The others followed behind him, joining him in the race. One of the Dread clones must have noticed them, because a plasma bolt burned past his head a moment later, followed by two more. Then the return volleys began, Soon and Ehri returning fire, disrupting the attack and giving him a chance to reach cover. They crouched behind it, the Dread offensive now split between them and the scavengers. "I think I hit one," Soon said, pressed against the car beside him. "We can't stay here," Ehri said. "Move." She grabbed Donovan's arm, pulling him away from the car. Why? They would die as soon as they left cover. Soon and Iwu followed them without question. Bolts cut the air around them, and then a heavy stream of burning energy blasted into the car, the Dread fighter streaking past as it finished its run, leaving the wreck in smoldering slag. Donovan looked back to the clones. One fell. Then another. To his left, the scavengers were breaking cover, going on the offensive. "They're rallying," he said, stopping his retreat.
