She turned and disappeared into the foliage with the others. Arkan stood alone on the line in the sand. He looked up at the sky. Three drones. They were hovering, pivoting, their sensors chirping as they tried to separate Arkan’s high-energy bio-signature from the tropical heat.
“You looking for the Catalyst?” Arkan shouted into the sky. He held up his left arm. The tattoo didn't just glow—it flared. A blinding pillar of sapphire light erupted from his skin, reaching toward the clouds.
The drones instantly banked. Three red eyes locked onto him. They hummed in unison, their weapon systems charging.
“Target confirmed. Subjek Nol identified,” the earpiece chirped. “Commencing non-lethal capture on Nol. Lethal force authorized on variables. Total purge.”
“Capture this,” Arkan whispered.
