Wraith brandished the pistol. Stepped closer. Placed the barrel against Hector’s forehead.
Hector flexed his jaw.
“Who’ll pay more for your ugly mug, huh? I’d put my money on the XLS. What about you? The XLS is right outside. How ‘bout we start there? Turn around!”
Wraith ground the gun into Hector’s back and forced him out into the bazaar. XLS agents took cover in the clutter of small shops and leveled automatic weapons at them.
“It’s all right, boys! I’ve got him! And, you can have him back,” Wraith shouted. “There is, however, a small finder’s fee.”
The XLS agents eased out of hiding. Made their way toward Wraith. Guns still locked on their targets.
Hector waited. Seven agents formed a semi-circle around them. If there were more agents around, they were staying out of view. Hector took a deep breath. Steadied himself.
“Name your price,” said Wraith, “or would you rather I–”
Hector grabbed Wraith’s gun. Ducked and twisted. Swept Wraith’s back left leg out from under him. As Wraith toppled over Hector wrenched the pistol out of his hands, and then shoved the bounty hunter backward. Wraith slammed into the floor.
The XLS agents opened fire. Hector only had seconds. He dove toward a storefront full of tapestries and aimed the stolen pistol at the grenades lodged into Wraith’s belt. Fired one bullet.
kkkkaaaaaaaabbbbBBBBBBGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
The explosion rocked the bazaar. Flames and debris scattered through the marketplace. Mayhem erupted. Shouts. Screams. Thousands of people stampeding for the exit.
Hector used the distraction. Jumped to his feet. Phoopft. Phoopft. Bullets punctured the tapestries all around him. Hidden XLS agents appeared everywhere. Hector returned fire and made for the parking garage. Used the throng of people fleeing the warehouse as cover. He had to make it out before the police arrived and locked the warehouse down.
His chances of returning to the Subdivision with Alexandra were shot. Only one option remained. If he wanted to be of any help to the Union, he had to get to the Exodus Project production facility.
