The remaining mercs exchanged uneasy glances, their bravado evaporating like morning dew under a scorching sun. Rodriguez nudged Guzman, gesturing towards the Xavier-shaped hole in the wall.
"Someone should check on him," she muttered.
Guzman nodded, approaching the debris. He peered into the hole, his eyes widening as he took in the scene.
"Holy shit," he breathed. "Guys, you gotta see this."
The others crowded around.
Xavier lay amid the rubble. His chest plate, made of lightweight tri-weave titanium metal, sported a gaping hole. Sparks danced around the edges of the wound with his cybernetics clearly damaged.
"That's... that's unreal," Martinez said. "That armor's supposed to stop a 50 cal round. How the hell did she do that with just a punch?"
Rodriguez shook her head, her eyes never leaving Xavier's prone form. "I don't think it was just a punch. It was like... like she just flicked him."