Page 114 of Jump or Fall
A horrified look took over Kimmie’s young face, but before she could say anything, Gordon approached in his new armor.
Even without it, he was an imposing figure—but now, fully suited in plate, he looked massive.
Mara swallowed. Obviously it wasn’t the first time she’d seen him in armor, but she found herself really enjoying the sight this time.
Gordon tilted his head. “Ready?”
Mara nodded. “Yeah.”
The majority of Millon’s guards fell into step behind them as they left Hyperion, moving like silent deadly statues.
Mara slung a Basilisk-H25 over her shoulder and checked her belt to ensure she had her H-ekaton. The Basilisk was a machine gun with a coil-shaped magazine and bullets that ruptured upon impact, injecting a corrosive substance into the target.
A quick pat confirmed her heavies and flashbangs were in place.
Then she realized someone was missing.
“Silva not coming?”
Millon turned, his visor flipping open to reveal a devious grin. “He’ll be there.”
Mara considered asking him to elaborate but decided against it.
His confidence had to be coming from somewhere.
***
Jasper’s eyes gleamed with fevered excitement as they approached. They kept their visors down, and Mara stood away from Gordon to avoid tipping him off.
“I can’t wait to see all of you get fucked up,” he sneered.
His eyes locked on Kimmie wearing the God’s Eye helmet. “Especially you, Silver bitch. I remember that helmet. Since your face is all fucked up now, I doubt my uncle will care if we finish what we started.”
Kimmie kept her mouth shut and chucked his suit into the cell.
Jasper yanked it on, never breaking his glare.
“Where’s my helmet?” he demanded.
“Broken,” Gordon said, voice lethal as he unlocked the cell. He lifted his Umbra and pointed it at Jasper’s head. “Move.”
Jasper moved casually as Kimmie took the lead on directing them out. Gordon kept the barrel trained on him the entire walk to the Crux exit.
The evening air was dense. Above, thick dark clouds obscured the setting sun. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a low warning that vibrated through the pavement beneath their boots.
As they neared the boundary to Division One, the streets in Two stretched out eerily empty. Not a single bystander loitered, no curious eyes peeked from windows. It was as if the city itself had sensed what was coming and wanted no part in it.
The barricade came into view, a scorched car resting in the middle of the street where the gate had once stood.
Gordon passed Jasper off to Millon and stepped back. He checked his gauntlet which was synced to the birds circling above.
A bright flash lit up the clouds in the western horizon where the sun was fading away, followed by a sharp crack of thunder.
Mara toggled her thermal vision on her helmet, scanning the area. She would use her eye, but couldn’t risk Jasper seeing her face.
Movement caught her attention—a bird dipping low ahead of them. Its heat signature was different from a normal bird. The center of the body should’ve been the warmest, but the heat was spread evenly.
“I didn’t see anyone extra hiding around the barricade,” Gordon said. “But keep your eyes open.” He hesitated before adding, “Nella was with them.”
