Aria City is a large metropolis located on the west coast. On the surface it is a beautiful and magnificent city, having grown from a mere fishing town. But deep below, it is a corrupt crime ridden city ruled by the Mafia and other criminal organizations. They used their money, intimidation and outright murder to get what they want at the cost of everyone else. Politicians, Cops, there wasn't anyone in the city who wasn't in some crime lords' pocket one way or another, and for years Aria City had been off limits to the Maverick Hunters.
A lot of people wondered if the situation in Aria City could possibly ever get any worse, but somehow, over a week ago, it did when a massive maverick outbreak swept the city, one of the largest to ever happen since the Maverick wars first started back in 21XX.
The Aria City highway was a central hub for the city connecting to major locations, but now it was in ruins as mechaniloids ran rampant across the roadways, damaging the roads in the process. Cars were overturned or buried in rubble. There were bodies strewn across the highway, victims of the rampaging mavericks, others, still alive but badly hurt, trapped under rubble or within their cars, wondering if help would ever come, yet most of them know it never will come.
A large group of mavericks were rioting on the south pass, one of them grinning as it blew up a truck with a grenade launcher.
"Ha ha ha! This city belongs to us now!"
"Yeah you said it! We can practically do whatever we want, and no one can stop us!"
"All the cops are doing is setting up barricades."
"I bet they think they can keep us cooped up on here?"
"Jokes on them! Once we had our fun it'll be easy to bust through those stupid humans and their barricades!"
"Yeah, and then we'll have fun in the city."
The Mavericks took another shot at a lamp post with the grenade launcher.
"Besides, we have nothing to worry about. There isn't a single Maverick Hunter in this city!"
Seconds later, the maverick fell dead. his buddies stepping back in shock as they looked up.
"Surprise Mother Fucker!" said Roadbuster as he landed, the weight of his impact creating a shockwave that blew the other mavericks away as he leveled the Mini gun and opened fire, tearing down a few more mavericks.
"What the fuck?!" said a maverick, staring at Roadbuster. "Who the fuck are you?"
"We're Maverick Hunters." said Roadbuster. "And we're here to clean up this city."
The mavericks went wide eyed at this declaration before one of them got kicked in the face by Shenlong, sending him into the ground. Shenlong turned, blocking a wide haymaker from one of the other mavericks before driving his knee into the maverick's gut several times before throwing him into the air, at which point Jane came into view, an aiming down her buster, blasted the airborne maverick's head off before landing, grabbing her riot shield and raising it to block gunfire from a few more that showed up. The red glowing eye of her helmet swept across the black visor, feeding her information
in real time as she spun around and bashed an approaching Maverick's head in with her shield, before grabbing it and plugging it twice in the chest with her Arm Buster. At the same time Xaine came down, landing with a roll as he brought up the shotgun and blasted a Maverick's head off, drawing his buster gun as he stood and plugging a second with a few holes.
"Mechaniloids incoming!" said Shen, watching a trio of Roaders, mechaniloids built on a single wheel, race down after them.
"Of course it would be a biker gang running roughshod over a highway." said Xaine as they fired on the roaders.
"Heads up." Jane said. "Sensors picking up engine noise!" On cue, from the other end came two heavily armed Ride chasers, the Mavericks riding them wielding Shotguns with axes mounted on the barrels. Jane spun around, blocking a swing from the axe head by one of the mavericks as they rode past her, cackling before spinning around for a second pass.
"I got this!" said Shen, rushing at the bikers and leaping into the air, coming down with a steep diving kick that caught one of the bikers in the face, sending him off the bike which careened off the road with crash. Shen rolled on the ground stood and dodged the axe swings, crouching down low and lunging up suddenly fist straight up like an uppercut.
"SHORYUKEN!" The attack struck hard with a streak of red flames emanating from Shenlong's fist as he flip back and landed, the maverick crashing to the ground with a thud.
"Whoa." said Jane. "How did you do that?"
"It's one of the techniques of Ansatsuken." said Shenlong.
"Admire the karate later." said Roadbuster. "Still got another maverick."
Shenlong turned, pulling his hands back and gathering energy into them as the second Biker came at him.
"DIE HUNTER SCUM!" he yelled, leveling his shotgun at Shenlong.
"Sorry, not today." said Shenlong as he threw his hands forward. "HADOUKEN!" The energy gathered in his hands was thrown forward like fireball, hitting the Bike and causing it to explode, sending the Maverick flying in the air. Roadbuster, Xaine, and Jane, all at once quickly aimed and fired at the Maverick, nearly disintegrating it with the combination attack.
Jane looked away, the eye in her visor sweeping back and forth. "No one else in this area, we should keep going."
Xaine nodded. "Shenlong, you and Jane head northbound, Roadbuster and I will head southbound. Remember to stay clear of the police barricades. They will more than most likely 'mistake' us for mavericks and open fire."
"Understood." said Shenlong, as he and Jane headed north, while Roadbuster and Xaine headed south.
"Get away from us!" a woman threw a rock at the approaching maverick, she was cut up and bruised, her long Brown hair was messed up and dirty, she was wearing jeans so her legs weren't badly cut up, but the short sleeve blouse resulted in her arms being badly scraped up, with a particularly nasty gash down her left arm, her children behind her, crying.
"Mommy I wanna go home." the little girl cried, her brother huddling in fear. Both were covered in cuts and scrapes, the boy having a particularly nasty cut on his head.
The mavericks approaching chuckled. "Don't resist, and we'll make your death quick and easy."
The mother responded by picking up a larger stone and chucking it, hitting one of the mavericks right in the face.
"Gah! You little bitch!" the maverick said. "Fucking humans, thinking you own the place huh?" He grabed the woman, yanking her by her hair causing her the scream. "I'll show you who's in charge!"
"MOMMY!" the girl cried out, too scared to move.
"Run! Both of you!" the mother cried.
The maverick drew out a small knife and held it to her throat. "How about I slit your throat and see if you can tell us what to then huh?"
"Unhand her fiend!"
"eh?" The Maverick blinked under his visor and looked up. "Who the hell is that?"
The children looked up, staring in disbelief.
"It's a knight!" said the boy.
Galahad stared down the maverick as he ignited his Beam saber, the blade resembling that of a knight's broad sword, complete with a cross guard on the hilt. "I said let her go."
"Screw you Lancelot!" said the Maverick.
"The name is Galahad." Galahad said. "Though I am honored by the mistaken identity." He leapt into the air, came down and swung his Beam saber, slashing the maverick's hand off that held the knife before bashing him in the face with his buckler and pulling the mother behind him.
The maverick reeled, holding his nose which was now bleeding. "Mother FUCKER! You're going to PAY for that!"
"Stay behind me." Galahad said to the mother as he lowered his visor and assumed stance, he dashed in piercing the maverick through the chest, he pushed the maverick off the blade and quickly decapitated him.
"You mother fucker!" the second maverick lunged in with a stun baton, using wide overhead and haymaker swings with Galahad easily parried and dodged.
"You're swordsmanship needs work." Galahad said. "At this rate you'd make a lousy squire."
"I'll show you who's lousy!" said the maverick, who went for another overhead swing. Galahad blocked it with easy and ran the Maverick through. The Maverick fell dead as Galahad deactivated his beam saber and looked around.
"Medi all clear." Galahad said into his com. "Three more civilians at my location, two of them children."
"On my way." said Medi.
Galahad turned to the three, walking over to them. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Ye...yes." said the mother. "Thank you. Who are you anyway?"
"Sir Galahad of Avalon." he said with a bow. "Currently attached to the 21st combat Rapid Respond Platoon. I'm a Maverick Hunter."
The woman's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets they went so wide. "Maverick Hunters? Here in Aria City. Please tell me it's not a dream."
"No dream ma'am." said Galahad. "We are here."
"Oh thank god." said the mother. "I didn't think this day would come.
"Sit tight and rest." said Galahad. "I have a medic on route, don't worry, no one will harm you while I am here."
"Are you going to beat up all the bad men out there?" the boy asked.
Galahad smiled, knelt down and met the boy's gaze. "Thats right. They don't stand a chance now that the Wreckers are here."
Medi approached from behind, quickly walking over to the group as Galahad stood.
"Who needs to be treated?" Medi asked.
"I'll be fine." said the mother. "so please tend to my children."
"Of course." said Medi.
"I'll stand guard." said Galahad.
"Musashi to Galahad."
"Go ahead Musashi." Galahad said, looking up into the air as he tapped his coms on.
"more survivors located, sending coordinates." said Musashi. "Area is in bad shape and could collapse."
"Go." said Medi as she was cleaning the cuts on the girl. "I can keep these three safe."
"My orders were to keep you safe." said Galahad.
"Rescuing humans takes priority. Don't worry Gear is nearby in the ride armor clearing debris for an LZ."
"Very well." Galahad turned and quickly raced down the highway.
Medi smiled, opening her bag and sifting through it before taking out a roll of bandages. "Okay give me your arm lets go those cuts covered."
The girl nodded.
"Are you really Maverick Hunters?" the mother asked, sitting on the ground.
Medi nodded, finishing bandaging the girl's arm. "that's right."
The mother smiled and looked down. "Thank god, maybe now this city can change."
"I don't know if we can make that happen." said Medi. "But as far as all these mavericks are concern we can at least get that back down to manageable levels."
The mother nodded, watching as Medi treated her son.
"So do you know what happened here exactly?" Medi asked, as she cleaned a large cut on the boy's forehead.
"It, all happened so fast, one minute the highway was quiet and suddenly there's a big explosion, our car got thrown off the road down onto a lower level, it's a miracle we survived." Both the mother and Medi looked up at the upper level of the highway, parts of the supports were damaged and one section had crumbled and fallen apart.
"When we came to everything had gone to hell, Mavericks everywhere. I could hear other people screaming as they were cut down, we tried to hide as best we could, hoping help would arrive." she looked at Medi. "Isn't the police doing anything to help with the rescue effort?"
Medi shook her head. "Sadly no, all they are doing is manning barricades at exits and turnoffs to keep these Mavericks from leaving the highway. We had to drop in from our airship."
Again the mother turned away, and sighed. "I shouldn't expect any help from the police, why did I even ask."
"Is it that bad?" Medi asked.
"The worst." said the mother. "You'd be lucky to get a police officer to help an old lady cross the street around here, unless there was a profit to be made. Commissioner Graham is in so many pockets and living off of others misfortune its almost comical."
"There has to be a few decent cops." said Medi.
"Only three." said the woman. "And they make up Aria City's 'Maverick Task Force' ."
Medi raised an eyebrow. "3 people is not enough to handle a city full of mavericks, especially on a scale this big."
"Tell me about it." said the woman. "Jack tries his best with what he has."
"Jack?" Medi asked, she looked back to the boy. "hey stay still." she said, applying stitches to the forehead gash.
"Jack Armstrong, my husband, he's the head of the MTF."
"Your husband?" Medi asked. "Why isn't he here?"
"Good question." Mrs. Armstrong said with a sigh. "take your pick of answers, most of them involving getting sent 'elsewhere' in the city. It wasn't always this bad you know. The MTF once had plenty of members to deal with Aria City's Mavericks."
"What happened?" Medi asked as she checked the stitches on the boy.
"Graham happened." said Mrs. Armstrong. "When he became commissioner he made 'necessary cuts.' to the police budget, but in reality all he did cut MTF funds to the point where they could barely function. All but two people abandoned Jack at that point, valuing their own lives and safety over doing their jobs."
Medi said nothing for a moment. "If you ask me, Graham probably has a few Mavericks on a payroll, and the last thing he needs is them being retired."
"Among other things." said Mrs. Armstrong.
"Okay your kids are patched up, now let's take a look at that arm." said Medi.
Mrs. Armstrong nodded, holding out her left arm.
"Thats pretty deep." said Medi. "Thankfully it looks like it didn't go down to the bone."
Mrs. Armstrong looked at it. "It must have happened during the fall, I didn't notice it at first, but then again being attacked by mavericks makes you forget injuries."
"So are these mavericks local or no?" Medi asked as she applied disinfectant to the gash.
"I wouldn't know." said Mrs. Armstrong. "There have been so many as of late."
"Thats why we're here actually." said Medi. "A massive outbreak of Mavericks in the city left the Mayor no choice but to actually call us in."
"Cold day in hell huh?" asked Mrs. Armstrong.
"Indeed." said Medi.
A car sped down the street, running a few red lights in the process as it made a right turn, nearly throwing its occupants. Behind the wheel was a lean man in his early 40's in an old style trench coat and fedora with a grip on the wheel. Sitting in the passenger seat was another man in his late 40s, his short cut hair had some grey on the edges and he had a noticeable mustache. He wore a short sleeved button up shirt with suspenders connected to tan slacks, his left arm from the elbow down was replaced by a robotic arm. In the back was a young woman in her mid 30s with short black hair, wearing Jeans, a black shirt and a leather jacket, who was holding on for dear life.
"For god sakes Logan slow down before you get us killed!"
"Slow down? You crazy Krin?" said Logan, the one driving. "We got Mavericks on the highway and we got sent all the way to the edge of the Slums!"
"Damn that Graham." said the older man. "He should have sent us to the highway in the first place!"
"I doubt he would have captain." said Logan. "he'd do anything to screw us over. Man if only we can bust him and remove him from office."
"Yeah but no one can touch him." said Krin. "And even if we did bust him, either the charges won't stick, or he'll be replaced by someone worse."
"So something is happening on that highway Graham doesn't want us to know about." said Logan. "That's my guess anyways."
"Krin, what's the situation at the highway?" asked the older man.
"Well according to a friend of mine in dispatch." said Krin. "SWAT was sent to Blockade off the highway, keep the mavericks from getting out."
"What about rescue efforts?" asked the older man. "Surely they know there's civilians out there."
"Nothing that I know of." said Krin. "Just that Swat was sent to 'keep the highway contained.' "
"Which means they're just sitting there picking off anyone that gets close." said Logan.
"In light of the situation." said the older man. "Swat isn't trained to deal with Mavericks like we are. Once we get there we'll take over and begin working on rescue."
With Logan's driving, it took them only another 2 minutes to reach the blockade of main entrance to the highway. Logan pulled to a stop and the three of them got out, Logan and Krin going around to the trunk of the car as the older man approached the blockade. There were at least a dozen or so officers gathered, all wearing heavy riot gear that can reasonably withstand energy weapons and stop conventional projectile weapons dead in their tracks. A pair of armored trucks were set up as a roadblock, their roof mounted guns aimed down the highway. The Older man quickly pulled his badge out as an officer approached.
"Captain Jack Armstrong, Maverick Task Force." he said. "Who is in charge here?"
"I am." said the officer, a tall thin man clean shaven with a look of contempt on his face as he raised his blast shield. "Sergeant Jay Dillinger, head of Aria City SWAT."
"My team and I can take it from here." said Armstrong. "Keep the barricade up and get ready to receive civilians."
"Sorry sir, no can do." said Dillinger.
Armstrong looked at him. "What was that?"
"Orders from the commissioner." said Dillinger. "No one is to be let in our or out until we get confirmation the Mavericks have dispersed, either from leaving, or they all killed each other."
"Are you out of your mind?" Armstrong asked. "There are people trapped on the highway."
"Not my problem." said Dillinger.
"It should damn well be your problem!" said Armstrong. "Did you even call in paramedics, have you even tried to go in and look for anyone?"
"Those aren't my orders." said Dillinger.
"Well they are now." said Armstrong.
"Captain with all due respect, I do not take orders from you, I'm not a part of your little wannabe Maverick Hunter group and neither is anyone else here. And we have strict orders not to let you through especially. Face it Captain you're just not needed anymore. No one likes honest cops." said Dillinger. "Should have taken the hint when the commissioner cut your budget and everyone that was smart left your unit."
Armstrong's eyes narrowed. "Let us through Sergeant that is an order. We have a job to do." he said. "The commissioner is a fool if he thinks a few SWAT barricades are going to keep a large group of Mavericks capable of putting this highway out of commission contained. The moment they decide to break through you're as good as dead."
"Look around you Captain." said Dillinger. "Every one of these men are capable of handling large scale riots. We have the best weapons and equipment we can afford, unlike all of you."
"We still have plenty of firepower to get the job done." said Armstrong. Krin and Logan approached, flanking Armstrong and wearing body armor and riot helmets as Logan handed him some body armor which he took and strapped on.
"Go home Armstrong." said Dillinger. "or I'll be forced to arrest you for interfering in a police matter."
"Go ahead and try." said Armstrong. "But one way or another the three of us are getting on that highway and doing our jobs."
"Uh Sergeant." a SWAT walked over, saluting, he looked to be a Coms officer. "I'm picking up activity on the highway, Mavericks are being killed off left and right."
"There you see." Dillinger said smiling. "They finally turned on each other and started killing one another off. Once they're all confirmed dead, then we'll go and rescue civilians."
Armstrong glared.
"Actually." said the officer. "They're being killed off by an unknown group."
"Eh?" Dillinger turned. "What do you mean unknown?"
"Just what I mean." said the officer. "We also picked up some radio chatter and-" he was cut off by the sound of sirens, causing everyone to turn and watch as ambulances pulled up.
"I didn't send for paramedics." said Dillinger watching as two of them got out of the ambulances.
"Don't look at me." said Armstrong. "We just got here."
"Are you the ones in charge of the blockade?" The paramedic asked.
"Yeah." said Dillinger. "We didn't send for you."
"No sir." said the paramedics. "Our orders came from a group calling themselves the 21st combat rapid response platoon."
"The 21st what?" said Dillinger. "We have nothing like that in the ACPD."
"Of course you don't." said the Paramedic. "They're Maverick Hunters and right now they're on that highway doing your job."
Dillinger stared in disbelief. "What? Maverick Hunters have no jurisdiction in this city. Leave now that's an order, if we need you we'll call you."
"Sir, the Maverick Hunters are a federal organization." said the paramedic. "They're orders override yours."
"What is it that you need?" Armstrong asked.
"We were told the less serious patients would be escorted to the blockades, we just need you to help ups receive them."
"Understood." said Armstrong, turning to the blockade. "You heard the man! Keep an eye open and let any and all civilians through."
"I told you we don't take orders from you." said Dillinger. "No one gets on or off that highway, commissioners orders. I don't care if there are Mavericks Hunters or not, they have no jurisdiction here and therefore whatever they say has no meaning."
"Commander Xaine, this is Raem."
"Go ahead Raem." Xaine said as he punched a Maverick across the jaw before capping him in the knees.
"Paramedics confirmed arriving at the blockades. Rescue choppers on their way."
"Copy that" said Xaine. "Gear how are we on cleanup?"
"Just got another spot cleared off." said Gear as he tossed aside another piece of rubble. "We can accommodate 3 choppers at this rate. Medi has confirmed at least 20 people in critical condition too risky to move to the blockade. They are stable but will need to get to the hospital asap."
"Roger that." said Xaine. "I'll send Road Buster to help with the serious injuries."
"Sir, this is Shenlong, we have a serious problem here." said Shenlong. He was kneeling down by a car that had slammed into a street light, the alarm blaring. The driver and passenger were both two men of average build wearing suits, each with a bullet in the head. In the backseat was a woman, fairly attractive with blonde hair and wearing modest closed, she was breathing but barely, bleeding out from a gunshot wound in her gut. "I just found another survivor. She's alive but barely and bleeding out. Her two friends in the front seat are both dead, single bullet through the head."
"What's wrong with that?" Breaker chimed in over the coms.
"They weren't killed by the mavericks rioting on the highway." said Shenlong. He rifled through the pockets of one of the dead men, pulled out the wallet and opened it. "Oh shit."
"What is it Shen?" Jane asked as she blasted a hole in a maverick.
"Guys, we have a pair of Dead Feds on our hands."
Everyone went silent, and the silence seemed to last forever.
"Wait wait, did you just say FED?" said Breaker over the coms. "As in The Federal Bureau of Investigations?"
"F.B.I.?" said Medi. "Here?"
Xaine cursed under his breath. "That means that woman must be a federal witness."
"Cops aren't letting anyone on or off the highway." Galahad said as if a reminder. "Factor in how SWAT is most likely in some mob bosses pocket..."
"This was an assassination." said Xaine.
"And they used the riot to cover it up." said Jane. "A sniper perhaps." she looked around, noticing buildings off in the distance. "Depending on the skill it could have been done from outside the highway."
"Shen you sure she's still alive."
"Positive." said Shenlong. "I can feel a pulse and she's still breathing."
"Okay. Medi get there on the double." said Xaine.
"On it." said Medi.
"Galahad begin moving civilians that have been rescued to the closest Blockade." said Xaine. "It's time we wrap this up."
"Understood." said Galahad.
"Musashi. We need you on the ground!"
"Affirmative." said Musashi.
"Commander I've confirmed the location of Aria City's Maverick Hunting group, known as the Maverick Task Force. They are currently at the main blockade due north."
"You got that Galahad?" Xaine asked. "Head north. Raem open communications with the north blockade I want to speak with their leader. His name is Jack Armstrong."
"Understood." said Raem.
Tensions were rising as Armstrong and Dillinger were staring each other down.
Logan kept his eyes on Dillinger's men, who seem to be getting anxious with the way one of them gripped their rifle.
The tension was broken by the return of the com officer, who looked nervous. "Uh sir."
"What?!" Dillinger asked, clearly agitated by Armstrong's presence at this point.
"We have movement, approaching the north blockade." said the officer.
"Well don't just stand there." said Dillinger. "It's probably just some Mavericks, be ready to open fire."
"Are you out of your mind?" said Armstrong. "You'd risk hitting civilians."
"Another thing." said the com officer. "There is someone on the coms, says he's the leader of the Maverick Hunters on the highway."
"Ignore him." said Dillinger. "He has no jurisdiction."
"He wants to speak to Captain Armstrong." said the com officer.
That got everyone's attention.
"Bring me a com." said Armstrong.
"Yes sir." said the officer who quickly raced back to the SWAT's mobile base, coming back seconds later with a com. "Here"
Armstrong took the com. "This is Captain Jack Armstrong of the Maverick Task Force, who am I speaking with?"
"Captain Armstrong? This is Commander Xaine of the Maverick Hunters, 21st combat rapid response platoon."
"How can the ACPD be of help commander?" Armstrong asked.
"We have civilians inbound to your location with one of our own as an escort, roughly 30 or so. More will be on their way to the other blockades depending on the distance." said Armstrong. "We also have about 20 or so that are critically injured but stable that need to be airlifted out."
"Understood. And what about the Maverick situation?"
"Under control." said Xaine. "Give us 10 more minutes and we'll have the highway cleared out."
"Give me that!" said Dillinger grabbing the com. "Now listen whoever you are. Maverick Hunters have no jurisdiction in Aria City so whatever game your playing ends now! My men have express orders from the commissioner not to let anyone on or off this highway. So let me tell you something, as soon as we see your so called "civilians." my men are going to lay waste to every single one of you mavericks is that understood?"
"And you are?" Xaine asked, not amused by what he just heard.
"Sergeant Jay Dillinger, head of SWAT." Dillinger said.
"Well, Sergeant." said Xaine. "why don't you get in touch with Mayor Grange? He'll tell you that not only has he called in the Maverick Hunters and requested our help, but he's given us full undisputed jurisdiction in Aria City, which means my orders outrank your sham of a commissioner."
"Yeah well I didn't get notice of that." said Dillinger. "so your argument is invalid."
"Like Graham would even admit he's been overruled on anything." Logan whispered to Krin.
Dillinger turned off the com and looked to the blockade. "Men! We have Mavericks incoming! As soon as you see them open fire!"
"Are you INSANE!?" Armstrong asked grabbing Dillinger. "Did you not hear what Xaine said? There are civilians approaching. You plan to open fire on civilians?"
"All I heard was a bunch of a bullshit to let our guard down." said Dillinger. "Until I hear differently from the commissioner my orders stand!"
With that Armstrong drew his sidearm and aimed it at Dillinger, on cue Krin and Logan drew their weapons and aimed as SWAT turned and aimed at Armstrong.
"THE FIRST PERSON TO FIRE A SHOT AT THE INCOMMING CROWD IS GETTING ARRESTED FOR MURDER IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" Armstrong asked.
Silence at first, but everyone nodded and lowered their weapons.
"Sir I have a visual." said one of the SWAT at the blockade.
"What are you waiting for? Shoot those are the Mavericks!" said Dillinger.
"No they aren't." said the officer. "They're humans, being escorted by...a knight?"
"Ahoy there!" Said Galahad waving. "We have injured that need treatment, our medic did the best she could so they can get here under their own power."
At that point the paramedics quickly rushed out to tend to the people. Dillinger just stood there dumbfounded.
"Still think it's a hoax?" Armstrong asked. He blinked seeing someone approach with the Knight. "Jessica?"
"Jack?" Jessica Armstrong stared wide eyed, before tears welled up in her eyes and she ran over to him, embracing her husband. "Jack oh thank god you're here!"
"DADDY!" The boy and girl ran over, hugging Armstrong he knelt down to embrace them.
"Duncan, Amy." he said. "What are you doing here?"
"We were using the highway to get home." said Jessica. "and got caught in this riot." she looked over at Galahad and smiled. "This hunter saved us from some mavericks."
Galahad bowed. "Merely doing my duty sir Armstrong, as both a Knight and a Maverick Hunter." he tapped his com, contacting Xaine. "Commander, this is Galahad, the first group is safely at the blockade, Paramedics are tending to them now."
"Good." said Xaine. "Arrest Dillinger."
"Gladly." said Galahad as he turned off his comlink. "Excuse me, but which one of you is Sergeant Jay Dillinger?"
"I am." Dillinger said, walking over, clearly unhappy. "What do you want?"
"Jay Dillinger, for endangering the lives of human with your inaction, and attempting to interfere in a Maverick Hunter operation, you are under arrest and hereby declared Maverick."
Everyone went silent, trying to wrap their heads around what they just heard.
"Wha...WHAT?!" Dillinger stared, slacked jaw. "You can't do that! I'm human! you can't declare a human Maverick!"
"This is a special case." said Galahad. "Due to the nature of this city and it's...wonderful reputation, we have been given full authority to declare anyone Maverick who interferes in our mission to clear out the actual mavericks in this city, have them arrested and locked up."
Dillinger was sweating now. "I...you have no jurisdiction! I have heard nothing from the commissioner about this, so these accusations are invalid and..."
"Captain Armstrong, cuff him." said Galahad.
"Yes sir." said Armstrong, pulling out cuffs and grabbing Dillinger's arm.
"Let go of me!" said Dillinger. "This is a farce."
"You're the one who said he was going to open fire on civilians saying they were mavericks." said Armstrong. "Thats attempted murder right there."
"Your word against mine!" said Dillinger. "Who do you think the commissioner is going to listen to huh? This trumped up charge will be dropped and you'll be out of a job."
"We do have your conversation with Commander Xaine recorded just so you know." said Galahad. "And being declared maverick isn't something you can just make go away." Galahad turned to the other SWAT members, his visor raising up. "Listen to me. You made a sworn oath to protect and serve the people of Aria City! And yet you willingly disregard that oath just to line your own pockets and live comfortably? Your city is facing a crisis unlike any other! Mavericks by the thousands have come here, attracted no doubt by the decadence and decay of this city. You didn't see them, but I did! They believe without any doubt that they can have their way with this city and no one can touch them. And as I look around, I am inclined to agree!" he pointed to Armstrong Krin and Logan as they were putting Dillinger in the back of their squad car. "These three are brave enough to stand up against these Mavericks and show them that Aria City belongs to them. And yet what do you all do? You make up excuses and hide behind this barricade, too afraid of defying the corruption and criminals that control this city because it's safer than doing the right thing! Look around you! Look at all these people that we, the 21st Combat Rapid Response Platoon have rescued and more are on their way! Will you continue to sit here and do nothing while more people suffer?" Galahad looked to an officer who fidgeted. "You good sir! What if someone you knew was trapped on that highway, just as Sir Armstrong's fair wife was trapped? Or you? Or you? What if there were people trapped on that highway that you knew? We're still uncovering more and more people trapped in cars and buried under rubble. Some can't even be moved and have to wait for the rescue transports to arrive, those who can move still run the risk of being attacked by Mavericks on their way to the exits, or even worse, attacked by your fellow officers who choose to follow orders that do nothing but harm them. And by following these orders, you are no better than your Sergeant and your Commissioner, and you might as well be considered Mavericks yourselves!" He looked around. "I'm going back on that highway to help my team clear out the rest of the Mavericks and get the civilians to safety! Some of you can join me and help while others stay behind to man the barricade and protect the people that are already here. Or you can all cower behind your orders and do nothing, and be arrested along with your Sergeant when we're done."
"You don't have to tell me twice." said Armstrong walking over to Galahad. "This is my job after all."
"Same here." said Logan. "Three of us came here to scrap some Mavericks, and I'll be damned if I miss out and let you hunters take all the fun."
"You can count on us, that's a promise." said Krin with a nod.
"Tis good to see such men and women of valor." said Galahad. "truly tis a sign that this city hasn't lost all hope."
"I'm coming too!" said one officer.
"Same!" said another.
"I'll stay behind and protect the paramedics." a third ran out. More and more of the SWAT officers stepped forward, for the first time it seems like there was resolve in their eyes.
"Good." said Galahad. "Send word to the other Blockades, let them know that Sergeant Dillinger is no longer in charge, and that they will be taking orders from us."
"The 21st combat...uh..." Logan blinked, forgetting the full name.
"Just call us the Wreckers." said Galahad. "It's what we do."
"What are we doing just standing here then?" asked Armstrong. "We have a highway to take back!"
