Connelly looked ahead. The Europhids had closed in from either side, sealing off a ten foot swath, cutting them off from the exit. A heart palpitation echoed in her chest. They were trapped.

"Don't stop, Robert." Connelly felt a measure of reassurance from Willard's voice. He was calm and in control. "These things are like Jell-O and the stingers can't pierce your suit."

Robert listened. He was still moving; vaulting towards the wall of Europhids.

"Ever notice how they kind of look like bowling pins?" Willard asked. Connelly didn't look, but she could see the smile on Willard's face. "Be the ball, Robert. Be the ball."

Connelly almost laughed through her anxiety as she watched Robert launch himself forward, plowing through the wall of Europhids. The small red bodies ripped away, exploded or simply mashed onto the cave floor. Willard dragged Connelly by the arm. She was trying to move fast, but her anxiety was telling her body to lie down.

Do nothing.

Give up.

Without Robert and Willard, she'd have been dead already.

After clearing the destroyed wall of Europhids, they entered the cave system. Connelly gave a quick glance back and immediately wished she hadn't. No more than fifty feet away was a tidal wave of ravenous alien creatures. Some were launching themselves through the air. Others were scurrying along the cave floor, across direct routes opened up by the Europhids.

The next stage of the anxiety attack hit her with a suddenness that took her breath away. Her chest tightened and her throat and nose swelled. She was still able to breath enough air, she'd learned that long ago, but it certainly did not feel that way. The effect mimicked an asthma attack. The physical changes were minimal, but the mind believed they were real. Connelly began taking deep breaths in an effort to ease the discomfort.

The cave system glowed under the light of their headlamps, but Connelly quickly wished they couldn't see anything. Scurrying shadows skimmed across the floor, moving to meet them, no matter which of the cave systems they decided to flee through.

Willard's voice continued to be calm. "These things can't get through the suits. If you're attacked, just keep moving. I'll keep them off."

Willard moved to a nearby tunnel that was free of the approaching shadows. Robert entered the tunnel without a word and kept moving. Connelly knew he must be petrified, but was acting brave. She reached the tunnel and paused at the top. "Ethan, this goes down. We need to go up!"

"Boss, this is the right way. You need to trust me."

"Ethan…"

"I haven't been wrong yet."

One of the creatures slammed into the side of Willard's face mask and clamped on. Willard hit the floor. "Go, Connelly! Go now!"