Karen Traviss
- From "Glasslands"
She took a few steps inside, rifle raised, and flicked on the tactical lamp. Her visor flared for a moment. Nothing. The cavern swallowed the light and kicked her armor's reactive coating into mottled black. She glanced down at her boots - now matte black, barely there - and realized she couldn't see a floor underneath them. It triggered a brief, primal panic. For a moment she was falling. It took a conscious effort to look up and make herself believe that she was on solid ground.