Page 42

‘Tis only the best,’ he rasped. ‘The nanoids embedded into the plates will counteract any dents or impacts and intuitively ‘heal’ the suit. It can withstand most kinetic forces and resist heat up to 1500 degrees Celsius. Plus, it houses a respirator that can stay powered for up to 25 hours. It also has inbuilt force amplification, which means you can jump up to six feet high and punch through light walls if needed.’

She slid on the headgear, with its shade guard up, as a 360-degree holo HUD lit up over her face, showing a full charge and scrolling telemetry.

He locked his laser blaster and rifle into place.

Issa did the same, checking her firearm with the precision of a soldier.

His eyes narrowed as she strapped it on.

She was freakin’ familiar with heavy weapons.

Again, her mystery grew.

She met his gaze and waggled her brows in a cheeky challenge.

He tapped his helmet, lowering the visor as he sucked his teeth. ‘On me. Tis your funeral.’

Ki’Remi’s neural HUD flashed a warning across his vision.

Hostile ground forces inbound.

‘Go! Now!’ he barked to his fellow medics.

The rear cargo door of the Ravager-Class cruiser screeched open, steam hissing from its hydraulics.

Juno sprinted forward, guiding Zera in her hover chair between them.

The Allorian young woman’s breaths heightened with fear as she attempted to ward off hyperventilated panic.

Alongside them, Riva ran with Klash, also in a hover chair.

Bear lumbered behind, covering their retreat, his massive frame moving like a living tank.

The sky split up once again.

Fire rained from the enemy ship overhead, golden lethal streaks ripping through the jungle.

Ki’Remi focused on giving the crew cover as they raced away from their ship, as it was hit with an incendiary bolt of freakin’ energy.

It blew with such force it knocked the running group to their knees.

Around them, trees groaned and splintered, their immense trunks collapsing into the undergrowth like felled giants.

Shadows flickered across the dense canopy.

Tall, humanoid figures descending, their celestial armor gleaming under the fire-lit sky.

‘Go!’ Ki’Remi growled to the team via their HUDs.

They rose and continued their zigzag run through the unfamiliar territory.

Bear grunted as a rail-gun blast tore into his flank, cutting through his heavy combat vest like paper.

He staggered and dropped, going down hard, massive limbs tangling in the foliage, his blood pooling dark against the jungle floor.

‘Fokk!’ Ki’Remi snarled, vaulting over debris and sprinting to him.

Ghost and Riva were already at his side.