Snippet for SFFSat from Grand Master's Pawn

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy snippets exchanged by writers.

My contribution this week is from my new release Grand Master’s Pawn.
On her fourth mission to an uncharted planet, Violet and Taranis, the companion promised by her Grand Master, meet several challenges.

Snippet
       They had not escaped. Clicks and angry hisses signaled the approach of their pursuers. Looking back, Violet saw the eight-legged beasts racing toward them. Their scythe-like mandibles clicked in threat. Horrified by the blast of their enmity, she backed against the cliff and cried, “Give me the laser!” Taranis said calmly, “No, there are too many of them. Your laser will be useless.” “What else can we do?” She shook her head, wondering why he didn’t use his psi powers in their defense. He gestured at the cliff. “We’ll climb the mountain.” Violet glanced up and gasped in dismay. The smooth rock face rose vertically to a narrow shelf and continued steeply towards the top. The nearest ledge was more than twice her height above the ground. “How can we climb here? I can’t reach the ledge.”
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM
Soon, I plan to reveal snippets from Book 2, Grand Master's Game. 

Please return to SFFSat and read the other snippets. Your comments are welcome.