Hulk : The Thunderstrike

Chicago Bus Station.

Sam led the way as Antonia followed closely behind. Trailing them were Shan and his two accomplices, Michael and Nolan. Surprisingly, none of the three thieves were handcuffed.

Despite being criminals, they obediently followed behind like well-behaved students on a field trip. Not one of them attempted to escape. In fact, they appeared almost desperate to stay in step with the officers, as though falling behind would invite serious consequences.

Such a harmonious dynamic between police and criminals would surely cause an uproar if it were witnessed by the general public. But this surreal scene was playing out in real life.

"If you want to talk about where thieves congregate, the train station is the top pick. But that's too far away—it would take us over an hour just to get there," Sam said matter-of-factly. "The second-best option is the bus station. These are the two busiest areas for thieves to operate."

According to Sam, seasoned pickpockets and thieves who can make a living in such heavily surveilled areas have exceptional skills and instincts. The less savvy ones? They've likely already been caught and sent to prison.

Modern security measures, including strict law enforcement and numerous surveillance cameras, have made life harder for criminals. Only the most resourceful survive.

In such a competitive environment, train stations and bus stations are prime locations for criminal activity.

Sam believed that Antonia, with his sharp instincts, towering build, and commanding presence, had the perfect skill set to deal with these thieves.

It was time to see if Antonia's reputation was warranted.

Whether Antonia proved to be a standout officer or not, this mission would be a test of his mettle. If successful, it could pave the way for future promotions and recognition.

Sam had high hopes for him.

"Antonia," Sam began, "technically, this area isn't under the jurisdiction of our precinct, is it?"

Antonia raised a brow. "You're right. This is outside our turf."

Sam shrugged nonchalantly. "Does that matter? Do thieves respect jurisdiction lines? As long as we catch criminals, who cares if it's cross-regional—or even cross-national?"

Antonia chuckled at Sam's enthusiasm. The message was clear: results mattered, not boundaries.

"Fair enough," Antonia replied, letting go of his reservations.

He turned to the three thieves. "You three better keep up. If any of you get lost, I'll assume you're trying to escape and label you as fugitives."

Shan, Michael, and Nolan exchanged horrified glances.

"Seriously? Just take us to jail already," Shan muttered under his breath. But none of them dared to voice a louder complaint.

Sweat dripped down their foreheads as they stayed as close to Antonia as possible.

---

It was a sweltering July afternoon. The Chicago Bus Station was teeming with people. With summer vacation in full swing, the station bustled with students, families, and travelers.

Antonia and Sam, clad in police uniforms, drew immediate attention as they entered the building.

Among those who noticed them were the local officers stationed at the bus terminal.

Leading the patrol team was Matt, a seasoned first-level superintendent who matched Sam in rank. Accompanying him was his rookie partner, Ethan, fresh out of training.

As soon as Matt spotted Sam, he waved and approached with curiosity.

"Sam? What brings you here?"

Matt's eyes wandered to Antonia, widening in surprise at the towering officer's presence.

"Who's this?" Matt asked, still staring at Antonia as if he were a celebrity.

Though Antonia's earlier exploits hadn't spread widely yet, his imposing frame and confident demeanor were enough to leave an impression.

Sam chuckled. "This is my apprentice, Antonia. Just started yesterday."

Matt raised an eyebrow, still clearly taken aback. "Started yesterday? You sure he didn't just walk out of an action movie?"

Sam smirked. "He's the real deal, Matt. We're here to help lighten your load today."

Matt turned to Antonia, extending his hand. "Matt, first-level superintendent at the Chicago Bus Station precinct. Welcome to the force."

Antonia took his hand in a firm handshake. "Antonia, officer at the Huxi Precinct. Glad to meet you, Officer Matt."

Ethan, standing beside Matt, couldn't help but gawk at Antonia. The rookie looked up at the towering officer, visibly intimidated yet intrigued.

"Nice to meet you," Ethan managed, his voice cracking slightly as he shook Antonia's hand.

After the introductions, Sam explained their mission to Matt.

When he mentioned the three thieves following them, Matt's jaw dropped.

"Wait, you brought thieves with you?" Matt asked incredulously. "What's next? They're going to help you catch other criminals?"

"Maybe," Sam replied with a grin.

Matt stared at Sam in disbelief. "You Huxi guys used to rank near the bottom in our yearly assessments. When did you become so bold?"

Sam just laughed, patting Matt on the shoulder. "Times are changing, my friend."

---

As the group discussed their plans, Shan, Michael, and Nolan stood awkwardly in the background, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone who might recognize them.

"Let's not waste time," Sam said, clapping his hands together. "Antonia, let's see if you can sniff out some action. The bus station is crawling with potential suspects."

Antonia nodded, his eyes scanning the bustling terminal like a hawk searching for prey.

Sam's confidence in Antonia was contagious. Even Matt and Ethan found themselves curious to see what this rookie officer could do.

"Alright, show us what you've got," Matt said, folding his arms as he leaned against a nearby column.

Antonia took a deep breath, his senses sharpening.

The next chapter of his career was about to begin, and he was determined to prove his worth.

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