A strange rescue operation takes place on the road where a firefighting squad must deal with a sudden defect in their equipment, attracting the attention of police officers who attempt to stop them.

Fireman Rescue

“Burne, how much farther do we have to go? This sun is killing us out here!” Taurus snorts while tugging at the collar of his firefighter uniform. The firefighting team is en route to a seminar being held in Las Vegas, but due to complications regarding traffic, a detour was made.

“Hopefully, it isn't going to be that much farther. Once we enter the Las Vegas city limits, we should reach our spot in no time.” The cougar firefighter implied.

“I hope so. This sun is murderous.” Taurus rolls an electric window down to allow some fresh air inside the cabin in hopes of combating the desert heat. But when Taurus reaches for a switch to activate the air conditioner, the bull notices the gauges around the steering column and notices something odd. The PSI gauge is running on empty. “Uh guys, when was the last time we did a full brake system inspection?”

“That was yesterday before we set off for our journey.” Answered a wolf firefighter. “Is something wrong?”

“If that's the case, why is the gauge running on empty? We can't afford an accident.” Taurus begins to grow anxious and immediately goes for an emergency brake button on the dash. But nothing seems to be working.

“Speed limit is what - 35 mph? We're not even traveling that fast.” Burne checks the speedometer while keeping the speed limit in mind. With no other option left, the cougar firefighter grabs the CB Radio and broadcasts an SOS:

:If anyone can hear us, this is Fire Engine 14! We have no brakes! If anyone can receive this message, please respond ASAP!:

“You guys better hang on; this could get real hairy, real fast!” Burne warns the firefighter team to brace themselves for a potentially deadly ride. Just when the cougar is about to secure the CB Radio, a response comes on the other end.

:Engine 14, this is Red Rock 41 - Over. You say you have no brakes??:

A woman’s voice responds over the CB radio, her tone being one of disbelief. Seconds later, flashing red lights are visible with a Porsche 911 Turbo (930) police car up ahead; the female officer had noticed the firetruck and immediately flipped her lights and siren on.

:Affirmative, officer! We tried our emergency brake and nothing’s working! Please help us!:

Burne’s response is swift and he pleads with the female officer to assist them. The cougar tries the regular brakes again but no response. The PSI gauge is at 0 and the fire engine begins to gradually pick up speed.

While the female officer is requesting backup to deal with the runaway fire engine, Taurus and the rest of the firefighters begin to slowly panic. One of them suggests, “If we can't get stopped, then we'll just have to abandon ship!”

“Too risky and too dangerous.” Taurus argued. “We jump out, we may end up getting scooped off the pavement after hitting a car or something. All we can do is hold on.”

More police units join the scene. In front is a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X along with a Ford Crown Victoria. But while they're able to accelerate to stay ahead and warn traffic, the officers must also be careful along the hills and curves.

The runaway engine begins ascending a section of the highway where they begin to slow down thanks to the absence of gravity. Even Burne whistles to alert the team, “We’re slowing down; we’re under 40 and descending!”

“Not for long. Unless this levels out, we’re gonna be going faster than before;” Taurus claimed. He tries to dynamite the runaway once more, but there is no response from the emergency brake system. Taurus then pales while making a horrifying conclusion, “Guys, I think someone messed with our fire engine. Nothing's working!”

“Oh man, hang on!” Once the section levels out, there is a downward slope. Next to the runaway fire engine is a Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GR) patrol car, and the officer behind the wheel struggles to keep pace next to it while trying to avoid getting sideswiped in the process.

“55 and counting! This is really bad! Why would someone sabotage a fire engine!?” While Burne raises a hand in frustration, a male officer chimes in on the CB Radio.

:Engine 14, this is Red Rock 54 - do you all have an engine brake switch somewhere? Heavy vehicles should have them as standard equipment.:

The suggestion makes the fire team perk up with sudden relief. While Burne wrestles with keeping the fire engine under control, Taurus searches for the designated marker while taking the CB Radio. Finally, the bull confirms:

:I see it! None of us knew this! Uh, I see three stages! Which one do I flip??:

The officer responds:

:Stage 3! That should get you guys stopped quickly! Better do it now before it's too late!:

“Got it!” When Taurus activates the Jake Brake, a thunderous, machine-gun noise reverbates from the fire engine. This causes the officers to panic when the same officer affirms:

:Guys, relax! We're not being shot at! That's the normal noise a Jake Brake makes when it's on! By the way, Engine 14, what is your speed now?:

Checking the speedometer, Burne grabs the CB Radio and reports:

:We're under 30 and counting down! We appreciate your help!:

When the runaway fire engine is completely stopped, the hazard lights are engaged and multiple officers surround the fire engine. Though the firefighters are now safe, they were all shaken.

~~~~~

Following a trip to the police station, the firefighters now find themselves in a police station on a Native American reservation. They are now in Southern Paiute territory. But the female officer that is overseeing them, along with the other officers, are friendly wolves.

“I don't think I have ever witnessed or engaged in an active situation like this one. You men are very fortunate not to be on an actual freeway or narrow road apart from a local highway. We had spikes deployed up ahead to shred your wheels, though. Glad that wasn't carried out!” The female wolf officer, Ali Ziambre, is happily talking with the firemen and expressing relief over their safety. Along with her are several other tribal officers, also overseeing the firemen.

Another officer, a male gray wolf, questions the firemen, “Where were you boys headed when this was going on? We're happy to give you a lift!”

Taurus, meanwhile, is off to the side cooling off while hugging another male wolf officer. Both of them are shirtless while the cougar firefighter responds to the officers, “Our regular brakes were fine a couple days ago. That was the last time we did our inspection. But for our brakes to fail like this, someone had to be behind the vandalism. I don't get it - who in their right mind sends a bunch of firemen to their awaiting deaths?”

“Your guess is as good as ours.” Ali shrugged. Even she and her fellow Paiute comrades didn't know. But they do know that whoever sabotaged the equipment is liable for damages.

Another wolf officer offers to give the men a lift to their destination while they investigate the vandalized fire engine. “If you boys are headed to Las Vegas, I can give you a ride there. Are y'all going to a convention down there?”

“How did you know about that?” Taurus has a surprised expression when he turns his attention to the wolf officer. The shirtless bull happens to be petting the head of a shirtless wolf officer, who also seems to be cooling himself down from the heat.

“Kieran informed us about these types of events going on - conventions are common throughout southern Nevada, especially the Las Vegas area.” The wolf officer reported.

“Interesting…” Kieran is panting once more while still hugging the bull out of friendship. Suddenly, Taurus turns his attention back to the gray / white shirtless wolf and begins tickling his stomach gently, causing him to giggle.

The giggling wolf attempts to pull away from Taurus, only to squish his back against a wall. Taurus goes back to playing with Kieran’s stomach, making the wolf giggle and melt even more with his tail wagging from side to side.

Another female wolf officer walks into the room and alerts the firemen, “Boys, your ride is outside and we will be escorting you to your destination. Hopefully we can investigate your vandalized truck and find some evidence of sabotage.”

“Hopefully we'll be getting a replacement fire engine soon.” Taurus noted before patting Kieran on the head.

“Is the weather this murderous out in the state?” One of the firefighters questioned.

“Temperatures have reached 100°F, but seeing a shirtless officer is rare. We only do this as a last resort.” Realizing what he just said, Kieran turns bright red in the face and raises his hand, “Uh not to say the ladies can't go that way! They can't be flashy!”

“What's that supposed to mean, Mister?” Ali suddenly whirls on Kieran, having heard the comment. But Kieran attempts to defend himself while backing away from the advancing woman.

“What I mean is that people who see and observe us hopefully won't get the wrong idea! I understand we have scorching temperatures but we’d have trouble already showing certain body parts…” Kieran explained nervously. “Right, Ali?? Right, Roscoe??”

When Ali hears this, she stops short of grabbing Kieran by his bare shoulders. She then claims, “Do you really think us women are that stupid? If your mind wasn't completely in the gutter, I would have a more general idea of what you're saying. Next time, Kieran, be more precise and eligible in your statement rather than using your hormones!”

While Ali storms off, she notices the eyes of the firefighters and other officers staring at her, causing her to bark, “What are you all looking at?!”

When the steamed woman leaves the room, everyone begins to relax; Roscoe waves to the firefighters and mentions, “Boys, your lift is outside. Officer Talman will be taking you guys to your destination.”

Just outside the police station is an unmarked Ford Expedition (US53) idling outside in the parking lot. And leaning against the driver side door is another gray wolf officer, who also becomes their chauffeur.

~~~~~

After the lift to the firefighter convention and the main event itself, the bull and his crew stayed for a bit afterwards, with Taurus signing autographs and taking pictures with fans and other firefighters. But afterwards, a situation had already developed.

“Dang it! We just got through with our convention and now this?? This never ends!” The team is already responding to a vehicle accident on a divided highway with what appears to be a rollover incident involving an impaired driver. The vehicle in question is a blue 2008 Honda Accord LX (AKA Honda Inspire in Japan - CP3). There is massive front end damage to the driver side with the left headlight gone and debris scattered all over the road. The airbags inside appear to have been already activated. Unfortunately for the team, another situation is hurtling their way in the form of a police chase.

Las Vegas police officers are in pursuit of a red Chevrolet Blazer. The 4×4, a second-generation S-10, is actually a stolen vehicle. Even worse, the SUV was used in an armed robbery, so now the situation heats up with the possibility of an armed and dangerous suspect.

“Guys, hurry up! Let's hurry up!!” One of the firefighters warns the team of the imminent danger barreling down on them. This catches Taurus’ attention with the bull noticing the SUV and at least 4 police vehicles behind it. Suddenly, things take a dark and unexpected turn.

“Burne, behind you!!!” The cougar is almost finished cleaning up the surrounding debris when Taurus suddenly races to intercept and knock the cougar away, only to get bowled over by the 4×4. In a heartstopping twist, Taurus is run over but thanks to his literal hide, he avoids major injury. The suspect isn't as fortunate - losing control, the Blazer tips over on its left side due to Taurus’ weight, vaulting the median and smashing headfirst into a tree, nearly wrapping the vehicle around it. Cops pull up seconds later and immediately get to work on securing the scene further.

Despite being run over, Taurus has no major injuries, only road rash. But he still agrees to medical treatment following the unexpected attack. The assailant, however, is later rushed to the hospital where he will make a full recovery, only to be sent to the slammer a few days later. As for the police and firefighters? Taurus and several others end up shaking hands and saluting each other in mutual respect and they live with their own stories to tell.

~~~~~

Taurus belongs to  Alnair Yorim for this trade scene!