One thing one shouldn't do when one's arms are grabbed is squeeze off a round of the gun in hand. Particularly if one is walking to the rear of a small group. Unfortunately, that's what the Purifier Fred grabbed did.

The shot hit one of his comrade's legs. It hit the soft spot behind the knee and the Purifier went down with a pained, surprised curse. The other two Purifiers in the squad turned with guns raised to where the shot came from.

They found a grappled compatriot trying to escape from a mutant's grasp but slowly losing consciousness instead.