76 "So THAT'S how it protects itself in open
space," marveled Morn, "that's why it looked like a comet! The ice
protects from the heat and the cold." Inside the ball of ice, the
creature was taking on its ominous blue glow, but it didn't turn its
deadly beam on Morn or his companions. Instead it turned and began to
shine it on the wall.
77 "Commander!" screamed the Number Two, "That's the hull!"
78 "Get out of here!" screamed Morn. Dropping his shield he ran for the
hatch behind them with the Number Two and Number Three on his heels. He
was through first and stood at the controls. As soon as the others
cleared, he hit the "Emergency Close," Almost immediately there was a
loud 'POP' and the air around them began to rush towards the vacuum of
open space, through the quickly closing hatch.
79 The Number Two slipped, lost his footing, and began to be sucked
back towards the narrowing gap. Morn caught him just as his feet went
through, and using all his tremendous strength he managed to pull the
man clear, as the hatch slammed shut. At the same time, he was telling
his ship to warn the battleship the thing was coming out, and where.
80 Moments later the sound of the battleship weaponry opening fire
reached them, even through the hull, for its deadly beams were glazing
their shields, as they sought their target. Finally, the firing ceased.
"Computer,"
asked Morn, "did they get it?"
81 "Affirmative, sir," the computer answered, "it tried to hide behind
us, but the battleship's crew was too proficient for it. It has been
totally vaporized. There is only burned carbon left."
82 Morn breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't realized he was so tired.
Exhaustion was rapidly overtaking him, but he had things to do before
the luxury of sleep could