4
The Captain screamed, "NO!"
The ball of superheated gas from Bryce's rifle struck the alien in the shoulder, sending it smashing into the bulkhead. It slumped to the ground, clutching at its wound.
The alien's neighbor bounded over to it and crouched down, to render assistance, no doubt.
The leader and the remaining alien turned to see their stricken comrade, for a heartbeat apparently as stunned as Carlton was.
Then they roared, their lips drawing back to reveal their teeth. Turning back to the humans, they seemed to coil as they dropped into low stances and advanced.
Malcolm tackled Bryce, bearing him to the floor and pinning him there. Bryce's rifle went skidding away out of his reach.
Stephanie stood there, a shocked expression on her face.
James fumbled at the snap on his
