United States of America
Middletown Township, New Jersey
A group of onlookers stood far distance from a barren and unpopulated open area, some seated but most others standing. The first team of the New York City Police Department's labor division would be present at a ground vehicle demonstration, showcasing new military labors to be integrated into America's ground forces. The first labor walked it's way to it's starting area, it stood tall beside the truck that would drive alongside it. It's body was humanoid and had an odd head shape, and it also carried a long strange looking rifle in one of it's hands. A cable connected from the rifle to a backpack hoisted onto the labor's rear, likely providing the power to the rifle.
An older looking man stood along with the police department, his face was wrinkly and all the hair on his head was graying. He proudly wore his uniform and insignia which identified him in his general position. "There's a lot of confidence with this first one, it may not look like much but with this new technology it'll most definitely affect the future of warfare for years to come."
The labor got down on one knee taking aim at a dummy tank miles away, then pulling the trigger of the rifle causing it to fire a beam of energy that hit the tank in an instant.
The weapon drew the attention of a woman sitting amongst the labor division "An ionizing beam rifle..."
"It's a weapon we've been trying to perfect for a long time. It wasn't an easy task to have energy based weapons work in tandem with physical artillery, but Hardlink's M2 McBride will be the arbiter in a new era of long range combat." The General turned to the onlookers, "And that won't be all, if the target requires more firepower than we have more than necessary."
The cable connected to the rifle would then be hooked up to the truck right next to it, the McBride aiming again before firing a more intense beam of energy. The rifle essentially would liquefy what was left of it's target, making it unrecognizable from the dummy it used to look like. An autocannon would also be located on it's waist, from where it'd then draw it and brandish for everyone to see.
"In the chance it'd get in an unexpected mid to close range encounter, an 80mm cannon was prepared for it as well. This along with the 'Deimos' operating system makes the McBride an excellent long range marksman machine."
A man would speak out from the group, "A labor made specifically to shoot a singular weapon does sound like you're underutilizing it."
"There are situations where it's best to invest in a singular specification, we'll make up for it in the next couple of labors."
Abruptly three labors dashed into view of the audience, moving at lightning quick speeds before all stopping on a dime in unison. They were slightly smaller than the McBride, and had an aerodynamic design to prioritize speed and mobility. Some of the suspension could be seen near the knee joints, while the legs curved inward nearly resembling digitigrade bone structure.
"Damn..." Another person said aloud.
"Another one of Hardlink's labors, and one of the fastest labors in the world, the M1 Jackrabbit There was an attempt at taking a page out of the capabilities of the Japanese Black Labor, but balancing speed and defense was tricky. So instead we opted to trade defense for numbers advantage, something a lot more cost effective. This labor comes equipped with a rapid fire cannon, and I know what you're all thinking, it definitely looks like an oversized SIG MPX. Along with the gun, it also comes equipped with a combat knife to tear any labor or ground vehicle a new one."
"Is it really as fast as the Griffon?" The woman asked.
"You want proof? Here's a little demonstration." The General took hold of a microphone, contacting the pilots directly. "McBride, I want you to use your autocannon to shoot Jackrabbit unit two."
"Aren't you taking this a little too far?" The man from before asked.
"Just watch." The General assured.
The McBride pointed it's autocannon at the Jackrabbit before firing a shot at it, though in that same moment the Jackrabbit nimbly dodged out of the way. The Jackrabbit turned to the onlookers to reveal that the round made no contact with it.
"So that's what the Griffon must've looked like in combat huh...?" A younger attendee said.
"The Jackrabbit's computer's aerial awareness is state of the art, the computer is able to automatically detect and respond to wherever enemy fire may come from. In some cases it'd even be able to close the distance on whoever fired at it. A drawback is that the armor is lightweight, so it can't take a beating as well as other labors in our arsenal. This last labor will really knock your socks off."
A third labor would speedily arrive at the scene, not as fast as the jackrabbit, but relatively quicker than most labors are able to run. However, this labor didn't run, at least not at first. The labor hovered into the area, ventilation able to be seen on it's legs which allowed it to glide gracefully across the ground. It had a much larger stature than the two labors preceding it, it's armor was heavier and it's frame more intimidating. The head was flat, and a thin red visor served as the camera. It carried a weapon that resembled a submachine gun, and on both it's arms a knuckle guard for melee altercations.
"Feast your eyes on the new pride and joy of the United States Military Labor Division, the Hardlink M1 Hudson. This labors heavier than the other two; but I dare say it's footwork, or lack thereof, makes this perfect for general use. It's strong enough to where small arms fire won't put a scratch on it's hull, and it's mobility and firepower allows it to fend off against tanks and armored fighting vehicles with ease. If another labor gets too ballsy and decides to go in close, then it'll get smashed in with the knuckle guard. There was also an operating system made just for it, we like to call it the 'Strike First.' It's almost like the Jackrabbit's operating system but on a much grander scale, allowing it to process information on the battlefield over a fifteen mile radius. In the heat of battle trying to focus on combat while taking in the information would be pretty difficult, so the Hudson is a two seater machine. The pilot can focus on combat and controlling the machine, while the copilot can process and make sense of the information coming in."
"That's quite the labor..." The younger attendee added.
"We were originally interested in a labor that could fly, but that plan didn't last too long. While cost and practicality were factors, I'd say the biggest issue were the arguments that spawned from it. One side pushing the conceptual design and the other stating it couldn't even be considered a labor."
"What did it look like?"
"A jet with arms and legs."
The members of the police department were taking a ferry back to New York, most everyone off doing their own thing while they waited for the ship to dock. One of the younger members decided to strike up a conversation with an older colleague of his. He leaned over the railing of the ferry and would look into the deep waters below.
"Hey! Matthews! What'dya think of those military labors?" He asked.
His focus remained on the waters, yet still responded, "You want my honest opinion, Connors?"
"I mean... Yeah...?" He answered with a confused look.
"I didn't care for them, not at all. But that last one, the Hudson, reminded me of everything wrong with this world."
"Pardon?"
"It's foolish to be upset over the militarization of labors, it was an inevitability from the moment General Electric made the walking truck. My issue lies with how fast everything is moving, and what it means for the world, the people living in it, and the labors we make. The Hudson along with every other military labor goes against the core purpose behind labors in general. They first appeared in Japan, coming in a time of crisis and helped rebuild Tokyo after the big earthquake. Course, they kept them around to future proof since climate change is on the minds of every nation. Not too long after other nations wanted a piece of the action, large walking human controlled automatons that cut the cost of infrastructure in half. They allowed nations like the US to invest in projects like the Atlantis project, which gave lots of people jobs and gave these construction and manufacturing companies more money to sell their labors. It also likely ensures more jobs and maybe even residence on the artificial islands and platforms.
"I understand your grievances, but I don't see how that's entirely bad. A good economy where lots of people have jobs and great income sounds like a good thing."
"I haven't even gotten to my main point. Soon there'd be research into how they'd integrate these machines into the military, and while I did say it was an inevitability, It's still unfortunate. The machines we made to build and repair are now being made to tear down and destroy, an antithesis to the original purpose. Labors needed to be faster, stronger, far more capable than what they needed to be. Granted, all this alone probably wouldn't have been enough, soon the usage of labors would die down. The world wouldn't be as labor-crazy as it is now if it wasn't for the black one, the Griffon. Everyone saw what the Griffon did on live television, and all the manufacturers grew obsessed with it's performance. A labor that could dodge bullets, fly, swim, shrug off shells from a cannon, and move as if it was no different from a person. Everyone wanted their own Griffon, and the ceiling of potential for labors was greatly raised. Some say the Griffon was like an angel, bringing inspiration and prosperity to the industry as a whole and changing the world. Melodramatic I know. If it were up to me, I'd say the Griffon was more like a demon, it's effect on the world was just as sinister as the crimes it committed. Now manufacturing companies are falling over themselves trying to get the military, security, and construction companies to buy their labors, sometimes going to extremes just to put themselves in the spotlight. And because it came so quickly we weren't ready to meet the demand for competent pilots, so entire schools had to be made to compensate. When cars became standard in America they had to start teaching people how to drive in schools. What happens when the technology progresses faster than the people that create it? Eventually, we'd be the ones having to adapt to the very technology we make, slaves to the very machines we're supposed to control."
"...That's a lot to take in."
Matthews sighed, "A lot of it's just bellyaching from me, you're our first machine's pilot so you won't share my same sentiment about labors."
"If you think that way about labors, what made you join the labor division in the first place?"
"...At the end of the day, I believe in the usage of labors to help people. Even then, with the stuff we do it can get pretty tough to bear that responsibility. That's something I bet you're already familiar with."
Connors would lean over the railing, looking into the water along with Matthews. "No one really likes the police."
"We can't blame them either, it's either do what we ask or get discharged. For every time we protect and serve, save someone's life, stop a criminal, there's a protest or demonstration we must stand to be present at. It's all intimidation, there's no sugarcoating it. For people like us, if you want to be the good guy you have to be willing to be the bad guy every now and then."
"There will always be actual bad cops too who don't help our case."
"Just be glad it's people like us who've been granted this duty, it's too easy to take advantage of the power bestowed upon you."
"...I can't say I'm a fan of gloomy conversations like this."
"Me neither."
The two remained silent while watching the waves pass them by, sometimes hitting against the boat. The ferry docked at the nearby harbor and the horn would sound signifying their arrival, having all those on board disembark onto the pier. Connors held his hands in his pockets, his somber look from the previous conversation eliciting the attention of another one of his colleagues. He walked up behind him and placed his hand on his shoulder, giving him an inviting look.
"Why the long face Maxwell? Mean old Matthews' ranting got you down?"
"I'm fine Okimoto, just my weekly reminder of the responsibilities of my job is all."
"It's not like you're a bad police officer or anything, I don't think a lot of you even have the guts to be bad people."
"Thanks for the backhanded reassurance I guess."
Okimoto gave him a pat on the back, "No problem, now if you'll excuse me I've got business to attend to."
"Does that business have anything to do with Captain Clancy?" Connors asked in a sarcastic tone, the response humoring Okimoto.
"Whaaat? Who told you that?"
"Maybe you'll get your chance one day."
"Heh, if only you knew."
"Knew what?"
"Mmm, I'll tell you when we get back, kay?"
"Hmph, Alright."
After they left the harbor they'd carpool back toward the station where they'd be on standby for future dispatches, cutting through traffic to lessen the time it'd take to get to their destination. It would be around twenty minutes until they'd finally arrive back, pulling into a large building that stood right next to the hangar. The hangar itself didn't look too different from one that'd host aircrafts, yet it'd be repurposed to house and maintain labors instead of planes. Everyone was dressed in off duty clothes while at the demonstration, and took the time to fit back into their uniforms. Okimoto and Maxwell decided to cut through the hangar to meet in the field outside, but they'd run into the chief mechanic of the maintenance team. He was an old man with dark skin and frizzy hair, always wearing a cap to cover his balding hair. His jumpsuit was baggy covered in dirt and grime, likely from working on the patrol labors given to them. He ran up to them, tipping his hat up to see them clearly.
"Afternoon, Mr. Everett!" Okimoto said, holding his hand in the air.
"So, how was it!? You saw them new labors right?"
Okimoto stepped forward, "Yeah we saw them, I'm not a labor guy but I could tell you that Hardlink's got some mad scientists in their ranks."
"Go on and tell me then! Don't leave me hangin'!"
"Well, the first one was one that shot a laser beam..."
"You mean they done made lasers now?"
"Mr. Sergeant Major said it was made to fire the rifle, wanting to change up the world of guns in war, something like that. Then there was this really quick labor, we watched it dodge a bullet from an autocannon. Called it the Jackrabbit."
"So they mass produced that Black Labor, the... The..." He snapped his fingers in the air, trying to remember the name.
"The Griffon?"
He pointed at Okimoto, "The Griffon! I know everyone's been trying to make that thing for years. And you telling me it it's fast enough to dodge an autocannon round?"
"Precisely."
He clenched his fists tightly, "Whew if I got my hands on that thing..."
"And then the last labor was pretty impressive too, it hovered around and everything. Called it the Hudson."
"After the river?"
"Beats me."
"Listen, I wouldn't trade working here for the world, but I can't help but envy the gearheads who get to work on that thing."
"Matthews said he didn't care for him, I don't think he likes the Hudson either." Connors added.
Everett made a shoo'ing motion with his hands, "Do'h that man don't like any machine that can't give him a hug, I bet he told you that spooky story too huh?" Connors went silent, Okimoto looked at him and back at Everett with a knowing smirk.
"Listen here son—I know you ain't a child but you ain't too grown yourself. Don't let that man make you afraid of labors, the only people you should be afraid of are other people, y'here?"
Connors sighed, "Yeah, I know..."
"Anyways." He slapped Connors' back, "We got someplace to be, we'll talk to ya later Mr. Everett."
"You two take care now!" He responded as they left.
Outside of the hangar in the middle of the field, Okimoto would sit down on a folding chair, and two other chairs would be set around what appeared to be a campfire that had long burned out. Connors sat down on the one across from Okimoto, leaning forward looking into the ash and kindling.
"Great day today huh?" Okimoto asked, resting his arms on his legs.
Connors looked up at the sky, the sun nowhere in sight, "It's a little cloudy to be honest..."
"Perfect conversational weather. I figured since you've matured enough I can tell you a little more about our beloved Captain."
"You say that like I'm not twenty two..."
"Exactly, still fresh out of daycare. But now I'm gonna take you to school, the subject? Kanuka Clancy."
"You seem pretty close to the Captain, yet you aren't married or dating or anything... She didn't friendzone you or anything?"
"I wouldn't call it that, Kanuka is a lot trickier of a woman than you'd imagine. She's the reason why I have this job in the first place. The story starts way back when I was working some pretty dirty security jobs for bad people. I needed money, and I did what it took to survive. And a lonely man can't survive without the touch of a woman, and I felt the touch of lots of women in my time..."
"Is this relevant at all...?"
"Then on one particular job, I met her. My bullet grazed her beautiful face and hers would hit me in my heart. If I hadn't worn that vest, I may have died looking at her pretty face... To be honest, I wouldn't mind going out like that..."
"So she put you in the police?"
"In her words, my skill shouldn't be wasted on the stuff I was doing at the time. I wasn't a busy person, so why not play good guy for a change? There would be some nights where I got lucky enough to stay over at her place."
"Ah, so I guess you at least hit third base right?"
"Heck no, living with that woman can be a chore sometimes. I put up with it cause why not? But she pretty much had a rule for everything. I slept on the couch, lights out and TV off by 10 PM, her bed room was off limits when she wasn't home, my gun had to be on the counter or in her sight lines at every opportunity, I get ten minutes maximum in the shower, if we got food I had to pick it up."
"Jesus, and you still like her too..."
"Head over heels man... Head over heels... A woman's heart is a maze, and you have to find your way through it if you want her to be yours. It's a fun pastime that I feel a lot of men don't respect, wanting cheap shortcuts for a payout that's not even worth it. If you don't do the work yourself, then what's the fun in that? Then Kanuka came along, she was the one woman I couldn't crack. Felt like every angle of that stone cold heart of hers was covered, every path I took felt like it was a dead end. Of course, that only made me want her more. So, after maybe a year or two of working together, I thought I cracked the code...
Late at night at Kanuka's apartment, Okimoto and Kanuka sat on the couch while the meteorologist on the television reported the upcoming weather. Okimoto was slumped back on the couch while Kanuka sat with her legs curled up on the cushion, Okimoto looked towards her as she stared at the TV with a vacant gaze.
"...Something on your mind? Weather can't be that interesting." He said.
Her eyes shifted down, her mood being too pensive to even focus on the TV. "Okimoto... I've got a question for you."
"Ask away."
"How many women have you known before me? Or at least, have you slept with?"
"...You can't ask me a question like that, I'm not the kind of guy who wears his women like a badge."
"But if I were to ask for an estimate?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe twenty, twenty five? Honestly, none of them compare to you at all. Well, I know one that I had lots of fun with, but stuff like that couldn't last forever."
"I've never had a special someone, nor have I slept with anyone. I barely even have friends."
"Those guys in Japan sounded like good friends of yours."
Kanuka lightly exhaled, "They are my friends but... There weren't many opportunities to treat them as such, part of me regrets squandering a lot of my time there not getting to know them better."
"And you still have us too, don't forget that. We throw you parties and give you gifts and all that stuff."
"All of that is flattering and everything, but this is something a lot more personal. Something that's been on my mind for a long time but I wasn't sure if I wanted to admit it. I shouldn't be venting my frustrations to a colleague like this but..."
"Kanuka, don't worry about all that professionalism stuff, we're all human, and we all need a break at some point."
She sighed, "When I was a little girl, I was on a trip with my Mom and Dad. I remember the excitement we had when we first left home, what we were going to do when we got there... And then on the highway, a man with a gun appeared in front of the car and... He shot them both dead in front of me..."
Okimoto's expression turned serious, his lackadaisical aura dropping.
"The police were already there trying to stop him, and then they shot him dead too. A police officer took me from the car and tried to get me to look away but... I saw the paramedics wheeling my parents away in body bags. I didn't know at first that they were declared dead on sight, so I kept asking Grandma when they'd come back. I only had my Grandma..." A tear would slowly fall down her cheek, although she maintained her composure throughout the rest of the story. "Once I realized what happened to them, I felt so weak, so helpless, I only sat there and watched while they bled out and died. I hated that about myself. When I got into school I focused on my studies, I didn't waste time playing games or making friends. I never went to any parties in high school and the same is true for University, I went to many schools to cover as many bases as possible. I learned how to handle firearms and received my license to carry, and I even learned Judo along with kendo on the side. Finally I joined the New York City Police Department, and I felt like I was finally on top of my life. If something bad ever happened, I could stop it, I had the strength and wisdom to overcome it. Whether it be stopping a criminal, disarming a bomb, or any other disaster that may happen. Even then, I never tried to make friends or connect with my peers. Deep down I was still afraid; afraid that everything I've done wouldn't be enough, that it'd happen all over again and there'd be nothing I could do." She was curled up onto the couch, her head buried deep within her arms. "I don't think I'll ever connect with anyone in a meaningful way... I'll always be alone.."
"...You're just tired, come on." Okimoto helped her up off of the couch, an act that'd normally be met with resistance from Kanuka. This time she allowed him to walk her back to her room, and Okimoto would have her lay on her bed. With the way she looked at him in that moment, after everything they had been through together, it felt as if she was calling for him to act. He could have done anything with her in that moment, and she wouldn't have stopped him. Surprisingly, Okimoto went back to her bedroom door, stopping at the frame. "Get some rest, I'm going for a walk."
"Damn." Connors said.
"Damn indeed." Okimoto replied.
"I... I never knew that about the Captain."
"There's a lot you don't know about the Captain, and even now there's some things even I don't know about her. Either way, something like that won't happen again."
"And you just gave it up?"
"I didn't give it up per say... as much as I'd be down to tango with her, I didn't want it to be like that. It'll only happen when she's ready, and she'd be confident about it too. Despite everything, she'll know what she wants in the end."
"I never took you for a respectable person like that."
"I'll take that as a compliment. But regardless, all men should strive to play the game right, it's the respectable thing to do."