Escort's Proposal

A few days after I was informed of becoming an Escort, I was tasked with meeting her in person in the lobby of her father's office. I was expecting a bit of a bratty person doing bureaucratic work for her father, but I entered the office surprised to find a serious person reading the daily paper and drinking coffee.

 She certainly looks young for a bureaucrat but I guess certain people can be one if they're mature and smart enough to understand politics. I sat down across from her as she finished her coffee and her news reading while I sat down properly and quietly waited as she cleaned up.

"So you're the fabled felon that my father had an interest in. You certainly don't look like one, most likely you left prison early." She looked at me with intrigue.

"Yes, Ma'am I was in prison for 10 years only before getting recruited," I replied politely.

"I know everything about you already. Officer Rook, no need to be aggressive about how I learned about you. I mean considering my father is the one responsible for your freedom after all. Not that I'm riding his success after all I'm more mature than that." She looked at me with confidence.

"I am surprised that out of all excellent officers you've picked me for your escorting needs." I was slightly embarrassed she knew about me already.

"No need to be humble Mr. Rook. It's simple why I picked you the same way my father was. Also before I forget to introduce myself. My name is Beatrice Rochtforth, the oldest daughter of Ford Rochtforth the Mayor of District 5."

She takes a sip of coffee before continuing.

"You are an interesting person Mr. Rook. A felon picked for the RTR program with no background, no record of his criminal past, and yet was in a life sentence without a reason. A mysterious case, yes?" She glared at me.

"How did you know that..?" I asked.

"We have full access to records of the participants of RTR and I did my research ahead of time of course. Which I am a bit sorry for peering into your personal information." She relaxes a bit to calm herself.

"It's nothing to worry about Ma'am it's not like it has anything significant written on the records," I replied.

"Aren't you interested in learning your innocence about your crime Mr. Rook?" She returned to be menacing again.

Rookie Officer Rook, is an interesting man on a huge proportion a felon with innocence. A man who is fully aware that he is a criminal yet none of his crimes are recorded as if we jailed a man for a life sentence he didn't suppose to have. A man with conspiracy written all over him.

Why would Father ever recruit such a mysterious man I don't have the position to ask him that directly but I can trust his judgment to ensure his full trust about it.

"Why are you interested in that kind of information?" I asked.

"Nothing it's something that can be interesting especially as you are a very mysterious man yourself. I'm not trying to bad-mouth you, instead, I'm here for a proposal. I can detect any lies from someone so you can't hide anything from me." She replied.

"Why are you doing this then? I'm nothing more than a criminal who was lucky enough to leave prison as a free man despite my life sentence." I replied.

"I'm doing this because I can help you with your problem." She replied with a serious tone to her voice.

"How can you help me with my past?" I replied with doubt.

"If we work together, you will help me with my bureaucracy, and I can grant you help with your past and maybe give you a position as a Special Officer. This is interesting since there was a rumor in the station that one of the officers was interested in applying for a Special Officer position. Who would be that?" She raised her eyebrow.

I would do everything in my power to help this man. I knew his capabilities when he first fought those gang members during the yearly gang war that happened downtown. It's best to bring him to my side until my Father retires.

The confidential information about this man says that he could be more than just a convicted felon he could change the course of District 5. A power like that can be helpful for a lot of us. Best to keep an eye out on this man for now.

"It's not me I heard about it but I'm not in contention at the moment." I shrugged off the possible question.

"You know lying won't work on me remember? Even if you hesitate I can hear it from you. I'm not forcing you to be my associate at the moment since you were picked first as an escort for now. But until then hear me out first." She pleaded with her words.

"Could I trust you on this one? I how politics can be twisted with sweet words and promises with zero results. Sorry if I have my doubts but it's the only thing I have since I've lost a lot already." I replied with intent.

"I don't mind if you don't trust me, it's normal to not trust anyone related to politics. But my ambition is only to continue my Father's work in improving District 5 and nothing else. I could help you because of the connections I have, I can refer you to certain people. Maxtech's CEO is one of them you do realize you're using their exclusive prototypes right?" She looked at me while saying this.

"I knew about the prototypes, but I didn't expect you to have direct connections with the person who made it," I replied.

"Why wouldn't I? I mean we were part of the selection during the RTR Program. He was there with my Father, the Chief of N.E.P.D. of District 5, and a few more weapon manufacturer CEOs." She replied.

I can't shake her off my trail but can I trust her? I know it's already hard to fathom my past and some people knew it apart from me. How could I trust people with my past... It's my past I should know it.

Come to think of it... I don't remember my crimes anyhow. I don't really know what's real anymore. She has very much cornered me at the worst possible time.

"You lost in thoughts Officer Rook?" She asked.

I hate that I had to corner him like this. It's not the way I intended to persuade him. But he is quite a strong-willed officer. I didn't have to do this but I had to.

"Here's an advance payment from me." She places a folder in front of me with [REDACTED] written on it.

"What's this for?" I asked.

"Let's just say a preview of what I can do for your search of your past."

I picked up the folder slowly.

"It's the documents of the location of where you were arrested. It's not the whole document since I'm still collecting and organizing the data at the moment that's the only copy of it that's fully organized." She confidently points out the documents.

I opened the folder and immediately memories came flooding in...

Year 22XX

Date: [Redacted]

Month: August

 Reports cited that [Suspect: Rook] was arrested at the scene of the crime where [Redacted] was [Redacted] with the Suspect found in a vegetative state despite this his fingerprints were found on the scene of the crime that can conclude that [Redacted] was heavily armed and the Suspect attacked. The Suspect hasn't been able to answer our question due to his current state. We think the Suspect experienced an immense shock as he was still alive but unreactive. Expecting [Redacted] for more information... 

A sharp headache suddenly hits my head. This is scary, why do I remember this happening but I can't piece it together...

"For the most part, I could only recover some of the report. The people and what was the crime were fully censored from public viewing my team is doing their best to trace everything and recover any form of news, letters, or records that may help you in your endeavor." She proudly showcases her progress.

"Yes, this record does bring horrible memories that I am still vague with. I can't deny your hard work in finding it. I guess I don't have a choice but to accept if this is just one part of the report that you've already found and organized. When are we gonna start?" I reached out for a handshake.

"I'm happy that you've come to finally accept our terms. We will be leaving tomorrow for my visit in District 6, do not be late." She replied while shaking my hand.

I think I'm gonna be very busy these next few days I better start working.