Of course, there's also the opening act of horror movies, where some poor asshole dies before the title even drops to establish the power of the monster. It's not until the eyes open that Wash realizes that, in this situation, he may well be that poor asshole.

Well. He's survived worse.

"And we were having such a nice conversation."

He charges the elephant and goes low, hoping to either take out its legs or go beneath it entirely. He doesn't have to defeat all of the Nox; he just has to clear a path and get away.