Red Denver: A Prelude to REHO (The Hegemon Wars) Read Online Free PDF Page A

glowing eyes and moved back as the beast headed in his direction. It bared its teeth, revealing what looked like dozens of genetically designed razor blades.
    Both Reho and the creature were momentarily distracted as the large crane returned and lifted the container out of the arena. The beast jumped at its swinging cage, hitting its side and falling back to the ground.
    Reho moved back and positioned himself in the center of the arena.
    The beast returned its attention to Reho. For a moment he thought of the old man, how he’d stood motionless in the face of his opponent. Reho calmed his body. Always let your opponent strike first .
    The beast leapt, its mouth open, teeth flashing their intent. He evaded the attack. As the beast passed, its tailed whipped across Reho’s chest, launching him into the air. As he landed on his side, the jolt sent his knife skidding across the arena. It sparked as it hit the fence. The beast circled in front of him. He knew he had no chance without his knife. He waited for the beast to strike again.
    The beast moved for Reho. It had already learned his reactions, and it shifted its attack to interrupt his dodge. Reho felt its thick body knock against him. He hit the ground and immediately rolled in the direction of his knife, which rested nearby. He grabbed the weapon and moved into position as the beast approached.
    He plunged the eight-inch blade into the beast’s side, surprised when there was little resistance, as if he’d stabbed a bag of flour instead of a tough, scaly surface. He would have to reach much deeper to do any critical damage to the beast. No wonder Soapy had let him choose his knife for the fight. Bastard is up there laughing .
    He pushed himself away from the beast, dragging his knife across its side. A sticky, white and blue jelly-like substance spilled out and quickly coated Reho’s side. The beast retreated to the corner of the arena.
    Reho refocused.
    From across the arena, the warbeast crept toward him. The substance still dripped from its side, but it wasn’t enough to stop its attack.
    Reho noticed something else: its claws. They were now fully extended, each larger than Reho’s knife. The beast’s eyes glowed brighter. He needed something larger to stab the beast deep enough for a critical wound.
    His breath hung heavy in the air, clouding his AIM. He looked at the knife again . . . at his powerful hand . . . at his muscular arm. That’s it! I have all the weaponry I need to win this!
    He moved confidently toward the warbeast. This time he would be the aggressor. He thought of Soapy on top of Ship Rock, sending the beast to finish him with one final attack.
    He dove straight for the beast’s chest, his knife and arm extended.
    Reho felt his own skin rip as his arm plunged through the beast’s warm chest cavity. Pain shot through his left shoulder and down his back as three of the beast’s claws found a home there. Then the claws stopped moving. The shaking in the beast’s chest ceased. The band stopped playing and the arena went silent.
    The warbeast’s claws remained buried in Reho’s back as he retracted his arm from its chest. His hand could not break free. It seemed tangled in something. He twisted his wrist, refusing to let go of his knife. He yanked hard. His hand and knife freed, along with what appeared to be wires and some sort of device. He saw lights on the device fade then turn off.
    He lifted the dead warbeast’s claws out of his back and rolled away. Looking up, he thought of Jena for a split second. Had she decided to stay? He looked over at Ship Rock. No spotlight. The moonlight revealed an empty booth.
    He stood, blood flooding down his back and onto the arena floor. He would heal, but it still hurt like hell. The crowd roared with excitement. Then, the announcer congratulated him. Several enforcers entered the arena as the gate opened.
    Reho walked out, his head held high.
    Behind the arena, a medical technician dressed Reho’s