Chapter 36 · Then you get the useful part

"No."

"Then you get the useful part."

"Kane—"

The hatch opened.

A metal crate shot out of the darkness and struck Selena in the shoulder. She hit the wall with a sharp grunt. Kane lunged, caught the crate, and shoved it aside.

Three armored figures stepped through the opening.

Their helmets carried no bastion crest.

Kane grabbed Selena's wrist and pulled her behind the junction pillar.

"How many?" she asked.

"Three."

"Weapons?"

"Pulse rifles. One shock blade."

"You saw that in half a second?"

"I had practice."

"Of course you did."

The first soldier fired. Blue energy tore through the pillar. Kane ducked. Selena leaned out and put a round through the soldier's visor.

He dropped.

Kane kicked the loose crate into the second soldier's knees. The armored man staggered. Selena stepped in and drove her elbow into his throat guard.

"Now!" she shouted.

Kane seized the soldier's rifle and fired at the third. The shot clipped the man's shoulder, spinning him into the wall.

Selena finished him with a second round.

The wounded soldier reached for the shock blade.

Kane stomped on his wrist.

"Who sent you?" Selena demanded.

The soldier laughed through his damaged helmet.

"You already know."