Janet quickly found the emergency manual release levers and began stripping off the immobile suits from her companions.

“Bet you always dreamed of doing this, eh?” said Doug cheekily as she removed his breastplate and lower torso shield.

“That’s enough, Marine,” Chris replied sharply. “We need to stay professional here. These Zruthy weapons are obviously designed to overload and shut down any electronically-controlled devices. They must be fatal when used against each other.”

“Fortunately, we’re not so vulnerable,” Harrison said.

“We would have been, had Janet not acted as she did,” Chris stated flatly. “As it is, we may still be alive, but without our suits we are nearly useless. As Janet is the only member of the team with a functioning suit, she will be responsible for communicating with the ship and with our microcams. Meanwhile, I want the rest of you to pick up the remaining Zruthy weapons.”

“They’re freaking heavy!” one of the Marines complained as he struggled to pick one up.

“Well, this is a chance to show off all those muscles you are so proud of,” Chris said.