The room was empty, then ... empty save for dead Vydys and her guard, and Zenaor, and Narla, and Craig Nesom.
And the ourobos.
Coolly, Zenaor stood his ground beside the cubicle. Ourobos swept in close about his feet, then eddied back. They would not touch him.
He laughed; gestured. "You see, alien? The tanagree oil is in my veins; they will not touch me. But you...." He laughed again.
Craig said, "Much good may it do you, Zenaor. A corpse is a corpse, even if the worms won't eat it."
He raised the fire-gun.
Zenaor's laughter died. He half-turned. "Wait, Earthman—"
He whipped up his own weapon.
Craig fired.
Zenaor died.