“You’re right. We can’t go in there with bullets flying either. They’ll ricochet off everything. These walls are metal.”
“We sabotage the place.” Colton shrugged. “Steal their gear, cause a distraction, free the captives, and get the blazes out of there.Fácinho.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Gemma agreed.
Christian nodded. “Not bad at all.”
Once they’d fully fledged out their plan, they gathered as many supplies from the dead guards as possible and proceeded into the building, using one of the bounty hunter’s security rings. Blades poised in their hands, the four of them walked as quietly as possible with measured and purposeful steps.
The air was stale and musty, tinged with the faint scent of gun oil. Gemma’s gaze flitted from side to side, surprised by the lack of security measures in place. She’d expected some sort of protection. Even Perileos had sensors and cameras at the entrances and exits. The bounty hunters had placed too much faith in the guards they’d stationed outside their front door.
Christian held up a hand, signaling for them to halt. Gemma’s heart pounded wildly as shuffling footsteps approached alongside the mumbled words of a drunken song. From around the bend, a bounty hunter stumbled, laughing as he smiled at them.
“Whatchoo all doin’ down here?” He burped. “You missin’ th-par’y.” The hunter tipped sideways, barely staying upright.
“Sorry, man,” Colton replied. “Went for a piss and got lost. How do I get back?”
The bounty hunter guffawed. “Mess...hall. You dumb’r th-me.” He fell backward, smacking his head on the floor. A snore followed seconds later.
“That could work in our favor,” Christian said. “If the majority of them are in one location—”
“And getting plastered,” Imara interjected, “we could trap them.”
“Or kill them.” The look in Christian’s eyes was ravenous. Here was his opportunity to get some revenge for what happened to his mother, even if they were in a sim.
Gemma understood. Vengeance is what provided the fuel for her survival. Real or not, retribution could be a salve on a wound that had never closed.
“How do we do it?” Gemma asked, every atom of her being tingling. She would help him get the payback he deserved.
A corner of his mouth twitched as he pulled the map from his vest. “There’s an armory in here, and they’re bound to have something we can use to blow up that room.”
“And if not, I can build something,” Colton said.
The three of them snapped their heads to him, their eyes wide.
Colton shrugged. “What? You guys aren’t the only ones who spent years prepping for these tests.”
“That’s . . .” Imara paused, tilting her head. “Impressive.”
Christian shoved the map back into his vest. “To the armory we go then.”
The trek through the maze of dimly lit halls had been way too easy. They’d passed one more bounty hunter, and she too was passed out from intoxication. It was almost like the simulation wanted them to believe this was going to be simple.
But Gemma knew better; things were going to go wrong soon. She prayed the others were ready for it.
Preparing to breach the door of the armory, Christian pulled out his handgun while Gemma and Imara took their positions on one side of the door frame, Colton on the other.
Christian kicked open the door, his weapon raised and ready, but the room was empty, save for the rows of ammunition and various weapons. “All clear.”
“You’d think they’d have this room better guarded,” Imara said.
“Bounty hunters aren’t exactly known for their intelligence.” Colton snorted, stepping through the door.
“Don’t underestimate them,” Christian warned, his eyes narrowed. “Something about this feels off.”
Gemma sighed in relief.Thank the stars someone agrees this was too simple.
The four of them wandered the armory until Colton shouted from the back corner of the room. “Got something!” They were at his side in seconds.
