864. Clairvoyant: The Floral Dress

Ripcord pulled a Remington out of the police car and was about to charge toward the crash when, before he could fire, he saw the hulking Roadblock stagger backward as if struck by a sledgehammer, then collapse to the ground.

"Roadblock..." Ripcord shouted his name in alarm as he raised the Remington and charged toward him.

A bullet struck the ground beside Ripcord's feet as he ran, but it didn't slow his charge. The old soldier knew full well that he was safer moving than standing still.

When Ripcord was about five meters from Roadblock, a tall, silver figure rushed up from behind and shoved him hard in the shoulder, sending him sprawling beside Roadblock.

Ripcord hit the ground hard and was just turning to fire when he saw Murphy, clad head to toe in metal armor, take a bullet to the shoulder in a shower of sparks. The man, who had been utterly despondent only moments earlier, had unhesitatingly put himself between his comrades and danger.

"Check on Roadblock..."

Murphy shouted as he pried a large chunk of asphalt from the ground and hurled it at the fat man lying there, still firing nonstop at the police car.

When the chunk of asphalt struck the fat man squarely and knocked him out, the brave RoboCop rushed over to Roadblock. He turned his back to the sniper and spread his arms, trying to shield the others from the incoming bullets.

Ripcord knelt beside the fallen Roadblock and felt him over, finding no bullet wounds. He let out a long breath of relief. The body armor had saved Roadblock's life; the impact of the bullet had simply knocked the wind out of him.

Ripcord slapped Roadblock hard across the face twice. When he still didn't wake, Ripcord gritted his teeth, pinched