TWENTY-ONE

Hank wasn’t sure how to feel about Sergeant Epps showing up. Not only had the cop seemed prepared to risk shooting him in the face when he’d been a hostage but he’d also be the one to arrest him. Still, if he got them out of the beleaguered police station he might be a godsend.

“My colleagues are having a really hard time keeping those villains back. They managed to free the prisoners from their holding cells as well,” Epps told Hank, Invulnergirl and Katie’s mom, Marjorie.

“I will help you,” Invulnergirl offered.

“Right. A teenage girl. Who acted like an idiot when trying to free hostages from a bunch of bank robbers,” Epps snarled.

“Hey! She defeated one of the villains and effectively protected us from one. And I’m not sure you handled it so great when I was a hostage,” Hank protested.

Epps gave Hank a look like he was watching a pile of crap speak. “You didn’t get shot, did you? I’m a professional, kid. Unlike little Miss Spandex here. Besides, you did some very stupid stuff, landing you in here. I’m not sure you’re one to give me advice.”

Marjorie made a calming gesture with her hands. “Let’s just focus on getting out of here, okay?”

Epps grinned. “Guess you’re right. Just follow me.”

They made their way through the police station, passing broken furniture, computers and even some destroyed walls. Cops were bandaging their colleagues. Others were reloading their guns. When they passed them Epps told them he was getting the civilians out of there and they should stay strong.

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They turned around one corner and were greeted with three armed Red Raider thugs. They aimed their guns at them. Adrenaline rushed through Hank’s body. He dropped down on the floor, pulling Marjorie along with him in some kind of heroic instinct.

Epps also acted on his instinct and chambered a round in his shotgun. Invulnergirl ran towards the thugs, fists pumping, teeth grit. She was really shaping up to be quite a heroine.

Epps’ shotgun boomed, taking down one of the thugs. Invulnergirl was getting closer to the armed criminals, bullets ricocheting off her body. With admiration Hank watched her athletic legs strain and propel her upwards, jumping right at the gunmen. As she was airborne, she twisted around and spun kick one of them right in the face.

The gunman went down on his back. Invulnergirl tore his rifle out of his hands, and fired a volley of bullets right in front of the ground of the other thugs.

“Your bullet won’t hurt me. What about you?” she said.

Her action had distracted the thugs enough for Epps to come closer. He had his shotgun aimed at one of the thugs’ face. “What she said.”

The Red Raider’s henchmen dropped their weapons, not willing to take a bullet for there cause, apparently. Hank couldn’t help but break out in applause.

“That was great, Ka—Invulnergirl!” he whooped.

Epps glared at him. “Don’t wet your pants, kid. Help me get these creeps cuffed.”

“You have to admit that was pretty spectacular,” Marjorie said.

Invulnergirl blushed. “It looks like I am really getting the hang of this. But I really hate guns!” She put the gun down with a disapproving look.

After cuffing the bad guys the group ventured on. Epps told them they were pretty close to the front entrance now. Hank was happy to hear safety was coming near. Unfortunately there was another obstacle to overcome. They walked into a huge wall made of ice.

“What the hell is that?” Epps said.

“Looks like a huge wall of ice,” Hank deadpanned.

“Shut up, wise guy!” Epps growled. He hit the ice with the stock of his shotgun, but the ice was too thick to get through.

“Well, well… Looks like you are stuck now,” a voice behind hem said. Hank turned around and was not happy to see another costumed criminal. He was wearing red spandex with a huge white M on his chest. He was quite muscular.

“Oh no, Maximizer!” Marjorie said.

Maximizer smiled like a cat spotting a bird. “The Assistant D.A. and Sergeant Epps. You both were responsible for a few years of my time in jail. This is a nice gift. I’m going to enjoy crushing you with my fists.”