Training intensifies

Zackiria and Joseph talk in the chief’s office, discussing the sniper and other problems. “He was obviously trained well.” said Joseph, referring to the sniper “Some kind of ex-marine or something, probably with PTSD.” Joseph sat and mulled over the situation “We only have five men in scouting or sniper training. It’s not enough.” Zackiria nodded “Those five could train more. And I’d be happy to take Nick, Ryan. And a few more others myself. Train the whole bunch in tactics and scouting.” Joseph nodded back “The more men we bring in on this the better. Snipers, bombers. Whatever comes along in the future, we’ll have a better chance to stop them early….But now, with this guy. As if I don’t have enough problems to deal with.” They sit, both thinking, Joseph picks up a scotch bottle and glasses. “You know...” Zackiria started. Joseph opened the bottle and looked at him “Hmm?” “Your men don’t need to waste time with the little thing. The lowlife criminals. The muggers, the rapists, the addicts and gang members. Most of them are easy to take down anyway so how about my group takes care of that so you and your men can focus on bigger problems.” Joseph accepts his offer liking that his men wouldn’t be stretched so thin. They shake hands and Zackiria leaves. Joseph finishes both glasses himself. When talking to Jack about the new deal later on, Jack questions Joseph, he’s obviously against the ridiculous idea whole heartedly “Are you mad, you couldn’t bring in someone from another precinct who already was an expert tracker? Don’t tell me you went with this just because it was a cheaper way to go.” Joseph didn’t like the cheap shot but only informed him his diction, if rash was, more importantly, final.

Closer to the east end of the city, a mob stake a claim on a block. There were twelve men in all. Showing off guns and acting tough, led by a very large individual who they simply referred to as Mr. Grado. Two cop cars come and the group open fire on them. The police jump out as the cars are rattled away at. They try to return fire, hitting two man in the shoulder and one in the leg before one of the cop cars blow up, Mr. Grado advises the officers to leave now while they still could. Then two men came out of a French restaurant. Le Valcon Bonne Nourriture. One less than average height, the other nearly as big as Mr. Grado, the smaller one freaks out, “What the hell is this about? You’re scaring off my customers, you son’s a bitches.” Then he uses a few French swear words as Mr. Grado’s men laugh at him, the gunfire died down now. The bigger one with the small Frenchman, just gives the goons all a look and directs a thumb to the alley near the restaurant. They look and there are seven French cooks partially hidden behind dumpsters and doorways, all heavily armed. The police, who fail to see the armed cooks, also retarget the mob led be Mr. Grado who looks pretty agitated. The restaurant owner walks over with his friend, heading towards the big man, slaps him and says “You are not welcome here sir, your unruly behavior will not be tolerated. What kind of way is this to do business?” Mr. Grado glairs at the little guy, then to the big guy with him. Noticing Mr.Grado is looking at the bigger man too long, the smaller one slaps him again “I’m in charge here, you want to talk, you look at me. Jean Valkon, now get out of my sight before we have to do something unpleasant.” Mr. Grado stands there glaring hard but finally backs his men off. The cops all look around and obviously feel quite ashamed of themselves for being saved by a French restaurant owner, not knowing about his ‘back-up’.

The next morning, Zackiria calls forth the trainees and seven newcomers arrive, including the two seen with Chief Alexander before. Jacob was more confused than the rest of the trainees. He knew most of the men who came and knew they completed their training. Or at least walked away when they believed they were ready. “I’m sure you have heard of the sniper attack.” Zackiria states to them all “So I have decided to change the training for a while, these men shall be joining us.” Most of them didn’t seem to be happy to be there “We are all going to learn tactics, strategy and other procedures that are to be used in apprehending dangerous individuals in high stress situations.”

Zackiria then trains everyone in the art of stealth. Making them walk rigged floors, made extra squeaky. In a mock multi-hallway space setup in the basement. Also some cameras had been put up that they had to get around unseen. The goal was to get to Zackiria and tag him on the shoulder. Nick was really hating this, he put up with Zackiria and his crazy torture chamber for too long as it was and now he had to do it again. Even if this particular training was needed. No one understood the point of the cameras. But maybe some madman would set up something like that, or traps. The idea was just to be careful and aware. Jacob seemed to be the only non-police officer interested in this lesson and the current training. Gabriel, being the biggest and heaviest didn’t do so well. Jessica however was amazing, it was almost as if she wasn’t even touching the ground.

The next morning, after a quick workout and breakfast, Tetsu sits in his room holding the phone waiting as the line rings. “Tetsu, nice to hear from you…though I’m a little busy.” his uncle tells him “I hope things are going well with Zack. He might make you do some crazy things but our trainer-” Tetsu could hear a commotion in the background, it almost sounded like his uncle was in a fight. “Uncle?” “I’m ok, sorry about that. There was a car accident nearby. Listen, I have to go but I’ll try to call back later.” Tetsu hung up and thought about it, it didn’t sound like a simple car accident but he would talk with his uncle later. If his uncle was about to say their trainer was just as hard or more demanding he was glad to not train under him. The training was interesting at least. And as long as they were not expected to go after the current sniper or anyone like that any time soon, he would deal with it.