Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.-Chapter 637: A rolling head.

With the news that the hostages were breathing, the heavy cloud over Sunshine’s heart finally lifted. But it was replaced by a cold, sharp fire. She signaled her team to move. They crept through the shadows of the apartment blocks, their boots crunching softly on the gravel.

Whenever they saw a resident peeking through a cracked door or a window, Sunshine put a finger to her lips. She motioned for them to move deep into their homes, away from the glass. "Get back," she whispered to an old woman. "Stay low. It’s about to get loud."

The residents were very obedient and willing to do as told. Most were actually relieved because the situation in the town had been tense since the day before. After today, they would breathe easier--as much as the mist allowed anyway.

Fortunately for Sunshine and her squad, the mercenaries weren’t spread out, those that were outside were quickly taken care of. They had gathered in and around the school building Vicente used to use for administrative purposes. Like a new king moving into the palace of the old overthrown king, they had done the same.

Sunshine stepped into the open courtyard, her team fanning out behind her like a cloak of steel. She didn’t hide. She didn’t whisper. She raised her voice, so it echoed off the concrete walls.

"This is Sunshine Quinn and you are all trespassing on my territory" she shouted, her voice steady and echoing. "Luca, I know you’re in there. Surrender now and you might live to see a jail cell. Stay inside, and I promise the consequences will be very, very bitter."

For a few seconds, there was only silence. Then, something heavy thudded onto the pavement.

A round object rolled out from the dark entrance of the building. It bounced twice and came to a stop just a few feet from Sunshine’s boots. It was a head. The eyes were still wide with surprise.

Vicente burst out laughing, how the story had surprisingly changed! It was like a twist in a book or a movie just when one thought they knew everything.

"It’s Luca," Major Elio said, his voice flat. He looked at the others as if they hadn’t seen the head or recognized the face. "They killed him. Is this a rebellion within a rebellion?"

Sunshine didn’t flinch, though she did not feel an ounce of mercy for a dead man that had looked on while children were butchered and cooked. Then, he pretended to be innocent. "I see that, Elio. It means the mercenaries aren’t working for him anymore. They want the territory for themselves."

Nimo, standing to her left, took a deep, shaky breath. "Or Greg does. That traitorous son of a bitch, I can’t believe he actually thinks that he has a chance."

As if the mention of his name was a magic spell, a figure stepped out from the shadows of the doorway. It was Greg. He was strapped into an Exo-suit which he activated as soon as he revealed his face. He looked smug, like a man who had suddenly been given the keys to a kingdom. Two mercenaries stood beside him in exo suits as well, their dragonoids held loosely but ready.

"Our weapons!" Nimo pinched her lips.

Father Nicodemus scoffed. "Well, ours have evolved."

"Our suits." Major Elio said in a sharp angry voice.

Greg’s smile was the worst part. It was wide, oily, and filled with a smugness that made Sunshine’s knuckles turn white.

"The almighty Mrs. Quinn," Greg drawled, his voice amplified by the suit’s speakers. "So glad you could make it. I’m sorry to inform you that the plans have changed. I’ve switched teams. The Walden’s actually see value in me and they elevated my standing. Why be a foot soldier on your side when I can have a seat at the table? The Walden’s are taking over this whole region, and I’m going to be the King of Ferry Island and Westbrook town. Thank you for the new bubble by the way. Now lay down your weapons and no one will get hurt."

Sunshine laughed in response. It was a dry, mocking sound. She remembered what Hadrian had once said about Greg. That the man could not be trusted because he was a professional jumper. He had left the Billionaires’ team to join Fortress Four when he became superhuman. Now, he was jumping again.

"The Walden’s?" Nimo asked, her voice filled with genuine confusion. "Greg, they own a tiny patch of land in Babel. They’re nobodies. How did they convince you that they could take on Fortress Four? It doesn’t make sense. You’re smarter than this."

Greg’s face twisted, the smile vanishing. "It makes perfect sense to me! Do you know what it’s like being a dog for you, Sunshine? Do you remember the forest? You left me there! You all assumed I was buried in the snow and returned to your base. If I had not awakened, I would have died out there. You’re selfish and you play favorites with the people in your inner circle. You’re the real traitor here." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Sunshine’s eyes turned to ice. "We both remember things quite differently; I do not have the time to jog your memory."

"Whatever helps your arrogant ass sleep at night," Greg sneered, raising a metal-clad hand. "I know you have so many powerful weapons, but they won’t help you. You see, this was all a trap to lure you out because you are the real figurehead behind Fortress four. As long as you die, the rest is easy to handle. Today, you’re the one in danger."

Sunshine had heard enough. She didn’t want to debate. She didn’t want to hear about his hurt feelings. Her hand squeezed the hammer. "Strike him," Sunshine commanded, silently.

She didn’t just swing it. The hammer left her hand with a roar of thrusters, trailing a streak of blue light.

Greg’s eyes widened. He tried to raise the Exo-suit’s arms to block, but he was too slow.

The hammer slammed into his chest plate with the sound of a car crashing into a wall. The force sent Greg flying backward, his expensive suit sparking and hissing as he crashed through the very entrance he had just walked out of.

"Anyone else want to talk about their feelings?" Sunshine asked, her hand catching the hammer as it whistled back to her.

Greg let out a demeaning laugh. "Good thing I wore my exo suit. It was because I knew you would throw that hammer around. Just like I know it will take a lot more than a hammer to crush me in this. Thank you for the suits by the way."