Kim Possible and Street Hawk: Full Metal Mayhem! 13
Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible, Street Hawk or Full Metal Panic! Wish I did though.
Altobelli's Hearing and New Evidence
The next day, in Los Angeles, Police Commissioner Leo Altobelli is scowling behind the table in the Courtroom. It had been three days since his arrest by the Internal Affairs Bureau for the L.A.P.D. They had informed him that they had adequate proof of his guilt of involvement with the Sho-Da-Kah. Namely, a bank account in the Cayman Islands under his name.
Every time they would interrogate him, he would repeat that he knows nothing about it. Even from telling him the bank number, he tells them the same thing. As a result, he is facing a Tribunal consisting of the City Government and the Internal Affairs Bureau.
Deeply upset, he pops an antacid tablet into his mouth, hoping for someone to come forward with proof of his innocence. As he chews on it, he thinks about the day he was arrested.
(Flashback)
Altobelli had just gotten done with signing off on the requisition forms for the Homicide and Traffic Divisions. He was about to leave his office when two Officers came up to him. He softly growled, recognizing them as the I.A. Officers that were assigned to and botched the Walsh Homicide File.
"How can I help you, fellas? I hope you're not here to drag another Officer's case around. Or, at worse, blow it completely. At least Officer Mach solved it before he died."
"No, Commissioner Altobelli. This time, we have the right information and we dug a little deeper. What's even more, the case is solidly packed. But, you won't like who it is though. Don't mention that name again. Mach had tarnished the reputation of I.A. by launching his own investigation. Not to mention his 'side job'. It's only too bad he died, as we would have loved to have him fired for unauthorized equipment operation."
"Why's that, Harris? It's not like I'm being investigated. That's what this is about? Mach was one of us. He may have had a secret, but he was still a cop. Doesn't that mean anything anymore?" He then thought, 'Whoa. Deja-vu. He asked me the same thing after he returned to duty.'
"Actually, sir, you are. An employee in the Payroll Department did a routine deposit and found an unusual item in your asset file. In your name is a bank account in the Cayman Islands. In it would be enough to become a sizable nest egg for you upon retirement. As usual, it's been frozen, so you can't access it. As for him being a cop still at the time of his death, it doesn't mean shit at all."
Furious with the allegation, Altobelli said, "I know nothing of such an account, Harris. You've either botched the job again or someone is conspiring against me. Any idea as to who set it up? You deliberately dropped the ball on the Walsh file. That's why Mach investigated on his own. He figured that someone in I.A. was sitting on it."
Harris merely shrugged and replied, "I have no idea, sir. But, botched or not, evidence is evidence. And it's right against you, sir. Roberts, cuff him. Just so you know, the former Commissioner had us sit on the file. So blame him. Oh yeah, he's dead now. Took a head-shot in Colorado." As Roberts handcuffed Altobelli, Harris Mirandized him.
Right behind him are Sandy McCoy and Rachel Adams with the Public Relations Office for the Police Department. They, along with the other Officers under his previous command, feel that he's getting a raw deal through this whole twisted and mangled mess.
Sandy sighs and says, "I just wish Street Hawk and the others were here. No doubt, they could solve this case a little more coherently." Altobelli nods in agreement, knowing exactly what Sandy meant by what she said.
Ever since he had met the new Street Hawk and the team, he actually felt hope and joy. Even joy over being the starter for the go-cart race two months back. The night he was arrested, he never lost hope. Even now, with his anger, he still holds hope. But, with time, it slowly diminishes.
He turns toward her and says, "I wish they were too, Sandy. Undoubtedly, they had to take care of a massive crisis right now." Sandy nods her head and fumes silently, clearly upset over the I.A. Bureau's refusal to even listen to her. They then rise to the Bailiff's call that the Tribunal will come to order.
In the sky above L.A., Sky Base is preparing to land, with Norman, Jane and Lily in the cockpit. Norman had flown right out the previous night, upon getting word from Wade as to what had happened to Altobelli. Making a copy of Gauron's statements was easy enough, but he didn't want to compromise project Security any further than it has been already.
When he had heard Ron's idea to deliver the Evidence to the Courtroom as Street Hawk, he had grinned in agreement with the idea. As the plane approaches LAX, Norman can't help but wonder if they'll make it in time to help the Commissioner.
On Geybo 13, Ron is suiting up while Kim watches him from the driver's seat in Sand Hawk. Jessica is on War Bird with Bonnie and Hirotaka, ensuring Kim and Ron would have some alone time.
"Ron, do you think you can get there in time? The Tribunal must have started by now. If not getting ready for the closing statements."
"I've got to try, KP. I've got to try. Sousuke, how much longer until we get there?"
"We have five more minutes, Ron. Pilot, take it down and land."
"You got it, Lieutenant Sagara." At that, the pilot begins his landing.
They had left Merida Island as planned and flew overnight. Kim had paced their guest quarters repeatedly, trying to burn off her nervous energy. Ron was standing on his head, trying to make some sense out of it all. When the time for departure came, Kaname remained behind, intent on enjoying a day at the beach on the Island Base. Before they left, Kaname wished them good luck and was praying for their success while the helicopters took off.
Sousuke looks out the side window and sees Sky Base touching down for a landing. "I've sighted Sky Base. Land beside the plane once it stops."
"Roger, Lieutenant." Once the pilot gets the helicopter close to the plane, Sky Base stops, allowing the helicopter to land right beside it. "I'm dropping the door now, Mr. Stoppable. Good luck and Godspeed."
"Thanks, you too, Geybo 13. Hope to work with you guys again."
Sousuke grins and says, "You never know, Ron. You never know." Ron nods right back before he puts his helmet on. Once he mounts the cycle, the door is down and Kim hops on right behind him, intent on riding over to Sky Base.
In the cockpit of Sky Base, Jane is getting ready to open the rear loading door when she hears the rudest voice ever.
"Attention, unidentified aircraft. You have illegally landed without clearance. Squawk your ident and state your purpose."
"LAX Control, this is Sky Base. We didn't have time to get permission to land on your runway. This is an Urgent Star Priority emergency. A man's career and possibly life is in danger. We have come here to deliver evidence of his innocence."
"Sky Base, you have two minutes to leave the airspace, along with the unidentified helicopters right beside you. Wait one, I'm getting word from my supervisor." Three minutes pass before Jane hears another voice.
"Sky Base, welcome to L.A. You and your party are welcome to land here any time you have an emergency of that nature or for visits. How dire is the emergency?"
"LAX Control, the emergency is bad. Very bad. Police Commissioner Leo Altobelli is facing charges that have been set up against him. We are here to set the record straight on his behalf."
"Understood, Sky Base. Be advised that the one you were talking to has been severely reprimanded. He should have recognized your aircraft, as it is very well known."
"Roger, LAX Control. I thank you."
Inside the Control Tower, the snooty Air Traffic Controller is bound and gagged while his supervisor, an undercover asset for Mithril, signs off.
The supervisor/asset then turns his way and says, "If I ever catch you talking that way to a group of heroes in that fashion, not only will you lose your job, you will also lose your reputation in the Airline business. You'd be lucky to even get a pilot's license. Is that understood?" He then pulls the tape off of the snob's mouth, resulting in a yelp of pain.
"Yes, sir." His supervisor smirks and stalks off, not untying the bound man first. His co-workers chuckle at his plight, for they don't care for his smug and superior attitude toward them. Sam Rockwaller had been doing this job for thirteen years, ever since walking out on his wife and daughters.
Sam snorts incredulously, not knowing that part of his family is right outside the window, hovering in a sleek, black attack helicopter. Once he manages to untie himself, he gets up from the floor and sees a motorcycle speeding away from the plane.
"That's it, I quit. I'm going elsewhere. You hear that? I'm leaving, so good-bye you losers."
His former co-workers smile and give him the finger, with one of them saying, "If anyone's the loser, it's you. You are a stupid asshole, Rockwaller. Now get the fuck out of here." Sam snarls and stalks out, leaving his co-workers in stitches from his departure.
Before that point in time, Street Hawk and Kim had gotten to Sky Base so Street Hawk can pick up the video evidence. Once Kim gets off of the cycle, Norman comes down and hands Street Hawk the tape. Once he receives the tape, Street Hawk speeds off while Norman and Kim go up into Sky Base, with Sousuke right behind them.
Meanwhile, the Pilot and Co-Pilot for Geybo 13 are unstrapping Sand Hawk and wheeling it over to Sky Base. When they get it into the plane, they nod in approval at the way it's set up. They then strap the dune buggy down and head back for Geybo 13.
Norman takes his position at the spare console and types in the clearance code for Hyperthrust. Sousuke gets a good look at the console and smiles, knowing that Team Hawk is truly equal in some ways to Mithril.
Norman checks the readouts and nods, saying, "Okay, Ron. You're cleared for Hyperthrust. Counting now." Lily then hits the button and counts down.
"Five, four, three, two, one. Hyperthrust!"
As the view accelerates, Lily can only beam in pride as she sees the streets that Jesse once rode on speed along on her monitor.
"So this is what it's like for Jesse and Ron at Hyperthrust." Lily had spoken so quietly, no one except Sousuke heard her.
Clearing his throat, he asks, "Just how do you get the information you require so Ron doesn't crash into anything while en route to the scenes?"
Norman chuckles and replies, "These days, since communications happen by satellite, the same can be done for information regarding road hazards that Street Hawk may encounter. The on-board computer on the cycle receives the information and the guidance system kicks in once Hyperthrust is triggered. We mainly use the satellite system for out of town use, like in Detroit or some other country. For Middleton, there is a massive relay of landline communications tied in to Command Center. Just like the old site here in L.A."
"Ingenious. No doubt, Jesse Mach would be proud of you. Even though he is 'out on patrol'." Norman nods in agreement, seeing as Sousuke had told him that Mithril designates it's fallen heroes as 'out on patrol'. Sousuke then snaps his fingers and clears his throat.
Kim grins and says, "By the way, we were made members of the Special Response Team for Mithril, Norman." Before Norman can ask, he finds a small pin in his hand with the initials 'SRT' on it. Lily and Jane receive the same pins and smile at the young scar-faced soldier that they had the greatest opportunity to work with.
Norman then checks the monitor and sees that Street Hawk is nearing the Courthouse. Canceling Hyperthrust, he crosses his fingers, hoping that he'll get the tape inside on time.
On the streets, Street Hawk speeds along the street until he gets close to the Courthouse and sees a cluster of Police cars blocking his way. "Gonna have to jump over them so I can get this in there." Hitting the vertical lift, he jumps over the Police cruisers, startling five Officers as he flies overhead. As he nears the Courthouse, he can hear the excited shouts of the Officers.
"It's Street Hawk! Maybe he came to help the Commish! We're counting on you, Street Hawk!" The shouts are all conjumbled together, making it sound like one person said it all. Once he gets outside the Courthouse's front door, he stops and powers down the cycle before grabbing the video cassette and bolts inside after doing so.
Inside the room, the Prosecuting Officer, a sniveling yes-man, is giving his closing remarks. "In short, ladies and gentlemen on the Tribunal, Police Commissioner Leo Altobelli is involved with an organization known as the Sho-Da-Kah. The same organization that his late predecessor was involved with in the beginning. Despite his protestations of innocence, Mr. Altobelli has not provided one shred of proof attesting to his innocence. Which is why the only verdict you can only come up with is guilty."
Altobelli's Defense Officer, a highly-aggressive Homicide Detective, steps up and says, "I know it looks bad, but my client is not guilty of these malicious charges against him. At all. Police Commissioner Leo Altobelli has served the Department with distinction for over forty years. And he has served it exceedingly well, even before these heinous charges against him came to light. If he was with the Sho-Da-Kah, wouldn't he have retired and fled to a life of luxury with those now frozen accounts? Yes, he would have. But, since he didn't, and since he had no knowledge of the money at all, then he can't be guilty of the charges against him. Which is why the only verdict possible is not guilty. I thank you for your time."
As the Defense Officer takes his seat, the door busts open, allowing a helmeted man entry. "Hi there, got a minute? Point of order, your Honor!" Altobelli grins and shakes his head. Street Hawk has just arrived in his own unique style. "If it may please the Court, I have some new evidence that just came to light that will clear the Commissioner's name."
The head of the Tribunal waves his gavel toward him and says, "Approach, Street Hawk. You certainly have a large set of balls to pull off that stunt you just pulled."
"When the reputation of my predecessor's boss is on the line, I will do anything needed to be sure he's given a fair trial. I have with me a tape with the recording of a dead man. The man that created the Sho-Da-Kah. Have there been any Defense exhibits yet?"
"No, Street Hawk. Given the unusual nature and my curiosity, I'm willing to examine this new evidence. Do you assert it's authenticity?"
"I do, your honor. This tape is completely unedited, which means that some classified materials might be let out of the bag. If you hear anything not Germaine to the case, please disregard it." At the Judge's nod, Street Hawk puts the tape into the player and hits the button.
As the tape plays, the members of the Tribunal listen intently as Gauron tells Street Hawk and Sousuke all about John Miller's plot to frame Altobelli. Even the Prosecuting Officer is listening intently, trying to discern truth from lies. When the tape ends with Gauron being shot and killed, the tape ends.
Street Hawk turns toward the panel, nods and says, "I believe the Defense rests, your Honor."
The Tribunal members nod in agreement and the Head says, "The Tribunal needs to confer."
The Prosecuting Officer says, "I object, your Honor. We haven't had time to examine the tape. I must ask that the tape be ruled inadmissible as evidence."
"Mr. Finberg, I'm not sure if you are aware. Even though this may be last minute, but last minute pieces of evidence can often mean guilt or innocence. Which is why we need to confer."
"Your Honor, what about Street Hawk's statement that he'll do anything to help his predecessor's boss? He could very well have hired an actor to make that tape. And why did he take so long to get here, let alone ask us to ignore anything that does not sound Germaine to this case?"
The Head of the Tribunal ponders this and remarks, "I am curious as well. Street Hawk, why did you take so long in getting this information to us?"
At that, Street Hawk informs the Tribunal about the mission that he and his team had just undertaken at the behest of an organization to rescue a relative of one of the organization's members. When he gets to Gauron's dying words, the Head of the Council bangs his gavel and nods in approval.
"Even though it is highly irregular, the video is admissible as evidence. The Tribunal will now confer." At that, the Tribunal members leave the bench and goes to the area designated for their use.
Street Hawk takes a seat beside Altobelli, prompting Altobelli to chuckle. "I never thought I'd say this, but thanks, Street Hawk. Whatever happens, I thank you for doing what you can."
"My pleasure, Commissioner. I'm sure my predecessor would do the same thing for you or any of your other Officers." Altobelli nods while Rachel and Sandy smile brightly at the helmeted hero.
Sandy runs a brush through her graying reddish-blond hair while pondering if she should kiss Street Hawk's helmet. Electing not to, she shrugs and sits back. Graying brunette-haired Rachel, on the other hand, thanks Street Hawk with a gentle hug.
She then says, "That's for both you and Jesse, Street Hawk. Come what may, you did a good job."
Five minutes later, the Tribunal members come back into the Courtroom, prompting everyone to stand. They all wait with baited breaths for the verdict.
"This Tribunal finds Police Commissioner Leo Altobelli not guilty. Along with the video evidence that was submitted at the last minute, an anonymous computer hacker gave us detailed information regarding those accounts. The accounts were accessible only by and for the benefit of former Commissioner John Miller. Commissioner Leo Altobelli's name was on there only, with no record of activity on his part regarding the account. Further examination had indicated that the last activity on the account was a year ago, around the time of Mr. Miller's death. A sizable deposit and even larger withdrawal was made the day before Mr. Miller's death. All charges against Commissioner Altobelli are hereby dismissed and his record will be cleared of the case against him. Effective immediately, he is returned to full duty and back pay for time he was wrongfully detained. Our thanks to Street Hawk for delivering the information as soon as humanly possible."
Street Hawk nods and replies, "Just doing my job, your Honor."
The Head of the Tribunal then smirks and says, "I would like you to adjourn this hearing, Street Hawk. All the risks you take, all the dangers you face, it's only fitting you have this opportunity."
Street Hawk shrugs, approaches the Bench and slams the gavel, saying, "This court is adjourned and this hearing is impaired! Ha!" At that, the Courtroom laughs, even as the Prosecuting Officer can't make sense of the verdict that was handed down.
As Altobelli walks out, he sees that Street Hawk is right by his side. He gives Street Hawk a nod, allowing Street Hawk to get past him so he can get back to work.
As Street Hawk leaves the Courthouse, Altobelli chuckles and says, "Go get 'em, kid." His Defense Officer nods in agreement at Altobelli's remark. Altobelli then turns to him and says, "Thanks for keeping your faith in me, Rick. For a while there, I thought I would have had it."
Rick nods and replies, "At least you had some faith for me to latch on with. After all, your case was very weak. It's a sheer miracle that Street Hawk arrived when he did."
"I know that's right. Jesse Mach's spirit must be smiling down on us right now and laughing his head off." Rick can't help but laugh at the picture.
Curious, he then asks, "Just who do you think is behind that visor, sir?"
"As long as he's fighting the good fight, it doesn't matter to me who it be, Rick. Besides, if he was to be outed, it could put his family, if he has one, in jeopardy. I refuse to allow that to happen. So let's keep this between you, me and the sidewalk. Oh, say hi to DeeDee for me."
Rick nods in agreement and says, "Understood, Commissioner Altobelli. I will, sir" Altobelli nods right back and heads for his car, with Sandy and Rachel waiting for him there.
Once they get inside, they head for the office. Along the way, Altobelli turns on the radio and is stunned by what he hears next.
"In International News, the command structure for the Sho-Da-Kah criminal organization was completely destroyed yesterday following a dawn raid by Team Hawk. Various witnesses reported seeing a massive robot appear out of thin air and destroying the Arm Slaves on the grounds, allowing the team to perform it's mission. At the present time, the Chinese Government has disavowed any knowledge of the Sho-Da-Kah's presence in Shanghai, let alone Team Hawk's presence. No details were available as to casualty counts on either side. But according to witnesses that had seen some of the action, Team Hawk went in with guns blazing and only left with one man being held hostage by the organization. The War Bird helicopter extracted the hostage and flew him to an undisclosed location. As of this point, the hostage has not been identified as of yet. Repeated attempts to contact Team Hawk have met with heavy resistance, particularly from Department of Justice Officials. Some Officials we talked to have claimed to have no knowledge of Team Hawk and it's base of operations. Stay tuned for updates as they become available."
Rachel chuckles and says, "As long as the Sho-Da-Kah's command structure is shut down, that's the most important thing. Let's go to Jesse's grave so we can let him know." Altobelli and Sandy nod in agreement, making their destination the Cemetery before they go to their office downtown.