Special Police DekaOps

28

Rev sat across from the Captain, unsure of what to make of this. He and the Captain got along well enough, but this was the first time the Captain had asked him to go top side for a cup of coffee at a local cafe. Even stranger he was attempting to make small talk, as the humans say. Rev talked along with him, not wanting to make this awkward moment for him even more so. Finally his curiosity got to be too much for him. “Captain, may I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead Rev,” he said.

“I do not want to sound unappreciative Captain, but I am unsure of why you asked me to join you today.”

“Like you said Rev, that deal that put us in this unit made a bond between us. It’s about time we started we started using it.”

Rev thought that over, “While I appreciate the effort the timing still confuses me a little. I know your relationship with Michelle has left you a little more open…”

“I didn’t ask you out here because of my relationship with Michelle,” Dan told him. “And it isn’t about what about what happened with D.E.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, “Ok, it might have a little to do with it. It just occurred to me I’ve spent more one on one time with everybody else than I have with you.”

“There have been several times time we have shared parts of a mission.”

“Those are missions Rev,” Dan countered. “I’m talking personal time here. I can’t think of the last time we just sat down and talked.”

“I assure you this isn’t necessary Captain,” Rev told him.

“I think it is.”

Rev took that in. “That does seem to contradict your rule about not mixing your personal and professional lives.”

“I know.” He admitted, “but after I started that rule I found out pretty quick that the people under me have a hard time trusting me if they don’t think I trust them. And you can only trust somebody if you know them. I had to work hard to find that middle ground.”

“I see. If I may ask another question, why did you want to do this off of base?”

“Because I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen you actually stepped outside. And I’m talking non mission related.”

“I do not want to be far from Base in case we get an assignment.”

“It can’t be healthy being cooped up down there like that. Even you need some sun every so often.”

“I get plenty of sun when we go on assignment.”

“You know what I mean.”

“It is part of my upbringing as a Shalimon,” he explained. He felt weird talking about this, but if he couldn’t trust the Captain to understand who could he trust. “We are taught that devotion to our duty is to be second only to the Great Spirit. Although my life journey took a slightly different path I do try to uphold those teachings to the best of my abilities.”

“Outside of one of us trying to drag you away from that?”, Dan said with a smirk.

“I mean no disrespect Captain,” Rev quickly said.

“I know you didn’t Rev, I’m just messing with you.”

“Why don’t you eat somewhere else you filthy Skag!”, somebody he didn’t know shouted across the café. Dan got up ready to argue the point with the person but Rev held him back. The manager quickly got involved and escorted the person out. “Fucking Skag lover! I’m never going to fucking eat here again.”

“You are more than welcome to take your business elsewhere,” The manager told him as he pushed out the door. Coming over to their table he said, “I am extremely sorry for that.”

“It is of no fault of your own,” Rev assured him. The Manager apologized again before leaving the table. After a few more moments Dan’s OpsLicense went off, he was getting a call. Leaving money for the bill they headed outside and found an isolated spot.

Making sure nobody was looking Dan answered the call, “This is Stevens, go.”

“Sorry to interrupt you guy’s play date,” Michelle said, “but we have something here the Major wants Rev to check out.”

“Understood, we’ll be there as soon as we can. Stevens out.”

“Play date?”, Rev asked. Since his time on this planet he had learned a lot. Although his friends still occasionally said something that confused him.

“I’ll explain on the way,” Dan told him

***

When they got back the Major gave them the lowdown. There was another new drug that just hit the streets. SPD was able to get a sample of it rather quickly but so far had a hard time identifying it. The Major had suggested Rev be given a sample of it, just as a fresh set of eyes and he could bring a different perspective on it. Besides with his study of the medical procedures of different cultures he might have seen it a little more recently.

A few hours later Rev was still working on it, but he wasn’t trying to identify it. He recognized it almost immediately. The entire time he was trying to prove himself wrong. There was no way the Alienizers had gotten a hold of it, there was just no way it was possible. He was so deep into his task he failed to notice when somebody walked in. “I know you told me you’re taught to be totally devoted to your task but I’m hoping even Shalimon took the occasional break.” He looked up to see Dan holding two cups of coffee, and Michelle right behind him.

Taking one of the cups he said, “Thank you Captain,” before returning to work.

“This must be a tough one,” Michelle commented as she sat on the other side of him. Both of them studied Rev as he concentrated on the drug in front of him.

“You know what it is, don’t you?”, Dan said. Rev said nothing as he looked away, but his left antenna twitched slightly. “How bad is this going to be?”

“I feel this is worse for me at the moment than anybody else,” he told him.

“I don’t understand,” Michelle said. “What’s in that compound that’s so bad?”

“It is not a compound,” Rev explained. “It is an extract of a plant found only on my planet.”

“So we have Command contact your planet and have them watch the plant until an Alienizer shows up,” Dan said.

“From the look on his face I don’t think it’s going to be that simple,” Michelle told him.

“You are correct,” Rev said. “Because of our physiology we can use the plant for medical purposes, in small doses. In other species the plant has a hallucinogenic that varies from species to species. Because of this the Shalimon cultivate and prepare the plant in our temples. Only those in the highest level of the order are permitted to tend and harvest it.”

Leaning against the table with his arms crossed Dan said, “Sounds like it might be an inside job.”

Rev immediately shot off of the stool and confronted him. “Captain, to even suggest that any Shalimon at any level of the order is behind this is an insult.”

Dan was startled at his outburst but he didn’t show it. “I know the order means a lot to you Rev, but I have to consider every possibility. Show me some proof they’re not involved and I’ll apologize to you on the spot. But until them they are on the list.”

“I think we can solve this problem pretty quickly,” Michelle said. “We can contact your planet and find out if anything has happened recently.”

“That may be difficult,” Rev told her. “The Shalimon are very secretive and very rarely reached out to the other sects when we had any problems.” His antenna drooped a bit as he continued, “And because I decided to join SPD most of my relationships are strained as a result.”

“There has to be somebody willing to talk to you,” Michelle said. “Give me some names I’ll help you out.”

***

In an underground cavern lit by floating glowing orbs a light green skinned Zalmanian sat at a table. Wearing Earth clothing and propping his feet on the table he counted various denominations of the local currency. “I have to make a new rule, no bills smaller than a ten. I am tired of counting fives. Eh money is money I guess. Right old man?”

Behind him, guarded by a Batsuroid, a Zalmanian who was so old his skin was grey kneeled on the ground in tattered robes. Before him were several rows of a two foot tall purple plant. Carefully he examined each plant. Every so often he would consider picking a plant that wasn’t quite ready. But every time the Batsuroid, almost as if it was reading his mind, would inch foreword and paid him some extra attention. If that was even possible.

“Hey old man,” the younger one repeated. “I am talking to you. Get the dirt out of you ears.”

“It is bad enough you have me doing this,” he replied but didn’t look back at him. “Do not drag me into your sinful ways even further.”

“Whatever old man,” he sneered. Going back to counting the stacks of cash he added,” You’ve been locked up in that temple for so long you wouldn’t know what to do with all of this if it was handed to you on a latimum platter.”

***

After a few hours of work Michelle finally found somebody in the temple who would talk with Rev. Giving him the station she exited the Command Room to give him some privacy. In the hallway leading to the field team quarters she found Dan, Ace and Boomer waiting patiently for some news. “He just started.”

“We’re just here in case we got to go at a moment notice,” Ace told her.

“And if you believe that there’s this lovely bridge in Brooklyn we’d like to sell you,” Boomer joked.

Ace looked over at Dan. “Just this one time”, he answered her silent question. A moment later her fist flew out and smashed into Boomer’s arm.

“Ow,” he whimpered a bit as he rubbed his arm. Realizing he wasn’t going to get any sympathy from this crowd he joined them in watching Rev. “I don’t think I’ve heard Rev speak in his language before. I’ve heard him chant in prayer a few times, but never in a conversation before.”

“He spoke it for me once when I asked him to,” Ace said. “I was a little embarrassed because I was expecting it to sound more bug like.”

“You weren’t the only one,” Dan said. After a few minutes Rev right antenna drooped a little. He ended the transmission and walked over to them.

Michelle asked, “What did he say?”

Rev’s tone was a tad somber when he answered. “He delivered some rather unsettling news. Several weeks ago one of the elders disappeared with a sizable section of the plant under our care.”

“Did they report either one?”, Ace asked.

“I am afraid not,” he replied. “The other Elders wanted to investigate this themselves.”

“Was there any signs of a break in?”, Dan asked him. Despite what he suspected he was looking for anything to help support Rev’s belief in his people.

That antenna drooped a little lower, “He did not say.”

“I hate to say it Rev…,” Ace started to say.

Quickly he cut her off, “There has to be an explanation.”

“Let’s take what we have to the Major,” Dan told him. “The faster we get on this the faster we can find out one way or the other.”

“I am almost afraid to bring this to him.” Rev explained, “Given how close I am to this I think he would call it a fool’s errand.”

Dan smirked a bit remembering hearing those words himself. “Your fool’s errand is my fool’s errand Rev. You helped me out with that thing with Jase. I’ll help you out with this.”

“We all will,” Ace told him. Boomer nodded in agreement.

“Thank you,” Rev said gratefully.

“Come on Rev,” Dan said. “Seeing how they came to us I’m sure the Major will want us to jump right in. If not I’ll beat him over the head with it until he gives in.”

***

“The quality is getting worse old man!” the young threw the latest batch at him. The vial landed at his feet and broke apart. Looking undisturbed by the sudden tantrum the older man said noting while he waited for the storm to pass. “My sellers are telling me the buyers aren’t staying buzzed as long as they were. They’re complaining, they’re actually complaining it’s not as strong as it first was. What are you doing to me old man?!”

“I am doing nothing to you young one,” he said calmly.

“Don’t call me ‘young one’ old man if you know what’s good for you,” he threatened.

“You always were impatient,” he sighed. “Even as a youngling at the temple. You refused to learn patience as part of the Shalimon life.”

“That’s because I decided to focus on more important things like money,” the youth shot back. “Why is it getting weaker?!”

“If you paid attention to your lessons when you were younger then you would know that this plant can only be grown on our planet. Nowhere else can it be sustained.” The young one gave a signal that the Elder had seen before. Taking the moment he had he braced himself. The Batsuroid behind him slapped him in the head and knocked him to the ground. “Have your machine beat me all you want,” he said. “It will not change the fact these plants are dying.”

Antenna stiffing in rage the young one said, “You better find a way to save them if you know what’s good for you. Because if they die I have no use for you.”

“I am not afraid to die.”

“Well that’s nice,” the youth sneered, “seeing how you were afraid when I brought you with me. Too bad for you this Batsuroid will keep you on this side of death. You’ll be begging for me to kill you and I’m just going to laugh and laugh. Now get back to work!”

***

A few days into the investigation they started to get some unusual reports. They checked the usual hot spots where alien drugs were being sold and they kept getting the same thing.”It’s getting less potent?”, the Major said reading the report. Dan and Target stood on the other side of his desk and still in their civvies. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and the problem will take care of itself,” he said dryly.

“I don’t think we’ll get that lucky,” Target commented. “Even if the supply did run out we still wouldn’t know who the supplier was.” She added, “I might not have known Rev as long as the rest of you but I don’t think he’s slept for the past couple of days.”

“We all noticed,” Pierce grunted. “I actually ordered him to take a nap a couple of times so far. Personally I’ll be glad when this is over. So does anybody have any idea why it’s getting weaker?”

Dan answered him, “I talked it over with Rev, he thinks the plant is dying. Which leaves the supplier with two options. Either get a fresh supply or try to save what he has.”

“I don’t think getting a fresh supply is an option,” Target commented. “Depending on how fast this plant is dying his clientele could be drying out before he gets back.”

“I agree,” Dan said.

The Major nodded, “I’m still going to see if Command can keep an eye on the temple just in case the guy in charge does come back for the plant.”

“Rev’s not going to like that,” Dan said.

“I know but I want to cover all the bases on this one. If the guy in charge has a secret way into the temple it would be best if we found out about it.” Dan found he couldn’t disagree with that logic. Hopefully Rev would agree with it as well. “Until then we better find this guy. Have Rev think of ways to keep this plant alive then give the list to Michelle. He’ll be trying to get a hold of them one way or another. In the mean time the rest you hit the streets again. It’s time to start putting some pressure on the sellers. Dan try not to smile while you’re doing it.”

“Can I help it if I’m good at it?”

“I know, I didn’t teach you to enjoy it. Get on it and dismissed.”

“Rodger,” both of them saluted.

***

It took a combination of things to locate where the plants were over the next couple of days. Dan and the others were able to get a vague idea were the sellers were picking up the extract. The supplier had a couple different pick up locations. But they were all centered round the factory district. With the list Rev gave her Michelle was able to narrow down the search even more. A factory that hadn’t been in use in years just received a shipment of a few of the things on the list. They had their target.

From a map of the area they knew the size was a couple of square miles. Dan and Ace did a drive by to assess the area. “I can probably land the Shepard in there,” she said. “But the only place that looks big enough is that field over there. I can cloak the ship and dampen the sound on the engines, but the dirt is still going to be flying when I set her down. He would have to be blind not to see that.”

“Then we do it the hard way,” Dan said.

Around nightfall the jeep was back at the factory and all five of them looked at their target. There were several buildings and all of them were dark. None of them expected him to be that stupid to begin with. “That’s a big place,” Boomer commented to nobody in particular.

“And a lot of places to stash the stuff,” Dan told him.

Rev lowered the hood on his hoodie and looked the place over. “The plant needs room to grow. The roots can travel several feet under the ground. Attempts to keep them in containers have failed in the past when we tried to secure the plant even further.”

“So we look at the floors closer to the ground,” Dan said. “There’s a lot of ground to cover and we need to do it fast before they realize we’re here. So I want each of you to take a building and do a search of the ground floor and basement if it has one.”

“Wait Cap,” Ace spoke up. “You want us to take a building by ourselves?”

“I know I don’t usually order that but speed is of the essence here. I want everyone t be extra careful and to call the moment you spot any trouble. Use the scanner in your License to search the area. Transmit the building your in and the ones you already searched to the others. I don’t want anybody to retrace anybody else’s steps unless absolutely necessary. Is that understood?” They said they did. Giving the word they all jumped the fence surrounding the place.

Going their separate ways each explored a building. A couple of hours into the search Rev came out of his second building. Punching a couple of commands into his License gave the building on the map a green outline, showing he had already searched it. Studying the map he looked for a building that didn’t have a colored outline. There was one a few yards to his left so he headed there. Like the other two the locks on the door had been busted too. Doing a quick life sign search he found the signature of several small animals. But there was something else he couldn’t readily identify. The reading was below him so he quickly located a stairway leading to the basement. Locating where he was getting the signal he found an empty space with nobody around. He checked the License and it was working fine. So where was this reading coming from?

Playing a hunch as his friends would say lowered his License to the floor. The reading got stronger but he still wasn’t getting enough to identify the source. Rev went over the plans of the factory in his head. None of them indicated that any of the building had a sub-basement. Rev was so deep in thought he almost missed it, a muffled voice, with his ears it sounded like somebody was yelling from a great distance. He paid more attention this time and was rewarded by hearing it again. It was coming from in front of him. There was noting there but a wall and some paneling on the floor, but experienced told him that wasn’t always the case. A quick search located a handle on the panel and he slid it away. Underneath it was a homemade staircase leading further underground. “Ops3 to Ops1”

“Go ahead Rev,” Dan answered.

“I believe I have located a secret passage way. I am going to investigate further.”

“Rev wait for us,” Dan told him. “There’s no telling what’s down there.”

Rev heard the yelling again then somebody cry out. “I am afraid I can not do that Captain.”

Hearing it as well over the link Dan said, “Be careful, we’ll be there as soon as we can. Stevens to all units, locate Rev’s marker and make your way to his location immediately.”

Rev started to put the License in it’s holster but hesitated. He might need it down there depending on what he saw. Going slowly to make sure he didn’t make any noise on the way down. He quickly saw floating glowing globes he recognized from his home planet, his heart sank a little. These were the same globes that lit the halls in the temple. The stairs went further down and the air started to get that stale recycled taste to it. The steps went further past an opening and he backed against the wall. Peeking around as best he could and still not be seen he found out who was making the noise, someone was standing and someone on the ground, and he recognized them both.

“I warned you old man!” the youth said. “I told you to keep the plants alive!”

“And I told you the results would not be instantaneous. It would take days before we would know if it had any affect.”

“Days!” the youth exploded. “I didn’t steal these plants to hear days. Slag it, if you didn’t walk in on me I wouldn’t have had to drag your sorry carcass halfway across the galaxy to make sure you didn’t tell anybody.” He started kicking him as his anger exploded.

“That is enough!” Rev commanded as he stepped into view. The youth turned around frightened as the Batsuroid stepped between them.

“Ranzack,” the Elder coughed.

“Ranzack?”, the youth said. “Ranzack the Outcast? So this is where you ended up.”

“You will leave the Elder alone,” Rev told him.

“Or what the Outcast will arrest me?” He motioned to the Batsuroid, “Get him.”

As it came foreword Rev switched modes on his License. “Emergency! DekaOps!” A green digital field surrounded him as his Dekasuit formed around him. “Face on!”, the helmet covered his head and the field disappeared. Rev waited for the Batsuroid to come at him blocking the initial attack. The bot caught him off guard by pointing his weapon right in his face. Ducking right before it could fire Rev didn’t have time to react as a knee hit him flush in the face. Reeling from the impact Rev covered up as the Batsuroid pounded at him. When it raised it hand for another strike Rev struck out with the palm of his left hand hitting it in the chest. With his right he reached into his pack and took out his D-Rod extending it to it’s full length. Rev used it to block another strike at his head. Pressing the button on the handle the Rod glowed green and he ran it down the length of Batsuroid arm and through it’s chest in one motion. It fell to the ground sparking.

“Rargh!” the youth jumped up intending to plant both of his feet into Rev’s chest. With the Dekasuit enhancing his abilities Rev was able to catch him and throw him back. The youth flipped in the air and landed on his feet. Coming at Rev again he struck wildly Rev was able to dodge and knock away each one. Side stepping him completely the youth fell to the ground. “You wouldn’t be so tough without that blasted Dekasuit!”

Calmly Rev said, “I seem to recall that they called you Zelar the Impatient. Always wanting to rush through your lessons. Never taking the time to reflect on what you have learned in order to understand it better. Never once appreciating in the way of things and your place in it, always looking for something more.”

“My place in the way of things sucked!”, the youth tried to charge at him again.

Rev grabbed him and flipped him to the ground, “And that attitude is why you have lost.” The youth kicked him away and got up. This time Rev went on the attack catching him by surprise. A side kick to the chest knocked the youth back. Slowly Rev reached for behind him and drew his OpsLicense.

“You’re going to judge me you slagging bastard!?”

“Although the device is in my hand I will not be the one deciding your fate. Target orders.” The area around them went dark as a red X and a blue circle started flashing between them. After the youth was scanned the red X shined brightly. Softly Rev said, “Eliminate target.” Feeling the Elders eyes on him Rev lowered his head. He was hoping the apprehend order was going to be given. “As a Shalimon I cannot take the life of another Zalmanian.”

The youth broke out in a grin, “Sucks to be you,” and started to leave. He stopped in his tracks when he saw four others in Dekasuits standing by the stairs.

“I don’t have that problem,” Dan said. To the others he said, “Ready!” The locked their OpsLicense into their D-Shots. Taking aim he shouted, “Strikeout!” Four streams hit him and he was deleted in seconds. Both Rev and the Elder lowered their heads and prayed for him.

Rev slowly took off his helmet as Dan walked foreword doing the same. After a moment he said, “I’m a man of my word Rev. I’m sorry…”

“You were correct Captain,” he said. “The culprit was part of the temple.”

“I wasn’t totally right,” he told him. “All the signs were pointing to somebody high up.”

“Thank you for trying Captain,” he said, “but Zelar was still part of the temple. I will take whatever punishment you think is appropriate for not fulfilling my duties.”

“You did what you thought you had to do Rev,” Dan said. “The report going to say the target was judged and deleted, nothing else.” Rev nodded then walked over top the plants with his head lowered.

***

“We’re ready to blow this thing,” Boomer told them by the basement entrance. “Just give the word Cap.”

“Not until Rev is out of there,” he told him even though they all knew that any way.

“I wonder what they’re saying down there,” Target wondered out loud.

“I don’t care if this guy is the High Elder of the entire planet,” Ace said, “if he gives Rev any lip I’m giving him a piece of my mind.”

Dan glanced at her, “I appreciate the sentiment Ace but we don’t need an intergalactic incident out of this too.”

In the underground cavern Rev and the Elder finished pulling up the plants and dripping a concoction into the ground to take care of the roots. They piled them into a small mound on the ground. His antenna flat against his head the Elder said, “There will be an investigation over this.”

“I am sure they will clear you,” Rev said. “You were forced to do this against your will. I am confident they will not punish you for this.”

“They will say I should have put up more of a fight.” Looking ashamed of himself he admitted, “I was afraid I might die if I did not comply.”

Rev watched him for a moment, thinking deep. “My Captain has told me several times that fear is a part of who we are, no matter the species.”

“I do believe they used to teach that when I was a youngling,” the Elder said. “A surprisingly wise statement from a human.”

“I have found that they do have the occasional moment of insight from time to time,” Rev told him. After a few more moments of silence Rev spoke again, “I know my words does not mean much anymore in the temple but I will testify on your behalf. I heard Zelar say he kidnapped you.”

“You have my appreciation Ranzack,” the Elder told him. “I am not sure what fate will bring but I will face it with more dignity than I have. To be honest I was one of the many who were disappointed in you when you decided to leave and join SPD. Now I think the Great Spirit had a different path for you to take. If he ever decides that you should rejoin us, as long as I am Elder you will be welcome back Ranzack.”

“Thank you Elder.” A moment later the Elder lit the pile on fire and both of them performed the traditional prayer until the fire died out.