Fifty-five
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 Krill Mathias lifted his armored boot off Cycloneâs head. A quick visual inspection confirmed the disjointed Stromling was, indeed, unconscious. He replaced the pistol gripped in his left hand, previously aimed at the nape of Cycloneâs neck, to the holster at his left hip. He then swung a modified wormholer over his head into his hands and spun around to send a spray of bolts into a gaggle of growling Stromlings collected behind him.
 Once his immediate area was cleared he aimed the wormholer at Cyclone and pressed a button on his wrist. An energy net shot out and surrounded the fallen Stromling and his parts. The energy net then began to levitate and Krill broke into a run toward a nondescript door at the hangerâs side.
 Until Kate swung in front of him, katana scraping on the ground. She swung the weapon up at Krill. Maelstrom traces still sparked off her armor from Cycloneâs attack, but she had survived it and except for a few scratches some armor shine would fix up, didnât look worse for the wear. She did, however, look angry.
 âWhat did you do to Cyclone?â she demanded.
 âChillax, Kate.â Krill set his jaw. âI just saved everyoneâs lives here. Incapacitated, Cyclone is no longer a danger to anyone - himself included.â
 Kate didnât break eye contact with the mercenary, but she did turn her katana to a slightly less threatening position. âThanks?â she ventured. âIs that what you want?â
 âItâs not that sort vanity Iâm after.â Krill reminded.
 âRight.â Kate did some quick calculations. âWhoâs paying you and how much?â
 âThatâs non disclosable.â Krill shifted his weight, and Cycloneâs net bucked slightly to match his movements. âNow, as much as Iâd love to chat, you can see this ainât the time or place.â He feigned a dart to Kateâs right and she followed, then he spun on his heel and Cycloneâs net hit Kate like a flail. It had the effect of a taser and Kate stiffened a moment before falling to the ground. Krill completed his rotation and punched his right arm upward. A zipline shot out from a wrist launcher, snagged the roof, and yanked him into the air. Once sufficiently above the ground, the battle, and the fire, Krill severed the first line and fired another from his left arm, aimed toward the hanger exit.
  As soon as possible Kate popped back up and scanned the area, but Krill and Cyclone and the glowing net had disappeared entirely into the smoke show.  Just like that, they were gone. Once again, Cyclone was gone.
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