Arkon

ARKON

T he distant roar of hoverbikes pulled me from my thoughts. I moved to the cracked window, scanning the horizon. A cloud of dust rose in the distance, followed by the glint of metal as the bounty hunters appeared.

“They’re here,” I called to Samira, my body tensing for the coming fight.

I moved swiftly, activating the preset traps around the outpost’s perimeter. My fingers flew over the control panel, priming each explosive and barrier. With that done, I ran a final check on my weapons and gear.

Samira appeared at my side, her eyes wide with concern. “How many?”

“At least five,” I replied, holstering my blaster. “Keep working on the counteragent. I’ll handle this.”

She grabbed my arm, her touch sending a jolt through my body. “Be careful, .”

I cupped her face, drinking in her features. The urge to kiss her nearly overwhelmed me, but I resisted. There wasn’t time. “Stay inside, no matter what happens. Promise me.”

Samira nodded, her lips parting as if to say more. Instead, she squeezed my hand and turned back to her makeshift lab.

I positioned myself by the window, watching as the hoverbikes screamed over the broken terrain. They weaved between chasms, kicking up debris in their wake. As they drew closer, I recognized them from our first encounter.

The Krelaxian led the pack, his mottled brown skin visible even at this distance. Behind him rode the Sylphid, its translucent form shimmering in the sunlight. The massive bulk of Gorak took up the rear, along with two others I didn’t recognize.

“!” the Krelaxian shouted as they approached. “You cost us our bounty last time. We’ll take it out of your hide!”

I smirked, my finger hovering over the detonator. “You’re welcome to try.”

As the first two bikes crossed my line, I triggered the landslide trap. The ground erupted beneath them, sending rock and metal flying. The explosion lit up the area, momentarily blinding me.

When the dust settled, two of the bikes lay in smoldering ruins. But three remained, and their riders looked pissed.

The hunt was on.

I sprinted deeper into the outpost, away from Samira’s lab. My boots crunched over broken tiles and debris as I navigated the unstable structure. The distant rumble of the hunters’ approach spurred me on. I needed to draw them away from her at all costs.

Rounding a corner, I spotted a partially collapsed corridor. Perfect. I ducked inside, using my knowledge of the outpost’s layout to my advantage. The narrow passage would funnel them right to me.

I set up a quick ambush, using fallen beams to create choke points. Before too long, I picked up the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. The Krelaxian. Good. I’d take out their leader first.

As he entered the corridor, I struck. My fist connected with his leathery jaw, sending him reeling. But he recovered quickly, his thick arms swinging wildly.

We traded blows in the confined space, the unstable walls groaning around us. I dodged a vicious punch, feeling the air whistle past my face. My counterattack drove him back against a crumbling support beam.

The structure shuddered. Chunks of ceiling rained down, forcing us both to duck and weave. I used the falling debris to my advantage, timing my strikes with each crash and rumble.

The Krelaxian roared in frustration, charging forward. I sidestepped before he could reach me, letting his momentum carry him into a pile of rubble. As he stumbled, I grabbed a loose pipe and brought it down hard across his back.

He crumpled to the ground, and I didn’t hesitate. I shoved him deeper into the unstable section of corridor. With a final kick, I sent him sprawling just as the ceiling gave way. The thunderous crash drowned out his scream.

One down. But I had no time to catch my breath.

A slight movement made me freeze – the telltale shimmer of the Sylphid’s translucent form. I cursed under my breath. This one would be trickier.

I moved silently through the maze-like corridors, straining my senses to track the elusive hunter. Every reflective surface became both a potential hiding spot and a tool. I caught glimpses of her rippling form in broken mirrors and shattered viewscreens.

The game of cat and mouse stretched on, each of us trying to outmaneuver the other. I led her deeper into the outpost, towards a section I knew to be particularly unstable.

Finally, I spotted an opportunity. As she passed a partially open doorway, I lunged. My hands closed around something solid despite her near-invisibility. I hurled her into the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

With practiced efficiency, I overrode the door controls, sealing her inside. The grinding of metal on metal told me the room’s structural integrity was already compromised. I allowed myself a grim smile as I turned away. Let the collapsing outpost deal with her.

Two down. But how many more remained? And how long before they found Samira?

The Volek’s scent lingered in the air, luring me outside again, a musky trail leading me through the earthquake-ravaged landscape. My muscles burned from the previous fights, but I pushed on. I had to end this.

There he was.

The Volek darted between jagged rock formations, his bulky form surprisingly agile. I gave chase, leaping over fissures and ducking under fallen debris.

“Come on, you overgrown squid,” I muttered, pushing my tired body to its limits.

The Volek led me on a winding path, using the treacherous terrain to his advantage. He bounded across a narrow chasm, tentacles flailing for balance. I followed, my longer stride barely clearing the gap.

We danced a deadly waltz across the unstable ground. The Volek’s heavy steps sent tremors through the earth, dislodging rocks and widening cracks. I used my lighter frame to my advantage, darting across precarious ledges and using falling debris as stepping stones.

But the prolonged fight was taking its toll. My reactions slowed, muscles protesting each movement. The Volek sensed my fatigue, pressing his attack with renewed vigor.

A vicious blow caught me off guard, sending me stumbling backward. I teetered on the edge of a deep crevasse, arms windmilling for balance. The Volek charged, intent on pushing me over the edge.

At the last moment, I dropped flat. The Volek’s momentum carried him forward, and I grabbed one of his flailing tentacles. With a grunt of effort, I redirected his charge, using his own strength to hurl him into the chasm.

The Volek’s bellow of rage echoed as he plummeted, cut short by a sickening crunch.

I collapsed to my knees, chest heaving. My body screamed for rest, but that wasn’t an option. Not yet.

With shaking hands, I activated the tiny communicator in my ear.

“Samira?” I whispered, straining to hear her voice over the hammering of my heart.

“!” Her relief was palpable. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I lied, ignoring the burning in my muscles and the blood trickling from a dozen small cuts. “How’s the counteragent coming?”

“Almost there. I’ve got the last drone prepped and ready to launch.” There was a pause, and when she spoke again, her voice was softer. “Please be careful, . I... I need you to come back to me.”

My chest tightened at her words. “I will,” I promised. “Just stay safe. I’ll be there soon.”

I cut the communication, forcing myself to my feet. One more to go.

As if summoned by my thoughts, a roar split the air. Gorak, the massive brute, emerged from the ruins of the outpost. He lumbered towards me, each step shaking the ground.

I retreated, leading him away from the lab and Samira. My mind raced, searching for a way to take down this mountain of muscle.

Gorak’s fist smashed into a crumbling wall beside me, showering us both with debris. I ducked and weaved, staying just out of reach. But I couldn’t keep this up forever.

My back hit something solid – a partially collapsed section of the outpost. Gorak advanced, a predatory grin spreading across his face.

“Nowhere left to run, Vinduthi bastard,” he growled.

I glanced at the unstable structure behind me, an idea forming. It was risky, but I was out of options.

“Who’s running?” I taunted, baring my fangs in a feral grin.

Gorak roared and charged, and I dove to the side. His massive form slammed into the weakened wall with the force of a battering ram.

The structure groaned, ready to collapse. Gorak stumbled, dazed by the impact. I seized my chance, leaping onto his back and striking a nerve cluster at the base of his skull with precision.

Gorak went down hard, and I rolled clear just as the wall gave way. Tons of metal and concrete crashed down, burying the brute beneath the rubble.

I staggered to my feet, surveying the fallen bounty hunters. A grim satisfaction filled me. They had threatened what was mine, and I had eliminated the threat.

But as the dust settled, an eerie silence fell over the ruined outpost. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Something was wrong.

My instincts screamed danger, and I broke into a run. Fear, an emotion I rarely experienced, clawed at my gut as I raced back to the lab.

I burst through the door, just in time to hear Samira’s terrified scream over the communicator.