20/398

The cover art of a vintage sci-fi periodical features an astronaut, suited up and peering through a circular viewport. He gazes at a celestial panorama of planets and stars as his luminous weapon is trained on a distinctly purple entity.

♫ His Countenance Like Lightning ♫

20/398

LogoSwitch language

 
I enter the corridor. This is the last one that hasn’t been sterilized yet, according to the display on my hardsuit sleeve—soon these wretched Kxax will be history on my ship! I grip my zapper tighter, scanning the shadows in the corners of the hall. A sharp pain stabs into my left ankle. A Kxax stinger has punctured the hardsuit. I take aim. The searing blast doesn’t just shred the attacker, but takes half of my left leg along with it—yet the alien secretion is faster: The diabolical poison of the Kxax has already reached my heart. I knew the risk; I know they’ll hail me as a hero. It’s just a shame I won’t be around to reap the rewards.