Moving slowly, Willard placed the creature on the cave floor, planted his foot on top of it, and pulled the pick from its back. A blackish liquid chugged from the wound, pooling around the small body. Willard returned his eyes to the nest wall. Every one of the creatures had stopped moving. He could barely see them on the wall, but he knew they were there.

Willard was thankful that he didn't have to speak to Robert or Connelly to get them moving. They both turned tail and started running for the far wall. Three more of the creatures jumped out and began to pursue. "Keep running," he said. "I'll be right behind you."

Willard glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were listening. They were. Willard turned back in time to deflect a launched alien. The second attacked with its fangs, shooting them out on the ends of two long tendrils. He wasn't sure if they could pierce the PMS, but didn't feel like finding out. He jumped to the side dodging the attack.

The third creature appeared at his feet. Without thought, he lifted up his foot and brought it down with a crushing force. Whatever bone or internal structure the creature possessed was pulverized by the force of the blow. Its legs twitched madly before it died. The other two creatures pressed the attack again.

Moving quickly, Willard struck out at one of the creatures and severed one of its four legs. It squealed as it ran in circles, oozing black liquid. The last of the three leapt at Willard's head, shooting out its dart-like tendrils. Willard leaned back, avoiding the attack while at the same time reaching up and catching the beast by the ribs. He cupped the creature in one arm, spun around to gain momentum and let it fly like an Olympic discus thrower. The creature flew away from him in the low gravity.

Willard's heart hammered like an eight cylinder engine, coursing adrenaline-laden blood to his muscles. He was ready for more. Looking down, prepared for another attack, he found the creature with the severed limb lying at his feet, dead. They were done.

Willard turned to chase after Connelly and Robert, but before leaving chanced a glance back at the nest wall. He could clearly see the thousands of creatures again. They were streaming down the wall like a water fall. After reaching the floor, they leapt forward in packs, giving chase.

He still felt ready for more…but not this much more. Willard turned and ran as fast as he could, knowing that outrunning these creatures, which were adapted to traveling in low gravity would be all but impossible for the three slow moving, clumsy humans. His only hope was that the beast's best attacks couldn't damage the PMS's protective skin.

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