章 30: Mad Hatter

*Bling*

All units be advised Level One Administrator issued Arrest Warrant for Mad Hatter Wanted for Assault

*Bling*

Central has authorized a 1000 credit bounty for their arrest.

*Bling*

Suspect last known location Tom's Bar and Grill

*Bling*

Suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous. Caution is advised.

The grin on Zeph's face grew even wider and more twisted with each passing second as more and more of the NEO's and LEO's checked the flood of notifications that they just received.

His expression did not match up with his innocent looks, and piercing blue eyes, and was only made worse by the fact that he never stopped eating his steak unless it was to make a comment about it, or respond to someone seated in the same booth.

"That a big enough bounty to grab your attention Captain Nora Halt?"

"It is better than a kick in the pants, but it is not as good as the one that you should be receiving soon, if you have not received it already."

"I just filled the report Central set the amount, it was in just a minor assault on a Enforcement Officer, no more serious than a suspected stopped for a traffic infraction attempting to close the window on and officers hand."

"Yeah, I know what a Code 111 is Cadet Demonbane, but Code 77701 is a new one on me. You know what it is Sir?"

"Only because I just looked it up. I bet you another round that everyone in here just got quiet because they are looking up that Code and not because of the free booze Nora."

"Buy your own damn drink Justin. Even I won't take that bet. Just tell me what the code book says that that crime code is?"

"Central 's Crime Code for an assault of any kind on an Administrator is 777 the 0 is just a spacer and the last digit refers to the level of the administrator that was assaulted."

"I see it now, but why is my chip not displaying results for a corresponding standard punishment?"

"Because it is up to the victim or their closest relative to decide should the victim be unable to for whatever reason."

"Alright! If I as an old supposed to be retired officer of the law just got his bell rang by a series of notifications, I know that all of you did as well. Take that shot as a peace offering from the rookie and commissioner, and quiet down before you go pissing off Sal. One of ya pick the kids cover back up for him and let him eat in peace. I will give the so-called Mad Hatter til Cadet Demonbane is done with his meal to turn themselves in to the nice captain across the table from him. If not I will figure out how to claim that bounty as a private citizen."

*Bam*

Tom smacked the bar to drive his point across.

"Trying to get your squad members to race to see who can claim their first bounty and make an arrest Cadet?"

"Nope. Just wanted to eat in peace and give you a chance to pass the tab to someone else. The bounty is not something that I did. Completely Central 's warrant issuing department's doing. Normally chargers like that are just expensive fines tacked on to other charges like resisting arrest unless I missed something during my quick search for appropriate codes. Not like I have had a chance to memorize all the codes yet."

*Tap*

"Zeph can you please stop tapping your badge, every time you do I get an elbow to the side."

"Sorry Sir, I was just trying to draw attention to it for the benefit of those who did not notice it already."

"Justin, he is just a kid after all, so let him show off a little bit just today."

"You missed his hidden message captain. Zeph's trying to get one of you to say something about him being a black badge or one of the guys who still has not gotten the message. And they called me a dumb bunny."

"Mad Hatter, you messed with the wrong newbie. So glad that I am not in your shoes. I am going to take a wild guess that the Black Badge in his chest is not standard issue given to show who is the cycle's platoon leader when it comes to NEO academy? Maybe you can claim that bounty on your own head if you arrest yourself."

"That good sir? No hard feelings or anything, I was just starting at the beautiful lady next to you and trying to work up the courage to ask her if she had a sister she could introduce me to."

"Which one, they are both quite beautiful. They certainly caught my eye even in a crowded room, the first time we met."

"Pa paienk, pink fur, you are from that family right?"

"My last name means carrot, so probably. I would have to ask my father if I am allowed to make introductions for those who wish to make acquaintances with my little sister prior to her official debut. The kitties, an only child I think. So no luck there."

"Older?"

"Pending contact, if you got a few million you could buy it out I guess. There. That is the official contact info for the family's attorney and all around gate keeper if you will. Careful he is a real law dog if you catch my drift."

The LDPD officer gave up and went to his seat and the bar to nurse his beer and try to forget about the way he just embarrassed himself.

A few minutes passed with only idle talk able to be heard and Zeph's booth being able to eat in relative peace. More of the best steak in the city disappeared from plates, all was right with the world for the briefest of moments.

Zeph was still not sure where he was putting all of the rather sizable T-bone, only sure that he was definitely going to be skipping dinner even if he was somehow awake when it was being served in the dinning hall that evening.

"This might be the pur-fict fish lunch, but I can not take another bite. Zeph, I will need to work off all these calories so I don't get fat."

"You know where the treadmill is, Sonya."

"Do I need to send you a V-mail?"

"No, I know what your idea of exercise is silly kitty, but I think that will have to wait until after I get some rest, and digest this tasty torturous T-bone."

"Yeah, 72 oz is not something that most people can chow down on and just call it lunch. 12 oz and I feel like I am ready to explode. Tom probably won't actually lock you in here until you finish you know. Normally that steak is part of a challenge. Kill it, a potato, and a pint of beer in one hour and it is on the house along with getting your picture on the wall."

"I got ten more bites to go, so that Mad Hatter better come confess to the captain before then. If not I will just have HQ send the results of the facial analysis of the camera footage to every officer in the city."

Sonya started counting the bites remaining adding to the tension that was starting to build back up even though several of the on duty officers had already paid their tabs and left returning to duty.

"Four."

"Three."

"Two. Sal you better make room on the wall for another picture."

"One bite left, now or never Mr. Hatter!"

Right as Zeph's fork and knife separated the last tender morsel of perfectly grilled meat from the bone an voice called out."

"Captain Halt, I would like to turn myself in."

"About time officer Mad Hatter Wanted on a minor assault charge and for the unthinkable charge of assaulting a Level One Administrator. Jack, you pass the driving test for the MCU yet?"

"Last week captain, but I have not driven it outside of the test yet."

"Take the rest of the recruits back to the station along with the XO, I will call for a day shift patrol unit to transport myself, the victim, and suspect over to LDPD station 01 for processing. It is not under our jurisdiction and it is bad optics for us to handle it when it involves two of our own."

"Captain, about the tab that is still open."

*Bling*

Notice : Punishment for the alleged crime Assaulting a Level One Administrator by Nephilim Enforcement Officer Biggs, Brian has been updated.

*Bling*

Punishment : Cover all open tabs at Tom's Bar and Grill

"Pay before leaving or another charge of theft will be reported automatically, and it will not be the slap on the wrist that knocking his hat off will end up being Brian. Also I won't let you back in here."

"What is the damage, Tom?"

"1550, before tips and you better be generous to Sally and the other girls."

"1700 good?"

"Yeah, but your picture is going on the wall Mad Hatter Biggs."

"Talk about cruel and unusual punishment."

"If I finished my last bite before you turned yourself in I would have assumed that you were trying to run. You can ask the good captain what that means, other than more paperwork."

"Tell me, it can't be any worse than paying that tab. I have 7 credits left."

"My Silver Titanium Mark Six SLP has a second stun setting and I hate running. You would have had your hand placed on the X while unconscious, and you would wake up in a holding cell down and the police station."