Her eyes came up as, flickering, the beam struck the metal wall beside her. Face stiffening, she cried out in swift panic; flung herself down bodily behind an angling ridge.
The beam whipped back, still reaching for her. Everywhere, the Kel had stopped their shuttling and shifting. I stood alone, apparently forgotten.
And there, not a dozen feet away, was the beam's control-knob.
I made for it in one mad rush, not even stopping to think lest some Kel telepathic sense should doom me.
For a split second, nothing happened.
Then, out of nowhere, a shrill keening sound hammered at my eardrums. The alien directing the cone of radiance changed shape and darkened to a splotchy purple as he came round, trying to meet me.
Feet first, I plowed into him.
Like lightning, tentacles whipped up to ensnare me. Tissue slapped across my face in a smothering plaster.
But this time I too had my strategy. Wasting no time or energy on the monster's embrace, I hurled myself sidewise.
The Kel tore loose from his anchorage on the metal wall. For an instant he swung in mid-air, unsupported save by his contact with my body.