the narrative dwells on ed's need to conserve ammunition by not wasting heavy ammo on small targets. he is able to drive back most of the attacks, but is left with limited ammunition just as the harn activates the final attackers. realizing that the creature must have a central controller, he goes to world 7 while the harn is mostly on earth. he finds a burrow by following tracks, pours gasoline in and lights it. just then the final attackers appear. they are huge bear-like creatures with fangs, claws, and six legs. ed shoots one several times with his rifle but is injured as it makes a dying lunge. the second creature appears, but fortunately the harn dies, and it collapses.