The trolley Tar had kicked spun in transit, shedding some of its load before trapping one of the armour-clad rebels against more crates. The Sangheili pilot then traded a bruising fusillade of pistol fire with the rest of the small group until an EMP blast from somewhere overhead shattered her shields. Instantaneously, a pistol round pinged off Tar's left elbow and right knee armour, sending pain rippling through her body.

Tar leapt back behind cover and released her spent magazine. She fumbled for a new one and clumsily clipped it in. Her leg felt strange. She shakily levelled her pistol at the space where the riot-gear rebels were surely rushing through to kill her, but they didn’t come. Instead, she heard the trapped rebel shout “Don’t you fucking leave me here!” She poked her head around the side of the crates she had taken refuge behind and saw them running for the transports parked further along the platform.

Tar looked behind her, and could hear a Human voice she didn’t recognise calling to them. It sounded like their quarry was threatening to kill himself. Unacceptable. They didn’t get the luxury of killing themselves; that was her job.

Tar quickly crossed to where the lone rebel soldier had been squashed between the trolley and other packing crates. They tried to level their pistol at her, but Tar quickly swatted it away and ripped the riot shield out of her other hand. She jabbed fiercely at their visored helmet, and heard a yelp from within. Tar pulled at the visor and the whole thing came free, revealing a Human female with a bloody nose and mouth. They looked groggy from the impact, but still managed to spit a bloody wad of saliva onto Tar’s armour and grin.

Tar pushed away the equipment trolley pinning the soldier into place with one hand, and grabbed her with the other. The soldier could barely stand up, so Tar half carried and half dragged her into clear view of their quarry, and most of Aegis Team. She forced her to kneel, and then pushed her pistol against the back of the woman’s head. Tar looked up threateningly at the commander.