Luminara's Shadow

The next morning, in the cleaning warehouse, the atmosphere carried its usual tension. The team leader, a burly man with a stern demeanor, paced around the employees, clipboard in hand, distributing tasks as usual. He looked up and addressed the team: 

"Today's a big day at the precinct. They want everything spotless, even in the corners they usually forget to check themselves. You know what that means: no slacking, and we finish on time." 

The team nodded silently, mentally bracing for the long workday ahead. Kai, concealed under a cap and oversized work clothes, stayed in the background. His relaxed posture and stoic expression contrasted with the visible nervousness of the others. 

The team leader suddenly turned toward him, pointing his pen in his direction. "Ah, right, almost forgot. We've got a newbie today. Make him feel welcome." 

All eyes turned to Kai. One of the senior workers, a stocky man with a skeptical look, stepped closer, smirking. 

"New guy, huh? Hope you're not one to drag your feet, 'cause we don't have time for amateurs here." 

Kai responded with a light smile. "I'll catch on fast, don't worry." His tone was calm. 

The leader raised an eyebrow, impressed by the newcomer's quiet confidence. "Good. Let's go. Everyone, into the van. We're heading out." 

During the ride, conversations became more lively. Sitting in the back, Kai listened attentively. A tall, chatty blond man beside him started a conversation. 

"Hey, man, first time working here?" 

Kai nodded. "Yeah, first time." 

"You'll see, the precinct's a special kind of place, especially in the cells. Things can get... tense. Watch where you wander." 

Kai, as calm as ever, replied without looking up. "Thanks for the heads-up. I'll steer clear." 

The blond burst out laughing. "Yeah, just stay out of trouble. Not a place you wanna stand out." 

That advice aligned perfectly with Kai's intentions. Blending in was precisely his plan. He had everything mapped out: stay invisible, observe, and gather the intel he needed. 

Once they arrived at the precinct, the team dispersed to start working. The leader assigned Kai to the office area, a seemingly quiet spot but strategically crucial for his mission. 

"You, take the offices. Keep it quiet; that's where the cops work. Do your job well, and no one will notice you." 

Kai nodded silently, taking his equipment. As he entered the building with the others, his eyes scanned every detail. The precinct was buzzing with activity: officers in uniform rushed around, handcuffed detainees were escorted to cells, and the general atmosphere was tense. 

Kai got to work quickly, sweeping the halls in silence while eavesdropping on conversations. A group of officers passed by, speaking in hushed tones. One of them, a younger man, seemed uneasy. 

"Did you hear about the guy who dealt with the kid's father yesterday?" the younger one whispered. 

"Yeah, Inspector Sato," replied another. "He shut it all down. Not his first time handling complaints in that area. They say he's tough as nails." 

Kai continued cleaning without reacting, but the name "Sato" echoed in his mind. That was the inspector he was after. 

Suddenly, he caught another conversation from an adjacent room. 

"Inspector Sato, you have a call on line three," announced a female voice from reception. 

Kai, ever discreet, heightened his vigilance. Now he had a name and a possible location. He needed to know more about this inspector. 

While continuing to clean, he subtly approached the room where the inspector was. From outside, he caught snippets of the conversation. Through the slightly ajar door, he glimpsed a man in his thirties seated behind a desk, phone to his ear, his expression stern. 

It was Sato. 

Kai mentally noted every detail: his posture, his gestures, the layout of his desk. These details could prove useful later. For now, he couldn't risk being discovered. Once he had gathered enough information, he resumed his work, blending seamlessly back into the cleaning crew. 

Back at the warehouse, Kai gave a brief word of thanks to the team before leaving, but in his mind, the plan was beginning to take shape.