Action Around The Corner.

Markus parked the car in the underground parking lot, and then he took out his bag from the back of the car, and walked beside Sherly as they took the elevator. The two people came to the fifth floor and then the young man looked at Sherly as he reached to unlock the door of his house and said, "Good night, Sergeant." 

Sherly looked at Markus and said, "When I am not on duty, you can call me Sherly." 

Markus nodded with a smile and said, "Good night, Sherly." 

Sherly replied with a faint smile as well, and then she also opened the door of her house to go in. 

… 

Markus turned on the lights and a soft meow sound greeted him. He looked at the grey cat that stood a few meters away from him, and crouched down, "Hello there beautiful, did you sleep well." 

The cat walked over to him and rubbed her body against his legs as he patted her. Markus went to the kitchen to the side of the room and picked up some cat food, and served it in the bowl he placed for her. Maya got busy eating her food, and Markus went in to take a shower. 

He took a deep breath as the water washed over him and he said, "Ten tasks to complete and gain a reward, hmmm, I wonder how long would it take for me to get promoted to homicide." 

He thought, 'System, what are the requirements I need to complete to get a promotion?' 

'Ping: Host, you would need to go through a system examination before you can get promotion. At the moment, your chances are less than ten percent.' 

Markus frowned and asked, "What is the content of the examination?" 

'Ping: The general direction would be to test your understanding of the patrol work, and how to handle various situations that you might face while on duty.' 

Markus thought about it, 'It was indeed a bit too gutsy of him to look for a promotion when he had just joined the force.' 

He cleaned up, ate some leftover bread and sauteed vegetables before he got in the bed for the day. As he picked up the phone to check on the class group. 

The group was pretty dead, and he thought of something and wrote, "Comrade Bones joined the duty and he made an arrest on the first day, hope you all beat criminals soon." 

After that he put the phone down and slept with a happy smile while the people in the group raged and cursed him. 

"Overachieving bastard, how dare you flex to us plebs." 

"I hate that I was a batchmate of this monster." 

…

In the morning, Markus woke up, and after feeding Maya, he put on his jogger pants and a t-shirt before tying his shoes and left the home for a run. 

He went downstairs and began running on the side of the road. The young man did not stop, and after a few minutes, he reached a park, where he began to practise his boxing and push-ups, and other exercises. 

The young man took a good one hour before he decided to go back home. The rest of the day was spent reading and coaxing the cat. He did not bother to talk to the neighbor, and then the clock dinged at four in the evening. 

Markus stood up and ironed his uniform, made himself a meal, and then went to shower, before dressing up, and patting Maya, and said, "Okay, I will see you later." 

Then he locked the door, and walked out of the house. At the same moment, Sherly also happened to be opening the door, and said, "Good evening trooper." 

Markus replied, "Good evening.." 

Before saying anything more he checked the walk on his wrist and said, "Sherly." 

The lady smiled amusingly and said, "Boy, you are helplessly cute." 

Markus gave a sheepish laugh, and then they came down the stairs, heading to the station. The ride was short, and after checking in the system, Markus finished the procedure and greeted everyone in the teen. 

Ayrton said, "Markus, I will take the first ride with Gemma, how about that?" 

Sherly cut in before anything, "Liam is old, and he needs to take it easy, let him go with Gemma today, I submitted the team rooster earlier. Also, Gemma, I am telling you to hold your temper, or you will be screwed and this time I won't be able to save you this time." 

Gemma nodded with an embarrassed smile and then she left with Liam. Markus sat down in his chair, and began to read his book as the first team took off. Sherly was also going through some reports and said, "Artie, Marlow's is getting hotter, you better keep a watch tonight." 

Ayrton nodded and said, "Boss, my sources have hinted that they are intending to do something big." 

Markus raised his head and looked at them. Ayrton chuckled at his expression and said, "Boy, you made the first arrest on the first day, and you are still hungry for more action." 

Markus replied, "My instructor told me, unless I am not fit to handle it, I should never say no to action. What is going on?" 

Sherly smirked and said, "Ayrton will brief you guys when you leave here. Also, if you find any other teams in the area, have them back off, and report them." 

Markus nodded and said, "Okay, boss." 

Time took wings and Liam and Gemma came in, and then Markus left the station with Ayrton. His expression was very eager and Ayrton chuckled as he said, "So, Harlow's is a pub on the southern corner of the block. It is completely opposite to Rosa's. Harlow's hosts the convicts and thugs of the crest city." 

Markus nodded and Ayrton said, "So I got a tip that there might be a gang meeting and discussing the shares of the drug market in the capital." 

Markus was surprised and asked, "I always knew that laws did not work so straight forward, but it is surprising to witness it so quickly." 

Ayrton nodded and said, "I have been waiting for this meeting for a few months now, it is possible that a conflict rises and then we would be able to catch them all red handed, even if it is not under the narco code, assault and destruction will give us enough chance to handle them." 

Markus nodded, as he drove the car around the block slowly. His gaze was fixed on the streets, it was already midnight, so there was no traffic or pedestrians there. Ayrton raised his eyebrow and asked, "What is it?" 

Markus replied calmly, "Harlow's is silent." 

Ayrton looked outside the window of the car as they passed by the location and he remarked, "Did you see anything else?" 

Markus said, "A group across the street, and from how they are standing, I am sure they are packing." 

Ayrton followed his words and from the back glass, he could see that there was indeed a group of people and said, "Fuck, they are holding it tonight." 

Markus noticed the change in expression and picked up his phone before calling Sherly. The call went through and he said, "We spotted some unusual activity at Harlow's. It is very silent and there are people guarding across the road. If we try to investigate, I think they might attack, what do you think, Sarge." 

Sherly thought for a bit and said, "Good that you informed me, I will stay connected with you on call, and go to the Lieutenant office. Try to test the water, if something is really wrong, we will take action and also lockdown the area." 

Markus nodded and said, "Alright, Boss." 

He looked at Ayrton who was holding the walkie and said, "If you give it to the control room, they will tell the other teams to rush up and the credit will go to them." 

Ayrton nodded in realization and he took a deep breath. Markus took out a pack of cigarettes, and offered it to his partner. Ayrton replied, "Boy, you are smoking so young." 

Markus smiled and then he placed a cigarette in his mouth only to hear Ayrton exclaim gently, "Mint hard sticks. Damn you fooled me." 

They both held a stick between their lips and the cold breath from the mint, made Ayrton calm down. He said, "Thank you, Bones. What do you think we should do now?" 

Markus said, "Let me handle the thugs, and you can report the situation?" 

Ayrton frowned and Markus replied, "You do not have to think much, you will report and get the credit." 

Ayrton smacked his shoulder and said, "It is not about the credit but the fact that you are new, and inexperienced. How can I let you go there, what if they are packing?" 

Markus replied as he opened the car door, "I have handled this many times in the mock battles, don't worry." 

Ayrton wanted to say that it was not a mock battle, but Markus Bones had walked away in big strides, and was headed to the group of people.