“Alright, everyone, wrap up your calls and listen up! We’ve got a new batch of promotions to announce.” The voice boomed through the precinct, making Neal jolt in his chair. He’d been drafting his mission report while waiting for his turn at the transmografier. Sitting at his usual desk in his mission body felt off. They’d just wrapped up the assignment and were back in the office for debrief.
“This is a special one.” Captain Stephanie Mathers’ voice carried over the rustling of the department. “As some of you have noticed, a few familiar and unfamiliar faces are back. They just completed the biggest drug bust this county has ever seen—by weight, if you’re counting.” She grinned, eyes scanning the room. “Officer Neal Gotter, get up here. Or should I say, Claudiaaaa!” She trailed theatrically.
Neal stiffened. She was really doing this while he was still in this body? “Claudia—better known to us as Officer Gotter—has spent the last few months infiltrating a so-called impenetrable criminal enterprise, proving once and for all that no one is unpierceable.” The captain smirked. “And in doing so, he’s demonstrated exactly what it takes to be a Senior Lead Officer.” Neal swallowed hard. He wasn’t alone—his partner was getting the same promotion—but that didn’t make standing up there any less mortifying. Captain waved them both forward. “Come on up. I see you trying to hide, Gotter. You can’t exactly blend in with that face.”
Reluctantly, Neal stepped in front of his fellow officers. He’d never felt so exposed standing fully clothed. His fellow officers, the same guys he’d chopped it up with on the daily, watched with eyes he could feel burning into his skin. He’d been trained for attention, had spent months using it like a weapon, but right now he wanted to evaporate. The guys had enough discipline not to whistle, but he knew he wouldn’t hear the end of it later. He’d already avoided introductions that morning, hoping to slip under the radar. Captain didn’t seem to care.
Captain finally wrapped up the ceremonials. “Alright, pictures, then drinks! McGruder’s in 30—don’t be late.” The precinct was already moving, people grabbing their coats. Even the lab guys, the ones supposed to change him back, were slipping out the door. Before he could protest, an officer who’d hazed him back in his rookie days threw an arm around his shoulder, grinning. “If anyone needs a ride, Neal’s your girl!” The room erupted in laughter. Neal sighed, blowing a strand of hair out of his face. Yeah. He was never living this down.
