"Don't horse around," the captain said. "This fellow can get mean."
The alien brought two tiny arms out from the concealment of the mantle, clicked toothed pincers under Retief's nose.
"Quick, soft one."
"Captain, tell your friend to keep its distance. It looks brittle, and I'm tempted to test it."
"Don't start anything with Skaw; he can clip through steel with those snappers."
"Last chance," Retief said. Skaw stood poised, open pincers an inch from Retief's eyes.
"Show him your papers, you damned fool," the captain said hoarsely. "I got no control over Skaw."
The alien clicked both pincers with a sharp report, and in the same instant Retief half-turned to the left, leaned away from the alien and drove his right foot against the slender leg above the bulbous knee-joint. Skaw screeched and floundered, greenish fluid spattering from the burst joint.