Declaring War on the Law

Hiroto spilled the beans.

He was merely a cleanup guy, having only kidnapped two people before—and poorly enough to earn a scolding from Jotaro.

His main job was managing the secrecy and supply chain in Kabuki's market. Apart from Evan and Lenny, they had several suppliers and distributors in the area.

The kidnappings were someone else's work, a guy named Jae-Hyun Lee.

The term "dummies"? That was Jae-Hyun Lee's invention. He claimed it was vivid and descriptive, referring to the abducted individuals.

Rumor had it that Jae-Hyun Lee didn't just grab people off the streets; he sourced them from other channels, a seasoned human trafficker.

As for the buyers and the masterminds behind these transactions, Hiroto suddenly clammed up.

"Bros, I know you guys are skilled, and the Tyger Claw gang would definitely pay you big bucks to get you on their side. There's no need to make enemies with us—ugh!"

Hiroto choked mid-sentence, struggling for air.

"No more nonsense."

"Okay, okay." Despite the fear in his eyes, Hiroto kept trying to warn Leo. "This job runs deep. I'm saving you guys here. With your skills, you could work anywhere. Working for NCPD? Too much work, too little pay, and who knows? They might turn on you tomorrow."

"Shut your mouth!"

Anna flushed with anger, clearly torn.

V crouched down and slapped Hiroto. "Watch your tone. We're not your bros."

"Alright, alright, bro—you're my bro, my dad! You're my—"

Slap!

Another slap from V, silencing Hiroto. He sat still, defeated.

V stood and looked at Leo. "So, now we have to hunt down this Jae-Hyun Lee guy?"

"Jae-Hyun Lee is a priority," Leo mused, turning to River. "I suggest leaving this guy to me. Does your precinct have memory-reading equipment?"

As Leo spoke, Hiroto realized something was wrong, but Leo quickly immobilized him again.

River frowned. "No, but we do have dream-readers for coma patients."

"Then hand me the device. I'll take care of the interrogation."

Anna sneered at Hiroto. "I support that idea."

Hiroto's eyes were the only part of him that could move, trembling in panic.

Knock, knock.

A hesitant voice came from outside. "Ahem, River, the NCPD's here. You'd better hand this over to the precinct now."

The room turned to look at Hiroto, whose tension melted into visible relief.

No one doubted anymore that the NCPD had internal issues.

Evan's earlier shame and anger now reflected in Anna's expression, but hers was fiercer—she even reached for her gun.

A policeman strutted in. "David Beamer. By the precinct's orders, River, Anna, your case is now under my jurisdiction. I'm taking the Tyger Claw member and the two witnesses with me."

"No way," River stood firm. "These are my witnesses."

"Defying protocol, are we? Do you still want your badge?" Beamer glanced at Anna. "You too, rookie. You did well, but it's time for experienced officers to take over."

Leo signaled V and Jackie to shift positions.

If it came to it, the cameras would go offline, and they'd have to handle it the old-fashioned way.

Jackie, a towering figure, stepped toward the officers, his presence intimidating. Beamer's confidence wavered.

"You're not thinking of assaulting an officer, are you?"

Leo's eyes glowed faintly with data streams as he transmitted a message to Jackie.

"Assault?" Jackie chuckled. "And what if I do?"

"You'd be facing the MaxTac squad!"

"Officer, your clearance level seems... lacking. Call them up. Ask if they've seen me."

Beamer's confidence faltered further.

River interjected. "Desert Chef, calm down."

Beamer broke into a cold sweat.

"What's wrong, officer? Go ahead, confirm it with them."

Jackie stepped closer, tapping Beamer's forehead lightly. "Your shiny forehead—think it's tougher than a tank hatch?"

Jackie ripped the car door off its hinges, placed it on the ground, and tossed Beamer inside. "Officer Beamer here is overworked. You guys can head back now."

River waved at the officers. "We've got this. Head home. Beamer's just tired."

Reluctantly, the officers left, confused but compliant.

Watching them leave, River sighed dramatically. "You guys are insane. Beamer's going to report this."

Leo shrugged. "He's got nothing. No footage, no proof. I'll spin some story."

"What now?" River asked.

"The Tyger Claw guy inside? I've been suffocating him. He'll be brain-dead soon. Bring me the dream-reader, and I'll get the info we need."

"We're cops."

"To hell with cops!" Anna burst out. "I'll steal it myself if I have to!"

"It's not that simple," River cautioned. "That tech is experimental and heavily guarded. We don't have clearance."

"We need a netrunner—someone who can breach heavy ICE defenses in cyberspace without frying their brain," River added.

"I'm a netrunner," Leo said.

River blinked. "Okay, but we also need a tech expert familiar with experimental gear."

"I'm that too."

River stared. "You're... unbelievable."

"I'll get to the bottom of this," Leo promised.

River sighed. "You're a lawless rogue with zero respect for the law."

"On the contrary, I respect the law—when it aligns with my values," Leo replied.

"Every criminal says that." River looked up at the bright moon. "But I can't deny I feel the same."

Anna, fired up, declared, "Enough talk! I'm in. River, you know the NCPD won't fix this. Screw the rules!"

"You're right," River agreed, resolute. "If the law's broken, then to hell with it!"