"They're back!"
"Who is it this time?!!"
"For fuck's sake, will this never end?!!"
Several figures fled frantically through the streets. Riley glanced back at the army of monsters behind them. The woman leading them had red hair and held a radio, while the one in uniform aboard the helicopter drew a bow and fired arrows.
Natasha and Barton. Great. S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't escaped either, Riley thought through gritted teeth. And they had advanced equipment—plus the brains to operate it.
"This can't go on!" Shang-Chi roared at him. "Our stamina will run out, and we're out of bullets. We need to shake them first!"
"They have planes and bombs!" Rocket Raccoon, held in Quill's arms, shouted. "Someone stays behind to cover the retreat, and the rest run!"
"That's not a good idea." Quill immediately covered Rocket Raccoon's mouth. "They've noticed what's different about us. They know we can't be infected by the madness. They won't let any of us go, and they have the advantage when it comes to splitting up."
Explosions boomed from behind them. Quill had to cover his mouth and nose to keep from choking on the smoke and dust, while Riley turned back and shouted, "You're right. We can't stop moving at high speed. They have snipers."
Shang-Chi gritted his teeth. He could feel that his dwindling qi was no longer enough to sustain such rapid running. He took a deep breath, looked at Riley, and said, "Buy me thirty seconds. I can get all of you out of here."
"What are you planning to do?"
"Set up a formation to trap them, but forming it takes time."
"Quill, you and Jessica cover the right flank. I'll take the left!"
They had no more time to hesitate, because everyone knew they could not keep running like this.