[This isn't exactly what he's been used to, but at least he feels like he's doing something. In their brief interlude, he's checking his own weaponry, as though re-familiarizing himself with it. While Ignis is a good aim with daggers and knives (and may have tucked some rather gnarly-but-still-sharp rusty kitchen knives in his boots and vest just-in-case), he'd largely left firearms alone, aside from the mandatory basic familiarity for Crownsguard recruits.

Still, he knows enough to get things done.

A short hum from behind his mask, and he's already glancing back to the stairway. When he speaks, it's equally quiet. (If it were possible, he would have preferred the complete silent that came from communicating via the neural implants, but that would be far too dangerous.)]

I believe pelting them would still qualify as a surprise, to them. The doorway is a good barrier to keep them from spreading out, as well. Make shots as soon as they appear.