At first, Francis believed Robert's ability was just some freakish marksmanship. That was the only explanation that made sense. If he could get Gina to handle the sharp-shooter quickly, he could then focus on controlling Wade, who—thanks to that damn regeneration—just wouldn't stay down. Even if you split his head open with an axe, the guy would bounce back like a bad rash. The longer things dragged out, the worse it would be for them.
But now… he saw it with his own eyes. Robert was healing.
Fast.
Faster than Wade, even.
Two people with Self-healing Ability?
Francis's face didn't change, but his thoughts were spiraling. When did healing powers become so common?
He looked over at the battlefield, at Wade laying waste to his men, and at Gina—clearly losing the upper hand.
"That guy has regeneration too!" Francis shouted to Gina, who was busy holding her own. "Stop trying to kill him and focus on controlling him instead!"
But Gina couldn't hear him. Her ears were still ringing from the flashbang, and all she could make out was the muffled sound of Robert's voice. Thinking he was mocking her, she lost it.
"Shut up, you insect!!"
Francis blinked. Why the hell am I getting insulted here?
Robert just smiled and calmly reloaded his shotgun. He fired again. A heavy blast slammed into Gina, driving her backward as the scatter of metal pellets hit like hammers. Her skin was bulletproof, sure—but that didn't mean the impact didn't hurt. Her ribs cracked, and she stumbled under the pressure. Still half-blind and disoriented, she could only crouch and absorb the blows.
For some reason, Robert felt like he was fighting some kind of rage-fueled juggernaut, like one of those game bosses that just refused to fall.
And frankly, she was starting to remind him of a scorched, furious Storm Widow—fierce, bald, and wildly flailing.
The shotgun clicked empty. Robert tilted his head at Gina, who was still standing despite the bruised limbs and crushed bones. He muttered, "Jesus, you're still not down? Are you made of steel or stupid?"
Mutants. Freaking overpowered mutants.
Watching movies never prepared him for how terrifying these people could be up close. A body-enhancement ability like Gina's rendered most firearms practically useless. That wasn't even getting into the weird ones—telepaths, shapeshifters, energy-blasters. And here he was, facing off against a human wrecking ball with skin like tank armor.
Robert sighed and reached for something heavier.
He pulled the pins from a trio of grenades and tossed them all at Gina's feet.
BOOM!
The explosions rocked the ship. Gina was launched back like a rag doll, hitting the floor hard, her limbs twitching and smoke rising from her body.
Still alive. Still twitching.
Unreal, Robert thought. She's not dead yet? What the hell is this vitality stat?
And then he smiled.
Because he had saved something special.
Unclipping the final layer of his tactical vest, Robert revealed a belt of explosives strapped across his chest.
C4. A whole brick of it. Enhanced.
He'd brought it just for this.
After his last encounter with Gina, he knew conventional weapons wouldn't be enough. So he planned for the worst-case scenario and designed something with a bit more... flair. The C4 was laced with a chemical accelerant, strong enough to blow a hole in the deck—and hopefully, her face.
He called this little death package:
"Want Your Life 3000."
Across the deck, Gina finally pushed herself up, face blackened, arms shaking. Her vision was returning in broken pieces. That's when she saw it.
A blinking red light.
Right in front of her.
C4.
"FACK—"
BOOM!!!
The explosion was deafening. Fire bloomed like a mushroom cloud. The entire top deck shook from the blast, and the force sent pieces of scrap metal and debris flying into the night sky.
Wade and Francis both looked over at the sound.
A scorched body flew across the air and landed with a sickening thud, rolling to a stop near them. It was charred black, the flesh half-melted, and the look on its face—twisted in agony—was somehow still unmistakably Gina.
Wade blinked. "Damn... I was just about to use a cool one-liner."
Robert strolled over casually, gun in hand. "No need. Boss fight's done. Took care of it."
"Cool, cool," Wade said, still locked in sword combat with Francis. "Just hurry it up—I'm trying to look good in front of my girl!"
Francis, battered and bleeding, snarled. "You're embarrassed? I've got two lunatics trying to kill me with shotguns and swords!"
BANG BANG!
Two pistol shots rang out. Francis dropped to the ground with bullets in both legs, unable to stand.
"Dammit!" he howled. "I almost had it!"
Wade stuck his tongue out. "Sure you did, champ."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Because your girlfriend's been locked in a glass box for ten minutes while you're playing anime fight club."
Wade turned and saw Vanessa, staring at them through the oxygen chamber.
"Crap!!"
He tossed both Katanas aside like they were on fire and sprinted toward her. "Baby! I'm coming! And I totally had everything under control!"
Robert ignored him and walked over to Francis, who was lying in a heap.
He nudged him in the head with the barrel of his pistol. "Long time no see, Dish Soap. Miss me?"
Francis didn't respond.
He didn't have to. The fear was written all over his face.
After Gina's explosive exit, Francis knew he had no cards left. He was done. His weapons couldn't kill people who wouldn't stay dead—and he'd just lost his best weapon.
Robert grinned.
"I'm feeling generous tonight. So tell me, Francis…"
He leaned down.
"…do you want your life?"
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