Chapter 66 – The Arrival of the New Instructors
LAPD Headquarters – Wild-Wilshire Precinct
The morning in Los Angeles was beginning to stir at the LAPD's Wild-Wilshire Precinct headquarters. The precinct yard was bustling with newly arrived and veteran officers preparing for duty, adjusting their equipment, and checking their patrol cars.
But something different was in the air that morning.
The officers were summoned to a mandatory meeting in the precinct auditorium.
That, in itself, was unusual.
The precinct's newcomers, John Nolan, Lucy Chen, and Jackson West, walked together, still trying to understand what it was all about.
"This is strange, isn't it?" commented Jackson, adjusting his uniform.
"Yes. Usually, a summons like this means that either we have a big problem... or someone very important is arriving," replied Lucy, crossing her arms.
John Nolan smiled slightly, always optimistic.
— Or maybe it's a great opportunity.
The three climbed the stairs to the auditorium, where the official trainers (TOs) Tim Bradford, Angela Lopez, and Talia Bishop were already seated further ahead, awaiting the start of the meeting.
Bradford, as always, seemed suspicious of everything.
Lopez and Talia were talking amongst themselves, but both were also curious.
On stage, Captain Zoe Anderson stood beside Sergeant Wade Grey, watching the officers settle in.
Grey looked at Zoe and murmured,
— I hope this is really necessary. These officers already undergo rigorous training.
Zoe smiled slightly.
— It will be worth it, Grey. Trust me.
When everyone was settled, Zoe stepped forward and began to speak.
— Good morning everyone. — Zoe began, her voice firm and confident.
"You've been summoned today because we're implementing a new training program here in the Wild-Wilshire district."
There was a low murmur among the officers.
Zoe continued.
"Crime in Los Angeles is evolving. Gangs are more organized, cartels are more aggressive, and gun violence is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Our officers are excellent, but we need to ensure we're prepared to face these new threats."
She gestured to Grey, who picked up a remote control and pressed a button.
Two images appeared on the screen.
The first showed a serious-looking man with short hair, an intense gaze, and a soldier's posture.
The second showed a woman with curly hair and calculating eyes, clearly a highly trained professional.
Many officers exchanged glances, not recognizing the faces.
Zoe crossed her arms and looked at everyone.
"I present to you your new instructors: Jason Gibbs and Ziva David."
Bradford raised an eyebrow, observing the images intently.
The rookies exchanged confused glances.
"Never heard of them," Jackson murmured.
"Me neither," Lucy agreed.
But then Bradford frowned and muttered to himself.
"Gibbs... Kandahar…"
Nolan, who had heard, looked at him.
"Do you know him?"
Bradford took a deep breath before answering.
"Not personally. But I've heard rumors. They say he was one of Delta Force's best snipers. An elite operator. A true ghost on the battlefield."
The rookies were silent for a moment, absorbing it.
"And the woman?" Lucy asked.
"Ziva David," Zoe said, interrupting the murmur in the room.
She pressed another button on the control, and each person's credentials appeared on the screen.
— Jason Gibbs served in the Green Berets and later in Delta Force, participating in some of the most secretive operations of the last thirty years. He is a specialist in long-range combat, infiltration, and intelligence.
The officers looked at the information on the screen, impressed.
— Ziva David was a top Mossad operative before becoming a special agent with NCIS. She worked in counterterrorism, infiltration, and clandestine operations.
The rookies exchanged glances, now more intrigued.
Jackson raised an eyebrow.
— So… we have a war legend and a deadly spy as instructors?
Lucy nodded slowly.
— It seems so.
Bradford was still analyzing the photos and records.
— If these two really are who they say they are… then this won't be just any training.
Zoe continued.
— The training that Gibbs and David will conduct will focus on improving our urban combat tactics, self-defense, decision-making under pressure, and response to modern threats. She looked directly at the police officers.
"We're not bringing these instructors here just to teach you how to shoot better. We're bringing them here to ensure you survive when the situation gets out of control."
Grey finally intervened, his voice serious.
"And let me be clear: this training is not optional. You will all go through it. Whether you like it or not."
Bradford smirked, murmuring to the rookies.
"This is going to be fun."
Lucy rolled her eyes.
— This is going to be hell.
Zoe turned off the screen and crossed her arms.
— Gibbs and David arrive tomorrow. I want everyone ready to learn. They are not ordinary instructors. If you pay attention, you will come out of this training better than ever.
There was a moment of silence before Grey stepped forward.
— Now, get back to work. And be prepared. Because this training is no joke.
The officers stood up and began to leave, commenting amongst themselves about the news.
Bradford looked at Nolan, Lucy, and Jackson.
— You think what you've been through so far has been difficult? Wait until tomorrow.
The rookies exchanged nervous glances.
— Welcome to the real LAPD. — said Bradford, smiling before leaving the room.
Nolan took a deep breath.
— I think we're about to learn some very important lessons.
Lucy nodded slowly.
"I hope we're ready."
And with that, the most intense training the Wild-Wilshire district had ever seen was about to begin.
Chapter 67 – The Instructors Arrive
The Arrival of Jason and Ziva
The clock read 6:30 a.m. when activity began at the LAPD's Wild-Wilshire District headquarters. The officers were gathered in the training yard, their uniforms adjusted and equipment ready.
The atmosphere among the officers was a mixture of curiosity and tension. Most of them had already heard the rumors about Jason Gibbs and Ziva David, but they still didn't know what to expect.
Rookies John Nolan, Lucy Chen, and Jackson West chatted in a corner, trying to hide their nervousness.
"They should be arriving any minute now," commented Nolan, looking around.
"I hope they're not the type to yell at us," Lucy murmured, adjusting her tactical belt.
"After what I've heard about their past, I doubt they need to yell. The mere fact that they're here should be intimidating enough," said Jackson.
Official trainers (TOs) Tim Bradford, Angela Lopez, and Talia Bishop stood at the front, observing intently. Bradford had his arms crossed and an assessing look on his face.
Sergeant Wade Grey and Captain Zoe Anderson were positioned near the main entrance, awaiting the instructors' arrival.
Then a black car entered through the police station gates, stopping near the courtyard.
The doors opened, and Jason Gibbs and Ziva David exited the vehicle.
Jason, wearing black tactical pants, a gray t-shirt, and military boots, had a firm posture, like an experienced soldier. His analytical gaze swept across the courtyard, registering every detail.
Ziva, beside him, wore a tight-fitting black long-sleeved shirt and tactical pants, her hair tied in a ponytail. Her sharp eyes observed the officers with a mixture of assessment and interest.
There was a momentary silence among the group of officers.
Jason and Ziva exchanged a glance and walked over to Captain Anderson and Sergeant Grey.
"Captain Anderson," Jason greeted, shaking her hand.
"Gibbs," Zoe replied with a discreet smile.
"Sergeant Grey," Ziva said, shaking the sergeant's hand firmly.
"David," Grey replied, impressed by her presence.
Zoe then turned to the officers.
"Attention! These are Jason Gibbs and Ziva David. From today onward, they will be your instructors. I suggest you pay close attention to what they have to teach."
Jason stepped forward and looked at the officers with a serious expression.
"We're not here to give long speeches or to win your sympathy. We're here because we were called to improve your skills. Some of the things you'll learn here could save your lives. Others could save the lives of your colleagues. If you pay attention, you'll leave here better." If you don't perform… then maybe this job isn't for you.
There was a brief silence before Ziva spoke.
"In the coming days, we're going to test you. Don't expect it to be easy. We're going to discover your weaknesses and force you to overcome them. If you want to complain, I recommend you save it for after work. Now… front line. Let's begin."
The training had officially begun.
The first few days were extremely tough for the officers.
Jason and Ziva were demanding but fair instructors. They didn't yell. They didn't humiliate. But they also didn't accept excuses.
The first module of training focused on improving the officers' shooting skills.
Ziva, as a specialist in tactical combat and infiltration, taught strategic positioning and shooting under pressure.
"If a suspect is behind cover, where do you shoot?" she asked Nolan as he held his weapon.
"It depends on the situation…" he began to say, but Ziva interrupted.
— Wrong. — She pointed to a training mannequin. — Aim where he might move. Anticipate. Don't shoot where he is, shoot where he will be.
Nolan nodded, adjusting his sights and firing as instructed.
Meanwhile, Jason supervised the officers in precision shooting training.
— Bradford, your shot is pulling to the right. Check your grip.
Bradford adjusted his grip and fired again, hitting the target better.
— Better. Now, again.
Lucy and Jackson also received rigorous instruction on reaction time and positioning.
Another focus of the training was hand-to-hand combat and immobilizing suspects.
Ziva demonstrated self-defense techniques, catching some of the officers off guard.
— If a suspect tries to grab your weapon… — she said, pulling one of the officers into a simulation, taking him down with a quick strike.
— You need to react before he can disarm you. Quick movement, no hesitation. Now, try again.
Jason focused on defense against armed attacks, teaching the officers how to disarm an opponent in a close confrontation.
— In the heat of the action, your mind needs to be more fast than your body. If you hesitate, you're dead. If you miss, you're dead. If you hit, you live to tell the tale. Simple as that."
He demonstrated a disarming technique, neutralizing an opponent in seconds.
" Now, your turn."
The officers began training intensely, sweating and straining to keep up with the instructors' demanding level.
After weeks of challenges, the officers began to notice a change.
Their reflexes were faster. Their shots were more accurate. Their combat responses were sharper.
During the final tactical simulation, where teams needed to neutralize a threat in a building occupied by hostages, the groups demonstrated impeccable skill and coordination.
After the final exercise, Jason and Ziva gathered everyone in the courtyard.
" Congratulations. You've improved a lot since day one. But remember, learning never ends. What we teach here needs to be practiced constantly." Because the day you need to use this… there won't be a second chance.
The officers applauded, not out of obligation, but because they knew they had truly evolved.
Captain Zoe Anderson and Sergeant Grey were clearly pleased with the results.
"You two did an incredible job. Thank you for accepting this mission," said Zoe.
Jason gave a wry smile.
"It was a pleasure."
Ziva nodded.
"We hope you never need to use everything you've learned… but if you do, we know you're ready."
The officers approached to thank them, shaking hands with Jason and Ziva.
The training was over. But its impact would last forever.
pat/SHADOWGHOST07
Discounts on plans