They had clearly defined roles, cold and efficient: two handled comprehensive optical and infrared surveillance; no matter where he was, a pair of cold electronic eyes was always locked onto him. One continuously scanned his vital signs, monitoring every accelerated heartbeat and every slight change in breathing frequency.
The last hovered like a cheetah on standby, its Energy Weapons System constantly preheating at minimum power. The instant he made any move beyond the preset safety limits, that deadly cannon would rise at once.
They floated silently, their joints producing only the faintest hiss of hydraulics as they moved. Against the eternal hum of the Deep Sea Barrier, it sounded like snakes flicking their tongues.
Rumlow had tried every method he could think of.
In the dining hall, he deliberately picked up a steak knife with exaggerated movements. The head sensors of all four armored suits instantly focused on the hand holding the knife. The right arm of one weapon-equipped suit imperceptibly rose a few millimeters, its Energy Weapons port glowing faintly as a cold warning spread soundlessly through the air.
He immediately let go. The steak knife landed on the plate with a crisp clatter. He could only force himself to use a fork, his knuckles whitening from the strain.
In the narrow corridors, he tried to use corners to briefly slip out of the armored suits' sight.
Yet just as he had turned halfway around, one armored suit had already glided ghostlike to his front side with unbelievable agility and foresight, blocking the blind spot he had tried to create. The other three instantly shifted positions, once again forming a perfect encirclement.
They were like an invisible metal spiderweb that moved with his every motion, trapping him firmly in the middle. Every attempt only earned him tighter surveillance. Every