Chapter 27

Returning to Wood Oak City has to be one of the strangest things the team encounter. The familiar sites are completely unrecognisable. Buildings that once stood tall like Central Bank and Sky Tower are no longer standing. All that is left are the debris and fallout from a war that they almost lost. Central District which suffered the majority of bombings is only now starting to regenerate with miles of scaffolding there to repair the damage.

Furthermore, the streets are empty at this time of night with the 6pm curfew. Only gang members who dare to challenge the police operate in the ghetto areas as well as underground. The walls appear even more colourful after sundown each night with graffiti and the ground is littered. It is illegal but private clubs have remained open and although the police issue warnings to the staff, there is not enough of them around to battle with the gangs.

"What the fuck…?" Max is taken back as the ship docks by Wood Oak Harbour.

Max: "Look at this place! I don't recognise it".

Axel crouches down to the ground as he notices a heroin needle next to a teddy bear.

The smell of the dead and the dust in the air still lingers even months after the last bombings.

Sammy: "It seems so quiet". He looks around as every shop appears shut and the pavements deserted.

"Hey guys, look!" Blaze says to the rest of the group as she notices Tim Murphy and two other officers walking towards them with a convoy of cars behind them.

"Hunter!" Tim extends his hand first towards Adam "we've missed you on the force".

"What's going on here?" Adam questions him.

Tim: "Thank you for ending this war and finding Mr X's hideout and weapons. There is still so much we can't explain but in the end we confirmed the only threat to our city were the original bombs that destroyed the buildings here before the ceasefire back in January".

Axel: "We stopped a 10,000 tonne missile two days ago from destroying most of this city and your telling me those shitty little bombs were the only threat?!"

Tim glances back at the two officers escorting him then replies: "I'm sorry, we knew nothing of it".

"Bullshit!" Blaze responds. "I called you explaining the threat and to evacuate the city. This whole place would have been wiped out!"

Tim: "Fielding I think you're getting a little carried away".

#Punch#

She throws a jab that hits his jaw in anger.

Tim then decides to stop his two officers from stepping forward to intervene by raising his hand in front of them. One being a tall, bald stocky man and the other being a tall muscular blond lady.

Tim: "Adam tell your team including Hatchet, your brother and even the wanted criminals on your team like Zan and Shiva that the state of Wood Oak pardon them and they are free to go home. You and Officer Stone can come with me to the police precinct and I will tell you in confidence what is going on. Officer Feroccio, arrest Miss Fielding".

Blaze: "Arrest me?! What for punching you? I just saved your ass what the fuck!"

Tim: "You have just assaulted the acting Commissioner of this city. Not to mention the fact you abandoned your post here and left against our orders!"

The tall stocky man obeys him and charges forward with his handcuffs as Blaze readies her fighting stance. Just before any more violence can take place, Axel steps in front of her as a barrier between Blaze and the officer.

Officer Feroccio: "Step aside" he replies holding a gun to Axel's forehead.

Axel looks him in the eye then calmly responds "ever had third degree burns? It's one of the most painful things the human body can experience. That dock over there is just over a hundred metres away. You'll be running towards the water like an inferno with your dick in your hands if you don't lower that gun".

After an anxious pause Tim sighs. "Do as he says!"

As soon as the officer lowers the gun Axel kicks him in the nuts then punches him in the stomach before taking his gun. He immediately disarms the weapon then throws it on the ground next to the officer who lies there injured.

"Shall I arrest them Sir?" The blond female officer quizzes Murphy.

Tim: "No Agent Aguirre. Escort the three of them including Fielding to the station then we will decide where to go from there".

"You can't arrest Blaze!" Max interrupts.

Tim: "Are you the law Mr Hatchet?"

Axel: "He's right. You're forgetting something aren't you?"

Tim: "Enlighten me because I'm starting to get tired with this shit from you Stone."

Axel: "To arrest an Officer on the grounds of desertion, they have to first be classified as property of this nation and it's government. Blaze is still a British citizen. As for the common assault charges, we're looking at one night or two at most under arrest?" he turns to Adam.

Adam: "I agree, two days at most with a payable fine. Plus as acting Officers, either Officer Stone or myself could keep the suspect under custody during this time".

Blaze: "Now that would be fun" she grins at Axel.

Tim: "Just you wait! I will make sure I have you extradited by the end of the week!" he angrily replies to Blaze as the team walk towards the convoy of police cars. She gives Tim a crafty wink as she is escorted into the police car which will travel to the precinct with Adam and Axel.

The rest of the team stay together and are each driven home in several other cars.

"We'l see you soon". Adam and Axel say goodbye to Max, Sammy, Zan, Shiva, Angelina and the baby.

Shiva: "Take care brother, I'll be in contact soon". He replies.

As soon as they arrive at the newly built police precinct, Adam opens the car door and runs towards Keri who is waiting for him outside. Her picks her up and kisses her with excitement as tears come to her eyes.

Keri: "We've missed you so much!"
Adam: "I know baby, how are the kids?"

Keri: "They're doing well, at the moment they're at my mom's place. Sacha is missing school but she's so excited to see you!"

Adam: "I can't believe I missed Chris' first birthday. I thought about the three of you every day".

Keri: "I know, the last few months were the most difficult since you left. How's Sammy doing, is he ok?"

Adam smiles: "He's good, in fact he's on his way home!"

Keri smiles back "we've missed him too".

"Would you like us to escort Mrs Hunter back now sir?" a young officer interrupts.

Keri looks up at Adam with concern "aren't you coming home with us?"

Adam: "Ax and I need to speak with Murphy before they let us go, it's probably best if you go back with the officer as Sammy will need a key to get in".

"Why is Blaze in handcuffs?" she quizzes as she spots the others walking towards the station from a distance.

Adam: "You know Blaze, she's the most hot headed out of all of us. She ended up punching Tim in the face".

Keri: "Good for her! The police force has gone to shits since you left and he's the one in charge!"

Adam: "I'm gonna find out what's going on but I'll be home soon ok?"

Keri: "Ok baby, I'll see you soon". She kisses him goodbye.

The three fighters enter unfamiliar territory as they walk through the doors of the new Central District Police Precinct. The place has a different vibe to the old one that was bombed down during the war. It's plain and simple with clear tiled floors, high ceilings and bare walls. Less like an office with the perks of a cafeteria and modern glass designs and more like a prison with a barred cell around every corner.

Tim: "Well what do you think?"

Adam: "It's a little old fashioned".

Tim: "We had to fit cells all along here to utilize space due to the number of criminals operating in the city. Unlike Clark and O'Neil, I am making sure all of our officers have everything they need. They must wear their safety vests 24/7, their guns and tasers at all times. These criminals are highly dangerous and the last thing we want is a repeat of two years ago when we saw gang members breaking the glass down of Central District and shooting our officers. This is way more heavily guarded".

Blaze: "I'm glad I don't work here anymore" she mutters as they walk past more heavily guarded cells.

They reach an area full of desks and filing cabinets with a private office at the back.

"Boys come with me" Tim signals to Axel and Adam to go into the office to talk.

"Wait here, we're going home soon." Axel says to Blaze as he sits her down on a bench outside the office. She looks up ay him as he gives her a quick kiss on the lips then he leaves to go into the office.

Blaze is left staring up at the butch blond female Officer Aguirre as she holds her gun and taser on guard a couple of metres away.

"What are you scared I might punch you too?" Blaze laughs as she holds up her cuffed wrists.

Officer Aguirre: "We both know you hold supernatural abilities, I'm not taking any chances".

Blaze replies: "You know I use to work here? Just like you do now. It's sad really, they've replaced our officers with ex criminals, ex-military and scum like you! We were the shit." she smirks proudly.

"Estel pay no attention to this bitch!" Another officer shouts out behind his desk.

Blaze: "You know I was once like you. A strong woman in a male dominated environment, you have to put up with a lot of shit."

Estel smirks back and replies "it's funny you say that. I get it! Stone and Hunter they seem like the types to excel at this career and were natural cops. But you? You come from a family of criminals, rumour has it you were a nightmare to work with".

Blaze grins: "I was but I was the best at this. So take your 3 months or however long you've been here and go fuck yourself!" she defiantly responds back feeling pissed off.

#PUNCH#

Estel strikes her in the stomach in annoyance. Blaze holds on to her stomach whilst sitting down and laughing in amusement "and they said I need anger management?"

Estel: "You know what bitch? I may be an ex-convict but I'll make a better cop than you ever did. Now shut the fuck up otherwise next time I will punch that pretty little face of yours!"

Blaze stares up at her with hate.

Estel: "Agent Taylor, get me that coffee now!" She orders.