Six hours ago....

Officer Camille Vasquez, and her partner Officer Michelle Martinez, sat in their SZPD Stormkreuzer patrol car, parked a few blocks away from Annette Petra's house in the Palm Springs neighborhood.

From their vantage point, they could access the surveillance cameras that covered the front of the house, and the street outside.

"Hello, what's this?" asked Officer Martinez, as she spotted Annette and Sky coming out of the house.

They both got into Annette's Hyundai Ioniq 5, and drove off down the street.

"They left Mikaela alone in the house?" asked Officer Vasquez, incredulously.

"Looks like it," said Officer Martinez, switching camera feeds to track the car.

"Central this is unit 256, requesting a tracking detail on a white Hyundai Ioniq 5, license plate Bravo, One, Charlie, Tango, One, One," said Officer Vasquez into her radio.

"Copy that unit 256, sending vehicle information to all units in the vicinity," replied Central.

"Wait, did her license plate just say B1CT11?" asked Officer Martinez, raising an eyebrow.

"Apparently it was Ivan's idea. He actually paid for a vanity plate, and spun it as a random registration, just to troll her," chuckled Officer Vasquez.

"Wow, that's... actually kind of funny," said Officer Martinez, giggling.

"Yeah, well it's kind of fitting. Come on, let's check in on Mikaela," said Officer Vasquez, starting the Stormkreuzer's engine.

The Stormkreuzer's engine growled to life, and its lights flashed on.

"Unit 256, update on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 license plate Bravo, One, Charlie, Tango, One, One, went past the Palm Springs police checkpoint, last seen heading Northbound towards Orion shopping district," said Central.

"Copy that Central, notify when it returns to the Palm Springs checkpoint," replied Officer Martinez as they pulled up to the curb outside Annette's house.

Camille and Michelle got out of the car, and walked up to the front door, their SZPD boots clicking on the driveway.

Camille knocked on the door.

After a few minutes, Mikaela opened the door.

"Hi Mikaela, remember us? We're Officers Vasquez and Martinez, we're here to check in on you," said Officer Vasquez, smiling.

"Hi Officers. Mommy and Sky went out for the night," said Mikaela, opening the door wider to let them in.

"Is that so? Do you know when they'll be back?" asked Officer Martinez.

"I don't know, they didn't say," replied Mikaela, listlessly.

"How about we play with you while we wait for them to come back?" suggested Officer Vasquez.

"Okay," said Mikaela, perking up.

Camille and Michelle took off their boots, and padded into the living room.

"What shall we play?" asked Officer Michelle.

"How about a tea party?" suggested Camille.

"A tea party?" asked Mikaela, puzzled.

"Yes, a tea party. You can be the princess, and we'll be your royal guests," said Camille, smiling.

Mikaela's expression immediately turned sad at the mention of "princess".

"Okay," she said quietly.

"What's wrong Mikaela? You don't want to be a princess?" asked Officer Martinez, sitting down on the floor.

"That's what Daddy calls me. But he's not here," said Mikaela, looking down at her hands.

"Tell you what. I'll call him for you," said Michelle, pulling out her phone.

"Really?" asked Mikaela, looking up hopefully.

"But it has to be our little secret, okay? Your mommy won't like it if she finds out," said Michelle, winking at Mikaela.

"Okay," said Mikaela, nodding.

Michelle dialed Ivan's number, and put the phone on speaker.

"Hello? Officer Martinez?" answered Ivan,

"Daddy?" asked Mikaela, excitedly.

"Princess! Hi! How are you?" asked Ivan, his voice lighting up.

"I'm okay. Mommy went out with Sky, and Officer Martinez and Officer Vasquez are here," said Mikaela.

"I see, and how is school?" asked Ivan.

"It's okay. Sky's my new teacher," said Mikaela.

"Sky? The same Sky that Mommy went out with?" asked Ivan.

"Yup, I think she's a girl, but she calls herself non-binary," said Mikaela.

"Ah, I see. Well, I'm glad you're doing okay," said Ivan.

"Why can't you come over?" asked Mikaela.

"Because I can't, Princess. Mommy has given the police my name and said I'm not allowed to come near you," said Ivan, sighing.

"Officer Martinez, why can't Daddy come over?" asked Mikaela, looking at Michelle.

"Because your mommy told us not to let him come near you, and we have to listen to her," said Michelle, gently.

"Why?" asked Mikaela, looking confused.

"Well, your mommy said that she's scared of your daddy, and that he might hurt you, I know it sounds silly, but if we don't listen to her, we could get in trouble, and then we can't keep daddies who are really bad away from their kids," explained Michelle.

"But Daddy's not bad! He takes me to the park, and he buys me ice-cream!" protested Mikaela.

"I know, Princess, but the police have to listen to mommy otherwise everyone would just end up in fights all the time," said Ivan.

"Okay," said Mikaela, looking down at her hands again.

"While I can't come over, Officer Martinez and Officer Vasquez can come over whenever you want, and they can call me and I can talk to you like this, okay?" said Ivan.

"Okay," said Mikaela, perking up slightly.

"All right, Princess. What are you going to do with Officers Martinez and Vasquez?" asked Ivan.

"We're going to have a tea party," said Mikaela, smiling.

"A tea party? That sounds fun! Tell you what, I'll join by video call, okay?" said Ivan.

"Okay!" said Mikaela, excitedly.

Ivan switched to a video call, and Michelle propped her phone up a couch cushion in the living room.

"Hi Princess!" said Ivan, waving at Mikaela.

"Hi Daddy!" said Mikaela, waving back.

"All right, let's get this tea party started! I'll go and make some tea," said Camille, getting up and heading to the kitchen.

"Can I help?" asked Mikaela, following Camille.

"How about you and Officer Martinez set the table, and I'll make the tea," said Camille.

"Okay!" said Mikaela, excitedly.

Michelle and Mikaela pulled out cups, saucers, and plates from the cabinet, and set them on the coffee table.

"Oh, but we don't have any cookies or cake," said Mikaela, looking disappointed.

"Actually, I have some sponge cake," said Michelle, pulling out a small package of store-bought sponge cake from one of the utility pouches in her SZPD boots.

"Yay! Cake!" said Mikaela, smiling.

"All right, tea is ready!" said Camille, coming back into the living room with a teapot.

They all sat down on the floor around the coffee table.

"Would you like some tea, Princess?" asked Camille, pouring tea into Mikaela's cup.

"Yes, please," said Mikaela, taking the cup. Her hands brushed the black leather gloves that Camille was wearing.

"Wow, that's so smooth! What are those?" asked Mikaela, looking at Camille's gloves.

"These are special gloves that we SZPD officers wear, they help us beat up bad guys," chuckled Camille.

"Wow! Can I try them on?" asked Mikaela, looking hopeful.

"Finish your tea first, and then we'll see," said Camille, smiling.

Mikaela took a sip of her tea, while Ivan came back into view on the phone.

"I've got my own set of tea here," said Ivan, holding up a cup.

"Yay! Cheers Daddy!" said Mikaela, clinking her cup against the phone.

"Cheers Princess!" said Ivan, smiling.

They all took a sip of their tea.

"This is yummy!" said Mikaela, taking another sip.

"Glad you like it," said Camille, smiling.

"Can I try on your gloves now?" asked Mikaela, looking at Camille.

"Ok, but be careful, they're big, and they can give you a shock," said Camille, carefully pulling off her gloves and handing them to Mikaela.

Mikaela put on the gloves, and they engulfed her small hands.

"Hehe, yeah, they're big," she giggled.

"How do they feel?" asked Camille.

"They're super soft inside! And they smell nice too," said Mikaela, carefully sniffing the fingers of the gloves.

"Yeah, they're made from real leather, not that fake stuff," said Camille, smiling.

"Is that why they smell nice?" asked Mikaela.

"Yeah, real leather has a nice smell," said Camille.

"Is your outfit leather too?" asked Mikaela, looking at Camille's SZPD uniform.

"Yeah, everything except my shirt, and my pantyhose is leather," said Camille, smiling.

"I'll be very careful Princess, Mommy hates leather," warned Ivan.

"Don't worry Daddy, I'll keep it a secret," said Mikaela, giggling.

"All right, let's have some cake!" said Michelle, cutting the sponge cake into small pieces, and handing them out.

They all ate the cake and drank their tea, chatting with Ivan over the video call about school, and what Annette and Sky were like.

"All right, Princess, I have to go now, but we'll talk again when I can, okay?" said Ivan, smiling.

"Okay Daddy! Bye!" said Mikaela, waving at the phone.

"Bye Princess!" said Ivan, waving back.

Ivan ended the call, and Michelle put her phone away.

"That was fun!" said Mikaela, as Camille cleared the table.

"Yeah, it was. You're a great hostess, Mikaela," said Camille, smiling.

"Thanks Officer Vasquez," said Mikaela, blushing slightly.

"How about we read a story now?" suggested Michelle.

"Okay!" said Mikaela, excitedly.

They spent the next couple of hours reading Alice in Wonderland, with Mikaela taking turns on both their laps.

"This is the best day ever!" said Mikaela, as they finished the book.

"Well, I agree," said Michelle, ruffling Mikaela's hair.

"Um, are you staying for dinner?" asked Mikaela, looking at Camille and Michelle.

"We'll be staying until your mommy and Sky come back," said Camille.

"Yay! Can we have pizza?" asked Mikaela, her eyes lighting up.

"Sure, we can order some pizza," said Michelle, smiling.

"Pizza!" said Mikaela, jumping up and down.

----

They had just cleared away the pizza box, when Michelle's radio crackled to life.

"Unit 256, update on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 license plate Bravo, One, Charlie, Tango, One, One, is now approaching the Palm Springs police checkpoint," said Central.

"Copy that Central, terminate surveillance detail," replied Michelle.

"Well, that's our cue. Your mommy and Sky will be here soon, so go off to bed and pretend nobody was here, okay?" said Camille, smiling at Mikaela.

"Okay," said Mikaela, scampering off to her bedroom.

"Let's clean up here, and get going," said Michelle, standing up and stretching.

She and Camille quickly cleaned dried the dishes, pulled on their boots, and headed out to their Stormkreuzer.

They got into the car, and waited for Annette and Sky to arrive.

----

"What the hell is a pig doing outside your house?" asked Sky as they pulled up to Annette's house to find a sleek black SZPD Stormkreuzer patrol car parked near the curb.

Its engine started with an ominous growl, and its lights flashed on.

Annette sighed, and got out of the car.

However, the patrol car just slowly pulled away, and drove off down the street, its engine growl echoing in its wake.

"That was weird," said Annette, "I wonder what that was about."

"Pigs," scoffed Sky, as they followed Annette into the house.

"How about some wine after that failure of a night out?" asked Annette.

"Please," said Sky, flopping down on the couch.

Annette returned with two bottles of wine, and handed one to Sky.

Sky took a long swig from the bottle, and sighed contentedly.

"It's been a while since I've had wine straight from the bottle," said Annette, sitting down next to Sky.

"Yeah, it's been a while since I've had wine at all," said Sky, taking another swig.

Annette smiled, and took a swig from her bottle.

Sky looked curiously at Annette.

"What's up?" asked Annette.

"Nothing, just thinking about that pig that pulled away just as we arrived," said Sky.

"Maybe they were there because I took a restraining order out against my vile ex-husband," said Annette.

"Tell me about it. Ugh! Straight men are the worst!" said Sky, shuddering.

Annette laughed, and took another swig from her bottle.

"It's been a while since I've had somebody to talk to about this stuff," said Annette.

"I'm all ears," said Sky, taking another swig from their bottle.

Annette, chuckled, and began to recount her story of how she and Ivan divorced, the custody battle for Mikaela, and the restraining order she took out against him.

"Yeah, totally get why you didn't want him around. Like, feeding a kid hot-dogs and ice-cream? How insensitive! Doesn't he know that meat is murder?" said Sky, shaking their head.

"Hear, hear!" said Annette, raising her bottle in agreement.

----

Officer Vasquez shook her head in disbelief as she and her partner, Officer Martinez, drove through the quiet suburban streets of Palm Springs.

The liaison with the new Boston PD had not gone as planned, with Boston PD treating the entire Sirius Zone as a hands-off area. They were willing to loan out a couple of hybrid police SUVs as alternatives to the SZPD Stormkreuzer super-sedans, but that was it. Most of the new Boston PD were still pro-union, and despite unionizing being declared illegal, they still stuck together on things like avoiding the Sirius Zone, and the SZPD like the plague.

The annihilation of the former union-backed Boston PD's first precinct by Sirius Software's missile defense system didn't help matters.

"You know, when you signed us up for this job, I was skeptical, but now, I've got to admit, spending the evening with a kid like Mikaela is pretty fun," said Officer Martinez, glancing over at Officer Vasquez.

They had spent the evening at Annette's house, keeping an eye on her daughter Mikaela while Annette went out for a night on the town with her new friend Sky.

"Yeah, well. It's technically not our job to act as babysitters, but I feel this one is necessary. Annette may have taken out a restraining order against Ivan, but she's the one who's more of a liability as far as Mikaela is concerned," sighed Officer Vasquez.

"I call BS. You just have a crush on Ivan, and you want to make sure his daughter is safe since he can't come anywhere near her," teased Officer Martinez.

"Shut up, Martinez," said Officer Vasquez, blushing slightly.

"Anyway, I don't blame you. Ivan's a great dad. And Annette just showed how neglectful she is by going off for a night out with that Sky person," said Officer Martinez.

"Tell me about it! I can't believe she just left Mikaela alone in the house with nobody to watch her," said Officer Vasquez, shaking her head.

"Well, at least we got to spend time with her, and we're getting a nice collection of evidence against Annette for Ivan to use in his new custody case," said Officer Martinez, smiling.

"Yeah, but you know how judges are these days. Let's hope it works out," said Officer Vasquez, sighing.

----

Mikaela walked into the living room the next morning, ready for school.

She fought down a wave of nausea as the smell of cheap wine hit her nose.

Annette and Sky were slumped asleep on the couch, each with a bottle of wine in their hands.

Mikaela crept past them and opened the front door.

Outside, she saw a sleek black SZPD Stormkreuzer patrol car parked near the curb.

The car's gull-wing doors swung open, and Officer Vasquez and Officer Martinez stepped out.

"Good morning, Mikaela," said Officer Vasquez, smiling.

"Good morning, Officer Vasquez. Good morning, Officer Martinez," said Mikaela, smiling back.

"Ready for school?" asked Officer Martinez, as Officer Vasquez offered Mikaela a sandwich and juice box.

"Yes, ma'am," said Mikaela, getting into the back seat of the patrol car.

"Alright, let's get you to school," said Officer Vasquez, getting into the driver's seat.

"So, these are the cars that Daddy likes," observed Mikaela, as the Stormkreuzer's engine rumbled to life.

"Yeah, your daddy likes these cars," chuckled Officer Martinez.

Unable to resist, Officer Vasquez pumped the accelerator, and the Stormkreuzer let out a loud angry growl.

Mikaela giggled, but sobered up quickly as she spied Annette and Sky tumbling out of the front door, looking disheveled and hungover.

"What the hell are you pigs doing?" shouted Sky, staggering towards the patrol car.

"I'm Officer Vasquez, and this is Officer Martinez. We're escorting Mikaela to school," said Officer Vasquez, rolling down her window.

"Like hell you are! I'm her mother! You can't take her anywhere without my permission!" shouted Annette, stumbling towards the patrol car.

"Ms. Petra, it's already late, and Mikaela needs to get to school. You can arrive there on your own time, after you've sobered and cleaned up," said Officer Vasquez, firmly.

"Wait what?" asked Annette, confused.

"Lady, you stink of booze. Mikaela's getting late for school, I suggest you clean up your act," said Officer Martinez.

Officer Vasquez chirped her siren, and the Stormkreuzer's lights flashed on.

Annette and Sky glared at the patrol car, but reluctantly stepped back.

"Alright, let's get you to school," said Officer Vasquez, pulling away from the curb.

The Stormkreuzer shot down the street with its lights flashing and siren blaring, leaving Annette and Sky staring after it.

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