"Oh, sure," said Ed bitterly.
The intrepid spacemen sat sadly down on a big stone and gazed up at the night sky.
"Funny constellations," proclaimed Ed angrily.
"Look there," said Archie, pointing. "Northern lights."
"Northern lights, hell!" cried Ed. "They don't move like that. It's something behind that hill—and it's coming!" He placed the steel tube to his shoulder. "I'll take ten of 'em with me," he grated.
A luminescent purple sphere appeared atop the hill.
"It's the marines!" shouted Archie, knocking down the barrel of Ed's gun. "Smell? I can smell it from here—hot metal! It's Melancholy, come to rescue us!"
"Or to eat us! I'll take care of him!"
"You fool! Give me that!" The two men grappled for possession of the gun. The purple sphere stopped and watched them sadly. Finally Archie obtained the weapon and angrily tore it apart. He threw the parts as far as he could, then turned furiously on Ed.