I didn’t have time to reach it before they came after me.

“S*...” My brain was trying to decide whether to try and run, or fight, when two earsplitting gunshots came from my right.

The two critters, so tough when it came to destroying metal, folded like so much wet rag. I kicked their limp bodies with my foot. Another second and I’d have been dead.

“You’re getting slow, Ranger Forde.”

I almost groaned.

Jacey Manude, the red-headed new girl in town. At least amongst the colony rangers. Out to prove that she could outgun, outdrive and outmaneuver any man in her unit. Usually by dint of humliating them beyond belief. I’d left her to herself, keeping under her radar and letting her do her work. I had no complaints

“Careless,” I admitted. Checking around to make sure none of the creature’s friends were watching us. “Maybe I should retire.”

“Not yet,” she gave me the type of smile that gets a man’s thoughts going in the wrong direction. “I’m going to need you for a while.”