That felt good. That felt great.
Although everything that had happened today was infuriating, at least for now, after throwing a few punches, Ch'en felt much better.
"Whew—"
After cuffing the obnoxious pair who had been knocked unconscious, Ch'en began listing their crimes.
"Theft, destruction of private property, destruction of public property, provoking trouble, an especially large amount involved, an especially vile attitude, no voluntary surrender or remorse shown. Get your asses into the station and stay there."
Her voice boomed like a bell.
Indeed, the suspects' attitudes had been exceptionally vile, with no sign of surrender. Ch'en's fists hurt from hitting them.
Having recited it all almost by rote, Ch'en immediately switched on her radio and barked orders at her colleagues in the Lungmen Guard Department, telling them to assemble and hurry over from Lungmen City, or the criminals would get away.
"The situation is extremely urgent. Two people have lost their combat capability."
"Hold on."
Hoshiguma interrupted her briefing. That had been rare in the past; she usually let Ch'en finish speaking first.
"Old Ch'en, why the hell did you go to that place? And where's my motorcycle?"
"..."
When there was no answer, Hoshiguma patiently asked again.
"The bike broke down."
"Huh?"
Hoshiguma was utterly taken aback by that answer. Ch'en was no reckless fool. She always took good care of anything she borrowed from others, so how had she managed to wreck the motorcycle?
"What happened?"
"I rode without a helmet, overloaded it, then drove it into a ditch."
Ch'en answered shyly.
Hoshiguma could not comprehend it.
Still, she did not care too much. Hoshiguma was practically an old hand at repairing vehicles; a minor problem like this would not stump her. What concerned her more was something else.
The Catastrophe.
With some concern, Hoshiguma asked,