Under pressure, choosing the protection of his teammates as his top priority, Weld ignored my plea for a moment to think.  He twisted his entire body to haul Glory Girl into the air, throwing her at me like a catapult might throw a boulder.

Clearly, she can fly. In the same way a fly ball to Because can – ballistically.

I changed my orientation so I’d be ready to catch her.  Rather than try to wrap my arms around her, I moved so we were racing alongside her as she arced through the air.

Good call. Don’t reduce her speed too abruptly or let yourself get knocked off Bailey.

It gave me only a second or two to make the call about grabbing her.  I didn’t want to get that acid on me.

Understandable. I think the acid might be trapped on her, though? Unless the forcefield is still down?

I grabbed at the two things that seemed safe – the intact portion of her lower costume and her hair.  I pulled back, hauling on both, but the beetle wasn’t able to offer the necessary lift.

Uh oh. Down we go.

She was insensate with pain, and she struggled at what I was doing to her.

Well, she’s conscious. That’s probably not that good a thing in this situation.

I momentarily wondered if she’d hit me or the beetle with one of those punches that could crush stone. Worse, if she grabbed me and I couldn’t break away, I’d plummet to the ground with her.

That might be bad.

The armband directed me to someone that was already getting assistance.  An obese cape in armor, getting CPR from a man with a princess-bride style mask over the upper half of his head, a goatee, a chainmail lined mantle and a shotgun three times the normal size.

I can’t imagine that this latter cape wouldn’t look at least a little bit silly, at least outside deadly circumstances like these.

He didn’t know what he was doing – the fat man’s chin was almost touching his collarbone.

Ah, yeah, rookie mistake. It’s an opportunity for Taylor to help out, at least.

When I moved to take over, Shotgun Westley left without a word, wiping his mouth and unslinging his gun as he ran back to the fray.  I was irritated.

Least he could do is hear if Taylor needed help.

Also, I’m liking Taylor’s nicknaming so far. 😛

Hew down, CD-5.

“Hew down, CD-5.”

“Who?”

“Yes, CD-5.”

“Yes down?”

“Hew down, CD-5.”

“Yes.”