There was another monster waiting for him when he came out—a creature that looked for all the world like a huge, iridescent coffin whose lid came up to bare rows of razor-edged shark-teeth.
Raw-nerved, he blasted it to atoms; then, belly churning, waded through stench and putrescent fragments towards the tech quarters where Eileen lay.
As he did so, the ship rocked sharply.
For an instant Boone went rigid, then cursed aloud. That jolt—it could have been only the impact of the carriers' departure.
Now, truly, he was alone—alone in the void on a sphere of death, where nightmare monsters roamed lusting for his blood.
Alone with Eileen, perhaps. If she were still alive.
If....
He quickened his pace, moving along the corridor cold-eyed and wary, his finger taut on the blaster's trigger.
The last door to the right. A card that said, "Miss Rey."
Palm slick with sweat, Boone tried the handle.