By Nicholas Stone

Hideous cries echoed through the colony corridors, gunfire following not to far behind as a squad of Confederation Marines scrambled for safety. At one intersection, a young soldier stood fanning his weapon with wild abandon while what remained of his section retreated behind him carrying their wounded, praying that the bugs had not gotten ahead of them.

"EEEYYYAAAHHHH! Go�ta hell you bahstads!" he cried switching his rifle to full auto. The barrels exterior rippled from the excessive heat it endured, then a voice called out to him from behind.

"Squiggy, c�mon!" a female marine said. "The Colonel say�s we�re slowing up the time table!"

Private Louis "Squiggy" Balboa glanced back at her then stopped firing, gazing down the tunnel. The motion detector built into his helmets visor detailed the myriad returns surging towards them. He could hear their bony hides scraping against the walls, and decided it was time to make a hasty withdrawal before he became dinner or worse.

As fast as his legs could move, Balboa scampered down the length of the tunnel rejoining the rest of the rearguard. Suddenly from out of an air vent along the wall, a wiremesh grill shot off it�s hinges. Thin talon like arms snatched out grabbing one of the marines pulling him inside. His cries were brief; a sound like a ripe melon being crushed quickly followed. The marines hardly missed a step, turning briefly to pour a barrage of gunfire into the opening. A satisfying screech rose up, but there was no time to stop to see if it was dead. In this war, stopping meant dying, and both sides were giving no quarter.

Rounding another corner, Balboa spotted the rest of the company at the threshold of the main tunnel. "Colonel, Colonel!" he called out breaking into a dead run.

From a group in the center of the corridor, a man stepped out looking towards them curiously. Lt. Colonel Todd Collins narrowed an eye as they approached, figuring that the news they brought was not going to be good. He steadied his tall rugged frame, motioning the marines around him to carry on with their task. Balboa came to a halt panting hard as he regained his breath.

"Sir . . . the bugs . . . their coming . . . frigging hundreds of�em!"

Collins gazed in the direction he was frantically point, then frowned.

"Where�s Sergeant Ina?" he asked.

"He�s dead . . . bugs swarmed him in the first rush. They just, they just--"

"Get a hold of yourself, marine,"Collins said sternly.

Balboa drew in a deep breath.

"The damn things got past the booby-traps and the barricades. Only thing that saved the rest of the squad were the droids; and they all got ripped to shreds."

Collins brows furrowed together. Things were totally out of hand now. That was the last of the defense droids, the only real deterrent he found against these creatures. Half a squad wiped out, a third of 46th Battalion eliminated, it was not looking good for the Corps today. If they could last in the central module until help arrived, it would be a miracle.

Ordering Balboa to move the remainder of his squad into defensive positions just inside the security doors, he turned calling to a young, slim blonde a few feet away.

"Yes sir," she said as she approached.

First Lieutenant Vicky Meyers stood admiring Collins as he paused in thought for a moment. His calm, confident posture simply amazed her in light of the severity of their situation. There was nothing anyone in the battalion wouldn�t do for the Colonel. Meyers found herself drawn irresistibly towards him for more than just friendly reasons. The hard stare he suddenly placed on her broke Meyers from her thoughts.

"Are those charges set?" he asked.

She swallowed nervously. "Y-yes sir. All the tunnels have been wired. When we blow them, they should all be demolished . . . sir."

"Good. I�d say we have about three minutes. How many Companies are left?"

Meyers made a quick mental caculation. "Three; A and B at half strength, E at full strength. Counting the Techs in Command Control, 715 Marines."

The figure made Collins smirk. Damn, he muttered angrily. This was no time to show any weakness, Collins reigned in his frustrations.

"Okay, have Sergeant Quinten pull B company back. Move--"

A loud piercing squeel carried through the air, halting everyone dead in their tracks. Meyers face went white with fear. She brought her rifle up, glancing around searching for any sign of the creatures.

"Looks like we�ll be blowing the tunnels sooner than expected, Vicky," Collins said.

The marines began to inch back towards the opening. Suddenly a form rose up out of the darkness. It moved forwards stepping into the light then stopped. Although there were no visible eyes, the �bugs� as the marines were calling the creatures, craned its long obtrusive head around as if watching them. Its protruding jaw and sardonic row of razor sharp teeth parted, exposing the retractable second pair of teeth inside, letting out a threatening hiss. Hunkering down, the deadly spine-like tale rose up curling forwards, spear tip quivering in anticipation of the kill.

"Oh, Colonel," Balboa said jokingly. "they�re here."

"Very obvious, private," snarled Collins priming his weapon. Another bug appeared behind its cousin, then a third followed by several more. Soon the expanse of the tunnel was filled with them. "Lieutenant, get your people back," he said.

Meyers waved A company back through the main tunnel entrance. She stopped turning to Collins.

"Colonel?"

"Go on, Lieutenant." he replied not looking back. "Oh and Meyers,"

"Yes sir?"

"Stop being so scared. Things will turn out all right."

Meyers frowned, rushing down the tunnel.

Collins placed himself behind one of the barracades next to Balboa. "Made your peace with God yet, Balboa?"

There was fear on the young private�s face, but a gleam of boyish mischief cut his eyes. "Nah, sir. Ol� mans from da burrough, he still owes me one."

Collins smiled, then one of the marines cried out, "Here they come!"

The monsters surged forwards only to be met by a furious barrage of gunfire. Two heavy machine guns at either side of the opening played across the attacking mass, blasting the bugs apart in great burst of arms, torsos and legs. Their blood; if it could be called that, ate away at the ferrous concrete walls and floor potmarking it as the acid burned its way through. Clouds of gas filled the tunnel limiting the marines view.

Collins had his M61on full auto, tripple kinetic caseless rounds withering bug after bug that entered his field of fire. They had to have killed over a hundred of the things, but the horde reached the barracades and began to climb over. Off to his left, Collins saw a marine get yanked over the edge kicking and screaming as she disapeared into the waiting arms and teeth. Another marine could be heard crying for mercy seconds before his skull was shattered by the rapid bite from a bug.

"Fall back!" cried Collins. What remained of the company began a fighting withdrawal towards the mouth of the tunnel. A bug charged him, Collins emptying his remaining rounds into it, then drew his blaster. He shouted, "Blow it!" to the engineer standing ready, the detonator clutched tightly in his hands. A loud roar followed, vibrations shaking the ground.

As the dust and fumes settled, Collins shook himself and looked up. Most of the lights were out, but from what he could see, a pile of rubble and debris filled the tunnel. The marines staggered out gazing about in wonder.

"We did it," Balboa said.

A slight twitch of rubble caught Collins eye. "No, not even close," he replied.

He pointed to a shifting pile of debris. Groping its way up through the rubble a bug pulled itself to full height. More of them pulled their way out of the wreckage.

"What�s it take to kill these things!" exclaimed a marine backing away.

Collins could not answer. For the first time in his career a feeling of hopelessness crept into his mind. By now there were more of the things arrayed before them. Some of them began clearing away the rubble, but oddly enough the rest stood their distance. Collins took advantage of the situation.

"Private Balboa, get everyone back into the central module. I�m going to drop the blast door and seal the tunnel."

Balboa smirked, glancing over to the control panel on the far wall. He realized anyone left to work the controls would be almost assured death at the hands of these creatures.

He questioned the order.

Collins shot him an angry look. "Just do it, Private.!"

Balboa looked at him then at the bugs before backing away, waving his arms at the marines to fall back. Collins could not believe his own order, but knew this could be the only chance the surviving colonist would have of holding out until help arrived. If it did.

He moved over to the control panel praying that there was still power to it. Opening the cover, a green light lit up as he set the code. The bugs still had not moved; watching him from their positions as if waiting for something to happen.

Then came a cry that sent the hairs on end at the back of his neck.

The sound of movement came from the darkness, heavy steps that grew louder with each second. The cry echoed again through the tunnel, a figure stepping out into the dim light that made his heat skip a beat.

A bug twice the size of the others stood surveying the carnage. Possessing that hideous sardonic grin of death, an elaborately shaped mane of bone flared back like a crown about its head, two smaller arms set midway down its torso. The featureless gaze stopped upon the blasted remains of its kin, then looked at Collins.

"Uhoh, somebody�s looking for someone to blame," he said. The sardonic grin stretched into an angry snarl, slime dripping down its chin. "and it looks like it�s going to be me."

A loud cry rang out, the four arms groping angrily towards the sky. Hitting the button, Collins sprinted towards the opening. He wondered if he would be able to get past the heavy metal door before any of the bugs caught him. Something cut him across a cheek, throwing him up against the side of the wall. Blood from a deep cut flowed down the front of his face, and he turned looking up into the mouth of a bug perched above him on the wall.

This is it, was all he could think. Suddenly a shot rang out blasting it away. A stream of gunfire tore into the closing ring, Balboa�s section lying prone on the other side of the tunnel covering his withdrawal.

Balboa grabbed him from behind by the shoulders. With a final lunge, the two men rolled across the threashold, but they weren�t out of danger yet. Angered by their escape, the giant bug leaped, landing close behind. It stood snarling over them, but before it could act a creak from the descending door made it look up. Too late did it realize the mistake, the blast door neatly coming down behind the hood, forcing its head to the ground. The things desperate cries and frantic attempts by the other creatures were no match for one hundred tons of carbodide/technium steel. With a sickening splash of acid-blood, the door closed down in place.

Collins and Balboa sat still for a moment, staring at the head.

"I thought I told you to fall back, Balboa?" Collins said.

Balboa shrugged. "Guess we�s thought you was to valuable ta loose, Colonel."

Collins glared at him then began to smile, flinching as the cut on his face made itself know again. "Okay, Corporal. Let get the inner doors closed and head back to the command center."

"Yes s-- Corporal?"

"Got to have somebody to take over Ina�s spot. You�re the man."

Balboa paused, a grin forming on his lips. "Yes sir!" he said cheerfully.

The rapid scrapping of claws on metal brought them back to the seriousness of their situation. They stood up.

"Let�s move out," ordered Collins.

"Right, sir, but first . . ."

Balboa drew his vibro-blade from it�s holder, heading towards the door.

"Corporal, what are you doing?"

The boyish glint returned to Balboa�s eyes as he gazed down at the head on the ground.

"Gotta get my souvenir."

A brilliant white light projected down over the makeshift card table, stacks of chips piled high between the three players seated around it. Kei gave her cards a casual glance, smiling slightly then tossed out a fifty credit marker into the pot.

"I see you," she said tossing out three more after it. "and I�ll raise you 150C."

Across from her, Yuri�s expression dropped slightly. For a moment Kei thought she would fold, but she drew in a sigh, peeked at her cards and met Kei�s gaze.

"Okay, red. I�ll match it," she said adding her ante to the pot.

Kei arched a brow, looking over to Mughi. The panther-sized cat grumbled something, then tossed in his ante. Good, more credit to spend once we get back home, she thought. Now it was all in the cards, and with luck they would pan out her way. It had better, she was only holding a pair of queens, not much to be proud of.

Yuri adjusted the visor on her head as Kei tossed out three cards. She dealt her three, then waited for Mughi. He grumbled, tossing out two, then dealt herself two.

Barely able to suppress her nervousness, Kei slowly looked at the first card. It was the five of diamonds, damn. The second card was no better, the two of spades. She cast a suspicious eye at her two opponents, bitting her lower lip nervously then looked at her final card.

Queen of Hearts.

Holding back a cry of joy, Kei gazed up at Yuri. "What�ll it be, partner?"

Yuri�s face was turned down in a frown. She scratched her head in apparent confusion.

She�s so easy to read, I�m going to milk her for everything she�s got!

"I�ll raise you another hundred," Yuri said meekly.

Kei pushed a good part of her winnings into the pot. "Let�s be bold!" she said.

Yuri looked back into her hand, glanced up at her. With some hesitation she pushed out part of her chips, paused then pushed the rest out as well.

She can�t have nothing better than me? Kei mused. She�s bluffing, and I�m not going to fall for it. Kei pushed out the rest of her winnings.

Mughi folded.

A tense moment followed. "Well?" questioned Kei triumphantly. Yuri said nothing, hiding her face behind her cards.

"Ha! I knew it. You were bluffing!" shouted Kei. She rose out of her seat, slamming her hand on the table. "Read�em and weep, looser. Three queens!"

Kei leaned towards the pile of chips like a hungry lioness pouncing on her kill. She was just about to rake it in when Yuri placed her hand on the table.

"Full house," she said calmly.

Kei froze, jaw sagging. "Gaack!" she sounded in disbelief.

The meek look on Yuri�s face had turned into a broad grin so wide her eyes could hardly be seen. She rocked from side to side in her chair, chortling like a wild hyena.

"Sucker!" she exclaimed with each move. "What a sucker. You thought I�d fall for your trap. Sucker . . . SUCKER!"

Kei�s eyes remained fixed on the cards. "Gaack!" she sounded again before sitting back down in her chair, Yuri and Mughi�s laughter ringing in her ears.

Yuri raked in her winnings. "Well, this looks like about four months pay. You�d better make out an allotment to me. Will make accounting much easier for the both of us."

"Ha ha, very funny," snapped Kei fuming angrily in her chair.

"Oh, come on you sore looser, I�m just--"

[Incoming Transmission.] the Lovely Angel�s computer interrupted them.

"Who is it, girl?" asked Yuri.

[Chief Inspector William Galet.]

The Angels cast surprised looks between them; a call from Bill could only mean one thing.

More work.

Yuri leaned back telling the computer to pull up a holowindow. It appeared above them, the image of Bill Galet coming into view. Galet�s emotionless expression only made them worry even more. Adjusting the wire-rim glasses on his face, he began.

"Enjoying yourselves?"

They glanced back at the table, flashing him an innocent grin.

Bill shook his head. Nothing new when you had the Lovely Angels working for you. No matter what they did, it would never come as a surprise. "Okay. Anyway, girls I have an assignment for you. Really it�s more of a rescue mission,"

Kei sat up. "Rescue mission. How�d we get volunteered for this?"

"Yeah, Bill," added Yuri. "We�re on our way home for some rest. How am I going to blow all of Kei�s money on a rescue mission?"

"Huh?" muttered Kei.

"You know I wouldn�t do this normally, but the situation is different. Let me fill you in."

The Holoscreen split, a star chart appearing above Bill�s head. "This is the Rumic star system, newly settled by The Company four months ago."

Yuri sneered recognizing the name and the notorious reputation it carried with it. Ruthless, greedy, and at one time the largest conglomerate in the galaxy, The Company was known for its insensitive misdeeds to everyone its ever had contact with. In fact there was something that happened in pre-nanoclism days, something that evaded her memory for the moment.

"It�s an outpost colony, furthest in the Confederation."

"Okay. So what�s the problem." asked Kei.

"About six days ago a distress signal from the colony on Locris was received," A scaled down projection appeared of Locris in orbit around its sun. "Naturally the government was going to send out a ship, but it turns out that the Company had already taken action on it."

Yuri thought a moment. "Hm. How�d they get the signal so fast?" she asked.

"Deep comms are available to everyone, Yuri," Bill replied.

"So I assume that the Company ship has run into trouble, and they need the 3WA to bail�em out," said Kei.

"Eh, not exactly girls. Five hours ago we received another distress signal, only this time the transmission was cut before it was finished."

Kei looked over to Yuri a questioning look in her eyes. Yuri shrugged, nothing coming readily to mind. "I still don�t see how we�re involved in this, Bill," she said looking back up.

The starchart disappeared. "By Confederation law, any ship can, or will no matter what mission they are on, be diverted to aid any distress signals received." said Bill.

Yuri covered her face with her hands, leaning on the table with a sigh. "And I suppose we are the closest ship in the sector."

Galet shrugged. "Sorry girls."

"Damn!" snapped Kei getting up to pace angrily. Yuri asked the ships computer how long it would take them to get to Locris. One day came the reply.

"Okay, Bill we�re on it. Anymore instructions?"

"Just keep in touch, okay. No bravado, no heroics, and please no disasters."

"Sure thing, Chief. We�ll talk to you in about a day."

Good luck, girls," replied Bill cutting the connection.

Kei stopped, whirling around to face Yuri. "Just our luck. Another break lost because of some losers misfortune. It�s just not fair!"

"Calm down, Kei," replied Yuri. "This should be a cake walk."

"Oh. How so?"

"We go in, get comms with the colony, find out what�s wrong, tell Bill what needs to be done and when help arrives we go home."

Kei stared at Yuri, then smiled. "Yuri, you make things so easy to accept."

"Of course. Besides, you think I�m going to pass up a chance to renew my wardrobe at your expense?"

Kei�s smile disappeared, eyes narrowing at her friend.

"Uh, I better go set up for the jump," Yuri said easing her way out of her chair. "Why don�t you clean up down here, hmm?"

"Sure," snapped Kei.

After Yuri and Mughi had left, Kei kicked the side of the chair and began to collect the chips from the table. Oh well, what could happen to us, she thought while she worked. Yuri is right. A quick pop in, �hello, how are you?�, and we�re off. What more could--

She stopped letting out a gasp of surprise as she stared down at Yuri�s winning hand. Normally not the one to be superstitious, Kei found herself trembling at what she saw.

Aces and eights, the deadman�s hand . . .

* * * * *

The Lovely Angel streaked through Locris�s atmosphere, leveling out with the planet�s horizon and made it�s way towards the colony. An earlier attempt to contact them was met with static. Kei didn�t like the implications of that. She set the ship on full combat mode, gliding the ship into a low profile approach. They looked down across the wide semi arid plains searching for any signs of life.

"Anything on the scanners?" Kei asked Yuri manning the console next to her.

Yuri switched through the ships sensors. Nothing unusual so far. "Nope, I�m reading basic life form readings. Animals, non-sentient creatures, typical class-M planet."

Arching a brow, Kei gazed back out over the terrain. A typical planet did not warrant a distress call by her reasoning. Guess the only answers were going to be found at the colony itself. She put the Lovely Angel into a climb leveling off to get a distant view of the place. Yuri pointed to a patch of white off in the distance. The sensors had already identified its location, still as they approached, the Angels did not expect the place to be so large.

Six circular modules sat in the center of a large basin; the largest centering the other five in a pentagon array connected by a series of surface tunnels. To the northwest, three elevated landing platforms and another large building were positioned. As they closed, the expressions on their faces turned to shock. Clearly it looked like there had been some kind of battle amongst the colony. Large gapping holes potmarked the outer modules, every tube had either been breeched, or if their eyes did not deceive them, blown to seal them shut. Kei stopped the ship just short of the nearest module.

"I�m going to scan for any matter residue," said Yuri.

Kei nodded, studying the damaged colony. "Pirates?" she commented.

Yuri swept the area, but the results turned up nothing.

"I�m not picking up anything that would indicate starships. A lot of trace weapon fire. Whatever happen, they sure put up a hell of a fight."

Sitting back, Kei ran her hands nervously through her hair, trying to decide their next move. Easy, yeah right. Yuri called to her, pointing at one of the landing pads. A ship of some sort sat there, its boarding hatch still open. Kei moved the ship closer, and they made out the markings on the side of the Company.

"Abandoned, but why?" asked Kei.

"This is getting really strange, Kei," Yuri said. "I�m picking up what appears to be the colonist all concentrated in the center module."

"Convention?" joked Kei trying to raise their spirits.

Yuri shrugged. "Who knows. Anyway, there are life readings in the other modules, but nothing matches analysis."

Kei peered out the window, staring down at the closest module. "Maybe our �raiders� are still around."

"Nah, closest thing I can come up with is animal life. Probably an indigenous life form taking advantage of the situation."

Accepting her explanation, Kei was left without anymore ideas. She asked Yuri if she had any, the Angel thinking for a moment.

"Why don�t we touchdown and take a look around," she suggested.

No argument there, Kei picked a spot close to the airfield and guided the ship over. As the drew closer, she suddenly let out a gasp eyes fixed on something out the window. Yuri rose up starting slightly at what greeted her. The northern most module had been completely caved in, a fissure several feet in depth exposed the interior levels. Experience told them both that from the way the inner layer meshing had been blown outwards, that this had been done from the inside, no doubt deliberately.

"What is going on here?" said Yuri in disbelief.

"I don�t know, but we�d better find out," answered Kei. She panned the Lovely Angel slowly around the destroyed module. Kei shook her head.

"I�m not going to touchdown," she said turning to Yuri.

"We can�t stay up here."

Kei paused staring back down at the colony. "Try contacting them again."

Yuri switched on her mic, tunning up to the standard colony channels. After several attempts she disconnected shaking her head.

Damn, muttered Kei. Caution tugged at her mind. This was not something to go blindly into, but they couldn�t make a proper report back to Bill without finding out what it was that caused all this carnage.

"Mughi, stay with the ship," she said to their mascot seated behind them. "If anything happens to us, get word back to Bill immediately. Understand?"

Mughi grumbled.

"If we�re not touching down, what are we doing?" asked Yuri.

"You see where that three way section has been blown open?" Kei replied pointing below. Yuri stood up, peering out the front. "Mughi�s going to hover down close enough for us to grav-pack our way inside."

Yuri stared at her, glanced out the window again, then slowly drew back glaring at her with a doubtful look.

"Don�t start chickening out on me now, partner," she said slapping Yuri hard on her rear as she headed for the hatch.

A long sigh emitted from Yuri. She and Mughi traded looks, then Yuri leaned in close so Kei could not hear.

"I knew I shouldn�t have won that last hand," she whispered.

Giggling, Yuri kissed the cat on the forehead and rushed off after Kei.

* * * * *

Inside the airlock, Kei and Yuri waited patiently as the Lovely Angel positioned itself over the gaping hole in the tunnel section below. They were unusually quite, a nervous feeling both women felt, nor could they shake off. Kei toyed with her rifle, a Browning 15mm Caseless Automatic, locking in a double feed clip. She hefted it to her shoulder, feeling the firm rubberized grip around the weapons short thick barrel. The feeling of power made her smile, but then again any weapon in her hands did that. Slinging her rifle, Kei looked over at Yuri.

She was seated on the bench, staring listlessly out the porthole apparently in deep thought, a pair of wraparound goggles pushed back on her forehead. Yuri had opted to go with a more conventional approach; standard issue blaster, a mini pistol holstered on her right leg, pack of bloody cards on her left arm.

Bloody Cards?

Kei sat down next to her. She reached over opening the pack, staring at the ten deadly blades inside the holder. Yuri looked at her innocently and Kei smirked.

"Really, Yuri," she said.

"You�ll never know," replied Yuri.

Kei laughed, draping an arm around her shoulders. "You got the jitters too, huh?"

"There�s something about this that scares the living daylights out of me, Kei."

"Yeah. I�ve had the same feeling. If it was avoidable I would, but guess this come with the job."

Yuri grunted, laughing slightly. "The job," she said. "Sometimes I just want to boot this job, Kei."

Kei drew back, stunned by her partners comment. Before she could say anything, the green light above the hatch flashed, their signal to get ready. The Angels pulled down their goggles, standing next to the hatch. When Mughi thought they were close enough, he opened it up.

"You ready?" Kei shouted above the rush of air. Yuri smiled, plugging in the jack to her gravpack. Together they stepped off the edge hovering in the air. Flashing an okay up to the monitor, Kei started her decent down towards the gapping hole below.

A few feet from touchdown, the Angels unslung their heavy weapons turning back to back as they landed, sweeping the area for any signs of trouble. Nothing happened, the only sounds coming from the Lovely Angel�s engines.

"I�m clean here," Kei said.

Yuri gave her a thumbs up and they relaxed. She told Mughi to move off and the ship departed. The sun beamed in brightly, illuminating their surroundings. Despite it�s warmth, a cold chill made Yuri shudder uncontrollably as she looked around. Obviously this blast was caused by heavy charges placed at the cross supports to bring it all down. Something must have gone wrong, maybe whoever was planting the charges didn�t get them set right, or they weren�t finished when they were attacked.

Off to the other side of the opening, Kei knelt staring at some of the conduit on the wall.

"Yuri, come take a look at this," she called out.

Yuri looked at the spot she was pointing at. An electrical conduit lay splayed open on the ground. Nothing unusual, except for the way it had been parted in two. Melted, or something corrosive ate its way through continuing on well into the ceramic foundation. Kei pointed to similar damage around the tunnel.

"Chemical weapons?" questioned Yuri.

"I don�t know. Looks that way, but I�ve never known any C-weps to be so corrosive. This stuff gnawed its way straight through hardened ceramic metals and kept right on going."

"Well it was a sloppy job. Look the holes potmark the place, a splatter job. Something a rookie would do."

"Is that experience talking?" teased Kei.

Yuri cut her a nasty look. She stared down the semi-lit tunnel frowning.

"Kei, I think we�d better get to those civies and find out what�s going on, ASAP," she said.

Kei agreed and they started down the tunnel. Making their way carefully through the debris, the Angels soon came upon a series of barricades blocking their path. Blast marks riddled the surroundings, denoting the fierce battle that had been fought here. They paused trading questioning looks, then began to pick their way through the mess. Yuri climbed up over a pile of shattered concrete sliding down the other side. As she hit the ground, her foot caught on something buried beneath part of the structure. She let out a yelp tumbling.

"Yuri!" shouted Kei hurrying over the top.

"I�m okay," she replied. Shining her light at the spot, a combat boot lay exposed on the ground. She pulled at it, and realized that it�s owner was still inside. Yuri sneered drawing back.

"What�d you find?" asked Kei as she came up behind her.

"A stiff," she replied.

Kei shined her light down on the boot, kneeling closer for a better look. "Hmm," she sounded moving away more of the debris. "a soldier, and from the looks of these combat boots, I�d say a Marine."

Further digging uncovered the rest of his body and the weapon he was using.

"Wow, Kei," said Yuri examining it under her light. "This guy must have had this thing on full auto. The barrels practically warped."

Kei did not respond, staring down at the dead marine lying face down before her. There were no gunshot wounds, no burn marks that she could see. Strange, she thought turning him over. Her cry startled Yuri; she spun around weapon drawn up.

"What!" she shouted, but Kei was off to one side on all fours, breathing heavily as she fought to keep her breakfast down. Without answering, she pointed back at the marine. Where his face should have been, a bloody jagged hole was situated between his eyes, claw marks shredded the rest of his face and throat. Yuri jerked away, pulling Kei along with her as she moved back.

"Boy, you�d figure we�d be used to sights like that," she said panting hard.

Kei had not been successful keeping her food down. She wiped her mouth clean with the back of her hand, then shot to her feet.

"It�s time to go, Yuri," she said.

"What! We aren�t going to try and get to those colonist?"

Kei was visibly frightened, eyes wide glancing around nervously. "Whatever, whoever did that to that marine, I don�t want to meet in this tunnel."

"Kei, get a--" began Yuri when a scuffling sound caught her ears from behind. She slowly turned looking down the tunnel. The section was dark, and Yuri tilted her head to one side listening again.

"Yuri, did you hear me? I said we�re leaving." Kei shouted again.

Yuri raised her hand silencing Kei. She leaned forwards, then started walking towards the opening.

"Somebodies out there," she said.

Kei looked up, trying to peer through the darkness. The sound came again, and she pointed her rifle down the tunnel.

"Yuri, come back here!" she whispered.

Yuri stopped halfway. "You can come out!" she shouted. "We know you�re there."

Silence.

Kei inched back towards the barricade. "Yuri, damnit, get your idiot butt back here!"

"It could be one of the colonist."

The sound suddenly returned, getting sharper at a steady pace. It sounded like several sharpened nails tapping on a hard surface.

"Yuri," Kei said with more urgency.

Clack, clack, clack.

Yuri squinted as a form began to appear at the edge of the light. A taloned foot suddenly moved in to view, followed by a creature that made her draw back in shock.

"That is no colonist!" exclaimed Kei.

The sharp row of teeth on the things long head parted. It hissed at Yuri, drooling as another set of jaws extended towards her. She let out a scream and leaped back, letting loose a burst of blaster fire. The creature squealed as it was blown away, thrashing about on the ground. Yuri did not have time to examine her victims plight as a horde of creatures surged out of the darkness towards her. She ran.

Kei�s rifle fired fast and continuously covering Yuri�s retreat. A portion of them broke off and headed straight towards her forcing Kei to shift fire.

"Yuri, use one of those damn cards of yours!" she shouted.

Yuri leaped onto the debris, whirled shooting one of the things as it pounced at her. Reaching frantically into the holder on her arm, Yuri let fly three of the cards into the crowd before her. Satisfying cries carried through the air as heads, torsos and limbs fell to the ground. By the time the cards had passed through five of the creatures, they were nothing more than globs of melted metal splattering with a hiss on their next targets. Yuri, stunned by what just happened, started climbing up the barricade.

Close to the top, Kei moved towards her, sweeping the area with gunfire. She�d already emptied two clips, working on a third, but the things kept on coming not caring about casualties or their own well being. She glanced towards Yuri, seeing her partner scant inches from being caught by the mob, and turned firing into the crowd behind her. The things tumbled back back down the side. A brief respite, Yuri reaching her as she straddled the top.

"Take my hand, Yuri!" Kei said reaching down.

Yuri grabbed it, then something placed a tight grip on Kei�s left ankle. She looked around, finding one of the creatures on the other side latched firmly to her. She smirked, placing the barrel of her rifle into its face, blowing it back down the side. Another large group of the things moved up towards her cutting their escape. Kei yelped leaping aside dragging Yuri along with her. The Angels slid to a stop next to the dead marine, cornered by the creatures closing the trap around them.

They opened fired, desperately trying to stop the inevitable, screaming and crying both at the same time as they backed up against the wall.

"Get down!" a voice cried out. Kei and Yuri covered up as explosions wracked the area. Gunfire erupted from the tunnel, marines stepping out into the open with guns blazing. A heavy machine gun opened up playing across the top of the barricade to prevent those on the other side from joining their cousins below.

The remaining creatures around the Angels attacked this new threat, and were neatly cut down in their tracks.

"Hey, you two!" a marine sergeant shouted at them. They looked up. "You guys going to just lay there. Watch you step and get your butts moving!"

The Angels scurried to their feet. Dodging the steaming holes in the floor, they raced past the marines down the tunnel. A mad foot race followed as the soldiers withdrew, thundering close behind them towards the narrowly opened gate at the far end. Threatening hisses and squeals spurred them on. Kei and Yuri leaped through the gap.

"Close�em, close�em, close�em!" the marine sergeant ordered frantically.

The two doors began rumbling together when one of the creatures tried to leap it�s way past, getting caught up between them.

"Don�t let that thing get crushed in there, or we�ll have a hell of a time keeping the bugs out for sure!"

One of the marines flashed him a thumbs up, pointed his rifle at the bug and blasted it back out. The doors clanged shut.

Kei and Yuri lay on the ground breathing hard after their near-death encounter. Above them, the sergeant came into view checking to see if they were alright. No injuries that he could see, he knelt down beside them catching his breath for a moment, looked up and smiled.

"Sergeant Reginald Quinten, B Company, 46th Battalion. Welcome to the Dorman Colony Complex . . . ."

A shocked and partially terrified Kei and Yuri marched with the marines towards the command center, thankful to the stars and their rescuers to be alive. Kei began to notice their surroundings, her curiosity rising. Obviously this center module was not built for any long term living by the colonist. There were granaries and production facilities, warehouses, open pens for automated machinery around the outlying areas. The more habitable buildings, mainly shops and commerce stores were located further in. Whatever normal routine had all but faded away as colonist milled around in tight groups, armed to the teeth and watching them very closely.

They reached a checkpoint at a crossway, the civilian police manning the barricades drawing up to look at the new arrivals. Sergeant Quinten muttered something out of earshot to the watch captain. He smirked, giving the Angels a wry look then allowed them to continue.

"My, aren�t we the skittish kind," Kei said as they passed through.

Quinten let out a grunt. "You would be too if you�d been through what we�ve been through," he said over his shoulder.

Kei took in his words, not wishing to mar relations. She regarded the husky Sergeant with some interest. His face seemed perpetually drawn down in a sneer, eyes narrow as if he was ready to thrash the next person that got in his way. A grizzled beard speckled with patches of gray and in need of grooming made him look that much meaner. Each arm was as thick as one of her legs, straining against the rolled up sleeves of his uniform. Possible, just possible, thought Kei.

The Sergeant glanced over at her, and for a moment she saw a look of confusion come across his face. That was the fourth time he�s done that. Is there something wrong with us?

{Kei.}

It was Yuri, using the interlink installed in their brains.

{What?}

{Have you noticed how armed these people are?}

{Yes. Looks like our buddies outside have these folks squirming in their seats.}

{This is worse then fear, Kei. They even have children walking around with guns.}

Kei took another look. As Yuri said, there were children standing at the corners toting rifles or some form of firearms. Rounding another corner, she spotted a large warehouse, children too young to handle weapons playing in the street. Several groups of women eyed them as they passed, fingering the triggers of their guns. Kei noticed the look of near panic in their eyes.

{I sure as hell hope I don�t have to go up against that pack,} said Kei.

Dull sounds of gunfire echoed through the streets and everyone stopped glancing about. The Angels could hear safeties being released; the group of mothers behind them called for their children to come inside. A whine from a hovercraft�s engine cut the air, whisking several blocks away down a side street . After another series of gunfire, it finally quieted down.

"Damn bugs," muttered Quinten. He looked at them again, then moved on.

"Uh, Sergeant Quinten," began Kei. "I know you want your C.O. to tell us what�s been going on, but could you just give us a little background?"

Quinten was quiet for a moment.

"The bugs have been hitting us day and night. Whole damn battalions been up fighting�em. A snip here, a tap there. Almost two weeks straight. Ever since that friggin ship crashed here,"

"Ship. What ship?" asked Yuri.

"Colonel will tell you all about it," He paused shaking his head. "But I�ll tell you this, ladies. It was the damnedest thing I�d ever been through . . . damnedest thing."

He would say no more, and Kei didn�t press the issue.

Finally the group reached the Command Center, a domed building surrounded by a high thick concrete wall. The guard let them pass, Quinten pausing just long enough to find out what the trouble was. As they rode an elevator to the top, Kei noticed the strange stare Quinten gave the Angels.

"Sergeant Quinten," Kei said finally having enough. "Is there something wrong with us?"

Quinten�s eyes widened slightly. "No . . . well yes. I know you ladies from somewhere, but I just can�t place the match."

"Really? Well my partner and I have been around," replied Kei giving Yuri a sly wink. "And you can stop calling us ladies. My name is Kei, my partners name is Yuri. Our official designation is the Lovely Angels."

It was the widest they�d ever seen Quinten�s eyes open, a look of terror written on his face. He shook visibly, stammering for words.

"N-n-n-oho . . . n-n-ot the �Dirty Pair�!" he said.

A flash of silver and flesh had the hardened veteran slammed painfully up against the back of the elevator, Kei and Yuri pinning him each with a forearm across the throat. The marines around them were too stunned to react.

"We don�t take too kindly to that name, buster!" snarled Kei applying more pressure to the struggling Sergeant.

"Yeah, it wasn�t our fault," added Yuri fingering the butt of her pistol menacingly.

The elevator stopped, its door opening and a tall figure stood at the threshold. Immediately the other marines snapped to attention.

"Knock it off," ordered a commanding voice.

Kei and Yuri stopped, slowly looking back towards the sound. Lt. Colonel Todd Collins put a dark look on his face. He took a step inside, planting his fist on his hips.

"I said knock it off," he ordered them again. Quinten dropped to his knees coughing and gasping for breath. Not knowing what to do next, Kei and Yuri looked at each other, shrugged and mimicked the marines around them snapping to attention. Collins walked to the center of the elevator.

"Are you alright, Sergeant?"

Quinten cleared his throat and stood up. "Ah, yes sir. The ladies we�re just informing me of their proper designation."

Collins glanced at the Angels. "Hm, 3WA," he said.

"You heard of us?" replied Kei.

"Yes, I recognize you from your uniforms," He paused giving them a quick once over. "What little you wear."

They tensed, but held themselves in check. From behind Collins, a female marine appeared. An officer apparently, she glanced around at the scene then with a jerk of her thumb directed the marines out of the elevator. Collins waited until they were gone before continuing.

"Lt. Colonel Collins, commanding officer of 46th Battalion. You are?"

Kei stuck out her hand. "I�m Kei," she said smiling with a seductive glint in her eyes. He shook her hand. "Mmm, and strong too," she finished. Collins frowned.

{Kei, there is no time for that!} Yuri scolded her.

"That�s my partner, Yuri. The Funless One."

Yuri gave Kei a sharp nudge to the ribs. "My friend, always joking," she said smiling.

Collins laughed. Kei noticed the threatening glare the blonde gave her, but ignored it as he introduced her.

"1st Lieutenant Vicky Meyers. My Operations Officer."

Meyers gaze remained locked on Kei. "Ladies." she replied in a chilling tone.

{Bitch call,} sent Kei.

{Stop it, Kei,} replied Yuri. {We don�t need to make any enemies in here.}

Collins felt the tension in the air.

"Uhm, Lieutenant Meyers would you please go and check on the status of Sergeant St-Paul. I�m curious about that attack."

Meyers looked up at him. She cut Kei one last, sharp glance, saluted and left.

"Excuse her. She�s been on edge lately. Stress."

"I wouldn�t call it that," muttered Kei.

Collins paid her no mind. He told Quinten to go make his report and get some rest. Quinten walked by mindful to keep a safe distance from the Angels. Yuri apologized for their actions, but all he did was rub his neck, muttering something back to them under his breath.

"Guess we were a bit rough on him," Yuri said.

"Slightly," replied Collins.

He told them to follow him and they walked down the hall into the command center. Computer consoles manned by marine techs flashed displays and other information across their screens, relaying inputs to the array of monitors on the walls around them. Every tech sat glued to each screen, speaking into their mics and listening intently to the reports coming in. Kei could see the dark rings around their eyes, haggard and disheveled appearances that indicated these techs had been at it for some time now.

At a large tactical table, Yuri spotted Sergeant Quinten talking with another marine officer, pointing at something displayed below them. A Major she noticed from the gold oak leafs on his collar; something about the man seemed out of place. Not bad looking for a grunt, he was shorter than Collins, sporting a marine crew cut and light blue eyes that gave him a boyish look. Still, she questioned his appearance. Kei called to her pointing up at the main screen. On it a digitized overview of the colony was displayed. Moving in a tight orbit around the central module was an icon representing the Lovely Angel.

"Mughi," she said.

"I assume that�s your ship in orbit out there?" asked Collins.

"Yep," answered Kei.

In all the excitement, Kei and Yuri had forgotten about their mammalian friend. They realized they better talk to him, that pattern he was flying was a search pattern. If he could not come up with a location, then . . .

Kei tried to transmit via their link, but the ship�s computer did not respond. Confused, she tried again.

{Save it, Kei,} Yuri sent to her.

{What gives? Why cant we--}

{The place is hardened. Our links can�t penetrate it.}

{Wow, talk about home defense.}

Yuri glanced at the chronometer on her wrist. "Colonel, we�ve got to talk to our ship. You have an antenna available?"

"Whoa, whoa!" exclaimed another monster sergeant striding towards them. Bald and from his looks, strong enough to back up his objections, he stopped slamming his palms down on the table. "Sir, if we try using a tower, you know what�ll happen!"

"May I introduce First Sergeant Kelly, leading non-com," Collins said to them.

All eyes had turned towards them.

"What�s he mean, Colonel?" asked Yuri.

"The Bugs. They don�t like it when we talk to the outside world."

"Their intelligent?"

Kei interrupted them, leaning across the table at Kelly. "Doesn�t matter. Look baldy, if you don�t want our friend up there to turn this tortoise shell you people are hiding under into a soup bowl, you�d better let us talk to him, and I mean fast!"

Kelly drew back. His face turned beet red, his fist clenched tight ready to tear into Kei.

"Control yourself, Kelly," Collins said.

The First Sergeant shook with rage, but did as ordered turning away. Collins thought a moment. He came to a decision and moved to a console.

The Major at the table came up behind him. "Risky decision, Colonel. You know we�ve only got four left," he reminded him.

"I�m aware of that, Fran. Oh, ladies this Major Fran Welton, my acting second in command."

Welton nodded in their direction with a smile.

{That�s it, Yuri. When I�m done with 3WA, I�m joining the Marines.}

{Oh, Kei you�re hopeless!}

At the console, Collins ordered the tech to call up a display. Reluctantly he did, and the colony schematic was replaced by a scene of an open field not to far from the landing platforms.

"Mmm, Kei, right? If you would please," he said motioning her over.

On the screen, part of the field parted, and from the opening an uplink communications dish rose into view. Kei understood. She held out her hand. The tech disconnected his interface plug, handing it to her. Dialing up the Lovely Angels circuit, Kei initiated transmission.

[Mughi this is Kei. Stop your sweep and standoff for further instructions.]

A worried grumble replied to her call. Mughi wanted to know if they were alright, seconds away from firing a burst from the main gun.

[We�ve a little situation down here, nothing major. Can you--]

Kei froze in mid sentence. On the screen, the field surrounding the dish suddenly rippled with dark figures, figures that began to attack the dish with frenzy. The bugs swarmed it, and in seconds it was covered by hundreds of them ripping and tearing at the metal. Stunned, Kei unplugged the probe.

"Well, there goes that dish," Kelly said sarcasm lacing his words.

"And we just got it fixed too," grumbled the tech next to her.

Collins reached down changing the display.

"Nothing major?" he questioned Kei.

She shrugged. "Guess I�m wrong."

He frowned heading back towards the table. Kei followed.

"Colonel, Colonel, how many of these things are there?" she asked.

Welton answered. "We don�t know."

Kei stopped dead in her tracks. "You don�t know?"

"Wish I did." Collins replied flopping down into a chair. "I�ve seen a lot more than what you saw on that screen though."

Yuri, leaning over the table in thought, could not believe what she was hearing.

"Where did they come from, or are they the rightful citizens of Locris?" Yuri asked.

Collins surprised her by laughing. "Citizens, no, Yuri. Your question is a good one, and deserves a good answer." He tapped a few buttons on the arm of the chair. On one of the large monitors, a layout of the surrounding countryside appeared. Collins continued.

"About two weeks ago, we had a ship crash about 80 clicks east of the complex. I led a squad with a medical team to investigate and rescue any survivors. When we got there, the ship was pretty much beat up. Once inside our teams split up to search, and that�s when we ran into the first bugs."

"They hit third squad somewhere amidships," Quinten said. "Don�t know how many, but we lost twenty marines before anyone realized what was going on."

Kei scratched her head, wondering what they had gotten themselves into.

"Colonel, in light of what you were up against, did you destroy the ship?"

For the first time, Collin�s calm demure faded. A solemn look covered his face, staring out into empty space. "No. We had indications that my people were still alive. Unlike others back in the civilian sector, I don�t consider my people expendable."

"So you tried to save them," Yuri said.

"Never got a chance too," Collins replied. "While we were gearing up to tear into that ship, word came back of an attack at the airdrome."

Staring up at the screen, Kei analyzed the scenario so far. These aliens from that ship were not to be taken lightly it seems. It looked to be a pretty smart move counterattacking like they did. A distraction?

"Colonel, this ship. Was it outside of known space?"

"No, it was a class five star-transport. �S.S. Glory Ann� if I remember correctly."

He ordered one of the techs to call up the records from the computer. The scene shifted to the crash site. A ship several hundred meters in length lay in the open field. Her prow was partially buried into the ground, wide sweeping wings ripped back towards the rear of the ship. Yuri moved closer to the screen.

"Hm. That�s not a crash if I�m looking at this right," she said.

Collins arched a brow. "Please explain yourself, Yuri."

"See how the wings have been torn away from the fuselage," she explained pointing at the torn sections. "That tells me that this ship was in a glide path, human or computer controlled. All the carbon burn is on the underside flaring up, so there had to be somebody purposely bringing the ship through the atmosphere."

"Were there any survivors, Colonel?" asked Kei.

Collins stood up. He looked disturbed, passing quick glances at the Angels. Kei did not like the implications of this.

"Colonel . . . what�s wrong?"

He said nothing for a few minutes.

"Yes, there was a survivor. The ships captain."

"Well let�s get him up here and tell us what happened."

"I can�t. You see he�s . . . dead."

That blew any chance of a speedy solution. "Did he tell you anything that might help us?" continued Kei.

"He kept asking us to kill him," Quinten said.

"And did you?"

Quinten looked at Collins, wondering if he should field this answer.

"We didn�t have too, but we should have."

That startled the Angels. They felt the foreboding silence around them, noticing that Collins had moved over to a communications panel. He was about to activate the mic, paused and looked at them.

"I know you�re curious, ladies . . . guess I should show you this." Collins hit the button. "Doctor Pellorian."

<Yes, Colonel.> answered a well mannered voice.

"Doctor, could you bring up the vid on the captain of the Glory Ann."

<You really want to see that again, Colonel?> Pellorian answered clearly with trepidation in his voice.

"Yes, Doc. We have guest who need to see it."

<I�ll bring it up.>

Returning to the table, Collins regained his steadfast composure. "You know when we found him, he was kind of--"

"Glued to the wall," Quinten interrupted. "Just stuck there, jammering and crying like a baby. He kept--"

"That�s enough, Sergeant," Collins said. "As I was saying, the captain was a little delirious, so we thought."

{Glued?} sent Yuri. {Kei we need to get to the Lovely Angel�s data banks and research this one.}

{If we can get through those things outside, Yuri. I don�t see that happening anytime soon.}

She was right. Unless they found a way to escape this potential death trap, there was no way to find out what they were up against, or getting word to Bill to send help. As the Angels conferred, through the main doors, two men and a woman walked in. The taller of the two men headed for Colonel Collins.

"Doc thanks for coming," Collins said.

Doctor Pellorian sat down at a console. From one of the deep pockets of his white lab coat, he pulled out a data cube plugging it in. His thin fingers tapped firmly on the keys as the information uploaded into the computer. He appeared agitated, a strained expression on his face.

"Is there something wrong, Doc?" Collins asked.

Pellorian pushed his wire rimmed glasses up and sat back, running his hands through his dark hair. "This is somewhat of a bad time, Colonel. I was in the middle of treating the wounded from the last attack."

"What are the casualties?"

Pellorian looked up. His silence told Collins more than what words could say. Cursing low, he leaned back against the tactical table.

"Major, I need to see Sergeant St-Paul, ASAP."

"He�s on his way up now, sir."

Pellorian said he was ready, and Collins called the Angels over.

"This is Doctor Pellorian, head physician for the colony."

The Doctor smiled, eyes roving across their bodies. He said something about sins of the flesh, shaking his head with a sigh.

"Behind him, is Timbra Brown; the Company�s civilian rep," continued Collins.

"I�m the administrator for the Andimi Etruscan sector." she added.

Kei sized the woman up. She was a head taller than her, well toned and sporting short fiery red hair. Timbra Brown gave her the impression of a no-nonsense person, typical for the stuff shirt executive types. A glint in her eyes, maybe something that Kei could relate to, found the Angel liking her despite the subtle frowns from the rest of the staff.

"Good to see another red-head here," Timbra said smiling. "Thought we were becoming an extinct species."

Kei laughed. "Yes, we truly are alone in this world."

Collins cleared his throat. "Ladies, if you are finished have fun, we�re ready," he said pointing to the screen.

All eyes looked up, Pellorian running the file.

"I�ve advanced it to cut time, Colonel," he said as the display shifted.

"Thank you, Doc." Collins looked at the Angels. "Uh, this is not very pleasant. I would prepare yourselves," he said.

The display on the screen was from the view of the medical cam on a gurney being moved rapidly down a corridor towards an examination room. On it a man lay struggling to break free from the restraints holding him in place. His screams and cry of anguish carried through the halls.

"PLEASE! SOMEBODY KILL MEEEE!!!" he shouted to the marines around him. Colonel Collins stepped into to view, trying to calm the man.

"Hold on, we�re getting you to a doctor right now," he said. That wasn�t good enough for their patient.

"NO, its too late for that!" he screamed as they burst through the doors.

Pellorian came into view. "Hold on, sir. We�ll get a--"

"You don�t understand . . . you�ve got to kill me!"

"Why?" asked Collins leaning closer. "What wrong with you?"

The captains eyes were like saucers, rivulets of sweat running down his face. "There�s no time for-- AAAggack!"

He tensed, lying rigged for a second. Pellorian moved Collins back ordering his medical team into action. They barely made a few steps, when the captain let out a wail.

"OH, GOD HELP ME!!!!" he managed to say, then began to convulse violently. Several medics and marines grabbed him trying to hold him still. Confusion reigned around the room. Suddenly a female nurse screamed backing away pointing at his chest.

A dark spot appeared on the captains tan shirt; his cries increasing in intensity. The rest of the group moved away, shocked and uncertain what to do. One last cry emitted from the captain. His head sagged, a burst of bone and blood splattering the area. From his chest something appeared to be pushing its way up, tearing through the cloth.

A prevailing silence followed, all eyes locked onto the snake-like creature pulling itself clear from the hole in the dead man�s chest. With slow deliberation, the thing looked around at the horrified expressions. It hissed and leaped to the floor.

"Kill it!" cried Collins. Several marines sprang into action, kicking aside anything in their path as they pursued the creature. Rifle fire echoed through the room followed by a loud squeal.

"It�s got that damn blood!" a marine cried out. Collins shut off the screen.

Kei stood with a hand across her mouth unable to move. Yuri clutched at her chest staring wide-eyed at the screen. Both of them finally turned away staggering back to the table.

"I said it was the damnedest thing I�d ever seen," Sergeant Quinten said to them.

Yuri sat down in a nearby chair lost to the world.

"I�m sorry that was such a shock to you ladies," Collins said.

Kei turned around. "He . . . told you nothing else?" she managed to say.

"No. We did however manage to retrieve the captains and the ships log. I would appreciate it if you and Yuri would go through them."

"Us?"

"You are detectives are you not?"

"Are you looking for something in particular?"

"Yes. I�d like to know why that ship came here."

Kei arched a brow.

"Okay, Colonel. 3WA will pick up the case."

"Good. Mister Rhodes will help you."

The man escorting Timbra walked up, a cheerful grin on his face. He appeared young, almost to young to be a tech of any kind. His curly brown hair made him look that much more out of place. Rhodes stood smiling at her for a minute, then extended a hand.

"Martin Rhodes, Technical Assistant for the Company," he said in a thin voice.

Kei hesitantly shook it, unintentionally drawing back.

{Another geek to harass us,}she sent to Yuri.

{Don�t complain. I think we�ll need all the help we can get.}

"The Company just sent the two of you?" she asked him.

"Oh, no. There was twenty-five of us, and Major Welton of course. Bugs kind�a killed off most of the crew."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Don�t worry about it, sister," Timbra said slapping her hard on the back. "They took a lot of those bastards down with�em."

"Not enough though to get us out of this mess," Collins said, annoyed by Brown�s carefree attitude. "Why don�t you ladies rest a bit. I�m sure you could use a break."

"Thank you Colonel, but I�m fine. Yuri though might need it."

{Funny.}

Yuri stood up "I�d like to get at those logs," she said.

"Okay. Mister Rhodes will take you down to the computer room."

Martin smiled leading the way. Yuri followed him, stopping briefly at the doorway.

{Kei, something tells me this is going to get worse. Much worse.}

Their eyes met, and Kei could see the fear in them.

{Don�t think that, Yuri. We�ll get out of this somehow.}

Yuri held in her doubts and left the room.

Leaning against a wall in Colonel Collins office, Kei tried not to look bored as he debriefed Sergeant St-Paul on the attack that afternoon. Still sweating after the action, his brown skin glistened beneath the lights, shirt mottled with dark patches along his arms and back. Despite his size and chiseled features, the long look on his face betrayed the weariness and mixed emotions St-Paul felt. Slamming down what was left of a glass of water he continued with his report.

"They came up through a hole in one of the heat exchangers near power station three. Ripped apart the mesh and plating along the perimeter, and scattered through the streets."

"How many got in?" asked Major Welton.

"When we got there, twenty of the bugs had already gotten through. The final count was around fifty."

Collins let out a sigh shaking his head. "And that was just fifty," he said. He sat in thought for a moment, then told St-Paul to continue with his report.

"Took all of D company and part of the security force to root them out of the buildings. I think we got them all, sir."

"Well we can�t take any chances," Collins said getting up to stand before a map of the central module on the wall behind him. "Fran, what about damage to the outer module?"

"We sealed up the hole and filled the tubes with liquid metal, but we had to shut down the power station. Everything between A114 and D100 is without power."

"Perfect cover for the bugs if they find another way in there."

Welton shrugged. "Either that or burn up the entire northwest side. I had extra motion sensors placed, and spotlights set up at the intersections."

Collins nodded, pleased by the Major�s foresight, staring at the map. Kei moved from her spot and walked up behind him, giving the map a closer look. He noticed, but continued looking over the layout.

"Our Achilles heel," he said rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Bugs get smarter every day. First they try to dig up under the outer dome, now they�re crawling through the pipes."

"They must realize we�ve got to breath," she replied.

"Air is no problem as long as they don�t get to the recyclers. Water and heat exchangers, now that�s a different story."

A knock at the door sounded. Lieutenant Meyers walked in. She handed Welton a portable redout. Her gaze fell on Kei, eyes narrowing slightly.

"This is not getting any better, Colonel," Welton said. "Casualty report."

"Let�s hear it."

"Twelve marines killed, six wounded, two of those critical. Nineteen security force killed, eleven wounded, eight critical." A puzzled look briefly crossed his face. "Fifteen people taken by the bugs?" finished Welton turning to St-Paul.

"Yes, sir. Personally I saw only four get dragged away, but some of the others said they saw more."

"This was during their retreat?" asked Collins. The sergeant nodded.

"Kidnaping people. I can imagine what for," Kei said.

Timbra leaned back in her chair letting out a low snort. "Should be obvious, sis. They�re playing host for their children."

"We�ve got to go and rescue them then!" said Welton.

"It�s probably too late for any rescue, Fran. Besides, where would we start to look?"

Welton was about to push the issue, but realized that Collins was right. He walked away from the desk dejected.

"It�s hard, Major, but we�ve got to think about those left inside."

Welton whirled around. "You saw what happened to the captain of the Glory Ann. That�s no way for anybody to die; I wouldn�t wish it even to my worst enemy!"

"I know, Fran," replied Collins. "If we could, we would go after them, but I just can�t take that chance right now."

Kei sympathized with the Major, wondering if she would suffer the same fate if the bugs captured her. One uplink, one message to Bill and there would be reinforcements swarming all over this planet. From the way this situation was deteriorating, waiting for 3WA to initiate a search would be too late. Somehow they had to get a link up to Mughi and the Lovely Angel.

"Colonel, can we try another communications uplink?" she asked.

"What, you didn�t learn from the first mistake?" Meyers snapped at her.

"Sitting here is not making things any better, and in light of the situation what have we got to loose!" retorted Kei.

"Maybe our only means to communicate if your little attempt fails!"

The steam rose up in Kei, her fist balling up. She started stalking menacingly towards the lieutenant, who was showing no signs of retreat.

"Alright, back off you two!" roared Collins.

Timbra was out of her chair placing a firm hand on Kei�s shoulder. She relaxed, but cut Meyers an evil glance before turning away.

"Lieutenant," Collins said breaking the hateful stare Meyers had on Kei. She drew up to attention. "I know we�re all at the ends of our wits," he continued. "Let�s not start fighting amongst ourselves. That only helps the bugs. Clear?"

"Yes, sir."

He glanced over at Kei, then back at her before turning back to the map. "Major, I want you and Lieutenant Meyers to start moving the non-combatants into the command center."

"Todd, that�s almost 1100 people. I don�t think we have the room."

"Its going to be cramped, but I don�t want anyone else taken by the bugs. Clear out one of the hangers and put them in there. While that�s being done, have Kelly prepare the dishes for transmission. We�ll try to make contact at first light."

Welton did not like that order but acknowledged it.

Collins studied the map a bit more.

"Sergeant St-Paul, double the guards at the power stations, and the reservoir. Have the engineers put motion detectors on the pipes."

"We�ll get right on it, sir."

"We�ve got a big day ahead tomorrow," Collins said turning around. "The bugs have our backs against the wall, but we�re not out of the fight yet. We�re going to win this battle. Any questions?"

There were none and Collins dismissed all of them but Kei. When they were alone, Collins sat down resting his face in his hands for a moment.

"My lieutenant doesn�t like you?" he said.

"I don�t know why, maybe she at that time of the month."

He laughed leaning back. "Don�t be funny," he said. A serious look came to his face, the colonel steepling his hands together. "That�s not why you�re here. I�m concerned about tomorrow�s success."

"You mean the transmission?"

"It has got to work, Kei. Our supplies are starting to get low. If you can�t get that signal out, then we�re all dead."

Kei swallowed lightly. "All I�ll need is thirty seconds, Colonel."

"With all three dishes online, you should have more than that. I�m taking a big risk with you on this."

"It�ll get out, Colonel."

He regarded her for a second. "Okay. Six o�clock sharp in operations."

"We�ll be there. That signal is as good as gone."

Collins leaned forwards, a serious look in his eyes.

"I�m going to hold you to that. . ."

* * * * *

Jacked into a computer interface, Yuri leaned back in the plush chair she sat in, reviewing the logs from the Glory Ann. Everything she�d found so far was bad. Nothing helped them explain why the ship came there in the first place. Next to her Martin Rhodes sported a similar connection, scanning through the ships computer log. For such a geek, the man sure knew his computer systems. Together they had managed to salvage a small portion of the damaged records. It had been long tedious work, but now at least they knew something about what happened on the Glory Ann. Rhodes�s uncanny skill reconstructing the missing trons was the main reason for their success. It was almost as if he could understand their language without any need for an interface.

Yuri snuggled down into the chair a bit more, tapping the end of the computer stylus in her hands against her chin, watching Martin work. He sat ridged in his chair face close to the wide screen before him fingers clicking rapidly across the keys. Abruptly he stopped, looking up then turned around to her.

"Something wrong, Miss Yuri?" he asked her.

"No. Its just amazing how you work with all these computers. You�re a natural."

He smiled. "Why thank you, Miss Yuri. For a minute there I thought you were going to heckle me about being such a �geek�."

"Nah! Why, Martin that�s not fair. I wouldn�t do such a thing. To tell you the truth, I�m kind of a �geek� myself."

They laughed. Yuri leaned over staring at the his screen. "So how far have you gotten in this log?" she asked him.

"Not very far I�m afraid," he replied tapping a few more commands into the computer. "The main sections are salvageable, basic daily routines, status checks, common stuff. However; it seems that the navigation and communications data has been scrambled quite severely."

"Damaged from the crash?"

Martin looked closer at the code. "No. It looks like encryption. Something I�ve not seen before."

Yuri studied the screen. She knew pretty much all of the languages and encryption codes used through out the Confederation, but this defied standard practices. After a few attempts, Yuri sat back frowning while she thought.

"Its using a new compression scheme," she said. "Private code?"

"That�s my guess. Only thing that bothers me is why now?"

"What do you mean �why now�?"

Changing displays, Martin called up the communications log. "All these transmissions occurred during the ships transit to wherever. Those are readable, but on the sixth, all records are converted to this encryption."

"Which means somebody is purposely trying to hide something," Yuri concluded. Who was that someone though, and what was loaded into the computer that warranted such action? No matter what the reason, obviously somebody wanted this ship to land on Locris with its deadly cargo.

"Let�s review the captain�s logs," she said.

Yuri called up the files again. Voice readout for most of the files proved impossible to restore, so they would have to settle for monitor displays.

"Okay, lets go past the initial transit to first contact."

Martin advanced the files until he found the right one.

The readout began:

Captains Log: 03 March, 2143

Capt. Michael Fendrov

Ser#0304.120

 

Have arrived at the source of the distress beacon. What a find! Glory Ann�s scanners readout an early style, MkXV Military Hypership. The registry code ID�s it to be the Sulaco. I�m having my First check the databanks on her. If there�s no pending claims, we might just make big bucks off this trip after all.

[]

 

"Money. Causes a person to loose sight of common sense," remarked Yuri.

"They didn�t have any reason to be alarmed, Miss Yuri."

"I suppose, and will you please stop calling me �Miss Yuri�."

"Okay, M. . . Yuri. Shall I advance to the next record?"

Yuri nodded and the replay continued.

Update: 03.1624

 

Yuri took note of the transport�s name, making a mental note that if she made connection with the Lovely Angel again to have Bill check it out. The computer suddenly pointed out that the next few portions of the log are marred, and that all information might not be retrievable. It asked if they wanted to continue. Martin told it yes, and the computer resumed.

The readout decayed, Yuri cursing as she tried to make out the words.

"Homebase? Martin where did the Glory Ann launch from?" she asked.

"Cobal Station just inside the Andimi Etruscan system."

He brought up a star chart, highlighting the system. At least four days max from Locris, without the exact position of the Glory Ann�s find, Yuri could not tell if this planet was in their path.

"I can try to fix it, Yuri," Martin said noticing her frustration.

"No, let�s go to the next one."

The log advanced to the next days entry;

"So they lost it, and apparently lost the fight," Yuri said.

"Not to sound cliche, but in the case of Crewman Henson, curiosity killed the cat?"

"Is that a glimmer of humor there, Mister Rhodes?"

Martin smiled. "Partly. I was kind�a referencing your comment about money. Our friend got greedy. I surmise that he went down to see what he could steal for himself."

"And got a nasty surprise." She paused frowning as another thought came to mind. "Martin, how many crew members were there?"

He gazed up at the ceiling in thought. Suddenly his expression dropped. "About. . . thirty-five," he answered gazing at her in shock.

The Glory Ann had become a flying death-trap for Fendrov and his crew. What started as one, must have quickly spread over-powering them in a matter of days. They needed to find out what it was that carried the bugs, at least that would help avoid a similar fate.

"Is there more to this?" she asked about the log.

The computer indicated one last entry, damaged but partly readable.

"They what, they what!" exclaimed Yuri at the screen. She turned to Martin, but he shook his head indicating there was nothing he could do. In a huff, Yuri leaned back in her chair.

"Martin, your illustrious Company is starting to get me very suspicious about it�s intentions," she said.

"You think the Company purposely sent that ship here?"

"I don�t know," she replied sitting up again. "They gave him orders to do something, but from the looks of things he never got to carry them out."

"I wouldn�t think the Company would do something like this? We might have a few blemishes on our record, but those were so long ago."

"Remember what you said about greed," she reminded him. Martin turned away from her and Yuri sensed he was taking this very hard. "Martin, we can�t rule out this possibility." Still the tech said nothing. Yuri placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let�s drop it, okay. Why don�t we look into the computer�s logs."

Rhodes glanced at her, then turned typing the command into the computer.

[Irrecoverable data nodes] reported the computer.

"Filter what you can," he ordered. The computer acknowledged sifting through the files.

[Extensive repair time needed. One video link available, one communications entry available, Run?]

"Play the video first," said Yuri.

The monitor flickered, a view of the bridge on the Glory Ann appearing. What few crewmen left were rushing across the room, piling chairs and anything loose up against the main hatch. Yuri recognized Captain Fendrov locking back the safety on a pulse rifle. Next to him, a woman stood holding a similar weapon preparing for the fight.

"Captain, I cannot protect all of you!" she said to him.

"I don�t expect you too, Janna. Just try to keep them off the bridge," Fendrov replied.

The thumping against the heavy door increased, metal wrenching from its mounts as the aliens began to tear their way inside. A final sharp snap sounded and the barricade collapsed. In rushed the creatures, pouncing upon the hapless crew as they cried out in terror. The woman known as Janna shot down several, but a group piled on her. Muffled sounds of tearing flesh and cartilage popping apart sounded followed her own screams. It was over in a few short minutes. Yuri told the computer to terminate, stopped in mid-sentence and squinted close at the monitor.

"Back up."

The display went into reverse.

"Hold it right there," she said stopping the replay.

"What are you looking at?" asked Martin.

"Her," she answered pointing to Janna. "Enhance her picture."

A portion of the screen was sectioned off, enlarged and refined to display the woman�s features. In particular, Yuri examined the wounds on her arms, claw marks that oozed an oddly thick whitish liquid.

"Hey, she�s a fake!" exclaimed Martin.

Yuri recognized the term normally used for androids in the Confederation by regular humans. Kind of a joke really since most humans had some sort of enhancements done to them. This Android must have been some sort of combat model. It wasn�t standard to allow fully independent one�s to handle weapons, unless there was a need for it.

Unless somebody knew what they were getting into.

"Hmm," she contemplated the idea. "Martin, let�s try the communications log."

"Like I said, it�s been scrambled, and--"

"Please?"

He sighed accessing it.

[Access denied.] called out the computer. Yuri sneered at the console. She tried, getting the same results.

"See what I mean?" said Martin.

"Damn! Why would they cipher the communications log?"

"I could break it, but it will take a few days."

"We don�t have a few days."

He shrugged. "Then we need the computer module from the Glory Ann."

"Looks that way." replied Yuri. She knew that the only way to get it was by going to the downed ship, and that meant fighting their way through an uncounted number of aliens along the way.

"Colonel Collins is going to--"

She was cut off by the wail of the warning alarm.

{Yuri, get up to Operations, fast!} Kei sent to her.

Yuri sprinted for the doors, Martin close behind.

{What�s going on, Kei?}

{Trouble. Just get up here, okay.}

For Kei too be so curt must mean something serious has gone down. Yuri could only imagine the worst as they ran down the corridor.

* * * * *

In the operations center, Kei, Collins, Welton and Kelly stood around the tac-table, Lt Meyers on headphones talking to several units behind them. Yuri rushed up next to Kei.

"Okay, so what�s up?" she asked them.

Kei pointed down to the table. An expanded view of the south portion of the central complex was displayed.

"There was indications of bug activity along the outer dome. A section of marines were sent out with an engineering team to check and seal any gaps. We�ve lost comms with them a few minutes ago."

"So why don�t we just seal off the area?"

"Yeah, we can do that, little lady," sergeant Kelly answered. "But that area is the where our venting outlets to power station two are."

"The bugs are trying to repeat their afternoon attack," added Welton.

Colonel Collins studied the display, noting the icons representing his forces, then looked up at the main screen. "We have any visuals yet?" he asked his techs. One of them finished inputting commands. The screen shifted, displaying the dimly lit outer area. Several large pipes extended out from the side of the inner dome, angling down into the ground. A series of horizontal pipes ran parallel to that, running through a squat permacrete building back into the dome. That was all the camera could see from it�s position.

"You got a better camera?" he asked.

"No, sir. I�m not getting any response from the other remotes," replied the tech.

"Failure?"

"No, sir. They�re not there."

Welton and Collins exchanged brief looks of concern. Collins ordered the remote to pan left. It started, but jerked to a stop. The view shook violently, then the face of an alien filed the screen. Several cries echoed through the room as it hissed. One more jerk, then the screen winked out.

"The bastards learn every day," said Welton returning to the tac-table.

"Then we�ll have to root them out before they can succeed," Collins said. "Lieutenant, are our forces in position yet?"

Meyers barked several orders into her mic before responding. "Units are just about set, Colonel."

St-Paul and Quinten entered through the main door. Collins wasted no time issuing orders to them.

"Sergeant Quinten get a squad together, you just got cleaning duty. St-Paul get a back-up force ready incase they need help."

Both men held back their curses.

"On the double, gentlemen," added Collins.

"First Sergeant, can I get Balboa�s squad?" said Quinten.

"Where do you want them?"

"Have them meet me at the armory."

Quinten turned to go when Yuri suddenly asked, "Can I come along, Sergeant?"

He froze, along with several of the others in the room. "You want to go out there . . . with us?" he slowly replied.

She clasped her hands behind her back giving him her best innocent gaze, head tilted slightly to one side. Quinten drew back questioning the woman�s sanity.

"Colonel?" he said.

"Your call, Sergeant," he replied.

Quinten stared at her again, then ran a hand through his hair. "Nah, hell. Guess a little mayhem wouldn�t hurt us any," he finally said.

Yuri flashed Kei a smile rushing after him. That wasn�t enough for her partner.

{Yuri, what the hell are you trying to do?}

{Getting some field investigation in. Don�t worry I�m going to be okay.}

{You�d better, you crazy Amazon.}

{Sure thing. While I�m gone, talk to Martin,}

{You mean the geek?}

{Not nice. He�s got some info I think you�ll find interesting. See�ya.}

Yuri closed the link and Kei sighed, praying that her partner wasn�t getting into something she could not handle . . .

* * * * *

The squad Quinten asked for was gearing up when they entered. All activity ceased as Yuri walked by. The leering gazes from the male side of the house made her feel a bit nervous. Quinten sneered at their response, quickly guiding Yuri into an adjoining room.

"You Troubleconsultants could at least wear a more unprovocative outfit," he grumbled at her.

Yuri giggled, Quinten�s frown growing deeper. He thrust a combat vest at her.

"I don�t think I�ll need--"

"Put it on," Quinten said sternly. As Yuri shrugged into it, Quinten keyed locks on the lockers around them.

"Get a rifle from the rack, ammo�s in the cabinets. We move out in two minutes."

"I�ll be there, Sarge," she joked.

Quinten rolled his eyes, grumbling asking himself why he allowed this in the first place. Yuri quickly chose her weapons, a standard marine assault rifle and a vibro-bayonet just in case it came to close combat. Synching up the loose ends of her vest, she rejoined the marines.

The squad was enduring a quick harsh tongue lashing from Quinten. Their eyes drifted towards her and he stopped, turning around. Combat gear was not supposed to be sexy attire, but in Yuri�s case it was a marines dream come true. She smiling at them, draping her rifle over one shoulder.

"Uh, sarge. You knows what�s youse were sayin�s about distractions? I don�t think its gonna happen."

"Shut up, Balboa!" growled Quinten. He pulled at his face, letting out a long sigh. "Alright marines, let�s move out!" he ordered. The squad picked up their gear moving for the door.

Yuri snickered, pulling a green beret out of her top. "I found this in the armory," she said. "Mind if I wear it?"

"I don�t think it would matter," Quinten replied. He tossed her a lightweight headphone and a combat communicator. "It�s been synced so don�t mess, and for my sake please don�t tease the guys, okay?"

"Sure, sergeant, but don�t blame me if their natural habits get the better of them."

Quinten grumbled angrily as he headed for the door . . .

* * * * *

Standing at the open airlock leading to the outer perimeter, Quinten and St-Paul made final checks as the rest of the marines readied themselves.

"First signs of major trouble you call us, you hear me, Reggie?" St-Paul said.

"I�ll be the first to scream, partner," he replied.

Quinten pulled on his helmet, adjusted the mic then flashed him a thumb up. St-Paul chuckled slapping him lightly on the back.

"You�re crazy, man," he said.

"Got to be in this job."

The smile fade from St-Paul�s face as he stepped away from the hatch, the door sliding down into place.

"And I�m coming back to finish that poker hand, you pirate," Quinten shouted before it closed shut.

Silence filled the space, Quinten making his way to the front. Yuri stood nervously at the middle of the group, trying to quell the slight tremor she�d suddenly developed in her legs.

"Okay, marines. Get sharp. Safeties off."

The light clicks sounded much louder than normal, tension building. Quinten took a quick head count. Twenty marines, counting himself and Yuri, twenty-two. Hopefully they would be enough to handle the situation he thought. Moving next to the controls, Quinten ordered his two machine-gunners up front. The took stance, weapons pointed at the ready, waiting for him to open the outer hatch. On the count of three, he hit the button and the outer door slid open.

A warm gust of air greeted them. Quinten unslung his rifle and walked carefully out.

<Command this is Quinten, over.>

<Reading you loud and clear, Sergeant,> repled Major Welton�s voice.

<Roger. We�re in the outer dome perimeter, no welcoming committee waiting for us,>

<Good. Make your sweep towards the repair parties last position, we�ll monitor you from here, over.>

<I�ll check-in as soon as we get there, Quinten out.>

The marines walked out, Yuri maintaining her position in the center.

"Okay people, a nice steady two column approach. Stay close, but don�t bunch up. Let�s do it. Balboa, if you can take your eyes off of our guest, think you can watch our rear?"

Corporal Balboa�s head snapped up. "Uh, yea sarge--" His gaze fell back to Yuri�s behind. "Well . . . maybe."

"GET MOVING!" shouted Quinten.

The squad sprang into action, formed up and started down the perimeter.

In two staggered columns, Quinten�s squad of marines moved towards the sight of the last attack, watching for any signs of the deadly creatures. Marching along close to the rear, Yuri held the grip of her rifle tight feeling a fear she�d never felt before. It was hotter out here than inside, she thought tugging on her vest to let out the heat. This plus the gloomy light made everything that much more eerie.

Unconsciously, she shuddered looking up at the side of the inner dome. If those things did decide to attack them there, it was very doubtful that they could hold them off before any help arrived. Yuri attempted to contact Mughi, trying to get her mind off the situation for a moment, but the domes composition prevented the connection. She sighed, then caught the voices of the marines behind her. They were talking low, but she could hear them clear enough to tell what they were talking about. Her brows furrowed together.

"Lookit dat ass, Denny," Corporal Balboa said to the marine walking beside him. "Will ya look at dat meat, fir cry�n out loud."

The thin marine smirked, cocking his head to one side as he gazed at Yuri�s rear. "I would have to say that it is one of the finest formed derriere�s I�ve had the pleasure of looking at. In my opinion of course."

"Listen ta�you, ya walking bookworm. Why can�t you just say that is a fine piece of ass fir christ�sake!"

"I did, but my explanation went way above your form of intelligence and comprehension."

Balboa snickered. "Ya kill me, Denny. Sometimes you just kill me. I�ll bet you say that about the mainframes in Ops, ya geek."

He paused leering at Yuri�s frame again. "Then again, if they had legs and a box like that, I�d be ready ta�jack into them pronto," he said snapping his fingers.

Yuri�s mouth dropped open, the anger in her rising. She was about to drop back and teach this arrogant fool manners, when a thump sounded. Balboa muttered low curses as a tall black female rapped her fist against the side of his helmet.

"Yeow, Hedona!" he said glaring at her.

"Squiggy, you rat! Watch your mouth," PFC Hedona Milles growled at him. "That Troubleconsultant might hear you. If she decides to kick your butt, I don�t think there�s anything you could do to stop her."

"Aw, Heddy. I�m a young male confronting my natural urges like I should. What�s the harm?"

"Well said," Denny added.

"Don�t encourage him, Denny," Milles snapped. "What do you think, man. That women are nothing but receptacles for your oversexed urges?"

"Nah . . . well kind�a--"

Another sharp blow to the shoulder cut him off.

"Squiggy I aught�a go up there and tell her what you�ve been saying. A fine way for a Corporal to be acting."

"Okay Heddy, I hear�s you. But dammed if you can�t agree�s wit me that a combat vest ain�t looked so good on any marine evah!"

Hedona guffawed loudly, staring at him disbelieving his comment. "And what, so us girls in the corps don�t do da same thing, Squiggy?"

Balboa smiled. He clicked his tongue, giving his head a slight twitch looking at Yuri once more.

"Not like that rack of meat," he replied.

Yuri had enough of the corporal�s snide description of her body. She slowed her pace until she was walking evenly between Balboa and Hedona. All three of them had gone silent staring straight ahead, fearing what she would do. Yuri let them stew for a few minutes then looked at Balboa.

"I don�t mind you ogling my butt, Corporal. In fact I find it a bit flattering, however; that part about �meat� has got to go." She extended a hand. "My name is Yuri."

The expression of shock melted away, Balboa smiled shaking her hand. "I�m pleased to meet ya�s, Yuri," he replied. "Let me inderduces you to my pal here, Private Dennis Fraiser."

Denny gave her a nod. "Charmed, madame," he said.

"Hooeee, listen to the silver tongued devil!" exclaimed Hedona. She pushed Balboa out of the way. "PFC Hedona Milles, and personally I think you should have trounced da daylights out of Squiggy, girl."

Yuri could not help but laugh finding herself liking the trio. "Squiggy, eh?" she said. "You talk funny. Where are you from?"

Balboa drew up, chest puffed up with self pride. "Yuri, youse are look�n at a true gosh�fer livin citizen of the New Brooklyn biosphere, the closest one to good�ol Mother Earth."

The Brooklyn biosphere was one of four that survived Earth�s devastating Nanoclysim, recalled Yuri. They considered themselves the last true remaining Earthlings, thus the point of pride in Squiggy�s claim.

"Squiggy, such an unusual name?"

The puffed chest disappeared, Squiggy frowning slightly. "Name�s not Squiggy really. Its Louis," he muttered. Behind him, Hedona and Denny tried to suppress their snickers.

"What, is their something I should know?" asked Yuri confused by their reactions.

Denny nudged Balboa playfully in the ribs. "Go ahead, show her, Squiggy," he said between his chuckles.

Balboa�s frown deepened, and he waved him off moving a few paces ahead.

"He�s very shy about it," Hedona explained to her. "C�mon, Squiggy. Show Yuri here the luck, okay?"

"I don�t wanna!"

"Come on, man!"

Balboa smirked. He gave Yuri a quick glance, then sighed slinging his rifle. Undoing the strap of his helmet, Balboa pulled it off reveling a mop of jet black hair. Nothing unusual about that thought Yuri, until a long strand flopped down his forehead, forming into a squiggly curl at his brow. Several marines close to him patted it affectionately despite his protest.

Yuri gazed upon it in utter surprise. "Why Corporal," she said reaching up, springing the curls up and down with her fingers. "It�s cute!"

"It�s not cute!" he replied.

"It�s a phenomena really," added Denny. "No matter how much he cuts off, the curl grows back in a matter of days."

"Really now. Why do you call it lucky?"

Some of the humor left them then. "Da bugs give it to him," Heddy said.

"The bugs?"

"Yep. During our fight in module two, a bug jumped part of Squiggy�s section and was thrashe�m good. Squiggy here got slapped around and lost his helmet. Out flops the curl and de bug stops to stare at it."

"Closest I ever want to see one of dem tings," said Balboa replacing his helmet.

"I�d swear, girl. The damn thing laughed at him. Outright laughed at him."

"Then Squiggy blew it away," finished Denny.

"Now before we go into a scrap, we pat him on de head for luck."

"Yeah, and dat gives me a friggin headache."

Yuri laughed again.

The squad filed down a ramp out into a wide open run. Here Yuri could see up ahead the pipes running from the inner dome down into the ground, and above that white smoke drifting up into the overhead. Quinten snapped his fingers rapidly, Balboa and Milles taking charge of their sections. The marines fanned out in a staggered line, one covering the other as they advanced across the open ground.

Reaching the first series of pipes, Quinten crouched low waiting for the rest of the squad to get into position.

"Balboa," he whispered low. "By two�s, move up along the outside. Heddy, you�re with me. Up and over, slow!"

Yuri chose to stay with Balboa as Quinten lead the rest of the marines over the top of the pipes. She drew in a deep breath looking at Squiggy. He just smiled, flashing her a quick wink.

"Makie, Boz, start us out," Balboa whispered.

The two marines peeled off, carefully taking positions at the head of the section. They peered around the corner, then moved out. The rest of the marines paired off, Yuri teaming with Denny, following them in a series of leap frog maneuvers along the silent path. Soon it came their turn to lead, and Denny went first checking the stray corners as he inched along the base of the outer dome. Yuri maintained her pace across from him, watching for any sudden appearance by the bugs. Suddenly he stopped, dropping into a crouch and pointed ahead. The smoldering rear of a six-wheeled maintenance vehicle sat parked next to one of the power boxes. Yuri shifted positions, moving across to join Denny. The marine looked around the bend again, then back at Balboa a few yards behind.

Balboa quickly understood. He waved up two more marines positioning them where Yuri had been. Denny steeled his nerves then began to inch his way forwards, the marine across from him mimicking the move. Yuri held her rifle at the ready, but nothing happened. Denny reached the rear of the vehicle and stopped waving them forwards.

"Your turn," he whispered to her.

Yuri took in a breath, then moved around the corner. As fast as she went around, she came back breathing hard.

"What!" Denny said bringing his rifle up. She said nothing, pointing around the corner.

Denny slowly looked around. Against the large tire, a marine sat slumped slightly to one side. Even from this angle, he could tell she was dead, a wash of blood hanging thick from her mouth and chin. Grimacing, he moved out into the open.

Just a few steps away lay the headless body of a maintenance man he cold tell from the grey overalls. Beyond him several short white drums of the liquid metal compound sat stacked near an open crevasse at the base the pipes. Denny swallowed the lump in his throat, then called Balboa. Leading the rest of the section up, Squiggy stopped staring at the scene for a moment. He exchanged a fearful gaze at Yuri and Denny, then switched on his mic.

<Sarge, we�ve found the maintenance team, or some of�em.>

<Stay put, we�ll be there in a second,> Quinten replied.

Balboa rogered, fanning out his people to cover the approaches.

Meanwhile, Yuri had climbed up onto the edge of the vehicle, peering inside. There was blood and acid burns everywhere around the interior of the bed, a gapping hole burned straight through the bottom into the engine housing. Explained the fire, she thought climbing inside. Denny and another marine followed her. Yuri reaching the cabs rear door and carefully released the latch. The marine with them went into a crouch pointing his rife at the opening. On a silent count of three, she opened the door.

A body slumped back through the opening, Denny taking in a sharp breath at the mangled opening in the chest. Terror covered the dead man�s face, his eyes bulged almost to the point of popping out of their sockets. The rush of fear passed from Yuri, and she peered inside the cab. All of the glass in the windshield had been shattered, gouge marks from the bugs claws ripping through the dashboard. Another figure sat slumped to the side, part of his torso just as ripped as the seat behind it.

"Yuri," Denny called to her. He was peering over the side, and she looked to see what he was staring at. On the ground lay parts of a bug wedged up under the charred hub of the center wheel. The ground around it still smoked from the acid-blood. Yuri shook her head.

"They tried to run the things down," she said. "Guess that didn�t work too well."

"We better get back to the others," Denny replied. He gave it one last look, and hopped out of the carrier.

Sergeant Quinten and the rest of the section had rejoined them by then. The burly sergeant was surveying the scene, sneering at the large hole in the ground next to the downlay of a pipe. Three containers of liquid metal lay on their sides, the contents puddling around the pipes and down into the hole. On further examination, it appeared that the hole was partially filled, explaining why they had not encountered more of the creatures. He flicked on his mic and checked in to the command center.

<Ops, this is Quinten, over.>

<I hear you, sergeant,> came Major Welton�s reply. <What�s your status?>

<Looks like the engineers managed to plug the gap, but the bugs jumped them halfway through.>

<No survivors I assume.>

<Found only one marine and three techs so far. We�ll make a sweep and see if we can find the rest of them.>

<Make sure that gap is secure first, Quinten,> Colonel Collins said.

<Had every intention-->

"Sergeant!" Hedona suddenly cried. She was standing atop the pipes, a look of desperation on her face.

<Stand-by, Ops. Gotta check something out,> Quinten finished.

Heddy pointed to something on the other side and the marines took up positions, moving beneath the pipes to see what it was. In the center of the open walkway lay the remainder of the missing section, pools of blood collecting around the bodies. The still remains of several bugs lay intermingled with them. Quinten motioned the sections forwards with caution. He knelt next to the closest marine. No pulse. The sergeant almost showed a sign of emotion, but quickly suppressed it and made his report.

<Ops, Quinten.>

<What did you find, Sergeant?> Collins replied.

He paused for a moment. <They�re all dead, sir. Either they were retreating, or chasing the bugs, I can�t tell. Must of ran into more then they could handle.>

The ensuing silence conveyed Colonel Collins anger. Quinten stood watching as Yuri, Denny and several marines crouched with guns poised at a bug, Balboa bravely moving up trying to pull the things jaws from the chest of the marine clutched in its grasp.

<Sergeant,> continued Collins. <Any sign of the bugs?>

Quinten looked around. He spied a series of bloody tracks leading off towards the ducting station and exhaust vents just beyond that.

<They moved on, Colonel.>

<How many?>

Quinten studied the tracks again. <I�d say two or three score. That�s just a guess though.>

<Hm. Think you�ll need support?>

Balboa nodded his head rapidly at Quinten, mouthing yes several times in rapid succession. Quinten frowned.

<No sir,> he answered gaining startled looks from the section. <We�ll clean�em out.>

<Okay, Quinten. I�ll have St-Paul standing-by. Good luck.>

Quinten sighed. <Yes sir,> he said.

"Geesh, sarge? You expects us�ta clear out god knows how many bugs? By ourselves!"

Quinten stared down at the dead around them before replying.

"You want more marines to end up like this, Balboa?" he asked. Squiggy lost all his objections, realizing that Quinten was right.

"Nah," he said kicking at the ground.

"Okay then. Get a few people back to that hole and fill it up. The rest of you form a skirmish line. Boz, Leon you got the point. Let�s do it!"

As the marines formed up, Yuri stood behind them checking her rifle once more. Quinten walked over to her, an I-told-you-so look in his eyes.

"So, still think it was wise to come along?" he said.

She laughed, cradling her rifle in her arms. "No, but I�ve done stupider things. Tough decision there, Sergeant."

"Welcome to the Marine Corps."

With the return of Balboa�s section, the marines moved out towards their new objective.

* * * * *

Twenty-three marines and one very terrified trouble consultant worked their way through the walkways around the pipes, praying that the bugs would not be lying in wait to slaughter them all. It was too quiet, Yuri inching along behind Quinten searching the tops of the supports they were passing under. Despite the layers of insulation, the heat from the gasses flowing through the pipes still was enough to raise the temperature to near tropical levels. Guess the 3WA still had a thing on everyone for practical uniforms she joked to herself, certain that she was cooler than the marines around her. Her ears caught a faint hiss carrying through the air, making her tense. No, it didn�t sound like one of the bugs. Too steady for that ungodly sound they made. Apparently Quinten heard it too, raising his arms. The section stopped taking up defensive positions.

Yuri listened to the sound, glanced up at Quinten shrugging. He paused then turned snapping his fingers lightly at Balboa. Quinten pointed at him, held up three fingers, then pointed in the direction of the sound. The corporal let out a silent curse not at all happy by the sergeants selection. Quickly picking three others, Balboa started making his way along the walkway towards the sound.

Carefully he inched along, the hiss growing louder with each passing second. Suddenly the walkway opened up, Balboa coming to an abrupt stop. There just visible over the top of a pipe, he saw several bugs climbing and tearing at one of the main ducting pipes. Already they had tore open a small hole, the gasses and heat rippling up into the air around them. They seemed not to be bothered, carrying on at a fevered pace to widen the gap. He moved in for a closer look.

He could see more of them now, peering slightly over the edge. At least six bugs was his estimate. Movement off to the left near the transfer station caught his eye. Three more bugs stalked into view heading over to another group near the base of the pipes digging into the ground. One of the marines tugged on his sleeve pointing towards the inner dome. Jeesssus, the bugs were crawling all over the place, he thought spotting the ridged curved tails and tubed backs moving around the pipes. The marines wisely withdrew before they were discovered.

Balboa rushed over to make his report to Quinten.

"There�s frigg�n bugs everywhere!" he whispered low to him. "Sarge, we�re gonna need more help than this."

"Quit your whining, Balboa," snapped Quinten. "Now how many did you count?"

"There�s about half a dozen ripping a hole in one of dem big pipes, counted a few more ripping up the ground not far from that."

Yuri frowned. "If they get a big enough hole in that pipe, we�re sunk." she said.

"Yeah, but their not going to get that far," replied Quinten.

"Sarge, da bugs are all over the pipes. If we blast them, that blood of theirs will chew its way right through�em!"

"Let me worry about that, Balboa."

Quinten knew that might mean shutting down the power station, but he could not allow the bugs to swarm in and quite possibly break into the inner dome like yesterday. Carefully, he made his way through the pipes, peering at the bugs. They were still at it, the hole much wider than when Squiggy saw it. He took in the terrain then drew back.

Quinten whispered to Hedona,motioning her over.

"Alright, here�s what we are going to do, people. Heddy, get Leon and three others up on that transfer station. Balboa, move Boz up here with his machine gun. The rest of us will fan out and move up to cover the area. No comms, silent approach, and no slip-ups or we�ve had it. Clear?"

They nodded moving off to carry out the orders.

"Where do you want me?" Yuri asked.

"Choose your ground, little lady," he replied.

Yuri smiled, deciding to stay with him. She moved down a few paces, making her way through the supports and leaned up against one of the pipes, letting out a slow sigh. From her position she had a clear view of the area, watching with some interest how the bugs were tearing up the pipe and concrete. She found it incredible how much strength they had. Reminded her in most ways of typical ants, although typical ants don�t bleed acid, or think like these creatures do. She noticed the marines had made it to the top of the transfer station, Leon training his machine gun down at the bugs. Hedona moved up into view, giving her a thumbs up to signal that her section was in position.

Yuri relayed the message, and Quinten checked to see if Balboa was ready. Squiggy nodded, Quinten looking forwards once more. He reached down switching on his communicator.

"Colonel--" Quinten managed to get out, but to Yuri�s surprise the bugs let out a shrill squeal and together rounded on him hissing angrily.

"Blast�em!" he shouted and the section opened fire.

The Bugs surged towards them loud cries of anger and pain filling the air as they were cut down beneath a hail of gunfire. Arms, limbs and puffs of acid-blood spattered the area, still they came on, reaching the line of marines bringing the fight to close quarters. Yuri leaped back downing a bug as it scrambled through the pipes at her, rolled aside and fired catching another across the chest. It blew apart spraying the area behind it, acid quickly eating away the insulation and metal. A loud roar sounded, Yuri scrambling away as streams of heated gas shot out of the holes.

That complicated things she realized trying to see through the haze. Not only did it jeopardize the power station, but the white mist provided excellent cover for the creatures. "Sergeant Quinten!" she shouted moving through the pipes. Between the roar of gunfire and hiss of gas, Yuri�s voice had no chance of being heard. Off to her left she spotted a form silhouetted in the haze. She spun as the bug�s head craned around towards her, snapping off several burst. It crumpled to the ground, but immediately drew the attention of two more who rushed towards her. Yuri let out a scream firing furiously. One dropped from view, the second leaping through the air onto the pipe above her, then pounced. She dived to the ground barely dodging it�s taloned swipes, but before Yuri could get to her feet, the spiked point of the bugs tail raked across her chest. She fell back over a support loosing her rifle.

The creature hissed ready to finish her. Gunfire sounded, the side of its head shattering.

"Get up, girl!" Yuri barely heard Hedona shout through the din. Yuri retrieved her rifle, leaping over the twitching body. Together they ran out into the open.

The fighting had also moved out from the pipes, Quinten leading the marines forward, laying down heavy fire at the onrushing bugs. His estimate was not to far off the mark. Yuri counted at least twelve bugs lying dead on the ground at their feet. The battle was still in doubt, more bugs appearing from the surrounding structures. There was no time to assess the situation as another group attacked. Yuri and Hedona cut them down, then from above a loud cry made them look up.

The bugs had jumped the marines atop the transfer station, Leon the machine gunner clutching the end of a tail that protruded through his chest. The bug dangled him in the air, letting him suffer before flinging him violently to the ground. Hedona cried out in anger, blasting it into pieces.

As she lead the other marines around them in a counterattack, Yuri rejoined Quinten�s group carrying the fight futher out into the open. A vicious round of close quarters combat ensued, neither side holding back.

Yuri trap-shot a bug trying to leap on her, spun around blasting another into pieces. She backed against the side of a support searching for more targets. A figure appeared, an extremely large bug spoiling for a fight. Instantly her rifle came up, but instead of the roar of gunfire the trigger snapped home with a loud clack. Her clip was empty, Yuri grimacing as the thing hissed breaking into a run. There was no time to reload. She dropped to one knee activating the vibro-bayonet just as the bug made a swipe at her. It squealed drawing back a nub, forearm flopping to the ground. Yuri dodged the spew of acid-blood, thrust the blade into its throat slashing down and through its body.

The parts flailed madly at her feet, but Yuri stepped aside reloading her rifle. Just in time as two more bugs attacked. She blew them away with hardly a pause, moving further out into the open. Ahead she spotted Denny blasting apart several bugs near the edge of the maintenance walkway. Behind him, five more bugs appeared at the railing. Instinctively Yuri drew three bloody cards from her holder, flinging them with deadly accuracy. Several cries cut the air, body parts falling back over the side. Denny spun around, mouth agape at the scene. He mouthed a thanks to her. Yuri flashed him a quick smile, moving on.

The fight was winding down she could see, most of the bugs dead or in the throes of death. Up ahead, Quinten and three marines were finishing off the remaining bugs trying to escape their fire. One leaped at him arms reaching towards his throat. Quinten ducked, then blocked a thrust from the creatures tail with the butt of his rifle. To Yuri�s surprise, the burly sergeant threw a solid right catching it square in the jaw. The bug actually staggered, then Quinten fired a burst into the side of its head. He stood over the twitching body a dark sneer on his face. Several more shots ended the bugs agony.

Suddenly from out of the pipes behind him, a bug appeared. Yuri took aim, then realized that if she fired she might hit Quinten as well.

"Quinten, behind you!" she cried out over her mic.

Quinten spun around staring face to face with the creature, but it did not attack. Instead, it made the same hiss they heard at the start of this fight; arms groping madly skyward as if in pain. The bug whirled around, let out a long hiss and charged at Yuri. "Huh?" she muttered in confusion. It made no more than a few steps before Denny and Balboa appeared, destroying it beneath a hail of gunfire.

Quinten stared incredulously at the remains, gazing up at Yuri. She was just as lost as he was. He shook his head then switched on his comlink.

<Ops, Quinten,>

<Quinten, what the hell�s going on!> Colonel Collins shouted across the net.

<We, uh . . . were kind of occupied, sir.>

<Occupied? What happened to the bugs?>

Heddy appeared with the remained of the section, Quinten took a head count before answering. <We�ve cleaned out the bugs, but the station and pipes are trashed. It�s going to take some serious repair to fix this mess.>

<Hold your position. I�m sending St-Paul out to relieve you. When you get back, I want a full report from you ASAP.>

The link was cut, Quinten flinched at the sharp break.

"Guess the skippers kin�a mad, eh Sarge," said Balboa.

He did not answer, thinking silently to himself. Yuri could see his disappointment, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"We did what we had to do, Quinten. What more can he ask?" she said.

"We were supposed to prevent this from happening," he replied.

From the edge of the far railing, Denny called out to them. "Come take a look at this," he said waving them over. Down below lay the dismembered part of the bugs Yuri had prevented from jumping Denny. One of them minus the lower half of its body managed to crawl away from the pile, heading towards the base of the outer dome.

"Oh yeah, target practice!" Heddy said lining up the bug in her sights.

"No!" shouted Yuri pushing the barrel away.

They stared at her, wondering what was running through her mind. Yuri did not stay to explain, running down the adjacent ramp. She stood a few paces behind the injured creature, staring at it for a moment.

"Yuri, you crazy woman!" shouted Quinten. "Get away from that thing before it comes after you!"

She glanced back at them, then turned on her comlink. <Ops, this is Yuri. Kei are you there?>

<Yeah, Yuri. What�s up?> came Kei�s reply.

Yuri did not answer, watching the bug suddenly claw at the ground, that familiar hiss cutting the air. It reared back, snapped at her with its inner jaws, crawling towards her. She stepped out of reach.

<Kei, I think I�m on to something,> she said.

The creature hissed louder, increasing its efforts.

<On to what, Yuri? I don�t understand.>

<I�ll tell you later, out.>

Yuri rejoined the marines her mind in deep thought.

"Mind telling me what that was all about?" asked Quinten.

"Not here, sergeant," she replied.

He arched a brow, but accepted her answer. Quinten told the marines to finish off the creature. He looked at Yuri again, eyes fixed on her chest.

"Still doubt me now for wearing that vest?" he asked her.

Yuri looked down. A long deep slash cut across the vest, part of her bikini top folded down exposing her breast. She flushed red pulling the ends closed. If she had not worn the combat vest, Yuri would have resembled that bug she�d just seen below.

"We�ve got to get back to Ops." she said heading for the nearest exit . . .

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