Orion registered the bang, and shifted out of his camouflage into his former alloy form on instinct. A few errant shards clinked against his hide, but the lion share of the blast was several yards behind him by now. It was a wonder how anyone without a shield could survive something like that, but... 

Well, the Knights had one another, and whatever backup would come for Knights. 

If something took him down, there would be nobody coming back for Mitch. And she didn't need to be alone. 

He shook his head and shifted into earth once again, taking off at a run toward the rugged settlement. It was doubtful that anyone would be more hospitable there, but it seemed less likely for [i]whomever[/i] came out of the mess behind him to try and fight him somewhere that others may be inclined to pile on.