Kal gripped Lian's hand tightly as the elevator ascended, Dex still on the floor, clutching his own belongings as if holding on to whatever slim chance he had to prove his worth. The glass-walled elevator moved smoothly up the towering skyscraper, offering a panoramic view of the Tech Association's labyrinthine halls below, bustling with scientists, researchers, and corporate suits, many rushing with purpose.
But Kal's focus was sharp, his senses keen. He noticed the stares—cold and sharp, from people who barely paused to hide their gaze. These weren't passing glances but pointed, knowing looks that trailed his every move. His instincts screamed danger, and his body tensed, his mind already calculating his next steps.
As they neared their destination, Kal leaned down, his voice low and steady. "Lian," he said, his tone reassuring, "I need you to find somewhere safe to hide, alright? Don't come out until I say it's okay."
She looked up at him with wide eyes but nodded, a quiet understanding passing between them. She slipped out of sight just as the elevator came to a halt on the upper floor, the doors sliding open to reveal a sleek, silent corridor.
Kal didn't get more than a step out before Dex started up again, pleading his case. "Look, I know you're busy, but I'm telling you, you need someone like me! I'm resourceful. I can—"
"Find somewhere to hide," Kal hissed, his patience thinning. But Dex wasn't taking the hint, practically sticking to Kal's side as they entered the corridor. Dex glanced nervously around, sensing the tension but too stubborn to back down.
The sudden, echoing sound of heavy boots stopped them both. Shadows moved at the far end of the hallway, and a voice boomed out, rough and mocking. "We know you're here, Kal Drakken!" the voice taunted. Kal clenched his jaw, recognizing the tone. His hand reflexively tightened around the grip of his weapon.
A group of heavily armed men appeared, each one moving with the eerie confidence of those who had been trained to kill. The leader stood out—a hulking figure, with a gleaming bald head covered in intricate tattoos, the lines etched like battle scars across his skin. His dark eyes glinted with satisfaction as he smirked, pulling his weapon slowly as if savoring the moment. This was no ordinary mercenary; he was a ruthless tracker, a name whispered across sectors.
Kal heard Dex muttering nearby, oblivious to the danger. "Uh… hi, gentlemen," Dex greeted them, grinning sheepishly from behind a table, as though he hadn't quite grasped the severity of the situation.
The response was immediate. Blaster fire tore through the air, and Kal lunged forward, yanking Dex down just as the bolts seared past, burning blackened holes in the wall behind them.
Dex's eyes went wide as Kal released him. "Stay down!" Kal barked, barely containing his frustration. He reached into his jacket and flung a small explosive device toward the mercenaries. In the chaos that followed, the men scattered, a blast of smoke and debris filling the room.
In the smoke-filled haze, Kal moved with lethal efficiency. One by one, he dispatched the scattered men, taking advantage of the chaos to catch them off guard. Dex, crouched low by a nearby table, couldn't help but watch in awe, his gaze trailing after Kal's every move.
Dex's fascination took over, his voice an enthusiastic whisper, "Is that a GX-9 model blaster? I'd recognize that trigger anywhere! Oh, and those tactical batons—classic for close combat. They're made from—"
Kal clamped a hand over Dex's mouth, silencing him just in time as another mercenary crept closer, unaware of Kal's presence. Kal moved like a shadow, swift and silent, subduing his foe with practiced precision.
The mercenaries regrouped, and that's when the bald leader stepped forward, his voice a dark rumble. "Kal, come on out!" he called, his eyes sweeping the area. "Let's catch up. Been a while since I've put you in your place."
Kal recognized the voice, his jaw tightening as he peered out. The man was Tyrex Voss, a notorious mercenary captain with a trail of bodies and victories to his name. Voss had a cruel reputation, known not just for his strength but for the ruthless efficiency with which he eliminated his targets.
"Face me like a man, Kal. Or are you too scared?" Tyrex taunted, an arrogant smirk twisting his face.
With a quick glance at Dex, who remained pressed against the floor, Kal rose, stepping out from his cover. His eyes met Tyrex's in a defiant glare. "You won't touch her," he growled, his voice low and unwavering.
Tyrex's smirk deepened. "That right? Seems to me you're the one getting dragged down." He flexed his fingers, revealing heavy brass knuckles, each one adorned with serrated edges that gleamed ominously under the light.
In a blur, Kal launched himself at Tyrex, his body tense and prepared. He grabbed Tyrex around the torso, lifting him clear off the ground in a surge of momentum. But Tyrex was ready. He brought his elbow down sharply on Kal's back, forcing Kal to release him, and in a swift counter-move, Tyrex heaved Kal's weight up, tossing him brutally against the glass wall of the corridor.
Pain radiated through Kal's back as he struggled to regain his footing. Tyrex was already closing in, a look of savage amusement on his face as he raised his fists.
But Kal was faster. He struck Tyrex's leg with his baton, sending a shock through the muscle, and followed with a sharp blow to his solar plexus. Tyrex staggered back, growling, but recovered quickly, tearing off his jacket to reveal a network of tattoos that looked almost like circuitry across his chest and arms. He cracked his knuckles, slipping on his brass knuckles with a chilling grin.
Kal readied his batons, his muscles tense and focused, eyes never leaving Tyrex as the mercenary charged him. Tyrex's first punch came fast, a blur of metal and ink, but Kal sidestepped just in time, the impact cracking the wall. Kal seized the opening, bringing his batons down hard on Tyrex's shin, forcing him to buckle. Another strike to the ribs sent Tyrex stumbling.
Seeing his chance, Kal brought his baton down once more, striking Tyrex in the stomach. Tyrex hit the floor, breathing hard, his face twisted in a mixture of rage and shock. But Kal didn't wait. Without a word, he turned and sprinted toward where he'd told Lian to hide.
When he reached the alcove, his heart dropped—Lian was gone. Panic flashed through him, his mind racing as he scanned the room, only to spot Dex hovering nearby, looking curiously at him.
"Dex!" Kal hissed, fighting down his frustration. "Where is she?"
Dex shrugged, looking sheepish but also impressed by the whole ordeal. "Last I saw, she slipped off to the other side of the hall," he muttered, clearly more focused on Kal's gear than anything else.
Ignoring Dex's ramblings, Kal took a deep breath, forcing his worry into focus. He was determined—he'd find Lian, and he'd keep her safe, no matter what it took.