A setting sun cast long shadows on the three as they moved stealthily through the undergrowth

A setting sun cast long shadows on the three as they moved stealthily through the undergrowth. Sgt. Banks was on point, with Tanker bringing up the rear. Kelly could tell the large man was nervous from his rate of breathing, and she constantly felt him watching her.

"What you saw is classified and you will never repeat it to anyone!" Sgt. Banks had made sure that his orders were clear, although Kelly didn't quite understand them. Women had been in combat for generations, so she was nothing new. Kelly contemplated the savagery of her attack and decided that it must have something to do with it, although she was sure Sgt. Banks nor Tanker would give her an answer.

A light breeze caressed the group as they exited the forest into a field with flowing stalks. It looked like pictures of wheat fields Kelly had seen in movies back home, although she doubted this was the same crop. A clear starry night gave a cooled ambient lighting across the landscape. The sway of the stalks made a beautiful blue wave across the ascending plane in front of them as it danced with the breeze.

"It looks like we are about twenty clicks out from our reported target. There should be another tree line on the other side of the hill. Let's get over there and bed down for a few hours shuteye."

Kelly noted the grass was taller than she had initially thought, as it gently enveloped and caressed her thighs. The trio moved low and fast as they traversed the easy terrain. The view from the top was a breathtaking blue, as the hill rolled down as easily as it did up. A small creek divided the base from the thick forest beyond as some bird-like creatures swooped down on it repeatedly trying to gather food and water.

Kelly was about to remark how surreal the scene was until they all were greeted to a loud shrieking noise. Bumps instantly covered Kelly's arms as the echo faded. The sound had come from seemingly far away, but somehow that wasn't comforting.

"It appears that sound came from where we are heading. Let's get down there and set up a small perimeter. We don't have much left, so we will have to be in alert mode on our watches." Sgt. Banks began descending the hill as another sound echoed softly. The sound of machine gun bursts sounded uncontrolled. Someone down there was freaking out.

Kelly suddenly got a look at Tanker as he stepped passed her. The man was good at hiding his feelings, but she noticed his hands twitching and forever changing their grips on his rifle.

"Nervous big man?" Kelly asked matter-of-factly.

"Just stay away from me Kelly."

"That's enough you two. Tanker, you will work with her and me if we are all to get out of here."

The dialogue was disconcerting. Apparently Tanker was afraid of her, although she didn't know why. Kelly looked down to her hands as the three started down the hill. They too were clinched around her own weapon, although there was no fidgeting or tremors to be seen.

Kelly had done well to wipe the blood off her self, although her arms were left with a pinkish stain. The stain was further darkened by the moon's blue hue. Kelly knew her regulation-cut blonde hair was also stained and probably matted as well. Still, showering was the furthest thing from her mind as she saw a sudden light from beyond the tree lines. The boom took several seconds for to reach their ears, and like all the other sounds, it was quite faint. It made Kelly wonder, however, about the screeching sound they had heard.

What kind of creature could make a sound that would travel such a distance?

"What the hell you think is going on down there Serge?" Tanker's voice seemed calm, as Kelly didn't detect any quivering in it.

"Hell if I know, but it sounds like someone or something is doing our job for us. The Black Adder faction is supposed to be pretty well trained and equipped, but it sounds like a bunch of greenhorns running around shooting at ghosts."

It was Kelly's turn to be on watch as she shouldered her rifle and stretched her legs out. Tanker handed her a pair of night vision goggles, but as she began to put them on her vision began to adjust itself. Suddenly the forest appeared around her in a strange haze, but one that she could distinguish the various patterns before her. Kelly thought about giving the goggles back to Tanker, then thought twice about it and just let the optics rest on her head.

Silence surrounded the camp, with the exception of some nearby chirps and clicks of what Kelly assumed to be small white creatures that she had around the camp previously. The gunfire had gone silent hours before, and since there had been no signs of conflict, or life for that matter.

The others stirred as Kelly placed her rifle against a nearby tree and planted her hands firmly against it. Standing around for hours looking at nothing had not been her idea of fun, and her legs echoed the sentiment. Kelly pushed into the tree with her hands and began stretching her calves. Her form was beautiful to look at, although it was covered in battles' remnants. Sgt. Banks caught himself admiring her form as her back gracefully arced. Noting his error, he quickly averted his eyes.

Alright people, let's move out. I want sight of the target area with some recon by nightfall. By my calculations this planet has a period of several days' worth of darkness coming. It will be starting this afternoon, which means we don't have to wait forever to get in there and kill these bastards.

"What about that damn noise we heard sir?" Tanker slid back the hammer on his HBR-50 and checked the chamber before slapping it shut.

"Let's just hope its either on our side, or it has gone the hell home. If not, then we will kill it."

"We don't even know what it is sir." Sgt. Banks cast Kelly a glare.

"Whatever it is, Kelly, it is not part of this mission. For all we know it was some cat or something that belongs to this planet. It is not our problem unless it becomes our problem. Got it?"

"Yessir."

It was nightfall when the three entered the complex. There appeared to be three clusters of buildings. Each set had one large circular domed building in the center surrounded by smaller square buildings that were tethered to it. One of the buildings had a single light out front that was flickering, and there appeared to be bloodstains on the front and doors leading into it.

Kelly swept the area with her rifle, looking for any signs of hostile forces. The same calming wind was still gently blowing, but she now noticed an acrid smell that accompanied it. The stench wafted around the three as they fought the urge to gag.

"Dead guys. But there is something else too, can't figure it out."

Sgt. Banks approached the first building as its bulb continued to flicker. Upon a closer look, Kelly noticed what appeared to be slash marks, as well as holes in the building's exterior. These holes, however, were not bullet holes. It appeared something had eaten through the metal structure, leaving a small trail as it dribbled down the building's side.

A hard jerk from Sgt. Banks opened the door, which let go of its hinges and fell to the ground. Another wave of stench hit the group as they peered inside. The first few lights down the dim hallway were completely out, but the last two continued to flicker in vain. One light had been torn partially from the ceiling.

Tanker clicked on a large flashlight as a secondary source and aimed it down the hallway. As he shined the flashlight about the interior, they could all see flashes of a battle gone wrong. Bullet holes littered the walls and ceilings and blood covered the floor. Torn bits of bodies were strewn about.

Kelly looked to the left as her vision adjusted away from the light and caught a glimpse of half a person's head. One side looked to have been violently ripped open, losing its eyeball in the process. The look on the rest of the face was pure terror.

"Steady yourselves people. We need to find a comm room. I am thinking we need some more firepower, or at least an evac at this point. This mission looks pretty well gone to shit."

"Looks like the comm room is one level down." Kelly glanced at the building directory posted on the wall to her left. The lower half had splotches of blood and gore on it and was almost indecipherable.

The group crept cautiously through the hallway, which was big enough to allow them room to move freely. Sgt. Banks again took point and swept left to right, while Kelly had the feeling in her gut to keep her sights trained on the ceiling.

Kelly looked to a partially open doorway to her right as they rounded a corner. The room had slightly more lighting that had managed to spill out into the hallway. The room itself was a mess. Tables that looked like they supported lab equipment had been turned over. Broken glass littered the floor and had been painted red. Blood also dotted the tables and walls, but Kelly did not see any bodies lying about.

After a tense walk down a flight of stairs and another short hallway, Sgt. Banks stopped in front of a door labeled Communications. The group was relieved to see that the equipment inside appeared to be in working order. A body with headphones slumped over one console. The man's blue uniform had been torn open and his back shredded. Congealed blood had pooled heavily beneath him.

Sgt. Banks walked over and grabbed the man's headphones. He knocked the man onto the floor and began working the console in front of him.

"Come in Starmac seven seven two. This is Sgt. Banks with Hopper group requesting evac. Anyone copy?"

"This is Starmac seven seven two. We have you on a pickup route. ETA three hours. Over."

"Alright people. Let's hold tight until they get here. I didn't come to play janitor, and it looks like the battle's…"

Sgt. Banks stopped mid-sentence as he stared at the creature approaching them on the floor. It was small and spider-like in nature. It scurried quickly toward them, seemingly unafraid. Suddenly the creature launched itself off the floor at Kelly. Barely managing to have time, Kelly threw her arms up as the creature's legs wrapped around them.

Kelly felt something wrap around her neck and tried to bring the creature closer. The creature had a stench that permeated Kelly's nostrils. Kelly pushed back with her arms and pushed the creature farther from her face as its tail continued to grip her neck.

Kelly's world was beginning to dim as Tanker and Sgt. Banks each grabbed onto the tail and began to loosen it. Slowly breathing became easier as the creature's tail became slack and was then gone.

"Hold it!" Sgt. Banks ordered Tanker as he grabbed he knife from his sheath.

"Kelly, hold it so the tail hangs down!"

Kelly had the creature hanging from her arms as Sgt. Banks carefully and methodically cut into the creature at an odd angle.

Sizzling sounds filled the room as the creature shrieked and a dull yellowish-green liquid spat across the room and then ran down its tail.

"Stand clear!" Tanker was slow to react as the creature swung its tail. Drops of its blood landed on his pants and began to eat through. The large man screamed as the acid ate into his flesh.

Suddenly the creature let go and dropped to the floor lifeless.

Sgt. Banks immediately produced a needle and stuck it into Tanker's leg.

"This will help with the pain." Serge's voice sounded grim.

"What the hell is that thing?" Kelly looked at it curiously as its legs curled in on themselves.

Suddenly hisses and clanks and other noises echoed into the room.

"We have got to get out of here. We will all be dead in three hours."