Kinner nods in agreement. Next time there's a party, he's thinking of bringing Van Wall. The gruff chopper pilot could stand to have a day out. McReady might need more time.

"I've taken a few precautions ahead of time. I told Bob to avoid Mac if he sees him. I'm planning to break it to him when Bob's hidden - don't want anybody to jump to conclusions. He's not bad, but the only Thing we bumped into was a bad one. A friendly Thing might give him a shock."

He sighs. "But given the nature of this place, he's going to find out there's a Thing here eventually. I'm going to have to tell him."