Hajin landed beside the northern furrow while Kenny's body folded against the broken command socket behind him.
The six spear carriers lowered their weapons toward his back, trying to reach the wounded before he could turn.
Aegis opened from the two Rings around his right forearm, curving over all seven survivors as the first volley struck.
Spearheads stopped against the barrier, leaving their shafts bent while the carriers stumbled away from the reflected force.
Hajin could cross the remaining distance before they recovered, putting Dreth within reach after one more step.
Ressa's shield shifted behind him when the worker beneath it convulsed, spilling fresh blood through the split near his leg.
Dreth pulled his spear from Kenny instead of raising it toward Hajin, then motioned the nearby file toward the pass.
"First and third files withdraw to the shoulder," he ordered, stepping behind the portable mantlet, "carry the firing controls, leave the broken socket."
