Author's Note: Prompt suggested by Ripslingerisatsudere.


J is for Justice


When vehicles committed crimes within a National Park, many of them failed to realize that Park Rangers were, in fact, law enforcement officers. This power allowed them stop cars who were damaging the park in their tracks. Usually, all it took to get these vehicles stop was to tell them to knock it off…other times it took a little bit more, force.

Sadly, Superintendent Jammer sighed, it looked like today was going to be one of those days that required some physical force to solve the current problem because the young adult who had been trying to take the perfect Instagram picture was clearly not taking the Interpretive Rangers' instructions to stop damaging the park's vegetation seriously. Luckily, the Piston Peak Smokejumpers were nearby to lend a little muscle to the cease and desist order….unfortunately, the addition of five very loud firefighting vehicles had cause things to go pear-shaped.

The car tried to bolt, but they failed to anticipate the speed and strength that the smokejumpers dealt with problems. Dynamite, Blackout, and Drip move in seamlessly as a team. Working together they herded the car like they would a wayward Deere. Leading them to wear the team's heavy hitters. While Avalanche was clearly the strongest vehicle in the altercation and he anchored himself like a rock in the middle of the road. But it was actually Pinecone who finally got the situation under control. After bracing her rake against the unruly visitor's bumper she slowly inched forward until his tailpipe was firmly pressed against a rock wall.

"The California State Troopers are on their way, ETA 25 minutes." Superintendent Jammer announced once the dust from the scuffle finally began to settle.

"While I could sit here pinning you all day, I suspect that you would be more comfortable if you would be willing to sit here quietly and wait for the troopers to arrive." Pinecone allowed her features to soften. "Are you willing to cooperate?"

The car made a slight affirmative noise and Pinecone slowly backed away. For a few rotor beats, it seemed like everything was going to be fine. Then the car stepped on the gas. Pinecone yelped in pain as the car accelerated against her, but her breaks didn't fail. Moments later, Pinecone was back in control, but this time all the kindness was gone from her face.

"That was a very, very stupid move on your part." Pinecone hissed as she let her tires spin a quarter turn which caused a grinding sound as the car's metal scrapped against rock. "I had so hoped that you will have enough common sense to remain quiet as we wait for the State Troopers, but as that apparently isn't the case, the two of us are going to be in very close quarters for the next 20 minutes or so." This time when Pinecone spoke the car didn't even bother whimpering in reply.

It turned out that neither vehicle had to wait that long for the State Troopers to arrive. The call that someone had physically assaulted a ranger and the request for a mechanic was enough to make sure they made a beeline to the location with lights and sirens blazing. The two pissed looking vehicles quickly took control of the situation which finally allowed Pinecone to release her breaks and back up.

The damage to her rake looked ugly enough that it put the State Troopers on high alert. Luckily Windlifter dropped off Maru only a few minutes later. Once the mechanic had assessed rake and determined that while repairs were needed none of Pinecone's injuries were critical, he allowed the State Troopers to interview the smokejumper. They rattled off the normal questions about what had happened. Pinecone kept her voice steady as she replied, being sure to give them exactly the amount of detail required. Then the troopers looked her straight in the eyes they asked their last question. "Do you want to press charges?"

Pinecone let her eyes flick across the now cowering car, then she turned her attention back to the State Troopers. "Based on my experience with them, I suspect that going before a judge would probably do them some good."

With that, Pinecone let her team lead her back to base knowing that justice would be dealt at some point in the future.