CHAPTER 85: THE SZPD

"Harry, how’s the construction of the police stations coming along?" asked Aaron over the intercom.

"The main station in the central zone is complete, the others are in various stages of completion," came Harry’s voice over a cacophony of construction sounds.

"Excellent, when can we have the central station operational?" asked Aaron.

"Tomorrow. Natasha’s already issued orders for all security personnel to report there for a briefing and deployment," replied Harry.

"We’re ahead of schedule. Nice. What about the Stormkreuzers?" asked Aaron.

"Those beasts have just cleared customs. The delivery trucks are en route to the central station now," replied Harry.

"Great. Keep me posted," said Aaron, ending the call. He switched to another intercom channel.

"Margaret, how are the new uniforms and gear coming along?" he asked.

"The uniforms are stocked in the armory along with the non-lethal gear, Master Zakhrov. We’ll have the best dressed force in town," replied Margaret.

"Have you confirmed the heel-height for optimal sprinting?" asked Aaron.

"Yes, Master Zakhrov. Six centimeters is the optimal height," replied Margaret.

"Hmm, not as big of an impact as 8 cm, but I suppose it’s a good compromise," said Aaron.

"I would say having heels for female police boots is already crazy enough, Master Zakhrov," chuckled Margaret.

"Touché," chuckled Aaron, ending the call.

"Perhaps it’s time to branch out into weapons development and manufacturing," he mused aloud, frowning at the bills for the non-lethal gear.

----

"All right everyone, listen up. Our roles and responsibilities have now expanded. Effective immediately, we have been deputized into a new police force, responsible for maintaining law and order in all the redevelopment zones of Sirius Software. Official designation is Sirius Zone Police Department, or SZPD. A skeleton crew of 20 personnel will remain at Sirius Software HQ to provide security. The rest of you will be deployed immediately to the redeveloped zones. I need 20 volunteers for the security detail here," said Natasha to the assembled security personnel in the newly opened central zone police station.

Twenty hands shot up.

"OK, the rest of you, proceed to the armory. You will be issued new uniforms and gear. As we are deputized and not full officers, only non-lethal gear will be issued. Your mission is to maintain order, and to call in Boston PD if you encounter anything beyond your capabilities. Dismissed," said Natasha, and the security personnel eagerly headed to the armory.

----

"Should have known," chuckled Natasha, examining the SZPD uniform that she had just been issued.

At first glance, it looked identical to her Sirius Software security uniform, but on closer inspection, there were some differences.

There were new shoulder patches with the SZPD logo, a badge on the left breast, and a nameplate on the right breast.

The boots had shorter six-centimeter heels, and the knife sheaths were replaced with utility pouches.

The uniform blazer had the gun belt instead of it being a concealed version in the uniform skirt like her Sirius Software security uniform, and the buttons were silver rather than leather-covered.

Instead of the black leather over-bust armor corset of the security uniform, the SZPD uniform had a white shirt and a black clip-on tie, along with a black leather armor waist-clincher.

To round out the uniform, there was a black police hat with a chrome badge on the front, and the same black leather taser gloves of the security uniform.

She slipped on the uniform shirt, skirt, blazer, and boots, and admired herself in the mirror.

"Not bad. Still sexy, but not as over the top as the security uniform," she mused, twirling in the mirror.

She picked up the SZPD badge and nameplate, and pinned them on her blazer.

With a satisfied nod, she equipped her non-lethal gear, including a taser, pepper spray, baton, handcuffs, and a radio, and headed out to the main station area.

----

"All right Doc, we’re going to head out on patrol," said Natasha to Kavitha who was manning the dispatch console.

"Got it. Be safe out there," replied Kavitha, not looking up from her screen.

Natasha and Olga joined the other officers, headed out of the police station.

----

"These monsters are our squad cars?" asked Natasha, as she eyed the sleek black Stormkreuzer sedans, equipped with light bars and sirens.

"I liked the FBI SUVs, but these are even better. Let’s get in," said Olga, climbing into the front passenger seat.

Natasha slid into the driver’s seat, and took stock of the controls.

"Manual transmission with paddle shifters. Aaron sure know how to pick ’em," she chuckled, starting the car.

The engine sprang to life with a deep and satisfying rumble, accompanied by the high-pitched whistle of superchargers spinning up.

Unable to resist, she revved the engine a few times, its menacing growl sending shivers down her spine.

"Earth to Natasha. You ready to roll?" chuckled Olga.

"Right. Let’s go," said Natasha, pulling out of the police station parking lot.

----

"Hey, Sylvia, over here," said Brandon, waving her over to his table at a small coffee shop.

Sylvia slid into the seat across from him.

"I’ve heard some rumblings that Sirius Software is starting its own damn police force," he said, sipping his coffee.

"Yeah, I heard that too. It’s got the entire police union up in arms. They’ve been camped outside City Hall protesting," chuckled Sylvia.

"I’ve been thinking of enlisting, but they haven’t started recruiting yet," said Brandon.

"Yeah well, they’ve been constructing what looks like police stations at breakneck speed. We should hear something soon," said Sylvia.

Brandon’s jaw dropped as he saw a sleek black sedan with a light bar and siren pull into the coffee shop parking lot.

"I think they’ve opened for business," he said, as Natasha and Olga stepped out of the car, dressed in their new SZPD uniforms.

"Holy shit. I heard Zakhrov had a harem of babes, I didn’t know he dressed them like that," said Sylvia, staring at Natasha’s sleek black leather SZPD uniform as she walked up to the barista.

"Two espressos to go please," said Natasha to the barista behind the counter.

"Coming right up," said the barista, glancing at Natasha’s uniform with a mix of admiration and curiosity.

"Excuse me, are you from Sirius Software?" asked Sylvia, walking up to Natasha.

"Yes, I am," replied Natasha, turning to face Sylvia.

"I’m Sylvia Crawford, and this is my partner Brandon Johnson. We got canned by Boston PD for stopping some idiots fry themselves on one of your cell tower fences. Are you recruiting? We’d love to join up," said Sylvia, with a slight blush.

"We open recruitment next week. You can come to this location if you’re interested," said Natasha, showing them the location of the SZPD central station on her phone map.

"Thank you so much! Can you share it with us?" asked Sylvia.

"Sure," said Natasha, sharing the location with them.

"Great, we’ll be there," said Sylvia, as Natasha picked up her coffees and headed back to the car.

----

Kristen looked curiously at the house across the street.

It was a modest two-story suburban cottage with a sloping and gabled roof, but it had been locked and boarded up ever since she and her mother had moved into the neighborhood five years ago.

Today, however, a cleaning crew was busy at work, removing the boards and cleaning up the yard.

Sirius Energy and Sirius Construction crews had arrived earlier, and installed their signature heavy power and fiber-optic cables.

Indeed, over the 3 years, the entire neighborhood had been transformed:

Upscale boutique stores, cafés, and restaurants had replaced the old strip malls and fast-food joints.

Roads had been repaved, sidewalks widened, and drip irrigation systems had been installed along the tree-lined streets.

More than that, power and internet bills had been slashed to a fraction of what they used to be, while their reliability had improved dramatically.

However, just two blocks away, were neighborhoods with crumbling infrastructure and outdated technology, a stark contrast to the revitalized area.

Tensions between the two areas had been slowly rising, with occasional acts of vandalism and theft.

Her heart leaped with excitement as she saw a familiar BMW M5 pull up in front of the house.

Giving herself a quick once-over in the mirror, she dashed out the door, and across the street.

"Professor Zakhrov! Is this your new house?" she asked, as Ivan stepped out of the car.

"Oh, hello Ms. Ford. Actually, this is my old house. Circumstances have changed, and I’m moving back here," replied Ivan.

"That’s wonderful! I live just across the street!" said Kristen, buzzing with excitement.

"That’s nice. I look forward to being neighbors," said Ivan, opening the trunk of his car and pulling out a set of suit bags.

"Can I help you with your bags?" asked Kristen.

"No, thank you. I don’t have much stuff," replied Ivan, heading up to the front door.

"Um, Professor Zakhrov? Is that all you’ve brought?" asked Kristen, eyeing the five suit bags.

Ivan sighed wearily.

"Yes, I’ve just come back from court. My divorce was finalized today," he said.

Kristen slapped her cheeks in shock.

"Oh no! I’m so sorry!" she said, realizing how awkward her behavior must have seemed.

"No, it’s fine. It was a long time coming," replied Ivan, forcing a smile.

"Well, if you need any help settling in, please let me know," said Kristen.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," said Ivan, as he headed into the house, locking the door behind him.

Kristen walked slowly back to her house, letting the news sink in.

Once she was back in her room, she fell onto her bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Why am I not as sorry as I should be?" she thought.

A slow smile spread across her face.

"He’s single now. He’s single now!" the thought sent shivers down her spine.

"Just need to keep calm until I graduate. Wait for me, Professor Zakhrov," she sighed into her pillow.