Setting: local station-command center
Levi sat at his desk in the cluttered command office, the smell of old paper and black coffee lingering in the air. Reports from recent burglaries were scattered across the surface, each one more frustrating than the last. He rubbed his temples and leaned back in his chair, the weight of responsibility pressing down like the desert heat outside.
A knock at the door broke his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
The door creaked open, and in stepped a young woman in a crisp white uniform. Her posture was rigid yet confident. Snow-white hair framed her face—unusual for someone her age—and it caught Levi's eye for the first time.
"Lieutenant Lily," he said, standing and straightening his uniform. "Welcome. What can I do for you?"
"Captain, I wanted to formally introduce myself."
Levi motioned to the chair across from his desk. "Have a seat."
As she settled in, Levi studied her. There was a calm intensity in her eyes—focused and deliberate.
"So," he began, leaning forward, "what's your story?"
"I'm from the West Region," Lily said, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "I served in the capital for the last few years. Worked everything from burglary cases to murder investigations. I was promoted recently before being transferred here."
Levi gave an approving nod. "Impressive background. So, what made you choose this path?"
She hesitated for a second, as if weighing her words. "I wanted to make a difference. Keep people safe and serve something bigger than myself."
Levi's expression shifted, serious now. "And what does 'keeping people safe' mean to you?"
"It means putting yourself between danger and the innocent."
He leaned back, folding his arms. "You speak as if you truly understand what that means. Let me explain something: dying for someone is easy, but living for them... that's the difficult part. When you leave this world, their hopes, dreams, and protection vanish with you. Remember that when you step into the line of fire."
Lily met his gaze without flinching. "Understood, sir."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Levi's mouth. "Good. Don't go dying on me, Lieutenant. I need my right hand."
Lily extended her hand, shaking his with a firm grip. "I won't let you down."
"I'll be counting on you," he said. "From now on, you go where I go in and out of the field."
With that, Levi stood, grabbing his coat. "Let's hit the streets. Time to meet the people we protect."
Scene: On Patrol
The town buzzed with daily life as Levi and Lily stepped into the sunlit streets. Shopkeepers called out deals, children darted through alleys, and dust danced in the breeze. They made their rounds, exchanging greetings and checking in with townsfolk.
It was during one of these stops that they approached a general goods shop. The owner stood outside, visibly nervous, eyes darting every few seconds.
"Is everything alright?" Levi asked, narrowing his gaze.
The shopkeeper hesitated before nodding too quickly. "Yes—yes, just... tired, that's all."
Lily stepped forward. "We've had a string of break-ins lately. Has anything strange happened recently? Any suspicious people or missing inventory?"
The man rubbed the back of his neck. "Now that you mention it, things have been off. I thought it was just my imagination, but… the stockroom has been tampered with."
Lily's brow furrowed. "These burglaries feel too coordinated. Someone must be feeding them information."
Levi nodded slowly, contemplating her words. "It could be inside help."
Just then, Lily's attention fell on the assistant standing behind the counter. The young man was fidgeting constantly, avoiding eye contact and glancing toward the back door.
She leaned in closer to Levi. "That assistant is hiding something."
Levi agreed. "Let's follow him."
Scene: The Chase
They waited until the assistant left for his midday break, slipping into the alleyways behind the store. Levi and Lily followed at a distance, ducking behind crates and corners. After a few blocks, the assistant suddenly bolted.
"Damn," Levi muttered. "He made us."
They gave chase, boots pounding against cobblestone, weaving through narrow alleys. Finally, they cornered him near an old abandoned warehouse.
"Alright." Levi barked. "You're done running, now talk. What do you know about the burglaries?"
The assistant's face twisted with guilt. After a tense pause, he broke. "I didn't mean to! They threatened me! Said if I didn't help, they'd burn the shop down! I gave them stock logs and delivery times—that's all!"
"When's the next hit?" Lily demanded.
"I don't know! Soon—they didn't say where or when."
Levi exchanged a look with Lily. "We've got enough to act."
Setting: Command Center
Back at headquarters, Levi stood in front of a map, pinning markers on recent burglary sites. His team gathered around him as he briefed them, with Lily by his side.
"This isn't random," Levi said. "Based on our intel someone is coordinating from the shadows. Until we identify who's pulling the strings, no one is above suspicion."
Lily crossed her arms. "If they're planning something bigger, we need to stop it before it happens."
Levi nodded firmly. "It's time to tighten our patrols and thoroughly vet every piece of intel. We need to catch them before they move again."
As the room buzzed with orders and activity, Levi glanced at Lily. For the first time in a long while, he felt that the town had a fighting chance.