Police in America

"We don't care about that. All I know is that they usually don't even let us watch TV, but today, not only did we get ice cream from the cafeteria, but we also get to sit here comfortably and enjoy our favorite show."

A big Black guy sitting at the far end noticed everyone lowering their guns, so he also put down his raised hands and scooped himself another big spoonful.

Jack glanced at the TV behind him, which was playing *The Young and the Restless*. He was surprised that this show existed in this world too. 

This is an incredibly long-running series. Even in his previous life, where he was bored enough to binge-watch American shows daily, he wouldn't dare tackle it. After all, it has been airing since 1973 and has nearly 12,000 episodes by now.

"Alright, movie night is over," Hondo sighed, pulling out plastic zip ties.

"Hey, come on, man, look, we're all in this together. We haven't hurt anyone. Why can't you just leave us here, close the door, and be on your way?" The big Black guy protested, waving his spoon in frustration.

"We work seven days a week, four of us crammed into a single cell. We just wanted one day to relax. Is that too much to ask?"

"Is what he's saying true?" Jack asked, glancing at the prison guard, Tari.

"Yes, the warden says there aren't enough cells here, and the government subsidies are too low, so they have to earn their own meal money," Officer Tari hesitated before finally nodding in confirmation.

"If I remember correctly, the federal government provides a subsidy of $58 per prisoner per day," Hondo's expression turned sour.

"In fact, if you guys play nice, it's not impossible to work something out," Jack chuckled as he "pleaded" for them.

When the group left the guard's break room, they left behind six prisoners with their hands and feet bound by plastic ties and tape over their mouths. Jack even thoughtfully adjusted the sofa so they could sit facing the TV directly.

"Good kids shouldn't eat too much ice cream; it'll give you cavities."

——

As they closed the door, Deputy Team Leader Deacon subtly shared his thoughts, "This prison doesn't feel right to me."

"Let's deal with the riot first," Hondo replied sternly, indicating that now wasn't the time to discuss it.

Walking through the corridor outside the guard's break room, the SWAT team saw a row of empty cells, debris scattered everywhere, torn sheets, and burnt, disorganized items left behind by the prisoners.

"Take the next left, go down the corridor, and you'll find the cell where my colleagues are being held," Officer Tari nervously pointed ahead. At the corner ahead, more than a dozen bodies lay scattered, looking like they had just gone through an apocalypse.

"Hondo?" Jack softly reminded him.

"Keep moving," Hondo ordered, seemingly unconcerned, but he suddenly raised his left hand behind him, making a tactical hand gesture.

Before they could round the corner, two prisoners armed with handguns suddenly appeared in front of them. They seemed startled by the sight of the SWAT team and immediately turned to run.

"Freeze, LAPD-SWAT!" Hondo shouted, raising his HK416 as he led the chase down the long corridor.

"Drop your weapons, or we'll open fire!"

"Hands up!"

As the sound of footsteps faded, most of the "corpses" in the corner suddenly sprang to life. They pulled out hidden weapons from beneath them, preparing to ambush the SWAT team from both sides.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Two stun grenades exploded almost simultaneously, catching the group pretending to be zombies from *The Walking Dead* right in the middle of their trap.

"Fuck!"

"Damn it!"

"What the hell?" Screams of pain filled the air. A tall, thin Black guy sat down in agony, trying to reach for the handgun he had dropped.

"Wham!" Jack smacked him on the head with his rifle butt, rendering him completely incapacitated.

"Ketel Porter? I've heard you're a smart guy, playing dead, huh? This is the best you can do?"

These fake corpses were anything but professional. Their heavy breathing was impossible to miss for someone with Jack's heightened senses.

Thanks to Jack's warning, Hondo immediately sensed something was wrong. He signaled for them to stay put while he and Luca pretended to fall for the trap, leading Officer Tari into the exposed corridor.

The leader of the "One-Nine Gang," Ketel Porter, had planned to use the fake corpses to ambush and capture the SWAT team. But his plan was easily seen through. Jack and Deacon didn't move an inch. Instead, they each threw a stun grenade, giving Ketel Porter and his gang a rude awakening.

"Don't move! Move again, and I'll shoot!" Deacon's thick military boot firmly pinned down the hand of one of the more restless prisoners, who cried out in pain.

"Hondo?" Deacon called out, his eyes never leaving the prisoners, but slightly turning his head to the corridor.

"All clear," Hondo and Luca returned, each dragging a body behind them, followed by a terrified, pale-faced Officer Tari.

The sound of the stun grenades had masked the gunfire. They had only taken a few steps into the corridor before they decisively opened fire, killing the two prisoners acting as bait. Once they confirmed there was no further threat ahead, they retreated with the bodies.

"The next time you want to play dead, remember to face outward, and keep your eyes open—wide open," Jack advised as he tied the prisoners together in pairs, smiling as he patted Ketel Porter on the cheek.

"I've tried it myself; none of these guys can resist blinking, and that includes me."

The tall, thin Black guy was dejectedly thrown back into his cell.

"Hey, Tari, nice job," on the other side, five prison guards who had been stripped down to their underwear were released by Tari, who was greeted with hearty pats on the back as thanks.

"Where are their uniforms and gear?" Jack glanced around, tapping on the cell bars to indicate Ketel Porter should confess.

"The 'Hot Eagle' took them. They're the ones who opened the armory. The guns are all in their hands. Gunnar Cade suggested trading these handguns for the guards' uniforms and gear."

In some ways, Ketel Porter was indeed a smart guy. Knowing they were beaten, he cooperated fully.

Jack and Hondo exchanged glances. "Gunnar Cade plans to disguise himself as a guard to escape?"

"It's probably not that simple. The place is surrounded by our people, and everyone leaving will be thoroughly checked."

Even Hondo couldn't guess what the "Hot Eagle" leader Gunnar Cade was planning, but it was clear he was likely the mastermind behind everything.

"Command, Ketel Porter and the One-Nine Gang members have been secured in their cells. The hostages have also been found. LAPD officers can move into Zone A to handle the aftermath."

After communicating with command, Hondo pointed to the far end of the cellblock and said to Officer Tari, "Take your colleagues down that fire escape. LAPD officers are waiting at the exit. Thanks for your help."

Tari nodded gratefully, "Thank you, and thank you for saving me."

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