Page 16 of Bound to the Bounty Hunter

I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, struggling to meet his gaze. “We... we can’t do the work here. This station doesn’t have the equipment I need to synthesize the counteragent.”

Arkon’s jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck visibly tightening. “Where, then?” he asked, his words clipped and controlled.

I gulped, the tension in my neck betraying my unease. “While I was being held captive I found out about an old research outpost about fifty kilometers north of here. It was abandoned after a massive earthquake destabilized the area, but the labs should still be intact. If we can get there, I’ll have everything I need to complete the work.”

“An abandoned outpost,” Arkon repeated, his voice flat. “In unstable terrain. Likely crawling with scavengers and who knows what else.”

“I know it’s not ideal,” I said quickly, “but it’s our best option. It’s exactly what we need.”

Arkon turned away, his massive frame radiating frustration. I watched as he paced the small room, his movements tightly controlled despite his obvious agitation.

“This is suicide,” he muttered, more to himself than to me. “Walking right into a death trap.”

“It’s not that bad,” I protested, even as doubt crept into my own mind. “The area’s been stable for years now. And with your skills-”

Arkon whirled back to face me, the red of his eyes burning like fire. “My skills won’t matter if the ground opens up beneath our feet, Samira. Or if we’re ambushed by raiders who’ve claimed the outpost as their own.”

I flinched at the intensity of his gaze, but forced myself to stand my ground. “I understand the risks, Arkon. But this is bigger than just us. If we don’t stop the Consortium-”

“I don’t care about the Consortium,” Arkon snarled, taking a step towards me. “I care about keeping you alive.”

The raw emotion in his voice stunned me into silence.

Finally, Arkon let out a long, defeated sigh. “Fine,” he said. “We’ll go to the outpost. But you follow my every instruction, without question. If I say run, you run. If I say hide, you hide. Understood?”

I nodded, relief and gratitude washing over me. “Understood. Thank you, Arkon.”

He grunted in response, already turning away. “Pack up what you need. We leave in an hour.”

As Arkon strode out of the room, I felt a strange ache in my chest. I’d won the argument, but the victory felt hollow. Arkon was angry - with the situation, with me - and for some reason, that knowledge twisted something deep inside me.

I tried to shake off the feeling as I gathered my equipment and data drives. There was work to be done, lives at stake.

But as I stuffed the last of my notes into my pack, I couldn’t help but wonder why his anger affected me so deeply. Why did I care so much about what this gruff bounty hunter thought of me?

ARKON

Istepped out of the research station, keeping my senses on high alert. The jungle’s dense foliage surrounded us, alive with chirps, buzzes, and rustles. I scanned our surroundings, readying myself for any sign of danger.

“Ready?” I asked Samira, who emerged behind me.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Absolutely. The hot springs are about two hours northeast of here. Luckily there’s a path that gets us out of the sensoria field, hidden from view from the way we came in.” She gave a small wince. “Sorry.”

Of course there was, I grumbled to myself, but it wasn’t her fault. She’d survived three months in this hostile environment. She knew things I didn’t. It didn’t mean she knew everything.

“Lead the way,” I said, gesturing ahead.

Samira took point, moving with surprising grace through the undergrowth. I followed close behind, my eyes constantly sweeping our surroundings. The jungle’s scents assaulted my nose - decaying vegetation, exotic flowers, and beneath it all, Samira’s unique fragrance.

“Watch your step,” Samira called back, pointing to a tangle of roots. “Those vines have barbs.”

I carefully navigated around the obstacle. “You’ve learned a lot about this place.”

She glanced back, a small smile on her lips. “I had to. It was adapt or die.”

We pressed on, the terrain growing more challenging. Steep inclines, slippery rocks, and thick vegetation slowed our progress. At a particularly treacherous section, I reached out to steady Samira as she climbed.

My hand on her waist, and our eyes met. Then she nodded her thanks and continued on.

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