Flashing blue lights meant trouble. It gets even worse when it's an armored Bearcat making its way towards the scene blasting its sirens throughout the entire city block.
Police response estimated time: 10 minutes.
"Alright, listen up. We're pressed on time here."
Shishiro Botan's voice, calm but commanding, cut through the tense silence inside the Bearcat.
"We have multiple civilian reports of an escalated conflict at the Obsidian Villa Hotel," Botan began the briefing, her tone steady. "Early reports are suggesting this is tied to an ongoing turf war that's given us more than a few fucking headaches over the last few months—between the Millimon Family and the Jinguji Crime Syndicate."
Botan leaned forward, pulling out a tablet. "Now if these reports are true, and it's all we can use from this point on, both gangs arrived at the hotel at around six-forty-five PM, and have spread out through the hotel in what is believed to be a simple narcotics exchange. There is reason to believe that the leaders of both parties are present in this exchange."
Botan swiped at her tablet. "Shots were reportedly fired at around seven-twenty-two PM. Our objective is for one, to ensure the safety and evacuation of the hotel staff and patrons. We don't have confirmation of survivors yet, but dispatch has said that there are numbers still populating the building, and they might as well be right in the middle of this crossfire. Our next priority is to secure and detain any suspects onsite, especially the respective leaders. We NEED this conflict de-escalated. We want these gangs wiped from our priority list entirely-tonight."
The briefing hung in the air for a moment. Stakes were high and they were essentially walking into the situation as cannon fodder. Outdated gear and weapons, a skeleton staff and barely any back-up in these hours.
Kazama Iroha, seated across Botan doing last-minute checks on her Mk18 rifle, spoke up. "Our rules of engagement?"
"Strict." Botan emphasized. "I want as little direct confrontations from both gangs before we get the civilians and hostages out."
"Great." Takane Lui interjected. "Guess we're being sent straight into the fire."
"Yep." Botan sighed, leaning back on her seat. "And we're the water hoses."
Obsidian Villa Hotel (East Central)
The Bearcat screeched to a halt, just outside the front door lobby. Kureiji Ollie put the truck into park and stepped out, beside her Pavolia Reine grabbed her M870 before doing the same. They walked behind the truck where they met Botan and the rest.
The hotel loomed over the five SWAT members, the neon sign flickering and inviting. Parked cars surrounded the front lobby entrance, each one deserted from their respective owners and gangs.
"Gold Element, on me." Botan announced, moving towards the front entrance.
As they approached the entrance, the iron-like smell of blood filled the air. The once-luxurious hotel lobby had been torn apart—overturned furniture, shattered glass, and dark pools of blood stretched across the marble floor. Bodies of civilians and gang members were littered everywhere, as they scanned the surrounding area.
"Police, make yourself known!" Botan announced, her voice echoing throughout the lobby.
Silence held for a moment. The only response being the low hum of flickering lights and dripping water.
"Split the stack." Botan whispered. The team split into formation as they moved forward, weapons raised, sweeping the area.
"Clear left." Lui whispered into comms, as she scanned the stairwell leading to the upper floors.
"Clear right." Reine did the same, scanning the open area behind the front desk.
Botan then reached for her radio mic that sat on her chest. "Entry team to TOC, lobby is clear. No sign of survivors or suspects."
There was silence for a moment before a raspy voice came through. "Copy, move on."
Botan signaled for the team to move forward, keeping her eyes on the stairwell that led to the hotel rooms. They stepped over the bodies, checking for any signs of possible life-finding none.
They then reached the stairwell, climbing carefully with deliberate steps as the stairs creaked and groaned under their weight.
Botan was the first to emerge out of the second floor landing, and it was nothing but another grim sight. She cursed under her breath as she stepped over some broken glass and continued onwards with her squad behind her.
"Looks like half our job's done." Ollie remarked, noticing that the majority of the bodies were from the Jinguji Crime Syndicate.
The squad continued to ascend the floors, finding some surviving civilians still inside their rooms and leading them back to the front entrance where a small number of uniformed officers were waiting.
On the 14th floor lobby stood a staircase that would lead them to the penthouse suite. No sign of the leaders yet, so the deal must've gone through there.
As they reached the penthouse entrance, they noticed the door was slightly ajar, as if enticing them to go through.
They all stacked up on the door, checking their gear and Botan giving the order.
With a signal, Iroha kicked the door open and entered first, the rest of the team piling into the room.
Inside, the room was just as torn apart as the rest of the hotel. Right in the center of the room, slumped over in a pool of his own blood, lain the Jinguji Crime Syndicate boss with a bullet hole straight into his neck. His guards, dead alongside him with their guns lying uselessly on the floor.
"Holy shit." Reine muttered, walking towards the boss' body and crouching down.
They all began a search of the room, looking for any signs of clues or the whereabouts of the latter leader.
"Hmm-hmmm…."
The team froze at the sound of humming, an eerie melody that drifted through the shattered windows from the penthouse balcony. The sound was unsettling, out of place in the blood-soaked scene. Botan exchanged a quick glance with the others, her instincts flaring, giving the signal to move towards the sound.
Lui led the way, her M16 rifle raised as she approached the balcony door. Whilst nearing the balcony, the humming grew clearer, almost soothing, devoid of any worry or trouble.
Botan motioned for Iroha and Reine to guard the exit as the two others stepped out onto the balcony with her.
Standing by the railing, bathing in the neon glow of the city stood a lone figure. Her purple hair swayed gently through the night's wind. Her back was turned from them, still humming and unbothered by their presence as she spun her pistol casually in her right hand.
"Drop the gun and get down." Botan's voice was firm as she broke the tense silence and they all raised their guns.
The figure stopped humming, not turning around as she addressed them. "Was wondering when you'd show up." She chuckled softly. "Seems you girls are a bit late to the party, hm?"
The tension in the air grew thicker, Lui and Ollie kept their fingers on the trigger as Botan stepped forward, her movement steady.
"I said, drop the gun." Botan repeated with authority.
The team watched as the figure slowly turned around, her purple hair flourishing as she revealed herself.
Those green eyes were finally staring at them, a mischievous smile curling at the edges of her lips. Her clothing bloodied and stained from the murder that occurred. The pistol in her hand stopped spinning as she caught it by the grip.
"You girls are so tense," Towa said, her voice smooth and teasing. She spun the pistol one last time in her hand before flicking it towards the edge of the balcony, letting it fall down onto the city streets.
Botan took another step forward, her gun still trained at Towa. "On the ground and hands behind your head."
Towa scoffed, finding this whole situation amusing. "You know me better than that, Botan." She tilted her head mockingly. "This city's mine. And this is just the beginning."
"And taking innocent lives was the way to do it?" Botan shot back, frustration creeping into her voice.
"Don't act like you're any different, Botan." Towa spat out with disdain. "Tell me, how many innocent lives are in your hands?"
Botan froze for a moment, the words hitting her like a truck, but quickly recomposed herself as her hands tightened around her gun.
"I-I do what I have to do." Botan replied, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Protect this city."
Towa let out a short mocking laugh. "Protect? You enforce the rules of a broken system, and for what? The illusion of peace?"
Botan shook her head, not being able to answer back to Towa's words. The weight of the city's corruption hung over them like a dark cloud.
Towa continued, gleaming in the cruel satisfaction of breaking Botan's shell. "Look around you, Botan. This city's rotting from the inside out. The gangs run it. The politicians are in their pockets. And you—well, you're just a puppet in a shiny uniform, trying to patch up a sinking ship. You and everyone in your joke of a police force."
The words cut deep like a dagger. Everyone that stood on the balcony knew the truth in those words. It was only a matter of time before someone would need to remind them of the harsh reality.
"Enough!" Botan shouted. "You're under arrest." She marched forward.
Towa sighed, raising her hands in mock surrender as Botan approached her. "Tch, you never learn." She muttered before leaping backwards and vaulting over the railing.
The team rushed to the edge, watching as Towa disappeared into the night without a trace.
"Well, shit." Ollie peered over the railing, lowering her gun.
"Boss?" Lui looked at Botan, waiting for the order.
Botan took a deep breath. "We're done here." Without another word, she turned around and left the balcony. Walking past Iroha and Reine as she made her way towards the stairwell.
The rest of the squad exchanged uneasy glances, following behind their shaken up leader.
As they descended the stairwell, Iroha caught up to Botan, her voice careful but probing. "You alright, Boss?"
"Fine. Just focus on the report for HQ. We've still got civilians to account for." Botan replied coldly, showing a hint of anger.
Botan's heart pounded as she stormed out the hotel, her boots thudding against the broken glass and debris that littered the floor.
Outside, uniformed officers had begun cleaning up the aftermath. Paramedics attended to survivors, while the bodies of civilians and the Jinguji Crime Syndicate were being prepared for transport by the coroners.
Detective Watson and Ouro had also just arrived on scene, taking in the grim sight.
"You guys good?" Ame stepped up to the squad. "You catch anything?"
Botan shook her head, her frustration evident. "Towa got away."
Kronii snorted, letting out a mock laugh. "Course she did. Typical."
Ame shot Kronii a glare. "Very encouraging, asshole."
Kronii shrugged, still nonchalant. "Just saying, this isn't the first time."
"Well, how about you solve a case for once instead of fucking around, Ouro." Botan fired back, her voice seething.
Kronii's smirk faded, lunging at Botan before Ame stepped between them.
"Enough!" Ame's voice rang out. "We're on the same team here!"
"Hmph." Kronii stepped back, dusting off her trench coat and adjusting her glasses.
"Here, this is the intel I've gathered whilst we were in there. The Jingujis are finished." Botan handed Ame a notepad. "I want a report from you and forensics by tomorrow. There might be something we missed."
Ame nodded, flicking through the notepad. "We'll start a sweep of the building tonight. We'll be in touch."
Ame turned to leave, pulling Kronii by the ear as she protested in pain.
"Alright, alright! I get it!" Kronii winced, swatting at Ame's hand.
Ame gave her a sharp glare. "You'd better keep that attitude of yours in check."
The squad watched as the two detectives disappeared into the lobby before turning towards the Bearcat and began boarding.
The ride to the station was silent. No words were exchanged, each officer still recovering from this excruciating night.
Botan leaned back on her seat, eyes unfocused, still taking in Towa's words, 'You enforce the rules of a broken system, and for what? The illusion of peace?'
Maybe Towa was right.