Joint Operations Command, Bungendore NSW

The Joint Military Police provide a policing capability to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Military Police work within the remit of law enforcement, providing mobility and manoeuvre support, security for ADF personnel and internment and detention operations. defence.gov.au website

Joey pulled up to HQJOC (B), got out and looked at his phone.

He rang Marty and said, "They're on the way to the Gymnasium to do a demo of some 'special skills', she said something about a basketball court? But for some reason Commander McClaine wants to see her there before the rest of your Paranormal Integration Team."

"Just a sec." Marty put Joey on hold and rang Commodore Peta Philippe. "Commodore? This is Staff Sergeant Carpenter from RACMP. Are you a part of the Paranormal Integration Team?"

"Yes, Staff Sergeant, what's this about?"

"Are you aware that the AFP rep is over here at the HPJOC today, meeting with some members of that group?"

"Vaguely, is there a problem?"

"We're not sure, ma'am. The rep's supervisor from the AFP is concerned exactly what's happening. The rep plus a Lieutenant Charles Mbabazi are on the way to the Basketball court to meet with Commander McClaine so the rep can demonstrate some 'special skills', but the rep has indicated that she is concerned with the situation."

"Demonstration? Shit, there must be real shifters involved. Commander McClaine may not take that too well. I'm on my way down there now. I would appreciate it if you and a couple of your staff could meet me there."

“Yes, ma’am.”

Marty was in the main foyer and spotted Joey walking in the front door. He waved him over. He looked at one of the guards and showed his ID, saying, "He's with me."

Marty handed Joey a security lanyard and said, "Come on."

Two of his staff joined them, and they quickly signed in and started towards the Gymnasium.

As they arrived, Joey sent Alexa a message, asking if everything is OK.

Commodore Peta Philippe and Marty were discussing what to do and Joey got an SMS. Looking down he read, 'im fine'. It took a moment for him to realise that was the panic code they had agreed on.

"I've just got a panic code from my Officer; we need to be in there now.

Peta and Marty looked at each other and then back to Joey. Just then there was the sound of a pistol discharging.

Joey drew his weapon and ran for the door.

Marty held the Commodore back and then signalled to his two people. Pointing at Joey, he said, "Protect him. He’s the good guy." They ran after him.

Joey burst through the doors to his worst nightmare. Alexa lay on the floor, amidst a growing pool of blood, while a senior Navy officer still had his gun pointing at her. A second naval officer was off to the side, seemingly in shock.

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"Australian Federal Police, drop your weapon and lay on the floor now, both of you."

Joey heard one of the Military Police behind him call for a medic team and Ambulance, saying ‘gunshot wound’. The other one called for an armed team as backup.

"Sir, this is your final warning, drop your weapon and lay on the floor or I will shoot."

"What, for shooting this rabid dog? I'm going to get a medal for this! These are silver bullets; her witchcraft can't heal from this!"

Joey had been focusing on the gun, still pointing at Alexa. As the senior officer turned towards Joey, he finally had what he was waiting for, with the gun starting to come around towards Joey, and therefore currently not pointing towards anyone, he fired. The taser in his hand fired, delivering a few seconds of electric shock. The officer lost control of his gun, with it flying away to the left, landing just past Alexa's prone body.

"On the ground, now!"

The Commander moved towards the gun and Joey squeezed the trigger again, delivering another shock. This time, the Commander collapsed onto the ground, his body jerking. Joey looked at the two MPs with him, noting the handcuffs on their belt. "Cuff them both." he dropped his taser and pulled out his service weapon. "You, yes you, on the ground, hands behind your back."

Like he was moving through syrup, Lieutenant Mbabazi slowly complied with Joey's command. The Military Police cuffed them both and Joey put away his weapon, picked up his taser and secured it as well. Then he called out that the scene was secured.

Joey rushed across to Alexa and checked for a pulse. "She's alive. Get that medical team here." Joey did a quick assessment and noted Alexa was still bleeding from the wound on her left breast. He opened her duffel and grabbed the sheet he knew would be in there, tore open her clothing and used the sheet to staunch the blood flow.

"So, can I get that promotion now, sir?"

Joey looked up and saw that Alexa was conscious and looking at him.

"No! Do you realise how much paperwork is involved when you get shot! I should demote you."

Alexa gave a half-laugh and then groaned. "Getting shot hurts a hell of a lot more than it does on TV."

Commodore Peta Philippe stepped over and rearranged Alexa's clothing slightly, covering her breast.

"Thanks, ma-am."

Joey started to relax and began to catalogue the scene in his mind. "Why do you have a big, heavy silver chain around your neck?"

"Commander McClaine dropped it over my head, just before shooting me. It looks like it's solid silver, so he obviously subscribes to the 'silver kills werewolves' TV series. Can I keep it, once this is all over? You'll find some gloves and evidence bags in my duffel. Am I allowed to shift to help the healing here? Once the bullet is removed?"

Joey sighed, then realised that this was so close to the 'reveal' that it wouldn't really matter. "Yes, Alexa, you can."

Peta said, "So, you're a shifter?"

"Yes, ma'am. Are you going to shoot me as well?"

Peta gave a bit of a laugh and answered, "No."

"Good, because this already hurts enough."

Joey realised that Alexa was babbling. She was probably starting to go into shock. “Alexa, Alexa. Stay with me, concentrate on me.”

“I’d rather concentrate on him.” She nodded her head towards the Lieutenant Mbabazi.

Alexa had a confused look on her face. “Am I going into shock?”

“Probably,” Joey agreed.

Joey could hear Marty guiding what he hoped were the medical team into the Gymnasium. He waved them over, saying, "Female, 24 years old, gunshot wound to the chest. My initial examination did not show an exit wound. Name is Alexa Smirn. I suspect she is going into shock, as she is starting to be incoherent."

The medic took over the wound control from Joey.

"How long ago did the shooting take place?"

Joey checked his watch and said, "Six minutes."

"That can't be right. This wound looks like it occurred an hour ago."

"This is not to be discussed or talked about. You know the talk about the new Paranormal division in the AFP?"

"Yeah."

"Alexa is a paranormal. One of her gifts is accelerated healing. Alexa, what do you need?"

“Pain relief?”

The other medic asked Alexa, "Are you allergic to methoxyflurane?"

"No."

The medic gave Alexa a blue whistle, loaded with a small dose of methoxyflurane. Alexa sucked in a couple of breaths, the pain relief started quickly.

"Thanks. What do I need? The bullet out. No general anaesthetic.”

Puff.

Joey asked, "Given that she can heal herself if we get that bullet out, how far away is the Ambulance, and how long will it take to transport her to hospital?"

"In total, twenty-five to thirty minutes, depending upon when the Ambulance arrives."

"Can we at least find out if removing the bullet here is doable?"

The Army medic looked at her partner and said, "Doctor Lugansky here?"

Her partner said, "Yeh, saw him about a half hour ago."

Puff.

The ADF medic used her radio and within minutes they had loaded her onto the gurney, and she was on her way to the infirmary.