Gary nodded. "We got to buy us some time. We have to get a thing or two figured out. As it is, we're caught flatfooted.”
"What if they find a way of getting at us, even in the ship.”
Gary shrugged. "That's a chance we take.”
The Hellhounds separated, spreading out to left and right, angling out to come at the ship from two directions.
"You better get into the lock," said Gary. "Grab hold of the closing lever and be ready. When I come, I may have to move fast. There's no telling what these gents are fixing to uncork.”
But even as he spoke, the two reptiles charged, angling in at a burst of speed that almost made them blur, a whirlwind of dust spiraling up behind them.
"In we go!" yelled Gary.
He heard Caroline's feet beating a tattoo on the steps.
For a split second he stood there, still facing the charging Hellhounds, then whirled and leaped up the steps, catapulting himself into the lock. He saw Caroline swinging the lever down. The ladder ran up into its seat and the lock slammed home. Through its closing edge he caught sight of the beasts as they swung about in a skidding turn, cheated of their kill.
Gary wiped his forehead. "Close thing," he said. "We almost waited too long. I had no idea they could move that fast.”