[QUOTE="Aerix Steinhauzer, post: 30740188, member: 322212"]You turn to PC Reynolds, and thinking the two things you need to do is check in to your hotel and also start the in-processing at the Garrison.   "Let's go to the Garrison, then we can head to hotel ok?"

"Roger that Sir, sit back as Garrison is in Utrecht UD (Urban Domain) this hour should be light traffic to the city."

"I see but we are returning back to this city you ask?"

"Indeed Sir, 3rd Precinct is here, as well as since you are going to Red Light, you will need to take the intra-system shuttle from LDISP anyway.   All set, here we go."

The drive to the Garrison headquarters is uneventful, once the Shogun cruiser gets on the expressway the trip is done at a cool 270 kph (90 IMph), 30 minutes later PC Reynolds pulls into the underground parking garage and you get out.  Since you don't have the pass codes yet,  the Corporal waves his access card and the door unlatches as you enter the fortress-like structure.  Taking a side passage the group goes to the duty desk where a bored  Uakari Patrol Sergeant in DAS Gold looks at the two SPO officers and then see's you.   Jumping up and standing at attention rendering a salute.  With his upper right hand, the lower pair still has the data pad and stylus in them.  The pair of tusks have a light blue tinge as he looks at you with a critical eye.

"Sahr, Whulcum to Noo Ahmstadum, da Culnul is expectin use."  He looks at the SPO detail,  "Ray Nawds, tok da Wernt Offica to da boss."

"Roger, Sergeant Blautusks, sir if you follow me, we will see the Colonel then I will take you to admin, so the REMFS can sink their claws into you."

You chuckle at the derogatory term for rear support folks, and follow the Corporal up to the lift and takes you to the fourth floor.   After passing through a couple of security check points, you enter the office of the Garrison Commander.   You have heard of Colonel Rouf Peltusks, he has held the post of Garrison commander since the 2680's and before that was a Precinct Captain.  The big Uakari gets up from his desk and after the exchange of salutes, reaches out with his huge right upper hand and grasps yours in a hearty handshake.  In flawless Imperial he says.  "Ah Warrant Officer First Class Hunter, welcome to New Amsterdam, damned fine work you did there on Dent.  We are very glad you are here, Red Light is a bloody Shambles but I will let Captain van Reitbaur and Commander Wynn give you their take...."

The next twenty minutes the Garrison Commander talks about the situation in the Arch Duchy and midway through a grey headed and bearded man walks in, with the four pips of a Captain, and given the red flashing this has to be the Chief Arbitrator for the System,  Captain van Reitbaur.  After the exchange of pleasantries he fills you in on the situation, which no surprise like most of Inferno the assigned strength at full muster would be overwhelmed, but here on New Amsterdam the normal Precinct strength is around 85 percent.    All in all it the normal welcome to the group meeting for a relatively senior officer.  One thing that both seem to gloss over or defer to Commander Wynn later, is the situation on Red Light.  From what you have seen so far both New Amsterdam City and Utrecht seems orderly and law abiding as any other Imperial Urban Domain.  After the meeting with Garrison Commander, and your 3 up higher you head down to the second floor where you enter the den of the giant internal bureaucracy of the Directorate of Administrative Support.

Thirty minutes later the records are all updated, your badge is linked into the system network, pay records updated, and access card assigned as well as hand held communicator tied into the secure communications network.  You are now officially a member of the New Amsterdam System Garrison.  Assigned to 3rd Precinct Special Duty Location: Red Light Free Entertainment and Pleasure District, the attractive PC who is handling your file makes a few final flashes with her stylus.  "All Done Sir, welcome to New Amsterdam", she smiles handing you with well manicured hands your access card and a copy of the voucher you can use to get a flat once you get to your duty station.  You thank PC Egrethaven and head back outside where  PC Reynolds is waiting.

"All Done Sir?" he asks

"Yes", you reply, and then curiosity over comes you, why is Garrison at Utrecht anyway?"

"Oh that's easy, Sir, the  Ducal Palace is here as is the Thane's Residence."

"Thane?"  you ask, knowing full well the Arch Duke or Duchess is the authority for the system.

"Ah um yes Sir, we are in Dante so Arch Duke van Weiss also has his um counterpart among the Klans,  in this case Thane Rook K'Mere represents His Royal Dantean Majesty in the Althing while His Supreme Grace is the administrator for the secular government and reports to His Dantean Highness Viceroy Trak K'Vada on Rusa Grande.  Of course we report to the Colonel who reports to the Commissioner for the Sector, which is Lord Commissioner Halston von Dern, as you know IMP policy makes sure the local leadership are not natives of the region they administer in Her Imperial Majesty's Name."

You nod, knowing the politics of IMP in general just not the additional layer that the Kingdom of Dante imposes.  By the time PC Reynolds is done giving his take on the political situation way above your pay grade, you reach the car and get in for the drive back to New Amsterdam City.

On the way back while in Utrecht the car pulls up to a local fast food stop, and with your nod of approval PC Reynolds orders three coffees, and eight bratwurst two for you and Reynolds the other four for the hungry Hell's Gatain driving.  Durkan gobbles each one in one or two bites.  "Ach dat Gustav makes good Verst, to bad we kinna not have ale to wash it down."

The sausages were good, if a bit simple, but they do their job of staving off any impending hunger.  Also the coffee is quite good.  The drive back is even faster until you reach the city limits.  "Ach Loki's poxed arse! Take dem bloody fools!"    Ahead of you the traffic has come to a complete stop.  Up ahead you see the blue lights of local law enforcement and the red of other emergency vehicles.  A lorry looks to have jack-knifed and spilled a load of several crates.  A tall, new human or maybe Greda stands with light wands directing the traffic off the express way, he is wearing a dark blue and tan uniform, with a smokey bear type hat.  Not on official business Durkan follows the flow of the traffic but gives a flash of his lights, and nods at the Planetary Police officer, you can see his car pulled up with the logo of NAPP or the New Amsterdam Planetary Police.   The new human, sergeant (three stripes) nods back and directs the car down the off ramp.

Reynolds takes this time to give you his opinion of NAPP.  "As Planetary departments go, sir, NAPP is pretty good, granted given the other issues they have to be.  Don't get me wrong they respond when they can but like all of us stretched bloody thin, and well the local Shire Reeve's and Constables they do what they can, no sir, the locals are not the problem...."   he trails off.

"What do you mean Corporal?"  you ask

"Well Sir, this is Inferno, and well..."

"Vhat da Lad means, Sahr is dat me bloody Loki spawn of kin dinna think Inferno matters much especially a non Klanhold like New Amastahdahm. So we gets one Battalion."

"One Battalion?"  the archaic organization doesn't make sense to you, never been a Marine, though you vaguely recall a MAK battalion is roughly equivalent to a Century or was it a Cohort. either way no more than a few thousand officers.  "Well that's not too bad for the region, after all about the size of a Precinct...."

Reynolds, shakes his head.  "No sir, we have one DSF Battalion for the entire System,  five bloody companies plus leadership 1200 officers total,."

You crunch the numbers in your head, New Amsterdam has a population of 3.6 billion with close to 2 of that on the main planet.   That gives the DSF coverage of one officer per every 3 million citizens and residents.  "That's insane!", you blurt out.   "How can they possibly effectively keep the peace, let alone enforce their King's mandate?"

Both officers, laugh, the deep rumbling sound from Durkan is more telling than the normal laugh from Reynolds.  Finally Reynolds says  "Welcome to Inferno, Sir, the arm pit of Dante."

The rest of the drive to the hotel is uneventful.  "Do you have plain clothes?" you ask as the car pulls up to the travel lodge, your typical no frills transit hub hotel, New Amsterdam Fahrhafen is rated 2 stars and it shows, but the room is clean, if spartan but you do not plan on spending the rest of the afternoon and evening here.

"No sir, but our flats are not far, we can be back in hour, if you like."

"Yeah, after I check in, then back in the lobby in an hour?"

The day clerk is a big black furred Oran Tikus, he is wearing a uniform stylized on old Europe, complete with wooden clogs.  After the normal exchange and validation that you have a room he summons another Tikus, a cute Way who looks like the stereotypical dutch girl but with big floppy ears and huge incisors and pink whiskered nose that is twitching constantly.  Her blond braided locks are clearly dyed to match the motif of the hotel.  She bundles up your luggage and takes it to your room on the third floor.  The room as the display on the data pad is simple but nice, a queen sized bed, small desk with chair and a vid-screen that is tied to the local grid.  After you tip the bellhop / attendant a 5 Crown you get to work organize your room.   You take a nice hot-water shower, ah the pleasures of urban civilization and change into the polo and chinos you had packed in your day bag.  Securing your pistol in a security lock bock inside your armor case, you withdraw from a second compartment your badge-wallet and the smaller and far less powerful Dirk Xaser pistol.  Some of your fellow officers prefer the Guardian 8mm caseless pistol but since you haven't used a particle blaster since donning the red, the slight recoil of the small pistol is even too much for your taste compared to the zero recoil of the Xasers.  A light windbreaker finishes out your ensemble and you head down to the lobby where your guides / guards are already there.  Both are wearing light jackets and comfortable clothes, though the bulge of something not street legal is quite noticeable on Durkan, plus he has his ax.    Reynolds most likely a M12 blast pistol or something else in a shoulder rig.   "Where too Sir?"

You think for a moment, "well Mike, Durkan, for the time being I am David or Dave, let's see visitor's bureau?"

He chuckles, though you are not sure if is about using first names or the suggestion of going to the visitor's bureau,  "Roger David, sounds good, then may I suggest something more substantial well we know Durkan has a hearty appetite, and we know of a nice spot and well within our budgets...."

The trip to the Visitor's Bureau was rather informative showing the information that a tourist would find important such as the New Amsterdam Inter-planetary Rail System schedule and stops, the local sub-orbital hops as well as the trips and times for the major intra-system shuttles as well as the cycle's schedule for ISL.    The brochures on Red Light highlight the main spots, to include the Tulip Dens,  the Sector famous Honey Pot and  Cloghopper night club.  Included are the normal warnings regarding what is legal under local, Sector and Imperial laws.  The other interesting feature which clearly shows that New Amsterdam is part of Dante is the schedule of the Arena, to include the honor fights and the judicial bouts.  You have heard about trials by combat, but find the idea of letting fate decide, even is supposedly Odin has declared the righteousness of the victor, to be archaic at best.  Also for the really heinous crimes the accused are up against well armed and armored judicial champions armed with naught but their wits or a small knife.     The other information you find is the list of the registered courtesans and escorts that are all licensed and declared free of maladies by the Directorate for the Public Good, as well as the hotline to the local Vector and Disease Control office to report any outbreaks.

The last bit is the normal warning declaring possession of any quantity of the synthetic drug called Mega-meth or its more potent sibling Death Buzz are punishable by no less than 5 years community labor, possession with intent to distribute is no less than 5 years hard labor on Limbo.  You smile, as you recount the over eight dozen possession warrants you have served, and the four that ended up going to Limbo.  You shudder, Imperial Penal System Limbo is pretty much a death sentence, 5 years is doable but the 10 or 20 years you have sentenced some folk, those who survive come out broken and pacified.  The Empire makes no distinction on species or gender, and rumor has it the Soroian gangs have control over huge swaths of the equatorial regions, complete with their harems and eunuchs.  No wonder many opt for review by Magistrate, and the potential of a Death of Personality or death by Consumption as at least both of those are either painless or quick.

You collect several data pads and holo-vids that will help you, to include house hunting tips, though none mention Red Light by name, and then with your two "friends" head to the diner Mike recommends.

Turns out the diner is only a few blocks from the Precinct Station, and so is quite popular with IMP.  Three officers, with brown flashing of DLR are eating, a Patrol Sergeant recognizes Mike.

"Hey Reynolds, what brings you this way thought you SPO folk hung out with the mucky mucks..."

Mike smiles,  "Well Sarge, may I present to you my new friend,  Sir, this is Sergeant Watson, 3rd Precinct, RSO Central."  he says turning to you, then back to the other  "Sergeant Wilcox, may I present you  Warrant Officer First Class Hunter...."

The trio snaps to attention and salute  "Ah uh, sir, uh welcome to New Amsterdam, are you here in 3rd?"  The Patrol Sergeant asks with a bit of trepidation.

Before you can answer Reynolds chimes in,  "Well Hank, the good Warrant is replacing Duncan...."

"Red Light?"  Oh well Sir, our lads and lasses there will appreciate it, the citizenry, maybe not so much, and well if you like a challenge you will enjoy Red Light, if not well..."

They move over making room for your group and soon you order your dinner, which based on many recommendations you opt for a Tulip Beefsteak sandwich and New Amsterdam Near-yam Pomme-Frittes.  After seeing the other two order a local ale, you decide to follow and end up with a pint of  Tipsy Dutch Girl Lager made in New Amsterdam City.   It is a nice crisp light colored beer, not too hoppy but not like the commercial swill that was popular on Dent.  Reynolds has the same while  Dukan has a growler of something dark and frothy,  "Ah Me Cuz's 3rd Best Ale  To Her Imperial Majesty, May she Reign in Prosperity!"  The Hell's Gatian says, and waits for the others to return the toast, then downs the large mug in two big gulps.  "Ach dat hits da spot, lassie anudder!"

You watch the stout heavy worlder drink whatever he is drinking and think back to a time when you were a new Kadet and two of your Lance had a drinking contest, one a Hell's Gatian and the other a big Uakari since it was a weekend, the contest was declared a draw after both passed out on Soro's day, of course the following Odin's both hated the short five mile (15 km) run you took the Lance.

The fare was simple but quite tasty, Tulip Beef is known outside of the Sector, of course on Dent a Tulip T-bone would be close to 30 crowns, but this close to the source the price is much less.  Midway though your meal the other officers excused themselves and headed out as they resumed their patrol shift.    The conversation turns to the remainder of the evening and you subtly hint that you would like to see the city center and gain an independent perspective.  With knowing nods, Reynolds agrees that he will drop you off and be back at 2500, this will give you a full 8 hours before they will be back as they are assigned to you while you are in New Amsterdam City.

You are dropped off at the city center, the Altestadt in the local vernacular, there are several churches and temples.  Including the massive edifice of the Temple of Odin and across the same square the more opulent gold and red gilded basilica of the Cathedral to Soro.  Its triple Ruby-Glass chime towers soar in the sky line and sparkle catching the last rays of the giant star as it sets.  Away from the religious structures the area opens up to several shopping areas a few clubs and the cinema.  You decide to take in a show, ah   A Korrigan Productions Action Flick starts in about twenty minutes, they are fun if brainless fare.  You were quite fond of the holo series  Lok Nu Tobye Guru, though you know that no Tikus can shoot lasers from his eyes, and the other harmless fun.

As expected the film was mindless dribble filled with a lot of action and explosions, the plot as much as you can determine was about an Imperial agent who was on a single man tour of destruction in NIFSL space as he goes about enforcing the will of Her Imperial Majesty.   Midway through the film your bladder informs you that you need to excuse yourself and find the facilities.

After you are done, and washing up, you hear the sharp staccato of several shots being fired from a projectile weapon, it sounds like it might be outside the theater not too far.  Then the screams start and more shots, more screams and then on your communicator   comes to life  "ALL UNITS, ALL UNITS SHOTS FIRED OFFICER DOWN, ALL UNITS RESPOND."

What do you do? (pick 2 and order)

[] draw your pistol and head outside to see if you can contain the situation, and perhaps render aid
[] get on the communicator and try to get more information, then head outside (unless after 1)
[] get in the lobby with badge in hand and try to stop the panic in the theater that you know is about to occur
[] get on the communicator and get Reynolds and Durkan on the line, you can use some local support
[] - write in[/QUOTE]