Page 36 of Bound to the Bounty Hunter

I smiled at him, drawing strength from his confidence. We resumed our work, sending drone after drone out into the vast fields of mind-control plants.

Just as we prepared to launch the final batch, a piercing alarm shattered the silence. I jumped, knocking over a tray of empty vials. They crashed to the floor, the sound of shattering glass barely audible over the wailing siren.

Arkon was on his feet in an instant, weapon drawn and eyes blazing. I rushed to the computer, my heart sinking as I confirmed what we both already knew.

His response was terse, his body coiled like a spring ready to unleash. “They’ve found us.”

ARKON

The 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, Arkon.”

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.

“Arkon!” 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.

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