Chapter 36 · Leo shouted

He pulled.

The metal gauntlet ripped open from the inside.

The trooper dropped him and staggered back. Reid landed on one knee, caught the man's wrist, and twisted until the whole arm locked at an ugly angle. He didn't need the Current to finish it. His hands were enough.

He slammed the trooper's elbow against the floor.

Once.

Twice.

The armor cracked.

"Reid!" Leo shouted. "He's done!"

Reid stopped with his fist raised.

The trooper's helmet faced him. The man's breath rasped through the filter.

"You are a monster," the trooper said.

Reid leaned close. "You brought a rifle to a cage and called yourself safe."

He let go.

The trooper rolled onto his back, stunned but breathing.

Leo was still at the wall, pulling wires with shaking hands. "I need more time!"

"You have ten seconds."

"That is not enough!"

"Then use them better."

"You could try being helpful!"

Reid looked at the panel. Three glowing nodes pulsed behind transparent shielding. The system was too advanced for the old instincts he had carried across worlds. It wasn't a lock.