31

"I was astonished, and not a little afraid, the first time I saw that apparition."

You spin around at the unexpected voice behind you. Another woman stands in the doorway through which you entered. She is tall, dark-skinned, elegantly dressed.

She gives you a warm smile and says, "Neah .? Pleased to meet you. I am Zara Nalluri, CEO of MetaHuman Incorporated."

Mekk aims his rifle at her, and squeezes its trigger.

A bullet slams into Zara Nalluri's chest. While Mekk's attention is diverted, you shoulder barge him into the wall and try to wrest the rifle from his grip.

Mekk recovers quickly from your charge, and grabs firm hold of your wrist. As you realize the danger you are in, inspiration strikes and you knee Mekk between the legs. His body armor doesn't protect him there, apparently. He curls over, and you shove him to the ground, taking the opportunity to grab his rifle.

Behind you, Zara grunts. You turn, and see her poking her finger and thumb inside her bullet wound. Just like that, she removes the bullet from her chest. "The Surgeons' Enhancements are far more advanced than anything MetaHuman created in your era," she says, by way of explanation. Then she frowns down at the wide bloodstain on her clothes. "Damn. I liked this jacket."

"You're alive?" you ask, shocked.

"Yes," she says. "And thank you for taking that weapon from my would-be killer. It means I don't have to go to the trouble of killing him."

Mekk starts to stand, but you shoot him a warning look. He decides it's safer to stay where he is and to stay quiet, for now.

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