Page 16 of Jameson

Two giant tentacles were slapping at the wall.

And then I saw Greer.

My gut locked. “The little idiot.”

She had a blaster in her hand and was shooting at the monster. Running my gaze quickly along the wall, I spotted two people huddled by some crates. The monster was between them and Greer.

“All right, Hunter Squad.” I turned to my team, checking my armor. “We have three people on the dam wall, and one nasty, aquatic monster with tentacles.”

My guys checked their carbines, getting ready.

Marc smiled. “Only one monster? Easy.”

“Get us in there, Colbie,” I ordered.

“On it, boss man.”

I wrenched open the side door. The wind and rain flew at my face, but I ignored it. “Let’s move.”

As soon as the Talon was over the dam wall, I jumped.

I landed, bent my knees, and whipped my carbine up.

My team moved in beside me. We opened fire on the creature, our lasers lighting up the night. The monster let out an ear-splitting noise, its tentacles waving madly.

Shit. I needed to get Greer clear.

“Concentrate fire on the center of mass,” I shouted.

Even if they couldn’t hear me over the wind, my orders would come through their earpieces. My squad moved closer to the edge of the dam wall. I lowered my weapon and ran toward Greer.

“Jameson.” Her hair was plastered to her head.

I hauled her close. “You need to get inside.”

“Not without my people.”

I turned my head to look at the two people trapped on the far side of the wall.

“Come on.” I waved at the man and woman.

They rose and took one step.

A black tentacle slapped down between us.

I swiveled my carbine and fired. The tentacle jerked, but didn’t move away. I saw the terror on the man and the woman’s faces. They were frozen.

“Get inside, Greer. I’ll get your people.”

“No.” She straightened and aimed her blaster. “I’ll help.”

“Greer—”

“You’re wasting time, Jameson.”

Dammit. I advanced on the tentacle, firing. Beside me, Greer fired her blaster.

The tentacle slid toward us. I tackled Greer and rolled us out of the way. I ended up on top of her, the rain hammering down on us.

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