Criminal intent

What happened to him?" Munashe asked as he poked Panashe.

"He ran into a pipe during a free run." Ruvarashe answered she wiped the counter of the diner. All the candidates had left except for Panashe. "So what do you think of this team? Are all of them worth the trust?"

"Munashe I don't know about this. I know you are trying to save the foundation but these guys just think it's all fun and games."

"Let's take them for a hunt once then."

"You are missing the point. They are different from us. I was trained from a young age and was told I would join. These kids won't be able to handle a simple hunt."

"Ruvarashe you worry too much. After the hunt then we will know who is ready to stay. Let me take this one home."

By the time Panashe came to he was on the couch back in his home. He went into the kitchen and the way Jess had left it was just the same. Dust had managed to settle in the room. A sticker was on the refrigerator. 'Food in the red lunchbox.' Panashe read the words on the sticker before dropping on the floor his eyes wet. Jess couldn't afford to buy Panashe a phone or most of the gadgets that were popular with the young people so Panashe always used Jess' phone for whatever he needed.

Right now Panashe felt alone. The small apartment felt empty as he moved from room to room. In the bedroom where Jess slept, there was a dress on the bed. She was planning for a date with Takudzwa. 'I really messed up this time didn't I.' his thoughts messed with him as he went back to the couch. On the table a VCB was on the table and a box with a flowery design.

Ruvarashe had packed some food for him. He forced the bracelet onto his wrist and turned it on.

The small holographic screens that popped into the air made him smile. There were several documents that all were named training. 'Nah. I will read them tomorrow.' Panashe turned off the device and opened the small box. He started eating as he stared at the wall.

"Hey Nhamo are you sure this will work? I am starting to doubt that man's words. We have been kidnapping people for almost three months now and still the machine isn't working." one of Nhamo's crewmember asked.

"Mr Fear is the leader of this crew now. If you don't believe in what we are doing then leave. No one cares about you."

"We joined you because you delivered what we wanted but now. You are just obsessed with that thing. He isn't offering us any money."

"I said you are free to leave." Nhamo replied as he kept his eyes forward.

"That's it. We risk our lives and now you tell us to leave."

Nhamo didn't answer this time but took a few steps forward. "The guards are changing shifts. Let's hit them as quickly as possible." Nhamo ordered as he ran towards the guards who just looked at him.

"Hey stop!" one of the guards called out but the steel rod smashed his face and the the other one was knocked out by a few punches. Nhamo looked at the writing on the front door and smiled. "Okay. I hear you man. Half of you find valuable things you can sell and the next half head over to the labs and find anything that can be used to produce a high frequency laser okay." The crew agreed and they all went their separate ways. "Now let me deal with all the guards." Nhamo took his rod and moved around the building beating every guard he saw.

The next morning the city was filled with confusion as the police was deployed all over Mbare. At the central police station the superintendent was pacing up and down in the briefing room. Every police officer in the room looked nervous.

"Well that's my job officially on the line now." the superintendent cried out as he stared at the blank screen.

"We have zero leads. Zero suspects and zero ideas on how to even start." he looked at all the six people in the room.

"You are all the best people in this station. Tell me what we have."

"I am sorry sir but the criminals left nothing. No fingerprints and no video footage. It's like the cameras looked away whenever they walked into a room or a street." a female officer said.

"What's happening in this city. We have kidnappers running amok and now someone stole from the Zuva labs. The United government will be here to demote me very soon." the superintendent was now scratching his beard when the door slid open.

"What's with all the faces people?" Munashe asked as he took centre stage.

"Well then Mr Private detective. Prove to me you are not wasting my money." the superintendent asked as he took a sit.

"The criminal is Nhamo and his little group."

"Wait you mean the Nhamo who used to steal TVs and small machinery for a quick buck."

"Yes. Nhamo has a new associate and they are working together to create something. And he is also responsible for the kidnappings."

"Wait what?"

"I met Nhamo at the hospital yesterday. He wanted to kill your witnesses."

"Then how do you link him up to the robbery?"

"Wherever Nhamo is the cameras don't work. His associate seems to be someone very knowledgeable with technology."

"Wow. So where do we find him?"

"I am still working...." the superintendent's phone started ringing.

"Hello."

"Yes. This is him."

"Wait what?"

"I understand. Thank you ma'am."

Everyone looked at the chief with worry.

"It's the government. They are sending in the UAEC (United African Enforcement Corps) to take over both cases."

"F*ck" Munashe cursed as he stood up and left the room.

"What's up with him?" the female officer asked.

"He doesn't like the UAEC that much. Their methods aren't very humane." another officer responded and he looked at the ceiling with a cryptic smile. "We are all f*cked."

Panashe who had gone to the college kept his excitement in check of meeting Ruvarashe. "Panashe you look happy today. You got a girlfriend man?"

"Nope just woke up feeling like this."

"So you wanna come to the arcade today. I know you are broke so I will pay."

"You want me to whoop your butt again?"

"Nope man. We are playing an online team game and the VR set is awesome."

After school the boys went to the arcade and the enjoyed themselves. Panashe had to cut the adventure short as the sun disappeared behind the buildings. He rushed over to the diner taking a few detours to confuse anyone who might have been following him.

The diner was already lively enough when he walked in. Everyone burst out laughing and Panashe immediately got pissed. "Don't worry man it happens. I once fell off the roof." someone said and Panashe smiled within the cover of his mask.

"Okay you are all here then. Today I got a little test for all of you. Get to the roof." Munashe commanded.

On the roof an airship was hovering close to the edge and the young people all looked at Munashe.

"Today is your first hunt. This will be to test if you really belong here or not. I have sent the image of the creature you need to catch. The weapons you need will be delivered to the spot."

"Uhm how long will this take?" a female asked but her question wasn't answered.

"The creature you will be hunting is a chidhoma. A small weird looking anomaly that has human limbs and the body is made of something hard. It is attracted to cars. This creature is the reason why some accidents always occur at the same spot. You will need to watch each others backs out there. Good luck cubs. Also after this you will be assigned to houses." Munashe didn't wait for an answer and went back into the building.