Riza was too well-trained for the creature's pleas to have any effect on her. Hughes had died because he hadn't been able to shoot the creature that looked like his wife; she would not make that mistake.

"I won't let you recreate your work here," she said. Her gun ran out of ammunition; she pulled another clip out of her pocket and replaced it with brutal efficiency, firing again within moments. "It'll be easier for us both if you just die already."

She could hear the deathless children coming closer, drawn by the sounds of her gunfire, but she didn't let that stop her. The homunculus couldn't control them, and if she was lucky, they might even attack it and save her some trouble. Getting away again would be difficult, but stopping the homunculus was more important than her own life.

I'm sorry, Colonel. I might have to disobey you.