Then the machine turned from Sprite and faced Helen. The dart continued to fire shot after shot, she too aiming at specific places in the armor, hoping to weaken joints and eventually have an impact.

The guardian advanced, repeating in his monotone, “Unhand my commander.” She ignored the command and only continued firing, staying as close to Scotty as possible. For his part, Scotty was more terrified than he had been all day, sweaty, shaking, eyes wide, now well beyond panic stricken horror.

Then from out of nowhere, Helen’s Dober pit leaped at the orbiter, going for its non-existent throat.