Chapter 38 (1/2)

Sergeant Ito, as it turns out, was the most senior officer in the entire department. Though his temperament was unsuitable for command, his reputation did hold enough sway for some small requests. One could not survive for over thirty years without earning a certain level of respect. Not in a job like this one, where the mortality rate had once been compared to martyrdom.

Of course, that was no longer the case, but Ito was old enough to have lived through more violent times. His prestige was well earned.

Thus, unable to deal with the shameless begging of his 'disciple,' Ito had found Dan a place within the tour group. Unfortunately, this transfer had occurred at around the halfway point in the tour.

Dan's first impression did not go well.

”This is Daniel Newman!” Gregoir boomed with pride. ”He is here to shadow the tour group!”

The giant then grabbed Dan around the shoulders and presented him like a cheap carnival prize.

Dan's mood at this point was bleak. He had never been involved in a Career Day at school. His future at his dad's small company had always been set in stone. As such, he was expecting a casual tour, some unobtrusive thing where he could just slip in unnoticed. So why was there a sea of tailored suits staring back at him!?

Their expressions varied between curiosity, confusion, and, most commonly, disdain. Though it was annoying to be looked down on by this pack of kids, Dan wasn't sure if he could blame them. He was dressed completely inappropriately in their eyes. Loose jeans and a button-down top, he looked like he was on a casual date rather than respectfully touring the prestigious APD.

Dammit! This was all Gregoir's fault!

But the mountain of muscle could not be denied. With what was likely supposed to be a gentle shove, Dan was hurled forward into the group. A wave of rebellious muttering greeted him, courtesy of the well dressed students. The tour guide watched the byplay with a raised eyebrow, but made no effort to protest.

”I'll be back for you at the end of the tour and we can arrange that ride along!” Gregoir announced cheerfully. He tossed Daniel an enthusiastic thumbs-up, and vacated the premises.

Never in his life had Dan wanted to strike someone so badly. Marcus's antics were child's play next to this humiliation. He was twenty-five years old! Gregoir was completely unrelated to him! Could you please not act like you are speaking to your child!?

Dan unwillingly swallowed his anger and plastered an innocent expression on his face. He glanced around the group and waved awkwardly.

”Hi everyone. Sorry to interrupt. Don't mind me.” He attempted to defuse the situation as best he could. Taking a cue from Gregoir, he shamelessly slid in-between a pair of scowling students.

Flashing his own thumbs-up to the tour guide, Dan added, ”By all means, continue.”

Dan's old college roommate had been a police trainee at the time of Dan's abduction. Though the two had never been particularly close, Dan had visited the Austin Police Department of his home dimension once or twice. Because of this experience, there was one thing he could say with absolute certainty.

My god, this dimension really values its cops!

Putting aside the building's fortress-like design and overbearing size, every room was decked out in the newest technology. It was the sort of place Dan could imagine Grandma Summers living in without complaint.

There were desks dotted throughout the building, sturdy wooden things worn from age yet well polished. Computers, modern even by this dimension's lofty standards, were placed on each and every one. The office chairs were mesh hybrids, expensive and comfortable. Dan wished he could snag one away for his hotel room, but hi-definition cameras peppered every inch of the building.

The squad room of the precinct, where the officers were briefed each morning, was coated in SmartPaint, that ridiculously expensive substance that Abby used for her home theater system. Not just the walls, however, but the floors and the ceiling. Such extravagance actually had a unique purpose. When the system was completely activated, it somehow created 3d holograms that reacted to touch. It was practically a hard-light generator!

Dan couldn't help but gawk at the scene straight out of a science fiction movie. The tour guide calmly explained the necessity and uses of the device, but Dan was far too distracted to take in the words. In his mind, he was drooling over the fantastical applications for such an amazing tool, conveniently ignoring whatever limitations it might possess.

So cool!

Suddenly, a whispered conversation broke his daydreaming.

”Not only did he show up late and under-dressed, he can't even be bothered to pay attention,” a woman's soft voice scoffed from behind him.

”Don't mind him, darling,” a man soothed under his breath. ”I recognized that blonde idiot who dropped him off. My uncle told me that guy is always bringing strays in off the street. Nothing ever comes of it.”