[dcs_p]Strider continued to fire down into the vent, hoping ricocheted shots would force
multiple wounds in his enemy. As he finished firing his entire clip, he heard much
more noise from the duct. The plan had worked.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Strider looked to Xandar. The man was lying on the ground, trying to hold his
gauss rifle with his right arm while steadying it with his left leg. He was
successfully covering the corner in case the rear guard made a sudden
appearance. Xandar’s left shoulder was nothing but bright red, tattered flesh.
Strider finally knelt down next to the vent. He quickly replaced his ammunition
with a new clip. He ripped the ductwork open by pulling off its covering after
placing his fingers in one of the many holes his shells had created. He bit his lip
to deal with the pain of his finger’s new wounds. Strider peeked inside the duct,
only to see Kinta’s familiar mask in the dim light of air tunnel. He fired quickly,
wasting no time to ensure the man or woman was dead. A headshot always
guaranteed silence.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Strider rose to his knees. He could hear the dropship’s PPCs fire. The softened
“SCHHHH” echoed through the corridors. He knew Joanna was either engaging
the fighters or destroying the pirate dropship’s engines. Looking to Xandar, he
explained his plan. “I’ll go get the rear guard. Wait here. And put some pressure
on that one,” he said, pointing to Xandar’s upper arm.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“You got it,” Xandar smiled. “Don’t get yourself killed.” Xandar dropped the rifle
and grasped his bicep, squeezing despite the searing pain of the wound. “Get
back here alive so I get some medical attention.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Not a problem,” Strider said. He stood, checking his ammo. He smiled and
hobbled quickly to the corner’s edge. He grabbed the long end of his overcoat in
his left hand. Then he tossed the coat end out into the open corridor. Nothing
happened.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“All clear,” he whispered back to Xandar. He stuck his gun between his legs as
he pulled off his overcoat. “This should be okay. Remember to cover yourself.
And tell Joanna to expect me in a few minutes.” he said in a loud whisper.
Xandar flashed him a face of confusion, wondering why he was talking so much
when so little need be said.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Strider grabbed his gun once again. Hanging the long overcoat over its end, he
stretched it out from behind the corridor’s corner. The rear guard fired at the
coat. He waited a second for the enemy to realize the mistake. Using the trick
as a distraction, he whirled out again on his left foot to aim the gun, still covered
by the overcoat, at the enemy pirate. He fired many times.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]The enemy returned fire, hitting Strider with the first shot in his left leg. Strider
fell immediately onto his back. The enemy, wounded, fired many times without
hitting Strider. Though ricochets filled the corridor’s tight confines, none hit
Strider, Xandar, or the remaining pirate. The pirate finally stopped shooting.
Getting up slowly, Xandar pulled the gauss rifle from the floor with his right hand.
Walking to the corner, he brought the weapon up from his side. He carefully
aimed at the bloodied pirate and pulled the trigger.[/dcs_p]