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“What’s the game plan?” Myrell asked. “Do we let security handle it?”

“Do I get to use the flamethrower now?” Phen chimed in.

“Phen, we don’t even know what we are dealing with,” Lex said.

“Maybe we should let the heads know,” Sheek suggested. “Return early until we know what’s going on.”

Myrell snorted. “Yeah, right. They expect us to deal with these situations.”

“I say we hang out and let security do their thing until it’s taken care of,” said Lex.

“I second this,” said Tom.

Dani turned back to them. “I’ll talk to security. We’ll take a short break while I do. I’m sure…I’m sure they can figure something out.”

As they took their moment to relax, Dani went in search of the security team.

She started with the ones nearest the ship. The one with the X on his helmet introduced himself as Saul, a slightly older man with a greying beard. He seemed to be the leader of the group. While the one who had stayed behind with him—with the black star on his helmet—was Tristan. A heavier set man, judging by the fit of his suit, with a scarred lip and striking gray eyes.

“The ship is clean,” Saul assured. “But we’re still checking the outside. Seems there’s a few nasty things lurking. What did you say this thing looked like again?”

She repeated to him what she had seen. Saul glanced at Tristan before moving back to the ship entrance.

“We have some traps in storage and a few MR-83’s—special blasters,” he said. “Tristan, get Ryatt and Garret. We’ll switch out and start setting up.”

Dani followed them back inside. She drank some water and took a moment with the others, assuring them again about what she’d seen.

“Did you notice anything else about it?” Lex asked.

“Was it one of those Reacher Bugs?” Tom asked. “They grab you from the vents, they say.”

Dani shook her head. She didn’t want to scare the others, even if the thing looked like something out of a nightmare. “I didn’t get a great look at it. It was just big and didn’t look friendly.”

“It didn’t attack you though?” Lex asked.

“No. Not exactly. But it reached for me.”

“That sounds like a Reacher—” Tom started again.

“It wasn’t.”

Saul and his team came back through to the dock entrance, this time carrying a different sort of gun—puffs of what looked like steam flowed from the ends. Garret and Ryatt also carried two large packs and a couple of wiry nets. They each nodded their way, Garret slowing to look directly at her.

“We’ll take care of it, don’t worry,” he said before joining the others.

She watched the door close behind them, then checked her watch. Still several hours before daybreak. They had time, but they needed to get back out there soon. She checked her garometer again. The levels were still all over the place.

They sat in silence for a moment until Myrell shot up. “I’m going to check the control room. There’s a camera system in there, so we can see what’s going on outside.”

“Ooh, I’ll join you.” Tom stood.

Everyone else got up.

“Wait.” Dani rose with them. “We need to stay together.”

“That’s why we’ll all go to the control room.” Myrell pointed.

“I want to see too,” said Phen. “Maybe one of them will get eaten.”