Jane look beside her to the Warden as they traveled in the back of the prisoner van. The one he captured was in another van being taken to another location.
“ So, um, what’s your name?”
Jane did not see the helmet on the alien turn, but she felt his eye turn to her.
“ I am Lukas Hunter, of the Free Wardens.”
“ That’s, um... nice. I’m Jane Carter, a police officer of Central PD. So, What is a Free Warden?”
To her surprise, he turned and put his right fist to his armor’s left breast and bowed toward her.
“An honor, Jame Carter of the Central Police Department. A Free Warden, or more accurately say, the Order of Free Wardens is a knightly order that well, do what you do, but on a galactic scale. The only difference is that we are much better funded and much less corrupt.”
“ What do you mean corrupt?”
Lukas turned to lean back against the van as he started looking toward the two S rank heroes, one being Avenger, listening and watching him.
“ Take your older partner. In a world like yours, you do not get to grow old without gaining some taint. Bribery, blackmail, extortion, your loved ones being threatened, and I can go on. He is guilty of at least one of those. By merely doing simple searches of public records.
You on the other hand Jane Carter, graduated from the police academy less than a month ago. In addition, your social media has none of the telling signs of criminal support elements. Your youth and being an unknown, plus the signs of your desire for justice and protecting the innocent make you a lucky and ideal candidate to be my escort.”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Instantly Jane’s body tensed as her cheeks turned beet red.
“ Well, at least ask me to dinner first.”
After about ten seconds of silence, Lukas turned toward Jane again.
“ Oh... ohhh! Yes, of course. Any place you would like, I am new to this world. So I do not know where would be good. I will have to exchange some simple refined metals or minerals in order to pay first. Perhaps afterward we can go back to your place...”
“ Oh, God, I can not believe you are seriously trying to get into her pants right now.”
-----
Lukas shifted his vision from the officer, who was starting to calm down around the three obviously more powerful individuals. Which was his goal when he started talking to her. Calm, however, was not quite the right word he realized, but relaxed was. If the one that butted in would have waited a moment, he would have heard her say ‘I would like that.’ and that would have been the end of it. This caused Lukas to question what this world taught its guardians because tact apparently was not one of them.
It was well over an hour's drive from the fight to the underground base less than a mile away. Officer Jane had fallen asleep and started leaning against a foam pillow from the warehouse the Wardens store such things. Based on similar products online, it was no more than a few years more advanced than this world so he will not get in trouble for losing it or anything.
With a gentle shake, Jane was woken up with drool coming from her mouth. He was definitely going to let her have the pillow now. She was out first with Lukas following her and the other two behind him.
When Lukas stepped out of the van he was not impressed. Over twenty brightly dressed individuals stood in front of him, of which the HWN recognized at least three as leaders of different hero organizations. As well as one villain one. Among the other eleven not in hiding were four men and one woman in suit and tie. Government people by his guess. Two were in more military-like uniforms and all but one of the rest were clearly media. The last however wore grease-covered work overalls and a pair of welder’s goggles. Upon seeing him Lukas turned off the universal translator and started speaking the Qwlkyn language.
“ You stand before a Free Warden exile. Are there any crimes or pleas you wish to make before I begin my investigation?”