Three choices...
Barry pondered his options.
Of the many weapons tested, the skateboard vehicle and chemical backpack were definite picks, leaving only one more to choose.
Electromagnetic gun, micro missile bracelet, electromagnetic stick weapon, firearms sword...
As Barry deliberated, Adams and George remained silent, allowing him space to decide.
---
"How about a bet?" George suggested, glancing at Adams with interest.
"What are we betting on?" Adams inquired, intrigued.
"Two police cars. If I win, you allocate two police cars to our Queens station," George proposed, holding up two fingers.
"...Alright, but if you lose, Barry must pass the assessment and serve in other precincts," Adams countered, revealing a plan he had in mind.
"Send Barry to other districts?... Sure!" George was initially surprised but agreed. Supporting other stations when possible wasn't an issue.
"You choose first," Adams gestured for George to make his pick.
George had already considered his options and quickly voiced his guesses.
Alchemy's chemical backpack, Kennedy Industries' miniature missile bracelet, Osborne Industries' skateboard vehicle.
"...I'm similar but would swap Kennedy's bracelet for Milchas Industries' electromagnetic stick," Adams replied, smiling confidently.
"Barry needs a weapon he can handle."
"But electromagnetic sticks aren't as powerful as micro-missiles," George argued.
"It's about policing, not warfare. The goal is to catch criminals, not use excessive force," Adams explained.
"This..." George was momentarily at a loss.
"And Norman from Osborne Industries mentioned adding micro air-to-surface missiles and machine guns to his aircraft. While Barry's skills might need honing, these can be considered," Adams added.
"So, you're bound to lose," he concluded.
"...Okay." George admitted defeat, realizing his earlier eagerness had clouded his judgment.
Meanwhile, Barry made his decision.
"Electromagnetic stick set, chemical backpack, skateboard aircraft. Those are my choices."
Adams nodded knowingly, while George shrugged in resignation.
"Alright, it's settled. I'll arrange for someone to help you familiarize yourself with these weapons. Then you can join Sheriff George's team," Adams outlined the next steps.
"I'll also schedule visits to these companies for promotional events. You'll be busy next month," Adams added.
"No problem," Barry agreed. Understanding the trade-off, he was ready to fulfill his part of the deal.
With police duties and weapons decisions temporarily settled, the focus shifted to the future.
---
The following day, the New York City official website announced:
"Starting today, Milchas Industries, Alchemy Company, and Osborne Industries have collaborated to equip Medal of Honor recipient Panda Barry."
"Equipment includes..."
Below the announcement were the details of the three companies' contributions.
Already a popular figure, Panda Barry's new gear drew even more public attention, driving traffic to the companies' websites.
Osborne Industries, in particular, saw a reputation boost, shedding its previous negative associations.
Anticipation grew across the U.S. as people awaited the debut of a panda policeman in New York.
A panda on the police force was unprecedented, but soon it would be reality.
---
A week later, in the Stacy family's Wall Street apartment, Mrs. Stacy adjusted her husband George's tie while Gwen watched Barry, now in a special police uniform and accompanied by his skateboard aircraft.
Barry's blue uniform featured police badges, with a bright red emblem on his chest—a symbol of his role as a cultural ambassador from the Dragon Kingdom.
"Hurry up, put your gear on! I want to see!" Gwen urged excitedly.
"There'll be plenty of time to see it in action. No need to rush," Barry sighed, realizing his new routine would involve early mornings and work, unlike his previous leisurely lifestyle.
With Gwen's eager gaze upon him, Barry donned the white chemical backpack, grateful it wasn't pink. He picked up the green metal sticks, tightly joined, and took his place on the skateboard aircraft.
"Oh my god, he looks so cool, but the uniform could use a redesign," Gwen commented, snapping photos with her phone.
Barry, wielding a stick and standing on the aircraft, felt like Sun Wukong.
The chemical backpack completed his look, adding a magical touch.
Over the past week, Barry had mastered his new weapons, with the skateboard aircraft proving the most challenging due to its force sensors. While basic navigation was easy, performing martial arts moves required finesse.
The electromagnetic stick's nunchaku and three-section stick features were mastered within three days.
The chemical backpack was the simplest, requiring only a button press to launch the chemical balls accurately.
---
"Alright, Gwen, time to go! We're going to be late," George called, checking the time and reminding the excited pair.
Gwen's school had resumed two days earlier. During this time, Peter occasionally visited, sneaking in through the window due to George's restrictions on his contact with Gwen.
"Well, Dad, maybe consider a new outfit for Barry," Gwen suggested as she put away her phone and prepared to leave.
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