Location: Echelon Prime Police Academy – Time: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The second day of Hero Xender's visit began under the muted hum of Echelon Prime's waking breath. As the amber sun sliced through the sky and painted long shadows between the towers, a courier drone quietly landed outside Hotel Continental with a precious delivery: Hero's personal transport vehicle — a midnight-black, grav-adaptive cruiser built with stealth plating and reinforced by quantum alloy.
The hotel staff bowed respectfully as he stepped into the vehicle. Sleek and soundless, the cruiser glided down from the hotel terrace and into the city's arterial skyway lanes. Inside, Hero reviewed city data silently, his eyes occasionally glinting a faint cerulean hue. He had a destination: Echelon Prime Police Academy.
---
Time: 7:45 AM — Arrival at Academy Gates
At the wide entrance of the police academy, a guard leaned lazily against the checkpoint booth, half-asleep and chewing on a meat wrap. The man didn't look up as Hero's cruiser halted.
"Name and reason for visit?" he asked, mouth still half-full.
No response came.
The guard glanced up—and immediately dropped his food.
Hero Xender stepped out of the cruiser.
"V-Vanguard…" the officer stuttered.
Hero's voice was composed, but heavy. "Resume posture. Alertness is protocol at all stations, even those meant to train others."
The guard stood frozen, spine rigid, eyes wide with horror.
Hero walked past him without another word.
---
Time: 8:00 AM – Interior Grounds, Academy Training Fields
The Police Academy grounds were vast: obstacle courses, tactical arenas, live-drill zones, and augmented reality chambers. Hero observed quietly from the edges, noting the lack of discipline in stances, poor formation rotations, and fatigued expressions.
He approached a training squad where a young recruit hesitated during a target identification exercise.
"Do not hesitate," Hero said. "Hesitation in law enforcement costs lives."
The recruit flinched and nodded.
Other cadets began whispering. Word had spread.
> "It's the Vanguard from yesterday." "He was at Precinct 7 last night… freed a civilian." "Why is he here?"
---
Time: 9:30 AM – Academy Command Hall
Inside the central briefing chamber, Police Chief Grant Verin had just been informed of Hero's presence. He stormed into the chamber, sweating and visibly nervous.
"Masterchief Xender," the Chief said, saluting stiffly. "You honor us with your—"
"I came unannounced. That is my privilege. I came with intent. That is your test."
Hero stood tall in the center of the room, arms behind his back.
"I entered a precinct yesterday. I heard shouting. Saw bruises on a civilian. Witnessed unauthorized force. I gave judgment."
The Chief nodded, his voice thin. "We're reviewing that incident—"
"No," Hero interrupted. "You should have prevented it."
He turned, eyes narrowing. "This academy trains your officers. What I saw today was fatigue. Weak posture. Lax command. And this…" he gestured to the gate with his thumb, "…is your first defense. The man stationed there did not even look up before speaking."
"Understood, sir. We'll implement corrective drills—"
"You'll implement discipline," Hero said, his voice edged now, the first note of restrained anger seeping through. "Your officers carry weapons in the name of peace. They act in the name of law. But law without integrity is a weapon in the hands of tyrants."
The room fell silent. Officers behind the Chief shifted uncomfortably.
---
Time: 11:00 AM – Departure from Academy
Hero walked out of the building without accepting escort.
As he entered his vehicle, several officers stood in silence near the gates. No one saluted. They were too paralyzed by the weight of what had occurred.
Chief Verin immediately called Director Cyrah Inox, his voice trembling.
> "Director… he's coming. He's on his way to you."
---
Location: EarthGov Headquarters – 12:00 PM
Inside EarthGov's main tower, Director Inox stared at her terminal. Live feeds showed Hero's cruiser approaching the facility.
"Activate full secure mode," she ordered. "Notify all department heads. No one speaks unless spoken to."
> "Do we greet him formally?" an assistant asked.
"No. We prepare to listen."
Across the department, whispers spread like wildfire.
> "He's coming here?" "Why? What did we do?" "God help us…"
---
Time: 1:00 PM – Hero Arrives
Hero Xender's cruiser glided to a halt on the HQ's top-level pad. He stepped out without expression.
The guards saluted, trembling.
He said nothing.
He entered the tower.
He was no longer a visitor.
He was now the judge.
To be continued...