The hydraulic hatch door made a sound of gas release, so when Ivan looked back, he just caught the light cast from the outside world.
For a moment, his vision blurred.
Was there someone outside his cockpit... smiling at him?
Ivan was startled and swiftly pulled his hand free from the Coordination Device, reaching for his pulse pistol.
But the shadowy figure suddenly darted in. The cockpit wasn't large, and with two grown men inside, it was obviously cramped, making firearms far more practical than hand-to-hand combat in these tight quarters.
A hint of joy appeared on his face as Ivan touched the grip of his gun; in the next instant, he would be able to draw his pistol and pull the trigger.
The pistol had drawn less than five centimeters when a palm landed on his right hand and then forcefully pressed it back.
Then a hand somehow bypassed his sight, brushed past his ear, hooked behind his head, and involuntarily pulled his head forward.
Bang!
