The ladies led him over to the other door out of the office, which led into the backstage area of the theater, chatting about colors and fabrics. He reminded himself that he trusted Lois. And these ladies were their friends. How bad could it be?

The gun fired. Gwen felt herself pushed backwards and down to the dusty floor. Looking at her chest she saw that blood was beginning to stain her white blouse.

The gun fired. Gwen felt herself pushed backwards and down to the dusty floor. Looking at her chest she saw that blood was beginning to stain her white blouse. That would never wash out. With some difficulty, she realized that it wouldn't matter.

The world around her was blurring. Trask was speaking again, but she couldn't make out the words. The arrogant bastard had just doomed the whole planet. At least he wouldn't survive her for long. Her head dropped down to the floor again, landing with a crack she barely felt. The world went dark.