Case #52: Video

[19centconstable]

[It looks as though George did not mean for this transmission to be video, because his comm is giving a view of concrete passing beneath George's feet. It's passing a little unsteadily, and every now and then one of George's hands is just visible in the upper corner of the screen. His palm is bleeding, as though it has been punctured by something very small and very thin and very sharp. George's voice sounds raspy.]

I...this is Constable George Crabtree, requesting...I'm on orders of the GCPD. In pursuit of a gang ruffians who attempted...attempted...OI! You there!

[George's feet skid to a woozy stop.]

You... I feel...

[George's comm clatters to the ground. Three punks stand at the dead-end of an alley. A shadow begins loom over them, growing taller and broader and taller...]

Comments

[scentbombed]

[Oh, shit, again. Angua takes off after him, skids on the cloth, grabs it in her jaws and keeps going, racing down the street. She's still not sure what to do with him, but she knows they can't let him run off.]

[19centconstable]

[Good idea, doggy. Dick might try to steal your blood too.

George bounds blindly through the back alleys, unsure of where he's going. He reaches another dead end eventually, and turns to face whatever is pursuing him.]

[isthenight]

[Whelp, it's just Dick, dressed up like a giant bat, dropping down from a building. His hands are up again, non threatening, keeping his voice calm and level.]

I'm sorry, George, I won't try anything, I promise. I need you to calm down.

[scentbombed]

[Angua pads up on the other side of the alley's entrance, daring -- being lower to the ground and generally stealthier -- to come closer than Dick. She doesn't try to bark or whine, but her eyes are pleading. George, stop Hulking out already!]

[19centconstable]

[Stealthier, but not stealthy enough. George swoops down and snatches the wolf around the middle with one strong but surprisingly gentle hand, then sets to climbing a nearby building. They'll be safe up here.]

[scentbombed]

[Wait, what?]

--!!!

[Oh, fuck. Angua barks and wriggles frantically at first, until they get high enough that that becomes a terrible idea. And then... well, now what?]

[19centconstable]

[He doesn't stop climbing until he reaches the top, where he hunches protectively around her. He rumbles:]

Safe.