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“Remboshi technology,” Tong said with a slight smile. “The best there is.”

The Rung spy, Sulk, laughed out loud.

Tong and Sulk went at it in a verbal dispute, talking excitedly, with Tong waving his arms.

I looked over at Stacy as I clipped on my own gear.

“Tong, what’s he saying?” Stacy asked in a concerned tone.

“He says the Rung have far superior weapons now, suits of armor that grant the wearer god-like abilities,” Tong said. “He says they were overrun before they were able to use them. If we can recapture them, Legion won’t stand a chance.”

“Well, let’s get these god-like power suits back and take it to them,” John said, joining the group. “I’m ready for another fight.”

7

We took two predators, armed to the teeth. In one, John drove with Lou sitting next to him, and Stacy was on the Blood Shot 2000 mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

In the other, I took the wheel with Sulk sitting handcuffed beside me and Tong on the Blood Shot. Mutt had tried to insist on coming, but I’d talked the big guy out of it. Things were stressed at best between us and the Rung. As much as I loved the dog, I realized he’d add another element of hardship to the mission.

He seemed kind of pissed at first, but after a few belly rubs and promises I’d be back soon, he lightened up. The biscuit I saved for him from my midday meal might have helped as well.

I knew Ricky and Boss Creed would look after him while I was gone. Not that Mutt needed much looking after to begin with. He was an extremely intelligent dog with finely honed survival instincts. He often looked after the humans on the planet, as evidenced by his actions upon the appearance of Sulk.

We headed out from the compound as the twin suns disappeared over the horizon. John took the lead in his predator and I followed.

Sulk was secured with a pair of cuffs on his wrists that connected to the dash in front of him. He’d made no protest to being restrained that I was aware of. Maybe he was cooperating because he knew we were there to help. At least I hoped so. I really was in no mood for any unhappy surprises.

My senses were on overdrive. When we rolled out the twin gates of the compound, there wasn’t so much as a call or screech from the jungle to the north. I had no doubt in my mind Legion was watching us. What he was deciding to do with this turn of events was yet to be seen.

We traveled quickly; the predators’ large off-road tires ate up the ground underneath us. Their heavy-duty lights cut through the darkness like a beacon and I swept my gaze from left to right searching for threats.

Sulk said something in his language and Tong responded.

“Hey, in English, so the non-gecko people can understand,” I said.

“Sulk is giving us instructions on where to go,” Tong said with a heavy sigh. “He said there is a narrow canyon that cuts through the mountains to the east. How have we come to this?”

“What do you mean?” I asked. If Tong was concerned, so was I. His opinion had become valuable and I trusted his insights, especially when it came to a member of the Rung.

“Uniting with our enemies that have been our sworn adversaries for centuries?” Tong said. “Trusting them now goes against everything I know.”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?” I asked, echoing Jezra’s words and relaxing. But Tong’s mistrust of the Rung was understandable and in line with my thinking.

“Dean, you continue to surprise me,” Tong said. “That saying is very insightful.”

I didn’t tell Tong the saying didn’t belong to me. I was too lost on the course of action we now found ourselves on.

“What’s the plan once we get through the mountains?” I asked.

“Sulk says there is a Rung bunker just past the canyon,” Tong said. “We’ll connect with the force there and make our assault on their main bunker, which has been overrun by Legion. There they have a cache of weapons and upgraded armor that he promises will end Legion.”

“And we can expect heavy resistance starting when?” I asked. “Legion’s not just going to let us walk in there and impose our will. He’s going to be ready. He’ll be expecting us.”

Tong clicked off a series of sounds to Sulk that could have been him asking a question or sharing a complicated recipe for all I knew.

“Sulk says we can expect Legion to strike as soon as we enter the canyon,” Tong explained. “While it is the most direct route, it is not the safest. We will, however, be able to see exactly what we are getting into. Before we left, Jezra gave me access to the satellite.”

“My man,” I said, gathering what Tong was hinting at. “Legion will think he’s getting the drop on us, but we’ll be able to tell exactly where he’s moving.”

“That’s right.” I could practically hear the smile on Tong’s face. “Finally, we’re a step ahead. Once we get into the Rung’s underground bunkers, however, that advantage goes away. Who knows what’s waiting for us there.”

“Nice thoughts to keep us warm at night,” I muttered under my breath.

Sulk clicked something off.

“He wants to know if when the fighting starts, we will give him a chance to prove himself,” Tong translated. “He doesn’t want to go down without a fight. It is a matter of honor.”

I removed my gaze from the predator in front of me for a moment, looking over to Sulk. He stared back intently, his one normal eye searching mine for an answer. The robotic red eye shone with an eerie light.

“What do you think?” I asked Tong, moving my line of sight back to the road in front of me. “Do we trust him enough to let him fight when the dying starts?”

I