This post was inspired by a writing prompt in the Worldbuilding Community - Worldbuilding Prompt #471 - Detectives
I've used my SciFi setting for this one, it just seemed more fun and to fit the prompt better...
Image by Hands off my tags! Michael Gaida from Pixabay
The res-unit door swung from one hinge at a crazy angle, large holes where the lock and top hinge had once been. It wasn't the sturdiest construction, but then these low rent units didn't need more, the inhabitants rarely had much of value.
PCD-Lieutenant Cluemeau pushed the edge of the door with the tip of his pen, to open it and gain access to the unit without disturbing any evidence it might hold. Inside was a mess; upturned furniture, broken wall screen, and an awful stench like a mix of excrement and rotten half-cooked chicken.
Behind the smashed sofa, he could see a pool of dark liquid congealing on the plasticised floor. Walking over, he saw what was behind the wreckage and gagged. Once, this might have been someone, or maybe two someones, it was almost impossible to tell.
It looked like a heap of tangled flesh loosely constrained by what had once been clothing, a slaughterhouse nightmare. It wasn't possible to distinguish features or even individual body parts, and Cluemeau knew what weapon had been used here. A protein scrambler. Banned for civilian use on every world of the Imperium, and even the military rarely used them, they were too short range and just too horrifying.
There was only one way to determine who the victim or victims were. Cluemeau pulled the scanner from his pouch, set the dial to DNA and pointed it at the mess of flesh and bone.
That was when he heard a noise behind him. Was the killer back ?
He turned, one hand on the hilt of the Kj-37 needle pistol holstered at his belt.
Two figures in smart and stylish light grey uniforms stood in the doorway.
Image created by AI in Wombo.art
"Stand down, lieutenant. I am GreyASP-Captain Holmen, and this is my analyst, GreyASP- Lieutenant Vadzorn. We picked up the signature of a weapon stolen last week from an Imperial Marine base outside Sohnt. That means GreyASP has jurisdiction over the case. What do you know so far ?"
Cluemeau let his hand drop to his side. GreyASP. They always got the interesting cases, the prestigious ones that led to promotion. The Public Control Department that he was in were relegated to riot control and foot patrols. He had hoped that clearing up this murder might get him that promotion to captain, and could see the hope flying out of the window with the arrival of these two.
Shrugging his shoulders, he said "Not much. Two weapons used; a single-shot sheller to open the door, and the protein scrambler that did ..... this." He waved his scanner vaguely in the direction of the sofa.
"We've got three victims. A male and two females. One of the females must be a juvenile, I'm not scanning enough mass for three adults."
Holmen nodded, noting the information on his dataslate. Vadzorn spoke up at that point. "Sir, the data I'm pulling from the PCD device indicates that the victims were Gal and Faria Miuga. Petty criminals, the PCD had been monitoring them for a while. But why would someone steal a scrambler and use it on them ? It seems totally excessive."
A new voice sounded from behind them all, just outside the res-unit.
Standing in the doorway was a figure in an immaculate russet brown uniform, cape over his shoulder, golden epaulettes gleaming and perfectly combed, and a Navicomian-pattern Mk 6 combat helmet on his head with the tinted visor open.
"I can answer that. BrownASP-Colonel Garrad. The Miuga's were replacements, artificial people sent by the Einheriar. When the enemy knew we were close to breaking their operation, they sent a pair of Einheriar assassins to eliminate them in a way that masked the evidence. PCD has local jurisdiction. GreyASP has internal jurisdiction, and BrownASP has jurisdiction is external matters are involved. The Einheriar are an external enemy, so I have jurisdiction.
Cluemeau and Vadzorn groaned aloud. PCD and GreyASP didn't particularly get along, but they both universally detested BrownASP with their overbearing ways and arrogant approach. They had to acknowledge their efficiency and single-minded dedication, however.
"I protest, sir," started Holmen. "This is Homeworld, GreyASP should retain this case."
Garrad laughed, a sneer in his voice. "We need to catch the assassins. Put your complaint in writing. In the meantime, I have a squad of troopers outside and you do not. The case is mine, and if you object, I will shoot you and write it up as removing an enemy infiltrator. Do you object ?"
Holmes shook his head with resignation.
"No, sir. You have jurisdiction. The case is yours."