[ EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM ] MARTIAL LAW IS IN EFFECT FOR THE GREATER MOMBASA METROPOLITAN AREA. ALL CIVILIANS ARE ORDERED TO EVACUATE. PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST SUB-SURFACE NETWORK ENTRANCE. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. ]

  [ DON'T: u got away out?]

  [ UNITED EARTH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM ] ALL ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, MUNICIPAL WORKERS, AND TECHNICIANS ARE TO REPORT TO THEIR ASSIGNED MUSTER STATIONS IMMEDIATELY. ]

  [ Not the Captain: See you around ry ]

  [ OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE ] ALL NEW MOMBASA POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED INTO THE UNSC UNIFIED GROUND COMMAND STRUCTURE. ]

  [ One of the Lukes: 4 22 oo ]

  [ UNIFIED GROUND COMMAND ]

  ID: RYLIE, ARLO J. / NMPD-77291-002

  RANK: PATROL OFFICER (ACTIVE) / PFC (PROVISIONAL)

  SERVICE NO: 08221-11092-AR

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  ASSIGNMENT: SECTOR 4, SUB-SECTOR 22. RIOT PACIFICATION / EVACUATION SUPPORT / URBAN DEFENSE ]

  [ Dad: I love you son ]

  The haze from a clingy nap, meant a foggy moment to process this, as an inquisitive mrrrp and demanding pats ripped me back to reality.

  I got up hoping that I would wake up again, then went for the pantry and grabbed everything.

  Two large bags of cat food were brutalized open, left to bleed their contents on the ground, two boxes of litter were dumped into the shower, two sinks were plugged as their faucets were set to a heavy dribble. Then uncapped the container of cat nip and placed it in the deepest corner of my closet, as a small fur missile burrowed into it.

  I stayed kneeling for a minute, just to watch my cat get higher and higher. With a tentative hand, I pet Sid for another minute, trying to take comfort from intoxicated vibrations.

  I don’t remember putting on my uniform, nor my duty belt. I just arrived at the door with a hand frozen on the handle.

  .

  .

  .

  You know, I joined the force to not fight aliens.

  I stepped out and locked the door behind me.

  [ To (Not the Captain): calling in the favor. Open evidence vault I want a real weapon ]

  [ To (One of the Lukes): 4 22 xx ]

  [ To (Dad): love you ]