No Need for Heroes: Chapter 1 – Another Day on the Job

Chapter 1 – Another Day on the Job

A helicopter flies over a protest that is increasingly becoming violent. Ahead of the protesters is a squad of officers with riot shields and pistols blocking their path forward and telling them from loudspeakers to go home. The protesters stop not too far from the officers and continue shouting at them with their signs raised in the air with messages that demand better pay and freedoms. It is then that a four-year-old child steps out from the crowd and walks toward the officers. The crowd steps back before the child enters the arms of one of the officers and then is blown up in a violent explosion from explosives that were in its clothes. Violence then erupts as the crowd throws molotovs, homemade explosives, and chemical explosives at the officers and then charges at them with homemade guns, hammers, and other improvised weaponry.

“Green light, green light! Deploy the Angels of the Shadows!” an officer says across the radio.

A sniper from the helicopter shoots a singular woman in the crowd and then proceeds to shoot at the people throwing explosives at the police.

“Scum. That woman didn’t deserve to be a mother,” the sniper says.

“Who was she?” another officer says as the helicopter finds a place to touch down.

“According to our records, she was noted to have hated the fact that she had to abide by the four-child minimum per family law and didn’t like the job she earned through school.”

“There are a lot of those kinds of parents popping up recently.”

“They’re just unappreciative of their God-given role. Being a parent is said to be a holier duty than being part of the clergy or the sanctified virgins because the families hold up the Church and kingdom as a whole. You’ll get used to executing these kinds of people, rookie.”

“Yes, sir, Lt. Sterner.”

As the helicopter lands, the crowds of rioters disperse. Behind the crowd, squad cars of similarly armed and armored officers. They are dressed in black with a dark golden sword cross on their chest and helmets that have air filters attached to their face that is marked with black tears. Their weapons are heavy assault rifles, shotguns, snipers, and pistols all of which are loaded and ready to go.

“The death squads are here!” one of the retreating rioters says.

“Don’t retreat! Hold your ground or do you want to return to slaving away?”

“Sorrow squads ten-thirty-four, one-fifteen-twenty-four, and two-one-nine-ten, spread out and eliminate the rioters to the last man,” Lt. Sterner says.

Many of the rioters begin to disperse as the Sorrows approach them and fire on sight aided by the regular police force behind them. Their weapons tear through them like tissue paper while the attacks of the rioters are ineffective, especially since their own explosives are blown up by the gunfire before they can be thrown at them. This forces many more of the rioters to run away and forces the Sorrows to chase after them. The rookie, Lt. Sterner, and squad ten-thirty-four chase one group of rioters into the sewers.

“Split up into three teams of five and smoke them out,” Lt. Sterner commands.

“That’s probably what they’re hoping we’ll do. This seems like a trap,” the rookie points out.

“Yes, this is a trap and it will be ineffective. I know you’re still new to this, but have some faith in the weapons, armor, and squad God has given you, rookie.”

“Yes, sir.”

With Lt. Sterner and two other officers, the rookie covers their rear as they chase the rioters through the sewers. Eventually, they come across a dark section that is lit up by the gunfire coming from their targets. The Sorrows fire back and drive the rioters back further into the sewers.

“Split up and go after them!” Lt. Sterner says.

Now on his own, the rookie wanders the sewers looking for new targets. Over the radio, he hears his fellow officers confirming kills and finding stockpiles of ammunition, food, and maps that have circles and writing on them.

“This was a hideout of theirs We should be more cautious. I’m sure they have contingencies for our arrival,” an officer says.

“And we have contingencies to counter their own. I’ve already let the other available Sorrow squads and available police on the surface know to cover the exits. None will escape,” Lt. Sterner says.

Continuing on, the rookie continues to execute and chase whoever he finds until he comes across one that surrenders. This man shoots his own before throwing down his weapons, getting on his knees, and putting his hands in the air.

“Please, don’t shoot! They forced me to help them and I finally found the courage to fight back! I’ll do my penance for however long is decided, I swear it!” the man says.

The rookie doesn’t know what to do and hesitates for a few seconds. Before he can say anything, the surrendering man is shot in the face. Turning around, the rookie sees that the shooter was Lt. Sterner who is being followed by the rest of his squad.

“I know you’re still fresh from the police force, but remember, we’re Angels of the Shadows, a death squad. We don’t arrest. We only bring immediate justice to the guilty,” Lt. Sterner says.

“He shot the other criminals and his confession seemed genuine,” the rookie says.

“Then I hope for his sake that it was and his actions sent his soul straight to Heaven. Now, start bringing up the bodies to the surface. The cleanup crew will be here shortly.”

The riot that caused so much commotion in the city is now quelled after two hours. None who took part in the riot survived except for the children that weren’t shot or killed. These children were used by the rioters as pseudo-shields or indoctrinated by their parents to take part in the riot. The younger children are taken to an adoption facility to be taken care of and given to better families while the older children are taken to correction facilities to serve their penance until it is determined that they are rehabilitated and ready to take a job in the city. Meanwhile, the rookie, the Sorrows’ cleanup crew, the Sorrows themselves, and the rest of the officers clean up the bodies of the rioters, police officers, and innocent civilians who were caught in the crossfire. This entire effort takes roughly five hours.

After all this, the rookie and the Sorrows go back to base to rest while the bodies of the deceased are prepped for a funeral service the next day. When tomorrow arrives, the Sorrows go into a church where the bodies are and pay their respects. Around the caskets are family members of the deceased and penitents that cry and pray for mercy for both the deceased and the criminals who are currently living to turn from their wicked ways. The rookie watches unsure of what to do while his squad and the rest of the Sorrows gather around the caskets in prayer and penance.

One of the Sorrows approaches him and says, “Is this still a strange sight to you?”

“Yes, and it’s not because of us praying for the people we just killed, but because of how many there are. It looks like hundreds of people died last night because of how many caskets are here,” the rookie says.

“You’re the rookie, aren’t you? What’s your name?”

“Novus. What’s yours?”

“Sensus. I’m glad to introduce myself properly to you. I’ve been serving with the Sorrows for five years and help Sterner decide who to accept to the Sorrows and what squad they go on. I read on your resume that you were a police officer for a couple of years before joining us. That was a good decision. Most sixteen-year-olds want to keep enjoying their youth in school before dedicating themselves to a vocation and that can deprive them of valuable experience as a result.”

“I just wanted to do what I felt like I was called to as soon as I could.”

“That’s good as well. At least you’re not like the others who try to get into the Sorrows and make a name for themselves as soon as they can so they can get a job in the government quicker. So, tell me. What do you think of this practice we Sorrows take part in after every deployment?”

“It’s pious.”

“Is that all?”

“I can’t think of any other words to say, but it feels like the right thing to do.”

“The patron saint of the Sorrows, St. Pluvia, who was called the crybaby cop during his time typically did this because he was always sorrowful for sinners. He could not be convinced to hate anyone. It didn’t matter the severity of their actions or how aware they were of the evil they’d done. Even now when you visit his grave in the St. Pluvia church, you can find fresh tears streaming down his face for sinners. If you ever feel hesitant to pray for a sinner, then remember your own sins and the day you took your vow as an officer and cut yourself with the sword cross. If we do not do as God instructs and pray for even the vilest of sinners, then we are just as guilty as the criminals we execute.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Sensus.”

“Any time. Also, remember to call me Sgt. Sensus while on duty. Sterner doesn’t like it when we refer to one another casually by just our first names. I know he may seem harsh and hypocritical by calling you a rookie all the time, but he’s a good hearted man. Look at him down there on his knees deep in prayer. Every now and then you may catch him crying for particular sinners because they remind him of his brothers that were corrupted by criminals and died as a result of gang warfare.”

“I see.”

“Oh, and don’t tell you I told you about his brothers. He likes to keep it secret and only tell those he’s comfortable with.”

Lt. Sterner takes Novus aside after the funeral service.

He says to him, “Look, rookie. You did fine on your first day, but what you did at the end needs to be corrected. I can’t have an officer who doesn’t immediately shoot a criminal who is genuinely repentant or not because it could cost lives.”

“I understand.”

“Good. To rectify your mistake, you’ll be going out on another assignment today. We’re going to be clearing out an abandoned apartment in a restricted area that is filled with criminals. Everyone in there is to be executed on sight except for infants and children.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Let’s get to some cleaning then, rookie. For both your soul, nerves and that apartment.”

Novus, Lt. Sterner, and Sensus take a helicopter with two other Sorrows from the roof of the Sorrows’ station and head to their destination. While they are flying, they can hear a message echoing through the city from the loudspeakers.

“One world, one kingdom, one people under one God, under one king, one queen. We do not falter. We do not yield to criminals. We will never be defeated,” the echoing message says.

This simple message is repeated for one hour after riots to remind people in every place in the world how it is. How the world is ruled by one king and queen, under one government. Each continent with sectioned-off territories and cultures is ruled by overseers who rule their governors in their sectors who rule over their mayors. There is no formal military for this monarchy. Instead, the Angels of the Shadows act as one and are equipped as such.

“Amen,” Lt. Sterner says to respond to the message while crossing himself.

Novus can’t help but cross himself as well. The city itself has a gothic beauty to it that makes almost every building look like a holy building or a church while the neon lights and curved edges show its modern touches. He looks out at the city before him and is reminded of his history lessons. Of how secular governments under one rule were overthrown by the faithful, how the kingdom was founded, and the lessening and magnifying of religious fervor so that the mistakes of the past wouldn’t be repeated. As the Sorrows’ helicopter flies closer to their destination, the message on the loudspeakers quiets and becomes distorted because of the section of the city they are in.

“Take it all in, boys and girls,” Lt. Sterner says, “This sight never gets old. What you see before you are the result of corruption. Those ruins down there used to be the city’s center, the source of all its sin, and the seat of power for its rulers. Hopefully, it’ll be something more than that in the near future, but it won’t be unless we clear it of the scum that is drawn to it. It’s ironic, isn’t it? The poorest section of the city used to be the richest and the richest used to be the poorest.”

“As it is in Heaven,” Sensus comments.

“Amen.”

“Why do you think they’d want to live in that instead of living in their family’s home?” Novus asks.

“God only knows. They could not like their family’s home, they could not like the home they inherited or were given, or there’s the likely possibility that their home is too much of a liability to their whatever schemes they have.”

“Whatever the case is, we’re going to find out soon,” Sensus says as the helicopter begins to land.

“Remember, Sgt. Sensus, the rookie, and I will go through the front door to draw everyone’s attention. The rest of you will go in through the sides to cover all possible exits. No survivors except for children,” Lt. Sterner commands when the helicopter lands.

The three Sorrows enter the abandoned apartment. Drapes of clothes, curtains, and dirty rags lay on the floor along with an assortment of trash and the vermin that feed off it. Above the officers are stairs and the individual floors that each apartment room is on. There’s no roof to this building, which allows the heat of the sun to beam down on the pots of flowers and plants that are on the railings of each floor as if they were being used as a pseudo garden. Sounds of quiet footsteps and whispering can be heard here and there. Once Lt. Sterner is confident in where they’re coming from, he opens fire on the floor above him, shoots through the walls, and manages to kill three people. Now that they’ve been fired on, the criminals in the building start opening fire on the Sorrows to cover the retreat of their friends.

Returning fire, the Sorrows shoot down their targets above and around them as they advance upward. The garden that was so carefully put together around the rails is torn apart in the crossfire. Some of the criminals are running back since the other Sorrows are coming in and supporting their squad. Now that the stairway is clear and all is quiet, Lt. Sterner commands individual members of the squad to cover the exits and separates them to clear all the floors. Novus, Lt. Sterner, and Sensus go to the top floor and start with the first room closest to the stairs.

Blowing up the locked metal door, the three Sorrows enter and find nothing. After blowing up the next locked metal door, they are immediately fired at by everyone in it. Novus throws a flashbang into the room to make it easy to clear the room. This room that was so heavily defended has many explosives, homemade guns, and guns that look to have been bought or stolen. Going to the next room, a suicide bomber runs out of it before Novus can plant the explosives. He quickly shoots the bomber in the head and gently lowers the body to the ground much to his surprise and the surprise of his superiors. Looking back at Lt. Sterner and Sensus, they both give an approving nod before moving into the next room. Inside this room, they find a laboratory where chemicals and chemical weapons are found.

“Remember what you see here, rookie. It’s why all officers wear masks with air filters and why people have to wear masks in certain parts of the city People that make this stuff and use it against others are worthless scum and don’t care about anyone but themselves,” Lt. Sterner says.

Lt. Sterner radios over to the station to ask for a team to clean up the chemical laboratory here. The three officers go to the fourth and final apartment room and are surprised to find that the door is unlocked and not rigged. They go in with caution and are even more surprised to find infants inside that are all sleeping.  While they are distracted, several people shoot them from behind from the nooks in the room, but because of their armor, the officers are hardly affected by the bullets. Because of this, they fire back immediately and kill their attackers with careful pinpoint accuracy while the infants cry in terror.

“Check the infants! Check them now!” Lt. Sterner says while doing what he is commanding.

As the officers check the infants, they find that they’re all fine but are shocked to see that some are rigged to explosives that are set to go off if they are moved. The explosives experts in their squad are immediately called up by Lt. Sterner to disarm these explosives. Lt. Sterner also calls over for an immediate evacuation of the infants. With the job done and the abandoned apartment building now being what it’s supposed to be, the helicopter the Sorrows came in comes to pick them back up.

While flying back into the city, Lt. Sterner tells Novus, “You did better today, rookie. Just remember what you saw if you ever hesitate again and that it’s your God-given duty to execute the guilty and give them a one way to a court session with God.”

“Thank you, sir,” Novus says before he looks at Sensus who nods.

“Don’t rest too easy though. You’re just getting started and it’s only going to get tougher from here.”

Again, Novus looks over to Sensus who again nods, but this time in a much more reluctant fashion. Looking out at the gothic city, Novus takes a breath and says a silent prayer for strength and understanding to help him in the coming days.