Near-silent until now, the elevator doors behind the enemy position pinged open. Two silver Diplomatic Corps droids and two orange maintenance drones burst out. "YOU HAVE BEEN DEEMED HAZARDOUS - WILL YOU COMPLY?" They chanted. The machines did not wait for an answer; they surged forward, with one of each heading for the lone soldier and the Builder.

Back in the upside-down car, Freyr pressed a cold pack against Dr Girard’s broken nose, eliciting a shrill cry from her subordinate. “Shhh.” She soothed, before promptly shrieking too. The stubby snout of a gun poked through the street-side door, followed by the hands, arms and visor of another ambusher. The person looked at both of them - Freyr raised a hand out. “Don’t hurt us, please!” They clambered in. Freyr lashed out with her foot, trying to knock them back out again. The soldier grabbed her leg.

“HELLLPP!”

595’s exited her deep-HUD now her slaved drones were locked to targets. Her head snapped back to look at the crashed vehicle. She had to make a snap-decision between following through on her plan and supporting the Rothian, or protecting her mark. After a split-second, the Agent looked at Osman, who had just dropped a spent fuel cell out from underneath her rifle. “Help Vreta!” 595 commanded. Osman nodded, clicking another cell into place.

The Major popped out from behind the destroyed fountain, firing targeted bursts. 595 burst out of cover, running back towards the car. Plasma fire followed her for a second, before the soldier had to hide from Osman’s covering fire.

The Builder intently watched Vreta's run for a moment, then dragged the tip of one boot forward along the floor, ending in a low kick. A wave of grey emerged from the floor, carrying all the furniture with it as it moved towards the Rothian. It reached two thirds of the way to the ceiling, and covered half the room. Osman swore and scrambled out from behind the fountain, moving over to the right before crashing in behind a low sofa. She popped back out again promptly to continue firing. Vreta though, was still squarely in the way.