With close interest, Colonel Collins listened as Sergeant Quinten made his report; Yuri, wearing one of Squiggy�s shirts, adding her observations to finish it off. He glanced silently between them, then turned facing the main screen.

"So you say that one of the bugs actually turned and attacked you instead of killing Quinten?" he asked Yuri again.

"It responded to the call I made over the net," she replied moving to one of the communications consoles. Yuri sat down and started punching in codes to the computer. "Something in the frequency is affecting them I�m sure of it."

"That�s impossible, Yuri," Timbra said. "The communications spectrum being used is way too complicated to do that."

"These things are being influenced somehow," she replied. "That response could explain why they are attacking the communications dishes."

On the monitor before her, a list of specs for Dorman�s communications came up. Immediately Yuri smirked sitting back. "Then again, maybe not," she added.

The people around her glanced close to the readout on the screen. All the frequencies were signal diversified, auto switching between the multi-channeled spectrum.

"Could it be that the bugs are sensitive to the electromagnetic energy in general?" asked Kei.

"That�s a possibility," answered Martin. "But if it�s just one certain level, then we�d have to test each freq to find out which one it is."

"In either case, we should concentrate on finding out what freqs we can use safely and get a signal out."

"That�s now out of the question, Kei," Major Welton said.

He placed a digital pad in front of Collins. Silently, Collins read the report, glancing at Fran several times before pushing it away.

"Six hours?" he said.

"That�s not counting the cool down time needed to start work," Welton replied.

Collins sat down rubbing the bridge of his nose, and closed his eyes. He let out a sigh. "Well, Kei. Your transmission is not going to happen anytime soon. Three of the four towers are now out of commission thanks to that skirmish."

Kei reached over and read the readout on the digital pad. The damaged caused by both the bugs and the gunfire had vented to many pipes. Without proper discharge and cooling inlets, Power Station Two would have to be shutdown until repairs could be made. A process that by the engineers estimates would take six hours minimum.

{Yuri, we have to try and get to the outside ourselves,} she sent.

{I�ve fought these things twice now, Kei. We don�t stand a chance out there.}

{Bill has got to know what�s going on. Look, you can stay here. I�ll get out and get to the Lovely Angel and call for help.}

{Suicide,}snapped Yuri. {I�ve got a better idea, but first we need to talk to Colonel Collins alone.}

Yuri stood up. "Colonel," she said. He looked up. "Kei and I would like to talk to you in private if we could."

"Will my office do?" he replied arching a brow.

"For starters."

Collins nodded. "Fran, get those crews hot on repairs. Quinten, you and your squad get some rest, you�ve deserved it. Ladies."

Yuri sat in front of Collins�s desk nervously as the Colonel gazed at her. Kei stood next to the door more for security than anything else. For a moment nobody spoke, then Yuri cleared her throat.

"Colonel, I don�t believe that what is affecting the bugs is no coincidence."

Collins leaned back, crossing his arms before him.

"Are you saying that one of my people is a saboteur?" he asked her.

"More likely a spy," she replied. Yuri recounted the findings from the Glory Anne�s records, pointing out the mysterious scrambled portions. Still Collins looked upon her skeptically.

"Is that all you can base your assumption on, Yuri?" he said. "I need hard facts too believe that someone would actually want to plant this horror on the people of Locris."

"Colonel," Kei interrupted. "I�ve seen people do things to others for many purposes. Greed, power, whatever,"

"And your point?"

"My point is that the founders of this colony do not have a very clean record. Everyone know this, so we can�t put it past them to have not planted a spy here to keep an eye on things."

"That�s absurd!"

Yuri shrugged. "They apparently knew enough to warn Captain Fendrov about the bugs, and gave him explicit orders to that effect."

Collins could not argue with that fact. He leaned on the desk, thinking about the Angels theory for a moment. "So you have any suspects?" he asked.

Kei nodded. "Three prime suspects," she answered.

"Let me guess, Major Welton, Timbra Brown, and Martin Rhodes."

"They did come from the company," Yuri said.

Collins went silent again.

"I can�t believe Major Welton would be involved with this," he finally said.

"Our thoughts too. He�s nothing more than liaison for the military," said Kei.

"That leaves Timbra and Martin. Why would the Company sacrifice an entire landing force just to place one spy in my command?"

"We could asked them, but that would do us no good and we don�t want to alert the spy," replied Kei.

"No grounds for an arrest either without evidence," added Yuri.

"This is not helping us, ladies," Collins said leaning back again. "You have a lot of theories. Valid, but theories nonetheless. I need facts, something to one; get some help for the 1200 some odd survivors I have left out of a 3500 people colony, two; tell me who�s responsible for this fiasco so I can nail their butts, and three; eradicate these creatures before they infest this entire planet."

The Angels could sense Collins�s anger, an awkward pause passing between them. Yuri shifted nervously, then continued.

"We do have a plan, Colonel," she said.

"I�m listening."

"Well, Kei and I need to talk with our ship,"

"I can�t do that effectively with one dish, Yuri. Both of you saw the--"

"We don�t need a dish," said Kei. Collins frowned. "You see, Colonel, Yuri and I are . . . uh, enhanced Agents."

"We have a mind link between us and our ship," explained Yuri. "Your domes are cutting us off right now."

Collins�s jaw sagged slightly in disbelief. "Well thank you for telling me this, ladies," he said skeptically. "I would�ve appreciate this kind of information well in advance."

"We don�t like to let anyone know about it unless we have to," replied Kei.

He cast them a dark look, folding his arms across his chest. "Continue."

"All we need is an antenna, something that can carry a signal. Our ship will do all the rest," finished Yuri.

"An antenna eh?"

"It�s got to be secret, Colonel," added Kei.

He understood, reaching over to the commpanel on the desk. <Lieutenant Meyers.>

<Yes, sir?>

<Report to my office.>

<Aye, sir.>

Collins looked at the Angels. "I think we can trust Vicky," he said. "Now what about the spy, if there is one?"

The Angels cast hesitant glances between them. They knew Collins wasn�t going to like what they had to say next.

{You tell him,} Yuri sent to Kei. {You�re better at this stuff anyway.}

{Thanks, chicken.}

She placed a light smile on her face. "We can�t really feel out the spy right now, Colonel, but we think we have a way to find out who�s behind all of this." Kei paused to see if there was any reaction from him. He sat still as granite waiting for her to finish.

"We need to go to the Glory Ann."

That drew a response. Collins was out of his chair, leaning across the desk a look of shock on his face.

"What!" he shouted.

"It�s the only way we�re going to unscramble the last part of the logs in any reasonable time, Colonel," Yuri said.

He looked back and forth at them perplexed by their proposal. "What!" he shouted again.

Kei leaned on the desk looking him square in the eye.

"Look, Colonel, you wanted us to help you find out why theses god-forsaken things are here. The only way we can do this is by unscrambling the last two signals in the Glory Ann�s data logs. That means we either try this manually which, oh I don�t know, will take at least a week maybe more, or we get the computer module that understood the code and plug it in here."

They eyed each other for a few seconds, then Collins drew back. He shook his head, ran a hand through his hair, and began pacing slowly around behind his chair deep in thought.

"I have high reservations about going back there."

"It�s the only way, Colonel," Yuri said.

Collins stopped, then a knock at the door sounded. He opened it, Lieutenant Meyers stepping inside.

"Vicky, is the beacon still up?" he asked her.

"Yes, sir. Last time I checked it was still in one piece," she replied. Collins cut his eyes to Kei, arching a brow.

"It will do," she said.

"Good. Lieutenant, go find two interface plugs and meet us in the transmitter room. Don�t tell anyone what or where you are going. Clear?"

"Yes, sir," she replied and left the room.

After the door had closed, Collins stood staring somberly at the floor, tracing the edge of his desk back and forth with his fingers. Looking up, he gave the Angels a hard gaze.

"We�ll talk about your proposal later."

"It�s your decision, Colonel," Yuri replied. "and too be honest, I don�t envy you at all. . ."

* * * * *

Vicky had everything setup by the time Collins and the Angels arrived at the transmitter room. They went in. Collins locked the door ordering her to stand guard and let no one inside. It wasn�t a very large room Kei and Yuri noticed as they sat behind the only console. The beacon itself was positioned in the center, a short square unit connected to a thick pole that ran up through the overhead.

Tapping in a code, Collins shut off the transmitter. "How long will you need?" he asked.

"We can�t say," Yuri answered him. "Depends on how long we can keep up a signal."

"You know this is not designed for your level of communications?"

The girls stared at the console, gave each other a knowing nod, then picked up the connectors.

"I�ll go first," said Kei. She stared at the probe, reached up pulling back her hair and plugged in. "Now," she said. Collins switched on the transmitter.

Immediately Kei tensed up as the connection began. She tried to relax and cleared her mind, letting her conscience flow with the currents. In her minds eye a myriad of lights flashed around her, nodes of electrons darting to and fro along the electronic horizon. Kei knew she had reached the nexus, transmitting to the Lovely Angel. Something buzzed in her head, faintly at first, growing louder and louder with each second.

[Signal acknowledged,] came the voice of the ships computer.

[Oh girl, thank god!] Kei replied. [Listen this is a code one priority. Connect me to 3WA headquarters, pronto!]

The ship rogered her request. Mughi suddenly popped up, growling questionably at her.

[Mughi, we are in some serious trouble here. Whatever you do, don�t set down on this planet and try to rescue us, okay?]

Mughi�s reply came back fuzzy. Kei felt her connection start to fade, quickly forcing herself to maintain the link.

[I can�t talk right now, Mughi. Damnit, where�s that connection!]

[3WA headquarters online, Bill Galet standing by.]

[Bill!]

Galet�s voice came faintly to her senses.

[Kei? Kei is that you?]

[Yes, Bill! We need help, ASAP!]

[What�s going on? Mughi contacts me with an urgent Priority One, then tells me you two are in some sort of trouble he can�t explain.]

[Bill, you�ve got to send the Marines fast. We�ve got a situation here that requires some heavy duty firepower.]

[I already have. There�s a battalion of Marines enrout to Locris, ETA is sometime in the evening there. Tell me what your up against.]

Kei felt a wave of elation flow through her at the news. Good ol�Mughi, she thought. The feeling suddenly increased, and Kei started to loose her concentration. The strain was beginning to catch up with her.

[Bill, Bill I�m getting tired . . . one battalion is not going to be enough, you�ll have to send at least a division . . . did you hear me, Bill?]

[I caught most of it, Kei. Your signals fading fast.]

[Damn. Yuri!]

[I�m here, Kei.] Yuri said. [Punch out, I�ll take it from here.]

Kei�s connection faded out. [Hi, Billy.]

[Yuri, good to see you are alive.]

[That makes two of us. Look this connection is taxing, so I�m going to transmit all the data from my memory cells to you before it drops. Stand-by.]

Yuri concentrated, commanding her neuralware to uplink what she had to Bill. After a few minutes, the transfer completed, Yuri sensed the dark fog of exhaustion creeping over her.

[Bill, did you get it all?] she asked.

[Got it. I�ll scan through this stuff as soon as we�re done.]

[Great. Bill, check out the Company. We suspect they�re up to something, not sure what it is though.]

[Right. Sounds like you�re about to loose me, so I�ll get on this.]

Yuri felt herself wavering in her chair. [Yeah, I better go. Hurry, Bill. We might not be here much longer.]

[Don�t say that. You girls be careful. Don�t get killed on me, alright?]

[Gotcha, Chief. Talk to you as soon as we can.]

The net broke down and Yuri returned to conscience. Her eyes fluttered open and found Colonel Collins holding her in his arms.

"You didn�t tell me you were going to pass out," he said.

She stirred, twisting slightly towards Kei. Meyers had her stretched out on the floor pressing a damp compress to her forehead.

"Colonel," she managed to say gazing up at him. "their . . . their coming,"

"Who�s coming, Yuri?"

". . . the relief force. Billy sent a battalion to rescues us . . . they should be here in . . . by dusk."

A smile lit his face, Vicky grinning as well at the news.

"That is good-- Yuri?"

She did not answer, slipping into a deep sleep.

* * * * *

Silence prevailed across the wide expanse of Dorman�s reservoir, momentary sparkles of light reflecting off the crest of ripples coasting casually across the dark water. Private Jim Miller stared at the reflection in the water, his reflection looking more haggard and aged than a man of twenty-two should. Fear is what caused it, fear of the bugs and violent death they represented. That he had survived so far was a miracle in itself. First the Aerodrome, then the fight in Complex Three, both near run-ins with death he vowed never to face again.

The maintenance droid gliding across the surface of the water returned to its storage shed, and as the last ripples dissipated he continued on with his rounds. Yep, no more daring-do gung-ho marine crap for me, he thought. Once this whole thing was over, he�d put in for separation. Screw risking my neck for some civvy. Home was where he wanted to go, working a farm or anything better than this.

Footsteps sounded from the metal steps behind him. He turned as a civilian tech stepped out, toolbag in hand. He spotted the Marine and flashed him a smile, pointing to one of the machinery rooms at the far end.

<Op�s, Sentry Three,>

<Yeah,>

<Got a tech here, is he cleared to proceed?>

<He�s clean. Let him go.>

Miller waved him on.

Glancing at his watch, he counted only thirty minutes until he got relieved. Much good that did, everyone was doing round-the-clock shifts. A slight tremor passed through the reservoir. Miller passed it off as the techs doing.

His mind wandered again. He stopped, leaning against the railing and looked out across the water. It was shifting again, gentle ripples traveling out form the center of the pool. Too bad this wasn�t home, the lazy river behind his parents house beneath a midday sun.

He smiled and found himself staring back down at the reflection wavering on the ripples below. As they faded, another face began to form beneath the dark water, a face set in an ever-present grin of razor sharp teeth, the eyeless forehead set squarely on him.

Private Jim Miller�s eyes bulged wide, his only reaction as an explosion of water shot into the air. A Bug leaped up to grab him in it�s taloned claws, pulling him over the side. For a brief second he broke the surface flailing desperately for the edge, but several bug bodies rolled over him, dragging him under. A murky slick clouded the water marking his grave.

Around the pool, sinister forms began to rise from the depths of the reservoir, climbing up the side into the complex beyond.

* * * * *

A row of jagged teeth snapped at her, Kei running pell-mell through the darkened expanse of a tunnel that seemed not to end. She heard the hiss behind her, felt the rush of air as their claws swiped at her back. Kei extended her stride opening the distance. She rounded a bend and spotted Yuri standing at the end.

"YURI!" she cried pumping her arms and legs as fast as she could. A pane of permaglass sealed the opening. Yuri pressed up against it, tears streaming down her face.

Kei reached the glass pounding her fist furiously against it.

"YURI, their after me! Open this *#%@$ thing!"

Yuri said something she could not hear, weeping openly now. Behind her, blurred figures suddenly took hold of each arm, pulling her away.

"No, Yuri, help me!" shouted Kei, crying as well. Yuri reached out desperately to her as she and the unknown figures disappeared around the corner.

"Yuri, Yuri, YURI!" cried Kei. Suddenly she stopped, sensing something close behind her. Kei looked back, straight into the open jaws of a bug. It hissed as the inner pair began to slide forward.

Kei screamed . . .

* * * * *

Kei sat up panting heavily as she woke from her nightmare. She was lying in the lower part of a bunk bed in one of the marine barracks.

"You okay, red?" a woman�s voice said startling her. She looked around to the woman seated at the side of the bunk staring curiously. A hand touched her shoulder, Kei yelping as she spun around.

"Relax, Kei. It�s only me," said Yuri.

Kei let out a sigh of relief, hugging her tight. "Don�t you ever do that to me again, ever!" she said.

Yuri looked at Hedona, shrugging.

"So dis is your partner," said Squiggy seated on the bunk behind Yuri. Dennis sat next to him watching them silently.

Kei frowned, drawing back. She looked up at Yuri. "How long was I out?"

"About an hour. I just woke up myself."

Stretching, Kei swung her legs over the side. She yawned then glanced at the marines. "Friends of yours?" she said.

Yuri introduced them to her.

"Squiggy? Odd name for a grunt."

"Oh no, I�m not going through this again!" Squiggy declared.

Yuri laughed, calming him down. "Stop bothering the man, Kei. It�s just a nickname. Why the girls in our class used to call you--"

"Don�t go there," Kei said cutting her off.

Yuri caught the profound look of death in her eyes and decided to change the subject.

"Look, Kei. The guys in A Company made me an honorary Private First Class," she said flashing the stripes on her sleeves.

She smirked and stood up. "This place is a ghost town," she said eyeing all the empty bunks.

"This used to belong to C company, before they got axed," replied Denny.

"What happened to them?"

"They got slaughtered in Complex One," Heddy answered her.

"You mean the one with its guts caved in?" asked Yuri. She nodded.

"Mind telling us what happened?" Kei asked her.

Hedona stood up leaning on the top bunk. A distant look passed across her, feelings Kei and Yuri knew were hard for her to bear.

"The whole damn company," she began then paused taking in a sharp breath. "I had a lot of friends in C company. When the bugs started infesting Complex One, Major Christopher--"

"Who?" questioned Kei.

"He was the original X.O. here before Major Welton," Squiggy explained.

"A decent officer too," continued Hedona. "He led them over to try and stop the bugs from slaughtering the civvies. Two hundred and fifty fully armed marines, girl. . . still wasn�t enough,"

"Nobody could help them?" said Yuri.

"Hell, Yuri. Everyone was engaged then!" exclaimed Heddy. "A and D company were falling back from the airfield, we were fight�n for our lives in Complex Two, and the bugs were swarming through Three and Four!"

Kei could see the tears welling up in her eyes. She felt sorry for the woman, and everyone was silent for a moment.

"It�s not like we abandoned them, Kei," Squiggy said sadly. "We just couldn�t break away."

"No ones blaming you, Squiggy," Kei said. "Just hard to believe there were no survivors."

"Major Christopher and C company gave those civilians time to reach safety," Dennis said. "Once they were clear, he set off a kilo charge of C-36."

"Brought down the roof on the bugs," said Yuri.

"Yeah, but it didn�t kill�em all," added Squiggy.

"The bugs?"

"And some of C company."

Squiggy shook his head, leaning back against the headrest of the bunk. "I can still hear them calling over the net, begging for help . . . shoot�n themselves before the bugs could tear into�em."

"Two days we heard them. There was nothing we could do," finished Hedona. She gazed hard at Kei, eyes lit with a look of terror at her memories. "Do you know what it�s like to loose a friend, Kei?"

Kei cut a quick glance at Yuri before answering. "Yes. Yes I do, Heddy. I know how much it hurts."

Hedona smiled reaching across to pat Kei�s forearm tenderly. Her eyes caught the time on her watch.

"We better go, guys. It�s ten to eight, and you know how the First Sergeant hates late reliefs."

Denny and Squiggy both shot to their feet. Before anyone could move, the general alarm sounded.

<All personnel to combat stations, immediately!> Lieutenant Meyers cried out over the intercom. From the sound of her voice, something big was happening.

The marines dashed out the room, Kei and Yuri in close trail. As they rushed down the corridors, they were joined by more marines, civilian police and any armed individual forming a mob that reached the lower level joining those already there. Squiggy led them to the nearest armory. A marine was frantically tossing out arms and ammunition to anyone who needed it.

"Hey, Mackie. What the hells going on?" he shouted.

The marine tossed him a belt of reloads without hardly a pause. "The frigg�n bugs are inside!" he replied tossing Heddy and Dennis ammunition.

"Where, in the outer dome?"

Mackie tossed Kei an assault rifle, Yuri receiving a power blaster and grenades.

"No! They�re inside, Squiggy. The damn bugs are inside with us!"

Kei whirled facing Yuri, her mouth gapping in shock. A disaster was unfolding before them, and unless a miracle happened this looked like the end of Locris colony. Squiggy wasted no time, leading them through the milling rush of civilians not participating in the fight, out into the open street. Gunfire raged through the air around them, squads of armed troops running or mounting anything that could move to join the battle.

"BALBOA!" First Sergeant Kelly�s voice cried above the din. He walked over, Timbra and a section of marines in tow behind him.

"Take this group over to twenty-three and E on the double," He looked Kei over briefly then added, "and take the K-gun with you."

Kei bristled with anger. "Hey I�m not--"

"Save it red. No time to argue with me. Now get moving!"

Squiggy took charge of the detail. Kei fumed for a moment before turning away with a growl to follow them.

"Hold on, Heddy," Kelly said stopping her and Yuri. "We�ve got to join the Major with whatever we can scrape together."

Yuri grimaced. Things must be worse than she thought. "Sergeant Kelly, is it that bad?" she asked.

Kelly�s brows furrowed together answering her question.

"We haven�t got time to sit here and talk," he said moving on.

Yuri felt a shudder pass through her. She powered up the blaster and followed . . .

Chapter Seven

The staccato of a heavy machine gun rattled off amongst the warehouses a few blocks away, Squiggy�s detachment dismounting from the back of the maintenance car that carried them to the fight. In the street a makeshift working party hurried to form some sort of barricade between two buildings out of anything they could get. Kei saw that it was a moot point at best. Off to the left a wide lot exposed their flank, and she doubted that the bugs would be hardly hampered by the chainlink fence that surrounded it. A power mover lumbered up into position, blocking the remaining gap with its wide scoop.

Around her the marines dug in, setting up weapons. Squiggy detailed some of the force to the roofs, ordering those that were left to move more of the equipment into line just behind the lot.

The shooting grew louder. Kei found herself a spot on the street barricade and set up the assault rifle. Not a standard model the 3WA possessed in their arsenals, this one was much shorter and sported a wide muzzle to support the various types of 20mm rounds it could use. A stand flipped out from under the grip, Kei anchoring the sharp ends into the concrete slab she hid behind. Loading the rotating drum into the frame, she adjusted the electronic sights, braced the recoil assisted stock to her shoulder and got ready.

Squiggy stopped behind her as he checked the line.

"Gonna be able ta handle that baby, Kei? It�s got a mean kick."

"I�ll manage, Squiggy. Just keep that ammo handy."

"You�re going to need help for that," he replied.

"I�ll be here," Timbra suddenly said moving beside her. She looked at Kei and smiled. "How�s-it, sis."

"Glad you could join the party," replied Kei.

An explosion rocked them, Balboa dropping to one knee trying to hear what was coming over his helmet�s speaker.

"Sergeant Quinten�s falling back, I got ta get moving. You guys take care and don�t get messed up," he said rushing off to check the rest of the line.

Kei locked in a round, flicking off her safety. "Well, Timbra, we�re about to get into one hell of a scrap," she said.

Timbra laughed, priming her rifle. "Let�s give�em hell then, little sister. We don�t want to ruin our reputation of redheads as being the fiercest bitches around, now do we?"

Kei found humor in her words, grinning. Another explosion, much closer this time, went off littering the area with debris.

Several soldiers bolted around the corner ahead, making a slow withdrawal as they fired back up the street. More of them appeared dashing towards them under the cover of their comrades, several carrying wounded between them. Kei spotted Sergeant Quinten, a marine slung over one shoulder. With his gun hand he fanned the area, shouting to the other marines around him to fall back. The gunners on the roof began to fire, Timbra nudged Kei and pointed up.

Bugs were leaping across the rooftops, a dark mass oblivious to the furious gunfire being poured into them. More gunfire echoed down the line, no doubt Squiggy hotly engaged on his front. As the remainder of Quinten�s force scampered over the barricade, the creatures swarmed into view down the street. Their squeals carried above the violence, sending a chill through the defenders. Immediately they poured a torrent of gunfire into the horde.

The assault gun spoke with fury, Kei snapping off three round in quick succession. Balboa was right, this gun had a hell of a kick, she thought. There was no time to ponder the bruise that would result, increasing her fire. Any bug caught up in the sights field of fire was immediately splattered along with any behind it. In seconds their dead littered the street, rivulets of steaming corrosive acid-blood potting the concrete.

Still they came on, clawing and hissing at the defenders, pressing the fight closer. The assault gun spoke non-stop, Kei ignored its relentless kick firing until the drum emptied. Beside her, Timbra laid out a murderous fire keeping the bugs from climbing over the top of the barricade. They could hear the cries of people scumming to death around them; atop the roofs the bugs managed to gain a foothold tearing into the police and marines.

"Kei, hurry it up!" Timbra shouted blasting a bug leaping towards her.

Kei locked in a new drum; 20mm rounds of compressed flechette rods. Her first shot cleared the area before them, bugs withering in agony as the spiked projectiles tore through their bodies. The next shots cleared the street, but it was to late to do anything about the buildings around them.

Everyone knew it was time to pull back before they were flanked. One last volley, and the defenders broke down the street. The bugs were hot on their heels pouring over the barricades with a vengeance. Kei�s legs pumped fast and hard, the memory of her nightmare vivid in her mind. Coming out into the main street, across the way Sergeant Quinten had reformed his force among the warehouses and streets. Both Timbra and Kei scampered over the bags of grain being used for cover, the marines covering their withdrawal. There was no time for pause as they joined the defenders on the line.

The wide street acted as a moat, preventing the bugs from repeating their rooftop leaps, forcing them to charge across open ground. A horrendous toll of bodies quickly resulted, and the bugs halted to regroup out of sight.

Kei slumped down behind the barricade to regain what little strength she could.

"Well now, at least the bugs know when to call it quits," Timbra said sitting down next to her.

"Yeah, right," said Kei. "They�ll be back. I�m betting that they�re just getting reinforcements."

She rose up removing the drum on the assault rifle and slapped in a fresh one. Not many of them remained Kei noticed taking a quick inventory. If the bugs kept up their attacks, this fight will be over real quick. Sergeant Quinten walked the line, coming towards her. His left arm was wrapped at the forearm with sterile tape and he winced slightly as he knelt.

"Don�t get to relaxed, ladies," he said. "They�ll be back very shortly."

A sharp echo of gunfire from the northern section emphasized his words.

"Hows the fight going over there?" asked Timbra.

"Not good I�m afraid," he replied. "Bugs are pressing on the Colonel hard. We might have to pull back again if they get between him and us."

One of the marines called to him pointing across the street. The monsters were creeping up slowly towards them in larger numbers than before.

"Here," Quinten said to Kei handing her a comlink. "Figure you might need this. Sorry about the blood."

Grimacing, Kei wiped it clean, putting it on then manned her gun. There was no lack of targets, bugs thick as a swarm of bees moved steadily closer to the edge of the street.

"What do think, Kei?" Timbra said as she slapped another magazine into her rifle.

"We better think of something fast, or I�m afraid this is the end of us all."

With a soul chilling cry, the bugs attacked. . .

* * * * *

Yuri took cover around the corner of a building as Hedona and Denny let loose with several grenades down the open street, splattering the bugs pursuing them. She rounded, firing as she joined them in their withdrawal to new defensive positions. Things had gone from bad to worse when they arrived with First Sergeant Kelly. The bugs had swarmed over the water treatment plant, drove the marines out of power station one, and were leapfrogging towards the command center at a frightening pace. Trying to fight them toe to toe was pure suicide among the cluster of warehouses and buildings. Major Welton ordered them to demolish every building they could before rejoining them in the barricades along the main street.

Fires raged through some of the structures. This was not good, Yuri thought knowing that the smoke would obscure visibility if it became thick enough. As long as the bugs didn�t destroy the recirculators or cut power, there was no chance of suffocating. A trail of bullets danced precariously close to her head and she dived to the ground, rolling out of the line of fire. Looking back, she could see why they had risked hitting her. A group of Bugs had moved up a side street and would have caught her if the marines had not intervened.

Yuri�s blaster was hot in her hands, the barrel showing signs of overheating, but she continued to blast away at the oncoming swarm, scrambling to her feet. She never thought she�d be so happy to see Sergeant Kelly�s hard scowling face appear from behind one of the barricades in the street. He barked out an order. Several marines and police rose up, firing a volley that gave the fleeing group time to scramble for cover. Yuri dropped to a knee to regain her breath.

"You better stick wit me, girl," Heddy said helping her up. "Looks like the 3WA needs guardian angels for their troubleconsultants."

"Sometimes I think that myself, Heddy."

Yuri turned back to the barricade and the fierce fight going on. Kelly�s team poured it on thick, but the bugs were quickly growing in numbers. One final surge and they were up on the crest of the barricade. Kelly ordered a retreat and everyone broke down the street. Cries and screams of terror carried through the air, those not quick enough disappearing into the wave of monsters surging after them. Yuri resisted the urge to toss her rifle away, praying that she would make the main street ahead and safety beyond. She could hear the clack of clawed feet, sharp snaps of jaws behind her, and willed more energy from her body. Somebody just to the edge of her vision made the mistake of turning, only to be buried under a pile of bug bodies.

She could see the barricade between two building just a cross the main street. Major Welton stood a top an over turned car waiting to give the word to fire. For his size, Sergeant Kelly made climbing over the barricade look like childs play, Denny a few steps behind him. Hedona vaulted over the side of a crate, then reached back to grab Yuri by the scruff of her shirt yanking her up. She pulled herself over, then something hit Yuri hard from behind. She screamed rolling across the ground. With one foot Yuri kicked away the Bug groping at her face, but it managed to rake her across the side of her right hip. Yuri yelped in pain, clutching the wound to stop the bleeding.

The Bug that attacked her never managed to recover, marines, police and civilians setting upon it with relentless fury. They didn�t waist any ammunition, beating the creature to death with the butts of their rifles, stabbing it until it went still in a steaming puddle of it�s blood.

"You okay, Miss Yuri?" one of the marines asked.

"I�m going to need a doctor," she replied through grit teeth. The marine called for a medic and rejoined the line.

Again, the story was the same; the bugs could not swarm across the street without taking heavy losses. The crack from the assault rifles along the line, the gunfire from the defending force grew to deafening proportions. Yuri ignored her pain, placing her hands to her ears to protect them until the fire slacked off.

She pulled herself up against the side of the building, Heddy kneeling next to her.

"Oh, boy," she said looking at the wound. "Were you lucky de bugs didn�t get through."

"Tell me about it," Yuri replied. "Say you want to get me a medkit or someth�n?"

Heddy called over a medic. He told her to turn and Yuri rolled over exposing her wound. The young medic paused staring at her body mouth agape. It took a sharp slap from Heddy to get him in motion again.

"Geeesh, you�d think in our present situation these guys would be thinking about more than just flesh." she said.

Yuri managed a giggle, wincing sharply as the medic applied medication to her injury.

"That should kill the pain, ma�am," the medic said. "but Doc P�s going to have to close that up."

Covering the gash with a sterile wrap, the medic moved off to attend the rest of the wounded. Yuri sighed, looking up at Heddy.

"Wow, I�m some example of a troubleconsultant," she joked. Hedona helped her up, Yuri leaning on her for support. It sounded like another attack was commencing somewhere down the line.

"Okay, people," Major Welton said. "We�re not out of this yet. Reload and get ready."

He stopped abruptly upon seeing Yuri. "I�m getting you out of here," he said. "Hedona take her back to the Colonel. He�ll see that you get to Doc."

"Major!" Kelly shouted. The bugs were coming again.

"Go," he ordered them leaving to resume his post in the line.

Yuri could see the reluctance in Heddy�s face, but she turned guiding her along down the street. . .

* * * * *

Hedona commandeered a working hover sled, placing Yuri in the side seat. They whisked away to Colonel Collins position at the center of the line. The progress of the battle came across the radio, and it did not look very good.

<This is section Ten, bugs are attacking the recycling plant! Request reinforcements!> a voice cried out over the circuit.

<Command, Section Three, the bugs are moving around the repair yards. Request permission to pull back.> another said.

Collins�s voice came across the net. <Nobody withdraw! Section Three, Section Ten, hold your positions.>

<This is Section Ten, we can�t hold-- GGGGGYYAAAAAHHH!!!!-->

"Oh, this is bad, Heddy," Yuri said.

Hedona increased speed, and soon they found Colonel Collins. The Colonel�s foresight had been the only thing that prevented the wide scale destruction of the colony. Early on when things started to look grim, he ordered barricades built, sectioning off the streets into layered defenses. The only weak link was a large open park the center, built to commemorate the colonies foundation. The bugs had not missed this flaw, but neither had Collins. Anticipating such an emergency, he ordered his engineers to construct entrenchments across the direct path they would have to take to reach the command center.

The defenders were holding their own, but just barely as the bugs surged across the open ground towards them. Machine guns raked across them, assault rifles and even the added weight from two APC�s decimated their ranks. When the fire became to much the bugs would withdraw, gather more reinforcements, then attack again. It was becoming a battle of attrition, one Collins knew that sooner or later they would loose.

This attack was petering out. Collins turned away from the line, gazed over the schematic he displayed on his pad, then spoke into his comlink.

<Sergeant St-Paul, move part of D company with some of the militia over to the recycling plant.>

He spotted Heddy helping Yuri out of her seat. <Keep me posted on the bugs movements.> Collins finished, pointing to Heddy. He waved them over while switching circuits.

<Ops, have you found out where these damn things got in at?>

Lieutenant Meyers, Martin Rhodes, and four techs sat hunched close to their monitors, running scans from the various inner remotes around the complex.

<No, sir. We�ve still got a lot of area to cover.>

<Damnit, Vicky. I need to know where they are coming from, and I need to now!>

<We�re doing the best we can, sir!>

Collin�s reigned in his impatience. <I know, Vicky. Try to speed it up.>

He cut the link, turning to Heddy. "How�s Major Welton doing?"

"Looks bad, sir. De bugs keep pressuring us, moving on our flanks. They can hold for a few, but eventually something got to give."

Collins rubbed his chin, smirking at her report. "Okay. Get Yuri to Doc."

"If it�s okay with you, Colonel, I�d like to stay here," Yuri said.

"You�re not feeling any pain from that?" he asked pointing to her wound.

"Pain killer is starting to kick in. I�ll be alright. Besides, you need every hand you can get."

The colonel smiled. "Okay. Hedona you stay with her."

Yuri tested her leg. The pain was dull, but she could manage a slow limp. "Colonel," she called out after Collins. He stopped. "I heard you say something about searching for a hole. What do you plan to do once you find it?"

"I�m going to get about ten volunteers and go close it, that�s what I�m going to do," he answered.

Heddy grimaced. "A bit suicidal, if you�ll pardon my saying so, sir."

"I�m not totally crazy, Hedona. I�ll use one of the APC�s to get there. That will give us some kind of a chance."

"What about coming back?" said Yuri.

Collins did not reply, continuing on to the line. Yuri went after him.

"We can�t loose you now, Colonel. The colonist, and your troops are relying on you to pull them through all of this."

"WE can�t sit here and let them pour in on us, Yuri," he replied rounding on her. "If you have not noticed they outnumber us, and despite all of our fancy technology, we will loose in the long run. Supplies are running out fast. No, I will not sit idle."

"I can agree with closing the breech, but not by committing suicide."

Collins was about to answer, when Vicky called him on the not.

<Sir, we found where they�re coming from,> she said dryly. From her tone Collins knew it was not good news.

<Where?>

Vicky, Martin and the techs stared in shock at the swarming bodies surging out of the water on the main screen. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

<The reservoir.>

<Through a pipe?>

<No, sir. Straight out of the reservoir. Hundreds of them . . . they just keep coming out.>

Major Welton dropped down from his position on the line, activating his comlink.

<What do you mean they�re coming out of the water. The last indications had the doors closed!>

<They must have broken through somehow, Fran,> Collins said. He looked over to Yuri, shaking his head. "There goes closing any breech."

<Todd, how the hell are we going to get to that?> Welton asked.

<It won�t be easy, Fran. Not counting the fact that we have to close the gates underwater.>

<How �bout a grenade?> Kei�s voice replied.

<Kei?>

Kei turned over her gun to Timbra, moving back so she could hear better.

<Yep, in the flesh.>

<To answer your question, a grenade might be to weak.>

<You marines have got to have rocket launchers.>

<We do . . . Kei what�s on your mind?>

<Tell�ya in a second, Colonel.>

{Yuri,}she sent out.

{What, Kei? Something wrong?}

{No. Where did you put the Grav-packs?}

{I left them in Ops, why?}

{Feel like flying?}

{I�m a little banged up, and where do you want to fly to anyway?}

{Hmm, I�ll have to do this alone then.}

{Do what, do what, Kei?}

{Tell you later, gotta go.}

"Kei!" Yuri shouted, but she switched back up to the net.

<Colonel, I�m going to need somebody to bring my Grav-pack down from Ops, and one of your rocket launchers.>

<Your plan is?>

Yuri heard Collins, turning to Heddy asking her for her helmet. She doffed it, dark dreadlocks flopping down about her head. Yuri paused for a second, then put it on.

<. . . once I�m over the reservoir, I�ll try to blast the opening shut,> she heard Kei say.

<I knew you were up to something stupid, Kei!>

<No choice, Yuri. Look I�m on my way to the command center, if I�ve got the okay from you, Colonel?>

<Let�s run with it. Vicky-->

<Got runners on their way down to the hanger now, sir,> she said.

<Good. Kei once you�re outfitted, get hopping. Major Welton, if she need any support, you�re it.>

<We�ll do what we can.>

Collins cut the link. "Kei�s got nerve," he said.

Yuri handed Heddy her helmet, gazing back towards the command center. Silly red, she thought sadly.

A renewed attack by the bugs prevented anymore discussion, Yuri and Hedona manning the line. . .

* * * * *

Kei tapped Timbra on the shoulder.

"I�m going back to the command center," she said. "We�ve found out where the bugs are getting in at, and I�m going to try to close it off."

"What, by yourself?" exclaimed Timbra.

"Yuri can�t go, and there�s no one else available to fly the other pack."

Timbra stopped firing. She told the marine next to her to take over, grabbing Kei by the arm.

"What, do you think I�m nothing but another helpless colonist?" she said to her.

Before Kei could answer, Timbra reached up to the side of her neck, parting a fold of skin exposing an interface socket.

"You need a plug right?" she finished.

Kei smiled. Together they sprinted down the street. Kei told Meyers to send down the second pack and a spare rocket launcher. Half out of breath they reached the hanger; a marine standing by.

"You know we stand a good chance of getting killed, Timbra," Kei said as she shrugged into the Grav-pack�s harness.

"So what�s new, sis," Timbra replied. "It�s either now or later, and I�m impatient."

Kei synched the restraints tight, then took the rocket launcher from the marine.

"Be careful where you shoot that, Miss Kei." the marine said as she examined the weapon. Thick muzzled at the front, the tube extended back ending just over the shooters shoulder, gas compensator vents around the end to stabilize firing. Kei slapping a three round magazine into the open chamber underneath, taking the grip tight in her hand.

"Why?"

"Those rounds are powerful enough to blast apart reinforced shielding."

"You mean the dome?"

"If you fire enough of them at one spot."

"Explains why we�re not using them on the line," said Timbra.

The marine handed them two extra magazines each. Kei gave herself one last check, jacked into the pack checking its status. All systems were green.

"You ready?" she asked Timbra.

"Not yet. Hey, grunt. Gimme your commlink."

The marine frowned, handing her his gear.

"And the pistol."

"But, but--"

Timbra snapped her finger impatiently at him. "Come on, come on!"

His frown grew deeper as he undid the holster.

Timbra put it on, jacking into her pack. She flashed Kei a thumb up.

"Let�s move," Kei said, and they rose up into the air heading towards the reservoir. Kei dropped back until she was even with Timbra.

"Two pistols?" she asked her.

"Hey, I said I wasn�t going to wait to die, but I�m not going like some feted calf on a platter. This girl is no easy pickings."

Kei laughed. "Timbra you kill me!" she exclaimed.

"Hope not. Say, I�ll race you."

Timbra shot away from before she could respond, Kei quickly following . . .

* * * * *

It was like a river below them, a river of bugs moving through the streets towards the defending colonist. Kei and Timbra maintained a careful altitude as they glided through the haze over the horde. The two were not missed, several bugs leaping from the tops of the buildings. A small group paced them, hissing and growling in frustration. Kei watched them, sticking her tongue out.

"So, Timbra. What model are you?" she asked referring to her wetware.

Timbra, staring down at some bugs scrambling up the side of a building, answered casually, "A Norita, and you?"

"Lucien upgrade."

"Ooh, fancy we 3WA agents are."

"Helps on those cold, hard missions."

She watched Timbra casually turn, flying with her backside to the ground. The woman was a natural, no wonder the Company gave her such a lucrative position.

"Timbra, you�d make a great Troubleconsultant," she said.

A brief frown crossed Timbra�s face, Kei noting the slight twitch of her brows. She started chuckling.

"And give up all I�ve worked for. Oh nay, Kei. If this an example of your life, I�m fine right where I�m at."

This wasn�t exactly a great example of 3WA life, Kei had to agree. Anymore conversation would have to wait, the reservoir coming into view. Just as Vicky said, the bugs were crawling out of the water at a rapid pace joining their cousins in the streets below. She tapped Timbra, pointing to a series of supports running around top of the water treatment plant. There was a crane suspended between them, perfect for their needs.

"Timbra, I�m going to get up on that boom. Cover me, okay?"

Timbra nodded, heading for the platforms running along the side of the inner dome. Taking a deep breath, Kei hovered down towards the crane.

"Hello, guys," she said to the mass of bugs below. The eerie hiss and screeches from the creatures brought a chill through her veins. "Oh, don�t mind me, I�m just going to shut down this little party of yours. Won�t take long."

She banked towards the boom and was just about there, when her pack suddenly sent an alarm. A red alert flashed in her minds eyes, Kei letting out a loud gasp of surprise. Desperately, she clawed her way though the air for the nearest thing she could reach, found the edge of an electrical cross connection and took hold just as the Grav-pack died.

Timbra set down on the platform, turning to find Kei dangling precariously over the reservoir by one hand.

"Kei, what the hell are you doing?" she shouted.

"My pack�s dead!" she cried out.

"What! Hang on I�m coming to get you."

"No, stay there!" said Kei. She slung her launcher, taking hold of the bar with both hands and began to pull herself up. A low menacing groan sounded. Kei looking up to see part of the support twisting out of place. "Cheap Company construction," she growled.

The Bugs wasted no time trying to get at her, breaking off in several groups to climb up the sides of the supports. Timbra saw them and drew up her launcher. The explosion shook the area, and Kei slid back down to the end before stopping. She held on for dear life as the vibrations passed.

"Are you trying to kill me!" she shouted.

"Hey, it knocked the bugs down, didn�t it!"

"Yeah, and made you a target. Look!"

Huh, muttered Timbra peering over the edge. The bugs were climbing up the ladders on both sides to get at her. Quickly she turned the launcher on the lower platform, demolishing it in one burst, doing the same to the next one.

Meanwhile, Kei began pulling herself up again, trying to reach a better position.

"Ugh . . . things I do for people . . . ugh . . . putting my ass on the line . . . ugh . . . coming close to death . . . ugh . . . and what for . . . ugh . . . to get some damn . . . ugh . . . accusation that I�m crazy!"

Kei swung her legs up, hooking them around the beam. The metal creaked again and she paused. Letting out a slow breath, she uncurled looking down into the reservoir.

"Well I tell you," she grumbled taking aim at the center of the dark pool, "its just not my fault!"

Kei fired, the rocket streaking towards the water with a roar. Despite the compensation, the launcher still gave her quite a jolt, Kei wavering unsteadily in her perch. Damn, another one of these marine �kick-me� guns, she muttered steadying herself. A geyser of water erupted from the water, bugs and concrete bits rising high in the air. As the water calmed, she could see that the shot was well off the mark, the rocket deflected by the water.

A hurried scrapping along one of the adjoining support brought Kei�s attention to the rapid approach of bugs trying to reach her. "Get back!" she scowled firing into the support beam. It collapsed; the shock jarring the crossbeam loose from its mounts. It jerked to a stop, metal creaking against the strain. Kei grimaced then spotted another cluster of bugs approaching from the opposite side.

"Timbra!" she called out.

Timbra was having no better of a time, desperately defending her portion of the platform against the encroaching swarm. She had blown away portions of the platform to either side of her, switched to pistols to save her rocket ammunition, and sat trapshooting bugs as they attempted to leap across with deadly accuracy. Kei�s cry for help drew her attention. Timbra unleashed a furious barrage of blaster fire at the bugs attacking her.

That gave Kei a brief respite, and she returned her attention back to the reservoir.

<Ops, come in!> she shouted into the comlink.

Vicky came on line. <We can see you, Kei. What do you need?>

<Can you drain some of this water? It�s affecting my shots.>

Vicky looked back at her techs. They punched up a series of commands, tapping into the reservoir�s computer system. One of them gave her a nod.

<Yes, Kei. We�ll start pumping it out now.>

Kei heard the pumps kick on line. A low rush sounded from the pool, and the water began to bubble. Soon the level began to recede, the water being sucked out through several sluice gates in the sides of the reservoir along with a good number of the creatures. She wanted to laugh as they groped and fought against the pull, but held it in and took aim.

"Let�s see if I can do any better," she said firing again.

The shot detonated closer to the center of the pool, but still not enough to destroy the opening. Ejecting the spent magazine, Kei reached up for a reload. In such an awkward position, it slipped from her grip as she removed it from her belt, dropping into the mass below. A stream of curses flew from Kei at her clumsiness. That left her with only three rounds, and only if she did not drop those as well.

Carefully, she curled up, taking the last magazine from her belt and slapped it home. The metal creaked again. Kei pleaded with it to last just a bit longer, then leaned back once more. Meanwhile; Timbra had returned to defending herself and the bugs renewed their attack on Kei. Some of them reached the top of the remaining support beam making leaps at her. A bug sailed precariously close by her, Kei crying out as she pulled out of its reach. Another one prepared to jump, but she was not going to give it a chance. Drawing her pistol, Kei shot it in mid-form, shooting the rest before they could strike. For once their acid-blood worked against them, eating away the metal support. It sagged, widening the gap.

Kei reholstered her pistol and checked on the situation below. The water was half drained, a thick layer of bugs obstructed her view of the bottom. From the way they were moving she backtracked, picking a spot that looked right and fired. More water and bugs sailed skyward, a large hole shattering the bottom of the reservoir. Kei steadied herself and checked the damage. Thanks to her shot, the water was leaking out of the cracked sides into the surrounding street, lowering the level considerably. Without the added advantage, the bugs were now forced to scurry up the smooth sloped sides slowing them down.

With a loud screech, they parted trying to avoid her fire. A desperate attempt was being made by them to reach her once more; a living bridge of interconnecting creatures formed on what was left of the nearest stanchion. Kei estimated they would reach her in minutes, and prayed that she could finish the job of closing the reservoir before then.

Only two rounds remained. From the looks of things, Timbra had used up all her rockets to stem the tide of bugs rushing her. Well it was all or nothing, she thought taking aim again. The bugs below noticed and scattered, exposing the wide opening at the bottom of the reservoir. It was the first time Kei got a good look down the shaft, and what she saw made her gasp eyes wide. A sharp snap from the encroaching bugs spurred her into action. The rocket exploded at the lip of the opening, shaking the area violently. The metal support creaked again, twisting her slightly around.

Kei paused briefly, then took aim. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a very mean looking bug climbing up at a fevered pace, hell bent on killing her. Forcing back the urge to blast them into pieces, she steadied herself, took a long slow breath and squeezed the trigger.

The rocket shot straight into the opening, through the bugs and detonated with a loud roar. Metal, concrete and bugs collapsed inwards, blocking the hole. Kei let out a cry of success. The sudden movement from the side brought her around in time to see the bug charging her leap across the void. Kei swung the rocket launcher like a bat, connecting with a hard smack. Both weapon and bug pummeled to the ground.

"Ha. Suck on that, you ugly bastard!" she shouted down a the smoldering spot below. Kei pulled her pistol, firing at remaining creatures.

"Timbra, Timbra come get me!"

Timbra was too busy blasting bugs off the edge of her tiny platform to hear her. Desperately, Kei fired and dodged on her perch. Another creak from the metal support made her look up. Weakened by all the shock, and the added weight it had to support, metal continued to sag. A rip appeared, growing longer by the second.

"Oh, no. Timbra!" exclaimed Kei.

The bugs sensed her apprehension. A mass of inhuman sardonic grins arrayed below waiting for the inevitable to happen. A final sharp creak sounded.

"Cheap Company ConstructionnnnnAAAAAYYYYHHH!" Kei cried as the support gaveway.

She rocketed to the ground and the slavering jaws, when a pair of hands suddenly took hold of her by the ankles. Timbra pulled against the force of Kei�s momentum, her muscles straining hard as she fought to gain altitude. Below the bugs screamed with fury, making desperate attempts to leap up and snare the two women, all to no avail as they climbed away. Kei, stunned by her close call, looked up at Timbra. Oddly she was still fighting to maintain flight.

"What�s wrong, Timbra?" she asked.

"My-pack-is-about to-die!" she replied.

They reached the platform, Kei clearing away the remaining bugs, and came down hard as the gravpack�s power gave out. For a moment they remained still, then slowly sat up drawing away from the edge, leaning against each other drained. Kei rested her head against Timbra�s shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Thank�s sis," she sighed.

Timbra patted her on the head. "Don�t mention it. You know we still have a fight here. The bugs aren�t going to just ignore us."

"Yeah, but I think we can hold until Major Welton arrives."

Timbra let her rest. She called Ops reporting their success, telling them to hurry before the monsters managed to dig their way though. That made Kei open her eyes.

"Timbra, you know what we were saying about the bugs breaking through the seals in the reservoir?" she said.

"Yeah. Determined sonsof bitches, aren�t they?"

Kei looked up. "We were wrong."

Timbra frowned.

"The bugs didn�t force their way through . . . those doors were open, I saw it myself."

"That means--"

"Somebody let them in."

The theory of a spy had turned into fact. Kei knew now that they were up against more than just the Bugs. Figuring out who it was would have to wait, the hiss from the bugs below drawing her back to their current situation . . .

* * * * *

Several more hours of hard fighting remained before the bugs were finally eliminated. Without fresh resources, they stood no chance against the marines and their heavy firepower. Still it was a close run encounter, and the loss of life to the colony was more than they could absorb.

When Major Welton finally relieved Kei and Timbra from their perch, they immediately went back to Collins with their information. A long dark scowl came to his face, and he ordered the techs that remained back into Ops. They all sat slightly afraid as Timbra and Kei glared at them brandishing rifles, a gleam of death in their eyes. Nor did the withering stare Colonel Collins gave them make them feel any better.

"I�m told that the bugs were let in," began Collins. "Does anyone want to explain why that is?"

Several confused looks were exchanged by the techs, finally stopping on Lieutenant Meyers. "Colonel, there was no indications from the computers that the doors were opened," she said.

"I saw those damn doors open myself," scowled Kei. "Somebody here is lying through their teeth!"

"Sir, we�re not lying!" replied a female tech. "I can call up--"

"Don�t you touch that console," Sergeant St-Paul said, Squiggy backing him up with the release of his safety.

Collins glared at them. "First Sergeant Kelly, call up the computer records," he said.

Kelly made his way to the nearest console, retrieving the information. He and Major Welton read over the readouts.

"Looks like they�re telling the truth, Todd," Welton said.

"No tampering?"

"Not from what I can tell here."

Collins frowned and turned away. He looked at Kei and she raised a brow.

"They were open, Colonel," she said.

"I don�t doubt you, Kei," he replied rubbing his chin in thought. Collins came to a decision. "Sergeant St-Paul, I want a detail placed in here round the clock."

"That�s going to stretch us thin, sir," St-Paul replied, but the brief glance Collins gave him ended anymore comments.

Collins faced his techs again. "Okay, you�re off the hook for now."

The techs relaxed.

"But," he continued, "anymore unexplained occurrences, and I�ll have you all thrown into the brig. It would anger me greatly to find out that there was a marine trying to kill one of his own. If I catch you, I�ll have no mercy."

No one doubted his words, and they returned to their post. Vicky gave Collins a sad look, turning away as one of the techs called to her. Collins sighed moving to the tactable where the Angels and the rest of the staff gathered.

"Okay, people. We�re in bad shape now. No water, the colony is in shambles, and casualties are high. I�m going to ask you all to hold things together until this evening. By then everything should pan out in our favor."

"What�s happening this evening, sir?" asked Kelly.

Collins gave the Angels a quick glance before answering. "Thanks to Kei and Yuri, we were able to get word out on our situation. The Confederation has sent a relief force due by dusk, with more to follow."

A stunned silence passed through Ops at the news, quickly turning into cheers of joy.

"Okay, okay!" shouted Collins settling them down. "Its good news but we have to be here when they arrive. I�m sure the bugs are not about to leave us alone anytime soon."

Vicky called out to him. "Sir, I�ve got an image from one of the outside remotes. It looks like the bugs are massing again."

"On the table."

The display shifted to the overview of the colony. A large patch of white was moving down from the direction of the lake, several more moving in from the north and west.

"Damn, damn!" shouted Kelly banging the side of the table with a fist.

"These things just don�t quit!" added Welton. "If we can only get a break, a few hours at least to repair the defenses."

Collins was silent, studying the display. "Fran, have Fraiser prepare the command carrier."

"Sir?"

"Have it ready to go in half an hour. First Sergeant Kelly form a detail, thirty of your best people, full gear. Vicky, find a relief. Timbra you�re coming with us so you better get outfitted as well."

Collins headed for the door.

"Colonel, where are you going?" asked Major Welton.

He stopped at the opening.

"Back to the Glory Ann," he replied. "Ladies, you wanted to do this . . . thirty minutes, in the hanger," he finished walking out.

The Angels looked at each other, wishing they had never brought up the idea at all.

Yuri sat at table in the marine barracks running diagnostics on the two Gravpacks; Kei checked out the rifles she�d acquired from the armory on the table behind her. The readouts on the interface displayed its findings, ending the test. She turned disconnecting from them, pondering the results. Kei paused and looking up.

"And the verdict is?" she asked.

Yuri moved to the seat across from her. "The packs say they�ve been on highpower since we came here," she said in a low voice.

Kei leaned close. "You know that�s bullshit, Yuri. Those packs shutdown automatically when they break interface."

"They could have been damaged in our first fight, Kei. We did roll down the side of that barricade pretty rough."

"Both of them? No."

"So are you saying sabotage?"

"Yes!"

Kei sat back and continued to load her rifle while Yuri contemplated her suggestion.

"I guess that means we�re back to the usual suspects," she said.

Briefly, Kei cut a dark determined glance at her.

"I have one person in mind who fills the top bill right now," she said letting the slide on the rifle spring forward with a sharp snap. "Your little computer buddy."

"Martin?" said Yuri in disbelief. She shook her head. "No, not Martin."

"He�s a geek, Yuri. You said yourself he�s one of the best you�ve ever seen,"

"But Martin wouldn�t hurt anybody. I don�t think he�s capable of it."

"It makes good cover doesn�t it," Kei answered rising from her seat. She picked up a combat vest, pulling it on. "He�s got the knowledge to trick those lower level chips into thinking they were on and discharge like they did."

"So? One of those techs could have done the same thing, Kei."

"Maybe, but I don�t think any of the grunts in there would try that."

"Not even Major Welton?"

"No. The Corps have that code ingrained in their souls. You know, all that we�re together, trust your buddy stuff."

"That leaves Timbra Brown."

Kei stopped doing up the clips on the vest for a moment.

"I haven�t ruled her out yet."

"But you want too, because she saved your life."

"I�ll admit to that. I find it hard for someone to put their life in that situation just to keep a secret."

Yuri leaned on the table, resting her chin in one hand and smiled lightly.

"Make�s good cover," she said.

"Funny," Kei replied with a smirk. She tossed the second vest at her. "Come on get dressed. I told Squiggy and Heddy we�d meet them at the elevator in five minutes."

Yuri giggled and got up. "You know, Kei, I just thought of something."

"What�s that?"

"Now that our spy is alerted to the fact that we�ll be reinforced in a few hours, whoever is going to try their best to short circuit us."

"Uhuh,"

"So the best time to strike would be during this trip."

"Yep."

"If only Colonel Collins had not told anyone."

Kei grabbed her rifle heading for the door.

"Yuri, I would bank that�s what the Colonel had in mind," she replied giving her a knowing look.

Yuri�s expression brightened. "Ah!" she said tapping a finger against her temple as she followed her out the door. . .

* * * * *

The Angels met Heddy and Squiggy at the elevator, and the four rode it down into the hanger bay talking about the first trip to the Glory Ann. Squiggy detailed some of the finer points of the skirmish missed by Collins�s briefing, how the bugs had sealed off portions of the ship with some sort of secreted goo. The girls cringed at the thought of touching the unknown substance. By his description, this would not be a pleasant walk once they were inside.

"Dis is great, another sled run," Squiggy said excitement in his eyes.

"A sled?" questioned Kei.

"That�s Squiggy�s description for the command carrier," explained Heddy.

"You�ll likes this machine, Kei. It�s got speed, firepower, all the makings of a full blown tank with a hyper motor attached to it," added Squiggy.

Heddy rolled her eyes shaking her head.

The elevator lurched to a stop, and they got out heading towards the staging area. Suddenly Squiggy stopped turning around.

"Say, Heddy. Think we�s aught�a show them our souvenir?"

"Ooh, yeah. They havn�t seen it yet, have they?" she replied.

"What, more surprises?" exclaimed Yuri. "Look, you people better come clean on this stuff."

"Calm down, Yuri," Kei said. "So what�s this souvenir you have? Some part of a bug."

Squiggy and Hedona snickered.

"Sort�a," replied Balboa. "This way. It�s in the maintenance shop."

"Colonel didn�t want it out on display," added Heddy. "Might scare the civvies."

Exchanging quizzical looks, the Angels followed them over to a set of double doors. Squiggy peered inside.

"Come on," he said stepping in.

Kei and Yuri stood gazing around the work stations searching for anything unusual. There was nothing.

"Okay, what�s the joke?" said Kei.

The two marines snickered again, Squiggy pointing above their heads. They looked up. Immediately Yuri made a record dive over a nearby work bench, Kei rolling across the floor. As Heddy wrestled with Kei to prevent her from firing a round into the air, Squiggy rushed towards Yuri.

"It�s dead, it�s dead, it�s dead!" he cried out frantically waving his arms at her.

"Whatisthatwhatisthat!" she cried pistol in hand.

Squiggy grinned. "Dat is a bitch bug," he replied.

Above the entrance was the head of a creature the Angels had never seen, now the proud trophy of the marines. A swift kick from Hedona made Squiggy cry out, holding his rear as he staggered away.

"Doc P thinks that was a female bug," she said, giving Squiggy another withering glance before continuing. "He thinks these things have a society much like ants. Warriors, workers--"

"A queen," Yuri finished walking around for a closer look. She stared up at the head, noting its features then turned.

"Kei, this is what�s putting those larva into people," she said.

"Well I hope we don�t run into anymore of these . . . �queens�. Look at the size of that head."

"It was enormous," Squiggy said as his pain subsided. "Screaming and wailing like a-- well lets say it was very pissed off."

"Where did you kill this one?"

"It was com�in up the tube from Complex Two, but just quite didn�t make it past the blast doors."

"Fortunately for us," added Heddy.

The PA system came to life, calling for all members of the expedition to muster on station. They headed out the door, Yuri stopped to give the Queen one last look. An uneasy feeling passed through her then Kei called, and she ran to join them.

Outside, the crews were making final preps on the command carrier. Twice as large as the rest of the hovercars, it was just as Squiggy said, a combination carrier/main battle tank. Sloped at the front with an armored cab for the driver and forward gunner manning a smaller auto turret, the carrier extended back sides slanted out ending flush at the rear by a large loading ramp. On top, offset to the right side forward sat the main turret, housing a short barreled pulse cannon and 30mm chain gun. Four hatches ran in two rows behind it to allow easy disembarkation and fire support if needed.

Kei whistle in admiration. "Wow. Why can�t we get all these neat toys, Yuri?"

"I don�t think we�d look good appearing at an investigation in this, Kei."

The marine detachment stood in three ranks at the side of the carrier, First Sergeant Kelly barking orders, giving the det a final once over. He spotted them and a frown covered his face.

"About time you four showed up," he snarled at them. "Was our timetable too much for you to handle?"

Squiggy and Hedona grimaced, knowing that the full wrath of the First Sergeant would be unleashed on them after this mission was over. Kei just smirked.

"Nah, my alarm clock just went off late. Got to get my beauty sleep you know," she said walking scornfully past.

Yuri put a hand to her face, waiting for the fireworks to start. Kelly, remembering Collin�s words, let out a restrained grunt rounding on the two marines.

"Get in ranks!" he said. Squiggy and Heddy scurried past. Kelly began pacing up and down the line.

"Now listen up! I selected all of you because you are part of the best we have. We�re about to go out into the middle of the bugs, that means you can expect some heavy action. I want you all to stay on your toes, be alert, and follow the orders given to you. Do I make myself clear?"

"YES, FIRST SERGEANT!" the marines shouted.

Kei leaned casually up against the side of the carrier, yawning as if bored.

"Listen to this drabble, Yuri," she said.

"Kei, will you behave!"

Kelly continued. "Now I don�t want any mistakes, and I certainly don�t want any �K-guns� getting us all into trouble."

Kei bristled at the insult. Yuri grabbed an arm preventing her from leaping out at the man.

"Do you hear this crap, Yuri! This Seargent is bucking for an ass-kicking, and what is this K-gun garbage anyway?"

Yuri held her back. "Will you stop. Squiggy told me what it means and you don�t want to know."

Kei paused glaring hard at her partner.

"Promise you won�t go off the deep end?" Yuri said. Kei just arched a brow.

Yuri continued. "Well . . . that�s a Marine term for a rifle going into automatic fire during a jam. It, ah. . . kicks uncontrolably. Kick, �K�, see the--"

Kei swiveld slowly around towards Kelly. "I�ll polish his head with this hangerdeck," she growled.

Yuri grinned, taking a tight grip on one arm, listening in to the rest of Kelly�s instructions.

"We all go out, we all come back. Any questions?"

Squiggy raised his hand.

"What is it, Balboa?"

Squiggy turned to the rest of the detachment. "I�m ride�n shotgun," he said.

"Shut up, Balboa!" roared Kelly amidst their snickers.

Colonel Collins, Lieutenant Meyers and Timbra appeared, Kelly called them to attention. He reported to Vicky, and she looked over the det.

"Colonel has a few words to say," she said to them.

Collins stepped up. "I�m not going to lie to you, people. We�re going back to the Glory Ann."

Stunned faces gazed back at him.

"We�re not there to kill bugs. We�re there to retrieve a computer module. Ms. Brown."

"It�s about half a meter long," said Timbra holding her hands apart. "Square, around seven centimeters wide. There should be two on board the ship, one in the computer bay near the bridge, and one in engineering at the auxiliary control panel."

"I�d like both of them, but if we get one that will be enough," added Collins.

"And if you find them, give them to--"

"One of us," Kei cut in pointing to herself and Yuri.

The marines looked at Collins awaiting his word.

"You heard the lady. Nobody but them unless, god forbid, they�re killed then give them to me."

Timbra finished her brief, "Be careful pulling them out. They are sensitive. Treat�em like babies."

"Newborn, or prebies?" joked Hedona.

Kelly�s withering gaze quickly silenced them.

"Alright then," said Collins. "Let�s do this right the first time. Mount up."

"You heard the man. Let�s move!" shouted Kelly. "Milles, Balboa, bring your happy ass�s over here!"

The rear hatch opened, Collins leading the det inside. They took up positions, some manning the turret controls, others taking the seats at the foot of the firing platforms along the side. Up forward Kei and Yuri moved into the heart of the carrier, two stations full of electronic equipment and monitors on each side. A tactical display sat flush with the wall, Collins sitting in the chair before it. Vicky manned the communications, powering up the displays.

In the cabin, they could see Denny at the controls, and much to their surprise jacked into the computer interface.

"Hey, Denny. I didn�t know you were an augmentee?" Yuri said.

"Yeah, I thought you grunts weren�t allowed to have jacks?" added Kei.

"I�m a specialist just like our techs in Ops, but only a level two operator. No valuable combat secrets to lose if I�m ever captured by the enemy."

"Oh, a tin can model, eh?" said Kei.

Denny smiled looking back. "Hey come on, Squiggy. We�ve got to get moving!" he called out to the rear.

"I�m come�in, I�m come�in," grumbled Squiggy taking the seat next to him. He doffed his helmet, pulling on another one connected to a series of connectors in the overhead. Snapping down the smoke-colored visor, Balboa twitched his head. The forward turret shifting with the movement.

"I�m good," he said.

Kei leaned on the back of his chair. "I�m surprised you can sit down. Do you still have a rear to be comfortable with?" she teased him.

"Yeah, right. Funny, funny, funny."

"I take it the First Sergeant had no sense of humor again," Denny asked.

"As usual," replied Squiggy.

Denny flipped on his mic. <Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot speaking. Flight 216 will be taking off shortly right after I get coordinates. Until then, sit back and relax. Lunch will be served by our two Lovely Angels, Kei and Yuri. Enjoy your ride.>

A series of hoots and cat calls carried through the carrier, then the net crackled to life.

<Cut the comedy up there, Fraiser!> shouted Kelly.

"Hmm. He is a bit grouchy today," Denny said shaking his head to clear the ring from his ears.

An alert sounded from the dash, Colonel Collins calling him over the net.

<Fraiser, you copy coordinates?>

<Copy, sir. All systems go.>

<Get us moving then.>

"You ladies need to get seated," Denny said to the Angels.

"Yeah, when the sled get�s go�in, you want�s to be in a chair."

The girls left, Squiggy and Denny watching them go.

"That babe still has a nice ass," Squiggy said clicking his tongue.

"Probably more than you have right now," Denny replied taking hold of the controls.

Squiggy smirked at him. "Let�s go, ya�bookworm."

The hanger chief signaled all clear to them, and Denny brought the repulsors up guiding the carrier towards the main doors.

* * * * *

The Command carrier glided down the main street, coming to a stop at the inner lock of the east gate. St-Paul was there with two squads of marines plus one of the last remaining hovercars incase the bugs had any surprises for them when the lock was pulled. Up in Ops, Major Welton watched their progress on the tactable.

<Okay St-Paul get your people into position. Colonel stand by, we�re about to open the inner doors.>

<Okay, Fran. Our diversion ready to go?>

<Soon as you get down the tube, I�ll start it.>

<Roger that. I�ll see you when we get back.>

<Good luck, sir.>

Welton turned to his techs. "What�s the scan look like?"

"Inner tube looks clean," replied a tech. She switched scanners. "Outer tube has some bugs in it. Most of them are still a few clicks off."

Welton nodded. "Open the inner doors," he ordered.

At the gate a shift of gears sounded, the two heavy doors parting with a loud groan. Fraiser moved the carrier inside as soon as there was enough room. The doors shifted locking back into place and the inner tube was lit up. Silence prevailed amongst the expedition, nervously awaiting the trip to begin.

<Fraiser, once we get to the blown section of the tunnel, hang a right,> Collins ordered Denny.

<Roger. I�m opening the door.>

The blast door ahead creaked into life, rising up. At the threshold, a large group of bugs stood hissing at the carrier.

"Oh look, a welcoming committee," Squiggy said flicking off the trigger guard on his controls.

The forward turret spoke, raking the area quickly joined by the chain gun of the main turret. The bugs scattered, charging at them. Fraiser wasn�t about to let them get on top. He pushed the throttle forwards and the carrier shot out of the tunnel like a missile. In back, Kei grit her teeth surprised by the force pressing her into her seat. The sound of the turret guns firing again made her peek over to Vicky�s monitor. Bugs were appearing all along the side of the tunnel, springing from the overhead trying to get on the speeding vehicle. Most of them were missing, or bouncing off the sides onto the ground. A dull thud sounded directly above her head.

<Bugs on the hull!> Denny called out over the net.

Three of the monsters clawed their way upright, talons scraping on the metal against the rush of air forcing them back. The main turret spun, catching the first one with the barrel tipping it over the side. A short burst from the pulse cannon made short work out of the other two. Denny began to weave, and more of them splattered on the ground behind them. A barricade loomed ahead. He gave the carrier more thrust and they rose up sailing over the top.

"Yeah, that�s it, D!" Squiggy shouted ecstatically, the rest of the marines howling along with him.

Up ahead the light from outside lit the tunnel.

<Approaching the hole,> said Vicky.<Get ready to turn.>

<One minute, Lieutenant. I�ve got to clear us of some excess baggage,> Denny replied.

Collins frowned, calling up his interface display. There on the left rear bumper, a bug hung on by one hand for dear life. It screeched loudly, flailing with its other hand trying to pull itself onboard to no avail. The carrier inched close to the side of the tunnel, Denny picking just the right moment then tipped them slightly to one side. The bug hit a support, smashing into pulp and dropped away. Collins laughed.

Up in Ops, Major Welton waited for them to reach the opening.

"Rhodes, are we ready to do this yet?" he asked.

Martin sat next to a tech, plugging in the last bits of a preamble he made from their earlier transmissions.

"Almost, Major," he replied.

"Hurry it up, times running short."

The red icon passed through the breech in the tunnel, heading south towards the second breech in the tube connecting modules two and three. The white swarm of dots moving up from the south shifted towards them.

"Rhodes?" Welton said with more urgency.

Martin finished, spinning around. "Do it now, Major."

"Bring up dish two!"

A spot near the open field next to the aerodrome parted, one of the colonies communications dishes rising up from the ground. Power was rerouted to it and it hummed into life.

"Ten second burst, stand-by," Welton said. He paused allowing the carrier to get past the second gap. "Now!"

On the carrier, all eyes were glued to the monitors, staring in horror at the dark mass of bugs charging across the open plain. They suddenly stopped, snapping their jaws, heads sweeping back and forth then surged away. Denny brought them around increasing speed.

"Holy Cow," muttered one of the marines. "Did you see how many bugs there were out there?"

Kei stared at the screen then sat back briefly. She thought, undid her harnesses, moving up behind Colonel Collins.

"Colonel, you said that half of your colony had been either killed or captured by the bugs?"

"Yes."

She glanced up at his screen before continuing.

"That looked like more than half."

"I take it you are accounting for the several hundred we�ve killed during this entire encounter?"

"Ahuh. They�re spreading like the plague. These Queen bugs must not care what they inject their children into as long as its warm and breathing."

Collins turned around to face her. "We had livestock with us, and there is indigenous animal life on Locris too."

"Which means that there�s more Queens."

That was news Collins did not like in the least, rubbing his forehead to suppress the tension he suddenly felt. A loud roar streaked overhead, Collins looking up.

"What was that!" he shouted.

"Mughi!" exclaimed Yuri dashing for the comms.

In the distraction, the Angels had all but forgotten their mammalian counterpart up in the Lovely Angel. The ship banked wide, coming around to pace protectively over them.

"Alright, now we�ve got air cover," said Heddy.

Meanwhile, Yuri rapidly called up the ships communications freq, Mughi appearing on one of the monitors. Vicky let out a yelp drawing back.

"Don�t worry, he doesn�t bite," she said. "Mughi, am I glad to see you."

Mughi growled, relieved that the Angels were safe.

"Mughi, reconnect us to 3WA Headquarters."

Minutes later, Bill Galet appeared. He held an expression of shock on his face, several stacks of records and data cubes scattered across his desk.

"So, Billy. Looks like you�ve been working late I see," Yuri said.

<Understatement, Yuri,> he replied. <Where the hell did you find these Aliens?>

Aliens, hm? thought Yuri.

"We didn�t, they found us," Kei said standing next to her partner.

<Well whatever, this has the entire Confederation up in arms."

Colonel Collins came up behind them. "What about the relief force?"

Bill paused. <Colonel Collins I assume. The first part of your relief should be entering the Rumic system now. I�m going to try and get a patch up to them.>

"Excuse me for being so bold, Mister Galet, but one battalion is not going to be enough."

<Like I said, Colonel, the Confederation is quite upset by this whole thing. As soon as I saw what you were up against, I went straight to the Council. They took one look and immediately mobilized the closest military forces. Last count, six divisions were en route, with more on the way. Hell we even have several packs of Hunters racing to Locris.>

"Well tell�em to bring plenty of ammo. These �Aliens� are expanding at an incredible rate," Kei said.

<I was afraid of that,> Bill said. <Damn, I thought they were extinct.>

"You know something about them, Billy?" asked Yuri.

<You forget, I�m from way back, remember? At one time, they were on Earth.>

Yuri snapped her fingers. "That�s where I remember these things from!" she exclaimed. "Pre-Nano Earth History. Something about the Company and a radical group that let a specimen loose."

<Almost wiped out humanity on the planet. Fortunately we stopped them. Small enclaves in the Amazon and lower Southeast Asian jungles were all that remained.>

"Guess the Nanoclysim took care of everything else," finished Yuri.

Withering stares beamed on Timbra from the marines. Collins cast an accusing look at her then faced the monitor again.

"Mister Galet, what about the Company?" he asked.

<Ah, yes the Company,> Bill replied. He pulled a folder from the pile opening it up. <They seem to be ripe with Alien tampering. LV472, Bunda, Terminal 949 just to name a few,>

Some of the marines were inching up on Timbra, cracking their knuckles.

<However; most of the incidents were caused buy individuals out for themselves, or so they report.>

"No direct connection then that they caused the Glory Ann to land on Locris."

<None.>

He thought, then motioned Timbra to come over.

"Well, Ms. Brown, any ideas on this?"

"No, but when I get out of here, I might take up Kei�s offer of employment," she answered him.

Kei chuckled lightly behind them. Collins frowned.

"Mister Galet, I�m on my way back to the Glory Ann to retrieve her computer modules. I should have an answer for you about that shortly."

<Yes, we�d like to know why ourselves. Let me know what you come up with.>

"Okay, Billy. We�re going to sign off now. We�ll check in on our way back."

<Okay girls. Take care now.>

The screen shifted back to Mughi. Collins returned to his chair, calling up a layout of the route to the Glory Ann.

"We have about twenty minutes before we get to the site," he said.

Timbra stood behind him, gazing upon the display.

"So, you think my soon to be ex-employers have something to do with all of this?" she asked him.

"If there is any evidence that they are involved, Timbra, I�m going to find their board of directors and personally beat the living shit out of them."

"You�ll have to beat me to them then, Colonel. I�m not fond of being cannon fodder for somebodies personal greed."

He gazed up, seeing the seriousness in her eyes. "You�re on," replied Collins.

* * * * *

Five minutes from the crash site, Collins gathered the senior members of his party to plan their excursion into the Glory Ann. He pulled up the layout of a standard class five star-freighter.

"Okay, this is what I want to happen. We�ll break into two groups. Myself, Timbra and First Sergeant Kelly will take one group and sweep the upper levels forward. Vicky, Balboa, Kei and Yuri, you�ll sweep the lower decks aft towards auxiliary control with the rest of the team."

"What if we can�t get down?" asked Kei mindful of Squiggy�s description.

"Do the best you can. If you get stuck, wait for us. I don�t want any heroics here."

He enlarged the view, zooming in amidships.

"The first time we entered through the airlock here, so I�m going to assume that�s still an option for us. If I remember correctly, the ships back is broken so be careful moving along the passageways."

"If the bugs are still here, this is going to be really a challenge, sir," Kelly said.

"I know Sergeant, but I�m betting that most of them moved over to one of the colony modules. I�m not saying that there aren�t a few stragglers left behind. Don�t take any unnecessary chances people."

"We can have the Angel scan the ship before we go in, Colonel," Yuri said.

Collins nodded then the marine manning the comms called to them.

"Excuse me, sir, but I think this cat is trying to call us," he said.

Kei went over and interfaced with the console. Mughi appeared on the screen and he began to grumble something to her. Kei�s eyes widened slightly.

"Put it up for us, Mughi," she said.

The scene shifted to an overhead view of the carrier and the surrounding valley. Behind them several miles away they could see a mass of dark bodies moving steadily towards them.

"I don�t believe it," Kelly said.

Mughi magnified the view, but it was obvious who was after them. Aliens ran in a dead heat across the open plain. The computer readout at the lower right clocked them well over 65 kph.

"Looks like we�ve drawn more attention then we expected," said Timbra.

"How far behind us are they?" Collins asked.

"About 40 clicks, sir," answered Vicky.

"That gives us about half an hour or so before they catch up to us," added Kei.

Collins knew that would put a severe constraint on their search of the ship. He�d hoped to have more time, but now they�d have to rush through it if they wanted to get out of there alive. The carrier shuddered lightly and he looked up for a moment.

<Fraiser, why are we slowing down?>

<Colonel . . . you�ve got to come and see this,> Denny replied.

He hurried up to the cab. Denny had them down to a slow speed as they approached the site of the Glory Ann. A lost look covered the young privates face, Collins looking out to see what was ahead. His jaw went slack unable to comprehend what it was they were looking at. The Glory Ann, or the spot where the ship should have been, was nearly covered by large dome-like structure sickly green-brown in color. Several ribbed extrusions sectioned it off, running up to the top opening back like a vent, a light mist billowing up towards the sky. The view was being displayed on the tactical monitor, all eyes locked on it.

"Well it looks like the bugs have been redecorating," Timbra said gaining several wry looks from those around her.

The carrier came to a stop, Collins eyeing the structure then ordered everyone back to their stations.

"Kei, can the Lovely Angel slow down our unwanted tail?"

"There�s a lot of them, but I�m sure she can handle that."

"Do it. We need about fifteen extra minutes to sweep the ship."

"We�re still going in?" asked Yuri.

"Yes, but let�s be clear about this, people. The ship and the ship only. Nothing else. I don�t know what�s inside that thing, and I don�t want to find out."

"Amen," Squiggy said.

The Lovely Angel moved from its protective cover above them, taking up position a short distance away. It turned, canting down slightly then the main cannon flashed to life. A distinct, satisfying explosion echoed across the valley.

Collins gave the word to move and the carrier continued on towards the Glory Ann . . .

* * * * *

The up close look at the side of the dome reviled that it was organic in nature. Yuri stared at it curiously while the marines formed a defensive cordon around the carrier. Behind her Collins, Vicky and Kei stood gazing up at the forward cargo bay, the only exposed part of the ship. It was partially buried into the ground, the mounds of dirt high enough for them to climb up to the top.

The only way in would be through the upper lock they could see. Collins ordered Kelly to leave a two man crew with Denny, giving him strict orders to keep the carrier buttoned up at all times. Denny rogered, moving away from the site.

Yuri peered close to the domes side. It was almost translucent, she noticed. A poke on the side with her rifle found it hard and solid. Yuri was about to retrieve a sample, when Kei placed a hand on her shoulder. She yelped, turning around.

"You want to get away from that?" Kei said.

"It�s not alive, Kei," she replied.

Kei smirked. "Let�s not play, okay. We�re getting ready to move in so let�s go."

Quickly, the Angels rejoined the column of marines climbing up the side to the top of the ship. At the airlock, Kelly had one of the techs running a bypass on the controls. While they waited, Collins stood near the front staring out at the horizon through his macronoculars at the advancing Aliens. The blast from the Lovely Angels main gun echoed off the surrounding hills, plumes of smoke rising up from the burning plain. The devastation was great, whole groups of bugs evaporating in burst of energy, but at best all Mughi�s firing did was force them to spread out and take alternate routes towards the ship.

Kei watched him curiously. She put a knowing smile on her face, standing next to the Colonel.

"You knew they�d follow us," she said.

Collins remained locked on the Aliens. "Yes," he replied.

"Hmm, pulling them away from Dorman. Not a bad idea. Risky on our part, but understandable."

"I�ll take that as a complement, Kei."

Kei regarded him for a moment. "You have good character, Colonel," she continued. "I like that."

The Macros came down, Collins turning to her. Kei grinned up at him.

A slight cough from behind broke the moment, Vicky Meyers standing behind them. Collins actually looked perplexed for a second, then asked her what she wanted.

"The airlock door, sir. It seems to be jammed."

"By what?"

"We don�t know, sir."

Returning to the lock, First Sergeant Kelly and Yuri were lying prone on the hull, peering in through the small opening they had managed to make.

"I can�t tell even with this light," the heard Yuri say to Kelly.

"Looks like something hard . . . I don�t know," he replied.

"Kelly, is this going to take long?" Collins asked.

"Hard to tell sir," he replied standing up.

Collins furrowed a brow, kneeling. He studied the edges then stood again.

"Blow it," he ordered.

Heddy pulled a concision grenade from her belt priming the pin. "Fire in the hole!" she announced, the rest of the party moving back to a safe distance. She tossed it through the gap and scurried away.

The explosion blew the hatch up from its seals. Cautiously, Collins lead them back up. When the smoke cleared, He looked inside.

"Eeew, what is that?" Yuri said frowning at what was below.

The entire sides of the airlock were covered in a translucent green crystalline substance. Squiggy squinted hard at the stuff.

"Hey I�ll bet its that goo," he said pointing to the Alien dome.

Kei shuddered. "M-maybe we should try another way in," she said.

"Come on, K-gun. Don�t loose your cool on us now," said Kelly. He pulled on a pair of gloves, stepped onto the first step and started down.

"Ladies first," Squiggy said to Heddy.

"Oh, thanks," she replied.

Heddy slapped him on the forehead and followed. At the bottom, Sergeant Kelly stood at the open set of inner doors shining a light down the darkened passageway. The resin smeared the walls, draping down across conduits and supports in eerie, twisted shapes. Heddy took up position across from him.

"Hey, sarge. I tink Squiggy�s right," she whispered, feeling the coat of resin on the wall.

"Don�t touch that shit!" scowled Kelly and she jerked back. He rolled his eyes up, then called back up the hatch it was all clear.

Meyers detailed the rest of them down by twos. Before Collins climbed down, he took one last look at the Aliens. They were so spread out that Mughi and the Angel were finding it hard to acquire targets, repositioning for a better shot. The Command Carrier sat off at a short distance, doing what it could with its main gun.

<Fraiser.>

<Yes, Colonel.>

<Stay mobile. I don�t want the bugs to pile up on you like the first carrier we lost.>

<Roger, sir.>

<Let me know when they get ten minutes away, then stand-by to pick us up.>

<We�ll be ready.>

Collins glanced at the horde once more, then climbed down.

* * * * *

The party moved along, taking directions from Timbra as they advanced further into the bowels of the Glory Ann. The Alien resin made it hard for them to make out their positions, but soon they came out into the main corridor of the ship. Collins called a stop.

"Alright, Timbra, which way?"

Timbra studied the pad in her hands for a moment.

"We are going to have to go this way," she said pointing left. "Should be an access ladder five frames forward. Computer bays are three decks down."

"And us?" asked Vicky.

"Aft. About twelve frames back to another access ladder. Aux Control is six decks down."

"Six frigg�n decks," Squiggy sighed. "If I remember�s correctly, we only got two decks down before the bugs attacked."

"Alright, can it, Corporal," ordered Collins. "Vicky, get moving. Time is running out, so be quick but careful. Check in every five minutes."

"Yes, sir. Let�s move out, Balboa."

The party detailed into two squads, Vicky taking charge leading her group down the corridor. Collins waited until they were safely away before turning to lead the rest of them forwards, a determined glare in his eyes.

* * * * *

Timbra�s directions proved accurate and soon Collins�s team was climbing down the damaged levels into the Glory Ann�s computer room. The place was in shambles, console ripped from the bulkheads, computer bays smashed or burnt from either the fighting, or the following crash. To make matters worse, the bugs had coated everything in the offensive goo making visual recognition harder.

"Oh lovely," commented Timbra looking around. "Late Alien decor, the puke green-black goes quite well with the scorch marks, don�t you think Colonel?"

Collins was searching the far wall for the computer module. He pulled up a schematic of the ship.

"The memory banks should be right over there," he said pointing to a section on the right.

Kelly shinned his light on the spot. Through the thick layer of translucent resin, they could see what looked like part of a console, a control panel set in the bulkhead next to it. With a sneer, the First Sergeant broke away some of the resin. He yanked, more of the stuff pulling away with a sticky screeching sound. Several other helped and soon they had enough of the console cleared to work with. Timbra shined her light on the underside of the workstation.

"Yeah, this looks promising," she said pulling out a tool kit.

She undid the panels as the rest of the team waited, wondering if their trip was worth the effort. A snap sounded, then Timbra sat up holding the first computer module in her hands. A brief examination made her frown.

"No joy, Colonel," she said holding it up for him to see.

On either end, dark scoring marked the connectors. Collins didn�t need a tech to know that the thing was shot. He cursed turning away.

"Let�s hope the one down in Aux is still salvageable," he said. His commlink beeped.

<Go.>

Outside, Denny moved the Command Carrier to the foot hills north of the crash site. He stared down at the scanner display, a slight feeling of fear running through him.

<Colonel, I�ve got some more bad news,>

<Spill it, Fraiser.>

<Looks like there�s some bug movement inside with you. Not a whole hell of a lot, but it�s there.>

The marines in both parties tensed, gazing around.

<Location?> asked Collins.

<Sporadic, I can�t get a good lock. Some unusual returns, not like the norm.>

<Try to get a location and keep me informed.>

<That�s not all sir,>

<There�s more?>

The sound of the main turrets gun in the background startled him.

<We�ve got more bugs coming. This cat up in the Lovely Angel flashed me a sweep to the north. There�s whole new horde flowing in from the hills.>

A new twist in this complicated affair, Collins looked back at his team.

<What�s the ETA?> he continued.

Denny glanced at the screen. <North group about fifteen, twenty minutes tops.>

<Status on the southern group?>

<They�ve spread out so thin that the Angel is making strafing runs now. ETA�s a little under twenty minutes.>

<Okay. Let me know if anything changes.>

Denny acknowledged and Collins called Meyers.

<Vicky, you have about ten minutes to get down to Auxillary Control and get out. Where are you now?>

Vicky�s section was finding it hard going down into the bowels of the ship. The Glory Ann suffered more damage aft, parts of her hull broken open. That plus the added lining of Alien construction made their progress slow at best. Currently, they stopped on the fourth deck to listen in on the conversation. The news of bugs inside only made things worse.

<We�ve made to deck four, sir, but it looks like I�ll have to bypass the main access tube and move further aft due to all the damage.>

Collins looked at the layout on Timbra�s display. She nodded, pointing out the alternate route into the engineering space below.

<Move fast, Vicky. I�m going to cover the main deck incase you need support. If you don�t think you can go any further, get back here on the double.>

<It�s scary, but I think we can make it. I�ll be in touch.>

Vicky signed off. Across from her, the Angels stood ready to move on.

"Advance?" asked Yuri.

She nodded and the squad moved out.

With motion detectors on full sweep, they advanced down the length of a side passage, picking their way through until it opened up into a wide semi-circular cul-da-sac.

Kei held up her pad. "Say, this isn�t right," she said.

"According to the schematics, there should be a series of access ladders leading down to engineering," added Yuri.

They shinned their lights around the space, but there was no signs of the exits anywhere.

"Looks like de bugs closed this end off," said Heddy.

"Ma�am, no disrespect intended, but it�s time to get the hell out of here," added Balboa.

Vicky looked frightened, staring up at the overhead and the odd patterns in the resin. "You might be right, Squiggy."

"Lieutenant," one of the marines called to her from across the room. Several of the marines were kneeling down, looking at a spot on the floor. Vicky told Hedona to watch their backs, walking over.

"I think I can see a light through this stuff," he said.

True enough, a dim white light shone up through the resin. Kei spotted another not to far away. Her eyes suddenly went wide.

"Oh my God! This isn�t the Glory Ann, this part of that dome. We�d--"

A long cracking noise stopped her, then part of the false floor split behind them. Kei spun around intending to leap back, but before she could the floor gave way.

Cries of fear carried through the air as they fell into the abyss below. . .

Hedona and the two marines with her crawled out to the edge of the hole and peered down.

"Jesus, Heddy, what the hell do we do now!" exclaimed one of the marines, panic in her eyes.

"I�m thinking, now shut up!" replied Heddy.

They could see the lights on the floor below, fuzzy figures sprawled about the space. Heddy cupped her hands to her mouth.

"Squiggy!" she shouted. There was no reply, and she activated her comlink.

<Colonel Collins!>

<What is it, Heddy?>

<The floor gave way, Lieutenant Meyers and most of the squad dropped into the lower part of the ship!>

Collins called a stop to his squad. <Where are you now?>

<Somewhere�s around the fourth deck still. No one�s answered my call, Colonel!>

<Alright, stay there. We�re coming down to get you.>

<Hold on, Colonel,> a voice interrupted them.

<Vicky?>

Vicky slowly turned on her stomach, rising up on her elbows and paused to regain her senses. She shook her head.

<I�m alive, sir.>

A relieved looked appeared on Collins�s face. <Are you or anyone else hurt?>

<I don�t feel any broken bones, and I still haven�t got my sight adjusted yet so I can�t see anyone else.>

Somebody moaned off to her left. She rose up on her knees retrieving her light. Something slightly moist and sticky came back with it. Vicky frowned trying to wipe the offensive mess from her hands with no success. Her vision was starting to adjust and she made out a series of consoles at the far part of the room, a hatch leading into another space just beyond that.

<Colonel, I believe I�m in part of engineering, but it doesn�t look right.>

<We�re on our way.>

<I don�t recommend it,> she replied spotting several of the marines pulling themselves from the debris. <It�s going to take too much time for all of us to climb out of here as it is.>

Collins knew she was right. Reluctantly he told Kelly to continue on towards the upper decks. <Vicky, I want you online continuously,> he said.

<Yes, sir.>

Something moved beside her. She whirled, training the light on a partially dazed Kei.

"You wann�a point that somewhere�s else," she said holding an arm up.

"Damn, Kei. You scared the living daylights out of me."

Kei sneered shaking her arms, light trails of the goo on the floor streaming from them. She felt like throwing up. Out of the darkness, Squiggy appeared helping one of the marines along under one arm.

"Squiggy!" Heddy exclaimed, happy to see him.

"Yeah we�re alive, Heddy," he replied. The reminder of the marines joined them and he took a quick head count. Somebody was missing.

"Hey, where�s my Yuri?"

Kei called out her name. Lights snapped up sweeping the darkness. There were odd shapes intermixed amongst the remains of the false floor, oblong shapes that seem to dot the floor near the center. Something stirred between several of them.

"Yuri?" Kei said spotting her friends head rising up from the floor.

Yuri pawed at the sticky mass of goo in her hair, trying to clear her eyes. Sensing the lights, she blindly made her way towards them. Her foot caught on one of the objects, falling face down to the floor.

"Yuri! Crawl towards us!" shouted Kei.

Yuri sputtered, wiping her face clean. "Kei, what the hell is this crap all over me!" she shouted.

"Forget about your looks, Yuri. Just crawl straight towards us!"

Yuri knew when not to question Kei in times of emergency. When she was safe, they peered around at the objects.

"Hey, what da heck are those?" Squiggy asked. He shined his light on one of the things and moved in for a closer look.

It was a pod of some sort, leathery brown in color; the top opened back like a peeled banana. He peered inside, finding the thing empty, a sticky membrane hanging loosely around the sides. Kei tapped Vicky on the shoulder, pointing to more of the things in the same condition off to the right.

"We�re leaving now," declared Vicky. She looked up to Heddy. "Milles, tie your repelling lines to something sturdy and throw�em down here."

As Heddy rigged the lines, the rest of the squad began to explore their surroundings. Squiggy helped Yuri up, wiping away the mess from her face.

"That�s better," he said.

She smiled at him. "Thank�s, Squiggy. I knew you were a gentleman inside all of that macho exterior."

Yuri saw a boyish blush color his cheeks. "Nah, only for the best look�n marine on Locris," he replied.

"You mean that?"

"Would I lie?"

Yuri gave him a hug.

"Hey, this is no time for new found loves," Kei scolded them. She handed Yuri her rifle. "If you still can remember, we are in enemy territory."

Squiggy stepped back turning to the rest of the squad. "What da hell are you guys do�in?" he shouted at them.

"We�re looking around," one of them replied.

"Get back here!"

Another marine called to them. In the beam of her light an Alien construction hung down from part of the overhead. Between the drapings a long whitish tube lay collapsed on itself, the end limp on the floor in a puddle of ooze. One of the marines with her poked its surface with his rifle.

"It�s kind of like a rubber balloon. Smells horrible, probably been like this for at least a week," he said.

"I want everyone back here now!" Vicky ordered. Somebody cried out, bringing them around with rifle drawn up.

"What�s going on!" asked Squiggy.

"Nothing," answered a marine. He held his head. "I just hit my head on something, that�s all."

"That�s all? Get over here!"

"It�s probably just a pipe." replied the marine shining his light up at the wall. "Nothing to get-- huh?"

He leaped back letting out a cry of surprise. There on the wall, partially cocooned in resin was one of the colonist. His face was frozen in a permanent look of pain and terror, chest ripped open from the inside. They all gazed at the deadman in horror.

Kei panned her light up, and another body came into view. She drew in a gasp as more and more victims of the Aliens were discovered along the upper portions of the room. Men, women, children, animals both wild and domesticated all cried out in silent agony to them.

"Oh my god," muttered Vicky. Her light was on a figure high on the wall. A marine they could tell, several of them dropped to their knees, arms limp at their sides in shock.

<C-C-Colonel C-Collins,> stammered Vicky into her mic.

<What is it, Vicky?>

She hesitated, fighting to find the words. <I-I found Major Christopher . . . he�s been glued to the wall just like the captain of this ship was when we found him.>

Collins could hear the rising hysteria in her voice.

<I want you and your squad out of there now, Vicky! Is that clear?>

Squiggy managed to break from his shock.

"Heddy, where�s that friggin line at!"

"I�m throwing it down now, Squiggy!" she replied.

The combined lengths of tylacord line draped to the ground. Squiggy started the marines up without a second of hesitation. Meanwhile, Yuri gently shook Vicky from her shock, turning her away from the view.

"Get a hold of yourself, Vicky," she said. Meyers took in several deep breaths easing the tension from her body.

"This isn�t a colony, this is Hell," she said turning away.

Yuri felt Vickyi�s sense of despair. This whole excursion carried a pallor of death that was strangely foreign to her. She looked around to find Kei, spotting her off to one side holding up her pad.

"Kei, come on we�re leaving," she said.

Kei cast a curious gaze around the room. She checked the schematic on the display then stepped out a few paces looking up.

"Yuri, I think we got lucky here," she said.

"What�s so lucky about this place?" answered Yuri.

"This area here should be just around the forward part of engineering."

"And?"

"Yuri, don�t you see?" Kei said. She gazed slowly around, eyes searching the darkened recesses. "We were on the fourth deck, we fell two decks down . . . that means that somewhere in this room is the back-up computer."

Yuri took the pad from her looking at the schematic. Comparing what recognizable equipment she could see with what was there, Yuri frowned.

"I�m not too fond of probing around looking for that damn data bank, Kei."

"It was our idea in the first place to come here, partner," Kei reminded her.

"We were stupid too. Kei, something is not right with this place!"

Kei held back the urge to tear into Yuri. "Vicky, can you hold some of the squad back?" she said ignoring Yuri�s protest.

"Hell no!" exclaimed Vicky. "I agree with Yuri, let�s get out of here now."

"We need that module!"

Vicky pursed her lips angrily. <Colonel, did you manage to find the main module?>

<Yes, but it was shot. I heard everything Vicky, and I agree with you. Sorry Kei, get out of there.>

<Give me five minutes, Colonel. Just five minutes!> Kei pleaded.

<You only have five minutes, Kei.>

<Three, just give me three then!>

A short pause followed. <Three minutes. Vicky, give her that much. When time expires, drag her kicking and screaming if you have to out of there.>

Vicky started her chronometer. "Okay, red, three minutes and counting. Balboa, leave two people here, the rest of us are going to cover our hero."

Kei took her pad, frantically searching for something that looked compatible to the schematic readout. Beneath a darkened section of the room she saw parts of a shattered bulkhead. Waving them to follow, she moved closer picking out consoles and monitors along the sides. Bodies and pods dotted the floor, but Kei could see a bank of computer controls heavily coated in the thick resin.

"That�s got to be it," she said.

They kicked their way a path through the pods, Yuri and the marines taking up positions around them.

"Two minutes, Kei," Vicky said.

Kei shined her light at the bay, then began pulling away part of the resin. Some of it was still soft, peeling away in strands in her hands. Kei let out a light moan.

"Oh, this is gross," she said.

Yuri smiled watching a dark opening across from them. Her light played across the floor, and an odd form caught her eye.

"Hey, Squiggy. Have you guys seen anything like that?" she asked.

Squiggy peered at the thing lying on the floor. It looked dead, eight withered legs curled up into its chest area, a long spine-like tail draped beneath it.

"Look�s like a dead spider, but I ain�t seen no spider da size o�dat."

There were more lying close to that one, Yuri not liking the implications of this. She told Squiggy to cover the opening, moving back to Kei.

"You gotta hurry, Kei," she said.

Kei looked over the console once more, kneeling down to see the panel barely through the goo. She knew she could not use tools effectively, and pulling the last of the stuff away would take to much time.

"I�m going to borrow this," she said reaching up to pull one of the last two Bloody Cards from Yuri�s holder. One minute thirty seconds remained, and Kei grimaced. She closed her eyes tight, pressing her arm through the offensive stuff.

"Eeew yuck, Kei!" exclaimed Yuri and even Vicky had to wince at the sight.

"Don�t you think--ooh gosh--I feel the same way, Yuri?" Kei said as she pressed deeper into the stuff. The Tegnoid alloy card cut through like a hot knife on butter, clearing a small path to the console�s underside. Kei was shoulder deep into the cocoon, semi-dried goo sticking to her arm weighting it down. Yuri stood unable to bear anymore.

"Are you almost through?" she asked.

Kei held the card on one end, cutting away at the seals holding the panel closed. It was beginning to become too much for her to bear, but she made the final swipes pulling the panel open.

"You want your card back?" she said.

"Oh, I don�t think so," Yuri replied.

"This is going to take several hot showers, plus maybe a new arm before I can get over this."

"One minute, Kei," Vicky told her.

Kei felt the ends of the module, searching for the release buttons. Yuri watched, then a light sweeping sound caught her ears. She tensed panning her light around behind the console. Vicky noticed her reactions, bringing her rifle up. To the left, part of the bulkhead was cracked open, the space just beyond visible in the light. Three pods sat in the center of the room, all of them opened back. Another room full of victims thought Yuri, then paused noticing that out of the three one of them looked fresh, driblets of clear slime dripping from the peeled ends.

"Kei," she said with some urgency.

"I�ve almost got it!" she replied.

Yuri drew back, eyes roving the overhead. The sweeping noise sounded again, this time Vicky heard it snapping her fingers to alert the rest of the marines.

"Times up, let�s go," she said.

Two sharp snaps echoed through the room, and Kei drew back.

"I�ve got it!" she exclaimed holding a resin covered arm and module high into the air.

At the same instant, a scurry of legs shot across the top of the consoles straight towards Kei. Yuri cried out her name and leaped just as the thing shot through the air. The light fell from her hands, both Troubleconsultants rolling around on the floor in the dark.

"Balboa!" cried Vicky rushing to help. Squiggy and the others were quickly at their side.

Kei screamed loudly, Vicky pulling her back as Yuri let out muffled cries clutching at her face. Something warm and wet grasped tightly to her head, a thick appendage wrapped tight around her neck. She could taste the slime in her mouth, a tube from the thing forcing its way down her throat in steady thrusting motions, cutting off her breath.

"GET IT OFF HER!" cried Kei.

Squiggy was already trying to pry the things legs apart, but they were latched to tight . Yuri reached out desperately for anything and Kei grabbed her hand. Her grip tightened, then abruptly went slack along with the rest of her body. In desperation Squiggy drew his knife, but before he could cut, Vicky forced his hand away.

"Acid for blood!" she reminded him. Collins angry calls caught her attention.

<Meyers, what going on, why are you all shouting?>

<Something�s happened to Yuri, sir,> she answered. <A bug we�ve never seen grabbed on to her face and we can�t get it off!>

<Is she dead?>

Squiggy placed an ear to her chest, hearing her heart beat.

"She�s still alive!" he said.

<No, sir.>

<Get out now!>

Gently, Squiggy hefted Yuri from the floor. He draped her over a shoulder and they started back, when a familiar hiss carried through the room.

"Keep moving!" Vicky ordered. <Colonel, I�ve got bugs down here with us!>

<Double time it, Vicky!>

The hissing sounded again only much clearer now. It focused out of the adjoining tunnel, and they turned rifles at the ready.

At the opening, a bug appeared, much bigger than any of the normal warriors they�d been fighting. It looked stronger, meaner than its cousins, the smooth forepart of its head a dark jet black. It was so large that it had to force its way through the opening, rising to full height before them.

Shocked expressions covered the squads faces, too stunned to react to the new threat. Another made its way through to stand next to the other. Around the rest of the room, regular warriors were pulling themselves from crevasses in the dome walls, hissing in anticipation as they crept closer.

"I hope that module was worth it, Kei," snarled Vicky as they backed away.

Kei could not reply, stunned as the bugs moved towards them . . .

* * * * *

Step by step the small band retreated, the Aliens surrounding them but maintained their distance. Up on the fourth deck, Heddy�s eyes went wide as the bugs came into view. One of the marines took aim, but she told him to hold his fire fearing that they would hit the team.

"Lieutenant, what do you want us to do?" she shouted down.

Vicky and Kei stood side by side, rifles shifting from bug to bug keeping them at bay. The two larger Aliens let out a low grunt, more warriors moving from behind to form a protective wall between them.

"Stay up there!" she answered. "Be ready to cover us when we start to climb up!"

One of the bugs started to charge forwards, but skidded to a halt when Vicky trained her weapon at it.

"What are they waiting for?" she said.

Kei wasn�t paying attention, staring at them. They seemed not to be interested so much in the marines, their heads locked on something behind her. Squiggy was the only thing at the center of the group, Yuri still unconscious over his shoulder.

"They want Yuri," she said in sudden realization. "That�s why they won�t attack us."

"Well then throw her out there and lets get out of here!" one of the marines exclaimed.

"Shut yer yap!" Squiggy shouted. "We ain�t leav�in nobody for da bugs, nobody!"

"But that gives me an idea, Squiggy," Kei said.

Kei told him to hold Yuri up. She slung her rifle and took her partner in her arms. Yuri hung limp like a rag doll, the gruesome thing on her face tightening its grip.

"Don�t worry you slug. I�m not about to mess with you right now," she muttered drawing her pistol.

"Hey what are you do�in!" Squiggy said.

"Trust me," she replied placing it to the side of Yuri�s head. "I�m sorry, Yuri, but this might be our only way to escape this trap."

Kei turned towards the two larger aliens. Immediately they let out a horrid shriek, heads sweeping across the encroaching bugs. They stopped and began to pull back. Vicky understood then what Kei was doing. She ordered the marines to start climbing up the rope.

"You know those monster bugs won�t let you get away, Kei," said Vicky. "You do have a plan for that, don�t you?"

"Squiggy, before you start up, tie the end of that line around us," said Kei. "On my signal, you guys haul us up as fast as you can."

"No sweat," Squiggy replied.

The last marine was just reaching the top; Vicky and Squiggy got ready to climb.

Vicky slung her rifle and grabbed the rope, pausing for a second.

"Are you sure you can pull this off?" she asked Kei.

The Troubleconsultant gazed around at the slavering jaws in the gloom.

"Just hurry."

Vicky started climbing up.

Taking the end, Balboa tied the rope securely around the Angels. He pulled his gloves on, leaped into the air grabbing the line and hauled himself up.

The Aliens began inching forwards again, several swipes and inner jaws snapping in her direction. Kei pushed the muzzle of the pistol up beneath Yuri�s chin. Her head lolled back turning to the side. Again, the larger aliens screeched out a halt. Kei noticed dark figures climbing along the sides of the walls. Bastards were going to try and swarm her she thought. Above, Squiggy reached the top and scrambled to his feet. He called down to Kei to let her know they were ready.

"Okay," she replied, pulling Yuri closer to her. One of the bugs hissed at her.

"So I see you guys aren�t so tough after all," Kei said. A slight step from behind brought her around. "Get back!" she shouted at the bug. It quickly retreated.

"Squiggy!" Kei shouted.

Balboa stood at the edge of the hole gripping the line tight in his hands.

"Okay, guys. On the count of three," he said to the four marines behind him. The rest of them stood ready on their weapons.

"One . . . two . . . three, PULL!"

A cry came from Kei as she and Yuri shot up into the air. Surprised by the move, the Aliens charged. Vicky gave the word to open fire and the roar of gunfire filled the air. On the line, Squiggy pulled with every ounce of strength he could muster, biceps bulging from the strain. They had already pulled the girls up one deck and were half-way past the second.

Kei held Yuri tight to her, ignoring the thing pulsating on her chest where Yuri�s head lay, watching the darkness for any unwanted visitors. One of the bugs suddenly leaped towards her, but a burst from Kei�s pistol sent it spiraling to the ground. A hand grabbed her by the collar, Balboa hefting them up over the side of the hole. He dropped to his hands and knees panting hard as Heddy undid the line.

"We gotta go, people!" Vicky said to them. Too emphasize her point, a taloned hand reached over the edge, an Alien clawing its way over the top. It was blasted back over the side, but several more appeared.

Squiggy scooped Yuri up and ran down the passageway, the rest of the squad covering their retreat.

<Colonel, we�re coming out!> Vicky reported to Collins.

The Colonel had not been idle through all of this, his squad moving rapidly aft to help their comrades. They were just reaching the second deck when Meyer�s call came over.

<Vicky, we�re on our way to get you!> he replied.

<The bugs are on our ass, sir, and it looks like they mean to get Yuri back.>

<Keep falling back, I�ll be there in-->

A scream sounded, the marine running point squirming in the middle of the passageway. From out of the resin wall, a bug clutched him tightly by the throat. It twitched snapping his neck and dropped the man to the floor. They fired, more of the bugs appearing from a tunnel in the overhead.

<Vicky, I�ve got bugs up here. We�ll try to meet you on the third deck near the bridge.>

She brought up her pad, checking the layout.

<We�ll try sir!>

<Don�t try, do. Keep your head and I�ll see you then.>

He switched up to the Command Carrier. <Fraiser, what�s our status!>

Denny had the carrier in a slow glide backwards, both turrets firing continuously at the Aliens in the field.

<Colonel, you�ve got to get out of there now. Something�s got the bugs all riled up. They have increased their pace.>

Collins wondered if the bugs had a form of telepathy. He�d discus that with Doctor Pellorian later. Now the main concern was to get out of the Glory Ann alive before it became their tomb.

<Fraiser, get ready to retrieve us. We�ll be coming out near the bridge.>

<Roger,> Denny replied banking the carrier around.

The squeals from the Aliens grew louder as the marines slowly fell back.

"Sir, how the hell are we going to get out of the bridge!" Kelly asked him.

"That obstacle we�ll cross after we get there," Collins replied.

* * * * *

Vicky�s squad leapfrogged back through the Glory Ann�s corridors, desperately trying to stay ahead of the Aliens. Mindful of the fact that there were bugs somewhere ahead, she decided to take an alternate route which took them through the crews mess. Here another portion of the ship had been cracked, alien construction blending in with the regular parts of the bulkheads and floor. Now wasn�t the time to make another trip to the lower portions of the ship and they quickly came to a halt.

Concentrating their firepower stopped the bugs at the hatch, driving them back.

"Okay, so does anybody have any ideas?" Heddy said while reloading.

"I�ll check to see if this floor is strong enough to support us," one of the marines answered dashing for the far exit.

"Get back here!" Squiggy called to him.

He took a steady step out onto the mottled colored floor. It creaked, but held and he stomped down on it. Still nothing.

"Hey, Lieutenant, it�s solid--"

An arm broke up through the floor grabbing hold of an ankle, pulling him down to the floor. Fearful cries called out as more arms reaching up to snare him. The marine let out one last cry before disappearing into the darkness.

From the shattered floor, the Aliens began to crawl up cutting their escape.

"Damnit, we�re trapped!" snarled Kei.

More bugs were punching their way through the resin walls, a move not missed by Squiggy. "I like dat idea," he said. Switching to his rifles grenade launcher, Balboa pointed it at the nearest side of the dome.

"Fire in the hole!" he called out.

The round blasted a large hole through the wall to the outside.

"We�re out�a here!" exclaimed Squiggy draping Yuri over his shoulder. Carefully stepping along the jagged edges, they peered out of the hole looking down the curved side of the dome. It was either sliding down or face the bugs pressing hard on their heels.

The trip down was swift, several cries carried through the air as they fell into the grass below. Kei rolled, tumbling a short distance away. She cleared her head and looked back up. Obviously the Aliens were accustomed to this kind of travel, moving nimbly on all fours down the side after them. Gunfire sounded, Mughi directing the Lovely Angel through the air strafing the side.

<Colonel Collins!> she said over the comlink. <We�re outside heading for the Carrier.>

Collins and his squad had retreated into the bridge area, holding the Aliens back with some difficulty. <Outside? How the hell did you manage that?>

<We blew a hole through the wall!>

<Ah, not bad. Stand-by, we�ll be with you in just a minute.>

Vicky and the marines raced past her as a score of bugs reached the ground.

"Wait for me!" cried Kei following their lead.

Around the front of the ship, Denny brought the command carrier to a hard stop, dropping the rear ramp. The main turret cut down their pursuers and they scrambled inside.

"Lieutenant, where�s the Colonel?" Denny asked.

Vicky grimaced, fearing for the other team. <Colonel Collins!> she shouted across the net.

Just then the bridge of the Glory Ann exploded with a powerful roar. Out of the smoke, Collins�s squad crawled out onto the bow of the ship heading for the edge. Vicky ordered Denny to move them closer as the rest of the team opened the top hatches.

"Jump!" Balboa called up to them. Most of them were already making the leap, Collins and Kelly covered them until the last of their people were safely aboard, then together leaped over the side.

<Let�s move, Fraiser!> he said and they pulled away from the ship.

As the carrier was buttoned up, Collins stopped to look down upon Yuri lying on the floor, Kei at her side. She gazed up at him, tears brimming her eyes. Denny called back to him.

"What about this, Colonel?" he said.

Ahead, the Aliens were moving to cut them off weathering Mughi�s fire in an attempt to board the fleeing carrier. He knew that if enough of them got on, they would tear their way through the hatches and slaughter them all.

"Get ready people, this is not over yet," he said.

Kei stood up. "Hang on, everyone. We�re getting out of here," she said.

[Mughi, put a gravfield on this carrier and fly us out of this mess.]

Mughi growled, banking the Lovely Angel down above them. The carrier lurched, startling the marines inside as it rose into the air. Mughi brought them to a safe height, and whisked them over the Aliens below.

Collins dropping into his seat, letting out a long sigh.

"Too close for my liking," he said.

At the rear of the vehicle the det stared down at Yuri somberly. They felt helpless, watching the thing on her face do its deadly deed. One of them spread a blanket across her.

"We can�t let her die like that," said Heddy wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"Doc P will save her," said another. "If anybody can do it, he can."

Kei broke out in sobs, Timbra hugging her close.

"I should have listened," she said. "Now look at her. That thing is planting one of those larva in her and all I can do is stand here and watch . . . IT"S ALL MY FAULT!"

"It�s not, Kei," Timbra replied firmly. "You did what you thought was right. Doctor Pellorian will figure a way to get that out of her before it wakes up."

Kei drew back, sniffling. Timbra gave her a concerned look, and she quickly nodded. Her expression shifted, a hard gaze filling her eyes. She went forwards and punched up the Angel�s net.

<Mughi, put us down,> she said to the cat on the screen.

Collins did not object seeing that they were well clear of the Alien horde. The carrier sped off under it�s own power; Kei staring at the screen for a moment.

<Go back and destroy that nest,> she finished. <Burn it to the ground.>

The Lovely Angel peeled away to carry out her order.

Collins watched her for a moment.

"I�m glad I�m not on the receiving end of your wrath," he said.

She smirked.

"Wrath? I�m just beginning to get pissed, Colonel. These bastards haven�t seen nothing yet."

Several large explosions wracked the sky as the command carrier headed back to the colony . . . .

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