ကူးယူချက် 🔗
WEBVTT
00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:02.080
My name is Hannah Keegan.
00:00:02.319 --> 00:00:06.480
I'm a lead detective for a top secret New York Police Department Task Force.
00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.320
We're assigned to the unexplained cases that border on the paranormal.
00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:12.240
This is Division 13.
00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:14.480
And here are our case files.
00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:19.839
The Sentinel Prime Bulletin came through at 0830.
00:00:20.399 --> 00:00:21.280
Priority one.
00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:32.560
The subject line read Officer Reina Castillo, suspected rogue.
00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:34.719
All points bulletin issued.
00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:36.719
I read it twice.
00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:39.039
Then I read the body of it.
00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:55.840
The bulletin stated that Officer Castillo had been absent from duty for three days without authorized leave, that she had been observed on surveillance footage meeting with known Parasapian fellowship operatives, and, on a separate occasion, with individuals suspected of nullborn affiliation.
00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:02.799
Sentinel Prime had concluded that Officer Castillo was the suspected source of intelligence leaks to both organizations.
00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:08.000
A warrant had been issued for her immediate arrest and detention pending investigation.
00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:10.400
I set down the printout.
00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:13.599
My team was already gathered around my desk.
00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:15.680
Every face was grim.
00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:18.319
Every eye was fixed on me.
00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:23.840
And every person in that room, with one conspicuous exception, was present.
00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:26.640
Reina Castillo was not there.
00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:28.719
My eyes found Kendrick.
00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:31.040
He held my gaze without flinching.
00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:34.719
I held it a moment longer than was strictly necessary.
00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:37.040
Does everybody know what they have to do?
00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:40.239
Grim nods, tight expressions.
00:01:40.640 --> 00:01:41.680
No one spoke.
00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:43.519
Which was the right answer.
00:01:44.239 --> 00:01:45.599
Let's go see Loretta.
00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:46.239
I said.
00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:51.200
Loretta Smith does not waste words.
00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:55.200
She was standing when we entered, a single sheet of paper in her hand.
00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:57.439
New intelligence, she said.
00:01:57.840 --> 00:01:58.799
Forty minutes ago.
00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:06.560
Castillo has been spotted in the company of a suspected PSF operative in the vicinity of Intermediate School 381 in Brooklyn.
00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:10.319
The school shares a building with Public Elementary School 197.
00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:13.759
PS 197 was Lizzie's school.
00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:16.479
Castillo wasn't just running intelligence.
00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:18.560
She was going after Lizzie.
00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:20.479
That was the shape of it.
00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:23.199
Cold, clear, and personal.
00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:28.560
In my head, I heard Cato's voice from what now felt like another lifetime.
00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:32.159
The words he'd thrown at Castillo across the precinct floor.
00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:35.680
You're the same dirtbag murderer you always were.
00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:38.719
I don't care what kind of leash they've got you on.
00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:41.759
I was glad Cato wasn't in this building.
00:02:41.919 --> 00:02:47.039
With his history with Castillo, this operation would have been over before it started.
00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:49.120
Let's move, I said.
00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:05.680
The storm clouds roiled in the darkened afternoon sky as we took our positions.
00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:07.919
We deployed in two vehicles.
00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:13.439
Overton rode with me, positioned near the school's front entrance on East 22nd Street.
00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:17.120
Kendrick and Kagamoto were south of us on Kings Highway.
00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:20.560
Busier street, better sightlines, more cover.
00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:29.520
We had plain closed Division 13 and 67th Precinct Officers positioned around the school's full perimeter, unmarked vehicles standing by.
00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:38.800
The athletic field behind the building was our target zone, a large open expanse enclosed by 20-foot chain-link fencing with limited entry points.
00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:42.000
We'd sealed every exit we could identify.
00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:47.199
The rain hammered the roof of the SUV in a sustained, relentless rhythm.
00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:48.719
The wipers worked.
00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:49.840
We waited.
00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:51.599
Do you think he'll be okay?
00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.879
Overton said.
00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:54.560
Will he hold up?
00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:56.719
I knew she meant Kendrick.
00:03:56.960 --> 00:04:06.159
Even in the middle of all of this, the operation, the stakes, the rain, Victoria Overton still had enough room in her to worry about him.
00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:08.800
I noted that and tucked it away.
00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:11.360
He'll be fine, Vicky, I said.
00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:12.879
He's a professional.
00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:15.199
He knows what needs to be done.
00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:17.839
She nodded and said nothing more.
00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:19.600
That was all she needed.
00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:22.560
I wished I could say more, but I couldn't.
00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:23.920
Not right now.
00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:25.279
Not yet.
00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:26.959
The radio crackled.
00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:27.759
Briggs.
00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:30.639
Captain, subject is leaving the building.
00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:31.920
Northeast exit.
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:38.639
She's got the girl, hooded jacket, both on foot, heading south on East 22nd toward Kings Highway.
00:04:38.879
Load full transcript
--> 00:04:43.920
We spotted her, moving through the rain with a small hooded figure at her side.
00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:45.600
Should we apprehend?
00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:47.360
We have a clear approach.
00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:49.040
Negative, I said.
00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:50.240
Hold position.
00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:51.600
Do not approach.
00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:53.680
Let them reach the field entrance.
00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:56.240
I needed the situation to play out.
00:04:56.560 --> 00:05:00.879
Kendrick's voice came through a moment later, cold and quiet.
00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:02.800
Well, well, well.
00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:06.800
Captain, you'll never guess who just showed up to the party.
00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:08.079
Billy Rath.
00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:11.839
Far into the field, under the trees by the basketball court.
00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:13.680
He's got two operatives with him.
00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:14.879
There it was.
00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:16.959
What I'd been waiting for.
00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:22.000
All units, move in.
00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:24.959
Primary targets are Castillo and Billy Rath.
00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:26.639
Do not hurt the girl.
00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:29.360
Repeat, do not hurt the girl.
00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:30.639
Lock it down.
00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:34.800
The operation went live the way a good operation moves.
00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:39.600
Simultaneously, without hesitation, every piece knowing its place.
00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:43.439
Plain clothes units lit up their flashers around the school perimeter.
00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:45.360
The building went into lockdown.
00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:48.000
Remaining field entrances sealed.
00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:51.759
Overton and I moved in on foot from the west through the rain.
00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:54.560
Kendrick and Kagemoto came from the east.
00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:57.040
The field stretched out in front of us.
00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:00.240
Large, open, storm-darkened.
00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.360
Castillo and the hooded girls stood at the near end.
00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:10.000
Billy Rath and his two operatives were positioned at the far end, beneath the line of trees bordering the basketball court.
00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:15.519
Substantial open distance between them, exposed asphalt between all of us.
00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:18.959
I spotted Billy the moment I had a clear line of sight.
00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:27.040
He was already moving, reacting to the flashers the way a jungle cat reacts to sound, instantly and with total commitment.
00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:34.079
In the storm-darkened afternoon, I could see his eyes from 50 yards, orange, glowing.
00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:41.360
He was around 14 or 15 now, bigger than the boy I'd first encountered in that Brooklyn warehouse in 1979.
00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:44.079
He was just as fast as I remembered.
00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:45.439
Faster even.
00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:47.360
He didn't try to escape.
00:06:47.519
--> 00:06:48.639
That was the thing.
00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:51.519
He ran, but not to evade us.
00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:54.560
Billy Wrath was moving toward his target.
00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:57.439
Two shots rang out from the east side of the field.
00:06:57.680 --> 00:07:00.079
Flat, controlled, purposeful.
00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:04.000
Kendrick and Kagemoto had efficiently dropped Billy's operatives.
00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:06.560
I turned to Overton without breaking stride.
00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:08.319
You're the best shot we have.
00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:10.000
Don't worry about Castillo.
00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:12.480
If he gets to the girl, you put him down.
00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:16.319
Headshot! She already had her rifle up, aiming.
00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:17.759
She nodded once.
00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.600
Billy was closing fast.
00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:20.800
30 yards.
00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:21.680
20.
00:07:21.839 --> 00:07:23.519
The gap was almost gone.
00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:26.720
Castillo, now! I commanded.
00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:31.279
Billy stopped cold as the girl accompanying Castillo dropped her hood.
00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:34.480
She was 5'3, slight in stature.
00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:37.120
Not 12, not a child.
00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:44.879
A Division 13 support operative named Sharon Jacobs, who had volunteered knowing exactly what it meant to stand in that spot.
00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:50.879
Before Billy could process what he was looking at, both Sharon and Castillo had their weapons trained on him.
00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:52.079
They fired.
00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:55.360
Billy Rath went down hard on the wet asphalt.
00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:59.519
He wasn't finished, I knew that much, but he was down.
00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:01.360
I spoke into my radio.
00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:03.920
Kendrick, Kagemoto, you're up.
00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:04.800
Close in.
00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:13.040
The Raijin rifles fired twice in quick succession, the deep, resonant crack hum of a discharge that disrupts at the neural level.
00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:15.199
Billy went still on the field.
00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:21.920
Then stay down, you little creep, Overton said quietly, almost to herself.
00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:30.240
Kendrick and Kagemoto moved in immediately to secure his hands and feet.
00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:35.279
A containment vehicle, reinforced, purpose-built, rolled onto the field.
00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:37.679
Sergeant Briggs behind the wheel.
00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:41.679
I crossed the field to where Castillo and Sharon Jacobs were standing.
00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:43.360
They were both smiling.
00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:44.960
I didn't blame them.
00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:46.240
Castillo?
00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:47.200
Jacobs?
00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:48.720
Great work, you two.
00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:53.200
Sharon Jacobs had been on Division 13's support staff for two years.
00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:54.799
She was good at her job.
00:08:55.039 --> 00:09:00.799
Thorough, unshakeable, and she'd wanted field duty since before she'd applied to the NYPD.
00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:02.399
Physical requirements.
00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:04.960
That was the official reason it hadn't happened.
00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:08.159
But I'd seen the way some testing officers operated.
00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:12.159
They could find any disqualifier they needed when they were looking for one.
00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:17.759
Thank you, Captain, Sharon said as I approached, for giving me the opportunity.
00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:22.320
I always wanted to be in the field, but you know how it goes.
00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:26.080
I do know, I said, and I don't agree with it.
00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.919
You performed well today.
00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:33.519
I'd like you to formally test for D-13 field agent status, if that's still what you want.
00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:34.799
She blinked.
00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:44.480
Then her face lit up in a way that had nothing to do with professionalism and everything to do with being a person who'd been told yes after a long stretch of no.
00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:47.840
She pulled herself together, cleared her throat.
00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:49.679
Really?
00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:52.879
That would be awesome, Captain.
00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:54.320
Seriously?
00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:57.919
Who knew my height would turn out to be an advantage?
00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:05.200
I mean, I'm a little taller than a 12-year-old girl, but not by much, Castillo said, smirking.
00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:08.320
Sharon laughed and gave her a playful shove.
00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:17.440
For a moment, standing in the rain on a field where we'd just taken down a nullborn enhanced operative, just two colleagues giving each other a hard time.
00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:19.360
I turned to Castillo.
00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:21.519
I'm proud of you, I said.
00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:23.919
Thank you for volunteering for this.
00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:26.000
No thanks necessary, Cap.
00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:28.639
She said it simply, without performance.
00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:30.399
He threatened Lizzie.
00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:33.679
When you threaten one of us, you threaten all of us.
00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:34.879
I nodded.
00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:38.399
I didn't have better words than that, and she didn't need them.
00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:42.720
You were very convincing, Overton said from behind me.
00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:44.720
Castillo glanced at her.
00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:46.000
So were you.
00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:51.600
For a second out there, I actually thought you were going to shoot me instead of the little creep.
00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:53.120
Not today.
00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:55.279
Footsteps behind me.
00:10:55.519 --> 00:11:00.159
Kendrick, crossing the field, reading the situation in about half a second.
00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:06.720
He pulled Castillo into a hug, and I heard him say, low and proud,
That's my girl.
00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:08.320
I kept walking.
00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:13.759
But I noticed Overton, a few feet to my left, go quiet for just a moment.
00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:15.360
A slight pause.
00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:18.720
A small exhale she didn't announce to anyone.
00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:20.799
She didn't make anything of it.
00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:24.480
I made note of it anyway, because it mattered.
00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:27.919
I passed Kagemoto and stopped on my way by.
00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:29.519
Nice work, Kenny.
00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:31.840
Could have used you on my old SWAT team.
00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:33.759
He straightened slightly.
00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.200
Thank you, Captain.
00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.720
You've got me now.
00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:38.799
Want me to call this into Loretta?
00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:40.480
Let her know the plan worked?
00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:41.440
Do it.
00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:45.279
I clapped him on the shoulder and started toward the containment vehicle.
00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:46.720
He called after me.
00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:48.559
Captain, one more thing.
00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:50.240
An unexpected bonus.
00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:52.080
I stopped without turning.
00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:55.279
Looks like one of the PSF operatives is going to make it.
00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:56.960
Medics are with him now.
00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:59.759
I nodded once and kept walking.
00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:01.279
One prisoner.
00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:05.039
One possible source of information we hadn't planned for.
00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:06.399
I filed it.
00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:14.399
The disciplined part of my brain was already turning it over, already noting what it might mean, what questions it might answer.
00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:15.360
Later.
00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:17.919
All of that was for later.
00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:22.240
Sergeant Griggs and his team were prepping to load Billy into the transport.
00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.559
I held up a hand as I approached.
00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:25.840
They paused.
00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:29.039
How long before the Rygen effect starts to fade?
00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:33.440
The discharge disrupts nullborn neural signaling, Briggs said.
00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:37.759
Shuts down the enhanced motor and resistance functions temporarily.
00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:39.679
It won't hold indefinitely.
00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:42.879
Usually 20, maybe 25 minutes.
00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:43.759
With him?
00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.679
He said, nodding at Billy.
00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:47.759
No way to tell, honestly.
00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.200
And the transport?
00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:56.960
Reinforced restraints, redundant physical lockdowns, containment system built specifically for enhanced nullborn prisoners.
00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:59.759
We were ready before the effects started fading.
00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:01.759
He's not going anywhere, Captain.
00:13:02.080
--> 00:13:02.559
Good.
00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:04.000
Give me a moment.
00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:11.840
Billy Rath was strapped to a transport board, secured at the chest, wrists, and ankles with reinforced restraints.
00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.679
He was already awake.
00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:17.679
The Rygen discharge had taken him down, but not for long.
00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:31.200
His eyes were open, orange, glowing, staring up at me with a cold, flat intensity that reminded me, just for a second, of a certain reflection I'd seen in a dream not long ago.
00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:34.320
I stood over him and said nothing for a moment.
00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:36.000
Remember me?
00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:36.879
I said.
00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:41.440
Rain on the van's roof, the hum of the containment system.
00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:43.519
Silence between us.
00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:46.720
Your mistake was threatening someone I love.
00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.480
I let that sit.
00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:51.919
You were never going to win that fight.
00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:54.639
Something moved behind his eyes.
00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.960
Not fear, anger.
00:13:57.440 --> 00:14:00.639
The kind that comes from someone who isn't used to losing.
00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:09.360
He started to say something, changed his mind, and decided to resume staring at me, deep hatred burning in his orange eyes.
00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:14.799
I leaned in close so that what I said next was heard only by Billy.
00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.559
I got you.
00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:19.200
I turned to Briggs and nodded.
00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:21.679
The containment door closed behind him.
00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:24.559
I turned away and looked back at the school building.
00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:28.720
The lockdown was being cancelled behind me, because of course it was.
00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:31.759
There had never been students inside those halls today.
00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:34.320
The school had been empty since this morning.
00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:37.200
Everything had gone exactly as planned.
00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:39.600
I stood there in the rain for a moment.
00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:43.519
We had struck a blow at the PSF and the Nullborne today.
00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:46.960
Not a finishing blow, I knew better than to call it that.
00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:55.039
There were still threads loose, still questions without answers, still a name on a Sentinel Prime bulletin that would need to be cleared.
00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:57.120
All of that would come in time.
00:14:57.360 --> 00:15:04.080
But Billy Wrath was in a containment vehicle headed for a secure holding facility, and Lizzie was safe.
00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:14.879
I thought about Angela, about the call I'd make as soon as I was back in the office, about what she'd say when I told her, what her voice would sound like when the relief landed.
00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.200
The thought made me smile.
00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:23.039
End case file zero one three-zero two one.