It was a bright and beautiful Wednesday morning in Sima Hills. The roads were bustling with morning traffic as commuters made their way to work, their vehicles forming long queues at the traffic lights. Meanwhile, the railways were equally packed, with trains filled with students and workers alike chattering excitedly as they headed to school and their various jobs.
Denar Teye, one of the many commuters to work, adjusted his badge in the reflection of the Uber, his crisp new uniform a testament to the fresh start he was embarking on. The excitement thrumming through him was palpable; after months of intense training, he was finally a full-fledged police officer, ready to make a difference in a city as vibrant and dynamic as Sima Hills.
“New city, new beginnings,” he murmured to himself, a small smile on his lips as the car wove through bustling streets. He glanced out the window, taking in the sights around. From the coffee shops already filled with early risers to the schoolchildren chattering at bus stops, everything about this city felt alive and brimming with possibility.
Gamma, where he had lived all his life, was also a busy city, but certainly not on the level of Sima Hills. It was going to be quite the experience adjusting to life here.
He remained enthralled in the scenery throughout the drive to the Sima Hills Police Headquarters, barely hearing the news report on the radio…
“In other news this morning, tragedy struck on the west end of Sima Hills last night, as yet another police officer and a suspected robber were found dead in a shocking incident involving ninja stars—marking what authorities believe to be yet another doing of the notorious Doomblade. Witnesses reported hearing a scream moments before the bodies were discovered, both bearing the distinctive wounds of the assassin’s weapon of choice. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and investigations are underway.”
***
The lobby of the Sima Hills Police Headquarters was bustling with activity, with officers chatting animatedly near the reception desk and civilians seated in the waiting area. As Denar approached the front desk, the receptionist looked up from her computer and offered a polite smile.
“Good morning. Officer Teye reporting for duty,” he spoke, his voice steady but tinged with shades of nervousness.
She nodded, then checked a list on her desk. Upon sighting his name, she nodded again. “Welcome to Sima Hills, Officer Teye. You’re expected. Kindly head to Personnel on the second floor. Sergeant Okai will meet you there.”
“Thank you.”
As Denar made his way up, he couldn’t help but notice the tension in the air. Officers moved hurriedly through the halls, many with grim expressions. Fragments of heated conversations floated past him:
“…chale, another attack last night…”
“…that son of a bitch Doomblade has struck again…”
“…this madness has to stop, it’s getting out of hand!”
Denar frowned slightly but kept walking, his curiosity piqued. Hmmmm. Who is Doomblade?
***
Denar pushed open the glass door marked Personnel Department on the second floor. Inside, the atmosphere was quieter, with staff typing at desks and flipping through files. A tall, stocky man in his mid-forties stepped forward, his crisply ironed uniform and no-nonsense demeanor instantly commanding respect.
“You must be Teye,” the man spoke solemnly, extending a hand. “Sergeant Okai. Welcome to Sima Hills Police Headquarters.”
“Thank you, Sergeant,” Denar replied, saluting before shaking his hand firmly.
Sergeant Okai then reached for a thick folder on his desk and handed it to him. “This contains your initial schedule, department policies, and contact information for key personnel. Let’s get you settled.”
Denar spent the next thirty minutes completing paperwork under Okai’s supervision, confirming payroll details, signing off on confidentiality agreements, and reviewing his assignment.
*
“Let me show you around,” Okai said as he led Denar through the halls. “This is the briefing room, where we meet every morning to discuss assignments. Over there is the armory—you’ll check in your firearm there daily. Locker rooms are down that hall.”
Denar nodded as he took note of the various rooms in question. They passed the bustling dispatch center, where operators handled calls with calm efficiency, and the evidence storage room, secured with a keypad and guarded by two officers.
“Dispatch will be your lifeline out there,” Okai added. “Get to know them well.”
“Yes, sir.”
*
In the equipment room, Denar was handed his department-issued radio and a set of spare uniforms. An officer behind the counter inspected his firearm before returning it. “Looks good. Make sure to log it at the end of every shift.”
Denar clipped the radio to his belt and adjusted his equipment pouch, feeling the weight of responsibility settle in.
*
Back in the briefing room, Okai introduced him to a few of his new colleagues.
“This is Constable Awo Kyeremah, and this is Constable Nadine Edusei. They’re two of our best patrol officers, and they know Sima Hills like the back of their hand. Fine, dedicated young women. You’ll be shadowing them for your first week.”
Awo and Nadine, two slim young ladies with cute but tough expressions, shook his hand. “Welcome to the force, Teye,” Awo welcomed him.
“Don’t worry, Teye. We’ll make sure you survive your first week,” Nadine added, a brief smirk on her face.
“Much appreciated,” Denar said, chuckling nervously.
A few minutes later, their captain called them in for a briefing. Denar sat beside Awo and Nadine, keenly observing the efficient exchange of information and taking note accordingly.
The captain outlined the day’s priority: increased patrols near the market square, and a spike in burglaries in the west.
“Kyeremah, Edusei, you’ll take Teye with you on patrol,” the captain ordered, glancing briefly at Denar. “Get him up to speed on the layout and the local dynamics.”
“Yes, sir!” they replied.
“And be careful. We’ve all seen what that bastard did yesterday. Rest in peace to Patrick. An additional patrol car will be keeping tabs on you for safety.”
Awo and Nadine nodded solemnly, while Denar, also nodding, was left in wonder.
Is it about that Doomblade guy? Who is he, I wonder…
*
The streets of Sima Hills were buzzing with life as the trio embarked on their patrol, Awo and Nadine faithfully carrying out their duties as they pointed out landmarks to him and shared small but interesting details about the neighborhoods they passed, as well as the intricacies of the market square.
An hour in, and Denar could see that Sergeant Okai wasn’t joking; these ladies knew Sima Hills in and out. And they were well known by many of the locals too, with many of them greeting the officers.
There was that one guy in the butchery who seemed to try and shoot his shot with Awo, but she dismissed it, later telling Denar he was not to be taken seriously. According to her, he was just ‘another sexist pig who saw a toy instead of a human being’.
The tour had been so engaging, he totally forgot to ask them what the whole ruse about this Doomblade person was.
“So, Teye,” Nadine asked as they continued to walk through the square, “how was your time in the academy?”
Denar scratched the back of his head sheepishly as he walked in between them. “Well… it was…intense, I guess. Tough training, but it prepared me well. My instructors were strict, as you’d expect, but I made it through. That’s what matters.”
“Did you meet Sergeant Imoro?” Nadine further pressed.
Denar grinned and nodded. “Oh, yes. That man eh, pure no-nonsense! That man will always remind you that thick skin is a non-negotiable as an officer of the law. If you show small softness, the way you go collect!”
The two laughed, familiar with this sergeant’s ways, having experienced his uber-strict standards in the academy.
“Vintage Sergeant Imoro. ‘Thick skin is a non-negotiable’. So, do you have thick skin?” Awo asked with a teasing grin.
He chuckled nervously. “I’d like to think so, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough. This is different from the scenario-based practicals, which I was okay with. Not like negotiation, which was my major strength back in the academy. This is a different beast altogether.”
“Yeah,” Nadine agreed, nodding. “You can do all the practicals, but chale, nothing compares to the real thing. Don’t worry, though. You’ll do fine. It’s just a matter of getting used to this place. You’ll get the hang of it eventually.”
“And by the way, now that you’re with us, as a self-professed negotiation guru, that means you can negotiate us out of any trouble we might get into, eh?” Awo asked, a mischievous grin on her face.
Denar laughed. “Oh, abeg! I’m no guru. I just managed to pass the course, that’s all.”
“Still, as you’ve said it was your major strength, you are our guru,” Nadine insisted playfully. “So for these our patrols, please, you’re our secret weapon. No further discussions.”
Denar grinned and saluted. “Yes, madam. No argument.”
They continued to laugh and chat as they walked along, ensuring everything on the streets was normal. They then turned a corner, and Denar noticed an alley cordoned off by police tape. Other officers stood near the entrance, their expressions grim. Awo and Nadine exchanged a glance, their cheerful demeanor dimming at the scene.
“Doomblade again,” Awo muttered under her breath.
“That bloody bastard did it again,” Nadine added.
Denar’s curiosity piqued. That name again.
He looked at the cordoned scene and shook his head. Whoever this Doomblade guy was, he must have committed murder.
He stopped walking and turned to them. “Uh, I’ve been hearing this Doomblade name all morning. Who’s that, if I may ask? Some notorious criminal anaa?”
The two women stopped, sighed and hesitated for a moment, before Awo finally answered.
“He’s… a complicated son of a bitch, to put it lightly. Used to be a good vigilante, actually. Someone who used to help the city, make it safer. He used to help out the police for a while. But somehow, he suddenly switched.”
Nadine picked up the thread. “And now, he’s a nightmare. A bloody fucking nightmare. What’s scary is, he’s got these abilities—speed, agility, sight—that make him seem almost inhuman. And he’s extremely unpredictable. He doesn’t just target criminals anymore; he goes after anyone who gets in his way… especially us police officers. That scene over there is one of his doings. An armed robber and a police officer.”
“Happened just last night,” Awo continued, her face growing grimmer. “From the lady’s statement, this idiot tried to rob her, Patrick caught him and arrested him, and before they knew it… he struck them. With a ninja star. He’s done this quite a number of times.”
Denar’s stomach twisted. He knew danger was an inseparable part of being a police officer, but that… that sounded a lot scarier than he thought it would.
“You’re… you’re saying he’s a danger to us?”
“Well, unfortunately, yeah. But… don’t worry too much,” Nadine stated quickly. “We’ve just amped up our security details, so we should be fine. And word is that we’ll be hearing from the Mayor on some improvements to our safety measures as well. It is kinda scary, obviously, but… we’ll be fine.”
“Yeah,” Awo agreed. “Plans are underway, so we’re praying and hoping it quenches his nonsense once and for all. Sucks that this colleague of ours got felled, though. Killed in the line of duty. Hmm, may he rest in peace…”
Denar nodded, a sense of unease creeping over him regardless. As they continued their patrol, he found himself wondering. The idea of someone like Doomblade, someone who had once fought for good but now chose the path of destruction, gnawed at him relentlessly.
And the obvious question was… why?
Why would someone with that kind of power suddenly choose evil over good? Why the switch?
Good question. What is the reason for that? I guess we’ll find out as the story progresses…
