Swamped

"All right, new plan," you say, after some thought. "Pest control should have some peppershot reserves, right?"

"Hang on a second. You're not suggesting..."

"Fire capsules of it with the launcher. It doesn't have to be as precise as the net; I'll still want Grinnes to advise, but someone else with a good head on their shoulders can do the work. As for how it affects the battle, your masks will protect you, as will the Rider's, but the beast won't fare so well."

Especially if you quietly give Penelope some of the confiscated rustmoss to degrade Rider's mask. Purely as an emergency measure, you'll explain to her. You can trust her not to tell anyone you provided it; and of course, you'll stand up for her if there's any trouble.

"Could make him desperate. I'm not sure about this."

"I'd prefer the net, honestly. But we don't have many other options..."

WHACK!

You find yourself losing consciousness.

You're now Private Burgundy. Much as you wish you'd delivered that knockout blow to Sergeant Ash, the credit has to go to a sudden appearance by Captain Long.

"Peppershot!" the Captain says, shaking his head and taking back his staff. "Not on my watch."

"Captain! Are you resuming command then?"

"Not formally. But it wouldn't be proper to face Rider without this." He heads for the office's shutters. "Be sure to write up a full report on my actions, Burgundy. The officers really should know what sort of man is leading them."

"Where are you going?" you shout, but you already know the answer.

The damn fool's going to challenge Rider alone again. Did he forget what happened last time?

Well, it's too late to stop him. So what do you do now?