What was the glowing figure? Was it friendly. He did not know, did not dare to guess. Perhaps it was seeking them, perhaps it recognized food in them. Perhaps it was some form of electrical energy, perhaps it resembled jelly, like the blobs that existed on Callisto that were so avid for human flesh.
Andy held the sights of the heat gun on it, waited. He did not know whether the gun would affect it.
The girl was breathing in long, slow pants, like she was holding her breath.
It came nearer, shining like a gigantic fire-fly except that the glow was pale blue instead of golden. It was within twenty feet of them.
"Shoot!" Frieda whimpered. "Shoot, quickly...."
He started to squeeze the trigger.
"Boss," a familiar but unhappy voice spoke. "Something is wrong with me. I shine."
"Oscar!" Andy shouted dropping his gun. "You imp! Where in hell have you been?"
The glowing spot bounded forward, leaped into Andy's arms.
"Do something for me, Boss. I shine and I don't like it."