Sorry for the mini-hiatus. Got a fair few projects to see to.
The force of the severed head striking the camel's nose sent shards of cartilage shooting back into his brain, killing him before he hit the floor.
Most of the wounds suffered had healed into fresh scars, and the bullet from the golden gun had only grazed it. Two more camels entered the truck, machine guns in hoof. The moment of shocked hesitation when they saw the creature was their last mistake.
The next half-minute was pure chaos, a mess of screaming and bleeding and chattering bullets, but only to those falling by the creature's hand.
When it was over, and everyone was dead and dismembered, the Hunter went to the other vehicle and ripped the lock off the door with one hand. It was all here. Its shoulder cannon. Its spear. Its smart disc. Everything the Company had confiscated was here. Another stroke of good luck atop a tremendous stroke of good luck the Hunter wished it hadn't needed to escape.
The Hunter looked around the cavernous building, flexing its arm. It had healed well since the buffalo had snapped it. It had no doubt all members of the gang had been present for the slaughter, but the Company may not be far behind. It would have to disappear before it could contact the mothership. As it left the building through the nearest window, its thoughts turned to the Abomination. Enough time had passed for the Abomination and its queen to erect a new hive. Enough time to find hosts. Maybe even breed a horde of new Serpents.
That was not the worst of it. Dhi'haka. The Company was tearing at the doors even as the Hunter thought. It may already be too late. They had to be stopped.
They all must die.
It must not fail.
It had to make sure the plague stayed buried.