Old Kea licked his lips, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He had always vaguely felt that he had wasted most of his life in this building;
now, he was certain he had.
It was simply absurd. He had only been back at work for a few months since being rehired, yet any one of these "exciting" experiences easily outstripped most of his life. All those years really had been wasted.
As he continued wiping his hands, a voice sounded beside his ear:
"What are you still waiting for?"
Old Kea stared wide-eyed and discovered that the person standing before him was actually Neo:
"You... weren't you... aren't you supposed to..."
"Bring the shackles and lock them in the Detention Center. This won't really be over until the evidence is approved."
"But..."
"But what? Can't you see who won? Betting's closed, and you still don't know how to place a bet when I'm opening a back door for you?
"Even if you won't think of yourself, at least think of your grandchildren and your grandnephews and grandnieces.
"I'm only reminding you for old times' sake. Decide for yourself."
Neo turned around.
Old Kea instinctively called after him:
"Where... are you going?"
Neo waved a hand. With a cigarette between his fingers, he seemed to leave wisps of pale cloud behind:
"Back to prison."
Old Kea swallowed, then immediately waved and ordered, "You've all got your gear, right? Come on, follow me! We're going to shackle some people!"
"Yes, Section Chief."
"Yes, Section Chief."
Who would have thought that just as Old Kea finally made up his mind and brought his men downstairs to take custody of the prisoners, two other groups would appear ahead of him?
One was the old Hound Dogs Squad