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Rose slammed to the ground again, an eerie, high-pitched scream filling her ears as the Nox vanished. Gasping great lungfuls of fetid air, she eased herself into a sitting position. [color=ff4f61]"Whew... Thanks."[/color] She stood on shaky legs, leaning against the wall and pressing a hand to the right side of her face. [color=ff4f61]"Glad I made this mask tough."[/color] While the mask had protected against serious injury, she could feel a bruise spreading across her cheek, making her lower eyelid swell. [i]Well, this isn't exactly what a markswoman needs,[/i] she thought, trying to keep her eye open. [i]Especially one who has enough trouble hitting targets as it is.[/i]

She mentally chided herself for being negative, but Fluke's jibes weren't helping. [color=ff4f61]"Y'know Fluke, less talking and more doing would be nice!"[/color] she snapped into the earpiece, shaking her head at the drone, which did nothing but buzz around like an annoying bug. [color=ff4f61]"I might have to work on some combat drones for next time,"[/color] she muttered, trying to reassure herself and the others there would be a next time. Despite the false starts, they'd get through this. 

Rolling her aching shoulder, she turned her attention to Cedar. [color=ff4f61]"You ok?"[/color] She glanced at his blue-tinged hand. As she did, something caught her attention. An armadillo dug in the dirt, around what was unmistakeably a human arm. Rose's stomach turned. [color=ff4f61]"Oh gods..."[/color]