Predator If It Bleeds 33

"Ghost! The ghost." The young man flicked his eyes over Zuri's shoulder. She didn't hesitate. Whirling with speed, Zuri opened fire on what looked like thin air. It would've been foolish if half her shots hadn't rebounded off of what looked like a shift in reality. The ghost advanced and a large blade pierced Zuri through the middle. She screamed, still firing and fighting a creature she couldn't quite see.-pg.167 chapter 6

Captain Ahmed stopped when he saw Vito pinned to the wall. He knew it was a trap. Instead, he aimed his weapon, looking for the blurred air, and switched his comms to crew only, cutting Gunnar from the conversation.The air blurred. Gunnar shouted something. The blurred air became a creature of whispered legend. Ahmed went cold with fear and determination. As soon as he got a good aim on it, he fired. It was too late. The blast rebounded off the creature's shield. At the same time, the Predator sliced Gunnar from groin to sternum. Ahmed fired again as the Predator stabbed Vito in the side and pulled his own projectile weapon.

The ship rocked as it fired, causing the curved metal blade to miss. Ahmed turned and ran. His mind moved faster than he did in the EVA suit. He knew he couldn't outrun the creature-his old mentor had whispered of these hunters when he was in his cups.

"If you run into one, run and don't look back. Don't try to save anyone if you want to save yourself. Run, Tariq. It's all you can do."

He had to outthink it. The booby-trapped body was his only salvation. He unspooled the grappling hook from his belt. It was usually used to hook onto the outside of a space vessel. Now, it would either save his life or be part of his death. He bared his teeth in a fierce grin. He would fight for second of every life as he always had.

Ten meters away from the body, Ahmed waited in the open. If he was right, the Predator would reveal himself as he came in for the kill. The explosive under the dead man's body might be enough to hurt the monster and allow him and the rest of his crew to escape. He held the grappling cord in one
hand and his blaster in the other. The Predator came, snarling. Ahmed yanked the cord attached to the tripwire and prayed the explosion would kill the monster. He prayed in vain.-pg.172-173 chpt.6