The Taskmaster reached a door, opened the lock, and disappeared inside.
Xander and Malin reached the door. He pressed his palm flat against the locking mechanism and attempted to interface with it. Nothing happened.
He gave it a thump and tried again.
“Out of the way.” She nudged him aside and held up her multi-tool.
He tried to imagine where she’d had the tool hidden.
“This mechanism is old school. No computer.” Her tool whizzed as she removed screws and pulled the plate off. She messed around inside, muttering to herself.
He was shocked to find he wanted to smile at her. He loved to see her intense concentration. And of course, her skill as a mechanic. Instead, he forced his expression to remain neutral.
The door opened without a sound.
Xander went in first. It was a large living area. Large couches and tables were scattered around the room, and the place was a mess. Clothes tossed on the floor, plates filled with half-eaten food stacked on the tables.
Malin wrinkled her nose. “Aren’t the cleanest guys, are they?”
There was another doorway directly ahead. “Come on.”
They’d made it half way across the room when a noise made them freeze.
A snuffling noise.
He cocked his head, trying to identify it. An animal, maybe. No, that wasn’t quite right. The sound had a slightly mechanical element to it.
Something moved in the shadows beyond one of the couches.
“Xander,” Malin whispered, stepping closer to him. Her multi-tool was clutched in front of her, set to her trusty laser cutter.
Whatever it was rose from where it had been lying.
A giant cat.
It stepped into the light, watching them with glowing orange eyes. Its shoulders would reach Xander’s waist.
Not just a cat. He saw the long line of the beast’s flank was covered in fur but its legs were glossy metal. As was its enormous head.
It sniffed, its tail stiffening, its mechanical head lowering. It opened its mouth in a silent roar—baring very sharp, very long fangs.
“Jesus,” Malin muttered.
Then the cat charged.
It ran, leaped over a couch, and headed straight for them.
Xander shoved Malin out of the way. He then dived to the side.
The cat landed, swiveled, and pounced again.
It landed on Xander.
The force of the hit made them roll. He felt the enormous weight of the creature and the prick of claws on his chest.
He grabbed the cat’s jaws, holding them back before they clamped onto his face.
The damn thing was stronger than he’d estimated. He struggled to hold it off. It wanted his head.
