Zenless Zone Zero: The Front Line

Chapter 12: Win-Win

You have 1 incoming DM request from: Jane Doe

Shion looked at his phone in confusion. How in the world did this girl find his private Tremor account? Actually, wait, she's a police officer after all. Of course, she found his account. He decided that he better answer her.

Jane: Hello, Tremor. Are you busy tonight~?

Tremor: I don't believe so. How can I help you, officer?

Jane: I wanna see you. We have a few things to talk about

Tremor: Like what?

Jane: You'll find out soon, won't you? Come to Lumina Square at midnight~

Tremor: Why do you keep using that?

Jane: Using what~?

Tremor: ...

Tremor: Nvm I'll catch you tonight

So at midnight, Shion went to Lumina Square with his helmet on. He waited in the alley behind the massage parlor with his hands in his jacket pockets, keeping his back against the wall so that way he could see Jane approach from either side.

She came in from the left. She walked up to him with a smile on her face and her thumbs hanging between the belt loops of her jacket. She tilted her head to the side as she stopped in front of him.

"Good evening, Tremor. You're up late, aren't you?" She asked playfully.

"What is it that you have for me?" Shion asked seriously, cutting right to the chase. Jane's smile seemed to fade slightly before coming right back.

"I brought the file on Bloodhound. Public Security has been building a case on him for some time now. I have his real name and his criminal history all right here." Jane said, sliding a folder out of the inside of her jacket.

"Ah, I see. That helps out a lot actually." Shion said, leaning in curiously and carefully taking the file with both hands.

As he slipped his fingers between the pages of the folder, Shion felt something inch itself against the back of his neck. All at once, Jane used her tail to slip his helmet off of his head. She flicked it into the air and caught it with her hands.

"Huh?! Hey!" Shion exclaimed in shock, not believing that he'd fallen for such a juvenile trick.

"That's much better. Now I can see how cute you are." She teased him.

"Are you serious with that right now?" Shion grumbled irritably and tried to grab the helmet from her. She moved away to keep it from him.

"Oh you have purple hair? I didn't expect that. It matches your jacket." She said with a giggle.

"Whoa whoa quit swingin' me around, lady!" Manami exclaimed in the middle of the scuffle between Shion and Jane.

"Hm? Who said that?" Jane wondered aloud, holding the helmet up to look into it.

"What's up, rat lady? I'm Manami." The AI within the helmet introduced himself to her.

"Oh? What a clever place to hide a partner. Nice to meet you." Jane said with a sideways smile.

"What are you, 5?" Shion grumbled, snatching the helmet back from her while she was holding it out. Jane let out an amused scoff.

"Maybe in rat years." She quipped in response.

"Are you gonna let me look at the file or not?" He asked seriously.

"Aw, don't get upset on me, Tremor," Jane made a pouting face and brushed a fingertip against his cheek. "I've brought you some good intel. Why don't we go over it together?" She offered.

"Fine." Shion agreed, shaking his head in annoyance.

"Ahem," Jane popped open the file and began to read from it. "Bloodhound. Real name: Calvin Augustine. He's been in and out of the system ever since he was a juvenile, building up a decent rep sheet starting with petty theft and assault and working his way up to suspected murder and racketeering.

"Our sources basically say Bloodhound has a profile of being a 'violent businessman' who isn't above intimidation or the classic show of force to keep his men in line. He's a higher-up in the Verdict gang, but he is still one piece in a very big, dangerous puzzle." Jane described.

"Pretty important piece to have. What is it that you wanna do with him?" Shion asked curiously.

"Well you can imagine what kind of power vacuum would appear if someone so high up in the ladder were to suddenly be taken off the board." Jane hinted.

"Hmm...and that would open a door for you to weasel your way in there – like an undercover operation." Shion guessed.

"I love working with smart people," Jane giggled. "That's why it's very important that we take Bloodhound in alive as well. If we can flip him then that gives us a powerful informant." She specified.

"That might be a bit of wishful thinking." Shion commented honestly.

"I know," She quickly replied with a shrug. "Of course, if he chooses to be stubborn then we still have him as a potential bargaining chip. Either way, that's a big baddie off the street."

"Sounds like a win-win for PubSec."

"It sure is," Jane smiled and made eye contact with him. "Don't look so serious. I have no interest in taking you down with him. I always honor my partnership agreements with C.I.'s." She winked.

"Forgive me if I don't find that the most reassuring." Shion said with an irritable expression.

"You'll see. I in fact am very much looking forward to this new partnership. I have a feeling it'll make this job a little more interesting." Jane said in an oddly amused manner, sliding a little closer to him, and playfully brushing her fingers across the front of Shion's shoulder.

"Have you always been this strange, or does it come with the job?" Shion raised an eyebrow at her.

"Ouch, tough crowd...can I give you some advice, Tremor?"

"I guess." He answered with a shrug.

"Public Security isn't too concerned with taking down InterKnot right now – we have bigger fish to fry right now...but eventually we'll have to turn our attention to all the proxies and Hollow Raiders for hire out there.

"When that day comes, I don't plan on turning on you, but I suggest you come up with a game plan." She warned him sincerely, speaking in a lot more serious of a tone now so that there would be no doubt that she meant what she was saying.

"Hm...when that time comes, give me a heads up, alright?"

"Stay a good partner and I'll do what I can," She winked again and tapped him on the shoulder. "It was nice to see you tonight. I have some other work to take care of tonight, so I must bid you adieu. Sweet dreams, Tremor." She said with a smile before stepping back and beginning to walk away.

Shion took in a breath, taking a moment to recollect himself. He would have to be very careful with how he handled this partnership with Jane. He wasn't fully sure he could trust her at this time but he really had no other choice.

"Hey, Jane?" He called out to her.

"Hm? Yes?" She stopped and turned to look back at him.

"There's something else I wanted to ask you about. When I started looking for Bloodhound, one guy in the Verdict gang said that all of the lieutenants meet up at some club in the city, but he didn't know which one." He brought up.

"A club you say...? We don't have any intel on that." Jane said, her brow furrowing curiously.

"You think he was just trying to misdirect me? I didn't get that vibe at the time." Shion inquired.

"I dunno. I'll look into it though. Could be a new lead. We'll be in touch. Bye bye now." She gave him a quick wave and scurried around the corner.

"See ya soon, Jane." Shion said with a sigh before putting his helmet on and heading back home.

"She got you good, bro." Manami commented with a chuckle.

"Not a word." Shion shook his head...