“I can’t shoot it. The prerequisite states I have to reach level twelve to use the cannon. I guess an Expert isn’t meant to operate heavy weapons.”

“We’ll get Nathan to do it, then.”

“I don’t know,” Lana said with a worried frown as she glanced at the silent, partially covered man. “I don’t think it's good for him; did you see how pale he was afterward?”

“I know,” Nori said grimly. “But if he’s the only one who can shoot …”

“You’re right, I know.” Lana sighed. “I just hope he comes out of it alright.”

“Approaching the enemy,” Nori spoke through the ship’s internal comms. “Everyone, get ready. The Warped are massed together, away from the shelter. We’re going to hover above them and use the cannon. The rest of you, open the hangar door and shoot down any strays. Keep an eye out for the flying ones. We have to be quick; we can’t allow them to attack the shelter en masse.”

The ship sped forward, the ground a blur below them on the main viewscreen. A small amusement park came into view ahead of them.

“Nori, look!” Lana exclaimed.

A group of at least a hundred monsters had amassed below the Ferris wheel. The smaller Warped were trying to scale the steel scaffolding, and the larger ones were banging and shaking its foundations.

“Up there,” Lana pointed at the top of the wheel. The picture zoomed in, revealing a dozen people in the highest chairs.

Despite the ship’s lousy sensors, they were close enough to see the people’s faces and Nori instantly recognized who they were. It was Martin and the guards she’d helped level up. They were shooting down at the climbing Warped. The ground below them was already littered by the remains of the lower level ones. But the larger beasts seemed to shrug off the blasts of even Martin’s powerful Disruptor.

“Nori, what are we going to do?” Lana asked. If we fire the cannon, we risk taking down the entire wheel.”

“We’re going to have to try,” Nori said.

Diamond, Bulco, and a few of the higher-level guards entered the bridge.

“Nori, what are we looking at?” The Engineer asked while the newcomers took in the alien looking bridge with awed expressions.

Nori pointed at the Ferris wheel. “That’s Martin and his crew. Looks like he’s pulling the same old trick again. They lured the entire Warped horde here, away from their shelter.“

Bulco shook his head. “We’ll have to try the cannon. Without it, they don’t stand a chance.” He walked to Nathan’s pod and put one meaty palm on his shoulder. “You can do it, kid. Try firing a single shot at the perimeter of the pack.”