Chapter 137: NY Police Story - Part 1

New York State, New York City.

This is the largest city in the country. A place where economy, entertainment, fashion—everything gathers.

That is New York.

But where there is light, there is also shadow. Drawn in by the dazzling glow, the dwellers of the shadows gather as well.

Mafia, gangs, robber crews… a collection of every kind of criminal. Yes, New York’s crime rate is outrageously high.

And the NYPD, tasked with protecting its public safety… it is an extremely dangerous job. Sometimes they fight the Mafia, sometimes they face villains with supernatural superpowers.

Unyielding justice and ironclad resolve are demanded of them.

I stood before the NYPD precinct. A brick building with a classic look, proudly flying a familiar flag.

Now that I was finally here, my breath quickened without me even realizing.

"Are you Officer Katie?"

A voice called out, and I hastily saluted.

"Yes, sir! I’m Katie, assigned here as of today!"

"…You seem rather enthusiastic."

"Yes, sir! I’m honored!"

The man before me was a middle-aged officer. From the badge on his chest, I realized he was a captain.

"I heard about you from Captain Mulligan. Something about your deployment being delayed compared to your peers because of your military service?"

"Uh… yes, sir, that’s correct."

I followed behind the captain and entered the precinct. I had seen it before… but now, stepping into a place normally forbidden to outsiders, I finally trembled with pride at truly becoming an ‘insider.’

"Ah, I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Jaws. Captain Jaws… though just Jaws will do."

"Understood, Captain Jaws."

"…You seem a bit stiff, don’t you?"

I averted my gaze slightly. It was true—I’d been told since childhood that I was inflexible. But to me, courtesy was something that should be upheld. For that reason, I had no intention of changing this part of myself.

"This way."

Captain Jaws led me to a room that smelled of old paper. There were stacks of cardboard boxes stuffed with files.

"Sir… what is this place?"

"This is the archive for Queens, where you’ll most likely be dispatched. It’s got records of some of the more famous villains."

"I see…"

"Best to read through them."

I picked up a file and flipped it open. Electro, who commanded lightning. Rhino, clad in a massive metal armor suit. Vulture, the flying thief. Information on criminals with circus-like specialties was laid out before me.

"Captain Jaws…"

"Hm? What is it, Officer Katie?"

"Why is it that these criminals reoffend even after being arrested? They’ve already been caught once, and yet… they regain their freedom so easily."

"That depends on the person. Sometimes bail is posted, sometimes prisons get attacked… there are all sorts of things going on behind the scenes."

"I see…"

Captain Jaws lit a cigarette. …This was an age where designated smoking areas were recommended. Smoking in an archive like this was hardly proper, but as a rookie officer just assigned today, I wasn’t in a position to complain.

"Officer Katie, our job is to protect public safety. What happens to the criminals after they’re caught is outside our jurisdiction."

"…That may be true, but still…"

"It’s better to compartmentalize. That’s the wiser choice."

Though I felt somewhat dissatisfied, I swallowed it down and returned my gaze to the files.

Then, a sound came from Captain Jaws’ chest. Not a cell phone, but the police’s private radio line.

"Yes, this is Captain Jaws. Go ahead… hm, I see… understood. I’ll head there immediately."

From the flow of his words, I understood he was being called. As I wondered what sort of case it was, Captain Jaws turned toward me.

"Let’s go, Officer Katie."

"Yes, sir… but, where to?"

"Where else? Queens. Rejoice, it’s your first case."

With a mischievous smile on his face, Captain Jaws made me laugh awkwardly. This would be my first dispatch as Officer Katie.

---

New York City, Queens.

Riding in Captain Jaws’ patrol car, I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped outside.

In a corner of the city’s high-rise district, a restricted area was marked off with police tape. Before the half-collapsed building stood a temporary tent marked “NYPD – New York City Police Department.”

Without hesitation, Captain Jaws headed straight for the tent.

"So? Can anyone tell me what the situation is?"

Although Captain Jaws already seemed to understand the situation from his radio, this was likely also meant to share information with me.

One of the officers in the tent saluted and began to explain.

"Yes, sir. Then allow me to report──

The target was a simple bank location equipped only with ATMs. The ATM was destroyed, and the entire safe inside was stolen. …There are traces of destruction, but how it was destroyed is unclear.

From how the machine was twisted cleanly in two, both front and back, it appears to have been pulled apart with overwhelming force. It’s possible to replicate with a crane truck, but no one would pull off an ATM heist with something that large-scale."

"I see… troublesome," Captain Jaws muttered as he nodded and sat down. Resting his chin in his hand, he glanced at me.

"Hmm… this is outside our jurisdiction."

"Wh—what…?"

I couldn’t help blurting it out. This was clearly a robbery. If this was deemed outside police jurisdiction… then what was the point of the police?

Captain Jaws silenced me with a gesture. I reluctantly closed my mouth, and he nodded.

"Have you put in the request?"

"Yes! Given the obvious irregularities, we already did."

"Good. Then let’s wait a little."

Crossing his legs, Captain Jaws leaned back as the reporting officer saluted and left. …I leaned closer and whispered to him.

"A request… for what?"

"Ah, I see, you didn’t know? It’s simple enough."

Captain Jaws placed a card on the table. It bore the silhouette of a raptor.

"You’ve heard of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division?"

"Um… yes. That’s ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.,’ isn’t it?"

"That’s right. S.H.I.E.L.D."

The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, commonly called S.H.I.E.L.D., is an international peacekeeping organization that handles supernatural incidents worldwide. To me, they were a lofty existence far above my reach.

"And what does S.H.I.E.L.D. have to do with—"

"Our police can only deal with ordinary criminals. Facing criminals with superpowers requires specialists."

"…Ah, I see. Then this case is—"

"A S.H.I.E.L.D. matter."

Captain Jaws lit a cigarette—only to pause as the sound of a car engine reached us. It wasn’t our patrol car. He raised a brow and put his cigarette away.

"Captain?"

"Nothing. She doesn’t like cigarettes."

"…‘She,’ sir?"

"Let’s go greet her."

Led by Captain Jaws, I stepped outside the tent—

"What… is that?"

A pitch-black sports car sat parked nearby. Its design was unlike anything seen on the market.

When I glanced at Captain Jaws, he smirked at my astonishment. He seemed to enjoy watching me react. What a cruel superior.

After a moment, the vehicle’s door swung upward. Inside was—

"Kept you waiting?"

The voice was androgynous and mechanical. A person clad in a black armored suit emerged.

"No, I just arrived myself," Captain Jaws replied.

"I see. Good."

Frankly, it was unsettling. Was this really a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent? If not for Captain Jaws speaking to them so casually, I might have thought they were a suspicious intruder.

That glossy black mask turned toward me.

"Captain Jaws, who is she?"

"A rookie. Be good to her."

Prompted, I quickly saluted.

"Yes, sir! Officer Katie, reporting!"

"…So stiff."

"Heh, exactly," Jaws chuckled.

I bit back my irritation at being judged by both my superior and this masked stranger.

"Excuse me, may I ask your name?"

"Hm? Ah… very well."

The armored figure opened a panel on their arm. A holographic ID and the S.H.I.E.L.D. insignia projected into the air.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, codename Nightcap."

"N… Nightcap, sir?"

Clearly a codename. Perhaps they thought revealing a real name to someone like me was pointless.

As I struggled with suspicion, Captain Jaws patted my shoulder.

"Officer Katie, she never reveals her real name. Not even to me."

"Sir… is that so?"

I nodded—wait. She? Now that I thought about it, even inside the tent Captain Jaws had referred to ‘her.’

No way…

"S-she’s a woman?"

"…Yes. Is that a problem?"

"N-no…"

The words slipped out before I realized, a misstep. As a woman myself in law enforcement, I’d experienced my share of underestimation. I knew full well how rude my question must have sounded.

I started to bow my head in apology—

"Enough small talk. Shall we head to the scene?"

"Yes. Can you guide us?"

With that, Captain Jaws began walking with Nightcap toward the crime scene.

"Ah, um…"

Nightcap’s masked face turned slightly.

"What is it?"

"N-no… nothing."

Reflected in that black mask was my own timid expression. …This wasn’t how I imagined my first day.

Nightcap’s gaze lingered a moment with a trace of suspicion before returning forward. I followed behind them both.

Well, it can’t be helped. Sitting here worrying won’t do me any good. I need to stay positive…

It’ll be fine. I’m the woman who graduated second in my class at the police academy. If I’ve made mistakes, I’ll make up for them somewhere down the line.

---

A street corner lined with ATMs. But those ATMs were now… in a pitiful state. Their appearance was as though they’d been torn apart, and I couldn’t help but gasp. My knees nearly gave out.

Still, Captain Jaws and Nightcap entered the scene without a hint of hesitation.

"Quite the spectacle, isn’t it?"

"…Hmph. Not a very refined method."

"Feels less like a robbery and more like something the Hulk smashed apart."

"I’d agree."

I scanned the scene. Shattered glass, torn cables, deep scrapes in the pavement… it really did look as if some giant had gone on a rampage.

"Um… shouldn’t there be surveillance footage of the perpetrator?"

"Good point, Officer Katie. But it’s already been checked."

"O-oh, sorry…"

As I apologized, Nightcap’s black mask turned toward me. Ugh, still intimidating.

"The cameras were destroyed just before the crime. Judging from these tire marks, a large vehicle rammed the entrance… the cameras must have been wrecked in the process."

She pointed at the ground. …Sure enough, there were two evenly spaced streaks.

Then she turned her gaze back to the ATM. The safe that should’ve been inside was gone, leaving an empty shell.

"…The way it’s been torn apart, it must’ve been pulled with incredible force."

"That’s right," Jaws nodded.

Seeing them both realize something, I couldn’t help but ask:

"Captain Jaws, did you find something suspicious?"

"Nothing but suspicions. Look at the ATM’s surface—do you see any handholds where someone could pull hard enough to split it in two?"

"No, not really…"

"Exactly. Pulling on some tiny protrusion wouldn’t do this. That would just break off first."

"…Ah. That’s true."

I nodded, and so did Captain Jaws. Indeed, this couldn’t be the result of a simple tug. Then how—

"Anti-gravity."

"H-huh?"

The word just slipped out of me. What kind of sci-fi nonsense was that?

"Leftover tech from when aliens invaded New York ten years ago."

"Ah, the Chitauri, huh?" Jaws muttered.

"Correct. S.H.I.E.L.D. didn’t manage to confiscate all of it…"

Jaws seemed to understand, but I was lost. Sure, ten years ago the Chitauri had invaded New York. But what did that have to do with now?

While I puzzled over it, Nightcap turned her gaze toward me.

"…Captain. Does she know the recent situation?"

"No, sorry. She’s a rookie."

"I see. Then I’ll explain."

She must have noticed from my expression how little I understood.

"Recently, modified versions of Chitauri weapons have begun circulating on the black market, retooled so humans can use them."

"What…? R-really?"

"Yes. The man who possessed much of the Chitauri salvage died a few years ago. Its whereabouts were unknown for a time, but apparently the Mafia or someone similar got hold of it."

The way she deliberately corrected herself mid-sentence… did she have personal feelings about that man?

But indignation welled up in me.

"That’s… irresponsible. If he had handed over the Chitauri salvage to S.H.I.E.L.D. or the government, none of this would be happening."

"…Perhaps. But he had his reasons."

Her tone was almost protective, and I blinked.

"…Was he an acquaintance of yours, Nightcap?"

"Somewhat."

And that’s when I realized I’d blundered again. I hastily bowed my head.

"I-I’m sorry! I didn’t know he was someone you knew—"

"It’s fine. He was a criminal. What you said isn’t wrong."

Captain Jaws nudged me with his elbow. First I’d tried to make up for my earlier slip, and now I’d committed another.

A faint electronic sigh escaped Nightcap as she turned her attention back to the ruined ATM.

"In any case, the tool used was surely Chitauri salvage. An anti-gravity generator was employed to rip the ATM apart from the center."

"I see… and what about the suspect’s whereabouts?"

"Nothing for now."

"…For now?"

She nodded and began operating the console on her arm.

"Anti-gravity leaves a distinct gravitational signature. The local field distorts."

I didn’t understand a word of it. Glancing at Captain Jaws, his face was just as puzzled.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. monitors all of New York for such distortions… good, there’s still a trace."

A holographic projection appeared in midair. A line graph floated above us, red and blue waves crisscrossing.

Compared to the steady red waveform, the blue one spiked violently up and down at certain points.

"When matched against the time of the crime, it lines up perfectly. The red is a normal gravity field, the blue is what was recorded here."

"I see. So that anti… anti-whatever—"

"Anti-gravity generator."

"Right, that. That’s what was used, no mistake?"

"With this much evidence, yes."

Both Jaws and I nodded.

This Nightcap… she seemed to have quite a grasp of these phenomena. I thought only specialists could figure this sort of thing out after extensive analysis.

Then I noticed something.

"Meaning, if we use those S.H.I.E.L.D. sensors to detect a disturbance in the gravitational field and rush to the scene—"

"Exactly. We’d be able to catch the culprits red-handed."

At last, I finally understood. A small sigh of relief escaped me.

Maybe—just maybe—I’d managed to recover, even if only a little, from my earlier slip-ups.

I let out another quiet breath.

But Captain Jaws looked less convinced. His expression was clouded, thoughtful.

"But what if the culprits don’t strike again? What if they’ve decided this was enough?"

…He had a point.

The robbery had been successful. Maybe they’d be satisfied and never attempt it again. If that were the case, then simply waiting wouldn’t be enough to catch them—

"No. They’ll strike again."

Nightcap cut through my hesitation with a firm voice.

"…And what makes you say that?"

"A hunch."

I blinked at the blunt answer.

"A h-hunch? That’s all—"

"It’s also my experience."

Nightcap’s gaze lingered on the broken ATM.

"Once someone gains power, they cannot resist flaunting it. They won’t let it go. Not ever."

She extended a black-gloved finger and traced the torn metal. The edges were jagged and sharp, so sharp they looked like they could slice skin with a mere touch.

"And if it’s power they bought with someone else’s money? All the more so. Without doubt, they’ll use it again. And soon—without waiting long."

The weight of her words left no room for argument.

Neither I nor Captain Jaws could do anything but nod.

---

The next day.

I was at the police station.

Yes—inside one of its rooms, I sat stiff and tense.

Because right in front of me was a woman in a jet-black armored suit.

She… Nightcap, was fiddling with some sort of device in her hands.

It didn’t look like personal property… b-but, this is supposed to be a break room.

Until the next crime was set in motion, I was assigned to wait here during the day with her in the break room—but I couldn’t relax for even a second.

Because… she’s scary.

Even though the police and "S.H.I.E.L.D." are separate organizations, with no strict chain of command between us, to me, she clearly stood above me in rank.

I sat there doing nothing when—

『Officer Katie』

"Y-Yes…!?"

Her sudden voice made me squeak.

『You can relax a little more』

"N-No, I am! R-Really relaxed right nowsh!"

『…………』

I bit my tongue. Silence ruled the room.

Sweat poured down my back like a waterfall. So, so, so awkward!!

『Haa… I’m really not that important of a person to deserve such formality』

"Ugh. B-but, you see… I’m just a lowly cop, and compared to an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., I-I could never possibly…"

When I said that, a sigh slipped out from behind her black mask.

『There’s not such a great gap between you and me』

"Haah… you really think so?"

『You became a police officer because you wanted to protect this city, didn’t you?』

I nodded. At that, Nightcap shifted her posture a little.

『I’m the same. I just thought that within my ability, I had to do what I could. I happen to be stronger than most people… so that means I have a duty to protect them』

"…When you put it that way, yes. That’s the same for me."

『Heh, see?』

I couldn’t see her face hidden behind that black suit, but maybe because we were both women, I felt like we’d just bridged some of the distance. Her tone seemed softer than yesterday, too.

『Officer Katie, you should take it easy. As long as the monitors don’t show any irregularities, just rest』

"Hah… but, um… shouldn’t you be resting too?"

『Me? I am resting, as you can plainly see』

…Huh?

Dressed head-to-toe in a black armored suit, fiddling with a device in her hands—that counts as resting?

Noticing my gaze, Nightcap lifted the device slightly.

『Ah, no, this isn’t S.H.I.E.L.D. work or anything like that…』

"Really? Then what are you doing?"

When I asked, she froze. Her movements suddenly grew awkward, and she tilted her head.

Thinking I had asked something inappropriate, I began to sweat nervously again—

『I-I’m just contacting my partner, that’s all』

"Eh? Wha…?"

I couldn’t believe my ears.

『…Can’t be helped, right? Today was supposed to be my day off. I was just letting them know when I might be back. Then, well… the conversation snowballed and I’ve ended up messaging too much』

Even as she started rambling faster, I was still trying to process it all.

Nightcap in black armor… beside her in my imagination was another figure in white armor…

『…Officer Katie, you’re not thinking something rude, are you?』

"N-no…"

Somehow, I felt relieved. Despite her intimidating look, she was still just another person—a woman with a life, just like me.

As I exhaled a quiet breath of relief, the door behind us opened.

"Katie… and Nightcap. Brought you something."

It was Captain Jaws. He carried a cardboard box in his hands.

『Always grateful』

"Don’t mention it. As long as you’ve got a police ID, these are free."

He set the box down on the table between us.

"Th-thank you very much."

"No problem. Share them nicely between you two, okay?"

So, food, then. Share them nicely, huh.

"…Captain Jaws, aren’t you eating with us?"

"Ah, no. I’m covering other cases too, you see."

"Ah! Sorry, thank you for your hard work."

Saluting, I watched Captain Jaws leave the room. Then I turned my eyes back to the box on the table.

"…So, what is this?"

『Never had them before?』

"N-no, sorry…"

『Ah, don’t apologize, it’s nothing serious』

Nightcap opened the box with practiced ease… inside were five donuts.

"These are…?"

『From a donut shop partnered with the NYPD. Police get them free of charge』

She strode over to the shelf in the break room like she’d done it before, and grabbed two paper plates. She placed one donut down in front of her.

『…That’s right, you said you’d never had them, didn’t you?』

"Ah, no, I have eaten donuts before. Just… I didn’t expect to see them here."

『Haven’t you watched dramas? There’s always the image of cops and donuts』

"Well, I don’t really like TV dramas or movies… fiction just doesn’t click with me."

『…Well, to each their own』

I took a donut too. It looked higher quality than the kind you’d find at a supermarket.

But right now, I was far more interested in something else than the donut in front of me.

I raised my gaze, sneaking glances.

That black mask.

How would she eat it? Would she take the mask off? What did her face look like?

As I wondered, Nightcap touched the console on her arm.

And in that instant—

The lower half of her mask unfolded, revealing her mouth.

It was shocking, sure… but honestly, I had expected her to just take the mask off entirely, so it felt oddly anticlimactic.

Without removing it further, she brought the donut to her mouth… and noticed me staring.

"…What is it? Not going to eat?"

The voice that came out wasn’t the mechanical distortion I’d been hearing through the mask—
It was a clear, beautiful woman’s voice.
Not like mine… more like the refined tone of a TV announcer.

A young woman’s voice.

"A-ah, no… I-I’ll eat now."

My heart skipped as I bit into the donut.
…Oh, it’s delicious.

But more than the flavor, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Her voice was unmistakably young.
Was she around my age? That young, and already a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent?

And why wear the mask at all—

Still restless, I finished my first donut and reached for a second.
Glancing up, I saw Nightcap eating hers with obvious enjoyment.

I couldn’t see her full expression, but the small smile at her lips said enough.

…And what lips they were.
Well-shaped, elegant.
I couldn’t help but imagine that beneath the mask was an incredibly beautiful face.

And soon, the second donut was gone too—

"…………"

"…………"

There had been five donuts.
Between the two of us, that meant one left over.

I hesitated, wondering what to do with it.
She’d clearly enjoyed them… so I spoke first.

"Nightcap, please, you should have it."

"Hm, no… but I’d rather you take it."

"No, no, it’s fine. Go ahead, really."

"These are technically meant for the police, not me. You don’t have to hold back—"

Back and forth we went, neither giving ground.
…This is ridiculous. Fine, then—

"Alright, if you really don’t want it, I’ll—"

"Okay then, I’ll eat i—huh?"

Our words overlapped.

"…………"

"…………"

Another silence.

"…U-um, how about this, then…!"

In that instant, I grabbed the donut and placed it on Nightcap’s plate.
No point wasting more time on such a silly dilemma.

She looked a little surprised—then smiled softly.

"Thank you."

"No, no, really, it’s fine. I’m a cop. I’ll have plenty more chances to eat donuts."

It was just a flimsy excuse.
I only wanted to keep her from feeling guilty.

She probably saw right through it.
But still, she picked up the donut and ate it.

"…So, you really like donuts, don’t you, Nightcap?"

"…Yeah, I do."

She wiped her lips and closed the mask again.
…A shame. I had wanted to hear that natural voice of hers a little longer.

I searched for another topic to keep the conversation going.

"Um… is there a reason you like donuts in particular?"

『Let’s see… I do like sweets in general, but… donuts are a little special』

She lowered her head just slightly.

『My brother bought me donuts once』

"Ah, I see. And they tasted so good, you got hooked?"

『Maybe… they must have been good』

She lifted her gaze, just a fraction.
The mask hid whatever expression might have been there.

『That’s probably why. Ever since then, donuts remind me of him. And that feeling… is comforting』

"…I understand."

From her tone, I could tell. Her brother… was no longer in this world.

『Sorry, I’ve turned the mood dark』

"No, I should apologize. I’m the one who asked such a strange question."

『You’re not at fault』

I hesitated for a moment, then let out a deep breath.
As I searched for another topic—

The console at Nightcap’s side gave a sharp beep, and she shot up to her feet.

"Huh?"

『The monitoring instruments just flagged an anomaly. Looks like someone used an anti-gravity device.』

"Wh—then that means—"

『Yes. We’re heading out.』

I scrambled up as well and hurried after her.
Nightcap gave a light tap to Captain Jaws’ shoulder, who had been outside chatting with another officer.

『Captain, we’ve got anomalous readings. Let’s move to the crime scene.』

"A broad daylight heist, huh?"

『They must have been very confident.』

Listening to the two of them talk, I grabbed the keys to the patrol vehicle from the shelf and slipped my pistol into the holster at my waist.
I could feel my breathing grow a little faster.
My chest was filled with both nerves and a sense of duty.

That’s why—

"Ah, Constable Katie. It’ll be a big bust, but don’t push yourself too hard."

"What…!?"

Captain Jaws’ words made me glare at him almost reflexively.

『Constable Katie, I’ll ask the same—don’t overdo it.』

"…Is it because I’m just a rookie, still wet behind the ears?"

『That’s right.』

The reply was so blunt and unhesitating it caught me off guard.
I hadn’t expected them to say it outright.

『Someday, you’ll have a moment where you must risk your life—but that day isn’t today. I’ll handle this.』

"B-but…"

The image of that shredded ATM flashed through my mind.
A block of iron, torn apart so mercilessly—whoever we were dealing with had the tools to do that.
How could I just leave such an opponent to her—?

『You can rest easy.』

"R-rest easy…?"

Her voice lacked any intonation—mechanical, as always—yet it still sounded like she was trying to comfort me.

『Yes. Despite how I look, I’m strong.』

…Despite how she looked, huh.

She was clad in a black armored suit.
Outfitted like some kind of special forces operator.
Equipment on a level far beyond anything a normal officer would be issued.

…Despite how she looked?

"…Ah, yes. Understood."

I corrected my thoughts and nodded obediently.
Because she really did look strong—far too strong for me to doubt.