Mickey watched as the slimeball laminae cut in half fell towards the rest of the party. He noticed instantly that its limestone core was still intact and was still circulating psi.

As it reformed he withdrew a heavy logging axe from his pocket dimension.

Officer Strathpine on the other hand pulled his pistol and assumed the weaver stance before firing two shots into the pale gel construct.

The bullets passed through the slimeball's mass without hitting the core and the now reformed creature charged straight at Agent Brown who was closest.

Brown responded by kicking the slimeball with enough force to stop it in its tracks.

Unfortunately ramming wasn't it’s only trick and it immediately let loose a toxic spray into agent Brown's face.

Brown swore viciously and stumbled backwards, scrubbing at his face with his hands.

‘Motherfucker, I can’t see!’

He cried.

As the slimeball started to compress itself for another spray, Mickey quickly stepped into range and brought down his heavy axe onto the creature's core, cracking it in half. The viscous slime which made up the constructs body was pulled between each core half, moving from one to the ther faster and faster before with a pop it splashed outwards in all directions.

I didn’t intend that.

Mickey thought as he blocked the spray with an arm.

He turned to find agent Brown sitting behind Strathpine, blinking rapidly and rubbing at his eyes.

‘Fuck I’m blind. This had better not be permanent.’

Brown muttered.

Mickey moved over to him and pulled a bottle of water from his storage.

‘Hold on, I'm going to wash your face with water.’

He told the Agent before carefully pouring the clean water into his face.

‘I managed to store some of that liquid in my pocket dimension, and looking at it it seems mildly toxic but not caustic, so you will hopefully recover your sight. The hospital would know better though. We should get you there soonest.’

As they spoke Laminae approached carrying a glowing bronze orb in one hand.

‘Hey is he alright?’

She asked.

‘ I’m blinded but otherwise unharmed Laminae. That thing took me by surprise though.’

Brown responded.

‘Why in god's name did you kick it?’

Inquired Mickey.

‘It was a bullet proof, sword proof ball. I acted on instinct okay?’

‘Hah well, at least you’ll live to tell the tale. What’s that you got there Laminae?’

‘Oh this? Well you said i should get samples for the University when possible, so i grabbed this from the middle of the other one of those… Things. Looks like some kind of coral.’

Laminae responded, before moving over to the researchers who were still stunned by the sudden but brief bout of violence.

‘I’ve got something for you Professor.’

Laminae said, holding out the honeycombed limestone sphere.

Panchal Blinked away her surprise before focussing on the core.

‘Fascinating. Kent get the sample jars. Harvey collect the remains from the dead specimen. And some of its excretions as well. This is fascinating. Absolutely fascinating. Is it some kind of organic mineral or is… ’

The professor trailed off, her attention consumed by gently examining the ball of rock.

Agent Brown spoke up.

‘Perhaps we should move on and check to see what rewards we get for this fight?’

‘’Yes, yes of course. How fascinating.’

After the academics had stowed away the collected samples in padded, secured sections f the equipment case, the party moved on to receive their rewards.