As the last syllable escaped Jonah's lips a sudden crackle of energy sparked in the cool night air. Roland's body quaked-a violent, sudden spasm erupting from his torso and pulsing through his limbs in a series of aftershocks―then he seized as the muscles along his spinal column clinched and froze. Jonah sprang back, instinctively taking up a defensive stance-pistol instantly off his hip and in firing position, the events before him slowing to a crawl.
For less than a second Roland stood perfectly upright and motionless before his body jerked with another forceful, involuntary start as the dual-pronged tips of a Covenant energy sword pierced his chest, sliding through his body and armor like wet paper. Jonah's eye caught on the flicker of the blade's plasma sizzling red with blood-the weapon's dual blades protruded farther from his partner's chest.
Shaking himself from his daze, Jonah unloaded his Magnum's clip just over Roland's shoulders.
