Chapter 7: First Blood

In shows like "The Rookie," which are more comedic, several major characters have died. In other shows stitched into this world, especially those with big scenes, even more characters meet their end.

Moreover, Jack was curious. Since the beauty of women in this world was several notches above their counterparts in the original series, it would be a shame not to see some famous ones, like the long-legged beauty from the Jewish nation alongside the Punisher.

Of course, it's too early to talk about that now. Currently, he's just a small LAPD patrol officer. Besides being good-looking, he has no connections and his pockets are cleaner than his face. But with the system, he believed that one day, he'd get there.

Around three in the afternoon, a call for additional police support came through the police radio.

Jack and Angela perked up. Shortly after, John's communication came through their private channel. They had caught the accomplice, Dallis Nguyen, who had revealed Lance Selby's whereabouts. He was currently hiding in a house at 1350 Zhongguan Street.

Lucy and Tim reported that their patrol car was closest to the suspect's location and would arrive first.

In the passenger seat, Angela immediately informed the command center that they were heading to the location. Meanwhile, Jack turned on the lights and siren, checked the rearview mirror for cars, lightly tapped the brake, sharply turned the wheel, and accelerated.

Three minutes away from their destination, the radio became chaotic. Lucy and Tim, who had arrived first, attempted to block Selby's escape route by going around to the back alley of the target house. Unexpectedly, they encountered Selby and another accomplice, both armed with automatic weapons, who opened fire on their patrol car.

Lucy and Tim tried to return fire, but their handguns couldn't suppress the firepower of the two M4A1s. Tim was shot and fell.

Hearing Lucy's panicked voice over the radio, Jack gritted his teeth and floored the gas pedal, further accelerating. Angela started checking the two M16 assault rifles they had retrieved from the trunk.

Turning a corner, they heard the rotor blades of a police helicopter overhead. Over the radio, Officer Talia Bishop reported that one suspect was apprehended and the main suspect, Selby, was fleeing towards the Clinton Street residential area.

Jack turned onto Clinton Street, searching for the target. Suddenly, a figure dashed out from a backyard, saw the approaching police car with its siren blaring, and opened fire.

The front windshield shattered, and a bullet whizzed past Jack's ear, lodging into the seat's headrest.

"Fuck!" Feeling the adrenaline surge, Jack grabbed the M16 Angela had checked, braced it against the steering wheel, and fired three short bursts through the front window at the fleeing suspect. Meanwhile, Angela's gunfire echoed in his ears.

Seeing Selby stumble a few steps and disappear around a corner, Jack and Angela jumped out of the car and began the chase on foot.

They turned the corner and saw John confronting Selby on a pedestrian path near a neighborhood park.

Selby, now out of ammo for his M4A1, had a Browning M1911 pressed against a female bystander's head. Seeing that Selby's attention was entirely focused on John, Angela signaled Jack to follow her.

They moved to the right, using tall palm trees for cover. Selby, agitated, alternated between pointing the gun at the hostage's head and at John, who was trying to talk him down.

Angela turned to Jack and whispered, "Are you sure your rifle marksmanship is excellent?"

Jack understood immediately, shouldering the M16. "We're less than 20 meters away. I can hit his head no problem."

Angela set up her gun as well, her voice cold. "Fire when he points at John again. I'll aim for his head, you for his wrist. Watch your angles; don't hit the hostage."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Selby pointed the M1911 at John again. Two shots rang out simultaneously.

A cloud of blood mist erupted from Selby's head and wrist as he fell to the ground. Amid the hostage's screams, the three officers rushed forward.

John kindly shielded the female bystander from seeing the body, gently comforting her. Angela kicked the handgun away, while Jack, suppressing his discomfort, examined the body.

Selby's wrist was shattered, barely hanging on by a strip of flesh, and half of his head was blown open, spilling brain matter.

In reality, rifle bullets are far more powerful than depicted in movies. Jack struggled to suppress his urge to vomit, forcing himself to keep looking.

He needed to remember this scene. This was a process he had to adapt to. In the future, he might encounter many more scenes like this. This wasn't the peaceful world he came from; he had to become ruthless and merciless in dealing with criminals.

Noticing Jack's discomfort, Angela pushed him aside, looking him in the eye and asked loudly, "Rookie, are you okay?"

Jack forced a stiff smile. "I'm fine, don't worry. Since I chose this job, I knew this day would come."

Different fates for different people. Jack killed a suspect and was given three days of administrative leave and arranged for psychological counseling by the department. Meanwhile, John, in his haste to rescue Lucy and Tim, left his instructor, Officer Bishop, to deal with Selby's accomplice alone, nearly causing her to be ambushed.

Commander Gray was furious when he found out. If not for Zoe's support, John might have been kicked out of the department.

"John is a top graduate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a building contractor for twenty years. Anyone can see his abilities are undeniable. His academy performance was also excellent. I really don't understand where Commander Gray's bias against him comes from."

After a fierce session, Jack held a limp Zoe, his hand playfully tapping her firm buttocks, talking about the day's events.

"Stop it, it tickles," Zoe giggled, swatting away his hand, then pondered for a moment. "I recruited John and you because of your personalities, hoping you could bring some changes to the Wilshire Division. As for Commander Gray, he probably sees another side of himself in John, causing a subconscious resistance."

"I heard Commander Gray has actually completed his twenty years of service and is eligible for a full pension. His family wants him to retire early, but he seems to be full of energy every day. So, Commander Gray is also dealing with his own midlife crisis in a different way. No wonder."

Jack muttered to himself, suddenly understanding.

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