Egad! The treatment was working faster than I dreamed possible. How unfortunate that the most unpleasant of the Altarian characteristics should be the first to manifest themselves. A chill went up my spine as I felt my shell start to harden. My shell?!! Yetch! This would take some getting used to. I could hardly wait for the superhuman abilities that non-crabs can only dream about!

"Excuse me, but have you seen my girlfriend? She's an earth creature but she works at the Altarian Consulate. She was just there a minute ago."

"Xeronee! What are you doing away from the ship? Where is Zagnor?"

"How do you know my name? Do you know where Holly is? I've got to find her immediately!"

Things were happening too fast. I could feel the changes coming on! My God! Everything was changing! New senses! New smells! New hungers! I never knew I could feel such hunger! Is this what it's like to be a crab?

Xeronee backed up a step. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Xeronee, my love! It's just that you look so, so TASTY!"