As they did so, the movement surged out of the shadows—and now it was more than mere vapor.
A monster, it rose up—a weird, insectile monster! Great mandibles speared out, clacking and slashing.
A guard saw it, cried hoarsely and leaped back.
Too late. The thing was upon him. Claws ripped at his belly. A stinger-shaft pierced him.
Someone fired with a nerve-gun.
He died the monster's second victim.
Panic roared through the room, then. The guards trampled each other in their rush for the hatchway, Boone swayed off balance, deserted.
Only five in the room now: Lor, Eileen, Krobis, Boone—and the monster.
The thing swung towards Krobis.