Hello again. This chapter is more or less just Dredd and Anderson interacting, which proved to be a tad more difficult to write than I expected, since I really wanted to keep them in character. I hope I did okay. Should you disagree, let me know and I will do my best to improve myself.
Thank you and have fun.
Disclaimer: Dredd 3D belongs to Lionsgate, 2000 AD belongs to Rebellion Development
Drink
„Did I lock my bike?" she muttered to herself, the sleep in her voice distorting her speech.
„Yes."
She yawned and pushed the elevator button. After the adrenaline rush ebbed away she was left feeling drained and sore. Right now she was just barely aware that Dredd accompanied her, instead focusing her remaining energy on staying awake.
In her dreamlike state, mind shut on autopilot, Anderson entered her flat, feet taking her to the small kitchen. With accustomed movements she retrieved a glass from the cupboard and poured some cheap whiskey into it. With a sigh of relief she brought the glass to her face, tasting few drops of the liquid... and froze.
She suddenly became painfully aware of heavy footsteps behind her, the few drops of alcohol burning in her throat like acid. She just violated one of the rules of the Judges code in front of Dredd, the literal embodiment of Law. Judge Anderson was so fucked. With her hearth constricting in her chest, she straightened up and turned to face him, adrenaline coursing through her veins again, her body preparing for attack.
He was facing her, expression unreadable, save for the omnipresent scowl.
„Consuming alcohol is a direct violation against the Judges code. Punishment for performing such delinquency is immediate removal from active service and 14 months in the Cubes. How do you plead?" he asked, his voice cutting into her.
She could try to explain or find some excuse, but to what avail? The second Dredd would break one of the Rules or allow other Judge to break them, the whole Justice system would probably come crashing down.
„Sir, I..." her voice came out shaky and broken. She coughed and composed herself a little. „I accept all the charges held against me and will submit to the judgement." she finished, the words coming out slowly, but firmly. She looked up to him, her posture rigid, fingers still clutching the cold glass.
So this was how it would end. All her efforts, the rigorous training, psychological forbearance, the cursed final evaluation, Peachtrees, the elimination of corrupted Judges,murders, riots, it was all to be for nothing. About to be negated because she wouldn't break her stupid habits. How pathetic.
His hand closed around the glass still clenched in her fingers. He took it from her, letting her hand fall limply to her side. With a low grumble, he eyed the golden-brown liquid... and then downed the glass in one fluid motion.
„Oh... and so it comes tumbling down." she almost whimpered, the last syllables coming out a lot more high-pitched than she would have wished.
Dredd didn't comment on it but retrieved one more glass from the cupboard and poured them both another shot, before walking out of the kitchen his drink in hand.
She stared at the glass for a while, her mind still not fully grasping that, apparently, she would not be turned to responsible authorities and thrown into the Cubes, at least not today. A wide grin split her face, the adrenaline rush subsiding and endorphins flooding her blood stream. She grabbed the glass and followed Dredd into her living room.
The TV was on, Dredd leisurely seated in an armchair, his helmet sitting on the coffee table, the whole living room illuminated only by the TV screen.
„I took the liberties, if you don't mind."
„No, absolutely not, suit yourself." she smiled awkwardly. She sat on the couch, legs crossed underneath her, shooting occasional glimpses at Dredds face. Up until now she never saw him without his helmet, just like many of her colleagues.
It was a bit... underwhelming. Brown eyes, brown shaggy hair, nose that looked like it has been broken a few times, few thin old scars. No bionic implants, no alien mutation, no disfigured features, not even a scar worth mentioning. Over all he wasn't unattractive, just somewhat... plain. And definitely not living up to the wild fantasies spread throughout the Academy and amongst fellow Judges.
„Disappointed?"
„I have no idea what you are talking about." she blurted out, her face completely neutral.
His answer was a half-amused snort, followed by a pained growl.
She jumped a little. „Sir, I really should call the medics. You could be bleeding internally."
„Unnecessary."
„I have a medi-kit in the bathroom. I can take another look at those injuries or at least give you painkillers."
„Unnecessary."
„Then take my bed, I'll sleep here."
„Unnecessary."
„Well, I am still sleeping here, you are free to cuddle up. Just let me get something." she shot him a grin. The answer to it was a low annoyed grunt.
She got up, her body protesting against the movement, and went to her bedroom. She took a battered riot shield from the side of her bed and brought it back to the living room.
„What's this for now?" Dredd asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
„I like to think of it as a bulletproof blanket." she shrugged and plopped down on the couch. With a small smile Anderson curled up under the shield, her small frame almost completely covered by it. She pulled out her Lawgiver and set it on the coffee table, always touching it with at least one finger.
„Be ready at 9."
„Yes, sir."
She thought about how should get up, brush her teeth and slip into some sleeping clothes, or if nothing else take off her boots. But that could be done in the morning, she figured with a slight smile. Three hours of sleep, exactly what she needed.
Waking up wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Sure, her neck hurt from bad sleeping position and her muscles were sore, but she felt reasonably rested and ready to find the Judge-murdering bastard. She rolled on her back and stretched, the shield sliding off the couch in the process. With a low sigh Anderson got up and made her way to her room to get clothes for the day.
She could hear the water running, obviously Dredd woke up before her. „Good morning." she shouted.
„Morning." sounded the answer, barely audible. „Can I use your razor?" he shouted a little louder, slight discomfort traceable in his voice.
„Yeah, sure. Go ahead." she shouted back.
With a fresh pair of socks, underwear and a clean white shirt tucked under her arm she went to the kitchen and poured herself a bowl of cereal and milk substitute. After a short consideration, she prepared another one. When Dredd stepped out of the bathroom, she sat on the couch, her bowl halfway empty and her report to the Hall halfway written. She raised her head and greeted him with a little nod.
„There's another one in the kitchen if you'd like." she said and motioned towards her bowl, then turned her attention back to the screen of the data tablet. She added another few lines to the report, when Dredd sat down on the armchair, bowl in hand. She shot a look at him.
He had a few shaving nicks and cuts, few of them still bleeding a little, and looked impossibly... human, for lack of a better word. It was unsettling. And made it much more difficult to picture him as the personified Law.
„Care to explain the shield?" he asked, catching her stare.
Her eyes darted to the piece of protective gear currently lying at her feet. She picked it up and propped against the couch. „When I started to pick out the Corrupted Judges they, of course, retaliated. I got shot at several times in action, which wasn't much of a problem. Then they somehow got access into my former quarters. I took three shots before dispatching them. I was forced to change location few times after that. Then Calmwaters happened and I got equipped with the shield. I don't think you were there but I'm sure you heard that 16 floors collapsed, when someone blew up the power generator." she looked at him and he nodded affirmatively.
„Well, I was caught up in the explosion, so I'm sure you understand, that when they found me, nobody really cared about me returning the non standard issue equipment. They forgot to take it back and I figured it could be of use to me. And it was. And by the time I was sure I didn't need it anymore, I got too used to it." she told him, keeping her voice calm and level for the whole time. He didn't really need to know how she was scared shitless and didn't sleep most of the time. Only with her Lawgiver at hand and under the shield was she able to sleep peacefully.
„That's why you're here." he commented, obviously meaning the 115.
„Yes. So, do we have plan for today?" she asked.
He let out a frustrated growl. It was answer enough.
„Maybe I can help. Last might, when I read the Judges I did get some useful info. Not the new location, but I know where were they supposed to go after dealing with us. And I may have a face of the guy they would be meeting, though that could be just a coincidence."
He gave her an appreciative nod. „Good. Where is it?"
„Sector 22. Coffee shop in the Opperman Block, I should be able to recognize it once I see it." she said rubbing her temples. „Of course I could be wrong and the Judge really just wanted to go there for a cup. In that case we will probably have the best coffee in the world."
Ignoring her joking, he said. „We'll go undercover, so we'll have to stop in the 44."
„Just let me get a shower."
He nodded. „Be quick."
She was. In less than 10 minutes she took a shower and put on her civilian clothes. She came back to the living room, dressed in a red T-shirt, jeans one or two sizes too big for her, their hem tucked in her standard issue shit kickers and a leather jacket with a sewn-in gun holster. She grabbed her Lawgiver and slipped it in the jacket.
Dredd already waited for her, his helmet on, suddenly looking so much more familiar. He handed her the data tablet. „I finished your report."
She smiled. „Thank you."