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[center][color=E8B743][b]WONDER WOMAN[/b][/color][/center][/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=E8B743][I]Fall 2020 // Gateway City, Rhode Island[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=E8B743][b]THE THIN BLUE LINE[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr]
[indent][indent][indent][color=ECC466]Six-thirty in the morning. That was the time that Sebastian Adamos finally managed to wake up for a rather chaotic night. His friend had a birthday party at the bar that both of them always went to. While he only planned on having one or two drinks, things became hazy when the shots of vodka got involved. And now, Sebastian was dealing with the consequences of his actions. The hangover wasn't as bad but still required Advil to control the headache and body aches. Not to mention that he was going to be late for work.

Sebastian spent a moment fixing his tie and suit on the elevator before pulling out his phone to tell his boss the bad news. But, of course, it was going to be a lie since the truth was going to get him fired. Plus, it was better than explaining how many shots it took until he was pissed drunk. Finally, Sebastian heard his boss greeting with a rather uncaring question. "Sebastian, why are you calling me?"

[color=889959]"I might be late to the office. My car is having trouble with the engine; I don't know how long until my uber gets here."[/color] The boss grunted and mumbled under his breath. Sebastian knew that he wasn't happy but went on to finish talking. [color=889959]"Hopefully, that won't be a problem."[/color]

There was silence for a few seconds while the elevator finally stopped on ground level. But then, when Sebastian got out, the boss said in his thick Boston accent. "It is, but I can't fault you for engine problems. You will have to make it up by working overtime, however."

[color=889959]"Of course, I will happily work..."[/color] Sebastian stopped walking when he saw a custom black van was blocking his car. It wasn't like anything he had seen before in his life, and yet it strangely looked similar to a police van. And upon closer inspection, Sebastian thought he heard banging from inside but then heard his boss yelling his name from the phone. [color=889959]"Sorry about that. Someone is blocking my car with theirs. I am trying to find-"[/color]

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a muscular person, dressed in custom naval blue riot gear with a baton on the one hand and strange-looking handcuffs on the other, appeared from behind the parked van and began approaching Sebastian. [color=446285]"Sebastian Adamos?"[/color]

[color=889959]"Yeah, that's me?"[/color] Sebastian hesitated to answer to a complete stranger dressed like an officer of the law. But still, something about them made him uncomfortable while trying to get some distance between him and the stranger. He considered making a dash towards the elevator, but it seemed like it had already departed for another floor. But that was when he realized that his boss was still asking if things were fine. 

[color=889959]"No, I am not! Please get help to my address! You should kno-"[/color]

Sebastian didn't have enough time to react before the stranger grabbed ahold of his right arm, causing him to drop his phone. Then, he saw them slapping one of the cuffs into his arm before letting him go. Sebastian, confused and terrified, tried to run for the stairs until his arm started adhering to the van. That was when he realized that the handcuffs were magnetic and began yelling for help. The stranger started to talk while making their way towards him with the other cuff on hand. [color=446285]"Sebastian Adamos, I am placing you under citizen's arrest on suspicion of participation in a riot, unlawful assembly, and conspiracy. You'll be escorted to the-"[/color]

[color=889959]"Citizen's arrest?!"[/color] Sebastian was even more confused than ever but soon became enraged as he was finally cuffed. [color=889959]"Y-You have no right to pull this shit!"[/color]

The stranger began escorting him towards the back of the van and opened the door to reveal four other individuals cuffed. Sebastian was caught off-guard to see the organizers from last year's protests in the same situation as him. All of them were scared and desperate to escape but chose to remain in place out of fear. But Sebastian wasn't afraid and decided to make one last dash towards freedom. Unfortunately, the stranger seemed prepared for the escape attempt and took a swing at him with their baton. He flew back inside and watched in terror as the doors were closed and locked for good.[/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]
[indent][hr][indent][sup][COLOR=E8B743][I]Cratus Plaza, Gateway City[/I][/COLOR][/sup][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=E8B743][b]THE THIN BLUE LINE[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent][indent][color=ECC466][color=385289]"Good morning, chief."[/color] Commissioner Iakovos Scafellis glanced up at Chief Kayla Chambers-Hall while finishing his morning bagel. He threw the now-empty plastic plate into the bin near his desk and then offered the chair to the chief. [color=385289]"I'm glad that you've time to see me."[/color]

Kayla nodded and sat down on the rather comfortable chair. [color=246778]"Of course. What's the issue, sir?"[/color]

Commissioner Iakovos grabbed ahold of today's paper and placed it in front of the chief for her to see the headline: [color=E1D9D1][b]"Calls for Police Commissioner Iakovos Scafellis to Resign Echoed Within Police Department."[/b][/color] Kayla gazed at the article briefly, revealing that several anonymous officers expressed the desire for the Commissioner's removal so "relations between the community and police can begin to heal." It wasn't that surprising to the chief that citizens were still upset over the department's handling of last year's protests. But to Iakovos, it was a rude one. 

[color=385289]"First, it was the communists and socialists that wanted me gone or dead. Then, that gay liberal councilman began demanding my resignation recently. And now, some of our own betrayed this department for fucking bullshit reasons!"[/color] Commissioner Iakovos smashed the desk with his hand as his face became red. It was clear that the situation was deeply affecting him. Then, he took a moment to calm down before resuming the conversation. [color=385289]"I did everything to persist through the latest attempt to weaken us. But it might not be enough..."[/color]

Kayla felt sorry for the commissioner and understood his frustration. After all, it took twenty years before Iakovos was even considered for the position and an additional five years before he was promoted. He fought hard to be recognized and earned the rank through sweat and tears. And despite what his naysayers said, Commissioner Iakovos did make Gateway City Police better with increased funding and more resources than ever. Now, he was at risk of losing everything due to his blunt handling of last year's protests. [color=246778]"I wish there was something I could do to help."[/color]

[color=385289]"Actually, there is."[/color] Commissioner Iakovos leaned in and began whispering. [color=385289]"You could look around for the rats within our department and tell me their hiding spots."[/color]

Kayla was caught off-guard by what the commissioner was implying her to do, fully understanding what he meant by 'look around for the rats.' But still, it was hard for her to believe what she just heard. So, to give her supervisor the benefit of the doubt, she asked directly. [color=246778]"Sir, with all due respect, what are you asking me to do?"[/color]

[color=385289]"All I'm asking is to look around for rats within our building."[/color] Commissioner Iakovos smiled reassuringly, but all that did was make Kayla even more uncomfortable. [color=385289]"Can I count on you to do that?"[/color]

But before there was an answer, an officer entered the office unannounced with a look of concern. He looked at Iakovos and said, [color=4067aa]"Sir, there's someone that wishes to talk to you."[/color]

[color=385289]"Tell them to wait."[/color] Commissioner Iakovos said coldly towards the officer.

[color=4067aa]"I'm afraid they aren't the patient type..."[/color] There was a hint of dread in the officer's voice.

Commissioner Iakovos sighed and got out of his chair, reaching for his holster and police-issued pistol. Then, before leaving, he turned to Kayla while holding onto the door. [color=385289]"I will give you some time to think it over."[/color]

Outside of the headquarters, several other officers were acting unusually normal at the sight of a masked individual who drove in a tinted van. One of them calmly explained that the van needed to be moved to the nearby parking lot. But before he could comply with the request, everyone saw that the commissioner was about to make his presence known. The stranger made their way to the van door and opened it when the officer and the commissioner arrived at the scene.

[color=385289]"Alright, tell me why the hell-"[/color] Commissioner Iakovos froze in place upon seeing the five organizers responsible for last year's protest in the back of the stranger's van. All of them were handcuffed and talking simultaneously in an attempt to explain their circumstance to officers. He didn't know how to feel about the situation at all; however, he knew that an amateur didn't do it. But before he had a chance to respond, the stranger carefully pulled out a USB flash drive from their pocket and presented it for everyone to see.

[color=446285]"Commissioner, I would like to report a crime."[/color][/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]
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