JR SWAT 5: Five, On the move

Chapter 4: Running late!

Some time before, on route...

"Aight, people!" Hondo called, while the team regrouped inside of the truck. "Nice job out there! We took 'em down and rescued the princess."

"That's what I call a touchdown!" Tan called triumphantly from the driver's seat.

"Yes, sir!" Street exclaimed, joining the festivities.

A group of technicians had been taken hostage in a LAPD crime lab, which meant SWAT got the first call. They were informed of the destruction set up by a band of three brothers who wanted to capture the evidence that would seal the fourth brother's fate in court. They were willing to destroy everything in their path! After setting up several small bombing sites and causing one death, they made their way inside and threatened to kill every employee in it if anybody dared to intervene. Now, with muddy boots, sweaty uniforms and tired bodies, the excited bunch made their way back to the headquarters as the clear winners.

With only twenty minutes until their destination, the group was still trying to catch their breath. Tan and Harris were chit chatting up front, while Hondo and Deacon whispered calmly and Rocker and Street sat quietly on the opposite bench.

Street took advantage of the down time and checked his phone quietly. Suddenly, Hondo turned to the officers sitting right across from him.

"Good job out there, Rocker!" the older officer said with a quick nod.

"Yeah, it helps to actually be out there in the field, you know?" Rocker answered with a frustrated snicker.

Hondo and Deacon both nodded quietly, while Street frowned lost.

"What'd I miss?" Street asked confused.

Sigh. "Department has had us in meetings, trainings and  doing changes and addendums...it's endless!" Hondo responded exhausted.

"Yeah, I feel more like a politician than a cop!" Rocker added with a frustrated sigh.

"They've also asked us to provide direct support in the training of new officers and first year recruits in several academies and programs across the city." Deacon added tiredly, wiping sweat off the back of his neck with a handkerchief he had removed from his back pocket.

"It's the thing about recruitment, isn't it?" Street asked, getting silent nods in response.

"Yeah, it's got everybody running around like crazy!" Hondo said shaking his head.

"So, I guess Luca was right: more work!" Tan added from the front.

"Exactly!" Hondo agreed dramatically.

"And being down one has complicated things even more. Anybody know how long til Luca comes back? We could use an extra hand!" Rocker asked.

"He is helping, though!" Deacon said, trying to compromise.

"Yeah. Hicks said he's working with addendums and new policies." Hondo reported.

"I called him this morning. He's bored to death, fyi." Street added with a light snicker.

"I can imagine!" Tan added from the front.

"Yeah...but at least his injuries are coming around. He says therapy is doing magic!" Street said.

"I wouldn't have guessed the attack to the center would knock him out so badly, though!" Rocker said, surprised.

"I would say it's more the remnants of it! The burns in his leg healed rather quickly. It was re-injuring his back and the blood infection that caused him major setbacks." Street responded, shrugging his shoulders.