15. Maar

CHAPTER 15

MAAR

" P recursors give me strength," I mutter to myself.

I crouch behind a sleek, translucent barrier atop one of New London's towering skyscrapers, my eyes never leaving Alyssa's lithe form as she weaves through the bustling crowds below. The city's gleaming spires stretch towards the rusty Martian sky, their reflective surfaces creating a dizzying labyrinth of light and shadow.

"Damn it all," I mutter, adjusting the focus on my binoculars. "What are you up to, Alyssa?"

She darts between buildings, her movements purposeful and hurried. I can't shake the feeling that she knows something's amiss. My gut twists with a mix of guilt and anxiety.

A gust of wind whips across the rooftop, carrying the faint scent of synthetic ozone that permeates the city. I hunker down, my muscles tense as I continue my vigil.

"Come on, sweetheart," I whisper, "Where are you heading?"

Alyssa pauses at an intersection, her head swiveling as if searching for something – or someone. For a heart-stopping moment, I think she's spotted me, but her gaze passes over my hiding spot without lingering.

My comm unit buzzes, and I know without looking it's another message from the Numerian Fist. I ignore it, focusing instead on the woman who's turned my world upside down.

She disappears into a towering government building, its facade adorned with the IHC logo. My breath catches. Is she reporting her suspicions? Have I been made?

"Precursors' balls," I growl, pocketing my binoculars and sprinting towards the roof access. I need to get closer, to hear what's going on.

As I descend the emergency stairwell, taking the steps three at a time, my mind races. I should've been on my way to Olympus Mons by now, whisking Alyssa away from the danger closing in. Instead, I'm chasing her through New London like a lovesick fool.

"You're in deep shit, Maar," I mutter to myself as I burst out onto street level. "And sinking fast."

I lean against the cool metal of a nearby alley wall, my heart pounding in my ears. The bustling streets of New London fade into a dull roar as I try to sort through the chaos in my mind.

"Shit, shit, shit," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. "What the hell am I doing?"

The enforcers are coming. My brothers-in-arms, the very people I've fought alongside for years. They're coming to finish the job I should have done months ago. To kill Alyssa.

My stomach churns at the thought. I close my eyes, and all I can see is her face – those piercing eyes, that mischievous smile. The way she looked at me this morning, confused and hurt by my sudden coldness.

"You're in too deep, you idiot," I growl to myself.

A group of tourists passes by, their excited chatter about Mars' wonders grating on my already frayed nerves. I push off the wall, pacing the narrow alley like a caged animal.

The logical part of my brain screams at me to fulfill the contract. To do what I came here to do. It would be so easy. One quick move, and it'd all be over. I'd be free to go back to my old life, to forget about this whole mess.

But then I remember the feeling of Alyssa in my arms, the way she gasped my name – well, Raaj's name – in the heat of passion. The trust in her eyes when she looked at me. The bond we share, something I never thought I'd experience.

"Fuck!" I slam my fist into the wall, the pain barely registering. "I can't do it. I can't kill her."

The realization hits me like a plasma bolt to the chest. I can't harm Alyssa. The very thought of it makes me physically ill. But if I don't, the Numerian Fist will send someone else who won't hesitate.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Stop being an idiot, Maar. Figure this the fuck out!"

My eyes snap open as a plan starts to form. It's risky, probably suicidal, but it's the only way I can see out of this mess.

"I've got to get to her first," I mutter, already moving towards the government building where I last saw her. "Warn her, tell her everything. Then... then we run."

I sprint through the crowded transport platform, my heart pounding in my ears. The acrid smell of fuel and the hum of machinery fill the air as I scan the sea of faces for Alyssa. My muscles tense, ready for action.

"There," I mutter, spotting her familiar silhouette near the boarding area for Olympus Mons.

I spot her, but my relief is short-lived. My trained eye catches movement in the periphery, and my gut clenches. Three figures in nondescript clothing are closing in on Alyssa, their movements too purposeful to be innocent. The first wave of kidnappers has arrived, just as I feared they would. My hand instinctively moves to where my weapon should be, but I catch myself. I'm not that person anymore, at least not as far as Alyssa knows.

I clench my jaw, weighing my options. I need to intercept them without revealing my true identity or abilities. The crowd around us suddenly feels oppressive, both a hindrance and a potential shield. I start pushing through, my eyes never leaving those approaching figures. Time is running out.

"Shit," I hiss, pushing through the crowd. "Hey! Alyssa!"

She turns, her eyes widening as she spots me. Before she can react, I'm on the kidnappers. The first goes down with a quick jab to the throat, choking and spluttering.

"Raaj? What's going-" Alyssa starts, but I cut her off.

"No time," I growl, ducking under a wild swing from the second attacker. "We need to move. Now."

The third kidnapper pulls a weapon, but I'm faster. I grab his wrist, twisting until I hear a satisfying crack. He screams, drawing the attention of nearby security drones. The familiar rush of adrenaline courses through my veins, my Vakutan instincts kicking in. I can feel the bones grinding beneath my grip, a grim reminder of the strength I've honed over years of combat. The man's face contorts in agony, his eyes wide with shock and fear. It's a look I've seen countless times before, but now it only serves to fuel my determination to protect Alyssa. As the security drones begin to converge on our position, their metallic whirring growing louder, I know we have mere seconds before this situation becomes even more complicated.

"Sorry about this," I mutter, slamming his head into a nearby pillar. He crumples to the ground, unconscious.

The platform erupts into chaos. Screams and shouts fill the air as people scramble to get away from the violence. I grab Alyssa's hand, pulling her towards the exit.

"Raaj, what the hell is happening?" she demands, stumbling after me.

"I'll explain later," I pant, weaving through the panicked crowd. "Right now, we need to-"

A plasma bolt sizzles past my ear, leaving an acrid smell in its wake. I curse, shoving Alyssa behind a cargo container for cover.

"Stay down," I order, peeking around the edge. More figures are pushing through the crowd, weapons drawn. The next wave is already here.

"This is insane," Alyssa hisses, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. "Who are these people? Why are they after us?"

I meet her gaze, guilt twisting in my gut. "They're after you, Alyssa. And it's... it's my fault."

"What?" she gasps, but another volley of plasma fire cuts off any further questions.

I pull my own weapon, returning fire. The familiar weight in my hand is both comforting and damning. There's no going back now.

"We need to get out of here," I say, scanning for an escape route. "Can you take off your heels and run when I give the word?"

Alyssa nods, her jaw set in determination despite the fear in her eyes. "Yeah, I can manage."

"Good," I grunt, laying down cover fire as we make a break for the nearest skimmer. "Because this is about to get a whole lot messier."