Mallory's gun was already out, he pointed his weapon at the stone beast when Shirik's blast flung them free of the creature. But while he tried his best, his right ankle cracked on landing, filling his head with throbbing pain that made him burst out in sweat as he barely contained his cries of pain.

Damn that doctor for running off like she did! They had to do this as a group! The lone ones running out front were invariably the first targets.

"It's broke," he managed. "Go on ahead, don't let me slow you down!"

Maybe if their attackers saw him as injured, he could draw them away from the rest? Hopefully none of them could deflect his bullets.