Check Ammunition:
That was another rule. One that had nearly gotten Isabelle killed. They were in the middle of a firefight between predators. Royce was drawing its fire so Isabelle could take the kill shot. She slipped around the trees, pinpointing the predators' location. She moved with gentle stealth, behind the predator. She set herself up for shot and pulled the trigger.
Click.
The predator turned around.
"Oh shit." Isabelle whispered.
The predator lunged for Isabelle. It swung the blades down for Isabelle. Isabelle held her rifle up for protection. The blades shattered her scope, but her rifle remained intact but only just. The predator starred down at Isabelle, its strength far superior to hers. Isabelle cringed as she tried to hold her rifle up. Her arms starting shaking, giving in to the strength of the predator. The gun on the predators shoulder adjusted. She watched the scope zero in on her head.
Isabelle's rifle broke in half, sending her onto her back just as the predator fired. The plasma blast scorched the ground above her head. The halves of her rifles fell from her grasp and vanished into the forest floor. Isabelle sat up, slowly crawling from the predator.
The targeting reengaged, zeroing on Isabelle once more. She had no time to reach for her secondary weapon. The one mistake she made was about to cost Isabelle her life. She closed her eyes, waiting for the kill.
Suddenly the predator cried out in pain. Isabelle felt something wet fall onto her face. She opened her eyes. The predator stood with its back arched. A staff protruded from its chest, coated in its blood. It fell to the ground, lying on its side, dead.
Isabelle looked where the predator once stood. Royce stood in front of her, breathing heavily. He looked down at her and reached out his hand. Isabelle took his hand and rose to her feet.
"You alright?" Royce asked.
Isabelle nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."
"Next time, check your ammo." Royce said.
"I don't think that'll be a problem." Isabelle replied. She looked at one half of her destroyed weapon.
Royce bent down by the predator and pulled the spear from its body. He closed it up and passed it to Isabelle. "This'll have to do for the time being. I'm sure Noland had more weapons stashed somewhere."
Isabelle nodded. At least Royce had her back today.
Short, but not as short.