** Date: 10.06.1029 PNT // Monday**
** Time: 10:06 // 10:06 AM **
** Location: Ecosystem Mika // Habitat Melissa // District 1 // Sector 1 // Rosarie Road 14 **
** District 1 Precinct // Ground Floor **
Still hungover from the night before, Kelly limped towards the elevator. The bright glaring lights and the endless white space irritated and blinded her. The only object of color in that room was the Habitat Sentinel. Three rings connected with a line, creating a circle. One ring for each habitat in this ecosystem. The top three were blue; the one in the bottom middle was white, with a golden cross. In the middle of these three circles, a minimally designed eye. People around her were running around, whispering, muttering. More patrol drones than usual, and they kept scanning people. At least three of them scanned her just on the way to the elevator, one more inside, and another when she left it.
She was about to make her way to her office when another drone stopped her and signalled her to come to the chief’s office. Inside was, other than the chief, another man. A pure white uniform. On his right chest a golden half circle, around it three stars. A paladin. He was two classes higher than Redric.
“Hello chief, how can I help you?” She asked, trying her best to stand as firmly as possible. She gave the Paladin a slight glance.
“I need you to give every bit of information you have about the serial killer to Paladin Reinsturm, and,” He leaned back into his chair, not in a relaxed way. He tried to create some distance between him and Kelly. He also pushed his chair a little bit further away. “…and I need you to get off the case.”
“What the fuck?” She approached his desk. “Why?” She got closer to his face. “Tell me, fat man.”
“No, definitely not.”
She slammed her fists onto the table. “Then what is it? I have been working day and night on this fucking case, and I am getting closer.”
“I am very aware of that.” He sighed. “Look, this has nothing to do with your competence. It is just…”
“Due to the social status of the victims, the gruesomeness of the murders, and the mysterious circumstances in which they had occurred, the H.T.F. (Holy Trinity Force) has decided to take it over.” The paladin put his hands on Kelly’s shoulder. “I assure you, it is not a personal thing.” Kelly pulled her shoulder away and stared at Reinsturm. “In fact, from what I have heard from Paladin Redric, I am more than confident in your skills as a detective, and with that very confident in the information you are about to give me.” He reached out with his hand. Kelly shook it.
“I have been working on this for so long.”
“I know...” The chief nodded. “I, and the H.T.F., are grateful for that. This will not get unnoticed.” He let out a sigh and smiled. “In fact, you are going on paid leave for the next month.”
“So I am getting punished?”
“You are not getting punished. I said paid leave.” He stood up. “Look, you have been spiralling. This has not stopped you from your work as a detective. You have still done a great job-”
“Fucking excellent job.” She interrupted him.
“Yes, an excellent job. But you of all people need some time off.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do. This is an order.” He smiled again. “You are getting extra paid vacation, whether you like it or not.”
** Date: 16.06.1029 PNT // Sunday**
** Time: 06:48 // 6:48 AM **
** Location: Ecosystem Mika // Habitat Melissa // District 2 // Sector 3 // Saint Zahra 24 **
** Saint Zahra Cathedral**
With every breath the organ took, the music swelled and the silence grew. Echoing through the walls, columns, arched vaults, and wrapped around the very hearts of the people. Burning incense mingled with the chilly air, some perfume, and the flowers. Shafts of light pierced through the stained glass, illuminating the great hall and revealing the various images and murals dedicated to the great Saint Zahra. Then footsteps began – soft, yet deliberate – gently pulling the attendees out of their trance. The priest appeared at the altar. Behind him a statue depicting Zahra, her distinctive robe flowing as if caught in an unseen wind, her eyes cast downward in serene judgment. This tranquillity and peace was only disturbed by the 20 Paladins who surrounded that place. Amongst them Redric, right behind the priest.
“My children, in these dark days it is most important – more than ever – to be connected not just to our saviours, our souls, and the great Watchers. No, but also to each other. Our friends; our families; our neighbours, and even the bus driver and barrister we barely talk to.
My children, when I look into this great hall, my heart is not filled with fear and despair – No – but with joy, clarity, and hope.
Joy, because of all these brave citizens, who even in the face of death and despair, appeared here before me.
Clarity, because of the knowledge that the Paladins and the great Watchers will not only look after us, but also bring an end to this massacre.
Hope, for it is the most important thing in these dark times, and seeing it has not faded amongst our people. Hope for peace, hope for bliss, hope for better days, and the hope for safety. That is all I see when I look into this hall.
And know this hope will help us prevail; illuminate the path of darkness and give us vision; create a peaceful and secure life that will bring us only happiness. For the Watchers are all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-potent. And they love their citizens; us.
My children, I feel blessed to get the honour to be amongst all of you. Now please have a moment of silence for the 107 dead brothers and sisters, and pray for the 57 that still have hope, even with life-threatening injuries.”
The hall was silent. At least for a second. A loud squeaking disturbed the peace. It was Kelly.
“I am sorry, father.” she whispered.
“It is okay, my child. Better late than never. Please take a seat.” To not disturb things any more than she already did, she took a seat in the far back, right at the end of one of the pews. Her eyes went to Redric; he met hers. His left eyebrow lifted up, and his mouth took on a grin. Kelly pointed with her eyes towards the exit and gave him a nod. He understood, and after another 30 minutes of the priest’s talking and preaching, the both of them met outside. She lit up a cigarette and gave Redric one as well.
“So, you assholes just took my case.” Kelly stared him right into his soul.
“It’s not on me honestly.” He took a toke from the cigarette and turned towards the church. “Some guy upstairs wanted this case to be handled discreetly.”
“Some guy?” She tilted her head.
Redric took a big breath. “I really can’t talk about it.” He turned back towards her. “But I can tell you the order was from way up.”
Kelly exhaled the fumes right onto his face. “So, you are really not gonna tell me?” She raised her eyebrows. “You have changed. You used to be fun.”
“Try to forget about this, please.” Redric let out a sigh. “Honestly, it’s not worth it.”
“I was working on this fucking case for months.” Kelly threw her cigarette on the ground. “Of course, until you assholes took it off my hands. Don’t tell me it was not worth it.” She pushed against his chest. “Apparently it’s worth something to you people.”
“You are right. I am sorry.” He sat down on the stairs. “They don’t tell me that much, to be honest.” He sighed. “When I started this, I wanted to be further in my career until now. Being able to do more. Now I am mostly an over-glorified bodyguard, and no one tells me anything.”
She sat next to him. “Yeah, same. Now I am an alcoholic.” They turned towards each other and smiled. “Would you look at that, we are both losers.”
“We are not losers.” He bumped her shoulder with his. “That’s just how life is. You can plan out as much as you want, but you know…”
“Yeah…” She said with a soft voice.
“So how about that drink?”
“Are you asking me out?” Her smile widened.
“I mean, as we have established: we are both losers. A match made in heaven.”
Her eyes wandered up and down. “Yeah, okay, I’d like that.”
