Bounty Hunter

Chapter 57

"If you think things can't get worse, it's because you have no imagination," Rex said as he lay on his back on the stone slab bench.

It was odd seeing a hunter in full exoshield in a prison cell. Joe had expected to be stripped of their shields, but Sloan had left them with their armor for their execution, planning to make a "show" that even feared bounty hunters were powerless before the MRC.

"We're going to be executed. How could things get worse than that?" Reuben, who still wore the stolen uniform, asked.

"They could torture us before they execute us," Rex replied thoughtfully.

"Forget I asked." Reuben groaned. "Let's talk about something else."

"Like what?"

Reuben thought for a moment. "I don't know. How about what happened in Westown? You said you had a chance to kill Cat in Westown, but you didn't go through with it. Why? You hate Cat."

Rex was quiet for a length. "Sorry, Reuben. I promised your mom I wouldn't talk about Westown."

"My mom was there?"

Rex didn't answer.

"Come on, Rex. We're going to be dead in a few hours," Reuben said.

"As long as we're not in front of the firing squad, we've got a chance to get out of here." Rex sat up and looked at Joe. "You've been awfully quiet over there. Working out ideas for our great escape?"

Joe frowned. "I came up with two ideas so far. Unfortunately, neither one will work."

"Then keep thinking."

Joe turned to Rex. "You can start thinking up ideas, too."

Rex held up his hands. "Hey, it may look like I'm doing nothing, but I'm actively waiting for a grand rescue."

Joe's brows rose. "And exactly who is going to pull off a rescue?"

Rex nodded at the speaker in the hall outside their cell. "That alarm that went off earlier? That had to be your buddy Turbo causing problems. If he broke out, then he'll come back for us."

Joe's lips thinned. "He might come back for Sara, but he has no reason to come back for us."

"There you go, being a pessimist. I think I like you better as an optimist," Rex grumbled.

"There's not a lot to be optimistic about right now," Reuben cut in. "We tried to do the right thing and look where it got us."

"Right thing?" Rex's features tightened as though he was genuinely confused. "I thought we were just having fun."

Reuben blew out a breath and waved his hand around the dank cell. "This stuff doesn't get to you?"

Rex shrugged. "I'm more of a 'crying on the inside' kind of guy."

Joe heard footfalls outside their cell, and turned to see Gabriel Sloan with guards on each side and another pair walking behind him. Sloan came to a stop in front of the cell.

"I trust my accommodations are sufficient," he said stately.

Rex spoke first. "I prefer down pillows over—what's this?—limestone bedding. It's a bit too firm on the back."

Sloan sneered. "Fortunately, you don't have to worry about a stiff back for long. My brother arrives by noon, at which time I host your execution."

"Sounds like quite the party," Joe said dryly.

"Oh, it will be. Just before your deaths, I'll announce that exoshields are officially outlawed across the Midlands. Bounty hunters will no longer have the sway of fear over the general population." Sloan turned to Reuben, who seemed small standing between the two armored hunters. "If only you'd done as you were told, then none of this would have happened. It's so simple. You receive a job." He held out one hand, then the other. "And you complete the job. Yet the Haft Agency failed time and again."

Reuben bristled. "That's because we chase criminals. The guilds don't exist to carry out personal vendettas."

Sloan smirked. "You don't? It seems to be that the guilds will do whatever they're paid to do."

"There are some lines I won't cross." Reuben practically spat the words.

"And that decision has led to the death of your guild, your friends, and you." Sloan lifted his chin. "I'll see you at noon."

Joe watched Sloan walk away.

"I don't like that guy," Rex said.

Joe nodded. "For the second time ever, we agree on something."