Predator If It Bleeds 5

"We're done," she said. "Let's go."

As Halley approached the door, her suit warned her of movement on the other side. She glanced around the room and saw no other means of exit. She caught Shearman's eye. Nodded. Signaled to Rosartz. Rosartz dropped the cube into a big pocket in her suit and aimed her palmtop at the door.

"As soon as it starts opening," Halley said. "Micro-dot.Fill the corridor and blast it to shreds. On three."

She started the countdown. As the seconds ticked down, she frowned. The movement looked odd. Too small. Reaching one, Rosartz signaled the door to open.

"Wait!" Halley said.

"Thank God-" a new voice said.

Shearman fired. A score of micro-dot munitions powered through the growing gap between door and frame, and Halley had a split second to see the woman standing beyond. Her white suit was grubby and stained with smears of dried blood. Her face was pale and drawn, as if she hadn't eaten or slept in days. On her collar, the familiar Company symbol. Her eyes were wide with a terrible forlorn hope. The munitions exploded and tore the woman apart.

As the door was blown all the way open, the ceiling behind Halley smashed down and a heavy shape dropped to the floor. She fell forward and rolled, coming up and bringing her rifle to bear. The Yautja was already on its feet, heavy hand piercing Rosartz's stomach, holding her up in mid-air, blood dripping as her suit failed and peeled back. She was convulsing, com- rifle shaking in her right hand as she attempted to bring it to bear.

Shearman swung around, eyes wide in realization of what he'd done. The Yautja threw Rosartz's ruptured body at the tall marine, pivoting on one leg as it did so, a movement almost balletic in its grace and simplicity. It spun around and brought its other leg up, catching Shearman in the stomach and dropping him. Rosartz fell on top of him. -pg.31-32 chpt.1

His suit had hardened and was already applying med-packs to the wound, but Halley could see coils of what should have been inside poking out.-pg.33 chpt.1