"Let's get out of here," Roy said, eyes darting up from his phone.
Cam slammed on the gas—nothing. The engine sputtered, then died with a cough.
Roy sighed, not surprised. "Told you."
"Damn it." Cam popped the trunk before throwing his door open. Rain hammered down. Everyone climbed out of the car—except Cam, who casually raised an umbrella above his head.
"I hate rain."
The three in the back—Viper, Silk, and Rock—didn't waste time.
"We're done with these two," Viper snapped, stomping forward. The band ran in front of the blue car trying to leave.
"Move or I'll run you over!" the blue car's driver shouted.
"Let us in!" Rock yelled, glancing back at the pirates closing in.
"Car's full, idiots!" someone inside yelled.
"Come on, they'll kill us!" Rock pleaded, panic rising.
"Too bad," the driver said, revving the engine—until a shadow moved by his window.
Cam.
Umbrella in one hand, he reached in, yanked the driver out, and slammed him to the ground.
"Hey! Get off me!"
Cam didn't respond—his demeanor had changed. The fun, chaotic driver was gone. The man standing in the rain now wore a tech-weave coat strapped across the back with a katana and a holstered handgun underneath. Rain slid off his umbrella, untouched by the storm.
Roy approached from the trunk, arms full. "Got everything?"
Cam nodded. "Your tablet's in my coat."
"Good," Roy said, casually walking to the passenger side. He stared at the man sitting there.
"What?" the guy asked, unnerved.
Roy didn't answer. He just said to Cam, "He's in my spot."
Cam looked over. "Get out."
"This is our—"
CRACK. Cam punched him through the window. Roy opened the door and the man toppled out, unconscious.
Roy climbed in, buckled his seatbelt. Cam turned to the three in the back.
"Out."
"No way!" The three shouted, eyes on the pirates rushing the car.
"Your chances with them—" Cam pointed to the incoming pirates— "or your chances with me." He tapped the grip of his gun.
The trio didn't hesitate. They jumped out, grabbed their two other group members, and ran down the ruined street.
Cam turned back to Rock, Silk, and Viper.
"Get in."
They hesitated for a second. Then a cannonball hit the pavement behind them. They dove inside.
The pirates let the fleeing group go—for now. They'd catch them later.
Inside the car, Rock yelled, "Go, go, go!"
Cam ignored him. "Seatbelt, Roy."
Roy locked his phone, clicked the buckle. "Done."
A pirate landed beside Cam's open door, sword raised.
Cam didn't flinch.
He kicked the pirate square in the chest, sending him flying.
SLAM. The door shut.
"I'll be right back," Cam said, drawing his katana and stepping out.
"Wait—what?!" the band shouted from the back seat.
"Drive," Cam told Roy.
Roy gave a calm nod. "Cool."
Cam stepped into the storm, katana in one hand, umbrella in the other, walking calmly toward the oncoming pirates.