Alec had to look away as the thing focused its... exhaust on them. The heat was incredible, even this far away. Risk was worth it, though. He'd managed to grab the woman and haul her through the hatch, before stepping halfway back through to hear the guard's reply, straddling the threshold. "I can't, my squaddies are still in there!"<br/><br/><em>Yeah, and we were doing so well against that thing when it was six-on-one. Now we're down three and it's barely slowed up.</em><br/><br/>He sighed, recognising full well the loyalty that rooted her. He'd dealt with it most of his adult life. Often, it was the source of astounding acts of bravery and heroism, but other times - like now - the cause of boneheaded stupidity. The other male reached forward and grabbed the guard.<br/><br/>Alec leaned out, too, and grabbed the nearest shoulder strap on her ballistic vest. "He's got a point," he grunted, heaving the woman towards the hatch. "Don't even<strong>think </strong>about arguing, soldier," he added, in his second-best parade ground bark.