Ledanov closed his eyes as he heard the howl pierce through the air like a wave, it sent a shiver through his bones though he shrugged it off, this was no time to be anything but quick to act. As the muppets already began to react, Ledanov slung his rifle onto his back and pulled out his sidearm, quickly taking up position beside Cormack, raising his pistol ready to fire.
"We'll need to dispatch this quick, the gunshots are sure to attract any patrols or other wildlife around here. Pick a target and fire!"
After he spoke, the Marine quickly took aim at another Stalker, as Cormack already fired upon the apparent Alpha, and the Female used her rifle to fire upon more. Multiple shots exited the barrel of his pistol, aimed at multiple of the beasts.
The Stalkers at first eyed the group with a deep hunger in their cold black eyes, the clearing was quiet with the sounds of their growls as they spread themselves out in preparation for the attack upon what may be their meal of the day. Suddenly a loud crack of pistol fire sounded out, while it missed the larger Alpha who nimbly dodged the round by leaping to the side the bullet continued on and hit one of the stalkers behind it. The shot downed the Stalker with not even a yip as the bullet pierced it's skull and brain, causing an instant death to the pack-creature. Rip's Sniper Rifle held steady for the first shot which killed another Stalker which had started to charge after the first shot had been fired, the Stalker having leapt at Richard who hadn't fired his weapon as of yet before being blown back by the force of the high-powered Sniper Round going through it's chest.
The Stalker hit the ground near the edge of the clearing hard, tumbling for a second before rolling onto it's side, a low pitiful whine being let out before expiring. The next two shots however did not fare so well, the remaining Stalkers having caught on that the loud 'noises' meant the end of the pack and dodged the next two rounds with ease.
Seven Stalkers remained and closed in on the group as Ledanov's side-arm rung out in the crisp morning air, one round clipped a Stalker's leg, causing it to crash harshly into the dirt and tumbling for a moment before unsteadily getting back onto it's feet, it was now looking directly at Ledanov as if it knew it was his fault before it started to continue on towards him at a slower pace. The final rounds missed and the Alpha finally closed the distance, giving Richard a harsh bite on his weapons arm, shaking it's head rapidly from side to side as if trying to tear his arm clean off, two more Stalkers closed in on Rip's position, trying to avoid Ledanov and Jackson's weapons fire, this caused them to not quite reach her as they had to slow down so they could dodge the weapons-fire better.
Meanwhile three Stalkers closed in on Ledanov himself, trying to encircle the man so they could attack from all directions, if the man did not take swift action to deter them he could find himself encircled and having to fend from all sides and leave himself open to an attack from the Stalkers once his back was turned. The last wolf was running dead-speed towards Jackson in an almost reckless manner, not even bothering to dodge gunfire in it's quest for the man's throat.
After the third shot rang out from her rifle, Rip knew the wolves were too close for her rifle to be useful. Thankfully Rip had planned in advance for a situation like this one. She jumped to her feet and backed away a few paces, pressing a few buttons on the side of her rifle. With a click the barrel of the sniper fell away from the gun and landed with a loud thump on the floor.
Rip took a quick survey of the situation. Two stalkers were rapidly approaching. She acted fast. Gripping the now smaller rifle with both hands and resting the butt of the gun on her shoulder she pulled the trigger. With a kick the rifle fired once, then twice at her attackers. The gun was hard to hold steady in this form since the kick was greatly larger due to the smaller size.