Exploring Horizons - Chapter 9
Once again the girls were sitting in the conference room. Val was presenting Crime Prevention. They had gone over the materials and Val asked if Christina had any questions.
"So, in order to prevent crime," asked Christina, "we observe potential problems and make recommendations to the citizens?"
"In many cases, yes," said Val. "At other times the citizen contacts us for suggestions. Often after a crime has occurred involving them or someone they know and then they recognize a similar situation at their home or business."
"What about a crime prevention / safety fair," asked Mira.
"What do you mean?" asked Christina.
"Like we could advertise and then people would come and learn about different kinds of crime prevention," said Mira. "Like you could have a booth for home safety and crime prevention, another for business safety and crime prevention. You could even have one for school safety or even water safety."
"I think that's an excellent idea," said Val. "I'll call dad and see what it would take."
"I'll call Uncle Rubble and Grandpa Rocky," said Christina, "and see if they can make the booths and help with the displays."
"I bet your dad and Uncle Buster could put on something about the Temple Guardians," said Mira, "I know Dad could help with my water safety booth."
"Ok, enough classroom today. It's time for a class project" said Val, "Let's go to the design lab and start coming up with designs and ideas."
The girls called their parents and their parents called everyone else. Sunny showed up and began compiling a list of needed supplies and financials. She agreed to be the overall coordinator of logistics and finances. The adults decided since this was the girls idea, they would allow them to direct it. The girls decide to make Val the leader and Christina and Mira would assist as well as man a couple booths.
Rocky and Rubble agreed to build everything
Gale, and Katie began planning a first aid and pet safety booth.
Mira and Zuma would do a water safety booth
Chase and Christina would do the Crime prevention booth with Val helping as she could.
Marshall and Everest would do a fire safety booth
Rocky put together a recycling awareness booth and then decided to do a Safety and Innovation Booth showcasing the capabilities of the new MIT Lab.
Karuna, Buster, and Lizzy put together a booth for the temple as well as self defense classes.
The program was quickly put together. Val pulled Christina to the side and told her that for a class project she needed to document the various booths and the numbers of citizens that came to each booth. Since she was going to be working her own booth Christina came up with a check sheet for each of the booth operators to use to track how many people stopped by. She also came up with a sign up booth so visitors could show if they were local or visitor and if they were a visitor where they were from.
The fair came together and was a great success. They had many visitors from out of town and one from another country. Mayor Goodway came forward at the end of the fair to present the girls a Good Citizen award. Chase came forward and explained that the girls were all participating in Criminal Justice Training with two of them hoping to become police officers.
"I can't express how proud I am of these girls and their efforts to make the community safer," said Chase, afterward the crowd all cheered and applauded the girls.
"Did you have a good day honey?" asked Lizzy.
"It was fun," said Christina.
"So what did you learn today?" asked Karuna.
"I kind of knew, but I learned that an important part of law enforcement," said Christina, "is public education. If you can help teach a citizen to not be a victim, maybe crime can be reduced."
"Then I think that means today was a productive day," said Karuna.
"I learned something else even more valuable," said Christina.
"Oh, what's that?" asked Lizzy.
"I learned that my cousins are my best friends," said Christina. "It wasn't that long ago I was sure that I would be alone for the rest of my life. I truly believe there is nothing they wouldn't do for me. I know there is nothing I wouldn't do for them."
"How does that make you feel?" asked Lizzy.
"I truly love you both very much," said Christina, "I can tell you how much it means that you choose me. Val and Mira helped make me understand I really do have a family." Christina had tears running down her muzzle.
"You most definitely have a family that loves you," said Karuna, hugging Christina.
"We love you so much," said Lizzy, as she joined the family hug, "I'm so happy that you enjoy your cousins. We are blessed beyond measure to have you as part of our family. We love you so much, you are every bit as much our daughter as if I gave birth to you. I truly understand the love my mom and dad had for me even though I was adopted."
"Thanks mom and dad," said Christina, "I loved everything today, but I'm tired. Can we go home?"
"Yes, honey," laughed Lizzy.
"So what do you think about Christina?" asked Chase. "Do you still think she will make a good officer?"
"I love her," said Val, "I think she will make a great officer because she cares."
"Caring is often the most important," said Chase.
They continued discussing material that the two needed to cover and study. Their pup tags alerted, "Paw Patrol to the Lookout!"
"Ryder Needs US!" was said by pups all over Adventure Bay.
The usual pileup occurred in the elevator as the pups all rushed in. The funny part was that Marshall hadn't arrived yet. I walked in finding the pile of pups.
"Ah, you started without me," said Marshall, as he calmly walked in and sat next to the pile. The pups all laughed as the elevator rose.
The elevator stopped and everyone jumped out, Chase noticed once again everyone was in Police Attire.
"Paw Patrol ready for action, Ryder Sir!" barked Chase.
"Guys thanks for rushing," said Ryder, "as you can see this is yet again an ultimate police rescue."
"Humdinger has been out that long," said Chase.
"It's not Humdinger this time," said Ryder. "There is a robbery in progress at Mr. Porter's store. Someone saw a man with a mask and gun pointing it at Mr. Porter and Alex. We need to get there and get everything settled. Remember pups, stuff can be replaced, people and pups can't. Don't do anything that would cause him to snap and make a lethal decision. Chase you're the lead, try to negotiate the man out and end this as peacefully as we can. Everyone else, guard the perimeter and keep anyone away. Paw Patrol is on a roll."
The pups and Ryder made their way to the vehicles. Most rode in the Ultimate police vehicle. Sunny brought the command vehicle, Rocky and Buddy brought his recycling truck in case they needed to build something. The group was too concerned with the mission and didn't notice one young pup listening, she wouldn't let this happen to anyone else.
They arrived and set up the perimeter. Chase made his way to the door of the grocery and noticed the man, Mr. Porter, and Alex all in the room. Chase quietly gave a report to Ryder.
"This may not end well," said Chase, "Have Marshall and Gale set up medical triage just in case."
Chase had Val step back out of the possible line of fire.
"Sir, This is Chase with the Paw Patrol," Chase called out, "Let's talk and see if we can't find a peaceful end to this situation."
"I don't want to talk to you!" yelled the robber, "I'll talk to that girl cop, but not you."
Chase looked over to Val and saw that she had heard, she nodded and walked over.
"Ok, Sir this is Val of the Paw Patrol," said Val, "Let's talk, what can I do to get you to let Mr. Porter and Alex go?"
"I-i don't know," said the robber, "I-i'm hungry and scared, I didn't want to do this."
"Ok if you let them go they can fix you something in the restaurant," said Val, "But Mr. Porter is the Chef for the town."
"I'm not letting them go and leaving myself unprotected," yelled the robber.
"You can have me," called Chase.
"Dad, no!" said Val.
"I'm unarmed," said Chase, shaking his head to Val, "I'm coming in, but you have to let them go."
"Ok, but don't do anything stupid or I shoot the kid," said the robber.
"Ok, I'm coming in," said Chase, walking through the door. "Ok, I'm in. Let them go, they'll make you something to eat."
The robber looked at Chase, then at Mr. Porter and Alex, who was now crying.
"Please don't hurt Chase sir," cried Alex.
"Get out before I change my mind," said the robber.
As Mr. Porter and Alex exited the room, the robber slammed the door shut. He turned to Chase who was against the wall watching and trying to come up with a plan.
"No, no puppy," said the robber, pulling his mask off revealing Harold Humdinger. "You walked right into my trap. You destroyed my uncle, he can't do anything now because of you. He's a disgrace in Foggy Bottom and can't even come to Adventure Bay. I will at least put an end to you and the Paw Patrol will fall apart if I have to shoot each one of you."
"Harold, he made a bad choice," said Chase, "You don't have to do this. I'll try to get your uncle some help, let me try."
Outside the pups and Ryder were panicking trying to figure out how to save Chase.
"Please Harold put the gun down," said Chase, playing scenario after scenario in his mind, nothing came to mind that didn't end in someone getting hurt.
"Shut up! You stupid dog," yelled Harold. Harold raised the pistol and began squeezing the trigger, "Bye!"
The pistol fired and Chase flinched as the shot… (TO BE CONTINUED)
There you go, I haven't left things in a cliffhanger for a while. What do you think will Marshall and Gale be able to save another gunshot victim? Tune in next time…