Locke can sense the impending danger as the mage speaks… But it’s around that moment that something else appears at the edge of his attention: his helmet HUD lighting up with a message:

- HUD Recalibration complete.
- Armor Automed Function restored.
- Functionality Limited.
- System Defrag and Restore underway.
- Initializing in Safe Mode.

His HUD lights up just in time for it to start scanning the shards as they appear. Locke’s muscles coil to start reacting when he spots Evie and Roscoe curling up not out of logical defense… but fear.

He doesn’t dare hesitate. He uses what information is available to him to identify the lowest density shard barrage and prays his armor and speed will be enough to keep him alive… and surges into motion.

He quickly grabs Evie and Roscoe as he speeds over, snatches up the bat on the way, and uses his momentum to drag them into the selected spot. He then positions his body to shield them from the incoming damage, keeping his head low. 

He remembers hearing a whisper of something he overheard her say moments before right then. He smirks softly as he lets out one small quip before the shards arrive. “Wake up Evie. Wanna hear you make more funny wizard references,” he says quietly, with a gentle care and mirth in his voice.

[Vitality E]
[Speed D]
[Perception F]