Chapter 6: Operation Chupacabra: Deep Cover

After we escape from a pack of chupacabras, we return to the police station.

"Oh man, I can't believe we just saw a Chupacabra. That thing was terrifying."

"Yeah, for once we agree on something."

"Hehe, see? I wasn't so bad, am I? Maybe you can get used to it, Hernandez."

"Nah, I prefer Ramirez. So what are you going to do now, Vincent?"

"Wait, let me guess—probably receive a bribe, right?" I point my finger at his pocket.

"Ah, screw you, pendejo. Now I'm going to my office to open a cold one to calm me down. See you, Hernandez." He locks up his purple sports car.

Vincent then proceeds to head into his office while I'm in the parking lot, still thinking about what to do next.

Alright, let's recap. First, the attack on the farm—what would the motive be? Then there's the missing chemical shipment, and Bruja (the witch) told me someone was controlling them.

Hmm, why would the cartel attack a farm in the first place?

Wait, let me organize this: Motive—attack a farm. Means—using chupacabras. Suspect—Los Hermanos Polos or someone in that cartel.

So the only thing left is the motive. Why would they attack the farm? Maybe they want more land to farm weed, but that seems too small-scale. Why would they bother to care about a small farm on the fringe of Mexico City?

I start to sweat. I better get inside—it's pretty hot here in July.

As I walk inside the police station, I can't believe my eyes.

"Wait, Ramirez, what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing? I'm here to help you. You look like you're stuck, huh?"

"Hehe, yeah, you're right, cabrón."

"Well, I know what you'd be without your partner."

"Alright, alright, let's discuss it somewhere else because, you know, the walls have ears." I point to the foreign division.

"Ah yeah, let's go."

We then head to our office.

"So you found out the suspect is the chupacabra and the means is attacking the farm, but the motive remains a mystery."

"Yeah, more or less."

Then Hernandez has an epiphany. "Ah, it could be..."

"Oh, you have an idea what their motive could be?"

"Huh? Oh nah, I'm just trying to think. I have an idea—maybe I got an epiphany."

"Stop screwing around, Ramirez. This is serious."

"Wait, didn't you investigate the ranch? What did you find?"

Suddenly I get an idea.

"Oh yeah, I found this shipping order with the name Grupo Translogística del Norte S.A. de C.V."

"What a generic name, so uninspiring. I thought these cartels could be more creative."

"Hehe, you got that right, Ramirez."

"Wait, it's in the name—logistics. So they possibly transport and maybe store the missing chemicals."

"Can we trace it? Let's look it up in the database."

"Ok, let me see."

I enter the name of the shell company.

"Damn, can't find a match."

"So does that mean we're wrong?"

"No, it means we need to see José."

We then head to the lab.

"Lab rat, I need your help."

"Ah, what is it, Hernandez?"

"Can you hack the database?"

"Hack for what?"

"Well, it's a long story. Can you do it?"

"Alright, give me a minute."

José then checks his computer.

"What's the name of the company, Hernandez?"

"It's Grupo Translogística del Norte S.A. de C.V."

"Ok, let's see... aha, found it, but it's locked behind a firewall."

"Can you breach it? We need the location of the company."

"Of course, it only takes a minute. Forget it—I already did it."

"Let's see... it seems they specialize in cross-border cargo logistics. They export mostly fruit—probably where they hide the drugs."

"And here's the address: Parque Logístico, Apodaca, Nuevo León."

"Apodaca, huh? That place is full of warehouses and cargo yards."

"Alright, thank you, José."

"Ramirez, let's go bag our Chupacabra owner for possession of a nuisance animal."

"Ok, Hernandez, but what about the patrol car? Isn't it in service?"

"Don't worry, I have a spare." I show Ramirez Vincent's car keys.

"Hehe, now you're talking, Hernandez."

We then head to Vincent's car.

"Ramirez, you drive."

"Ok, Hernandez."

We then enter the car.

"Here are the keys. Don't scratch it, Ramirez—you know what would happen, right?"

"Uhh, the chief docks our pay and Vincent will be angry at us."

"Nah, there's nothing. You can wreck this car if you want to."

"Hehe, sweet. I always wanted to get my hands on this thing."

Then suddenly the car reverses and hits the fence.

"Goddammit, Ramirez!"

"Sorry, wrong pedal."

Ramirez then finally figures out the right pedal and we head out to hunt our Chupacabra.

"Ah, I got to turn on the radio to calm my nerves."

Then electric Latin music plays.

"Yeah, Dame un grr, un grr, un grr."

"Dammit, what is this song even about? Why is it even on the radio?"

"Don't be like that, Hernandez. Chill out—the beat is quite sick."

"Come on, say it, Hernandez: un grr, un grr."

"No, never." I then look out the window.

"Ah, buzzkill."

Ramirez continues to sing while I'm thinking: Could this cartel be connected to the one that killed my father?

A few minutes later, we arrive at Apodaca.

"Well, where's the specific address, Hernandez?"

"Oh, take a turn here and continue forward. Stop when I say stop."

"Eh, ok, just don't forget to say stop because there's a sea near here."

The car continues to move a few kilometers until...

"Stop! This is the place."

"Really? It looks abandoned. Are you sure?"

"Never judge a book by its cover, Ramirez."

I then look around, making sure there are no guards.

The surrounding area is quite empty—there are a few workers and a few cargo ships in the distance.

"Alright, coast is clear. Let's enter from the back."

"Ok, but don't we need a warrant or something?"

"Well, if we wait for a warrant, they'll already move the shipment somewhere else. And someone in our station might alert them—you know the walls in the station are pretty thin."

"Uhh, yeah, I know."

I then climb the fence and reach the other side. Meanwhile, Ramirez...

"Can you climb the fence, Ramirez?"

"Uhh, I think I'll find another way."

"Don't be stupid, Ramirez. This is the only way."

"Uhh, I don't know."

"Fine, if you fall, I'll catch you."

"Really? Ok, I'll try to climb the fence then."

Ramirez then climbs the fence and almost falls on my face.

"Ah, get off my body, pendejo! Only women can lay on my body."

"Yeah, alright, sorry."

We then continue to scan the surrounding area, but it's quiet—almost intentionally quiet, as if to not draw any attention or sell the illusion that this is an abandoned place.

"Alright, there's a door. Let me see if I can lockpick it."

"Lockpick? You can do that, Hernandez?"

"Yeah, I was out on the streets before joining the force, so I know a trick or two."

I then lockpick the warehouse door.

"Ah, it's just a standard lock. I just need my bobby pin and..."

Then there's a click noise.

"Alright, it's open. And Ramirez?"

"Yeah, Hernandez?"

"Watch out for your ass—the chupacabra might bite it."

"Ah, fuck you, pendejo."

We then enter the warehouse building and find nothing there—not even a box or forklift or a person for that matter.

"Ah, mierda! Did we get the wrong address?"

"No, I don't think so. Look, there are car tire marks."

I investigate the tire marks and they lead to the middle of the warehouse where there's a four-circle pattern.

I touch one of the patterns.

Then it makes a click noise, but when I remove my hand, it goes back to its place.

"There are four, huh? Wait, Ramirez, crouch and stretch your foot from this pattern to this pattern."

"What? That's impossible, Hernandez."

"Just try, ok? I'll do it too on my end."

We then try many times to figure out how to position ourselves.

Then finally, all the patterns have been pressed and the ground shakes.

"Wait, what's happening, Hernandez? Why is it shaking?"

"Ah, hold on, Ramirez. I think it's a secret elevator."

We then descend from the warehouse to find a room that looks like a lab.

"Looks like nobody's here for the moment. Good—we have the element of surprise on our side."

I then start placing non-lethal explosives around the entrance just in case they return.

"Ok, Ramirez, check the table for physical evidence. I'll look for the missing chemicals and the computer—they might store their research there."

"Ok, be careful, Hernandez."

I then look in the other room to try to find the missing shipment and the computer.

I can smell something... wait, could it be the smell of the chemicals? I hope they aren't toxic. Well, based on the report, Teresa said they aren't toxic, just smell awful.

I check where the smell comes from and I find the missing chemicals stored in a metal box.

"And look, a computer. Alright, time to hack it."

I plug in the USB that José said can hack the computer by overwhelming its security system.

"Bingo."

I start to look for the shipping information and their supplier. Oh, looks like Teresa was right—it comes from China and belongs to Huayuan Global Logistics Ltd.

"Ah, it belongs to the Qingshe Hui (Azure Serpent) syndicate. It's one of their shell company names. Huge thanks to online connections for the tip."

I then move all the data to the USB.

I then tag the box and continue to search for more evidence.

I exit the room to investigate another room.

The next room is narrower than the first room—it must be a hallway.

I then hear a dog howl from one of the doors.

I check the door to find a dog chained up.

"Oh, hey there, boy. What are you doing here, huh?"

The dog barks at me then proceeds to whimper. They probably treat it badly.

I look for documents on the desk.

"Subject 13: Mestizo (street dog). When injected with the mutagen, had a seizure and lay on the floor."

"Damn these sick fucks."

I continue to read the document.

"But when we were going to euthanize it, it started to run around the place with full energy."

"Oh, looks like you're not just a good boy—you're a super boy."

"Alright, stay. Well, it's not like you can leave, but I'll be back for you, ok?"

The dog whimpers but then obediently barks back.

"Ok, good boy."

I then put an explosive on the lock just in case I get caught—I can cause a distraction.

I leave the dog room.

Suddenly I hear a voice from my walkie-talkie.

"Hernandez, it's Ramirez. I think I can hear the elevator moving."

"Ah, mierda! Hide, Ramirez!"

"Ok, copy. I'll try to hide in one of the containers."

"Be careful, ok?"

Then I can hear footsteps from Ramirez's walkie-talkie.

I hope they don't find him.

Then I hear one of the cartel members:

"Hey, that container looks suspicious. It's supposed to be empty—let's check it out."

Oh no, Ramirez.

"Ah, I found someone! It's a cop."

Then I hear a thud. Looks like they hit Ramirez with the butt of their gun.

Looks like Ramirez got caught.

Then an angry voice comes from the walkie-talkie:

"Hey, Los Azules! Looks like we have your friend here. Reveal yourself or your friend might meet lead."

"Oh no, Ramirez."

To be continued in Chapter 7
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