Several weeks earlier<br/><br/>"Nice shot, chief," Carl said, but he was lying. He was currently playing golf with the chief of police, who wasn't very good, to be honest. Carl always made sure the chief won though, he didn't mind losing since it helped him get what he wanted. He had always hated golf, he had only taken it up since everyone important seemed to be playing it. Despite all that Carl was pretty damn good, he could probably wipe the floor with the big shots he found himself losing to.<br/>"Thanks," the chief said, obiously pleased to hear his drive get complimented. "So Carl, what's this I hear about one of your team quiting again? What's that, three in one year now? We can't be having that, I need your team to be out there smiling for the cameras, but I also need you to be the best, or else the cameras will be moving on, understand?"<br/>Carl understood very well. He and his team had been a part of the chief's propaganda machine for the last two elections. Not only was Carl and his men extremly handsome and heroic looking, they were the best of the best, like Hollywood action heroes come to life. The chief probably wouldn't have won the last election if it hadn't been for the votes and goodwill Carl had secured for him. The chief was a corrupt and arrogant man, but Carl never felt bad for helping him hold on to his power. With someone like that at the helm, Carl could make sure his own activeties could go on uninterupted.<br/>"Yes, I was meaning to talk to you about that. I am confident there won't be any more transfers out of my unit if I just can get the person I want to fill the empty spot." The chief looked up on him with interest.<br/>"You finally found someone living up to your high standards? Excellent. He will look good on camera, yes?"<br/>Typical. The first thing he asked wasn't if the new member was good at his job, of course not.<br/>"She actually. And yes, she is quite attractive." Carl couldn't help but take pleasure in breaking the news to the chief like this, the look on his face was priceless.<br/>"Are you out of your mind!? The O'Connor woman? Do you know how hard those damn feminists have been lobying for her? I don't need you to start now!"<br/>Carl replied calmly.<br/>"I think you should hear me out chief. Have you seen the latest polls? You are losing the women's votes fast, and you didn't have many of them to begin with. Think of the PR value of adding a woman to the ERU, to Gold Squad Two none the less. It could be enough for you to actually survive the election come next fall."<br/>This made the chief listen, but he quickly dismissed what Carl had said. His face looked like he had swallowed a lemon. The chief had the reputation of a Male Chauvinist Pig, with good reason since he actually was one.<br/>"Yeah? Maybe so, but what will happen if she get shot? Or, god forbid, killed? I tell you what will happen, the press will crucify me!" Carl nodded, he had been prepared for this argument.<br/>"That won't happen, the boys and me will watch her back, give her the easy assignments. And she's actually quite good, so we won't have to baby sit her much." Carl knew the chief would never accept the fact that Lisa O'Connor was good enough to deserve a place in the ERU without Carl making a case for her, so he appealed to the chief's desire to win, and used his own prejudice against him. Sure enough, he eventually swallowed the bait.<br/>"You are sure you can do that? Keep her out of harms way and make sure she won't fuck up?" Carl nodded.<br/>"I'm sure. Just leave it to me, you just worry about getting those votes."<em>She's five times the cop you ever were, you asshole</em>Carl thought, but just smiled at the chief, who was starting to look mighty pleased.<br/><br/><br/>Present day<br/><br/>Lisa didn't have to wait long. Soon the chief entered the locker room, followed by a number of camera teams. He was on his best behaviour, there were cameras present after all.<br/>"Ah, here she is, the brave and extraordinary woman we've all been dying to meet. Allow me to shake your hand and welcome you into the ERU as the first woman ever to earn this honor." He shook her hand and slapped her on her back like she was one of the boys. Still smiling, he hissed through his teeth, low enough for only Lisa to hear:<br/>"Don't you fucking die on me now, I'm really sticking my neck out for you, you hear?" He smiled and joked at the cameras like nothing had happened.