As soon as Fred gave the order, Anderson didn't hesitate. His finger squeezed the trigger, and the cannon roared to life.
The green beam that erupted from the weapon was brilliant and deadly, a concentrated lance of energy that screamed through the air with a sound like tearing metal. It left a glowing afterimage in its wake as it shot toward the beast's exposed chest.
The Sabertooth Flare saw it coming. Its eyes widened in recognition… it had been hit by this weapon before. It knew the danger. But it also knew that dodging was impossible now. So at the very last possible instant, the beast made a desperate decision. It couldn't avoid the beam entirely, but it could choose where it hit.
With a violent twist of its massive body, it turned, presenting its left arm instead of its chest to the incoming attack.
The beam struck.
