PA32

Neo tapped his arm and ducked around the corner, Jaune in hot pursuit. His mouth went dry as they walked towards the guards. His heart hammered in his ears. Part of him had expected that they would go charging in, but Neo led him with a fast-paced walk, their footfalls quieter on the tiled floor. One of the guards turned to look at them, and even looked away after – before snapping back in alarm.

Neo dashed forward, Jaune stumbling after her.

"Sou-" was all the first guard managed to say, before Neo had delivered a punishing strike to his stomach that forced out not only his breath but also the words he'd wanted to shout. She left him behind, latching onto the second and pushing him against a wall. Jaune didn't pay attention, gingerly stepping behind the recovering guard and latching one arm around his throat. He used his other across the face, hand planted over the mouth.

The man recovered quickly from his shock, flailing left and right while trying to reach for his weapon. Jaune bore him to the floor, using his knees to block access to the holster on the side of the man's hip. It was still like trying to ride some wild animal, except that he bit and gnashed at Jaune's hand. His aura protected him from having his skin torn off, but did nothing for the gruesome sensation or the pain.

"Neo," he gasped, "help me out here!" She'd finished with her target and had already laid him on his side, but now stood before Jaune and the guard struggling on the floor.