Back in Umoja as the news spread about the collapse of the black sand bandits, inside the ACO facility, Lucia waits outside an office, sat on a chair turning through a newspaper.
"Come in."
As she looks up, she sees the door open. Lucia gets on her feet and walks in closing the door behind her.
Lucia: "Thanks for your time, sir."
Chief of Staff: "No worries. And excellent work with the black sand bandits."
The man sat before her is the Chief of Staff, the overseer of the ACO branches in Maldone.
Lucia: "Thank you, sir."
Chief of Staff: "Now, what is it you wanted to see me about?"
Lucia: "I want to formally request to transfer into Helio."
Chief of Staff: "The international unit? May I ask why?"
Lucia places the paper on the table and points to a section.
Lucia: "During the encounter with the black sand bandits, and even earlier here in Umoja, these two were involved with the diamond. I've tried to dig up information related to them. Jenovise is the name of a wealthy family in the East of Maldone, so there could be links there. But I couldn't find anything on Kassius Moore."
Chief of Staff: "Your point?"
Lucia: "My point is that I'm responsible for them getting away, so I'd like to deal with them myself. And if they go from nation to nation, I can only deal with them by joining Helio."
Head Captain: "Lieutenant. Even if I were to recommend you, do you know what you're signing up for? This is front line work with some of the most dangerous criminals in the world."
Lucia: "I am prepared for that."
Head Captain: "What about never seeing your family again?"
Lucia: "What?"
Head Captain: "Are you aware that you're not allowed to leave Helio or you'll be put on notice?"
Lucia: "...No. I was unaware of this, sir."
Head Captain: "Helio is a strong commitment. Criminals like this... they come and go. Are you certain you want to do this to stop two people?"
Lucia: "Sorry sir, but you're wrong."
She stares at the paper as he looks at her, surprised.
Lucia: "I don't think these two are just come and go like you say. My gut is telling me they're different.... that they'll be bigger threats in the future. And it's not just them. Many others will become bigger threats and all I can do is wait for them in my jurisdiction. I'm tired of it. I want to help anywhere I can, not just here."
Chief of Staff: "Do you not believe your job here is helpful enough?"
Lucia: "...Maybe for some this is, but for me... it's not. I need to change. To grow. To become more competent. If I can't deal with criminals at their lowest, I can't help at their highest. I believe Helio will improve me as an officer. So will you recommend me?"
Looking at her, with her resolved look, the Chief of Staff cannot help but smile softly.
Chief of Staff: "There's a training period, and testing before they allow it. Are you prepared?"
Lucia: "I am."
Chief of Staff: "Then I'll send my recommendation to Helio."
Lucia begins to smile.
Lucia: "Thank you, sir."
As Lucia gets recommended to join the Helio unit, on the same day, over in a neighbouring town of Zibitha at night, Jakari walks around, hoodie over his head and his hands in his pockets. Jakari spots a small restaurant in the corner of his eye, and his stomach begins rumbling. He walks up and sits in front of the stall.
Worker: "What can I get you?"
Jakari: "A small box is fine."
The worker heads back to make the food. He comes back and hands Jakari the food. He eats the food quietly, as he looks around the area.
"I don't wanna go."
"It's fine, don't be boring!"
Spotting them in the distance, Jakari sees a man helping a tipsy woman around the corner. They go around the corner, and he loses sight of them.
Jakari: "Hmm..."
As the man drags the woman along, he reaches an alleyway, where he rests her up against the wall.
Woman: "No... I don't want..."
Man: "I'll be gentle, I promise."
Woman: "No... leave me alone!"
She kicks him off, shoving him back. Angry, he shoves her in retaliation, which sending her into the wall again. He holds her by her face.
Man: "Just play nice. Maybe I won't hurt you again."
The man looks down and hints towards his belt. Afraid for her safety, the woman nervously starts reaching for his waist, as tears start to fall from her eyes.
Jakari: "Hello."
Suddenly hearing a voice, they turn to the side to see Jakari stood next to them. The man lets go of the woman's face.
Man: "What do you want?"
Jakari: "To kill you."
Man: "What?!"
Jakari: "To kill you."
Man: "Who the f-"
As the man aggressively approached Jakari, he is instantly hit with a knee to his abdomen. As he falls to the ground in pain, Jakari looks towards the girl and walks up to her.
Jakari: "Are you alright?"
Woman: "I... Yes, thank you."
Jakari helps her on her feet. As she tries to leave, Jakari holds her hand.
Jakari: "Wait, wait. Don't go. You can't leave yet."
The woman stands there, confused as Jakari walks up to the man on the floor. He grabs him by his neck, not too much force to restrict breathing, but enough to hold him down.
Jakari: "Tell me. What were you planning to do to her?"
Man: "I was-"
Jakari: "About to commit a crime."
Man: "I didn't do anything."
Jakari: "Not yet. But you were about to, and about to or did... it's the same to me. I mean... would you have stopped if I wasn't here?"
He faces back to the girl.
Jakari: "Come, it's alright. There's nothing to be worried about, I promise."
She nervously approaches them both.
Jakari: "Now, you tell me. What should his punishment be."
Woman: "I... I don't know. I'm kind of... scared. Can we call the police?"
Jakari: "We don't need the police. We have him here, so we get to decide. Now, I've thought of two choices. We can kill him here, or he'll have to chop it off himself."
Woman: "By it... you mean-"
Jakari: "Yes. Isn't that fair? That way, he can't hurt anyone in the future."
The man begins to panic. The woman, nauseous, struggles not to vomit.
Jakari: "Which will it be?"
Man: "Let me go! Help! Help!"
Jakari: "Choose."
As the man tries to get loose, Jakari tightens his grip. The man grabs onto his arm, trying to sink his fingers into Jakari, but he does not budge. Slowly, he resists less.
Woman: "I... M... I..."
Before she can utter any words through the fright, Jakari suddenly lets go of his neck. As the man lies there lifeless, the woman, unable to control it, vomits on the floor. Jakari reaches into the man's pockets and removes a wallet, taking money from it. He gets on his feet, and stares at the body, with a smile rising on his face.
Jakari: "It's so still. I almost forgot what it felt like... Hey, make it hom-"
As he looks to the woman, he sees her unconscious on the ground. Jakari picks her up and takes her to the small restaurant. He lies her down on the ground, and the worker rushes out.
Worker: "What happened?!"
Jakari: "She was attacked so I helped her. Give her some water and call for an ambulance, will you?"
Jakari places money on the counter. As he walks away, the worker stares at his back.
Jakari: "If anybody asks, it was me, Jakari, that did it!"
Worker: "Jakari?"
Jakari walks away. He continues along, and sees sees a taxi up ahead of him. He opens the door of it and enters.
Taxi driver: "Where to?"
Jakari: "Horest."
The taxi drives on as Jakari heads for Horest. Back in current time at Tempora, the group stand at the exit with Dor'al.
Kassius: "You two will be gone by the time we get back, right?"
Ayana: "Yes. But contact us whenever you want."
Kassius: "I will."
Ayana walks to up Kassius and hugs him.
Ayana: "Thanks. For helping me. All of you."
She pulls back as Dor'al opens the door. They all wave goodbye to Ayana and Feela, and rush into the door.