Lear had barely sat down when the desk clerk at the front desk looked up and called out to him.
"Lear, you don't have a fixed patrol sector for today. The Lieutenant said for you to head out with him; he's taking you on patrol."
Lear's heart skipped a beat, but he stood up without letting it show.
The opportunity had arrived.
Just as he reached the center of the Main Hall, Marvin Branagh was already walking over, carrying his police hat. The Lieutenant carried himself with a straight posture and a steady expression, his brow reflecting a sense of justice rarely seen in the Police Station.
"Come with me for a round of inspections. Any problem with that?" Marvin asked, his tone calm.
"No problem, Lieutenant," Lear nodded and followed.
As the two walked out of the Police Station side by side, Marvin skipped the pleasantries and spoke directly: "I'm going to take you through the scenes of a few recent disappearances and assault cases. I want you to get a feel for them."
"Yes, sir."
The patrol car drove smoothly, and the cabin remained quiet for a time. Lear didn't pry; he simply waited for the right moment.
Marvin kept his eyes on the road ahead and suddenly let out a soft sigh. "You've probably sensed a bit of the situation at the station by now."
Lear listened intently, his tone steady. "Some cases are being suppressed far too hard. It's not normal. Plus, the victims in the recent reports... their wounds are very strange. They don't look like they were caused by ordinary wild animals."
Marvin glanced at him, his eyes showing a touch more approval. "You're sharp. The higher-ups have been burying the news, but the strange incidents are stacking up. No matter how much they suppress it, they can't stop the panic from spreading."
"Where do you think... the problem lies?" Lear asked tentatively.
Marvin fell silent for a moment before lowering his voice slightly. "Don't ask what shouldn't be asked, and don't touch what shouldn't be touched. Protecting yourself is more important than anything else. As for Irons... try to stay away from him. That man is no longer worth trusting."
That single warning was enough.
Lear understood completely and nodded solemnly. "I understand, Lieutenant. I'll be careful."
Marvin patted his shoulder. "You're a steady kid. More reliable than a lot of the old-timers."
As the atmosphere relaxed, Lear took the opportunity to bring up his prepared request.
"Lieutenant, I have a formal request I'd like to mention to you."
"Go ahead."
"I want to apply for authorization to carry heavy weapons on duty, including temporary access to a long gun, shotgun, or carbine." Lear's voice was calm and firm. "The attacks in the city are getting increasingly violent. A standard pistol doesn't have enough stopping power. Since I'm on solo patrol, I won't be able to control the situation if an emergency occurs without heavy weapons."
Marvin was visibly taken aback, clearly not expecting this.
"Heavy weapons?" Marvin frowned. "By regulation, only SWAT and S.T.A.R.S. are routinely equipped with those. The application process for a regular Patrol Officer is very strict, and it requires the Chief's signature."
"I know," Lear said unhurriedly. "But the current situation is anything but regular. I don't need them as permanent equipment. I just need emergency duty authorization—to register them at the equipment room, check them out as needed for patrol, and return them immediately upon returning to base." He paused for a moment, adding his most persuasive point:
"I just want to have the ability to protect myself—and the citizens—when things go wrong."
Marvin looked at him, falling silent for several seconds.
The calm, steadiness, and foresight of the young Patrol Officer before him far exceeded his years.
Finally, Marvin nodded slowly.
"I understand," he said in a low voice. "I can't give you heavy weapons directly, but I can handle everything else for you: the requisition clearance, equipment room approval, and my own signature. I'll deal with Irons."
Lear felt a jolt of excitement—this had gone even more smoothly than he had anticipated.
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
"Don't thank me." Marvin stared straight ahead, his voice deep. "I just don't want to wait until something actually happens only to find our people don't even have a gun to save their own lives."
Lear looked at the sergeant, sighing inwardly. As expected, Marvin is ten thousand times better than that idiot Black cop in RE7! At the same time, he resolved that if it were possible, a man like Marvin shouldn't have to die here.
One patrol circuit ended; the streets were almost deserted, with twisted shadows faintly visible in the dark corners. The two men returned to the Police Station.
Marvin was as good as his word, taking Lear directly to the equipment room to sign the emergency heavy weapons standby requisition authorization. Although he couldn't take them with him immediately, Lear now had the legal qualification to claim a long gun or shotgun the moment a disaster broke out. Just as Marvin said, having these guns would at least give Lear a little more confidence to survive when a true crisis appeared.
By the time the clock struck the end of the shift, the sky had already turned dark.
Lear didn't go back to his apartment, heading straight for the Kendo Gun Shop.
The crisp chime of a bell rang as he pushed open the door.
Robert Kendo was hunched over, wiping down a shotgun. When he saw him, he immediately broke into a smile. "Lear, you're here?"
"Uncle Robert." Lear walked into the shop, his gaze sweeping gently toward the small inner door. "Is Emma here too?"
"Brother Lear!"
The young girl immediately came running out from the back room, her eyes bright and sparkling, clutching a picture book in her hands.
"Haven't gone home yet?" Lear's tone softened.
"Dad says it's unsafe lately, so he wants me to wait in the shop so we can leave together." Emma swung her feet. "By the way, we remember what you warned us about last time."
Kendo set down the gun, his expression turning a bit more serious. "The nights have indeed been strange lately. I've already reinforced all the locks on the front and back doors."
Lear nodded, his tone solemn. "It's only going to get more dangerous moving forward. Not just Emma—you should stay inside more too, Uncle Robert. Especially after dusk; don't step out of the shop if you don't have to."
He paused, his knuckles tapping lightly on the counter. "You have my number. Whether it's a strange noise in the shop or you see someone suspicious, call me directly. Don't hesitate."
Seeing his serious expression, Kendo didn't give a casual response like he usually would. Instead, he nodded earnestly. "I'll remember. You're a sharp one, kid—thinking of things even more thoroughly than I do."
"It's always better to be careful." Lear looked at Emma. "Emma, you have to be good too. Stay inside at night and don't make trouble for your father, okay?"
"I know!" Emma nodded vigorously, then looked at him curiously. "Brother Lear, do you seem even busier today?"
"I did a patrol circuit with the Lieutenant." Lear didn't go into detail, merely saying gently, "I might be coming to the shop often from now on to stock up on ammunition and parts."
Kendo understood immediately and slapped the counter. "Come whenever you like. Long guns, short guns, bullets, accessories—I'll save them all for you. Don't be polite with me when the time comes to use them."
Emma added in a small voice from the side, "Brother Lear, you have to protect yourself too."
These few simple words brought a rare trace of warmth to this city on the brink of collapse.
Lear looked at the ordinary but kind father and daughter before him and nodded slightly.
"I will. And you two... make sure you stay alive."
It was late into the night when he left the gun shop. Lear gripped the pistol at his waist and looked up at Raccoon City, now shrouded in darkness.
Marvin's trust, the heavy weapons authorization, the support of the Kendo family...
His plans were falling into place piece by piece, even as the crisis drew closer and closer.
(Translated by yourtl.app)