Varangr heard the screams of surprise, the gunfire, and the boots pounding along the deck.

"What is that!" he blurted. "What's happening!"

"The spawners are coming," Sergeant Ledoyen grumbled. Clutching her wounded side, she raised her pistol.

"Oh, god!"

"We knew they'd come for us sooner or later."

"No, not them!" Varangr pointed at his scopes. "This!"

Grimacing in pain, Sergeant Ledoyen leaned over the back of ...