“Don’t yuck somebody’s yum.” She winked at her twin. Some things would never change. She exited the break room. I’d never say it out loud, but I’d miss her morning attempts to grope my ass. I’m sure she’d make up for it next time we went on patrol.
I reached for my phone.
Drew: I’ve got big news.
Booker: Me too. Celebration is in order.
“Hey!” Janet shouted from the office lobby. “You all should come see this.”
All of us jumped to our feet, all but Arthur. The smile on his face had gone from delightful to devilish. I couldn’t imagine what sinister plan he had concocted. We’d need to sit down and intervene before he transformed into a supervillain.
We walked down the hall and froze in our tracks.
There were a dozen people sitting in chairs, leaning on walls, and pacing. Each of them held sheets of paper or lugged a briefcase. A year ago, I had been one of those people, nervous about finding my place in the world. It took a moment before I noticed the scales and wings… and did that man have extra arms?
“It’s time we opened our doors,” Arthur said from behind us.
Janet eyed an Amazonian-sized woman. She winked at Janet. “Okay, I’ll stay for another day.”
EPILOGUE
Drew: I’ll be late.
Booker: Just make sure you come home.
Drew: And miss date night?
“Vanguard needs us.”
High above the city, sirens filled the streets. Crime had reached a new high, and so far, the Centurions were an unfulfilled promise. Southland cried for heroes, and tonight they’d get their wish.Wewere the heroes Vanguard needed.
On the ledge of Vanguard National Bank, Mr. Supreme and Failsafe gave slight nods. Janet slung the bat over her shoulder as she elbowed her way between them. “I’m ready to crack some skulls.”
Suited up, they responded to my distress call. Theydidn’t ask questions as they stepped into my world. Janet commented on my suit and what it did for my package, and then waited for orders. The Human Resource Director / Queen of All In Her Sight / Ruler of Time and Space bestowed the role of field commander to me. At least for tonight, this wasmyteam.
“Welcome to Southland.”
I leaned back, falling from six stories. This was my leap of faith.
“Cyber Punks. Six of them. Robbing the bank,” Connor said into our comms. “Don’t get cocky.”
“Never.” I spun about, the sidewalk outside the bank speeding toward me.
“You’re as bad as Janet,” he said.
“We’ve got eyes,” I shouted.
An oversized mitt grabbed my wrist. Wyatt used the momentum of the fall, hurling me toward one of the goons covered in metal. My feet slammed into the oversized man, sending him hurdling into a telephone pole. I flipped backward, seeing Orion drop Janet behind another crook. She cracked him on the back of the head while Orion fired nets at the others.
The walls of the bank burst outward. A seven-foot-tall man emerged from the dust, carrying sacks of money.
“Hydraulic enhancements. Strength.” I glanced up to see the drone giving Connor a bird’s-eye view of the scene. With all hands on deck, the crooks didn’t stand a chance.
“Wyatt, would you do us the honor?” I asked.
“Villain, you are under arrest.” The punk’s chest split apart, a bright red glow building. “I asked nicely.” The laser fired. Wyatt’s hands went up, deflecting the energy. Growling, he took steps forward, unfazed by the weapon. “Stop. Being. Mean.” Wyatt’s fist smashed under the punk’s jaw, sending him flying into the bank.
“Janet, behind you!” I shouted. A woman with a rifle mounted to her arm took aim. I grabbed a baton, spun, and let it fly. It smacked the woman’s forearm. The shot went wide, missing Janet, but leaving a hole in the cape she insisted on wearing.
