P
Palonis
Guest
-Ministry of Information-
Lars Mullman stepped out of the elevator, feeling for all the world like he had gotten into a fist fight with the cyborg he'd rammed with a van. The local hospital had wrapped his injuries, but that still didn't prevent his head from throbbing if he moved it the wrong way, or his ribs from stabbing him whenever he took in a deep breath. Getting caught in a car crash isn't something you just walk away from normally, but he had to, every burning step of the way. When he had actually found a medical team, he had barely been able to stay conscious.
But that was yesterday.
Now, back in a clean uniform, and doing his best to keep his limp unnoticeable, the police lieutenant stepped out into the hallway where the office of Thaddeus Dayne was situated, and nearly found himself bumping into a group headed the other way towards the open doors. "One side, officer," spoke one of the officials, flashing a quick apologetic look at Lars' bandaged head and fingers before resuming his walk.
Turning to watch the two men drag the man between them down the hall, Lars momentarily became lost in his thoughts.
Men like that who are just doing their job...I wonder if they've also deadened themselves to what they do for a living. Hey, wait a moment, who's that they're carrying?
Suddenly, it dawned on him. Though beaten slightly and a lot less in command than when he'd last seen him, that face was unmistakably the face of ex-minister Grazer. Reflexively, Lars began walking towards them, but then a voice behind him made him freeze up.
"Are you the policeman who's here to see me? An Officer Muller?"
Slowly pivoting around, Lars found it much easier to recognize the face of Thaddeus Dayne, minister of information. The minister seemed friendly, but a slight slant around the eyes suggested that gears were turning up there. It was best for the officer to simply defuse the situation. "Mullman, actually. Police Lieutenant Lars Mullman, here to deliver a progress report on the search."
"Yes, I was informed that you would be coming. Please come with me, Officer Mullman. This information is best kept from inquisitive ears."
"Of course, Minister." As Lars followed Dayne down the hall, he cast a quick glance behind him just quickly enough to see the elevator doors closing with Grazer and his escorts inside. If he hadn't been keeping up a facade, he would have cursed. This had been one of his best bets at learning about Grazer's research, and the opportunity had been thoroughly blown.
"In here, please," Dayne said, showing Lars into a room marked Operations. Stepping through, the police lieutenant was initially unsure of what he was seeing, and then he was awestruck. Rows and rows of computers in a room large enough to hold the equipment of at least two Brotherhood hideouts. Guards flanked the room, weapons at the ready to utterly destroy whoever threatened the safety of this equipment. Lars did not realize it at the time, but he was inside the editing room, where reality was taken, warped, and enhanced to provide the government's version of the truth.
The room appeared to be mostly empty right now though, with one row being manned, while the rest had been shut off. The portion of the room that Lars was being guided towards was conspicuously far away from the screens being worked with, not coincidentally.
"Now then, report," Dayne commanded.
"Huh...oh yes! My apologies." Bringing his mind back into focus, the lieutenant stated, "As per our orders, the Semile Police Department has been conducting a citywide search jointly with the cooperation of Crusade. Thus far, we have eliminated more than a tenth of the city as potential hiding spots."
"Only a tenth?"
"Progress has been slow in the lower class sectors, where rioting is still strong. We have diverted some of our manpower to clearing up the situation, but there have been delays due to sniper attacks from unknown assailants in that area."
"They're hardly unknown, lieutenant. But please, continue."
"Bottom line, minister, our current estimate is that a sweep of the entire city will take at least another week."
"That isn't nearly fast enough, lieutenant. The Messiah must be found soon, if we are to have any hope of our salvation. Recall your men from controlling the riots and devote your entire attention to finding Genesis by any means necessary. If you and your men truly desire the world to be in peace, you will redouble your efforts."
"Yes, minister."
With a salute, Lars turned to leave, when Dayne spoke behind him, "Oh, and lieutenant, it goes without saying that the Lord will look very kindly on the man who brings Genesis back. Whoever is fortunate enough to retrieve her may discover many blessings in his future. Think on it."
As he stepped out and boarded the elevator, Lars found himself thinking just that. If his situation with the Brotherhood fell through, it wouldn't be too stupid of him to consider possibly playing on the side of the government again. He would have to see where the chips fell.
(Summary: Lars is sent to the Ministry of Information to deliver a report to Dayne on the joint operation between the Crusade and the SPD to find Sahar. He learns on the way inside that Grazer is being held somewhere in the building, and on his way out, Dayne hints to him that whoever finds Sahar will be rewarded for it)