Chapter 3: Welcome to the Modern Judgment
Here's Chapter 3, Chapter 4 is now on my P4TR30N, you can join me on P4TR30N for earlier chapters, and as usual I would like to solicit some donations to my readers.
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We are willing to risk our lives, if necessary, in order to safeguard our society.
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Flashback - 3 years ago - District 2, Judgment training grounds
Judgement is conducting field training for new Judgement recruits, the group of trainees from the recruitment centre ranged from Primary Schoolers to High Schoolers, but the DSG also training right besides them is all Middle Schoolers to High Schools, which while not odd in on itself, the sight of them is very much an attention attraction.
Unlike the trainees who are wearing gym clothes, the DSG recruits all wear British Army DPM Camouflage, tactical vest and gas masks, which is a very odd sight for the trainee recruits and the other regular Judgment members, but as they are training with the rest of Judgment no one is going to complain, especially with how harsh the training look.
The DSG recruits are marching in formation carrying Heckler & Koch MP5s in their arms, while the MP5s are strange, these recruits will do firearms training latter on, but in their minds the DSG recruits must be their seniors, because no one looks like they're from Primary School, most look like final year Middle Schoolers.
Suddenly the DSG recruits made a turn towards the new obstacle course and started to run through it in full gear, some of the trainees grimace or looked in awe as the DSG recruits started running through the course, climbing obstacles and even crossing via monkey bar, the training looks rough and hardcore for the trainees.
After that run, everyone collapsed in the field, they quickly removed their gas masks and took in deep breaths, all trying to regain their breathing rhythm, some even started drinking water from their canteen, all of them covered in sweat and grime, mostly from the obstacle course they were forced to go through.
The instructor then came with a box of cold water, and started to hand them out to each DSG recruits, everyone getting one to cool off from the summer heat, but then the instructor ordered them to form up and sit down as they drink more of the cold water that was given to them.
"I'm impressed, you all managed to finish the obstacle course without any of you collapsing." The instructor smiled. "For that, you're going to finish a little early, to cool off."
At that everyone started cheering happily, everyone was dead tired due to the heat of the summer sun.
Present - Judgement DSG District 7 Compound
The modern District Support Group Station is a converted school, mostly due to how limited space is available in Academy City, while the first DSG Officers were being trained up, the Board of Directors was quick to set up the stations and facilities, from the Central Headquarters in District 2 to the air support hangar in the Airport.
As such when members of the 177th Judgment Branch arrived at the District Support Group 7 Station, they saw the facade of a school, but the internals of a modern police station, unlike the 177th Judgment Branch where you go up the stairs and immediately entered the office space where most of the Judgment Agents worked.
Even with the bomber captured and the alert level being stood down a level, for Sergeant Touma, this was a headache to deal with, especially when they finally did a full background and power check on their mad bomber. Kaitabi Hatsuya is a Level two Synchrotron but was able to create explosions only a Level 4 can make.
Thus the rumours of Level-Upper became tangible and everyone wanted to know what the hell is going on with the mysterious item. Is it a drug or machine? The mystery deepens as they try to figure out what is going on with the incident, as it is starting to sound like a bad joke for the group, especially since the issue facing them is now turning more into a snipe hunt.
As such the only development they have so far is that there's even more questions than answers, and it all ties up to the mysterious Level-Upper item, which is giving everyone a headache especially since the other Judgment branches reported other incidents where an Esper's power doesn't match their Level in the Data Banks and then Touma's desk phone rang.
"Sergeant Touma, who is this?" Touma answered the phone, after listening a bit he thanked the caller, put down the phone and loudly cursed. "Goddamn it!" Touma shouted.
"What's wrong Touma?" His fellow Sergeant, Makoto Nakatsu asked.
"That was Anti-Skill at the detention centre, Kaitabi Hatsuya fell into a coma." Touma replied and was treated with the scene of his fellow Sergeant cursing about.
"Damn it without him, it's back to square one!" Makoto said to Touma.
"Yeah well, we have bigger issues now with the Level-Upper now real and in the hands of the underworld." Touma replied with a sigh, mostly about the issue they are facing right now.
"The issue is that until Group 2 can figure out and find the source of Level-Upper and its maker, we're stuck here." Makoto replied, going back to his desk.
"Well, let's hope that the hospital will have some idea on what's going on." Touma replied back, going back to his computer to do the rest of the paperwork.
As they continued their day doing paperwork and filling out reports, mostly because their not on the rotation to go on patrol, as such they were stuck in the office filling in for the Station Sergeant and Duty Sergeant role due to the fact that both of those Sergeants got themselves sick, luckily their boredom ended when suddenly Touma's desk phone rang again.
"Sergeant Touma, who is this?" Touma answered the phone, after listening a bit he thanked the caller. "Right, thanks."
"Who was that?" Makoto asked Touma who immediately stood up and grab the Radio scanner they had on the shelf right beside the exit.
"Tony 595, the Post Office Third Branch, Armed Robbery." Touma replied, running out.
"Ah, nuts." Makoto replied as he grabbed his phone and started dialling.
"Attention all units in the vicinity of the Post Office Third Branch, Armed Robbery in progress, Urgent Assistance needed, shots fired, Sierra Oscar 595 and 382 on scene, all units respond Code 3." The radio blared throughout the station getting the attention of everyone in the station.
"Sergeant 79 responding!" Touma radioed back, as everyone who was free started responding. "PC 989 responding!" "PC 629 responding" "PC 235 responding" "PC 454 responding"
The entire station suddenly came alive from that one call, every officer, mostly AFOs and Group 7 Officers quickly stood up from what they were doing, from their food to their mundane task, everyone quickly got up to help their colleague.
As Touma ran out towards the armoury to suit up, a few more joined him, some going to the parking bay to set up the vehicles, nearly half of the Judgment agents in the station had come running towards their transport or their vehicles, which caused a massive response of ARVs and Specialist Carriers towards the Post Office Third Branch.
If one was standing outside the District 7 Station, they would've seen an entire convoy of Judgment APCs and a SUV heading towards the Post Office Third Branch.
Present - Post Office Third Branch - District 7
Tony and Shinji didn't think much would happen when they went out on patrol this afternoon, the madhouse that was the Graviton Bombings has ended when the mad bomber had been captured, so it supposed to be a quiet afternoon patrol out around District 7, which means lady luck had to intervene and put an armed robbery down their patrol route.
Tony and Shinji manage to clear both ends of the street as more ARVs from the surrounding area arrive, no lights, no sirens, they don't cover the bank and immediately help continue to clear out the street of pedestrians as some of the officers.
"Look! I've told you on the other side of the road!" Tony shouted at the pedestrians trying to watch the action.
"Clear the road!" Shinji tried to get the people crowding the area to get away from the area as more ARVs started arriving to block the road and help clear the roads. "I've told you to clear the road!"
Suddenly the shutters that were closed opened up and everyone quickly took cover and got the crowd away from the front of the bank, and as the shutters reached the top one of the robbers went out facing the post office before turning and seeing the small army of cops facing him.
"IT'S THE LAW!" He screamed and let loose with his Uzi at the Patrol Car parked in front of him.
"Ah nuts!" Tony screamed as he ducked down and let the 9mm ammo riddle the armoured body of the Ford Focus ST.
"The Law is outside! The Law is outside!" The robber shouted running back in as the shutter started to close again.
"Sierra Oscar 595 to Sierra Central! Shots fired!" Tony screamed to his radio.
"Sierra Central roger." The dispatcher replied.
Tony drew his revolver and took aim at the Post Office as he awaited from backup and muttered about how that's going to be a pain to deal with, especially with automatic weapons, which is a whole different issue for most Judgment AFOs.
Suddenly a mass of motorcycle sound intermixed with sirens was heard and he saw about 6 motorcycles carrying two black clad teenagers in tactical gear and SIG MPXs, they dismount and took up firing positions, mostly someone where they have a clear line of fire and would prevent them from having a crossfire incident..
Suddenly he could hear the sirens and smiled, Group 7 was arriving with heavier firepower, the first van skidding to a stop and out came 6 DSG Officers with Remington 870s and SIG MPXs ready for a gunfight with the armed robbers, as they took up defensive positions as the fully closed and hiding the Post Office from view.
"Set up firing positions!" A Sergeant shouted as they ran around into what are basically fighting positions.
"Get out of here!" A Group 7 Officer shouted as he pushed some of the pedestrians still in the area and ordered them to leave. "Get out of here right now!"
As they were doing this, a bunch of plainclothes Judgment Agents only marked by their armbands and baseball caps ran by with their revolvers, these are the plainclothes AFOs meant for low profile patrols and are now in full view of the media, luckily they're wearing their school uniforms with their baseball caps hiding their faces, thus preventing anyone from identifying them.
"You take the Food stand! You take the Bus! The rest of you are with me behind the mail truck!" The leader of the plainclothes Judgment AFOs shouted.
They quickly joined up with the rest of the AFOs and Group 7 Officers in fighting positions, mostly somewhere more hidden than the rest of the Judgment AFOs and G7 officers, but luckily they had taken some extra Kevlar vests from the DSG Van that had arrived on scene, which allowed them to kit up.
Behind every available cover, they took position, ready to remind the robbers why trying to start a gunfight will make them basically the poor Cochise County Cowboys and Judgment as the Earp Brothers, only Judgment has Shotguns and SIG MPXs, they quickly prepare for a long siege or a quick and deadly gunfight.
Suddenly more sirens were heard and this time came the Armoured Personnel Carriers of Judgment being escorted in by a Land Rover SUV, they quickly parked away from the Post Office into various positions, mostly to put the armoured body of the APC between the Pedestrian, Judgment and the Armed robbers.
Exiting the APCs are more Judgment Group 7 Officers, these ones are wearing Tactical Plate Carriers with Combat Helmets or Berets, and they are mostly armed with SIG MCX Rifles.
Present - Uiharu's Dormitory - District 7
Kuroko, Saten and Mikoto could only watch and listen as DSG started an operation, usually for incidents like this Anti-Skill would've been deployed, but the DSG was made to support Anti-Skill by filling in the blanks of Armed Response during certain incidents and now they are being broadcast live to every news agency in Academy City.
The Blimp flying around is probably playing the broadcast, as it shows the DSG arriving in force, 5 Carrier Vans and 3 ARVs parking just close enough not to be seen, but close enough for running distance, in which case, the vans opened up and armed DSG Group 7 Officers, wearing Kevlar with either Helmets or Berets jumped out.
Most of them are carrying SIG MCX Rifles and Carbines, and L129A1 Designated Marksman Rifles, they quickly spread out and rushed towards their firing positions, mostly on top of the APCs, any rooftops they can perch on and any place they could use to steady their aim.
But from what they can see, it's basically watching what the new Judgment can do, especially since the old Judgment has been called as useless, ineffective and basically generally useless, which was a common joke used by skillout and the delinquents mostly because the only ones who can fight properly in Judgment back then were the Espers.
But the change happened and suddenly the DSG is created and suddenly Judgment started to have teeth and criminals stopped being cocky when Judgment appeared and started becoming scared to any Judgment Agent they see because with a simple call, the DSG can arrive within minutes to seconds.
Unlike regular Judgment, while DSG has espers in their ranks, they are also trained in the usage of firearms and unarmed combat, making them very effective.
"As you can see, Judgment has the entire Post Office secured and the armed robbers are trapped inside with hostages." The newscaster reported from the news desk.
"I should be there with them." Saten told everyone.
"But it's your day off, Saten." Uiharu moaned from the bed. "Unless they call you, you shouldn't worry about them.
"Ok.. I'll try not to worry." Saten replied, turning off the TV.
Present - Post Office Third Branch - District 7
In the Mobile Command Vehicle, Chief Inspector Rinko Takayama is in command of the situation, mostly because the situation is serious and unstable with the robbers now having hostages in the Post Office,as such they aren't going to rush in into the Post Office without any intel, as such they are calling upon every Judgment Clairvoyance they could.
"Ok, get us plugged into the system, transfer all calls to our system and get me eyes into the Post Office's system." Chief Inspector Rinko told the Group 2 Operator who is setting up the systems.
"System is up and running, Chief Inspector." The G2 Operator replied with a thumbs up.
"Good, let's prepare for some negotiations." Rinko sighed and leaned back on the chair. "Start the call, let's see what they want shall we?"
As the phone rings, they wait and watch if they would answer the call as the Monitor showing the CCTV of the Post Office, they keep an eye on the monitor as the robber argues with each other, mostly about who is to answer the phone.
"Come on, come on." RInko muttered.
Then finally one of them answers the phone.
"This is Chief Inspector Rinko of Judgment." Rinko introduced herself. "Are you in charge?"
"Yeah." The speaker replied.
"What do I call you?" Rinko asked.
"Names are not important, what is important is the fact that I've got 24 hostages and what you're gonna do about it." The Robber replied, cutting her off and hanging up the call.
"God damn it, he's trying to play us." Rinko said to everyone.
"I don't like it, he's too professional." Another Inspector replied.
"Agree." Rinko replied before turning to the monitor showing the robbers arguing what they are going to do next.
"So.. should we get food and drinks while we wait?" The Group 2 Officer asked out loud causing everyone to look at him.
"Sounds like a good idea." Another Group 2 Officer replied in agreement.
As they waited for the robbers to come to an agreement, their food and drinks arrived, mostly bottled water and some pastries they could eat in the boxes given, then suddenly the Group 2 Officer listening in spoke up.
"It's them." He said to Rinko who nodded and grabbed the phone.
"Yes, what is it you want? Rinko quickly asked.
"Yes, I want a five-seater car with a full tank of gas and safe passage out of here so that I can release all the hostages except the manager." The Robber replied.
"I can't allow that" Riko quickly cuts in.
"If i see any vehicle following us including helicopters we'll let him at it." The robber replied.
"But I can't allow you to take civilians! The hostages you must know are my concern." Rink complaint.
"You've got 20 minutes." The Robber replied, cutting the call.
"Someone go find a car with a kill switch." Rinko sighed, as she rubbed her forehead. "Or at least the one we can kill before giving them."
"On it Chief." The Group 2 officer replied and started making calls back to the DSG Station for the car that was requested.
"Now we wait for news." Rinko muttered while taking a sip of water.
It took a few minutes but they found the car they can modify, an old Toyota Comfort taxicab, it was about to be retired but the cab company was willing to write it off to Judgment for this type of situation, and as such while the Driver of the Cab is being told what to do after he park the taxi, Rinko had to relay it to the robbers, luckily the he phone rang and Rinko quickly answered.
"Yes." Rinko answered the phone.
"You've got that car ready yet?" The Robber asked.
"Yes but I can't allow you to take any hostages." Rinko replied back.
"You don't expect me to believe that you let me and my men drive away from me just like that?" The Robber replied in disbelief.
"I'd prefer if you gave yourself up." Rinko replied before continuing. "Now i have to warn you that you're surrounded by armed police and if anyone's life is endangered…" What Rinko was about to say was cut off by the robber.
"This is my final word, I want that car outside the entrance in ten minutes and I'll release all the hostages except for the copper, he'll have a gun pointed at his head, so the time for talking's over." The robber explained before hanging up, causing Rinko to look at the Group 2 Officer.
"Do we have anyone in the bank?" Rinko asked him.
"Let me check." The Group 2 Officer replied as he slowly moved the CCTV around and saw a teenager being hauled up and the robber showing a Judgment armband. "Damn it." He let out a curse.
"What is it?" Rinko asked, moving closer to the monitor.
"Looks like one of ours was off duty and was caught inside the Post Office." The Group 2 Officer grimaced, "I think his armband was sticking out and they noticed it."
"Put the car outside the bank facing this way." Rinko snarled.
"But we can't let them go!" The Inspector looked at her in shock. "They can pick up as many hostages as they want anywhere between here and wherever they're going…" But Rinko cuts him off.
"Don't argue, do it." Rinko ordered before grabbing the radio. "All Trojan Units standby." Rinko sent out.
"What are you planning for Rinko?" The Inspector whispered.
"What the DSG was created for." Rinko replied deadpanned. "To end this farce of a Bank Robbery, with or without force."
"Then the car is…" The Inspector was about to ask but was cut off.
"A Decoy for our Marksmen to get a shot on them." Rinko replied looking very much pissed off.
Present - Post Office Third Branch - District 7
Suddenly every radio of active DSG and Regular Judgment Agents let out an alert that caught their attention.
"Attention all units standby, the vehicle is entering the premise."
"All units hold fire." Touma radioed in from his perch. "Fire only on my command." From where he is laying down, he has a perfect sight picture on the front of the bank.
As the Toyota Comfort taxicab entered the scene and parked itself right in front of the Post Office every DSG Officer shifted a little to get a more comfortable shot at the suspects, but luckily the entire front of the Post Office is an open ground allowing them to have a clear view of the Post Office entrance.
Suddenly the shutters opened up and a crowd of people exited the bank, blocking any clear shots they had on the robbers, no one was willing to start shooting until the crowd dispersed and let the robber be in the gunsight of every Group 7 Officer in the vicinity.
"All units hold fire." Touma radioed again. "Wait until we have a clear sight."
"What the hell are they doing?" Rinko had to ask when she saw the crowd exiting the bank.
"They're using the hostages as cover, that's what they're doing." The Inspector replied.
"Visual on the suspects, they're in the middle of the crowd." Touma reported as he kept his rifle trained on the one suspect holding a gun on the Judgment Agent.
The suspects pushed the crowd to the car and quickly they started ordering people to stay where they are as they got into the car and pushed the Judgment Agent in with them, as the robbers finally entered the car, someone in the crowd let out a shout.
"RUN!"
Suddenly the crowd split up, all heading away from the car and the robbers and into the awaiting arms of Judgment Officers who were holding the perimeter, but for the robbers their issue is just staring as they try to start the Taxi cab and failing.
"GO! GO! GO!" The lead robber ordered his friend.
"It won't start! It won't start!" The driver shouted as the starter didn't ignite the engine.
"It's a trap!" The only female robber shouted in pure panic.
"Shut up! The lead robber shouted back before looking at the Judgment Agent."Right You're coming with us to our car." He added.
The lead robber grabbed the Judgment agent and forced him to follow the leader towards a parked car, and the other robbers quickly got out and followed their leader but the issue is that their bags of money are stuck inside the car, so two robbers are stuck trying to get the money out while two others try to get to their get away car.
All around them DSG Group 7 Officers armed and ready, kept watch, their guns following the robber's every move, most of them not firing until they had an open shot.
As the Robber and his hostage reached to the one spot not covered by the car, the Judgment Agent acted, first he elbowed the robber making him scream and then wrenched the gun away from his face and up into the sky where it went off, that was enough time for him to run towards cover and the DSG Officers to start shooting before the second accomplice could shoot the Judgment Agent
"SHOOT! SHOOT! SHOOT!" Touma screamed as gunfire erupted, the two lead robbers were quickly taken down, the third robber tried to shoot only to have a bullet hit him in the shoulder and he collapsed quickly, and the female robber threw away her gun and jumped down into the ground, sobbing and pleading for mercy.
The Judgment Agent that was taken hostage reached the arms of a couple of AFOs who quickly made sure he's ok and unharmed.
"It's alright, it's alright." One of the AFOs consoled him. "It's over."
The Judgment Agent didn't reply only his heavy breathing telling the AFOs that he's alright and unharmed.
The other Judgment DSG Group 7 and AFOs quickly rushed in towards the remaining suspects, they checked and secured the suspects, paramedics quickly went in to help and treat the wounded, but the first two were pronounced dead on scene, the third one is wounded but he'll live, the fourth and final suspect is alive and under arrest.
"Scene secured, situation is code 4, get Forensic and the shooting team." Touma radioed Rinko, in her Mobile Command Centre who sighs and groans, the feeling of relief as the situation ends.
"You're under arrest for armed robbery." One of the AFO started to read the robber her rights as they started to march her towards a waiting patrol car. "You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
Touma could only let out a sigh of relief, thanking whatever deity that no hostages were killed or injured.
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We are willing to risk our lives, if necessary, in order to safeguard our society.
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Author's Note: So I'm trying to get back into writing and in this economy, I hope to have some help from my readers, so please donate to me on my P$YP$L or to subscribe to my P4TR30N.
If I can be a full time writer it will be a fun one, but I also make YouTube videos which is mostly gaming stuff, which doesn't cut into my writing due to this taking most of my interest.
So every bit counts and thank you if you donate.