But he barely had enough time to take in his surroundings-a fluorescent-lit machine room. filled with vertical pipes and cables, leading down to the reactor chamber a few floors below-before the alien was roaring and hammering at the door. "And the warship?"

"Down for the count."

Byrne drew his M6 pistol from a holster in the side of his assault vest. His bicep was torn and burned. He would have to fire off-handed. "No wonder he's so pissed." Just then, the data-center door slid open—its two halves pushed apart by the blades of the alien's spike rifle. The creature worked
its weapon back and forth, widening the gap until there was enough room for it to jam in its paws and pry the door apart.