"I know." Alice hesitated. "We're supposed to arrest people when they commit a crime, not drop bombs on them. There could be other people down there, innocents. Plus we've only seen four of them do anything illegal so far, so we need to arrest those guys and interrogate them. That'll give us leads on the rest. We can't just go in with guns blazing."
"But you're the Peace Force! You're the law!"
"Exactly. We're the law, not the military." Alice glanced at him. "Just this once, I agree with Harriet. We've got to wait for them to come to us, and pick 'em off when they do. I mean, if they attack the Peace Force building we've got all the evidence we need to arrest the lot of them, right?"
"Sure, if they don't kill you all first."
Alice glanced at him. "If you're scared, you can always leave."
— ♦ —
On the ground floor, preparations were in full swing. Every piece of furniture had been moved to the entrance, where they were piled into a makeshift barrier stretching across the reception area. There were already bollards in the street outside, protecting the glass doors from a ram raid, but they were no defence against gunfire.
Birch eyed the barrier. "They'd better show up after all this effort."
"You can be sure of it." Harriet peered over the barricade. Outside, in the middle of the road, she could see the twisted wreck of the second van. It was crumpled from the impact, but it would still provide handy cover for any attackers. "What do you reckon? Do you think we can move that thing?"
Birch took a look. "Maybe, if we all pitch in."
"Okay, gather everyone." Harriet opened the front doors and peered up and down the street. It was deserted, and if anyone was curious about the ruined vehicle sprouting from the middle of the road, they weren't hanging around for a closer look. She glanced up and saw several faces peering down at her from the neighbouring apartment blocks, faces which quickly vanished when they saw her watching them.
Birch gathered the rest of their people, and after another scan of the street, Harriet led them into the road. The van was a blackened, twisted mess, and when she put her hands on the crumpled bodywork she got covered in soot and flakes of burnt paint. "I want this thing moved further up the road," she called out. "If it's still here when the enemy shows up, they'll have perfect cover to shoot from."
The others nodded and took hold of the vehicle. On a count of three they all pushed, but the van didn't budge. Harriet wasn't surprised, since the average age of her helpers was about seventy. Then she frowned as she realised someone was missing. "Where's Mike?"
"Haven't seen him," Birch said, still taking deep breaths. "Maybe still in the station?"
"Well, we need him here." Harriet ran inside, around the barrier and into the main office. "Mike? We need your help!"
There was no reply. She checked the garage, canteen and locker room, but there was no sign of him, and she was just about to go up to the second floor when Birch shouted through the front doors. "Harriet, leave it. Scrap's got an idea!"
Harriet ran back outside, where the robot was crouched next to the ruined vehicle. "We should try rolling it," he said calmly. "That would require less effort."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
"Okay, you all heard. Everyone get a hold, we're going to tip it over."
They were about to start when her commset rang. She checked, and when she saw it was Alice she answered it. "We're in the middle of something."
"I know, I can see you."
"You should be down here helping, not—"
"Never mind that," said Alice quickly. "Arnie's tracking a convoy of vehicles heading this way. They're about ten minutes out."
"They could be going anywhere."
"Trust me, we've been watching the traffic. These guys are inbound, and they're in a hurry."
"Okay, thanks for the warning."
"I could slow them down," said Alice.
"No, stay up there and keep watch."
"If you say so."
Alice disconnected, and Harriet raised her voice. "They're coming. We've got about five minutes to shift this wreck. Let's get it done!"
Everyone bent to the task, and with a lot of puffing and pushing the ruined vehicle went over with a crash.
"Again!" shouted Harriet. "Keep going!"
Slowly, they moved the van further and further down the road, leaving a trail of broken glass. As they went they gradually angled it towards the pavement, until it was well clear of the building. There was no time to catch their breath, because Scrap turned suddenly to look down the road. "Caution. I hear several vehicles approaching fast."
"Back to the office!" shouted Harriet. "Quick!" She drew her pistol and brought up the rear as the whole group headed for the safety of the Peace Force building. She could hear the vehicles herself now, the growl of their engines approaching fast. She wanted to run but she held herself back, shepherding her elderly charges while she glanced over her shoulder and got ready to defend them with her life.
They made it, just, and Harriet slammed her palm on the door controls. The heavy glass panels slid together, cutting off the outside, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Then she made sure everyone retreated behind the makeshift barricade. "Is everywhere else sealed up?" Harriet asked Birch.
He nodded, still breathing hard.
There was a screech nearby, and shouted orders. She pictured the attackers fanning out, taking cover in doorways, and she was glad they'd managed to get rid of the wreck.
Then … silence.
"What are they doing?" demanded Caldavir.
They didn't have to wait long to find out. A man walked into view outside, hands above his head, and Harriet stared at him in shock. It was the maintenance guy, Mike!
"Do you think they snatched him?" she hissed to Birch.
Before he could reply, Mike raised his voice. "We're giving you one last chance. You have five minutes to surrender. You'll be
