"Shouldn't we raid the enemy's base? We could end this right now."
"Are you kidding? Two trainees and a pensioner, with a couple of guns between the three of us?"
"When you put it like that, it does sound pretty hopeless."
"Right. So we're going to dig in and set up our own base. When Dave's people get here we'll discuss the situation. Until then, we're in defensive mode. Got it?"
"Sure. But shouldn't someone keep watch from the roof?"
Harriet cursed under her breath. Of course someone should be watching from the roof. Why hadn't she thought of that? "Okay, take the roof and try and keep watch on all four sides." She raised her hand, forestalling the inevitable protest. "I know it won't be easy, but do your best. Call me the instant you see anything."
Alice nodded and left, and Harriet went to find Birch. "It seems Alice found Darting's base. One of them, at least."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She wants us to charge over there and arrest them all."
Birch snorted.
"They were shooting at her, Dave." Harriet shook her head slowly. "I have to figure out a way to get Bernie here. When she sees the situation, she'll call in some proper reinforcements. She has to."
"Think on it while we're making room for the others," advised Birch.
They spent the next couple of hours collecting junk and piling it up out of the way, until they were both covered in dust. They'd barely finished when there was a hammering on the front door. Birch went to check, and came back with Henry Banville and Maggy McCluskey. They were carrying more gear, and they nodded their approval as they saw how much tidier the station was. "You guys are doing pretty well," said Banville, putting a crate down.
"Pick a spot and make yourselves at home," Harriet told them. "When you're done, can one of you go up to the roof and check on Alice? She's trying to keep watch on her own."
"Sure, I'll go," said McCluskey.
"Watch the apartment buildings," said Harriet. "They overlook us, and the enemy might try and get a vantage point. If you see anyone pointing so much as a finger, take cover. These people have guns."
"Yes sir," said McCluskey, and she put down her things and made her way to the stairwell.
"What about me?" asked Banville.
"Henry, isn't it?"
The old man smiled. "Yes, but everyone calls me Duke."
"Can you check all the exits? I know there's one in the garage, and the front door is sealed, but I don't know about any others. After that, check the basement. There might be something useful down there."
"What am I looking for?"
"Weapons, body armour, comms gear … anything at all."
Duke saluted her, and set off on his errand. After he'd left, Birch cleared his throat. "You're handling them well, Harriet."
She nodded her thanks. "By the way, can you organise all these supplies?"
"Yes, of course."
"It looks like they're moving in," said Harriet, as she eyed the bedding Duke had brought along.
"Maybe that's not a bad idea. Get a bit of the old Peace Force spirit going, eh?"
There was a bang on the front door, and Harriet frowned. "We need a doorbell or something." Birch took a step towards the front office, intending to get the door, but Harriet stopped him. "You've got plenty to do. I'll get this one." Out front, she found Martin Caldavir standing with his hands cupped to the glass. He too had bedding, and there was a suitcase on wheels behind him. Harriet glanced up and down the street, checking it was clear, then opened the doors to let him in. She felt silly being so cautious, but she didn't want the enemy to catch them by surprise.
"Didn't think I'd ever come back to this old place," said Caldavir.
"I really appreciate your help. Come through, everyone else is out back."
"Really? Who's here?"
Harriet ticked them off. "Duke Banville, Sticks McCluskey, Dave Birch and my sister."
"A real rogue's gallery, eh? This is going to be interesting." Caldavir took his suitcase and headed for the inner office, and Harriet was about to turn from the doors when a cab drew up outside. She smiled as Captain Timms got out. The elderly woman had dispensed with her large hat and voluminous coat, and was instead wearing a dark blue suit with a white blouse. She looked very official and correct, and Harriet felt an overwhelming urge to salute. She opened the doors to let Timms in, then smiled a greeting. "Welcome, Captain. You're certainly dressed for the part."
"Thank you, Harriet." Timms looked around. "My, it's twenty years since I set foot in this place. It still looks just the same." She walked over to the counter and ran her hand over the surface. "You can still feel the dents where the desk sergeant used to bang his night stick. Sometimes it was the only way to shut everyone up."
"You mean all the crooks they were processing?"
"No, dear. The officers." Timms led the way to the main office, where she stopped with a faraway look in her eyes. "Such a shame to see it like this," she said at last. "Oh well, I suppose nothing lasts forever."
"Can I get you anything?" Harriet asked her.
"Oh, no. I've had Peace Force coffee before thank you very much." Timms patted her bag. "I bought my own tea."
There was another bang on the door, and Harriet left Timms to it, apologising as she ran for the front office. She was almost wishing she'd taken the watch on the roof and left Alice to handle the door, but it was too late now. When she got there, Sid Flint and his robot were outside. She let them in, and when Timms saw Sid her face was transformed. "Sergeant Flint!"
"Cap'n," said Flint gruffly, and he saluted her.
"I was just showing Harriet all your dents in the front
