Ch. 4: You are Under Arrest

Previously on Inspector Gadget: Body of Steel

"Ow, I'm gonna feel that in the morning. Ashley? You alright?"

"I think so, how about you?"

"I'm sure I'm going to have a major bruise on my side but other than that I'm fine. Now is there any chance that we can climb out of here through your window?"

"I think so, just give me my gun. I need to break the glass."

Minutes later Ashley and I were standing outside the wreck of our car nursing our wounds and waiting for backup.

"So what was going on with you before they tossed the dynamite?" asked Ashley. "You didn't get back into the car as fast as I'd have thought you would."

"Yeah, I did take a bit longer to get in than I normally would have. But I was not about to lose these guys get away so I fired a tracking round at their vehicle at the last second. With any luck we'll be able to find out where they've gone when our backup gets here."

After waiting for ten minutes it became clear that backup wasn't coming any time soon. We were on our own. I managed to crawl back in the cruiser and got on the radio to dispatch and confirmed that there was still another good half hour until backup arrived.

"OK, backup is out of the question, the guys we were chasing were known associates of Slater, and for all we know Slater himself could have been with them. We ought to hurry because we don't know if they're planning on ditching the van anytime soon. The longer we wait the more a chance those bastards have to escape."

"But what can we do? We don't have a car."

"Then we'll just have to try and right it. Here's where the time I spend in the fitness center pays off."

"Do you really think we can do it? This is a car we're talking about."

"Well, I don't know for sure. But I'm the weightlifting champion at the precinct for two years and I saw you fight that guy at the precinct. He was solidly built and you sent him down for the count with one hit. You are definitely no slouch. So, if we're lucky, we just might be able to do it."

"And if we don't?"

"Then we've just screwed up the capture and missed out on making Detroit safer."

"You really believe in doing that don't you?"

"Why else become a cop? I want to do something to protect the innocent and put the bad guys of this city in jail. What's your excuse?"

"I just want to keep this city from descending into the fifth level of hell."

"And we're not there already?"

"That happens the day there are no more cops to protect the innocent in this hellhole."

"I guess that makes sense," I agreed as we took a hold of the upturned side of the car and started pulling.

"This is a workout all by itself…" panted Ashley as she gritted her teeth.

"I know, think you can hold it like this for a few seconds?"

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm gonna get on the other side and push."

"All right, get going. My muscles are starting to scream for mercy already."

After a few more seconds of heaving and pushing the cruiser finally flipped back onto its wheels. Ashley and I couldn't have been more grateful.

"Finally! I feel like I just ran several miles without stopping," I panted as we slumped back into the car.

"You still got enough for the arrest, partner?"

"Always," I grinned and started the engine.

Within the next fifteen minutes we had pulled into a closed waste disposal facility. It had plenty of places for the rats to hide but they didn't know we were coming. That gave us the advantage. I spotted the van parked outside the structure and stopped he cruiser. Time for a bust.

"OK, partner, let's nail these bastards," said Ashley as she got out of the car checked her side arm.

"I agree, but as we know they have better arms. Let's take the shotguns," I advised while popping the trunk.

"Are bigger guns the answer to everything around here?"

"In Detroit, I'd say so. The gang with the biggest guns kills the most competition and the most cops. Arm up and let's go, those scumbags aren't going to arrest themselves."

We each grabbed a rifle and busted down the door. There was no one in sight.

"What should we do? Split up?" whispered Ashley.

"Are you kidding? That's how Peter Weller's character bought it in Robocop."

"Don't you mean Joel Kinneman? And he was 'killed' by a bomb planted in his car?"

"You're talking about the 2014 remake. I'm referring to the original 1987 movie. It was better. Not that the remake was horrible in my opinion, but it doesn't really hold a candle to the Weller version. That guy is Robocop, period. Although Richard Eden is a close second if I'm honest. Now let's move!"

The interior of the dilapidated structure was just as bad as the exterior. There was rust, dirt, and grime everywhere. We made our way through the place until we heard voices ahead of us. We crouched down and listened.

"Those frigging cops tagged us! They'll be here any minute now! We've got to move right now! C'mon, move it! Start packing!" yelled Slater.

"You're too late," I said as we came out of hiding, guns ready.

Two of the gang went for their machine guns and I shot one out of reach before pointing my rifle at the other criminal.

"Drop it! You're coming with us dead or alive."

The thug looked at me for a second, as though assessing if he could get off a shot in time before pointing his gun at me as fast as he could. A shot echoed through the empty building but It hadn't come from the automatic weapon of my rifle. Ashley was next to me and the barrel of her gun was smoking.

"Thanks for the save."

"We're partners, I've got your back. Anyone else tries something like that and the next bullet has their name on it," she snarled.

"Well, well, Cyrus Slater. This must be our lucky day. Ashley, get their guns."

Ashley hurriedly collected the goon's guns and picked one up for herself. I did the same.

"Now then, I guess we're just going to sit here until our backup arrives and send you all to the big house," she said.

"If you think that you can put me away then you're wrong," said Slater evenly although there was a fierce fire in his eyes.

"Well, let's see. We've got you consorting with known felons, with the stolen bank money, and the mask you were wearing is right there which we can positively ID along with any witnesses from the robbery that saw you. So tell me, how is this not going to go our way?" I asked.

"You just wait, copper."

"I will, for about twenty to fifty years. And that's if you're lucky. You might get life."

Slater had no comeback and we fell into an intense silence. After what felt like an eternity we finally heard sirens and the sound of tires on the gravel outside. The doors were thrown open and a SWAT team entered, machine guns at the ready.

"We're in here, Bettencourt!" I yelled over my shoulder. "Everything is under control."

After about ten minutes of waiting we finally heard sirens and police swarmed into the building. It was one of the greatest feelings I had ever had. Ashley and I arrived back at Metro South and the entire precinct burst into spontaneous applause when we walked in. I was never really one for the lime light but as I could not escape I stayed and took my share of the credit. By the time we made it to the break room we were both feeling a little overwhelmed.

"That was one of the best feelings I've had in a long time," grinned Ashley.

"I know, I'm getting it too. Its times like this I'm glad I joined the force instead of becoming a lawyer."

"Aren't you worried that Slater might follow through on his threat, though?"

"Listen, the chances of him getting out of going to jail are about a hundred to one right now. The police found the stolen money, illegal weapons, a large quantity of cocaine, and the van which is sure to be swimming with their DNA had fake ID plates. Slater and his boys are going away and nothing short of a miracle worker of a lawyer will get him out."

"I'd like to share your confidence but the truth is that he's likely to have friends in high places. A guy like him doesn't do what he does without some sort of 'get-out-of-jail-free card.'"

"Then I'd better start praying that that doesn't happen and justice is served and I cannot believe how corny that just sounded."

Ashley laughed and I shot her a glare. But deep down I knew we were going to be great partners.

It was another great feeling.

A/N: Hope you all liked this chapter, it was a bit difficult for me to get out. The rest of the fic should come out easier now, though. Remember, it is the holiday season and as a present you could all leave a review. That would be one of the best presents I could get this year. Happy Holidays and a happy New Year to all!

Gadget: And the same from the cast of this author's Inspector Gadget fanfictions.

Me: You know, It would be great if you'd stay in the computer for one Author's Note like you used to.

Gadget: I'll put that on the list, right under 'lump of coal.'

Me: You sound like my dad now. Stop it.

Gadget: Maybe.

Me: Get back in the computer. Now.

Gadget: Deck the halls with balls of holly, fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

Me: Why do I even bother?