While the cherry candy bug might be motivated to get away, Torin’s need for answers drove her to close the distance before the odds changed in the bug’s favor. She could hear boots pounding close behind her—Mashona and the di’Taykan; the Krai couldn’t keep up on the flat and the other two Humans were still shaking off the effects of the current. They raced through a series of switchbacks where Torin’s smaller turning radius allowed to her gain a little ground. When they reached another t-junction and the bug started left, hesitated, and then turned right, she dove forward and got her arms around the abdomen, using momentum to bring them both crashing to the ground. Torin wasn’t too concerned about injury, not to herself or the bug—they were both considerably tougher than they looked—she just wanted to slow it down long enough for backup to arrive. “Gunny!” “Haul ass, Mashona!” She used her elbow to block one of the under arms, claw bouncing painfully off bone, and twisted away from the other.
