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11. Cain

Panic rose in Cain's throat as he ran. He refused to look back. He was fighting a losing battle. Vixen taught him everything he knew. How was he meant to outrun that? He skidded to a halt as one of the black discs ahead released another cluster of bombs. They crashed into the city. Ripped through the buildings like they were made of sand.

He should have seen this coming. Should have known it would happen so soon. There would never be a place they could settle. Unless he kept moving, they'd be caught eventually. They needed to get away from this planet before it burned or worse before Vixen caught up to them. There was no saying what she was going to do.

Cain turned into the Gambling District. It was a strange place to be. Like a ghost town. No destruction had hit this place.

The deal Rutan struck up with the red-skinned man clearly worked. When he arrived at the entrance to Rutan's lot, Jir'kov and Vir'dix were waiting for him. Both stood with mech suit's arms crossed. A sly grin on their smug faces.

"It's quite the sight isn't it," said Jir'kov looking at the great billows of smoke in the sky. "I've never seen devastation quite like it."

Cain said nothing.

"Reckon they'll be much left of the place when they're done?" asked Vir'dix. "I hope some of the Sheltered District is still standing. Used to like getting free food from there."

"Impressive how they've missed Mr. Kaarzee's property, just as they promised. Must have advanced aiming technology," said Jir'kov. "Good of them to stick to the agreement, don't you think, rust bucket?"

Cain rolled his eyes. "We better get inside. The other guy's shift will finish soon and Rutan's gonna be wondering where we are."

Jir'kov's face twitched into a slimy grin. "Oh, he knows exactly where we are," he gloated as he turned the mech into a fight pose and smashed the metallic fist into his palm. "We've been asked to deal with some very important business. Isn't that right, Vir'dix?"

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Vir'dix moved his own Hyper-Titan into place. "Yes indeed, mate. See, Mr. Kaarzee aint happy. He reckons someone has been stealing out of the safe. Now other than him, we're the only ones who go in there. And I haven't been taking nothing, have you Jir'kov?"

"I aint took nothing at all," replied Jir'kov. The two of them towered over Cain. "Now, who else is left do you reckon?"

"You think I'm your thief?" asked Cain and he hoped he sounded as incredulous as he thought he did. "Why would I steal from someone who has power in every part of the galaxy?"

"'Cause you humans aint known for having much in the brain department," said Jir'kov.

"Can I talk to Rutan about this?" asked Cain but he knew what was coming.

Vir'dix brought back his Hyper-Titan fist and threw it at him. Cain pushed off the ground with his cybernetic legs and flipped over the attack. He'd been holding back since he'd arrived on the planet. For Rutan to take him on without being suspicious, he needed to play down his ability. Now that was no longer an issue. He ran up the side of the mech suit and landed on top of the glass dome which encased Vir'dix. He reached inside and grabbed the metallic arm then sent it hurtling towards Jir'kov.

The power of the suit sent Jir'kov's Titan flying into a wall. Bricks fell and pinned the mech suit down. Cain dropped to the floor and yanked the weedy Vaxorian out then chucked him into the air and kicked him in the head. He didn't even put his full power behind the attack and the idiot was out for the count.

The shock of his ability had caused Vir'dix to stall. Cain climbed inside the now empty Hyper-Titan and laughed as he swept Vir'dix to the ground. Then he lifted the metallic foot and brought it down on the legs of Vir'dix's Titan.

Vir'dix thought about it for a moment, then turned on his heel and ran away screaming. Cain grinned then hopped down from the Titan. He could see why the Vaxorians liked to use them but he saw them as a bit of a cheat. He unclipped the hand and walked over to the building where Rutan's safe was located.

It only took him a few minutes to open the safe using the fist of the Hyper-Titan. He grabbed the keys to one of the ships and packed a few supplies, then set out to meet Jessca ready for their escape. Hope pumped through his body. They might have a chance to get away if they played their cards right.