"That," declared Stiffy, "is just what I'm afraid of."
"You don't understand," insisted Meek. "He isn't hungry for us. He's starved for energy. Give him another shot from the gun."
Stiffy stared at the gun hanging in his hand.
"You're sure it wouldn't make him sore?" he asked.
"Gosh, no," said Meek. "That's what he wants. He soaks it up. Didn't you notice how the beam went right into him, without spattering or anything. And the way he sucked that power cable. He drained your ship of every drop of energy it had."
"He did what?" yelped Stiffy.
"He drained the ship of energy. That's what he lives on. That's why he chased you. He wanted you to keep on shooting."
Stiffy clapped a hand to his forehead.
"We're sunk for certain, now," he declared. "There might have been a chance to get back with just a few plates ripped off the ship. But with all the energy gone...."
"Hey, Stiffy," yelled Meek, "take a look at this."