“Have my car parked in front of the station.” Steve says as he unlocks his specialized Camaro model painted in black with a white stripe running over the car. “Get in,

anywhere.”

“Guess we were both sitting in the back with bars.” James joked.

“I'm calling shotgun.” Ally happily suggested.

“Of course, you do.” James said with annoyance.

The crew enter the car and begin to ride off.

“What gives you two bailing on me like that?” Steve asked while driving.

Ally, looking ahead on the passenger seat of the busy spiraling road of cars, explains. “Conner and I were informing our head, Jack Razor, about making an extension to our trip out here.”

“Were there any complications?” He asked.

“It took some interesting levels of negotiation.” She leans light on the window as she reflects back.

After the first meetup of Steve at the crime scene, The GBOP truck is parked far across a coffee shop. “I believe this will best line us up with having better relations

with the city’s public, Mr. Razer.” Ally explained to Jack in a cyber lens video call on the side of the gray truck.

“Sounds like this case is messier than I thought.” A grizzled Razer commented. “I was the one to assign Conner and you to investigate this supposed quick and controversial case. But I’m having second thoughts about jumping the gun to corporate lawsuits. Anything that goes haywire, and our integrity is on the line.”

“You have all the right to be concerned.” Ally said with utmost modesty. “But from what I can make out with the bot cam footage I saw online. A man, who did commit a crime, was gunned down after he clearly put his weapon down. Most of the robots didn't even fire but that one did. There's a recalling currently taking place and I believe this may be the best chance we get to find out whose side is truly responsible for the misfire.”

“You have a hunger for the truth.” Jack responds. “I’ll remind you if I allow this investigation to take place. The credibility of our

organization aligns with the city’s police.”

“I understand the risk.” Ally thinks briefly before deciding her next choice of action. “Which is why I'm willing to lose my position within GBOP if this operation ends in catastrophe.”

“Ok.” Jack answers. “I approve of this investigation as an addition to the original objective. People’s faith within the law system is at an all-time low across the country. If we as a unit in New Haven can bring things back to the police’s former glory. A new era of unity may be possible.”

“It's what I live for.” Ally smiles. “Thank you, sir.”

“Hey, Miller!” James shouted. “Help me open the back of the truck. Got some coffee and donuts for the crew!”

The back truck door swings open.

“You don't need to say that twice!” Celi shouts happily, tilting over the edge of the truck for those glazed delights.

“Sounds like your boss was also a pain on the ass to deal with.” Steve says as he turns at a stoplight.

“Well, he was the one who built this organization.'' Ally explains while leaning her head back on the seat. “Years of warfare can do a lot to change a man’s motivation. He believes in giving people a better outlook on life than what he

grew up having.”.

“This guy sounds like someone I'll gladly have a beer with then.” Steve compliments. “We’re coming up to Eden right now.”

“Finally,” James sighed as he stretched his arms across the seats. “I can finally be free from this cell.”

“Really?” Steve jokes. “Suits a tough guy like you!”

“Not funny.” James remarks.

Ally lets out a light giggle.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

The car ride stops right in front of a large gray warehouse building with big bold letters spelling “EDEN INTERNATIONAL”. Steve parks his cars in front of the visitors parking lot.

“Recording system still working?” Ally asked with her right hand covering her right ear.

“Running since leaving the Truck.” James

responded.

“You two have been recording everything since this whole morning?” Steve asked as he looked around the car spontaneously.

“Indeed.” Ally calmly conformed. “It's how our crew can even keep track.” Ally hears a call through her lens.

“Tell mister grump I say hello!” Celi humorously suggested.

Ally sighed and asked. “You two gentlemen ready?” “Affirmative.” James noted. “Let's get this mess cleaned up.” Steve said as he and the other exit out of the police car.

Steve put his fingerprint on his car to confirm his ownership and it was locked.

The three traveled forward and entered the establishment. Ally and James take off the hoods of their jackets. Suddenly, two guards wearing what looks to be more akin to dark steel armor. Covered from their heads with round gas mask looking helmets having ant like red visors down to having a small wolf howling logo on the right side of their chest. The guards stormed in their metal boots towards the door.

“Hold it right there!” one of them would shout louder than a drill instructor. Ally, Steve and James feel immense pressure at the sight of Eden’s dark branded pistol barrels stare down upon them. “We got readings from our helmet scans. You are all armed. It's best if you drop whatever you have, now!”.

“Don’t worry, I’m PD.” Steve unveils his police badge photo under the hopes to ease the conflict. “These two behind me are from GBOP.” The two guards, still pointing their guns out, glare at each other for a second.

“Our security lead should be out in a second.” one of the guards said.

“This is one hell of a welcome party.” James whispered nervously towards the group.

Suddenly, walking through the exit security metal detector, A tall man with spiked hair wearing a lighter variant of the guard’s uniform is seen.

“What's the mess we got here, boys?” He asked.

“Kevin, sir!” a guard explained. “We got claims of these strangers being a part of law enforcement. We got readings on Steve Mitchel but nothing on

the other two.”.

“Interesting.” Kevin comments rather sternly as if he is willing to order fire. “State the reasoning as to who you armed strangers are.”

“We are with a branch funded by the United Nations called GBOP.” Ally openly admits without a second thought. “My partner to the left of me and I were sent along with the detective to ask a few questions about an ex-worker of this faculty.”.

“GBOP, huh” Kevin chuckles for a bit. “Nothing but a band of new age hippies. Put your guns down, boys.”

the guards ease their aiming stances.

James, while he and Ally are still trying to quickly recover from the harsh reaction, askes, “Guess you have heard of us?”.

Kevin says while slowly walking up to the group with a carefree smug. “You fools try to send me an email to join but to be frank. I'm done with that military life. I’m Kevin Hammer, Head of security, sorry about that.”

Steve looks at the man with a clear sense of unease. “No issue.” Steve responds. “I’m here to look into the company based on an employee wearing your company’s uniform.” Steve takes out the two bags holding the suspect’s weapons. “Waiting for an answer through forensics for the identity of the suspect. My crew and I wanted to speed the process up by going to the only Eden location of the city.”

Kevin stood in thought rubbing his grizzled chin. “You mean that guy blasted over the news hours ago?” He spoke. “The general manager of this building has advised us to not allow any press in this building. Only allowed a few phone calls due to wanting to remain consistent with weapon shipments.”.

“But we aren’t the press.” Ally responds in a quick manner. “The manager has quite a lot of data of not one but maybe a few more suspects if this location is accurate.”.

Kevin tilts his head of frustration. “How so if the metal dictator did not pick up on that?”.

“That's why we want to speak with the upper management.” Steve requests while putting back the items into his coat. “My group speculates that maybe somehow your former employee got around the system with the weapons being neat and intact when I inspected them back in the station.”

Kevin tilts up his head briefly. “Lord have mercy on me.” He thought before facing the detective and agents. “Alright, but I can't guarantee if he’ll be open for a meeting. He might be buried in calls.” Kevin black eyes glow red as he activates the user interface of his cyberlens and makes a call to the security panel. “Tim, it's me, Kevin. need you to deactivate the scanner for a minute. Law enforcement is passing by.” Kevin nods. “Ok, follow me to the kart near the scanner. I'll take you all up to the front.”

“I'll take shotgun!” James said as Ally glared at him pretending not to be amused at that joke. The three following Kevin walked through the deactivated and tall black scanners.

As they negotiate from the scanners. The trio make a quick left glance where a single window is displayed. barely visible red visors stare back.

“That's the security office.” Kevin guides as he approaches everyone near the four-seat white mini cart. “It's where I communicate with the security crew at all times.” Kevin takes the keys of the kart out of his black leather jean pocket and sits on the driver's side. Igniting the engine. “Come and sit tight!” He shouts. Ally and Steve sit in the back while James in the side front. The kart takes off though the busy halls of endless hover drones and multi-level floors of assembly line departments.