〃Ten yards。〃
For a moment； the great creature turned sideways to the habitat； and they could see its profile…the enormous glowing body； thirty feet long； with the huge unblinking eye； the circle of arms； waving like evil snakes； the two long tentacles； each terminating in a flattened； leaf…shaped section。
The squid continued to turn until its arms and tentacles stretched toward the habitat； and they glimpsed the mouth； the sharp…edged chomping beak in a mass of glowing green muscle。
〃Oh God。。。〃
The squid moved forward。 They could see each other in the glow through the portholes。 It's starting； Norman thought。 It's starting； and this time we can't survive it。
There was a thump as a tentacle swung against the habitat。 〃Jerry！〃 Ted shouted。 His voice was high； strained with tension。
The squid paused。 The body moved laterally； and they could see the huge eye staring at them。
〃Jerry！ Listen to me！〃
The squid appeared to hesitate。
〃He's listening！〃 Ted shouted； and he grabbed a flashlight off a wall bracket and shined it out the porthole。 He blinked the light once。
The great body of the squid glowed green； then went momentarily dark； then glowed green again。
〃He's listening；〃 Beth said。
〃Of course he's listening。 He's intelligent。〃 Ted blinked his light twice in rapid succession。
The squid blinked back； twice。 〃How can he do that？〃 Norman said。
〃It's a kind of skin cell called a chromatophore；〃 Beth said。 〃The animal can open and close these cells at will； and block the light。〃
Ted blinked three times。
＇＇227＇＇ The squid blinked three times。 〃He can do it fast；〃 Norman said。
〃Yes； fast。〃
〃He's intelligent；〃 Ted said。 〃I keep telling you。 He's intell