Carmen's Report, the Supply Exchange, and the Voice Recorder

Carmen drove the Heavy Lead Vehicle back to the Black Shield Police Department.

Plenty of Marauders saw the hulking machine.

"Holy shit! Isn't that Burning Fortress's Heavy Lead Vehicle? How did Carmen get his hands on it?"

One Marauder had been picking his nose with his pinky. The sight left him staring in disbelief.

Smack!

Someone behind him slapped him across the head.

"Got a death wish? It's Commander Carmen now! Jax hasn't even been dead seven days. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

The Marauder went rigid at the whispered warning.

Up in the Black Shield Police Department building, Hogg and Old Ke watched the behemoth below, something unreadable flickering in their eyes.

"Director, we were just discussing who robbed Burning Fortress's supply convoy. That Heavy Lead Vehicle was part of it. I never expected Carmen to drive it back here..."

Old Ke's voice was low.

Hogg took a deep drag on his cigar, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Young people have drive. See? Isn't this a good thing?"

"Then how do we respond to what the Crow Preacher said yesterday?" Old Ke asked.

"Respond? Why would we? Hmph. They want to stir up trouble, but they still think things are the way they were when Teacher was alive! Why should we get involved?"

"So we sit tight? Won't that..."

"Relax. As long as I'm alive, the Black Shield Police Department is still mine..."

A bloodthirsty red glint flashed through Hogg's eyes.

Behind him, Old Ke felt the savage force radiating from Hogg. He lowered his head and said no more, though his gaze lingered thoughtfully on Hogg's shadow.

"Reporting in!" Carmen called from outside the door.

They turned. Hogg's expression shifted into a smile.

"Carmen, excellent work! Come in and tell us what happened."

Carmen entered and saluted