strike back

“ThisHuman and a few like it could mind-touch, but as a con­sequence of developing that capability it seemed they could no longer instinctively strike back at what they themselves had acquired.”

The False Mirror

“Either they had suffered so seriously from the nocturnal stampede of the lorqual that they were unable to mount a chase, or else they had decided that it was not worth hunting prisoners who could strike back without being seen.”

Fictionaut: The Cat is a Metaphor

“So furiously did they strike back that in places the coun­terattack was stopped cold, the attackers annihilated de­spite the advantage of surprise.”

The False Mirror

“His name was Sempayli, and he had come to my service from another kin-clan because he wanted to serve the Great Ones who would strike back at the intruders.”

Renegade's Magic

“He shuddered, his epidermal flaps fluttering weakly, imagining what it must be like to have to huddle helplessly beneath such horrific incoming fire, unable to strike back at your attacker, waiting impotently for orders or death.”

Running from the Deity

“Sigh-moving-Fast knew that if the target was truly Human, the biped's ill-understood neurological defense mechanism might strike back at the probe with paralyzing fury.”

The False Mirror

“If Burdick learned what Clayton was up to, particularly with the St Agnes case and the lease, he and his bitchy wife would strike back hard.”

Mistress of Justice