The Grodrrn Baskylla Jardzen, a reputable ship commander with many honorable commendations, crawls like a worm through the tiny passageway. Even humans would have to move at a crouch in this hallway. What unevolved creature concocts something so foolish?

At the end of his tunnel, he smells a familiar smell. He looks at one of the marines cradling another obviously hit by Zarak fire. This human, a female around Captain Long's age maybe –he has no idea, honestly- has a horrified expression. She's the only one mobile, and her uniform reads, "Tachibana". Dzor's not sure he's met her, but at least one of her meals made it to his mouth.

The Baskylla Jardzen says simply, "Hongor." He then turns and continues on his way, ignoring when she tries to call out for him. The incessant human jogs after him, chattering, "Hey! Dzor! Stop!"

Dzor ignores her. He has interest in only one human. Tachibana barks, "Hunger!? What do you mean!? Stop! I'm warning you!"

Dzor halts, whirling to put his broad head inches from her helmet. She recoils in surprise. She doesn't have her weapon. Foolish humans.

He growls, "No, Hongor. Sheeps. They come tharr." He storms onward once more. This time, she doesn't follow.

Dzor finds more Zarakyssns trying to cut into the bridge through a metal door. He can hear battle from one of the other doors already.

He can also hear her voice; distinct, commanding, dominant. He smirks. The Zarakyssns will not stand in the way of his goal.

The lookouts spot him and squeal, but Dzor bounds in three huge steps to reach them, instantly clapping them together. His hands sting from his palms slamming together so hard, as well as from minor cuts from the Zarak metal. But, he's a big Grodrrn. He'll cry later. When something actually warrants him crying.

The burns of Zarak blasters hit his skin as the others fire on him. The shots numb his skin, but it's not overloading his nervous system yet. One soldier does start adjusting its weapon, but the soldier is instantly eliminated by the body of another hurled with effortless force by the Baskylla Jardzen. Both bodies crunch against the door and collapse lifelessly.

Dzor grips the last one by the torso, lifting it off the ground. It's a Zarak squad leader, who acts as a conduit to the War Queen's more direct subordinates. In human terms, it's their chief or sergeant. And, Dzor loves to watch Zarakyssns squirm. The Zarakyssn tries to pry Dzor's grip clear, and even jab his bicep with its blade, but it doesn't have good leverage. Its feet kick in futility.

A sudden scream –her scream- halts Dzor. It is one of pure agony and pain. When he looks back down at the Zarakyssn, he finds his fist closed, and the lifeless squad leader's remains stick to his fist. Dzor blinks once before discarding the remains thoughtlessly. He then slams his forearm against the door, breaking much of its supporting structure instantly. He doesn't hesitate for this door because he can hear the other side of it, meaning there's still pressure. He shoves the door out of the way and marches in. Ironically, the bridge is JUST tall enough for him to stand at almost full height.

He instantly spots Captain Long being pinned by the leg and stabbed in the arm. She is his only interest. The Zarakyssns all step back in terror, and Long instantly rolls over to scurry backwards. Dzor steps forward calmly into the room, stopping in time for Long to bump his leg.

She looks up at him in fear and surprise. She's the only one responding reasonably to the humans' most dangerous prisoner walking free at the worst possible time. Dzor's gaze is locked with hers for a long-seeming moment. He gives her nothing in that gaze. Not a single thought. He takes a deep, calm breath. The Zarakyssns, for their part, are afraid to react first, knowing even Grodrrn-level shots might not work. And, their commands are to target the humans, no doubt.

Dzor has a secret, though. It's not a profound secret, but it's unknown to everyone on the bridge right now, including the one being it affects.

Captain Long, the human female Jardzen Dzor swore to kidnap and take to the Fievegal if he ever escaped again, has nothing to fear. Not of that threat, not of the Zarakyssns, and not of Dzor. The Zarakyssns, on the other hand... One of them stabbed Captain Long.

Dzor roars his mightiest battle cry. The whole room tremors lightly, and what glass is present –seeing aids of a few of the humans and some of the electronic screens- cracks or shatters. Many of the Zarakyssns clutch their helmets helplessly, while others cower back several more steps. The Fievegal may avoid conflicts with the Zarakyssn horde where possible, but there's a reason the Zarakyssns don't try to invade the Fievegal as well.

The squad leader, who had Long pinned, wails out, "{FIRE!}" Dzor swings his claws in a flat hand like a blade, and the squad leader's weapon drops. The Jardzen is far from done with it, though. He snatches the squad leader and carries it around as he lunges between the soldiers. He throws soldiers at their comrades, kicks them into walls, claws them, and simply crushes them. All but the squad leader.

Human gunfire booms loudly, and Dzor looks. Long managed to fire on one attempting to flank him. He knew it was there, but she helped. He'll accept that. One other marine joins her in firing on the Zarakyssns further from him. The Zarakyssns make indecisive movements, unsure who to target. Dzor is very decisive. He moves one by one to each next closest one, taking out others with bodies or debris. All but the squad leader.

The last soldier falls to gunfire, just before Dzor lunged to it. He pants heavily, looking around to ensure he got all of them. He then looks the squad leader in the eyes. It's still trying to pry itself free, but is helpless in his grip. Unlike the Grodrrns, who do their best to learn an enemy's language, the Zarakyssns believe the whip is the universal language, and there's no need to debase themselves with those of other species. So, Dzor can understand them fine, but it won't understand his words.

That doesn't matter, though. He pivots it so its gaze is forced to Long. She's still lying on her back, panting heavily as blood stains her holy symbol. Grodrrns don't have a formal religion, but some still practice the beliefs in the Bachsuu, so Dzor has an idea of why Long believes in a higher power. She is not blindly led by her faith, but seeks wisdom and hope from it when her own falters. Dzor keeps the squad leader's gaze on long for a long time. It will be all of the rest of its life. He then pulls its arms off, causing it to wail and scream. Still, he forces its gaze to her. He then opens his jaws wide, its big radial eyes easily able to see him and her. And, with one vicous crunch, Dzor ends it.

It is said War Queens feel every death under them, which is why dzor does what he does. The more suffering he can cause, fear included, the better.

He spits out the metal and foul flesh, and then spits again. Though too much Zarak atmosphere is toxic, their flesh fortunately is not. At least to a Grodrrn. But, he would NEVER eat them. Of that, he is certain.

Dzor then stomps over to Long, towering over her prone form. He reaches down and grips her torso. She winces a little, but never fires her weapon. Foolishly naïve.

But, not needed. Not with him. He sets her on her feet, surprising even her with his gentleness and even supporting her while she tests her injured leg. Zarakyssns aren't heavy by even human standards, but they are surprisingly strong, and they can grip the floor or anything else with their pincher feet.

Able to stand, Long looks up at him, still surprised. She starts to say something, but Dzor cuts her off. There isn't time for her human platitudes or desire for answers. He says sternly, "Lorjist sheep eez hee-ist priortih. Destroy. Zarakyssn Heeve Meend. Weel disornt. {Largest ship is highest priority. Destroy. Zarakyssn hive mind. Will disorient.}"

Long blinks. It's clear she wants to say something, but she returns to the battle. She nods. She turns and orders, "Fire control?"

"H-Here, M-Ma'am."

"To all batteries, fire on the largest ship." Dzor starts to leave, and she says quickly, "Wait! Jor; Yarjen. Please, you know them. Please, command this battle. We'll obey."

Dzor shakes his head. He states, "Hongor."

"You're... leaving?"

He shakes his head with a smirk. "No. Zarakyssns breeng hiv haulor for copchoors. I ripil boarders. Yuu commond. {No. Zarakyssns bring heavy haulers for captures. I repel boarders. You command.}" Dzor then turns and marches out. She is safe and informed. He can now direct his energy on his enemies.

The Zarakyssns know he's on board now. Many of them see him coming and flee up the hall. It makes him smile. Humans fall back to regroup. Zarakyssns flee to flee.

The Zarakyssns will try to make a stand in the human hangar bay, but it will do no good. Zarakyssns do not leave empty-handed. Which means Dzor has a singular target once more.

He manages to catch up to the Zarakyssns at a metal door. They seem to have yet to figure out how to open the human airtight doors, which the humans close as soon as they go to battlestations. They have automatic doors as backup, but the foresight of having everything compartmentalized already is surprisingly clever.

Dzor simply shoulder-charges into the squad of insects, crushing them mercilessly against each other in spite of the shots that are fired at him. He stumbled once, but his momentum easily thumps the door with their bodies. He then scrapes them out of the way to open the door. This is his first time opening one, too, but he knows how the humans set up their doors. He turns the broad handle left and the door pops free, swinging open easily. He has to squeeze through, but he manages fine. He then closes the door behind him.

The Baskylla Jardzen follows his new path to the hangar bay. It's not difficult to navigate the human ship. There are signs with arrows guiding the way. Not to mention the congregation of smells, most notably, Grodrrn fuel rods. He could easily take a shuttle, slip past the Zarakyssns, and jump to safety.

But, he didn't forget to tell his crew this. He didn't tell them because it's not his plan.

He turns a corner and finds a strange sight. A female marine is shouting, "Get a hold of yourself! We're going in there!"

"B-But Chief-..."

"No buts! Cut this door open! They need our help!"

One of the other marines yells, "CONTACT REAR!" Several snap weapons up, aiming at Dzor. The female 'Chief' quickly yells, "HOLD FIRE! FRIENDLY!"

"Are you kidding, Chief!? That's JOR!"

She yells even louder, "I SOUND LIKE A JOKER TO YOU, MARINE!? LOWER YOUR WEAPONS AND CUT THIS DOOR!"

Dzor approaches calmly. A few of the marines hold their weapons ready, watching him nervously. Tachibana, the Chief from earlier, says calmly, "I don't know your plans, but you're covered in bug blood. Good enough for me. Bugs jammed the door, so it needs cut out of-..." Dzor steps into a powerful kick, caving the door in almost completely with metal squeals and groans. There are now gaps in the door, and he grips them to twist it ferociously, snapping the rest of the supports. He ducks through, tossing the ruined door aside. He doesn't wait for the humans to process. He simply keeps going. He is not their ally.

But, he is not their enemy, either.

The hangar bay is huge, and it is full of chaos. Shots are being fired in every direction. If nothing else, the human valiance has halted the loading operation, and the Zarakyssns will take a long time to decide to leave with what they have. After all, only the War Queen can make such a decision, and she's about to have her jaws tied shut in a moment.

The human artillery thunders away, and Dzor smiles. He murmurs, "Incessant Yukonja."

Dzor flexes his muscles as he walks past a group of marines holding cover behind crates. He rolls his joints to loosen up.

One of the humans closest to him now holds up a Grodrrn rifle, offering it to him. Dzor takes it without thought. He will gladly become even deadlier.

The Baskylla Jardzen stops in the open and takes a deep breath. He roars again, but this one is much more casual. He only wants his presence to be known this time. The Zarakyssns already fear him.

He continues walking towards the four large hauling ships parked in the hangar bay, at the expense of the human mining shuttles and one of the Grodrrn shuttles rammed carelessly by the Zarak ships. The haulers are large, bulky, modular ships that have adjustable racks in the cargo hold for the Zarakyssn plunder, no matter the size. Today's plunder, being rolled into the racks in tight margins, are human beings.

Dzor fires rather arbitrarily, but he doesn't miss. Zarakyssns at range fall even faster now with a proper wielder using a Grodrrn rifle. As he gets closer to the first hauler, he picks up his pace, stepping into a jog, and then a run, and finally, a full force charge. He rams the hauler violently, shaking it. Not succeeding, though, he plants his feet and lifts the edge. He heaves with all his might, and the ship's edge rises. He walks under as he lifts, rolling the ship until it rumbles the whole hangar deck by falling onto its side.

He flexes, making sure he didn't hurt himself. The telltale whoosh of one of the other haulers igniting its engines sounds off. Dzor doesn't hesitate. He kicks off of the flipped hauler and launches himself over a squad of Zarakyssns towards the hauler. He slashes his claws down, spearing into the engine for a grip. From there, he ferociously punches the engine, and it belches fire and smoke, shutting down soon after. He wastes no time dropping to the deck to roll this one over next. He fires his blaster at the cockpit of the next one, but then focuses on rolling the second hauler.

Once it's done, the third and fourth haulers ignite their engines. This War Queen is unusually attentive, apparently, or more confident than she should be that the humans are no threat to her. Or, perhaps it's the opposite. Perhaps fear IS factoring into her decisions.

Regardless, it will do no good. Dzor throws his blaster with full force, and the delicate core inside the weapon ignites when it breaks. The explosion ruptures the cockpit, and the ship instantly slumps, losing power. Dzor's a little impressed that his move worked.

For the other shuttle, he sprints to it, leaping on board just as it's taking off. He climbs swiftly to the engine and rips plating out of his way. He reaches in and grips a bundle of the strange electrochemical tubes the Zarakyssns use in place of wires on much of their technology. He pulls ferociously, and the liquid burns his arm and hand where it touches. But, the engine burps and flickers out, and the hauler rolls in the air. Dzor falls to the deck, landing on his feet. He almost loses his footing when the ship slams and dents the deck, though, even as low as the humans have their artificial gravity.

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Dzor walks to the door of the closest hauler's cargo bay. He ignores the battle raging around him. He rips the cargo bay door open, inspecting for Zarakyssns. The air is already stale with the smell of humans, who scream and cry. Many of these must be their non-military personnel, though he's seeing their military personnel succumb to the stress as well. He leaves the humans be. They can escape if they want. Either way, the haulers won't be leaving. He goes to each hauler, ripping the doors open. He doesn't care about the humans. Only one interests him. But, he's already here.

He rips the last shuttle's doors off, and a woman screams from Dzor, not the situation. She tightly holds a small female, crying out, "D-Don't let go, Little Bird!"

The girl is calm, though. She looks up at Dzor with wide, strangely trusting green eyes. Dzor knows that name, too. Khla has spoken of this child. This small naïve child convinced soldiers to spare Khla, and by extension, set the precedent for rescuing the rest of the Grodrrns captured, attempt to cure the sterility of the females, and even try to take diplomatic approaches with their enemies.

Dzor nods at the tiny human, stepping clear of the wreckage. With that task complete, he can focus on the Zarakyssns. If Long can coordinate the human fleet and take out the War Queen's ship –which, thankfully, he only saw one-, then even the haulers on the other ships will go nowhere.

Tachibana calls out, "Jor!" He glances, and she tosses a sidearm as hard as she can, which isn't much, compared to his explosive throw moments ago. But, it reaches him, and he snatches it out of the air, instantly joining ranged combat. He makes his way to Tachibana's position with no real urgency, but he does stumble from one of the shots. His whole body is starting to feel numb. It was good to stretch and flex his muscles for a change, but now he needs to not succumb to Zarakyssn weapons.

The Grodrrn warrior crouches behind the conex box Tachibana is standing behind. She and another marine fire around its corners, and then she asks, "How are you doing, Yarjen? You need medical attention?"

Dzor replies, "Feen. Zarak horde weel yild eef Copton Long defeat War Quinn. We mock joomp thinn. {Fine. Zarak horde will yield if Captain Long defeats (the) War Queen. We make jump then.}"

"What about the boarding ships? Who knows how many of ours they took..."

Dzor retorts, "More War Queens come." She slumps, but he adds, "Zarakyssns only ploondor weeth howlers. Ozz Long ozz howlers duu not leev, no hoomins lost. Othor sheeps, howlers weel not leev oonteel fool. {Zarakyssns only plunder with haulers. As long as haulers do not leave, no humans lost. Other ships will not leave until full.}"

"How can you be so certain?"

"No Grodurns," replies the Jardzen bluntly. "We-..." He halts, listening intently.

"Zjeekha! Zjeekha! Zjeekha!" The translation of the chant has been debated in the Fievegal since the first days of Zarakyssn encounter. But, it's meaning has always been clear.

A chill crawls through Dzor's scales, and they feel suddenly tighter. He scans the hangar, but all of the surviving Zarakyssns are chanting. It's the closest the Fievegal knows of for Zarakyssn excitement, and it's the one thing that halts all other priorities.

Dzor spots the one. A Zarakyssn soldier –until this day, another meaningless warrior in an endless horde- is being shoved into the open against its will. It tries to resist, but it is the chosen one.

The soldier is not being presented to Dzor as a sacrifice to appease him. He bolts upright, firing his sidearm as fast as possible. A hapless soldier steps in his way, -perhaps not randomly at all-. Then another. The Zarak squad leader withdraws the stinger –a literal poisonous stinger from a creature presumed to reside deep within Zarak space-. The chosen soldier panics and squirms even more, as the other soldiers chant "Zjeekha! Zjeekha! Zjeekha!"

Dzor's sidearm overheats, and he tosses it aside, sprinting for the Zarakyssn gathering. He cannot let it happen. The squad leader cheers, "Zjeekhalla-tee-onn-nonn!"

The soldiers roar in their buzzing tone, and the leader jabs the stinger into the chosen soldier's chest.

Dzor slams multiple soldiers out of his way, clawing clean through two more, desperate to barrel through the crowd. He practically has to swim through the insects seemingly thoughtlessly crowding before him. He lunges one final step, clawing brutally downwards at his target.

His claw halts at the wrist. All at once, another arm grips his throat. Four arms, instead of two, now protrude through the Zarakyssn's protective gear. Sulfur-reeking air oozes out. Each arm is over 5 times its original size, and still growing. The soldier's body twitches and pulses as it swells. Its eyes fill with poisonous black hatred, and its exoskeleton cracks and crunches away, followed by its helmet and armor.

Dzor tries to pry its grip free, kicking his feet in futility as it lifts him off of the deck.

'Zjeekha' is a rare priviledge to the Zarakyssns, and even rarer to the Fievegal. Dzor was a young soldier when he last saw a stinger used. And, he watched the moons and suns trade day and night.

The soldier's new shriek –or wailing roar- nearly ices over Dzor's scales. He can't imagine he has much color left, as his feet dangle off of the floor.

Known only as a 'Zjeekha' by the Fievegal, this thing is now a Zarakyssn berserker.

***

Chief Grey narrowly dives clear as seven hundred pounds of muscle rockets by him. Thunder rumbles from the brutal impact that body has with a conex box, which Tachibana and another marine were hiding behind. The conex box lurches so much, it throws the two marines to the ground. Its entire side is caved in. No human could survive that, of that he's certain.

The thrower, a nightmarish beast that seems to have exploded out of one of the roaches like an elephant out of a human skin suit, bellows a loud, humming wail that doesn't rumble quite the way Dzor's roar did, but certainly sends chills up Grey's spine. The giant roach twitches over-excitedly, psychotically. A blood-thirsty aura surrounds it. It steps on injured roaches like they're nothing more than leaves.

Fortunately, the body launched at the conex box was not human. Baskylla Jardzen Dzor, of all of the crocs to help, manages to stumble out of the heap of twisted metal. He drops to a knee, though, and coughs. But, as soon as the bug giant leaps for Tachibana, who is fleeing to new cover, Dzor springs through the air powerfully, tackling the brutal alien invader. The two tumble hard across the floor, narrowly avoiding killing Tachibana anyways with merely their momentum. She slides on her hip into cover behind a row of crates and takes aim. But, the Zarakyssns haven't forgotten about the battle, and they open fire.

Grey grumbles, "Damn CGI battles..." He yells out, "MARINES! FOCUS ON MINIES! DZOR HAS THE GIANT!" He fires his pistol at roaches while working his way to the toppled weapon stockpile.

Long asks from right behind him, "Ch-Chief? Do you really think he can handle it?"

Grey glances. Dzor's technique is excellent, using some form of Grodrrn martial art, apparently. He jabs the pointy ends of his claws, slashes with knife-hands, and parries the giant bug's own blade-like attacks rather than attempt to block them. Both slash so quickly, though, Grey can barely see the movements. And, Dzor is landing hits, but so is the roach. Long asks, "Sh-should we help?"

"Can't. They're moving around too fast. We're more likely to hit Jor. We're better off mopping up the roaches." Grey likes the feel of that word. The numbers really are dwindling now.

A tiny female voice squeaks, "Can I help, Cheep?"

Grey halts in his tracks. He looks down at the tiny little girl. He wants to scream at her, but he snaps back to enough presence of mind to pull her and Long into cover. Grey asks quickly, "Where's Tanya!?"

Little Bird replies, "She ran with the others, but I wanted to help! I'm a marine too!"

"THESE ARE MONSTERS, MAYA!" He knows Tanya wouldn't run without Little Bird. More likely, the small girl slipped away when Tanya was caught in the crowd. Dzor surprisingly freed all of the human captives. Little Bird points at Dzor, saying, "B-But he needs help! He saved me! And... And I have to return the favor, right?"

"NOT RIGHT NOW YOU DON'T!" He pulls her head down out of the way of fire, shielding her with his body.

She surprises him by hugging him. She whimpers, "I-I'm really scared... B-But... I-... I don't want us to lose. Angelica said on the speakies that we all have to help."

Grey looks at her. He could send Long to take her out of the hangar, but it's almost as risky as them staying. He sighs. He says sternly, "I have one good eye, right? I need you to tell me if enemies are coming behind us, okay? Can you do that?"

Little Bird nods. She's worried, but unbelievably brave right now. Maybe the fall of Earth broke her fear response. Grey's certainly done things he would never do.

The three move across the hangar, and Grey shoots several roaches while Long keeps a close eye on Little Bird. He's fine with that. The roaches are focused mostly near the hangar doors, where Dzor disabled their landing craft.

Little Bird cries out, "Cheep! Cheep! He needs help!" Grey looks at her, and then the two titans. The bug has Dzor in a grapple, and it has forced the Grodrrn to his knees. Dzor is clearly struggling to hold even that much.

Grey spots a rocket launcher laying on the floor. It's a SMAW, specifically, and the anti-vehicle weapons are forbidden for use in the ship interior, because a missed shot could be catastrophic.

Grey sighs in disgust. He'll do his best not to miss. He sprints towards the weapon, and the bug forces Dzor onto his posterior, which, gives it enough leverage to push him down to his back.

Grey drops his rifle, grabbing the launcher on the run. He carefully checks it loaded. He clearly wasn't the first marine today planning on trying not to miss. Whoever it was, he's thankful. He sprints with the long tubular weapon straight up to Dzor and the bug. All Dzor has to do is survive. He's already keeping it still.

Grey taunts, "CHEESE!" as he presses the weapon mouth to the creature's lower chest. He squeezes the trigger and lets fate once more have its way with him.

The launcher coughs, and when Grey regains his senses, he's face down on the deck with cracks in his helmet's visor and numerous shrapnel lacerations all over his body. His arms burn from cuts, blunt trauma, and actual burns. He struggles just to lift his head to look around.

Dzor is near him, coughing as he, too, tries to rise. The giant roach's shriek draws Grey's eyeline. While its torso was obviously ruptured like a watermelon hit with a SMAW, the beast is still alive. And, it's quickly recovering –even more quickly than a Grodrrn with a regenerator-.

Grey halts. That's it. That's what Dzor needs. He looks around. His SMAW looks like it exploded in a cartoon-fashion, splitting like a banana. It won't be of any further use, but Grey doesn't care. There! One of the stowed Grodrrn regenerators. He winces when the roaches blade like claw hand spears the deck beside him, deflected only by inches by the particularly large Grodrrn in the hangar. Dzor pants as he holds the arm, quickly swatting the bug back with a brutal backhand. Once more, Dzor is in heated combat with the bug.

Grey scrambles to his feet, sprinting for the regenerator. He glances to find Long and Little Bird following him from a ways behind. He glimpses the roach leap clear to the hangar ceiling, holding there for a moment before springing back down at Dzor. The Grodrrn was far from idle, though. He springs into the air and slams the bug with both fists, dropping them both like ragdolls from the impact.

Grey rips the lid off of the crate and heaves the armor piece out. It's two-part, though; front and back. And, it's extremely heavy. He can carry one piece, but someone else will have to carry the other. And, Long and Little Bird won't be able to lift it.

Fredericks startles Grey when he suddenly stops at the crate, asking, "Whatcha got, Chief!?"

"Jesus Freddy! Good, help me get this on Dzor."

Fredericks chuckles, "Sure, why not?" The two waddle towards Dzor with the unwieldy armor. The Grodrrn commandant tumbles across the ground from a brutal hit. His claws scrape the deck to stop him, and he springs up to smash the bug with a right hook.

Fredericks has to dive out of the way, dropping his piece. Nevertheless, he is kicked accidentally by the bug, and he slides helplessly across the floor. Grey calls, "FREDDY!" He grunts though, narrowly moving himself clear of the pair tumbling by. Grey chases after them. Maybe he can give one piece to Dzor during a lull and retrieve the other.

Grey ducks, injuring his knee from the weight, but avoiding a decapitating swing of the bug's hand. Though Dzor isn't specifically acknowledging his presence, he seems to be aware of Grey.

Grey struggles back up to his feet. The bug swats Dzor's arms viciously, splattering blood across Grey's helmet. He can see enough, though. He has to double back as Dzor is knocked down to his knees. The Grodrrn manages to grip the bug's claws again, narrowly holding the vicious, psychotic insect back. Their momentum slides Dzor back, but he stays mostly upright. He is losing strength quickly, though. Grey hobbles into position, glancing over his shoulder for a miracle.

That miracle's name is Petty Officer Leo Fisher, and the marine sprints from Little Bird, who points at the armor piece, to the armor itself. Fisher manages to heft the armor more easily than Grey or Fredericks, and he runs quickly to Grey. Grey doesn't wait. He shoves the armor onto Dzor's back, even as the bug roars ferociously at him.

Dzor starts to snarl, "HOOMIN! GIT CLARR...!" when Fisher slides in under his arms, shoving the armor piece in place. The two armor halves interlock automatically, and the marines don't wait for something to happen. Both Grey and Fisher pull their signal flares and ignite them. The red flame pouring red smoke burns at several hundred degrees even in vacuum. They're also a big no-no in the ship because of how much oxygen they can use. Chief Grey will write himself up and file his own Captain's Mast if they survive and escape this nightmare. Both marines jam their flares into the bug's shoulders, and it shrieks in agony and rage as it recoils blindingly quickly. Just as it turns to shred Grey and Fisher to pieces, a shotgun blast stumbles it. Then another. And another. Spaceman Long, wobbly in the knees and pale in the face, manages to march forward, cycling round after round through a shotgun she must've found.

Moments later, burst fire from a hybrid rifle joins her as Tachibana marches in. The bug tries to shield itself from the pain, but it regenerates too quickly. Once it realizes the weapons are essentially ineffective, pain will no longer deter it.

But, two more marines join in; Mina and Rena Coulson. They're supposed to be with the Cave Queen, meaning she must be finished. Otherwise, Grey will kick their butts later. The combined gunfire is keeping the mega-bug disoriented. Soon, even more marines join them, including HM1 Brown, Moody –who was captured early on-, Marvoni, French, Pratt, and others from other teams.

The bug finally roars, ignoring the hailstorm of bullets whittling away its flesh only superficially, as it heals just as quickly. Grey is wondering how Dzor intends to kill it.

All that matters now is the deep, foreboding growl that rumbles behind the marines. Grey looks. A new fire is lit in the eyes of an already stronger-looking Dzor. His wounds continue to close, and his body seems to be relaxing some, if only to allow greater mobility. Where once-unhideable pain stained even the mighty and fearless croc's face, now only anger and confidence remain. Grey is truly thankful he is not the current object of that anger.

Grey yells, "Move!" as he pulls Long out of the way. The marines scatter as a ferocious roar bellows from Dzor, and a similarly wicked wail emanates from the bug. The two titans charge each other, and this time, Dzor hits the bug with a brutal hit that tumbles it.

Grey looks for Little Bird in the brief moment he can. She's helping marines carry magazines to encamped marines keeping the surviving roaches suppressed in cover. For once since this all started, it seems the marines have equal footing. And, he leaves Little Bird be. Carrying magazines through cover and away from the two heavies duking it out is about as safe as she can get today.

Grey pats Long's shoulder and says, "Keep your head down! I'm getting a weapon. Tachi! Don't let that thing overtake him!"

Tachibana retorts, "Agreed! Hold for openings, Marines! Do NOT hit friendly!"

"Aye Chief!"

Grey jogs for a weapon, limping each time his weight hits his knee. He'll chalk this one up to getting old. He never did expect to hit civilian retirement age. Little Bird meets him on her round, offering him two rifle magazings, "Mags, Cheep?"

Grey scoffs, "Chief. And I don't have a rifle. Take those to Cartwright over there." The grizzled marine points to a first class firing his rifle from a makeshift plate shield, which absorbs alien blasts like static sparks. He's using it to cover marines evacuating fallen marines. Grey has worked with Cartwright in the past. And, more importantly, he's further away from Dzor and mega-bug.

Grey then digs another treasure out of the stockpile; a Grodrrn sword. He clips it to his belt and picks up two Grodrrn rifles. He straps one across his back and readies to use the other. He then charges back towards the fight. Long is staying close to Tachibana, and the marines are firing bursts when the two titans separate.

Maybe no one else notices it, but Dzor is hesitating until the bug looks at any human. The moment its attention leaves him, the big croc lunges in and slams it with a brutal hit.

He's cooperating.

Grey tries to get close, calling, "Yarjen! How do we kill it!?"

Dzor stays focused on the bug. But, he grunts out an answer, "SORVEEV!"

Grey's not sure he understands. Remembering the sword and rifle, though, he says, "Sword or gun, Yarjen! Take your pick!"

He grunts, avoiding a pounce from the bug. He snorts, "Swo-ord!" Grey unclips the sword, taking a breather quickly. He watches Dzor's right hand, waiting for an opening. He just needs to put a sword in a hand. Not even a sword. Just the hilt. Plan small, one call. Ready, GO!

Grey pushes through his own pain, sprinting in close. He narrowly ducks between the two, meeting Dzor's broad right hand as the Jardzen comes to a stop from a hit that stumbled mega-bug. Grey shoves the sword hilt into Dzor's palm on the run, ducking out of the way.

A growl rumbles from Dzor, but it's not a particularly angry-sounding growl. In fact, it sounds almost amused. The tell-tale crackle of the sword igniting snaps the air, and marines cheer, "KILL HIM JOR!" "Take him down Yarjen!"

Grey's leg gives out, and he tumbles to the floor just shy of the crates he was attempting to gain cover behind. Long is by his side almost instantly, asking, "Chief!? Are you okay!?"

Grey grunts, "Crazy. You?"

She scoffs nervously, retorting, "Not funny."

"Eyes out, Marine. We're not done yet." She glances at them, then quickly pulls Grey into cover. She helps him sit up and draw the rifle, so he can fight if need be.

Dzor suddenly roars in a more agonized rage, recoiling. The bug just managed to sever his left hand. It'll regrow as long as he's wearing the regenerator, but it took Khla's hands about an hour to get to about ¾ of normal size with a regenerator –with no other injuries-. Dzor manages to still swing his sword, but the new pain is addling his movements.

Grey strains to get to where he can lay across the crate and aim. Dzor is back on the defensive, and he's the only one who can hold this thing at bay.

***