(Earlier)

"Interfering with another crime scene? What have I told you before Officer Prowl?" Commissioner Fawlter glares at Prowl. Both are at the commissioner's office with Prowl about to defend himself. "That's right. Stop with the Maelstrom case. Detectives have trained for this shit! Not you!"

"Sir, the Maelstrom has been moving differently lately. Killing Edgerunner Crews and kidnapping their Netrunners is not something they do. They must be planning-"

Prowl is quickly silence by the commissioner slamming his fist to his desk. "Shut the fuck up! Everyday! One of the detectives comes and complains about you! I should fire you but I got something for you."

Fawlter transfer a highlighted location on Prowl's map. "Since you want to play detective, you can go to Shadow Striker's last known location and find some clues on where to find her."

Shadow Striker is known around the department as the Cop Killer. Killed a lot of good cops that Prowl had the pleasure of knowing.

"I promise to let justice be down." Prowl vows to end the terror of the Cop Killer.

"Yeah whatever." Commissioner Fawlter motions him to leave. "Don't come back unless you have her corpse."

Fawlter waits until Prowl leaves his office and once he is gone, he calls someone. "Shadow Striker. I'm sending another goody two shoes cop for you to deal with. Yes, you'll get your pay once he is dead. Barricade is going to help you with this and confirm it."


Prowl wakes up thanks to water hitting him. He gasps and finds himself tied up to a chair. Surrounded by Shadow Striker's gang with the cop killer herself sitting in front of Prowl. All around them are explosives.

"Well Prowl. How does it feel knowing you are going to die?" Shadow Striker ask smugly. Prowl glares at this murderer.

"Don't think you can keep me here. You and your crew have one chance to surrender."

Shadow Striker and her crew laugh at his warning. "That is pretty funny. What? You think your partner is going to save you?"

Prowl is shocked that they know about Barricade. "What have you done with Barricade?"

"Why Nothing. Come out Barricade." Shadow Striker said with her crew stepping aside for Barricade to reveal himself. To the shock of Prowl.

"Barricade? Why are you with her?"

"Shadow Striker is not just a cop killer, Prowl. She is an assassin contracted by Commissioner Fawlter." Barricade reveals the truth. With Shadow Striker bragging to the captured cop.

"That's right. Any cop trying to do good turns to pieces when good old Fawlter sends me out. Now how should I kill you? I want to make it original. Let's see..." Shadow Striker thinks of all of her past kills. "I shot Brawn in the chest, crushed Blurr in a hydraulic press, bisected Cliffjumper..."

As she thinks of a new way to kill Prowl, he talks with his treacherous partner.

"Open your eyes Barricade. We are cops. We joined the force to protect the people, not kill each other."

"No Prowl." Barricade disagrees with Prowl. "That was your dream. Being a cop means I have the authority over others. You grew up in the nicest district while I had to survive in Pacifica. Nothing but gangs and criminals alike. You can't understand how important eddies are. Especially the amount I'm getting once I confirm your death."

Barricade expects Prowl to be disgusted with him. Denounce him and call him a fool for siding the corrupt and criminal. But he doesn't. Instead he gives him a sad smile.

"I want you to know I care for you Barricade. We are partners, no matter what."

Shadow Striker gets up and comes with an idea. "That's it! Killed by his partner! That is a new one! Here you go Barricade."

She hands the corrupt cop a shotgun and steps aside. This angers Barricade as this wasn't part of his assignment.

"It's your job Shadow Striker to turn Prowl into scrap."

"Yeah... well. Who is the commissioner going to want more? A cop he can just replace or his personal assassin?" Shadow Striker brags to Barricade, looking at the shotgun. "So go ahead. Do it."

With no choice, Barricade aims at Prowl with Shadow Striker freaking out.

"Wha- right here you idiot!? This building is a powder keg! You trying to kill us? Take him outside and then shoot him."

Barricade nods and unties Prowl to pick him up. As they are walking, he whispers in his ear.

"Listen Prowl. Fawlter and the force has been bribed by Maelstrom to ignore their Netrunner kidnappings. They are going after Maine's crew next. Trust no one."

Prowl's eyes widen. "Barricade?"

*CLICK*

"GO PARTNER!" Barricade kicks Prowl out of the building. He then chucks a live grenade next to Shadow Striker and the explosives. She quickly bolts.

Prowl gets up and shield his eyes from the explosion. He looks up to see the building in flames. "BARRICADE!"

He kneels in grief. His partner sacrifice himself so he can stop Maelstrom and the commissioner. The force will think he died in that explosion. However, Prowl has no one to go to. Except one. He had dealings with Maine. Helped him and his crew when they take on criminals Prowl couldn't go after. Even had a special relationship with one of them.

With a new purpose, Prowl dust himself off and walks away. The first thing he is going to do is replace his vehicle mode since he is no longer a cop. But what should he scan? That is answered when he stops to look at an old highway patrol motorcycle.

"Don't worry Maine. I'm coming to visit." Prowl transform into the motorcycle and drives away.


(Now)

"What frosting would you like on your donuts?" The cashier asks the two customers.

"Make mine chocolate." David Martinez said while Melissa Rory looks at the menu for options.

"I'll take vanilla."

Both sit down with their food. They toast with their donuts and take a bite.

"Mmm... You were right," Said Melissa, clearly enjoying it. "These donuts are delicious."

"Right? Best donut shop in Santo Domingo."

Both enjoy their break until they get a notification. Maelstrom Cyberpsycho Zaria Hughes has been sighted.

"Well there goes our date." Melissa jokes. David doesn't even blush and gives a charming smile.

"Tell you what, you pick the place the next coffee break we get."

Melissa returns his smile. "I'll hold you to it."


Next Time: Maine and his Edgerunners: Maelstrom Attack