Chapter 3: Igniting The Fuse.
"For every action you take in life, there will be a consequence. The earlier in your life you learn this the better...
Your father was a smart man, but it would only be after this job that he will truly learn the meaning of that statement. The gun that is the righteous anger of vengeance would be pointed at him...and the person staring down the cross-hairs would be a police officer, fuelled with furious pain, grief and explosive fury that your father... lit the powder to.
It would be here that the two would cross paths for the first of many times..."

Date: April 2003
Location: Olympian Bank.
Alpha and Zulu stood in complete silence, oblivious to the steadily growing loud noises of sirens coming from outside, staring at the treasure they had found; three gold bars, stacked neatly in an open safe.

"...You're kidding, right?" came Charlie's voice from the Walkie.

Zulu shook his head gently then, realising he couldn't be seen by the people downstairs, raised the walkie to his mouth. "Nope. Three gold bars."

Alpha gulped and turned and faced Zulu. "...Is this real? I'm not dreaming, right?" Zulu looked at Alpha, blinked, then socked him in the side of the face. "OUCH!" shouted Alpha while rubbing his cheek "What was that for?"

Zulu shrugged. "Are you awake?"
"Yes."
"Then you're not dreaming."

Alpha scowled. "I think you're supposed to pinch yourself, not punch your buddy."

"So let me get this straight. We have found gold bars in this building?" asked Delta.

"Yep." responded Zulu.

"For real?"
"Yeah."
"And you're not joking?"
"Nope."

"Oh...okay..." came Delta's dazed voice. He then cleared his throat. "Give me a minute will you..." was all he said. All of a sudden, Zulu and Alpha heard a loud jubilant cheer coming from downstairs. Alpha and Zulu looked at each other and smiled. The walkie hissed back into life. "Okay, I'm better..."

Zulu chuckled. "Good. Get behind a counter and take cover just in case the Police rush in. Me and Apollo will secure the goods."
"Copy."

Zulu looked over at the still dazed Alpha. "Hey Apollo."

Alpha snapped back into the real world. "Hey yeah what?" he said rapidly and oblivious he was being called by his newly appointed nickname. Zulu smiled.

"Let's start bagging them up." said Zulu pointing his thumb towards the safe.

Alpha nodded dumbly and walked towards the gold. Alpha grabbed one of the bars with one hand and tried to lift it...but failed. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed it with two hands and hoisted it. His legs almost buckled under the weight.
'God! This weighs a ton.'
Alpha looked up and saw Zulu grinning at him. "What? It's heavy."

Zulu folded his arms. "Whatever you say. Personally I think you should hit the gym. Lift a few weights, do some cardio and..."

As Zulu continued talking, an evil smirk appeared on Alpha's face. He then hoisted the gold bar toward Zulu. Zulu caught it...but continue going backwards with it. He hit the wall behind him leaving a Zulu sized imprint and slid to the floor. Zulu looked up at a smirking Alpha.

"Okay Apollo...I'll admit...it's a wee bit heavy." Zulu struggled and fumbled his way up and dumped the bar into his open bag. Zulu then rubbed his back. "Jesus! Reminds me when I used to haul half-inch lead roofing in the old country."

Alpha then smiled. "I'll take the other two."

Zulu rotated his shoulders. "You sure?"

Alpha smirked and grasped one of Zulu's shoulders. "Sure. I don't want you breaking your back old man."
Zulu rolled his eyes, "Very funny."

Alpha then chuckled. "Anyway, we need a plan to get out of here."

Zulu nodded. "Good point..." Zulu left the room lugging his now heavy shoulder bag behind him. He got to a window and observed the situation outside the bank through the blinds. There was about twenty police cars and vans parked outside. There was a mixture of riot cops with shotguns with normal uniform. There was also a guy bellowing into the bank with a megaphone, although Zulu didn't see the point due to the interference making it hard to distinguish anything he was saying. Zulu then looked directly down and saw that a fire escape directly connected to the window to the back alley.
"Ah shit." said Zulu backing away from the window.

"Problem?" asked Alpha from behind him. Zulu turned around and raised an eyebrow at the struggling man sweating with the bag.

"Are you gonna be okay with that?" asked Zulu with some concern.

Alpha smiled nervously. "Me. I'll be fine. Have you got a way to get out?"

Zulu shook his head and then shrugged. "The fire exit seems to be our way out, but the cops will see us in a second if we go out there. And I'd like to come back with fewer bullet holes than I arrived with."

Alpha put a finger to his chin. "What about the guys downstairs?"

Zulu sighed. "If they book it now, then they'd probably make it. However..."

"...We're the ones with the loot right?" finished Alpha. Zulu nodded. Alpha folded his arms. "What we need is a distraction so the cops won't see us using this fire escape. Especially seeing as though they don't know anyone is upstairs yet..."

Zulu stared at wonder at Alpha, then smiled.
'How does he stay so calm? Surrounded by cops, dead to rights and here he is trying to find a way out'
Zulu shook himself out of this thought process. "Erm...we could use Omega in the van to stir up some trouble but then we won't have a ride..."

Alpha sighed then faced the ceiling deep in thought. His eye caught something. His face made a inquisitive expression. And then he smiled. His eyes gleamed as he looked at Zulu.

"What's up?" asked Zulu.

"Idea..." was all he said.

-x-x-x-x-x-

"Dispatch, this is Squad Car 45. Detective Badd, badge number 6528, en route with two Uniform towards the 'Olympian Bank.'" said Badd on the radio while manoeuvring throughout the traffic.

Gumshoe's heart leapt in his chest when the car nearly hit another cab while crossing the intersection at full speed. Gumshoe turned to look at Aurora next to her. By the looks of things, she had the same feeling. They both gulped and shot a nervous smile at each other.
'This is it Dick, the moment you've been waiting for. Your opportunity to defend the people of this city from criminal lowlifes...'

"Detective Badd we received your call." Said the nasally dispatch lady. "Be advised the robbers are armed and considered dangerous. Person in charge of the scene is Inspector Shield."

Badd groaned. "Not 'breach and shoot' Shield..."

Shield was quite possibly one of the most inappropriately named men in the force. His strategy towards combating criminal elements was the exact opposite of what his name implied...

"What's your ETA?" Asked the lady.

"I'm about two minutes away." Badd's eyes then flicked right. He then mounted a pavement, went over some stairs and reached another road. Some people dived out of the way to avoid the car. Gumshoe swore he even saw one guy dive into a fountain. "...Scratch that. Make it a minute." he then looked at the rear-view to see his pale and nervous assistants. "Nearly there...get ready."

-x-x-x-x-x-

"You want us to do what!" Shouted X-Ray.

"You have to trust me on this one. This can only work if as many police as possible gather into the main hall." explained Alpha.

"So what, you want us to hide behind a counter until the place is filled with uniform?" said X-Ray in dismay.

"And wait for the signal, yes." A sigh came down the walkie.

"Zulu...are you cool with this." asked Beta quietly.

Zulu looked up at Alpha. He saw that his eyes were full of determination. He believed in himself, believed that this would work. And it was a damn sight better than any plan Zulu could come up with. He gulped slightly. "Yes...I'm cool with it."

A sigh came down the walkie again. "Okay," said Beta "What's the signal?"

Alpha chuckled, "You'll know it when you see it. Just tell me when it is packed with as many cops as possible."
"...Copy..."

Alpha looked up at Zulu. "Thanks..."
"For what?"
"Trusting me."

Zulu gave a smirk. "You can thank me when you've gotten us outta here alive."

Alpha smiled back and held his hand out. "I'm going to need your lighter."

Zulu grimaced, and grudgingly handed him the lighter, "That is one of my most prized possessions. You lose or break it, your dishing out the two grand to replace it..."

Alpha raised an eyebrow. "Two grand for a lighter? No wonder you need to rob banks if you spend that kind of money on day to day crap."

-x-x-x-x-x-

Badd pulled up outside the bank with the other police vehicles. He put the handbrake on and took a deep breath. "Made it." Funnily enough, his passengers were thinking the exact same thing, mainly because they felt that it was a miracle that they managed to survive that car journey. Badd turned around and looked at the pair. "Check if your guns are ready."

Gumshoe and Aurora nodded and checked their weapons and turning off the safety. "Done." they both said simultaneously.

Badd nodded. "...When we get out there, stay low and behind the Police cars. They are designed to take fire if need be. Don't stay in open space for too long and move from car to car." Badd then checked his pistol. "And for gods sakes, if you poke your head out, don't keep it out for too long."

Gumshoe and Aurora nodded. "Yes sir!" they both said.

"Right. On three..."

Gumshoe gulped and gripped his gun tightly. He looked over to Aurora. She smiled calmly at him and mouthed 'good luck'. Gumshoe smiled back.

"Three. Two. One. GO!" The three kicked open their doors and took cover behind them. Badd then went forward while keeping low from car to car. Aurora was following directly behind Badd whilst Gumshoe, with his bulky size teamed with his inexperience, was trailing a bit. They eventually reached a van near the entrance. Badd approached a man in Riot gear. "Inspector." he greeted.

Shield turned and smirked a little. "Detective." he looked behind Badd. "I see you brought some new friends."

Badd nodded and looked at the nervous but excitable pair behind him. "Officers Gumshoe and Aurora. They're...new." He then looked back at Shield. "So what's the plan?"

The Inspector folded his arms. "Well I thought that we'd just rush in. Scare them and overpower them with numbers."
"...Of course you did..."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Hmph. Nothing." Badd then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his mirror. He then lifted it above the van.

"Er..what are you doing?" asked Shield.

"Checking the front entrance in the reflection." said Badd like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Got any idea who they are?"

Shield shrugged. "They're not wearing any colours." But then Shield smiled. "But come on. Remember the Lordly Tailor heist? High profile robbery, well planned, completely masked..."

"So we're guessing Collins Crew. Hopefully this time we can grab someone..." Badd then continued altering his mirror.

Gumshoe looked at Badd. "Collins Crew, sir?"

Badd glanced towards the rookies. "Gang. From the middle class area. Quite well known. Been around awhile." he shot off quickly.

Aurora glanced at Gumshoe and smirked a little. "Well this could get...interesting."

"You can say that again, pal." said Gumshoe quietly while trying to peek at the entrance.

"Can you see anybody near the front door?" asked Shield.

Badd altered his mirror's position once more and shook his head. "..No it's empty... wait..." a flicker of movement near the front door alerted Badd that someone was there. Suddenly, his mirror shattered into several pieces in his hand.

Badd withdrew with a hiss, a rare occurrence of anger crossing his face, "Damn it! That was my favourite..."

"Right!" Shield pulled down his helmet. "We're going in. I need you and your officers to wait outside."

Badd nodded, calm and collected once more, "...All Right."

Shield then motioned with his right arm and charged into the building with a mass of armed men following him. Gumshoe and Aurora waited for gunshots to emerge from the building but surprisingly none came. Nothing but silence. Then a loud alarm went off inside the building. Badd, Gumshoe and Aurora blinked as they peeked around the corner of the van to see what was going on.
"What..."
"...The..."
"...Hell, pal!"
The inside of the bank looked like it was having an indoor monsoon. Visibility was low and riot officers were running out soaked to the skin.

"It's the sprinkler system! The fire alarm must of set them off!" shouted Aurora.

Badd glanced up and saw two people on the fire escape wearing balaclavas and carrying bags. "Freeze!" he shouted pointing his pistol at them with Gumshoe and Aurora. The men stopped momentarily, then started running again. Badd pulled the trigger...

-x-x-x-x-x-

"Now!" came Delta's voice from the walkie. Alpha turned on the lighter and held it under sprinkler.

'Come on!' He thought worriedly. 'Work, damn you!'
His prayers were answered shortly after. The fire alarm shrieked throughout the building and a heavy shower erupted from the ceiling making it nigh on impossible to see what was in front of your face.

Zulu went to work wrenching open the window. After prying it open, he clambered through it shortly followed by Alpha. They were almost home free when...
"Freeze!" someone shouted, causing the pair to stop momentarily. Zulu sighed.

"Apollo."
"Yeah?"
"Jump!"

Zulu jumped off the fire escape railing to the alley below. Alpha, trusting his friend completely followed with no fear. Just as he reached the railing he heard a gunshot and something whistle by his ear. Alpha leapt off the fire escape and, due to the extra weight he was carrying, sunk like the proverbial stone.

The world was hazy in Alpha's eyes for a couple of seconds. He didn't know if was coming or going, if he fell far or if he really hurt himself. The only thing he remembers next is Zulu slapping his face waking him up.
"...on Apollo, wake up! I'm not leaving you here."

Alpha focused his eyes. He saw that he was sitting in trash bags and that a drenched group of Beta, Delta, X-Ray and Charlie were pushing a dumpster in front of the emergency exit door to the alley.

Alpha groggily got up and waved his arms. "I'm fine..." Or at least that's what he thought he said, his ears were still ringing. Zulu nodded and smiled a bit.

Delta turned to Alpha. "That plan was as crazy as shit, man. I even got an early shower out of the deal."

Beta wrenched water out of his cowboy hat before putting it on. "At least we lost the police by the looks of things..."

Zulu shook his head. "We're not out the woods yet. Not until we reach the van. Come on! Omega's waiting for us."

The group started to move up the alleyways. However, Alpha was lagging behind the rest. The fall and carrying two gold bars was really catching up to him. He could feel his body starting to weaken and the bars digging into his back did nothing for his morale. Just a few more streets and...

"Hold It pal! It's the police. Hands behind your head!" came a gruff voice.

Alpha cursed. He saw Beta who was just in front of him turn round with a worried look. Alpha threw him the bag. "Keep going!" Alpha shouted. Beta nodded and sprinted off. Alpha turned and put his hands behind his head.

Two big lugs and a girl appeared pointing guns at him. "You're under arrest." said the woman

Alpha gritted his teeth and surveyed the area. He walked backwards slowly. "Stay where you are!" said the girl again.

Alpha smiled. "Actually, I'd think I'd rather go." He then kicked a garbage bag at the trio and sprinted off towards the exit of the alley. He saw the truck leaving from across the street at that point and cursed. However, he saw the back was open with Zulu urging him to run.

"COME ON APOLLO! MOVE!" he shouted.

Alpha sprinted after the moving vehicle. He started catching up to it, inch by inch, foot by foot. By this time the trio of police came bounding out of the alley, firing warning shots overhead. Alpha ignored it, instead choosing to use the increasing adrenaline to fuel his run. He was then inches from the outstretched hand of Zulu. A few more centimetres and...

A firm hand grabbed Alpha and hoisted him on the truck. "I've got him!" shouted Zulu with a smile. However, that smile disappeared when a bullet whizzed over him and entered the truck. "Jesus! Cover fire! Now!" shouted Zulu as he started unloading his shotgun in the general direction of the officers who were following on foot. The rest pulled out their pistols and revolvers and started firing as well. Alpha, still laying on his back, pulled out his revolver and squeezed shots off as well. As gunfire headed towards their direction, one of the male officers jumped on the other to take cover, bullets whizzing through his trench coat. The female officer, being more brazen, continued to fire back. As the last shots were fired from the truck, the girl suddenly clutched her chest, then hit the ground. "Whoa, hold!" shouted Zulu. They stopped firing and they noticed the woman wasn't moving. The truck then went round a corner, covering the view. Alpha looked up at Zulu and he back down to him. Zulu then sighed. He closed the shutter. They were all thinking the same thing.

"Fuck..." said Charlie quietly. "Did...did we just kill her? A cop?"

Zulu looked at the men around him. He then shrugged. "Maybe..." he said quietly.

"Oh shit..." said Delta sitting down. "Anything but uniform..."

Zulu folded his arms. "Nothing we could do. She shot, we fired back." He looked down at Alpha. He was looking at the gun in his hand. "'Apollo, you okay?"

Alpha looked up, then nodded gently. Then without saying a thing, he put the revolver back in his holster...

-x-x-x-x-x-

Gumshoe crawled out from under Badd and stumbled towards Aurora gun in hand after witnessing the whole thing.
'No...No...She'll be fine...she has to be..."

"This is Detective Badd, we have a man..." was the last thing Gumshoe heard. There were ambulances and police cars arriving, but they could have been miles away for all it mattered to him. Gumshoe continued to walk towards his partner things slowly coming more into view. The blood around her. The entry wound in her chest. Her hat and glasses several meters away from her.
Gumshoe knelt beside her and looked into her eyes. A single tear left her blue eyes before her focus faded away. Gumshoe blinked.
'N-No.'
Gumshoe looked at the gun in his hand. He then threw it across the street. "NOOOO!" he screamed in anger. Sadness filled his heart, a sadness he hadn't felt since his mother death. But that sadness then turned into a blinding rage. Gumshoe looked up, his eyes blotchy and red. "I swear...Aurora...I'll...I'll make them PAY!" Gumshoe then looked back down at the ground. "...one way or another...they'll pay... I promise..."

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Random Kristoph short story: Kristoph and Quality Family Time.

Klavier: You know bruder, when you said we'd be spending some quality time together, I never thought this would be it...
Kristoph: Shut up and keep digging.
Klavier: Whatever. This looks a bit big for a plant. Looks more like we're digging a grave.
Kristoph: ...

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Author's Notes:

Nothing much to say. Thank you for reading and reviewing. It makes me happy inside...

Hoping work will let him write,
Kongu123

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A review a day keeps the doctor away. You wouldn't want to be ill, would you? :)
Seriously though, what do you think so far? We write better when we know how good/bad we are.

He's covered wars ya know (Not really...),
Spadework2

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