Merchant Crab

Olivia gasped and Suze let out a yelp.

The commander groaned in confusion.

But Balthazar didn’t make a sound.

The sudden burst of discomfort that had run through him was now replaced with a feeling of extra weight.

Part of it came from his body feeling much heavier than usual, but also because of the pressure being applied by the baton pushing down on his shell.

Huh… Why isn’t it hurting?

Twisting his eyestalks around, the crab saw the tip of the weapon pressed against the top of his shell, its spikes scratching fruitlessly on it but unable to pierce his chitin.

Not his usual chitin, however.

It was still gray as his carapace usually was, but with a shinier finish. A metallic texture to it.