Bunker down and bunker in. Those were the orders given to Mark and the other mercenaries when they got to Georgia. Hunkering down and fortifying an old research facility surrounded by chain fences, and using shipping containers to store some of their equipment. Mark couldn’t figure out if the research facility was meant to develop new armour and weapons or a site that helped develop the Ra Engine in Florida.

  However, seeing how ProTech hired people to hunt down their failed experiment. Mark expected the facility to be some sort of dodgy file cabinet that held all of its dirty laundry. A baseless claim, but a hunch that he could trust. On the bright side, they gave Mark and the other mercs some of their toys. He doubts any of them were ethical tools of killing. Like hollow point bullets or napalm hand grenades. But free is free, regardless of why they made them in the first place.

  Over a hundred mercenaries were inside the confines of the research facility. All of them were bored out of their minds. They all came there a week ago, knowing well that their target was not far away and hiding in some abandoned shack. But besides going in to kill the tired reptile, they were all given the order to sit down and wait until ProTech, and in extension, his client, Brian. Sent heavier-duty equipment to help deal with Jackson. Which was a code word for tanks, attack helicopters, and exo-suits. Going all in when everyone else is doubting the job.

  ‘Kenyan Ghost!’ A merc named Jackie called out to Mark and offered him a smoke, which Mark declined. ‘The night is dark and shit isn’t happening.’

  Jackie was new to joining the hunt against the reptile. Someone who wasn’t as good as the first batch of people who ran after their target and died during the hunt. Immediately, Mark could tell that the kid was someone ProTech had hired as a desperate measure to get people to fill their ranks. And seeing that he approached him and no one else, the kid had some doubts.

  ‘Shit isn’t happening because we are told to stay put.’ Mark responded. ‘Besides, any news about the satellite looking at the target? Any gossip for me to please my ears?’

  Jackie chuckled while he rubbed his nose before responding. ‘Nothing good from what I heard. When I got here they said they would not track him that way anymore. Apparently, the fucking station costs the company two million dollars an hour, and they are being bled dry. ProTech wants to lease it out to some country, maybe the US after we deal with the target. Which hopefully would be today or tomorrow.’

  Mark raised a brow before responding sarcastically. ‘Ah, so ProTech is convinced that their expensive toys would kill him? Sure, I am confident about that.’

  ‘Do you have to be a cynic?’

  ‘I’m a survivor, not an idiot. Have you seen the images of our casualties in the past month? Fucker is a psychopath, and he is just around the bloody corner in that bullshit forest. We hounded him for months on end, the bastard should be tired when we reached and unable to fight. Hell, we could even ambush him right now. But fuck if I know.’ Mark stopped himself from going into a rant. ‘This job is rotten and has bad written all over it. I don’t even care about the money anymore! I just want to get the fuck out of here.’

  ‘Why not just leave then?’ Jackie pointed out. ‘Not like you forced to stay here.’

  ‘It is hard to walk away from that kind of money, Jackie. 700 million is not something you walk away from if you know what is good for you. Yeah, it sounds strange to not care about it, but I also want to retire.’ Mark could continue sharing his actual anxiety about not leaving. Though he despised his coworkers and fellow mercs for various reasons. Either because they were competition or just problematic on different levels.

  However, he was more scared of his employer. Ever since the person he was hunting survived every engagement and slaughtered anyone who got in his way, some mercs took the opportunity to give up and leave the job. But when they did, Mark always heard how they managed to get caught by the authorities or just vanished without a trace. Leaving wasn’t an option, not when he preferred to keep his head.

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  Seeing that Mark was a bit anxious, he tapped the assassin’s shoulder. ‘I’m sure we’ll get out of this alive. Besides, shouldn’t the target be tired or something now?’

  ‘I doubt it, chap would’ve recovered by now ever since ProTech gave the order to stand us down and group up. Honestly, at this point, they should’ve just sent a nuke onto his head and gotten it over and done with. Hiring more mercs is becoming dumber and dumber by the minute.’

  ‘I’m sure they have their reasons, maybe…’

  ‘No maybe!’ Mark cut Jackie off. ‘Look, call me paranoid all you want, but there is something else going on with this bounty. Their failed experiment? Load of horseshit! This is a mistake they made, but I have a feeling that there is more to this than what they told us. Like some sort of bloody conspiracy or some shit.’

  Jackie lit a cigarette and smoked it. ‘I have no doubt there is more to this, but let’s be honest, it is better not to know what is going on behind closed doors. You and I are just hired guns sent here to kill a dangerous creature. That is all I need to know and all I care about. All I can hope for is that I lived long enough to enjoy the pay.’

  ‘If we all work together, I’m sure we can get out of this.’

  ‘Yeah, let’s just hope the other guys will split the money like they agreed.’ Jackie joked, trying to stay positive when everyone was aware of the danger they would all face once the extra firepower arrived. There would be casualties, and only a handful of people would survive once they go back on the offensive.

  Then, the research facility’s alarms blared. Mark picked up his Remington MSR while Jackie reached their MS44 Battle Rifle slung over their shoulder. But they were unsure if there was a problem within the facility, followed by the crackling of the intercom system.

  ‘The target is on the move! I say again, the target is on the move, and he is heading here on the northwest side!’

  In a panic, Mark and Jackie rushed to the other side of the compound. Staying behind cover while barely peeking out of cover to figure out what was going on. Neither of them wanted to raise their weapons or expose their centre of mass just yet, not when the reptile built themselves a reputation for being insanely accurate.

  Over a hundred mercs get into their positions, checking and loading their weapons. Some on the second or third floors broke windows to make it easier for them to aim their weapons. A few mercs ran to the storage area to get the armoured cars just to give the rest a fighting chance.

  Everyone held their breath, staring at the forest that covered the western part of the facility. No one could see the reptile, but they knew he was there. This time, it was his turn to take the fight to them and force them on the defensive.

  Like the universe knew a bloodbath was going to happen, it began to rain. The world was becoming ready to wash the filth away. One merc whispered a prayer while someone not far off mumbled to themselves to calm their nerves. Mark on the other hand, silently prayed to Allah for strength. For he needed everything to survive a fight he wasn’t prepared for.

  With a roar of thunder and a crack of lightning, the dark forest was briefly illuminated. Mark could’ve sworn he saw something moving, but he wasn’t sure if it was his mind playing tricks on him. With another snap of lightning brightened the dark night sky one more time. Mark saw him. A figure marched towards the compound with determination, ready and willing to end the lives of dozens. This time, the reptile was coming.