With a grim exultation pounding in his temples, Ward hurled a pellet of U-235 directly into their midst. The thunderous reverberations of the explosion rocked the ground under his feet. A terrific blast of air that dwarfed the raging turbulence of the monsoon roared about his head.
He staggered back, almost falling.
When he could see again, he made out a great hole in the ranks of the things moving toward him.
His laugh was a wild cry in the fury of the night.
"Damn you!" he shouted.
His arm whipped back and the second pellet crashed into the serried ranks of the deadly rasping creatures.
Something grasped his ankle as the second pellet exploded. He fell backward, striking the ground hard. A hand grabbed his and then, miraculously, incredibly, Halliday was pulling him to his feet, jerking him toward the building.
They stumbled through the door together. Ward fell to the floor as Halliday wheeled and slammed the door, throwing the automatic bolts with the same motion.
Halliday knelt beside Ward.