We first had to cross the border between sectors if we wanted to make it to Sector 45, though I knew it wouldn't take long. Unfortunately, the increased security and protocols has likely lead to paranoia in the general populace. Not to mention the traffic it was causing, investigations were lasting upwards of 5 minutes per car.
Thankfully, we had badges, that meant something.
The officer at the Sector 45 checkpoint barely glanced at our IDs before waving us through, calling over two other patrolmen in gray uniforms. They looked young, helmets clipped to their belts, eyes darting to us as they approached.
"You're the ones looking for the suspect?" one of them asked, voice cautious.
I didn't answer. Grant nodded for me. "Yeah. We could use backup if he's here."
They exchanged glances, then fell in behind us as we crossed into Sector 45.
The sector itself was dying in slow motion.
