Southeast Asia. He's now an international criminal for being wanted in 6 countries for multiple felonies, including ten charges of murder. Yamada also led the Black Dragon smuggling operation in Manila six months ago," the cop continues, her eyebrows twitching subtly.
"Investigators suspect he is involved with the bombing at the FBI Headquarters and the sudden influx of illegal weapon exports from Sabah as well," the police sergeant continued, disregarding uncomfortable thoughts. "We suspect-"
"That they're planning to sell them in Outworld," Sonya interrupted, finishing Valdez' sentence. "Yes ma'am," Valdez affirmed. "Other leads are alias Kira. Afghan. Five foot-nine. Her most noticeable trait is her striking red hair." Valdez places two more envelopes on the table. "Another is alias Sida. Thai. Five-foot six. She's the latest recruit, a neophyte."
General Blade gathered the folders together and cleared her throat. "This information will be valuable for Special Forces operations. I'll brief the men. I will also send word to your superiors. Further cooperation is required." Blade looked at her with scrutiny, then proceeds to drop her professional facade for a split-second. "It seems strange for them to send a PO3 over for this task. Is there a far deeper reason for you to barge all the way here to HQ?"
Valdez was close to losing her composure. She held her breath, and mentally prepares herself. "General Blade, I intentionally requested my superiors to be sent here in person. I was one of the first responders in the Manila operation. We lost two on that day," Valdez shamefully admitted. "One of them was my partner. The other, a junior I took under my wing. If you'd allow me-" Valdez choked on her words.
"You want to go after Kuro, don't you?" Valdez merely nodded, her body tense and her knuckles turning white. "I want to correct my mistakes, ma'am. Bring Kuro Yamada to justice. Have him answer for their deaths," Valdez choked out, struggling to keep a professional facade. "I'll admit Valdez, you have guts. Especially for you to successfully convince your superiors to send you alone. You remind me of myself when I was a lieutenant. Here's what I think," General Blade gave her a knowing look. "We'll contact your superiors in PNP-SAF to see if they're interested in a training exercise with the US Special Forces. While that is being sorted out, earn a promotion. Let's say they agree." General Blade paused as she opened her desk drawer and slid her blank forms. "If you pass the training, I'll recommend them to put you in charge with the manhunt for Yamada."
PO3 Valdez froze in her spot, and her stunned silence filled the room. She managed to speak after a few seconds, remaining composed despite the giddiness that filled her at the moment. "Yes ma'am! It's an honor ma'am!"
Sonya had a smirk tugging at the edge of her lips. "You have a promising career ahead of you, Valdez. You better not disappoint. You are dismissed."
Valdez saluted, Blade saluted back, and the police officer went on her way with ice in her veins and a determined smile on her lips.
A/N: Wow, so this is the longest chapter I've written so far.
Read more about the Philippines' police rank system: gov ph/featured/about-the-pnp (replace space with period)