A few weeks has passed after dealing with Probationary Firefighter Ashley.

"So what did you do on your week off?" asked Captain Daniella, "Just to know as a friend."

Dave replied after putting his duffle bag down, "I went to the town of Hope to visit some family members and shot some weapons. Mostly shot shotguns though. The ones I've been with though mostly talked about their experiences in Vietnam how they crossed into Laos or Cambodia and fight Vietcong and go back to base to drink a six pack of beer. They usually did the same tactics as the VC against them. They mostly teach newer special forces soldiers now a days because they're in their mid to late thirties to early forties."

"So what did they do?" asked Captain Daniella, "Besides go after VC?"

Dave replied, "That's what they mostly did go after Vietcong. But they mostly did infiltration, assassination, torture, capture, counter-terrorism, and interrogation. They also did other stuff."

"Sounds like a nice time." said Captain Daniella

Dave replied, "It was even though I met some people during my time and they called me 'Wop' and I punched them in the throat. I'm half Italian from my father. My grandfather he remarried in 1947 after his first wife died to an Italian woman who was apart of the Resistenza italiana from '43 to '45."

"I have no idea what the 'Resistenza italiana' is or was." said Capt. Daniella, "Also did.."

Dave replied, "Italian resistance movement that fought against the Fascist Italy and the Nazi's in World War 2. She fought for the liberation of her home and for Republicanism and Christian Democracy. That's how my granddad tells it... Also yes well when I asked my granddad he said 'When a man and a woman like each other very much... You'll find out when you're older where kids come from'. If you mean they had sex well he said in Summer of '43 during Operation Husky and she had a baby born in mid '44. Then my granddad went to England to prepare for Operation Overlord. My Granddad was apart of the United States First Infantry 'Big Red One' Division. He tried to sign up for the Vietnam war but he was rejected due to his age which was true due to he was born in July, 1901. Not adding he fought in three wars of World War One, World War Two, and the Korean War."

"I didn't study history much in Junior High or High school." said Capt. Daniella, "I mostly got C's in history class but I did get B+'s and A's in Physical Education and Science class."

Dave replied, "I mostly got B's but my father always told me that if I tried my best and didn't give up then he didn't care as long as I tried."

"And my step father tried to force himself on me and my father is dead." said Captain Daniella.

***

Several minutes later.

Dave was coming down the stairs when the fire bell went off for a fire investigation.

***

At the scene, to Dave it looked like a studio building that has multiple different businesses in it or a few or just one big one. Dave just went in and it was some minor smoke but nothing major.

Some doors he tried were locked and he had no problem of kicking the door in the solid wooden door. There was one locked door that not even kicking in the door made it open where he used his ax and took the door off the hinges from the other side.

"Hey sir come on," said Dave, "You can't be in here."

"Yeah yeah whatever," said the Caucasian male.

Dave tried to get the guy to come out but the guy was a hardass and told him that he has political connections and make his life a living hell and he won't be able to get a job but Dave told him that he's not afraid of him nor who his connections are where he faced against more tougher people who were a lot scarier than some politician playing hardass.

***

Back at the firehouse, Dave didn't mention to Capt. Daniella about running into a hardass politician even though he write it up in his report but she didn't put it in her's because he feels like he could hand it and don't need her help.

"Something bothering you?" asked Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "Yeah earlier on our first call I ran into a hardass politician who tried to threaten me and I told him that I'm not scared of him."

"Have you told Capt. Daniella?" asked Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "Why? I can protect myself and the company I'm with. I don't need to worry her as well."

"Would it be better to inform her just incase the guy comes after us?" asked Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "Then I'll more angerly tell him to back off and if he comes after them then he'll see a side of him that isn't nice."

Unknown to Captain Nova and Dave that Captain Daniella was by the tail end of Engine Sixteen and eavesdropped and she thought about saying something but she decided to let it play out and if it feels like it's going to affect the house or become a problem then she'll jump in. She remembered that her father before he died he always told her that it's better to sit on the sideline than jump into a situation she doesn't fully know so she could make a decision later on or join a side or staying neutral after getting a full picture of what's happening.

After a few minutes Captain Nova asked Dave what he's going to do if the guy doesn't back off and Dave told her that he isn't going to say because then she'll be a accomplice if he told her and that and that she'll be an accomplice by knowing it and not alerting the authorities even if she kept it a secret then she'll still be an accomplice.

Dave then saw someone in a trench coat standing across the street and to him it looked like the same politician guy from earlier and he even said something about it which lead Captain Nova to ask how his eyesight is only for Dave to tell her that it's 19/20 vision.

Dave then went to the guy and it was the same politician and he was mad and snapped at Dave even threatened Dave to use his political connections to make Dve's life a living hell.

"I'm not afraid of you or who your friends are," said Dave, "Give it your best shot because when I strike back I'm going to knock you on your ass so hard then you'll be wishing you didn't come after me. So bring your best shot!"

Dave then went back to the firehouse.

***

Later that day, Captain Daniella had Dave go on a quick errand to a corner store down the street to get a few things.

When Dave got out of his car he got attacked by three people but Dave was able to defend himself for a bit but he was defeated though.

***

At a hospital.

Dave was told by a doctor that he has a few broken bones and a couple of bones on his ribcage are broken as well. It wasn't long until a police detective came.

What's with people wearing suits and trench coats? Dave thought, Make's them look like they're a decade out of time! This city is suppose to be like an American city from the 1960s minus the segregation that happened in the United States at the time. Hell in Clearlake yeah it's acceptable because it's your picture perfect 1950s Americana styled town but without the segregation because everyone here has the same civil rights since the 1730s.

The police detective asked Dave if he known who did it and Dave told the police detective on who sent them to beat him up. The detective entirely didn't believe Dave about a politician but he told Dave that he'll be in touch about that and so on.

***

Back at the firehouse Dave acted like nothing happened but he did has the stuff that Captain Daniella asked for and Captain Nova asked if he was okay and he told her that he's fine even though the hardass politician sent some people to beat him up but that's not going to make him to give up.

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"Have you reported it to the police?" asked Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "Yeah I talked to a police detective but he had a tone in his voice that sounded like he wasn't interested or he didn't believe me. The police better handle it within the next three hours."

"Why should day?" asked Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "My family they have a thing of knowing when one of us is in trouble. Even if I tell them not to fight my battles for me then they'll do it on their own accord."

"Isn't 'Their own accord' a motto for..." said Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "Of the United States Army Rangers, 75th Ranger Regiment. I got some family members who are in the who live in the United States and is in the United States Military of all branches. My family is a well knit family and actually helps each other even if two deeply hate each other they would drop their hatered and help each other."

"Lovely family," said Captain Nova, "A lot better than my family who just argues and gets into fights every 0.1 attosecond... Do you have any family members who are single?"

Dave almost choked on his Silvia on what Nova Jones asked him. He then told her that he does have some family members who are single but they're currently in the Little Bird Armed Forces and the United States Armed Forces.

"To let you know that the males are fighters and are in the military and the females can be a lot more aggressive than the males." said Dave, "No really the women can be a lot more aggressive than the males. My cousin Mackenzie visited me and my other two cousins in the summer of '89 and one teenage girl who was acting as a alpha bitch and Mackenzie without fear of retaliation or whatnot she bitch slapped her and sent her teeth flying out of her mouth. If you're going to ask what she does as career now is that she's a PMC."

"PMC?" asked Captain Nova.

Captain Daniella replied, "Private Military Contractor."

"You were evesdropping on our conversation?" asked Dave.

Captain Daniella replied, "Yes and I know that you're dealing with a hardass politician."

"I know how I'm going to deal with him." said Dave, "Going to pay him a visit after shift."

Captain Daniella, "Be careful Dave you're walking on his territory now. Also be careful how you retaliate because well the guy has a lot of political connections and knows a lot of people. And I don't want it to affect everyone else at the firehouse nor affect the firehouse. I don't want to wake up one morning to find out that the house been closed and all one hundred and forty four of us been fired because you took a baseball bat to the guy for being a hardass."

"Hey don't give him ideas!" said Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "A baseball bat is kinda been there and done that. But at first I was thinking about talking to the guy."

"And if he doesn't listen?" asked Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "He can use his political connections and all of his friends in high places all he wants but it won't help him though. I've had enemies who tried to bribe my own family only for it to backfire. Also even if I tell my family not to fight my battles then they'll do it of their own accord. He can send the coppers on his payroll after me and well my family dealt with corrupt cops before."

"Coppers?" asked Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "The first police officers their badges were made of copper. Also I can fight my battles without needing you two getting involved."

The firebell went off for a fire and when they got to the scene they were under attack by a gunman from a building and when Captain Daniella radioed for police support and after awhile she radioed again only for the dispatcher to say that all of the units in the Fifteenth Precient have gone off the air and vanished like a ghost. Dave noticed a payphone so he ran to it and used it to call the Ninth Precinct even though that's in Uptown.

Dave reached the Ninth Precinct and told the front desk sergeant he wants to talk to Captain Asyling so he put the call through and Dave told her that he maybe in the Fifteenth Precinct jurisdiction but none of them are coming to help and they're being shot at and she told him that Darick and Sonata are on the way but it'll take some time.

Dave then went back and told Captain Daniella that it'll take some time but a car from the Ninth precinct is on it's way but it'll take some time.

"We don't have time and there's four members bleeding out." said Captain Daniella, "Hey where are you going now!"

Dave even though getting shot at he ran over and was able to drag one of them to the safe side so they could work on the injured firefighters and after sometime both Darick and Sonata did arrive with Darick having his pistol drawn and Sonata with her shotgun drawn.

"Single gunman?" asked Officer Sonata Ryan.

Dave replied, "Or someone else fires when one reloads."

Officer Darick Ryan and his sister Sonata went around back and they were able to apprehend the suspects which was two but while that happened another firefighter was shot.

***

At the Ninth Precinct.

"Dave I know you're pissed." said Captain Asyling, "So I'll be doing the investigation because I highly doubt I can trust my friend who runs the Fifteenth."

"I know that but if they all got the call we were under attack and none of them responded." said Dave, "I know that firefighters and cops hate each other but this is taking it to a new level! Also a lot of people don't like the police and when this airs on the five o'clock news wouldn't surprise me if it'll cause a riot."

Captain Asyling replied, "I'm personally handling it! I know that you're pissed but I'm going to handle it!"

***

At a office.

"Afternoon sir." said a female receptionist, "How can I help you?"

Dave replied, "I'm here to see Alderman Steven Jaros."

The receptionist told Dave that he's busy and would have to make an appointment months in advance to see him. A side room door opened and it was Alderman Steven who told the receptionist that he'll talk to him right now just to get it out of the way.

***

In the office.

"So I'm going to assume you're here to ask me to show you some leniency?" asked Alderman Steven.

Dave replied, "Nope. But I'm here to give you an ultimatum. Option A you leave me alone and we never see each other again. Option B you keep coming at me then you're going to receive both barrels."

"Or Option C I make your life a living hell." said Alderman Steven.

Dave replied, "Which leads to Option D which I'll make your life a more of a living hell. Keep coming after me then you'll regret it... Don't believe me then try it."

Dave the peacefully left and went back to the firehouse and he found out that Captain Daniella and the Lieutenant of Ladder Sixteen have taken both Engine and Ladder Sixteen out of service due to being understaffed and Captain Daniella told the police commissioner over the phone that they fight fires not criminals and their turnout gear isn't bulletproof.

***

The next day.

Dave was up early and while the rest of the firehouse was still asleep but he just checked all of the gear and made sure all of the oxygen tanks were full of air and everything was ready for the next shift when it starts in two hours. But he didn't do much or do anything that would be loud to wake up the others but when the shift ended Dave went home.

***

At home Dave brought his turnout gear with him and he was cleaning his boots, jacket, and helmet when there was a knock on the front door so he grabbed his pistol and opened the door which was one of his cousins who came by to visit and he allowed her to come in.

"Hey Dave I came by to see how you're doing." said the woman.

Dave replied, "I'm doing fine Mack."

"I hate that stupid nickname my first name is Mackenzie not Mack!" said Mackenzie.

Dave replied, "Well in this family if two people have the same first name then the second one gets a shorter version of their first name. How does Mac, M.K, Em, Enzi, Kaz, Ken, Kennie, Kenz, or Kenzie sound?"

"Why do I want to know that there's more?" asked Mackenzie.

Dave replied, "There is but they're on the territory of what a boyfriend or girlfriend would call their girlfriend or wife. They are Kenzie-cakes Kenz-Boo, Zizi, Maizie, Kezzie, and Kenz-Bear."

"I would take Kenz or Kezzie or Maizie over Mack anyday." said Mackenzie, "My female partner she calls me Kezzie and Maizie."

Dave replied, "And I bet you bed her as well."

"The Prime Demons PMC company have a strict no fraternization between operatives and people in the administrative roles." said Mackenzie, "But off duty is another book... So yes. Also, how have you been doing?"

Dave replied, "Besides pissing off a hardass alderman and getting a girlfriend I'm doing fine."

"Who's the hardass name?" asked Mackenzie.

Dave replied, "Alderman Steven Jaros. You'll see all of his fucking billboards everywhere on how he's going to run in the next mayoral election and how he's going to clean up corruption in the city yet he was having an affair on his wife."

"A politician cheating on his wife... That's a new one." said Mackenzie in a snarky tone.

Dave replied, "Yeah politicians been cheating on their wives or cheat since the dawn of politicians. Also I got to get back at cleaning by bunker gear."

***

The next day.

"Hey Dave someone asked me if I knew what Thermopylae and Daedalus was." said Captain Nova, "Do you know?"

Dave replied, "Thermopylae was a battle in 480 BC where 300 Spartans' battle against the Persian empire a small army that faced down the considerably larger empire and ultimately lost. Daedalus was the father of Icarus in Greek Mythology, and was the creator of the wax wings Icarus famously used to fly too close to the sun, causing the wax to melt from the heat and sending him plummeting to his death by drowning in the Mediterranean sea."

It was a slow day and when the fire bell went off for a fire they were quickly cancelled only for another firehouse to respond instead. To them it was interesting but confusing why they were cancelled to not to go but another company instead.

At four pm Mackenzie Waterson came by the firehouse to talk to Dave and told him that she put a lot of pressure onto Alderman Steven Jaros and she gave him an warning to back off or she'll keep at it and that the Alderman told her that he'll back off.

***

2:35 AM.

It was peaceful and quite until the lights came on and the fire bell went off for them to go to a third alarm assignment but when Dave slid down a fire pole but when he got to the first floor Captain Nova Jones came down on top of him due to she didn't allow enough time for him to get off of the pole and go to his turn out gear.

Captain Nova got off of him and they went to their spot on the Engine Company Sixteen.

"Only thing about having a day off every other day and a whole week off is that I can sleep in." said Captain Nova.

Dave replied, "How did you make Captain? You look so young?"

"Oh please I'm only 24 I became captain at 22." said Captain Nova, "I was at the firehouse one day and there was a piece of paper on the bulletin board saying that they're opening tests to be a Captain. Didn't want to but when I was with my girlfriends after shift and I told them that the FDEB was opened for firefighters to take a test to be a Captain but there no increase in pay and I would still earn a hundred and twenty bucks a week. They encouraged me to take it. My mom doesn't approve that I'm not behind a desk as HQ and my dad was supportive."

Dave replied, "Why doesn't your father approve anymore?"

"He was working on a high rise doing renovations." said Captain Nova, "Happened four years ago. He was renovating the in Downtown in Summer of 1992. Well while on his break some dummy lit a cigarette and threw the match into a pile of saw dust and my dad tried to put it out but it spread to fast and another person went to go and pull the fire alarm but for some reason they had some barrels of flammable liquid and it blew. My company was second due but some ashes blew into another high rise across the street so it was one incident that was a twelve alarm fire or six alarm fire in both buildings."

Dave replied, "What happened to you father?"

"The first explosion only left a quarter of his body left." said Captain Nova, "I heard my then Lieutenant radioed that he needed a body bag and a coroner. But he and my mom argued so much I could write a hundred books on each year of my life that they argued so I could write eighteen hundred books on how often they fought... Sometimes they would argue so loud that the cops would have to be called out to tell them to calm it down or one of them would have to go to the precinct for the night. One time my dad forgot forgot about their wedding anniversary and attacked my dad with a clothes iron."

Dave replied, "Why didn't your dad divorce your mom?"

"Your guess is good as mines." said Captain Nova, "Not adding my uncle my mother's wife he's an divorce attorney and more or less probably threatened him to stay with her. But that's my speculation."

It wasn't long until they arrived which was a warehouse in The Ports district of the city and it was fully engulfed.

"I know this building." said Dave.

Captain Daniella replied, "No you don't."

"The Smith Iron warehouse." said Dave, "Built in 1914 and was used to store naval shells from 38 caliber shells for destroyers, light cruisers, aircraft carriers, and battleships, 47 caliber shells for the light cruisers, 50 caliber shells for the battleships, and 55 caliber shells for the heavy cruisers. Then guided missiles throughout the Vietnam war... I know things. I had a cousin once removed she was in the Little Bird Navy during the Vietnam war on the battleship BB-07 Sunshine and her job was to shell North Vietnamese positions with the twenty inch/ fifty caliber guns on the Sunshine a Aroura class battleship later Aroura class guided missile battleship."

The warehouse fire was a long and a hard fight but it took until past sunrise to put it out not adding the fire was so hot that the floors then later the walls started to fall and break apart not adding the fire was so hot that the water streams would evaporate before hitting the fire.

***

Back at the firehouse.

"You didn't say anything about it being arson this time." said Captain Daniella.

Dave replied, "In a abandon warehouse? It could be an arsonist or it could've been a rat chewing old wires or people who get smuggled here could've been hiding inside and keeping warm or something like that. If you need me later I'm going to take my cousin out to dinner as a thank you for telling the hardass alderman to back off."

"Won't Linda your girlfriend over on Engine Eighteen get pissed off?" asked Captain Daniella.

Dave replied, "She's going to be with us. Also if you think I'm going to cheat on her then you don't know that my family don't cheat. To us cheating is out version of the Seven Deadly Sins."

Dave then went back to his apartment and waited for his cousin Mackenzie and girlfriend Linda to show up but when time did come he noticed a letter on his car's windshield wiper and it was two. The first one saying that he knows too much about that the fires are being arsons and the second one is from the Alderman saying he's going to pay.

Dave and Linda went on a nice date but after their date he dropped her off at her apartment and went to go find his cousin Mackenzie but in the morning he went over to the Ninth Precinct and saw Alderman Steven come out so he went over to the Alderman Steven and slammed him against the outside wall and he demanded to know where his cousin was.

Captain Asyling and her twin sister Mackenzie Ryan had to pull Dave off of the Alderman and in retaliation and out of anger he broke Asyling's nose and Mackenzie Ryan's leg but the two were willing to let it go because they would've done the same. They also had Dave leave after the Alderman left but Asyling had a patrol car follow Dave to make sure Dave didn't go to the Alderman's office.