Police Bot deleted scene

[abracanabra]

It made me very sad to cut this one, but they weren't necessary for the overall story arc, and the wordcount is still ferocious.

Scavenger began to create new asset listings, but was stopped by a Violent Crime In Progress Override.

"Break it up!" Max barked. His bark was muffled by the chair leg clenched in his jaws, but it was loud enough that a couple of figures at the edge of the scuffle turned to look at him. "This is assault. You are creating a disturbance. You must all come in for questioning."

The cluster broke up as Max approached, still barking his warnings. Only two people kept fighting.

"Cool it, man!" Jazz ordered.

One of the figures tried to back off, but the other plunged after him.

"Lie down on the ground with your hands behind your head!" Max barked. The aggressor ignored him.

In two halting steps, Max was close enough to the fight. When the aggressor shifted his weight, Max swung his head to the side, bringing the chair leg swinging around to strike him behind the knee. He toppled to the ground.

The other fighter stepped away, hands raised, and whispered, "Frag...."

Ignoring him, Max barked, "Lie on your stomach with your hands behind your head."

The aggressor scrambled to his feet and sprinted away as if he were pursued by a battalion of police. Max did not pursue him. He knew he couldn't move that fast, and he had witnesses to question.

"Looks like an old dog's learned a new trick," Jazz said thoughtfully. "Ain't that something."

"I will need statements from all witnesses and participants," Max barked. "Please assemble in a line and be prepared to give your name, residence, and contact information for follow-up questioning."

"That won't be necessary, officer," Jazz said. "It was just...high spirits. Ain't nobody going to press charges. Ain't nobody seen anything. Right, boys?"

A chorus of assent answered the gang leader.

Max noted that the situation was over and no charges would be filed. He was about to start filling out his report when--

Also cut a number of paragraphs that were fun but not necessary. Ah, the lot of the writer is a sad one.