EMPIRE: Imperial Police

by Stephanie Osborn

  “No, it isn’t. I managed to divert him and send him off on a different track, but it was hard. As soon as I saw the report, I started setting my ducks in order for this, or I wouldn’t have managed to divert him at all. And you might well be dead already.”

  “Um…thanks, Captain?”

  “You’re damn straight,” Carter said, stern. “And that is why you’re going on detached duty to the Imperial City Police Department. You’re lucky, as it is, that I got you away from the office before Stash got here! If I hadn’t sent you off on that courier duty, I’d have had to stand here and watch, pretending to approve, while he beat you senseless…if not outright killed you. Listen close, and remember what I’m about to tell you, or you’re a dead man walking: You stumbled across the solution to the theft because the perp pulled a cocky, stupid stunt – which, to be honest, he did, so that works in our favor – and you’re still too green to realize what you were supposed to do. And,” Carter added, thinking about phrasing, “no word came down to the beat cops about it, so you didn’t have any instructions beforehand. So you’re going offworld to Pritani for ‘training.’ There’s an old pal of mine, a retired detective outta HQ there who does training – not really, but it works for our purposes now – really strict, and I want you to work under him, so that when you come back, you’ll have sense enough to see what you’re supposed to see…and then I’ll shape you up to doing what you’re supposed to do. That’s the official story. Got it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What?”

  “Um. Sorry. Yes, sir. I’m…” Ashton paused. “It’s a lot to take in, sir. But I’m trying hard.”

  “Good. ‘Cause what’s really gonna happen is, I’m sending you over to Imp City’s force. ICPD has some excellent detectives, and you’ll get trained right, over there, without all of this ‘do only what we tell you’ shit.”

  “Yes, sir, I understand, and I’ll remember it. But if I’m over at ICPD, how…?” Ashton began, confused. “I mean, well…how’s that any different?”

  “Because it’s a separate organization, reporting to a different part of the hierarchy, and they work much closer to the Imperial Guard and the Empress’s staff,” Carter explained. “They’re straight and they’re clean. You’ll fit in there, and be happy. If you’re smart, you’ll make it a permanent transfer. In the larger scheme of things, you’ll still be in the overall organization, but it’ll suit your personal morals much better. So let me suggest it, in the strongest possible terms: transfer.” He paused, then added, “Oh, and while I’m thinking about it, I know Stone transferred out this morning…”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Were you planning to move your living space?”

  “I was, sir. In fact, I’m almost done. I just have to move a couple last things, fill out the change of address paperwork and leave it with you, and it’s finished.”

  “Do it. Tonight. As fast as you can get it done. Do not – repeat, do not – leave a forwarding address with anybody, because according to the story I’ve set up, you’re going offworld anyway. And once you’ve got your stuff in the new place? Do. Not. Go. Back. For anything. So make sure you get it all on the first go.”

  “Yes, sir.” Ashton paused, trying to gather his wits. And thank God I hadn’t shown it to Tabby yet, he thought. As busy as we’ve been, I don’t think I’d even mentioned it. She probably expected me to ask her to move in once Pete was gone. Then he brought himself back to the present and tried, “Um, sir, when…? The transfer…?”

  “Effective immediately,” Carter ordered. “I want you out of here as fast as we can get you out. I got the paperwork ready – and hidden – around prepping for Gorecki’s visit. Go clear your locker right now, and report straight to ICPD headquarters. You’ll be interviewing with one Colonel Maia Peterson, Deputy Chief of Investigations.”

  “But…”

  “Don’t worry about looking like you went offworld. Peterson is an old friend, and she’s taking care of that for us over at the spaceport, with some of her people. Just go, and try to stay out of sight. Throw your off-duty clothes on until you get there.”

  “…Yes, sir.”

  Ashton rose, a hangdog expression on his face, and Carter came around his desk to meet the younger man, taking his hand.

  “Godspeed, son,” he murmured, barely loud enough for Ashton to hear. “Good luck, and watch your back. You may be in a different org chart, but these goons are still in the same city with you.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Ashton said, and headed for the door.

  As soon as Carter saw Ashton safely out the front door of Imperial Police headquarters, he sat back down at his desk and logged into VR.

  There, he began filling out a very special form. One that pertained only to him, for a change.

  Once he had submitted it, he leaned back in his desk chair with a very tired sigh.

  Here’s hoping, he thought.

  “So you’re interested in investigation, Officer Ashton?” Colonel Maia Peterson asked.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Ashton admitted. “My mom was a huge mystery fan, and she sicced me onto ‘em, too. I’ve read so many old classic detective novels – everything from Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Agatha Christie, to Philip Marlowe, let alone the more recent stuff, like that Peter Popinjay character; who writes that? Oh! Seneca Flandry. I thought it was cool, and then I discovered there was a real-life method there…and I was hooked.”

  “You know those are only fiction…”

  “Yes ma’am! But the real thing is even better, from the couple of cases I’ve helped out with. I think so, anyway.”

  “And you’d like to go into that side of things?”

  “Absolutely. Only…I want it to be…real.” He paused, then added, “And straight.”

  “Captain Carter said he suspicioned you would,” Peterson admitted, noting the addendum but deciding not to comment on it. “All right. Let me see, here, then…” She took on the blank look of someone working in VR for a few moments, then resumed focusing on Ashton. “Okay, there; I’ve put you in the fast track for investigative work, and I’ve called several of our detectives – the ones that aren’t on a case…or other diversionary tactic,” she shot a glance at Ashton, who nodded understanding, “at this moment – and they’ll be coming by here so I can introduce you. I’ll assign you to their department, and you can be a kind of assistant and adjunct to their work. An investigator, but not a detective – not yet. You have a few ranks to move up through, first.”

  “That sounds great, ma’am. At least here I’ve got a chance. Thank you so much.”

  At the Imperial City Spaceport, a young man in an Imperial Police uniform and a brunet crew cut was seen off by an older man and woman, who hugged him, kissed him, and told him to be careful. The young man picked up an oversized duffel and slung it over his shoulder, then went through the gate and boarded a shuttle. The older couple waved through the gate windows as the shuttle revved up, then lifted off. The woman dashed tears from her eyes, and the man put his arm around her.

  Then they turned and left, headed for the concourse exit.

  The young officer rode the shuttle up to the Sintar Spacelines craft, the SSS Imperium. There he boarded the star liner and ducked into the nearest head, locking the door behind him. He opened the duffel, revealing two small cases, one soft-sided, one hard. Plopping the soft-sided case on the sink, he opened it and pulled out a set of well-worn, casual civilian clothing, stripping off the police uniform, folding and placing it in the case, before donning the fresh clothing. That case was fastened, placed on the floor next to the duffel, and replaced with the hard-sided case.

  This case held makeup, wigs, and more. He pulled off the brunet wig he wore, revealing a completely shaved head. The wig went into its place in the case, and an auburn wig pulled out, in a longer style.

  This went on his head, secured in place with some double-sided tape, and the man fished brown-colored lenses from his eyes, revealing bright blue eyes.
The discarded lenses went into a special small case, which was in turn tucked into a recess inside the suitcase.

  Then he set to work on his face, removing makeup, thoroughly cleansing his face, then starting again and adding wrinkles and bags under his eyes, as well as copious freckles.

  When he was finished, he picked up the empty duffel and turned it inside-out, revealing what looked like a completely different duffel. The makeup case and the clothing bag went inside, and it was fastened.

  Ten minutes after “Nick Ashton” had entered, an older, ginger-complected deckhand exited the head and made his way to the shuttle about to debark, headed back for Sintar on leave.

  Peterson introduced Ashton to several of the detectives in the Imperial City Police force, and he was duly impressed by all of them, but the ones with whom he instantly bonded were Eugene Demetrius and Stefan Gorski.

  In addition, there were two other detectives who were commuting between Imperial City and Charia, the main city on the other big Sintaran continent of Hartug; there was a major murder case going on there that apparently started in Imperial City, at least in terms of planning. Detective Jill Amundsen and Inspector Taylor Haptman were ostensibly part of the Investigations department as well, but currently spent little time there, and most of their time in the courts of Charia.

  “So I’m afraid it may be some time before I can introduce you to them, Nick,” she told him.

  “That’s all right, ma’am; it’s something to look forward to,” he replied with an understanding grin, and she chuckled.

  “Somebody’s enjoying this, huh?”

  “A chance to meet and work with straight investigators? Oh HELL yes, ma’am!”

  Peterson also introduced him to several of the other investigators in the department that had not yet made detective: Peter Rassmussen, Roger Armbrand, Timothy Jones, Darrell Osborn, and Rich Weyand. Of those five, the most experienced were Rassmussen and Armbrand, both of whom held the rank of Sergeant Investigator, and were thus higher rank than the other three.

  “But given your time in your previous position, Nick,” Peterson told him, “you’re closer to their level. So once you get your feet on the ground and show us what you can do, I don’t have a problem bumping you to Sergeant Investigator, too.”

  “I have an idea,” Demetrius suggested. “It’s nearly shift end; why don’t we all go out and grab drinks, and maybe dinner, at the local hangout and get to know each other? Then we can go help Nick, here, finish moving. Maia, you got a problem with that?”

  “Not at all, Gene, provided you watch out for problems with the Imperial Police,” Peterson noted. “Remember where Ashton, here, is ‘on loan’ from…and why. Assuming he doesn’t apply for a permanent slot in ICPD, which I hope he will. Even then, we might still need to help him watch his back. After all, he’s not even supposed to be on the planet now.”

  “Right,” Gorski agreed. “Yeah, no worries. We’ll look out for ‘im and keep it – and him – on the down low. This ain’t our first rodeo like this. Gonna come with?”

  “I’m not sure yet,” Peterson noted. “I still have to tag up on some stuff to do with Ashton, and it might run me too late. Elvis gets…temperamental…if I’m late with his din-din.”

  “Elvis? Wasn’t that an old-Earth music star?” a confused Ashton wondered, and the others laughed.

  “Yeah, but that’s not who she’s talking about!” Rassmussen all but guffawed.

  “Her cat,” Gorski chuckled. “Blue point Oriental. He’s temperamental on a good day. If she’s late with his dinner, he barfs in her shoes.”

  “Or bed,” Peterson added, rolling her eyes.

  Another laugh went up, and this time, Ashton joined in. Peterson grinned ruefully.

  “I liked the name. What can I say?” she said with a shrug. “He’s my kitty tranquilizer when I come home from work on a bad day. It’s better than drinking myself under the table every night.”

  “True words,” Gorski agreed.

  “Well, you know the hangout,” Demetrius said. “If you get a chance, swing on by and join us. Even if only for a few minutes.”

  “Will do, but don’t expect me, just in case I don’t make it,” Peterson said with a smile. “You lot go on and assign Ashton a desk and get him settled in, then head out.”

  “All over it,” Gorski affirmed.

  “…No, we never did get anything on him,” General William Kershaw, the head of the IPD on Sintar, told his superior, Imperial Police Chief George Stanier, at about the same time as Ashton was meeting the detectives. “Even though he’s been here for years and years. Not for lack of trying, lemme tell ya. Smart bastard. Carter never quite went the way we wanted him to go, but he never quite crossed any lines, either. Still, I can’t help but think how many kids he sent over to Imp City PD.”

  “Yeah, but those were the rejects,” Stanier pointed out. “The ones we didn’t want. And let’s face it, Imp City isn’t big enough to bother us too much. We’re the main precinct for the Imperial Police, after all.”

  “True.”

  “So let’s get rid of another one, and go ahead and accept Carter’s retirement,” Stanier decided. “We can put somebody in that position that we know is gonna do exactly and only what we want him to do, and be done with it.” He paused, then added, “And when Officer Ashton gets back from his training, if he still doesn’t get it, we’ll take care of it then.”

  “Right. Done,” Kershaw said, approving the form; in VR, it came across as checking the approval box on the form with a pen, when it was the electronic file that was in fact flagged as approved. “Be thinking about who you want to see in that position. I’ll come up with a list of candidates by tomorrow morning.”

  “I think replacing him won’t take long,” Stanier agreed. “But I just had a thought…”

  “What?”

  “Carter has sent a bunch of rookies over to Imp City. What if Ashton really isn’t going offworld at all, he’s just going over there? He ducked out on your niece this morning, and that’s suspicious, according to what you told me earlier. She had him strung along pretty good, there, we thought.”

  “Oh, that’s right. And he’s a problem child,” Kershaw said, considering. “Hm. Good point.”

  “If he really hasn’t gone anywhere except ‘next door,’ then we need to go ahead and take him out. Otherwise, he’s liable to get us in trouble by blabbing to the wrong people. Especially about that attempted theft of the Sigil. We don’t need the Empress’ staff finding out about that.”

  “True…” Kershaw shrugged. “His home address is on file with the department. We can always have a cooking-fuel explosion outta the apartment kitchen, overnight…” He shrugged again. “Then it doesn’t matter. One way or the other, he’s out of our hair.”

  Stanier nodded.

  “Make it happen,” he declared.

  Repercussions

  “…Yeah, Lee, we got Ashton eased in and going,” Peterson told Carter a few hours later, in the same nondescript VR meeting room. “And Gorski said he’d help him finish moving later tonight, so he wouldn’t be alone at his old place, just in case. Given the lot that went with ‘em to dinner, I expect there’ll be easily half a dozen on moving duty, so it’ll go fast. And they’re good, so they’ll stay out of sight, and keep him out of sight. Did you get the rationale sent, that will hopefully get the goons off his ass?”

  “I did,” Carter said, “and got the feedback that they bought it…I think. I hope so, for his sake, anyway.”

  “That’s good, then.”

  “Yeah.”

  “What’s your next step?”

  “Oh, I’ve already taken it. I expect it to be approved any moment.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’ve applied for early retirement. Given they’ve never been quite sure of me, I expect they won’t hesitate to accept it. The faster they can get rid of me, the better.” Carter paused, then sighed.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” Peterson asked.


  “I just feel bad for all the great kids like Ashton that’ll come later,” Carter admitted. “Because you know they’re gonna put a hardcore stooge in this job, once I’m gone.”

  “Well, we’ll see,” Peterson said with a shrug. “Meanwhile, I–”

  “Hold on a sec,” Carter said, glancing to one side. “I just got a notification.”

  “Standing by.”

  Peterson waited while Carter’s avatar assumed a blank look, as he checked the reason for the notification in a different channel. When he came back, he smiled.

  “That’s that,” he told her. “My application for early retirement has been accepted, with my accrued leave to commence at the end of my shift today and run through until the official termination date. I’m done with this damn place. When we’re finished here, I’ll pack my personal things in a box and leave this office behind for good.”

  “Congratulations!” Peterson said with a wide smile. “Do you have any celebratory plans?”

  “No, not really…”

  “Good. Come over to my place about two hours after you get off shift. That’ll give me time to finish my own shift, then get home, feed Elvis, and prep a nice dinner. We’ll celebrate together.” She shrugged, then added, “I was gonna see about swinging by the pub; all the guys are getting to know Ashton before they headed out to finish his move, and I was invited. But I think I like this idea better.”

  Carter grinned.

  “It’s a date.”

  “It better be.”

  “I’ve been thinking,” Gorski said, as the group headed out.

  “I knew I smelled something burning,” Demetrius said with a smirk. “Let’s hear it.”

  “Well, my gut is saying we need to go get Nick, here, moved out of his place before we go off to the pub, just in case. If they suspect anything, it’ll be the first place they look for him, so we need to get it clear, now.”

  “Mm,” Demetrius hummed, considering. “Now that you mention it, my gut agrees. Yeah, Stefan, I think you have a really good idea there. Guys?” he addressed the rest of their party, “are you up for this? Anybody who doesn’t want to help can just head for the pub and get us the back room...”