(This takes place sometime after the Bluebook Session 31a – How do you solve a problem like..?)
London, New Scotland Yard
Marcus sat beside Mace on the opposite side of the table and tried not to fidget as the panel read over Mace’s psych report. Damn, how could she remain so calm given that her HCP confirmation hearing had just been hijacked by CI-5? Her HCP validation had been temporarily delayed until now whilst a decision was made regarding Mace’s use of an offensive weapon, i.e. her wrist-bow. The decision had already been taken that her standard arrowheads would have to be replaced with ballistic, assuming her HCP status was confirmed of course.
He was in uniform and tried not to squirm as he stared across the table at Superintendent Julia Cunningham who’d personally elected to oversee the final confirmation hearing.
For a few seconds, his mind drifted as he stared at Cunningham’s rank insignia. He couldn’t help wonder what rank he might have reached if it hadn’t been for..? He visibly shook his head then forced himself to stop reminiscing as he recalled where he was. Now was not the time to dwell on family or what might have been..?
Anyway, it was too late now; he had only a couple of years before he was due to retire though he’d been confidentially told that he would be eligible for an extension if he wanted it. No, it was too late for him to rise up the ranks any higher. He looked at Cunningham; in her early 30’s and already a Superintendent in charge of a national specialist department. She was expected to be fast-tracked even further. Who knew how far she could rise?
She was cross-examining Mace who was calmly explaining that she had dual nationality as her British and French passports confirmed and yes, she fully understood the concept of reasonable force. Shooting at animated corpses was, she felt a reasonable response to an extremely unusual situation. Yes, she was aware that they were already dead when she elected to use what would have otherwise have been a lethal response and she had been convinced that a failure on her part to respond would likely have resulted in someone dying…
Marcus smiled and again allowed his mind to drift. No sense dwelling on the past though. He unconsciously pulled out his wallet and looked under the table at the two pictures he always kept in there.
Anyone who didn’t know him, didn’t know his family situation, would have assumed that the pictures were of the same child taken at different ages. It was amazing just how alike Jerome and Luke looked growing up, separated only by age. Despite the similarity in looks though, their personalities were so very different. Luke did idolise Jerome and he hoped that wouldn’t cause him to repeat the same mistakes..?
He forced himself to concentrate on the hearing as Superintendent Cunningham stood to give the board’s decision. She confirmed Mace’s HCP status was agreed but she would need to undergo certification as armed response with the Met’ before her lethal weaponry could be authorised.
He expected Mace to take it all in her stride as always, so he was surprised when she let out the breath she’d been holding. He stood up, shook Maces hand then Superintendent Cunningham’s, nodded to the rest of the panel and left the room.
God, he hated when he had to visit the Met’, the sooner he could get back to Wessex the better. He would need to arrange for Mace to undergo Armed Response certification but he was reasonably sure she would ace the practical aspects of the course – at least with her bow. Wonder how she’d cope when she realised she needed to certify with other weapons as well?
CI-5 – UK-wide Police Department established by the Home Office and managed by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to respond to “exceptional policing issues” throughout the UK. This included Meta response and Malfunctioning Robotics and Cybernetics.
Superhero Adventures, UK Style 