Sutinga landed on Fuchu prison facility and from the clouds of steam pouring from the vents of her fighter, a small woman stepped out. As she pulled off her helmet the landing pad crew eyed her up and down. On first glance, it was a nice look. She was almost perfect. Long black hair and a doll like face. But there was something strange about her. After a few moments most of them turned away without interest. She was last years pop culture, using plastic surgeries to look just perfect. Perfect eyes, perfect lips, perfect nose. Everything matching the most cutest look possible. But, as with everything, too much means no good. She looked unnatural. But there was something else strange about her. She looked mismatched. A beautiful shell that almost screamed at her surroundings "I’m the most fun person around“, Her eyes were … lethargic. Sad and mixed with an appearance of inner death. And this strange woman in uniform headed through the main corridor ignoring everyone staring at her.
She was lost in thought, her mind was running faster than she walked. She was thinking about this facility and her Kyushu department. Ever since she was promoted to position of Superintendant, Kantoku, things just kept coming. And now she got message. She has to take care of bureaucracy around all of the prisoners arrested in the Kyushu system. She hated forms, papers and especialy filling them. From her point of view, they were invented to slow down officers. But she wanted to see Isoroku. She hadnt seen him since the battle near the prison, where his Battlecruiser was critically damaged almost to the point of destruction.
She passed some officers and hung her head in a bow. Isoroku, an officer in his middle age, married and without ambitions. He was police officer longer then her, but whenever he was suggested for promotion he did something cheesy, and he was left out from list of promotions. She almost thought, he is doing it on purpose. But she was glad she had him. He looked older then he actually was, but he was her guardian. He covered her back on the dark streets of Kyushu and in the cold darkness of space. And to admit with shame, when the world started to stink and she passed out after bottle of Sake, he carried her to her office and never said word about it, to not shame her more.
Izumi turned around a corner and headed towards the section command center. There he was. Smiling and saluting when she entered, accompanied with another officer named James. James was a Kusari officer, but was born in Kusari and after he grown to an adult, he chose to follow his roots.
"Superintendant“ Stated James in distinctive libertonian accent. "Kantoku“ Bowed Isoroku. "Officer Isoroku, my friend. Are you alright?“ Smiled Izumi a little. "I’m fine, but Kagero is bit, chunky right now“ Replied Isoroku standing in attention. "Superintendant, we have to proceed to our duty, i have to attend to other things. Have you read your assignment?“ "Yes. I read the breifing on my desk. How many prisoners are in my sector?“ "358. Here is the full list. I will need your signature Superintendant“.
Izumi swiftly signed the datapad and started to browse the full list of prisoners. All numbers. When you reduce humans to numbers they lose their personality. And without personality, they will lose their will to create problems. She knew this system was as old as the first prisoner and the first member of an organised military.
"Is there something i should know?“ She turned her eyes up to both officers and noticed James was quite nervous. His fingers tightly tried to burrow through his datapad. "Commander, can i speak with you?“ said Isoroku as he shifted his head to the side. "Sure? What is it?“ Replied Izumi while they were walking away from James. "Commander, i let my crew check the list, since they have no duties at this moment. I think you should check inmate number YZ-158.“ said silently Isoroku, checking if there was nobody nearby. "What’s wrong with him?“ Automaticaly asked Izumi and started checking the list. "You better look for your self, but remain calm“. Said Isoroku, and he prepared to grab his smaller superior. From point he found this, he knew she would be mad. And this is why he insisted she should see it personaly. Not that her presence would change anything, but he didn’t wanted her to lock herself in office. "Keiko Matsumado, Ex Golden Chrysanthemum Squad leader, now smuggler, in prison since 2 years ago..." Izumi read her profile insignificantly moving her lips.
Isoroku prepared and stood in perfect attention posture. "…wait? Isoroku? Why is there no data on her interrogation and trial? How long is her sentence?“ She turned her eyes up looking on Isoroku like two black depths. "There was no trial Kantoku“ He stated strictly. "You want to tell me that she has been there for two years without any interrogation or trial? FOR TWO YEARS?“. She repeated words that were running through her brain. "Umm, yes, it is correct. I mean, these young officers here are responsible, i was here for a while. But i saw this several times. They capture a terrorist, and the prisoners wait for trials for years. Especialy, when they are for smaller crimes.“ „But … why?!“ "It’s to prevent them from going back to their friends too soon. She is GC, and when she would just pay a fine, or have a month in prison, she could return to her terrorist friends. It’s not military nor police thing. It’s politics“. Isoroku said silently and like a conspirator he tapped on his nose from side.
The world started to stink again. Isoroku was an officer for longer than she was, He had no police academy, but saw a portion of police job, that he was rusty from inside out. She didn’t have reason not to trust him. Yes, some nameless voices that say 'Put this person on the bottom of the list, she can wait, she is a terrorist right?'. Again, and again. Probably they were doing this to subdue criminals and scare them off. But she saw also some part of police work and she knew, that this would work only when there was a small fire, pouring water onto it. But this was a damn burning pot of oil and pouring water onto it just made it blaze more. Damn corruptors, fat, lazy, greedy bastards. She started to be angry.
Isoroku thrusted his hand just in time to catch her, when she suddenly moved and tried to charged into the command office. "Promise me commander, that you will be calm“ Said Isoroku in soothing manner. "I am always calm“. She said as sweetly as she could, but poison was dripping from her words. Not poison, burning lava.
When she stomped into a command office, James turned his head towards female officer. And gulped as angel of vegeance was closing in. "Did you know of this?!“ She barked angrily "Calm down“ Whispered Isoroku from behind "What … we have nothing to do with this!“ Muttered James in defense. "You WHAT?! YOU ARE POLICE OFFICERS YOU SWORN TO INVESTIGATE CRIMINALS, NOT HOARD THEM!“ She was burning in anger. Shaking and grasping the datapad like it was the only thing that stood between her and being trialed for attacking a fellow officer. "Silence that woman, she is too loud!“ Yelled one officer in the command center. "Mind your own bussiness or i will mind yours.“ Said Isoroku calmly but with subtle threat towards officer.
The atmosphere in the command center was tense, like a tea party where all the ladies accidentaly wore the same dress. Officers looked at each other, taking deep breaths, waiting to see what happens next.
James raised his hands in a soothing gesture. "We are all disciplined officers of Kusari, Superintendant. It’s your business now. Do what you think is best, but be careful.“ He said softly.
Izumi turned on her heel. "I hope that your tongues dont fall out when you say that!“. And she charged from the command center followed by Isoroku.
"Izumi, they are from New Tokyo sector, if they take it personally, we will be in deep trouble. We could be cut short even more on funding.“ Said a concerned Isoroku, easily following Izumi in her swift pace. "I dont care!“ She shouted strictly. She was mad, and she started to feel sick as she went towards the prison cells. Her stomach was feeling like bag of slime. She needed a drink. But there was no bar. Those Idiots! Corrupting idiots from above! That inmate is very addicted to cardamine, as profile says. So much, she is allergic to substitutes. At the bery least, they gave her the drug. But how can we hope she will return to normal society with this way of things? They were citizens after all, and what is the duty of law, to bring back those who make mistakes back to flock.
They ventured through the corridors silently until they reached the door with big writing YZ-158. Izumi took a deep breath and looked at Isoroku. "What should i say to her? I’m police and i want to ask you what you did two years ago? She will look at me like I’m joking and tell me nothing“.
Isoroku shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe I would start with an introduction. Maybe she would be glad that someone actually asked who she is, kantako“ and nodded with his head.
Izumi took another deep breath and knocked on the door and entered the dark prison cell. She saw a dark shade lying on a bed. Izumi tried to create the most optimistic face she could imagine and entered the darkness. "Konnichiwa. I’m the new kantoku of Kyushu, Izumi Nishi. And i think we should have little chat.“ said Izumi softly and closed the door.
