"I understand, I'll be there as soon as possible." I hung up my phone with grim irritation running through my veins. I pursed my lips and fixed myself a bit before grabbing my work duffel and hastily stumping out the door. Looking at my phone's clock, an acute sigh escaped me. It was 2:47 a.m.

I have never turned so stressed so quickly in my life before.

There has been an attack on Cosmoan soil.

A suicide bombing ensued, killing approximately twenty-seven people.

Twenty-seven innocent people. They did not have to die. The cold early morning air touched my face as I paced across the lot to my car. I turned on the engine and sped my way to the site. There, I met the King. 

"Your Majesty," I bowed. "Any more intel?"

"You may stand," He orders, then he leads me to the site, enclosed by yellow tape. 

No training in the world I have went through has prepared my to see so many bodies -lifeless bodies- scattered on the floor. Decapitated. Bleeding. Decomposing. Fresh with death. The smell was pungent and attacked my nostrils. The main attraction twinged my heart with sorrow and anger, my eyes stung with tears. The dark sky made the whole scene look like a horror movie come to life.

I had to look away and take a step back. The feeling was overwhelming. I felt the King's hand touch my shoulder. His warmth almost electrocuted me with its convection though my body. I felt better.

"My forensics team has not arrived yet. Their timing was insufficient so that's why I called you along with Lieutenant Kuroneko and Commander Soraru."

"Oh?"

"You guys arrived here faster than any analyst I have contacted," Mafumafu explained. "Kuroneko and Soraru are already on the scene. You're safe to explore, the police are guarding the area."

"Thank you, my king." I nod. He walks away from me to talk to an officer waiting on the side. I gather enough courage to look back at the man-made disaster and I can't help my heart from wrenching. In one of the areas afar, I see the lieutenant and commander. They started doing their job, so I'll do mine. I step under the yellow caution tape barricade and looked at the first unexamined body I see. 

The body was missing a limb, no, two. I look around to find where they were, but what was the point? It's a bloody mess. I walk back to my car and open my duffel. I grab a pair of gloves and evidence bags, stuffing the bags in my uniform's back pockets. Ready to head back, I quickly remembered to get a little kai-kit with tools to help me gather smaller pieces of evidence. I check what time it was on my watch. 3:12 a.m.

Mafumafu's P.O.V.

I rub my face in frustration. Who is this person? Why did he decide to kill my people in my kingdom? The forensic team finally a couple hours arrived after General [First Name] did. My cabinet and I have gone through many of the bodies, identifying them, collecting evidence, and noting what we had. We have gone through many, but not all. Not enough.

"Your Majesty," the Forensics lead greeted as he took a knee. "I apologize to keep you waiting. Have you found anything yet?"

"Rise," I say. "You're late and I am disappointed. This was a man-made calamity. It's an urgent case, yet, you come late."

"But, your ma-"

"Get to work. Go to my Lieutenant, Commander, or General. They will inform you and your team of what we have found," I directs as he nods. "Quickly now, people need justice."

"Yes, my king."

I exhale in frustration as I cross my arms. The world seemed to move too fast for me to keep up with right now, and I sense that this won't be the only time. I don't want to be here. I don't want to see this. I didn't want to act like a jerk to the lead of Forensics. Sometimes, I just feel like I'm acting too mean. Other times, I feel like I'm acting too passive. And mostly, I don't feel any much joy at all. Deep down, there's a longing in my heart of something comforting.

"My king." I hear a gentle, assertive voice page me from behind.

Oh. The general. "Yes, [First Name]?"

"You seem out of it right now. Is everything alright?"

With her comment, I snap out of my idle standing position and loosen my tight train of thought. I turn around to face her. "I'm fine. Thank you for asking."

That didn't seem to convince her.

"Don't be afraid to admit how you're feeling. You can tell me." She put her hand on my shoulder.

The chill in my heart subsided. The stress in my head disappeared. My muscles relaxed. I put my hand on hers. Looking her straight in the eyes, I sensed that she really wanted to help me.

"No." I say, pursing my lips,"Not now. There are more important things to worry about. My people first, then myself."

She nodded. "Whenever you need something, the Lieutenant, Commander, and I are within your reach." Her eyes break from mine as she removed her hand, "Come. I'll show you what we have gathered so far."

I was briefed by my cabinet on their findings. At this rate, it will take a very long while until we get to a conclusion to this catastrophe.

I don't know how we would ever solve this.