The common slang for what a load of 12-gauge buckshot does to a person at contact range, before the buck has time to spread, is 'rat-holing'. In such a case, the buck hits with the same density as a slug would and plows straight through, but it's not as coherent as a slug so at the edges the mass starts to spread a little.<br/><br/>But it usually looks like something chewed right through the target. In one side and out the other.<br/><br/>That isn't what happens this time. Fortunately for Warner, he's wearing what might be the best body armor ever made, and Rez drops her aim slightly by reflex as he steps forward, punching center mass instead of using his helmet as a shot-bowl. Unfortunately, since she pulls the trigger as she's shifting point of aim, this doesn't put it all into the plate like it would if she paused to deliberately aim at his heart.<br/><br/>But even if it had, it's like being hit with a sledgehammer right below the collarbones. Not something most people will take without a fall. Those members of the ring of bikers who'd moved somewhat behind Warner flinch away, and they all keep low.<br/><br/>"Next one," Rez says, her voice sounding very far away indeed in the ringing wake of the shotgun blast, "...goes in yer head."<br/><br/>"Deal's off. Walk, crawl or die." She points vaguely with the hand not holding the sawn-off.<br/><br/>She points in the direction of the Hold.<br/><br/>Not back at the MRAP.