"Absidy!" Ellison shouted.

"No!" Mase's cry ended when he threw himself against the door again and again. "Captain, open the entryway door right now!"

I wanted to call out to them, but I couldn't breathe let alone move. The Saelis's green-rimmed eyes locked onto mine. It heaved a low guttural growl that blew putrid breath into my face. It reared back with two of its arms, and I rolled out from underneath it before it plunged them into my skull.

The ship's ...