Araneid

[Thexare]

Sacramento, Planet Los Angeles
2:17 AM, November 3, 803 AS

On any other night, this part of Sacramento would be quiet. And indeed, vehicle traffic was sparse and pedestrian traffic nonexistent. But the shattering of glass and blaring of alarms made a quiet night impossible. Local homeless were woken by the commotion at a local spacer outlet, New Horizons. Stores like this were common around large spaceports, and they carried everything a traveler would need - food, water, tools and parts for minor repairs, and so on. The more "upstanding" ones were rarely open all night, to avoid association with the kind of pilot that avoids the light of day.

The teenager that hopped back out through the broken window ten minutes later had chosen his target well. The only witnesses were a few homeless people, and they weren't all that likely to cooperate with the authorities. Especially after he dropped a bag of food for them. Though his clothes and hair were disheveled, his eyes revealed a clear, calculating mind, that of someone who knew the streets well.

Not quite well enough, though. Rounding a corner he bumped directly into a young man in a long, silvery-white coat. "Going somewhere, kid?" he asked with a smirk.

"What's it to you?" the kid replied, picking up the bag he dropped in the impact.

"Alexander Crowley, LSF," he said, flashing his badge by way of explanation. "I'm going to guess you didn't pay for that."

"Store was closed, and a man's gotta eat."

"Oh, of course," Alex replied, rolling his eyes and restraining the boy. "Any weapons or sharp objects?"

"Are we actually doing this? Nah man, I'm unarmed."

Alex began standard pat-down procedures and continued, "Weren't expecting LSF, eh?"

"Figured if anyone saw me it'd be one of those useless rent-a-cops. This their job, right?"

Pat-down completed to his satisfaction, Alex replied, "Yeah, usually, but since the rent-a-cops are useless, sometimes the LSF likes to send out a patrol. Keep them on their toes. Let's get you in the car," he continued, cuffing the boy and leading him to the waiting car. "So why are you out here this late?"

"Thought I'd see the sights, y'know?"

"Don't bullshit me, kid. I know you don't live nearby, unless you're homeless."

"Yeah, well, after a while I got tired of my aunt beating me, so I guess you don't know as much as you thought."

"... Hm. Well, not that far now."

Alex's silver car pulled up to the local juvenile facility shortly afterward. Most juvenile offenders were still handled by government agencies, if only because of child labor laws keeping the LPI uninterested in the work. The facility was manned by only a small graveyard shift, and the woman at the front desk seemed slightly surprised to see the LSF agent bringing in another "visitor".

"Name," she asked flatly.

"Victor Delacroix," the boy replied.

"Address," she droned on.

"Don't have one," he answered. She glanced over at Alex, who silently nodded.

"Crime?"

"Mark him down for vandalism," Alex said, surprising the boy. He raised a hand to keep him quiet and continued, "Broke a window over at New Horizons, not a lot of damage."

"Understood. Cell D-23, we'll hold him until sentencing. Need a guard or can you handle it?" she asked, handing Alex a clipboard with some paperwork.

"I have it under control, thanks. Come along now, kid." The two left the lobby and went into the main body of the facility. Blocks A through C were set aside for more long-term residents, and they passed through all of them on the way to Block D. The design was intended to scare minor offenders by forcing them to see worse offenders, but of course at this time of day the effect was... rather diminished.

"So, what, you think you're doing me a favor?" Victor asked, about halfway through Block C.

"There's no justice without mercy, kid."

"Oh and I bet you think you're a real angel for this. Goddamn spooks."