Page 33 of Testing the Kot'oll Officer

As I navigate the streets, my mind drifts back to the moments we shared, magnifying how much she truly means to me. The laughter, the teases, everything that felt chaotic yet perfect had transformed into clarity now. A part of me wonders if I’m ready to embrace this new step, but the hesitancy clings to my resolve.

I steer my skater robot, making sure I look through every corner of the streets. But at a turn, I look behind me. It feels like someone's following me. My arms twitch and the tension in me spikes. It feels like something bad's going to happen, but I have no clue. Maybe I'm too sensitive. There are passersby in the streets, but none are paying attention to me. Even if they are, that's not that strange, given my uniform and the skater robot.

I check the map that denotes my patrol zone and keep going. On the street, with the usual suspects and poor parking practices, I pull out my machine to start scanning. Sometimes, I wonder why beings never learn a lesson.

The silver spaceship I just scanned has been caught parking in an inappropriate location multiple times, but it didn't stop the owner from parking badly yet again.

I’m about to jot down the details when a commotion erupts behind me, drawing my attention. The sound of hurried footsteps and the swish of fabric creates an atmosphere tinged with unease, interrupting my routine with an alarming intensity. My instincts kick in, honed from years on the job. I shift my focus, scanning the area for the source of the disturbance.

A figure darts between the shadows, a hood pulled tightly over their head. My heart races, adrenaline surging through my veins at the sight of them. I reach for my communicator, preparing to alert my fellow officers, but a flicker of doubt stops me. What if it’s nothing? Just a harmless passerby? Yet, the quickening pace of their movements and the glances over their shoulder set off every alarm in my head.

“Hey! Stop right there!” I point my machine at them, even though it isn't threatening on its own.

The figure hesitates, glancing back at me. For a split second, I catch a glimpse of their face, pale and pinched with fear, and then they bolt down a side alley, vanishing into darkness.

Without thinking, I spring into action, my years of training kicking in. “Stop for inspection!” I tap the skater robot and speed my way toward where the being ran.

The alley twists sharply, echoing with the sound of scurrying feet against the pavement. With my heart thudding in my chest, I round the corner, hoping to cut them off. I set the robot to give bright light, shining through the alley. It announces my arrival, but it lowers the risk of someone jumping out of the shadow. It's not a thing when there's no shadow to jump out from.

“Come out! You can’t escape!" As I dash deeper into the alley, the tension in the air grows thicker, amplifying the rapid rhythm of my heartbeat. Shadows flicker and pulse around me, the echoes of our surroundings lost in the adrenaline surging through my limbs.

“Stop! This is your last chance!” I call again. It's infuriating how they think they can outrun a skater robot; I won't let them get away—not when something feels off, so dangerously off.

My skater robot glides ahead, illuminating spaces in the darkness. I catch a flicker of movement to my left and pivot sharply. The being stops right before they bump into the skater robot. I hiss at them. "What are you doing?"

The figure hesitates, the shadows clinging to them like a second skin. "J-Just passing through!" they stammer, their voice shaking.

The immediate inclination is to seize them, to demand answers. The urgency in their breath, the way their fingers fidget nervously against their sides, suggests there's more to this story than a simple stroll. As the skater robot’s light casts a glow on their features, I take a moment to assess.

There's a distinct glint of something metallic peeking from beneath their clothing—my instincts tighten like a coil. “What’s under your shirt? Show me your hands!”

The being's gaze darts around, panic rippling across their expression. “I swear, I’m not a threat!"

Someone else shouts from behind me. "That's him, officer! The thief!"

Now that makes sense. I point at the hooded being with my baton. "So, what have you done?"

I tap on my phone to call for support. Even though I'm a police officer myself, I'm not tasked to catch thieves. The team who are doing that should handle this.

The being groans. "I've told you this is a misunderstanding."

"No, it isn't. You took a shopper's stuff and ran." The being shows up to my side, a safe distance away.

Hm... I think I recognize him. I've seen this young male before, but I forgot where and how.

He looks at me. "Officer, you should search him."

The supposed thief shakes his head. "No, there's no reason to."

The patrolling team arrives and they soon take over, putting the suspicious being into their patrolling spaceship.

I fold my arms as I return my baton to my belt.

The one I may have recognized leaves with the patrolling team. It still feels like I know him. How, though?

He gives me a nod as he goes into the patrol ship. Is that for helping to chase down the thief? Or is that for something else?

I resume my own patrol. There'll be time to think...

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