Ever since I escaped from Bionic Corp, I've been searching for a way to atone for what I'd done. Patch and Marisa told me to move on, it's in the past, they'd say. I can't do that. What about everyone I've harmed or killed? Do they not deserve justice? If Katrina is right about the map leading to the Annihilation Code, then I have to find it and destroy it. I won't let that damn code kill anyone else!
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lF2m3VEPB
Chase looked like he'd seen a ghost. He clutched my arm, so tightly he almost put a dent in the metal.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVqkIHVFtp
"What's wrong?" I surveyed the alleyway for any sign of danger. Nothing seemed amiss.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd1marVPlI
"This crazy cyborg cornered me! They asked for the map to the Annihilation Code, but I didn't give it to them! He said, clutching me tighter.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxFYFVXdHF
I froze. Could it be the same cyborg that attacked me a month ago? I reached into my pocket and pulled out a drawing of my attacker I sketched on one of the disposable coasters. I handed it to him. "Is this the cyborg?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp1MkKCW9n
He stroked his chin as he analyzed the sketch. "No. I don't think so. The mask is different. The cyborg that confronted me didn't have a skull on their mask, it was just plain black." He narrowed his eyes. "Your cyborg looks a lot more muscular too. Mine was pretty scrawny now that I think about it."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q8nKk6CF0
Perhaps there are two different cyborgs interested in the Annihilation Code. It's very existence puts all cyborgs at risk. "What exactly did the cyborg do to you?" I asked Chase.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm8098FzYu
"Well, they jumped out of nowhere and pounced at me, begging for the map. I didn't hand it over because I'm super brave and heroic."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VirlW35vm
I raised an eyebrow. "You didn't have the map I did."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2pBLGOGIw
"Anyway, when I courageously refused to hand it over, the killer cyborg was like," He cleared his throat and did an impression of an old hag. "Call me Oblivion, for I am your doom, and then randomly started singing. I don't know what that was about. After that, they disappeared."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV554gjhrR
An overwhelming sense of panic grabbed hold of me. My heart palpated violently. A warning popped up on my cybernetics telling me to regulate my breathing, I ignored it. I counted backward in my head like I always did when a panic attack took hold of me, switching languages every time. Veinte, Nineteen, Dix-huit, Siebzhen, 十六, पंद्रह, أربعةعشر, Тринадцать, Doze, じゅういち, Dieci. Once I was calm enough to sign, I asked. "What song?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ1EaLar1H
Chase grimaced. "I don't know, it was in Icelandic or something, but my cybernetics translated it to something about a wolf eating children." He shivered. "It was freaky." He hummed the cursed tune under his breath.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXyxwTxLkB
I trembled. That's the song that plays in my nightmares. I prayed I'd never hear the wretched melody ever again. Now every vile note came flooding back to me. "Russian."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElm3P47IJB
"What?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32npciCfFI
I took several deep breaths, trying to steady myself. "The song is in Russian, not Icelandic."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQKtiseNn6
He shot me a questioning look. "How do you know?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL7cN3f0De
"Because that song is the Annihilation Code."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc3CZxVtv1
Chase'seyes widened. "What? That's the cyborg murder code?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahO7Bn6zuO
I nodded gravely.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTEFAnRJT2
"Then why didn't I die?" He placed his hands on his hips.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq3LDJXDi5
"Patch was the one who installed your cybernetics, not Bionic Corp. He was kind enough to exclude the kill switch from your programming." I explained.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMveeWv40O
"So, I'm immune to the murder code?" Chase said, with a glimmer of smugness in his eye.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyWPqEWIia
"It appears so, but don't test your luck," I replied.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRMU1o5LZP
"You know, I always thought the Annihilation Code would be something much cooler."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZButdDUN3
"Why would Oblivion need the map if they already have the Annihilation Code?" I asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKmfDw4Ny1
Chase rubbed his chin. "Maybe they don't want anyone else to have it. They want to keep it for themselves."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb1zEkz2Fo
I nodded. Maybe, Chase wasn't as stupid as I thought. I took one last glance around the alley, then began marching towards the street.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq3fPBbKyn
"Where are you going?" Chase asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FdVQNNzmM
"I need to find Gabriel St. Martin." If what Chase said is true, then it was crucial for me to destroy the code before anyone else could learn it. Which meant I needed to reconcile with Gabriel, even though I didn't want to.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z6ldubRYM
"Hey, wait up!" Chase sprinted after me.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaxfrWhSI4
Whatever, I didn't care one way or the other if he tagged along, as long as he stayed out of the way.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E0AMx9FsM
I maneuvered my way down several alleyways until I reached the old shed where I kept my Hover-Cycle. I slid the key into the lock and swung open the door.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh90UiOOon
Chase panted heavily, as he struggled to keep up with my pace.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomiT7ii1ge
I stepped inside the shed and retrieved my helmet. I extended my spare helmet to Chase.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tT3HoO7Fy
He shook his head. "You expect me to drive one of those? Um, no, thank you, those things are dangerous!"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktjZlrtgjl
"I'll be the one driving," I responded. "I don't have time to walk." I pushed my Hover-Cycle out of the shed. I took a moment to admire the immaculate paint job I'd done on it. I'd painted red and black with an image of a roaring tiger on the sides.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3mpdJplMC
Chase stared at the Hover-Cycle with apprehension.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ogn2Xs2Sd
"You don't have to go," I signed. "I can download directions back to Patch's workshop on your cybernetics."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiQ5c08zBO
"No way!" Chase protested. "Somebody's tried to kill me twice, and I'd like to know why! I need to know who's responsible for this!" He gestured towards his cybernetic parts.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b09sGNy1I
"I can't promise you'll find the answers you're looking for."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWvyoK8gep
He wrapped his arms around himself in a sorrowful embrace. "I don't have anything left to lose."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qwe57LDSt
I shrugged. Fair enough. I sat down on my Hover-Cycle and motioned for Chase to do the same.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHVFkaDBPi
Chase reluctantly put on the spare helmet. "Fine, but I'm not wrapping my arms around your waist or anything."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxVQeStCrU
"Alright, have fun falling off."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArs414RqPV
I weaved my way through the crowded streets of Ikigai II. There were no cars on the island. The streets are far too narrow to maneuver a vehicle of that size, and they aren't necessary. Ikigai II is only two square miles, so most people walk from one place to another. Don't let the island's modest size fool you; it has a population of over 35,000 people. The population is vast and diverse, which makes sense since the island docks in every corner of the world. Thanks to cybernetic translation technology, the language barrier became obsolete.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkYcbgb1Ij
After making several sharp turns, Chase begrudgingly clutched onto my shoulders. We navigated through the winding streets until we reached the center of Ikigai II. Standing smack dab in the middle of the island was the Cybrawl stadium. The architecture was inspired by the Roman Colosseum, with a modern twist.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatyjSizTbW
I parked outside the stadium, removed my helmet, and dismounted the Hover-Cycle. Chase did the same. We entered the stadium's crowded atrium. There must be a Cybrawl today. That could make getting a meeting with Gabriel difficult.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCEmLYnWYQ
"So, how are we supposed to get a meeting with this guy?" Chase asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgWZdvbjls
I marched up to the private elevator that led to the commentator's suite.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fCUNwHrLK
A frazzled-looking intern ran up to us. "I'm sorry, sir, but no guests are allowed up there!"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDgHhcX824
I flashed my V.I.P. Access badge.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5JDciCVO7
The intern narrowed her eyes at the badge. "This looks very official, but no visitors are allowed in the suite during a brawl."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkAFww3P80
"Are you giving my favorite godchild a hard time, Erica?" I heard a familiar voice say over the intern's earpiece.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUdOeTpMum
"No, Mister St. Martin!" She stammered.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaViJelOXkM
"Let him in." Gabriel St. Martin said, exasperated.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7E3uc8bdv
The intern eyed Chase. "There's someone here with him. Do you want me to allow both of them up?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx5V4o5bA3
The security camera on the ceiling turned around to face Chase.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX1LVwBcx4
"If it isn't Chase Huxley," Gabriel said over the earpiece.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbDo1Q1r8u
"It is!" Chase said. "Since I'm a super famous celebrity, can I come up to the commentator suite?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLqZAxsmkN
Gabriel chuckled. "Sure!"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbqND7NhZC
The intern puckered her lips into a petulant expression, but she didn't argue. She punched in a password on the keypad outside the elevator, and the door opened. "Have a nice visit."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qva8fGxIc
Chase and I stepped into the gold elevator. I stared blankly at the doors as they closed. I know Gabriel, and I know he won't give up anything for free. I'm afraid of what he'll ask for in exchange for the map. I wonder if he knows what it leads to. If he does, the price will be much higher. Whatever the price, I will pay it. I must destroy the code at all costs.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSpxAafAzl
The elevator dinged and the door opened. Gabriel was standing there to welcome us. "Greetings, gentlemen. What a surprise!" He extended one of his cybernetic hands for us to shake. He shook Chase's hand and then mine. I glanced my old mentor up and down to see how much he'd changed since the last time I saw him. Today, he wore a garnet-colored blazer with a black tie and slacks. He still kept his hair in its trademark style, a fade on the sides with dreadlocks on top. I noticed small flecks of gray in his jet black hair, and wrinkles started to show on his deep brown skin. Has it been that long since I last saw him?
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSQbNHcPkw
Gabriel ignored me and focused his attention on Chase. "It's not often I encounter a fellow American in this place. Allow me to officially welcome you to Ikigai II."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM2UME5pjY
Chase smiled. "Thanks, I hate it here."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYGTro8xsx
Someone snickered from the back of the room. "Finally, someone who's honest." I turned my head to see who it was. Adrien Kumar leaned up against the back wall. He still carried the facade of disinterest everyone had come to expect from him. He was also dressed in an immaculately tailored suit. There must be a special fight going on today. Cybrawl hosts don't usually get dressed up unless there's a special event going on.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpOEwFWPjb
The island's foundations creaked beneath us, and Chase had to bite back a yelp.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl0stf3aOJ
Gabriel gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "You'll get used to it, everyone does."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJmcF8E7ID
"No. I've lived here for decades, and it still sucks." Adrien retorted.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdecIUaErL
Gabriel scowled at him.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljBDIL3NnF
"Why do you live here, if you don't like it?" Chase asked Adrien.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRSuDG8RhU
A smirk spread across his sharp features. "Because Ikigai II has the greatest Cybrawls in the world."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnH1uRZg3h
"Have you ever seen a Cybrawl?" Gabriel asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOKrraVBUa
Chase shook his head. "No, but my best friend Mason is obsessed. He streams every single brawl, so I've seen a few of the highlights."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA12oKh44s
Adrien cringed. "American Cybrawls don't count. They lack the most fundamental facet of any Cybrawl, bloodshed."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAfoV2XVxt
"Okay, then." Chase laughed awkwardly. "I hear you two are Cybrawl legends." He said, trying to redirect the conversation.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSBZp50E8t
"We're not just legends," Gabriel bragged. "We're the greatest fighters of all time."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG3OVMhiVN
"No one can rival us," Adrien confirmed.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj2gRM0LNe
"Have you ever battled each other?" Chase asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBfIxLKD77
They shot each other a knowing smile.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMkWFOZhVT
"We did, once," Gabriel said. "It wasn't televised. It was a private duel between me and Adrien. We wanted to settle once and for all who was the ultimate champion."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yyhAbUj04
"That was one hell of a fight." Adrien reminisced.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblojtiAsHL
"Well, who won?" Chase was on the edge of his seat now.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYo7ANTOXc
They both chuckled. "It's our secret."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T0mzPYr3b
When I first heard the story, I begged them to tell me who won, but no matter how much I pestered, they refused to say. I'd always found that odd. Both Gabriel and Adrien enjoy bragging and one-upping their competition. Why do they keep this a secret? I don't think I'll ever know.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc5sYwQroh
"You can't just leave me hanging!" Chase protested.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE6yiw4Joh
Adrien folded his arms. "We can and we will."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL9kTMPgu0
My eyes drifted to a framed picture of Gabriel, Adrien, and Patch. They all looked so young, it was almost startling.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg9OftJA2v
Gabriel caught me staring and moved the photo closer, so we could get a better look. "That was us at our very first tournament. We were nineteen at the time, the same age you are now." His lips upturned, in a brief smile.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMtqeO3r62
Chase gawked at the photo. "Is that Patch? He looks just like Atlas!"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjriyajfVV
I nodded. I'd always been told I looked like Patch.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOu1OjL3uU
Chase ran his fingers over the image. "So, how did you guys meet Patch?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71TZvlwwX8
"Right after Patch defected from Bionic Corp, he got a job as a medic at the arena where we had our fights, and Adrien and I spent a lot of time in the infirmary. Patch became one of our closest friends."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lq8FwdGr3
"So, are you really Atlas' godfather?" Chase asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF5aVkVOK6
Gabriel nodded.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1xCUrRQJv
"He requested that Patch would make him my honorary godfather, and in exchange, he'd protect me from Bionic Corp." I clarified.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4tmWEH4w0
Gabriel tried to put a hand on my shoulder, but I jerked away. I don't want his affection.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlLLjpj3We
"Are you still mad at me?" Gabriel asked. "I thought you came here to make amends."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElc3YSUCFV
I told the truth. "I don't know."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0savMdfLt
Chase spoke up. "Actually, we're here for a map. It's–"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nvJ5oJeHx
"We know." Adrien cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyJGcMZ3Bd
Gabriel shook his head. "It seems everyone is after that dammed map these days."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpBfuLEXsy
"Who else has been asking about it?" I asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAj1mhwbYP
Gabriel scoffed. "Bionic Corp tried to bribe me into handing it over. They offered to cover the cost of this entire event."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUFf8se0ct
"How much did they offer?" Chase asked. "I don't like to brag, but I'm pretty rich. I could probably pay you even more."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsx8IHK2ac
"They offered me 54 million credits."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRwAXhv1ia
Chase let out a slow whistle. "I'm not that rich."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4IqPPFU1D
"Are you going to accept Bionic Corp's offer?" I asked, dreading the answer.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72MHjQ2GPN
To my surprise, Gabriel said, "No. I'm not. I don't trust Bionic Corp, not one bit. If anything Patch has said is true, that company is corrupt to the core and I don't want anything to do with them."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoUmh3FHih
"You said no to 54 million credits?" Adrien exclaimed.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IW6YFpXaJ
"It's not worth getting involved with a shady corporation that abuses cyborgs like us," Gabriel replied.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuINaEZpui
Adrien shrugged his cybernetic shoulders. "Whatever, it's your map. Trade it to whomever you want."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmMAQnBsBH
I gazed at Gabriel earnestly. "What do you want in exchange for the map?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15X5iXbOcH
"Why do you want it?" He asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltuUs8NA33
"It's important to me," was my only response. There was a chance he didn't know the potential significance of the map, and I wasn't ready to put all my cards on the table.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95WjnwvFFL
Gabriel paused for a moment, contemplating his answer. "I want you to fight for me one last time."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLsimxMVP3
I sighed loudly. "You haven't changed a bit, have you? You're going to exploit me for your own gain again."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgfIxwCmne
Chase picked at his fingernails, trying and failing to seem uninterested in our quarrel.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nSlG0acph
"I fought in a few Cybrawls when I was a teenager and Gabriel was my manager," I told Chase to clue him in.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgyk15S8dc
Chase eyed me up and down. "You were a Cybrawl Fighter? You're so small and scrawny!
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg1qtDIsJ2
I rolled my eyes. Chase and I have the exact same physique, he's just a couple of inches taller.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn69Z4wnGi
"Do you know what everyone loves?" Gabriel asked Chase.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PALOPMG7d
"Cupcakes?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYLwWuiCaX
Gabriel laughed. "No. Everyone loves an underdog, and that's what Atlas was, someone you could root for. He was young, determined, and easy to relate to. He was everything audiences loved."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5433SMUhwb
"Why'd you stop?" Chase asked.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPAVtN13gp
I folded my arms defensively. "I was tired of being forced to give and receive punches for a living."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixkhaOgXIU
Gabriel clenched his fists. "Don't pretend like I coerced you into fighting. You could've left at any time, but you didn't because you enjoy inflicting pain. I've seen it in your eyes when you fight." His expression softened. "I know it's not your fault Bionic Corp programmed you that way."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryupXilrTj
His words tore through my heart because they were mostly true. He was wrong about one thing: my programming didn't make me violent, I had killed once before then. I've never told anyone, not even Marisa. "You're wrong." My hands shook as I signed.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbzpD7oMpW
"If you say so." Gabriel reached into his jacket and pulled out two red glowing knives.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKldRfFJwfS
Those knives were mine once upon a time. I hadn't seen them in ages, but I still remembered the best way to carve someone open with them.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW6PHQYuso
"I knew you'd come back someday, so I kept your knives safe for you." Gabriel rested a hand on my shoulder.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChLfL9vwyB
I glanced at Gabriel and then the knives. "Why do you want me to fight again so badly?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSOM229XEl
"I've missed having you around."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgs0EX5xfc
I raised a skeptical eyebrow. "That's all?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsXS1uj2yv
He tilted his head to the side. "Well, one of my fighters has been begging to spar against you. Apparently, he's a big fan. "
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ6ZLgEUqz
My stomach churned. Something didn't seem right about all this. "Who am I fighting against?"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAhtueZixi
Gabriel pulled up the fighter's profile on his Holowatch. Cyborg 131191514 Code name: Vindicator. Therewereseveral photographs of a muscular cyborg wearing a tattered cloak and a skull mask, beating his opponents to a pulp. I pulled the coaster out of my pocket and cross-examined my sketch with the pictures in front of me. It was nearly a perfect match. Vindicator is the cyborg that tried to shoot me a month ago! My heartbeat began to race and I felt a panic attack coming on. I shook my head. "I won't fight him."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZwsNfYpGV
Chase glared at me. "We can't leave without the map!"
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckqK5vf8vD
I counted backward in my head. "I'm sorry, I can't do it."
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK4COHZco0
Chase raised a hand. "Can I take his place in the brawl?"
ns3.144.229.52da2
