The thing moved toward them.
It dropped low for half a second, limbs digging into the ground as if bracing. Then it exploded forward, covering ground in a straight line, faster than anything they had seen so far.
"Contact! Fast mover!" Ethan shouted.
"Pull up!" Ryan snapped.
The pilot reacted immediately, pitching the Black Hawk upward, trying to gain altitude.
It didn't matter.
The creature adjusted mid-run, its body compressing, then launching.
It hit the air.
Not a jump like a person.
A full extension of all four limbs, driving its entire frame upward with force.
"Brace—!"
It slammed into the helicopter.
A heavy impact hit the side.
The aircraft jolted hard, the sudden weight dragging one side down.
"Left skid! Left skid!" the pilot shouted.
The creature had latched onto the landing skid, its limbs wrapped tight, claws digging into metal. Its body hung just below the frame, muscles locked as it held on despite the forward speed and rotor wash.
